Gray skies didn’t dampen the spirits of the Panther Valley’s Blueprint Community team as members gathered last Saturday morning at Reading Blue Mountain & Northern’s regional railroad station in Nesquehoning.

The fledgling team with members from all four of the Panther Valley’s communities looked forward to a fun excursion — an all-day trip to Tunkhannock, where businesses were hosting a “Sip and Savor” event.

They also hoped to learn how another community handles visitors, what those places have to offer and how their group might begin to develop a tourism plan incorporating all of the Panther Valley.

The Blueprint team embarked on its own 10-year journey to revitalize the communities of Nesquehoning, Lansford, Coaldale and Summit Hill earlier this year when bestowed with the designation.

Over the next 18 months, team members will be learning how to develop a plan to breathe new life into their communities, connect with developers and obtain funding.

Last Saturday, they planned on bonding as a team and enjoying the day the Tunkhannock Business and Professional Association welcomed people to Wyoming County’s seat to showcase local art, music, restaurants and shops.

On board the train, they and some 100-plus passengers received a map listing the various stops, such as the historic Dietrich Theater, where artwork was on display in its Sherwood and Earnshaw galleries, and Ebb’s Candy Jar, which featured unique fudge samples.

A light mist changed to rain as the train rumbled north through the Lehigh Gorge State Park into Mountain Top and then Pittston, and then wound its way along the Susquehanna River to Tunkhannock.

Riders, who ate lunch aboard, put up hoods, donned ponchos and opened umbrellas as they disembarked along the tracks and filed into town, many quickly looking for the open businesses to get out of the rain.

Some stopped in the theater, which was running the new “Beetlejuice” and “Deadpool” movies. One man said, “We can watch a movie,” as they waited out the rain, looking at the art displayed on walls, in cases and tables in the lobby.

A few steps away, Lindsay Van Gorden sang and played guitar in the First National Bank Gazebo as a few hardy souls with umbrellas sat listening. Another musician performed along the sidewalk just up the street as visitors passed by.

Across Tioga Street, the main street of Wyoming County’s county seat, shops, galleries and restaurants welcomed the visitors.

One such shop was the Kitson Gallery, which features the work of local, national and international artists, as well as vintage items and curated collectibles.

Manager Betsy Green called the train excursions, “a shot in the arm” for local businesses.

“We’re trying to let people know what a great area we’re in,” she said, noting that while they’re located in a rural area they’re also not that far from more metropolitan areas.

Tunkhannock features a winery and brewery just outside of town, Green said, and several popular bars and restaurants, such as the Creekside Inn or Twigs, for people to stop in for a bite.

Up the street, Mercantile 22, a cross between an upscale gift shop and general store featuring clothing, leather goods, housewares, jewelry, textiles, books and even pet items, offered people complimentary snacks, hot and iced coffees and mocktails.

Owner Ross Cameron welcomed the visitors the train brought to town and his shop, which opened in 2017, but said they were also fortunate to have a lot of community support.

The “Sip and Savor” event brought more people into the store than the town’s Founder’s Day street festival, Cameron said. His sales that day amounted to little more than $125 total.

But it was a hot day, said Destiny Aberle, who works at Mercantile 22, and many people sought refuge in local bars and restaurants.

Team member Jarred Soto took the Reading & Northern’s steam engine excursions to Tunkhannock for Founder’s Day this year, and recalls the day as a scorcher, as people walked to different vendors along the street and also often sought shady and cool places.

But there was more to do in town that day, he said. On Saturday, Soto and Bob Dobash, both of Lansford, checked out the event offerings, and then found themselves back at the Dietrich Theater in less than an hour.

They then took a walk through Tunkhannock, finding the courthouse and several churches — none of which were open, Dobash commented.

Others shopped in the downtown during the nearly three-hour train ride stop, but many stores or shopfronts didn’t appear open, some said. Still others stopped for a drink or two at a local bar.

Nancy Parlo, a member of the business group that organized the event, told Blueprint team members that this was the group’s second “Sip and Savor” event promoting local businesses.

Working with the railroad, they timed this excursion with the community event designed to bring people out, sample drinks and treats and introduce new businesses. It wasn’t just for folks visiting from the train, she said.

“We put it on social media and advertised in some of our local media,” Parlo said. “We tried to come up with something simple that wouldn’t be too burdensome for shop owners.”

While Parlo answered questions from team members at the Dietrich, other visitors had already began lining up to board the train — less than two hours after arriving and as the rain finally seemed to pass.

Team members arriving back at the train said they definitely gained some insight as to what it takes cultivate tourism and take care of visitors.

“There are lessons to be learned here,” said Abbie Guardiani. “Not every day is bright and sunny. If you’re going to bring trainloads of people into your community, you need to make sure that there are accommodations for people to go to get out of the rain.”

Restrooms are also a necessity, and many businesses have policies that their facilities are for customers only, Guardiani said.

“That’s fair, but you can’t bring a lot of people and not have bathroom facilities,” she said.

Her husband, Joe Guardiani, also a team member, agreed. He didn’t think Tunkhannock, despite its picturesque charms, didn’t shine much on the trip, just like the sun.

“I didn’t feel this was a really good representation of what Tunkhannock has to offer,” he said. “If we are going to do this, we have to plan for these kinds of things.”

Others told them about Tunkhannock’s Founder’s Day street festival, saying it was “a really fun crawl up and down the streets.”

One of the stops highlighted on Saturday’s trip, Nimble Hill Winery and Brewery, was a mile outside of the center of town and off the beaten path, Abbie Guardiani said.

“Not everyone can do that,” she said. “You have to have a shuttle.”

The Panther Valley would need to tap into transportation partners to have a shuttle or jitney running on a loop to allow visitors easy access all four of its towns and their attractions.

“We’re not just about Nesquehoning,” Abbie Guardiani said. “It’s got to include Lansford, Summit Hill and Coaldale.”

They also need to plan for all of the eventualities, and be ready before they start bringing visitors in, Joe Guardiani said.

But there is a lot of potential in the Panther Valley with existing attractions, such as the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum, and others being developed, said Bruce Markovich, another team member.

“The potential is all around us,” he said. “We have to get a plan and move on it. It’s all about potential and community involvement.”