EDITOR’S DESK

The Power of Focus

Lineworkers do some extraordinary things. You can read about some of their incredible work down South in this month’s feature story by Paula Piatt. Paula highlights the experience of cooperative line crews from Pennsylvania who helped restore power to sister cooperatives in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Bringing these communities back online required a superhuman effort and, I believe, a kind of superpower.

I noticed this power recently at a business meeting, of all places. It was a conference for lineworkers and safety personnel, and what struck me about this meeting was how focused the attendees were. They maintained a high level of attention not just for the opening speaker, but for all the speakers and sessions throughout the two-day event. Sure, it was a good conference with great speakers, but I thought there was something more to it.

In a world where digital distraction is the norm, the focus of these line and safety personnel seemed out of the ordinary. Meeting culture has shifted so much that it’s become quite common to see people scrolling on their smartphones at these events, responding to texts and emails, and not really focusing on the meeting. (According to reviews.org, Americans check their phones more than 200 times a day, about once every five waking minutes.) But that’s not what was going on at this meeting. People were paying attention.

Computer science professor and author Cal Newport has described this ability to focus without distraction as a new “superpower.” He says it’s something that’s becoming increasingly rare as our attention is under constant attack from social media platforms, news feeds, entertainment apps and the constant stream of emails, texts, and notifications.

But considering the nature of their work, I began to understand how these line and safety personnel avoid distractions. Their work is among the most dangerous professions in the world, requiring intense concentration. While some of us can get away with an occasional diversion, line work is unforgiving. As a result, lineworkers have to nurture a high level of focus and attention. A single lapse can mean the difference between life and death.

In this age of distraction, that ability to focus isn’t just an essential skill — it’s a superpower.

PETER A. FITZGERALD
EDITOR

Lineworkers

SUBTERRANEAN RECREATION

Pennslyvania takes deep dive with new state park proposal

A new state park could be coming to western Pennsylvania under a plan proposed by Gov. Josh Shapiro. If given the greenlight, Laurel Caverns in Fayette County would become the Commonwealth’s 125th state park — and its first underground one.

Known as “the caverns in the clouds,” the site is home to Pennsylvania’s largest natural calcareous sandstone cave and is about 50 miles south of Pittsburgh. The state would acquire the property through a donation from the present owner. Future work would include infrastructure and safety improvements. Park tours would also be offered.

“Pennsylvania is home to some of the most beautiful and remarkable places in the country, and I want more people to experience them,” Shapiro said when making the announcement during his February budget address.

The governor’s plan includes other outdoors initiatives. Among them: transferring 391 acres in Carbon County from the Pennsylvania Game Commission to Lehigh Gorge State Park. This expansion of the park would also lead to safety improvements along the scenic Glen Onoko Falls Trail, currently closed to the public.

DOWN UNDER: Fayette County’s Laurel Caverns could become Pennsylvania’s 125th state park if lawmakers approve Gov. Josh Shapiro’s recent budget recommendation. This also would be the first underground state park in the Commonwealth.

CICADA INVASION

Insects to emerge from 17-year slumber in mid-May

Pennsylvania is one of several states that will be inundated with cicadas this spring. Experts say the insects will come up through the ground in mid-May after a 17-year slumber.

According to Penn State Extension, cicadas are not dangerous; however, the state could see a near-record number of them in the following counties: Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Cumberland, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Tioga, Union and York counties.

Once they emerge, cicadas stay active for about four to six weeks before disappearing. The next round isn’t expected to emerge again in Pennsylvania until 2029, the extension says.

To learn more, go to extension.psu.edu/periodical-cicada.

POACHED

State Police asking for public’s help in cracking missing egg case

Pennsylvania made national news when 100,000 eggs — estimated to be worth $40,000 — were stolen in February from a Franklin County farm.

State police report the eggs were poached from the back of a distribution trailer at Pete & Gerry’s Organics in Greencastle. A $1,500 reward is being offered to the person who can help police crack the case.

The theft comes at a time when egg prices are nearing $8 a dozen due to a nationwide bird flu outbreak.
“Pete & Gerry’s is … actively working with local law enforcement to investigate,” the egg supplier said in a statement. “We take this matter seriously and are committed to resolving it as quickly as possible.”

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to call Pennsylvania State Police in Chambersburg at 717-264-5161.

CONTEST TIME!

Help us celebrate Penn Lines’ 60th anniversary

It’s you! Penn Lines has a big birthday coming up, and we want you to be a part of our 60th anniversary celebration. Before the confetti flies in 2026, though, we’re kicking off a handful of photo contests this year; enter one — or all three.

CONTEST NO. 3 – A DATE WITH PENN LINES! We’ll be honest: We like it when we get to go to some place nice. Take your favorite issue of Penn Lines to some place special in your community and take a photo of yourself with it.

WE WILL NEED: your name, address, daytime telephone number, the month and year of the magazine, and the name of the cooperative that serves your home, business, or seasonal residence.

PRIZES: $50 gift card; the photo will also be featured in Penn Lines in 2026

DEADLINE: Friday, Oct. 31

SEND ENTRIES TO: PennLines@prea.com (put “A Date with PL” in the subject line) or Penn Lines Editor/A Date with PL, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266.

TIMELINES

A decade ago, the pages of Penn Lines recounted the story of French Azilum, a community in Bradford County developed in the late 1700s for refugees fleeing the the French Revolution. The 1,600-acre site fell to ruin when the refugees were granted amnesty after the war and either returned to France or settled elsewhere in the U.S. Today, the site — gone but not forgotten — is dotted with farms and gas wells. Pennsylvania is home to a number of other “ghost towns,” some of which were featured in the October 2024 issue of Penn Lines.

March 2015 cover