Smethport Residents

Derrick Wright Performs Church Pipe Organ Recital

Once called the “King of Instruments” by Mozart himself, the pipe organ is widely acknowledged as more difficult to learn than most other instruments. With its tiers of keys, numerous buttons and foot controls, the pipe organ can be quite intimidating even for today’s most accomplished pop music artists.

With determination and a love for the music, however, it is possible to learn and become proficient with the instrument. This was amply demonstrated by Smethport student Derrick Wright who performed a pipe organ recital on August 16th at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.   Read more »

Borough News

Smethport Enters New Domain

The Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey

Smethport, the first Route 6 Heritage Community, is now actively promoted on a multi-media Web site.

Linda and Nathan Muller, who have Internet and Web site experience, have developed the unique site, smethportpa.org.

“My first big Web site was for Pat Buchanan when he was a presidential candidate in 1995. From there on, I just continued creating Web sites for conservative candidates and issues and developing my skills at the same time,” Linda Muller said.

Nathan Muller’s experience dates back to pre-Internet days when he was a student at San Diego State University in the 1970s.

“At that time, what was to become the Internet was simply a bunch of isolated regional networks. After they were linked, they became the Internet.”

While he has created corporate Web sites, Nathan Muller said that those projects didn’t always allow him to be really creative because the clients dictated what they wanted done.

“With the Smethport Web site, though, we can pretty much indulge ourselves creatively and put together a package that is multi-media in nature,” he noted.  Read more>>

Nathan and Linda Muller, developers of the Smethport website, are interviewed by Rose Bishop of WQRM-FM. They discuss some of the new features they are working on that will become available soon to serve Borough residents.

More to do in Smethport

History of Wooly Willy
Visit the home of Wooly Willy

Latest Updates

Smethport Specialty Co. to be Acquired by Patch Products

Patch Products Inc. — a Beloit, Wisconsin manufacturer of games, puzzles and toys — has announced that it has agreed to buy Smethport Specialty Co., the maker of Lauri brand toys and specialty products.

The acquisition is expected to expand Patch Products‘ offerings of specialty products. Smethport Specialty’s products include educational games and activity sets, including the classic toy Wooly Willy. The company has been in operation since 1923. Read more »

Elderberry Kitchen Band Plays at Mt. Jewett Swedish Festival

The annual Swedish Festival in Mt. Jewett drew crowds from all over the region. Among the many activities during the three-day event was a smorgasbord at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, dancing, art and quilt shows, and a car and bike show. There was also a parade down Main Street. The Smethport Elderberry Kitchen Band provided some of the entertainment. Doris Nourse introduced the band and the musical selections. Here are some of the sights and sounds of the day.   Read more »

Local Radio Station Changes Hands

Smethport’s local radio station WQRM has been acquired by Colonial Radio Group in Mainesburg, operator of WLMI “Hometown Country” 103.9 FM in Kane. The transition will become official when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approves the transaction, which can take up to 60 days.

The radio frequencies of WQRM used for simulcast on 106.3 FM in Smethport and 99.3 FM in Bradford will now carry the WLMI program lineup from the station in Kane, offering “trimulcast” coverage throughout McKean and Elk Counties. WQRM station manager Rose Bishop is expected to stay on under the new arrangement.

First coming on the air in 1984 with the call letters WIFI, WLMI was the first FM broadcaster in McKean County. Over the years it has maintained a format that combines full-service news and information with contemporary country music.

Relatives are candidates in McKean County Fair’s two royalty contests

The Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey

It will be a first for the McKean County Fair next week when relatives are candidates in the fair’s two royalty contests.

Marklyn Simms, Miss Smethport, is one of the five candidates from the county’s high schools who will vie for the title of Miss McKean County Fair 2008 during the contest Aug. 11. Her grandmother, Greer Barr, has been chosen queen of the Smethport Senior Center and will compete in the Senior King and Queen Contest on Aug. 14 during the traditional Senior Citizens’ Day program.   Read more >>

Winning pageant titles seems to run in this family

Olean Times Herald — by Kate Day Sager

A couple of queen titles in Smethport have been snatched up by one family in the community and they’re feeling quite royal about it all.

This spring, Marklyn Simms, was named Ms. Smethport Area High School and will represent her high school as a queen contestant for the McKean County Fair Queen title. Then, her grandmother, Greer Barr, was elected to serve as the Smethport Senior Center Fair Queen 2008 representative.

Marklyn admitted that it was “a little weird” that she and her grandmother will participate in the same grand parade and queen coronation on Aug. 11 at the fair.   Read more >>

Update on Heritage Council Activities

Les Jordan of the Heritage Council sat down with Rose Bishop of WQRM radio to provide a brief history of the organization and an update on some of its activities. Among the topics discussed are the Mansion District Walking Tour, Smethport Creative Arts League, Potato Creek Trail Association, the Goose Chaser Trail and Hamlin Lake Park.

Les Jordan also provided some news about the planned Artisans’ Trail Show which will coincide with the Wheel Around the Hub bicycle race on September 20th, which is put on by the Smethport Lions Club. The Country Porch is sponsoring the Artisans Trail Show, which will feature sidewalk displays by local artists.

Community Reforestation Plan Underway

The ShadeTree Commission is in the first phase of a multi-phase reforestation project. The first phase involves the removal of diseased, dying and hazardous trees from Borough property and along streets. Most of these are Sugar Maple trees, eleven of which were so big that an outside firm had to be called in to safely remove them.

In this radio interview with WQRM’s Rose Bishop, Jovanna Porter discusses the ShadeTree Commission, its programs, and the current reforestation effort. She explains the criteria used in selecting various trees for removal, noting that no healthy trees are being taken down.   Read more »

Hamlin Memorial Library Holds Groundbreaking for Expansion Wing

The Hamlin Memorial Library in Smethport held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially kick off construction of its long-awaited expansion wing, which will double the size of the current building and provide meeting space for community activities. The architect and contractor; Borough, county and state officials — as well as library staff and volunteers — were in attendance before a crowd of about 40 Smethport residents.
Read more »

Officials Gather at Groundbreaking for Expansion Project at Hamlin Memorial Library in Smethport

The Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey

“With this turn of the shovels we remember the past and begin to build for the future,” said Deborah Babcox Wednesday afternoon at the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion project for the Hamlin Memorial Library in Smethport.

Participating in that ceremony were Harriett Rockefeller, a longtime volunteer; Bryant Robey, Smethport native and architect of WTW Architects; Budd Mracna, WTW architect; Larry Pershing, representing Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, Mayor Ross Porter, Joe Orr of J.C. Orr and Son Inc., builder, David Seipp, trust officer at Hamlin Bank and Trust Co., and Marty Digel, president of Hamlin Bank and Trust.   Read more>>

Long Branch Saloon Open Through Saturday

The Long Branch Saloon is now open at the American Legion hall on Main Street.  The annual 4-day event — Wednesday through Saturday — features food, beverages and entertainment against a Wild West motif.  Just come on in…  Membership in the Legion is not required. The Saloon opens at 11:00 a.m.  on Wednesday and Thursday and at  9:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Read more »