West Branch Life Magazine Fall 2023

September2023,Volume11,Issue3

PUBLISHER

BobRolley brolley@sungazette.com brolley@lockhaven.com

EDITOR

NickSeitzer nseitzer@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.

JASONC.KLOSE

LOUBERNARD

Don’tforgettolaugh!

Ilovegoodcomedy.

Letmeclarify:Ilovegood, cleancomedy-nottheraunchy entertainmentyoucanfindtoo muchofthesedays.

Laughter,thelatecomedianVictorBorge said,istheshortestdistancebetweentwo people.

Hecertainlywasright.

Justasksomeofthestand-upcomicswe interviewedforagreatstoryinthis,theFall editionofWestBranchLife.

Thereisacomedy"scene"inourregion andyoucanfindshowsifyoutakethe time.

BobRolley

brolley@sungazette.com brolley@lockhaven.com

FromSunburyandLewisburgto WilliamsportandWellsboro,fromLock Haven,BellefonteandStateCollege,the showsreallyarejustashortdriveaway. Whodoesn’tlikeagoodlaugh?

Wecertainlyneedmorelaughterinour

world.

It’sgoodforthesoulanditliftsour spirits.

We’regratefulfortheopportunitytobring youtidbitsof“life”inourregionthrough thismagazine.

Weapplaudtherestaurantowners,the artists,thehistoricpreservationists,thebook authors,themusicians(waytogo,Gabe!), andallwhogiveoftheirtimeandtalentto createabetterplaceforusall.

Welosesightofthatsometimes,don’t we?

Didn’tConfuciussaythatlifeisreally simple,butweinsistonmakingitcomplicated?

Ugh!Enoughofthedrama,already! Howaboutthis:Let’salleaseintothefall seasonwithasmileandjoyfulspirit!

Happytobe backwithWBL

Throughtheyears,I’vebeen fortunatetoserveinseveral capacitieswiththe WilliamsportSun-Gazetteand LockHavenExpresscommunitynewspapers.I'vegottena tasteofworkingintheSports,Lifestyleand Newssectionsofthepapers,holdingvarious positionsalongtheway.Butofalltheroles I’veplayed,onehasalwaysstuckoutabove therestformepersonally:WestBranchLife magazineeditor.Forashortwhile,fromthe summerof2018tothespringof2020,Iwas proudtohelpcreateamagazinethathasfor manyyearshighlightedjusthowgreatlifein ourpartoftheworldcanbe.

Itsurefeelsgoodtobeback!

NowthatIfindmyselftakingoveraseditorofWestBranchLifeonceagain,I’mincrediblyexcitedtohaveanotherchanceto helppresentupliftingstoriesofallthegreat

people,placesandeventsourcommunities havetooffer.

InthiseditionofWBL,weexplorethe manyfantasticskateparkparkssprinkled throughouttheregion,includingthosein Williamsport,Montgomery,Lewisburg,Lock HavenandBlossburg.Areaskatersandbikersarefortunatetohavesomanyramps, railsandblocksattheirdisposal,witheach parkhavinguniquefeatures.

Movingalong,wetakealookatsome freshadditionstothelocalartscene,includinganewArtCartonwheels.TheArtCart, broughttotheareabyLycomingArts,offers freerenderingsfromlocalartistsandencouragespeopletoaddtheirownworksofartif possible.

DesignedbyDaveySplain,theArtCart willbefeaturedatallLycomingArtsevents movingforward,includingFirstFridays.

Needsomenewtunestolistentoonyour

WARM WELCOMES US

drivetowork?Oneofourwritershasjust theguyforyou—GabeStillman.Stillmanis a28-year-oldLycomingCountynativewhohasbeenthrivingasanationallytouring bluesmusician.

AformermemberoftheUptownMusic CollectivewithadegreefromBerkleeCollegeofMusic,Stillmanhashonedhiscraft foryearsandisonlygettingbetterastime goeson.Asthefrontmanofhisowngroup, theGabeStillmanBand,hehasseenhis workdrawhighpraisefromcriticsaround thecountry.

Asalways,themagazinepreviews someverycooleventstakingplaceinthe regionthisfall.Oneofthoseisthe HowardFireCo.’sPunkin’Chunkin’Fall Festivalthatisnowinits13thyear.Anothereventtheareahastolookforwardto istheUnPAvedGravelRideinLewisburg, whichwillbringabout1,200cycliststo theareaonOct.8.

Personalized service from people you can trust. At C&N, we cater to each client as if they’re our friends and family. Whether it’s a simple checking account or a complex business loan, we offer expert services tailored to your specific needs. That’s how you treat friends and family, after all.

Oneofthedeeperdiveswetakeinthis editionisonthecryptidsbelievedby manytolivethroughouttheWestBranch Valley’sforests.Bigfootisjustoneofseveralunexplainedanimalspeoplehave claimedtoseeintheregion,andour writerhasdetailedlotsofothermonstrous creaturestokeepyoulookingoveryour shoulderthenexttimeyoutakeastroll throughthewoods!

Anothergreatpieceyouwillfindon thesepagesisonthearea’scomedyscene, whichhascontinuedtoflourishoverrecentyears.

Stand-upcomedy’spopularityhasbeen ontherisenationally,andthereisno shortageofcomedictalentandstylesin ourregion.

Youcanfindallthatandalotmore flippingthroughthiseditionofWest BranchLife.Ihopeyouenjoyreading thesestoriesasmuchaswe’veenjoyed puttingthemtogetherforyou!

~NickSeitzer

NickSeitzer nseitzer@sungazette.com

Bank with locals like you. cnbankpa.com

Nowthatschool’s backinswing,parentswillneedfresh ideasforoutdooractivitiestheycanprovidetheirkids withwhentheyaren’tinthe classroom.Whilethere’scertainly noscarcityofsportsteamsand clubstokeepthemoccupied, whatiftheyrunuptoyouwitha skateboardinsteadofasoccer ball?Herearesomelocal skateparksto“rampup”thefall andgetexcitedabout.

LIFLANDSKATEPARK

ElmPark,1700BlockofWestFourthSt.

Skaters,scooteristsandbicyclists havebeenrunningtothisparkduetoits extensivenumberoframps,however, thereareplanstoaddastreetarea inthenearfuture.AroundOctober, theskatepark’sfounderLonnie WilcoxhoststheannualLifland SkateparkRadicalRide,abicycling tripthroughthecitytohelpsupport theparkandhonorthefamilieswho

keepitrunning.Kidsunder12areadvisedtowearhelmets,betherewitha parent,andrideattheirownrisk.It’s openfromdawntoduskeverydayof theweek,andadmissionisfree.For moreinformation,call570-777-2665.

MONTGOMERYSKATEPARK 2390Cong.W.L.DickinsonDr.

Scooterists,cyclists andskatersare welcometouse

itsmanyramps,blocksandrails.Even afterahardsevenyearsofrelocating andrebuildingforsafetyreasons,the parkproudlyreopenedandnowthe communityispreparingforitstraditionaleventsandcompetitions.There’s alsoabasketball,pickleballandbadmintoncourtformorefriendsandfamily

ChristianStutzmanofWilliamsport getssomeseriousairasheworks ontricksduringthethirdannual RadicalRideatLiflandSkate ParkinWilliamsport.Theevent broughtoutdozensofskaters andbikerriderstothefundraisingeventfortheskatepark.

DAVEKENNEDY/WestBranchLife

fun.Kidsofallagesareadvisedto wearhelmetsandrideattheirown risk.It’sopenfromdawntoduskevery dayoftheweek,andadmissionisfree. Formoreinformation,call334-2404017.

LEWISBURGSKATEPARK

Water’sEdgePark,218North15thSt.

Whiletheoutsideparkisquiteimpressivewithitsmanyrampsandrails, theparkisalsoaffiliatedwithaninsideskateparknamedtheTimberSkate Shop,wherekidscanbuymerchandisealongsidelearningtrickshotsat theirdaycamp.Scootersandbicycles arewelcomedaswell,however,kids under12areadvisedtowearhelmets, betherewithaparent,andrideat theirownrisk.It’sopenfromdawnto duskeverydayoftheweek,andadmissionisfree.Formoreinformation, call570-524-5774.

LOCKHAVENSKATEPARK

655EastParkSt.

thefive <<<<< Currents

Theskateparkwillofficiallyreopen in2024withramps,apunktrack,and afive-footbowl.Whenkidsfeltunsatisfiedwithitsoutdatedfeatures,Abbey Roberts,theplannerandeventcoordinatorofLockHaven,workedtogether withlocalskaterenthusiastsandthe towntobuildaskatepark“thecommunitycancallhome.”Already,ayear inadvance,localsareplanningevents andcompetitionsforskaters,scooteristsandbicyclistsalike.Kidsofallages areadvisedtowearhelmetsandride attheirownrisk.Childrenunder12 havetobetherewithaparent.It’s openfromdawntoduskeverydayof theweek,andadmissionisfree.For moreinformation,call570-893-5903.

BLOSSBURGSKATEPARK

IslandPark,WaterSt.16912

Therehavebeensubstantialimprovementsandadditionsofrails, stairs,andacornerbowlsinceitfirst openedin2005.Alongwiththe skatepark,thereisaswimmingpool

andwalkingtrailtokeepfriendsand familiesengaged.TheMayor’swife,Jill Nickerson,instigatedthefundingand collectedenoughcommunityvotesto starttheconstructionofthepark. Manyofthekidswhofirsttooktheir skateboards,bikesandscooterstothe parkaretakingtheirchildrenandcontinuingthetradition.Kidsofallages areadvisedtowearhelmetsandride attheirownrisk.Childrenunder12 havetobetherewithaparent.It’s openfromdawntoduskeverydayof theweek,andadmissionisfree.For moreinformation,call570-638-2452.

C.J.Leonard is currentlyworkingtowardasubstantive editingcertificate throughtrainingwith TheChristianPen andhasbeenwriting bothfictionandnonfictionfor10years.

Currents>>>>> viewingpleasure

LycomingArts bringsnewadditionstoareaartscene

Therearealwaysnewsparks ignitingtheartisticcommunityinWilliamsport.We’re treatedtoconcerts,theater productions,museums,art shows,gardens,FirstFriday, andmanyspecialeventsthroughoutthe seasons,withnewideasalwaysadding totheflair—andflare.

OnenewadditiontothesceneisLycomingArts’“Takeart,Leaveart,Love art”mobileArtCartcarryingsmallrenderingsbylocalartists.Theartisoffered forfreeand,ifpossible,replacedbynew creations.TheArtCart,designedby DaveySplain,addedtotheAugustFirst FridayandwillbepresentatallLycomingArtseventsthereafter.

Ideasarestillbeingproposedforits fulluse.Perhapsschoolswillbeaskedto providesomeartworkforthecart;workshopsmayalsogrowoutoftheproject.

“It’sreallystillintheplanningstage,” saidDebBurch,executivepresidentof LycomingArts.ShecreditedLewisburg’s LittleArtGalleryandbooknookssetup inneighborhoodsacrossthecountry,as

inspirationsfortheidea.

LycomingArtsisoneofthreegroups thatinitiatedFirstFriday,whichbeganin thesummerof2000,andcontinuesto thrive.LycomingArtsnowfullymanages theevent,whichmeansarrangingfor vendors,foodtrucks,music,streetclosings,policeandon-handfiretrucks.Currently,thereare96vendorsparticipating inFirstFriday.

LycomingArtsisalsoinvolvedinthe CommunityParkProjectthroughtheir committee,PublicARTWORKS.UPMC, whichownsasectionofRedShieldGardenCommunityParkonGreenStreet andParkAvenue,picturedaspecial serenepocketofgardenthere.SidFurst, leadvolunteer,andLauraTempleton, boardmemberofTheSalvationArmy, alongwithothervolunteers,have workedtowardthisaim.Theyplanted twonativetrees,aswellasPAnative pollinatorplants,bushesandperennials, toattractbeesandbirds.

“PublicARTWORKSraisedmoney andprovidedtwostonebenches,”said KarenKennedy,Vice-Chairfortheorgan-

ization,forthis“pocket,”nowknownas aSanctuaryGarden.“It’salovelyspace wherepeoplecanpause,maybesit,and enjoythelittlegarden.Alittlebitof countryinthecity,”sheadded.

Also,sponsoredbyTheSalvation Army,childrenpaintedrocksatthesummerFirstFridays.Thecolorfulrocks,with logosofLycomingArtsorSalvationArmy printedontheotherside,werethen placedintheCommunityPark.The CommunityParkProjectwasinitiatedin 2022andofficiallydedicatedthissummer.

ShirleyBoatman is aretiredSullivanCounty Englishteacher.Shecurrentlypensacolumnfor TheMuncyLuminary,entitled,“GotaMinute?” andisamemberofThe SecondMondayPoetry Group,outofBloomsburg.Whileteachingand raisingtheirfourchildren, shewroteforTheSullivan Review,includingacolumn,“SayKay.”She andherhusband,Bill,liveinMuncyTwp.,and arehappygrandparentsofsixterrifickiddos.

PHOTOPROVIDED

Currents>>>>> listenup

“He’safinesongwriter,excellentguitaristandstrongsinger,plusheputson anexciting,energizedshow.Don’tmiss him!”

That’sAlligatorRecordsfounderand presidentBruceIglauerdescribing Williamsport’sGabeStillman—whom Iglauercalls“oneofthemostpromising youngbluestalentsonthescenetoday.”

Stillmanisthe28-year-oldLycoming Countynativewhocontinuestocarve outanimpressivenicheforhimselfin theworldofAmerican blues.

Agraduateof WilliamsportAreaHigh School,Stillmangrewup playingforCentralPA’spopularUptownMusicCollective.

Releasedin2021,“JustSaythe Word”wasproducedbyAnsonFunderburghatWireRecordinginAustin,TX. Its15tracksinclude13originals,with musicalsupportfromguestsSueFoley, GregIzorandtheblazingTexas Horns.Therecorddebutedamongthe top10ontheBillboardBluesChartand wasnominatedfor“BestEmerging ArtistAlbum”bytheBluesFoundation.

comeslaterwhenallthatstreamof consciousnessneedstobeorganized andthenmadeintosomethingmeaningful.”

“Iwanttothankeverybodywho ‘adopted’measakidintheCollective andwhohasfollowedmethroughthe incarnationsofmyband,andofmeasa musicianandperformer,”Stillmansaid.

StillmanexplainedhowhisUMC teachersshowedhimthat“theguysI waslisteningtoweretakingtheblues idiomandinjectingitwithrock’n’roll adrenaline.TheytoldmethatifI learnedtheblues,Iwouldbeonthe pathtoplayinglikemyheroes”—a groupthatincludesBuddyGuy,B.B. King,ElmoreJamesandMuddyWaters.

Stillmaninsiststhatthebluesis“reallyour‘folk’music.Literally,Imean thatitismusicforallfolks!Theblues speakstoourcommonhumanexperience.Whetheritbespiritually,intellectuallyoremotionally,wecanallfind somethingtorelatetointheblues.”

AgraduateofBerkleeCollegeof Music,Stillmanputouthisfirstfulllengthalbumtwoyearsagoandiscurrentlyworkingonanother.

TheGabeStillmanBand,meanwhile, landedinthefinal eightatthe35thAnnualInternational BluesChallengeinMemphis,wherein 2019Gabealsotooktheprestigious GibsonGuitarAward.Inconcert,he hasopenedforZZTop,GeorgeThorogoodandRobertCray.

“Gabeplaystheblueswithstrength, personalityandadepthofbothfeeling andmusicianship,”saidMarkWenner oftheNighthawks,a51-year-oldDC bluesbandwithwhomStillmancollaboratedonthe2020album“Flying High.”

InthewordsofAlligatorrecording artistToronzoCannon,“GabeStillman hasgotthechopsandtheintensitythe bluesshouldhave.Keepyoureyeon him!”

Whileheoncedidcoverswithsome regularity,Stillmannowlargelywrites hisownmusicandlyrics.

“Ialwaysbeginwritingwithanemotion,”theartistsaid.“Igrabmyphone orsomepaperandjustletthethoughts flow.That’stheeasypart.Thehardpart

Inadditiontowritingandrecording, Stillmanmaintainsabusytouring schedule,with2023datesinPennsylvania,NewYork,Nebraska,Michigan, Minnesota,Missouri,Iowa,Wisconsin, Maryland,Massachusetts,Virginia, SouthCarolina, Florida—andofcourse,Chicago.

“Touringlifeistoughbecauseofalwaysbeingonthegoandneverfeeling settledanywhere,”saidtheguitarist.“I getalotofenjoymentoutofplayingin newvenuesandmakingnewfans.

“WhenIamnotontheroad,”he added,“Williamsportisstillmyhome.

“Thereisalotofreallygoodlocal music,andI’mgratefulthatfolksat homestillcomeoutforme.Ilookforwardtomanymoreyearsofmaking musicforyou.”

JosephW.SmithIII isawriter,teacherand speakerinCentralPennsylvania.Hislatestbookis

“TheBestMoviesYou NeverSaw:300Underthe-RadarFilmsThatWere Overlooked,Unjustly Trashed--orJustPlainTerrific."

robbwhitefan@gmail.com.

Currents >>>>> positivity

RoadstoPeace offersvaluableassistance toabusesurvivors

LOCKHAVEN—Domesticviolenceisnotapleasanttopic.It’s notsomethingthatanyonewants todiscuss,butitdoesexist.

Andaslongasdomesticviolencehappens,therehastobe somewheretogotogethelp.

InClintonCounty,thatisRoadstoPeace, formerlyknownastheClintonCounty Women’sCenter.LocatedindowntownLock Havenat34WestMainStreet,Roadsto Peaceisstaffedwithnearly20employees whobringtheirtalentsandskillstothetable tohelpthesurvivorsofdomesticviolence andsexualassault.(Fulldisclosure:Iamon theboardofdirectorsofRoadstoPeace,in additiontobeingafreelancewriter.I’mnota one-trickwonder.)

RoadstoPeacewasfoundedastheClintonCountyWomen’sCenterbyagroupof concernedcitizensin1979,andhassince grown.Theshelterandheadquartersforthe groupbeganinCastaneaTownship,butin 1995wasmovedtodowntownLockHaven. Originally,thelocationwastobekeptsecret, butwhenpeoplebegantocommonlyknow whereitwas,thedecisionwasmadetohave thelocationknown,andmovetoamore

publicplacewithbetterlawenforcement protection.

Thebuildingwasbuiltin1885,andinitiallyactedastheparsonageforachurch nextdoor.Today,itstandsbesideTriangle ParkintheheartofLockHaven.Inrecent years,itwasaprivatehomeandthesiteofan insuranceagencybeforebecomingtheClintonCountyWomen’sCenterin1995.

Thedecisiontochangethenamecamein 2019,whentheorganizationdecidedtoshift toamoreinclusivetitle.

“Peopleweren’tcomingtousbecausethe nameimpliedthatweonlyhelpedwomen,” saidCheyenneBrickley,DVSAEducatorand VolunteerCoordinator.“Wewantedto chooseanamethatshowswehelpeveryone, thateveryoneiswelcometocomehereand gethelp.”

RoadstoPeaceprovidescounselingfor survivorsofdomesticabuseandsexualassault,advocacyforhousing,legalassistance, medical,andLGBTQ+causes,andother services.

“Someofourmostimportantservicesare the24-hourhotline,soeveryonecanreach usatanytime,”commentedBrickley.“We provideemergencyshelterforeveryonewho

issufferingfromdomesticviolence,andhelp andcounselingforsurvivorsofsexualassault.Wedocommunityoutreachandeducationalprograms….Thosecaneitherbeon behalfofanorganizationandforthepublic, orforthestaffofthatorganization."

Eachareaofassistance,suchashousing, legalaid,LGBTQ+advocacy,ormedicaladvocacy,ishandledbyatrainedanddedicatedstaffmember.Theorganizationhasa paidstaffofbetween12and20people,plus volunteersandavolunteerboardofdirectors. RoadstoPeacecanbereachedat570-7489509orthroughtheirwebsite, https://www.roadstopeace.org.

“Ifwecan’thelp,ifsomethingdoesn’tfit ourguidelines,wedoourverybesttohelp providereferralsandinformation,”Brickley noted.“Wetryourverybestnottoturnpeopleawayemptyhanded.”

LouBernard isa freelancewriterand paranormalinvestigator. Heservesasthefield leaderfortheLock HavenParanormalSeekers.HelivesinClinton Countywithhiswife, son,andtwodogs.

Currents >>>>> goodreads

‘TheCovenantofWater’ isgrippingfromstarttofinish

ByJOSEPHW.SMITHIII WestBranchLife

In2009,aftersomemodest nonfictionsuccess,AbrahamVerghesemadequitea splashwithhisnovel“CuttingforStone,”whichspent morethantwoyearsonthe NewYorkTimesBestSellerlist.Havingenjoyeditshortlythereafterwith myNorthumberlandbookgroup,Ifelt Verghesehadestablishedhimselfasa sortofDickensforthemodernage.

Andnow,theIndian-Americanauthormaybeonthevergeofevenbiggersuccesswiththisyear’s“Covenant ofWater”—especiallyafterOprah Winfreytaggeditforherwildlyinfluentialbookclub.

I’mnotsureIlikedthisneweffort asmuchas“Stone”—thoughactually, Ididn’tfeeleithernovelwasabsolutelyperfect.

Butthenagain,anoveldoesn’t havetobeflawlesstoqualifyasa masterpiece.“Moby-Dick”isnota perfectbookeither.

Yes,that’sright:IhavenowofficiallycomparedVerghesetoboth CharlesDickensandHerman Melville;that’sthelevelhe’swritingat thesedays.

Gripping,comical,devastating, wiseandbeautifullywritten,“The CovenantofWater”spansseveralgenerationsinaclusterofIndianfamilies. WhilesomeofittakesplaceinGlasgowand,briefly,Madras,mostisconfinedtoacoupleofruraltownsalong thesouthwestIndiancoast,running from1900allthewayupto1977.

IfyouknowmuchaboutIndianhistory,yourecognizethesocial,politicalandculturalchangesthatunfold duringthenovel’ssprawling,multistrandedstory.

YetVergheseisnotconcerned specificallywiththosechanges—exceptastheyimpacthismanyengag-

ingcharacters.

Theseincludeastrongand lovingmatriarchwhoisnot namedtilllaterinthebook, alongwithherlaconicbut heroicallydevotedhusband. Thelatteroverseesahugeestatewithhands-onskill,fortitudeandcompassion,doling outlandparcelstothosein needandlookingpastthe prejudicialcastesystemthat hasdisenfranchisedsomany.

Ialmostadded“fearless” tomylistofadjectivesfor thisfinefellow;butinfact, hisfamilyline—particularly themen—iscursedwitha mysteriousailment.Nicknamed“theCondition,”itis essentiallyapathological fearofwater—welljustified bythenumberofrelatives killedinfloodsordrowningsovermanydecades.

Mostothermaincharactersarechildrenorgrandchildrenfromthismajestic marriage—thoughwealso meetDigbyKilgour,a troubledScotwho’scometoIndiato completehistrainingasasurgeon.

LikeDigbyandothersinthebook, Verghesehimselfisaphysician;and thus(aswasalsothecasewith“CuttingforStone”)thenoveliscrammed withillnesses,diagnosesandmultisyllabicmedicalterms(“gastrojejunostomy”?)—alongwithgenuinely hair-raisingsurgicalprocedures.

WhethertheConditionhasareal geneticsource,andwhetherDigbyor someoneelsemightbetheonetopinpointthisandworkonacure…well, you’llhavetoreadthis715-pageliterarytriumphtofindoutforyourself.

Inadditiontofamily,casteand medicine,yourpage-turningjourney willalsoincludesuchtopicsassculpture,guilt,storytelling,vows,cooking,

weather,ghosts,gardening,train travel,drawing,suicide,Hinduism, Christianity,communism,revolution, Indianlandscape,sexualabuseand oneverylarge,verysoulfulIndianelephant.

Vergheseisamasteratnarrative twists,cliff-hangersandinterconnections;onceyoustart“Covenant,” you’llfindittoughtoputdown— thoughacoupleofsuddentragedies felttoodeliberatelyorchestratedfor mytastes.

Nonetheless,Vergheseconsistently providessufficientjoy,hopeandclosuretomakethisoneofthemostsatisfyingnewbooksI’vereadinyears.

Putitonthegift-listforyourfavoritereader.

Currents >>>>> branchingout

JimThorpe offersacharmingwonderlandwith old-fashionedcomforts

ByCASEYTRAVER WestBranchLife

JIMTHORPE—Smalltowns harnessauniquecharmthat hasanenigmaticdrawinthe heartsofalltravelers.The luretoembracequaintexists inthosewhospendtimein America'saffluenthistory towns.Insuchplaces,timebrieflystands stilltoaccommodatethewholesomeness ofyesterday.OnesuchstarintheconstellationoftravelisJimThorpe,Pennsylvania.

TuckedawayintheSouthernportion ofthePoconos,youwillfindthischarmingtowninaclassofitsown.Initially foundedin1818,asMauchChunk,the nameJimThorpeemergedinhonorof

thestellarNativeAmericanathleteofthe samename.TheOlympicgoldmedalist setastandardforathletes,andthetown namedafterhimcontinuesthislegendarygreatness.In1954,theboroughs ofMauchChunkandEastMauchChunk blendedatthebequestoftheresidents. Overwhelmingly,JimThorpewasdecideduponasthetwoboroughseagerly becameone.TheremainsofJimThorpe weretransferredfromOklahoma,creatingtheJimThorpeMemorialondisplay intheheartdowntown.

Whatitlacksingeographicalsize,it morethanmakesupforinold-world charmandcomfort.Youwon'tfinda mallhereoranyoftoday'stopretailers, andthisaddstotheuniqueshoppingexperienceofobtainingone-of-a-kind goodsandcuriosities.NotableStone Rowisdrippinginartisticshopsprovidingoriginalgifts,clothing,anddecor suitedforallvisitors.Spendtheday browsingthesedelightfulboutique-style specialtyshopsorthrow-backcandy counterswithmouth-wateringhomemadefudgeandpennytreats.

Nobumper-to-bumpertrafficortoweringbuildingsshadethishospitableand invitingearthlywonderland.Victorian mansions,whichoncehousedmillion-

airesoftheirtime,havebeenre-imaginedasmuseumsandbedandbreakfast stays.

SettledatopPackerHillsitstwosuch beautifulstructures.Thephilanthropist andrailroadking,AsaPacker,erectedan 18-bedroomstatelyhomeunderthe guidanceofarchitectSamuelSloanin 1861.Asa'sdaughter,MaryPackerCummings,sawtoitthatthemansionwould carryonasalivingmemorialtoherfatherthroughtheresidentsofMauch Chunk.Thisuntouchednostalgiachestis opentothepublicfortoursandhasbeen since1956andstandsasanationalhistoriclandmark.

In1874,AsagiftedhissonHarrya mansionforhiswedding.SituatedadjacenttotheAsaPackermansion,Harry Packer'sestatehasbeencoinedthe “murdermansion,”asDisneyitselfinspirationallypatternedTheHauntedMansionattractionattheirparkafterthis statelystructure.

Anotherelegantarchitecturalbuilding proudlystandsinthecenteroftown,The InnatJimThorpe.Old-worldcharmembracesmodernluxuryinthiseclectic lodging.Adornedwithcast-iron

balconiesandcozyfireplaces, guestsclamortostayhereand experienceallthemysteryand beautythatbespeakstheInn. Someclaimtohaveexperienced ghostlyencountersinthisjewel ofovernightvisits.AnothermonumentalstructureisTheMauch ChunkOperaHouse.TheOpera Houseisoneoftheoldestand mostrenownedVaudevilletheaters.Servingasapremierintimatemusicdestinationand hailedforthemostexquisite acoustics,thisvenueisafavorite forconcertlovers.

ThereisnoscarcityofopenairoutdooradventuresinJim Thorpe.PerchedinLehighGorge (CarbonCounty),freshwater andbiketrailslinethetiny utopiaservingasaplayground foroutdoorsenthusiasts.The glossytwistingflowofthe LehighRiverservesastheperfect localeforwhitewaterrafting. TheLehighGorgeRailTrailisa must-rideforbikersandhikers alike.PoconoBikinghoststhe biketrain,whereridersrelaxfor atrainrideaboardtherailsand bikehometosoakupthe scenery.

ReadingandNorthernRailroadoffersLehighGorgevisually strikingtrainridesforallwho visit.Thescenictripsarereason enoughforalltoclimbaboard. Thisrelaxingtripchasesthe LehighRiver'sformsettonarratedhistory.Newlyaddedto thelocomotivescenearethe ReadingandNorthernRailroad Companydayexcursions. ChooseyourdeparturefromeitherReadingorPittston,Pa,and ridetherailsanddrinkinthe picturesquegloryofPennsylvaniabeautyinthelapofluxury andold-worldstyle.

Alltravelersseeksavorydin-

branchingout <<<<< Currents

ingdestinationsforamyriadof tastebudsanddesires.Jim Thorpeisarestaurantmecca withoptionstoomanytolist.A favoriteofthelocalsandvisitors isMollyMaGuire'sIrishPub. Here,patronsdineonhearty dishesintheclassicwarmpub atmosphere.TheBroadway GrilleandPubboastsrotating dailydishestosatisfythepickiest palettes.Antonia'sPizzeria packsapunchwithlargeportionsandmorethanaffordable prices.OurosBarandRestaurant,locatedonhistoricMillionaire'sRow,servescreativedishes andinventivecocktails.Fora moreupscaleeveningexperience,Moyaisastand-outestablishmentcateringtocustomers' everyneed.StoneRowPuband Eateryhasamorethanimpressiveselectionofthefinestdraft beerswhileofferingavarietyof optionsforthosewhoarefoodintolerant.Afterdinner,onemust popintoCuriositiesCoffeeand IceHouseforarichcoffeeorindulgeingourmeticecream.

ThetownofJimThorpeisa spectacularanachronismdraped incontemporaryartistry,cuisine, andshopping.Somethingquaint isusuallyhailedasenticingdue totheold-fashionednatureof mostbeings.Alongingforsimplisticbeautyandclosenesswe allcraveexistsdailyinthis lovelytown.JimThorpepersonifiesquaintandisamagicaldestinationbrimmingwithcharisma fortravelerseverywhere.

Whetheryouenjoythescenic driveorchoosetohopaboard thetrain,makeplansnowtopartakeinallthefeelsJimThorpe hastooffer.Allwhovisithere experienceageographicallove affairwithPennsylvania'scovetedgem,JimThorpe.

CaseyTraver haswrittenscriptsforstreaming TV,novels,andmagazinearticles.Anativeofthe GreenridgesectionofScranton,shecurrentlyresides inDallas,Pa.,withherhusband,Derekandson,Jet.

JimThorpeTourismAssociation Ontop:ThisItalianatemansionthatoverlooks downtownwasthehomeofpioneerindustrialist AsaPacker.Inmiddle:Amonumentandgravesite celebratelegendaryNativeAmericanathleteJim Thorpeinthetownofhisnamesake.Onbottom: TheHarryPackerMansionwasdesignedbyarchitectAddisonHuttonandbuiltin1874.Opposite page:TheMauchChunkOperaHouseislocatedin historicdowntownJimThorpe.

Currents>>>>> meetup

HowardFireCompany’s Punkin’Chunkin’

FallFestivalisfunforall

HOWARD—Oneday, HowardFireCompany membersGeorgeDemchak,MarkOtt,Josh CollinsandCollinAlterio weretalkingaboutWorld ChampionshipPunkinChunkinand Collins,anengineer,said,“Youknow,I couldprobablybuildoneofthosethings.”

AsOttlooksback,thatfirstpunkin’ chunkin’machineturnedouttobeagreat one.AttheHowardFireCompany’s Punkin’Chunkin’FallFestivalin2011,it wasthemainevent.Five-hundredpeople wereexpectedtoattendtheevent;10,000 cameinstead.

Thingshaveonlygottenbettersince thattime.Thisyear’seventisscheduledfor Oct.21.

Ottsaid,“We’reupto25-30foodvendorsnow,andaround80craftvendors. Wesometimeshave10ormore‘chunkers’whocomewiththeirmachinesfrom allover.Infact,thereisaBoyScoutteam thatcomesfromConnecticuteachyear. Wealsomakeitaneducationalday.It’sa familyfriendlyday.”

Askedhowmanydaystheeventruns, Ottchuckled,“It’saone-dayevent.It takesallofThursdayandFridaytosetup; Saturdayweruntheevent,andthenwe cleanup.Sunday,wepickupsmashed pumpkinsandonMondaywe’reallback towork.Ittakessomanyvolunteersto workthatentireweekend.”

WhatisPunkin’Chunkin’?Aspecially builtmechanicalapparatusthatlaunches

TheHowardFireCompanyʼsPunkinʼ ChunkinʼFallFestivalbeganin2011 anddrawsinthousandsofattendees eachyear.

or“chunks”pumpkinsatlongdistancesto everyone’sdelightinsearchofthe“mythicalmile”distancerecord.Someofthe machinesresemblethemedievalbattle “slingshot”typetrebuchet.Someareair cannonsthatusecompressedairtoblast thepumpkinoutofthecannonbarrel.

Manychunkermachinesarehome built.Buildapunkin’chunkin’catapult, takeittoafieldandtryitout.Tweakit untilitslingsthepumpkinformaximum distanceand/oraccuracy.

Ottsaid,“Ithinksomepeopletryto buildamachineandfailmiserably.Others doalotofresearch.I’dsayuptohalfto two-thirdsofchunkersarebuiltbyengineers.Therearelotsofdifferentdesigns. Sometimesyouhaveagreatmachinethat worksfine,andthenitbreaks.Hopefullyit canbefixedandyou’rebackinbusiness again.”

FestivalvisitorscanexpecttobeentertainedatBaldEagleStateParkfrom10 a.m.to5p.m.Pumpkinflingingstarts around11a.m.ononeendofthebeach whileteamsontheotherendofthebeach areavailabletochatwitheventgoers. Launchesalternatethroughouttheday. Eachteambringstheirownfun.Oneteam hasahumanpoweredmachine,wound upbypedalingabicycle;anotherfollows a“WizardofOz”themewithteammembersdressedaccordingly.

Thedayculminatesinanattempted groupblastoff,whenalltheteamsattempt toslingtheirpumpkininasynchronized moment.

Aheadoftheevent,thefiremengather hundredsofpumpkinsfromnearbyAmish farmerswhodonatethem.Aftertheevent, volunteerscleanuptrashandanypumpkinpieces.Anypumpkinpiecescollected aresentbacktothedonatingfarmfor feed.

Ottstressed,“Oursisagreenevent. Werecycleourpumpkinsbacktothe farmandthencleantheparkforfuture visitorstoenjoy.”

Parkingandentrancetotheeventare free.

“George’sideaofPunkin’Chunkin’ wasagoodone,”Ottsaid.“Itmayhave soundedcrazyatthetime,butit’sbeena greatfundraiserforthefiredepartment andagoodfestivalforeveryone.”

Visithowardfire.comformoreinformation.

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.

PHOTOSPROVIDED

BySHIRLEYBOATMAN WestBranchLife

LEWISBURG—TalkwithDave Pryor,co-founderofunPAvedof theSusquehannaRiverValley, andhisenthusiasmforcycling couldhaveyouheadingdirectly tothenearestbikestore.

TheannualLewisburg-basedbikerace PrynorcreatedalongwithBucknellalumMike Kuhnbeganin2018,andoffersafantastic gravelridethroughCentralPennsylvania’s manybeautifullandscapesduringpeakfoliage season.Thisyear’seventisscheduledforOct. 8.

Cyclistsandpara-cyclistsmayregisterfor theeventinthecategoriesofmale,femaleand non-binary/genderexpansive.Distanceoptionsincludea30-milerouteandaridethat rangesfrom50to120miles,dependingon rider’spreference.Thoseoptingforthelatter areabletodecideatmile-markers50and90 whethertheywanttoendtheirridethereor continueon.

AnunPAvedSlumberPartyisalsooffered. TheSlumberPartyisatwo-dayeventthatbeginsonOct.7.

Theprizeforfinishingyourchosenrideisa whoopiepie,asin“Whoopie!You’reFinished,”likethefinishlinebannerstates.There arearound1,200participantsregistered.

“AteamofthreepeopleworkunPAved

year-round,”Pryorsaid.“Aboutamonthbeforetheevent,webringon10morepeopleto beginsettingup,doingthenecessaryprepsfor therace.”

Theworkernumbersthenincreasegreatly, with50volunteersworkingunpPAvedonthe ridedate.

“Wehavemarshalstohelpkeepeveryone safe,tonavigateintersections,etcetera.Volunteersareattheaidstations,providingwater andstandardracenutritionsuchasenergy bars,bananas,peanutbutterandjellysandwiches,”Pryorsaid.“Someoftheaidstations getextracreativeandservefunfoodlikehot dogs,baconandpierogies.”

Therearefiveaidstationsforthosedoing 120miles,andfewerfortheshorterraces. Volunteersalsohandleregistration,themerchandisebooth,andgiveprizestoallparticipantsandrafflewinners.Thereareshuttlesfor transportationandpaidmedicsonsite.

Themajorityoftheridersstartandfinishat theMillerCenterForRecreationandWellness inLewisburg.TheridebeginsatR.B.Winter StateParkforthe30-milers.Forthefinishparty attheMillerCenter,therearefoodtrucks,beer andbirchbeeravailable.

“Thoughwehaveallagesparticipating,this is‘typically’amiddle-ageevent,”Pryorsaid. “Gravelismuchmoreforgivingthanpavement.Therearefewerinjuries;ridersaremore spreadoutandridethroughbeautifulscenery.

“InunPAved,therearetimedsegmentsof thetrail,butmanyparticipantsdon’tdeem timethatimportant,”headded.“They’reinterestedincompletingtherace;it’saboutenduranceandenjoyingtheride.”

RiderswillencounterareasknownasPoe Paddy,LickRun,WhiteDeer,theHollows, BearGap,JonesMt.,andtheRanch,among others.

AccordingtoPryor,“Mostridersusea gravelbike,whichisbasicallyatraditional roadbike(withcurvedhandlebars)butwith widertiresandamorerelaxedgeometrytobe morecomfortableandstable.”

Pryorfirstbecameinterestedinbikingin thelate1980swhileastudentattheUniversity ofFlorida.

“Iwalkedbythisbikeshopeveryday,and foundthatIlovedthelookofthebikes—the style,thelines—andthatstarteditallforme,” hesaid.

Pryorhasnoideahowmanybikeshe’s ownedthroughouttheyears,butatpresenthe hasseven.

“Justabouteverythinggoodinmylifeisthe resultofbiking,”hesaid.“Friends,jobs,fun— mywife!”

TheunPAvedweekendactivitieskickoff Oct.7,alongsideLewisburg’sDowntownFall Festivalfeaturingvendors,musicanddance, kids’activities,FUNpavedGuidedRidesanda GravelFilmFestival.

PHOTOPROVIDED

TheannualunPAvedGravelRideofferscyclistsandpara-cyclistsavarietyofdistanceoptionstocompetein.TheLewisburg-basedeventisscheduledforOct.8andisexpectedtoseearound1,200participants.

DAVEKENNEDY/WestBranchLife

VisitorstotheLoyalsockValleyAntiqueMachinery

ShowwalkpastalargedisplayofvintageCocaColabrandedantiquesforsaleonFriday,Aug.4, 2023.Theshowfeaturesworkingantiquetractors,a fleamarket,ahayrideandkidsgardentractor pulls,aswellasmanyothereventsandattractions.

DAVEKENNEDY/WestBranchLife Avintagecarshowwasoneofthehighlights duringtheFirstFridayeveningindowntown WilliamsportonJuly7,2023.Roughly100 vendorsattendeachoftheFirstFriday events.ThedowntowneventisalsoashowcaseofWilliamsportʼsrestaurantsandthe culinarydiversityinourcommunity.

verthelastfewyears, CentralPennsylvania hasseenasteadyrise inthepopularityofits comedyscene,with moreandmorearea comediansofferingawiderangeofperspectivesandstylesforaudiencesto choosefrom.Thevarietyofcomedictalenthashelpeddevelopadedicatedbase oflocalfanswhocomeouttosupport theyoungentertainers,helpingthem growandthrivebeyondthearea.

Althoughnewtotheareacomedy scene,comedianNickYanoshak,of Bloomsburg,hasmetandworkedwith manygreatlocaltalents,includingChris William,RasheedWesleyJr.,Sara Cartwright,ZackHammond,LuisCharriez,BillRussumandBillyKelly.

Yanoshakstarteddoingcomedyopen micsaboutayearandahalfago,and thescenehasevolvedsincethen.

“Therewereacouplethatclosed down,butothersdopopup,oftenby thesamefolkswhoarepassionateabout comedyandcultivatingnewtalent,”he said.“Iseeregularcrowdsofnotjustthe comedianscomingout.Sothereisan absolutefollowing,whichisgreatforus becauseacomedianwithoutacrowdis justaninsanepersonamusingthemselves.”

Yanoshak’sopenmicatLittleAddy’s CaféinSunburyisonespotthathas continuedtogrowandthrive.

“Ihadmy timeassisting LuisCharriez’s comedyand wackygame nightsandstill offermyhelpwhen Ican,”hesaid.“In all,thereisagood comedyscenewith greatpotentialtoreallytakeoff.”

Localcomedian,podcaster, andteacher ChrisWilliam wasraisedintheSunburyand Shamokinarea.Growingup, Williamwasinfluencedbycomedians suchasChrisFarley,JohnCandy,Adam Sandler,andmanyother“Saturday NightLive”castmembers.

“Comedyinthisareahasbeengrowingprettysteadily,andshowsarehappeningmoreoften;andtheaudiences aregrowing,”Williamsaid.“It’satrend I’dliketoseecontinuebecauseour audiencesaregreat,andthisarea couldreallybecomeastopfor moretouringacts.”

Lewisburgmusicianand comedian BillyKellyhas enjoyeda20yearcareerinentertainment.The Grammy-nominated Kellyhasbeen playingmusicon stagesincethe ‘90sbutdidn’t startdoing stand-upuntil

theyears,hehasseenpraisefromNationalPublicRadioandTheNewYork Times.SomeofhiscareerhighlightsincludeopeningforPresidentBarack ObamaandduettingwithDavyJonesof TheMonkees.

“Iimmediatelymetlotsofcomics whohadstartedaroundthesametime, giveortakeayear,”Kelly said.“Therewereabunchof usalllearningatthesame time,whichwasfun.”

Numerouscomedy showsandopenmicsare alwayshappeninginthe area,andKellyhas seenasteady turnoutfor allof them.

“It’s almostas thoughpeople needtolaughmore thanever,”hesaid.“The sceneisvery welcomingand encouragingfor performers.It’s ascarythingto getuponstageandtryto makearoomfullofstrangers laugh,butthereisalotofsupportfor anyonewhowantstotryitout.”

ComedianRasheedWesleyJr.moved toWilliamsportaftergraduatingfrom MillersvilleUniversitywithaB.A.in EnglishandJournalism.Hehas performedallalongtheEast Coast,aswellasregularspotsat BroadwayComedyCluband GreenwichVillageComedy ClubinNewYorkCity,sharing thestagewiththelikes ofAmyMiller, Chris Thayer, ZackHammond,Mike Brittandothers.

Hehasalsoperformed atnumerouscomedyfestivals,includingBigApple ComedyFest, NYUndergroundComedy Festival,5thBorough ComedyFestival,aswell asplacingfirstatSpiteFest 2021.

Wesleysaidhewouldn’tbethe comicheistodaywithoutthepeoplehe hasmetandtheconnectionshehas madeintheWilliamsportandLewisburg scenes.

“Fromthepeoplewhorungreatopen micslikeChrisWilliam,BillyKellyand BillRussum,orjustoutstandingmentors likeZackHammond,wepusheach othertogrowourcraft;andit’smadeus someofthebestperformersaround–eventhoughwe’refromsuchasmall placeonthecomedymap,”Wesleysaid. “Overtime,we’vebecomelikeafamily, supportingeachotherandpropelling eachothertogofurther.”

That’sasentimentsharedbyWilliam.

“Fromthestartofcomedyinthis area,Lewisburg,WilliamsportandSunburycomedianshavealwaysworked closelytogether,”Williamsaid.“Wesee theimportanceofsupportingeachother anddoeverythingwecantoliftupeach other.”

EmilyFlakeisawriterandwellknowncartoonistfortheNewYorker thathasproducedandperformedin comedyshowsalloverNewYorkand beyond.Inadditiontoteachingcartooningworkshopsandcollegecourses, FlakeisthefounderandproprietorofSt. Nell’sinWilliamsport,ahumorwriting

residencyforwomenandnon-binary peopleworkinginanycomedicdiscipline.

Currently,Flakeisintheprocessof bookingandproducingaSt.Nell’sproductioncalled“Nell’sBelles,”atwo-day minifestivalattheCommunityTheatre League,withtwoshowsonOct.6,and anopenmicandbigshowcaseonOct. 7.

Flakestarteddoingshowsacoupleof yearsago,withshowcasesatthePajamaFactory,astand-upandcartoonsshowattheCACCapitol Lounge,andareadingatOtto’s. Butshewasalsoveryintenton doingalargerevent.

“We’restartingsmall withthis firstone, buteventuallyIwould lovetoseeit expandedto moredates,inmultiplevenues,andoffer funstufflikeworkshops andseminars,”shesaid. “Similartotheshows I’veproducedatthePajamaFactory,the showswillfeaturenationaltalentaswellas local.”

FlakemetBillyKellythroughArthaus ProjectsExecutiveDirectorJohnYogodzinski,whosuggestedshegetin touch.

“Fromthereitwasofftotheraces,” shesaid.“IwenttotheopenmicBilly andBillRussumruninLewisburgand gottoknowthelocalscenefromthere.”

Wesleythinksthefutureisbrightfor anycomiccomingoutofthearea,as longastheyworkhardtohonetheir craftandthinkoutsideofthebox.

“Thisisahardartformthattakesa lotoftime,creativityandperseverance,”hesaid.“Yougetsomanymore no’sthanyes’s,whichIthinkiswhy wesupporteachotherthewaywe do.”

Alotoflocaltalentsaregaining moreexposureintheregionandoutsideofit,andWesleybelievesit’sonly amatteroftimebeforeoneofthem— orhopefullyallofthem—getsthatbig break.

“Everyopenmic,everyshow,Isee atleastonecomicandIsay,‘This

stand-upcomedy <<<<< MakingWaves

one’sspecialandIcan’twaitforthe worldtofindouthowinsanelytalented thispersonis,’”hesaid.“Butitstarts hereinthelocalscene,andthat’swhy weloveitwhenthecommunitycomes outandsupportsus.Weputonforthe region,soweneedtheregiontoholdus up—andforalargepart,theyhave.”

Yanoshakthinksthereisgreatpotentialforthecomedyscenetocontinueto growandthriveinthearea,ascomediansgetregularworkandgainmoreexposure,withinthestateandevenon

“Icanabsolutelyseemanyof thesecomediansgettingtothat level;andsomeI’vemetinthe localscenearealreadyperforming acrossthe country,including showsinNew YorkCity,Boston, andPhiladelphia,”he said.“Iwouldloveto countmyselfamong thosegettingnationalattention someday,butI’m inthegrindnow, justlookingforthat perfectwaytotella bitandbuildthoselaughs.That’sreally whatit’saboutandwhatleadstosuccessinthisbusiness.Theyallhavethat potential.”

“Somewillkeepdoingcomedy aroundhere,somewillstopaltogether, andsomewillmovetocitiestotryto makeitasaprofessionalcomedian,” Kellyadded.“Ofthoseinthecities, somewillkeepdoingcomedythere,

somewillstop,andsomewillbecome professionalcomedians.Wehavea greatlaunchingpadforcomediansout hereandawholelotofyoungpeople tryingcomedyforthefirsttime.I’msure manyofthemhavethetalentandambitiontomakeacareerofit.”

Flakesaidshehasbeenimpressed withboththequalityofthecomicshere andtheaudiences,andshefeelsgood aboutthefuture.

“There’ssomuchtalenthere—some trulyhilariousanddedicatedvoices,” Flakesaid.“ItrulyhopethatNell’scan helpserveasabridgebetweenCentral PAandlargermarkets.”

Williambelievesthatalotofareacomediansaresotalentedtheycouldpotentiallyreachanationalleveloffame.

“Thetrajectoryofcomedythatseems tobeoninthisareacouldleadtosome oftheexposurenecessaryforthat,”he said.“Attheveryleast,therewillcontinuetobemoreshowsinthisarea whichwillleadtobetterexperiences andgivecomicsthegrowthandexperiencetheycantakeelsewhere.”

JasonKlose is aCentralPAarts& entertainmentwriter withoveradecade ofexperiencein printandonline media.Hehasinterviewednumerous artistsandpersonalitiesintheentertainmentindustry includingLinda

Ronstadt,BarryManilow,TonyBennett, CharlieDaniels,AmyGrant,DennisDeYoung(Styx),NancyWilson(Heart),Lou Gramm(Foreigner),BobEubanksandmore. jasoncklose@gmail.com.

ByLOUBERNARD WestBranchLife

Monsters.Creatures. Unexplainedanimals.Peoplereport themintheforestall thetime.Though theygobyseveral names,themostallinclusiveoneis“cryptids.”Thefieldof discoveringthemisknownascryptozoology.Andforanyoneinterestedincryptozoology,Pennsylvaniaisanexcellent place.Notonlyaretherealotofsightingsbutthesheervarietyofcreaturesis impressive.

Nomatterwhatareaofthestate you’rein,there’ssomesortoflocalcryptidtowatchfor.Theyrangefromthe populartotheobscure,allofthemona scaleofmore-or-lesslikelytoexist, thoughnoneofthemhaveyetbeen proven.

BIGFOOT

Arguablythemostwell-knowncryptidisBigfoot,whoclearlylovestheattention,andPennsylvaniaisnostranger

toBigfootsightings.Oneofthelikely areastospotBigfootisneartheborder ofCentreandClintonCounties.

“IsawsomethinginBeechCreekin

Supplyingyouwithallyour equipment,apparel,andfootwear foryourhikingadventures. ManyBrandsIncluding:

Februaryof2023,”saidSoniaRodriguez, ofClintonCounty.“Itwashuge,maybe 10feettall.”

WhileRodriguezwasdrivinghome fromwork,shespottedtheshapeof whatmayhavebeenBigfoot,thrown intoreliefbythelocalstreetlights.She describeditasveryclearlydefined,not blurry,andofanimpressivesize.

“Iseethisdarksilhouette,”shesaid. “Ittooktwosteps,andIwasshocked.It washuge!Iwaslike,allpanicking.”

Bigfoothasrepeatedlybeenspotted inthatarea,includingmultiplesightings inBaldEagleStatePark,becauseBigfoot enjoysarecreationalcampoutasmuch asanyoneelse.

MONSTERSOFTHE SUSQUEHANNA

Watercreaturesareamongthemore mysteriousofthecryptids,becauseyou can’tjustfollowthemhomethewayyou canBigfoot.Justtry.SomehavebeenreportedintheSusquehannaRiver,and maybedifferentmonsters,orperhaps onemonsterthatswimsalongdistance. InLewisburg,theSusquehannaMystery Thinghasbeenreportedbyfishermen; andnearKettleCreek,thereisacreature that’sbeenreferredtoastheSusquehannaSeal.

TheSusquehannaSealwasinarticles inthe“DailyDemocrat”in1897,writtenbyJohnF.Meginness.Thoughno-

bodysawenoughofthecreatureto provideaphysicaldescription,Meginnessspeculatedonwhatitmayhave been.

"Hiskind,thatwasthepuzzle,”he wrote.“Hewasnottheformorimage ofanythingonearth.Someclaimed, byhisroar,thathewasasealion; somethathewasamonstercuttlefish; andagain,somethoughtthathemight possiblybeanonlysurvivorofsome (thoughttobe)extinctorderofseaor rivermonster.”

THESQUONK

TheSquonkisauniquelyPennsylvaniacryptid,firstappearinginthe 1910book“FearsomeCreaturesofthe Lumberwoods.”Describedasanugly pig-likecreaturelivinginthehemlock forests,theSquonkcriesalmostcontinuously.TheSquonkwassaidtohave emigratedfromadesertareatoPennsylvania,andavoidspeople,because itknowshowuglyitis.Ifyouhappen toseeaSquonkwhilehiking,stopand givethepoorthingahug.Itneeds one.

PHOTOSPROVIDED Oppositepage,artistsketchofthe SusquehannaSeal.Above,Kettle Creek.

CLINTONCOUNTY’S GIWOGGLE

ClintonCountyhasanofficial monster,anditsnameistheGiwoggle.TheGiwogglewasfrom rurallegendstoldbyBelleConfer ofKeatingTownshiptohergrandchildren.Oneofthem,George Rhone,grewuptowritethesein “KeystoneFolkloreQuarterly”in 1956.

Awerewolf-likecreature,the Giwogglehadthehandsofabird andthefeetofahorse,confusing anyoneattemptingtotrackit.Accordingtothelegends,they couldbeconjuredbythelocal witchesandwereseenthroughoutClintonandClearfieldCounties.

InJulyof2011,theClinton CountyCommissionersdecreed theGiwoggletobetheofficial monsterofthecounty.Notthat therewasawholelotofcompetition.

THEJERSEYDEVIL

TheJerseyDevil?Butthisisan articleaboutPennsylvaniacryptids!What’sacreaturefromNew Jerseydoinghere?

TheJerseyDevil,aflyingmonstersightedinNewJersey,has

PUBLICDOMAIN Anillustrationofthesquonk.

MakingWaves >>>>> theunexplained

beenknowntotravelintoPennsylvania occasionally.In1909,itwasreportedly seeninWilliamsportandLockHaven.

OnJanuary28,1909,theClinton DemocratreportedthattheJersey DevilhadbeenseeninWilliamsport. Thearticlesaid,”Thefootprintsappear inthesnowintherearyardofaWest FourthStreetresidence,firstonone sideofthetennisnetandthenthe other.Itisreportedthatthesamemysterioustrackswerediscoveredonthe golflinksnorthofthecity.”

Afewdayslater,theLockHavenExpressreportedthattheJerseyDevilhad beenspottedontheroofofaGrove StreethousebyresidentCharlesPoorman,wholaterproppedaladderup andallowedpeopletoseethetracksin thesnowonhisroof.TheExpressreported,”Severalpersonshaveagain comeforwardwithstatementsthatthey sawthisstrangecreature,whichhas sentterrorintotheheartsofthetimid.” Anditjustgoestoshowthateventhe JerseyDevilprefersPennsylvaniato NewJerseysometimes.

THEPOTTER NONDESCRIPT

Oneofthemostobscurecryptids wassaidtoinhabitsouthernPotter County,accordingtoarticlesinthe “PotterEnterprise”inthespringof 1897.Describedasahairy,bipedal creatureaboutsixfeettall,itwassaid tohavetusksthatmeasuredsixor sevenincheslong.

“Itisalsoreportedthatafisherman wasrunoutofNelsonRunbysome kindofanimal,”reportedtheEnterpriseonApril12.“Theanimalstood uponitshindfeetandstruckitsbreast withitsforepaws,causinganoiselike arollofmanydrums,andscreamed likeapanther.”

Later,residentWilliamButlerhad comeforwardwithinformation.The newspapersaid,”Thoughunderthe circumstanceshiseyesmighthave magnifiedalittle,hethinkstheanimalwasfullysixfeethighwhen standingonitshindlegs.Itwasquite hairyabouttheheadandhadtusks fromsixtosevenincheslong,which theanimalseemedproudtoshow,

andanothersuchmouth wasneverseen.”

Thenewspapergave thecreatureitsname,stating,“BilllookedatthePotterCountyNondescriptfully aminuteormore.”

THE THUNDERBIRD

StoriesofThunderbirds,excessivelylarge birds,datebackto NativeAmerican days.TheThunderbirdwasoftenseen nearoncoming storms,likethe cryptidequivalentof theChannelSix weatherguy.

JoeSohmerofLockHaven describedseeingaThunderbird whenhewasaboutelevenyearsold. “Myfamilyhadacabinalongthe SusquehannaRiver,”hesaid.Hesaw

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

Exit15ofRoute I-180 (Halls Pennsdale Exit) 962LycomingMallDrive, Muncy, PA 17756 326-1589/546-5958/800-326-9364

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abigbird,muchbiggerthan average,flyingovertheriver. “Itwasn’taneagle,”Sohmer clarified.“Imean,I’veseen eagles,andthiswasbigger. Youcantell.”

Ifyou’vereadthisfar, there’sagoodchanceyou’d liketoseeacryptidyourself. Thoughthereareneverany guarantees,it’sbesttochoose yourlocationbasedonprevioussightings.Packacamera, binoculars,andanythingelse youmayneed,andgoout searching.Youneverknow whatyoumightfindout there.

Safe & Steady Financial Growth Starts Here at Home

IMAGEPROVIDED ArtistTaylorGarnerʼsvisionofthePotterNondescript.

Renovatedbarnin

Amish country

TURBOTVILLE—WhenJeanneandJohnVargo teameduptotransformanoldbarnintoa homeandoffice,theirchanceofsuccesswas prettyhigh.Jeanneisaninteriordesigner, whileJohnisanengineer.So,it’snosurprise theirbarntransformationinTurbotvilleisnothingshortofsublime.

“Idon’tthinkyouwillfindanotherhouselikethisonthe eastcoast,”saidJohn.

Locatedat881WarriorRunBoulevard,thebankbarn wasbuiltaround1900.Today,thebarn’srampleadstothe frontdoor,whichopenstoamanseof7,200squarefeet withthreebedroomsandfourbathroomsthatJeannedescribesas“farmhousefancy.”Sheadds,“It’selegantsubur-

ByLORENABENIQUEZ WestBranchLife

LORENABENIQUEZ/WestBranchLife

This7,200-square-footrenovatedbarninTurbotvilleincludesthreebedroomsandfourbathrooms.

Dockside >>>>> fabulousspaces

ban.”

Anoversizedofficewascreatedso bothVargoscouldworkfromhome.In additiontotheworkareawithtwo desksandaconferencetable,there’sa smalldiningareaandloungingspaces underboardandbattenwallsadorned withJohn’shuntingtrophies.“(The mounts)remindmeofthehunts. “Therearesomanystories,”hesaid, sittingintheoffice.

Aseparatelivingareabridgesthe officetothemainlivingarea.Within thecorridor,custom-madebarndoors withornamentalmetalbarsopentoa bedroom,bathroom,kitchenand laundryarea.Itwasdesignedtohouse acaregiverforafamilymember.

Themainlivingareaisaluxeopen conceptspacewithmoreboardand battenwallsandceilings.Thewindowsopentobucolicviewsof11.95 acressurroundingthehome.Those viewsincludeponds,woodsandoccasionallyanAmishbuggy.

Thehome’ssecondkitchenwas builttocatertoJeanne’sloveforcooking.Alargeislanddominatesthe spacewith“cashmeregoldgranite” explainedthehomechef.Jeanneadds, “Itisn’ttoofoofoo.Itisplainand simple.”

Thekitchenopenstotheliving roomandstonefireplaceintheminimalistexpanse.Justofftheliving room,thediningareaoffersseatingfor upto10guests,withmoregreatviews ofthewoodlands.

JeanneandJohnVargobothbroughttheir ownuniquesetofskillstothisbarnrenovation.Jeanneisaninteriordesigner,while Johnisanengineer.Together,theyturneda bankbarnbuiltaround1900intoanelegant countryhome.

SadlyfortheVargos,theyhavedecidedtosellthehomebecausethey wouldliketodownsize.”It'snotthat wedon’tlovethiswithallourhearts,” saidJeanne.Thecouplehopesthe home’sfutureownerswillembrace thecountrysettingandtheirAmish neighbors.Jeannesaid,“Itisso uniqueforsomeonewhowantstolive inthecountrybutwantssophistication.”

of“LostCoalCountry” ofNortheasternPennsylvania.

Lorena Beniquez isalocalvideographer/photographer andfreelancewriter. Inaddition,sheisthe author/photographer

LORENABENIQUEZ/WestBranchLife

Dockside >>>>> eatsanddrinks

JERSEYSHORE—EricWhearygrewupinthe PineCreekValley.HisfamilyhasownedsuccessfulbusinessesalongRoute44fromJersey ShoretoSlateRun.Heknowswhatit’sliketo growupinaplacewherepeopleknowand lookoutforoneanother.

“WhenIgotintothebusiness,Iplannedon followingthegreatguyswhohadrestaurantswhenIwas growingup...theguys,thatwhenyouwentintotheirestablishments,justmadeyoufeellikeamilliondollars.The guysthatwhenyouwentintoaplace,theywouldcomeup andknowyourname,they’dknowwhatyouliketoeat, whatyouliketodrink.That’swhatmadetheserestaurants great.AndIwantedtodothesamething,”saidWheary.

UnderWheary’smanagementduringthelastfiveyearsat Santino’sPineCreekInn,justthathashappened.Andasof thissummer,WhearyandhiswifeDenisearethenewownersoftherestaurant,nowknownasWheary’sPineCreek Inn,5645NorthPA-44.

“It’salwaysbeenaboutthecustomersandmakingthem feellike,‘HeythisistheplaceIwanttogo.Thisisourspot. Thisisournewspot.’We’vemadeitaplacewhereyoucan

ByLINDASTAGER WestBranchLIfe

Above,ownersEricandDeniseWheary.Atleft,thePine creekInnʼsoutdoorandindoordiningareas.

goforanything,whetheryouarea hunterorafishermanwantingtostopfor abeerandaburger,oryoucomeinwith yourfamily,”Whearysaid.

Wheary’sPineCreekInnhasawhole lotmoretoofferthanburgersandbeer. Wheary,whoisageneralcontractor,has mademajorchangesandrenovations. Thebarisnowclosedofffromthedining area.Therearetwodiningareas:one’sa generaldiningroom,andanotherwhich issetupforlargegroupgatherings.The bathroomsarerenovated.Andnowthe Innoffersnewlyremodeledhotelrooms.

Themenuisalsoadelight.Wheary explained,“Ourplanwastomakeita littledifferentthanalltheotherplacesup thecreek.Iwantedtomakeitadestinationrestaurantthatpeoplecouldtravel to.Ourmenuisdiverse.Ifyouwanta $15cheesesteak,youcangetthat.But wesell$120Tomahawk,T-bone,andribeyesteaks.We’reahugeseafoodplace too.”

WhatisWheary’sfavoritemeal?“I lovethesteaks,buttheLinguine Louisianaisprobablymyfavorite.It’sa lotofpeople’sfavorite.It’sthehomemadelobstersaucewithbigchunksof lobsterinit,butthenweaddcajunseasoningandputitovertopoflinguiniand it’sjustagreatcombination,”hesaid.

WhathappenedtotheSantinotraditionofItaliancuisine?It’sstillthere.

“We’reAmericana,we’reasteakand seafoodhouse,”Whearysaid.“Andwe haveanItalianbackground.Sowe’re stillpayinghomagetothattoo,butwith ourownspaghettisaucenow.”

TheWhearyshaveputavarietyof Eric’sskillsandpassionsintotheirnew restaurant.Henowdoesmuchofthe cookingandrecipedesign.Hecontinued,“OnceIgotinthekitchen,Ilearned it’ssomethingIenjoyed.Ienjoybuilding theseplatesfromscratch.”

It’stimetocheckoutthisdestination restaurantthathaschoicesforevery palate.Sitonthecovereddeckandenjoy anoutdoormeal.Scheduleawedding rehearsalinthebigbanquetroom.Stop inforacoldbrewinthebar.Orbring thefamilyforameal.It’salltherewaiting.

AndsoisownerEricWhearywitha smileonhisfaceandawelcomegreetingforyou.

PHOTOSPROVIDED

Thewide-rangingmenuatWheary'sPineCreekInnincludeseverything fromburgersandcheesesteaks,tosteaksandseafood.Therestaurant's owner,EricWheary,doesmuchofthecookingandrecipedesign.

Sept.14-15

AntesFortHistoricalDays

VillagePark,AntesFort

Sept.17

5:30p.m.

“ShopTillYouDropDead!”

CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

Sept.17

2p.m.

MichaelKent RialtoTheatre,Canton

Sept.22 7:30p.m.

“TheOldMaid&theThief” StraughnAuditorium,Mansfield

Sept.23

7a.m.

BoulderBeast

BaldEagleMountain,LockHaven

Sept.23

7p.m.

Truckers4Hope

ClintonCountyFairgrounds,MillHall

Sept.29 7:30p.m.

RobSchneider

CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

Sept.29-30

LockHavenFringeFestival

LockHaven

Oct.8

1:30p.m.

LibertyClassicCommunityBand FestivalXII

CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

Oct.11

7:30p.m.

TheConcert:ATributetoABBA

CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

Oct.12

7:30p.m.

MarieBenedict:20thAnnualAuthorGala

CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

Oct.13-15

PAStateFlamingFoliageFestival HuronAve,Renovo

Oct.14-15

AppleButterFestival WatervilleFireCompany,Waterville

Oct.14

7:30p.m.

WARRANTandFireHouse CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

Oct.15

12p.m.

FallFestival LittlePineStatePark,Waterville

Oct.20

7-8p.m.

HauntedTours

RossLibrary,LockHaven

Oct.21-22

ChristmasintheBarnsCraftsFestival ClintonCountyFairgrounds,MillHall

Oct.21

12-3p.m.

PennsylvaniaHomebrewChampionship FloatingFeathersBrewingCompany,Mill Hall

Oct.6

5-8p.m.

WilliamsportFirstFriday

Williamsport

Oct.21

12-5p.m.

HavenWickedWineFestival CastaneaFireCo.PicnicGrounds,Lock Haven

Oct.21

2-4p.m. MummersʼParade WestSouthernAve.,SouthWilliamsport

Oct.27

7p.m.

“TheLightningThief”

CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

November

Nov.4

4-8p.m.

BrewsintheBarn

MillbrookPlayhouse,MillHall

Nov.10-11

ArtistExhibitionandSale

FirstUnitedMethodistChurch,Muncy

Nov.12

6p.m.

TheCraguns

BeechCreekWesleyanChurch,Beech Creek

Nov.14

7p.m.

“FullSteamAheadLive”

CommunityArtsCenter,Williamsport

Nov.17-19

VictorianChristmas HistoricDistrict,Williamsport

Nov.18-19

WillHuffmanToyTrainExpo

800West4thStreet,Williamsport

Nov.21

4p.m.

LHUTurkeyTrot

189HillSt.,LockHaven

Nov.30-Dec.3

“AChristmasCarol:TheMusical” MillbrookPlayhouse,MillHall

SUN-GAZETTEFILEPHOTO pool,ping-pong,checkersanddancing.dreninanight.TheHavenofferedsnacks,refreshments,weekly;onoccasionitwouldhostasmanyas500chil-highschoolstudentswouldpassthroughitsdoorsStreet,Williamsport.Asmanyas1,000juniorandseniorjoyingHandyHaven,whichwaslocatedat335WilliamThisphotofromNov.12,1950,showsareateenagersen-