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A successful start to a new beginning here in Wellsboro; Christmas on Main Street. This year’s maiden voyage brought many from near and far to enjoy the shops, games, artisans, and musicians. From Friday to Sunday there were many opportunities for the entire family to experience the joy and warmth of a small town during the Christmas season.

I had a chance to give a short tour of some of the activities happening this past Saturday. The tour started out at the historic Penn Wells Hotel where we caught the sounds of the Irish folk dance band Kilkenny Krew. Before leaving the Hotel, we captured local artisan Kathleen Schnell of Cottage Glassworks in the lobby doing a demonstration about her work with fused glass.

Off to the new Mountain Home Magazine’s offices and art gallery on Main Street featuring many local artists of the area. This visit was an opportunity to meet Wellsboro resident and photographer Linda Stager. Linda was Mountain Home Magazine’s first featured artist in their new art gallery. She was offering custom orders of her popular snow globe prints. While there, Linda took a quick picture so I could have my very own snow globe print! We also spoke to Michael Capuzzo, co-editor, and publisher of Mountain Home Magazine about Linda’s photography. Linda is also the author of Pine Creek Rail Trail Guidebook.

We had a wonderful visit with Lori Beckwith of Senior’s Creations and Main Street Olive Oil Company. Lori showed us a number of wood products created by her husband Rick, and many outstanding local wood artisans. A newer addition to the store is Main Street Olive Oil Co. Rick and Lori have it well stocked for their customers with over 26 flavors of olive oil.

The next stop on our tour; a place where children of all ages go to have fun and play games – Pop’s Culture Shoppe! Gamers and shoppers were delighting in the wonderful atmosphere of the Christmas season having fun with owners, Anja and Julian Stam.

We ended our tour at Dunham’s Department Store where we met an artisan from Wyoming who grew up here in Wellsboro. At one time, Greg Hoke’s parents owned the West End Market. He came as a glass blowing vendor for Dickens and stayed for Christmas on Main Street out of his love for the area and his past friendships with Ann Dunham Rawson and Ellen Bryant. This year he was selling glass Christmas ornaments and hopes to return next year introducing some new products.