AMP - March 2015

OLEAN, N.Y. — Satirical paro-dies and hilariously witty spoofs of famous Broadway legends and shows, past and present, will take the stage at the Washington Street Theater when the Olean Theatre Workshop (OTW) presents “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits.”

This parody of popular Broadway shows will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 12, 13, 14, and Sunday, March 15, at 2:30 pm. Tickets will be avail-able online or by calling 373-SHOW (7469) or at the door. Cost for all tickets is $10. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Olean Theatre Workshop Scholarship Fund which provides scholarship for graduating seniors.

The show, created and written by Gerard Alessandrini, will feature music from Broadway shows includ-ing “Les Miserables,” “Wicked,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Chicago,” “Cats” and more.

This fall-down funny musical roast of Broadway has picked up 9

Drama Desk Awards, a Special Tony, an Obie. Whether you’re a seasoned theatre-goer or new to Broadway, Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits is your one-stop ticket to non-stop laughs.

The cast consists of students in the Olean Theatre Workshop Senior class which includes in alphabetic order:® Kaleigh Anastasia, a 10th

grade student at Olean High School (OHS), has appeared in numerous productions, most recently in “Once on this Island” and as solo nun in the “Sound Of Music.”® Zach Enders is a senior in

Belfast Central School and has appeared in numerous productions in Allegany County and intends to study theater in college.® Greg Farris is a student at

Jamestown Community College and has been in numerous performance including “Into the Woods.”® Kaitlin Field is a senior at

OHS is a member of the OTW

I’d like to take a moment to say thank you for the warm welcome I have received since being named the new executive director of Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center (BCPAC).

On a monthly basis I hope to excite and educate you on what it is like to work on a show from my perspec-tive. Often as a patron, your experience is limited to what happens on the stage for 90 minutes. The arts have a way of captivating us. It is a fan-tasy. It is a way to express ourselves. It is an escape from reality.

My reality? It starts at 7 a.m. when the first semi-truck pulls up to the loading dock to build the magic that you expe-rience. I’m going to tell you stories of what it is like to put the show on the stage.

You’ll hear about the stage-hands, the crew, the food and the actual artists themselves.

I’m fortunate to be in a job that I love. The

experiences are priceless. Throughout my career, I’ve had the pleasure

of sharing time behind the scenes with some of the greatest entertainers of our generation. From Frankie Valli, Anne Murray, George Thorogood, Charlie Daniels, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Buddy Guy, John Sebastian, Pat Benatar, to “Weird Al” Yankovic (After all, I did say some of the greatest entertain-ers of our generation, right?).

There are plenty of stories to be told from these meetings. Some are funny and some will bring a tear to your eye.

This column will also be used to explore all of the events and arts that happen in our community. I hope to broaden the perspective that arts are happening all around us: in our schools, in commu-nity theaters and in festivals.

It is important to enrich the lives of our younger generation.

As a matter of fact, I’ve had the fortune to

see firsthand how professional musicians have impacted and worked with area students. I hope to create more opportunities for our younger gen-eration to gain life-changing experiences.

I’ll go into detail in future writings. I’m enthralled with the opportunity that waits for our new partnership together. If I can put in a quick plug for BCPAC programming, I’d like everyone to know that in the upcoming years I will introduce not only a headliner series, but will also package together different series of trib-ute artists, country and songwriter series and an unplugged/acoustic series that will feature top singers in an intimate setting.

We will introduce these series with an afford-able ticket price so everyone can enjoy the arts. I want to grow this community so that Bradford will be a destination for those in surrounding markets to come and visit us.

My vision will be realized when we have res-taurants and hotels full with out-of-town guests on the night of our performances.

Get ready, Bradford. We’re in for a fun ride together. I’ll be writing about it here.

Enjoy the show.

(David Fillenwarth is the new executive director of the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center.)

PAGE 2 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 ART, MUSIC, PEOPLE

Get ready, Bradford: ‘We’re in for a fun ride together’

David Fillenwarth

‘Forbidden Broadway’s GreatestHits’ is coming to Olean stage

Please see Forbidden, page 4

ART, MUSIC, PEOPLE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 PAGE 3

By Rich Place

ELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. — The first day of spring may be during the month of March,

but don’t tell anyone in Ellicottville. They’ll be skiing down the slopes throughout the entire month as long as the weather permits.

It’ll continue what has been described as a “good year” by offi-cials at Holiday Valley, which is expected to remain open all month with a target closing date of April 6.

“December was not our best but January and February have had great snow, good consistent weather and it’s been busy,” said Jane Eshbaugh, marketing director at Holiday Valley.

Mardi Gras celebration is the highlight of the month for the village, which also includes the annual Winter Carnival at Holiday Valley during the same weekend. This year’s festivities are scheduled for March 14, including the parade set for that evening.

At Holiday Valley, the winter carnival will feature a Ducky Drop,

a fundraiser for Mercy Flight that includes 500 rubber ducks being dropped from a helicopter. If a participant’s duck lands in a kiddie pool placed on the Yodeler slope, they’ll win some money.

“They wanted to bring the heli-copter back (to the Winter Carnival) again because you want people to see it and make some kind of asso-ciation,” Eshbaugh said. The drop is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15.

The winter carnival is also expected to feature its annual tradi-tions, including a costume parade, snowbar, face painting, the dummy downhill and more.

“The costume contest is cool because so many people partici-pate. They are just silly and having fun,” Eshbaugh said. “Of course, the dummy downhill is great. It’s just crazy the things people come up with.”

Also in March, Holiday Valley will host its annual Scout Ski Days on March 7 and 8. The event is designed to allow youngsters a chance to enjoy a day on the slopes

with their scouting group. Special pricing includes eight-hour lift tick-ets for $30, a lift and lesson for $34 and rental for $44. Helmet rental is $5.

And although the thought of melting snow and warmer tem-peratures are far from the minds of any skier, the resort will mark the final days of the ski season with its annual Pond Skimming event on

Saturday, March 28.The event invites participants

to skim across an ice water-filled pond. Prizes range from best skim-mer to best costume. Registration is $5 and takes place outside Yodeler Lodge beginning at 11 a.m.

For more information on any of these upcoming events, visit holidayvalley.com or ellicottvilleny.com.

The crowd awaits more action com-ing down the slope at Holiday Valley Resort.

Mardi Gras highlights March events at Holiday Valley

A float makes its way down Washington Street during a recent Mardi Gras celebration in Ellicottville. This year’s event takes place March 14.

AmeriCorps program. She has appeared in numerous productions and was light board operator for “Arsenic and Old Lace.”® Madison Forrest is a junior at

OHS was recently seen in “Beauty and the Beast” as Wardrobe and most recently as Liesl in “The Sound of Music.”® Maija Klute Maija is an OTW

AmeriCorps member who also provided sound effects on “Arsenic and Old Lace” as well as being the Mother Abbess in “The Sound of Music” and the youngest nun in “Nunsense.”® Peyton Kunselman was recent-

ly seen in “Arsenic and Old Lace” as the police chief.® Julie Mulryan is a member of

the OTW AmeriCorps program. She was Maria in “The Sound of Music” and music director for “Anne of Green Gables.”® Taryn Nasuta has appeared in

many different shows most recently as a nun in “The Sound Of Music” as well as being the treasurer for the OHS Drama Club.® Kaitlyn Patrone, a student in

eighth grade, has appeared in the “Best Christmas Pageant Ever” and “Joseph.”® Nicholas Patrone is an OTW

AmeriCorps member and was recently seen in “The Sound of Music” as Capt Van Trap and numerous other productions.® Cassidy Price is new to the

OTW and has appeared as a nun in “The Sound Of Music.”® Julia Rakus, a ninth grader at

OHS, recently appeared in “Anne of Green Gables” as Anne. She has appeared in many different produc-tions.® Mia Rogers is a ninth grader

at OHS who has appeared in “Anne of Green Gables” as the teacher and

Elsa in “The Sound of Music.”® Alexis Sova, a senior at OHS,

has been in many productions both at the OTW and at OHS. Her credits include “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Godspell, No, No, a Million Times No” and “Into the Woods.”® Courtney Sisson, an eighth

grader, has been in the Olean City School District STAR program for severals year and is new to the Olean Theatre Workshop.® Mary Ring, an eighth grader,

has appeared as a nun in “The Sound of Music” and is new to the OTW.® Anna Wray has appeared in

numerous shows both at the Olean Theater Workshop, including “Into the Woods,” “Once On This Island” and Portville school.


Photo submittedCast members rehearse a scene from “Forbidden Broadway’s Greatest Hits.”

FORBIDDENContinued from page 2

HOMEDELIVERY

OLEAN TIMES HERALDCALL TODAY:

(716) 372-3121

One might say Jamie Ervay was born to be a musician.

The son of a drummer, Ervay is a 31-year-old father and award-winning musician, singer/song-writer specializing in drums and percussion. He currently lives in Hinsdale, N.Y.

His love of music was apparent in the earliest stages of his life. At 7 years of age, Ervay began learning rhythms and started playing along with other music. By age 16, he was in three bands and performing in clubs regularly around the region. He gained a reputation due to his skill at his age and was acclaimed by many.

Ervay has recorded, performed and toured with past and present groups such as Avarice, Joker’s Wild, Sardonic Grin, Led By The Blind, Jamie Ervay (solo project), and InstaJam, includ-ing high-profile shows such as the heavy metal festival “The All-Stars Tour.” His music can be heard on a wide region of radio stations includ-ing Internet radio such as Slacker and Pandora. His song “Cut Me Free” won in “Best Lyrics in a Song” in 2012.

Led By The Blind’s debut album “Controversy” won Album Of The Year in the WNY Music Awards in 2012. The band also won Best Rock/Metal Band. Ervay also took home awards in the Best Drummer category in 2012 and 2014.

In 2012, Led By The Blind released its first music video “O#2” which was written, directed, filmed, edited and graded by Ervay.

His alternative hard rock song “Feeding The Monster” details his struggles within a very crowded and always-changing music industry as he attempts to break through while keeping his sanity after facing some rejections and seeing small successes.

When he isn’t playing music, Ervay is an IT professional, graphic artist, animator, videogra-pher, screen printer, writer and avid listener of music. He also regularly strengthens his tech-nique and knowledge of music with the help of his Los Angeles-based teacher Jeff Friedl, drum-mer of A Perfect Circle, Puscifer, Devo, Filter, The Beta Machine.

With a debut solo performance at Good Times of Olean in late November of 2014, Ervay was welcomed to the stage by nearly 400 people, delivering a very strong response for a first con-cert in the local area.

He was joined on stage by Devin DeWyer, Jeff Pennachio and Chris Young.

Led By The Blind recently released a lyric video to their single “Echoes & Whispers” which also was created by Ervay.

Currently, both of the Jamie Ervay and Led By The Blind projects are competing in a battle of the

bands for Floodfest ’15. A link to show support is http://austin.battleofthebands.com/u/jamieer-vay

Late this spring, Led By The Blind will be releasing its sophomore album on the heels of Ervay’s debut solo album, which is still currently being written. The bands plan to do some touring together shortly after the release.

Regarding his upcoming album, Ervay said, “The new album is a collection of songs I’ve been writing or have written from age 16 until now. Some of the songs haven’t been finished in 15 years because I was never satisfied with them. I really hope this gives people some insight into what I’m about.”

“I only write music I like. If I don’t like it, I won’t record it,” he continued. “Hopefully people can really grab onto what I have coming and hold onto it. If not, then I at least proved to myself that I could do this.”

It’s been a long road, but Ervay doesn’t give up.

“It’s been very hard to work, then organize things for two bands and keep at my hobbies and raise a teenager while taking care of my other responsibilities,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to write songs and record as many of the instru-ments myself as I possibly could just to see what it would sound like outside of my head. That’s really my entire goal with this — just to say ‘I did it.’ If people like it, like they have the last three songs I released, that’s just a bonus. A major bonus.”

A Pledge Music campaign is being rolled out as a way to keep the fans part of the journey to create and release the new album. Fans can pledge a certain amount of money to raise funds for the album and are rewarded with special items, some that are one of a kind.

To keep up to date on what’s going on with Ervay’s musical projects, find his musician page on Facebook, Twitter or visit www.ledbytheblind.com. The website www.jamieervay.com will be launching in the coming weeks.


Musician rolls out Pledge Music campaign

Photo submittedJamie Ervay performs and plays regularly throughout the area. A Pledge Music campaign is being rolled out as a way to keep the fans part of the journey to create and release his new album.

Effort is a way to keep the fans a part of the journey

SALAMANCA, N.Y. — Why not grab two tickets to paradise this March by attending one of the shows at the Seneca Allegany Casino?

Eddie Money, perhaps most well known for his “Two Tickets To Paradise” ballad, will per-form at the Seneca Allegany Events Center on Friday, March 6, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $20.

After more than four decades in the music industry, Money continues to perform his Top 40 hits and unique blue-collar brand of rock ’n’ roll. In addition to “Two Tickets,” which Money recently performed on a Geico television commercial, other well-known hits include “Think I’m in Love” and the Grammy-nominated “Take Me Home Tonight.”

Also, Jeff Foxworthy is sched-uled to bring his legendary stand-

up comedy to the Seneca Allegany Events Center on Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $40.

Salamanca has been a popular place for the Blue Collar Comedy

Tour, as every come-dian in it — Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall, Ron White and Foxworthy — have each made an appearance at the casino in recent years.

Most well-known for his, “You might be a redneck” bits, Foxworthy has released six comedy albums, written sev-eral books and an autobiography, “No Shirt, No Shoes … No Problem!” He’s also starred in his own

sitcom, “The Jeff Foxworthy Show,” and hosted various other television programs.

On April 3, country music superstar Trace Adkins will make a visit to the Events Center. Tickets to his 7 p.m. show start at $30.

Since making his debut in 1995,

Adkins has become one of the most successful musicians in the indus-try. He has released eight studio albums and two greatest hit compi-lations and has charted more than 20 singles on the Billboard country music charts.

His most recognizable hits include “You’re Gonna Miss This,” “Ladies Love Country Boys” and the crossover hit, “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.”

Off the stage, Adkins has served

as a panelist on game shows such as “Pyramid” and “Hollywood Squares” and is a spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Program, the American Red Cross and has per-formed seven USO Tours, accord-ing to his website.

Tickets for all casino shows are available at select Seneca Resort and Casino retail outlets, Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or by phone at (800) 745-3000.


Eddie Money, Jeff Foxworthy and Trace Adkins are upcoming acts at theSeneca Allegany Casino

Eddie Money

Jeff Foxworthy

Trace Adkins

By Rich Place

SALAMANCA, N.Y. — With now three years under its belt, all signs point to the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series becoming an annual tradition for the Seneca Allegany Casino and the rest of Cattaraugus County.

Although official attendance fig-ures have yet to be released, officials at both the casino and within the racing series agreed it’s likely this year’s event surpassed last year’s record of about 15,000. And a longer track and better seating arrange-ments led to both happier racers and fans, they said.

“It improved tremendously hav-ing the bleachers right there by the track,” said Marc Papaj, vice president of resort operations at the casino. “It was such a difference this year compared to last year. It really felt like the crowd was all over the action.”

Carl Schubitzke, president of the International Series of Champions (ISOC), the snocross organization which oversees the series, admit-ted last year racers thought the track was too small and spectators weren’t as close to the action as he wanted.

Those were both improved this year, he said.

“Being close to the track and hearing it, seeing how fast they are going, it’s just a different per-spective on the event and one that is a huge selling point for the series itself and snocross racing,” Schubitzke said. “To be there hear-ing it and feeling it is something I think we missed last year and we got back this year.”

The weekend racing was the final one of a two-year agreement between the casino and the racing series. The two had partnered for a one-year deal in 2013 for the event’s first year as well.

Schubitzke said although nothing is “set in stone” for next year and beyond, he doesn’t see the current arrangement changing because both entities have been “very happy”

with the event’s turnout each of its three years.

“I always want long-term part-ners because the events just keep building and building,” he said. “It’s no coincidence our longest running event is our highest attended event. People become familiar with it.”

Not only were several aspects of the track experience improved for fans, but Mother Nature also graced the crowd with more comfortable temperatures than last year’s frigid nights.

“The weather played such a critical role,” said Papaj. “It was so much warmer this time around everyone wasn’t having to escape the cold and go back in the hotel throughout the day.” He said the new heated tents provided near the track were utilizing often on Friday but Saturday were used more infre-quently as temperatures reached the mid-30s.

Another positive aspect of the fan experience was the turnout of people who drove into the event on their own snowmobiles. Papaj said

at one point there were 150 to 200 sleds parked in front of the casino.

“That’s why we really feel we have a great location to continue this for years to come,” he said.

Although there was racing action all day on both Friday and Saturday ranging in genders, ages and expe-rience levels, the main Pro Open features — the event’s top attraction — was dominated both nights by Tucker Hibbert, arguably the sport’s most recognizable star.

And while there weren’t battles for the lead in that series as often as there were for the spots behind Hibbert, Schubitzke said he was pleased with the quality of racing the series provided on all levels.

“To see (Hibbert) is like seeing Lebron James at his best and hav-ing the best performance of his life,” he said. “It’s something unique and cool to see any individual not only at the top of their game but per-forming at their best.”

The series visit to Salamanca was the fifth of eight stops for the AMSOIL Championship Snocross

Series for the 2014-15 season. The series’ next stop was in Chicago on Feb. 20 and 21 before heading to Michigan and ending the season in Wisconsin in mid-March.

Schubitzke praised the fans in New York for their support and went so far as to say that the crowd in Salamanca is the most enthusias-tic of the series’ eight stops.

“That is something that always stands out for me and it always gets me excited, pumps me up and gets me looking forward to coming back next year,” he said. “I think that is something that New York does best at out of all of our events.”

The event was livestreamed online during both days but also recorded by the CBS Sports Network. Those interested in watch-ing the series’ visit to Salamanca can watch the event tape-delayed on that channel.

The action from Friday, Feb. 6, was shown on CBS Sports Network on Feb. 22 at 9 and 11 a.m., and the action from Saturday, Feb. ,7 will be shown March 1 at 9 and 11 a.m.


Third snocross visit to casino seen as best yet

Weather played a critical role in allowing the event to be so successful at the casino in Salamanca. The series visit to Salamanca was the fifth of eight stops for the AMSOIL Championship Snocross Series for the 2014-15 season.

Event was livestreamed and also recorded by CBS Sports Network

BRADFORD, Pa. — A mul-timedia exhibition about the soundscape of Iceland

will continue through March 6 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s KOA Art Gallery.

Montana native Burke Jam created the exhibition, “FRACTURE,” after spending a year exploring, listening to and recording the sounds of

Iceland’s landscape. In addition to field record-

ings, the show includes Jam’s photographs and drawings, which explore seasonal incon-sistencies of light, geologic cycles and sub-tectonic move-ment.

“My intention is to create an experiential understand-ing of the physical and natural

world,” Jam said.He was raised in rural

Montana and received a bach-elor’s degree in art in 2006 and a master’s degree of fine arts in sculpture in 2013 from the University of Montana.

He received a Fulbright Grant for 2013-14 to travel and work in Iceland, where he spent a year researching the relation-

ship between physical place and environmental sound.

Currently, he teaches at Portland State University in Oregon and works as a smoke-jumper for the U.S. Forest Service.

The gallery is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.


By Alex Davis

BRADFORD, Pa. — Drive from one end of Bradford to the other and Diann Hatch Ramsay says you’re bound to see a stray cat wandering the streets.

It’s an image that breaks her heart — each and every time. It does so much so that she wants to open up a facility in the Bradford area dedicated to the felines.

She already has a name for the organization, Lucky Cats Rescue Unit, and now she is calling on area residents to back her project. She said she knows she won’t be able to save all of the felines, but she’ll at least be able to help some. Cats require love, care and other kinds of affection, she said.

By summer, Ramsay is hoping for the organi-zation to be rolling. Ramsay said she wants to do everything cat related, from being an educational resource to bringing in strays to providing sup-plies like food to cat owners.

Her effort is not in competition with the McKean County SPCA, she pointed out. In fact, Ramsay said the group does well with dogs but is overwhelmed with cats.

“They do a good job,” Ramsay said. “They’ve got their hands full.”

That’s where Lucky Cats Rescue Unit would fill the gap.

For Ramsay’s group, the immediate needs are volunteers, donations, and building space.

Already, Ramsay has former McKean County SPCA volunteers and employees helping with the cause. But she is looking for others to join the effort as board members. She is seeking between six to eight individuals to be part of the group.

“In time, I will be hiring people to work with the cats,” Ramsay said.

Additionally, Ramsay is looking for donations

that include money, food, blankets and other items. And, of course, Ramsay is eying space for the facil-ity.

Ramsay has other big plans for the organization, too. She wants to have a cat supply area where she could provide food, litter and other items to cat owners.

At the facility, she also will be an educator and teach people how cats live. She also wants to lend an ear to those who have lost a cat. Down the road, she may also see about board-ing cats at the unit.

Saying that Ramsay has a soft spot for cats is an understatement. Several years ago she connected with a feline at the McKean County SPCA. Ultimately, she adopted the cat and named it Lucky.

But the cat had many health problems. Early in its life, the feline had ear mites, upper respiratory problems, among other issues. Health issues persisted through its life.

No matter, Ramsay stuck with the feline until it died seven years later.

Reminiscing, Ramsay said the cat taught her much about life and about cats, and she wants to give back what he gave to her — through Lucky Cats Rescue Unit.

Ramsay’s expertise isn’t just taking care of a cat in need, though. She used to be a part-time employee at the SPCA several years ago and once worked in veterinary offices in the Bradford area as well.

Even as a child, Ramsay kept watch over cats. She remembers riding her bicycle to the SPCA to

deliver a wayward feline.And with her cat facility effort underway,

Ramsay has gotten advice from Jackson Galaxy, who is a cat behaviorist and host of the television show “My Cat from Hell.”

Ramsay is hoping the community pitches in for the Lucky Cats Rescue Unit. She believes a cat facility is a major need in the Bradford area.

For more information, contact Ramsay at (814) 558-0812 or at P.O. Box 575, Bradford, PA 16701.

(Contact reporter Alex Davis at [email protected])

It’s a purr-fect planBradford woman looking to create cat rescue unit

Diann Hatch Ramsay has a name for the organization, Lucky Cats Rescue Unit, and now she is calling on area residents to back her project.

Multimedia exhibition about Iceland planned for KOA Gallery


By Alex Davis

Tourists have been spending about the same amount of money across the four-county region in 2013 over 2012, according to a recently released Economic Impact of Tourism in Pennsylvania report.

Topping the list locally is McKean County with $174.5 million in tour-ism spending, followed by $66 mil-lion in Elk County, $34.5 million in Potter County, and $9.6 million in Cameron County.

McKean and Potter counties saw small increases, Cameron County stayed the same and Elk County saw a minor decrease, according to the report. The figures, released in January, account for lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreation and transportation.

“This increase in visitor spend-ing reflects solid, consistent growth for the tourism industry in McKean County,” said Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau Executive Director Linda Devlin. “As the offi-cial destination marketing agency

for McKean County, the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau is very pleased with the growth of the tourism industry within our county and thanks all of our hospitality businesses that have made this prog-ress possible. It is a wonderful part-nership. As local hotels increase the numbers of visitors, additional visi-tor income is spent locally at shops and restaurants.”

Spending by tourists has risen significantly over the years in McKean County. In 2005, such spending totaled $119.6 million a year and by 2013 the annual amount expanded to $174.5 million, an increase of $54.9 million per year over nine years, according to Devlin. In 2012, the total was $173.4 million.

“This new income benefits a very wide range of local businesses, everything from the local hotels, to retail shops, guide services, grocery stores, and even the local gas sta-tions,” Devlin said.

In the 12 counties that make up the Pennsylvania Wilds, McKean County is ranked as No. 4 in terms

of tourism industry spending.“Given the population, number

of rooms, and budgets of the two top counties within the region — Lycoming and Clearfield — our bureau is very pleased with the economic impact tourism spending is generating for McKean County,” Devlin said. “We are looking for-ward to increasing our market share with the development of new and expanded attractions, like the build-ing of the Kinzua Bridge Visitors Center at the state park scheduled to open in the fall of 2015.”

And despite the positive news, the local Visitors Bureau operates with limited marketing dollars. Devlin said it has been extremely vital to form partnerships with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Allegany State Park, Allegheny National Forest and area businesses and orga-nizations.

“Inventive programs like the development of the educational resource guides for school field trips by associate professor Wayne

Brinda’s students at UPB (University of Pittsburgh at Bradford) have helped us create new product to attract additional visitors,” Devlin said. “Also popular are the Treasures of the Forest Shopping Trail and the ANF Visitors Bureau’s Dining Guide which encourage visitors to stay lon-ger and spend more money locally.”

At the same time, the state gov-ernment has cut the budget for the state Department of Travel, Tourism and Film, in what Devlin calls “his-toric lows under the Corbett admin-istration.” The annual budget is $5.8 million for 2013-14. At one time, the budget was $17 million. That meant sponsored-tourism marketing pro-grams were eliminated, according to Devlin.

“Our agency, the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, along with many of the other des-tination-marketing organizations throughout the state, had our state matching funds completely elimi-nated,” Devlin said. “This loss of

Tourists are still looking to spend their time in McKean County, despite a slow-arriving winter. In December, individuals contacted the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau in Bradford, making plans to go snow-mobiling or some other winter activity in January and February.

REPORT SAYS TOURISM BRINGS MILLIONS TO LOCAL REGION

Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau photo

Please see Tourism, page 10

By Kate Day Sager

BRADFORD, Pa. — When Bradford Area High School student Bryn Manion learned she had been selected to attend the 2015 Washington Journalism and Media Conference in July, she wondered who nominated her for the prestigious event.

While Manion is still uncertain who nomi-nated her as a National Youth Correspondent in Washington, D.C., she is pleased to par-ticipate in the pro-gram this summer. The event, scheduled for July 12-17, will be conducted at George Mason University.

Manion, a high school sophomore, learned she had been asked to attend the event a couple of months ago. She said news of her selection was quite a surprise.

“I’m not sure who nominated me. I just received a packet” with the notification, Manion said.

At first she believed Jan Russell, her teacher in the Explore gifted program, or her guid-ance counselor, might have sent her name to the college. Both said they had not and couldn’t take credit for her selection.

Manion also believes she may have caught someone’s interest through her Advanced Placement English class, which requires her to blog written entries online. She did note, however, there are other proficient writers in her class, which adds to the mystery of her nomina-tion.

Information provided by the university on the program said Manion will join “a select group of students from all over the country for an intensive study of journalism and media.

“Manion was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in journalism and media studies,” the

university said.During the week-long stay, Manion and the

other students will participate in “hands-on, expe-riential learning through decision-making simula-tions that challenge them to solve problems and explore the creative, practical and ethical tensions inherent in journalism and media.”

Presenters will include prominent journalists, CEOs of major media outlets, researchers and recent college graduates successfully entering the field, the university said. Well-known journalists who attended last year’s conference included Hoda Kotb from NBC, Brian Lamb from C-SPAN, Carol Guzy from The Washington Post and Peter Doocy from Fox News.

Manion said her parents, Dan and Carla, and her three younger brothers, will travel with her to the event. She is excited with the opportunity to tour the White House and other buildings in the nation’s capital.

Manion, whose other interests in school include par-ticipation on the vol-leyball team, the soft-ball team and skiing, will have to review information from the program. She is also expected to complete homework assign-

ments before the event. Carla Manion, a Bradford Area School Board

member, said she and her husband are pleased with the news.

“I’m very proud of her. It’s an honor and she’ll get a college credit for it,” she said. “She’s excited. We’ve never done anything like this before.”

On a final note, Bryn Manion said she hopes to enroll in pre-medicine studies in college with a minor in journalism.

(Contact reporter Kate Day Sager at [email protected])


income decreased the amount of funding available to market and promote local attractions, and lim-ited the opportunities to partner in state-sponsored regional coopera-tive marketing.”

But Devlin remains optimistic.“The future of tourism growth

in McKean County is looking posi-tive for now and in the future,” Devlin said.

In neighboring Potter County, tourists have increased spending slightly from 2012 to 2013 — $34.3 million to $34.5 million.

Potter County Visitors Association Executive Director David Brooks said several factors play into the small boost, includ-ing the economy.

In addition, Brooks noted the ebb and flow of the gas industry.

“That certainly has an impact on lodging and things like that,” Brooks said.

One attraction in Potter County he pointed to is Cherry Springs State Park, which he said is often featured nationally. The state park’s dark skies make the area the perfect spot for astronomers.

In Cameron County, officials saw the same amount in tourism spending for 2013 and 2012 — $9.6 million.

Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tina Johns Solak said she expects the West Creek Rails to Trails to boost tourism in the county. The trail runs through Emporium on a for-mer railroad bed.

It’s already working, with an increase with snowmobilers, she indicated.

At the same, officials are looking to expand trails in the Emporium area, with plans calling to include the fairgrounds along Route 46.

She said Cameron County is unique when it comes to tourism. The county has many seasonal res-idents and when they shop, those purchases get recorded.

Meanwhile, in Elk County, tour-ists spent $66 million in 2013 as opposed to $66.1 million for 2012, according to the recently released report.

(Contact reporter Alex Davis at [email protected])

Continued from page 9

TOURISMManion selected to attend journalism,

media conference in Washington

Bryn Manion


By Christa Nianiatus

OLEAN, N.Y. — In its second year at Good Times of Olean, but a longtime winter tra-dition for some, the late January curling

tournament was a brisk but fun-filled event for all.

With its origins at a family pond in Portville, the event has since grown to draw a mass crowd to the event center, where slabs of ice sit atop what are normally beach volleyball courts in the summer.

Corey Miller along with his cousin and fellow 2001 Portville High School graduate, Andrew Studley, were the key organizer’s of this year’s event and last year, when the tournament made the leap from the family farm off Haskell Road to Good Times of Olean.

From those modest beginnings, event-goers this year enjoyed a heated outdoor tent and indoor space featuring all-day food, drinks, live

music, and other Good Times’ amenities.A roster of 64, four-person teams participated

in Saturday’s all-day tournament, and although the event centers around competition, it’s really all about having some winter fun.

“What else are you going to do at the end of January? You get everyone outside and have good time,” said Bill Shaffer, a Portville resident and tournament participant.

“It’s really a fun sight to see the camaraderie,” said Terry Miller, also of Portville. “It doesn’t mat-ter who you are, everybody can get up here and compete alongside each other.”

The key, according to Dena Holcomb, and member of team “Fire on Ice,” is that “no one really knows how to curl.”

“Maybe in other kinds of tournaments it’s really tough against more experienced players, but here it’s really more about having a fun time — and the costumes,” she said, gesturing to her own flame-themed getup.

The event benefits the Portville Football Alumni Association, which distributes the pro-ceeds to severals sports at different levels in the Portville community. Last year’s event raised more than $4,000 for area teams.

Several current and former players and coaches not only showed up for the big day, but put in many hours in the weeks leading up to the tour-nament to build the ice rinks.

“For about three and a half weeks we were here making the boxes, putting the plastic in and just working with it every night to fill it up and make the ice,” said Matt Milne, an assistant coach for Portville football.

While the event goes a long way to benefit Portville athletics, it also provides an opportunity for coaches and players to reminisce.

“Honestly, it’s just a bunch of us getting togeth-er and having a chance to talk about the good old days,” said Milne. “But to see all of this, it’s really grown far beyond what any of us thought.”

A player delivers a stone Jan. 31 during the second annual curling tournament at Good Times of Olean.

Joelle Wolters/Olean Times Herald

Curling tourney gains traction

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 ART, MUSIC, PEOPLE

AMP - March 2015

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