Times Observer photo by Brian Hagberg This group of 12, primarily comprised of teens, will travel to Kenya, Africa, this July as Ambassadors for the International Sports Academy (ISA). ISA is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization which partners with local churches abroad to organize local sports programs in their area. In many of the places sports programs, facilities and equipment do not exist. The Ambassadors will travel with six (6) Kenyan college students and team up with a youth leadership team in Eldoret Kenya. The first weekend they will prepare and provide ministry through a large sports outreach and youth service each of approximately 500 students. The Ambassadors will also work with three churches who have started sports academies earlier this year through ISA’s efforts. Through these programs there will be a number of outreaches the Ambassadors are involved in. The last leg of the trip will include a large outreach in a slum of Kipsongo. The Ambassadors are funding their trip through a humongous yard sale May 18 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Praise Fellowship Church 7451 Market Street Russell. They are also accepting donations starting May 12. To donate items, please contact Christin Borger at (814) 723-5030. To find out more information about ISA, go to www.sportsacad.org. Pictured are (front) Rashad Fofana, Sophia Ekstrom, Sid Ambassador, Zach Rohlin, Chloe Ekstrom, Rick Rohlin and (back) Sandy Walrod, Tricia Bergstue, Jeff Ekstrom, Alex Borger and Lucas Angove.

Audubon Free Nature Play Day

Saturday morning, May 18, is the next free Nature Play Day at Audubon Community Nature Center. All children ages two to eight and their favorite grown-ups are welcome.

The open house format means you can stay as long as you like between 10 a.m. and noon.

Adults are required to stay with their children and may want to bring a chair, snacks, and water or a drink.

If you come early this month, you can observe bird banding at the pavilion by the west entrance. Weather permitting, ornithologists will be banding from 7 to 11 a.m.

Young children can be creative with what nature provides — plus a few additional supplies from Audubon. For Nature Play Days extra materials that change with the weather and season are placed in the play area, and a naturalist is present to answer questions and provide information.

This event on the third Saturday morning of every month is an opportunity for kids to explore unstructured outdoor play in a safe environment. Meanwhile, their adults learn how to continue nature play experience at home.

Be prepared for play outside. Children should wear clothes and footwear that can get wet and dirty. You may want to bring an extra change of clothes or a towel for the car ride home.

While Nature Play Day is planned for rain or shine, in the case of severe weather, the program will be canceled.

This program is free thanks to support from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation Legacy Funds from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.

Reservations are appreciated and can be made by calling (716) 569-2345 during business hours or going online to AudubonCNC.org/programs and clicking on “Current Schedule.” Walk-ins are welcome.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345 during business hours, visit AudubonCNC.org, or find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook.

Dems to meet

The Warren County Democrats will hold its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16, at the Jefferson DeFrees Center, 207 Second Ave., Warren.

Bridge results

Tuesday afternoon at the Allegheny Community Center, Ellen Ruffalo came in first and Bill Massa was second. At the Woman’s Club, Thursday afternoon, Patty Baker and Bob Kellogg were first and second. Patty Baker placed first Thursday evening at the library with Marilyn Mourer in second.

Bluegrass on ANF

On Sunday, June 2, the bluegrass band “Well Strung” will be playing at Twin Lakes Recreation Area (in Wilcox) on the Allegheny National Forest from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

“Well Strung” is a four-piece bluegrass band out of western Pennsylvania that has been playing since June of 2004. It plays traditional and progressive bluegrass music. You can check them out at www.wellstrungbluegrass.com.

Friends of Twin Lakes ANF will be selling smoked chicken dinners from 11:30 a.m. until sold out on that day. Dinners include beans, macaroni salad, roll, drink, and dessert.

High School Bowl

Warren Area High School defeated Jamestown High School, 96-23, and Sherman Central School, 93-18, in recent Media One High School Bowl matches at Jamestown Community College.

Stephen Ashbaugh of Warren earned Player of the Match honors.

Trenton Dippold, Scott Stewart, Devyn Pollock, Alex Ferry, Katie Moore, Mackenzie Bickling, and Jared California were on the Warren team.

High School Bowl, now in its 58th year, is produced by Media One Group in cooperation with JCC.

High School Bowl airs on Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. on radio station WJTN and at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays on radio station WWSE. Matches can also be heard online at radiojamestown.com/podcasts.

Halls of Ivy

Scholarships and awards were presented during the annual college awards ceremony held at Jamestown Community College’s Jamestown and Cattaraugus County campuses in early May. Recipients, noted by their hometowns, included:

Sheffield: Brian Reasbeck (Paul Kelly Memorial Scholarship);

Warren: Kimberly Campbell (Juanita Mauro Giddy Nursing Scholarship), Rachel Lynds (Vera Varmee Pre-professional Health Scholarship), and Iris Roberts (Freshman Biology Award);

Youngsville: Jessica Mack (AAUW Transfer Award) and Hosanna Senz (AAUW Transfer Award and Roger C. Seager Presidential Scholarship).

Camping at fairgrounds

The Warren County Fairgrounds in Pittsfield will have public camping Memorial Day weekend. Several campsites are available May 23 to 26 for $25 a night, or for campers who stay all four nights at $75. This includes water, electric, garbage and dumping station. There are also restrooms and shower facilities on the premises. For your weekend entertainment, the Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association will be competing Saturday and Sunday in the main show ring. This is a free event for all spectators. For information or camping reservations, call Sue at (814) 730-2890 or Doris at (814) 730-4644. This is just one of the many fundraisers that help support the fairgrounds.

Class lunch

The WAHS class of ’66 will hold a lunch get-together at noon Friday, May 17, at Cable Hollow. RSVP by email to gennapoo279@gmail.com, or responding on the class Facebook page.

Watson Grange

Watson Grange met recently with Master Wendy Hollabaugh presiding. Legislative Chairman John Hollabaugh spoke on information from National Grange concerning the number of farms, farmers milk production, as well as ordering prescription drugs from other countries and Broadband Maps.

The community service report showed that six Junior Grange members, two mini-Juniors, seven Subordinate members, and three non-members cleaned four miles of Rt. 337.

A new sign combining Watson Grange and Chapel at Tidioute Creek has been made by Pastor Keith Martin and hung on a pole at front of the building. Work continues on the kitchen floor and the need for a shed to store glass for the Dime Pitch. A shed belonging to CTC will be moved to their new location at the Grange.

Master Hollabaugh presented a program on Mother’s Day/May Day with readings by Bob, Jean, and John Hollabaugh, and Matt Irons, followed by a May Day quiz.

Lenhart Cemetery will be cleaned and new flags placed.

Watson Juniors are to meet on Tuesday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall; the Watson Subordinate Meeting is on Thursday, May 23, at 6:30 p.m. with sandwiches for refreshments.

Warren-Forest Pomona Grange

Warren-Forest Grange met recently with Master Kelly Van Ord presiding. Committee chairpersons appointed were: Legislative & Membership — John Hollabaugh, Family Activities — Deanna Hollabaugh, Youth & Community Service — Matt Irons, Juniors — Kelly Van Ord, Auction, Snack Bar & Fair Concession — Jean and Wendy Hollabaugh, and Kelly Van Ord, and Building & Rental — Bob Hollabaugh.

Reports were received from youth concerning the PA State Grange Young Adults Weekend and upcoming camp; Junior Grangers learned marching, ritual and cleaned two miles of Rt. 337 and three are planning to attend PA State Grange Junior Camp in July; Community Service — donated the use of Grange building for School to Work program; Buildings & Rental — floor stripped and waxed, new folding steps to the attic to be purchased, voted to purchase folding chairs from Chapel at Tidioute Creek.

The group voted to donate $400 to Warren County Fair along with a $1 lease. The Grange will be represented at the Warren County Fairgrounds Grounds Users meeting in June.

Irons, lecturer, presented a program on the Wonders of May.

Mother’s Day Limericks were read by several members as National Limerick Day was May 12 this year. Other strange national days in May were read followed by a Memorial Day quiz.

Upcoming events include: Benefit Dinner on Saturday, May 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Forest Grange for the Forest County Veteran’s Transportation Fund; Auction at Pomona Grange May 18 at 1 p.m.; Pie Day at Pomona on July 30 at 9 a.m.; Warren County Fair –August 5-10 — with Grange Exhibit Theme “Fun for the Whole Herd,” as well as the grange concession open August 3 to 10; Pomona Grange meeting is Saturday, Aug. 24, at 9 a.m., with Pomona providing the lunch.

Philomel Club

The Philomel Club of Warren gathered on Wednesday, May 8, for a musical program and spring luncheon. The Philomel Chorus delighted the Club with songs portraying the joys of springtime, relaxation, and new life.

The program began with an Early English madrigal Summer is A-Coming In. Also sung were God Made Our Hands by Jill Jackson and Sy Miller, Blue Bayou by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson, and Chariot’s Comin’ by Don Besig and Nancy Price. The Chorus aptly ended with Robert Lowry’s well-known tune, How Can I Keep From Singing.

Ms. Linda Clark Peterson directs the Philomel Chorus. Chorus members for this month’s program were Donna Ball, Karen Black, Barb Boger, Sally Eaton, Cathy Hazeltine, Joyce Hishman, Sue Lyle, Barb Matteson, Jo Simonsen, and Celia Thompson. Christine Kuntz accompanied the chorus on the piano. The Philomel Chorus is open to both men and women who enjoy a diverse selection of choral music and the camaraderie of choral singing. New members of the Chorus are welcome at any time!

The Philomel Club holds monthly musical programs from September through May. Membership is open to any lover of music. Members are not required to perform and most of the members belong to the club simply to enjoy classical music, support the Philomel Scholarship Program, and promote an appreciation of music.

The next meeting will be in September 2019.