Pennsylvania grand canyon (Pittsburgh, Erie, Mansfield: sales, how much, buy)

[pabear]

Good luck with the traffic and make sure to spend your money in town... we need the tourism

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

Well we will be on our way up there a week from this Thursday to celebrate Valentines Day.

Hopefully I will be able to handle one Friday in Wellsboro, after fighting traffic to watch the Steelers parade this morning

[ki0eh]

I can recommend this store for hiking outdoors lovers: Wild Asaph Outfitters - Home It's better than what we have left in the Harrisburg area for that sort of thing.

[CosmicWizard]

wanneroo wrote:

I suspect there was some graft involved amongst negligence and some people should be doing hard time for it.

There are many low powered local politicians and many high powered politicians of national prominence in this category....all over the USA. Yet, we-the-people do nothing to have them removed from office and put behind bars where they belong. Instead, we re-elect the same band of criminals every election cycle. At leat the people of South Dakota recognized that they elected a criminal to office and voted him out at his height of power in 2004. Too bad Obama didn't put 2 + 2 together to figure that out for himself.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

wanneroo wrote:

I suspect there was some graft involved amongst negligence and some people should be doing hard time for it.

There are many low powered local politicians and many high powered politicians of national prominence in this category....all over the USA. Yet, we-the-people do nothing to have them removed from office and put behind bars where they belong. Instead, we re-elect the same band of criminals every election cycle. At leat the people of South Dakota recognized that they elected a criminal to office and voted him out at his height of power in 2004. Too bad Obama didn't put 2 + 2 together to figure that out for himself.

I think it's a shame that people who take public office to serve the people often only serve themselves or their own self interest. Much like our previous school board who forced through the building of a garbage $50 million high school we didn't need. The thing is so bad some are saying it may have to be condemned and torn down. I've heard various "stories" about the building of the high school and I strongly suspect there was a lot of graft and corruption going on with building it. It's a shame and pathetic we'll be paying for it for a long time.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

In my line of work I've traveled around to many communities in PA. Most communities have trouble marketing themselves, quite frankly.

But in Wellsboro you can pick up two different free publications (the Enjoy! and Mountain Home) that both carry the same message: "Retire to Wellsboro." (Or come be a doctor at the hospital, the retirees need those.)

The trouble is, the new school really didn't fit into that otherwise clear message. Retirees want low taxes. Then they can spend money at the cute stores.

I suppose one can still retire to the Northern Tioga SD which hasn't caught new-school-itis yet (fortunately for our place). Or capture nearby New Yorkers, my sister's half-acre lot in the Village of Painted Post carries with it $10,000 in annual property tax.

Mountain Home is an excellent publication and I think it does well because it focuses on interesting locals and businesses along with historical stories of interest. Last summer it started to seem to get a little full of itself and started getting too artsy and vague and I started to raise my eyebrows a bit. But the past few issues have been good and I think if they continue the focus on the interesting segment of people and businesses they will do well.

Interestingly they keep running those ads looking for doctors but I've heard from several doctors that applied that doctor jobs were not really on offer. Doesn't make any sense, but I hear the local hospital administration is terrible and if you are really sick it's wise not to go to Soldiers and Sailors.

I'm looking at purchasing a lot and building a small home and am questioning whether I really want to do that in the Wellsboro school district.

Also the new school never made sense as the population, especially the younger demographic, keeps shrinking.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by ki0eh

I can recommend this store for hiking outdoors lovers: Wild Asaph Outfitters - Home It's better than what we have left in the Harrisburg area for that sort of thing.

Thank you, I'm actually pretty familiar with all the businesses, including this one, because we go there quite often.

It's funny you mentioned that store though. We started our honeymoon off in Wellsboro last October. We visit Wellsboro at least twice a year. We encountered the most rude treatment on our honeymoon trip, really the first time we were ever treated that way while visiting. We went in to that store, and there was one girl running the store, she didn't say hello or offer to help us with anything, and when I tried to make small talk with her, it was as if she was in pain having to communicate with me. We went to the ski and bike shop because I was looking for a new freewheel for one of my bikes, and again, multiple employees were in their back room talking, even looking out at us, but would not come to see if we needed anything. We also had a bad experience at the Northwest Bank. So when we got back, I emailed the Chamber and made them aware of all these things. They asked my permission to contact all of the businesses whether it was a good or bad experience and I said yes. Apparently, one person was let go at one of the businesses and one business was "instituting new customer service policies" (which I thought was kind of funny) as a result.

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

Thank you, I'm actually pretty familiar with all the businesses, including this one, because we go there quite often.

It's funny you mentioned that store though. We started our honeymoon off in Wellsboro last October. We visit Wellsboro at least twice a year. We encountered the most rude treatment on our honeymoon trip, really the first time we were ever treated that way while visiting. We went in to that store, and there was one girl running the store, she didn't say hello or offer to help us with anything, and when I tried to make small talk with her, it was as if she was in pain having to communicate with me. We went to the ski and bike shop because I was looking for a new freewheel for one of my bikes, and again, multiple employees were in their back room talking, even looking out at us, but would not come to see if we needed anything. We also had a bad experience at the Northwest Bank. So when we got back, I emailed the Chamber and made them aware of all these things. They asked my permission to contact all of the businesses whether it was a good or bad experience and I said yes. Apparently, one person was let go at one of the businesses and one business was "instituting new customer service policies" (which I thought was kind of funny) as a result.

I don't think I've ever been into Wild Asaph before. I had my bike fixed at Country ski and sports and they seemed to do a good job at a reasonable price.

I have an account there at Northwest Bank and it is certainly not a cheery place at either branch in town. One time I had a $100 check someone had given me as a gift for my birthday and when I cashed it they had to bring the bank manager out and pretty much had to bend over & grab my ankles and have the rubber glove treatment. I try to avoid going in there as much as possible and fortunately most contract companies I work for do direct deposit.

Also sadly the Canyon Motel in town went bankrupt and closed it doors at the end of December. Apparently it has been bought at auction but have not heard anything about a reopening.

[scottrpriester]

Originally Posted by wanneroo

Also sadly the Canyon Motel in town went bankrupt and closed it doors at the end of December. Apparently it has been bought at auction but have not heard anything about a reopening.

Thats sad, that was the first place I ever stayed in Wellsboro, before I discovered bed and breakfasts. Lots of great memories.

I couldn't believe how many bad experiences we had in one stay, it's never happened before.

I have been with Northwest Bank since the late 90's. One thing I have always loved about that bank was you would get a great experience no matter where I went. We get treated well in the Pittsburgh branchs too. So we had a lot of money to deposit from wedding gifts, and we took that in to that big branch on Main Street. You could tell the teller didn't want anything to do with depositing all of the money we had. We also hoped to have my wifes name changed, and they told us "it would be better to do it at a branch where they new us", which no one at any of the Pittsburgh branches know us any better. So that experience was part of the email I sent to the C o C.

[ki0eh]

Originally Posted by wanneroo

Mountain Home is an excellent publication and I think it does well because it focuses on interesting locals and businesses along with historical stories of interest.

That is a great little paper and a nice advertising vehicle. Making it monthly to keep the quality up seems to have been a pretty smart setup. I've been working in fits and starts on a series of articles about the new trail I mentioned above, maybe I'll talk to them about putting it in there. I think it would fit in with their type of content.

Originally Posted by wanneroo

I'm looking at purchasing a lot and building a small home and am questioning whether I really want to do that in the Wellsboro school district.

I keep thinking that if we were actually to move up there for a job (silly thoughts, I know, there are no jobs for us), we'd give serious thought to moving to Elkland or Blossburg instead - more home for the money. Obviously for us rebuilding our camp into something livable could be an option too.

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

We went in to that store, and there was one girl running the store, she didn't say hello or offer to help us with anything, and when I tried to make small talk with her, it was as if she was in pain having to communicate with me.

Saturdays kind of is luck of the draw with the staff there. Weekdays you get one of the owners - they both thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and take great care in picking their stock. I've never been steered wrong on a recommendation there. One of them just is the kind of person who has good days and bad days, and having been there on both kinds of days, I can just about picture the interaction from your description. Still great people and a great store!

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

We went to the ski and bike shop because I was looking for a new freewheel for one of my bikes, and again, multiple employees were in their back room talking, even looking out at us, but would not come to see if we needed anything.

That is kind of an outdoors hangout, so again I can just about picture the interaction from your description.

Originally Posted by scottrpriester

So when we got back, I emailed the Chamber and made them aware of all these things. They asked my permission to contact all of the businesses whether it was a good or bad experience and I said yes. Apparently, one person was let go at one of the businesses and one business was "instituting new customer service policies" (which I thought was kind of funny) as a result.

In my experience with various communities, I am quite sure that an e-mail to the Wellsboro Chamber probably did have the reported results, and likely was less a waste of time than it would be in just about any other town. Maybe not at Northwest Bank, but then again I have not done business with a bank in fifteen years.

Originally Posted by wanneroo

I had my bike fixed at Country ski and sports and they seemed to do a good job at a reasonable price.

Not knocking those folks, but Oswald Cycle Works http://www.oswaldcycleworks.com/ in Mansfield is a great little bike shop, again better than anything I've found where I live most of the time. It's a bit odd that Mansfield has the college but generally Wellsboro has the locally flavored stores that elsewhere gravitate to college communities. Maybe if you could put the two together you'd have a real small town.

[pabear]

Again, this in the norm for the most part. This town in general, is made up of clicks. If you don't conform to one group or another then you remain an outsider -- Consequently, you are treated poorly, just as you all have mentioned. Even after living here for most of your life. Go figure! It is all a big name dropping, networking web of a society. I don't mean to come off as being so negative about this as I am sure this happens in a lot of towns. And I name drop whenever I feel the need to. It is all about status. -- A great place to raise children The schools are full of children with the same attitudes as this. Mine included I am sure.

Yes, and the Canyon Motel....where do I go to do my exercising now? I've gained 10 pounds over stress eating about it I know, I know...I could go to the new high school and use the new super duper fitness room for a fee... although again it is very clicky... for the lack of a better term. Then there is the Penn Wells, but this is where all of the elites and wanna be's have memberships and truthfully, I don't feel the need to be sucked into this either. What is a person to do? Buy an eliptical trainer for home!
I hope the new owners reopen the fitness center and soon before I need to go buy bigger jeans!

Originally Posted by wanneroo

I don't think I've ever been into Wild Asaph before. I had my bike fixed at Country ski and sports and they seemed to do a good job at a reasonable price.

I have an account there at Northwest Bank and it is certainly not a cheery place at either branch in town. One time I had a $100 check someone had given me as a gift for my birthday and when I cashed it they had to bring the bank manager out and pretty much had to bend over & grab my ankles and have the rubber glove treatment. I try to avoid going in there as much as possible and fortunately most contract companies I work for do direct deposit.

Also sadly the Canyon Motel in town went bankrupt and closed it doors at the end of December. Apparently it has been bought at auction but have not heard anything about a reopening.