On The Road With Elizabeth

ARTISTS’ TRAIL: ROUTE 45

2008-08-07T17:07:00.005-04:00

As the youngest of four girls, I certainly appreciate the connection that sisters can have. For our Artists’ Trail: Route 45 show, we were lucky to have the Garbers, a wonderful group of sisters from Philadelphia! The Garbers are also a close-knit family of four girls, however, one of the sisters was ready to have a baby so sadly we weren’t able to meet all four. But we’ve been assured by Amy, Lisa, and Kristy that they’d all share the adventure and laughs along the way…and boy, there was a lot to share! They were a hoot!

For my part of the adventure, I enjoyed a little bit of art and a little bit of terror! For the art side, I met a wonderful artist, Ziggy Coyle. Ziggy’s unique works of art which celebrate Rubenesque women in all sorts of scenarios, adorn her beautiful home. And as we learned, the homes of many notable people including Sir Elton John! In addition to the honor of watching Ziggy create works, I also learned that she is grandmother to the drummer of the band, The Killers!

And then I was in for a little bit of terror…at Camp Woodward! The camp is the place to go to learn all extreme sports including BMX biking, skateboarding, inline skating, and snowboarding plus other competitive sports like gymnastics and cheerleading. It’s an amazing place that has such a great energy and you wouldn’t believe the stunts that these talented athletes perform! Of course, I couldn’t visit a place like Woodward without getting a little adrenaline rush of my own. So I took a leap off the half-pipe and took the longest slide ride of my life – it was certainly thrilling and I could not for a minute imagine doing it on a bike…those guys are nuts…and very brave! I have a new found respect for all extreme sportsters – they take it to the limit to give audiences an amazing show!

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE POCONO MOUNTAINS (PT 2)

2008-07-28T16:48:00.002-04:00

So, you wanted to find out more about my Pocono Outdoor Adventure, yay! Well, since it was a show that celebrated the great outdoors, it seemed only fitting for me to “Take a hike!” And so, I did.

For the hike, I headed for the Pocono Environmental Education Center, better knows as PEEC. The Center is a wonderful place to spend the weekend hiking along some of the quarter million acres in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, kayaking and fishing, and spending the night in a curious looking cabin known as a Yurt. If you’re an outdoorsy type, or just want to give nature a try for the first time, PEEC is certainly a wonderful place to start.

But what would an outdoor adventure be without a trail ride atop a horse? So it was that I hit the trails at Mountain Creek Riding Stables. The slow-paced ride through the beautiful trails is enjoyable for all levels of riders and I highly recommend a stop along your travels in the area. The guides and horse handlers are very experienced and make you feel comfortable every step, or gallop, along the way!

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE POCONO MOUNTAINS (PT 1)

2008-07-21T15:51:00.004-04:00

Explore PA is all about finding adventure and excitement in your own backyard…luckily for me, we have wonderful travelers who are willing to jump right in and enjoy it. After all, doing too much activity isn’t good to keep a camera-ready face and hairdo on yours truly!

For our Outdoor Adventure: Pocono Mountain episode, we had perhaps the most energetic couple in Explore PA history. In fact, our travelers Jen and Tony took on so much big adventure, we had to make it two episodes!

The show features a new popular activity–the Adventure Race. It incorporates physical and mental challenges. While shooting at the MTEC Race just outside of Chambersburg, it was great fun to watch all the teams gearing up for a day of competition, which included hiking, biking, rowing and puzzles!

Of course, I enjoyed a little adventure of my own…check out Part Two of my blog to find out more!

Fairs and Festivals: Schuylkill County

2008-07-14T15:46:00.002-04:00

Ah, there’s nothing that feels more like “Americana” than a homecoming parade! In fact, the annual homecoming parade in Ashland, PA feels like it belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting. And perhaps what made the day even more special, was our wonderful travelers, the Leidigh family from Carlisle, PA. The Leidighs, especially their lovely daughters, were full of energy and made the homecoming parade so enjoyable! We danced away with a group Mummers, wore their crazy hats, and threw out candy to the hundreds of families who lined the streets for the annual event. We even got to meet Elvis! All in all, it was a wonderful day in Ashland!

But of course there’s even more to do in this area! Including a trip to Knoebel’s – Pennsylvania’s largest free amusement park. Or you can take a trip into the Pioneer Tunnel coalmine… be sure to bring a sweater, it’s chilly in there! And of course, a trip to where they have beer brewing beer since 1829, America’s oldest brewery – Yuengling.

In fact, what could be better? A trip to free amusement park, a ride through a chilly coalmine and a final stop for cold freshly brewed beer… sounds like a great day in PA!

ARTISTS’ TRAIL ROUTE 30 (LANCASTER/YORK)

2008-07-07T16:59:00.003-04:00

What I love most about my Explore PA travels is the fact that I am often introduced to long-held traditions that are brand new to me…which can be both scary and exhilarating!

During our trip along the Artists’ Trail Route 30 we made a stop at Lancaster Central Market – a traditional farmer’s market that was bustling with activity! Of course, when in Rome, you do as the Romans do…so it was only fair that I try some of the local culinary traditions, which to my chagrin included Souse. For those of you who don’t know what Souse is – it’s pickled pig’s feet! But luckily it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds – Souse is actually the consistency of sauerkraut and wasn’t too bad at all. At the market, I was also encouraged to try a homemade horseradish that had quite a kick! In fact, a dollop of the horseradish was placed on a piece of chocolate, which somehow has the ability to heighten the taste of the horseradish. And boy did it ever!!! My nose was on fire! But once again, it was a great (and funny) experience I won’t soon forget.

While in the area, I was also honored to meet and work with a superbly talented artist and master printmaker, Robert Patierno. Robert was so kind to open his studio to Explore PA and even created a special print for Explore PA that I was able to help with. In addition to working with Robert, I was also able to receive two of his prints that are framed and hang beautifully in my home – a piece of Explore PA that reminds me of what a fun day I had with such a talented artist.

Finally, I want to share that the Lancaster Arts Hotel is stunning! The boutique hotel feels like it was plucked right out of New York City or London and placed in Lancaster. The hotel is filled with amazing works of art from local artists – it’s like a museum within a hotel and I highly recommend a night’s stay if you are in the area.

All in all, another wonderfully artistic trip that has opened my eyes to the joys of exploring PA!

Explore PA gets buggy and more in Philly!

2007-09-06T17:09:00.000-04:00

As you may know, I have lived just outside Philly for around 13 years now. And as is the purpose of Explore PA, we like to bring people to new places they may not have seen in the state…and I am almost embarrassed to say, that despite my proximity, much of my Philadelphia experience was brand new to me!

Yes, it’s true. Until the day of our shoot, I had never made it to the Liberty Bell! But I am happy to report that I have remedied the situation with a visit to the Liberty Bell Visitor’s Center where I was able to talk with the friendly and knowledgeable guides about the history of the most famous bell in the land. Although as you may have learned last season on Explore PA, there is a full size replica of the Liberty Bell at the Valley Forge Memorial Chapel known as the Justice Bell. And I see that bell nearly every day as I drive through Valley Forge Park!

Another place I had the pleasure of visiting was the Philadelphia Insectarium…yup, a bug museum! I have to admit I was a wee bit wary of entering a place where the bugs have free reign, but after seeing that each insect was nicely housed in a protective home, I was a bit more relaxed…and strangely interested! In fact, I even mustered the courage to hold a Scorpion!

But perhaps the biggest highlight of this episode was my trip to the Reading Terminal Market to meet the Queen of Macaroni and Cheese – Ms. Delilah Winder. What an absolute delight and honor it was to meet Delilah. She became an instant celebrity when Oprah Winfrey declared hers to be the country’s best Mac & Cheese. And oh was Oprah right! The mac & cheese, not to mention the rest of her Soul Food menu will have you contemplating…” Should I get some more of this to bring home? I know I’ll be craving it later.” And indeed, you’ll be right!
Another very special part of this Explore PA adventure was the fact that my 12 year-old niece, Ryan was able to tag along for the day. It was such a pleasure to have Ryan along and it will always make this show extra special for me!

Explore PA hits the ‘Burgh!

2007-09-04T17:02:00.000-04:00

Of all my travels on Explore PA, I was most excited to finally visit the city of Pittsburgh. Since moving to the Chester County area over 13 years ago (yikes!), I have made many friends who originally hailed from Pittsburgh. And when these friends talked about home, I always sensed a great sense of pride for Pittsburgh. Of course, much of that pride surrounds their beloved sports teams, but even as a die-hard Philadelphia fan I can respect what it feels like to love your city.

What I really loved about Pittsburgh was the neighborhoods – in fact, it reminds me a lot of my original hometown of Boston. From the Downtown Cultural District to Little Italy in Bloomfield, Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods give it a small-town feel in the middle of a metropolis.

A few of the places I enjoyed were the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and PPG Aquarium – both were really impressive. But what I enjoyed the most was a behind-the-scenes opportunity to feed Zebra sharks at the PPG Aquarium! It was such a cool experience and likely a once-in-a-lifetime chance to pet and hold a live shark!

Of course, the theme of this particular Explore PA episode was a Pennsylvania Homecoming reunion in Pittsburgh. Specifically, we highlighted the 50th high school reunion of St. Benedict’s Academy. And what a delightful group of ladies and Pittsburghers we were able to meet. The ladies were all graduates of St. Benedicts who had returned to the area for the 50th reunion. I only hope I am as energetic and excited for my 50th high school reunion!
After visiting I can now understand first-hand why someone would be proud to be from Pittsburgh – it has a lot to offer in a nicely packaged city.

Pythons, giant turtles and the Blues…just an ordinary day in Lycoming County!

2007-08-28T13:23:00.000-04:00

I suppose when my Producer Heather asked me if I had any fears or phobias it should have raised a big red flag…but instead, I’ll admit, I was intrigued. What could they possibly have me doing in Lycoming County?

Well, I soon had an idea when I received my itinerary for our shoot and I saw that I would be visiting Clyde Peelings’ Reptiland in Allenwood. What an amazing place! There are thousands of reptiles, giant turtles, poisonous frogs, peacocks, emus, and more!
And luckily, reptiles weren’t on my short list of fears or phobias because upon my arrival I was adorned with a 16 foot Python! It was so heavy that there were three people helping to hold it! Reptiland has been an area favorite for years and Clyde himself has appeared with some of his many creatures on The Tonight Show! If you love lizards, crocodiles or snakes, and more, head to Clyde’s – it’s a total treat!

While in Williamsport, I was also guest to a one-man Blues’ show performed by Sean Farley, one of the many talented musicians that performed at the annual Billtown Blues Festival. In fact, Sean’s band “Black-n-Blues” took first place in March at the Billtown Blues Battle of the Bands which makes them a semifinalist in the International Blues Competition held in Memphis Tennessee in 2008. There will be over 100 bands from all around the world competing for first place. As you will hopefully see in the show, Sean is incredibly talented and his music is great…so we’ll be rooting for the band next year! To learn more, check out the band’s, MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/blacknbluesband
All in all, while a 16 foot Python might give some folks the blues…not me, in fact, I had a ball in Lycoming County!

It’s as delicate as a…chainsaw?

2007-07-23T10:59:00.000-04:00

I like to consider myself a creative person. Yet, it seems to me that the more Explore PA adventures I enjoy, the more I realize - I’m not that creative at all! And the place where I had this epiphany was at the annual Ridgway Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous.

The Rendezvous is an international festival where true artists join together, collectively pull their chainsaw chains and set about carving the most amazing works of art! It is truly a sight to behold as you witness an entire tree literally become a statue before you, or better yet, a grizzly bear – and the detail is incredible. And, since weather permits, there is also a great collection of ice sculptures.

The annual festival is the pride of Ridgway and certainly a worthwhile trip. In addition to the chainsaw carvers and ice sculptures there is a charity auction, activities, and lots of fun things to do in the local area.

I was lucky enough to be able to purchase two really unique birdhouses at the Rendezvous that are now displayed proudly in my home. And when anyone asks about them I always share the story of this wonderful and creative Explore PA adventure!

It’s an Explore PA first – a show so big it required two episodes!

2007-07-11T10:03:00.000-04:00

Yes, it’s true! Our trek along Route 15’s Artist Trail jammed in so many activities that it will take two half hours to share all our exploits!

During our travels along Rt. 15 – The Byway of the Arts – I had the opportunity to visit with many local artists who have made this area such a creative place. In fact, I was able to try my hand at some charcoal sketching while visiting the Perry Council for the Arts; it was also at the Council that I decided to leave the drawing to the experts – yikes, I’m certainly not talented in that regard!

But the creativity of the Rt. 15 area doesn’t just stop with art. It continues in the artistic nature of some everyday things too – like fishing and…motorcycles. If you have never seen a fly fishing fly – then you are missing out on little works of art. At Yellow Breeches Outfitters I was able to not only explore these little works of wonder, but I even got to try my hand at the sport of fly fishing! And while I didn’t catch anything, I certainly caught the fishing “fever” and can see why so many people find it enjoyable to wade in the water for hours on end. If you’re into fishing, a visit to the Yellow Breeches should be on your list – it’s one of the best trout fishing creeks in the country, if not, the world.

And if you’ve ever seen the show West Coast Choppers than you probably know just how artistic a custom-made motorcycle can be. But luckily, you don’t need to travel to California for a chopper of your own – a visit to Sinister Custom Cycles is all you need! In fact, Sinister’s work is so creative that it was recently featured at the Susquehanna Art Museum’s “Motorcycles and Art” exhibit. To see the hands-on creativity that goes into each handmade motorcycle is such a treat. And boy, are those motorcycles powerful…sitting and cranking up a chopper at their shop was totally intimidating…as you’ll see on the show!

If you are into art, the Rt. 15’s area is chock full of museums, artisans, and creativity that certainly have you getting in touch with your creative side.

Exploring the City Electric

2007-06-19T14:17:00.001-04:00

Did you know that Scranton is known as “The Electric City?” I sure didn’t, but a trip to the area soon got me up to speed on just why the city has this unique moniker. Turns out that Scranton was the first city in Pennsylvania to have a successful pioneer trolley line way back in 1887. And since that time, the city has shown much pride in its history and visitors are able to learn all about it with a trip to the area.
For this episode, we stayed at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton – a former railroad station converted into a beautiful hotel. The lobby was gorgeous and still held onto to the train station flair – if you are staying in the area, I recommend a “stop” right there! To get the full story on Scranton’s Trolley line history, I made the trip to the Electric City Trolley Museum. Here visitors can climb aboard authentic trolley cars, see a pictorial history of the area, and even catch a ride along the historic Laurel Line. And of course, as with most of my Explore PA adventures, I was a bit out of my element at a wine tasting at the Martini Grill in Scranton. Although I will say, being taught about wine and why you eat certain food with certain wines really opened my eyes and for that I thank Susan Hudanich from Il Vino Novello Co. Susan is a Certified Sommelier who works with local restaurants, like the Martini Grill, to educate customers on fine wine. If you’re like me and don’t think you’re much of a wine connoisseur, a short education about wine might be having you singing a new tune! All in all, my trek to the Electric City was educational, interesting, and very tasty indeed!

Don’t just “Leaf” it to us…Make the trip to the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival!

2007-06-18T12:09:00.000-04:00

One of the things I love most about Pennsylvania is the fact that we have four wonderful seasons to enjoy; and my personal favorite is hands-down – fall. That’s why a trip to the Fall Foliage Festival in Bedford was absolutely wonderful! The colors of the foliage are truly spectacular that it’s almost as if Mother Nature had painted the most beautiful canvas as a backdrop for the Bedford Foliage Festival and all of its splendor.

Visitors to the festival can enjoy live music, crafts, and kid’s interactive theater and of course, local treats during the event. It’s truly a slice of Americana to walk downtown Bedford on a brisk fall day – in fact, you may even feel as if you’ve walked into a Norman Rockwell painting.

In addition to the annual festival, the Bedford area had a lot more to offer its visitors including Old Bedford Village, Blue Knob State Park, and Boyer’s Orchards. You can even visit the home of Pennsylvania’s state toy…the Slinky!
If you love the fall as much as I do, grab your camera and your kids and head to Bedford for a wonderfully scenic day in beautiful PA!

All Aboard! Explore PA Highlights Pennsylvania’s Strong Railroad Heritage!

2007-06-18T12:08:00.000-04:00

The Mighty Pennsylvania Railroad is another example of our state’s incredible role in the building our country; and what better place to learn about PA’s strong railroad heritage than at the epicenter of it all – the famous Horseshoe Curve in Altoona, PA.

After a ride up the small mountain in scenic Funicular Incline, visitors to the Horseshoe Curve are literally surrounded by locomotives making the “horseshoe” turn. It’s an incredible view and even more impressive engineering feat to imagine the construction of these rails literally on a mountainside.

As you travel around the entire Altoona area, it’s impossible to not to see the strong connection that residents have to PA’s railroad heritage. Whether it’s a diner built from a historic railroad car, or a railroad themed hotel where guests are invited to sit and go “train-spotting” there’s no denying that there is a strong sense of pride in our state’s history.

While we visited the area, we also learned about the Rails to Trails program where abandoned railroad corridors are converted to scenic trails where visitors can hike, bike or ride horses along the beautiful river. It’s a wonderful example of preserving history while offering something new for local residents and visitors to enjoy.
If you’re a Rail Fan or know some little engineers who are loco about locomotives, I say “All aboard for a trip to Altoona!” You won’t be disappointed.

Rt. 6 – The Arts, Waterfalls, and a Whole Lot More!

2007-05-02T16:35:00.000-04:00

Once again, season 3 of Explore PA begins with a trip to discover the talent of our local artisans along Rt. 6, but we also admired and enjoyed the absolute beauty of nature that surrounds this region.

While our anniversary-celebrating couple, Amy and Grant, learned about the wonderful works of local Pennsylvania artists, I had the opportunity to discover the wonderful art of Mother Nature herself at the breathtaking “Niagara of Pennsylvania” known as Bushkill Falls. If you haven’t yet made the trip to this breathtaking spot, you should certainly consider doing so – it’s phenomenal. Located about 30 minutes south of Milford, the falls were discovered over 100 years ago by Charles E. Peters and his family continues to run the popular tourist spot today. There are trails that visitors can hike which bring you right up to the falls and the sounds and sheer beauty of nature is undeniable.

I also had the chance to learn about the French Azilum Historic Site which was built during the French Revolution by refugees escaping to the U.S. from France. Perhaps the most enlightening part of this historical spot was the fact that the “Le Grande Maison” which translates to The Large House was built by the refugees as a place for Queen Marie Antoinette to live after she escaped the Revolution. It wasn’t until weeks after the house was built that the refugees learned that the Queen had already been beheaded and that she would never inhabit the grand house built in her honor.

Finally, I was able to discover the wonderfully quaint town of Milford. A main point of interest here is the Dimmick Inn which is a historic home which today continues to operate as a restaurant and inn. They have live entertainment, wonderful food, and a great wrap-around porch for dining and enjoying the wonderful surroundings.

All in all, our trip along Rt. 6 revealed that there is so much to see and do in this wonderful area – and it’s another place I will add to my list to re-visit once again.

Pack your bags… Explore PA is heading out for Season 3 Adventures!

2007-04-26T09:35:00.000-04:00

Wow – I can hardly believe that Season 2 is a wrap and we are well on our way to exploring more fun and interesting places for Season 3! In fact, the first of our Season 3 adventures will premiere on Wednesday, May 2nd at 8 p.m. on WITF. So gather the family in front of the TV and sit back and enjoy all that Pennsylvania has to offer!

From travels on the Artists’ Trail along historic Route 6, to foliage festivals in beautiful Bedford County, to the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad and the biggest horseshoe you’ve ever seen – we are once again sharing all that makes Pennsylvania a wonderful place to live. But of course that’s not all…there’s an International Chainsaw Festival, Underground Railroad explorations, the Three Rivers Arts Festival and more!
So why not make Explore PA a weekly show where you can learn all about our great state? Better yet, gather your family or friends and come with us for your very own Explore PA adventure! We’d love to have you along. For more information on how you can be a part of Explore PA click here (http://www.witf.org/xpa/casting.htm).

CATCH ALL NEW EPISODES WEDNESDAYS @ 8PM BEGINNING MAY 2ND ON WITF-TV, Harrisburg.

Season 2: It’s a Wrap!

2007-04-26T09:33:00.000-04:00

Looking back now, it’s so amazing to reflect on all of the wonderful people I have met and all the adventures I was able to experience throughout our great state during Season 2 of Explore PA. In fact, I’m so proud to live and work in PA that I’m thinking of running for Governor! ; )

At every turn on Season 2, we discovered the arts, historical places, and some of the biggest festivals in the state, if not, the country. We also had a chance to celebrate homecomings with some wonderful (and historic) families from Pennsylvania.

It’s all been so fun, but there were some real highlights of the season for me. Perhaps the biggest highlight of all was meeting Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. All over the world, people know the famous weather prognosticator and I felt very lucky to have not only met Phil, but I got to pat him as well! And since I am a bit of a ham, getting dressed up in authentic Renaissance garb at the Renaissance Faire was such a hoot. Now getting dunked was a bit of a shock…but as they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do – or in this case, do as Queen Elizabeth and her crew!

But the real stars of Explore PA, and perhaps the ones that experience the most, are our travelers! And what a wonderful group of Pennsylvanians packed their collective bags and headed off for unknown adventures with us! That’s right! Our travelers are surprised with their Explore PA adventures upon arrival…and even when it was skydiving, our travelers were game (thanks to the Montoutes of Norristown for agreeing to that!). We are so happy that all of our families and friends enjoyed their trips, and most of all, discovered parts of PA that they otherwise may not have experienced.
And since there’s lots more ground to cover, history to discover, and artistic treasures to uncover we are on the road again. And Season 3 promises to bring even more to love about fabulous Pennsylvania!

It was a Boon of a Time at the Boone Family Reunion!

2006-08-18T12:49:00.000-04:00

It has been said that Daniel Boone was Berks County’s “gift to the west” for it was just a few miles from Reading where the pioneer woodsman was born and raised. Today, the Boone Family Homestead is perfectly preserved and a wonderful place to learn about this important contributor to American history and experience the life of early English and German settlers in Eastern Berks County. The homestead includes the Boone House, Blacksmith Shop, Barn, Bertolet Log House, Sawmill, Visitor Center, picnic area and trails…all of which sounds like a wonderful place for a family reunion!

And so it was as Explore PA joined in the festivities of the Boone Historical Society’s bi-annual reunion, which held its first ever reunion at the Pennsylvania homestead this summer. For the adventure, Explore PA followed Rexene and Richard Ornauer from Dover, Delaware. Rexene is a direct descendant of the Boone family and together she and her husband have been active members in this historical society. Needless to say, they were very excited to tour the beautiful grounds…and take part in some additional adventures we threw their way.

From my own personal experience, the Homestead was just beautiful and as with most of my Explore PA adventures, it’s a place I had never visited before. Aside from being incredibly picturesque, the Homestead also employs many knowledgeable guides who explain the history of the Boone family, give tours of the property, and help give you a great idea of what the Homestead was like back in the day of Daniel Boone.
Aside from visiting this new place, it was also wonderful to meet our travelers, the Ornauers. They were such a lovely couple and they were more than happy to be part of our adventure (including a plane ride!). But more than that, Rexene and Richard had terrific personalities...let’s just say that more than one camera take ended in laughter! It was such an honor to be a part of what was a very important part of their family’s history and we thank them for allowing us to capture every moment.

Extra! Extra! Explore PA hits the Road to Gettysburg, Meets a Talking Elephant and Makes Guests Jump Out of a Plane!

2006-08-14T10:53:00.000-04:00

Once again, Explore PA has taken me to another brand new place I had yet to discover which is why I love being a part of this show! For this “Spirit of Independence” episode, we hit the road to Gettysburg and explored places rich in history while of course stopping to see some local treasures.

The wackiest of all local treasures was certainly Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum. Literally a wall-to-wall collection of all-things elephant, Mr. Ed’s makes you realize how a simple hobby can become a lifelong career! The Museum has received much media coverage over the years, and it’s totally unique – especially with a talking elephant greeting you at the door! But aside from the vast collection of elephants, there’s also a great candy shop…that I of course had to visit too!

On this show, we also sent our travelers skydiving! Now, we don’t ordinarily throw our travelers out of moving objects, but Monica and Edwin were up for the challenge! I had been skydiving a few years ago, so I knew that they would love it…that is, once you get your mind around the idea of jumping out of a working plane at 15K feet. The footage is great and I’m sure it will be an experience they will remember for many years to come.

The historical side of the adventure took us to the battlegrounds of Gettysburg. Similar to Valley Forge where I live, Gettysburg is well preserved and a popular place to visit. It’s hard not to imagine what it was like in the Civil War as the knowledgeable rangers share the history of this historical landmark.

Another historical landmark we visited was the Fairfield Inn, which is where the defeated Confederate troops stopped while retreating south. The Inn was built nineteen years before the Declaration of Independence is one of America's oldest, continuously operated Inns! When you visit the area, it’s a great place to stop for a great meal and learn about its incredible history from it proprietors, Joan and Sal Chandon.

Finally, we discovered to true meaning of “hot off the press” with a visit to the Public Opinion Newspaper in Chambersburg. Like many things in our daily life, we tend not to think about all it takes to get things, like a newspaper, on our doorstep. Well, one visit here, and you can see what a big team and heavy machinery it takes to print the news. Truly impressive!

All in all, it was another great adventure on Explore PA and I have yet another location to check off my list of places to visit!

Visit Punxsutawney? Sure, I’d do it again…and again…and again…

2006-07-18T14:50:00.000-04:00

When I first found out that Explore PA would be going to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day, I was thrilled. Like most people, I had seen the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day some 13 years ago. But even back then, there’s was part of me that thought most of what was portrayed in the town was just movie sets. Boy, was I ever wrong. Punxsutawney is indeed a real place where everything is about the day when the seer of seers, the knower of knowers, the world famous weather prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil reveals his official forecast. The other 364 days of the year, Punxsutawney is a wonderfully quaint Pennsylvania town with a lot to offer visitors.

For this show, Explore PA followed the travels of five college seniors from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. This was the first time we’ve had a big group of friends on the show and it was great having such exuberant and youthful personalities. And luckily, as college students they keep sort of odd hours… so waking up at 2:00 a.m. to head to Gobbler’s Knob wasn’t too much trouble for them, especially since it included meeting world famous Punxsutawney Phil!

Wednesday, February 1, 2006: 8:00 p.m.
We arrive in Punxsutawney and from the moment you hit town, you can sense that something big is brewing… Everywhere you look there is a groundhog of some sort: huge ceramic ones (each with its own unique theme painted on it); on signs; in the names of stores; ice sculptures — you name it. It’s abundantly clear – we have arrived.

After a nice meal we head to our B&B…it’s going to be a long day ahead and we need some rest. We stay at Jackson Run Bed & Breakfast just outside of town and our hostess, Donna could not have been more welcoming. A longtime resident of Punxsutawney, Donna knew much about the history of the tradition, the famous Inner Circle and what it was like during the filming of the movie, so it was a real treat to get her first hand account. Plus, Donna made us all chocolate groundhogs, groundhog cookies and warm apple cider…can you get any more cozy than that? And good thing…it is February after all…brrr!

Thursday, February 2, 2006: 2:00 a.m.
So, we all wake up (that is, if you fell asleep…) and set out for our big day! As we drive there, I’m thinking we’ll be early and perhaps one of the first groups there. I couldn’t have been more wrong – the place was packed! I thought, “This is going to be quite an experience.”

So we head to the famous stage area of Gobbler’s Knob where members of the Inner Circle and volunteers entertain the ever-growing crowd for hours. [Incidentally, it was a week before the Superbowl, and as you may remember the Pittsburgh Steelers were headed to the big game, so in addition to Punxsutawney Phil, there was a huge undercurrent of Steeler pride with the “Terrible Towels” to prove it!]

During these chilly early morning hours, two of our travelers took place in a “Newlywed Game” on the stage and were victorious! Their prizes? You guessed it, groundhog hats!

Finally, it was time for the big moment. After a wonderful fireworks show (yes, fireworks at 7:00 a.m.!) the Inner Circle prepared for the big moment. Bill Deeley, Phil’s trusty handler, reached into the tree stump where Phil waited and held him up to the crowd of revelers! It was truly one of those surreal moments in life when you realize – we are all going crazy for a groundhog. But seriously, you really get swept up in the excitement. After the Inner Circle President translates Phil’s Groundhogese (yes, there’s a secret language – learn about it on the official Groundhog Day web site: http://www.groundhog.org/) he read Phil’s official forecast. Here was the 2006 forecast as we all heard with our very own cold ears:

It is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Around the country there are many imitators of me.
In Harrisburg there is Gus who appears on TVworking for the lottery.
Then all around town,Cute groundhog statues abound.

They all look like me, I found.
Today on the Knob as I'm doing my job,I don't like this likeness of me.
It's my shadow I see.
Six more weeks of mild winter there will be.

Needless to say, it wasn’t the prediction we were looking for…but Phil has never been wrong in 120 years, so who am I to question his forecast? In fact, despite the fact that I wasn’t happy with six more weeks of winter, I, along with hundreds of others, waited in line after the prediction to meet Punxsy Phil and pose for a picture. Hey, he’s been on Oprah! It was also an honor to meet Phil’s handler, Bill Deeley, who had announced his retirement after many years – put it this way, if you’ve seen a picture of Phil, then you’ve likely seen Bill with his steel glove holding him. (Because as cute as Phil is, he’s been known to bite…yikes!)

After the events at Gobbler’s Knob we head into town to continue to festivities. And what better way to celebrate than by grabbing a bite at Nick’s Corner Lunch? I had the honor of meeting Nick himself and enjoyed his famously delicious hamburger on a hot dog roll hot off the grill – yum! After that we shopped for souvenirs around town, went to the Barclay Square, saw Phil again, and enjoyed a sunny day in Punxsutawney.
In short, the whole Explore PA crew enjoyed a wonderful dose of hospitality, experienced a truly unique morning on Gobbler’s Knob, and finally, witnessed a piece of history…and it was all because of one furry groundhog. Thanks Phil!

Meet Elizabeth Jennings

2006-07-18T09:19:00.000-04:00

Born and raised in Boston, Elizabeth traveled to Pennsylvania for the first time to visit her oldest sister and her family and never left…that was eleven years ago.

Originally a stage performer, Elizabeth quickly learned that Philadelphia had a lot to offer in the way of entertainment opportunities. However, after booking a few commercials and industrial videos, she realized that while she loved acting, what she really enjoyed more, was just being herself on camera…so she changed focus to finding opportunities to allow her to do just that.
In 2004, through sheer determination and effort, Elizabeth achieved her first goal: to make it onto the home shopping network QVC, located in West Chester, PA. Since then, Elizabeth has been Guest Hosting and absolutely loves the thrill of being on live television.
Today Elizabeth gets to “explore” other opportunities and is extremely thrilled to have been selected to host WITF’s Explore PA series. “I am so honored and excited to have the opportunity to work on such a great project. And it’s funny; while I have lived and worked in Pennsylvania for eleven years, like many people, when I plan vacations I don’t always consider what is right down the pike in my home state. Since working on Explore PA, I have learned so much. Pennsylvania is rife with history, and has so much to offer year-round. I feel so privileged to share the stories of this great state.”
In addition to juggling her many roles both on screen and off, Elizabeth has been married for six years and resides in Valley Forge, PA with her husband, Alex and their English Bulldogs, Floyd and Finley.