Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

By SANDY RHODES When Micah Irwin crossed the finish line of Saturday's Willow Creek Triathlon, he was not alone. Actually far from it. There was the announcement over the PA system, "Welcome to Willow Creek." There were the two lines of veterans clapping and eagerly waiting to shake his hand. And then there was the image of Irwin's grandfather on the front of the 24-year-old's T-shirt. "I did this in memory of my grandfather (Ralph French) who was a World War II veteran," the Bradford man said. "He passed away a few years ago. Irwin was one of 290 who participated in the ninth annual triathlon that this year raised $40,139 for the transportation funds of the Disabled American Veterans of Mckean and Warren counties. This year's event surpassed last year's donation by more than $10,000. The nine-year total is more than $151,000. All of the proceeds help local veterans. The funds are earmarked to help with transportation - making su...

After saying they were going to protest during President Obama’s visit to Newtown, Connecticut, on Sunday, members of the Westboro Baptist Church found that the hacker group “Anonymous” targeted their website and stole private information on many of the group’s members. The controversial Westboro group based in Topeka, Kansas, protests at military funerals and events following high profile tragedies claiming God is punishing the United States. Anonymous says they will not allow Westboro to corrupt the minds of America with their seeds of hatred, and will render them obsolete and destroy them. Several members of the Westboro Baptist Church were in Bradford for the memorial service for Master Sergeant Thom Maholic. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

By SANDRA RHODES The Sixth Annual Willow Creek Triathlon is one for the record books. There was a record number of participants as well as a record number of dollars donated to the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. The pouring rain did not dampen the spirits of the participants in Saturday's triathlon. More than 360 - over 100 more people than last year - either swam, rode a bicycle or ran - or did all three. But the number that really counted - $22,192.57, the amount donated to the DAV - dwarfed last year's amount of just over $11,000. The money goes towards funding the transportation network for veterans, which ensures veterans transportation to and from appointments at VA hospitals and clinics. Dan Pierce and Sandy Trocki, overall male and female winners, were awarded the Master Sgt. Thom Maholic Award. Maholic, a Bradford native, died in 2006 while fighting with the Special Forces in Afghanistan. The awards are custom made knives from W.R. Case &...

By SANDRA RHODES The Willow Creek Triathlon has been a family affair for the Confer family since the event started six years ago. And this year is no different. The family patriarch, Wade Confer, leads the charge into the event, which will be held on Saturday, Aug. 6. The sprint triathlon starts with a 300-yard swim in Quaker Lake in Allegany State Park, N.Y., followed by a 15-mile bicycle ride on Route 280, which turns into Route 346, to the Corydon Hotel. A three-mile run to the Willows Restaurant finishes the race. Confer, 77, will be part of a team with 17-year-old granddaughter Rachel and 8-year-old grandson, Ethan Varner. Rachel will swim while Confer will do the bike portion with Ethan doing the running. They hope to channel some luck off the team’s name - 7-17-77 – after the ages of all the participants. While Ethan is currently 8, he was 7 years old when the team was conceived. And they are not the only family members participating. Rachel’s 15-year-old sister Ann is competing...

Washington (CNN) -- A Kansas church known for its angry, anti-gay protests at funerals of U.S. troops won an appeal Wednesday at the Supreme Court in a case testing the competing constitutional rights of free speech and privacy. Read the full story at CNN.com . U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today released the following statement in response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the Snyder v. Phelps case: “I am disappointed that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against the right of families of fallen troops to commemorate and grieve peacefully and privately,” said Senator Casey. “I supported the case filed by Albert Snyder through an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. In light of this ruling, I hope that protesters would change their minds and respect the brave men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect our freedom.” Last year, Senator Casey signed on to an amicus brief filed to support the Supreme Court case to protect the right of families to not have milita...

Story and Photos by Sandra Rhodes The winner of the Willow Creek Triathlon may have finished the race in less than an hour, but the effects of this annual event will be felt for a long time to come. Saturday’s triathlon amassed the largest number of participants to date as well as more than $11,000 for the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. There were 255 participants – 104 more than last year – who swam, bicycled and ran to help to help the transportation network for veterans, which ensures veterans transportation to and from appointments at VA hospitals and clinics. In the end, the combined efforts of the participants and sponsors – as well as a group of girls who sold lemonade and donated their profits to the triathlon – raised $11,090.63 – 23 percent more than last year. “We are very grateful for all the participants and sponsors that made this happen,” said race director Shane Oschman. “And we are equally ecstatic to be able to give this check to the DAV for...