Punxsutawney Area Hospital Recognized as Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital

The Punxsutawney Area Hospital is proud to announce its fifth consecutive year of being recognized as a 2023 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™.

“Being recognized as a Top 100 Rural and Community Hospital gives us great pride in the care we provide to our patients. We are thankful to have the support of our community and look forward to continuing to provide care to our neighbors, friends, and family members,” stated Jack Sisk, PAH President.

“Across the nation, top 100 rural providers continue to serve as a source of inspiration for hospital leadership teams and staff working diligently every day to improve the delivery of care within their local communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, the Chartis Center for Rural Health. “The list of award winners in each category is as geographically diverse as we’ve seen in some time, which is wonderful to see. We’re thrilled to be able to honor the outstanding efforts of these top performing rural hospitals.”

Now in its 13th year, the INDEX has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems with rural affiliates, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

“While this honor is awarded to the hospital, it cannot be overstated enough that this award is a direct result of the community support of the hospital, our staff’s devotion to our patients, and our continued goal of striving to be the best that we can be,” stated Dr. Clark Simpson, Director of Medical Staff Affairs at PAH.

2127 Langville Rd., Mayport, PA

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Hometown Community Happenings

From the staff of Hometown magazine and the Community Calendar at Punxsutawney.com, here is a list of events coming up in our area: n Penguins Giveaway Winner n March 31 & April 1: Grange’s Helping Hands free clothing, Friday, noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Grange Church of God. n March 31, April 1 & 2: "Love Took His Breath Away," presented by Solid Rock Community Church Community Choir & Orchestra in Big Run. 7 p.m. March 31 & April 1; 10 a.m. April 2. n March 31: Fish Dinner, 4 p.m., at Rossiter Vol. Fire Co., benefits the fire company. n March 31 & April 1: Sally’s Bazaar Indoor Vendor & Craft Show, Indiana Mall, benefits the Salvation Army in Indiana. Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. n April 1: Brody’s Barbecue BBQ Chicken Fundraiser, 11 a.m. till sold out, in the parking lot next to B’s Books, benefits Festival in the Park. n April 1: Spring Gun Raffle at Big Run Event Center, 5 p.m., sponsored by Big Run Area Vol. Fire Co. $10 tickets available from firefighters and area businesses. n April 1: Trout Season opens in PA. n April 1: 24th Annual Gun Bash by Brookville Quarterback Club, 6 to 9 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m., at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. n April 1 & 2: Windy Weekend, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Punx’y Weather Discovery Center. Call 938-1000 or email info@weatherdiscovery.org for more information. n April 1, 5, 15, 19, & 29: Book donations accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Punx’y Memorial Library. Limit 2 boxes or bags per person. n April 2: Palm Sunday, begins Holy Week. n April 2: Big Run Beta Easter Egg Hunt, 2 p.m., at Veterans Park, Big Run. n April 2: Easter Egg Hunt, 1 p.m., at Rossiter Ballfield, presented by the Rossiter VFD. n April 2: 7th Annual Easter & Beyond, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., at New Beginnings Church. n April 2: Anita Park Easter Egg-stravaganza, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. n April 3, 10, 17, & 24: Adult Coloring Club, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at Punx’y Memorial Library. Bring your own supplies or borrow some from the library. n April 4 & 25: Book Sale room books are free at Punx’y Memorial Library. No donation needed. n April 5 & 19: Bingo at Big Run Event Center, benefits the Big Run Area Vol. Fire Co. Doors open at 4 p.m., early bird games start at 6 p.m. and regular games start at n April 6: Chamber Civic Chat, 7:30 a.m., at Cobblestone Hotel. Chat with Sen. Joe Pittman, the Jefferson County commissioners, State Representative Brian Smith, and Borough Manager Toby Santik. n April 6: Military Share food program, 3 p.m., at Jefferson County Fairgrounds, sponsored by Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest PA. For information, call Second Harvest at (814) 459-3663, ext. 117. Must meet income requirements and have at least one person who has served, or is serving, in the Armed Forces or National Guard. n April 7 - 9: Punx’y Memorial Library Closed. n April 8: Bundles of Blessings Free Clothing Ministry, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the parsonage next to Solid Rock Community Church, at 102 Church St., Big Run. Donations accepted by pre-arrangement only. n April 8: Big Run B.R.A.N.C.H.H. food distribution, 11 a.m. to noon, in the social hall of the First Christian Church of Big Run. n April 9: Easter. Celebrate the Risen Christ! n April 13: Catastrophic Book Club, 5:30 p.m., at Punx’y Memorial Library. This month’s book is My Name is Yip by Paddy Crewe. Call the library to reserve a copy. n April 13, 14, & 15: PAHS Class of 2023 Variety Show, 7 to 9 p.m., at PAHS auditorium. n April 14, 21 & 28: Paws for Reading, 3:45 p.m., at Punx’y Memorial Library, all ages welcome. n April 15: CDA Yard Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Weinker Hall, SSCD Church. n April 15 & 16: Coolspring Power Museum open. $10 admission; children under 12 free. n April 15: Quilt Show & Soup To Go Sale, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Henderson Township Community Building. Proceeds benefit the community building. n April 15: Spring Gun Raffle, Oliver Township Vol. Fire Co., doors open at 4:30 p.m., raffle starts at 5:30 p.m. $10 donation for tickets. n April 15: Let's Play for SPLASH, 2 to 6 p.m., at East End Gems. A portion of the proceeds will go to the George C. Brown Community Pool. n April 16: Run/Walk for Someone Special in Sykesville, rain date April 23, benefits the Arc of Jefferson & Clearfield Counties. n April 18: Blood Drive, noon to 6 p.m., at Punx’y VFW, benefits the American Red Cross. n April 18: Tax Day. Last day to file taxes. n April 18: Punx’y Citizens Band rehearsals begin for the 2023 season, 6:30 p.m., at First English Lutheran Church. Rehearsals are held every Tuesday. For more information, go to https://punxypa.com/band. Musicians of all levels are welcome. n April 19: Drive-Through Community Dinner, begins at 4:30 p.m., at Punx’y Presbyterian Church. Enter the alley off

Nate Hankinsor of Punxsutawney correctly predicted that the Pittsburgh Penguins would lose to the Montreal Canadiens on March 14 and is the winner of the Hometown Penguins Hockey Giveaway. Nate will redeem his merchandise certificate at Carulli Auto Sales & Service.

Congratulations, Nate!

6:30 p.m. Food & beverages available.

- Continued on next page

Hometown Community

Continued from previous page n April 20: Punx’y Chamber of Commerce Mixer, 4 to 6 p.m., at Punx’y Country Club. n April 21: Family Movie Night, at Chestnut Grove Independent Church. Family adventure movies from Answers in Genesis. Snacks provided at intermission. For more information, call (814) 938-1002. 342 Lipp Rd., Punx’y. n April 21: Spring Fling Dance at Big Run War Memorial, for those age 21 and over, doors open at 6:30 p.m., band starts at 7 p.m. $10 presale tickets, $15 at door. Proceeds benefit Big Run Recreation. n April 22: Punx’y Rotary Club Radio Auction broadcast on WPXZ, 104.1 FM. n April 22: Girl Scouts Juniors Space Science Investigator Badge program, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at Punx’y Weather Discovery Center. $20 per scout. n April 22: Hunter-Trapper Education Course, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Sigel Sportsmen's Club. Visit the PA Game Commission website for registration information. n April 22: “Blooming Businesses of Punx’y” event in the downtown area, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., presented by the Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals of Punx’y. n April 22: 4th Annual SSCD Designer Bag Bingo, 6 p.m., $30 ticket. Benefits SSCD School. n April 23-29: National Library Week. Visit the Punx’y Memorial Library! n April 26: Administrative Professionals Day. Treat your assistant to something from one of Hometown’s advertisers. n April 26 - 29: Chainsaw Carvers Rendezvous, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Ridgway Mills Campground. n April 29: Gun Bash, 1 to 5 p.m., at Gobbler’s Knob, by the Punx’y Chamber of Commerce. Doors open at noon. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Chamber office and Laska’s Pizza. Tickets at the door will be $25. n April 29: Spaghetti Benefit Dinner for Tessa Spearing, 3 to 7 p.m., at Covode United Methodist Church, Rochester Mills. n April 29: Wine, Shine & Dine opens at 11 a.m., at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. $30 ticket per person. Proceeds benefit the Jefferson County Fair. n April 30: SSCD Knights of Columbus breakfast, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., open to the public, $9 adults, $5 children. n If your church will celebrate a milestone anniversary, such as the 50th anniversary of its founding, please let Hometown know about it. Such longevity should be recognized with a story! You can email hometown@punxsutawneymagazine.com. n The Punx’y Chamber of Commerce is seeking vendors for the 2023 Festival in the Park. Contact the chamber for more information. n Applications for JCARC’s Camp Friendship are available at The Arc of Jefferson & Clearfield Counties’ website, JCARC.org. n The Salvation Army is offering its Club 3:16. This is an on-going program and children must be registered. Call 938- n The Salvation Army & First United Methodist Church are offering “Wild – a ministry for teenagers,” from 5 to 7 p.m. Sundays, at the Salvation Army. Call 9385530 for information. n Free Income Tax Preparation is available through Jefferson-Clarion Community Action’s VITA program. Call (814) 2264785, ext. 10, and leave your name & phone number. n The Salvation Army is holding weekly Bible studies at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The Punx’y Vol. Fire Dept. will hold a Gun Raffle on Aug. 19 at Gobbler’s Knob. $10 tickets are on sale from any firefighter. n The Sigel Vol. Fire Dept. will hold its Annual Garage & Garden Raffle on May 20 at the VFD Hall. Doors open at 1 p.m., drawing at 2 p.m. $10 tickets available. n The First Church of God and SSCD Church offer food banks. Contact the churches for dates and times they are available. n CEF Good News Club is held every Sunday through May at 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Punx’y Alliance Church for ages 3 through 6th grade. Call the church for more information. n Registration is open for The Salvation Army’s Camp Allegheny summer sessions. The Punx’y Corps of TSA will be sending campers the weeks of July 24-28 and July 31-Aug. 4. Contact the Salvation Army at 938-5530 for information. Registration is available online.

East Mahoning St. beside the Pantall and drive toward Union St. Meals will be handed to the driver. The meal will include an entrée to heat at home and a dessert.

5530 or contact the Salvation Army online.

Easter Church Services

n SSCD Church n Crostown UMC Ministries

April 6: Holy Thursday, 7 p.m. Evening Mass of The Lord’s Supper followed by private adoration until 10 p.m. Closing with Night Prayer.

April 7: Good Friday, 1 pm. Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion.

April 8: Holy Saturday, 1 p.m. Blessing of the Easter Food. 8 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass.

April 9: Easter Sunday, 8 & 10 a.m. Mass.

April 6: Maundy Thursday Service, 7 p.m., at Woodland Ave. UMC.

April 9: Easter Sunrise Service, 7:30 a.m., at Grace UMC.

Easter Services: n 8:45 a.m. Barton Chapel UMC n 9 a.m. Woodland Ave. UMC n 10 a.m. Mt. Tabor UMC n 10:45 a.m. Grace UMC n First UMC & The Salvation Army n First Church of God n Punxsy Lutheran Parish

April 9: Community Easter Sunrise Service, 7:30 a.m., at Gobbler’s Knob. Service will be outdoors; bring your own lawn chair.

April 9: Easter Service, 10:30 a.m.

April 6: Maundy Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church.

April 7: Good Friday, 6:30 p.m., at First English Lutheran Church.

April 9: Easter Service, 9:30 a.m. at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church. 11 a.m. at First English Lutheran.

Easter Services: n April 9: 71st Annual Cook Forest Easter Sunrise Service, 7 a.m., at Cook Forest Ridge Camp Amphitheater. n April 9: The Salvation Army, 10:30 a.m. n May 3: Meet the Candidates for Borough Council and Punxsutawney School Board at the Punxsy Eagles Club from 6 to 8 p.m.