'CREATING A CURE' SATURDAY AT SIZERVILLE STATE PARK

By Alex W. Davis

EMPORIUM, Pa. – Organizers of the American Cancer Society's "Creating A Cure" set for Saturday, May 30, at Sizerville State Park hope that the first-time artistic festival becomes something that will catch on throughout the state.

Ten artists will showcase their work and four musicians will perform to raise money for cancer patients and research from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m., along Route 155, six miles north of Emporium.

Declining interest in Cameron County's "Relay for Life" prompted a change of venue but the same goals.

"Survivors are the reason we do everything," ACS spokesperson Marie Costello said. "I am really thinking it will be an excellent event."

Painters, wood carvers, a felt knitter, a welder, a jewelry maker and a charcoal artist will demonstrate their skills inside the pavilions. Musicians will perform at a section of the park.
"Creating A Cure" gets under way at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony. Cancer victims will be honored with bags filled with memories set up as a labyrinth.

Park naturalist Tom Murphy will give guided hikes around the park at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Upwards of 30 survivors will be recognized during a ceremony at 2:30 p.m. A speaker will give a keynote address, and survivors' names and a poem written by a 16-year-old from Wellsville, N.Y., will be recited.

An auction will be held at 3 p.m. Among items will include wooden furniture and carvings, a wooden swing, a stained glass window and three styles of paintings. Cash and credit card payments will be accepted.

Also available will be kid games, face painting, hamburgers, hot dogs and beverages. Basket and 50:50 raffles will be chanced off. Chicken barbecue will be on sale beginning at noon.
The fund-raising goal – $30,000 – will go toward cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services.

For more information, contact Costello at 1-888-333-5129, ext. 3010 or marie.costello@cancer.org.