Each year The Bradford Era sends a complimentary calendar to its subscribers, inserted in the pages of a late-December edition.

They can be seen in offices and garages throughout the area, tacked up with a pin or hung on a nail. The practice dates all the way back to the 1940s or ’50s, although no one is certain of the exact start.

Some residents, like Jim Dougherty, Clayton Vecellio and Ken Marsh, had the foresight to begin collecting them, amassing an assortment spanning 50 to 60 years now.

The Era calendars have covered many sights and topics over the years, perhaps an image from a story of the time or maybe just a great shot representative of the place we call home.

Photographers agree, it’s an honor to have one of their photos selected for the year’s calendar.

Longtime Era photographer Francie Long, while accustomed to seeing her work on the pages each day, said, “It was a special experience for me. It was an honor to see my photos on the calendar over the years.”

Some other photographers featured include Will Champlin, Don Tanner, Craig Melvin, Glenn Melvin, Daniella Langianese and Wade Aiken.

Long, shooting with film in the 1990s, had to arrange a flight to capture her aerial photos for the calendar.

“I really enjoyed all the aerials that I took over the years. Arranging flights with local pilots and … the day of the flight in a small plane,” Long recalled. “Many years Ray Lewis, a local private pilot, flew me for the calendar photos as well as other photos.”

The next calendar features Tom Huntoon’s picture of the McKean County Courthouse in Smethport, shot with a drone.

Huntoon said, “I’m flattered that this picture of the courthouse was chosen when it was illuminated in green to honor our veterans.”

For subscribers, the 2024 calendar will arrive with the paper later this month. A limited number of extra copies are available by inquiry at The Era’s front desk, 43 Main St.