MAY
04 2021
See the 2021 PA Route 6 Artisan Trail
File photo A general view of fans in the stands watching a race at the McKean Raceway in Smethport, Pa. The track will feature an eight-date schedule that leans on the United Late Model Series.
McKean Raceway gets another bid for success BY CHUCK POLLOCK For nearly four decades, McKean County Raceway has been run — on and off — by a string of six different individuals or groups with varying degrees of success. The seventh hopefuls were to debut April 25 at the third-of-a-mile dirt track in East Smethport — until winter-like weather postponed the opener. Still, Ken Leet and Joel Smith, after getting all manner of positive feedback, are convinced it has a future. After reaching an agreement with the fairgrounds board, they crafted an
eight-date schedule that leans heavily on the increasingly popular United Late Model Series (ULMS) and will conclude with a FridaySaturday Fall Classic Oct. 1-2. Besides the rescheduling of April 25’s card, there will be three Thursday dates (May 27, July 1 and 29) and two Saturday sessions (June 19, July 10) before the finale. LEET, a former Times Herald motorsports writer, admitted, “Joel and I had a desire to run a race track for several years and there was an interest level by so many people who missed
McKean. We wouldn’t have tried it if we felt otherwise.” But, the sales representative for a maintenance repair product company, conceded, “local racing is definitely not what it was 25-30 years ago. But I’ve seen racing go in cycles where its popularity wanes for a while and it will swing back.” For Smith, it’s a labor of love. “I’ve made a living at this for about 30 years and I always said I wouldn’t mind being part of running a race track,” he added. However, Leet is also
realistic. “We did not want to run a full schedule … that’s just too demanding,” he explained. “McKean has to be a specials-only class because there is no local car base anymore. “Back in (local racing’s) heyday you had cars from every town around here … Bradford, Olean, Smethport, Eldred, Port Allegany, Shinglehouse, Wellsville, Scio ... 3-4-5 cars in each town. Now, there might be one super late model in all of McKean County when 30 years ago there were
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File photo The Charlie Wheeler Band performed covers of Jimi Hendrix songs during the 2016 Austin Dam Show. Dam Show Productions — the group organizing music festivals at Austin Dam Memorial Park — is the newest member of the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail.
Itching to see something creative on one of these warm weekends? Download the PA Route 6 Artisan Trail map, get in your car and jump on U.S. Route 6. The PA Route 6 Alliance has announced the 2021 PA Route 6 Artisan Trail, which includes artists, creative businesses and tourism and cultural groups. The road — and the trail — runs east to west across northern Pennsylvania. The organization celebrates Artisan Trail Month each April. “This year, our Artisan Trail includes makers of all kinds: painters, photographers, potters,
brewmasters, chefs, winemakes, musicians, authors, and more,” the PA Route 6 Alliance stated in an announcement about the 2021 trail. “And, these makers create using all kinds of materials and mediums: glass, yarn, wood, plants, and so much more. “We also welcome organizations, visitor bureaus, and events that help to promote PA Route 6 Heritage Region’s 11 counties and the artisans who live, work, and create in them.” There are a number of new members on this year’s trail, too. Locally, this includes Frosty Hollow Lodging & Country
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Academics researching for book that will include Kinzua Bridge BY JOELLEN WANKEL A father-daughter team of area natives are working on a book and plan to include a chapter on the Kinzua Bridge. In this vein, a survey link is circulating on social media to help gain insight into local perspective on the changes at the Kinzua Bridge following the 2003 tornado that struck the area. Katherine Burlingame, who was born in Bradford and is a doctoral student in the Department of Human Geography at Lund University, Sweden, is contributing to a book. When contacted via email, Burlingame explained, “My research is based in landscape geography and how the experience at heritage sites can be developed in different ways to bring the past to life for visitors. I’ve been working with Viking Age landscapes in Germany and Sweden; however, I also like to have some research connections back home.” Burlingame has previously had work printed that focused on the Swedish Festival in Mount Jewett, which was part of another academic work. This is also where her survey regarding the Kinzua Bridge comes into play. A chapter of the book will focus on the bridge and its transformation from utility to solely tourist appeal following the damage by a tornado in 2003. This chapter will be written with the assistance of Burlingame’s father, Philip Burlingame, who is from Smethport and
The Kinzua Bridge near Mount Jewett.
who served as associate vice president for Student Affairs before retiring from Penn State University. “For this book chapter, I was invited to contribute an example of a landscape that had transformed into a heritage landscape over time,” she explained. “In landscape geography, a heritage landscape is often referred to as a ‘heritagescape’ where natural and cultural elements of the landscape are intertwined and the place attracts visitors because of this connection.
This is why part of our title is ‘A Heritagescape in the Appalachians,’ and we think the Kinzua Bridge State Park provides an interesting example of a landscape that became a heritagescape when the bridge was damaged by the tornado.” Burlingame explained the fact that a significant amount of the research materials used for the book chapter are public documents and newspaper articles. However, she and her father felt that a survey would help them
understand the opinions of both current and former McKean County residents in regard to the redevelopment of the park with the Sky Walk and Visitor Center. “This will help us understand if there were disparities between how locals have used and valued the park over time and how it was developed for tourism purposes with visitors from outside of McKean County in mind,” Katherine Burlingame said. “Many of us who grew up in the area can remember walking
across the bridge when there was no one else there, so a lot has changed since the park was developed more with tourism in mind, predominantly focused on the damaged bridge. We are particularly interested in the different decisions that were made about what to do with the park as well as the extent that local communities from the surrounding area were involved in these decisions.” The Kinzua Bridge chapter will be one of many, with contributions from scholars
covering different landscapes from all around the world. “The book editor is Giacomo Pettenati, a researcher from the University of Turin in Italy,” Burlingame said. “The overall goal of the book is to understand the different processes of how landscapes become valued as heritage over time. This is often called the ‘heritagization’ of landscapes where landscapes are valued and placed under different layers of protection (for example, by individuals, groups, or institutions like the National Register of Historic Places), and this can be a very complex and sometimes very contested process with tensions most often arising between locals and outsiders.” “Since the data from the survey is only being used to add more depth to our arguments, we have chosen a few McKean County Facebook groups, so we do not expect to receive a large number of responses. We have already had over 150 people respond in one day, however, which was a big surprise, and it shows the strong sense of identity and connection local communities have with the park.” Burlingame explained they only intend to keep the survey open until May 5 and expect that the book will be published sometime in the fall. The link is available in a post to the Facebook page of “I Grew up in Bradford, PA.”
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Tree trimming on McKean County roads to start May 3 The Pennsylvania weeks, crews will be work- 1.5 miles north of the Route Department of ing at the following loca- 46 intersection. • Route 1006 (McCrae Transportation (PennDOT) tions: is advising motorists that • Route 770 approximately Brook Road) approxiwork to trim and remove half a mile west of the mately a mile east of the Route 446 intersection. trees on McKean County Route 219 intersection. Tree trimming and tree roads was scheduled to be- • Route 219 approximately two miles north of the removal provide “daylightgin May 3. ing” to the roadway, allowThis project will enhance Route 59 intersection. motorist safety and extend • Route 219 at the in- ing sunlight to speed snow the useful life of the road- tersection of Route 4001 and ice melt during the winter months. It also enhances (Lafayette Avenue). way surfaces. For the next four to six • Route 446 approximately sight distance at some
locations and lessens the potential for old and dead trees to fall onto the road. Motorists might encounter short delays as roadway flaggers enforce an alternating traffic pattern during this operation. Drivers should remain alert for flaggers and stopped or slowed traffic. All work will be done during daylight hours and is weather dependent.
The former Ski Denton was operated at Denton Hill State Park in Potter County, Pa. until 2014.
DCNR moving forward with Denton Hill plans More than six years after Denton Hill State Park closed to skiers, Pennsylvania is one step closer to increasing recreation opportunities at the Potter County park. On Tuesday, State Parks Director John Hallas announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is requesting proposals for the operation of a four-season recreation center — with downhill skiing — at Denton Hill. The state park is located along U.S. Route 6 in Ulysses Township. “This is great news for area residents as the park’s downhill ski slope has been closed since the winter of 2014,” said state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, on
Raceway continued from 1 probably 15 … six or seven right in Smethport. Leet pointed out, “Now, for McKean to be successful, we have to rely on cars coming from other tracks. We need to run on Thursdays when no one else is racing because we need cars that normally run at Bradford (Rew, Pa.), Freedom (Delevan), Woodhull, Batavia, Stateline (Busti) and Erie.” SMITH, who owns Eldred’s Close Racing Supply, offered one reason for the optimism over McKean’s return. “What prompted me (to do this) is that I’ve seen how successful race tracks have become because of Covid (restrictions),” he said. “Race tracks got successful because it was one of the few things you could do … there weren’t concerts or many sports. I felt this was something people could do (outdoors) and a lot of race tracks got successful over the past year because of it. This Covid thing is still going to impact us all and people want that kind of entertainment.” As for the reduced presence of stock car racing – Bradford and Freedom are the only other tracks in the
social media after hearing the news. “A new master plan for the park includes infrastructure improvements to the ski area and positions a concessionaire to grow recreational opportunities in all four seasons.” Causer noted that DCNR has committed $10 million to support implementing the park’s master plan. In February, Causer and state Rep. Clint Owlett, R-Wellsboro, met with DCNR representatives to ensure that the project keeps moving forward. At that time, the DCNR told Causer and Owlett that the department was preparing to seek a concessionaire. Then, DCNR plans to move forward with the design phase for park improvements.
“The department is seeking a concessionaire to lease approximately 700 acres and work with DCNR to create a year-round park operation with a winter mountain recreation focus,” Hallas said on Tuesday. “DCNR believes with infrastructure improvements and the right partner Denton Hill will become another attraction that brings visitors to the Pennsylvania Wilds region in all four seasons.” The DCNR plans to work with the concessionaire “to help identify and prioritize improvements,” according to a press release from the department. The department asks that interested parties visit the park to see the condition of its facilities. “The park was
developed by DCNR as a specialized ski area in the early 1950s,” the DCNR explained. “All permanent infrastructure at Denton Hill is owned by DCNR and is in need of major rehabilitation and modernization to bring it to acceptable industry standards.” People can arrange a visit by calling the Bureau of State Parks regional office at 814-486-3365 to arrange a visit to the facility. Proposals are due June 9, and DCNR will start reviewing them June 16. Visit www.dcnr. pa.gov/Business/ StateParkConcessions/ ConcessionOpportunities/ Pages/default.aspx to learn more about state park concession opportunities.
TH coverage region – Smith pointed out, “It’s definitely an area thing ... not every place in the country is successful, it’s hit and miss. “What’s happened throughout the years, in general, is No. 1, it’s costing racers more money and, No. 2, it’s more work for the racers and today’s generation obviously doesn’t want to do more work. Old-school racers spent every nickel they had and worked hard knowing that’s what gave them success. It’s almost too much work and too much money for the younger generation.” He added, “That’s why some (racing) has gone away over time. Some local tracks like McKean have been unstable, open then closed. Little Valley was really good at one time but hasn’t been racing in four or five years. “When you lose that local race track and local racers, you also lose people, they find something else to do … ‘I bought a boat, it’s a lot of fun, less work and less money than racing and I can enjoy it with my family.’” LEET ADMITTED, “Everybody’s chomping at the bit to get there … I think people have really missed going to McKean. When we practiced last Saturday people I didn’t even know came up and said, “Thank you for getting this place back open.” And that was literally
true as Leet was part of a four-person group that ran the track for eight years until two seasons of horrendous weather ended their stewardship in 2013. “(Rain) was the biggest thing the last time we did this … you can have the most perfectly laid plans imaginable, 100% to perfection, and the one thing you can’t control ruins you,” he said. BESIDES the ULMS division, McKean will host the RUSH Late Models, RUSH Pro Mods, Pure Stocks and Mini-stocks. “There’s some really talented regional drivers in the ULMS series racing at a high professional-type level that will be competing at a lot or our events,” Leet said. “The series is pretty much known up and down the East Coast so people know
what it is. “In some people’s opinion you can have too many (divisions) but everybody wants to run at McKean and you’ve got to give them the opportunity. We’re doing this to support local racing and try to give it a shot in the arm. You’re not going to get results from that by telling people, ‘You can’t come here and race.’” He added, “We’re racing the classes and rules that the other tracks in the area are running. If a car races at Freedom, Bradford, Batavia or Woodhull they’re legal here. “We hope people will come out and support McKean and make it a viable entertainment facility. They’ve missed it over the years and if it closes again, who knows what’s going to happen.”
PennDOT Survey ps Seeks Pennsylvanians’ ap a Feedback On h o Automated Vehicles sn
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HARRISBURG, PA – On behalf of Pennsylvania’s Highly Automated Vehicle (HAV) Advisory Committee, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) last week announced the launch of a survey designed to gain an understanding of Pennsylvanians’ perceptions and knowledge of automated vehicles. The HAV Advisory Committee was established by Act 117 of 2018 and is a partnership between public and private key stakeholders that has the power to advise and consult the Secretary of Transportation on each aspect of connected and highly automated vehicles. This includes developing technical guidance, evaluating best practices, and reviewing existing laws, regulations, and policies. The committee is making strides in preparing for this transformational technology, and seeks to gauge Pennsylvanians’ understanding of the technology, level of comfort and expectations. “Automated vehicle
PA Route 6 continued from 1 Mercantile and Olga Gallery, Cafe & Bistro, both in Coudersport, as well as Dam Show Productions, known for music festivals held at Austin Dam Memorial Park. View or download the map by visiting https:// www.paroute6.com/artisan-trail. There is also a search function so people can search the list by different criteria, and there are links to sites that offer online shopping. Watch a video featuring the Artisan Trail makers by visiting https:// w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m /
c technology is rapidly ado vancing, and many fea- a tures are already avail- f able in newer vehicles,” c said PennDOT Secretary D Yassmin Gramian. “It is o important that the department understands how a Pennsylvanians feel about a this technology, to help us i shape our education and c communication focus going s t forward.” c The survey is available t at this linkOpens In A New t Window, and takes and t takes less than 10 minutes to r a complete. c For more information on PennDOT’s efforts in the W realm of automated vehicles o visit the Automated Vehicles s page on PennDOT’s web- C site. a Subscribe to statewide PennDOT news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.gov/news or choose a region under “Regional Offices.” Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
watch?v=9jym3GYIhpI. The alliance is also accepting nominations for its annual “Do 6” Awards. The awards recognize individuals and groups in the following five categories: Heritage Partnership, Heritage Community of the Year, Artisan of the Year, Leadership and Heritage Tourism. Nominations will be accepted through June 1, and awards will be presented during the 2020-21 PA Route 6 Educational Summit & Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting will be Sept. 15-16 in Kane. Fill out a nomination form at https://paroute6. com/do-6-awards-nomination, or download the form and return it to info@ paroute6.com or PA Route 6 Alliance, P.O. Box 180, Galeton, PA 16922.
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MAY 04, 2021 Please visit the below advertisers for all your automotive needs
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DIY vehicle maintenance tasks
During the global COVID-19 pandemic, many people looked for ways to save money. One way to live a frugal life is to take on more projects. In addition to lawn and garden upkeep and minor home improvements, a number of people may be able to tackle some auto repair and maintenance jobs themselves. Performing routine vehicle maintenance tasks on one’s own is an ideal way to reduce automotive expenditures. The following are several vehicle maintenance jobs skilled DIYers may be able to handle on their own. • Replace the air filter. An air filter should be changed annually or more frequently if you reside in a dry, dusty climate. A clogged filter can stress the vehicle’s air conditioning system and reduce heat capacity in the winter. Check the location of the air filter in the owner’s manual; pay attention to how it is placed before removing. Then replace it with a clean filter that can be purchased for around $15. • Replace the wiper blades. When wiper blades are worn out, visibility in rainy or snowy weather is reduced. Choose a quality wiper blade, as they usually are made with
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high-quality rubber, clean better and have more UV protection than manufacturer-provided blades. Follow the installation instructions on the package, and be sure to refer to the particular manufacturer’s buying guide to get the right size for your make and model of vehicle. • Replace spark plugs. The money management site Money Crashers says spark plugs need to be replaced after around 30,000 miles or as indicated by your owner’s manual. Vehicles will have four, six or eight plugs, depending on how many cylinders the car has. The plugs need to be changed
in a certain order, so only remove the first wire and spark plug. Remove and replace plugs one by one with a spark plug socket, wrench or ratchet. • Change the oil and oil filter. Because changing the oil in a vehicle requires jacking up the car or truck and getting a little dirty, some people prefer to leave it to an oil change center. However, at an estimated cost of $20 versus nearly double or more what you’ll spend elsewhere, it can save money to do it yourself. Never change the oil while the engine is hot. And remember to lubricate the rubber gasket on the new oil filter and allocate enough oil to
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fill the filter with about 2⁄3 of new oil in addition to what is put in the engine. • Replace headlight bulbs. Replacing headlight bulbs is a fairly easy project and will only take around 10 minutes to do after you purchase the right bulbs for your vehicle. Each vehicle is different, but many bulbs are housed inside of a bulb holder, which is shaped like a trapezoid with three wires coming out of it, advises U.S. News & World Report. Remove the old bulb and put in the new. Plug the wires back in and test to see if the headlight works.
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Invasive Plant & iMapInvasives Webinar set for May 13 SMETHPORT — The McKean County Conservation District and Allegheny Plateau Invasive Plant Management Area are hosting an Invasive Plant & iMapInvasives Webinar on May 13. The Conservation District is partnering with Penn State Extension and IMapInvasives for the free informational webinar on invasive species in the region. The webinar will be held from noon to 2 p.m. May 13. The following will be
and supported on one side by pillars or columns. Today, arbors are usually freestanding units with two or four posts. Pergolas may be connected on one side to a home or another structure. Some are freestanding units supported by four posts. Pergolas tend to be larger and offer more privacy and shade than arbors. • Gazebo: Gazebos are more defined garden buildings, states the contractor referral site Network. Gazebos are freestanding units that can be built in various shapes. Some are octagonal, others are square. Like a pergola, a gazebo is supported by columns and may have low railings or built-in benches. Gazebos also may have a more solid roof than arbors or pergolas, providing sun and other weather protection. The roof may have added architectural appeal, like a cupola. • Trellis: A trellis is a simple, geometrically-shaped structure that provides a
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Exploring different backyard structures
Designing an ideal backyard space requires forethought and an eye for style. Knowing which features to include in a yard often boils down to what homeowners want to achieve in the space. Will it be a relaxing oasis or a central entertaining focal point? People often look to various structures to add height and visual interest to outdoor spaces. Homeowners will likely come across structures like arbors, gazebos, pergolas, and even trellises as they wade through the variety of features they can incorporate into backyard plans. Each of these structures can add appeal, but they also can offer shelter from the sun and privacy when enjoying the yard. There are significant differences between each structure, so here’s an in-depth look at what sets them apart. • Arbor: An arbor is one of the more simple garden structures. It is usually a frame that is arched or square-cornered. Most homeowners use it as an entryway to a garden or even the front of the home. Those with green thumbs may cover the arbor with climbing and trailing plants. The Spruce says arbors date back to early Egyptian and Roman gardens and were used throughout Europe by the late 16th century. • Pergola: The words arbor and pergola are often used interchangeably, but to suggest the two structures are the same would not be accurate. Pergola comes from the Italian word “pergula,” which means “projection.” Pergolas were once projected from exterior walls
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discussed: • Invasive species ecology and identification • Mapping and reporting invasive plants using iMapInvasives • Management, control and treatment methods • EDRR invasive plants and insects Register by emailing Katie Schmidt at the PSU Extension at kns5242@ psu.edu. For questions, call Maddie Stanisch at
814-887-4020. Funds for the workshop and treatment project are provided by grants from the U.S. Forest Service and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
surface for climbing plants. A trellis also may support fruit-bearing trees. Trellis work may be used in conjunction with an arbor or pergola, or be installed on fencing. Incorporating structures into backyard designs can provide functionality and appeal.
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MAY 04, 2021
Help Available Through Local COVID-19 Relief Programs Renters and owners of small businesses may be eligible for financial assistance to help compensate them for financial losses attributable to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic through recent federal programs. 1. Potter County Commissioners Nancy Grupp, Barry Hayman and Paul Heimel have designated the county’s Human Services agency to administer a federal grant received to help those who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic pay for rent and utilities. Those who can demonstrate a loss of income due to the pandemic are encouraged to apply. Applications can be downloaded from a website here. Once an application is complete, a Potter County Human Services case manager will be in touch to offer assistance. To be eligible, a renter household must have one or more individuals who meet the following criteria: Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19; Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median. Full eligibility guidelines may be found here. Those seeking more information can contact Jim Kockler or Kara Amidon at 814-544-7315. 2. Low-cost, flexible financing is available to qualifying Potter County businesses through a federal government program designed to lessen the economic burden of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Low-interest, flexible loans are available to support business revitalization and growth, enhance workplace safety, strengthen supply chains and sustain/create jobs. Projects can include: Real estate acquisition (construction & renovations are not eligible) Machinery & equipment Working capital Installation/implementation of CDC-recommended safety measures Technology More information is available from Jennifer Hibbard at 814-773-3162, ext. 3049; jhibbard@ncentral.com. Details can also be found online here.
Wolfinger Family Fund provides $5,500 to area nonprofits OLEAN, N.Y. — The Wolfinger family recently decided to expand the philanthropic scope of the Wolfinger Family Fund and have made possible $5,500 in grants to organizations and projects chosen by the family. The fund was originally established by area residents Sandy and Connie Wolfinger to support projects and equipment purchases in the Ellicottville, Smethport (Pa.) and Coudersport (Pa.) school districts. Those grants from the fund will continue, but this year and the years coming the family decided to also make donor advised grants to nonprofits chosen by the family. Nine organizations together will or have already together received $5,500 in support from the fund Genesis House of Olean, Inc. and the United Way of Cattaraugus County each received $1,000. St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Smethport will receive $700 for its Guardian Angel Fund program. HomeCare & Hospice, Olean Food Pantry and YMCA of the Twin Tiers each received $500. Cuba Friends of
Architecture, which serves to save and restore historic locations in Cuba — including the Genesee Greenway, the Genesee Valley Railroad Freight Station, The Cuba Cheese Museum and the Palmer Opera House — received $300. Wreaths Across America, an organization that provides for wreaths at the graves of fallen soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery and more than 2,100 other locations in the U.S. and abroad, received $200. Additionally, Belvidere High School in New Jersey, where the Wolfinger family also has family ties, will receive $500 in support of the construction of an outdoor classroom for high school students that is safer than an indoor classroom during COVID protocols and encourages a freer, more creative learning environment. This year the fund also made possible $2,000 in support to the Ellicottville, Coudersport and Smethport school districts, bringing the fund’s total impact in 2021 to $7,500 in grants. “We are so pleased to play a role in supporting the impressive philanthropy of Sandy and Connie Wolfinger and their
The Wolfinger Family Fund benefits area school districts.
extended family,” said Karen Niemic Buchheit, CRCF executive director. “The Wolfinger Family Fund will have an impact for many, many years to come as the endowment continues to grow through
the family’s generosity.” Donations can be made to the Wolfinger Family Fund at CRCF, 301 North Union St., Suite 203, Olean, NY 14760, or online at cattfoundation.org.
Bradford Bees win the virtual ‘Wild’ Envirothon
Tri-Co Connections connects first customer in Coudersport area
Photo provided Dave and Katie Taylor of Coudersport and their children, Jude and Mary Kate, became the first official customers of Tri-Co Connections Tuesday, April 7, when their Niles Hill Road home was connected to 100 megabit-per-second fiber internet service. Tri-Co Connections, a subsidiary of Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative, has entered the installation and service-connection phase of its multi-year project to bring broadband to rural northcentral Pennsylvania. Installers are actively connecting customers in the Dingman Run area outside of Coudersport. Fiber installation is consider an essential service by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Tri-Co Connections connected its first customer to high-speed fiber internet service Tuesday, April 7, on Niles Hill Road near Coudersport. The family of Dave and Katie Taylor began receiving 100-megabit broadband service at 2 p.m. Tuesday as Tri-Co Connections, the internet subsidiary of Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative, completed the first of hundreds of fiberto-the-home installations planned in the Coudersport area of Potter County over the next six months. “We are so excited,” said Katie Taylor. “Having reliable internet will be a huge plus. We look forward to having internet that works normally so the kids can watch TV without it going off every five minutes, my husband can play video games, and I can work on my computer at the same time.” Taylor, who works as a drug and alcohol prevention specialist for Potter
County, said she had been struggling to work from home during the corona virus pandemic because of poor internet service. “We are at the end of the line and our service has not worked very well,” she said. “We have very slow speeds, and most of the time it doesn’t work at all.” On the day before an installer with Tri-Co Connections connected the Taylor home to 100-megabit-per-second broadband service, Taylor noted she was supposed to have a virtual meeting over the internet using the Zoom application. “I had a Zoom conference at 10, and at 9:55 our internet went out,” she said. “I had to wait 20 minutes for the internet to come back up before I could log on.” Her husband, Dave, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he is looking forward to being able to utilize high-speed internet for things like telemedicine,
downloading video games and looking up parts for projects he is working on at home. “It’s going to be nice to actually have good internet,” he said. “My biggest thing is being able to look up parts for a truck that I’m rebuilding and guns that I’m working on — and keeping the kids occupied.” Tri-County President & CEO Craig Eccher and Tri-Co Connections’ senior vice president of business development, Bill Gerski, were on hand to congratulate the family — following proper COVID-19 social-distancing protocols — and to witness the historic launch of fiber-optic broadband in rural northcentral Pennsylvania. With the Taylor family’s home installation complete, Tri-County becomes the first electric cooperative in Pennsylvania to deliver affordable fiber-optic internet service to its membership. Over the next five to six years Tri-County will
make broadband internet service available to all of its members across the cooperative’s 5,000-square-mile service territory in northcentral Pennsylvania. “I am excited for the Taylor family and all of our cooperative members who we will be connecting to high-speed internet service through Tri-Co Connections in the Coudersport area in the days and weeks ahead,” said Eccher. “During a time when the corona virus pandemic is forcing parents and children to work and learn from home, the need for access to high-speed internet is more apparent than ever. We are pleased to be able to provide a great broadband experience in our region and help bridge the digital divide in our rural communities.” The Tri-Co Connections fiber build-out officially kicked off Nov. 18, 2019, when crews began work along Dingman Run Road outside of Coudersport. Since then, crews have completed about 60 miles of fiber-optic cable construction in Tri-County service territory north of Coudersport. Phase one of the buildout entails construction of about 110 miles of fiber in western portions of TriCounty’s service area that will make broadband service available to approximately 1,135 Tri-County residential, seasonal and commercial members in Potter County. After phase one construction concludes this spring, the project will shift to phase two: building a 464-mile fiber backbone that will connect Tri-County REC’s 22 substations. The fiber backbone will improve electric system communications and expand the cooperative’s smart grid capabilities. With headquarters in Mansfield, Pa., Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative has served the residents of north-central Pennsylvania since 1937. Today the cooperative provides electricity to over 16,600 members in Tioga, Potter, Bradford, Lycoming, Clinton, McKean and Cameron counties.
The Bradford Bees were the overall winning team in the annual Envirothon event, held by the Cameron and McKean County Conservation Districts. The event was held virtually April 14. This was the 31st year for the Envirothon in McKean County. Cameron County High School, Bradford Area High School, OttoEldred High School, Port Allegany High School, and Smethport Area High School had teams participate in the event. The event will return to Elk Lick Scout Reserve in 2022. Thirteen teams from both counties participated in five station tests focusing on aquatic resources, wildlife, forestry, soils & land use, and current issue-water resource management: local control & local solutions. During the Envirothon competition, students may be asked to calculate board feet in a tree, identify aquatic organisms, or determine appropriate land use according to soil characteristics. They work collaboratively as a five-member team to answer questions, and use their critical thinking to find solutions to reality-based situations, such as how to balance the use and protection of our natural resources. Advisors at each high school guided teams and helped them prepare for this comprehensive environmental competition. The highest scoring team from each county will advance to the PA Envirothon to be held May 10-11, 2021. A ‘Wild’ Envirothon virtual awards ceremony was held on April 19th. Awards were presented for the top three places in each county, five station awards, and a trophy for the overall winner. McKean County winners -Third place -Timberdoodles from Bradford Area High School (Lauren Bennett, Alisiya Dansberger, Sophie Cornelius, Krissa Jackson, and Lilly Kemick); Second place- Swamp Grass from Smethport Area High School (Jordan Pavlock, Kyler Alexis, Kassidy DiDomizio, Chase Burdick, and Parker Jack); First place- The Bradford Bees from Bradford Area High School (Tripp Hoover, Mitchell Barker, Tim Mulcahy, Amber Eschrich, and Mary Bukowski). Cameron County Winners – First place- Forces of Nature from Cameron County High School (Sarah Abriatis, Kaelee Bresslin, Wesley Walters, Reggie Goodrow, and Morgan Lorenzo). Station Awards: Aquatic Resources, Forestry, Soils & Land Use, and Current Issue were all awarded to The Bradford Bees; Wildlife station was won by the Forces of Nature. T-shirts for all participating students and the event awards were delivered to all participating schools. Local sponsors who supported the Envirothon included American Refining Group, Inc., Danzer Lumber, Columbia Gas, Pine Haven Vet Clinic, Zook Motors, Upper Allegheny Watershed Association, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Kiwanis Club of Bradford, Lafayette Township, International Waxes, Seneca Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group, Shell, Inc., Emporium Hardwoods-Rossi Group, GKN, PSM Brown Co., Cameron County Outdoor Youth Association, Emporium Moose Lodge #368, May Hollow Sportsmans Club, Sinnemahoning Sportsmans Club, and L&M Lumber.