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Smethport, East Smethport, Crosby, Gifford, Rew, Cyclone, Hazel Hurst, Mt. Jewett, Port A, Roulette, Duke Center, Eldred, Rixford, Turtlepoint
AUGUST 25, 2020
CAR. TR. MKTG MAIL US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 244 BRADFORD, PA Occupant Rural-Star Route P.O. Box Holder
NEWS
Collins Companies Foundation donates to Kinzua Bridge playground project
Emma Barr is 2020 McKean County Fair Queen
Photo by Fran De Lancey The Collins Companies Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Kinzua Bridge State Park Foundation for railroad-themed playground equipment for the park near Mount Jewett. Representing the foundation for the presentation Thursday was Tom Kase, resource manager for Kane Hardwood at the left. Also pictured are Jeff Wolfe, fundraising chairman for the bridge foundation; Mitch Stickle, park manager; Mary Ann Burggraf, president and executive director of the Kinzua Bridge Foundation, and members Deb Kilmer, treasurer, and Debbie Lunden, vice-president/secretary.
By FRAN DE LANCEY MOUNT JEWETT — The Collins Companies Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Kinzua Bridge State Park Foundation for playground equipment at the park. Representing The Collins Companies Foundation for the presentation Wednesday at the regular meeting of the KInzua Bridge State Park Foundation was Thomas Kase, resource manager, Kane Hardwood. Thanking the donors, Jeff Wolfe, fundraising chairman for the bridge foundation, said, “This puts us much closer to reaching the goal of $110,000 for the trainthemed playground at McKean County’s only state park. With this new equipment, children ages five to 12, will be able to enjoy healthy, outdoor, physical activity during their visit to the park.” So far, more than $73,300 has been raised through corporations, business, churches, and personal contributions. This includes $25,000 that the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has committed to the project. Donations may also be sent to The Kinzua Bridge Foundation c/o Hamlin Bank and Trust Company, 34 Fraley Street, Kane, PA 16735 or through Paypal to kinzuabridgefoundation@gmail.com A locked box for receiving donations has been placed at the park’s visitor center. Mary Ann Burggraf, president and executive director of the bridge foundation, lauded Wolfe on his fundraising efforts. During the foundation’s business meeting, directors voted unanimously to pay 75 percent of the playground project’s cost to hold the equipment at a certain price. The bridge foundation was incorporated
in 1993 as a non-profit organization with the goals of restoration and preservation of the world-famous structure, and promoting its historical and cultural importance, as well as the continued development of the park. “Planning for the playground began in June 2019,” said Burggraf, the project’s leading proponent. Upon learning about “The Rail Station” through their research, directors, again in a unanimous vote, decided to purchase this system that features a train, building, tracks and colored slides and will be located near the park’s pavilion. Not only will the equipment provide enjoyment for the youngsters, but it will also keep alive the history of the bridge that was built in 1882 to access the coal fields in Elk County as an alternative to the more expensive laying of eight more miles of track through harsh terrain. In his report, Park Manager Mitch Stickle provided data on park visitations. From Jan. 1 until earlier this week, attendance at The Sky Walk was 125,401, while the road counter registered 83,152 vehicles. Meanwhile, there were 52,830 people at the visitor center, even though the facility was closed two months, Stickle noted. Attending this meeting was Jared Fencil, newly-named assistant regional manager for DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks in Region 1 that includes 33 state parks. During the discussions about the playground project, Fencil offered some suggestions since he has had experience in these endeavors. In another matter, foundation directors approved the request from the Hamlin Township Volunteer Fire Department to sponsor a chicken barbecue at the bridge this fall at a date to be determined.
Photo by Wade Aiken Smethport’s Emma Barr is overcome with emotion upon hearing her name announced as the 2020-21 McKean County Fair queen.
SMETHPORT — Despite there not being a 2020 McKean County Fair this summer — a fair queen for the year was still selected. Emma Barr, the daughter of Andy and Judy Barr, was named Fair Queen for 2020-21 from among
five contestants. Emma, who entered the competition as Miss Smethport, is home schooled yet she still participates in concert and show choirs. In addition, she is a member of the Equestrian Interscholastic
Association and is president of the 4-H Krazy Kritters. She is a member of Believers Chapel. About her time as a queen nominee, Emma said, “I think it’s cool to be a queen candidate this year and experience things in a
different way. I have enjoyed going to the events this summer.” The other contestants were Grace Dalton, Miss Bradford; Rainee Wright, Miss Kane; Reagan Austin, Miss Otto-Eldred; and Mallory Causer, Miss Port Allegany.
Smethport resident Kellie Lipps, center, smiles with daughters Tarah Rounsville, left, and Tasha Lipps. Rounsville is hosting a virtual fundraiser on GoFundMe for Lipps, who is being treated for cancer.
Virtual fundraiser set up for Smethport woman being treated for cancer By RUTH BOGDAN
A cancer diagnosis is taxing any time, but fighting cancer during a pandemic is a further complication. For Kellie Lipps, a local woman who has lived in Smethport since June 2018, her recent liver cancer diagnosis is her second time fighting cancer. But she is not alone: Family and community members are pulling together to show their support. One of her daughters, Tarah Rounsville, has organized a virtual
fundraiser through GoFundMe to help offset the costs associated with cancer treatment. “When she feels good she will spend time with her children and grandchildren,” Rounsville noted of how her mother is spending her time these days. Being sick has made doing other hobbies difficult, she noted. “Cancer has changed her life drastically,” said Rounsville, who explained the changes are both physical and mental, and it’s “changed her
relationships with her family due to being sick.” Lipps has been unable to work, too, Rounsville added. She had been working in The Era’s business office until she received a new cancer diagnosis this spring. According to the GoFundMe page, Lipps was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2018. “She completed her treatments and is cervical cancer free,” the page states. However, in the spring at the same
time as COVID-19 concerns were growing in the U.S., Lipps was diagnosed with liver cancer. “She had a liver resection and had a good portion of her liver removed in April. She is now receiving chemo and will continue to do so for at least 6 months,” the page explained. “As you can imagine the medical bills and trips to Roswell are adding up.” The benefit can be found by searching for “Kellie Lipps Cancer Benefit” at www. gofundme.com.