October 2022

During the Golden Afternoons program at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, Suzan Richar of Wellsboro will show people attending how to do two different craft projects to take home. All materials will be provided free. Each person attending is asked to bring a pair of scissors to cut paper.

This free program is open to anyone 55 years of age or older. It will be in the lobby at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. There will be free refreshments. 

For the first project, Richar will show participants how to make a pinecone ornament using paper and straight pins. 

“For those that want to do something different with paper, I will show them how to create a Christmas candle design on a notecard using the iris folding technique,” Richar said.

A member of the Wellsboro Art Club since the late 1970s, Richar served as president for seven years, 2012 through 2018. 

“I’ve always been interested in arts and crafts,” she said. “My favorite medium is watercolor Batik on rice paper.” Richar is also known for the photographs she takes of flowers, landscapes and structures, such as the gazebo in winter at John. J. Collins Memorial Park on Berger Lake in Galeton, and for making glittery putz houses from cardboard.

For more information about this Golden Afternoons program call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220.

At 9:47 AM on Sunday, Shinglehouse ambulance has been dispatched to Pearl Street for syncope.

With deer becoming increasingly active, and daylight-saving time soon to put more vehicles on the road during the hours when deer move most, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is advising motorists to slow down and stay alert.

Deer become more active in autumn with the lead-up to their fall breeding season, commonly referred to as the “rut.” Around this time, many yearling bucks disperse from the areas in which they were born and travel, sometimes several dozen miles, to find new ranges. Meanwhile, adult bucks more often are cruising their home ranges in search of does, and they sometimes chase the does they encounter.

When daylight-saving time ends Nov. 6, there also will be increased vehicular traffic between dusk and dawn – the peak hours for deer activity.

“While the peak of the whitetail rut is still a few weeks off, deer already are spending more time on the move and are bound to be crossing roads more often,” said Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “While motorists always should remain alert while driving, it’s especially important now in the coming weeks to be on the lookout for whitetails.”

Data from around the country indicates Pennsylvania drivers face some of the highest risks of a vehicle collision with a deer or other large animal. A recent report shows Pennsylvania led the country in animal-collision insurance claims in the fiscal year 2021-22. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania drivers, according to the report, have a 1-in-58 chance of a vehicular accident involving a big game animal – one of the highest rates nationwide.

Drivers can reduce their chances of collisions with deer by staying alert and better understanding deer behavior. Just paying attention while driving on stretches marked with “Deer Crossing” signs can make a difference.

Deer often travel in groups and walk single file. So even if one deer successfully crosses the road in front of a driver, it doesn’t mean the threat is over. Another could be right behind it.

A driver who hits a deer with a vehicle is not required to report the accident to the Game Commission. If the deer dies, only Pennsylvania residents may claim the carcass. To do so, they can call the Game Commission at 1-833-PGC-HUNT or 1-833-PGC-WILD and an agency dispatcher will collect the information needed to provide a free permit number, which the caller should write down.

A resident must call within 24 hours of taking possession of the deer. A passing Pennsylvania motorist also may claim the deer, if the person whose vehicle hit it doesn’t want it.

Those taking possession of road-killed deer also are advised of rules related to Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that prohibit the removal of high-risk deer parts – essentially the head and backbone – from any established Disease Management Area (DMA) or Established Area (EA). Those parts must be removed before the deer is transported outside a DMA or EA. For maps of these areas, the complete list of high-risk parts and other information on CWD, visit www.pgc.pa.gov.

If a deer is struck by a vehicle, but not killed, drivers are urged to maintain their distance because some deer might recover and move on. However, if a deer does not move on, or poses a public safety risk, drivers are encouraged to report the incident to the Game Commission or another law-enforcement agency. If the deer must be put down, the Game Commission will direct the proper person to do so.

To report a dead deer for removal from state roads, motorists can call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD

Jeffrey J. BROWN, 59, of Harrison Valley, PA, died Friday, October 28, 2022 in UPMC Wellsboro, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital.

A complete obituary will be announced by Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.

Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2:30 p.m., the Wellsboro Women’s Chorus and the Wednesday Morning Musicales will present a concert titled “For Love of God and Country” featuring inspirational and patriotic songs sung in celebration of Veterans Day, being observed on Friday, Nov. 11.

The concert will be at the First Presbyterian Church at 130 Main Street in Wellsboro. It will open with the audience and choruses singing “The Pledge of Allegiance.”

“All veterans and men and women currently serving in the military are invited to attend as we would be proud to honor them at this special concert,” said Diana Frazier.

A dessert social will follow at the church. The concert and dessert social are open to the public.

The 38 members of the Wellsboro Women’s Chorus will perform under the direction of Suzanne Niles and Frazier with accompaniment by Judy Smithgall. They will sing “Great Is The Lord,” “10,000 Reasons,” “Thankful,” “Here I Am, Lord,” “My Tribute,” “We Believe,” and “Then Sings My Soul.”

Patriotic music to be sung includes: “A World of Peace,” “My America” based on “My Country ’Tis of Thee (America),” “Thank You, Soldiers” and “Freedom.”

The 32-member Wednesday Morning Musicales directed by Diana Frazier with Marian Miller as the accompanist will sing “Let Freedom Ring,”  “O, America,” “We Honor You,” “A Gospel Song of Peace,” “American Pride,” and “Stand With the Brave” and “Song for the Unsung Hero,” both with trumpet accompaniment by Colin Hughes.

The concert will end with the two choruses singing” A Tribute to the Armed Services.”

There will be a free will offering.

The choruses welcome new members. The Wellsboro Women’s Chorus rehearses Thursday nights at the Deane Center and the Wednesday Morning Musicales on Wednesday mornings at the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center, both in Wellsboro. Anyone who has a desire to sing and would like to join either of these groups is asked to contact Diana Frazier at 570-439-0923.

Start off Tuesday, Nov. 8 with an up-close look at the lunar eclipse. Take advantage of an early-morning moon viewing opportunity that won’t come around again until March 2025.

Any time between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8, the Early Morning Lunar Eclipse Viewing Program will be conducted at the Night Sky Public Viewing Area at Cherry Springs State Park at 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, Pa. 16915.

Follow the walkway from the public program parking area at Cherry Springs to the seating area. Since seating is limited, attendees may want to bring a chair and/or blanket.

Observe the earth’s shadow as it passes over the moon, and even take a close-up look at the eclipse through a telescope. Hot coffee will be provided. Remember to bring a reusable mug.

This drop-in morning program will also feature information about the causes of lunar eclipses, as well as information on viewing the November night sky.

Co-leading the program are Hills Creek State Park Complex Natural Resource Program Specialist Tim Morey and Cherry Springs and Lyman Run Environmental Education Specialist Susan Schenck. 

The park asks that visitors to the Night Sky programs leave their pets at home. Dim lighting, large crowds and sensitive equipment do not create a pet-friendly environment.

This program will be cancelled in the event of rain, thunder or snow. All registrants will receive an email by 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7 confirming the status of the Nov. 8 program.

Visitors may want to check the Clear Sky Chart or Astrospheric for 48-hour forecasts of cloud cover and viewing conditions.

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, but not required for this event so that enough material is prepared for everyone.

Visit https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park to pre-register.

The Wellsboro Community Concert Association’s 2022-2023 season continues with the Philadelphia Brasson Friday, Nov. 4at 7:30 p.m. in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. This is the second in the series of six concerts.

One of unique strengths of the Philadelphia Brass is the palpable sense of respect, affection and musical enjoyment among its members. This allows the players to perform with exceptional flexibility and cohesiveness, and enhances the ensemble’s appeal to audiences of all ages.

Critics and the public alike have enthusiastically praised the diversity of the group’s repertoire, technical virtuosity, superb musicality and humorous and informative educational dialogue from the stage. Their playing has been celebrated as “artistry of the highest caliber” and “dazzling technique.”

The Philadelphia Brass was formed in 1988 with a mission to perform the best of brass quintet literature from all periods and styles while educating the public to the pleasures, subtleties, and complexities of chamber music.

The group has produced five CDs: “Renaissance and Baroque”, “Joan Lippincott and Philadelphia Brass”, “Christmas”, “Christmas in the Grand Tradition” with Peter Conte and the Wanamaker Organ, and “The Anniversary Album”, and is featured in Family Portrait and Smoky Mountain Fanfare, two pieces on the Summit Records CD, “David Sampson – Notes from Far Away Places”.

Individually, Philadelphia Brass members have performed with the world’s top musical ensembles, including the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, among many others.

The ensemble has toured extensively throughout the United States and the United Kingdom and has completed two well-received tours to Bolivia on behalf of the U.S. State Department in collaboration with the Asociacion pro Arte y Cultura’s Baroque Festival based in Santa Cruz.

A season pass to attend the five remaining concerts is $75 for one adult accompanied by minor children, 12 and under and represents a saving of $45 versus paying a total of $120 for five individual tickets.

A season pass for a student, 13 to 18, is $25 or $5 for each of the five remaining concerts.

Admission to the concert with Matthew Ball aka The Boogie Woogie Kid on Saturday, April 22, 2023 is $20 for an adult. The other four are $25 each per adult, including the Philadelphia Brass on Friday, Nov. 4; Charm City Junction on Friday, Dec. 9; Lunasa on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 and The Revelers on Friday, May 19, 2023.

Children 12 and under accompanied by a paying adult are admitted free. A student who is 13 to 18 will be admitted for $5 per concert.

All concerts start at 7:30 p.m. and are held in the Coolidge Theatre.

Information, season tickets and tickets for individual concerts are available by visiting www.wellsborocca.org or by calling the Deane Center at 570-724-6220 or can be purchased at the door on Nov. 4 beginning at 7 p.m.

At 3:50 PM on Saturday, Derrick City Fire Dept. has been dispatched to Walmart for a vehicle fire.

At 2:10 PM on Saturday, Roulette Ambulance has been dispatched to Trout Brook Road for a female fall victim.

At 1:28 PM on Saturday, Smethport Fire Dept. has been called to 720 East Valley Road for a wildfire.

At 1:22 PM on Saturday, Kersey Fire Dept. has been dispatched to 371 Old Kersey Road for a wildfire in a field.

The Hamilton-Gibson Children and Youth Choirs, composed of students in the second through the twelfth grades, are presenting their annual Autumn Chorale concert this Sunday, Oct. 30 at 2:30 p.m. in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located on Pearl Street, across from The Green in Wellsboro. 

The concert will open with the combined choirs singing “Louez le Seigneur,” the welcoming song from Cameroon.

The combined choirs will also perform “Sing for Peace” by Jim Papoulis and Francisco Nunez of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City. The word “peace” is sung in eight different languages and accompanied by hand bells and drums.

Other songs to be performed include rounds, folk songs and a glorious arrangement of the hymn “God You Made All Things for Singing.” The concert will end with the rousing “Down by the Riverside.”

The Hamilton-Gibson Choral Program offers three choral groups. Choir Too, directed by Cheryl Hein Walters, is for boys and girls in grades 2-4. Directing both the Children’s Concert Choir for those in grades 5-8 and the HG Youth Choir for young women and young men in grades 9-12, including those with changed or changing voices, is Thomas Putnam. Gary Citro is the piano accompanist.

Admission at the door is $10 for adults and $5 for students and children, 18 and under. Sponsoring this concert are Bruce and Sarah Vickery.

For more information about the concert or joining the choral program, call the Hamilton-Gibson Children and Youth Choirs at 570-724-2079 or email hamgib@gmail.com. 

At 10:06 AM on Saturday, Smethport Fire & EMS have been dispatched to the area of 5921 Rt. 46 for a motor vehicle accident.

Call back from Life 360, where the original call came from, reports they contacted the driver and there was no accident. False alarm.

RECALLED.

On October 29, at 1:02 am Cuba, Friendship, and Weston Mills fire Depts. were dispatched to 74 E. Main St. in the village of Cuba for a structure fire. Update mutual aid has been canceled

On October 28, at 7:52 pm Coudersport ambulance was dispatched to E. Second St. at Cole Manor for a person fallen