#199 MAY 2017 by Punxsutawney Hometown Magazine

Springtime Memories from Bell Township Elementary School S By Mary Ellen Pollock-Raneri for Hometown magazine pringtime at Bell Township Elementary School in the ’60s was a great time for us kids. No, we didn’t host a talent show or a bake sale – we left that stuff for the big kids in the high school. Again, no, we didn’t participate in state testing for

math, science, reading, and writing. Nope. The teachers evaluated us on our report cards – that seemed to be enough for most folks back then. Of course, nature bloomed all over the place at that little country schoolhouse; it was the perfect time for science, art, and plain old learning experiences. Typically, no special programs or visiting college presenters enriched our lives during the busy last months of school. Our teachers filled that gap. They were the art instructors, science experts, and nature

aficionados – all of whom were awesome Yodas to their young Luke Skywalkers. The seasonal Easter bonnet shined as one of the biggest projects of April. Mrs. Wadding and Mrs. Elder chaired the Easter Bonnet Construction Committee, as they instructed all the students in fourth or fifth grade to bring in paper plates, ribbon, fake flowers, plastic eggs, and assorted notions. There at our desks, we all toiled over the construction of the best Easter bonnet. Re-

ELECT Brian Smith

MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT JUDGE

COMMON SENSE • FAIRNESS • INTEGRITY rian Smith has announced his candidacy for Magisterial District Judge for District 54-3-01 in Punxsutawney. Smith will cross-file on both the Republican and Democratic ballots for the May primary. District 54-3-01 is comprised of the townships of Bell, Gaskill, McCalmont, Oliver, Perry, Porter, Ringgold, and Young. It also includes the Borough of Punxsutawney, Timblin, and Worthville. The court is one of three magisterial courts in Jefferson County. Smith graduated from Marion Center High School and attended Penn State for business and accounting. He then began working in construction, heavy equipment operating, and the transportation industry. Brian and his wife Linda moved to Punxsutawney in 1998 with their three young children, Jake, Jadie, and Josh. In 2001, he opened Fastrak, a family-owned transportation company, and later he added Orion Logistics, Inc., a freight brokerage company. He is also coowner of Abacus Housing LLC, which provides student rental for IUP Culinary Academy students. Smith has been a Punxsutawney Rotarian since 2006 and is a past president and current treasurer. He has been instrumental in helping to organize and co-chair many Rotarian events over the years, including the Rotary Radio Auction, the Multiphasic Blood Screening, and the Circle of Trees project. His family has hosted Rotary Foreign Exchange students, and he has also participated in the interviewing process for outbound exchange students from the district. He was named Rotarian of the Year by his peers in 2016. Being a parent as well as his involvement with multiple

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youth programs has given him the experience to deal with juveniles within the court system. Smith is a current board member and past vice president of the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce. He has been involved with many of the Chamber’s events, being hands-on with the Christmas lights snowflake program and teaching Junior Achievement classes to second grade. Smith, wanting to stay engaged and be a leader within his community, became a Punxsutawney Borough councilman in January 2014 and is currently the council president. Smith has been a longtime supporter of the local fire companies and their fundraising efforts by sponsoring their gun raffles. His father is David A. Smith, CPA, and wife, Debbie, and his mother is Karen DeBerry and husband, Gary. Smith will attend a rigorous training and education program administered by the Minor Judiciary Education Board this summer to become certified by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. “My experience and involvement as a father, community leader, and business owner has prepared me for the positon of district judge,” says Smith. “I have made this community my home and have always looked for ways to serve my community and make it a better place.” “It will mean that the residents of this district will receive fair and equitable decisions from the bench,” he continued.“I pledge to uphold the law and make decisions with a level head, fairness and integrity.”

•••

Tuesday, May16th

2 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199

Paid for by the Candidate

flecting on this process years later, I’m wondering how the baseball-playing, basketball-shooting, football-tossing guys in my class regarded this artistic bonnet endeavor. I guess we all participated though – no one complained and no one was offended by the plethora of posies, bunnies, doodads, and bows. I particularly recall trying to make the best bonnet ever. Well, as you know, sometimes intentions are way better than the finished product. Try as I might, I just couldn’t get those jumbo fake daffodils (that Mom bought at the five-anddime) to stay on that paper plate. It could have been that I used a really flimsy paper plate. Gosh! We never bought the expensive ones, and if we did, my mom washed them and saved them. Or, it could have been that the cheap plastic flowers were too heavy for the paper. Back then, we didn’t have silk flowers, nor would my mom have bought them – if we’d had them! – for a school Easter bonnet project. Or, it just could have been that I didn’t know how to glue (which is, as everyone knows, an acquired skill). If I were a betting woman (and I am), I would imagine it was a combination of all of the above. At the end of Easter bonnet construction, our teachers displayed them and decided on the best ones. We didn’t get prizes or have our pictures snapped and posted on social media. Nope. We didn’t have any kind of parade either. I guess we just celebrated the pride we took in our work, and we all wanted to be praised by our teachers. That praise and personal pride seemed to be enough for us. Mother’s Day was another big artistic hoopla in the little elementary school. Our teachers saved a tiny black-andwhite school photo for every student. You know – the teeny identification picture that the photographer took at the beginning of the school year. Our assignment was as follows: Fold a piece of colored paper horizontally so it had three creases. Then, on each portion of colored paper, we were instructed to write this verse (from the bottom up): Dear Mom, My love for you just grows And grows And grows. At the top of the paper, you guessed it, were our smiling faces – right smack in the middle of flowers that we designed from colored paper. We got to draw the stem and the leaves too. Well, of course, my artist’s brain was always out there floating around in creative outer space. I specifically remember making my flower a combination of pink, red and white with a blue center. Assessing my work, one of the teachers gently remarked on my creation. “You know, Mary, pink and red don’t go together,” she whispered. I was not deterred. “My mom has geraniums like this,” I replied – not thinking a thing about correcting an adult, nor with a thought of changing my work. I continued to glue my flower petals onto the paper. The teacher smiled,” Okay … I guess so.” - Continued on page 8

On the cover:

Punxsutawney’s Tom Chelgren is a member and past president of the local Rotary Club and is the governor of Rotary International’s Northwestern Pennsylvania District 7280. (cover photo by Hometown Staff)

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Punxsutawney’s Tom Chelgren: Service Above Self

On Wednesday, April 12, members of the Punxsutawney Rotary Club enjoyed their weekly meeting – a time for networking and planning: (front row, from left) Debbie Snyder, Erin Cameron, Tammy Carulli, Jodi Presloid, Tom Chelgren; (second row) Eric Amundson, George Powers, Eddie Armstrong, Bob Fischer, Brian Smith; (third row) George “Butch” White, Jeff Grube, Dylan Bender, Doyle Starry; and (back row) Dr. Nathan Stebbins, Jim Cassidy, Bob Lott, Bill Allemang, Doug Chambers. (photo by Hometown staff)

By Jim Lauffer of Hometown magazine ome people would rather listen to the stories of others than tell their own story. Some folks would rather tout the accomplishments of others than toot their own horns. Some leaders would rather talk about their group and its members than talk about themselves. Punxsutawney’s Tom Chelgren is among the former groups of people, folks, and leaders – he enjoys hearing others tell their stories, he enjoys praising others, and he enjoys talking about others, but not himself. Rotary International Tom is the governor of Rotary International’s Northwestern Pennsylvania District 7280. He may be reticent to talk about himself, but he is bullish on the Rotary – both Rotary International and the Punxsutawney Rotary Club – and speaks eagerly about the group and its mission and members. “Rotary is 112 years old this year,” he points out. “It was formed in 1905 in Chicago by an attorney named Paul Harris and three of his friends.” According to Tom, Paul and his friends had a twofold goal for their new group: to look for opportunities for social or economic service to the community and to identify ways to solve issues or impediments to service, in both the short term and the long term. The group’s name evolved from its habit of not meeting at one particular location. Meetings were held at various locations; they rotated from place to place. “Rotate” evolved into “Rotary,” and the new club had a memorable moniker. Harris’s Rotary Club evolved into the Rotary International. “We have 1.2-plus million adult members in 34,000-plus individual clubs in 230-plus countries

worldwide,” says Tom, adding that “we literally have Rotary organizations on all seven continents.” Rotary’s efforts – both locally and internationally – fall into six area of focus:

promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education; and growing local - Continued on next page

Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 3

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Dylan Bender (center) is a fourth-generation Rotarian, following in the footsteps of his mother, Erin Cameron; his grandmother, Lisa London; and his great-grandfather, Doyle Starry. Unfortunately, Lisa was unable to attend the meeting where the picture was taken. Dylan, Erin, Lisa, and Doyle are members of the Punxsutawney Rotary Club. (photo by Hometown staff)

Tom Chelgren

highly regarded and has been listed by CNBC as being one of the top five foundations in the world. The Charity NavigaContinued from previous page tor – America’s largest independent charity evaluator – gives the Foundation economies. “We are in the forefront of scores of 97 percent for its financial perpeace and conflict resolution,” says Tom, formance and 100 percent for its account“and we’re involved in large-scale peace ability and transparency. According to the negotiations.” Foundation’s website, “during the past Tom also points out another of Rotary’s 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 most successful projects – the eradication billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.” While talking about the Rotary Foundation’s centennial celebration, Tom admits that he and other Rotary members are “exceptionally proud of the Foundation’s history and mission.” “Very few foundations survive, let alone last, 100 years,” he adds. The founding of the Rotary Foundation has a western Pennsylvania connection. Rotary president Arch C. Klumph, a native of Conneautville, PennsylPresident Tammy Carulli and Vice President Jim Cassidy conduct vania, is credited for business at the Wednesday, April 12, meeting of the Punxsutawney sowing the seeds that Rotary Club, held at Mary’s Place. (photos by Hometown staff) sprouted into the Foundation at the Rotary Convention in Atof polio. “In the 1980s, the Rotary took lanta, Georgia, in June 1917. “It seems upon itself – with others, including the eminently proper that we should accept World Health Organization, UNICEF, the endowments for the purpose of doing Centers for Disease Control, and the Bill good in the world,” said Klumph. and Melinda Gates Foundation – to eradInspired by his words, the Rotary Club icate polio,” he says. “In 1988, there of Kansas City, Missouri, made the first were, worldwide, 350,000 cases of polio; donation of $26.50 to the Foundation. in 2016, there were thirty-seven diagAnd the rest, as the saying goes, is hisnosed cases in three countries – tory. Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria.” Punxsutawney Rotary Club The funds for these efforts are distribAccording to Tom, the Punxsutawney uted by the Rotary Foundation, which Rotary Club was charted in April 1921. Tom describes as the charitable wing of The Club currently has approximately Rotary International. Tom notes that the fifty members, and its officers are Tammy Foundation was born one hundred years Carulli, president; Jim Cassidy, vice presago and that it manages several billion ident; Doug Chambers, secretary; and dollars in assets. In support of the RoBrian Smith, treasurer. tary’s areas of focus, the Foundation dis“The local club was created as, and repenses grants and scholarships. According to Tom, the Foundation is

- Continued on page 6

Managing the Costs of Assisted Living

s individuals age, various circumstances have to be reassessed. A current living situation may not be meeting the needs of a senior who may be having difficulty caring properly for himself or herself. Families often consider senior residences to provide welcoming and safe environments for their loved ones during the golden years of their lives. These facilities may range from independent living homes with minimal care offered to nursing homes that provide more intensive care when needed. Somewhere in the middle lies assisted living homes, which blend the independence of personal residences with other amenities, such as the housekeeping, medication reminders or meal services. Assisted living can be a viable option when a person can no longer live alone, but such facilities come with a price. According to a Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs conducted by MetLife, the national average for assisted living base rates was $3,550 per month in 2012. In the 2015 Cost of Care Survey conducted by Genworth Financial, the assisted living, national-median monthly rate was now $3,600 — and it’s only expected to grow. Affording these homes and apartments can be challenging for those with fixed incomes, but there are some strategies that can help. The payment method that serves you best will depend on your unique circumstances, but there are options available. • Long-term care insurance: Long-term care insurance is specialized insurance that is paid into and may cover the cost of assisted living facilities and other medical care, depending on the policy. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance says that only roughly 3 percent of Americans have this type of insurance, but it is something to consider during working years. • Personal savings: Some people have the means to pay for assisted living with their own savings and retirement nest eggs. However, it’s easy for savings to become depleted when facing a $40,000+ per year bill. • Life insurance: A financial advisor may advocate to pay for assisted living with a life insurance policy. Some companies enable you to cash out for “accelerated” or “living” benefits, which usually is a buyback of the policy for 50 to 75 percent of the face value. Other third parties may purchase the policy for a settlement of a lump sum, again roughly 50 to 75 percent of the policy’s face value, according to Caring.com, an online source for support and information about the needs of aging people. • Location: Costs of assisted living facilities vary depending on location. It’s possible to get a lower monthly rate simply by choosing a facility in a different state. • Negotiation: Not all prices are set in stone. Speak with a manager at the facility and see if there is any price flexibility or move-in incentives. You also may be able to get a lower rate by negotiating certain a-la-carte costs against all-inclusive pricing. Perhaps you do not need laundry

or shopping services, and family members can fill in the gaps, reducing your bill. • Veteran’s benefits: Many veterans are eligible for care benefits that can offset the cost of assisted living care. • Rooms: Opting for a smaller room or sharing a space can keep costs down as well. See if shared rooms are a possibility. Assisted living is a necessity for thousands of people. Explore the ways to finance this purchase. •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 5

Tom Chelgren

BILL CAREY for

Punxsutawney Borough Council Paid for by Candidate

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.

Tonya Geist Jefferson County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts

Paid for by Candidate

Vote

VOTE

WEHRLE

James (Snake) Tuesday, May 16th

SCHOOL BOARD

Precinct 1 Region 5 Democratic Write-Ins Welcome Paid For By The Candidate

Tuesday, May 16

Aaron L. Hendricks FOR

Punxsutawney Borough Council

Dedicated to serving the people of Punxsutawney!

Thank you to all the Republican and Democrat supporters for your vote.

VOTE to Re-Elect

Richard Alexander

WAYNE RISHEL Bell Twp. Supervisor

VOTE

for Mayor

Tues., May 16th

Tues., May 16th Paid for by the Candidate

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6 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199

with my husband and child, and we heard a Rotary commercial. My husband said, ‘That sounds like something you’d be interested in joining.’ And I did!” Tom Chelgren Tom was born and raised in Punxsutawney. In 1974, he received his high school diploma from both Punxsutawney High School and Jeff Tech in Reynoldsville, having been enrolled in a

Continued from page 4 mains, a network,” says Tom. “It provides an opportunity for networking.” “The Club spans the scope of the area’s demographics – it’s not exclusionary,” he continues. “It’s comprised of very likeminded individuals who have the spirit, the shared vision, of community involvement.” The shared vision of community involvement expresses itself in many ways – each Rotarian brings his or her unique talents and interests to the Club. However, the Club does have a number of annual community projects that would not be possible without the involvement of all members: the multiphasic blood screenings, the banquet for the National Honor Society of Punxsutawney Area High School, the radio auction, the community gardens, and the Christmas season’s Circle of Trees. In addition to their support of the Club’s projects, Rotary members bring express their individual passions for community service in a variety of personal projects, ranging from animal rescue to developing rails to trails. They draw support and encouragement from one another, sharing the vision of selfless service to others. Also on the Club’s 2017 agenda is hosting the Rotary 7280 District Conference from Friday through Sunday, May 19-21. A number of events are planned, in- om Chelgren (lower right) is a past president of the Punxcluding a golf tournament sutawney Rotary Club. The club’s current officers include and an “Explore Punxsy Tammy Carulli, president; Brian Smith (center), treasurer; Jim Cassidy (upper left), vice president; and Doug Chambers, secTour.” Among the Punxsutawney retary. (photo by Hometown staff) dual program cooperatively offered by the Rotary Club’s members are four generaschools. Tom is retired from the Pennsyltions of a family. Dylan Bender is the vania State Police. He spent much of his youngest member of the generational twenty-eight and a half years in the crimquartet that includes his mother, Erin inal investigation unit of the department. Cameron; his grandmother, Lisa London; He retired as a sergeant and spent time as and his great-grandfather, and Doyle a vice fire marshal and a team leader of Starry. Erin has been a member since the major case squad. Tom describes his 2010. “Grandpa always talked about Rocareer as having been spent “piecing the tary, but I thought it was something to do pieces of a puzzle together.” with church – something like the Knights of Columbus,” she says. “One day, I was - Continued on page 8

RE-ELECT

Susan L. Mitchell Punxsutawney Borough Tax Collector 16 years Proven Honest • Efficient • Friendly Fiscally Responsible

Paid for by the candidate.

Democrat Write-Ins Appreciated

Helping a Loved One Adapt to a Nursing Home

any older men and women find the transition to a nursing home somewhat difficult. Men and women tend to see a move to a nursing home as a step toward surrendering their independence, and this can be a difficult hurdle for seniors and their loved ones to overcome. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that many men and women move into nursing homes because their physical or mental status requires the help of a professional nursing staff, leaving family members with

friends and relatives possible enables men and women maintain a connection to their current lifestyle. A home that is miles and miles away from a person's support system can foster feelings of isolation and loneliness. * Plan trips with your loved one. Just because an aging relative lives in a nursing home does not mean he or she can no longer travel. If a relative is healthy enough to travel, include them on family

trips and outings. This includes more routine events like weekly Sunday dinners, kids' sporting events and other extracurricular activities. The more involved your aging relative are in the daily life of your family, the more likely they are to see the advantages of living in a nursing home. * Encourage your loved ones to take some personal items with them. When moving into a nursing home, men and women must leave behind many of their possessions. This is a simple space issue, as the rooms in a typical nursing home cannot accommodate a life's worth of keepsakes and possessions. But that doesn't mean men and women have to leave everything behind. Encourage your loved one to bring along some possessions, such as his or her family photos, a favorite chair or smaller mementos from places he or she

visited throughout his or her life. Such items can make a nursing home seem less antiseptic and more like a home. * Set up an e-mail account for your loved one. If your loved one still has his or her mental health, then set him or her up with an e-mail account. This allows your loved one to maintain daily contact with family and friends. Many of today's nursing homes provide facilities where residents can access the Internet. If not, speak to the staff and ask if your relative can bring his or her own computer. If your relative will be able to routinely access the Internet, consider purchasing a digital subscription to the local newspaper so he or she can further maintain a connection to the community. •••

When moving a relative into a nursing home, find a facility that's close to home so men and women can still enjoy regular contact with friends and relatives.

little to no recourse when aging relatives protest the move. But there are ways to ease a loved one's transition into a nursing home. * Keep a positive attitude. The stress of moving an aging relative into a nursing home can be significant for all parties involved. But focusing on the positives of nursing homes, such as around-the-clock care and daily activities, can help aging relatives look at nursing homes in a new light. In addition, family members who familiarize themselves with nursing homes will begin to see they are often great places for aging men and women to socialize with others their age while receiving the care and attention they need. When discussing the move to a nursing home, focus on these positives and your relative will be more likely to follow your lead. * Choose a nursing home that's close to home. One of the more difficult parts of transitioning to a nursing home is the notion that men and women are leaving their lives behind once they move into a home. Choosing a nursing home that's close to home and makes routine visits from

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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 7

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8 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199

Then, she moved to the next student. Even nowadays, as a fine arts and painting major in college, I still chuckle every time I put the colors of red and pink together in a composition. Call me a sentimental fool, but I still think of that Mother’s Day card and reflect on my sixty-some-year-old stubborn streak. Of course, what would springtime be like without a nature hike? And, Bell Township Elementary School was the perfect spot for one. Once in a while, on a fine sunny day in April or May, Mr. Lowry would lead his whole sixthgrade science class on a lengthy hike in the surrounding fields. Dressed to the nines in his dapper suit, big bow tie, and crisp white shirt, Mr. Lowry led the procession of eleven-year-old nature lovers into the fields that surrounded the school. We were all in search of amazing stuff that we could talk about later in class. “Mr. Lowry, Mr. Lowry!” I shouted. “Look at this broken robin egg.” I showed my teacher the blue treasure that I discovered in a small nest camouflaged in some tall grasses. The cool thing about Mr. Lowry was that he always expressed interest in whatever you found – no matter how small or how insignificant the object might have been. Nodding and smiling a slight grin, he shot me his look of approval – that’s all I needed. That’s all any of us students really wanted – our teachers’ approval. Mr. Lowry never overkilled on fake compliments or spread on too much sugar. You just knew that he appreciated your interest in his science hike, and he acknowledged everyone’s swell finds. When we got back to his classroom, Mr. Lowry debriefed the class on the nature excursion. There, in his room attached to his principal’s office, we chattered about our daisies, milkweed, our fossils, weird rocks, wilted fourleaf clovers, crumbling nests, and cracked bird eggs. You would have thought we prepared for a National Geographic magazine spread – our simple findings from Bell Township Elementary School were as awesome as precious relics found on a dig in Egypt. So there you have it – the springtime memories of my childhood and the teachers who helped decorate them with fresh ideas. Ah! The simple nofuss days of elementary school with all the Easter trimmings, Mother’s Day love, and scientific evaluation, all done with a ’60s flair. I will never forget those days of paper plate bonnets, birds’ nests, and construction paper greeting cards – those childhood moments are forever pasted into my memory with Elmer’s school glue. Me – I hope that all students will keep finding joy in paper hats, those simple nature hikes, and homemade gifts for mom. Here’s to the teachers who continue to inspire us. •••

Tom Chelgren Continued from page 6

In 1985, Tom married “a young lady from Punxsy,” and he and Nancy have been married for thirty-two years. Nancy is a guidance counselor at DuBois Area Senior High, and Tom is especially proud of her effort to gain the academic credentials that she needed to enter the field of education. “She is a great lady,” he says of Nancy. Tom and Nancy have a daughter, Laura, who is a student at Point Park University’s Conservatory of Performing Arts, Pittsburgh, after having studied at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, for two years. She has attended the Atlantic Acting School associated with New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and this summer, she will study in the Theater Art Department of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. Her proud dad notes that his daughter was valedictorian of her high school graduating class. Tom first foray into community service was with the Elk Run Volunteer Fire Company, which he joined in 1978. Years later, in the 1990s, Tom led fundraising efforts for the Domestic Violence Task Force in order to expand the group’s shelter. In 2003, Rotary member Doug Chambers asked Tom to join the Punxsutawney Rotary Club. “We were standing over a patch of rhubarb, and Doug said, ‘Why don’t you join?’” Tom recalls, adding that he became Club president four years after joining. “In the 2010-2011 range,” Tom began getting involved with the Rotary’s Northwestern Pennsylvania District 7280, which forty-three local Rotary Clubs. “I tried to support the organization,” Tom remembers. “I helped out local-level committees and officers.” Now the governor of District 7280, Tom likens his role to that of a chief executive officer. “I help manage committees and I help manage individual clubs,” he says. Tom points out that his governorship began on July 1, 2016, and will end on June 30, 2017. The short tenures of officers maintain the “rotating” spirit of the original Rotary Club – each year brings new leadership and new ideas into the Rotary organizations at every level. “You’re always working your way up the ladder,” says Tom. Tom’s service to his community has not gone unnoticed – even though he might prefer flying under the radar of his peers. In 2010, he received the “Excellence in Community Service Award” from the Daughters of the American Revolution, and, in 2011, Tom was named “Punxsutawney Man of the Year” at that year’s Groundhog Banquet. His various works of community service were cited, but Tom’s response to the award, as reported by the Punxsutawney Spirit, was typical of the man: “This is wonderful,” he said, “but there are so many more deserving people in Punxsutawney that are far more deserving than me.” “‘Service above self’ is the motto, if you will, of Rotary,” says Tom. “It’s the one constant regardless of the themes of individual projects.” “Service above self” – a motto that describes the motivation of Rotarians in general, but also of Punxsutawney’s Tom Chelgren in particular. •••

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This view of downtown Punxsutawney in the early 1950s offers a black-and-white portrait of the community when the first of the Punxsutawney High School senior class variety shows were performed to support the Boles Memorial Scholarship Foundation, organized in February 1950 following the death of Margaret C. Boles. (photo courtesy of Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society)

High School Seniors Continue Tradition of First Variety Show Fundraiser

By S. Thomas Curry of Hometown magazine

Punxsutawney history up to 1949. Phebe (Smith) Krouse, student chairvariety show was performed in man of the undertaking, shared with the early April 2017 by members of writer her experience: “It still delights me the senior class of Punxsutawney that school seniors and juniors were enArea High School. It is now part trusted with the ponderous task of organof the area’s history. For many years, izing and editing the 1949 history .... We with each year’s show, the public has worked very hard on that project all year been reminded that “the proceeds from but were still required to write lengthy senior themes. the variety show go What good trainto the Margaret C. ing although we Boles Foundation.” probably comThis year’s show plained bitterly at was the sixty-sevthe time!” enth creative stage The tradition of effort by graduating awarding a scholstudents to continue arship to a worthy the long tradition to student was familperpetuate the name iar to many area and example of Miss residents who had Margaret C. Boles, a graduated in earteacher for thirtylier years from two years in PunxPHS. During the sutawney High 1909 PunxSchool. sutawney Old From the time she Home Week celewas hired in 1916 bration, a High until her death in School Alumni November 1949, Association was Miss Boles was acorganized. In tively involved with 1922, at the sugstudents as an English teacher and Miss Margaret C. Boles taught English at Punx- gestion of Miss founder of the Thes- sutawney High School for thirty-two years before Boles, funds were her death in November 1949. She began the pian Society (1927), Thespian Society and the school newspaper, raised through the the yearbook (“The then The Torch, now The Hi-Lights. She was the performance of a Mirror”), and the faculty adviser for the yearbook, The Mirror. Dur- play to provide ing the 1948-49 school year she directed stu- funds to support a school newspaper. dents in the preparation of the Punxsutawney In 1949, as head of Centennial Book. (digital scan from the Class of student scholarship, whose recipithe English depart- 1949 yearbook) ent was to be ment, Miss Boles directed a handpicked group of high school selected by the alumni association. The new F.S. Jackson School, built in students in the immense effort to gather, organize, compile, and edit a vast amount 1937 as an annex to the older Jefferson of information for Punxsutawney’s cen- Street School building, provided a new tennial celebration. Through hours and 1,200-seat auditorium to replace the stuhours of work, a history of Punxsutawney dent assembly room on the fourth floor was prepared and published as Punx- of the older school, built in 1907. Student sutawney Centennial, 1849-1949: 100 variety shows and annual three-act plays Years of Progress. That fitting souvenir were presented often by Miss Boles and publication is a valuable reference to - Continued on page 12

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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 9

The Uncles: We Do Remember

Blair L. Armstrong

Budd L. Armstrong

By Marty Armstrong for Hometown magazine ome years ago – ten to be exact – Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society members created a short-term display in the Bennis House in remembrance of past military service men and women. Consisting mostly of pictures and writings, it was intended to honor the many who have served by highlighting a sampling of the few. With three uncles who had served in World War II (one of whom also served in World War I and during the Korean Conflict), I felt compelled to include something with the display. Then I remembered that my husband had two uncles who had served in WWII. Further, he and his two brothers had served in the military, as did one of their cousins, so that all of their children, cousins of each other, had several uncles who had done so. And finally, of my six male cousins, four served in the military. This is not

Donald M. Roderick

Wallace F. Jordan

at all unusual; in researching those from the Punxsutawney area who served during WWI, we find brothers going off to war together and generations before and after with traditions of service. I wrote: The Uncles: Do You Remember? They’ve gone off to war in every generation, inspired by those who went before and inspiring those who come after. We have their pictures, their mementos, their diaries, even if we no longer have them. Of course, it hasn’t been just our uncles. We have seen our brothers, sisters, cousins, parents, children and friends take those courageous steps to military encampments nearby and actions overseas. We honor them on special days; we honor them every day. We listen to them tell their stories and we share those stories with others. Included with this short remembrance were pictures of Blair L. Armstrong, Budd L. Armstrong, Donald M. Roderick, and Wallace F.

Charles D. Stoops

Jordan, all of whom served in WWII, and Charles D. Stoops, who served in WWI, WWII, and the Korean Conflict. Stoops spent the years between the two world wars with the National Guard in Punxsutawney. In 1924, he and nine other local Guard members participated in competitive exhibitions of horsemanship. This lively activity surely demonstrated the men’s ability to work as members of a team. Their collective skill wowed appreciative crowds. In the Society’s compilation of newspaper reports spanning the history of the Pennsylvania National Guard in Punxsutawney, preserved by SFC Roger S. Steele, there are many references to Punxsutawney’s annual Memorial Day parades and rodeos during the 1920s. Ten- and six-man pyramids, Roman and Cossack standing races (riders stood in their stirrups), rescue and wounded races (riders picked up able or disabled comrades), Pony Express races (riders changed mounts

twice mid-race), mounted tug of war (five sets of riders and mounts on each team), and other feats of horsemanship entertained large local crowds. The Groundhog Grenadiers traveled across the state to compete with other Pennsylvania National Guard units, bringing home many wins. These men live on in the memories of their families. Their service between the two world wars included an assignment in 1922 to Cokesburg, Pennsylvania, to help restore peace during labor unrest. In 1936, the troop was sent to Pittsburgh without their horses to assist city police in the prevention of looting at the Pennsylvania Railroad produce terminal and the warehouse district in the wake of the 1936 St. Patrick’s Day flood. I have no personal recollection of Uncle Chuck Stoops as he and his family moved to Ohio when I was small, but his memory lives large in the family. Enlisting in the United States Cavalry at age eighteen before the end of WWI, a member of the local National Guard Battery from its inception, commanding “the troop” in the European Theater of Operations during WWII (entering France as part of the Normandy invasion and meeting up with his young soldier son in Belgium), Uncle Chuck retired as a major in 1949, only to reenlist in 1950 for service during the Korean Conflict. What I do remember is the posthumous dedication in his honor of the local U.S. Army Reserve Center. Did the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines write home? That is pretty much a universal phenomenon. The historical society has another special collection, a very comprehensive and well-organized set of clippings preserved by Punxsutawney librarian, Mildred Harlan, during WWII. Any article, picture, or reference to military service per- Continued on page 20

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10 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199

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The Punxsutawney High School Class of 1951 organized and presented the first senior variety show. In a special assembly, the show’s proceeds of $473.55 were presented to the Boles Memorial Scholarship Foundation, setting the precedent for what became an annual event at the high school. From left to right, Miss Miriam Cokely and Eugene Curry of the Boles Foundation and Steve Gomola, president of the Class of 1951, and Paul Feicht, the first student director of the first Variety Show student director. [photo courtesy of Becky (Feicht) Shaw]

High School Seniors

Continued from page 9 the Thespian Society. During these years of Miss Boles’s public service, she had a secret and kept it well. For deserving students “who had no ready funds,” she financed their education at colleges, hospitals, trade schools, and other specialized schools for training. In return, for the funds she had provided from her small salary, she asked only two commitments from the students and their parents – that they not reveal the source of the aid during her lifetime and that after their education, they repay her, so she might use the money again to help others who would graduate from PHS. A small book containing the names of the graduates she helped was maintained by Miss Boles. A February 10, 1950, news story reported that “it has been sealed and put away, as we believe she would have wanted.” Many graduates kept the pledge they had made to Miss Boles; however, after her sudden death, many of her former students began to tell their stories of her help and friendship. Two weeks after her death, under the leadership of the Punxsutawney Teachers’ Association, a committee was set up to organize a scholarship fund in her memory. Within two months, the Margaret C. Boles Memorial Scholarship Fund was established with a goal of raising $20,000. Many PHS alumni and Miss Boles’s former students were among the first to donate to the fund. The PHS Thespian Society made the first substantial gift to the Boles Foundation on February 10, 1950 – a fitting “kickoff” gift since Miss Boles founded the Society. The $500 gift was an exceptionally generous contribution for the 1950s. Of that gift, Atty. James Prothero, chairman of the foundation, said, “It is to have been expected that young people would be the first to come forward and remember her now.” The Punxsutawney Spirit announced the campaign’s goal to raise the funds within two years. The Spirit writer wrote: “It is not too much to say that Miss Boles turned back to Punxsutawney all that she was ever paid and more, by her timely in-

vestment in the future of young graduates from Punxsutawney High School.” When members of the Class of 1951 started their senior year in September 1950, the Thespian Society focused its attention to a season of stage performances. With an ambitious schedule of four oneact plays and a three-act play, its priority for the year was a new show for the season to support the Boles Foundation. Its staging of “’51’s Varieties” on December 6 and 7 was the first senior class production to benefit the Boles scholarship fund. In a review of the first of the many senior variety shows that would follow, the Spirit’s society editor presented a challenge in these words: “Last night’s production set an enviable goal for future classes, which, it is hoped, will carry on and make a tradition of the Boles Fund benefit.” The “’51’s Varieties” was based upon the theme of many popular television shows of the late 1940s when comedyvariety shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show and Your Show of Shows were introduced to TV audiences. Paul Feicht, Jr., was the first director of a senior variety show. The excitement to entertain and the ingenuity of that first production crew created a program of vocal and instrumental musical numbers, dance solos, dramatic and comic skits, six songs from South Pacific, and the singing of “There’s No Business Like Show Business” as a finale by participating class members. The first variety show was held in early December 1950 during the first semester of the school year. There were obstacles to overcome – the short amount of time to select and organize talent and support committees, a lack of experience in such a large stage production, and the lack of cooperation and the conflicts experienced by a student director with his peers. However, the students’ efforts were rewarded with capacity audiences for the shows, and the variety show netted the class proceeds of $473.55 to present to the Boles Foundation. The donation was considered one of the largest received toward meeting the campaign’s goal. After the show’s two-day run, Chairman Prothero penned a letter to the young student director, writing, “Last evening, as

- Continued on page 16

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Big Run Gears up for their 150th Anniversary

Big Run’s Star Grocery, circa 1930, operated by Calvin Hollopeter, was where residents of the town and the surrounding township shopped. Calvin Hollopeter is the father of Sherman “Shem” Hollopeter. (photo courtesy of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society)

“T

By Shirley J. Sharp Secretary of War in 1795, and Secretary of for Hometown magazine State from 1795 to 1800. He later returned hey call this town ‘marathon,’” to Massachusetts, where he died in 1829. said Sherm Hollopeter, when I One could say he had a “big run” in the stopped in to talk with him national politics in his day. Pickering had his friend and fellow genabout his memories of Big Run. Then he turned to look at me eral, James Potter, locate and survey land with a twinkle in his eye and continued, for him. Potter had been appointed deputy “Because it’s a Big Run.” And, indeed, it surveyor for the Commonwealth and assigned a district, which included the land is. Big Run is the name of the stream that that would become Jefferson County and enters Mahoning Creek at the lower end where Big Run is located. After Pickering’s death, of town, as they say. For Charles S. Coxe, assignee of those who want more a more Tench Coxe, one of Pickerprecise definition – near the ing’s partners, came into western end of the town. possession of the land in Human habitation in the Big Warrant 520 and proceeded Run area can be dated back to sell the land to the earliest to about 10,000 B.C. by artisettlers. A deed transferring facts of natives that have 136 acres to James Soulsby, been found in the area. Talk dated September 25, 1839, to any longtime resident, and confirms earlier writings that you will learn about the jars named Soulsby as one of the of points, from both arrow earliest settlers. and spear, that have been Timothy Pickering was the found along the tributaries to first white man to hold the About this time, the ComBig Run Creek and other title to the land on which Big monwealth approved the streams in the area. The Na- Run was developed. He pur- designation of Mahoning the land at the Creek as a public highway as tive Americans who inhab- chased Northumberland County Lotited the area left shortly after tery on May 17, 1785. (photo far as the confluence of the last purchase of land by courtesy of the U.S. Senate Stump Creek. This designation enabled the Mahoning the Commonwealth of Penn- Historical Office) Navigation Company to sylvania in 1784, after havclear the creek and create the necessary ing occupied the land for centuries. In 1785, Timothy Pickering purchased dams to control the water level and enable land Warrants 520 and 525 at the floating timber to markets downstream in Northumberland County Lottery, which Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and beyond. As settlers acquired land, services inwas held by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to sell the newly opened lands. cluding hotels, stores, and a mill were dePickering, originally from Massachusetts, veloped, thus creating the nucleus of a had taken up residency in Pennsylvania community. Soon the farmers and lumberafter having served as a general during the men in the area around Big Run were Revolutionary War. He, in partnership choosing to do business at Big Run. In with others, purchased more than 21,000 1857, Henderson Township was separated acres of land in Jefferson County, specu- from Gaskill Township, and the township lating that they could sell it at a profit. One included Big Run. Ten years later, in 1867, of his partners was the man who would be- Big Run applied for, and received, status come the first Secretary of the Treasury, as a borough. This summer – the summer of 2017 – Alexander Hamilton. Pickering had a reputation of being a Big Run will celebrate its 150th year of good negotiator with the area’s natives, to operation as a borough. Guiding the dewhom the government often sent him as velopment of the celebration is the Big an emissary. He was appointed Postmas- Run 150th Committee, chaired by Robin ter General in the administration of Presi- McKee. This committee consists of Sue dent George Washington in 1791, - Continued on page 21

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16 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199

Continued from page 12 you know, I attended the ‘’51’s VARIETIES’ at the Frank S. Jackson Building. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted at the show ‘you kids’ put on. Certainly Margaret C. Boles, were she living, would have been gratified and deeply touched by the effort put forth by the PHS Class of 1951 in behalf of the Boles Foundation and the youngsters it hopes to help in the future. When other years roll ’round, I hope that other Classes can produce another Paul A. Feicht, Jr., who will ‘carry through’ as you did last evening despite so many odds, even of wind and weather.” Norman Dinger, a member of the Class of 1951 and a resident of Graystone Court apartments in Punxsutawney, participated in the show, performing in a duet with classmate Jean Lockhart. He remembers that many students living in rural areas, in one-car families, couldn’t make it to afterschool practices. As a student living in Oliveburg, he related, “I was a farm boy and had to get home after practice to milk cows.” John Fairman, a retired pharmacist, “gave a smooth display of ballroom dancing” with his partner Anna Jane Longo. He remembers that Larry Douthitt played the auditorium organ to provide the appropriate music – “Dancing in the Dark.” Living in Walston made it easier for him to go to practices. “It was a common experience then for kids to hoof it back and forth to Punx’y along the Walston Road,” he recalled. The long tradition of selling fudge at the annual variety shows began with that first show, “’51’s Varieties.” Many members of the Class of 1951 living today have memories of that ambitious effort to unite students and community in support of scholarships to help deserving students. The Class of 1951 held its sixtieth class reunion in September 2011. The members dedicated it to Margaret C. Boles, who had died during their junior year. At the gathering, they voted unanimously to deplete their treasury and donate an amount equal to the number of Boles Foundation loans awarded to that date. A check in the amount of $2,516 was donated on April 19, 2012, following the Class of 2012’s variety show, “Hold On to the Memories.” The Class of 1952, under the direction of the Thespian Society, with Bob Barone as president, presented its “Showboat of 52” on November 2, 1951. With co-director Jo Ann Jones, a show of “30 acts, including skits, dances, vocals that include duets and groups and a special feature of ten ‘high-kicking’ girls in a chorus line” was produced, according to the announcement in late October 1951. Bob Barone recalls the experience with fond memories of the “fun and fellowship” that were created among the class members. But, too, he admitted that “being a director of your own peers was most difficult.” In his class yearbook, a classmate wrote that “... it’s almost over now. Such a time we’ve had. ... how about the variety show – I never experienced such a thrill in all my life. When we sang in the finale, I could have cried like mad. We have you and Jonesy to thank for that, pal.” Barone also shared what he thought was the most inspiring moment for him. The

night of the show, he received a telegram congratulating him and his class for continuing the tradition of the variety show. The sender was Paul Feicht, Jr., then a freshman at Philadelphia College of Pharmacy – a member of the PHS Class of 1951 and the student director of PHS’s first variety show. (After graduating from college in 1955, Feicht returned to Punxsutawney and associated himself with his father in the Feicht’s Drug Store.) As “Showboat of 52” was being promoted in news stories, additional public donations were reported to encourage support for the Boles Foundation’s goal of $20,000. Alumni, school staff, friends, and relatives of Miss Boles made donations. One of the first to give support was Frank Shirk, of Cleveland, Ohio, and a member of the Class of 1932. A former student of Miss Boles, he gave a gift of $60 and a pledge for $200. In his letter, he wrote: “I can now verify that loans by Miss Boles made possible my first two years of college. These loans were made free of interest, purely on faith and conditioned only on my telling no one but my family about them. With the last payment, I told Miss Boles I would some day pay the interest she did not ask [for].” He kept the pledge with his donation. For several years, the senior class variety shows continued to be held in the F.S. Jackson auditorium during the fall semesters, between late September and early December. The proceeds for the Boles Foundation increased gradually. With a donation of $1,179.68, the Class of 1956 achieved the distinction of being the first class to donate more than $1,000. In November 1958, the Class of 1959 performed its show in the F.S. Jackson auditorium, and its donation of $1,918.57 was recorded as “the largest amount ever given by a graduating class.” In the 1959-60 school year, a new high school was opened “on the hill” on North Findley Street. The school buildings on North Jefferson Street then became a part of the Junior High Complex of three buildings. The Class of 1960’s senior class variety show was held September 24 and 25, 1959, in the Jackson auditorium, in order to proclaim itself as “the last class to perform a Variety Show in the Jackson Building.” The Class of 1961 presented its variety show on September 29 and 30, 1960, with its program cover proudly announcing, “Held For The First Time In The Auditorium Of The Punxsutawney Area Senior High School.” The proceeds from that show, $1923.91, exceeded that of the Class of 1959. The Class of 1963’s variety show was the first show to be performed in the spring of the school year. The tradition of senior variety shows faithfully continues. Soon, an announcement will tout the success of the Class of 2017’s show, the sixth-seventh variety show in the long tradition of students helping students – students uniting to create a fun and entertaining time to help others achieve an education, students following the example of Margaret C. Boles. The records of the Margaret C. Boles Memorial Scholarship Foundation, since its organization in February 1950, list the continuous, uninterrupted years of each variety show and the donations since the first show by the Class of 1951. What an impressive record! •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 17

“Tenore” Concludes Concert Association Season

he Punxsutawney Concert Association concludes its three-concert 201617 season on Tuesday, May 2, with the appearance of three powerhouse tenors in a performance titled “Tenore.” The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Punxsutawney Area High School auditorium on North Findley Street. Members of “Tenore” – three rising Canadian stars with passionate and powerful tenor voices – are often compared to the great tenors of years gone by – Enrico Caruso and Mario Lanza – or to the three tenors who reigned in the 1990s – Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras. The three voices had enjoyed successful careers as solo acts when Jill Siemens brought their dramatic vocal strength and individual personalities together, as she had done in 2004 with the popular group called “The Canadian Tenors.” Her mission in each case was to bring classically trained voices to a wider audience, to the non-op-

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April 22, 1896 — The manufacturers of oleo have given up the fight in this state. So many suits for violations of the law against oleomargarine have been brought that The company found it would not pay to continue to attempt to sell the stuff in Pennsylvania. (Punxsutawney News)

April 28, 1870 — LUMBER. – We learn from Mr. William A. Dunlap, Collector for the Mahoning Navigation Company, that during the recent floods, 468 rafts and boats were run out of the Mahoning. This was a large run though it is a comparatively small proportion of the lumber taken out, and which will be taken to market during the Spring. Our forests area fast bowing to the woodman’s axe and not many years hence their growth will be entirely exhausted. Successful generation will have to seek their sources of wealth elsewhere. (Punxsutawney Plaindealer) [Note: Dunlap Avenue, near Mahoning Creek in Punxsutawney’s East End, was named for Mr. Dunlap.] May 4, 1887 — A subordinate lodge of the order of Knights of Labor has been organized in this place, and has a membership of over one hundred and fifty, principally miners. The lodge meets every

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eratic music lover. She wanted, in her words, “to make this type of music user-friendly for people who don’t know arias from their elbows.” The Punxsutawney Concert Association, whose mission includes encouraging the performing arts in the Punxsutawney area school system, has arranged for a performance by “Tenore” at a student assembly during the afternoon of May 2. The concerts of the Punxsutawney Concert Association are made possible by the support of area residents through annual subscriptions and by the generous support of individuals, businesses, and organizations through donations as patrons and benefactors. Admission to the concert is by subscription card; however, for others interested in the music of “Tenore,” tickets will be sold at the door. For more information, please contact association president S. Thomas Curry at 938-8628. •••

(“From Our Past,” researched by S. Thomas Curry, features items of interest from past editions of Punxsutawney and area newspapers.)

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18 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199

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Monday evening. (Valley News)

May 4, 1911 — Will Callewort, of Paradise, is working in the Eleanora shaft this Summer. Will says it beats digging lime. (The Big Run Tribune)

May 6, 1903 — O.B. Ross, formerly in charge of the Merris Beef Company’s office on North Findley Street, has been chosen chief-of-police at Lindsey, and last Saturday night assumed his official duties. Bruce’s experiences in shunting sides and quarters of beef should stand him in good stead when he comes to doing stunts among the unruly. (Punxsutawney Spirit)

May 7, 1890 — Word is going the rounds of the press which states in effect, that the custom of lifting the hat when passing a lady on the street is now obsolete in the fashionable cities of London, Paris and Vienna. A courteous wave of the hand, not unlike a military salute, while still in front of the lady, and not after you have passed, is considered the proper thing. And it is certainly much more sensible than the old custom of grabbing the hat with a spasmodic jerk and yanking it down over your face. This custom is so manifestly absurd to men of good sense that its strict observance has been principally confine to boys just out of short pants, and dudes just out of brains. (Punxsutawney Spirit) •••

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When Miners Became Recognized as Men and Citizens

including laborers, shop keepers, and farmers By the Coal memorial Committee – formed the Knights of Labor, which had as for Hometown magazine one of its goals the eight-hour workday. At small article in the Punxsutawney that time, it was common for a workday to Spirit on April 2, 1908, reported: be twelve to fourteen hours a day, six days a “Yesterday, April 1, having been desweek. ignated as Mitchell Day by the United Business and industry were not receptive to Mine Workers of America, the mines the concept of an eight-hour workday. The throughout this vicinity were development of electric lightidle. From now on until eternity ing made it possible to extend April 1 will be known as the workday and increase proMitchell Day and will be obduction. Their position was that served as a holiday by the minthe law of supply and demand ers. It is a tribute to the should govern work. This poex-president of the United Mine sition was supported by the Workers for the signal victory capitalistic philosophy on he engineered a few years ago.” which the American economy The ex-president of the United is based. Mine Workers was John Many workers had come Mitchell, son of Irish immi- John Mitchell was vice presi- from European countries, grants, born in 1870 in dent of the United Mine where they existed under difof America when biBraidwood, Illinois, and Workers systems, including tuminous miners in Western ferent orphaned at age six. He began Pennsylvania won their goal monarchies, feudalism, and working in the coal mines at of an eight-hour workday. As serfdoms, where class systems age twelve, and at fifteen, he president of the Union, dictated inequalities of every Mitchell preferred industrial joined the Knights of Labor. He peace and cooperation with description. Individuals, who was a founding member of the capitalists rather than strikes were not members of the ruling United Mine Workers of to achieve miners’ goals. class, had no control over their is symbolized on this America in 1890. He took an That lives, work, housing, or compin commemorating the active role, becoming an achievement of the eight- pensation. organizer and worked with hour day in western Pennsyl- In America, workers found Mary Harris, also known as vania. (image courtesy of that the company controlled tenmilecreekcountry.blogspo “Mother Jones” in 1897. life, work, compensation, and t. com/2009/03/) The struggle by all laborers, in some cases, the housing of not just miners, for fair and equitable treatthe worker. The worker could accept the conment was long and at times a contentious. ditions or leave. For most, leaving was not Shortly after the Civil War, working men – an option. Immigrant workers did not have a

John Britt found this to be true when he developed support system or the resources to came to the Punxsutawney area in 1885 as return to their home country. These conditions of employment lead to the an organizer for the Miners and Labors development of the Amalgamated Associa- Amalgamation Association. The Punxtion of Miners of the United States. The As- sutawney Spirit on August 26, 1885, reported: “Mr. Britt, who sociation held an spent a day or two in organizational meeting this locality last week in Pittsburgh in 1883, for the purpose of orwhere they set four obganizing a branch of the jectives: 1. to bring M.L.A.A., did not sucwithin its folds every ceed in his mission. The miner and laborer in and miners here have a very about the mines in the unpleasant recollection United States and to seof their connection with cure uniformity of acthe Association two tion in matters years ago, and we prepertaining to the intersume do not feel disests of its members; 2. posed to get themselves to adopt whatever and into the same predicawhenever practicable, ment again.” principles of arbitration; In 1897, John Mitchell 3. to shorten the hours was working in the biof labor as far as practituminous fields West cable; and 4. to restrict Virginia, Kentucky, the product when Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, deemed practicable. Members of the Min- John Mitchell, who began work as a miner at and western Pennsylvaers and Laborers Amal- age twelve, joined the union at age 15, and nia where he led the gamation Association rose to become the President of the United strike of 150,000 minWorkers of America. He is credited with ers, about one-half of engaged in strikes to Mine helping mine workers in western Pennsylvaimprove working condi- nia achieve an eight hour work day. This suc- the country’s bitumitions, which resulted in cess helped him to become the President of nous coal work force. small gains and some- the United Mine Workers of America in 1899. The action gained the courtesy of wikipedia.org/wiki/ eight-hour day and optimes losses. However, [photo John_Mitchell_(United_Mine_Workers)] erators’ recognition of the hours of work continued to be long and arduous. Rules were es- the union as the collective bargaining agent tablished regarding procedures to address for many miners in western Pennsylvania, miners’ requests. These included mine em- Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. The strike, howployees making a formal request to meet ever, was unsuccessful in the other states. Nineteen years later the anthracite miners with mine supervisors to discuss concerns and to seek resolution. Sometimes these were in eastern Pennsylvania were still working successful – most of the time they were not. - Continued on page 22

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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 19

About

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The Uncles

Continued from page 10 sonnel noted in local papers was clipped and filed. As reported in a newspaper, Major Charles Stoops wrote home to his wife, Gertie, in 1942, while stationed in Northern Ireland, commenting “… there is much about Ireland that is to be commended, but … still wonder[ing] if there is any country on earth that can approach the U.S.A. and if there is

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World War 1 veteran Charles D. Stoops spent the years between the two world wars with the National Guard in Punxsutawney. In 1924, ten local National Guard members took part in competitive exhibitions of horsemanship. The ten-man pyramid shows the men’s skill and includes Ray Weber, Filmore Lettie, Ted Redding, Oscar Allenbaugh, Ken Nickeson, Ivan Boyer, Joe Jordan, Clark “Gags” Redding, Chuck Stoops (Sr.), and Dave Means. Means is the fellow at the “point” of the pyramid. Below him, left to right in the top row, are C. Redding and Jordan; in the middle row, Weber, Stoops, and R. Redding; and in the bottom row, Lettie, Allenbaugh, Nickeson, and Boyer. (photo courtesy of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society)

20 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199

any place … that is in the same class with Punxsutawney.” Also, as reported in the paper, Wallace Jordan, interviewed on his return home from Panama in 1945, stated that he “is very glad to be back in the hills of Jefferson County.” In its collections, the historical society has a set of letters written by George Weiss to his sister, Edith, in 1918. He wrote about France saying, “… this is about the prettiest country I ever [saw] … the potatoes are blooming and every thing [is] doing fine ….” And, though not a soldier, medical missionary to China, Charles Lewis, wrote in his memoirs a very large chapter about his boyhood home in Perry Township, detailing the terrain, the orchards, and the trout-filled stream and declaring, “Though one has nothing to do with choosing his birthplace, had I been privileged to choose mine I would not have chosen other

than where I was born, in the beautiful hills west of the Alleghenies in Western Pennsylvania … with a roundtop in the middle of a farm of 300 acres ….” For those living away from home, home is often the place of which they dream and write. Other people simply have special places or new places about which they feel strongly. Painting a picture with words is the subject of “That Special Place,” a workshop using detail to enliven writing scheduled at the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society on Sunday, May 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. Facilitating the workshop, which is free and open to all, is Jane Murphy, retired teacher and fellow of the Northern Virginia Writing Project. Consider this – what we write now will help those who come after to remember. Marty Armstrong is a member of the Collections Committee of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society. •••

Area men George Stammler (left), of Punxsutawney, and Fred Weiss, of Rathmel, served their country in World War I, albeit in different units – George in the 319th Field Artillery Regiment, American Expeditionary Forces, and Fred in the 320th Field Artillery Regiment, A.E.F. (photo courtesy of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society)

Area Men Serve in World War I

George Stammler (1895-1950), of Punxsutawney, and Fred Weiss (1893-1945), of Rathmel, served in different units during WW1 – George in the 319th Field Artillery Regiment, American Expeditionary Forces, and Fred in the 320th Field Artillery Regiment, A.E.F. – but that they were close acquaintances can be documented by Fred’s May 6, 1918, letter, written in France, and sent to his sister, Edith. He notes that “I’ve never seen George Stammler since I left Camp Gordon.” (The training camp was located near Atlanta, Georgia.) Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society records and internet research show that George Stammler married Edith Weiss in 1922. After Edith’s death in 1938, George subsequently married Elizabeth Lezak. George’s parents, Crist and Caroline, initially came to the area from Germany. George’s older brother, Crist, a miner like his father and brothers, was a veteran of the Mexican Expedition in 1916. A younger brother, Carl, served in WWI and was a charter member of the Rossiter American Legion. George himself served as constable in Rossiter. Historical society records for the Weiss family reveal only that Fred and Edith’s mother, Mary, died in 1945 and that Fred himself had relocated. Internet research reveals that Fred married Alice Bundy of Sabula in 1920 and that they later made their home in the Black Lick area, where he became an assistant mine foreman for the Imperial Coal Company. Fred’s parents, Friedrick and Mary Ann, were also German-born. •••

Big Run 150th Anniv.

Thursday evening at the War Memorial building. Other events scheduled for the Continued from page 13 week include a parade, a community picnic and worship service, a 5K race, a 10K Buchheit, Melody Hollopeter, Gina Welsh, race, and a 25-mile bicycle race, a history Keith Hollopeter, Kathy MacAulay, Jon hay ride, several dances, and an opportunity to participate in the Will Tyson checker championship playoff. In addition, the History of Big Run is being prepared and may be ordered in advance. (Please see the order form in this issue of Hometown.) The book will also be available for purchase in Big Run during the celebration. Anyone with a memory or a story about Big Run is encouraged to share it on Facebook at Big Run 150. A special invitation is extended to those former residents to join the cele$ " " " " " " " " bration by com-" " " " " " " " " " "" ing home, "" The Citizens Bank at Big Run, organized " in 1890, " " was $ one " "of the" few banks " in" r "e "n e w i" n g friendships the Jefferson County that withstood the Wall Street " " "Crash "of 1929 and" con" " " " and tinued to support the community throughout the (photo memo" Great Depression. " " " " " sharing " " " courtesy of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society) ries, and " " " " " " " " to "new residents " " " " " " " " " of the " MacAulay, Wayne McKee, Mervin "Hol" " area " to come and meet the people of lopeter, Bob Lott, Charlotte Hollopeter, Marathon – oops! Big Run! " " For " more " " information " " " " celebra" Mayor Joe Buterbaugh, and the writer. about the " " tion " "or the " book, " " "please " send " " an e-mail " They are scheduling a full agenda of to events beginning Thursday, July 27, and the Big Run 150th Committee at Big " " " Run_150@yahoo.com " " " " " " or fill " out and " " send " " continuing through the weekend. Activi" " " in " the " " form " below. " " " " ties will kick off with a variety show " " " " "" • • • F*"0(5(0=(".*,0")*/."%#"#$("/0(I/,7&')%#'*-"/0')(!")&'/"%-1"+%'&"#$("%##%)$(1"*01(0"2*0+"%-1".*,0")$()D" +%1("/%.%7&("#*"3<LMN"#*O" 3<LMN" 3CPC"G*4"?QR" 3,-45,#%6-(.!"3<"9:@R@"

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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 21

When Miners

The wording above the statue of John Mitchell at the Lackawanna County Courthouse reads, “Champion of Labor, Defender of Human Rights.” [photo courtesy of wikipedia.org/wiki/ John_Mitchell_(United_Mine_Workers)]

Continued from page 19 ten hour days. In 1902, the United Mine Workers of America requested a meeting with the Coal Trust, composed of operators of the coal mines in that area. The union sought to arbitrate a request for a wage increase and an eight-hour day, among other concerns. The Coal Trust refused to meet and replied there was “nothing to arbitrate.” The Trust was assured by their attorneys that they could not be forced into arbitration. Seeing no other alternative, the miners went on strike. It was a no-win situation. Winter was approaching and the increasing demand for coal was having a serious impact on industry, which needed coal for energy, and homeowners who need coal to heat their homes. President Theodore Roosevelt, observing the situation, was faced with a dilemma. His cabinet advisors said, “Don’t interfere.” His campaign advisors said, “If you don’t handle

this you will not be re-elected.” Roosevelt sent his Commissioner of Labor, Carroll D. Wright, to investigate the situation and report back. Instead of going to the coal fields, Wright went to New York where he interviewed heads of coal businesses, including coal railroads, mine operators, financiers, mine foremen, and superintendents. He also called John Mitchell, the U.M.W.A. president, to New York for an interview. Wright sent his report on the situation to the President. The President had the report reviewed by his attorney general, who advised him the strike was not his concern and he had no authority to interfere. President Roosevelt knew the labor problem was not merely a problem of supply and demand; it was a human problem that required humane treatment on all sides. The Coal Trust continued to reject all union offers on the grounds that there was nothing to talk about, until George Baer, spokesman for the Coal Trust, replied to a letter requesting that he ought “as a good Christian to make concessions.” His reply was that the

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“rights and interests of the laboring man will be protected and cared for, not by the labor agitators, but by the Christian men to whom God in His infinite wisdom has given the control of the property interests of the country.” This insensitive response only served to prompt working people to take notice and to support the striking miners. Finally, Roosevelt suggested an arbitration commission and a deal was struck on the condition that the Coal Trust could control appointments to the commission. President Roosevelt agreed. The Trust proposed a commission consisting of five men: a military engineer, a mining engineer, a judge, an expert in the coal business, and an “eminent sociologist.” John Mitchell would be permitted to participate only as a spokesperson for mine workers, not in his capacity as president of the United Mine Workers Union. Roosevelt recognized this proposed commission was calculated to prevent compromise. Mitchell was agreeable if the commission could also include a labor man, who was likely to understand the workers’ point of view, and a Roman Catholic prelate, because most miners were Catholics. Roosevelt thought Mitchell’s request reasonable and told him that he would try to appoint two additional men to the commission. After again consulting with the Coal Trust and getting their approval, the President appointed E.E. Clark, head of the railway conductors’ union, as the “eminent sociologist,” a term that Roosevelt doubted Clark had ever previously heard, and Bishop John Lancaster Spalding as member of the commission. The most important outcome of this action was that miners and operators finally had agreed that when disputed issues could not be settled, they would be submitted to binding arbitration in which both sides agreed to abide by the findings. For the miners, the commission recommended a ten-percent increase in wages, half of the twenty-percent they had requested, and a nine-hour workday, one hour less than the standard ten hours they had been working. The Coal Trust retained its right to refuse to recognize the Union.

However, the Union believed that they had won recognition in that the commission recommended the creation of a six-man arbitration board, three employee representatives and three employer representatives, to settle future disputes that could not be worked out with mine officials. Historians cite this case as the point when miners ceased to be merely human machines required to produce coal and became men and citizens. The strike was evidence of the effectiveness of trade unions in bringing equality to the work place. Members of the United Mine Workers of America declared an official holiday to commemorate the achievement of the eighthour workday. It is called Mitchell Day and is observed April 1. It would be another thirty-six years before President Franklin Delano Roosevelt would sign into law the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. A federal statute of the United States, the FLSA introduced the forty-hour work week, established a national minimum wage, guaranteed time-and-a-half for overtime in certain jobs, and prohibited most employment of minors in “oppressive child labor.” This law governs the hours of work and compensation of many workers to this day. Resources used in the preparation of this article are available at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library, the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society, the U.S. Census online, and the Library of Congress. This article has been prepared by the Coal Memorial Committee of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc., which seeks to document and preserve the history and impact of coal in the Punxsutawney area. Forms for purchasing a Coal Memorial tile to honor any person who worked in any aspect of the coal industry may be found online at www.punxsyhistory.org or may be picked up at the Lattimer House, 400 West Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney. Comments on this article may be directed to PAHGS, P.O. Box 286, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. •••

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Bridging the Distance Mother’s Day Flowers 101 on Mother’s Day

any modern families are spread out across the country if not the globe. Some people move away from family to further their careers, while others are called upon to care for others. Children

Embrace technology Technology helps break down some of the barriers created by distance. While phone calls were once the way to keep in touch, many people now utilize various forms of digital communication. Someone who lives across different time zones can talk through texting or the various social media avenues available on computers, phones and tablets. Video apps like Skype and FaceTime enable you to video chat with others in real time. Come Mother’s Day, connect with mom via such apps so you can watch her open up her gifts.

Reconnect with home If Mom is the one who ventured from home, help her to reconnect with her hometown or another place she feels attached to. Ship her some favorite regional foods that can only be bought in town. Make a photo or video montage of places of interest in town. These little touches of home can mean the world to her.

Explore the many ways to reconnect with Mom even if you live far apart.

may separate from their parents to witness new travel experiences. Military service may call individuals away from home as well. Distance can make it challenging to spend time together for major holidays and other special occasions — like Mother’s Day. But Mother’s Day can still be special even if Mom lives hundreds or thousands of miles away.

Create a special day Even if you do not live near your mother, you can still plan a fun day for her in her town. Make reservations for a spa, hair salon or other sources of pampering and surprise her with all the details.

Treat her to the ultimate surprise If possible, make a surprise visit this Mother’s Day. Coordinate the plan with your father or another relative and then enjoy seeing her eyes light up when you arrive. With a little creativity, even families separated by geography can share the magic of Mother’s Day together. •••

other’s Day is an annual holiday that honors motherhood and provides an opportunity for men, women and children to show their mothers how much they appreciate them. The tradition of Mother’s Day in the United States dates back more than a century to 1908, when West Virginia native Anna Jarvis held a memorial service to honor her mother, who had passed away three years earlier, and all mothers in Grafton, West Virginia. Mother’s Day would ultimately become a national holiday in the United States in 1914, thanks in large part to Jarvis’ campaigning. As Jarvis, who never married and never had children of her own, grew old, she criticized Mother’s Day as overly commercial, even trying to have it removed from the calendar. Those efforts failed, and Mother’s Day remains popular now, more than 100 years after the idea for it was conceived. While Mother’s Day traditions have changed since Jarvis first proposed the holiday, many people feel it’s customary to give mothers gifts on Mother’s Day, when moms take the day off from chores and relax with their families. Flowers make for popular Mother’s Day gifts, and well-wishers who want to give the special women in their lives flowers this year can consider a host of varieties.

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Carnations Carnations are popular Mother’s Day flowers, perhaps because they are available in a number of colors. That means it’s highly likely sons, daughters, husbands and others gifting moms this Mother’s Day can find some carnations in Mom’s favorite color. Ask your florist about what each carnation color symbolizes, as each has its own unique meaning. Pink carnations, for example, are believed to symbolize a mother’s love.

Roses Few mothers can resist roses, making them one of the more popular flowers come Mother’s Day. Roses are symbolic of love and make the perfect floral gift for mothers who like traditional flowers. If you want to spice things up, order a bouquet made up of roses of various colors.

Daffodils Yellow is synonymous with spring, and daffodils can highlight the season in which Mother’s Day takes place while also providing a cheerful look that’s perfect for Mother’s Day floral bouquets. Daffodils can be given on their own or added to mixed bouquets. Daffodils also last quite a while when cared for correctly, giving moms more than just a few days to enjoy their bouquets.

Freesia Like daffodils, freesia are long-lasting, meaning mothers will still be enjoying them long after Mother’s Day has come and gone. The inviting fragrance of freesia makes bouquets of these flowers popular choices for Mother’s Day gifts. Freesia also come in many colors, proving Mother’s Day gift givers a greater chance of finding flowers their mothers will love. •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 23

These Are Not Your Grandmother’s Retirement Homes

s the Baby Boomer generation enters retirement age, there has been an increased demand for services that meet the needs of this segment of the population. Amenities such as active-living

An active lifestyle is at the heart of 55-plus communities.

communities that boast top-of-the-line features typically are the first things individuals seek. Age-restricted, 55-plus communities cater to what the name implies -- people who are age 55 and older. However, these home developments are a far cry from what they used to be. Now they rival some of the best resorts in their features and are designed entirely around the needs of a group of active, amenity driven people. Plus, consid-

ering there now are more Americans age 65 and older than in any other point in history, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, developers understand the benefits of catering to this group of people. Therefore, there are more high-end active-living communities now than ever before. There are many choices with regard to active adult retirement communities. Many of these developments boast everything from detached, single-family homes to villas to condominiums. These residences are built with the active adult in mind. Here are some of the benefits that these communities boast. Community companionship Due to the age-restricted nature of activeadult-home-developments, the residents are all in a similar age range, and may have similar interests. At a time in life when friendships from work may waver due to retirement, and older children may be busy with their own lives, these communities can help foster new friendships. Whether through community-sponsored activities or just through home proximity, residents can enjoy one another's company and never worry about feeling lonely into their retirement years. Low- or no-maintenance living One of the biggest attractions to activeadult living is that these homes are built to provide worry-free living. Included in the home ownership fees are provisions to take care of much of the interior and exterior maintenance. That means should a pipe leak or the lawn needs mowing, maintenance staff rather than the homeowner will handle the problem. This peace of mind enables residents to pursue interests rather

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With the rapid pace of new developments in smartphone technology, it can be hard to keep up with all the changes, especially if you grew up in an era when phones were attached to a cord. Phones these days aren’t what they used to be -- but that’s for the best, as smartphone technology can actually improve your life. Here are three easy ways that seniors can get more from smartphones: 1. “Read” audiobooks. Whether your hands are tied up gardening or cooking, or you simply want to give your eyes a rest, consider listening to books on your smartphone. you can purchase audiobooks a la carte or opt for a subscription plan, which offers deals, such as unlimited selections for a flat monthly fee. Features like bookmarks and back buttons make it easy to “flip through” a digital audiobook. 2. Use health apps to manage conditions. Well-designed health apps can help patients manage their conditions. For example, ArthritisPower, a free app for patients with arthritis, allows users to track symptoms and treatment outcomes, and share the information with their doctors. Created by CreakyJoints, a go-to resource for arthritis patients and their families, in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the app is also a data-gathering tool for researchers. Via informed consent, user data is helping researchers better understand how different treatments work for different people. “One out of every five U.S. adults of all ages lives with doctor-diagnosed arthritis and it’s important that patients actively engage in managing their own treatment plan,” says Seth Ginsberg, President and Co-Founder of CreakyJoints and Principal investigator of ArthritisPower. To download the free app or learn more, visit arthritispower.org. 3. Video chat with loved ones. Talk and see grandkids and other far-flung friends and loved ones between visits with video chatting. it’s the perfect way to ensure you don’t miss important milestones. Many such video communications services are free, even internationally, and can present affordable alternatives to placing long-distance calls on a landline. your smartphone is the world at your fingertips. Make great use of it. (StatePoint) •••

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than worry about the upkeep on their homes. Many times the community is expertly manicured, helping to create an aesthetically pleasing environment. Activity-based fun Many communities build activities into the living plan. Therefore, there may be a workout room, the game center, exercise classes, movie nights, and many other attractions to keep residents busy. Activeadult communities may be similar to all-inclusive vacations and cruises in that they have their own activities coordinator on staff. Should residents prefer solo activities, the property on which these homes are built are often created with recreation in mind. There can be walking paths or areas for cycling. Pools and spas are often part of the living package as well. Security Individuals who are no longer bogged down with work requirements may be more likely to take vacations or go visiting. In a traditional home, there may be worries about leaving the home unattended for a period of time. However, in 55-plus residences, homes may be in gated communities or have security patrols. Also, the sheer number of homes in a townhouse-style building can camouflage homes that are currently vacant, easing the minds of those who are planning on going away. Concierge services Some of the more exclusive communities may have staff who can help with everything from booking vacations to helping with moving details. There also are developments that offer transitional homes, and someone may be available to help with the transition from an active-style home to one that has nursing staff or assisted living offerings at that time in life when it is needed. Active-living communities offer many of the features that recently retired people seek in homes that do not compromise on amenities. Individuals who are looking for comfortable, maintenance-free homes often seek out these developments for the convenience and services they offer. •••

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or people who reside in rural comthe routine screenings and immunizations munities, access to healthcare servrequired for proper health. ices is often limited. Some rural The Agency for Healthcare Research and facilities may not be equipped to handle Quality has identified some key factors transitional care or specialized follow-up notable in rural areas: care after a life-changing illness or event. * Rural residents average fewer physiAllevant Solutions, cian visits or calls LLC., a collaborathan people living tive effort of Mayo in urban communiClinic and Select ties. Medical, is a re* There is a lack source available to of adequate supmake improved port training for healthcare a reality. emergency medAccording to the ical personnel in U.S. Department of rural America. Health & Human * Rural hospitals Services, one-quarare shifting toward ter of America's popoutpatient services ulation lives in rural due to a lack of areas, where hospital funding or a lack closures have had a of staff. profound impact on There is no easy access to healthcare. solution to the situCompared to people ation, and governwho live closer to ment and nonprofit cities, rural residents agencies have generally have fewer begun programs to doctors and fewer revitalize care opresources. In additions in rural comtion, ventilator or munities. Two transitional care notable organizaare being taken to improve healthcare servservices may not be Steps tions are already ices in rural areas. readily available lodeveloping ways to cally. strengthen care options in rural locations. Other difficulties include delivering servMayo Clinic and Select Medical formed ices that target special health needs to Allevant Solutions to develop ventilator rural areas. Low population density can weaning and transitional care programs. make it difficult to advertise important Through consulting services, Allevant will health screenings, distribute vaccines, guide hospitals and skilled nursing facilisuch as influenza or shingles, and newties through the business end of remaining born and young children may not receive viable in today's world. Presenting cost-

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savings advice and developing management strategies to enable local hospitals to remain relevant to their communities, facilities can spend more time doing what they do best -- offering quality care. Side effects of a stronger rural healthcare system are the creation of new jobs in areas where current healthcare opportunities have been stagnant, and keeping hospital doors open -- reducing the number of layoffs. "Our healthcare colleagues in rural areas fulfill a vital role, and just like their urban counterparts, they need to prepare for the future," said Thomas Buckingham, president of Allevant Solutions. "With the nation's population aging, healthcare providers in all markets will need to admit an increasing number of patients with medically complex conditions. Allevant Solutions will help rural healthcare providers put in place the resources necessary to meet these growing needs in their communities." As they build relationships with medical centers in the area, Allevant Solutions encourages individuals living in rural communities to follow these important health guidelines. * Schedule a health screening and physical every year. * Visit a hospital in an emergency situation even if you do not have health insurance. Most hospitals will not refuse care in the absence of health insurance. * Follow physicians' recommendations for follow-up care after a major illness or injury. * Establish a support system for transporting elderly residents or those without transportation to and from health centers. * Voice your opinion to doctors and health-services providers on how they can improve their services. Rural healthcare facilities, including nursing homes and rural hospitals, are urged to learn more about Allevant Solutions to lower costs and offer improved services to their clientele. More information is available at www.allevant.com. •••

Top Tips for Allergy Management

Allergy symptoms can lead to a major disruption in quality of life. And unfortunately, they affect a lot of people. Nearly 60 million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis (also commonly known as hay fever), according to the American College of Allergy Asthma and immunology. Luckily, many allergy sufferers are interested in learning more about what causes their allergies and how they can manage them. in fact, 70 percent of allergy sufferers say they wish they had a better understanding of the science behind their allergies, according to a recent survey of over 1,000 allergy sufferers in the US, which was sponsored by Sanofi Consumer Healthcare and conducted online using Toluna’s QuickSurveys methodology. With that in mind, Sanofi is sharing some helpful information and tips for allergy sufferers to keep in mind this season. • Know your Triggers: Determine what allergens or “triggers” cause your symptoms, whether it’s pollen, pet dander, etc. While you may already have some idea of what triggers your symptoms, an allergist can give you a comprehensive checkup for a proper diagnosis. • Avoid Exposure: if pollen is one of your triggers, check the pollen count before planning that picnic. if it’s your furry friend giving you grief, spend some time vacuuming your rugs and furniture. Once you know your triggers, take steps to avoid or minimize them whenever possible. • Learn the Science behind your Symptoms: When an allergy sufferer comes into contact with certain allergens, their body produces a variety of chemical responses that cause those symptoms that can make them feel miserable. According to the recent survey of allergy sufferers, more than half of them said histamine is the only chemical response to allergens that they are familiar with, but there are actually several -- including leukotrienes, cytokines, prostaglandins and eosinophils. To relieve allergy symptoms, it’s important to stop these chemical reactions from taking place. • Visit the Allergy Aisle: Several prescription strength treatment options are available over-thecounter for the relief of allergy symptoms. For example, Nasacort is a scent- and alcohol-free nasal spray that provides 24-hour relief of nasal allergy symptoms like sneezing, itchy runny nose and congestion for adults and children two years of age and older. it does this by stopping the body’s chemical responses to allergens and reducing inflammation in the nasal passages. To learn more and download a coupon, visit Nasacort.com. This season, be proactive about your allergies. Educate yourself about your triggers and make sure you have an effective treatment on hand to provide symptom relief. (StatePoint) •••

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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 25

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Hometown Community Happenings

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

n Hometown magazine welcomes the Rotarians who will visit Punxsutawney for the District Rotary Conference May 1921.

n Applications are being taken for the Community Garden plots, a project of the Punxsy Rotary Club and the Punxsy Presbyterian Church. Cost is $20 for a full plot, $10 for a half-plot. Applications can be obtained at the Chamber of Commerce office or the Weather Discovery Center, or at punxsyrotary.com. Applications are due by May 31.

n The annual Summer Library Program will start the week of June 12 at the Punxsy Memorial Library. The program is open to children ages 18 months to seventh graders. For information, visit the library or call Jen at 938-5020. Log sheets are available for children who are unable to come to the summer program. n April 26: Preschool Book Fair & Enrollment event, 6 to 8 p.m., at West End Elementary Cafeteria. Sponsored by Playhouse Children’s Center & Creative Garden Childcare Center.

n April 26: Administrative Professionals Day! Treat your assistant to something special from one of Hometown’s advertisers. n April 27: SKYWARN Training, 6 p.m., at Weather Discovery Center. Free SKYWARN class presented by the National Weather Service. For information and registration, visit Weather.gov/pbz/skywarn or call 938-1000.

n April 28: Reservations due for the Punxsy Area Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Breakfast on May 5. Breakfast will be at 7:30 a.m. at the Punxsy Country Club; features state Reps. David Reed & Cris Dush. Tickets are $20, available at the Chamber. n April 29: PAHS Prom.

n May 1, 8, 15 & 22: Toddler Time, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Punxsy Weather Discovery Center. No pre-registration necessary. $6 per person; ages 2 & under, free. n May 2: First Tuesday Community Meal, 5 p.m., at Punxsy Presbyterian Church. Free & open to the public.

n May 5 & 6: Groundhog Camporee for Boy Scouts, $20 per scout. Contact the Punxsy Weather Discovery Center at 9381000 or e-mail info@weatherdiscovery.org for information. n May 6: Giant Yard Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wienker Hall, SSCD Church. n May 6 & 7: Hazen Flea Market open.

26 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199

n May 7: Writing Workshop, 1 to 3 p.m., on “using detail to enliven writing,” at Punxsutawney Area Historical Society’s Lattimer House. Workshop will be led by Jane Murphy.

n May 9: Teacher Appreciation Day. Thank a teacher today!

n May 10: PAHS Chorus Concert, 7 p.m., at PAHS auditorium. Free & open to the public. n May 12: Community Meal, 5 p.m., at First United Methodist Church. Free & open to the public. n May 14: Mother’s Day. Remember your mother in a special way. n May 16: Primary Election Day. Go Vote!

n May 17: PAHS Band Concert, 7 p.m., at PAHS Auditorium. Free & open to the public. n May 20: Superhero 5K/1-mile fun walk, 8 to 11 a.m., sponsored by the Punxsy Rotary Club.

n May 23: Blood Drive, 1 to 6:30 p.m., at St. Mary’s Church, Reynoldsville. Sponsored by the American Red Cross.

n May 24: “An Evening of Women’s Wellness,” 6 to 8 p.m., at Punxsy Country Club. $20 per person. Proceeds benefit the Weather Discovery Center. Contact the Weather Center for ticket information. n May 26-29: Yard Sale at Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society.

n May 26 & 27: Living History Weekend at Cook Forest. n May 27: Bark for Life, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Barclay Square. Benefits the Relay for Life Team Dream Catchers.

n May 27: Hogtoberfest Craft Beer Festival, 1 to 5 p.m., at Gobbler’s Knob. Tickets required. Contact the Groundhog Club for more information. n May 27: Monster Truck Show, 2 p.m., at Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Tickets required.

n May 29: Memorial Day. Parade in Punxsy at 10:30 a.m., services follow around 11 a.m. at Barclay Square. Remember & honor those who gave their life while serving the USA.

n June 3: Opening Day at the George C. Brown Community Pool at Harmon Field, noon to 6 p.m.

n June 3: Beat the Heat Bazaar, 9 to 3 p.m., at The Salvation Army, featuring crafters & vendors.

n The We Care Pregnancy Center, now located at the Station Square North plaza, will hold its annual Baby Bottle fundraiser from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. The annual Silent Auction will be in June. For information about these events, call 938-4024. n The Punxsutawney Area Community Center offers indoor cycling, batting cage, Fifty & Fit, SilverSneakers, AM men’s basketball, Pilates/yoga, and gymnastics. Call 938-1008 for more information. •••

Applications Being Accepted for Rotary Club’s Community Garden

unxsutawney Rotary Club has announced that applications are now being accepted from individuals or nonprofit organizations interested in renting a garden plot in the Rotary Club’s Community Garden. Rotary Club debuted its Community Garden on property along Union Street in 2015. The property is owned—and generously offered for use— by the Punxsutawney Presbyterian Church. The garden will soon be ready for this planting season and applications for the rental of the garden beds are now available at PunxsyRotary.com, at the Chamber of Commerce office at 102 W. Mahoning St., and at the Weather Discovery Center at 201 N. Findley St. The purpose of the Community Garden is to give those who don’t have the space or resources a chance to grow their own fruits and vegetables. The raised garden beds are available for a small annual rental fee: $20 for a full 8’x8’ bed and $10 for a half bed. Those applying to rent a bed are asked to read over the Community Garden rules and regulations, which are posted on the web site, before applying to be sure they will be able to comply with them. The rules require renters to plant, maintain, and clean up their beds. There are additional regulations that govern the type of plantings, uses of mulch and fertilizers, and maintenance of the Community Garden area.

“Again this year we have 12 full beds and 24 half beds available,” says Erin Cameron, Rotarian and chairperson of the Community Garden committee. She adds that this is a great opportunity for Girl and Boy Scout troops, community organizations, and home gardeners who over-bought on their plants and need some additional space. Garden plots will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. Completed applications and rental fees can be mailed to the Rotary Club or dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce office or Weather Discovery Center no later than May 31, 2017. All awarded gardeners will be given a Community Garden Rules, Regulations & Helpful Tips Booklet to refer to during the growing season. After visiting the website, those who need further information can e-mail the Community Garden committee at punxsutawneycommunitygarden@ gmail.com or may call Erin Cameron at 814952-0490. In 2015, Punxsutawney Rotary Club was awarded a District Simplified Grant through Rotary District #7280 to develop the Community Garden. The grants are given for projects that benefit the Club’s home community, and Rotary Club members are required to volunteer their time to implement the project. Rotary Clubs operate under the mission of “Service above Self.” •••

ardening can be an enjoyable activity for adults and children alike. Gardening encourages creative thinking and can make for an eco-friendly activity as well. Adding a touch of whimsy to gardening can make it that much more attractive to children. Perhaps that is why fairy gardens have become so popular among youngsters. Fairy gardens can be designed in outdoor gardens or in containers that children can nurse and enjoy indoors. Here are six steps to get your fairy garden up and running. 1. Choose your container or location. Decide where to place the fairy garden. Hollowed-out tree stumps are both contained and outdoors, and kids may feel like the fairies inhabited this neglected area of the yard and made it their own. Otherwise, use containers you already have, such as old pots, hanging baskets, picnic baskets or cookie tins. Wooden birdhouses with their roofs removed also can make for clever places to house the gardens. 2. Choose a theme. Fairy houses can take on any theme their creators prefer. Themes help children decide what to include in their gardens. For example, a seaside retreat may work well with little reclining chairs, sea grasses and succulents. You can then complete the theme by adding some seashells and colored stones. 3. Draw up your design. Before securing

anything in the container or digging into your garden bed, sketch out a garden design. This gives you an idea of how the finished product will look. Even before planting, gently place plants and other components in their spots and move them around accordingly until you find the desired look. 4. Include similar-needs plants. Mixing plants that have different requirements can make it challenging to care for the fairy garden, so select plants that require similar levels of sunlight, prefer similar soil conditions and require roughly the same amount of watering. Herbs are a smart choice because they stay small and are easily maintained. 5. Don’t forget a fairy dwelling. You will need to add a house for the fairies to inhabit. Small bird houses can work, but you also can consider old teapots, bird-nesting boxes or even homemade houses assembled out of bark and twigs. Use your imagination and the garden will take on a life of its own. 6. Invite the fairies. Children can invite fairies to take up residence (fairies often show up at night and tend to remain unseen), or children can create their own fairies using craft materials. Fairy gardens are a fun way to introduce children to gardeing. Once families get started, they may want to create entire fairy villages. •••

I want to send out a special thanks to this community for helping me raise money for the Run or Walk for Someone Special. I really appreciate the donations provided by area businesses, my family and my friends. I am proud to be on the ARC Board of Directors so that I can help other people. Thank you all!

6 Steps to Creating Fairy Gardens for Kids

Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199 – 27

28 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2017 - Issue #199