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Oil Heritage Festival Art Show information available

6/23/2022

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Drop off of artwork is July 10 

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The Oil City Arts Council and ARTS Oil City are combining forces once again to put on the 44th annual Oil Heritage Festival Art Show, scheduled for July 20 to 24 in Oil City.

The art show, which is held in connection with the community-wide Oil Heritage Festival, included over 300 pieces of original artwork from 120 different artists in 2021.

There is no entry fee and no pre-registration to participate in the 2022 show and participants may enter up to three works across any category. ​

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The show features divisions for adults (Professional and Amateur), Young Adults (ages 13 to 17), and Children (ages 12 and under). Categories include Watercolors & Pastels, Oils & Acrylics, Three-Dimensional Arts, Graphics and Mixed Media, Fiber Arts, and Photography.

The show will be professionally judged, with ribbons awarded for first, second and third places in each category and division, as well as honorable mentions, People’s Choice and Best in Show.


Artwork must be delivered to the Great Room in the National Transit Building between 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 10 

The show will be set up in three locations: the National Transit Building (206 Seneca Street), National Transit Building Annex (210 Seneca Street), and at the storefront at 42 Seneca Street. Participating artists and the public may attend the opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. July 20, held simultaneously at all three locations. The show will be open from noon to 4 p.m. July 21 and 24, noon to 6 p.m. July 22 and 23.  

Additional entry guidelines and information on the art show is available on the Oil Heritage Festival website, at the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Oil City Library, Oil Region Alliance, Transit Art Gallery and Gifts, and Artists Attic or by contacting the Oil City Main Street Program office at 814-677-3152 or kbailey@oilregion.org. 

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Summer and after school program offer career opportunity scholarships

6/23/2022

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New application deadline is July 15, 2022
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High School Students Can Start Their IT Career Path this Summer
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tech Support Specialists are among the top 10 most in-demand tech jobs for 2022 and overall employment is projected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030.

​Franklin-based 
Pennsylvania Rural Robotics Initiative has partnered with NuPaths, an IT and technology workforce development training provider, to offer a summer and after-school Technical Support Specialist Program focused on technology career exploration and college prep.
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They have 10 full scholarships 
(over $6,000 value each) left of the 14 available to eligible northwestern Pennsylvania high school students graduating in 2023 or 2024. 
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Eligible high schools include Franklin, Rocky Grove, Cranberry, Oil City, Venango Technology Center, Titusville, Brookville, Clarion, Clarion-Limestone, Conneaut, DuBois, Fairview, Forest Area, Fort LeBoeuf, Girard, Harborcreek, Keystone, North Clarion, Northwestern, Redbank Valley, and Warren. 
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Students will learn how to troubleshoot software, fix operating systems, rebuild computers and perform general maintenance on computer devices. They will also learn Microsoft Office skills for productivity and communication. Students can earn up to 8 college credits and up to 6 industry certifications from CompTIA and Microsoft.

​They can also qualify for a certificate of completion from Harrisburg University of Science & Technology and a pre-apprenticeship certificate from the PA Department of Labor & Industry Apprenticeship and Training Office.

“We are excited to work with the PA Rural Robotics Initiative to bring career exploration and training to high school students in northwestern PA," said Andy Petroski, president of NuPaths. "The program allows students to develop skills and earn credentials for college or career, including the ability to stay in the region and work in well-paying, high-demand technology jobs that don’t require a college degree and can be done remotely.”

The program will begin July 25. Students will complete 40 hours of training over 2 weeks in July and then complete 60 hours of training in the fall and 60 hours of training in the spring to earn their PA pre-apprenticeship certificate, college credits, and industry certifications.
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Class sessions will be held with a combination of online and in-person at the Innovation Institute on Liberty Street in downtown Franklin.
Click image for full poster
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New application deadline is July 15, 2022.

​Request more information at https://tinyurl.com/wpa-tss 

Apply: https://tinyurl.com/tss-rri

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 To learn more, visit https://nupaths.org/
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​About Pennsylvania Rural Robotics
The Pennsylvania Rural Robotics Initiative formed in the spring of 2018 as an educational consortium of Western Pennsylvania schools.  Our goal was to work collaboratively across the region to create sustainable, world-class STEM education experiences that would engage our students as we prepare them for 21st century careers.
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As we have expanded our regional K-12 footprint and programming, we have also grown our partnerships and friendships within higher education, workforce and economic development, government, industry and business, and the non-profit community.  Working together within our STEM ecosystem, we strive to support our schools, empower our teachers and provide our students with experiences and opportunities that they deserve and employers demand.
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In Franklin July 4th is too big for just one day

6/22/2022

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Friends of all ages and even those of the four-legged variety will find something just for them in this year's Franklin Fourth of July Festivities as it returns with the traditional parade, fireworks, lots of music and children’s activities. 

“We are excited to be back to offering a full week of fun for all ages and celebrate the love for our community and country,” said Ronnie Beith, Franklin Events Coordinator.

The 2022 celebration includes the return of the city’s popular Libertyfest parade at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 2. This year’s theme is Red, White & You. 

“The theme gives participants a chance to show what July 4th means to them,” Beith said. “We are hoping the crowd gets into the act too by wearing their most patriotic outfit to the parade and help us celebrate the return of our summertime parade.”

This year’s parade will include a little pre-show and post-show activity as well. The weekly farmer’s market will hold one of its Artisan Days from 8 am. to 1 p.m. in 12th Street Island. Immediately prior to step off, the winners of the Red, White & You writing contest will be announced from the judge’s stand near the corner of Liberty Street and West Park Street. 

​“Back by popular demand, country music band South 62 will be playing at 7 p.m. Sunday in Bandstand Park. How lucky we are to have this wonderful band back in Franklin,” Beith said. “And they are just the start of a week of music that includes Tammi Dahl, Nathaniel Licht and Rachael Mellor, the Taste of Talent kick-off, Franklin Silver Cornet Band, and others performing throughout the city. No matter who is performing in the park, my advice is come early, take a chair and be ready to an enjoyable night of music.”
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Building on last year’s successful format, the annual Children’s Penny Carnival will be in Fountain and Bandstand parks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 1.

“We received a lot of positive feedback from volunteers and attendees after last year’s carnival, so this year we are sticking with that layout and adding something in between,” Beith said.
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There will be games and a petting zoo in Fountain Park, the Candyland obstacle course and Marty’s Bubble Machine in Bandstand Park, and a Red, White & You Touch-a-Truck event at the 12th Street Island.

A complete schedule of the Fourth of July Festivities Week activities is included below:
  • Saturday, June 25 – Franklin Farmers-Curb Market, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 12th Street Island; Franklin High School Community Mural Unveiling 11 a.m., alley by Barrow-Civic Theatre.
  • Sunday, June 26 – South 62, 7 p.m., Bandstand Park.
  • Monday, June 27 – Venango County Humane Society Pet Show, Bandstand Park, 6 p.m., registration • 6:30 p.m., show.
  • Tuesday, June 28 – Concert by Tammi Dahl, Nathaniel Licht, and Rachael Mellor, 7 p.m., Bandstand Park.
  • Wednesday, June 29 – Taste of Talent vocal competition kick-off, 7 p.m., Bandstand Park.
  • Thursday, June 30 – Franklin Silver Cornet Band Mostly Marches concert, 7:30 p.m., Bandstand Park.
  • Friday, July 1 – Yak ‘N Java, 8:30 a.m., 250 Elk Street, (814) 388-9122; Sidewalk/Indoor Sales, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., stores throughout downtown; Children’s Penny Carnival, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fountain Park, Bandstand Park and 12th Street Island; Coversome (Randy Moorehead and Logan McMahon), 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Benjamin’s Roadhouse patio; Tammi Dahl & Mark DeWalt 6 to 8:30 p.m., Bella Cucina patio; children’s activities and Movies In The Park “SING 2” dusk, Bandstand Park.
  • Saturday, July 2 – Franklin Farmers-Curb Market Artisan Day, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., 12th Street Island; Sidewalk/Indoor Sales, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Libertyfest Parade, 11:30 a.m.; entertainment and food booths, following the parade, Fountain Park.
  • Sunday, July 3 – Clever Norm concert and cornhole 2 to 5 p.m., TrAils to Ales II.
  • Monday, July 4 – Thunder Over Franklin by Pyrotechnico, dusk, Riverfront Park.​​
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Additional information on all the festivities will be posted city’s Facebook page @FranklinPAEvents. Follow along and share pictures on social media using the #July4inFranklin hashtag.
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Old Glory Day

6/13/2022

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The Officers of Franklin Elks Lodge 110 will be performing the Flag Day ritual in Bandstand Park on Tuesday, June 14. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. The ceremony consists of the history of the flag from the beginning of this country to present times. The flag of the United States of America has not changed since the fifty star design, through executive order by President Dwight. D. Eisenhower on August 21, 1959, was put into law. That new design was first flown over Fort McHenry on July 4, 1960.

The Silver Cornet Band will perform. The V.E.T.S. Honor Guard will present and retire the colors. The local Boy Scouts will properly retire old tattered Flags. 

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Read some observations on this tradition and service made soon after last year's ceremony which was poorly attended and the number of scouts very small.
http://www.8and322.com/eight--322/retiring-old-flags-to-keep-its-meaning-alive-on-flag-day
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​Route 417 Northbound in Venango County to be Closed Next Week

6/7/2022

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Meadville Pike Closure Delayed 
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Route 417 (Rocky Grove Avenue) will be closed to northbound through traffic from the intersection with Route 322 on June 13 and 14, weather permitting. According to a PennDOT press release the closure is necessary to repair a retaining wall between the roadway and Monkey Run. The sidewalk between Village Auto and has been closed for sometime. Southbound lanes will be open for local business and road access.

A detour will be posted using Route 322, Route 8/Route 62, and Front Street. Trucks traveling from Franklin to Titusville are advised to use Route 8.
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After the wall repairs are made, the Borough of Sugarcreek will make repairs to the sidewalk, which is owned by the municipality.

The County of Venango work planned that will close portions of Meadville Pike will be postponed until June 15. That roadway will be closed to through traffic from the intersection with Route 322 in the City of Franklin to Bell Avenue in Sugarcreek Borough for up to two weeks. 

The detour for the Meadville Pike closure will be posted using Route 322 and Patchel Run Road.
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Though Taste of Franklin takes a hiatus, Taste of Talent will rock on

6/5/2022

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Last year's co-champion winner Scott Gressley shared the title with Ian Best. 
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There will be 10 vocalists vying for the 2022 Taste of Talent title in Franklin this summer. This annual event spans over a month with thousands of spectators filling Franklin's Bandstand Park to enjoy this free series showcasing top-notch local talent.

“One of the wonderful things about this competition is that we get participation from singers outside Franklin and the communities immediately around us. This gives everyone a chance to hear new voices and us a chance to showcase our city to visitors,” Franklin Marketing and Events coordinator Ronnie Beith said.

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The contestants are almost exclusively from out of town. Tim Craver, a Taste of Talent finalist in years past, is the only Franklin contestant signed up. Others include: Christian Agnew of Oil City, Kaleb Beichner, Shippenville, Maisa Burns of Titusville, Iris Callahan of Vowinkel, Reagan Exley of Oil City, Ruth Herrick of Greenville, Shanay Jackson of Oil City, Alexander Karg of Oil City and Madison Wakefield of Titusville.

The kickoff concert will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 29, during Franklin’s Fourth of July Festivities Week. Additional concerts will be held with contestants being eliminated by audience vote on Wednesday, July 6, 13, 20, and 27. The semi-finals will be held Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m., and the competition finale is on Sunday, August 7, at 4 p.m.

The winner of the competition will receive $1,000 sponsored by Franklin-Oil Region Credit Union. Prizes valued at $200 ($100 cash and a $100 gift certificate) will be awarded to the other three semi-finalists through the sponsorships by Jake and Nancy Lindsey, the Franklin Retail Association and Kendzior Orthodontics.

“This is one of our most popular summer events. Many of our residents and visitors eagerly await this announcement and mark their calendars to be at all the concerts.” Beith said. “Based on the audition packets, we promise that everyone will be excited to listen to this year’s contestants. It’s going to be another great year for Taste of Talent.”

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Former winners Rachael Mellor and Nathaniel Licht will return as judges of the popular singing contest. Tammi Dahl will step in as this year's emcee. 

"Those three have done so much for the Taste of Talent. They have had major involvement and input in the program and they have advised and nurtured many of the winners and participants," Beith said. 

Follow along with this year’s competition by searching or posting the hashtags #TasteofTalent and #TasteofTalent22 on social media.​
The annualal Taste of Franklin, which traditionally is held on the Sunday of the Taste of Talent finale was cancelled this past week. Franklin Retail Association president Jennifer Taylor said local restaurant staffing issues was the main cause. "We are just taking this year off, it isn't cancelled forever," she said. "[The Franklin Retail Association] is supposed to hold events that promote our businessesses, but we have to weigh the amount of work we ask of them with what is actually possible."

Taylor said she hopes to talk with the past participants pants to see what can be done to make them more likely to participatepate in the future. This year they had only a few restaurants interested and many said it is tough hiringg enough staff to do anything extra. "We are willing to retool it and we're looking for ideas," she said.
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Does your license plate lack readability?

6/2/2022

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From the social media post of Sen. Scott Hutchinson; "Join us, next Thursday, June 9 from 4-6 p.m. for our Illegible License Plate Event, in partnership with local police, at my Oil City District Office located at 229 Elm Street in Oil City. 

A registration plate is deemed illegible when one or more numbers or letters cannot be recognized from 50 feet or if the registration plate shows any blistering, peeling, discoloration or loss of reflectivity, according to PennDOT. 

Simply bring your current registration card and the vehicle that has the illegible plate to our office, and we will help you complete the form and send it in to PennDOT for processing.
​There is NO cost for the replacement plate which will be ordered.
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County sponsoring summer food program

6/2/2022

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Venango County Human Services will administer the Summer Food Service Program for area youth aged 18 and younger.

The program will run Monday through Friday, June 13 through August 24 with the exception of June 20 and July 4. Food, which must be eaten on site, will be distributed from seven locations in the county:
  • Evergreen Arbors Apartments (Franklin), 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
  • Franklin YMCA, noon to 1 p.m.
  • Cooperstown Fairgrounds pavilion, noon to 12:30 p.m.
  • Clintonville Playground, 11:30 a.m to 12:30 p.m.
  • Innis Playground (Oil City), 11 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Harriot Avenue Playground (Oil City), 11 to 11:30 a.m.
  • Hasson Park Playground pavilion (Oil City), 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture: "SFSP is the single largest resource available for local sponsors who want to combine a feeding program with a summer activity program.  During the school year, nutritious meals are available through the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.  But those programs end when school ends for the summer.  SFSP helps fill the hunger gap."

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D.C. welcomes the "Pride of Pennsylvania"

6/1/2022

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Franklin High School Black Knight Marching Band returned to march and perform in the national Memorial Day Parade. As part of the trip they also got a chance to tour several of the Capital's attractions.
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To view a little of their performance click on the below video. They appear around the 14-minute mark.
Christian Bullard, said she loved the parade and the fact so many people who don't even know where Franklin, Pennsylvania is were there cheering them on.

Many of the kids really appreciated being able to tour the capital and seeing all the sights. Below is a list of some comments gotten on the bus ride back from Amanda and Sandy Lewis. They asked the band members what they liked about the weekend.The photos are also courtesy of Lewis mother and daughter..

Breanna Clark - Going the Lincoln and  Washington memorial and seeing the reflection in the water. 
Tyler Thompson - Seeing the Korea and Vietnam memorials.

Reston Weismann - The world War two memorial.  
Ruth Rangel - Going to the Smithsonian Measum of natural sciene and getting to see the live butterflies.
Seth Pierce and Joe Martin- Our tour guide Jean. She was a very sweet and kind women. 
Gracia Riddle - Lincoln Memorial and the wall at the vietnam memorial. Being there and getting to walk through the memorial just hit different.
Danielle Anderson - My favorite part about the entire trip was probably learning about all the different monuments and the history behind each one. I’m glad that this trip fell on my senior year so I could get the chance to experience before I leave high school. 
Karis Heckathorne -My favorite part of the entire trip was getting to march in the band even though it was super duper hot outside. I would definitely go again to learn some more things about different monuments.
Makenna Reavis -I really just enjoyed spending time with everyone one last time. Seeing things together and marching with my friends one more time before they go to college.
Andrew Rugh - My favorite part of the trip was the parade. Despite the fact that it was incredibly hot being able to represent the school in front of so many people was an awesome experience. I also really enjoyed being able to experience new things with my friends one last time as a group before we all move onto new things. 
Ally Wilson and Logan Stumpf - The trip to DC was a great experience for both of us. Although it was not necessarily a “once in life time” trip for either of us (we hopefully will get to go again our senior year), it was a once in a lifetime experience with the great group of people this year.
Gracie Hollis - I really liked the trip overall! Although it was like a million degrees, the ending of the experience was worth it. We all worked really hard for the parade, and our hard work has definitely been paid off. 

"You can tell the dedication that Mr. Johnston has towards these students. We left at 00:15 on two Anderson Busses. The students knew they had to sleep, anyone who travels on a bus knows that this is a difficult task.  But these students were silent and tried. We arrived at 7AM at Union Station and ate Breakfast.  Then the touring began.   

We had two excellent drivers:  Kevin and Lori.  With our two tour guides that filled us in with tons of information.  Because of the Bike Rally, we had to adjust our schedule and be “flexible”.  That was the word of the day.  We didn’t get to see everything, but when we finally got to the hotel, we were exhausted.  With over 22,000 steps on Saturday and approximately 12,00 on Sunday and  the temperature both days in the 90’s-100’s. 

It was well worth it to see the kid’s expression and watch them learn about history.   
​The pride these students have and excitement to march down Constitution Ave and hear the people 5-6 rows deep cheering for our kids! 
It always amazes me that every trip I have chaperoned for and as many photographs that I have taken, when the kids ask him, Mr. J. to join in the group photo he always says, “It’s about the kids, not me.” 
Of course, after some chanting “Mr. J, Mr. J, Mr. J” he always joins in.  Today, before they stepped off in the parade he said, 'Today, show them all why you are the Pride of Pennsylvania!'

There is no question they are!" - Sandy Lewis
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The importance of remembering

5/31/2022

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Folks who caught my rant last weekend about how the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association scheduled games during the morning hours on Memorial Day, offered many of their own thoughts on the matter and suggested my course of action.

To be honest I wasn't 100% sure what I was going to do. Both sides of the discussion had valid points.

Cover youth sports because they worked hard to get there and it might not happen again, Memorial Day will.

But Memorial Day isn't about whether it happens every year, it happens every year because we might need the reminder to take a moment of reflection. And the folks who are there every year might not be next.

I had a couple good friends step up and offer to help me get to one or other of the events or games. Many others offered comforting words that no matter what I chose to cover they would understand

These words and gestures warmed my heart.

A fairly old friend of mine, Jeff Bobin recently moved down into Venango County and is busy exploring and attending new events to him. He is the new pastor out at Heckathorne United Methodist Church. 
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Jeff and I met years ago on the sidelines of basketball games where he and I both made pictures. Over the years we would talk a lot about photography and life when we saw each other.

We've critiqued each others work, shared slices of pizza and perhaps had a drink or two with suds that kept us talking for even more hours.

These are his photographs and he has posted dozens more on his Facebook page. You can see more here.
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I am happy I chose to cover our youth in sports knowing I had people back here covering my back. 

I don't have a problem with games on Memorial Day at all, but I think we need to do better and not schedule them in the morning when we have many who want to take a moment to simply remember, repect and honor those lost and more importantly those living who give of themselves so that we do not forget.

​My rants are over... at least until next year.
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