LUMBER HERITAGE REGION OF PENNSYLVANIA

Giving Tuesday is just one week away! There are countless ways to support nonprofits like the Lumber Heritage Region (LHR). If you’re thinking about contributing to LHR this season, here’s a quick overview of who we are and the important work we do. Visit us at lumberheritage.org to learn more! #GivingTuesday2024

Join the LHR in welcoming Pat Errigo Auctioneer and Family as a new partner! Pat Errigo Auctioneer and Family was established 31 years ago by Pat Errigo. Pat went to auction school at Reppert School of Auctioneering in Indiana. Pat has been a successful business owner with his antique store for over 50 years. He has been a staple member of the community helping out with many fundraising auctions for local organizations. Pat has the necessary skills to make your auction a success. He is a member of Mid-AM Appraisers Association and the Pennsylvania Auctioneer’s Association. Pat’s daughter Stephanie, is also a licensed auctioneer. She has been a licensed auctioneer since the age of 17. She is 33 years old and works as a school counselor full-time at an elementary school. She helps out with every aspect of the auction service such as clerking, cashiering, and calling. The auction business has a special place in her heart, and she enjoys helping her father on her summer’s off. Matthew, Pat’s son, is also a licensed auctioneer. He still enjoys helping out the family business when he can. Jonathan, Pat’s oldest son, helps out as a cashier. We offer auctions to fit your needs. From real estate to cars or personal property and land, we offer it all. Please contact us to set up an appointment to have a consultation about what our auction service can do for you! Serving the Clearfield County Area for over 31 years

Join the LHR in welcoming Bouquets by Jill as a new LHR Partner! Bouquets by Jill,is a family owned florist & gift shop serving Curwensville, Clearfield, Grampian. Bouquets by Jill is a boutique floral and gift shop specializing in stunning, handcrafted flower arrangements and unique gift items for every occasion. Whether celebrating life’s milestones, expressing heartfelt sentiments, or simply adding beauty to your day, we provide exceptional service and artistic designs tailored to your vision. Our curated collection includes fresh, seasonal blooms, elegant bouquets, and distinctive gifts, such as artisanal candles, home décor, and custom gift baskets. Located in a welcoming and vibrant space, Bouquets by Jill is your destination for creativity, quality, and charm. Let us help you celebrate life’s moments, big and small, with flowers and gifts as memorable as the memories they represent. Where passion blooms and thoughtful gifting begins.

?? EVENT THIS THURSDAY, November 14th, 2024 ??

!!!UPDATE!!! The 2nd Public Meeting regarding the Master Site Plan for the stargazing site in Cameron County is next Thursday Nov 14th at the?Cameron County Chamber of Commerce & Artisan Center. Please note that the meeting will now be from 6-7:30 pm! Links to attend the meeting virtually can be provided by emailing [email protected] to attend the meeting virtually can be provided by emailing [email protected]

AMERICA250PA?LAUNCHES FIRST ROUND OF SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL GRANTS America250PA today launched the first round of Semiquincentennial Grants. With generous funding support from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Legislature, America250PA will be awarding $1 million in grant funding to eligible communities and nonprofit organizations during their 2024-25 Fiscal Year. “America250PA is so proud to be able to support local Pennsylvania communities and organizations in their impactful work across the Commonwealth as we lead up to our Nation’s Semiquincentennial in 2026,” said Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA. “We’re thankful for the support from Governor Josh Shapiro and the Pennsylvania Legislature in supporting this effort, and we cannot wait to see all of the EPIC programs and events that come out of it!” The first grant round - open from November 1-December 15 - will award the first $500,000 in grant funding, with a second grant round opening next Spring. Grant recipients for the first round will be announced on January 15, 2025. America250PA Semiquin Grants seek to create, uplift, improve, and expand programming, projects, and events that will engage every single Pennsylvanian around America’s birthday and the pivotal role Pennsylvania played in our founding. America250PA will be hosting open Zoom Office Hours for any organizations interested in submitting grant applications from 12-3pm EST on Friday, November 1. Other Office Hours will also be available throughout the grant period. For further details, as well as a link to the Grant Application, please visit?https://lnkd.in/eGwmdTUu. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Christian Cassidy-Amstutz, Strategic Initiatives & Grants Manager, at [email protected].?

**SAVE THE DATE** As the Cameron County Dark Sky Master Site Plan project continues, the 2nd public meeting is scheduled for November 14th, 2024 at the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce & Artisan Center now located at 24 W 4th Street in Emporium. The meeting will run from 5:30 - 7pm to review initial drafts. A virtual option will again be available by request. To review the June 6th presentation and displays please visit: https://lnkd.in/e5HcSRE3

Join the LHR in welcoming Johnsonburg Community Trust as a new partner! The Mission of the Johnsonburg Community Trust is to promote, obtain and administer revitalization projects for the Borough of Johnsonburg in order to attract new retail businesses and improve the business opportunities for existing retailers, in a way that: 1. Creates an appealing shopping environment by enhancing our existing building structures and architecture designs. 2. Utilizes and takes advantage of our regions rich natural resources and history to promote tourism and related businesses. 3. Includes ideas and input from all sectors of our population, both business and residential. 4. To improve the quality of life of the community of Johnsonburg by educating the general public as to the heritage of the community, by historic preservation, by aesthetic improvement and by the development of the arts. Currently we are revitalizing the Brick Block on Market Street. Located on the corner of Bridge and Market Streets, in the 45,000 sq ft historic Brick Block this space will be a gathering location for JCT activities/office space, incubator site for other non-profit organizations, welcome center, retail shop for regionally offered products, historical displays and education. This past July the Heritage-Education and Welcome Center opened and is a place where groups can gather and learn the history of the area. Visit their website at https://lnkd.in/eSbSNa6D

The LHR Newsletter is HERE! Check out news, stories and events about the Lumber Heritage Region! Check it out at: https://lnkd.in/eGN5x57X

??A CLIMB WITH VAN WAGNER IN JEFFERSON COUNTY ?? The subtle shift in seasons was tangible in the morning air as our group rendezvoused in State Gamelands 54 in Jefferson County; just off the road that leads to the site of the first school in the nation dedicated to training game wardens known as The Ross Leffler School of Conservation. Originally a hunting camp built in the early 1900s, the school operated from 1938 until 1986 when the academy moved to Harrisburg. The nearby historic marker includes the school’s namesake, “It was named for Ross L. Leffler, a 30-year member of the Game Commission and Asst. Secretary of the Interior, appointed by President Eisenhower”. The Game Commission takes part in silviculture and lands are managed as a renewable resource with habitat and wildlife management in mind. As the group hiked in to find the highest elevation, areas of controlled burns with a few years of regrowth were visible, an ancient forest management strategy is still effectively utilized today. Van Wagner arrived, ready to make his 53rd tree climb as part of his mission to climb the tallest of trees at the highest elevation in each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. His goals include raising awareness about the importance of forests, the connection they hold to our heritage, and the jobs, habitat, and many other benefits that come from sustainable forest management practices today. In his own words after his climb, Wagner said, “Our forests are a wonderful resource but they do require management”. ? Attending his 53rd climb was a group of seven observers, including Lumber Heritage Region Executive Director, Holly Komonczi and Education & Outreach Administrator Rowan Crisp, Game Commission Regional Director Jesse Bish and Wildlife Habitat Group Supervisor Miles Laubacher, Penny Pifer Field Representative of State Senator Chris Dush, Mark Temple assisting Van, and Mark Lewis with his sweet and enthusiastic dog, aptly named Silva. It was late morning when our group arrived at the site of highest elevation in the area. Looking around, though there were several towering trees to choose from, Wagner selected a tall oak that stood out. Mark Temple immediately set to assisting Wagner with his equipment and getting the throw line situated. Once all was in place and secure, the climb began. With a certain care and swiftness, Wagner made his way into the canopy, pausing to take it all in and to get a a few photos high above those of us still with our feet firmly on the forest floor. ? The Lumber Heritage Region was honored to witness this climb and show our support for Van Wagner and the message he is working to share. Wagner was immediately headed off to another climb later in the day, accompanied by the Game Commission, Temple, Lewis, and Silva. His 54th climb commenced in Clarion County, checking off another LHR county from the list. Including the aforementioned climbs, Van has now climbed in at least 12 of the Lumber Heritage Region’s 15 counties. ?