Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey When Darlene Dorward purchased the historic Hamilton Building that was home to the former “America’s First Christmas Store” in Smethport, she planned to fulfill a lifelong dream and open a teahouse, but those plans changed and expanded into a full-size restaurant, “Chico’s Café and Bake Shoppe.” The building’s first floor, at Main and Mechanic streets in Smethport’s business district, had been vacant…

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Bradford Era — by Fran De Lancey Visitors to Smethport often comment about the beautiful Victorian-style homes that line Main Street in the borough’s historic Mansion District. These ostentatious and decorative homes, which became popular during the reign of British Queen Victoria — 1837 to 1901 — were built for the wealthy to impress and remain impressive today. They are often characterized by asymmetrical exteriors, steps leading to large…

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Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller Ross and Jovanna Porter, owners and innkeepers of the Mansion District Inn B&B in Smethport, Pennsylvania are pleased to announce that their carefully restored Victorian era inn has earned TripAdvisor’s 2015 Travelers’ Choice® award as one of the Top 25 Best Bed and Breakfasts in the United States. The B&B placed Number 1 in Pennsylvania and Number 7 nationwide. TripAdvisor is the world’s…

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Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller The Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored a contest for the most beautifully decorated homes in in the Borough this holiday season. The winners are: Ron Willis on German Street won the 1st Place prize of $50. Jim and Georgeanne Sample on E. Water Street won the 2nd place prize of $30. Ben Ball at 102 E. Water Street won the 3rd place…

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Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller Colonial Media + Entertainment, an integrated marketing organization headquartered in Olean, NY, has announced that its President/CEO, Jeffrey M. Andrulonis from Smethport, has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters for 2015. Since 1939, the PAB has been the voice for the Commonwealth’s radio and television broadcasters. As Chairman, Jeff will spend the year overseeing the…

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Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller The FCC in Washington has upheld a previous staff ruling that allowed Colonial Media + Entertainment to put four FM stations on the air in Olean, NY despite objections from a competitor that previously owned WPIG (FM). Colonial Media + Entertainment President & CEO Jeff Andrulonis says the Federal Communications Commission ruling is a great day for area radio listeners. “There used to…

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