NOVEMBER
2 2021
Fran De Lances From left are McKean County commissioners Cliff Lane, Tom Kreiner and Carol Duffy, along with Tosha Conklin and Dave Conklin, owners of the PA Wilds Sonshine Factory, Taylor Holt, Sonshine Factory project manager, Abbi Peters from PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Kane Mayor Brandy Schimp, McKean County Planning director Richard Fry and Steve Dyne, Wetmore Township supervisor.
Boone and Crockett Club A captive whitetail deer with chronic wasting disease.
Conklin, Wilds Sonshine Factory honored BY FRAN DE LANCEY
Thompson co-sponsors bill to research, manage chronic wasting disease in deer BY JIM ECKSTROM U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson and a Democratic colleague have introduced a bill to research and manage the spread of chronic wasting disease, a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose that is always fatal. Rep. Ron Kind of Wisconsin, another state like Pennsylvania where deer hunting is a way of life for many, is the Democrat sponsor of the bill.
There is no known cure for CWD and it’s unclear how the disease is transmitted. Highly contagious, CWD develops very slowly in the lymph nodes, spinal tissue and brains of deer and similar animals such as reindeer and elk. It does not affect other livestock. To date there is no evidence that it can be spread to humans. As of August 2021, CWD has been confirmed in 25 states, including Pennsylvania, and there
are serious concerns that the disease will continue to spread to herds across the country. A road-killed deer found near the southwest edge of the Pennsylvania elk range tested positive for chronic wasting disease, leading the Pennsylvania Game Commission to expand one of its disease management areas and create a new, sixth disease management area.
Chronic Wasting continued on .page 2
SMETHPORT — The PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship has honored Dave Conklin, owner of The Wilds Sonshine Factory in Kane with its Best Brand Ambassador Award. Abbi Peters, executive vice president of the PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, presented Conklin with a wooden plaque at the conclusion of the McKean County commissioners’ meeting Tuesday morning. Peters provided the background of the Best Brand Ambassador Award, saying, “It honors an organization or individual who has made
significant contributions to promoting and developing the PA Wilds brand through logo use, place name recognition, branded product development, storytelling, event or experience, packaging or similar efforts.” A limited spirits distillery, the Sonshine Factory uses sunflower seeds from the PA Wilds region in its trademarked product. “The Wilds Sonshine Factory tied the patent for their innovative distilled product to the PA Wilds brand and through a licensing contract will be giving a portion of every bottle sold to support the PA Wilds Center’s nonprofit mission
in the landscape,” Peters said. “A true PA Wilds ambassador, Conklin has spoken about the importance of the PA Wilds on the radio and television, to elected officials, to other business people and on stage at Public Officials Day,” Peters noted. W h i l e “Sonshine” is a distilled product, it is not a typical distillery, said Peters. “The building serve as an agricultural education center, combining efforts and partnerships from Allegheny H a r d w o o d s U t i l i z a t i o n Group, Penn State Outreach and Penn State Extension and the McKean, Elk and Warren County Conservation
Districts.” Kane Mayor Brandy Schimp nominated Conklin for this award. Three elected officials sent government resolutions and a certificate to Conklin, recognizing his entrepreneurial efforts. U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson’s certificate recognizes “The Wilds Sonshine Factory for incorporating the PA Wilds brand directly into your business and supporting the PA Wilds Center’s nonprofit mission. Your efforts are recognized and appreciated.” Z a c h a r y Ankeny, district director for State Sen. Cris Dush,
Wilds Sonshine on ... page 3
Budget-friendly dining room renovation ideas If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the dining room may be akin to one of its arteries. The m o o d created in the kitchen spreads to the dining space where family and friends gather to eat and enjoy one another’s company. Dining rooms can get lost in the home renovation shuffle, as many homeowners tend to focus on renovating kitchens and bathrooms instead. Homeowners do not have to invest a lot of money in renovations to give their dining spaces awe-inspiring makeovers. Here’s how to do so on a budget. • Lighten and brighten. Dining rooms were once very formal spaces. Dark woods, large pieces of furniture, over-the-top chandeliers, and other details could be found in many homes. But now that houses are being built with open floor plans, dining
inside to only include the rooms can blend with other spills. • Add floating shelv- very best display pieces spaces, which have moved ing. Floating shelves pro- and see if the cabinet can to lighter be refinished with paint or a lightly colored stain. • Improve lighting. Make the chandelier the statement piece of the space. Go for a bold color or an innovative design. Then add accessories throughout the space vide much- that coordinate with the needed storage or display space without the need colored to invest in another w a l l s , piece of furniture. flooring Depending on the shelvand furniture. A fresh coat of vibrant paint ing, they can work in modcan work wonders and it ern design schemes or even doesn’t cost much. If you farmhouse dining spaces. • Clear out the clutcan’t remove a floor, cover it with a brightly colored ter. It might be time to say “so long” to that large cuarea rug. • Switch things up with rio cabinet and the knickslipcovers. Slipcovers can knacks within it. Curio and be changed each season to china cabinets used to be de dramatically alter the look rigueur, but plenty of peoof a dining room for little ple now prefer more open investment. Slip covers and airy dining rooms. For also protect chairs and can those who want to keep the be easily laundered after cabinet, try decluttering
chandelier. • Add bench seating. Those who need additional seating may not have to get entirely new furniture. Swap out some chairs for benches, which can fit a couple more guests than chairs. • Create depth with color. HGTV says that using various shades of the same color in a space can
add depth. Coordinate drapes, walls, seat fabrics, and accessories for a cohesive design. Renovating a dining room doesn’t require a large investment of time and money. A few simple steps can give dining spaces a whole new feel without busting homeowners’ budgets.
“Let Us Fix Your Leaky Chimneys”
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NOVEMBER 2, 2021
Former Corydon Twp. fireman charged with arson A former member of the Corydon Township Fire Department was charged with allegedly starting a fire at a West Washington Street home in November of 2020. Kristopher D. Johnson, 23, of Lawtons, N.Y., was also charged with stealing money from the fire department in the same time period. According to the criminal complaint for the arson case, on Nov. 9, 2020, a residence directly next door to the Corydon Township Fire Station on West Washington Street caught fire. Through investigation, police determined Johnson gained entry into the home through
a rear door and started a fire, and attempted to start other fires throughout the structure. During the investigation, it was determined that Johnson was at the fire station just before the fire was reported, was seen in the area of the fire, and was one of the first department members on the scene of the fire, the complaint stated. On Nov. 25, 2020, fire department officials contacted state police to report a theft. He said he had noticed money missing from the soda/snack fund over a several-month period, so they installed a security camera to monitor the lock
box where the money was kept. There was surveillance footage of Johnson stealing money on two separate days, taking a total of $70 from the box, the complaint stated. In the arson case, Johnson was charged with burglary, arson-danger of serious injury, arson-inhabited building, and criminal attempt at arson-inhabited building, all first-degree felonies; criminal trespass-break into structure, arson-intent to destroy unoccupied building and arson-endangering property, all second-degree felonies; criminal trespass-enter structure,
reckless burning-uninhabited places, reckless burning — value exceeding $5,000, criminal mischief-damaging property with intent and criminal mischief-damage property, all third-degree felonies; and recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor. In the theft case, he was charged with two counts of theft and one count of criminal mischief. He was arraigned on both before District Judge Rich Luther and remanded to jail in lieu of a total of $210,000 bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on both cases Nov. 3 before Luther.
Commentary: Farms, forests are short-sighted locations for solar projects By HARRY CAMPBELL With continuing advances in technology and declining costs, largescale solar projects are popping up all over the Commonwealth. Hundreds more seem possible in the coming years. Many of these solar farms are being developed to offset the carbon footprint of companies like Amazon, which earlier this year announced a 618-acre project proposed on forestland in McKean County and another of 150 acres on farmland in Potter County. Most solar farm projects in Pennsylvania have been proposed for farms and forestland. These locations are not only short-sighted and counter-intuitive to tackling climate change, they have the potential to lead to a cascade of other negative ecological impacts. Trees are one of nature’s greatest inventions. According to Penn State Extension, trees are also “without a doubt the best carbon capture technology in the world.” They also protect and
cleanse rivers and streams. They do this by slowing down, spreading out and soaking up vast amounts of precipitation that could otherwise carry vast amounts of polluted runoff to the nearest waterbody. Along the way, pollutants are filtered out. Incredibly, streamside forests have been shown to dramatically increase a stream’s ability to cleanse itself of many types of pollution. Although farmland doesn’t function like a forest, a well-managed farm has its own ecological benefits. For example, healthy farm soils are key to productive, nutritious crops. Keeping soils and nutrients on the land instead of in the water, also help infiltrate large amounts of precipitation. Clear cutting forests and compacting and covering healthy soils for largescale solar farms threaten to replace the vast array of benefits, with polluted runoff degrading streams, increased nuisance flooding, loss of critical wildlife
habitat and even the release of soil carbon back into the atmosphere. In the spring of 2020, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation released a report to help guide decision-makers on where solar projects should be located, called “Principles and Practices for Realizing the Necessity and Promise of Solar Power.” In our state, better placement of solar projects starts with local municipal governments having up-todate local comprehensive plans and ordinances that direct solar farms away from forests and farmland, streams and wetlands. Ideal alternative locations include under-performing malls and their parking lots, abandoned mine lands and other industrial locations. Secondly, local governments need to include design standards that require native pollinator species be planted, which also reduces polluted stormwater runoff, instead of non-native species like turfgrass, or semi-hard surface like
gravel that have little ecological value. Taxpayers should advocate that companies, as well as state and federal governments, should not be proposing and subsidizing projects in less-than-ideal areas. Regardless of whether you believe humans are the cause of climate change, the myriad of impacts from it are here and projected to get worse in the coming decades. With advances in technologies, generating energy from sources like solar is increasingly being seen as a viable, less carbon-releasing alterative to fossil fuels. The decisions we allow our elected officials make on land-use issues like solar projects today will have implications for Pennsylvania’s health, well-being, and quality of life for generations to come. (Harry Campbell is science policy and advocacy director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in Pennsylvania.)
More than 1,700 new cases of COVID seen in region in last month In one month’s time, there were 1,768 new cases of COVID-19 and 37 deaths in the four-county local region, according to data from Pennsylvania Department of Health. As of Oct. 27, McKean County had 5,120 total cases of COVID-19 and 89 deaths. The week before, there were 4,976 cases and 85 deaths. A month ago, there were 4,364 cases and 76 deaths. That is 144 new cases and four deaths in a week, and 756 cases and 13 deaths in a month. The health department’s early warning dashboard showed a positivity rate of 16.8%. The website USA Facts said, per 100,000, McKean County was averaging 52 new cases and one death in a 7-day time frame. Elk County had 4,113 cases and 56 deaths. At this time last week, there were 3,999 cases and 55 deaths.
As of this time last month, there were 3,556 cases and 49 deaths. That is 114 cases and one death in a week, and 557 cases and 7 deaths in a month. The positivity rate was 12.6%. The site USA Facts
reported Elk County was averaging 66 new cases per 100,000 in a 7-day time frame. Potter County had 1,866 and 45 deaths. At this time last week, there were 1,825 cases and 43 deaths. As of this time last month, there
were 1,497 cases and 29 deaths. That is 41 new cases and 2 deaths in a week, and 369 cases and 16 deaths in a month. The positivity rate was 11.3%. The website USA Facts reported Potter County was averaging 38 new cases and 3 deaths per 100,000 in a 7-day time frame. Cameron County had 499 cases; the number of deaths remained the same. At this time last week, there were 483 cases and 11 deaths. As of this time last month, there were 413 cases and 10 deaths. That is 16 new cases in a week, and 86 new cases and one additional death in a month. The positivity rate was 15.9%. The website USA Facts reported Cameron County was averaging 61 new cases per 100,000 in a 7-day time frame.
Chronic Wasting continued from 1 Wildlife managers are certainly concerned about Pennsylvania’s No. 1 species among hunters, the whitetail, but there is also major concern that CWD would find its way into the state’s tourist-attracting elk herd. Thompson, R-Centre, said the Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act will support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies as well as fund research into methods to better detect and prevent CWD. “CWD has been a big problem for the deer populations of Pennsylvania and additional cervid animals, such as elk and moose, throughout the country,” Thompson said. “This bill was crafted with robust stakeholder support and will prioritize research in the transmission of, resistance to and diagnosis of CWD. It is imperative we better understand the genetic implications of the disease, so we can develop policies best suited to solve the problem.” Kind said, as an avid hunter, he knows how important it is to maintain healthy deer herds in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, so outdoor traditions and the sporting economy can be protected. “CWD is a serious threat to our deer herds, and we need all hands on deck to combat this disease,” Kind said. Thompson and Kind are both members of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. Thompson is also the top Republican on the House Agriculture Committee. Kind noted that the bipartisan bill would bring scientists, local officials and hunters together to help manage and prevent the spread of CWD. The Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act is also supported by several wildlife and sportsmen organizations, including: the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, National Wildlife Federation, Boone & Crockett, National Deer Association, North American Deer Farmers Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
and the Mule Deer Foundation. “Chronic wasting disease is one of the greatest threats facing deer, elk and moose populations across the country, jeopardizing hunting opportunities, ecosystems and our nation’s outdoor economy,” said Mike Leahy, director for wildlife, hunting, and fishing policy for the National Wildlife Federation. First detected in Pennsylvania in 2012, CWD was mostly found in the south central part of the state, with Bedford County accounting for 354 of the state’s total 722 positive cases. However, in May the state Department of Agriculture announced a confirmed positive for CWD in a whitetail deer on a Warren County hunting preserve. It was the first recorded case of CWD in a deer in northwest Pennsylvania. A total of 15 remaining deer were euthanized and all tested negative for the disease, while the ag department quarantined the preserve for five years. Disease Management Areas in Pennsylvania were created as a way to try and limit movement of deer from where CWD has been detected. Within DMAs, specific regulations meant to slow or stop the human-assisted spread of CWD across the landscape apply. It’s illegal within DMAs to rehabilitate injured deer, possess or use cervid urine-based attractants and feed free-ranging deer. The road-killed buck was found in Jefferson County on the northern boundary of DMA 3. It was collected as part of the commission’s ongoing CWD surveillance efforts. As part of the state’s effort to contain the spread of the disease, when a new CWD-positive is found in a wild or captive deer or elk a DMA is established to reduce risk of human-assisted spread of CWD. According to the commission, the new CWDpositive deer was found within 2 miles of the state’s elk management area, prompting the creation of DMA 6 within the elk management area, which includes portions of Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties. The establishment of DMA 6 — which extends to the state game lands just south of the borough of Ridgway — is designed to prevent high-risk deer parts from all of DMA 3 moving into the elk management area.
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NOVEMBER 2, 2021
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Wilds Sonshine continued from 1 R-Brookville,, presented Conklin with the resolution that recognizes him for producing a product that incorporates the PA Wilds brand directly into his business. It concludes, “Through his many initiatives to benefit the community and by his personal example, Mr. Conklin clearly reflects the true spirit and mission of the PA Wilds Center for
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Entrepreneurship.” In the citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, lauds Conklin for using “products that will be exclusively grown and produced within the PA Wilds Region” and for allowing his facility to be used as an agricultural education center. In accepting the Best Brand Ambassador Award, Conklin thanked those people and agencies who have been very supportive of his venture, saying, “I am absolutely honored to receive this award.”
Conklin told The Era that construction of the factory should be done in April of 2022, with the doors open for business in May. “I’m confident this business will stimulate the local economy and tourism. Our plans are to initiate a sunflower festival.” Besides the McKean County commissioners, these included the county conservation district and county planning office, PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship, Wetmore Township supervisors, Kane Mayor Brandy Schimp and Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding.
Photo provided Retired Pennsylvania State Trooper Marty Henneman is shown with his daughter, Gretchen Henneman, who was crowned The United States of America’s Miss Pennsylvania for 2022.
Bradford resident Gretchen Henneman crowned Miss Pennsylvania Bradford resident Gretchen Henneman was crowned The United States of America’s Miss Pennsylvania during a
District attorney: Shinglehouse drug bust result of community tips
competition held at The Desmond Malvern in Malvern over the Oct. 23-24 weekend. Henneman was Miss Bradford and Miss McKean County in 2019. The competition held over the weekend crowns a Miss Pennsylvania, a Mrs. Pennsylvania, a Teen Pennsylvania and a Ms. Pennsylvania. Each category has various criteria to qualify, including age (Miss is between 18 and 28, Ms. must be at least 29 and Mrs. must be at least 18 and married, living with her husband for at least six months, while Teen must be 13 to 17 years of age). All competitors completed a personal interview and an onstage question and then participated in a swimwear competition
and an evening gown competition. Henneman’s prize package includes various swag and a trophy, as well as an entry to the national pageant and lodging and meals during the national competition. Henneman was welcomed home Monday afternoon with a police escort down Main Street, with a group of supporters gathered on the sidewalk near PNC Bank. Henneman currently attends college. Her social media indicated the title is a dream come true and thanked those who supported her. She also expressed gratitude to the Bradford Little Theatre board, of which she is a member, for their outpouring of support.
Photo provided Drugs seized in Shinglehouse.
A Shinglehouse drug bust in October was the result of community members reporting suspicious activity to police, officials said Oct. 25. Drugs, guns and cash were seized in the Oct. 21 bust at the home at 34 Route 44, Shinglehouse, belonging to Steffan Sisson, said McKean County District Attorney Stephanie L. Vettenburg-Shaffer. Sisson, 31, had allegedly sold one gram of methamphetamine to an informant working with police while under surveillance of McKean County Drug Task Force detectives, Shaffer said. A search warrant was served on the residence, and law enforcement encountered 11 adults inside, including Sisson, as well as an infant.
Officers seized 39.1 grams of methamphetamine; approximately 217 stamp bags of fentanyl — packaged for sale; 5 firearms; more than $5,000 cash; electronic devices; and numerous items of paraphernalia including pipes to smoke methamphetamine and ingest other drugs, Shaffer said. Security cameras and a “bug-detecting” device were also found in the residence used for detecting individuals who could be wearing a recording device. Two of the people at the scene were wanted on outstanding warrants — Christopher Feidler of Bradford and Dominique Waterman of Coudersport. Both were transported to McKean County Jail. Sisson was arrested on multiple charges and
remanded to jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. Shaffer said additional charges are expected for Sisson and others. “The raid/arrest was a culmination of over a yearlong investigation,” Shaffer said. Agencies involved in the investigation and arrest included the McKean County District Attorney; McKean County detectives; McKean County Drug Task Force (Bradford City, Smethport Borough, and Otto-Eldred Regional Police Departments); Potter County detective; Potter County East Drug Task Force (Coudersport, Galeton, and Shinglehouse); Olean (N.Y.) City Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit; Southern Tier Drug Task Force (Cattaraugus
County Sheriff’s Office and Salamanca Police Department); and NY State Police Troop A VGNET Team. The McKean County Detective K-9 unit participated in the raid with drug-detecting and trailing dogs on-scene. Shinglehouse Ambulance Service was placed on stand-by during the execution of the search warrant. McKean County Department of Emergency Services provided equipment to the officers. McKean County Chief Detective Ryan D. Yingling is the lead investigator in the case. According to the Centers for Disease Control, fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 80 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
WHAT ARE THEY CALLED....
• We usually call those cute little white cat paws “boots.” But they’re really called gloves. • A group of cats is called a clutter or a chowder. • A group of wolves is called a pack. • Baby eels are called elvers. • A group of monkeys is called a band or a troop. • A group of lions is called a pride. • Baby koalas are called joeys. • A group of dogs is called a pack. • A group of whales is called a gam or a pod. • Baby turtles are called hatchlings. • A group of chickens is called a clutch or a brood. • Baby seahorses are called colts, just like baby horses that live on land
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NOVEMBER 2, 2021
Tax Exempt workshop set for November
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson
Thompson worked from home after positive COVID test U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson was working from his Centre County home last week after receiving outpatient treatment for COVID-19 at Walter Reed National Military Center on Oct. 22. A Republican who lives in Howard Township, Thompson, through a spokesperson, thanked the attending physician at the U.S. Capitol “along with the doctors, nurses and staff at Walter Reed for their concern and care.” Thompson, 62, is vaccinated and has a breakthrough case of COVID-19. His office announced Oct. 22 that on that afternoon he began experiencing cold-like symptoms and was tested for COVID-19. As a precaution, he went to Walter Reed in Bethesda, Md., to receive outpatient treatment. He was described as being in “good spirits.”
Thompson, in the middle of his seventh term, is the top Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee. He has represented Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District, which includes McKean, Elk and Cameron counties, since 2008. He’s the 18th member of Congress — among 14 in the House and four in the Senate — to test positive for COVID-19 despite being fully vaccinated, as reported by The Hill. Two additional House Republicans also tested positive over the summer, but it’s not clear whether they were vaccinated. The Hill reported that House members have had
the option to vote by proxy during the pandemic since May 2020 but Thompson was not among the lawmakers who voted by proxy on Friday, according to the House clerk’s website. The House mask mandate also remains in effect, with fines starting at $500 to enforce compliance in the House chamber. Since the start of the pandemic, at least 71 House members and 11 senators have tested positive for COVID-19, according to The Hill’s tally. Members of Congress were among the first Americans granted access to COVID-19 vaccines days after they were first approved by health authorities last December.
SMETHPORT — The McKean County Economic Development Office and the McKean County Industrial Development Authority are hosting a free Understanding Tax Exempt Financing Workshop on Nov. 16. The workshop is designed for Non-Profits, Manufacturing Firms and Local Governments who are planning capital improvement projects and are interested in exploring various financing options. This workshop will provide a practical overview of tax-exempt financing opportunities from the viewpoints of borrowers in the nonprofit, governmental, and manufacturing sectors; banks; and economic development agencies. The workshop will cover what types of tax-exempt financing are available for which borrowers and how to compare the costs and benefits of tax-exempt financing to those of conventional financing. Presenters will also review private borrowing procedures through industrial development
authorities and public borrowing procedures under the Local Government Unit Debt Act. Finally, the class will consider tax and securities law requirements, including the impact of new infrastructure legislation. There will be ample time for questions and answers. The Workshop will be taught by Tom Tupitza and Tim Wachter from Knox Law. Tupitza is the President of Knox Law, past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Bond Lawyers, and is active as bond counsel in tax exempt financing transactions. Wachter is a member of Knox Law’s Governmental, Public Finance, Bonds, Business and Tax Practice Groups
and the lead for Knox Law Public Strategies. He regularly works with government, business and nonprofit clients on tax exempt and bond financing issues, and was recently named to the 2020 Top 25 Attorney Influencers by Opportunity Zones Magazine. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, November 16th from 10:30 AM to Noon at the McKean County 911 Center Classroom located at 17175 Route 6, Smethport, PA. There is no cost to attend this program, but participants are asked to pre-register by calling (814) 887-3107 or by emailing raveilleux@ mckeancountypa.org.
• Wood • Coal • Pellet • Corn • Fireplaces • Boilers • Furnaces • Liners • Hearth Products • Stove & Chimney Pipe • Custom Log Homes • Log Siding • Rough Cut Lumber • Firewood • Wood Pellets
Classic car restoration for beginners They’re eye-catching, often exotic and always call to mind a bygone era. Classic cars are undeniably unique and their unrivaled automotive appeal has inspired legions of fans. That appeal also has compelled many to try their hand at classic car restoration. Restoring a classic car can be a rewarding hobby, particularly the first time a vehicle emerges from its owner’s garage and hits the open road. Car buffs interested in restoring a classic car of their own can consider various factors before they lift the hood on this challenging yet rewarding hobby. Time and
Money It’s hard to know if a classic car restoration will cost owners more time or money, but restoration novices should expect to spend a lot of both as they work to restore a ride to its former glory. CarsDirect.com estimates that a restoration done by a professional shop can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $60,000, and that does not necessarily include the cost of the
vehicle. If the financial commitment raises an eyebrow, perhaps would-be car guys and gals should look away from the estimated time it takes to restore a classic car. CarsDirect notes that it can take around 1,000 hours for DIYers to restore a classic car. The excitement of restoring a classic car can quickly wear off if owners don’t have enough time and/ or money to keep the project going at a
steady pace. The Car Some car buffs may already envision which type of car they want to restore. Some may want to restore a classic Ford Mustang like the one they drove in high school, while others with a flare for automotive history might want to restore a 1930s classic. Whatever your preference, make sure you find a car that won’t bust your budget. Even the initial cost to purchase the car from a local salvage yard can be de ce iving. S o m e c a r s
might only be affordable because they’ve experienced such extensive damage that the cost to restore them will be especially high. It’s good to know what you’re looking for as you begin to scour newspaper classified ads or visit local salvage yards. But allow yourself some room for flexibility in regard to the type of car you’re willing to restore. That can ensure you aren’t breaking your budget right away or overcommitting yourself to a project that may prove beyond your range of abilities. Online car forums can be great places to get some insight into restoration, especially for beginners. The Project In addition to determining which car to get and how much time and money you can realistically devote to the restoration project, car enthusiasts must determine which tools they’ll
need, where they’re going to work on the project and the availability of discounted parts. Discounted parts can help offset considerable restoration costs, so access to a local seller or salvage yard can be a significant advantage. The internet has made finding parts easier, as resources like CheapAutoParts.com can be invaluable. A place to work also is a musthave, so garages may need to be outfitted to make projects more enjoyable. Tools also can be costly, though CarsDirect notes that different steps in the process require different tools. That can make it easier to spread out the cost of buying new tools. Classic car restoration can be an engaging hobby. Novices are urged to learn as much about restoration as possible before they decide to fully commit to this potentially rewarding endeavor.