Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Families.
Living Legacy
Turgid. The first time I can remember ever hearing this word, it was uttered by my father. Our family was on a river boat cruise on the Ohio River, and, as he peered studiously over the side, he declared that the water was particularly turgid that day.
By Ken Fendley5 years ago in Families
A Mother's Thoughts
As a 29 year old female, in my mediocre life, the struggles I go through on a daily basis are a living nightmare. I’m not just talking about normal life stresses such as money, work or even if I am parenting my four children right. The struggles I speak of, are that of my relationship whereas I dream about going back home, to when I was an innocent, doe eyed, 7 year old little tom boy. I dream of when life was simple, where I only worried about finishing building the treefort in which I fell through the unstable floor my brother and I built. Dreaming about my horse crashing through the fence and running to the neighbors to where the grass was literally greener for him on the other side. Time for me to snap back to reality, Time to brace myself for what’s to come.
By Serena de Delley5 years ago in Families
The Old Farmhouse
Josie looks to her Mother with a long expression on her face. " Mom why did we have to move from Ladoga? All my friends are there." Josie's Mom just looked straight out the front of the van as she drove. She took a deep breath in and out and replied " Well me and your Daddy didn't have any life insurance and after he died it took almost all our savings to bury him. We just didn't have enough money left to live in our house anymore. I was able to find another house to live in with what we had left. It wasn't easy for me to make this decision, I so wish we could have stayed in our home. I just can't afford it on my own. Just wait we will be happy in no time here, Think of it as a new adventure for all of us." Josie looked out her window as her Mom pulled on a gravel drive at the end of it she saw an old farm house with no paint and looks like it needed a lot of work. All Josie knew she felt homesick.
By Amy Martin5 years ago in Families
What Makes Smethport, PA Great
Hamlin Lake Smethport, Pennsylvania My 1997 Graduation Picture From Smethport Jr. Sr. High School Smethport, PA What can I say about Smethport, Pennsylvania? Well, its a very small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania near Erie, PA and Bradford, Pa and 2 hours south of Buffalo, NY. I was raised in this beautiful quaint town in a farming community part called Farmers Valley, PA as my paternal great grandparents, my paternal grandparents, my paternal uncle and aunt and my parents all lived there since the early 1900's and my father and my uncle and my cousin still live right beside each other. My maternal grandparents lived in the town of Smethport. I was raised there with my 4 siblings Heather, Kathleen, Colleen and Thomas Jr. and my parents Thomas Sr. and Noressa (my mother passed away in 2018) my father was a supervisor for the local gas company and my mother was a secretary for the local refinery (the refinery was first oil company, then made a piece for thermostats and now International Waxes which makes the wax for a popular candle company). My siblings and I attended Farmers Valley Elementary School in Farmers Valley until I was in 3rd grade and the new Smethport Elementary school was established in 1988 if my memory serves me correctly and my whole family and my paternal grandfather a janitor (in the 1970's) at Smethport Area Jr. Sr. High School, we were known as the Smethport Hubbers, as we were the wheel hub (hence HUBbers) of the region and other towns were the spokes of the wheel of the region. Our town of Smethport is very proud of are athletic sports and the athletes of SAHS and my family was in sports from the 1950's to 2005 and I, myself, was in Girls Golf, Weightlifting Club and Track n Field (field events) this town though is most proud of the Smethport High School Football Team. Whats around our little town? Our courthouse (pictured) was first established in 1807, however, it burnt down 3 times the current courthouse has been there since 1942 and has luckily has not burned down. There was a famous case in the 1800's about Ralph Crossmire that is now making this Pennsylvania's 6th most haunted place at the old Smethport Jail which was behind this courthouse, he had killed his parents, got tried but before sentencing he hung himself in the jail and promised to haunt the old jail forever, its now a museum with ghost tours. The other famous place of Smethport is the former Christmas Store (now a different business) but it was so loved by the community it had the best Christmas items! We have a lake? Yes, it is called Hamlin Lake! It's the beauty that makes Smethport! (pictured) My maternal grandparents had their house near the lake and it was great going to the park and have picnics! There are also, so many great churches in the community and they are so helpful to the community! There is sparcity to job availability unless you travel to your job for 30 minutes or more and most people do travel for their jobs. But that's the least of the spectacle of Smethport, they have the best restaurants, especially what is called The Tasty Freeze which has been there since the 50's and still loved for its hoagies, french fries, sundaes and milkshakes, its been a staple for people living there and traveling through. One last thing that's great is we have the McKean County Fair and its the most joyous time and great activities to see and participate in especially the Monster Truck Show, Racing and Amusement Rides and our great farming animals! I best not forget to mention and pay homage t0 Smethport's Wolly Willy!! This is what makes Smethport, PA so great to travel to or live in and I now live in Grand Island, NY but I really miss my hometown and the great things about it, especially the people who live there, its like a hometown family!
By Danielle K. Murphy5 years ago in Families
Becoming
I opened the door to the the Quetzal Café, immediately I am wrapped up in the nostalgic aroma of fresh baked Conchas' and spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate. Scents I were familiar with back in my homeland but were a rare treat due to my family's impoverished status. The café is dressed in colors and fabrics like a woman of wealth and class, but the atmosphere is equivalent to that of a tight embrace from your Abuela.
By Morgan Addy5 years ago in Families
My Hometown Legacy
Just like everyone else, their hometown has special meaning to them, for me…it is and always will be my heart and soul. It is not only where my whole existence started but where my family legacy will always be. You see, my mother made history in our small town. She ran for political office and became the first woman to become a city official in our town and actually made the Congressional Records when she passed away.
By Always Amy XOXO5 years ago in Families
The Identification Process
As we know from psychology that boys and girls experience a phase where "boys desire to be around boys" and "girls desire to be around girls". They do this because they are trying to learn about themselves. They want to make friends and understand their place within the world. It is an identification process that happens naturally during childhood. They want to learn about their gender. Families have to create an atmosphere for this development as children learn to be their individual within their world. This type of play is normal in humanity. Even though animals reciprocate some instincts that cause them to choose to around their same gender. This mimicking behavior is what other living beings have shown throughout history but humans have been the most prevalent and effective in this evolution of the mind. Human beings learn first from copying those around them.
By Distinguished Honorary Alumni Dr. Matthew Primous5 years ago in Families
