Things are Happening in and around Oil City!

My husband, Andrew and I were out in Oil City a few weeks ago and had a few (much needed) relaxing days.

We went for a bike ride from Oil City to Franklin on the Samuel Justus Trail, a rails to trails paved trail along the beautiful Allegheny River. It was a beautiful day and the ride was great. We passed by the stately River Ridge mansion and farm of the late US Senator Joseph P. Sibley who, according to the history books, acquired a considerable fortune from the early oil industry. Along the way we saw Oil wells - some abandoned for 100 years or more. Rumor has it that, in 1864, John Wilkes Booth was part owner of an unsuccessful well which was one mile south of Franklin very near the trail.

In Franklin, we ate lunch at Oskies and then researched the recorded deeds for our house-back to 1908 in the beautiful Venango Courthouse. Everyone was very helpful as we trekked up and down the stairs, back and forth, from one department to the other.

The next day we went golfing! My first time in 8 years! I wasn't all that bad...really. We went to the Wanango Golf Club. Very hilly, beautiful, challenging course. We just might join! Well, I guess we should probably try out some other courses.. But, I really loved it there. Here's what the website claims:

"Wanango Golf Club is the premier recreational and social club serving the Venango County area since 1912.

The Club's 18-hole course, which was redesigned by A.W. Tillinghast, offers a 6134 yard, par 71 challenge. Beauty and character define the course with challenging greens, strategically-placed sand traps and magnificent scenery. Glorious oaks, red maples, flowering dogwoods, tulip trees and other blossoming fruit trees, (sculpted with plants of the season), leave a lasting impression"

It made an impression on me!

As we put the house back here in E. PA on the Market, I am reading the local Oil City newspaper, The Derrick, on-line daily, just so I know what is going on out there...

And, there is a lot going on in Oil City and surrounding areas! The Oil150 celebration is a year long promotion of the Oil City Region and is worth a visit to the area.

Here's a sampling of what is Happening in and around Oil City.

Farmers Market--Oil City — noon to 5 p.m., Central Avenue plaza, Oil City; every Monday and Thursday

National Transit Studios & Art Center
2009 Open Studio Weekends Saturdays 12pm-5pm -- Sundays 12pm-5pm
June 13,14 - July 11,12 - August 8,9 - September 12,13, October 10,11 -
November 14,15, and December 12,13

Summer Saturdays on Seneca Street- Pipeline Alley, 206 Seneca St., Oil City; Free concerts, Donations accepted; sponsor--Oil City Arts Council. In case of rain, event moved indoors to National Transit Bldg Great Room.
Street Fair scene, with vendors, food, sidewalk sales, participatory art

JUNE

June 6 Community History Days — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Venango Campus, Oil City; speakers, music, exhibits, demonstrations, food; boat rides at Oil City Marina, $5; 676-6591, ext. 1270 or 1277.

June 13 - Oil Region Indie Music Fest, 2:00 pm - 9:00 pm. and the Seneca Summer Saturday Street Fair. Two stages (Pipeline Alley and Seneca Street), with informal jamming in the Transit Building and on the street. Street perfomances and art installations, craft vendors, food vendors, etc. This is also an Open Studio day at the Transit Art Studios! Come join us and spend a creative day in Oil City PA! For more information contact jimisru@hotmail.com or jeromewincek@yahoo.com

June 13-14 French and Indian War Encampment — Cook Forest State Park; cannon and musket firing, cooking, primitive skills, clothing demonstrations, flintknapping, blacksmithing, pottery, woodworking, sheep shearing, sutler camp, live tactical engagements, historians, artists; more that 100 re-enactors; sponsor, Sawmill Center for the Arts.

June 21-Garden walk — 5:30 to 9 p.m., six stops in Oil City; "Ida Tarbell's Garden," portrayed by Margo Mong; refreshments served at two stops; adults, $5; ages 6 to 18, $2; ages 5 and under, free; sponsor, Oil City Garden Club.

JULY

July 16-17-- Community Playhouse, Inc., will present the musical satire "Melba, the Toast of Pithole" at 8:00 pm on July 17 and 18, 2009 in the Latonia Theatre in Oil City, PA.
Don't miss this old time "hissing and booing" melodrama about the discovery of oil.
Tickets: $ 10.00
Contact: Mary Jane Bussard 814 676 3615