November 29 Weekly PA Wilds News Digest
November 29, 2024 Weekly Digest: Recent News from the PA Wilds
The PA Wilds Weekly Digest is a roundup of news articles about the PA Wilds, the region’s public lands and its Landscapes and Journeys that have been published over the past week.
Note: some of the news websites may have paywalls that prevent you from reading their content.
Enjoy this week’s PA Wilds News Clips below.
On the PA Wilds visitor-facing blog, Cameron County is leaning into dark sky tourism with their new Cameron County Dark Sky Park. A Forest Friday blog shares how Thanksgiving dinners have changed since the first one and how some native Pennsylvania plants were on the menu at the first Thanksgiving.
On the Wilds Cooperative blog, today is the deadline for responses for the Request for Proposals for Website Hosting and Support Specialist.
On the PA Wilds Center blog, HRG out of Centre County was selected as the consulting firm that will help undertake the new Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Study update, which will inform the future of the PA Wilds Planning Team’s work within the PA Wilds region
On the PA Wilds Marketplace blog, check out special deals from local artisans for great gifts to purchase during Small Business Saturday!
Also in the news on the statewide tourism site for Visit PA, several quirky festivals throughout the PA Wilds region were mentioned. Groundhog Day, Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous, Marienville Bigfoot Festival, Sentimental Journey Fly-In, Kane Squatchfest, Elk Expo, Peanut Butter Festival, and Dickens of a Christmas all made the list. We love our weird and wacky festivals!
OUR BLOGS
PA WILDS
Cameron County leans into dark sky tourism – Info from DCNR and Lumber Heritage Region
Forest Fridays: I brought the green bean casserole – John Schwartzer
WCO
Member & Partner Press Releases
Request for proposals: Website Hosting & Support Specialist DUE TODAY
WCO Member Spotlights
November spotlight – Starr Hill Vineyard and Winery: Handcrafted PA wines for perfect moments
PA WILDS CENTER
Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Study underway to inform future of collaborative work
PA WILDS MARKETPLACE
A PA Wilds Gift Guide for Small Business Saturday
IN THE NEWS
MENTIONING PA WILDS
Two Smethport artists in on PA Wilds collaborations – The Bradford Era
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
Local author pens another book on area mysteries – The Punxsutawney Spirit (Local author James T. Baumgratz has released Volume 2 of “Murders & Mysterious Deaths in the Pennsylvania Wilds,” exploring the victims and ne’er-do-wells involved in these cases.)
Harvesting black bears no easy task – The Bradford Era (“Nevertheless, harvesting a black bear anywhere in the world is no easy task, especially in the PA Wilds.”)
Clearly Ahead Issues Clearfield-Curwensville Whitewater Update – GantNews.com
MENTIONING MULTIPLE TOWNS IN PA WILDS
Annual Strange and Unusual Events in PA – VISIT PA (Groundhog Day, Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous, Marienville Bigfoot Festival, Sentimental Journey Fly-In, Kane Squatchfest, Elk Expo, Peanut Butter Festival, Dickens of a Christmas)
MENTIONING PA WILDS PUBLIC LANDS
Parks, forests, rivers
Allegheny National Forest
Allegheny National Forest to host 20th annual Allegheny Reservoir Cleanup Day – MSN
Forest offices closed to observe Thanksgiving – The Derrick
Smithfield tree farm ‘spruces up’ Capitol with holiday trees – Observer-Reporter
Annual Strange and Unusual Events in PA – VISIT PA (Groundhog Day, Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous, Marienville Bigfoot Festival, Sentimental Journey Fly-In, Kane Squatchfest, Elk Expo, Peanut Butter Festival, Dickens of a Christmas)
Allegheny River
Grant Awarded to Restore Freshwater Mussels in Clarion and Kiski Rivers – Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Chapman State Park
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
New Friends of Chapman chapter established – The Bradford Era
New Friends Group to Champion Conservation and Community Engagement at Chapman State Park – MSN
Cherry Springs State Park
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
The best places to see the Northern Lights in the U.S. – The Tech Edvocate
Visit Potter-Tioga executive director Hanson named ‘Woman Making a Difference’ – Tioga Publishing
Clarion River
Consultants offer suggestions for Clarion River accessibility – The Derrick
Grant Awarded to Restore Freshwater Mussels in Clarion and Kiski Rivers – Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Cook Forest State Park
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
Denton Hill State Park
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
Kettle Creek State Park
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
Kinzua Bridge State Park
‘One Of The World’s Top 10 Most Beautiful Skywalks’ Is An Engineering Marvel In Pennsylvania – MSN
Leonard Harrison State Park
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
Ole Bull State Park
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
Parker Dam State Park
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
Sinnemahoning State Park
Community Calendar – Tioga Publishing
Registration opens Dec. 2 for Sinnemahoning’s Women in the Wilds – Clearfield Progress
Sizerville State Park
ON THE HUNT: Sizerville State Park – small in footprint, big in beauty – The Courier Express
Landscapes and Journeys
Dark Skies
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
The best places to see the Northern Lights in the U.S. – The Tech Edvocate
Visit Potter-Tioga executive director Hanson named ‘Woman Making a Difference’ – Tioga Publishing
Elk Country
Elk Country Visitor Center programs in November – The Courier Express
Annual Strange and Unusual Events in PA – VISIT PA (Groundhog Day, Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous, Marienville Bigfoot Festival, Sentimental Journey Fly-In, Kane Squatchfest, Elk Expo, Peanut Butter Festival, Dickens of a Christmas)
Pine Creek Valley / PA Grand Canyon / Pine Creek Rail Trail
How to spend a winter’s day in the Pennsylvania Wilds – Keystone Newsroom
Visit Potter-Tioga executive director Hanson named ‘Woman Making a Difference’ – Tioga Publishing
MENTIONING WCO / CONSERVATION SHOPS
Two Smethport artists in on PA Wilds collaborations – The Bradford Era