December 23, 2018

A Henry Shoemaker Christmas Story

Henry Shoemaker -- an environmentalist, historian, writer and folklorist -- was a big fan of the holidays, often loaning his antique sleigh for Santa to make a big entrance to local events. And only Henry Shoemaker would have written a piece about a local legend entitled “The Animist Churchwomen of Black Snake Mills: A Christmas Story.” Here, Lou Bernard relates the Christmastime legend involving mannequins and an old shop in the PA Wilds.

December 10, 2018

Spend the holidays on the ‘Avenue of the Arts’

A colorful map to the “Avenue of the Arts" helps visitors to the I-80 Frontier City of Williamsport access the public art along Fourth Street and downtown. The map includes public art, performing arts, culinary arts, literature, and architecture.

November 26, 2018

Covered Bridges of the Pennsylvania Wilds

Once plentiful, the number of historic covered bridges drops each year due to fire, vandalism, and weather damage. Estimates suggest that there are fewer than a thousand covered bridges still left in America, with 219 in Pennsylvania. Five of those lie within the PA Wilds, in the I-80 Frontier and the Pine Creek Valley. Almost all of them are on Covered Bridge Road.

November 20, 2018

Unconquered: Cook Forest

The 1947 movie “Unconquered,” directed by Cecil B. DeMille, was filmed in the PA Wilds. Watch the movie, and about forty-four minutes in, you’ll begin to see scenes that look hauntingly familiar. They scenes were shot within the Cook Forest & the Ancients Landscape -- and you can explore the same trails today.

November 16, 2018

Our Family Trip on the I-80 Frontier of the PA Wilds

The I-80 Frontier has been referred to as the “Welcome mat of the PA Wilds.” Running through the counties of Lycoming,Clinton, Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson, and Clarion, it’s one of the easiest ways to travel through the Pennsylvania Wilds. Lou Bernard considered this when his family was planning an annual summer vacation, which would take them west along Interstate 80. Here he shares details about the family's adventure.

November 8, 2018

The Man Who Saved the Wolves

The McCleery Discovery Center in Kane opened in 2017 in a restored 1871 Pennsylvania Railroad depot, the same depot where the first Lobo wolf pups arrived in 1921. Its mission is to highlight the accomplishments of Dr. Edward McCleery and it holds a collection of letters, journals, photos, and various artifacts commemorating the man who saved the wolves.

October 31, 2018

Ghosts in the PA Wilds: Amandon Baker And His Boots

According to both written stories and local tale, a stretch of road near Durward Cemetery in Potter County is haunted by the ghost of a soldier, Amandon Baker, who is still trying to preserve his boots, even though he no longer needs them. "Ghosts in the PA Wilds" is a series of ghost stories written by historian Lou Bernard, who revels in folklore and the paranormal. The series is featured on The PA Wilds Are Calling blog each Wednesday of October.

October 24, 2018

Ghosts in the PA Wilds: The North Bend Swamp Angel

Numerous legends in North Bend begin with the body of a woman being found in a creek that is today known as Young Woman's Creek. Several tell the tale of the Swamp Angel, a ghost who wasn’t vengeful, and would help those who asked, if they needed it badly enough. "Ghosts in the PA Wilds" is a series of ghost stories written by historian Lou Bernard, who revels in folklore and the paranormal, and featured on The PA Wilds Are Calling blog each Wednesday of October.

October 10, 2018

Ghosts in the PA Wilds: The Hanging Of Vincent Voychek

In the years since its founding, Clarion County has had quite a bit of history. And in all that time, there has only ever been one hanging. Oddly enough, the hanged man is thought to still be haunting the jail. "Ghosts in the PA Wilds" is a series of ghost stories written by historian Lou Bernard, who revels in folklore and the paranormal. The PA Wilds Are Calling blog will feature a new ghost story from the region each Wednesday of October.

October 3, 2018

Ghosts in the PA Wilds: Sarah and the North Hall Library

"Ghosts in the PA Wilds" is a series of ghost stories written by historian Lou Bernard, who revels in folklore and the paranormal. The PA Wilds Are Calling blog will feature a new ghost story from the region each Wednesday of October. "Sarah and the Library" looks at claims of ghostly encounters in the library at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, located in the Pine Creek Valley & PA Grand Canyon Landscape of the PA Wilds.