Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital has announced the addition of Max Laurore, MD who joins the obstetrics/gynecology practice of Dr. Celso Backes. Dr. Laurore earned a medical degree at the State University of Haiti and completed a residency at Synergy Medical Education Alliance in Saginaw, Mich. He also worked as a clinical instructor at Michigan State University and is an American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology junior fellow. Drs. Backes and Laurore and their staff will move their practice to the ground level of the Irwin Medical Arts Center in August. They also plan to see patients at some of Charles Cole’s Rural Health Centers starting this fall. New and returning patients can schedule an appointment by calling 274-7101.

The Main Street hanging basket program has again had a successful fundraising year with the help and support of the Bradford community. The following individuals, businesses and merchants have participated in the program: The Betty Jane Monjar Garden Society, the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, The Jack Graham Family, Bill and Terri Leven, Rev. Leo J. Gallina, Zippo/Case Visitors Center, Tin Ceiling Gift Shoppe, Ott & McHenry Pharmacy, Hailie and Art Cox, Jan Caruso, Jen Eakin, David and Linda Newman, Triple A Nail, Just Riding Along, Futures Rehabilitation Center, and Stanley E. Pecora Jr., Attorney-At-Law. “We really couldn’t do this program without the support of these individuals and organizations,” said Main Street Manager, Anita Dolan. “Their help is really appreciated and the baskets look beautiful,” Dolan added. Signs recognizing the supporters are in the process of being made and will be placed with each basket.

By George Nianiatus, senior writer Communications Department Children between the ages of 7 and 12 who’ve suffered any kind of loss are being urged to attend the free Helping Hands Retreat at Camp Penuel in Eldred on Aug. 14-16. To enable a child to attend the camp, call Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC’s) McKean County VNA & Hospice office at 814-362-7466 by Aug. 1. “If you know of a child who has experienced the loss of someone close to them, encourage their family to call the VNA,” said Martha Dibble, RN-C, hospice coordinator for VNA & Hospice. “We can accommodate 20 to 25 children at the fifth annual camp that’s filled with fun and meaningful activities,” said Mrs. Dibble. “In case more children register than what’s expected, we’ll be able to accommodate them by bringing more counselors,” she noted. Children can be from anywhere, not just McKean County. Also, “Children who’ve attended before are welcome to come again,” Mrs. Dibble said. The camp is staffed by full-...

To supplement the cardiac imaging capabilities for The Heart Center at BRMC, Bradford Regional Medical Center is now performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the region’s cardiac patients. “The cardiac MRI is the gold standard for evaluation of heart volumes, valvular heart disease, and myocardial viability,” said Steven C. Herrmann, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.E., medical director of Cardiovascular Services at The Heart Center at BRMC. “This level of imaging expertise is usually reserved for university and academic programs, and we are the only place for over 100 miles to offer this expertise,” noted Dr. Herrmann. “The cardiac MRI program will be used in conjunction with the echocardiography, nuclear, and catheterization labs to offer the absolute finest cardiac imaging in the region. The spatial and temporal resolution is amazing,” the cardiologist explained. To date, BRMC has performed four cardiac MRIs on local patients, and is now collecting preliminary data on correlation...

Several offices at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital are relocating this summer. Charles Cole will make every effort to minimize any disruption and inconvenience to its patients and visitors. • Dr. Meller moved from the Patterson Cancer Care Center to the first floor of the Irwin Medical Arts Center, in the space previously occupied by Dr. Bhat. The office can be contacted at its new number, 274-8036. • Mammography/DEXA will move to the ground floor of the IMAC July 8. For information, call 274-5470. • Dr. Neerukonda will move July 21 to the first floor of the IMAC. For information, call 274-4837. • Champion Orthopedics & Sports Medicine will move from the IMAC to the space previously occupied by Women’s Health the week of August 9. For information, call 274-0900. • Dr. Backes and Dr. Laurore will move to the ground level of the IMAC, previously occupied by Champion Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, the week of August 23. For information, call 274-7101.

HARRISBURG – Just 20 years after the last eaglets were brought into Pennsylvania from Canada, bald eagles have recorded remarkable nesting successes here, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials. And, with the Fourth of July just around the corner, the opportunity for Pennsylvanians to see a bald eagle in the wild continues to increase, thanks to the recent completion of a bald eagle nest viewing platform on State Game Land 180 in Pike County. “The story of the bald eagle’s recovery is living proof that responsible natural resource management and conservation make Pennsylvania a better place to live and ensure wildlife will be around for future generations to enjoy,” explained Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. “As our nation’s symbol, the bald eagle’s presence is essential in America’s outdoors. They immediately add a touch of true wilderness to any area they inhabit, whether it’s on the shoreline of Philadelphia or a remote stretch of one of the Commonwealth’...

While viewing nesting bald eagles is a thrilling experience, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials encourage caution because human disturbances can cause adult eagles to abandon their nests and young. Also, anyone charged with disturbing a bald eagle nest can be charged by federal and state wildlife officials. “Even though some eagles have built nests near urban and suburban settings, it remains critically important for people to stay a considerable distance away, preferably at least 1,000 feet,” said Brenda Peebles, Game Commission biologist aide, who recently was called to testify as an expert witness in a case involving the disturbance of a bald eagle nest in Springboro, Crawford County. “A landowner gave permission to another individual to cut down trees near a newly constructed bald eagle nest,” Peebles said. “This person then agreed to allow a second individual to cut the tops up for firewood. As this second person was cutting the tree tops, a volunteer helper, who watches this...

W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co has laid off another 45 employees, cutting the production crew down to one shift. In a news release, Case CEO Tom Arrowsmith said the reduction of the workforce is due to the current economic environment. He said the company will continue to evaluate staffing needs until the economy regains strength. He said in the meantime they are focused on improving their internal process and outperforming their competition. Marketing director John Sullivan says “Case consumers are some of the most loyal enthusiasts of any brand, and the company is confident their new knife offerings planned for fall will spur demand and stimulate sales.

Even before a practically unknown guy from Chicago started saying, "Yes we can" and making people believe it, some people in Bradford were saying it, believing it and making things happen. A few people are starting to get the old Bradford negative attitude again and I think it's time to nip that in the bud before it infiltrates to other segments of the population. Several years ago I was covering a meeting at which former Bradford City Clerk Peggy Comilla said people in Bradford are always coming up with excuses as to why projects can't be done in Bradford. She said it was about time to start thinking of reasons projects can be done in Bradford. The meeting was regarding the restoration and renovation of Old City Hall. Not long after that, a small group of people made similar comments about a brand new project. That meeting led to the formation of the Tuna Valley Trail Association. At about the same time, the community learned that the refinery was going to close. Bu...

And ... happy birthday to Bob Onuffer!

With all of the trauma and desecration one is not surprised to find out that there have been paranormal happenings along the Kinzua Dam and Lake Perfidy. But one would be amazed at the cornucopia of high strangeness that has manifest itself along the shores and beneath the waves of this cursed lake. But finding out these nuggets of Fortean happenings is not an easy task. Most of the campers and fishermen who spend their days and nights along the site are not the kind to openly share their incredible stories of the unexplained. But once in a while you get some who are willing to share their stories, and sometimes they are in the strangest places. For the full story, go to Examiner.com .

Think you could balance the state budget? Thousands have tried it at www.youbudgetpa.org , where people can play the online state budget game. Keystone Progress launched the Web site, which actually lets people forward their plan to lawmakers, but executive director Michael Morrill says few have done that. The actual state budget talks resume Monday.

New York State Senate leaders, and would-be leaders, met with Governor David Paterson this afternoon in an attempt to come to a power-sharing agreement. After a one-hour closed door meeting there's no agreement and the senate remains gridlocked. The Senate has been evenly split following a June 8 coup by Republicans and two dissident Democrats, and then the defection of one of the Democrats back to his own party. Leaders say there's no power-sharing deal in sight. Meanwhile, hundreds of pieces of legislation that affect the finances of municipalities across the state remain untouched.

Sarah Palin says she will step down as governor of Alaska in a "few weeks" -- before the end of her term, CNN reports. Her last day is expected to be July 26. Speculation is that she is clearing the way for a run at the presidency in 2012. More from CNN .

A North Dakota man is accused of making a phone call threatening the life of Senator Arlen Specter. The man, whose identity was not released, was interviewed earlier this week in North Dakota at the request of the US Capitol Police. The telephone message indicated that he would travel to Washington, DC, and assassinate Specter. During the police interview he told authorities he was drunk and making the call was stupid. He didn't give a motive for making the call. Capitol Police haven't said how they're going to proceed regarding the incident.

Alex Safran, Maddy Weinberg and Preston Weinberg get ready to sell lemonade (and other beverages) as a fundraiser for the McKean County SPCA. They're also selling chances to win a Zippo Fashion Italia handbag filled with lots (and I mean lots ) of Zippo gift items. They're holding their sale until 2 p.m. today in front of Tops Market. Please support them and the SPCA.

WIVB-TV reporter and anchor Mylous Hairston suffered a mild heart attack over the weekend and had to have two surgeries to open an artery. He is now recuperating, and expects to be released from the hospital tomorrow or Saturday, and back on the air in a couple of weeks. WIVB-TV I met him during the Holy Family "Virgin Mary Sighting" days. Very nice man.

Democratic Senators Bill Stachowski of Lake View and Antoine Thompson, who represents part of Erie and Niagara counties, sent a letter to Republican senators in Western New York calling on them to lay aside political self interest and support the Power for Jobs legislation. The Republican senators, including Cathy Young, say they are pleased that Senate Democrats have finally decided that the Power for Jobs program is important to Western New York. The program, which provides low-cost power to hundreds of businesses in exchange for a commitment to create and retain jobs, was initiated by Senate Republicans in 1997. The Republicans say that by seeking to make the Power for Jobs program a political football in the dispute over Senate leadership, Senate Democrats have hit a new low. They say if the Democrats were serious about protecting jobs in Western New York they would not have swept hundreds of millions of dollars from the program earlier this year to pay for additional State spendi...

... Or, What Anne Does When She Has an Intern Actually, it's what Anne does when she has an intern, doesn't feel well and it's the day before a holiday weekend.

The Salamanca Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us for our First Allegany River Fest, July 10-12, 2009. Our new festival showcases two of Salamanca’s greatest assets, the Allegheny River and Veteran’s Memorial Park. Saturday afternoon events will showcase the performance of several great country music groups, including superstars Heartland, Sean Patrick McGraw and The Bobby Hartle Band. This is sure to be the summer’s ultimate place for country-western fun and entertainment the whole family will enjoy! The Bobby Hartle Band performs Country to Bluegrass and Country Rock. This band presents a fast-paced country show offering solos, three part harmonies and instrumentals that are tailored to meet the interests of a variety of audiences. They have performed with acts such as Travis Tritt, Willie Nelson, Mark Chestnut, Jack Green, Alen Jackson, Blake Shelton and most recently The Marshall Tucker Band and Black Foot! Bob Hartle started playing guitar at the age of eight but did n...