County Hall Corner: Facing Friends and Fanatics at the Fair

By Larry Stout

My wife Debbie and I went to the Lycoming County Fair on Thursday, July 13th. We arrived at 4:00 p.m., just as the gates were opening, and got the best parking spot imaginable. Of course, there was not much going on that early, but we didn’t mind. The weather was perfect as we walked around the track, and it did not seem such a long walk as we were entertained by the trainers preparing their horses.

Our purpose was not just to take in the sights and sounds of this iconic fair but to host the Lycoming County Republican Party booth. It consisted of two tables colorfully decorated with a bright red cover with election materials for a number of local as well as state offices, highlighted with little flags in decorative holders scattered about the tables. On the wall behind the tables were over a dozen signs for those running for those offices, even including school directors for the various school districts.

Debbie and I have been doing this for the past few years and have found the experience quite compelling. A person or a couple could wander all over the fair and not really engage anyone outside of a vendor or recognizing a friend. The political

John E. Springman

Funeral Director

Kristen M. Overdorf

Funeral Director

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Michael R. Lingg, Supervisor

A Tradition of Excellence Since 1879

1914 Memorial Ave • Williamsport, PA 17701 • 570-323-7717

E-mail: KCFH@knightconfer.com • www.KnightConferFuneralHome.com tables (yes, the Democratic Party also had one opposite the pavilion from the Republican Party) are a place where people who are unknown to one another can stop and talk.

Those four hours on that Thursday were quite entertaining and enlightening. We had friends that recognized us and came over to say hello. We had various public officials stop by as well, such as Lycoming County Treasurer Cindy Newcomer and also Pennsylvania Senator Gene Yaw and his District Director Matt Wise. They were all encouraging, and we were pleased with their company.

But what we enjoyed the most were the random folks who came by, each one with their own unique story. There was one man who looked like he was of retirement

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~ Week of ~ July 17th-July 21st

Anna E. Albertson, 96, of Watsontown

Elizabeth L. “Betty” Buffington, 87, of Williamsport

Geraldine R. “Jeri” (Dullen) Wyble, 72, of Lock Haven

Kimberly S. Watkins, 65, of Lock Haven

Rev. Louis Herman Gatti, 77, of South Williamsport

Margaret C. Vognetz, 94, of Watsontown

Vicki L. Smith, 49, of Williamsport

Delores E. Koch, 89, of Jersey Shore

Patrick David “Patty Atty” Snyder, 26, of Cogan Station

Marlin P. Bitler, 83, of Picture Rocks

Robert “Bob” Klotz, 89, of South Williamsport

Fernando Junior Guzman

Christopher M. Tetanich, Sr., 58, of Lock Haven

John Cameron Walker “Guitar Man”, 36, of Williamsport

Robert J. Cappelli, 89, of Williamsport

Deborah A. McDermott, 68, of Williamsport

Tomasa Mendez-Gonzalez, 84, of Williamsport

Ida Fantaskey Stitzer, 101

Connie K. Crawford, 82, of Bloomsburg

Beverly D. Spencer, 72, of Williamsport

Mary M. Taylor, 89, of Watsontown