Situated just outside the Allegheny National Forest in Northwestern Pennsylvania are three municipalities that share more in common than majestic scenery. They each have a robust daily newspaper – the Kane Republican, Ridgway Record and St. Mary’s Daily Press. Though the regional population size does not match the southern corners of the state, the citizens of McKean and Elk Counties are no less voracious about their local news.

Christie Gardner is the longtime publisher and advertising director for all three dailies. A native of Ridgway, she plays a key role in providing unique editorial and advertising ideas that resonate with the Northern Tier communities.

“Providing the public with the information needed to make informed decisions while maintaining public trust and accountability are most important,” Gardner said. “We also focus on local events that take place in our towns and spotlight what they have to offer.”

Gardner and her team in the editorial and advertising departments have developed three special products that serve the communities in different but, important ways. They range from publishing essential community information, providing fun activities at restaurants for children and printing a guide to one of the most unique festivals found in Pennsylvania.

The annual Elk County Fact Book is a popular item in the region.

It is considered the “phone book” of the county. It lists police, fire and other emergency response information for all of Elk County’s communities, elected local and state government representatives and numerous county government offices.  Community services abound, including a list of schools, libraries, senior centers, chambers of commerce, post offices and church directories. 

Creating and printing children’s place mats for local eateries has been another unconventional yet successful venture for the papers. Distributed to restaurants in Elk and McKean Counties, the mats provide fun games and puzzles to keep kids occupied whilst food arrives, including crossword puzzles, maze craze, and pictures for coloring.

Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous coverage

The Record also produces a guide for one of the most unique festivals in the state, an event that takes place every year in Ridgway.

The Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous brings together wood carvers from around the world who create incredible artwork from logs and tree stumps. Novice, amateur and professional chainsaw carvers descend on Ridgway from around the world to partake in the 4-day celebration.

The Record, The Republican and the Daily Press pool their resources to create a 40-page tab covering the event. The Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous guide includes profiles and interviews with carvers, a list of participants and a schedule of events such as live carving, music, vendors, auctions and more.

As an added benefit, all three products are open to advertisers. The guide, directory and restaurant placemats teem with local businesses advertising their services, generating a healthy revenue stream on top of advertising normally placed in the dailies.

Keeping their communities informed and entertained is the key to success for the Kane Republican, Ridgway Record and St. Mary’s Daily Press. It is this commitment that makes local community news a valuable source for rural Pennsylvania.