There’s no getting around it – winter is here in Northeastern Pennsylvania — and after New Year’s, you’ll be looking for things to do. Just in time for you to plan some winter activities and dream about some summer ones, the 2020 Columbia-Montour Visitors Guide will make its debut Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Berwick Christmas Boulevard.
If you just want to curl up by the warm fireplace and daydream about warm weather activities to come, then check out the Guide’s Events Calendar. Coming up Jan. 22-26 at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds is the 32nd Annual Early Bird Sports Expo in the Industrial Arts Building. Besides all the enticing displays about outdoor activities like hunting, fishing, hiking and kayaking there will be food vendors offering all kinds of goodies. Or if you’re looking to entertain the kids, there’s the 6th Annual Children’s Museum Competitive Science Fair Jan. 16 at the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum.
Articles in this year’s guide focus on things to do. Dream
about summer while you read “Finding the Perfect Trail: Five Fantastic Hikes
for 2020.” You’ll read about the Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen, home to 21
waterfalls. Then there’s Weiser State Forest, which is home to four historic
miner trails from the 19th century that were recently restored to
allow hikers to “walk in the footsteps” of miners from days past. Or you can
hike the Warrior Trail that stretches from just outside Berwick all the way to
West Nanticoke or visit the Goose Woods Trail at Montour Preserve – described
as “a naturalist’s dream.”
Or dream about summer fruits and veggies while reading “Rohrbach’s
Farm: An Ever-Changing Tradition.”
Plan your trips for the summer of 2020 by reading “Summer
Heritage Passport Brings History to Life,” which will take you on a quick tour
of some of the places on the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau’s Summer Heritage
Passport activity. It’s a perfect activity for families with children or
couples looking for something to do on the weekends during the summer. It’s
especially good for Scout groups and school groups, as it takes only a visit to
five locations for the kids to earn a commemorative Heritage Passport patch. If
you’re ambitious, you can do 10 of the stops to be entered in a drawing for one
of five grand-prize baskets!
You’ll also learn about “Camp Victory: A Special Camp for
Special Kids,” located in Millville. Each year from spring to fall, Camp Victory
hosts various camps — one week for cancer survivors, a week for kids with
heart disease, diabetes, spina bifida, autism, and many more. The Camp is
accessible for all abilities: the treehouse has a ramp, the zip line and
rock-climbing wall have adaptive harnesses, the swimming pool has a lift and a
ramp, and the camp paths are paved.
You’ll also find listings of service and community
organizations, restaurants, lodging, and shopping in Columbia and Montour
counties, so be sure to pick up your copy of the Visitors Guide.
Berwick Christmas
Boulevard
A tradition for more than 70 years, a drive along Berwick’s
Christmas Boulevard will put you in the spirit of the season. The Berwick
Christmas Boulevard was founded in 1947 by Jaycees organization in Berwick. They envisioned a free-for-everyone,
mile-long stretch of Christmas decorations in the center of town. The
Boulevard, located the length of Market Street has been decorated by volunteers
ever since. The Jaycees organization closed in 2015, but the Berwick Boulevard
Association formed to continue the holiday tradition, which takes place every
night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31.
Take a ride along the Boulevard and you’ll find thousands of
strings of lights draped in the branches of 400 freshly cut pine trees. Then there are the tiny buildings housing
original animation by renowned New York City artist David Hamberger. Community
members construct the tiny houses and buildings to display more than 60 of
Hamberger’s vintage movables acquired over the years. These remarkable figures,
some dating back to the early 1940s, have been showcased in each Christmas
Boulevard since its inception. Recently, the Association acquired a large lot
of Hamberger movables, possibly making the 2019 Christmas Boulevard the largest
display of vintage Hamberger figures in the nation.
And you’ll even find Santa himself and his elf helpers
handing out Wise Potato Chips to Boulevard visitors!
Did you know that November is National Historic Bridge Awareness Month? Plan to celebrate this area’s historic covered bridges by going to “Christmas on the Bridges” on the East and West Paden Bridges — the Twin Bridges — Sunday, December 8 from 1 PM to 4 PM.
Sponsored by the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association,
the annual free event has something for everyone. There are free hayrides with
Santa for the kids (and the kids at heart) from 1 PM – 3 PM. And, local
breweries and wineries will be there with wine and beer tastings to entice the
adults.
Of course, the event’s famous ham and bean soup will be
available. An amazing soup, it’s made on the bridges at the event in big
cauldrons. Buy a bowl and eat it there or get a quart to take home for later,
but whatever you do, get there early if you want some because it sells out
fast!
The event’s legendary ham & bean soup is cooked in giant cauldrons.
For your sweet tooth, there will be a bake sale, and the Orangeville
Public Library will have its Basket Raffle.
The CCCBA’s mission is to restore, preserve and advocate for
the 23 covered bridges in Columbia County. Formed in 2001, the CCCBA owns the
Josiah Hess, Stillwater and Shoemaker covered bridges.
The iconic Twin Bridges where the event is being held are
the only twin bridges remaining in the United States. Built in 1884 on
Huntington Creek near Orangeville by W. C. Pennington, the Twin Bridges are
named after John Paden, who operated a nearby sawmill.
Various baked goods will also be available.
The West Paden Bridge is a Burr Truss bridge. Theodore Burr, an inventor from Connecticut, designed the Burr Arch Truss, which featured two long arches, resting on the abutments on either end. Find out more from the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society of Pennsylvania. Somewhat different in design, the East Paden Bridge is a Queen Truss bridge. The original West Paden Bridge was washed away by flood waters in June 2006. It was reconstructed in 2008.
Open only to pedestrian traffic now, the Paden bridges are
located in Twin Covered Bridge Park off Route 487 in Fishing Creek Township
near Orangeville.
Buy a Puzzle
Another way to support the CCCBA is by purchasing one of the
annual jigsaw puzzles from the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau. A donation of
$2 from every puzzle sold goes to the CCCBA to help with restoration and
preservation of our local covered bridge treasures.
Each year, the winning entry in the Visitors Bureau’s
covered bridge photo contest is made into a limited edition 500-piece puzzle.
It makes a great holiday gift. Don’t tell my sons, but each of their families
is getting one this year!
This year’s puzzle features contest-winner Paul W. Naus
Jr.’s snapshot of the Kramer Bridge in Columbia County.
Only a few dozen limited-edition 2019 Covered Bridge puzzles remain.
You’ll have to act fast, though. Only about 3 dozen of the
puzzles are left for $15 each. To get one, drop in at the Welcome Center at 121
Papermill Road, Bloomsburg (near the Lightstreet Exit on I-80) or call
800-847-4810 to have one shipped to your location. Puzzles can be shipped
anywhere for an additional charge, so it makes a great gift for people on your
list who have moved away.
Christmas will be here before you know it! Start the
holidays off right by getting in the festive mood at Christmas on the Bridges.
The holidays are a great time of year to spend time with friends and family. If your Thanksgiving travels bring you into Columbia & Montour Counties next week, there are plenty of great events and area activities planned that will provide fun for the whole family. After Thanksgiving, the Christmas festivities begin in earnest, including the renowned 73rd annual Berwick Christmas Boulevard.
Saturday, November 23rd
Free Carriage Rides will be offered in Danville on November 23rd.
Danville Holiday Open House & Carriage Rides – Enjoy FREE horse-drawn carriage rides in Danville from 5:00 – 9:00 PM. Plus, visit the shops of historic downtown Danville and find something for everyone on your list this holiday season!
Bloomsburg’sComing Home for Christmas – Don’t miss the 2nd Annual “Coming Home for Christmas” Festival in downtown Bloomsburg from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Shop craft vendors for holiday gifts and enjoy holiday carolers, pony rides, a petting zoo, food vendors, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and much more. A free shuttle will also be on hand to transport attendees to and from The Outpost, the Children’s Museum, the Marketplace on 10th Street, the Greenwood Farmers Market, and Saint Columba Church’s Winterfest (happening the same day from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM). For full details about the event, visit the Event Facebook Page.
Sunday, November 24th
Danville Holiday Open House – Visit historic downtown Danville to experience a healthy dose of holiday cheer during the town’s annual Holiday Open House from 12:00 – 5:00 PM. Participating retail stores will invite shoppers into their stores for light refreshments while they begin their holiday shopping. Take a stroll through downtown and shop local for everyone on your list this holiday season! Also, don’t miss out on the FREE carriage rides on Saturday, November 23 from 5:00 -9:00 PM.
Thursday, November 28th – Thanksgiving Day
Berwick’s 110th Annual Run for the Diamonds draws hundreds of participants.
Berwick’s 110th Annual “Run for the Diamonds” Race – Before the turkey dinner finds its way to the table, head over to Berwick to be a part of an incredible Thanksgiving Day Tradition – the 110th Annual Run for the Diamonds. Spectators will come out early to line the course and runners from around the world will gather at the start line for a 10:30 start. The 9-mile course, unchanged from the inaugural route, takes runners throughout the Berwick borough. It starts and ends at Market Street. The race used to be called the “Berwick Marathon” until the 1970’s and 1980’s. However, since the race is too short to qualify as an official marathon, and winners receive diamonds as part of their prize, the name was changed to “Run for the Diamonds” and has stuck ever since. For more information, visit the Event Facebook Page or the Run for the Diamonds website.
Artspace Gallery’s Holiday Show – Visit Artspace Gallery in downtown Bloomsburg for a special holiday artist exhibit. The show will open November 21st and run through January 5th. The entire staff of artists from Artspace are participating in this final show for 2019. The original, one-of-a-kind pieces that are made by local artists in the exhibit will make for great holiday gifts! A show reception will be held on Saturday, November 30 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For gallery hours, and more information, please visit theArtspace Gallery’swebsite.
Friday, November 29th
WHLM Parade of Lights – If you’re already ready to be done with Thanksgiving and gear up for Christmas, look no further than the 2019 Parade of Lights in downtown Bloomsburg. Starting at 6:00 PM on Friday evening, the town will be filled with classic cars, floats, boats, fire trucks, entertainment, and of course – thousands upon thousands of Christmas lights! The parade ushers in the Christmas season, and Santa Claus will make a special appearance. Sizable cash prizes will be issued for the best floats, so the competition will be stiff and the floats will be well crafted! The parade forms at 4:30 PM and moves at 6 PM. It will leave from the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital parking lot and travel down Lightstreet Road onto Main Street. The parade then turns at Market Street and eventually will end at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds (5th Street entrance). Visitors attending the Parade of Lights are also invited to join the festivities at the Caldwell Consistory for TreeFest, or at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds for Winterfest. The Parade of Lights is hosted by WHLM Radio Station and sponsored by the Bloomsburg Area Rotary Club. For more information, visit the Parade of Lights website.
Bloomsburg Fair Winterfest – The second annual Bloomsburg Fair Winterfest will be held at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds on Friday, November 29th from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday, November 30th from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and Sunday, December 1st from 10:00AM – 4:00 PM. There will be ice sculpting, wood carving, craft vendors, food vendors, wineries, live reindeer, hot air balloon rides, a 5K run, horse and cart rides, bonfire, live music, puppet shows, pony rides, games, and more. Parking and Admission to the Fairgrounds for the event will be FREE. Enter at the Main Street entrance of the Fairgrounds. For more information, please visit theFairgrounds Facebook Page. SPECIAL TO FRIDAY EVENING: On Friday evening, the Parade of Lights will arrive, led by Santa Claus and beautifully crafted floats.
TreeFest in Bloomsburg – TreeFest kicks off on Friday evening at 4:00 PM and continues all weekend (and the following weekend) at the Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg. The event began in 1989, and serves as a fundraiser for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE). TreeFest begins with local Christmas tree growers who donate over a hundred live trees to be trimmed. Then, community volunteers, youth groups, florists, garden clubs, and other local organizations set up and decorate the rooms and the trees for the holidays. Each tree will be sponsored by an area business or individual. Throughout the event, local entertainment is provided, including school choirs, dance groups, and folk musicians. Adding to the holiday atmosphere, visitors will be able to start their Christmas shopping with the dozens of professional craft artisans displaying their wares for sale. A special silent auction will also be held during the event. At the conclusion of the year’s festivities, the trees are donated to area families in need. Adult admission is $6, and children 12 and under are FREE. Official parking for the event is available on weekends, and is located behind the Columbia County Courthouse. For more information, visit the Event Facebook Page or the TreeFest website.
2019 TreeFest Schedule: Friday, November 29; 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday, November 30; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, December 1; 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM TeaFest – Monday, Dec. 2 at 1:00 PM Friday, December 6; 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday, December 7; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, December 8; 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Danville Welcome Santa Parade – Visit downtown Danville on Friday, November 29th at 6:00 PM to welcome the arrival of Santa Claus in town. Parade will travel down Mill Street and end at Canal Park.
Artspace Gallery’s Holiday Show – Visit Artspace Gallery in downtown Bloomsburg for a special holiday artist exhibit. The show will open November 21st and run through January 5th. The entire staff of artists from Artspace are participating in this final show for 2019. The original, one-of-a-kind pieces that are made by local artists in the exhibit will make for great holiday gifts! A show reception will be held on Saturday, November 30 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For gallery hours, and more information, please visit theArtspace Gallery’swebsite.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at BTE – Brainy Mary Bennet, while on a Christmas visit to her sister’s English country estate, bumps into the equally brainy (and handsome!) Arthur de Bourgh. You’ll be rooting for them to get their heads out of their books and under the mistletoe in this rollicking holiday confection. This unofficial sequel to Pride & Prejudice has been a hit on stages from coast to coast! Before the show, visit the downtown art galleries, the Parade of Lights, TreeFest, or Winterfest! Show runs Thursdays – Sundays from November 29th – December 29th. For more information about showtimes, or to purchase tickets, visit the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’swebsite.
Saturday, November 30th
Bloomsburg’s Treefest begins on November 29th.
Bloomsburg Fair Winterfest – The second annual Bloomsburg Fair Winterfest will be held at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds on Friday, November 29th from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Saturday, November 30th from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and Sunday, December 1st from 10:00AM – 4:00 PM. There will be ice sculpting, wood carving, craft vendors, food vendors, wineries, live reindeer, hot air balloon rides, a 5K run, horse and cart rides, bonfire, live music, puppet shows, pony rides, games, and more. Parking and Admission to the Fairgrounds for the event will be FREE. Enter at the Main Street entrance of the Fairgrounds. For more information, please visit theFairgrounds Facebook Page.
TreeFest in Bloomsburg – TreeFest kicks off on Friday evening at 4:00 PM and continues all weekend (and the following weekend) at the Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg. The event began in 1989, and serves as a fundraiser for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE). TreeFest begins with local Christmas tree growers who donate over a hundred live trees to be trimmed. Then, community volunteers, youth groups, florists, garden clubs, and other local organizations set up and decorate the rooms and the trees for the holidays. Each tree will be sponsored by an area business or individual. Throughout the event, local entertainment is provided, including school choirs, dance groups, and folk musicians. Adding to the holiday atmosphere, visitors will be able to start their Christmas shopping with the dozens of professional craft artisans displaying their wares for sale. A special silent auction will also be held during the event. At the conclusion of the year’s festivities, the trees are donated to area families in need. Adult admission is $6, and children 12 and under are FREE. Official parking for the event is available on weekends, and is located behind the Columbia County Courthouse. For more information, visit the Event Facebook Page or the TreeFest website.
2019 TreeFest Schedule: Friday, November 29; 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday, November 30; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, December 1; 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM TeaFest – Monday, Dec. 2 at 1:00 PM Friday, December 6; 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday, December 7; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, December 8; 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
North Pole Express Holiday Train Ride – The North Pole Express is a family tradition in Bloomsburg held annually during Thanksgiving weekend. Enjoy a 1-hour train ride from Bloomsburg to Catawissa with holiday stories, carols, and characters. Rides leave at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Tickets are available right here.
Breakfast With Santa at Ponduce Farms – Santa Claus is coming to Ponduce Farms! Bring the kids over to the farm from 8 AM – 11 AM for a special breakfast with none other than the jolly big man himself. Breakfast costs: Adults – $10.50; Kids – $5.25; Children 2 & Under – FREE. Reservations are highly encouraged!
Breakfast With Santa, Kosmo Klaus & the Elves – Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 9 AM – 12 PM with Santa and your favorite Knoebels characters at Nickle Plate Bar & Grill! Reserve your preferred time slot online. A complimentary photo print is included with your group’s breakfast buffet purchase. Stick around afterwards and make a gingerbread house or other festive Christmas crafts! Buffet includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, French toast sticks, bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fresh fruit, assorted pastries and cookies! Day of event seating will available be on a first-come, first served basis. Adult Buffet = $13.95; Child Buffet (under 12) = $8.95; Under 3 Years = FREE
Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville.
Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville – Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville on Saturday, November 30th from 12 PM – 3 PM. Santa’s Cottage will also be open on Fridays in December (6, 13 & 20) from 5 PM – 7 PM each night, or Saturdays in December (7, 14 & 21) from 12 PM – 3 PM.
Artspace Gallery’s Holiday Show – Visit Artspace Gallery in downtown Bloomsburg for a special holiday artist exhibit. The show will open November 21st and run through January 5th. The entire staff of artists from Artspace are participating in this final show for 2019. The original, one-of-a-kind pieces that are made by local artists in the exhibit will make for great holiday gifts! A show reception will be held on Saturday, November 30 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For gallery hours, and more information, please visit theArtspace Gallery’swebsite.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at BTE – Brainy Mary Bennet, while on a Christmas visit to her sister’s English country estate, bumps into the equally brainy (and handsome!) Arthur de Bourgh. You’ll be rooting for them to get their heads out of their books and under the mistletoe in this rollicking holiday confection. This unofficial sequel to Pride & Prejudice has been a hit on stages from coast to coast! Before the show, visit the downtown art galleries, the Parade of Lights, TreeFest, or Winterfest! Show runs Thursdays – Sundays from November 29th – December 29th. For more information about showtimes, or to purchase tickets, visit the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’swebsite.
Small Business Saturday in Danville – Start your holiday shopping in downtown Danville on Saturday! Join the Danville Business Alliance and shoppers everywhere to support and celebrate your favorite small businesses on Small Business Saturday. You’re shopping small every time you pick up a cup or a bag of coffee at your local coffee shop, grab lunch or dinner at a local restaurant, buy something new at a local boutique, or catch a show at the Booth Theater. Various businesses will be offering special deals and discounts in celebration of the day. Help support the small businesses that help make your community vibrant and unique! For more information, visit the Danville Business Alliancewebsite.
Sunday, December 1st
TreeFest in Bloomsburg – TreeFest kicks off on Friday evening at 4:00 PM and continues all weekend (and the following weekend) at the Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg. The event began in 1989, and serves as a fundraiser for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE). TreeFest begins with local Christmas tree growers who donate over a hundred live trees to be trimmed. Then, community volunteers, youth groups, florists, garden clubs, and other local organizations set up and decorate the rooms and the trees for the holidays. Each tree will be sponsored by an area business or individual. Throughout the event, local entertainment is provided, including school choirs, dance groups, and folk musicians. Adding to the holiday atmosphere, visitors will be able to start their Christmas shopping with the dozens of professional craft artisans displaying their wares for sale. A special silent auction will also be held during the event. At the conclusion of the year’s festivities, the trees are donated to area families in need. Adult admission is $6, and children 12 and under are FREE. Official parking for the event is available on weekends, and is located behind the Columbia County Courthouse. For more information, visit the Event Facebook Page or the TreeFest website.
2019 TreeFest Schedule: Friday, November 29; 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday, November 30; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, December 1; 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM TeaFest – Monday, Dec. 2 at 1:00 PM Friday, December 6; 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday, December 7; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, December 8; 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
TreeFest in Bloomsburg – TreeFest kicks off on Friday evening at 4:00 PM and continues all weekend (and the following weekend) at the Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg. The event began in 1989, and serves as a fundraiser for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (BTE). TreeFest begins with local Christmas tree growers who donate over a hundred live trees to be trimmed. Then, community volunteers, youth groups, florists, garden clubs, and other local organizations set up and decorate the rooms and the trees for the holidays. Each tree will be sponsored by an area business or individual. Throughout the event, local entertainment is provided, including school choirs, dance groups, and folk musicians. Adding to the holiday atmosphere, visitors will be able to start their Christmas shopping with the dozens of professional craft artisans displaying their wares for sale. A special silent auction will also be held during the event. At the conclusion of the year’s festivities, the trees are donated to area families in need. Adult admission is $6, and children 12 and under are FREE. Official parking for the event is available on weekends, and is located behind the Columbia County Courthouse. For more information, visit the Event Facebook Page or the TreeFest website.
2019 TreeFest Schedule: Friday, November 29; 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Saturday, November 30; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, December 1; 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM TeaFest – Monday, Dec. 2 at 1:00 PM Friday, December 6; 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM Saturday, December 7; 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, December 8; 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
North Pole Express Holiday Train Ride – The North Pole Express is a family tradition in Bloomsburg held annually during Thanksgiving weekend. Enjoy a 1-hour train ride from Bloomsburg to Catawissa with holiday stories, carols, and characters. Rides leave at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Tickets are available right here.
Breakfast With Santa at Ponduce Farms – Santa Claus is coming to Ponduce Farms! Bring the kids over to the farm from 8 AM – 11 AM for a special breakfast with none other than the jolly big man himself. Breakfast costs: Adults – $10.50; Kids – $5.25; Children 2 & Under – FREE. Reservations are highly encouraged!
Breakfast With Santa, Kosmo Klaus & the Elves – Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 9 AM – 12 PM with Santa and your favorite Knoebels characters at Nickle Plate Bar & Grill! Reserve your preferred time slot online. A complimentary photo print is included with your group’s breakfast buffet purchase. Stick around afterwards and make a gingerbread house or other festive Christmas crafts! Buffet includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, French toast sticks, bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fresh fruit, assorted pastries and cookies! Day of event seating will available be on a first-come, first served basis. Adult Buffet = $13.95; Child Buffet (under 12) = $8.95; Under 3 Years = FREE
Artspace Gallery’s Holiday Show – Visit Artspace Gallery in downtown Bloomsburg for a special holiday artist exhibit. The show will open November 21st and run through January 5th. The entire staff of artists from Artspace are participating in this final show for 2019. The original, one-of-a-kind pieces that are made by local artists in the exhibit will make for great holiday gifts! A show reception will be held on Saturday, November 30 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. For gallery hours, and more information, please visit theArtspace Gallery’swebsite.
Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley at BTE – Brainy Mary Bennet, while on a Christmas visit to her sister’s English country estate, bumps into the equally brainy (and handsome!) Arthur de Bourgh. You’ll be rooting for them to get their heads out of their books and under the mistletoe in this rollicking holiday confection. This unofficial sequel to Pride & Prejudice has been a hit on stages from coast to coast! Before the show, visit the downtown art galleries, the Parade of Lights, TreeFest, or Winterfest! Show runs Thursdays – Sundays from November 29th – December 29th. For more information about showtimes, or to purchase tickets, visit the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’swebsite.
Friday, December 6th
Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville – Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville on Saturday, November 30th from 12 PM – 3 PM. Santa’s Cottage will also be open on Fridays in December (6, 13 & 20) from 5 PM – 7 PM each night, or Saturdays in December (7, 14 & 21) from 12 PM – 3 PM.
Danville Hometown Holiday Celebration – Visit downtown Danville for a weekend full of holiday festivities for the entire family. Enjoy town caroling on Mill Street, beautifully decorated downtown storefronts, free hot cocoa on Mill Street, and late shoppers night until 9 PM. SPECIAL TO DECEMBER 6 – Children’s Puppet Show at Thomas Beaver Free Library; 6 PM – 7 PM.
Saturday, December 7th
Berwick Christmas Boulevard Opening Night (Boulevard is held each night from December 7 to December 31) – Now in its 73rd year, the Berwick Christmas Boulevard is a must-see spectacle that visitors flock to see from hours away. Market Street will be alive with lights and decorations from December 7 – 31 each night from 6 PM – 10 PM. Enjoy this beautiful Berwick tradition by getting in line to drive the one mile long display of Christmas lights, animatronics, decorations, and more. Hundreds of cars pass through each night throughout December. Opening night will feature the town tree-lighting ceremony, followed by the official opening of the holiday boulevard.
Breakfast With Santa at Ponduce Farms – Santa Claus is coming to Ponduce Farms! Bring the kids over to the farm from 8 AM – 11 AM for a special breakfast with none other than the jolly big man himself. Breakfast costs: Adults – $10.50; Kids – $5.25; Children 2 & Under – FREE. Reservations are highly encouraged!
Breakfast With Santa, Kosmo Klaus & the Elves – Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 9 AM – 12 PM with Santa and your favorite Knoebels characters at Nickle Plate Bar & Grill! Reserve your preferred time slot online. A complimentary photo print is included with your group’s breakfast buffet purchase. Stick around afterwards and make a gingerbread house or other festive Christmas crafts! Buffet includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, French toast sticks, bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fresh fruit, assorted pastries and cookies! Day of event seating will available be on a first-come, first served basis. Adult Buffet = $13.95; Child Buffet (under 12) = $8.95; Under 3 Years = FREE
Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville – Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville on Saturday, November 30th from 12 PM – 3 PM. Santa’s Cottage will also be open on Fridays in December (6, 13 & 20) from 5 PM – 7 PM each night, or Saturdays in December (7, 14 & 21) from 12 PM – 3 PM.
Danville Hometown Holiday Celebration – Visit downtown Danville for a weekend full of holiday festivities for the entire family. Enjoy beautifully decorated downtown storefronts and make your own ornament at Knack Creative Studio from 3 – 5 PM. Later, stay for a Yule log bonfire and tree lighting ceremony in Canal Park at 5:30 PM, followed by caroling in the park from 6 – 8 PM.
Sunday, December 8th
Christmas on the Bridges – Sponsored by the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association; 1 – 4 PM at the historic Twin Covered Bridges (East & West Paden Bridges). Free hayrides with Santa from 1 – 3 PM, and local wine and beer tastings available 1 – 4 PM. The event’s famous ham & bean soup will be made on site in large cauldrons. The soup will be sold in bowls to eat or in quarts to take home. Baked good will also be available for purchase.
The legendary Christmas on the Bridges ham & bean soup.
Breakfast With Santa at Ponduce Farms – Santa Claus is coming to Ponduce Farms! Bring the kids over to the farm from 8 AM – 11 AM for a special breakfast with none other than the jolly big man himself. Breakfast costs: Adults – $10.50; Kids – $5.25; Children 2 & Under – FREE. Reservations are highly encouraged!
Breakfast With Santa, Kosmo Klaus & the Elves – Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 9 AM – 12 PM with Santa and your favorite Knoebels characters at Nickle Plate Bar & Grill! Reserve your preferred time slot online. A complimentary photo print is included with your group’s breakfast buffet purchase. Stick around afterwards and make a gingerbread house or other festive Christmas crafts! Buffet includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, French toast sticks, bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fresh fruit, assorted pastries and cookies! Day of event seating will available be on a first-come, first served basis. Adult Buffet = $13.95; Child Buffet (under 12) = $8.95; Under 3 Years = FREE
Danville Hometown Holiday Celebration – Visit downtown Danville for a weekend full of holiday festivities for the entire family. Enjoy beautifully decorated downtown storefronts and FREE carriage rides from 12 PM – 4 PM.
Friday, December 13th
Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville – Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville on Saturday, November 30th from 12 PM – 3 PM. Santa’s Cottage will also be open on Fridays in December (6, 13 & 20) from 5 PM – 7 PM each night, or Saturdays in December (7, 14 & 21) from 12 PM – 3 PM.
Saturday, December 14th
Breakfast With Santa at Ponduce Farms – Santa Claus is coming to Ponduce Farms! Bring the kids over to the farm from 8 AM – 11 AM for a special breakfast with none other than the jolly big man himself. Breakfast costs: Adults – $10.50; Kids – $5.25; Children 2 & Under – FREE. Reservations are highly encouraged!
Breakfast With Santa, Kosmo Klaus & the Elves – Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 9 AM – 12 PM with Santa and your favorite Knoebels characters at Nickle Plate Bar & Grill! Reserve your preferred time slot online. A complimentary photo print is included with your group’s breakfast buffet purchase. Stick around afterwards and make a gingerbread house or other festive Christmas crafts! Buffet includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, French toast sticks, bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fresh fruit, assorted pastries and cookies! Day of event seating will available be on a first-come, first served basis. Adult Buffet = $13.95; Child Buffet (under 12) = $8.95; Under 3 Years = FREE
Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville – Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville on Saturday, November 30th from 12 PM – 3 PM. Santa’s Cottage will also be open on Fridays in December (6, 13 & 20) from 5 PM – 7 PM each night, or Saturdays in December (7, 14 & 21) from 12 PM – 3 PM.
Danville Hometown Holiday Celebration – Visit downtown Danville for a weekend full of holiday festivities for the entire family. Enjoy beautifully decorated downtown storefronts and FREE carriage rides from 5 – 8 PM.
Sunday, December 15th
Breakfast With Santa at Ponduce Farms – Santa Claus is coming to Ponduce Farms! Bring the kids over to the farm from 8 AM – 11 AM for a special breakfast with none other than the jolly big man himself. Breakfast costs: Adults – $10.50; Kids – $5.25; Children 2 & Under – FREE. Reservations are highly encouraged!
Breakfast With Santa, Kosmo Klaus & the Elves – Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet from 9 AM – 12 PM with Santa and your favorite Knoebels characters at Nickle Plate Bar & Grill! Reserve your preferred time slot online. A complimentary photo print is included with your group’s breakfast buffet purchase. Stick around afterwards and make a gingerbread house or other festive Christmas crafts! Buffet includes scrambled eggs, hash browns, French toast sticks, bacon, sausage, biscuits & gravy, fresh fruit, assorted pastries and cookies! Day of event seating will available be on a first-come, first served basis. Adult Buffet = $13.95; Child Buffet (under 12) = $8.95; Under 3 Years = FREE
Friday, December 20th
Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville – Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville on Saturday, November 30th from 12 PM – 3 PM. Santa’s Cottage will also be open on Fridays in December (6, 13 & 20) from 5 PM – 7 PM each night, or Saturdays in December (7, 14 & 21) from 12 PM – 3 PM.
Saturday, December 21th
Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville – Visit Santa’s Cottage in Danville on Saturday, November 30th from 12 PM – 3 PM. Santa’s Cottage will also be open on Fridays in December (6, 13 & 20) from 5 PM – 7 PM each night, or Saturdays in December (7, 14 & 21) from 12 PM – 3 PM.
It’s cold and the days are shorter. Winter is coming! Let’s
go for coffee to warm up. There’s nothing like a steaming hot fresh cup of
coffee to make a winter morning seem better.
And if the coffee chains don’t quite do it for you, our area
has some great independent small shops serving up really good coffee. Some even
sell fresh-roasted coffees that you can take home to brew.
My delicious Peanut Butter Latte at Woody’s Place.
One of my recent mornings started in Catawissa, and I had heard Woody’s Place, a.k.a. Heaps Family Diner on Main Street next to the Catawissa Municipal Building was the place to go for a great cup of coffee and a really good breakfast. Although I grew up in a family of black coffee drinkers who considered it a crime to even add milk to the coffee, the Peanut Butter Latte on their extensive coffee menu caught my eye. It came in a large mug and I opted to have it topped with whipped cream. It looked beautiful with its drizzle of peanut butter syrup decorating the top of the whipped cream. And it tasted even better than it looked! To go with the coffee, I had Christine’s Special Omelet with spinach, provolone, mushrooms and tomatoes – also yummy.
Woody – the owner – told me that his daughter had suggested
the specialty coffees that include hot, cold and frozen lattes, espressos and
cappuccinos in a wide variety of flavors. He wasn’t so sure about whether the
diner crowd would take to it, but they have. And no wonder – it’s really good!
Open from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday – Saturday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday,
Woody’s serves breakfast and lunch.
Another place that I have often stopped for coffee is A Perfect Blend Espresso & More on Front Street in Berwick. Lunching there with a friend recently, I had the “Perfect Latte” – an English toffee flavored latte — and the Trio Salad, which included a scoop of my favorite tuna salad that Perfect Blend makes with chopped apple in the mix as well as scoops of their chicken salad that has grapes in it and egg salad. My companion tried the “Kileen’s Dream” latte that was flavored with chocolate and caramel. She chose a BLT on marble rye from the extensive sandwich menu, lamenting that she couldn’t try all of them. Both of us cleaned our plates – and cups. It was delicious.
“Kileen’s Dream” and the “Perfect Latte” at A Perfect Blend in Berwick.
The Blend also has live music some evenings. It’s a great
place to hang out, listen to the music and drink coffee (or tea or hot
chocolate).
My take-home treat from Bason Coffee Roasting.
Want some fresh roasted coffee to take home? Bason Coffee Roasting, located at 50 East Mahoning Street in downtown Danville, has an extensive selection as well as a variety of brewed coffees for you to drink there or take to go. My to-go brewed coffee choice was a Brazilian decaf the day I visited and it was so good that I decided to get a pound of their Cinnamon Hazlenut to enjoy at home. One of my former bosses had introduced me to sprinkling cinnamon on my black coffee and I really enjoy the slightly sweet taste it gives the coffee. Like sugar without adding sugar!
In addition to coffee, Bason’s offers some goodies like chocolate-covered
coffee beans in both milk and dark chocolate as well as coffee-making equipment
such as coffee grinders and home roasters, if you want to go the DIY route.
Another area coffee roaster is Profile Coffee & Roasters in Elysburg. It’s at 185 South Market St. (Rt. 54) near the intersection with Rt. 487. Sit in the cafe and enjoy an espresso, cappuccino, latte or macchiato. I chose a toasted marshmallow cappuccino that was very tasty.
Profile offers a variety of bagels and pastries along with
lunch items like sandwiches and salads. They even have gluten-free options. I
tried the Cranberry Frangipane and it was crumbly, buttery, tangy-sweet goodness!
They’re open Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to
6 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A sweet, gluten-free treat from Profile Coffee & Roasters in Elysburg.
Looking for a great cup of coffee in downtown Bloomsburg? Fog & Flame is the place to go. I tried their maple spice decaf latte. Yum! While I was there, I talked to another customer who was raving about their pumpkin muffin. Fog & Flame is at 34 East Main St. It’s near The Exchange, which is a must-see in downtown Bloomsburg if you like art. The day I was there, The Exchange had its “Over the Top” exhibit going on and it was fun to see how a variety of artists interpreted “Over the Top.”
Also in Danville is Boil Line Coffee Co. at 514 Mill Street. Open Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. 3 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Boil Line roasts its own coffee. Catching my eye was their House Special Apple Cider Spice latte.
What are you waiting for? There’s no excuse not to go for
coffee!
Congratulations to our five
lucky winners of this year’s Summer Heritage Passport program!
Joe O’Malley – Jermyn Huiyan Frohlich – Bloomsburg John Davis III – Bloomsburg William Baillie – Danville Adelyn German – Bloomsburg
Each will receive a gift basket filled with restaurant gift cards, historical books about the region, local treats, and various heritage memorabilia from stops on the trail. Next year’s trail will begin on May 8th, 2020 and hopefully will also have a few new stops!
With fall foliage season upon us, we’ve decided it’s time to do a pop-up photo contest this weekend!
Guidelines: 1. Simply share your very best fall foliage photo by tagging it with #itourcolumbiamontour on Instagram or sharing it as a visitor post to our wall on Facebook. Please include the location and approximate date your photo was taken in the post. 2. Photos must be submitted by 10 AM on Monday morning, 10/28. 3. Images must have been taken in the past five years and must feature a location either in, or partially in, Columbia or Montour Counties. (Ricketts Glen State Park counts)
On Monday afternoon, we will select our favorite five images and allow our fans to vote for the winners! The top two photos will be crowned on Wednesday and the winning photographers will each receive a $50 gift card to a local restaurant for their efforts.
The trees are awash in shades of gold, orange and crimson in
Northeastern Pennsylvania. There’s a bit of a chill in the air and there are
Fall festivals everywhere. It’s a great time to visit this area, especially
with Halloween coming.
Want to get scared? Look no farther! There are plenty of
scary options this Halloween season whether you want to visit a haunted house
or take a nighttime walk through a corn maze.
Begin with the Elysburg Haunted House. Run annually since 1976, it’s one of the first haunted events in the area. As soon as you get in line, you’ll meet some ghouls there to greet you.
Then you’ll take an entrance path through haunted woods. Once you make your way through the path, you’ll walk through a two-story house and cellar. There are some two dozen different scenes played out in the house alone and then there’s the haunted exit path through the woods after you make it through the house. But don’t worry – there are “emergency escapes” if you are too spooked to finish.
Although guests of all ages are welcome, it is scary so
really young kids may not enjoy it. And, strobe lighting is used in some places.
No masks, smoking, flashlights, or cell phone lights are allowed.
It takes about 45 minutes to go through the house and costs
$15 to get in. The house is open every Friday and Saturday through October. Proceeds
benefit the Elysburg Fire Department and the Ralpho Township Fire Company. The
house is located at Gun Club Road & Route 487 at the Elysburg Gun Club.
Prepare yourself for scares at the Elysburg Haunted House.
If that sounds a little too scary for your taste or for the kids in your family, then head to Knoebels Amusement Resort near Elysburg for the park’s Hallo-Fun Weekends on Oct. 19-20 and Oct. 26-27.
As you walk around the park, you’ll find haunts, scary
attractions and treats to suit everyone. Kids under 12 who come in costume will
even find special stops for treats. And the Pioneer Train and Antique Cars will
have a Halloween theme.
From 10 a.m. until noon, the kids can join the Knoebels
costumed characters Kozmo, Kreeper and the rest of the Boo Crew for Halloween
activities including Pumpkin Decorating – $3, Cookie Decorating – $3, Glitter
Tattoos -$3 and Bingo – $1.
Want to get outdoors for a little exercise and a chance to
see the foliage? Take the Halloween Hike at Ricketts Glen State Park near
Benton on Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to noon. You‘ll be hiking the Little Cherry Run
Loop Trail to see the hidden gem waterfall. It’s a 6-mile moderate hike. Wear
fluorescent orange. Contact Rhiannon Summers at rhsummers@pa.gov or
570-477-7780 for more information.
Fall Festivals &
Halloween Events
Then there are the Fall festivals. For a chance to pick your own pumpkin, go on a hayride and walk the corn maze at night, visit Rohrbach’s Farm Market Pumpkin Fall Festival on Friday, Oct. 18 from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 240 Southern Drive in Catawissa.
Besides the corn maze, hayrides, and pick-your-own pumpkins,
you’ll find a Playland for the kids and Apple Slingshot. Come hungry for Big
Dan’s BBQ, Gross’ French Fries, and Rohrbach’s Apple Dumplings and food stand. Flashlight
Night in the Corn Maze begins at 7p.m. The last wagon leaves promptly for the
corn maze at 8:30 p.m. Bring your own flashlight.
Explore the corn maze at night by flashlight!
Or, celebrate Halloween at Forks Farm Market on Saturday, Oct.
26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market will have their own 100% grass-fed beef
and lamb, woodlot pork and organically fed pasture-raised poultry and eggs for
sale along with local vendors offering seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh
roasted coffee, breads and baked goods, farmstead cheeses and dairy products.
You’ll also find artisan crafts, live music and much more! The farm is located at 299 Covered Bridge Road,
Orangeville.
On Friday, October 25th, downtown Bloomsburg turns into Boo!Burg
with the town’s annual celebration from 5:30 – 8:00 PM. The popular family-friendly street fair is sponsored
by various local businesses and non-profits.
It centers mainly around 7th Street in Bloomsburg with a trunk-or-treat
event, haunted houses, crafts, games, food, pumpkin drop, and costume contest.
And, of course, it isn’t Halloween in Pennsylvania without a
community Halloween parade. One of my memories is the year that I was asked to
serve as a judge for one of the community parades north of Allentown. Such fun
seeing the floats, bands and all the costumes from the reviewing stand!
Over in Catawissa the 112th Annual Halloween Parade starts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. And anyone in costume is welcome to march in the parade. If you want to march, dress up in your best costume and arrive by 6:30 p.m. behind the Opera House, located at Main Street and Mill Street. There is no need to pre-register in this category, simply attend. Those with the most creativity will be selected for the “Special Dress” Category where they will be eligible to win cash prizes.
Be sure to come hungry. There will be food stands along Main
Street to benefit local non-profit groups.
Don’t miss out on the festivities! There are many more great area events going on. Check out the region’s constantly updating eventscalendar, and also stay tuned in the week leading up to Halloween, as the Visitors Bureau will release a list of area trick-or-treating schedules for the various towns and boroughs.
Find a night full of frights and scares at Boo!Burg in downtown Bloomsburg.
Knoebels
Amusement Resort kicks off its annual Hallo-Fun weekends this Friday. The park
is open Fridays from 6-10PM, Saturdays from noon-10PM and Sundays from noon-5PM
the remainder of October. The event features rides, food, entertainment,
shopping and more – with a Halloween twist.
“During
Hallo-Fun, the park transforms into a festive environment for the whole family,”
said Jonathan Slodysko, who organizes Hallo-Fun. “The entire park features fall
décor, our food managers create new menu items, we have special entertainment,
and some rides take on a whole new life with a Halloween theme, including our
Pioneer Train and Haunted Antique Cars.”
Guests can purchase pay-one-price plans for the 40+ available rides, play Zombie
Elimination at Lazer Command, and even take part in a trail of treats for
children 12 and under in costume.
“In addition to the activities during park operation, there are morning activities beginning at 10AM for those looking to get a jump start on the day, including pumpkin painting and cookie decorating,” said Stacy Ososkie, Knoebels spokesperson. “On Sunday mornings we also offer a character breakfast from 9AM-noon, which guests can register for on our web site.” For event details and pricing, visit Knoebels’ website.
You’ve driven past them hundreds of times, but have you ever
really noticed the historical markers that dot the roadways?
Pennsylvania’s readily recognizable blue and gold markers
highlight significant people, places, and events in the state’s and nation’s
history. Columbia County is home to nine of the markers while Montour County
has six.
Did you know, for instance, that typewriter inventor
Christopher Sholes, was born in Montour County? His historical marker, located
on Liberty Valley Drive (State Rt. 642) just east of Mooresburg Road in the
village of Mooresburg, says, “Typewriter inventor, was born near here Feb. 14,
1819. Went to school and worked as a printer at Danville. Migrated to Wisconsin
at the age of 20. His first writing machine patent was issued June 23, 1868.”
Another marker for Sholes is on Northumberland St. (US 11) just west of
Continental Blvd. (PA 54) in front of Danville Middle School.
Sholes also gets a mention on the historical marker for
Montour County, located in front of the County Courthouse at 29 Mill St. in
Danville. The sign reads: “Formed May 3,
1850 from Columbia County. Named for the Indian woman leader, Madame Montour.
Site of the first manufacture of iron T-rails for railroads. Inventor of
typewriter, Christopher Sholes, born here. County seat, Danville, was
incorporated 1849.”
And one I pass all the time is at the intersection of
Lightstreet Road (PA 487) and Papermill Road by the Columbia-Montour Visitors
Bureau’s Visitor’s Center. Commemorating Fort Wheeler, the sign says: “A
stockade-type fort was built here in 1778 along Fishing Creek by Moses Van
Campen. It served during the Revolution as a refuge against the Indians, by
whom it was once attacked. Van Campen was the noted Indian scout of this
region.”
So how did the historical markers come to be in the first
place?
An article in the Fall 2014 issue of Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine featuring the 100-year anniversary of the marker program notes that on July 25, 1913 an Act of the General Assembly created the Pennsylvania Historical Commission (PHC), and one of its major responsibilities was to “mark by proper monuments, tablets, or markers, places or buildings within this Commonwealth, where historical events have transpired, and . . . arrange for the care and maintenance for such markers or monuments.”
In those early years, the markers were plaques usually
fastened to a large rock. But in 1945, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum
Commission (PHMC) formed and a new era began for the historical marker program.
The signs were redesigned and now feature gold letters on a blue background topped
by the coat of arms of the Commonwealth. They’re mounted on metal posts and are
easier to read (and find) than the early plaques.
Six of the markers in Columbia County and three of the ones
in Montour County were erected in the late 1940s during a period when the PHMC
installed 1,000 of the historical markers across Pennsylvania.
The newest marker in the area showcases the Stuart Tank.
But the marker program is still going on. The most recent
marker in this area was dedicated in 2015 in Columbia County to recognize the
iconic Stuart Tank. Located at Third and Oak streets in Berwick, the marker
reads: “During WWII, 9,135 American Car & Foundry workers from the
surrounding region produced 15,224 tanks for American and Allied Forces. The
first US tank fabricated on an assembly line, the Stuart was favored for its
speed and mobility and saw action in theaters of war on all continents. A.C.F.
became the nation’s largest producer of armor plate and was unique in having
its own ballistics testing range. The plant was located here.”
Columbia County also is home to another recent marker, the
Fishing Creek Confederacy, added in 2009. That marker, located at 90 Mill St.
(PA 487) in Benton, reads: “Alarmed about draft resistance, the federal
government deployed 800 troops to the Fishing Creek Valley in August 1864 to
suppress the opposition. Peace Democrats suspected of Confederate sympathies
were questioned at the Christian church near this site; 44 were arrested and
imprisoned at Ft. Mifflin without access to civil courts. While most supported
the Union, they disagreed with Pres. Lincoln’s wartime policies. In 1866, the
US Supreme Court declared military arrest & trial of civilians
unconstitutional.”
Not only is the historical markers program still going on,
but you can nominate a marker subject for consideration by PHMC. The Commission
says marker subjects must have statewide and/or national — rather than local
or regional — historical significance as well as having a substantial association
with Pennsylvania. The Marker Program looks for wide geographic distribution,
so individuals and organizations from all 67 counties in the Commonwealth are
encouraged to research their history and develop nominations for people,
places, events, and innovations in their own area. In fact, the Commission says
Columbia and Montour counties are “under-represented” in the program so
additional nominations for places in this area are encouraged.
If you want to do a tour of historical markers yourself, check PHMC’s website for a statewide database of the markers.
Another great place to begin an online look at the historical markers is the blog “Marker Quest”. Laura Klotz, the blogger, has set out to view each marker in the Commonwealth every two weeks. Quite a task, since there are now more than 2,500 according to PHMC.
How much do you really know about Halloween? Try your hand at Trick-or-Treat Trivia and receive a chance to win a Halloween-themed Knoebels prize pack including:
