Local blues legend Max Schang and Venango County Commissioner Chip Abramovic attended the annual Rocky Grove High School Holiday Concert with a big giant check. They were delivering on a promise made over the summer from the Blues and BBQ committee that agreed to give the music program money for the purchase of a French horn. Blues and BBQ was created, explained Abramovic to raise money for local music program needs. Rocky Groves' band teacher Christine Luxbacher let the committee know her school could use a French horn and they were glad to help out. "To give back to the students and the kids who are passionate about their music... this is a really good thing," sad Schang, who is also on the committee. |
The concert featured the junior high band and chorus, the senior high band and chorus, jazz band and select chorus. The students have been working all fall on their music and this holiday lets them show off their hard work to family and friends.
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Christmas came a little early to Franklin, as a small group of business leaders and community members gathered this weekend to unwrap the city’s new directional kiosk. The four-sided structure was delivered and put into place last month but left mostly covered up tightly. On Saturday morning, Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce director Jodi Lewis and Franklin Retail & Business Association coordinator Jennifer Taylor cut away the ropes and tore back to the plastic to unveil the fruits of a yearslong community collaboration. “It takes a lot of steps to make something happen,” Taylor said at the informal kiosk debut. She traced the start of the project back to an idea shared during a retail association meeting several years ago when a member suggested the city could benefit from having a posted directory similar to what is often seen at malls. The thought was that directories in the parking lot and similar pedestrian-friendly areas would help visitors find all the shops and restaurants located downtown and understand the variety of offerings in Franklin.
There is also a window on each side that can be updated by the chamber and retail association, who are tasked with keeping it up to date. For the first year, two of those windows will feature ads for the Oil Region Alliance and the Stifel, who both helped cover the final bits of money needed to pay for the $20,000 project. The other two windows will have maps - one of the downtown businesses and the other of the Oil Region National Heritage area. In year two, one of the ad spots will be for an events calendar.
On Saturday, the windows were empty because the kiosk had not been opened at all before the unveiling and the final touches were still being made to the map, according to Taylor. Lewis said she can't wait to see it finished off with the completed maps and ads.“Now that it is here, I can see them in the parking lots.” "This is the biggest crowd I've ever seen here," Franklin's mayor Doug Baker declared after Saturday night's Light Up Night electric parade. Along the parade route, spectators were four rows deep or more on both sides of Liberty Street. They were entertained by nearly 60 units including a colorful combination of floats, performance groups and decorated vehicles. Santa made his highly anticipated appearance at the end of the parade and was greeted by several loud cheers from the hundreds of folks watching near the judging stand. After the parade was over Pat Dolecki, president of the Franklin Fine Arts Council and interim events and marketing coordinator.said she was glad the parade went well but was ready for the main event of the evening. "'I'm ready for the light up of the tree." she said adding that she has her fingers crossed that it goes off without a hitch and is a nice tree for the people attending. Baker led the countdown to the lighting of the big tree in front of the courthouse, which was donated by Dixie McEntire, who was also on hand for the celebration. Thousands of people gathered near the 12th Street intersection as the street lights went dark and the tree lights came on. It was followed by a spectacular display of fireworks over Fountain Park. "In 2023, we lost our greatest resource and dear friend, Ronnie Beith. Her spirit has been with us ever since and we hope we are making her proud," Dolecki posted on Facebook following the holiday kick-off. Prior to the parade, several holiday-related events were held throughout downtown. HOLeY Jeans gave a short concert to open the Christmas Tree Extravaganza in the Barrow-Civic Theatre lobby. There are 55 trees on display, each decorated by a different agency, business, group or school. Outside, Santa met with visitors on Liberty Street, and Nathaniel Licht, Rachael Mellor, Tammi Dahl and a few special guests sang at the judge's platform.
Below are more scenes from Franklin's Light Up Night.
As could've been predicted, the team who has spent years learning the craft of volleyball passing, digging, setting and spiking beat the team who plays football pretty easily in a fun end of the season fundraiser for the Red and Black All-Sports Booster Club.
It was a fun night in Franklin. The weather might have felt like early fall but it was all Christmas in Franklin on Friday as the city's annual tree arrived, signaling the coming Light Up Night holiday kick off is nearly here. The more than 30-foot tall evergreen made its trek from Buttermilk Hill in the balmy 50 degree morning temperatures and was decorated in the sunny breeze of the afternoon in front of the courthouse - a stark contrast to last year's bone chilling weather. This year's Christmas centerpiece was donated by Dixie McEntire. Getting the tree on location and into place were Klapec Trucking Company, Paul Bunyan Tree Specialists, Sunbelt Rental Equipment, ITC, Inc. and a large team of helpers. Once the tree was up. Several volunteers strung up hundreds of lights as others assembled and placed the star on the top. Earlier in the fall, lights were wrapped around several trees in Fountain Park. On Friday, additional folks decorating the gazebo at the the corner of Liberty and West Park streets. The final touch will be string the lights between the poles along Liberty Street once again. It will be a festive look to downtown as the popular Light Up Night activities get underway. There are a few early events planned for Friday, November 17. The Barrow-Civic Theatre will host Branson Country Christmas for a 2 p.m. show, which features an all-star cast of Branson's top entertainers with new music, new jokes and a tribute to veterans for the first half of the show. The Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Wine & Spirits Walk will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on November 17 in businesses throughout downtown. Tickets are still available and can be ordered by calling 814-432-5823.
A colorful songfest, a bloomer flagged sea-faring fruit, lessons on acceptance, bug crawly cuteness, insights on teamwork and overcoming toxicity through finding your own tribe and a scared, blind slitherer whose friends have their back are all part what is happening on stage at Franklin High School this week with the production of "James and The Giant Peach." Students from Franklin and Rocky Grove have spent the last couple of months learning how to be singing bugs, perfecting evil step-sister type antagonists, and building a giant orange vessel surrounded by fake waves and floating clouds. This week all that work comes to a dramatic conclusion in the form of a full-scale musical. "You can see this fun and zany story - one that’s perfect for the entire family - three times," said musical director Sarah Gilbert. Shows will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Franklin High School auditorium. Ashton Shingledecker (FHS) plays the role of James Henry Trotter. His two cruel, and nasty aunts, Spiker & Sponge, are played by Madolyn Williams (FHS) and Kendal Fonzo (FHS).
More photos from the performances below.
To see more photos click https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p215105644 To see more photos click https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p215105644
Many of the area communities will hold their annual trick-or-treat hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Franklin has many wonderful traditions. Pink Splash for a Cure has become on of the most colorful and impactful. Each year, several hundred people gather in Fountain Park to recognize and support community members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Held the first Tuesday after Applefest, the event gives people a chance to gain awareness for the steps people can take for early detection of the disease and honor those to have or are fighting back. It gives survivors a chance to come together in recognition that no one fights alone as they take turns squirting pink die into Egbert Fountain. Lastly, it gives the community an opportunity to be part of the cause but offerings fundraising options, such as t-shirt sales and basket raffles. The 16th annual Pink Splash for a Cure was held October 16 on a beautiful fall day in Fountain Park. There was a large crowd, music by Holey Jeans and Kirtland Cancer Foundation executive director Kathy Horner was the speaker. More than 55 baskets of donated goods were awarded through ticket sales and there was a penny raffle. Roz Greggs, one of the event coordinators, reported that the event was fantastic again this year and that there are a limited number of shirts still available for purchase.
To buy a shirt, see who won the baskets, or stay apprised of future information involving the event, go to the group’s Facebook page. The venue might have been different, but the professional sound was just the same as the Venango Symphony Orchestra performed their annual fall concert Sunday afternoon at the Rocky Grove High School auditorium. The orchestra features a variety of compositions performed by musicians and students from throughout the region. Sunday's concert included the musician talents of 44 volunteer orchestra members, including five student members, and two featured soloist, flutist Cathy Herrera and classic guitarist Brent Register. They are led by Terri Wittreich, who is a founding member of the group. Formerly known as the Venango Chamber Orchestra, the group updated their name as part of their 31st season. They are supported through contributions from the community. This year they were unable to put of their traditional donation basket and are asking supporters to mail checks made to the group to treasurer George Wilbur 10 Gateway Drive, Oil City 16301. They are sponsored by the Schubert Musical & Literacy Club of Oil City and an associated member of the National and Pennsylvania Federations of Music Clubs. They have already set dates for the 2024 performances - April 7 and November 10. Check the group's Facebook page for updates on the concert locations. Scroll down for more photos.
It was a nearly sold out event for the Franklin Retail and Business Association's third annual Witch Walk. "It went really well. Lots of happy people. Lot of happy businesses," Jennifer Taylor, association manager said late Saturday. The event had attracted some unplanned attention earlier in the week after St. Patrick's Catholic Church posted a diatribe condemning the event as a religious gathering instead of its intent as a retail-based holiday celebration. The post, which garnered thousands of comments and attention from regional media outlets brought in a slightly larger crowd than past years. "I think more people may have come downtown. They didn’t necessarily buy tickets, but they came down to see what was going on," Taylor said. "The businesses got a lot of foot traffic, which is really the whole point of the event; and everyone is really happy with how it turned out." "And the weather wasn’t great, but it was the busiest year I’ve had yet so I’d say it didn’t keep anyone away," said Nicholas Hess, who owns a small business and helped plan the event. The day included specials at downtown stores and restaurants, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, spooky stories, performances by the Dancing Witches of Emlenton, and shows by mentalist Rob Hoover. A block of 12th street was also shut down and transformed into Witches Alley, which Hess says was an awesome additional to the event. “I’m incredibly grateful that the community — both near and far— showed up in full force to support this event," Hess said. "It was such a monumental task to pull off, with dedicated volunteers, and business owners alike, so seeing the community rally, and offer a safe place for people to have fun was magic to be a part of."
As far as concerns that the unaccepted buzz for and against the event would cause any type of unwanted activities, Taylor said simply did not transpire. "The most out of the ordinary thing I saw was a girl with a chicken. I don’t think it was anything evil. I think it was a pet chicken,” Taylor said with a giggle. ARTS Oil City celebrated the opening of three art studios on the second floor the National Transit Building. The long-running program allows local artists and creative professional an opportunity to to rent studio spaces at affordable rates. Over the years, a variety of artists have worked among the dozens of rooms both in the main building as well as the annex. Now Jamie Duarte and Mike Hoover can count themselves among those ranks. The event also celebrated the return to the space by Susan McGuire. Duarte is an Oil City native who is known for her work as a hair and nail technician as well as her cookie decorating. With her move into the the National Transit Annex studio space, she is keeping busy with her new jewelry business.
ARTS Oil City partnered with the Oil Region Alliance and the Venango Chamber of Commerce to host a public ribbon cutting event Wednesday afternoon to mark the newest art tenants.
Homecoming this year was made just a little more special given the Knights' football team is riding a two-game winning streak. Wednesday they had their short parade to up behind Central Elementary School, a long-standing tradition that culminates in a pep rally and bon fire. The entire Franklin School District participated with the elementary schools, teachers, administrators, coaches and staff coming together to support the Knight's program, not only football.
The girls volleyball team is experiencing a solid 8-4 season thus far and take on neighbor Rocky Grove tonight. The boys soccer team are cruising with great passing, ball control and explosiveness to the net. They are 12-2-1 and 11-1 in the conference. They take on Meadville Saturday at home. The girls soccer team is struggling a bit, but they host Titusville tonight who are hoping to snap a four game slide where they have found the net. The Cross country teams have held their own in a tough region, but they have three of the top runners in the district. Nadalie Latchaw just set the school's course record earlier this week. Ty Prince scored a 76 to tie for third at the District 10 championship. He heads to compete at states next week. So the Knights had a lot to celebrate Wednesday night.
The Bandit stole the 5k. Ethan Knapp, aka Bandit, took first place in the annual Applefest 5k run Saturday morning. Bea Kolesar, 15, of Cranberry came across the finish line at 20:35 as the top female athlete. There were 260 runners from all around including; a couple in their late seventies from Durango, Colorado; eight-year old Samuel Storm from the Franklin area and folks from Texas and New Jersey. Most were locals and that's what makes Applefest - Applefest!
Below are several photos from the race. ICYMI (because we didn't post it haha).
Franklin High School honored this year’s class of inductees into their Hall of Fame. Unlike many school's who have hallowed entranceways full of athletic achievers, Franklin honors service and dedication beyond just those who generated headlines on the sports pages. This year's class exemplified the diversity of pathways possible with a public school education and student's who made connections with teachers, or more precise, because teachers made connections with students. Every recipient acknowledged one or two professors who made such an impact they carried the lessons throughout their life and career. . The class of 2023 includes: Allan Shilling for service; Dr. Joseph F. Stewart, class of ‘57 for athletics; Dr. David L. Griffen, class of ‘72 for achievement; Rachel Redick Bowden, class of ‘02 for athletics, and Dave Smith, class of ‘98 for athletics. Below are some photos from the event. For more information on Franklin's Hall of Fame visit: https://sites.google.com/a/students.fasd.k12.pa.us/fasd-hall-of-fame/ or their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinAreaHOF/ |
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