This Weekend in Wellsboro there will be a free program on cougars,  the last three performances of “Miss Holmes Returns;” free ice-skating, free, live, flameworking demonstrations and local artisans and culinary delights.  

Gyekis to Present Cougars: What’s Real and What Isn’t? at Nessmuk’s Sporting Goods 

At 6 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 21 at Nessmuk’s Sporting Goods at 91 Main Street in Wellsboro, Kerry Gyekis, an author, forester and investigator for the Cougar Rewilding Foundation, will present a free program for the public on his investigation into mountain lions in the Eastern United States. For more than 42 years, Gyekis has traveled across America in his quest for the truth about the mountain lion also known as a cougar, puma and panther. He will discuss hoaxes,  sightings, evidence, tracks, tracking and the biology of the species. Preregistration is not required.

Last Three Performances of “Miss Holmes Returns” are Feb. 21, 22 & 23

The last three performances of Hamilton-Gibson’s production of “Miss Holmes Returns” are at 7:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 21 and 22 and at 2:30 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 23 in the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro. Many members of HG’s cast who were in Playwright Christopher M. Walsh’s “Miss Holmes” in 2019 are reprising their roles in this sequel as Miss Holmes and Dr. Watson return with another challenging case. For tickets visit HGP.Booktix.com or call 570-724-2079.

Free Ice-Skating 

This Saturday, Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Packer Park tennis courts on Queen Street, a 40- by 40-foot synthetic surface will provide free ice-skating fun for all ages. Ice skates in sizes for children and adults will be available to use for free.

Free, Live, Flameworking Demonstrations are This Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Deane Center 
This Saturday, Feb. 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the lobby at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro are Corning Museum of Glass flameworking demonstrations to present the artistry and education of glassmaking to the public.
 
Giving the live demonstrations in flameworking, an historic technique, will be Eric Goldschmidt, properties of glass programs supervisor at the Corning Museum of Glass.
 
Goldschmidt will melt glass rods and tubes in the flame of a 4,000-degree torch and shape the softened glass into any variety of objects from glass animals and beads to ornaments and sculptures. As he works, he will provide live narration to explain the process and offer interesting facts about the art and science of glass.  
 
For 28 years, since 1996, Goldschmidt has devoted himself to practicing and developing the techniques of hot glass manipulation with a focus on flameworking while studying and assisting with many of the world’s most talented glass artists. 
 
Goldschmidt actually started working with molten materials in 1993 as a candlemaker. After witnessing flameworking, however, he became intrigued by the process, which led him to take classes from master flameworkers at The Studio of The Corning Museum of Glass. 
 
Soon, he was hooked and began working at The Studio in the Make Your Own Glass Workshop and as the resident flameworker. Now, as the properties of glass programs supervisor at the Corning Museum of Glass, he gives live demonstrations at CMoG and on the road in flameworking, glass breaking, and optical fiber in addition to teaching, lecturing, and exhibiting his work around the world.

Local Artisans and Culinary Delights This Saturday, Feb. 22 

From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 22 will be a showcase of local artisans and culinary delights.

Participating restaurants, wineries, and breweries will be offering tastings of their featured entrées or appetizers or their chosen beverages.
 
Also on display in local businesses will be artisans with their handmade goods or special talents.
 
Karl Schneider, a pottery maker, and local author Debra Reynolds will be at Nessmuk’s Sporting Goods at 91 Main Street.
 
Oregon Hill Wineries at 87 Main Street will have wine tastings and wine by the bottle or glass along with a display of nosh boards and cheese tastings by Tasteful Nosh.
 
For more information about other Crafts and Cuisine Weekend locations, contact the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce before 4 p.m. this Friday, Feb. 21 at 570-724-1926, email info@wellsboropa.com or visit www.wellsoboropa.com.