Who says you cannot go home again?

I was born in Franklin, PA in Venango County. It was time of families living close by and helping one another as our parents survived the depression and post war economics. Our home was in Rocky Grove outside of Franklin. Mother stayed home and took in sewing and cleaned houses. Dad worked for H L Buchanan Funeral Home in Franklin. It was almost two different worlds of residential living.

Our home on Front Street was always as clean as a whistle. It was warm and comfortable and smelled of home baked sweet rolls or newly custard filled cream puffs. The interior decorations were very modern usually created by mother after reading magazines. I still have some of those. The outside was my favorite place with hills behind the house to slide in the winter or explore the woods below the hills in the summer. Sunday was the special day when after church and a roast beef dinner Dad would take me hiking in the hills. It is here I learned to appreciate the great outdoors and lessons Dad taught me about the plants and animals.

But the best part was to go downtown to Franklin for an outing with my grandmother. She took my sister, my cousins and me to the band concerts in the City Park. There was an ice cream parlor across the street from the band shelter and of course the outing included that treat. Te summer evening concerts must have been an inspiration because we all mastered some form of musical instruments as we grew up. My Aunt Catharine took each one of us separately to shop the downtown Franklin once a summer. The jewelry store was the highlight of a trip with her. She would tell us all about the precious pieces and on a special occasion we would receive a small item from the store with promises that someday a family heirloom would be ours to enjoy and pass on. Equal to the shopping was to go with Dad to visit the office of Uncle Blink, owner of H L Buchanan Funeral Home. His office opened up a world of adventure because it had hunting trophy displays and pictures of far away places. Uncle Blink would talk about his travels that I could only dream about. The building that housed the funeral home dated back to 1826 and even as a small child I appreciated the historic value of this mansion. Behind the home was a garage, the old carriage house. Uncle Blink housed kennels for the English setters, Lady and the other dog whose name I can not recall. The dogs always brought pleasure and were most certainly glad to greet me on any occasion.

Who could have asked for a better place to grow up? The picture albums prove the fun with family and friends and support my theory that I had a terrific childhood that paved the way for my adult years as a wife, mother and career woman.

So many years have gone by, many roads have been traveled, domestic and international yet I was curious to retrace my childhood. My Marketing Consultation took me to PA to conducts seminars which would take place along PA Route 6 and nearby regions like Franklin, PA.

I suggest that Franklin is a wonderful place to visit, not because I grew up there, but because the community has invested economic dollars into maintaining the historic and cultural integrity. Liberty Street is vibrant with shops and restaurants. French Creek Café was a treat to the taste buds. The jewelry store is just as charming full of well displayed antique and modern jewels sold by employees who take pride in their product. They had all the time in the world to answer questions and explain their offerings. One did not feel like a customer, but a good friend who came in to chat. The entire town offered unique shopping opportunity complimented by unbelievable customer service. The roads had easy access, good parking and were clean. There was never of feeling of traffic rushing or jammed up in places.

The restored buildings with stained glass, brick and detailed painting placed one in the historic period of its beginnings. On my! A town that did not destroy their history became obvious as I drove along the streets. Each turn was a new adventure back into time. The architecture compared to the mansions of the south or the estates of New England. Then I found those places I remembered like the Franklin Club, the houses on Elk Street and yes the private home that once belonged to Uncle Blink and Aunt Dot. I found the old funeral home that is now a private home and I walked out back to see the carriage house where Lady lived. I half expected her to come out and shake paws.

The Chamber can help you with festivals and events, but if you just want a get away or a hub and spoke tour from PA Route 6, visit Franklin, PA.