WalkWorks Project Going Strong Despite End of Funding
January 25, 2012
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
Ross Porter Discusses Heritage Community of the Year Award
December 27, 2011
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.
PA Route 6 Alliance Recognizes Smethport as the 2011 Route 6 Heritage Community of the Year
December 6, 2011
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
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
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
Smethport Hosts ‘Trail Town’ Meeting
October 15, 2011
Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller
At a meeting held at the Desert Rose Cafe in Smethport, 28 attendees from the region were introduced to the concept of “Trail Towns” during a joint presentation by the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau (ANFVB) and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (UPB). Read more
Comcast Rolls Out ‘Internet Essentials’ in Smethport
July 30, 2011
Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller
Starting in the “Back-to-School” season for the 2011–2012, eligible households in Smethport will be able to obtain high-speed access to the Internet.
Internet Essentials is a new program from Comcast that provides low-cost broadband access to the Internet, affordable computers, and digital literacy training to families with children in grades K to 12 who receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Read more
Behind the Scenes Look at Wooly Willy Wonderdaze
June 29, 2011
Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller
The 3rd Annual National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze concluded Saturday night with an impressive fireworks display by PYROTECHNIC out of New Castle, Pennsylvania.
“The light crowd on Friday turned into big crowds on Saturday, until the late afternoon rainstorm, and another big crowd for the fireworks display on Saturday night,” said Jeff Andrulonis, chairman of the Wooly Willy Wonderdaze planning committee.
Andrulonis noted two key indicators of the event’s success: more raffle tickets were sold for the McKean County Fair than ever before and the Smethport Fire Department sold out of chicken barbeque on Saturday.
The fireworks capped a full day of activities on Hamlin Lake, which included a combined bike-car show, an array of “bouncy” rides for the kids, happy vendors, and an exciting karaoke contest that went into extra rounds to determine the first place winner.
A full rainbow over Hamlin Lake following the late afternoon rain was a fitting capstone for the three-day event.
Putting on the annual Wonderdaze festival would not have been possible without the generous support of the following organizations: Read more
Wooly Willy Wonderdaze Officially Underway
June 23, 2011
Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller
The third annual Wooly Willy Wonderdaze festival got underway Thursday evening in Smethport, Pennsylvania with an opening ceremony on the steps of the McKean County Courthouse. The event was hosted by local resident Jeff Andrulonis, president and CEO of Colonial Radio Group.
The ceremony featured acclaimed toy inventor Jim Herzog, whose creation, Wooly Willy, is now known worldwide. During the event Herzog graciously modeled a sample from the new line of high quality “Wooly Willy Wear” shirts and caps, which will be on sale during the festival. Read more
New Scholarship Established for Smethport Students
June 10, 2011
A new scholarship has been established with the Smethport Area School District Foundation to benefit Smethport students interested in pursuing careers in education.
The Stephen and Beckie Herzog Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating senior at Smethport Area High School who plans to prepare for a teaching career. Read more
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.
