Blossburg: News: News and Views

News and Views

7/1/09

Blossburg News & Views
By Barb Slocum

Summer is finally here! In Blossburg, that can mean some pretty extreme weather, and the hail storm this week was a fine example. Most of the town was hit with hail as large as marbles. The southern part of town, however, had a number of tennis-ball sized hail stones! One woman put a couple of them into her freezer so that she could prove how large they were. It was reported that a windshield was broken in the parking lot of Ward Manufacturing on Taber Street, and in Cherry Flats, a homeowner had two skylights broken. Several cars were seen taking refuge under the pavilion of the old Gulf station on North Williamson Road.

The "SonRock Kids Camp" vacation Bible school at the First Baptist Church was a roaring success! The indoor forest created a wonderful piney smell throughout the building. The trees and labor for the creation of the forest were donated by Zimmer Tree Farm on the Cherry Flats Road. Nearly 50 kids attended the program; ten prayed for salvation and five rededicated their lives to the Lord. VBS director, Barb Slocum, stated that helping kids learn about God's love and accept Jesus as their Savior "made all the effort more than worthwhile." Watch for more VBS programs at other area churches.

Summer is also the time for travel and vacations. Conrad and Janice Lindquist enjoyed a month-long visit from Kenneth Boinski of Dunnellon, Florida. They also hosted Michael and Mikey Rumsey (also from Florida) for a week. You know you live in a great place when people from Florida come here for vacation!

Hamilton-Gibson Productions will be offering "Under the Lentil" on July 17. This one-man play, written by and starring Tom Putnam, will take place in the North Penn High School auditorium at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $15 each, $25 per couple, with proceeds benefitting Blossburg Memorial Library. Come see some of Tioga County's high-quality entertainment.

Another event in our area is the 5th Annual Ag Heritage Day on July 3, from 10:30 until 3:00 at the Washington Street train station in Towanda. There will be information and products from dairy, fruits, vegetables, beef animals, eggs, cheeses, and crafts that often accompany the farms (spinning, weaving, baskets, soaps). Demonstrations and performances, such as Deb Schildt's loom weaving and Patty Dillman's willow basket-making, can be seen throughout the day. The Home Textile Museum will have a display and the Cats Cradle Spinning Guild will be demonstrating spinning and other fiber arts.

The Northern Tier Cultural Alliance will have copies of its brand new DVD, "The Barns and Agriculture of Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier: A 2008 Portrait" for sale. This film is the culmination of an 18-month project focusing on regional barns – their architecture, uses and history. The Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau will have information about area wineries and other fun things to see and do in our region. Representatives of the Northern Tier "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" chapter will have information about the program and offer an opportunity to join.

You can also enjoy tasting and purchasing locally-grown foods at the Towanda Farmers' Market. This market is a "grower-only" market, which offers consumers an opportunity to meet local farmers and talk with them about their agricultural practices. Products offered at the Farmers' Market include maple products, fresh vegetables, eggs, goat milk creations, baked goods, and much more!

For more information on NTCA and its programs, visit www.ntculturalalliance.org or call the office at 570-265-7455. For further information about the July 3 Ag Heritage Day, contact Kathy Joyce at the PA North Country Artisan Center and Store at 570-268-5055.

If you have something you would like to submit for the Blossburg News & Views column, send it to barb_slocum@hotmail.com, or call Barb at 570-656-6597. If you would like your organization's event posted on the Blossburg web site, send an email to events@blossburg.org. Include the date, time, location, and some information about the event. To have your community event advertised on the large sign by the green bridge, submit information two weeks in advance to: sign@blossburg.org.

We want more news! To submit a birthday or anniversary greeting, a community event, or any other item for publication, send items to news@blossburg.org, or call Barb Slocum at 570-656-6597. Until next time, have a wonderful week.