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On the cover: PAHS Senior Sports & Activities students from left to right: Aubrie Allen, Zack Vanleer, Ryan Roberts, Jonathan Kapusta, Holly Hartman and Madison Stonbraker. Thank you to the photographers included in our senior spotlight section: Ken Diem - K&K Photography, Nikki Perrin - Reflective Edge, Jessi West, Megan Wos, Sonia Levy Photography, Courtney Katherine Photography, Vanessa Huey Photography, Eye Indulge Photography, Diane Dodd Photography, KKM Photography, Kristi Simpson Photography, Kelly Martin, Judy McManus, Carole Roberts, Mike Emhoff, Dana Hartman, Don Cameron, coaches, teachers, family and friends.
‘Punxsutawney Hometown’ magazine © Copyright 2020 — All Rights Reserved. Schedule your advertising in our next edition! We reach 100% of the local and area homes and businesses! - Concentrated Circulation 8,100+ copies of Punxsutawney Hometown magazine are direct-mailed to homes in Punxsutawney and surrounding towns and areas, giving our advertisers nearly 100% coverage . . . we deliver to every home and business! (As always — our circulation is verified — mailing and printing statements available.)
Signage at the Punxsutawney Area Hospital restricts the entrance to the East Parking Lot for Emergency vehicles. All other traffic is redirected to the North Parking Lot. Photo by S.J. Sharp.
Instructions on the door at Shop ‘n Save tell customers guidelines on shopping. Photo courtesy of S.J. Sharp.
Signs of the Times: Sheltering in Place and Social Distancing with COVID-19 By Shirley Sharp for Hometown magazine he greeting residents of the Punxsutawney area have been sharing with each other lately is, “Stay Safe.” The traditional acknowledgement of friends with a smile and, “How are ya’?” is a bit difficult when wearing a face mask. Now, a nod and a wave acknowledges the friend, and “stay safe” conveys the concern. Like
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The “Shelter in Place” requirement has provided new challenges. No longer can friends gather at restaurants, meet with civic groups or congregate at churches. Businesses and services, permitted to operate, have instituted the required “social distancing” rules which restrict the number of customers which can occupy their premises. Our community schools are closed and children are at home 24/7. Active folks can no longer gather for physical fitness or to watch movies at the Community Center. Older persons are sequestered in their homes where they are visited by family members, wearing face masks and looking much like aliens from another planet. Gone are the hugs and kisses grandparents so en-
joyed. All of these are ways we stay safe. “Shelter in Place” is prompting new patterns of work. The internet, which primarily provided entertainment and social engagement, has become the workplace. A month ago, telecommuting, an exception to the standard workplace, became necessary in some businesses. Those now working from home via their computers and smart phones are discovering new ways to accomplish goals, meet deadlines and interact with fellow team members. Students, who enjoyed the interactive nature of their school rooms, are being challenged to accomplish their class assignments online. Caseworkers with social services agencies have instituted virtual visits with their clients. Doctors and - Continued on next page
We are the only Punxsutawney-owned media! Punxsutawney Proud — Boosting our Hometown! Publisher Mary L. Roberts
Advertising Mary L. Roberts Tracey Young Hometown Staff Writers Jennifer Skarbek, Editor S. Thomas Curry Shirley Sharp Gloria Kerr Marty Armstrong Art Director Melissa Salsgiver Graphic Artists Melissa Salsgiver Joanna Erzal All material submitted becomes the property of Punxsutawney Hometown magazine. Mary Roberts ........................(814) 938-0312 Tracey Young ........................(814) 938-9084 Our Office..............................(814) 938-9141 Our Fax ..................................(800) 763-4118 hometown@punxsutawneymagazine.com
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Occupancy signs and “social distancing” floor markers are a new normal at the U.S. Post Office in Punxsutawney.
all Pennsylvanians, and many citizens of the United States, we in the Punxsutawney area are “Sheltering in Place” as a result of the COVID-19 virus. For many of us, this is a new experience. Throughout history there have been difficult times. Punxsutawney has experienced floods, tornados, blizzards, mine disasters, railroad derailments and the like. The community has faced a variety of epidemics and pandemics, from measles and small-pox through Spanish influenza, polio and now the COVID-19 situation. Area residents have struggled through economic downturns, called “panics” in earlier times, as well as the Great Depression. Each time, the community has demonstrated its resilience. When faced with adversity, Punxsutawney area residents work together “neighbor to neighbor” making sure all are safe.
Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235 – 3
The S&T Bank on Hampton Avenue has door signs advising that the lobby is closed. At the rear of the building, there is a long line of customers in their cars waiting to use the drive-up teller service. Photos by S.J. Sharp
COVID-19 Continued from previous page medical practitioners are also consulting with their patients virtually. Churches are sharing their message via the internet. According to Pastor Paul Ritchey of the First United Methodist Church, there has been a marked increase in online church attendance. As we “Shelter in Place” and stay safe, we are experiencing part of the new Punxsutawney which will exist after the COVID-19 emergency is resolved. The compliance by Punxsutawney residents, with the requests to “Sheltering in Place,” wear face masks in public, and wash hands frequently, has helped to keep COVID-19 infections to a very small number, locally. Health care resources are available in the Punxsutawney Area. Individuals in need of medical care are encouraged to call their provider’s office. Providers are now able to consult over the phone or by utilizing video
visits. For those who do not have health care providers and feel they are in need of a medical consultation, the Punxsutawney Area Hospital offers a hotline, 814-9384955. This line is for those who feel they may be having COVID-19 symptoms and are considering going to the hospital. The hospital team, in cooperation with the PA Department of Health and guidance from the CDC, is prepared for an influx of patients. The hospital has established a Respiratory Care Screening facility, adjacent to the hospital, for the prescreening of potential COVID-19 patients. This tent operates daily from noon to 6 p.m. The Emergency Room remains open and is available for those in need of emergency care. Local restaurants have closed their diningin facility, with some remaining open to offer take-out service. Fast food service continues to be available at drive-thru windows. Retailers, providing essentials, have clearly designated “social distancing” signs.
A Respiratory Care Triage tent now occupies the grassy area between the East Parking Lot and the Hospital Building. Photo by S.J. Sharp
Some have created traffic patterns for customers to follow to assure a safe, steady flow. Other facilities are providing special shopping hours for high risk groups, primarily older adults. Pharmacies and groceries
from the federal government, may not have arrived. They need to buy groceries, to pay their utilities and, come the first of the month, they will need to pay rent. For home owners, their property taxes are due. Their
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are promoting their home delivery services. Banks have closed their walk-in facilities, while continuing to provide services through their drive-up windows or online. There are other matters of concern. As of April 4, the unemployment rate in Pennsylvania was almost 10% and expected to go higher. The rate may be higher in Punxsutawney, due to small businesses being the major employers. The newly laid-off workers are struggling to find a new equilibrium in their lives. They no longer have a pay check to rely on. Their relief payment,
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prayers are for good health because, without their job, their families are without health insurance. Punxsutawney area residents are finding ways to help meet needs which are emerging. Volunteers are working in many ways, some highly visible, others quietly behind the scene, to ease the difficulties arising in this situation. Local seamstresses are sewing face masks for friends, family and the hospital. Neighbors have created food pantries to help their neighbors in need.
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Adrian was among the many mining towns in the area struck with the Spanish Flu" epidemic in 1918. Most every home was quarantined with one or more members of nearly every family ill. When the disease waned in November 1918, 125 deaths were reported in neighboring mining towns and 41 deaths in Punxsutawney. (photos of Adrian Mines from Hometown files)
“Fighting the Flu”
By S. Thomas Curry of Hometown magazine he following story is a reprint from Punxsutawney Hometown magazine issue #55 February 2005. With six weeks of winter “prognosticated” by our Punxsutawney Groundhog this past Groundhog Day, we wait out winter and the period of time that has annually been known as “flu season.” An occasional sniffle or raspy throat can give us concern that something worse might be on the way. Some people in the “risk” area will have the “flu shot” to prevent any serious effects of the “flu bug.” We have learned to avoid people who cough or sneeze and to wash our hands thoroughly and frequently. Anyone who has ever been hit by the discomfort of fever and pain associated with the sickness can appreciate the protection of the annual effort to provide the inoculation that is intended to prevent a major epidemic among our people. The lessons learned during and after the outbreak of the “Spanish flu” in 1918 would help to fight future outbreaks from the virus. During the Spring of 1918, World War I was raging in Europe. Apparently, what became known as the “Spanish flu” began as a swine influenza that spread to soldiers at Fort Riley, Kansas in March 1918. These soldiers carried it abroad to the trenches of war in France and Belgium where it became the infectious flu strain. News was censored during the war. The headline news, on the outbreak of the virus, with millions suffering, was reported from newspapers in Spain which was a “non-participant” in the war in Europe. It then became known as the “Spanish flu.” The deadly flu of the early 20th century arose and disappeared in about six months across the United States, killing 600,000
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Americans. There were 35,000 deaths in Pennsylvania. And, in the immediate area of Punxsutawney, by the time the disease had waned in late November of 1918, 41 deaths had been reported in Punxsutawney and over 125 deaths in neighboring towns, mostly the mining towns. In late September 1918, Wishaw, in Winslow Twp., between Punxsutawney and Reynoldsville, was one of the earliest struck by the disease. Practically everyone in the town was suffering from the contagious illness, a situation that would rate it as one of the worst epidemics in Pennsylvania. Bold headlines in the daily Punxsutawney Spirit began the warning to all, “Spanish Influenza Hits Wishaw Hard.” Within a week the headlines reported: “Many Are Dying from Spanish Influenza.” Daily reports of the situation in towns adjacent to Punxsutawney were given. Strongly hit in the immediate area were McCalmont and Young townships, where the towns of Adrian, Anita, Eleanora, Florence and Walston were heavily populated. Also affected by the influenza epidemic were Knoxdale, Crawfordtown, Frostburg, Valier, Bowersville and Rossiter. One or more of every family was ill in some towns. There were cases reported when nine of 11 family members were ill. Emergency hospitals had to be set up in schoolhouses of the towns. The seriousness of the condition brought a call for help to give attention to the afflicted and to aid the doctors and nurses called into service. “The physicians and nurses have been working almost 24 hours a day...they have no opportunity to sleep and less to eat. Some of them have worn out,” was stated in the urgent appeal for volunteers. Graduate and undergraduate nurses in the nurse training programs at the Adrian Hospital and Punxsutawney Hospital were asked to report to the Red Cross. If it were necessary, graduate nurses would be paid $75 a month and
others were offered $30 to $50 a month. Although there was great risk, many nurses volunteered their services without the pay incentive. Anyone with experience in caring for the sick was asked to report, including teachers in the county. Drastic measures had to be taken to prevent an epidemic. The Jefferson County Medical Inspector, Dr. S. Meigs Beyer of Punxsutawney, acted to place Wishaw under quarantine. Street cars were not allowed to stop there and visitors, other than nurses and doctors, were not permitted into the town. A week after the flu affected citizens in Wishaw, cases were reported in Reynoldsville, in Eleanora and in Anita. Strict measures were occurring everywhere to prevent a repetition of what was happening in Wishaw. When a case was learned in Punxsutawney, prompt action was taken to prevent the spread of the disease. As soon as cases were reported, quarantine signs were posted on the houses of those suffering from the symptoms. The “Home Defense Police,” organized during World War I, were instructed to arrest anyone seen off their quarantined
As this issue for Hometown was being prepared, people in the Punxsutawney area, as in all of Pennsylvania and many states in the country, were adjusting their “everyday life” in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, its effects reported in the daily news. Common for us now is “social distancing,” Among us are new “heroes” who put their lives at risk to provide service and care in the midst of the mysterious disease that has become known as COVID19. It’s been three months since cases of coronavirus in the United States were first reported in late January 2020, a couple of weeks before over 30,000 people attended Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney. The current experiences of many residents of the area during this “influenza” are similar to those of the area a century ago during the epidemic of the Spanish flu in 1918. Reprinted in this issue is the February 2005 Hometown story by writer S. Thomas Curry that provides the experiences of Punxsutawney area residents in 1918, compared with those of area residents currently obeying directions. Stay healthy, be safe, stay at home. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds. Wear a mask when you go out. •••
property. The “breadwinner” in the family was permitted to go to work as long he stayed away from the sick room in the house. Through the newspapers people were asked, “If anything that resembles the disease is in your family it is your duty to call a physician at once, not only to protect the welfare of your own family but of your own townsmen.” - Continued on page 14
Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235 – 5
COVID-19 Continued from page 4
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Friends and family are providing necessary child care in order that essential employees can stay on the job. Others are making financial donations which support local organizations helping residents most in need. As the residents of Punxsutawney proceed through the next phase of the COVID-19 experience, new, unpredictable needs will emerge. Experience tells us that state and federal aid will go to the areas where the need is the greatest. Rural areas with relatively small populations will, of necessity, need to find homespun ways to address many of the needs which arise. History provides some actions that can be taken to help the community get through the next six months and perhaps the next year of recovery from the COVID-19 situation. During this time, we will discover needs that didn’t previously exist and problems not previously identified which need to be resolved. The need to have food, shelter and health care is a given. Past experience guides us to prepare to meet these basic needs and be flexible to adapt to the future needs as they arise. Putting first things first, we can consider the following suggestions: Revive the “Victory Garden” concept from the Great Depression and World War II era. During “Shelter in Place,” prepare and plant a garden. Gardens can be made in planters, raised beds, backyard garden plots, community gardens, etc. Gardens planted now will help to meet the need for food during the summer and fall. Plan to preserve the summer harvest, from gardens or farmers markets, to provide food to last through the winter. Volunteer to assist with community projects which address needs created as a result of the COVID-19 experience. Donate to community organizations which have as their mission supporting those in need in the community. Donate to the “Punxsutawney Area Emergency Fund,” established by the Punxsutawney Area Community Foundation to enable the community to address the unexpected service needs, increased expenses or needs experienced by non-profit service organizations brought about by the current COVID-19 emergency and that are not otherwise recoverable by the stimulus measures that the government has put into place. This fund enables the pooling of funds from donors to address community needs in a timely manner. (See announcement about the Punxsutawney Area Emergency Fund elsewhere in this magazine.) Continue to take appropriate actions to “Stay Safe.” •••
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Punxsutawney Area Emergency Fund Established by PACF The Punxsutawney Area Community Foundation (PACF) announces the establishment of a Punxsutawney Area Emergency Fund. The purpose of the fund is to accept individual and corporate donations to enable the community to address the unexpected service needs, increased expenses or needs experienced by non-profit service organizations brought about by the current COVID-19 that are not otherwise recoverable by the stimulus measures that the government has put into place. One hundred percent of the donations to this fund will go to the stated purpose. The fund is currently accepting donations. All funds donated to the Punxsutawney Area emergency fund are tax deductible up to the amount permitted by law. Donations may be made at: http://bbcf.org/punxsutawney-areaemergency-fund. Donations may also be made by check. Checks are to be made payable to the Punxsutawney Area Community Foundation with the Punxsutawney Area Emergency Fund written on the memo line. Send checks to: PACF P.O. BOX 663 Punxsutawney, PA 15767 This Fund will support local nonprofit organizations by helping them to maintain their operations and services to the community during the current COVID 19 situation and in the recovery phase. In order to distribute these funds rapidly without burdening organizations, an online grant application process has been established and grant application are being accepting applications now. Grants will be made to qualified nonprofit organizations including 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1), 509(a)(3), or Units of Government located in or serving people in the Punxsutawney area, as defined by the boundaries of the Punxsutawney Area School District. Grantee requests for funds will be reviewed and recommended by a committee comprised of representatives from local community organizations. There will be no fees charged from donations to this fund. All donations will go directly to qualified organizations to assist them to meet emergency related needs in the community. PACF Board of Directors Robert Cardamone - Chair, Casey Lellock - Vice Chair, Jane Murphy - Secretary, Donald Armstrong - Treasurer, Jessica Church, Roberta Dinsmore, Katie Donald, Nick Giavito, Matthew Kengersky, Jeffrey Long, Glenn McQuown, Laura Page, Shirley Sharp, David Smith, and Susan Wolfe •••
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Farmers in Henderson Township harvested peas, which would then be taken to the vinery where Ira Bailey was the manager. The schoolteacher performed this job during the summer.
Ira Albert Bailey: A Primary Grades Teacher
Students who chose to attend high school had to provide their own transportation. The nearest high school was seven miles away at Brookville. Ira Bailey and fellow Knoxdale o most of his students he was Mr. Baistudent Henry Stewart, walked the seven ley; to those who tried to test his metmiles from Knoxdale to Brookville to attend tle, he was “Tarzan” Bailey. Ira Albert high school. The two young men would Bailey was born April 7, 1907, in Knox catch a ride home on the Shawmut coal train. Township, Jefferson County, the first child of Bailey was a strong young Ralph and Myrtha E. Bailey. man. While in high school, His father was a coal miner; he participated in sports. Behis grandfather was a farmer. fore graduating in May of Both taught him the value of 1925, he participated in a hard work. During his early track and field meet with years he witnessed the rapid Warren High School. At that change in Knox Township, meet, he broke his own with the development of the record of 38 feet, 6 inches in Shawmut Railroad and the the shot-put by a record of 40 opening of coal mines. Durfeet, 4 inches. ing his school years he was During the summer of 1925, part of the rapidly expanding Bailey attended the Normal student population. As more Academy at Clarion State families came, the township Teachers’ College. That fall, needed to provide more he occupied the teacher’s school rooms in which to eddesk at the Pleasant Hill ucate children. By 1919, the School in Knox Township. number of school rooms in One year later, in the fall of Knox Township had jumped from nine to fourteen: Ram- Ira Albert Bailey, also known as 1926, Ira Bailey accepted the saytown had three school “Tarzan” Bailey, was a teacher teaching position at the Mcprincipal in the Jefferson Creight School in Winslow rooms and Knoxdale had and County Schools. Photo CourTownship. Some of his stufour. As a young man, Bailey tesy of PAHGS. dents were the first generawas determined to improve tion of their families to have been born in the his life, deciding the way to achieve this goal United States, and others were part of famiwas through education. lies which were the original settlers in JefAfter completing the eight years of schoolferson County. Students at the McCreight ing available to him in Knox Township, he School were children of farmers and miners, passed the Eighth-Grade examination and who worked at either the Sykesville or was eligible to attend high school. In 1920, high school was an option, not a requirement. - Continued on page 16 By Coal Memorial Committee for Hometown magazine
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8 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235
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CHEERLEADING Korinne Anderson (Jeff Tech) Crystal Couser Ivy Fisher (co-captain) Holly Hartman (cocaptain) Amber Little Jillian Petroff Brookelyn Rowles BOYS GOLF Sean Deeley Jackson Fezell Graham McFarland Ryan Roberts Zack Vanleer — CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 —
We would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming response to this special spotlight for our PAHS seniors featuring their activities. A special THANK YOU to all the photographers, coaches, teachers, students and parents who helped spread the word.
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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235 – 9
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10 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235
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— CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 —
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Owen Bartlebaugh Corbin Heitzenrater Emmet Jamieson Samuel Rodgers Andrew Wehrle
ALEC GREENBLATT
Will play baseball at Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore & study Elec. Engineering Courtney Katherine Photography
JEREMY HARRIS ACTIVITIES: Football and Chorus
GRACE HALL ACTIVITIES:
Volleyball, team co-captain Submitted photo
PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
BOYS TRACK Owen Bartlebaugh Jacob Bellerillo Corbin Heitzenrater Derek Ishman Emmet Jamieson Jonathan Kapusta Caleb Kinney Max London Alex Martin Austin Martin Andrew Wehrle GIRLS BASKETBALL Abby Gigliotti
HOLLY HARTMAN ACTIVITIES: Softball and Cheerleading PHOTO BY:
Don Cameron
BRIEA HECKLER Ballet, 14 years - Van Dyke & Co. & Mahoning Valley Ballet Vanessa Huey Photography
BRIANNA HOOVER ACTIVITIES: Girls Golf, grades 9-12
DEREK ISHMAN Football 7-12 and Track & Field 9-12 PHOTO BY: Kelly Martin
ACTIVITIES:
Submitted photo
BASEBALL Daren Byers Jackson Fezell Alec Greenblatt Aidan Johnston Isaac Knarr Ethan Lainey Adison Neal VOLLEYBALL Hannah Galando Grace Hall Haley Maines Bella McDivitt
JONATHAN KAPUSTA ACTIVITIES: Marching & Concert Band, Indoor & Outdoor Track, Football. He will Attend IUP.
CALEB KINNEY Football 8-12,Track 11-12, Indoor track 11, Drama club
ACTIVITIES:
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
CONGRATULATIONS,
ALEC
We are so very proud of all your hard work academically and with your baseball accomplishment. We love you very much and look forward to watching you in the next steps of your life.
Love Mom, Dad, Isaac, Jonas & Jaden
Briea,
You continue to amaze us. We are just so proud of you and your passion for helping others! Good luck as you continue your 14 years of dancing with your dance minor at IUP this fall. E,
LOV
Mom, Dad, Guy & Blake
MICHAH KRIEBEL Basketball, Football
ACTIVITIES:
PHOTO BY:
Diane Dodd Photography
CAMERON KURTZ
Marching, Pep, Concert & Jazz band, Dramatics, Musical, GSA president, Journalism, Foreign Language club PHOTO BY:
KKM Photography
GRACIE,
The next issue of Punxsutawney Hometown magazine will feature all Punxsutawney High School Graduates.
It has been a joy to watch you be a part of your volleyball family through the years! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!
If you would like to CONGRATULATE YOUR GRADUATE OR EMPLOYEE WITH A SPECIAL AD, please contact us at
LOVE, MOM, DAD & SAWYER
GENERAL DENTISTRY Jon J. Johnston, DMD, P.C. DENTAL SERVICES FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY
— CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 —
hometown@ punxsutawnemagazine.com
938-0312 or 938-9084
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938-4210
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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235 – 11
As a student of area history, John Miller created this map of the native history of Punxsutawney in 1957. Hand drawn and colored by Mr. Miller, the map vividly creates the journey of the “first people” through this area. Given to PAHGS, the map is currently on display in the Early People’s Exhibit in the Bennis House. From PAHGS clipping files.
The Power of Music Through Time:
A Punxsutawney Connection By Marty Armstrong for Hometown magazine nyone having seen the renowned opera singer Andrea Bocelli sing to the world on Easter Sunday cannot ignore the power of music to draw strength, to comfort and to inspire in difficult times. It underscores the potential that a beloved well-known song or a brand-new musical creation can have to help when one feels alone. The Song “Alone Yet Not Alone” was recorded by Joni
A
(pronounced Johnny) Eareckson Tada in 2013 and released in 2014. Readers may be aware of this artist’s work. A paraplegic from the age of 17 when she suffered a diving accident in the Chesapeake Bay, Eareckson Tada has gone on to become a force in Christian outreach. Her recording of this particular inspirational song can be heard by searching online. There are several choices of clips which bring forth the powerful theme, recorded specifically as the title song for a movie of the same name. Because it was as-
As Our Next State Senator, Herm Suplizio has a record of getting things done for seniors. Cutting Local Taxes & Fees Mayor of DuBois, Suplizio ended the per capita tax and slashed garbage fees by 40% for senior citizens.
Keeping Families Together Suplizio fought to keep property taxes low and cut water/sewage bills so families pay for what THEY use.
Boosting Senior Programs Suplizio made sure that seniors had food on their table and access to high quality service programs.
sociated with a movie, this song was eligible to be nominated for an Academy Award. A nomination was made but subsequently revoked due to a controversy about the way the nomination was made. It has been remarked that, had the nomination gone forward, it is unlikely she could have performed the piece live as is usual. For the recording, her husband had to physically push on her diaphragm for her to produce the beautiful sound for which she is known. The song is also available in sheet music form. The Movie “Alone Yet Not Alone” was completed in 2013 and released in a limited way then and again in 2014. It recounts the physical, mental and spiritual journey of the lead character, Barbara Leininger, played by Natalie Racoosin (as a child) and Kelly Greyson (as a teen). Taken captive in 1755 as part of the Penn’s Creek Massacre at the edge of the semi-settled area of eastern Pennsylvania, Barbara is separated from her younger sister and made to travel to the west with other young captives over the Alleghenies and into areas controlled by native tribes and contested by both England and France as part of the French and Indian War. After a number of years, during which she witnessed horrific scenes, Barbara was able to run away with three other captives. Followed by their captors, the young people, who by that time were living in a Lenape village in the area of the Muskegon river in the Ohio country, made their way with great difficulty to Fort Pitt at the Forks of the Ohio where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet to form the Ohio River. She had been there in the early days of her captivity after the destruction of the Lenape village of Kittany (Kittanning) by Lieutenant Colonel John Armstrong of the Pennsylvania (Colonial) Regiment. At that first time, the Forks of the Ohio area was controlled by the French, who built Fort Duquesne at the very tip of the peninsula now commonly known known as “the Point.” The party of natives and their captives sheltered there before going farther west. Having reached Fort Pitt, the escapees were escorted to Fort Ligonier, then eastward to Fort Bedford, Lancaster and Philadelphia, where they were joyfully reunited with their families (that is to say, those family members who had survived the horror of the Penn’s Creek Massacre). Barbara’s mother and a brother had been away from home marketing their crops. Their ongoing concern was the younger sister, Regina, who had been separated from Barbara when the native parties separated and a number of years passed before their eventual reunion. The movie, rated PG-13, which was shown on a limited basis,
can be purchased online. It was based on a novel, again, of the same name. The rating stems from the violent nature of the storyline. The film does credit its makers’ efforts to showcase the wilderness areas of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and their depiction of the homes, clothing and lifestyles with accuracy. The spoken accents, too, help set the scene; if a character is likely to be German or Swiss, French, British or Native American, those characters speak with appropriate accents. The Novel “Alone Yet Not Alone” is an historical novel authored by Tracy Leininger Craven in draft form when she was but nine years old and, later, in its final form and copyrighted in 2012 when she was an adult. Tracy Lieninger Craven, is a noted author of Christian books, many of which, like this, are for young people. With a name like Leininger, one may surmise that the plot has something to do with her family history. Yet, it is described as a novel, leading readers to think that the story is made up or real with many alterations and imagined dialog and events. The novel can also be found for purchase online in various formats. Unlike many films based on novels, most details of the book are incorporated into the movie, both of which were published and produced almost simultaneously. The author reveals in the book’s dedication that, indeed, there is a real story behind the novel, one that was told to her by her grandmother, Berneta Leininger, when Tracy was a child and they were exploring the genealogy of the family together. Barbara Leininger was a real person, taken captive in October of 1755 and reunited with her family in the spring of 1759. She did have a younger sister, Regina, who was released after a longer period. The novel and movie both stress the early life of the girls, their family’s steadfast faith, and the scriptures and songs read to them by their father from the Bible and sung to them by their mother. Those words and those songs form the turning point which resulted in the happy reunion of Regina and her family. She had been only nine when taken captive. She was raised as a Lenape child and given an orphaned captive infant to care for. She no longer remembered her German language or much about her early life. When Barbara and their mother searched among the scores of captives returned after the end of the French and Indian War, they did not recognize one another until Mother Leininger began to sing the hymn she had often sung to her young children. This, Regina recognized. The real story of Barbara and Regina’s capture and Barbara’s life with her native captors and her thrilling escape with three others is fully recorded in the deposition she and her fellow escapee,
Herm
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Herm Suplizio is a proven conservative with the experience to get things done in Harrisburg. 12 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235
- Continued on page 21
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— CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 —
ETHAN LAINEY
JAY LEMMON
ACTIVITIES:
ACTIVITIES:
Basketball, Baseball
K&K Photography
PHOTO BY:
MADISON LORELLI ACTIVITIES:
Music Theatre, Musical PHOTO BY:
Girls Tennis
Submitted photo
K&K Photography
FOOTBALL Micah Kriebel Sam Shepler Max London Anthony Luke Jacob Bellerillo Jonathan Kapusta Caleb Kinney Alex Martin Shane Knox Jeremy Harris Derek Ishman Austin Martin Josh Bellerillo GIRLS SOCCER Madysen Ewing Megan Sherry BOYS SOCCER Vincent Gigliotti Andrew Wehrle Zach Reitz Billy Humble
TAEGAN LUDWIG OutdoorTrack 9-12, Indoor Track 10-11, Tennis 10-12 ACTIVITIES:
PHOTO BY:
Eyeindulge Photography
HALEY MAINES ACTIVITIES:
Volleyball PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
ALEX MARTIN Football, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track
ACTIVITIES:
PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
AUSTIN MARTIN Band 8-12, Football 11-12, Indoor track 11-12, Outdoor track 11 ACTIVITIES:
PHOTO BY:
Kelly Martin
BOYS BASKETBALL Ethan Lainey Micah Kriebel Daren Byers Andrew Wehrle GIRLS GOLF Brianna Hoover GIRLS TENNIS Allison Doverspike Camden Emhoff Abigail Gigliotti Madison Lorelli Taegan Ludwig Julia Smoker Elizabeth Stello
GRAHAM MCFARLAND ACTIVITIES: Golf PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
Laska’s Pizza Congratulations to Graham McFarland, Vincent Gigliotti and the Class of 2020!
“At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.” ~ Mother Teresa
Nicholas Gianvito Attorney at Law
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KELSIE MCMANUS ACTIVITIES:
Chorus PHOTO BY:
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MAKENA NESBITT
Outdoor & Indoor Track, Science, Bible & Foreign Language Clubs,Yearbook, National Honor Society, Powderpuff, Philette Dancers PHOTO BY: Vanessa Huey Photography
JILLIAN PETROFF ACTIVITIES:
Cheerleading PHOTO BY:
— CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 —
K&K Photography
Congratulations, Kelsie McManus! You did it! We are proud of you! Best wishes in the future. Follow your dreams! ~ Love Mom & Derik
Kelsie, Your Dad is watching over you on this special day, He would be so proud of you! You did it, Kiann!
Yeager's Sanitation would like to say CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2020! from Eugene Yeager & Staff
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To our niece Kelsie McManus, We are so proud of you. Good luck in all you do! Love, Aunt Amy & Uncle Pete
Makena, We are so proud of your incredible accomplishments! Let's Go "Bobby Mo!” Love you! Dad, Mom, Kyle & Mason Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235 – 13
“Fighting the Flu”
punxsutawney
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health actions that citizens could perform. To encourage personal responsibility to preContinued from page 5 vent the spread of the flu, parents were reOf the nearly 12,000 people in Punxquested to keep their children at home “as sutawney, 7,000 were inoculated with “inmuch as possible.” Keeping them in doors fluenza or pneumonia serum,” an action for long periods of time was not suggested. It credited with preventing many deaths, alwas advised that “every child should spend though many were inflicted. Rules and proas much time as possible in the sunlight or hibitions were announced open air and an abunby the Punxsutawney dance of fresh air should Board of Health. enter the homes at all During the quarantine, it times.” was a violation if persons As conditions imfrom the neighboring inproved, and, in an atfected towns visited Punxtempt to reduce the sutawney, and local spread of the monthresidents were not permitlong epidemic, people ted to visit those towns. were advised against Churches, schools, licarelessness. Those who braries, theaters, amusehad recovered were ment places and other asked to “refrain from places of public gathering spitting on the sidewalks were closed. In Punxor streets. Carry a cup or sutawney that would also an old rag with you for include “dancing halls, that purpose.” skating rinks, billiard and One of the suggestions pool rooms and other inthat came from a doctor door games, banquets and was a home-remedy: social gatherings at ho“Mix together two tabletels.” Barbers, employees spoonsful of turpentine, at restaurants and lunch two tablespoonsful of rooms, meat and milk ammonia and one egg. shops, candy stores and Add sufficient flour to other places where public bring whole to the conhealth was a concern were sistency of a moderately not permitted to work thin paste. Spread the “until thoroughly free mixture on a piece of from infection.” thin muslin and apply to Funeral services of those chest, throat or other afwho died from the flu flicted part.” would be ordered to be The restrictions and private with only immediquarantines remained in ate adult relatives not sick effect for nearly two with the disease permitted months until conditions to attend. Advertisements improved and life could of funerals would have to return to its normal acstate the cause of death. tivity. Under no circumstance That’s history. could the body of the deThankfully, today, the ceased be taken into any advances made by modchurch, public hall or ern medicine can preother public building for vent history repeating The outbreak of the “Spanish Flu” began the services. in mining communities surrounding Punx- itself in regard to such As increasing cases of sutawney in late September, 1918. Nurses, horrifying stories of disthe Spanish flu were re- doctors and other volunteers were called ease and many deaths ported. suggestions were into service to aid the inflicted. Photo cour- from 1918. tesy of the PAHGS. offered to help in the Of course, we all have spread of the disease. “The the personal responsibilgerms of influenza thrive in filth,” health ofity to prevent the disease in our lives and its ficials announced with their recommendaspread to our family, friends and community. tions. “Clean up your premises to do away I’ll do my part. I’m going to wash my hands with the breeding places;” “Get your hose now for 15 seconds. companies out and flush your streets about ••• every other day,” were items on the list of
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14 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235
— CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 —
BOYS TENNIS Garret Fairman Vincent Gigliotti
BLADE PIERCE ACTIVITIES: Band PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
SHELBY REDDINGER ACTIVITIES: Band PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
BAYLEE JEAN RITCHEY Track & Field 9-12, Art Club 11-12,Variety Show, Yearbook, Powderpuff 11-12
ACTIVITIES:
PHOTO BY:
RYAN ROBERTS ACTIVITIES:
Golf
Courtney Katherine Photography
JULIANA SHAFFER ACTIVITIES:
Concert & Marching band, Art Club, NHS, SADD, Tri-M Submitted photo
SAMUEL RODGERS ACTIVITIES: Cross County, Band, Musical PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
SAMUEL SHEPLER
Football, Marching, Pep, Concert, Jazz & District Jazz Band, Holiday Brass, NHS, Ag Club, Powderpuff Coach & Volleyball Player, Kristi Simpson Photography
KYLIE ROSENBERGER
Marching, Concert, Jazz, Pep & District Band, NHS,Tri-M, Key Club, Powderpuff Courtney Katherine Photography
MEGAN SHERRY ACTIVITIES: Soccer PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
Hayley Dilts
BROOKELYN ROWLES ACTIVITIES: Cheerleading and Chorus PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
TIMOTHY SIMMONS ACTIVITIES: Band, Chorus, Music Theatre, Musical PHOTO BY:
BAND Kylie Rosenberger Jazmine Bowser Jacob Bellerillo Josh Bellerillo Sam Rodgers Sam Shepler Mackenzie Brudnock Juliana Shaffer Blade Pierce Jonathan Kapusta Austin Martin Dawn Taylor Evan Dinger Cameron Kurtz Timothy Simmons Austin Dobbins Shelby Reddinger Mackenzie Waltman CHORUS Aubrie Allen Charli Smith Timothy Simmons Kelsie Mcmanus Caleb Kinney Brookelyn Rowles Jeremy Harris Madisyn Geer Heidemann Dalton Frantz Lily Crago MUSIC THEATRE Aubrie Allen Ashton Rotsch Charli Smith Timothy Simmons Jay Lemmon Madisyn Geer Heidemann Dalton Frantz — CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 —
K&K Photography
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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235 – 15
Pictured is the consolidated seventh and eighth-grade classes of Henderson Township School during the 1950-51 school year with Ira Bailey as the teacher. The students are: (First row, l-r) Regis Felix; Larry Noker; Allan Scully; Geraldine Cramer; Annabelle Kos; Rose Marie Godak; Floyd Alvetro; Donald Starr; and Gerald Dickey, (second row) Carl Reagle; Loretta Knarr; Robert Melzer; Mary Ann Skarbek; John Petrick; Laudrea Brewer; Lyman Gaul; Peggy Gill; Eddie Kantor; Anna Marie Furdak; Ronald Magolis; and Nancy Peace, (third row) Dick Shaffer; Patty Rokoski; Mike Kovalyak; Irene Sitosky; Joe Corona; Gloria Robbins; James Kuntz; Della Henneman; Wayne Shaffer; and Margaret Skarbek, (fourth row) Eddie Kaiser; Jean Guilyard; James Pudlo; Nancy Alessi; Dean Weaver; Julia Surkala; Thomas Fye; Geraldine Robertson; and Ronald Corona. Photo courtesy of Loretta Knarr Shepler.
Ira Albert Bailey
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16 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235
Continued from page 8 Eleanora mines. Mr. Bailey’s own life experience gave him a good understanding of the needs of these children. The following spring, when his students participated in the required Eighth-Grade Examinations, two scored above the required 100: Mary Buhite, 143, and Annabell Buhite 137. The Winslow Township School Board, pleased with the results, retained Mr. Bailey as a teacher at the McCreight School for the subsequent year. In the spring of 1929, he was one of the presenters at the Winslow Township Monthly Teachers Meeting, where he gave a brief, but practical, discussion of the teaching of Arithmetic. On December 11, 1929, the Punxsutawney News reported, “Ira Bailey, teacher of the McCreight School in Winslow Township secured permission from the school officials of that district to close his school the first week of deer season. It is reported that he met with more than ordinary success in locating his ‘dear’ and has now established his home near the school. He and his wife have the congratulations and best wishes of the county superintendent and assistants.” Whether his marriage to Mary Jane Deemer had any bearing on his teaching skills is unknown, however, Bailey continued to teach at the McCreight School, and, in April 1930, made a request to the County Superintendent of Schools for sixteen perfect attendance certificates and seals. “This is a remarkably fine record and speaks eloquently for the esteem in which Mr. Bailey is held by both pupils and parents. The enrollment at this school is twentyseven.” stated the April 3, 1930 Brookville American. Another factor that may have contributed to this attendance record was the new playground. The School Board had procured an additional lot next to the school ground. During the early part of 1930, Mr. Bailey and the students cleared the rubbish from the lot and created a playground. It was a group project in which everyone participated. At the end of the school year, the students, their parents and representatives of the school board en-
joyed a picnic on their new playground. During the 1930s, the educational system in Pennsylvania was reorganized into school districts. No longer were local townships responsible for operating the schools. Smaller schools were consolidated. New modern school buildings were constructed and school bussing began, first for high school then for elementary students. As the school district system evolved, there was a great deal of readjustment. Teachers were shifted to where they were most needed. In 1940, Bailey was engaged by the Henderson Township School Board to teach one of the four rooms at the Kramer School, and, in 1941, to teach at the Henderson School, located on what is now known as the Big Run-Prescottville Road. However, like most teachers, he saw the problems faced by the families of his students. Kramer Mine would continue to be worked until 1949, however, many of the other industrial mines in the area had closed or were in a state of decline. Farmers who had spent their lives raising crops to provide food for mine communities were now facing hard times. About 1945, Ira Bailey and Homer Zufall, another teacher from Henderson Township, found an opportunity to provide an income for farmers and summer work for themselves. Through a farmer’s cooperative, in conjunction with the H.J. Heinz Company, they could raise peas. The company would contract with local farmers a specific number of acres of peas. Three vineries were established in Jefferson County to process the peas: Henderson Township near Big Run; the Beechwoods; and Brookville. The Brookville vinery also functioned as the coordinating facility. Bailey and Zufall worked with Henderson Township farmers for close to fifteen years. Zufall was the field man who worked with the farmers, watched the crop and estimated the harvest. Bailey was the vinery manager, who engaged the crew that ran the equipment which shelled and prepared the peas for shipping. The harvest was time sensitive. It had to be planted and harvested on schedule in order to keep a steady supply of peas for shelling at the vinery and at the processing plant at Medina, New York. Although it took several - Continued on page 20
— CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 —
CHARLI SMITH
Mixed Chorus, Select Ensemble, Women’s Chorus, Show Choir, Jazz Choir, Musical Theater, Tri-M Honor Society, NHS, Dramatics, SADD, Key Club,Yearbook PHOTO BY: Megan Wos
JULIA SMOKER ACTIVITIES:
ELIZABETH STELLO
MUSICAL Aubrie Allen Lily Crago Mackenzie Brudnock Madisyn Geer Cameron Kurtz Caleb Kinney Samuel Rodgers Kylie Rosenberger Jay Lemmon Timothy Simmons Charli Smith
ACTIVITIES:
Girls Tennis
Girls Tennis
Submitted photo
SOFTBALL Holly Hartman Madison Stonbraker •••
Submitted photo
Thank you for your overwhelming response to our PAHS graduate spotlight. We apologize for any errors or omissions and for not being able to personally contact every student and parent.
MADISON STONEBRAKER
Softball 9-12 - 2018 Softball State Champion, Cross Country & Indoor Track 9-12, Key Club PHOTO BY: Nikki Perrin, Reflective Edge
DAWN TAYLOR Marching band 8-12 and Concert band 8-12
ZACK VANLEER
ACTIVITIES:
PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
ACTIVITIES:
Golf
PHOTO BY:
WALTMAN MACKENZIE ACTIVITIES: Band PHOTO BY:
K&K Photography
K&K Photography
Congratulations, PAHS seniors!
ANDREW WEHRLE ACTIVITIES: Soccer, Cross Country, Basketball, Indoor & Outdoor Track Submitted photo
MADISON,
Just yesterday, you were a feisty toddler. Today, you're a feisty, young woman. We couldn't be prouder of all your accomplishments. LOVE, MOM & DAD
Thank you to the photographers included in our senior spotlight section: Ken Diem - K&K Photography, Nikki Perrin - Reflective Edge, Jessi West, Megan Wos, Sonia Levy Photography, Courtney Katherine Photography, Vanessa Huey Photography, Eye Indulge Photography, Diane Dodd Photography, KKM Photography, Kristi Simpson Photography, Kelly Martin, Judy McManus, Carole Roberts, Mike Emhoff, Dana Hartman, Don Cameron, coaches, teachers, family and friends.
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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235 – 17
Pictured are (left to right) M. Farra, Elizabeth Hunger, B. Hutchison, Anna Hunger, M. Hall and B. Smith.
The Hunger women appear in this photo: Elizabeth Hunger is far left while Anna Hunger is back center.
Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society
Discovering Local Identities & History Through Glass Negatives – Be A Mystery Solver!
V
olunteering has its own set of rewards, as I’ve recently experienced while working on the PAHGS glass negative identification project. While working with these glass negatives, I had an unexpected joy of finding two of my great aunts in two interesting group photos. As I scanned the glass negatives during the cataloging process, I had looked at these photos several times. Each time, I wondered, “Who are these young ladies and what were they doing
in these playful photos? Holding pillows as props, dressed in lovely lounge wear, kimono-like attire, hair up in one photo, hair down in the other photo…were they promoting a play?” One night as the photos were displayed, largely and brightly on my computer screen, I recognized that my great aunts, Elizabeth Hunger (1877-1965) and Anna Hunger (1883-1973) were in these photos! These kind aunts from my childhood memories
PUNXSUTAWNEY AREA Historical and Genealogical Society , Inc.
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18 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235
Anna Hunger holds Deonne Hunger Weaver in this 1958 snapshot.
were nurses, having graduated from Adrian Hospital Training School for Nurses, in 1906. This led me to believe the other young ladies in the photos may also had been student nurses there at that time. I went to my family photo albums and found photographs of my aunts with other student nurses in 1906. I tried to see if some of the nurses from the newly found photos were also in my family photos. I think I see some, do you? Other items, which added more history to these photographs, include an Adrian Hospital postcard, stamped 1906, and with the text, “school reopens.” Was the author of the postcard also one of the ladies in the group photo? Also attached is a photo of the graduation diploma of Anna Hunger, now in the PAHGS Collection, and a photograph of me with “Auntie Ann Hunger” in 1958. If readers can identify others in these group photos and add to the story, PAHGS would enjoy hearing from you. While the facilities of the Society are currently closed due to the current COVID-19 emergency, you may send your information to punxsyhistory@outlook.com, or write to the Society at PAHGS, P.O. Box 286, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. •••
(“From Our Past,” researched by S. Thomas Curry, features items of interest from past editions of Punxsutawney and area newspapers.) April 20, 1887 — Sad as it may seem, none of our young ladies are attending school. It isn’t because they know it all, for many of them could not tell whether Shakespeare, Bacon or Ignatus Donelly wrote “Julius Caesar.” It is not because they are lazy, either. But seriously, girls, you ought to go to school. You cannot be happy with a husband - and you all expect to get husbands someday. By all means go to school. There are no adornments which so become a woman - or a man either - as, the adornment of the mind. No accomplishments like learning. (Punxsutawney Spirit) April 27, 1871 — SOMETHING NICE. Charley Graff says he will have a full supply of eatables on hand for “show-day.” He has now got ice cream, lemon bisquit, orange bisquit, all kinds of cakes and pies, candies, nuts, apples, oranges, and everything that is good to eat. As soon as the weather gets a little warmer he will have ice cream every evening. (Punxsutawney Plaindealer) May 6, 1896 — An “emigrant train” consisting of a canvas covered wagon and another four wheeled concern upon which was built a little house, about five by ten feet, painted red, passed through our streets the other day, bound for Missouri. The little red house had a door at the rear end and little windows at the sides and was comfortably fitted up with stove and bed and all conveniences of a living room. (Punxsutawney News) May 8, 1839 — As a result of numerous complaints filed by pedestrians, Burgess W. C. Tibby today announced that bicycle riding in Barclay Square, which has virtually been turned into a race track by bicyclists of this city, will be prohibited from this day forth. Signs will be erected at once. Anyone caught riding a bicycle in the prohibited area will be arrested and fined, the Burgess said. (Punxsutawney Spirit) May 11, 1887 — The Punxsutawney band made its debut last night and gave Mr. E. N. Wehrle and wife a pleasant serenade at their new home on Penn St. The band boys are hard at work these evenings reviving the long dormant music. As Luther Lowe is at the head of the band our citizens may expect to hear some fine music “when the band begins to play” some day soon. (Valley News) [Note: The name Valley News was changed to Punxsutawney News in June 1887.] May 19, 1870 — LIVERY STABLE. - In a few days Mr. Glenn A. Emery, of Brookville, will open a livery stable in this place for Punxsutawney citizens and the traveling public. The much needed convenience will open at the stable of the National Hotel. On hand for hire will be horses, buggies, carriages, etc. (Punxsutawney Plaindealer) [Note: The old National Hotel, located on S. Gilpin St. at the corner with Union Street, was built in 1851 as a boarding house. With numerous owners the old boarding house became a hotel and was destroyed by fire. A New National Hotel was built in 1905, destroyed by fire in October 1981.] •••
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Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235 – 19
Ira Bailey is shown with his students at the McCreight School in about 1927. During his teaching career, he taught grandchildren of these students. Photo courtesy of Loretta Knarr.
Ira Albert Bailey Continued from page 16 months to raise the peas, the harvest was 21 days of intense round-the-clock work. Once the harvest started, there could not be any stops or delays. Stacks of peas waiting to be put through the vinery were not acceptable because during the waiting time the quality of the crop would deteriorate. The peas were automatically shelled then packed with ice in barrels and transported to Brookville. At Brookville, the barrels were put on tractor trailer rigs and transported to Medina, New York, where they were processed into baby food. The 1956 harvest was a bumper crop,
yielding 3,700 pounds per acre and requiring 55 trailer loads to transport it to New York. The economy of Jefferson County was boosted by $45,000 and local families were able to maintain their farms. Mr. Bailey also continued teaching during the school year. For the 1950-51 school year he was assigned to the Kramer School at Stump Creek. That year, the Desire and Kramer Schools were consolidated as part of the development of the Sykesville-Henderson School District. Students, whose parents had attended the McCreight School, were now attending Mr. Bailey’s classes in the school built to serve students living in the mining community at the Kramer mines. He
continued teaching children of miners from the communities of Desire and Stump Creek and farmers from the Henderson Township Area. During that time, Bailey found he was beginning to teach the grandchildren of his first students at the McCreight School. When the Sykesville-Henderson School District was dissolved and the Kramer school was closed, Mr. Bailey joined the faculty of the Punxsutawney Area School District at the Big Run School, where he also served as Assistant Principal. Ira Bailey retired from teaching in 1969. He exemplifies the dedication of the many teachers who taught the children of immigrant miners how to be American citizens. He came from a family that had roots in mining and farming. During his lifetime he educated three generations of farm and mine families. At school and family reunions in the Winslow and Henderson Townships and Big Run, the name of Ira “Tarzan” Bailey is well remembered and generates the telling of stories of how he made a difference in many lives. This article has been prepared by the Coal Memorial Committee of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society. Resources used in preparing this article are from Newspapers.com, the Mengle Memorial Library Punxsutawney Spirit at the digitalcollections.powerlibrary.org, and the Library of Congress at http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. Comments on this article may be directed to PAHGS, P.O. Box 286, Punxsutawney, PA 15767. Individuals desiring to honor a coal or coal related industry worker in 2020 are encouraged to purchase their tile by June 30, 2020. A Coal Memorial tile may honor persons who worked in any aspect of the coal industry including railroads and ancillary services. Additional information and forms may be found online at www.punxsyhistory.org or may be picked up at the Lattimer House, 400 West Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney. Forms may also be requested by e-mailing: punxsyhistory@outlook.com, or calling 814938-2555. •••
Ira Bailey’s Descendants Follow in His Footsteps
Ira Bailey’s important role in area education is remembered by those who knew him, especially his family. Two generations of his descendants have followed in his footsteps, making careers in teaching. Ira’s son, the late Richard “Dick” Bailey taught at several school districts in Western Pennsylvania, including ClarionLimestone, Redbank Valley and West Branch. He also held the role of principal in Dubois. Ira’s grandson Raife Bailey, taught art to Kindergarten through fifthgrade students for 25 years in the Huntingdon Area School District.
Raife’s oldest son, Ira Bailey, a senior this year at Huntingdon Area School District, bears the name of and a resemblance to his legendary grandfather, Ira “Tarzan” Bailey.
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20 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235
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The Power of Music Continued from page 12 Marie le Roy, gave authorities on their return. The original is in German and can be found in the library of the Pennsylvania Historical Society. An English translation can be obtained for research purposes, as did Ruth Ann Denici who wrote an extensive piece when she was at Temple University about these events in the context of other narratives of released and escaped captives from the French & Indian War era. Her work was published in 2007 and is titled “The Penn’s Creek Massacre and the Captivity of Marie le Roy and Barbara Leininger.” The Deposition The original account titled “The Narrative of Marie le Roy and Barbara Leininger for Three Years Captives Among the Indians,” as told by Barbara and Marie, provides a detailed picture of the attacks upon their families as part of
Detail from the native trail map created by John Miller in 1957. Located in the upper right-hand side of the map, the captives, Barbara Leininger and Marie le Roy, and their story are illustrated.
the Penn’s Creek Massacre, their life with the Lenape and eventual escape. Most details align with the novel and the movie but there are significant differences. The movie leads one to believe that the skip from Barbara as a child to Barbara who is shown to be a beautiful young woman is “many years later” when it was just three. This allows the filmmakers to throw into the plot a friendly relationship between the “Barbie doll-like” Barbara and the young brave who treated her kindly, saw that she was looked after by his sister, gave her the Lenape name of Susquehanna, grew to love her and wished to marry her. This is not in the deposition. What the deposition does say is that when she was in danger of being killed for an early attempt at escape, a young brave pleaded for her life. The deposition also says that at the point when she had been condemned, she was given by her captors a French Bible to read for solace. When they saw she could not read French, she was given a German Bible. This raised a question in the mind of researcher Denici. Why did this occur? The French Bible had been stolen from the le Roy cabin but the German Bible in particular could have been given to the Lenape by the Moravian missionaries working in the frontier. However they came to be in the Lenapes’ possession, it is clear they knew the significance of Bibles to Christian settlers. Prior to this outbreak of hostilities, the Lenape had lived near to and had worked in fields with the settlers. They would have known the importance of Scripture to Christians and some had become Christians themselves. There is another point where the deposition says something which did not get incorporated into the movie. For most, this is a small point; for others, the Punxsutawney connection matters. - Continued on next page
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Sixteenth-century Aztec drawing of smallpox victim. Public Domain.
Pandemics, War and Peace By Marty Armstrong For Hometown Magazine In the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, António Guterres, UN Secretary General, made the case for a cessation of hostilities wherever they may be occurring around the world: a worthy goal. Time will tell us if those involved in conflicts they believe to be existential will be willing to take a time out. In the case of the Spanish Influenza, no such time out occurred, though that pandemic and WWI were, as Mr. Curry writes, inextricably intertwined. A different linkage can be found with events leading up to the French & Indian War (17541763). That is what Americans call the conflict involving England, France, Colonial America and the various Woodland tribes of North America. French Canadians refer to it as the Guerre de la Conquête (War of the Conquest) because one of the outcomes of France having lost the war was the ceding of French territory in Canada to England, while Louisiana was traded to Spain. In reality, it was part of the larger Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) between France and England on five continents and on the seas and which impacted multiple European countries; it was a global war. The Native American tribes found themselves, as the saying goes, caught between a rock and a hard place. Should they remain neutral? Side with the French or the English? Try to get along with or eradicate settlers? All of these strategies played out with one tribe or another. One of the factors which created the hard place in which the tribes found themselves was a series of pandemics unleashed as part of the “Columbian Exchange.” This refers to the exchange between continents of people, culture, technology, ideas, plants, animals and organisms of all types following the arrival of Columbus in the New World in 1492. Europeans brought with them diseases to which they had built up immunities and which spread in the Americas with devastating effect. Smallpox, measles, bubonic plague, typhoid, malaria and cholera are just a few. Encountering no resistance, they were all killers. The European carriers were, to some degree, immune, mildly infected or asymptomatic. In addition to being part of a physically vulnerable population, tribe members had close contact with one another, regularly visited their sick and had a belief system that tended to attribute sickness to inadequate use of charms, or to sorcery, or to lack of protection from the spirits. One of the results of diminished native populations from disease and war was the practice of taking captives to replace persons lost. Other reasons were to acquire slaves or hostages. However, the research of Ruth Ann Denici into many of the narratives of escaped or returned captives, indicates that population replacement was the main reason for taking captives. Many of these narratives are from children adopted into the tribe. The girls who were carried through Punxsutawney in 1755 may have been adopted but that is not indicated in their deposition; they always hoped to escape. Another captive taken in 1755, Mary Jemison, was adopted and chose to remain with her native family. Known as “White Woman of the Seneca,” her first husband was a Lenape man who succumbed to smallpox and she saw many with the “sickness” when she visited Fort Pitt in 1762. •••
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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: Please check with the host organization, website or Facebook page for up-to-date information on events due to the Coronavirus restrictions. n The Punxsutawney Area Hospital Call Center Hotline, 814-938-4955, is accessible for people 24 hours a day. This number is to be used for people with questions about symptoms and those presenting to campus with potential symptoms. n Hometown Trivia Winner, The lucky winner of last month’s Trivia Giveaway is Alice Lechner of Punxsutawney. Alice chose to redeem her certificate at Ted’s Meat Market in Reynoldsville. Congratulations, Alice! Alice answered the following questions posed last month correctly: 1. Answer: B.; 2. Answer: C.; 3. Answer: B. n May 1 & 2: Grange’s Helping Hands, free clothing at Grange Church of God, Friday, noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please check Grange’s Helping Hands Facebook page for more information. n May 2: 38th Annual Kids’ Fishing Derby, 8:30 a.m., at Clear Creek State Park, Sigel. n May 3: “Archaeology and the Bible,” 4 p.m., at Laurel Lake Church, Rossiter. n May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week Send that special teacher a message of thanks! n May 7: National Day of Prayer - Join with others praying for the USA. n May 8: “Essential Heroes Thank You Ride,” on Friday, May 8 at 2 p.m., Please join us in thanking our “Essential Heros.” The ride will start at the PAHS parking lot. Please pull in a parking spot and wait for the lead police cruiser to start the ride. Please do not get out of your vehicle, maintain a safe distance be-
tween vehicles, and use caution going through intersections to keep the ride moving. The ride will be over after driving past Walmart. Please disperse and don’t congregate n May 9: The Punxsy Area teachers are giving back during the COVID-19 crisis to support their students and the community. They've raised $2,500 and partnered with Lily's and Neko's restaurants to provide 600 meals to the public on Sat., May 9. There will be 5 locations across the school district where meals can be picked up by drive-thru set up. Teachers also donated personal hygiene products and school supplies as well for the community to take what they need. Available while supplies last! n May 10: Mother’s Day - Remember your mother with something from one of Hometown’s advertisers. n May 19: Blood Drive, 1 to 6:30 p.m., at St. Mary’s Church, Reynoldsville. n May 22: Blood Drive, 1 to 5:30 p.m., at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Sykesville. n May 25: Memorial Day - Remember & honor those who served their country. n May 30: 5th Annual Snacks to Grow On Ladies Luncheon & Basket Raffle at Punxsutawney Country Club. Tickets $25. Visit Snacks to Grow On Facebook page for info. n May 30: Jags Vs. Vikings, 1 to 4 p.m. at Harmon Field. Jefferson County Jaguars take on the Moshannon Valley Vikings. n May 31: 4th Annual Bridal Flea Market, 10 a.m., hosted by Cinderella’s Boutique in Coalport. n The Punxsutawney Festival in the Park will be June 27-July 4 at Barclay Square, presented by the Chamber of Commerce. Go to www.punxsutawney.com for information. n The First Church of God offers a Celebrate Recovery program. Contact the church or visit its Facebook page for info. •••
The Power of Music
mapped with limited success. Historians have had to rely on oral histories of early settlers who used many of these trails themselves. Some became wagon roads and future highways. There is a blue Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission marker for the Great Shamokin Path along Route 119 north of Punxsutawney before the turn to Luthersburg. In the west, several trails intersected in the lower portion of Jefferson County, somewhat west of Punxsutawney. One such trail follows, in part, Route 536 out beyond Frostburg and through the Grange area. It was one way to get to Kittanny. Did Barbara and Marie travel this path? Perhaps. They and their captors did camp at Puncksotonay and continue to Kittanny. The Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society has on display in the Early Peoples Exhibit in the Bennis House a map of local trails hand-drawn and colored by John Miller some years ago. It shows Punxsutawney surrounded by native trails. He also created artwork on the map and separately about the captivity of Barbara and Marie which inspired S. Thomas Curry to develop one of several storyboards in the exhibit. When the Society is able to welcome visitors, a first stop should be this exhibit which introduces “The Punxsutawney Connection.” Until then, readers may wish to explore and enjoy on their own the deposition behind the novel, the movie and the song. •••
F
Continued from previous page The Punxsutawney Connection If one is to visualize Pennsylvania as it were in 1755, one must remember that settled colonial Pennsylvania took up only about the eastern one-third of the state’s current area. Penn’s Creek lies along the western edge of that territory, beyond which was “Indian Territory.” In this territory unsettled by Colonials, there was the swath of Allegheny Mountains and then there was western Pennsylvania, controlled by the French. Both the French and English had allies among the many tribes. To take captives across the mountains into the Upper Ohio country (the country surrounding the Allegheny River was known as the Upper Ohio) and further west, there were well- and frequently used trails, the most significant of which was the Great Shamokin, a portion of which was known as the Chincklamoose (spelled Jenkiklamus in the deposition). They first went north before veering west through what is now Clearfield County, coming out near what is now Luthersburg and on to “Puncksotonay” where they made camp for five days. At some point, the captives were divided between two native parties: Barbara and Marie were with the group that traveled to Kittanny, while Barbara’s sister, Regina, went with the other party. The native trails of Pennsylvania have been
22 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235
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Once you’ve read this issue of Punxsutawney Hometown, put your knowledge to the test. Correctly answer the following questions about the stories and be entered into our trivia contest.
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What contagious disease hit the local area in the fall of 1918 and spring of 1919?
What was the nickname of former teacher and principal of Jefferson County schools Ira Bailey?
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24 – Punxsutawney Hometown – May 2020 - Issue #235