The Ruffed Grouse Society is proud to announce that they will offer their popular Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting Program at the Mt Jewett Sportsmen’s Club on July 16-17 and August 20-21.  On both Saturdays, the course starts at noon and ends at 4:00 p.m.  On both Sundays, the course starts at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m.

Lodging is available, if needed, but is limited.

A hunt will be offered to the graduates on Sunday, September 12, at a nearby sportsmen’s club.

No pre-knowledge of shooting is required.  “We pride ourselves on helping a woman who has never even held a shotgun before learn how to become a wingshooter,” says Sue McClelland of Smethport, one of the instructors.  “And owning a shotgun is not necessary; we have shotguns that the attendees can try for size and then use during the program.  When you finish this training you can go on and shoot at targets for fun or hunt your choice of birds.”

You must register to attend this course, and it is on a first-come, first serve registration basis.  “We only take twenty women into the program each year so we can maintain the quality”, offers Taylor Holt of Kane, another instructor.  “And the neat thing about this program is that we have all women instructors.”

Register by contacting wlhab9@gmail.com.  YOU MUST ALSO RE-REGISTER NOW IF YOU REGISTERED LAST FALL OR LAST WINTER TO VERIFY YOUR ATTENDANCE THIS SUMMER.  Re-registration is important.

Bradford Era – The Mt. Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail club is still collecting bids for their TSA resurfacing project this spring, to take place on the section of the Knox & Kane Rail Trail between Mt. Jewett and U.S. Route 219. Dates to be announced, when the club is ready to start the work.

During this time, the rail trail will be closed on that section of rail trail only. Once the project is complete, the trail will be equivalent to the finished sections of trail between Mt. Jewett and the Kinzua Bridge State Park, and some sections through Kane. The project is being funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and work will be done by club volunteers. Read More

Bradford Era – Ken Stroup of Mount Jewett, a long time Kinzua Valley Trail Club (KVTC) member, was honored Friday for his considerable contribution in completing the construction of the new covered bridge on the Kinzua Valley Trail.

Although originally designed as a traditional pedestrian bridge, after consulting with project engineer Curt Wallace and club members, the Board of KVTC decided to convert the design into that of a historical covered bridge.

At this point, on his own initiative, Stroup contacted a neighboring landowner who wanted to remove pine trees from his property. He then proceeded to fell the trees and haul them to his farm in Mountt Jewett.

Using his home-built bandsaw, he then milled and cut the trees into different-sized timbers and planking that would make up the timbered portion of the new bridge.

Stroup donated all the timber, along with many hours of his time and expertise to complete the finished structure, which is located just off the Westline Road at the old settlement of Olivedale.

To recognize Stoup’s commitment, the KVTC Board of Directors unveiled a permanent bronze plaque attached to the Olivedale bridge in his honor.

Additionally, Greg Davis, vice president of the KVTC read a statement from Don Cummins, President of the group, praising Ken for his “willingness to do whatever it takes” in advancing the Trail.

Davis then presented Stroup with the KVTC’s “2021 Volunteer of the Year’’ award plaque and a gift certificate for battery-powered implements of his choice.

Following the ceremony, Board members and spouses Mike (Mary) Angello, Jim (Mary) Paterniti, Jonathan (Trudy) Pomeroy, Greg (Maxine) Davis, Julie Chittester and Dan (Mary) Cukierski hosted a dinner at the Westline Inn for the Stroups. Read More

The Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting, sponsored by the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS), graduated seventeen women at the Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club in Mt. Jewett, Pa. Nineteen women from across the Commonwealth registered for this popular beginners’ shotgun and shooting training. The women graduates were from the following areas:

Centre County – Terra
Elk County – Mary and Meg
Erie County – Ainsley
Indiana County – Nicole and Johanna
Potter County – Maureen
Jefferson County – Holly
Luzerne County – Allison
McKean County – Suzanne, Abby, Tina, Mary, Donna, Tianna, and Taylor
Westmoreland County – Kelly

Congratulations to these seventeen women! Of interest this year is that the registrants included four young women-older women pairs – mothers and daughters, grandmothers and granddaughters, and sisters. The women will be on a mentored hunt in September for pheasant, quail, and chukars at the Rolfe Beagle Club in Johnsonburg, Pa.

Bradford Era – by Christine Holtz

The 50th annual Swedish Festival is officially back after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The event, which entails both old and new attractions, kicks off Friday with opening ceremonies and runs until Sunday.

A lot of hard work went into providing new events this year, including a Strongest Swede contest, axe throwing, a bigger and better parade and a breakfast at the Mount Jewett Veterans Memorial Club on Saturday morning, sponsored by the Smethport Trap Team.

This year, the Swedish smorgasbord on Saturday has been expanded to include American fare. Additionally, the Leif Erikson Viking Ship Norsemen are making a return to share facts and information about their one-quarter scale viking ship.

A car show, in memory of Patrick Mofett, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and car and bike enthusiast, will also be held on Saturday, sponsored by Leslie Moffett and A. Jason Clemons Salon in Olean, N.Y.

Sunday’s schedule has been expanded to include an Art Show, the Kinzua Bridge Challenge, the Bike and Pet Parade, Viking Ship Races, a Jeep Cruise In and Human Foosball.

SCHEDULE

Friday

6 p.m. — Opening ceremonies and Crowning of the Swedish Festival Royalty, Center Street

6 p.m. — Vendors open

6-10 p.m. — Amusement rides by American Amusements, Center Street

6-9 p.m. — Caricature Artist Eric Jones, Center Street

6-9 p.m. — Leif Erikson Viking Ship Norsemen, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church lawn

6-9:30 p.m. — Axe throwing with Forest Carlson, Lower Center Street

7 p.m. — Coloring contest winners announced, Center Street Stage

7:30-8 p.m. — Prince and Princess contest, Center Street Stage

8-9 p.m. — Minute to Win It, Center Street Stage Area

9:30-11:30 p.m. — Freddy and the Jets Band, Center Street Stage

Saturday

8-11 a.m. — Breakfast at the Mount Jewett Veterans Memorial Club, Sponsored by the Smethport Trap Team

9 a.m. — Children’s Bike Race, Former Keystone Building (Sponsored by the Mount Jewett Ambulance Association)

9 a.m.-5 p.m. — Axe Throwing with Forest Carlson, Lower Center Street

10 a.m.-noon — Car Show registration

10:30-11 a.m. — Alberta’s Pie Contest Entry, Center Street Boy Scout Booth

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Swedish Meatball Contest, Heritage Park Gazebo

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Nebo Chapel Open House

11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Children’s Crafts, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn

11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Swedish/American Smorgasbord, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

11 a.m.-3 p.m. — Caricature Artist Eric Jones, Center Street

Noon-4 p.m. — Leif Erikson Viking Ship Norsemen, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn

Noon-4 p.m. — Car Show, Fire Department Parking Lot

Noon-5 p.m. — Amusement Rides, Center Street

Noon-sold out — Chicken BBQ, Mount Jewett Firehall

Noon — 2 p.m. — Children’s Cornhole game, Library Backyard (Sponsored by the Library)

12:30 p.m. — Maypole Dance, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

1-2:30 p.m. — Crossroads Band, Center Street Stage

1-3 p.m. — Cornhole Tournament, Mount Jewett Firehall

1-3 p.m. — Strongest Swede Contest, Library Backyard

3-4:30 p.m. — Bob Hartle Band, Center Street Stage

4-5 p.m. — Kyler Alexis, Guitarist, Heritage Gazebo

5 p.m.-Parade

6-6:30 p.m. — Junior King and Queen Contest, Center Street Stage

6-8 p.m. — Axe Throwing with Forest Carlson, Lower Center Street

6-9 p.m. — Leif Erikson Viking Ship Norsemen, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn

6-10 p.m. — Amusement Rides

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Alberta’s Pie Auction and Winners announced, Center Street

9:30 p.m. — Fireworks

9:30-11 p.m. — Hard Luck Rangers, Center Street Stage

Sunday

8 a.m. — Check in for Kinzua Bridge Challenge-Kinzua Bridge 10K-5K-2mile walk-1 mile fun run

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Art Show at the MJ2KB Trailhead (items will be auctioned at 2 p.m.)

Noon — Announcement of the Pet Contest Winners, Memorial Gazebo

Noon-4 p.m. — Axe Throwing with Forest Carlson, Lower Center Street

Noon-5 p.m. — Amusement rides

Noon-6 p.m. — Leif Erikson Viking Ship Norsemen, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Lawn

12:30-2 p.m. — Kimber and Silver Fox, Center Street Stage

12:30 p.m. — Bike and Pet Parade, Main Street (starts at Memorial Gazebo)

1 p.m. — Viking Ship Races, Main Street

2 p.m. — Jeep Cruise In, Meet at Mount Jewett Firehall parking lot

2 p.m. — Human Foosball, Lot beside Post Office

4 p.m. — Softball game (Oldtimers vs. Youngsters), Community Park

4-5 p.m. — Family Feud, Center Street

5-6 p.m. — J.I.M. Band, Center Street

6 p.m. — Closing Ceremonies (various winners announced and crowing of Swedish Festival Teen Queen)

A Saturday Morning Bird Walk will be held at 8:30 a.m. this Saturday. Participants should bring their own binoculars to look for birds and plan on hiking around the park and out on the bridge. Meet in front of the visitor center.

On Sunday, from 1 to 3 p.m., the program is “Escape Room: Natural Resources Past, Present, & Future.” Bring a team and test your problem solving skills to navigate the escape room while exploring our relationship with natural resources from the exploitation of the past to sustainable practices for the future.

At 1 p.m. on Aug. 21, the program will be on geocaching. Learn the basics of using a handheld GPS unit and set out in search of geocaches throughout the park. All GPS units will be provided by the park.

From 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 22, ride the rail trail. The Knox & Kane Rail Trail is a great place to safely ride your bike and enjoy nature. Bring your bike and join a park educator for a ride from the park to Mount Jewett and back. Helmets are required and participants should expect to bike about 8 miles on a flat crushed gravel surface. Meet at the Knox & Kane Trailhead near the skywalk. Participants are asked to practice social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

At 6 p.m. on Aug. 23, the program will be “Birds From Above: Birding the Kinzua Skywalk

Virtual Program.” At 600 feet in length and up to 225 feet high, the Kinzua Skywalk offers a unique opportunity to view birds at and above the treetops. Join us for a virtual program exploring the diversity of birds that can be seen and heard from this historic Pennsylvania landmark.

From noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 28, the program will be “Steampunk Entomology.” Participants will create their very own futuristic insect using air dry clay and recycled materials provided by the park.

A wildflower walk will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 28. Join a park educator on an afternoon walk focusing on local late summer and early fall wildflowers and learning about their benefits to wildlife.

Again on Aug. 29, the program “Escape Room: Natural Resources Past, Present, & Future” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Bring a team and test your problem solving skills to navigate our escape room while exploring our relationship with natural resources from the exploitation of the past to sustainable practices for the future!

For more information, contact Kinzua Bridge State Park Visitor Center and Park Office at (814) 778-5467 or email kinzuabridgesp@pa.gov.

The MJ2KB Trail Club received a grant from the Erie Insurance Giving Network, and used it to purchase a new zero-turn mower from Sears in St. Marys,

The mower will be used for finish mowing along the trail between Mount Jewett and the Kinzua Bridge State Park. Mike Merry of W.E. Swanson Insurance in Kane was instrumental in supporting the club’s grant request.

The MJ2KB Trail Club is the steward of eight miles of the 74-mile Knox & Kane Rail Trail.

The local group is responsible for the rail trail from the Kinzua Bridge State Park to Lantz Corners, under an agreement with Headwaters Charitable Trust, the owner of the Knox & Kane Corridor, which traverses from Clarion to the Historic Kinzua Bridge. Several trail groups have been formed along the 74 miles to steward other sections of the trail.

Fifteen pre-registered young hunters attended the youth pheasant hunt on Saturday, October 17, sponsored by the Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club. Dave and Tanya Okerlund offered up their acreage near Marvindale for half of the young hunters, and Brenda and Wally Howard, owners of Yellow Dog Hunting Grounds, offered up their grounds for the other half of the young hunters.

“We offer this opportunity every year for our young hunters,” said Jim Troutman, President of the Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club, “ because the youth are our future to conserve the outdoor heritage we all enjoy today. We appreciate the Okerlunds and Yellow Dog Hunting Grounds opening their land for the youth.”

After a safety primer, all youth got the opportunity to see good dogs work the pheasants in safe hunting acreage, and all youth had the opportunity to harvest a pheasant. Some young hunters even connected on game. The excited young hunters were served a lunch at noon.

The Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club is a progressive sportsmen’s club that features clay target shooting, a rifle and pistol range, a Women’s Intro to Wingshooting Program, youth pheasant hunts, a Hunter Education program, Boy Scout events, THE Big Buck contest, and sharing of conservation knowledge.

The Youth Fund of the Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club will benefit from the annual Duane Hipchen Memorial Sporting Clays Pump Gun Shoot on Sunday, October 18, starting at 9:00 a.m. and running until 2:00 p.m. No pre-registration is required. Bring your hunting shotgun and have some fun! A pump gun is not required, but some stations have three clay targets. Proceeds from the event support youth events sponsored by the Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club.

The Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club will also hold their Open House that day. The rifle range will be open.

Trophies will be awarded in both Adult and Junior shooters’ classes. Shells in 20 and 12 gauges will be available at the club.

Questions may be addressed to the Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club at mjsportsmensclub@outlook.com.

Duane Hipchen was a well-known and respected employee of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and was active in the Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club for decades. Duane served as a Deputy Game Protector from the 1950’s until the 1980’s. He worked as a laborer and then the foreman on the PGC Food and Cover Corps for over thirty years, maintaining and improving game habitat throughout McKean County. Duane was a hunter and trapper education instructor for many years. Duane also operated a small sporting goods shop in Hazel Hurst for years – a place where local kids could walk to, and get bait or other trapping, hunting or fishing gear. Duane was particularly interested in helping youth with their involvement in the outdoors.

The Mt. Jewett Sportsmen’s Club is a progressive sportsmen’s club that features clay target shooting, a rifle and pistol range, a Women’s Intro to Wingshooting Program, youth pheasant hunts, a Hunter Education program, Boy Scout events, THE Big Buck contest, and sharing of conservation knowledge.