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Your mile-by-mile guide to the Pine Creek Rail Trail

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FROM<br />

STEAM<br />

SWEAT<br />

<strong>Your</strong> <strong>mile</strong>-<strong>by</strong>-<strong>mile</strong><br />

<strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong><br />

<strong>Creek</strong> <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong><br />

<strong>to</strong><br />

FREE<br />

as <strong>the</strong> wind<br />

June 2010


6<br />

Mountain Chatter<br />

By Nicole Hagan<br />

The tin can caravan is rolling our way.<br />

13<br />

Looking Back<br />

By Joyce C. Tice<br />

Tracking a Mansfield business from creation <strong>to</strong><br />

demolition<br />

14<br />

Driving for Dough<br />

By Dawn Bilder<br />

Tony Espisi<strong>to</strong> trades in his pizza wheels for some<br />

high power ones.<br />

18<br />

The Lunker<br />

By Fred Metarko<br />

The Lunker and his friend can’t let anything<br />

interfere with hooking a nice trout<br />

20<br />

Bringing Up Ba<strong>by</strong><br />

By Angela Cannon-Cro<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

1,000 births and no s<strong>to</strong>pping for this<br />

Fingerlakes midwife<br />

22<br />

The Better World<br />

By John & Lynne Diamond-Nigh<br />

Is it <strong>to</strong>o much <strong>to</strong> ask for civility?<br />

Top: Flowers scattered along <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>Rail</strong><br />

<strong>Trail</strong>. Middle: The Sgro Bro<strong>the</strong>rs with television<br />

personality Herb Shriner circa 1950s. Bot<strong>to</strong>m:<br />

Hans S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus handcrafting a chair at Morris<br />

Chair Shop.<br />

Cover art <strong>by</strong> Tucker Worthing<strong>to</strong>n.<br />

Courtesy <strong>the</strong> sgro Bro<strong>the</strong>rs Courtesy david ira kagaN<br />

Courtesy NiCole hagaN<br />

Volume 5 Issue 6<br />

8<br />

24<br />

34<br />

Bicycling in Heaven<br />

By David Ira Kagan<br />

A <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> beauty, grace, and<br />

<strong>to</strong>ilets of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong>.<br />

Playing <strong>the</strong> Ole’<br />

Harpoon<br />

By Martha Hor<strong>to</strong>n<br />

After sixty years, performers and<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>rs Tony and Dom Sgro still<br />

make beautiful music <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

Morris Chair Shop<br />

By Nicole Hagan<br />

Whe<strong>the</strong>r you want <strong>to</strong> rock or roll, <strong>the</strong>se<br />

chairs will have you sitting pretty.


30<br />

A Cheesy Family Business<br />

By Nicole Hagan<br />

A failing dairy farm is transformed in<strong>to</strong> a world-class creamery.<br />

32<br />

Fingerlakes Wine Review<br />

By Holly Howell<br />

If it’s pretty in pink, <strong>the</strong>n it’s <strong>the</strong> best wine <strong>to</strong> sip this spring.<br />

36<br />

Someplace Like Home<br />

By Dave Milano<br />

Dave deals with <strong>the</strong> sting of warm wea<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

38<br />

What a Gem!<br />

By Suzanne Meredith<br />

In business since <strong>the</strong> 1800s, Bong’s Jewelry is one not so hidden treasure.<br />

42<br />

Back of <strong>the</strong> Mountain<br />

Catbird Seat<br />

P u b l i s h e r<br />

Michael Capuzzo<br />

e d i t o r - i n - C h i e f<br />

Teresa Banik Capuzzo<br />

A s s o C i A t e P u b l i s h e r<br />

George Bochet<strong>to</strong>, Esq.<br />

M A n A g i n g e d i t o r<br />

Kay Barrett<br />

C o P y e d i t o r s<br />

Mary Nance, Kathleen Torpy<br />

s t A f f W r i t e r<br />

Dawn Bilder<br />

i n t e r n<br />

Nicole Hagan<br />

C o v e r A r t i s t<br />

Tucker Worthing<strong>to</strong>n<br />

P r o d u C t i o n M A n A g e r / g r A P h i C d e s i g n e r<br />

Amanda Doan-Butler<br />

C o n t r i b u t i n g W r i t e r s<br />

Kay Barrett, Dawn Bilder, Sarah Bull,<br />

Angela Cannon-Cro<strong>the</strong>rs, Jennifer Cline, Matt Connor,<br />

Barbara Coyle, John & Lynne Diamond-Nigh, Patricia Brown Davis,<br />

Steve Hainsworth, Martha Hor<strong>to</strong>n, Holly Howell, David Ira Kagan,<br />

Roberta McCulloch-Dews, Cindy Davis Meixel, Suzanne Meredith,<br />

Fred Metarko, Karen Meyers, Dave Milano, Tom Murphy,<br />

Mary Myers, Jim Obleski, Cornelius O’Donnell, Audrey Patterson,<br />

Gary Ranck, Kathleen Thompson, Joyce M. Tice, Linda Williams<br />

P h o t o g r A P h y<br />

James Fitzpatrick, Ann Kamzelski<br />

s A l e s r e P r e s e n t A t i v e s<br />

Chris<strong>to</strong>pher Banik, Michele Duffy<br />

A C C o u n t i n g<br />

Zachery Redell<br />

b e A g l e<br />

Cosmo<br />

Mountain Home is published monthly <strong>by</strong> Beagle Media LLC,<br />

39 Water St., Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, 16901.<br />

Copyright 2010 Beagle Media LLC. All rights reserved.<br />

To advertise, subscribe or provide s<strong>to</strong>ry ideas phone 570-724-3838<br />

or e-mail info@mountainhomemag.com. Each month copies of<br />

Mountain Home are available for free at hundreds of locations in<br />

Tioga, Potter, Bradford, Lycoming, Union, Clin<strong>to</strong>n, Wyoming, and<br />

Sullivan counties in Pennsylvania; Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler,<br />

Yates, Seneca, Tioga, and Ontario counties in New York.<br />

Visit us at www.mountainhomemag.com.<br />

Get Mountain Home at home. For a one-year subscription <strong>to</strong><br />

Mountain Home (12 issues), send $24.95, payable <strong>to</strong> Beagle<br />

Media LLC, <strong>to</strong> 39 Water St., Wellsboro, PA 16901.<br />

LOOK FOR Home & Real Estate magazine wherever Mountain<br />

Home magazine is found.


Pho<strong>to</strong> <strong>by</strong><br />

Bernadette Chiaramonte-Brown of Wellsboro<br />

August winner - 2010 C&N Calendar Pho<strong>to</strong> Contest<br />

Relocating <strong>to</strong> our<br />

neck of <strong>the</strong> woods?<br />

If you're planning a move <strong>to</strong> our area, you'll need a full<br />

service financial institution and we hope you'll consider us.<br />

A local, independent, community bank, we've been around<br />

since 1864. We have <strong>the</strong> products and services you need<br />

and a commitment <strong>to</strong> world class cus<strong>to</strong>mer service that sets<br />

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Citizens & Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Bank serves you from 24 convenient offices in Bradford, Cameron, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Sullivan and Tioga Counties.<br />

Contact us <strong>to</strong>ll-free at 1-877-838-2517. Visit us on <strong>the</strong> web at www.cnbankpa.com.


MOUNTAIN ChATTER<br />

Oops & Etc.<br />

On <strong>the</strong> Road Again<br />

Some people hook <strong>the</strong>ir campers up and cruise on down <strong>the</strong> dusty road <strong>to</strong> find a scenic lakefront or a comfortable camp site. The<br />

Tin Can Tour Caravan, however, hooks <strong>the</strong>ir visi<strong>to</strong>rs up with a glimpse of <strong>the</strong> past and a cool spot along memory lane.<br />

From June 4 through <strong>the</strong> 14 <strong>the</strong> Tin Can Tourists—an all-make and all-model vintage trailer and mo<strong>to</strong>r coach club—will set off<br />

on <strong>the</strong>ir PA Route 6 caravan. The procession features approximately fifteen <strong>to</strong> twenty vintage trailers and mo<strong>to</strong>r coaches that will<br />

traverse across U.S. Route 6, starting west along <strong>the</strong> Ohio boarder and moving east <strong>to</strong> Meadville (June 4-5), Port Allegany/Roulette<br />

(June 6–7), Gale<strong>to</strong>n (June 8–9), and Mansfield (June 10–11). The caravan will s<strong>to</strong>p for two days at each location, hosting an open<br />

house on every second day for residents and visi<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> come and view <strong>the</strong><br />

classic campers.<br />

“There will be some marvelous looking campers; <strong>the</strong>y are all very<br />

unique,” says Terri Dennison of <strong>the</strong> Pennsylvania Route 6 Heritage<br />

Corporation. “Every o<strong>the</strong>r year <strong>the</strong> Tin Can Tourists choose an his<strong>to</strong>ric<br />

highway <strong>to</strong> drive across, and this year will be <strong>the</strong>ir second time returning<br />

<strong>to</strong> Pennsylvania since <strong>the</strong>y drove <strong>the</strong> National Road back in 2006.”<br />

For more information on <strong>the</strong> Tin Can Tourists or <strong>the</strong> PA Route 6<br />

Caravan, visit www.tincan<strong>to</strong>urists.com. ~ Nicole Hagan<br />

Due <strong>to</strong> a broken link in last month’s issue, our Back of<br />

<strong>the</strong> Mountain pho<strong>to</strong> <strong>by</strong> Bernadette Chiaramonte Brown<br />

appeared pixelated.<br />

Bernadette is a talented local self-taught pho<strong>to</strong>grapher,<br />

whose pho<strong>to</strong>s have appeared on <strong>the</strong> Visit PA web site and<br />

have also been used on Pennsylvania <strong>to</strong>urist brochures.<br />

Bears are not her only subjects of interest. Local landscapes<br />

and creative shots have made Bernadette’s portfolio both<br />

vast and breathtaking.<br />

Turn <strong>to</strong> this month’s Back of <strong>the</strong> Mountain for ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

shot <strong>by</strong> Bernadette.<br />

Bernadette’s pho<strong>to</strong>graph of a field of sunflowers in front<br />

of a church in Middlebury Center, Pennsylvania, is featured<br />

for <strong>the</strong> month of August in Citizens and Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Bank’s<br />

2010 calendar.<br />

© BerNadette ChiaraMoNte BroWN<br />

Complete Schedule<br />

June 4 Arrival at <strong>the</strong> Brookdale Family Campground in<br />

Meadville, near <strong>mile</strong>-marker 24<br />

June 5 Open House at <strong>the</strong> Brookdale Family Campground<br />

(Meadville) from 1 p.m.–4 p.m.<br />

June 6 Arrival at Port Allegany, between <strong>mile</strong>-marker 159 and<br />

160, with a “walk around” viewing of <strong>the</strong> trailers/mo<strong>to</strong>r coaches,<br />

participation in a car show, and a meal<br />

June 7 Open House at <strong>the</strong> Allegheny River Campground in<br />

Roulette, near <strong>mile</strong>-marker 170, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.<br />

June 8 Arrival at John J. Collins Memorial Park in Gale<strong>to</strong>n, near<br />

<strong>mile</strong>-marker 198<br />

June 9 Open House at <strong>the</strong> John J. Collins Memorial Park<br />

(Gale<strong>to</strong>n) from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.<br />

June 10 Arrival at Town Park in Mansfield, near <strong>mile</strong>-marker<br />

234<br />

June 11 Open House at Smy<strong>the</strong> Park (Mansfield) from<br />

1 p.m. – 4 p.m.<br />

June 12 Heads back west <strong>to</strong> Conneaut Lake Park


t r a i l <strong>to</strong><br />

H E av E n<br />

a <strong>guide</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> beauty, grace, and <strong>to</strong>ilets of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong><br />

By David Ira Kagan


©Bill CroWell<br />

If <strong>the</strong>re’s a bicycle path in heaven, it’s difficult for<br />

me <strong>to</strong> imagine one filled with more glories than<br />

<strong>the</strong> sixty-two-<strong>mile</strong>-long <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong>. From <strong>the</strong><br />

New York Central <strong>Rail</strong>road caboose in <strong>the</strong> parking lot at<br />

<strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn terminus in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, <strong>to</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Pag-Omar Farms Market at <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn terminus at<br />

S<strong>to</strong>kesdale just above Wellsboro, this body- and mindand<br />

soul-refreshing route offers cyclists a smorgasbord of<br />

sensory experiences.<br />

Take along a bicycle bag in<strong>to</strong> which you<br />

put, in case of a flat, a spare tube, a patch kit,<br />

a mini air pump, a couple of tire levers, and an<br />

adjustable wrench. Ei<strong>the</strong>r know how <strong>to</strong> repair<br />

a flat, or take along written instructions (<strong>the</strong><br />

process really isn’t difficult). You’d also be wise<br />

<strong>to</strong> pack a small first aid kit, including sun block<br />

and insect repellent. And carry water, perhaps<br />

some energy bars, and a poncho in case of rain.<br />

That’s about it, except don’t forget your camera<br />

and some money for <strong>the</strong> food available at <strong>the</strong><br />

half-dozen or so establishments located along<br />

<strong>the</strong> way.<br />

The hard-packed gravel trail, although listed<br />

as having a two-percent downgrade from north<br />

<strong>to</strong> south, seems quite flat as you are cycling on it<br />

in ei<strong>the</strong>r direction. It’s really <strong>the</strong> wind direction<br />

that determines which way <strong>the</strong> pedaling is easier.<br />

Even averaging a cycling speed of only seven or<br />

eight <strong>mile</strong>s an hour, you can easily cover <strong>the</strong><br />

entire trail one way, with reasonable time set<br />

aside for rest and food s<strong>to</strong>ps, in much less than<br />

<strong>the</strong> daylight hours of some late spring, summer,<br />

or early fall day that you will never forget.<br />

Since I live in Torbert Village, only four <strong>mile</strong>s<br />

above <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn terminus, I’ll narrate what<br />

a daytrip from south <strong>to</strong> north could offer. It’s a<br />

trip I myself enjoyed twice last year and expect<br />

<strong>to</strong> do at least once again this year.<br />

The parking lot off <strong>Rail</strong>road Street in Jersey<br />

Shore is a spacious, paved one, and <strong>the</strong> recently<br />

built comfort station located <strong>the</strong>re, with its flush<br />

<strong>to</strong>ilets, assures you a comfortable start <strong>to</strong> your<br />

day. For those who prefer breakfast before hitting<br />

<strong>the</strong> trail, I recommend <strong>the</strong> Crest Restaurant on<br />

Allegheny Street in Jersey Shore, only a half-<strong>mile</strong><br />

away.<br />

At <strong>the</strong> trail parking lot is s<strong>to</strong>ne <strong>mile</strong>-marker<br />

L-168. Look for <strong>the</strong>se old New York Central<br />

<strong>Rail</strong>road (NYCRR) <strong>mile</strong>-markers all along your<br />

journey north (although quite a few, especially<br />

once you get above <strong>the</strong> village of Cedar Run, are,<br />

unfortunately, now missing after <strong>the</strong> removal of<br />

<strong>the</strong> tracks in 1988-89). The “L” stands for Lyons,<br />

New York, where this north-south branch of <strong>the</strong><br />

old railroad met <strong>the</strong> main east-west line, 168<br />

<strong>mile</strong>s north of Jersey Shore.<br />

Not far along on this wonderful outdoor<br />

odyssey, after crossing <strong>Rail</strong>road Street (be careful<br />

of vehicular traffic here) just a few hundred<br />

yards from <strong>the</strong> parking lot, you get <strong>to</strong> enjoy a<br />

short downhill ride, with this sole paved section<br />

of <strong>the</strong> trail <strong>the</strong>n changing in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> easy-riding<br />

gravel that will scrunch pleasantly under your<br />

tires for <strong>the</strong> next sixty-one <strong>mile</strong>s.<br />

Proceeding on what was <strong>the</strong> old railroad<br />

bridge over four-lane U.S. Route 220, you soon<br />

come across <strong>mile</strong>-marker L-167. Two sights are<br />

worth noting in this area. First is a section of<br />

<strong>the</strong> old NYCRR track positioned just off of<br />

and parallel <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> trail. Second are <strong>the</strong> unusual<br />

vertical rock strata on <strong>the</strong> east side of <strong>the</strong> path,<br />

providing testimony of mighty geological<br />

activity ages ago.<br />

Four <strong>mile</strong>s in<strong>to</strong> your trek, sailing past White<br />

Tail parking access and sleepy Torbert Village,<br />

after you pass <strong>mile</strong>-marker L-164, you see <strong>the</strong><br />

first of four old, steel truss railroad bridges that<br />

you’ll cross. S<strong>to</strong>p in <strong>the</strong> middle <strong>to</strong> view Gamble<br />

Run bubbling in<strong>to</strong> <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> from a west-side<br />

mountain hollow.<br />

After cruising past a half-<strong>mile</strong>-long open field,<br />

<strong>the</strong> next three <strong>mile</strong>s offer you a close-up view of<br />

<strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> on your right and a mountainside<br />

next <strong>to</strong> you on your left. Just fifty yards past <strong>mile</strong>marker<br />

161, in <strong>the</strong> woods on your left beside<br />

two old, tall pine trees, look for <strong>the</strong> graves<strong>to</strong>ne of<br />

Catharine Bonnell, a pioneer ba<strong>by</strong> girl who died<br />

back in 1852 at <strong>the</strong> age of only one.<br />

Then on <strong>the</strong> right notice <strong>the</strong> grounds of


0<br />

Above: Konnor (left) and Karli Spencer take a brea<strong>the</strong>r along <strong>the</strong> newest section of <strong>the</strong> trail<br />

between Darling Run and Wellsboro Junction. Facing Page Top: Our writer prepares <strong>to</strong> head north<br />

from Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. Facing Page Bot<strong>to</strong>m: <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> map available at <strong>the</strong> Tioga County<br />

Visi<strong>to</strong>rs Bureau.<br />

Camp Kline, a Boy Scout camp from 1920<br />

until <strong>the</strong> mid-1970s. If you want <strong>to</strong> take <strong>the</strong><br />

time, you could walk down <strong>to</strong> see <strong>the</strong> two<br />

remaining <strong>to</strong>tem poles and o<strong>the</strong>r structures.<br />

Back up on <strong>the</strong> trail not far, on a hot day you’ll<br />

be grateful for <strong>the</strong> cold water available from <strong>the</strong><br />

old-fashioned water pump next <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bonnell<br />

Flat comfort station.<br />

Then comes a second beautiful old steel<br />

railroad bridge. Looking south from this<br />

bridge, you can see <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>ne wall erected<br />

between State Route 44 and <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>by</strong><br />

Works Progress Administration workers back<br />

in <strong>the</strong> 1930s.<br />

On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side of <strong>the</strong> bridge, as you pass<br />

<strong>the</strong> access parking lot at <strong>the</strong> village of Ramsey,<br />

look <strong>to</strong> your right <strong>to</strong> see if you can spot <strong>the</strong><br />

two alpacas grazing in <strong>the</strong> fenced-in field<br />

across Route 44. And read <strong>the</strong> plaque at <strong>the</strong><br />

lot, which informs you of <strong>the</strong> origin of <strong>the</strong><br />

village’s name.<br />

The next village going just three <strong>mile</strong>s<br />

north is Waterville. There you enjoy crossing<br />

yet ano<strong>the</strong>r scenic railroad bridge, this one<br />

over Little <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> near where it empties<br />

in<strong>to</strong> Big <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>. At Waterville you have a<br />

choice of three eating places—<strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong><br />

Valley Lodge, <strong>the</strong> Waterville Tavern (erected<br />

in 1825) and McConnell’s (subs and soft ice<br />

cream <strong>the</strong> specialties).<br />

North past <strong>the</strong> next parking area and<br />

<strong>mile</strong>-marker 156 finds you once again right<br />

alongside <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>. Marvel at <strong>the</strong> very<br />

obvious, extensive gnawing activity of beavers<br />

around <strong>mile</strong>-marker 154 just south of <strong>the</strong> Dry<br />

Run comfort station.<br />

Two <strong>mile</strong>s far<strong>the</strong>r on, as you cross <strong>the</strong> little<br />

bridge over Callahan Run (it’s labeled) in <strong>the</strong><br />

village of Jersey Mills, note on your immediate<br />

left <strong>the</strong> post office, which occupies half of a very<br />

old house. Serving <strong>the</strong> small community since<br />

1855, it is currently run weekday mornings <strong>by</strong><br />

Postmaster Kenneth O. Kelley Jr., <strong>the</strong> thirdgreat<br />

grandson of <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> Valley pioneer<br />

Abraham Harris.<br />

Just north of <strong>the</strong> village of Jersey Mills<br />

is a fenced section of trail paralleling State<br />

Route 414. The view of a bend in <strong>Pine</strong><br />

<strong>Creek</strong> at this point and of <strong>the</strong> surrounding<br />

mountains is gorgeous.<br />

Courtesy tioga CouNty visi<strong>to</strong>rs Bureau


Arriving at <strong>the</strong> village of Cammal, you could make s<strong>to</strong>ps at yet<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r trailside comfort station (very near where, just this April, I was<br />

blessed with <strong>the</strong> absolutely beautiful sight of a bald eagle soaring quite<br />

low over my head), <strong>the</strong> Cammal General S<strong>to</strong>re, or <strong>the</strong> Wagon Wheel<br />

Restaurant.<br />

North of Cammal come <strong>the</strong> Ross Run and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> Clark Farm/<br />

Utceter Station trail access areas (no comfort stations at ei<strong>the</strong>r). Between<br />

<strong>the</strong>se two is a long, fenced section of <strong>the</strong> trail paralleling Route 414<br />

again, with ano<strong>the</strong>r outstanding view of a sweeping turn in <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>,<br />

about where Wolf Run enters under <strong>the</strong> trail from <strong>the</strong> mountain on<br />

<strong>the</strong> east. Then about a <strong>mile</strong> past where <strong>the</strong> fencing ends, Black Walnut<br />

Bot<strong>to</strong>m campground—a well-shaded area, with bathrooms and picnic<br />

tables—lures bicyclists in for a rest.<br />

Above Black Walnut Bot<strong>to</strong>m about a <strong>mile</strong> is an old pioneer graveyard<br />

just <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> left of <strong>the</strong> rail trail. In this Utceter (also called Old Callahan)<br />

Cemetery are <strong>the</strong> graves<strong>to</strong>nes of perhaps about fifty souls, most of<br />

whom died in <strong>the</strong> mid-1800s, including quite a few young women<br />

and children. The exception is that of pioneer John Callahan, who died<br />

in 1891 at <strong>the</strong> age of 100.<br />

Rolling in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> village of Slate Run, you have a choice of two<br />

establishments for a nice lunch. Wolfe’s General S<strong>to</strong>re offers tasty,<br />

made-<strong>to</strong>-order sandwiches, which include a dill pickle on <strong>the</strong> side. Or<br />

a sit-down meal (<strong>the</strong>y have great cheesesteaks) is available across <strong>the</strong><br />

concrete <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> bridge at <strong>the</strong> Hotel Manor, where you have your<br />

choice of eating inside in a spacious, bug-free dining area, or outside on<br />

a wooden terrace overlooking <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>, next <strong>to</strong> a plaque honoring<br />

<strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>’s first pioneer, Jacob Tomb.<br />

As you cycle north just past <strong>the</strong> Slate Run access parking lot, note<br />

<strong>the</strong> extensive, weed-overgrown field along <strong>the</strong> east side of <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>.<br />

This was <strong>the</strong> site of <strong>the</strong> largest lumber mill in <strong>the</strong> valley, <strong>the</strong> James<br />

B. Weed and Company hemlock sawmill, which operated during <strong>the</strong><br />

great lumber era from 1893 <strong>to</strong> 1910.<br />

Just a couple <strong>mile</strong>s above Slate Run, you reach <strong>the</strong> Hilborn Fields<br />

comfort station. Look out for wildlife here, as I have come across<br />

deer (one time about a dozen were out in <strong>the</strong> field), a porcupine once<br />

“guarding” <strong>the</strong> door of <strong>the</strong> men’s room, and a black bear (walking<br />

along <strong>the</strong> path not far ahead of me, finally bolting down off <strong>the</strong> trail<br />

and crashing through <strong>the</strong> bushes <strong>to</strong>ward <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>).<br />

Arriving at Cedar Run Village, approximately thirty <strong>mile</strong>s in<strong>to</strong> your<br />

ride (about <strong>the</strong> halfway point), you don’t want <strong>to</strong> miss out on having<br />

a Perry’s ice cream cone at <strong>the</strong> General S<strong>to</strong>re (built circa 1895). It’s also<br />

worth it <strong>to</strong> at least take a look inside <strong>the</strong> Cedar Run Inn directly across<br />

<strong>the</strong> street, an establishment advertising “fine food and lodging since<br />

1891.” And you don’t want <strong>to</strong> be hungry when you leave Cedar Run,<br />

as your next chance for food along <strong>the</strong> trail isn’t until <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />

terminus over thirty <strong>mile</strong>s away.<br />

You’ll cross yet ano<strong>the</strong>r steel truss bridge at <strong>the</strong> north end of Cedar<br />

Run, after passing <strong>the</strong> sprawling Pettecote Junction Campground.<br />

S<strong>to</strong>p in <strong>the</strong> middle of this bridge <strong>to</strong> view a long stretch of <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong><br />

<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> north.<br />

It’s three <strong>mile</strong>s past “<strong>the</strong> narrows” (look at Route 414 high above on<br />

<strong>the</strong> steep mountainside) <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rattlesnake Rock access area (I’ve never<br />

seen rattlesnakes <strong>the</strong>re!), <strong>the</strong>n ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>mile</strong> <strong>to</strong> Hoffman campground,<br />

a little-known gem of <strong>the</strong> trail, well worth <strong>the</strong> short ride down <strong>the</strong><br />

dirt side-road. With its picnic tables, shade trees, comfort facility, water<br />

pump, and welcoming grassy banks along <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>, this heavenly<br />

spot will help soo<strong>the</strong> any aching muscles you may have.<br />

©Bill CroWell<br />

Courtesy tioga CouNty visi<strong>to</strong>rs Bureau<br />

<strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> rail <strong>Trail</strong><br />

Wellsboro Junction <strong>to</strong> Ansonia 7.7<br />

Ansonia <strong>to</strong> Darling Run 1.2<br />

Darling Run <strong>to</strong> Tiadagh<strong>to</strong>n 7.7<br />

Tiadagh<strong>to</strong>n <strong>to</strong> Blackwell 8.3<br />

Blackwell <strong>to</strong> Rattlesnake Rock 1.8<br />

Rattlesnake Rock <strong>to</strong> Cedar Run 2.7<br />

Cedar Run <strong>to</strong> Hilborn Fields 3.4<br />

Hilborn Fields <strong>to</strong> Slate Run 2.7<br />

Slate Run <strong>to</strong> Black Walnut Bot<strong>to</strong>m 1.8<br />

Black Walnut Bot<strong>to</strong>m <strong>to</strong> Ross Run 2.7<br />

Ross Run <strong>to</strong> Cammal Comfort Station 3.1<br />

Cammal Comfort Station <strong>to</strong> Dry Run 5.4<br />

Dry Run <strong>to</strong> Waterville Access Area 2.3<br />

Waterville <strong>to</strong> Bonnell Flats 4.3<br />

Bonnell Flats <strong>to</strong> Torbert Bridge 3.1<br />

Torbert Bridge <strong>to</strong> Torbert 0.6<br />

Torbert <strong>to</strong> Jersey Shore 2.4


Ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>mile</strong> north you enter <strong>the</strong> Village<br />

of Blackwell over yet ano<strong>the</strong>r bridge crossing<br />

<strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>. Enjoy, for a brief change, <strong>the</strong><br />

short downhill <strong>to</strong> Route 414 (comfort station<br />

and access parking on <strong>the</strong> left) and <strong>the</strong>n<br />

<strong>the</strong> 100-yard-long, gradual uphill past <strong>the</strong><br />

Blackwell Hotel (it’s been closed of late), <strong>the</strong><br />

old Methodist Church, and village houses.<br />

Eight <strong>mile</strong>s of bicycling takes you up <strong>to</strong><br />

Tiadagh<strong>to</strong>n campground. On your way you<br />

may very well come across some rattlesnakes,<br />

especially at a large rockslide just a couple <strong>mile</strong>s<br />

before <strong>the</strong> camp. The expansive camping and<br />

picnic ground has comfort facilities, a water<br />

pump, and a number of picnic tables right<br />

down <strong>by</strong> <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong>. With no bank here, you<br />

could easily dip your tired feet and legs in<strong>to</strong> its<br />

cooling waters.<br />

From Tiadagh<strong>to</strong>n campground north<br />

about eight more <strong>mile</strong>s <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Darling Run<br />

rest area, you pass through <strong>the</strong> most impressive<br />

section of <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> Gorge. The views of <strong>the</strong><br />

creek and surrounding mountains here are<br />

unsurpassed in beauty. Note <strong>the</strong> Turkey Path<br />

coming down from Leonard Harrison State<br />

Park about four <strong>mile</strong>s above Tiadagh<strong>to</strong>n, and,<br />

See <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> on page 28<br />

From Spikes and <strong>Rail</strong>s <strong>to</strong> Bikes and Hikes<br />

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Do<br />

not go where <strong>the</strong> path may lead; go instead<br />

where <strong>the</strong>re is no path and leave a trail.”<br />

When <strong>the</strong> railroad tracks through <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong><br />

<strong>Creek</strong> Gorge closed down in Oc<strong>to</strong>ber of<br />

1988 after over a century of use, <strong>the</strong>re may<br />

have been a path—but certainly no trail.<br />

The <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> Coalition was fixed on<br />

changing that. With <strong>the</strong> help of <strong>the</strong> National<br />

<strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> Association, this group of fewer than<br />

a dozen fought <strong>to</strong> pass legislation that would<br />

allow for a trail stretching from Wellsboro<br />

Junction <strong>to</strong> Pennsylvania’s Jersey Shore.<br />

They faced much opposition from <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong><br />

<strong>Creek</strong> Preservation Association and local<br />

residents, however, “who worried that <strong>the</strong><br />

Sou<strong>the</strong>rn trail terminus with original New York<br />

Central <strong>Rail</strong>road <strong>mile</strong>-marker. The “L” references<br />

Lyons, New York, a major railroad juction 168<br />

<strong>mile</strong>s north of Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.<br />

trail would disturb <strong>the</strong> character of <strong>the</strong> land or that <strong>the</strong>y’d end up with <strong>to</strong>o many <strong>to</strong>urists in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

backyard,” says Joe Smith, a member of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> Coalition.<br />

But after much lob<strong>by</strong>ing, <strong>the</strong>y were able <strong>to</strong> pass legislation and convince <strong>the</strong> Advisory Council<br />

<strong>to</strong> begin building what is now known as <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong>. The first phase of <strong>the</strong> trail from<br />

Ansonia <strong>to</strong> Blackwell opened up in 1996, and since <strong>the</strong>n three more phases have been added,<br />

with one more possible phase in<strong>to</strong> Wellsboro expected in <strong>the</strong> future. “O<strong>the</strong>r than its length, not<br />

much has changed since <strong>the</strong> first phase was built,” says Chief Ranger Brian Caldwell from <strong>the</strong><br />

Tioga District of DCNR. “We’ve just always tried <strong>to</strong> keep everything as natural as possible.”<br />

Emerson would be proud. ~ Nicole Hagan<br />

©david ira kageN


The adage, “When an old person<br />

dies, a library is gone,” applies <strong>to</strong><br />

our old buildings, <strong>to</strong>o. Almost<br />

two centuries of memories went<br />

in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> dumpster in January in Mansfield<br />

when <strong>the</strong> oldest building on Main Street<br />

was demolished. Built in 1829 as <strong>the</strong> Hotel<br />

Brundage, it was located at <strong>the</strong> address later<br />

known as 18 South Main Street. Little is<br />

known of its early his<strong>to</strong>ry, but <strong>by</strong> 1873 it was<br />

operating as a hotel and restaurant.<br />

In 1903 Mrs. Welch operated a hotel and<br />

restaurant in that building; Charles Campbell<br />

was <strong>the</strong> opera<strong>to</strong>r <strong>by</strong> 1906.<br />

The Cheeseman family <strong>to</strong>ok over in 1925<br />

and operated as <strong>the</strong> X-<strong>Trail</strong> (pronounced<br />

“Cross <strong>Trail</strong>”) Restaurant. During that time<br />

<strong>the</strong> restaurant became part of <strong>the</strong> national<br />

news when in March of 1932 a letter <strong>to</strong><br />

Charles Lindbergh from <strong>the</strong> alleged kidnapper<br />

of his child was received. A rendezvous was<br />

expected <strong>to</strong> be in Mansfield at <strong>the</strong> crossroads<br />

of main highways Routes 6 and 15. A state<br />

police stakeout yielded nothing.<br />

Ernie Vosburg <strong>to</strong>ok over <strong>the</strong> restaurant<br />

in 1946 and operated it as <strong>the</strong> Mansfield<br />

Restaurant, although everyone locally called<br />

it Ernie’s Restaurant. He and his wife, Fran,<br />

lived in <strong>the</strong> apartment above <strong>the</strong> restaurant.<br />

I worked <strong>the</strong>re as a waitress while in college,<br />

and I have always been grateful <strong>to</strong> Ernie for<br />

Looking Back<br />

Tracking <strong>the</strong> X-<strong>Trail</strong><br />

Joyce M. Tice<br />

The X-<strong>Trail</strong> Restaurant as it<br />

looked in 1932, when it became<br />

infamous during <strong>the</strong> Lindbergh<br />

ba<strong>by</strong> kidnapping case.<br />

Courtesy JoyCe C. tiCe<br />

giving me a job so I could pay tuition. The<br />

restaurant did a good business with <strong>to</strong>urists,<br />

but <strong>the</strong> locals and <strong>the</strong> college students were<br />

a major part of <strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mer base. The local<br />

business people convened for coffee every day<br />

at 10 a.m. When Ward Austin, local dealer<br />

in all things unusual, entered <strong>the</strong> restaurant,<br />

he would crow loudly like a rooster. Ernie<br />

would usually be at <strong>the</strong> grill in <strong>the</strong> kitchen<br />

and would answer<br />

<strong>by</strong> barking like a<br />

dog.<br />

Sometime after<br />

1966 <strong>the</strong> building<br />

narrowly missed<br />

serious injury<br />

when old Mr.<br />

Green pushed his<br />

throttle instead of<br />

his brake coming<br />

out of <strong>the</strong> A&P<br />

parking lot and went right in<strong>to</strong> Jimmy<br />

Carracciolo’s shoe repair shop next door <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

restaurant. Jimmy and Mr. Green survived,<br />

but <strong>the</strong> little ramshackle building had <strong>to</strong> be<br />

replaced <strong>by</strong> a small brick shop. That and <strong>the</strong><br />

old News Room were later both replaced <strong>by</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Waldeman Building.<br />

Fran and Ernie retired sometime in <strong>the</strong><br />

1970s, and after that <strong>the</strong> restaurant was<br />

operated sequentially <strong>by</strong> Dutch Pantry,<br />

Edgecomb Restaurant of Troy, and Effie<br />

and John An<strong>to</strong>nio, who also ran <strong>the</strong> Twain<br />

Theater. Eventually it became <strong>the</strong> University<br />

Club, dark and dank. The building was<br />

vacant for several years after <strong>the</strong> club closed<br />

and was in a state of disrepair. A new borough<br />

building is under construction on <strong>the</strong> site.<br />

Joyce M. Tice is <strong>the</strong> crea<strong>to</strong>r of <strong>the</strong> Tri-Counties<br />

Genealogy and His<strong>to</strong>ry Web site (www.joycetice.<br />

com/jmtindex.htm). She can be reached at<br />

lookingback@mountainhomemag.com.<br />

230 Market Street<br />

Lewisburg, PA 17837<br />

and<br />

109 Main Street, 2nd Floor<br />

Wellsboro, PA 16901<br />

(570) 524-2300 phone<br />

(570) 523-6140 fax<br />

(570) 523-6140 fax<br />

Full Service Architectural Firm with<br />

Diverse Expertise, including<br />

Sustainability & His<strong>to</strong>ric Preservation<br />

Announcing <strong>the</strong> Opening of our Wellsboro<br />

Office <strong>to</strong> better service our clientle across <strong>the</strong><br />

Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Tier of Pennsylvania and Sou<strong>the</strong>rn<br />

Tier of New York<br />

Initial Consultation Free of Charge<br />

www.lackstrosser.com


O U T d O O R S<br />

Pedal <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Metal<br />

Wellsboro’s Tony Esposi<strong>to</strong> trades in his pizza dough for a shot at STPR dough<br />

By dawn Bilder<br />

Co-driver Phil Barnes and driver Tony Esposi<strong>to</strong><br />

gear up with Tony’s revamped 1993 Subaru.<br />

What is at <strong>the</strong> heart of a rally racer? Perhaps <strong>the</strong> question is best answered <strong>by</strong> Wellsboro’s<br />

own Tony Esposi<strong>to</strong>, owner of Tony’s Italian Cuisine in down<strong>to</strong>wn Wellsboro:<br />

“You’re lucky if you don’t roll. But, if your car does roll, you hope it rolls back<br />

over, and you keep going.” Esposi<strong>to</strong> s<strong>mile</strong>s, adding, “The cars are strongly built,”<br />

seemingly unaware that his statement testifies <strong>to</strong> how strongly built <strong>the</strong> drivers are, <strong>to</strong>o.


This year marks <strong>the</strong> thirty-fourth<br />

anniversary of <strong>the</strong> Waste Management<br />

Susquehannock <strong>Trail</strong> Performance Rally,<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rwise known as STPR, on June 4–5.<br />

It is Esposi<strong>to</strong>s’ first STPR rally and will be<br />

held at N41degrees46.1791’W77degrees<br />

12.401’—or Wellsboro, if you don’t have<br />

access <strong>to</strong> GPS coordinates. Performance<br />

rallying is <strong>the</strong> demanding and exciting<br />

mo<strong>to</strong>rsport sanctioned <strong>by</strong> Rally America.<br />

“Rally’s been my passion since I was a<br />

kid,” says forty-year-old Esposi<strong>to</strong>, who grew<br />

up in Naples, Italy, watching War Rally<br />

Championship, WRC, <strong>the</strong> predominant<br />

rally circuit in Europe. About a year and<br />

a half ago, he decided <strong>to</strong> become a driver<br />

instead of a specta<strong>to</strong>r.<br />

He has already participated in two rallies in<br />

New York this year and in ice racing, where a<br />

track is cleared on a frozen lake and cars race<br />

around it. But it is <strong>the</strong> STPR rally that he’s<br />

really looking forward <strong>to</strong>. It was this race that<br />

drew him <strong>to</strong> Wellsboro in <strong>the</strong> first place. He<br />

and his wife, Vic<strong>to</strong>ria, fell in love with <strong>the</strong> area<br />

and decided <strong>to</strong> open <strong>the</strong>ir restaurant and raise<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir three children here.<br />

So, how does one go from specta<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong><br />

driver? Esposi<strong>to</strong> bought a 1993 Subaru, which<br />

was rally-ready, but needed a few updates—<br />

some bodywork, cosmetic work, and mo<strong>to</strong>r<br />

work. “Basically, when you buy a car,” says<br />

Esposi<strong>to</strong>, “it has <strong>to</strong> have a roll cage, harnesses,<br />

and steel or carbon fiber seats, which are very<br />

strong and have <strong>to</strong> be bolted in.” Then he<br />

applied for a regional racing license, which<br />

he applied for online with Rally America,<br />

along with a resume describing <strong>the</strong> races he<br />

participated in this year.<br />

Commitment also plays a large part. “I<br />

never had <strong>the</strong> chance or time <strong>to</strong> race,” Esposi<strong>to</strong><br />

explains. “But now I’ve decided <strong>to</strong> make <strong>the</strong><br />

time.” Finally, a co-driver, or naviga<strong>to</strong>r, must<br />

be found. Esposi<strong>to</strong>’s co-driver is Phil Barnes,<br />

who s<strong>to</strong>pped in one day <strong>to</strong> get pizza at<br />

Esposi<strong>to</strong>’s restaurant and saw Esposi<strong>to</strong>’s rally<br />

racing pho<strong>to</strong>s on <strong>the</strong> wall. “He’s great,” says<br />

Esposi<strong>to</strong>, “It’s important <strong>to</strong> have a good codriver.<br />

They read <strong>the</strong> stage notes and let you<br />

know what turns are coming up and how fast<br />

you should take <strong>the</strong>m.”<br />

STPR is one of America’s best-known rally<br />

events because <strong>the</strong> course features some of <strong>the</strong><br />

most challenging roads in <strong>the</strong> world, and it has a<br />

high percentage of stage <strong>mile</strong>s. It is Round Five<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Rally America Championship Series.<br />

Taking twelve hours <strong>to</strong> complete, <strong>the</strong> course<br />

starts at <strong>the</strong> Green in Wellsboro, covers about<br />

three hundred <strong>mile</strong>s, including one hundred<br />

and twenty-eight competition <strong>mile</strong>s in ten<br />

stages, and travels through two counties on<br />

Pennsylvania state forest roads, some running<br />

along <strong>the</strong> edge of <strong>the</strong> Pennsylvania Grand<br />

Canyon. STPR regularly draws <strong>the</strong> best rally<br />

teams from <strong>the</strong> United States, Canada, and<br />

abroad who have fun putting <strong>the</strong>ir skills <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

test. Last year’s STPR winners, driver Ken Block<br />

and co-driver Alex Gelsomino, are ranked in<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p five on <strong>the</strong> Rally America circuit.<br />

STPR’s main sponsors are Waste<br />

Management and Citizens and Nor<strong>the</strong>rn<br />

Bank. The Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce<br />

also contributes. Right now Esposi<strong>to</strong> is<br />

sponsoring himself, but would welcome any<br />

additional sponsors. Smiling, he says, “It’s<br />

never <strong>to</strong>o late for sponsorship.”<br />

INFORMATION<br />

To sponsor Tony Esposi<strong>to</strong>, drop <strong>by</strong> his<br />

restaurant, Tony’s Italian Cuisine, at 3 Main<br />

Street in Wellsboro or call him at (570) 724-<br />

2090. For more information about STPR,<br />

visit www.stpr.com or call <strong>the</strong> Wellsboro<br />

Chamber of Commerce.<br />

OUTdOORS


ARTS & LEISURE<br />

And <strong>the</strong> Winner Is...<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n Chamber’s raffle returns with a Polaris ATV, a Harley, or $5,000 cash<br />

Were you feeling lucky that day?<br />

“Not particularly,” Greg Bee says. “I was just<br />

doing <strong>the</strong> family thing. My first ba<strong>by</strong>, Ella, was<br />

about five months old, and I was home feeding<br />

her, giving her a bath, and trying <strong>to</strong> get her <strong>to</strong> sleep. When <strong>the</strong><br />

phone rang, I just thought, ‘Who is that calling me?’ Then <strong>the</strong><br />

person on <strong>the</strong> phone said that I had won <strong>the</strong> raffle.”<br />

Thirty-four year old Bee, a general manager for three familyowned<br />

Napa Au<strong>to</strong> Parts s<strong>to</strong>res, had bought one raffle ticket for<br />

<strong>the</strong> Gale<strong>to</strong>n Chamber of Commerce’s first raffle fundraiser from<br />

a deliveryman who came <strong>to</strong> his s<strong>to</strong>re. Winners of <strong>the</strong> raffle could<br />

choose between a new a Yamaha Grizzly 450 ATV, a Harley-<br />

Davidson Iron 883 mo<strong>to</strong>rcycle, or $5,000 in cash.<br />

“At first, when <strong>the</strong>y called me and <strong>to</strong>ld me I won, I was shocked,<br />

and I thought, ‘Okay. Wow. Seriously?’ I never win anything. They<br />

needed me <strong>to</strong> pick which prize I wanted right away, so I thought for<br />

a few minutes. I had <strong>to</strong> go with <strong>the</strong> Harley-Davidson Iron 883.”<br />

This year <strong>the</strong> winner of <strong>the</strong> raffle will be able <strong>to</strong> choose between<br />

a 2010 Polaris Sportman 500 HO ATV, a 2010 Harley-Davidson<br />

Iron 883, or $5,000 in cash. Canyon Mo<strong>to</strong>rsports, located at<br />

1572 Route 6 in Gaines, Pennsylvania, (814-435-2878, www.<br />

canyonmo<strong>to</strong>rsports.com), is providing <strong>the</strong> ATV. The Harley-<br />

By dawn Bilder<br />

Davidson is being provided <strong>by</strong> Larry’s Sport Center, 1913 US Rte.<br />

6 W. in Gale<strong>to</strong>n (814-435-6548, www. larryssportcenter.com).<br />

Raffle tickets cost $5 per raffle or 5 for $20. This year’s raffle<br />

winner will be chosen during <strong>the</strong> Gale Fest on September 4.<br />

The Gale Fest is a free multi-day festival of arts which includes<br />

music, painting, crafts, and activities for <strong>the</strong> whole family. Go <strong>to</strong><br />

www.visitgale<strong>to</strong>n.com for more information on <strong>the</strong> raffle and <strong>the</strong><br />

Gale Fest.<br />

Visit one of <strong>the</strong>se local sponsors <strong>to</strong> buy your raffle tickets<br />

Larry’s Sport Center, Inc.<br />

The Fun Dealership<br />

1913 us rt 6 West, Gale<strong>to</strong>n, pa l 814-435-6548<br />

Advertisment<br />

Cheryl Main, co-owner of Larry’s Sport Center, Greg Bee on his new bike, and<br />

Gale Fest organizer John Tubbs.<br />

Balsam Real Estate Settlement Co.<br />

19 Craf<strong>to</strong>n St., Wellsboro, PA 16901<br />

570-723-7200<br />

www.balsamsettlement.com<br />

Brick House Deli<br />

4 West Main Street<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-2444<br />

Ed-U-Caterers<br />

14 1st Street<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-2603<br />

Canyon Mo<strong>to</strong>rsports<br />

Route 6, Gaines, PA 16921<br />

814-435-2878<br />

www.canyonmo<strong>to</strong>rsports.com<br />

Cimino Hardware Inc.<br />

16 West Street<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-9911<br />

Endless Mountain Real Estate Co.<br />

22 E Main St., Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-7780<br />

www.endlessmtrealestate.com<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n Drug<br />

20 West Street<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-6588<br />

Heart’s Desire<br />

27 W. Main St., Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-2280<br />

www.visi<strong>the</strong>artsdesire.com<br />

John’s Sporting Goods<br />

27 Whispering <strong>Pine</strong>s Lane<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-3544<br />

Lakeview Cinema & Starlight Video<br />

11 Germania St. Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-3513<br />

www.movieclock.com<br />

Lydia’s<br />

14 East Main Street<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-2411<br />

Nob Hill Motel<br />

289 Route 6 East Gale<strong>to</strong>n, PA 16922<br />

814-435-6738<br />

www.nobhillmotel.com


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OUTdOORS<br />

During winter I’m busy preparing<br />

my fishing tackle for <strong>the</strong> next<br />

season. Memories of <strong>the</strong> past<br />

season run through my mind.<br />

The ordinary days do not come <strong>to</strong> mind as<br />

often as <strong>the</strong> ones when things go wrong.<br />

One day, a few years ago, I was fishing with<br />

Curt Sweely on Keuka Lake. It started out as<br />

one of those ordinary days on <strong>the</strong> water. The<br />

sun was warming us as we leisurely fished<br />

<strong>the</strong> east shore coves and<br />

docks. We caught a fish<br />

now and <strong>the</strong>n—it was a<br />

good day.<br />

Curt was up front<br />

running <strong>the</strong> trolling<br />

mo<strong>to</strong>r while I held<br />

down <strong>the</strong> rear of <strong>the</strong><br />

boat. I turned forward<br />

<strong>to</strong> see how he was doing.<br />

Noticing water in <strong>the</strong> bot<strong>to</strong>m of <strong>the</strong> boat. I said,<br />

“Curt we have a problem.” Swiveling around in<br />

his seat he said, “We sure do. Turn on <strong>the</strong> bilge<br />

pump and look in <strong>the</strong> battery compartment<br />

<strong>to</strong> see if you can see anything wrong.” I turned<br />

<strong>the</strong> pump on and immediately water started<br />

spurting out. Lifting <strong>the</strong> cover I saw <strong>the</strong> water<br />

was rising fast, almost covering <strong>the</strong> batteries.<br />

The pump couldn’t keep up.<br />

I leaned over <strong>the</strong> compartment and searched<br />

for any visible problem. Then I reached in <strong>to</strong><br />

check <strong>the</strong> hose connections. I grabbed <strong>the</strong><br />

livewell hose. It was broken near <strong>the</strong> inlet<br />

where <strong>the</strong> water was gushing in. “Curt, your<br />

livewell hose is broken,” I said. “Can you fix<br />

it?” he asked. “Well, if <strong>the</strong>re’s enough slack<br />

in <strong>the</strong> hose I can cut off <strong>the</strong> broken end and<br />

reattach it,” I replied. “There’s not enough<br />

room for both of us <strong>to</strong> work back <strong>the</strong>re. See<br />

what you can do. I might as well keep fishing.”<br />

He said, as he turned and made his next cast.<br />

With both hands and head in <strong>the</strong><br />

compartment and my feet dangling over <strong>the</strong><br />

The Lunker<br />

Keep On Fishing<br />

Fred Metarko<br />

The Lunker with a five pound smallmouth<br />

bass caught on Keuka Lake.<br />

water, using my pocketknife, I managed <strong>to</strong> cut<br />

off <strong>the</strong> broken end and clamp <strong>the</strong> hose <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

inlet. It worked. The water s<strong>to</strong>pped coming<br />

in, <strong>the</strong> bilge pump was pumping and <strong>the</strong> boat<br />

quit sinking lower in <strong>the</strong> lake. I s<strong>to</strong>od up and<br />

announced, “Repair complete.” Up front Curt<br />

was still casting away. He said, “Good now we<br />

can keep fishing.”<br />

On our next visit <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> same lake we<br />

were in <strong>the</strong> same area. Curt was up front<br />

casting and running<br />

<strong>the</strong> trolling mo<strong>to</strong>r. He<br />

was concentrating on<br />

controlling <strong>the</strong> boat in<br />

Courtesy Fred Metarko<br />

<strong>the</strong> wind and rough<br />

water. Fishing from<br />

<strong>the</strong> back of <strong>the</strong> boat<br />

I hooked in<strong>to</strong> a nice<br />

five-pound smallmouth<br />

bass. It put on a good<br />

fight for a while, jumping a few times and<br />

trying <strong>to</strong> get <strong>to</strong> deeper water. When I finally<br />

landed <strong>the</strong> fish it hit <strong>the</strong> floor behind Curt<br />

with a thud. He jumped and turned around<br />

<strong>to</strong> see <strong>the</strong> fish flopping on <strong>the</strong> deck and said,<br />

“Boy, that scared me. Why didn’t you tell me<br />

you had a nice fish on? I would have liked <strong>to</strong><br />

see <strong>the</strong> fight.” I replied, “You were busy fishing<br />

and keeping <strong>the</strong> boat controlled. I didn’t think<br />

I was going <strong>to</strong> get him. He came up right<br />

beside <strong>the</strong> boat so I just flipped him in.” Curt<br />

said, “It’s probably payback for <strong>the</strong> time you<br />

fixed <strong>the</strong> livewell.”<br />

They started out as ordinary days but turned<br />

in<strong>to</strong> ones we often recall whenever s<strong>to</strong>ries are<br />

<strong>to</strong>ld. I better get back putting my gear in order,<br />

so I’ll be ready <strong>to</strong> hit <strong>the</strong> water next time.<br />

Maybe something out of <strong>the</strong> ordinary will<br />

happen that will become a s<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>to</strong> be <strong>to</strong>ld.<br />

The Lunker is a member of <strong>the</strong> Tioga County<br />

Bass Anglers (www.tiogacountybassanglers.com).<br />

Contact him at lunker@mountainhomemag.com.


OUTdOORS


0<br />

B O d Y & S O U L<br />

Midwife Tales<br />

Meg Grindrod has been handling special deliveries for nearly four decades<br />

Meg Grindrod usually gets<br />

her most important calls<br />

between midnight and 4<br />

a.m. It’s a <strong>to</strong>ugh time of<br />

night <strong>to</strong> head out for work, but she says “I<br />

still find myself continually stunned when<br />

we are done and a completely new life has<br />

begun.” Grindrod, with her thick, salted<br />

brown hair, is sitting in a wooden chair in <strong>the</strong><br />

simple home she shares with her husband,<br />

Stuart, in Springwater, New York. She looks<br />

at her hands in her lap and says, “all <strong>the</strong>se<br />

new lives,” and <strong>the</strong>n shines her eyes up at me,<br />

“I think a lot on that <strong>the</strong>se days.” And it’s no<br />

wonder, Grindrod, who’s been a midwife for<br />

<strong>the</strong> past 38 years, has attended <strong>the</strong> deliveries<br />

of close <strong>to</strong> 1,000 babies.<br />

Grindrod is a homebirth midwife in <strong>the</strong><br />

western/central New York area. She considers<br />

herself “a specialist in normal birth; a guardian<br />

for <strong>the</strong> safety of mo<strong>the</strong>r and ba<strong>by</strong>.” And<br />

although midwifery is an ancient practice, she<br />

doesn’t regard herself as a<br />

Midwife of thirty-eight years Meg Grindrod.<br />

By Angela Cannon-Cro<strong>the</strong>rs<br />

ba<strong>by</strong>-catcher. She encourages women, or <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

partners, <strong>to</strong> catch <strong>the</strong>ir own babies. Birthing<br />

in hospitals (<strong>the</strong> method used <strong>by</strong> over 95% of<br />

American women <strong>to</strong>day) is actually a recent<br />

phenomena that didn’t become commonplace<br />

until <strong>the</strong> 1950s. So why do some women want<br />

<strong>to</strong> birth at home?<br />

Many people who choose homebirth are<br />

seeking a natural, peaceful experience for both<br />

mo<strong>the</strong>r and ba<strong>by</strong>, one that allows a woman<br />

<strong>to</strong> trust her own body and birth safely in <strong>the</strong><br />

familiar and comfortable surroundings of <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

own home. At home a woman can deliver in<br />

whatever position is most comfortable and be<br />

in charge of her birthing experience. “Having a<br />

child certainly isn’t compulsory, but <strong>the</strong> birthing<br />

process is a hugely empowering and life changing<br />

experience, not just for <strong>the</strong> mo<strong>the</strong>r, but for her<br />

partner as well,” says Grindrod. “And how babies<br />

are treated at birth matters a lot—it should be<br />

gentle and respectful.”<br />

For Grindrod <strong>the</strong> path <strong>to</strong> midwifery began<br />

when she was a young woman living in a<br />

group house. When one of her friend’s became<br />

pregnant, she decided on a homebirth as<br />

part of <strong>the</strong> new counter-culture that urged<br />

women <strong>to</strong> reclaim <strong>the</strong>ir bodies. When her<br />

friend couldn’t find a midwife locally, she<br />

and Grindrod made a pact <strong>the</strong>y would<br />

learn <strong>the</strong> skills necessary <strong>to</strong> become licensed<br />

midwives <strong>the</strong>mselves. “Both my parents<br />

were in <strong>the</strong> medical professions,” says<br />

Grindrod, “but I still couldn’t relate <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

idea of having babies in hospitals.” Seven<br />

years later, after nursing school, a twoyear<br />

practicum in Midwifery at SUNY<br />

Downstate in Brooklyn, and fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

apprenticeship with a midwife trained<br />

in England, Grindrod delivered her first<br />

ba<strong>by</strong>. That was in Oc<strong>to</strong>ber 1977.<br />

Today, Grindrod’s own apprentice,<br />

Emma Ricci, is of <strong>the</strong> same cloth. “Homebirth<br />

is a feminist choice,” says Ricci. “How we birth is<br />

<strong>the</strong> ultimate expression of au<strong>to</strong>nomy, it’s part of<br />

being pro-choice for a woman <strong>to</strong> decide on this<br />

huge event in her life.” Ricci’s own mo<strong>the</strong>r was<br />

a lay midwife in Vermont. Ricci had known she<br />

wanted <strong>to</strong> be a midwife herself in eighth grade,<br />

but life eventually led her in ano<strong>the</strong>r direction<br />

and she became forest fire fighter for awhile.<br />

When she and her husband had Grindrod<br />

attend <strong>the</strong>ir homebirth, Ricci was taken with<br />

Grindrod’s approach <strong>to</strong> midwifery. “When I<br />

found out I could apprentice with Meg while<br />

attending nursing school, I realized it was <strong>the</strong><br />

ideal situation,” says Ricci who finds Grindrod’s<br />

beliefs regarding birth mirror her own. “She’s<br />

very practical, yet gentle and respectful <strong>to</strong>o,”<br />

says Ricci. “She knows birth. She’s <strong>the</strong> type of<br />

midwife I want <strong>to</strong> be someday.”<br />

The women Grindrod attends range<br />

greatly in socio-economic class and beliefs.<br />

Meg has delivered for: at least one famous<br />

rock star, most of <strong>the</strong> women in <strong>the</strong> near<strong>by</strong><br />

Amish communities, urban professionals,<br />

those without health insurance who choose<br />

homebirth for economic reasons, families who<br />

choose homebirth based on religious reasons,<br />

homebirth advocates, most of my friends,<br />

and this writer as well. “I like <strong>the</strong> connection<br />

I make,” says Grindrod. “Each birth is like<br />

falling in love all over again.” Grindrod<br />

delivered her own children at home and now<br />

her grandchildren as well. Reflects Grindrod,<br />

“I’m just now beginning <strong>to</strong> attend <strong>the</strong> births<br />

of women who I helped birth years ago.”<br />

To contact Meg Gringdrod visit<br />

welcomehomemidwifery.com.<br />

Angela Cannon-Cro<strong>the</strong>rs is a freelance<br />

writer and outdoor educa<strong>to</strong>r living in <strong>the</strong><br />

Finger Lakes region of New York.


As you share <strong>the</strong><br />

“backyard barbecue<br />

season” with<br />

family & friends,<br />

be sure not <strong>to</strong><br />

share alcohol<br />

with minors.<br />

Be<br />

Smart!<br />

Have<br />

Fun!<br />

Be<br />

Safe!<br />

Be Alcohol-free!<br />

BOdY & SOUL


BOdY & SOUL<br />

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Is civility naive? We both blink.<br />

Then we catch our young<br />

inquisi<strong>to</strong>r’s drift. Isn’t it just naïve,<br />

he wonders, <strong>to</strong> go on thinking<br />

that <strong>the</strong> niceties of civility matter when<br />

all around us an earthquake has rattled<br />

<strong>the</strong> framework of Western society,<br />

beleaguering our trust—whe<strong>the</strong>r in<br />

church, government, or free enterprise?<br />

His point: is harping on about civility<br />

in such a state of affairs anything more<br />

than birdsong?<br />

Tallying <strong>the</strong> scandals is not <strong>the</strong> point<br />

here. It is fair, though, <strong>to</strong> wonder if <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

curious concurrence signals some deeper<br />

failure or strain of that mysterious tendon<br />

of <strong>the</strong> soul itself—integrity.<br />

Civility, I go on <strong>to</strong> suggest, is not a<br />

mere mannerism, a mascara: civility is <strong>the</strong><br />

core of that integrity. Which may, for <strong>the</strong><br />

purposes of <strong>the</strong> discussion at hand, make<br />

matters even worse. Fact is, <strong>to</strong>o often, in<br />

<strong>to</strong>o many cases, civility has been asleep at<br />

<strong>the</strong> wheel. Too many parents are helpless<br />

<strong>to</strong> say, in <strong>the</strong>ir own house, at <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />

dinner table, “Cell phones off.” We have<br />

let our politicians warp us in<strong>to</strong> grotesque<br />

habits of partisanship. Where wealth or<br />

power are at stake, nothing is <strong>to</strong>o craven<br />

if it impedes you and advances me. In<br />

matters of church and state, much better <strong>to</strong><br />

cloak scandal in a rigid hush than imperil<br />

doctrine or prestige. The young man has a<br />

powerful point ei<strong>the</strong>r way. If it’s birdsong,<br />

who cares? If it is one of <strong>the</strong> gears that<br />

The Better World<br />

Oh, Do Be Civil<br />

John & Lynne diamond-Nigh<br />

turns <strong>the</strong> world, what happened?<br />

And what should civility do <strong>to</strong> help recenter<br />

an a<strong>to</strong>mizing world?<br />

Life comes in at least two flavors. Mine<br />

is sweet, my adversary’s is just wrong, like<br />

grass-clipping ice cream. Funny thing<br />

is, he thinks mine tastes like pepper and<br />

housedust. In sports we have a referee.<br />

And that is what civility is. It doesn’t<br />

care who wins or loses. It wants whoever<br />

wins <strong>to</strong> win fairly and on merit. A referee<br />

ensures <strong>the</strong> integrity of <strong>the</strong> game and<br />

We have let our politicians warp us in<strong>to</strong><br />

grotesque habits of partisanship.<br />

Where wealth or power are at stake, nothing is<br />

<strong>to</strong>o craven if it impedes you and advances me.<br />

maintains <strong>the</strong> trust both players and fans<br />

have in <strong>the</strong> outcome. Are we moving,<br />

in our society, from boxing <strong>to</strong> ultimate<br />

fighting? Have we, in our greed and our<br />

impatient lusts for power, decided <strong>to</strong><br />

forego <strong>the</strong> constraining nuisance of any<br />

referee at all?<br />

How is that different than morality itself?<br />

Chiefly this: morality, <strong>to</strong>o, can be partial.<br />

Some of <strong>the</strong> world’s most hideous conflicts<br />

are moral. Conversely, I have never seen two<br />

human beings do more than laugh at some<br />

dissimilarity or accidental abridgment of<br />

civility between <strong>the</strong>m.<br />

I love a good conversation. I’m apt <strong>to</strong><br />

grow <strong>to</strong>o impassioned. I feel something<br />

on my foot. A sharp nudge. I look over<br />

at my wife, recognizing <strong>the</strong> look. “You’re<br />

going way over <strong>the</strong> speed limit.”<br />

“Slow down.”<br />

John writes about art and design at serialboxx.<br />

blogspot.com. Lynne’s website, acivil<strong>to</strong>ngue.<br />

com, is dedicated <strong>to</strong> civility studies.


Courtesy sgro Bro<strong>the</strong>rs (5)<br />

A R T S & L E I S U R E<br />

Those Who Play Toge<strong>the</strong>r..<br />

Harmonica playing bro<strong>the</strong>rs Dom and Tony Sgro have been a duo since childhood<br />

For <strong>the</strong> Sgro Bro<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>the</strong> journey began on <strong>the</strong> Christmas<br />

when Dom was six and Tony was four. Their home, in <strong>the</strong><br />

little <strong>to</strong>wn of Wellsville, Ohio, was always filled with music;<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r Frank played violin, mandolin, and guitar.<br />

This Christmas Dom and Tony would begin adding music of <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />

<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> home and, ultimately, <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> world. Frank gave <strong>the</strong>m harmonicas—<br />

not kiddy <strong>to</strong>ys, but real Hohner Marine Band harmonicas.<br />

Over <strong>the</strong> years <strong>the</strong> boys practiced constantly and graduated <strong>to</strong> more<br />

elaborate instruments. Dom chose a 64 Chromonica, which provides<br />

every complete scale in every key. Tony opted for <strong>the</strong> four-foot-long<br />

chord harmonica with two hinged units: one for major chords and one<br />

for minor chords.<br />

The Sgro Bro<strong>the</strong>rs were high school students when <strong>the</strong>y made <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

first public appearance at an Easter pageant. Bookings followed in<br />

Pittsburgh and Cleveland, and <strong>the</strong>y worked with stars such as Tony<br />

Bennett, The Four Lads, Don Cornell, and The Four Freshman.<br />

In 1951 Dom and Tony went <strong>to</strong> see a performance of <strong>the</strong> Borrah<br />

Minevitch Harmonica Rascals and met <strong>the</strong> star of <strong>the</strong> show, Little<br />

Johnny Puleo. Johnny invited <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> audition. Two weeks<br />

later <strong>the</strong>y got a call <strong>to</strong> take <strong>the</strong> next train <strong>to</strong> New York—<strong>the</strong> real start<br />

of <strong>the</strong>ir professional career. Ultimately, Tony decided <strong>to</strong> go home and<br />

finish high school.<br />

Then Dom, who was studying clarinet in Pittsburgh and had a<br />

scholarship <strong>to</strong> attend Ohio State University, received his draft notice<br />

(during <strong>the</strong> Korean War). After Tony graduated, <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs joined<br />

<strong>the</strong> Marine Corps <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r, and both were assigned <strong>to</strong> play in <strong>the</strong><br />

Marine Band. The USMC also sponsored <strong>the</strong>m in a national radio<br />

show, and <strong>the</strong>y appeared on <strong>the</strong> Ed Sullivan TV show.<br />

After <strong>the</strong>ir discharge <strong>the</strong> duo went <strong>to</strong> New York <strong>to</strong> record for RCA<br />

Vic<strong>to</strong>r and Columbia Records. But <strong>the</strong> highlight of <strong>the</strong> New York<br />

years was meeting <strong>the</strong> Di Nardo sisters from Hornell, New York. Tony<br />

married Lucy in 1957; Dom married Angela in 1958.<br />

While in New York, Dom and Tony teamed up with Johnny Puleo<br />

In <strong>the</strong> 1950s with Johnny Puleo’s Harmonica<br />

Gang: Tony Sgro, Dave Doucette, Dom Sgro, Joe<br />

Campinelli, Gene DeMase, and Les McGann.<br />

By Martha Hor<strong>to</strong>n<br />

Circa 1960s, Tony and Dom Sgro<br />

with Little Johnny Puleo.<br />

again. They performed in <strong>the</strong> most prestigious clubs in <strong>the</strong> world at <strong>the</strong><br />

time: <strong>the</strong> Tropicana in Havana; <strong>the</strong> Latin Quarter in New York; with<br />

Dean Martin at <strong>the</strong> Moulin Rouge in Hollywood; with Frank Sinatra at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Beverly Hil<strong>to</strong>n Hotel; and for <strong>the</strong> Queen of England at <strong>the</strong> legendary<br />

Palladium in London. They also did a series of TV commercials for Dr.<br />

Pepper.<br />

In 1961 Dom and Tony decided <strong>to</strong> settle with <strong>the</strong>ir families in Elmira,<br />

where <strong>the</strong>y purchased a restaurant/night club. The bro<strong>the</strong>rs performed<br />

on weekends while Lucy ran <strong>the</strong> kitchen and Angela presided in <strong>the</strong><br />

dining room. The Sgros invited big name entertainers <strong>to</strong> join <strong>the</strong>m<br />

for special appearances—Donald O’Connor, Frank Gorshin, George<br />

Morgan, and Johnny Raye, among o<strong>the</strong>rs.<br />

Lucy died in 1988, and Tony married Dorothy Demyan of <strong>Pine</strong><br />

Valley, New York, in 2002. Now Dorothy is <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs’ chauffeur,<br />

technical assistant, travel agent, and publicity writer.<br />

“The only thing I can’t get her <strong>to</strong> do is carry <strong>the</strong> luggage,” Tony teases.<br />

Although <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs have closed <strong>the</strong>ir club, <strong>the</strong>y are still on stage.<br />

In 2004 <strong>the</strong>y were guests at <strong>the</strong> White House and played for President<br />

George W. Bush. In 2008 <strong>the</strong>y were invited <strong>by</strong> Deana Martin,<br />

daughter of Dean Martin, <strong>to</strong> play at <strong>the</strong> Dean Martin Festival in Dean’s<br />

home<strong>to</strong>wn, Steubenville, Ohio. They continue <strong>to</strong> entertain on cruise<br />

ships, most recently on Princess Lines for <strong>the</strong> Lou Holtz Hall of Fame,<br />

which honors outstanding citizens of <strong>the</strong> Upper Ohio Valley. The Sgro<br />

Bro<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>the</strong>mselves were elected <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Hall in 2006.<br />

You can catch <strong>the</strong>ir act at area <strong>the</strong>aters and parks as well as at<br />

private parties and fundraisers. (For upcoming appearances, see www.<br />

sgrobro<strong>the</strong>rs.com.)<br />

After more than sixty years <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r as a duo, have <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>rs ever<br />

considered separate careers?<br />

“I admit we’ve had differences from time <strong>to</strong> time,” says Tony. “But we<br />

never disagreed musically, and we never considered breaking up <strong>the</strong> act.”<br />

Journalist and novelist Martha Hor<strong>to</strong>n is an occasional contribu<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong><br />

Mountain Home and lives in Elmira, New York.<br />

2006 induction in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Lou Holtz Hall of Fame.<br />

The Sgro Bro<strong>the</strong>rs <strong>to</strong>day with<br />

harmonicas still in hand.


Bill<strong>to</strong>wn<br />

Blues<br />

FestiVal<br />

Lycoming County Fairgrounds,<br />

Hughesville, PA<br />

Noon-10:00 pm, Rain or Shine<br />

Gates open at 11:00<br />

Tickets: $18 Advance, $23 Gate<br />

By mail: BBA Tickets, PO Box 2,<br />

Hughesville, PA 17737<br />

(w/SASE <strong>by</strong> 6/4)<br />

2009 Meredith Kaminek<br />

21 st<br />

Festival & Hotel/Ticket Packages available.<br />

Info: 570-584-4480 or<br />

Bill<strong>to</strong>wnblues.org<br />

Free Parking!<br />

Great Food!<br />

Arts & Crafts!<br />

Dusty Scott<br />

Miz Ida & <strong>the</strong> All-Nightas<br />

Tas Cru<br />

Billy Gibson and Dave Fields<br />

Debbie Davies and Robin Rogers<br />

Big Bill Morganfield<br />

Ana Popovic<br />

Big Jack Johnson and The Cornlickers<br />

ACOUSTIC TENT featuring John “JT” Thompson,<br />

Billy Gibson and Dave Fields<br />

KIDS HARMONICA WORKSHOP with<br />

Andy Barnhart & Mitch Ivanoff<br />

Joseph A. Rosen<br />

ARTS & LEISURE<br />

June 13<br />

2010<br />

Free Bus Service<br />

from<br />

Down<strong>to</strong>wn Williamsport!<br />

www.vacationpa.com • www.visitpa.com • 1-800-visitPA<br />

Supported in part <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pennsylvania Tourism Office, Lycoming County Visi<strong>to</strong>rs Bureau & PA Council on <strong>the</strong> Arts


Shannon Lynn Abercrombie<br />

Can<strong>to</strong>n Area<br />

Shannon Lynn Abercrombie<br />

Can<strong>to</strong>n Area<br />

Emily Skonecki<br />

Mount Carmel Area<br />

This courT is broughT To you <strong>by</strong>:<br />

Carissa Belles<br />

Wyoming Area<br />

Lillian B. New<strong>to</strong>n<br />

Jersey Shore Area<br />

Alyson Gail Smith<br />

Gale<strong>to</strong>n Area<br />

Alesha C. Emery<br />

Mil<strong>to</strong>n Area<br />

Alassa Nudd<br />

Cowanesque Valley<br />

Kayela Spehalski<br />

Cameron County<br />

Emily Gombosi<br />

Mon<strong>to</strong>ursville Area<br />

Alexandria Olsen<br />

Towanda Area<br />

Karli Spencer<br />

Wellsboro Area<br />

indigo<br />

W I R E L E S S<br />

Ashley Hill<br />

Sullivan County<br />

Emily Osden<br />

North Penn<br />

Harley Jessie Straub<br />

East Juniata


Allysa L. Kent<br />

Williamson<br />

Toncia Plocinski<br />

South Williamsport<br />

Alina Vo<br />

Muncy<br />

Courtney Mat<strong>to</strong>cks<br />

Troy Area<br />

Elizabeth Potter<br />

Warrior Run<br />

Morgan Walker<br />

Central Mountain<br />

Shelia Vic<strong>to</strong>ria McCaulley<br />

Liberty<br />

Heidi Elaine Reese<br />

Coudersport Area<br />

Alysia Jo Williams<br />

Bucktail Area<br />

ChaNiesha Morgan<br />

Mansfield<br />

Tessa Marie Runyan<br />

Elkland Area<br />

Nichole Winder<br />

Hughesville<br />

Samantha Lynn Nagle<br />

Smethport<br />

Erika Marie Shaw<br />

New Covenant Academy<br />

Melanie Wolf<br />

Upper Perkiomen


ARTS & LEISURE<br />

<strong>Rail</strong> <strong>Trail</strong> continued from page 12<br />

Bikers traverse <strong>the</strong> trail’s only arched wooden bridge near <strong>to</strong>wn of Asaph, Pennsylvania.<br />

just before <strong>the</strong> comfort station and access parking, <strong>the</strong> sign describing <strong>the</strong> site of <strong>the</strong> Darling<br />

Run Civilian Conservation Corps camp, built back in <strong>the</strong> 1930s.<br />

One more <strong>mile</strong> takes you under <strong>the</strong> U.S. Route 6 bridge at Ansonia. Here, <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> veers<br />

off <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> west, and you now follow Marsh <strong>Creek</strong> <strong>the</strong> final eight <strong>mile</strong>s <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn terminus.<br />

With wheels spinning in a more easterly direction now, you pass <strong>the</strong> basically one-lane sleepy<br />

village of Asaph, cross over a country road on <strong>the</strong> trail’s only arched wooden bridge, cycle past<br />

about a <strong>mile</strong> of wetlands (look for herons, ducks, geese and o<strong>the</strong>r wildfowl), and roll <strong>by</strong> manycolored<br />

wildflowers and a long field of corn.<br />

And, finally, up ahead at <strong>the</strong> end of a long, straight stretch, <strong>the</strong> trail itself comes <strong>to</strong> an end at<br />

a small dirt parking access with a couple portable <strong>to</strong>ilets. A short jaunt <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> left <strong>the</strong>n brings<br />

you <strong>to</strong> a paradisiacal final s<strong>to</strong>p—<strong>the</strong> Pag-Omar Farms Market—where you can, without guilt,<br />

wolf down a sandwich meal at <strong>the</strong>ir inside tables and perhaps <strong>to</strong>p <strong>the</strong> meal off, following<br />

my example, with a large, hot fudge Hershey’s ice cream sundae, with whipped cream and a<br />

maraschino cherry!<br />

Then, after allowing for some digestion and a good rest, you could do as I’ve done each time<br />

I’ve bicycled <strong>the</strong> fifty-eight and one-half <strong>mile</strong>s up <strong>the</strong>re from my house. Bicycle back down<br />

before dark!<br />

As singing cowboy Roy Rogers might have crooned about this bicycling heaven in <strong>the</strong> wilds<br />

of northcentral Pennsylvania, have said, “Happy rail trails <strong>to</strong> you…”<br />

A resident of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Pine</strong> <strong>Creek</strong> Valley, author and feature writer David Kagan is an outdoor enthusiast<br />

and always seems <strong>to</strong> be biking, hiking, or running somewhere, much <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> delight of our readers.<br />

©Mark BixBy


ARTS & LEISURE<br />

Free June Bucks <strong>to</strong> use<br />

just like cash!<br />

For every $20.00 in purchases you<br />

make June 1 through June 24,<br />

you will receive $2.00<br />

in June Bucks!<br />

(Cash or charge, sale or<br />

regular price)<br />

Must be spent <strong>by</strong> July 5, 2010<br />

45 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 570-724-1905<br />

Connect with our podcast at:<br />

www.dunhamswellsboro.com<br />

There’s something about Dunham’s…


0<br />

F O O d & d R I N K<br />

Say Cheese!<br />

With <strong>the</strong>ir dairy farm in jeopardy, one family found a way <strong>to</strong> keep <strong>the</strong> cows at home<br />

Down on <strong>the</strong> farm, age has little <strong>to</strong> do with how much you<br />

can do—at least, that’s how it’s always been for Rachel,<br />

Phillip, and Hannah Bachman. Although <strong>the</strong>y are only 25,<br />

20, and 18 years old respectively, <strong>the</strong>se “kids” have helped<br />

<strong>to</strong> create and sustain God’s Country Creamery, a family-operated, artisan<br />

cheese business in Ulysses, Pennsylvania.<br />

The creamery, also run <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir parents Mark and Melanie, sells rawmilk<br />

cheeses <strong>to</strong> everyone from <strong>the</strong> local grocer in Genesee <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> legendary<br />

Hyeholde Restaurant outside Pittsburgh. But <strong>the</strong> Bachman’s farm wasn’t<br />

always profitable. Back in December 2000, <strong>the</strong> family became burdened<br />

<strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> financial hardships of traditional dairy farming.<br />

“We used <strong>to</strong> have about 80–100<br />

cows, but we weren’t making enough<br />

money so we had <strong>to</strong> sell some and<br />

farm o<strong>the</strong>rs out. We kept our 4-H<br />

animals, but we just couldn’t keep<br />

<strong>the</strong> rest,” says Melanie.<br />

Selling <strong>the</strong>ir cows was not an easy<br />

decision, and <strong>the</strong> Bachman children<br />

tried <strong>to</strong> keep <strong>the</strong>ir family heritage<br />

alive <strong>by</strong> keeping a small dairy herd.<br />

“Phil did it as a hob<strong>by</strong>, and<br />

Rachel helped out when she was<br />

home from college, but <strong>the</strong>re was<br />

no hope of ever being profitable,”<br />

says Melanie.<br />

But after one special heifer was<br />

sent <strong>to</strong> Harrisburg, Melanie realized that something had <strong>to</strong> be done. “That’s<br />

when Phil came up with <strong>the</strong> idea of making cheese,” says Melanie. “He<br />

researched it for nine months for his senior project. It was his brain child.”<br />

But Melanie worried about <strong>the</strong> amount of money it would take <strong>to</strong> start<br />

<strong>the</strong> business, and she was unsure of how far <strong>the</strong>y wanted <strong>to</strong> take <strong>the</strong> idea.<br />

To learn more about <strong>the</strong> cheese business, <strong>the</strong> Bachmans traveled <strong>to</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

farms and scheduled a meeting with David Brown, a chemistry professor<br />

from Cornell University and one of <strong>the</strong> most knowledgeable cheese experts<br />

in <strong>the</strong> United States. Brown covered everything from <strong>the</strong> economics of<br />

cheese making <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> all-important concept of aging. “I came out of that<br />

meeting and was like ‘I don’t ever want <strong>to</strong> make cheese!’” jokes Melanie.<br />

“My head was spinning from all <strong>the</strong> helpful information.”<br />

“Before we left, he <strong>to</strong>ld us that if we had any questions at any time,<br />

S<strong>to</strong>ry & Pho<strong>to</strong>s By Nicole Hagan<br />

just <strong>to</strong> give him a call. Unfortunately, about two months later, Brown<br />

passed away. Although <strong>the</strong> Bachmans could no longer avail <strong>the</strong>mselves of<br />

his professional advice, “He gave us something much more valuable: his<br />

legacy,” says Mark.<br />

Melanie notes that Brown was 100 percent accurate when he advised<br />

<strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> focus on <strong>the</strong> unique and scarcer forms of cheese.<br />

“There are very few people out <strong>the</strong>re who are making <strong>the</strong> varieties of<br />

cheeses that we make,” says Melanie. “Our cheeses are like <strong>the</strong> expensive<br />

imported cheeses.”<br />

After building a cheese house addition on<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir existing barn,<br />

buying a triple-wall insulated vat from Holland, and buying back some<br />

of <strong>the</strong>ir cows, <strong>the</strong> Bachmans made<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir first batch of cheese around<br />

Thanksgiving of 2008.<br />

“The cheese business works out<br />

better because cheese doesn’t go<br />

bad. In fact, it only gets better with<br />

age,” says Melanie. “Because of this,<br />

we have more control over how<br />

and where we sell it, as well as how<br />

much we sell it for.”<br />

The Bachmans make ten<br />

different kinds of cheeses: seven<br />

varieties, including Blue, Gruyere,<br />

Jarlsberg, Caerphilly, and three<br />

Parents Mark and Melanie and children Rachel (not shown), Phillip, and different kinds of Havarti.<br />

Hannah are <strong>the</strong> driving force behind God’s Country Creamery.<br />

“The fact that we don’t mass<br />

produce our cheese is what makes it artisan,” says Phil. “And we’re always<br />

experimenting with ways of cooking <strong>to</strong> try and make it better.”<br />

Their dedication has brought <strong>the</strong>m high praise from culinary experts,<br />

such as Walter Scheib, <strong>the</strong> former executive chef at <strong>the</strong> White House. After<br />

tasting <strong>the</strong>ir cheeses, Scheib said that he admired <strong>the</strong>ir Heavenly Havarti,<br />

which “was just that, [heavenly],” became nostalgic for <strong>the</strong> Black Bear<br />

Gruyere, which “showed its age beautifully,” and was head-over heels for<br />

<strong>the</strong> Country Blue ,which, <strong>to</strong> him, achieved “Nirvana.”<br />

And <strong>the</strong>ir cheeses are not only inspirational <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> people who taste <strong>the</strong>m,<br />

but also <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> farming community. “Our little business gives hope for <strong>the</strong><br />

next generation <strong>to</strong> keep <strong>the</strong> agriculture in <strong>the</strong> area going,” says Melanie.<br />

For more information, visit www.godscountrycreamery.com.


FOOd & dRINK


FOOd & dRINK<br />

Finger Lakes Wine Review<br />

Be Sure <strong>to</strong> Blush<br />

holly howell<br />

Just in case you haven’t heard, PINK<br />

is back in style! After years of being<br />

misunders<strong>to</strong>od, <strong>the</strong> blushing Rosé<br />

wines of <strong>the</strong> world have stepped back<br />

in<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> limelight, and are fast becoming<br />

some of summertime’s favorite quaffs.<br />

For most Americans, our first taste of pink<br />

arrived via a popular California wine <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

name of White Zinfandel. Still one of <strong>the</strong><br />

best-selling wines of <strong>the</strong> modern day, White<br />

Zinfandel was actually a mistake of sorts.<br />

While Sutter Home Winery was producing<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir classic Red Zinfandel back in <strong>the</strong> 1970s,<br />

<strong>the</strong> process was interrupted <strong>by</strong> a “stalled<br />

fermentation.” This resulted in a wine that<br />

had higher residual sugar levels. It was sweet.<br />

Also, <strong>the</strong> juice had <strong>to</strong> be pressed off <strong>the</strong> red<br />

grape skins a little earlier, which left <strong>the</strong> wine<br />

a lighter shade of pink. This critical error<br />

in winemaking proved <strong>to</strong> be a blessing in<br />

disguise, as <strong>the</strong> wine’s sales soared through<br />

<strong>the</strong> roof. To this day, many sophisticated<br />

wine drinkers say <strong>the</strong>y first fell in love with<br />

wine when <strong>the</strong>y tasted White Zinfandel!<br />

However, that has also helped <strong>to</strong> deter sales<br />

of pink wines <strong>to</strong> folks who prefer a drier style of<br />

wine. The misconception is that all pink wine<br />

is sweet. On <strong>the</strong> contrary, most of <strong>the</strong> world’s<br />

pink wines are bone dry. White Zinfandel is<br />

actually <strong>the</strong> exception. But you never get a<br />

second chance <strong>to</strong> make a first impression, thus<br />

<strong>the</strong> sad tale of <strong>the</strong> American Dry Rosé. These<br />

elegant wines are out <strong>the</strong>re, and <strong>the</strong>y have<br />

flown under <strong>the</strong> radar for far <strong>to</strong>o long.<br />

One good clue as <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> style of a pink is<br />

in <strong>the</strong> name. Many wines that are labeled as<br />

“Blush” are actually blends of red and white<br />

juices, creating an easy-<strong>to</strong>-drink refreshing<br />

style that leans <strong>to</strong>ward <strong>the</strong> sweeter spectrum.<br />

On <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r hand, wines labeled as “Rosé”<br />

tend <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> drier side, although <strong>the</strong> color may<br />

closely match o<strong>the</strong>r Blush wines. These drier<br />

Rosés are usually made from red grapes only.<br />

They pick up <strong>the</strong> flavors of <strong>the</strong> red<br />

grape but are made in a style that<br />

is meant <strong>to</strong> be served chilled.<br />

Rosé is <strong>the</strong> signature<br />

wine of places like<br />

Provence, France. On<br />

<strong>the</strong> Mediterranean coasts<br />

of Spain, <strong>the</strong>y are <strong>the</strong><br />

worshipped Rosados.<br />

And in Sicily <strong>the</strong>y drink<br />

bright pink Rosa<strong>to</strong> with<br />

almost every meal. The<br />

fresh fruit flavor, high<br />

acidity and dry finish of<br />

Rosé are <strong>the</strong> secrets <strong>to</strong> why<br />

this wine is so ultimately<br />

food-friendly.<br />

Thankfully, <strong>the</strong><br />

European traditions<br />

infiltrated wine making<br />

here at home <strong>to</strong>o. I<br />

am proud and happy<br />

<strong>to</strong> announce that <strong>the</strong><br />

Finger Lakes is kicking<br />

out some of <strong>the</strong> best dry Rosé<br />

wines I have tasted in some time. Look for<br />

Hermann Wiemer Dry Rosé ($10), Penguin<br />

Bay Rose of Chambourcin ($11), Dr. Frank<br />

Dry Rosé ($13), Billsboro Dry Rosé ($14),<br />

Ravines Dry Pinot Rosé ($15), Zugibe<br />

Vineyards Dry Rosé ($16), and Red Tail<br />

Ridge Dry Rosé ($17). All are absolutely<br />

divine summer wines that pair especially<br />

well with light salads, vegetable dishes, spicy<br />

foods, and barbeque fare. Oh, and <strong>the</strong>y can<br />

be amazingly thirst-quenching just on <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

own if you are so inclined—or reclined, <strong>by</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> pool, on a warm, sunny day!<br />

Certified sommelier Holly Howell teaches<br />

at Rochester Institute of Technology and <strong>the</strong><br />

Seasonal Kitchen Cooking School. Contact her<br />

at wineanddine@mountainhomemag.com.<br />

Courtesy dr. koNstaNtiN FraNk viNiFera WiNe Cellars


FOOd & dRINK


hOME & REAL ESTATE<br />

Come In and Have a Seat<br />

Morris Chair Shop sells American-made furniture in <strong>the</strong> heart of timber country<br />

The his<strong>to</strong>ry of nor<strong>the</strong>rn Pennsylvania<br />

is deeply ingrained within <strong>the</strong> bark<br />

of <strong>the</strong> timber industry. The forests<br />

of hardwoods, hemlock, and pine that<br />

cloaked <strong>the</strong> land provided work for sawmills<br />

and tanneries in <strong>the</strong> 1800s. And tucked<br />

within this blanket of his<strong>to</strong>ric foliage rests<br />

Dan S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus’s Morris Chair Shop.<br />

Located 1.3 <strong>mile</strong>s off State Route 287 in<br />

Morris, Pennsylvania, his s<strong>to</strong>re, built from<br />

<strong>the</strong> foundations of an old chestnut and<br />

hemlock-sided barn, mimics <strong>the</strong> rustic<br />

feel of <strong>the</strong> deciduous trees that surround<br />

it—as does <strong>the</strong> furniture he sells within<br />

it. In fact, his American-made, high-end<br />

chairs, cabinets, tables, and bedroom<br />

suites are created and shaped from <strong>the</strong><br />

same local Pennsylvania timber that kept<br />

small businesses going over 200 years ago.<br />

“My s<strong>to</strong>re just seemed <strong>to</strong> fit well with <strong>the</strong><br />

area,” says S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus.<br />

Although formerly a mason, making<br />

furniture came naturally <strong>to</strong> him. “I<br />

learned most of my trade through family<br />

connections,” says S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus. Those<br />

family connections came in <strong>the</strong> form of<br />

his younger bro<strong>the</strong>r, Ray, who helped<br />

S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus get a job at <strong>the</strong> Zimmerman<br />

Chair Shop in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.<br />

Here, he learned <strong>the</strong> ins and outs of chairmaking<br />

and developed a professional<br />

relationship with <strong>the</strong> company—a<br />

relationship that would eventually make<br />

Morris Chair Shop Zimmerman’s largest<br />

sub-contracted manufacturer.<br />

Through <strong>the</strong>ir collaboration, which<br />

continues <strong>to</strong> this day, S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus is able <strong>to</strong><br />

make his chairs for wholesale, in addition<br />

<strong>to</strong> doing <strong>the</strong> finishing for Zimmerman<br />

S<strong>to</strong>ry and Pho<strong>to</strong>s By Nicole hagan<br />

products and maintaining a retail outlet<br />

for o<strong>the</strong>r Zimmerman furniture.<br />

“Here, you’ll get your choice of many<br />

different styles, different finishes, and<br />

different species of wood,” says S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus.<br />

“Aside from our chairs, we actually<br />

specialize in cus<strong>to</strong>m finishes for o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

furniture and we have a lot of options<br />

for <strong>the</strong> tables we sell—a lot of leg and<br />

skirting options that pretty much allow<br />

<strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>mer <strong>to</strong> design <strong>the</strong>ir own table<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir own way.”<br />

Their chair selection ranges from<br />

Windsor, Mission, and Queen Anne<br />

styles <strong>to</strong> more contemporary chairs, both<br />

upholstered and non-upholstered. “We<br />

have everything from simple kitchen<br />

chairs <strong>to</strong> higher-end chairs that sell for<br />

upwards of $500,” says S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus. “They’re<br />

all made of solid wood: oak, maple, cherry,<br />

and some walnut. It’s just our standard. It’s<br />

what people want.”<br />

Morris Chair Shop has grown from a<br />

one-man business <strong>to</strong> an enterprise that now<br />

employs twelve staff members, including four<br />

of S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus’s sons, his wife Joy, his bro<strong>the</strong>rin-law,<br />

and his nephew. “Our business has<br />

changed a lot since <strong>the</strong> beginning,” says<br />

S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus, who notes that growth of his shop<br />

was fostered <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> shutting down of o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

long-time chair manufacturing companies.<br />

“All over <strong>the</strong> U.S. furniture manufacturers<br />

have simply folded up, closed down, or<br />

outsourced <strong>the</strong>ir business. The whole global<br />

trend nowadays is <strong>to</strong> get things made in<br />

Vietnam or China.”<br />

But as expediency begins <strong>to</strong> outweigh<br />

quality in much of <strong>the</strong> furniture market,<br />

one thing that will not change is S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus’s<br />

Left: Hans S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus, son of Dan, proves he is just as good a craftsmand as his fa<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

Above: Morris Chair Shop has some “rocking” chairs for your front porch or sun room.<br />

dedication <strong>to</strong> high quality sturdy,<br />

American-made furniture.<br />

“All <strong>the</strong> product lines we sell, which we<br />

don’t make here, are built in Pennsylvania,”<br />

says S<strong>to</strong>ltzfus. “Most people want Americanmade<br />

furniture. If anyone has any problem<br />

with <strong>the</strong>ir purchase, <strong>the</strong>y know exactly<br />

where <strong>to</strong> go <strong>to</strong> get it fixed. We’re able <strong>to</strong><br />

stand behind our furniture—all of which<br />

comes with a lifetime warranty. We’re proud<br />

of our American-made products made with<br />

Pennsylvania-grown lumber.”<br />

Morris Chair Shop is open Monday<br />

through Friday, 8 am <strong>to</strong> 3 pm, and<br />

Saturday 9 am <strong>to</strong> 3 pm. Their complete<br />

product line can be seen in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

catalog at <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>re or online at www.<br />

morrischairshop.com.


K.C. Larson, Inc.<br />

mechanical, electrical &<br />

renewable energy contrac<strong>to</strong>rs<br />

97 Eck Circle Williamsport, PA 17701<br />

(570) 329-1441 or Toll Free (877) 371-1441<br />

www.kclarson.com<br />

hOME & REAL ESTATE<br />

With <strong>the</strong> new PA Sunshine Program, Federal Tax Credits and o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

incentives now is <strong>the</strong> time <strong>to</strong> install your Solar Hot Water System<br />

This 3-panel system <strong>to</strong> can produce up <strong>to</strong> 70% of <strong>the</strong> domestic hot<br />

water for a family of 4. After <strong>the</strong> possible rebates and incentives,<br />

this installed system could end up costing as little as $7,300. And<br />

you will have <strong>the</strong> monthly energy savings for <strong>the</strong> life of <strong>the</strong> system.<br />

Call us <strong>to</strong>day <strong>to</strong> learn how Renewable Energy can work for you.<br />

Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contrac<strong>to</strong>r Registration Number: PA000075


hOME & REAL ESTATE<br />

Someplace Like home<br />

The female bald faced hornet<br />

(BFH) builds marvelous, billowy<br />

paper nests, generally in plain<br />

view for all <strong>to</strong> admire, like under<br />

<strong>the</strong> eave near <strong>the</strong> back door.<br />

The nests are indeed admirable. Layered<br />

exterior walls provide strength and insulation<br />

<strong>to</strong> protect <strong>the</strong>ir many larval cells inside, all<br />

accessible through a handy, round doorway<br />

at <strong>the</strong> bot<strong>to</strong>m. Remarkable for efficiency and<br />

effectiveness, BFH nests have a high strength<strong>to</strong>-weight<br />

ratio, very high material-<strong>to</strong>enclosed-volume<br />

ratio, and <strong>the</strong>y are perfectly<br />

recyclable. (Made from chewed wood, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

come directly from <strong>the</strong> earth, and return <strong>to</strong><br />

it in sublime completeness, essentially as tree<br />

fertilizer.) Wonderful. But that’s as far as my<br />

esteem for <strong>the</strong> bald faced hornet goes, for<br />

<strong>the</strong>y are, in my opinion, far more effective<br />

warriors than builders.<br />

The National Audubon Society Field Guide <strong>to</strong><br />

North American Insects & Spiders describes <strong>the</strong><br />

habits and life cycle of <strong>the</strong> bald faced hornet,<br />

<strong>the</strong>n closes with this casual remark:<br />

“Adults are extremely protective of <strong>the</strong> nest<br />

and will sting repeatedly if disturbed.“<br />

The field <strong>guide</strong> understandably avoids<br />

telling us what “disturbed” exactly means, but<br />

I will offer here that while <strong>the</strong> scale from calm<br />

<strong>to</strong> excitable is wide, and “normal” is certainly<br />

a subjective term, <strong>the</strong> BFH is clearly off <strong>the</strong><br />

psychological charts. This is a genuinely,<br />

pathologically, hysterical bug. One would<br />

think, for example, that merely peering up at<br />

a nest and snapping a pho<strong>to</strong>graph would be<br />

counted as peaceful interest, but in <strong>the</strong> mind<br />

of a nesting BFH, a benign stare is apparently<br />

as good as a punch in <strong>the</strong> nose.<br />

Of course it’s infinitely wise <strong>to</strong> accept God’s<br />

world gratefully, in <strong>the</strong> form He provided it,<br />

but <strong>the</strong> presence on this earth of swarming,<br />

biting, stinging insects is frankly just hard<br />

<strong>to</strong> take. I’ve been <strong>the</strong> victim of coordinated<br />

Stings<br />

dave Milano<br />

attacks <strong>by</strong> yellow jackets (in retaliation<br />

for stepping alongside a ground nest), <strong>by</strong><br />

European hornets (for picking up a pail <strong>the</strong>y<br />

had evidently claimed <strong>by</strong> squatters’ rights),<br />

and <strong>by</strong> a particularly discourteous mob of<br />

honey bees (for, I think, leaning against <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

tree). Their barrages have left me with an<br />

assortment of welts and sores, and an abiding<br />

fidgety nervousness. It’s uncanny <strong>the</strong> power<br />

<strong>the</strong>se things have. While I outweigh <strong>the</strong><br />

typical BFH <strong>by</strong> a fac<strong>to</strong>r of something like 80<br />

million, in my mind a roving hornet is roughly<br />

equivalent <strong>to</strong> a fully armed Apache helicopter.<br />

The most common BFH, if only blessed<br />

with a minimal ability <strong>to</strong> reason (and of<br />

course a far more charitable personality)<br />

would qualify as a Super Hero. They have<br />

super power, super confidence and, without<br />

Hollywood embellishments or phone booth<br />

visits, appear on <strong>the</strong> scene with a menacing<br />

mask, lapped armor, antennae, and a<br />

positively deadly backside bayonet.<br />

So I tread gingerly in stinger terri<strong>to</strong>ry,<br />

And upon encountering one of <strong>the</strong><br />

“disturbed” sort, I acquiesce, very<br />

willingly, <strong>to</strong> both our instincts—<strong>the</strong>irs<br />

<strong>to</strong> attack, and mine <strong>to</strong> run like heck,<br />

without a moment’s thought given <strong>to</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong>ir better qualities.<br />

Dave Milano is a former suburbanite turned parttime<br />

Tioga County farmer. You can contact him at<br />

someplacelikehome@mountainhomemag.com.


hOME & REAL ESTATE


M A R K E T P L A C E<br />

Nirvana is being assigned <strong>to</strong> write about a jewelry s<strong>to</strong>re.<br />

If given <strong>the</strong> opportunity I would probably cover myself<br />

with enough sparkly stuff <strong>to</strong> outshine a Christmas tree.<br />

Bong’s Jewelers in Corning, New York, would be <strong>the</strong><br />

place <strong>to</strong> find baubles, beads, bangles, and bracelets <strong>to</strong> bedeck <strong>the</strong> whole<br />

tree. Gorgeous loose s<strong>to</strong>nes in every color are waiting <strong>to</strong> be cus<strong>to</strong>m set.<br />

Diamonds, gold, and silver are displayed with finesse and <strong>the</strong> pearls<br />

showcased are some of <strong>the</strong> finest in <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

There have been many changes on Market Street over <strong>the</strong> last century,<br />

but Bong’s has remained a constant. Since 1892 <strong>the</strong> same family has<br />

run a quality jewelry s<strong>to</strong>re at <strong>the</strong> same location. The family originally<br />

lived in <strong>the</strong> German speaking part of Alsace Lorraine and changed <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

name from Bon <strong>to</strong> Bong <strong>to</strong> sound more German. The current owner,<br />

Jeffrey Bong, says <strong>by</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1870s his great-great-grandfa<strong>the</strong>r had moved<br />

<strong>to</strong> Long Island and was working as a watchmaker and a landscaper.<br />

There wasn’t enough business as a watchmaker <strong>to</strong> earn a living in those<br />

days—not many watches—so John Bong ended up as <strong>the</strong> landscaper<br />

Shop Around <strong>the</strong> Corner<br />

Pearls of Wisdom<br />

By Suzanne Meredith<br />

©JaMes FitZPatriCk<br />

on Long Island at <strong>the</strong> Sagamore Hill estate of Theodore Roosevelt.<br />

Eventually John and his bro<strong>the</strong>r moved <strong>to</strong> Corning in <strong>the</strong> late<br />

1890s and opened <strong>the</strong>ir own s<strong>to</strong>re. It seems <strong>to</strong> be part of <strong>the</strong> family<br />

heritage <strong>to</strong> pursue o<strong>the</strong>r occupations before returning <strong>to</strong> small city<br />

life in Corning. But <strong>the</strong>y all have done so, preferring life in a smaller,<br />

more personal atmosphere. Jeffrey says <strong>the</strong> family has always had a<br />

nice relationship with Corning, and each generation has maintained<br />

an active interest in <strong>the</strong> city.<br />

Bong’s carries a good selection of Akoya pearls, considered <strong>the</strong><br />

classic of cultured pearls. Jeffrey Bong says <strong>the</strong>y are available in all<br />

price ranges and are a viable part of any wardrobe. These gems tend<br />

<strong>to</strong> form in several soft shades ranging from white and cream <strong>to</strong> a<br />

very soft pink.<br />

For centuries pearls have been considered a symbol of purity and<br />

love. Natural pearls, virtually nonexistent <strong>to</strong>day in <strong>the</strong> marketplace,<br />

command exorbitant prices. Cultured pearls, however, have<br />

comparable luster and beauty and are much more affordable.<br />

The most valuable pearls, from <strong>the</strong> South Seas, are larger and some<br />

are found in a rich iridescent black. A strand of black pearls <strong>the</strong> size of<br />

marbles is an eye-catcher in <strong>the</strong> Bong showroom. “We have pearl items<br />

ranging from $50 <strong>to</strong> $10,000,” says Jeffrey.<br />

All pearls are created <strong>by</strong> living organisms, mollusks, with a talent<br />

for coating irritants with lustrous nacre. This gem is soft, delicate, and<br />

porous and can be damaged <strong>by</strong> perfume, cosmetics, and hairsprays. The<br />

gems can also be scratched easily so should be s<strong>to</strong>red away from o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

jewelry. With reasonable care a strand will last for many lifetimes.<br />

An abiding tradition for June, <strong>the</strong> month of weddings, is a gift of<br />

pearls for <strong>the</strong> bride.<br />

Legend claims <strong>the</strong> Hindu deity Krishna discovered pearls when<br />

searching land and sea for a suitable wedding gift for his daughter.<br />

O<strong>the</strong>r myths indicate pearls have healing properties. Poor grade pearls<br />

are ground in<strong>to</strong> a powder used in calcium supplements <strong>the</strong>se days, so<br />

perhaps <strong>the</strong>re is some basis <strong>to</strong> that s<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />

The s<strong>to</strong>re reflects personal attention and a focus on quality in every<br />

area. “Jewelry is a symbol; it should be suited <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> personality of each<br />

individual,” says Jeffrey.<br />

Fingerlakes writer Suzanne Meredith has written for various publications including<br />

Antique Trader. She is a first-time contribu<strong>to</strong>r <strong>to</strong> Mountain Home.<br />

Owner Jeffrey Bong’s family has run <strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>re since 1892.


MARKETPLACE


MARKETPLACE Marketplace<br />

0<br />

See <strong>Your</strong><br />

Classified Here!<br />

570-724-3838<br />

Award winning wines for all tastes!<br />

Memorable hospitality & a great view!<br />

Family friendly!<br />

Open Daily: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun noon-5<br />

4024 State Route 14, Watkins Glen, NY 14891<br />

877-535-9252<br />

www.lakewoodvineyards.com<br />

See <strong>Your</strong><br />

Classified Here!<br />

570-724-3838


See <strong>Your</strong><br />

Classified Here!<br />

570-724-3838<br />

Marketplace<br />

See <strong>Your</strong><br />

Classified Here!<br />

570-724-3838


B A C K O F T h E M O U N TA I N<br />

The Sunba<strong>the</strong>r<br />

Pho<strong>to</strong>graph <strong>by</strong> Bernadette Chiaramonte-Brown, Wellsboro, PA<br />

©BerNadette ChiaraMoNte-BroWN

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