Alliance Schedules Annual Member Meeting    by Darlene Eaton, Membership Coordinator 

   Guest speakers will be Jay Layman and Paula Vitz of Capital Associates, Inc., of Harrisburg.  This firm has been an invaluable resource for the Alliance in dealing with issues at the state level.  Several local businesses that the Alliance assisted in 2008 have benefited from their expertise. 

   Attendees will hear a report about the Alliance's projects during 2008 and a preview of what is in the Program of Work for 2009. 

    Members will be recognized and annual awards will be presented including the Volunteer Vision Award, Heritage Stewardship Award, Economic Development Champion Award, and Tourism Support and Dedication Award.  

   If you are a member, we hope you can attend.  If you are not, please call 814-677-3152, extension 117, for information about how you can "be part of it." 

Scouting the Proposed Three-Mile Trail Extension within Oil Creek State Park     by Kim Harris, Project Manager
 
   Oil Creek State Park already boasts 9.7 miles of paved recreational trail that begins at the Jersey Bridge trailhead near Drake Well Museum and runs south to Petroleum Centre adjacent to the Park office.  This scenic trail takes recreational users past historic sites of the 1860s oil boom era, many of which are interpreted through historic markers.  Trail users not only learn about historical aspects of the area; they are also provided the opportunity to discover the wide abundance of wildlife and environmental features of this beautiful region.  
   Plans to extend the recreational trail from where it currently ends at Petroleum Centre south three miles to Rynd Farm, the southern boundary of the Park, have been in the works for quite some time.  At Rynd Farm the trail will connect to the McClintock Trail (see the related article in this edition of The Gusher).  Preliminary design documents for this proposed section of trail were completed in 2003 by Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. of Pittsburgh.  The proposed route primarily follows the railroad corridor, passing many of the historic sites located within this area of the park, such as Columbia Farm,the Tarr Farm, and numerous oil well locations.
   Working to construct and/or support construction of trails within the ORNHA, recently the Alliance Heritage Development staff joined members of the DCNR staff to scout this proposed three-mile section of trail. 
   Although the purpose of the outing was to look at the proposed route of the trail and to take into consideration the drainage situations, width of the current rail bed, and other items that need to be considered for trail construction; the participants were taken by the beauty of the scenic views and pleased by the number of historic sites that are observed from the proposed trail. 
   The participants of this scouting event agree that the proposed route is not only conducive to all levels of trail users, but the history and natural beauty available along the route is absolutely spectacular.
   In the next several weeks, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources engineering unit will walk the proposed route to verify the placement of the desired paved trail surface, maintenance access points, etc.

HeritagePA Publication Features Alliance Project and Photographs  by Marilyn Black, VP, Heritage Development 
 
    "Best Practices of HeritagePA" is a new publication assembled by the 12 Heritage Areas across the Commonwealth.  HeritagePA is the professional association comprised of the managers of the heritage areas, plus representatives of key advocacy organizations and agencies. 
    The front cover of this full-color, 26-page booklet shows an autumn view from Kennerdell Overlook along the east bank of the Allegheny River in southern Venango County.  This picture was taken by Alliance Project Manager Mike Henderson.  Additional photos from within the Oil Region appear on pages 18 and 19. 
   Within the category of wisely investing in heritage preservation, the Alliance is recognized for reprinting oil history books.  The booklet provides a summary of the project details, partners, costs, 18-month time table, outcomes, and advice for others who may be considering similar projects. 
    The foreword in this booklet is a letter by Brenda Barrett, Director of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  An introductory letter is also provided by Jane Sheffield, President of HeritagePA and Executive Director of the Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area.  The writing, design, and printing of this publication was supported by grants from DCNR and the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. 
    Complimentary copies of "Best Practices of HeritagePA" are available by contacting Marilyn Black, Alliance Vice-President for Heritage Development, 677-3152, Ext. 105; mblack@oilregion.org.  The document is also available on line at www.heritagepa.net.         

Oil History Workshop to Focus on the Celebration of Pennsylvania's Great Oil  Companies    by Toni Kresinski, Events Manager

   The Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism will continue the Oil 150 celebration with a workshop focusing on the oil companies that have had a large and lasting impact on Pennsylvania and the nation.  Working from oil company memorabilia and historical text, local author and historian Neil McElwee will host this ninth annual Oil History Workshop to be held at the Oil City Library from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on two consecutive Saturdays, February 7 and 14.   
    Mr. McElwee is a seasoned speaker and published writer on the early history of oil.  He will lead the group through an understanding and appreciation of the major refining and related production companies strongly identified with Pennsylvania.  The oil firms covered will include the Atlantic Refining Co., Galena-Signal Oil, Freedom Oil Work-Valvoline, Pennsylvania Refining Co., Empire-Wolf's Head, South Penn-Pennzoil, Pure Oil Co., Sun Oil Co., Gulf Oil Corp., Quaker State Corp., Crew-Levick-Cities Service, United Refining Co., L. Sonneborn Sons-Witco Chemical-Amalie, Kendall Refining Co., and American Refining Group, Inc.  He will use props including a collection of rusty old oil cans to tell the story of the companies that helped to shape the region's history.  
   Act 48 approval has been granted for the workshop; educators who attend may receive credit for their attendance.
   Reservations to attend the workshop are requested.  The cost to attend is $25.  For reservations or additional information, contact Toni Kresinski, Alliance Events Manager at (814) 677-3152, ext. 110.
 

Final Phase of Barkeyville Replica Derrick Underway

   On December 30, sealed bids were received from six potential contractors to complete the final phase of the 32' replica oil derrick project at the Barkeyville Industrial Park along I-80. This phase of the project includes the removal of trees already cut down, which remain on the site immediately surrounding the derrick. Removal of this downed timber will make future brush clearing possible. Also included in the contract will be the removal of trees, brush, and shrubs within the PennDOT right-of-way along the interstate. This final bit of clearing will give the new derrick high visibility from motorists passing through the area, both eastbound and westbound. 
   On January 15, the firm of J.J. Wurst of Erie was selected to perform this work which is expected to begin in early February, contingent upon snow cover, and should take about two weeks to complete.