Along a River in the Wilds

Today’s episode is with Jacque Martin, the superintendent of Keystone Central School District, which serves most of Clinton County and parts of Centre and Potter County. Given the length and breadth of our conversation, we will be releasing it as two parts. Pt. 2: For the second part of our conversation, we went into more details about the community and relationships within the community, as well as social and economic challenges facing local residents. As this was recorded over the summer, quite a few of these initiatives have been enacted already, and I look forward to seeing their outcome over the next few years! So far the goal of connecting with the community has been apparent in frequent articles published through The Express, as well as a strong social media presence. You can follow them on Facebook or Instagram by searching for KCSD. Music in this episode is by Lobo Loco, available on Free Music Archive

Today’s episode is with Jacque Martin, the superintendent of Keystone Central School District, which serves most of Clinton County and parts of Centre and Potter County. Given the length and breadth of our conversation, we will be releasing it as two parts. Pt. 1: For the first part of our conversation, we focus on how Jacque came to work at Keystone Central, then dive into the district’s new Comprehensive Plan, which was written as a collaborative effort with the community. Details of the planning process and more are available on the KCSD website: https://www.kcsd.k12.pa.us/district-forms-b96d6624 https://www.kcsd.k12.pa.us/comprehensive-strategic-plan-caad8a85 As this was recorded over the summer, quite a few of these initiatives have been enacted already, and I look forward to seeing their outcome over the next few years! So far the goal of connecting with the community has been apparent in frequent articles published through The Express, as well as a strong social media presence. You can follow them on Facebook or Instagram by searching for KCSD. Music in this episode is by Lobo Loco, available on Free Music Archive

Today’s episode is the first in our next set of episodes covering local Education. I spoke to Angela Harding with Keystone Central Foundation. Angela moved into the area in her early 20’s, fell in love and has truly dedicated herself to improving the lives of local residents. In exciting news, since our recording this summer, she has recently been elected as a Clinton County Commissioner, making her the first woman to sit on the commissioner board. The Keystone Central Foundation is a Pennsylvania 501c(3) in support of the Keystone Central School District - this includes schools in Renovo, Lock Haven, Woodward, Mill Hall, and Blanchard, which makes it one of the most spread-out districts in the commonwealth. Additionally, the two high schools are in Renovo and Mill Hall, which makes coordinating resources a challenge given their rather large geographic spread. KCF is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors, many of whom are former educators, business leaders, and community professionals. You can find more information about Keystone Central Foundation on their website https://www.kcsd.k12.pa.us/keystone-central-foundation-9e9e0d06 Music in this episode is by Lobo Loco, available on Free Music Archive

Summary: Today’s episode focuses on the borough of Renovo. I spoke with Tommy Tarantella, Jr., who is currently the Mayor of Renovo. We discuss current infrastructure work that is happening, the promotion of tourism locally, and how jobs and economic development intertwine to bring vitality to a region. We mention The Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park, which you can find and follow on Facebook. Along with Preserve, Renew, and Revitalize of Western Clinton County (aka PRR, which is a nod to the Pennsylvania Railroad that helped build this town), these and other groups, like Clinton County Economic Partnership, are doing their best to improve local resources, promote tourism, and pass down the history of the area. Music in this episode is by Lobo Loco, available on Free Music Archive

Summary: We're back! Today’s episode is with Revitalize Jersey Shore Area. I spoke with Tina Cooney, who is passionate about the community’s future and improving the experiences of both local residents and visitors to the region. Part of the reason for the delay between episodes, besides having a big exam week, is that this is actually a re-do of our initial interview from back in June, where we spoke for well over 2 hours. Quite a few projects have progressed for Revitalize since then, so we wanted to provide an update on all of those. If you want more local history, I’m certain that Tina would be happy to have you come along for a historical society event. Lou Bernard (whose name has been mentioned in every episode except for this one) actually helps out with their events sometimes! Maybe you can get involved in the bicentennial! You can follow Revitalize on Facebook for more information, or attend their public meetings on the first Monday of each month. They also recently made a Connect page that posts local events, so if you're looking for a hub that shares what's going on, check it out! Notes: Please subscribe for future episodes, and find us on Facebook at Along a River in the Wilds or on Instagram @riverinthewilds. Feel free to message us any questions or comments! Recommendations from the episode - Rural Matters, Dolly Parton's America, Strong Towns, Upzoned, It's the Little Things, Homecomers

Summary: On today’s episode we talk with Lou Bernard about local history, primarily that of Clinton County. We discuss the people, industries, and legends that have impacted our communities, and some of the efforts to bring new people into the region. Renovo 1983 & 1988 Links: https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1983/08/13/recession-swamped-susquehanna-town-clings-to-navy-buoy/511edbaf-42f5-4408-bc51-ce25346347a7/ https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1988-12-18-2659297-story.html Notes: Please subscribe for future episodes, and find us on Facebook at Along a River in the Wilds or on Instagram @riverinthewilds. Feel free to message us with any questions or comments! Additionally this week, we would like to promote the upcoming Ross Library Haunted Tour. Join Lou Bernard on Friday October 25 and Saturday October 26th at 7pm each night, with a second late-night tour on Saturday at 11pm, for an hour-long tour that includes some of the haunting and scary stories of Lock Haven. The tour costs $4, and proceeds will benefit the Ross Library. You can find more details on Facebook at Ross Library Adult Services. For more podcasts like this, check out The Homecomers, or any of the Strong Town network shows, including Strong Towns, It’s the Little Things, or Upzoned. If Lou’s talk of the supernatural appealed to you, check out the podcast Camp Monsters, which shares round-the-campfire stories of North American legends. They’re fun and easy tales to listen to on blustery autumn evenings, as nightfall comes earlier and we settle in for winter. Music in this episode is by Lobo Loco, available on Free Music Archive

Summary: In today’s episode we hear from Bob Rolley and Sam Eisenhart from Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. We discuss the role of Downtown LH within the community, focusing on their partnerships with local businesses, developing efforts to bring new people into Lock Haven, as well as ongoing fundraising projects that help the group sustain and continue their work locally. Notes: Please subscribe for future episodes, and find us on Facebook at Along a River in the Wilds or on Instagram @riverinthewilds. Feel free to message us with any questions or comments! Additionally this week, we would like to promote the upcoming Ross Library Haunted Tour. Join Lou Bernard on Friday October 25 and Saturday October 26th at 7pm each night, with a second late-night tour on Saturday at 11pm, for an hour-long tour that includes some of the haunting and scary stories of Lock Haven. The tour costs $4, and proceeds will benefit the Ross Library. You can find more details on Facebook at Ross Library Adult Services. And stay tuned for next week’s episode with Lou! For more podcasts like this, check out The Homecomers, or any of the Strong Town network shows, including Strong Towns, It’s the Little Things, or Upzoned. Given that it is October, if anyone wants small-town spooky fiction, I have recently been binging the show Unwell: a Midwestern Gothic Mystery, which is set in Ohio. It reminds me of radiodramas that our family would listen to during long winter evenings growing up, with sound effects and everything. Go check it out if you would like some seasonal fiction. Music in this episode is by Lobo Loco, available on Free Music Archive

Introduction to the Show Learn more about the three towns we will be talking about in Along a River in the Wilds, from founding history to current industries and outlook. Also hear a little bit about the upcoming guests who will join us to talk about the show. Promotions On Friday October 25 and Saturday October 26th at 7pm each night, and additionally on Saturday at 11pm, join Lou Bernard for an hour-long tour that includes some of the haunting and scary stories of Lock Haven. The tour costs $4, and proceeds will benefit the Ross Library. You can find more details on Facebook at Ross Library Adult Services. For more podcasts like this, check out The Homecomers, or any of the Strong Town network shows, including Strong Towns, It’s the Little Things, or Upzoned. Given that it is October, if anyone wants small-town spooky fiction, I have recently been binging the show Unwell: a Midwestern Gothic Mystery, which is set in Ohio. It reminds me of radiodramas that our family would listen to during long winter evenings growing up, with sound effects and everything. Go check it out if you would like some seasonal fiction. Music this week is by Lobo Loco, available on the Free Music Archive.

Introduction to the Show Learn more about the host, Rhianna Hibbler, and the area where she grew up that inspired her to start Along a River in the Wilds. Promotions On Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th, join Lou Bernard at Highland Cemetery at 7pm for a great historical tour. Donation is $5, and all proceeds benefit the Highland Cemetery. Also on Saturday the 12th there is a Ghosts and Legends of Central PA event being held at the Ross Library from 1-2pm with Norman Houser of Bellefonte. And stay tuned for a future episode featuring Lou, where we talk about local history and folklore! For more shows like this, check out The Homecomers, or any of the Strong Town network shows, including Strong Towns, It’s the Little Things, or Upzoned Music in this episode is by Lobo Loco, available on Free Music Archive.