WalkWorks Stencils Offer Path to Fitness
November 29, 2011
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
November 29, 2011
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
November 24, 2011
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
November 18, 2011
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
November 17, 2011
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
Visitors Bureau Releases Kinzua Bridge Sky Walk Zippo Lighter
November 10, 2011
Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller
Visitor attendance at the Kinzua Bridge State Park outside of Mount Jewett has been at a record high since the opening of the Kinzua Sky Walk in mid-September.
McKean County’s only state park drew a record 66,353 visitors in October, according to Park Manager Jason Heasley.
“Tourism for this fall season has been a record high with the addition of the Kinzua Sky Walk,” said Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau, the marketing organization for McKean County. “Our local businesses are seeing a boost in sales since the Sky Walk opened in September.”
To commemorate the opening of the Kinzua Sky Walk, the Visitors Bureau is selling a new Zippo lighter featuring a profile photograph of the historic towers of the Kinzua Viaduct. Read more
Big Brothers Big Sisters of McKean County Meet in Smethport
November 1, 2011
Smethport Web — by Annie Wolfe
Big Brothers Big Sisters of McKean County hosted their Fall group activity in Smethport on October 29.
Bigs and Littles enjoyed an educational tour of the Old Jail Museum and were treated to a spooky tale about the jail’s resident ghost, Ralph Crossmire. They also learned about some of the historical events in Smethport such as the Civil War Bucktail Regiment and General Thomas Kane.
After the museum tour, participants were treated to cookies, cider, apples, and popcorn at the Country Porch. The event continued at the Smethport Family Center for a pizza party and a pumpkin painting craft.
Several participants donated their pumpkins, which will be on display at the Country Porch until November 7.
The activity was sponsored by the McKean County Historical Society, Country Porch, and Costa’s Supermarket.
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.
