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1. Birding With Technology Virtual Program is at Noon This Thursday, April 15 press release
2. Virtual Tour of Hills Creek State Park is at Noon This Friday, April 16 press release
3. Schedule Times This Friday, Saturday or Monday, April 16, 17 or 19 or on a Different Day for In-Person Auditions for Roles in HG’s “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” press release
4. Cast is Announced for Hamilton-Gibson’s “The Last Romance” press release with photo and caption
5. In-Person Saturday Morning Bird Walks are This Saturday, April 17 and Next Saturday, April 24 at Hills Creek State Park press release with photo and caption
6. Free BioBlitz to Begin at Hills Creek State Park with Virtual Kickoffs on Thursday, April 22 and Saturday, April 24 press release

Diane Eaton
dianetn@ptd.net
570-724-3800

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BIRDING WITH TECHNOLOGY VIRTUAL PROGRAM IS THIS THURSDAY, APRIL 15 PRESS RELEASE

Register now for the free 30-minute Birding With Technology Virtual Program being held this Thursday, April 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This online program is for those who would like to get more out of their bird watching experiences by learning how to use technology to help discover more birding places, to seek out hard to find birds, and to identify the birds that registrants see.

Featured will be a brief introduction to birding as well as instructions on how to use the Ebird website, and the Merlin app to help birders make the most of their time afield.

Register at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ under Hills Creek State Park to receive a link to the Birding With Technology Virtual Program. For best viewing, use a desktop computer or larger tablet.

For more information, call Environmental Education Specialist Bob Edkin at 570-724-3061 or email him at redkin@pa.gov. This program will be held virtually and NOT in person at the park.

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VIRTUAL TOUR OF HILLS CREEK STATE PARK IS AT NOON THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 16 PRESS RELEASE:

Those interested in learning more about what Hills Creek State Park has to offer should register now for the free, 30-minute virtual visit being held from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. this Friday, April 16.

Highlighted will be park amenities and popular things to do and experience at the park, from great fishing to paddle sports, birding, hiking trails and spending a quiet weekend in a cabin, yurt or camping at the park’s campground.

Hills Creek is located at 111 Spillway Road in Charleston Township, near Wellsboro.

Register at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ under Hills Creek State Park to receive a link to the Virtual Tour of Hills Creek program. For best viewing, use a desktop computer or larger tablet.

For more information, call Environmental Education Specialist Bob Edkin at 570-724-3061 or email him redkin@pa.gov. This program will be held virtually and NOT in person at the park.
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SCHEDULE TIMES THIS FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR MONDAY, APRIL 16, 17 OR 19 OR ON A DIFFERENT DAY FOR IN-PERSON AUDITIONS FOR ROLES IN HG’S “DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE” PRESS RELEASE:

In-person auditions for roles for women and men in Hamilton-Gibson’s production of “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” are being scheduled for this Friday night, April 16 beginning at 7 p.m., Saturday afternoon, April 17 at 4 p.m. and Monday night, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro.

All “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” auditions are by appointment only. To schedule a time to audition on April 16, 17 or 19 or to arrange a different day and time to audition, contact Hamilton-Gibson Productions by calling 570-724-2079 or emailing hamgib@gmail.com. Social distancing and wearing a mask are required.

“All ages, races and types are heartily welcome to audition,” said Gabe Hakvaag who is directing the play.

Four to six actors will portray the following characters: Jean, a woman; Gordon, a dead man; Mrs. Gottlieb, Gordon’s mother; Hermia, Gordon’s widow; Dwight, Gordon’s brother; and The Other Woman, a stranger.

“Dead Man’s Cell Phone” tells the story of a woman, Jean, who is bothered by a cell phone that keeps ringing, although the man seated at the table doesn’t seem to notice. Eventually, she storms over, picks up the phone and answers several calls, pretending to speak for the man named Gordon, before realizing he is dead.

This modern fable, written by highly respected American playwright, Sarah Ruhl, explores the paradox of modern technology’s ability to both unite and isolate people in the digital age. “Ruhl prefers to capture everyday actions within a mythic framework, telling stories the way fables are told: this thing happened, then this and then this. The results are stories that are both delicate and hilariously funny, simply charming but with teeth that bite,” Hakvaag said.

“Ruhl’s productions are intentionally highly imaginative and collaborative, and cast members are expected to bring creative problem solving along with acting skills to the production,” said Hakvaag. He has directed many HG productions, such as “Miss Holmes,” “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”, and “Fools In Love” as well as selections for Tune In To Radio HG, Hamilton-Gibson’s annual radio play festival.
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CAST IS ANNOUNCED FOR HAMILTON-GIBSON’S “THE LAST ROMANCE” PRESS RELEASE WITH PHOTO AND CAPTION:

Thomas Putnam, director, has announced the cast for Hamilton-Gibson’s production of “The Last Romance,” a heart-warming comedy about the transformative power of love written by acclaimed American playwright Joe DiPietro.

This will be Hamilton-Gibson’s first live theatre production in Wellsboro since October 2020.

A crush can make anyone feel young again – even a widower named Ralph. On an ordinary day in a routine life, Ralph decides to take a different path on his daily walk – one that leads him to an unexpected second chance at love.

Relying on a renewed boyish charm, Ralph attempts to woo the elegant, but distant, Carol. Defying Carol’s reticence – and his lonely sister’s jealousy – Ralph embarks on the trip of a lifetime, and regains a happiness that seemed all but lost.

Gary Fizzano plays Ralph Bellini, the lead character. Anne Acker is Rose Tagliatelle, Ralph’s sister with whom he lives. Kathryn Sheneman is Carol Reynolds, Ralph’s love interest. John Tobey Jr., a student at Mansfield University, plays the Young Man, a tenor who sings verses from arias but has no spoken lines.

“Early in our marriage my wife Tina, and I lived in Italy for two years as missionaries,” Fizzano said. “Years later, we moved to Bath, New York to work at Family Life radio and about 10 years ago to Morris to be involved with the camps at Three Springs Ministries. Eventually, I went back to working for Family Life radio from our home in Morris, and Tina remains at Three Springs as the main cook.”

Fizzano has been involved with several HG productions, including “Mame”, “Unbeatable” and “The Madwoman of Chaillot” and appeared as Fagin in “Oliver.” “Through the years, I have also been in Family Life radio productions. The most recent was the Christmas production of ‘The Gifts of the Magi’ playing 14 different characters as City Him.”

Sheneman lived in the Roseville area beginning in 1975, but left for 22 years and then returned two years ago after retiring from federal service in Washington. DC. She grew up in Hatfield, Pa.

“This is my very first experience with live theatre through Hamilton-Gibson,” said Sheneman. I have done staged readings. Last summer, for HG’s radio festival, I played the mother of baby Superman. Last fall I rehearsed for several roles for HG’s radio-style production of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ but, at the last minute, just before we were scheduled to record it, my possible exposure to someone testing positive for COVID-19 forced me to withdraw.”

Acker and her husband moved to Wellsboro this March after living in Coudersport for many years. On April 3 and 4 she was in HG’s staged reading of Rich Orloff’s “Blessings From the Pandemic.” At Coudersport, Acker was in more than a dozen musicals, including two of her favorites, “Anything Goes” and “Camelot” as well as appearing in “Quilters” and “Ring of Fire”, both live theatre productions with Hamilton-Gibson in Wellsboro. She has also performed as a keyboardist, guitarist and singer with different bands.

Tobey is from Hawley, Pa. A tenor, he is a performance major in voice at Mansfield University and gave his senior recital on April 10, was in MU’s “Spamalot” April 9-11, has participated in MU’s Opera workshops and is a Concert Choir member.

Based on the positive feedback Hamilton-Gibson received from audiences and cast and crew members following live theatre productions in July, September and October of 2020, the decision was made to continue using the same cleaning and safety measures for “The Last Romance.”

“We will clean the theater before every performance and the restrooms and lobby before and during each performance,” Putnam said. All members of the cast, crew and audience will have temperature checks and everyone is required to wear masks in the building.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, May 7 & 8 and 14 & 15 and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays, May 9 & 16 in the Warehouse Theatre in Wellsboro.

Tickets are by reservation only, have to be ordered in advance and prepaid online at hgp.booktix.com or by calling the HG office at 570-724-2079 with credit card information.

“Prepaid reservations allow us to assign and group seats to meet social distancing protocols and state guidelines,” said Putnam. “That’s why no tickets will be sold at the door.”

Ticket prices are $14 for adults and $6 for youth, 18 and under. Also available are FlexPasses for $60. For more information, to purchase a flex pass or to reserve and prepay, call 570-724-2079 or email info@hamiltongibson.org.

Photo by John Eaton
Carol (Kathryn Sheneman), in spite of herself, is amused by persistent questions about her life asked by a stranger during a chance encounter in a Hoboken dog park. Ralph (Gary Fizzano) is the stranger.

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IN-PERSON SATURDAY MORNING BIRD WALKS ARE THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 17 AND NEXT SATURDAY, APRIL 24 AT HILLS CREEK STATE PARK PRESS RELEASE WITH PHOTO AND CAPTION:

This Saturday, April 17, Ken Cooper of the Tiadaghton Audubon Society will lead the first Saturday Morning Bird Walk at Hills Creek State Park located on Hills Creek Road in Charleston Township, about seven miles northeast of Wellsboro.

Leading the Saturday, April 24 walk will be Sean Minnick, also a Tiadaghton Audubon Society member.

Both walks will begin promptly at 8 a.m. and are free and open to the public. Registration is not required. Meet at the Hills Creek State Park office at 111 Spillway Road, Wellsboro a little before 8 a.m. to drive to the nearby starting location. Everyone is invited to participate, including birders of all levels, first timers to experienced. Bring binoculars and cameras and wear subdued clothing and sturdy walking shoes.

“Walks may last two hours depending on how many birds we are seeing. They are slow-paced and cover a limited distance. When it is cold, we walk pretty fast,” said Minnick.

The walks will provide an opportunity to see the many varieties of water and woodland birds that live in or migrate through the park. Bald eagles and ospreys are often observed on Hills Creek Lake.

“Cloudy and rainy weather tends to ground migratory species that might just fly over our area otherwise,” Minnick added. In case of inclement weather, the group may opt for a driving tour with several key stops nearby to keep participants dry.

“There should be a variety of diving ducks and puddle ducks on Hills Creek Lake during April. Also I would expect to see some horned grebes, pied-bill grebes, loons and possibly some tundra swans,” Minnick said. “We’ll also be looking for the birds that wintered here, such as the northern cardinal, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, nuthatches, both white and red-breasted, woodpeckers – downy, hairy, red-bellied and pileated, and golden-crowned kinglet, just to name a few.

“We may also see some of the spring birds like robins, red-winged blackbirds and, if we’re lucky, maybe a pine warbler. eastern phoebes, and several species of sparrows,” he noted. “Later in the month we should start to see rough-wing swallows, tree swallows and barn swallows, and several species of shorebirds. The variety of birds will increase dramatically as spring progresses,” Minnick said.

For the dates of walks being held on Saturdays in May and updates on the birds that have been seen in the area and helpful local birding information, visit tiadaghtonaudubon.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/TiadaghtonAudubon/ or email tasmember@yahoo.com.

Or, register now at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ under Hills Creek State Park to receive a link to the 30-minute Birding at Hills Creek virtual series program being held from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, April 23. Each online program in the series is not only for avid birders but also those getting into birding for the first time. They are held once every other week.

For information about Hills Creek State Park, call the park office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at 570-724-4246.

Photo by Gary Tyson
Those who go on the first Saturday Morning Bird Walk on April 17 at Hills Creek State Park may see a ring-necked duck.
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FREE BIOBLITZ TO BEGIN AT HILLS CREEK STATE PARK WITH VIRTUAL KICKOFFS ON APRIL 22 AND 24 PRESS RELEASE:

How many species can you find at Hills Creek State Park? Hundreds? Thousands?

Find out by participating in the Hills Creek BioBlitz and discovering the many living things that call Hills Creek home, from fascinating fungi to wonderful waterfowl.

To get involved in the Hills Creek BioBlitz, participants can attend one of the two free virtual kickoff events to learn what a bioblitz is, when it is being held at Hills Creek and how to log their observations using the iNaturalist website and mobile app. Then, they can visit Hills Creek State Park in person to see how many species they can find. The park is at 111 Spillway Road in Charleston Township, near Wellsboro.

The first free 30-minute Hills Creek BioBlitz Kickoff virtual program will be on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the second will be on Saturday, April 24 from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Those familiar with the iNaturalist platform can participate in the Hills Creek BioBlitz without attending either kickoff event. Information about it is already on iNaturalist.

A bioblitz is a citizen science event where people search for any and all living things in a defined area over a defined period of time. The Hills Creek BioBlitz will run from Earth Day on April 22 through the Memorial Day Weekend and end on Memorial Day, May 31. During this time, participants can log their observations and upload a photo using the iNaturalist website or mobile app.

Bioblitzes are a lot of fun and generate useful data for science and conservation by bringing naturalists, scientists, and curious members of the public together in the great outdoors. Every observation made can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common weed.

Register at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/ under Hills Creek State Park and receive a link to the free April 22 or 24 Hills Creek BioBlitz Kickoff virtual program. For best viewing, use a desktop computer or larger tablet.

For more information, call Environmental Education Specialist Bob Edkin at 570-724-3061 or email him redkin@pa.gov.