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Smethport man creates model train platform layout from memory

The Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey

Sarge Wright remembers when trains made their way around Smethport.

In fact, he remembers it so well that he re-created the train lines from memory. It’s all there, on a platform in Wright’s Smethport home.

The layout on the 4′x9’ platform shows Smethport from the Marvin Creek Bridge on U.S. Route 6 east to almost the site of the present Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Water Street. From there, the train heads from Water to Willow streets and includes the tracks of the Pittsburgh, Shawmut and Northern Railroad from the late nineteenth century until it ceased operations on April 1, 1947.  Read more »

Smethport’s Guitar Hero

Olean Times Herald — by Kate Day Sager

Devin Dewyer could probably be described as a typical 14-year-old kid, with soft-spoken, halting comments about his guitar playing cloaked with an almost painful shyness.

When that same young man cranks up his electric guitar and begins playing a beautiful, complex Steve Vai riff, the shy teen is replaced by a confident musician who takes his audience on a ride they hadn’t expected.

A resident of Smethport, Pa., Devin, has been turning the heads of many in the Twin Tiers community with skills in playing that often comes after years of lessons and practice. His story is unique given the fact that he only began playing guitar two years ago after purchasing an instrument with his birthday money.  Read more »

Santa Attends Breakfast for Kids at Bucktail Post #138

Smethport Web — by Les Jordan, Jr.

Santa talked with children at the annual “Breakfast with Santa” held at Smethport’s Bucktail Post #138 on Saturday Dec. 12. The breakfast was sponsored by the Legion Riders with the help of the Bucktail Post’s Ladies Auxiliary, who cooked and served the breakfast. 

Santa arrived on a motorcycle along the sidewalk of Main Street Before entering the Legion and parking his bike inside near a brightly decorated Christmas tree.

Later, after breakfast, children had their photo taken with Santa on his bike or on his chair near the tree. Mrs. Santa helped out.

Bionic Mayor Returns to Smethport

Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller

On Wednesday Mayor Ross Porter returned to Smethport by ambulance from UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh to convalesce at Lakeview Living & Rehabilitation. After 10 to 12 weeks of healing from numerous injuries resulting from a recent truck crash, plus several surgeries to put bones back together, an aggressive rehab regimen can be undertaken to help Porter regain full mobility.

Despite all the pain and discomfort, Porter’s good humor seems fully restored, jovially describing his appearance in medical wraps, pads, and supports as making him look like a “turtle.” He reports that among his first priorities when he arrives at Lakeview is to arrange for an Internet connection so he can get back to work with his MacBook and iTouch.   Read more

Smethport student helps clean-up local cemetery

The Bradford Era - by Joellen Chesnut

The cry for help sent out in August of 2008 by a group of local residents concerned with the upkeep of McKean Memorial Park in Lafayette was heard loud and clear by at least one young set of ears.

Parker Gorrell, a senior at Smethport Area High School, read articles detailing the unkempt and overgrown headstones in the cemetery and wrote up a proposal for his senior project last year while in 11th grade history that explained his intent to undertake the care and preservation of 25 markers in the cemetery.  Read more »

Is There Anything We Still Do Not Know About Lincoln?

Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller

The McKean County Historical Society held its annual fall dinner on Thursday, October 15th at the East Smethport United Christian Church. The event featured guest speaker Dr. Richard Frederick, Director of History at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, who is known for his insightful and entertaining lectures.

In this year of the Lincoln Bicentennial — and noting that some 16,000 volumes have been written about the 16th president since his death in April 1865 — Dr. Frederick pursued the theme, “Is there anything we still do not know about Lincoln?” Dr. Frederick reviewed some of the ways in which Lincoln’s legacy has been reshaped over the generations, both from the discovery of new evidence and through new interpretations.

Listen now or download to your MP3 player.

Matt Muller — Smethport’s China Connection

Smethport resident Matt Muller is off to teach English at a university in Hunan province in south central China. The province is famous for its spicy cuisine and the birthplace of Chinese Communist revolutionary Mao Zedong. The major city there is Chenzhou, home to about 4.5 million people, most of whom, live in the surrounding countryside.

After learning that he would have to wait at least a year before enrolling in a master’s level physician assistant program, Matt decided to go on yet another international adventure, having already visited many countries in Europe, Africa and South America. This time the target of his wanderlust is Asia; specifically, China.
Read more

Black Bear Balancing Act

Homeowners around 911 W. Main Street were treated to the sight of a black bear cub stranded in a tree today, precariously balancing itself on a tree limb. The bear spent hours off the ground until a conservation team took it away safely.

Once almost wiped out by heavy logging and overhunting, black bears are experiencing a strong comeback in Pennsylvania. Over the last four decades, their numbers have quadrupled, from 4,000 in the 1970s to roughly 16,000 today, according to Game Commission estimates.

Intensive bear-management efforts, an abundant food supply, and limited hunting are responsible for the population growth.

More bear stories

New Planter Dedicated at Hamlin Lake Park

The Garden Club dedicated a new planter at the Water Street entrance to Hamlin Lake Park on Saturday. The planter consists of several courses of stone holding a variety of blooming flowers. Under the welcome sign to the park, a new plaque on eye hooks now replaces the one that had been lost.

Mayor Ross Porter congratulated the Garden Club for all of its accomplishments over the years to beautify the community with flowers, not just in the park but along Main Street.   Read more

Arbor Day Celebrated in Smethport

The Borough celebrated Arbor Day on May 13th by planting a 14-foot Sugar Maple tree in front of the McKean County Historical Society building on King Street.

The tree was the 103rd tree planted as part of a multi-phase reforestation project that began last year. As part of that effort, 11 more trees will be planted around the Borough in the next few weeks, bringing the total to 114. Read more

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