Wedding Day

Cross on the Hill

Ceremony

Elk Country Visitor Center

Reception

Our Wedding

The tale of these two begins before their first date. Jenna relocated from Vermont to Greensburg, Pennsylvania on December 26, 2020, to start her journey of becoming a physician assistant at Seton Hill University. Meanwhile, Channing, who is originally from Greensburg, PA, was completing his senior year at New England College (NEC) in New Hampshire, studying environmental sciences and playing hockey. Unbeknownst to them, their paths most likely crossed before Jenna's move to PA. Channing played as a forward at NEC for four years, the rival school to Jenna's alma mater. Jenna was both a fan and an EMT at the Norwich University hockey games, where she unknowingly watched her future husband battle it out on the ice. The day after Jenna moved to PA, she had the pleasure of being introduced to Valerie Hoegel, the owner/founder of Hospaws in Youngwood, PA. Jenna was seeking out a feline companion to foster. Not only did Valerie help Jenna become a failed foster mom to her beloved Pickles, but she was the main reason for Jenna and Channing's introduction. On July 4, 2021, Valerie sent Jenna a random text stating she had to introduce her to her cousin - emphasizing that she must like hockey and fishing. Meanwhile, little did Jenna know, Valerie was talking her up to Channing's mother, Tara Gorscak, whom Jenna met a few short months later at a fundraising event for Hospaws. At this event, both Valerie and Tara showed Jenna all of Channing's social media. A short week or two passed by, and Jenna and Channing happened to cross paths on a dating app. While Jenna knew who Channing was, she was bound and determined to meet on her terms. They continued to talk over text for about two months before Jenna decided to send a snapchat video of volunteering at Val's animal rescue. Channing was clueless and knew nothing except that his mother and cousin wanted him to meet a PA student from VT who worked at the rescue every Saturday morning. Upon seeing all the cats in the video he started to piece it together when his mother finally disclosed Jenna's name. On October 29, 2021, Jenna received a phone call from Valerie, who was disappointed that Jenna failed to tell her that she had been speaking to Channing for the last couple of months. At this time, she extended the invite for Jenna to attend a red carpet fundraiser event that night. At the event, Tara was determined to push along the introduction and called Valerie throughout the event to coordinate with Jenna and Channing on when they should meet. Channing decided later that night to ask Jenna to join him and his parents the following day at a bingo night at the local fire hall. On October 30, 2021, Channing picked Jenna up and on their way to his parent's house for dinner before bingo decided to warn Jenna that she would be meeting some extended family and friends. While at Bingo, Jenna awkwardly sat in the middle of Channing, his mother, his aunt, uncle, and cousins. It wasn't until Channing and his uncle started drawing on their arms with Bingo dabbers that Jenna started showing her personality and join in on the fun. This date lasted about eight hours. November 13, 2021, Channing decided to plot a ploy and asked Jenna to join him on a hike to Ohiopyle. Knowing that both Tara and Valerie would not allow anything bad to happen, Jenna agreed. Although this "hike" was mostly flatland, Jenna revealed her clumsy self by falling in the stream after viewing the waterfalls. What felt like a Hallmark movie already, only enhanced as they soaked in the views of nature watching the fish rise and a deer cross their path. It turns out that watching the fish rise was the main reason for the date location, which Channing proceeded to fish the following day. This date lasted a total of 13 hours. On Thanksgiving, November 25, 2021, Channing and his family welcomed Jenna on her third date to her first Gorscak family holiday dinner. This led to a series of failed holiday light sightings, ice skating, and coffee dates before making it official on December 5, 2021. When Jenna was on Winter break from her classes, on December 27, 2021, with the television on, she was cheering for an old rival when Channing took the ice for his first Professional Hockey game. Two days later, Jenna Traveled down to Binghamton, NY, where she would watch Channing take the ice and cheer for him instead of against him.

From the beginning...

On March 26, 2023, Jenna was studying for her end of rotation exam in the office at Channing's parents house while they went out for a family day to celebrate his father's birthday. Upon coming back, Channing went to check on Jenna and bring her downstairs to help decorate for Easter before dinner. When Jenna arrived in the dining room, she found mini plastic Easter eggs scattered across the table. Tara asked if she would help check the eggs for last year's candy. Upon opening a purple egg, Jenna found a ring taped inside. Clueless, she thought it was some type of joke. Channing claimed it was his as he took it from her, then he got down on one knee and asked Jenna to be his someone forever and marry him. Jenna, who was in the midst of a happy dance, trying to keep her eyes dry from waterworks, said YES!!!

The engagement...

The finding of the two venues came long before the thoughts surrounding the engagement. The two were searching for things to do when it was Jenna's first visit to Pap Wentzel's Cabin. Channing and Pap took a break from fishing to teach Jenna how to fly fish and search for local attractions. Channing took Jenna to the Elk Country Visiting Center to search for the elk of Pennsylvania to share in one of his favorite childhood memories. It was his childhood dream that if he were to get married, the Visitor Center amongst the elk is where it would be. After coming across bull and cow elk herds, the two set off to find the future spot of their Ceremony, The Cross on the Hill. The two parked Channing's truck and went towards the cross, where the scenery and beauty of the valley stole Channing and Jenna's heart. While standing overlooking the valley, both looked at each other and said "I could get married here."

Finding the Venue...

Our Story

.. and of course, we cannot forget the man of the hour, the groom to be!

Photos

Karry Andileigh

Avery Lavella

Robbie Flint 

Rachel Kish

Kally Bennett-Gooden

Christian Gorscak

Jade McMillan 

Connor Gorscak

Taylor Fontaine

Justin Bartus

Julieanne Montaquila

Ben Knecht

Wedding Party

Q & A

Lodging in Pennsylvania

AirBnb Stays

Near Straub BreweryMake yourself at home in one of the 69 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, and flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and complimentary newspapers, as well as phones with free local calls.With a stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites St Marys, an IHG Hotel in St. Marys, you'll be within a 5-minute drive of Straub Brewery and Memorial Park.  This hotel is 19.1 mi (30.7 km) from Elk Country Visitor Center and 4.8 mi (7.8 km) from Elk Mountain Winery.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Memorial Park - 3.8 km / 2.4 mi  Straub Brewery - 3.8 km / 2.4 mi  Elk Mountain Winery - 7.8 km / 4.8 mi  KRHC Fox Township Medical Center - 9 km / 5.6 mi  Center House Museum - 19.5 km / 12.1 mi  Bendigo State Park - 22.3 km / 13.9 mi  Parker Dam State Park - 26.6 km / 16.5 mi  Elk Country Visitor Center - 30.7 km / 19.1 mi  Elk State Park - 33.8 km / 21 mi  Bucktail State Park Natural Area - 38.9 km / 24.2 mi  Scottish Heights Golf Club - 39.9 km / 24.8 mi  Flickerwood Wine Cellars - 40.3 km / 25 mi  S. B. Elliott State Park - 41.1 km / 25.5 mi  DuBois Mall - 45.3 km / 28.1 mi  Sizerville State Park - 45.7 km / 28.4 mi  The nearest airports are:DuBois, PA (DUJ-DuBois Regional) - 56.3 km / 35 mi Bradford, PA (BFD-Bradford Regional) - 62 km / 38.5 mi The preferred airport for Holiday Inn Express & Suites St Marys, an IHG Hotel is DuBois, PA (DUJ-DuBois Regional). Don't miss out on recreational opportunities including an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and a vending machine.Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Free self parking is available onsite.A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites St. Marys an IHG Hotel

Near Straub BreweryMake yourself at home in one of the 69 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Your pillowtop bed comes with premium bedding. Flat-screen televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.When you stay at Cobblestone Inn & Suites - St Marys in St. Marys, you'll be in a shopping district and 32.2 mi (51.9 km) from Allegheny National Forest.  This hotel is 21.1 mi (34 km) from Elk Country Visitor Center and 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Straub Brewery.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Straub Brewery - 0.4 km / 0.3 mi  Memorial Park - 1.5 km / 0.9 mi  Elk Mountain Winery - 11 km / 6.8 mi  KRHC Fox Township Medical Center - 12.2 km / 7.6 mi  Center House Museum - 17.8 km / 11 mi  Bendigo State Park - 19.3 km / 12 mi  Parker Dam State Park - 29.8 km / 18.5 mi  Elk State Park - 30.8 km / 19.1 mi  Elk Country Visitor Center - 34 km / 21.1 mi  Bucktail State Park Natural Area - 35.9 km / 22.3 mi  Flickerwood Wine Cellars - 37.9 km / 23.5 mi  Sizerville State Park - 42.7 km / 26.5 mi  Scottish Heights Golf Club - 43.1 km / 26.8 mi  S. B. Elliott State Park - 44.4 km / 27.6 mi  DuBois Mall - 48.5 km / 30.1 mi  The nearest airports are:DuBois, PA (DUJ-DuBois Regional) - 67 km / 41.7 mi Bradford, PA (BFD-Bradford Regional) - 59.6 km / 37 mi The preferred airport for Cobblestone Inn & Suites - St Marys is DuBois, PA (DUJ-DuBois Regional). Enjoy recreation amenities such as a fitness center or take in the view from a terrace. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, a fireplace in the lobby, and a picnic area.Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.Grab a bite from the snack bar/deli serving guests of Cobblestone Inn & Suites - St Marys. Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. A complimentary continental breakfast is served on weekdays from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and on weekends from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Cobblestone Inn & Suites St. Marys

In St. MarysMake yourself at home in one of the 57 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and MP3 docking stations. 32-inch LCD televisions are provided, with cable programming available. Private bathrooms have deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.Located in St. Marys, Best Western Plus Executive Inn is 

Jenna & Channing

Jenna & Channing

Things to Do

Things to do in Pennsylvania

Things to do in Benzette, PA

Jireh Lanes

Elk Trail Trailhead-Liitle Bear Run

Restaurants in the area

Straub Brewery Visitor Center & Tap Room

The Pour House Bar and Grill

St. Marys Corner Restaurant

Rose's Hilltop Diner

Casali's Grille

Gunners

Dam Inn

Medix Hotel

Hoss's Steak & Sea House