Related Links
The Laurelight Windber Hospice Benefit Gallery
Windber Hospice
The Greater Johnstown Saddle Club
Windber Hospice Horse Show
Ole 97 Johnny Cash/June Carter Tribute Band

Contrary to the opinions of a vocal few, there is a variety of activities to enjoy in and around Johnstown, PA. I took a few hours a while back to visit the Windber Hospice Benefit Horse Show held at the Greater Johnstown Saddle Club in Salix, and sponsored by the Saddle Club and the Golden Star Horse Farm of Windber. Admission was free, food was good, competition was exciting, the entertainment was first-rate and it was all for a good cause. It is a rare individual in the region whose life has not been touched, directly or indirectly, by the good works of the Windber Hospice.

This year’s event took place over two days and offered Jumping, Games and Performance competitions, as well as a poker ride and a benefit auction. Musical entertainment was provided, in part, by Ole’ 97, the Johnny Cash, June Carter Tribute Band. Keep your eyes on the saddle Club and Hospice links above for info on future events and how you can help support the Hospice.

Theres a new message board community in Johnstown. Check out the Johnstown Buzz. Be forewarned: moderation is minimal, and the Philistines are likely to try to run the asylum, but there will be rules, boundaries and limitations (thank you Cesar Milan). That’s the Johnstown Buzz, or http://johnstownbuzz.com.

This isn’t your father’s Windber. It seems that, ever since the hospital told the Memorial mega-medicinal conglomerate where to stick it, this town has been redefining it’s character, and I’m giving serious consideration to moving there. They’ve got great people, low taxes, some very cool bars, their own theatre, and they know how to throw a party. They’ve even got their own vampire convention.

Three weeks ago, the En Brothers (Glen and Ken – no relation) and I took the World-Famous Walking Bar Tour (another post for another time) on a road trip to Windber . Since then, I’ve been back 4 times. This past Friday, it was for the Inaugural Friday Night Cruise In: classic, antique, and state-of the-art muscle cars and hogs lining Graham Avenue, jams in the Gazebo by Day Well Spent, and beer by the Windber Fire Department. Clear skys, a beautiful sunset, and a typical good-natured Windber crowd all contributed to the good times.

There was a time when this sort of thing drove the authorities nuts. Even today, in Lancaster, driving up Prince Street or down queen Street, you can see the signs forbidding “passing this point three times in one hour.” Some towns still don’t like this activity. But progressive Windber has embraced it, and they’re reaping the rewards.

Sponsors for the (almost) weekly event include Conzatti’s Market, Rizzo’s Restaurant, and the Windber Hotel. I know there are more, and as soon as I get back there, I’ll get a handle on the details and repost for you. They’ll be doing this all summer long, but it’s not exactly every week. They’re skipping Memorial Day weekend, but coming back the following week. Anyone who can add more info, provide links to other sponsors, or who can help identify the cars in the photos, leave your comments below. You can check out the photos from here / / /, or click the galley link at the top of the post, or the 2009 Galleries link at the top of the page.

Related Links:
The Laurelight Big Oaks Gallery
The Front Porch Country Band
Green Valley Recording
The Midlife Cowboys
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Scores of hidden gems are waiting to be discovered in Pennsylvania’s Southern Highlands. One of these little-known jewels is the music and arts fest presented annually on Ridge Road by Dan and Geeg Eash. Of course the Eash’s use the event to showcase Dan’s hand-made pottery, but the primary purpose is to give back to the community and share their joy of music, antiques and the good life with neighbors, friends and friends-to-be.

Entertainment at the 2008 event included Dr. Gary Stoner, OB/GYN, singer, songwriter, member of the Midlife Cowboys and composer of the song Johnstown Pride, written in the wake of the 1977 Johnstown Flood; and Richard & Alison Rupert, singers, songwriters, members of the Back Porch Country Band, and proprietors of Green Valley Recording Studio. Dan Eash, as well as gracing the crowd with a tune, provided a pottery demonstration during the course of the day’s activities. Geeg was everywhere, organizing, introducing and worrying a little more than she needed to.

It was a wonderful afternoon, complete with flawless performances of classic country and bluegrass tunes, beautiful and original pottery, spectacular scenery, and the sort of friendly, casual company you would expect of a Highlands gathering. To top it off, the Eash’s are gracious hosts, going so far as to babysit for several months a piece of equipment forgotten by a neglectful photographer. I look forward to a similar event this year.

Just a quick thanks to deslockdarkstar for dropping a Laurelight link into his blog. Kind of an appropriate time and place to mention it what with draculacon going down in Windber this week. Hope to bring you some photos of that over the next few days.