It was a fun night in Franklin.
As could've been predicted, the team who has spent years learning the craft of volleyball passing, digging, setting and spiking beat the team who plays football pretty easily in a fun end of the season fundraiser for the Red and Black All-Sports Booster Club.
It was a fun night in Franklin.
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The weather might have felt like early fall but it was all Christmas in Franklin on Friday as the city's annual tree arrived, signaling the coming Light Up Night holiday kick off is nearly here. The more than 30-foot tall evergreen made its trek from Buttermilk Hill in the balmy 50 degree morning temperatures and was decorated in the sunny breeze of the afternoon in front of the courthouse - a stark contrast to last year's bone chilling weather. This year's Christmas centerpiece was donated by Dixie McEntire. Getting the tree on location and into place were Klapec Trucking Company, Paul Bunyan Tree Specialists, Sunbelt Rental Equipment, ITC, Inc. and a large team of helpers. Once the tree was up. Several volunteers strung up hundreds of lights as others assembled and placed the star on the top. Earlier in the fall, lights were wrapped around several trees in Fountain Park. On Friday, additional folks decorating the gazebo at the the corner of Liberty and West Park streets. The final touch will be string the lights between the poles along Liberty Street once again. It will be a festive look to downtown as the popular Light Up Night activities get underway. There are a few early events planned for Friday, November 17. The Barrow-Civic Theatre will host Branson Country Christmas for a 2 p.m. show, which features an all-star cast of Branson's top entertainers with new music, new jokes and a tribute to veterans for the first half of the show. The Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Wine & Spirits Walk will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on November 17 in businesses throughout downtown. Tickets are still available and can be ordered by calling 814-432-5823.
A colorful songfest, a bloomer flagged sea-faring fruit, lessons on acceptance, bug crawly cuteness, insights on teamwork and overcoming toxicity through finding your own tribe and a scared, blind slitherer whose friends have their back are all part what is happening on stage at Franklin High School this week with the production of "James and The Giant Peach." Students from Franklin and Rocky Grove have spent the last couple of months learning how to be singing bugs, perfecting evil step-sister type antagonists, and building a giant orange vessel surrounded by fake waves and floating clouds. This week all that work comes to a dramatic conclusion in the form of a full-scale musical. "You can see this fun and zany story - one that’s perfect for the entire family - three times," said musical director Sarah Gilbert. Shows will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Franklin High School auditorium. Ashton Shingledecker (FHS) plays the role of James Henry Trotter. His two cruel, and nasty aunts, Spiker & Sponge, are played by Madolyn Williams (FHS) and Kendal Fonzo (FHS).
More photos from the performances below.
To see more photos click https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p215105644 To see more photos click https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p215105644
Many of the area communities will hold their annual trick-or-treat hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Franklin has many wonderful traditions. Pink Splash for a Cure has become on of the most colorful and impactful. Each year, several hundred people gather in Fountain Park to recognize and support community members who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Held the first Tuesday after Applefest, the event gives people a chance to gain awareness for the steps people can take for early detection of the disease and honor those to have or are fighting back. It gives survivors a chance to come together in recognition that no one fights alone as they take turns squirting pink die into Egbert Fountain. Lastly, it gives the community an opportunity to be part of the cause but offerings fundraising options, such as t-shirt sales and basket raffles. The 16th annual Pink Splash for a Cure was held October 16 on a beautiful fall day in Fountain Park. There was a large crowd, music by Holey Jeans and Kirtland Cancer Foundation executive director Kathy Horner was the speaker. More than 55 baskets of donated goods were awarded through ticket sales and there was a penny raffle. Roz Greggs, one of the event coordinators, reported that the event was fantastic again this year and that there are a limited number of shirts still available for purchase.
To buy a shirt, see who won the baskets, or stay apprised of future information involving the event, go to the group’s Facebook page. The venue might have been different, but the professional sound was just the same as the Venango Symphony Orchestra performed their annual fall concert Sunday afternoon at the Rocky Grove High School auditorium. The orchestra features a variety of compositions performed by musicians and students from throughout the region. Sunday's concert included the musician talents of 44 volunteer orchestra members, including five student members, and two featured soloist, flutist Cathy Herrera and classic guitarist Brent Register. They are led by Terri Wittreich, who is a founding member of the group. Formerly known as the Venango Chamber Orchestra, the group updated their name as part of their 31st season. They are supported through contributions from the community. This year they were unable to put of their traditional donation basket and are asking supporters to mail checks made to the group to treasurer George Wilbur 10 Gateway Drive, Oil City 16301. They are sponsored by the Schubert Musical & Literacy Club of Oil City and an associated member of the National and Pennsylvania Federations of Music Clubs. They have already set dates for the 2024 performances - April 7 and November 10. Check the group's Facebook page for updates on the concert locations. Scroll down for more photos.
It was a nearly sold out event for the Franklin Retail and Business Association's third annual Witch Walk. "It went really well. Lots of happy people. Lot of happy businesses," Jennifer Taylor, association manager said late Saturday. The event had attracted some unplanned attention earlier in the week after St. Patrick's Catholic Church posted a diatribe condemning the event as a religious gathering instead of its intent as a retail-based holiday celebration. The post, which garnered thousands of comments and attention from regional media outlets brought in a slightly larger crowd than past years. "I think more people may have come downtown. They didn’t necessarily buy tickets, but they came down to see what was going on," Taylor said. "The businesses got a lot of foot traffic, which is really the whole point of the event; and everyone is really happy with how it turned out." "And the weather wasn’t great, but it was the busiest year I’ve had yet so I’d say it didn’t keep anyone away," said Nicholas Hess, who owns a small business and helped plan the event. The day included specials at downtown stores and restaurants, a scavenger hunt, pumpkin carving, spooky stories, performances by the Dancing Witches of Emlenton, and shows by mentalist Rob Hoover. A block of 12th street was also shut down and transformed into Witches Alley, which Hess says was an awesome additional to the event. “I’m incredibly grateful that the community — both near and far— showed up in full force to support this event," Hess said. "It was such a monumental task to pull off, with dedicated volunteers, and business owners alike, so seeing the community rally, and offer a safe place for people to have fun was magic to be a part of."
As far as concerns that the unaccepted buzz for and against the event would cause any type of unwanted activities, Taylor said simply did not transpire. "The most out of the ordinary thing I saw was a girl with a chicken. I don’t think it was anything evil. I think it was a pet chicken,” Taylor said with a giggle. ARTS Oil City celebrated the opening of three art studios on the second floor the National Transit Building. The long-running program allows local artists and creative professional an opportunity to to rent studio spaces at affordable rates. Over the years, a variety of artists have worked among the dozens of rooms both in the main building as well as the annex. Now Jamie Duarte and Mike Hoover can count themselves among those ranks. The event also celebrated the return to the space by Susan McGuire. Duarte is an Oil City native who is known for her work as a hair and nail technician as well as her cookie decorating. With her move into the the National Transit Annex studio space, she is keeping busy with her new jewelry business.
ARTS Oil City partnered with the Oil Region Alliance and the Venango Chamber of Commerce to host a public ribbon cutting event Wednesday afternoon to mark the newest art tenants.
Homecoming this year was made just a little more special given the Knights' football team is riding a two-game winning streak. Wednesday they had their short parade to up behind Central Elementary School, a long-standing tradition that culminates in a pep rally and bon fire. The entire Franklin School District participated with the elementary schools, teachers, administrators, coaches and staff coming together to support the Knight's program, not only football.
The girls volleyball team is experiencing a solid 8-4 season thus far and take on neighbor Rocky Grove tonight. The boys soccer team are cruising with great passing, ball control and explosiveness to the net. They are 12-2-1 and 11-1 in the conference. They take on Meadville Saturday at home. The girls soccer team is struggling a bit, but they host Titusville tonight who are hoping to snap a four game slide where they have found the net. The Cross country teams have held their own in a tough region, but they have three of the top runners in the district. Nadalie Latchaw just set the school's course record earlier this week. Ty Prince scored a 76 to tie for third at the District 10 championship. He heads to compete at states next week. So the Knights had a lot to celebrate Wednesday night.
The Bandit stole the 5k. Ethan Knapp, aka Bandit, took first place in the annual Applefest 5k run Saturday morning. Bea Kolesar, 15, of Cranberry came across the finish line at 20:35 as the top female athlete. There were 260 runners from all around including; a couple in their late seventies from Durango, Colorado; eight-year old Samuel Storm from the Franklin area and folks from Texas and New Jersey. Most were locals and that's what makes Applefest - Applefest!
Below are several photos from the race. ICYMI (because we didn't post it haha).
Franklin High School honored this year’s class of inductees into their Hall of Fame. Unlike many school's who have hallowed entranceways full of athletic achievers, Franklin honors service and dedication beyond just those who generated headlines on the sports pages. This year's class exemplified the diversity of pathways possible with a public school education and student's who made connections with teachers, or more precise, because teachers made connections with students. Every recipient acknowledged one or two professors who made such an impact they carried the lessons throughout their life and career. . The class of 2023 includes: Allan Shilling for service; Dr. Joseph F. Stewart, class of ‘57 for athletics; Dr. David L. Griffen, class of ‘72 for achievement; Rachel Redick Bowden, class of ‘02 for athletics, and Dave Smith, class of ‘98 for athletics. Below are some photos from the event. For more information on Franklin's Hall of Fame visit: https://sites.google.com/a/students.fasd.k12.pa.us/fasd-hall-of-fame/ or their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/FranklinAreaHOF/ As the Meadville Bulldogs were giving Oil City a "moon" whoopin,' high above Bender field a near full-moon was rising. The official full moon was on Friday at 5:57 a.m. for those keeping score at home.
The Barrow's Applefest show is ready to rock. Literally. There are kids playing real instruments and rocking out in this production of "School of Rock." The show opens Friday at 7:30 p.m. and runs Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m and the follow week they have a special Thursday night show October 5, Friday , Oct . 6 and Saturday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. This is tech week so they have a lot to work out yet, but come Friday lights will go up and this group of folks will tell us a story about giving your kids an opportunity to be who they are and respect that they might know something we, as adults either don't know, or have forgotten. "School of Rock," might be farcical, but it hammers home the idea that youth have something to say. And talent lies in many forms. And if we're not too full of our conventions and listen... we might realize there is something deep in every one of us that, given a chance, can shine. And the beauty of this message, in this show, is that the adults also can re-learn this lesson that they suppressed. The folks in this show have been working for months, especially the lead role of Dewey, played by Randy Moorehead, and the young musicians who will be an actual band playing their own instruments. And singers... there are more than 20 singers in this show and the kids are also knocking this out of the park with powerful choruses and solos. Moorehead might not be Jack Black, but he is Dewey in this production as he works seamlessly with the kids and his own guitars to bring this character a unique breath. Moorhead said it was the role he always wanted to play and it shows. His kid bandmates will also likely blow you away realizing how young they are, yet still rocking out with a professional sound. And if we didn't emphasize this enough, - it is actually the kids playing the instruments and singing.
And look at the whole picture. Please see more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p250189774
The weather held out Saturday night for the annual Oil City High School's "Music in Oil Country" where it is billed as halftime all night long. Twelve high school bands showcased their halftime routines with songs ranging from the Norte Dame fight song to Lil Nas X. See almost 300 photos from Music in Oil Country here: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p822300408 The show is a fundraiser for the Oil City music program. They are currently working toward raising money to purchase new marching band uniforms. See almost 300 photos from Music in Oil Country here: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p822300408
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