Blog Archives

Oil Region tourism award winner's announced

9/29/2022

The votes are in, and the people have spoken. Ronnie Beith, Applefest and others bring home top recognition in the second annual Oil Region Tourism Awards. Nearly 500 voters selected from more than 50 nominations in eight categories to deem the best of the best in the Oil Region.

“The participation in this contest is outstanding,” said Emily Altomare, Oil Region Alliance Communications and Tourism Manager. “We shortened the nomination and voting periods this year, but still saw a lot of variety and interaction.”

Voters were asked to pick from the following nominees in the different categories to determine a winner.

Best Dish:
Liberty Street Burger at Trails to Ales in Franklin
Other nominees:
Pecan Crusted Chicken at Bella Cucina in Franklin
BBQ Bacon Burger at Dawndi's in Franklin
Kale Salad at Iron Furnace in Franklin
Brisket & Gouda sandwich at The Well in Titusville
Smashburger at Curbside StrEAT Co. in the Mercantile in Titusville

Best Drink:
Brokenspoke Blueberry Beer at Trails to Ales in Franklin
Other nominees:
Shaved Ice from Sprinklez at the Mercantile in Titusville and Seneca
Boba Drink from Sprinklez
Thai Iced Tea from Homegrown Kitchen in Franklin
Vanilla Iced Latte at Iron Furnace in Franklin (which lost by only one vote)

Best Room:
Peddlers and Paddlers Inn, Franklin
Other nominees:
The Witherup House in Franklin
Haggerty Hollow (an Airbnb outside of Franklin)
Cottage and Farmhouse at Two Mile Run County Park

Best Shop:
Core Goods in Oil City
Other nominess:
The Printer’s Cabinet in Franklin
Franklin Clothing Exchange
Amy’s Closet and Sassy’s Gifts
Cali Rae's Haute Spot in Franklin
Stone House Jack in Titusville

Best Industry Advocate:
Ronnie Beith
Other nominees:
Ashley Cowles Sheffer
Maureen James
Wendy Thompson
Luke Kauffman
Chris Fiely
Kim Harris
JC Caton

Best Industry Partner/Organization
Venango Chamber of Commerce
Other nominees:
Franklin Retail Association
Oil Region Library Association
Titusville Iron Works

Best Must Do Activity or Attraction:
Applefest
Other nominees:
Historic Pithole City
The Venango Museum
Kayaking
Seneca Lanes, Seneca
Titusville Iron Works, Titusville
Franklin’s Light Up Night
Two Mile Run County Park
Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
Tattoo from Austin Ink
The Escape Room in Titusville
Ax Throwing at Allegheny River Retreat Center, Franklin
Farm to Fork Event Sponsored by Titusville Renaissance at Drake Well Train Depot

Best Landmark
Two Mile Run County Park
Other nominees:
Barrow-Civic Theatre, Franklin (which lost by one vote)
The War Memorials at the Venango County Courthouse Parks in Franklin
Morrison Park, Seneca
Pipeline Alley, Oil City
Two Mile Run County Park
The Driller Monument in Woodlawn Cemetery in Titusville
Wildcat Mansion
Allegheny River Retreat Center

The ORA is the designated by the county commissioners as marketing organization for Venango County and oversees the Oil Region National Heritage Area, which comprises all of Venango County, Titusville, Oil Creek Township, and Hydetown Borough in Crawford County. The contest was open to nominations from within the boundaries of the ORNHA.

“We will definitely hold the contest again in 2023,” Altomare said. “We may add or exchange some categories in the future to keep the contest fresh.”

For more information about the contest, please contact [email protected].

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ISO: NW PA art for sale

9/28/2022

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The Franklin Area School District has put out a call for regional artists.
The district, under the guidance of teacher Darrellyn Freeman, is beginning an art collection at the junior/senior high school building and is looking to feature artists from northwestern Pennsylvania.
“My long-term hope for this project is that it will become a fundamental part of our curriculum, culture, and community,” Freeman said. “…Art is a powerful tool that can bring people together and celebrate the human condition.”
Freeman, who teaches art to senior high students, was inspired to start the program based on the recommendation of school nurse Jacob Kosker.
He is a graduate of Greater Latrobe School District, where a similar collection was started almost 100 years ago.

“(Kosker) spoke of all the wonderful things that the collection was able to foster in their district and community since its creation during the Great Depression,” Freeman said. She reached out to the school district and was given some guidance on how to start a program at Franklin.

“I presented the idea of starting an art collection in Franklin to the school board and administration over the summer and they offered their full support,” she said.

Through a survey, the students made various remarks in support of the idea as well. Comments included “It would help students be more experienced (and) exposed to things that they wouldn't have been able to before that they might find to be really exciting”; “an art collection would create a more professional, civilized, and cultured school climate at (the high school); additionally, it would provide the students—in this case, the senior class—an opportunity to be directly involved in the development of the school’s culture and environment”; and “it would boost morale among students and give them a sense of pride and admiration while walking in the hallways (which are quite depressing in their current state)."

To get the collection started, the school is looking for submission to be the first art acquired.
Submitting artists must be age 18 and older and should submit 2-D designs once a year. Pieces should be representative of the northwest region and could include works produced through drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, and printmaking. Entries may be refused if they are deemed inappropriate for the kindergarten through grade 12 setting.

The deadline for the first round of consideration is December 31, 2022. Additional information is available online at https://sites.google.com/students.fasd.k12.pa.us/fasdartcollection/home.

The current senior class will choose one of the submissions to add to the collection through anonymous voting. The chosen art piece will be purchased from the artist, framed professionally and installed in the hallways of the high school. The selected artwork will be revealed during the annual student art show held each year in May.

Art will be purchased through funds raised by the student body. An initial fundraiser and auction will be held at 5 p.m. December 6, prior to 7 p.m. senior high band and choir concert. Students will create artwork to sell at the fundraiser. The school is also accepting donations from the community, according to Freeman.

“Our region is filled to the brim with some incredibly talented artists. Artists who are able to beautifully capture the past, present, and future of the world that we live in. By establishing an art collection, we will have the opportunity to celebrate these talents while providing a sense of pride and ownership for our students, staff, and community,” Freeman said.

Or as one of the students said through the survey, “it would benefit because the community can see the talent we have in our own backyard. It could help the community see the art department as more than just a class but instead as an essential part of our school education.”

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Art and wine - is this heaven?

9/15/2022

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Spirits, art and music will be one reason to spend an up-coming Friday night in downtown Oil City's Northside. “Oil City Uncorked” is fundraiser for the Oil City Main Street Program and it features a chance to visit downtown businesses to sample what local wineries have to offer.
This year features several opportunities to check out Oil City renowned art scene. The “Hi, we’re still here,” art show featuring the works of Rafi Perez and Klee Angelie currently on display at the Graffiti Gallery is one of the more than a dozen stops. Next door the Earthworks pottery studio, The Artists Attic and the Transit Art Gallery are also creative stops along the way.

“People love the opportunity to have an evening on the town and stroll around with friends, sample some wine, and get to know your local businesses owners,” said Kathy Bailey, Main Street’s manager.
This year’s event features more than just wine with 15 wineries, breweries and distilleries participating. Allegheny Cellars Winery, Black Dog Wine Company, Cart/Horse Distilling, Cellar 22/Pisano Family Winery, Country Hammer Moonshine, Deer Creek Winery, Emlenton Brew Haus, Fractured Grape/Novosell LLC,
Groundhog Winery, Happy Hour Winery, Side Hustle Brewing Company, Starr Hill Vineyard and
Winery, Two Birch Winery, Webb Winery, and The Winery at Wilcox.
A complimentary 2022 Oil City uncorked souvenir glass and a wine walk map accompanies your ticket

Participants who visit each host venue also have the opportunity to win a wine gift basket.
The fall wine walk will be held 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. September 23. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $30 before September 21 or the day of for $35.
Core Goods and the Oil City Library have the tickets, but they can also be purchased online at www.oilcitymainstreet.org.
All wine walk participants must be age 21 or older and must check-in on the day of the event in
person, with valid photo ID and ticket or confirmation in hand.
Also playing that night in Town Square are the popular Oil City Wells Street Band perform from 5 to 8 p.m.. The concert is free and open to the public
For more information: Call the Oil City Main Street Program at (814) 677-3152 or visit website at
oilcitymainstreet.org. They will also post updates on the Oil City Main Street Program Facebook page

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Can you make strings sing? Venango needs you!

9/9/2022

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The Venango Chamber Orchestra, under the direction Terri Wittriech, is gearing up for their fall concert. They need strings and are looking for people who can really play for their performances of classical and popular music. If you play decently they might just have a chair for you.

You do not have to be a Venango County resident to play in this orchestra.

The show, which is free to the public, will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 16 at the Barrow-Civic Theatre.

Those interested should practice and contact concert mistress(first chair violinist) Nancy Simpson at 814 -677-6007.

Rehearsals will be held Saturdays, Sept. 3, 10, 17 and 24, and Oct. 1, on the third floor of DeBence Music World on Liberty Street; and from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at the Barrow. A dress rehearsal will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 15 at the Barrow.

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You can have a say in Franklin's recreation needs

9/9/2022

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Franklin City Council is looking for input from the community. On August 1 they approved a comprehensive survey in order facilitate community feedbackt on the city’s many existing recreational venues, as well as prospective new ones.

They noted that limited funds require them to act on projects that most benefit the community they serve.
These survey results will help determine how the city can best allocate financial resources and personnel to meet the needs and desires of the citizens of Franklin.

To take part in the survey and have a voice in the discussion visit the city’s website. Or the survey can be picked up at city hall. The survey is expected to also arrive with your September water bill. The survey is for Franklin residents only and only one survey can be completed per household.

“Recreational assets serve a vital role in quality of life and help build a sense of place," said Amanda Power, Franklin’s Community Development Director. "So I hope we get a really strong response rate.”

The survey is open through October 15, 2022.

Anyone with questions can call Franklin City Hall at (814) 437-1922.

To take the survey now visit https://s.surveyplanet.com/aeulvhbe

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Program to provide free tablets for eligible adults

9/2/2022

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Update: Additional sessions of this program will be held in September. There will be representatives at the Oil City Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. September 14 and 15 and at the Franklin Public Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. September 27 and 28.

Representatives from the federal electronic tablet distribution Affordable Connectivity Program will be at the Franklin Public Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

The ACP is a U.S. government program run by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to help low-income households pay for internet service and connected devices like a laptop or tablet. Through the Franklin visit, they will provide tablets with 25GB of data to qualifying individuals.

Adults may be eligible if they meet any of the following qualifications:

Income at or Below 200% Federal Poverty Level
Federal Pell Grant in the Current Award Year
Medicaid
WIC
Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Veterans and Survivors Pension Benefits

Attendees should bring proof of eligibility. This may be an award letter or official documents that show participation in a qualifying program when applying for the Emergency Broadband Benefit. Also take a valid state or federal ID.

There is a limit of one discount per household (internet/phone/tablet). To learn more about ACP, visit https://www.affordableconnectivity.gov/

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Music in Oil Country: 'Where it's halftime all night long'

9/2/2022

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Oil City High School's marching band is once again hosting the Music in Oil Country marching band extravaganza on the Oil Field Saturday, September 10. They are featuring a dozen musical troupes, many accompanied by dance lines and waving silks. According to festival posters, it is a place "where it's halftime all night long."

The festival will feature 11 high school bands from seven counties. Each band will perform selections they have learned for their 2022 halftime show.

Also this year the Grove City College Wolverine Marching Band will perform

Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the music is slated to start at 7 p.m. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the Oil City High School gymnasium.

Admission is $5.

High school bands scheduled to perform include the Oil City Oilers, Franklin Black Knights, Titusville Rockets, Keystone Panthers, Allegheny-Clarion Valley Falcons, Lakeview Sailors, Cambridge Springs Marching Blue Devils, Warren Dragons, Conneaut Area Eagles, Fort LeBoeuf Stampede of Sound and Brockway Rovers.

As in past years, there will be a concession stand, raffles, candy grams and air grams. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Oiler Marching Band’s efforts to purchase new uniforms for their growing band in the near future. This year the band has 80 members, a significant increase from previous years.

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