The Home Page Network

Welcome to another edition of Chamber Highlights with Chamber President, Marsha Chesko. Winter is retreating as spring arrives soon, and with it comes plenty of exciting and fun events and activities around Tioga County!

On Thursday, March 17, from 5–7pm at the Warehouse Theater, 3 Central Avenue, Wellsboro, there will be a Wellsboro Chamber Member Mixer & Brochure Swap. This even is free and open to the public. Keynote speaker will be Pete Herres, Wellsboro department of Parks and Recreation director. Items will be auctioned off ”live” at various times during the event. There will also be a silent auction. Chamber members and the public are invited to donate items for the auctions. Proceeds will benefit the Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival, June 11-19. Chamber members, who plan to donate merchandise, gift certificates, crafts, baked goods, etc. for the auctions or food to be served at the event, are asked to contact Julie VanNess, executive director as soon as possible. She said, “We don’t need the actual items until March 17, but do need information in advance about what is being donated.” Chamber members are asked to bring at least 100 copies of their business or organization brochures to the Chamber office by Friday, March 11, so they will be available at the mixer. For information, call Julie at 570-724-1926 or email juliev@wellsboropa.com.

Highland Chocolates, 11724 Route 6, will have an Easter Open House for Kids on Friday, March 18th from 4—6pm. Join us and make your own chocolate by selecting a Jumbo Pretzel or Jumbo Marshmallow to dip in chocolate and decorate for $2 each. Located on the corner of Route 6 and Shumway Hill Road. Check out their website: www.highlandchocolates.org or Facebook for more information.

There are several events happening on March 19th around the area: At noon on Saturday, March 19th The Wellsboro Lions Club invites children of all ages to an egg hunt with prizes, hot dogs and drinks provided by The Lions in service to our community. The egg hunt will be located at Woodland Park so come out and enjoy the family fun. (Rain date will be Sunday, March 20th at 1:30pm).

Contra Dancing will also take place on March 19th at 7pm, in the Gallery at the Deane Center’s Warehouse Theater, 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro. Give it a try or listen to the music and watch. At 7pm take a 30 minute lesson with caller Ted Crane of Ithaca, N.Y. to learn the basic steps. The Cherry Flats Ridge Pluckers will provide the music for the contra dancing from 7:30-9:30pm. Before the start of each new dance, Crane will do a complete walk through with those attending. Admission is $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220.

Also happening on Saturday, March 19th and Sunday, March 20th from 10a.m.— 4p.m. Bring the whole family to Hills Creek State Park for the Maple Weekend Open House. The two day event is free and open to the public. It is being held conjunction with the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers 12th Annual Maple Weekend. The park is at 111 Spillway Road and is seven miles northeast Wellsboro in Tioga County. Plan to spend about 45 minutes to experience what each maple station has to offer. At the park’s Sugarhouse, located near the beach parking area and large pavillion, visitors can find out how to “tap” into this natural resource in their own backyards, see how pure maple syrup is processed from tree to table and taste the finished product. Learn how to identify maple trees, how to tap trees and collect sap, the history of maple syrup making, and how the finished product is made. Large groups are encouraged to contact the park by calling 570-724-4246 to schedule a private tour either on Maple Weekend or another time in season. From information, call 570-724-4246.

On Monday, March 21st and Tuesday, March 22nd there will be a live reenactment of “The Last Supper” based on Leonardo da Vinci’s painting of the same name in the Deane Center’s front window at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. Four 15-minute performances will be given between 6pm and 8pm each evening. Sidewalk viewers will hear a recording of scripture from the Gospel John as the actors portray Jesus and his 12 disciples at the Passover feast before His redemptive suffering and death by crucifixion. Chairs will be provided along the sidewalk where anyone can sit to watch. Free refreshments will be in the Dean Center’s lobby after every performance to those who attend. Actors will be from the Crossroads Family Worship Center (Assembly of God) Church, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Vineyard Church, First Presbyterian Church and the United Methodist Church, all of Wellsboro. For more information, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220.

The last Wellsboro Community Concert Association concert of the 2015-2016 season will be on Saturday, March 26th at 7:30pm and will feature Kevin McKrell and two musicians he has performed with for over 25 years, Brian Melick, percussionist and Doug Moody, Adirondack fiddler. They will be playing bluegrass and Celtic music at the Deane Center’s Coolidge Theatre in Wellsboro. Mackerel is a folk singer and songwriter whose works have been recorded and performed by artists around the world. Among them are the Kingston Trio, the Furey Brothers and Davy Arthur, Seamus Kennedy, North Sea Gas, Hair of the Dog, Wood’s Tea Company, Bob Shane, the Dublin City Ramblers and many others. Mackerel was a founding member of Donnybrook Fair, a Celtic folk band, and The McKrells a Celtic bluegrass band. He and his bands have performed for audiences at the top Celtic, folk and bluegrass festivals, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Troy Music Hall, Berklee Performance Hall, Proctors Theater and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for students with student ID cards. Children 12 and under accompanying a paying adult will be admitted free. For tickets or information, call 570-724-6220 or visit www.wellsborocca.org.

On Saturday, April 2nd, from Noon— 2pm. The Fifth Season Women’s Boutique requests the pleasure of your company at Spring Into Style fashion show and champagne luncheon. A delightful afternoon featuring the latest in Spring Fashions, Demonstrations of style trends, entertaining and gift giving ideas. Enjoy a delicious three-course Champagne Luncheon, Surprises, Giveaways & Gifts Galore! Seating is limited. Call 570-724-6910 or stop in to purchase your $25 ticket.

On Friday, April 8th, at 7:30pm. Don’t miss the great sound of rock, funk, blues. We want to end this Gallery Music Season with the best show of the year. Rebecca and the Soul Shakers will be playing in the Coolidge Theater at the Deane Center. Tickets are $12 and it is BYOB. To buy tickets or for more information, call 570-724-6220.