February 2023

Around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 99 Main Street in Wellsboro during this year’s Wellsboro Winter Celebration, adults, teens and children can sit on the Old Man Winter Throne made of ice as friends and relatives take their pictures.

The Winter Outing Series continues this weekend with Winter Women in the Wilds Feb. 3-5 at the Sinnemahoning State Park Wildlife Center; Community Climbing Day this Saturday, Feb. 4 at Mansfield University; and Winter Adventure Snowshoe or Hike at Lyman Run State Park this Sunday, Feb. 5.

Next weekend will be the Wellsboro Winter Celebration Friday to Sunday, Feb. 10, 11 & 12 and Snowshoeing Basics on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Sinnemahoning State Park with registration by Thursday, Feb. 9.

Registration is Closed for Winter Women in the Wilds Feb. 3-5

Registration is closed and the wait list is full for Winter Women in the Wilds, a fun opportunity to learn outdoor skills this Friday, Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. through Sunday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Sinnemahoning State Park Wildlife Center at 4843 Park Drive in Austin, Potter County. For information about the winter program, email SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov or call the park office at 1-814-647-8401.

Beginners of All Ages Can Climb the Wall Free at MU on Saturday, Feb. 4

Beginners of all ages, individuals and families with children are invited to participate in Community Climbing Day to experience the climbing wall for free on Saturday, Feb. 4 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Mansfield University’s Kelchner Fitness Center at 80 Clinton Street in Mansfield. Registration is not required. The climbing wall is 80 feet wide by 29 feet tall. Provided free will be guidance by trained staff and climbing gear to get newcomers off the ground. For more information or for answers to questions, email Director Amy DeLozier at aletts@commonwealthu.edu or call the center at 570-662-4865.

Free Lyman Run Winter Snowshoe or Hike is This Sunday, Feb. 5

For the free Winter Adventure Hike or Snowshoe, meet outdoorsmen Chip Harrison and John Halter at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 5in the Day Use parking lot at Lyman Run State Park at 454 Lyman Run Road, Galeton, PA 16922. Adults and children old enough to handle wearing snowshoes are welcome to participate. Following an introduction to using snowshoes and a short snowshoe, the group will leave from the parking lot, cross the road and begin the one-mile out-and-back snowshoe that will take them to the Lyman Lake beach area and then on Fisherman’s Trail and Lyman Lake, depending on conditions. Those who own snowshoes are encouraged to bring them. Snowshoes will also be available and provided free for those who don’t have them. Wear waterproof boots, dress appropriately for the weather and bring snacks and water. This winter outing may be cancelled due to trail conditions or become a traditional hike if there isn’t enough snow. For more information, call 570-439-1826 or 1-814-435-5010.

Snowshoeing Basics on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Sinnemahoning State Park is Free but Registration is Required by Thursday, Feb. 9

Snowshoeing is a great way to explore Sinnemahoning State Park trails in winter. New to the sport?  No problem. Park staff will help get people started from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11at the Sinnemahoning State Park Wildlife Center at 4843 Park Drive in Austin, Potter County. Snowshoes and trekking poles will be provided. This program will begin indoors with an introduction to snowshoeing equipment and styles, followed by guided practice instruction on level ground and then a short excursion on the trail. If snow depth is insufficient for snowshoeing, the indoor portion of the program will still be held, followed by a 2- to 3-mile nature hike. Registration for this free program is required by Thursday, Feb. 9. Register online through the DCNR Calendar of Events. Questions? Call the park office at 1-814-647-8401 or email SinnemahoningSP@pa.gov.

Wellsboro Winter Celebration is Friday to Sunday, Feb. 10, 11 & 12

On Saturday, Feb. 11 from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. will be a free Introduction to Cross-County Skiing on The Green, a park in the heart of downtown Wellsboro. Kids can try out cross-country skis with basic instruction. Tubing races will also be held at 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at this popular in-town event as part of the Wellsboro Winter Celebration. Also on Feb. 11 ice carvers will create a throne for children and adults to sit on and have their pictures taken by friends and relatives at 99 Main Street around 9 a.m. The carvers will then demonstrate their skills by creating four other ice masterpieces on the sidewalks in front of downtown Main Street businesses beginning at 11 a.m. The last sculpture will be finished by 3 p.m. The public is invited to watch the carvers work and ask them questions. It’s free. Find more information on the entire weekend at wellsboropa.com or call the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at 570-724-1926.

FMI: To learn more about Winter Outing events or for updates on snow and ice, trail conditions, directions and more, search for Step Outdoors Tioga County on Facebook or visit www.stepoutdoors.org.

On Saturday, February 4, the Marilyn Horne Museum and Exhibit Center will present a free performance by the Mark Kellogg Jazz Quintet in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

The group features Mark Kellogg on trombone and euphonium, vocalist Amy Azzara, Christopher Azzara on piano, Kyle Vock on bass, and Eric Schmitz on drums. Music includes songs by Duke Ellington, Brooks Bowman, Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer, Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart, and other American greats. The program will also include original music written and composed by members of the ensemble. 

This performance is free and open to everyone. Seating is open. Reservations are not required. Doors open at 6:30 and the performance will begin at 7:00 p.m. The chapel is located at 300 Campus Drive, Bradford, Pa. 16701

EITC Grants Assist Students and Technical Programs at Seneca Highlands Tech

Seneca Highlands Career & Technical Center administrators welcomed a donation from Coterra Energy in the form of Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC) donated to the school. SHCTC, based in Port Allegany, is one of 26 career and technology centers, small and large, that Coterra has assisted across the state since 2010. To date, more than $1.3 million in EITC grants have been distributed by Coterra in Pennsylvania to help students cover the costs of instructional material, testing supplies, uniforms, and certifications.

SHCTC’s Kimberly Mooney and Kristin Hawver worked together to coordinate the EITC scholarships for 28 students this year. According to Mooney, the funds were used for technology, educational, and workplace items, such as computers, tools, workwear, and general purpose implements based on individual programs.

“The students report that the purchases assisted them on their career path and in finding employment,” Mooney related. “Whether it was for college or career readiness, the scholarship monies aided in course work and the ability to become self-reliant and have the necessary materials for the trade and to enter the workforce.”

Coterra’s EITC program has grown steadily through the years, doubling in scope in 2019 after a lull in the natural gas industry. CTC’s are seen as a natural incubator for the skilled workers needed by Pennsylvania’s growing industry sector, including natural gas production.

“We’re excited for the jobs that are ahead, and we are making sure that we have the workforce for this next phase in Pennsylvania’s economic development,” said Coterra director of external affairs George Stark. Trade schools like SHCTC, he noted, are training the workforce today for tomorrow that make them productive members of society.

“If our Career and Technical Center did not have this scholarship money, many students would be without some of the items they need that are helpful and required in a clinical setting, cooperative education placement, and in the next step of their educational/employment journey,” Hawver stated.

The program is administered by Commonwealth Charitable Management (CCM), which has partnered with Coterra Energy for over 10 years in support of Career & Technology students across Pennsylvania. CCM program manager Melissa Turlip related that “Building a future relies on a variety of industries,” citing welding, auto mechanics, health services and engineering technology among specialized fields that are always in demand.

“Our Center is very grateful and blessed to have sponsors like Coterra Energy that support students to become successful and motivated in pursuing their dreams,” Mooney remarked. “We are pulling from rural areas that have a high need for financial assistance.”

Photo caption:

Administrators and students at Seneca Highlands Career & Technical Center express their gratitude to Coterra Energy for the donation of Educational Improvement Tax Credits that help cover out-of-pocket expenses for materials needed by students to complete their programs or move into the workforce.

On Sunday (January 29) we had our third 4-H meeting. It was held at my farm, Echo Valley Farm. We worked with lamb and piglets. Little Buddy, who is a lamb, needed to have his vaccine. He also needed his tail docked, ear tagged and castrated. He didn’t have a very good day. I got to band his tail. Miley got to tag his ear. Mom gave him a shot. Then Natale held him while mom showed and helped Jessicia to band his testicles. Tails’ piglets needed their iron shot and vitamin shot. They were born just the day before. We each held one and my mom gave them shots. We left Trouble’s piglets alone because she doesn’t like strangers. We talked about why this stuff is needed and how to keep newborn piglets and lambs warm. We washed our hands and had snacks. It was a fun meeting. Maddie, Rolland, Miley, Rosalie, Talyah, Avaree, Ryleigh, Natale, and Maeson. All attend this 4-H meeting. We will see you next time.