Your mile-by-mile guide to the Pine Creek Rail Trail
Your mile-by-mile guide to the Pine Creek Rail Trail
Your mile-by-mile guide to the Pine Creek Rail Trail
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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 />
us apart. We're conveniently located in seven Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Tier<br />
counties, with 24 offices <strong>to</strong> serve you, so we're always close<br />
at hand when you need us. Visit us online at<br />
www.cnbankpa.com <strong>to</strong> see what we can offer you.<br />
Member FDIC<br />
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
ARTS & LEISURE<br />
Community Health Associates LLC<br />
Timothy Kump, MD<br />
Podiatry<br />
and<br />
Podiatric Surgey<br />
Alfredo J. Llinas, MD<br />
Board Certified<br />
General<br />
Surgeon<br />
Larry Linnell, MD<br />
Board Certified<br />
Family Medicine<br />
and Obstetrics<br />
Timothy Dennen, MD<br />
Board Certified<br />
Family<br />
Medicine<br />
Lisa Ceraolo, MD<br />
Board Certified<br />
Internal<br />
Medicine<br />
Geeta Krishnan, MD<br />
Board Certified<br />
Ear, Nose and Throat<br />
Surgeon<br />
FOUR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS:<br />
TOWANDA 570-268-4713<br />
Memorial Hospital, One Hospital Drive<br />
WYALUSING 570-746-4722<br />
Chamber Building, 121 Main Street<br />
www.memorialhospital.org/cha.html<br />
Jai P. Naidu, MD<br />
Board<br />
Certified<br />
Pediatrician<br />
TROY 570-297-2118<br />
103 W. Main Street, Route 6<br />
DUSHORE 570-928-2800<br />
Route 220 North, Dushore
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 />
����������<br />
������������<br />
���������������������������������<br />
�������������������������������<br />
������������������������������������<br />
�����������������������������<br />
����������������������������������<br />
������������������������������������<br />
�������������������������������<br />
����������������������������������<br />
������������������������<br />
�������������������<br />
��������������������<br />
���������������������<br />
���������������<br />
�����������������������<br />
����������������������������<br />
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