March 2009 #102 by Punxsutawney Hometown Magazine

The Walston Coke Ovens Stories from the Fiery Pits

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We are the only Punxsutawney-owned media! Punx’y Proud — Boosting our Hometown! Publishers William C. Anderson Mary L. Roberts Advertising Mary L. Roberts Tracey Young Contributing Writers S. Thomas Curry Bill Anderson Justin Eger Graphic Artists Melissa Salsgiver Carol Smouse Nicole McGee All material submitted becomes the property of Punxsutawney Hometown magazine.

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By S. Thomas Curry of Hometown magazine nce upon a time, there came upon the Punxsutawney region a booming economy affected by large-scale mining, and the related industries of coke production and railroad transportation. By 1890, the great bituminous coal era in Jefferson County would rival the production of coal and coke in the region east of Pittsburgh, where operations by Henry Clay Frick and the U. S. Steel Corp. were focused. New towns and villages were built in this region as the mining companies were hiring thousands of men. Around some of the mining towns are the abandoned coke ovens from that once-prosperous past. In the earth where they were first built, the coke ovens are crumbled beneath overgrown trees, young saplings and a variety of vegetation. Where they are accessible by foot or auto, they tease us with questions about their earlier history. The areas beyond the hills of Punxsutawney were referred to as “Cokedom” (March 14, 1888, Punxsutawney News). There is no one living today who can speak from memory what life was like when the coke ovens would “light the sky.” While the ovens were in operation from 1885 into the early 1900s, people who visited the area made trips to see the source of the light beyond many hills. Old-timers would say the imposing “glow in the sky” could be seen for miles around. In January 1886, the Punxsutawney Spirit observed, “The Walston Mines, being almost due north of us, the light thrown out by the three or four hundred burning cokeovens there, is often mistaken by strangers for that meteoric phenomenon known as the aurora borealis.” When the last batch of ovens at Walston was completed in the summer of 1887, the editor of the Punxsutawney News had written, “About one of the grandest sights in this end of Pennsylvania, at night, is the burning coke ovens at Walston. Driving along the road at night, in full view of this serpentine-like line, the spectacle is simply grand.” In 1883, the coke ovens at Walston were the first ovens to be built in the region by the Rochester and Pittsburg Coal and Iron

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The remains of a small battery of old brick coke ovens from the late 19th century, located along the Mahoning Shadow Rails to Trails toward Horatio, reveals the beehive construction from the late 19th century. (Photo by S. Thomas Curry)

Company. The company would follow with ovens at the Adrian mines (1887) and at Eleanora (1889). When the Berwind-White Coal Mining Company opened the Horatio mines, the first coke ovens there were built in 1887. The R&P coal company brought to the area a young Austrian bricklayer, August Baldauf, who is credited with building the first line of coke ovens there. The beehivestyle brick ovens were completed in two rows at Walston. One, consisting of 432 ovens, followed along the base of the hill between Walston and Clayville (Punx’y’s West End) to what used to be the Rodger’s Brick Yard, where many of the bricks for the ovens were made. That site is near the old Clayville cemetery, where the new housing development is being completed. Another row of coke ovens would run parallel along the township road between Punx’y and Walston.

When the ovens were completed in 1887, local pride would headline the accomplishment by claiming the one line as the “Longest in the World.” But recognizing that other coal and coke districts would have larger lines of coke ovens, though broken by roads, it would then be claimed and touted locally that the one solid block of Walston coke ovens along the hill, a little over a mile long, were “the longest continuous string” of ovens in the world. When facing a crumbling old coke oven from the past, as is possible along the Mahoning Shadow Trail toward Horatio, it takes imagination to reconstruct what a battery of coke ovens would have looked liked in their best days. Sometimes referred to as “miniature volcanoes,” the ovens usually developed a temperature of 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and when they weren’t “fired,” they could retain heat for from three to five - Continued on next page

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Coke Ovens Continued from previous page

that was entitled “The First Hundred Years.” One of the valued interviews from her extensive research was of a Walston native, Andrew Mizerack. He was able to describe how coke was made in the beehive ovens. “... The dinkey dropped its load into the ovens and a worker known as a “scraper” leveled off the coal by reaching in through the door at the front. Every third oven was fired at the same time so that shifts of men were kept working uniformly. Once fired, the heat remaining ignited the coal and the coal was baked for three days. During that

months (May 12, 1908, Spirit). A typical brick oven was built with 6,500 bricks by a skilled mason. It was ten to twelve feet in diameter, with a domed top six feet from the oven floor. An arched doorway on the front, about three-feet square, faced the “coke yard.” An opening at the top was called a “trunnel.” Coal was hauled from the nearby mines, washed, and loaded into little hopper cars called “larrys.” Vehicles that looked like a little railroad engine pulled the loaded larrys. Called “dinkeys,” they traveled along tracks above the ovens. At each “trunnel,” the coal was dropped into the oven, a step called “charging the oven.” Thirty years ago, Eileen Mountjoy Cooper, as a research associate at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, recorded the typical brick oven was built with 6,500 bricks by a skilled mason. It was ten early years of coal A to twelve feet in diameter, with a domed top six feet from the oven floor. An mining in the area. arched doorway on the front, about three-feet square, faced the “coke yard.” From her effort, there (Hometown magazine file photo.) was published in time, most of the opening of the oven was 1982 a commemorative history of the combricked up and sealed with mud.” pany that opened the Walston mine in 1882, The Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company, - Continued on next page

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SaintS COSMaS & DaMian St. aDrian † St. antHOny † St. JOSEPH Holy THursday, april 9 7:00 p.m. Evening Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper SS.C.D., followed by private adoration until 10:00 p.m., closing with Night Prayer Good Friday, april 10 1:30 p.m. Liturgy of the Lord's Passion - SS.C.D. Holy saTurday, april 11 1:00 p.m. Blessing of Easter Food - SS.C.D. 8:00 p.m. Easter Vigil Mass - SS.C.D. EasTEr sunday, april 12 7:00 a.m. Mass - St. adrian, DeLancey 8:00 a.m. Mass - SS.C.D. 9:00 a.m. Mass - St. Joseph, anita 10:00 a.m. Mass - St. anthony, Walston 11:00 a.m. Mass - SS.C.D.

Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 3

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Hometown magazine congratulates the recent winner of our Favorite Cover Giveaway. The favorite cover as chosen by our readers from our first 100 issues was December 2004, Issue 53. Phyllis Kunselman of Punxsutawney was randomly selected from all readers who voted for our favorite cover. Phyllis will redeem her $100 gift certificate at All Washed Up Auto Spa. Join the fun this month and enter to win our Spring Giveaway Contest.

4 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

Coke Ovens

they paraded on the streets of Punxsutawney with flags made from red bandanas tied to sticks and pounded drums made from old tin buckets. Their “parade” Continued from previous page took them to the old Phillips brewery (on Coking time was two or more days, someAltman Avenue in Punx’y) where they times regulated so that the ovens need little bought 34 kegs of beer. The newspaper stated they “became very enthusiastic,” so much that in the parade the next day many of the men were carrying clubs and flashing revolvers in the air. The Spirit reported, “They wanted to create the impression that they meant business.” After a week, and in order to keep the ovens from cooling off, the company granted the workers a tencent increase. In July 1888, there appeared the news, “The Italians and Hungarians employed in the coke yard at Walston got into a quarrel over a wheelbarrow on Tuesday morning which ended in a genuine old-fashioned row. Coke forks, shovels and brick bats were made to do service as weapons ... and woe to the man who failed to get out from under a deThe drawing describes activity in a typical coke yard at Wal- scending coke fork.” ston in the past. (Ink line drawing by S. Thomas Curry) During a miner’s strike in 1890, when the coal company brought in attention on Sundays or holidays. When the new miners to replace the striking miners, days had passed, the door was opened and it was reported that, “Last Thursday evening the coke sprayed with water to cool it. The drenched coke was removed, or “drawn,” by hand with a long-handled “coke fork” and loaded into wheelbarrows to be moved and dumped into railroad cars waiting nearby. The worker who removed the coke was called a “coke drawer.” There was other “life” at the area coke ovens. A few news items taken from the local weekly newspapers can give the remains of today’s coke ovens some action. After the first ovens were built in Walston, there was this report in May 1886: “Coke refuse is being put on the street leading from Mahoning to the station (on North Findley Street). It is brought from Walston in cars at $5 a carload. There are about 25 wagon loads in one A diagram shows the construction of a section of a coke oven. car, which make a cheap road bed.” the R. & P. Coal Company brought in a car A year later about 200 Hungarian coke load of negroes from West Virginia and put workers at Walston went on strike for an inthem to work at the coke ovens at Walston crease in wages. They were making 70 on Friday morning. We are certainly getting cents for drawing coke from one oven and they wanted 85 cents. On April 13, 1887, - Continued on next page

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After the completion of the Walston coke ovens in 1887, local residents were in awe of the “glow in the sky” and claimed the structure as the “longest continuous line of coke ovens in the world” (postcard, left). A portion of the ovens (right) remains along the hillside between Punxsutawney and Walston. (Photo by S. Thomas Curry)

Coke Ovens Continued from previous page a very choice variety of citizens in this neighborhood. All nationalities inhabit Young Township.” On the Sunday after their arrival, some of the 50 men entertained at church services in a Walston church. Their singing was described as “jubilee songs in stentorian [extremely loud] tones.” An incident in early April 1901 was an interesting news story. A large flock of ducks was making the familiar spring flight north from the south. When passing over the Punxsutawney area in the middle of the night, they flew into a snowstorm. Attracted by the light of the coke ovens at Walston, thousands of them, it was estimated, came down to them. The Spirit described it, “Getting too close to the fire and smoke emitted from the mouths of the ovens, hundreds of ducks were stifled and fell into the blazing furnaces. The coke workers caught them by the score. It was raining ducks, and anybody could have all he wanted.” Mahoning Creek and any stream of any considerable size were covered with them. With clubs, shotguns and revolvers, a lot of men and boys went after them. It was reported that many of the more skillful hunters had killed as high as 160 in half a day. Those silent coke ovens that remain in our area have no future from their original purpose. Though they can be bulldozed over easily to make way for progress, there are many stories about our history to be told from them. • • •

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During a miners’ strike, the Pinkerton men (as seen in a circa 1890 photo) were hired by coal operators and brought to area mines to protect company property and non-striking miners. (Below) Hometown artist’s color rendition depicts them as “blue-coaters,” which they were often called. (Photo from print collection of the Punxsutawney Historical and Genealogical Society)

By S. Thomas Curry of Hometown magazine

he beginning of the American “industrial revolution” in the Punxsutawney area can be dated to the 1880s. Big city capitalists arrived and bought large amounts of land and opened up coal mines. They developed mining towns that were named after their family or family members. The company would recruit workers for their mines from the number of immigrants looking to improve their lives, and railroads were built to ship the coal to distant markets. Many laborers worked 10 or 12-hour days, six days a week, often in unsafe conditions and for low wages. The miners were hired by the company to work for the owners. The company houses were built for their miners, who paid rent. The company built large company stores in their towns, supplied it with merchandise the miners would need for their living and their job. All that the miners purchased at the company store was deducted from his wages. There would be times that the miner could say, “we can barely make both ends meet.” The laborers would demand increased wages. To improve their working conditions and benefits, The Knights of Labor was organized in the area (1889) to speak for the miners and improve their welfare. The process would include proposals, concessions, and arbitration to reach agreements. The negotiation process took time and often the result was “a strike” at mines in operation by the two major coal companies, the Rochester & Pittsburg Coal & Iron Company, and the BerwindWhite Coal Mining Company. When the miners would strike, the coal operators would act to protect their property and attempt to keep the mines operating to assure production and profits. Striking miners would be evicted from the company property, forced to find housing elsewhere, or leave the area to another mine. During the strikes, a number of confrontations would take place between the mine management and miners, between the miners and the other miners brought

When the Pinkertons Provided Protection at the Walston Mines in by the company to replace the striking miners, called “scabs” or “blacklegs,” or between the miners and the agents of the coal company who were brought in to enforce the evictions, guard the property and to maintain a sense of calm and peace between the opposing sides in the disputes. Often seen on the streets, roads, and hills during the many strikes were the Pinkertons, the private police for the coal companies. The uniformed men of the nationally known detective agency were hired to keep strikers out of the mines and to protect any miners who did not strike. The Pinkertons — as they were called to usually shorten the name “Pinkerton National Detective Agency” — are best known in area history for their action during the Homestead Strike near Pittsburgh in 1892 when Henry Clay Frick, acting for Andrew Carnegie, hired them to break up strikers during an intense five-month strike. Local news stories reported the arrival of these agents of the company. In May 1886, when the Walston miners and coke workers were striking, there was this report: “No violence has been shown by the miners towards those still working, and if there was any danger at all it came from the Hungarians and Italians, they being armed with revolvers, knives, etc. A force of armed policemen is still kept by the Company to guard and protect the miners who are still at work.” A detailed description of a strike in 1889 would define clearly the purpose of the hired men. Headlined “Attempt to Be Made to Break the Strike,” it provided the following: “About one hundred and fifty men arrived here ... They are composed principally of laboring men, and were brought here to protect the com-

6 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

pany’s property at Walston and Adrian. In case of necessity we are informed that they are to be armed with Winchester rifles. We do not believe that the men

gle for their rights.” Fortunately, it was a brief strike of less than a week and the men saw no action before they returned to their homes.

brought here to act in the capacity of policemen fully realize their position. They would be expected, in the case of trouble, to shoot down their brothers, who are engaged in what they deem a manly strug-

A few months (and another strike) later, the “coal and iron police” were clearly identified in a story in January 1890. “About one hundred and forty Pinkerton - Continued on next page

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Pinkertons Continued from previous page

men, with bright-blue uniforms and Winchester rifles, are now stationed at Walston and Adrian. It is presumed a vigorous effort is to be made to break the strike.” About thirty men had been in the area from the beginning of the strike and about 100 of them, from New York, Philadelphia and Chicago, arrived later. These men were quickly sent out to evict from company property the men who would not resume work. The disgruntled mine workers, many of them immigrating from countries of Eastern Europe and unable to speak English, would clash with the police. The Pinkerton men, not able to communicate with “the foreigners,” would resort to force by numbers, with clubs and rifles. Their purpose seemed an intimidation of the local residents who sought peace, and because of the actions of some of them they were misunderstood, leading to the abuse of many in uniform. One situation that was reported was, “One of the Pinkerton men at Walston was found lying in the road between that place and Punxsutawney... by someone driving a wagon. The man was found to be suffering from severe bruises he had received from some parties unknown.” When several carloads of replacement workers were brought into Walston during the strike to work in the mines and coke ovens, the Pinkerton guarded them against violence from the striking miners who protested their role as “scabs.” The new workers, living in the boxcars and escorted to their work, were not allowed to speak to anyone. Many who supported the striking men felt the treatment more like slavery, and complained. Men would stand around the “detectives” and tease and taunt them. It would be reported later in headlines that “Ikes and Huns Arrested.” The charges against the Italian and Hungarian miners were firing shots into the Pinkertons while they were on duty there. In some of the reports, the clashes were - Continued on next page

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Pinkertons Continued from previous page

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more threatening as it became known that miners were supplied with guns and ammunition, “and they have constructed several cannon out of four-inch iron pipe, strengthened with iron bands two inches apart, which are arranged to swing on pivots, and which will throw spikes, scrap iron, etc., very wickedly. It is said that they have constructed a variety of bombs and hand grenades.” Another difficult encounter between the opposing parties was reported in February 1890 under the heading, “The Pinks Stop the Procession.” It all occurred when an estimated 800 non-striking miners from Horatio organized a march to Walston and then on to Adrian in support of the non-striking miners there. With a brass band leading them they encountered a line of fifty Pinkerton men who had faced them with Winchester rifles aimed at them. When ordered to halt by the “Pinkies,” as some teasingly called them, some of the marching men became indignant and wanted to parade on through the formation. But a better spirit for peace prevailed, and the men wisely turned back and headed home. The newspaper story concluded, “...if they had proceeded and the Pinkerton had fired upon them, a bloody battle would very likely have ensued... it would have been foolhardy and suicidal to the miners’ cause.” It was widely discussed and reported that some of the “Blue Coaters,” another name often used for the Pinkertons, would abuse and act in a mean manner toward the striking miners. Such actions gave the Pinkertons a bad reputation, but there was also an effort to be fair, and the civilized and moral core of many of those agents was reported, men who performed according to the high standards established for the Pinkerton Agency in the mid-1860s by the founder Allan Pinkerton. It was related in one story that when a family was evicted at Adrian, and their destitute condition discovered, the captain of the unit took off his cap and passed it around among his men. As a result, about ten dollars was handed over to the mother with the good wishes of the “Pinkies.” In another instance, a little Hungarian child was observed running around in his bare feet. One of the Pinkertons took the boy to the company

store and bought shoes and stockings for him. On a different occasion the Pinkerton patrols made kind gestures to community leaders in the mining towns. At one event about 60 of the Pinkertons on duty at Walston presented to Dr. D. G. Hubbard “a purse of forty dollars” and a cane that had “an engraved gold head.” At the Eleanora mines, six Pinkertons made a similar presentation to Dr. C. W. Hughes, except in this case it was a gold-headed umbrella. Each item had a suitable inscription to mark the occasion. These reported acts of decency and good heartedness helped the men to be more accepted while they were in the area. The demands for better pay and work hours by frustrated mine workers festered unrest and many episodes of labor violence into the twentieth century. The local system of constables and county sheriffs could not meet the challenge. The Pinkertons, of course, worked for the coal operators to protect their interests and could not offer protection to private citizens. In 1905, the Pennsylvania government acted to provide the rural areas of the state, such as this area, a measure of peace and order against the lawlessness prevalent in and around small villages and near mines. It was then the Pennsylvania State Constabulary, our State Police, was organized. A troop was assigned to Punxsutawney and became a part of local history (see Hometown, May 2005). • • • We deliver to 100% of the homes in the Punx’y area — Hometown magazine.

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By Amber Nimocks Raleigh News and Observer ith Easter on the horizon, the forecast is clear: Ham, with lots of leftovers. Nothing goes quite so well with creamy deviled eggs and fresh, grassy asparagus on Easter Sunday as the sweetsaltiness of baked ham. And, aside from the turkey of some other holidays, nothing hangs around and takes up more room in the refrigerator than a ham. They're just so huge. It seems no matter how many aunts, uncles, cousins or neighbors' children you invite to Easter dinner, the ham remains. Of course, you can buy a 2- or 3-pound ham, but you'll end up paying more per pound. Might as well go for something bigger -- and more economical. Ham keeps for three or four days in the refrigerator, or until the use-by date on the label, according to the National Pork Board's Web site (www.pork.org). While the pork folks don't advise freezing large pieces of ham because it leaves the meat feeling mealy and unappealing in the mouth, slices or cubes of ham in soups or casseroles freeze without much trouble. With this in mind, we asked readers for their ideas for leftover ham and cast about for ideas ourselves. Here's to making the most of Easter leftovers without feeling flooded by pork.

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Nothing goes quite so well with creamy deviled eggs and fresh, grassy asparagus on Easter Sunday as the sweet-saltiness of baked ham. (SHNS photo by Takaaki Iwabu / Raleigh News and Observer)

1 (14-1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with chilis, undrained 1 chipotle chile (see Notes below) 1/2 cup shredded Manchego or Monterey Jack cheese (optional) 1/2 cup minced fresh cilantro (optional) Sour cream (optional)

Sort and wash beans. Place in a Dutch oven or stock pot and cover with water 2 inches above beans. Bring to a boil. Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain. Alternatively, soak the beans in water overnight, then drain. In a pot, combine beans, broth, onion, water, ham, chili powders, cumin, oregano, bay leaves and garlic. Bring to a boil. Partially cover, reduce heat to medium low and simmer 1-1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Stir in tomatoes and chile. Simmer 30 minutes. Discard bay leaves and chile. Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with cheese, cilantro and sour cream. Notes: If you are using chipotle chile - Continued on next page

Views from the Past 1909 view of East Mahoning Street from the East End Bridge looking west. The view today would be Mahoning East Civic Center on the left and Mahoning Towers on the right. (Photo courtesy of the Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society.)

Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society Group and family tours welcome.

Price HQuality HSelection HService H

Winter & Spring Hours: Bennis House 401 West Mahoning St.

1 to 4 p.m. Thursday & Saturday

Lattimer House 400 West Mahoning St.

6 pack 16.9 oz.

lb.

or 938-5536 (genealogy)

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pepsi flavors $ 00 granulated sugar $ 79

4/ 10 1 fac coffee $4 79 6 pack/ 16.9 oz.

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Chase & Sanborn

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butter quarters macaroni & cheese Py-O-My

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Blue Bonnet

margarine quarters 1 lb.

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dinners

snack pack pudding

Regular or Fat Free Varieties

tagless tea bags

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10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thurday 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday

Other times, contact 938-2555 (general)

12 pk./ 12 oz.

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Retails in this ad do not include PA sales tax. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Not responsible for typographical errors. Pictures are for display purposes only and may not represent the product exactly. MAC, Mastercard, Visa, Discover Cards Accepted.

Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 9

Ham it down Continued from previous page powder, omit the chipotle chile. If you are using a chipotle chile, use 1 tablespoon of chili powder and no chipotle chile powder. Makes 8 1-1/2-cup servings. -- Adapted from "Cooking Light Complete Cookbook," Oxmoor House, 2008 HAM W/ MUStARD VERMOUtH SAUCE

Judy Bolt writes that her son found this recipe on the Internet a few years ago and her family has been making it for Easter ever since. It is a good alternative to the normal sweet glaze. Bolt cuts this recipe in half for a 6-pound ham, so a full recipe should cover a 12-pound ham.

Lorenzo & GiAnvito, P.C. Attorneys at Law 410 W. Mahoning St.

Punxsutawney

938-6390 800-494-9091 www.nglawoffice.com

2 tablespoons butter 2 shallots, minced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 cups dry vermouth 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 cup Dijon mustard 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard

Put butter in saute pan; add shallot and garlic, and saute in butter until tender. Pour in vermouth and brown sugar, and simmer for about 5 minutes to evaporate the alcohol. Meanwhile, in a bowl, whisk together cornstarch and broth. Add thyme. Pour this mixture into simmering vermouth. Stir sauce over low heat until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in mustards. Check

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for seasoning and add salt if you like. Serve warm over warm sliced ham. BRUNCH HAM PUFFS 1 (10-ounce) package of frozen puff pastry shells (See Note) 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1/2 cup milk 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard 1-1/2 cups cubed cooked ham 1-1/2 cups cooked asparagus cut into 1-inch pieces 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Bake pastry shells according to package directions. In a saucepan, combine soup, milk, mustard, ham, asparagus and cheese. Over medium heat, heat through, stirring often. Pour ham mixture into pastry shells and serve. Note: Dianne Floyd, who submitted this recipe, recommends Pepperidge Farm pastry shells. Makes 6 servings. HONEY-MARSALA HAM 1 smoked, fully cooked ham butt half 1 teaspoon ground allspice 24 whole cloves 1/4 cup honey 1 cup sweet Marsala wine, divided

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Trim rind and excess fat from the ham. Score the remaining fat in a diamond pattern. Coat a roasting pan with a rack with cooking spray. Place ham in it. Sprinkle ham with allspice. Press cloves into ham in a decorative pattern. Drizzle ham with the honey. Bake for 30 minutes. Pour 1/2 cup Marsala over the ham and bake for an 30 additional minutes. Pour remaining Marsala over the ham and bake until ham is heated through. Remove ham from the oven to a platter, cover it with foil, and let it rest for 15 minutes before carving. -- Carol Taylor HAM AND POtAtO CASSEROLE 1 (10-3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup 6 cups thinly sliced potatoes 1 cup sliced onion 1/2 cup milk 2 cups cubed ham Dash pepper

has a new name…

814-265-1975 or 800-338-8971 Senior Citizen Discounts A Pennsylvania Corporation. A new name for an old friend! $

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10 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

DEL

New Groundhog Club President Bill Deeley, the most recognized face associated with Groundhog Day and Punx’y Phil’s handler for many years, was recently named president of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club. Deeley succeeds Bill Cooper who served as president of the club for 13 years. Photo by Alan Freed.

1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a casserole dish. In a large bowl, combine soup, potatoes, onion, milk, ham, pepper and salt. Mix well. Pour into casserole dish. Dot with butter. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Stir. Cover and bake for 45 minutes longer. Makes 8 servings. -- Beth Phelps (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.) • • •

• Developers and producers of natural gas • Developers of commercial and residential real estate for lease and purchase

D.E. LIMITED FAMILY PARTNERSHIP 1406 n. Main st., punx’y

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How much do you know about Barbie? Try this quiz Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

arbie (the doll) turns 50 this year. How much do you know about her? Try taking this quiz.

1. What is Barbie's full name? a.) Barbie Priscilla Robertson b.) Barbie Henrietta Wilson c.) Barbie Millicent Roberts d.) Barbie Abigail Carter 2. Who is Barbie's mom? a.) Ruth Hancock b.) Ruth Handler c.) Ruth Bader Ginsburg d.) Ruth Roberts

c.) lavender d.) green

11. Barbie comes in how many different skin tones? a.) 3 b.) 5 c.) 11 d.) 20 Answers: 1.) Barbie Millicent Roberts from Willows, Wis. 2.) Ruth Handler, co-founder of Mattel Creations and Barbie creator. Barbie is named after Handler's daugh-

ter, Barbara. 3.) Midge, Barbie's best friend. 4.) $3, and 300,000 were sold that year. 5.) $27,450, in a May 2006 auction held by Sandi's Doll Attic. 6.) 7, woven in various combinations to create highlights and lowlights. 7.) All of the above. The first Barbie featured high arched eyebrows, pursed red lips and a sassy ponytail. 8.) Totally Hair Barbie, with locks 10-1/2 inches long. 9.) 90 percent. 10.) Brown. 11.) 11

Sources: Mattel and eBay (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.) • • •

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3. Who isn't Barbie's sister? a.) Skipper b.) Kelly c.) Midge d.) Tutti 4. How much did the first Barbie cost in 1959? a.) $1 b.) $2 c.) $3 d.) $5 5. Thus far, what's the most that's been paid for a mint-condition No. 1 Barbie? a.) $7,580 b.) $10,241 c.) $27,450 d.) $51,386 6. Barbie's hair comes in how many different shades of blond? a.) 10 b.) 7 c.) 20 d.) 5 7. The look of the first Barbie mirrored the glamour of what Hollywood star? a.) Marilyn Monroe b.) Rita Hayworth c.) Elizabeth Taylor d.) All of the above

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8. What's the best-selling Barbie to date? a.) Superstar Barbie b.) Totally Hair Barbie c.) Malibu Barbie d.) Day to Night Barbie

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9. What percentage of girls ages 3-10 own at least one Barbie? a.) 50 percent b.) 75 percent c.) 90 percent d.) 98 percent 10. What's Barbie's favorite eyeshadow color? a.) blue b.) brown

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(814) 938-5770 101 Sykes Street • Sykesville

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catch the community spirit! Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 11

rUnnErS WAntED Cresson Area Heritage Days

Sunday May 17, 2009

October 3 & 4 2009

Come see these professionals to get your car in gear for spring!

bailey’s garage

K&D

auto & Transmission Service

Davis Run Road, Brookville (Munderf)

814-328-2125

Repaired • Rebuilt Transmissions auto • Truck

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on everything from trailers, cars and motorcycles to tractor trailers

Foreign & Domestic FREE ESTiMaTES

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517 E. Mahoning St. , Punx’y

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a&l auto sales and the The auto lender

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We Sell • Rent • Fix • Full Service Notary Vehicle Rental • Direct Bill Insurance Companies • 4 Wheel Alignments • tires Mounted & Balanced • Rotors turned Full Service Facility • Oil Changes Inspections • transmission Service

A&L Auto Sales - 923 N. Main St. • 938-6780 The Auto Lender - 925 N. Main St. • 938-3124

12 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

www.alautosales.com

ButtonedUp: Spring Cleaning Closet cleanout. Take all toys out of the closet and place them on the bed or floor. Then have the kids organize these items he thermometer is finally reading into piles of "Keep," "Donate" and "Throw "somewhat tolerable with a jacket" Out." instead of "wear your parka, scarf Laundry duty. Spring cleaning is the perand gloves." And that means it's fect opportunity to teach your grade(drum roll, please) Spring Cleaning Season. school-age children how to fold towels and Hurray! clothing, and possibly even how to run the OK, spring cleaning is probably the last dryer. If you feel they aren't as coordinated thing you want to think about or do, but this with folding, try a Debbie Flip-N-Fold year we think you can get it done faster and (www.hsn.com), which basically does all more efficiently with one of our favorite of the folding for you. principles: delegation. Cleaning out the pantry. As long as your This year you can cross over into familykids can read dates, this one is ideal for getworkload allocation ting rid of any food by sending your that has expired. cleaning troops into Make sure when you battle with an age-apput the items back propriate arsenal. into the pantry you Alicia and Sarah on use the FIFO (First "Tips for delegation": In First Out) method When you ask your and put the items children, husband and close to expiring in live-in grandmother the front. for spring-cleaning Washing out pet help, suppress the dishes, cages, etc. urge to re-do the tasks Your kids probably that aren't done "perbegged you to get a fectly" or even right. pet and it's an imporIn doing so, you're tant part of being a sending a message pet owner for the that it doesn't matter Spring cleaning is probably the last thing you want children to learn to if they do the task or to think about or do, but this year you can get it be responsible "pet not because you're done faster and more efficiently with one of our fa- siblings." going to do it anyway. vorite principles: delegation. (SHNS illustration by Age 11 and Up Worse, you are wast- Hollie Sehrt and Cindy Rodriguez) By age 11, most ing even more of your scarce time. When children are able to do a large amount of you delegate, you have to relinquish concleaning tasks. Just keep them away from trol of the task and be satisfied with the outany tasks that require strong chemicals and come, even if the DVDs are not in be sure they wear gloves if scrubbing alphabetical order. floors, walls or the bathroom. Trust us: As Type A personalities, we Floor, Wall, and Bathroom Scrubbing. know it can be hard not to want to reorganThe shower, the bathtub, the sinks, the winize the dresser when your 7-year-old puts dows, wood floors -- whatever needs away her clothes in poorly folded order. scrubbed, they can handle. But if you can show her how to put her Closet cleaning. Just like the younger clothes away nicely once and let her on her group, a closet cleanout of clothing is imown, you'll both feel less overwhelmed portant and they are old enough to organwhen cleaning. ize their whole closet alone. We've broken out spring-cleaning tasks Vacuuming. Vacuuming can be fun. Give that any family member age 2 and up can a child in this age bracket the responsibility tackle. of vacuuming "special" places such as the Ages 2-5 car, between the couch cushions and under Dusting. Put a feather duster in a child's tables and couches. hand and he or she will have a blast. Keep The refrigerator. Help them take everythe child's range of dusting limited to items thing out of the entire fridge and wipe he or she can reach but can't break. down every shelf they can reach. Watering and weeding outdoor plants. Your spouse Many times spring cleaning also includes Whoever in your home is the strongest spring gardening, and children flock to dirt. should be in charge of the majority of It's also a great way to teach them about heavy-lifting tasks -- such as relocating plants and how they grow. heavy boxes. And the tallest should be in Washing the car. Sarah's 2-year-old son, charge of chores like changing light bulbs Will, demonstrated an affinity for cleaning or batteries in smoke/carbon-monoxide dethe snow off the car this winter, which now tectors. translates to cleaning the dirt off the car. We Any Older Relatives Living with You like to let him scrub the tires with a giant If these relatives are still functioning well, sponge, and he's also a big fan of spraying have them help you with easier tasks. They the hose. can save you time and energy and will feel Under the bed/couches. Make it a scavgreat contributing to the family: enger-hunt challenge to have the kids Putting photos into albums. gather all of the loose toys from underneath Organizing books, DVDs, magazines and beds, couches, tables, etc., and place the CDs/records. items they find in a bin in the center of the Going through all "under sink" areas. room. (The writers are co-founders of Buttoned Ages 6-10 Up, a company dedicated to helping More capable and focused when given distressed women get organized. Send ideas rections, those in this age group can handle and questions to yourlife(at)getbutlarger and more difficult tasks. Just retonedup.com. For more columns, go to member that their attention spans will only scrippsnews.com.) be able to handle one or two tasks a day. • • • By Sarah Welch and Alicia Rockmore getbuttonedup.com

Yardsmart: Out of the mall, into the garden By Maureen Gilmer Scripps Howard News Service

t what point did shopping morph into a recreational activity? When did we become a nation of shopaholics? Was it

Vigorous old roses are among the easiest plants to grow from seed or cutting. (SHNS photo courtesy Maureen Gilmer)

the birth of the great American mall? Was it earlier, when the Industrial Rev-

olution drew our population from the farm to factory? Or maybe the roots of shopping go much further back, to a more primitive time when women gathered -- not from stores but from nature and the garden. In those days, they couldn't go to stores for what they needed so the more ingenious the woman, the more comfortable the home. She learned from her mother how to reuse and recycle and repurpose. She knew the plants and animals that fed and cured and seasoned her life. And when she grew her plants in the home garden she would be freed of trudging through the countryside to gather from the wild. When times are hard and money scarce, we have to rethink how we spend our time. What gives us the thrill of hunt and acquisition without stressing a dwindling bank account? If we go back to our roots as gatherers and creators, and share these skills with our daughters, the most natural choice is to return to the garden. There we can grow and create what we formerly purchased, saving those dollars for other necessities. And this becomes a sacred activity we can learn from our own aged mothers and include our daughters in a more lasting pastime than strolling the mall together. Gardening has never been expensive. Plants are downright cheap, particu-

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larly if you learn the simple art of propagation, which is how women have enlarged their gardens since the beginning. In early American communities, they shared seeds harvested from plants and flowers at season's end. These are now the heirloom varieties grown since colonial times that come from seed year after year. A woman enlarged her garden, expanding its diversity with those seeds she traded for new varieties. In the process, women got together at important times in the gardener's year to share their excess and enjoy a greater sense of community. This plant exchange is the reason why old-fashioned garden clubs could be found in every early American town and still exist so widely today.

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- Continued on page 19

Aluminum

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VISIT OUR TREE SHOPPING CENTER

Acres of Quality Shrubs Evergreens Flowering trees Shade trees Ornamentals

Pikes Peak Nurseries Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7-5 Saturday 8-12 Sunday Closed

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Growers and Suppliers of Nursery Stock for Over 75 Years! rt. 422, 10 Miles East of indiana • (724) 463-7747 Shopping Center Open Daily: Mon-Sat 8 to 5

WAT C H F O R S P R I N G H O U R S Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 13

Save up to 30% on your homeowners insurance, plus get the coverage and service you deserve. erie insurance offers more: we want to meet with you and discuss your home, auto and life insurance needs. discounts* New Home Discount Smoke Alarm Credit & Premise Alarm Credit Multi-Policy Discounts—save up to 25% when you insure your auto and home with us

Life Multi-Policy Discount **—save up to 5% with a qualified ERIE life policy Reliability and Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week ERIE is rated A+(superior) by A.M. Best Company. Nationally recognized for claims service and customer satisfaction. ** See your ERIE Agent for more details and eligibility criteria. ** Life insurance not available in New York.

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814-938-7110 14 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

Committed to Excellence

ways to save on your homeowners insurance: • Raise your deductible. • Buy your home & auto coverage from the same carrier. • Review policy limits annually. • Ask about discounts for smoke detectors, burglar alarms and sprinkler systems.

PAINFUL FOOT PROBLEMS? Accepting New Patients

call Dr. Bradley J. Magill 229 n. Main St., Punx’y

(814) 938-2234

90 Beaver Dr., Building a Suite 105a, DuBois

(814) 372-2121

Catch the Community Spirit!

Casteel

Are you excited about your teenager getting their license? We can’t do anything about your teenager growing up, but we CAN help with that growing insurance bill!

Chiropractic

Shields Insurance

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221 W. Mahoning Street Punxsutawney, PA 15767

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Punxsutawney Area High School Pull Out This Section & Save

Member FDIC

VARSITY & JUNIOR VARSITY SOFTBALL

$25 OFF

ANY TEMPORARY CONTAINER WHEN YOU MENTION THIS AD.

814-265-1975 800-338-8971

Senior Citizen Discounts Saluting our Local Teams . . . GOOD LUCK THIS SEASON!

Spring ‘09 SCHEDULE

102 indiana St., Punxsutawney www.cf-bank.com

Proud Supporter of Our Local Teams!

• Baseball • Boys’ Tennis • Track • Softball

PUnxSUtAWnEY brAnCH OFFICE

(814) 938-5770

Call 938-4400

Sat., Mar. 28 Mon., Mar. 30 Mon., Apr. 6 Wed., Apr. 8 Thur., Apr. 9 Wed., Apr. 15 Fri., Apr. 17 Mon., Apr. 20 Wed., Apr. 22 Sat., Apr. 25 Mon., Apr. 27

WILLIAMSPORt 12:00 p.m. St. MARYS 4:00 p.m. BROOKVILLE 4:00 p.m. AT CLEARFIELD 4:15 p.m. ALtOONA 4:00 p.m. BRADFORD 4:00 p.m. AT STATE COLLEGE 4:00 p.m. HOLLIDAYSBURG 4:00 p.m. DUBOIS 4:00 p.m. KARNS CItY (var. only) 12:00 p.m. AT ST. MARYS 4:00 p.m.

Wed., Apr. 29 Fri., May 1 Mon., May 4 Wed., May 6 Fri., May 8 Sat., May 9

AT BROOKVILLE StAtE COLLEGE CLEARFIELD AT BRADFORD AT DUBOIS AT SMETHPORT

4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 4:15 p.m.

12:00 p.m. Mon., May 11 AT HOLLIDAYSBURG 4:00 p.m. Tue., May 12 CURWENSVILLE 7:00 p.m. Wed., May 13 AT ALTOONA 4:00 p.m. (var. only)

Schedules subject to change. Not responsible for typographical errors.

Caterina’s Dolce Cucina 14 Flavors of Lattes & Cappucino Check out our Latte and Coffee Flavors of the Week

NEW...bread bowl with Salad or Soup NEW...Panini 1⁄4 lb. hamburger Open Mon.-Fri. at 8 a.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. 110 W. Mahoning St., Punx’y • 938-8781

A Sports Booster! West End

1028 W. Mahoning St.

and Jefferson Wholesale grocery company 47 Anchor Inn Rd.

laska’s pizza $500

3 cheers

For local Sports

8 SLICE Pepperoni Pizza

good luck to all of the area athletes

+tax

Extra Toppings Available

Senator Joseph Scarnati always a community sports booster!

GroUNDHoG Brew Available in 6 Packs or by the Bottle!

Open 7 Days A Week at 11 a.m. 405 N. Main St., Punx’y

938-4647

Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 15

We’ll deal with the insurance. After all, you’ve been through enough.

A hometown bank you can count on . . . both today and in the future!

After a catasrophe it’s hard to know where to start. let Nationwide® be your first step.

Michael Horner, Kim Horner Joe Presloid

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missing from photo

Local Registered Pharmacists

Open: Mon.- Fri 9 to 7 Sat. 9 to 2

Member FDIC

1-800-556-6262 www.marioncenterbank.com

Kengersky Insurance Agency Matthew E Kengersky kengerm@nationwide.com 52 Notary Lane, Punx’y, PA 15767 (814) 938-3092

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132 West Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney

Expedite and Trailer Load Services from 1 lb. to 45,000 lb. Call us for a Rate

brian a. smith - president 2311 Rt. 310, Reynoldsville

(814) 939-8999

Fax: (814) 939-8990 • Cell: (814) 591-5244 Auto Home Life Business ©2006 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Home office: Columbus, Ohio 43215-2220. Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Not available in all states.

E-mail: brian@fastrakpa.com HAVE A FANtAStIC SEASON CHUCKS & LADY CHUCKS!

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PUNXSUTAWNEY VARSITY & JUNIOR VARSITY

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whiten your teeth in about an hour!

reCeive free HOMe wHiTeninG KiT When you schedule your Zoom Whitening and mention/ bring in this ad.

family Dentistry Jon J. Johnston, DMD

Always a Punx’y Booster! to set up an appointment call Connie at:

939-2676

GO CHuCKS!

106 W. Mahoning St., Punxy • 938-4210 • PDA Member

(aMpM)

Located 3 miles n. of Punx’y off rt. 310 in Delancey, next to the St. adrian’s Church

J.R. Resources, L.P. 814-365-5821 FAX 814-365-2186

PHONE

Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 7:30 a.m. - Noon

indiana street, punx’y owNer

Independent Auto Parts of America

leSA wAlker

Now Serving McCafe

Mochas, Lattes, Cappuccino, Premium Hot Chocolate & Iced Coffee, Mochas & Lattes Egg McMuffins • 2 for $3 Downtown Punxsutawney Good Luck Chucks!

18 JR Resources Drive Ringgold, PA 15770

Developers and Producers of Natural Gas GOOD LUCK, CHUCKS!

Mon., Mar. 30 Mon., Apr. 6 Wed.,, Apr. 8 Thur., Apr. 9 Wed., Apr. 15 Fri., Apr. 17 Sat., Apr. 18 Mon., Apr. 20 Wed., Apr. 22 Mon., Apr. 27 Wed., Apr. 29 Fri., May 1 Mon., May 4 Wed., May 6 Fri., May 8 Sat., May 9 Mon., May 11 Wed., May 13 Thur., May 14 Fri., May 15

St. MARYS AT BROOKVILLE CLEARFIELD AT ALTOONA AT BRADFORD StAtE COLLEGE AT WILLIAMSPORT AT HOLLIDAYSBURG AT DUBOIS AT ST. MARYS BROOKVILLE AT STATE COLLEGE AT CLEARFIELD BRADFORD DUBOIS AT SMETHPORT (Varsity Only) HOLLIDAYSBURG ALtOONA AT CURWENSVILLE D.C.C

“square deals on round tires”

your cooper tire headquarters Now Located behind Mahoning Valley Milling Co.

939-7660

Brian Horner - owner

go chucks! 16 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00/4:15 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.

looKing FoR a gREaT DEal... 754 S. Main St. Ext., Punx’y

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gas, Water and blast hole drilling supplies

PUNX’Y VARSITY BOYS’

TENNIS Tue., Mar. 24 Thur., Mar. 26 Mon., Mar. 30 Tue., Mar. 31 Wed., Apr. 6 Wed., Apr. 8 Tue., Apr. 14 Thur., Apr. 16 Tue., Apr. 21 Wed., Apr. 22 Thur., Apr. 23 Mon., Apr. 27 Thur. Apr. 30 Tue., May 5 Wed., May 6 Tue., May 12

DUBOIS BROCKWAY AT DUBOIS CENTRAL AT CLEARFIELD CLEARFIELD AT ST. MARYS JOHNSONBURG AT ELK COUNTY BRADFORD AT DUBOIS AT BROCKWAY DUBOIS CENtRAL TEAM DISTRICTS DISTRICT SINGLES DISTRICT SINGLES DISTRICT DOUBLES

3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. TBA TBA TBA TBA

On the job working for you. State Representative

EASt AMErICAn MOtOrSPOrt www.eastamericanmotorsport.com 2 Miles south of punx’y on rt. 119 938-4230 • 1-888-322-3997

sam smith HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER 66TH DISTRICT Paid for by Citizens for Sam Smith

Acme Machine & Welding Co.

46 Anchor Inn Rd. Punx’y

938-6702 Holly Greene Physical Therapist Cathy Pizarchik, PTA

Proud of our Punx’y Chucks!

814.938.0148 205 Hampton Ave. In the Groundhog Plaza, Punx’y

Neko’s

New! Indoor BBQ FAMILY RESTAURANT Pit

Dr. rick bishop

Tel: 814.938.3111 Fax: 814.618.1037

Serving Homemade Foods Daily!

FULL MENU • PIzzA FRESH BAKED GOODS AMPLE PARKING

206 Elk Run Avenue, Punx’y

938-0338

HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm • Closed Sundays

Dr. Nathan C. Stebbins Full Service Optical & Complete Line of Contact Lens Options

• Contact Specialist • Pediatrics • Diabetic Eye Care • Glaucoma • infant Eye Care • Special needs Patients • Ocular Disease • Emergencies • Home Visits Most Insurances Accepted: BC/BS, UPMC, Medicare/Medicaid, Gateway, access, VSP, VBa, nVa

(814) 938-5920

Open Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. THur., 8 a.m. - Noon Wed. Evenings & Sat. by. Appt.

rick@drrickbishop.com www.drrickbishop.com

115 West Mahoning St., Punxsutawney

A PuNx’y SPORtS BOOStER

K&D

auto & Transmission Service Repaired & Rebuilt Transmissions auTo • TRucK Foreign & Domestic

FREE ESTiMaTES

894-7924

116 N. PARK STREET • SyKESvILLE

Supporting Our Local Teams! Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 17

STOCKDALE MINE SUPPLY, INC. Drilling Equipment & Accessories • Mining • Oil Field quarry • Construction

12655 Rt. 536 Frostburg, PA

SMiTH’S auTo BoDy Expert collision Repair

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

938-1095

(814) 938-8220

H&H

SuPPly, inc. CHECK US OUT:

3 Plumbing 3 Heating 3 Electrical Route 36 Punxsutawney

938-4489

Tue., Mar. 24 Wed., Mar. 25 Tue., Mar. 31 Sat., Apr. 4 Tue., Apr. 7 Thur., Apr. 9

• Developers and producers of natural gas • Developers of commercial and residential real estate for lease and purchase

Tue., Apr. 14 Thur., Apr. 16 Tue., Apr. 21 Sat., Apr. 24 Tue., Apr. 28 Fri., May 1 Tue., May 5

1406 n. Main st., punx’y

814-938-0800 year-round service

Darlene Stuchell TAX PRACTITIONER

Electronic Filing • Notary Public Bookkeeping • Accounting 76 Harvest Lane ~ Punx’y Please call for appointment:

938-7070

Fax Temporary Tags Available 939-7070

Protect the ones You love. EMERGENCY 911 Brookville

800-414-7222 Punxsutawney

814-938-4119

Treat your family pet to a day at the spa. THEY’LL LOVE YOU FOR IT!

PUNXSY ANIMAL WELLNESS SPA 938-3974

AT ELK COUNTY AT HOLLIDAYSBURG AT BROOKVILLE tRI-StAtE MEEt St. MARYS/DCC AT INDIANA 9-10 INVIT. (BOYS) AT BROOKVILLE INVIT (GIRLS) CLEARFIELD StAtE COLLEGE BRADFORD/DCC MARS INVIT (GIRLS) ALtOONA WEST CENTRAL COACHES AT DUBOIS

Mon., Apr. 6 Wed., Apr. 8 Fri., Apr. 17 Wed., Apr. 22 Sat., Apr. 25 Mon., Apr. 27 Wed., Apr. 29 Sat., May 2 Mon., May 4

AT NORTH CAMBRIA St. MARYS BRADFORD AT CLEARFIELD AT ST. COLLEGE INVIT AT INDIANA AT DUBOIS/ECC AT ALTOONA RELAYS HOLLIDAYSBURG

Family Home Care Since 1970

Pisano’s Personal Care Home 24 Hour Care Licensed Under Labor & Industry Rehabilitation Services Nurse on Staff 24 Hours a Day “Home Away From Home”

As a member of JCEMS you are provided with care from one of the most advanced emergency medical services in Jefferson County today.

18 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

756 Stonetown rd. rossiter • 938-7407

Good Luck Chucks!

Gipsy, PA • 814-845-7853

• Western, Work & Hunting Boots

• Athletic Shoes • Jeans • Casual Wear THE UPPER GROOM 939-3720

4:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. TBA 4:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. TBA 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. TBA 4:00 p.m. TBA 4:00 p.m.

PUNX’Y JUNIOR HIGH TRACK

D.E. LIMITED FAMILY PARTNERSHIP

OPEN: thurs, Fri. & Sat. Noon-8 p.m. Sun. Noon-5 p.m.

242 NORTH FINDLEY STREET PUNXSUTAWNEY

PUNX’Y VARSITY TRACK

Thur. Apr. 9

GO ! CKS C HU

DEL

Mon.-Fri. 8 to 5

Two Great Places for Your Pet in One Location

4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

Quality name Brands at the lowest prices!

itGhInC. Sm ULIn

Heavy Hauling, Dismantling & Erecting Service

richard C. Smith, President

Oliveburg, PA 15764

938-4703 • 938-7944

richard L. fait funeral Home

“We Serve As We Would Be Served. . . Because We Care” 117 n. Jefferson Street Punxsutawney 938-8200

cloE

luMBER & SuPPly

coMPany Shop Here For: Windows • Paneling • Roofing • Paint tile Insulation • Home Improvement Kitchen Cabinets • Pergo Flooring 1785 Cloe-Rossiter Rd. • Punx’y

938-5220

PROUdLY SUPPORTINg OUR PUNx’Y CHUCkS!

Yardsmart Continued from page 13

(Editor’s Note: ‘From Our Past,’ researched by S. Thomas Curry, features items of interest from past editions of Punxsutawney and area newspapers.) March 11, 1869 — FLOOD IN THE MAHONING. - The late rains together with the warm weather of the past few days have put our lumbermen on the alert. We learn there is quite an amount of lumber ready for running, and all that is now wanted is sufficient water to get it to market. To-day (Thursday) the Mahoning is almost bank full, and there is sufficient snow in the woods, (20 inches) should the weather grow warmer, to keep the water up for several days. (Punxsutawney Plaindealer) March 14, 1888 — This is the gay and giddy maple molasses season. Even at this late day our heart thrills with glad emotions when we think of the days of our youth, when we joyously climbed the hill to the old sugar camp to sit by the foaming kettles and watch the other boys cutting wood and carrying sap. The trees were leafless. The woods had not yet been made musical with the song of birds, the tireless tapping of an industrious woodpecker, or the the excited exclamation of some youth who had just fallen over a log and emptied a bucket of sap into his boot leg. (Punxsutawney Spirit) March 18, 1891 — About thirty nine foreigners, among them being English, Irish, Welsh and Swedes, residing at Horatio, have declared their intention of becoming citizens of the United States, and on Saturday received their first set of naturalization papers. (Punxsutawney Spirit) March 23, 1897 — Town Council has offered to haul away free all street scrapings in front of each man’s place of business; provided, however, each property owner or business man had his part of the street scraped by Friday, so that when Street Commissioner Spencer went his rounds with his horse and wagon he would find the street refuse in heaps ready to be loaded onto the wagon and carted away. (Punxsutawney News) March 22, 1907 — A meeting of the merchants and business men of town was held at R. A. Hamilton’s store, last night, for the purpose of getting together on a uniform closing hour. The matter was discussed at length and at the final vote sixteen voted to close their places of business at 8 o’clock P.M., excepting Wednesday and Saturday evenings and tannery and B. R. & P. pay days (Big Run Tribune) • • •

Old roses were also spread across the states this way. Whenever a rose was pruned, the cuttings were rooted into new plants. Many older rose varieties are quick to root, making the spoils of each pruning effort the beginnings of many new plants in someone else's garden. The modern shopper peruses stores for that great bargain or the unique item that will fit perfectly into home or wardrobe. In the past, and even today, the gardening woman has a trained eye that spots a plant in bloom that appeals to her. It may be in another garden, naturalized in the wild or a volunteer in a vacant lot. She would remember

where the plant is and go back when it was likely to set seed, or while it was dormant. She'd gather root or seed or cut to establish its beauty in her own

through withdrawal, perhaps the best therapy is to return to gardening, to create new life and celebrate natural beauty. For a great philosopher told us long ago: When the world wearies and society ceases to satisfy, there is always the garden. (Maureen Gilmer is a horticulturist. Her blog, the MoZone, offers a groundbreaking series of great ideas for cash-strapped families to live more richly on less this year. Read the blog at www.MoPlants.com/blog. Email her at mogilmer@yahoo.com.)

yard without spending a penny. If you're a shopaholic and are going

• • • Why depend on someone to buy a newspaper to see your ad? We deliver to every home! Hometown magazine. 938-0312

To our Punx’y & area businesses...

Take the

HOMETOWN MAGAZINE Challenge! ‘When driving down the road...

COUNT THE NUMBER OF MAILBOXES.’

HOMETOWN MAGAZINE ! is delivered to all of them

We deliver to every mailbox ... not just a small number of tubes. see the difference! every home receives a copy of your advertisement... not just a tiny fraction! put your business message in all the homes with us!

HOMETOWN 100% of the homes MAGAZINE 938-0312 Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 19

dr. Bill and his staff look forward to the

Big Run

Big run peepers & spring!

Annual Spring PeeperS BanqueT Big Run War Memorial

SOCIAL HOUR 5:00 P.M.

MARCH 22

Win Wi nssll ow Pi za P iz zz a

Dinners Salads Desserts

Subs Wings Burgers

Cold Six Packs

Try our Po’boy Sandwich Today! Slow roasted beef in its own gravy surrounded by a fresh, warm bun topped with fries and gravy... It’s a meal in your hand!

Jefferson County Treasurer

HillToP TiRE

KENDALL’S up to 11” x 17” LARGE FORMAT FULL COLOR BANNERS

Complete Line of Printing Services Letterheads • Business Cards Envelopes • Carbonless Forms Invoices • Statements • Calendars Wedding Invitations And More! Call 427- 2517 for more info. or stop in at 223 W. Main St. in big run to see our samples!

A hometown bank you can count on . . . both today and in the future!

big run • dayton • marion center • clymer punxsutawney • Willow springs (indiana)

Big Run Proud! Member FDIC

1-800-556-6262 www.marioncenterbank.com

6:00 P.M.

Frank Snyder

Eat-In or Take Out!

FULL COLOR LASER COPIES

ENTERTAINMENT

Trucks • 4x4s • SUVs • Cargo Vans

703 Mill Road, Punx’y • 427-2000

KREAtIONS

DINNER &

OUR SPECIALTY

James “Moon” VanSteenberg

automotive Service

Deals in: Cooper, Firestone, Bridgestone, BF Goodrich, Michelin, Master Craft, Multimile

Farm & Light Truck • Farm Service Passenger and Lawn Garden “If your car deserves new tires see teddy tire.”

427-2358

One mile off 119 in Big Run. Past Star Iron Works.

A PROUD PEEPER FOLLOWER!

bernard p.

snyder

Auto Sales

3460 RT. 410 PUNX’Y

427-2424

yEagER’S

SaniTaTion

Independently Owned & Operated for 20 years 4 Residential Pick-Ups 5 Bag limit

4 Commercial Pick-Up 1 to 8 yd. Dumpsters

4 Senior Citizen Discounts 4 By the Bag Service 4 Junk Removal - Recycling 4 Cleanup Dumpsters

Free Estimates for Estate cleanups

Blinker Parkway DuBois

814-371-7737

SANDy ’S

FASHION JEWELRy unbeatable Bargains

Most Fashion Jewelry Items $1.00 each Buy 10 items, get 10 FREE items special • Watch replacement batteries • Colibri Watches sold at deep discount • Lifetime battery replacement in all watches Except $1.00 watches.

1326 Spring Rd., Reynoldsville

(between Big Run and Reynoldsville) • 814-427-2950 Hours: Tues.-Fri. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

THE PlacE WHERE GrEAT MEalS BEgin

coroner of Jefferson county

Specializing in the finest quality Beef, Pork, chicken & Smoked Meats

a proud big run peeper supporter

Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri. 8 a.m. -7 p.m. Sat. 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. 6036 Rt. 119, Punx’y

20 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

ISE

Veterinarian v Animal Care

Quality Used Cars & Trucks

The Food You Love More Than Just Pizza! • Full Restaurant Menu!

ILLIAM E.

• PacKagE DEalS availaBlE • Daily SPEcialS We accept Visa, Mastercard and Access Card

427-2363

North of Big Run

John Biggie, Jr.

Community Oriented, Caring People Money Made Here Stays Here

call us at 427-2837

Or stop in and see us at our new location

212 WEsT Main sTrEET, BiG run

ReAgle’s NOTARy Kathy D. Wymer

Auto, Boat & ATV Registration – Income Tax Preparation Big Run Area 25 Daisy lane Punxsutawney, PA 15767 Phone: 814-427-2361 Fax: 814-427-5291

sam smith

HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER 66TH DISTRICT

On The Job Working For You. Paid for by Citizens for Sam Smith

Mya’sFullHairworks Service Salon Including Hair, Nails & Tanning Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9-7 Wed. & Sat. 9-3 Appointments Preferred Walk-Ins Welcome

PUnxSUtAWnEY brAnCH OFFICE

catch the community spirit! 102 indiana St., Punxsutawney

(814) 938-5770 www.cf-bank.com

Neko’s

Member FDIC

DAILY SPECIALS HOMEMADE PIES

938-0925

222 W. Mahoning St. Downtown Punx’y www.myashairworks.com

Gift Certificates Available

New! Indoor BBQ Pit

FULL MENU • PIzzA FRESH BAKED GOODS AMPLE PARKING 206 Elk Run Avenue, Punx’y

HOURS: Mon-Sat 11am-9pm • Closed Sundays

DEL

100 years, One customer at a time.

Just outside

938-3523 Punx’y on Rt. 36 Tues.,-Thurs. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Serving Homemade Foods Daily!

FAMILY RESTAURANT

938-0338

C&S Restaurant

• Developers and producers of natural gas • Developers of commercial and residential real estate for lease and purchase

D.E. LIMITED FAMILY PARTNERSHIP 1406 n. Main st., punx’y

814-938-0800

Shaffer’s Pizza

Teisha’s Flair For Hair

Punxsutawney Hometown magazine’s

Spring Giveaway

Stylists: Michelle Truesdale, Becca Rummel, Anteisha Powell, Sandy Serrian

All you have to do to register to win is clip, or photocopy, and complete the coupon and mail to:

Punxsutawney Hometown magazine P.O. Box 197, Punxsutawney, PA 15767 ONLY ONE ENTRY PER ENVELOPE PLEASE. ONE WINNER CHOSEN AT RANDOM Contest rules: 1. no purchase necessary. Clip and complete coupon and mail to: Spring Giveaway, Punxsutawney Hometown magazine, P.O. Box 197, Punxsutawney, Pa 15767. All entries 2. all entries must be received by tuesday, april 14, 2009. be receiv must ed 3. Four Entries will be selected through a random drawing from all entries A pril 14, 2 by to be held in our Hometown office on Wednesday, april 15, 2009. 0 09 4. One of the sponsoring advertisers on this page must be listed on the coupon to be eligible for drawing. 5. By participating in the contest, all entries are subject to contest rules. 6. Winner will be announced in the april issue of Hometown magazine. 7. Enter as many times as you would like. if you do not want to cut your Hometown magazine, you may make a copy of the entry form. 8. Hometown employees and their families are not eligible for prizes.

Home Made Baked Goods and Deli items near ringgold Fri, Sat & Sun 3-9 p.m.

PANTALL HOTEL

Yes, enter me in the Punxsutawney Hometown magazine Spring Giveaway.

& Conference Center Easter Buﬀet $ 95

We also have give aways on that day.

Should i win, i would like to redeem my gift certificate at

DOWNTOWN PUNX’Y

(list one participating advertiser on this page)___________________________

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

• Pansies • Violas • Onions • Perennials • Vegetables

• (814) 856-2232

TRAILHEAD GALLERY

938-6600

March Madness Little Country Shoppe Sale

Kramer’s

25% off one single item

20% OFF storewide sale

Sale items not included. Offer good thru 03-31-09.

Receive free gift with every $25.00 gift certificate. Sign up to win $25.00 gift certificate.

*BriNg or MENTioN ThiS couPoN. ExcEPT coNSigNMENT. liMiTEd TiME oNly

custom framing • unique gifts • investment art • featuring local artists work 124 W. Mahoning St. Punxsutawney

938-1004

O Spring items O Birdhouses O Rugs O Spring garden flags O Tart warmers O Tarts O Candles O Wall border O Olde Century paints and

so much more.

All the Easter Treats! 10 hot items and 2 gravies, full salad bar and breads, with wonderful desserts!

City____________________________ State_______Zip_________

365-5932

Shaffer’s Greenhouse

Mon.-Sat. 8 to 8

Sun., April 12

address____________________________ Phone:______________

OPENING APRIL 1st

938-3438

For appointment Call

238 n. Findley Street, Punxsutawney

name__________________________________________________

try Our Specialty Pizzas and Strombolis

232 Hampton Avenue 539 West Mahoning Street 800-325-BANK www.stbank.com

Family meal Deal

2 medium Pizzas, up to 3 toppings, breadsticks, cinnamon sticks and two liter

2299

689 Scotland ave. Ext. (1 mile) Punx’y

938-2036 or 938-5154 Fri. 4-7 p.m. Sat. 10a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. noon - 5 p.m.

938-2400

Walmart plaza rt. 119 n., punx’y

Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 21

Lent’s most controversial sacrifice: Facebook By Erin Anderssen Toronto Globe and Mail

oshua Prowse gave up alcohol for a year in 2007. Now he's trying to give up Facebook for Lent -- a mere 40 days without his digital touch-

stone. Guess which one he thinks will be harder. (Hint: Last year, vowing a Facebook ban for his New Year's resolution, he barely lasted a week.) "There's a reason why they call it Crackbook," laughs the 35-year-old Calgary, Canada high-school teacher, whose Lenten sacrifice is a personal test of will rather than a religious observance.

only sick, but stupid, evolutionarily speaking. Their research, dismissed as "twaddle" by less delicate Internet watchers, has nonetheless inspired a great many blog lines on the merits of virtual hangouts, and postings of pro-Web papers to suggest that cutting off Facebook will neither protect you from cancer nor save brain cells, but may douse the liveliness of your social circle. To sum up the research divide: Late last month, Susan Greenfield, a pre-eminent neuroscientist at Oxford University in England, warned the British Parliament that if our tech obsession continues "the mid-21st-century mind might be almost

PERRY TWP. FIRE DEPARTMENT BO O k U S NOW! eddings, for all yournsW rties Receptio n,qPuaets and Ba AMPLE OFF STREET PARKING

Air Conditioned • Smoke Eaters • Large Coolers

Seats Up To

350!

Call to Reserve:

dan Coleman 952-1777

Your Wedding Gown Deserves Preservation Keep your wedding gown as fresh as the day you walked down the aisle. We have designed a special arrangement to clean and permanently package your gown in an attractive box with a window top.

PLuMviLLe Dry CLeanerS “Where Attention To Detail Makes the Difference” Deluxe and Classic Standards

PLUMViLLE, Pa • 724-397-4424 For pick-up and delivery info., call (724) 397-4424 or use our convenient pick up depot at roseman Florist & Gifts, punx’y

ACCOMMODATIONS FROM 50 TO 275 PEOPLE

See us for your

WEDDING RECEPTION.

Let us do all the work on your SPECIAL DAY!

We will customize a reception to meet your needs and expectations.

DOWNTOWN PUNX’Y

Talk to JANE or VICKI without obligation.

938-6600 1-800-872-6825

PANTALL HOTEL & Conference Center Have your special occasion at...

It's a contemporary take on the traditional Christian practice of giving up something to represent the 40 days that Jesus fasted in the desert. Prowse has chosen to abstain from twicedaily fixes on the social-networking site, which often lasted for hours. Ten days in, he was already struggling -though, to be fair, he teaches computer science, surrounded daily by dozens of tempting keyboards. "I have that smoker's moment, when I get twitchy," he said. "It's been difficult." Prowse can take some solace in knowing that he is not the only one in withdrawal. In Italy, several Catholic bishops have urged their flocks to embark on similar Lenten tech breaks. Facebook and its social-networking sister sites have now become so ubiquitous that even Pope Benedict XVI, not the trendiest of pontiffs, is paying attention -praising its ability to bring people together, with a mild caution against "obsessive" use, and taking his own show to YouTube. But even while some Christians sign off for the month, the debate about the vices and virtues of the Web continues unabated: Is our Facebook fixation an impending social ill, or the secret to saving community? A pair of senior British scientists sparked a Facebook backlash this winter by arguing, in one case before the House of Lords, that online socializing may make us not

infantilized" by the psychological effects of onscreen friendships. Young brains, she suggested, are being trained to process fast-action, instant images, potentially harming their ability to manage social behaviors off-screen. Drawing a comparison to the way people today rarely witness an animal being butchered but eat meat from a package, she suggested that "perhaps future generations will recoil with similar horror" to the messiness and unpredictability of realtime human interactions. Psychologist Aric Sigman sounded a more immediate alarm a few weeks earlier by suggesting in Biologist magazine that spending too much time online -- along with watching television and listening to iPods during family dinner -- was leading to loneliness, and that loneliness has been convincingly linked to diseases such as diabetes and cancer, even dementia. Though his paper never specifically names Facebook, it inspired the doomsday headline: Facebook Causes Cancer. "Those are just old people who do not use the technology and do not have a social life," scoffs Prowse, who says his students use the Internet largely to organize their real-life friendships, not replace them. "Facebook is a tool. Is a hammer good or bad? It depends on how you use it." (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.) • • •

22 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

olivER ToWnSHiP FiRE Hall located in Markton • Seating for over 300 • Fully equipped kitchen • Handicapped accessible restrooms • large dance floor • ample parking To reserve your date call

938-3177

and leave a message

We’re the perfect place to host your special occasion! PUBLIC WELCOME

F.O. Eagles 1231 Punxsutawney

What a great place to book your next gathering!

• Weddings Receptions • Showers • Banquets Upstairs or Downstairs depending on the number of guests

238 E. Mahoning St., Punx’y Call 938-9976 or 938-2448 Ask for Lisa Haught

Walston Club

• Rehearsal Dinners • Bridal Showers • Anniversary Parties • Class Reunions • and More!

RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED FOOD ONLY

(814)

938-5368

2509 Walston Road PUNX’Y

Our custom WEDDING CAKES are as Tasty as they are Tasteful...

Plus we do Delicious PARTY TRAYS

and Hometown

CELEBRATIONS Visit Western Pennsylvania Wine Country . . . . . . and discover the unique regional flavors of Estate grown, award winning wines.

WVineyards INDGATE & Winery

Meat • Cheese • Relish • Sweets

WEST END Call us at

938-6961

L et us help you create your perfect celebration. Call now to book your Wedding or Party for 2008!

1998 Hemlock Acres Rd., Smicksburg

www.windgatevineyards.com • windgatewine@alltel.net

(814) 257-8797 • Open Daily Noon-5 p.m. • Tours • Tasting • private label Wine • Holiday Gift Baskets • Gift Certificates

Featuring: Eye of the Shadow Pittsburgh Mills Location Rt. 28 S., Pittsburgh • 724-274-5901

ExcEptional REcEptions Affordable Rates

tHE

Elks Lodge

no matter how big or small your wedding, we are the perfect place to host a beautiful reception for you and your guests. We have space for up to 300, who can dine, dance, and mingle. you have EVEry reason to call and book your wedding reception in our Grand BallrooM! 205 N. Findley

814-938-6620

Punxsutawney

Shick’s Cakes 858 Salem road, Mayport, Pa

Beautiful Cakes For All Occasions Cookies • Rolls Baked To Your Order

We offer a new facility, great dining, and a professional staff committed to making your day a success.

814-938-8243

Now accepting applications for social and golf memberships

Your PERfECT wEddINg deserves a PERfECT RECEPTION at ThE NEw

ANChOR INN seating up to 200 call

938-8060

By Debbie Shick

365-5728

We will cater your Bridal Shower, Wedding Reception, or Rehearsal Dinner.

our Bakery department can create your beautifully designed Wedding Cake. Call us at 849-2742! super market

53 taylor st. brookville

849-8395

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Route 310 Elk Run Avenue

punxsutawney’s family favorite, always was, always will Be. Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 23

SteelerS line good enough By Ron Cook Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

ittsburgh Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert and coach Mike Tomlin have earned the benefit of the doubt. When you win a Super Bowl, that's a given. Colbert and Tomlin are selling that their offensive line will be good enough to compete for another championship next season. I'm buying. Actually, it's not so hard. That line already has helped win one title, right? I know what you're thinking: The Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII despite their offensive line. There's no way

they'll get that lucky again. I beg to disagree. The line's struggles last season were well documented, the extenuating circumstances that contributed to those struggles not so much. Because All-Pro guard Alan Faneca left as a free agent, center Sean Mahan was traded and guard Kendall Simmons and tackle Marvel Smith were lost early for the year with injuries, the Steelers had to rebuild the line twice. In the end, they were left with a new center (Justin Hartwig), two first-year starters at guard (Chris Kemoeatu and Darnell Stapleton), a second-year starter at right tackle (Willie Colon) and a tackle that hadn't played on the left side on a full-time basis since college (Max

Starks). Not to make excuses. Just being real. "If you look at how those five came together as the season went on, I think it's fair to say their play improved," Colbert said. "That's reflected in the numbers." The Steelers allowed 29 sacks in the first half of the season, 20 in the second half. OK, so maybe the line didn't "come on fantastically," as offensive coordinator Bruce Arians gushed at the Super Bowl. But it did get better, especially after running back Willie Parker bounced back from injuries. So the line was good enough to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. "Hopefully, they'll continue to grow and

improve," Colbert said. It's reasonable to expect as much. The added experience -- not just the regular season, but also the run to the Super Bowl -should help Kemoeatu, Stapleton, Colon and Starks. A second year in the system should be huge for Hartwig. As Colbert noted, "The center is the hub of communication for any offensive line." The Steelers bet big money that the line will be significantly better. To keep it together, they tagged Starks as their franchise player, which means he's due to make $8,451,000 next season, although both sides hope to do a long-term contract before then. They signed Kemoeatu to a fiveyear, $20 million deal. And they gave Colon a $2,198,000 tender to all but make sure he'll be back for another season. The Starks deal makes sense, unlike a year ago when the Steelers made him their transition player and had to pay him $6.9 million even though he opened the season as Colon's backup. That seemed like a ridiculously high-priced insurance policy at the time, but it turned out well when management had to cash it in and start Starks after Smith's back injury. This time around, the Steelers had to pay Starks. He's the starting left tackle on a Super Bowl winner. That's just the cost of doing business. As for Colon, by offering him the high tender, the Steelers retained the right to match any offer he receives as a restricted free agent. If he does a deal elsewhere and they don't match it, they would receive a No. 1 draft pick as compensation, though that seems unlikely. Colbert's work with the line isn't finished, with other lesser-known free agents and the draft next month. "You never want to put your head in the sand and think you don't have to get better at any position," Colbert said. "You always want to look to bring in new faces to build the thing up." Still, the offensive line last season is the line now and almost certainly will be the line next season. That's OK. Really. "The bottom line is winning," Colbert said. "Those guys helped us win." Sold me. (Contact Ron Cook at rcook@postgazette.com.) (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.) • • •

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24 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

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The end of the steam engine era came in May, 1955 when a diesel locomotive made its first run.

Last Steam Engine Makes Punxsutawney Run in 1955 By Bill Anderson of Hometown Magazine

fter World War II, inflation made steam locomotives an increasingly costly form of railroad transportation. At the same time, the war had forced improvements in internal combustion engine technology that made diesel locomotives cheaper and more powerful. As a result, railroads looked to cut costs in the face of stiff competition from the trucking industry. Large pools of labor were needed to clean, load, maintain and run the giant steam locomotives. The “iron horse” also required extensive service, coaling and watering facilities. Diesel locomotives, however, required significantly less time and labor to operate and maintain. A single person, with no need of a fireman to shovel coal, could operate the diesel locomotive. Locomotive size also was an issue. Steam

engines became so big in the 1940s that the cylinder and boiler dimensions were pushing the limits that the loading gauge would allow. Fireboxes became so large that firing a steam locomotive became an extremely difficult job without the aid of mechanical stokers. And people were no longer content with the mammoth amounts of soot and smoke that coal burning steam engines produced. As the diesel locomotives gained the advantage, steam engines were phased out. Most major railroads retired all of their steam locomotives by the mid 1950s. The last steam-powered, eastbound passenger train on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad’s Buffalo division made its final Punxsutawney run on Monday, May 2, 1955. The following day marked the last time a westbound train was powered by a steam locomotive in Punxsutawney. • • • The best of Punx’y ... Hometown magazine.

Speed and Sport Cycle Center Rt. 436 • 430 S. Main St., Punx’y • 938-8780 or 938-6952 SALES • PARtS • SERVICE Cylinder Boring • PA State Inspection *$1000 Customer Cash offer good on select 2008 models between 1/1/09 and 3/26/09. **On approved Yamaha card purchases made between 2/1/09 and 5/31/09. Valid on any new Yamaha Motorcycle, ATV and Side by Side. 9.99% APR and $59 (purchase between $4,301 and $6,500), $69 ($6,501 and $7,700), $89 ($7,701 and $10,000) payment for 24 months. The minimum monthly payment may increase due to any debt cancellation or late payment fees. Paying only this amount will not pay off the purchase during this period. Thereafter, the regular Minimum Monthly Payment and Standard Rate APR of 12.99%, 16.99%, 18.99% or 22.99% apply. For Accounts not current, the promotion is cancelled and regular Minimum Monthly Payments and the Default Rate 28.99% APR apply. Minimum Finance Charge $1. Certain rules apply to the allocation of payments and Finance Charges on your promotional purchase if you make more than one purchase on your Yamaha Card. Call 1-888-367-4310 or review your cardholder agreement for information. Professional riders with advanced skills on closed course. Dress properly for your ride with a helmet, eye protection, gloves and boots. Do not drink and ride. It is illegal and dangerous. Yamaha and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation encourage you to ride safely and respect the environment. For further information regarding the MSF course, please call 1-800-446-9227. • ATVs with engine sizes of 90cc or greater are recommended for use only by riders age 16 years and older. Yamaha recommends that all ATV riders take an approved training course. For safety and training information, see your dealer or call the ATV Safety Institute at 1-800-887-2887. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always avoid paved surfaces. Never ride on public roads. Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing; never carry passengers; never engage in stunt riding; riding and alcohol/drugs don’t mix; avoid excessive speed; and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. On the Yamaha Side by Sides, always wear your seat belt, helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. ©2009 Yamaha Motor Corp., U.S.A. Cypress, CA 90630. yamaha-motor.com

Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 25

A look at recent tax changes

By Kathleen Pender San Francisco Chronicle f you're feeling dazed and confused about your finances these days, join the club. In the past few weeks: Congress passed an $800 billion economic stimulus bill that includes more than a dozen new tax cuts, mostly for low- and middle-income Americans. The Treasury Department announced a $2.5 trillion bank-rescue plan. President Obama launched a $275 billion housing program that will provide mortgage relief to some homeowners but not others. Will these changes, taken together, leave

you better or worse off? The answer depends on whether you are working, retired or unemployed; your income; how many kids you have and if any are in college; whether you buy a house or car; who owns your mortgage; how you commute to work and other factors. As you can see, many of us will never know the answer. That's a problem for the economy, which desperately needs a jolt of business and consumer confidence. The biggest enemies of confidence are fear and uncertainty. Perversely, these efforts to right the economy seem to be breeding more fear and uncertainty.

It's hard to feel confident when our president and others warn we are on the brink of "catastrophe." Even if that word is used as a political ploy to rally support for a stimulus bill or budget, some people take it literally. And it's hard to feel certain about anything when the rules change almost daily and are virtually impossible to understand. Let's take one example. To stimulate new-car sales, Congress created a tax break. If you buy a new car or truck before Dec. 31, you can deduct -- on your federal tax return -- the state and local sales tax paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price.

If you take the standard deduction, you simply add the sales tax to your standard deduction. If you itemize deductions, you add it to your deduction for state income taxes. However, if you itemize and have been deducting sales taxes in lieu of state income taxes, "you get the car-sales-tax as part of your normal sales-tax calculation and this legislation gives you nothing additional," says Mark Luscombe, principal tax analyst with the tax information firm CCH. People in this situation might be better off taking the standard deduction or itemizing deductions and choosing the state-income-tax option and adding the car-sales-tax to one of those. Like most tax breaks, this one phases out -- or shrinks and eventually disappears -- if you make too much money. The phase out range is $125,000 to $135,000 in adjusted gross income for single taxpayers and $250,000 to $260,000 for married couples filing jointly. What conclusions, if any, can we draw about these tax changes? Federal tax breaks will go mainly to lowand middle-income taxpayers. The broadest tax break: Most workers will get a federal tax credit equal to 6.2 percent of wages up to $400 per person in 2009 and again in 2010. Couples can get up to $800 each year, even if only one spouse works, says Roberton Williams, senior fellow with the Tax Policy Center. The credit will start showing up in paychecks this summer in the form of lower federal tax withholding. This credit phases out for singles with $75,000 to $95,000 in adjusted gross income and for couples with $150,000 to $190,000 in adjusted gross income. Low-income families will do especially well under the federal stimulus. The existing $1,000 child credit will be extended to more families that don't earn enough to pay income taxes. Low-income families with three or more children will get an expanded earned income tax credit. The federal government also has created credits for homebuyers. If you have not owned a house in the past three years and buy a new or existing home between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30, you could get an $8,000 federal tax credit. This credit is refundable, which means you can get it even if you don't earn enough money to owe taxes. The credit phases out between $75,000 and $95,000 in income for singles and $150,000 and $170,000 for couples. E-mail Kathleen Pender at kpender@sfchronicle.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com • • •

writers wAnted If interested... E-mail to: hometown@mail.com or write to: Hometown P.O. Box 197 Punx’y, PA 15767 26 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009

Michael Horner and Kim Horner, Local Registered Pharmacists, Welcome Pharmacist Joe Presloid to the Medicine Shoppe.

Annual JCARC Run/Walk Celebrates 30th Anniversary

The money also helps support our adult recreational and socialization program and the All Kids Count program. Registration for this year’s Run/Walk begins at the Sykesville Town Hall at 1:30 p.m. and the race begins at 3 p.m. Anyone wishing to participate has the option to run or walk two-miles or run five-miles. Trophies and ribbons are awarded to finishers in a variety of age groups for both the two-mile and five-mile events. There will be games, food, and prizes at the hall. The Pittsburgh Pirate Parrot will be making an appearance, too. Anyone collecting $20 or more will receive a t-shirt. Prizes are given to the top money collectors and anyone can enter the raffle for a chance to win money prizes. Blue Sky Real Estate is once again the major sponsor for this Pat Mowrey with 2008 Run/Walk fundraiser volunteers. year. Last year was the second highest year in collecting The founding of the Run/Walk is credited funds, $32,425.15, surpassing the 2001 to Pat Mowrey and his father, Hap total of $37,015. Support the 30th year Mowrey. Wanting to come up with a new event and help make it the best one yet! fundraiser, they decided on a run-a-thon. Registration/collection forms are availThe event began in 1979, and since then able in many local businesses attached to nearly 4,000 people have participated in the Run/Walk poster. You can also obtain the event. forms and information by contacting Erin Through the years, several individuals Cameron at (814) 938-4416 or Pat have excelled in fundraising for the event. Mowrey (814) 591-0949 or emailing Mike Tattersall has brought in $36,842, run_walk@yahoo.com or John Orsich brought in $29,467, Linda patmowrey@yahoo.com. Lyons raised $18,361, and Ken Smith has The Run/Walk committee thanks all those collected $12,294. The total money raised who contribute and volunteer. Seeing the over 30 years has been $574,676. joy on the faces of the campers makes all All monies raised at this event are used to the hard work and time dedicated worth provide children and adults with disabilithe effort! ties from Jefferson County and the Dubois • • • area with a two-week long summer camp. t’s that time of year again, time to get out your sneakers and get ready to support the Jefferson County ARC/Camp Friendship. The annual Run/Walk for Someone Special is scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2009. This is a very special year as the organization celebrates its 30th anniversary of the event.

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Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009 – 27

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We help you sleep too; offering the newest CPaP & BiPaP technology available. • Fast Free Delivery • 24 Hour Emergency Service/ Personnel always available for questions or help • Free in-home installation & education of all our Home Medical Equipment anD plan-of-care/safety evaluations of the home with every setup/delivery • Highly skilled, professional (licensed), and courteous staff • We are “in-network” or “Preferred” Providers for most insurances Contact us today for your Oxygen Needs:

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More than the care you expect, the care you DESERVE! do you require a short term stay following surgery? Experience skilled rehab in a friendly, caring environment. Our team will get you back into shape with our new therapy program, ACCELERATED CARE PLUS. We also have a Personal Care Facility that gives you the freedom to come and go as you please. Plus you have the reassurance of a 24 hour staff, prepared meals, laundry, outpatient therapy, activities and medication supervision. you are always welcome here! Call michele dolby, Admissions director, at 938-6020 to schedule your tour.

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Blood Screenings Set for April 25, May 2

he Punxsutawney Rotary Club and the Punxsutawney Area Hospital will again be offering the annual multi-phasic blood screenings on Saturday, April 25, and Saturday, May 2 in the Punxsutawney Area Middle School cafeteria. Advance registration is required and blood-drawing appointments will be scheduled for each day from 6 to 10 a.m. These screenings provide analysis for over 30 medical factors and can assist your physician in detecting health problems such as anemia, coronary heart disease, kidney or liver disease or diabetes as well as many others. Also, a lipid profile (for cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, etc.) is taken. These tests are offered at only a small fraction of the normal costs. The fees for this years testing remain the same at $47 per person (men and women over 18) for the multi-phasic screening and $15 for the optional Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), available to men 40 years of age or older only. The test process takes about 15 minutes. To guarantee accurate results, a 12-to14 hour fast prior to testing is required. It is also recommended that no alcohol be consumed 24 hours prior to testing. Appointments are necessary and walk-ins will not be accepted. On-line computer registration is now available by logging on to the local Rotary club’s web site at www.punxsyrotary.com. On-line registration is the recommended way to register. All registrants must have a family physician who has agreed to accept the test results. A list of nearly 200 area doctors that have accepted is on the registration site. On-line registration requires payment in advance by credit card on the Rotary web site by either Visa or Master Card. All information is certified secure using the highest level of Internet security available. This year, on the evenings of April 1 and 2, Rotary Club members will be calling all

test participants from the past years; who have not yet registered on-line, to register them in advance over the phone. Then, beginning Friday, April 3, but not before, anyone who has not yet registered can call 938-3477 and leave a voice message with a return phone number and best time to call; and a Rotarian will return your call to register you. However, be advised that waiting to use this phone in registration will be the last appointments to be taken and the available days and times may then be limited. Please, do not call Punxsutawney Area Hospital to make appointments. All those registering over the phone may pay at the door by cash or check made out to Punxsutawney Rotary Club. Snacks and drinks will be available at the events. The results of the screening are confidential and sent directly from the lab to your designated physician. After the doctors review the results, postcards will be sent to all participants with one of two statements. Either “Your results are within normal limits or represent minor abnormalities of no practical significance,” or “Please contact my office to schedule an appointment.” Participants should wait to receive the postcard in the mail before contacting their physician. This blood screening, however, does not replace the need for regular physical exams. Note that this testing is only for adults 18 years or older. All proceeds from the screenings go into the Rotary Club’s general budget and are returned 100 percent to the community through the almost 40 area organizations and community events supported by Rotary. The club wishes to thank the following for their support in this project: Punxsutawney Area Hospital, the Punxsutawney Area School District, Dinsmore Lithographers, BFG Manufacturing, Dzine Corp. and REACT. Any further questions may be directed to the local club by e-mail at info@punxsyrotary.com. • • •

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Study: Stress can lead to disease in some people By Sarah Avery Raleigh News & Observer he economic crisis, depressed home values, job losses -- such stresses are enough to make a person sick. And for many, that's exactly what's happening. Separate studies by two Duke University research teams have found that certain inherited traits make some people more susceptible to disease when stress hormones

hit the system. One study reports this week that stress triggers spikes in blood sugar among African-American women who carry extra weight around their middles. Another, also reported this week, found that some men have a genetic predisposition to produce extra stress hormones when they're angry, causing not only blood sugar to rise, but also blood pressure. "Stress will bring out an underlying disease process in people who are predisposed for some other reason," said Richard Surwit, chief of Duke's division of medical psychology and co-author of the study about black women and diabetes. Surwit's team presented its findings to the American Psychosomatic Society annual meeting in Chicago. "I don't think any amount of stress will cause heart disease or diabetes in people who don't have an underlying weakness," he said. "There has to be some weakness that stress exploits." For years, doctors and patients alike figured stress eroded everyone's health, but studies now are exploring what underlying mechanisms cause some to get sick

while others remain healthy. Surwit's study included 62 healthy, nondiabetic black women who underwent scans and participated in emotional stress tests. They found blood-sugar spikes occurred in participants only when two key factors were present: a lot of belly fat, plus a predisposition to secrete higher-thannormal levels of a stress hormone called epinephrine, which is secreted by the adrenal gland as part of the flight-or-fight response to dangers and hardships. "As everyone knows, patients with higher belly fat do have higher blood glucose levels," Surwit said. "But the real impact of belly fat was the interaction of epinephrine. High levels of epinephrine and high levels of belly fat are what seem to be toxic in this population. It's a onetwo punch." He said it's unknown why some women secrete more stress hormone, and why some store fat around their midsections. But the link is critical for a group that is disproportionately vulnerable to diabetes. Nearly 4 million blacks have type 2 diabetes, and it's more common among black women than white women, according to the American Diabetes Association. A second study reported at the Chicago meeting, by another Duke team, looked at how stress affects men. Some men, the researchers found, have a genetic variant that causes them to release twice as much of the stress hormone cortisol when they are angered. Cortisol is also released by the adrenal gland and is known to trigger elevated blood sugars and blood pressure. Dr. Redford Williams, a behavioral psychiatrist, said men who have this inherited trait go through daily life with elevated stress hormones. He said the next phase of research will be to test men for the genetic trait, then determine whether they actually have higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and other illnesses as a result. Those findings, he said, will enable doctors to tailor treatments based on a patient's genetic makeup. Reach Sarah Avery at savery@newsobserver.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com • • •

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Laurel Eye Clinic Doctor Recipient of Innovators Award

r. Louis “Skip” Nichamin of the procedures, Dr. Nichamin was presented Laurel Eye Clinic has developed with the Storz Crystal Vase. This prestiover 20 ophthalmic surgical ingious award is given to one ophthalmolostruments used by eye surgeons gist each year. Bausch and Lomb Surgical all over the world. It is this innovation and made the award to Dr. Nichamin at an dedication to improved paevent in his honor on Notient outcomes that won vember 15, 2008. Dr. Nichamin the 2008 As an additional testament Charles R. Storz Innovato Dr. Nichamin’s dedicators Award. tion and commitment as a The Charles R. Storz Ingifted eye surgeon, Bausch novators Award has been and Lomb recently named developed to recognize the Laurel Laser and Surthose individuals who, gery Center as a “Center of through their contributions Excellence.” Nationally, to Storz Instruments and there are only 15 “Centers Bausch and Lomb, have of Excellence.” significantly and positively The Laurel Eye Clinic opimpacted surgical techerates 10 offices and two niques in the quest to adstate-of-the-art ambulatory vance the art of surgery surgery centers in Western and provide excellence in and Central Pennsylvania. patient care. The Laurel Eye Clinic and Louis ‘Skip’ Nichamin Dr. In appreciation for his 20 the Laurel Laser and Suryears of service to ophthalgery Center is dedicated to mology and his dedication to continually providing patients with the best possible innovating new instrumentation and develsurgical outcomes and eye care. For more oping new techniques to improve the staninformation, please contact 800-494-2020 dard of care in ophthalmic surgical or visit www.laureleye.com. • • •

serving the community. punXsuTaWnEy MEdiCal assoCiaTEs Joseph J. Kernich, M.D. Jay E. Elder, M.D. Lisa Witherite-Rieg, D.O. Dawn Cekovsky, PA-C Evan Kennedy, PA-C Medical arts Building, Punx’y

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Things happen for a reason

By Sharon Randall Scripps Howard News Service eople say things happen for a reason. But sometimes it's hard to say what the reason is. I had a big fight with my sister. She called late one night driving home after she'd had a big fight with our brother. Joe is blind and barely walks. He has other problems, too, none the least of which is his stubbornness and the fact that he had to leave his apartment and spend the winter smoking his pipe on our sister's porch with a stocking cap pulled down over his nose. I wish you could've seen him. After five months of sharing a bathroom, they were both glad when he could move back to his own place. The nasty weather didn't stop them -- freezing rain, black ice on the roads -- and my sister was fit to be tied. Before I tell you what she said, let me just say this. The woman is crazy about Wal-Mart. She loves Wal-Mart a lot more than she loves me. Once, when I went to visit her for a week, she stopped by WalMart to "get a few things" and left me sitting in the parking lot for two hours. I am not making that up. Ask Joe. He was there, too, standing by the car smoking his pipe with his stocking cap over his nose. People passing by kept a wide berth around us. Anyhow. After settling Joe in his apartment, she went to Wal-Mart, she said, to "get a few things" Joe needed. Two hours later, she was about to check out when the store made an announcement: They were closing due to an emergency generator shutting down. No, she was told, she could not pay for the items in her cart. And yes, they were sorry about her blind brother, but she could not take the items for free. She had to leave Wal-Mart, hopping mad, find a grocery store and start all over. To top it all, she said, after she finally lugged the stuff into Joe's kitchen, he had the nerve to ask, "What? You only got one-half gallon of milk?" "The little cuss doesn't even drink milk!" she said. "I love him to death, I'd

give him an eye, but I could strangle him!" "I wouldn't," I said. "Wouldn't strangle him?" "No," I said. "I wouldn't give him an eye. The doctors said it wouldn't help, remember?" She got quiet, possibly trying to swerve back onto the road. "If I give him an eye," she said, "you have to give him something. Maybe a kidney?" "He doesn't need a kidney." "Well, he doesn't need an eye, either, or I wouldn't offer mine! It's the principle of the thing!" "OK, I'll give him a kidney. At least kidneys don't show." "You could get a glass eye." "I don't want a glass eye." "Fine, give him a kidney!" "Fine," I said, "I will." We got quiet. I thought of my brother in his dark apartment and my sister driving home dodging black ice. I could hear her windshield wipers slapping out a tune, an old hit by Aretha Franklin ("You better think," slap, slap. "Think about what you're tryin' to do to me!") "Sissy?" I said. "Did you run off the road yet?" "No," she said. "I'm here." So I cleared my throat and found the voice that I use when I want to be sure I am heard. I told her she's been a saint looking out for our brother, always being there when we need her, and how very much it would mean to our mother. "When you get to heaven," I said, "God will run out of stars trying to fill up your crown." She didn't seem to know what to say to that. So I said, "Things happen for a reason. Do you know why that generator shut down on you at Wal-Mart?" "No," she said, "why?" "Because you left me in that parking lot for two hours." (Sharon Randall can be contacted at P.O. Box 777394, Henderson NV 89077, or at www.sharonrandall.com.) • • •

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32 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2009