Old Newspaper Details the Start of Electric Service in Smethport

Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey Jim Herzog has donated to Smethport Borough two complete and original editions of the McKean County Miner from 1921 that document electricity coming to the county seat during the Roaring Twenties, a decade that saw much change and prosperity before the stock market crash in 1929. “The newspapers came from the estate of Mary Backus, a local woman who died at the…

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SASD Superintendent David London Discusses Progress at Smethport Schools

Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey Since becoming superintendent of the Smethport Area school District last year, David London, a strong advocate for small and rural schools, has been guided by the maxim: “Support the Child — Develop the Student,” a theme that is included in the district’s Comprehensive Plan. A school and community committee developed the plan during the 2015-16 school year and was approved by the…

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Harrisburg Garden Club Tours Smethport Mansion District, Kinzua Bridge State Park

Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller George Weigel writes for the Patriot-News in Harrisburg and is owner of a garden-consulting business for do-it-yourselfers. He also participates in bus tours and acts as a tour host. His wife Sue travels with him and serves as an escort. In their latest tour gig, George and Sue accompanied 54 members of the Harrisburg Garden Club to Smethport, where they visited St. Luke’s…

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Dusti Dennis Honored in Smethport for Years of Service in McKean County

Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Dusti Dennis, who has resigned as executive director of the McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority to accept the position of deputy director of the Housing Authority of the City of Erie, was honored Tuesday at the meeting of the McKean County Commissioners. Commissioner Cliff Lane read a proclamation that was unanimously adopted and thanked Dennis for her years as executive director…

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New Record in Smethport’s Wheel Around the Hub Cycling Races

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller A humid, misty Saturday morning in the borough grudgingly gave way to bright sunshine by noon to usher in the start of the annual Wheel Around the Hub cycling races in Smethport. This year’s event drew 101 participants from Pennsylvania, New York and Canada. Dry pavement, a slight breeze, and a temperature that climbed to 78 degrees combined to produce ideal conditions for…

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‘Poor Farm’ Cemetery Dedication Remembers Those Laid to Rest

Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey The Poor Farm Cemetery, which was dedicated during a public ceremony, is located on a hill overlooking the county buildings along U.S. Route 6 west of Smethport. McKean County President Judge John Pavlock said he and Mike Barnard of the Adult Probation Department noticed the nearby scenery in August when they were on the hill making plans for the dedication ceremony. That…

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McKean County Bucktails Honored with Park Dedication in Smethport

Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey Blue skies and warm temperatures greeted the large crowd who attended the Bucktail Park dedication Friday afternoon behind the Good Growing Gardens Barn on U.S. Route 6 west of Smethport. A project of the McKean County Adult Probation Department — adult offenders performed the work as part of community service — the park honors all those McKean County soldiers who served in…

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McKean County Fair Kicks Off With Ag Weekend Tractor Parade

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller The 112th McKean County Fair in Smethport, PA opened with AG Weekend on Saturday morning, featuring a tractor parade from the Isadore family farm to Main Street, and then on to the fairgrounds. This was followed by tractor games in the afternoon. About 50 tractors participated this year from communities throughout the county. The fair, which runs from August 12 to 19, includes…

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CASA of McKean County Opens New Office in Smethport

Bradford Era — by Ruth Bogdan CASA of McKean County held an open house Wednesday to show the community its new office space at 201 W. Main St. CASA — Court Appointed Special Advocates — moved into the building July 1. Photographs of the first five classes of advocates line one wall of the new facility. The sixth class of volunteers start training on Sept. 21. Read More  

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