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Witherup Fabrication & Erection named Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year

4/30/2023

When everyone gathered for the 110th annual Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce annual celebration, there were a handful of the 100-plus people who were in on a big secret. They were all part of the ruse to get Witherup Fabrication & Erection owners Greg Piercy (president) and Jason Woolcock (vice president) to attend.

At the end of the evening, to the delight of many in the room, they were named the 2023 Business of the Year.

“If this evening’s recipient is surprised, I will be so happy,” said chamber director Jodi Baker-Lewis before describing the business without revealing its name. “I’ll bet most of you have heard of this business but have no clue where they are located,” she said. “For not quite 3/4 of a century, they have been respected leaders in their particular industry.”

Witherup Fabrication & Erection was started in 1954 by four brothers and owned by the family for decades. The company designs, fabricates, erects, and tests welded storage tanks of all sizes at its facility in Kennerdell.

A few years ago it was sold to Piercy and Woolcock who have continued the business’s reputation of being charitable and supportive of its employees, their communities and the causes that matter to them — such as Little League, schools, fire departments, United Way, and the chamber.

“Throughout their many years in business, they have been a huge supporter of our communities and organizations, and even more importantly, they supported the organizations which matter to their employees,” Lewis said. “Friends, it has been a long time since such kind words were spoken in letters of support from employees.”

The pair shyly accepted the honor, keeping their remarks short and first directed toward former Venango County Commissioner and Franklin-area businessman Vince Witherup. “Vince we came here for you,” Woolcock joked. Then he addressed all the Witherup family members and employees in the room. “You left us a great opportunity,” he said.

The Business of the Year was the final award of the night. Directly proceeding that announcement, Lucus Kauffman, director of Two Mile Run County Park, was given a Special Recognition for all his work toward increasing attendance at the outdoor facility.

“Luke, for creating ideas outside of the box… for giving of yourself and beyond.., for creating partnerships,” Jodi said when announcing the honor. She noted the highly successful trick-or-treat event that drew 4,000 and the recent post-Easter egg clean-up that had 150 participants as two examples of the park’s events. “You’re appreciated and I want you to know that.”

“The park is a passion of mine,” Kauffman said. “I chose to stay there (when park management changed) and I’m glad that the county chose to keep me there.”

“I’ve been blessed with volunteers, he added. “Jodi, Jodi’s friends, the commissioners, the staff… it makes it a lot easier to make that happen,”

The evening started with remarks by chamber board president Roy Schmoutz, who summarized the events of 2022. “Things started to improve in 2022, especially in the first half,” he said. “The second half was the breath of fresh air we all needed.” He highlighted a 9% increase in chamber memberships, the Innovation Institute moving into the upstairs space, Franklin Moving Forward becoming active again, and the hiring of Kimberly Fish as the new chamber assistant.

Lewis also offered a quick update on Applefest 40. Jim Williams will serve as the chairman of the Core committee again. “It takes hundreds of volunteers to make Applefest happen… and sponsors. We appreciate you.,” she said. “I am blessed with a strong Core committee I couldn’t do without… and the city, it takes a lot of planning on their part.”

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PHOTOS: Rocky Grove Choir Concert

4/28/2023

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Music director Jodi Hoover showcased the work done all year by Rocky Grove students who crafted songs into a night ranging from classical to contemporary to world music for the annual spring concert.

With the help of accompanist Chris Luxbacher they entertained a near full house Thursday.

Both the junior and senior high choruses performed as well as select choir.

Hoover also spent time recognizing her 19 seniors as well as the district and regional qualifiers.

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'Tie-ing' life skills together

4/27/2023

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Those familiar with Dan Flaherty, the mild mannered leader of the Oil Region Library Association, knows he dresses casual for the most part. He is usually pretty put together, always neat and generally color coordinated, but he is not necessarily garnished with a tie.

Like many men of his generation or older who have in their basic life-skills toolbox tie tying knowledge, Flaherty admits he really only knows one way to tie a tie.

On Thursday, as part of the Franklin Library series for teens "Adulting 101," Flaherty found himself up in front of a small group of teens showing them how to tie that one neck-tie knot he was taught many years ago and still uses today.

"I wanted to teach them how to tie a Windsor," he said as he struggled through a YouTube tutorial minutes before the start of the class. "Nope, can't figure it out," he reluctantly admitted.

While he demonstrated his technique, he explained some of the practical reasons for having this knowledge in their life-skills bag of tricks.

Job interviews for one, impressing a significant other, being respectful at a funeral or wedding and sometimes just to look a little spiffy, he explained.

The class was offered as part of the "Adulting 101" April class series about clothing basis. Other classes this month focuses of simple sewing, taking measurements, running a clothing boutique and using a laundry mat. Overall, the nearly yearlong "Adulting 101" will touch on a variety of useful, everyday skills.

“The overall goal is to equip teens with a wide array of life skills to take with them into their adult lives while also introducing them to different career options and building relationships between the teens and their community,” said Diadre Green, teen services coordinator for Oil Region Library Association.

Themes for the remainder of the year include the following:

May – Car Maintenance.
June – Knowing Your Body & Communication (Learning about vitals, CPR, and the correct way to communicate with your peers).
July – Budgeting & Handling Money.
August – Lawn Care & Power Tool Safety.
September – Connecting to the Arts & Your Community.
October – IT & Technology.
November – Electricity & Plumbing.
December – Safety.

Specific class times, days and locations vary month to month. Contact the library for the details on each month or watch for announcements through their Facebook page.

"Adulting 101" is being funded by a grant from the William and Elizabeth Fund for the Trades, which means all teens, regardless of their library card status, can participate for free in as many workshops as they would like each month. The only requirement, other than age, is that participants preregister for what they would like to attend.

To sign up, complete the form on the ORLA website at www.oilregionlibraries.org/youth/teens.
Community members may volunteer to help teach classes and host field visits by connecting Green at [email protected].

To read a previous story on the work shops click here:
http://www.8and322.com/eight--322/new-library-program-aims-to-teach-teens-skills-for-adulthood

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Walking in the park thinking about Ronnie

4/15/2023

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Photographers who had the pleasure of working with Franklin Events and Marketing director Ronnie Beith would often receive a two word praise - "Great shots!" under their social media posts. She would occasionally even post her affection in all caps.

Though I don't shoot a lot of scenics like these, the few I did she would always comment and share.

I thought about that when I took this picture below knowing she would love this photograph because it is so Franklin with the courthouse in the background. I think she'd even like the one above.

It's funny how much you can feel the impact of someone even though they are gone. I can't say for certain she would like this picture, but I heard her voice say "Great shots!" inside my head as I thought of her.

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New tradition

4/14/2023

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"We used to just ask a girl to the prom." - Coach Mike Stevenson

Franklin's Estella Adams had basketball practice at the same time that Rocky Grove's Joshua Stevenson had a volleyball match. The plan was she would stop out after practice to watch the end of the match. Stevenson and his friends had hatched a plan to surprise Adams right after the match ended.

Stevenson wanted to invite Adams to his school's prom.

The plan was nearly foiled when the Orioles bulldozed passed the Maplewood Tigers in three quick sets. Several texts later Adams was convinced to still come, not admitting the match had ended. Entering the obviously quiet gym, she knew the match was over but still didn't know what was in store for her.

Near center court, Stevenson's friends held up a large, colorful "Up" inspired banner that asked "WILL YOU GO ON AN ADVENTURE AND FLY UP TO PROM WITH ME??"

"Back in my day, we used to just ask a girl a girl to the prom," Coach Mike Steveson, Joshua's dad, said shaking his head as the spectacle unfolded.

She said yes.

Known as a promposal, these types of gestures have become a modern tradition added to the longstanding annual formal high school dance.

Editor's note: This unfolded as we were interviewing Coach Stevenson after Thursday's match. It gave us an unplanned opportunity to be a witness to this modern version of a tradition. We won't pass those up when they are placed in our lap. Congrats!

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Historic and accessible - Updates underway at St. John's

4/12/2023

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St. John’s Episcopal and Grace Lutheran churches in Franklin have worked to create an atmosphere of community, first separately, then collaboratively. Their latest efforts will further their mission by increasing accessibility to their main worship space.

“We are blessed to be members of our community and dedicated to bettering the cultural, emotional, relational, and spiritual health of all through in-reach (prayer and service) and outreach (programs which benefit all),” said Rev. Shawn Clerkin. He serves as the leader for the Franklin area Episcopalians and interim pastor of the Lutherans, who both meet at the historic Buffalo Street location. “While we are two churches, we are one congregation,” he said.

This includes their missions to serve to “Love God, Love Your Neighbor, Change the World” and “God’s Work, Our Hands.”

To further those missions, the 150-member congregation is renovating the nave, the central part of the church designed to hold worship services which features a unique and complete set of Tiffany windows.

“The church is a community treasure. They (the windows) belong to the Franklin community as well,” Clerkin said. “You stand in the center of the church and everything is a Tiffany window.”

To make that experience and services more accessible to community members, the pews are being lowered and relocated. Currently, they sit on a 2-inch platform and are spaced closely to each other. This means it is difficult for those with mobility impairments to attend services or for the church to be used for other events.

Clerkin said the current setup would not be approved under current design and construction standards but is permitted because it was built following the 1901 reconstruction of the church. “Being grandfathered doesn’t mean you are being hospitable.”

It will take about $32,000 to remove the platform, place down a new floor that will compliment the existing marble aisle tile, relocate the baptismal font, and remove some of the pews to create more leg move between the remaining sitting. Shorten pews will also be placed throughout the nave to give those using wheelchairs choices as to where to sit. The goal is to make the space welcoming, inclusive and safe that still honors the historic look and feel of the nave.

Work will be done between religious holidays. On the Monday after Easter, Matthews Construction and Painting of Franklin started the work to remove the platforms along both sides of the nave aisle as well as the platform in the choir area at the front of the room. The transformation should be completed in time for the Pentecost observance, 50 days after Easter, Clerkin said.

Raising the funds for the project also happened quickly. Since announcing the project at the start of the year, the congregation received large donations from two groups associated with the church and raised nearly $3,000 from friends, families and members.

Additional donations are being accepted.

The quick turnaround of the project means the church can swiftly turn its attention back to its outreach efforts, including tours of the Tiffany windows, a variety of spiritual offerings, and hosting programs such as the Shepherd’s Green Food Pantry and Stephen Ministries.

“Our business is the welfare of the community,” Clerkin said.

He says the renovations should allow the congregation to expand on their community offerings. “We would love for this space to be used for other things, for concerts, for speakers.”

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HOLeY Jeans concert takes audience to the 'movies' through song

4/10/2023

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This Sunday, the idea of spreading love through music and community service, will take the stage at the Barrow-Civic Theatre in the form of 37 young voices joined together as one.

HOLeY Jeans is the brainchild of Martha Heise who, years ago, came home from college and wanted to connect with her sister who is 11 years her younger. They did so through music. They held a small show and someone in the audience took notice.

Ronnie Beith, a long-time advocate for Franklin events, suggested Heise apply for a grant and start the youth singing group officially. That was 27 years ago.

The group has fluctuated in size over the years and took a bit of a hit, like many other group activities, during COVID, but is rebounding. They currently have 37 members. "We've had as many as 50 and as few as 23," Heise said, adding they sing with what they have and this year she has seen an increase of kids from further away.

"I love how the kids know each other and get to know each other from other (school) districts," she said.

HOLeY Jeans' mission has always been about providing opportunities. "It's mainly to serve the community, and to give them a chance to connect with other kids who love music, and serve a greater purpose," Heise said. "One of the things I've always loved about the group is watching my older kids connecting with the younger kids and that is something I hope I can continue."

This year's show, themed around famous movies, will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday (April 16.)

It will also feature a traditional candlelight tribute to loved ones of members of the group. This will feature one special friend of the group, Ronnie Beith, who passed away last week. The ceremony will take place as the group sings "Cover the World with Love."

"This is a perfect song for this year. If you listen to the words, that is the message of this group ... covering the word love in music," said Heise. "One heart loving another, two hands reaching out, we can cover the world with love, two voices singing together, one voice ringing out," She recalled some of the songs lyrics.

"It's really about spreading the music and covering the world with love. And I will cry, because I always cry at every concert - plus it's (my daughter's senior show)."

The "HOLeY Jeans Let's Go to the Movies" show lasts about an hour and 25 minutes. It is the main fundraiser for the group that no longer gets the grant and typically performs at community events for free. Along with the show, they will hold raffles in the lobby. The group uses the money to pay for the songs and accompanying music mostly. Heisse, who doesn't take any pay, tries to keep costs down for the students who pay around $80 a year to join. They offer college scholarships to their long-time seniors as well.

Tickets to the concert are $10 to 13 and can be purchased online at barrowtheatre.org or at the box office that day. They are also welcome to visit the theatre lobby before the show to purchase raffle tickets for prizes awarded that day.

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Christians celebrate Good Friday ahead of Easter

4/7/2023

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The Franklin Christian Ministerium conducted its annual Cross Walk, depicting the 14 stations of the cross. They walked through Franklin, stopping at various locations for prayer and reflection. Below are more photographs from the Good Friday observance.

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A couple hundred honor Nellis on trail

4/5/2023

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Nearly 200 people attended a memorial walk for Suzette Nellis Wednesday afternoon along the bike trail that runs parallel to the Allegheny River and First Street in Oil City.

Nellis was found dead on the trail last week.

Thursday her friends and family gathered for a memorial service followed by walking en mass a mile of that trail Nellis frequented.

"There were a number of people in the congregation that were hurting and grieving and many of them would say 'I need to do something'," Good Hope Lutheran Pastor Sandra Jones said Wednesday after the walk that went from the marina boat launch to the access point near The Derrick and Penelec and back.

Jones said roughly 180 people attended the walk organized on short notice.

"We chose this day because this morning was her memorial service, so it just seemed to make sense to follow a very emotional and powerful worship service with this walk," Jones said. They are planning to do more events to remember Nellis and to raise awareness of the concerns about violence, especially violence against women in the community and to push for increased safety.

Nellis' long-time friend YWCA director Jennifer Friedhaber said she believes Jones' ideas are great.

"This is a big community thing. We are all hurting and grieving and afraid and we need to do this for everybody," Friedhaber said. "It's about doing more, about getting people together in groups to walk and, it is our hope to continue this (awareness campaign) in Suzette’s memory."

"Suzette was the lead person for the Good Hope prayer chain," Jones said. "She was a prayer warrior. When she walked on the trail she would pray for those on the prayer list and when she got home she would check her list to make sure she prayed for every single person. That was the kind of person she was."

Jones said that is why there was a large response on Wednesday.

"She was one of the finest, kindest most lovely people anyone could ever meet. Everyone liked her and she liked everyone. And I suppose if she didn’t like someone, she was wise enough to keep that to herself," Jones chuckled.

(This story was edited for grammar and clarity since being posted.)

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FHS National Honor Society welcomes 22 new members

4/5/2023

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Twenty-two Franklin High School students were inducted into the National Honor Society at a ceremony Tuesday night.

New members included Estella Adams, Jamie Blum, Jennifer Blum, Zachary Boland, Brianna Clark, Cooper Doty, Rilee Hanna, Quinlyn Karns, Eliza Korinko, Nadalie Latchaw, Madison Marsh, Ryan McCandless, Dylan McFadden, Ethan Nightingale, Nathan Pfennigwerth, Caleb Prettyman, Owen Smith, Savana Steigerwald, Brady Umbenhaur, Ethan Umbenhaur, Reston Weismann and Jalen Wood.

In 1921 the National Association of Secondary School Principals founded the National Honor Society just down the road in Pittsburgh.

Over a million students participate in the society based on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, and character.

According to the NHS website the "National Honor Society membership has been the true mark of student achievement for over 100 years, but it goes far beyond a report card. By empowering, championing, and recognizing well-rounded students,"

NHS chapters operate in all 50 states and many schools around the world, engaging and serving more than one million students.

Each year, the average NHS chapter contributes:

1,000 hours of school/community service
$26,000 in charitable donations
1,000 pounds of food to local, state, and national causes
100 pints of blood

Email [email protected] about out team support ads.

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Despite heavy hearts, organizers gave the community what Ronnie would want

4/5/2023

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Several hundred children and their families descended on Fountain Park Tuesday evening for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. The event featured over 5,000 eggs with, at minimum, a Hershey's Kiss or a Tootsie Roll.

But several had gift certificates, coupons or other prizes.

The Easter Bunny was there and so were leaders of the Franklin Community.

One notable absence was perhaps the greatest proponent of the annual event for children.

Events coordinator Ronnie Beith, who claimed this was one of her favorite events each spring, passed away over the weekend.

Tthe organizers, who included her nephew, Matt Beith who also emceed the event, took a second to remember her with a moment of silence. Soon after, as Ronnie would have wanted, a countdown began to start the hunt that was over in a about five minutes.

More photos below.

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Thank you Ronnie!

4/1/2023

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Franklin's mom passed away today. She was more than a leader or a cheerleader for the city she loved, she has been the matriarch for the last several years. She gave the city hugs when it was down and praised it to the highest of heights when it was up.

Ronnie Beith, as events coordinator and a key member of the Franklin Fine Arts Council, took this quaint little postcard town and made it come alive with family friendly events and music that filled the downtown parks weekly through the summer and even a couple more frigid winter events that really drew large crowds.

Her words of choice were always "wonderful" or "marvelous" or "fortunate." If she had negative words on her mind they seldom found their way to her lips.

She loved Franklin. No, SHE LOVED FRANKLIN!

She helped create or improve upon many of the things that make Franklin a special place. Light-Up Night was her favorite. She and others began to bring in large Christmas trees a few years back to put in front of the courthouse. The event has a full-on winter parade that usually draws spectators two or three rows deep. The parade is followed by the tree lighting and a fireworks display that might be the longest and most choreographed of all area displays.

But Beith might have mentioned several other events during the long year of planning as favorites as well. She got a kick out of the annual stone skipping contest, she marveled at the ice sculpting in the park during Franklin on Ice and Franklin, and celebrated the Fourth of July each year with a weeklong calendar of events.

When the pandemic hit in 2020 and everything was shut down, Beith was laid off from her job as events and marketing director in the city. That, of course, meant nothing to her. She still did what she could to help coordinate everything that could be done virtually or safely. She found a way to still hold the Taste of Talent contest and it became a virtual event for the year. And as soon as restrictions were being lifted she was at the ready to start things right back up again. She was a tireless worker.

Only a severe heart condition slowed her down, but by no means stopped her. She would say she was operating on only a portion of her heart, but she felt blessed to be alive and able to work. That little bit of functioning heart was big. She began using the phrase "it is what it is," referring to her health or the pandemic.

Her heart and love for others was beyond remarkable. Ronnie wouldn't want anyone to mourn her death, she simply would want Franklin to continue growing its sense of community and keep doing things that make this place fun to live in or visit.

She would never say her role in the community was big, she praised others beyond herself and that is why she was such a great leader and also why she will be so dearly missed.

"I'm the new Jerry" and the last eight years.

I know if I were able to tell Ronnie how sad I am that I'll never see her again, she'd give me a hug and tell me how much she appreciated me and what I do for the community.

That is Ronnie.

It was always about how great others were. She was a cheerleader, a motivational speaker, a big heart and a true friend. She also downplayed her role in everything she did and would simply say that she was blessed to be able to do her small part.

She, by her own accounts, had a wonderful life. Reading her posts about her family and her husband Bill, you could feel her love for them and her friends and her Franklin.

Truth is, Ronnie was a big part of why Franklin is "Always Eventful" and her shoes are going to be very hard to fill.

For me, I will miss her hugs.

I wasn't at The Derrick and News-Herald long before I was sent to photograph something in Franklin. I was told to make contact with Ronnie Beith and she'd help me with what I needed to know. At that time I had no idea how many times I'd be looking for Ronnie to get everything I needed to know.

I learned quick though.

I'll never forget that first meeting with her. I could tell she was upset that long-time newspaper photographer Jerry Sowden had left. She had grown to trust him and she really admired his work. She told me so as we stood in Bandstand Park. At the end of the conversation she, still a bit skeptical that I could ever fill Jerry's shoes, "oh, but I'm sure you'll do just fine."

That was eight years ago.

We grew to be the type of friends who hug when we saw each other. I will miss her hugs.

After I was laid off from the paper in the beginning of the pandemic, she contacted me almost immediately to see if I was OK and if she could do anything to help me. She had a whole city to worry about and she was worried about me.

What a beautiful soul.

If I were to say that Franklin will never be the same again, I'm pretty sure she would find a way to change my words around to wish the city well and for the good people of Franklin to carry on the wonderful spirit she saw and felt.

But Franklin will never be the same, it might be fine, but it won't be the same. I will miss her hugs.

Pretty sure she'd want us to mention this here as well.

Sign up for the Taste of Talent Vocal Competition

The Franklin Fine Arts Council will once again sponsor the 13th Annual Taste of Talent Vocal Competition this summer at Bandstand Park.

The competition is open to individual soloists ages 16 and up. It kicks off Wednesday June 28 at 7 p.m.

Registration packets are available at www.franklinpa.gov/events. Packets can also be obtained by calling 814/437-1922, ext. 1123 or by emailing [email protected]

The packets  should be submitted by Monday, May 15.

The competition will be held on Wednesdays, June 28, July 5, 12, 19, 26  at 7 p.m. The semifinals will take place on Saturday, August 5 at 7 p.m. and the finals will be held the following day on Sunday, August 6 at 4 p.m..

The winner of the competition will receive $1,000 sponsored by Franklin-Oil Region Credit Union.

Prize monies totaling $200 ($100 cash and $100 in Franklin Retail Gift Certificate) will be awarded to the three semi-finalists.

The Taste of Talent competition has been a huge success with audiences up to 1,400 people attending weekly.

Many past competitors, even those who have not made it to the finals, are playing frequently in the region.

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