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2019 Barrett-Jackson Car Auction from Scottsdale, Arizona ---Jan.12 - 20. Looking have at least 50 sites get food. Here is TV schedule--- https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Schedule/Scottsdale-2019/069daa76-55d4-4986-a7a8-7d89ed9367d4

Quirks, Oddities, and Unusual Attractions in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors January 13, 2019 12:45 am· Author: PA Great Outdoors - Danielle Taylor You won’t find schools closing for the first day of buck season in Philadelphia, and people don’t consider spotlighting for deer a great date idea in D.C. Baltimore doesn’t have a weather-predicting groundhog, and Buffalo doesn’t hold weeklong festivals to celebrate pea­nut butter, mountain laurels, or a horse thief from 100 years ago. (PHOTO ABOVE: A local religious zeal­ot named Douglas Stahlman carved Bible verses and other messages into more than 160 large boulders at Scripture Rock Heritage Park in Brookville.) Even in comparably rural parts of eastern Pennsylvania, fireflies don’t coordi­nate their flashes with each other, and elk don’t wander free in the wild. However, you’ll find all that and more in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region, which has developed a proud identity all its own. The area’s unique character has generated a number of quirky attractions, events, and phe­nomena, so no matter which corner of the region you explore, you’ll dis­cover some eccentric and intriguing destinations. Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. Jefferson County, of course, is the mother of all offbeat tourist des­tinations, as it’s the home of Punx­sutawney Phil, the world-famous weather-predicting groundhog. Since the late 1880s, people have flocked to Gobbler’s Knob from near and far to learn what a 20-pound woodchuck has to say about the end of winter. If he sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, he predicts six more weeks of cold and snow. If not, an early spring is on its way. His top-hatted and tuxedo-clad Inner Circle is kind of like Punxsutawney’s version of the Illuminati or the Freemasons, and in addition to taking care of Phil and presenting him to the world for his prognostication each February 2, their other main job is gathering the ingredients for his secret elixir, which gives him seven more years of life with each sip. It’s worth the effort, too; according to irrefutably verified legend, Phil today is the very same Phil who’s been making predic­tions for more than 130 years. These days, when he’s not making one of his many celebrity appearances, he lives in the town library with his little groundhog wife, Phyllis. Coolspring Power Museum near Punxsutawney. North of Punxsutawney, the Cool­spring Power Museum regularly attracts visitors across the globe thanks to its unmatched collection of more than 275 historic internal combustion engines, including the operational 75-foot-long Snow en­gine. Many of the machines come to life one weekend a month from April to October as the museum opens to the public, and thousands of visitors from around the globe come each year for the museum’s June and Oc­tober Expo weekends. Near the center of the county, the Victorian town of Brookville features a number of unusual attractions to intrigue fans of history. More than 100 years ago, a local religious zeal­ot named Douglas Stahlman carved Bible verses and other messages into more than 160 large boulders north and east of town, with the largest concentration found in what is now Scripture Rocks Heritage Park. Some of the 60-plus rocks found there feature religious scrip­tures that offer hope, while others convey Stahlman’s own sinister mes­sages of death and damnation. Visi­tors can explore the park via more than 1.5 miles of gravel-covered pathways and enjoy a self-guided tour thanks to interesting interpre­tive signs along the way. Bowdish Model Railroad at the Jefferson County History Center. If you’ve ever been grateful for your car’s four-wheel drive capaci­ties, you have a Brookville busi­ness to thank for developing this automotive technology. The Jeffer­son County History Museum on Brookville’s Main Street features a replica of a 1904 Twyford roadster, the first to offer this useful type of drivetrain, as well as the impres­sively large and detailed Bowdish Model Railroad. Near Clear Creek State Park, the mysterious Slyhoff’s Grave continues to baffle visitors. Locally infamous Richard Slyhoff conceived a plan to protect his immortal soul from the Devil af­ter living a life of unrestrained sin, and when he died in 1867, he had gravediggers bury him just downhill from a large, leaning boulder near his home. He reasoned that the quakes and rumblings of Judgment Day would dislodge the rock and roll it to a stop atop his final resting place, but incredibly, the stone has rolled uphill in the past century and a half, and Slyhoff’s Grave is now com­pletely exposed to the sky. Wild elk in Elk County. Elk County was named for the abundant eastern elk that once thrived here, and although the origi­nal population was hunted to extinc­tion in the mid-1800s, the herd was replenished by animals from out west more than 100 years ago. To­day, more than 1,000 of these mag­nificent creatures roam freely across what has become known as Pennsyl­vania’s Wild Elk Country, and you can see them throughout the hills and valleys near Benezette. Just south of the town of St. Mary’s alongside Route 255, the 12-by-18-foot Decker’s Chapel is so small you might not even notice it as you pass by. Some say it’s the smallest chapel in the country, which the church’s managers don’t claim, but it’s undoubtedly among the na­tion’s tiniest of temples. A deeply re­ligious man named Michael Decker built the church in 1856 as an act of gratitude after recovering from a serious injury, and it has served as a place for quiet prayer and reflection ever since. Another religious attrac­tion in Elk County is The Cross, also known as the Cross on the Hill Inter­faith Memorial. This simple wooden edifice stands 13 feet high on a hill overlooking the Spring Run Valley, and the site also features a number of metal panels depicting differ­ent events from Jesus’ crucifixion. Umbrella Rock in Elk County. As noted above, the Penn­sylvania Great Outdoors region is home to lots of big rocks, but the unusually shaped Umbrella Rock near Ridgway definitely takes the cake as a natural oddity. This mush­room-shaped Pottsville sandstone rock formation on State Game Lands 44 is part of a larger group of rock outcroppings, and it got its narrow base and wide top from millions of years of wind and water erosion. On a clear day, it’s well worth a hike. Elk County locals may not even know about the fossilized sea scorpion tracks found in a block of pebbly sandstone along Spring Creek in Hallton. A group of scientists discovered the prints in 1948, and paleontologists from the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh removed a section and determined it to be from a 350-million-year-old Palmichnium kosinskiorum eurypterid arthropod, a seven-foot-long ancestor of today’s modern scorpion. The Elk County Historical Society in Ridgway has a cast of the track at their museum, and local historian Bob Imhof can help interested visitors who want to learn more about the site and its significance. Swinging Bridge near the Little Toby Trail. Near the border between Elk and Jefferson Counties, pedestrians and bikers on the Little Toby Trail can take a small detour to the swinging bridge, which crosses Little Toby Creek near the trail’s midsection. An­other swinging bridge can be found at Walter Dick Park in Brookville, crossing North Fork Creek beneath a pair of elevated interstate bridges. Travelers coming to the Pennsyl­vania Great Outdoors region from Pittsburgh by way of Route 28 know they’ve arrived in Clarion County when the mouthwatering smell of roasting peanuts fills the car. New Bethlehem has been home to a Smucker’s peanut butter factory since the 1940s, and since then, its regular peanut-roasting operations have scented the surrounding air and generated New Bethlehem’s proud claim as “the best-smelling town in Pennsylvania.” The community’s annual Peanut Butter Festival each September honors this distinc­tive characteristic, and it features themed elements like a peanut but­ter cook-off, a wing-eating contest where the wings are slathered in peanut butter sauce, and vendors selling peanut butter-related items, such as peanut butter-filled pierogis, soaps, and home decor. Swift Safariland in Fairmount City. Hunters will find Swift Safaril­and in Fairmount City quite interest­ing, as it features approximately 100 exotic animal mounts from around the world. The owner, Vincent Dougherty, harvested each animal on display himself with a .220 Swift, and the collection includes an Af­rican elephant, a hippopotamus, a cape buffalo, and a lion in addition to a number of large antlered animals, a grizzly bear, and a crocodile. About 15 miles northwest of New Bethlehem, the community of Sligo honors its Irish namesake with a sign boasting a leprechaun in a green top hat at the entrance of town. Street names like Shamrock Drive show­case its Irish roots, and a huge black-and-white cow statue was left over from an old dairy in business during the 1970s. 911 operators use it as a navigational landmark, and the town decorates it every Christ­mas, although it’s worth a visit for an unusual photo op any time of year. Climax Tunnel on the Redbank Valley Trail. Photo by Chris Lasher. Just downstream of “Newbie,” as the locals call it, the Redbank Valley Trail reopened the Climax Tunnel last year following an extensive restoration, and trail users can get a real feel for the history of the rail line by exploring this passageway. Further west near the town of East Brady, the Phillipston Turntable was once used to turn locomotives around for return trips, and it remains an interesting relic of Pennsylvania’s railroad heyday. Other industrial arti­facts in the county include Buchan­an Furnace and Helen Furnace, two cold-blast charcoal furnaces built in the 1840s to convert raw iron ore into usable building material. A much more modern attraction can be found at Kalyumet Fore Fun in Cook Forest — it’s the only place in the state with a virtual reality es­cape room. After donning goggles and headphones, players must solve clues to free themselves from a mys­terious mansion. Firefly, as seen in the Allegheny National Forest. Photo by Radim Schreiber. As its name suggests, Forest County is covered in lots of trees. Nearly half of the county is con­tained inside Allegheny National Forest, and each summer, a curious thing happens amidst the trees. The rare and mesmerizing synchronous fireflies flash in unison each warm, dry night for a few weeks each June and July, and they put on a dazzling show for anyone willing to stop and watch. The PA Firefly Festival, held on June 22 this year, is a great place to see these unique lightning bugs in action, but the festival’s organizers also host a number of other viewing events where you can witness these elusive creatures make their magic. Tionesta Lake in Forest County has two intriguing landmarks, one on either end of the lake. Near its western tip, Sherman Memorial Lighthouse rises above Lighthouse Island at the intersection of Tionesta Creek and the Allegheny River, more than 100 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Tionesta businessman and lighthouse enthusiast Jack Sherman built the 75-foot structure in 2004, and it opens to the public for a hand­ful of days each summer. If you can’t get to it on one of its open days, you can still enjoy a stroll around the grounds and great views of the Al­legheny River. Nebraska Bridge on Tionesta Creek. Photo by Cody Magill. On Tionesta Lake’s other end, the Nebraska Bridge isn’t usu­ally much of a tourist attraction, but when the lake’s dam impounds water after a heavy rain and the wa­ter level rises, the 85-year-old truss structure finds itself underwater. Paddlers often enjoy taking boats out to explore the bridge’s upper el­ements when the water is high, as it stays calm and offers an easy but interesting excursion. Cameron County has made a name for itself as Pennsylvania’s home of the elusive bigfoot, and with extensive forests that see very few humans, it’s easy to see how a sasquatch in hiding could live its life without being spotted by its less-hairy counterparts. Emporium’s Weekend in the Wilds event includes a bigfoot hunt, and visitors can buy bigfoot hunting licenses at the Cam­eron County Chamber of Commerce. Bigfoot Crossing, as seen in Cameron County. A few miles outside of town, the Cameron County Historical Society operates The Little Museum in an old Depression-era schoolhouse. In addition to exhibits on local indus­try and two local celebrities, silent movie star Tom Mix and World War II General Joseph McNarney, the museum features mysterious county artifacts of unknown origin, includ­ing a ram’s head carving from the 1880s or earlier. Downtown Empo­rium features the red-brick Cameron County Courthouse, which features a rare unblindfolded version of Lady Justice. This article originally appeared in the 2019 Welcome Guide, which contains feature articles, photos, travel tips, upcoming events, and listing information on lodging, attractions, restaurants, and more throughout Jefferson, Elk, Clarion, Forest, and Cameron Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. Click here to review a digital version of this guide. To get your FREE print copy of this or any other publication by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, click here and enter your information or call 814-849-5197. To learn more about any of these quirky attractions and start planning your trip, go to VisitPAGO.com or call 814-849-5197. http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/quirks-oddities-and-unusual-attractions-in-the-pennsylvania-great-outdoors/

New Wild Plant Regulations Now in Place in Pennsylvania January 10, 2019 12:24 am· Author: Joanne Bauer HARRISBURG, Pa. – Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn on Wednesday announced that new regulations that apply to the conservation of native wild plants in Pennsylvania are now final. (PHOTO: Purple Fringeless Orchid: Threatened) After a public comment and approval process taking place over more than a year, the final regulations were published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Dec. 22, 2018. “There are many more species of plants in the world than there are animals, and the mission of DCNR’s Bureau of Forestry includes conserving native wild plants,” Dunn said. “Pennsylvania is home to about 3,000 plant species — about two-thirds of those are considered native to the commonwealth, and 347 of them are currently considered rare, threatened, or endangered.” Pennsylvania’s wild plant classifications includes rare, threatened and endangered, as well as others such as vulnerable, extirpated, tentatively undetermined and special population. The updates to the list include: Nine plants were added Nine plants moved from a lower classification to a higher one Two plants were downgraded Thirty-one plants were removed from the list Scientific names were changed for 79 species The department will continue working to maintain an updated list of classified plants in Pennsylvania by obtaining scientific information and classification recommendations from the public and experts across the state. DCNR supports the newly formed Pennsylvania Plant Conservation Network, which will focus on the stewardship of rare plants on private lands and outreach on the importance of plants. That work will be spearheaded by Pennsylvania Plant Conservation Network Coordinator Kristi Allen. Many factors can threaten populations of plants and cause them to become rare. Some of the most common threats to plants in Pennsylvania include: Habitat loss and fragmentation, due to climate change, development, or conversion of habitat Invasive plants displacing native plants Creation of more edge habitat, increasing the threat of invasive plant species Selective browsing by white-tailed deer or other wildlife may prevent plants from reproducing Over-collection by people There are some things everyone can do to help native wild plants: Don’t pick native wild plants. Picking flowers means the plant will not go to seed. Take pictures, but leave the flowers in their habitats. Do not remove plants from the wild to plant at home. They generally will not survive and removing them hurts their natural populations. Don’t plant invasives and remove them at home. This will prevent their spread to other areas. Plant natives in your yard, and ask for them at the garden center. DCNR has reviewed more than 20 years of field and taxonomic data to make these regulation updates. The department receives plant data, information, and classification recommendations from the Pennsylvania Biological Survey’s (PABS) Vascular Plant Technical Committee, which is comprised of professional botanists. DCNR also receives input from a public forum of the committee — the Rare Plant Forum; which is attended by 50-80 amateur and professional botanists from across the state. For more information about the rulemaking and wild plants, visit the DCNR website, choose “Conservation.” http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/new-wild-plant-regulations-now-in-place-in-pennsylvania/

12 DIY wood pallet projects and ideas They're so versatile! Wood pallets can be used in many DIY decorating projects.Getty Image "The finish does not have to be perfect. The beauty of the pallet is in its imperfection," Ott said. SEE VIDEOS ; https://www.today.com/home/12-diy-wood-pallet-projects-ideas-t144908

Half-Ton Butter Sculpture Highlights ‘Choose PA Dairy’ Campaign January 4, 2019 12:25 am· Author: Joanne Bauer HARRISBURG, Pa. – Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding on Thursday helped unveil the Farm Show butter sculpture, carved from a half-ton of butter and depicting the Choose PA Dairy ‘Find Your Power’ campaign. The sculpture, a longtime Farm Show staple, encourages Pennsylvanians to support our state’s dairy industry. “People from across the Commonwealth look forward to Farm Show each year, and this sculpture is one of the most beloved parts of this annual event,” said Governor Wolf. “But it’s more than just butter. It’s a way for us to honor our dairy industry in a fun and memorable way – an industry that we work hard to promote and support year-round.” The sculpture, sponsored by American Dairy Association North East (ADANE), features several individuals donning superhero capes, including an athlete, a soldier, a doctor, a firefighter, and a dairy farmer. The sculptors began work in mid-December to craft the work of art from butter donated by Land O’ Lakes in Carlisle, Cumberland County. “This year’s Farm Show theme is Inspiring Pennsylvania’s Story, and the butter sculpture has for many years been a part of that story,” said Sec. Redding. “No matter which shape it takes on from year to year, it’s always a celebration of our state’s dairy industry, and of the rich history of the entire agriculture industry.” Also on hand to unveil the sculpture were Marilyn Hershey of Ar-Joy Farms in Chester County; Charlie Batch, two-time Super Bowl Champion and former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers; and sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton of Montgomery County. “The butter sculpture sends a powerful message and is a great reminder to consumers to choose local Pennsylvania milk and dairy products,” said Marilyn Hershey on behalf of the state’s dairy farm families. “Milk’s nutrients fuel our body and our brain, so no matter what you do in life, be sure to get three servings of dairy every day.” “As a professional athlete, it was important for me to fuel up on nutritious foods to not only perform my best on the field, but to also give me the strength and energy I needed for the entire day,” said Charlie Batch, former quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Milk was one of those super foods that has powered me along the way from youth sports on up to the NFL, and even still to this day.” The butter sculpture is on display in the Farm Show’s Main Hall. Following the Farm Show, the butter will be moved to the Reinford Farm in Juniata County to be converted into renewable energy in the farm’s methane digester. The Pennsylvania Farm Show is the nation’s largest indoor agricultural event, featuring 12,000 competitive exhibits, more than 5,200 of which are animal competitions, plus 300 commercial exhibitors. The show runs January 5 – 12, 2019. Admission is free and parking is $15 in Farm Show lots. The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center is easily accessible from Interstates 81 and 83. http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/half-ton-butter-sculpture-highlights-choose-pa-dairy-campaign/

At Pappys my kids like standing at window and watching them made pizza.

Local farm recycles Christmas trees with the help of goats by Haleigh DiBetta Saturday, December 29th 2018 GOATS EATING CHRISTMAS TREES.PNG AA SOMERSET COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) — Now that Christmas has passed, it's time to take down the tree and make those new year resolutions. But you might want to think twice before you put your tree on the curb for pickup. Dozens of Christmas trees are piled high at Trinity Farms Center for Healing to be recycled, but not in the usual way. For some four-legged friends on the farm, the best Christmas gift isn't found under the tree. It's the tree itself. "We decided to put a call out, and ask people to bring us their Christmas trees and recycle them and here they are. People donating their Christmas trees is like a bonus for them," said Paula Eppley-Neuman, board president of Trinity Farms Center for Healing. Their goats love to eat Christmas trees! For three years now, people and tree nurseries have been donating their trees to the goats after Christmas. This past week alone, 64 trees have been donated to the farm. "They love it, it's like candy. Kids going for candy whenever the goats get a tree in their pen," said Eppley-Neuman. And the trees aren't just a fun treat for the goats, it's also helping out the environment. The tree gets recycled multiple times at the farm. "The goats will eat the pine needles and get a benefit from it. And then we'll take the skeletons of the trees and stack them in the woods and it becomes a habitat for other animals," said Eppley-Neuman. The trees also act as a natural dewormer for the goats. But they're not the only unusual snack the goats enjoy. Eppley-Neuman said the goats also enjoy eating poison ivy. And despite popular belief goats don't really eat everything. "They eat everything besides tin cans -- that's not true. They're very intelligent and they know what not to eat and they will stay away from that," said Eppley-Neuman. The goats are also some pretty professional grazers, you can actually hire them from the farm to graze on overgrown terrain like knotweed. SEE VIDEO REPORT ; https://wjactv.com/news/local/local-farm-recycles-trees-with-the-help-of-goats

http://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly READ ARTICLE -- http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/pennsylvania-businesses-encouraged-to-help-keep-pa-moving-by-obtaining-a-spotted-lanternfly-permit/

Usually do not warm SUV up. Saturday after Thanksgiving called out for accident, freezing rain used quite a bit of windshield de-icing fluid for the first.1.1 mile until windshield got warm enough.

Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Warm Up Your Car In The Winter Kiersten Hickman 5 days ago © Sasha Ivanova/Shutterstock shutterstock_370399166 removing ice car lock icy When it's frigid outside and you have to drive to some sort of destination, there's only one solution to fighting the ridiculous cold: Warm up the car. Just start it up a few minutes before hopping in, giving your cabin and your engine time to warm up before hitting the road. Plus, it's supposed to be good for the life of your engine, right? Wrong! Warming up your car in winter before driving it is actually terrible for your engine. According to Popular Mechanics, driving your car right away is the fastest way to warm up your engine, and will actually prolong the life of your engine instead of letting it sit idly before driving. Answering the old question on whether you should warm up your car. The reasoning has to do with how modern internal combustion engines work. By letting your car sit to warm up, it's actually putting extra fuel into the combustion chamber, which can get onto your cylinder walls. Because gasoline is an excellent solvent, too much on your cylinder walls can dissolve the oil that lubricates your cylinders, leading to shorter life on crucial components. Of course, hopping into a cold car is never a fun task. Although driving your car will actually warm up your engine faster than idling, it still means driving for a period of time in a cold vehicle. And, it also means dealing with the frost on your car windows before they warm up. Fortunately, you can easily defrost your windows in 30 seconds with this simple car window defrosting trick. Now if warming up your car in winter is actually terrible for your engine, why did people even do this in the first place? According to USA Today, this practices comes from the use of cars with carburetors fuel delivery system that preceded fuel injection that did require warming up beforehand. Some people would have to wait up to 10 minutes before even getting into a car, deeming it safe enough to drive with a warmed up engine. Nevertheless, cars and technology have drastically changed since the 1960s, which means this old practice is no longer required. Instead, just give it a minute and start with an easy drive. Flooring it right away obviously isn't the solution, but easing yourself into a drive will help to warm your engine faster than you originally thought. http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/ownership/here’s-why-you-shouldn’t-warm-up-your-car-in-the-winter/ar-BBQdbev?li=BBnb7Kz

Looking Back: From Man to Myth- The Charlie Bowdish Story November 29, 2018 12:35 am· Author: Matson Insurance - Sponsored Jefferson County Historical Society submitted the following article: [Pictured above: When Bowdish moved his model railroad exhibit to Pittsburgh, it was first housed in Buhl Planetarium. Thousands came to see it. Today, it is exhibited at the Carnegie Science Center. (Courtesy Jefferson County History Center)] Submitted by Carole Briggs: FROM MAN TO MYTH Most older folks in this area know the story. When young Charlie Bowdish returned from Europe where he’d been gassed, he was too ill to work, so he built a little miniature village with a train for his brother’s wedding. More than 600 people came to see it in 1920, and that was the beginning of his annual Christmas shows at his home south of the White Street Bridge. That’s the myth― the stories that have grown up about the man who originated what has become the Miniature Railroad & Village™ at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. Myth serves an important function in every culture. Here in rural Pennsylvania, the story of an injured veteran who loved children and entertained them and their families year after year without charging a dime is an inspiring story of self-giving and one that resonates as each Christmas season rolls around. But, what are the facts? And, how did the Bowdish story become the myth it is for some folks today? Bowdish grew up in Brookville with two older brothers, two older sisters, and his parents. His forebears had moved into the Brockway area where they were skillful machinists, woodworkers, and musicians. This we know from the family genealogy and an article written in 1899 by Pittsburgh reporter Bion Butler. Like many in the 19th century, Charlie’s parents yearned for new horizons. In their early married life, they traveled to Michigan and Nebraska. The birthplaces of their children help us know this. Charlie was born in Brookville in 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, or 1898! Here the facts are confusing because census records and other information cite various years―1900 census says 1894, 1910 census says 1895, 1920 census 1897, and 1930 says 1898. The family genealogy lists February 28, 1895, and his tombstone at the Baptist Cemetery in Richardsville says February 28, 1896, but even tombstones are sometimes wrong! His signed social security application says 1896 and that is the date the History Center uses. Tracking down the facts can be difficult! We may never know the year Charlie was born, and he himself may not have been sure. But, facts are important, and at the History Center, we do our darnedest to ferret them out! http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/looking-back-from-man-to-myth-the-charlie-bowdish-story/ (Part of this display is located at the Jefferson County Historical Society building at 172-176 Main St. in Brookville,Pa)

Looking Back: A Past Pandemic in Jefferson County November 8, 2018 12:45 am· Author: Carole Briggs Jefferson County Historical Society submitted the following article: (Pictured above: Conifer was once a mining community or “coal patch,” where living conditions may have led to the rapid spread of Spanish influenza.) Submitted by Carole Briggs: A PAST PANDEMIC We don’t know when or even if there will be a pandemic in our future, but the word has certainly entered our 21st century vocabulary. Each new death from avian or bird flu in another part of the world raises the question: will such an event happen during our lifetimes and will it affect us here in Jefferson County? News articles and television programs about bird flu often include a reference to Spanish Influenza or the pandemic of 1918. Incorrectly named because it did not originate in Spain but correct because it was a virus or flu, people in Jefferson County did not escape its deadly consequences. By the time it began to subside in November of 1918, one writer estimated more Americans had died of the Spanish Influenza between September 9 and November 9 than among American Expeditionary Forces in France. Prior to the flu’s onset, obituaries listed weekly in Brookville newspapers numbered between one and eleven. As the flu peaked, the Jeffersonian Democrat simply listed the names of the dead in a column—30 one week, 27 the next, then 15. Spain was the first country to report this disease, but no one knows how or where it actually began. Ultimately it became pandemic, a worldwide epidemic, killing 21 to 40 million people including more than a half-million Americans. Fever, chills, coughs, aches, pains, as well as general tiredness and weakness, characterized this influenza. A victim’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate increased. It led to pneumonia and death, particularly for the young and the old. In the United States, the flu first hit soldiers stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, in early March of 1918 spreading to Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco. Indiana County reported influenza in September and in October, the Jeffersonian Democrat reported the first death from the virus to occur in Jefferson County. She was Viola A. Buzard, a fourteen-year-old girl who lived in Rose Township and who died on October 2. Twenty-one days later, the paper stated, “County toll is 200.” Mining communities like Big Soldier, Conifer, Eleanora, Florence, Ramsaytown, Reynoldsville, Rossiter, and Wishaw were hit particularly hard. Wishaw reported 116 of its 375 residents down with the flu. When it was over sixty-five people were dead there or more than one of every eight. http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/looking-back-a-past-pandemic-in-jefferson-county/

Brookville’s Scripture Rocks Gets National Coverage September 10, 2018 9:05 am· BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – Scripture Rocks outside Brookville is gaining national attention and bringing in thousands of visitors. According to its website, Scripture Rocks was created by Douglas M. Stahlman. Stahlman carved the rocks in the early 1900s after living a life of faith and scandal. He was born in Jefferson County and moved around the country. He got involved with the teachings of John Alexander Dowie, a faith healer and evangelist. Since Dowie was a faith healer, when Stahlman’s wife got sick, he ended the care she had been receiving and attempted to heal her through faith. She later died, and Stahlman was arrested for her death. After the arrest, his children were taken away from him. Leaving prison, Stahlman came back to Brookville and became an evangelist. When that ended, he became a hermit living on Altar Rock, writing his books and carving the stones. He was committed to a mental institution in 1915 and died there in 1942. Stahlman’s tortured life is one of the reasons Scripture Rocks’ Ken Burkett feels the park is so popular. “I think it’s the mystery and the intrigue of the park that brings people here,” Burkett said. “He dedicated this area as a place to pray and connected it to some of the changes in the non-Catholic religions going on at the time. We talk a lot about what Stahlman would think about the park, but he created these rocks for people to see.” Burkett came to the Jefferson County Historical Center in 2008 with a background in archeology. He made a plan to take people outside the museum and experience history in the community. When they opened the Scripture Rocks Heritage Park, Burkett hoped to pull in 1,000 visitors a year. He soon found that his expectations were low. “We’ve been open a little over two years and we’re just under 20,000 visitors to the park,” he said. “Many historical societies, especially at the county level, usually have one museum focused on one aspect of history in the area. Here, we have two.” The second “museum” is the hiking trails around Scripture Rocks. The uniqueness of the attraction, some say created by a madman in the 1900s, gained the attention of the American Association of State and Local History. “The association gave us an award for the park,” Burkett said. “Now, they want to feature us in their magazine. The fact that it was picked to be in a magazine that goes out all across the country is an additional honor. It shows that a small town can do things on a national level.” The only concern Burkett had for starting the park was how it had the potential of drawing funds away from the museum. He soon discovered that it was not an issue. “We did what we could to make the park self-sufficient,” he said. “The donations still come into both places.” While the park is gaining national attention, Burkett, the archeologist, sees it as gaining archeological attention in the future. “I have worked with Native American engravings before,” he said. “They’re over 1,000 years old. I believe that the Scripture Rocks here will be around forever, outlasting Brookville.” Visitors can see Scripture Rocks until the snow makes the paths too dangerous, and Burkett closes the gates in the winter. There is more information at the Jefferson County History Center’s website. http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/brookvilles-scripture-rocks-gets-national-coverage/

Best Trails and Viewpoints for Fall Foliage in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors August 20, 2018 12:45 am· The temperatures might be in the 80s now, but with September and October right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about fall. The Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region has hundreds of miles of country roads and scenic drives where you can see the glory of autumn in its full splendor, but if you really want to immerse yourself in nature, there’s no better place to enjoy fall than a trail. Fortunately, the region has hundreds of miles of these to explore as well, many of which feature incredible views for leaf peepers. Check out these options to see magnificent fall foliage at its finest. Cook Forest State Park’s Seneca Point. Photo: Jeff London. Several noteworthy trails crisscross Cook Forest State Park and its surrounding area, much of which offers just as spectacular of scenery as the park itself. The Tobecco Trail travels for 10 miles along the Clarion River and connects Cook Forest and Clear Creek State Parks. Near the riverbank, the trees are more evergreen, but they give way to gloriously colored oak, cherry, and maple as the trail ascends in elevation. At the end of Fire Tower Road, the 0.9-mile Seneca Trail leads to Seneca Point and the adjacent 87.5-foot-tall Fire Tower, which provide gorgeous views of the Clarion River and the valley from an elevation of 1,600 feet. It’s a little challenging, but absolutely worth the views at the end. This trail is also concurrent with the North Dakota-to-New York North Country National Scenic Trail, which passes through the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region in Clarion and Forest Counties and provides dozens of miles of forest adventure. The Overlook at Brady’s Bend. In northern Clarion County, the Rail 66 Country Trail spans 15 miles between Marianne and Leeper along the historic Knox-Kane railroad bed. The trail passes several farms, small communities, and historic relics, but walkers, runners, and bicycle riders can also enjoy several shaded areas covered by maples, oaks, and other hardwoods that explode in color each fall. In the southwestern corner of the county, the Overlook at Brady’s Bend offers an eight-mile panoramic view of the Allegheny River, where you can witness eagles flying high above the ribbon of water in addition to sweeping views of autumn’s palette. Pennsylvania’s very name comes from its abundance of trees, but it only contains one national forest — the Allegheny National Forest, which spans across much of Forest and Elk Counties. Here, the Minister Creek Trail showcases the best of the forest’s arboreal treasures along its full 6.6-mile loop, but hikers can also choose among some smaller loops close to the campground. Less than a mile from the campground, scramble up some house-sized boulders to reach the Minister Creek Overlook, which juts out over the valley below and provides excellent foliage views in an entrancing mix of orange, red, yellow, brown, and green. The Redbank Valley Trail runs for 41.5 miles between Brookville and the Redbank Creek’s intersection with the Allegheny near East Brady and also includes a nine-mile spur from Lawsonham to Sligo. Along this well-maintained rail-trail paralleling Redbank Creek, enjoy a wide, flat, level trail surface perfect for bicyclists, runners, dog walkers, and more. Don’t miss the newly opened 608-foot Climax Tunnel southwest of New Bethlehem. When you get back to your car, take a side trip to Paul’s Pumpkin Patch in Fairmount City, where you’ll find a pumpkin catapult, pumpkin maze, hay rides, barnyard zoo, and more than 60 varieties of pumpkins, squash, gourds, and ornamental corn ripe for the picking. Top of the World on the Fred Woods Trail. Photo: Jeff Krause. Cameron County is one of the most rural and secluded parts of Pennsylvania, and the hills and valleys here are packed with both deciduous and evergreen trees, which create an eye-popping landscape of color each autumn. On the three-mile Sizerville Nature Trail immediately west of Sizerville State Park, white pines and hemlocks alternate with red maples, black cherries, yellow birch, and American beech trees, and visitors can find more than 100 tree-shaded picnic areas throughout the park that are especially scenic in the fall. Near Driftwood, the Fred Woods Trail leads up to a peak known as Top of the World, which provides 360-degree views of southern Cameron County. Between Ridgway and Brockway, the Clarion-Little Toby Trail follows Little Toby Creek and the Clarion River for 18 miles along a former railroad bed. In addition to wide views of the river and its adjacent hills bursting with fall color, trail users can find a swinging bridge over the Little Toby, ghost towns and other historical remnants of the region’s industrial heritage, and several small waterfalls along the route. Photo: Brian Malloy. If a drive instead of a hike is more your speed, check out Elk and Forest Counties’ River Road, which meanders for nearly 24 miles along the Clarion River and Cook Forest State Park between the Cooksburg bridge and the small village of Hallton. The Elk Scenic Drive, a 127-mile loop also offers beautiful leaf-peeping opportunities in addition to the strong possibility of seeing elk and other animal life in the wild. Otherwise, just go where the road takes you. In the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region, you’ll find beauty around every bend. Make a weekend of your trip! The region offers a wide range of lodging options for every taste, group size, and budget. To find more information on leaf peeping in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region and to help you plan your vacation in autumn and all year round, go to VisitPAGO.com or call 814-849-5197. This article originally appeared in the Fall/Winter 2018 issue of GO magazine, which contains feature articles, photos, travel tips, upcoming events, lodging listings, and more information on Jefferson, Elk, Clarion, Forest, and Cameron Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. To get your FREE copy of this or any other publication by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, click here and enter your information or call 814-849-5197. http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/best-trails-and-viewpoints-for-fall-foliage-in-the-pennsylvania-great-outdoors/

Snack Foods 1 day ago National S'mores Day: 8 twists on this classic summer dessert By Michelle Gant | Fox News Celebrate National S'mores Day with these delicious recipes. (iStock) No other dessert quite represents summer like s’mores. Best consumed outdoors around a campfire, these tasty treats are the perfect snack to enjoy on a warm day. While traditional s’mores feature a layer of chocolate and roasted marshmallows sandwiched between two graham crackers, there are plenty of other delicious ways to get your s’mores fix. This National S’mores Day, August 10, try one of these unique takes on the classic dessert. Reese's S'mores Golden Grahams S’mores Bars Nutella S'mores S’mores Ice Cream Ooey-gooey S’mores Cookies Nutella S’mores Cupcakes FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK FOR MORE FOX LIFESTYLE NEWS S’mores Bars Fruity Coconut S'mores Michelle Gant is a writer and editor for Fox News Lifestyle. http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2018/08/10/national-smores-day-8-twists-on-this-classic-summer-dessert.html

Insects 14 hours ago New invasive 'aggressive biter' tick spreads across multiple US states, sparks concern By James Rogers | Fox News This photograph depicts a ventral view, i.e., underside, of an adult female Haemaphysalis longicornis tick, commonly known as the longhorned tick. (CDC/James Gathany) A new invasive tick species described as an “aggressive biter” has been found in a number of U.S. states, sparking concern from agriculture and health officials. The Haemaphysalis longicornis, better known as the longhorned tick, is native to the Asia-Pacific region. Predominant hosts include humans, poultry, livestock, wild rodents and birds, according to scientists. The New York Times reports that the longhorned tick is the first new tick species to arrive in America in 50 years. TENNESSEE WOMAN BITTEN BY BROWN RECLUSE SPIDER IN ALLEGED INFESTED APARTMENT TO MOVE It was found for the first time in the U.S. late last year, when it was identified on a sheep in Hunterdon County, N.J. close What is Lyme disease? New reports estimate that every state in the U.S. has seen cases of Lyme disease. What exactly is the tick-riddled disease and how can you be sure you have it? “Recently, the tick has also been found in Union and Middlesex Counties in New Jersey, as well as from a calf in Albemarle County in Virginia and cattle in Hardy County in West Virginia,” explained the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, in a note. Additionally, the tick has been identified in Warren County, Va., as well as in Arkansas and at multiple locations in Westchester County, N.Y., according to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa. The longhorned tick has also been found on an opossum in Polk County, N.C. “It is a serious pest of livestock in its native regions and the means of introduction into the U.S. is unknown,” explained the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, in a recent statement. “Its presence in N.C. signals the need among livestock producers and residents for greater awareness, surveillance, and tick control management. It is an aggressive biter and frequently builds intense infestations on animals causing great stress, reduced growth and production, and blood loss.” TICKS HATE A PESTICIDE THAT MIMICS CHRYSANTHEMUMS In addition to Eastern Asia, the tick is also a threat to livestock in Australia and New Zealand, where it is known as a “bush tick.” “While the longhorned tick has not been linked to any human infection in the U.S., the N.C. Division of Public Health is working with NCDA&CS [North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services] to understand its distribution and monitor for diseases it may carry,” officials added. The New York State Departments of Health and Agriculture and Markets noted that the tick has transmitted disease to humans in other parts of the world, but said that more research is needed to determine whether this can happen in the U.S. “Regardless, New Yorkers should continue to take steps to protect themselves, their children and their pets against ticks and tickborne diseases that are present in New York State,” it said. LYME DISEASE SPREADS TO ALL 50 STATES, REPORT FINDS Human diseases transmitted by the tick in Asia include spotted fever rickettsiosis, a bacterial infection that ranges from mild to life-threatening. The New York Times reports that the biggest threat from the longhorned tick is a phlebovirus that causes Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), an emerging infectious disease described as a “haemorrhagic fever.” “The disease has become a substantial risk to public health, not only in China, but also in other parts of the world,” The Lancet reported in 2014. The CDC provides advice on how best to remove a tick. SEE VIDEO ; http://www.foxnews.com/science/2018/08/07/new-invasive-aggressive-biter-tick-spreads-across-us-sparks-concern.html

Agricultural Agencies Provide Update on Work to Combat Spotted Lanternfly in Pennsylvania August 7, 2018 12:24 am· HARRISBURG, Pa. – On Monday, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Penn State University provided an update on their work to control the spread of the Spotted Lanternfly – an invasive insect that has the potential to seriously impact the tree-fruit, grape, and timber industries, which are collectively worth nearly $18 billion to the state’s economy. “Through this partnership, we have been able to successfully raise awareness about this pest: what it looks like, where it’s found, and the damage it could do,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “This coalition has been the boots on the ground working to control the Spotted Lanternfly’s spread–and we’ve made significant strides–but we know there’s still much work left to do.” Governor Tom Wolf and the General Assembly approved $3 million in dedicated state funding to combat the Spotted Lanternfly as part of the fiscal year 2018-19 budget. This funding supplements $17.5 million in federal funding from USDA, received earlier this year. Redding noted that this funding has helped the coalition, which also includes numerous local partners, invest in a statewide survey, control and treatment services, grants, and research. This year, the partners are engaged in a multi-pronged approach to control the invasive pest. PDA has taken responsibility for suppressing Spotted Lanternfly populations in the core infestation area, while USDA has established a perimeter extending 18 miles out from the core area, where they are working to eliminate any infestation. Between the two agencies, the entire spotted lanternfly quarantine area–13 counties in southeastern Pennsylvania–are being covered. Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences has taken the lead on public outreach through its Cooperative Extension service. “Our main operational goal this season is to treat all the known positives from last year, and treat any new properties this year into mid-September,” said Timothy Newcamp, USDA APHIS State Plant Health Director in Pennsylvania. “Our scientists are studying the effectiveness of different pesticides, working on trap and lure development, exploring biological control options, and studying alternative host suitability. This research, along with that of our partners, will not only help in the battle against this invasive pest, but it will also help shape the direction of the Spotted Lanternfly Program.” “Penn State Extension and Research within the College of Agriculture Sciences is focused on increasing the public and industries awareness of the SLF and studying the pest to learn more about its biology, damage potential and how to more effectively manage its populations,” added Dr. Dennis Calvin, Associate Dean and Director of Special Programs at Penn State Extension. Redding said that public outreach and education is critical to controlling the Spotted Lanternfly’s spread. “We want the public to not only understand the urgency of this problem, but also be able to help us in trying to eliminate it,” said Redding. “If people are aware of the pest, and know what it looks like, they can report sightings to us so that we can respond more quickly. If the insect is found someplace outside of the quarantine zone, the sooner we know about it, the sooner we can react and prevent it from spreading.” Pennsylvanians are encouraged to report sightings of the pest through an online reporting tool found at extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly or by calling the new hotline, 1-888- 4BADFLY. The hotline will connect callers to Penn State Extension staff who will provide guidance and next steps. The Commonwealth is also engaging with the business community, stressing the risk that interstate and international commerce may be impeded. Businesses operating within the quarantine must obtain an operating permit, which requires training and passing a test to demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of the pest and quarantine requirements. Permits demonstrate that individuals can identify the pest and ensure that it is not present on transported items. New York, for example, has begun inspecting shipments moving from the quarantined areas of Pennsylvania into their state to ensure trucks are permitted. New Jersey also recently instituted a quarantine in three counties that may affect the interstate movement of goods from Pennsylvania. Redding added that the Wolf Administration has been training employees and issuing permits to those state workers who have taken the test. The Commonwealth also plans to permit state vehicles that travel through the quarantine zone. “The commonwealth is leading by example and has taken the important step of permitting its state vehicles. Thus far, state employees in a number of agencies have taken the permitting test online and are training their teams to know what to do when they’re traveling in a state vehicle,” Redding added. Find out more about Spotted Lanternfly at agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly, www.aphis.usda.gov/hungrypests/slf, and extension.psu.edu/shopby/spotted-lanternfly. http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/agricultural-agencies-provide-update-on-work-to-combat-spotted-lanternfly-in-pennsylvania/

Do citronella candles really work? The answer might surprise you Plus, we found some other natural repellents to keep the bugs away. by Lyn Mettler / May.08.2018 / 11:55 AM ET / Updated Jul.24.2018 / 12:51 PM ET / Source: TODAY Summer days can feel glorious after a long winter. Unfortunately, though, along with hot and sunny days come mosquitos. Naturally, many people strive to repel mosquitoes as effectively as possible. And, often, they turn to citronella candles (like the Cutter Citro Guard). But, does citronella really work, or is it just hype? TODAY Home asked experts about how to repel mosquitoes to get to the bottom of it. Do citronella candles work? Citronella is naturally occurring oil that repels insects. It is distilled from two types of grass, according to the National Pesticide Information Center. While it is currently approved as safe for humans and the environment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that doesn’t mean that it’s effective. And, because it is a “minimum risk pesticide” in terms of its effect on human health, it is exempt from EPA evaluation. The oil is supposed to work by masking scents that are attractive to insects, according to the NPIC. However, the center notes that it hasn't found studies to demonstrate that this actually works. An article in the Malaria Journal from 2011 says that people have been using plants to drive away mosquitoes as far back as the Greeks and Romans, and citronella is now “one of the most widely used natural repellents on the market.” Does citronella work to repel mosquitoes?PAULO WHITAKER / Reuters The article explains that products with a citronella base are only effective as a mosquito repellent for about two hours, because the oils rapidly evaporate. It also says that products like candles help by continuously evaporating the oil, but the authors note that field studies show using candles only reduces mosquito bites by about half and concludes “...for the time-being, travelers to disease endemic areas should not be recommended citronella-based repellents.” PATRICE COPPEE / AFP - Getty Images “Citronella oil is repellent to mosquitoes to a degree, but the amount being put out by a candle isn't going to be very effective,” Eric Hoffer, president of Hoffer Pest, told TODAY Home. “In most cases, a citronella candle is only going to contain a five percent concentration of citronella or less." The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention does not include citronella products on its list of recommended mosquito repellents. Natural mosquito repellent alternatives Products that contain oil of lemon eucalyptus, which comes from the gum eucalyptus tree, are a lot more effective than citronella, Hoffer said. “People who use botanical repellents should be aware that they're less effective and will need to be reapplied often, but 30 percent oil of lemon eucalyptus is usually a sufficient concentration to keep mosquitoes away for a few hours at a time," he added. And, the CDC includes it on their list of recommended mosquito repellents. Here are seven products to try as a mosquito repellent instead of the traditional citronella candle or torch: 1. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent Pump, $6, Amazon TODAY has affiliate relationships, so we may get a small share of the revenue from your purchases. Items are sold by the retailer, not by TODAY. All prices are subject to change and items could sell out based on the merchant’s inventory. Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent $6Amazon Shop Also available for $6 at Walmart. This spray for skin and clothing is 30 percent lemon and eucalyptus oil. It’s supposed to repel mosquitoes for up to six hours, but it says you should only apply it up to twice a day. There are more than 2,400 five-star reviews on Amazon, though people have commented on its strong smell. 2. Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent, $5, Walmart Cutter Lemon Eucalyptus Insect Repellent $5Walmart Shop Also available in a six pack for $34 at Amazon. Cutter also makes a 30 percent lemon eucalyptus oil spray that can repel mosquitoes for up to six hours when applied to skin and clothing. It says it should not be used on children younger than 3, but is safe for fishing and camping gear. 3. Para'kito Natural Mosquito Repellent Roll-on-Gel, $20, Amazon Para'kito Natural Mosquito Repellent Roll-On Gel $20Amazon Shop This mosquito repellent uses a mix of citronella, rosemary, geranium, mint, clove and peppermint essential oils. The company says it has tested its effectiveness in a lab and that it provides more than 90 percent protection for the first three hours of use. It is safe to use on children and pregnant women, since the mixture is non-irritating. To use, roll in a straight line down arms, legs or neck, and reapply after swimming or sweating. 4. Para’kito Mosquito Repellent Wristband, $20, Amazon Para’kito Mosquito Repellent Wristband $20Amazon Shop Also available for $16 at Home Depot. This waterproof mosquito repellent wristband comes in a variety of colors and prints. It can be worn on the wrist or ankle, and uses a replaceable pellet, which provides protection from mosquitoes for up to 15 days. The pellet uses a patented formula of essential oils, which are slowly diffused to help make it last. The oils mask body odors, making it harder for mosquitoes to find you. 5. Sky Organics Organic Bug Spray, $14, Amazon Sky Organics Organic Bug Spray $14Amazon Shop As an essential oil bug repellent, Sky Organics bug spray is vegan, cruelty-free and safe for kids, babies and even pets. It uses a mixture of soybean, castor, citronella, lemongrass, lavender, rosemary, cedarwood and peppermint essential oils and comes packaged in a durable, eco-friendly aluminum bottle. It also does not contain alcohol, chemicals or additives. Sky Organics claims it deters mosquitoes for up to four hours, and the company offers a 30-day money back guarantee. 6. All Terrain Herbal Armor DEET-Free Natural Insect Repellent Spray, $9 (usually $15), Amazon All Terrain Herbal Armor DEET-Free Natural Insect Repellent Spray $9Amazon Shop Also available for $9 at Target. This natural bug spray uses soybean oil as its primary ingredient followed by citronella, peppermint, cedar and a few other oils to mask your scent from mosquitoes. The company says it’s been independently proven to be non-irritating for use on skin and doesn’t damage clothing or equipment. It has about 500 four- and five-star reviews with some users saying it’s the only product without DEET they’ve ever used that truly works. 7. Bounce Dryer Sheets (240 sheets), $19, Amazon Bounce Dryer Sheets $19Amazon Shop Also available for $6 (for 160 sheets) at Target. While the science is still out on this one, many people swear by using a Bounce dryer sheet, either in their pockets or rubbed on the arms, as a mosquito repellent. One study did seem to confirm their ability to repel gnats, but no studies have been done on their impact on mosquitoes. But if you have a sheet at home already, why not give it a try? Try using an electric fan If all else fails, Hoffer said to pull out an electric fan for the patio. Honeywell Electic Fan, $13 (usually $35), Amazon Honeywell Electric Fan $13Amazon Shop Also available for $13 at Target. “The wind can dissipate the carbon dioxide and odors that you put out that attract them, so they'll have a hard time finding you,” he added. “Mosquitoes also have a hard time flying in a breeze, so they'll stay away while you're enjoying your backyard." https://www.today.com/home/how-repel-mosquitoes-summer-do-citronella-candles-really-work-t127599

10 dangerous bugs you need to watch out for this summer -- SEE SLIDES ; http://www.wtae.com/article/dangerous-summer-bugs/22218032

New England family warns of the suffocation dangers of pets and snack bags by WGME Thursday, July 19th 2018 Share V 00:00 00:00 Before you pop open a bag of your favorite summertime snack, veterinarians and pet owners are asking others to think twice. (WGME) WILTON, CT (WGME) – Before you pop open a bag of your favorite summertime snack, veterinarians and pet owners are asking others to think twice. Abandoned as a week-old puppy in North Carolina, Bentley found a home in Wilton, Connecticut, and a mother, in Tara Hibbitts. In October, the Hibbitts family was running an errand and left Bentley at home. Seven-year-old Logan will never forget what he saw next when they returned an hour later. "We came home and he was laying on the ground with the bag on his head, and throw up inside of it," Logan Hibbitts said. Ten-year-old Bentley was dead, suffocated by a Mylar chip bag that was left on the couch. For a mother, it was a shocking sight. "The bag was like sealed around his neck. so that's what happened. He was just struggling walking around the living room trying to get it off," Tara Hibbitts said. "He died a very scared little dog." For a seven-year-old boy, there was grief and guilt. "I said it was my fault, because I'm the one who left it out," Logan Hibbitts said. More than 17,000 people share, read and mourn animals lost like Bentley on the “Prevent Pet Suffocation” Facebook page. Local veterinarian Bennett Wilson says if your pet gets its paws on a Mylar bag, it can lose its life in a matter of minutes. "If the animal inhales, and creates that vacuum, that bag gets sucked up against their face and covers their windpipe, and then it obstructs their breathing," Wilson said. The best way to stop suffocation is by bailing on the bag. Empty out chips into a resealable container, once empty, cut off the bottom and sides of the bag before you throw it away. "Any dog. Any smart dog, any dumb dog, any old dog, any young dog, they're all fully capable of this, because it's food," Wilson said. Nine months after Bentley's death, his loss still haunts the Hibbitts family. Now the Hibbitts say Bentley's life mission has never been clearer. He’s a guardian angel, for the families unaware of the potential tragedy hiding in their trash can. "Any kind of pet, you should never leave a bag out," Logan Hibbits said. “Because it’s the easiest way their pet can die." SEE VIDEO REPORT ; https://wjactv.com/news/offbeat/new-england-family-warns-of-the-suffocation-dangers-of-pets-and-snack-bags

PA Great Outdoors: The Legend of Richard Slyhoff’s Attempt to Outsmart the Devil July 20, 2018 12:26 am· The great unknown of life after death has perplexed humankind since the dawn of time, and for some, the fear of the unknown leads to some curious circumstances. In northern Jefferson County during the late 1860s, a man named Richard Slyhoff died, but not before he left instructions for his plan to outsmart Lucifer himself come Judgment Day. According to local history, Slyhoff lived an ungodly life of drinking, carousing, and womanizing without adhering to any religious or moral standards. He made no apologies for his behavior during his life, but as he felt the approach of death, he became concerned about the future of his immortal soul. A large boulder perched on a hillslope near his home caught his attention, and Slyhoff concluded that if he were to be buried just downhill from it, the quakes and rumblings sure to come on Judgment Day would cause the stone to roll upon his final resting place and protect him from the Devil’s grasp. When Slyhoff died in January 1867, local gravediggers fulfilled his final wish with much difficulty, working on their knees and scraping away at the earth under the rock by hand. Finally, they pushed the coffin beneath the rock and covered it with earth, and they placed an upright headstone at the base of the grave and a flat footstone at the top; the grave’s placement under the rock didn’t allow the gravediggers to install the stone markers in their proper positions. As time went on, the enormous stone didn’t roll downhill. It didn’t even stay still. Instead, incredibly, it moved several feet uphill, completely exposing Slyhoff’s grave it to the sky, and as time has gone on, it has continued to migrate further away. The inexplicable site has become a quirky destination for curiosity seekers as well as ministers, who use the attraction and the legend as a lesson on the inescapable power of God. Slyhoff’s grave is located on the property of Bill’s Hide-A-Way Cottages at 2647 Firetower Road in Brookville. To visit, call 814-328-2219 to set up a tour. Admission is $1.00 per visitor but free for those staying at Hide-A-Way Cottages. This article originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2018 issue of GO magazine, which contains feature articles, photos, travel tips, upcoming events, lodging listings, and more information on Jefferson, Elk, Clarion, Forest, and Cameron Counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. To get your FREE copy of this or any other publication by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, click here and enter your information or call 814-849-5197. Find other interesting places to visit in the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors region by going to VisitPAGO.com or calling 814-849-5197. http://www.explorejeffersonpa.com/pa-great-outdoors-the-legend-of-richard-slyhoffs-attempt-to-outsmart-the-devil/

Virginia 8 hours ago Giant hogweed severely burns Virginia boy, 17, sending him to hospital, report says By Elizabeth Zwirz | Fox News A Virginia teen is recuperating after he was burned by hogweed. (GoFundMe) A Virginia teen suffered significant burns on his face and arm after reportedly being exposed to hogweed. Alex Childress, 17, was inflicted with second-and third-degree burns after unknowingly touching the plant while he was doing work outside at his landscaping job on Tuesday, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Childress reportedly believed the plant was an unwanted weed and went to remove it from the ground. A person's skin can burn and blister after coming in contact with sap from the plant. Childress’ father, Justin, recalled to the outlet how his son told him he had a “really bad sunburn.” “The top layer of skin on the left side of his face basically was gone and appeared to be like a really bad burn that had already peeled,” the elder Childress reportedly said. Childress was brought to the hospital on Tuesday after his mom, a nurse, suspected that hogweed could be responsible, the Times-Dispatch reported. A link to a GoFundMe page called “Alex’s Burn Recovery Fund” was posted on what appeared to be the father’s Facebook. In it, the teen explained the series of events that led to his burns, saying he was “trying to make a little extra spending money” before setting off for his freshman year at Virginia Tech. He said he “unknowingly cut down and carried a ‘giant hogweed’ plant” and as a result was burned on his face and arm. “I was transferred to the Burn ICU at VCU and treated for 3 days but still have daily wound care which requires debriding the burns to remove dead skin,” the post read. The goal for the GoFundMe is set at $10,000 and the teen said he intends to use any money raised to help offset costs for school and medical bills. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2018/07/12/giant-hogweed-severely-burns-virginia-boy-17-sending-him-to-hospital-report-says.html

Hogan’s Floating Palace of Pleasure Part of History, First Gambling Riverboat in Country Thursday, June 28, 2018 @ 12:06 AM Posted by Ron Wilshire CLARION, Pa. – Ken Burkett, Executive Director of the Jefferson County History Center and area archeologist, often speaks about what he has dug up from his various archeological digs throughout the region. During a talk at this week’s meeting of the Clarion Rotary Club, he also mentioned that one of the interesting aspects of Clarion County History was Ben Hogan’s Floating Palace. “During the oil boom days in Oil City, Ben and a lady, French Kate, set up the country’s first gambling riverboat in the middle of the Allegheny River near Parker,” said Burkett. “Being in the middle of the Allegheny River, the sheriffs of Clarion, Armstrong, or Butler Counties could not get to him as far as arresting him.” “He simply moved his boat into another county if he heard they were coming.” A couple of area historical websites can fill us in on Ben Hogan and his unique business style. The following is from https://parkerhouseproject.weebly.com/history.html. “During the oil boom, fortunes could be made overnight, and this attracted a criminal element to Parker. One notable character of those days is Ben Hogan. He was a prizefighter, bounty jumper, and blockade runner during the Civil War. He bought several flatboats and moored them in front of the town. On one, he kept a saloon and gambling joint. On another, he promoted a series of weekly prizefights, and on the third, he kept ‘filled with women of evil character and great physical attractiveness.” “‘Hogan’s Floating Palace of Pleasure’ had special entertainment particularly at 5:00 p.m. every day. It was mandatory ‘Bath Time’ in the river for the girls, and Hogan turned it into a hit feature. Men paid well for deck chairs positioned to allow a good view of the proceedings. There were also some hands-on interludes when, for two bucks, a gentleman could jump into the river and assist the bare bathers.” Oil Country Stories by Samuel T. Press reports this recollection of Hogan. Ben Hogan “Having read Hogan’s biography (1878), Asbury’s chapters ‘Sin Among the Derrick’ and ‘The Man from Hell’ (1942) and comments found in nearly a dozen other sources, it seems to be appropriate to recite a few of the escapades that were carried out by the roughs and witnessed by the oilmen of the day.” “Ben Hogan’s capers always made the news. As mentioned earlier, Hogan had executive ability, a fertile imagination, the drive to put a new project into motion, and, in general, the gift of entrepreneurship. Thus equipped, in 1870, he visited the new oil strike at Parkers Landing on the Allegheny River in Armstrong County. There were already some brothels and bars there, but Ben saw the place as ripe for competition. He opened a ‘sporting’ house, but he had a more grandiose plan in mind. A reform wave hit Parker but didn’t deter Hogan (Giddens, 1948).” “He set about remodeling a river steamer that had seen better days. It was 125 feet long and 30 feet wide, big enough to deserve the name ‘Ben Hogan’s Floating Palace of Pleasure.’ He then brought in a bevy (or two) of soiled doves, hired an orchestra, saw to an enormous stock of liquor. This was the first resort of its kind in America (Asbury, 1942).” “The Floating Palace was anchored in the center of the Allegheny River opposite Parker, and the clientele achieved entry by rowboat which ferried revelers back and forth (mostly forth). The Palace attracted great attention, and this included the authorities in Clarion and Armstrong Counties on opposing banks of the river. The Law in both counties was never synchronized, so if a raid appeared imminent by deputies from, say, Armstrong County, Hogan would move the Palace over to the Clarion County side.” “These dodge-em tactics worked as long as the lookouts didn’t get drunk or fall asleep. As a further precaution, Ben finally opted to buy a liquor license in Clarion County. The Clarion County Sheriff found this to be legal and furthermore didn’t feel obliged to safeguard the morals of riverbank people or take their complaints seriously.” “Still, Hogan found it prudent to move his Floating Palace out to the middle and over to the Armstrong side (there were plenty of customers there) from time to time.” SEE VIDEO ; http://www.exploreclarion.com/2018/06/28/ben-hogans-floating-palace-of-pleasure-part-of-history-first-gambling-riverboat-in-country/

Invasive insect species threatens PA multi-billion dollar industries by Aimee Lewis Thursday, June 28th 2018 While central PA has not been affected, scientists say it could be only a matter of time. STATE COLLEGE - An invasive insect species from China continues to grow in population size and it's causing big concerns for our local agriculture. Scientists said the Lantern Fly is a massive threat to Pennsylvania and Penn State is helping to spearhead control efforts. It was first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 in Berks County. It can now be found in 13 different counties. While central PA has not been affected, scientists say it could be only a matter of time. Heather Leach, a lantern fly expert, said it threatens grapes, hops, and wood; all worth billions of dollars in exports. Part of her job is to find out how to control and destroy the population. "We are doing research to try to find what natural predators the insect may have," said Leach. The Lantern Fly lays its eggs on hard surfaces, like wood and trees. Leach said populations inside the quarantine areas, all in eastern Pennsylvania, are so large that growers must constantly be spraying their plants with pesticides. The invasive insects are also great travelers, and can easily attach themselves to the bottom of car. Experts advise everyone to know what the Lateran Fly looks like, as well as it's eggs. Leach said everyone needs to do their part to stop the insect from spreading throughout the state. For more information, you can visit the PA Department of Agriculture's website. http://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/PlantIndustry/Entomology/spotted_lanternfly/Pages/default.aspx SEE VIDEO ; http://wjactv.com/news/local/invasive-insect-species-threatens-pa-multi-billion-dollar-industries