JUNE
15 2021
Lumber Heritage Region completes Diversity Research Study EMPORIUM — The Lumber Heritage Region announced the completion of a new Diversity Research Study about the history of life in the forest products industry. The research for this study was conducted by Hilary Folwell Jebitsch, historical researcher, over an 11-month period in the LHR’s 15-counties: Cambria, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Indiana, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga, and Warren.
Holly Komonczi, executive director of the LHR stated, “We’ve always known there was a diverse population of people that lived and worked in the forests during the lumber boom. Historic photos revealed women, young and old alike, as well as a small number of Black men pictured in the lumber camps, but information about who they were and what their role was proved elusive. Now, thanks to Hilary’s research, we can identify them and begin to tell their stories.”
Lumber study continued on ..... page 8
Port Allegany Honor Guard holds Memorial Day services
Photo by Fran De Lance Ken Roach, in back, and Gavin McCabe and Patience Van Curen were the first student group to release rainbow trout fingerlings in Marvin Creek.
Smethport students release fingerlings into Marvin Creek BY FRAN DE LANCEY
Pam Fischer photo The Port Allegany Honor Guard held three services Monday for Memorial Day including one on the Brooklynside Bridge for those lost at sea; another on the Town Square; and the third in Fairview Cemetery. The Honor Guard, led by Joe Knell, included, from left, Clark Barber, Lewis Duell, Roy Kio and Greg Stump, who also served as emcee for the ceremonies. A light lunch was served at the VMI picnic pavilion following the ceremonies. Auxiliary President Patty Fabish manned the grill and served those attending.
SMETHPORT — As part of the newly established Wildlife and Fisheries Studies science elective at Smethport Area Junior-Senior High School, ninth-graders participated in the PA Trout in the Classroom for two semesters this school year. The second semester class released approximately 110 rainbow trout fingerlings — 2 to 4 inches long — in Marvin Creek in Smethport May 28. Class members are Kellie Kinney, Brooke Mandley, Ryan Mason, Gavin McCabe, GraceeShay Meely, Deagen Mandell, Ken Roach, Shaun Roberts, Marissa Robinson, Brian Rounsville, Desirae Rounsville, Evan Ruffner, Emmalee Shelley, Jason Smith, Cole Szuba, Caleb Umstead and Patience VanCuren.
High school biology teacher Christine Lightner developed and directed the elective class that carries one-half credit and covers such topics as introduction to Pennsylvania’s mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, their identification, biology, habitat and ecology. “Content is supplemented through on-line interactions, data collection and sharing, hands-on laboratory, filed and STEM experiences,” Lightner said. With the assistance of Jody Groshek of the McKean County Conservation District, the second-semester students set up a 55-gallon tank with a chiller, high-flow filter, aerator and supplemental components. “On Feb. 11, the class received 261 rainbow trout eggs, which were sorted and counted,” Lightner said. “The remaining 251
live eggs began their life cycle in Room 102.” Lightner added, “During class, the students gathered, recorded and analyzed water chemistry data, fed the fish and continued to maintain a healthy environment for the developing trout. “Students used their troubleshooting skills when necessary and have managed to raise about 110 trout that were released in Marvin Creek.” Made possible by a partnership between the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, PA Trout in the Classroom is an interdisciplinary environmental educational program in which students in grades 3-12 learn about current and past impacts, management and protection and enhancement opportunities of Pennsylvania’s
watersheds and cold water resources, while raising trout in the classroom. Each TIC program has applications in environmental science, mathematics, social studies, language arts, fine arts and physical education. Students explore topics such as trout life cycles, aquatic adaptions, water resource conservation and watersheds. All classrooms end the year by releasing their trout into a “Stocked Trout Waterway,” a state-approved stream near the school or within a nearby watershed. Dating back to 2006, Trout in the Classroom in Pennsylvania began as a non-formal educational program, with offerings varying among individual teachers and program partners, such as local Trout Unlimited chapters, watershed associations and conservation organizations.
Nominations sought for county planning commission SMETHPORT — The McKean Commissioners will accept submissions and nominations to fill a vacancy on the county’s planning commission. The planning commission is a nine-member board, with each member appointed to a four-year
term by the commissioners. Any county resident who is interested in this appointment or would like to submit a nomination is asked to send details including name, contact information, residential address and any related experience to the attention of
Pamela Burlingame, Chief Clerk, by June 18, 2021. The planning commission meets at 5:30 p.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the 911 center and by special meeting if there are matters pending for the board to address. The planning commission is
responsible for review and approval of major subdivisions, land developments and other matters related to planning within McKean County. In 2018 the commission coordinated the preparation of the McKean County Comprehensive Plan by
conducting a study based on public participation and engagement. This tenyear Comprehensive Plan was finalized and approved in 2020 and will serve as a guide for local development considerations. Members of the
commission board must be a resident of McKean County. The appointed member will servVe for the balance of the vacancy, until Jan. 31, 2022. There are no term limits on members and the next full-term appointments will be in January 2022.