Smethport Residents

Smethport Through the Eyes of a Vagabond Resident

Smethport Web — by Matt Muller

A Chinese student, a talented English major from a university in Hunan, China, asked me to describe my hometown. This is what I wrote:

Smethport is very different from Chenzhou. It is like a dream that I’m afraid will seem unreal or too abstract for you to realize. Words alone are not enough to describe the beauty, wonder, and charm of my home town. But I will try.

Right now it is a very special time of the year in which we celebrate the birth of our country, the Declaration of Independence and like your country, a revolution against Imperial tyranny. Now the weather is much like Kunming in the autumn, winter or spring: everything is blue sky and very sunny. The people ride their bikes, fish, boat, swim, garden, walk their dogs, tend their lawns and the upkeep of their homes, or just go for a country drive to enjoy the scenery. Depending on the time of day you will smell fresh cut grass, sweet fresh air born upon a northerly breeze or the cooking smells of backyard barbecues that make your stomach growl.   Read more »

Borough News

Auto Show Roars in Smethport

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller

Despite uncertain weather, Saturday’s Wooly Willy Wonderdaze auto show on Hamlin Lake drew some unusual cars from as far away as Florida and Toronto, Canada. The event was punctuated by drawings for high-end prizes, a karaoke contest, and a full-rev engine demonstration that was heard throughout the Borough.   Read more »

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 Every newspaper in the online database is fully searchable by keyword and date, making it easy to quickly explore historical content.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!

Smethport Gears Up for ‘Wheel Around the Hub’ Bicycle Race

Smethport Web

Cyclists far and wide will once again gather in Smethport for the historic Wheel Around the Hub bicycle race to be held on Saturday, September 18. The 53-mile, seven-lap race starts at noon on Main Street in front of the McKean County Courthouse. Proceeds will benefit the Smethport Volunteer Fire Department’s Fire Police.

The route takes cyclists through Smethport’s quaint business district, past the McKean County fairgrounds and scenic farmlands, over the Galico Bridge, through forests, past Hamlin Lake, and back onto Main Street past Victorian homes. Read more »

Mystery of the Missing Bees Solved in Smethport

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller

Scientists, farmers and beekeepers have been expressing alarm in recent years over the apparent disappearance of bee colonies across North America. The situation goes far beyond a few bees here and there and threatens the pollination of fruits, grains, and vegetables.

According to news reports, at issue is American agriculture itself. Most orchards, fields of grain, and vegetable crops are pollinated by honeybees. And both milk and meat come from cows that munch on grain. If honeybee populations continue to disappear in such large numbers, it could have a devastating effect on crop yields — ultimately leaving every dinner plate in America empty.   Read more »

Smethport Resident named Executive Director of Kane Area Development Center

Smethport Web

Melanie Clabaugh, a recent arrival to Smethport with her husband Phil, has been named executive director of the Kane Area Development Center. Her duties span the Chamber of Commerce, Kane Area Industrial Development Corp., and the Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise.

Melanie has a BA and M.Ed. from the University of Pittsburgh in Oakland. She was the marketing and outreach coordinator for the Oakland Business Improvement District responsible for planning, developing and implementing promotions and events designed to steer commerce to Oakland’s business district.   Read more »

Lesley Willis Turns in Perfect Score on ‘Discover Smethport’ Quiz

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller

Lesley Willis of Smethport won the ‘Discover Smethport’ quiz written by Wooly Willy inventor Jim Herzog. Her perfect score earned her a $125 gift certificate from The Country Porch.

The 11-question quiz is sponsored by the Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce and is a featured event of Wooly Willy Wonderdaze. It tests a person’s in-depth knowledge of Borough history.

To find the right answers, participants are encouraged to visit local landmarks, do research online or at the Hamlin Memorial Library, and talk with area business owners.

This year, three contestants achieved perfect scores on the Discover Smethport quiz. The winner was selected by blind draw at The Country Porch, with Lesley Willis emerging as the winner.

The People and Organizations Behind ‘Wonderdaze’

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller

Holding the five-day Wooly Willy Wonderdaze event requires the involvement of many people and organizations working behind the scenes, giving generously of their time and energy to help make our community a very special place.

We are indebted to the Borough’s utility crew who installed new poles to display the Wooly Willy Wonderdaze banner across Main Street after it had blown down twice at its original location.

On short notice, Borough electrician Charlie Jones built new utility boxes to handle the increased load at various locations in Hamlin Lake Park.   Read more »

Sights and Sounds of Wooly Willy Wonderdaze

Window Art Contest Winners Announced

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller

The Chamber of Commerce encouraged business owners and individuals to paint Smethport’s storefront windows for the 2010 Wooly Willy Wonderdaze. The theme this year was, “Wooly Willy’s Impact on Main Street.”

Prizes for the contest, donated by The Hamlin Bank & Trust Company, are:   Read more »

McClelland Financial Management Opens Smethport Office

Smethport Web — by Les Jordan, Jr.

McClelland Financial Management has a new office in downtown Smethport. Irons Hollow resident, Sue McClelland, operates the business, which is located at 601 West Main Street, Suite 2, on the basement level of the Masonic Temple across from the McKean County Courthouse.

Sue has been in the financial services industry for 13 years and offers professional, honest and confidential services to her clients. Her tag line reads, “Let me help you realize your dreams.”   Read more »

Mr. Potato Head a No-Show at Wooly Willy Celebration

Smethport Web — By Ross Porter

The opening day ceremony for Wooly Willy Wonderdaze held yesterday on the steps of the McKean County Courthouse on US Route 6 in Smethport, Pennsylvania honored classic toy great Wooly Willy (Patch Products, Inc). Known worldwide as one of the 20th Century Toy Super-stars, Wooly Willy was born and raised in Smethport.

Wooly received early fame in his career, racing to #1 in US toy sales during his debut year of 1955. His fame has proved to be no flash in the pan. His popularity has endured over the years and, now at age 55, Wooly continues to be a best seller as parents in successive generations have purchased his bald face over and over again.   Read more »

Smoke On The Water – Bikers for Veterans Weekend

Smethport Web

Saturday and Sunday, June 26th and 27th will celebrate Smethport’s 2nd annual “Smoke on the Water”. The event, which began last year with only the Bike Show, will raise funds for disabled veterans currently residing at area Veterans Hospitals.

The McKean County American Legion Riders had been presented with the idea that Hamlin Lake Park, which has been used many times for Car Shows, would be a perfect location for a Bike Show. Always looking for ways to help our Veterans, the ALR took their idea to the God’s Country chapter of A.B.A.T.E. of PA, and “Smoke On The Water” was born, a yearly event to be held on the last Sunday of June.   Read more »

‘What’s in Your Backyard’ Contest Winners Announced

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller

In May, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a contest for Elementary School students, who were asked to draw posters depicting, “What’s in your Backyard,” which is a Pennsylvania Wilds theme posted on the Smethport Web:

You’ll Like Our Back Yard …

What’s in your back yard?

Of about 100 posters submitted, three works were selected as overall winners. $20 awards were given to Willow Lapp, Jackie Magno, and Daisy Smith.

Students from each grade were also selected as winners. The following students were awarded free ice cream at the soda fountain operated by The Elderberries at the Visitor Center:

Grade K – Karissa Carlson
Grade 1 – Braedon Johnson
Grade 2 – Katelyn Waid
Grade 3 – Liz Markert
Grade 4 – Kiara Orner
Grade 5 – Eve Bush
Grade 6 – Lindsay Jack and Emma Rouff

Jennifer Hobbs, Principal of Curriculum for the Smethport Area School District, said, “The students really enjoyed drawing pictures of their hometown.”

The contest was devised and organized by Jovanna Porter, who retired from teaching earlier this year after 33 years of service in public and private schools.

Vintage Campers and Vehicles Stop in Smethport

Smethport Web — by Les Jordan, Jr.

Antique vehicles and vintage motor coaches and campers stopped in Smethport for a brief pause on Sunday, June 6. The vehicles and campers were part of the Route 6 Tin Can Tourist Caravan 2010.

The caravan was made up of 20 restored automobiles, trucks, campers and motor coaches from all over the United States and Canada.

The tour met in Meadville and will tour U.S. Route 6 as far as Mansfield where it will retrace its steps back to Conneaut Lake near Meadville.

The caravan will stop at specific towns and campgrounds along the way where it will offer an open house for the public to visit and view the vintage vehicles, which includes a restored 1937 International custom built truck.

The goal of the Tin Can Tourists is to “promote and preserve vintage trailers and motor coaches through gatherings and information exchange,” noted the PA Route 6 Tourist Association.