1 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
W
H o a r p o p b e s nings l l e
No. 40 - Issued Quarterly
MAY 2022
We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men. ~Herman Melville BOROUGH OF WELLSBORO, PA
May 2022
Borough Assistant Secretary Retires After 33 Years When Florence Bertsche Martino started her position in January of 1989, she never thought she would be there until her retirement 33 years later. 2022 seemed far away, but as they say time flies when you are having fun. She has enjoyed her time and the job was the answer to the prayers she silently repeated each night. She received her accounting degree after she was married and had a full time position. She often wondered if the expense and time were worth the effort and if she would find a position that would make it all worthwhile. That all changed with her position at the borough, she found a place where she not only loved to live but loved to work. She has worked with many great employees and supervisors during her time. It was a hard decision for her when it came time to retire. However, she feels it is time to spend time with her grown children, extended family, church family and friends who have provided constant encouragement and support. She feels it is time to return the sentiment and be there for them. She will always remember the good times
and looks forward to her future, no matter what it may hold. The Wellsboro Borough staff and council thank her for her years of service and wish her well on her retirement.
ON THE INSIDE... A Warm Welcome........................................... Page 2 2022 Important Dates..................................... Page 5 Restoration of Beloved Memorial Planned.. Page 3 How to Build and Install a Rain Barrel.......... Page 6 Let’s Go Swimming!....................................... Page 4 Streets of Gold? ...Not Exactly...................... Page 7 Fire Up the BBQ!............................................. Page 5
2 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
MAY 2022
A Warm Welcome!
Welcome Dale E. Kinneer
Our newest addition to the Department of Parks and Recreation is Dale Kinneer, a recent resident of Wellsboro originally from West Moreland County. He will be applying his trade of carpentry to maintain and beautify our parks. Dale resides in the borough with Myrna, his wife of 48 years. Welcome Dale!
Welcome Cathryn Brought
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
We are pleased to announce that Cathryn Brought will be serving as the manager of Packer Park Pool this summer. Cathryn is no stranger to the pool, as she was a 13 year member of the Swim Team and served as a lifeguard since age 15. She is completing her sophomore year at Lycoming College majoring in pre-med and playing basketball for the Lycoming Lady Warriors. Welcome Cathryn!
TYOGA B A R
&
G R I L L E
GOOD FOOD • GOOD FRIENDS
tyogagolf.com
“A beautiful course with amazing vistas.” Book your Tee Times now! 759 Route 660 • Wellsboro, PA 16901 • 570-724-1653
MAY 2022
WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS • 3
Restoration of Beloved CREATE YOUR Memorial Planned Perfect
SPECIAL OCCASION
Specializing in All Wedding and Special Occasion Rental Decor tables • chairs • table cloths chandeliers • Jack Daniels barrels and table tops • elegant drapery cupcake/cake stands • lanterns centerpieces • greenery and all variety of decorations!
Dedicated to the children of Wellsboro as a gesture of love in 1938, the bronze statue of Wynken, Blynken and Nod on its man-made sea and tranquil fountain is in need of some tender loving care.
28 Central Avenue, Wellsboro, PA Call or text for an appointment at 570-439-3104 or stop in during the week!!
The Honorable Fred W. Bailey of Denver, Colorado, presented the statue in memory of his wife Elizabeth Cameron, who was born and raised in Wellsboro and has been enjoyed by generations of residents over the years. While Fred and Elizabeth Bailey never had any children of their own, her love of children was obvious in the memorial her husband chose to reflect her life. Over the years many improvements and restoration efforts have been made to the memorial to keep it the alluring attraction it is in our community. In 1950 the Lions Club erected the wrought iron fence that adorns the statue today and in 1976 the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital erected the plaque containing the beloved Eugene Field poem for which the statue was inspired. In 1982 repairs were made to the fountains foundation while the statue was sailed away to temporary quarters and in 1989 a committee was formed to raise the necessary funds for the restoration to be performed by the Gettysburg Restoration and Preservation Association, Inc. to maintain its splendor in our hometown. After 33 years, plans for the restoration of the statue and fountain are in the works as Borough Employees and the local Chamber of Commerce collaborate to secure funding for the expensive project. The statue must be “blasted” with walnut shells to remove the thick patina that had built up over the years and the fountain basin must be coated and repainted to bring it back to its former glory.
Financial Advisor
IRT-1948J-A
If interested in contributing towards the fundraising efforts, please contact the Borough of Wellsboro office at 14 Crafton Street or call 570-724-3186.
Ryan Oswald
23 East Ave Suite 1 Wellsboro, PA 169011605 570-948-9777
edwardjones.com Member SIPC
4 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
MAY 2022
Let’s Go Swimming!
“Let’s go swimming!” Soon that will be the pleading cry of many a youngster vocalizing their freedom of summer break. In the meantime, the pool is getting a manicure to ready her for another splish-splashing season. Perhaps “facelift” is a more apt description, as our aging pool requires a good deal of work to bring it up to the standard needed for 7-day a week operation from June 8th to latter part of August for swim lessons, swim meets, and just plain relaxation and fun. For approximately 50 years the community pool has been located at Packer Park, accommodating countless jumps, kicks, laps, and laughs. On this particular day in April at the time of writing this article, the laughs that could be heard at Packer Park were coming from a pair of pool veterans as they stood in the dry pool structure reminiscing of days gone by when a Little League field was the featured venue of Packer Park. Mr. Pete Herres, former Wellsboro Parks and Recreation Director, remembered fondly “the gang” that would practically live at the ball field with a singular goal... of hitting the ball to the creek or beyond, followed by fetching it as they only had 2 balls! (Winding the string back on the ball was not beneath them as long as it prolonged their play!) In the late 60’s the pool came to Packer Park with a price tag of well over a half million dollars (a bargain at today’s costs). Within a few years a crack developed in the 12-foot section, which always seems to be an area that requires attention to ready the pool for the upcoming season. Enter Billy Priset of Priset Construction, the other half of the reminiscing duo. Billy has been a fixture at Packer Park during the spring, patching and painting, year after year to improve pool safety and
prolong its lifespan. Thanks to the custodians of the community pool in Wellsboro, our aquatic pursuits have continued year after year, and will continue another year as Mr. Priset is once again busy patching and Mr. Herres is busy consulting, passing on his knowledge to keep the tradition going beyond his retirement. Yet even with the care and expertise of Pete and Billy, the future of Packer Park must include a plan for pool replacement, but until that plan is fully developed and realized.... patch and paint, splash and play is the rhythm of Packer Park Pool.
MAY 2022
WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS • 5
Fire up the BBQ!
The delicious smell of barbecue chicken will soon be filling the air around Woodland Park as the Lions Club gets ready for their Memorial Day barbecue. A covered barbecue pit was among the recent upgrades of the Phase 1 Woodland Park master plan, but with the amount of moisture in the firebrick and the heat of the first fire, the pit blew its hold on the corners rendering it unusable. At the expense of the architect’s insurance, Priset Construction took to repairing the masonry and firebrick damage. A steel liner fashioned by Mark Reese was added to help hold the firebrick in place and avoid damage as wood is placed into the pit. Painting the pit with high heat paint and kindling a slow steady burn over the course of a couple days will complete the project. Thank you to Billy Priset and Mark Reese for their expertise in getting the barbecue pit back in service!
2022 Important Dates
May 21st-22nd June 11th June 14th June 16th June 18th June 18th
Sept. 16th-17th September 17th October 14th-15th October 17th-21st October 29th October 31st December 3rd
Mary Wells Days Family Day Pet Parade, starts at 1:30 p.m. 18th – Laurel Festival Vendors 2-mile Fun Run/10k Race – Starting at 9 a.m. Laurel Festival Parade – Starting at 2 p.m. Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally (STPR) Producers Show Case Community Wide Yard Sales Cleanup Week Halloween Event with UPMC on Green from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Halloween Parade at 6 p.m. with trick-or-treat to follow until 8:30 p.m. Dickens of a Christmas
6 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
MAY 2022
How to Build and Install a Rain Barrel What Is a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from your rooftop to use later for things like lawn and garden watering. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally flow through your downspout, onto a paved surface, and eventually into a storm drain.
Why Use Rain Barrels?
• Rain barrels help lower water costs (a rain barrel can save approximately 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months). • Storing rainwater for garden and lawn use helps recharge groundwater naturally. • Rain barrels reduce water pollution by reducing storm water runoff, which can contain pollutants like sediment, oil, grease, bacteria, and nutrients. • Rain barrels are inexpensive and easy to build and install.
Instructions
Steps 1-3 below explain how to build and install your rain barrel. The supplies listed above can all be found at most home improvement and hardware stores. The 55-gallon drums are available for $5 from the Pepsi Bottling Company in Baltimore, or you can purchase a ready-to-install barrel from the South River Federation. For more information contact the Rain Barrel Community Action Team at#410-721-0661 or actionteams@ southriverfederation.org.
STEP 1. Cut Holes in Barrel
• Cut lower drain hole—Measure about 1 inch above the bottom of the barrel where the barrel side begins to rise toward the top. Using a¾” bit (or hole saw), drill a hole through the barrel. • Cut upper drain hole—Mark the upper drain hole according to where you want the overflow to be located in relationship to the lower drain. Use a 1-5/6” hole saw to cut out the overflow hole. • Cut top hole for atrium grate (filler}—Using the atrium grate as a template for size, mark a circle at the center of the top of the drum (locating the rainwater inlet in the center of the barrel lets you pivot the barrel without moving the downspout). Drill a½” hole inside of the marked circle. Use a router, jigsaw or coping saw to cut until the hole is large enough to accommodate the atrium grate, which filters out large debris. Don’t make the hole too big -you want the flange of the atrium grate to fit securely on the top of the barrel without falling in. • Cut notch to hold hose—Using a ½” bit or hole saw, cut out a notch at the top of the barrel rim (aligned so that ii is above the lower drain hole). The notch should be large enough so that the end of the hose with the adapter will firmly snap into place.
STEP 2. Set Up Barrel and Modify Downspout
• Set up barrel—Since water will only flow from the garden hose when the hose is below the barrel, place the barrel on high ground or up on cinder blocks or a sturdy wooden crate underneath your downspout. • Modify your downspout—Cut your existing downspout using a saw so that the end can be placed over the top of your rain barrel. Use a 3” vinyl downspout elbow to connect the two downspout pieces (or use a downspout adapter and a piece of corrugated plastic pipe). Trim the end of the downspout if necessary.
STEP 3. Assemble Parts
• Attach garden hose to lower drain hole—Screw in the ½” PVC male adapter to the lower drain hole. The hard PVC threads cut matching grooves into the soft plastic of the barrel. Unscrew the ½” PVC male adapter from the hole. Wrap threads tightly with teflon tape (optional). Coat the threads of the coupler with waterproof sealant (optional). Screw the coated adapter back into the hole and let it sit and dry for 24 hours (optional). Attach 5’ foot garden hose to the PVC male adapter. Attach
Supplies
3 One 55-gallon drum 3 One 5’ section vinyl garden hose (3/4” OD x 5/6” ID) 3 One 4” diameter atrium grate (basket used in garden ponds and pool skimmers) 3 One 1/2” PVC male adapter 3 One 3/4” x 1/2” PVC male adapter 3 One 5’ section of drain hose, drain line, or sump pump line (1-1/4”) 3 One 1-1/4” female barbed fitting and one 1-1/4” male threaded coupling 3 One vinyl gutter elbow x 3 Drill (or a hole saw) 3 Router, jig saw or coping saw 3 Measuring tape Optional 3 Waterproof sealant (silicone caulk, PVC glue) 3 Teflon tape 3 Fiberglass window screen material or mosquito netting 3 Cinder blocks or wooden crate the¾” x ½” PVC male adapter to the other end of the hose (this can be readily adapted to fit a standard garden hose). • Attach drain hose to upper drain hole—Put the 1 ¼” male threaded coupling inside the barrel with the threads through the hole. From the outside. screw the 1 ¼” female barbed fitting onto the threaded coupling. Use silicone on the threads (optional). Attach 5’ section of drain hose to upper fitting. • Place atrium grate and screen in top hole—Using PVC glue, secure a piece of fine mesh window screen inside or outside of the atrium grate to filter out debris and control mosquitoes (optional). Place the atrium grate into the hole (basket down). • Position the downspout—Position the end of your downspout so it drains onto the atrium grate on the rain barrel.
SOURCES
Pepsi Bottling Company Charlie Dickerson #410-366-3500 South River Federation Rain Barrel Community Action Team #410-721-0661 actionteams@southriverfederation.org Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center www.artlingtonecho.net Maryland Green Building Program www.dnr.state.md.us/smartgrowth/ greenbuilding/rainbarrel.html
MAY 2022
Streets of Gold? ...Not Exactly
WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS • 7
W E L L’ S C K570-724-0967 R OFeed, Farm & Pet Supply
Your Neighborhood Pet Supply Store
Equine Feed, Tack & Supplies Pet Supplies: Grooming, Health & Food Small Animal Supplies • Wild Bird Food Reptile Supplies • Caged Bird Supplies Dry Shod Boots • and More!
1943 SHUMWAY HILL RD., WELLSBORO, PA HOURS: 7:30-5:00 M-F • 8:00-1:00 SAT.
&
Custom Design Printing Custom Invitations, RSVP Cards, Save-the-Dates, and More! Call (607) 329-0329
39 Water Street Wellsboro, PA Many do not realize, but under the main throughfares of our picturesque town lay an intricate system of utilities supplying the town with the modern conveniences of public water, sewer, and natural gas. When originally placed by the borough it was a huge undertaking that disrupted the streets and made it look more like a war zone than a quaint town in North Central Pennsylvania. Recently the borough suffered a collapse of the main sewer line, which is located 15 feet below the surface of the boulevard on West Avenue. With the help of S. Lisowski Excavating LLC, the borough crew has been working to replace pieces of the collapsed pipe, while trying to create minimal disruption to the boulevard and the flow of traffic. The borough appreciates the patience of the residents as we make these important repairs.
www.mountainhomemag.com
If in Wellsboro you have been told Underneath our street there is gold This story has proved untrue Just ask the men of the Boro Crew If in Wellsboro a trip you should take Be sure and have your foot near the brakes Around the curve on any street A flagman you are sure to meet A ditch here and a ditch there They’ve dug just about everywhere Along the street and often across New pipe has been laid at the taxpayers cost Hopefully one day this project will end The streets in Wellsboro travelable again The story then could be told That pipe, gravel and amosite are gold. ~ Unknown Borough Resident Circa. Original installation of sewer mains on Main street
570-662-3700 Monday-Friday 10 AM - 5 PM Auto | Home | Life | Business Renter | Mobile Home | Collectable Auto Boat | Motorcycle | RV | Personal Watercraft
TINA JENKINS Jenkins Insurance Agency www.farmersagent.com/cjenkins1 8 N. Main St., Mansfield, PA 16933
8 • WELLSBORO HAPPENINGS
MAY 2022
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