McART Nite Draws Crowd in Smethport
November 17, 2008
McART Nite drew over 100 attendees to the Courthouse on Saturday night.
The event, sponsored by the McKean County Historical Society, featured an exhibit by Holgate Toys based in Bradford, the maker of wooden toys since 1789. In the 1920s and ‘30s, Jarvis Rockwell – the brother of illustrator Norman Rockwell – was Holgate’s chief toy designer.
As attendees strolled through three floors of framed artwork, handmade quilts, jewelry and other items from 41 local artisans, dulcimer music could be heard wafting through the corridors. Wine and cheese whetted the appetite for an auction that included paintings, prints, decorations and gift baskets, among other items donated by local companies, artists and craftspeople. Read more
Korean War veterans honored during Veterans Day Dinner in Smethport
November 10, 2008
The Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey
Korean War veterans were recognized Saturday during the annual Veterans Day Dinner at the Smethport American Legion, Bucktail Post #138.
Six local veterans of the war, which ranged from 1950-53, were among the approximately 80 veterans and guests who attended the dinner. They were George and Deborah Tufts, Don Ross, Ralph Mayer, Bob Cradduck and Russ Johnson.
The evening’s program included a showing of the DVD, Korea: The Forgotten War, which showed actual scenes of the war and interviews of the soldiers and Marines who fought in the coldest weather in a century in that part of the world. Temperatures often ranged to 30 to 40 degrees below zero. Read more >>
Smethport Looks at Using Woody Biomass Technology - Part II
November 4, 2008
The Bradford Era - by Fran De Lancey
Smethport Mayor Ross Porter believes the use of wood resources from the area is natural as the town looks to become a leader in biomass technology.
“There is nothing new about using wood resources in this region,” Porter said. “It’s our roots. It’s our heritage. The wood industry is what made Smethport grow and propser.”
In the 19th Century, a huge industry in McKean County was built around lumbering, from the traditional to wood chemical, but those activities were environmentally devastating. Photographs from that era show entire hillsides that were stripped of trees.
“Smethport is in a unique position to take advantage of renewable energy, which has the potential to be bigger than the communications revolution of the 1990s,” according to Porter. Read more >>
Smethport Could Be Leader in Biomass Technology - Part I
November 3, 2008
The Bradford Era - by Fran De Lancey
Not only can alternative energy in the form of woody biomass lead to lower electric and heating bills for Smethport, but it could make the town a national leader in this technology.
The use of fossil fuels, coal, oil and natural gas are not part of this technology.
To generate energy, woody biomass technology burns chips from low value trees, logging residue, urban and agricultural waste, some of which would otherwise be deposited at landfills. In one of the technologies, these materials, called “feedstock,” are burned in boilers, creating steam to be sent into a turbine. Read more >>
Jail has eternal inmate
October 30, 2008
Olean Times Herald - by Kate Day Sager
With the Halloween season in full swing, many thrill seekers are actively digging around for good, healthy scares that will make goosebumps erupt and hairs rise.
And what better way to get the old heart racing than to visit a haunted house or building in the area, or at least to drive past them on a dark night.
In the historic borough of Smethport, Pa., most of the town residents have heard the tale of the Old Jail Museum where the ghost of Ralph Crossmire is reportedly stalking the dark hallways or pulling pranks on the staff. Read more >>
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter [R-PA], Visits Smethport Town Meeting
October 22, 2008
The Bradford Era - by Fran De Lancey
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., fielded numerous questions at a town meeting Tuesday about the effects of oil and gas drilling on the Allegheny National Forest.
Those posing the questions were concerned about the drilling that they said was having detrimental effects on recreational activities on the forest. Another man mentioned the historic use of the forest and noted the threat to a cemetery close to it. Still another individual pointed to the economic impact that the reduced deer herd is having on local merchants who for years in the past have counted on sales from hunters just before the holiday season.
Michael Schultz Cites CCC Success in Region’s Reforestation Under FDR
October 18, 2008
Dr. Michael Schultz, a former teacher of 30 years and author of “In the Shadow of the Trees”, was the featured speaker at the annual fall dinner meeting of the McKean County Historical Society held on October 16 at the United Christian Church in East Smethport.
Dr. Schultz chronicled the development of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corp — the subject of his book — and the impact of the 165 CCC camps located in Pennsylvania. Read more
Bridge Improvement Brings Riders
October 15, 2008
Smethport Web – by Les Jordan Jr.
Shana Miller rides “Lucky” across the Pennsylvania R.R. Equestrian Trail near East Smethport. Read more
Bridge Repaired to Carry Horses
October 12, 2008
Smethport Web — by Les Jordan Jr.
Members of the Potato Creek Trail Association, Ray Dart (front in photo) and Corky Hull (rear in photo), place wooden planks atop the existing deck of a bridge over a small stream crossing the old Pennsylvania Railroad grade near East Smethport. The planks were added to the bridge to provide more strength so horses could safely carry their riders across the stream. Read more
Fall Foilage Decorates Main Street
October 12, 2008
Smethport Web – by Les Jordan Jr.
Brilliant color shines in the hillsides and along Smethport’s tree-lined streets. Bright sunshine is forecast for several more days and the leaves will remain brilliant for that time. It is a beautiful, magnificent time to take a short trip for the day to the Smethport area and enjoy the splendor. Read more
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