27 2022
community
SEPTEMBER
p o t t e r m c k e a n
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Austin • BRADFORD • Coudersport • Crosby • Eldred • Gifford • GALETON • Kane • Lewis Run • Mt. Jewett • Otto Eldred • OSwayo Port Allegany • Roulette • SHINGLEHOUSE • Smethport • Turtlepoint • Ulysses
Era file photo The McCleery Wolf sculpture at the historic depot in Kane represents a link to the borough’s founder, General Thomas L. Kane. Next week, the community will be the site of a pilot program for remote workers.
Remote work pilot program begins in Kane next week
BY MARCIE SCHELLHAMMER
KANE — Remote work has become much more commonplace since the pandemic, and the beauty of it is that it can be done from anywhere — so why not Kane at the beginning of autumn, when the leaves hit their peak of beauty? For six lucky workers from around the state and nation, their chance starts next week. Kate Kennedy, executive director of the Kane Area Development Center, explained. “PA Wilds received grant funding to pilot two communities to invite remote workers to come, to test what it is like” to live and work in the Wilds. The first test community was Bellefonte in July. The second is Kane, and the program runs
Sept. 26 to Oct. 14. It is called the Wilds are Working Remote Work Program. Funded by Ben Franklin Technology Partners through the Appalachian Regional Commission, this project serves as an element to address the issue of outmigration in rural areas and market PA Wilds communities as great places for remote workers to live and work. “The grant provides payment for lodging and a stipend to spend money at the retailers in the local area,” Kennedy said. KADC and Kane Area Chamber of Commerce went through 70 applicants, narrowed it down to 15 and did interviews, choosing six people. One person is from Denver, Colo., another is from Arlington,
Va., while the rest are from other parts of Pennsylvania, down around Philadelphia. “These are remote workers with a variety of jobs,” she said, explaining their professions are cybersecurity, therapist, branding and marketing, IT work for an exchange student program, and two writers, one who writes for Wires and the other for Sports Illustrated.” The group had a virtual meet-andgreet to familiarize themselves with the others involved, and Kennedy explained that each participant has been paired with a local person with similar interests. “We’re hoping they can match up and do some activities together,” she said, adding she hopes they can explore more of
Wilcox man jailed for alleged Kane incident KANE — A Wilcox man is in McKean County Jail, accused of striking a woman and prohibiting her from leaving a residence by nailing the windows shut. Dillon Robuck, 26, of Marvin Street, is charged with unlawful restraint, a first-degree misdemeanor, simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, and three counts of harassment, summary offenses. According to the
criminal complaint, on Aug. 11, the female victim told Kane Borough Police that Robuck had been staying with her to hide from law enforcement in Elk County, where he was supposed to be going on trial. Robuck put screws in all the windows of the victim’s home and wouldn’t let her leave, and would beat her, punch her and push her down. She said it had been going on for a week. While
Robuck was watching television, the victim got a screwdriver, took out the screws from the window frame in the bedroom and escaped, going to a friend’s residence to summon police. Robuck was arraigned Tuesday before District Judge David Engman in Kane and remanded to jail in lieu of $25,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in Central Court on Oct. 3.
the Wilds when they are here. The workers who took part in the Bellefonte project have provided a lot of feedback about the program, she said. “It was such a wonderful experience for them.” When Kane officials interviewed the program applicants, they learned what attracted them to take part. “A lot of them are from cities,” Kennedy said. “A lot of them are wanting to try out someplace smaller. One of the common things we heard was an idea there is more of a connection in a smaller town. “They’re looking for a way to make a connection and make more of an impact,” she said. When the program was first introduced, the Philadelphia
Inquirer ran a story about it, which was how many of the applicants learned of the program. “One person had family ties in the area,” Kennedy said, “another person had a cousin who did it in Bellefonte. “The criteria we were looking for, was people who weren’t already living in the PA Wilds and may consider moving to the PA Wilds, or had a type of job that may add value to our community, and/or to spread the word about how awesome this corner of the state is,” she continued. The workers will be staying at various places in the community — one at Kane Manor and five at Airbnbs. “Two are coming with a partner and three are bringing pets,” Kennedy said, “I
think they are already planning to share the experience with others they care about.” Kennedy said she’s excited about the program for a lot of reasons, but the biggest one is simple — “I just love Kane. I think everyone involved in this project just really loves this community. The biggest excitement is to share what we love about this region. “Whatever comes from that is going to be positive and great,” she said. “We are rural, sometimes it feels like people who don’t have a lot of experience in rural communities have stereotypes that aren’t always positive. “I think anytime we can give people the chance to experience rural for what it really is” is a positive. “We’re redefining rural for people.”
Bradford Kiwanis Club announces Kapers auditions The Bradford Kiwanis Club has announced auditions for this year’s Kapers show, “Relatively Kapers” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, at St. Bernard’s Auditorium on Festival Way in Bradford. This year’s show is centered around the theme of family, and Kiwanis Kapers is looking for as many “family” units or family themed acts to be included in the show, as possible. It can be siblings, spouses, cousins, whole families,
extended families and even groups of people that you would consider to be family — But this is not limited to families only! Kiwanis is looking for acts to come with a prepared selection or act to be considered. If singing, people are encouraged to bring their own accompaniment track or sing without accompaniment. The show will take place this year on Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 12 at 2:30 p.m. and is being directed by Darren B.
Litz, executive director for the Bradford Creative and Performing Arts Center (BCPAC). The show will be presented in the same format as last year, as a dessert theater featuring a variety of music, dance and acts. Soloists, duets, trios quartets and various ensemble groups, reflecting on the theme of “family,” is the focus. Tryouts will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For any questions, contact the BCPAC office at (814) 362-2522.