Emporium, PA -- In the Allegheny mountains of Pennsylvania, there is an isolated town where few people live but many amazing stories have been written. I'll bet you haven't heard many of these stories unless you grew up there too.
The total number of people who call Emporium "Home", will surprise you. They seem to be everywhere. You meet them here and there, hither and yon, in areas of the U.S. and even other countries where you least expect them to be. I call Emporium home too.
Our hometown sits in a valley about 50 miles from everywhere. Most mornings are cool and misty, no matter the season. The wide borough streets are quiet and at one time were lined with trees.
In the distance there may be the occasional bugle of a bull elk, screech of a hawk or howl of the encroaching coyote. The air smells clothesline fresh with no hint of farming but once in a blue moon, you may smell a skunk or two.
Emporium has the friendliest people, the most beautiful scenery and front porch swings that really work.
In Great-Great-Grandma's day, and over the last one hundred and sixty-plus years, many folks lived out their days, from cradle to grave in this wooded area. But lately, many have started their stories here and then went on to live their lives outside of the sanctuary of our hills. For the time they lived in the PA Wilds, they developed similar strong characters from the rural background, developed a great work ethic and an appreciation for nature and all God's creatures.
The telling of their stories is rare and important. That's why we must do it. Not biographies of the rich and famous, these stories are life essays of hometown folk who are real and unknown.
Remember, no matter who you are, you are famous in the hearts and memories of your classmates, friends and family who now live all over the world.