Let`s - Visiting the PA Great Outdoors

Fall/Winter 2010
visitPA.com
Let’s
™
Sense-Sational Center
Opens In Elk Country
Page 4
Fall Festivals
Page 14
Preview Holiday Happenings and
2011 Winter Events Pages 21-23
Local Favorite
Sandwiches
Page 18
Autumn
Leaf Drives
Page 12
Halloween Fun
Page 16
Welcome to Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors region
Thousands of Acres of Forest
Hundreds of Miles of Winding Rivers
visitPA.com
Sugar Grove
(It’s Fun for People Too!)
28
Nature in its endless variety is what Northwest Pennsylvania
For one stop shopping and FREE
Plus see wild elk, meet the world-famous weather
including attractions, hotels, cabin
is all about. Enjoy hiking, biking, boating, camping and fishing.
forecaster Punxsutawney Phil, and explore the Allegheny
National Forest.
There’s lots of HISTORY too, and plenty of ARTS,
beautiful hand-crafts and GREAT PLACES TO STAY,
indoors and out!
GUIDES to Northwest PA,
rentals, and bed & breakfasts—call
today: (814) 849-5197. Visit our
WEB SITE at VisitPaGo.com.
™
Taste Of Fall
W
hen the temperatures
begin to drop and
leaves begin to fall,
it seems our appetite
increases for the season’s savory
dishes, sweet treats and hearty
wines. So toss aside those salads
of summer and get that warm
feeling a good meal and a bit of
the grape can provide.
In our region, you can treat
your taste buds on October 23
at the Wine and Dine Tasting at
the Gateway Lodge. It will be a
special fall-themed chef tasting
complimented by wine pairings
from the lodge’s award-winning
wine list. There also will be live
entertainment. Seatings are at
5:30 and 8 p.m.
The Gateway Lodge also
invites you to celebrate Thanksgiving in the rustic charm of its
original 1934 dining room. A
wholesome, home-style dinner
will be served November 25 from
noon to 6 p.m.
The Gateway Lodge is located on Rt. 36 in Cooksburg, PA.
To make reservations or get more
information call (800) 843-6862.
Visit online at www.gatewaylodge.com.
The Holiday Inn in Clarion,
PA also will host a Thanksgiving
Buffet and Dinner. Make your
buffet reservations for November
25, noon to 3 p.m. or dinner
reservations 5 to 8 p.m. The
hotel is located at 45 Holiday Inn
Rd., Clarion, PA 16214. Call (814)
226-8850. Visit online at www.
hiclarion.com.
Visit Area Wineries
If you’d like a good bottle of
wine to go with a meal you’re
making or just share with friends,
there are a number of wineries in
our region. On your autumn leaf
drive, visit the Winery at Wilcox.
It’s located between Wilcox and
Johnsonburg, PA where you’ll find
some of the most picturesque
scenery around. The winery is
open seven days a week from 10
a.m. to 6 p.m. You can take a
wine tasting or tour and browse
the gift shop on site. 1867 Mefferts Run Rd., Wilcox, PA 15870.
Call (814) 929-5598 or visit
online at wineryatwilcox.net.
Just 20 minutes south
of Punxsutawney, Windgate
Vineyards & Winery is an awardwinning producer of fine Penn-
sylvania wines. In June, it won
several awards at the International Eastern Wine Competition for
its Concord as well as Blackberry
and Riesling wines. The winery is
located at 1998 Hemlock Acres
Rd., Smicksburg, PA 16256. It’s
open seven days a week, noon
to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving,
Christmas, New Years Day, and
Easter. Call (814) 257-8797 or log
on www.windgatevineyards.com.
You can also enjoy wine
tasting in a small boutique
winery and wander through
the antique museum at Laurel
Mountain Vineyard. The winery
is located between DuBois and
Brockway, three miles off I-80,
Exit 97, Rt. 219 North. Hours are
Wednesdays-Sundays 10 a.m.-6
p.m. Closed major holidays. Call
(814) 371-7022 or visit www.
laurelwines.com.
When you’re in Foxburg,
check out the Foxburg Wine Cellars at 65 Main Street. The winery
is one of the largest tasting/
retail outlet stores in Pennsylvania. It offers 31 varieties of wine
accessories, glassware, clothing,
gifts, meats, cheeses, coffees
and home wine-making supplies.
You can tour the winery any day
of the week noon to 8 p.m. up
to December 31. Call (724) 6590021 or visit www.foxburgwine.com.
The newest winery in the
region is Deer Creek Winery less
than 10 minutes from Clarion, PA.
The winery specializes in raspberry wine made from fruit grown
on adjoining farms.
The winery is located
at 3333 Soap Fat Rd.,
Shippenville, PA. It’s
open every day noon to
6 p.m. and till 8 p.m.
on Fridays. It’s closed
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day
and Easter. Call (814)
354-7392 or check out
www.deercreekwine.com.
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elk Watching
How to Reach Us
Interactive Displays And Sense-sational Shows
At NEW Elk Country Visitor Center In Benezette
Let’s GO! is a travel magazine published by the
Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau.
It is available at interstate rest stops,
hotels and popular destinations in Cameron,
Clarion, Forest, Elk, and Jefferson Counties in
NW Pennsylvania.
The magazine contains feature articles,
photos, interviews, travel tips, upcoming
events, and more.
Advertising Sales
Kym Olson (814) 849-5197
Articles & Features
Bill Lechner (814) 459-6291
Kym Olson (814) 849-5197
Art Department
Chuck Benson (814) 459-6291
PGOmagazine@aol.com
Board of Directors
Rusty Snyder, President - Double Diamond Deer Ranch
Dick Garrard, Vice President - American Golf Hall of Fame
Bob Hargenrader - Clarion Hampton Inn
Larry McFadden - Cook Forest Top Hill Cabins
Louise Christofer - Reynoldsville Area Business Association
Michael Depanfilis - Cliffe’s Pharmacy
Steve Kronenwetter - Wapiti Woods Cabins
Marlene Lellock - Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce
MIke McMurray - Cook Riverside Cabins
Frank Polovich - The Forest Lodge
Val Shelley - Lumber Heritage Region/PA Wilds Planning Team
Lou Smith - Scottish Heights Golf Club
Sally Wilson - St. Marys Chamber of Commerce
PA Great Outdoors
Visitor’s Bureau
175 Main Street
Brookville, PA
814-849-5197
www.VisitPaGo.com
4
B
eing their mating
season, autumn is when
Pennsylvania’s elk are
most active and visible.
This makes fall an exciting time
of year as well for elk watchers.
But this year wildlife enthusiasts will really have something
to whistle about — the grand
opening of the Elk Country
Visitor Center on Winslow Hill
in Benezette, PA.
This amazing new facility
is now the hub for elk conservation efforts in the state.
According to Rawley Cogan,
the president of the Keystone
Elk Country Alliance, which
manages the site, “This center
is an exceptional venue offering
conservation education for tens
of thousands of visitors to the
Pennsylvania Wilds region. Our
intention for this world-class
facility is to provide a safe and
rewarding elk watching experience and engage people in
educational exhibits that will
further their understanding of
elk and their natural habitat.”
For visitors this means from
sunrise to sunset in September
and October, you can enjoy the
center’s outdoor observation
areas, watching trails and viewing blinds on its 245-acre site,
which is prime habitat for elk
and other wildlife.
Inside the new 8,400 sq. ft.
facility, you’ll want to experience the center’s fantastic
sensory-surround theater. The
theater magnificently presents
the story of the elk in highdefinition on large wrap around
screens. In never before seen
video created just for the center,
you’ll see the first steps of a
newborn Pennsylvania
elk calf in spring, plus
majestic bull elk sparring
antler to antler in the fall
mating season, and witness every elk’s fight for
survival in the winter.
You see the panorama
of life, plus with some
special effects magic
during the show, you will
feel the rumble of thunder in a summer storm
and smell the forest after
the rain. You’ll smell the
smoke of a campfire and
Call for your free
Elk Viewing Guide today!
(814) 849-5197
ELK COUNTRY
VISITORS
CENTER ON
WINSLOW HILL
even get a whiff of elk during
this sense-sational program.
Also inside, there are fascinating interactive and interpretive displays about the elk and
their environment. There is a
life-sized natural history display
in the center’s great room and
wilderness cameras throughout
the property allowing you to
glimpse on screens inside the
facility any actual wildlife that
wanders by.
The grounds, viewing sites
and rest rooms open at sunrise.
The exhibits and gift shop opens
at 7:30 a.m. with sensory-surround theater shows starting at
8 a.m.
For more information and
to find out everything going on
this fall at the new Elk Country
Visitor Center go online to
www.ExperienceElkCountry.com.
More Elk
Watching
Hot Spots
Elk Scenic Drive This is a wonderful drive through Elk Country
along Rt. 555. The route follows
the Bennett Branch of Sinnemahoning Creek from Weedville to
Driftwood and has distinctive
signs to show you the way. On
route, there are many parkand-view sites designed for
safe and easy elk watching. The
sites have been chosen for their
outstanding wildlife viewing and
scenic beauty. Also along the
way you’ll find the Hicks Run
Viewing Area. At Hicks Run
there is a covered, handicapped
accessible viewing blind provid-
Weedville
ing a way to watch elk undetected as they feed on the rich
food plot planted there. There
is off-road parking and information kiosks at the site. For more
information on the Elk Scenic
Seeing a majestic bull elk for the first time is something you’ll never forget. As a rule, when you see people standing alongside a road, or a band
of cars parked along the shoulder, you can figure elk are near. If you see
an elk, play it safe. Don’t try to approach it or even get too close. They
can become aggressive and will charge if they feel challenged or threatened especially this time of year — the fall breeding season.
Drive, visit the Elk Herd section
of our web site VisitPaGo.com.
Sinnemahoning State Park
This 1900-acre park
is home to a growing elk herd. Look
for elk near its Forty
Maples Picnic Area
and north at the
Driftwood
designated wildlife
viewing area. The
grassy opening near
the viewing platform
has been planted
with clover and
trefoil — wildlife
favorites.
Sinnemahoning State Park
park is located in Cameron
County, eight miles north on
Rt. 872 from its junction with
Rt. 120 in Sinnemahoning. Get
more information by calling the
park at (814) 647-8401 or go
online to www.dcnr.state.pa.us/
stateparks/parks/sinnemahoning.aspx.
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sporting Life
Maximize Your Time Afield This Fall
F
or most folks, Pennsylvania’s fall hunting season is
all about whitetail deer.
But recent years have brought
increased populations of wild
turkey and black bear to our
part of the state, greatly adding
to the hunting opportunities.
When you factor in archery and
muzzle loader seasons, hunters
here now can have an enjoyable
and likely successful time afield
from early October well into
January.
Although deer numbers
aren’t as high as they once were
because of wildlife management
programs, the size and quality of
the deer have never been better.
A higher percentage of older,
larger bucks now make up the
total antlered deer population,
greatly increasing your chance
to get a trophy class buck.
Archery season for deer
begins October 2 this year.
Antlerless muzzleloader season
runs October 16-23. Rifle season
begins November 29, the Monday after Thanksgiving. There
is also a flintlock season for
antlered or antlerless deer that
starts December 27 and runs
until January 15.
At the same time, there
are lots more black bear in our
6
region. This gives you a tremendous opportunity to get out
and harvest one this year. Thick
cover in recently cut areas, wetlands, and thick cover around
unharvested cornfields are good
places to look. Bear licenses are available
to residents and nonresidents.
They are issued in addition to a
general hunting license. Archery
season for bear starts November
15. The three-day rifle season
for bear is November 20, 22 and
23.
Wild turkey populations
also have been strong in recent
years. Turkey hunting is permitted for both hens and gobblers
in the fall. Licenses for hunting
migratory game bird such as
ducks and geese also are available and issued in addition to
ests/allegheny/maps. Hunting
maps can be purchased from the
Allegheny National Forest for a
nominal fee.
You can download maps
and guides of state parks on the
DCNR web site. Log onto www.
dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/
parks.
Hunters able to invest the
time in pre-season scouting,
talking with farmers and other
landowners, and getting permission to hunt on these private
properties will generally find
more game and less hunting
pressure.
general hunting licenses.
Small game seasons for rabbit, squirrel and pheasant starts
mid-October.
Where To Hunt
Our Great Outdoors Region covers five counties, including Cameron, Clarion, Elk, Forest and
Jefferson. This area is twice the
size of the entire state of Rhode
Island, so there’s plenty of elbow
room. The topography includes
dense forests, open meadows,
lakes, streams, and wetlands
that provide ideal habitat for a
rich diversity of game animals.
Abundant food sources including nut trees, berry bushes, and
grape vines help support good
sized populations.
Clear Creek, Cook Forest
and Elk State Parks provide
more than 7,800 acres for hunting, trapping and training dogs
during established seasons.
There is an additional 1,400
acres of forestland in Sinnemahoning and 200 more in
Sizerville.
Gated roads in the Allegheny National Forest are opened
for hunter access. A variety of
outdoor maps are available at
the ANF office or by visiting its
web site www.fs.fed.us/r9/for-
Licenses And More Information
Complete information on the
regulations, seasons, and bag
limits is available from the PA
Game Commission at www.pgc.
state.pa.us. Hunting licenses
can be purchased online at the
web site and also are available at
most sporting goods stores. Elk
hunting licenses are chosen by
lottery each September by the
Game Commission. Apply online
now for next fall’s hunt.
A Spaghetti
Dinner for
Hunters,
including salad,
bread and
dessert, will be
offered Sunday,
November 28,
noon to 5 p.m.
at the Emporium Volunteer Fire
Department, 419 North Broad St.,
Emporium, PA. If you’re in the
area, stop by for some good food
and conversation.
s
’
y
a
R t
Ho
Spot
Forest
County’s
Home of
Classic Rock
E
very weekend Ray’s Hot Spot let’s the good times roll. Friday and Saturday nights the best rock ‘n’ roll bands in the region take the stage to
play music from the 1970s to today. The party starts around quarter to
10. You can dance, eat, or just unwind.
Ray’s is stocked with 110 brands of liquor—everything from Gold Tequila
to Grey Goose. You can also choose from 65 varieties of domestic and imported
Hunters can have an enjoyable
and likely successful time afield
in our region from early October
well into January.
beer including Straub and Yuengling made in
Pennsylvania, to popular American brews such as
Samuel Adams and Pete’s Wicked Ale, and all the
best imports.
Ray’s serves tasty tavern fare as well. Look
for cheeseburgers, soups, cheese nachos, pizza,
wings, breaded fish, sausage, and all kinds of
finger food on the menu.
When Ray, the owner, is in the house, the
Hot Spot is a good place to get hunting and fishing information about the area.
Ray’s Hot Spot is located on Rt. 66, Marienville, PA, just a short drive from Cook Forest. It’s
open Monday-Thursday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. The kitchen
is open daily till 2 a.m. Bands play weekends
9:45 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. Weekend cover charge $3.
Plenty of parking. (814) 927-8689. www.cookforest. com. Band night reservations accepted.
Lodges Put You in the Heart of Elk Country
D
eep in the heart of Elk State Forest you’ll
discover the beautiful Winslow Meadow
Lodge. The lodge is a tranquil, two-story retreat surrounded by woods and grassy knolls
that make up the home range of Pennsylvania’s majestic elk herd.
On the first floor, you’ll find three
bedrooms — the master suite with its own
private bath, plus a bedroom with a queensize and another with a twin bed. The dining
room, living room with a gas fireplace, large
kitchen with a dishwasher and microwave,
laundry room, and another full bathroom are
also on the first floor.
The loft, which overlooks the living
room, has a full-size bed and a large outdoor
balcony. All in all, the lodge can sleep seven
adults comfortably in the four large bedrooms. But with a little less privacy in the
living room it can accommodate nine.
For added comfort, the lodge has
central air, satellite television, and a heated
hot tub, enclosed fire hearth. All cooking
utensils and dishes are supplied and there is
a gas grill outside.
The Winslow Meadow Lodge has a sister
property nearby— the Elk Terrace Lodge —
with similar features and amenities. Elk Terrace
can sleep six comfortably in three bedrooms on
the main floor and two more in the king-size bed
in the open loft.
Either place makes the perfect home away
from home and offers spectacular scenery all
around. The new Elk Country Visitor Center with
its virtual and interactive displays and outdoor
elk viewing areas, is just minutes away.
See a photo gallery, check availability, and
get rates. Log on www.winslowmeadowlodge.com
or www.elkterracelodge.com. Call for reservations
at (814) 772-6850.
7
Hear The Music Play
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http://bit.ly/NWPAGO or just
search for PA Great Outdoors.
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njoy musical accompanyment while
you dine in Foxburg at the Allegheny Grille this fall. The restaurant is open seven days week serving
lunches and dinners. The live performances will take place September 14,
21, and 28, plus October 12, 19 and
26 from 6 to 9 p.m. The Allegheny
Grille is located at 40 Main St. in Foxburg, PA 16036. Check out www.visitfoxburg.com or call (724)
659-5701.
Music lovers can also enjoy hearing country and blue grass musicians jam October 8, November
12, and December 10 at the MACA
Building in Marienville, PA. The
Tri-state Music Association, which
organizes the monthly event, invites
any visiting musicians in the area to bring their instrument and
join in the fun. Call (814) 927-8515 for more information.
Historical Cabins
with Modern Amenities
in a Beautiful Setting
C
ook Riverside Cabins are
located in the very heart of
Cook Forest along the Wild
and Scenic Clarion River. The
cabins were built in the 1930’s
for Thomas Cook, a direct descendant of pioneer John Cook
for whom the forest is named.
The 15-acre site has 19
cabins peppered through the
wooded landscape. All of the
cabins are fully updated but
keep their original charm. The
cabins, which range in size, can
accommodate as few as two to
as many as 12 guests. They are
very clean and well furnished.
8
Linens and firewood are supplied.
Each cabin has a fireplace
as well as gas heat, bathrooms
with showers, and TV’s with DVD
players. Kitchens are outfitted
with refrigerator, stove, microwave, toaster and coffee pot,
and cooking and eating utensils.
Outside each cabin you’ll
find a charcoal grill, fire ring,
benches and porch furniture.
You may see deer, raccoons,
an occasional black bear, and
many species of birds including
bald eagles from your own front
porch. The Clarion River here is
clean and great for swimming,
canoeing, and trout and smallmouth bass fishing.
The Riverside Cabins property has two small playgrounds
for kids. Also convenient here,
the Pale Whale Canoe Fleet rents
canoes, kayaks and inner tubes
and the Cooksburg Cafe serves
soft drinks, fresh cut French
fries, burgers, and premium Hershey’s ice cream. The Cooksburg
Dry Goods store is on site as well
and stocked with snacks and
souvenirs.
For cabin reservations and
more information call at 800680-0160 or log on to
www.cookriverside.com.
For Folks Who Like To Know
How Things Work
The Coolspring Power Museum
will host its Fall Expo & Swap
Meet October 14 to 16, 7 a.m.
to 8 p.m. Hundreds of vendors
and sellers will set up shop
with machinist’s tools, oil
field equipment, and combustion engine parts for sale.
Several craft and flea market
vendors also will be on hand.
The museum is located at 179
Coolspring Rd., Coolspring,
PA (just off Rt. 36 midway
between Punxsutawney and
Brookville).
The musuem, which is managed by a volunteer staft, will
also be open this fall September 18 and 19. It houses
a collection of more than 250
internal comustion engines,
including the 175 Otto, the
largest known single-cylinder,
gas-powered engine in the
world. Its flywheels are over
9 feet in diameter and weigh
9,500 pounds each. Log on
www.coolspringpowermuseum.
com or call (814) 849-6883
for more information.
need to get away?
T
he beautiful Allegheny National Forest is the perfect place to unplug
and unwind. Just over a 1/2-million acres in size, you’ll find lots
of elbow room. There are 600 miles of hiking, biking, ATV and
snowmobile trails to explore. Log on www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny
to download maps, reserve a cabin, get updates on conditions...in other
words — plan your escape.
Remember Your
FOREST VACATION
F
or something special to remember your forest
vacation, stop by Cooksburg Dry Goods. This
quaint log cabin gift shop is located in the
heart of Cook Forest along the banks of the Clarion
River.
When you step inside, you’ll discover a lovely
array of gifts and home décor with a woodland
theme. There’s something around every turn such as
Old World Christmas ornaments, Ne’Qua Art ornaments, nature books, candles, pillows, table runners,
placemats, serving dishes, stained glass, and framed
art. There are note cards, wooden post cards and an
extensive line of plush forest animals.
The store is the area’s exclusive outlet for
high-quality Folkmanis Puppets including deer, bears,
raccoons, beavers, eagles and other creatures of the
forest. It also stocks snacks, beverages including
Fireside Coffee, and supplies for hikers and canoeists.
The 25-cent candy is always a favorite with kids.
Directly behind the store you’ll find Cook Riverside Cabins. This beautiful campgound features 19
cabins on 15 acres of woods with landscaped grassy
areas. The Pale Whale Fleet is next door to the dry
goods store. This boat livery rents canoes, kayaks
and innertubes for floating down the Clarion River.
The Cooksburg Cafe is here as well, serving cheeseburgers, hand-cut fries, and 28 flavors of Hershey’s
premium ice cream.
Cooksburg Dry Goods is located a quarter mile
from the River Bridge on River Rd. in Cook Forest. For more information call (800) 680-0160 or check
out www.cookriverside.com online.
9
EXPLORE ELK COUNTY
Your Southern Gateway to the Allegheny National Forest
Visit New Center & Wildlife Habitat
Be one of the first to discover the new Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette —
• Sensory-surround Theater • Interactive Displays • Wildlife Viewing Areas
(814) 787-5167 • www.experienceelkcountry.com
Celebrate
German Heritage
Stopy by downtown St. Marys, PA, October 1-3 for its Bavarian Fall Fest.
The festival celebrates the town’s German heritage with food, beer,
wine, and music. (814) 781-3804. www.stmaryschamber.com.
While you’re there, you can also take a free tour of the Straub
Brewery. This family-owned micro-brewery welcomes visitors 12 and
older Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and until 1 p.m.
on Saturdays. The Eternal Tap is open to guests 21 and older. Phone
814-834-2875. www.straubbeer.com
Elk County
Rich in History,
Tradition and
Natural Beauty
Taste The Flavors of Fall
Enjoy great food, music and crafts in downtown
Ridgway its Flavors of Fall festival October 16. Also
take some time to explore the town’s Lily of the Valley
historic homes district. The area is filled with handsomely
preserved homes and mansions built by lumber barons in the
1800s. (814) 776-1424. wwww.ridgwaychamber.com.
Follow The Scenic River Trail
Sample The Wine
The Winery at Wilcox has tours, tastings,
gift baskets, and a nice gift shop. It’s open
seven days a week 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 1867
Mefferts Run Rd., Wilcox, PA. (914) 2378500. www.wineryatwilcox.net.
10
Get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful autumn landscape
along the Clarion/Little Toby Creek Trail. The flat, smooth
trail stretches 18 miles from
Ridgway to Brockway following the Clarion River. It’s
perfect for an autumn hike or
bike ride. (814) 772-7657.
www.pavisnet.com/tctt
Best Burgers & Super Sammies
We asked area residents to recommend a few of their favorite
burgers and sandwiches. So when your own hunger bell rings you’ll
have some great choices...because all of that fall leaf looking can
really give a person an appitite.
Reuben Sandwich
Aroma Bakery and Café
51 East 4th St.
Emporium, PA 15834
(814) 486-7662
This is one great Reuben sandwich!
— Lisa Bainey
BLT Wedgie
Pizza Pub
1306 East Main Street
Clarion, PA 16214
(814) 226-8721
I love the BLT Wedgie. You can
also get it as a sub or even as
a half wedgie. It is just a great
sandwich! It fills you up. — Larry
McFadden
Black Angus Burger
Clarion River Lodge
185 Coleman Run Road
Cooksburg, PA 16217
(814) 744-8171
If you want a good burger you
have to try the Clarion River
Lodge’s Black Angus Burger…..it is
my favorite! — Stevette Rosen
Original Hot Sausage
Pierogie Sandwich
T&K’s Dinor
202 Williams Street
Tionesta, PA 16353
(814) 755-3940
This has all my favorite ingredients
in it! Grilled hot sausage topped
with potato & cheese pierogie,
grilled peppers and onions, pepper
jack cheese and spicy barbeque
sauce on a grilled Kaiser bun. —
James Young
Laura’s Choice
Courthouse Grill & Pub
209 Main St.
Brookville, PA 15825
(814) 849-2557
The grilled sandwich has fresh turkey, provolone cheese, bacon and
extras if you like. It’s a very tasty
and filling sandwich that’s great
every time! — Denny Dinger
Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Hole Shooters
727 South St. Marys St.
St. Marys, PA 15857
The barbeque sauce is delicious
and adds just the right kick to the
sandwich. — David Vollmer
Bugle Burger
Benezette Hotel
95 Winslow Hill Rd.
Benezette, PA 15821
(814) 787-4240
Topped w/ grilled mushrooms & onions & provolone cheese this burger
has great flavor...It’s so good. —
Tom Wehler
Carlino Burger
Nick’s Corner Lunch
265 North Findley St.
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
(814) 938-4020
Punxsutawney
My absolute favorite is what the
locals call the “Carlino Burger” at
Nicks Corner Lunch. It’s served on
a hot dog bun and Nick’s special
sauce is the best. —
Jay Philliber
Regular Hamburger
Weebulls Steakhouse & Pub
Main St., Driftwood, PA 15832
814-546-2447
Their hamburgers are the best
because they are made fresh and
charbroiled. You can get whatever
toppings you want.—
Tina Johns Lorson
Philly Steak Sub
Foxburg Pizza and Country Store
12 Main Street
Foxburg, PA 16036
(724) 659-0123
I like this sandwich because the
meat is chopped up with the onions
and green peppers. It’s not messy
at all. Makes a great meal break
after a long ride on the trails. —
Catherine Coleman
Nothing Could Be Finer Than Breakfast At The Dinor
T
ionesta is set along the Wild and Scenic
Allegheny River and is the western gateway
to the Allegheny National Forest. So there
are all kinds of outdoor things to do including
canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.
Before heading out, kickstart your
day with a homestyle breakfast at
T&K’s Dinor. Each morning the
restaurant serves pancakes,
waffles, French toast, breakfast sandwiches, and eggs
every way including great
omelettes. If you’re really
hungry, try the Hit the Spot
Special. It includes three eggs,
two pancake, two rashers of bacon, a sausage, and your choice
of home fries or hash browns and toast. Or try
the Meaty Pierogie Breakfast — T&K’s fastest
selling menu item — which includes two potato
and cheese pierogies covered with homemade
sausage gravy, plus ham,bacon, and onions, then
topped with scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese.
Breakfast is available all day, but the diner
has an impressive lunch menu as well. All of its
famous homemade pierogies are on the menu
plus they are available frozen to take home or
back to camp with you. At lunchtime, also look
for T&K’s 1/3-pound specialty burger, Pittsburgh-style hot sausage sandwich, grilled
steak salad, and fresh cut French
fries and sweet potato fries onthe
menu.
Daily specials include breakfast bread bowls, taco salads
in crispy tortilla shells, and
portabella mushroom croissant
sandwiches. The restaurant is now
serving fish dinners along with it
homecooked specials.
T&K’s Dinor is located at 101
Faulkner Dr. (in the plaza), Tionesta, PA. It’s
open Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and
Fridays 7 a.m.-8 p.m. It’s closed on Saturday
and Sundays. For more information call (814)
755-3940 or check out the full menu and prices
at www.pierogiemama.com.
11
Autumn
Is All About
The Trees
color your World
way you’ll pass a stone church
and see a historical marker for
Helen Furnace. The furnace is
a large stone structure used for
smelting and forging iron in
the 1840s. It’s located about a
hundred yards down SR1004 to
a short driveway and a parking lot. The area is very clean,
maintained, and much of the
furnace remains intact and
worth a look.
Edge of the Forest
3 Once back on Miola Rd.
continue north to where it
intersects with Rt. 66. Turn left
(north) on Rt. 36 and go about
three miles to the village of
Leeper. At the light turn right
(north) on Route 66. Travel
about 11 miles to the village of
Roses and Rt. 899.
4 At Rt. 899 turn right and go
nine miles south where you turn
right onto River Rd. (SR2001).
Watch for the sign that says
Clarion River Lodge. If you cross
the bridge over the Clarion
River, you’ve gone too far.
P
ennsylvania’s forestlands
are renowned for their
natural beauty — especially as the autumn leaves turn
crimson, orange and yellow. One
of the most inspiring spots not
only in Pennsylvania but the
whole East Coast is Cook Forest.
Within its 7,000 acres, the
forest is filled with mighty oaks,
maples, and black cherry trees.
Plus it has one of the finest
stands of primeval white pines
and hemlocks anywhere around.
These giants are as much as 350
years old and reach ten stories
tall.
Cook Forest is designated a
National Natural Landmark and
is rated among America’s top
state parks by National Geographic Traveler magazine.
Our Cook Forest drive will
guide you through the for-
12
est then wind back along the
Clarion River. There are look out
points, picnic areas, restaurants
and a number of craft and antique shops to explore along the
way. With a stop here and there,
the drive will take two or three
hours at a leisurely pace.
Starting Out
1 Start at the Clarion County
Courthouse in downtown
Clarion. Take Main St. to 5th
Ave. Go north on 5th Ave. away
from I-80. You’ll cross over the
Clarion River as you leave the
borough.
2 Outside of town, 5th Ave.
changes names to become Miola
Rd. Continue on this road for
about 11 miles. Along your
Riverside Drive
5 After making the turn you
will immediately come to a
Y intersection—bear left on
SR2002. Follow River Rd. along
the beautiful Clarion River for
about eight miles. Along the
way, there are many places to
pull over if you’d like to stop
and just watch the river roll by.
The Cook Forest ranger station
is also located on River Rd. near
the intersection of Rt. 36.
Side Trips
A At the intersection of Rt. 36
and River Rd., you may want to
make a side trip to the Sawmill
Center for the Arts. The Sawmill
Center is a craft center featuring
the work of over 250 artisans.
It also presents a variety of
festivals and theater productions
throughout the year. (814) 9276655. From River Rd., turn right
onto Rt. 36. Within a couple
hundred yards, you’ll come to a
Y-intersection. Turn right and
follow the signs.
B A second side trip from the
intersection of River Rd. and Rt.
36 is to Seneca Point Overlook.
It offers a magnificent view of
the Clarion River valley from an
elevation of 1600 feet. Turn
right onto Rt. 36 and go one
mile. There is a dirt road on the
left and Seneca Point signs. Once
you turn off of Rt. 36, it’s just
over a mile to the parking area
and then about a two hundred
yard walk to Seneca Point. If
you’re feeling energetic, and
not afraid of heights, you can
even climb the 80-ft. fire tower
located there.
mix of woodlands, farms and
eventually deep forest. This is
an exceptional stretch of road
for fall foliage. It curves uphill
and down with some hairpin
turns for about 30 miles. Near
Lynch, PA, look for Tall Oaks
— the neatest little store in the
woods.
Wykoff Run Road to
Quehanna Highway
From the village of
Sinnemahoning, drive south
on Wykoff Run Road and
enjoy a spectacular stream
valley. At the intersection
with the Quehanna
Highway, 10 miles south of
Sinnemahoning, turn right
for a gorgeous 13-mile drive
through the Quehanna Wild
Area to Medix Run on Rt. 555.
Bucktail Highway,
Route 120
Driftwood
Heading Back
I-80, turn left (south) toward
Brookville at the intersection
of River Rd. and Rt. 36. After
about 16 miles you’ll come to
the stop light at the intersection
of Rt. 322. Turn right (west) on
Rt. 322 and it’s about 16 miles
back to Clarion.
...And Three More
Great Scenic
Drives Are...
Devil’s Highway,
Route 666
From Tionesta take Rt. 62 north
to East Hickory. Along the
way, you’ll have great views
of the Allegheny River, which
runs parallel to the road. At
East Hickory, turn east onto
Rt. 666—the Devil’s Highway.
The drive will take you past a
Lynch
Kellettville
Weedville
This route travels 75 miles
from Emporium to Lock Haven
winding through a magnificent
river valley. It’s designated as a
state park scenic drive.
Elk Scenic Drive, Route 555
See page 5.
6 To return to Clarion and
East Hickory
Driftwood
Q uehanna Highw
ay
Weedville
872
See the Leaves
and the Deer on
Your Fall Drive
O
n your leaf drive through Pennsylvania’s forestlands this fall, take time to
visit the wonderful deer at the Double
Diamond Deer Ranch near Cook Forest.
The ranch has a herd of 20 white tail
deer, including rare all-white, and brown
and white piebald deer.
In the fall, the bucks are at their peak
body weight and start showing off their antlers. By October the deer have grown their
full winter coats. You can also tour the ranch’s Buck Barn
wildlife museum while you’re there. The
museum showcases everything from a mouse
to a moose. There are many trophy bucks on
display including RDM Goliath, the world’s
highest scoring buck.
The deer park and museum are open
seven days a week 10 a.m. to dusk until
December 1. Family admission cost is very
reasonable.
On weekends till October 31, you can
play glow-in-the-dark mini golf. There are
two 9-hole games— one with a Jurassic dinosaur theme and the other with a Western
theme. The first round is $4 and the second
is just $2.
There is also a gift shop on site offering reasonably priced clothing, blankets,
toys and wildlife gifts.
For more information please call
(814) 752-6334 or go online to —
www.doublediamonddeerranch.com.
13
fall Festivals
Come
Celebrate
Autumn
Season
W
ith over a million acres
of woods, parks and
wilderness, our region
turns into a kaleidoscope of
color — on a grand scale —
every autumn. This magnificent
change of season provides cause
for celebration throughout
Pennsylvania’s Great Outdoors.
The vibrant landscape creates a
perfect setting for a wide range
of fall festivals.
As the leaves begin to turn,
the biggest celebration each
year is the Farmers National
Bank Autumn Leaf Festival in
Clarion, PA. The festival is a
14
nine-day extravaganza (Sept.
25-Oct. 3) with entertainment,
amusement rides, car and motorcycle shows, antique tractor
shows, farm goods and crafts
sales, and lots of tasty food.
The annual event coincides
with Clarion University’s homecoming week and will culminate
in the Tournament of Leaves
Parade on Saturday, October 2 at
noon on Main Street. Pre-parade
entertainment starts at 10
a.m. The school’s homecoming
football game against Gannon
University will kick off at 2 p.m.
in the university’s stadium. For
a complete schedule contact the
Clarion Area Chamber at (814)
226-9161 or visit www.
clarionpa.com.
Also circle your
calendar for the
Marienville Oktoberfest (Sept.
23-26). The town
of Marienville is
a quiet village nestled between
two great forests — the Allegheny National Forest to the north
and Cook Forest to the south.
People flock to the area
for spectacular bird
watching and its
woodland trails.
The town’s Oktoberfest is a fun
family event with
food and crafts,
contests, musical entertainment,
and a parade. This year’s parade
starts at noon on Saturday,
Sept. 25. The parade will be
followed by bed races at 2 p.m.
and riding lawn mower races at
4 p.m. For more information call
(814) 927-8218 or visit www.
forestcounty.com.
Another charming small
town festival is the annual
Art, Wine & Food Festival
(October 10) in downtown
Foxburg. Foxburg is a wonderful resort getaway with a new
hotel and boutiques along the
Wild & Scenic Allegheny River.
This fall’s event will start at 11
a.m. continue till 6 p.m. It will
feature over 50 artisans, crafters
and vendors, plus live music,
horse drawn carriage rides and
entertainment for kids. You can
take a stroll down Main Street
and browse around the wine
shop or the arts and antique
stores. For more information
call (724) 659-0021 or log on to
www.foxburgfestival.com.
If you’re a peanut butter
lover, be sure to check out the
food, games, crafts and vendors
in Barclay Square. Call (814)
938-8740, www.punxsutawneyspirit.com.
The Whispering Woods
Craft Festival (Sept. 25-26),
will take place five miles south
of Clarion off Rt. 36 at Wolf Corners Fair Grounds. The fair will
feature craft and food vendors,
face painting, cider pressing
and a farmers market. For more
details call (814) 755-4370 or
visit www.wolfscornerfair.org.
The Bavarian Fall Fest in
St. Marys (October 1-3) will
celebrate the town’s German heritage with great food, beer, wine
and music. The hub of activility
will be the downtown business
disctrict. For more information
visit www.stmaryschamber.org or
call (814) 781-3804.
And, the Flavors of Fall
(October 16) will take place
just at the peak of the fall
foliage. There will be many
craft and food booths, and
music will fill the air in downtown Ridgway. All in all, a
perfect way to experience and
celebrate the most colorful
time of the year. Call (814)
776-1424 or log on
www.ridgwaychamber.com.
CLARION: An I-80 Oasis With Lots of Charm
Peanut Butter Festival (Sept.
17-19) in New Bethlehem, PA.
The town, which is home to the
Smucker’s natural peanut butter
plant, is located 20 minutes
south of I-80 Clarion Exit 64. Its
Gumtown Park will be the hub
of the action during the festival.
Look for lots of family activities including carnival rides
and games, races, pony rides,
carriage rides, food, and live
music. For more information call
(814) 275-3929 or go to www.
newbethlehemarea.com.
A few more festivals of
interest include
Punxsutawney
Appreciation
Day (Sept.
25). This oneday festival
in Punxsutawney
will bring
together
A
s the Oasis on I-80 and Gateway to Cook Forest,
Clarion offers the charms of a small town with
the amenities of a large city.
Tucked along the Clarion River,
Clarion has many great shops and businesses, attractions, breathtaking scenery
and a rich history. While you’re in town
you can enjoy its Downtown Walking
Tour with 40 places of historical interest
and its quaint Main Street lined with oldfashioned street lamps and unique shops.
Each fall the town celebrates the change of
season with the Farmers National Bank Autumn Leaf
Festival — an international award-winning 9-day fall
celebration with music, food, carnival, arts and
crafts show and various entertainments. This year’s
event will take place September 25 through
October 3.
The town is located near Cook Forest
and the Allegheny National Forest — two
of the most beautiful parks in the country.
They are perfect for hiking, biking and
canoeing on the Clarion river.
Plan your trip or to find out more about
upcoming events by visiting the Clarion Area
Chamber of Business & Industry online at www.
clarionpa.com, call (814) 226-9161, or send an
e-mail to info@clarionpa.com.
We are pleased to acknowledge the support of the Clarion County Room Tax Committee.
15
halloween Scene
Get a FRIGHT
and Just the
Right Pumpkin
G
hosts and goblins
looking for excitement
will have an easy time
finding it as Halloween
draws near. First, check out the
A-maz-ing Farm Adventure
with the largest corn maze in
the region. The maze covers 13
acres and features five miles of
trails. The maze is open now
through October 31, Fridays
and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10
p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7
p.m.
Friday and Saturday nights
in October, the maze will eerily
transform into a haunted maze.
As you step into the rustling
aisles you’ll enter a world of
terror and darkness. It will be
you alone... and whatever lurks
in the corn. No maps, no lights,
pure terror. Beware...you’ll pay
16
to get in...but pray to get out.
The haunted maze will welcome
wandering spirits on Halloween
night too.
If that’s a bit big and scary
for some, the A-maz-ing Farm
Adventure also has a fun short
maze for young children plus a
farm animal zoo, which includes
Pet-A-Goat Junction and the
Bunny Bin. There’s also a Ropin’
Rack where kids can be a rodeo
star and try their skills with
a lasso. Plus there are Rubber
Duck Races, and a Big Bale and
Tire Climb to explore.
For those with the shopping
bug, there’s a gift shop located
in a 1890’s era barn located on
the property. Inside you’ll find
folk art, collectibles, toys, handmade candles and lots of unique
gifts. There is also a cafe on site
serving ice cream, soft drinks,
hot dogs and soft pretzels.
The maze is located on Rt.
66 between Clarion and Cook
Forest in Lucinda, PA. For more
information call (814) 2266609, www.amazinglucinda.com.
Also this fall,
if your looking for
a great pumpkin
to carve, Paul’s
Pumpkin Patch
near Clarion can
help you out. The
Pumpkin Patch has
an amazing variety of
pumpkins, gourds, and decorative corn. You can also enjoy
hayrides, a barnyard petting
zoo, and see the mighty pumpkin launcher, known as the
Frogtown Flinger, in action.
Paul’s Pumpkin Patch is
located at 395 Marks Lane in
Fairmont City, PA 16244 ( 8-mi
S. of Clarion off Rt. 66—Frogtown). It’s open Sept. 18-Oct.
30, Wednesdays, Thursdays and
Sundays 1-5 p.m. plus Friday
and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Call (814) 365-5161, www.paulspumkinpatch.com.
Once you’ve picked your
pumpkin, why not go for a nice
Cemetery Walk in Ridgway
on October 15-16. You can
tour the town’s Pine Grove and
Thayer cemeteries and hear
all about the townsfolk
buried there. Tours
are at 2 and 5 p.m.
both days. Call the
Elk County Historical Society at (814)
776-1032, www.
elkcountyhistoricalsociety.org.
Or how about a ghoulish getaway at the Gateway
Lodge? The lodge will host a
Tricks & Treats Weekend, October 29-31. Festivities will include a costume party Saturday
night with live entertainment
and a costume contest. The
prize for best costume is a free
night stay. The Gateway Lodge is
located on Rt. 36 in Cooksburg,
PA. Make your reservation or
get more information at (800)
843-6862. Visit online at www.
gatewaylodge.com.
Tantalize Your Tastebuds at Gunners in St. Marys
Kalyumet
The Place “Fore”
Family Fun in
Cook Forest
I
f you want to put a smile on your
face, cruise over to Kalyumet
Fore Fun some weekend this fall.
This family fun spot has an 18-hole
miniature golf course with a fountain
pond, waterfall and signature holes.
Some folk’s already say it’s the nicest
course they’ve ever played on.
If the weather is cool and you
prefer to stay indoors, Kalyumet has a
large arcade with a great mix of games.
There are fast-action games, driving
and shooting video games, prize cranes
and the family favorite — skeeball. As
you score points you can collect tickets
redeemable for prizes — everything
from Hot Wheels and Barbie dolls to
MP4 players and Wii gaming systems. If you’re hungry, stop by Kalyumet
Fore Fun for a quick and tasty treat.
Order one of the delicious pizzas with
up to 10 toppings for one low price.
If you’re in the mood for wings, both
southern style and hot wings are now
being served. Or if you’re just driving
around looking at the leaves, stop in
for a hand-dipped Blue Bunny premium
ice cream cone. Or try a creamy milk
shake, cyclone or gooey sundae. If you
love chocolate, you’ll want to try some
Blue Bunny chocolate ice cream, voted
number one by the International Dairy
Foods Association.
Kalyumet Fore Fun is located
at 8630 Miola Rd (next to Kalyumet
Camping & Cabins) just off Route 36,
a short hop from Cook Forest. This
fall, it will be open only on Saturdays
10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sundays 10:30
a.m.-8 p.m. to October 31. For more
information call (814) 744-8768 or
visit online at www.kalyumetforefun.
com or www.kalyumet.com.
“There are no strangers here
only friends we’ve never met,”
is the motto at Gunners in St.
Marys. You’ll find this friendly
hospitality extends across
the board — from lodging to
restaurant and lounge.
But it’s not just the
service that sets Gunners
apart. When you stop in the
restaurant you’ll discover an
extensive menu of great food.
It has something for everyone
at lunch and dinner including appetizers, salads, wings
and burgers, steaks, seafood,
pastas, flamed grilled chicken,
and sandwiches such as the
“Jesse James” with a mound
of thinly sliced prime rib,
mozzarella and mushrooms on
ciabatta bread. There is also a
kids’ menu.
This fall the restaurant
has added delicious Flaming
Ribs — lit right at your table.
But the proof is in the tasting
and these succulent ribs are
something special.
The lounge at Gunners is
the perfect place to take the
chill off. Open daily at 11 a.m.
it has the most extensive wine
list in the area plus over 50 va-
rieties of beer. Ask for Gunners’
famous pretzels to go with your
beer or try some tasty appetizers
from the menu. The lounge also
has a late night snack menu. On
weekends, you can enjoy live
entertainment there.
The town of St. Marys, PA,
is a short drive from Winslow
Hill and the new Elk Country
Visitors Center. If you’re planning to stay over in the area,
Gunners has 24 clean, comfortable guest rooms at affordable
prices starting at $69.95. It’s
located downtown at 33 South
St. Marys Street. Phone (814)
834-2161. See full menus and
room rates at www.gunners.biz.
E-mail gunners@windstream.
net.
Canoe down the Clarion
T
he Clarion River is a calm, family friendly watercourse perfect for exploring by canoe and kayak.
Or you can just let its gentle current float you down
the river in an innertube.
The stretch of river that runs through Cook
Forest is renown for its scenic beauty. Plus the water
is very clean and supports a wide range of wildlife
and fish such as trout, bass, and walleye. The river
supports many species of birds as well including
bald eagles, which you can often see fishing on the
water.
If you and fellow vacationers would like to
push off the shore and go exploring on the Clarion,
the Pale Whale Canoe Fleet
in Cook Forest has 150
canoes, 40 kayaks and 220
single and double innertubes
for rent.
The Pale Whale’s friendly, knowledgeable staff will
get you outfitted with your
choice of boat, paddles and
life jacket or other personal
flotation device. They will
also transport you up river so you can flow with the
current and have a relaxing time. Group rates are
available.
The Pale Whale has plenty of parking, clean
restrooms, changing rooms and a foot wash station
for your use. It’s pet friendly too.
Look for the Cooksburg Cafe also on site
serving great cheeseburgers, fresh-cut fries, and
Hershey’s premium ice cream. The Cooksburg Dry
Goods store is open as well if you want to grab some
snacks and soft drinks for your trip. The store also
sells unique gifts with a woodland theme. The Cook
Riverside Cabins are here too if you like to stay over
night. There are 19 historic
cabins with modern amenities
on 15 acres of woods.
The Pale Whale is
located a quarter mile from the
River Bridge on River Rd. in
Cook Forest.
For more information call
(800) 680-0160 or visit
www.canoecookforest.com
online.
17
Whether On Foot, Horseback, ATV or Dog Sled
You’ll Have Fun In The Great Outdoors This Fall
J
ust because summer is over
doesn’t me the fun has
to stop. It’s great to get
outside and play in the crisp
autumn air.
For instance, how about
grabbing your camera and
exploring Cook Forest with a
professional photographer? On
September 25, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.,
the Gateway Lodge will host an
Autumn Photo
Walk. Meet
at the
lodge at
14870
Rt. 36 in
Cooksburg,
PA. After the
walk, you can
also enjoy fine dining,
overnight lodging or even some
special pampering at its newly
remodelled Woods Spa. For more
information call (800) 843-6862.
www.gatewaylodge.com.
Also that weekend in
September, the Flying
W Ranch near
Tionesta has
organized a
Horseback
Trail Ride.
The guided trail
ride through the
Allegheny National
Forest will run September
24-26. It includes meals, camping, and entertainment. You can
bring your own horse or rent
one from the Flying W’s stable.
Another trail ride weekend will
be offered October 1-3. The Flying W is located in Kellettville
on Rt. 666, 12 miles northeast
of Tionesta off Rt. 62. Scenic
horseback rides are also offered
daily. Call (814) 4637663. www.theflyingwranch.com.
For
something
with more
horsepower,
check out Tour
de Forest on October 2-3. This fun event
for ATV riders is a fund-raiser
for the Marienville Volunteer
Fire Department. It
lets you explore
the beautiful
trails of the
Allegheny
National
Forest near
Marienville—
even travel across
trails usually not open
to ATV traffic — without obtaining a special trail permit to ride.
Most trails are easy to handle for
riders of all ages and experience.
Plus the fire department does
a great job making sure all of
the routes are well marked and
monitored. Both mornings of
the event you can enjoy an allyou-can-eat pancake breakfast.
Lunch will be available along
the trail. To sign up or get more
information call (814) 9276609 or visit www.tourdeforest.
marienville-fire.com.
In mid-October, you can
go treasure hunting.
As part of its
sesquicentennial celebration, Cameron
County — the
self-proclaimed
Geocaching
Capital of the World
— will host a special
Geocaching Weekend. Geocaches will be hidden at historically
significant places throughout
the county. Some of the 600
caches within a 25 mile radius
of Emporium, PA, will contain
a certificate for the county’s
150th anniversary collectible
coin. These certificates can
be redeemed for the coins at
participating businesses.
The coins will only
be available during this event.
The event will
take place October 16-17. For
more information
call the Chamber of
Commerce in Emporium at
(814) 486-4314.
In early November, you can
keep right on enjoying the
great outdoors at the
Canadian-American Sledders
Dry Land Event
in Sinnemahoning State Park.
Sledders and their
well-cared-for canine
friends will compete
in three different
kinds of races.
You’ll see
canicross,
which is
the sport of
cross-country
running while
hitched to a dog;
bikejorring, where a dog or team
of dogs pull a bicyclist; and rig
racing, where four to six dogs
pull a special wheeled rig. The
event will take place November 6-7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the
park’s 40 Maples Day-use Area.
Geocaching, primitive fire-making demonstrations, children’s
craft programs and campfire stories also are planned. Food will
be available on site. The park
is located in Cameron County,
eight miles north on Rt.
872 from its junction
with Rt. 120 in
Sinnemahoning.
For more information call (814)
647-8401 or visit
www.dcnr.state.pa.us.
stateparks/parks/sinnemahoning.aspx.
Forest County
Your Natural Escape
431 square miles of
4 fresh air
4 friendly people
4 forestlands
4 fish-filled lakes...
and not a single trafic light.
Visit Forest County this fall.
Marienville Oktoberfest,
September 23-26
Tour de Forest (ATV ride in Allegheny
National Forest) October 2-3.
For travel information including
attractions and restaurants call
814-849-5197 or go to www.visitpago.com.
Paid for by the Forest County Room Tax Committee
18
P U N X S U TAW N E Y
Fairlady Hosts Trollbead
Trunk Show Nov. 10-13
W
hen you’re in Punxsutawney, be sure to stop by and
browse around one of the most
interesting shops in town —
Fairlady & Company. The store has
a wonderful selection of artistic
gifts for holiday giving, birthdays, anniversaries — and just for
yourself.
Fairlady is located downtown
in the beautifully restored Swartz
Building on Mahoning Street. Inside, you’ll find lovely home decor
collections including Campbell
Pottery along with many fine antiques including furniture, table
art and glassware.
Fairlady is a Pennsylvania
Wilds Artisan Trail retailer. So
there are many one-of-a-kind
works including
pottery, glass
mosaics, paintings, metal
sculptures,
wood carvings, and
semi-precious
jewelry by lo-
cal and regional artists. The store
also is an authorized Trollbeads
dealer. Stop by for the Trollbeads
Trunk Show there November
10-13. Kitchen items, stationery,
embroidered silk totes, seasonal
items, scents and personal accessories, plus unique gifts for men,
children and babies round out
the offerings.
Fairlady & Company is
located at 100 West Mahoning
St., Punxsutawney. Hours are
Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
and Sundays 1-5 p.m. Extended
holiday hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sundays
1-5 p.m. starting November 7.
Free gift wrapping is available.
Fairlady will ship items as well.
For more information call
(814)
938-1255
or toll-free
(888) 9381255. Shop
online at
www.fairladycompany.
com.
At 1,500 ft. Brady’s Bend Overlook is one of
the best locations to view hawks and eagles
migrating along the Allegheny River. You’ll
find it along Rt. 68 in Clarion County.
GATEWAY LODGE
Woodland Wonders
and Creature Comforts
N
estled among the hemlocks and towering white pines of
Cook Forest you’ll find the Gateway Lodge. The lodge is a
romantic bed and breakfast offering luxurious suites where
you can bask in the glow of your own private fireplace. You can
enjoy fine dining in the lodge’s charming dining room and find the
comforts of home in its Great Room featuring log beams, woodburning hearth, and intimate seating areas.
The beauty and serenity of the mountain woodlands all
around, which many compare to Bavaria’s beloved Black Forest,
will give you the feeling you’re 2,000 miles away. While rest and
relaxation are part of any stay at the Gateway, it is a wonderful spa
destination too that must be experienced.
Its recently remodeled Woods Spa
offers facials, massages and full
body treatments to relax, refresh
and rejuvenate you. The spa
uses botanically-based Aveda
products specially created to
pamper and indulge your senses.
The Gateway Lodge is located on
Rt. 36 in Cooksburg, PA. To schedule your
spa experience, make a reservation, or get more information call
(800) 843-6862. Visit online at www.gatewaylodge.com
Relax and browse the tables at
the big Flea Market in Hazen, PA
this fall. There will be hundreds
of vendors selling antiques, crafts
and food. October 2 & 3. Opens
at 8 a.m. each day. It’s located 6
miles north of Brookville at 6847
Rt. 28. Get more information at
www.hazenfleamarket.com.
19
Freshly Prepared
Sandwiches, Wraps,
Burgers & Hot Dogs
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PA Great Outdoors.
PLUS 36 Flavors of Ice Cream
I
f you love good food and being
in Cook Forest by the Wild
and Scenic Clarion River, you’ll
love the Cooksburg Cafe. The
cafe’s food is freshly prepared
and custom made for each order.
Look for fish, chicken, tuna, and
steak sandwiches and wraps, plus
Smith’s all-beef hot dogs, and delicious hamburgers including the
local favorite— the Bud VanDale
Burger. To satisfy every taste, the
cafe offers 19 different toppings
for its sandwiches and burgers.
Side orders include hand-cut
French fries and curly fries. There
are also salads, onion rings,
pizza logs, chicken tenders,
hummus with pretzel chips and
more.
The cafe serves 36 flavors
of Hershey’s premium ice cream
to cool you on those warm summer days. You can enjoy your
favorite kind in a cake cone,
sugar cone, waffle cone or dish.
Or have it made into a sundae,
super banana split, milk shake,
or a Swirl, a refreshing house
specialty drink made with ice
cream and frozen 100% fruit
juice. Phil Your Phall
With Phun In
Punxsutawney
M
ost folks think of Punxsutawney — the hometown of Punxsutawney Phil, the world’s most famous weather forecaster
— only on Groundhog Day, February 2. But autumn is a beautiful
time of year there.
Magnificent fall foliage can be viewed hiking or biking along
the scenic Mahoning Shadow Trail. The trail follows Mahoning
Creek, crosses over a re-decked railroad trestle, and winds past a
beautiful waterfall. When the snow begins to fall, snowshoeing
and cross country skiing are popular along the trail as well.
Photo: Heritage Artworks - V. Dickens
20
When you stop by, you can
relax at a table in the open-air
court, under a canopy, a table
among the trees, or along the
banks of the Clarion River. When
you’re ready to go, you can get
a pint or quart of ice cream to
take with you and enjoy later.
You’ll find the Cooksburg
Cafe on River Rd. in Cook Forest,
a quarter mile from Rt. 36. The
cafe is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
seven days a week to the second
weekend in October. (814) 7448601. www.cookriverside.com
This fall mark
your calendar for
Punxsutawney’s
Oktoberfest
happening Friday
and Saturday, October
15-16. To see Punxsutawney
Phil, his wife Phyllis and cousin
Barney, stop by the local library
where they live. There’s a special
outside window lets you see
them anytime during daylight
hours at no charge.
Gobblers’ Knob — the
hallowed ground where Phil
makes his annual prediction
— is also open year-round.
Kiosks on site tell the story
of America’s 125-year old
Groundhog Day tradition.
You also can have fun
discovering and photographing
all 32 whimsical, six-foot-tall
Phantastic Phil statues located
around town. Plus visit the
Lattimer and Bennis historical
houses, which feature vintage
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clothing, period displays, sports
memorabilia, and Groundhog
Day history.
Punxsutawney is home to
the Weather Discovery Center
too. The center has interactive
displays showcasing the science
and folklore of weather prediction. You can experience a wind
tunnel tornado and even see
yourself on camera like a TV
weather forecaster with an AccuWeather Green Screen.
Around Thanksgiving, the
town will host a Home for the
Holidays Celebration downtown
on Saturday, November 13.
There also will be a Home for
the Holidays Parade and Light
Up Night the Saturday after
Thanksgiving, November 27,
beginning at 6 p.m.
For more information or
help planning your visit call
1-800-752-PHIL or go online at
www.punxsutawney.com/visiting
Wintertime Fun
Just because there’s snow on the ground and a
chill in the air doesn’t mean you can’t have fun in
the great outdoors. Bundle up and get some fresh
air at these events starting in January 2011.
Polar Bear Plunge
January 1, Parker, PA
www.canoeparker.com
Start the new year with an invigorating splash in the Allegheny
River on New Years Day. Parker, PA.
For more information visit www.
canoeparker.com or call 724-3992746. Parker is located 10 minutes
south of Foxburg, PA on Rt. 268.
Tionesta Winterfest
February 20, Tionesta, PA
www.forestcounty.com
Enjoy winter golf, horse drawn
hay rides, kids outdoor games,
bonfire with free hotdogs, a pie
and ice cream social, live entertainment and a chili cook-off
in Tionesta all day February 20.
For more information visit www.
forestcounty.com.
Bendigo SnowFest
February 5, Johnsonburg, PA
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
Enjoy the winter weather at Bendigo
State Park’s SnowFest on February 5.
There will be sledding, cross-country
skiing, snowshoeing, and geocaching.
Admission is free and everyone is
welcome. Hot chocolate, hot dogs and baked goods. In the event
of now snow...the festival will still have lots of fun outdoor family
activities. Bendigo State Park is located on Bendigo Rd. (SR 1004).
From the light on Rt. 219 in Johnsonburg turn onto Bendigo Rd.
and follow the signs to the park. For more information log on www.
dcnr.state.pa.us or call (814) 965-2646.
Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous
February 19-26, Ridgway, PA
www.chainsawrendezvous.org
Artists from across the country and around
the world will gather once again in the
beautiful little town of Ridgway, PA, for the
International Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous in
February. During this weeklong event, carvers
will transform hardwood logs into life-sized
works of wildlife art, large totem poles and
abstract pieces with their saws and hand tools. The rendezvous will take
place in downtown Ridgway. The town’s specialty shops and restaurants will
be open, and vendors will be on hand selling food and hot beverages. For a
complete schedule of events and directions visit www.chainsawrendezvous.
org or call (814) 772-0400.
Groundhog Day Celebration
January February 2, Punxsutawney, PA
www.groundhog.org
In the days leading up to Groundhog Day, the
town of Punxsutawney will host a big celebration, featuring a wide variety of live music and
family entertainment. Then at. 3 a.m. on February 2, the gates will open at Gobbler’s Knob,
the woodland park where world famous weather
forecaster Punxsutawney Phil delivers his forecast. There will be dancing,
a bonfire, and a dazzling fireworks display with musical accompaniment.
Just as the sun peaks over the horizon, Phil will make his prediction —
either six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Call (800)752-PHIL or
visit www.groundhog.org for a schedule of events.
Marienville
Winterfest
January 29,
Marienville, PA
www.forestcounty.com
Head for Marienville on in
late January for the town’s
annual winterfest. The
all-day event will feature snow sculptures,
children’s games, chili cook-off, bake-off,
plus raffles, and contest. The day’s activities conclude with a dramatic snowmobile torch light
parade at 6 p.m. It all takes
place at the MACA Building
and grounds, Marienville.
Call (814) 927-8218 or visit
www.forestcounty.com for
more information.
Snowman In The Forest
February ???, Cook Forest State Park
www.cookforest.com
Take part in a day of fun wintry activities along the
picturesque Clarion River in Cook Forest State Park. Enjoy
reindeer sleigh rides, ice skating, sled riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and a snowman building contest.
Chili, hot chocolate, coffee, and big campfire and warming
hut will be available to take the chill off. The hub of activity will be the ice skating pond along River Road, one mile up-river from the park
office. For more information visit www.cookforest.com or call (814) 752-2393.
T
he holidays are a magical
time in the small towns
and buroughs throughout
our forestlands. When the snow
begins to fall on the evergreen
trees the stores along our Victorian Main Streets light up. As
you browse the shops you’ll discover unique gifts, handmade
crafts, and beautiful home decor. Many stores offer customers free cookies and warming
sips of Christmas punch.
From early November to
the end of December, you also
can enjoy a variety of community craft shows, bake sales,
horse-drawn carriage rides,
holiday parades and tree lighting festivals. Here’s a preview
of events to help you plan your
holiday agenda...
22
Brockway
Christmas Gathering
in Brockway
Open house of private homes
and businesses decorated for
the holidays. Handmade crafts,
gift ideas, beautiful home décor,
cookies, candies, wine.
November 18-21, 26-28
Thur., Fri., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday noon-4 p.m.
Throughout Brockway, PA
(814) 265-3763
www.christmasgathering.com
Brookville
Gingerbread Tour
Holiday shopping events at
antique and specialty shops and
artisan workshops throughout
region.
November 6-7,
10 a.m.-5
p.m.
Brookville to
Cook Forest,
Leeper and
Fisher, PA
(814) 764-5556,
www.cookforest.com
Annual Light Up Night &
Christmas Parade
Santa arrives by fire truck in
the annual Christmas parade,
plus tree lighting, carolers, gift
shopping at local stores.
November 26, 5 p.m.
Main St., Brookville, PA 15825
(814) 849-7897
Victorian Christmas
Celebration
Arts and crafts, nativity
procession, decorated Christmas
trees, candlelight tour, carolers,
brass ensembles, gift shopping.
December 3-5, 5 p.m.
Downtown Main St.
Brookville, PA 15825
(814) 849-5339, Ext. 28
www.brookvillechamber.com
Clarion
Clarion County
Festival of Trees
Dozens of decorated trees, over
40 craft vendors, delicious meals
and live entertainment. Sunday
breakfast with Santa.
December 3, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
December 4, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
December 5, 8 a.m.-noon
St. Joseph Social Hall
112 Rectory Lane
Lucinda, PA 16235
www.stjosephlucinda.org
Reynoldsville
Punxsutawney
Women’s Night Out
Get pampered with massage
therapy, pedicures, manicures.
Home party vendors.
December 3, 6-8 p.m.
Happy hour 5 p.m.
Clarion Holiday Inn
45 Holiday Inn
Rd.
Clarion, PA
16214
(814) 2268850
www.
hiclarion.com
Cook Forest
Winter in the Woods
Carriage Rides
Horse drawn carriage ride
through Cook Forest along River
Road. Reservations required.
December 11 & 18, all day
Gateway Lodge
14870 Rt. 36
Cookburg, PA 16217
(800) 843-6862
www.gatewaylodge.com
Winter in the Woods
Chef Tastings
Five courses of exquisite cuisine
paired with award-winning wine.
Seatings at 5:30 and 8 pm. Live
entertainment. Reservations
required.
December 11 & 18
Gateway Lodge
14870 Rt. 36
Cookburg, PA 16217
(800) 843-6862
www.gatewaylodge.com
Emporium
Christmas in the Wilds
Arts and craft demonstrations,
gift shopping, food, beverages,
candy, cookies, appearance by
Santa’s reindeer, big parade with
several Macy’s-style balloons.
December 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Parade at noon
Fourth St.,
Emporium, PA 15834
(814) 486-4314
www.cameroncountychamber.org
Breakfast with Santa
All you can eat breakfast. Visit
with Santa.
December 11, 9-11 a.m.
Emporium Volunteer Fire
Department
419 North Broad St.
Emporium, PA 15834
(814) 486-4314
www.cameroncountychamber.org
Christmas Craft Show
Hand-crafted items and
homemade foods for sale.
December 4
Emporium Volunteer Fire
Department
419 North Broad St.
Emporium, PA 15834
(814) 486-0894
www.emporiumfd.org
Knox
Once Upon A Christmas
Pre-holiday shopping event
hosted by local crafters, artists,
artisans, stores and service
organizations.
November 19, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
November 20,10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
November 21, noon-5 p.m.
Knox and Surrounding Area
Knox, PA 16232
(814) 797-5823
www.onceuponachristmas.info
New Bethlehem
Redbank Renaissance Arts
and Crafts Show
Over 20 fine
quality,
unique local
artists with a
wide variety
of art and
gift items.
Breakfast roll
bake sale.
December 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
New Bethlehem Presbyterian
Church 403 Penn St.
New Bethlehem, PA 16242
(814) 275-1718
www.redbankren.org
Home for the Holidays Parade/
Christmas Tree Lighting
Sparkling nighttime event that
welcomes Santa Claus to town.
Fireworks follow the parade along
with lighting of the trees in
Barclay Square.
November 27, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
Downtown Punxsutawney, PA
(800) 752-PHIL
www.punxsutawney.com
Ridgway
Art Gallery Holiday
Open House
Celebrate the season with food,
beverages and good company.
Meet artists, browse artworks.
December 1, 6-9 p.m.
ECCOTA Gallery
237 Main St., Ridgway, PA 15853
(814) 772-7051
www.eccota.com
Christmas
Cheer Tour
Wine and
beer tasting
tour in
downtown
Ridgway. Shop
at downtown stores for holiday
specials.
December 3, 5-9 p.m.
Downtown Ridgway, PA 15853
(814) 776-1424
www.ridgwaychamber.com
Yuletide Memories Weekend
Shopping event at Ridgway’s
specialty shops. Starts Friday
night with Christmas Cheer Tour.
December 3-5
Downtown, Ridgway, PA 15853
(814) 776-1424
www.ridgwaychamber.com
Christmas Toy Exhibit
& Open House
Toys of Christmas Past with
Christmas goodies and hot
chocolate.
December 4, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Elk County Historical Society
109 Center St., Ridgway, PA
15853
(814) 776-1032
www.elkcountyhistoricalsociety.org
Shoppes of Reynoldsville
Christmas Open House
Free horse drawn carriage rides,
crafts and gift sales, food,
strolling Victorian carolers.
November 26-28
Main event Sunday noon-6 p.m.
Downtown Reynoldsville, PA
15851
(814) 653-8707
www.carriagehousecreations.com
Rimersburg
Christmas Present Craft Show
Community-wide craft show. 25+
homes, businesses and churches
decorated for holidays. Handcrafted gifts, homemade baked
goods, jams, jellies.
November 4-7
Thur., Fri., Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Sunday noon-4 p.m.
Throughout Rimersburg, PA
(814) 221-1521
Sligo
Sligo Home for the Holidays
Christmas Craft & Gift Show
Arts, gifts and hand-crafted items
offered for sale at participating
homes and businesses.
Nov. 4-6, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Nov. 7, noon-4 p.m.
Sligo, PA 16255
(814) 745-3940 or (814) 7452074
St. Marys
Light Up Night
Community
Christmas tree
lighting, carolers,
live mannequins in
shop windows, sales, and
Santa’s arrival.
November 19, 6-9 p.m.
Downtown, St. Marys, PA 15857
(814) 781-3804
www.stmaryschamber.org
Tionesta
Christmas in the Forest
Call the Forest County Visitors
Center or check web site for
schedule of events.
Weekends in December
Various locations throughout
Tionesta, PA 16353
(814) 755-3338
www.forestcounty.com
Photo courtesy of HerbA
23
Colors and Reflections
Experience Clarion River Country This Fall
C
larion County is where the Wild and Scenic Allegheny and Clarion rivers flow. So this fall
experience nature’s kalaidescope of color with the orange, gold and crimson leaves and
their beautiful reflection on the water. For complete autumn travel information including
events, attractions, restaurants and lodging call (814) 849-5197 or go online to VisitPaGo.com.
Enjoy the
panaramic view of
the Brady’s Bend
Overlook.
Celebrate the fall
season at the Farmers National Bank Autumn Leaf
Festival
in Clarion
September
25 to
October 3.
Explore
diverse
landscapes
and habitats
in Cook
Forest. The
trail scenery is quite
astounding during the
fall season.
Sit and relax with
good food, drinks and
a wonderful river view
in Foxburg. Have fun at
the Art, Wine and Food
Festival October 10.
Paid for by the Clarion County Room Tax Committee