Massive Blog Round-up (Part 2)

....Continuing on with part 2 of our massive mailbox clean-up, here are blogs that were sent in from December 2016 - May 2014. If some of these are duplicates, my apologies! It's growing increasingly difficult to shuffle through our extensive blogroll. Now that the mailbox is all cleaned up, feel free to send any suggestions to us via nepablogs@gmail.com. We would also love to connect with you on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nepabloggers/


Tim Maloney
https://maloneyofnepa.com/
Tim Maloney is a 20-something queer Muslim based out of the Wyoming Valley. As an activist and blogger, he has a passion for advocating nonviolence, sex positivity, and social justice. Tim graduated from Keystone College with a BA in Communication Arts & Humanities. In 2016, he received the Best Life Blog award at NEPA BlogCon’s Blog of the Year Awards. Maloney was also the 2017 recipient of the Susan Merrill Constance Kozel Award by the Interfaith Resource Center for Peace and Justice in Wilkes-Barre.

Deadicatedfans.com
http://deadicatedfans.com

Michael writes "I lived in West Pittston, PA most of my life before moving to DuPont, and now Forty Forty, PA. It's a website dedicated to die-hard fans of sports, movies, gaming or comics, with plans to expand into tech and music."

Oat and Sesame

https://www.oatandsesame.com

Emily writes "My kitchen adventures take place in sunny Flagstaff, Arizona. By day, I’m a staff member at Northern Arizona University. My free time is spent cooking, gardening, enjoying the great outdoors + squeezing kitties! Oat&Sesame is a place to share recipes, promote conversation and conjure up some creative inspirations!" Emily wrote to us back in August of 2016. At the time she lived in Northeast PA (Scranton), it seems that she's taken her adventures on the road to Arizona!

Jenny Kile's Kardects and Mysterious Writings

http://kardtects.com/blog/

http://mysteriouswritings.com/

Jenny has been a huge lifesaver with helping plan NEPA BlogCon over the last few years and she even did a few guest posts on our blog. The Kardtects blog focuses on creative ways to build structures (read: paper cards!) and her Mysterious Writings blog is about the art of treasure hunting.

Waverly Community House Archives

https://wcharchives.com/

From the mailbag: "My name is Gia Reviello and I am the Comm Classroom & Archive Director at the Waverly Community House. I stumbled upon your website while searching for blogs in the NEPA area and thought it was a great resource! I started the Waverly Community House Archive Blog in February of 2016 and was wondering if you would take a look at it? I am attempting to gain more general interest and get the word out there to those interested in local history." As of this writing, the WCH Archive blog is still going strong!

Amy Fedele's Bullzeye Design & Pretty Purple Door

http://bullzeyedesign.com/news

http://www.prettypurpledoor.com

Amy lives in Old Forge, original from Moscow (North Pocono). Bullzeye Design focuses on small business startup and entrepreneur tips and tutorials. Pretty Purple Door is her DIY / Home Renovation blog.

 

Luke and Life

http://lukeandlife.blogspot.com/

Luke writes "I'm from Union Dale PA.  I've just recently began following your page on fb, and have been reading some of the featured blogs.  I plan to attend the NEPA BlogCon this year.  I'd love for you to check out my blog." This blog appears to be mostly dead, but I'm linking it in the hopes that Luke will find his way back to blogging.

 

Henry Smith's Cottage

https://henrysmithscottage.wordpress.com

"A blog about photography with occasional rants on life"

Sadly, there hasn't been any activity on this blog since 2016. Come back! Blogging misses you! 

Victorian Wanna Be

http://victorianwannab.blogspot.com/

Another abandoned blog, but there is so much charm in what is posted, that I couldn't help but to link it. "I work for a local Estate Sale and Garage Sale Company and have way too much fun with that! In my free time I enjoy going to auctions and searching Antique malls and flea markets for Victorian treasures. I am constantly trying to "Victorianize" my 1989 home with these treasures. I love to decorate, create vignettes and enjoy staging photos."

Berks Plastic Surgery

https://www.berksplasticsurgery.com/blog/

Dr. Reedy's is a plastic surgeon in Berks County. If you're looking into having work done, check out this blog for more information. *though TECHNICALLY Berks County wouldn't be considered NEPA*

C.T. Sneak

https://ctsneak.wordpress.com/

Chelsea writes "I was wondering if my blog might be able to be added to NEPA Blogs. I'm a new blogger, and I'm apprehensive to say that my blog is political. I write about what I think about current politics, but my underlining concern is social justice." This blog is still very much active.

Sally Black's Vacationing Blogs

https://www.vacationkids.com/diswithkids-blog

https://www.vacationkids.com/vacations-with-kids

Sally Black, much like Jenny Kile (her blog is linked above), was a TREMENDOUS lifesaver for NEPA BlogCon over the years. She works primarily as a travel agent and has traveled far and wide. She knows a thing or two about vacationing with your family and has even published a book about it. She also spoke at NEPA BlogCon 2016 and has also helped along the way with guest posts. 

The University of Scranton SBDC Blog

https://scrantonsbdc.wordpress.com/

The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides educational programs and no cost, confidential consulting services to entrepreneurs looking to start a small business or grow an existing small business in Bradford County, Lackawanna County, Monroe County, Pike County, Susquehanna County, Tioga County, Wayne County, and Wyoming County in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania French

http://pennsylvaniafrench.blogspot.com/

"Re-Painted, Re-Purposed, Re-loved"

Pamela writes "If Mt Bethel counts as NE PA, would you consider adding my blog to your list?"

 

Brandon Lipani's Blog & Podcast

http://thetechnologygeek.org/

http://podcast.thetechnologygeek.org/

As you can tell from the titles of both the blog and podcast, the focus is technology driven.

And lastly series of Northeast PA authors with blogs....

“Giving History a Heartbeat” by Cindy Noonan, author of Dark Enough to See the Stars, soon to be published by Helping Hands Press: http://www.CindyNoonan.com

“Penned Without Ink” by Sarah Lynn Phillips, http://www.SarahLynnPhillips.com

“BUT-Kickers: Growing Your Faith Bigger Than Your ‘BUT!” by Sherry Boykin, http://www.SherryBoykin.com

That's it kids, the current mailbox is now at 0! I promise I won't allow it to get that out of control again!

From the Mailbag: 2 from Aimee Waltman (and a shameless plug)

I've been corresponding through email with Aimee Waltman of Watsontown this weekend about her blogs and wanting to be included on the blog roll here on NEPA Blogs. Technically, Watsontown is in Northumberland County and according to Wikipedia (citation needed), it is considered part of Northeastern PA.  At any rate, whether you agree or disagree with this will be irrelevant when you see the beautiful pictures that are posted in these blogs!

Hi my name is Aimee Waltman.  I am the author of 2 blogs and I live in Watsontown, PA.  I was wondering how I would go about being included on your site? 

They are: Here & There -  http://hereandtherepa.com/ or http://hereandthereandback.blogspot.com

and Dear Harper - http://dearharperblog.blogspot.com/.

Look forward to hearing from you, 

Aimee

The Here & There blog features photography of historic places throughout Pennsylvania. 

From the about:  I have a (possibly unhealthy) fascination with local history and all things "old." This blog is photo based because that is what I enjoy most. I usually add a fact or two to describe the location and why I chose to photograph it. I will occasionally do a larger post if the subject warrants.

The Dear Harper blog is a photography and inspiration blog.

From the about:  I am a work in progress, learning as I go. This applies to all the things I do and love: parenting, photography, blogging. Always focused on the next level, never perfection. Life is better when it's a little messy, right?

You can now find both of these blogs on the side blog roll.


Also, don't forget, tomorrow night is the NEPA BlogCon Kick-Off party for this year's conference.  It is a free event with appetizers, door prizes and networking with the local blogosphere.  You can read more about it here.  We hope to see you out there! 

The Williams Chronicles

Don Williams blogs at (and is) the Susquehanna River Sentinel. Late last week he posted this on his blog:

My Aunt Sandy - my father's youngest sister - was from my perspective the ultimate Williams/Stewart family historian. I truly believe she threw almost nothing away. In the months ahead, for those that stop by my newest blog, you'll come to understand what I mean by "almost nothing". 

In boxes and folders and albums taking up a sizable corner in our basement, I have become the willing recipient of roughly ~130 years of "stuff" that chronicles the lives of my ancestors and contemporaries who were born and raised in (primarily) northeastern PA before heading off to continue their lives elsewhere. 

In order to share these mementos with members of our expanded families from coast to coast, I've created another blog - The Williams Chronicles- which will afford 24/7 access to all of the pics and documents that I've recently begun scanning.

Don's new blog can be found here:

http://spiritof76chronicles.blogspot.com/
The Williams Chronicles

It's a fascinating project, one that could be replicated by countless people everywhere. How many of us have access to old family photos, letters, and newspaper clippings? How long until those photos fade, and those letters and clippings crumble into dust? By creating this blog, Don is preserving and sharing historical artifacts of his family, allowing family members (and others) to see things they might never have seen otherwise. What's to stop the rest of us from doing the same?

Three Christmas blogs

We've got three blogs on the NEPA Blogs roster that are specifically dedicated to Christmas. Are there more out there in northeastern Pennsylvania?

The first blog I want to mention is one we haven't actually showcased yet, though it is listed on our sidebar. It's called Locate the Lights, and it's a blog dedicated to connecting you with the biggest, brightest, and best Christmas light displays in Northeastern Pennsylvania! This site has recently been featured in local newspapers. Watch for it on WBRE's PA Live! on Tuesday, December 11!

Locate the Lights
http://www.locatethelights.com/


The second blog is one that was mentioned a while ago, and is by crafter, decorator, and Christmas enthusiast Debbie Dabble! She has two blogs, but this one - A Debbie-Dabble Christmas - is dedicated entirely to Christmas! Debbie Dabble is into Christmas in a huge way. Visit her site to marvel at her amazing decorations, or to get decorating ideas for yourself - or if you don't feel like decorating for Christmas, just leave her site up on your computer and you'll be ahead of the game! Look for this blog to be featured on PA Live! on Tuesday, December 18!

A Debbie-Dabble Christmas
http://adebbie-dabblechristmas.blogspot.com/


The third blog is no longer updating, because it has done its job already. We first mentioned Scranton Christmas Windows, 1938-1960 way back in 2009, and we featured this blog as the Blog of the Week on PA Live! in December 2011. It set out to post all of the photos of the Christmas windows of Scranton that were uncovered in a trove some years back, and they accomplished this in just a few months. But the blog remains, featuring all of these amazing images!

Scranton Christmas Windows, 1938-1960
http://scrantonchristmas.blogspot.com/


So there you have it: three NEPA-based blogs that focus exclusively on Christmas! Are there more? Let us know!

The Forgotten Coal Industry of NEPA

Having grown up and lived and worked most of my life in Northeastern Pennsylvania, it's hard to imagine the coal industry ever being forgotten. Its mementos are all around us: the decaying structures, the long-repurposed mansions of the Coal Barons, the culm banks, the scarred land, the poisoned streams, the occasional mine subsidence, and the need for residents to purchase mine subsidence insurance. But some people have forgotten - or, living outside the "Coal Region" that is concentrated in the Wyoming Valley, have chosen not to pay attention to this history at all. (And in Marcellus Shale territory, history is repeating itself.)

Ed is taking care of that with his blog.

This page is dedicated to the coal industry of NEPA and to make sure it doesn't become a forgotten piece of our past. As an explorer, most my explorations are of abandoned coal mining related buildings, I do stray away from that at times though. So much of the industry has been lost. Most of the collieries are long gone but some still have buildings that still stand to this day, some abandoned some used.

The Forgotten Coal Industry of NEPA
http://theforgottencoalindustryofnepa.blogspot.com/

Coal mine exploration, like other explorations on abandoned sites, can be dangerous and even illegal. Ed doesn't encourage anyone to try this stuff on their own. Instead, just visit the blog and let Ed show you the things he has found. And never forget the Coal Industry of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Lattimer Massacre Project

And now a blog about a dark incident in Northeastern Pennsylvania's history. One of many.

From the "About" page:

The Lattimer Massacre Project is a collaborative endeavor which aims to recognize the historic events surrounding the Lattimer massacre, a tragic incident that changed the labor movement and impacted the world by bringing to light economic disparities and ethnic tensions in the anthracite region of Pennsylvania.


This is a way for the public to make the Lattimer massacre recognized by national and international audiences, through contributions from all the communities involved. We welcome photos, stories, history, maps, website links and anything else you would like to add to the Lattimer Massacre story, relaying to the broader public its place in history.


Lattimer Massacre Project
http://lattimermassacre.wordpress.com/

PA Live! Blog of the Week: Cheri Sundra's Blog

NEPA Blogs will be presenting a "Blog of the Week" on the WBRE's PA Live! every Tuesday. PA Live! airs weekday afternoons on WBRE from 4:00 to 5:00.

Watch this episode online at the PA Live! site:

http://pahomepage.com/palive-details/?nxd_id=226012

Our PA Live! Blog of the Week this week is Cheri Sundra's Blog (http://cherisundra.wordpress.com/).

Cheri Sundra is a photographer who is fascinated with ruins, abandoned places, and the forgotten history of Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Time, decay, and vandalism all work to gradually chip away at the past, and Cheri is grabbing visual records of those places that are all but forgotten. From Concrete City in Nanticoke to the once-thriving but now vanished Kirby Park Zoo, from the relatively recently closed Angela Park to the rapidly decaying Croop's Glen Amusement Park in Hunlock's Creek, Cheri makes a record of those places that have been, for the most part, left to rot. In some cases, like the Huber Breaker in Ashley, there is an effort under way to stop the decay; in other cases, photographs and memories will soon be all that is left.

Northeastern Pennsylvania has a long history that goes back hundreds of years, to before the founding of this nation and even thousands of years before that. Some of that history is still with us; some of it is now known only to archaeologists. And some of it is in an in-between state, passing from the ruins that are still with us to the point where nothing recognizable will remain. That's what Cheri is working to capture.

Do you know of any secret, hidden places that are passing away forever? If you have a camera and permission to be there, and if you can do it safely, why not grab some images while there's still time? And then why not share these records of our region's past with the rest of the world. If you decide to do it, let us know at nepablogs@gmail.com!



If you have a blog you would like us to link on NEPA Blogs, or know of a blog you think we should link, please let us know! You can always drop us a line at nepablogs@gmail.com!



All are invited to meet the bloggers of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Spring 2012 Blog Fest on March 30, 2012 at Rooney's Irish Pub in Pittston! Stay tuned for more details!

Pa Live! Blog of the Week: Framing Faith

NEPA Blogs will be presenting a "Blog of the Week" on the WBRE's PA Live! every Tuesday. PA Live! airs weekday afternoons on WBRE from 4:00 to 5:00.

Watch this episode on the PA Live! site: 

http://pahomepage.com/palive-details/?nxd_id=220832

Our PA Live! Blog of the Week this week is Framing Faith ( http://framingfaith.blogspot.com/ ).

Population shifts and financial troubles have made parish consolidation a fact of life for many of the Catholic churches in the Diocese of Scranton. Parish consolidation has left churches that have been parts of the landscape of Northeastern Pennsylvania for a century or more empty, shuttered, dismantled - and in some cases, demolished.

Framing Faith is a blog that spotlights ten parish churches that were closed due to consolidation, and the communities that made up those parishes. It features excerpts and photos from the book of the same name. The images are stunning, and the stories heartbreaking; each parish was a creation of the community, a labor of love often by people of a particular ethnic group that reflected their particular customs and traditions. As the years have passed those ethnic identities have gradually eroded, and the closure of each parish and its associated church has slammed the door on some of those identities forever.  Framing Faith provides one last look at these churches, and preserves the stories of the people who worshiped there.

Framing Faith was a project of the Lackawanna Historical Society. The text was written by Sarah Piccini and is accompanied by photos by Ivana Pavelka and four student photographers. The blog serves two functions: It is a promotional tie-in to the book of the same name, but it also serves as a stand-alone showcase of the images and stories that preserve the history of these now-closed churches.

Northeastern Pennsylvania is changing around us, whether we like it or not. While we may not be able to stop this change, all of us have the ability to preserve the old world before it passes by capturing it in words and images. If you can tell a story or take a photograph, you can play a part in preserving the heritage of this area. Why not preserve these words and images on a blog? It's easy, it's fun, and it's free. Just stop by a site like blogspot.com or wordpress.com and get started!


If you have a blog you would like us to link on NEPA Blogs, or know of a blog you think we should link, please let us know! You can always drop us a line at nepablogs@gmail.com!


All are invited to meet the bloggers of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Spring 2012 Blog Fest on March 30, 2012 at Rooney's Irish Pub in Pittston! Stay tuned for more details!

If You Can Play Scranton

If You Can Play Scranton: A Theatrical History, 1871-2010 (http://ifyoucanplayscranton.blogspot.com/) is a blog that's also a tie-in to a book of the same title by Nancy McDonald. From the entry "About the Book":

If You Can Play Scranton is a theatrical history of America as seen through the famous performers who came to Scranton, Pennsylvania. It discusses performances by the best known actors and actresses of the tragic and comic stage, ethnic performers, vaudevillians, musical comedy, concert, orchestra and band performers from 1871-2010. At the turn of the 20th century, Scranton was one of the most famous try-out towns for legitimate stage productions. The sophisticated taste of its audience, created by extensive exposure to world renown talent, continues to this day.

If You Can Play Scranton captures yet another aspect of the rich history of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The book can be purchased directly through the blog (in six different formats!), but the blog also provides a wonderful sampling of what lies within. If you're not familiar with Scranton's long history of theatrical and vaudeville performances, pay a visit to If You Can Play Scranton and see a world you might not believe was once right here in Northeastern Pennsylvania - and still is!


If you've written a book about a topic of interest in Northeastern Pennsylvania and don't have a blog tie-in, you're missing an excellent opportunity for promotion and sales! Create a blog for your book, and then let us know about it at nepablogs@gmail.com so we can list it!

Carl Abraham and his fascinating News Media Tribute Site

I want to preface this blog post by saying ahead of time how shocked I am that this website has never made it to our blogroll sooner (As an aside, his webpage is not a blog, but I strongly feel that it still deserves a spot on our blogroll).

(From LinkedIn) Carl Abraham is the Assistant News Director at WNEP-TV for those of you that don't know. A few years ago, through doing a Google search for WNEP, I came across his webpage - which can be found at http://www.carlabraham.com.

The webpage is broken out into the following sections:

Carl's Scranton PA Homepage - There are a bunch of photos showing the downtown landscape and how it has transformed with the various constructions projects that have happened over there years.

WDAU-TV Tribute Web Site - A pictorial page of WDAU-TV (*ahem* now referred to as WYOU-TV)'s cast and crew. If you look hard enough, you can find David DeCosmo author of the "No News Is..." blog which is linked on our blogroll.

WNEP-TV Tribute Web Site - The WNEP Tribute Web Site section has the same feel as the WDAU website section, except (you guessed it) with WNEP cast members. I spy with my little eye....blogger Jennifer Wade and A. Pal in some of the photos posted, although, I'm sure there are many more faces you will will recognize.

Scranton St. Pat's Parade - Aerial photos of the city during the parade and various marchers along the parade route with some brief commentary about the parade.

**There are also links to a Genealogy Page and a NY Mets Fan Page

I think the page is worth a look if you haven't already as it is a historic look on NEPA's media presence and landscape and how it has evolved over the years. I sincerely hope that Carl keeps updating the "virtual museum" (as I like to call it) with pictures so we will always have a way to remember the past.

Have a great weekend everyone!
~M

Jim Thorpe, PA

After watching WBRE's news at 6pm tonight, I learned all about a Town-Wide Sidewalk Sale occurring in Jim Thorpe this weekend. I wanted to learn more about the event and the details so I could announce it on the NEPA Blogs Twitter page (as I do from time-to-time).

Jackpot!

I came across the Jim Thorpe, PA Wordpress Blog. You can find out all about the history, tourist attractions and upcoming events in Jim Thorpe. I'm not sure if you have ever been to Jim Thorpe or driven past it, but it is quite the charming little town. The blog is linked from the main JimThorpe.org website where you can find even more information about Jim Thorpe. I hope that you take the opportunity to check out the blog and website. I will link them both from the sidebar!

By the way, if you are interested in attending the Sidewalk Sale in Jim Thorpe this weekend, you can read all about the details of the event here.

(Or if you are too lazy...see below)

Jim Thorpe, PA hosts its fifth annual Merchants and Neighbors Sidewalk Sale. If you are looking for a great bargain, finding some fun stuff or hidden treasure, than come to Jim Thorpe’s Historic Downtown District Saturday July 9th and 10th, 2011. Noon to 5 PM, rain or shine – come and make a day of it.

Franklin's Family Restaurants Reunion

Franklin's Family Restaurants Reunion
http://franklins-restaurants.blogspot.com/

A place where alumni can reconnect, share images and what have you

Franklin's Family Restaurants was part of a fast-vanishing aspect of American life: the locally owned chain of restaurants.*  This blog is written by a former short-order cook, assistant manager, and general manager who came into possession if a treasure trove of memorabilia and plans to share it online, along with many years of personal memories.  If you ever worked there, ate there, or just vaguely remember the place, stop by Franklin's Family Restaurants Reunion to reminisce!


*Shows you what I know!  I've already learned so much from this blog!