In Times of Trouble “You Gotta Have Heart and Hope” and Plans for the Future - Karen Hechler

by Karen Hechler

Looking over and reliving the last two years has given us things to think about that we never expected in our lifetimes. Other generations have dealt with times of pandemic illnesses. By now, we have all heard about the 1918 influenza pandemic. We were informed about it as we struggled through the early stages of Covid-19 in the spring of 2020. Late February, 2020, we were crowded together at the New Haven Hose Social Hall for a gala celebrating the first 50 years of the memorable Connellsville High School musicals. In early March of 2020, the Connellsville Area Historical Society gathered at the Gibson House to share memorabilia from Connellsville history and enjoy light refreshments together. By later in March, our society was closed down along with schools and churches, and everything became virtual reality as we observed life via television and the internet. We were to avoid contact with others to stop the spread of the virus. We had no inoculations to give people. Children attended school while still at home, learning by using computers. Some children had no access to computers or the internet. Teachers and students had to learn a whole new way of educating and being educated. Going to church had to be creatively handled. Some church services were held over the internet, and some services were held in your cars in the church parking lot just like going to the drive-in movies. The hospitals, in some areas, were overwhelmed with patients stricken with Covid. Medical staffs were overwhelmed with patients and hospitals ran out pf space to accommodate those patients with the deadly virus. In some cities, like New York City, the public was so appreciative of their brave medical souls that at a certain time every day, the public would go outside or open their windows and cheer for those who put their lives on the line to care for the sick and dying. It was very sad but very inspirational. Unfortunately, as we move into 2022, we see a new strain of Covid filling the hospitals with patients, many of whom are not yet inoculated against this virus. The health workers are weary and not being treated as well as they were earlier. But we hope that things will improve in the future. This pandemic and other issues have divided the American public. People have reacted to the pandemic in very different ways even now that we have very effective vaccinations for the virus. Some people see the vaccines as an answer to their prayers while other are not sure and are afraid of them. This time of difficulty has brought out the very best in us, and, unfortunately, the very worst in us. We suspect each other of cheating and using other’s fears to our own advantage. We have seen things that we never expected to see in our lifetime. Americans are accusing each other of inciting riots, destroying our election process, trying to abolish democracy in America, invading sacred government buildings. The anger and distrust of one another is traumatic.

But we must strive to be as positive as possible, for there have been other times of turmoil in our country’s history. We were established by the Revolutionary War, and preserved by the Civil War. We have seen great steps taken to ensure the rights of all Americans and the extension of voting rights to all Americans. We have seen the institution of public education made available to all Americans and the continued assurance of private education. I just finished reading Beneath the Apple Leaves by Harmony Verna which takes place in 1918 as the United States experienced the First World War. The anger directed at German Americans at that time was palpable, like anger directed at today’s minority groups. The 1918 pandemic was even mentioned. So we have been through such times before and survived similar experiences. Here in Connellsville in early 2022, our churches are open again, our schools have students in the classrooms, our restaurants are open, the drive-thru windows never closed, some meetings are still being held virtually but not all of them, many older Connellsville residents have gotten their booster shots, and children 5 to 11 have received their first shots of the Covid vaccine. I was able to send my ballot in for the November 2021 election. I am happy to watch college and professional football with stadiums full of people once again. It was strange watching games with almost empty stadiums. You have got to have heart and hope for the future. In the late 1930’s, the world was on the brink of the second world war. Many Americans were determined that we should not get involved. We had oceans to protect us from trouble in Europe and problems with Asia. As a nation and a community, we were putting on a positive face and looking toward a positive future. Bill Balsley, my mentor and the founder of the Connellsville Area Historical Society, shared a brochure printed in 1940 by the Connellsville Chamber of Commerce, then located on Brimstone Corner in Connellsville. The summary, intended to interest people in our community, included information on industrial opportunities, natural resources, a great place to live, and a historical sketch. The thumbnail sketch of Connellsville stated that the city was located on the Youghiogheny River in Fayette County, 48 miles southeast of Pittsburgh; had an average temperature of 52.2 degrees, 47 inches of rainfall, and a population (1940) of 13,500. “Living conditions are pleasant and everything is complete including 10 good schools, 32 churches, 3 theaters, State Hospital, State Armory, Carnegie Free Library, one of the finest golf courses in Western Pennsylvania, beautiful municipal parks, tennis courts, fully equipped mountain camp, flood-lighted stadium, and homes at reasonable rents and sale prices.”

Under the heading Industrial Opportunity it stated, “Fast, economic transportation service by rail (B&O, P.R.R., P&L.E., W M. P.&W.V.), by highway (Rt. 40, Rt. 30, Pt 22, and the new Super-Highway), and by air (Connellsville’s grade C airport) makes it easy to get materials into your plant and your production to market promptly.” Emphasis was placed on the opportunity to enjoy sports and the great outdoors. “The city lies in a mountainous county of great scenic beauty which abounds in a wide variety of plant and animal life. To the sportsman, the camper, the hiker and the nature enthusiast, the surrounding area offers recreational possibilities so diversified that it cannot be matched by any similar area in the United States.” I was particularly impressed by the way the brochure praised the beauty of the mountains. Too often we don’t stop to appreciate the natural beauty of our local area. “Hard surfaced roads give access to back-country area famous for seasonal charm. In the spring, the mountains are spangled with a host of strikingly colorful wild flowers. During the fall, the same roads are lined by hardwood trees whose brilliant coloration draws motorist for hundreds of miles to view their autumnal beauty.” In the historical sketch, I particularly liked the following: “In early history the location was known as Stewart’s Crossing, which was on Nemacolin’s Path, later known as Washington’s Road. This crossing, on the Youghiogheny River, was the head of keelboat navigation and a stopover for emigrants settling west of the Alleghenies and along the route for all messages between Cumberland and Fort Pitt. This section was the main battleground of the French and Indian War.” What an upbeat brochure telling the rest of the state and perhaps the nation that Connellsville was a progressive, positive city looking forward to the future. Lots of good people are still looking forward to the future in Connellsville in the first quarter of the 21st century as we face the difficulties that disrupt our nation at the current time. Go down to Water Street and see the new housing units being constructed on the site of the former Betters Bar and Grill. Some of the units are occupied and others are still under construction by Chelsea Ritenour Construction. The Comfort Inn of Connellsville has constructed a new porte-cochère, and is in discussions to purchase the property next to the hotel to build a structure which may include an events center, a winery and a restaurant. The Brimstone Building is being updated with new windows and offices will be available for rental. The Community Center, the former Connellsville High School on Fairview Avenue, is getting new windows and doors to make the building more useful for public events. Angie Hamman is renovating the former Gigliotti’s building to include a black box theater and other attractions. There will be a brewery on Arch Street under the direction of Matt Humes and Jason Bandemer where the former DeMarco’s Nursery was located, and a cigar bar recently opened by Anthony Ruvo and Kevin Johnston, where the Crawford Tea Room once was. Armstrong will soon be located in the building once occupied by Murphy Hall. This is a partial list of what is happening in Connellsville during this difficult time. It shows signs of progress and hope for the future, and we make up only a small bit of American society. Study your history and know that our great nation has weathered many serious difficulties in the past. I was watching a movie made in 1938 about Nazi organizations in the United States at that time and the danger that they presented. I have learned about Japanese concentration camps in California during World War II. We moved on and made progress to enhance our democratic way of life. We have got to have heart and hope that our country will weather these current problems and look with confidence to the future as we have over the last 230-plus years. This is a crucial time in our nation’s history. May we look back on this time and see how these experiences have helped us grow into a “more perfect Union.”