West Branch Life Magazine 10th Anniversary

June2023,Volume11,Issue2

PUBLISHER

BobRolley brolley@sungazette.com brolley@lockhaven.com

MANAGINGEDITOR

LorenaBeniquez

lbeniquez@sungazette.com

CONTRIBUTORS

LorenaBeniquez,BruceHuffman,Jason C.Klose,C.J.Leonard,DonEverett Smith,Jr.,JosephW.SmithIII,Linda Stager,CaseyTraver

PHOTOGRAPHERS

SteveBagwell,PaulBarrett,Lorena Beniquez,DaveKennedy,MarkNance, LindaStager,CaseyTraver,KarenVibert-Kennedy

DESIGNEDITOR

TimothyR.WertzJr.

PRODUCTIONMANAGER

ChuckSmith

ADVERTISINGSALESMANAGERS

JohnLeeser jleeser@sungazette.com

JordanMcCloskey

jmccloskey@lockhaven.com

CIRCULATIONMANAGER

AnthonySegraves asegraves@sungazette.com

EDITORIALOFFICE

(570)326-1551Ext.3110

ADVERTISINGSALES

(570)326-1551Ext.2230

E-MAIL westbranchlife@sungazette.com

WestBranchLifeispublishedquarterlyormoreat252W.FourthSt.,Williamsport,Pa., 17701.Lettersandeditorialcontributions maybeemailedto westbranchlife@sungazette.comormailedto WestBranchLife,252W.FourthSt., Williamsport,Pa.,17701.

WestBranchLifeisnotresponsibleforunsolicitedsubmissions.Reproductionoruseof editorialorgraphiccontentwithoutwritten permissionbypublisherisprohibited.

Copyright2023byOdgenNewspapers.All rightsreserved.Advertisingratesandspecificationsareavailablebycontacting jleeser@sungazette.com.

WestBranchLifewasfoundedin2013,a publicationoftheWilliamsportSun-Gazette andThe(LockHaven)Expresscommunity newspaperswithwebsitesat www.sungazette.comand www.lockhaven.com.

Bringingjoytoourworld

WhatajoytopresentanotherWest BranchLifemagazinetoourthousandsofreadersinprintandonline!

Inthis,ourtenthanniversary edition,it’sallaboutthepeople,businessesandorganizationsthathavegracedourpages,aswellas thoseprofessionalswhoarebehindthescenesand makethispublicationwhatitis.

Anditisajoytoread.

Todiscoverthewonderfulpeoplewhodo,who grow,whomake,whocare,whobuild,whoinvest ...whowork.

Weallneedgoodnews,positiveandinspiring storiestoreadandabsorbtoproperlybalanceour outlookonlife.

BobRolley

brolley@sungazette.com

brolley@lockhaven.com

That,dearreaders,iswhatmotivatesandinspirestheteamsatandthepartnerswiththe WilliamsportSun-GazetteandThe(LockHaven) Expresscommunitynewspaperstofillthepagesof thiscolorfulmagazine.

Ourwonderfulandall-importantlocaladvertiserssupportourwork.

Pleasesupportthem.

Ourfreelancersandstaffhavelicensetocreate. Andweappreciatethepeoplewhoarethe focusofourstoriesandphotosbecausetheyunderstandthatwevaluewhattheydo.

Why?Becausewhatmattersisthepeoplewe love,thepeoplewholoveusand—asWBLfeatureswitheveryedition—thepeoplewhobring joyandexcitementtoourworld.

AsIlookthroughthepagesof10yearsofWBL, Iseesmilingfaces,happyfaces,creativefaces... hard-workingfaces.

AndsoIwanttoalsotaketimetorecognizeour team,startingwithTimWertz,Sun-Gazettedesign editorwhosetalentsarereflectedineverycover andeverypageofWBL.Thephotoslookgoodand thestoriesreadwell,butTimmakesthemsing!

ChuckSmith.Hewearsmorehatsthanyoucan imagine.He’sthetrafficcopofadvertisements, pagework,pagedeadlinesandsoon.Heisfirmly dedicatedtohiswork.AnthonySegraves,operationsmanager,andhisteamofWendyPhillips, CathyHendricks,LeeRoberts,DaveMontis,John NevillJr.,StephanieHoffmanandGaryGoertzget thisbabydelivered.

ManagingEditorLorenaBeniquezhas beenwithWBLsinceitsfirstyear,starting asafreelancewriter,onlytobecomethe creativecontentleaderofthisaward-winningmagazine.

Ourrotatingfreelancepartnersare listedeveryedition—andnowwe’ve movedtheirphotostotheendoftheirstories.Weloveyougalsandguys!

StaffthatincludeManagingEditorMike Maneval,NewsEditorKarenVibertKennedy,PhotographerandVideographer DaveKennedy(Karen’shubby).Thereare manyothers,too!

Ouradvertisersessentiallyfundthis magazine,butnotwithouttheexpertiseof oursalesstaffthatincludes(lastbutnot least)BryceHoffman,VickiBuckle,Brad Buckle,ChrisJolin,JessicaKowalchick, BethMiller,CherylJohnson,alongwith AdvertisingSalesManagerJohnLeeserand RetailSalesManagerJordanMcCloskey. Therehavebeenmanyothersalongthis journeyandwearegratefultoyou.

Wearemorepowerfulwhenweempowereachother.

Storiesto beTold

ByLORENABENIQUEZ WestBranchLife

“Thisisjustthebeginning-thereare somanystoriestobetold.Infuture editions,welookforwardtoexploring moreandshowingwhythisjustmight betheplaceonEarthtocallhome.

WelcometoWestBranchLife”—L. LeeJanssen,inthefirsteverletterfrom theeditorinthe2013summeredition ofWBL.

ThosewordslaunchedthismagazinetenyearsagoandIrememberaskingJanssentoautographthefront

coverofmycopy.IknewWBLwas somethingtheregionneededandwas eagertofreelanceforthemagazine. JanssenbroughtmeaboardandIhave beenprivilegedtowritefeaturesabout homes,foodandart,aswellasphotographingsubjectsfortenyears..

Atonepoint,Iwantedtodoeven moreforthemagazine.So,Iasked Janssentokeepmeinmindshouldan editorpositioneveropenup.Shepolitelytoldme,“Well,wehavenever hiredafreelancerforthatposition.” FastforwardthreeyearslaterandIwas broughtaboardascreativedirector.

NotonlyhaveIenjoyedallthefacets ofputtingthemagazinetogetherbutI alsothoroughlyenjoyworkingwithall thepeoplethatmakeitareality.From freelancerstostaffmembers,collectivelytheyaresmart,creativeandsoulfulpeopleandtheirspiritshines throughinthesepages.

WBLisalwaysevolvingandin thisissue,youwillseetwonew changes.Thefirstisthenewfonton thecover.Likeanybrand,changeis inevitableandwethoughtour10th anniversarywasagoodtimetoembracethat,withaparedbackapproachinournewfont.

Wearealsointroducinganew featurecalled“BranchingOut.”

Sincemanyofouronlineandprint readersenjoyhittingtheroad,itwas timetohaveadedicatedsectionjust fortravel.WechosePittstonasour inauguraldestinationbecauseitis blossomingintoanartsdestination andtheyalreadyhaveaMichaelPilatomural.

Andwhenitcomestoblossoming,ourhamletsalongtheSusquehannaknowathingaboutthat.As Janssenwrote,“therearesomany storiestobetold”andwearehonoredtodojustthat.Thankyoufor allowingustotellthemandthank youforreadingthem.Withoutthe splendoraroundus,wewouldn’t haveareasontodowhatwedo. Hereistothenextdecadeofmore storiesandmoreyou!

LorenaBeniquez lbeniquez@sungazette.com

WBL’sTop LegacyAdvertisers

ByLORENABENIQUEZ WestBranchLife

Withoutouradvertisers, WBLwouldnotbe celebratingour10th anniversary.Weare sogratefultothosethathavestuck withusfromourfirsteditionto now.Bysupportingthismagazine, thoseadvertisersaresupporting localjournalism,afragileecosystemfalteringacrossAmerica.So, wecheckedinwithourtop5 legacyadvertiserstoseehowthey havegrownoverthepast10years andhowtheyviewWBL’splacein thelocalmedialandscape.

Foundedin1946,EleryNauHardwareinMontoursvillehasmasteredthe artofcustomerservice.Accordingto EleryNau’sGeneralManagerPaul

Early,“Themostsignificantchangeswe haveseeninthelasttenyearswould betheretailenvironmentitself.Consumersaremorefocusedonsupporting smallbusinessesandtoday-morethan ever-ourcompetitionisn’tjustdown thestreet.Theinternetandadecrease inshippingleadtimeshaveproduced newcompetitionfromalloverthe country.Theplussidetothatmeans thatwehavetoworkeverydaytoprovidegreatcustomerserviceandmaintainaknowledgeablestaffinorderto helpourcustomersthebestwecan.”

out,helikedwhathesaw.“Ithasalot ofarticlesaboutlocalpeopleandbusinessesandit'sinterestingtoseewhat theyareinterestedin,”saysWilliams.

AccordingtoJonP.Conkliln,chairmanandCEOofWoodlandsBank,the financialinstitutionhasgrowntremendously.Conklinsays,“Overthepast tenyears,WoodlandsBankhasnearly doubledinsizefromabout$320millionto$610million.Thisgrowthincludedtheadditionoftwonew branches,oneinHughesvillein2013 andoneinLockHavenin2014….Despiteallthesechanges,however, WoodlandsBankhasmanagedtoremainthesamebank,bothinnameand inthefundamentalphilosophiesupon whichthebankwasfounded.These philosophiesincludehowweviewour roleinthecommunitiesweserveas wellasourviewthatwecannotbe successfulunlessourcustomersand ourcommunitiesaresuccessfulaswell.

WBLsharesthebank’scommitment tothecommunityaswell.“Oneofthe bestthingsaboutWestBranchLifeis how[itcovers]greatlocalbusinesses andpeopleinourcommunity,”says SaraKropp,WoodlandsBank’smarketingofficer.

SohowhasWBLhelpedthehardwarestore?Earlysays,“WestBranch Lifehelpsusputournameoutthereto ourcustomers.Welikethefactthat ‘WestBranchLife’focusesonourcommunitiesandtheactivitiesandbusinessesthatcallthisregionhome.”

BernieandTomDincherrunthe Williamsportbusinessthatserves12 countiesinnorthcentralandnortheasternPennsylvania.“FromtheNewYork bordertoSnyderCountyandfromCentreCountytoLuzerneCounty[isour servicearea],’”saysBernie.

At73yearsold,thecompanyis chartinganewcourseforthefuture. “Weareasecondgenerationbusiness andthethirdgenerationwillbetaking overinthenextfiveyears,”saysBernie.

Since1986,KlineC.Williamshas beenrunninghisLockHavenfurniture store,Kliney’sHomeFurnishings.One ofhischiefaimsistoservehiscommunityandcountry.“Animportantaspect ofourbusinessishelpingtosupport oureconomybycarryingalineof Americanmadefurniture.Wealso carryenvironmentallyconsciousproducts,”hesays.

Williamsalsosupportedanascent magazine,WBL,eventhoughhehad notyetseenoneeditionofitwhenhe purchasedhisfirstadin2013.Turns

ForOverheadDoorofLycoming CountyinWilliamsport,changehas beenaconstantsincetheyopened theirdoorsin1965.Andthepast decadehasbeennodifferent,especiallywhenitcomestotechnology. JackSchrader,ownerofthecompany, said,“Therehavebeenquantumleaps inproductsandservices[thatwe offer].”Thoseinnovationshaveoccurredinboththeresidentialandcommercialareas.

Onethingthathasn’tchanged thoughoverthepasttenyears, Schraderhasbeenunwaveringinhis supportofWBL.Hesaid,“It’sniceto havealocalmagazinethatshowsyou what’sshaking!”

BranchingOut toPittstononthe NorthBranch

ByCASEYTRAVER WestBranchLife

Tuckedbetweenthebetter knowncitiesofWilkesBarreandScranton,you willfindPittston,whichhas reinventeditself.Sitting upontheNorthBranchof theSusquehannaRiver,Pittston’s uniquevibecomesfromitsfusionof culture,artsandcuisine.

ManyrememberPittstonfromits starringrolein“TheIrishman,”theMartinScorcesemobmoviesetinthecity duringthe1970’s(sadly,themoviewas notshotthere).Themovie’sdepictionis afarcryfromwhatPittstonhasbecome.

TheunharnessedenergyofPittston’s downtownisfeltonitsrevitalizedMain Street,whichisavibrantmeldingof localshops,restaurants,artandhistory. “Mayor[MichaelLomabardo]hasa greatteamandrevitalizationplanand it’sexcitingtowatcheachyearasthis towngrows,”saysSheilaBonanno,operationsmanagerforFriedmanHospitalityGroup.

Pittstonoffersamyriadofdining choicesforeverypalette.Grababiteat thefunkyCanteenCentral,knownfor itsabilitytoblendthemostuniqueof flavors,whileofferingdiet-sensitiveoptionsinaneclecticsetting.Orforupscaledining,headtoRikasaonMain Street,wheretheFriedmanGrouphas builtlayersofdiningexperiencesinto onebuilding.

Onthefirstfloor,Rikasapresents pureartistryinitscuisineandatmosphere.Headupstairsanddiscovera throwbackspeakeasy,Joint53.Keep climbingthestairstouncoverRooftop 53,thecity’sfirstchicrooftoprestaurantandbaroverlookingtheSusque-

hannaRiver.

Bonannosays,“Wearethrilledtobe inPittstonandthevisionforthefuture ofMainStreetissopositive.Withseveralrestaurantsandshopsalreadyhere andmorecoming,itwassomethingwe wantedtobeapartofandMr.FriedmanbeingoriginallyfromPittstonjust sweetenedthemood.”

BrotherduoMichaelandAndyPartash,haveopenedTheTomatoBar, whichcombinesdelectabledishesand craftcocktails.Thebar’snamewasinspiredbyPittston’sdesignationasthe tomatocapitaloftheworld.

AccordingtotheLibraryofCongress,thecitywasknownforitsprized tomatoesinthe1930s,whichwere consumedenmassebyNewYorkCity’s residents,thusearningitthedesignationasthetomatocapitaloftheworld.

Nowthetomatoiscelebratedannuallyatthecity’sTomatoFestival.Asone ofthearea’spremiereevents,itattracts 75,000peopleeachyear.Thisyear fromAugust17-20,thefestivalwill embraceallthingstomato,including tossingthemateachotherduringthe festival’stomatofight.

Andbecauseofthecity’slovefor tomatoes,Pittstonreignssupremewith pizzafare.Whereveryouchooseto dine,thepizzaismouthwatering.A must-tryisNapoli’sPizza,whichhas beenfamilyownedandoperatedfor overtwentyyears.

Needacupofjoe?Pittston’snewest javalocaleCoffeeInclusivenotonly poursaperfectcupbutalsoemploys baristaswithdisabilitiesandisanextensionofthenon-profitorganization NEPAInclusive.ThereisalsoDripCoffeeCo.,withanewdrive-throughand walk-upwindowservingoverfifteen aromaticbrews.

Andifyou'reinthemoodforadifferenttypeofbrew,stopattheSusquehannaBrewingCompany(SBC).SBC servesupuniquehandcraftedbeers alongwithlocalbandsandacozyfeelgoodatmosphere.AccordingtoSBC’s TaproomandEventManagerAshley Fonzo,“WehaverootsinPittston.This wasthesightofourbeerdistribution companyforyears.Itisasmalltown thatdoesn’toftengetenoughcreditfor thewonderfulpeopleinit.”

Nodowntownwouldbecomplete withoutstores.Grace&ParkisPittston’s newestclothingboutique.Brittney Eramo,co-ownerofGrace&Parkwith hermother,SandyEramo,says,“Mayor Lombardohasdoneanamazingjob workingwithallofthebusinesseson MainStreetandbeyondtoensurethat wealwayshavethetoolsneededfor successandgrowthinPittston.Iamso gratefultobeinatownlikethis,the senseofcommunityissooverwhelming andfullofhelpfulhands!Weopened ourstoreInNovemberoflastyearand couldnotbehappierwithwherewe plantedourrootsforGrace&Park.”

CaseyTraver has writtenscriptsfor streamingTV,novels, andmagazinearticles.Anativeofthe Greenridgesectionof Scranton,shecurrentlyresidesinDallas,Pa.,withher husband,Derekand son,Jet.

CASEYTRAVER/WestBranchLife

Topofoppositepage,Pittstoniswellknownforitspizza.Bottomofopposite page,theviewfromRikasaʼsdiningroomoverlookingtheSusquehannaRiver. Topleft,thecityʼsTomatoFestivalisahugedraw.Topright,MuralistMichaelPilatoʼsworkgracesadowntownbuilding.

Currents>>>>> viewingpleasure

JoanneLandis: PaintingHerDreams

ByDONEVERETTSMITH,JR WestBranchLife

FormerfashiondesignerJoanneLandismovedfrom NewYorkCitytoCentralPennsylvaniaandsetup shopinanartstudioinWilliamsport’sPajamaFactory totellastory.However,shewon’tbeusingakeyboard orevenpenandpaper.Instead,sheusescanvas, brushesandoilpaints.Akaleidoscopeofcolorsand etherealfiguresinspiredbydreams,historyandfolkloreappearin Landis’work.“Mostpeoplemanagetoliveintheworldasitis,” Landissays.“Buttoanartist,itisanecessitytocreate[theirown] world.”

Landisisoneofthearea’smostreveredandcollectedartists.Her workcanbefoundinprivatecollectionsandpublicspacesfrom WilliamsporttoLewisburg.Inaddition,shehasexhibitedworkin NewYork,NewJersey,FloridaandSanFrancisco.Andsoon,she willhaveasoloshowattheMiltonArtBankinMiltonfromAugust throughOctober.

WhenLandisbeginsapiece,sheisunsureofwhatthefinalresult willbe.Insteadtheimageswithinthecanvasdictatetoherwhatwill becomereality.Shedescribesitasa“mysterious”meshingofarchetypalsubjectstogether.

LandisspendstimeatthePajamaFactory,whichisahubforartisansandcreatorsinWilliamsport.Shedescribestheartistsandwritersthatoccupythevariousstudiosas“afellowship”communicating withanartistic“language.”

Landis’backgroundinartbeganinNewYorkCity’sfashion world.“Ihadacareerinfashionasanillustrator,designerand modelfor12yearsinNewYork,”shesays.“IwasalwaysintofashionandIdesignedclothes.Thedrawingsappearedin‘Womens WearDaily’andthe‘SundayTimes’magazine.Theywouldbeused insomeadsinmostlymagazinesandnewspapers,[fashion]design

housesorstoresthatpromotedfashion.”

Herdesignswouldbecomearealityandthoseclotheswouldbe “soldinboutiquesorsmallshopsintheEastVillage”andshedescribesthosedesigns“asquirkyandunique.”“Ilovedtodrawand [infashion]someonepaidmetodrawanditwasaverysatisfying job.Butworkingasapainterbringsadifferentlevelofsatisfaction,” Landisreveals.“DrawingthefigureforfashiongavemetheinformationIneededtopaintafigure.”

Hercreativeprocessusuallybeginswithasimpleideaandexpandsintoother“dream-likeareas”thattapintolegendandmythologyandthearchetypalimagesseeninculturesforthousandsof years.“WhenIworkwithafigureitfeelsverypersonal,anditfeels likemystory.It'sareallyintuitiveprocessratherthananintellectual process,”shesays.

Theresultsofthesemany,manycreativeendeavorshaveresulted inadmirersandfansacrossthenation.“Ihavebeenvery,verylucky asanillustratorandapaintertohavehad[somanypeople]torespondtomywork.ItisthroughtheirenthusiasmthatIhavebeen abletosurviveasanartist,”shesaid.

facebook.com/JoanneLandisArtist instagram.com/jolandisartist/

DonEverettSmithJr. isawriterandarecenttransplanttoLycomingCounty.Helives withhiswifeLauraandtheircats.Hewrites aboutlocalinterests,pulpstories,horrorand truecrime.Heiscurrentlyworkingonhisfirst novel.

PHOTOPROVIDED

JoanneLandisatLycomingArtsGallery,inWilliamsport, talkingaboutherworkandwhereshefindsinspiration.

JazzingUpTheCity

foraconcerthonoringthemusicof Americanbig-bandlegendEdward “Duke”Ellington.

Witharobust schedule,excitingplansand plentyoftalent, theWilliamsport CityJazzOrchestra(WCJO)isfulfillingitsstated missionperformingjazzandoffering education“asameanstoenrichlivesin andaroundthecityofWilliamsport.”

Foundedin2011,theWCJOisanonprofitbigbandwith18playersanda vocalist.Instrumentsincludetrumpet, sax,trombone,keys,bass,guitarand percussion.

Theband’sregularscheduleincludes anannualholidayconcert,usuallyat theCommunityTheatreLeaguein Williamsport,andatleasttwosummer performances—oneatanareabandshellandoneforWilliamsportWelcomestheWorld,duringtheLittle LeagueWorldSeries.

AndinconjunctionwithJazzAppreciationMontheachApril,theWCJO playsashowfeaturinganationally knownguestartistwhoalsooffersmasterclasseswithlocalstudents.Andthat helpsfulfillthegroup’svisionto“work withareastudents,facilitatingagreater opportunityforthemtoexperience, performandunderstandtheartofjazz, improvisationandmusicianship.”

ThispastApril,thebandhosted trumpeterToddStoll,vicepresidentof NewYorkCity’sJazzatLincolnCenter,

Other2023performancesincludea freeshowat7p.m.onSunday,August 20,atMontoursville’sIndianPark,and WilliamsportWelcomestheWorldon August23.Whileadateforthisyear’s Decembergigisnotyetset,WCJOExecutiveDirectorVivianSeverntoldWBL thegroupisconsideringanadditional holidayconcertinWellsboro.

Ontopofallthis,WCJOperforms regularlyThursdayeveningsat Williamsport’sStonehouseRestaurant. Othermembersofthebandperform togetheronFridaysattheJamesin Williamsport’sHolidayInnExpress.“It’s veryexcitingtowatchthejazzscene continuetoexpandinthecity,”says WCJOVicePresidentWaltStraiton. “TheJames,TheStonehouseandthe CAChavecertainlysignaledtheircommitmenttotheartformbymakingjazz aregularpartoftheirentertainment programming.”

Theband’smembersincludeDale Orris,TimBreon,DickAdams,Eddie Severn,AdamWrightand,Lycoming CollegeBand&OrchestraDirectorBill Ciabattari—aswellasWCJOBoard Presidentandco-founderBobbyLeidheckerondrums.“Ilovetoplaywith WCJObecauseofthecaliberofmusiciansthatmakeuptheband,”saysLeidhecker.“Themusicarrangementsinour repertoireareverychallengingandin manycasesaretranscriptionsofwhat wasrecordedbytheoriginalartists.

Thatalsoraisesthebarofourindividual performancelevels.”Orrisagreessaying,“IenjoyplayingintheWCJObecauseIreallyenjoyworkingwith top-notchmusiciansinthisareadoing bigbandjazz.”

WhileOrris’impressivecreditsincludetourswiththeGlennMillerOrchestraandtheBuddyRichBigBand, heisalso—likemanymembersof WCJO—alocaleducatorwhocurrently givestrumpetinstructionatLycoming CollegeaswellasBucknellandSusquehannauniversities.

Wright,amusiceducatoratMontoursvilleAreaSchoolDistrict,likewise stressesWCJO’scommitmenttostudents.Hesays,“I'vehearditsaidalltoo oftenthat‘Thosethatcan'tdo,teach.’I HateThatsaying!AndIlovethefact thatofthe18membersoftheband,14 -15areteachersofonesortoranother. There'sawholelotofdoinginthis groupandIloveitall!”

facebook.com/people/WilliamsportCity-JazzOrchestra/100039866595391/

JosephW.SmithIII isawriter,teacherand speakerinCentralPennsylvania.Hislatestbookis

TheBestMoviesYouNever Saw:300Under-the-Radar FilmsThatWereOverlooked,UnjustlyTrashed-orJustPlainTerrific."

robbwhitefan@gmail.com.

ByJOSEPHW.SMITHIII WestBranchLife

TheBestof GoodReads

ByJOSEPHW.SMITHIII WestBranchLife

InhonorofWest BranchLife’s10thanniversary,GoodReads herewithpresents10 favoritesfromthe manybooksreviewedinthis space.

“Banjo”byGrahamSalisbury Award-winningYAnovelistSalisburystepsawayfromhis usualHawaiianmilieutoOregon,wherehedealswith rodeos,younglove,coming-ofageandinparticular,ateen’s devotiontohispetbordercollie.Thisterrificwriter’sothergems include“BlueSkinoftheSea”and“UndertheBlood-RedSun.”

“Best.Movie.Year.Ever.”byBrianRaftery Theauthor makesacompellingcaseforhistitlewithabracing,well-informedlookatsuch1999filmsas“TheSixthSense,”“Fight Club,”“TheBlairWitchProject,”“RunLolaRun,”“BeingJohn Malkovich,”“TheIronGiant”and“TheMatrix”amongothers.

“BorntoRun”byBruceSpringsteen Withnaryaghostwriterinsight,therock-and-rolllegendpenshisownsprawling andenthrallingbio,provingeverybitasgoodatmemoirashe isatsong-writing.

“ForeverandaDay”byAnthonyHorowitz AfterJames BondcreatorIanFlemingdiedin 1964,eightotherwriterstriedthe seriesbutnonereallynailedittill thebrilliantHorowitztookitup over60yearslater.Thissecondof histhreeentriesisasgoodasanythingFleming wrote—a mustfor007 fans.

“The PhantomTollbooth”by NortonJuster

Now62years old,Juster’sinstantclassiciscrammedwith delightfulwordplay,narrativewhimsyand eccentricdrawings.Recountingoneboy’s trekthroughasurreal,otherworldlyandutterlyhilariousrealm,it’sbeencomparedto Alice,Oz,Gulliverandeven“Pilgrim’s Progress.”

“InPursuitofLove”byRebeccaBender Benderwasthe long-timevictimofacruelpimp whosoldherservicesandregularlydoledoutphysicalabuse; havingfinallyescaped,shenow workstirelesslyagainstsex-trafficking.Thisno-holds-barred memoirishonest,shatteringand ultimatelyhopeful.

“TheRoseCode”byKate Quinn Mygo-totitlewhenever I’maskedtosuggestagoodbook, Quinn’spage-turnerissetatEngland’sBletchleyParkduringWorld WarII,withseveralkeycharacters (mostlywomen)workingtocrack theNaziencryptioncode.A headymixofromance,history,espionageandmystery—withone compellingplot-strandinvolvingtheworldofBritishroyals.

“Spearhead”byAdamMakos Montoursvillenative Makos,whoalsowrotetheexcellent“Devotion”and“Higher Call,”recountstheincredibletruestoryofthefirstPershing tankinEurope.EveryWorld WarIIfanshouldreadthis book.

“WhenBreathBecomes Air”byPaulKalanithi Thisbrief, beautifulandheart-breaking memoirrecountstheauthor’s courageousbattlewithcancer. Aninspiringlookatthewonder andbrevityofhumanexistence.

NevilShute&Randy WayneWhite IalsowroteWest Branchtributestotwoofmyalltimefavoriteauthors: RandyWayneWhite andNevilShute.The latter,justlynicknamed“ThePrince ofStorytellers,”writeslargelyintheworldofmid20th-centuryaviationandwar.Highlightsinclude “Pastoral,”“Landfall,”thebeloved“ATownLike Alice”andmyownfave,“PiedPiper.”

White,abest-sellingauthorwhoisthankfullystill withus,writesauthenticandfiercelysuspenseful Florida-basedthrillersfeaturingretiredNSAagent andmarinebiologistMarion“Doc”Ford.Worthytitlesinclude“Twelve-MileLimit,”“DeadSilence,” “BlackWidow”andWhite’scurrentYAseries, “SharksIncorporated.”

Here’sto10moreyearsofgoodreadsinWBL!

Currents >>>>> meetup

WBLCelebratesFoundingEditor L.LeeJanssen

ByLORENABENIQUEZ WestBranchLife

WBLwouldnotbe whatitistoday withoutitsarchitectL.LeeJanssen, whoisthemagazine’sfounding editor.ShewasaskedbyPublisherBob RolleyandformerPublisherBernie Oravactocraftsectionsofthequarterlyandestablish editorialdirection. “Iwaschargedwith developingthemagazine.Whatwould itlooklike?What wouldthestructure looklike?What wouldthecontent be?Tomeitseemed naturaltohavea structureinplacethat couldbetiedintothe river,”saysJanssen.

Shedevisedcleverlytitledsectionsthat remaintothisday.For example,“Waves”includesbiggerfeatures while“Currents”are smallerfeatures,withmoretime-sensitivesubjects.

Aftermonthsofplanning,itwastime toputtogetherthefirstissue,which woulddebutinsummer2013.Butthere wasonesmallproblem.Itwasthemiddle ofwinter.“Itwasreallyimportantthatfor asummerissuethatwehaveartworkthat madeitlooklikeasummerissue.We hadtogetcreative.Weweredoinga pieceongardeningand[Photographer] PaulBarrettwenttoagreenhousein Lewisburg,wheretheyhadacommunity gardenandthegreenhouseiswherethey startedtheplantsforthiscommunitygarden.Hewasabletoarrangealltheplants aroundthepersonwechose[for]the coverandmadeitlooklikesummer,

eventhoughitwasthedeadofwinter,” recallstheeditor.

Thatwasthefirstchallenge.Then,a secondonecamewithfindingwriters. Sincethewritersandreporterswiththe Sun-Gazettealreadyhadtheirschedules fullwiththenewspaper’sdemands,the huntforfreelancewritersbegan.“We neededastableofwritersthatcouldgo outandinterviewpeopleandthat wantedtodostoriesonwhatwasgoing on.Thebigthingwasto getpeoplewhowerecomfortablegoingoutandinterviewing,”saidJanssen. Janssencreditsthe writersandphotographers withthemagazine’searly success,saying,“they gavegreatlifetothe magazine.Oftentimes [theirideas]wouldbecomestoriesorleadto stories.Theywouldbe outandaboutindifferentareasandknew whatwasgoingon.”

Shealsocreditsthe magazine’seditorsthat cameafterher.“I thinkitisa

greatpublicationanditrequiressomeonewhohas vision.Ittakesskilland someonewhoseeyes arewideopenand opentoallthepossibilitiesthatareout there.Youhaveto becuriousabout whatisgoing on.”

WBLisonlyoneofJanssen’smanyaccomplishments.Shewasthefirstfemale editortoleadtheeditorialdepartmentat theWilliamsportSun-Gazette.Inaddition,sheauthoredthebook“ACommunityKeystone”beforeretiringin2021.

Janssen’seditorialdirectionforWBL wasoneofhermostimpactfulendeavors. Infact,itearnedJanssenandthemagazineaKeystoneawardfornichepublicationin2015fromtheKeystonePress Awards.Hereditorialdecreedrivesthe publicationtothisday.

Shesays,“It’sallpositive.”

WilliamsportUps theAnteonFashionwith

DonMarcolo

ByC.J.Leonard WestBranchLife

DownWilliamsport’s WashingtonBoulevard,thenewindependentsneakerand clothingstoreDon Marcolohasofficially openeditsdoors.ThevisionforDonMarcolohasbeenintheworkssinceSamuel O.Campbell,founderofthecompany anddesigner,startedworkingatayoung age.“Iwasdoinglittlejobswithmy uncle,plumbing,andheatingworkand fromthemoneyImadefromthere,Iused tobuymymaterial,stitchupmyclothing

andsneakers.Iwouldadddifferentfabricsandgivethemdifferentstyles.And eventually,afriendofmine…soldmea sewingmachineandIstartedmakingmy ownstufffromthere,”saysCampbell.

InadditiontosellingDonMarcolo sneakersandsportswear,Campbellplans onworkingalongsideotherentrepreneurs whocanusehisbusinessasaplatformto selltheirwaresandgetthemselvesnoticedbybuyers.“It’smorethanjuststyle anddesigns.It’smorethanjustme,”says Campbell.

DonMarcoloallowscustomerstoexploredifferentclothingstylesanddesigns fromnewandunnoticedindependent designers.I’mlookingforwardtostarting

tohireastrongteamtoensurethegrowth ofDonMarcolo,”saysCampbell.

Thereissomethingtobesaidabout thecreativeprocessbehindCampbell’s methodoftailoringhismerchandise. Whilethere’satactic,healsoprideshimselfonhisabilityandfreedomtocreate withoutcateringtoanyparticularcraze oraesthetic.“MychoiceoftheDonMarcololayoutwasfreestyled,whichIlove todo.Thatis,comeoffthetopofthe headwithit,”saysthedesigner.

Withthatsaid,Campbellalsogoesto greatlengthstoempowerhiscustomers toplayaprominentroleinhiscreations. Whilespendingayearpreparingforthe openingofhisbusiness,hehadpotential

buyersreviewhisdesignsandplanhisnextcourseofactionbasedon feedback.Marcolorecalls,“Ihadacustomerwho,directlyafterbuyingoneofmypairsofsneakers,tookoffhersneakersandputmine on.AndshetoldmethatthepairIprovidedwaswaymorecomfortablethanthepairshepreviouslyhadon.”

DonMarcolo’ssummercollectionofshirtsandjeansnowpopulate thestore’swalls.Sneakersareperfectlyalignedonapedestal,orperhapsyouwouldliketogrababeanieorpairofsocksatthefrontdesk. Whateveryourfancy,Campbellisecstaticaboutsellinghisoriginal warestocustomersandlookingforwardtoextendinghishandtoindependentdesignerslookingtojumpstarttheirdreamsinthefashion world.Upnext,Campbellisnowdesigninghisfallcollection.

“It’ssafetosaythatI’minthisforthelongrun,”saysCampbell. “AndI’mkeepingmorethanenoughroomforgrowthanddevelopmentformybusiness.IbelievewhenGodcreatedmehemademe uniqueandtobeunique.There’sreason,purpose,andmeaningbehindDonMarcolo,whichwillberevealedinduetime.”

donmarcolo.com/570-435-9441

C.J.Leonard iscurrentlyworkingtowarda substantiveeditingcertificatethroughtrainingwith TheChristianPenandhasbeenwritingbothfiction andnonfictionfor10years.

C.J.LEONARD/WestBranchLife Topofoppositepage,DonMarcoloisahomespun athleticwearbrand.Bottomofoppositepage,Don MarcoloFounderSamuelO.Campbellwithwife, TawannaCampbell,anddaughter,LeilaniCampbell. Above,DonMarcoloʼsWilliamsportshowroom.

Blossburg Mayor Shane Nickerson isn’texactlyyour typicalmayor.He’sthe hostofSaturdaySkateswith theMayor,aregularmeeting ofskateboardersatthelocal skateparkandhe’schanginglives withhisrelationshipsandhisskateboardmanufacturingbusiness. MayorNickersongrewupskateboardingandhewantedtobringhis hobbytohistown.Afterasuccessfulgrantapplication tothePennsylvaniaDepartmentofConservationand NaturalResources,askateparkwasconstructedand plentyofyoungsters,especiallyteens,startedshowing uptoskateboard.

Butwhatthemayorfoundwasthatalthoughthe kidswereinterestedinskateboarding,theyoften didn’thavetheequipmenttodoit.

SoNickersonsetouttofindasolutionandwiththe helpofsomefriends,MayorSkateboardCompany, whichisaskateboardfactoryinBlossburg,wasborn.

Nickersontellsthestory,“Igotaphonecallfrom CountrySkiandSportsinMontoursvilleandthey wereliquidatingtheirskateboardingequipment.He said,‘Youwantsomedecks?’andIsaid,‘Sure,Iwant everything!’WewouldhaveSaturdaySkateboarding withtheMayorandI’dinvitesomekidsfromthecommunitytohelpgivelessonstowhoevercame.We’d

ByLINDASTAGER WestBranchLife

LINDASTAGER/WestBranchLife BlossburgMayorShaneNickersonusesskateboarding toconnectwithhisyoungerconstituents.

linethekidsupandwhoeverwastheyoungestgotto pickafreeskateboard.We’ddothatuntilallofthedecks hadbeengivenout,fromyoungesttooldest.Butthe skateboarddeckswouldgetwornoutovertimeandthe kidswouldsay,‘Doyouhaveanymoreskateboards?’“

Themayorhadachatwithhissontosolvethe dilemma,whichledtoanahamoment.“MysonandI weretalkingonenightandIsaid,"Youknowwhat?Peoplemakethese,let’slookituponlineandseehowthey aremade.Skateboardsarebasicallyglueandveneer,but youneedapress.So,wefoundapress,drovetoMassachusettstobuyitandwestartedmakingskateboards,” saystheentrepreneurialmayor.

Notlongafterthat,thecompanygotaboostwhen oneofthebiggestnamesinskateboardingcametovisit Blossburg.RonAllen,oneofthefirstAfricanAmerican proskateboarders,hadheardaboutNickerson’sefforts andheofferedtohelpgetthefactorymovingforward.

NowMayorSkateboard,usingacustom-drawnlogo byAllen,manufacturesmaplecollector-levelskateboardswithscreen-printedoriginalgraphics.Theyalso manufactureotherskateboardstopassontokidsatthe skatepark.

Nickersonturnspensiveandadds,“Skateboardingis reallyhard.It’sasportyoureallyhavetoearn.Every onceinawhile,thereisakidthatjusttakesoffandis justnaturallytalentedbutmoreoftenthannot,youhave tofailathousandtimesbefore.Withskateboardingyou learntolookatthingsdifferently.Youlookattheperfect ledge,youcountstairs…youstartlookingatthingsfrom adifferentangle.”

Oneday,MayorNickersontookatroubledkidtoa localbridgetoseeitupclose.Nickersonsaidtohim, “Touchit,seeit.Webothseeit’sabridge.”

Then,theydrovetothetopofthemountainand lookeddownonthatsamebridge.Nickersonurged, “That’sthesamebridgebutyouseehowdifferentit looksbecauseofhowwe’vepositionedourselves.”Nickersonpausesandthenadds,“Yougottadothatinlife witheverything.Lookatthingsfromadifferentangle.It makesyoulookatyourcommunitydifferently.There’sa wholenewworldouttheretoseedifferently.”

LindaStager,of Wellsboro,isanawardwinningoutdoorwriter andphotographer.Her storiesandphotosare oftenshowcasedina varietyofpublications, includingthe WilliamsportSunGazette.Sheisalsothe authorofthe“Pine CreekRailTrailGuidebook,”a206-pageguidetothe62-milehighly acclaimedrailtrailthatrunsfromWellsboroto JerseyShore.Youcanlearnmoreaboutherat www.lindastager.comandcanreachherat lstager021@gmail.com.

PHOTOPROVIDED

Above,LiamNickerson,Shaneʼsson,intheskateboardfactory.

PHOTOPROVIDED SkateboardingsuperstarRonAllen,left,oneofthefirst BlackproskateboardersinAmerica,createdacustomlogo forMayorSkateboardCompanyinBlossburg.

scenes of the decade

WBLphotographershave roamedourvalleysand mountainsforthepastten yearscapturingusandthe worldaroundus.These nextpagesarededicatedto theirartistry.

DAVEKENNEDY/WESTBRANCHLIFE

AnAmishbuggyfilledwithfamilyslowlyrollsalong LakeChillisquaqueatMontourPreservenearDanville.

PAULBARRETT Left,EaglesMereFoot Bridge.

DAVEKENNEDY/ WestBranchLife Right,theFrazierCovered BridgeoverLittleMuncy CreekinMorelandTownship underthestars.The60-footlongbridgewasbuiltin1888 withtheBurrArchdesign andwasplacedontheNationalRegisterofHistoric Placesin1980.

PHOTOPROVIDED Below,JeremyLauerdoing afakiewillygrindonthe halfpipeatWater'sEdge SkateparkinLewisburg.

AFamily-Oriented Fly-In, William T. Piper Airport, Lock Haven, PA. 17745. (LHV)

Gatesopen9:00am-10:00pmdaily,Freeadmissionafter5pm,andalldaySaturday. Thepublicisinvitedtoattend,notlimitedtopilotsandairplaneowners. GREGKOONTZTHRILLINGAIRSHOWTUESDAY–FRIDAY1:00, Weatherpermitting TourtheBerlinAirlift

Seminars,Contests,Fly-Bys,GreatFood,Fun,Fellowship,Camping&Under-WingCamping,Awards, CornRoasts,Tours, Transportation to motels. Kiddie Hour each day.

NightlybandsTuesdaythruFriday,7-10pm.FREE&OPENTOTHEPUBLIC. FRIDAYISMEMBER APPRECIATION DAY. Member’s admission is 1/2 price. Daily Pass ( includes flight line): Ages 18 and up: $12.00

Ages 13-17: $ 5.00

Child under 12 free Primitive Camping and under wing---$20/night RV Camping w/o hook-ups---------------$25/night

AllMakesandModelsofAircraft Welcomed.

DAVEKENNEDY/WESTBRANCHLIFE Topphoto,ThenorthernskyiscapturedinWolfTownship.Theimageisa stackedphotocompositeofover400 framestakenovera2.5hourperiod.

PHOTOPROVIDED Above,ascenefromMifflinburgʼs Oktoberfest.

MakingWaves >>>>> celebrating10yearsofWBL

ByJASONC.KLOSE WestBranchLife

WestBranch Life(WBL), thepremiere quarterly magazine aboutlifeinourregion,iscelebratingits10thanniversary.

Launchedin2013,themagazinehasbecomea“mustread” aboutthepeople,placesand thingsthatmakeourregionso special.

FromWilliamsporttoLock Haven,fromUnityvilletoBellefonte,fromLewisburgtoWellsboroandfarbeyond–WBLhas becomeawelcomereadinprint andonline,thankstothe WilliamsportSun-GazetteandThe (LockHaven)Expresscommunity newspapers.

Afteradecadeoftellingwonderfulstoriesaboutvolunteers, craftsman,businesspeople,neighbors,communityorganizersand somanyothers,wethoughtwe’d takeatripdownmemorylane withourcurrentandpastwriters, photographersandpublishers, whosharedinsightful,funny and/ortouchingstoriesabouttheir workoverthepast10years.

Wellsbororesident,authorand photographer-extraordinaireLinda StagerhasbeenwritingforWBL foranumberofyears,andithas alwaysbeenafascinatingexperienceforher.Sheisgratefulforthe opportunitytoworkwithmany talentedwritersandphotographerswhobringpassiontotheir work–andtoWBL’sreaders. “Whenweareassignedastory,I seeitasanewadventure.WhocanI meetnowandhowcanIbesttelltheir story?”shesays.“Oureditor,Lorena Beniquez,isgreat.Sheissupportive, buttough.Herstandardsarehigh.I knowwhenIsendmydraftbacktoher foreditingthatreaderswillgetthebest storypossible,betweenherskillsand mywords.”

Stageradmitstheyhavehadsome laughsaswellassomeanxiousmoments.“WhenIcan’ttracksomeone

Atendayoldeagletinalocalnest.Photowastakenethicallyatalongdistancewithalongtelephotolens.

down,sheisquicktojumpinand help,”shesays.“Andsometimes,we bothwonderhowastorywillendup.”

Andyetsomehow,italwaysworks out,andtheendresultisnothingbut excellentstorytelling.“Wewritershave thepassiontobringyouagoodstory,” Stagersays.“Butthemagazine’seditor andstaffmakeitcometogetherina

goodway.Kudostothemagazineonits anniversary!AndthanksLorena!”

ForShirleyBoatmanofHughesville, aretiredSullivanCountyHighSchool EnglishteacherandWBLcontributorfor nearlythreeyears,writingforthemagazinehasbeenaneducation.

“Eachassignmentrevealssomuch abouttheamazingareaweliveinand

LINDASTAGER/WestBranchLife

PHOTOSPROVIDED

WriterJosephW.SmithIIIdiscoveredarobustgroupof scubadivers,whoexplorewaterwaysandlakesthroughout ourregion,whetherjustforfun,forcommunityserviceor fortraining.

thetalentsandspiritofitsresidents,”shesays.“Fromboatingon theSusquehanna,recyclingbicycles,exploringlivetheaterand museums,anddiscoveringintriguingmuralswaitingaround manycorners,mymindexpands.I’mgratefulfortheseexperiences.”

EventhoughhehadwrittenmostlybookreviewsforWBL overmanyyears,retiredLoyalsockEnglishteacherandwriter JosephW.SmithIIIwasaskedbyBeniquezifhewasinterested intakingonanarticleabouttheresurgenceofbaldeaglesin Pennsylvania.LittledidBeniquezknow,Smithhadbeenafowl fansincehighschoolandwasgoodfriendswithaformerPennsylvaniaGameCommissionstafferwhoheadedtheprogramto reinstatethemajesticbirds.“Andforicingonthecake,Ireached outforphotostomyfriend,Wellsboroauthorandphotographer LindaStager,whowasthrilledtoseehergorgeouseagleshoton WBL’scoverthefollowingspring,”Smithsays.“Sothatwasa matchmadeinheaven.”

ItturnedoutsowellthatBeniquezandPublisherBobRolley thenaskedSmithifhewoulddoapieceonlocalscubadiving, whichhesaysbycontrastwaswayoutofhiscomfortzoneand didn’tseemalikelytopicforCentralPennsylvania.“ButI mannedupanddidit,eventuallyinterviewingnineor10people inwhatIlearnedwasabustlingdivecommunityaroundhere,” Smithsays.“IevenhookedupwithDushoreresidentJohn Smithkors,whoona2013diveactuallyfoundpartofa108year-oldsteamlocomotivelyinginLoyalsockCreek!”

Hours: Mon-Thurs9:00-5:30•Friday9:00-8:00 Sat9:00-5:30•SunNoon-5:00

Exit15ofRouteI-180(HallsPennsdaleExit)

962LycomingMallDrive,Muncy,PA17756

326-1589/546-5958/800-326-9364

www.keystonefurniture.com

Andallthattime,Smithcontinuedhis bookreviews.“Ihavelikewisereviewed dozensofbelovedbooksfortheGood Readscolumn,includingoverviewson twoofmy‘go-to’writers–thelate,great NevilShute–aptlynamed‘thePrinceof Storytellers’–andmycurrentfavorite, crackerjackFloridanovelistRandy WayneWhite,”Smithsays.

WBLphotographerandHughesville residentPaulBarretthasbeenwithWBL sincetheverybeginning.Barretthad beenworkingasastringerfortheSunGazettefornineyearsandwasavailable whenevertheydidn’thaveenoughcorrespondenceorphotographerstocover astory.Barrett’sjobwouldbetotake pictures,writeadeepcut,andsenditin tothem.“Ihadbeenworkingfortwo yearsasaphotographerand[nowretired]EditorLauraJanssenaskedmeifI wantedtobethephotographerforthis newmagazine,”Barrettrecalls.“Isaid, ‘Ohyeah,thatwouldbegreat!’”

Foroneofhisearlyassignments,Bar-

PAULBARRETT/WestBranchLife SunsetsontheWestBranchofthe SusquehannaRiverarejustoneofthe manyrewardsofcoveringtheregion.

rettwasaskedtotakepicturesofthe veryfirstsoapboxderbyonMarket StreetinWilliamsport.Janssen wantedaphotoofthehillwherethe racestarts,aphotoofthecrowds, andaphotoofacoupleofthecarsas they’restartingtheraceandgoing downthehill.Butthemostimportant pictureofallthatsheabsolutelyhad tohavewasofthefinalracebetween thefirstandsecondplacecars.“They hadtodothislastracetofindout whowasgoingtobetheultimate winner,”Barrettsays.“Theyspecificallysaidtheywantedmetobeatthe bottomoftheracetotakeapicture, justasonecarwentoverthefinish lineandtheothercarwasjustbehind himintheotherlane–soitwould showadefinitewinner.”

WhatBarrettunderestimated, though,werethethousandsofpeople whowereinattendance,whichmade hisjobtogetthemust-havephotoa moredifficulttaskthanheanticipated.Aftertakingseveralpicturesat thetop,wheretheywereworkingon thecarsandstartingtherace,Barrett knewhehadtohustletothebottom ofthehillonMarketStreetforthe finalracetogetthecrucialshot.

PaulBarrett/WestBranchLife PhotographerPaulBarrettcapturedthefirstyearofthe WilliamsportSoapBoxDerbyʼsresurrectionin2010.

Care Services at

“Ihadtowalkallthewaydownthehill,whichnormallywouldtakeaboutfiveminutes,”Barrettsays.“I’m tryingtogetthroughthecrowdandit’slikeshoulderto shoulder.Ifinallygottothebottomandtheracehad started,andIwasn’tinplace.Ithought,‘They'regoingto killmeifIdon’tgetthispicture.’SoImovedthroughthe crowdasquicklyasIcould.Igotuptotheline,andby thistimetheywerealmostattheend.Andjustbefore theygottotheend,Itookthepicture,andIgotit!”

Barretthadanotherexperiencetosharethatmay soundfunnytodaybutwasn’tfunnytohimatthetime. Hisassignmentwastogotofarmsthatsoldfoodtolocal marketsandtotakephotosofcows,pigs,sheepand goats.Barretthadgonetoseveraldifferentfarmswithout anyincident–takingpicturesoffarms,farmers,andanimals.Buttherewasonefarmwherehehadanencounter heabsolutelydidnotexpect–onethatheprobablywill neverforget.“Itwasasheepfarmbuttheyalsohada donkey,onegooseandacoupleothersmalleranimals,” Barrettrecalls.“Mainlywhattheydidwasraisesheep, andtheywantedmetogetpicturesofthemshearingthe sheep.Thatwasmyassignment,butthat’snotwhyI’m tellingthisstory.”

AsBarrettwentoutsidethesheepshearingpentotake morepictures,heencounteredagoose–ahugewhite

PAULBARRETT/WestBranchLife ThisaggressivegoosemistookWBLPhotographer PaulBarrettforpaparazzi.

KARENVIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette SpotlightinglocalartistshasbeenagoalforWBL.Forinstance,thismuralon thewestwallofFiretreePlaceinWilliamsportfeatureslargesunflowersand children'sportraits.NataliaPilatoandcommunityartistspaintedthemural fromphotographstakenbychildrenintheafterschoolphotographyprogram.

goose.Whatthefarmerdidn’ttellhim wasthatthegoosewasthequeenofthe barnyardandwouldn’tallowanyoneto comein.AsBarrettbegantotakehispictures,heheardthesoundsofamother goosefiercelydefendingherterritory.“I turnedaroundandshehadherfeathers completelywideopen,andshewas chargingatme!”hesays.“Beingacity boy,Ididn’tknowwhatthatmeant.Asit gotclosertome,Irealizedthatthisthing wasgoingtoattackme!SoIjumpedto myfeetandIstartedtobackoff.Butit keptchasingme,andIwasrunning away!Ididn’tknowthatagoosecould runthatfast!”

Thegoosethenstartedtonipawayat Barrettashetriedtooutrunit.Eventually,hewasabletoescapewhenthe goosewasmakingsomuchnoisethat thefarmercameoutandwasableto cometoBarrett’srescue.“Hegotthis longstick,andhewalkedoutandtapped itonitsrearend,”Barrettsays.“Ashe washittingit,hesaid,‘You’dbettermake arunforitnowwhileshe’sdistracted.’

SoItookoffandIranforthefence. OnceIleft,thegoosestartedtocalm down.Shefinallygotdiscouragedand left.Ihadblackandbluemarksonmy body.”

RolleyandformerSun-GazettePublisherBernieOravecfoundedthemagazinetobringstoriesandphotosof inspirationtothethousandsofcommunitynewspaperreaders.

ToRolley,WBLrepresentsthejoyful andadventuroussidesoflife–thefeaturesaboutpeoplewhogivebackto otherpeopleandtotheircommunities, whetherthroughvolunteerefforts,their creativetalent,orinvestingtheirhardearnedmoneytorunabusinessoran event.

“Frommyownexperience,themagazinehaseducatedmeaboutthemany craftsmenandwomenwholiveand workhere.Inanygiveneditionyou’ll readaboutpeoplewhohavetransformed theirlives–andtheirlivelihoods–torealizetheirdreams,”Rolleysaid.“And WBLcoversthearts,culturalandenter-

tainmenteventsandvenuesthatgrace thearea.It’sallsoinspirationaland WBLowesitssuccesstothepeople wefeature,andofcourse,tothemany businessesthatadvertisetosupport ourstory-telling.”

Healsoattributestheglossyproduct’sappealtoitstalentedwritersand photographers.

“Thebestwritersputthereaderin themoment,inthespace,withthe personorpeoplebeingfeatured.And ourphotographershavethatwonderful flairofcapturingasceneoramoment thatjustbringsyouin.”

OravecwaspublisheroftheSunGazettefrom2009to2018and agrees.“Ithinkthereasonwecreated themagazinewasthat,withthenewspapers,wehadlimitedspaceand weren’tabletogetintosomeofthe morein-depth,community-basedhistoryandactivitystories,”Oravecrecalls.“WithWestBranch,weareable tooffermorestoriesandmorephotographsinafullglossyformat.”

Oravecsayshe’sgladthateverythinghasfallenintoplaceandthat WBLcontinuestothrive.

“Attheendoftheday,it’sagood

PHOTOPROVIDED

Above,TheDavidMayfieldParadeperforms,whichisjustoneofthemanybandsprofiledovertheyearsinWBL.

windowintowhatlifewasandis likeinthearea,”hesays.“It’salmost likehavingafamilyalbum.Thereare thereallyoldhistoricalphotosand stories,andtherearestorieson thingsgoingoninthecommunity. I’mgladtoseesomethingthatIhad apartinisstillgoingstrong.Congratulationson10years!”

WestBranchLifeisalsodigital andcanbefoundonboth www.sungazette.comand www.lockhaven.com.

JasonKlose isaCentralPA arts&entertainmentwriterwith overadecadeof experiencein printandonline media.Hehas interviewednumerousartists andpersonalities intheentertainmentindustryincludingLindaRonstadt, BarryManilow,TonyBennett,Charlie Daniels,AmyGrant,DennisDeYoung (Styx),NancyWilson(Heart),Lou Gramm(Foreigner),BobEubanksand more.jasoncklose@gmail.com.

DAVEKENNEDY/WestBranchLife KayakerspaddlealongslowlyonLake Chillisquaqueasthesunsets.

Dockside >>>>> fabulousspaces

TheHistoricHomeof

WBL andThe WILLIAMSPORTSUN-GAZETTE

ByBRUCEHUFFMAN WestBranchLife

KnownastheWilliamsportSun-Gazettebuildingsince amergeroftwodailynewspapersin1955,thislandmarkdowntownWilliamsportstructureisperhaps bestappreciatedforitscolorfulandintricateterra cottareliefworkgracingthewindowsandcorniceof theupperlevel.

AccordingtotheWilliamsportSunin1909,theplansforthe original78’by114’wedge-shapedWilliamsportSunbuilding,at thenortheastcornerofWestFourthandHepburnstreets,weredesignedbyHenryLoomisCurtis,aPhiladelphiaarchitect.Though Curtiswasinbusinessfrom1899to1915,littleisknownofhis background.

T.J.Litzelman,ofWilliamsport,washiredtoserveasconsulting andsupervisingarchitect.Thiswasn’tanunusualpracticeforlarger buildingprojectswheretheprincipaldesignarchitectwasout-oftown.ThegeneralconstructioncontractwasawardedtoJamesV. Bennett&Company,ofWilliamsport,withnumerouslocalfirms providingadditionalsub-contractedmaterialsorservices.

Whenconstructioncommencedintheearlysummerof1909,it wasestimatedtheWilliamsportSunbuildingwouldcost$25,000 toconstruct.Thiswouldprovideforabrickandbrownstoneexteriorandapproximately5,000squarefeetoffloorspaceon eachofthethreelevels,includingafullbase-

PhotosonoppositepageshowsomeofthedesignfeaturesontheWilliamsportSun-Gazettebuildingat252W.Fourth St.Thebuildingwasconstructedintheearly1900sbyTheSun,apredecessortotodayʼsSun-Gazette.This1940photo byD.VincentSmith,anotablelocalphotographerintheearlypartofthelastcentury,showstheSun-GazetteatthecornerofWestFourthandHepburnstreetstwodecadesbeforethenewspapercompanywouldacquiretheneighboring buildingsonWestFourthStreettobuildanadditionfornewpresses.In1940,theSun-GazetteCo.publishedtwonewspapersoutofthisbuilding.Notetheboardspostedoutsidethebuildingtopostnewsofthedayforpassersbytoread. Above,thehomeofWBLandSun-Gazetteasitlookstoday.

ment.

Interestingly,thefireproofsteelgirders andreinforcedconcreteconstructionwas designedinsuchawayastocarrythe weightofupto6additionalstoriesbuilton topoftheoriginaltwoaboveground.

Oneofthebuilding’soutstandingexteriorfeaturesareitsornatereliefformsthat resembleamedicalsymbol.Accordingto “ACommunityKeystone”(compiledbyL. LeeJanssenandpublishedbythe WilliamsportSun-Gazettein2018),“The CaduceusofHermeswaswidelyusedas printer’smarksingeneralpublishingdating totheearly16thcentury,especiallyin pharmacopeiasinthe17thand18thcenturies.IthasbeenconfusedinAmerica withtheRodofAsciepius,whichisasymbolofmedicine.”

In1899,Curtiscreatedtheillustrations andarrangementforacatalogbookofthe workoftheO.W.KetchamTerraCotta Company.Ketchamwasafairlywell knownproducerofmoldedbrickforms andterracottafireproofbuildingmaterials. ItappearsCurtis,inadditiontocreatingthe

overallplansfortheWilliamsportSun building,mayhavealsodesignedmuchof thedetailedterracottaworkonthestructure’supperfaçades.

Withavarietyofavailablecoloroptions, thistypeofarchitecturalfeaturewasknown aspolychrometerracotta.Curtis’original designsweremanufacturedbyKetcham TerraCotta,whichhadahomeofficein PhiladelphiaandmodelingshopinCrum Lynne,Pa.

TheWilliamsportSunbuildingwassubstantiallycompletedbyFebruary1,1910 andoccupiedsoonafter.Unfortunately,delaysinobtainingtheterracottafromthe manufacturerhadpreventedthefinalexteriorpointingandwashingdownofthe brickworkfrombeingfinished.However, thisroughnessdidnotstopthe WilliamsportSunfromissuinganopeninvitationtothepublictoinspectthebuildingdailybeginningonMarch1.Thousands ofcitizenspartookoftheopportunityto tourthemagnificentnewstructure.

AfterTheSunandGazette&Bulletin newspapersconsolidatedunderoneroof,

anadditionwasconstructedin1926on HepburnStreet.Itcloselyresemblesthe originalbrickandbrownstoneportionof themainbuildingbutwithouttheterra cottaadornments.Thenin1967,asizable andmoremodernadditiontotheeastof themainbuildingalongWestFourthStreet wascompletedtoallowforalargerprintingpress.

WithTheWilliamsportSunprominently embeddedinstoneabovethemainentrance’sdoorsandthe“WS”logocentered inthearchitraveofthesecondfloorwindows,thebuildinglookstobeinnearlythe sameconditionaswhenitwasfirstputto use113yearsago.

SUN-GAZETTEARCHIVES

BruceHuffman isa part-timehistoricalinvestigatorandresearcher focusingonthebuildingsandbuildersof Williamsport.Helives andworksinthecityof hisbirth.

Dockside >>>>> eatsanddrinks

ByLINDASTAGER WestBranchLife

“Imakewine.Wouldyouliketotry some?”That’show17-year-oldwine-makingprodigyEricSwendrowskisoldhis winesintheearlydays.Now,OregonHill WineCo.iscelebratingits40thyearanniversarywithaSipandSoundcelebration thissummer.TheSwendrowskiwine-makinglegacyisinfullswing.

Ericlearnedwinemakingfromhisfather andin1983,twentyoriginalwinesanchoredanewwinery,namedforitslocationatopOregonHillinnorthern LycomingCounty.Atthetime,Ericwasthe youngestlicensedvintnerinPennsylvania.

EricthenmarriedKaronandthey startedafamily.But6yearsago,Ericdied ofacatastrophicbraineventandsuddenly Karonwasthrustintobeingthesingleparentof14-yearoldKatarinaand12-year oldAlexandra,aswellastheownerofa successfulwinery.

Sincethen,thewineryexpandedunder Karon’smanagement,theoriginalOregon HilllocationinMorrisgrewtoincludetwo satellitewineriesinMcElhattanandWellsboro.

Karonexplains,“WithaPennsylvania limitedwinerylicense,youcanhaveyour mainlocationandfivesatellitelocations.I hadbeenlookingtoexpand,andwhenI sawtheMcElhattanproperty,Iknewthis wasit.Itwasaformerhorsebarnatthe oldShoemakerEstate.Iofficiallyopened thereinJune2019.Itofferssomethingtotallydifferentfromouroriginallocation wherewemakewineandyouhavepeoplecomingandgoing.AtMcElhattan, folksgatherandstayforawhile.”

Shecontinues,“Wedon’tservefood butwewelcomepeopletobringtheirown foodin.Wehavelivemusicthereand folkscanenjoydrinksandentertainment whiletheyeat.”

Twomonthslater,KaronopenedaMain StreetWellsborostorefront,offeringacozy artgalleryexperiencealongwiththeusual retailsalesandtastings.

Karonwelcomesvisitorsprimarilyat theirproductionwinery,thoughsheis hands-onintherunningofthebusiness. Shehaswell-trustedmanagersineachof hersatellitelocationsandaskilledwinemakerandassistantwinemakerwhostill usethefamilyrecipestomakethenow25 to35winesinstock.Somearewellknownandfoundafollowingfromthe beginning,butthewineryhasnowexpandeditsselectiontoincludeafullrange oftastes,fromdrytodessertwines.New

LINDASTAGER/WestBranchLife KaronSwendrowski,ownerofOregon HillWineCompany.

winesincludeRaspberryJoli,Chocolate CherryJoliandMountainHoney.

Karonreminisces.Shepullsabottle ofoneofEric’soriginalaward-winning winesofftheshelfandthenholdsupa bottleofhernewRaspberryJoli.

“Ericlearnedhowtomakethiswine withhisfather.Theycalledit‘Joli’,the Frenchwordfor‘pretty’becauseofits vibrantcolor.Ericwasteachingour daughtershowtomakewinewhenhe died.Fromthefather,totheson,tohis daughters.Wehadsomelocalraspberry juiceinthewinerywhenEricdied.I wantedtomakesomethingspecialwith it.NowwehavethisRaspberryJoli –a tributetoourfamily’slegacy.“

Karenisgratefulthewineryisnow celebratingits40thanniversary.“Alot ofpeoplewouldhavegivenupbutI hadpeopleItrustedtohelpmemove forwardandIhadcourage.I’velearned somuchinthelastsixyears.I’vebeen successfulandthiswillallbetherefor ourdaughters.Iwanttodothisfor them.”

Fordetailsontheiranniversarycelebration,SipsandSounds,onJuly22 visittheirwebsiteorthewinery’sFacebookpage. oregonhillwinery.com

LINDASTAGER/WestBranchLife Left,OregonHillWineCompanynowproducesupto35differentwines.Right, OregonHillʼspicturesquelocationinMorrisis18milessouthofWellsboro.

June

June16-July22

“Cinderella” MillbrookPlayhouse,MillHall

June15-17

SmokedCountryJamBluegrassFestival QuietOaksCampground,CrossFork

June16-18&22-25

“ShrektheMusical” CommunityTheatreLeague,Williamsport

June16-19

“LookingOverthePresidentʼsShoulder” MillbrookPlayhouse,MillHall

June16-July13

100MilesJuriedExhibition

TheGalleryatPennCollege,Williamsport

June17

BestofClintonCounty2023

E.MainStreet,LockHaven

June17,10a.m.-1p.m. Sproul10K2023

NorthBend

June18

OpeningofLockHavenCityBeach LockHaven

June19,4-6p.m.

DungeonsandDragonsatTeemFandom Night

J.V.BrownLibrary,Williamsport

June20-24

SentimentalJourneytoClubHavenFlyIn

WilliamT.PiperMemorialAirport,Lock Haven

June22-27

HERYNKayakingandFishingProgram

CentralPAWesleyanCampground,near NewColumbia

June24,8a.m.

Cutters5K

MuncyBankBallparkatHistoricBowman Field,Williamsport

June24,8a.m.

GreatIslandTriathlons LockHaven

June30-July9

“DoubleTrouble” MillbrookPlayhouse,MillHall

June23-24

HomeMadeDays

BrandonPark,Williamsport

June24,11a.m.-9p.m.

Bluegrass&BBQOnLakeAugusta SunburyAmphitheater,Sunbury

July

July4

IndependenceDay,SettheNightto Music

Williamsport

July7-August25

SummerOutdoorMovieSeries

TrianglePark,LockHaven

July8,10p.m.

CourtyardCabaretatMillbrook MillbrookPlayhouse,MillHall

July8-23

DonʼtLetthePigeonDrivetheBus:The Musical MillbrookPlayhouse,MillHall

July9,10a.m.

BrunchontheHiawatha

SusquehannaStatePark,Williamsport

July12-22

LycomingCountyFair

Hughesville

July14

18thAnnualQuilt&TextileShow

FirstUnitedMethodistChurch,Muncy

July15,2-p.m.

SelinsgroveBrewfest

Selinsgrove

July17,5-9p.m.

FirstFriday Williamsport

July21-23

RoaldMcDahlʼsMatildatheMusical CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

August

August4,5-9p.m.

FirstFriday Williamsport

August10-12

LHJamsFestival

LockHaven

August10-13

2023USCANationalCanoeandKayak MarathonChampionships

LockHaven

August11,7-10p.m.

BottlesandBrews

ThomasT.TaberMuseum,Williamsport

September

September1

FirstFriday

Williamsport.5-9p.m.

September1-4

LaborDayRegatta

LockHaven

September2

CheapTrick CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

Dockside >>>>> lookingback

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO W.HerbertPoffandBoydKline paddleintheSusquehanna RiverneartheMaynardStreet BridgewiththeSusquehanna CanoeClubin1913.