GOLD STAR: The annual Willow Creek Triathlon will be held Saturday, and Dr. Dennis Faucher is once again honoring Gold Star families.
He wrote to us about this year’s speaker.
“Jim Crigler, a former Vietnam era Army helicopter pilot and the author of the autobiography, ‘Mission of Honor,’ will be the guest speaker at this year’s August 4th D.A.V. Willow Creek Triathlon.
“Jim’s speech will be about honoring Gold Star families. After the speech local Gold Star Families will be recognized. Those interested in attending should arrive at the Willows Restaurant before noon on Saturday.”
Gold Star families include the parents, siblings and children of anyone who died doing their military job.
The Willow Creek Triathlon raises money for the Disabled American Veterans of McKean and Warren counties. The race includes a 300-yard swim in Quaker Lake at Allegany State Park, a 15-mile bicycle ride to the Corydon Hotel, 3307 W. Washington St., Bradford, and a three-mile fun to the Willows Restaurant, 2669 W. Washington St.
Registration will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday at Quaker Lake.
ITALIAN OPERA: Carole Longo reached out to us in anticipation of the Italian Festival happening Aug. 9-11 here in Bradford. A recent trip to Bradford got her thinking about a good way to honor Italian heritage at the annual celebration.
Carole writes, “After attending the 68th Bifano Family Reunion in Warren I stopped in Bradford. Goals: visit my brother Vic Longo, fan of the Pitt band; take my sister Grace Bonfilio and cousin Jodi to lunch; and check out the Marilyn Horne Museum.
“We had a delicious lunch at the beautiful Option House. Then we walked one block to the museum. Wow! What a marvelous building — pristine windows with images of Ms. Horne in elaborate costumes from world famous performances. To my surprise this museum, a first class act, was free. Ms. Horne generously chose to donate the historical treasures of her life and career to Pitt-Bradford instead of the Smithsonian.
“Ms. Horne, in early years, was accompanied by the Citizens Band in Bradford. All the musicians were Italian immigrants who knew and loved the Italian opera scores. Perhaps it is time for the Italian Festa to invite budding opera singers to perform. It is disheartening to think Italian food has become the highest form of Italian culture!”
She signed her letter “Ciao, Carole Longo, New Hope PA; Native Bradfordian, 100 percent Italian, who loves opera and eggplant sandwiches.”
Fun.
