www.wellsboropa.com 1 Official Visitors Guide of Our Town, Home of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon FALL/WINTER 2022/23 WellsboroExplore
2 (800) 326-9486 | myFCCB.com 15 S. Main St. Mansfield 1 Pearl St. Wellsboro 300 Main St. Blossburg
Open All Four Seasons!
Open All Four Seasons!
www.wellsboropa.com 3 Open All Four Seasons!
131 MAIN STREET LODGE offers the convenience of Wellsboro’s downtown shops and restaurants as well as the charm that only a circa 1860 home can offer.
BEAR MOUNTAIN LODGE casual elegance and romantic rooms offer the perfect getaway while still being convenient to downtown Wellsboro.
BEAR MOUNTAIN LODGE romantic rooms and casual elegance offer the perfect Wilds getaway convenient to downtown Wellsboro.
131 MAIN STREET offers Wellsboro’s downtown shops and restaurants as well as the charm that only a circa 1860 home can provide.
BEAR MEADOWS LODGE provides elegant comfort after a long day of adventure. Guests may hike, raft, bird or cross country ski the forests near Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon.
BEAR MOUNTAIN LODGE casual elegance and romantic rooms offer the perfect getaway while still being convenient to downtown Wellsboro.
BEAR MEADOWS LODGE provides elegant comfort after a long day of adventure. Guests may hike, raft, bird or cross country ski the forests near Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon.
BEAR MEADOWS LODGE offers elegant comfort after a hike, kayak or bicycle adventure in Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon area.
Each beautiful lodge offers privacy and serenity for your relaxing stay.
Each of our unique and beautiful lodges offers the privacy and serenity you need for a relaxing stay.
131 MAIN STREET LODGE offers the convenience of Wellsboro’s downtown shops and restaurants as well as the charm that only a circa 1860 home can offer.
Each of our unique and beautiful lodges offers the privacy and serenity you need for a relaxing stay.
Editors & PublishErs
sAlEs rEPrEsEntAtivE Shelly Moore distribution
contributing WritErs
Gabe Hakvaag, Don Knaus, Linda Roller, Karey Solomon, Kelly CarolynStemcosky,Straniere
Bernadette Chiaramonte, High on the Mountain Photography, Tim Morey, Linda Stager
contributing PhotogrAPhErs
Teresa Banik Capuzzo
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Michael Capuzzo
Gwen Button Accounting Amy Packard
Explore Wellsboro
Lilace Mellin Guignard
thE bEAglE Nano Cosmo (1996-2014) Yogi (2004-2018)
ALLUREWELLNESSSPA Offering a full range of high quality services, customized to each guest’s individual needs. Women & Mens Facials Lash & Brows RFWaxingVenus Skin Treatments Body WellnessInfraredTreatmentsSaunaMassageCuppingReflexologyManuallymphdrainageMyofascialreleaseTriggerpointtherapyDeeptissueSportsNeuromuscularReikiPrenatalCraniosacraltherapy 223 Tioga Street Wellsboro, PA 16901 (570) allurewellnesswellsborospa.com948-1964
Explore Wellsboro is published by Beagle Media, LLC, 39 Water Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901, in partnership with the Wells boro Area Chamber of Commerce. Copy right © 2022 Beagle Media, LLC. All rights reserved. E-mail info@mountainhomemag. com, or call (570) 724-3838. Explore Wellsboro is distributed at hundreds of locations in Tioga, Potter, Bradford, Ly coming, Union, and Clinton counties in PA and Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, Yates, Seneca, Tioga, and Ontario counties in NY. 10,000 copies are delivered to PA On Display to be distributed to welcome centers across the state.
oPErAtions dirEctor
George Bochetto
Michael Banik, Brian Button
AssociAtE PublishErs
Explore Wellsboro, the home of Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon, where the change in seasons brings new adventures, getaways, and family fun. Wellsboro offers yearround activities and amusements for everyone. A full schedule including art fairs, music festivals, concerts, plays, and outdoor events will keep you entertained throughout the Coolerseasons. falldays
in Wellsboro kicks off in a big way with Dickens of a Christmas, transforming our gaslit streets into a Victorian marketplace. It doesn’t end there—Wellsboro offers many winter festivals, celebrations, and sporting adventures. Once the Pine Creek Rail Trail is covered in snow it’s a great time to break out cross-country skis! And when was the last time you skated on a pond?
Contact us at the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce, and we’ll be happy to help get your stay with us started.
www.wellsboropa.com 5
We welcome you to Explore Wellsboro!
FALL/WINTER 2022/2023
bring brilliant color blanketing hills in red, yellow, and orange. Take in the canyon’s majestic beauty from one of the several easy access lookouts or driving tours. For the more adventurous, check out the many hiking and biking trails for beginners to Theexperts. winter
Julie WellsboroExecutiveHenryDirectorAreaChamber of Commerce (570) www.wellsboropa.cominfo@wellsboropa.com724-1926
6 Proudly serving the Northern Tier of PA and Southern Tier of NY HOMES • LAND • CABINS FARMS •COMMERCIAL 477570-723-8484TiogaStreet•Wellsboro,PA MVRWELLSBORO.COM Convenient Onsite Parking
www.wellsboropa.com 7 REAL ESTATE CLOSINGS REFINANCE CLOSINGS NO CLOSING FEE QUICK TURNAROUNDS 570-948-9166 SIXWESTSETTLEMENTS.COM 477 Tioga Street • Wellsboro, PA At Six West Settlements, Inc. we are, with excellence and integrity, dedicated to creating exceptional closing experiences for our customers.
Pennsylvania
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www.wellsboropa.com 9 Hot Picks for Where to Stay and Be Pampered! Allure Wellness Spa .................... 4 Back In The Day Guest House 41 Bear Lodges ................................. 3 Canyon Motel............................ 50 Family Ties Farmhouse............ 39 Happy Hound Campground 39 Heavenly Fox Cottage 39 MVR Vacation Rentals 39 La Belle Auberge Bed & Breakfast ................... 37 Penn Wells Hotel & Lodge ...... 41 River of Pines Cottage.............. 41 Sherwood Motel ....................... 50 Sky High Chalet ........................ 41 Hot Picks for Dining! Beck's Bistro ............................... 43 Eddie’s Restaurant...................... 47 Kookalaroc's Bar & Grill 45 Pag-Omar Farms Market 35 Red Lantern House..................... 43 The Creamery.............................. 35
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Tioga CounTy, Pennsylvania
www.wellsboropa.com 11 Hot Picks for TroyPennsylvaniaNationalLycomingBradfordHotShopping!PickstoVisit!CountyTourismPromotionAgency................49CountyHistoricalSociety.....................................47SoaringMuseum........25LumberMuseum21SaleBarn.............................45BlossburgCompanyStore.........49CanyonCountryFabrics...........37Draper’sSuperBeeApiaries......45Dunham’sDepartmentStore.....35TheFarmer’sDaughters.............37Garrison’sMen’sandLadies’Shop37HeritageSpringsMarketplace35HillstoneFarms...........................43TheMainStreetOliveOilCo....35OregonHillWinery...................43OttoBookstore............................47Pop’sCultureShoppe..................37Senior’sCreations.......................35Simmons-Rockwell17StickyBucketMaple23TheWarmUpShop....................25
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Pine Creek rail Trail
Hot Picks
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www.wellsboropa.com 13
September 9 • 7:30 p.m.
11: 00 a.m. - Long Course
September 10 • 10:00 a.m.
Dead Letter Office - REM Tribute $25 - Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) October724-62209•TBA
Old Blind Dogs - Scottish Folk $25 BYOB - Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
Tioga Memorial Park Bring lawn chairs for seating.
Septemberhgp.booktix.com17•TBA
Bring lawn chairs or blankets. (570) 724-6220
The Green Monster Trail Challenge 176 Straight Run Road
October 14-16 & 21-22 • 7:30 p.m.
My Way: Hamilton-Gibson's Tribute to songs made popular by Frank Sinatra Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center
My Way: Hamilton-Gibson's Tribute to songs made popular by Frank Sinatra Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center hgp.booktix.com
Chasing Rabbits
FREE - Deane Center Outside Stage
Live Helicopter Golf Ball Drop and other activities. Ball drop time approx. 6:00 p.m. 759 PA Route 660 (570) September724-192611•6:00 p.m.
Always ABBA
9th Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony
10:00 a.m. - Short Course
Asaph - 8 miles West of Wellsboro Watch for signs! (570) September724-192610•4:00 p.m.
October 21 • 7:00 p.m. Drowsy Maggie $20 BYOB - Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
September 14 • 7:00 p.m.
September 16-17 & 23-24 • 7:30 p.m.
October 7 • 7:00 p.m.
History Comes Alive with Campbell Harmon as Edgar Allan Poe - $15 (under 12 free) Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
Bill Lep - Storyteller, author, and humorist $20 BYOB - Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
FesTivals & evenTs
September 16-17 • See Website Waste SusquehannockManagement'sProTrailRally www.stpr.org
Producers' Showcase Downtown Wellsboro (570) September724-192618•2:30 p.m.
September 23 • 6:00 p.m.
Octobergm50k.com12•7:00 p.m. History Comes Alive with Kevin Titus as Doc Holliday $15 (under 12 Free) Coolidge Threatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
Hamilton-Gibson's comedy Grand Horizon's Warehouse Octoberhgp.booktix.comTheatre14-15•AllDay
Laurel Classic Mtn. Bike Challenge
$30, Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) September724-622010•7:00 p.m.
Community Wide Yard Sales Downtown Wellsboro
October 14 • 7:30 p.m.
WCCA presents Hanneke Cassel Coolidge Threatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
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October 8 • 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Pennygaff's One Man Circkus Side-show Spectacular - FREE Deane Center Outside Stage Bring lawn chairs or blankets. (570) September724-622030•7:00 p.m.
&
November 11,12, 18, 19 • 7:30 p.m. November 13 • 2:30 p.m. Foolish Fishgirls and the Pearl Hamilton-Gibson Women's Project's Play Warehouse
January 29 • 3:00 p.m. Burns Supper Timeless Destination (570) 724-1926
October 29 • 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
February 10-12 • All Day Wellsboro Winter Celebration Downtown Wellsboro (570) 724-1926
October 31 • 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Mansfield Trunk or Treat
WCCA presents Charm City Junction Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
November 11 • 7:00 p.m.
$25 BYOB - Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
December 10 • 7:00 p.m. Special Swing Dance Event Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) December724-62208-11•All Day
Hamilton-Gibson's Production of A Christmas Carol Warehouse Decemberhgp.booktix.comTheatre3•AllDay
FesTivals evenTs
Smythe Park, Mansfield (570) 662-3442
Novemberhgp.booktix.comTheatre25•7:00p.m.
All Events are tentative and subject to change. Call phone number or check website listed with each event to confirm.
History Comes Alive with Steven Edenbo as Thomas Jefferson $15 (under 12 free)
UPMC Halloween Path Theme: Children's Books UPMC Wellsboro Hospital (570) 724-1926
WCCANovember724-31864•7:30p.m.presents Philadelphia Brass Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) November724-62209•7:00p.m.
Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
October 28-29 • 7:00 p.m. Gabe Stillman Band with special guest Kat Riggens
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Stagefright - A tribute to The Band
Hamilton-Gibson's Production of A Christmas Carol Warehouse Decemberhgp.booktix.comTheatre9•7:00p.m.
$25 BYOB - Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
$25 BYOB - Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
October 31 • 6:00 p.m. Halloween Parade Trick-or-Treating to follow until 8:30 p.m. Downtown Wellsboro (570)
December 3 • Various Times
December 17 • 7:00 p.m. Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra Coolidge Theatre, Deane Center (570) 724-6220
www.wellsboropa.com
The Corvettes Doo Wop Review
Dickens of a Christmas Downtown Wellsboro (570) December724-19264•2:30p.m.
December 2 • 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Reidel Wine Glass Class Reservations required! Deane Center (570) 724-1926
Christmas On Main Street Downtown Wellsboro (570) 724-1926
www.wellsboropa.com 17 Shop, Finance and Buy Your Car... ALL ONLINE! WWW. SIMMONS-ROCKWELL .COM YOURDRIVEDEAL! Make Car Buying Simple. Thousands of vehicles at your fingertips!
Every year for the past thirty-eight or so, on the first Saturday in December, Wellsboro’s downtown transforms itself into another place and time. Porkpie hats and waistcoats, hooped skirts and velvety capes, Scrooges and Santas share the streets and sidewalks with an eclectic array of purveyors. Everything from apple dumplings and crab cakes to handwrought Christmas decorations, plus any other wonderful seasonal delights and delicacies you might envision, magically appear like Marley’s ghost—but without the clanking chains. The streets are full of music, impromptu theatre, and plenty of holiday cheer. Come as you are or dress the Victorian part and enter the Dickens Costume Contest. Parking is available at various lots throughout the downtown, and shuttle service is offered. A schedule of events will be available on Dickens Saturday, December 3.
The weekend following Dickens of a Christmas has evolved into its own celebration—Christmas on Main Street. Set this year for Thursday through Sunday, December 8 to 11, it is hometown shopping at its finest. The Shiny Brite Christmas ornament tour is one of Wellsboro’s newest old traditions. The Shiny Brites are vintage Corning glass ornaments made here in Wellsboro during the World War II years. They will be on display at various downtown businesses throughout the weekend. Shoppers can purchase a passport/guidebook for five dollars, with stamped passport holders eligible to win a grand prize. Many of Wellsboro’s downtown merchants will be offering special sales and incentives.
CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET
Find your Festival So
Wellsboro is a great place to head when you get the cold weather blahs because we know how to shake those blahs like a snow globe and bring the sparkle back. This year make plans to spend a weekend (or, heck, several) here in Wellsboro and see what’s happening. You might find yourself shopping, skating on a frozen lake, dressing as a Victorian lord or lady, running up a mountain, or reclining by a fire in a woodsy cabin. Indoors and out, we have the festival to warm the cockles of your heart (whatever cockles are).
much of our year is winter that we’ve become experts in the art of winter fun.
DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS
Whether there is snow or sun, wind or rain, Winterfest at Hills Creek State Park on January 21 promises to be a day of family fun at one of the area’s most lovely parks. Winterfest runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to Tim Morey, park natural resource specialist, and it’s all free—including hot dogs and hot chocolate while they last. Skis, ice skates, and snowshoes will be available, hiking trails will be open, and if there’s enough snow some park roads will be plowed for cross-country skiing. Bring your sled! Call the park office at (570) 724-4246 for more information about Winterfest and plan to have fun no matter the weather.
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WINTER CELEBRATION
On Sunday, February 12, run, hike, or scramble up the 1,100 vertical feet from the Ansonia Valley to the summit of Mt. Tom to enjoy the winter views into the PA Grand Canyon. Descend via a less steep forest road, and, what the heck, do it again. This free event—no frills, no prizes, just fun—lasts from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. How many laps can you do? This familyfriendly event has grown in popularity over the years. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Darling Run rail trail parking lot on PA-362. Dress for weather and trail conditions. Could be grass, snow, or ice—that’s what makes it a challenge!
WINTERFEST
By the time February rolls around, even Cupid needs a weekend away. Why not, like him, celebrate Valentine’s Day in Wellsboro? The Winter Celebration is February 10, 11, and 12 this year and is a delightful mid-winter break full of things like music, shopping, pots of homemade chili to sample and vote on (which comes with a chance for chocolate and an opportunity to raise money for Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries), and ice carving—all guaranteed to lift your spirits out of their chilly slump.
MT. TOM CHALLENGE
For the most up-to-date information on festivals and events, visit wellsboropa.com or call the Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at (570) 724-1926.
As a kid, Zack found a copy of Nessmuk’s famous Woodcraft at home and when older recognized some of the places Nessmuk referred to. “At that point I realized not only was he a folk hero, he was our folk hero,” says Zack. Babb Creek, which Nessmuk camped besides, runs behind the store.
~Lilace Mellin Guignard
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Zack
Buck had been wanting to open a store in Morris for a while but was so busy with the Blak Forge Armoury, where he and Bill Bennet are gunsmiths, he didn’t have time. Till covid hit. “I hate to say something good came out of all that, but I guess it did.” He shrugs, looking around at the traditional outdoor items, many of which aren’t easily found elsewhere. The store, which offers hunting, trapping, fishing, camping, and hiking supplies, had its grand opening in April 2021 and is open year-round.
Stepping through the door of the 1870s-era building at 1803 Route 287 feels like entering a cross between an old general store and a hunting camp. In one corner is a rustic shelter made of branches, displaying wool bedrolls with leather harnesses, waxed canvas Frost River packs, and Adirondack pack baskets. In another a selection of rifles stands at attention. Elsewhere a counter holds knives and other edged tools, and a center shelf holds trays of colorful flies hand-tied by Mansfield’s Tom McGuinn. Forgot the cord to hang your tarp? Get it here. Need a specific map or want unique souvenirs to take home? Right here. How about a Cuban cigar for smoking beside your campfire? Check out Zack’s humidor. Want to hold a sperm whale tooth? You can, until this scrimshaw sells.
Come by to pick up some cool gear, local lore, fishing and hunting licenses, and expert advice. If you need any more reasons to stop in, visit them online at nessmuksltd.com or call (570) 404-6159.
The store is named for Nessmuk, the pen name of outdoor writer and poet George Washington Sears (1821-1890). A resident of Wellsboro, Nessmuk was an expert in woodcraft, a pioneer in minimalist camping, and a driving force behind the development of ultra-light pack canoes. Many of the items stocked reflect Nessmuk’s influence, including the Nessmuk knife, handmade according to his design by Dry Creek Forge, and two collections of flies specifically recommended by him for either Northern Pennsylvania or the Northern Wilderness (Adirondacks).
Nessmuk’s Sporting Goods
www.wellsboropa.com 21 The greaT ouTdoors 71 Main Street Wellsboro, PA 570-724-515516901 Wild Asaph Outfitters Supplying you with all your equipment, apparel, and footwear for your outdoor adventures. Home of North Star Outdoor Guides Dark Skies Telescope Tours Schedule your private, guided tour today! All tours take place at Cherry Springs State Park May-Oct. wildasaphoutfitters@gmail.com 5660 Route 6 Potter County, PA (814) 435 2652 lumbermuseum org pattersonmaplefarms.com Our very own all natural grass fed beef & eggs now available - call to place your order. CALL US TO SET UP A TOUR FOR YOUR FAMILY! See the largest privately owned maple producer in PA. Maple Syrup • Maple Sugar • Maple Cream Maple Crunchies • Maple Candy • Maple Coated Nuts Maple BBQ Sauce • Much More! 119 Patterson Road Westfield, PA 16950 (814) 628-3751 Annual OPEN HOUSE in March! Visit our website for more information. FullServiceBicycleandSnowsportsShoppromotingOutdoorFunAllYearRound Visit and LIKE our Facebook page: C S Sports Inc 81 Main St • Wellsboro PA 16901 570-724-3858 Open: M,Tu, Th, F: 9:30—6:00; W & Sa: 9:30–5:00 Open: Sundays June, July & August 570-724-0967 Feed, Farm & Pet Supply 1943 SHUMWAY HILL RD., WELLSBORO, PA HOURS: 7:30-5:00 M-F • 8:00-1:00 SAT. Your Neighborhood Pet Supply Store ROCKWELL’S We have everything for your pets & farm animals!
A couple of projects are restoring what these birds require. In the Landus Heights area near Antrim, sections have been disturbed using a process of shelterwood cutting, where trees are cut, leaving some of the larger, more desirable trees in the stand to help reseed the forest. Many of the cut trees are left lying, providing immediate cover for wildlife. The work is difficult, as the clearing uses no heavy equipment because of the negative impact that has on the forest floor.
~Linda Roller
These “drummers of the woods”—a joy for hikers and bird dog hunters—need young forest with lots of brush. They need a place to hide from hawks, owls, and other predators, to raise their young in nests on the ground, and to shelter from the worst of a cold, harsh Pennsylvania winter. The loss of habitat has resulted in a 30 percent decline in this important population. But thanks to a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Ruffed Grouse Society, industries, and committed people like Joe Sulikoski, these birds are getting help.
“People think grouse can live anywhere, but that’s just not so,” says Joe, a member of the RGS and a critical volunteer on these projects. They need a disturbed forest populated with brush and small trees, which provide cover from predators that feed on these birds. For Joe this is a passion, not only for his beloved grouse but for wildlife in general. “Over sixty different species of birds, mammals, and insects need this habitat.”
Of course, the most dramatic way to disturb a forest is with fire. A controlled burn in a perimeter that can be secured provides the benefit of fire in the forest without the problems that it can create. Off Shin Hollow Road in Gaines township, DCNR burned 148 acres of forest, then built a high fence to keep the deer out and protect the saplings planted in the area. In less than a month, Joe and volunteers from RGS planted around 1,200 seedlings. By fall, hunters saw grouse in Shin Hollow.
Restoring the Ruffed Grouse Wellsboro
is known for the Pine Creek Gorge and the Tioga State Forest, which is a mature forest. Beautiful to see, and a delight for people camping, hiking, and paddling. But it is not the perfect home for some of the native birds in the area, especially our state bird, the ruffed grouse.
For more information and to get involved, check out the Susquehanna River Valley Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society at susquehannagrouse.com.
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KensingerMichael
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Winter Wellsboroland
The park kicks off the New Year every January 1 with “First Hike,” a guided trek through some of the six miles of nature trails. Snow makes for a quiet walk to observe wildlife and spot tracks. All trails are available to cross-country ski enthusiasts, and the park grooms a two-mile section especially for that purpose.
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The focal point of the state park is the 137-acre lake. Hills Creek Lake offers winter angling from December ice-over to spring thaw. Hardwater fishermen dot the lake with colorful tent-like shelters, hoisting perch, crappie, bluegill, and bass up through the ice. If you want to try it, there’s plenty of space, and most seasoned anglers are happy to help the novice learn the ropes.
Creek State Park is for folks who love the outdoors—year-round. After the leaves have fallen, the park continues to be a flurry of activity and glistening beauty. The winterized cabins—with kitchen, dining area, heat, and showers—make it easy to escape whether you prefer the views or the trails. They sleep up to six persons (a double bed and two bunk beds) and are popular for reunions.
no reason to stay indoors this winter! And you won’t go wrong heading to Hills Creek State Park, especially when you can bed down in a beautiful setting for about seventy bucks a night only ten minutes from downtown Wellsboro’s restaurants (weekend rates can reach $107). Three cabins allow dogs and two are ADA accessible. Go to dcnr.pa.gov for more information and to make cabin reservations. Reach the park office at (570) 724-4246.
~Don Knaus
Hills
Kids of all ages like to feel the exhilaration of sledding down the big hill by the lake. Sleds and snow tubes can shoot riders out onto the ice, where, nearby, others enjoy ice skating.
There’sice.
Hills Creek State Park’s major cold weather event is “Winterfest,” scheduled for January 21. The park offers this family-friendly experience to amuse, entertain, teach, and tire you out. Activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoe walks, ice skating, downhill sledding, and of course ice fishing. Kids can work on crafts. Visitors can choose between a guided hike, displays, educational programs, or interactive demonstrations. When cold or tired, sip cocoa or munch grilled hotdogs. Everything at Winterfest is free—the food, drinks, classes, displays, and most equipment (bring your own sleds). Programs are presented by park rangers, biologists, volunteers, and PA Game Commission and PA Fish & Boat Commission personnel. Some events require adequate snow or
www.wellsboropa.com 25 Ski FamilySawmillResort Group Lodging • Skiing • Snowboarding Terrain Park • Rentals • Lessons Motel w/Jacuzzi Suites & So Much www.skisawmill.comMore(570)353-7521 Your Trusted Local Pool Pros Swimming Pools & Accessories Sewing Center 3 SHOPS...1 LOCATION! 1802 Green Avenue • warmup@comcast.netwww.thewarmupshop.com570-322-6302WilliamsportMon.Tue.Thur.9-5•Fri.9-6•Sat.9-1ClosedWed.andSun.bernina4you@gmail.com Unleash Your Creativity Longarm Quilting, Sewing Ma chines, Machine Repair, Fabric, Classes & Notions Keeping You Warm from Head to Toe Stoves & Fireplaces STOP IN OUR SHOWROOM TO SEE OUR STOVE AND SEWINGDISPLAYS!MACHINE Exits 48 or 51A off Route 17 & 86 NATIONALMUSEUMSOARING SoaringCapitalofAmericainfo@soaringmuseum.org Open Nov.Daily10-4-April 51 607-734-3128Elmira,HillSoaringDr.NY14903 www.soaringmuseum.org Featuring one of the largest collections of Gliders and Sailplanes in the world. The greaT ouTdoors
Wellsboro welcomes y ou! Home of the PA Grand Canyon Start your adventure here! wellsboropa.com | (570) 724-1926 | #wellsboropa
Check out CV Anglers Club on Facebook or email cvanglers@gmail.com to pre-register. Before heading on the ice, look up conditions online or by calling the Tackle Shack at (570) 724-5138. The tournament date might shift due to weather.
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“This is a family-oriented, multi-species tournament,” Don says. Registration is fifty dollars per one- or two-person team, and they usually get between thirty-five and fortyfive teams. The winner is the team whose ten-fish limit—of crappie, perch, and bluegill/ sunfish—weighs the most. You can register starting at 6 a.m., and the tournament lasts 7 a.m. to noon. Launch order is determined by random drawing, and is a slow-motion charge of sleds holding buckets, collapsed shelters, chairs, and what could be corkscrews for giant wine bottles but are augers used to drill through the ice.
We’re lucky. We get ice fishing every year, even when no one’s got ice south of I-80. I’ve never used a shelter because I go for the view more than the catch. Sitting around chatting with friends, letting kids slide and play, heating some hot chocolate up on the camp stove (yes, set right on the ice) is a great way to get sunshine. Just remember to put sun block on, especially under your nose and chin because it reflects from below.
snowless winter, I stumbled upon (slipped upon?) ice fishing as a way to crack the stir-crazy that builds up in February. I called Don Kelly at the Tackle Shack, a Tioga County institution, to find out what I’d need. Turns out it doesn’t take much gear. “All you need is a way to cut through the ice,” he says. A few tip-ups (devices that let you fish hands-free) and a short rod will do you fine. It’s a good idea to wear a PFD (life jacket) over or under your winter coat, but, heck, that keeps you even warmer.
~Lilace Mellin Guignard
Nessmuk Lake, Hamilton Lake, and Hills Creek Lake are in or near Wellsboro, freeze early because of their small size, and have a variety of panfish. Hardwater fishers shouldn’t miss the fifth annual Beechwood Lake Ice Fishing Tournament on Saturday, February 11, hosted by the CV Anglers Club. Located a half hour out of Wellsboro in Clymer Township, Beechwood is a sixty-seven-acre impoundment managed by the PA Fish and Boat Commission. (Watch their Introduction to Ice Fishing videos on YouTube and check fishandboat.com for in-person ice fishing programs.)
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Ice Fishing Is Crazy—Crazy Fun
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All-Pro also commissioned a new mixing board, amplifier, and speaker system. All-Pro tuned the system to ensure the speakers are in balance and create a full range of sound without distortion. An assisted hearing system with transmitters and individual headphone packs are synced with the sound system. This system will make HG fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires theaters to have assisted hearing devices for at least 10 percent of their patrons.
In 2018, HG decided to move forward with the Stephen Worthington Memorial Technology Fund. Over $50,000 was raised, and HG picked up where Steve had left off. HG refined the equipment list, ensuring it was fully compatible and could be expanded. Over the summer, a team of volunteers worked for three months to prepare the theater. On July 19, All-Pro, a theatrical technology provider, arrived in Wellsboro to commission the newly installed equipment that focused on lighting, sound, and an assisted hearing system.
HG is not an organization that buys new things. Over the years, they’ve cobbled together a minimal package of lighting and sound equipment at the Warehouse Theatre at 3 Central Avenue. Most of the equipment was donated. All of it was quite old and outdated. And the systems were not compatible.
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During
Steve never saw his wish list come to life, but his name and memory are honored each time the lights come up on the Warehouse stage. The first time the new system will be utilized is for Grand Horizons, a play opening October 14 and running for two weekends. Get more information at (570) 724-2079 or hamiltongibson.org and order tickets at hgp.booktix.com.
the last week of his life, Stephen Worthington was incredibly excited. The board of Hamilton-Gibson Productions, a nonprofit performing arts organization in Wellsboro, had approved a capital campaign to purchase equipment, and Steve was compiling a wish list of new theater technology.
Stephen Worthington Memorial Tech Fund
~Gabe Hakvaag
But HG had Steve, a local radio DJ, combining a natural talent for performing with a strong understanding of audio technology. For years he was the technician making the antiquated devices work one more time. Sadly, he died in November 2016, and the project was put on hold.
The lighting system includes LED instruments that are digitally adjusted through a computerized control board. The digital lighting board can change intensity and color for each light, allowing more lighting effects with fewer instruments.
Open Tuesday through Sunday 12 6PM Cultural Center
FREE GmeinerADMISSIONArt&
Open Tuesday through Sunday 12 6PM Cultural Center
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Gmeinerartculturalcenter.org
Open Tuesday through Sunday 12 6PM
570
FREE GmeinerADMISSIONArt&
FREE GmeinerADMISSIONArt& Cultural Center
134 Main Street, Wellsboro 724 1917
134 Main Street, Wellsboro 570 724 1917
Gmeinerartculturalcenter.org
134 Main Street, Wellsboro 570 724 1917
www.wellsboropa.com 31 See what’s onstage at hamiltongibson.org or hgp.booktix.com 2022 Season hamiltongibson.orgSponsor: 570.724.2079 Hamilton-Gibson Productions Community Performing Arts Main Stage Productions Children’s Theatre Camps & Choirs HG Women’s Project An Experience for Everyone! Theatre • Music • Arts Education Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center
Gmeinerartculturalcenter.org
Open Tuesday through Sunday 12 6PM
FREE ADMISSION 104 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901 (570) www.deanecenter.com724-6220 THE DEANE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS nurtureprogramsCelebrating10YearsofprovidingavenueforandclassesandofferingexceptionalartsandentertainmentthatthediverseinterestsofTiogaCountyandthesurroundingregion. arTs & enTerTainmenT
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134 Main Street, Wellsboro 724 1917
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Gmeinerartculturalcenter.org
Carrie says the colorful exhibit will include the beloved Shiny Brite ornaments as well as glass/ ceramic tiles made in the 1990s incorporating recycled glass, light bulbs in a variety of unusual colors, and some big chunks of glass left at the bottom of the furnace when the factory closed. Molds for glass pieces, a ladle from the factory’s early days when glass was blown and shaped, books, magazines, history—the list of items being added to the archives and the display keeps growing. The exhibit will also give a sense of the scale of the ribbon machines and glass furnace.
“By the time we were well into the war, 90 percent of Christmas tree ornaments in the entire world were made in Wellsboro,” says Grant “Skip” Kavanaugh, former manufacturing engineer at the Wellsboro factory. Skip is now central to the Wellsboro Glass Historical Association responsible for gathering the items on exhibit.
When the factory was closed and abandoned, many nostalgic long-term workers took home bits of now-useless equipment at the company’s invitation. Some of these have been donated to the WGHA and will be on display in December.
The Gmeiner hosts classes and local art, photography, and music clubs that welcome drop-in visitors, including the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild, whose exhibit is in September, and the Wellsboro Art Club, whose exhibit is in October. The Gmeiner is open noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Learn more at gmeinerartculturalcenter.org, at the WGHA’s facebook page, or call (570) 724-1917.
~Karey Solomon
The
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“This is a piece of American History,” Carrie Heath, who became director of the Gmeiner in August 2021, says enthusiastically. “It’s a story that needs to be told.”
Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center Is Shiny Brite
From the early 1900s, when a glass factory in Wellsboro produced plate glass using a glassblowing process, to the factory’s later affiliation with Corning, to the years of the Second World War when glass ribbon machines producing light bulb casings, radio tubes, and flash bulbs were reengineered to create those globes decorating nearly every Christmas tree, artisans, decorators, mechanics, inventors, and other workers kept the borough humming. The creation of Christmas ornaments in Wellsboro lasted forty years.
rich history of glass in Wellsboro needs a dedicated museum to showcase it. It doesn’t have one—yet. To preview the possibilities, the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center, at 134 Main Street, is highlighting a collection of items in an exhibit opening Dickens Saturday December 3 and running through December 30.
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With an extensive background in interior design, Robin is there to help you style the wedding of your dreams. She says, “I’ll even come decorate if you need.”
Romantique Collection Planning
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Romantique Collection is open for your personal shopping session by appointment. To schedule a time to discuss your party needs, Robin and Lissa can be reached by calling (570) 439-3104 or online at romantiquecollection.com.
~Carolyn Straniere
a wedding? All you need is love. Okay, maybe you need a little more than that. You’ve got to find tables and chairs to rent, linens for the tables, plus candles and flowers, not to mention decorations of every kind to make your day special. Running all over to get all your celebration supplies can be overwhelming.
“I fell into this business by accident. My youngest daughter had just gotten married, and I had all these beautiful leftover decorations, so I jokingly said to the woman who owned the venue that she should buy them from me to rent to others. The woman responded by telling me that I should rent them out myself!” Robin recalls. “So, it got me thinking, why not? And Romantique Collection was born.”
Lissa adds, “We offer everything from Ballroom to Boho to Barn. In addition to the linens, tables, and chairs for your guests, we offer table centerpieces, signage, chandeliers, and cocktail tables. We also have Jack Daniels bourbon barrels in full or half size, which are perfect when filled with ice and used as a cooler for drinks.” Lissa continues, “You can pick up your items on Thursdays and drop them off on Mondays. We want to make it as easy as possible for you.”
Enter Romantique Collection at 28 Central Avenue, a Gothic Revival style house that sets the perfect stage for the unique décor and furnishings displayed in each room. This one-stop special occasion rental is designed to make your party planning a breeze. Robin Davis and her daughter Lissa Hoprich, along with Lissa’s husband Steve, have teamed up to bring their expertise to the Tioga County area after a successful start in Mifflinburg and Newport.
But Lissa is quick to interject, “We’re not just for weddings. We can help you with anniversary and birthday parties, graduations, even baby showers and gender reveals. We are your go-to party place right here in Wellsboro.”
www.wellsboropa.com 35 bouTiques & sPeCialTy shoPs 17 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA Featuring Homemade Hand Dipped Ice Cream & Italian Ice We also offer: Sundaes, Floats, Banana Splits, Milkshakes, Parfaits & more…. Come join us in our lovely parlor and “Old Fashion Soda Fountain” or sit a while on our front HOURS:porch. Sun–Thurs Noon until 8:30 PM Fri & Sat Noon until 9:00 PM Pints available for take-out! Located in the historic “Shattuck House” 75 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 80 flavors of Olive Oils & Balsamic Vinegars ASSORTMENT OF SEASONINGS, RUBS, SPICES, SALTS, PASTAS, AND MORE Stop in for tastings and samples! WE ALSO OFFER CUSTOM LASER ENGRAVED WOOD GIFTS AND OTHER SPECIALIZED GIFTS created by Local Wood Craftsman You won’t want to miss this experience!shopping & 570.948.9558 Antiques • Collectibles • Vintage Primitives • Oddities & More 50 W. Wellsboro St., Mansfield, PA 570-605-0172 Tues-Sat.HOURS10-5Sun.10-3ClosedMon. Dunham’s Department Store 45 Main Forwww.dunhamswellsboro.com570-724-1905Wellsboro,StreetPA117YearsWeHaveBeenthePlacetoShopforYourFamilyandHome!
Adding to the surgery center is Dinkle Dog Grooming, which moved from the Water Street building to the Route 6 facility. With its own entrance, Dinkle Dog Grooming, owned by Terry Gleason, is its own entity. You can call Terry at (570) 944-0115 to schedule an
~Carolyn Straniere
Eaton Community Dog Park, part of the new Grand Canyon Veterinary Surgery Complex located at 11765 Route 6, is the perfect place for a dog to have its day.
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Every Dog Has Its Day
There’s no charge for the use of the park or membership required. “I didn’t want to build a spot and then have all these regulations. We do have some basic rules I’d like people to follow,” Kristine adds. “These include having your dog up-to-date on vaccinations, and making sure female dogs are not in heat.”
Theappointment.EatonCommunity Dog Park is open from dawn to dusk, daily. Surgeries can be scheduled by calling Grand Canyon Veterinary Hospital at (570) 724-0700. They are located at 23 Water Street.
“The Eatons were instrumental in helping me purchase their office on Water Street in downtown Wellsboro, and they just love dogs. It was my way of honoring them,” says Kristine Shaw, DVM, owner of the Grand Canyon Veterinary Hospital and the recently purchased fifty-six-acre facility. “I’ve enjoyed watching the space morph into this great dog park. It has a pond for the dogs who like to splash around, and a tunnel for them to explore. Of course, you can bring your own toys for your four-legged companion to play with.”
Named for Dr. John Eaton, a Wellsboro dentist, and his wife Diane, the fenced-in area gives dogs of all shapes and sizes a chance to run and play while socializing with other canines.
A house on the property has been renovated and will be used for students who work overnight hours at the surgery.
The
Besides the Eaton Community Dog Park, the former kennels from Animal Care Sanctuary now house the new Surgery Center. “This will be the auxiliary space to perform surgeries,” Kristine explains. “Spaying and neutering will be done here, as well as routine surgeries. Scheduling is done through our main office on Water Street, however.” She continues, “We’ve completely renovated the kennel area to make the surgery center. I’m very excited about it. Hopefully in the future we will be able to provide twenty-four-hour emergency care as well.”
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“Wines and ciders here are high in acid, so the trick is to find a balance between the tannin, acid, sugar, and hops,” he says. “Something not too sweet.”
Rush (above, right), owner of Innerstoic Wine & Cider Company, says the resurgence of cider in the Twin Tiers owes a lot to Finger Lakes winemakers. “But beer drinkers move over to cider easier than wine drinkers,” Aaron says, standing in the horse stable that was fully renovated when he began this venture in 2019. He and Cat, his wife, are caretakers at the Oregon Hill Farm. Standing next to Aaron is long-time collaborator and buddy, Caleb Johnson (above, Innerstoic’sleft).what’s-available
Innerstoic beverages can be purchased in town by the pour at Wellsboro House, The Roost, The Steak House, and soon will be sold by the bottle at the Hillstone Store. They do tastings by appointment at 755 Potato Patch Lane, Morris, which is also where special events are held, like the first annual Equinox Party on September 24. Find information at innerstoic.com or call (570) 404-7302.
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Aaron
Innerstoic Wine & Cider Company
After being cancer-free for almost a year, Aaron relapsed in August 2021. “Now I’m cancer-free again,” he says, without bitterness. No sour grapes, just sour apples.
“But not so dry they make your ears touch,” Caleb adds. They like to harvest from old apple trees with the smaller apples that are categorized as bittersharps and bitter-sweets. “We call them spitters,” Aaron grins.
Despite his last name, Aaron’s approach to wine and cider making—and life in general—is not to rush things. To leave time for what can’t be controlled. When he first launched his business, it was also the beginning of his battle with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that affects the lymphatic system. He came up with the name Innerstoic because reading the Stoic philosophers helped him through the dark days. “I wanted to keep a good mindset and stay bright. I want people to ask about the name. I want to help others through their challenges.”
list shifts based on what is growing well and on Aaron’s creative instincts, rather than replicating recipes year-to-year. Aaron says, “I want to make what I want to drink.” That’s dry and semi-dry whites, reds, and rosés, and ciders that are more old-school than the sweet ones that restarted the cider craze, including a cyser that's a blend of cider and honey mead. He focuses on what can be done well here, sourcing his grape juice from the Finger Lakes.
~Lilace Mellin Guignard
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Upon
~Kelly Stemcosky
Bear Lodges is a self-proclaimed “getaway for grownups” with three locations, each offering different vacation vibes. 131 Main Street has two guest rooms in a stately 1860s Victorian-era house that overlooks the gaslit boulevard, while the other locations immerse you in the PA Wilds only a few minutes from town. Bear Mountain Lodge is at the center of adventure, with access to trails for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, with four guest rooms and a large common area perfect for a reunion or large family. Bear Meadows Lodge, situated in canyon country, is for those wanting quiet and relaxation, with four guest rooms and breathtaking panoramic views to enjoy from private decks with hot tubs. BearLodgesWellsboro.com (570) 724-2428
If luxurious pampering and dreamy décor is more your style, perhaps for a girls’ weekend or romantic getaway, choose La Belle Auberge Inn at 129 Main Street. Enjoy breakfast in bed in one of three French-themed guest rooms—the elegant Paris, the sunny Jardins, or the cozy Pyrenees— before heading downstairs to Emerge, the in-house full-service spa, for indulgent and refreshing body, face, and nail treatments. This true Victorian-era home boasting original woodwork and a stately staircase is a couple of blocks from downtown shopping and dining. LaBelleAubergeInn. com (570) 439-7845
The traditional-style Penn Wells Hotel at 62 Main Street offers everything under one downtown roof—seventy guest rooms, upscale or casual dining for any meal, and a hideaway lounge with meticulously crafted libations. Inside this local landmark, built in 1869, you’re greeted by the crackle of a cozy fireplace as the flames reflect off shiny glass ornaments, some made locally circa 1940. It makes for a comfortable stay for all types of getaways with family, friends, or significant others and will delight history or architecture buffs and those longing for simpler times.
Escape to Where Comfort is Tradition
arrival, your shoulders immediately relax. Blinking gently falling snowflakes from your eyelashes, you make out the antique gas lamps clad in fresh pine wreaths with velvety crimson bows lining the street.
Are you in a snow globe? Are you in a Hallmark movie? No, but close. “Heading north” may not top everyone’s list for the perfect winter getaway, but Wellsboro’s charm will warm you more than any beach resort. Here time stands still, even amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Still, you won’t have trouble finding things to do. And your accommodations can shape the entire escape.
PennWells.com (570) 724-3463
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www.wellsboropa.com 41 a good nighT's resT (570) 724-2111 www.pennwells.com 4 & 62 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA Sky High Chalet WELLSBORO’S PERFECT GETAWAY RETREAT. BOOK YOUR VISIT SKYHIGHCHALET.COMTODAY Private Setting • Sleeps 10 • Hot Tub 800 sq. ft. Deck • All Amenities Master Suite with Full Bath • Laundry On Site Full Kitchen • Hightop Bar Area Fire Ring • Views for Miles Easy Drive to Historic Sights and Events!
“We love our community,” Lori adds. “What we do isn’t like work to us, it’s fun!”
Beck’s Bistro is currently open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and closed Sundays, though a Sunday brunch is in the works for later this fall. For more information, find them on Facebook or call (570) 787-5454.
~Karey Solomon
They purchased the former Red Skillet this April and reopened Memorial Day weekend. In that time, they replaced the floor and Rick built new tables, bar shelving, and a laser-inscribed bar.
Rick and Lori, a consulting dietician, worked with executive chef Greg Nagy and his assistants Kelly Carson (kitchen manager and day cook) and Kyle Bower (sous chef at the Bistro and also the chief ice cream producer at the creamery) to revamp the menu. They kept lunch favorites and added Mediterranean choices to showcase their olive oils. The dinner menu is entirely new. “I love our chicken marsala with sweet potatoes,” Lori says. “It’s the perfect combination.” Charcuterie boards are another popular choice.
You can enjoy a leisurely lunch inside or order at the counter. When it’s warm enough, outdoor tables are full, often with a few friendly dogs lounging at their owners’ feet. The kitchen staff can be seen through the kitchen pass-through window, busy and cheerful. Rick and Lori are everywhere, listening and talking to customers, making sure everyone has a smile and whatever they
Beck’s Bistro
Rick says of their marriage and their multitude of businesses.
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“We’reneed.ateam,”
It happened quickly as good things often do. Rick and Lori Beckwith, already owners of Senior’s Creations and Main Street Olive Oil at 75 Main Street and the Main Street Creamery at 17 Main Street, recently opened Beck’s Bistro at 124 Main Street, within the Deane Center for the Performing Arts. “Opportunity presented itself,” Lori explains. “We thought it would be a good fit with our olive oil store and creamery.”
Ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible, with meat from Hillstone Farms and produce from regional farmers as available. The bistro is also the headquarters for their catering business. Their ice cream will soon appear on the menu in some surprising places, including in some adult beverages. On Wednesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. come celebrate the close of hump day at the bar with specials on drinks and food and live acoustic entertainment.
www.wellsboropa.com 43 Full RestaurantService& Bar OPEN MONDAY-SATURDAY Outdoor Seating Available! 104 Main Street, Wellsboro PA, 16901 Call 570-787-4545 to Order Delivery Available! Happy Hour Specials • Lunch Specials Weekend Specials • Hours and Full Menu and Live Entertainment Information All on Our Facebook Page: “Beck’s Bistro Inc” greaT eaTs 570-724-4220 31 Main Street • Wellsboro, PA Open Mon-Sat 11a-9p; Closed Sunday • Dine In or Carry Out Hillstone Farms Meat Market & Bakery All Items Locally Made! 76 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA OREGON HILL MORRISWINERY Lycoming County’s Oldest Winery 840 Oregon Hill Rd., Morris, PA 16938 570-353-2711 OREGON HILL MCELHATTANWINERY Clinton County’s Only Winery 67 Reservoir Rd., McElhattan, Pa 17748 570-769-5253 OREGON HILL WELLSBOROWINERY Wellsboro’s First Wine Shop 87 1/2 Main St., Wellsboro, PA 16901 570-948-9044 Wine Selections: Dry or Sweet White • Dry or Sweet Red Fruit • Rosé & Blush • Dessert Style Follow us on FB and Instagram for Upcoming Events!
This grew into the Rookie Cooks Academy upstairs at 68 Main Street (up twenty-three stairs to be exact, but there is an elevator). Furnished with a chef’s station and fifteen stocked carts, classes can accommodate thirty participants working in pairs. Each is supplied with a cooktop, cutting board, implements, and cookware. “Amazon loves me!” Tammy says, pointing to fifteen shiny pasta
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Tammy
can be a rookie cook, from a young person attending with a parent or grandparent to a more seasoned adult who wants to have a nourishing experience, gain kitchen confidence, and learn new skills. Each station is supplied with the ingredients, often pre-measured for that day’s recipe, which is available to participants in hard copy. Jamie teaches knife skills and suggests seasonings. Once the day’s recipes have been tried and cooked, participants sit down to savor their meal. In adult classes, some participants bring wine to complement the menu. At the end of the session, there are often leftovers to take home and enjoy later.
Classesmachines.arebased
“I find it enjoyable to be able to pass on some knowledge and new skills,” Jamie says. “We all like to learn new things and maybe some ways of making it easier to do everyday tasks. And teaching kids is wonderful because they’re so eager to learn.”
One student, a boy who came with his grandmother, decided he wants to be a chef. Another made a list of all the cookware in the station and bought it as a present for his wife.
on themes thought up by Tammy, chef Jamie Fry, or suggested by enthusiastic clients. Food is locally sourced whenever possible. Some of the most popular classes have been cooking in cast iron, pizza, sushi, cookie-making, steak-and-shrimp, and a rousing Chopped-style competition requested by a couples group, with winners chosen by Jamie. This fall’s offerings will include a travel theme. Classes are currently $79 per person, and $59 to add a second person at a Anyonecart.
Rookie Cooks Academy
Benedict Mengee calls herself “a big fan of the culinary arts.” The co-owner of Benedict’s Bus Service, she’s led bus tours to a variety of destinations including culinary classes. But when touring took a pandemic pause and her clients missed the trips, she set up socially-distanced “sit and sip” groups featuring six Pennsylvania wineries and six local eateries.
Find out more about upcoming classes and see the mouthwatering results on the Rookie Cooks Academy page at BenedictsBus.com, look them up on Facebook, or call (570) 724-5867.
~Karey Solomon
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Penn Wells Lounge Renovation
The formal dining room menu is available as well as a lounge menu, and twenty-seven beers are available at the full bar. For more information go to pennwells.com or call (570) 724-3463.
The
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“We felt it added a little more of a gathering area to add additional bar space,” says Ellen. The mahogany shelving behind the bar was sourced from vintage stock and matches the woodwork used in other places in the hotel—and, she adds, might have come from the same timber pile. The old mullioned double door topped by a fanlight has been returned to its duty as outside entrance, on the side of the building where an arrowed neon sign—“Penn Wells Auto Entrance”—still points to the drive beside it.
The lounge, like the hotel, has long been a community anchor. A hostelry has stood on this site since 1814. At one point known as the Assembly Room, where the Rotary used to meet before moving to the dining room, the lounge could hold up to 100 people, or serve as a private dining space for a smaller number. A fireplace was added in 1931, and in 1936 the room became a bar. Post-renovation, the warm, pale-gold walls still reveal the marks of the original rough plaster. A granite-topped mahogany bar now extends in an L against the back wall.
The armchairs that once flanked the lounge’s working fireplace were long ago replaced by the most coveted table in the house (especially when the wind is howling and the fire is blazing).
iconic lounge in the Penn Wells Hotel at 62 Main Street, with its big fireplace that has warmed travelers and locals for generations, was refurbished during the covid shutdown. It was good timing, it turned out, since the fireplace wall had to come down anyway for a massive heating repair. The front wall, papered a hundred years ago in a bookshelf pattern, is now graced with custom-built bookshelves. Owners Ellen Dunham Bryant and husband Shawn met in law school, so their law books fill the shelves with other family volumes, accompanied by beer steins that have lived in this room for decades.
~Karey Solomon
“For a lot of people, it’s their go-to place on a Friday night,” says Clare Ritter, who oversees the archiving and preserving of the hotel’s history. Late on the first Thursday of every month, lucky guests are often serenaded by the Wellsboro Men’s Chorus members, who gather for a pint and a sing after their weekly rehearsal.
www.wellsboropa.com 47 WHEREOHISTORY MES ALIVE! MUSEUM HOURS TUESDAY - FRIDAY: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. SATURDAY: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. SUNDAY (May-Oct): 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. FIND US HERE 858 West Fourth St., Williamsport, PA Phone: 570.326.3326 • info@tabermuseum.org TUESDAY – FRIDAY a.m. to 4 MUSEUMp.m.a.m.SATURDAYp.m.to4p.m.SUNDAYto4p.m.HOURS 858 West Fourth info@tabermuseum.orgPhone:Williamsport,StreetPA570.326.3326FINDUSHERE TABERMUSEUM.ORGTABERMUSEUM.ORG Real Estate Closings • Refinance Closings No Closing Fee • Quick Turnarounds Call 570.724.9800 or visit SERVEUSETTLEMENT.com to get started. our neighbors Open daily 7am to 570-662-29729pm! 2103 S. Main St., Mansfield, PA SpecialsHomemadeDaily! Open daily 7am to 9pm Specialties include Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches, Chicken & Biscuits, and Homemade Pies! 570-662-2972 2103 S. Main St., Mansfield, PA
Activities and events are still being added. For a schedule of events, get a special edition 1880s newspaper from an actor haunting the Farmer’s Markets at the Park on October 20 and 27. Or plan ahead, book a walking tour, and find a schedule for the Days of Incandescence online at corningfingerlakes.com/events/days-of-incandescence.
Days of Incandescence
Archibald, one of the book’s characters, is immortalized in “Archibald’s Libations Crawl,” an evening in which ticket-holding revelers may visit a variety of downtown venues to sample wine, brews, and other refreshments. Other events include a celebration at Riverside Centennial Park on Saturday, October 29, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., including live music and other activities. Several merchants will offer specials.
To hear a dramatic reading of The Legend of the Gathers or buy a copy, come to the Heritage Village at 59 W. Pulteney Street on October 29, where it will be read by the author. That day, Heritage Village is hosting additional special events, culminating in an evening investigation of the spirits of yesteryear—a program led by investigators from the Paranormal Association of the Southern Tier.
~Karey Solomon
Break out that bustle! Grow those mutton chop sideburns! Every October, when the days get shorter, Corning celebrates light with The Days of Incandescence. In 2022, those days are October 20 through 31. Inspired by Corning’s creation of the first glass bulbs to house Thomas Edison’s electric lights, it’s part history, part Halloween spookiness, and all good times.
A few will be explained by costumed actors leading downtown walking tours, as they point out sites important in nineteenth-century Corning and discuss historic events. Another mystery surrounds the origin of the now-iconic lightbulb shape after many failed attempts to house Edison’s glowing filaments. Legend has it a boy working in the glass-blowing shop suggested the contours of the bulb, but researchers later learned three different men claimed to be that shop boy. This event is described in The Legend of the Gathers by Lafayette Watt, a picture book set in 1880s Corning.
Most events are in the downtown area, many in the evening. Most are family-themed. Wearing a costume, particularly one of Victorian vintage, will enhance the experience. But while costumes are encouraged, they’re not required. “Last year quite a few were in period dress—some had better costumes than our actors,” notes Dave DeGolyer, of the Steuben County Visitors Bureau, one of the Mysteriesorganizers.abound.
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