MOUNT JEWETT — Kinzua Bridge State Park will offer a variety of programs in December and January.

Participants are reminded to dress for the weather as all programs will be held outdoors, unless noted elsewhere.

At 10 a.m. Dec. 3 will be a chance for some crafting of natural and man-made decorations. Stop at the Visitor Center classroom to make a simple decoration using things from nature and some things that are man made.

At 10 a.m. Dec. 9 will be a “Name That Conifer” event. Ever think that all Christmas trees are pine trees? Stop by the Visitor Center classroom to find out what evergreens grow in the county.

At 11 a.m. Jan. 1 will be the First Day Hike. Start the New Year healthy with a hike on the General Kane Trail. The trail is an approximate 1.5-mile easy-rated trail. Dress in layers for the weather and wear appropriate shoes/boots. Part of the trail is open to hunting, so wear an orange vest and hat. Meet in the Overflow Parking Lot.

From noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 20 will be a winter fun day. Sled-dog and musher demos will be held and visitors can learn how to snowshoe and cross-country ski, along with learning about

Pennsylvania’s white-tailed deer and what they eat.

Call the park office for more information at (814) 778-5467.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today announced the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail has been named Pennsylvania’s 2023 Trail of the Year.

“I am extremely excited to announce that the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail has been selected as Pennsylvania’s top trail for 2023,” Dunn said.

“Trails play an important role in supporting communities across the commonwealth by connecting people to nature, recreation opportunities, communities and the surrounding history, new businesses and so much more. Congratulations to the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail Club for this honor and special thanks for the hard work to support and uplift this trail.”

The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee designates the Trail of the Year to help build enthusiasm and support for trails across the state, and to raise public awareness about the value of the Pennsylvania’s land and water trail network.

Pennsylvania continues its tradition of being a leader in trail development by providing its citizens and visitors with more than 12,000 miles of trails.

In an effort to close the gaps in this network and bring trails to close everyone, DCNR has established a goal to have a trail within 10 minutes of all Pennsylvanians.

The Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail is a 7.8-mile-long section of the larger Knox and Kane Rail Trail in McKean County.

The former rail line now provides a level trail for walking, jogging, biking, and horseback riding. In winter months, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are also popular.

The Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail Club, the award recipient, works in partnership with the Knox and Kane Rail Trail and Kinzua Bridge State Park.

The state park uses the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail’s section of trail for nature walks and naturalist events throughout the year.

The trail highlights the environmental and historical aspects of the area in a series of interpretive signs placed along the 7.8 miles.

The trail offers amenities, such as pavilions, focused artwork, railroad trestles, and dining options within close proximity of the rail trail.

The Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail is also important to the community, which has used the trail for events like senior citizen rides, special hikes, bike races, and marathons.

Carolyn Stroup, Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail Club President, says, “We are very grateful to receive this prestigious award. This is an honor and a tribute to how well our trail club members work as a team. We are excited and look forward to collaborating with DCNR and WeConservePA to provide education that will increase community involvement on the Knox and Kane Rail Trail, and promote trails in the Pennsylvania Wilds.”

The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee is charged with implementing the recommendations of the Pennsylvania Trails Strategic Plan to develop a statewide land and water trail network to facilitate recreation, transportation, and healthy lifestyles for all.

The 20-member DCNR-appointed committee represents both motorized and non-motorized trail users and advises the commonwealth on use of state and federal trail funding.

Visit the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail Club for more information. The ExplorePaTrails website offers details on more than 650 trails covering almost 12,000 miles in Pennsylvania.

Bradford Era – Visit the Kinzua Bridge State Park (KBSP) on Saturday, January 21 for the park’s “Winter Fun Day.” Visitors and park staff will celebrate some of the activities that can be done outside, even in the cold, damp snow.

This year the sled dog demonstration will be back to educate and entertain folks. This year’s sled dogs are younger, and are in training for all visitors to observe and learn about. Some of the dog’s mushers are younger as well, and are also in training.

The sled dogs will run whether there is snow or no snow on the day of the event.

Along with the sled dogs there will be other demonstrations, such as winter biking. Participants will also have the ability to learn to snowshoe, cross country ski and just have fun in the winter. Read More

Bradford Era – by Mandy Colosimo

The Mount Jewett Council President, Brett Morgan, reportedly turned over the gavel to Vice President Tom Geer and resigned during the regular meeting held on Monday, Dec. 5.

Morgan, who has served on council since 2005, will remain on the council, but as of Jan. 1, 2023, Council member Jason Hughes will be recognized as the president.

The vote was not unanimous, as Frank Auriemmo declared that he preferred not to vote and Hughes abstained. Council Members Chris Park, Robin Blakenship, Chuck Paar, Geer, and Morgan voted ‘yes’ as part of the roll call vote. Read More

Bradford Era – by Marcie Schellhammer

Mount Jewett native Jake Maynard’s debut novel “Slime Line” is due to be released in 2024 by West Virginia University Press.

And it’s not as gross as its name implies.

In an interview with The Era on Friday, Maynard said the book is “about a guy from rural western Pennsylvania. When he’s a kid, his dad up and leaves for Alaska. He has some troubles in Pennsylvania, his father passes away, he decides to go to Alaska to see what it’s all about.”

The character gets a job in a salmon cannery, and the novel “follows his maniacal quest to become supervisor at the cannery.” Read More

Bradford Era – by Mandy Colosimo

The American Legion Auxiliary is holding their first ever holiday fundraiser and they are hoping for a big turnout. The weather is turning chilly, that smell is in the air. There are only 69 days remaining until Christmas — somebody had to put it out there.

Mark those calendars for the first Holiday and Craft show fundraiser hosted and sponsored by the Mount Jewett American Legion Auxiliary from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Mount Jewett Legion, 61 East Main St.

Over 20 vendors will have their wares on display for purchase. And with all the holidays fast approaching, this could be just the place to find those items for the hard-to-shop-for folks on that list. Read More

Bradford Era – by Mandy Colosimo

The Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail Club has finished their TSA resurfacing project and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate 3.7 additional miles completed on the Knox & Kane Rail Trail was held on Friday, July 15.

In addition to the presiding officials, several of the 60-member club were on-site to witness the ribbon getting cut. Members from other trail clubs excitedly waited on the sidelines as well, Trail Association of the McKean-Elk Divide (TAMED) and Kinzua Valley Trail Club came to show their support. Also in attendance were two McKean County Commissioners, Tom Kreiner and Carol Duffy. Read More

Bradford Era – Throw an ax, check out a Viking ship, explore the culinary offerings of a smorgasbord — all in Mount Jewett next month as the Swedish Festival returns from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 12 to 14.

This year’s theme is “Swedish Roots — American Grown.”

“The Swedish Festival committee has been hard at work over the past year with fundraising efforts and securing entertainment acts — both old and new — for the 2022 Mount Jewett Swedish Festival,” said Leslie Davis, chair. The committee has 19 active members, and lots of other people who help out.

“Our local Boy Scout Troop #410 puts the Swedish and American flags up along Main Street every morning and takes them down each night,” Davis said. “In addition to the food booth they run on Center Street all weekend, these boys set up the area with chairs and tables for people to enjoy the entertainment acts and put them away at the end of the festival.” Read More