‘What’s in Your Backyard’ Contest Winners Announced

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller You’ll Like Our Back Yard … Smethport is adjacent to 2 million acres of public land that is home to the largest elk herd in the eastern U.S., pockets of white-tailed deer, 15,000 black bear, as well as an abundance of turkeys, pheasants, grouse, waterfowl and other small game. Come and enjoy hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ATVing, horseback…

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Vintage Campers and Vehicles Stop in Smethport

Smethport Web — by Les Jordan, Jr. Antique vehicles and vintage motor coaches and campers stopped in Smethport for a brief pause on Sunday, June 6. The vehicles and campers were part of the Route 6 Tin Can Tourist Caravan 2010. The caravan was made up of 20 restored automobiles, trucks, campers and motor coaches from all over the United States and Canada. The tour met in Meadville and…

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Study Confirms Impact of Route 6 on Area Tourism

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller According to a study released by the PA Route 6 Heritage Corp., Route 6 attracts 3.5 million travelers a year who spend about $90 million and support about 2,000 jobs, including part-time and seasonal positions. According to Linda Devlin, executive director of the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau in Bradford, “People travel Route 6 for a sense of Americana as well as to…

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‘Great Events in Smethport History’ Plaques Installed

Smethport Web The first 10 plaques in a continuing series have been installed around the Borough to commemorate great events in Smethport history. The project, funded by a Lumber Heritage Region grant, is being implemented by Smethport Mayor Ross Porter, who began researching and designing the project during the spring of 2009. Known for developing Planet Smethport, a unique school project that is now in its 11th year, Porter…

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Bald Eagle Sighted Outside Smethport

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller A bald eagle was sighted last week by Jack Pierotti just outside of Smethport in Irish Hollow. The bird was likely canvassing the fish population in Pierotti’s pond. According to Pierotti, the photo was taken at an estimated 150 yards from the bird with a 12X zoom lens on his camera. “The eagle was watching me intently and I was afraid my presence…

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Memorial Day Speech Highlights Spirit of Volunteerism

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller Lt. Col. Sean O’ Day, U.S. Army, Ret., was the keynote speaker at the Smethport Memorial Day service. He commended those who continue to serve voluntarily in the armed forces, despite the high probability of being deployed to a combat environment as part of the Nation’s war on terror, now in its ninth year. Although conscription had been used during the Civil War,…

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Ross Porter Nominated for Distinguished Teacher Award

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller Following a 37 year teaching career, Smethport Mayor Ross Porter has just been nominated for a 2010 Pennsylvania Geographical Society (PGS) Distinguished Teacher Award. The award recognizes excellence in teaching as well as innovative and effective classroom methods in Geography, Earth Science, and Environmental Science.  

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Smethport Revisited

Smethport Web On a chilly Saturday evening in May of last year, a lone cyclist wearing a pack of essential provisions pushed down Main Street at a sauntering pace. With the possibility of rain, he was plotting suitable shelter for the night somewhere in the unfamiliar territory of Smethport, Pennsylvania. Wild animals and snakes were top of mind. Sensing a fellow adventurer in need, Matt Muller (now on adventure…

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Smethport Observes National Day of Prayer

Smethport Web The National Day of Prayer was recognized with a ceremony held on the steps of the McKean County court house on Thursday, May 6. Community and religious leaders noted the theme of this 59th Annual Observance, Prayer for Such a Time as This, based on Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” Noting that…

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Route 6 Bridge Dedicated to POWs and MIAs

Smethport Web — by Les Jordan, Jr. Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Saturday morning, April 24, a line of Legion Riders led a group of distinguished prisoners of war and families of prisoners of war from the Courthouse in Smethport to the Route 6 bridge over Potato Creek on the boundary of East Smethport. The purpose of the escort was to honor all POWs and MIAs from all branches…

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