I once lived in a town known for great hamburgers. Sounds like the culinary opening to my own “Out of Africa” story, doesn’t it? This tale, too, ends tragically.

One summer I single-handedly put the best place for great burgers out of business. Poof. Gone like smoke off the griddle.

The weight of that responsibility still hangs heavy on my heart, although not as heavy as my heart might feel today had I continued eating massive amounts of red meat, a quarter-pounder at a time from the joint.

The newspaper I published then entertained readers each summer with the staff’s choices of best of this and best of that. We told folks where to get the best pizza and where to find the best swimming hole. There were many food categories. For instance, we’d pick the best chicken-fried steak. Chicken-fried steak is to people in the southwest United States what lobster is to people in the northeast. Or maybe it’s what pierogies and potato pancakes are to us in the Wyoming Valley.

I thought carefully about how I put that business under water before I suggested The Times Leader run its own picks of best places to eat this summer. It was worth the risk, I finally decided.

So on Tuesday we will kick off the series with a story on our best picks for ice cream. Throughout the course of the summer we will offer our picks for best pizza places, those that have a great breakfast, as well as foods in other categories. These will be our choices, not those of our readers. Once the stories are published, readers should write letters or e-mail to tell us about their favorite spots. We will post those results on our Web site.

My inspiration for the series came late one Sunday evening a few weeks ago when I decided not to drive five minutes from my house to Hillside Farms but instead hike 30 minutes to Manning’s Ice Cream Parlor in Clarks Summit. It was well worth the drive.

I’ve been eating Hillside Farms ice cream for about 30 years and I rank it as among the best, not just in Northeastern Pennsylvania, but in the world.

Parochialism aside, I have to admit that Manning’s makes mighty fine ice cream, too. Neck and neck with Hillside, in my book. Debating the strengths and weaknesses of both ice cream makers with myself I decided a Times Leader panel should tell everyone where to find the best ice cream.

I do not get a vote but I’ve just given you my preferences. I’d add to it a new ice cream shop on Carverton Road in Kingston Township called Back Mountain Creamery.

Well, let’s hope I do not put someone out of business but here’s the cautionary tale about what can happen to a winner in these types of series.

In that Texas town I called home a decade ago, one place, Kincaid’s, was the perennial best hamburger winner. It was a quaint old neighborhood grocery store which started making hamburgers on the side. Before long the groceries were gone and the hamburgers became the centerpiece of the business.

Tired of the same old winner at my newspaper, I suggested the panel of reporters and editors try a new place at a nearby lake. I don’t recall the name because for reasons that will be explained, it has not become world-famous.

This other burger joint had its quaint touches. It was inside what was the equivalent of a travel trailer. Customers entered through what had been the back door and placed their orders. Then they waited. It was narrow and hot. The clientele sweated like they were being grilled. Eventually they were handed food and escaped through the small, narrow front door.

Uncomfortable as the wait was, it was worth it. The burgers were fresh, plump, meaty and juicy. The onion rings were outstanding. It was a delicious feast.

Reluctant as our judges were they said they would try the place since I was the boss. But, they warned, it was not likely to be a winner. That was also because I was the boss.

Well, it won and Kincaid’s placed second. About a month after it was named as the best burger place in town, my son and I stopped at the newly crowned, lakeside burger joint. The line waiting to squeeze into the trailer snaked around the parking lot. A long wait ensued but finally we were at the counter to order. The owner was dripping in sweat and his face blood-red.

“My father’s the one who nominated your place for best hamburger,” my son announced proudly.

“I’d shoot that S.O.B. if I could find him,” he shouted. “He’s killed me. I can’t keep up with the business I have. I’m closing. ”

Needless to say I quietly ordered and then left. Sure enough, the demand of high traffic had caused the number one burger joint to lose control of quality. The burger was second-rate. Less than a month later we returned and the place was shuttered. The place sitting closed and lonely looking gave me heartburn. A lot like its onion rings when the place flourished, however briefly.

I am hoping my Times Leader idea does not end similarly.

Best of NEPA

Read about the best ice cream Tuesday in The Times Leader.

About the Author

Richard L. Connor is Editor and Publisher of the Times Leader and president of Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company.

Richard L. Connor is Editor and Publisher of The Times Leader. Mr. Connor’s career in the newspaper business spans nearly 40 years in four states and in a variety of positions including editor, publisher and owner.

In June of 2006, Mr. Connor formed The Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company, purchased The Times Leader and returned to the post he previously held from 1978 to 1986.

He has worked for several media companies, including 25 years as an executive with Capital Cities Communications, later Cap Cities/ABC and then the Walt Disney Company. During that time he served for over 10 years as President and Publisher of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Fort Worth, TX.

His work to have his newspapers not only serve the community as a voice of needed change but also to build bridges among its leaders and diverse forces has been recognized constantly for its unique brand of media leadership. He has won numerous awards as a columnist and for his editorials and has received a number of awards for his newspaper and community leadership and achievement. He has served on numerous community and industry boards, including two times as a member of the Pulitzer Prize Nominating Committee.

He resides in the Back Mountain with his wife, Deborah, and daughter, Meredith. Mr. Connor also has two adult children.

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