Positivity

STEVE BAGWELL

Local volunteers with Central PA Wreaths Across America put thousands of wreaths on veteransʼ graves across the area.

Wreaths Across the Valley for Vets

By Linda Stager West Branch Life

Dori Rankinen from Duboistown muses about her passion for her current project, the local Wreaths Across America campaign. She remembers, “One morning I heard a news broadcast and they were trying to get the last 2,000 wreathes at Arlington Cemetery and they said a person dies twice; once whenever they take their last breath, and then again when there’s no one left to say their name or tell their story and that just grabbed my heart. ” At Wreaths Across America ceremonies every December, each veteran’s name is called out in a tribute to their service to our country as wreaths are laid in select cemeteries. Rankinen vowed that she would join the cause so that local veterans’ stories could be told. Rankinen gathered an inspired volunteer group to give communities extra help in fulfilling the goal of bringing wreaths to their cemeteries. It takes a partnership of businesses, individual sponsors and volunteers to do it. Last year was a successful year for the local group, called

Central PA Wreaths Across America (CentralPAWAA). “Last year we ended up working together to cover 5,855 graves. It’s so exciting that other communities have joined us and we’re all working together to raise funds. Now we’re

looking at a projected 13,000 wreaths this year, ” Rankinen offers.

“I knew there were a lot of little communities in the area that wanted to provide wreaths to honor their veterans, but it was a daunting task because of the paperwork involved with the process. I thought we could help. Last year, we had 13 cemeteries starting from Pine Creek down through Jersey Shore into Freedom Road here in Williamsport up into Sullivan County to Mildred for three cemeteries there, and then on to Montgomery. This year we’ll be adding three cemeteries in the Danville area. ”

The CentralPAWAA Facebook page details the group’s activities and serves as a portal for donations, as well as for purchasing wreaths for specific cemeteries. All wreath sponsorships go through the national organization which handles donation and tax deduction paperwork.

Rankinen wants to add business partners to the group.

“We do events frequently, but I’m always up for discussing similar partnership opportunities with businesses. As we fundraise, we look to incorporate individuals as well as businesses. It’s powerful to see a community come together for a common cause. ”

Volunteers who wish to help distribute wreaths should also check the Facebook page. Volunteers report to the cemetery on distribution day. Individuals and groups of all ages are welcome.

Rankinen pauses for a moment, “I’m not able to run up a hill carrying an 80-pound rucksack. I can’t wake up at 2 o’clock in the morning because there is an invasion and I am needed to help protect others from it. So I applaud and honor those who can. This is my gift to them. ”

How can a volunteer fit this project into their busy schedule? Said Rankinen, “Volunteers don’t have more time. They just have more heart. ”

www.facebook.com/Centralpawaa or call 570-772-2423

STEVE BAGWELL

Dori Rankinen, founder of Central PA WreathsAcrossAmerica, with 84th District State Representative Joe Hamm.

2880 Quarry Road, South of Jersey Shore, in Beautiful Nippenose Valley from the bridge in Jersey Shore, take Route 44 South 4.1 miles to Quarry Road Turn right on Quarry Road and go 2.8 miles.

Gallery Hours

November thru December 24th Wednesday through Saturday 10am-4pm Other times by appointment 570-745-3634

Like us on November/December Hours – Wednesday through Saturday 10am to 4pm Guest Artist David Seybold

Saturday Nov 19th, Dec 3rd, Dec 10th 10am to 4pm

Original Paintings (small ones framed starting at $100), also a large selection of prints and etchings

“The Outhouse Keeper” by David Seybold Image - 10 1/2 x 14 1/4 Sale Price - $65.00

Guest Author Guy Graybill

Saturday Nov 19th, 10am to 4pm

Author of “Prohibition Prince”, with his new book “Henry Wharton Shoemaker - Scoundrel of the Susquehanna”

Guy Graybill’s new book tells the story of a very talented storyteller and creator of many myths. Shoemaker wrote many books, and lived the life of a wealthy gentleman in McElhattan, Pa. Graybill, known for his “witty sarcasm” tells Shoemaker’s fascinating story.

New Limited Edition Print from David Armstrong

“Two Pasture Trough”

Katy, daughter of David, saw this painting of her Papa’s in collection of images. She fell in love with this painting, and thought art lover’s would love it too. This is another painting David did using Tobin’s Barn. Image Size - 14” x 21” $180.00 Image Size - 17” x 25 1/2” $450 10% Off the Framing for this print of any print purchased at Valley Galley (offer is good for one year). Layaways accepted

Photos Provided

Since 1865, Purity Candy has been crafting holiday treats at their Lewisburg andAllenwood stores.

Pure Christmas

By BENTHANY SEE West Branch Life

Holidays have never been sweeter, since local candy store Purity Candy started sharing its delicious treats. With roots going back over 100 years and recipes that have been passed down through generations, it’s stood the test of time and a pandemic.

Owner John Burfeindt Jr. never pictured himself a candy maker. He shares, “I was away at boarding school when my parents told me they bought the store. I never thought I’d be making candy, but in 89’ , I started working as a candy maker to help my parents, moved up to president in 1993, and soon became the owner. I’ve been in candy for thirty years. ” John’s mom still works in the store and his sister is the general manager. John’s wife does the social media aspect of the business on Facebook, Instagram, and their website.

The business has been family owned since 1885 and continues to embrace those values. “We have people who visited the store back in the day that reach out asking if we still make this or that, and I say we certainly do, ” John says.

From chocolate covered pretzel sticks to hard candy, this store has it all. Seasons are jammed packed with special treats. Thanksgiving has turkey themed treats to gobble up, while Christmas offers delicious candy canes.

Everything is handmade on the premises, between the Lewisburg candy store and Allenwood factory. If you can’t make it to the store, Purity Candy will ship directly to you, making it easy to get bulk batches of candy for holiday events and to give as hostess gifts..

“Our best sellers are definitely the chocolate covered pretzel sticks, sea salt caramels, and peanut butter smoothies. We stuck with the old family recipes for the pretzel sticks and caramels. My dad and I created the recipe for the peanut butter smoothies, ” John recounts. “I still have the old diaries with the original candy recipes for the caramels and chocolate. ”

Before their Allenwood and Lewisburg locations, Purity Candy was nestled on the Golden Strip in Williamsport. “We want to stay a local family business. I have no plans to become a franchise or expanding a great deal. We started here as a family business and we’ll always remain that way, “ explains John. “Aside from upgrading equipment, we’ll always stick with our roots of family values and handmade candy. ”

Located on Route 150 Between Woolrich and Avis 570-769-7377 Visit us online at www.Klineys.com Open Monday-Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-3