PCN Tours

2023 Program Schedule

PCN Tours episodes air on Sundays at 6 PM.

January 29: Join us as we explore Conneaut Cellars Winery & Distillery. Learn about one of the first producers in the United States to use a sweetness scale to help consumers select the right product. Conneaut Cellars Winery & Distillery blends traditional winemaking methods with the latest technology to create delicious wine using local grapes from the Lake Erie region.

February 5: Troegs Brewery has been crafting drinks in central Pennsylvania since 1996. Based and located in Hershey, PA, Tröegs describes their product as "for people with a sense of adventure and curiosity." Join us as they take us through the process of creating their drinks and beverages.

February 12: Originally created by Jacob H. Malta in November 1973, Malmark developed a new design for a handbell which included many features he felt would benefit ringers and advance the art of ringing. We travel to the factory and watch as they create these instruments.

February 19: Smooth-On specializes in mold making and casting materials, and you have definitely seen their work, whether you know it or not! More than likely, you have seen their molds and materials  in countless Hollywood productions, like "Jurassic Park" or "Star Wars," or on TV shows like "The Walking Dead." Tune in to see how the molds are made, and even a demonstration of some applied special effects makeup.  

February 26: Join PCN as we travel to Cardinal Systems. Cardinal Systems is a family-owned and operated business through 3 generations. They have been creating pool products for years and are going to share their knowledge with us. Join us as they give us a tour!

Putting Together PCN Tours

By: Larry Kaspar, Senior Producer, and Host

“Assembly required” are words some people dread reading.  Often there’s a cartoon next to them to soften the blow that shows a hapless guy with crumpled instructions scratching his head and a bike with the handlebars where the seat should be.

Me, they make my heart sing. I run for the toolbox. I actually take inventory of the parts before I dive in.  Who does that? 

Anyone who’s seen and enjoyed PCN Tours knows what I mean. The series shows how things are made in Pennsylvania.   

Back in 1995, Harley-Davidson in York was a logical place to start. Their motorcycles inspire a unique brand of loyalty.  We asked them to do the narration as the bikes went down the production line. That’s it. No professional voice-over, no script, strictly spontaneous. That simple, durable formula endures to this day.

Ever seen a wad of Silly Putty as large as your sofa? 

At the factory, the Silly Putty ingredients are put into a re-purposed dough kneader to mix them together. You know how when you kneaded Silly Putty in your fingers, the air bubbles made little cracking sounds? Well, the popping sounds at the factory might send you running for cover. They sound like gunshots. No kidding.    

Take Martin Guitars in Nazareth. If you play acoustic guitar, this place is mecca. When you see the craftsmanship here, you gain an appreciation for guitars, whether or not you’re a musician. 

These older episodes are a glimpse into the past, but viewers still stay in touch by giving us tips for new shows. Next time you’re intimidated by an assembly job, here’s a tip: don’t do it on a deadline. Then take a deep breath, take the plunge, and create.