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1. Tune In To Radio HG Experiment is a Success for Hamilton-Gibson Productions
2. Wellsboro Growers Market is This Thursday, August 13
3. Scatter The Knickers Headline Free Concert This Friday, August 14
4. Still Time to Register for Basic Pistol Class Being Held at Mill CoveThis Saturday, August 15
5. Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapter to Meet Thursday, August 20
6. Free Concert on Friday, August 21 to Feature Vineyard Church Band
7. Openings Available for Simple Keys to Authentic Acting Workshop for Women on Saturday, August 22
8. Register by Mail or Online by Tuesday, Sept. 1 for Step Outdoors Tryathlon & 5K Run/Walk T-Shirt and Medallio
9. Canyon Pilots Association Labor Day Weekend All-You-Can-Eat Fly-In Breakfast is Cancelled
10. Hamilton-Gibson Productions to Continue with 2020 Season Small Cast Productions

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

TUNE IN TO RADIO HG EXPERIMENT IS A SUCCESS FOR HAMILTON-GIBSON PRODUCTIONS

Based on the number of tickets sold for the Tune In To Radio HG Festival, the experiment was a success for Hamilton-Gibson Productions, a community theater arts group in Wellsboro.

For the first performance on Thursday, Aug. 6, 50 tickets were sold; for the second on Friday, Aug. 7, 40; for the third on Saturday, Aug. 8, 42; and for the fourth on Sunday, Aug. 9, 45.

“Our audience this year was bigger than last year’s and more than double the 20 people that can currently be seated in the Warehouse Theatre for a performance because of coronavirus requirements,” said Gabe Hakvaag, festival founder and producer.

“Financially we did well, thanks to ticket sales and our sponsors, Elite Therapy and Drs. Maria Cruz and Edgar Wong,” he said. “Our sponsors provide far more money than our box office ever could and are crucial to Hamilton-Gibson Productions’ success and ability to keep going.”

This year for the first time, the different lineup of radio plays for each of the four scheduled performances were prerecorded and streamed online rather than being live on stage in Wellsboro.

“I’m still gathering data to see how this went,” said Hakvaag. “Most of the feedback I’ve heard has been positive, especially from those who heeded my advice to ‘walk away from the screen and just listen’. That’s how these radio plays are meant to be enjoyed. But, those who wanted to see how radio plays were done in the Golden Age of Radio, could watch,” he said.

“As for the quality of the live stream, the clarity of the video and the audio, I think people had different experiences depending on what they were using to watch. Some people streamed to their TV monitor and had a big image and big sound. Others watched on a tablet or phone.”

The audience included people from outside Tioga County who logged in for the shows. “That is another positive,” said Hakvaag.

“We also had the unique experience of having the cast and crew be able to watch the shows along with the audience. Sarah Duterte, one of the directors, live-posted during the performances with comments on who was performing and the interesting things that happened during the performance. That was fun, too”, Hakvaag said.

“The main thing for me was we actually pulled it off,” said Hakvaag. “We produced multiple radio plays; the actors got to perform great material and enjoy acting again; and the directors delivered the performances and got to see them performed. In addition, we did live announcer spots during the livestreamed shows.”

“Our first venture into online radio shows was a great learning experience and wonderful entertainment,” said Thomas Putnam, Hamilton-Gibson Productions artistic director. He watched the show online. “We had a number of new performers this year, one who traveled all the way from Williamsport, and good solid directors. We have a new ticketing system, which provided some challenges but also allowed us to do much more than we previously could. This is something we will definitely consider doing in the future. We’ve had lots of positive feedback from online audience members and nothing but high praise from all who were involved.”

To share feedback, contact Hamilton-Gibson at (570) 724-2079 or email hamgib@gmail.com.

WELLSBORO GROWERS MARKET IS THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 13

Sweet homemade treats of all types, fresh raspberries, strawberries, sweet corn, a wide variety of vegetables, meats, pickles, relishes, preserves, jams and jellies are being offered this Thursday, August 13 at the Wellsboro Growers Market.

The market is open from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Thursday through October 8 on the front lawn of the First Presbyterian Church at 130 Main Street in Wellsboro, weather permitting.

At the market will be Chuck and Kate Gilligan of Pinafore Run Farm with blueberry preserves made from their homegrown blueberries; bread and butter zucchini pickles and zucchini relish made from zucchinis picked from their garden; and their light, amber and dark raw wildflower honey.

Ray and Janet MacWhinnie of Udder Merry Mac Farm are bringing their mixed leaf lettuce, basil, cucumbers and red, orange and yellow bell peppers, all grown hydroponically, along with raspberries, green bell peppers, sweet banana peppers, sweet artisan tomatoes for salads, slicing tomatoes and green and yellow snap beans, all grown in soil.

Gary and Cheryl Keeney will have cucumbers summer squash, string beans, yard long beans, sweet and hot peppers, potatoes, eggplant, some strawberries and maybe a few watermelons from the Keeney Farm.

Kathy Siegrist of Bakery 303 is offering cake pops, her classic butter pound cake on a stick dipped in chocolate, along with classic butter, blueberry-cranberry, orange-cardamom, lemon glaze, pecan streusel swirl, coconut and chocolate stout pound cakes.

Liz McLelland of Yorkshire Meadows is bringing lemon curd bars, blueberry and peach crunch desserts, scones, ginger cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, salted caramel shortbread bars, shortbread cookies, pecan sandies, Eccles cakes, carrot cake, chocolate zucchini cake and raspberry mango jam.

Linda Sweely of New View Farm will have her freshly made blueberry zucchini bars, cinnamon buns, artisan breads (Focaccia, Italian herb and everything) cinnamon raisin and everything bagels, maple syrup, honey, jams and jellies, ground horseradish, pesto, tomato relish and jalapeno pepper spread.

Todd Webster of Hillstone Farms is offering Bodacious and Incredible sweet corn, three types of pork sausage (Cajun, garlic and sweet Italian), hot dogs, beef minute steaks and other meat selections.

Frank Maffei will hold wine tastings and his Staggering Unicorn wines will be sold by the bottle. Justina Swartwood and Boki Cvetkovski of Scentillating Creations are bringing a selection of candles, soaps and other products.

Among the other vendors at the market are the Shortsville Green Growers, Aunt Lulu’s Embroidery and WindStone Landing Farms with non-GMO and chemical-free foods.

Customers are asked to wear face masks and maintain six feet of distance between themselves and others.

Vendors who want to participate are asked to call Thomas Putnam at (570) 439-2000 or email him at wellsborogrowersmarket@gmail.com.

SCATTER THE KNICKERS HEADLINE FREE CONCERT THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

At 6:30 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 14, get ready to stomp your feet, clap your hands and keep the beat to traditional Irish jigs, reels, barn dances, pub tunes and ballads as well as originals when Scatter the Knickers takes the outdoor stage at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

The trio includes Abbie Dolan of Horseheads, N.Y., Brian Casey of Elmira, N.Y. and Greg Smith of Columbia Cross Roads, Pa. Dolan plays fiddle and is the lead singer. Casey plays concertina, bodhrán and percussion, and Smith plays guitar, tenor banjo and Irish flute. Casey and Smith each write Irish-style originals that the band also performs.

Each of the band members spent time in Ireland at some point during their lives. Casey is still an active member of the New York City Irish music scene and participates in frequent workshops and festivals in Ireland.

The three musicians met at the Hibernian Center in Elmira, N.Y. of which Casey is a member. “It’s an Irish club,” said Smith. “Each fall, winter, and spring, the club hosts Irish music sessions on Sunday afternoons. That’s where we met and started playing together. In June of 2019, we decided to form a band of our own.”

Asked where the band’s name came from, Smith said, “There’s a song we play called ‘Scatter the Mud’. I thought the name Scatter the Knickers was fun and playful and would be a great name for our band. The others agreed. I also wrote an Irish jig called ‘Scatter the Knickers’. It’s now our namesake tune.”

For this free concert, bring lawn chairs and sit on the grass in front of the outdoor stage or on Central Avenue, which will be closed to traffic between Main Street and the Warehouse Theatre to provide space for social distancing. Donations are appreciated.

Visit deanecenter.com, email office@deanecenter.com, or call (570) 724-6220 for more information.

Photo provided
Scatter the Knickers includes (from left) Brian Casey, Abbie Dolan and Greg Smith.

STILL TIME TO REGISTER FOR BASIC PISTOL CLASS BEING HELD AT MILL COVE THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 15

There are still openings in the Basic Pistol Class being offered from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 15 outdoors at the Mill Cove Shooting Range in the Mill Cove Environmental Area at 3036 Mill Creek Road, Mansfield, Pa. Only four spaces remain.

Participants will learn how to safely handle and shoot a pistol, as well as how to clean and store a firearm. Other topics to be discussed are: pistol mechanisms and operation, building pistol shooting skills, and pistol selection and use. Instructor is Marilyn Jones.

The fee for this eight-hour course is $50 per person to cover books, handouts, lunch and water or Gatorade to drink. To register or for answers to questions about this class, contact Jones at (570) 549-2794.

WELL ARMED WOMAN SHOOTING CHAPTER TO MEET THURSDAY, AUGUST 20

The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapter, Tioga County, Pa. will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 20 outdoors at the Mill Cove Shooting Range in the Mill Cove Environmental Area at 3036 Mill Creek Road, Mansfield, Pa. The group is following CDC and Pennsylvania COVID-19 protocols. Marilyn Jones and Pat Butts are chapter co-leaders.

The meeting will open with information and a discussion about “Gun Belts and Holsters” and be followed by shooting practice from 6:30 p.m. to dusk. Members will learn about gun belt and holster purchase options available for carrying a firearm and which may function best for them on a day-to-day basis.

New member applications will be available. Any woman, 18 or older from any county or state who is interested in joining this Well Armed Woman chapter is welcome to attend any meeting. Those who join can be a beginner or novice with absolutely no experience in handling a gun to those who are skilled and experienced shooters. The fee is $50 per year.

Women who don’t own a firearm and want more information before making a purchase or want to find out about joining the chapter are invited to contact Jones at (570) 549-2794 or jones_mk@yahoo.com.

FREE CONCERT ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 TO FEATURE VINEYARD CHURCH BAND

Vineyard Church Band musicians will perform an eclectic mix of original songs, contemporary Christian music and popular tunes by famous artists on Friday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. on the outdoor stage on the Central Avenue side of the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street, Wellsboro.

Kicking off the free performance with his original, genre-bending folk tunes will be singer-songwriter Jesse Gotschal of Wellsboro on acoustic guitar.

The band will then play and sing an eclectic mix of contemporary Christian music and popular songs that promote a positive message for everyone to enjoy. Among the songs are “Waymaker” composed by Sinach as played by Leeland, a Christian rock band, and “Reckless Love” written by Cory Asbury, along with uplifting cover tunes by such well known artists as U2, Bon Jovi, and Garth Brooks.

Performing are: Jon Ruth on drums, Jason Matthews on lead guitar, Carolyn Ruth on bass guitar, and Karsen Kennedy on acoustic guitar joined by vocalists Brett Kennedy, Lorynn Dowling and McKenzie Frank. The Ruths are from Covington and the Kennedys, Dowling, Frank and Matthews are from Wellsboro.

The Vineyard Church Band is actually composed of four different sets of musicians who perform one Sunday a month. Each band includes: a pianist, a bassist, a drummer and several guitarists and singers. “For example, there are four of us who play lead guitar,” said Gotshal. “There is some overlap but for the most part we follow a schedule that gives each of us an opportunity to play for a church service once a month. The band performs for about 20 to 30 minutes before the service begins and 10 minutes after it ends,” he said.

For this free concert, bring lawn chairs and sit on the grass in front of the outdoor stage or on Central Avenue, which will be closed to traffic between Main Street and the Warehouse Theatre to provide space for social distancing. Donations are appreciated.

The remaining concerts in this free series are: Like A Hurricane, a Neil Young & Crazy Horse tribute band at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28; Dave Brown & The Dishonest Fiddlers at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4; Take2 & Friends at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 11; and Quenton Fisher and Michael Johnson of Serene Green at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18.

Visit deanecenter.com, email office@deanecenter.com, or call (570) 724-6220 for more information.

Photo by John Eaton
Vineyard Church Band musicians performing on Aug. 21 include: (from left to right) Jason Matthews, Lorynn Dowling, Brett Kennedy, Jesse Gotschal, Jon Ruth and Karsen Kennedy. Not shown are Carolyn Ruth and McKenzie Frank.

OPENINGS AVAILABLE FOR SIMPLE KEYS TO AUTHENTIC ACTING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

The Hamilton-Gibson Women’s Project is offering The Simple Keys to Authentic Acting Workshop to women ages 16 and older who have never acted before and those who are experienced actresses. A maximum of eight women will be enrolled in each session. Currently, two spaces are open in the morning and three in the afternoon. COVID-19 social distancing protocols will be followed.

This 2.5-hour in-person workshop will be held outdoors twice on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the roofed pavilion at the Nessmuk Lake Recreation Area on Route 287, one mile south of Wellsboro. The morning session will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the afternoon session from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

“In the 1990s, I studied with Katherine Kerr, a respected Broadway and film actress, and found her approach to acting to be very helpful,” said Jessie Thompson, presenter. “I will introduce participants to her four simple keys to authentic acting and talk about how to use them on stage to bring more of ourselves to the characters we play.” Each registrant is asked to select a monologue that is approximately two minutes in length to present during the workshop.

The enrollees from both sessions, 16 maximum, are invited to bring their own bag lunch and attend the one-hour lunch break from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Beverages will be provided.

During the break, Barbara Biddison will give background information to workshop participants about the mission of the HG Women’s Project. Lilace Guignard will then talk about the HGWP’s November 2021 production of original monologues and informal writing get-togethers being planned for next year to help guide those interested in learning how to write monologues for that production.

The fee for the workshop is $15. To register for either the morning or afternoon session, call the Hamilton-Gibson office at 570-724-2079. Those who would like help in choosing a monologue are asked to make that known when they register.

Although not required for the workshop, those who want to read Kerr’s handbook, “The Four Keys: A Simple Guide to Authentic Acting” can order it through From My Shelf Books in Wellsboro.

Photo provided
Jessie Thompson holds a copy of “The Four Keys”.

REGISTER BY MAIL OR ONLINE BY TUESDAY, SEPT. 1 FOR A STEP OUTDOORS TRYATHLON & 5K RUN/WALK T-SHIRT AND MEDALLION

Those planning to participate in the COVID 19 Special Edition of the Step Outdoors TRYathlon & 5K Trail Run/Walk must preregister no later than Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m. to be guaranteed an event T-shirt in the size they order and a medallion if they finish.

Registration will officially close at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Each person who registers for either the TRYathlon or the 5K online or by mail will pay a $20 entry fee.

The event will be at Hills Creek State Park at 111 Spillway Road, Wellsboro, PA 16901, seven miles northeast of Wellsboro.

Those who want to solo can do all three legs of the TRYathlon or two or three people can form a team. The event also includes a stand-alone option for runners and walkers who want to do the 5K only.

Due to the coronavirus, this year’s event will not be on a specific day at a specific time. Registrants get to choose the day and time they want to do the TRYathlon or 5K between Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 20.

There is no in-person registration, no check-in time, no electronic timing and no aid or water stations on the course.

“That’s why teams and individuals should bring their own supporters for this event ” said Tim Morey, organizer. “Registrants are also asked to be legal on the lake by getting a launch permit for their canoe or kayak, wearing a personal flotation device and carrying a whistle as required.”

Individuals of all ages can participate in the TRYathlon or 5K. While the course remains the same, it will not be well marked, therefore favoring those that have done it in the past.

It is recommended that registrants become familiar with the TRYathlon and 5K routes in advance before taking them on. Course maps and information are available online and in the park office lobby at 111 Spillway Road.

All runners and walkers, whether they are participating in the 5K only or all three legs of the Tryathlon will start at the same location and follow the same course on park roads and trails around the perimeter of Hills Creek Lake. The second leg of the Tryathlon is paddling a canoe or kayak around a 1.75-mile course identified with temporary markers on Hills Creek Lake. The event will end with bikers traveling 8 miles on a course of dirt and hardtop roads in and around the park.

A banner at the finish line will provide an opportunity for participants to take selfies or have someone take their photo.

After completing the course, registrants can share their time if they self-timed and pick up their T-shirts and medallions at the park office at 111 Spillway Road between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 12 & 13 and Sept. 19 & 20; between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 14, 17 & 18; and between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 15 & 16.

Those who mail in a registration form must download it, complete it and mail it to Wellsboro Parks and Recreation, Attention: Tryathlon, 227 Nichols Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901 in time to ensure it arrives either by Sept. 1 to guarantee a T-shirt and medallion or by Sept. 8. Checks should be made payable to the Step Outdoors Tryathlon.

To register online or to download a printable registration form, for more information about the Tryathlon or 5K, or about renting bikes, kayaks or canoes, or to download course maps, visit www.stepoutdoors.org. Questions? Call Tim Morey at (570) 724-8561 or email tmorey@pa.gov.

Photo provided
A medallion like those pictured will be awarded to each finisher in this year’s Tryathlon and 5K Trail Run/Walk.

CANYON PILOTS ASSOCIATION LABOR DAY WEEKEND ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT FLY-IN BREAKFAST IS CANCELLED

The Canyon Pilots Association Labor Day Weekend All-You-Can-Eat Fly-In Breakfast has been cancelled, the association announced Monday, August 10. The breakfast was scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Wellsboro Johnston Airport at 112 Runway Road, near Wellsboro.

Concerns over the coronavirus and public gathering guidelines were the reasons given for the cancellation.

Due to the pandemic, the association has cancelled both its Memorial and Labor Day Weekend breakfasts this year.

HAMILTON-GIBSON PRODUCTIONS TO CONTINUE WITH 2020 SEASON SMALL CAST PRODUCTIONS

In the era of COVID 19, Hamilton-Gibson Productions is following a series of protocols developed by the organization to ensure a safe experience for audiences who attend live, main stage productions in Wellsboro.

“Our safety and cleaning protocols are an amalgamation of guidelines and practices we’ve obtained from the CDC, our local hospital and the Tioga County COVID 19 Task Force, and from the American Association of Community Theatre Safety Measures plan,” said HG Artistic Director Thomas Putnam.

“We first implemented them in July for the six live performances of ‘Almost, Maine’,” Putnam said. The show was held indoors on the Warehouse Theatre stage.

“Now, we have made the decision to continue using these same cleaning and safety measures for our productions in September and October based on the positive feedback we received from our ‘Almost, Maine’ audiences and cast and crew members,” he said.

“Many audience members commented on how thankful they were for our efforts to provide live theatre in such a conscientious manner. They were happy with our safety measures,” said Putnam.

“For ‘Almost, Maine’, we cleaned the theater before every performance and the restrooms and lobby before and during each performance.”

All members of the cast, crew and audience had temperature checks when entering and everyone wore masks while in the building.

The audience was ushered in and out of the theater to provide the safest flow. A door to the outside was kept open backstage to allow fresh air in for the performances.

“’Almost, Maine’ had a large cast but only three people were on stage at any given time, which worked out well,” Putnam said. “Cast members who were not on stage waited in the lobby, outdoors or across the street at the HG office.”

Performances of “The View From Here”, a comedy, will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 11 and 12 and 18 and 19 and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 13 and 20. “Stray Cats”, featuring nine musically influenced monologues, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 9 and 10 and 16 and 17, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 11 and 18.

No tickets will be sold at the door. All main stage performances are by reservation only. Tickets 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 for each performance to meet social distancing protocols,” Putnam said.

Those who wish can purchase a FlexPass for $60 to attend six performances of their choice, take a spouse or friend to performances of different shows or use all six to take family members to one performance of a show. A FlexPass has no expiration date and can be used anytime. It is up to the purchaser to decide how his or her FlexPass is used but he or she is responsible for reserving seats in advance by calling HG at 570-724-2079.

Ticket prices for all main stage productions are $14 for adults and $6 for youth, 18 and under. For more information, to purchase a flex pass, or to reserve and prepay, call (570) 724-2079 or email info@hamiltongibson.org.