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1. Across The Pond Free Music Video is Released by EMMF This Week on Wednesday, Feb. 10
2. Great Backyard Bird Count is Feb. 12-15
3. Backyard Sugaring Virtual Program is This Friday, Feb. 12
4. Watch Ice Carvers Create Hearts, Lovebirds and Cupid in Downtown Wellsboro This Saturday, Feb. 13
5. Mt. Tom Challenge is This Sunday, Feb. 14
6. Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapter Tioga County, Pa. to Meet Thursday, Feb. 18
7. Women Writers Must Register by Friday, Feb. 19 to Participate in 2021 HG Women’s Project, “Woodpecker Lips”
8. Hamilton-Gibson Series of Staged Readings of Short Plays to be Held on Eight Consecutive Saturdays and Sundays Beginning Saturday, Feb. 20 and Ending on Sunday, April 11

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

ACROSS THE POND FREE MUSIC VIDEO IS RELEASED BY EMMF THIS WEEK ON WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10

This week on Feb. 10, the Endless Mountain Music Festival released a free video with music by Across The Pond. The award-winning Celtic band performed at the festival in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

This is the fifth in a series of music videos being released on consecutive Wednesdays featuring some of EMMF audiences’ favorite guest artists.

The band’s video performances can be viewed anytime on the EMMF website at www.endlessmountain.net.

Mike Morrison, Chuck Krepley and Dan Diviney formed Across The Pond in late 2010. They are all Pennsylvania natives with diverse musical backgrounds in bluegrass; country; rock; traditional Irish sessions and Scottish fiddle competition music.

Recognized as the premier Celtic band in south central Pennsylvania, Across The Pond was named one of the Top 20 Celtic Folk Bands Worldwide in October 2014 shortly after the release of their first CD, “Kid on the Mountain.” In March 2015, the band was the co-winner of the Texas Scots Talent Competition. The Celtic Radio Music Network in Braintree, Massachusetts, announced in May 2015 that the band’s song “I Know My Love” had won the Celtic Radio Music Award for Best Contemporary Song and “Arran Boat” had been nominated as Best Traditional Song. Also in 2015, the band was inducted into the Celtic Radio Hall of Fame.

In October 2019, the band members released their newest album, “Little Beggarman” with guest performers Marilyn Dolly on vocals, step dancer Emily Warren providing the percussive beat and Diviney’s granddaughter Madison Yingling as backing vocalist.

The Across The Pond video opens with a short introduction by Diviney. “From the Burren in Ireland to the Scottish Highlands to Appalachia in the United States, we find the best songs and tunes, from slow airs to driving jigs and reels, to lilting slip jigs, to soulful love songs and ballads,” said Diviney. “We then add our own unique arrangements.”

The first performance on the video is “I Know My Love”, a traditional Irish folk song first collected by Herbert Hughes and published by Boosey & Hawkes in 1909 in Volume 1 of “Irish Country Songs.” “This tune may be much older than when it was first collected,” Diviney said. Featured are Marilyn Dolly singing lead vocals; Morrison on guitar; Diviney on bodhrán and Krepley on fiddle.

Next is “Connaughtman’s Rambles”, a traditional Irish jig, and “The Silver Spear”, a traditional Irish reel with Morrison on guitar, Krepley on fiddle and Diviney on penny whistle.

“The Galway Girl”, written by American country, folk, rock singer Steve Earle who recorded it with Ireland’s Sharon Shannon in 2000, is performed by Morrison on mandolin; and Krepley on fiddle with vocals by Diviney. This song was popularized in the movie “P.S. I Love You” released in 2007.

The last selection is a set of traditional high-energy Irish reels, “The Merry Blacksmith” and “The Sally Gardens” that are played at informal gatherings around the world. Morrison is on guitar; Krepley on fiddle and Diviney on penny whistle.

Rick Blood, a friend of the band, filmed all of the Across The Pond’s music on the video at The Thought Lot in Shippensburg, Pa. during a fundraiser for the family of local Pennsylvania resident Bill Wolfe who died October 1, 2017, during the Las Vegas massacre.

For tickets to this summer’s concerts, call the Endless Mountain Music Festival Box Office at (570) 787-7800 or visit www.endlessmountain.net. All 2020 pre-purchased season passes will be honored this year.

GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT IS FEB. 12-15

The 2021 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is this Friday, Feb. 12 through Monday, Feb. 15.

During this four-day event birdwatchers all around the world are invited to count and report details of birds in the area in which they live. Data is submitted online via a web interface, and compiled for use in scientific research.

The GBBC is a citizen science project in ornithology held every year in mid-February and supported by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. and the National Audubon Society. It was the first citizen science project to collect bird sightings online and display results in near real-time.

“This is not a Tiadaghton Audubon Society activity, but I encourage everybody to try and participate for at least one day,” said Sean Minnick, a member of the local birding group based in Wellsboro.

Participants can start entering their lists of birds they have counted at midnight local time on Feb. 12, the first day of the count.

For information on how to participate, visit https://www.birdcount.org/participate/.

BACKYARD SUGARING VIRTUAL PROGRAM IS THIS FRIDAY, FEB. 12

Individuals and families with little to no experience in making maple syrup can learn how to do sugaring in their own backyards by attending the free Backyard Sugaring virtual program this Friday, Feb. 12 from 12 p.m. to 12:45 p.m.

This program will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. It will NOT take place face-to-face in any state park.

To participate, register at events.dcnr.pa.gov under Hills Creek State Park. Those who do will be given a Microsoft Teams link to the program.

For more information, call Tim Morey at (570) 724-8561 or email tmorey@pa.gov.

WATCH ICE CARVERS CREATE HEARTS, LOVEBIRDS AND CUPID IN DOWNTOWN WELLSBORO THIS SSTURDAY, FEB. 13

The whir of chainsaws and mists of powdered ice will greet those visiting downtown Wellsboro this Saturday, Feb. 13, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Tons of ice will be carved into six different frozen Valentine’s Day symbols of romantic love, such as hearts, cupid, a dove, lovebirds and a rose, on sidewalks in front of six Main Street businesses.

One of the heart sculptures is interactive. Different sized hearts will be created from four blocks of ice weighing 1,200 pounds. The largest heart has room for adults or children to put their faces in the opening and have a friend or relative take their photo.

The Love Seat is the seventh sculpture. It is the biggest and also interactive. This throne is eight feet long, four feet wide and seven feet tall and is carved from 10 blocks of ice weighing 3,000 pounds. It will be ready for people to sit on and have their pictures taken beginning around 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Doing the ice sculptures are Jeffrey Meyers and Ken Diederich, both of Cleveland, Ohio. The two men will transport the ice from Elegant Ice Creations to Wellsboro.

On Saturday, they will demonstrate their carving skills by roughing out each sculpture with a chainsaw, doing detail work using grinders, drills with various bits, chisels and gouges, and finishing up with a propane torch.

Unlike stone, wood, sand, snow or other mediums, carving ice can be done in a relatively short period of time. “That’s the unique aspect of ice carving,” said Aaron Costic, president of Elegant Ice Creations, Inc., Broadview Heights, Ohio. “People can see a carving being done from start to finish.”

‘It will take about an hour to do one sculpture from a block and a half of ice,” added Costic who is certified as a master ice carver and lead judge. He has won and placed in many Olympic, world and national ice sculpting competitions and has also judged many events.

“I thought I was going to be a chef,” Costic said. “I went to culinary school and found out I didn’t like cooking but I really enjoyed picking up a chainsaw and sculpting ice. Ice has been in my veins ever since. I learned about the different tools and techniques and started sculpting in 1989, 31 years ago. In 1991, I sold my first ice carving.”

Gradually, Costic began to build his company by delivering high quality products to hotels, caterers and country clubs in the Cleveland and Akron area and providing carved figures for parties and weddings. Today, the company produces anything and everything in ice from custom centerpieces to logos to gourmet ice ware.

“Many local businesses are offering Valentine’s Day menu specials, and sales and promotions this weekend,” said Julie Henry, Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce executive director.

CDC coronavirus protocols are being followed for this event, including social distancing and wearing facial coverings.

For more information about the ice sculptures, email the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at info@wellsboropa.com, call (570) 724-1926 or visit www.wellsoboropa.com.

MT. TOM CHALLENGE IS THIS SUNDAY, FEB. 14

This Sunday, Feb. 14, runners and hikers will be taking on the Mt. Tom Challenge, running, climbing or scrambling up the mountain’s 1,100 vertical feet of trail to its summit. This event is free with no frills and open to anyone who wants to give it a try. Sponsor is the Tyoga Running Club based in Wellsboro.

Among those planning to be there is Caitlin Jones of Wellsboro. In 2020, she was the female who completed four laps in the fastest time – 2 hours, 33 minutes, 2 seconds. “Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I will be doing the challenge on Feb. 14,” she said. “I was totally shocked to find out I was the fastest female last year.

“The trail was somewhat slippery. It was rough going not only on the first part, which is steep but also on the downhill part. I remember trudging through several inches of crunchy snow, ice and slush,” she said.

“My family moved to Wellsboro in 2000. For four years, I ran cross country and track as a Wellsboro High School student. Then I went to college and grad school,” she said. “After running in college, I transitioned to half marathons and marathons. Four years ago I spent a year doing ultra marathons, including three 24-hour events. Since my girls were born, my running has been more laid back. They twins are now in preschool and love to attend races cheering me on,” said Jones.

“When I moved back to Wellsboro two years ago. I didn’t know about the Mt. Tom Challenge. I entered for the first time in 2020.”

Phil Barnes of Middlebury Center has hiked Mt. Tom three times since the challenge was first held in 2015. “I hiked Mt. Tom in 2020. That was a different experience. More runners were doing laps last year. They kept passing me as they went up and down the mountain wearing skin tight leggings. That’s not for me,” he said.

“Mt. Tom is a steep climb. It’s pretty cool and offers a fun challenge. I enjoy going on a relaxing hike. I prefer to take my time, see the scenery and take photographs. The view from the top of Mt. Tom is breathtaking and makes it really worthwhile. I hike up and walk down once. I don’t worry about how long it takes.

“When I was a kid, my family lived in Rochester, N.Y. next door to a county park. That’s when I began walking and hiking. Now that I am retired I go to Hills Creek State Park and walk the trail around the lake. That’s fun, too.”

To get to Mt. Tom from Wellsboro or Galeton, take Route 6, turn onto Route 362 and drive about 1.5 miles to the Pine Creek Rail Trail Darling Run Access Area parking lot in Shippen Township.

After parking at Darling Run, runners, hikers and spectators walk across Route 362 and go to the registration tent at the bottom of the trail on Mt. Tom.

Registration on Feb. 14 will be from 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. with the start at 9 a.m. The challenge is to complete one lap up and down the mountain regardless of weather conditions between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Many of those who do one lap decide to do it again.

For more information about the Mt. Tom Challenge, email the Tyoga Running Club at run4trc@gmail.com or call Morey at (570) 724-8561.

WELL ARMED WOMAN SHOOTING CHAPTER, TIOGA COUNTY, PA TO MEET THURSDAY, FEB. 18

The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapter, Tioga County, Pa. will meet at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 18 to travel to the National Range and Armory in Williamsport, Pa. After shooting for several hours, the group will go to lunch and hold a brief meeting.

“Members are asked to bring donations to the meeting for Asa’s Place and Wellspring Community Support Services,” said Jones, chapter co-leader.

For more information, contact Jones at (570) 549-2794 or jones_mk@yahoo.com.

WOMEN WRITERS MUST REGISTER BY FRIDAY, FEB. 19 TO PARTICIPATE IN 2021 HG WOMEN’S PROJECT, “WOODPECKER LIPS”

The goal of the 2021 Hamilton-Gibson Women’s Project titled “Woodpecker Lips” is to provide opportunities for women to write, perform, direct and tell local stories meaningful to community theater audiences.

In keeping with that goal, a free workshop is being held for aspiring and experienced writers.

“Intro to Monologue Writing” will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27 via Zoom. Through the workshop, each participating writer will develop an original monologue about a living or historical local or Pennsylvania woman. The length of the monologues will vary.

Leading the workshop is Lilace Guignard. She will talk about the elements of a stand-alone monologue and how to create one. During discussion and group activities, the writers will choose their topics and begin the process of character development. Writers can come up with their own idea about the woman they would like to research or can choose one from the list.

There will also be two free feedback sessions during which the writers will give helpful input about each other’s monologues in progress. The participating writers will determine the dates, times and whether the feedback sessions will be held online or in-person in Wellsboro.

The deadline to register for the Feb. 27 workshop is Friday, Feb. 19. Before writers register, they are asked to watch a video about the overall project and details about the upcoming Feb. 27 workshop and then complete the online registration form. Both can be found on the Hamilton-Gibson website at https://www.hamiltongibson.org.

“The Feb. 27 workshop is the only instructional one, so writers that miss the Feb. 19 deadline can’t join in later,” said Guignard.

Those with questions about the free writing workshop and feedback sessions or the Zoom format can email Guignard at lilacemellin@gmail.com.

Jessie Thompson is the producer of “Woodpecker Lips”, the 2021 HG Women’s Project, which will end with performances of the original monologues created by the writers at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5 and 6 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7.

Thompson is leading the free Director’s Workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 26. It will be held online or in Wellsboro at a location to be announced. This workshop is for adult women interested in directing a monologue for the November production and also for actors. Discussed will be the tools necessary to foster trust and allow exploration of a character to bring out the creativity in every actor and performance. To register for this workshop, email Thompson at woodpeckerlips2021@gmail.com or call the HG office at (570) 724-2079.

Auditions for actors will be in-person in the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 30 and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 1. No registration is necessary. Or, actors can do a one to two-minute video monologue and email it to woodpeckerlips2021@gmail.com.

HAMILTON-GIBSON SERIES OF STAGED READINGS OF SHORT PLAYS TO BE HELD ON EIGHT CONSECUTIVE SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS BEGINNING SATURDAY, FEB. 20 AND ENDING ON SUNDAY, APRIL 11

Hamilton-Gibson Productions is presenting a different 30-minute play or group of short plays running about 30 minutes on Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. for eight consecutive weekends beginning Feb. 20 and ending on April 11. The series is free.

The first staged reading will be at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 21. It is a new work by playwright Rich Orloff. In a departure from his usual zany humor, Orloff has composed a poetry cycle in five movements called “Blessings from the Pandemic.”

“’Blessings’ is about our journey in dealing with the events of 2020: ‘the big, the small, the humorous, the challenging and even the inspiring’,” said Thomas Putnam, series director.
“Orloff’s full work has 60 one-minute poems, but he encourages theatre groups like ours to select those that speak most meaningfully to their own community,” Putnam said. “Our eight actors will each read three of Orloff’s poems and then the whole cast will read two of his poems together.”

As soon as the 30-minute performance ends, the audience will be invited to stay on Zoom to talk with the “Blessings” cast and Putnam about what they saw and heard. The cast includes: Josh Allen, Brett Maynard, Taylor Nickerson, Kathryn Sheneman, Jane Shumway, Claudia Waber, Phil Waber, and Tim Wilbourne.

“I am happy to announce the beginning of this new project,” said Putnam who is also Hamilton-Gibson Productions artistic director. “Our community performing arts group is offering this series free in hopes of connecting with people in a meaningful way during the pandemic,” he said.

“Our theme this year is ‘Together in ’21.’ It is our motivating mantra. We are waiting for the time we can come together in one room to join with others in experiencing live theatre, as well as live concerts by our HG Children and Youth Choirs. We are looking forward to rehearsals and exploring scripts and songs and to telling and hearing stories. In so doing, we are taking steps toward unity, harmony and community,” said Putnam. “We are hoping our series of performances on Zoom and the talk backs that follow will help meet people’s need to be together,” he said.

Audience members can find the Zoom information on the HG website at www.hamiltongibson.org and Facebook page or call the HG office at (570) 724-2079.

For those familiar with Zoom, go to the website at https://zoom.us, click on “joint meeting” and enter 880 0548 0914 – the access code for the Feb. 20 performance and then enter the passcode 154763. For the Feb. 21 performance, enter the access code 810 1383 3773 and then the passcode 115658. Please note, the entry information is different for each performance.

There is no charge for this series. Donations are appreciated. Help HG by going to the website (www.hamiltongibson.org) and donating there, or sending a contribution to HG, 29 Water Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901. Please include “Staged Readings” in the check memo line.