Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

This year’s Wedding Belle’s contest winner was announced earlier today on The Morning Buzz. Amber Bacha (pictured with fiance Randy Confer) is the winning bride-to-be and will receive $1,000. You can see a list of the runners-up and their prizes here . This year’s contest pumped $1.94 million into the local economy. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Best-selling author Jeffrey Zaslow died in automobile accident Friday in Michigan. The 51-year-old columnist for The Wall Street Journal co-wrote “The Last Lecture” with Randy Pausch as well as books with Captain Chelsey “Sully” Sullenberger and former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly. I recently spoke with Zaslow about his latest book, "The Magic Room," which we will be giving away as a gift to one of the people who attends our Wedding Belles reception. In case you missed my talk with Jeffrey Zaslow, you can listen here . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

WESB and 100.1 The HERO's annual Wedding Belles contest got underway Wednesday with a reception held at the Masonic Center on South Avenue. For more information about the contest, and the brides and grooms, go here . Over the last two years, the contest has helped pump more than $2 million into the local economy. We have no doubt this year's group of brides will go over the $1 million mark, too. Tops Market in Bradford provided cupcakes, sandwiches and other snacks. Brides-to-be chat with Deb from The Paper Factory. Photographer Shawn Murray chats with bride-to-be Amy Perry. A bride and groom look to see what Custom Creations has to offer.

Amy Barger is the winner of WESB and The HERO's annual Wedding Belles contest. Second, third and fourth place finishers were Tiffany Bosworth, Brittany Frantz and Angie Comilla. You can see a complete list of the winners and their prizes here . The Wedding Belles contest helped pump nearly $1.3 million into the economy in McKean, Cattaraugus and Elk counties. Thanks to all the Wedding Belles and the people who supported them -- and so many area businesses! Our Create-a-Commercial winner is Chelsea Cummins, who wrote and recorded a commercial for WESB. You can hear it here . Second place went to Amanda Benner for 100.1 The Hero; third place was a tie between Kacy Huston for Save-a-Lot and Keerstyn Stives for CNB Bank. Rachel Dennis received an honorable mention for Tasta Pizza. Create-a-Commercial is done every year in conjunction with area sponsors and the Bradford Area School District.

You can see them here . You'll also find out how you can help them win. During the contest in both of the last two years, the belles helped pump in more than $1 million to the local economy. You can help these ladies keep that going!

Scenes from our annual Wedding Belles reception at the Masonic Center on South Avenue. The reception is the kickoff to the contest, which starts Thursday. The belles helped bring in more than $1 million to the local economy in the last two years. Don't you want to help these brides-to-be beat that? Pictured, from top (all talking to the belles, their families and grooms-to-be), Deb Piganelli and Michelle Gangloff from Tops Friendly Market in Bradford; Danielle DeLong from Heritage Suites; Maryanne Peterson from Peterson Studios in Wilcox; Deb from the Paper Factory in Olean. Last year's winner Crystal Wineburg Salada (with Scott Douglas) gives this year's belles some pointers. One of the grooms-to-be picks up the door prize he won from Sears of Bradford. Igor and Scott draw and read names for another door prize.

WESB and The HERO's Create-a-Commercial winner received her award during an assembly this morning at Bradford Area High School. Kendra Reily wrote a commercial for Cantwell-Johnson. Hope Laroche came in second with her commercial for CNB Bank. Emilie Swan placed third with her commercial for Save-A-Lot. Honorable mentions went to Andy Eliason, Brenna Reily and Christen Taylor. We also have a winner in the annual Wedding Belles contest. Crystal Wineberg won the $1,000 grand prize from WESB and The HERO. She'll be marrying Mike Salada on September 5. To see a list of the other winners, and their prizes, go HERE . This year's contest pumped in more than $1.3 million to the local economy.

Thanks to our Wedding Belles and everyone who's supporting them -- and our sponsors -- more than $1,000,000 has been pumped into the local economy. That's right: More than ONE MILLION DOLLARS ! Keep up the great work, everyone! And if you haven't gotten involved yet, go HERE to find out how you can be part of this record-setting year of the contest. Speaking of contests -- Stay tuned for details about THE contest of the season. If you think hard, you'll know what I mean. And keep listening to WESB and The HERO for your chance to win Pirates tickets, Waldameer tickets and (I heard a rumor) concert tickets. What do you have to do to win these tickets? Just listen. That's all. It's our way of thanking you. :)