TOBYHANNA ICE HARVEST

The annual Tobyhanna Ice Harvest will be held this Saturday, January 31, at Millpond #1, 2071 Lakeside Drive, Tobyhanna. The heavy snowfall certainly put ice‑harvest preparations to the test, but an area on the lake has been cleared and they’re ready to go! Ice cutting will begin around 9:00 am and continue until approximately 2:00 pm, with a lunch break for the ice harvesters around noon. It's shaping up to be a classic Tobyhanna winter morning with temperatures in the low teens with a brisk 15‑mph wind. Bundle up and come be part of the action. All are welcome to come out and experience living history as participants in an important industry from a century ago. You are invited to help cut ice, guide the ice cakes to the icehouse, stack the ice inside, or simply watch. This free event is organized by the Leonard/Saxe families with financial support from the Coolbaugh Township Historical Association. This year will feature the debut of the complete restoration of the old reliable 1918 Gifford ice saw with a 4-cylinder Buda engine, thanks to the craftsmanship of Mike and Dave Fairservice and Harry Smith. These mechanical wizards completed a full overhaul of the century old saw, believed to be one of only a few operating ice saws of this type in existence. Also be sure to stop by these local community offerings while you are in Tobyhanna on Saturday: ☕ The Coolbaugh Township Historical Association will open the historic Wills Mansion Museum from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Stop in to warm up, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, and explore ice‑harvesting tools, memorabilia, videos, and exhibits on local history. The Wills Mansion Museum is located just over a mile from the icehouse on Route 611 at the Coolbaugh Township Municipal Complex, 5590 Municipal Drive, Tobyhanna. 🍴 VFW Post 509, located at 1917 Goodwin Street in Tobyhanna, less than a half‑mile from the icehouse, will be serving a hearty and affordable breakfast from 7:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by hot dogs for lunch until 2:00 pm.