Priceless Ways to Spend Mother’s Day in the Allegheny National Forest Region

BRADFORD – There are plenty of opportunities to show some appreciation to your mother this Mother’s Day in the Allegheny National Forest Region, whether it’s creating a craft together, shopping for some bling or sipping some wine.

Mark off the weekend of May 12 and May 13 for mom and treat her to something special here at Trail Central, located in northwestern Pennsylvania, just 90 miles south of Buffalo, N.Y.

You won’t need to needle mom into going to this great little store. Keeping Ewe in Stitches, at 10 Chestnut Street in Bradford, is a wonderful place to pick up your knitting and crocheting supplies and you can even start a project to take home with you.

Call Doris at 814-331-4860 for details.

Another crafty place is Paper to Pages at 20 Congress Street, Bradford. This unique craft store also has classes that can help you create memories that last a lifetime, as well as a place to keep those memories.

Here, you can learn about scrapbooking – including getting all the supplies for it – and can also create a photo scrapbook. Call 814-368-2530 if you’d like to take a class.

And what mom would not want a treat from Miss Maggies, a great place to pick up jewelry, purses and scarves at reasonable prices.

Miss Maggies, located at 241 East Main Street, Bradford, is a one-of-a-kind place where you can find a one-of-a-kind accessory. New shipments come in from Los Angeles and New York weekly. Call Bonnie at 814-362-4277 to find out what’s in store.

After working up an appetite, treat mom to a burger and a shake – and a step back in time – at Burgers & BBQ. Here, poodle skirts are not mandatory, but you wouldn’t exactly look out of place with one on either.

Located at 1020 E. Main St., in Bradford, Burgers & BBQ is the home of the pulled pork burger and serves fresh cut chips with each sandwich. This 50s-style restaurant offers the ambience Betty Boop and Elvis as well as curbside service.

After a morning in Bradford, travel to nearby Kane, about a 30-minute drive, to indulge in herbs, art and wine.

ArtWorks at the Depot at 1 South Fraley Street, conveniently located at the intersection of Route 6 and Route 66, is an artisan cooperative set in a restored 1873 railroad depot.

Enjoy, and possibly buy, some artwork made at the hands of local artisans. Be sure to check out the selection of Holgate Toys, which were once manufactured in Kane. The regular season starts Memorial Day weekend so call ahead at 814-837-8752 for an appointment.

Enjoy a tranquil experience at Edgewood Herbs, at 89 School St. in Kane. Indulge in some specialty made herbal vinegars and handmade soaps after a garden walk here. This is a truly wonderful experience for all of your senses.

Call ahead at 814-837-4832 to see about the gardening and herb classes offered.

After a full day shopping and crafting with mom, “wine” down a little bit by stopping at the Flickerwood Wine Cellars & Lounge. Located at 309 Flickerwood Road in Kane, Flickerwood Wine Cellars offers award-winning wines that will please a variety of pallets whether it is white or red, sweet or dry.

An annual event in the area is a perfect place to take mom to enjoy the great outdoors and do some shopping, too.

Check out the 2012 Arts and Crafts Show at Rock City Park, located at 505 Route 16 South, just outside of Olean, N.Y. The park will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, and will be packed with a variety of items for you to purchase for mom. Go on Mother’s Day and mom gets in for free. Call Cindy at 716-372-7790 for more information.

You can also put your best foot forward with mom by taking a stroll in the Mansion District in Smethport.

Take a leisure journey back in time when the lumber barons lived in the town of Smethport, the home of the famed Bucktail Regiment of the U.S. Civil War. Some of the buildings highlighted in this tour are the home of Henry Hamlin, who was once the wealthiest private banker in the United States, the Melbury House, once the stopover for slaves escaping north via the Underground railroad and the home of noted Civil War surgeon Dr. S.D. Freeman.

Brochures of the walking tour are available at the kiosk in front of the McKean County Courthouse, 500 West Main Street, Smethport.

You can also request a Smethport Mansion District Walking Tour Brochure, as well as other attractions in the Allegheny National Forest Region, by calling the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau at 800-473-9370. Information is also available on the region at www.visitANF.com.