Hidden away in the northeastern section of Pennsylvania is the small town of Honesdale. Located on US Route 6, the town is developing their own sense of tourism and has taken on the slogan of Destination Forward. The words have symbolic roots since the town is known as the Birthplace of the American Railroad. Like many places in Pennsylvania Honesdale has an industrial heritage stemming from the Pennsylvania Coal Company, the Delaware and Hudson Canal and a gravity railroad.
Sandi Levens was recently recruited by the Greater Honesdale Partnership (GHP) as the new Executive Director in the middle of 2022. Sandi brings a unique set of experiences to administer the Main Street Program and head the partnership. With a background in non-profit administration, hospitality management, and customer service, she also has local roots. Sandi grew up in the neighboring town of Lake Wallenpaupack and, as a child, the County seat of Honesdale is where her family went shopping, dining out and doctor’s visits.
While there is a distinct advantage of working in the local area where one grew up, Ms. Levens had acquired a grander perspective having lived and worked in Florida for 20 years.
A graduate of Wallenpaupack Area High School and Pierce College in Philadelphia with an Associates Business Degree and a concentration in Hospitality Management, she later received an online Bachelor’s Degree with the University of Phoenix in Business Administration.
Her career began in Hershey, Pennsylvania at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center as a manager of room service and banquets and created a new system of handling management services. After relocating to Naples, Florida in 2000, she worked as a director in a local non-profit Boys & Girls Club for over 7 years, assisting families in the community to find local resources and provide educational after-school care. For 10 years she was an executive administrator in a high-end accounting firm.
The Greater Honesdale Partnership has recently received Designation status from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development. This Designation has been a huge accomplishment of the board and the former GHP Executive Director, with being awarded an LSA Grant to begin the first phase of the Revitalization Plan. They have just completed the RFP to hire an Engineering firm to begin a full Street Scape of the Downtown Main Street of Honesdale. Their goal is to create an inclusive and economically vital town while keeping the town’s historic charm.
While the Main Street program in Honesdale has been in existence for three years, the challenge has been to convince businesses to invest in revitalization efforts. Now with the opportunity to offer a Façade Grant Program, the GHP has a greater impetus to promote downtown revitalization. The unique assets and attributes of Honesdale include:
The Stourbridge Line Train Excursions and the Birthplace of the American Railroad
Historically, the Stourbridge Line Train is one of Honesdale’s greatest assets and tourist attractions. It conducts a number of themed excursions (reach out to info@thestourbridgeline.net to learn more). The Stourbridge Lion was manufactured in England and had a test run in 1829. Honesdale had made its mark as the Birthplace of the American Railroad. (yes, Line and Lion, new and old, play on words!)
Harvest and Heritage Days
Honesdale’s most successful event and fund raiser is Harvest & Heritage Days in October held along Main Street. They host an event for everyone, and bring visitors with their variety of vendors, including carving demonstrations. Business owners decorate their storefronts with haybales and pumpkins. It is a destination in the area during the fall season. They also host Ghost Tours in October.
The Winter Wonderland Song by Richard Smith
Most everyone is familiar with the Christmas song WINTER WONDERLAND as authored by Richard Smith in Honesdale and sung by Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé, or Norah Jones.
The Greater Honesdale Partnership is looking forward to the opportunity to provide a mobile tour during the PA Downtown Center’s conference in Scranton next year. They will be offering a Historic Walking tour through downtown, and a train ride on the Historic Stourbridge Line to their neighboring town of Hawley to visit some of their treasures.
Ms. Levens appreciates the GHP Board and their strong commitment to their challenge of assisting businesses in their revitalization efforts. The struggle is to get the community to understand what the mission and goals are in order to develop economic vitality. While they host events to bring people to town, the revitalization side of what the GHP does is more difficult to communicate to the community and the business owners.
Sandi Levens is a single mom with one 14-year-old daughter. She grew up in the area but moved away for over 20 years. She moved back to be closer to her family, her brother, niece, and great-nephew. She enjoys going to concerts (especially outdoor festivals) bowling, crafts, and being a proud Cheering and Softball mom and spending time with family. Sandi is a member of the Wayne County Trails Committee and is enthused about the possibility of developing access to the Lackawaxen River and connect trails to the downtown.
You can reach Sandi at Greater Honesdale Partnership, sandi@visithonesdalepa.com.