Falling Leaves Festival A Keeper For Coudersport!

This year's Falling Leaves Festival paused for an emotional ceremony to remember Army SPC Mike Franklin. Coudersport's East Second Street bridge was dedicated to Franklin, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq last year. His mother, Tina Franklin, spoke with pride of her son's bravery, sacrifice and demonstrated concern for others.

Coudersport has a winner with the Falling Leaves Festival.

That's the conclusion of local business leaders who were involved in the 2006 edition of this annual celebration of autumn. With "fall foliage t o u r i s m " growing in the region, and some

strategic

alliances

planned, the festival is likely to become even more popular in future years.

Next year, the organizers hope

to work with

Coudersport

High School to tie in the Falling Leaves Festival with the school's annual Homecoming Weekend.

High School Principal Alanna Huck attended this month's Chamber of Commerce meeting to request a coordinated effort.

Under the plan, the Homecoming football game on Friday night could be followed by a combined Falling Leaves/ Homecoming parade the next afternoon.

'Phantom Friends' gather

Plans are also in place to continue coordinating the Falling Leaves Festival around the annual visit by the "Phantom Friends," a group of Judy Bolton mystery book fans who celebrate the works of author Margaret Sutton, a Potter County native, each October.

That organization plans its annual pilgrimage to the area around the Columbus Day holiday. This year's gathering attracted Phantom Friends from as far away as California and the State of Washington.

Additionally, the Falling Leaves Festival committee plans to put a greater emphasis on the bed races, which members see as a big draw in the coming years. Committee member Gerry Montgomery expressed thanks to Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy for sponsoring this year's bed race, won by the Occupational Therapy Department of Charles Cole Memorial Hospital.

Montgomery also thanked committee members Mike Harris, Melanie Harris, Jole'e Mack, Mark Tilley and John Buchanan for their help.

Additionally, he commended Dolores Gartside for her hospitality during the Margaret Sutton artwork reception and the Phantom Friends activities. Montgomery also thanked Stan Swank and Jubilee Foods for donation of refreshments for the reception at the John White Second Street Art Gallery.

"By all accounts, especially with the cooperative weather, it was a beautiful weekend," Montgomery said.