All Categories - Eight & 322/Eight & 27

Feature hunting

3/29/2023

One of my favorite photography books is the The Great Picture Hunt by Dave LaBelle. It expands on the notion of the "Decisive Moment" that many of my generation, and LaBelle's, cling to when learning how to make photographs. The Decisive Moment was coined from the teachings, or discussions, I guess with and about Henri Cartier-Bresson, the Christ of photojournalism.

Oh there are other prophets, like Robert Frank and Eugene Smith, but Cartier-Bresson is the holy savior.

I was eyeing up this possible photograph yesterday hoping for someone to travel by outside and it happened. But if it were Cartier-Bresson or Michael Williamson of the Washington Post, someone would also be walking down the stairs inside the building at the same time adding depth and meaning to the image.

I love photography and seeing the world differently, but am always in awe of Cartier-Bresson and Robert Frank.

OC school board suspends program for remainder of the year, moves toward clearer policy and communication

3/28/2023

The evening started with applause. It seemed the whole cafeteria at Hasson Heights Elementary school could agree on one thing - the Oiler boys swim team had one hell of a year. They were recognized for their undefeated season in front of the Oil City Area School Board. It was a night of a lot of praise and superlatives with each administrator's reports giving glowing accounts of accomplishments at each building from career day to a successful Arts Day program to a green Ogre who brought the house down to near record audiences. "We had to print more tickets for our Saturday performabce," Oil City High School principal Scott Stahl told the board.

But the elephant in the room reared its head when it came down to agenda item number IX: Old Business, A. Remove from the table, Retroactive Approval of Curricula to April 18, 2022, 1. "We Care Elementary " (Grades 3-6) and 2. "Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens" (Grades 7 - 8).

At this point the temperature in the room went up and confusion spiraled a bit among board members and those in attendance trying to explain and understand what was about to happen. Clarifications and a few points of order later, the board voted to remove the tabled agenda item in order to hear an entirely new motion by curriculum chair Mark Kerr.

Kerr then motioned, and the board approved, to suspend the remaining two lessons planned to be taught in grades 3-8 this year and begin looking toward a curriculum for the 2023-24 school year. The board will send out a request for proposals for Anti-Bullying/Sexual Harassment programs. They set a deadline to receive the proposals of May 1, 2023. They will then plan to invite presentations at the curriculum meeting on June 10. The board then hopes to be able to have a vote on the curriculum committee's recommendation at the scheduled July 17 meeting. If approved it will then be posted the next day and remain open until August 28, the day before school starts. Kerr said that will give a good six weeks for parents or guardians to look over the materials and decide whether or not to opt their children out of the lessons or keep them in.

Joe Klapec and Devin Aaron, two vocal parents at recent board meetings objecting to the gender and sexuality components of the current lessons, said this action by the board satisfies their concerns for now. "I'm happy where we're at right now," Klapec said after the meeting reiterating his disappointment with the way the administration handled this. Devin Aaron also expressed her disappointment in the administration but that this is a move in the right direction for her. "We are thankful for the efforts of many of the board members that continue to acknowledge us and our concerns as parents," she said adding, "The children of the district won tonight."

Superintendent Lynda Weller said this has been a learning experience and has noted previously, and reiterated Monday night, that the administration will continue to refine their efforts moving forward to establish better clarity and consistency. Earlier in the day she clarified that there are four students opted out of the 5-8 grade lessons and three in the elementary program. That is seven students of five families of over 800 students in classes 3-8.

School board president Joe McFadden also admitted the handling of the situation could've been handled better, but noted an exception to the attacks on Weller and other administrators calling them unwarranted and false.

Kerr also accepted some blame in how this has gotten to this point of contention. "How we got here is as much my fault as anyone else's, but I don't believe our schools are laboratories of radicals."

School board member Tyler Johnson also took exception with the attacks on Weller and the administration."I don't believe there is any administrators pushing an agenda or indoctrinating." He spoke straight to the parents in attendance stating he knows many of them and knows they are good people, but added so are the people on the board and the administrators and that comments made about them for grooming and indoctrinating children are jus inaccurate.

Devin Aaron said she is disappointed that the administrators haven't publicly apologized or taken responsibility.

McFadden noted again that the board was made fully aware of the "We Care Elementary" and "SAFE-T" programs being taught in the schools and that they are both Pennsylvania Department of Education approved.

Board member Larry Sterner, attending the meeting via telephone, said, "we can do better."

FYI

Policy 105.2

Authority

The Board adopts this policy to ensure that parents/guardians have the right to have their children excused from specific instruction that conflicts with their religious beliefs.[1][2]

Guidelines

The rights granted by this policy are granted to parents/guardians of students enrolled in this district when the students are under the age of eighteen (18) and to the students themselves when the student is eighteen (18) or over.

The district shall excuse any student from specific instruction, subject to the following conditions:

To assist the school district in ensuring that the student is excused from the correct specific instruction, the request must be made in writing and must detail the specific instruction from which the student is to be excused.
The written request to be excused shall be sent by the parent/guardian or student to the classroom teacher or building principal.

One (1) copy of the request shall be retained in the student's permanent school records, one (1) copy kept by the school principal, and one (1) copy submitted to the teacher from whose instruction the student is to be excused.
It shall not be the responsibility of the district or any of its employees to ensure that the student exercises his/her right to be excused in accordance with a parental request. It shall be the responsibility of the student to request permission to leave class when the specific instruction objected to is presented. When the student seeks to be excused, the teacher shall excuse the student if the teacher or principal has a copy of the written request and the written request adequately describes the specific instruction.
The written request must contain a statement that the specific instruction described conflicts with the religious beliefs of the student or of the parents/guardians.
The parent/guardian and/or student may request suggested replacement educational activities. The only permissible educational activity for this purpose shall be in the nature of replacement instruction that is consistent with the learning objectives set for the course and does not require the provision of any extra resources by the district.
The building principal shall determine where the student shall report during the time the student is excused.
All students excused from specific instruction shall be required to achieve the academic standards established by the district as necessary for graduation.

March 26th, 2023

3/26/2023

"always look on the bright side of life...dad do do do dadoot."

Saturday's weather created a lot of havoc in Northwest Pennsylvania. Power outages and a lot of debris littered roads. But the winds cleared way for a truly early and magnificent spring day.

With no distractions from the world of tech, it was outside the house for many. The streets were loaded with walkers and the backyards were beginning to bloom.

And a honey bee found a flower and flies came out of wherever the hell flies come from.

And I guess it might be time to look up what black flies are and why they seemed to be a big problem last year, because there seemed to be a ton of flies all of a sudden today and though all creatures have a purpose, these buggers sure where annoying.

School board ready to move forward

3/26/2023

The Oil City School Board will to convene at 7 p.m. today at the administration building to conduct the business of the district. This includes voting on approving the district’s $15,038 share of the $1,488,687 Intermediate Unit 6 budget, an increase of $221 from last year, several personnel items, as well as almost $700,000 in districtwide building repairs and upgrades.

Business as usual.

Also on the agenda is what to do with a recent hullabaloo over the We Care Elementary and Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens(SAFE-T) resources or curriculum that has been a topic of several recent board meetings and local press coverage.

After a few parents raised objection to the teaching of gender and sexuality terms within the course materials, the school board looked into the matter.

On the agenda in February was a retroactive approval of the “curriculum.” A curriculum needs board approval. Superintendent Lynda Weller was accused of pushing the curriculum and circumventing the process by some parents. Since then a look at the courses and terms have been clarified by the administration and presented to the school board’s curriculum committee.

The curriculum committee is expected to recommend a course of action for the programs currently in place and set in motion a search for other possible resources and materials that could be used in the future. This is expected at Monday's meeting.

The concerned parents have held steadfast to their objections to the lessons and what they view as a lack of transparency by the administrators, saying the materials are not appropriate for the age of the children being taught and that parents were not provided enough information or notice to opt out of the program.

The administration has admitted some confusion, a mistake in handling one parent’s wishes and efforts to improve the notification process. As of last week, parents of four students of the 866 in grades 3 to 8 have opted out. Last year there were 10 students.

“This is exactly what the opt process is for,” said school board president Joseph McFadden. “If parents (or) students have issues with this program because of their beliefs, then they absolutely have the parental right to opt their child out of the program.”

He went on to say the board and administration are reviewing the opt-out policy to clear up confusion and add additional steps to ensure students whose parents choose that option are removed from the class.

McFadden also indicated that the school board has noted the majority of parents or guardians have not voiced concerns over the lessons being questioned. “It is not fair that a greater majority of our students (and) parents are receptive to this information but because of policy or procedural errors at this time it has come under fire,” McFadden said.

“I am confident that the (curriculum) committee has looked at all aspects of the current controversy and will recommend a direction going forward that will address or be acceptable for all parties (district and parents),” McFadden wrote in an email.

McFadden also said the board has been in the process since last year of evaluating and updating district policies in coordination with the Pennsylvania School Board Association which reviews policies for specific applications, current code and law requirements.

Follow up questions given to one of the parents who object to the lessons, include the goal of their continued objections and what appears to be their aim to cancel the lessons on sexuality and gender for all students, were not answered as of this publication.

To see the board’s full agenda online - https://www.ocasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/AGENDA-Voting-Meeting-3-27-23.pdf.

Serendipity and granddaughter brings retiree to the stage for first time

3/24/2023

Dan Twombly isn't shy about saying he would do just about anything for his granddaughters. "For the first time in my 66 years, I'm wearing tights," he said. "And eyeliner and blush. I even know what they are called."

Twombly, who retired last year, said he has never acted on stage before. "Oh maybe a Christmas program at church when I was a kid."

His granddaughter, Cranberry High School student Kaitlyn Moore, has tried for years to get him to try, and has done numerous shows over the years herself. Since she is getting ready to head off to college soon, he thought this might be the last opportunity he gets to do it with her. And so they are both in the current Barrow-Civic Theatre production of "Pride and Prejudice."

The play called for an older gentleman to play one of the key roles and no one had tried out for the part. He admits it may have been serendipitous that this part in this show happened to come at this time for him to be able to act with Kaitlyn. "I'm not sure I'm much of an actor," he said. " But, just about anyone who knows me, knows I'm pretty much Mr. Bennett."

He said it's been stressful but rewarding. "I'm a stress eater, so I've gained a little weight," he laughed. But he was able to draw on his life experiences to help him prepare. Someone who often spoke in public during his career, he wasn't so worried about memorization, but the role required more than just being able to deliver the words. "I felt a familiarity and connection with the character," he said which helped him deliver his occasional snarky lines.

He said the support of the others was the most important help, such as when he is waiting in the wings and someone puts a hand on his shoulder in support. "Through the whole process I came to realize it's not about me. I need to do what I need to do, but it's the whole team, I guess you call it cast, that comes together and everyone helps everyone through."

He also said connecting with the audience has been energizing. "When a line gets the response it is supposed to get... I want to do the best I can for the audience."

One big challenge has been some of the physical stuff. "I'm no dancer. That's probably one of the silliest things about this," he admitted. "I had to work on it quite a bit, but the director and producers had a vision," adding that he really respects the way this show came together and how it looks.

Twombly said if someone asks him next week to be in another show he'd say no. But the he hasn't ruled out ever doing it again. "Maybe in time. It's been an enjoyable experience."

There are two more chances to see the show at the Barrow - Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Work session addresses items for board vote on next week

3/20/2023

The Oil City Area School Board plans to vote next week on continued use of two programs, that still have two lessons scheduled, after they get further definitions on what is to be taught. This was the recommendation Monday from the curriculum committee during the board's work session meeting.

Along with an agenda that listed an administrator's report of items on personnel changes, contracts for "The Nutrition Group," budgets, building alterations, field trips, coaches and the need of another speech therapist position in the school district, there were also four individuals who spoke about the "We Care Elementary" and "Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens" programs and their concerns with the district's transparency.

Not including the school board members, the administrators, the three members of the press and a presenter from The Nutrition Group, 16 people attended Monday's Oil City School Board non voting meeting that was moved in the cafeteria at Hasson Heights Elementary School.

The four who spoke during the public comment section reiterated many of the same points brought up a few weeks ago in which they said a lessons being used by the district were not approved by the board, thus going against district policy. Since then, the district offered clarity to what they admit is a confusing use of the term curriculum by school officials and the public.

The confusion, one of the evening's commenters Jerry Burns pointed out. was from the district's frequent use of the term curriculum up until just recently. Last week, in a curriculum committee meeting, Superintendent Lynda Weller explained the administrators' overuse of the term curriculum and differentiated between a curriculum that requires board approval and resources, sometimes referred to as curriculum, that do not.

Joe Klapec, who spoke a little while later, didn't appreciate Weller's distinctions and accused her of trying to circumvent school board policy. He, Burns and two others on the agenda, Dan and Devin Aaron, expressed concerns of what Klapec call "a woke narrative" and Burns referred to as "confusing gender ideology."

Dan Aaron said "this lunacy doesn't belong in our schools." His wife, Devin Aaron agreed, adding "when we compromise to world views and sin is allowed in schools we will continue to decline." She also expressed that she and the other parents don't disapprove of the entirety of the progamsm, acknowledging the lessons on sexual harassment are important.

After the meeting, school board president Joseph McFadden expressed that he didn't recall hearing that point of view from the parents before.

Curriculum chairperson Mark Kerr said he will recommend at the boards's next meeting that offer resource developers an oppportunity to present alternatives for consideration in the 2023-24 school year.

He also asked the board if they wanted to discuss anything involving the current two lessons still scheduled to be taught. Board member Lawrence Sterner asked about terms in the lessons, wanting clarification and definitions. Kerr offer to cooridinate with the administration and the PPC Violence Free Network, who administers the lessons in question, to get answers for Sterners and other members of the board.

At the next meeting the board will vote whether to discontinue the classes currently being taught, which encompasses two more lessons, or to finish out the year and accept the program. They will also vote whether to seek alternative curricula or resources for the following year. Kerr said he hopes to have proposals beginning in May and board recommendations ready by the middle of June. Kerr said if a new program is chosen that will give the administrators six months to get to get the materials to the public for review and questions.

Kerr also recommended a committee chaired by board member Tyler Johnson that will include public input to discuss policies of how and when students and/or parents can opt out of certain lessons.

The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m Monday March 27.

Read more about the ongoing story by clicking here.

Read further about the definitions and use of key words at the heart of this story here.

Editor's note: This story was edited after originally posted to bring information at the bottom of the story into the story's lead and to add links to previous story.

Despite ongoing scrutiny, OC admins, board say program was known and meets needs of the district

3/19/2023

The Oil City Area School District administration continues to fall under the scrutiny of a few parents and taxpayers regarding lessons being taught in the district on sexuality and gender identity.

“We Care Elementary” and "Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens" are programs designed to educate students and help keep them safe from abuse, bullying and negative self-image issues/mental health issues, according to Oil City Superintendent Lynda Weller.

Parent Devin Aaron is among those who say the program steps into areas that should be handled at home. She and four other adults shared their objections during a recent school board meeting.

The board’s agenda for the February 27 meeting included the retroactive approval of curricula "We Care Elementary" (grades 3-6) and "Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens" (grades 7-8) to April 18, 2022. The meeting also included a presentation from Aaron and her husband Dan, Joe Klapec and Theresa Dominique at which time they voiced their objections to the program. The board decided to table any vote for further review and discussion.

Weller says the scrutiny comes in part because of the over use of the word “curriculum” by the Oil City administration and the mishandling of opt-out policy in connection with one of the district’s students.

Weller said curriculum and resources are sometime used within the district interchangeably and the administrators know the differences when discussing them. A curriculum is something the district “must” provide under Chapter 4 of the school code.

Pennsylvania academic standards are tied to these.

Click here for the school board work session agenda for March 20, 2023

Click here to learn about the Oil City School board, who is on the board and how to contact them and how to participate in school board meetings.

Click here to learn more about the healthy relationship programs approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Words Matter: Click here to see how words centered around this story have been used and, if not explained properly can be be misleading.

"So when we talk about our official curriculum, that’s what the board needs to approve. This other stuff, which we may use the term curriculum, really is a resource or material to help meet the standards under the core curriculum. So it gets confusing.”

Aaron says their objections are greater than that.

Though she says there are good things in the lessons, she, and others object certain lesson about sexuality and gender. “There is no place for this sexuality lesson in school,” said Aaron.

She is referring to, in part, a worksheet that was handed out to students in April 2022. The worksheet asked students to match the terms: “your biological sex,” “gender identity,” “gender expression,” “sexual feelings” and “sexual expression” with definitions describing what each meant.

At that time the sheet began circulating on social media (not by the district) and drew some attention, but the posts did not include the full context of the lesson.

The worksheet is part of a multi-lesson resource/program taught by trained personnel from the PPC Violence Free Network, a program of the Venango County Family Services and Children’s Aid Society.

“There was script read to the class,” Weller said about the worksheet. The script talked about boundaries and how people feel and react when boundaries are not respected. The script went into self-esteem and sexual harassment, how different people express themselves through their own personal understanding of their own sexuality. “The term 'sexuality' is an umbrella term. This means it is a word that we use to describe a number of different things,” the script explained. “Misinformation about sexuality can sometimes lead to hurtful or unhealthy behaviors,” it continued.

Weller said events involving Oil City area children led the district to seek out the program to help protect students against abuse through proactive education. The “We Care Elementary” and "Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens" were chosen because they have been reviewed and approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and a county agency was at the ready, with trained personnel to implement the program.

History

In 2021, an incident of sexual harassment involving students within the school district led to discussions on how the district can best serve its students overall through education initiatives.

Tracy Delmonaco, the district’s Title IX administrator, sought advice from colleagues, including fellow enrollees in a doctoral program at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, to find a program to meet the needs of the school. These student colleagues are fellow administrators from across the state and they discussed many options.

The Vermont-based “We Care Elementary” and “Sexual Abuse Free Environment for Teens” were brought up and it was on the list Pennsylvania Department of Education approved programs. She also discovered the PPC staff were trained to implement these resources and had a grant to administer the lessons for free. Delmonaco, after reviewing the materials, suggested working with the PPC, Weller agreed and made the school board aware in 2021.

“Dr. Weller is absolutely correct that the board did have full knowledge of her intention to implement this program with our students,” school board president Joseph McFadden said in an email earlier this week. “The board members did not show or vocalize any objections to the direction being discussed.”

According to a timeline provided by Weller, the program was implemented in the fall of 2021. A letter went out to parents and was posted on the social media. No parents or guardians opted their children out of the classes at that time.

In April 2022, according to Weller, the district received concerns from parents about a particular lesson pertaining to sexuality in a sixth grade lesson. Weller said she informed the board of the parents’ concerns. During the next board work session a few days later suggestions were made to improve communications with parents about the lessons. Weller and Delmonaco admitted the language in the letter to parents was vague and they worked to improve the letter with more details.

In May 2022, parents of 10 students opted their child out of the lessons involving sexuality and gender.

In January 2023, one of the students, the child of Dan and Devin Aaron was not pulled from the class. Devin Aaron said she and her husband were upset that their wishes, expressed verbally, were not granted. Weller admitted the school made an error and have since added more layers to hopefully insure the error doesn’t happen again. She said the school apologized to the Aarons, who confirmed they received an apology from the school’s principal.

Since then the small group put together a lengthy PowerPoint given during the February meeting. The presentation included their frustrations over what they feel was a lack of transparency about the "curriculum" and the fact that administrators implemented the program within the district. Devin Aaron later created the private Facebook group "Concerned Parents and Taxpayer of OCASD" in early March and they currently have 94 members.

Curriculum or not

The topic rose to the public's view again in February when the Aarons, two other parents objected to what was characterized by local media as “controversial” curriculum that Weller “unilaterally” approved.

Devin Aaron said “the root of our concern continues to be lost. There is a point when school’s are overstepping and pushing their agenda. It is the parents’ decision and right to have these discussions with their children. It doesn’t belong in public school.”

Weller doesn’t disagree that parents should be involved, but not every student under the district’s care has such a home life. She pointed to the fact there are over 60 students who are considered “unaccompanied youth,” a designation for students who do not have a biological parent or court appointed guardian in the picture, as one illustration that not every home is the same.

Devin Aaron says she understands not every home is the same, but still doesn't believe the lesson belong in school and wants more transparency so they can decide their child's needs.

Weller and Delmonaco say they want parents and guardians to be involved and believe they are being transparent. They are also admitting they can do better and are working on further ways to improve communication with parents and guardians.

McFadden said the board was aware of the program and that Weller and her staff have their confidence. Weller and Delmonaco also provided evidence documenting how on several occasions they gave opportunities to the public and staff to better understand the resource material used by the district.
They emphasized the district must make decisions in the interest of students coming from extremely varied backgrounds, lived experiences, and parental involvement.

Delmonaco and Weller pointed to the ever-changing demographics, statistics and infiltration of modern technology at virtually every kids’ fingertips. “Over past couple of years we were seeing an increase of reported sexual abuse of our students, we were seeing an increase in suicide and depression and some mental health concerns. We’re seeing an increase in students utilizing technology in inappropriate ways,” Delmonaco explained. “So we knew that that stuff was going on and we had discussions to be progressive in addressing those issues. My job is to make sure I’m addressing all kids regardless of their backgrounds, or their religion affiliations. And that I’m creating equitable opportunities.”

Weller agreed and pointed out that of the district’s nearly 1,900 students, all who have their own unique background and story.

She referred to a lesson she learned years ago from an administrator in the district. “You can’t put your middle-class values on everybody and expect that they had the same life experience that you did,” Weller quoted. “I think that’s hard for people to understand the differences of A to Z of how our students are living their lives.”

Next steps

The Oil City school board meets again at 7 p.m. Monday, March 20, among the items listed on the work session agenda are four speakers, who indicated they would like to discuss the topic further.

Devin Aaron is among those listed. “They (the administration) knows there are parents that are not ok with gender ideology and sexual expression lessons going on with children in elementary school,” she said. “This type of discussion needs to happen at home.”

Weller acknowledged some concerns have been voiced but indicated only two families have expressed concerns and that of the 10 students who were opted out of the lessons last year, only four have been opted out this year.

On March 13, the curriculum committee held a public meeting to discuss what the district can and will do moving forward. Curriculum chair Mark Kerr indicated he’ll suggest the district puts out additional inquiries on education alternatives to see what comes back.

Though she thinks the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved resources they already have in place are good, Weller thinks this is a step forward. “If there are other programs that we should consider, bring them to us, present and… we don’t have to use this particular healthy relationships project. If there is one that is a better fit, bring it on, that would be great.”

Barrow takes "Pride" in this production

3/17/2023

The Franklin Civic Operetta Association opened its 30th season at the Barrow-Civic Theatre with a two-weekend run of the classic play “Pride and Prejudice” starting tonight.

Based on the novel by Jane Austen, "Pride and Prejudice" tells the story of the Bennet daughters – Elizabeth in particular. Set in the early 1800s, it is a time when being married is considered a success in life for a young lady. The Bennet sisters are all of age to marry. When two of the three find eligible suitors, it is Elizabeth who still needs to settle down. This sets the stage for the duel between Elizabeth and her pride, and Mr. Darcy, whom she secretly adores, and his prejudice.

Show director Hannah McCarthy says the play goes beyond the themes of the title as well as a love and marriage. “It’s also a reminder to be true to yourself no matter what others’ opinions are of you and to not judge a person too harshly before hearing their whole story,” she wrote in the show’s playbill.

For McCarthy, the show has been a family experience. Her husband serves as the stage director; her brother stars as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy; her sister plays Miss Jane Bennet; and her niece is the assistant stage manager.

Other members of the cast include:
Miss Elizabeth Bennet -Janie Cassady
Mr. Charles Bingley - Nicholas Hess
Miss Lydia Bennet - Emilie Weaver
Mr. Bennet - Dan Twombly
Mrs. Bennet - Aundrea Hill
Mr. Collins - Jim Nash
Miss Caroline Bingley - Abby Preston
Miss Charlotte Lucas - Yelena Carvin
Mr. George Wickham - Aaron Ritsig
Lady Catherine de Bourgh - Vera Saeli
Colonel Guy Fitzwilliam - Andrew Ritsig
Mrs. Gardiner - Pam Watkins
Lady Lucas - Elizabeth Williams
Captain Denny - Josh Devlin
Amelia/Ensemble - Ashlynne Cornmesser
Amanda/Maggie/Ensemble - Kaitlynn Moore
Agatha/Ensemble - Kachina Earhart
Belinda/Ensemble - Joslyn Dechant
Hill - Jake Gallows
Mrs. Lake - Lisa Harry
A Young Man - John Amy
A Second Young Man - Josiah Amy

“Like all journeys, this one would not have been possible without a million and one moving parts,” McCarthy wrote.

Those helpers include producers Jenn Fox and Laura Ordaz. James Amero handles the lighting design and technical directions, with assistance from Brandon Huff on lights and Zach Dempsey on sound. Linda Thayer is the prop master. Elizabeth Amero runs the stage crew and Heather Jemmett is assisting with hair.

Helping put together all the period piece customer were Bridget Kennedy, Nicholas Hess, Victoria Beals, Lisa Harry and Cheri Pearce. Ashlynne Cornmesser and Michael Palumbo oversaw the set.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. March 18, 24 and 25 and at 2 p.m. 19 and 26. Tickets are $16 to $22 and can be ordered online at barrowtheatre.org or at the box office prior to the start of any show.

Below are more photo from the first two acts of the play.

Isn't everyday "Arts Day?"

3/16/2023

Oil City's southside elementary school's celebrated the arts this past week with an exploration of the many varied expressions of creating from performance to applied arts. The Seventh Street Elementary School hosted Smedley as both school's student's moved from room to room to learn from people in the arts and in some cases create some art on their own.

The student's got a chance to dance, learn about the art of music and theatre and help creat a large puzzle-piece mural one piece at a time. They also were entertained by expert putterers from the Pittsburgh Puppet Works group.

Rocky Grove "Descendants" to take stage this week

3/7/2023

Do you love the Disney characters both good and evil?

Ever wonder what ever happened to them or their prodigy?

Rocky Grove High School's spring show -"Descendants the Musical" - offers an answer with a modern twist on some classic characters, and a little flair of music and dance.

Characters in the show, which are inspired by the Disney Channel movie series include Ben, Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos – the children Belle and The Beast, Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Cruella De Vil, and Jafar, along with other recognizable roles.

The cast includes students from Rocky Grove, Franklin and other area schools: Hayleigh Walter, Sydney Watts, Ashton Shingledecker, Kyel Harry, Joslynn Davis, Nathaniel Boley, Logan Boyle, Steven Gibbons, Izzy Friel, Chelsey Hanahan, Jaden Lang, Riley Heffernan, Kaiden Lowrie, Kai Coon, Marissa Rodgers, Emily Rice, Cyerria Walter, Lili Danes, Emmelina Emanuele, Brooke Habbyshaw, Regan Harry, Claralee Johnston and Eryn Moore.

A few adults from the school district staff - Sara Saullo, Amber Nolan-Johnston, Margie Hart and Jacob Saullo - stepped up to fill "parent" roles within the cast as well.

Performances are set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 9 to 11, at the Rocky Grove High School auditorium. Tickets will be on sale at the door at $8 for adults and $6 for students.

Fulmer House

3/1/2023

The Super Bowl had the Kelce brothers going head to head with their teams. That was nothing.

A championship this Friday will feature the Fulmer brothers coaching rival schools in the district title game. Long-time Route 8 rivals Oil City and Franklin both won their games Tuesday night to advance to the D10 championships. It's not just the schools that a long-term rivals, these brothers have challenged each other ever since baby Bundy was brought home and met his two-year-old brother Jason.

The Fulmer's rivalry, which they call competitiveness apparently has been so intense at times that family members wouldn't even go with them to play putt-putt golf said Bundy as he stood on the concourse above Slippery Rock University's basketball court watching to see if his brother's team would beat Fairview Tuesday night.

They did and now the two will face each other on the court as coaches for the third time this season - both earlier games were won by older brother Jason's team -but this time the District 10 trophy is on the line.

Oil City vs. Seneca story here
Franklin vs. Fairview story here

New library program aims to teach teens skills for adulthood

2/27/2023

The Franklin Public Library has developed quite a checklist of goals for area teens – learn lifelong skills, explore job options and create connections within the community. Fortunately for the youth, the Adulting 101 program covers all three.

One of the newest additions to the library’s offering, Adulting 101 branches out from the walls of the 12th Street building and into the surrounding businesses and community organizations. And it offers any age 12 to 18 the opportunity to explore and learn along the way.

“The overall goal is to equip teens with a wide array of life skills to take with them into their adult lives while also introducing them to different career options and building relationships between the teens and their community,” said Diadre Green, teen services coordinator for Oil Region Library Association.

She developed the program and its curriculum to touch on an array of topics covered that can be paired with trade career possibilities. The program will offer a mix of workshops, hands-on activities, local field visits and expert instruction all under the umbrella of a common theme specific to the month.

As an example of what the program will offer, Green explained the three sessions planned for March, which has the theme Cooking Essentials. “The first workshop will be a presentation put on by Bethany from Kontaxes Nutrition on March 10 at the library,” she said. “The following day will be a hands-on workshop about grocery store and cooking skills held at the library and also Sanders Market, and the third workshop for the month will be held at Benjamin's Roadhouse so the teens can tour the restaurant.”

Themes for the remainder of the year include the following:

April – Mending & Caring for Clothing
May – Car Maintenance
June – Knowing Your Body & Communication (Learning about vitals, CPR, and the correct way to communicate with your peers)
July – Budgeting & Handling Money
August – Lawn Care & Power Tool Safety
September – Connecting to the Arts & Your Community
October – IT & Technology
November – Electricity & Plumbing
December – Safety

To determine the themes, she researched similar programs at other libraries, reached out to coworkers and talked with community members. Green believes one of the things that will make the program strong is how it can be adapted month to month to reflect the overall theme, so the types of activities, speakers or field visits can vary.

“Also because we are tying in careers with each theme, we are trying to have at least one workshop a month where the teens actually go to a place of business to see what it's like to work in that establishment,” she said.

Adulting 101 is being funded by a grant from the William and Elizabeth Fund for the Trades, which means all teens, regardless of their library card status, can participate for free in as many workshops as they would like each month. The only requirement, other than age, is that participants preregister for what they would like to attend.

Details about the time and location of each workshop will be included on each month’s registration form. Attendance for each workshop will be capped at 25.

To sign up, complete the form on the ORLA website at www.oilregionlibraries.org/youth/teens.
Community members may volunteer to help teach classes and host field visits by connecting Green at fplteen@oilregionlibraries.org.

Green sees Auldting 101 as an extension of what schools already do to teach life skills within the traditional classroom setting and a way to connect teens to the businesses and organizations in the Franklin area in a way that will benefit everyone.

“Since we are asking the community as a whole to help with this program, this should greatly increase the knowledge and first-hand experience we can make available to our teen population,” she said.

Lifting their voices higher

2/23/2023

Bob Dylan is a singer. So are Neil Young and Tom Waits. Their contributions to music history are enormous. But can they sing?

There is a difference between voicing an emotion that is right for the song and crafting a complex experience of the precision of sound in a way that emotion is transformed into an ethereal one-of-a-kind experience. The latter is the goal of 160 voices brought together on one stage with a choir director they have never met before as they work to create unexpected but accomplishable sounds.

Welcome to the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association regional choral process.

Allegheny professor James Niblock is this year's guest conductor for the PMEA Region II Chorus Festival at Meadville Area Jr/Sr High School auditorium.

"It is going amazingly well," said Niblock during a break in rehearsals Thursday afternoon. Forty-eight schools are represented in the RegionaI Il chorus made up of the qualifiers from their respective districts.

While many of the participants had their music for weeks, others got little notice as district alternates. Among them is Logan Swartz of Rocky Grove High School. He got his music on Tuesday to perform in front of the judges on Wednesday. Despite the last-minute preparation, Swartz earned 13th chair. "How did you do that?" his teacher Jodi Hoover asked him.

Hoover and other instructors were in agreement - regions are a difficult place to separate yourself as the top of the group because the level of talent and competition is extremely high. So for Swartz to chair above others in his section with little to no prep time is a huge accomplishment for the senior.

Of the 160 singers, only four from each section were selected to move on to the all-state chorus. In Venango County, only Cranberry's Devin Dulaney was selected as a bass 1. His teacher Preston Yoder said it will be his first time taking a student to the state competition. His student Trevor Gladin qualified in 2020, but because of COVID they didn't get to experience the in-person state chorus.

Dulaney will join singers from all over the state in the Poconos beginning April 19. The four-day festival will be held at the Kalahari Resort near Mt. Pocono.

"It is very difficult," said Hoover about advancing to states. Along with Swartz, she had three other district qualifiers at regionals. Senior Logan Boyle earned the seventh chair. "The students represented Rocky Gove very well," she added. "Every kid here is very talented."

"It is very tough competition," added Franklin's director Sarah Gilbert. She boasted that three of her sopranos made it to regions. That is a high number in a very competitive field. "That is pretty cool," Hoover chimed in.

Oil City also had four regional qualifiers who will perform with the rest Friday at 7 p.m. in the MASH auditorium.

The music educators have a dialogue and understanding all amongst themselves. They understand the competition between a tenor 1 and a bass 2. But they are all in agreement that making it to states is extremely meaningful.

While Venango only had one state qualifier, Crawford County singers fared a little better.

Titusville teacher Andrea Fenske brought seven singers to regionals. Junior Alexis Banner was chosen as one of the top four alto 2s and will head to states along with Dulaney.

Meadville's Cooper Breckenridge made his instructor Molly Moyer very happy advancing as a tenor 2.

Conneaut Area will send two singers, Pasquale Mattera, a bass 1, and Katie Gillette, an alto 2, along with their instructor Elizabeth Heckman.

Cochranton did very well. Three singers to states - Spencer Freysinger, bass 1; Kyran Miller, alto 1; and Alison Merritt soprano 1 - will be headed to the Poconos for a lifetime experience.

Regional host instructor Molly Moyer said having this level of competition at Meadville High School is amazing. "It’s so rewarding hearing these kids sing," she said. "It's fun."

The performance of the regional chorus will be at 7 p.m. today at the Meadville High School auditorium. It is open to the public. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for senior citizens, military and students.

Attendees are reminded that there are also district basketball games at the school tonight, so allow time to navigate parking.

On your toes in Wonderland

2/22/2023

Ballet is known for placing the tip-toes in a precarious position while maintaining the fluidity of motion. It's about balance and gracefulness. "Alice in Wonderland" is a magical exploration of self-discovery in a confusing world of adults. It's a seeking of balance and grace.

The perfect combination for this year's Oil Region Ballet performances at the Academy Theatre in Meadville and the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.

The ORB company was formed in 2009 by Deb Femovich to "provide greater options for dancers with the skill level to perform on a pre-professional level and pair them with professional dancers in an environment of support and discipline," according to the group's website.

Two dancers in this year's performance exemplify this goal while overcoming some obstacles that could've prevented them from ever dancing again.

Meadville High School junior Elizabeth Hyatt is at the beginning of her dance career, though she is a five-year ORB veteran.

A year ago she was under the knife to remove a cyst in her brain. Hyatt said the doctors told her and her parents that if it kept growing it would be a problem.

Her surgery, put into question if she'd perform in last year's ORB performance of "Beauty and the Beast."

But there she was on stage with the rest of the dancers giving it her all just months after brain surgery.

"I love to express myself through movement," she said about getting back to dance so quickly.

This year she gets to perform the March Hare role as well as a flower and card.

Coincidently another dancer in the troupe had to deal with issues involving surgery on his brain. Brian Murphy is a professional dancer from Akron, Ohio who has come to be a regular part of the ORB family.

Murphy suffered a traumatic brain injury from a bicycle accident. His road to recovery was also fast taking into account that soon after his accident he stopped breathing. He credits the science of medicine, his doctors and the science of dance for his recovery. While recovering in the hospital he was up and dancing as part of his own therapy. "Deb never gave up on me; they have trusted me," he said of his return this year to ORB. "I just love the concept of (ORB)," he said.

Murphy said the expression of ballet and dance along with the experience of performance is an emotional endeavor. He, along with Hyatt and the rest of the cast of "Alice in Wonderland" will be trying to tap into that emotion to give the audiences an enjoyable and unique experience at the Academy Theatre this weekend.

The first show is at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Then Saturday they will perform a 2 p.m. matinee followed by another 7:30 p.m. performance.

They hope to carry all that energy and magic into the following week's performance about 30 miles down Route 322 to Franklin and the Barrow-Civic Theatre.

Performances will echo the Academy times with the opening curtain at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 3, followed by two shows on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Rocky Grove High School senior Baylee Cutchall will perform the lead role of Alice.

Other cast members include Bellina Devine, Caleb Waybright, Christopher Warner, Elijah Stewart, Kyran Miller, Justus Lind, Audrey Frazier, Cole Devine, Sylvia Cagle, Kennedy Dawson, Lillian Devine, Josie Stout, Rachel Brunot, Lucy Murphy, Madolyn Williams, Londyn Fink, Marley Plowman, Addison Murphy, Maryan See, Abigail Williams, Lissa Murphy, Maddi Phillips and Molly Carswell.

Below are a few more photos from a recent rehearsal at the former Studio 22 building in Franklin.

Learn more about the Oil Region Ballet at https://www.oilregionballet.org.

ORLA, Klapec Trucking, Shontz receive Venango chamber honors

2/16/2023

The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce got a chance to say thank you to its members and recognize a few of the difference makers in the area.

The Oil Region Library Association was named the Partner in Business of the Year by the chamber. It was one of four awards given out during the chamber's annual dinner Wednesday night at Cross Creek Resort.

"We are beyond fortunate to have this organization," chamber president Susan Williams said about the library.

ORLA was chosen for the honor based on its commitment to engage local communities and enhance literacy. This includes modernizing of the way people can use its services and expanding well beyond book loaning.

"They (residents) now have access to better materials and better resources," ORLA board member Jess Rudegeair said in a pre-recorded video. "We are more than (books)."

"They have an assortment, a variety of services for all walks of life," Major Smith said in a video about ORLA. He was among those who praised the online offerings available for free through the library, including information on how to make auto repairs. Other programs mentioned in the video were an outreach to provide library services to Oil City School District elementary schools, electronic book and video offerings, and GED classes.

Even the buildings themselves serve a purpose beyond housing novels and periodicals.
"You are offered a space where you can gather with other community members," said ORLA employee Natalie Cubbon.

While accepting the award on behalf of the library board, staff, and patrons, ORLA executive director Dan Flaherty dared those in attendance to forget the old definition of library that was focused on books and think of what the term can truly mean.

"Make it up for yourself. It's your library. We just work there," Flaherty said before asking for additional suggestions to further the library association's mission of serving the needs of communities throughout the county. "Please challenge us. Help us help you."

Business of the Year

Klapec Trucking Company was named the Business of the Year by the chamber Wednesday evening as well. Greg Lander accepted the award on behalf of the family business, which was started by his grandfather Bert Klapec in 1949 and expanded under the guidance of his mother, Cindy Urban.

"If you haven't seen them in our community, you aren't driving our roads," Williams said.

"They genuinely care about their employees," Chris Loll said of Klapec. "They want to see their employees grow cause it helps the business grow."

Lander gave examples of how the company has grown from one truck to a fleet of dozens and a staff that includes drivers with 32 years or approximately 4 million miles of safe driving.

"Our team is what makes Klapec Trucking," he said. "... we know that the best is yet to come."

Volunteer of the Year

The evening's first award was given to Patti Shontz, who was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year. Shontz was chosen for her efforts to bring back two "treasured" Oil Heritage Festival events for kids - the children's parade and the junior Olympics - in 2022.

The chamber also noted that Shontz is able to identify needs for the events and took on a can-do attitude instead of simply complaining that the events were not being planned prior to her involvement.

The evening's final award went to Denise Jones, who was named Citizen of the Year. A story on that award can be found by clicking here.

"If you didn't get inspired (tonight), I don't know what will inspire you," Williams said at the conclusion of the evening.

Below are a few more moments from the evening.

'I was humbled that my community service was noticed'

2/15/2023

Denise Jones has modeled her life according to the tenets of helping, hospitality and hope.

Over the years, it has been evident to her family, friends, co-workers, colleagues and fellow volunteers and now the members of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jones was acknowledged as the chamber’s Citizen of the Year at the annual awards banquet Wednesday night at Cross Creek Resort.

“I was humbled that my community service was noticed enough… to win this award,” Jones said as she addressed the large crowd.

“She carries herself with grace and class that I admire,” said former Venango County commissioner Bob Murray. “She is one of the best people I know.”

Murray nominated Jones for the award after working alongside of her in county government and more recently with the Northwest Hospital Foundation. He offered his comments as part of a video presentation about Jones made for the evening.

“She’s a very wise person,” Theresa Edder said of Jones. “She cares for people.”

Jeff Polley, who is related to Jones, credits her heart of service to her parents and her upbringing. “Her parents’ home was the hub of activity…,” Polley said of their childhood. He recalled how Jones, her sister and mother would tend to the crowds gathered at their home and make sure everyone had what they needed.

“I watched Denise carry that same attitude into serving her community,” Polley said.

For more than four decades Jones has served Venango County in various capacities, including 24 as the chief clerk and county administrator. Over the years she has served on various statewide and local groups, among them are the League of Women Voters, Community Action Advisory Board, the American Red Cross, Franklin Area School District Community Engagement Community, New Life Family Worship Center, the Williams Family Caregivers Foundation, Together We Can and Bridge Builders Community Foundation.

“Venango County is where I thrived,” Jones said. It is also the place where she and her husband Russell raised their children Michelle and Chuck.

Jones also took a few moments to share some of the advice she passed on during her commencement speech at Franklin High School last spring.

Don’t let others take you off your course.
You do you and do it to the best of your ability.
Don’t be afraid to be different.
Bloom where you are planted.

“I believe I’ve done that,” she said.

“I’m just overwhelmed, seriously. I’m just so grateful,” Jones said as she closed her remarks. “God is good to me.”

Longtime court-side fixture honored

2/11/2023

When it comes to supporting the home team, Betty Morrison is a step above the rest.

She now carries with her the designation of Rocky Grove High School basketball's "most loyal fan."

On Friday night, Morrison was honored with a plaque of appreciation for "50 plus years" of attending games at The Nest.

Rich Mulholland presented her with the gift during halftime but refused to reveal how old Morrison is and underscored how long she had been cheering from the wooden bleachers of the high school gymnasium.

Morrison was surprised by the honor, but not shy about sharing how long she has been rooting for the Orioles. "I started here watching the games in '49 when I was just in tenth grade," she said. If you are doing the math, that's heavy on the plus side of the "50 plus" years Mulholland mentioned. In fact, it is 74 years since the 89-year-old watched her first game at Rocky Grove.

"I missed a few years and things because of raising my children (but) I've been here most all these years," she said. "It seems like forever in my life."

She said she tells players now that she watched their parents and grandparents play. And she has watched her own children and grandchildren too.

"I've been here on these bleachers for many, many years," Morrison said.

Now a fixture in the front row of the home side of the gym, Morrison says she used to sit up top before the steps got to be too much. The front row position made it easy for her to stroll out to center court to accept her plaque in front of her family, friends and a standing ovation of fans from both teams. Many of those in the stands broke out into a chant of her nickname Bet as she waved to the crowd and accepted some hugs from her loved ones.

At the start of the short ceremony, Mulholland introduced Morrison as "someone who has meant a great deal to Rocky Grove." She says the feeling is mutual.

"I've enjoyed every bit of it... everyone has been so kind," she said.

Dulaney will not seek reelection

2/7/2023

Venango County commissioner Mike Dulaney said Wednesday that he will not seek reelection. In a letter he expressed personal reasons and his own political philosophies for his decision. "This was never meant to be a career path for me, it's always been about public service," he said Wednesday afternoon. "When
the year is up and my term concludes, I will have been in an elected seat for nearly half of my
professional life. With that said, I do not choose to run again," he wrote.

Prior to being elected commissioner in 2019, the 35-year-old Dulaney served a Franklin City Councilman. He also served many years as the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce assistant director.

Dulaney said he is a believer in term limits and ran on not serving more than two terms as commissioner, but felt given where the county is currently, this is a time to step back. "The county is in the best shape it has been in for some time. The wages have been lifted to a more livable income; the infrastructure has been updated; the savings account is full; and the taxes kept level," he said.

When he, Sam Breene and Chip Abramovic were sworn in in 2020 the news of the pandemic was just starting to hit America. Within a couple months the state was forcing shutdowns. Dulaney isn't shy saying he disagrees with how it was handled regarding the delineation of essential and non-essential businesses.
"What the state governments failed to realize was that all jobs are essential from the employees' perspective. It was for that reason that I advocated for the distribution of our CARES Act money to those who were shutdown and deemed "too small" for federal assistance. This quick response enabled some of our small businesses to avoid an untimely closure."

That was just one thing he felt county government stepped up to the plate on in the last three years.

"As I look back on the accomplishments of my term, I know I've implemented some lasting changes. 2022 saw the start of the Venango County Infrastructure Bank, a program to help municipalities acquire funds for vitally necessary but exceedingly expensive infrastructure projects," he wrote in his letter. "Venango County started its first 911 Advisory Board, which enabled members from various emergency service agencies to have a say in the operation of 911 and Emergency Management Center. The county is also in the middle of upgrading the 911 radio system. These updates will not only provide a clearer quality of sound but also increase the coverage and efficacy of the signal."

Dulaney said improving emergency response services and increasing broadband upgrades will likely be a priority of the next four years for the commissioners. He favors moving all of the 911 services to the old Oil City Armory near the Hasson Heights swimming pool. For a $1, the county could purchase the property then have all their emergency operations and equipment at one location, according to Dulaney.

But he is leaving that job for the next body of commissioners.

"I'm forever grateful for the opportunity to serve you all these last seven years as councilman and commissioner. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, 'In free governments, the rulers are the servants, and the people their superiors . . . . For the former to return among the latter does not degrade, but promote them.' While I will miss the service and the people I've worked with, I look forward to my promotion to private life."

He isn't sure what is in his future after January 2024 looks like. He joked about the cold not really being for him, but gave no indication on moving. "Maybe if I get a job that let's me afford two homes," he joked, adding that perhaps he was always meant to be a snowbird living here in the warm weather and in the south when fall and winter hit northwest Pennsylvania. "Wherever life takes me, Venango County and it's residents will always have a cherished place in my heart."

While Mike Dulaney has announced he will not seek relection for Venango County commissioner, his counter parts, Sam Breene (R) and Albert "Chip" Abramovic (D) had both indicated they will. Franklin businessman Mathew Beith (D) announced his candidacy last month. The Derrick reported that Jim Speth (R), who is serves as president of Sugarcreek Borough Council, is also running in the primiaries.

Click here for our intial story on the Venango County Commissioner race. The primary election will be held May 16.

Cold weather fun: Breaking the ice in Venango County

2/4/2023

Holy crap it was cold in Venango County.

Saturday morning's temperatures were in the single digits.

For most sane-thinking folks that meant staying in where it was warm. For others, it sounded like a perfect time to head up to the beach at Two Mile and take a dip.

While others thought maybe a ride into Franklin to view the carved ice galleria was more befitting of the temperatures.

Whichever the case, the weather was the weather and folks were folks and fun was fun.

And pictures were made.

Hundreds of people hit the beach on Saturday, many to watch. The terms used by Luke Kauffman, director of Two Mile Run County Park, were "bears" and "chickens" for those who registered for the annual event. It's not hard to decipher what that means, but those who registered for the icy plunge were dubbed "bears," while those who donated money by registering but decided to remain warm-ish and dry were called "chickens."

Kauffman said that just under 200 people registered for the plunge, bringing in somewhere around $ 5,000 to the park for use during its many activities throughout the year.

Sometimes it pays to be crazy.

Downtown Franklin may not have been quite so crazy, but it too was frigid. The many shops and restaurants offering a warm respite from the cold were comfortable bookends for viewing the many ice sculptures in Fountain Park. The 27th annual Franklin on Ice festival brought hundreds of people into Franklin throughout the course of the day and evening to view the artistry of the DiMartino Ice Company sculptors. The cold weather was perfect for their creations to stay exactly as they intended them to be viewed.

Sadly, the weather is expected warm considerably with rain in the immediate forecast. This means the winter cultural wonderland will likely only be a weekend long event this year.

Below are more photos that prove Franklin's motto of being always eventful.

Cold as ice - Final preparations finished for Franklin's only winter festival

2/3/2023

What's a trick to carving ice in the snow - layers. Lots of layers.

On Friday, members of the DiMartino Ice Company of Jeannette braved the low temperatures and windy conditions to create the final three sculptures for Franklin on Ice. The cold weather was good for carving but hard on the body. It required, according to one worker, lots of layers of clothing. His list was at least 10 items long and that didn't include anything to shield his face from the bitter cold.

Layers were also a must for the Franklin Fine Arts Council volunteers in the park putting up sponsorship signs. Besides that, Fountain Park had few visitors Friday morning, despite the intrigue of a sneak peek at this year's sculptures and the opportunities to watch some of the large ones go from stacked blocks to interactive pieces likely to be popular with tomorrow's festival crowds.

The ice sculptures are just one of the many things happening in Franklin tomorrow. The Franklin Public Library, Barrow-Civic Theatre, Two Mile Run County Park and many downtown businesses will be holding family-friendly events throughout the day. Find a detailed list of activities in our earlier preview article uned the News from You tab.