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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller 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…

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Smethport Web — by Les Jordan Jr. Shana Miller rides “Lucky” across the Pennsylvania R.R. Equestrian Trail near East Smethport.

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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.

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