FBI Warns of Wooly Willy Hack Attacks!

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller In the ivory towers of the nation’s media elites, there is growing anxiety about who is responsible for a massive Wooly Willy hack attack that seems to be waking millions of TV viewers from their evening stupor. The FBI has weighed in with its own answer, strongly implying that it was the work of China, where Wooly Willy magnetic toys are now manufactured….

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The Face of Smethport – Wooly Willy Voted as a Top-40 Toy for Three Decades

Pennsylvania Magazine – by Sharon Watts We’ve all heard of one-industry towns. Up until last year, the borough of Smethport in McKean County was home to a one-town industry, thanks to the production of a simple toy known to baby boomers as Wooly Willy. Recently voted one of the top-40 toys from the 1950s through the 1980s, Wooly Willy is an unlikely success story. It consists of a piece…

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Smethport’s Jim Herzog Comments on Dapper Dan TV Ad from 1960s

Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller Smethport toy inventor Jim Herzog, best known for creating Wooly Willy, narrates this promotional video for the magnetic drawing sets Dapper Dan, Pattie Petite, and Doodle Poodle. The video was produced in the early 1960s as a TV advertisement, but aired only a few times because of the high cost and limited coverage. This copy, made years ago, has no sound track and…

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End of an Era – Patch Products to Close Smethport Toy Factory

Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller Patch Products in Beloit, Wisconsin has announced that its toy factory in Smethport, Pennsylvania will close as of February 28, 2014. The facility, known for producing the locally-invented, world-famous Wooly Willy magnetic toy, will impact 15 employees. Positions include both management and those working the assembly line. “While the decision to close the Smethport, Pennsylvania facility was a difficult one, it is important…

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Wooly Willy Wonderdaze Fireworks Extravaganza

Smethport Web – by Nathan Muller The 5th annual National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze this year consisted of a grand fireworks display on Friday, June 21st in Hamlin Lake Park. The fireworks were arranged by the Smethport Area Chamber of Commerce and made possible with donations from: Patch Products Costa’s Supermarket Jim Herzog Northwest Savings Bank Linda’s Mane Attraction Salon & Tanning Smethport Web Services The Corner Pizza Company Mansion…

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Smethport’s Wooly Willy Makes an Appearance on NBC’s ‘The Office’

The NBC workplace comedy, The Office, set at the fictional company’s Scranton, Pa., branch, aired its final show Thursday to end an eight-year run. One of the characters in the series is office manager Dwight, who is seen behind his desk playing with a toy, which turns out to be the Wooly Willy magnetic toy invented in Smethport by Jim Herzog decades ago and still produced here by Patch…

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Focus on Kaitlyn Hallock

Smethport Web — by Les Jordan, Jr. As I walked across the Hamlin Lake Island Bridge to experience the Wooy Willy Wonderdaze activities there, I was struck by the beautiful voice of a female vocalist emanating across the lake. After a short walk, I approached a small flat-bed trailer where a pretty 15 year old was singing with the recording voice of a Nashville pro.

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Sights and Sounds of Wonderdaze

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller The 4th annual National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze was held in Smethport, Pennsylvania on Saturday, June 16. Shown here are excepts of the parade down Main Street, a cute Street Dance performer, and the fireworks finale over Hamlin Lake Park. Check out the Wooly Willy Wonderdaze 2012 slideshow put together by Les Jordan, Jr.

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A Great Day for Wooly Willy

Smethport Web — by Nathan Muller The 4th annual National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze concluded last night in Smethport with a grand fireworks display and a street dance on Main Street that went on until midnight. For the first time in the event’s short history, the weather cooperated with uninterrupted sun and very comfortable temperatures in the mid-70s. This brought out more vendors to Hamlin Lake Park and more vehicles…

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Wooly Willy Wonderdaze Officially Opens

Smethport Web The 4th annual National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze officially opened in Smethport, Pennsylvania today with a ceremony in front of the McKean County Courthouse. On behalf of the Borough, Mayor Ross Porter issued the following proclamation: It is with great honor and pleasure to officially declare “National Wooly Willy Wonderdaze” in Smethport, Pennsylvania this day June 16, 2012 and urge all citizens and Wooly Willy friends to celebrate…

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