Second Chance Performs

The second chances Vocal Ensemble performed in the Headwaters Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society's annual Saturday night. 

Gloria Richardson, center, leads the group. Anne McCleary, not visible in photo, accompanies.  Martha Knight Photo

Barbershop Generational Gap

Two of the Allegany Goodtime Singers illustrate that barbershop singing spans the generations. They are John Sherer, left, and David Empson, age 11.  Martha Knight Photo

Barbershop concert a rousing success / By Martha Knight

COUDERSPORT—Mickey, Minnie and Donald logos smiled with glee, and jack lanterns grinned on the stage apron, and singing groups on stage seemed to be enjoying the event enormously.

But then, judging from the applause, whistles and cheers,  so was the audience, in the Coudersport Junior-Senior High School auditorium Saturday night, as the Headwaters Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society presented its annual show.

Titled “A Salute to Disney,” the program did include songs from Disney movies, performed mostly by the 13 members of the Allegany Goodtime Singers. Members Dave Hauber and Chris Keir shared directorial duties, as the Goodtimes belted out a Disney song medley, followed by “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”. “Heigh-Ho”. “”A Spoonful of Sugar” and other hits.

There’s lots of magic in Disney, and in those songs. Gepetto’s yearning came through in “When You Wish Upon a Star.” The Lion King question, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” brought an unspoken affirmative reply, as the Disney songs wound down.

Second Chances, a compact vocal ensemble led by Gloria Richardson, romped through portions of the “100 Years of Broadway” revue, sometimes sounding like Manhattan Transfer with tight harmonies, sometimes invading River City, always at home on stage. Ann Myers’ strong soprano and Anne McCleary’s solid piano accompaniment were pluses.

Keystone Express, with Rick Lytle, Hauber, Burt Crowell and Chris Keir, did a sentimental “Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie,” and later returned to do “Lida Rose” from “The Music Man.” But without Shirley Jones to do the descant, it’s hard to impersonate the Buffalo Bills (quartet in the Broadway show and movie).

Fortunately director Keir, a Belmont, N.Y. area school music instructor, has some talented children, including Grace, age 9, and Nora, age 8, who sang the “Sweet and Low” part in strong, clear voices. The teamwork between the quartet and the diminutive duo was perfect. Learning from the proud dad that it was Nora’s birthday, the audience joined in with all the performers except Nora in singing a hearty “Happy Birthday.”

Another capable young singer was David Empson, a Coudersport sixth grader and son of fellow Allegany Goodtime Singers member Jared Empson. The young man is a veteran of stage, too, having performed in the Potter-McKean Players’ production of “A Christmas Carol” last winter.

The benefit brought a good haul of food items and some monetary contributions for distribution to Coudersport, Emporium and Port Allegany food banks.

After the program the singers and their family members went to the Coudersport Presbyterian Church, where the groups rehearse, and quickly set up tables for a late supper of pizza and other snacks. Who should come to call, Dan Tucker style, and sing for their supper, but the Olean. N.Y. area Chorduroys quartet. They achieved a doo-wop-barbershop amalgam in “Only You.”

Then other singers on hand joined forces in several more rousing numbers, amazingly well coordinated for a group that had not sung together before. They were still having lots of fun, but it was past bedtime for the children. Even the closest harmonizers must part—until the next rehearsal.

Bicentennial Meeting Held

Bicentennial planning is in preliminary stages, looking to a community-wide celebration of 200 years of history since the first several dozen settlers arrived in 1816. Here some of the planners gather in the S.W. Smith Library meeting room. A logo design contest is contemplated. All organizations in the greater Port Allegany area are invited to participate as they see fit, and to be part of the planning process.  Martha Knight Photo

Gator Senior Night

Port Allegany High School Football Senior Night was held October 17 at Gator Field.  Senior football players, cheerleaders and marching band members and their parents were honored.  

To top off the evening, the Gators were victorious over the Smethport Hubbers with the score of 26 - 19.  Pam Fischer Photos

Rotary Programs Update

Susan Carlson and Pat Bodamer recently visited Rotary and presented a program to the local  club giving them an update on Serenity Glass Park, and what is going on with the Port Allegany Main Street Revitalization Corporation.

Plans are coming along with the park which will be located at the corner of Main and Mill Streets where the former theater building stood.  Soon a glass sign will be installed on the vacant lot where the glass park will be. It will say - 'Future Site of Serenity Glass Park'. Joe Roller, Dave Reese and Sue Carlson have been playing with blocks at Pittsburgh Corning to create the sign. It will be built at the factory in three parts and brought down Main Street on fork lifts to the site.

 

Pat told about the "sprucing up" of the business district - cleaning and painting and displays in the store windows.  Winners of the window decorating contest were announced as follows: 
 

1st place - Upper Allegheny Watershed Association; 2nd place - 'Canoe Place' by Pittsburgh Corning employees; 3rd place - Pittsburgh Corning display by Pittsburgh Corning employees; 4th place - Wild Life Display by Dr. Brenda Sawyer of Olean Medical Group.

 

New banners have been installed on Main Street and around the square.

 

Pat also told of an upcoming event - Christmas on the Square.   Mark your calendars  - the date is Thursday, December 4 from 6-9 p.m.  Mayor of Port Allegany, George Riley, will speak, followed by an invocation by Rev. Randy Headley.  John Meade will provide Christmas music throughout the evening.  The lighting of the Christmas Trees will be led by Rotarian Scott Bayline; Santa will make an appearance and there will be a performance by students of the Sandy Johnson School of Dance.  There will be caroling, an Elf Dance off and much more.

 

Christmas Sweaters and Costumes are encouraged.  Grand Marshals for Christmas on the Square are Lloyd and Dolores Eastman.  The event is still being organized and details will be announced as they become available. 

 

Pictured are Rotarian Ron Mickle, Susan Carlson and Pat Bodamer.  Pam Fischer Photo

Causer Issues Statement on Status of Denton Hill State Park

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) issued the following statement in response to news that Ski Denton at Denton Hill State Park may not open this season for financial reasons:

“I am deeply disappointed by the prospect of Ski Denton at Denton Hill State Park being closed this winter. The park is a wonderful place enjoyed by so many of us in the area, and it has great potential to offer year-round recreation. Despite years of calling on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to step up and invest in the park’s infrastructure, the facility has been virtually ignored by state officials. Considering the financial boost the state gets from the thousands of acres of state-owned land in our region, it is certainly fair to expect some of that money to be invested here at home.

“I have spoken with DCNR in recent weeks about this situation and am encouraged the department has agreed to conduct a feasibility study to identify ways to not only improve skiing at the park but also open up other year-round recreational opportunities.

“I am committed to working with the concessionaire, DCNR and Sen. Joe Scarnati to do all we can to keep the ski area open. And by working together, I believe we can look forward to a brighter future for Denton Hill State Park.”

Turkey Day 5K

Registration Form:  http://www.huenix.com/tt-portsoccer-2014.pdf

Sarah E. Scherer, Order of Eastern Star member

Sarah E. Scherer, 87, of Port Allegany, died Tuesday (October 28, 2014), at her residence in Port Allegany.

She was born May 9, 1927 in Jeanette, PA, a daughter of Ross and Jane Stenhouse Rumbaugh. On March 17, 1947, in Wellsboro, PA, she married Robert J. Scherer, who survives.

Mrs. Scherer was a graduate of Coudersport High School. She was a book keeper for the First National Bank of Port Allegany for 38 years before retiring in 1989.

She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Port Allegany and Order of the Eastern Star; Myrtle Chapter #46 of Port Allegany.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by:

one daughter: Linda (Max) Drauschak of Port Allegany

two sons: Robert J. (Jill) Scherer of Port Orange, FL and John R. (Marianne) Scherer of Port Allegany

7 Grandchildren: John R. Scherer, Jr., Ellen Scherer, Nicholas B. Drauschak, Nicole L. Drauschak, Sara Nightengale, Andrew Scherer, and Julian Scherer

5 Great Grandchildren: Nolan Drauschak, James Nightengale, Nathaniel Nightengale, Bryce Scherer, and Finn Scherer

one sister: Darlene Lyons of Palm Desert, CA

one brother: Ronnie Rumbaugh of State College, PA

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Ross Rumbaugh, and one sister, Norma Thompson.

There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at a later time and date to be announced.

Memorials, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Online condolences can be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Port Allegany.

Student Buss to A-C Valley

If 20 PASD students sign-up, there will be a student bus to the volleyball game at AC Valley on Thursday, October 30th. The price to ride the bus is $3.00. Interested students must sign-up in the Principal's Office. All students must have the permission slip filled out to ride the bus. The bus will depart the high school at 3:30 p.m.

Pitt-Bradford psychology program restructures major

BRADFORD, PA – The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s psychology program has restructured its Bachelor of Science major to provide students with both a greater breadth of knowledge in their field and a chance to tailor their studies to their future careers.

Dr. Greg Page, associate professor of psychology and director of the psychology program, explained that the changes were spurred in part by new recommendations issued by the American Psychological Association in 2013.

The new requirements will take effect in January 2015. Students who are currently psychology majors have the choice to continue following the psychology requirements that were in place when they declared their major or to switch to the new requirements. Previously, students were required to take five core courses, plus a minimum of two courses each in cognitive/developmental psychology, social psychology and counseling psychology.

The altered major expands the number of core courses by requiring students to enroll in child development, social psychology, personality theories, abnormal psychology, and professional seminar in psychology. This expansion provides the students a greater breadth of general psychology courses.

Students then choose five additional courses categorized as experimental or applied focus.

“The new psychology curriculum frees up students to select courses that match with their career interests,” Page said. “For instance, if students want to focus on research/academic careers within psychology they can select more courses from the experimental focus courses. Meanwhile, students wanting counseling-related careers can select more applied focus courses.”

To further prepare students for life after their bachelor’s degree, the major will require a new professional seminar class that will teach students about careers at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level; career preparation; and graduate school preparation.

New Law to Help Seniors Keep Property Tax/Rent Rebate Eligibility, Causer Says

HARRISBURG – With just over two months left to apply for the 2013 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, a new law aims to insure continued eligibility for people who received Social Security cost-of-living increases this year, said Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint).

“A modest increase in Social Security payments pushed some people above the income limits for the program this year,” Causer said. “But those increases were meant to help with the day-to-day cost of living, and property tax or rent assistance is still sorely needed by these senior citizens and people with disabilities.

“This new law ensures they continue to get the support they need,” he added.

Under Act 156 of 2014, any homeowner who receives Social Security, was paid a property tax rebate in 2013 for claim year 2012 and had annual income up to $35,298 last year would still qualify for a rebate for the 2013 claim year. Similarly, renters who receive Social Security, were paid a rent rebate in 2013 for claim year 2012 and had annual incomes last year up to $15,128 would qualify and are encouraged to apply.

The increased income limits apply only to individuals who were previously eligible for the program and whose income increased solely due to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. Otherwise, income limits remain as follows (excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits):

• $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (homeowners and renters)
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (homeowners and renters)
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (homeowners only)
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (homeowners only)

Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with permanent disabilities.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is automatically reviewing previously denied applications where the rebate was denied for income in excess of $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters. In cases where the overage is due solely to Social Security COLAs, the department will reopen, process and pay these claims.

Additional information and assistance with applying for the program are available by contacting Causer’s offices in Bradford (78 Main St., first floor, 814-362-4400) or Coudersport (107 S. Main St., Room 1, 814-274-9769) or by visiting www.RepCauser.com.  

For residents who have already applied for and/or received their 2013 rebates, the 2014 program will open for applications in early 2015.