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Win some great prizes during National Travel and Tourism Week

4/30/2022

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The Oil Region Alliance is teaming up groups from Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, Beaver, Indiana, and the Laurel Highlands region to mark National Travel and Tourism Week with a series of giveaways. 
 
Each day of National Travel and Tourism Week (#NTTW), which runs May 1 to 7, the ORA will feature a neighboring county and a $100 prize on their Facebook and Instagram pages. Each post will include a link to follow to be entered in the prize drawings. Likewise, Venango County will be featured on a different neighbor’s social media each day.
 
Prizes within Venango County include gift certificates to Barrow Civic Theatre, Bella Cucina, Benjamin’s Roadhouse, TrAils to Ales, Olive Vault, DeBence Antique Music World, Venango Museum, Core Goods, Karma Coffee, Transit Art Gallery & Gifts, Drake Well Museum & Park, Cross Creek Resort, and Emlenton Brew Haus.

Winners will be announced on Monday, May 9. 
 
Celebrated annually the first full week in May, National Travel and Tourism Week was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S.

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Remake learning provides events in our area for kids

4/28/2022

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Our Franklin and Oil City communities seem to be embracing the Remake Learning initiative with an interesting schedule of activities for our youngsters and their adults.
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Remake Learning Days Across America is a celebration of innovative experiences and opportunities for youth to develop their sense of creativity, perseverance and curiosity. Events are designed to be hands-on, relevant and engaging educational experiences for youth of all ages (pre-K through high school) and their families, caregivers and educators. 
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Events are organized by different learning themes such as: Arts, Maker, Outdoor Learning, Science, Technology and Youth Voice. 
RLDAA is presented by Remake Learning with national partnerships with PBS Kids for Parents and Digital Promise, along with many partners and host organizations in fourteen regions across the nation.
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Here is a schedule of events planned for around the Venango County area. Go to https://remakelearningdays.org/ for a complete listing of activities and more details. 

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May 11
Family Night: STEM, Glow Art show, & Book Fair
 – This free event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 at Seventh Street and Smedley elementary schools in Oil City’s Southside. Geared toward grades kindergarten to grade 4, the event will offer STEM challenges and activities for families, a glow art show, book fair and a pancake robot. 

May 12
Oiler Community GooseChase 
– This free community digital scavenger hunt will be held 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 12, 13 and 14. School and community members can join in at any time during the course of the game to submit answers and complete missions related to the history of Oil City, Oiler Pride and STEM. The event is sponsored by the Hasson Heights Elementary School is proud to host a community GooseChase (Digital Scavenger Hunt). Missions will be released through the week and a half of Pennsylvania’s Remake Learning Days Festival.
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May 14
What A Character! Acting Workshops
 – Two sessions of acting stations will be held on Saturday at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in Franklin.  Children ages 5 to -8 will be invited to attend as their favorite fairy tale character from 10 a.m. to noon.  Children ages 9 to 12 will be invited to attend as their favorite superhero from 1 to 3 p.m. Various activities will include improv games, readers’ theatre, crafts, and photography. The cost is $10, and reservations should be made by contacting the theatre at adminassistant@barrowtheatre.com.
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May 15
Books and Bike 
– The Oil City STEM teachers and the Oil Creek State Park will hold an event from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 15 at the Petroluem Centre end of the bike trail. Attendees can walk or bike between stations for fill a card and possibly win prizes. The event is geared toward families with children age pre-kindergarten through grade 7. 
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May 18
Code at the Chamber Night 
– The Innovation Institute for Tomorrow, Inc. will teach a session of entry level coding for students in grades 4 to 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 at the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce office. No experience is necessary, and all materials will be provided. Attendees must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration opens May 2 with a link on the Remake Learning website. Contact Tim Heffernan at tim@ii4t.com for more information. 

May 19
Family Arts Night 
– Hasson Heights Elementary School in Oil City’s Northside will host a family arts night from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Thursday, May 19. The evening will include displays of what students have been creating in art, music, PE, and STEM classes.

May 21
Space Rescue Mission 
– Participants will play Turing Tumble, a revolutionary new game where players build mechanical computers powered by marbles to solve logic puzzles, during this event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Franklin Public Library. Participants will use our Turing Tumble computer boards to solve up to 60 logic puzzles! The participants will build these mechanical computers by placing bits, ramps, crossovers, interceptors, gears, and gear bits onto the computer board in a way that leads the different colored marbles down the board to solve the puzzle.  Each puzzle solved gets Alia, the space engineer, closer to rescue from a forgotten planet! The day is geared toward grades 3 to 12. Please call (814-432-5062) or stop into the library to register for a one-hour time slot. 
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Additional information on programs in Meadville, Titusville, Emlenton, Parker and other nearby communities is available at the Remake Learning website find an event page that is searchable by area. ​​
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Franklin wants 'YOU' for their fourth of July celebrations

4/25/2022

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"“We want everyone to show us what July 4th means to them"
​- Ronnie Beith, Franklin events coordinator
From press release.
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The City of Franklin is inviting schools, churches, businesses, social groups and other organizations to participate in the 2002 Libertyfest Parade.

This year’s theme is “Red, White & YOU!”

“We want everyone to show us what July 4th means to them by walking, marching, riding, performing, building a float, riding a bike or any other creative way that they wish,” said Ronnie Beith, city events coordinator. “Is it patriotism, fireworks, cook-outs, wearing red, white and blue, family get-togethers, concerts in the park, children's penny carnival, parades, taking a float trip, patriotic music? There are so many possible ways to express our love of country and community and we hope to see a wide variety in this year’s parade.”
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Step off for the annual parade, which is part of a week-long celebration in our small-town America, will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 2 with a line-up starting at 10 a.m. Like in years past, the parade route will start on 13th Street near city hall and end on Liberty Street near the intersection with 11th Street. Larger vehicles will continue on to Washington Crossing to exit the parade.

Parade coordinator Allison Myers will be accepting parade registrations through June. 
Email agerwick@franklinpa.gov or call 814-437-1922 ext. 1115.

There is no cost to participate and cash prizes will be given to the top entries, including $300 for best overall, $250 for first place, $200 for second, $150 for third, $125 for fourth, $100 for fifth, $75 for sixth and $50 for seventh. This year’s parade sponsors are Franklin Moose 83 and UPMC Northwest.
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Additional information on all the 4th of July week festivities will be posted online at the city’s event website www.franklinpa.gov/events as well as on the event’s Facebook page @FranklinPAEvents. 

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Family learning day combines bikes and books

4/25/2022

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Oil City Area School District's Science, Technology, Engineering and Math teachers will hold a Books and Bike Remake Learning Day from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15 at the Oil Creek State Park bike trail. 

The day gives families a chance to walk or bike to different stations set up along a half section of the trail near Petroleum Centre in order learn while they exercise and enjoy nature. 

The first station will include a story read by an engineer or person who works in the STEM field. The second station will be a STEM challenge, and the third station will be a trail talk and treat. Students will collect artifacts at each station. The first 100 participants to complete all three stations and fill out their cards will earn a prize. 

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Students and families can come at any time during the event, but the last group must start at 2:30. Families can choose to walk or bike during the event. Participants must have their own bike and helmets. The day is geared toward familes and students in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 7.   ​

The day is being organized by Oil City teachers Steph Staub and Sarah Seaton in cooperation with the Oil Creek State Park and the Hasson Little Library. 
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Registration for the event is encourage, but not required. It can be done through the group's Remake Learning page. 

According to the organization's website: Remake Learning Days Across America is a celebration of innovative experiences and opportunities for youth to develop their sense of creativity, perseverance and curiosity. Remake Learning Days is a festival of events hosted by a variety of organizations, such as schools, museums, libraries, after school organizations, early child care centers, universities, media centers, tech startups and more. These events are designed to be hands-on, relevant and engaging educational experiences for youth of all ages (pre-K through high school) and their families, caregivers and educators.

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The buzzword at the library is oddly "buzz"

4/22/2022

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The bee observation hives are expected to return to the libraries in Oil City and Franklin. Library director Dan Flaherty said he isn't sure if the observation hives have brought folks to the library but has seen how important they are. "People really have come to expect them and incorporate them into their visits,," he said.

​He also sees how the bees are good ice breakers for newcomers.

"I'm often long-winded and over speak to people with a million things the library does," he said admitting this overwhelms folks. Pointing to the bees seems to really help people get interested in all the services, "Something clicks in their brains, 'Oh, wow. Real bees!' Then they seem to tune in with a little more awareness to the other "new" things we introduce to them.  To me, that bridge goes a long way." 

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Flaherty likes how the displays bring more awareness to bees in general. In this month's library newsletter, he put in a message from beekeeper ​Debra Houser who also works at the Franklin library.

"Isn’t it wonderful to feel the warm days returning to our area?

The honeybees agree! On sunny days, the hives at HouserHoney Apiary are buzzing with activity. The queens are laying eggs and the worker bees are foraging for the pollen and nectar needed for the colonies to thrive. (The drones are hanging out waiting for virgin queens to emerge…) Soon there will be enough bees & brood to assemble the observation hives for the Franklin and Oil City libraries and move them in for the summer. I’m hoping to get them installed in time for Earth Day, April 22, depending on the weather!

In the meantime, if you see a swarm that can be collected I hope you will give me a call at 814-657-4510 (leave a message with date, time, location & your contact info). Swarms that are installed in a hive have a much better chance of survival than those that move into your walls or attic. If I can capture them before they move in, it’s better for all of us. For extractions or cutouts, please call a pest control company & see if they can direct you to a specialist.

Do you need a beekeeping mentor? I have plenty of opinions and information to share. Do you need to buy bees? I can help you find local stock. Do you need a speaker for a beekeeping presentation? Depending on the audience I can help with that too. Thank you for visiting the observation hives, and thank you for your interest in pollinators!"
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Historic preservation awards to be presented

4/21/2022

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The Oil Region Alliance will celebrate the winners of the Historic Preservation Awards Wednesday, May 4 at a free in-person event at the Christ Episcopal Church in Oil City, beginning at 6 p.m.

The evening will begin with hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m., a tour of the building/sanctuary at 6:45 p.m., and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend the award ceremony, but pre-registration is appreciated. E-mail jgorman@oilregion.org to register. ​
 
“After canceling 2020’s event because of the pandemic, I’m pleased that we are holding the Oil Region Historic Preservation Awards in person for 2022,” said event organizer Jennifer Burden,​Oil Region Alliance Heritage Program Manager.  The 2021 the awards were given in a virtual event.

 “It’s important to recognize and celebrate historic preservation efforts throughout the Oil Region.”
 
Nominations were accepted in March and voted on by a panel of judges representing the following sponsor organizations: Crawford County Historical Society, Franklin Preservation Association, Friends of Drake Well, Inc., Heritage Society of Oil City, Oil City Main Street Program, Oil Region Alliance, Titusville Historical Society, Titusville Renaissance, Inc., Venango County Historical Society, and the Venango Museum of Art, Science & Industry.

The 2022 Oil Region Historic Preservation Award Winners are:
  • Hidden Heritage publication for Historic Appreciation, nominated by the Heritage Society of Oil City
  • Grove Hill Cemetery Publications and Tours for Historic Appreciation, nominated by the Heritage Society of Oil City
  • St. Titus Roman Catholic Church for Preservation Stewardship, nominated by the Titusville Historical Society 
  • The Brundred Carriage House for Reconstruction by Roberta and Gerald Kahler and Elizabeth Giuseffi, nominated by Ron Gustafson of Gustafson General Contracting
  • Lynn Cressman for Historic Appreciation, nominated by Titusville Renaissance, Inc. 
  • Olive Vault, Homegrown Kitchen, and Coffee in Between for Preservation Stewardship of their building at 1247 Liberty St., Franklin, nominated by Venango County Historical Society 
  • Barr’s Insurance for Preservation Stewardship for its building at 257 Seneca St., Oil City, nominated by Oil City Main Street Program
 
The Oil Region Historic Preservation Awards is part of the ORA’s celebration of Historic Preservation Month, held each May. The program recognizes appropriate preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation projects, as well as individuals and groups committed to historic preservation. It creates an advocacy for historic preservation and enhances a regional historic preservation ethic within the Oil Region National Heritage Area.
 
The region includes all of Venango County, the Borough of Hydetown, the City of Titusville and Oil Creek Township in Crawford County.
 
Eligible structures must be within the Oil Region and at least 50 years old. Eligible projects include interior and exterior work in public buildings and exterior work in privately owned buildings. Once an individual or project has received an award, it is not eligible again for another five years.
 
The program has presented more than 150 awards since 1997.
 
Contact Burden at jburden@oilregion.org or 814-677-3152 x 116 for more information.

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Host a National Night Out community building program

4/21/2022

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The United Way of Venango County, along with UPMC Health Plan, is inviting small community committees to apply for a mini-grant to hold a National Night Out event in their community or neighborhood. 

National Night Out is an annual community-building program that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. 

The goal is to make our neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live and work.

​Most communities celebrate National Night Out by hosting block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other various community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more. 

The grant applications will be open from May 1 until May 31. They can be found online at unitedwayofvenangocounty.org.

Awards will be announced to recipients on June 10. 

The National Night Out Grants, unlike traditional United Way grants, are not restricted to 501(c)3 non-profits. These grants may be applied to by individuals or small neighborhood committees looking to strengthen their communities. Grant recipients must agree to and sign United Way’s funding agreement, which lays out the maximum approved amount and the way reimbursements will be handled. United Way does encourage partnerships with agencies and organizations that may be more familiar with the process and likely to help. 

The United Way of Venango County has been working towards reducing the number of Venango County residents struggling to meet their health, education, and income needs by 2025. The United Way knows basic needs are the first way to reduce the struggles of everyday life. One of our most basic human needs is to connect with other people. When you build a relationship within your community, it is the start to becoming more financially stable, according to the United Way's press release.

If you are interested in helping to sponsor an event through a monetary donation, please contact the
United Way, or donate online via the National Night Out tab at unitedwayofvenangocounty.org. 

If you have any questions, call the United Way at 814-676-6545 or email jennifer@uwvenango.org.

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Chamber launching program to connect teachers to local industry

4/21/2022

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The Venango Chamber of Commerce is launching VenangoREADY, its new workforce preparedness initiative for Venango Area educators, including teachers, school counselors and administrators.

To kick things off, the chamber will hold an open house event from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at the Klapec Warehouse at 1355 Allegheny Blvd., Reno, PA 16343. VenangoREADY presentations and prize drawings will be given at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Food and drink will also be available.
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There will also be an option to take tours at the Reno locations of Klapec Trucking, Komatsu and Webco and meet other local industry businesses.

Teachers, who bring required information, can receive Act 48 hours for attending.


Go to the chamber's website to register for the event.
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Preserve and grow history in Titusville

4/17/2022

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 The Oil Region Alliance will hold a family-friendly Earth Day Celebration 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 23 at the Tarbell House in Titusville.
 
Children ages 4 - to 11 and their families can partake in hands-on ecological themed activities and learn about backyard scientist and 1880 Allegheny College biology graduate (and later investigative journalist) Ida Tarbell at her childhood home at 324 E. Main St. 
 
This event will feature a story time with Miss Becky from Benson Memorial Library. Titusville Council on the Arts Executive Director Sarah Miller will lead a craft. Representatives from the PA Bureau of Forestry will provide displays and activities about trees. Earth Day-themed take-home items and snacks will also be offered.
 
This event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

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Summer program encourages bowling and biking

4/15/2022

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Buffalo Street Lanes in Franklin is accepting registrations for their sixth year of the free Bike to Bowl program for Venango County kids.

The seven-week program runs on Tuesdays from June 14 to July 26.

Participants sign up for one of two sessions 3 to 5 p.m. or 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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At each session, participants will receive free bowling, shoe rental, three slices of pizza, water and applesauce. This year all participants will also receive a free Bike to Bowl water bottle and hooded sweatshirt. 

Youth, who must be between the ages of 5 and 18 as of June 14, are encouraged to walk or ride their bike to the alley for added exercise.
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The sessions are to play and no formal instruction will be provided. Parents of all participants may attend as well and are required to do so for youth aged 8 and younger. 

At the end of the summer, a brand new bike will be given to one participant through a random drawing. Bowlers will be entered to win each time they attend a session.

Space is limited and must be reserved prior to the start of the program. For additional information or to register a participant, contact Ryan and Jess Rudegeair at 814-432-4310 or buffalostreetlanes@gmail.com. 

Click here for the registration form.

The program is sponsored by the Venango Center for Creative Development and the Edward & Jessie L. Peter’s Trust.
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