THE LOST KINGDOM

By Michael Capuzzo

OCTOBER 2013

For 75 years they’ve found the magic place in October, when it chooses to appear…

Linden’s Great PumpkinsTop Ten Tips for the Finger Lakes Harvest The Sycamore’s Spirit in English Center

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20Falling for October By Roger KingsleyOur columnist pens an ode to his favorite month.

26The Healing SpiritBy Cindy Davis MeixelAt The Sycamore’s Spirit Healing Retreat, a mini-Omega blooms in English Center.

30A Golden AnniversaryBy Linda RollerEmbracing tradition, the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Antique Show hits a milestone.

39Jelly JewelsBy Jo CharlesWhen life hands you lemons, make lemonade. But leftover fruit juice? It’s jelly-making time.

Volume 8 Issue 10

The Great PumpkinsBy George JanssonIn Linden, John and Edie Carpenter grow a magical garden.

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The Lost KingdomBy Michael CapuzzoFor 75 years they’ve found the magic place in October, when it chooses to appear…

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Tiptoe Through the Finger LakesBy Holly HowellOh, the places you’ll go if you are a lover of wine. Our columnist dishes on her favorite autumn haunts.

34Photos (top) by Suzan Richar, (middle) provided by the Carpenter family, (bottom) provided by Holly Howell.

Mountain Home is published monthly by Beagle Media, LLC, 25 Main St., 2nd Floor, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, 16901. Copyright © 2010 Beagle Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

To advertise or subscribe e-mail info@mountainhomemag.com. E-mail story ideas to editorial@mountainhomemag.com. Call us at (570) 724-3838.

Each month copies of Mountain Home are available for free at hundreds of locations in Tioga, Potter, Bradford, Lycoming, Union, and Clinton counties in Pennsylvania; Steuben, Chemung, Schuyler, Yates, Seneca, Tioga, and Ontario counties in New York. Visit us at www.mountainhomemag.com. Or get Mountain Home at home. For a one-year subscription to Mountain Home (12 issues), send $24.95, payable to Beagle Media LLC, 25 Main St., 2nd Floor, Wellsboro, PA 16901.

E d i t o r s & P u b l i s h E r sTeresa Banik Capuzzo

Michael Capuzzo A s s o c i A t E P u b l i s h E r s

George Bochetto, Esq.Dawn Bilder

Derek Witucki

d E s i g n & P h o t o g r A P h yElizabeth Young, Editor

Jennifer Heinser

c o v E r A r t i s tTucker Worthington

A d v E r t i s i n g d i r E c t o rMeghan Elizabeth Lee

c o n t r i b u t i n g W r i t E r s Angela Cannon-Crothers, Patricia Brown Davis, Jen Reed-Evans, Alison Fromme, Holly Howell, Roger Kingsley, Adam Mahonske,

Cindy Davis Meixel, Fred Metarko, Dave Milano, Gayle Morrow, Tom Murphy, Cornelius O’Donnell, Roger Neumann, Gregg Rinkus,

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c o n t r i b u t i n g P h o t o g r A P h E r s Mia Lisa Anderson, Bill Crowell, Bruce Dart, Ann Kamzelski, Ken

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s E n i o r s A l E s r E P r E s E n t A t i v EBrian Earle

s A l E s r E P r E s E n t A t i v E sDavid GrassoLinda RollerJae Zugarek

b E A g l E A n d A s s i s t A n t t o t h E b E A g l ECosmo & Yogi

42Mother Earth: Suddenly There Came a TappingBy Gayle MorrowFeared widely as harbingers of doom, ravens are a whole lot more interesting—and complicated—as one of the most intelligent and social of birds.

47Submitted for Your ApprovalBy Meghan LeeA journey into graphic artist Tracy Tomei’s imagination.

50Autombnal SunriseBy Sarah WagamanOur photographer snaps the cemetery at dawn.

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Community Arts Center: Menopause the Musical220 West 4th StreetWilliamsport, PAwww.calive.com

Gmeiner Open House: Wellsboro Art Club134 Main StreetWellsboro, PAwww.gmeinerartscenter.com

Wine Glass Marathon1 West Market Street, Suite 103Corning, NYwww.wineglassmarathon.com

Green Monster Trail Challenge176 Straight Run RoadWellsboro, PAwww.greenmonster-trailchallenge.com

Apple Butter Festivalthrough October 1411009 Route 44 Highway NorthWaterville, PA570-753-8463

Leaf Peeping Cemetery TourBox 349Bath, NYwww.steubenhistoricalsociety.com

Spencer Hill Gallery: Giebel & Smith @ Johnson & Schmidtthrough November 110503 North RoadCorning, NYwww.spencerhillgallery.com

Williamsport Symphony Orchestra: The Three Giants220 West 4th StreetWilliamsport, PAwww.williamsportsymphony.com

Blossburg Fall Festival3 Riverside PlazaBlossburg, PAwww.blossburg.org

Penn Wells Brunch: Dave Bush62 Main St Wellsboro, PAwww.pennwells.com

Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival through October 6Downtown AreaIthaca, NYwww.downtownithaca.com

Deane Center for the Performing Arts: Over Easy104 Main St Wellsboro, PAwww.deanecenter.com

PA Apple & Cheese Festivalthrough October 6141 East Canton Cross RoadCanton, PAwww.paapplecheese.com

The History Center Open House83 North Main StreetMansfield, PA www.facebook.com/ History Center On Main Street Mansfield PA

Tioga Early DaysWhitneyville FairgroundsWellsboro, PAwww.visittiogapa.com

Southern Tier Outdoor Recreation Expothrough October 137520 New York 415 Bath, NYwww.southerntieroutdoorshow.com

Taste of Tioga1100 New York 17COwego, NYwww.tasteoftioga.com

Johnny Appleseed Festivalthrough October 13Memorial FieldSheffield, PAwww.johnnyappleseedfest.com

171 Cedar Arts Center: Zoe Mulford155 Cedar StreetCorning, NYwww.valleyfolk.com

Farm-to-Table Wine & Cooking Class Tour222 South Cayuga StreetIthaca, NYwww.experiencefingerlakes.com

Community Arts Center: An Evening with STYX220 West 4th StreetWilliamsport, PA www.calive.com

Fall Community-Wide Yard Salethrough October 19Wellsboro, PAwww.visittiogapa.com

Halloween Harvest8383 Gallagher RoadHammondsport, NY www.corningfingerlakes.com

Glentoberfest2790 County Route 16Watkins Glen, NYwww.theglen.com

Knitting & Crocheting Showthrough October 2625 West Pulteney StreetCorning, NYwww.corningfingerlakes.com

Corning Civic Music Association: Manuel Barrueco with Cuarteto Casals1 Museum WayCorning, NYwww.corningcivicmusic.org

West End Gallery: Thomas S. Buechnerthrough November 2212 West Market StreetCorning, NYwww.westendgallery.com

National Theater Live: Othello601 Main StreetTowanda, PAwww.bcrac.org

Guthrie Arts Center: Junie B. Jones5 South Elmer AvenueSayra, PAwww.bcrac.org

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One July afternoon in 2004 my wife and I were enclosed by gloom on

a lonely mountain road, high in the Pennsylvania Appalachians. Thick stands of hardwood and pine, dense with wildlife, silently watched our passage. Slowly our pickup truck pitched and wound through a fading day in the last eastern wilderness. My wife told ghost stories from her childhood. She was terrified on this road—

the dread “Old Lady with the Basket” might suddenly appear beside our car, fast as a thought, patient as Time, the Old Lady her grandmother said the coal miners never outran, as the specter raced alongside their bobbing lanterns across ridge and valley, the shadow of Death itself. We laughed at the old story. In the speckled light of the passing trees and the slow coursing rhythm of the road we lost track of time.

See Time Wizard on page 10

The LosT Kingdom

By Michael Capuzzo

For 75 years they’ve found the magic place in October, when it chooses to appear...

See Lost Kingdom on page 10

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At twilight the forest gave way to town, then gaslights, a quiet Main Street. It was just three blocks, a 1920s movie theater, a barbershop, an old diner, a grand hotel from the last century. Lawyers on the steps of the 1830s courthouse facing the town green. At the center of the green, a Wynken, Blynken, and Nod statue fountain burbled its 19th Century lullaby. I wiped my eyes in near-disbelief at this Brigadoon that materialized from nowhere. Four hours out of Philadelphia, it was impossible to find a more remote town in the eastern United States. We’d left Philadelphia for good; we did not know then we had stumbled into the lost kingdom, into a town you could never leave. It was our first day in the lovely village of Wellsboro (pop. 3,297), the county seat of one of the sparsest counties in the commonwealth. Soon we bought a house in town. A year later we started Mountain Home magazine. It didn’t feel then like a remote place. My wife was born in the town, in Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital, two blocks from Main Street; her brother had a law practice here. Mom lived a block away. Mountain Home grew into a regional magazine. Life in town was a delight. A fine family steakhouse occupied the same old house, same family, for fifty years; next door under a sign with a gaslight was music, and a good bar. Folks made burgers from local cattle, beer from local grain. Late one winter evening by the big carved fireplace in the old hotel bar a couple dozen white-haired men swept in, ordered a couple dozen beers, and began singing “The Yellow Rose of Texas” and other standards in lusty and perfect harmony. The Men’s Chorus, the barkeep nodded, their after-practice drink, Thursday around ten o’clock since time immemorial. We sang along, walked into the chill night, looked at the stars. The night was still, quiet, surrounded by hills and farms and by half a million acres of wilderness. You could see the stars clearer here than anywhere east of

Lost Kingdom continued from page 9

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We’re the Key to Your Country Lifestylethe Mississippi. In winter, town was a Victorian snow globe, beautiful, cold, sunless, sealed from the world. But in spring and fall the tourists came, came by the thousands, as they’ve been coming since FDR sat in the White House, to renew the town. The village had a habit, like the old Celtic Castle of the Fisher King, of appearing and disappearing at a moment’s notice. Now October returns, and the men and women of autumn circle back, like blood to the extremities. The tourist season rolls along all summer, up and down, then three thousand visitors a day descend upon the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania during the first two weeks of October. They come to fish and hunt, to hike or bike the famous canyon just ten miles west of town. They paddle the great canyon-carving Pine Creek that runs gloriously fifty miles south, a thousand feet below twin eagle-spied mountains. They stroll the village at the heart of the lost kingdom. Like the picturesque leaves that paint the hills brightest in those days, it’s the sweet peak of the season—a peak the county’s hotels and inns, restaurants and attractions depend upon to keep going the rest of the year. They come to gawk at natural marvels that remain at once spectacular and a secret, after all these years. They came drawn by the legend of popular attractions that nobody knows about. Some half a million tourists a year visit Tioga County, return to the great cities from Toronto to Philadelphia, New York to Cleveland, from whence they came, and still it remains hidden. “I’ll be thinking we can’t possibly get another tourist,” says Lori Copp, “then someone walks in and says, “What is this place! It’s amazing! How did I miss it before?” I stopped to talk to Lori in the former church out on Route 660, halfway between the twin attractions of town and the Grand Canyon, where she runs the Tioga

See Lost Kingdom on page 12

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County Visitor’s Bureau. It’s Lori’s job to get the word out about Tioga County as travel paradise, and she does a fine job of it. She carefully allots much of her $300,000 annual budget to spread the good news on TV, print media, and increasingly, the Internet, seeding the reliable forty-to-sixty empty nester audience and a younger “extreme sports” crowd across the East Coast, with a focus from Philly to Pittsburgh, Buffalo to our nation’s capital. Every season, it seems, our special place is a secret no longer. The phone has been ringing since August 8th, when The Washington Post travel section featured Anna Bahney’s “surprising, quirky and utterly authentic journey” along 400-mile Pennsylvania Route 6 from Scranton to Erie. She and her husband and two-year-old son hiked the Grand Canyon from Leonard Harrison State Park. “The centerpiece of our trip was Wellsboro, a town that, without veering toward Pleasantville parody, is just as a town should be,” she wrote. “We settled into the stately Penn Wells Hotel on the town’s sharp Main Street, lined with flickering gas lamps.” They admired Dunham’s family-owned-since-1905 department store, and the vintage Arcadia movie theater, “which opened in 1921 to show silent movies and still features first-run films on four screens.” They “ate like lumberjacks at the classic Wellsboro Diner before

hitting the road.” But their visit will not soon be forgotten. Twelve years ago—in July 2001, another world—USA Today named the Pine Creek Gorge, a/k/a The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, one of ten great bike tours in the world, along with spots in New York’s Adirondack Mountains; Tuscany, Italy; County Clare, Ireland; Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia; the glacial ranges of Iceland; and the Ruta Panoramica in Puerto Rico. The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania is idyllic in fall, wrote Patricia Vance, author of Bicycle Touring: The New Complete Book on Touring by Bike. “You can ride a flat, 20-mile abandoned railroad bed at the bottom of the gorge with views of the cliffs and mixed hardwood forest.” Though leaf-peeping is popular, most just want to see the Grand Canyon, that yawning landmark recently given a starring role in AARP The Magazine in the story headlined, “9 Big Holes That Aren’t the Grand Canyon.” The largest circulation magazine in the U.S. (reaching twenty-two million households) put the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania on the list with Morning Glory Pool in Yellowstone National Park, Meteor Crater near Winslow, Arizona, and Monticello Dam Drain Hole near Napa, California. “A striking 57-mile bike trail was an old railroad route,” AARP said. “Careful—the bald eagles might distract you.”

See Time Wizard on page 14

See Lost Kingdom on page 14

Lost Kingdom continued from page 11

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Visitors still arrive clutching that yellowed USA Today clipping, or the 2007 New York Times story, “A Quaint Town with ‘Quiet Things’ to Do,” that announced to the world that “Wellsboro, a town of about 3,300 residents 240 miles northwest of New York City, has become a popular place for second-home buyers who want to remember their first homes—as in, the homes they grew up in.” Folks come seeking that “clean, safe and slow paced” town that has “held tight to its charm,” and its nearby Grand Canyon that National Geographic Traveler touted as heart of “The Wild, Wild East.” “North-central Pennsylvania is a bona fide, 21st-century Eden,” National Geographic wrote. “Or so says the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Human Footprint report, which put the rugged woodlands on par with Brazil’s Pantanal and China’s Gobi as one of the last untarnished tracts on Earth. Only 1.3 percent of the lower 48 is as pure.” I remember reading about that astonishing “human footprint” report in the Sunday New York Times some years ago. I talked it up around town. This was big news! Wellsboro and its Grand Canyon had been touted as among the greenest places on Earth by the world’s most influential newspaper on its most influential day. Surely

See Lost Kingdom on page 18

Lost Kingdom continued from page 12

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Wellsboro would be discovered now. A few folks nodded soberly in return. Few had seen the story. The news barely arrived here, and it never left. A few years later some of the biggest companies in the world roared in, drilled for gas, brought roughnecks and riches, fear and loathing, changed things forever…and not. Like a tide they came and they left and an idyll remains. The hills proved stubborn foes of drillers, as they are obstinate opponents of developer’s bulldozers, major roads, and most everyone everywhere who stays away, keeping it “one of the last untarnished tracks on Earth.” In an age of imitation, our place is the real thing. In an era of hype, it keeps its own counsel. So October returns and so do our visitors, like prodigal family. They come and they leave and they keep their secret—that not far from home, the second right past their imaginings, the lost kingdom exists. It can even be visited, if it chooses to make itself visible that day.

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Ask me a question and offer me twelve choices for the answer, and I’d probably have to ponder

each one in depth. But ask me what my favorite month is, and eleven of the twelve choices would hardly cross my mind—all because of October. The mention of October stirs up images aplenty: frost on the pumpkins, the lighting of wood burners, nut gathering, apple picking and cider, corn harvest, fall festivals, the hunter’s moon, Halloween—the list goes on. While all these images illuminate October as a special time of year, the clincher for making it my favorite is the arrival of autumn leaves. According to me, no other time of year in the outdoors gets the oohs and

aahs that October gets. No other time of year can compete with the leading up to, the peaking, and the falling of autumn leaves. Not the budding and blossoming of spring, not the flowering and lushness of summer, nor the snow and ice of winter. October presents nature as a spectacle of extravagant beauty. When I was in the fifth grade, my teacher, Mrs. Wilcox, gave our class an assignment: we had to put together a scrapbook of leaves. I think I still have mine tucked away somewhere in a closet. With my mother’s help, the scrapbook was bound together with construction paper and yarn, and a picture of a gorgeous landscape of autumn foliage was clipped out of a

Falling for OctoberBy Roger Kingsley

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See Falling for Fall on page 22

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magazine and glued to the cover. Collecting and identifying the leaves for that outdoor assignment surely set the stage for a better appreciation of trees. I remember the fun we had as kids during the month of October raking up the fallen maple leaves in our yard and jumping into the fluffy, fragrant piles. I remember the pails of hickory nuts my brothers and I gathered underneath the solitary shagbark trees scattered around our farm, and I remember cracking them open on our flagstone steps and eating the delicious meats. The bond that I now have with the beauty of the October woods began many years ago when my Dad took us boys on our first small game hunt. Carving faces in ripe pumpkins and celebrating the traditions of Halloween as a youth were fondly relived through the growing stages of our own kids. A flip of the calendar to October always fuels a reminiscence of such embedded memories. I’ve been an avid photographer for many years, and the one subject that I never tire of is autumn foliage. One of my favorite spots to photograph is the shoreline of our pond, where a mixture of hardwood species puts on a blazing show. The mirror image reflected in the motionless water shortly after sunup provides a double dose of brilliance. Peak colors on our farm takes place a few days either side of October eighth, but some of my best photographs of the pond have been taken as late as the twenty-fourth. On Christmas day in 1993, my youngest daughter Julie gave me a soft-cover book titled Autumn Leaves. Written by a forestry technician named Ronald Lanner, the book is an excellent guide to

the varied species of trees that contribute such brilliance to the autumn woods. In the chapter “Cool Fires of Autumn” Lanner not only explains the scientific phenomenon behind the coloration of leaves, but he also lists the contact information for twenty-five states and provinces that have hotlines available for “leaf peepers” inquiring about the progress of their autumn leaves. Evergreens—just as the name implies—add character to the autumn woods as a break in what might otherwise become a scene of repetition. A typical woodlot across our region will often feature a scattering—or sometimes a pure stand—of these cone-bearing trees, and Lanner brings their association with fall colors to our attention in his chapter “Somber Evergreens.” Lanner’s remarkable knowledge of trees enlightens the readers of his book with little-known facts about the major trees of autumn and their relationship to our culture, while Robert Baldwin’s photography offers stunning identification. Admirers of the fall colors—like me—will surely treasure this book. Ask someone what their favorite month is, and I’d be willing to bet that memories, favorite seasons, or a birth month would greatly influence their answer. While November was the month when I took my very first breath, it’s those brilliant October leaves that never fail to take my breath away.

A hunter, photographer, and writer, Roger Kingsley’s articles and photos have appeared in Deer & Deer Hunting, and Pennsylvania Game News, among others.

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L i f e

Seven sycamores grace the back- yard at The Sycamore’s Spirit Healing Retreat. One might

presume the name of the retreat arrived after its owners found this two-acre site, tucked between tall pine trees and Little Pine Creek just off Route 287 in English Center, yet its owners say it was the other way around—the name arrived before the place. Here, Sheryl Henkin-Kealey and Dave Paxson have set to work creating their dream of a gathering space, healing community, and holistic haven. Since opening in April, The Sycamore’s Spirit Healing Retreat has hosted a variety of events including organic recipe swaps, sound and energy healing sessions, drumming workshops, spiritual cinema screenings, intensive weekend seminars by Native American guides, and informational presentations on everything from thermography to

angels. Prayers from the world’s major religions line the walls of the retreat’s reception area, showcasing the inclusive nature of the facility. “The retreat is not based on religion, it’s based on spirituality,” says Sheryl. “Everybody’s way is right; we don’t need to prove each other wrong to make ourselves right. We believe we’re entering a new time and we’re headed in a new direction—one of acceptance. It’s about accepting each other’s paths. If you’re living a good life, that’s all that’s important.” Staying true to that view, the couple balances Sheryl’s Native American spirituality and Dave’s Baptist background. Prior to settling into a Sunday routine at their new residence in English Center, Dave regularly performed bass guitar with the praise team at First Baptist Church in Wellsboro. It’s a creative and spiritual outlet he misses, but Sundays are now

the one day he doesn’t need to drive to Wellsboro for work with his small contracting business, “Let Dave Do It.” Dave’s carpentry skills have come in handy in the past two years since the couple acquired the English Center property. Formerly the English Center Bed and Breakfast and, prior to that, a restaurant, the site received a full year of refurbishing before opening to the public and is still a work in progress. The April 7 open house, with around 100 visitors in attendance, was a highlight of the past year. “It was like, oh boy, we did it. We’d set a date, six months prior, and we had to bring a lot of the house together in a short time,” Dave relates. “It got pretty nuts, but we finished it and, then, being able to finally take a breath was rewarding. It was encouraging thinking we did do something that may better someone’s life.”

The Healing SpiritAt The Sycamore’s Spirit Healing Retreat, a mini-Omega blooms in English Center

Story and photos by Cindy Davis Meixel

Sheryl Henkin-Kealey and Dave Paxson

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Life

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For Sheryl, a standout memory from recent months was an intensive weekend retreat conducted by Lench Archuleta, a Yaqui Indian and traditional native healer from Arizona. Although attended by just eight participants, Sheryl says the intimacy of the gathering added to its power. She feels the small nature of the retreat enhances the one-on-one interactions between participants. “Someone said to me, ‘You’re building a mini-Omega!’” Sheryl enthuses, referring to the popular Omega Institute for Holistic Studies in New York’s Catskills. The Sycamore’s Spirit Healing Retreat offers lodging in three dormitory-style rooms featuring sturdy, new northern white cedar bunk beds adorned with colorful Indian blankets and three freshly decorated bathrooms. The rooms can accommodate sixteen guests, with optional lodging available in two apartments and a cabin. A large gathering space, enhanced by a cozy living room with a stone fireplace, includes dining tables seating at least twenty. Weekend workshop pricing includes lodging and organic meals. Sheryl serves homemade food crafted from local, organic, and free trade sources. With twelve years of experience in the natural foods industry, a B.S.Ed. from Penn State, and a medicinal aromatherapy certification, her abilities are uniquely suited for her current role. In addition to paid events and free gatherings, some of the activities offered at The Sycamore’s Spirit Healing Retreat are donation-based presentations. Sheryl and Dave also envision outside organizations renting the facilities for team-building workshops or getaways. Sycamore’s large events for the year will conclude with the October 18-20 weekend imagery workshop, “A Deep Imagery Retreat: Developing and Nurturing Your Heart-Based Spirituality,” presented by Jenny Garrison. A registered nurse, yoga teacher, and author of Imagery in You: Mining for Treasure in Your Inner World, Garrison, of Wellsboro, will also present a one-day workshop on Saturday, November 2. As winter nears, Sheryl plans to continue holding free Wednesday evening gatherings, centering on explorations in nutrition, energy healing, literature, and film. She will also begin coordinating next year’s event schedule, gathering input from others via the retreat’s monthly newsletter, Facebook page, and Web site, www.thesycamoresspirit.com. “What would you like us to be? What would make them come here? We want to be a place people want to come to,” Sheryl says. With all offerings, she and Dave strive to “create community. What’s really important is helping other people. We’ve both been in situations where others have helped us and the biggest thing we want to do is give back. We all have wounds, we all get lost along the way, and we need to learn how to make sense of the journey we’re on.” A native of Wellsboro, Cindy Davis Meixel is a writer and photographer residing near Williamsport.

Sheryl Henkin-Kealey and Dave Paxson

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B i L L t o w n

Cinderella’s fairy godmother used magic to turn a pumpkin into a coach.

John and Edie Carpenter use pumpkins to create magic. Around mid-September, the Carpenters and their three sons transform part of their sixty-seven-acre farm in Linden into a mini-Disney World for people hungry for a back-to-nature experience. Visitors of all ages who brave the drive down the bumpy lane leading to Carpenters Pumpkin Farm won’t see people dressed in animal costumes wandering on the grounds, but they will have opportunities to enjoy up-close encounters with real pigs and goats and other assorted animals. They won’t find a variety of amusement rides, but they can opt to take a

leisurely hayride around the farm and treat themselves to the natural beauty it has to offer. Instead of weaving their way through crowds or standing in line, they can wander through a corn maze and wonder to themselves if the Carpenters have a search party on call, just in case they can’t find their way back to where they started. And, of course, there are hundreds of pumpkins in the patch, each waiting for the perfect person to take them home. Most can be carried (or at least dragged) from the field by children. Some, however, can grow to the size of a smart car and weigh more than 750 pounds. When it comes to their pumpkin patch, the Carpenters are all in. During spring planting,

John arranges the corn rows in a way that enables him to prepare the maze in September without the use of a grid. Questions and interesting facts about farming appear on little signs posted throughout the maze. Picnic tables where hungry visitors can eat their packed lunches are placed in the yard behind their farmhouse. Giant-sized pumpkins, large enough to seat two or more young children, get plopped gently in the front yard. An old tractor, which kids can pretend to drive, is rolled out. They spare no effort to ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone who wanders their way. Edie noted that, over the years, they’ve had a few pumpkin-seekers who arrived long after sunset. A few of them even beamed their headlights toward the patch in

By George Jansson

The Great PumpkinsIn Linden, John and Edie Carpenter grow a magical garden

The Carpenters, Edith and Zach (top row), and (bottom row from left) Midnight, Johnny, John, and Ben

John Carpenter carves one of the patch’s larger pumpkins.

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B i L L t o w nBiLLtown

an effort to find a pumpkin when their flashlights weren’t up to the task. Though the Carpenters don’t encourage late-night shoppers, they won’t turn away anyone, no matter what time they roll in. The Carpenters opened their first patch to visitors in 1994, the year they purchased the farm. “We didn’t think anybody would ever come down here,” John admitted. But come they did. Taking to heart suggestions made by their early customers, they added the maze and hayride to enhance their patrons’ pumpkin-picking experience. Word of the patch spread slowly, mostly because the Carpenters mounted a minimal marketing effort and posted few signs pointing the way to their creation. They’ve seen a small boost in attendance since creating a Facebook page (Carpenter Pumpkin Farm) two years ago, but their primary focus is on quality, not quantity. “We want to keep it a farm,” John said. “We don’t want to make it a circus, and we don’t like it when we get so busy that we can’t wait on people. We’re really big enough right now. We couldn’t host a festival because we can’t give up a field to parking.” The Carpenters do host many pre-school and elementary students who make annual treks to their farm. They also welcome a growing number of adults, who view stops at the patch as a way of hopping off the fast lane for a little fresh air and relaxation. More people visit on weekends, but why wait? The patch is open all day and every day beginning the last week in September through all of October.

GETTING THERE:Carpenter’s Pumpkin Farm is in Linden, between Williamsport and Jersey Shore. When heading on Route 220 South, turn right onto Young’s Road (about 7.5 miles from the Route 15/220 split) and bear right to stay on that road. Take the second left onto Wesley Lane, then take the first right onto Carpenter’s Lane. Proceed on Carpenter’s Lane to the Pumpkin Patch (on right).

First-time contributor George Jansson, a retired teacher, lives in Williamsport with his wife, Sandy. He is also the coordinator at Messiah Lutheran Preschool in South Williamsport.

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E. F. Schumacher, the author of Small is Beautiful, once said, “Any fool can make things complicated, it requires a genius to make things simple.” By that

yardstick, the people that organize the Antique Show at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wellsboro have passed down a talent for genius for fifty years. This year, the show will be held, on October 6, in the parish hall on Walnut Street, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It all started in 1963, when two women with a pas-sion for antiques decided that a show organized by the church would be a fun way to raise money. Julia Spencer and Betty Kerrick had been to a number of antique shows, and it looked like something they could do. So they con-tacted antique dealers from around the area and created an exhibition hall. In the beginning, there were more dealers in smaller booths, but, over time, fifteen became the number

A r t s & t r A v e L

A Golden AnniversaryBy Linda Roller

Embracing tradition, the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Antique Show hits a milestone

From left to right: Wilma Johnson, Darlene Borts, Canon Hinton, Karen Morrow, and Judy Coole.

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of booths available. As Wilma Beller, longtime worker and former chair of the show, said, “It is really all we have room for.” Instead of finding ways to make the show big-ger, the committee at St. Paul’s used the size of the hall to give the show an intimate appeal. This is not a mere mar-ketplace of antique items, but, instead, a visit with people knowledgeable about antiques. As Marge Weatherbee, who has exhibited at the show for thirty-eight years, said, “It’s a nice, homey feeling. Always a good show, always quality.”

Much of the show’s family feeling comes from the traditions that were instituted from the very beginning. Originally it was a two-day show, with the dealers from outside the Wellsboro area staying with members of the parish. Then, at the end of the show, they had a full din-ner with the dealers and the people from St. Paul’s that worked on the show. That tradition was altered when the show became a one-day affair. For the last twenty-five years, Wilma Beller has baked a special ham for what she calls “a little supper” the night before the show. It is still attended by the dealers and the workers for the show. As she says, “We do it because we enjoy doing it.” The other longstanding tradition is a raffle of three antique items donated by members of the parish. Currently, many of these items are from the home of Louise Brown, who left an “antique legacy” to St. Paul’s to continue this tradi-tion. And, like any good church event, there is a lunch counter with homemade sandwiches, soups, pies, and beverages, along with a bake sale table.

The show is one of the community anchors for Wells-boro’s Fall Harvest Fest, which is held the same weekend. On the sidewalks, vendors offer a variety of crafts and baked goods, the local Farmer’s Market displays the har-vest, and the downtown merchants host sidewalk sales.

The secret to the long success of the Antique Show is not hard to fathom. Instead of talking about increas-ing the size of the show, or the dates of the show, the people involved in this project talk about strengthening the connections between people. Lisa Dodge, secretary for the parish, says that working on the show “builds the sisterhood” in the parish. The focus is on the bond of friendship between the antique dealers that exhibit, the parish people who work on the project, extending to the church as a whole, and then on to the community. The Antique Show and Sale at St. Paul’s raises money for the church, but its “cash crop” is the outpouring of care and fellowship to everyone involved.

Arts & trAveL

Mountain Home contributor Linda Roller is a book seller, appraiser, and writer in Avis, Pennsylvania.

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Arts & trAveL

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33

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34

Autumn is a spectacular season, especially if you live in wine country. It is a time when all of

the senses seem to be at their peak. The colors, the smells, the sounds, and, of course, the plethora of harvest festivals are enough to make you want to stop

the clock. Well, at least we turn it back! There are so many fun things to do during harvest in the Finger Lakes, it is hard to know where to begin. So to make it easy, here are ten of my favorite seasonal hangouts, in no particular order:

The Purple Foot Festival at Casa LargaIf this doesn’t say “harvest,” then nothing does. It brings back memories of the famous I Love Lucy episode, where wine was made the old fashioned way—with the soles of your feet! People from all ages can take off their shoes and

f i n g e r L A k e s

Tiptoe Through the Finger LakesOh, the places you’ll go if you are a lover of wine. Our

columnist dishes on her favorite autumn hauntsBy Holly Howell

Holly makes her feet purple at Casa Larga’s Purple Foot Festival.

Courtesy of Holly Howell

35

KEUKA LAKEWELCOME TO

jump into the barrels to enjoy the feeling of fresh grapes squishing between the toes. (Note—this juice not used in making the actual wine.) Add in wine tours, great music, hayrides, seminars, and tastings, and you have a winner. Look for it next September—it is worth remembering—at Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport. (www.casalarga.com)

Naples Grape Festival Although the actual arts and crafts weekend takes place in September, you can find the famous Naples grape pies throughout the entire autumn season. There is a grape stand about every hundred feet as you drive through the town of Naples. Hard to decide which pie is the best. Delicious warmed up with a little vanilla ice cream. (www.naplesgrapefest.org)

Bristol Mountain Fall Sky RidesWhen the foliage is at its peak, this is the perfect way to take it all in. Bristol ski resort in Naples opens up its Comet Express Chairlift during the months of September and October, and offers you a breathtaking view from the summit of the mountain. And you don’t even have to be a skier. (www.bristolmountain.com/fall-sky-rides)

Brew and Brats at Arbor HillAfter your sky ride, head down the road to Arbor Hill Winery. In addition to their tasty wine list, you’ll find a charming restaurant that serves up homemade German sausages and great brew as well. This area was once very well known for its hops production. Even wine lovers like a beer every now and then. A perfect Oktoberfest pairing. (www.brewandbrats.com)

Hunt Country Harvest FestivalThe first weekend in October is the 24th annual at Hunt Country Vineyards in Branchport on Keuka Lake. A full weekend of activities including grape stompin’, horse-drawn wagon rides, tours and tastings, live music, cooking seminars, and even a local artist exhibit. Of course, the wonderful Hunt Country wines are the icing on the cake. Free admission. (www.huntwines.com/Harvest-Festival)

The Finger Lakes Cheese TrailYou know I could never leave out cheese, and it just so happens that the amazing Finger Lakes Cheese Trail is having one of their Open Houses on Columbus Day weekend (October 12-13). These only happen a few times a year, as the farms are small and not always open to the public. Thirteen farms participate, and are open for visitors all weekend. Sample the cheeses, meet the animals, and learn how cheese is made. Fascinating and family friendly. Don’t forget to bring a cooler to bring home some great cheese. (www.flcheesetrail.com)

See Harvest Spots on page 36

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Ithaca Apple Harvest FestivalSince it is their peak season, we need a party to celebrate apples as well! Leave it to downtown Ithaca to come up with a great one. This year is the 31st annual, October 4-6, and will offer up lots of local delicacies made with you know what. Arts, crafts, games, live performances, and rides make this the ultimate street party. (www.downtownithaca.com)

Glass Harvest at Corning MuseumEven glass has a harvest season, and it coincides with that of the great pumpkin! Yes, you will be able to view the world’s largest glass pumpkin in Corning during this event that runs from September 2 through November 11, 2013. Or, create your own by taking a forty-minute glass class. Lots of fun activities for adults and kids, including a Harvest Hunt in the museum and a glass farmer’s market. (www.cmog.org)

Goose Watch Chestnut FestivalThe smell of freshly roasted chestnuts is the epitome of Autumn. Goose Watch Winery on Cayuga Lake (sister winery to Swedish Hill and Penguin Bay) grows their own chestnuts, and hosts a party to celebrate the harvest October 19. Expect lots of new chestnut recipes, live music, tasty sampling, and one of the best views of Cayuga Lake. (www.goosewatch.com)

The Spontaneous OutingLast, but not least, one of my absolute favorite Finger Lakes excursions is the completely unplanned one. A few good friends (including a designated driver), a picnic lunch, a beautiful day, and an adventure just waiting to be written. I’ll never forget a trip I took with my parents a few years back. We had just returned from Napa Valley, California, and an incredible wine experience. It was one we will never forget. Yet, as we drove down the west coast of Seneca Lake on a pristine autumn day, we couldn’t help but wonder why we had spent all that money to go out West. We were mesmerized by the natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region, and realized the same thing Dorothy did when she returned from Oz. “It’s that if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard; because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.”

Harvest Spots continued from page 35

Holly is a Certified Specialist of Wine (by the Society of Wine Educators) and a Certified Sommelier (by the Master Court of Sommeliers in England).

finger LAkes

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finger LAkes

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As the abundant crops of fruit mature each summer and early fall, my husband

and I spend time gathering as much as we can. Over the years we have planted blueberries, grapes, and currants, but we are also blessed

to have an abundant supply of wild fruits, such as huckleberries, blackberries, and raspberries as well as chokecherry and apple trees on our property.

With so much going on during the summer and early fall, I prefer

to wash and freeze the fruit that we pick—except the apples—opting to turn them into jelly, jams, and butters during the cooler days of late fall. Using the Ball Blue Book as my guide, I consistently achieve

f o o d & d r i n k

Jelly Jewels

By Jo Charles

See Jelly Jewels on page 41

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade. But leftover fruit juice? It’s jelly-making time.

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good results. I save the small portions of juice that are left over when all of the “exact” measuring has been completed and use it to make mixed fruit jelly. It’s actually my favorite. An acquaintance once said that he never liked mixed fruit jelly. He said it was the leftovers from the bottom of the pots dumped together. It isn’t—but, in fairness to him, he didn’t have a clue about making jelly.

I actually seek out fruit specifically for my yearly batch of mixed fruit jelly. Our currant bush does not bear much fruit, but I dutifully pick the berries that it yields each year and treasure them as an important component to my mixed fruit. Chokecherries are also unpredictable. Some years the trees yield enough for a batch of chokecherry jelly and other years just a few cups. Whatever the trees and bushes have to offer is collected and the juice extracted—a cup of this, three-quarters of a cup of that—all added together for the mixed fruit. I make up the difference with a predominant fruit, such as grape or apple and follow the recipe for that particular fruit. I often use leftover wine in the concoction. You know those bottles of wine that tasted so good in the winery tasting room but when you open them at home you wonder, “Why did I like this wine?” Turn it into jelly—it will salvage it every time!

Homemade jelly is a wonderful gift to give and to receive. Your own mixed fruit blend could be a shining star to share with a chosen few as a special holiday gift. In case you are wondering, the Mixed Fruit is front and center in the photo above.

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food & drink

Jelly Jewels continued from page 39

Jo Charles is the pen name of a Tioga County resident who spent thirty years working in telecommunications. She enjoys traveling with her husband, planning family functions, cooking, canning, baking, and collecting recipes.

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As summer has crept away, the resident ravens have resumed their

morning flyovers. They must have been busy elsewhere for a time, or maybe they took a little vacation after getting the kids fledged. Ravens have a bad rap, don’t they, in part because of the quothing raven of Edgar Allen Poe fame, and in part, especially around Halloween time, because of the belief that they’re somehow involved in nefarious activities. Early in the spring, a pair of ravens frequented the airspace over our house. The crows were out and about, too, but ravens have a different look about them. They’re larger, their wings are longer and narrower, and they have a longer, more serious-looking bill. They are the largest passerine (perching) birds in North America. They soar more than the crows do and, instead of the familiar “caw, caw,” ravens’ interesting but not particularly melodic repertoire of sounds includes a distinctive, throaty “brawwk.” When the little ones are learning to “talk,” the noises they make are quite entertaining. Anyway, a bit of time after the two ravens were engaged in some brilliant dips and swoops and other oh-it’s-springtime-again-baby-let’s-go-nest behaviors, the number of participants in the regular flyover decreased by one. And when one cruised past with talons clasped about a luckless rodent, the hypothesis was that there were new mouths to feed.

Ravens are omnivores, enjoying not only grains, carrion, and bugs, but the eggs of other birds. They sometimes engage in cooperative or “tag-team” hunting and sometimes secret away caches of food. The parents, who are believed to mate for life, both care for the young birds. Ravens belong to the corvid family, which includes crows, jays, jackdaws, rooks, and magpies as members. In the avian world, corvids are some of the most widespread and naturally occurring. They are highly social and intelligent. Ravens have one of the largest brains of any bird, and studies have shown them to have sophisticated problem-solving abilities. They communicate with one another inter-generationally, and have a good memory for faces, particularly human faces belonging to those who have done them wrong (check out the research that’s been done with folks wearing Dick Cheney masks—it’s quite amusing). Folks in the know about ravens, crows, and the like believe the birds are self-aware. Legend does have it that if the ravens leave the Tower of London, the fortress and the British kingdom will fall, but that’s a lot of responsibility to put on a bird, albeit a smart one.

RestaurantsFor listing information please email Dawn Bilder at dawnb@mountainhomemag.com or call (570) 724-3838. Bon appetit!

Gayle Morrow, former editor of The Wellsboro Gazette, cooks locally, and organically, at the West End Market Café. Gayle recently won a Keystone State Press Award for her columns.

Mother earthSuddenly There Came a Tapping

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Kristy Hartman, 570-439-9186 • Jill Fidurko, 570-439-6375

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570-723-8484, OFFICEROUTE 6 just one mile west of the Wellsboro Diner

in beautiful Wellsboro, Pa. 16901

800-748-8550121 W. Church St, Lock Haven, PA

4BR, 3 bath on 5 acres adjoining state game lands. 2 stall stable, heated garage and near trails. MLS#WB-67188 $329,000

www.davisrealestateinc.com

Incredible home on 19 acres bordering state forest. Horse barn & studio. Outdoor lover’s dream! MLS#WB-67345 $495,000

Open floor plan with stone fireplace and loft. 4.57 acres for privacy and outdoor enjoyment. MLS#WB-64717 $334,900

Riverfront 3BR in the PA Wilds bordering state forest. Open floor plan and decks for the view. MLS#WB-68111 $299,000

www.npennrealestate.com Real estate

Kathy Doty – (570) 404-1900Suzeahn Hunt – (607) 857-9749

Where Creativity Meets exCellenCe in real estate

23 East Avenue, Wellsboro, PAwww.flynnco.com — (570) 326-2600

This very special place, tucked back in a 10-acre wooded setting, is a welcome retreat. Timber frame and stone construction anchor this home to its surroundings. From custom tile work to built-in cabinetry this home offers unique fea-tures in every room! Gardens, deck, covered porch; so much to see! $215,000

Very well maintained home just a few miles from downtown Coudersport and hospital. Home features 3 bedrooms, updated bathroom, open kitchen and living room, beautiful private patio area, and a 2 car garage. $110,000

Magnificent 3,065 sqft 4 BR residence on over 3.6 acres in a desirable location within 3 miles from Wellsboro and easy access to major com-muting routes. Features unique varieties of ex-otic natural stone, 5” Brazilian cherry floors, 5’ wide staircase and hallways, 8” crown molding. Master suite features bath w/floor to ceiling travertine, radiant heat floors, Kohler jetted soaking tub. Spacious working/entertaining kitchen with up to date style and amenities. Front porch relaxation leads to beautiful views. $349,500 MLS #122218

Check out this neat as a pin family restaurant with spacious seating. There is ample parking for cars and trucks. The building is equipped with a full building gas generator. The build-ing is totally self-sufficient. Power failures do not affect the business or the building. There is an apartment in the basement which has been repainted with installation of new floor-ing. A washer and dryer has been installed in the apartment for business and personal use. $180,000 MLS# 124423

Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

Great Opportunity! Very nice, immaculate, & completely remodeled restaurant/bar! Bam-boo flooring, wood finished interior all new furnishings & kitchen equipment. Liquor license will transfer at this price! Liquor license is restaurant, bar, & Sunday service. Just $149,000 M124374

Country Split Level Home! Features 4-5 BR, 2 BA, attached 2-car garage, open floor plan, walk-out basement, paved drive, & concrete patio. Minutes from Shell’s proposed corporate office. 4+ acres with stream, apple trees, & nice mature landscaping. OGMS convey! Only $287,000 M124257

FIRST18 North Main St, Mansfield, PA 16933 • 570-662-2200

www.twintiersrealty.com

215 West Church St.Elmira, NY 14901

607-733-2700For the Best in the Business

Call

Kim Buchanan(607) 857-6125

Ronald Gilbert (607) 483-2241

Licensed in NY and PA

Price Reduced

212 W. Main St - Knoxville, PAVictorian home w/ 4 BR, 3 BA and hot tub room w/ skylight, spacious rooms, ornate oak woodwork, large foyer, oak staircase, fireplace in living room, 2nd staircase from kitchen, large rear deck, front wrap around porch, walk up attic, 2-car garage, large backyard. MLS 123606Ronald Gilbert, (607) 483-2241 $139,900

1545 Kilgore Rd - Gillett, PABeautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath log home on 3.17 acres with 100% OGM rights. Horse barn, shed, generator, pond, and tree house are just some of the extras. MLS 123395Kim Buchanan, (607) 857-6125 $318,000

Gillett/WellsburgLarge 3 bed 2 bath home on over 1 acre of private back yard. Spacious Living room with gas fireplace Close to NY Boarder just out of Wellsburg. MLS 124055 Ronald Gilbert, (607) 483-2241 $159,500

NY/PA The best of both States! This 4000+ sq. ft. home with 102 acres in NY and 56 acres in PA. This home has a beautiful view from every window and way too many extras to list. Must see this one of a kind home with 158 acres of land. MLS 124233Kim Buchanan 607-857-6125 $649,000

Erin, NYFarm with house, 3 large barns, pond and 88 acres with 100% OGM to convey with no current lease. This was a work-ing beef farm with mix of pasture/hay fields and woods. Beautiful hilltop views on a peaceful dead end road. MLS 232538Kim Buchanan, (607) 857-6125 $510,000

430 Criss Road, Gillett, PaGreat small farm with over 3500 Sq Ft of finished living area. This large cus-tom built ranch has very large rooms. Living room 17x38 Master Bedroom is 19x24 2 full baths on main floor with 3 additional finished rooms in the walk out basement plus 1/2 bath. The 51 acres includes woods, fields, large pond and pole barn plus additional building for all your equipment. MLS 124343Ronald E. Gilbert, (607) 483-2241 $349,900

Price Reduced

www.npennrealestate.comReal estate

Serving Tioga, Bradford, & Potter Counties, and Surrounding Areas

FIRSTScott Bastian, Broker

18 North Main St, Mansfield, PA 16933 • 570-662-2200 mansfieldremax@yahoo.com • www.twintiersrealty.com

Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

We have over 250 listings! www.twintiersrealty.com Check Them All Out Online!

PRICE

REDU

CEDLAND with OGMS

SULLIVAN TWP18.12 Acres - $121,500

RUTLAND TWP60.00 Acres - $480,000

MIDDLEBURY TWP89.32 Acres - $525,000

SMITHFIELD TWP90.70 Acres - $799,900

TIOGA TWP 106.30 Acres - $599,000

LANDOSCEOLA TWP

15.99 Acres - $39,900 80.97 Acres - $239,900

BLOSSBURG BORO3.34 Acres - $39,900

WARD TWP 50.78 Acres - $159,840

SULLIVAN TWP 174.48 Acres - $523,428

Kim Case 570-404-0794

Joan Miller 570-439-4313

Chris Gilbert 570-404-1268

Dick Pino 570-404-0852

Gwen Heyler 570-854-8528

Wynnette Richardson 570-439-1841

Cat Ostrom-Rush

570-447-8861

Gorgeous Country Views! Outstanding 5400+ sq ft timber frame home. Huge stone fireplace adorns the great room. Fully finished basement with its own kitchen/dining area, family room, & 4 BR. Large attached garage, covered porches, & much more. Close to downtown Wellsboro. Only $483,990 M124497

Lois Van Ness 570-404-1340

Lovely Home! 4 BR, 3 BA ranch home sitting on 4.45 acres directly across the road from Hills Creek Lake. Relax in the living room in front of a wood fire in the brick fireplace or enjoy the evening on the enclosed porch. Now Only $198,000 M124052

Whiskey Creek Rd., Caton NYIf you are looking for recreational property with OGM’s, then look no further. 48+ wooded acres, ideal for hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and more. Seller is motivated. Call now to make this yours!REF#10736 $106,000

107 Main StreetWellsboro, Pa. 16922

570-723-1600www.wellsboroparealestate.com

47

By day, Tracy Tomei is a graph-ic designer for Woolrich. In her spare time she creates the

quirky and surreal prints that can be found in her virtual store, AndSoIt-Goes. Rod Serling’s opening lines from The Twilight Zone, “A journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination,” perfectly embody the whimsical world discovered in her artwork, which combines strong ty-pography and tailored illustrations to create beautiful statements about life and its absurdity. The playfulness of Tracy’s art is contagious, light, and refreshing. She

takes the quotes that wheedle their way into her mind—right now, those quotes are from the Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou and the ’90s cult television show, Twin Peaks—and illustrates them in a way so captivating in their simplicity that the viewer cannot help but be drawn to the power of her typography—which she describes “as an art in itself.” In her virtual shop are prints fea-turing everything from the eccentric (“there is a fish in the percolator”) to the more cerebral (“What do you fear most in the world? The possibility that love is not enough.”) And while the

quotes are removed from their con-texts, and could be described as fan-art because they will be more recognizable by followers of the pop culture from which she draws her inspiration, they remain intriguing—and maybe even more charming in their mystery—to the viewer that is not so familiar. While these two sources of inspi-ration will always be near and dear, she is expanding and seeking muses within classic literature, books by more con-temporary authors, like J. D. Salinger and Tom Robbins (two of her favor-ites), and other television shows, like

M A r k e t P L A c e

See AndSoItGoes on page 48

Submitted for Your ApprovalBy Meghan Lee

A journey into graphic artist Tracy Tomei’s imagination

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27 Whispering Pines Ln. Galeton, PA

Visa, Mastercard & Discover90 day Layaway & Gift Certificates

814-435-3544johnmzeigler@verizon.net

JOHN’S SPORTING GOODSGuns bought, sold, and traded!

Clean & Green for your

570-294-5341

Home • Office • Garden Nutrition • Health & Beauty Energy-Saving • Organizing

&Simple SolutionsNon-Toxic Alternatives

cindy.copp11@gmail.com

LivingGreenC o n s u l t i n g

Portlandia—a satirical sketch comedy television series on IFC. Tracy lives with her husband and a new puppy in Williamsport, but her virtual print shop is hosted by the e-commerce Web site Etsy, which brings together artisans, vintage merchants, and other distributors of handmade goods from all over the world. The vastness of the site can be overwhelm-ing, but it’s easy to find Tracy’s shop, www.AndSoItGoesShop.etsy.com, through a feature on the Web site called “Shop Local” which allows you to search for shops by city, state, or country. By the way, our region, The Last Great Place, we call it, has a flour-ishing Etsy marketplace with locals handcrafting gifts, novelties, clothing, and even hand-spun yarn. And in honor of this Last Great Place, I have two prints of Tracy’s hanging on my kitchen wall, both featuring the John Muir quote “the mountains are calling and I must go”—a perfectly fitting sentiment of the alluring beauty of these moun-tains seen from the view out my win-dow. Framing these beautiful words are perfectly simplistic illustrations of mountainsides (both of the prints are

currently available in her shop). You or I might fixate on a certain passage from a book or a particularly addictive song lyric until it remains on a seemingly infinite loop in our heads. Where do you put that? A notebook, where it is destined to fade from rec-ollection? But Tracy uses the words swirling in her head as a catalyst for her illustrations. After finding Tracy on Etsy, I thought of handing over my notebook and begging her to make the phrases that were so special to me into some-thing more tangible, in the spirit of her two prints that hang on my kitchen wall. And, lucky for me, Tracy has a custom order option. She will gladly create a print constructed around a fa-vorite quote of your choosing—quirky Christmas gift idea anyone? And just in time for the holidays, she is soon going to begin offering larger eight-by-ten prints as an addi-tional option to her current selection of five-by-seven prints and custom calendars. But for the more closely approaching holiday, Halloween, she has created a series of The Twilight Zone-inspired prints just for us. They embody a spooky cool that can be dis-played and appreciated all year round.

AndSoItGoes continued from page 47

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Beneath The Veil,The Realm of Faery Awaits

Mind…Body…SpiritAn Enchanting Gift ShoppeEst. 2000

(570) 724-1155www.enchanted-hollow.com

6 East AvenueWellsboro, PA

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2 East Avenue Wellsboro, PA 16901 570-723-4263

Come see our exclusive collection of Scenic Tioga County Puzzles

Check out our facebook page for events.

Games Imagination Fun

www.popscultureshoppe.com

50

Autombnal SunriseBy Sarah Wagaman

“Who would’ve thought a cemetery could be so beautiful? On my way to school I notice how the sun peers through the leaves changing colors and how the stone acts as a frame around the sunrise,” says Wellsboro photographer Sarah Wagaman.

B A c k o f t h e M o u n tA i n

“I was blessed to be treated at an amazing comprehensive cancer center, right here in Williamsport. I knew I was in good hands the moment I walked into the Susquehanna Health Cancer Center, with its bright, airy and modern facilities. They treated my breast cancer with the latest technology and therapies. Throughout it all, I was impressed by the skills and compassion of the doctors, nurses, nutritionists and social workers who treat you – body, mind and soul. They provided comfort and guidance for me and my family every step of the way. Now that my cancer is cured, I’m exercising regularly and have already dropped 30 pounds. I’m healthy, strong and feel like a new person – and I appreciate every magical moment of life.” – Sue Danneker, Linden

To learn more about our Cancer Center and Sue’s story of survival, visit SusquehannaHealth.org/Cancer

I’M A SUSQUEHANNA CANCER SURVIVOR.

SHH-0053_Oncology_Ad_fp_4c_MHM.indd 1 10/15/12 11:54 AM