“The People, Places & Passion Behind Warren’s Economy”
AUGUST 2025
Top Photo Courtesy of Warren County Visitors Bureau
Corry Manor
640 Worth St. Corry, PA 16407 (814) 664-9606 CorryManor.com
Bradford Manor
50 Langmaid Ln. Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362-6090 BradfordManor.com
1118 Woodward Dr. Greensburg, PA 15601 (724) 736-4424 Hemp eldManor.com
Corry Manor
Occupational and Speech
Care Conference Programming Home Evaluations Prior to Discharge
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640 Worth St. Corry, PA 16407 (814) 664-9606
CorryManor.com
419 Waterford St. Edinboro, PA 16412 (814) 734-5021
EdinboroManor.com
682 Pleasant Dr. Warren, PA 16365 (814) 723-7060 WarrenManor.com
Pre-Surgery Registration Available Inpatient and Outpatient erapy Physical, Occupational and Speech erapy Care Conference Programming Home Evaluations Prior to Discharge
Manor 900 Manchester Rd. Fairview, PA 16415 (814) 838-4822
Fairview-Manor.com
Sweden Valley Manor 1028 E. 2nd St. Coudersport, PA 16915 (814) 274-8018
SwedenValleyManor.com
Manor 50 Langmaid Ln. Bradford, PA 16701 (814) 362-6090
BradfordManor.com
We offer a “Whatever It Takes” approach to meet your unique employment search, recruiting, and staf ng needs. We focus our pursuit speci cally on your individual goals.
Although QuickStaff is a stand-alone organization, with several branches, we are a part of Employers’ Strategic Partnership Group. This allows your business the bene ts of a full Human Resources, Environmental Health and Safety, and Business Process Solutions company as well.
Our Convenient Office Locations:
Our services include:
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404 Market St, Warren PA 16365 (814) 406-4467 QuickStaff of Warren 500 Pine Street, Suite 11 Jamestown, NY. 14701 (716) 720-5770 QuickStaff of Jamestown 4801 Peach St. Suite 2, Erie PA, 16509 (814) 315-1616 QuickStaff of Erie
311 Main St. W., Girard, PA, 16417 (814) 402-1015 QuickStaff of Girard
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We provide tax preparation and planning, auditing and attest services, accounting and other specialized services to individuals, small businesses, corporations, nonprofit organizations, and employee benefit plans in Warren and surrounding counties.
Built upon sound principles, solid managerial styles and over seventy years of experience, K&A serves over 1,500 individual and business entities. Our team is comprised of professionals with extensive experience in business-related accounting services.
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716.487.1111 ext. 222 dbrunner@post-journal.com
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716.487.1111 ext. 299 tgrobaski@post-journal.com
ADVERTISING Anna Vik 814.723.8200 avik@post-journal.com
Warren is named for a man who might have been one of our nation’s Founding Fathers.
But, there is no Founding Father named Warren.
When Joseph Warren’s commission as a general failed to arrive in time for the Battle of Bunker Hill, he volunteered to fight among the troops, instead of leading them. He was killed in that battle on June 17, 1775.
Warren has been called the Founding Martyr or the forgotten Founding Father.
NAMESAKE HISTORY
He was a Harvard graduate and a doctor and he was considered a leading revolutionary. He had been president of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress — a post also held by John Hancock. He sent Paul Revere on his famous ride.
The Borough of Warren was incorporated on May 7, 1832. The borough’s highest population was enumerated in the 1940 census — 14,891.
The borough became the City of Warren in 1988.
Gen. Warren has a park and a statue in his honor in the triangle formed by Pennsylvania Avenue West and the western end of Third Avenue.
Like his commission as a general, it took some time for Gen. Joseph Warren’s name to settle on a county in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Warren was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill fighting with the men, rather than leading them, because his commission did not arrive in time.
Early records put this part of the state in Allegheny or Lycoming county.
In 1800, the state legislature created eight new counties — including Warren. The five of those in the
northwestern part of the state were lumped together for tax purposes as Crawford County, with Meadville as county seat.
Later that year, a Brokenstraw Township was created. That township had the same border as what is now Warren County.
Warren lost its dependence on Crawford County in 1805... and became part of Venango County. That arrangement lasted until 1819, when the legislature formally created the separate Warren County, with two municipalities — Brokenstraw and Conewango townships.
Photo Courtesy of Susanne Salcido
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Compiled by Michelle A. Gray, Managing Director, Warren County Historical Society
The earliest documented history of Warren County, Pennsylvania, dates back to the Paleo and Archaic eras uncovered during an archaeological dig at the Buckaloons in Brokenstraw Township, 8,000 BC. The 1941 Sugar Run Mounds excavation in the Kinzua area uncovered the existence of the Hopewellian peoples in the northeast corner of the county between 200 BC through 500 AD. A 1964 discovery by Dr. Stanley Lantz led to a 30-year excavation project that proved the existence of a prehistoric Native American culture that occupied the Middle Allegheny River region between 960 and 1360 AD.
In the Sixteenth Century, the Seneca tribe, part of the Iroquois Nation, controlled the area, and in 1749, French explorer Celeron de Blainville led an expedition sent by the new French government to establish sovereignty. Celeron buried a lead plate near the mouth of the Conewango Creek to signify France’s sovereignty. During the ensuing years, after the French influence ended and the Revolutionary War had begun, Cornplanter, the most noted Seneca Chief, aligned with the British. After the war, Chief Cornplanter became a defender of the new American government and in 1796, the government gifted him and his heirs several parcels of land. The Cornplanter Grant, located in Warren County, became his home until his death in 1836.
In 1795, the town of Warren was laid out by General William Irvine and surveyor Andrew Ellicott. Warren’s first structure was a log building erected by the Holland Land Company as a supply depot. In about 1806, the first settlers began to locate in Warren, and the town was incorporated as a borough in 1832. The earliest inhabitants were Scotch-Irish, followed by successive waves of immigrants from Germany, Sweden, and Italy.
In 1797, John Chapman, aka Appleseed, spent the winter in the Brokenstraw Valley bunking with Mathew Young, Youngsville’s namesake, and planted his first apple orchard near Garland. This was the location of the first store in Warren County.
In 1800, Warren County was formed. Nine hundred two square miles were erected out of Lycoming and Allegheny Counties by an act of legislature. From 1800 to 1805, Warren County was attached to Crawford County for judicial purposes, and from 1805 to 1819, to Venango County. In 1819, after a sufficient increase in population, Warren County was established bordering on the north by New York State, on the east by McKean County, on the west by Crawford and Erie Counties, and on the south by Venango and Forest Counties. Originally, hardwood forest covered much of the western portion, while large stands of pine and hemlock grew in the creek alleys and southeast of the Allegheny River. The river and its three major tributaries in Warren County—the Conewango, Brokenstraw and Kinzua Creeks—were natural waterways for the rafting of lumber, which was the county’s main industry
for many years. Sawing and rafting of lumber continued to be a major activity late in the 1800s. Prior to 1830, only the keelboat provided two-way river transportation from Pittsburgh. Following 1830, with the arrival of the steamer “Allegheny,” a succession of steamboats from Pittsburgh served as transportation until the early 1860s, just a few years after the Sunbury and Erie Railroad was completed from Erie to Warren.
Beginning in 1826, stagecoaches operated for over 75 years in Warren County, running between Dunkirk and Warren, Franklin and Warren, and Sugar Grove and Jamestown.
In 1854, the Miller and Younie families of Sugar Grove hosted the June 17 & 18 Abolitionist Convention that was attended by Frederick Douglas who later reported in his newspaper The North Star that it was, “The Crowning Convention of Them All!”
After the 1859 discovery of oil in neighboring Venango County, the Tidioute Grandin family became the second to drill for oil prompting the onset of many oil boom towns in the area. The first free flowing oil well in the world was drilled in Tidioute on August 13, 1860. In 1861, Henry R. Rouse suffered fatal burns in an oil well fire, leaving his estate to the improvement of roads and bridges and aiding the poor of Warren County. His legacy is still active today.
By the 1880s, Warren had become a hub of railroads leading in all directions, farming began to flourish, the manufacturing of furniture and other wood products expanded; large tanning operations in the Sheffield area expanded; the fabrication of products from iron began its steady climb; and, as time progressed, 13 refineries existed within an eight-mile radius of Warren.
In 1923, the Allegheny National Forest was established as a result of the 1911 Congressional Act. Due to 80 years of timber removal for many different uses, the once lush forest land had become greatly depleted leaving barren hillsides as far as the eye could see. The motto “Land of Many Uses” was adopted and the goal of a healthy, vigorous forest that provides wood products, watershed protection, a variety of wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities became sustainable. The establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s proved to be advantageous for the area’s forests as well.
In 1965, the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir were built to provide flood and pollution control from Warren to Pittsburgh. The dam became a great source of hydropower and one of the most popular recreational areas in the northeast United States. The remainder of the dry land was integrated into Mead Township, and the Cornplanter heirs were alleviated of their ancestral land.
In 1999, the National Park Service listed the Warren Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, denoting almost 600 structures within the City of Warren as historically significant. In 2021, Tidioute and Youngsville were named “Heart & Soul” communities by PA Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
WARREN COUNTY BY THE NUMBERS
Warren County has 884.3 square miles of land area and is the 16th largest county in Pennsylvania by total area.
POPULATION BY
EDUCATION
Source: U.S. Census, Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industr y.
WHERE WARREN WORKS
$54,500$63,690
THE TOP 10 EMPLOYERS
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Targeted Pet Treats
Targeted Pet Treats (TPT) has become known in the industry as one of the leading innovators in injection molding of food technology and is committed to its vision of “Enhancing the Lives of Pets Every Day.”
TPT was created in November 2000 as a joint venture between Ainsworth Pet Nutrition (APN) and Moldsmiths. During the first five years TPT had no employees, sourcing all labor through Moldsmiths and being guided through the pet category with APN’s expertise. In July 2005, TPT hired their first associate. Fast forward twelve years to a fully staffed autonomous juggernaut with a team of over 250!
Together with its trading partners, the company has had a hand in creating many of the most successful and pioneering products in the industry. It doesn’t end there, TPT is known for its best-in-class food safety program and superb customer service. As your source for global branded projects, we boast certifications for all major markets across the planet.
Pennsylvania General Energy
Pennsylvania General Energy was founded in 1978 in the city of Warren by four businessmen. One of the partners purchased exploration acreage from Floyd Clinger, a well-known oil and natural gas pioneer in the Appalachian Basin. At the time, the partners knew little about the oil and natural gas business but set out to learn all that Mr. Clinger could teach! They began buying wells in Northwestern Pennsylvania and drilling 15 to 20 wells a year to build up production and capital needed to expand their operations.
In the beginning, PGE limited its exploration efforts to shallow wells. Once those operations became more profitable, the company was able to embark on bolder exploration: deep-well drilling.
The company relied upon new technology, seismic testing, and experienced personnel to successfully locate rich natural gas and oil reserves. In 1988, PGE was given the opportunity to acquire 80,000 acres of oil, natural gas and mineral rights in New York and Pennsylvania, along with 6,000 acres of timberland and the equipment to manage it.
A second acquisition in 1995 involved the purchase of 1,200 producing oil wells and a smaller number of natural gas wells. Part of that agreement included PGE’s commitment to bring all the wells into compliance with state environmental regulations.
Today, PGE is a leading, privately owned, independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company in the Appalachian Basin. By relying on the right people, advanced technology and a personal business approach, the business partners who came together in 1978 to take a chance on a new venture have built PGE
into a proud and growing organization making positive contributions to the region’s economy and environment.
Pennsylvania General Energy is a strong, family-oriented company that believes in giving back to the communities in which we live, work, and play. For 40 years, PGE has striven to build trusted relationships with their employees, lessors, and the communities neighboring their operations. PGE takes great pride in their efforts to be good corporate neighbors and partners, and the goal is to establish lasting economic and social benefits in our operating areas. They know that success is directly tied to the success of the people they work with in counties, cities, towns, and boroughs across Pennsylvania. PGE aims to protect the land, air, and water where they operate while making a positive economic impact on each community!
National Fuel
National Fuel understands that to deliver sustainable value for the benefit of their shareholders, employees, customers, and communities alike, they must continue to conduct their business activities in a way that promotes their six guiding principles: Safety, Innovation, Environmental Stewardship, Satisfaction, Community and Transparency.
National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE: NFG) is a diversified, integrated energy company with a complementary mix of natural gas assets located in the heart of the prolific Appalachian Basin, supplemented by quality oil-producing assets in California. From the bottom of the wellbore to the customer’s burner tip, National Fuel has structured its collective group of businesses in a unique manner that leverages their vast upstream resources, valuable midstream footprint, and reliable downstream operations to position the Company as a responsible player in America’s energy renaissance.
Incorporated in 1902 and headquartered in Williamsville, New York, National Fuel employs over 2,105 full-time employees. National Fuel Gas Company has $6.2 billion in assets distributed among the following five operating segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Gathering, Utility, and Energy Marketing. National Fuel’s history dates to the origins of the natural gas industry. Since the early 1800s, National Fuel and its predecessor companies are tied to many industry firsts and have pioneered several industry practices. They have evolved through periods of changing regulation, supply scarcity and industry consolidation and are now playing a significant role in the industry’s rebirth!
Ellwood
Built on ELLWOOD Quality Steels’ foundation of world-class steelmaking know-how, ELLWOOD Nation-
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BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
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al Steel was chartered in 2005 to meet the ever-increasing demands of forging industry customers for high quality, low-cost ingots. First expanding ELLWOOD Quality Steels’ manufacturing capacity and then extending our capabilities by commissioning a vacuum oxygen decarburization unit for efficient, high-quality stainless steel and nickel-based alloy production and expanded ability to produce electroslag and vacuum arc re-melted ingots, ELLWOOD National Steel is an integral part of ELLWOOD Quality Steels’ success.
At ELLWOOD National Steel we are committed to our culture of continuous improvement. Our relentless drive to improve our products and processes is based in sound technique led by world class engineering and craftsmanship, a deep commitment to safety, continual investment in quality, productivity, and service, an ISO 9001 Quality Assurance System, and industry-leading equipment and methodology.
Every phase of the steelmaking system at ELLWOOD National Steel is highly monitored and closely controlled using a state-of-the-art quality control system which enables us to achieve remarkable repeatability of ultra-precise alloy content, providing unmatched quality steel. Our open-die forging, extrusion, and ring rolling customers put our product to the test in markets including aerospace, oil and gas, power generation, mining, defense, industrial, construction, and transportation. We are always motivated to push further knowing that our product sees final applications ranging from diesel engine locomotive crankshafts to ultraclean tool steel for plastic injection molding, space rocket engine components, and structural components for the world’s most innovative architectural buildings.
To learn more about ELLWOOD National Steel and its offerings, visit www.ellwoodqualitysteels.com.
Superior Tire & Rubber Corp.
“As vendor of choice, we provide technical excellence to give our customers a competitive advantage.”
That is the vision statement of Superior Tire and Rubber Corporation, located in Warren.
Founded in 1964, Superior Tire & Rubber Corp. is a designer and manufacturer of polyurethane and rubber industrial components for the material handling, construction, agricultural, military and mining industries. All Superior Tire & Rubber Corp.’s product offerings are proudly engineered and produced in the USA on state-of-the-art processing and machining equipment. Overseen by quality management systems, more than 20 CNC machining centers, we are registered to ISO 9001 standards and environmental standards registered to ISO 14001.
With comprehensive experience gained for over a half century, we provide:
• In-depth knowledge and extensive inventory of elastomer choices
• In-house design, technical modeling, and design support services
• Linear, non-linear mechanical and thermal analysis using Algor FEA and custom software tools
• Complete casting library for all industrial drive manufacturers
As a result of our quest to provide our customers with a competitive advantage, Superior Tire & Rubber Corp. has many patents and patents pending in the areas of: Stabilizer Casters, Industrial tires, Street-Sweeper wear parts and Track Pads. We have extensive capabilities for compound analysis and development, static ASTM testing capability calibrated to national standards, dimensional inspection, and dynamic testing for complete functionality assessment.
A partial list of equipment includes:
• X-ray fluorescence analyzer
• Brown & Sharpe CMM
• Mooney rheometer
• Caster dynamic testing equipment
• Tire traction testing equipment
• FLIR infrared camera systems
• Computerized mixing and pouring equipment for polyurethane molding
Our leadership team believes our employees are the key to success, we make it a priority to create employee training and development programs that offer employees a “Path to Grow.” To achieve our vision, we place emphasis on engaging employees on continuous improvement initiatives that add value. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including but not limited to: Medical Insurance, a 401(k) that matches up to 6% of your salary at 100%, profit sharing, up to $5,000 annually in tuition reimbursement, a free life insurance plan, subsidized Warren County YMCA memberships and a wellness program. Superior Tire & Rubber Corp. offers a place where contributions matter!
The “Most Reliable Products in the Market” is what we strive to offer our customers, through guaranteed product performance, winning logistics, same or next business day guaranteed shipment, from warehouses in Pennsylvania, and innovative product solutions in every product category. We are proud to call Warren County our Home!
Whirley - DrinkWorks!
Whirley-DrinkWorks! is a family owned and operated manufacturer with two locations in Warren, Pennsylvania. Our Molding Facility is located across the street from our main office, on Fourth Avenue, and houses both extrusion and stretch blow mold presses. Operating with four teams working 12-hour shifts, our mold facility operates seven days a week and offers a variety of positions including: Packers, Material Handlers, Production Assistants and Mold Setters. Our Harmer Street facility is located about two miles away from our main office. The 257,400 square foot facility houses our final decoration and assembly, warehousing, and shipping processes. The facility operates on the traditional eighthour shifts with several positions including Assembler, Printer, Material Handlers along with leadership positions such as Supervisors and Shift Managers.
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
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We’ve been in operation since 1960, designing and manufacturing products for the food and beverage industry. Back in 1960, Bob Sokolski and Hal Conarro started a coin-operated laundry business. They called it “Whirley Wash,” after the motion the machines made as they cleaned. Success soon followed! It wasn’t long before Bob and Hal decided to parlay their good fortune into another arena: car washes.
Sparkle Car Washes — a chain of coin operated sites — was soon born. They stated to supply their own equipment and began supplying hundreds of other car washes around the country.
Looking for a fresh challenge, Bob and Hal turned their attention to plastics. Their new venture, Whirley Industries, stormed into the world of plastic promotional products for the food and beverage industry and became the #1 company of its kind!
Keeping the Whirley legacy alive these days is tough work — but we love it!
In today’s “been-there, done-that” culture, keeping the interest of the consumer requires as much artistic vision as it does market savvy. To stay ahead of the curve, we added DrinkWorks! an industry innovator, to our winning team.
When Whirley-DrinkWorks! was formed you could practically see the creative sparks flying. Tradition met cutting-edge and awesome met amazing! Now, as one company, we’re better prepared to meet your needs and exceed your customers’ wildest expectations. We are passionate about delivering safe, quality products and take our commitment to corporate responsibility seriously. We have developed programs focused on sup porting our community, enriching the lives of individu als with disabilities through our Work Center program, as well trying to leave the planet a better place than when it was found.
Supporting our social programs in our local and global communities is an important part of our heritage that we will always continue to uphold. Whirley-DrinkWorks! takes pride in being involved in our community; we love calling Warren County home!
Betts Industries
Betts’ commitment to always Do What’s Best has posi tioned it as an industry-leading manufacturer of critical components and lighting systems for the tank truck industry, worldwide. Betts has led the way with innovation and expertise in designing and producing a range of valves, manlids, pressure/ vacuum relief valves, accessories and lighting systems for multiple liquid tank, dry bulk, and industrial applications. Founded in 1901, our 100 plus year history, steeped in family ownership and community values, has built a legacy and reputation for fair, honest business practices and genuine customer relationships. It’s the three words of advice reserved for when things really matter. A universal reminder to us all to never settle, always strive and always be true to ourselves and our principles. A personal challenge that proves our character even in the face of adversity and trial.
Holding nothing back, we strive for excellence in all we do—and especially in the relationships we forge with our families, our employees, and our loyal customers. In doing what’s best, we find greater reward that stands the test of time. It’s the path that has guided strong families for generations—generations of loyal customer relationships. It’s what fills us each day with clarity, purpose and intent.
Bett’s Core Values; These are the five core elements that define who Betts is as a company:
1. A family legacy of caring that extends from our employees to our customers, distributers, community, and industry. At Betts, It’s Personal.
2. Dedication to manufacturing products and solutions that lead the industry in quality, innovation, state-ofthe-art technology, and safety.
3. Century-long history, marked by an unwillingness to accept “good enough,” and our drive to find the simplest, most intelligent solution. If it can be done, we will design, develop, and build it.
4. Commitment to fairness in all we do, from pricing relationships.
5. Leadership and culture as the confident choice for our employees, our community, our customers, and our industry.
Northwest
In 1896, the Bradford Building Loan and Savings Association opened its doors in Bradford, Pennsylvania.
Although the bank’s name, headquarters and product offering changed over the past 122 years, one thing remains—Northwest has held strong to the hometown banking tradition its customers and communities know and love.
Sixty-six years after its inception, the bank used “Northwest” in its name to become “Northwest Savings and Loan Association”.
In 1969, Northwest moved its main office to Warren to take advantage of certain regulations. This move allowed Northwest to expand to Venango and Erie counties, in addition to McKean, Crawford, Elk and Warren counties. Northwest officially moved its headquarters to Warren in 1974.
PNC Bank
As one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the commonwealth, PNC values strong relationships that serve the individual needs of customers and the communities in which it operates. PNC Bank has a long history of strengthening and enriching communities throughout Warren County and Northwestern Pennsylvania.
Within Warren County, PNC supports the future of young children through PNC Grow Up Great, a $350 million, multi-year, bilingual program to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life. As part of its early childhood education initiative, PNC created two traveling education exhibits that visit community events and local classrooms. The Mobile Learning Adventure provides opportunities for families to learn about the value of school readiness through fun, interactive games contained within two large orange tents.
In addition, PNC introduced many local children to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) basics by bringing a mobile planetarium to the school. Inside the inflatable dome, children take an imaginary trip to the moon and back with Sesame Street’s Elmo, Big Bird, and Hu Hu Zhu – a Muppet from the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. In the process, they explored the night sky and learned basic principles of math, geometry, and physics, and about each other’s culture.
PNC’s community outreach extends to the Warren County YMCA, Warren Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council, Don Mills Achievement Center, Warren Head Start and Chickadee Day Care. Working together, they have brought educational programs to hundreds of local preschool children each year.
To further support early childhood outcomes, PNC’s Warren County employees give their time through a progressive policy that permits up to 40 hours a year of paid time off for volunteerism.
Through its financial services, PNC offers individuals and businesses a full range of lending products, from mortgages to lines of credit, and student, auto and business loans. PNC also offers specialized services for corporations and government entities as well as corporate banking, real estate finance, asset-based lending,
wealth management and asset management.
Over the last couple of years, PNC has invested more than $1 billion to upgrade technologies that serve customers’ personal banking needs and guard against cybersecurity threats. Its investments have improved mobile banking options while increasing digital connectivity, so Warren County individuals and businesses can bank where and when they choose.
As these many efforts demonstrate, PNC’s shares the Main Street values that have made Warren County a place to live and prosper.
First Energy
FirstEnergy Corp. was formed in 1997 through the merger of Ohio Edison Company and Centerior Energy Corporation. Through this merger, FirstEnergy became the holding company for Ohio Edison and its Pennsylvania Power Company subsidiary, as well as The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company and The Toledo Edison Company.
At that time, FirstEnergy was the 11th largest investor-owned electric system in the nation, based on annual electric sales of 64 billion kilowatt-hours, with total assets of nearly $20 billion. Based in Akron, Ohio, the new company employed some 10,000 employees, served 2.2 million customers within 13,200 square miles of northern and central Ohio and western Pennsylvania, and had approximately 12,000 megawatts of generating capacity.
FirstEnergy nearly doubled its revenue to more than $12 billion and customers served to more than 4.3 million when it merged with the former GPU, Inc., based in Morristown, N.J., in 2001. GPU served 2.1 million customers in a 24,000 square-mile service area in Pennsylvania and New Jersey through its three operating companies: Metropolitan Edison Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company, and Jersey Central Power & Light Company.
In 2011, FirstEnergy completed a merger with Allegheny Energy, a Greensburg, Pa.-based company that served 1.6 million customers in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia. The merger more than doubled FirstEnergy’s highly efficient, supercritical coal capacity and provided opportunities for the company to grow and expand into new markets with a stronger, more focused competitive operation.
In 2016, FirstEnergy announced its plan to move away from commodity-exposed generation by mid-2018, and fully focus on opportunities in its regulated distribution and transmission businesses.
Today, FirstEnergy’s 10 regulated distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, based on serving 6 million customers in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
FirstEnergy remains committed to protecting the environment while delivering safe, reliable electricity to six million utility customers in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic regions. In keeping with our balanced, long-term approach, we are continually looking for ways to minimize
BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
the impact of our operations on the environment. Over the years, we have invested in environmental controls at our facilities—leading to substantial emissions reductions. We’re committed to the long-term economic health of the communities we serve through our support of development efforts that create jobs, support local suppliers, and attract new businesses throughout our service area. During the past 10 years, our economic development efforts have helped attract nearly $26 billion in capital investment and create more than 89,000 jobs in our service area.
PA American Water
Through our initiative to impact the communities we serve Warren County is no exception!
Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 2.4 million people. With a history dating back to 1886, American Water is the largest and most geographically diverse U.S. publicly traded water and wastewater utility company. The company employs more than 7,100 dedicated professionals who provide regulated and market-based drinking water, wastewater, and other related services to more than 14 million people in 46 states. American Water provides safe, clean, affordable, and reliable water services to our customers to make sure we keep their lives flowing.
ucts include kerosene, diesel fuel, Number 2 home heating oil, industrial fuels, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), propane and several grades of asphalts.
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Each year, Pennsylvania American Water typically invests $250 million-$300 million for system maintenance and upgrades to our water and wastewater operations. These investments are necessary to improve treatment facilities, storage tanks, wells, and pumping stations to ensure that your water and wastewater service meets all regulatory standards. In addition, we proactively replace aging pipes, valves, service lines and other parts of our early more than 11,000-mile network of water and sewer main to enhance water quality, service reliability and fire protection for the communities we serve.
United Refining Co.
United Refining Company is an independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products. We fuel cars, trucks, farm and construction equipment and heat homes and businesses in Pennsylvania and portions of New York and Ohio.
United was founded in 1902 in the cradle of the world petroleum industry.
From the start we have cherished a role of independence in an industry that has been dominated by the giants. For over 100 years we have remained a free and innovative force in the marketplace helping to bring the benefits of healthy competition to the people of our region. United owns and operates a modern, fully equipped refinery. While primary emphasis is placed upon maximizing yields of motor gasoline and distillate fuels, the refinery produces a full range of petroleum products. In addition to unleaded gasoline, our prod-
Through the years, United has continued to grow by expanding and optimizing the refinery and by acquisition and the building of new locations in our retail gasoline and convenience store business. Today we have over 350 retail outlets in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York, which include service station/convenience stores, truck stops, restaurants, and garages. The locations are branded Kwik Fill / Red Apple Food Marts and Country Fair. In addition to operating the retail system, United also has a trucking operation in Erie, Pennsylvania, terminal operations in Rochester, Tonawanda, Oswego, and West Seneca, New York as well as Dravosburg and Springdale, Pennsylvania. United owns an asphalt terminal in Cordova, Alabama and maintains an office in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
United averages approximately 70,000 barrels per day of oil throughout its facility. The refinery operates 24 hours per day, 7 days a week and employs over 4,000 employees at our facilities.
It is the mission of United Refining Company to provide our customers with a stable supply of the highest quality petroleum products at competitive prices, ensure corporate profitability and growth, invest in the future of the company and community, while providing a safe and challenging working environment and encourage the personal development of our employees.
& INDUSTRY
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Key Bank
KeyBank is an American regional bank headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and the 25th largest bank in the United States.
The path to financial wellness starts here.
KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $187 billion at March 31, 2024.
Its management structure and basis of presentation is divided into two business segments, Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank.
The Consumer Bank serves individuals and small businesses throughout our 15-state branch footprint and through our national Laurel Road® digital lending business targeted toward healthcare professionals. We offer a variety of deposit and investment products, personal finance and financial wellness services, lending, student loan refinancing, mortgage and home equity, credit card, treasury services, and business advisory services. In addition, wealth management and investment services are offered to assist nonprofit and high-networth clients with their banking, trust, portfolio management, charitable giving, and related needs.
The Commercial Bank includes our Institutional and
Commercial operating segments. The Commercial operating segment is a full-service corporate bank focused principally on serving the needs of middle market clients in seven industry sectors: consumer, energy, healthcare, industrial, public sector, real estate, and technology. The Commercial operating segment is also a significant servicer of commercial mortgage loans and a significant special servicer of commercial-backed mortgage security. The Institutional operating segment delivers a broad suite of banking and capital markets products to its clients, including syndicated finance, debt and equity capital markets, commercial payments, equipment finance, commercial mortgage banking, derivatives, foreign exchange, financial advisory, and public finance.
Enjoy the benefits of being a KeyBank client. We offer checking & savings accounts, credit cards, insurance, and loans.
West Penn Oil:
West Penn Oil Inc. is a company specializing in liquid packaging for oils and other automotive liquids. For almost 100 years we’ve been a major supplier throughout the United States!
At West Penn Oil Co., Inc. we have origins going back to the 1860s for oil brokerage until we began packaging and blending in 1940. Since then, we have built our business to help some of the United States major brands like Quaker State, Pennzoil, and American Refining. West Penn Oil Co., Inc. began operations as an oil brokerage company. Unlike other brokerage firms of the time, West Penn always purchased products produced from PA crude oil and established ownership in their own name before selling these products. The discovery of oil in Pithole, Pennsylvania in 1859 sparked an economic boom in Pennsylvania and western Ohio.
Warren is situated on the banks of the Allegheny River so West Penn was able to use the river to transport barrels of crude oil on flat bottom barges to any of the 13 refineries in the area. West Penn continued to operate as a brokerage house until the 1940’s when West Penn moved to North Warren and began blending and packaging Motor Oil for the war effort. It continued packaging primarily oils for the next 30 years. In 1974 three businessmen from Buffalo, NY purchased the company from Ernest C. Miller, the son of one of the founders. West Penn expanded its operations to include packaging product for regional refineries such as Quaker State, Pennzoil and American Refining. West Penn also packaged lighter fluid for Zippo and Gulf Oil.
In 1982 the company changed hands again and was purchased by the son of one of the Buffalo owners. The company continues to package oils as it has in the past, but also has expanded into all areas of the automotive aftermarket. This market includes Oil Treatments, Fuel Injector Cleaners, Radiator Flush, Radiator Stop Leak, Brake Fluid and Power Steering Fluid.
Since 1940 we have been packaging liquids and oils and have always stayed on top of the latest technological needs. Our team has over a hundred years of combined experience!
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Winterfest, February
Fourth of July Celebration, July
Bent Fest, April
Warren County Pride, July
Warren County Fair, August
Jakes Rocks Trail Fest, September
PA’s State Fishing Tournament, September
Christmas Parade, December
THE TRAILS AT JAKES ROCKS (TAJR)
TAJR, a concept born in 2013 from the Leadership Warren County initiative, opened for mountain biking enthusiasts in September 2016 with 10 miles of beginner and intermediate level trails being completed.
Since that opening, 22 miles of new trail has been added, expanding the beginner and intermediate level offerings with more challenging and difficult advanced trail features and topography to meet the needs and desires of bikers, hikers, and trail runners of all ages and abilities.
TAJR attracts over 25,000 users annually from across the US and Canada. As a premier stacked-loop mountain biking and hiking trail system, with over 35 miles of expertly designed and professionally built trail, TAJR is located in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest and PA Wilds. Adjacent to the Longhouse National Scenic Byway in Warren County, Pennsylvania, the trails wind through boulders the size of houses and a variety of forested landscapes.
TAJR was developed in partnership with trail development company Trail Solutions, a sister company of
IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association), Kay-Linn, LLC, Applied Trail Research, Dirt Artisans, the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry, and the US Forest Service. With segments designed for riders, hikers, and trail runners of all ages and skill levels, the Trails at Jakes Rocks provides users with a variety of challenges year-round.
The Trails at Jakes Rocks has received numerous awards since its opening in 2016.
• 2021 PA Wilds Great Places Award
• Ranked “ #1 epic trail” by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA)
• Voted #1 best trail system in PA by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
A recent economic impact analysis found that TAJR draws over 25,000 users annually and generates an estimated $9 million in annual tourism spending. Over the last eight years, the Trails at Jakes Rocks has had 150,000 visitors and has become not only the 2024 PA Trail of the Year but a regional asset for the entire Northwestern Kinzua territory of Pennsylvania. During the third full weekend of September, the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry hosts an annual event to highlight this amazing community resource called the Jakes Rocks Trail Fest. In 2023, 750 mountain bike riders, from across the United States and Canada, descended on Jakes Rocks and Kinzua Beach to attend the Jakes Rocks Trail Fest. With the recent 2024 PA Wilds Champions Event of the Year recognition, attendance is expected to increase dramatically. The festival is a weekend packed with fun, food, music and family-friendly activities for all ages. Regardless of your age, your level of fitness or skills, TAJR has something to offer you as a gateway to the beauty of the Allegheny National Forest. Make sure you check it out during your next visit to Warren County!
ALLEGHENY HAS PLENTY TO OFFER IN NATURAL WONDER
The Allegheny offers a wide variety of recreation activities including boating, camping, hunting, fishing, ATV riding and snowmobiling that result in about 4 million recreation visitor days annually. The 12,000-acre Allegheny Reservoir provides boating, camping and fishing opportunities.
About one-third of the world’s supply of black cherry furniture veneer is provided by the Allegheny National Forest. In addition, numerous oil and gas wells are located throughout the forest.
Abundant fish and wildlife provide a variety of hunting, fishing, and viewing opportunities. The changing colors of the hardwood leaves each fall provide spectacular views from the many overlooks around the forest.
Climate
The area has four distinct seasons, with an annual precipitation of about 40 inches.
— Spring brings many blooming wild flowers and other natural vegetation.
— Summers are warm and moderately humid with average temperatures of 75-80 degrees.
— Fall provides panoramic views as the foliage turns spectacular colors of yellow, reds and purples.
— Winters are moderate with average temperatures of 20-25 degrees and about 60 inches of snowfall annually.
Highlights of Management
European settlers reached this area in the early 1800’s. At first, trees were cut to clear land for agriculture and to provide timber for cabins and barns. Soon, the first commercial water-powered mills cut small amounts of lumber from selected pine, hemlock and large hardwoods.
Deer
By 1900, deer and their predators were almost eliminated due to over-hunting. The Pennsylvania Game Commission began to restore the deer herd by importing deer from other states.
In 1911, Congress passed the Weeks Act, allowing the federal government to buy land in eastern states for the establishment of National Forests. The Allegheny National Forest was established in 1923.
The land was so depleted that many residents jokingly called it the “Allegheny Brush-patch.” Some worried the forest would never recover. But with low deer populations, a new forest did quickly grow.
Abundant browse led to a dramatic increase in the deer population, which peaked in the 1940’s and again in the late 1970’s. Since the mid-1980’s, the deer population has remained fairly constant -- although at a level
higher in many places than the forest can support.
Recreation
During the 1920s, recreation on the ANF focused mostly on dispersed activities such as hunting and fishing. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps changed the face of National Forests by building hundreds of recreation facilities, including Twin Lakes and Loleta Recreation Areas on the ANF. These facilities became popular after World War II when newly-mobile families discovered the joys of outdoor recreation.
The creation of the Allegheny Reservoir when the Kinzua Dam was completed in 1965 brought the most dramatic change to developed recreation on the ANF. Within ten years, a tremendous development program resulted in campgrounds, boat launches, beaches, picnic areas, hiking trails and overlooks around the reservoir shoreline and elsewhere throughout the forest.
Water
As a result of industrialization and widespread unregulated logging of the Allegheny Plateau, many rivers and streams were threatened with intense pollution and channel instability. President Calvin Coolidge recognized the importance of watershed health and established the ANF with the aim of restoring and protecting the Allegheny River watershed.
Since that time, conservation efforts to protect and restore the Allegheny River watershed led to a remarkable recovery of the Allegheny and Clarion rivers. This recovery resulted in their designation as wild and scenic rivers for their outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, scientific, historic, ecological and fisheries resource values.
Into the Future
By the 1940s, the forest began to take on an appearance familiar to us today. The older trees provide acorns, cherries, and beech nuts for bear and turkey. Birds find sites for nests in the leafy tree crowns and plants like trillium prefer the filtered light of the maturing forest.
Over time, various laws added other benefits such as creating wilderness, protecting heritage resources and allowing grazing in addition to watershed protection and providing continuous timber.
Eastern National Forests are primarily second-growth forests and differ in character than National Forests in the West created from huge forest reserves of largely virgin forest. Today, after almost 100 years of careful management, the trees are mature and able to provide quality hardwood for furniture and other needs.
For more information on the Allegheny National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/allegheny
Photo Courtesy of Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau
HUNGRY FOR GREAT FOOD?
Warren foodies will tell you that Warren offers something for everyone; surely you will find something on the menu at Snuffy’s Café & Lounge, the Cornerstone Lounge – home of the best wings in Warren – and the Plaza Restaurant, a local favorite for their famous, mouthwatering, made-from-scratch pies that now offers wine and beer on their evening menu!
In Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, about a twenty-minute drive from downtown Warren, you don’t want to miss out on a chance to sample the home-town food of New Beginnings Family Restaurant, located on their downtown Main Street. Their breakfast, served all day except Fridays and Saturdays, is a small-town community staple.
Bent Run Brewing Company, founded in 2017 and located on the riverbank of the picturesque Allegheny River front, has craft beers, local wines, ciders, and a full menu including their famous mountain pies! Winner of numerous PA State Beer Competitions in 2019 and 2020 they continue to hold their quality to high standards; providing a superior product to have some-
thing available for everyone’s liking.
Erin Willman, owner of White Cane Coffee Company, started her company for one reason: to provide self-sustaining jobs for people with disabilities while offering the best coffee around! Their small batch roasted, organic, single origin coffee ensures that what you put into your body is the best you can get in taste and quality. Visit Erin and her staff at East Third Avenue or be on the lookout for their travelling coffee truck!
In Youngsville, the Brokenstraw Valley Winery offers more than just locally sourced wine. If you’re looking for a place to host a party or wedding reception, look no further than their newly renovated lodge on the hill. Equipped with a full kitchen and staff, the lodge hosts numerous events year-round.
Hog Wild BBQ Joint and Catering has been serving the Warren area with perfectly tendered, old-fashioned BBQ ribs, pork, brisket, and chicken for ten years. Sit back, take a load off, sip a cold beer, and enjoy the taste of the South right here in Northwestern, Pennsylvania!
Photo Courtesy of Susanne Salcido
ALLEGHENY PITSTOP
305 S. Main St., Sheffield, PA 16347 (814) 968-5480
APPLEBEE’S BAR & GRILL
2725 Market St., Warren, PA (814) 406-7373
ARBOR COFFEE HOUSE & CAFE
340 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 730-1797
ARBY’S
3930 Market St., Warren, PA (814) 723-4486
BEAR LAKE INN
1439 Greeley St., Bear Lake, PA (814) 664-7770
BENT RUN BREWING CO.
20 Clark St., Warren, PA (814) 230-9098
BIG’S PIZZA & SUBS
1060 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA 16365 (814) 723-7800
BLUEBERRY HILL GOLF CLUB
6528 Cable Hollow Rd., Russell, PA (814) 757-8620
BLUE JAY INN
Blue Jay Creek Rd., Sheffield, PA (814) 968-3550
BOB EVANS
360 Jackson Run Rd., Warren, PA (814) 726-1661
BUCCARDO’S
173 Main St., Tidioute, PA (814) 484-7003
BUCKET CAFE
14 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA (814) 489-5001
BURGER KING
2715 Market St., Warren, PA (814) 726-2161
CABIN IN THE PINES
37030 Rt. 6, Spring Creek, PA (814) 489-7763
FOOD
CABLE HOLLOW GOLF COURSE
405 Norberg Rd., Russell, PA (814) 757-4765
CHLOE’S CREAMERY
334 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA 16365 (814) 313-6897
CHRISTIE’S DOWNTOWN PUB
229 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 728-6000
COLUMBUS INN
11 Main St., Columbus, PA (814) 664-7475
CORNERSTONE LOUNGE
308 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA (814) 723-7288
CRONIE’S PUB
701 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA (814) 230-9018
THE CROSSING CAFE’
350 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 723-1771
DAIRY DELITE
334 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA 16365 (814) 723-7171
DAIRY QUEEN
1067 Market St., Warren, PA 16365 (814) 723-4920
28670 Rt. 6, Youngsville, PA 16371 (814) 563-7435
ALLEGHENY COUPLING COMPANY
Since 1955, manufacturer of tank truck parts in the liquid and dry bulk hauling industries. 419 West 3rd Avenue, Warren, PA 16365 Ph: 814723.8150
Email: Sales@alleghenycoupling.com
DOCK 9
1101 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 230-9126
DOCKSIDERS CAFE’
250 Marina Ln./Rt. 59, Clarendon, PA (814) 726-9645
DOMINO’S PIZZA
609 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA 16365 (814) 230-9170
DOUBLE D’S
4020 Rt. 27, Garland, PA (814) 563-4902
DRAFT HOUSE
707 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA (814) 723-9818
THE FACTORY BAR & GRILL
7 East Main St., Youngsville, PA (814) 802-3020
FAT DADDY’S TAPROOM & GRILLE
601 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA (814) 723-3406
FERGIE’S PIZZERIA
9050 Rt. 6, Tiona, PA (814) 313-6910
FLYING W RESTAURANT
685 Flying W Ranch Rd., Tionesta, PA (814) 463-5001
FORESTER RESTAURANT & TAVERN
2 Lenhart Rd., Warren, PA (814) 563-3300
FROSTY JACKS
992 Newton Sanford Rd., Pittsfield, PA (814) 436-7012
THE GALLEY
201 E. Main St., Youngsville, PA 16371 (814) 563-7099
GRUMPY’S
904 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 723-8332
FOOD
HOLLOW HILL OUTDOORS
148 Main St., Tidioute, PA 16351 (814) 706-2900
HOG WILD BBQ
386 Kinzua Rd., Warren, PA (814) 706-3239
HOTEL TIDIOUTE
128 Main St., Tidioute, PA (814) 484-7566
HUEY’S PLACE
12 E. Main St., Youngsville, PA (814) 563-4400
IDA MAE’S
200 N. Main St., Russell, PA (814) 757-7010
JACKSON VALLEY GOLF COURSE
6927 Jackson Run Rd., Warren, PA (814) 489-7802
LANDMARK COOKERY & CATERING
99 Main St., Tidioute, PA (513) 535-0841
LAWSON’S WEST END TAKEOUT
1413 PA Ave. W., Warren (814) 726-7880
LEGENDS RESTAURANT
1725 Jackson Ave., Warren, PA (814) 723-9170
LIBERTY STREET LUNCH
200 Liberty St., Warren, PA (814) 230-9166
LITTLE CAESAR’S
14 MARKET ST., WARREN, PA 16365 (814) 726-3112
MCDONALD’S
75 Market St., Warren, PA (814) 726-3190
NAPOLI PIZZA
4000 MARKET ST., WARREN, PA 16365 (814) 723-7455
NEW BEGINNINGS FAMILY RESTAURANT
3 Main St., Sugar Grove, PA (814) 489-7474
FOOD
NEW LING LING CHINESE RESTAURANT
227 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 723-8851
PEPPERMILL RESTAURANT
1505 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA (814) 723-4240
THE PLAZA RESTAURANT
328 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 723-5660
PIZZA HUT
25 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA 16365 (814) 726-3434
PUB 302 & EATERY
302 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 723-6563
RIBS N’ BONES COUNTRY BAR N’ GRILL
6452 Jackson Run Rd., Warren, PA (814) 723-8205
SCOTTIE’S PITTSFIELD INN RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
418 Main St., Pittsfield, PA (814) 230-3066
THE SHAW HOUSE
15 S. Main St., Sheffield, PA (814) 968-5579
SNUFFY’S CAFE’ & LOUNGE
208 Hickory St., Warren, PA (814) 723-3372
STONEHILL CHOCOLATES
73 Market St., Warren, PA 16365 (814) 688-9814
TACO BELL
2735 Market St., Warren, PA (814) 726-7310
THAT FARM MARKET
1 Warren Rd., Sugar Grove, PA 16350 (716) 969-4968
TIDIOUTE PUB
119 Main St., Tidioute, PA (814) 484-3900
TIM HORTON’S
36 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA (814) 726-3600
TRAIN STATION
1 Railroad St., Warren, PA (814) 723-8856
WENDY’S
60 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA (814) 723-2740
WENDY’S CAFE’
522 Hatch Run Rd., Warren, PA (814) 728-6067
WICKED WARREN’S PIZZA & FRESH BREWERY BEER
330 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA (814) 433-2739
YOUNGSVILLE HARDWARE SCOOPS
730 N. Main St., Youngsville, PA 16371 (814) 563-7536
BEVERAGES
ALLEGHENY CELLARS WINERY
4772 Route 6, Sheffield, PA 16347 (814)968-5812
ARBOR COFFEE HOUSE
340 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA 16365 (814)730-1797
BEAN BANK ENTERPRISE
117 E. Main St., Youngsville, PA 16371 (814)779-0011
BENT RUN BREWING CO.
20 Clark St., Warren, PA 16365 (814)230-9098
BROKENSTRAW VALLEY WINERY
100 Hillside Dr., Youngsville, PA 16371 (814)402-9463
THE CROSSING CAFE
350 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA 16365 (814)723-1771
DUNKIN’ DONUTS
3920 Market St., Warren, PA 16365
MOOSEWOOD CREEK CAFE
123A Main St., Tidioute, PA 16351 (814)556-4572
RIVER VIEW NUTRITION
428 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA 16365 (814)313-2020
TIM HORTON’S
36 PA Ave. E., Warren, PA 16365 (814)726-3600
TWIG & VINE
344 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA 16365 (814)331-6527
WICKED WARREN’S
330 PA Ave. W., Warren, PA 16365 (814)433-2739
HEALTH SERVICES
At the center of healthcare in Warren County is Warren General Hospital (WGH). WGH is an 89 acute care bed and sixteen transitional care bed facility providing exceptional service to the community. It opened in the 1800s, providing temporary medical service to the underprivileged. Leaders of the community recognized the need for full care for the community, so the hospital transitioned to Warren Emergency Hospital in 1900. Over the years the hospital has been renamed and expanded into what it is today. The hospital currently offers a variety of services including Behavioral Health, Cancer Care, Cosmetic Surgery, Dental Clinic, Detox Emergency Care, Home Alert, Hospital Home Care, Hospice, Imaging Service, Laboratory, Maternity, Medical/Surgical Services, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Pain Management, Pastoral Care and Chaplin, Pharmacy, Rehab Works, Respiratory, Sleep Center, Surgical Services, Swing Bed Program, Urology, Walk in Care, and Women’s Health.
When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, there are many important decisions to make. The first is choosing your team. The physicians and staff at the Cancer Care Center at Warren General Hospital are here to join your team and help you win your battle against cancer every step of the way. The Cancer Care Center at Warren General Hospital is a state-of-the-art facility which features an exceptionally, gifted team of board-certified physicians and nurses trained with leading edge technology and the most promising treatment options. For more than 20 years, Warren General Hospital has presented hope for thousands of cancer patients and their families.
WARREN STATE HOSPITAL
In 1880, the State Hospital opened to care for people with mental illness in the northwestern part of PA. Currently the facility houses a modern support system focused on recovery through shortest possible in-patient stays and a continuum of care after discharge. Warren State Hospital provides the best opportunity for recovery to persons admitted for treatment. Furthermore, we realize the importance of families or significant others in an individual’s response to treatment, as well as their important role in the person’s support system. Therefore, with the individual’s permission, the hospital makes every effort to include families in treatment and discharge planning activities. This commitment to quality psychiatric care family involvement in treatment is reflected in our mission statement.
We also know the importance of continuity of care in ensuring the shortest stay possible and the continuation of needed care and support after discharge from the hospital. Discharge planning even begins before the
individual’s admission and continues throughout their hospitalization, ending with an individualized aftercare plan that guides the person’s return to community living. This comprehensive aftercare plan ensures the identification of needed services and supports after discharge. It also designated who is responsible for providing each service. This aftercare plan is then monitored by the country’s mental health program and modified or revised as needed to facilitate the person’s long-term adjustment to community living.
In providing care, Warren State Hospital is just one component in a continuum of comprehensive care that is available to residents of northwestern Pennsylvania with persistent and serious mental illness. Our responsibility to people who need our services and support is to provide the most current and effective inpatient treatment interventions and psycho-rehabilitation activities that will promote recovery. Community services for persons with serious mental illness have improved steadily over the past decade and as a result fewer and fewer persons need our level of care, which is certainly gratifying. However, should anyone need longer-term inpatient care, the staff of Warren State Hospital and I want to assure you that we will provide the best care possible and work as hard as we can to return you as quickly as possible to family, community, and to a productive and satisfying life.
Leading a healthy and happy life also demands more than qualified hospital care. Residents of Warren County are fortunate to have a broad range of supplemental health services close to home, including CTI Physical Therapy, DaVita Dialysis, and many others. Social services also play a large role in Warren County with housing, childcare, financial problems, emotional health, chemical dependency, transportation, and home care.
ROUSE ESTATE
Rouse exists to improve the quality of life for those who cannot fully care for themselves, regardless of age or economic status. We do this by continually expanding our knowledge, broadening our continuum of care, and improving our services.
VISION OF ROUSE
Rouse will be seen as the regional Center of Excellence in providing a continuum of care for all generations. Rouse strives to develop and maintain real and lasting relationships with those for whom we care by getting to know them on a personal level. Our person-centered care will be delivered to individuals following their needs and wishes. We will consistently strive to exceed the expectations of our customers by continually evalu-
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ating and responding to industry needs. We will do this by providing a supportive, energized working environment that values employee contributions and growth.
THE ROUSE OFFERS:
Skilled nursing care facilities provide round-the clock skilled nursing care, housekeeping and custodial services that are needed due to an injury or illness, including:
• A nurse attending to a post-operative wound or dispensing and monitoring intravenous medications
• A physical therapist working with an individual to rectify strength and balance issues
• A speech therapist assisting an individual in reclaiming his or her ability to communicate following a stroke
• An occupational therapist helping an individual to become independent again, particularly when it comes to dressing, personal hygiene, and eating
ADULT DAY SERVICES
An adult day service facility is the destination of choice for adults in our community needing a caring, stimulating, and safe environment during daytime hours. The service is designed to meet the needs of adults who are chronically ill, physically disabled, cognitively impaired, or socially isolated.
Although each facility may differ in terms of features, these general services are offered by most adult day centers:
• Social Activities
• Meals and Snacks
• Personal Care
• Therapeutic Activities
WHY BRIDGES ADULT DAY?
Bridges Adult Day Service, conveniently located in downtown Warren, offers daily caregivers a break and allows individuals requiring moderate levels of care to remain in their homes if possible. As an enhanced facility, Bridges employs a full-time Registered Nurse who monitors client health and offers quarterly reviews. Bridges provide residents of Warren County an affordable alternative to other long-term care options.
PHYSICAL THERAPY AT THE ROUSE ESTATES
At Rouse Rehab, our dedicated Physical Therapy team focuses on improving your movement, strength, and mobility to restore, maintain and promote your best physical function. Our state-of the-art facility enables us to offer a wide array of specialized Physical Therapy Services, including:
• Electrical Stimulation
• Ergonomic Evaluation
• Fall Prevention
• Joint Mobilization
• Pain Management
• Physical Therapy
• Sports Injury
• Traction (Cervical & Lumbar)
• Wound Care
ROUSE CHILDREN’S CENTER
Rouse Children’s Center, a Keystone STAR 4 facility located in downtown Youngsville, specializes in caring for children ages 12-month-old through 12-years old. Our educated staff offers children the opportunity to explore their world with developmentally appropriate activities that focus on physical, academic, emotional, and social needs.
WARREN MANOR
Warren Manor has served Warren County, Pennsylvania, Chautauqua County, New York and the surrounding communities since 1983. Throughout this time, we have maintained, nurtured, and enhanced a tradition that forms the very foundation of our approach to delivering our services to our families, friends, and neighbors—a tradition of caring.
Warren Manor values each patient’s choices during their stay. Upon entering the doors, patients are provided with a personalized care plan: starting with a care conference, continuing nursing services and support for the future. Experience the HCF Difference.
We offer a variety of services including short term rehabilitation, long term rehabilitation and skilled nursing care, restorative services, wound care, cardiac and stroke care, peritoneal dialysis, respite, and wound care among many others. Warren Manor’s therapy programs are highly individualized, designed to meet each patient’s specific rehabilitation need. Our care involves evidence-based programs paired with the most advanced rehabilitation techniques for optimal functional recovery.
Our therapy services include:
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy
• Private rooms available
• Pre-surgery rehabilitation
• Pre-registration available
• Individualized care plan
• Pain management education
• Therapy available up to 7 days a week
• Outpatient therapy
• Pain management program
• Falls program
Upon discharge when you are ready to go home, a home visit is performed by therapists in the rehabilitation department for our patients planning to return home. The therapists will travel with the patient to their home. There, the visit will take place; focusing on the environment, the patient’s ability to enter, exit, and navigate well throughout the home to make sure your environment is safe and ready for your return. Our care team will make sure after your visit you have everything
in line to return home to your home and the life waiting for you.
OUTPATIENT THERAPY
Our Outpatient Therapy gym at Warren Manor offers an opportunity to our community to receive treatment post discharge from our facility and is open to the public for therapy services as well offering comprehensive physical, occupational and speech therapy programs to treat a myriad of conditions. Individual treatment is conducted in a 3,500 square foot gym which features multiple treatment areas and an open bright floor plan that offers an environment for optimal healing. Using the most up to date practices along with state-of-the-art equipment, therapists are able to individualize a program for each patient.
The Outpatient Therapy program offers evaluation and treatment for patients with:
• Orthopedic conditions
• Post-operative rehabilitation
• Neck and back pain
• Spinal injuries and unstable spine problems
• Work-related injuries
• Sports injuries
• Arthritis
• Balance problems
• Work conditioning problems
• Recurring headaches
• Chronic pain
• Neurological rehabilitation needs (post-stroke, head injury, multiple sclerosis, ALS)
• Diabetic and other peripheral neuropathy
• Prosthetic training
• Orthotic fitting
• Immobile joints
• Fibromyalgia
• Wound care
• Hand dexterity problems
• Hand, elbow, and wrist injuries
• Traumatic brain injury
• Stroke
• Voice disorders
• Swallowing difficulty
• Cardiac conditions
KINZUA HEALTHCARE REHABILITATION CENTER
Mission: The Mission of Guardian Elder Care is to deliver superior healthcare in the communities where we serve. We provide high-quality and compassionate post-hospital care, long-term care, and in homecare to our patients and residents, which also brings comfort to their loved ones. Our therapists, nurses, and staff constantly strive to exceed the expectations, both of our
patients and their families, in an atmosphere of dignity, respect, and integrity. Our commitment to passionate care, servant leadership, and continuous improvement results in outcomes that maximize the well-being of those to whom we provide service.
Vision: The Vision of Guardian Elder Care is to deliver the best possible healthcare services today, while constantly improving our practices and services to provide outstanding results to the individuals we will serve tomorrow. Guided by our mission and legacy values, we are relentlessly driven to achieve the best outcomes for those whom we serve.
Values: The values of Guardian Elder Care include Compassion; Benevolence; Personal Courage; Servant Leadership; Egalitarianism; High-Energy, Enthusiasm, and Passion; Commitment; Service Excellence; Integrity; and Constant Continuous Improvement.
CTI PHYSICAL THERAPY
Mission: In our commitment to provide quality physical therapy, we at Clinical Therapeutics, Inc., believe that those needs of our patients and the community we serve come first. To meet those needs, we will consistently strive to exceed the standard of care in physical therapy to improve the quality of your life through the combined efforts and cooperation of everyone within our organization.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT:
CTI Physical Therapy is a proud sponsor and supporter of numerous high school and community programs, projects, and events. CTI Physical Therapy is devoted to giving back to the Warren County community in our support of the Struthers Library, High School Programs, and many other various community events from year to year.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Physical Therapy Services - Providing leading edge care from musculoskeletal injuries to complex neurological conditions. We stay current with the research to continue to give the best care to each of our patients. McKenzie Method - An evidence-based patient management system proven to eliminate back, neck and extremity pain in fewer visits compared to traditional treatment. The key distinction is its initial assessment component—a safe and reliable means to accurately reach and diagnosis that will guide an appropriate treatment plan. Rarely are expensive tests required, as Certified MDT clinicians have a valid indicator to know right away whether the direction-specific exercise treatment will work for each patient.
LSVT Big Training - Comprehensive program for Parkinson’s patients that helps improve mobility and function.
Aquatic Therapy - We are offering pool-based therapy in coordination with Warren YMCA. Ask about times and availability when you call to set up and appointment. HEALTH SERVICES continued from page 24
HEALTH SERVICES
continued from page 25
Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) - A functional evaluation for working conditions. Electromyography Testing (EMG) - Testing nerve conduction velocity and muscle recruitment. An EMG requires no smoking three hours prior to testing, no lotion & wearing loose clothing.
CTI Fit Exercise Program - This program allows you to continue with excercies on your own while using the equipment we have. We train you to use the equipment, set you up with goals and a training cycle to best fit your needs. The cost is $25 a month or $3 a visit. Open to anyone Monday through Friday from 6AM-2PM.
Direct Access Treatment - Under certain insurance providers you do not need a doctor’s referral to attend physical therapy.
HIGHMARK
Highmark’s mission? To create a remarkable health experience, freeing people to be their best, in a world where everyone embraces health. Highmark Inc. and its health insurance subsidiaries and affiliates, collectively, are one of America’s largest health insurance organizations. Together, with its Blue-branded affiliates, compromise the fourth-largest overall Blue Cross and Blue Shield affiliated organization in the country, based on capital. Highmark Inc. and its subsidiaries operate health insurance plans in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia that serve, approximately, 4.5 million members and hundreds of thousands of individuals through the Blue Card program. Our diversified business serves group customers and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance and other related businesses.
Our history began during the Great Depression of the 1930s to ensure availability of funds to pay for hospital and medical services. A hospital association based in Pittsburgh sponsored the formation of an organization later known as Blue Cross of Western PA (now Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield). In 1996, the two Blue plans were consolidated to form Highmark Inc. Highmark is also affiliated with Allegheny Health Network, a parent company of a unified healthcare system that provides affordable care to everyone it serves.
Highmark continues to lead the way in innovative products, programs and services for their members, providers, and the health industry!
HOSPICE
Hospice of Warren County is the area’s only not-forprofit agency dedicated to helping people in the days, weeks and even months leading up to an anticipated death. Whether due to frailty or disease, when faced with our own or a loved one’s death, we often find ourselves overwhelmed with the realities of our individual mortality. Hospice of Warren offers home nursing care, respite care for the family, durable medical equipment, and medication; all overseen by certified and licensed medical professionals and qualified volunteers. Also
offered are non-hospice services such as palliative care and grief counseling.
What began in 1979 as a volunteer organization dealing with terminal illness has grown in to a medically comprehensive, Medicare certified, hospice program. Hospice of Warren County is deeply committed to its mission of compassionate end-of-life care assuring dignity for body, mind, and spirit.
Personal care gets more challenging with age. At Cambridge Retirement Living, residents get everything they need to live well. Private accommodations, round-theclock support, medication management, meals, utilities, housekeeping, and a full schedule of activities are all included, and there are no hidden fees.
LANDER HOPE CLINIC
Lander Hope Clinic provides family, holistic, and natural medicine as well as urgent care for the whole family serving Warren County, Jamestown, and surrounding areas. Located in Russell, PA, Lander Hope Medical Clinic serves the community with conventional, non-traditional, and nutritional services. As a functional Medicine Clinic, the staff at Lander Hope believe that food is nutrition and place an emphasis on the value of Whole Plant Based lifestyles.
Their commitment to patient-centered care and natural approaches to healing makes them a trusted choice for the community.
Get the quality care you need for the entire family when you trust the skilled providers at Lander Hope Clinic. From prevention to healing, wellness checks to illness or injury, Lander Hope Clinic is here to care for you and your family. We also offer a wide variety of IV Wellness Infusion therapies, massage and laser therapies, and have an Infrared Sauna!
Massage therapy is both safe and effective for people of all ages. It’s not only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself, but also a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are looking for a stress reliever.
IV therapy is a technique that involves the direct injection of fluids into the veins, which can promptly alleviate dehydration and alleviate various health conditions. As a result, a more concentrated dose can reach the organs and tissues, leading to faster therapeutic effects.
Infrared sauna offers a number of positive health benefits. It detoxes the body, helps in pain relief and weight loss, lowers blood pressure, improves circulation, purifies the skin and helps relieve stress. Overall, it’s a great way to spend 30 minutes improving your mind and health.
LANDER HOPE CLINIC HEALTHY LIVING STORE
Call us today to learn more about the different health, wellness, and beauty products we have in stock, or visit our locally-owned store to check it out for yourself! (814) 593-0011
To find out more about our services, be sure to check out our website at www.landerhopeclinic.com or visit us at 5607 PA-957 in Russell, PA.
CELEBRATING A MILESTONE BIRTHDAY FOR FACILITY
Editor’s note: Health care is one of the largest sectors of the Warren County employment. Here is information regarding the Rouse Home, which was published in October in the Times Observer.
The Rouse Estates are a well-known community facility, which most people understand relates to the family name.
Fewer know the estates are not where the namesake resided. In fact, he never even set foot on the property.
The history of the man who left a legacy and fortune to realize his dream of assisting people experiencing poverty is intriguing.
Henry R. Rouse was born to a poor mother and father on Oct. 9, 1823, in Westfield, N.Y. While his father was a drifter and left the family when he was young, his mother raised him.
With little in the way of finances, it is a bit of a mystery how Rouse was able to attend Westfield Academy. It was there he discovered a talent for orating, becoming a speaker, and participating in debates. His talents earned him recognition from people with money, who then funded further education.
Rouse left Westfield with $1 in his pocket and went south across the Pennsylvania state line, making his way to Warren. He stayed in Warren briefly and ended up halting his journey in Tidioute, where he became the village schoolmaster in 1840.
Taking payment from the locals in the form of boards and shingles, Rouse began sending it downriver to Pittsburgh to be sold and eventually used that money to open a general store between the towns of Tidioute and Titusville.
The Rouse Estate, situated on nearly 600 acres of the Brokenstraw Valley near Youngsville, is a tribute to him, a little-known hero of the oil boom in the Commonwealth. Henry Rouse was a self-made man who had been a teacher, an entrepreneur, and a successful merchant by age 37.
He was involved in the fledgling industry after the world’s first oil well was established in Titusville. Unfortunately, an explosion occurred, killing several men and leaving Henry Rouse with severe burns over most of his body.
Despite his injuries, he dictated a detailed will within the last five hours of his life, bequeathing his fortune in part to the establishment of what is now known as the Rouse Estate.
The Rouse Estate was established during growth and opportunity, initially as a hospital and later as a poor farm to support the less fortunate. As societal needs changed, the estate became a nursing home to care
for the elderly and disadvantaged. Over the years, it expanded its services, including constructing a new building and establishing a children’s center in 2004, a new governance structure was implemented, and outdated legislation was repealed to modernize operations.
Today, the Rouse Estate continues to provide services, from skilled nursing to child daycare, embodying its founding values of resilience, compassion, and community service.
That estate is a tribute to the man who was described by those who worked for and with him as a fair man, kind, and charitable to all.
According to its website, Rouse’s motto today is “To improve the quality of life for those who cannot fully care for themselves, regardless of age or economic status. We do this by continually expanding our knowledge, broadening our continuum of care, and improving our services.” The motto is a testimonial to Henry Rouse’s vision and caring for those with less advantage who gave selflessly in life and death.
The Rouse Estates celebrated Henry Rouse’s 200th birthday by holding an open house and birthday bash at the Suites at Rouse, 615 Rouse Ave., Youngsville, last October.
You’ve worked hard to create your home, the name Oneida assures you quality products that will last through years of enjoyment.
Whether you desire a simple renovation or are crafting your dream home, our certified and trained staff will help you to explore, and express your personal design aesthetic in a custom shopping experience. We offer unique and custom, wood, and gas fire solutions that will make your home a showpiece.
AGENCIES
AGRICULTURE
WARREN COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
4000 Conewango Ave., Warren, Pa., 16365
Website: www.wcconservation.net
Phone: (814) 726-1441
WARREN COUNTY FAIR
371 Barton Run Pittsfield, PA 16340
Website: http://warrencountyfair.net/
Phone: (814) 563-9386
WARREN COUNTY PENNSTATE EXTENSION
100 Dillon Dr., Youngsville, Pa., 16371
Website: www.extension.psu.edu/warren-county
Email: WarrenExt@psu.edu
Phone: (814) 563-9388
ARTS AND CULTURE
CRARY ART GALLERY
511 Market St., Warren, Pa., 16365
Website: www.craryartgallery.org
Phone: (814) 723-4523
STRUTHERS LIBRARY THEATRE
302 W. Third Ave., Warren, Pa. 16365
Website: www.strutherslibrarytheatre.com
Phone: (814) 723-7231
WARREN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
210 Fourth Ave., Warren, Pa., 16365
Website: www.warrenhistory.org
Email: warrencountyhistory@aol.com
Phone: (814) 723-1795
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WARREN COUNTY
310 Second Ave., Suite 1, Warren, Pa., 16365
Website: www.cfowc.org
Phone: (814) 726-9553
UNITED FUND OF WARREN COUNTY
308 Market St., Warren, Pa., 16365
Website: www.unitedfundwarren.org
Phone: (814) 726-0292
WARREN COUNTY CHAMBER OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
308 Market St., Warren, Pa., 16365
Website: www.wccbi.org
Phone: (814) 723-3050
WARREN COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU
22045 U.S. 6, Warren, Pa., 16365
Website: www.wcvb.net
Email: info@wcvb.net
Phone: (814) 726-1222
MEDICAL
BEACON LIGHT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEMS
800 E. Main St., Bradford, Pa., 16701
Website: www.beacon-light.org
Phone: (800) 345-1780
COMMUNITY BLOOD BANK
2646 Peach St., Erie, Pa., 16508
Website: www. fourhearts.org
Phone: (814) 456-4206
DEERFIELD BEHAVIORAL HEALTH/CENTERS FOR ADDICTIONS TREATMENT
WARREN COUNTY ASSISTANCE OFFICE (DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH)
210 North Drive, Suite A., Warren, Pa. 16365
Phone: (814) 723-6330
STATE GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
321 N. State St., Warren, Pa., 16365
Phone: (814) 723-3273
DRIVER’S LICENSE CENTER
984 Hatch Run Rd., Warren, Pa., 16365
Phone: (800) 932-4600
PENNDOT (WARREN COUNTY MAINTENANCE OFFICE)
20745 U.S. 6, Warren, Pa., 16365 Phone: (814) 723-3500
DOWN THE RIVER Diary Tells Story of Life on a Raft Down the Allegheny
By JOSH COTTON jcotton@timesobserver.com
Timber made Warren County both in a literal sense and an economic one.
Hundreds of square miles were an economic opportunity that early residents of the county couldn’t pass up.
The market was strong so a path to prosperity couldn’t be ignored.
But there was one problem — how do you get the timber to market?
Well, we have waterways ...
Rafts were a spring site along the Allegheny River for the better part of a century. Lumber cut and skidded to mills in the fall and winter would then be cut into boards and lashed into rafts. Rafting season was in the spring when the river level would allow such travel.
The rafts typically included a platform made up of 16 foot boards bound together by oak saplings called “grubs.”
The size of the raft came to take on the name of the waterway it was going to navigate.
A “Conewango raft” was 170 feet by 17 feet with an oar at each end. Six Conewango rafts would be joined to form an Allegheny raft - 340 feet long by 51 feet wide.
Three Alleghenies would be put together to make an Ohio raft which covered over one acre of water.
Instead of the numbers of board feet or the amount of money generated, though, one of the young men aboard one of the largest rafts documented his experiences.
Theodore Lafayette Putnam was born in 1834 and his diary retelling an 1859 rafting adventure was re-printed by local historian Ernest Miller in the Western Pa. Historical Magazine in the fall of 1957.
But, first, from the Warren Mail: “The largest board raft that floated down the Allegheny River passed this place on Thursday morning last. ... The boards were rafted under the supervision of Captain James Martin, of Pine Grove, and he pilots the raft himself.”
That’s where Putnam was and Miller said there were 690,000 board feet of lumber on that raft alone.
“There were so many rafts on the river during each
continued on page 31
A raft pictured in downtown Warren. The bridge in the background was located just upstream of the current Veteran’s Memorial Bridge.
Photo courtesy of the Warren County Historical Society
DOWN THE RIVER continued from page 30
spring season that one more, even though so large, aroused little excitement,” Miller wrote. “Besides, rafting was old to northwestern Pennsylvania for as early as 1797 lumbermen had started to send their rafts down the Allegheny to southern markets.”
Miller noted this corner of the state led the nation in lumber production in 1850 and Warren County was the biggest producer of that group of counties.
He detailed that Putnam’s diary was found by his daughter in a “small leather-bound book” and says Putnam wasn’t a “professional raftsman or lumberman” but first a farmer.
The first entry is dated March 17.
“Started down the river,” Putnam wrote. “Had good luck until we arrived at Jackson’s Island,” which was about one mile below Warren.
That might sound like an inauspicious start but the pace picked up considerably the next day as the raft left shortly after 5 a.m. and arrived in Franklin by the end of the day.
The early spring travel required for rafting also brought some frosty challenges.
“Last night it snowed,” he wrote on the 19th. “When we arose this morning we found the snow on our raft about two inches deep and the river two feet higher than it was at dark and still rising.”
But that was a small impediment as Putnam is, frankly, cheery in his entry on the 20th.
“When we arose this morning good luck seemed to smile on us,” he wrote. “The river during the night ceased to rise and the golden sun rose full and fair, shedding its mild luster on all - imparting life and vigor to everyone....”
But the rising river levels kept the raft parked in an eddy and they would stay there for 10 days, nearly running out of supplies.
“I can think of nothing more today save this is the most lonesome time we have experienced for a long time,” he wrote on the 22nd.
The following day another raft struck theirs causing sounds “that raftmen don’t like to hear.”
By the 25th, the sheen on his sense of adventure had worn off: “I am tired, lonesome and sorry I ever started from home on this trip.”
After going nowhere for 10 days, going just a few miles would have seemed like an improvement but Putnam wrote on the 30th that they “had a heavy wind through the day which made pretty hard work. Passed without serious difficulty. At five o’clock we made a very easy landing... twenty eight miles above Pitt having run sixty-five miles in twelve hours.
“If nothing happens we will see Pittsburgh tomorrow.” They did.
By April 2 they were 55 miles past Pittsburgh on the Ohio River.
A
“perfect gale” caused another multi-day delay.
“We are at Wellsburg and the wind is still blowing,” he wrote on the 6th. “This is a money making trip. This makes five days since we left Pitt and we have run about 80 miles, and twenty days from Warren and we are not half way to our destination.”
But the sense of adventure was back.
“This beats all trips down the river that I have ever experienced,” he wrote.
The raft went 30 miles on the 7th and they pulled an all-nighter on the 8th to take advantage of conditions. Putnam made mention of how things were starting to green up around him.
By the 9th they were 221 miles below Pittsburgh.
The raft broke into two pieces on the 11th but he doesn’t really complain about the inconvenience.
“This has been the first very warm day we have had. Everything looks green and beautiful,” he wrote on the 12th.
Another all-nighter brought the raft into Cincinnati the next day.
Three days later they arrived at their destination - Louisville, Kentucky. The raft was split into two and they sailed each half into the city separately, but, as Putnam notes, not without making time for breakfast at the Union Hotel.
The next day they arrived with the other half of the raft - again went to the Union for breakfast - and Putnam notes that he ran into “several of our friends from Pine Grove.”
The trip back took four days via steamer from Louisville to Cincinnati and then by train to Cleveland, getting off in Westfield, New York. He had to walk the seven miles to Mayville to catch a steamer to Jamestown where they “hired a team to take us home.
The entire trip had taken 32 days.
Putnam would go on to serve as a master wagon-maker, school teacher and justice of the peace, according to Miller.
He was also elected county commissioner in 1884.
“Michael Crocker, at Brokenstraw, and Theodore L. Putnam at Pine Grove are capital selections for county commissioners. They are young and active businessmen and sterling Republicans,” the Warren Mail claimed. “They will serve the people faithfully and well.”
Putnam died in his 70s in 1913 and is buried at Pine Grove Cemetery.
‘I
LOVE THIS RIVER’
Allegheny
Outfitters Owner Piper VanOrd Caught
Herself ‘Wondering What The River Was Doing While I Was Away’
Editor’s note: This is reprinted from an edition in 2022.
By JON SITLER editorial@timesobserver.com
The Allegheny River is about people; the people who use it and care for it at the same time.
Piper VanOrd, owner of Allegheny Outfitters, takes pride in Warren County sharing it with, well, the whole world.
“We have visitors from all over the world,” said VanOrd. “I love this river. It’s meandering through my hometown and behind my home has brought many things to me over the years. Laughs with good friends; solid footing in hard times. It’s been the reason for so many awesome adventures exploring its nooks and crannies with my kids, and the catalyst for many friendships I hold so dear. Trying to separate its importance to me personally and professionally probably isn’t possible, because our goal is to help folks (customers) have these same experiences in their own lives.”
Returning home
“I was born in Warren,” said VanOrd. “We left when I was in first grade and returned in eighth grade. I moved to Alaska the day after graduating high school, vowing never to return. I spent a couple years traveling and living in Pittsburgh, and then joined the Navy. After serving as an air traffic controller for eight years, I was honorably discharged in Maine, and made a two-week stop in Warren en route to Alaska, where my entire family lived at the time. This two-week visit
to Warren was a game-changer. It was the first time I’d been home during the summer in almost a decade (When you get fully qualified as an air traffic controller in the Navy, you really can’t take leave any time of year but winter, when airspace is at a lull). I immediately fell in love with the natural surroundings — forest, creeks, river, and lake. We hiked, paddled, skipped rocks — just enjoyed all that is here. And then we left.”
The river stays with you
“While in Alaska, I’d continued to work toward my Masters of Aeronautical Science while also applying to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for air traffic control,” said VanOrd. “But I’ll be honest... I couldn’t get Warren out of my mind. I caught myself wondering what the river was doing while I was away. What critters were popping out on a trail. A real longing to be back here.
“Then, I received a letter from the FAA in the mail,” she said. “They appreciated my application, but were freezing hiring for 18-to-24 months. That night, at one o’clock in the morning, I was reading the Warren Times Observer online in Anchorage, Alaska, and found Allegheny Outfitters for sale.”
‘… Helping others find it’
“I didn’t sleep all night,” said VanOrd. “Sure, there were only a couple handful of beat-up canoes and a couple kayaks at that time, along with a couple rough passenger vans from the 80s, but that didn’t matter. The important part was what we’d just experienced.
‘I
LOVE THIS RIVER’ continued from page 32
This connection with nature, and the thought that we could play a small part in helping others find it, that was the draw. That had meaning. So we made the leap — sold our house, and moved home with three kids under the age of 5.”
‘Students of the river and forest’
“There were so many difficulties to wrap my mind around,” she said. “There was, of course, all the tiny but very important details that come with starting a small business — accountants, lawyers, insurances, permits. But every thing also needed overhauled. Equipment and passenger vans were really beat up. We needed a new logo, a strong web presence, and brochures. And finding funding for a seasonal, weather-dependent business was nearly impossible. So, we kept our focus on the goal of helping others connect with nature, learning as much as we could about the river and forest, while slowly chipping away at everything that was needed. We became students of the river and forest, spending every free moment exploring and learning, so we could answer questions that folks had when they called or arrived. In the winter, I created the new logo, took online classes to learn web design, and revamped the AO website into a tool where folks could find information. I started learning the ins and outs of nature photography, convinced that if others could see what I was seeing out there, they’d want to be outside, too. I published the Allegheny River Paddling Guide, a waterproof guidebook that covers the first 51 miles, now in its fifth printing. We took every opportunity we could to volunteer with Scouts, special events, and in schools. Other efforts and programs have helped along the way, too. We leaned on the WCCBI when we decided to make the leap in opening our shop in 2011. I attended the Hi-Ed business plan writing course, spending one evening a week for a couple months, learning what the hard questions were in a business plan and how to answer them. The PA Wilds started taking off, highlighting the natural beauty of rural Pennsylvania. We slowly chipped away. But those early years were a struggle. There’s a reason more people don’t do what we do. Being weather-dependent is not easy, but we hung in there. In our off-season we would get creative, coming up with new revenue streams that included unique shirt designs, stickers, and trail posters that celebrate our special natural spaces.”
A launch once underutilized
so much traffic daily. The new construction up there to create a horseshoe drive-through road is an absolute dream for locals and visitors alike. I never thought I’d see that in my lifetime. Such an improvement for the paddling community.”
Oh, the stories
“Oh my gosh, if you can dream it up, we’ve seen it in some way, shape, or form,” said VanOrd. “Some of my personal favorites are those that just fill your cup. Like Uncle Joe and eight-year-old Cole, who stumbled upon us from Kentucky by way of Michigan. Cole had lost his mother unexpectedly at Christmas, and Uncle Joe was determined to get him into nature for a week. After a horrible mosquito-infested day in Michigan, they found us online and drove to Warren. Sounds bizarre, right? We helped them tackle a 50-mile stretch of river, and received the sweetest hand-written notes from Cole afterward talking about how much the river helped.
“Or the funny ones,” she added. “We had a large family on a day trip from Kinzua Dam to AO. They’d rented nine single kayaks and three doubles. The only inexperienced ones in the group were a mother and daughter, and they were getting playfully heckled pretty hard about the rapids by their family, so they went in one of the doubles together. When they got back, they came in the shop laughing so hard. Turns out, every one of them went over in the rapids except the mother and daughter, and they made it through (accidentally) going backwards!”
‘Meaningful memories’
“Our summer days are long at AO,”said VanOrd. “It’s genuinely rewarding to help people make meaningful memories. Or even just see the effects of folks getting outside. It’s so helpful for our mental health — even a few hours — just taking a break to connect with the natural world. We call it being river- or forest-kissed.
“We’ve grown from helping just over 2,000 people plan and tackle trips on the river and forest annually, to nearly 15,000, depending on the weather, of course,” added VanOrd. “Mama Nature is always in charge when it comes to outdoor recreation — and that can be a serious struggle as we saw last year with the relentless flooding. Our staff started as a solid four in 2006, and has grown to 18 this year. And I can’t speak highly enough of them. Canoes are not light. It’s a physically-demanding job and our team gets it done day after day.”
Services along the river
“When we first starting doing this in 2006, I went to Kinzua Dam to introduce myself, talk about water safety, get the scoop on the launch, and better understand outflow from the dam,” said VanOrd. “Mr. Hoskins, in charge at the time, explained their operation, and showed me the launch. He expressed his concern that it was very underutilized, and what that might mean for the future of the launch as far as maintenance and upkeep. That’s a wild thought today, as that launch sees
Allegheny Outfitters is a full outdoors store with gear for camping, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and backpacking.
“We rent canoes and kayaks on a 107-mile stretch of the Allegheny River, as well as trip planning services,” said VanOrd. “Backpacking gear rentals include packs, tents, sleeping pads, camp stoves, and water filters; along with backpacker shuttles. We offer repairs and
‘I LOVE THIS RIVER’ continued from page 33
maintenance for canoes, kayaks, and every type of bike. Snowshoe and cross country ski rentals and gear sales in winter. We also offer canoe and kayak storage for summer and year-round, as well as bike storage for those spending a few days in the area that need secure overnight storage. We also offer canoe and kayak instruction, Leave No Trace instruction, and a mashup of outdoor-related workshops throughout the year. Above these services, we offer advice and encouragement to get outside. The Allegheny National Forest region is such an incredible place to begin dabbling in outdoor recreation. Of course, there are dangers that exist, but it’s not so extreme like many places we’ve explored and lived. It’s the perfect spot to learn the basics and gain confidence in your skills.”
Allegheny River Cleanup
“Every waterway can be taken care of better,” said VanOrd. “Practicing Leave No Trace* is huge when we think about how many people enjoy our river and forest annually, and it has always been a major focus at AO. In 2011, we brought the National Outdoor Leadership School here for an eight-day backpacking course to get our Leave No Trace Master Educator certification, thanks to a partnership with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). We’ve started having serious conversations with overnight groups about disposing of human waste properly. Digging a hole is not hard, but many don’t know that’s the correct thing to do, and that’s a problem. We’re also really proud of our community for coming out ever year to get grubby with us during the annual Allegheny River Clean-up, when we scour 20+ miles of river. But there’s always more that can be done. The goal is always to take care of the river for those who will stumble upon its banks long after we are gone.”
Safety first
“I’ve learned so much about water levels and safe paddling conditions over the last 16 years,” said VanOrd. “We take it very seriously, and try our best to inform the paddling community when river conditions become unsafe, or even look as though they may become unsafe. This is so important for personal safety, but also for our water rescue volunteers that put themselves in danger every time they’re called out. There’s always room for improvement in terms of water safety. Beyond what we do daily, we’re currently working on an annual event that would bring more light to safety.”
Precious resource
“Getting back into our guided trips and events are at the top of our list right now,” said VanOrd of AO. “All of those went to the backburner when COVID happened, and we really miss being on the river and in the woods making new friends and catching up with old ones. We’re cooking up a fundraiser event for next year that will bring a unique Tug-o-War competition downtown on the river using our new 12-person standup paddleboards. We’ve spoken to a bunch of businesses and organizations that are excited to enter a team, so that should be a hoot. We have a few other projects we’d like to bring to fruition, like better access to Tanbark Trail, our only hiking trail you can pick up from the river. And, of course, continuing our volunteer and conservation efforts on a whole. But first and foremost, continuing what we do daily, being a resource for all things outdoors in Warren, Pennsylvania.”
Visitors from all over the world
“I’d say roughly 65-to-70 percent are from outside Warren County,” she said. “We have two large maps when you come through our doors — one of the United States and one of the world. Folks that visit place pushpins of where they’re from. You’d be surprised at what you find.”
“Goodnight from the Allegheny…”
Photos courtesy of Piper VanOrd
Jo in the Warr e n bu s in esse s th at have hir ed an in dividua l thr o ugh the Ba rb e r Nati ona l Ins titut e’s S upp o rt ed Em pl oy me nt se rvi ce o r u sed o ur Bo lling er cam pu s for th e ir bu s ine ss o ut so ur c ing ne eds . Co nt ac t o ur t ea m t od ay t o se e h ow we ca n a ss ist you.
Ron Heinrich, (814) 723-8431, Ext. 114. SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT:
