Community leaders, groups, business owners, county commissioners, and state legislators joined the PA Route 6 Alliance in Honesdale on October 10th-11th to participate in the organization’s 2024 Educational Workshop, Annual Meeting & “Do 6” Awards presentation.  

During the Educational Workshop on Thursday, October 10th, participants learned how outdoor recreation can unite various communities, attract and retain residents, and engage community members. PA Humanities and Community Heart & Soul demonstrated their unique method of resident storytelling that leads to community engagement. During the panel discussion, representatives from the Lackawaxen River Trails, PA Humanities, Community Heart & Soul, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, PA Council on the Arts, DCNR, and DCED answered questions relating on how communities are connected through outdoor recreation economies. 

Following our morning session at 6th & River, we embarked on a Fall Foliage Excursion to enjoy the scenery and have lunch aboard the Stourbridge Line. Local historian Jeff Hiller provided insights into how the preservation of Honesdale’s locomotive heritage has contributed to the local economy. Attendees had free time to explore downtown Honesdale before joining local leaders for a walking tour to learn more about current projects happening in the area. The day ended with a fun networking reception at Runaway Train Brewery. 

The Annual Meeting and “DO 6” Awards took place on Friday, October 11th at 6th & River. Nathan Reigner, Director of Outdoor Recreation at DCNR, our Keynote Speaker, addressed statewide initiatives aimed at unifying, growing, and strengthening Pennsylvania’s outdoor industry to bring about economic, health, and conservation benefits across the Commonwealth. PA Humanities and Community Heart & Soul presented the impact of Action Plans within a community, and how outdoor recreation fits into it. The Alliance delivered a summary of this year’s accomplishments and next year’s goals and recognized a select six outstanding individuals and groups during the annual “Do 6″ awards ceremony. These individuals, organizations, businesses, and corporations embody the mission of the PA Route 6 Alliance, which is to protect, preserve, and enhance the scenic, cultural, historical, and recreational resources of Pennsylvania’s northern tier.” 

2024 "DO 6" Award Winners

Artisan of The Year: Pop’s Culture Shoppe

Heritage Partnership: Fort Leboeuf Historical Society

Heritage Leadership: Jane Varcoe

Heritage Tourism: Milford Hospitality Group

Lifetime Achievement: Jason Krise

Heritage Community of the Year: Kane

• PA Route 6 Event News
• PRESS RELEASE - 2024 Annual Meeting & "DO 6" Awards
• 2024-2033 Commonwealth Economic Development Strategy: Ten-Year Strategic Plan for Economic Development in Pennsylvania - Referenced by Nathan Reigner
• See Event Photos

PA Route 6 Alliance would like to thank our Planning Committee, sponsors, and funding partners who made this event possible!

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In partnership with the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NTRPDC), NADO, the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University, and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center will be hosting a full day in person workshop focused on supporting and growing active transportation efforts in rural communities. The event is hosted as part of ongoing technical assistance programming supported by funding from USDA Rural Development. 

The event is being hosted by Commonwealth University- Mansfield on October 29, 2024 from 9am to 4:30pm in Room 307, Alumni Hall, 71 S. Academy St., Mansfield PA, 16933.

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Pop's Culture Shoppe - Wellsboro, PA -Tioga County

2024 Artisan of the Year

Pop’s Culture Shoppe provides a space for community members of all ages to enjoy games both old and new. Anja and Julian Stam’s hospitality keeps guests coming back. They are active community members and host the annual Wellsboro Comic Con. Anja and Julian started the Wellsboro Comic Con in 2022 as a way to thank the community for supporting their store, Pop’s Culture Shoppe, through 10 years of business. The Comic Con has since drawn thousands of attendees to celebrate “Classic Comic Creativity Wrapped in Retro Rural Charm.” Though organized and sponsored by Pop’s, the Wellsboro Comic Con takes place across multiple indoor and outdoor venues, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the cultural and economic prosperity of the town by drawing visitors to cultural institutions such as the Deane Center for the Performing Arts, the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center, and the Arcadia Theatre, as well as local retailers, restaurants, and hotels. In 2024, the Wellsboro Comic Con eliminated ticket sales, becoming a completely free festival focused on a mission to bring top-tier comic creators to Wellsboro without limiting who has access to meet and learn from these artists. Guest creators have visited from New York, California, and Ontario, and presented on topics including storyboarding, publishing, and cartoon-making. Using “Classic Comic Creativity Wrapped in Retro Rural Charm,” the Wellsboro Comic Con enhances the natural, cultural, scenic, recreational, and historical resources that Wellsboro and the surrounding area have to offer. 

Heritage Community Resources:

Pennsylvania Downtown Center

Preservation Pennsylvania

Historic Barn & Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania

America Walks

"Pine Creek Rail Trail Guidebook"

PA Route 6 Alliance is a 501 (c3) non-profit, and 100% of every purchase made through our online store goes toward our mission to conserve and protect the historical heritage of PA Route 6. Your support is much appreciated!