Are you ready for summer? Looking for things to do in the Foxburg Area this summer? We have a full schedule of summer events and happenings for you, so to be ready Save the Dates. Allegheny Riverstone Center for the Arts will be holding their first Wulitzer Organ Concert of the 2012 season at Lincoln Hall on Saturday, May 19, featuring Ken Double and honoring a special member of the theatre organ community Paul Mckissick, whose tireless efforts saved and restored the Lincoln Hall Wulitzer. The concert starts at 7:00pm and price is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for members and $5.00 for students. For ticket information, call 412-867-1816.

 Would you enjoy a night full of laughs and good food? The Allegheny Grille is hosting its second Comedy Night of the year on Saturday, May 26, 2012. Starting at 6:30pm this includes a buffet dinner, salad, desserts and non-alcoholic beverages. The comedy show starts at 7:30pm and features three performers, Trina Hess, Bill Boronkay and Doc Dixon. Price for this show is $30.00 per person in advance and $35.00 per person at the door. Call 724-659-5701 today to make your reservations.

Also don’t forget that the Foxburg Wine Cellars has live entertainment every Saturday and Sunday from 2pm-5pm throughout the summer. Enjoy free wine tasting and local talent.

Love to hear music from local entertainers? The Allegheny Grille will be featuring music from The River Nymphs on Tuesday May 22 from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. They will also have music from The Two of us on Tuesday May 15, Friday May 18(and open mic) and Tuesday May 29 6:00pm-9:00pm.

Want to enjoy all of this fun, a few drinks and not have to drive home? Call the Foxburg Inn Hotel 724-659-3116 to reserve your room. With beautiful views and a peaceful ambience, the Foxburg Inn Hotel is where charm and chance meet.

Expectations are heightened for another such experience Sunday afternoon May 6th at 2:00 PM at Lincoln Hall in Foxburg. The Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Players return for their 2012 Spring Concert. Past performances have captivated the audience and transformed Lincoln Hall to the world stage. Their appeal transcends age and social demographics. Young people and students all the way to card-carrying members of AARP are linked by sweet sound of strings, piano, and for this concert clarinet. The Chamber Players led by Mikhail Istomin have set a spring theme for Sunday’s concert, “Romantics Inspired by Woman”. According to Mr. Istomin, “At this special interactive concert performed by members of the world famous Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the audience will be treated to heartwarming masterworks of classical music composed by two of the greatest composers of the romantic era, Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms, inspired by their muses, the woman they loved. Also on the program to celebrate the spring season will be the melodic and airy ‘Lark’ string quartet by the great Austrian composer Joseph Haydn .” . . .“And we are absolutely enthusiastic about playing in the intimate space of Lincoln Hall”.

Indeed live classical music can thrive, bridge generations, and win new friends when brought to life by the likes of the Chamber Players, and Ms. Henry, truly gifted and dedicated musicians. Such is the moment when the listener sits enthralled, bedazzled and beguiled. There is no gadgetry, or electronic enhancement. There is just the connection between the listener and the performer, something energetic and a transforming, sound entwined with emotion. This is the essence of ARCA’s mission to offer to its members and friends such moments that touch the heart and soul.

How marvelous are these musical moments that embrace those who find their way across hill and valley to this intimate space called Lincoln Hall. Both performer and listener are better for it. Yes, being present at such a moment is so worth one’s time. We the audience can participate and appreciate the artistry of musicians, the genius of the composers across the years, continents and oceans. For all, it is a grand convergence on a Sunday afternoon in the village of Foxburg.

Seats are limited, call for tickets, at 412-867-1816, Adults $25 Members $20 and Students $10. Also for more information visit www.alleghenyriverstone.org. Checkout the event flyer here!

Summer is almost here!! There are many exciting things to do here in Foxburg this summer, starting off with a Cinco de Mayo Celebration under the tent at The Allegheny Grille. Enjoy live music from The River Nymphs and The Two of Us.

Saturday May 5 12 noon -4:00pm

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican Holiday that celebrates the battle of Puebla in 1862. A small army of Mexicans, about 4500 men were able to stop the French invasion. This boosted morale for the Mexicans and created a feeling of national unity.

Come join in the fun, there will be beer vendors, live music and authentic Mexican Cuisine.

Jerome Wincek, Folk music performer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter will be entertaining festival goers at the Foxburg Wine Cellars from 2:30 to 3:00 on Saturday April 28, 2012. Located in Oil City, Pennsylvania, Jerome performs music in the genres of Folk/Electro acoustic/ Country Rock. Some of his songs include; When the mornin breaks, From the eyes of a star, Party in the back, She thought to run and When the lights go out.

Jerome has performed in various locations in Venango County and the surrounding areas, including The Shamrock Bar, the Impromptu Room, and the Oil Country Blue Grass Festival all in Oil City, PA. He is also scheduled to play at the Oil Region Indie Music Festival June 15 on Seneca Street in Oil City, but don’t wait until then to enjoy the sounds of Jerome’s unique style. Join Jerome at the Foxburg Wine Cellars during the Maple Syrup Festival and sample some of Foxburg’s original wine while you are there. With over 30 wines to choose from you will be sure to find something you like.

To learn more about Jerome or to listen to some of his music go to his website http://Jeromewincek.com.

Garrett Heath, singer and song writer will be performing at The Foxburg Pizza Shop and country store on April 28 from 3:30-4:00pm as part of the Maple Syrup Festival. Garrett and his wife, Autumn are currently partnering with Orphan Network on behalf of orphanages in Nicaragua. The Alabaster Jar is a project that uses music and art to raise awareness and support for orphans in Nicaragua. All profits from their music and art goes to this very important cause. Garrett is a folk/indie /Christian Rock artist. Some of his songs include: How to die; Marching on; Rise up from your sleep; Sing your song and Isaiah 58.

Head on over to the Pizza Shop to listen to Garrett’s music and while you are there, grab some delicious food. When asked what I recommend over there, it is really difficult to answer because everything is so good. They have Pizza, (of course) subs, salads, breadsticks and more. In the name of everything maple, they will offer special maple flavored menu items also.

The deadline to register for Foxburg’s Bird Watching Weekend is April 21, 2012. If you love birds, you do not want to miss this. Enjoy a bird walk and lunch at the Riverstone Estate, on Saturday May 5, 2012 starting at 8am. Cost for this is $20.00. Following this, you are invited to a dinner at the Allegheny Grille at 5:00pm, with presentations by Michael Leahy, Seneca Rocks Audubon Society, Grassland Bird Calls and Keynote Speaker Jason Hill B.S., M.S., PhD candidate. Jason will discuss his findings with respect to several seasons of research into the population dynamics of grassland breeding sparrows and their relationship to the grassland habitat created by reclaimed surface mines in PA. Of particular interest will be his research at Mount Zion/Piney Tract in Clarion County. Price for this is $26.40.  At 8:00pm, Saturday May 5, there will be an Owl Prowl at Riverstone. Cost for this is $5.00.  Avoid traveling, stay with us at The Foxburg Inn Hotel and ask about our special birdfest rate.

Sunday May 6, 2012 8:00am

Visit Mount Zion/Piney Tract, Important Bird Area. This is a former strip mine. K&C Coal Company mined this area in the 1970’s , saved the original top soil and used locust and pine trees to revegetate the mined area. In the 1980’s it was discovered that this area was becoming a habitat for rare species of birds. Some of these species include: Henslow’s sparrows, Grasshopper sparrows, Upland Sandpipers and Short-eared owls. This event is free. Call now to reserve your room and/or tickets. Choose the events you want and leave the rest, or you may buy tickets to all of the events. Contact The Foxburg Inn for tickets and information 724-659-3116.

 The Venango Barbertones are a group of local men who share their love of music and singing. Barbershop singing is a great way for men to fellowship together. This group includes men from all around the surrounding area, including Franklin, Oil City, Rockland, Titusville and more. They meet each Monday in Franklin and are welcoming new members. If you want to enjoy some wonderful barbershop music, fun and fellowship, join us at The Foxburg Inn Hotel on Saturday, April 28 at 2:00pm during the Maple Syrup Festival. For more information about the Barbertones, visit their website www.venangobarbertones.org.

David Melesky, attorney and author will be attending The Maple Syrup Festival and selling his books. Born and raised in Connecticut, David grew up in the small town of Bethlehem where he attended local schools. He earned a BA degree from Franklin Peirce College in New Hampshire and he also studied overseas in England. He then graduated Vermont Law School with a Juris Doctor Degree. After this he moved to Maine with his family and traveled to most of the United States and numerous foreign countries. He now lives in Greenville, Pennsylvania and divides his time between his legal work and his love of writing.

Some of his books include: I Remember Bethlehem; A Nostalgic Look at Connecticut’s Christmas Town. Practice, not Perfect, the first in a series about a fictional attorney B.G. Wumpkey(Comedy). The second two books in the Wumpkey series are: One Bar to Another and The Reluctant Lawyer.

Chainsaw Carving by Brenda Lehman

Chainsaw carver, Brenda Lehman will be doing demonstrations and her work will be available for purchase at the Maple Syrup Festival. Located in Wellsville, N.Y. she is a French teacher by day and artisan by night. She makes impressive wildlife creatures using a log and a chainsaw. To view some of her work, check out her website www.shecarves.com

Yeany and associates will also be giving various candy, cream and sugar making demonstrations throughout the day. See how maple sugar is made at the Allegheny Grille; watch them make maple cream at Divani Chocolate. Cool down with the ARCA members and watch how maple creamys are made, you will not be able to resist this frosty treat.