The Elk County Council on the Arts would like to invite the public to this year’s regional Poetry Out Loud competition taking place on January 25, 2024, at 6:00 pm at the PA Wilds Media Lab in Kane. A partnership of the National Endowment for the Arts, Poetry Foundation, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Elk County Council on the Arts, Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering free educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition for high school students across the country. Students from Elk County Catholic High School, Saint Marys Area High School, and Ridgway High School will gather to compete and recite the poems they have selected for a panel of esteemed judges.

The Sinnemahone Triple Crown continues to grow while supporting local businesses and allowing residents to explore Cameron County waterways and trails.  In 2024 changes are coming to two of the events.

The Cameron County Chamber of Commerce stepped in several years ago when organizers of the Cameron County Canoe and Kayak Classic retired from the event.  That event held in April of each year, has had a date change since PA Fish and Boat designated the first Saturday in April as opening day for trout season.  In 2024 the paddling event will be held on the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek on Saturday, April 13.  Registration will open by the middle of January. 

(Pennsylvania) – Mother Nature might be saying it’s winter, but the American Cancer Society is helping you to think spring with the return of Daffodil Days! This colorful first flower of spring represents a campaign that brings hope to cancer patients, their caregivers, and families while providing much-needed funding to support the groundbreaking research, programs, and services of the American Cancer Society.

“Cancer touches us all in one way or another,” noted Dan Tobin, ACS Director of Regional Integrated Marketing. “By supporting the American Cancer Society through Daffodil Days, you are not only warming the hearts of others, but you are also helping the American Cancer Society to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.”

Trudi Dibble of Middlebury Township is offering a free, one-hour Golden Afternoons Program on Tai Chi this coming Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. in the lobby at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Golden Afternoons is open to those 55 years of age or older. Light refreshments will be provided free.

Almost anyone can do Tai Chi. No special equipment is needed. Participants are asked to wear comfortable clothing suitable for exercise and flat shoes.  

Auditions for third through ninth graders participating in Hamilton-Gibson’s production of the musical “Junie B. Jones JR” at the Winter Theatre Arts Camp in Elkland are after school on Monday, Jan. 8 at R. B. Walter Elementary in Tioga Junction, Wednesday, Jan. 10 at Clark Wood Elementary in Elkland and Thursday, Jan. 11 at Westfield Elementary.

Role selections will be made following the auditions. “Junie B. Jones JR” is a delightful adaptation of four of Barbara Park’s best-selling books. The show features many lovable characters and fun-filled songs.
 
The camp will be at the Clark Wood Elementary School at 110 Addison Hill Road in Elkland. It will open on Wednesday, Jan. 17, and end on Thursday, Feb. 1 with Pay-What-You-Can performances for the public at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 2 and 3. 
 
Each camper will receive a free tee shirt, script, rehearsal CD and instruction. They will be taught choreography, how to project their voices when speaking and singing, and how to create a character and have fun. 
 
Thanks to the generosity of the Deerfield Charitable Trust, the camp is free to students who reside in the Northern Tioga School District and attend public or private schools or are home-schooled.
 
Registration forms for the Elkland camp are available at schools in the Northern Tioga School District, online at the HG website (hamiltongibson.org), or can be obtained by calling the HG office at 570-724-2079 or by emailing hamgib@gmail.com.

Local nonprofits and faith-based organizations serving McKean County can welcome the new year with the opportunity to apply for a grant to support their programs and projects that will impact McKean County residents. The McKean County Commissioners and the McKean County Community Foundation (MCCF) have partnered for a second granting cycle to award and distribute $250,000 in grant funding in 2024 with dollars available through the American Rescue Plan Act.

An informational meeting is planned for Tuesday, January16, 2024 for any potential applicants. The meeting will be available either by Zoom or in person at the Seneca Highlands IU9 office in Smethport at 4:30 pm. Organizations are asked to please register by emailing mccf@mckeancountyfoundation.org.

Winter Weather Advisory issued January 6

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5
inches.

* WHERE…Allegany county.

* WHEN…From 1 PM this afternoon to 4 AM EST Sunday. The
majority of the snowfall and greatest impact on travel will be
from this afternoon through this evening.

* IMPACTS…Plan on snow covered and slippery roads along with
reduced visibilities.

INSTRUCTIONS: Periods of snow will result in snow covered roads and limited
visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.

Submit snow reports through our website or social media.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY