Eight & 322/Eight & 27 - Eight & 322

PHOTOS: Rock-n-roll school is in session at the Barrow

9/26/2023

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 roll 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 roll he always wanted to play and it shows. His kid band mates 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 the music is good to.

A lot more than just football in this Route 8 rivalry

9/17/2023

A rivalry is fun. In 145 meeting since the late 1800s Oil City holds a slight edge over the Knights, mostly due to the last 30 years where the Oilers have won 24 times. Prior to that Franklin held a bit of the advantage.

But that's just on the field and though there is a lot of rivalry among the fans, the cheers, bands and more importantly, who can raise more money for the Kirkland Cancer Foundation.

But even more than that going on, there are families with friends on both sides and there is the care for each other as members of the same community. Other than playing against each other there is a great deal of rooting for the other.

So when number 44, Hayden Wilson could be seen walking along the sideline, it isn't a stretch that everyone who knew that the young man the young man was life-flighted from a game a week prior was happy to see him there.

Or when Franklin head coach Matt Turk wanted to take a photo with Oil City seniors like Henry Milford, it shows the community family of the rivalry. “I’ve been fighting them for four years," the coach joked. "I tried trading for (Milford), but they wouldn't have it."

Sports, if thought of as means to bring people together, can be a powerful tool of growth. Yes sometimes we let the desire to win permeate the vessel,
but, if we look objectively at how it can truly bring us face to face, we can see it is truly good.

Saturday many things were happening beyond the game, and if you look closely you can see every week it is the same.

We just need to check our ego and preconceptions at the gate.

And look at the whole picture.

Please see more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p250189774

Twelve halftime shows in one night

9/10/2023

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.

Schools represented were:

Oil City
Franklin
Titusville
Keystone
Lakeview
Cambridge Springs
Warren
Conneaut Area
Fort LeBoeuf
Brockway
West Middlesex
Sharpsville

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

See almost 300 photos from Music in Oil Country here: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p822300408

'Your heartbeat will always live here inside of us'

9/1/2023

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." - Maya Angelo

"Ronnie did her best to change the part of the world that God put her in," said Jeff Corbett, the long-time sound technician who Ronnie Beith relied on heavily over the last decade and a half.

Ronnie Beith was the Franklin events coordinator, the person who put the community's stamp on everything she touched. She created a legacy of events and entertainment small towns the size of Franklin don't usually get. Thursday night through a tribute concert at Bandstand Park, the community thanked and remembered Ronnie for, not just everything she did, but how she made them feel.

Franklin lost its greatest champion this past winter when Ronnie just couldn't battle her failing body anymore. After a heart issue a few years back she continued to work tirelessly function on only about 30% of her heart. However 30% of Ronnie Beith's heart was still four times the size of most.

Hundreds of people turned out for a concert by performers from one of Ronnie's favorite events - the annual Taste of Talent vocal competition. (Disclaimer every event was one of Ronnie's favorites. They were all like her children.)

Along with a song, most performers shared something about how Ronnie had touched their lives through her words or her actions. Had Ronnie been there, she would've deflected humbly. Then she would have put her hands to her heart and just loved that people came to honor her by sharing their talents once again to a park full of community members that she likely knew most by name. Likely helped in some way or another. 100s of them.

There weren't too many people who loved music more Ronnie. And there likely wasn't anyone who championed local talent to reach beyond themselves to succeed as much as she did. She would do anything she could to help.

That's why there were tears... lots of tears. All night long.

The show opened with a flashmob style performance of the Franklin All-star cheerleaders followed by the organizers Nathaniel Licht, Tammi Dahl-Matthews and Rachael Mellor singing "Amazing Grace," one of Ronnie's favorite gospel songs.

Then Joey Lillard told about the song he sang years ago during a Taste of Talent competition. He remembered Ronnie gushing over his choice to sing Elton John's "Your Song." She told him how that song was important to her and her husband Bill.

As Lillard told this story lumps were already forming in the throats of audience members.

Joni Zacherl then delivered a powerful performance, worthy of another Taste of Talent championship, of " Someone to Watch over Me." She told the crowd that despite the theme of the song being about romance, the title was fitting with Ronnie still looking over us.

These two performers were prime examples of Ronnie's legacy. Past Taste of Talent winners still out there delivering to the community in big ways.

Hunter Cook just came out to play for Ronnie. He admitted he hadn't played in about two years, but wanted to sing a Ronnie favorite - John Denver's "Country Roads." He then got the whole crowd to sing along with him. Something that, if you had watched Ronnie over the years, you'd see her singing right along too.

Tyler Carson credited Ronnie for giving him the confidence to become an artist. He and Kaylene Dunkle performed a powerful duet of "All I Ask of You."

Then the tears really started flowing when Taste of Talent veteran Tim Craver took the stage.

Soon after Ronnie's death Craver took pen to paper to honor Ronnie by reworking the words of Elton John's "Candle in the Wind." He was encouraged to perform his version for the tribute concert crowd. "Goodbye Franklin's Rose" set the tone for the rest of the words, some Taupin/John, some Craver.
"...You called out to our city
And you brought us together again...
And your heartbeat will always live here,
Inside of us who love you still...
All our words cannot express,
The joy you brought us through the years...
Goodbye, Franklin’s Rose
May you ever grow in our hearts...
From a city lost without your soul,
Who miss the wings of your compassion,
More than you will ever know....
Your candle’s burned out long before,
Your legend ever will."

Probably no other words expressed the evening better than "And your heartbeat will always live here, inside of us."

Ashleigh Bennett performed an original song. First she told a story about Ronnie encouraging her to perform that would likely help her win the Taste of Talent and that original songs aren't familiar to the voting audience and often don't result in votes.
Bennett said she decided to perform her own composition, titled "Reflections," anyway. Ronnie approached her afterwards giving her a hug and thanking her for not listening to her prior advice. She was then one of Ashleigh's biggest fans. "Thanks for believing in me Ronnie," Bennett said.

Chris Miller brought up a band including Licht and Rachel Mellor to sing "Heaven." He told the crowd after intruding everyone, "Ronnie would’ve loved seeing us all collaborating on this."

Ruth Herrick, a recent Taste of Talent participant who came back to singing after losing her husband, was a
recent favorite of Ronnie's and the feeling was mutual. She said how she, like many others, met Ronnie and loved her immediately. "She is, was and always will be the wind beneath my wings,"
After she performed the Bette Midler classic "Wind Beneath my Wings," the crowd gave her a round of applause. "I love you Ronnie," she said.

Past Taste champion, Ian Best, like almost every other performer, had a story that involved a Ronnie hug. His rendition of "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" moved Ronnie who made sure he knew that. He picked that song to sing at the tribute in part because of that, but also because the lyrics reflect someone who is always there for you. "Ronnie was the constant for all of us, for the entire community. Ronnie was the constant for everything around here."

Licht then performed the gospel number "There was Jesus" that Ronnie loved with Joe Thompson and Anna Lehnortt. "She loved without restriction," Licht said. "She greeted everyone like family. She treated everyone like her own children... I hope you leave here tonight with that love in your heart."

Another past champion Randy Moorehead brought back a story about his performance of Bette Midler's "The Rose" where he passed out roses to important people in the crowd saving the last one for Ronnie. He chose to sing that song again, this time holding one rose that he eventually placed on an empty chair positioned where Ronnie always sat.

Mellor later said she was holding herself together pretty well up to that point. A lot of tears were shed at that moment.

The second Taste of Talent winner Kevin Downing, along with his current singing partner Brianna Erdman, sang "The Prayer." Licht described as one of the most popular Taste of Talent songs over the years.

Closing out the evening, the long-time sound guru Corbett strapped on his guitar and was joined by a band including his son Tony, lifelong friend Nelson Porter, and Licht.
Corbett talked about his 15 years working with Ronnie. "All of Ronnie’s ideas and dreams... It’s been a privilege."

They chose to sing an Eric Clapton tune called "If I Could Change the World." Corbett said the world is a big place and that the best we can hope to do is change the part of where we live, and that's something that was Ronnie.

At the end of the concert, all past performers from Taste of talent were invited up on stage for a "We are the World"-style rendition of "Lean on Me."

Mellor said the last words of the night to cap the whole tribute off... "We love you Ronnie."

Editor's note: This story was edited from the original. We inadvertently left out the YMCA cheerleaders in our initial post. Our apologies.

Twelve halftime shows all in one night

8/28/2023

To see more photos from last year's event please visit https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p390515015

The annual Music in Oil Country marching band festival will feature 12 schools showing off their talents and 2023 halftime routines.

The event “where it’s halftime all night long” is a fundraiser for the Oil City High School music program, which is getting ready to purchase new marching band uniforms. According to music director Dan Cartwright, it was 2009 the last time a new set of uniforms at a cost of $50,000. He suspects it will be more this time around.

Beyond the fundraising aspect, Cartwright says there is a greater benefit to the festival. "The purpose of the festival is not only to give area marching bands a great event and venue to perform at, but for participants to meet and mingle with kids from all over the area who do the same thing every week," he said. "There are no contests or rivalries, just an evening to celebrate the countless hours that each school puts into their show each season."

The following 12 schools from seven counties will perform:

Oil City Oiler Marching Band
Franklin Black Knight Marching Band
Titusville Rocket Marching Band
Keystone Panther Marching Band
Lakeview Sailor Marching Band
Cambridge Springs Marching Blue Devils
Warren Dragon Marching Band
Conneaut Area Eagle Marching Band
Fort LeBoeuf Stampede of Sound
Brockway Rover Marching Band
West Middlesex Big Red Marching Band
Sharpsville Blue Devils Marching Band

The festival kicks off at 7 p.m. on September 9 at Oil City High School. Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5. As in years past, there will also be raffles, concessions, a bake sale, candy grams and air grams.

The event will go on if it rains but will move indoors to the gymnasium where the bands will crowd the basketball court.

For those who can't make the show, the Oil City High School broadcasting team will livestream the event. Anyone wishing to support the band's fundraising efforts can also send checks payable to OCASD with the Oil Marching Band in the memo line.

For questions, contact Daniel Cartwright at dcartwright@mail.ocasd.org.

To see more photos from last year's event please visit https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p390515015

Adding rocks to the river 2,979 skips at a time

8/20/2023

The Allegheny/French Creek confluence is a little rockier after this past weekend's Rock in River festival. In the professional competition alone, 120 circular-ish - flat stones brought from all over the place are now part of Venango County.

A rock can take millions of years to create. Once it is created it can sit in the same places for 1,000s of years. Rock skippers look for the perfect ones they think might have the right shape, weight and aerodynamics to sail barely touching the surface of the water over and over again before it dives in or loses its forward momentum and drops.

These old rocks may confuse archaeologists someday, but they have found a new home in the rust belt.

Some rocks really shine seemingly to endlessly go while others end in a rather unceremonious keplunk. Some skippers make special trips to favorite spots to find their choice rocks and collect all year, others will
bring a couple handfuls to the river bank.

Some bring rocks to share.

In the championship pro division Saturday the 20 competitors managed to make 120 stones skip nearly 3,000 times. There was also a youth and amateur division

The competition's winner had a single skip of 50 and the cumulative high total of 179, 11 better than his closest challenger on the day.

For the second year in a row the Pennsylvania stone skipping champion was Tidioute's Andy "Big Rock" Severns. Second was Baltomore's Enzo Ferrari and third was Aiden Woolsey down from Buffalo. Competitors came from as far away as Soquel, California. One Canadian, who is a past winner made the trip again as well. Quincy, Massachusetts and a regular from Illinois. Eight states and one Canada Provence were represented.

Missing from this year was Kurt "The Mountainman" Steiner. The world-record holder is a perennial favorite of the competition but he was in Europe to skip stones for a music video for The Chemical Brothers and Beck. Stone skipping fame comes with a price sometimes.

A lot of the usual faces were there. Dave "The Spiderman" Ohmer with his sons' David "Chicken foot" Ohmer and Luke "Electric Luke Orchestra" Ohmer, Dan "The Canadian" Quayle , Dana "Panda" Olson and Mike "Air-tight Alibi" Willianson.

But two regulars, besides the Mountainman, were not there. A moment of silence for one of the event founders Ronnie Beith and another annual skipper Aaron "The Kraken" McCracken was observed. A special moment was had for McCracken as Airtight Alibi sprinkled a small packet of McCracken's ashes along the shore. Then the fitting tribute of all throwers getting along the edge to throw a rock in unison to honor their friends.

McCracken was the second-place winner last year while he was in mid-battle and getting chemotherapy treatments. Beith has been Franklin's event coordinator for years. They both passed away since last year's festival.

See more photos from Saturday's event here: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p54911288

A few more photos from Saturday's event are below.

Second night of Bridgefest rocked

8/20/2023

Bridgefest Saturday had both ends of Veteran's Bridge rocking with tunes from 4 to 10 p.m.. There were spirits to drink, art to look at, chalk to draw with and many vendors selling their work and food. Kaleb Lewis also gave a professional movie level make-up demonstration.

Hundreds of people gathered on the bridge throughout the day to take advantage of the second day.

Below are a few photos from the event.

Bridgefest kicked off with a crowded Center Street event

8/18/2023

The annual two-day festival that utilizes the Center street span on Friday and the Veteran's Bridge on Saturday kicked off with a family friendly event yesterday.

The Center Street Bridge event was sponsored by Oil City Main Street who, just a few days ago, lost their leader, Kathy Bailey, after a long battle with cancer. Maureen James, who was there helping out, said people wondered if the event would be cancelled after Bailey passed away. "Kathy would kill us if we cancelled it," she said. Bailey, was instrumental in the Center Street LED illumination and it spawned the first Bridgefest-like event in 2017. Then Bailey, with Main Street, and Kay Woods, through the arts council, decided in 2018 to turn it into two bridge, two-day event.

Last night Mitch Littler, HOLeY Jeans and the Oil City Marching Band helped draw hundreds to Center Street while children's games where under the steal arched beams of the historic bridge. The renovated bridge is the iconic symbol of the Main Street Program. John Manders' characitures, putt-putt golf and sometimes a crashing Jenga game, food and face painting, arts and crafts, some fun and some important conversations, George Etzel's Kung-Fu kids demonstrating, and kids running around everywhere were just part of the event. Oh and there were clowns and balloons galore.

It was a successful kickoff for the weekend event now in its six year. Bailey most likely would've been smiling ear to ear with this year's turnout.

The event continues today kicking-off around 4 p.m. on the long Veterans Bridge and is expected to go on rocking until 10 p.m.

On the calendar are The Dogs of March who will start things off at 4 p.m. as crafters, and other tables line the length of the bridge along with beer and wine vendors. Find the Arts Council canopied table to learn out how to partake.

Like clockwork, The Time Keepers will take over the music duties at 6 p.m. and play until around eight when the last band has the elixir to cap off the fun festival. Uncle Ben's Remedy willl play from eight to close at 10 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public.. Below are more photos from Friday evening's event.

Saturday September 16

Black Knight marching band is gearing up for the season

8/17/2023

Pajama pants, tank tops, old ratty T-shirts, unmatched socks, and shorts will all be replaced soon with red, black and white uniforms as the Franklin Black Knight Marching Band begins its season on the opening night of football August 25.

Director Steve Johnston said this will be a fairly routine year with no big planned trips, though they will be fundraising for another trip to Washington D.C in 2025.

He said just ask a band member about the fundraisers and how you can get your hands on frozen cookie dough before Thanksgiving to enjoy whenever you need a chocolate chip cookie fix.

They will also hold an October hoagie sale and a couple more fundraisers in the spring. The fundraisers help with several band needs. But the main purpose is to help provide what Johnston calls "a once-in-a-lifetime experience" - marching in the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. So they are looking for lots of hoagie loving, cookie craving, music supporting friends to get ahold of a band member to support their efforts.

As for this year's schedule, the Pride of Pennsylvania will make a smaller trip up north to perform at an Erie Otters game. They are also expected to help support their friends in Oil City by participating in the annual Music in Oil Country, which begins at 7 p.m. on Sept. 9.

They will make their annual visits to downtown Franklin Applefest and Light Up Night.

"Applefest is always one of my favorite performances because we get to proudly represent our hometown in front of thousands of people in one of the most picturesque settings possible," Johnston said.

Johnston is very proud of his kids and how they work hard in summer band camp to be ready for when the bleachers are full of people at halftime of games all season.

"As always, the Franklin High School Black Knight Marching Band presents one of the most entertaining and energetic marching band shows in the country, " Johnston said. This year's halftime show will include "Shout It Out," "Feel It Still," "Poker Face," "Hot Hot Hot" and "I’m Shipping Up To Boston."

Johnston said they'll likely have other music they'll throw in the mix as well.

Johnston sees the future as a growing opportunity for Franklin and Rocky Grove musicians. COVID and a smaller than usual group coming through the elementary school has shrunk the Black Knight's to a modest 90 members. Generally they are well over 100 members. He doesn't think it will hinder the power of the performances.

Powerful percussion and famed white boots of the band front will still be front and center.

Earlier this week Johnston and his assistants were fine tuning the routines.

Johnston, with only about as long as it takes to perform a song left in practices, yelled down from the bleachers where he was watching the lineups and movement. "I know you're hot; I know you're tired and I know we haven't done this much yet, but I just want to run through 'Poker Face' once. I know it's going to be rough, but let's do it before we go."

Not a single moan could be heard from the bleachers. The squad just got into position and waited for the signal to go. When they were done Johnston, who the band affectionately calls J, yelled down to them, "Wow, that actually wasn't that bad."

"Percussion, I know you are the target of my wrath, most of the time," Johnston also said. "But I am proud of you. That was really good. Keep it up."

"Percussionists are an interesting breed who need that 'extra attention'," Johnston joked later when asked about the comment. Johnston's bands have been long known for their powerful drums and blasting horns.

Not to mention the well choreographed Silks and Knightettes.

On August 25, the band play the National Anthem before the Knight football home opener at 7 p.m. against Titusville. They will debut their halftime routine that night as well.

Innovation institute summer camp was a success

8/15/2023

"Camp was amazing.," said Franklin based Innovation Institute for Tomorrow (ii4t) founder Tim Heffernan, The had 45 day-campers at their second floor Liberty Street intensive VEX IQ and VEX VS robotics and technology program last week.

The five-day camp was for elementary and middle school aged kids and primarily run by high school aged leaders under the oversight of the institute.

"I said stop." Miller Hawks was speaking to his robot that didn't quite do what he thought it would based on the coding he completed. Camp leader Andy Costner came over and they went over the code, found the issue and corrected it. Hawks actually found it before Costner did and made the changes and tried again. This time it worked. "Good Boy," Hawks said to his bot that he built. Though he talked to his bot he admits he hasn't named it.

Costner, a North Clarion grad who had great successes in the VEX Robotics programs run through the ii4t organization, said the camp was going really well "The younger kids are eating it up," he said.

They had two sessions each day of the five day camp. Morning was for the younger kids and the afternoon for the middle/high school age kids. Some, like Hawks, stayed to participate in both.

Heffernan said they are working to get the building ready for even more, but they are now running around getting schools and competitions set up all over the region.

"We’ll be running some workshops this fall and winter for robotics and drones," Heffernan said. "We are also planning a fall Open House so the community can stop in and see what we are all about."

He said the institute will have fall hours for kids to come use the facility. They'll figure out that schedule as soon as school gets underway and they gauge the needs.

Heffernan said that the sustainability plan is a priority as well as getting programming in the schools moving ahead as the school year nears. Below are some more photos from the afternoon camp last week.

Silver Cornet summer season finale Thursday

8/13/2023

The Franklin Silver Cornet Band will wrap up its Thursday night concert of the season at 7 p.m. on August 17 in Bandstand Park. The series is sponsored by the Franklin Fine Arts Council.

The 167-year-old group, which is one of the nation's oldest volunteer community bands, will hit the road to play at a one-day festival to mark the region's oldest commercial oil wells.

The Drake Day - Music in the Park, which marks the 164th anniversary of the Drake Well oil strike event, will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 26 at the Drake Well Museum. Admission fees will be collected.

Silver Cornet Band will play at noon. Mitch Littler, Mostly Brass Band and the Queen City Community Band are also on the schedule for the day.

Auction helps raise funds in memory of 4Her

8/11/2023

There are always tears shed at the annual livestock auction at the Venango County Fair. The young 4Hers raise their animals and, though they know why, it doesn't stop them from getting attached.

But the tears Friday night were also for the memory of Maddie Johnson, who passed away in an accident in December. The auction organizers decided to have a couple animals auctioned for a fund in Maddie's name that will help with the future of the fair and its participants.

Maddie Johnson loved her brown Swiss dairy cows, her friend Madison Doyle said. She showed Maddie's cows this year and the benefits from the cheese yield auction from one of her cows went to the fund.

Maddie had also begun raising a beef cow named Lucky. Her brother Kyle took over the project and showed Lucky all spring and summer up to the auction.

The proceeds from Lucky's sale as well as others Friday night will go to the Maddie Johnson Memorial Fund to be used on improvements to the fairgrounds, sponsorship awards and scholarships.

Maddie's mom Holly said that around $40,000 was raised in Maddie's memory.

This is a photograph I took of Maddie on the first day of the Venango County Fair in 2016 for The Derrick and The News-Herald.

"Our community is so supportive," Holly Johnson said after the auction.

The will be an ongoing fund to be used for years to come to benefit the fair that Maddie loved, according to the family. Johnson said that donations will be accepted at the fairgrounds and checks made out to the Maddie Johnson Memorial Fund can be mailed to 867 Mercer Road, Franklin, PA, 16323.

Below are more photos from the early part of Friday's auction.

The fair continues Saturday with a full day of fun activities beginning with antique tractor pulls in the morning and ending with the demo derby and fireworks at night.

Venango County Fair continues Friday with popular livestock auction

8/10/2023

Barrow celebrates its 30th in 'Technicolor'

8/8/2023

You only turn 30 once, so it should be a big celebration.

The Barrow-Civic Theatre is marking their 30th anniversary with a collection of songs from "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat."

They are inviting everyone to come help mark this milestone, see some quality local entertainment and be a part of starting the next three decades.

There will be four performances over two weekends - 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 11, 12 and 19 and at 2 p.m. on Aug. 20.

For an hour before each show, a reception will be held in the Barrow's Little Theatre with a cash bar, refreshments and brand new merchandise.

There are still plenty of tickets for show, which is a fundraiser for the theater that replaced its stage flooring this past year.

Below are some more photos from our tech week sneak peak of the performance.

See more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p36951063

See more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p36951063

See more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p36951063

Worth the trip

8/7/2023

As her mom wiped tears from her eyes, Lexie Gilson looked out on a crowd of over 700 cheering fans, many giving her a standing ovation. The 17-year-old Mifflintown singer had just wowed the crowd with her rendition of the "I Have Nothing," a song made popular by Whitney Houston.

Gilson gave the final regular performance of the 14th annual Taste of Talent vocal competition Sunday evening.

It seemed obvious by the crowd's reaction that the vote tallying would just a formality and Gilson would soon be announced as the 2023 Taste of Talent champion.

Gilson began her Taste of Talent journey a couple months ago when she sent in her audition and application materials for a competition she thought was in Franklin Township, a town not so far away from her home. When she was accepted as one of the elimination contest's 12 competitors, she and her mom, Bonita, still hadn't realized it was a different Franklin three hours away.

But they committed to do it and they didn't look back.

"Once we figured it out, I looked at mt mom and was like, 'what do you want me to do? I don't want to make you drive three hours if you don't want to,' but she has always taught me that once you commit to something there's no going back," Gilson said. "So we drove three hours for six weeks."

It was worth the trip.

Gilson knew if she was going to be in the competition she had to prepare several songs just in case she did make it to the finals. "I had sticky notes posted (indicating) I would sing this and this and this..." she said. Saving the Whitney Houston song for last was intentional and the crowd appeared to appreciate that she did.

Each week she would prepare a new song, but singing them all while keeping to a practice schedule careful not to wear out her voice, she said. On Saturday, after being named one of the four finalists, Gilson still had two songs to polish for her final day, but she and her mom stayed over in Franklin in a hotel. She didn't rehearse her final two songs that night, but on Sunday they asked the hotel staff if it would be allowed to practice in the room. "After everybody left, they let me sing," she said.

Whatever she did to prepare worked. Her first song of the night, "Can't Help Falling in Love," had folks singing along and her final song just knocked people's socks off.

The Juniata High School senior thanked Franklin for their kindness and support right from the start. "It was just my mom and I and I know we didn't vote me through."

"I'm just so proud," her mom said. "She has worked so hard. Even over COVID she kept taking voice lessons over the computer and she practices all the time. This is what she just loves."

During the semi-final round, Lexie got a little emotional telling the crowd that she decided to be a musical theater major in college to follow her dreams, hoping to go to Penn State. After the standing ovation on Sunday, one of the contest judge's Tammi Dahl Matthews told her "Let this be your flag that you're headed in the right direction."

The other 2023 finalist were Alexander Karg, Ruth Herrick and Alexis Jack.

The weather held off for the final despite the forecast of rain. This year's event was bittersweet as each week the competition's founder Ronnie Beith was remembered. Often they spoke about sense of family and community that Beith embodied. The show's emcee Randy Moorehead, a past winner himself summed it up after Gilson won. "You are now one of us."

Taste of Talent winners
2010 Lyric McCommons
2011 Kevin Downey
2012 Rachel Mellor and Hunter Cook
2013 Lauren Snyder
2014 Nathaniel Licht
2015 Bailey Jones
2016 Randy Morehead
2017 Lauren Skelley
2018 Connor Raymond
2019 Joey Lillard and Joni Zacherl
2020 Gloria Mancilla-Balog
2021 Ian Best and Scott Gressley
2022 Kaleb Beichner
2023 Lexie Gilson

Venango County Fair

8/6/2023

It's fair week in Venango County.

The annual agricultural event officially started Saturday with entry and animal check-in and a rodeo. Sunday had a laid-back schedule that ended with a queen crowning and a vigil in memory of Maddie Johnson, a long-time 4H member who died in a car accident last winter.

Today, the main events are the goat shows at 9 and 11 a.m. and the sheep show at 3 p.m. There will also be horse shows at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m, as well as judging of non-animal entries in several buildings.

October 21 Franklin Pa.

Tuesday will kick off with the hog show at 9 a.m., a horse show at 10 a.m., a rabbit show at 2 p.m. and tractor and truck pulls at 6:30 p.m.

The popular beef show will start at 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The day will also include a horse show at 11 a.m., a dedication ceremony for a new historical plaque at 4 p.m. and the horse costume show as well as mini rod pulls at 7 p.m. It is also bluegrass night at the fair with the Pine Valley Boys playing at 7 p.m.

Thursday will include the dairy show at 10 a.m. The evening feature will be a Micro Wrestling show at 7 p.m. Tickets for the show must be purchased online at microwrestling.com/events/venangocountyfair.

The popular junior livestock and cheese yield auction will be held at 6 p.m. Friday. Earlier in the day the supreme senior livestock showmanship contest will be at 9 a.m.

Saturday will be the annual Autism Tough Day and Bacon Buddies at the fair. Find out more at the group's Facebook page. Also on Saturday, there will be antique tractor pulls at 9 a.m. and the senior livestock showmanship contest at 1 p.m. The day and the fair will end with a GSP Demolition Derby at 6 p.m.

The final four and fitting award honoring the spirit of the contest's founder

8/5/2023

Ronnie Beith would get embarrassed when singled out for her efforts to guide the many Franklin events, like the Taste of Talent vocal competition. Yet her name has been brought up over and over again this year as her friends and several Taste of Talent alums grapple with mourning her loss.

And so, the contest organizers decided to create a way to honor her memory - the Ronnie Beith Be the Helper Award - to go to the contestant who embodied the true spirit of camaraderie and support for their fellow competitors. Beith so loved to see over the years the way contestants supported each other, contest judge Rachel Mellor told the cord Saturday night.

"We are rewarding kindness in the name of our beloved Ronnie Beith," she said. The honoree was picked through voting by the top eight contestants prior to the start of Saturday's semi-final competition.

Tim Craver was chosen. Along with his weekly country tunes, multi-year contestant Craver is known for the way he stands off to the side and listens to every performer as well as the high fives or applause gives as they come off stage.

"I'm really thankful for all the support people have shown me over the years," he said after receiving the award. "I gotta thank Ronnie Beith for giving me a chance. She saw something in me, well, she heard something in me."

The eight performers in the competition Saturday would be cut to four by the 800 voters in the crowd. The four remaining - Alexander Karg, Lexie Gilson, Ruth Herrick and Alexis Jack will return for the 4 p.m. start Sunday, each will perform two songs.

Craver, Jessica Gahr, Matthew Myers and Lindsey Crabtree were thanked for the talents they have shared over the last month.

Below are some photos from the crowd during Saturday's performance.

Taste(y) weekend ahead

8/3/2023

See Taste of Talent photos from all 2023 nights so far here: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p966379420

At Franklin's Taste of Talent, judges offer critiques but the audience has the final say.

The panel of judges offers commentary after each performer finishes their song offers advice and acknowledges strengths. Their comments are not always a clue as to who will the one voted off each week. That is just the nature of the Taste of Talent Vocal Competition in Franklin.

"You were spot on with your pitch," judge Rachael Mellor said right after contestant number one Iris Callahan finished her version of "High and Dry" by Radiohead. "I want a recording of your version of this."

Fellow judge Tammi Dahl Matthews echoed Mellor in her praise. "I just love that you make each song you do, your own."

Based those glowing accounts it might have been a surprise to audience members that Callahan was the one who won't be performing this weekend in the Taste of Talent semi-finals Saturday after she was eliminated based on 850 overall vote collected on Thursday.

Those who moved on have already picked out their song for Saturday. Likely they are also practicing two additional songs in case they are one of the four who make it to Sunday's final where they will perform two songs each.

"Very impressive, let me remind everybody, for a 17-year-old voice," emcee Randy Morehead said about Lexi Gilson. "You have so much control of your voice," Matthews said. "Not everyone has that kind of control," Mellor echoed.

Jessica Gahr sang "Stay with Me," a Sam Smith tune that Mellor said was right inner wheelhouse. "That was a lovely performance, right in your comfort zone," she said.
"Great song choice," Matthews agreed. "I loved how you used your falsetto. It was really pretty."

Tim Craver didn't go far off-script for his proclivity for the country ballad. A Scott McCreary tune called "Five More Minutes" gave him a subtle way of saying he wanted more time to entertain the Taste of Talent audiences. "You are becoming quite the storyteller with your song choices," Matthews told him. "You're good at picking songs that pull at your heart strings," Mellor added. She also complimented him on changing his usual routine of going into the audience, rather moving from side to side of the stage. "You hit every part of the crowd."

Alexander Karg had many in the crowd singing along with Elton John's "Rocket Man" that her performed to a backing track instead of having his brother on guitar. Mellor said "We were down here vibing," Matthews said nodding in agreement with Mellor "Terrific song choice. I loved your confidence with your falsetto."

Morehead looked at Ruth Herrick after she sang "Out Here On My Own" and simply said "You're always having fun."

Matthews said, "We are just so blessed to have you, you interpret songs so beautifully."

Mellor touched on the emotion Herrick puts into her performances. "You feel it so much, so we feel it."

Another 17-year-old Matthew Myers got some oohs and ahh when he announced his choice of song, "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman." It also drew ahh after he sang it.

Mellor exclaimed "YES! I loved it. Your voice is so beautiful. I'm happy you chose to show us a little more of your range."
Matthews waved her hand toward the crowd and said, "Obviously the reaction of the crowd says it all, That was an awesome job."

Oil City's Lindsay Crabtree belted out a version of "Toxic" while playing an acoustic guitar.

"I really love what you bring to the table each time, the stage loves, you," Matthews said,

"Your smile lights up the whole park and that ending was "I'm doing it my way and I don't care'," Mellor said.

Alexis Jack was the last performer of the night and she chose the second Adele song of the night "Rolling in the Deep." Jack also changed up her normal routine this week, singing to a track instead of playing an instrument. The judges took notice even complimenting her little dance moves as she sang.

"It was nice you showed us more," Mellor told her. "I really loved how you changed it up with Adele."

Matthews put her motherly cap on for a minute and said "Great song choice young lady."

Though Morehead said he doesn't like the point in the show where someone is voted off, but otherwise it was perhaps his favorite week of performances of the summer.

Joe Thompson and Nathaniel Licht performed during the vote count.

Semi-finals will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday. Sunday's finals moves to 4 p.m. and each performer sings twice.

August 11, 12 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and August 20 at 2 p.m.

Star struck on early days of band camp

7/31/2023

"I gotta fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell."

Monday around mid-afternoon, instruments strewn across the track, the sound of rustling papers, a feedback laden mic'd up band director voice and.... a pounding of a cowbell keeping time reang across the Oil City football field. Drum major Matthew Myers kept the rhythm and band director Dan Cartwright rattled off numbers usually one to eight but other times starting in the middle.

It's band camp.

The Oiler Marching Band, often just called OMB were working their formations as the sun peaked in and out of what looked and felt like rain clouds, but without the rain. Around the 10 yard line a smaller member of the team was trying to catch up to the papers that the wind decided to make into a sail and send on a journey.

This year's half-time show titled Star Struck features the songs "Sky Full of Stars," "All-Star" and "Counting Stars." And it will feature instrument playing OMBers for sure, but first, getting the formations and footwork down needs attention.
Cartwright said he has an even 100 members this year, up from last year when the numbers were up from the previous near 80 members. The OMB program has grown in recent years, while many other programs struggle. He is happy about this but doesn't have a strict answer to why this is happening. "There were years we struggled to break 60," Cartwright said.

A strong freshman class and about 30 band front members has helped boost the numbers this year. "We're going to ride this high," he said.

At the end of camp on Friday, the band will perform a preview of their show at 6 p.m. at Pioneer Flats at Two Mile Run County Park.

They'll then be into the full season on August 25 at the Oiler's football season opener against Warren.

Their big marching band extravaganza known as Music in Oil Country is scheduled on September 9. This features several area high school bands and a college band comes to show the kids the next level.

Pride in Meadville

7/29/2023

"Here in Meadville we are spreading love and acceptance," Northwest Pennsylvania Pride President Alex Sphon told a crowd of more than 100 Saturday afternoon in Diamond Park in Meadville.

Allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community gathered for the annual event that has grown from just over 50 people five years ago for a march in Conneaut Lake to an afternoon festival with street vendors along Chestnut Street.

Sphon told the crowd that action is needed to move the Pennsylvania Fairness Act through congress though it's stalled. He also said the federal Equality Act is also not making much progress through the system. He urged those in attendance to contact legislators and get others involved in doing the same.

"We need to get these (pieces of legislation) moving. There are people who want to erase us from culture," Sphon emphasized.

Meadville Mayor Jaime Kinder urged action to change employment rules and more telling the crowd that votes can also be used with dollars urging people to support businesses that support equality. She emphasized that as mayor, she has their backs and will keep fighting for equality in Meadville.

Kinder was one of a half dozen speakers calling for more action towards equality. The event kicked off in Diamond Park featuring informative speakers and some drag performances. The crowd then marched around the park before heading down Chestnut Street for a street festival with vendors and informational tents.

There was no shortage of rainbow colors and support for one another. Below are more photos from the event.