This is my Cameron County. 

Ok *technically* the fore ground is Potter County...
​but that view...way out there...That's Cameron County.
The Salt Run Vista over looks Salt Run, and Salt Run, weaves its way into Cameron County, and I spent many summer days at Andrews Farm bothering Poor Mr. Andrews -- by hunting for his barn cats, riding my bike through his yard to build dams, fish or just wade in the water under the Salt Run Bridge on Nickler Road, or riding my bike over that bridge to see Ms. Ada Drum for snack and a story.  Upon moving back home,  when I was pregnant with my son, Elias, I would walk up the bottom portion of Salt Run Road, in the August heat, because I couldn't sit still. We even had our engagement pictures taken at Andrew's Farm -- because of how much it meant to me, and how beautiful it is.

Now, you see that dirt all over my car...that dirt is from Crooked Run. Crooked Run starts where Sizerville State Park first greets its visitors, and it brings you up to Ridge Road. Ridge Road transverses a large part of Potter and Cameron County. It's so long, that the forest type actually changes from the North end to the South end, and in the fall, it's a really great place to view the leaves. 
*Side Note: If Hiking is more your thing -- The Bucktail Path does the same thing. From its start in Sizerville State Park to its End in Sinnemehoning. You can day hike portions of it (I suggest Rock Run Trail or Chicago Springs Trail) or spend a couple days hiking through this coming spring*

I feel like this project started in my office on Fourth Street, mulling over how to bring business to our town. But it really started out there.  The places I go to find solace and rest and process everything that happens in my life.

The biggest take away I have is this -- just because this is what I love about Cameron County, it doesn't have to be what you love about living here. It doesn't make me right. It doesn't make it better.  It just makes it mine, my Cameron County Story.  It helps me frame what I think is important when decisions are being made on my behalf.  So tell me -- what helps frame what you think?  What do you LOVE about Cameron County? What keeps you here or makes you want to come back?  Finding our shared values and using them to bring change we can agree upon to our community, build pride on in our community, raise morale in our community, that's our goal. 

Kind Regards from your Neighbor,
​Jess*

If you would like to share your story or sign up to be a story gathering volunteer -- please email me: [email protected].  I'd love to talk to you further!

Leadership Committee Work Updates and Phase 2.1 Training for Volunteers:
 
Jess Herzing, CCP Project Coordinator, opened the meeting by stating that funds part of the project's budget to provide food for CCP volunteers to show gratitude for their work. Tina Solak, Executive Director of the Cameron County Chamber of Commerce, suggested that maybe future meetings could be held in local restaurants. Volunteers get fed and businesses get supported! In response, Jess said that she’ll make arrangements after creating meeting agendas for volunteers in Emporium and the Southern Tier of Cameron County.
 
Jess discussed that she has made plans to reach out to the people of the Southern Tier of Cameron County in order to gather for volunteers and story gatherers. Emphasis was placed on the fact that the citizens of that area need to have their voices heard and valued.
 
Meeting attendees worked on a work plan, with assistance from the CCP Community Network Analysis (CNA), to decide on what key demographics need people connectors to gather stories. More of a focus was placed on story gathering and understanding bias in stories. During the meeting, participants were encouraged to practice with fellow volunteers by collecting each other’s stories. Jess explained that tonight’s meeting was to help us get started on collecting stories and to prepare for our next training in 4-6 weeks or early in December to work on data
 
New Business and Important Updates:
 
Jess announced that CCP story gathering procedures will require a Lead Story-Gatherer. She defined this role as someone who would have to be the first point of contact for all story gatherers. In addition, this person will be responsible for organizing stories, keeping direct contact with story collectors via email or texts, and offering ideas on what demographics still need to be heard from in correlation with the CNA. Tina Solak volunteered for the position.
 
Jess stated that the CNA is now on google drive for volunteers to view in hopes of finding connectors and people who want to share their stories. She also said that she is making preparations for establishing an interviewing tab at local establishments. Plans for inspiring story gathering will be published on the CCP Facebook and Instagram pages.
 
Meeting attendees learned that the CCP  is interested in purchasing electronic devices for the project’s work plan. Plus, arrangements are currently being made to get three podcast reorders.
Volunteers learned that Mrs. Copp’s students in her Senior Communications Course will be participating in story gathering within the school. Students have already developed a School CNA. They identified voices to be represented with two people for each voice. This week, the students in Copp’s class will be talking to students voices to recruit interested students to be interviewed. Interviews will be turned into a movie of their results. Initial voices include the following:​

• Band members
• Shop students
• Athletes
• Environmental/outdoor enthusiasts
• “Uninvolved students” (kids that work or aren’t involved in school activities)
• Honor students

 
Phase 2.1 Volunteer Training & Hands-on:


Copies of the Phase 2.1 story gathering, guideline packets were handed out. Jess illustrated that the packets are to be the Go-To source for volunteers to gather stories, set up interviews, prepare questions, and discover tips on locating bias and initiating conversations. Discussion was held on why stories are more important than surveys. It was concluded by all that not only are stories more personal, but that also people are more likely to share their stories because of emotional connections. Whereas surveys are more restricting.
 
CCP members practiced compiling stories by interviewing each other as a way to gain a better understanding of how story gathering works and to become more comfortable with the process. Pat Kempher clarified that the best way to be more comfortable in interviewing is to emphasize the goals of the CCP and how they will add to the betterment of Cameron County as we talk to county residents. Communication=Key! An agreement was made that the best way to gain interviewing tips is to observe. Therefore, Jess took part in a “mock interview” with Linda Slyder, CCP Volunteer, and Matt Nolder, CCP Communication Coordinator.
 
Upcoming Events and Engagement Activities:


The next CCP volunteer meeting will be November 26th from 6:00p-7:00p. Location is yet to be determined
 
On Friday, Novemer 2nd, the Family Center and Cameron County Outdoor Youth Activities will be hosting the Andrews Farm Family Picnic from 5:00p7:00p! Kids will engage in an exciting scavenger hunt! Dinner will be roasting hot dogs, making mountain pies, and whipping up some delicious s’mores! Brian Budjanec from Sizerville State Park will be making a presentation. Jess will be there to talk about the CCP. If anybody is interested in helping Jess, please let her know as soon as possible.
 
Questions/Concerns/Comments:
Jessica Herzing-- CCP Project Coordinator
[email protected]
814-335-0571
 
Matthew Nolder-- CCP Communication Coordinator
[email protected]
814-335-3658

....although it is hard to be sure.
Given, we have the community events and days at the pool that fill the summer, the beauty of leaves changing in the fall and snow blanketing the hills in the winter... but there is something I really enjoyed about watching the spring roll through our county in waves of green, as trees leaf out, the colorful explosion of the trees that line our streets, dot our hillsides or adorn our yards as they go into the bloom -- and now, as we're in the baby season, my family eagerly looks forward to the sights of fawns in fields, baby ducks in our creeks and baby Elk in the food plots in the southern tier of the county.  Now,  we weekends of creek-wading, fishing, and Sizerville adventures ahead of us.  And during the week, my kids are thoroughly enjoying the playground in Prospect Park (just like I did growing up), with the new group of "neighborhood kids."

Meeting: 7:00p-8:30p
Attendees: 19
Leadership Committee Present: 3 members
​​
Jess Herzing opened the meeting at DCNR. Attendees shared the results from the personality tests. Jess noted that the tests will help people realize their strengths.

Attendees then shared what they love about Cameron County with an emphasis on Places:
Salt Run Vista
Front porch of Emporium Country Club
Native brook stream
Woodsmen of the World
Top of the World
SPCA
The safety and walk-ability of Emporium
Huntley
Britton Hill Road
Canoe Run Watershed
Sizerville Trail
Little Red Barn
Own backyard
McNuff area of Bucktail Path
Wykoff
Clear Creek
Sterling Run
Route 120 from Emporium to Sinnemahoning Sportsman Club
Clear Creek
​
Jessica explained the information gained is soft data. The Cameron County Project will collect both hard and soft data. It will be a 2 year visioning project including all residents and a report that can be used for leverage (feasibility) for grants.

Heart and Soul success stories shared.  *Examples can be found here*

Upcoming Events and Engagement Activities were discussed:

• A community dinner will be held at the Cameron County Fairgrounds on August 11. The tablecloth will have questions written and people encouraged to discuss the topics.
• A photo contest is planned, with the creation of a calendar and the profit to be given to the Community Chest.
• Jess is working on creating a chalkboard sign in the vacant lot owned by the borough next to Harrier Insurance.

Jess encouraged people to share the information abut the project and email stories and pictures to her at : [email protected].

Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” I don’t know about you, but to me, that is what community is all about – coming together for the good of our town, our county, and our neighbors.  That is just one of the things that makes Cameron County a really special place, and the perfect community to live in. Every single one of you is my community.  You’re all my neighbors. If you’re anything like me, circa 2016, you have no idea how important your story, ideas, and concerns are to our community.  If you only knew how important you are, you would be a force to be reckoned with. 

The Cameron County Project’s mission is to encourage residents to be engaged and to build community pride by focusing on what unites us as residents in Cameron County – our stories of why we love it here.  I want to create a force of community pride and positivity that is contagious to our neighbors, is warmly welcomed and encouraged to thrive, helping guide decision making in our community. There are so many ways to promote change and make decisions in a community – many rely on things that an accountant, like myself, can especially get behind – mainly numbers and statistics, ratios to this and that.  But you and I are not numbers. We are hearts, souls, experiences, and beliefs – all of that shape how we view the good, and bad, in our county. 

The Cameron County Project is patterned after the Orton Family Foundation’s successful “Community Heart and Soul” program that captures the positive of a community through the stories told by those living here. Its principles are simple:

1.  Involve Everyone – and take the collective “idea bucket” to them, so their ideas can be heard.
2.  Focus on what Matters – Identify the community’s characteristics and attributes where residents’ emotional attachments lie to define what matters most about our community and use those as a guide to how we change and grow. 
3.   Play the Long Game – Focus the project on ensuring that the community’s plans or ideas don’t just sit on the shelf but are owned by the residents who have a commitment to their success.

It’s through this development of deep emotional connections to the community that lead to a resident’s commitment, action and a community that can build resilience through the practice of working together and learning new skills.  I know this project will promote a sense of pride in county for my fellow residents and I am confident in the success of my goal to bring more people, of all ages, genders, and social backgrounds, to the table. Working together with hopes of removing the stigma that the same ten people make all the decisions in our county, and to develop leaders from visionary residents from whom we’ve yet to hear.  It is my hope through sheer positivity and openness that we can build the trust needed to share in the success of change as it occurs and to really own our community, its identity and well-being, as neighbors working together toward the same goals.  No one person or idea can spark growth and change a community; but together, the possibilities are delightfully endless.

If this sounds like something you want to a part of, The Cameron County Project is hosting a *Call to Action* meeting on Monday, January 29th at the Chamber and Artisan Center.  Doors will open at 6:30 pm and the meeting will begin at 7 pm, lasting about an hour.  This meeting is intended to recruit volunteers, but will also be an introduction to the Project, its goals, and its upcoming projects and events.  I want to invite all residents and friends of Cameron County seeking to promote positive vibes, long-lasting community pride to attend; and to be a champion of what residents love about our community.

Kind regards from your neighbor,
Jess Herzing

I'm also a bit of a  motivational quote addict.  They really do inspire me. Often, I google whatever it is I want to focus on for the day -- and find a cute little quote graphic and download it to my phone, (I share the really good ones on Facebook) and I just re-read it when I start to drag. 
It really does help me focus my day to have something positive a swipe away to refresh my mind when I get bogged down.  I feel like some days, our community could use a little pick me up, just to remind it that we're heading the right direction, and change is coming.

First to acknowledge where I've been; this perspective helped carry me through 2017.  It was a year full of learning and just putting myself out there. I wasn't really looking at things in a win/lose mentality, but there were times where I felt incredibly defeated, uneasy about what felt necessary *like start a grassroot community project* in order to move positive changes forward. I learned so much last year!  I intend to learn exactly as much, hopefully more, this year!

The residents of our town!!  You Guys (and Ladies) -- Seriously, you're amazing! 129 responses to the Post Card Home Survey - I'm humbled and grateful!  I'm really looking forward to sharing the themes you've shared in each response, to ensure I'm hearing you correctly.  In reading your responses, I've learned so much about things that use to be here, things that I never even thought were issues, and that maybe I'm not crazy to work towards the changes I want, because other people want them, too. I'm so stoked to start working toward ensuring these themes are heard by our decision makers, connecting your ideas and wants with the correct agencies and organizations, and using what you've said to help  facilitate the change you're looking for.

I've been so inspired by local and regional entrepreneurs.  They are motivated people, and they have big plans to crush their goals this year! I can't wait to see how their businesses develop and contribute to our community in the positive ways they have planned.  Their eagerness to throw themselves at the things they enjoy -- is contagious when you spend time with them!  I think this is an added benefit of #shoplocal movements -- you get to brush up against their excitement, and you leave feeling pretty inspired yourself!  Each day they succeed a little bit in progressing towards their goals, and it's really starting to show.  I think 2018 is going to be a big year for small business in our community -- and that's SO exciting!

I'm so proud to be a part of community where neighbors take care of each other. Seeing the love our community has poured into families and individuals that were hit hard this past year with unexpected diagnoses, tragedies, or just bad luck -- that is how I know the love is here and that love is what will always connect use as neighbors in only positive ways. 
We also have resources and organizations, many I had no idea existed until last year, doing such positive things.  For example -- I was really lucky to be able to share the Christmas Card Project cards with Friends Serving Friends -- so that the art students' cards were delivered with the delivered Christmas Meals-- just to share some Christmas Cheer with their donated artwork.  I'm really excited to see how these organizations grow this year.

I'd like to welcome the "transplants." I'm thrilled your here!  Now be this perception or reality, believe it or not, our community has not always been the most welcoming to new-comers. Its a stigma that's out there.  Let's acknowledge it and move past it because we have new artists, new businesses, new motivated individuals sparking change and inspiring their new neighbors to jump on board. This is Awesome!!  I'm just as excited to tap into their fresh perspective and learn something from what they bring to the table this year, as I am to hearing more from our current residents. I know we can reconcile between all of our ideas, to promote and continue to grow a community we are proud of!

Everything I'm excited about and inspired by, has been applied to the goals I have for this year, but that's for another blog post. 
​ So tell me, I'm dying to hear -- What's inspiring you as you begin this New Year? Share your favorite inspirational quotes to the Facebook wall or comment below. 

It's a great story --

(bear with me as I tell this through my "those were the days" filter)

I was part of the Cameron County Swim Team in Elementary, Middle and Jr. High and it was really fun (and I was a pretty good swimmer and diver, to boot). 

I, along with many other kids, lived at the school pool. (This was like a right of passage as you started to age out of spending your mornings and afternoons playing tennis ball, kick ball or SPIT at the closest playground under the supervision of a recently graduated High School Senior)

After a morning of sleeping-in, watching some Blues Clues or Dawson Creek Reruns....My dad would come home from his store, the Emporium Antique Co-op, and take me to practice. The water would still be frigid for dive team practice, and that was followed by swimming laps (lots and lots of laps). Now clearly, this was forever ( 15-20 years) ago as we still practiced BEFORE the pool opened -- its was cold.  Let me be clear: really, really cold but it was always worth it.

After practice was over, we'd wait for the pool to open to the public at 1, and we'd be there until 4 when the pool closed to everyone but families.  

We looked forward to this EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. 

What am I doing?  Seriously -- How did I end up here?  It's really weird to be sharing this project with the whole of Cameron County. (Ok, well not yet, but that's the goal.)  

​....So here it goes....

My journey to this point starts a year ago.  You see, I was one of those Complainers. You know who I'm talking about.  I would complain about decisions being made by ANYONE because I
disagreed based on what I thought I knew about the decision. I was educated on the
Emporium Rumor Mill,  a minimal amount of reading the Echo, BUT I was WELL-VERSED on the comment sections of my friends' Facebook shared news snip-its.
*Some of you may have seen my work there*

Last year, I finally came to the conclusion that I couldn't keep complaining about Emporium,
because I really didn't know what was going on, and I needed to change that.  If I was going to be complaining, I wanted to really know what I was complaining about....

It all boiled down to to one... simple... truth...

I knew what I didn't know, and I wanted to find out what I needed to know.

So I started attending community meetings. Township Meetings, Commissioner Meetings,
School Board Workshop Meetings.

I applied for Leadership Elk and Cameron and completed the program.

 I started cold emailing the people in the community I admired in search of mentors. That lead to the ability to join Rotary  (what I thought was the  epitome of a classic Cameron County Club)

Then, I  threw myself at different organizations and landed a Board Position with Sylvan
Heritage Council (Literally, because their first ever Pork & Cork was SO MUCH FUN! -- I knew I
wanted to be around those kind of people.)

And do you know what I found???

REALLY GREAT PEOPLE.  Lots of the them.  Who were really happy someone my age was interested in what they were doing.  (Who Knew?!)

I found out that I was wrong about A LOT of what I thought I knew. I found out that the more I asked questions, the more open people where with me. I found out that our local clubs and boards and elected officials are searching for people that want to participate and I was welcomed to EVERYTHING, warmly. 

I want that for EVERYONE.  I want you each to experience the Emporium I now know and am
continuing to learn about.

That's not all.

I want the Emporium that is a great and safe place to live and play. Where people can not only work here, but thrive. Where residents aren't bored or feeling like it is NEVER going to get better. 

The Cameron County Project is my attempt to help Emporium build the bridges it needs to
correct resident perceptions by bringing us all together on what we can agree upon....
*Drum Roll Please*

What we LOVE about living here.

Here is the deal, though, and its pretty huge deal: I need your help to do it -- because what I
think is best, isn't what you think is best.

 The Cameron County Community Chest graciously agreed to partner with me. This project is
meant to encourage us all to share our stories about our home. Because the Heart of this
community resides in each of us, and when I find it...

 I'm going to SCREAM IT FROM THE ROOF TOPS (Ok. Not Really...)

But I am going to use it to bring people together. I'm going to use it to show people the great things here. I'm going to use it in every positive way, anyone can come up with, to bring the change Cameron County so desperately deserves.

So Please, Help a Girl out....and like the Facebook page, take the Post Card Home Survey and
join my community.  I'm not stopping until I reach every one of you and I could use some help.*

Kind regards from your  neighbor,
​Jess*