Wellsboro
e r o l p x E
TIM MCBRIDE
Official Visitors Guide of Our Town, Home of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon
Spring/Summer 2017
r ea Y en d! Op Roun
Maple Syrup • Cream Candy • Sugar Maple Coffee Gift Baskets & More!
1145 Parker Hill Road Sabinsville, PA 16943
814-628-2230
Owned and operated by Brian and Wanda Warwick
L isI toFo E
S H O RT
for
F A K EE
MAPL SYRUP
www.stickybucketmaple.com
Open All Four Seasons! Each of our unique and beautiful lodges offers the privacy and serenity you need for a relaxing stay. 131 MAIN STREET LODGE offers the convenience of Wellsboro’s downtown shops and restaurants as well as the charm that only a circa 1860 home can offer. BEAR MOUNTAIN LODGE casual elegance and romantic rooms offer the perfect getaway while still being convenient to downtown Wellsboro. BEAR MEADOWS LODGE provides elegant comfort after a long day of adventure. Guests may hike, raft, bird or cross country ski the forests near Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon.
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Explore
Wellsboro Editors & Publishers Teresa Banik Capuzzo Michael Capuzzo Associate Publisher George Bochetto Managing Editor Gayle Morrow Operations Director Gwen Plank-Button Advertising Director Ryan Oswald Gallery Manager/Accounting/ Advertising Assistant Amy Packard
Take a Memorable ride on Tony’s Old Fashioned Trolley!
Contributing Writers Anne Lugg Alexander, Maggie Barnes, Don Knaus, Micah Sargent, Alyssa Strausser, Gary Tyson, Olivia Whitmarsh Contributing Photographers Lisa Button, Bernadette Chiaramonte-Brown, Ann Marie Seip Crowley, Bruce Dart, Linda Stager Sales Representatives Maia Stam, Alyssa Strausser
Weddings, Parties, Special Events, Sightseeing, and More!
Call for more information or reservations at 570-723-7777 www.tonystiogatrolleytours.com 4
Explore Wellsboro is published by Beagle Media, LLC, 87-1/2 Main St., 2nd Floor, Wellsboro, PA 16901, in partnership with the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce. Copyright Š 2017 Beagle Media, LLC. All rights reserved. E-mail info@mountainhomemag.com, or call (570) 724-3838. Explore Wellsboro is distributed at hundreds of locations in Tioga, Potter, Bradford, Lycoming, Union, and Clinton counties in PA and Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, Yates, Seneca, Tioga, and Ontario counties in NY. 20,000 copies are delivered to PA On Display to be distributed to welcome centers across the state.
Spring/summer 2017
W
elcome to Wellsboro, the home of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon. Rich with beauty, history, and arts, Wellsboro offers year-round activities and entertainment for everyone.
Wellsboro and its environs provide a full schedule of art fairs, music festivals, concerts, plays, parades, and sport events. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed adventure, a romantic getaway, or a fun-filled family vacation, Wellsboro will exceed your expectations. The charm of our gaslights welcomes you with a variety of lodging options, restaurants, and family-owned shops and boutiques. Explore Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon with hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails for beginners and experts alike. Take in the canyon’s majestic beauty from one of the many easy access lookouts. Join us downtown for First Fridays, and don’t miss our 76th annual Pennsylvania Laurel Festival. Contact us at the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce, and we’ll be happy to help get your stay with us started. We welcome you to explore Wellsboro. Julie VanNess Executive Director Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce (570) 724-1926 info@wellsboropa.com www.wellsboropa.com
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Wellsboro, Pennsylvania
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Hot Picks for Where to Stay and Be Pampered!
Bear Lodges........................................... 3 Bucktail Camping Resort & Family Fun Park.......................................... 31 Canyon Motel...................................... 29 Colton Point Motel............................. 31 Emerge Healing Arts & Spa.............. 35 Happy Acres.................................. 26-27 Hotel Manor........................................ 31 Old Wellsboro Inn.............................. 31 Penn Wells Hotel & Lodge................ 29 River of Pines Cottage........................ 31
Hot Picks for Dining
Crossroads Tavern.............................. 45 Dumpling House................................ 45 Fox’s Pizza Den/Terry’s Hoagies....... 49 Lambs Creek Food & Spirits............. 41 The Steak House................................. 45 The Waterville Tavern........................ 45 Wellsboro Diner................................. 41
Hot Picks to Visit
Black Forest Trading Post & Deer Park, LLC........................................ 23 Pennsylvania Lumber Museum........ 19 Sticky Bucket Maple............................. 2 Tioga County Fair.............................. 19 Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce.................................. 30
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Tioga County, Pennsylvania
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Hot Picks for Shopping
Beth’s Country Treasures................... 39 Cottage Glassworks............................ 39 CS Sports............................................. 37 Dunham’s Department Store............. 37 Enchanted Hollow.............................. 39 European Imports.............................. 35 Garrisons Men’s Shop........................ 39 Highland Chocolates.......................... 35 North Woods Gift Shop..................... 37 Painter’s Meat Processing.................. 13 Peggy’s Candies & Gifts..................... 35 Pop’s Culture Shoppe.......................... 37 Shady Grove Natural Market............ 45 The Farmer’s Daughters..................... 37 Treasure Agents.................................. 39
Hot Picks for Entertainment
Arcadia Theater.................................. 19 Deane Center for the Performing Arts............................. 25 Endless Mountain Music Festival..... 15 Hamilton-Gibson Productions......... 25 Tioga Central Railroad...................... 43 Tony’s Tioga Trolley Tours.................. 4
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Pine Creek Rail Trail
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Hot Picks for Outdoors
Drapers Super Bee Apiaries, Inc....... 23 Oswald Cycle Works.......................... 23 Tyoga Country Club.......................... 23 Wild Asaph Outfitters........................ 23
Hot Picks for Becoming a Local
AAA North Penn................................ 19
All Wheels Driven.............................. 17 Canyon Country Cabs....................... 49 Citizens & Northern Bank................ 47 Dominion............................................ 21 Guthrie................................................. 47 Mountain Valley Realty..................... 52 Penn Oak Realty................................. 19 The Laurels.......................................... 50 UPMC Susquehanna.......................... 51 Wellsboro Equipment........................ 21
Hot Picks when Visiting Our Neighbors
Atwater Estate Vineyards.................. 33 Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises... 33 Famous Brands/Life is Good............ 33 Finger Lakes Distilling....................... 33 Grist Iron Brewing Co....................... 33
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS Mar. 1-12 Varies
Mar. 11 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 15 7 p.m.
Mar. 23 5-7 p.m.
Apr. 7 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 14 7:30 p.m.
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WOODTURNERS & SCULPTORS EXHIBIT, GMeiner Arts & Cultural Center, 570-724-1917
CHARM CITY JUNCTION with Ken Kolodner, Coolidge Theater, Deane Center, $20.00, 570-724-6220
2017 COUNTRYSIDE FILM SERIES: Polyfaces, a profile of the Joel Salatin Family Farm, Victoria Theatre, Blossburg, 570-638-3456
WELLSBORO AREA CHAMBER MIXER, Warehouse Gallery, 570724-1926
PHIL SHAPIRO & CARRIE SHORE (American Folk), Warehouse Gallery, $12.00, 570-724-6220
DANNY SHIPE & FRIENDS, Warehouse Gallery, $12.00, 570-7246220
Apr. 19 7 p.m.
Apr. 22 7:30 p.m.
May 6 7:30 p.m.
May 16 7:30 p.m.
May 17 7 p.m.
May 26 7:30 p.m.
2017 COUNTRYSIDE FILM SERIES: Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Bay, Victoria Theatre, Blossburg, 570-638-3456
RAVE ON! (The Buddy Holly Experience), Coolidge Theater, $15, 570-724-6220
MOONDANCE. A tribute to Van Morrison, Coolidge Theater, $20.00, 570-724-6220
CORVETTES DOO WOP REVUE, Coolidge Theater, 570-724-6220
2017 COUNTRYSIDE FILM SERIES: The Story of Stuff, Victoria Theatre, Blossburg, 570-638-3456
NICK KODY AND THE CREEK ROAD BAND, Warehouse Gallery, $12.00, 570-724-6220
Jun. 2-3 Varies
SUSQUEHANNOCK TRAIL PERFORMANCE RALLY (STPR), Wellsboro, 570-724-1926
Jun. 10 10 a.m.—2 p.m. FAMILY DAY & CHILDREN’S HEALTH FAIR, The Green, 570724-1926 Jun. 11 12:30 p.m. LAUREL FESTIVAL PET PARADE, Wellsboro, 570724-1926 Jun. 16-17 F: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. S: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. LAUREL FESTIVAL JURIED ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW, The Green, 570-724-1926 Jun. 16 7:30 a.m.
Jun. 17 9 a.m.
Jun. 17 2 p.m.
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CORVETTE DOO WOP REVUE, Coolidge Theater, $20.00, 570-724-6220
LAUREL FESTIVAL 10K FOOT RACE & 2-MILE FUN RUN, Wellsboro, 570-724-1926
76TH LAUREL FESTIVAL PARADE, Downtown Wellsboro, 570724-1926
Jul. 21-Aug. 5 Varies ENDLESS MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL, Various Locations, facebook/endlessmountain-music-festival, 570-787-7800 Jul. 29 12-4 p.m.
CLASSIC CAR CRUISEIN, Crafton Street, 570724-1926
Aug. 18-20 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 38TH ANNUAL RENDEZVOUS - 18th Century Living History and Black Powder/ Archery Competition, 635 Haverly Hill Road, whisperingpinescap andflint@gmail.com Aug. 26 12-4 p.m.
CLASSIC CAR CRUISEIN, Crafton Street, 570724-1926
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
The Laurel Festival on the Green Late spring and early summer in Pennsylvania’s northern tier is a scenic time, with verdant summer foliage everywhere. The bright greens of spring have deepened and melded into a nearly homogeneous forest color except for one famous exception: the mountain laurel. About mid-June, the laurel’s pink and white clusters trim our woodland understory, providing cover for many of our indigenous critters. It is also this stellar, cup-shaped flower for which the annual Pennsylvania State Laurel Festival is named. This year, the seventy-sixth Laurel Festival runs June 10-18 (www.wellsboropa.com). First held in 1938, the event was originally created to celebrate and promote the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. A perpetual festival highlight is the juried arts and crafts festival on the Green, this year on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17, when the Green will bustle with over one hundred gift and craft stands, carefully selected by the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce’s Festival Committee via a multi-step jurying process. The committee is comprised of several local crafters experienced with the process and familiar with the jurying of the arts. Each participant is individually selected on criteria set forth by the committee. Prospective vendors apply by submitting photos of their hand-made wares, as well as action photos of the creative process and information on the raw materials. “It’s fun, because everybody’s style is a little different,” says Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Julie VanNess. “Some people make beads, some work with fused glass or metal, some have re-purposed old watches and silverware. We try to get a variety of things.” The committee gets no names or addresses of the artists, but separates applications by product type and selects a variety of vendors and goods for the year’s exhibit. This first round of qualified vendors is mapped, and a second round of vendors is selected until all available slots are filled. The considerations for participation are originality of the products and the quality of materials used. Artisans from all around are welcome, but special consideration is given to locals. Such a thorough selection process for participants ensures a diverse selection of quality, handcrafted merchandise available to festival attendees. At the same time visitors are checking out what’s available on the Green to feed their artistic sides, they can feed themselves from the ever-amazing International Street of Foods, as much a Laurel Festival mainstay as the arts and crafts fair. So be sure to treat yourself to something yummy in between shopping for that perfect handmade treasure.
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
The Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally Rally afficionados rejoice! The Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (www.stpr.org) is returning to the Wellsboro area again. This year’s event marks the 41st annual running of those ridge roads famously marked by mud or dust and sharp switchback turns. This exciting race through the woods is the oldest, continuously-running motorsports event in Pennsylvania. Drivers will compete against each other—and the Pennsylvania Wilds—June 2-3, with Wellsboro as the base. STPR was the last endurance event on the national racing schedule maintaining the oneday format and is designed with a high stage/transit mileage ratio. Thanks to the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), STPR includes some of the most demanding roads in the country. When Waste Management added stages, the Rally went to two days. According to STPR Committee Chair Meredith Croucher, STPR recently announced that the 2017 contest will be sanctioned by a new partner, the American Rally Association (ARA). Croucher says she was pleased to secure the local rally’s traditional dates and explained that the switch in sanctioning bodies is a natural progression designed to sustain the rally as one of America’s best. She mentions that cost containment played a role as a coalition of rally folks and rally events brought about the ARA’s involvement. “We have appreciated all the efforts of previous sanctioning bodies that kept STPR at a high level of safety and competitiveness. We have confidence that ARA, led by rally veteran Tim O’Neil, will continue those efforts,” says Croucher. “Just as the change of management at a company or a business, the STPR change of sanctioning body can invigorate a motorsports event. We had felt a breath of fresh air was brought to the event here as the Sports Car Club of America took on the sanctioning responsibility for our Waste Management Winter Rally in 2016. We anticipate a similar influx of energy from ARA.” She says that there may be a slightly smaller field of rally racers since the rally is in its first year with the new sanctioning body, but adds that “the Subaru rally team has committed to serve as a series sponsor.” David Higgins from England, with numerous European rallies under his belt, and Travis Pastrana, an All-American competitor, are in as well. Croucher assures everyone who loves STPR that they can have confidence that the commitment of the event committee with area members, sponsor Waste Management, and other major sponsors—Citizens & Northern Bank, Exedy Clutches, PA DCNR, and the Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce—will continue as before. Participants and spectators can expect another great event in 2017.
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SALES SERVICE FINANCING Since 2007
Servicing All Cars and Light Trucks. Also Offering RV Sales & Repair! 12461 Route 6 Wellsboro, PA 16901
(570) 724-2661 www.allwheelsdrivenpa.com
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FESTIVALS & EVENTS
The Green Monster “Every year, me and a couple hundred other masochistic souls set out in the mountains of Asaph to test ourselves and improve our physical and mental well-being,” says local runner Micah Sargent. “While I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘fun,’ there’s something rewarding about completing something most folks would rather avoid. We aren’t running for our lives, but it is a monster that inspires us.” The trail running event is called the Green Monster, and it lives up to its name, gobbling up those not ready for a challenge. Travis Twoey, who currently serves as a board member in the Tyoga Running Club (TRC) created the race in 2012 to challenge contestants to stretch their boundaries and push themselves in the mountains of northcentral Pennsylvania. The original race was a 25K. In 2013, the club added a 50K course, and last year they added the “Mini Monster,” a 15K course. Since 2012, the race has grown from around 125 runners to over 400. “The whole idea is to get out and run in the mountains,” says Travis. But don’t let his offhand description fool you. This course is tough. The 25k course asks runners to climb over 4,000 feet; the 50k’s ascent is almost twice that. Even the 15k starts with a grueling climb up the “Deer Trail.” “When we designed it, I looked for the toughest hills we could find,” says Travis. “There are probably easier ways to get through Asaph.” If you’re wondering why in the world someone would do this sort of thing, you’re not alone. Travis states, “The whole idea was to challenge everybody. We wanted them to walk away knowing that they had experienced Asaph in a challenging way.” “As a two-time 25k finisher, I’ll say they’ve accomplished their goal,” says Micah. If you need a carrot at the end of the stick, know that at the end of the race there is free beer from local brewery Yorkholo, some savory barbecue sandwiches, as well as several well-stocked aid stations along the trail. Travis says, “We’ve never had anybody finish that race and say they wanted their money back.” The 2017 Green Monster is scheduled for October 8. The TRC puts on a number of other races in the area including the Pine Creek Challenge, the Canyon Man 100, and the Mt. Tom Challenge. Visit their Facebook page for more information. What do you think? Are you ready to take on the monster?
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Wellsboro Office: 9 Charleston Street License, Title, & Tag Services Full Service Travel Agency Insurance Services Financial Services Roadside Assistance Mobile App Discounts & Rewards Program
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The Great Outdoors
Birding on the Pine Creek Rail Trail If you happen to find yourself walking along the Pine Creek Rail Trail with binoculars hanging around your neck or carrying a camera with a big lens, there is a good chance someone will stop you and ask if you have seen any eagles. Nesting bald eagles are by far Pine Creek’s most popular wildlife sighting, and rightly so. Huge and majestic, they usually fly at tree-top level in the gorge, and often perch right over your head in branches overhanging the trail. They are reliable breeders and annually occupy the same nests. The Darling Run nest is right across the creek from the parking lot, and you will very likely see a bald eagle in it or nearby. There are many other spectacular birds to be seen along Pine Creek. These include Baltimore orioles, scarlet tanagers, indigo buntings, eastern towhees, hooded mergansers, wood ducks, and, of course, the dozens of species of wood warblers. The wood warblers are particularly attractive; sightings are eagerly sought in the spring by birders throughout the country. We are especially fortunate here, because elsewhere these beautiful migratory birds fly right on through. When they come to our area, though, many of them stay and build their homes for the summer. Hooded warblers, magnolia warblers, black-and-white warblers, and Canada warblers prefer the higher elevations. The common yellowthroats, chestnut-sided warblers, and yellow warblers, prefer the brushier areas right along the creek. Bring along those binoculars, because they are small birds and you might have to look hard to find them. Wood ducks and hooded mergansers are among our most beautiful waterfowl, and they are often seen plying Pine Creek’s cool waters. All along the creek, Baltimore orioles build their amazing hanging, bulbous nests. If a mayfly hatch is in progress, you may see some very large flocks of sleek birds with yellow tail bands and a cardinal-like crest in fast pursuit. These are cedar waxwings. You often see them eating berries, but when a hatch is on they descend on Pine Creek in enormous numbers. Some birds are not as flashy to look at but do have wonderfully beautiful songs. Hermit and wood thrushes come first to mind, but the plaintive song of the white-throated sparrow is lovely, too. Occasionally you will hear the “who-cooks-for-you” call of the barred owl. They are not always easily seen, but their distinctive hooting echoes within the canyon. Birding along Pine Creek provides countless opportunities to see much that is truly wonderful. All you need to do is keep your eyes and ears open and pay attention. The rewards are endless.
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The Great Outdoors
On Our Lakes Looking for some great places to swim, float, or fish? Then head to the lakes around Wellsboro for water-based recreation. From bird-watching to boating to big bass, you can find it here. The largest of our region’s lakes are the Cowanesque and the Tioga-Hammond, both under jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Originally constructed as flood control projects, they both have day-use beaches for swimming, concessions, boat launches, campgrounds with comfort facilities and power hookups, and overnight mooring. There are no-wake zones, but there are no horsepower restrictions on either lake. A walk along the Cowanesque’s four-mile Moccasin Trail reveals Mother Nature at work—the forest and brush are slowly reclaiming nearby fields that had once been cultivated. There are areas of easy fishing access; the deeps near the dam are a hotspot for muskellunge anglers, while the waterfall at the western end attracts bass anglers and photographers. A channel connects Tioga and Hammond Lakes, and the lookout there offers a spectacular view. Close by is the start of a three-plus-mile hike-and-bike trail that runs to Mansfield. For more information go to www.visitpa.com/ pa-fishing/tioga-hammond-and-cowanesque-lakes or call the Ives Run Visitor’s Center at Hammond Lake at (570) 835-5281. The Visitor’s Center has maps, camping information, and advice on the best areas to explore, and there are several trailheads nearby, including a mile-long archery trail with targets and tree stands. Just a few miles away is Hills Creek State Park with over five miles of trails winding through forest, marshlands, and a variety of wildlife habitats. Careful observers may spot deer, grouse, and bear. A special highlight is glimpsing members of the beaver colony busily engineering habitat in the marshes. The 137-acre lake has a sandy beach for swimming forays or sunbathing, three boat mooring areas, and two launches; only electric motors are permitted. Picnic, comfort facilities, and summertime concessions are all near the waterfront. Campsites range from primitive to furnished cottages, cabins, and Mongolian-style yurts. Go to www.dcnr.state.pa.us or call (570) 724-4246 for more information. The Mid-State Trail (www.hike-mst.org), known as Pennsylvania’s wildest footpath—and, at 323 miles, its longest—overlaps some local trails and connects the Cowanesque, Hammond, and Hills Creek Lakes. Hidden near Sabinsville is the sixty-seven-acre Beechwood Lake (www.visitpa.com/pa-fishing/beechwood-lake), offering one boat access launch. This picturesque lake is a good option for anglers in electric and non-powered vessels, and is stocked in the early season with trout. For families seeking a serene setting to picnic and canoe, Hamilton and Nessmuk Lakes are attractive options. A short drive down Route 287 south of Wellsboro, Nessmuk’s dam has recently been broadened and its underwater habitat improved. Hamilton Lake, just east of Wellsboro, appeals to young anglers due to its ease of access and less potential for snags.
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Draper’s Super Bee Apiaries, Inc.
7 N. Main Street Mansfield, PA 16933 (570) 662-3097
QUALITY BICYCLES • New & Refurbished • Repairs on All Brands • Parts and Accessories
www.OswaldCyClewOrks.COm
Honey...How sweet it is! We produce and sell high quality, natural honey products and much more. Come take a tour of our facility! Reservations are recommended for large groups. Call for details.
Monday-Friday 32 Avonlea Lane 8am-5pm Millerton, PA 16936 Saturday 800-233-4273 8am-1pm or 570-537-2381 www.draperbee.com
4-Star Golf Digest Rating
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC STAY & PLAY PACKAGES AVAILABLE! LUNCH • DINNER FULLY STOCKED BAR
Rental Clubs available at the Pro Shop!
759 PINE CREEK ROAD WELLSBORO, PA 16901 570-724-1653 • CALL FOR TEE TIMES
www.tyogacc.com
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ARTS & MUSIC
Endless Mountain Music Festival What do klezmer, bandoneon, and the Wild West have in common? They are all part of the Endless Mountain Music Festival’s (EMMF) 2017 summer concert series. EMMF Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser, the full-time conductor and artistic director of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, brings renowned soloists and the EMMF orchestra—his handpicked band of world-class entertainers, cleverly disguised as classical musicians—back to our community to live, occasionally teach, and generally delight the ear for three weeks of performances in the peak of the summer. Based in Wellsboro, this year the EMMF will also stage multiple performances in Mansfield, Corning, and Elmira, and individual concerts in Tioga, Knoxville, and Cherry Springs State Park. “I get to realize my dream of bringing a diverse group of wonderful artists to celebrate life in the Twin Tiers,” says Stephen with excitement. “What a great series of concerts for 2017.” So what is klezmer, you might ask? “It is celebratory music composed by gypsies of Eastern Europe,” explains Stephen, and he is bringing Max Buckholtz and his ensemble specifically to present Melodies of Eastern Europe at the Rockwell Museum on July 24. The bandoneon? It is to the tango as accordion is to the polka, and Argentinian bandoneon master Emmanuel Trifilio (pictured above) will be back with EMMF for two performances, Viva el Tango! at Wellsboro’s Deane Center for the Performing Arts on July 27 and again with the full orchestra onstage at the Corning Museum of Glass on July 29, performing Astor Piazzolla’s Bandoneón Concerto. The Wild West makes its appearance in Cowboy Legends! A full-orchestra concert at Mansfield University’s Steadman Auditorium on July 28, envisioned specifically for young people, it will feature video and music from The Magnificent Seven, How the West Was Won, High Noon, and Dances with Wolves. This concert—as well as every one of the festival’s sixteen shows—is free for anyone under twenty-one. Two concerts are free for everyone—the August 2 Four Hands! performance at Knoxville Yoked Church featuring EMMF favorites Asiya Korepanova and Xixi Zhou on piano, and the Oh, My Stars EMMF Brass Ensemble concert on July 30 at Cherry Springs State Park. (You do have to register with the park to come in at night. Call (814) 435-1037 or go to www.events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park to sign up.) From pure classical to jazz (July 26 sees Terry and Paul Klinefelter at the Arnot Art Museum for Songs of Jazz! On August 1, at the Penn Wells Hotel, Bram Wijnands and Friends get All Jazzed Up! ), and a whole bunch in between, this year’s EMMF schedule opens in Mansfield on Friday, July 21, and closes in Corning on Saturday, August 5. Go to www. endlessmountain.net for more information or tickets or call the box office at (570) 7877800.
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Hamilton-Gibson Prod uct ions Community Performing Arts
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest proof
March
17, 18, 19, 24, 25 Sponsored by Partners In Progress and Citizens & Northern Bank
Mame June
22, 23, 24, 25 Sponsored by Elite Therapy; Drs Cruz & Wong; Dr. Rick & Karen Doganiero
ive Music Great L
to the Deane Center Coming MAIN STREET WELLSBORO, PA
Celebrating Our 5th Year! Friday ••June 30th Saturday March 11th• 7:00pm • 7:30pm
History Alive... Charm Comes City Junction Thomas with Ken Jefferson Kolodner
Wedding
Belles April
21, 22, 23, 28, 29 Sponsored by Ward Manufacturing
August
7 – 12 Sponsored by 131 Main Street Bed & Breakfast
Friday •• May Saturday April26th 22nd• 7:30pm • 7:30pm
Nick Kody and the Rave On! Creek Road Band
The music BuddyRock Holly,NRoy Orbison more! Deep friedofTexas Roll comesand to much Wellsboro.
Only-$15 Tickets: $12 - BYOB Warehouse Gallery
Friday • June 16th • 7:30pm
Corvettes Doo Wop Revue The great music of the 50’s and 60’s is back! Tickets: $20, $17 - Seniors
Listen, Ask Questions, Take Pictures. (Foot stomping, hard driving melodies & Bluegrass) Tickets:Tickets: $15, $12$20 - Seniors
Saturday • May 6th • 7:30pm
Moondance
The ultimate tribute to Van Morrison! Tickets: $20, $17 - Seniors
Callinformation 570-724-6220 forupcoming tickets or information. For on all our events or to order www.deanecenter.com tickets call 570-724-6220 or visit www.deanecenter.com 25
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Birthdays • Weddings & Receptions • & More! For reservations call 570-753-8585
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RES RESORT T and LOUNGE
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We offer 53 different cabins and rooms equipped with modern full service kitchens and baths, air conditioning, fireplaces, jacuzzi tubs, TV, gas grills, picnic tables and fire rings. For lodging reservations call the resort at 570-753-8000.
g Pool und Pool & Basketball tore Ice Cream Parlor oard
Come See Our New Renovations!
R E S R E S O RT. N E T 27
ARTS & MUSIC
The Deane Center Turns Five Spring and summer bring all manner of good things to the Wellsboro area—farmers’ markets, food stands, festivals and parades, and the new line-up of live music and events at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street (www.deanecenter.com, [570] 724-6220). This year marks the fifth year of operation for the Deane Center, which began with a dream and a bequest from local residents Harold and Ivah Deane, for whom it is named. Their vision was to establish a home for the performing arts in Tioga County; the center is the product of that vision and a collaboration of community energies, dreams, and hard work. The facility, the former Davis Furniture store, now hosts a variety of concerts and events, and offers venues for dozens of other uses. The Concert Series is held in the Coolidge Theatre, the Deane Center’s black box theater, which can seat 190 people. Some regional bands scheduled for this season are Moondance—The Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute, and the much-anticipated annual Corvettes Doo-Wop Review in the middle of June. This will also be the third season of the Center’s Gallery Music Series, set in the adjoining Warehouse Gallery. Every week, different area musicians and bands will perform in a relaxed, intimate, family-friendly setting. Tickets are typically $12 to $15, and tables can be reserved in advance. Guests are welcome to bring their own drinks and food and enjoy a variety of regional acts hailing from Williamsport to the Finger Lakes. In addition to hosting an eclectic mix of musical performances, the Deane Center presents its third “History Comes Alive” series this year, during which historical re-enactors, dressed in period garb, perform. Among those personalities expected this year are Thomas Jefferson, chief author of the Declaration of Independence, and Ulysses S. Grant, Union general and eighteenth president of the United States. More than just a venue for the performing arts, the Deane Center has space available for meetings, receptions, weddings, and showers. Yoga, exercise, and spin classes run throughout the week for locals and passers-through alike who need a place to work up a sweat. Regular dance, voice, and art lessons are also available. The Deane Center is the home venue for the Wellsboro Community Concert Association and two local choruses. Hamilton-Gibson, our community theater group, holds many of its performances here. In July and August the Endless Mountain Music Festival, our area’s largest annual musical gathering, will have performances here as well. Harold and Ivah Deane would be thrilled.
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A Good night’s Rest
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Our neighbors
Antique Automobile Club of America
Folks who enjoy seeing classic cars are in for a treat this July, because that’s when the Hershey-based Buzzard’s Breath touring group, a chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), will roll into Wellsboro with a collection of vintage automobiles. Since 1935, the AACA has had one goal—the preservation and enjoyment of automotive history of all types. Bob Giles, who helped organize this “progressive tour” and will be behind the wheel of his 1930 Model A, is all about that as well, and is looking forward to spending a few days in the Wellsboro area and giving residents and visitors a chance to see some fabulous old cars. And there will be plenty of opportunities during the five days the group will be in the region. The plan, Bob says, is for the Vintage Tour to arrive in Wellsboro Monday, July 17. He anticipates about fifty cars will be in the tour; most of them will arrive via trailer, as they are all 1931 or older, and will be parked at various locations around town. Tuesday morning the group will head to Watkins Glen, then on to Hammondsport (where they’ll spend the night), the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, and the Corning Museum of Glass. They’ll be back in Wellsboro Wednesday night, and the cars will be parked around the Green for public viewing. The evening’s activities will include a watermelon social and entertainment on the Green. On Thursday the cars and drivers will head south to Woolrich, then to Piper Aircraft Museum, and back to Woolrich for “shopping for the ladies,” Bob continues. The group will spend the night in Lock Haven, and on Friday will head north again. The day will include a visit to Pennsylvania College of Technology to see, among other things, the school’s automotive restoration program. After one more night in Wellsboro, the Buzzards’ Breath crew will head home. The AACA also organizes the Reliability Tour, the Founders Tour, the Sentimental Tour, and, the most prestigious of all antique auto tours in the country, the Glidden Tour. Call the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at (570) 724-1926 for more details about the classic car cruise-in, or see the AACA Facebook page.
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A Good night’s Rest
Your Host: tHe Kauffman familY Enjoy the views from our deck overlooking Pine Creek and relax with a drink in our bar. 392 Slate Run Road Slate Run, PA 17769 570-753-8414 www.hotel-manor.com
BUCKTAIL CAMPING RESORT FAMILY FUN PARK 130 Bucktail Rd Mansfield, PA 16933 570-662-2923 www.bucktailcamping.com Rides & Activities for All
Old Wellsboro Inn
Est. 1821
This location was Wellsboro’s first stage coach stop and tavern. Five rooms all with private bath. Free Wi-Fi. Within walking distance of downtown Wellsboro. Dave Ibach, Inn Keeper 100 West Avenue • Wellsboro, PA 16901 610-223-3892 • 610-780-2321 www.oldwellsboroinn.com
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X áàADKED
Antique Merry-Go-Round, Mini Train, Hay Wagon, Fire Truck, Tower Slide, Weekend Themed Activities & Music Events, Arts & Crafts, Fishing Pond, ADA Pool, & much, much more!
Camping Accommodations include… Tent sites, water and electric sites, full hook-up sites, pull through sites, and many cabins rentals!
Our neighbors
Watkins Glen State Park Waterfalls are magical and have long captured the imagination and eye of observers. Water rushing over the edge of a rocky outcropping, plunging into a bright white mist, and then shaping the environment around it—well, it is enough to astound and delight for hours. Multiply this by nineteen—some sixty feet high—and you have the allure and timeless appeal of Watkins Glen State Park. Just over an hour’s drive north of Wellsboro, the park, nestled in the heart of Watkins Glen, New York at the southern end of Seneca Lake, hosts the obvious outdoor opportunities—camping, fishing, and swimming are just a few—but the real gem of the park lies in its natural beauty—raw and spectacular. The park’s history is equally rich and impressive. Over 10,000 years ago, the recession of glaciers sculpted what we now know as the Finger Lakes region into an area of captivating and diverse landscapes. Morvalden Ellis, a journalist from Elmira, first opened this particular bit of ornately carved land to the public in 1863. Originally operated as a tourist resort, it has not lost any of its charm, spirit, or appeal, and is, in fact, visited annually by nearly one million people. New York State purchased the park in 1906, and since 1924 it has been managed by the Finger Lakes Region of the New York Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. More recently, Watkins Glen State Park was named one of USA Today’s Reader’s Choice Best Parks in the United States, and continues to impress and astound its many visitors every season of the year. The park features myriad attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Hiking the famous Gorge Trail is a great place to start, and the Rim Trails make for excellent forays into the picturesque woods surrounding those exquisite waterfalls. Fishing nearby provides a relaxing reprieve from today’s fast-paced world, and pavilion space available for rent caters to the outdoor enthusiast in every person. Large group or small, the park offers trails and tours for every interest. From swimming to playgrounds to picnics, Watkins Glen State Park is an unforgettable trip that will surely be one of the highlights of your visit to our area. Renovations are proposed for this summer, but the plans for building a new visitors center and redoing one of the parking lots will not affect the ability of visitors to enjoy the park. Visit www.parks.ny.gov/parks/142/ or call (607) 535-4511 to find out what’s waiting for you at Watkins Glen State Park.
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the CHERRY on top of your FINGER LAKES experience
4676 NY Route 414, Burdett, NY 14818 www.fingerlakesdistilling.com (607) 546 5510
Captain Bill’s Seneca Lake Cruises Seneca Harbor Station Dinner & Lunch Cruises Waterfront dining
1/2 mile north of the State Park
607-535-4541
www.senecaharbor.com
1 North Franklin St, Watkins Glen
BREWS
CHEWS New! Life is good Store Downtown Watkins Glen 412 N. Franklin Street Next to Famous Brands
607-535-4952
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LODGING
Open Year Round | Hector, NY www.GristIronBrewing.com
A “Wonder-ful� Place to Experience! The Town Located along scenic Route 6, quaint and quiet Wellsboro offers a unique experience to all visitors. The town boasts distinct shops that appeal to all ages and genres, eateries that cater to all tastes, and lodging provided through hotels, motels, beautiful Victorian style bed and breakfasts, and various rentals. The Canyon Minutes from town, one can enjoy Pine Creek Gorge; a Natural National Landmark. The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania provides 47 miles of scenic beauty within two State Parks (Leonard Harrison and Colton Point), hiking, backpacking, bicycling, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and birding. There is something for adventurers of all levels and interests. The Rail-Trail The canyon also hosts the Pine Creek Trail; 62 miles of flat-grade surface, the length of the canyon. USA Today named the trail a Top 10 Bike Ride. The trail offers year-round access through cross-country skiing, horsedrawn wagon rides, and an equestrian trail. The nearby Asaph area offers intermediate and advanced mountain biking.
For more information visit www.wellsboropa.com 34
Simple Indulgences “All you need is love... but a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”
—Charles M. Schulz
Highland Chocolates
FREE Factory Tours & Retail Store
“Extraordinary Chocolates by Extraordinary People” Store Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 10-2 Call for Holiday Hours Tour Times: M-F 9:30-2:15 Saturdays Seasonally
11724 Route 6, Wellsboro, PA 16901
(Corner of Route 6 & Shumway Hill Road)
800-371-1082
www.highlandchocolates.org Highland Chocolates is a non-profit entity that provides employment for people with disabilities. All proceeds from our sales directly benefit those we serve.
WE EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO SUCCEED!
Peggy’s Candies and Gifts (570) 724-3317
82 Main St. Wellsboro, PA
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Boutiques & Specialty shops
CS Sports & Wild Asaph Outfitters CS Sports, formerly Country Ski and Sports at 81 Main Street, re-opened its doors last November under the new ownership of Curt Schramm. Curt has been teaching folks to ski for over thirty years and is happiest sharing his passion for outdoors activities with others. “The overwhelming support of the community was the driving force behind our continued success,” says Curt. “All of us here are enthusiastic about outdoor things; we all bike, we ski, and snowboard. We’re all members of the Tioga County Ridge Riders (mountain bike) Club.” He and his employees are familiar with the best (and sometimes hidden) places for bicyclists, skiers, and trail-runners. They pride themselves on being a full-service bike shop. “From general maintenance to complete overhauls,” says Curt, “we do everything. It’s also a great place to network with like-minded riders.” CS Sports specializes in hard goods such as bikes, skis, snowboards, and outerwear for the trails. With the advent of fat-tire bikes, biking in the region has become a yearround activity, and their shop stocks gear for riding in all weather and conditions. Access to the Pine Creek Rail Trail and other great riding opportunities are within a short drive of CS Sports. For more information go to www.cssports.biz or call (570) 724-3858. • Four doors down, at 71 Main Street, Wild Asaph Outfitters specializes in all equipment needed to take on the hills by foot—hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and more. Given the store’s small size, customers are often surprised at the extensive selection inside. Owner Jenny Lusk takes pride in being a small-town store that provides great gear choices as well as the advice and experience not always found when purchasing online. She and her staff can direct visitors to the popular spots and, for those seeking a more rugged path in the Pennsylvania Wilds, to the lesser-known woodland trails. From clothing and footwear to packs, sleeping bags, camp stoves, tents, and maps, Wild Asaph can outfit overnight woodland explorers or day-trippers. Jenny says one of the popular items sold these days are Vermont-made Darn Tough socks. They are colorful, woolen, come in a range of weights and sizes, and have an unconditional lifetime guarantee. Another very cool product is the Luci Light, an inflatable solar-powered LED lantern. It’s clean, lightweight, and safe, and will shine for ten to twelve hours on a charge and hold a charge for three months if unused. The store is home to the Asaph Trail Club’s monthly meetings; Jenny also sponsors activities hosted by the Tyoga Running Club and volunteers her time at trail events. Stop in the shop, grab some trail maps, and hit the great outdoors! For more information go to www.wildasaphoutfitters.com or call (570) 724-5155.
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Full Service Bicycle and Snowsports Shop promoting Outdoor Fun All Year Round Visit and LIKE our Facebook page: C S Sports Inc 81 Main St • Wellsboro PA 16901 570-724-3858
Open: M,Tu, Th, F: 9:30—6:00; W & Sa: 9:30–5:00 Open: Sundays June, July & August
M ini -G olf • G eM M ininG large gift shop
• rocks • knives
• t-shirts • jewelry
• Minerals • toys
Open 10-5:30 • 7 Days A Week MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY On Route 6 • Gaines, PA
814-435-8280
www.northwoodsgiftshop.com 37
Celebrating 112 Years The Place to Shop for the Whole Family
Boutiques & Specialty shops
Mountain Home Art Gallery What can you supply to a town that already has so much—restaurants, boutiques, realtors, hair salons, a candy store, a theatre, and a performing arts center? Wellsboro’s other iconic assets include the charming gas lights on the boulevards of Main Street and Central Avenue, the Green, with the famous Wynken, Blynken and Nod statue, and, of course, Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon. Visitors and residents capture these and other images—the essence of Wellsboro—via the camera lens. How could this historic town not have a place to display those photos? Now it does. “Look at this wall,” building owner David Zavetsky had said to Mountain Home folks, sweeping his arm toward the ceiling towering overhead at 87½ Main Street. “This would make a great art gallery.” The gears started grinding, the elves worked their Christmas magic, and, in record time, the Mountain Home Art Gallery was born. The gallery officially opened its doors on December 2, 2016, the day before the annual Dickens of a Christmas festival. Situated between Garrisons Men’s Shop and Stained Glass Reflections, the gallery is nestled in the heart of Main Street. Procuring the artwork proved easy, thanks to an abundance of local talent, and the newly painted white walls were soon blooming with eye-catching color and creative compositions. Many of the gallery’s photographers have had their work appear in Mountain Home magazine—and more than a few have won IRMA (International Regional Magazine Association) and Keystone Press (from the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association) awards for the magazine. Besides the familiar canyon and Main Street scenes, local photographers have brought to the walls everything from brilliant sunflowers and columbine close-ups to European cathedrals and Middle Eastern landscapes. Just shy of one hundred framed photographs are currently hanging, and everything displayed in the gallery is available for sale (gallery staff can also arrange shipping of purchases). Some portion of the exhibit space will always include local photography, but the gallery will also display the work of other fine artists. In June, National Dairy Month, the gallery will feature the exuberant dairy-themed paintings of Troy artist Sadie Allen, the hand behind the delightful Dancing Heifer art collection. At the end of the summer, Cowanesque Valley award-winning painter C.F. Lawrenson, nationally distinguished for his nature landscapes and children’s books, will open a show at the gallery. For information on gallery artists and information on openings, call (570) 724-3838, visit the gallery Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaNewYorkArt/), or read about them in Mountain Home magazine (www.mountainhomemag.com).
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Treasure Agents
Beneath The Veil, The Realm of Faery Awaits
ANTIQUES UNIQUE GIFTS VINTAGE CLOTHING Open Thurs-Mon
5 East Avenue
Wellsboro, PA 16901 (570) 951-6822
featuring...
Our Mission: • Love • Light • Healing
Mind… Body… Spirit An Enchanting Gift Shoppe Est. 2000
Like us on Facebook
Fine Art & Textiles; Past & Present
Beth’s Country Treasures 650 Nauvoo Road Morris, PA 16938 (570) 353-6262 Open Wed-Sat. 10-5
6 East Avenue Wellsboro, PA (570) 724-1155 www.enchanted-hollow.com
Great Selection of
WELLSBORO PA GRAND CANYON T-SHIRTS
Kathleen Schnell Artist/Owner
CLASSES & Custom Work w w w. C o t t a g e G l a s s w o r k s . c o m
570-948-9007 •
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Wellsboro, PA 16901
Men’s Shop, Ladies Clothing, and Accessories
89-91Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901 www.garrisonsmensshop.com 570-724-3497
Boutiques & Specialty Shops GREAT EATS Johnny’z Hot Rod Café How do you feel about burritos? John Zavett loves ’em, and that’s why he opened Johnny’z Hot Rod Café at 76 Main Street. He explains that his previous job kept him travelling around the area and he “couldn’t find a place anywhere to get a burrito.” One thing led to another and, with a brother who owned an empty storefront on Main Street, the logical solution that presented itself seemed to be: make your own burritos. And tortillas, tacos, nachos, loaded baked potatoes, subs, rice bowls, salad bowls, and a bunch of tasty things in between. Pair the freshly prepared food with bright, contrasting colors on the walls and a fun car-themed décor (the afore-mentioned brother is also something of a motorhead), and you’ve got a recipe for success. “Everything here we put together as a sort of ‘what do I want to eat?’ and then ‘what do the customers want to eat?’” says John. “We’re really being warmly received. Everybody tells us it’s been a breath of fresh air.” The way it works is like this. At Johnny’z Hot Rod Café, the menus are encased in a laminate that makes it easy to write on with a dry-erase marker. You walk in, smell the amazing aromas, take some time to study your options, then take marker in hand and start selecting. You can pick something from the “Standard Models” section, say a roasted beef or roasted chicken (the meats are roasted in-house) or veggie burrito, all of which come with brown rice, refried beans, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and salsa. Then you can add things from the “Custom Shop” side like homemade pico or creamy lime/cilantro dressing, extra beans, black olives, whatever you like that makes your burrito your burrito. Or, go for one of Johnny’z “Signature Models”—he’s done the creative work for you and all you need to do is enjoy the results. There is also a place for customers to write on the wall—really! “We did the wall for a community thing,” says John. “It’s really funny the different messages you get.” The community has also contributed car-based memorabilia, and even some interesting steampunk-themed artisanal creations that are available for sale. Though he’s been on Main Street only a few months, John says he plans to be here “a real long time.” He’s already thinking ahead to what interesting use he might make of the store’s “underground level” and he’s also working on a Johnny’z Burnout Burrito (one of the Signature Models) Burnout Competition. Keep an eye on Facebook for more details or call (570) 723-1221.
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GREAT EATS
Log Cabin Restaurant Being the owners of the Log Cabin has one down side: there’s just never enough time to sit at the customer side of the bar and relax with friends. So, when you visit the restaurant, that will be your job. The Log Cabin, (814) 435-8808, on Route 6 west, about fifteen miles from Wellsboro, is celebrating its eighty-fifth birthday this year. Built in 1932 by Jack Larison—the pines used in construction were cut from the property—the business has had just five owners. The most recent are Pam and Dan Romaneo; they’ve had it for thirteen years and are mindful of the special place this business has in the hearts and minds of its customers. “Good friends, good food—we are so blessed,” says Pam. The Log Cabin is famous for its steak and seafood and bountiful salad bar, but is just as well-known for its longevity, its friendly, cozy, and rustic atmosphere, and even for the “writing on the wall” in the bathrooms. Pam says fathers bring their sons in for a meal and then show them where they wrote their names on the wall in the bathroom. “We try to preserve history, right down to the writing in the bathroom,” Pam laughs. “I would never sell or move or take anything from the Log Cabin.” Seriously. She says she “changes the décor every month,” but, basically, nothing else. “We have lots of regulars, and weekends are always crazy and packed,” she continues, adding that there is very little staff turnover, so customers get to know the staff and ask for them by name. “We’re definitely a family here. I work every day right along side them. We vacation together. We do everything together. We have so much fun.” So, you’re invited to join the fun. Whether you’ve had a day on Pine Creek fishing, an afternoon of mountain biking, or you’ve hit the shops and antique stores in town, plan to cap it off with a libation and dinner at the Log Cabin. Chances are good Dan or Pam will personally greet you, and it’s likely your server can not only describe in detail all the yummy menu offerings, but can suggest where to go and what to see as you explore Wellsboro and the surrounding area. If the bar is hopping, you may see Pam and Dan looking a little longingly from the other side. Pam chuckles, “I can’t wait ‘til it’s our turn to sell and we can be the people at the bar.”
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GREAT EATS
The Red Skillet The Red Skillet sandwich has been called extravagant and luxurious, and the more pious might even call it sinful. The succulent pulled pork sandwich— doused in a homemade barbecue sauce that’s full of tang with just a hint of sweetness, placed under a crisp, healthy portion of coleslaw, bounded by a brioche bun—is fit for royalty. For those kings or queens whose love of food borders on hedonism, the Red Skillet (the tidy food truck at 99 Main St. that is the creator of this eponymous delight) will happily add bacon to your order. This signature sandwich is the invention of Wellsboro native son Brad Goodwin, who cut his teeth here in the restaurant business, working at his parents’ Laurel Café as a teenager. Unable to outrun the restaurant bug, where, Brad admits, “you never live the same day twice in the excitement of a restaurant,” he headed to culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina. In his early twenties, he moved back home to run the café for his parents. Eventually deciding it was time to branch out, he moved to Lancaster to study cabinet making—supporting himself through school by (you guessed it) working at restaurants. “The restaurant business always calls me back,” he says, “no matter what I try.” But, burnt out on full size restaurants and all the complications that go with them, he moved back to Wellsboro in 2012 and downsized the dream into a more attractive dimension. Buying a completely empty trailer, he put his cabinet making skills to work, creating a seven- by fourteen-foot kitchen where every inch had to work at peak efficiency, especially given the Red Skillet’s extensive menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers, and sides (including poutine, that savory Canadian delicacy of fresh cut French fries topped with cheese curds melting under pan-seared gravy). Opened in 2013, the Red Skillet sets up bistro tables in the courtyard beside Garrisons Men’s Shop in mid-April every year, as sure a sign that spring has set in as the daffodils. (Open Monday through Thursday 11:00 to 2:30; Friday 11:00 to 3:00, and open late on First Friday nights, it closes down for the winter months in mid-October.) One thing led to another. Last summer Brad added pop-up dinners to the Red Skillet’s burgeoning year-round drop-off and full-service catering businesses. The inventive, locally-sourced-asmuch-as-possible, four-course BYOB dinners, complete with tent and linens, will be held monthly through the summer months. Go to www.redskillet.net or call (570) 787-4545 for more information and to make reservations.
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PINE CREEK VALLEY
WATERVILLE, PA
Family Oriented Casual Atmosphere Bordering PA Rails to Trails Outdoor Patio Bar/Grill Outdoor Ice Cream Shack Accessible Overnight Accommodations
Morris, PA
Food • Legal Beverages • Take-Out Beer www.watervilletavern.com
570-753-5970
www.Facebook.com/WatervilleTavernPA
Hunan, Cantonese & Szechuan Cuisine
Dine In or Carry Out Hours: Mon.-Sat.: 11am-10pm Closed Sunday 570-724-4220 or 570-724-4295 31 Main Street • Wellsboro, PA
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Over 125 Craft Beers Credit Cards Accepted
www.facebook.com/www.crossroadstavern.net
(570) 353-6641
BECOMING A LOCAL
The Green Free Library Quick! Name a place in Wellsboro you could visit today that may have seen your grandmother’s grandmother come through the door. This place started with a mission to educate, entertain, and support local residents and it still does to this day. The Green Free Library, named for Charles Green, who had donated money to Wellsboro to finance the costs of having a town library, has been in operation for more than 100 years, and in 2017 is celebrating a century in its current location at 134 Main Street. But, they don’t have ghosts. We asked. Library Director Leslie Wishard said visitors come to see the historic Chester Place, which houses, among its other treasures, a grandfather clock belonging to Pennsylvania Governor William Stone, Wellsboro’s native son. The stately building, portions of which were constructed in 1855, is named for Chester Robinson, who bequeathed the house to the town for the library. After he died in 1890, his daughter, Mary, oversaw renovations and named the building Chester Place after her father. “We take being caretakers of the building itself very seriously,” Leslie says. “In fact, in preparation for the anniversary we built a porch on the back, put a roof over the wheelchair ramp, and blacktopped the driveway.” After doing all that work, Leslie and the Green Free Library staff hope people will help the celebration by attending one of the monthly special events for the centennial. “There will be many happenings this year. For instance, we are bringing in someone to talk about e-readers and how to get the most out of them. We’ve teamed with the Wellsboro Social Club to display a 1903 map of Wellsboro that they had restored. We are planning a celebration in April with our local elected officials, once the weather is more pleasant. And yes, there will be a cake!” Ask her if libraries are still relevant in this era of the digital word and she responds quickly, “Of course they are. Our children’s programs are very important to our families. Choosing a book to take home is a big thrill for a child who just learned how to read.” Often, those children grow up to become mothers and fathers who bring their kids to the same library. And senior citizens find a real lifeline to the outside world at the library. Between the price of computers and the cost of Internet service, many folks count on the Green Free Library computers to get their email, read news, and tend to their financial portfolios. Free movies to take home are a plus, too. The library was visited more than 45,000 times last year and nearly all of its 58,000 items were checked out. Audiobooks, e-books, DVDs, and mp3s are all available now, along with local history help and a genealogy service. As Leslie says, “This isn’t your grandma’s library.” But, actually, it could have been. Follow the Green Free Library’s centennial year of celebration at www.greenfreelibrary.org or call (570) 724-4876.
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Guthrie Now
Online Visits 24/7
www.GuthrieNow.org 24- hour ATM access & Saturday hours
As Wellsboro’s hometown bank of 152 years, we invite you to stop in and visit with us. 90-92 Main Street | www.cnbankpa.com 1-877-838-2517 47
BECOMING A LOCAL
Our Courthouse Bell History lives in Tioga County’s communities, and the locals—whether they are first generation or can claim some higher number—are justifiably proud of that. In Wellsboro, the county seat, the Tioga County Courthouse is one of the buildings epitomizing the past incarnate. The old section has been well maintained since its construction in 1835; the upstairs courtroom is one of the most stately and elegant in the Commonwealth. These days, visitors must access the building via the recently completed security entrance, which opens into the lobby of the newer courthouse building. There stands an 800-pound bit of history. It’s not the Liberty Bell, but it could be construed, perhaps, to be the Liberty Bell’s cousin, maybe once or twice removed. This bell was cast by John Wilbank, who lived in the Germantown area of Philadelphia. Mr. Wilbank was contracted in 1828 by the city of Philadelphia to cast a replacement for the famously cracked Liberty Bell, which he did. The story goes that he was given the cracked bell as part of his payment and was to remove it from the clock tower, but he balked at what that would have cost him. So, in return for the city dropping its breach of contract suit against him, he cast the 4,000-pound Liberty Bell replacement, gave it to the city, and the cracked bell was spared the fate of being melted. There doesn’t seem to be any information about how Mr. Wilbank came to be commissioned for casting Tioga County’s Courthouse bell, but there is some about the bell itself. It has a very distinctive, melodious tone, and could be heard from great distances. It was, of course, rung to convene court sessions, but also tolled for special occasions such as the Fourth of July and George Washington’s birthday. According to one account, it was “rung at intervals” to announce political and other civic meetings at the Courthouse, including an 1838 Whig Party meeting. Tioga County Commissioner Erick Coolidge and Chief Clerk Derek Williams explain that during building renovations the Courthouse bell tower was found to be in poor condition, which put the bell itself in danger. After some discussion, the decision was made to remove the bell and have it professionally refurbished. It was, as Erick says, a commitment to maintain “the grandeur of what the Courthouse means and an investment in our history.” The Tioga County Courthouse, at 118 Main St., is on the Wellsboro Walking Tour. Be sure to stop in and see Mr. Wilbank’s bell.
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What if everyone showed up to the prom in a Limousine? Class up your your last dance with Elite Transportation’s “Prom Ticket Plus” Now everyone gets to be the king and queen! Call to make your arrangements at 570.724.2424.
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7 Charleston Street
570-948-9180 OPEN Sunday - Thursday: 10:30 am — 10 pm Friday & Saturday: 10:30 am - 11 pm
DELIVERY • CARRY-OUT • DINE-IN 49
Feel right at home at The Laurels.
“We thought we could handle mom on our own, but she was forgetting to take her pills and not eating. She wasn’t safe living alone. We finally called The Laurels. They understood the challenges we were experiencing and offered expert help and care. Not only is she now safe, she is happy living at The Laurels.” The Laurels believes that providing a premier personal care home experience begins with our people. That’s why our caregivers are not only highly trained professionals, but they are also a joy to be around. The Laurels is conveniently located in downtown Wellsboro, directly across from Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital.
(570) 723-6860 UPMCSusquehanna.org/TheLaurels
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Susquehanna Health is now UPMC Susquehanna.
Together
your healthcare team is even stronger. At Susquehanna Health, we have a proud history of caring for the community and putting the needs of our patients first. That tradition of service and excellence continues as we merge with UPMC. Our affiliation with UPMC, one of the best hospitals in the nation, is based on shared values and a mission to provide compassionate, personalized care to the people we serve. Now as UPMC Susquehanna, we are able to bring a new level of innovation and advanced care to you and your family — with an even stronger healthcare team. For more information, visit UPMCSusquehanna.org. *Accepting most major insurances including GHP and Highmark.
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