#174 April 2015 by Punxsutawney Hometown Magazine

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From Broadcaster to Executive: A Native Son’s Baseball Odyssey By Jennifer Skarbek Smith for Hometown magazine s a child imaginatively playing for hours in his backyard with a barrel full of bats and balls and a heart full of hopes and dreams, Punxsy native Jason Dambach always aspired to be something big in the world of sports. Now, at 38, Dambach’s wish will be even more a reality when he kicks off the 2015 baseball season as the executive vice president and general manager of the Frisco Rough Riders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. With the job appointment having been made in January by CEO and Managing Partner Chuck Greenberg and Co-General Partner Scott Sonju, Dambach has since relocated to a Texas suburb 20 miles north of Dallas, a long way from his boyhood abode and family ties, to embark on his new career and promising future. Growing up in his family’s Oliveburg home, Dambach’s interest in sports blossomed from a young age. He loved the game of baseball, the thrill of the ball being hit out of the park, the exhilaration of the crowd as the home team scored a run; however, when most youngsters were wanting to be the next Babe Ruth or Willie Stargell, it was what happened behind the scenes and off the field that most intrigued the young Dambach. According to Dambach’s mother, Debby Weaver, from the time her son was about five years old, he was totally fascinated with the art of sports broadcasting. “He would sit in his room with the volume turned down on his TV,” Weaver pleasantly recalls, “and he would announce the game with a tape recorder running.” Weaver added that even though her son had always been interested in sports of all kinds, it was baseball that had captured his heart. He would often watch games with his grandfather Russ Cope where he would soak up the play-by-play action and then go home to his room or his yard and rehash the accounts as he emulated his favorite sports announcers. Dambach continued to have an interest in baseball as a teenager playing the outfield for his high school team; however, he

On the cover: Jason Dambach Photo by Byron Towles

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A young Jason Dambach prepares to demonstrate his swing. (submitted photo)

Now Jason takes the field as he leads the Frisco Roughriders this season. (submitted photo)

admits that he was not the star of the game. “I was a mediocre outfielder at best,” he said. But this did not hamper his efforts, for he was looking ahead at a career in broadcasting, and he knew that these experiences would only strengthen his connection to the game. “I knew that I wanted to pursue a career as a radio broadcaster,” Dambach remarked. “I wanted to be calling games.” It was no surprise then when Dambach, a 1994 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School, enrolled after graduation at Clarion University as a communications major. Along with completing the regular course load that accompanies this particular college degree, Dambach also took part in announcing basketball and football games at the university on a regular basis. His years of taking part in sports during his youth, as well as watching them on television, had familiarized Dambach so well with the nuts and bolts of the games that he developed a keen insight and an incredible knowledge of the subject. Thus,

he could talk for hours without hesitation about the game and its players, a skill so vital when on the radio – a medium that does not allow for dead space or a lag during a broadcast. And this talent paid off; for, only a couple of days after receiving his college degree, Dambach landed himself a golden opportunity. Weaver explained that her son attended a job fair in Anaheim, California, in May of 1999 hoping to find a job while fresh out of college. Although it was a great experience, no leads panned out at the event. However, on the plane ride home, Dambach talked with representatives of the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, making a great impression on them as well as landing him a coveted internship with the team for its premier season. “I drove back and forth every day to Altoona,” Dambach said of the unpaid internship. “After the ’99 season, I fell in love with it.” Since he had done such a remarkable

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This March 2015 image of snow along the banks of the Mahoning Creek was taken from the Mahoning Shadow Trail near Cloe. More than 150 years ago, Mahoning Creek was a major “highway” for area men to raft timber to markets in Pittsburgh. (photo by S. Thomas Curry)

A circa 1900 postcard shows a group of men on rafts connected to move around the winding curves of the Mahoning Creek, en route to Punxsutawney and then to Pittsburgh. The scene is supposedly on Canoe Creek near Cloe where it enters Mahoning Creek. (postcard courtesy of S. Thomas Curry)

Rafting the Mahoning in the 19th Century

By S. Thomas Curry of Hometown magazine pring was a busy time for pioneer families during the early 19th century. Busy in a different way than the “modern” families of the early 21st century. With only a few Indian paths, crude roads, and creeks as gateways to the area, families were, nonetheless, entering the Punxsutawney area to begin a new life in these parts of Western Pennsylvania. The Mahoning Creek, meandering through the area in its most natural and roughest form, was a major “highway” for connecting the early settlers to the outside world. Writings found in early newspapers and family journals described the land in words such as “endless hillsides of towering pine and hemlock,” “a howling wilderness,” “boundless forests,” and “an impenetrable frontier wilderness.” In 1893, the Rev. Samuel Clawson, one of many Punxsutawney area natives from pioneer families, described growing up in “the woody wilds not far from where the striving town of Punxsutawney now stands.” [The area is now Cloe. The Clawson family owned most of the land east of the Mahoning Creek in Punxsutawney that

included Punxsutawney’s East End section.] In a newspaper article, Clawson used words to paint a visual picture of the wooded land as he recalled it in his youth, a land of forested hills and valleys to be arduously cleared for man’s survival and habitable living: “The trees, being very large, tall, straight and thickly set, were one of the grandest sights I ever beheld.” He recalled the early morning he entered the dark woods “but could see nothing but the intertwining green tops of the lofty trees. Not a spot of blue sky was visible.” Clearing the land, the settlers transformed the old, wooded land into private spaces for their log houses, into land for planting crops and later for pasture fields and farms. Among the hardships of those pioneer days was cutting down the “grand old trees” (as old-timers respectfully named the ancient trees) that surrounded them. Small sawmills, run by waterpower, were built in every settlement along the major creeks. They were generally named for the people who owned them – think Bell’s Mill, Sprankle’s Mill, Rochester Mills, McGee’s Mill, etc. Then there was the task of hauling logs

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to sawmills. Logs were cut into lumber to fulfill local building needs – such as the construction of small houses and shops – or prepared for marketing; they were taken down the creek with the earliest floods of the season. The spring floods were called “freshets” or rafting floods. Along the major creek banks was the activity of “rafting in.” During the 1880s and 1890s, many of the young men from the pioneer years were older, and living in the area’s bustling industrial environment created from new mining activity taking place beneath the land. The arrival of the railroads to haul away the coal, the industry of the iron furnace, the machine repair shops that supported the mines and railroads provided new opportunities for jobs. Also, highly commercial and business activities had developed. All this development changed the life of Punxsutawney as chronicled in 1846. In the “State-Book of Pennsylvania,” Thomas Burrowes described the town as “a pleasant little village in the southern part of Jefferson county, on Mahoning creek.” An early mail-rider – one who traveled his route in 1840 on horseback through the area between Kittanning and Curwensville and through Punxsutawney – wrote in 1898 that “I rode ten miles for breakfast, passing Punxsutawney where Dr. Jenks was postmaster. The town was a mere hamlet, principally a lumbering camp, surrounded with the finest of white pine which was rafted in hewed logs down Mahoning creek to the Allegheny river and

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thence to Pittsburg.” Published in the mid-19th century, the rare and treasured issues of the Punxsutawney Plaindealer provide contemporary readers with announcements about the activity related to lumbering and rafting. For example, on Wednesday, April 1, 1869, the Plaindealer reported the following to readers: “During the latter part of last week our lumbermen were busily engaged in preparing and starting their lumber to market on the waters of the Mahoning. Almost one-half of the lumber in this region was ready for running, and the freshet continuing from Friday until the present writing, with fair prospects for more water, has made this a very busy place for the past few days. “Reports from the lower end of the creek are to the effect, that considerable sticking and ‘stoving’ has been done. We learn that the prospects of our lumber merchants are good; that the price paid in market will be remunerative, and that dollars will not be like the Irishman’s potatoes – ‘few and far between’ – after the return of our lumbermen.” On April 7, 1870, the Plaindealer offered the following report to residents: “The Mahoning remained at a rafting stage all last week, to the pleasure of our lumbermen who were soon busily engaged along the banks. A large number of rafts were started for below, many of which succeeded in running safely to market. We learn from persons who have just returned from the city, that all who were successful in getting their lumber down are doing - Continued on page 8

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His computer and the internet help Punxsutawney native son, Jason Dambach, the executive vice president and general manager of the Frisco Rough Riders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers, keep abreast of baseball trends and statistics. (submitted photo)

Broadcaster

Continued from page 2 job during this practice run with the Curve, the club’s executives offered Dambach the chance to stay on with the team as a paid employee handling radio broadcasts and public relations. Dambach accepted the position and so began a decade-long employment span in Altoona. While on staff, Dambach’s duties consistently increased as time passed, and, by 2006, the small-town boy became the Curve’s play-by-play announcer, a very significant promotion. “My role just got more and more prominent,” Dambach added. Dambach had become the voice of the Curve, but he didn’t stop there. He said that he became very active in the day-today running of the team by being a valuable component to the front office staff. He became involved in sales, marketing, and media relations, all key components in bringing the fans an incredible sports experience. This fact was evident to the public, earning the team a number of awards and honors for its accomplishments while Dambach was a part of the equation. Of the Curve, Dambach said simply, “We were a very successful franchise.” Chuck Greenberg, a Pittsburgh attorney and the president and managing partner of the Curve in 2008, witnessed Dambach’s growth from an intern to the head of media relations for the club, and rewarded the young man with an offer for advancement. Dambach said of Greenberg, who also owned the State College Spikes, “He asked me if I would like to move to State College to be the manager of that team, and I said ‘Yes!’” So, for the next six years, Dambach focused on the Spikes at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and made his way from vice president to senior vice president to general manager, giving him total control of the operations of the baseball franchise in central Pennsylvania. Although this move completely took Dambach out of his comfort zone of the broadcast booth, it led to his acquisition of stronger public relations skills and key managerial abilities. He said, “During my time with the Spikes I changed my aspirations. I wanted to become a manager and CEO, to attain success in professional sports.” Weaver said it was typical for her son to put in 12 to 13 hour days during base-

ball season and that Dambach’s hard work and diligence had a lot to do with his and his team’s success in State College. This effort was not only noticed by his mother, for Dambach’s colleagues voted him winner of the New York-Penn League’s Robert F. Julian Community and Baseball Service Award in 2010 and the Robert Stedler Executive of the Year in 2012, honors bestowed on him for his dedication and commitment to the sport. Dambach summed up his time and success at the Spikes by adding that, “last year we even won the league championship.” Over his 16 years of involvement with minor league baseball with the Curve and then the Spikes, Dambach’s relationship with Greenberg has continually grown and matured, not to mention that the duo has had much success together. Therefore, after Greenberg purchased the Frisco Rough Riders in August of last year, Dambach was not completely caught off guard when his friend and business mentor called him to ask if Dambach would manage the team. Although Dambach turned down Greenberg’s initial offer to go to Texas, this wasn’t the case the second time he was asked. “Around Christmas he brought it up again,” Dambach said, “I can’t say what changed, but I felt it was the right time.” Dambach made the transition from the Keystone State to Dr. Pepper Ballpark, the home of the Rough Riders, in January – a 21 ½-hour move that has placed him in a metropolitan hub of over six million people, a very different environment from that which he is used to. “This is just a really exciting opportunity for a small-town guy who has worked his way through the industry,” Dambach commented. Dambach has already begun executing the duties of his new job, which include handling marketing and promotional efforts, addressing community presence and overall fan experience, managing game operations, and overseeing all franchise and business matters. In addition, Dambach will be a crucial part of Greenberg’s plan to overhaul the Rough Riders’ brand and fan experience by improving Dr. Pepper Ballpark with a new HD video board and sports bar. “Chuck is someone who dreams big,” Dambach said. “I’m beyond honored that he has asked me to join him here.” Greenberg is the person whom - Continued on page 10

Punxsutawney’s popular G. C. Murphy’s store – pictured here in 1977 – was located on the corner of Findley and Mahoning Streets. (photo from the S. Thomas Curry Collection of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society)

Yankee Doodle Dandy: An Easter Peep comes of Age

By Mary Ellen Pollock-Raneri for Hometown magazine ost kids own some kind of pet. For instance, when I was a little girl, I used to walk across the street to visit Jinxsy, a beagle who belonged to our neighbors’ three children. One time, a friend of mine brought her horse to our house in Fairview. There, in the overgrown, weedfilled meadow just above our house, my parents let me ride double with her on the family’s steed. Then too, I recall a childhood chum who owned a monkey; the family had to sell it, though, when it scratched her. Even my mother had a pet – a green parakeet named Mickey. I suppose you could say it was my pet too – but it really wasn’t. Mickey belonged exclusively to my mother, who trained it to whistle, to sing, and to squawk out a few words, including a few interesting expletives. Typically, Mickey perched on my mom’s finger and the two of them had delightful conversations – that is, until (according to my mom) Mickey “kicked the bucket.” Naturally, my kid brain thought that Mickey literally kicked the metal laundry bucket that sat under his cage – and he perished. Although I was a little sad at the thought of Mickey’s passing, I still really wanted an animal to call my own. G.C. Murphy’s sure seemed an unlikely place to find a family pet, but that’s where my dad purchased my first one in 1960. Naturally, the place had some tropical fish in big tanks that they kept in the back of the store. There were also a few gerbils and some hamsters that I used to watch burrow in wood chips or spin around on plastic wheels. I think the store even sold parakeets. But, since my mother still grieved over Mickey’s untimely demise and since she refused to live within one mile of anything that resembled a mouse – my father

took a different route. A few days before Easter, Daddy bought a peep for me right there at the five-and-ten-cent store in Punxsutawney. “Which one do you like?” Dad smiled. All I could see was a rainbow of soft down – little chicks that were tinted blue, purple, green, and pink clung together in a furry mountain on top of a wooden counter in our five-and-ten. Pecking and chirping, many peeps huddled near the food tray. Others climbed on top of each other or scampered about under the warming light above them. I picked a pale blue one – a tiny, fuzzy creature that was huddled alone in a corner of the display. Dad let me hold the small cardboard box with holes punched on top for air that temporarily housed my new pet, and we strolled to our car. Feeling excited, I clung to the container, afraid of jiggling the little guy. It was my first real pet. When we got home, Mom set up a little compound for the chick in an out-of-the-way corner of our kitchen. We got a new cardboard box and added some straw for a bed. There, under the warmth of a desk lamp, my Easter peep enjoyed the luxury of his new house. “What are you gonna name him?” my mother asked the million dollar question. I didn’t hesitate one bit. I had rolled the name around in my head ever since I saw it. I had the perfect one. “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” I replied as I watched the peep peck at a few morsels of feed. Stroking his fine feathers, I whispered, “Hi, Yankee. Welcome home.” As time passed and Yankee grew bigger, he settled into a new home in our garage. Usually, though, the neighbors would see him strolling around the back yard or scratching in the dirt near the porch. Most folks were amazed – no one ever knew anyone who actually raised an Easter peep to a full-size chicken. I even had a little leash for it that my mom braided out of twine. Sometimes, I

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Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 5

Yankee Doodle Continued from previous page

helped him and dug fat, juicy worms out of our garden for his snack. Other times, my chicken liked to sit on my shoulder as I cruised around outside doing kid stuff. Yes, Yankee Doodle was the best buddy that a five-yearold kid could have; he followed me almost everywhere and, well, sometimes got into things that he shouldn’t have. I can still recall the day that my mother took me to Dr. Trunzo for my vaccinations before I started school. Watching the doctor swirl some medicine on my left upper arm, I was fascinated by the little circle he was making with the tip of a long needle. A few days later, a scab formed over the site of the inoculation; Mom was told not to fret – that red, crusty covering would fall off and the vaccine would be complete. Unfortunately, the scab had a little help with its removal. One sunny afternoon, about a week or so after visiting the doctor, I strolled around the side of our house and I walked my chicken. Well, actually, I gave Yankee a ride like I normally did; he sat atop my left shoulder and I could feel his claws dig into my soft skin. He sure was getting bigger, stronger, and more curious. As I stood gazing at my mother’s red rose bush that recently had burst into full bloom, it happened. And, it happened so fast, I didn’t have a chance to stop it. Yankee tilted his little chicken head and pecked off my vaccination with one swift swoop of his yellow beak. Crying, I ran to my mom who was working in the garden, and I blubbered out the whole gruesome story. Yankee poked around on the grass and couldn’t have cared less. On the other hand, my mother was panic-stricken; she dashed to the kitchen, made a telephone call to Dr. Trunzo, and explained that my pet chicken ripped off my vaccine scab. “Don’t worry about it, Lucy. No harm done,” Dr. Trunzo reassured my mother who at that point was also sobbing and who was ready to take me to the Mayo Clinic by helicopter. Then he added, “Just keep the chicken away from that arm.” Nowadays, I’m so very sure that our family doctor and his nurse, Diane, had a pretty good chuckle that day. I also imagine that my mom’s phone call was the first chicken / vaccination calamity that ever happened to our family physician. My arm did heal, just as the good doctor advised; however, Yankee continued to raise a few eyebrows. One morning, my critter startled my father, a State Trooper who worked midnight patrol. See, in the warm summer evenings, Yankee Doodle sometimes slept in

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the window well by the back porch. As my father wheeled around the side of the house about six in the morning, Yankee woke up, jumped out of his roosting place and cock-adoodle-dooed. At that point, Dad decided that Yankee needed a pen, so he built a little compound out of chicken wire and some old lumber that we had in our garage. There, under the shade of the plum tree in our backyard, Yankee Doodle Dandy enjoyed suburban life at its best and had his own private condo for the evenings. Unfortunately, Yankee continued to do what chickens do best – he cock-a-doodledooed every morning at the crack of dawn. I’m not sure what really happened. Maybe the neighbors complained or maybe my parents grumbled. Or maybe I didn’t play with Yankee as much. Whatever the reason, Mom, Dad, Yankee, and I took a trip to my grandma’s house so Yankee could live in her chicken coop for grown-up roosters. Gram assured me that Yankee would have a good home, and I left that day feeling happy that Yankee found his niche. Regrettably, Yankee did not fit in. The other chickens did not like Yankee Doodle; they pecked at him and there were chicken fights in the coop. So, my Italian Nona did what she thought was best—she gave him to an Italian neighbor lady I will call Mrs. Rigatoni (for the sake of anonymity). Nona assured me that Yankee had a very good home, and I will continue to always believe that, even though I never saw Yankee again. Forgive me for sounding insensitive; however, I can only pray that Yankee did not end up a side dish with the above-named pasta. Life moves on and eventually I got another pet – a wiener dog that I named Gussy. But, I never forgot Yankee Doodle Dandy; my vaccination scar is a reminder of that rascal. Sometimes, I still shed a tear and hope that he is roosting at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge, waking up all the other pets at six a.m. with his robust vocal talent. These days, I live really close to a Farm and Fleet hardware and every year around Easter time they sell peeps. How I love to visit those tiny fluffy guys in their display coop over at that store! Thankfully, the peeps aren’t dyed anymore – they are just little balls of yellow down. Generally, I stand over them and I dream about which chick I would pick while I eye the accessories for raising chickens. My husband, on the other hand, holds his breath as he dreams about all the work involved in building a coop, cleaning the coop, and the six o’clock in the morning wake-up calls. Lucky for him, he convinced me that two dachshunds are enough. Ever thoughtful though, my spouse bought me a small wind-up chick for display on our fireplace mantle. We named it Yankee Doodle Dandy. •••

The tipple and rock dump at Onondaga Mine in January 1921. (photo from the Charles N. Miller Collection, courtesy of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society)

Onondaga: A Community That Disappeared

By PRIDE for Hometown magazine hen the Berwind-White Coal Company divested itself of its holdings in Jefferson County and the DuBois area of Clearfield County, the Buffalo and Susquehanna Railroad Company saw an opportunity to expand its operations. In 1901, Susquehanna Railroad purchased the property of the Clearfield Coal Company at Tyler and organized the Buffalo and Susquehanna Coal and Coke Company. This new company acquired the BerwindWhite property at DuBois and the Peale, Peacock and Kerr Coal Company lands, 10 miles south of DuBois in 1902. The company continued buying coal lands, with the goal of extending its railroad to its largest coal holdings at what would become Sagamore. In order to reach the coal lands at Sagamore, the Buffalo and Susquehanna Railroad had to build a road southwest of DuBois that would connect with, and use, the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg Railway Company for a distance of 16 miles, between Stanley and Juneau, then continue the new road on to Sagamore. They leased the use of the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg Railway for 20 years. This lease enabled the Buffalo and Susquehanna Coal and Coke Company to develop the coal in the vicinity of the Henry Brown farm near Bells Mills, Jefferson County. There the company operated a mine, Onondaga, while workers

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finished constructing the road to Sagamore. The mining operation at Onondaga employed 150 to 200. A mining village was built to house miners, and other private housing was built in the area. The mine was one of the area’s most modern, and it took an estimated $800,000 to open. The cost included a long railroad siding built from Big Run. The mine was equipped with the newest machine technology to make it as safe as possible. For the most part the miners were comfortable with the working conditions. However, on Tuesday, April 2, 1907, the Buffalo and Susquehanna Coal Company miners struck because of a change in their pay, from a per diem rate of $2 per day to a scale adopted at DuBois for cutters and scrapers. When the change was announced the men quit work. As a result about 200 men were out of work until April 5 when a vote was taken. When the ballots were counted, only one vote was cast for continuing the strike. The miners returned to work. Onondaga was a designated post office. In 1907, when the post office at Bells Mills was abolished, the Onondaga postmaster, Mr. Olson had to go to Big Run to pick up the incoming mail and dispatch the outgoing mail for Onondaga residents. In 1908, Onondaga became a stop on the Punxsutawney and Big Run trolley, which made the task of receiving and sending mail a lit- Continued on page 12

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Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 7

Rafting the Mahoning Continued from page 3 well, the prices paid being very fair.” According to the 1922 publication “Rafting Days in Pennsylvania,” compiled by a group of former “raftmen,” the size of rafting crews varied, but there were generally two to four men on each crew. As a rule, two men operated one raft and four men a “fleet,” consisting of two rafts. The crew included a pilot, two steerers, and one helper. For this area, the “square timber raft” was more suitable for the creeks. The ordinary raft on the Mahoning Creek, or nearby tributaries such as Canoe Creek or Stump Creek, was from 32 feet to 50 feet long. That, of course depended upon the width of the creek. There were also smaller rafts called “pups.” Upon the death of aged lumbermen and raftmen, obituaries conveyed the pride and respect for those who endured the struggles of the area’s founding years. The obituary of Issac Carmalt, who died in 1888 at age 94, stated that “Carmalt helped run the first raft that left this place for the Pittsburgh market.” [Punxsutawney’s Carmalt Avenue is named for Issac Carmalt.] Samuel Grube was a member of one of the oldest and best-known families in the area; family members were farmers and were also involved in lumbering. He was born in 1856 and died in 1942. About him, it was written: “In 1890 he sent down the Mahoning Creek three big pine rafts out of this area. He piloted one of the rafts himself.” For John Neel, who was born in a log cabin near Hamilton, the following words were written: “He was one of the most noted pilots on Mahoning Creek during the last three quarters of the 19th century. He was an excellent raftman.” When he last piloted a raft, he was acclaimed as the oldest man that had ever run a raft down the creek to the Allegheny River at Kit-

tanning and on to Pittsburgh markets. Neel was 89 years old when he was killed near North Point by a southbound passenger train on the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad. In the late 19th century, hundreds of former raftmen in the area of southern Jefferson County and northern Indiana County became “older residents” with stories to tell the younger generation before their memories faded. They found many opportunities to meet and talk over the events of rafting lumber. Their stories were printed in two local weekly newspapers or written as memAn 1878 artist’s lithograph drawing captures a view of James H. Bell’s farm and sawmill along Mahoning Creek, oirs for family records. a timber raft prepared to be sent down the creek. Notice the steering oars at each end. The area would be Recalling the 1860s and with named Bell’s Mills in honor of Mr. Bell. (drawing from J. A. Caldwell’s Illustrated History of Jefferson County, 1870s, Editor Horace Miller of 1878) the Punxsutawney News wrote “Several rafts of timber are being made up rafting flood.” Miller wrote his account of in February 1891 that “... the flooded in the creek at the upper iron bridge [now that day in late spring: “Men with gum creek would have been full of rafts. The the East Mahoning Street bridge] and boots or their pants tucked inside, were town would have been full of raftsmen and many people watched the work of conseen on our streets hurrying toward the lumbermen and our hotels would have struction. This season of the year brings to creek with rolls of cable thrown over their been overcrowded with men wearing the minds of many the time when ‘rafting shoulders, or carrying a string of bows and heavy boots and gum overcoats. Some in’ was about all the work that was done a bunch of pins. Men on horses were seen would be talking about the price of lumin March and April and this was followed galloping up and down the streets splashber in the Pittsburg markets, some of the by ‘running’ the rafts down the creek. In ing the mud in all directions. They were probability of getting around the ‘rough the old rafting season our merchants had on the hunt of men to take charge of their water’ without the loss of a log, or a dip a special run on bows and pins, augers and rafts and run them down stream. over the Big Dam without the unshifting cable which were piled up in front of the “At Bell’s Mills the creek was jammed of an oar.” stores for the inspection of the raftmen. full of rafts and a goodly number were tied Miller also shared with his readers that You see none of these things anymore on up in the mouth of Canoe (creek), tugging “The sole ambition of a town boy was to the front row. They have taken a back seat at the cables, as though they were anxious be a raftsman and a good pilot at that. long ago and the plow and harrow have to be on the move. About 10 o’clock the When he heard the call of the pilot crying taken their place in front of the hardware rafts one by one were let loose, guided by out ‘right,’ ‘left,’ and saw the raft gracestore.” the pilot at the rear oar stem, and as the fully curve its spinal cord around the difIn May 1899, Miller, drawing from his command to push ‘right’ or ‘left’ was ferent bends in the creek his admiration memory, presented an account of a more given, the crews of each departing raft for the man at the oar knew no bounds, thrilling and exciting rafting time. It had would sing back to those in the rear ‘we’ll and as soon as possible he would get his rained several days, and the rising water see you at the Loop,’ or the ‘big dam’ [farparents’ reluctant permission to ‘go raftin the Mahoning Creek reminded him of a ther down Mahoning Creek, in Indiana ing.’” time years before when it had rained and County]. In a March 1893 issue of the weekly the creek that normally meandered “At Punxsutawney, however, a pilot had News, Editor Miller shared the following: through town was declared “a booming - Continued on page 10

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Broadcaster Continued from page 4 Dambach credits for showing him the ins and outs of the baseball business. He said that Greenberg basically took him under his wing when they met in Altoona and has continued to teach him all that he can about the industry. “He took me from a being a radio broadcaster to running a franchise,” Dambach said about Greenberg. “There’s no school you can go to have that kind of success.” Opening day for the Frisco Rough Riders is April 9, and although the players and surroundings have changed this year for Dambach, he will continue to do what he had done so well for his Pennsylvania teams. Dambach said that even though he will be running a bigger arena, he will still be using his personal skills to perform similar tasks to those that he did in Altoona and State College. “It will just be a larger net to cast,” Dambach remarked. “That will probably be the biggest adjustment.” Naturally, Weaver is very proud of what her son has accomplished so far in his life. She said that ever since Dambach was young, “he always would strive for that satisfaction that makes him be successful.” This type of dedication shown by her son is a quality that she feels has gotten him through some rough times in his life. First, Dambach’s stepfather, Joe Weaver, was diagnosed with lung cancer when Dambach was with the Curve and then passed away in 2004. Even though Joe did not enter Dambach’s life until the youth was eight years old, he admits that his stepfather was a “gentle giant” who had a wonderful influence on his life. Weaver also went on to tell how her son was engaged to be married to Kerri McEachern, another employee at the Curve, when she was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. Weaver said that Dambach accompanied his fiancée to appointments and treatments no matter the time or distance and remained a solid support for her throughout her illness. However, a mere 83 days after her diagnosis, less than half the amount of game days in a season of baseball, McEachern sadly lost her fight with the disease. Weaver said that the character trait displayed by her son during these trials is the same one that has gotten him where he is today: dedication. And although she said that she will miss accompanying him to his games now that he no longer lives nearby, Weaver is very happy for her son and his success. Dambach is eager to start his season with the Rough Riders, as well as enthusiastic about all of the famous athletes and

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important people he will meet. He said, “I’m looking forward to working with their organization and getting the chance to work with major league teams. The relationships are my favorite part of the business.” Dambach is already settling into his new surroundings in Texas, but knows that he will forever remain a Punxsy boy at heart. Dambach said that he will miss his friends and family back in Pennsylvania, especially his brothers Chad and Luke, and will always faithfully cheer for his Pittsburgh teams. And Dambach hopes that perhaps someday, he will get the chance to return to Punxsutawney to live out his golden years in the town that he loves. After all, doesn’t the whole game of baseball come down to the simple act of making it “Home.” •••

Rafting the Mahoning Continued from page 8

miscalculated his floating space and ran up onto a bank with the front end of his raft. It immediately swung around in the rushing flood, and another raft following close after ran plumb into it. There was then some loud language used that is better to be wasted on the desert air than to preserve in print, when crash-boom-tear and splinter, several more rafts were piled up in what quickly grew into a big ‘gorge.’ “The news soon spread in town, and every boy in sight made haste to the scene of confusion. It seemed to delight a boy’s heart to see such sights. The air was full of excitement and profanity, and as one after another the rafts hove [was forced upward] in sight, just around the bend above the bridge [East Mahoning Street bridge] the cry of ‘tie up,’ ‘tie up,’ only added fuel to the excitement in each boy’s breast and his yell was the loudest. The rafts kept coming and gorging [jamming]. “The raftsmen were not idle. With axes they began chopping away the bows and lash poles that held fast the several ‘platforms’ that made up the rafts and thus succeeded in loosening up the wedge that held fast the great pressure of timber behind, and in two hours after the first raft had run afoul, the bank of the stream was cleared.” In May 1903, an unidentified resident wrote a very detailed newspaper account of lumbering and rafting experiences that “constituted the bulwark of the civilization of that period” before coal mining developed. According to him, agriculture was a secondary consideration in this rural area:

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“The farms were managed as make-shifts between the season for running the lumber to market. Between the season for a little planting and harvesting the summers were spent in the woods felling trees, and the winters were utilized for getting the timber to the creek banks for ‘rafting in’ in the spring.” In those earlier years, he wrote, timber land was cheap. Many times timber was “run” to the Pittsburgh markets at a great loss, and in dull seasons owners of the best rafts that were run out on the Mahoning Creek were forced to remain in Pittsburgh for weeks trying to find a purchaser, sometimes returning home without having made a sale. Members of rafting crews returned to their homes in the Punxsutawney area the best way they could find. One former raftman recalled “that [it] was usually on foot.” As the 1900s arrived, the land had been cleared, the lumber industry had played out, and people in the beautiful hills and valleys of the area had taken to farming and raising cattle. The older men were asking the question: “Who ran the last raft down the Mahoning Creek – and when?” or they reminisced with one another about hot, half-baked biscuits, the fat pork, fried eggs swimming in grease, and the rancid butter, which comprised the meals on their journeys. They also recalled the millions of bugs that were a part of their night’s lodging on the waters of Mahoning Creek. In the summer of 1904 it was suggested a Raftmen’s Reunion be held during the fall to revive the memories of events of a half-century earlier when lumbermen and raftmen strutted the streets and boasted at social gatherings of their experiences and achievements. What those lumbermen and raftmen would have talked about – in fact or in romantic exaggeration – is now the oral history of an era more than 160 years old. The men, however, are gone, but their experiences – some of them at least – have been recorded for posterity. There is, however, more to glean and learn from the printed word of local newspapers and personal journals. Surely, another story about 19th-century rafting will have to be written. Thanks to those sturdy pioneers who took the time to record their experiences, so they can be shared with the current generation. Their life along the winding path of the Mahoning Creek is far different than that of anyone living today. Except for an occasional flood, the creek simply meanders through town – its quietness recognized with a mere glance. •••

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The tipple and rock dump at Onondaga Mine in January 1921. (photo from the Charles N. Miller Collection, courtesy of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society)

Onondaga Continued from page 7

tle easier for the postmaster. The trolley also made it possible for the residents of Onondaga to commute to Big Run, Punxsutawney, and other towns in the area. The residents of Onondaga came together as a community. In November 1907, a social was held in the Onondaga Hall where $35 dollars was raised to buy a flag for the new school house. In January 1908 a parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and patronsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; day was held at the Onondaga school where students could be observed participating in their studies. In June 1908, a social was held in the Orchard at Onondaga to benefit the Onondaga Sunday School. Sports were important activities at Onondaga. Residents were proud of their baseball team as is shown in this July 14, 1910, article from the Punxsutawney Spirit: Fast Game Between Adrian and

Onondaga The Onondaga baseball team Tuesday afternoon defeated the Adrian nine at Onondaga by the score of 11 to 7. The game was fast from start to finish and the big crowd that witnessed the contest did some high class rooting. McGowan and Whinnie were on the slab for Onondaga, while Crooks and Kenniberg pitched for Adrianites. Manager Williamson took charge of the Onondaga team a little over a month ago, and during that time has succeeded in making it one of the fastest amateur nines in this section. Cloe, Anita, Adrian, Eleanora, Sykesville, and Rossiter have been defeated, while a tie was played with Helvetia. The Onondaga team is open for games with any team in this section. Mr. Williamson, who is also manager of the quoit team of Onondaga, would also like to arrange matches with other quoit aggregations in this section. The residents of Onondaga learned their

The company houses at Onondaga Mine, undated picture. (photos from the Charles N. Miller Collection, courtesy of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society)

mine was closing when on Tuesday, September 7, operations practically ceased. No coal was mined, and the men who were not employed in the general cleaning-up process were taking out their tools and preparing to leave for other mines. The Spirit reported that mine looked abandoned. Speculation was that the abandonment was because the Buffalo and Susquehanna Company had over extended the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial resources. There was some hope that a lower vein of coal could be tapped and the town could continue; however, about a year later, on August 16, 1911, the Punxsutawney Spirit reported: A Town Gone Onondaga, where industry once thrived, where children made the air lively with their brattle, where women drank in neighborly gossip, where men grew fat on their living, where houses sat in orderly rows and well established stores bristled with business, will soon be but a patch of thistle and grass, a place for the cows to feed

Onondaga Photo Essay Please visit the photo essay on the Onondaga Mine from the Charles N. Miller Collection at the Lattimer House of the Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society. The exhibit is open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ and the owls to hoot. The once lively mining town, deserted in the early spring when the B. & S. Coal Company abandoned its workings there, last week still resembled a town. A town without a heart â&#x20AC;&#x2122;tis true, but still a town, for the houses well groomed and in orderly fashion were there.

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Snacks to Grow On: Local Group Fights Hunger Problem By Jennifer Skarbek Smith for Hometown magazine hile much attention in the educational arena these days is placed on the importance of standardized testing, the rippling effects of budget cuts, and the repercussions of No Child Left Behind, some individuals in the Punxsutawney community are focusing their thoughts and energies on a more basic yet perhaps more critical topic: providing students with food for nourishment. This idea, referred to as “Snacks to Grow On,” is the creation of resident Lindsay Kendra and, after receiving necessary approval on March 9 from the Punxsutawney Area School Board, is ready to be put into motion. Kendra, a graduate of Punxsutawney and now the parent of a child enrolled within the district, said that she was moved to action earlier this year when she had the chance to spend some time helping out at her daughter’s school. She said, “Volunteering this year with PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) was a real eyeopener.” According to Kendra, her time at the school made her aware of the number of students in the district who qualify for free or reduced lunch – 353 of the 615 enrolled in the elementary program. This high number alarmed Kendra, making her see firsthand that the national problem of children going hungry, one out of every five, could possibly be plaguing her community as well. She began to discuss her concerns with fellow parent and PTO member Ashley Kostok, who was equally disturbed by the data from the district. The two talked about the negative effects that poor nutrition can have on students – such as more frequent sicknesses and hospital stays due to a weakened immune system, lower IQ scores and grades, and shorter attention spans leading to lower academic performance – as well as how they could pull together their talents to combat the problem. “It was about this time that I had spoken with a friend who was familiar with a similar program in Indiana School District where they provide food to students,” Kendra added. The movement, called The Power Pack Program, is part of Indiana County’s Community Action Program and aims to collect and distribute simple snacks to elementary students in the county who are in need. Kendra thought that this was an excellent answer to hunger issues; thus, she wished to institute a program like this in Punxsutawney – one that could provide students with small meals for the weekend when they might not have access to quality food. The more Kendra researched the idea of

meeting kids’ nutritional needs, the more she was able to network with others in Punxsutawney who shared her passion with wanting to improve the lives of schoolaged children. In particular, Kendra found a great resource in Kim DeChurch, another community member and longtime nurse and health advocate. She explained that DeChurch had experience as a school nurse at Purchase Line School District where she saw the benefits The Power Pack Program was making in that district. In fact, Kendra said that DeChurch had been trying to establish a similar program locally for five years but was unable to find others who would lend their assistance. “We really got moving on it after we

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started talking with Kim,” Kendra remarked. Therefore, Kendra, Kostok and DeChurch joined forces, forming their own food assistance program for the area elementary children, Snacks to Grow On, with the mission of supplementing nutrition in qualifying school-aged children. Not long after this formation, others jumped on board to help with the cause, including residents Katie Laska, Erin Cameron, Heather Beatty and Amy Morris. These women began the tedious task of compiling lists of non-perishable foods and fruits, their nutritional values and prices. Next, they put together possible food package options of seven or eight items that could be sent home with a child to eat, selections that would be rotated on a weekly basis. When all of the numbers added up, group members then presented their plan to the school board and administrators, keeping their fingers crossed that it would be approved. Snacks to Grow On will provide, at no - Continued on next page

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Continued from page 12

Again the town hums with industry, but it is the hum of destruction, not of thrift and growth, for two score of carpenters are at work dismantling the company houses that composed the town. The single houses are the first victims and already many of them have been leveled. The structures that housed two families are to come next and then the store building. When that is gone – whist – a town will have been wiped off the map. The lumber, all of it apparently as good as new, for Onondaga was but of recent origin, is being shipped to Sagamore, the Armstrong mining town, and there the shapeless piles of boards will again assume shape; again be silent witness to the live that was once Onondaga’s. Postscript: During the 1920s the mine was reopened for a period. Mr. Thomas A. Furniss, a former mine inspector, purchased a large interest in and operated the Onondaga mine for a period in the late teens and early 1920s before moving on to operate mines in Juneau and Rochester Mills. In 1941 the Onondaga Mine property was sold. The Kovalchik Salvage Company of Indian purchased the tipple and Frank Roberts purchased the land, 302 acres, four brick mining buildings and seven houses. The Buffalo and Susquehanna Mining Company reserved the mineral rights.

Expert advice. Quality products. Guaranteed.

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exceptional factory financing available1

14 – Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174

(Editor’s Note: Resources used in the preparation of this article are available at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library, in the Mengle Memorial Library: Jefferson County Punxsutawney Spirit Collection – A Collection of POWER Library: Pennsylvania’s Electronic Library and the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society This article has been prepared by PRIDE – Punxsutawney Revitalization: Investing, Developing, Enhancing. PRIDE is a nonprofit organization that brings together residents, business people, community leaders, and civic organizations, to improve the business districts in Punxsutawney. PRIDE is working to develop a Coal Memorial for the Punxsutawney Area. Forms for ordering memorial tiles are available at the Punxsutawney Area Historical Society and online at punxsycoal.org. Comments on this article may be directed to PRIDE, P.O. Box 298, Punxsutawney, PA 15767.) •••

Correction The following sentence from “A Coal Miner and His Son” in the February 2015 issue of Hometown magazine, read “Throughout the 1940’s, Bill Pratt’s rhymes were published daily as ‘Prattles’ by W.O. Smith in The Spirit.” The sentence should have read as follows: “Throughout the 1940’s, Bill Pratt’s rhymes were published daily as ‘Prattle’ by P.L. Smith in The Spirit.” •••

Snacks to Grow Continued from previous page cost to the school district, healthy snacks to elementary children who qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. Kendra said that funding would come in the way of food drives, monetary donations, and fundraisers. Once a child is deemed eligible to receive the benefits, a letter seeking permission will be sent home to the child’s parent or guardian for approval before the student will start taking home weekly packages. With 350 children already meeting the qualifying guidelines, Kendra estimates that the cost to run the program for one school year will be at least $35,000. The group is planning its first fundraising event to be held at 8 p.m. on April 11 at The Burrow, Punxsutawney’s new establishment on Findley Street. Likewise, Kendra and her crew are busy brainstorming other avenues for funding in the hopes of expanding the program to reach more students in the district in the future. She said, “We would love to expand to the middle school and high school so that more kids could have access to food.” Group member and local businesswoman Laska is very enthusiastic about Kendra’s idea and her determination to bring it to fruition. She said, “We need more people in our community like Lindsay who have a vision about making our town a better place and who aren’t afraid to follow that vision.” Meanwhile, Kendra has sent out an invitation to students enrolled in Punxsutawney Area High School’s art classes to design a fitting logo for the nonprofit group as a way to involve students in the cause and showcase local artistic talent. If you are interested in helping Snacks to Grow On by volunteering or making a donation, you may contact Kendra or send correspondence to: Snacks to Grown On, 39 Smiley Lane, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. •••

opening april 1st

Shaffer’s Greenhouse

Take Rt. 36 North of Punx’y 11 miles, at Stanton Dynamics take a left & go 2 miles. on the Pansy-Ringgold Road

• Annual Flowers • Hanging Baskets • Perennials • Vegetables Mon.-Sat. 8 to 8

(814) 856-2232

From Our Our From Distinguished Past Past Distinguished

Comes An Even Brighter Future!

Christ The King Manor For almost a half-century, Christ The King Manor has set the standard for professional caring in DuBois. What has been the “past" is merely a "prologue" for the future at Christ The King. The high standards of detail to medical and health care will continue to always improve as the caring staff and management seek better and more efficient ways of servicing all those who come through its doors. See for yourself how Christ the King is preparing for the future and building on the past. Call 814-371-3180 for a guided tour of the past, present and future at Christ the King.

Christ The King Manor 1100 West Long Ave • DuBois, Pennsylvania

814-371-3180 www.christthekingmanor.org Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 15

STROEHMANN Bakery Outlet Thrift Store

• Bread • Rolls • Cakes • Candy • Chips • Drink Mix • Much More

Great Buys! Super Values Every Day

S. Main St. Ext., Punx’y • 938-7430

Quality Products at everyday low prices! • FRESH MEATS • DELICIOUS BAKERY ITEMS • FRESH PRODUCE • AMAZING SERVICE

We’ll even help you to the car!

www.mikessupermarket.com

53 Taylor St., Brookville OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

849-8395

Ted’s

Meat Market Package Deals Large Selection Available

• Party Trays • Meat & Cheese • Fresh & Lean Meat • Our Own Old-Fashioned Sugar-Cured Hickory Smoked Semi-Boneless Ham Owned & Operated by Ted Palumbo & Sons Hours: Mon-Wed 8 to 5; Thurs 8 to 6 Fri 8 to 8; Sat 8 to Noon Located 1 1/4 mile East of Reynoldsville on 4th St. or 6 miles West of DuBois on Wayne Road

653-2147

16 – Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174

“Brigadoon” (1988)

After 40 Years, Guild Shows Still Go On

“N

either snow nor rain nor heat nor Sawmill Theater at Cook Forest for two more gloom of night stays these (playweekends of entertaining visitors who enjoy ers) from the swift completion of the fun of “theater in the round.” their appointed (roles)” may be a With the continuing cooperation of the parody of the unofficial motto of the United Punxsutawney Area School Board, the Guild States Postal System, but has been able to rent the sentiment that the school facilities for the statement suggests holds rehearsal and public quite true for the hundreds performances of three of area residents, who, shows each year. Over over the years, have given the past decades, the their time, their talent, and all-volunteer group their resources to guaranhas performed a wide tee that the live stage provariety of productions ductions of the ranging from elaborate Punxsutawney Theatre Broadway musicals to Arts Guild (PTAG) condramas to comedies to “Sing On!” (2003) tinue. Thanks to the persemurder mysteries, vaverance and dedication of riety revues, Shakecasts and crews, PTAG is spearean plays, and now celebrating 40 years children’s shows. In of spotlighting local talent. 1982, the Guild held a Since 1975, the busy world premiere of an members of the commuoriginal, full-scale munity’s oldest, longest-runsical, “Gobbler’s ning performing arts Knob.” group have presented In addition, there more than 120 top-quality have been dinner theshows for the enjoyment aters, religious dramas “Man of La Mancha” (1997) of area audiences. for Good Friday servHaving just completed a successful run of ices, and dozens of Touring Company apthe romantic comedy, “Almost, Maine,” the pearances for civic, social, and church groups. first show on this year’s anniversary schedule, Several shows have also been collaborations the troupe is enjoying a few weeks of rest and with the high school choir and Van Dyke and relaxation before beginning preparations for Company, Mahoning Valley Ballet. the next production. In late June, the Guild Cast members have included elementary will present “The Fox on the Fairway,” a ristudents, high school teenagers, adults of otous farce set at a posh country club where many backgrounds and experiences, and senshenanigans are afoot, as the characters prove iors in their 80s. Several pets have even made that “all’s fair in love. … and golf!” After the their stage debuts in a few of the shows. Punxsutawney shows, just as they have done PTAG had its unofficial beginnings during for the past 30 years, PTAG will move to the - Continued on page 28

18 – Hometown Punxsutawney – April 2015 - Issue #174

Bernard P.

Laurel Lake Retreat & Conference Center

Snyder Coroner of Jefferson County

For all your retreat & conference needs

Ideal for church groups, businesses organizations, family reunions, family vacations & wedding receptions

76 Lodge Rd., Rossiter please call 814-938-9300

R.D. Brown Memorials

LocaLLy owned & oPerated by Punx’y resident scott anthony

314 N. Findley St., Punx’y 938-2100

814-938-8132

Best Wishes to all the Teams!

www.PunxsyPizza.com

Good Luck Teams!

Official Pizza Of the Punxsutawney fire DePt.

DEL Developers and producers of natural gas

d.e. liMited faMily partnerSHip 1406 n. Main st., Punx’y

814-938-0800

• rouSting • Water Hauling • Mud Hauling • Mud Holding tankS

Quality Manufacturing & EMErgEncy rEpairs

61 Smithport rd., glen Campbell

754 S. Main St. Extension, Punx’y, PA

814-845-7886 • Cell: 814-952-9950

814-938-9763

www.hueybrothers.com hueybrothersinc@gmail.com

for oVEr 50 YEars!

Serving the Oil & Gas, Mining, Crane, Aggregate, Heavy Industrial and Recycling Industries

Casteel Chiropractic To restore function you need to restore posture.

www.femcomachine.com

DR. Ian Casteel

Our job is to keep your spine in line for a better, healthier you!

410 East Mahoning St.

938-4400

"We address the cause, not the symptom"

Now AccEptiNg NEw pAtiENtS X-Rays (on your first visit) Accepts Most insurance

NEW HOURS: MON., WED. & FRI. 9-1 & 3-8 ClOSED TUE. & THUR.

Dr. Nathan C. Stebbins Full SERviCE OPtiCAl & COmPlEtE linE OF COntACt lEnS OPtiOnS

Most Insurances Accepted mon., tues., Wed. & Fri. 8 to 5; thur. 8 to noon; Wed. Evening & Sat. by Appt. FinDlEy St. 814-938-5920 200 S.PunX’y

PA8019

roducts… LocaL P People! LocaL

Financing Available

Quality Window & Door Products …with Installation Done RIGHT!

free estimates 938-7303

www.burke-sons.com 110 gaSkill ave., punx’y

Walston Club Good Luck Chucks! 2509 Walston Rd., Punx’y

938-5368

TRACKVarsity & FielD Bs & Girls

Sat., Mar. 28 Tue., Mar. 31 Tue., Apr. 7 Thur., Apr.9 Sat., Apr. 11 Tue., Apr. 14 Thur., Apr. 16 Fri., Apr. 17 Tue., Apr. 21 Thur., Apr. 23 Sat., Apr. 25 Mon., Apr. 27 Fri., May 1 Tue., May 5 Thur., May 7

at Knoch Relays TBA at Brookville 4 pm St. MaryS 4:00 pm at Indiana 9/10 Meet 3:15 pm at Brookville Invitational 9:00 am duBoiS 4:00 pm at Hollidaysburg 3:30 pm at Butler Invitational TBA at Elk County Catholic 4 pm at Butler 9/10 Meet Boys TBA at Lock Haven Invit. Girls TBA at Redbank Valley 4 pm at West Central Coaches Meet 1:30 pm Bradford 4 pm at Altoona 4 pm

TRACK &7th FielD & 8th Grade Wed., Apr. 1 Wed., Apr. 8 Thur., Apr. 9 Sat., APr. 11 Mon., Apr. 13 Wed., Apr. 15 Tue., Apr. 21 Sat., Apr. 25 Sat., Apr. 25 Wed., Apr. 29 Sat., May 9

at Clearfield 4 pm at Indiana 4 pm Bradford 4 pm at Altoona MS Relays 10 am St. MaryS 4 pm HollidaySBurg 4 pm altoona 4 pm Altoona MS Relays Girls TBA at Johnsonburg Invit. Boys 10 am at ECC / Dubois 4 pm Altoona MS Championships 9 am

SOFTBAll Varsity & Junior Varsity

Hometown Punxsutawney – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 19

WingStreet® Wings

Walmart Plaza Rt. 119 North Punx’y

938-2400

HAWK

Construction

938-8554 •938-5800

Wed., Apr. 1

at St. Marys

4:15 pm

203 Clearfield Avenue Punx’y

Tue., Apr. 7

duBoiS

4:15 pm

Wed., Apr. 8

at Marion Center

4 pm

Fri., Apr. 10

St. MaryS

4 pm

Mon., Apr. 13 at Brookville

4:15 pm

Wed., Apr. 15 HollidaySBurg

4:15 pm

Sat., Apr. 18

WilliaMSport (varsity)

Sat., Apr. 18

WilliaMSport (JV)

● ● ● ●

New Construction Ditchwich & Bobcat Services Roofing, Siding,Soffit/Fascia General Remodeling ● Additions

814.938.2565 • 814.590.3459

PA# 017948 Bill Hawk, Owner

Wed., Apr. 22 at Altoona

4:30 pm

Fri., Apr. 24

4:15 pm 4:15 pm

Wed., Apr. 29 at DuBois

4:15 pm

Fri., May 1

4:15 pm

Fri., May 8

Mon., May 11 at Philipsburg

4:30 pm

Thur., May 14 altoona

4:15 pm

Schedule subject to change. Not responsible for typographical errors.

Nicholas

lOReNZO attorney at law

40 Years Experience

410 W. Mahoning St. Punxsutawney

938-6390

Whitening

Mon.-Fri. 8 to 5

7 pm

elk County CatHoliC 4:15 pm

• accidents • Wills & Estates • real Estate

Reagle's NOTARY See Us for Your Registration Needs - Auto, Boat & ATV

INCOME TAX PREPARATION We now issue over the counter registration cards and stickers. 203 E. Main St., Big Run 814-427-2361

KATHY D. WYMER

Personal Care at Christ The King Manor is always personal!

For more information, call 814-371-3180 and request more information on PERSONAL CARE as performed by the professionals at Christ The King Manor.

Christ The King Manor www.christthekingmanor.org

814-371-3180 1100 West Long Ave., DuBois

4:30 pm

Wed., May 6 Brookville

106 w. Mahoning st. • 938-4210

938-1095

Clearfield

Mon., May 4 at Hollidaysburg

PDA MeMBeR

Serving The Area

Clarion

Mon., Apr. 27 at Bradford

Jon J. Johnston, DMD

Since 1983

2 pm 4:30 pm

FAMiLY DentistRY

• Professional, Quality Painting Insurance • Professional Frame Straightening Claims • Estimates Available Welcome • Quality Collision Repair Rt. 119 S., Punx’y • Down Draft Bake Booth

12 pm

Mon., Apr. 20 at Bald Eagle

Accepting new pAtients

AUTO BODY, INC. Repair

Amy Peace Gigliotti, DMD ronald j. walker III, DMD Michele Stossel, DMD

4:15 pm

Always a Punx’y Booster!

Expert BK SMITH Collision

Family Dentistry

Wed., Mar. 25 Bradford

we’re All smiles!

Good Luck chucks!

Something to Smile About

Good Luck to all Teams! James “Moon” VanSteenberg Jefferson County Treasurer

Fresh Homemade Dough & Sauce Made Onsite Daily For All Our Dinners & Pizza!

Pizza Town Pizza Town

GREAT QUAlITY • lARGE PORTIONS REASONABlE PRICES We treat you like one of the family with fast, friendly service. FREE DELIVERY EVERY DAY Sun.-Thurs., 5 to 10:30, Fri. & Sat. 4 to 11:30 Hours: Sun.-Thurs. 11 to 11 Fri & Sat 11 to Midnight

w. Mahoning St., punxsy plaza

938-2380

Good luCk To all loCal aThleTes have a GreaT season! ments Compli of

Mayor riChard alexander

2 Filet-o-Fish sandwiches for $4

200 East Mahoning St. Punxsutawney

don powell

shamrock shakes

Broker, Appraiser, MBA 938-3031

Funeral Home

“We Serve As We Would Be Served. . . Because We Care”

now available

Go get ‘em Teams!

for a limited time

117 N. Jefferson St., Punx’y • 938-8200

Downtown Punx’y

www.faitfuneralhome.com

Welcome To The Pharmacy That’s Still Close By.

BASeBAll Varsity Wed., Mar. 25 Bradford HigH Fri., Mar. 27

8 Beyer Road • Punxsutawney, PA 814.938.2355 • www.infirstbank.com

Attorney at Law

GOOD LUCK CHUCKS! conveniently located & handicap accessible 314R West Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney nickg@nglawoffice.com www.nglawoffice.com

814-938-1776

4:15 pm

Sat., Apr. 18

Mon., Apr. 6

at Clearfield

4:30 pm

Mon., Apr. 20 CurWenSville

4:15 pm

Tue., Apr. 7

at DuBois

4:30 pm

Wed., Apr. 22 altoona

4:15 pm

Mon., Apr. 27 at Bradford

4:15 pm

Wed., Apr. 29 duBoiS

4:15 pm

12 & 2:30 pm

Mon., May 4

State College

4:30 pm

Mon., Apr. 20 CurWenSville

4:15 pm

Wed., May 6

Brookville

Wed., Apr. 22 altoona

4:15 pm

Fri., May 8

at St. Marys

Mon., Apr. 27 at Bradford

4:15 pm

Mon., May 11 HollidaySBurg

Wed., Apr. 29 duBoiS

4:15 pm

Thur., May 14 at Altoona

Mon., May 4

at State College

4:30 pm

Wed., May 6

Brookville

Fri., May 8

at St. Marys

Sat., Apr. 18

at Williamsport

4 pm

4:15 pm

Mon., May 11 HollidaySBurg

4:15 pm

Thur., May 14 at Altoona

4:30 pm

BASeBAll Junior Varsity Wed., Mar. 25 Bradford HigH

4:15 pm 4:15 pm

Wed., Apr. 1

St. MaryS

4:15 pm

Mon., Apr. 6

at Clearfield

4:30 pm

elk County CatHoliC 4:15 pm

81 Hillcrest Drive, Suite 2200 Punxsutawney, PA 15767

J.r. resources, l.p. 814-365-5821 fax 814-365-2186

pHone

18 Jr resources drive, ringgold, pa 15770

Developers & Producers of Natural Gas GOOD LUCK, CHUCKS!

535 East Mahoning St., Punxsutawney

Good Luck Baseball Team!

938-3020

$2 Off Large Square Pizza WiTh ThiS AD

HOuRS: Tues.-Thur. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 8 p.m. Friday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. • Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WACHOB’S 100 W. main St., Big Run

427-4211

Market

OPEn: mOn.-FRi. 7 Am - 9 Pm SAt. 8 Am - 9 Pm; Sun. 8 Am - 7 Pm

GROCERiES lOttERy made-to-Order, Homemade

FRESH DOuGH PiZZA DAily

a Williamsport

4 pm 12 & 2:30 pm

Good Luck AthLetes!

Sheriff Carl Gotwald Sr.

7 pm 4:15 pm 4:15 pm 4 pm

TeNNiS Varsity Bs

7 pm

Mon., Mar. 30 pHilipSBurg

Punx’y’s Finest Pizza Beyond a Shadow of a Doubt!

4:15 pm

St. MaryS

Providing the highest standards of surgical care.

LUiGi’S PiZZA, SUBS & DinneRS

Mon., Apr. 13 at Brookville

Wed., Apr. 1

Mon., Apr. 13 at Brookville

Be the best you can be.

4 pm

Wed., Apr. 15 at Hollidaysburg

Fri., Mar. 27

814-938-4121

at DuBois

4:15 pm

Board-certified general surgeon Board 20+ years of experience. American of Surgery

Tue., Apr. 7

Mon., Mar. 30 pHilipSBurg

When confronted with serious surgical illness, you deserve the highest quality of surgical care as set by national standards. You deserve the experience American College of a skilled professional. of Surgeons

kyle lingenfelter, Md faCS

BASeBAll

Junior Varsity Continued

elk County CatHoliC 4:15 pm

Wed., Apr. 15 at Hollidaysburg

Nicholas Gianvito

220 N. Jefferson St. • 938-1008

www.punxsutawneycommunitycenter.org

Best of Luck to all our Local Athletes!

www.medicineshoppe.com/1094

Member FDIC

REGulAR HOuRS: monday-thursday 7am-9pm Friday 7am-8pm Saturday 7am-5pm Sunday 11am-5pm

427-2821

DRive UP WiNDOW TO BeTTeR SeRve YOU Mon.- Thur 8 to 6, Fri 8-4

GOOD LUCK TEAMS!

TREADMILLS BICYCLES•ELLIPTICALS KICK PUNCH BAG•LEG PRESS ROWING MACHINE BODY BUILDING EQUIPMENT

Thur., Mar. 26 duBoiS Central CatH. 3:30 pm Mon., Mar. 30 BroCkWay

3:30 pm

Wed., Apr. 8

at St. Marys

3:30 pm

Thur., Apr. 9

JoHnSonBurg

3:30 pm

Mon., Apr. 13 at DuBois

3:30 pm

Tue., Apr. 14

3:30 pm

at Elk County Catholic

Thur., Apr. 16 Bradford Tue., Apr. 21

3:30 pm

at DuBois Central Catholic 3:30 pm

Mahoning Physical Therapy Twolick Valley P.T. • Medicare Certified • Aquatic Therapy • Office Hours by Appointment

Thur., Apr. 23 Clearfield

3:30 pm

Mahoning Physical Therapy Medical Center, Marion Center, PA

Tue., Apr. 28

duBoiS

3:30 pm

405 Franklin St., Clymer, PA

Thur., May 7

at Brockway

3:30 pm

HeMLock View GoLf couRSe

(724) 397-9100 (724) 254-1010

Family Home Care Since 1970

Pisano’s Personal Care home

Located Just 5 miles off Rt. 36, Sprankle Mills Rd.

814-938-9294

24 Hour Care Licensed Under Labor & Industry Rehabilitation Services Nurse on Staff 24 Hours a Day

GoLf LeaGueS foR aLL aGeS!

GOOD LUCK CHUCKS!

“Home Away From Home” 756 Stonetown Rd. Rossiter • 938-7407

Good Luck Chucks!

• Custom Tattoos • Piercings

Supporting our local athletes...

The Punxsutawney Booster Club

952-6944

Good Luck Chucks!!!

H&H

97 North Gilpin St., Punxsutawney Open Tues. - Sat. 2 - 8 p.m. facebook.com/darkstartattoo-punxsy

Spring Hills Shelties

SUPPlY, INC.

Dog & Cat Boarding & Grooming

3 Plumbing 3 Heating Rt. 36, Punx’y 3 Electrical 3 Hardware Supplies

938-4489

Just Minutes from Town - 370 Big W. Dr., Punx’y

724-286-9355

Your Pets “Committed to Caring for Own” As Though They Are Our

Winslow

Lawn & Garden, llc.

ClOE lUMBER

Sales & Service

& SUPPlY CO.

814-618-5696

Cloe-Rossiter Rd., Punx’y

14253 Rt. 36 S., Punxsutawney

938-5220

20 – Hometown Punxsutawney – April 2015 - Issue #174

Mon.- Fri 9 to 7, Sat. 9 to 2 Visit our website:

CYCLING CLASSES AvAILABLE CALL fOR INfO

Punxsutawney

2 PUNXSUTAWNeY 200 Prushnok Dr. lOCATiONS: 618-5957

938-3077

FITNESS CENTER

P&N Coal 240 W. Mahoning St.

With five pharmacists ready to serve you: • Michael Horner, r. ph. • kim Horner, r. ph. • Jennifer Moore, r. ph. • Joe presloid, r. ph. • Matt kunselman, r. ph.

132 West Mahoning St.

PUNxSUTAWNEY AREA COMMUNITY CENTER

Hometown Punxsutawney – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 17

Richard L. Fait

Lent speciaL:

A true feeling of home... • New Chapel • Beautiful countryside location • Continuing Care Retirement Community • Personal Care • Two Dementia Care Units Private rooms/suites • Adult Day Care Home Support Services

Dedicated to a Life filled with Purpose and Happiness

1100 West Long Ave., DuBois

814-371-3180

www.christthekingmanor.org

Welcome To The Pharmacy That’s Still Close By. With five pharmacists ready to serve you: • Michael Horner, R. Ph. • Kim Horner, R. Ph. • Jennifer Moore, R. Ph. • Joe Presloid, R. Ph. • Matt Kunselman, R. Ph.

R.D. Brown Memorials

200 Prushnok Dr.

All Cemetery Needs

132 West Mahoning St.

DRIvE UP WINDOW TO BETTER SERvE YOU Mon.- Thur 8 to 6, Fri 8-4

314 N. Findley St.,Punx’y • 938-2100

M-F 9 to 7; Sat. 9 to 3; Closed Sundays

Daily 9 to 5; Sat 9-12 • Sun & Evenings by Appt.

Pharmacist Nickolas A. Kernich, PharmD Accepting Most Insurances

938-3077

Mon.- Fri 9 to 7, Sat. 9 to 2 Visit our website:

618-5957

www.medicineshoppe.com/1094

Large Indoor & Outdoor Display “Carved in Stone”

"Serving the community we live in."

The Ultimate Retirement Community One & Two Bedroom Luxury Apartments “55 & Older”

Call now for your tour and to experience the luxury you Deserve!

407 East Mahoning Street Punxsutawney • (814) 938-5474

www.graystonecourt.com

203 N. Hampton Ave. • 938-9150 www.punxsyhometown.com

2 PUNXSUTAWNEY LOCATIONS:

Alex J. Park Owner, Funeral Director Supervisor William C. Deeley Funeral Director Douglas A. Deeley Funeral Director

33 Hillcrest Dr., Punxsutawney

(814) 938-5400

OTCs • Lottery • Gifts • Yankee Candles

Vacancies OPen

Grace Place seniOr aPartments • 1 & 2 bedroom apartments • For those 62 Years & older

• Section 8 vouchers welcome

• Income Limits Apply

814-938-3008

graceplace@ndcrealestate.com

Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 21

Mahoning Riverside Manor Personal Care Home

Our goal is to provide a warm, friendly, safe and comfortable environment for you or your loved ones to reside. There are helping hands and caring hearts to offer families the peace of mind that they deserve. • Private or Semi-Private Rooms • 24 Hour Care • Hospice • Long Term or Short Term • Physical Therapy, Visiting Nurses Upon Request • Regular Physician & Physician Assistant Visits • In-Home Beautician • Home Cooked Meals

Connie Sunderland, Administrator 98 Foundry Street

PunxsuTawney

938-1745

www.mahoningriverside.com

Family Dentistry 203 CLEARFIELD AVE., PUNX’Y

938-8554 938-5800 New Patients Welcome!

Amy Peace Gigliotti, DMD ronald j. walker III, DMD Michele Stossel, DMD

Medical News HOMETOWN

Take Small Steps to Better Health

Eat Right The small goal of adding more fiber to your diet can lead you to better nutrition choices. Aim to get 25 to 38 grams of fiber every day. In addition to upping your fruit and vegetable intake and swapping out processed white bread and pasta for the whole wheat variety, fiber supplements can help you meet your fiber goals. But choose wisely, as some options have additional benefits beyond supporting digestive health. For example, Meta offers products made with psyllium fiber which has multihealth benefits. Try adding Metamucil powder to a morning smoothie. Also try new MetaBiotic probiotic supplement. For many people, snacking can be a downfall, especially during a busy workday. Try substituting your usual temp© Gelner Tivadar - ThinkStock.com tations with healthier options. For example, almonds and light popcorn are a good substitute for sults.” chips, and are more satisfying. If you have To look, feel and live better, Mitchell is a sweet tooth, ditch the afternoon pastry offering tips for small lifestyle changes that’s high in calories but won’t actually you can make that can inspire you to make help you feel full. Instead, look for a delimore in the future: cious, easy-to-pack snack like a Meta Health Bar that helps satisfy hunger as a Get Moving healthful snack. If exercise is not a part of your life Lastly, stay hydrated. Skip sugary sodas now, don’t worry. “In a short time, you can and sports drinks and opt for water be doing quality exercises,” says Mitchell. throughout the day. If you need a boost of “The key is to start small.” flavor, add a lemon wedge, cucumber slice Try short sets of push-ups, planks, or some fresh herbs. Water helps you feel squats, and lunges and work your way up. full and process fiber, while helping to Ten minutes can make a real difference. keep you hydrated. Remember, little things like taking the More tips can be found at stairs instead of the elevator will keep you www.metawellness.com. feeling great all day. Bad habits are hard to break. But by Just be sure to make exercise non-nemaking small changes one at a time, you gotiable. Life is busy and it’s easy to find can overcome your hurdles for a healthier any number of reasons to skip a workout. lifestyle. Make yourself a fitness schedule and stick (StatePoint) to it — and then don’t let anyone or any••• thing stop you from staying on track. taying healthy doesn’t have to mean overhauling your lifestyle. Sometimes small changes can have big impacts. Take it from celebrity fitness trainer, Latreal “La” Mitchell, “Everyone can reach their health and fitness goals. It’s all about setting attainable goals and staying motivated to see re-

When confronted with serious surgical illness, you deserve the highest quality of surgical care as set by national standards. You deserve the experience of a skilled professional. American College of Surgeons

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20+ years of experience. 22 – Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174

814-938-4121 81 Hillcrest Drive Suite 2200 Punxsutawney, PA 15767

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Medical News HOMETOWN

are associated with more serious side effects. Some lesser-known side effects of opioids include gastrointestinal bleeding (more frequently associated with NSAIDS), rapid development of addiction, changes to the brain and cognitive abilities, driving impairment, increased risk of disability and decreased sex hormones. The elderly need to be particularly wary, as elderly adults taking opioids are at greater risk of having a cardiovascular event, have four times as many fractures than their counterparts not taking opioids, and have an 87 percent greater risk of dying. If you’re prescribed an opioid pain medication, consider discussing alternatives with your doctor, particularly if you’re treating acute pain. Taking the minimum dose for as short a time period as possible

Are You Reaching for the Right Pain Medication?

you’re experiencing, and the duration of your expected treatment, the answer may be “no.” “Surprisingly, opioids are not very effective pain medications, and they can also have serious side effects,” says Dr. Donald Teater, M.D., medical advisor to the National Safety Council. Acute pain includes dental pain, back pain, renal colic pain (kidney stones), sprains and fractures. What may be surprising to some is that studies show a combination of overthe-counter acetaminophen and ibuprofen is more effective at relieving acute pain than opioids. Not only are opioids © Khamkula - Fotolia.com less effective than NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) in particular instances, but they also

he use of opioid painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin is on the rise and this trend is taking its toll. Opioids account for 46 deaths each day in the United States — more than any other drug.

Is your pain medication the best option for you? Depending on the type of pain

can help reduce your risk. “Since opioids are often abused illicitly, it is good practice to lock your medicine cabinet and dispose of any leftover medications properly when your course of treatment is over,” says Dr. Teater. “Drug take back programs are the safest, most environmentally-friendly way to clean your medicine cabinet.” For the latest information on painkiller efficacy and risks, visit www.nsc.org/rxpainkillers. The effects of your painkiller medication may be worse than the pain you’re actually treating. Take steps to treat pain as safely and effectively as possible. (StatePoint) •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 23

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Medical News HOMETOWN

New Technology Improving Outcomes for Heart Failure Patients

eart failure is costing Americans a fortune. The estimated cost of the disease in the U.S. was $31 billion in 2012. That number is estimated to swell to $70 billion by 2030, according to the American Heart Association — which means that by 2020, every U.S. taxpayer could pay $244 each year for heart failure expenses. Heart failure is not only a financial burden, but the condition reduces the quality of life for patients and can increase their risk of serious and sometimes fatal medical emergencies. Counter to these sobering facts are the results of a recent study, which found that a new medical technology can successfully reduce heart failure hospital admissions when managed by a physician, and improve the quality of life among patients experiencing limitations of physical activity due to their cardiac disease. This new technology, called the CardioMEMS HF System, directly measures pulmonary artery pressure. Data shows this is a much more effective measure than the indirect markers patients have traditionally used to monitor heart failure at home, such as taking and tracking their own blood pressure or weight on a home scale. Using a miniaturized, wireless monitoring sensor implanted in the pulmonary artery during a minimally invasive procedure, the CardioMEMS HF system directly measures pulmonary artery pressure and transmits the data from a patient’s home to his or her health care provider. These measurements then allow for real-time, personalized and proactive management to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization. “Since heart failure is a chronic disease, most days are spent outside the hospital,” says William Abraham, MD, chief of car-

diovascular medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and primary investigator for a clinical study investigating the technology’s efficacy. “Accurately monitoring heart failure from home gives physicians the information they need to significantly improve a patient’s heart failure treatment.”

Results from the CHAMPION clinical trial found that those managed with pulmonary artery pressure monitoring showed a significant reduction in 30-day hospital readmission rates for patients age 65 and older, as well as a significant improvement in quality of life as measured by the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Potential adverse events associated with the implantation procedure include, but are not limited to infection, arrhythmias, bleeding, hematoma, thrombus, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack, stroke, death, and device embolization. To learn more about this technology and for heart failure information resources, visit www.heartfailureanswers.com. Thanks to treatment advances and technological breakthroughs, heart failure patients are living longer and enjoying an improved quality of life. (StatePoint) •••

• Apprise Benefits Counseling • Caregiver Support • Care Management • Exercise & Health Promotions • Home Delivered Meals • Ombudsman • Telephone Reassurance • Protective Services • Senior Employment Program H Promote positive attitudes and lifestyles for Senior Citizens! H Honor everyday Seniors doing extraordinary things! H Show Indiana County that Senior Citizens contribute vitally to our community!

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Call (724) 349-4500 or 1-800-442-8016 24 – Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174

R.D. Brown Memorials 314 N. Findley Street • Punxsutawney • 938-2100

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Medical News HOMETOWN

Community Blood Screening Events Coming Soon

he very popular annual community blood-screening events held by the Punxsutawney Rotary Club along with Punxsutawney Area Hospital and its staff as medical provider will be coming soon. The events will be held on Saturday, April 18th from 6:00 to 10:00AM and again on Saturday, April 25th from 6:00 to 9:30AM. The Punxsutawney Area Middle School cafeteria will again be the site for both events. People can register for these valuable health screenings, starting on March 21st; by going on-line to www.punxsyrotary.com to register themselves, pay on-line by credit card and pick their own appointment time which will also allow faster check in at the events and avoid standing in lines. Paper registration forms will also be mailed to past participants during the week of March 23rd. Those can be filled out and returned with a check for registration and pre-payment, following the instructions that will accompany the form. Those

using the paper mail-in forms will need to check in at the events to receive and sign their confirmation form. To take advantage of this low cost program you must be registered no later than April 8th for the first week or by April 15th for the second week. Everyone must be pre-registered, no walk-ins can be accepted at the site. The on-line registration is recommended, as it can be done from any computer, at any time, takes only a few minutes and is a totally secure web transaction. Mail in application forms can also be picked up at the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce or you can call the Chamber at 814-938-7700 (extension #2) with registration questions or issues and they will have a Rotary member get back with you. Remember that appointments are limited and are filled on a first come first served basis. All blood screening participants will have blood drawn and tested for thirtynine (39) different important health conditions. The full test results are then sent

We Offer a

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to the participant’s requested physician and notice is mailed to the participant as well. Persons interested are also recommended to compare the actual tests being done with any other “multi-phasic” screenings they may see offered. All screenings are not the same. For example the TSH thyroid test is included in this screening but is often an optional add-on in other screenings. The total cost for the basic panel of 39 tests at these events is $57, the same as last year. The PSA (prostate specific antigen) test for men over 40 is an optional test that can be done at this screening for a $20 additional cost. Other screenings may offer it at higher costs. Participants are reminded that a fast of 12 to 14 hours is required prior to the screening and that no alcohol can be used

for 24 hours prior to the test. Participants can take their regular medications on the morning of the test but only with water and all participants need to be able to list all medications they are on, when they come to the event that morning. In most cases Medicare will not cover costs of these screenings. This screening is not recommended for anyone under age 18. Free coffee, donuts, orange juice and other items will be available to all participants. As in the past Punxsy REACT members will be on hand to direct traffic in and out of parking. One hundred percent of any net proceeds from the events are used to fund Rotary contributions to many local charities, scholarships, community projects and other non-profit organizations. •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 25

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Medical News HOMETOWN

Tips to Manage Pain from Arthritis Naturally

ne in five adults in the United States now reports having doctor-diagnosed arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For those living with the chronic pain of this disease, learning how to manage arthritis is crucial to the health and happiness of millions of Americans. With that in mind, here are several natural ways to reduce complications and pain associated with arthritis: • Those who are overweight or obese are diagnosed with an arthritis symptom more often than those with a lower body mass index, according to CDC statistics. Take a load off your joints by maintaining a healthy weight. Weight loss has also been linked to less pain from arthritis, especially in the knees, which bear the brunt of excess pounds. • Evidence indicates that both endurance and resistance exercise can provide significant benefits to those with osteoarthritis, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, arthritis patients should typically avoid placing too much pressure on joints. Low-impact exercises such as biking, swimming and walking are recommended treatments for arthritis. A doctor or physical therapist is a good resource for helping you make a fitness game plan. • No matter what precautions you take, pain from your condition is sometimes inevitable. And when it’s severe, it can be debilitating. Some arthritis medications mask pain, which may make it harder to gauge the status of your condition. A homeopathic med-

icine, however, works naturally with your body to ease suffering from arthritis pain. “Joint pains are common in my practice so I often recommend Arnicare Arthritis Tablets,” says Dr. Albert Levy of Manhattan Family Practice in New York City (Manhattanfamilypractice.com). “I feel confident in recommending it because it won’t interfere with other medications and homeopathic medicines, such as this, are one of the safest classes of drugs.”

Arnicare Arthritis Tablets are quick-dissolving homeopathic tablets that relieve minor aches and pains associated with arthritis, specifically from stiff or swollen joints and flare-ups caused by changes in weather. They can be a good option for those with multiple conditions. More information can be found at www.Arnicare.com. • Stiff joints can be painful. Stretch regularly to prevent stiffness. Full range of motion exercises can help you stay limber and maintain function. Arthritis actually refers to more than 100 different kinds of musculoskeletal disorders that affect people of all ages. If you’re one of the millions of Americans suffering from arthritis, take natural steps to prevent and manage the pain associated with your condition. (StatePoint) •••

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Medical News HOMETOWN

Is Your Home Hurting You? Reducing Pollutants and Chemicals at Home

he spring cleaning season is a great time to take a closer look at some of the potentially harmful chemicals present in your home — and to seek out healthier alternatives. In recent years, homeowners have started asking better questions about what pollutants are lurking around nearly every

corner — from building materials to the paint on the walls down to the backing on carpeting. While it’s neither realistic nor necessary to remove every toxin from a home, there are a few common sources that can be addressed easily. “The good news is, you don’t have to be a chemist to understand what products and materials are safe to have in your home,” says Anne Hicks Harney, architect and Director of Sustainability at architectural firm Ayers Saint Gross and member of the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) Materials Knowledge Working Group. “You can arm yourself with the knowledge needed to make smarter choices for you and your family.” Harney offers a few tips to help reduce or eliminate common toxins in the home: Go Natural Whenever possible, use natural or waterbased materials and cleaning agents. Also, be aware of: • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCS): From paint to composite wood, VOCs are found in many products and are responsi-

ble for that tell-tale chemical “smell.” When it comes to paint, “Low VOC” or “No VOC” are your best options and are easy to find. • Flame Retardants and Petrochemicals: Commonly found in such foam products as couch cushions and insulation, these are a bit more challenging to avoid. The risk is that these chemicals are known to accumulate over time in the human body. Looking for an alternative? Try a natural fiber such as down in your upholstery. • Plastic Additives: Plastics are beneficial in a number of household materials but their use should be limited when possible. Search for a carpet with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-free backing or try wool, a natural alternative. For tile or sheet flooring, avoid vinyl products and consider linoleum or cork and rubber options instead. Ventilate Your Home It’s good to open your windows every now and then to get the air circulating into your home and any chemical smells out. If you can’t open your windows due to outdoor allergies or poor outdoor air quality, indoor plants constantly regenerate air and provide a pretty alternative. Take to the Web Manufacturers and professional organizations are becoming more transparent about educating consumers. Check out resources like the AIA Materials webpage or http://architectfinder.aia.org to learn more about sustainable products and to find professionals who can assist your efforts. Don’t Know? Don’t Buy As a general rule of thumb, if you don’t know and understand what a product contains, don’t put it inside your house. Take advantage of the wealth of information now available at your fingertips to make safer choices. During this spring cleaning season, take the time to protect your family by removing harmful pollutants from your home. (StatePoint) •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 27

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28 – Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174

Guild Shows Continued from page 16

ways: 1. It offers outlets for creativity and entertainment. 2. It encourages children and young people to explore the performing arts. (A number of Guild alumni have gone on to become active participants in college, community, and pro-

the earliest years of the Groundhog Festival back in the mid-’6os when a group of theater enthusiasts pooled their talents to put on a stage show as part of each summer’s schedule. Their initial offering was Betty McDonald’s classic comedy, “The Egg and I” in 1966. Growing interest among performers and supporters led to the Guild’s formal creation as a nonprofit organization in 1975. Proving the truth of the old adage that “the show must go on,” PTAG’s determined members have contended with some ad“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (2000) verse circumstances over fessional theater.) the years. The flood of 1996 destroyed many 3. PTAG spends money at local business valuable costumes and stage props. At various times, the weather has diminished the size of establishments to buy materials, supplies, advertising, and other items the audiences during needs in productions. snowstorms and severe 4. Some of the Guild’s heat waves. The loss of plays have served as onthe leading lady’s voice the-spot classrooms for shortened the run of a Scout troops to earn themajor musical in 1981. ater badges. A teachers’ work stop5. The organization has page prevented access to loaned costumes, stage school facilities in 1988. equipment, and props to Less dramatic probelementary, middle, and lems have included high school groups, as equipment malfunctions well as to churches and and brief power outages civic clubs. that, at least in two Proud to be part of plays, forced the particiPunxsutawney, the Guild pants to make their own “Much Ado About Will” (2013) supports the community sound effects without through membership in the aid of tape-recorded the Chamber of Comnoises. (An off-stage merce, as well as through actor saying “Ring, financial donations for the ring!” isn’t nearly as reGroundhog Festival, the alistic as the sound of a Firemen’s Old Home telephone ringing.) Week, the Rotary Radio No matter whether it Auction, and the SS.C.D. is a large or smaller scale School Auction. production, hard-work“Hansel and Gretel” (1986) Through its Mollie ing and creative direcStahl Scholarship, the tors, actors, musicians, technical crews, group has given more than $7,500 worth of costumers, make-up people, and many unsung contributors working behind the scenes spend educational grants to local high school graduthousands of hours to keep community theater ates. PTAG is a member of the American Asalive in Punxsutawney. Guild plays usually sociation of Community Theaters. Even as preliminary work for the summer entail budgets of $2,500 to $3,000 while the costs of musicals can range from $4,000 to show gets underway, the Guild is looking forward to the redesigning of a bigger, brighter, $7,000. Those expenses are in addition to rent, and easier-to-use website, www.punxsythestorage fees, three kinds of insurance coverage, and other miscellaneous costs that go into atre.org. More details will soon be forthcoming. each show. Income for the group is derived For more information about the Guild and from a core of faithful patrons, sponsors, and benefactors, as well as program advertisers, upcoming events, contact president Terry A. ticket sales, and PTAG’s primary fund-raiser, Fye at (814) 938-6928 or directors Jef and Kathy Dinsmore at (814) 938-0378. the sale of Koeze nuts and candies each fall. ••• The Guild enlivens local culture in many

Create a Healthy Ecosystem in Your Own Yard

his spring season, help promote a healthy ecosystem by learning to identify and control damaging plants and insects in your yard. Information about common invasive species and backyard invaders is now being offered by Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE):

ing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Follow the “five Ds” to protect yourself: Drain standing water; Stay indoors at Dusk and Dawn; Dress in long-sleeves and

Invasive Plants Invasive weeds can out-compete native species, changing the local ecosystem. Many varieties, first introduced as flora to plant in gardens, can be confused with similar, native varieties. Here are two common damaging ones to watch out for: • Purple Loosestrife, native to Europe and Asia, is found in most states. One plant can produce more than two million seeds annually. • Native to China, the Tree-of-Heaven was widely planted as an ornamental plant for many years and is often confused with other trees having similar leaves, such as black walnut, butternut, and most sumac. Invasive Insects Invasive insects can also have a severe negative impact on native species by outcompeting them for food and resources. Many also cause and carry disease and prey on native species. Two common ones to look out for include: • Emerald Ash Borer, native to Asia, is prominently found across the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeastern United States. The larvae do the most damage, killing ash trees by feeding on the inner bark. • Zebra Mussel, native to lakes in southern Russia, is found in hundreds of waterways throughout the United States. The species commonly clog water intakes, damage boats, and can cause cuts and scrapes if they grow on rocks, swim rafts, and ladders. Backyard Pests Did you know native plants and insects can cause damage too? • Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Left untreated, Lyme disease infects the joints, heart, and nervous system. After time spent outdoors, check for ticks, especially in and around your ears, inside your belly button, behind your knees, around your waist, on your scalp, and in your hair. • Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus. While most people may show few symptoms, 20 percent of people develop a fever along with headaches, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash, accord-

pants; and use DEET-based mosquito repellent. • Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac can lurk in backyards. Almost 85 percent of people develop a rash when they come into contact with these weeds. Control poisonous weeds long-term by carefully digging out the plants while wearing waterproof gloves or treating with a pesticide. Defend your local ecosystem by identifying exotic plants in your garden or yard. Spot invasive weeds and insects in your area? Let your county extension office know, which may have a monitoring and management program in place. For more lawn and garden tips, visit www.DebugTheMyths.com. By being aware of invasive species and other pests in your area, you can help support native species and a healthy ecosystem in your own backyard and neighborhood. (StatePoint) •••

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in our Showroom! Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 29

around town

By the staff of hometown magazine rom the staff of Hometown magazine and the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Calendar at Punxsutawney.com, here is a list of events and happenings coming up in our area:

Lori Sarver, Indiana Center Manager, and Betty Bortz, age 92, share a dance at a recent party at the Mahoning Hills Social Center. Sarver and a group from Indiana visited Mahoning Hills that day. (submitted photos)

The Kiwanis Club of Punxsy will hold its third annual Golf Tournament on April 25 at Hemlock View Golf Course. This is a fourperson scramble with a cost of $50 per person,

which includes greens fees, cart fees, lunch, drinks, and snacks. Sponsors are needed, including major event sponsors, $500; silver sponsors, $250; bronze sponsors, $150; hole sponsors, $100; and cart sponsors, $50. For information, call the Kiwanis Club at 531-5008; Jill Rend at 590-9952; or Anthony DeStefano at 712-840-5774. n Junior Achievement seeks volunteers for sessions at Punxsy elementary schools in May. Volunteers teach students about financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and work readiness. For more information, call the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce at 938-7700 or send an e-mail to chamber@punxsutawney.com. March 27: Blood Drive, noon to 5:30 pm., at Punxsy Christian School, sponsored by American Red Cross. n March 28: SSCD Luau Auction 2015. Save the Date! Mark your calendars for a great evening on March 28. Read all about it with advertisement on page 13. n March 29: Palm Sunday. n April 3: Good Friday. n April 5: Easter! n April 7: First Tuesday Community Meal, 5 to 7 p.m., at Punxsy Presbyterian Church. Free and open to the public. n April 9-11: Annual Senior Class Variety Show, PAHS.

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n April 12: Run or Walk for Someone Special at Sykesville Town Hall. Register by April 8. Visit www.jcarc.org for more information. Games, prizes, food, and a basket raffle. A fun day to raise money for a good cause! n April 14: Blood Drive, 12:30 to 6 p.m., at SSCD Church, sponsored by American Red Cross.

n April 17: Community Dinner, 5 to 6 p.m., at First United Methodist Church. Free and open to the public. n April 18: Punxsutawney Sports Hall of Fame, 13th Induction Banquet, 6 p.m. PAHS Café, tickets $20 each and available in - Continued on page 32

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30 – Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174

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Leonard Announces Bid for County Commissioner Post

eath Township Supervisor Dan Leonard has announced that he is running for Jefferson County Commissioner. “I have been hearing all kinds of ideas from people about what qualifies a person to be a Commissioner,” he said. “Some say business experience, and others point to personal qualities like a strong work ethic, being a good listener, and not having a personal agenda. While I agree with these thoughts, I say that, first and foremost, a Commissioner must be a leader. My record as a business owner, township supervisor, and veteran bears witness that I can and will lead effectively.” “ My service as victim services coordinator in the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office proves that I am not only a good listener, but one who takes action to help others in need,” he continued. “These qualities have prompted many people to ask me to run for this important position. I am excited to put all of these qualities to work as a Jefferson County Commissioner, and I am asking for the support of all Jefferson County voters.” Leonard has a wide variety of experiences that will serve the county well. Leonard worked for 18 years as a marketing director for a vocational rehabilitation facility for people with special needs. He owned and operated a beef farm for 19 years. Leonard developed his work ethic early in life, stating that while he was still in high school, he worked not only for his father’s trucking company, but also worked two side jobs. Leonard served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves for 10 years; he was a Platoon Leader and retired as a Sergeant

First Class. He has served Jefferson County through important work in the District Attorney’s Office as a victim services coordinator where he helped victims of crimes negotiate the legal process, understand their rights, and obtain the benefits they deserved. Leonard is particularly proud of his record of service as a Heath Township supervisor, stating, “I am the only candidate who can say that he has experience in government and who reduced taxes in his first year of office and has never raised them since!” While cutting taxes, Leonard was still able to provide Heath Township with better roads, newer equipment, a remodeled township building, and more money in reserve than ever before. Leonard is in his 12th year as a supervisor and is the chairman of the board. Leonard also serves the Jefferson County Township Officers Association as an auditor and on the Tax Collection Committee. Leonard is very excited to begin unveiling his “100 Mile Plan” for Jefferson County – a plan that will promote growth, reduce taxes, and keep the county’s most precious resource, its residents’ children and grandchildren, right here in Jefferson County to enjoy goodpaying jobs and good benefits while raising their families. “I am asking the voters of Jefferson County for your support and vote. Please remember to vote for ‘Dan’ on May 19 and convince 10 others to do the same,” he said. “If you elect me, I will do my very best to give you the efficient, hard-working, common-sense Jefferson County government that you deserve.” •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 31

sunday, april 12 at Sykesville Town Hall • Registration 1:30pm • Run/Walk 3pm • Wheelchair Race Lots of fun, food and prizes For more information, registration forms, Erin Cameron at (814) 952-0490 or Bill Cuba Jr. (814) 591-6800, or email run_walk@yahoo.com, Information is also available at www.jcarc.org.

thearcofjeffersoncounty/ 36th-annual-runwalk-for-someone-special

Proceeds benefit Arc of Jefferson & Clearfield Counties and Camp Friendship

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(Editor’s Note: “From Our Past,” researched by S. Thomas Curry, features items of interest from past editions of Punxsutawney and area newspapers.) March 22, 1905 — The game of “marbles” is leading many a boy to an excessive use of profanity. Go where a group of boys are congregated and interested in this youthful sport and you will find the air full of profanity and fight. It is innocent enough pastime in itself, but as spring opens up it doesn’t take many games to knock all the good influences out of the average boy which had been instilled into him during one winter’s term at Sunday School. (Punxsutawney News) March 24, 1870 — ARRESTS. – On Saturday evening last a couple of young men by the name of Johnson, thought to have a jolly good time by drinking and carousing about town. This they continued for several hours uninterrupted, and they were arrested at the insistence of Frederick Hummel, Proprietor of the Washington Hotel, for disorderly conduct at his house. They were taken before Esq. Miller and bound over to May term of Court, giving bail for their appearance. But this was not enough. The proprietor of the Washington was taken before the “Squire, on a charge of selling liquor on the Sabbath day and to minors. He also was bound over for his appearance at the Court of Quarter Sessions. (Punxsutawney Plaindealer) April 1, 1869 — NARROW ESCAPE. – Mr. Wm J. Drum of this place, met with a miraculous escape last Saturday. While going

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over Williams dam on a raft, his head came in contact with the bracket-log, which knocked him down and injured him severely about the head and arm. (Punxsutawney Plaindealer) April 14, 1886 — Rees, Rodgers & Company of Osceola, are preparing to erect a planing mill on Jefferson Street near the railroad. Work will begin on the building at once. It is intended to manufacture flooring, moulding, etc. at first and if the proprietors conclude that it will pay, a large sash and door factory will be run in conjunction with it. (Punxsutawney Spirit) April 15, 1896 — The site of the iron works is being cleared off and the grounds put in shape for laying the foundation for the building and heavy machinery. Martin McGregor has received the contract of cutting and clearing the timber on the site of the proposed blast furnace. The timber will be cut into cord wood. (Punxsutawney News) [Note: The site of the “iron works” is the present location of the Punxsutawney Plaza, on West Mahoning Street.] •••

Around Town Continued from page 30

HS Office. Inductees: Heather Beatty, John Cessna, Jeff Grossman, Doug Harrold, Bret Rankin, and Richard Treharne; posthumous inductees: Joel Campbell and Alvin Ramaly; Chuck Daly Lifetime Contributor Award: Elvin “Scrap” Snyder. Also, the Annual Golf Tournament at Hemlock View Golf Course is set for 8 a.m. Saturday, June 6, $50 for an individual and $200 for a team includes lunch and beverages. For more information, please contact Patti Fallara at Punxsutawney Area High School 938-5151, ext. 1000. n April 22: Earth Day. n April 22: Elvis impersonator Kelly Hylton will entertain at the Mahoning Hills Social Center’s volunteer luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $6 in advance. Call for information, (724) 286-3099. n April 23: Square Dance, 10:45 a.m., at

814-845-7853 3802 Gipsy Road Search facebook for Gipsy, PA 15741 Country Shop LLC Thurs. - Fri. Noon to 8 pm, Sat. 10 am to 6 pm, Sun. Noon to 5 pm

Mahoning Hills Social Center. Chuck Wagon Lunch at noon, $3. Call in advance, (724) 2863099. n April 24: Arbor Day. Plant a tree! n April 25: Believe Dream Pray Neon 5K Run/Walk benefit for Thalia White Carol. Registration, 6 p.m. Race begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Mahoning Shadow Rails to Trails (behind the ballfields). Registration for individual runners is $20 before March 31 and $25 after that. Registration for individual or family walkers is $15. For registration or other information, call Billie Blose at 952-9996 or Sarah Kasanicky at (724) 681-3904. n April 29: PAHS Chorus Concert, 7:30 p.m., PAHS Auditorium. n April 29: Hymn Sing, Mahoning Hills Social Center. Call for information, (724) 2863099. •••

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32 – Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174

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Run or Walk for Someone Special on April 12 Zumbathon Set to Raise Funds

t’s that time of year again – get out your sneakers and get ready to support the Arc of Jefferson and Clearfield Counties / Camp Friendship! The 36th annual Run or Walk for Someone Special is scheduled for Sunday, April 12. There is a $10 participation fee for adults. (Children and youth 18 years of age and younger may participate for free.) Participants who pre-register and collect donations of $20 or more will receive a T-shirt. If a participant registers on the day of the event, donations of $25 or more will garner a T-shirt. To pre-register, please visit the event’s website (www.firstgiving.com/thearcofjeffersoncounty/36th-annual-runwalk-forsomeone-special). Pre-registration must be completed by midnight Friday, April 10. Pre-registration can also be accomplished by completing the walk-or-run form and mailing it – by Saturday, April 4 – to Sarah Walker, 1023 Sunset Lake Road, Rockton, PA 15856. For those not pre-registering, please bring the registration form to the checkin station on the day of the event along with the money collected. Registration begins at the Sykesville Town Hall at 1:30 p.m., and the race begins at 3 p.m. Participants have the option to run or

walk two miles or to run five miles. Trophies and ribbons will be awarded to finishers in a variety of age groups for both the two-mile and five-mile distances. During the event, games, food, prizes, and a silent auction will be available at the Town Hall. Prizes will be given to the top money collectors! Organizers would like to thank all the local businesses that contribute donations, and all the volunteers who help make this event possible. They encourage everyone to please come out and participate. Registration / collection forms – attached to the Run or Walk poster – will soon be available in many local businesses. The forms can also be printed from the website www.jcarc.org. For forms and additional information, please contact Erin Cameron at (814) 952-0490 or Bill Cuba Jr. at 591-6800, or by sending an e-mail to run_walk@yahoo.com. In addition, the third annual Zumbathon will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 11. There is a $10 registration fee. T-shirts will also be available for purchase at the Zumbathon! All monies raised at this event are used to provide children and adults with disabilities – from Jefferson and Clearfield Counties – with summer camp, Autism Camp, and support for other programs ran throughout the year. •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 33

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Punxsutawney Memorial Library Celebrates National Library Week April 12-18

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unxsutawney Memorial Library joins libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the changing role of libraries, librarians and library workers. Libraries today are more than warehouses for books. Instead, libraries and librarians are change agents within their communities – transforming lives through innovative educational resources and forward-thinking programming. Libraries are doing their part to close the digital divide and level the playing field by providing free access to information and technologies that many in their communities would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Libraries help to ensure the American dream and promote democracy by providing service to all regardless of race, ethnicity, creed, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic status. Librarians work with elected officials, small business owners, students and the public at large to discover and meet the needs of their communities. Whether through offering e-books and technology classes, materials for English-language learners, programs for job seekers or offering a safe haven in times of crisis, li-

brarians listen to the community they serve, and they respond. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. The Punxsutawney Memorial Library serves multiple schools in the Punxsutawney and surrounding area by providing a multitude of services and resources for all ages. “The library has always been a place of unlimited possibilities,” said Jane Parente, the library’s ILL coordinator. The Punxsutawney Memorial Library celebrates different things throughout each month, including the children’s programs for “wee ones” up to teens. To find out what is happening during National Library Week 2015 (April 12-18) or for more information about the library itself, please visit the library’s website (punxsutawneylibrary.org), or call (814) 9385020, or stop by the library in person at 301 E. Mahoning St. #4, Punxsutawney. The library’s hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Jessica Lasher is director of the Punxsutawney Memorial Library. •••

Punxsutawney Hometown – April 2015 - Issue #174 – 35

36 – Punxsutawney Hometown –April 2015 - Issue #174