Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The Miss Relay contestants get ready to strut their stuff for a very enthusiastic crowd. "Sandy" passes out kisses to Kiwanis Kutie Fred Pysher, Master of Ceremonies Jerry Johnson Jr. and cancer survivor Tony Danias during the Miss Relay Contest at the 15th Annual Bradford Relay for Life. Donnie "Donatella" Johnson -- the blushing bride from The Pitt Crew -- won the contest, taking in more than $300. All together, these fun-loving, and courageous, guys raised nearly $1,900. Kudos to my buddy Mike Walter, who was supposed to be in the contest but couldn't be because his mother passed away on Wednesday and he was at the funeral home. But, he tells me he went to the relay and walked two laps in honor of his mom, Jo Ann. That should tell you how much the relay means to people.

Patti Neidich talks about caregivers as her sisters Joette Johnson and Robin Pavone, along with a tentful of cancer survivors, family and friends look on. Dozens of cancer survivors take a victory lap during the relay at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Family & Friends Fran Stewart of the cancer society and Robin Pavone, a team captain, share a light moment. (Might I add that Robin's team was selling some very tasty rigatoni & meatballs.)

Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) today sent a letter to Governor David Paterson urging him to request a Federal disaster declaration for areas affected by an unseasonal frost that severely damaged vineyard crops in the Lake Erie Region. Sen. Young said the estimated crop loss to grape growers in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties ranges from 25 to 35 percent. “This is a devastating blow to an industry that relies so heavily on Mother’ Nature’s cooperation,” said Senator Young. “The economic impact of this disaster extends well beyond the direct impact to farmers. Tourism, suppliers and local communities will feel the hit as well. The grape and wine industry has been a growing and powerful economic engine in this region and I urge Governor Paterson to call for this needed relief.” On the morning of May 18, 2009, temperatures in the Lake Erie Region dropped to between 25 degrees F and 29 degrees F affecting vineyards ranging from Erie County, PA all the way to N...

U.S. Representative Glenn `GT’ Thompson, R-Howard, today announced he requested the $500,000 for the Clarion Northwest Central Regional Interoperability Strategic Telecommunications Plan that has been included in a House funding bill. The Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations measure for fiscal year 2010, which passed the House of Representatives last night, included the project. “I’m very gratified to have the support of the House for an important new communication system in my district,” said Thompson. “The funds are provided under the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services, COPS. This program helps law enforcement agencies across the country meet a range of community policing challenges. Having spent years as a volunteer emergency medical technician, I can attest first-hand to the importance of adequate communications systems for first responders.” The $500,000 will create a joint communication system, located in Clarion, which will promote seamless intero...

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that over the past week agents from the Child Predator Unit have made arrests in Northumberland, Berks and Montgomery counties involving men accused of using the Internet to sexually proposition what they believed were 13 or 14-year old girls. Corbett said that two of the suspects are accused of sending nude or sexually graphic webcam videos to what they believed were children, while another allegedly traveled from Maryland to Pennsylvania in order to have sex with a teenage girl. In all three cases, the men were actually communicating with undercover agents from the Child Predator Unit, who were using the online profiles of children. For more on this story, go to the attorney general's Web site .

Former WGR-TV sportscaster Gary Papa died today after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 54. For more on this story, go to the Philadelphia Inquirer or CBS 3 . Note: Papa worked at the station in the 1970s before it became WGRZ-TV.

Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Matthew J. Brouillette issued the following statement in response to Gov. Rendell’s critique of the Commonwealth Foundation’s economical modeling projections that Pennsylvania would have nearly 24,000 fewer jobs as a result of his proposed 16 percent hike in the state personal income tax: __________________________________________________________________________ “Gov. Rendell’s critique of the Commonwealth Foundation’s projections of job losses under his proposed tax increase as ‘ludicrous’ is historically and economically ignorant. The Governor’s campaign to raise taxes on working Pennsylvanians and small businesses ignores the basic laws of economics. By denying that citizens and businesses would respond to higher taxes, the Governor ignores the fact that people will have less money to spend, and small business owners will have fewer resources to invest in their enterprises. What is truly ludicrous is that Gov. Rendell ignores the historical...

Preliminary work has begun on a bridge project along Route 872 in the village of Costello, Potter County. Start-up activity included clearing and grubbing. Crews will now work to build a temporary roadway and bridge, before demolishing the current bridge. The temporary bridge will be controlled by a temporary signal, with traffic taking turns crossing the bridge. Once the temporary bridge is in place and the old bridge demolished, crews will begin work to build a new, two-span, 125-foot spread concrete box beam bridge. The bridge will span Sinnemahoning Creek and should be complete in spring of 2010. Bob Cummins Construction Company of Bradford is the contractor on this $1.95 million project. All work on the job is weather dependent.

The GP team puts the finishing touches on its "Yankee Doodle Dandy" tent for the 15th Annual Bradford Relay for Life at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. This year's theme is Relay on Broadway and among the other shows represented are "Into the Woods," "Wicked," "The Lion King" and "Annie." If you haven't made dinner plans yet, here's an idea: The Relay for Life Food Court. Whether you're thinking about dinner (chicken barbecue) or something lighter (hot dogs) or just a snack (soft pretzels) or even something sweet (cinnamon rolls) -- there's something there for you. And all proceeds benefit the relay! These giant bags will be part of ceremonies this evening at the relay. The opening ceremony starts at 6; the survivor ceremony, 7; luminara, 9. And the Miss Relay pageant will be held after the survivor ceremony. You don't want to miss that!

An Ohio man is dead after his head got caught in drilling equipment while working in a field in Crawford County. 37-year-old Kenneth Georg II of Brinkhaven was working with a crew drilling exploratory holes for gas and oil wells when his head got caught between a control box and the drilling rig. Crawford County Coroner Patrick McHenry says Georg's skull was crushed and his neck was broken. State Police and OSHA are investigating the accident.

New York State Senators have come to an agreement – about their paychecks. The Senate President Pro Tempore normally signs the senators' paychecks but, since they can't decide who is officially the president pro tem, they've reached a power sharing agreement that includes only the signing of paychecks. Governor David Paterson released a statement saying that if senate leadership can agree on a way to keep getting paid, they can reach an agreement to get back to work for the people of New York. There has been no legislative session since June 8 – the day Republicans staged a coup that shifted power. Monday is the last scheduled legislative session.

COUDERSPORT - Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) is moving his local office to 107 South Main Street, Room 1, effective Wednesday, July 1. The office will be closed on Tuesday, June 30, during the move. "The Main Street location is more visible and easily accessible to the public," Causer said. "The office is the community's direct link to state government, and I want to make sure people who need assistance with any state-related matters can easily find the office and take advantage of the services offered." Those services include driver license and vehicle registration applications; higher education assistance grant information; help in filling out applications for various state programs, such as the senior citizen Property Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE prescription drug assistance programs; and more. The contact information for the Coudersport office will remain the same. The telephone number is 814-274-9769 and the fax number is 814-274-8159. The office is open Mo...

Dick Marcott was re-elected president and Kathy Bryant was named to the board during the annual meeting of Bradford Little Theatre board of directors on Wednesday at the group's Main Street office. Re-elected to the board for two-year terms were Charles Church, Anne Holliday and Nanci Garris. Also elected to a two-year term was past president Diane Kerner Arnett. In the one-year officer posts, Cindy Matteson was named secretary, succeeding Garris. Holliday and Marcia Morrison were re-elected vice president and treasurer, respectively. Continuing on the board is Cindy Graham. Pam Gaffney stepped down at the end of her term.

If you ever wondered what happened to Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and Becky Thatcher long after Mark Twain put his pen down, the next installment of One Book Bradford is for you. The One Book Bradford committee has picked “Becky: The Life and Loves of Becky Thatcher,” written by Lenore Hart, as this year’s installment of the annual project. The book is written from Becky’s point of view and clarifies some things Twain left out of his stories. It also reveals what happens to the beloved characters once they became adults. One of the book’s draws is a strong female title character, something Hart set out to create. Hart was in the fifth grade when she first checked out “Tom Sawyer.” While she enjoyed the story, she was disappointed in the lack of storyline for the female character. “She was weepy and romantic and very silly, I thought. No real girls I knew acted that way.” But it wasn’t until a question was asked by her husband after a brief stay in Hannibal, Missouri, that Hart broug...

Here are some of the contestants for the Miss Relay contest. If you didn't get a chance to vote them yesterday, you can vote today at Pitt-Bradford during the 15th Bradford Relay for Life.

A Galeton woman who had a warrant out for her arrest was picked up in Steuben County, New York, while police were serving a warrant to another person. Laura Cardy was being interviewed in connection with a burglary investigation when troopers determined she was wanted in Pennsylvania. They didn't give details about her alleged crime. They did say she resisted arrest. She's being held in the Steuben County Jail on numerous charges and is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania.

The standoff in the New York State Senate continues. Today Senator Jeff Klein, the deputy majority leader, said the Republican coalition has ignored the Democrats' proposal for a solution. The Democrats want to replace President Pro Tempore Senator Pedro Espada, who they say in not interested in putting partisanship aside. Earlier this week, a state Supreme Court judge said he wouldn't make a decision in the matter because he didn't think it was proper for the judiciary branch to interfere with the inner workings of the legislative branch. The current Legislative session is scheduled to end on Monday.

The emerald ash borer has been found in Cattaraugus County. The destructive beetle that infests and kills North American ash tree species has been found Randolph. The infestation was first reported on June 15 after US Department of Agriculture employees recognized damage on trees just off Exit 16 of Interstate 86. About 30 trees have been affected. The purple boxes people see hanging from trees in the region are emerald ash borer traps.

Two people have been charged with killing a Warren man earlier this year. 46-year-old Daniel Winwood was found dead in a home on West Fifth Street on March 2. Police say he died of a drug overdose. 42-year-old Randall Zaner and 25-year-old Jennifer Babic, both of Warren, have been charged with preparing and administering a pain medication that resulted in Winwood's death. Police say the two tried to cover up the crime by destroying evidence and providing false information to police. Zaner and Babic were captured in Painesville, Ohio, and are awaiting extradition to Warren. They were both charged with drug delivery resulting in death.