m e Da Sho h , Ju w T Sat ly 24 . & & ri 2 F 5 5 - 11 P.M. Friday 10 A.M. - 11 P.M. Saturday LIGHTING BY GROOVIN ’ LUMENS at the Austin Dam Memorial Park located on Rt. 872, just north of Austin, Pa. .damshow ww .co w m Larry Keel & The Buddhahood Natural Bridge Redheaded Stepchild Moira Smiley Free Grass Union & Voco The Slant The Hickory Freakish Owl Boy Project Jakob’s Hollow Vinegar Creek Lumpy Gravy Skiffle Minstrels Constituency Jesse Alexander . hosted by the Austin Dam Memorial Association with support from the Potter County Fine Arts Council, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Potter County Commissioners, Pa. Partners in the Arts, The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance and a corps of dedicated volunteers Please take a few minutes to complete our survey found on the inside back cover HISTORY OF AUSTIN DAM Austin was one of the boom towns of the region’s 1890-1910 lumber era. As the old growth trees were vanishing, the Freeman Run valley still had immense tracts of pulpwood. Industrialist George Bayless arrived from Binghamton, N.Y., to build a paper mill. Freeman Run couldn’t supply the steady flow of water needed to power the mill, so Bayless in 1909 contracted for the construction of a huge con- crete dam. It stretched nearly 550 feet across the valley, stood 50 feet high, and held approximately 250 million gallons of water at a depth of 40 feet. While some townspeople worried that the dam might break, most saw it as a symbol of continued employment and prosperity. They speculated that, even if the dam failed, Austin was far enough downstream that the water’s depth would probably be no more than a few inches. The dam gave way on the afternoon of Sept. 30, 1911, releasing a torrent that claimed upwards of 80 lives and nearly wiped out the town. After the flood, many families moved out. Others persevered and rebuilt the community. Austin Dam Memorial Association: The Mission Continues Momentum has been building for a plan to expand the Austin Dam Memo- rial Park and link it to the town of Austin. Austin Dam Memorial Association (ADMA) and Austin Borough Council are cooperating on a project to establish a walking/bicycling trail and historical exhibit in the 17 acres of the Freeman Run valley, running parallel to Rt. 872. It’s just the latest in a serious of ambitious goals that have been set -- and in many cases accomplished -- as ADMA continues its mission to preserve local We're proud to support the mission of the Austin Dam Memorial Association. Reinvesting in the communities we serve since 1864. coudersport l emporium l port allegany Member FDIC www.cnbankpa.com 2 JACKSON’S GIFT SHOP Soy Candles • Leek Relish SEAL’S PRO Specialty Jams, Jellies, Relishes Sweet Hot Mustard HOME CENTER Unique Gifts by Local Artisans Hardware & Building Supplies Open 9 - 5 Thurs. & Fri. • Sat. 9 - 3 262 Rt. 6 West 274 N. Ayers Hill Rd., Coudersport Follow Signs From Route 872 Coudersport 814-274-0219 (814) 274-7295 history and capitalize on the special history of the Freeman Run valley. State funds will pay for a feasibility study and project plan. It will include recommendations on location of trails, designation of environmentally sensi- tive areas, property acquisition, removal of hazardous property features, and other aspects. An economic development element is also included, based on the potential to create or support businesses as a result of the park expansion. With the same spirit of determination that has kept Austin on the map through fires, floods and other challenges, community-minded citizens recog- nize that a critical element of the town’s future lies in capitalizing on its proud and glorious history. Volunteers are needed to help ADMA accomplish its goals. Anyone interest- ed in becoming involved should contact Tracie Gordnier at austindam@yahoo. com or 814-647-3318. Teamwork is especially important in advance of the year 2011, the centennial of the Austin Dam’s failure and an opportunity to celebrate the spirit of a com- munity that was – and still is – too tough to die. AUSTIN DAM MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP Name _____________________________________________________ Street ____________________________________________________ Community ________________________________________________ State________ Zip ___________ Phone _______________________ e-mail ____________________________________________________ Send completed form along with $5.00 membership dues to The Austin Dam Memorial Association, PO Box 495, Austin, PA 16720. 3 WHARTON Do Your Sportin’ Your Full-Service in Wharton! Pharmacy GENERAL STORE Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m. - ? Sun. 1 - 9 p.m. BUCHANAN BROTHERS’ Fishing, Camping & Closed Wednesdays Hunting Supplies 814-647-8423 PHARMACY, INC. Deli Meats • Gas • Rt. 872, Wharton 5 Convenient Main St. Locations Perry’s Ice Cream COUDERSPORT • ELKLAND • ELDRED 814-647-8973 WHARTON SMETHPORT • WESTFIELD Rt. 872, Wharton T A V E R N The Dam Show: A Great 7th Year on Tap The Dam Show runs for its seventh time this year, with a strong lineup of musicians who may not have household names but have backgrounds that mark them as world class performers. Quality, musical integrity, original- ity, energy and fun are what Dam Show goers have come to expect. Once again, they will not be disappointed! This year’s festival could be called a Dam Show of champions. It is also a year when many of the groups have newly- completed recording projects. There are about a half dozen new albums from our roster of artists. One group – the Skiffle Minstrels from Buffalo – used the Dam Show as incentive for wrapping up their recording project. Among the “champions” are Moira Smiley and VOCO from Los Angeles. Two years ago this group of four women took top honors at the National Sweep- stakes A Cappella Festival. That is the meeting place of the best of young pro- fessional groups, college jazz groups, barbershop quartets and more from around the country. The Hickory Project returns to the Dam Show with national mandolin champion Anthony Hannigan joined by Coleman Smith, a two-time Texas fiddle champion before he went on to become a college trained classical and jazz violinist. Absolutely stunning—is an apt description of the music of 4 the five-piece virtuoso string band. They will be heading off to the Falcon Ridge Festival after their Friday night shows here. The Dam Show is pleased to have the Vinegar Creek Constituency on board for both days. Last year, the band took top honors in competition at Delfest in Maryland, hosted by the great Del McCoury. At that festival Jeff Bryson, the band’s mandolinist traded licks with the great mandolin player Ronnie McCoury. Jeff is a winner of the mandolin competition at the Tel- luride Bluegrass Festival. Expect more great things from mandolinist, and new dad, Mark Schimick, playing with Larry Keel and Natural Bridge on Saturday evening. Larry Keel, whose early accomplishments include the guitar championship at the Telluride Festival is one of the most sought after guitarists in the country. But his best times are with Natural Bridge with his wife on bass, a great group of original songs and an exquisite set of instrumentalists. Jakob’s Hollow, a talented group of singer/songwriters who have landed in Couderpsport will be featuring music from their newly-released album. The group includes Steve Quelet, Eppie Bailey, Josh Wolf and Judy Shunk. Also featured will be works from an album in progress, with songs having historical themes including some relating to the Austin Dam Disaster. Featured on Saturday evening will be new music by the Coudersport/ Tennessee “van setters” group Freakish Owl Boy. The Slant, will be performing at the Hard Rock Café in Pittsburgh the night before they return home to play the Dam Show with new songs. Professional songwriter for the stars Larry Herbstritt of Coudersport has put together a band of his music students who will perform on Saturday afternoon. There are great sounds coming out of that project. Another youngster with local connections, 11-year old Jesse Alexander from Lodi, NY will be bringing the band with his name to the Dam Show. Jesse learned fiddle and mandolin from some of the greats of traditional bluegrass music at his family festival called Pickin’ In the Pasture. Monaco’s Violin Shop & Music Centre Violins - Violas - Cellos - Basses Rentals - Repairs - Sales 2333 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst, N.Y. PHONE (716) 691-4940 Since 1973 5 Moira Smiley and VOCO Vocal harmony is the forte of Moira Smiley and VOCO – and the group’s excellence was recognized in 2007 with the National A Cappella Harmony Championship, an honor reserved for the very best of the best. Moira Smiley and VOCO sing powerful, emotional music with lush har- mony and the delicious vaudevillian combo of cello, accordion and banjo. Sprinkled throughout their songs are rompin’, stompin’ body percussion sets, always a crowd-pleas- er. Moira Smiley is known internationally as a composer and vocalist who sometimes accompanies the band with ac- cordion or banjo. She previously toured with another vocal quartet, VIDA, which recorded three CDs of folk and original songs. In 2002 she deepened explorations of Eastern European vocal music with the renowned KITKA 6 Present this coupon on or between July 23, 24 & 25, 2009 AND RECEIVE 10% OFF from ONE single accessory item or clothing purchase. Have A Great Weekend At The Austin Dam Show! Valid only at Larry’s Sports Center, Inc. during the – Your Friends At Larry’s specified dates in July of 2009 LARRY’S Yamaha • Suzuki • Harley Davidson SPORT CENTER Rt. 6 W., Galeton • (814) 435-6548 ensemble. She also recorded a solo CD, “Rua,” of Irish, Appalachian and her own songs.