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1. NEW — Vendors Invited to Participate for Free in Annual Earth Day at Mill Cove on Saturday, April 18
2. NEW — Local Bookstore Cats Inducted into Feline Historical Society
3. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Fire in The Glen Playing Irish, Scottish and Martime Tunes This Friday, March 13
4. Fly Fishing Film Tour 2020 is This Saturday, March 14 in Wellsboro
5. NEW — HG 30 Seasons Display is Open to the Public Free on Sundays, March 15 & 22
6. NEW — Wellsboro Chamber Mixer and Brochure Swap is Wednesday, March 18
7. NEW — Tiadaghton Audubon Society to Meet Wednesday, March 18
8. NEW — Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapter, Tioga County PA to Learn How to Handle “Firearm Malfunctions” Thursday, March 19
9. NEW — Tioga County Lyme Disease Support Group to Hear Talk by Linda Wales Thursday, March 1
10. NEW — Last Free Flies and Lies Social is Saturday, March 2
11. NEW — Winter Outings Series Continues on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 & 22
12. NEW — Wellsboro Community Concert Association Presents The Revelers on Saturday, March 21
13. NEW — Storyteller and Comedian Bil Lepp to Perform on Friday, March 27
14. NEW — EMMF Jazz Fest Concert with Bram Wijnands is Saturday, March 28
15. NEW — John McCutcheon to Perform on Saturday, March 28

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

VENDORS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE FOR FREE IN NINTH ANNUAL EARTH DAY AT MILL COVE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18

Vendors with items of all types from food to natural products handcrafted from wood, fiber and other materials are among those invited to participate in the Ninth Annual Earth Day at Mill Cove being held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Mill Cove It is free and open to the public and will be held rain or shine.

“This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, the world’s largest environmental movement,” said David Flesch, Mill Cove Earth Day Committee chair. Every year since 1970, Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22 around the world. In 2020, more than 193 countries will demonstrate support for environmental protection – clean air, land and water.

“Because this national and international event usually falls on a weekday, we have been celebrating Earth Day at Mill Cove on the Saturday closest to April 22 since 2011, Flesch said. “This year, our ninth annual will be on April 18,” he noted.

“The purpose of Earth Day at Mill Cove is to showcase Tioga County’s natural resources and the importance of conservation. We want to make it fun learning for everyone,” said Flesch.

“Our goal is to make our 2020 Earth Day one of the most inclusive we have ever held,” said Patricia Butts. She is responsible for registering vendors and other participants and assigning locations on the grounds.

There is no charge for space to participate at Earth Day at Mill Cove. “It’s free. We do ask people to register so we can assign space based on what they need,” said Butts.

Among those who have already signed up to participate are: Duke Energy with information about wind mills; the Pennsylvania WoodMobile, a traveling exhibit that provides information on forests as a resource and the forest products industry; Dr. Lee Stocks from Mansfield University who will be working with the public to plant 100 trees from the Ten Million Tree Project in support of cleaning up water that flows into the Chesapeake Bay; and the Tiadaghton Audubon Society, which is sponsoring two talks at the main stage, EZ Bird ID at 11 a.m. and Wind Turbines and the Effect on Bird Migration at 1 p.m. and will have information for backyard birders on the importance of planting native plants.

“We want to involve more individuals, groups and organizations interested in demonstrating what can be done to protect our environment including water, air and earth and addressing issues like climate change and going green by making more environmentally-friendly decisions, such as ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ and changes to the way we grow our food,” Butts said.

People of all ages, children and adults who would like to reserve space for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) information and activities, crafts or other hands-on conservation activities are encouraged to contact Butts.

“We are also looking for people who create unique pieces from natural fiber, rock, wood, gemstones and other natural products such as foods. In addition, we are looking for vendors who offer foods and beverages for lunch. Already signed up are Hotties, Paradise Grill and Penny’s. The Boy Scouts will be barbecuing chicken. “We need some additional food vendors,” Butts said.

For a registration form to participate as a vendor, demonstrate outdoor skills or present a program, contact Patricia Butts by calling (570) 463-1407 or emailing her at pbutts6610@yahoo.com.

For more information about Earth Day at Mill Cove and directions visit the Mill Cove Environmental Area website at www.millcovearea.org or call the Greater Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce at (570) 662-3442.

LOCAL BOOKSTORE CATS INDUCTED INTO FELINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Huck and Finn, the bookstore cats at From My Shelf Books and Gifts, have received new accolades. The hardest working cats in the book business have been inducted as honorary members of the Feline Historical Society.

The brothers along with 14 other cats from 12 bookstores across the United States were invited to join the society by Thunderstone books in celebration of Dan Greenburg’s “The Only True Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Told by His Cat, Missy Hooper (with Hardly Any Help from Dan Greenburg).” This novel is for eight to twelve-year-old readers.

Huck, a black and white tuxedo cat, received an email from the publisher. The email made no mention of his brother, but Huck made sure the offer included Finn as well, but only after letting him know that he (Huck) is obviously the more famous of the two.

Huck and Finn are honored to be members of the cats-only society and very much enjoyed reading Greenburg’s book with their tall cat, Kevin Coolidge.

Huck is now considering working on his “mew”oirs, but Finn is satisfied with the book he shares with his brother, “Huck & Finn, Bookstore Cats” and his cameos in The Totally Ninja Raccoon series and Brandon Schultz’s “Bookstore Cats.”

Huck and Finn are available to help customers at From My Shelf Books in Wellsboro during regular business hours, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out their Facebook page “Huck and Finn Bookstore Cats.”

Photo by John Eaton
Author Kevin Coolidge is pictured with all black Finn (left) and his brother, black and white Huck.

CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY WITH FIRE IN THE GLEN PLAYING IRISH, SCOTTISH AND MARITIME TUNES THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 13

Photo provided
This Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m., celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish food, green beer and clapping, singing and dancing to blistering fiddle tunes, mug-thumping pub songs and a few soulful ballads and airs performed by Fire in the Glen at the Penn Wells Hotel, 62 Main Street in Wellsboro. The doors for the show will open at 7:15 p.m. Playing a blend of traditional Irish, Scottish and maritime tunes will be Mick Mullen (shown left), a native of Dublin, Ireland, on lead vocals and guitar; Megan Mullen on lead vocals and keyboard; and Tom Knapp (right) on fiddle, bódhran drum and backing vocals. Tickets for the show are $30 per person. Proceeds will benefit the Endless Mountain Music Festival, a not-for-profit 501c3 organization registered in Pennsylvania and New York. For tickets, call (570) 787-7800. The Penn Wells is offering dinner and drinks at menu prices from 5 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Dinner reservations are required by calling (570) 724-2111.

FLY FISHING FILM TOUR 2020 IS THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 14

Photo provided
This Saturday, March 14, Trout Unlimited Tiadaghton Chapter #688 is hosting the 2020 Fly Fishing Film Tour in the Deane Center at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. The doors will open at 4 p.m. Buy tickets and register in the lobby where there will be many activities for anglers of all ages to enjoy and a chance to win the sweepstakes prize valued at $10,760. The showing of the 11 films will begin at 6 p.m. In “Downunder,” one of the selected films, Josh Hutchins of Aussie Fly Fisher embarks on a fly fishing adventure, traveling through Australia’s mountains, rainforests and deserts from Tasmania to Cape York uncovering a treasure trove of species from trout to permit and Murray cod. Pictured is Hutchins holding a giant trevally. A ticket to see the films and enjoy the activities is $40 online at flyfilmtour.com or at deanecenter.com or in person at the Deane Center ((570) 724-6220). Admission is free for children 12 and under. Tickets will be sold at the door starting at 4 p.m. Saturday.

HG 30 SEASONS DISPLAY IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE ON SUNDAYS, MARCH 15 & 22

Even though the last performance of Ryan Dalton’s comedy “A Romp Through The Complete History of Hamilton-Gibson, More Or Less” has wrapped, there is still an opportunity to travel through time and linger over many special moments in HG’s 30-year existence.

Thanks to the efforts of the community theatre arts group volunteers, bits and pieces of three decades of performances of mysteries, dramas, comedies and musicals along with a myriad of other HG projects were on display during the “Romp” in the Gallery at the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue in Wellsboro.

For the next two Sundays, March 15 and 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., this HG memorabilia will remain on display and be open free to the public. A docent will be on hand to answer questions.

“The display in the Gallery is a work of art and a delight for the memory,” said Barbara Biddison, an HG supporter from day one. “There are 30 years worth of pictures, and T-shirts, and programs, and albums, and costumes, a handwritten poem to thank sponsors and a spot to honor HG founder Thomas Putnam’s two grandmothers Hamilton and Gibson. Thomas has his own spot too, appropriately enough on the piano,” she said.

“I could spend an entire afternoon in there just soaking it all up,” said Biddison. It was her idea to open the display to the public and she will be one of the docents. “Hamilton-Gibson is an important part of my life. It is a joy to experience the memories of these 30 years,” said Biddison who is an HG actress and director as well as a coordinator for HG programs and projects.

Not only does the display feature main stage show remembrances but also mementos of the four Hamilton-Gibson children and youth choirs; of Acting Up and Acting Out, HG’s free informal readers theatre program for adults 55 and older; the HG Women’s Project, which encourages women and men to get involved with all aspects of community theatre from writing plays to acting and directing, set design, sound, lighting and costumes; the annual live theatre Shaw Festival Day Trip and the three-day three-play theatre excursion to the Stratford Festival, both in Ontario, Canada; and a special area that honors members of the HG family who recently passed away.

For more information about the display call (570) 724-2079 or email hamgib@gmail.com.

Photo by Jean Cummings
Among the Hamilton-Gibson memorabilia on display is this framed photo of HG Artistic Director Thomas Putnam wearing his infamous black top hat and red scarf at Dickens of a Christmas. It is topped by his hat and wrapped in his scarf. Putnam founded Hamilton-Gibson Productions in 1991, 30 seasons ago.

WELLSBORO CHAMBER MIXER & BROCHURE SWAP IS MARCH 18

The 13th Annual Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce Member Mixer and Brochure Swap is this coming Wednesday, March 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the lobby at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. The free social event is open to the public.

Those attending will enjoy light refreshments while participating in live and silent auctions, making valuable connections and learning about area businesses and upcoming festivals and other events.

Being auctioned off is an 18-inch tree carved by Bucky Green from a branch that fell from Wellsboro’s historic American elm. This collectible is exclusive to the chamber and not available anywhere else. Among other items donated for the auctions are: a bus trip for two to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island by AAA North Penn; a trip for two by Benedict’s Bus Service; $50 in gift cards ($10 per card) by Timeless Destination; two ticket packages and a Steve Pearce bobble head donated by the Williamsport Crosscutters; and an antique wall or mantle clock restored and donated by Roger Bunn of Roger’s Clocks.

Proceeds from the live and silent auctions benefit the Laurel Festival’s Family Day and Children’s Health Fair on Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on The Green in Wellsboro. Support this great event full of family fun and booths offering important information about children’s health and for their safety and well-being by donating items and bidding during the auctions.

Those who would like to donate an item for the live or silent auction in support of Family Day and the Children’s Health Fair are asked to contact Jess at KC101 at (570) 662-9000 or (570) 404-4529 or by email at KC101fm@gmail.com.

Questions? For more information about the Chamber Mixer and Brochure Swap, contact Julie VanNess at (570) 724-1926 or JulieV@WellsboroPA.com.

Photo by John Eaton
Sharon Hazelton of the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce holds the 18-inch collectible tree that will be auctioned off at the Chamber Mixer and Brochure Swap. This tree was carved by Bucky Green from a fallen branch of the oldest living American elm tree in Wellsboro. The elm (its trunk is shown in the background) is located in the chamber’s front yard at 114 Main Street. It began growing there in the 1700s and is at least 245 years old but may actually be older.

TIADAGHTON AUDUBON SOCIETY TO MEET WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

The Tiadaghton Audubon Society is meeting at 6 p.m. this coming Wednesday, March 18 in the Old Music Room at the Wellsboro Area School District Administration Building at 227 Nichols Street in Wellsboro. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Discussed will be the morning bird walks being led by members every Saturday in April and May at Hills Creek State Park, the Purple Marlin Project, participation at Earth Day, building and monitoring bluebird houses at Hills Creek State Park and setting the date for a follow-up meeting with DCNR to see what can be done to control invasive plants in the Muck.

Plans to do any changes to the current bird blind in the Muck have been scrapped because of the difficulty of incorporating required safety measures into a new structure. The Muck is a 640-acre wetland area on public and private land about 3.5 miles north of Wellsboro on Route 287. The Pennsylvania Audubon Society designated it as an “Important Bird Area” in 1999.

About 30 people attended the group’s Feb. 19 meeting to hear information presented by Dr. Jeffrey Larkin. He spoke on how to create partnerships to conserve forest-dependent songbirds in this area such as the golden-winged warbler, one of the most critically threatened non-federally listed species in the Eastern United States, and other wildlife on public and private lands. Among those attending were members of the Tiadaghton Audubon Society, Tioga County Woodland Owners Association and Trout Unlimited Chapter #688, students and their professor from Mansfield University, the local bureau of forestry office and the general public.

For more information, contact the Tiadaghton Audubon Society by visiting tiadaghtonaudubon.blogspot.com or www.facebook.com/TiadaghtonAudubon/, emailing tasmember@yahoo.com or calling Sean and Robin Minnick at (570) 948-9052.

TIOGA COUNTY LYME DISEASE SUPPORT GROUP TO HEAR TALK BY LINDA WALES THURSDAY, MARCH 19

At the Tioga County Lyme Disease Support Group meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, Linda Wales of Millerton will talk about her personal experiences with Lyme disease followed by a question and answer session. The meeting will be in the Native Bagel at 1 Central Avenue in Wellsboro. It is free and open to the public.

Wales suffered with tick-borne illnesses for seven years and saw 20 different physicians before being diagnosed with Lyme and two co-infections in 2002. Since her diagnosis, Wales has reached out to the community-at-large and to those suffering from tick-borne illnesses to increase awareness about how these diseases are transmitted, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options and to offer support. In 2009, she co-founded A Hope 4 Lyme, Inc. and has continuously held a position on the board as either treasurer or president. Wales works full-time as a licensed New York State insurance agent for Travelers Property & Casualty Insurance in Elmira, New York.

Luke Dunham and Thomas Putnam are regional co-leaders with the PA Lyme Resource Network and co-leaders of the support group. Both have been diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease and live in the Wellsboro area. For more information, contact Dunham and Putnam by email at tiogacountylyme@palyme.org or by calling Putnam at (570) 439-2000.

Photo by John Eaton
Linda Wales

WELL ARMED WOMAN SHOOTING CHAPTER, TIOGA COUNTY, PA TO LEARN HOW TO HANDLE “FIREARM MALFUNCTIONS” THURSDAY, MARCH 19

At 6 p.m. Thursday, March 19, members of the Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapter, Tioga County, Pa. will meet at the Lambs Creek Sportsman’s Club at 339 Sportsman’s Club Road, Mansfield, Pa.

Instructor Pat Butts will teach a short training session on “Firearm Malfunctions.” Members and guests will learn how to recognize and resolve a malfunction. No live ammunition will be used in the classroom.

“Any woman who is 18 years old and older from any county or state is welcome to join our chapter,” said Marilyn Jones, who with Butts are chapter co-leaders. “Membership is not limited to women who live in Tioga County, Pa. 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,” she said. The fee is $50 per year.

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

WINTER OUTINGS SERIES CONTINUES ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MARCH 21 & 22

The Step Outdoors Winter Outings Series continues on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22 with the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers 16th Annual Maple Weekend, including the Maple Weekend Open House at Hills Creek State Park.

Maple Weekend Open House at Hills Creek is March 21 & 22

Bring the whole family to Hills Creek State Park between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22 for the Maple Weekend Open House. Free and open to the public, the two-day open house is being held in conjunction with the Potter-Tioga Maple Producers 16th Annual Maple Weekend. The park is in Charleston Township, seven miles northeast of Wellsboro in Tioga County. The park’s GPS address is 111 Spillway Road, Wellsboro, PA 16901.

At Hills Creek, plan to spend 45 minutes to experience what each maple station has to offer. At the park’s sugarhouse, located near the beach parking area and large pavilion, visitors can find out how to ‘tap’ into this natural resource in their own backyards and 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 them and collect sap, how the finished product is made and about the history of maple syrup making.

Large groups should contact the park by calling 570-724-4246 to schedule a private tour either on Maple Weekend or on a different date in season as Mother Nature allows.

For more information about the open house, call Hills Creek State Park at (570) 724-4246.

16th Annual Maple Weekend is March 21 & 22

The Potter-Tioga Maple Producers 16th Annual Maple Weekend will be on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22. The 20 participating maple producers, including 13 in Tioga County and 7 in Potter County, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. To download the 16th Annual Maple Weekend brochure, which includes directions to each producer’s location and the type of maple products they will have available for purchase, visit www.pamaple.com. For more information, call Association Director Dale Miller at 570-439-5453. “Maple season is going really well,” Miller said. “There will be lots of syrup.”

FMI:
To learn more about all Winter Outings events or for updates, trail conditions, directions and more, call (570) 724-0300 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays or visit https://www.stepoutdoors.org. Snow and ice updates are also posted on Facebook at Step Outdoors Tioga County PA.

LAST FREE FLIES AND LIES SOCIAL IS SATURDAY, MARCH 21

The last Flies and Lies Social will be on Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wellsboro Community Center, 3 Queen Street in Wellsboro. It is free and open to the public. There will be free donuts and coffee.

During the social, Trout Unlimited Tiadaghton Chapter #688 members are offering free fly tying lessons for children and adults. Equipment and materials will be available for beginners to use.

The club’s highly skilled fly tiers will also demonstrate tying “dries” to “wets,” from egg patterns for “Steelies” to bass flies to terrestrials or delicate sized 22 tricos and teach specific techniques such as “married wings” and ” spun deer hair.” More experienced fly tiers can learn new, intricate patterns.

Those who have no experience to the most experienced are welcome to stop in and watch or participate.

“Flies and Lies is open to anyone, men, women and children, fishermen and non-fishermen,” said organizer Art Antal. Youth 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. “This will be a casual, informal session. Folks can stop in and visit any time between 9 a.m. and noon,” he said.

“This social gives area fly tiers a chance to meet, swap ideas, materials and techniques as well as to tell a few fishing tales,” said Antal. “People attending are welcome to bring in fishing items to sell or trade such as used tackle, fly tying materials or other fishing related items. We are not holding a formal swap meet or table sale.”

For additional information, call Antal at (570) 439-4221 or email him at artantal@yahoo.com.

Photo by John Eaton
Garion Erway of Covington ties a Woolly Bugger during the Feb. 22 Flies and Lies Social.

WELLSBORO COMMUNITY CONCERT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS THE REVELERS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 21

At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, the Southwestern Louisiana-based six-member supergroup The Revelers will perform their brand of zydeco, Cajun and swamp pop music on the Deane Center’s Coolidge Theatre stage at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. Their infectious rhythms will keep the audience moving in their seats and on the dance floor.

This is the fifth concert of the 2019-2020 season being presented by the Wellsboro Community Concert Association.

Members of this Grammy-nominated band are: Blake Miller on accordion and fiddle, Chas Justus on guitar, Daniel Coolik on fiddle and guitar, Glenn Fields on drums, Trey Boudreaux on bass guitar and Chris Miller on saxophone. They each sing lead or harmony vocals based on the tune being played.

These musicians are currently on tour in support of their album “At the End of the River” (Au Bout de La Rivière), released on Nov. 8, 2019. “This is our arrival record,” said Chris, the sax player. “Our sound is easily recognizable because of our mix of instruments and the way we play them together. On stage, we enjoy talking about our songs and where they come from. Many people don’t realize there is a difference between the musical styles of Southwest Louisiana and those of New Orleans. They think all Louisiana music is from New Orleans,” he noted.

“In Wellsboro, we will play and sing original tunes from our new album along with traditional Cajun and zydeco songs and may add in some blues, country, western swing or honky tonk,” Chris said.

“The Revelers was founded nine years ago in 2011 when Chas, Glenn, Blake and Daniel, all members of the Red Stick Ramblers, got together,” said Chris. Glenn Fields was the founder of the Red Stick Ramblers and Blake Miller of the Pine Leaf Boys, two bands at the vanguard of the Louisiana cultural renaissance. As individuals, each band member was in high demand having performed and recorded with the likes of Natalie Merchant, Linda Ronstadt, Preston Frank, Mamadou Diabate and Tim O’Brien, to name a few.

“I didn’t become a permanent member of The Revelers until 2013 but played on their debut album released in 2012 and was with them as a guest artist from the beginning,” Chris said. “Trey joined the band in 2017.”

At every performance, The Revelers invite their audiences to come to Lafayette, Louisiana’s “Cajun Country” to experience the culture of Southwest Louisiana in person, including the foodway traditions, the dancing and the authentic American music. The Revelers are the house band for the Blackpot Festival & Cookoff founded in 2005 by some of its members. Held each October in Lafayette, the event begins with a weeklong teaching camp leading up to a weekend of festivities.

Admission at the door for this concert is $20 for adults, $5 for students ages 13 to 18, and free for children 12 and under. For more information or tickets: visit www.wellsborocca.org or call (570) 724-6220.

Photo provided
Members of The Revelers who will be performing on Saturday, March 21 in Wellsboro include: (from left to right) Daniel Coolik, Glenn Fields, Blake Miller, Chris Miller, Chas Justus and Trey Boudreaux.

STORYTELLER AND COMEDIAN BIL LEPP TO PERFORM ON FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Need a good laugh? Join Bil Lepp of South Charleston, West Virginia for a night of family-friendly comedy as he tells Appalachian-themed tall tales and witty stories about living in small town America. On Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m., this nationally known, award-winning storyteller, humorist and recording artist will be on stage in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

His style is described as a satisfying blend of Bob Newhart and Jeff Foxworthy. Although a five-time champion of West Virginia’s Liars’ Contest, Lepp’s stories contain morsels of truth, which present universal themes in clever ways giving delightful insights into everyday life. He can find the humor in any situation, be it a plunger, a hunting trip or a funeral.

Growing up in a family where it was always the responsibility of the listener to decide whether or not a story was true, Lepp became adept at spinning tales and exaggerating circumstances at an early age. “While my stories may not be completely true, they are always honest,” he said.

“(Lepp) goes for the funny bone. He stuffs his hands in his pockets and leans back as he nonchalantly lets drop the zinger to his tale,” writes The Boston Globe.

Said storyteller Barbara McBride Smith, “Bil Lepp is the Wonder Bra of storytelling. He takes something small and insignificant and pushes it up into something realllly BIG and mighty interesting.”

A storyteller for more than 30 years Lepp has been a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee since 2002 and at other festivals and events around the country, such as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and Comedy Central’s Stage on Hudson in Los Angeles.

Lepp performs in about 30 states a year, is regularly featured on WV Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Stage and will soon be appearing on the new writing and storytelling podcast Story Seeds.

He is a recipient of the National Storytelling Network Oracle Circle of Excellence award, is a PEN Award winning author and Parents’ Choice Gold Recipient for his picture book, “The King of Little Things.”

Admission is $20 and free for youth ages 12 and under accompanied by a paying adult. For tickets, call (570) 724-6220 or visit deanecenter.com.

Photo provided
Grin, smile and laugh out loud is what audiences do at Bil Lepp shows.

EMMF JAZZ FEST CONCERT WITH BRAM WIJNANDS IS SATURDAY, MARCH 28

The Penn Wells Hotel at 62 Main Street in Wellsboro will be jumping and jiving with hot jazz as Bram Wijnands from Kansas City, Missouri takes over the piano during the 9th Annual EMMF Jazz Fest Saturday, March 28.

On Saturday night, the doors at the Penn Wells Dining Room will open at 7:15 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. show and dancing. Wijnands will play boogie-woogie, barrelhouse blues, swing and stride piano music as well as original jazz compositions he wrote.

Wijnands brings his joyful exuberance and showmanship to all of his concerts. They are personal, intimate and keep people coming back for more. He lures his audience in, sharing information about each piece he is about to play punctuated by his sense of humor and insights. His technical skill, dexterity and knowledge bring each tune to life.

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Wijnands taught jazz piano, arranging for small bands as well as combo and jazz piano techniques and theory from 2000 to 2015 at the University of Missouri’s Kansas City Conservatory of Music headed by Bobby Watson and from 2006 to 2015 taught Jazz piano and bass in Jim Mair’s program at Kansas Community College in Kansas City. Today, he teaches private students and holds master classes and workshops.

Saturday night from 5 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. will be a pre-show dinner in the Penn Wells Dining Room followed by Wijnands’ performance. The pre-show dinner is $30 per person plus tax. Concert tickets are $30 per person.

For Saturday night concert ticket information, call the Endless Mountain Music Festival at (570) 787-7800. For reservations for the Saturday night dinner, call the Penn Wells Hotel at (570) 724-2111.

Photo by Heather Mee Fotografee & Design
Bram Wijnands (pictured) is the featured performer at the EMMF Jazz Fest Saturday night show on March 28.