Eight & 322
8and322@gmail.com
  • Eight & 322
  • News From You
  • Calendar/Sponsors
  • Sports
  • The Nature of Things
  • Arts
  • Opinion
  • Old blog
  • About

Franklin prom was 'Forever Enchanted'

5/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
F​ranklin High School held its promenade at the school for the parents before boarding shuttle buses to go around the corner to Forever Farms for the 2022 prom.

Their theme was "Forever Enchanted."

They would dance and socialize in the converted barn before naming Grace Turk and Brett Buchanan their queen and king. 

Below are some photos of their fun that included a photo booth with several funny faces captured for memories.
Picture
See even more photos at: ​https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p574597065
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

The weather held out for May Mart

5/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Despite the prediction for a wet Saturday, the weather was in Franklin's corner as usual. According organizers the event crowds were good. Sunday's weather is predicted to be sunnier and warm and the vendors will all be back. The tents open for business at 11 a.m. and will remain open until 4 p.m.
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

The future has a nice ring to it

5/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Franklin Area School district hosted hundreds of the region's best-sounding middle school and junior high kids to play at Bandfest.

Steve Johnston, Franklin High's music director said the festival hasn't happened in a couple years due to the pandemic. Judging by the large number crowd of kids on Friday, there was excitement for it to return.

Students arrived early Friday to break into two age groups - grades 6 and 7, and grades 8 and 9. Each band learned a half dozen tunes to perform that evening for the public.
Picture
Picture
It was the duty of each student to learn the material in advance so they could more easily play with dozens of other students from about 20 other schools.
Picture
Under the direction of two music educators, Dr. Jonathan Hemlick, of Slippery Rock University and Dr. Jason Worzbyt of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the two bands worked with each director on three songs apiece.
Picture
In the evening the sixth and seventh graders played first. Then about 150 red-shirted musicians and instruments cleared the extended stage to make way for a nearly equal amount of similarly dressed eighth and ninth graders to perform their songs.
Picture
Picture
The student participants came from the Venango, Forest, Clarion, Jefferson, Armstrong and Indiana counties that comprise Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 3.
Picture
"What an honor and privilege it has been to host these wonderful young musicians," Chris Cohlhepp, Franklin High School principal, said in the concerts program. "Festivals such as this offer our students the opportunity to grow not only as musicians but as compassionate, caring, empathic human beings. They learn to come together in a collaborative effort to create with beautiful expression that which can only be communicated through music." 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Below are more photos from the performance Friday evening.
Even more photos can be viewed at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p573571116.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

May flowers with lingering April showers

5/6/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Franklin's May Mart and Farmer's Curb Market are set to open on a soggy note Saturday. The forecast isn't terrific but vendors have loaded up Fountain Park with all your gardening needs.
Sunday is looking a better, but if you get your plants on ​Saturday you won't need to water them right away. Always look on the sunny side of life. Rain is only liquid sunshine after all.
Picture
Picture
Read more about the Saturday Farmer's curb markets here.
Picture
0 Comments

Rocky Grove bands rock spring concert

5/5/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
The Rocky Grove band took its turn on stage Thursday night for their annual spring concert. 

The junior high led off the evening followed by the jazz band and then the senior high band rounded out the night of music. Band director Christina Luxbacher passed out recognitions to top students and gave her four seniors a special gift.

​The seniors also presented her with a gift.
Picture
​The student award was awarded to Evan Wolfgong while Luxbacher tapped Kaylee Knapp for the director's award.
Picture
Picture
View more photos at: ​https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p686492644

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

A lot of young talent whittled down to one Matilda

5/4/2022

0 Comments

 
‘I knew we’d find somebody’
Picture
More than 20 try out for role of Matilda
(Part two of a multi-part series following the production of "Matilda The Musical from beginning to end. Read part one here.)
By Jill Harry

With a little bit of a dream and a lot of bravery, more than 20 potential starlets showed off their singing and storytelling skills in hopes of getting a big part in the Barrow-Civic Theatre’s production of the hit Broadway show “Matilda the Musical.” 

“We want their best,” music director Mary Beth Hutchinson said prior to the first day of auditions. 
She and director Jill Lander came equipped with a “survival kit” of candy as they prepared to be entertained as they searched for their little star. And they did so with open minds about who they might find.
​

“It’s better for the cast if the director comes in as a blank slate,” said show producer Tom Greene, who sat in on the first day of auditions Saturday.
From there the vision starts to take shape from the first hello from the first auditionee. “You start to see the possibilities,” Hutchinson said of the audition process. 
Editor's note: The producers of Matilda The Musical at the Barrow-Civic Theatre posted on social media after this story ran in Today's Titusville Herald. So we updated this post to reflect they have, indeed, found their Matilda.
​
Picture
Congratulations Ella!
Picture
Picture
​“We had a great turnout, more than I expected,” Lander said.

Lander, Hutchinson and Greene had an opportunity to see lots of possibilities – 21 to be exact. The girls who showed up ranged in age from 8 to 12, had different personalities and singing styles, unique monologues, and hailed from several different towns. 

The one thing they all had in common was the bravery to try to be “Naughty” or “Quiet” just as the bookworm Matilda is in the story by Roald Dahl.  
​

From the sounds of the lobby, many of the girls mastered the quiet side of things. 
During Saturday’s and Monday’s auditions, the theatre’s entrance was characterized by the hushed whispers of nervous girls and perhaps even more nervous parents. Something a little different from the “high-energy” numbers in the musical that tells the story of one little girl’s magical journey to find happiness. 
“Next time (we) will have a tumbling routine and dancing. It will be sheer madness,” Lander said of the round of auditions for the rest of the cast in June. 
​

But for the part of Matilda, it was mostly quiet concentration leading up to the chance to answer three questions. “Why do you want to be Matilda? What song are you going to sing for us today? Do you have a story to tell us?”

Lander, whose welcome personality helped ease many of the girls into the audition process, noted they could often see each girl relax as they concluded their individual stories at the end of each audition. 

“It’s the relief of I did it and I didn’t fall apart,” Hutchinson said. “It’s also a feeling of accomplishment.” 

It’s a sigh of relief the directors can share now that the show moved one giant step further along the process.
“I knew we’d find somebody,” Lander said.

Following Monday’s auditions, the directing team was able to make their selection, which  was announced Wednesday. (see sidebar in this article.)

“The two-year wait is over and it’s time to work,” she said.

(This is the second part of a series of stories about the production of “Matilda the Musical” at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.) See part one here: http://8and322.weebly.com/news-from-you/becoming-matilda
​

Picture
0 Comments

Franklin had its turn to sing

5/3/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Franklin opened its auditorium doors for a free night of song. The annual Spring Choir Concert returned with performances from the 7th grade choir, the 8th grade choir, the Madrigal singers, the show choir and the concert choir. The show was directed by Sarah Gilbert and they had a special guest accompanist in Zachary Covington.
Picture
Picture
A few more photos can be viewed at : ​https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p428483617
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

The beauty of Franklin

5/3/2022

1 Comment

 
OPINION: Feature picture of the day.
Picture
Picture
As I was walking to my car yesterday,  I got to thinking of a conversation I had just an hour earlier with two old friends from my Meadville Tribune days. They were in Franklin officiating a couple baseball games.
​
I told one of them not to rush home after their games, but stay and have a nice meal in Franklin and enjoy the town.

I do this a lot with folks.

As I was walking by West Park, more commonly called Fountain Park, I was thinking of Ronnie Beith and all she has done over the years for this town. She is one of the reasons this town is what it is today and why I tell folks from all over that Franklin is a place to hang out, relax and enjoy what a small town can do for the soul.

​So I took these pictures just for her because I thought she is much like this flowering tree on the edge of the park. She shares her beauty without wanting to stand out, but, like the pink of this tree, she stands out anyway.  And like this tree - which is a small part of the park, when given the chance to be stopped and noted, is truly worth a moment of thanks. So thank you Ronnie. I know you're going to say it's not just you and you're, of course, right, but that is how great leaders lead.

Even this tree has many individual pink flowers that make up its beauty, but they are a part of the tree. You my friend are the tree.

​Franklin is, as its motto states, always eventful even when those eventful moments are just taking in the little bits of beauty each season brings.

Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Take a picture, It'll last longer

5/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
I'm not a nature photographer, but I don't pass it up when it is front of me either.
​I rather enjoyed this busy little being doing squirrel things at Allegheny College the other day.

Picture
0 Comments

Teacher appreciation week and the Rocky Grove Choral Concert

5/2/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Teacher appreciate week kicked off yesterday nationally. Rocky Grove High School got a little bit of a jump on it last Thursday when the annual Spring choral concert roared back after some COVID related shutdowns over the last couple of years. Choir director Jodi Hoover has done some extraordinary things with here students from a top-notch musical to teaching choir remotely when needed to keep her students in tune sort of speak.
She said at last week's performance that often she would be singing to a blank screen on her computer oftentimes admitting her students may or may not have been asleep on the other end.

"Don't let her bright smile fool you, she is a scary woman," joked senior Dustin McMullen who was awarded the student and teacher's choice as outstanding member of the choir. The class of 2022 gave her a gift pillow with all their faces on it to show their appreciate for her dedication to them.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Last week's performance also featured their select choir and the junior high choir.

​Besides teachers learning, though frustrating at times, new tools in which they can reach their students,  one other positive thing came out of the COVID pandemic shutdowns. The increased usage of online videos to share sports, concerts, and other school events.  This allows family and friends who cannot attend an event a chance to still see and hear and not completely miss their loved ones and friends perform

Picture
Picture
Picture
Valley Grove School District has a fairly active YouTube channel where they live stream many of the afterschool games and performances, including last week's junior and senior high chorus concert. Anyone interested in watching the show can do so now. It is also posted on the district's Facebook page. 
Picture
Picture
Many of the singers will be back on stage this Thursday with an instrument beside their voice in hand when they present their annual spring band concert at 7 p.m.
Parking might be tight with a volleyball game also taking place at the same time.

To view more photos from the spring choir concert please visit ​sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p353082863
Picture
0 Comments

Moments from the Rocky Grove prom

5/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Some nights just take you to another place. On Saturday, for Rocky Grove High School junior and senior students that place was "Under the Sea" as they celebrated prom night with their friends. The school's gym was transformed into a paradise of music, dancing and laughter. 
​
"Everyone had a blast," said principal Kelly Hart.
Picture
Picture
The evening also included the traditional crowning ceremony. Travis Knupp was chosen as Prom King and Charlee Ginnery was the Prom Queen. 
Other members of the court were Trevor Hamilton, Michael Martz, Dustin McMullen, Isaac Clayton, Riley Bordell, Reiley Gordon, Rylee Reed and Caidence Sloss.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

It's nights like these that remind me why I love my job. They also remind me of how much fun it is to be a teen. 
Find even more photos of all the fun at
https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p559112053.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

OC teacher wins Venango young professional award

4/29/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
​Oil City Stephanie Staub was name the FLEX Young Professional of the Year during the group's annual FLEX Presents ceremony, held last night in the ballroom of the DeBence Antique Music World in Franklin.

The award is given to one area professional under 40 each year among nominees recognized for their contributions to their community through civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Staub was one of 11 nominees considered for the award this year. Nominations are made by members of the community and judged by professionals from outside the area. 

Here is some of the information Staub included in her bio as part of the judging process: 

 
Staub is a K-4 STEM Teacher and Technology Integrator with the Oil City Area School District. Her professional achievements include IU Professional Development on all STEM topics, Professional Book Study, Code.org seminars, Freedoms Foundation Summer Programs, and EVERFI Hockey Scholar Training. She has presented at the Pennsylvania Educational Technology Expo and Conference twice and was awarded a 2022 NASA SPARX Teacher Recognition.
She is involved in the National Association of the Education of Young Children, PBIS Team at Southside Schools, Teaching Next Generation Scientists Professional Learning Community, Intermediate Unit 6 Technology Integrators, and Pennsylvania Teachers Association and judging the Future Engineers program. 
Outside the classroom, Staub has helped with Oil City Athletics in different capacities, teaches Kids in College, and organizes local Remake Learning Day. Over the years, her schedule has also included helping with "Get on the Trails" business contest and organizing a 200-mile fundraiser to raise money for local organizations and families in need. 
She also stays busy by teaching yoga at Trailasana Yoga Studio; running Steph’s Silhouettes, a small self-run t-shirt and earring business; and opening Staub & Co. Succulents, a traveling greenhouse business.

The other 10 nominees were: 
Becky Deeter, Ag Choice Farm Credit; Jessica Hilburn, Benson Memorial Library; Kieran Irwin, Bandit's Gambit; Jennifer Mosher-Johnson, Oil City Area School District; Will Price, United Way of Venango County; Aaron Ritsig, Northwest Commission PTAC; Andrew Ritsig, Bon Appetit at Grove City College; Ashley Smith, Venango County Planning Commission; Megan Weber, Komatsu Mining Corp.; and Devin Zagar, 7 Foot Productions.

More on the FLEXand their FLEX Presents event is available in our earlier News From You story. 

Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Sisters' act

4/28/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
The Barrow will be filled plenty of laughs starting Friday night. The two weekend show is a rollicking adventure of five nuns from Hoboken as they try to put on a variety style show to raise money for a sister's funeral who died from an accidental dinner poisoning.
​
Nonsense The Musical opens Friday at 7:30 p.m.. Show times are April 29 and 30 at 7;30 p.m., Sunday May 1 at 2 p.m.. They then return May 6 and 7 for evening shows and the finale will be Sunday May 8 at 2 p.m.. Visit the Barrow box off ice for tickets or go online here for tickets.
​
To view more photos please visit: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p486327819

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
To view more photos please visit: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p486327819
Picture
0 Comments

Franklin receives $1 million grant from state

4/20/2022

3 Comments

 
Picture
Franklin city manager Tracy Jamieson and community development director Amanda Power dug out the display boards showing the plans for the 12th and Liberty Street intersection Wednesday afternoon after Gov. Tom Wolf and PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian announced the approval of $1 million to Franklin for the project. It was part of the awarding of $54.1 million 64 projects statewide.

For Franklin, this means the downtown improvement projects that are underway to improve driver, pedestrian and bicycle safety will get a boost, and allow additional work to move forward. This project will be folded into plans by the state to resurface and improve safety along Liberty Street which is expected to happen in the next couple of years, Jamieson soad. The sidewalk improvement project is currently underway is also a partnership with the state.
Picture
The proposed intersection project will take Liberty down to two lanes beginning around 11th Street and adding bike lanes in both directions. Between 11th Street and South Park Street a center turning lane will be added.

​This plan also allows for "bump outs" to decrease the distance for pedestrians crossing Liberty at 12th by several feet, perhaps as much as 30 feet at one crossing.

Some parking along Liberty will be lost but Jamieson pointed out the plans to turn 12th Street between Liberty and Buffalo into a one-way will allow additional parking spots there.
​
The city will gain at least five additional parking spots, maybe more, according to Power.
Picture
Picture
Jamieson pointed out left turning lanes will be added at the intersection with 12th in both directions with new signals and signage.

​Landscaping is expected to be done to improve visibility and the bend at the intersection will be lessened. The goal of the project improvements is to increase safety all-around, according to Jamieson.
Picture
In the governor's press release Wednesday, he and Sec. Gramian spoke of the importance of these grants for statewide infrastructure by helping the places like Franklin be better places to live. “These projects will help make travel in these communities safer and healthier,” Wolf said.
Picture
“Transportation affects every aspect of our lives,” Gramian said. “We are pleased to bring so many important improvements to communities across Pennsylvania.”
 
A list of awards for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Projects, including those funded by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (noted as “(BIL)”), is available on the program web page.
 
Power indicated that for this project, they could request up to a million. "That's what we asked for and that's what we got," she said. Jamieson credits Power, calling this grant her baby.
Picture
According to the governor's release, the applications were reviewed, and selections made based on such criteria as safety benefits, reasonableness of cost, readiness for implementation, statewide or regional significance, integration of land use and transportation decision making, collaboration with stakeholders, and leverage of other projects or funding.

The applications were reviewed by representatives from PennDOT, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Department of Health, and three Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organizations.
​
Picture
3 Comments

Academic excellence ain't no game, or is it?

4/20/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
A group of Franklin High schoolers will be taking their noggin skills to Knoxville, Tennessee this week to compete in the Academic Game League of America National Championships.
​
For many, it won't be their first rodeo. In fact, Alyssa Shick is a returning national champion in the Propaganda category. She was an eighth-grader who understood the art of influence better than anyone else in this country.​
Picture

 She will be joined by Carlitto Motter, Robbie Moffitt, Christina Bullard, Kaizer Ladylak and Adam Luther.​
Picture
Picture
This team, headed by teacher James Ivell, a five-to-seven-a-day Dr. Pepper drinker, has been making a trophy case worthy showing in these games for years.

Outside the school's office sits a quorum of "Thinkers" based on the famed Rodin statue. These represent the excellence and success Ivell's Knights have demonstrated since he took over the gifted program 17 years ago.

​"Most of this group is beyond my abilities," he said of the current half-dozen Franklin competitors.


These games are not just a simple matter of luck of the dice. It takes preparation to understand the games, accumulation of a broad knowledge of facts, and teamwork to come out on top. 

Each team member specializes somewhat in different areas, but they all are ready to compete in categories like linguistics, grammar, equations, logic, presidents, world and current events, and propaganda. 

(Editor's note, when the competition is finished, we have been promised a full report on this article's use of propaganda. We'll see how we did?)


Picture
Picture
In games leading up to this weekend, Bullard has been the top winner in the group, but they each have their specialty. When asked who is the best they all pointed to Shick without hesitation.

​Luther, who will compete at nationals for the first time, seems to have a gift for linguistics, but in a quick match during class lost to Motter. "It's kind of like advanced Scrabble," Luther said while explaining the way the LinguiSHTIK game is played.

For the upcoming competition, they will compete in strategic groups where they pit their individual strengths against those of other schools across the county. Franklin kids may be able to team up with other area schools in certain competitions as well.

​The team will be given a "clap out" at 2 p.m. Wednesday as the school shows support for these athletes of the mind.
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Carrying the weight of the cross

4/16/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
The idea of a "sign" was prevalent Friday as I attended the annual Franklin Christian Ministerium Cross Walk. I saw signs everywhere. I made many photographs with signs in them. Some poignant to what was in front of me, some whimsical observations, but signs are what we look for when we are dealing with faith, though maybe not as literal as the signs I documented on this day.
Picture
Some were more obvious than others.
Picture
Some seemed tongue-in-cheek play on words.
Picture
Some seemed contrary to the message direction of the day. The 125-plus folks attending would possibly agree with the one way, but not going in the opposite way they were going.
Picture
But for Christians around the globe, Good Friday is perhaps the most significant day of the year. It was the day, according to Scripture, that an innocent man died in order to save all of humanity.

​Weighty stuff.
Picture
The Franklin Ministerium observes this day with the telling of Jesus Christ's last moments in the mortal coil. They enacted the 14 Stations of the Cross from Jesus being condemned to crucifixion to his ascension into heaven.

If one truly listens to the words spoken at each "station," it is a powerful story of love, hope and sacrifice.
Picture
Parents and grandparents attended to teach their kids and grandkids what they believe and what has given them comfort.
Picture
Good Friday for many is a chance to reflect on the religious beliefs they hold dear to their hearts.
Picture
Many of those in attendance have walked the roughly one-mile journey through town for many years.
Picture
"Do not let fear keep us from showing love."
Upon Christ's dying, he turned to the others being crucified and offered them salvation.
Picture
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica the series of stations are: (1) Jesus is condemned to death, (2) he is made to bear his cross, (3) he falls the first time, (4) he meets his mother, (5) Simon of Cyrene is made to bear the cross, (6) Veronica wipes Jesus’ face, (7) he falls the second time, (8) the women of Jerusalem weep over Jesus, (9) he falls the third time, (10) he is stripped of his garments, (11) he is nailed to the cross, (12) he dies on the cross, (13) he is taken down from the cross, and (14) he is placed in the sepulcher.
Picture
Among car horns and others going about their business, Friday's crowd took a few moments to reflect on what Jesus tried to teach and continues to teach through his words given to us by his apostles and countless theologians and philosophers since.
Picture
Jesus seemed to embrace those who didn't agree with him and chose patient lessons to get his ideas out to others.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Two and a half minutes of pure Easter joy

4/15/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
The annual Franklin Easter egg hunt that was put on pandemic hiatus returned to Fountain Park Friday.

Mind you it was scheduled for last Saturday and, mind you, it had a rain date for this Saturday, and mind you, the forecast for Saturday morning isn't what you'd call egg hunt friendly. 

So the Franklin organizers, who surround their leader Ronnie Beith, made a call Thursday afternoon to hold the event Friday night instead.

Picture
No one knew prior to that it would be Friday night. There was no long-time planning that it would be Friday night. Last week the organizers simply said to keep an eye on the Franklin Events page for instructions. They didn't say maybe it would be Friday night. Just that they needed flexibility due to the shaky weather forecast.
Picture
Based on the turnout Friday, folks listened to that advice.

They apparently kept an eye on social media, read the newspaper, saw an internet post or whatever - cause the word got out. Thousands of eggs were strewn across Fountain Park and hundreds of kids and their folks showed up.
Picture
Whatever is in the drinking water the Franklin community consumes is working to make each event they do a success. This egg hunt had disaster written all over it - it was canceled and the rain date looked awful. But the organizers, with smiles strewn across their lips, said we got this.
Picture
​And the community and the Easter Bunny had their back. "There were a few bumps," said Beith. "But if the people attending don't know of them, it doesn't matter."
Picture
Hours of preparation filling eggs came down to, will folks get the word?

​They did.
Picture
And boatloads of candy and prizes were doled out on a brisk, but warm spring-ish evening in a little town in northwest Pennsylvania that somehow always seems to get it right. One person quipped "Franklin could hold a nose-picking contest and it would be a success." 
Picture
Maybe that would be their line to never cross, but based on prior evidence this town knows how to give their community a fun time.

Happy Easter!
Picture
0 Comments

What came first the fun or the egg?

4/14/2022

0 Comments

 
Update: Due to a less than favorable forecast for Saturday's rescheduled Easter egg hunt in Fountain Park, the organizers have moved the Franklin event to tomorrow night (Friday, April 15) at 6 p.m.

"Saturday morning is definitely not looking good. We want to get this event in and the best chance of that by the looks of the weather forecast is 6 p.m. Friday evening," said event organizer Ronnie Beith. "We have lots of great prizes and egg fillers and we can’t wait to gather the kids in the park."

Should anything change, Beith says folks should check on the Franklin events Facebook page.
Picture
Picture
Picture
If the giddy joy of Cheryl Brickner is any indication, there are some fun prizes hidden inside some 5,000 or so Easter eggs she and many others helped stuff Wednesday morning. In the small conference room turned Easter Bunny assembly line, Brickner could be found chasing a little automated Pikachu from one end of the table to the other.
She was having a blast in between stuffing the eggs. She was even caught crawling around on the floor under the tables to retrieve one that got away from her.

Perhaps it was product testing, or perhaps it is just the joy of volunteering and helping Franklin bring back a favorite tradition right before Easter.

​A small group gathered to stuff the last few hundred eggs to help top off the thousands already prepared by several organizations like the Kiwanis Club, Franklin Fine Arts Council, Rocky Grove High School and Franklin Rotary. Franklin Marketing and Events coordinator Ronnie Beith said it has been a challenge finding a way to store all the eggs.

Picture
Picture
In a press release issued a couple days ago, Beith acknowledged the Franklin Kiwanis Club as a good partner for the event for many years now. Donations have come in with items ranging from a couple hundred dollars worth of silver dollars to inflatable beach balls, tiny toys like Brickner's Pikachu (which she did put in an egg and not her pocket) and of course, plenty of candy.

“We are so excited to see the park littered with [thousands] of colorful eggs again and hear the joy of the dozens of children,” said Beith. "The community continually partners to provide these events for the children, and it is nice to get back to tradition.” Last year during the pandemic woes, they were able to partner with others to provide a drive-up Easter Bunny Lane as an alternative.

According to the press release, this year’s major prize sponsors include Chris Rakow, Pizza Hut, Eat ‘n Park, RAACA of Venango County, Haggerty’s Ice Cream, Venango County A.B.A.T.E. and Benjamin’s Roadhouse. Donations were also given by Pastries by Andrea, Leonardo’s Pizza and Wanango Country Club.

“We have the most prizes ever donated for this comeback year,” Beith said. “There are toys in the eggs, silver dollars, candy, and over 500 coupons for kids’ meals, pizzas, ice cream or treats. What a wonderful way to welcome the kids back to the park.”
​

​​The event features four age divisions for those 8 and younger. There are four coupons for special prize baskets in each age group. The start of the hunt begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9, in Fountain Park. "It's over in about five minutes," Brickner said with a chuckle.

But there is more to do.

Other Easter-themed events will also take place in Franklin that day. The Franklin Public Library will host a story time from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Rural King will be in have photo ops with chicks at Fountain Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A bunny petting station from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Galleria at Olde Liberty. And of course, the Easter Bunny herself will make an appearance in the park. Rain date for the hunt is April 16 unless otherwise noted through social media at https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPAEvents.

Picture
Picture
The weather forecast isn't great for the event as of Wednesday afternoon. Beith said she has looked ahead and even the rain-date is looking shaky. She said there might be a possibility of holding the event during the week in the early evening if the weather does not cooperate. She said that announcements will go out via social media and hopes the news spreads fast if changes are needed to be made. 

Additional information is available online at 
www.franklinpa.gov/events, by calling 814-437-1922, ext. 1123 or emailing rbeith@franklinpa.gov. ​​ And like https://www.facebook.com/FranklinPAEvents to keep up on any changes and to get the latest on all Franklin events.

Picture
0 Comments

When you need an accurate test and quick

4/13/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
If your employer needs a quick turnaround on your status or if you're traveling has restrictions, this service could get you on your way.

​Dr. Thea M. Blystone has been a practicing pharmacist for a number of years. Seeing a need for quick accurate test results during the COVID pandemic she has opened a testing facility in Seneca. She evolves her business to the changing needs of testing. Her rapid turnaround is a benefit for those needing to travel where restrictions are in place or in the workplace so folks don't unnecessarily miss work.

"We guarantee a three-hour result," Blystone said. "But, we really haven't had to take that long."

​Though the pandemic seems to be getting to the control stage, there is still a need for caution and accurate testing according to the Center for Disease Control.

Blystone's clinic is located at 3529  Route 257 in Seneca. To learn more about her business and what she offers visit her at https://tmrx.care/test.

Picture
0 Comments

Anonymous donors, Rotary and United Way were hammin' it up

4/9/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
An anonymous couple gave a bunch of money to give Easter dinners to the community.

“[The couple that donated the money for these dinners] wanted to ensure that struggling families in Venango County didn't have to worry about a hot meal on Easter. Their passion and heart for the residents of Venango County goes way beyond just making a donation, they truly want to make an impact in residents lives and to make Venango County a great place to live and work,”  said Will Price in a press release before the event.  Price is the executive director of the United Way of Venango County,
Picture
On Saturday the United Way took that donation and with the help of Franklin's Rotary and the local fire police, they doled out hames, at home COVID tests and a $15 voucher for food at Sander's Market.

​They had a thousand hams to giveaway and over 800 households took advantage. The remaining hams not picked up still benefitted those in need. Price said they will be delivered to local food pantries for distribution.  “We know that families in Venango County are still feeling the financial effects of the pandemic," said Price.
Picture
The drive thru event was held at the Rocky Grove Fire Hall on Saturday. 
Picture
Picture
0 Comments
<<Previous
Forward>>
    Sponsors of Eight & 322
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Visit them on Facebook.
    ​
    Follow them on Facebbok.

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020

    Picture

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly