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 riding, hunting, fishing and more.
What’s in your back yard?
In May, the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a contest for Elementary School students, who were asked to draw posters depicting, “What’s in your Backyard,” drawing on a Pennsylvania Wilds theme posted on the Smethport Web (left).
Jennifer Hobbs, Principal of Curriculum for the Smethport Area School District, said, “The students really enjoyed drawing pictures of their hometown.”
Of about 100 posters submitted, three works were selected as overall winners. $20 awards were given to Willow Lapp, Jackie Magno, and Daisy Smith.
Students from each grade were also selected as winners. The following students were awarded free ice cream at the soda fountain operated by The Elderberries at the Visitor Center:
Grade K – Karissa Carlson
Grade 1 – Braedon Johnson
Grade 2 – Katelyn Waid
Grade 3 – Liz Markert
Grade 4 – Kiara Orner
Grade 5 – Eve Bush
Grade 6 – Lindsay Jack and Emma Rouff
The contest was devised and organized by Jovanna Porter, who retired from teaching earlier this year after 33 years of service in public and private schools.
