Trending
LEWISTOWN -- You have out-of-town guests coming for the weekend. What do you suggest they do while visiting Mifflin and Juniata counties?
Jenny Barron Landis, executive director of the Juniata River Valley Visitor's Bureau posed that question to three people she calls "local notables." Their answers will become a part of a regular feature on the bureau's website, www.juniata rivervalley.org, alongside a list of 11 local special interest tours for visitors or curious residents.
Writing the inaugural weekend itineraries were Rocco Pallotto, local radio personality, Mifflin County Commissioner Kevin Kodish, and the staff at Two Sisters gift shop in Mifflintown.
"These three are the first of a series I plan to continue each year," Landis said. "Next year, we'll add three more itineraries by three different notable people in the area."
New guest itineraries will be added each year, and all of the itineraries will stay on the website so they're there for any visitor to reference.
"Many visitor bureaus have itineraries on their sites to make planning a stay in their area easier. I thought it would be more fun to see what other people who live here think is important, fun or cool enough to share with an out of town guest," Landis said.
Here are some highlights from the first weekend itineraries.
Rocco Pallotto:
Pallotto takes a pretty laid back approach to the weekend: "I've always loved camping at Reed's Gap but, if the time of year isn't right, a stop at the Quality Inn would fill the bill. A pub and restaurant on location and shopping close by. Perfect."
He recommends breakfast at the Trolley Car -- and then a walk through a local park, like Rec Park or Kish Park, and then lunch at an OIP.
"Maybe a round of golf at Lost Creek in the afternoon before a big ol' meal at Harhsbargers Sub 'n Malt. A movie at the Miller Cinemas would cap a great day," Pallotto said.
Kevin Kodish:
The commissioner's itinerary focuses on the Kishacoquillas Valley, also known as Big Valley.
"The scenery is awesome, gentle rolling hills of some of the best farmland in America," he said, adding that the valley is home to a large Amish and Mennonite population.
"You will see dozens of horse and buggies, carriages and wagons on the local roads," Kodish points out.
"Enjoy roadside fruit and vegetable stands, orchards and visit Amish cottage industries, such as bakeries, furniture makers, quilt shops, chair caning, dry goods stores and more," he said.
Kodish offers a list of suggested sites to visit, from Belleville to White Hall to Allensville: Peight's General Store, Old Lathe Shop, Peachey's Dry Goods Store, Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society, White Hall Store and the Mennonite Heritage Center.
"If you are into antique fire equipment, you may want to stop by the Allensville Volunteer Fire Company, West Main Street, Allensville, and see a beautifully restored 1934 American LaFrance Fire Engine," Kodish added.
In addition, he said, "Big Valley has several antiques shops where one can find just about anything that is old or older. If you want to turn the clock back several decades, Big Valley is the place to do it!"
Two Sisters:
The staff of the gift shop in Mifflintown started their weekend on Friday night, and packed it with something of interest to everyone.