News of Yesteryear2023-04-30T13:11:26-04:00

Welcome! News of Yesteryear & Historic Williamsport is dedicated to educating and entertaining visitors of all ages with stories and illustrations of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and its surrounding towns.

Throughout the years, many interesting stories about the people and places of Williamsport and Northcentral Pennsylvania have been published. News of Yesteryear features articles and artwork by recent and historic newspaper reporters and photographers spanning the 200-year history of journalism in Lycoming County. Some of the notable newspapers with origins in Williamsport are the Lycoming Gazette, the  Gazette and Bulletin, the Williamsport Sun, and Grit. All of these newspapers have evolved into one, the Williamsport Sun-Gazette.

Many are reprinted here, with permission from the Lycoming County Historical Society, the James V. Brown Library, Little League Baseball, Inc., the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, and various individuals. We hope you enjoy your visit.

Richard and Miriam Mix postcard book

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Sailing to Alcatraz Island

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I found this historic postcard of Alcatraz Island on the Library of Congress while researching it for a recent project in California. I also sailed to the island located in San Francisco Bay one

Protective Magic: Incantation Bowls

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How Incantation Bowls Protect from Demonic Forces Believing that malevolent forces caused tumors and other illnesses, Jewish communities in Mesopotamia created incantation bowls (c. 300–700 CE) to trap demons and protect the

Grinding Stone: Part 3

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Archaeology Find: Drilled Holes in Metate, Bannerstones Last week we had an artifact found by member Jim Carn and pretty much it’s been a part-time job for me trying to validate the

Grinding Stone: Part 2

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Archaeology Find: Metate Confirmed The exciting news today is that during this pandemic Jim Carn has found a real mystery item. We have sent pictures to Gary Fogelman and at this point,

Grinding Stone: Part 1

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Archaeology Find: Metate in Lycoming County, PA I’m taking advantage of the sunshine (aka coronavirus killer). I went fishing and foraging. I was a hunter-gatherer. See the first picture. These are ramps

Bird Points

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Archaeology Find: Bird Points for Arrows The weekend was pretty busy with interaction via email. We are inspiring conversations on typology, archaeology, local history, and artifact identification. Covid19 time indoors has been

Surface Collecting in the Montoursville

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Archaeology Finds: Miscellaneous Points, Adze, Etc. The shared artifacts were found locally by Hunter Duffield. Hunter has been surface collecting in the Montoursville area and Dick Snyder called me and asked that

Ireland: Land of the People that Sorrow

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When planning a trip to Ireland, don't forget destinations that honor the torn country's history. Why "torn country," you ask? Ireland is a country that's been struggling with its identity – one separate from Great Britain – for more than a century.

The Widaagh Monument in Antes Fort

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So, what does a forty-five-foot tall, forty-one-ton monument on private land, the Susquehannock Indians, an ex-bank president in Indian dress-up, and a magical place called Lockabar have in common? Well, historian Carl Becker once said

The Road to Williamsport

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The road to Williamsport is heavily traveled, despite the fact that this small city in northcentral Pennsylvania is home to only 29,000 people. That's because Williamsport is home to the annual Little League Baseball

Get ‘On the Bus’ with Wendy Dean

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Wendy Butler Dean is the owner of The Omnibus Publishing, a boutique publishing company that specializes in children’s books, Young Adult novels, and some non-fiction. The Omnibus is a hybrid company, combining a unique

A Guide to Being Alone

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Today I try out a new software platform for recording podcasts, Anchor, and experiment with recording smaller audio clips, and transitions, and putting together a show on the fly. I also discuss an amazing

One Page Per Day with Melody Johnson

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Melody Johnson has completed yet another marathon, and her reward is the publication of her upcoming novel, "Day Reaper," the exciting conclusion to her "Night Blood" paranormal romance series. The books feature heroine Cassidy DiRocco,

Mary Woods’ Change of Heart

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Mary Woods is an artist, a poet, and the author of "The Heart of the Matter,” which guides the reader to becoming wholeheartedly happy. I know Mary through her service work with Beloved Community Council

Dave Bellomo’s Passion for Kettlebells

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Dave Bellomo is a fitness expert, personal trainer, and author of two fitness manuals on Kettlebells. I met Dave when he worked as a personal trainer and worked with Dave after he opened his own gym, Maximum Fitness, and his manufacturing company, Cardiobells Incorporated, which he  owned and operated for eight years.

Nancy Panko’s Guiding Missal

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Nancy Panko has achieved amazing success with her book, “Guiding Missal,” an unusual story about a prayer book that is carried in the pocket of three generations of men as they navigate war. As

Lou Hunsinger’s Legacy of Local History

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Louis E. Hunsinger, Jr. labors for posterity. He does this as a historian, preserving Lycoming County's heritage as a writer for newspapers, magazines, programs, and books, working as the co-author of eight books on local history.His

Joseph Smith’s Cure for Hipocrisy

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Joseph W. Smith is a teacher, speaker, film critic, journalist and author living in Northcentral Pennsylvania, with his wife. The son of a professional journalist, Joe wrote his first book when he was 12, "... an ambitious and profusely illustrated sci-fi opus called Project Jupiter." Then, 37 years later, he wrote "The Psycho File.”​

Lost Coal with Lorena Beniquez

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Lorena Beniquez, a writer, photographer and a filmmaker, and the author of a new book, Lost Coal Country of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Published by Arcadia, the book is part of the Images of Modern America series, so it’s part history, part photographic art, and part travel guide.

Writing for Sanity with Mike Reuther

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Mike Reuther is a journalist by profession, but he never stops writing. Most mornings, before he heads to work at the daily newspaper, where he reports on government, politics, health care, crime, sports and general news, Mike works on his novels and self-help books. A non-nonsense and prolific writer, he's written 18 books.

Beyond the Wall with Alivia Tagliaferri

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Alivia Tagliaferri is an author, publisher, producer and documentary filmmaker, discussing her book, Beyond the Wall: The Journey Home. Alivia operates Ironcutter Creative, a multimedia company that creates story-centric videos that are compelling, engaging and visually outstanding. She specializes in high-quality docu-style videos for television and theater broadcast, social media.

One More Day with Tonya Anderson

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Tonya Anderson is a mindfulness counselor, inspirational speaker and the founder of An Exquisite Life. She helps people using mindfulness and sacred therapies to resolve stress/trauma in their lives, and frees them to live a life with renewed joy, love and passion for life. Tonya’s expertise is drawn from her life experience, clinical mental health counseling education and spiritual teachings.

Life Changes with Diane Langley

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Diane Langley is the author of "Life Changes..." a small book with enormous wisdom. Diane has been the principal of Langley Communications Corporation since 1995. She educates individuals, groups and companies on communication and transition challenges through reflective, interactive engagement. This includes more sensitive work with those experiencing loss and trauma.

Muncy Heritage Park

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Kneeling in the weeds in what would become Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail, Bill Poulton brushed aside debris. He knew the old well was near the defunct canal, but after decades of neglect,

The Eager-Beaver Writer

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Are you an Eager Beaver Writer? Does this describe you? This person has wonderful intentions, and after riding the wave of motivation, promises to: Wake up early to write Write 1,000 words per day Learn

Easy on the Hooptedoodle

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If you've never read Elmore Leonard's Rules for Writing, you're in for a treat. Leonard was an American novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. His earliest novels, published in the 1950s,

Devil’s Den

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The Devil's Den in Florida is a dramatic freshwater spring, and popular for scuba diving and snorkeling. To reach the Den, visitors must descend narrow, limestone steps to the karst.

Doing the Difficult

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I recently had a great, and at the same time miserable, experience. I'm working towards my Advanced Open Water PADI Scuba Diving certification, and completing the Deep Dive is one of the tasks I

Solo Camping

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I spent a week solo camping, as a way to kick start my writing this summer. I viewed solo camping as a "Writing Retreat." Confession: I wasn't alone. I brought my constant companion, my dog,

Kids Dig ‘Arch in the Park’

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Arch in the Park is a hands-on heritage program designed by students for students. Organized by communication students at Lycoming College, Arch in the Park is an archaeological outreach offered by Muncy Historical Society,

Our Milestone: 35 Years Together

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We celebrated a milestone in the Van Auken family: our 35th wedding anniversary. Robin and Lance Van Auken Mr. and Mrs. Lance Van Auken, South Williamsport, observed their 35th wedding anniversary Feb.

Get a Great Night’s Sleep

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Have you, your family, or a friend ever had difficulty sleeping? For years, I've struggled with going to sleep and remaining asleep. I would lie awake for hours, agonizing over my "To Do" list

Small Changes Ripple Outward

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Small Changes Ripple Outward I spent a delightful 12 minutes watching a Ted Talk by Shawn Achor, a psychologist who teaches about positivity and its effect on happiness. Not only did I laugh

Hands-on Heritage: Market Square

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This 1875 photograph shows the southwest corner of Market Square in downtown Williamsport. Bustling with downtown traffic despite the muddy thoroughfares, Williamsport's booming lumber trade summoned entrepreneurs eager to capitalize on the region's wealth

Ask a Curator Day

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We're all curious about what goes on behind closed doors, and that's true for museums and galleries and historical societies, as well as private residences. Spencer Baird My favorite closed doors are at

The Story of Little League Baseball®

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Play Ball! The Story of Little League Baseball By Lance and Robin Van Auken Play Ball! The Story of Little League® Baseball is the remarkable story of Little League® Baseball, from the first diamond in Williamsport,

Little League Baseball World Series

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The Little League Baseball World Series (Robin Van Auken, Arcadia, 2002) This book is a photographic companion book to Play Ball! The Story of Little League Baseball (Penn State University Press 2001). It profiles

Lycoming County’s Industrial Heritage

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Lycoming County's Industrial Heritage (Robin Van Auken and Louis E. Hunsinger, Jr., Arcadia, 2005)  This book reviews Northcentral Pennsylvania’s rich industrial history, first in lumber and then in manufacturing. After the Lumber Boom, many

Muncy Postcard History Series

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Muncy (PA) (Postcard History Series) (Robin Van Auken, Arcadia, 2006) Muncy Postcard History Series by Robin Van Auken examines the small river town of Muncy, Pennsylvania. Founded shortly after the French and Indian War, Muncy

Thinking Like Leonardo

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Thinking Like Leonardo I've been pondering the concept of a New Renaissance. I've been wondering if it's possible to think like Leonardo da Vinci. On the topic, Parade magazine's resident genius Marilyn Vos Savant once wrote

Just Below Your Feet

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A few years ago, during American Archaeology Field School, one of my students asked about Cultural Resource Management in Pennsylvania. I told her about CRM and about PA Act 70, which has devastated professional

Market Square: Postcards of Yesteryear

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The postcard gallery from the collection of Richard and Miriam Mix, "A Bicentennial Postcard History of Williamsport," is available as a paperback book from Otto's Bookstore in downtown Williamsport. Richard and Miriam Mix, experts on

Sailing Resources

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Are you fascinated by sailboats and spend your time watching other people sail while you think about buying a boat? Here are a few interesting and helpful links: Sailing checklist: Make sure you've got

Sailing Checklist

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Ready to go sailing? Are you sure? Here's a handy sailing checklist to help you enjoy the outing. Sailing Checklist Ibuprofen Water Hat/visor Sunglasses Sunscreen Lunch Towels Dry clothes Mainsail Jib Mainsheet Dock lines

Lights, Action, Camp!

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Camping in the dark isn't fun. Sure, you have a fire, but when you're sitting around the campsite, especially if you have a canopy or awning, a string of lights not only increases visibility,

Grub Hub Camp Kitchen

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If you're in the market for a camp kitchen, you should be looking at the Grub Hub Outdoor Camping Kitchen. This amazing, patented contraption is easy to setup and is packed full of features.

Weapon of Love

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I discovered an interesting newspaper article from 1918 on the subject of women spies, and thought it might be fun to share with readers of my blog. While transcribing the article from the scanned

Play Ball Like a Girl!

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 Although this video isn't specifically about Little League, I've heard the words "You throw like a girl" used as a slur at the ball park too often. It's my wish that fathers and brothers, uncles and

Outdoors with Jerry Zeidler

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I first met Jerry Zeidler while on assignment for the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. At the time, he was a  Pennsylvania Wildlife Conservation officer, and I visited his office for background on an article. We chatted and

Now He Can Sleep

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I mentioned in a previous post that I love my Cabela's mesh chair, but my husband can't nap in them as I can. At 6', he's too tall. His head presses onto the frame,

Useful Hammocks

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I love a good camping hack, especially one I've made. I purchased these useful hammocks from Camping World, but the small wooden rods they came on were useless to me. My camper is a retro,

Social Media Symphony

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My coffee is getting cold because my hands are too busy conducting my morning ritual — a social media symphony — to pick up the mug. I’m typing non-stop, my fingers hovering over the

Narrowboats and Canals

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I've been spending a bit of time on the Internet, reading websites, and watching videos that feature Narrowboats. In fact, you might say I'm obsessed with these cunning boats. Historic working narrow boats

Courtship Customs

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Here in the Highlands of Pennsylvania, we've been blanketed with snow and freezing temperatures. The snow is more than two feet deep and has been for weeks. We're thinking of Spring and the end of

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

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Cold Hands, Warm Heart "Cold Hands, Warm Heart" is a myth that scientists have busted. According to the U.K. Telegraph, "The old adage that cold hands often conceal a warm heart has been

Cabela’s Cool Chairs

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I admit it, I can't go by a Cabela's without stopping. This time, however, I saw the chairs I wanted and couldn't make up my mind to buy them. They were a bit pricey.

Play Ball Videos: The Book

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Have you read Play Ball! The Story of Little League Baseball? We’d love to hear from you. Contact us with your suggestions or questions. This year, Little League Baseball® observes its diamond anniversary, and fans are celebrating with

The Best Coffee Press Ever

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We stopped at Cabela's and browsed through its camping department, looking for useful items. This Gsi Sports Javapress was very impressive, especially because it came in two sizes -- wussy (30 oz) and normal (50 oz).

On the Boardwalk

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(June 2013) -- My birthday rolled around last week, and I was alone if you can call being on the Coney Island Boardwalk alone. I was in NYC, and since I couldn't be with

Lance Van Auken on the Radio

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Lance Van Auken, former Vice President of Little League Baseball, Inc., and Executive Director of Little League Museum, discusses the new museum renovation. (Click this link to play the recent interview on WRAK Radio

Heritage Downloads

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My History Is America's History This free eBook, "My History Is America's History: 15 Things You Can Do to Save America's Stories," is a guidebook to help families and individuals to explore family history and

Public Archaeology

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Public Archaeology As a historical archaeologist, I work with museums and non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, public and private schools, and avocational archaeology groups.  Services I offer include: Field trips Field schools Hands-on

The Advocates Marched On

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March is Women's History Month, and to celebrate, here's an awesome chronicle from the Library of Congress on Suffrage: 100 Years Ago Today: "A Declaration of Independence We Celebrate," The Washington Herald, March 3,

Geocaching at Little Pine State Park

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We enjoyed finding our first geocache on our first camping outing. Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor adventure that is happening all the time, all around the world. To play, participants use the Geocaching app and/or

It’s OK to Be Nosey

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Few people realize that their sense of smell is an important tool when selecting a lover. Scientists have discovered that smell can attract and can repel a female, and when she is close to ovulating,

Hottest Love

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I doubt Socrates really said, "The hottest love has the coldest end." During the past 2,500 years, something surely was lost in translation by Plato. Regardless, I'm sure many of us can agree with

Interview: Tina Klinesmith Blog

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Author Interview Posted on January 30, 2013 by Tina Klinesmith Posted in Real Work I’m really excited to have fellow romance author (Robin Van Auken, writing as Madeline Sloane) with us this week to talk

Trigger Words

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Sometimes a partner says the wrong thing. They will make statements that contain trigger words such as "obsess," "scream," "always," and "never." We've all heard these words before, and the reason they drive us

Lumber Boom: Postcards of Yesteryear

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This postcard is from the collection of Richard and Miriam Mix, authors of "A Bicentennial Postcard History of Williamsport." "A Bicentennial Postcard History of Williamsport" is available as a paperback book from Otto's Bookstore in

Book Envy

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I'm nearly there. As of today, I've read  93 books toward my goal of 104 books in the Goodreads 2012 Reading Challenge. I seldom participate in online challenges because I have a problem committing. I

eBook Hoarding

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I’m an eBook hoarder. With so many authors offering books to promote a series, I find myself hanging out on Pixel of Ink, World Literary Cafe, Kindle Author, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords,

Interview: Dee Ann Waite Blog

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Thursday, July 5, 2012 I first met Robin Van Auken (writing as Madeline Sloane) on Goodreads. You see, I'm preparing to launch my first novel and needed some advice on pre-launch marketing. So I

DIY Writer’s Retreat

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Scheduling time to write creatively is a difficult task for most authors. It’s a selfish endeavor, hiding from the world, shirking responsibilities, ignoring the family. But it’s also a necessary endeavor. Without writing time, we

Stewards of the Past

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Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness I thwarted my husband’s vacation plans. Days before he purchased tickets for a Caribbean cruise, I suggested Scotland. In the blink of an eye, I wasted months

Books by Van Auken

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  "'Play Ball!' is a delightful walk down the storied history of Little League Baseball. For those of us who played the dreams of your youth, it brings back mighty memories. For those of us

Behind the Scenes: Peachys

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Peachys is the heart of Eaton despite its location on the outskirts of the town. (Of course, it's a fictitious place, just like Eaton, but figures in nearly all the novels in my Eaton romance series.)

Behind the Scenes: Eaton

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Eaton is a fictitious place, a loose conglomeration of several towns in Central Pennsylvania, and is the setting for many of the stories within my novels. Characters are either from Eaton or nearby towns

NCC8 Finds Mysterious Artifact

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Imagine going back 1,000 years ago to the banks of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. At that time, the area was inhabited only by Native Americans. Tank Baird of Williamsport holds a

Burning Socks a Mariner’s Tradition

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This week, we’ll burn our socks. It’s a tradition in the maritime community to celebrate Spring, which begins in the Northern Hemisphere on the vernal equinox. Burning socks a mariner tradition? Yes, it is known.

A New Takei on Feminist Perspective

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Although she didn’t intend to do it, Anita Sarkeesian tossed a pie in my face this morning. I deserved it. Sarkeesian is a media critic specializing in pop culture. You can find her feminist/fan-girl commentaries

Canfield Island

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Canfield Island is a recent addition to the Susquehanna shoreline, having been added during the 19th century during Northcentral Pennsylvania's lumber boom. But, before sawyers toiled in the mill, processing logs into lumber, American Indians

The Heritage Trail

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A stroll along the James P. Bressler Heritage Trail on Canfield Island is invigorating and educational. It's also tranquil, this quiet spot along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The trail is part

Junying Kirk

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SUPPORTING AUTHORS ONE READ AT A TIME:Junying Kirk, author of "The Same Moon," was born and grew up in the turbulent times of Cultural Revolution. A British Council scholarship led her to study English Language

Virtual Book Tours

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If you’re an author with a book needing promotion, contact us about being a host along your Virtual Book Tour, also known as a Blog Tour. We’re happy to be a part of your

Hobie Makes Kayaks

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Hobie Mirage Kayaks Hobie, a leading catamaran design company, expanded and introduced a line of sit-on-top kayaks, fishing kayaks and float cats. One of its more useful boats for use on local

Show Me the Dowry

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Caroline Linden's 'I Love the Earl' I Love the Earl: Show Me the Dowry! This is a witty, sweet book that gave me the impression that titled yet penniless, bachelors of the

Newest eBook: East of Eaton

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I've wrapped up the contemporary romance novel "East of Eaton." While I was at it, I also completed the third -- a free eBook to promote them all -- "West Wind." Being an independent author means

Reading Rampage

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Since I bought my iPad, I've embarked on a reading rampage. My favorite conquest is the 99-cent Kindle download.I have all the reading apps -- Amazon's Kindle, Apple's iBooks from iTunes, the Barnes & Noble

School Days

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School Days: 75th Anniversary Oral History Project Working with Muncy Historical Society and the students (past and present) of Muncy Jr/Sr High School, historian Robin Van Auken created a 30-minute DVD oral

Pennsylvania’s Forests

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Pennsylvania’s forests reflect a history of choices — from peaceful coexistence between humans and the forests to the massive harvesting of the forests in the late 1800s. Pennsylvania’s borders encompass 17 million acres of forestland,

Lumber Heritage

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The Lumber Heritage Region holds a key to Pennsylvania's rich forest heritage– from the struggles of pioneers to the cut-and-run practices of the early lumber industry, to the conservation efforts that led to the

Mighty Susquehanna

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The Susquehanna is a shallow river that flows about 440 miles, from Cooperstown to the Chesapeake Bay. Nearly 200 years ago, canals were used to transport goods and people instead of the river. Canal boats

Shawn Gardner

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Artisan Shawn Gardner, of Fair Chase Designs, presents on prehistoric technology and Native American art. His presentation is suitable for people of all ages, including families and school-aged children. Gardner lives in Montoursville and

Barbara Barnes

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Barbara Barnes' art vessels reflect a keen appreciation for nature in shapes and colors. She uses interactive glazes, often firing multiple times until she gets the results that mimic the hues of earth, flora, fire

Joy McCracken

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Joy McCracken Joy McCracken is a spinning and weaving expert. McCracken demonstrates the craft of creating fabric from animal hair to students. One of her specialties is drop spindle spinning, an early technique

Downsizing

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She’s gone. Dan picked “To Blave” up one bitter, cold day in April and headed for Wisconsin. He sent us a note; he and his son finally went sailing after picking up a new

Muncy Historical Society

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Muncy Historical Society and Museum of History, a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization founded in 1936, focuses on preservation and conservation of the rich history and heritage of Muncy and surrounding communities – its people, businesses,

A Monument to Exodusters

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DUNLAP, Kansas -- On a lonely country road in Dunlap, Kan., a monument to the memory of Exodusters soars. An engraved stainless steel plaque stretches between two limestone pillars and marks the family farm

The National Road by Motorcycle

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Sunburned, rain whipped and with really bad hair (I was sporting the Don King look) my wife Anita and I recently rode into Washington, Pennsylvania in the early evening. We were only 20 or

Hardwired to Be a Hero

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As writers, we call the women (and men) of our stories "heroes" but do we regard them -- and their journey to love and happiness -- as heroic? We should if we plan on telling

Moving On

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We sold our Precision 15K, an excellent starter sailboat. Hold on, I have to wipe a tear from my eye. It moved to Wisconsin. A local judge there wants to use it on a

Van Wagner

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Since he was a child, Van Wagner has been singing, strumming, rambling, and picking his way through the hills of Pennsylvania. With more than 100 original songs under his belt and co-production of nine albums,

Mighty Susquehanna

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The Susquehanna River is a shallow river that flows about 440 miles, from Cooperstown to the Chesapeake Bay. Nearly 200 years ago, canals were used to transport goods and people instead of the river. Canal

Revolutionary War Traitor?

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The Revolutionary War era was a bloody and trying one for the early settlers of Lycoming County. One of the most important men of this period was Samuel Wallis, regarded as a hero by

The Brady Legend

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Conflict between American Indians and white people escalated during the last two decades of the 18th century. War -- both declared and undeclared -- made for "dark and gloomy days," according to historian John F. Meginness in his 1,268-page tome, "History of Lycoming County" (1892).

Historical Mix-Up

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Richard and Miriam Mix, experts on regional history as well as America's past, authored a book, “A Bicentennial Postcard History of Williamsport,” which contains colorful postcards and illustrations of pre-World War I Williamsport and the region, and was published by the Lycoming County Genealogical Society just in time for the City of Williamsport's bicentennial in 2006.

Gov. William Packer

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Williamsport and Lycoming County have contributed many outstanding men and women to the field of public service during the years at the local, state, and federal levels. One of the most distinguished of these

Tunnison Coryell

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The life of Tunnison Coryell, one of Lycoming County's and Williamsport's most notable men of accomplishment and finance in the 19th century, spans the period of Williamsport evolving from a sleepy frontier village to

West Branch Canal

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The transportation of goods, services and people was a rough and inefficient undertaking in the Susquehanna Valley in the early 1800s. This would change with the advent of the West Branch Canal in the 1830s. Colonial and later state officials envisioned the idea of canals as far back as the mid-18th century.

Daniel Repasz

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America's oldest band in continuous existence bears his name, but Daniel Repasz didn't join the group until nine years after it was formed. Historian Mary Russell researches Repasz in a Lycoming County Historical Society

Sum of Its Parts

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In addition to Williamsport, Lycoming County consists of a number of important municipalities. A brief history of each, accompanied by historical photos, follows in the first of two parts. The second installment will be published May 22.

William Hepburn

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If Michael Ross is noted as the founder of Williamsport, William Hepburn can be regarded as the "Father of Lycoming County." He is as firmly a part of the genesis of the county as

Williamsport Begins

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American history is filled with rags-to-riches stories of great achievers and great personages, and local history is no exception. Michael Ross, the reputed founder of the City of Williamsport, is one of those stories.

Widow Smith’s Walk

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While Michael Ross was settling the City of Williamsport, selling parcels of land to frontier families and immigrants, another enterprising resident of the West Branch Valley was being hoodwinked from her home and business.

A Heroic Duo

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While Gen. George Washington's Continental Army fought the British, settlers along the frontier of the Susquehanna River also considered themselves at war with the displaced Native Americans. Conflicts escalated daily. Rumors of planned attacks

Long Reach

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Historical preservation is an admirable, though challenging, goal to achieve. Preservation works best in communities that have programs managed at the local government level. In 2003, Williamsport's City Council considered

Tumultuous Years Leading up to the French and Indian War

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During the tumultuous years leading up to the French and Indian War, early settlers in Northcentral Pennsylvania had two choices: They could leave the fertile valleys of the Susquehanna, or take their chances with sporadic AmericanIndian raids during which farms were destroyed and entire families would be slaughtered.

Indians of Susquehanna

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Prehistoric American Indians skillfully managed the natural bounty of the Susquehanna River region by living in accordance with the seasons. They hunted, fished, gathered nuts, berries and other wild foods, and they cultivated corn,

Lycoming County: Williamsport Firsts

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Williamsport, Pennsylvania is a small metropolis with a dramatic history. Famous throughout the world for its impressive forest products, it once boasted more millionaires per capita than any American city. Scott Barn in

Boo Hollywood!

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I'm collecting resources for an ambitious project in a different genre -- gaslight/steampunk. I've combed the Internet and Amazon for articles and books, focusing my research on technology, flight, and European events and people circa

When Someone Else Is Right

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I have a confession: the title of my upcoming book, "East of Eaton," is not original.No, the bookstore with the cunning name (a play upon John Steinbeck's "East of Eden"), had been "Gateway." My idea

My Virtual Book Tour

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Now that "Distracted" is published, available as an eBook and a paperback through the major booksellers -- Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, iBooks, Smashwords, etc. -- I'm planning a virtual book tour. The more I

Boat No. 2

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I admit it -- I've been waffling. There are many awesome boats available, and every time I attend a boat show, I fall in love with a new one. Or one that's not suitable

Not Jonathan Winters Again!

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I recall that early summer day in Chicago well. I was excited about attending Book Expo America, an annual conference for book publishers and authors to promote directly to book sellers. It was my

A Pint of Guinness, Please

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A recent vacation in Ireland, coupled with a bit of recreational reading of romance novels resulted in a dream last week. I didn't want to wake up; I wanted to finish the dream, a story

What’s Holding You Back?

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Let's say you're a writer and you've been working on a new book. Is it close to being finished? Have you worked with a professional editor to smooth out the rough spots, clean up

Free eBooks!

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Everybody loves to get something free, and plenty of writers are sharing their books with new readers. It's interesting to see how other writers are using the digital marketplace to promote their books. I've worked

Birthplace of ‘Grit’

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Famous in the 19th century for its lumber products, Williamsport, Pennsylvania is a small mountainous town. Situated on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, its residents enjoyed easy access to virgin forests of hemlock

Sunday Grit: A Newspaper Legacy

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Make room on the shelf for another book about local history. Written by author Robin Van Auken and published by Ogden Newspapers, the parent company of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette, “Sunday Grit: A Newspaper Legacy”

My History Is America’s

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If you've ever wanted to know who you are and where you came from, you're not alone. More than 100 million Americans are looking for their roots, a remarkable explosion in genealogical research inspired,

An Affordable Way to Sail

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Daysailing, also called dinghy cruising, has been described as "a magical way of exploring new coastlines and experiencing nature at close quarters." Day Sailing You don't have to wait until the bank account

Newport in the Winter

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NEWPORT, RI – Seagulls surf the bitter wind off Narragansett Bay as a lone lobster boat chugs home. By January, the blue bay in Newport, the “Sailing Capital of the World,” is empty, and

Head for Mile Marker Zero

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  Key West sunset KEY WEST— It is time for the annual migration of snowbirds. Houses are secured, SUVs are packed, and neighbors are waved farewell. Those fortunate enough to have a lifestyle

Snorkeling the Tortugas

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Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas, Florida Keys DRY TORTUGAS – If you can swim – okay, if you can float – then you can snorkel and the best snorkeling in North America is at

Don’t Miss the Boat Shows

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MIAMI BEACH – The traffic had stalled on Collins Avenue, also known as A1A. Drivers didn’t seem to mind; their eyes were glued on the mega yachts moored in the nearby canal, part of

Too Cold in New England?

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The Maryland State House is the oldest in continuous legislative use in the United States. ANNAPOLIS, MD – If winter winds on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island aren’t your cup of tea, then

Visit Annapolis Offseason

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ANNAPOLIS, MD – If winter winds on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island aren’t your cup of tea, then consider heading south to the Chesapeake Bay and spending a weekend in historic Maryland. Visit Annapolis

eReaders for Sailors

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eBooks are emerging as a true friend of the sailor: they're useful, entertaining and you can have thousands on your virtual bookcase without adding weight or taking up valuable space on your boat. If you

Which eReader Do You Need?

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The eReader is emerging as a true friend of the reader: they're useful, entertaining and you can have thousands of eBooks on your virtual bookcase without taking up valuable space. If you don't know

Knots and Do Nots

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There’s value in sailors learning how to properly tie a knot because a bad thing can happen with poorly tied knots: The boat could drift away. A short walk down a long pier on

Trailer Sailing in the Northeast

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Living in Northcentral Pennsylvania is advantageous for land-locked sailors. In addition to several large lakes and reservoirs nearby, boaters can use the Finger Lakes of New York. Trailering a boat from Williamsport to the

Consider Trailer Sailing

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Living in Northcentral Pennsylvania is advantageous for land-locked sailors. In addition to several large lakes and reservoirs nearby, boaters can use the Finger Lakes of New York. Trailering a boat from Williamsport to the

Hobie Makes Kayaking Fun for All

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Hobie, a leading catamaran design company, has expanded and introduced a new line of sit-on-top kayaks, fishing kayaks and float cats. An interesting boat for use on local creeks, lakes and the Susquehanna is

Daysailing

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Daysailing can be a solo activity or a sport, such as racing around the bouys Daysailing, also called dinghy cruising, has been described as "a magical way of exploring new coastlines and experiencing nature

Swallows & Amazons

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Swallows and Amazons: a sailing adventure series for children -- and adults Barbecued Billygoats! You mean you haven't read Swallows and Amazons or any of the other books in the 12-volume series?

‘Madame’ Montour

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New World history is filled with tales of frontier adventure, and here in the Susquehanna Valley, one of the most interesting tales is that of "Madame" Montour and the lost village of Otstonwakin. Her life is

Ray Keyes

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Ray Keyes The man who dominated the sports scene in Northcentral Pennsylvania for more than 50 years was neither an athlete nor a sports executive but a sportswriter. That man was Ray Keyes.

History of Avery $ Drycleaners

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In 1926, Leal Raymond Avery and his brother, Harland Wesley "Bake" Avery, were given approximately $5,000 from their mother, Harriet "Hattie," to help start Avery $ Drycleaners in Williamsport, PA. The main plant (present-day

Spooky Lycoming County

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Almost every area has its own ghostly and haunted tales. Lycoming County is no exception. Many of these spooky tales are steeped in local Native American legend and superstition. Even the area of the

Schools Through the Years

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8-Square School was the first public school in Lycoming County Multi-million dollar physical plants, computer labs, swimming pools, gymnasiums and various bits of audiovisual equipment make a modern day school in Lycoming County

Allen P. Perley

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West Branch National Bank In  past ages the history of a country was the record of wars and conquests; today it is the record of commercial activity, and those whose names are

Plain Talk for a Nation

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The following is a reprint from Grit: America’s Greatest Family Newspaper Plain Talk for a Nation January 7, 1945 The United States Army has suffered a major setback in Western Europe. This must be admitted,

The Lycoming County Prison: Then and Now

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Throughout history, the question of how to punish criminals has been answered quite differently. Throwing the misdeed-doer in jail has not always been the solution. Corporal punishment, forced labor, and social ostracism were methods

Lycoming Hangings a Spectator’s Event

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Executions weren't always such a subject of controversy. Individual counties handled the grim task themselves in many cases. Lycoming County was no exception to this but, surprisingly, the first hanging conducted under the auspices of

Courthouse Bell Rings Once Again

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A bell has begun ringing in downtown Williamsport recently – and it is one that has been silent for some time. The Lycoming County government maintenance department has repaired the bell in the tower

Salladasburg and its founder

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One of the most picturesque towns in the western part of Lycoming County is Salladasburg. It also is the home of the noted Cohick's Trading Post, a Lycoming County institution.Captain Jacob Sallade founded Salladasburg in

Fred Plankenhorn

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Remember the days of sock hops, school dances and DJs spinning "hot wax"? Fred Plankenhorn does. He was right in the middle of all that and is still keeping memories alive after 46 years.

Early railroads in Lycoming County

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The arrival of the railroads in Lycoming County came fairly early but it was somewhat tentative.The first railroad in the Williamsport area was the Williamsport and Elmira Railroad, which was incorporated by the Pennsylvania legislature

When Johnny Went Marching to War

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Civil War Soldiers' Monument in Muncy Cemetery. Lycoming County, like other areas across the North, answered President Abraham Lincoln’s call for 75,000 troops to put down the rebellion by the Confederate states

Christmas of 1942

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A war was raging across the globe and there were many vacant chairs at dinner tables that Christmas of 1942. They were vacant either through the absence of a loved one serving his country in

A Renovo Mystery

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The following is a reprint from Grit: America’s Greatest Family Newspaper A Renovo Mystery Dec. 15, 1882 A newsboy delivers Grit to a rural customer. RENOVO -- Patrick Shelly, a well-known citizen who

Charles A. Rubright

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There were numerous Lycoming County soldiers held prisoner by the Confederates during the course of the Civil War. Charles A. Rubright is one of the most notable examples. Rubright was born in Prussia on

Greenwich: Where Time Begins

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Royal Navy Hospital, Greenwich GREENWICH, England – This is where East meets West. This also is where Time begins and when the New Year begins, this is where the first clock chimes

Presidential visits to Williamsport

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Williamsport has always been the most important crossroads community of Northcentral Pennsylvania. This strategic position has yielded many visits by important and distinguished personages, among these several U.S. presidents, vice presidents, and presidential candidates.

D. Vincent Smith

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From the 1890s to the early 1950s, D. Vincent Smith was a familiar sight throughout Northcentral Pennsylvania with his box camera and heavy-duty bicycle, wearing his knickers, sneakers and scoop cap. He left behind

Your Ticket to Rome

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ROME, Italy – Despite the best intentions to relax and to slowly wander the city and ruins, a visit to Rome is guaranteed to cause anxiety because there is so much to see and

Tony Smith’s Small Boat

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ANNAPOLIS, Md — Tony Smith, designer and builder of the 28-foot Telstar trimaran and the 35-foot Gemini catamaran, has retired and has hit the road — as promised — traveling the countryside with his wife,

Finding a Small Boat

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We purchased a Precision 15K in March 2006 after investigating small, trailerable boats that we could tow with our Chrysler Sebring. We can only tow 1,000 pounds, so the boat had to be light.

Lakes Great for Beginners

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The temperature simmered in the mid-90s last Sunday, but it did not deter the sailors from a rendezvous at Rose Valley Lake. As the bass boats trailered out, sailboats took their spot. There seems to

Small Press Publishers Fill the Niche

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  Dedication and faith are the foundations of many small press and independent publishers. By printing primarily what interests them and focusing on authors they trust, this group is growing rapidly. Whereas many major

Small Publishers in the Making

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If you've thought of small publishing houses as recent developments in the print world then you might be surprised to learn that the small publisher has been around for centuries. Some of history's most

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