Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

If you're doing any last-minute shopping -- please don't ignore the Salvation Army's Red Kettles on your way out of the store. With only today and tomorrow left in the campaign they are $10,000 short of their goal. Lt. Shane Carter talks says the money goes toward funding their programs for the entire year. This includes the food pantry, emergency housing and more. You’ll find Red Kettles at Walmart, Big Lots, Tops and Save-A-Lot. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Destinations-Bradford Holding Blanket Giveaway Winter is here and so is the cold weather. Destinations-Bradford, in an effort to help with issues of the poor and marginalized, is holding a blanket giveaway Saturday, November 16 from noon to 4 pm at the Destinations-Bradford, Community Outreach Center, 1 Main Street. The program is provided in part by the Bradford Area Ministerium, Phi Beta Chi at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and the Salvation Army. Various sized blankets are available in limited supply. Hot beverages and cookies are available. This program is offered along with the general outreach through Community Care program. Walk-ins are welcome and reservations for blankets accepted at Destinations. Reserve thru Friday by calling Destinations-Bradford, (814) 331-4551. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Destinations-Bradford is holding a outdoor wear giveaway September 25th - 27th from 1-4 pm. each day. This program is FREE and open to the public. This program is offered along with the general outreach through Community Care program. Gently used winter coats, hats, gloves and boots are available while supplies last. Donations are still being accepted throughout the giveaway and any remaining office hours. Remaining supply will be donated and distributed through the Salvation Army later this fall. The free shared clothing closet is scheduled on Wednesday, September 26th from 1-3pm in conjunction with the coat giveaway. Gently used and new clothing is available for all ages and sexes and genders and is available to individuals and their personal household. Destinations-Bradford general hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10-4 pm. at 1 Main Street, or upon appointment. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Douglas C. Rockwell, 56, Salvation Army Corps Commanding Officer/Pastor, of 7 Woodland Lane Bradford, was Promoted to Glory on Wednesday, August 29, 2012, while in the company of family members, at The Bradford Regional Medical Center. Born January 1, 1956, in Kingston, NY he was a son of the late James E. Rockwell and Marion (Pratt) Rockwell of Arlington, Va. On February 11,2012 in the Salvation Army he married Paulette A. (Crank) Rockwell who survives him. He graduated Kingston High School in 1974 and was currently in the training program at The Salvation Army as an Auxiliary Captain. He was a Bradford Rotarian, and very active in Knothole Little League Baseball as a coach and umpire. He formerly worked in his families business Abigail Press and later as a cook at a Greek Restaurant in New York. Surviving in addition to his wife, he is survived by eight children, Maria (Ramiro) Cruz-Milan, of Kingston, NY, Princess (Kevin) Rockwell-Weinberger, of Kingston, NY, Deborah "DeeJay...

As part of its girls/boys District 9 AAA playoff basketball doubleheader Friday night at Bradford High the school is asking for a blackout and sponsoring a canned food drive. Bradford basketball fans are encouraged to wear all black to work and to the game in support of the teams. Also Bradford Area High School Principal Ken Coffman is asking every fan to bring a canned food item. All the food collected will be given to the Salvation Army food pantry. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Hamot Medical Center is partnering with the Highmark Foundation to offer KidShape, a nationally recognized family-based weight managment program, It will be held in Bradford starting January 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Salvation Army on Jackson Avenue. The nine-week program is for families with overweight children ages 6 to 14. The program helps children and their families through better nutrition, increased physical activity and improved self-esteem. A registered dietitian, mental health professional and physical activity specialist work together as a team to help local families adopt better habits. "We believe that by participating in this program, overweight children and their families will be able to make significant lifestyle changes crucial to thier long-term health and wellness," said Mariann Kahle, Wellness Coordinator. "During the nine-week program children and parents participate in hands-on activities that are educational and fun. An incentive program motiviate...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, along with two of its student groups, is working with the United Way of the Bradford Area to gather food next month for area food banks. The food drive, which is being organized by Pitt-Bradford’s Students in Free Enterprise, will gather non-perishable items from Nov. 1 through 19. Items will be split between the Bradford YWCA food pantry, the Bradford Salvation Army food pantry and The Friendship Table, which provides evening meals for those who are hungry. On campus, the Student Nurse Organization will be collecting at several sites: Frame-Westerberg Commons, Hanley Library, Fisher Hall, Swarts Hall, Blaisdell Hall and the Sport and Fitness Center. Off-campus drop points for individuals or organizations to make donations are Bradford branches of Northwest Savings Bank and the lobby of Pitt-Bradford’s Seneca Building on Marilyn Horne Way downtown. Non-perishable food and hygiene items are welcome...

Great Main Street Clean Up - Saturday, April 24, 10 am – 1 pm Register at Grace Lutheran Church, Mechanic Street (receive vest, gloves and trash bags) Refreshments provided The event will consist of litter pick up in Main Street Historic District and Project Pride Elm Street Neighborhood. Sponsored by Bradford Main Street Program/Elm Street Project. Boy Scouting for Good - Saturday, April 24, 9am – 12pm Parkview and Walmart The Boy Scouts of America are collecting non-perishable food items for the Salvation Army Food Pantry Chamber Chat - Tuesday, April 27, 5-6:30 pm Sports Café, 48 Davis Street An informal informational meeting and networking opportunity to discuss and acquaint you with chamber benefits. FREE and open to BACC members and prospective members. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres provided. Please RSVP to BACC office 814.338.7115 or email info@bradfordchamber.com “Parenting is One Tough Job” Symposium - Wednesday, April 28, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm University of Pittsburgh Bradfo...

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford African-American Student Union will hold an all-night dance-a-thon this weekend to benefit hunger relief programs in Bradford. The event begins at 9 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 30) night in the Tom L. McDowell Fieldhouse in the Sport and Fitness Center and ends at 9 a.m. Sunday (Jan. 31). Supervision will be provided by Pitt-Bradford faculty and staff. The public is welcome. Cost to participate is $3. Entry fee for non-participants is $1. Water, snacks and energy bars will be served. Proceeds from the event will go to the Let’s Can Hunger Campaign, which will provide food for The Friendship Table, Bradford YWCA and Salvation Army. For more information or dance rules, contact Angelique Lindsay at (267)471-4374 or arl40@pitt.edu . For disability-related needs, contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at 814-362-7609 or arj4@pitt.edu .

“Recently, I had the opportunity to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. As passersby dropped money in the kettle, it was a great time to reflect about the wonderful district that I am so fortunate to represent. I passionately believe that our area is the best part of New York State -- we have neighbors who reach out helping hands in times of need, people who work hard everyday, and communities that are wonderful places to raise a family. The people who live in my district inspire me, and renew my resolve to work to turn our state around. Our focus should be on growing our economy, which in turn will solve the state's fiscal woes, and also will mean more career opportunities so that our families and young people won't have to leave to find jobs. It is going to be a challenging year ahead, but I believe with all my heart that we are worth the fight. I truly hope that your holiday season is filled with warmth, joy and laughter, and that the new year brings yo...

to all the people who donated money when I was ringing the Salvation Army bell at Tops today (especially the lady who said "You sound just like that girl on the radio.")!.

Mike Walter has been re-elected president of the AKtion Club. Chelsea Albright was re-elected vice president; Rose Colella, secretary; and Ashley Peterson was elected treasurer. Directors serving until 2010 are Tracy Carson and Jeff VanScoter. Directors serving until 2011 are Pete Carlson and Joe Lee. Swearing in of officers was done by District Judge Dom Cercone. Walter says the club's plans are working on Kiwanis Kapers, participating in the Salvation Army's Kettle Drive, continuing to raise money and plan for Relay for Life and working on First Night. "We're scattered all over the place," Walter said of First Night. "We go wherever they need us."

With no state budget in place, area food pantries are still in dire need of help. Even with the recent successful food drives in the area, cupboards at the food pantries are practically bare. Donations can be dropped off at the YWCA and the Salvation Army.

Dan Green of the Bradford YWCA; Marlee Spangler, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce intern; and Captain Debbie Weigner of The Salvation Army show off some of the food collected during the first-ever "Fill the Window Food Drive" Thursday. The goal of the event was to fill the window of the chamber's Main Street office with food that was donated to the YW and Salavation Army food pantries. Besides the food in the window, bags and boxes of food were inside the chamber office.