Around the Forest Region
Love is in the air in the Allegheny National Forest Region – No matter what your passion!
The Allegheny National Forest Region, located 90 miles south of Buffalo, NY, in northwestern Pennsylvania, has it all whether your love is someone, food or an activity. During the winter months in northwestern Pennsylvania, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy your favorite passion.
The Flickerwood Wine Cellars & Lounge in Kane hosts a Valentine Wine & Chocolate Tasting that will surely sweeten your lover’s day. On Saturday, Feb. 11, the winery, located at 309 Flickerwood Road, just off of Scenic Route 6, will pair wines and chocolate delicacies. The event, which starts at noon, is the perfect way to celebrate the weekend and your love. For more information, check them out at www.flickerwood.com.
If you love to play in the outdoors, the Allegheny National Forest Region has just the thing for you. Read More »
Borough News
WalkWorks Project Going Strong Despite End of Funding
Smethport Web
State grant funding for the WalkWork projects ends on February 3, 2012. WalkWorks was funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Health as a collaborative project between the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford’s Center for Rural Health Practice (UPB-CRHP). UPB-CRHP coordinated the program’s activities in McKean County, with Claudia Caminite as the coordinator.
The objective of the program was to ease the burden of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity and cardiac related illnesses through increasing physical activity in participating counties in the state.
Though funding for the program is nearing an end, McKean County involvement has been incredible in the participating communities of Bradford, Smethport, Port Allegany and Kane. Some walking participants described the program as “life changing”. In addition to improving their overall health and losing weight they reported having more energy and feeling more content and connected. Read more »
Smethport Residents
Wayne Pearson Discusses Global Warming & Jobs
Smethport Web
Colonial Radio Group runs a “Perspectives” segment on its Olean, NY news-talk station WVTT [99.1 and 103.9 FM] that features interviews and commentary from community leaders and local business people.
A variety of topics are covered on the segment, which airs weekday mornings between 8:45 to 9:00 am. Recently, WVTT ran a spot featuring Wayne Pearson of Smethport who talked about global warming.
Pearson questions our national priorities: “Our government is funding programs to deal with a theoretical global warming problem instead of dealing with the here and now problem of U.S. jobs…”
Listen to the entire WVTT radio spot.
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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
Please consider a tax deductible donation to the Hamlin Memorial Library. You can donate online - any amount is welcome. You’ll get a receipt via email. The library is a recognized charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
If you prefer, you can send a check by mail at any time using this form.
Become a fan of the library on Facebook and learn about upcoming events.
Newspaper Archives Available
An archive of local newspapers, from 1833 to 1978, is available for viewing online or through microfilm at the Hamlin Memorial Library. Every newspaper in the online database is fully searchable by keyword and date, making it easy to quickly explore historical content. You can also order a full page copy on heavy paper. smethport.newspaperarchive.com
More to do in Smethport
Latest Updates
Note: Click images for enlargements, slideshows, audio, or more information!
Visit Smethport's YouTube Channel.
Saturday night was “Fight Night” in Smethport
From news sources in Olean, NY; Smethport, PA; Richmond, VA
Friends gathered at the home of Linda and Nathan Muller to watch daughter Robin Reese battle for the World Kickboxing Association’s championship title of Virginia.
The Mullers had known Robin would be participating in the Richmond event for some time and had tried to talk her out of it. They were somewhat relieved by the assurances of their son-in-law Aaron that Robin was well conditioned and coached and that padding would be worn during the fight. Read more »
Ben Hahn forms Elite Running Team in Colorado
Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller
Former Smethport High School athlete Ben Hahn, Class of 2007, has started a non-profit organization and professional running team in Mancos, Colorado.
Hahn serves as the president of The Mancos Project, which is unique in the world of sports for its practice and promotion of eco-friendly, sustainable living.
With three slots left, Hahn is aiming for a team of 10 accomplished runners in their mid 20s to early 30s. Selection is based on a variety of factors, including running experience, injury history, valuable skills that can be an asset for the project, and personality. Read more »
Smethport’s Liz Reap Carlson to Compete in China
Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller
Liz Reap Carlson, formerly of Smethport, now living in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, is among 12 Americans who will compete in round three of the UCI Track World Cup to be held in Beijing on the Laoshan Velodrome from January 13 to 15.
Representing the women’s side of the cycling competition, Liz Carlson (Jim Thorpe, PA/Black Dog Pro Cycling Team) and Tela Crane (Sammamish, WA/Lake Washington Velo/Broadmark Capital) will race in the team sprint.
Carlson will also ride the 500-meter time trial, while Crane will compete in the keirin, a variant of the sprint which has different rules. The third member of the women’s team, Jennifer Valente (San Diego, CA/Exergy TWENTY 12) will compete in the sprint and the keirin. Read more »
Ross Porter Discusses Heritage Community of the Year Award
Smethport Web
Recently, Casey Hill of news-talk radio station WVTT in Olean, New York interviewed Smethport Mayor Ross Porter about the “Heritage Community of the Year Award.” The award was presented to the Borough earlier this month by the PA Route 6 Alliance.
Porter noted during the interview that “…preserving our heritage helps us understand who we are and how we got there…”
Listen to the entire WVTT interview.
WVTT [99.1 and 103.9 FM] is one of eight stations owned by Colonial Radio Group, headquartered in Olean, NY.
Home Light Up Awards Announced
Smethport Web — by Barb Ness
The Smethport Senior Citizens performed their annual tour of the Borough, judging decorated homes on the evening of December 14th.
The winners were Steve Dunkle on Willow Street, who took First Place; Daniel Woods on Bank Street, who took Second Place; and George Magee of East Smethport, who took Third Place.
The Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce donated cash prizes for first, second and third place in the amounts of $50.00, $30.00 and $20.00, respectively. The bus was donated by C.L. McKeirnan Bus Garage.
PA Route 6 Alliance Recognizes Smethport as the 2011 Route 6 Heritage Community of the Year
Smethport Web
The PA Route 6 Alliance presented its first annual Heritage Community of the Year Award to Smethport Borough Council and Mayor Ross Porter at the Borough Council meeting on Monday, December 5.
The Alliance noted that Smethport was the first community to be recognized as a PA Route 6 Heritage Community, which included the development of a heritage work plan. The Smethport Heritage Council, appointed by the Borough Council, has been implementing the projects outlined in the plan for the last four years. Read more »
WalkWorks Stencils Offer Path to Fitness
Smethport Web — by Claudia Caminite
Have you seen the WalkWorks stencils guiding you on a 1.8 mile loop from Hamlin Memorial Library to Main Street, through the park and back to the library?
Follow those foot steps to the path of fitness. All you need is a pair of tennis shoes.
Walking is a great way to get healthy and have fun with your family and friends of all ages! Regular walking at a moderate pace can:
- Help you control your weight
- Provide stress relief
- Improve your mood and sleep
- Strengthen your bones and muscles
- Reduce the risk for depression, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and breast and colon cancers
- Improve your ability to manage arthritis
- Reverse normal age-related memory loss
- Delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease
Once you have your shoes, it is time to put some miles on them. Look for posters and other information in Smethport about WalkWorks. Visit www.PAwalkworks.com for route maps and walking group dates, times and locations in Smethport, Port Allegany, Kane and Bradford. You can also contact Claudia Caminite at 814-362-5066 or clc209@pitt.edu for more information or to start a new walking group.
Jeff Tanner receives Volunteer Award
Penn State Extension — College of Agricultural Sciences
Jeff Tanner, Smethport, received the Volunteer of the Year Award, in the form of a walking stick, from Keep PA Beautiful President, Shannon Reiter, at the recent annual meeting held in Latrobe, PA.
Jeff has served as President of the Keep PA Beautiful Affiliate, PA CleanWays of McKean, for over seven years. Jeff is a leader in McKean County, serving on the Smethport Borough Council, as an active member of the Smethport Tree Commission, and an active member of the Penn State Extension McKean County Executive Board. He has actively participated in almost all of the local PA CleanWays activities.
Jeff and his wife Jennifer have adopted a rural road completing an annual cleanup event, utilizing their church youth group.
Important “New” Photo Surfaces — Documents Nelson Street and Smethport’s Historic Glass Industries
Smethport Web — by Ross Porter
A rare photo of Smethport “Town Hill” showing two glass factories and the surrounding Smethport region was brought into the Wednesday evening Planet Smethport “Community Night” during the October 26th gathering and scanning session.
Jim Freer, a long time Planet Smethport community contributor, brought in a high resolution scan from the Donald and Adene Johnson collection of an early 1900s photo taken from the Smethport hillside overlooking the east central portion of the Borough and the Rose Hill Cemetery area. The Johnsons have been frequent photo scan contributors to the Planet Smethport Project. The photographer is unknown, at least for now.
Read more »
Bull Elk Takes Up Residence Outside Smethport
Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller
A bull elk has staked claim to a farm field along Route 6 between Smethport and Mt. Jewett. He can be seen resting there almost everyday. The area likely provides safe bedding and plenty of fresh browse, which would account for the elk’s long stay.
The animal has been such a common sight for so long that a yellow elk crossing sign has been placed along the roadway. Motorists routinely stop for photos. Even big rigs pull over for a better look. Despite its impressive bulk, the elk has been seen leaping a fence with surprising ease.
A bull elk can weigh up to 1,000 pounds and measure up to 60 inches high at the shoulder. Its antlers can grow as much as 1 inch per day.
The native elk population in Pennsylvania was wiped out from over-hunting more than 100 years ago. The current population comes from the descendants of Rocky Mountain elk brought in by the PA Game Commission between 1913 and 1926, some from Yellowstone National Park.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation estimates that over 700 elk now roam through forests in the north-central part of the state. According to the foundation, there are far more elk throughout the country than at any other time in the last 100 years.
ATA Begins Fixed Route Service Between Smethport and Bradford
Smerthport Web — by Nathan Muller
The ATA has started fixed route shuttle service between Smethport and Bradford three days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
The first bus leaves Bradford Tops at 8:35 AM and arrives at the McKean County Courthouse in Smethport at 9:05 AM. A second bus leaves Bradford Tops at 12:35 PM and arrives at the Courthouse at 1:05 PM.
Other stops include Congress and Thompson in Bradford, Smethport Family Practice, Magesterial District Office/Central Court, Bowman Health Center and The Guidance Center with the end point at the County Children and Youth Building (CYS) in Smethport.
The first return trip from Smethport leaves CYS at 11:25 AM, arrives at the Courthouse at 11:34 AM and Tops Bradford at 12:07 PM with connections to ATA’s Blue and Red fixed routes.
The second return trip from Smethport leaves CYS at 4:25 PM, arrives at the Courthouse at 4:37 PM and Tops Bradford at 5:07 PM with connections to ATA’s Blue and Red fixed routes.
Route map Bradford to Smethport
HAMLIN MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Fly-Tying Class
Mondays: Jan. 23 to Feb 27 at 7 pm - 9:00 pm
Place: Library Meeting Room
Fee: $25 covers instruction and materials
The sessions are funded in part by a PPA grant from the PA Council on the Arts. Call the Hamlin Library 887-5326 or stop in to register.
Join the fun! Bring your friends!
SMETHPORT SENIOR CENTER
Amish Tour - Lancaster, PA - May 8th & 9th
Package: 2 Days - 1 Night, May 8 - May 9
Transportation: RT Motor Coach
Accommodations: Deluxe - Lancaster, PA area
Breakfast: Fantastic Full Amish style
Dinner: Family Style - Amish Restaurant
Theater: All new "JONAH" Show
Guided Tour: 3-Hour Amishland tour
Visit: Wilbur Chocolate Company & Museum
Shopping: Kitchen Kettle Village (optional)
Cost: $209.00 per person/double occupancy
For more information and reservations, contact Barbara Ness at 814-887-5630.
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Upcoming Events
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Smethport Weather
THE DAILY PLANET
Visit us every day on Facebook and see what’s happening in the exploration of Smethport, Pennsylvania’s rich history.
– Planet Smethport Team
Timeless Home - Buy it Online!
This book is an historical record of Smethport’s growth from its birth as a tiny hamlet to a modern borough.
Containing a wealth of historical photos, this is the most comprehensive record of Smethport ever published. It was funded by the Smethport Sesquicentennial Committee through the Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce.
Book size: 8-1/2” x 11”
Soft Cover $20.00
Shipping and Handling: $5.00 per order.
Spread the word !
Let your friends and family know about this website, so they can stay informed about news and events around the Borough.
Send an email now ...Christian J. Howard, OD
ALLEGHENY EYE CARE
- Thorough tests for Eye diseases and disorders - glaucoma/cataracts
- Lasik pre and post correction care
- Designer frame gallery including Calvin Klein and Nike
- Guaranteed contact lens success program
- Medicare and Insurances welcome
422 W. Main Street
Smethport, PA 16749
887-2920
FREE FITNESS EQUIPMENT
Costa's Ace Hardware Store
Two grants - Get Active and WalkWorks – support Smethport residents in their efforts to stay or get fit.
In this spirit, 2 bikes with helmets and 2 pairs of snow shoes with poles are available to be checked out FREE of CHARGE from Costa’s Ace Hardware Store on 323 East Water Street in Smethport (887-5542).
Some restrictions apply. For more information contact Claudia Caminite at 362-5066 or clc209@pitt.edu.
