Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Dr. Ron Binder, associate dean of student affairs at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, has been elected co-chairman of the Fraternity and Sorority Knowledge Community of NASPA, the leading association of the student affairs profession. His term will last for two years beginning in March 2012. His co-chairman is Todd Adams of Duke University. The Fraternity and Sorority Knowledge Community has 1,700 fraternity and sorority professionals from across the country who work with their 700,000 current undergraduate members. “We’re very proud of Dr. Binder’s election as the co-chair of the NASPA Fraternity and Sorority Knowledge Community,” said Dr. K. James Evans, vice president and dean of student affairs at Pitt-Bradford. “It’s an honor both for Dr. Binder and for Pitt-Bradford to be elected a leader in this higher education association.” Binder joined Pitt-Bradford last fall from the University of South Caro...

Dr. Ramani Arya has joined the staff at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Bowman Health Center as a family physician. “Dr. Arya is a kind, friendly and highly qualified provider. She is looking forward to meeting and caring for the residents of Smethport,” said Rose Bunch, physician recruiter. Dr. Arya earned a medical degree at Kasturba Medical College and completed a family medicine residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Before joining CCMH’s medical staff, she cared for patients at family medicine group practices in Olean and Salamanca. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 814/887-5395.

Abigail Curtin, 3, enjoys time on the playground during Rainbow Corner Preschool’s annual summer fun camp, which was held Tuesday through Friday at the preschool. Each year, Rainbow Corner hosts the camp, which promotes school readiness for preschoolers. Throughout the week, there were activities focusing on outdoor play, structured play and socialization. Rainbow Corner Preschool, a part of CARE for Children, is currently accepting registrations for the 2011-2012 school year. Children ages three to five years are welcome to take part in either a morning or afternoon session, and tuition assistance is available. For more information on Rainbow Corner Preschool, contact Kimberly Engstrom, Preschool Director at the CARE office or visit the website at http://www.careforchildren.info/Rainbow-Corner-Preschool/Rainbow-Corner-Preschool.html . Curtin is the daughter of Andy Curtin and of Billie Jo Esch, both of Bradford.

Linda Newman has worn many hats during her tenure at the Bradford Area Public Library - director, chief executive officer and president. Now, the only hat she's looking forward to wearing will say "retired." Newman, who has spent the last decade at the helm at the library, will retired as of Sept. 30.. A farewell reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the library. Light refreshments will be served. The reception is open to the public. For those who worked with Newman, her absence will surely be felt. "When Linda came to Bradford, the library was at a low ebb," said Madeline Miles, chairwoman of the BAPL's Resource Development committee. "She helped move the library ahead by working well with community leaders like those of One Book Bradford, Derby Committees and the Friends of the BAPL who assisted in making the Bradford Area Public Library an important part of our community." This is something that Newman herself counts a...

Dr. Jessie Blackburn, assistant professor of English at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, spent her summer making presentations as near as Clarion University and as far as Nottingham, England. First she presented at the Feminism and Teaching Symposium at the University of Nottingham. Her workshop, “Beneath the Bandwidth: Why, How and When Feminist Pedagogies and Digital Media Intersect Inside the Academic Composition Classroom,” examined how instructors can better prepare students for reading and writing in the digital era. Blackburn, who is also director of composition at Pitt-Bradford, examined how the entrance of technology into the classroom affects students, faculty and curricula. Later she traveled to Baton Rouge, La., to give a presentation to the Council of Writing Program Administrators, “The Affordances and Constraints of ‘Doing’ Multimodal WPA Work at Rural Institutions.” In that presentation, she looked at ...

Dr. Michael Kavounas is now offering chiropractic services at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital’s Port Allegany Community Health Center. “The hospital is expanding its menu of services at the Port Allegany Health Center by adding chiropractor Dr. Kavounas to the staff of professional providers. With Dr. Kavounas’ training and experience, this will bring another value added service to our patient population,” said Dennis Geitner, executive director, surgical and rehabilitation services. Dr. Kavounas earned bachelor’s degrees in athletic training/sports medicine and physical therapy at the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate of chiropractic at Logan College of Chiropractic. Before joining the staff at CCMH, he provided physical therapy and chiropractic care to patients in Pennsylvania and Ohio including owning clinics in Oil City, Allentown and Cleveland. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 814/642-5076. ...

United Way of the Bradford Area’s 2011 appeal has officially begun, with a theme of “LIVE UNITED and Lend a Helping Hand.” Chairing this year’s campaign are Steve Cottillion of Northwest Savings Bank, Chris Minich of Zippo Manufacturing Company, and Karen Costello-Pecht of Control Chief Corporation. “Going with the United Way Worldwide ‘LIVE UNITED’ theme is so timely this year as we work to show that we are all interconnected. What happens to our neighbors matters to us, and we have a stake in their success. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED and lend a helping hand,” said Costello-Pecht. United Way officials have again set the goal at $325,000, which was not raised from the 2009 and 2010 goals. “With the current economic climate, we did not feel that this was the time to raise our goal. However, with state budget cuts to several of our partner agencies, the need to pull together as a community and surpass this goal is greater than ever” said United Way Executive Director Megan Mi...

Brenden Stidd, age 8, is receiving instruction from PGA Professional Kirk Stauffer at CARE for Children's 8th annual adaptive golf outing for children of all abilities held Wednesday evening at Pine Acres Golf Course. Brenden is the son of Christy Keck and Bob Stidd of Bradford. Eighteen children hit balls on the driving range, sank short shots on the putting green, and played a hole on the course. Children and family members were treated to dinner on the patio after the outing, which was sponsored by the Bradford Rotary Club. The adaptive golf outing is one of several free therapeutic recreation events that CARE holds each year for local children. CARE for Children is a non-profit organization that provides community outreach services; early learning programs; and pediatric health and therapy services in McKean County and the surrounding region.

Warren, Pa. – The Allegheny National Forest announced today the temporary closure of Forest Road (FR) 180 and 180D in Howe Township, Forest County. The entire length of FR 180 and FR 180D accessing Mayburg will be closed weekdays from August 15th until October 30th, 2011, for culvert replacement work and road resurfacing. Both roads will be open on weekends.

WARREN – Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Forest/McKean) will co-chair a House Finance Committee informational hearing regarding Marcellus Shale impact fee proposals in September. Additionally, Rapp is searching for a limited number of local residents willing to provide testimony on whether they would support or oppose an impact fee on Marcellus Shale drilling. “As a lawmaker who unapologetically voted against legislation to impose the largest job-killing, natural gas severance tax in American history, most District 65 residents already know where I stand on this issue,” said Rapp. “Regardless of an individual position, this informational hearing will provide an ideal opportunity to make one’s voice heard before the House Finance Committee which is responsible for all state tax legislation, including personal income taxes, school property taxes and, most recently, proposals to tax or impose impact fees on the drilling of Marcellus Shale natural gas.” The hearing is scheduled for...

NIAGARA FALLS and SALAMANCA, N.Y. – Seneca Gaming Corporation is pleased to announce that it received 26 “Best in Gaming 2011” awards from the readers of Casino Player magazine. The annual survey determines the best casinos, hotels, amenities and games throughout the United States. Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel ranked in the top three among “Native Northeast” casinos for 23 categories. It earned second-place honors for Best Steakhouse (The Western Door), Best Italian Food (la Cascata) and Best Seafood (Koi). Other notable third-place honors included Best Overall Gaming Resort, Best Hotel, Best Concerts, Best Players Club, Best Comps/Free Play, Best Reel Slots and Best Video Poker. Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel received three honors in the “Native Northeast” category, including a coveted best overall award for buffets (Thunder Mountain Buffet), and second-place awards for Chinese cuisine (Thunder Mountain Buffet) and spa services (The Spa). “Our first priority...

A Mount Jewett man is in jail for an alleged indecent assault against a 6-year-old girl. State police say 18-year-old Dominick DeSio is accused of rubbing the victim’s genital area with his hand at a home in Mount Jewett last month. His bail is sent at $20,000.

An Ashville, New York, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for sexually exploiting children. 40-year-old David Lopus is accused of traveling from Ashville to Warren County at least four times and approaching young girls. After charges were filed earlier this year Lopus left the area but was picked up June 9 at a homeless shelter in Cleveland, Ohio, and extradited to Warren County.

One of the fastest growing groups on Facebook has more than a Bradford connection. It’s all about Bradford. On Monday the group “You know you grew up in Bradford PA when …” had about 500 members. This morning, it’s well over 1,000 and growing by the hour. If you remember Collella’s bread, Flaming the Main and Tullah Hanley… look for the group and join the conversations.

Police have released the name of the man who died Friday afternoon in an industrial accident at Dresser-Rand in Wellsville. Donald Gadley of Friendship was taken to Jones Memorial Hospital after the 2 p.m. accident, and was pronounced dead there. Police say they will release more information after OSHA completes its investigation.

A Great Valley woman is in critical condition following a motorcycle crash late Sunday afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies say 51-year-old Kathleen Musall was riding her motorcycle on Humphrey Road at about 5:45 p.m. when it went out of control and hit a guard rail. She was thrown from the bike and suffered severe trauma to her left leg and lacerations to her abdomen. Musall was taken by Mercy Flight to ECMC in Bufalo.

St. Marys Police are looking into an act of criminal mischief that happened in their own parking lot Saturday morning. They say someone smashed the windshields on four patrol vehicles, and also damaged other windows and the bodies of the vehicles. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact St. Marys at 781-1315.

A man is dead following a motorcycle crash Saturday afternoon on Route 6 in Wetmore Township. Police say 60-year-old Neil Phillips of Hartland, Minnesota, was traveling east when a wild turkey attempted to fly across the road but hit Phillips’ head and the upper part of his body. Phillips lost control of the bike, and it hit a guiderail. Phillips was thrown over the guide rail and went down an embankment. Phillips was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man from the New York City area is facing charges for assaulting St. Marys Police officers earlier this month. Police say they were called to Brusselles Street for a possible motorcycle crash and when they got there, they found 48-year-old John Cartica of Poughquag standing next to a motorcycle that was on its side. During the course of the investigation, Cartica allegedly assaulted the officers. He and one of the officers were taken by ambulance to Elk Regional Health Center, where the officer was treated and released. He was charged with three counts of aggravated assault, as well as simple assault and resisting arrest. He’s free after posting $25,000 bond.

SALAMANCA, N.Y. -- Strengthening their position as the premier gaming operator in the Western New York region, Seneca Gaming Corporation announced that it plans to build a new hotel tower at Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel in Salamanca. The project was recently approved by separate votes of the company's Board of Directors and the Seneca Nation of Indians Council. Seneca Gaming Corporation is planning a $53 million project that will add approximately 200 hotel rooms at the gaming and entertainment resort, essentially doubling the number of hotel rooms available for patrons. The current 212-room hotel tower opened in 2007 and has received a Four Diamond rating for service and quality from AAA in each of the past four years. "The ability to offer additional hotel capacity will help strengthen our position in the marketplace and further establish Seneca Allegany Casino & Hotel as a true destination resort," said Karen Karsten, Chairman of the Seneca Gaming Corpo...