The Rusted Rooster

05/29/2026

Today is my kid's last day of school...

I can't believe the school year is over already, it seems like it just started!

We have a busy summer ahead of us, hopefully we can slow down and enjoy it a little bit. 🙏

05/29/2026

How exciting is this!? 😃

The Johnsonburg Community Trust is incredibly proud to announce that we won The PA Wilds 2026 Great Places Award for our beloved Historic Armstrong Brick Block!❤️🏆❤️

The JCT & award winners in other catagories will be honored at the 2026 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, to be held on Thursday, July 30th in Clearfield County.

The Champion of the PA Wilds Awards celebrate individuals, organizations, communities and businesses that are making significant contributions to grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds. There are nine award categories open for public nominations. Nominations for 2026 awards were due by April 6.

“These people, places and organizations contribute to the PA Wilds in a positive way, making our communities more vibrant, sustainable and enjoyable,” said Ta Enos, PA Wilds Center Founder & CEO. “We had a record-breaking number of nominations this year, making decisions extremely difficult! Please join us in celebrating the achievements of the winners of the 2026 PA Wilds Champion Awards this July.”

🏆 The Johnsonburg Community Trust is incredibly proud to announce that we won 2026 Great Places Award!

2026 PA Wilds Champion Awards winners announced

Registration now open for July 30 Dinner & Awards to be held at DuBois Country Club

The PA Wilds Center is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Champions of the PA Wilds Awards. The 2026 Champions are –

Artisan of the Year: Marie Lewis of Pine Springs Pottery, Clarion County

Best Brand Ambassador: Pine Creek Seed Farm Corn Maze, Clinton County

Business of the Year: Kane Manor Inn, McKean County

Conservation Stewardship: Claire and Rusty Orner of Quiet Creek Herb Farm & School of Country Living, Jefferson County

Event of the Year: Forest County Bigfoot Festival, Forest County

Great Design: Floating Feathers Brewing Company, Clinton County

Great Places: Historic Armstrong Brick Block, Elk County

Inspiring Youth: Jack Maxwell, Clarion County

Outstanding Leader: Richard Wykoff, Clinton County

PA Wilds Planning Team Member of the Year: Candace Hillyard, Potter County

The winners will be honored at the 2026 PA Wilds Dinner & Awards, to be held on Thursday, July 30 in Clearfield County. The theme for this year’s event is “The Power of Partnerships.”

The Champion of the PA Wilds Awards celebrate individuals, organizations, communities and businesses that are making significant contributions to grow and sustainably develop the outdoor recreation economy and nature tourism in the Pennsylvania Wilds. There are nine award categories open for public nominations. Nominations for 2026 awards were due by April 6.

“These people, places and organizations contribute to the PA Wilds in a positive way, making our communities more vibrant, sustainable and enjoyable,” said Ta Enos, PA Wilds Center Founder & CEO. “We had a record-breaking number of nominations this year, making decisions extremely difficult! Please join us in celebrating the achievements of the winners of the 2026 PA Wilds Champion Awards this July.”

05/28/2026

I love the graphics on this feed sack.❤️

I wish manufacturers still used reusable packaging for their products....

or at least more sustainable packaging.

Can we just stop using so much plastic? 🙏

05/28/2026

My old rusty garden bike needed a makeover....

I liked the rusty look, but it blended into the lanscaping - it was almost unnoticeable. 👎

Tonight, it got a fresh coat of spray paint and I re-lined the baskets with some burlap.
🌈🩵🚲💐

I have to admit, it's a little too "new" looking for me right now, but I know the rust will start to seep back through after a few months in the PA weather. Before I know it, it will have the perfect patina. 😊

05/27/2026

I'm pretty sure my neighbor parked his old Ford out by the road just to see if I'd take a picture of it....

I took the bait.😜❤️

05/26/2026

Red, white, & blue mixed with a little bit of Pioneer Woman for this summer shelfie.
❤️🤍💙

05/26/2026

The weather didn't cooperate, but it ended up being a great Memorial Day weekend nonetheless...

Weekend Recap:
⚾️Cooper's first Junior Legion baseball game.
🥰 I went to an estate/barn sale.
🕰 I found a new antique store and met some new friends.
🌻I tinkered in the garden & did some planting.
😻 My sister got 2 new kittens!
🐾 Dixie did Dixie things.
🌭 We had a cookout with family.
🇺🇲 I finished getting my summer decorations out.
☀️The weather finally cleared up.
📺 I watched some Netflix.
😴 I even squeezed in a few naps.

Have a great week, everyone!

-Lauren 🐓

05/25/2026

Today we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. 🇺🇸

Wishing everyone a meaningful and safe Memorial Day. ❤️🤍💙

-Lauren 🐓

05/24/2026

Yesterday's barn sale haul. 🥰

I found this wheelbarrow just in the nick of time - the one I had in my landscaping for the past 15 years was on it's last leg. The wooden handles fell off and the front tire was dry rotted. 😊

05/24/2026

Rain rain go away....come again AFTER Memorial Day. 🚫🌧🇺🇲

It feels more like Thanksgiving than Memorial Day Weekend. 😞

Oh well, we didn't really have anything planned this weekend anyway (which feels AMAZING, BTW! 🙌)...

I just feel bad that Wilcox's Hometown Festival had to be moved inside to the community building. Memorial Day weekend is always such a big deal in Wilcox and I know the committee put a lot of work into this year's festival. I hope they still had a decent turnout. 🙏

05/23/2026

Part 2:

A fellow junk collector sent me the link to a post for a new antique store in Wilcox....

What!? How did I not know about this!?😮🤯

After I loaded up the rest of my stuff from the barn sale, I headed over to Carriage House Antiques.

Carriage House Antiques is located right along "the main drag" at 454 Marvin Street in Wilcox....and just as it's name indicates, it's in an old carriage house that's located BEHIND the old Burmeister house.

Unfortunately, I left my phone in my Jeep when I went back to get my husband's truck, so I did not get any pictures of my own. I'm so bummed because the outside of this little out-building is so cute! 😍

Anyway, I met Joyce and her husband Doug who own this adorable & unique antique store. Joyce & Doug are not originally from this area and I'm so happy that they discovered our little community and took a chance on one of my favorite houses in Wilcox. 💗

They're in the process of renovating the main house...and apparently my friends Vern (fellow JCT director) & Rick have been helping with the renovation/restoration process! I should have known - this place has Vern & Rick written all over it! Great job guys!!! 👏👏👏

I'm so excited about this new store AND about the fact that someone is restoring this historic landmark to it's original glory! ❤️

📍Carriage House Antiques
(Located around back in the old carriage house)
454 Marvin Street
Wilcox, PA 15870

🕰 Sunday 5/24- 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Monday 5/25 - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

It was so nice meeting you Joyce! Thanks for the tour and chat! I'll definitely be back!
..and John, thanks for the heads up on this new spot!

P.S. Carriage House Antiques doesn't have social media yet or regular hours, but I'll be sure to keep you posted when they do! ☺️