Dear Franklin, WV:
I had the good fortune to be raised in a small town called Portville, which is situated right on the Pennsylvania border in the western end of New York State. The population of the village was around nine hundred people and another 3,500 lived in the surrounding town of Portville. Dodge Creek flowed through the town and emptied into the Allegany River where we would catch carp using strawberry doughballs of all things! My dad was a teacher at the high school and later served for 30 years as a magistrate and judge for the village and town. My mom was a librarian for the Portville Free Library on Main Street for 30 years. We had a single traffic light that blinked after 8:00 p.m. each evening. There was the Park N’ Shop Service Store for groceries and the Portville Drive-In Theater for our entertainment during the summer months.
Regretfully, on a recent trip back to my hometown, I found so much had changed. I came to the realization that the only connection I had left there were the graves of my parents and a brother in Chestnut Hill Cemetery found on the same street I grew up on.
Twenty years ago, I bought a small cabin in Sugar Grove. Since then, I have been spending time in the Franklin area and realized that I have a new “adopted” hometown thanks to the people and places there. For instance, just a few years ago, a tree came down and ripped the electric service completely off my cabin. I was a bit desperate since it was wintertime, so I grabbed the pole and went to Potomac Hardware in Franklin. Lo and behold, Gabe and crew rebuilt the entire mast right on the floor of the store…who does that anymore? People in Franklin, WV that’s who.
I recently was given several cases of pristine hardcover books through the estate of a good friend who passed. I met Walt Johnson at the Pendleton County Library who was eager to have the items for the many book sales they have each year. And the “Friends of the Library” volunteer group sorted through twenty-six cases of books…who does that anymore? People in Franklin, WV, do.
Fast forward to just a few weeks ago when I walked into Pendleton County Outdoors and met Jason and company. Due to another estate closing, I came into possession of some black powder rifles and turkey hunting gear. I told him I was not as interested in selling these items if he had a better idea for putting them to good use. Sure enough, Jason calls a contact in the West Virginia Wild Turkey Federation who was elated to have them for their annual youth-focused outdoor education events called Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship (JAKES) Day. Jason wanted assurance that youth from Pendleton County would be the primary beneficiaries of these donated items, and he got it…who does that anymore? People in Franklin, WV, do.
This past week, a sweet beagle-hound found me by flagging my truck down on Sugar Grove Road. After numerous attempts to find an owner in the vicinity, I brought her to the Faithful Friends Animal Clinic with the good Bowers doctors and their caring staff. (I have yet to go by the clinic without seeing donations for Pendleton Animal Welfare Shelter (PAWS) stacked on the porch…cat litter and kitten food are always needed if interested). We checked six-month-old “Suga” (since she found me on Sugar Grove Road and I have a friend who calls everybody that…) for any identifying marks or chips, but to no avail. Enter Jason from PCO with a lady named Danita on his phone who specializes in rehoming dogs. So, she agrees to take Suga and asks the Bowers doctors to begin giving her vaccines and other meds and put it on her account. We ended up splitting the bill, but what a team effort with Pendleton County Outdoors, Faithful Friends Animal Clinic, PAWS, and Danita…who does all that anymore? People in Franklin, WV, do.
Some other reasons (but not all) why Franklin is my adopted hometown. How about T & K Markets with their selection and service? Just like the “Park and Shop” I grew up with, the staff is always friendly and willing to help. I was in the store recently, and admiring the fresh meat rack, when a gentleman behind me said, “If you don’t see what you want, just press that little button by the door and I will get it for you.” There was no doubt of his sincerity…who does that anymore? People in Franklin, WV, do.
The Pendleton Times is my favorite read of the week. Stephen Smoot is a gifted writer who gets a lot of practice. His humor is often couched in the reporting, which I find quite entertaining. He is certainly talented enough to join a larger paper in a larger market, yet we continue to enjoy him and his work…who does that anymore? People in Franklin, WV, do.
I sent my friends a picture of the front page (above the fold) of The Pendleton Times announcing the opening of Warner’s Drive-In for the summer. They, like me, were treated to some fond memories of the Portville Drive-In we grew up with. Now with the foresight and the expansion of venues there, it has become a community staple like no other. Who does that anymore? People in Franklin, WV, do.
I will wrap up this letter by thanking the many citizens of the Franklin, WV, area for filling the void of a lost hometown with kindness and acceptance in finding a new one.
Greg Sullivan
Sugar Grove
