Bradford Era – by Marcie Schellhammer The average time a person stays at a job in the U.S. is 4.1 years. But Fran DeLancey is anything but average. DeLancey retired last month after 43 years at The Bradford Era, where he was the Smethport-area correspondent. He described some of the changes he’s seen over his career. When he started, correspondents called in their stories over the phone, “and then…
Bradford Era – by Jesse Kolodkin Curwensville kept the game close but Smethport’s offense would not be denied on the way to a 46-27 playoff win. Smethport got off to a fast start, scoring twice before Curwensville scored once and taking a 12-0 lead. Noah Lent and Ryan Mason were finding lanes in the ground game and Lent took a great shot to Brandon Higley for a 25-yard touchdown….
Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Jamie Pierotti, the guest speaker at the annual fall dinner meeting of the McKean County Historical Society Thursday, highlighted the history of The Backus Company in Smethport whose founder, John C. Backus, invented the automatic pinsetter for bowling in 1905. A prolific inventor, Backus contracted with another Smethport firm, Holmes and Gilfillen, to manufacture the pinsetter. “These original pinsetters were used by…
Bradford Era – by Joellen Wankel Families, amusement ride enthusiasts and animal lovers alike can make plans as the McKean County Fair gets underway Sunday. The fair offers something for all ages and all interests. This year, Patsy Cline fans and Jeep fans can mark their calendars as well, as the fair includes a Jeep obstacle course Tuesday and a Patsy Cline tribute Thursday. The fair opens Sunday, with…
Olean Times – by Jeff Uveino With only three returning starters on each side of the ball, Adam Jack’s team will feature plenty of new faces this fall. Luckily for Jack and Smethport, however, his returners were some of the Hubbers’ most valuable players a season ago. Senior quarterback and reigning Big 30 Pennsylvania Player of the Year Noah Lent will lead a Hubbers team that hopes to…
Bradford Era – by Nate Steis Growing up just a few blocks away from a golf course has turned out to be a blessing for Connor Alfieri. The Smethport product will soon enter his second year golfing for the California University of Pennsylvania (CalU) Vulcans men’s golf team. His father, Tom, first introduced him to the game as a youth, as the duo would spend time at Smethport…
Bradford Era – by Jeff Uveino His 5-5, 145-pound frame might not stand out on the street. But as Braedon Johnson has shown throughout his career, it’s tough to miss him on the football field. Johnson starred at Smethport in four varsity seasons, growing into the team’s top offensive weapon while anchoring the Hubber defense from the secondary. He got two more chances to showcase his defensive talent…
Bradford Era – by Kate Day Sager Lu Vandermark remembers March 19, 2020 as the date she was told the Old Jail Museum would have to close its doors due to the pandemic. After 16 months of closures and temporary openings, the museum, which showcases artifacts, documents and antiques owned by the McKean County Historical Society, expects to open its doors to the public Aug. 2 through October. The…
Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey After serving students in Pennsylvania’s public schools for 35 years as a teacher, coach, principal and chief school administrator, Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London will retire July 9. Following his graduation from The Pennsylvania State University in 1986, he began his teaching career as a mathematics instructor at Redbank Valley, where he also served as student government advisor, assistant football…
Bradford Era – by Fran De Lancey Smethport Area School District Superintendent David London spoke about leadership Friday evening when he delivered the commencement address to the Class of 2021 in the first outdoor graduation program in recent memory. “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things,” said London, quoting President Ronald Reagan. “He is the one who gets the people to do the…
Bradford Era – In a world too often divided by conflict and misunderstanding, a quiet but powerful symbol of…
Bradford Era – Smethport Area High School graduated 57 students Friday evening with the Hubbers’ Class of 2025. Superintendent…
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