Blog Archives - Eight & 322/Eight & 27

Haunting passion

10/31/2021

"Thanksgiving and Christmas are for the family, Halloween is for the community," said Shawn Harrah, who has been putting on a haunted house display for seven years now in Rocky Grove.

Each year he has been creating and expanding the single car garage sized haunted house maze.

"It takes me eight to ten days to put together," he said but he is always thinking about new things. "Everything here, I either created or modified to make it unique."

He took a couple old basketballs and made a giant red spider back in March. The special effects major at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh admits he works months on designing and making the display. You can see in his eyes, when he takes off his Halloween mask, that making these items and display is truly what he loves to do with his art.

Harrah's life isn't all ghoulish fun and games. He is a 911 operator who has to find ways to help people experiencing their worst of days. Seeing the kids and families having so much fun for the two hours of trick-or-treating makes him happy.

He also has a penchant for comic cons and is known to don a pretty impressive Star Wars Storm Trooper costume and show up at movie theater openings, which also brings joy to many others.

Harrah said he really wants to keep it kid friendly and he doesn't put people inside his mazes to scare anyone. This year he transformed the small garage into three hallway features with some things hanging from the ceiling and strobe lights bouncing of undulating walls.

Perhaps the biggest kicker about this whole haunted house endeavor is that it isn't event at Harrah's house. Each year, he convinces his buddy to use his house located near the Rocky Grove fire hall, which gets hundreds more children visitors than Harrah's Miller-Sibley neighborhood.

And boy did they come this year. After one hour 300 (299 if you don't count the photographer) went through the maze. By the end of the night, Harrah reported a new personal record of 647.

And if creating the haunted maze wasn't enough, he and his friends and family pass out candy at the end.

To follow what he's up to you can visit his newly minted Facebook page called Fear on Fox Street.

Franklin's downtown businesses give back

10/29/2021

Hundreds of kids and their grown-ups invaded the rainy sidewalks of Liberty Street Friday night to show off their costumes and fill their bags with tasty sweets.

A coordinated effort from the downtown retailers who opened their doors and candy dishes to the neighborhood kids created yet another festive downtown atmosphere.

Area household trick-or-treataround the area will be on Halloween Sunday night 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

I hate the phrase leaf peeping

10/29/2021

What used to be a late September early October tradition - driving around looking at the fall colors, now seems to be a later October, beginning of November thing. So warm slowly fades into cooler, the colors are changing and the phrase leaf peeping is rearing it's ugly head again.

What I thought was the invention of the TV show The West Wing as a fun way to make fun of language, as the show often did brilliantly, aparently was, indeed, a term used in areas like New Hampshire referring to tourists flocking to look at nature's colorful display.

Recently I saw this phrase begin popping up again on social media, and though I love any chance to talk about The West Wing, this phrase isn't one I particularly want to hear, though writing this now I become aware of my snoot and remind myself - so what if people call it that. Should the phrase leaf peeping be a pet peeve and something to really concern me in this day and age with so many more things to worry about?

Nope

So call it what you wish, but if you want to go look or peep at the colors they are kinda pretty right now in places, even in the rain.

As an artist who loves to draw, I am often fascinated by how leaves draw self portraits and print them on sidewalks. I become mesmerized at how much more beautiful nature renders itself better than I ever could. And then just washes it away as if it were nothing. No ego, just sharing and moving on.

Today I looked this juxtaposition of decay and renewal as a tree seed lay next to the remnant stains of two leaves.

Venango County checks voting machines for accuracy - they passed

10/29/2021

"We're ready," said Venango County's Director of Elections Sabrina Backer Friday morning after she, her staff, the three county commissioners, two local reporters and one candidate conducted the public test of the voting process. The mandatory public test, held the Friday before an election, is open to anyone who wishes to attend to confirm the accuracy of the machines and demonstrate how the process works.

"We would love for anyone and everyone to come an see how this works," Backer said despite low turnout from members of the public.

All 44 precinct voting machines went through the same level of checks. Sample ballots were filled out both correctly and incorrectly then run through the machine. Then the results were closely verified for accuracy by all in the room. Even the Mickey Mouse and Goofy write-ins were accurately recorded. The machine used in this public test got a perfect score, as have all 44 of the county's machines, according to Backer.

All three commissioners echoed the process works even though they admitted it is more work for them. The accountability with the paper trail has made the process even more secure and accurate they said.

Off-year municipality elections do not typically receive very high voter turnout. In the last election, 29 percent of registered Republicans voted and only 19 percent of the registered Democrats showed up at the polls.

"The election that affects [local] life the most, no one shows up for," said Commissioner Chip Abramovic.

The presidential elections tend to provoke higher voter turnout at over 70 percent.

Polls open Tuesday, November 2 at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Mark your calendar: Karma concert series about to heat up

10/28/2021

The popular Karma Coffee concert series is returning to the Oil City hot spot next month. Once again, the music will play from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the back dinning area of the Seneca Street coffee shop and restaurant.

A $5 cover will be charged with 2/3 of the proceeds going to the Lyric Theater revitalization efforts. In the first three years of the concert series, the organizers raised $12,130 for the the effort.

Acts have been booked for November with December's and January's schedule being planned.

The series will include:

November 4 - Acoustic Earle
November 11 - The Band Hannah
November 18 - Jesse James Weston

We will announce additional concerts as they are announced. So check back to the calendar to see who is booked for December and January.

(Attendees should know the event is BYOB for those 21 and older.)

More things to plan for can be found on our calendar/sponsors page.

New ballots heading to Plum Township after error discovered

10/28/2021

More than 40 corrected mail-in ballots were mailed to Plum township residents after a mistake among the listed candidates for PENNCREST School Board candidates was discovered.

"This is now our number one priority - get this fixed," Venango County commissioner Mike Dulaney said was the attitude of the election office.

Where the ballot should have listed Bob Gulick as the Democratic candidate, it instead listed Ronald Kope. According Dulaney and director of elections, Sabrina Backer, a miscommunication between Crawford and Venango counties led to the error.

In the May primary Kope won the Plum township nod, but not the entire PENNCREST district.

"It can be remedied," said Backer, who worked with her staff correcting the ballots to ensure the error was fixed.

One problem - mail in ballots had been sent to 44 registered voters in Plum Township and 14 of those had already been returned.

Backer said they sent out new ballots to all 44 voters with a letter explaining the error. The envelop clearly states it is a new ballot and the letter inside explains what the voter needs to do.

Dulaney said the office is also trying to call the voters so they are aware they will need to use the new ballots. The 14 ballots already filed will not be counted, according to Dulaney.

The fix was already being handled when Democratic candidate Bob Gulick called Venango County. He was told how the county was going to handle the issue.

"I will take a wait and see what happens attitude. If [the race] is close I'll have to look at my options. I still have concerns, but it only affect 40 or so votes from what I understand," Gulick said. He indicated he thought the county was doing what it could to fix the problem.

It was other candidates who discovered the error and brought it to Venango County's attention.

PENNCREST school board write-in candidate Nerissa Galt said she decided to contact Venango County after she learned of the ballot issue from current PENNCREST board member Jeff Brooks. He learned of it from a Plum Township resident who messaged him that a candidate was missing from the ballot. Brooks and Galt went to the Venango County website where all percent sample ballots are posted for the public to view and saw on page 71 that the ballot was incorrect.

Dulaney said that this proves the checks and balances in place work to insure a fair election. A problem was discovered and handled quickly. He also offered anyone interested in seeing for themselves how this works can come Friday morning at 9 a.m. to the Venango County commissioners office for their public test of the voting procedures.

"If people come and see, they see the process works," Dulaney said. "I welcome them to come watch. We have nothing to hide."

Together they support others

10/27/2021

For years now local volleyball squads have decided each October to dedicate themselves to helping battle breast cancer through "Dig Pink" matches. They have raised tens of thousands of dollars for local and national organizations. Last week The Rocky Grove Orioles hosted Lakeview for a game and were able to present the Franklin based Kirtland Cancer Foundation, who help locals with financial help during their time battling their cancer, with a $1,000 donation.

The Orioles obtained gift baskets and items from local businesses for a silent auction as well as holding a pink shirt sale. The following week the team was able to present Kathy Horner of the Kirtland Cancer Foundation with the check as Horner shared with them what the foundation does and how the money they raised will go to help their neighbors, perhaps even someone they know.

Earlier in the month Franklin, Oil City and Cranberry all participated in similar fundraisers for charity.

Photo and information courtesy of the team.

Franklin Mayor race: Baker says he's not done yet

10/27/2021

Ask Mayor Doug Baker a question and you will either get a one liner or a full story. He shifts from humble to 'let me tell you all about that' in a heartbeat depending on the subject.

In 2021, if you ask him about himself, he will proudly recall delivering the News-Herald and cleaning out the family owned taxi cabs as a self-proclaimed scrawny kid. "I've had my own money since I was 10," he said proudly.

He would also admit that, if that scrawny kid was asked about himself or any other question for that matter, he'd clam up. "I never raised my hand in class," Baker said.

It was something he knew he had to overcome. So around ninth grade, the 126-pound Doug Baker got motivated and decided to change his life. He lifted weights and grew stronger. He recalls being challenged to bench 225 pounds a year or so later. "I did it," he said with an almost amazed look in eyes still to this day.

After high school he worked a few jobs. He was told he should try to become a police officer and that's what he did. He also took it upon himself to take speaking classes and read about leadership. With new learned personality tools, he quickly showed he had communication and administrative skills. "I'm pretty good at organizing stuff," he said.

He became the Franklin Police Department's safety enforcement officer and he climbed the ranks to lieutenant. During the time, Baker would help organize community events through the department.

He retired from the police department in 2003 and then a stint with the Venango County sheriff's office before landing in the district attorney's office. He continues to work there part time on several task forces, including elder abuse and DUI, as well as obtains STOP grants to aid the county in its fight to stop violence against women.

The mayorr doesn't describe the position as something he slikes per se. "It's not anything I ever intended to do, but I like public service." And being a mayor with limited resources is a trying position. "If we had more money, we could do a lot more faster." He says the residents here are just about taxed out.

His service to the community continued when he returned as a councilman in 2004 where he served in that role until becoming mayor in 2010

He is on the Pennsylvania Municipal League Board,which helps him obtain training and ideas, as well as networking with other cities to see what works for them. "Things that help them, might help us," he said.

His history in safety leadership has him eying more ways to make the city streets safer. "The goal here is to provide health, safety and general welfare for the community." Looking into ways to slow traffic down has led to speed bumps and new stop signs in neighborhoods, but more can be done he says.

Declining neighborhoods present a problem, according to Baker, who wouldn't mind seeing a trade school move into the old Joy building. "Companies wanting to move into an area want you to show a workforce at the ready," he said, adding that young people are just not staying like they used to. Having qualified people at the ready is attractive to industry.

"There are no shortage of good ideas." he said. He listens to them all and then tries to see what can be done with the available resources. "I have ideas too," he said. "I represent the people of Franklin," emphasizing their needs are what he focuses on the most.

Baker says one of his most important jobs is seeking people for the city's commissions in order bring about so economic growth. He is proud of the work being done but always wants even more.

He feels he has more to do in the city and believes fixing things like the playgrounds and making areas like the Heights section more accessible to downtown are good ideas.

He believes a lot more can be done to make Franklin even better than what it is now. "It's beautiful here." Baker says those words are what he hears over and over again from visitors. He is proud to be a part of that.

So ask Mayor Doug Baker anything and you will hear a story filled with old names and even forgotten places, but if you ask him why he decided to run for a fourth term and you'll likely just get the one liner - "I'm not done yet."

Learn more about challenger Ryan Rudegeair here.

Editor's note: This is one of a two-part look at the candidates waging campaigns for the City of Franklin's mayor.

Doug Baker is seeking his fourth term as the city's mayor and he has a challenger in Ryan Rudegeair who is running a write-in campaign after narrowly losing to Baker in the Republican primary by 13 votes. Neither obtained enough votes to be on the democratic ticket.

Eight & 322 sat down with both candidates to find out what makes them tick and why they think they should get your vote next week.

In the city of Franklin the mayor is basically the voting head of city council made up of six councilors who represent the wards of the city. The mayor is responsible for running meetings and nominating members to the various commissions.

The city is run by a city manager who reports to council. Various commissions such as the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development and Franklin Fine Arts are important for the mayoral role in nominating people to the positions.
These commissions and boards provide important infrastructure within the city workings and development.

The city of Franklin is less than five square miles with a population of a little over 6,000. It is over 95% white.

Franklin Mayor race: Rudegeair eyes moving city forward

10/27/2021

Other than coming into the world in New Orleans and his time working with numbers as a math major at Penn State Behrend and then main campus, Ryan Rudegeair has been roaming the streets of Franklin looking for ways to make his hometown better. The 04 Franklin Knight graduate has worked with kids coaching soccer and track at his alma mater, volunteered with many civic and service organizations while somehow convincing his Rocky Grove girlfriend with a hankering for the city experience to marry him and settle into a small town life.

They own Buffalo Street Lanes, are parents of a youngster and are both very active in the community.

"The mayor should be aggressive," Rudegeair says matter-of-factly. He sees being mayor as an opportunity to approach others, to champion the city and seek the means of getting what it needs. "The title mayor carries more weight," he said about talking with others about the city's needs.

And those needs he sees as he looks out from from the balcony deck above his bowling alley. Infrastructure issues, such as deteriorated sidewalks, outdated parking equipment, blighted properties, playgrounds in disrepair and pedestrian amenities are areas he'd like to see improvement. He is also a fan of giving this animal-loving town what it wants. "The dog people want a dog park," he said.

He also sees areas of inactivity that need attention. Areas he would address immediately. The city manager is supposed to be periodically reviewed and, according to him, that hasn't been done in far too long. He emphasizes he doesn't have a problem with the current city manager. He just believes it's good to continually evaluate and review, something that is supposed to happen but hasn't.

Commision appointments and nominations are another area of needed attention, according to Rudegeair. "They've become stagnant," he said. "We need to get new people." For him, new people bring fresh perspectives that can bring about change and progress.

He also mentioned a need to develop a stronger way to advertise Franklin's assets and strengths, which he says can be done easier as mayor than his current position of city councilor.

"There is an odd mentality around here that 'someone' will take of that," he said when issues are brought up. "It doesn't work that way, things need to be done. I'd like more people to want to step up. But if no one else will, I will. I want to see this town grow and prosper, I don't want to wait around for someone to step up."

He sees the deteriorating sidewalks as one place he might be able to work with homeowners and businesses to find ways to do improve them while cutting down on the expense for everyone. "Can this work be coordinated better to help everyone afford it?"

He understands things pop up that are unexpected - COVID for example, which he credits the city manager for doing a great job keeping that from being worse for the city.

He'd like to see a better connection downtown from the Heights section of Franklin, where he says about a third of the city's population resides. He's looking at the idea of a walking and bike trail and also said the playground in the Heights needs an overhaul. He would also like to see the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development authority concentrate a little more with downtown development, noting the good things they've done in the industrial complex on the other side of French Creek.

Rudegeair has served as councilor for around 10 years and is ready to step into a new role. He has a propensity for spreadsheets and numbers and his work with various organizations, he feels, gives him the tools he needs to do even more for the city.

"I wouldn't run if I didn't think I could do a better job," he said.

Learn more about Mayor Doug Baker here.

Editor's note: This is one of a two-part look at the candidates waging campaigns for the City of Franklin's mayor.

Doug Baker is seeking his fourth term as the city's mayor and he has a challenger in Ryan Rudegeair who is running a write-in campaign after narrowly losing to Baker in the Republican primary by 13 votes. Neither obtained enough votes to be on the democratic ticket.

Eight & 322 sat down with both candidates to find out what makes them tick and why they think they should get your vote next week.

In the city of Franklin the mayor is basically the voting head of city council made up of six councilors who represent the wards of the city. The mayor is responsible for running meetings and nominating members to the various commissions.

The city is run by a city manager who reports to council. Various commissions such as the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development and Franklin Fine Arts are important for the mayoral role in nominating people to the positions.
These commissions and boards provide important infrastructure within the city workings and development.

The city of Franklin is less than five square miles with a population of a little over 6,000. It is over 95% white.

Rocky Grove crowned King and Queen

10/24/2021

Since Rocky Grove co-ops football with Franklin their homecoming dance isn't generally attached to a football weekend, so on Saturday they gathered in their own gymnasium for their rite of passage and had a dance.

Prior to the dance they crowned Devin Rhoades their queen and Connor Elder their king.

To view more photos please visit: https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p591610719

Retail witchery

10/24/2021

The Franklin Retail association put a spell on Franklin Saturday that packed the streets and downtown businesses with witches.

Cackles echoed through the alleys as dollars flowed into cha-changing cash registers with a packed and festive downtown flourished.

Over 150 witches signed up for their shopping tickets which offered freebies, discounts and special attraction like raffles, dances and best witch contest.

Tarot readings were also available.

See how much fun was had during this highly successful event in these photographs.

Whatever the association put into their cauldron and whichever incantation they uttered organizing this event they'll be sure to remember for next year.

See more photos at https://sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p646583491

Every team needs a Bug

10/22/2021

At 125 pounds (and that could be with old Doc Fee leaning a bit on the scale) Landon Eagan's nickname is Bug on the Franklin Knight football field. He is small, perhaps not the fastest or strongest, but he is dedicated. He said the name was really a miscommunication that just sot of stuck and he goes with it now.

Last year, as a freshman, he showed up to practice hobbling around. He weighed even less then, but first year head coach singled him out because he was giving everything he had. The coach hadn't even learned his name yet, but he put him up front and used this kid's heart as an example of what it takes.

Landon, or Bug, came out again this year.

And he gives everything a 125 pound kid with string bean arms and toothpick legs can give. "It doesn't matter if I start or even if you get to play in a game," he said. "I just love it, I love being a Franklin Knight."

"He is the first person to step up and help if we need something on the sidelines," coach Matt Turk said of Bug. Turk told a story of him ripping his chin strap off to give to a player who came off with a broken one. "He said 'he can have mine, and then made sure we could get that player back on the field in a hurry." Turk said adding how much Landon means to him and this team.

Bug wants to be a part of the team and tirelessly proves that by not missing practice and when called on to play he gives it everything he can. During a recent game against Meadville, near the end of the game coach Turk called on him to go out for a couple of plays.

He was in at wide receiver and he ended up taking his opponent to the ground. "I pulled him down, I probably shouldn't have, I could've gotten a penalty, but I didn't get caught," he said with a laugh.

"He was so excited he couldn't stop talking about it," said Turk who just loves his enthusiasm.

Tonight, Franklin ventured down to face yet another powerful team in Butler. They again went out and played with the end result being similar to all but one of their games this season, losing 60-8.

Turk gets that he can't build a championship team with players with Bug's 125 pound physique, but if he had 30 kids with Bug's attitude (and 100 pounds of muscle give or take) he knows he'd be filling the trophy case at Franklin High School year after year with gold colored state championship swag.

Franklin has one more game scheduled next week against Lakeview. Turk knows the importance of getting his young kids reps on the gridiron, and despite a rough couple years he is seeing growth. The W's might not be there but the heart sure is. Players like Bug prove that.

Venango County lost a charismatic leader of leaders

10/19/2021

"Marty Breene said you are sitting with us. And she won't take no for an answer."

Over the years I've covered a lot of dinners. I seldom ever sat to eat at them. My job was to document what the event was all about, not get a free meal.

Since late last night I've been trying to remember what dinner I heard those word said to me. Last night I got a message that the person who insisted I sit with her and her friends for a meal, long-time Venango County Republican chair and the often center of attention at Venango County events, Martha Breene had passed away. This memory immediately came back to me.

As I stood hearing these words,I actually looked behind me to see if the person telling me this was talking to someone else. "Why me?" I thought. Martiy and I ddin't necessarily see politics from the same angle of sight. But there I was alone in the corner and those words were most certainly for me. You don't get to say no to Marty Breene. She would take out a rope and lasso you if she needed to, but you will eventually have to say yes.

She was a force.

Up until that dinner I had taken photographs of Marty a few times, once at the Venango County Fair under the republican tent where she sat holding court (I'll speak more about this later) and again during President Donald Trump's visit to Erie to stump for local republicans during the 2018 mid-terms. In Erie I had met her outside and learned where she was going to be inside. I had wanted to photograph our locals at this event and heard she was going to be there despite recent health problems. Dozens of people from all over Pennsylvania saw Marty there and came up to say hello as I chatted with her. She was in a wheelchair and embarrassed to be there in that state, but she was not going to miss this rally for anything. She asked me not to photograph her in her chair, but I admit I made a few photos that never ran in the paper, because I thought it was important that she was there and at that point I didn't know if I'd be able to find her in the crowd inside.

I did find her and I photographed her up behind the president holding a Mike Kelly sign. Marty loved the photos I took of her and her friend Mitra Reese that day.In the photos her face was as bright as can be and you'd never know she was ailing. This was her crowd, this was her event, this was what she worked so hard to be a part of through years of bleeding red for the party.

Mitra was the one who told me Marty insisted I sit with them at that dinner.

So I sat at this dinner and got to know Marty a little better. What a collection of thoughts she possessed and shared. Her conversation style is probably best described as a kaleidoscope or a Jackson Pollock painting. Swirling from one thought to another seamlessly. She reveled in art and beauty and could put down liberalism at the drop of a hat, but then laugh along with one sitting next her awkwardly eating rubber banquet chicken and rice pilaf. (During covid she even ordered up a truckload of dinners from the local democrat fundraiser during the holidays. - true story)

Marty was eclectic. And electric.

The first time I met Marty I didn't know who she was. I saw several Republicans I knew milling around the tent at the Venango County Fair. There was a woman sitting in an almost throne-like lawn chair telling everyone what to do. I jokinlg asked, as I always do in the heavily favored Republican county of Venango, so where is Democrat standing this year?"

It was my always tongue-in-cheek joke to emphasize I know that Democrats are almost on the endangered species registry in these parts. Marty loved this. I would walk up every year after that and ask the same question, each time Marty would laugh. I love how often we laughed actually.

Over the last few years I noticed one thing was a true statement, when Marty was in the room, she commanded it.

She held court in true lavish Marie Antionette fashion but with a stern Victorian leadership.

She would direct with a simple wave of a finger or a peering glance over a shoulder. I received a few of those glances after some snarky things I would say, then I would be put in my place and Maryy would show she was boss.

When the Republican national convention was going on Marty was told by Trump staffers out of the Northwest Pennsylvania offices, that Oil City was picked to be one of the featured towns to be shown on tv one of the nights of the convention. So with short notice she organized hundreds of Trump loyalists to hit Seneca Street in front of the Venango County republican headquarters. She messaged, called, got her friends to message and call me so that I would be there to take pictures. I was laid off already from the paper so she wanted to be sure I knew about it. She said she was tired of getting blurry pictures of the backs of people's heads and insisted I be there.

I said I'd come cover it for Eight & 322 and I'd share the pictures out so she could see them.I insisted I'd be there because it was news, not because she commanded me to be there, but to be honest, I'm now not sure. Like I said you didn't really say no to Martha Breene.

During the rally one of the Trump staffers approached me and said it was a closed event and press wasn't allowed. I explained that the event was outside in public and that he couldn't call it a closed event. I then also said, just go ask Marty. He wasn't happy with me but I walked right into the Republican Headquarters and talked to Martiy who greeted me with a big smile, a some of those finger waves because she then said, "I went on to your Facebook page, I had no idea you were a liberal." and we laughed. I told her what the Trump staffer said and she got this look of murder in her eyes.

She was already pissed because she said the staffer sold her a bill of goods and they weren't going to be a featured city on tv. But they went on with the rally anyway and riled up downtown Oil City with chants of four more years.

Over the next couple days I received several long text messages and three hours long phone calls from her as she was determined to get to the bottom of why this happened. I knew then I was glad I wasn't the Trump staffer who was on the other side of her ire.

Like I said before, Marty Breene held court and you do not upset the queen in her castle. And the Venango County Republican Headquarters was her Buckingham Palace.

She really liked Donald Trump and did everything she could for his campaign. She felt betrayed and she expressed this to me many times almost apologizing to me who needed no apology.

Marty and I were never going to see eye to eye politically, but that never stopped us from smiling when we saw each other or even giving each other a hug or in recent years a fist bump.Her opinion of a person didn't change if she found out they were a democrat, in fact many democrats I do know (yes there are more than one in Venango County) have great stories about Marty and tell them with laughs and affection.

I think this speaks a lot. She was a character, a sometimes eccentric but always nose to the grindstone republican leader. She led the leaders of this county and beyond.

Marty liked me and I liked her. I will miss her and I know the Venango County Republicans will miss her greatly. RIP friend and thank you for feeding this liberal.

Franklin crowns a new queen

10/15/2021

Piper Daly was crowned the 2021 Franklin High School Homecoming Queen at half-time of Friday's football game against General McLane. The senior said she wants to travel all over the world after she graduates before hopefully landing in Pittsburgh with a Real Estate licence in hand.

Her nana, Susie Johnson, was absolutely glowing when she heard her granddaughter won and couldn't wait to give her a hug. Johnson said Piper's mom Kayce Daly was on the 1996 homecoming court for Franklin as well.

"I was surprised," Piper said after being crowned. "I would've been happy if any of the other girls had won."

A puzzling photograph

10/15/2021

During a year of pandemic related closures that forced area businesses and organizations to change the way they did things, the Barrow-Civic Theatre decided they couldn't entertain the crowds usually associated with the Christmas tree decorating contest in its lobby. So they moved it outside into Fountain Park.

That decision, along with the City of Franklin allowing the change, a very picturesque first of December snowfall and the casual thoughts of a young photographer wanting to shoot a tiny video and snap a couple cell phone pictures to show her mom, led to a puzzle made this year that sold like hotcakes. In fact they sold out in less than a week.

Elizabeth Schmude, a Cranberry photographer who works at Victorian City Art and Frame shop on Liberty Street, hadn't really had a chance to look at the lit Christmas trees at night even though they'd been up for a couple weeks. The snowfall made it a priority for her to finally get a good look after work, but she didn't have her camera gear with her. What a day to not bring her camera, but that didn't phase her.

"it looked like a scene straight out of a Christmas movie.... all I had was my phone." She thought to herself about the age old photographer mantra that 'the best camera is the one you have with you.' So she took out her phone and went to work making art.
"I took a video so I could show my mom how beautiful it was and snapped a few pictures. That was my only intention with any of that, and I just walked through the park and was soaking in all of this beauty."

She was encouraged to post the video by several folks and she obliged.

Franklin events coordinator Ronnie Beith saw the video and asked Schmude to make it public. It exploded with views and has been viewed over 60,000 times.

Schmude also made a few still photos and it wasn't long before she was asked to make the photo into holiday cards and to offer prints for sale.

It sorta died off for awhile until a few weeks ago when she thought about turning it into a puzzle. She had made a puzzles from a photo she made of the Venango County Courthouse and sold a few. She decided to do a limited edition of this Hallmark-style scene. So she put out on social media that she had 50 numbered and signed puzzles for sale.
In a very short week she sold out.A person from South Carolina bought seven. "Never in my right mind did I think I would sell all 50...well, 49 actually, I kept one for myself."

This prompted her to think about a second run, though she doesn't want to devalue the first edition numbered and signed run, so she'll sell these un-numbered and signed.

"i'm not trying to make a lot of money off of this, it's something fun that people are enjoying or going to enjoy as Christmas gifts." she said adding maybe this also lets more people know she is a photographer and look at more of her work.

She credits Ronnie's sharing of the video for getting so much attention for this image in the first place and how it will be featured on a local calendar for next year as well.

Schmude plans to update her Facebook page when she has the next batch ready. You can also see more of her work for sale including the courthouse puzzle (which she believes she has ten left) by visiting her website store by clicking this link.

Supporting pink awareness and local cancer foundation

10/14/2021

Feature photo of the day

October is breast cancer awareness month and years ago high school sporting events began designating "Pink" events where they would fund raise for breast cancer awareness initiatives. In Venango County often the money raised stays locally with donations to the Kirtland Cancer Foundation that helps area residents who are dealing with cancer issues.

I've attended a few "pink" games this year, including the one tonight in Franklin where I made this photograph during the national anthem.

When I saw the girls holding hands I immediately thought of a sisterhood of support and then I saw the pink heart on the far wall. The team put effort into this night and into supporting the fight against breast cancer.

I hope folks see and feel what I do looking at this image. Look at this program too and if you're able to contribute please do. www.kirtlandcancerfoundation.org

Homecoming means we're in this together

10/13/2021

Franklin homecoming returned to downtown Wednesday night with a parade along Elk Street culminating in a bon fire and rousing speech by Donovan Fike.

Hundreds of people lined the route.

Franklin High School principal Christina Cohlhepp, with phone camera blazing away as the floats passed by, said they wanted to bring this back downtown and include the elementary schools to make it more of a community event. Police and fire departments also joined in

The band led the way up Elk to West Park Street then across Otter Street ending behind Central Elementary School where a bon fire, more songs were played, acknowledgement of the float winners and all fall sports teams including the football team which is getting ready to take on General McLane Friday night.

Senior lineman Donovan Fike was led to the microphone to address the crowd with chants of his name.

Fike then opened up his speech explaining he wasn't going to play this year, but this team showed him something he wanted to ba a part of after all.

"I joined the team three weeks late because, when I watched our second home game, I watched us get blown out, but we came out and punched them in the mouth as coach Turk would say. I saw fight in these boys that I haven’t seen in past years of this program."

"These boys are ready for war."

The football team had moved up to where Fike was speaking and they erupted at what he said next.

“We will not me intimidated. We will not back down. We’ve seen war. We don’t want war. But if you want war with the Franklin Knights there’s one thing I can promise you, so help me God: Someone else will raise your sons and daughters." quoting and paraphrasing a speech from Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sergeant David Bellavia during is induction into the Pentegon's Hall of Heroes ceremony in 2019.

The team seemed familiar with the quoted speech and roared several times as Fike delivered the lines almost like a pre-game speech or a loud team motto. Fike said he picked this speech because he said it fired him up a couple years ago when he heard. "I knew it would have the same affect on the team that it had on me." He said he thinks the game Friday is going to be a war and he wants the team to be ready and excited for kickoff.

"We fight so that anyone out there thinking about challenging the Franklin Knights will reconsider their existence. We are disciplined, professional, and a lethal force built to withstand anything you can dream of throwing at us."

Franklin hosts General McLane Friday night at 7 p.m. with the homecoming queen being crowned at halftime.

Below are more photos from the homecoming parade and festivities.

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The wonderful, quirky stories of Oil City are being told

10/11/2021

For nearly half the time Oil City has been around, Judy Etzel has left a trail of cigarette ashes and echos of laughter along her path as she navigated and investigated nearly every inch of the place. She has spent her life in search of tales to tell. But even with over 50 years writing stories for her hometown newspaper The Derrick, she knows she has only scratched the surface.

She is still scratching and is still itching to find more stories.

So when she left the newspaper during the city's 150th year, she was looking for an avenue to keep penning the rich history of the region. "I didn't want anymore oil wells on hillside stories," she said.

At the library she found a partner in crime, someone also eager dig up the dirt and fun stuff that makes the area rich in tradition and notoriety.

Together with Kay Dawson, a retired school teacher, the two comb through the Oil Heritage Society archives, old newspapers and historical collections to seek the wonderful, quirky bits of the Oil Region.

As they research, they find more and more interesting tidbits to share. They get off track with the little tidbits, the off-shoots and the extra things that they need to often refocus on what they were initially researching. "We go down some rabbit holes," Etzel admits as they find so many little interesting nuggets.

They start, generally, with a photo. Finding an old black and white of elephants bathing in the Allegheny River requires some hard investigation.

Why the heck were they there? Then they tell us.

And did you know if it wasn't for the Oil boom the Tin Man from the "Wizard of Oz" might never have come to be? Had the author's father not moved to these parts, drilled for oil, help form the town of Plumer and create an affluent family business, L. Frank Baum might not have envisioned a tin can man with a funnel hat who always needed lubricants as one of Dorothy's best friends.

These are the little things that get Etzel and Dawson excited.

Joining the pair in this journey is 24-year-old Natalie Cubbon. She gets a kick out of what Etzel and Dawson find. Her role is to put the stories into "Hidden Heritage," a zine-style newsletter that is distributed online and in print through the Oil Region Library Association. She says learning about these historical figures and events really makes her love the area region even more.

The three meet in the upstairs of the Oil City Library to create issue after issue of this gem. Sometimes not adhering to the library's "ssshhh" policy, they have a lot of laughs and fun together.

According to library director Dan Flaherty, the newsletter is generating a lot of visitors to the website and to the library. He said people stop by asking for physical copies. Sometimes people who have never been in the library before or haven't been in years.

Items that draw even more attention are photos of people and places readers remember. Etzel even marveled at a photo showing her late husband as a very young man.

And Etzel, Dawson and Cubbon are dozens of articles ahead, so you can expect to see newsletters for months to come.

Without this effort, the pictures and stories would likely sit in dark drawers, forgotten mostly. Having a gifted wordsmith like Etzel (who is still seeking a way to use the word "feckless" after a challenge from an old editor years and years ago), a consummate researcher like Dawson and teamed with a young tech-savvy Venango County lifer like Cubbon, the stories are coming alive and people are taking notice.

The articles, which began circulating in June, are posted on the Oil Region Library website. Printed copies are available as funding allows. Flaherty said donations are helpful to defray the printing costs, but given the popularity of the newsletter, he's also looking into other ways to handle the printing expenses.

The trio behind the newsletter see it as an important education tool for those who live in and around Oil City, whether the reader is a recent transplant or a lifelong resident.

"People ought to know where they grew up," Etzel said.

But even more than that, it's a labor of love for retired Dawson and ageless Etzel, who join Cubbon a few times a month to delight in finding new quirky tales and falling into the rabbit hole.

Note: Etzel still hasn't been able to find a way to sneak feckless into a story. Maybe when she tells the story of Stonehouse Jack?

To view more of the Hidden Heritage newsletters visit the website or click on the photo above.

Doc Fee is the Galahad of the Franklin Knight's roundtable

10/9/2021

Who is the perfect Knight? If you study roundtable lore there is a huge debate about which of King Arthur's prized chivalrous army was indeed the best of the best.

After last week's acknowledgment by Franklin High School that Dr. William Fee was worthy of being inducted into the school's hall of fame, I think we can say he has a seat at the table and may be the perfect Knight.

If you ever saw him tear out onto the football field on his 79 year old legs to tend to a fallen Knight, you would know he is indeed, Galahad. perfect in courage and gentleness.

Doc Fee is pretty matter of fact about when he started being the Franklin team physician. "I can't remember!"

It's not a flippant response from someone avoiding the question, it really doesn't matter to him. It is what he does. "It's the right thing to do."

The doc has had to deal with the rough and tumble of the past being in Oakland Califonia in the early 70s and working as a physche consultant for the Oakland Raiders. He has tales of the shenanigans of early 70s football to tell but admits he was a tad nervous when he had to give a few players a not ready to play diagnosis. "I told them my name was Dr. Jones," he said with a smile.

He was Viet Nam era army doc serving stateside and he eventually made his way to Franklin to practice and he has been a valuable community member ever since.

Doc Fee admits he was a 100 pound wide out in high school but decided football wasn't for him as a player, But he has dedicated a great deal of his life to being on the sidelines of footbal games and he is heart and soul taking care of these Franklin Knights. As for being recognized by the school, he humbly states that it "is quite and honor."

But if you ask him whay he does it..."It's because it is the right thing to do." At 79 years old he can still be seen running on to the field when a player is down or checking a player on the sidelines

Personally, meeting folks like Doc Fee is why I love what I do.

He is an old dude who still cares about the future. Approaching his 80th birthday, he still loves working with kids and teaches them about what being dedicated is all about.

And humility.

Recently I was invited into the locker room prior to a home game. Doc Fee was there and when it came time for a little hydration before taking the field, he stood there and poured cup after cup of water to hand each player. This wasn't the act of an all important doctor, but of a Franklin Knight.

A humble, gentle, courteous, chivalrous, courageous and perfect Knight!

Learning fire prevention and having fun with local volunteers

10/8/2021

Sandycreek Elementary school was visited by the neighborhood firefighters Friday, the final day of National Fire Prevention Week. Five representatives from the Sandycreek Volunteer Fire Department, including two EMTs, presented a short classroom program about prevention and safety. Students also went outside to see fire trucks and gear, and learned more about what it means to be a firefighter.

Besides safety education, local fire departments are hoping to recruit young people interested in serving their community as volunteers with local departments. Numbers are down overall and the average age of those who are active is getting older. Educational opportunities show the importance of local fire departments and spread awareness to this growing need.

National Fire Prevention Week was started in October 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed over 250 people and render over 100,000 homeless. The goal of the week is to create fire awareness, to prevent tragedies and teach the public how to protect themselves and their neighborhoods.

The students were also given a chance to have some fun shooting water out of the truck's hose.