JV Magazine

Hearing aids are cool. I’ll say it again.

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Lewistown, PA—1

Leading you to some good reading

When I asked to leave The Sentinel’s sports department and move into lifestyles, I knew our two biggest annual projects — this magazine and hardback books — would be the most daunting challenges.

The fact that I was stepping into a role filled for as long as I can remember by a colleague who was, quite honestly, way better than I expect I will be, made it even more so. Jane Cannon Mort left a big pair of shoes to fill (and I wear a 14!), and I am crossing my fingers that you — yes, you — will find this edition a joy to read.

The underlying theme of the magazine is leadership, but that’s broadly defined — intentionally. We wanted to

hear from a variety of community members about their experiences. I think we did well in that department, and hope you agree.

We also wanted to make it fun. That came in the form of an abstract game of 20 questions that we played with each subject. Those produced some of the best responses — and allowed us to peek, just a little, into the psyche of the people we see around our valley in everyday life.

In fact, I thought it would only be fair if I answered the same questions. Here’s your chance to learn a few of my deep, dark secrets (and hopefully get a few laughs on the way). My answers are on Page 33.

Business Directory

Allensville Planing Mill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Allergy & Asthma Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Altoona Arthritis & Osteoporosis . . . . . . . . . . .47 Amanda Moeller State Farm . . . . . . .Center pg 4 Apple Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Asher's Chocolate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Barr Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Baxter Flooring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Big Valley Cabinets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Big Valley Thrift & Gift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Bohn Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Boy Scouts of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Bubb's Plumbing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Burnt Timbers Winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Campbell Orthodontic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Chris Warfel, State Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 D & R Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 DaVita Dialysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Dealer's Choice Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Drayer Physical Therapy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Erie, Insurance, Paul Kline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 Exterior Doors & Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 First Area FCU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 First Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Center pg 1 First UM Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Flickinger's Paws & Claws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Gold Key Mark Eddy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 Good Ole Cheesehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Greenway Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Guerrini Vending Machines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 H. C. Kerstetter Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Hess Tire & Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Hide & Seek Daycare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Hoenstine Funeral Home . . . . . . . . . .Center pg 3 Honey Creek Inn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Hower & Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

r

Inside:

John Hilton, Standard Steel . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Deborah Bargo, Lewistown mayor . . . . . 3 Daniel Potutschnig, The Academy . . . . . 6 Steve O’Neal, Port Royal Speedway . . . . . 7 Ruth Eddy, Sentinel publisher . . . . . . . . 8 Scot and Tamara Sechler, coaches . . . . . . . 9 Scott Mauery, MCRPD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Kay Hamilton, Success Together . . . . . . . . 11 David Carlini, Game Commission . . . . . . 14 Richard Musselman, Midd-West . . . . . . . . 15 Art Belfiore, MCHS band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Kirk Thomas, Geisinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Cher Harpster, CareerLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Fredrick Nickel, MCSD board . . . . . . . . . . 23 Rev. William Weary, Sacred Heart . . . . . . . 24 Paige Smith, East Juniata . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Adam Ewig, Snyder County . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Clint Mitchell, elementary principal . . . . 34 Kevin Kodish, Mifflin County . . . . . . . . . . 35 Alice Gray, Juniata County . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Dan Hartley, Hartley’s chips . . . . . . . . . . . 37

In Home Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 J & M Primitive Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Juniata Concrete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Juniata Tire Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Juniata Valley Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Juniata Windows, Doors & More . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Kish Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Krentzman & Son . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Leonard Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Lepley Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Lewistown Assembly of God . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Lewistown Monument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Lewistown Paper Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Logan House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Lost Creek Shoe Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Mac's Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27 Maggi Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Mammy's Donut Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Marvin E Smith Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 MCS Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Metzler Forest Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Michael Kramer, Lake Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Miller's Tree Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28 Millheim Small Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37 Molly Maid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Mountain Road Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Mountain Side Shoe Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Mt Rock Cemetery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Nature's Harmony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Newton Wayne Fire Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52 Noerr's Int'l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Noll's Gun Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 North Ridge Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 Overhead Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Center Pg 2 PA Military Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Peachey’s Rustic Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Rep. John Hershey, state legislator . . . . . 38 Nick Felice, MCIDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 James Estep, MCSD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Tammy Heikes, Extension . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Steve Dedmon, Boy Scouts . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Rev. Ethan Druckenmiller, Calvary . . . . . 49 Aaron Gingrich, judge . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Olivia Ahern, Mifflin County HS . . . . . 54 Samuel Klinger, Mifflintown . . . . . . . . 55 Jenny Barron Landis, JRVVB . . . . . . . . 56 Vince Giordano, librarian . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Adam Sheaffer, Greenwood . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Tish Maclay, athletic director . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Oksana DeArment, United Way . . . . . . . . 62 Travis Quici, athletic director/coach . . . . 63 Forest Fisher, historian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Cory Snook, district attorney . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Michael Bobb, MACC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Anna Stroup, Juniata High School . . . . . 67 Rev. Terry Brosius, UMC . . . . . . . . . . . 70 On the cover: See Page 5

Peight's Country Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Penn Equipment Co . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Perfection Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Pines General Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Professional Opticians . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Ram-Wood Custom Cabinetry . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Reedsville Fire House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Ridge Road Country Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 River Valley Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Rte 333 Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Pg Salon Works by Michelle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Salvation Army . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36 Sand Blasting & Painting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Seven Mts Wine Cellars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Smeltz & Aumiller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Smeltz & Aumiller, Jami Zook . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Smolcic Family Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Snowflakes on the Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Stewardship Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Stonefly Cafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26 Straight Path Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Straight Way Enterprise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Sunset Windows& Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Taste of the Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 The Carousel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Tuscarora Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Uhring's Hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Inside Front Valley View Retirement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Valley View Variety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Vince's Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68 Weaver's Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Willow Lane Greenhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Worthy's Refuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Wray's Landscaping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Zimmerman Truck Lines . . . . . . . .Inside Back pg

2—Lewistown, PA

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

President and CEO, Standard Steel

By GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel correspondent

BURNHAM — John Hilton is the man of steel.

Not the one who is faster than a speeding bullet or more powerful than a locomotive — he’s the one who serves as the president and chief operating officer of Standard Steel, an industry leader in railroad wheels and axels that is writing a new chapter in its illustrious 225-year history.

Companies in troubled rust-belt industries often talk of rising from the ashes, but few have actually pulled off the feat. Battered by foreign competition and a sluggish economy, Standard Steel not only reorganized through Chapter 11 bankruptcy but also refocused itself, and is gaining speed like the freight trains it supplies.

“We were at the bottom of the barrel,” says Hilton, reflecting on Standard Steel’s bankruptcy in 2001. “But we were not only able to get off the bottom, but we were able to get out of the barrel. A lot of companies never do that. For 12 or 13 months, every day was pretty much doom or gloom. You didn’t know if there was a future. We were able to work every day and we emerged from that process.

“Today, we are not faced with that challenge,” he adds.

“There are others now. The teams at Standard Steel are able to accomplish feats each and every day. They take on the challenges that come up and keep moving the company forward.”

Today, Standard Steel’s Burnham plant produces the state-of-the-art “S Wheel,” incorporating a curved-plate design to minimize stress due to overheating during rail car braking.

“We want to succeed in the future,” Hilton says. “Standard Steel is an important part of this community. Our 600 team members work here and their families live here. I want

John Hilton

to make sure there’s a bright future.

“My father worked here and was able to do that for me,” he adds. “And I was able to do that for my family. I hope we never see another 2001 again.”

Hilton was promoted to his current position in January 2016. He had served as senior vice president of sales and operations since July 2001. Prior to that, Hilton had been the vice president of sales since September 1993.

That’s an impressive resume for someone who came to the plant to interview for a summer internship in the spring of 1979, but left with a full-time job as an operations foreman in the ring rolling facility. Hilton held various sales and marketing positions prior to 1993.

If the 64-year-old Lewistown native sounds competitive, he is. It’s his nature.

Hilton is “passionate about anything I am committed to,” he says. That comes from being a jock in high school and college, playing football, basketball and baseball.

“I’m not sure what drives me more — hating to lose or the will to win,” he says. “I chose to win because losing is not an option. Today, I use that same drive every day, I’m still working as a team at Standard Steel the same way I did back in high school and college to win a game or a league or a championship.”

Hilton played basketball and baseball at Lewistown before leaving for Kiski Prep when his father moved to the Pittsburgh area. He played all three sports there. At Susquehanna University, Hilton played baseball for four years and football and basketball for a year.

For Hilton, the competition in the steel industry is as fierce as it was on the athletic field.

The stakes are much higher as the future of Standard Steel’s employees and their families rest in his hands.

See Hilton / Page 4

Submitted photo

Standard Steel’s John Hilton.

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Burnham (717) 248-9550

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Lewistown, PA—3

Mayor, Borough of Lewistown

By BRADLEY KREITZER Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — There are many leaders in a community but you would be hardpressed to find one more in the public eye than Lewistown Mayor Deb Bargo.

“It’s a position I dearly, dearly love. It’s sort of like a cheerleader for the community and there are different aspects of what you get involved with.” Bargo said.

As mayor, Bargo is in charge of the Lewistown Police Department, a position she is comfortable with since her father was a police officer.

“We have a wonderful department. A very busy department and it’s nice to have visual 24/7 police protection in the borough,” she said.

Bargo also is in charge of the emergency services in the borough. If there is a flood, major fire or any kind of disaster it’s her job to pull together the resources to come up with an emergency plan to deal with whatever problem has arisen. Bargo recalled one year when she had to use her position as head of emergency services when the borough was in threat of flooding.

“I pulled everybody together and met down in the conference room of the police department and made a strategy as far as where to put emergency equipment in case we had to evacuate people from their homes,” Bargo said.

The Lewistown Borough has a Swift Reach system that Bargo is able to use to alert residents of the borough, especially those in the south end of town where flooding tends to happen first.

“I actually had to evacuate the apartment building on Main Street,” Bargo said. “It was really neat to see everybody in action. All the department heads, everybody knew what they had to do and they went about doing it.”

Having an emergency plan

Deborah Bargo

already in place made it a lot easier to come together and hash things out to deal with the immediate threat of flooding, Bargo said.

“It worked out very well.

Luckily we didn’t have to go any further than that,” Bargo said. “It’s nice to have a plan and it’s nice to have good people that are willing to step up to the plate and assist one another.”

Bargo said one of the most difficult parts of her job is keeping up with changes that are made within the borough.

Bargo attends all the Lewistown Borough Council meetings, but normally does not have a vote on matters brought before the council — she only votes when there is a need to break a tie.

“I’ve had to do that quite a lot since the almost 12 years I’ve been doing this,” Bargo said. “I think sometimes when you don’t deal with some of the issues every day and then it’s up to you to make a decision sometimes it’s difficult because you may not have all the information you need.”

When she’s not attending borough council meetings or coordinating emergency efforts Bargo spends a lot of time doing things in the community. Bargo is a member of several boards and committees as well as serving as chair of events that happen in the borough. Bargo is also very active in the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs in Harrisburg, in which she serves on the board of directors and the board of trustees.

In June 2019 Bargo became president of Association of Mayors of the Boroughs of Pennsylvania. Bargo is also active in many things that happen in the borough building.

A fun and interesting duty of the mayor’s office is to officiate wedding ceremonies.

During her years in office mayor Bargo has performed 574 weddings. Bargo enjoys See Bargo / Page 5

Lewistown mayor Deborah Bargo.

Sentinel photo by BRADLEY KREITZER

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4—Lewistown, PA

Hilton

Continued from Page 2

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

“We have to stay ahead of our competition,” he says.

“Customers have choices. We want to be their first choice.

We want those customers to know that when they order from Standard Steel. We will deliver high-quality products to them — every time.”

Hilton said the company has flourished because of the team approach. From the CEO to the guys on the floor, who make product, they are customer oriented. The goal: to serve the railway market better than the competition. That starts on the shop floor and permeates the whole organization.

“We try to serve our customers better than anyone in the industry,” he says. “A repeat customer is the easiest to keep — as long as you take care of them; build trust and a develop a strong relationship, they will stay with you a long time; and that is critical in the industry we serve.”

Standard Steel’s history throughout the 20th century was punctuated by producing the first solid forged and rolled wheel in 1904. By 1939, the company was making one-

fifth of the locomotive tires produced in the United States.

During World War I and II, commercial operations were retooled to include artillery shells and military forgings.

Around the time Standard Steel celebrated its 200th anniversary, the steel industry in the United States was under assault from both foreign imports and a general decline in manufacturing. In 2001, the company filed for voluntary protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an effort to reorganize, although it continued to operate during the bankruptcy process.

Standard Steel emerged from bankruptcy in 2002 and, a year later, made the difficult decision to halt production of steel rings for jet engines, power plants and mining and oil exploration. Instead, the company decided to focus solely on its core railroad business.

“We have totally dedicated all of our resources toward the railway industry and our railway wheel and axle products,” Hilton says.

One thing that has greatly helped Standard was a $40 million investment in a wheel forging line in 1997. It replaced one that had been in existence since 1917. The investment al-

lowed Standard Steel to increase production and reduce manufacturing costs.

The number of North American-based manufacturers of railroad wheels shrunk from four to just two during that period. Standard Steel’s surviving domestic competitor only produces cast steel wheels, which is a totally different process than the forged wheels produced at the Burnham plant.

New freight cars remain the biggest driver of business for Standard Steel. The locomotive and passenger segments of the market are much smaller, although Standard Steel does supply wheels for cross-country passenger trains.

“The industry has changed,” Hilton says. “There is much more technology used in the manufacturing process today and a lot more competition from off-shore manufacturers. If you’re not getting better every day, you’re going to be left behind. You have to push yourself to be better.

That’s not just at Standard Steel and making wheels and axles, it’s in everything we do in life — competition forces us to be better. If we don’t push to be better and beat the competition, the alternative can be

pretty ugly.”

He experienced that fierce competition as a teenager while playing high school and college athletics then as an adult while coaching in youth leagues, watching college sports or even playing golf.

“Hopefully, my legacy will be that Standard Steel is better because I was here and I leave it a little bit better than when I came,” Hilton says. “I hope I made a difference in my 41 years.”

Name: John Hilton Job: Standard Steel Town where you live?

Lewistown Where did you go to school? Lewistown Area High School and Kiski Area Prep then Susquehanna University (bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing) Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? Susquehanna. Together since 1979. Married in 1983.

How many children and grandchildren do you have?

Three sons, one grandson Why did you choose this profession? Potential summer internship interview turned into full-time job.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? Father

worked at Standard Steel.

What would you like your legacy to be? “Standard Steel is better because John Hilton was here and I leave it a little bit better than when I came. In 41 years, I made a difference.”

What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Sports enthusiast, especially Penn State football and basketball, coaching youth sports and playing golf If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Passionate (about anything I’ve committed to.)

What is place you’d like to visit? Napa Valley, California, and New Jersey beaches What is the last book you read? “Attitude: Develop a Winning Mindset On And Off The Court,” by Jay Wright, Villanova men’s basketball head coach What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate chip cookie dough What’s on your pizza?

Pepperoni What’s your TV show?

NCAA basketball What super power would you like to have? See the future What’s your favorite color? Blue (Go Penn State!)

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Bargo

Continued from Page 3

performing weddings so much she keeps a record of each one she has done in the form of small stories she writes after each ceremony.

One of the biggest goals Bargo set out to do as mayor was to change the negativity that permeates the area.

“I think sometimes people don’t see what we have to offer here,” Bargo said. “I know if I bring people in from out of town people are in awe of our area. It’s beautiful here.

We have very good people and hard workers. I hope I’m making a positive impact.”

Bargo also praised all the young entrepreneurs that have been opening up businesses in Lewistown.

“They are doing so wonderful in them and they are so active in the community. Just a wonderful group of people,” she said.

Bargo said one of the leadership roles she has as mayor is being visible and active in the community so that it might inspire others to begin to get more involved in the community.

“I think volunteerism is so important. And I think the younger we stress that in children and in young adults the better our world is going to be,” Bargo said.

Volunteering has been a big part of Bargo’s life. For 36 years the mayor has been involved with a program for children who use wheelchairs and those who are legally or totally blind in Fort Indiantown Gap.

Lewistown, PA—5

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE The Sentinel

“Over the years I’ve seen young people when they start to help with that project have grown to be very caring and respectful of others and volunteer in other aspects of their lives,” Bargo said.

“When I’m here in my office I have an open door policy. People can stop by and talk to me about anything,” Bargo said. “Hopefully when they come into my office with an issue they feel better about it when they leave.”

The accessibility of Mayor Bargo shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. Bargo likes interaction with the public and her position as mayor, an office that allows her the opportunity to do so. Even before becoming mayor Bargo was in a position to interact with the community that she loves.

She served on borough council for seven years as well as working for Bell Atlantic, later Verizon.

“In my position, practically all my life, I’ve dealt with the public and it’s something I really enjoy,” she said.

Name: Deborah A. Bargo Job: Mayor (elected) Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? 7th Ward Elementary, Lewistown Jr. High School, Lewistown High School, Atlantic Airline School in Hartford, Conn.

Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? Met him at a dance, 55 years How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Son, 53 and daughter, 51 — Four

grandchildren, 22, 21, 20, 19 Why did you choose this profession/activity? Wanted to make a positive impact on my hometown.

Who had a great influence on your choice? My family and the wonderful folks I come in contact with on a daily basis What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Establishing our own police department What would you like your legacy to be? As someone who wanted to make a positive impact and did it.

What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Making wreaths, spending time with my family.

What are you afraid of?

Snakes What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Crossed Kish Creek on a pipe If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Compassionate What is a place you’d like to visit? Nashville What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Butter Pecan What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Notebook” What super power would you like to have? Determining the truth What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Purple; Orange

On the cover

People on the cover are, from left:

First row: Steve Dedmon, Olivia Ahern, Jenny Barron Landis, Kirk Thomas, John Hershey, Michael Bobb, Adam Sheaffer, David Carlini, Rev. William Weary, Forest Fisher.

Second row: Steve O’Neal, Scott Mauery, Anna Stroup, Craig Strawser, Samuel Klinger, Clint Mitchell, Daniel Potutschnig, Tish Maclay, Kay Hamilton, Travis Quici.

Third row: Cory Snook, Alice Gray, Vince Giordano, Paige Smith, Richard Musselman, Kevin Kodish, Adam Ewig, Nick Felice, Deborah Bargo, Dan Hartley.

Fourth row: Art Belfiore, Aaron Gingrich, Tammy Heikes, Rev. Terry Brosius, Oksana DeArment, John Hilton, Jim Estep, Scot Sechler, Tamara Sechler, Cher Harpster.

Not pictured, but in this edition: Rev. Ethan Druckenmiller, Fredrick Nickel, Ruth Eddy.

COVER ILLUSTRATION: Bradley Kreitzer

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Director, The Academy

By ERIN THOMPSON Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — Great things happen in Mifflin County.

It is full of untapped potential and Dan Potutschnig would like to encourage and empower others through programs offered at The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology.

“We have great experiences for our students in Mifflin County and for the residents to realize their full potential.

We are capable of doing great things,” said Potutschnig, who is the school’s director. “I would like people to have a lot more confidence in themselves,” which can come about through program completion and career advancement.

The Academy provides high school students in grade 10 to 12 with the opportunity to obtain certifications, dual enrollment credits and certification upon completion of their respective program. The Academy provides a basic set of employment skills for students to gain entry-level employment in their chosen field.

The Academy also provides short-term training for adults in a variety of programs to get students placed in jobs that lead to employment.

“Within a short drive, you can get local job training and we can get you out in the workforce from a training standpoint,” Potutschnig said.

Dan Potutschnig

As director, Potutschnig’s responsibilities include overseeing and participating in the hiring of instructors, faculty and personnel. On the board level, he is involved with setting agendas, seeking approval for hirings, policies and purchases. He is also involved in seeking grant dollars that align with the school’s goals.

On an average day, Potutschnig spends his time overseeing departments and working at the business aspect of the center.

Since becoming director of The Academy in 2011, he, along with Mifflin County School District Superintendent Jim Estep, have worked together to change the administrative model to include an assistant director and principal and an adult coordinator.

“This allows me to oversee those individuals and to set course for the building and get everybody pulling in the same direction,” he said. “I am very thankful that they’re here. Now, I’m able to get out and be more present in the community as a result of those other positions.”

Within his position, his goal is for The Academy to be as efficient and productive as it can be.

“One of our longterm goals is to have this building operating 24/7,” he said. “We believe there is a lot to offer here.”

Potutschnig said offering night courses could be ideal for students and adults who work shifts that may otherwise make it difficult to further their training.

“We’re slowly getting more an more use out of the building ... We have a lot of resources in this building and each hour it is sitting empty, we’re not taking advantage of those resources,” he said. “I’m not sure that there’s a school out there that operates 24/7 so it may never happen, but it would be my long-term goal.”

Another goal is to make a meaningful impact on both adult and secondary students.

“We want the skills and trades that they learn with their instructors to be something they carry with them for the rest of their lives,” he said.

While directing The Academy can be fulfilling, the responsibility does comes at a cost.

“It is a great, fulfilling job.

It is very challenging, but it can also be a very lonely position because sometimes (making) the right decisions from a vision standpoint, it’s See Potutschnig / Page 12

The Academy’s Dan Potutschnig.

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Port Royal Speedway promoter

By TODD HEINTZELMAN

Steve O’Neal Steve O’Neal, right, joins Lucas Wolfe, left, and Sherry Hodnett after Lucas won the Hodnett Classic during Speedweek last year at Port Royal.

Sentinel correspondent

PORT ROYAL — When Steve O’Neal took over the promotional duties at Port Royal Speedway at the end of the 2010 racing season, the future of the historic dirt track, located on the Juniata County Fairgrounds in downtown Port Royal, looked bleak.

Fast forward to 2020 and the speedway is thriving and one of the best facilities in the nation thanks to O’Neal’s leadership, countless volunteers and the support of the Juniata County Agricultural Society.

He’s been named the Promoter of the Year four times — including last year — by the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Iowa.

The entire racing facility has been completely transformed. Fans and race teams once again flock to the track.

Victory lane interviews almost always include statements such as “Port Royal is one of the best race tracks in the country.”

There’s no doubt, the track’s success has had an impact on the local economy.

“I think over the past 10 years with the schedule that I created with several national events and several two-day events has made a large impact in the area for a lot of our businesses — from the motels, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and so on — not only in Juniata, but Mifflin and Perry counties,” O’Neal said. “We have fans coming from all over the country. We now have made Port Royal Speedway into a track where each year I think it’s on more and more fans’ bucket list. I think with all the social media work that we do and all the television deals, that we are reaching new fans each year.”

Realistically, O’Neal has two full-time jobs, so he has some very long, busy days.

“Monday thru Friday, I get

Sentinel photo by Brian Rhoad

up at 4:45 a.m. each morning and head to my primary job as a production manager at Dayton Parts LLC where I have been employed for the past 43 years,” O’Neal said.

“I’m normally in the office by 6:20 each morning and I normally try to leave by 2:45 p.m. each day,” he said. “My promoting job starts on my 45-minute commute home. I try to make as many phone calls as I can to use that time wisely. Then once home I work normally a few hours most days on racing items that need taken care including meetings, phone calls etc.

There is a lot of time spent on the phone since all my staff also work full-time jobs. You must have a strong passion and love for the sport.”

Even with all the success, O’Neal’s goals remain the same.

“My goals are to try to do our best and continue to grow Port Royal Speedway to a See O’Neal / Page 13

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Publisher, The Sentinel

Ruth Eddy

By BRIAN COX

Sentinel Managing Editor

LEWISTOWN — At The Sentinel, Ruth Eddy wears many hats — publisher, problem solver, liaison, accountant and a whole host of others depending upon the needs of the day.

However, one of the few pieces of metaphorical headwear she does not put on is that of editor — although the untrained may be forgiven if that seems confusing. “I would be very rich if I was paid every time I was introduced as the editor,� Eddy jokes while seated in her office at The Sentinel building in the quiet (at least when classes at the high school and junior high school aren’t beginning or ending for the day) Derry Township neighborhood of Pleasant Acres. “I believe a lot of times in movies, the editor runs out and yells ‘stop the press!’�

Eddy says to explain why her job title may be so difficult to remember for many. “So, when people see that, they believe that the editor is the person in many companies like the president who has the final authority — and in many ways, the editor does. But the editor is a department head who is in charge of the newsroom and the content in the newspaper. ... The publisher in many businesses would be called the president or CEO.�

That’s not to say there isn’t any crossover, which is what can sometimes blur the lines between editor and publisher, making it hard for someone to tell the difference or even realize there is one. “The editor is a very important role, they’re very valuable, and sometimes the publisher can make some of those decisions as well, but they’re really two distinct roles.�

So, if Eddy is not the one choosing what goes in the paper most of the time, what does her job entail?

It would, perhaps, be easier to list what it doesn’t entail.

“Solving problems is one of my main job functions because ultimately, I’m the one responsible,� Eddy says. “My position also involves working with people to do their best to produce a new edition every day.�

Ah, yes, the daily production of the paper — six days per week, 52 weeks per year.

Each year, more than 300 unique editions of The Sentinel are created. Additionally, dozens of special projects (including the one you’re reading now) are planned and executed, a yearly hardback book is produced and two other weekly products — Neighbors and the County Observer — are published.

Each daily paper and special project (most of which are included with a daily edition) requires not only producing or acquiring content in the form of stories and photographs, but also the selling and designing of advertisements (which also requires a significant amount of bookkeeping), figuring out how many pages each will contain, determining what the size of the pages will be (broadsheet, which is the standard newspaper setup, or tabloid, which is smaller and more square-shaped), what type of paper it will be printed on (which could entail sending it off to a third-party printer), how many copies are required, which pages will have color available on them, when the product fits into the press schedule, where to store it until it goes out to the public, followed by the distribution of the product using our trucks and carriers and a staff of people ensuring the product reaches its intended destination — our readers.

A lot of that content winds up on our website as well, which means someone must take the time to upload it.

All this must be done on deadline every single time, and that doesn’t even touch those who process the things any small business needs like See Eddy / Page 20

Sentinel photo by BRIAN COX

Sentinel publisher Ruth Eddy.

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Mifflin County coaches

Scot and Tamara Sechler

By WILLIAM WHISLER Sentinel sports editor

LEWISTOWN — No matter the time of year there is one constant with Mifflin County athletics, and that is the presence of a Coach Sechler guiding high school athletes.

Scot Sechler serves as the coach for the Mifflin County football team and is the coach of the boys track and field team, while Tamara Sechler, who spends her days teaching math at Mifflin County High School, is the cheerleading coach and an assistant track and field coach for the Huskies.

Both have had lasting impacts on the next generation in Mifflin County, on and off the field.

Scot sees it as a calling to improve the lives of today’s youth and to constantly be better than the day before. Tamara wants to be known as a teacher who pushed her students to excel in the classroom and to keep sports alive in their children after high school.

“My job as a coach definitely has a tremendous impact on the community,” Scot said.

“Every decision you make as a coach that has an effect on someone’s child has repercussions that vibrate through the area.

“From whether an athlete starts, what position or events they are placed in, how you talk and coach them on and off the field, what coaches you surround yourself with, what color your uniforms are, did you go for it on fourth-and-1 or punt, what words did you choose in a post-game interview — every decision I make as a head coach has an impact on the community because every decision involves 50 athletes,” Scot continued. “That is potentially over 100 parents, 400 grandparents, not to mention the brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, best friend. Every decision I make I do not take lightly because I know that everyone wants to see their kids succeed.”

Tamara views her position as one that allows for growth, and seeing her athletes hit the marks they set for themselves is the best part of the job.

“I really enjoy when athletes reach their goals,” Tamara said. “In jumps, it takes a lot of time, focus, dedication, and wear and tear on the body to push their bodies to new distances. Athletes get so excited when they get that mark. In cheer, the same challenges exist. We are constantly working toward improving our skill base and completing more complicated stunts. They always start with falls. We get really excited when the stunt hits. In the classroom, I love that moment when something that seemed challenging suddenly seems easy to the students.”

The couple faces many challenges in season, with Scot tasked with the turnaround of the football program, while Tamara coaches the cheerleading team in its return to PIAA competition.

“I want to change the public’s perception of the football program,” Scot said. “The athletes and coaches sacrifice way more than most people realize.

I want to grow our fan base to what it was when my dad played football. Stands filled, five rows deep the whole way around the field. I want to see that kind of support for my coaches and athletes. They deserve it, and it will help to drive them to become more successful.

“We are products of our environment; therefore, I want our environment to be one that nurtures confidence in what our kids and coaches are doing,” he continued. “We’re all want the same thing, to see our athletes succeed.”

Tamara hopes to see an increase in numbers in afterschool activities.

“I would love to be able to get more students involved in sports or clubs at MCHS,” she said. “We have so many See Sechlers / Page 21

Sentinel photo by KATURAH KLEIN

Scot, left, and Tamara Sechler coach track and field together and other sports separately at Mifflin County High School.

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Chief, Mifflin County Regional Police Department

Scott Mauery

By LUCAS LENZE Sentinel reporter

YEAGERTOWN — Scott Mauery never saw himself becoming a police chief when he was younger.

Mauery loves to work with his hands.

When he was younger he had a job at Standard Steel.

He worked in the melt room there for four years before being laid off. Later he joined Mifflin County Regional Police and eventually was promoted to chief.

Being police chief has a lot of duties and impact on the community the agency serves.

Mauery says, “I’m the head of the regional police department, I manage 13 employees, their day-to-day operations in the police department. We handle citizen complaints and if something doesn’t suit folks they call me and we try to resolve things and find out what exactly happened.”

The impact that the job has comes in the form of providing safety and security to the community.

“We interact with people every day, not always the good, you know, we see the bad side of a lot of people as well, If you could help them it makes you feel good knowing you helped them,” Mauery added.

An average work day as a police chief is always a new adventure. There is no set schedule for any one day of work. The officers respond to calls as they get them at the office.

“Some days you might not get hardly anything, so those are the days you get caught up on paperwork because everything we do is documented,” Mauery said.

As a police chief he can never just put in an average day, with shifts running 12 hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As a person everyone has goals they want to achieve

Sentinel photo by JEFF FISHBEIN

Mifflin County Regional Police Chief Scott Mauery.

when they start a job. When it comes to law enforcement those goals have a whole different purpose. Wanting to fulfill them will help to keep the community as safe as it can be.

Mauery said his goals on the job are “to be fair to everybody and try to meet everyone’s needs. You can’t always do that, some people don’t want to hear what you have to tell them.”

It is hard, he said, because some people just don’t understand the law. At the end of the day he just tries to be as open and honest with the citizens as he can be.

Everyone has things that they like and dislike about their job. One of the things that Mauery likes the most is See Mauery / Page 33

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Success Together

Kay Hamilton

By JULIANNE KILMER Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — If Kay Hamilton is any indication, choosing to do the right thing is a catalyst for positive change.

Hamilton, of Reedsville, may best be known locally for the years she served as president and CEO of GeisingerLewistown Hospital, before retiring in 2016. During her tenure at the hospital, she worked her way from a clinical development specialist, to vice president of nursing, to senior vice president of patient care services, to president and CEO. She was the founding director of the Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital School of Nursing, which opened in 2005. Hamilton has also served as coordinator of “Success Together: Our Opportunity for a Brighter Future,” a project launched nearly three years ago by the county commissioners. Most recently, Hamilton was elected as a Brown Township supervisor and chairperson of the Board of Supervisors.

“The most important goal for me in any job that I do is to ‘do the right thing,’” Hamilton said.

She acknowledged that it isn’t always easy.

“I am convinced that when faced with a difficult situation, more often than not, we know the right thing to do but lack the courage to do it,” she said.

Other goals she sets for herself are to welcome adversity and criticism, and never give up. The School of Nursing is an example of her perseverance.

Hamilton was VP of nursing when she opened the school. The hospital didn’t have enough registered nurses and had to hire them through an agency. Those individuals were “here one day and elsewhere on the next.”

Hamilton tried to work with universities to provide educa-

Submitted photo

Kay Hamilton ran Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital, and now she seeks Success Together. tional opportunities to locals, but was unsuccessful in gaining their partnership. While driving to work one day, she decided the hospital would open its own school.

“Whenever I was working on a project like the School of Nursing and one door closed, I kept looking for another door to open until I found it,” she explained. “I did that over and over until I crossed the threshold.”

She also found that accepting adversity helps to finetune community efforts.

“It is because of adversity that I worked out every detail in a project before I unveiled it,” she said.

Together, Hamilton’s onthe-job goals have helped her

improve life for people in Mifflin County.

“I loved working with a diverse group of people to bring about positive change,” she said.

It was satisfying to watch programs succeed or see new equipment become available to county residents, she said.

“Being a part of making our community healthier felt great,” she concluded.

However, every job came with challenges. For Hamilton, the time it took to manage some issues was irritating.

Another difficulty was working with professionals who made foolish choices.

“I really did not like having See Hamilton / Page 12

Lewistown, PA—11

12—Lewistown, PA

Potutschnig Continued from Page 6

from a vision standpoint, it’s not always popular. So you have to be able to weather the storm and to have confidence in the outcome of the decision,” he said. “It’s easy to see the end and look at your hard work, but until you get there, there can be some awfully lonely days and some bumps in the road.”

In his position, Potutschnig appreciates the autonomy and the ability to affect change.

“Often you get in position that you don’t think you can affect change — the system runs the way the system runs and you really can’t change that. One of the key things to being a CTC vocational director is I have the ability to make change, so the autonomy and

Hamilton Continued from Page 11

to tell well-educated and smart people the consequences of doing something that they knew they shouldn’t have done,” she said.

Hamilton added, “in these positions, no matter what you do, you will make enemies.

You have to be prepared to accept that but it certainly isn’t something you enjoy.”

If she could change something about her work, Hamilton said it would be that everyone be 100 percent committed to making the healthcare system the best in the world.

“Really, all three of these roles I’ve described have one central theme — the health of the public,” she said.

In each role, Hamilton has enjoyed making a positive difference in people’s lives.

“Whether a patient, a resident or a co-worker, it is rewarding for me to see success for that person,” she explained.

Part of the process is listening to those in need and acting upon their requests.

As president and CEO of the hospital, Hamilton’s work day was typically 10 to 12 hours long. She was responsible for the delivery of quality healthcare for a geographic area containing around 800,000 people and made herself available to

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

the support from not only Mr. Estep, but the (Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology’s) operating committee is something I admire most about this job — the ability to create a vision of change and the support to do so,” he said.

Serving as a director for The Academy, requires a passion for career and workforce training. The individual should have leadership and organizational skills, must complete coursework that will eventually add up to a degree that would enable them to be in a role such as vocational director.

Potutschnig started out as a machinist, then went on to teach machining. From there, he completed administrative coursework to become an administrator.

If he weren’t in this role, he says he would likely be in

manufacturing either as a machinist or an engineer.

When he’s not managing the Academy, you might spot Potutschnig tending to his honey bee hives. About two years ago, he picked up the hobby as an outside activity he could do with his daughters.

“It’s a pretty cool thing to be able to harvest honey,” he said.

her constituents any time.

Though her work days were planned, they seldom went according to plan.

“There were many interruptions which I allowed because I felt it was important to hear their concerns then and there,” she said, adding that many concerns were life and death issues.

In many ways, Hamilton’s roles with the hospital, community programs and Brown Township are efforts to bring people together and create a better future — an opportunity she had in her own life at the age of 58, when she found out she had two brothers.

“I thought I was an only child, but after my mother died, my father shocked me by saying, ‘Kay, I had two sons before I married your mother and I would like to know if they are still alive ... can you find them for me?’” she recalled.

Hamilton quickly located the younger of her two broth-

ers and called him.

“He hung up on me, I thought,” she said.

She learned later that when she told him she thought she was his sister, he got so excited he jumped up from his chair and accidentally disconnected the phone. He tracked her down and called back.

Both brothers flew to Oklahoma, where Hamilton and her father were living at the time. She learned that her dad walked out on them when they were 1 and 2 years old.

“In spite of that, they were both very kind, loving and respectful to Dad,” she said. “It was wonderful to see and I felt so blessed to have two brothers, especially when Dad died about 6 months later.”

She ended up relocating to Lewistown to be with her brother Gil. Hamilton said people may be surprised to find out that she didn’t know about her

Name: Dan Potutschnig Job: Administrative Director, The Academy of Science and Technology Town where you live: Reedsville Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, associate; Pennsylvania State University, bachelor’s and master’s; Indiana University of Pennsylvania, doctorate

Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? Through a friend.

Spouse of 17 years How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Stepson, 27; daughter, 14; daughter, 9 Why did you choose this profession/activity? I wanted an increased ability to affect change within a school and provide more opportunities for students.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? Greg Michelone, former director at the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology What is your proudest work–related achievement?

Having our board members, teachers, and staff come together as a team and achieve organizational goals.

What would you like your legacy to be? I have high expectations for myself and those

around me.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? Camping and hunting What are you afraid of? Living a life full of regrets.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Determined What is a place you’d like to visit? Glacier National Park What is the last book you read? “The Screwtape Letters”

by C.S. Lewis What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Butter pecan What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Gold Rush” What super power would you like to have? The ability to fly.

What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most? Favorite color is green, least favorite color is purple

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Hamilton Continued from Page 12

brothers until she was 58 years old.

Every experience — even meeting long lost (and now found) brothers — is significant in understanding a person’s life and influence. Telling those stories is a way to reach people. Hamilton said she uses storytelling to attract others to her profession.

“Using real stories about actual cases is as strong a motivator as anything I know,” she said. “Another tactic is arranging for the individual to spend a day with someone in the field.”

If she weren’t involved in the community projects she is now, Hamilton had an idea of what else she would be doing.

“I’d be writing full-time on my third novel, ‘The House,’” she said.

Name: Kay Hamilton Job: Retired President/CEO, Lewistown Hospital; project coordinator for Success Together; chairperson, Brown Township Board of Supervisors Town where you live: Reedsville Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college): High school, Strong Vincent in Erie; R.N. diploma, St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid, Okla.; B.A. in English/Education, Phillips University, Enid, Okla.; M.S. in Nursing, University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? U.S. Air Force — we were both stationed on the same base.

Together 20 years.

How many children, how old?

Grandchildren? Two children, a son and daughter, both in their 50s. Two grandchildren and one great-granddaughter Why did you choose this profession/activity? I didn’t; it chose me! My mother told me a million times that I should be a nurse. I was completely repelled by the idea. I wanted to be a linguist.

Years later when I had no job and had two kids to feed, I found a job as a nurse’s aide. I hated it but my family and I had food to eat. Then, I found myself watching what the doctors and nurses did and before you knew it, I was in awe of what they did. Thanks to the post-Korean G.I. Bill, I was able to go to school and become an R.N. Who has had a great influence on your choice? My children. It was for their security.

What is your proudest workrelated achievement?

The Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital School of Nursing. I opened it in 2005 and it has been graduating registered nurses ever since. I was VP of Nursing when I opened the school and I remember clearly the very moment when I thought of it.

We didn’t have enough RNs and had to hire agency RNs who were here one day and elsewhere on the next. On top of that, in 2002 alone, they cost the organization over $1 million. So, I tried to partner with several universities to no avail.

Lewistown, PA—13

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

The mountains were too formidable for them. So, one day, driving to work, the proverbial light bulb came on. Eureka, I said to myself — we are a hospital and, in this commonwealth, we can open our own school of nursing. The rest of the story is history, as they say.

The school has a 100% NCLEX pass rate on first try that has gone on for several years and is a record. I faced many obstacles and lots of opposition to the school but now everyone sees its worth, not only for the hospital but even more so for the entire community that benefits in several ways from having these graduates. I am their founding director, a title that gives me a great sense of pride.

What would you like your legacy to be? That I made a positive difference in the lives of the people I’ve encountered.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? Writing. I have written and published two books: “Hamilton’s Pond” and “From Bedpans to Boardrooms” and at work on the third. My other interest is exercise — staying fit. I go at least a mile on my elliptical daily plus I lift weights and I love tai chi.

What are you afraid of? Very little. I have survived many harrowing experiences and I have refused to allow fear to dominate me.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? I’m sure this will rank right up there. When I was around 6 years old, I heard or read (I was very precocious) that people sometimes preserved important things by burying them.

Consequently, that Easter, when I got a chocolate bunny, I buried it.

Imagine my mother’s reaction to that!

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Happy What is a place you’d like to visit? I’ve already been everywhere I ever wanted to go. However, I would like to revisit Scotland and Ireland.

What is the last book you’ve read? Nelson Demille’s “The Deserter” What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Black raspberry What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni and onions What’s your favorite movie or TV show? “NCIS” and “FBI” What super power would you like to have? All of them.

What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most?

Red is my favorite and I dislike orange the most.

O’Neal

Continued from Page 7

place where fans, sponsors, owners and drivers want to come each week,” he said.

One thing O’Neal enjoys the most is seeing a successful promotion resulting in a big crowd and then a great race to entertain those fans.

“I love when we get a big crowd and then have great racing,” O’Neal said.

While O’Neal and his team can have everything in place, the one thing they can’t control is the weather — and that creates issues sometimes.

“I don’t like the stress of dealing with the weather as our sport is so much dependent on good weather,” he said.

Being a race promoter requires O’Neal to work and communicate well with a lot of people.

“I enjoy communicating with people as I would consider myself a people person,” he said. “I also take a lot of pride in scheduling then promoting a successful race.”

While racing is a huge part of his life, some people may be surprised that O’Neal does enjoy other things.

“I actually enjoy other things in life besides racing that I devote so much time to,” he said. “I love to travel and I love spending time with family and friends and especially now with my grandson Cash.”

If O’Neal could make one change, it would be to have one full-time job.

“If I could work promoting full-time that would be the biggest change I would like,” he said. “To have one job. I have worked two jobs for the past 30 years. I often think how far our team has come with a staff that all work full-time jobs.”

It takes a very special person to be as involved in racing as O’Neal is.

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“Well it would take a person with a great devotion and passion for racing,” he said. “I have in recent years been fortunate to work with a few individuals that have shown they may possess this passion.”

If he wasn’t promoting, O’Neal would still be at the races.

“If I wasn’t promoting at Port Royal Speedway, I would still be a big fan of racing and probably travel around a little more to tracks and events I have not been to before,” he said. “I would also spend more time relaxing with family and friends. This time of year, I would definitely be in a place with much warmer weather.”

Name: Steve O’Neal Job: Promoter at Port Royal Speedway Town Where You Live: Port Royal Where did you go to school (primary, secondary,college)? Juniata High School. Numerous management courses over the years.

Where did you meet your spouse? How long together?

We met at a local dance. We will be married 41 years in May. How many children? How old? Grandchildren? I have one daughter, Sara Imes, who is 35 and married to Jeremy. I have one grandson, Cash, who is my biggest joy.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I have always loved racing since I was a kid and attending races with

my dad and brother, Donnie.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? Earl Baltes, promoter at Eldora Speedway. He did things his way. Here at Port Royal, Don and Gerry Clark because they trusted me.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Assembling the team I have at Port Royal Speedway.

What would you like your legacy to be? That I was a respected, creative and fun leader.

What are your hobbies/outside interests: Travel, football, walleyball, tennis, eating and socializing What are you afraid of?

Failing What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Some may say everything I did.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Devoted What is a place you’d like to visit? I love to travel, so anywhere new.

What is the last book you read? “Toby” What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate peanut butter What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni and onions What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Blacklist.” Any comedy show or movie or suspense.

What super power would you like to have? To be a peacemaker What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most? Sky blue. None that I dislike.

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE until assuming his duties in the South Central region this past February. Carlini reflected briefly on his new post.

“I enjoy the area very much, and I still very much

Sentinel photo by SOMEBODY

Pennsylvania Game Commission Southcentral Region Director David Carlini.

Pa. Game Commission

David Carlini

HUNTINGDON — Leadership can be a slippery slope — just ask anyone who has had the opportunity to fulfill a role in which supervisory responsibilities and high-profile decision making are centered at the heart of what they do.

Such a position can give you such indescribable feelings of accomplishment one moment, and in the next, leave you feeling flat. Such is the case for the Southcentral Region Director for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, David Carlini. Tasked with being a piece of the giant puzzle that deciphers information and makes key decisions regarding hunting, trapping and the outdoors that directly affects Pennsylvania’s thousands of hunters is an endeavor never taken lightly, nor easy to accomplish.

Sometimes, decisions must be made regarding conservation that simply aren’t popular to the outdoorsmen and women those decisions affect.

Carlini was not always in such an extensive role like the one that he stepped into in February 2019.

Growing up in the small

town of Brockway, sandwiched in between the mountains of the Alleghany National Forest and the Moshannon State Forest, Carlini had an abundant number of places and resources to hunt, fish, trap and become the outdoorsman that he is today.

“I knew from a young age I wanted to be here with the Game Commission. I was involved in whatever I could be when it came to hunting, fishing and trapping. I was also very fortunate that the training school for the Game Commission was right there by my hometown,” he said.

That involvement led Carlini to become a Deputy Wildlife Officer at age 21.

“I served in Jefferson County for eight years and became a Hunter Education Instructor. I took the civil service test in May of 1993 and attended the School of Conservation in Harrisburg,” he added.

After nearly two decades of service in Northeast Clearfield County, Carlini took a post in the North Central Region of the state, where he served in multiple roles

enjoy hunting. I spent two weeks this past year hunting elk in Colorado and I’m a big spring gobbler hunter,” he said. “I feel that hunting and being in the outdoors, while seeing and experiencing what

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 our constituents and other hunters are seeing and experiencing is a great way for us as Wildlife Officers to stay connected.”

See Carlini / Page 27

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Lewistown, PA—15

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Midd-West School District superintendent

By TABITHA GOODLING Sentinel correspondent

MIDDLEBURG — Richard Musselman originally planned to retire as a building trades/technical education teacher.

Today Musselman is in his second position as a school district superintendent in the region, currently at the Midd-West School District.

It was during his second teaching position as tech ed teacher at Newport High School when he was asked to consider being a leader. He denied the opportunity twice.

The third time placed him on the path that led him where he is today.

When he was at Newport High School, Musselman would stay late after school and would monitor detention students. The assistant principal at the high school had resigned and the principal asked Musselman to consider applying. He immediately said, “No thank you.”

When Musselman went home to tell his wife she noted he was very happy in his current position and it made sense for him to stay a teacher.

The principal inquired of him again a short time later, and again Musselman said no.

Musselman again told his wife of the request. She then asked, “Have you really thought about it?”

Musselman said she then encouraged him that if he was asked a third time then perhaps this was meant to be.

The third time arrived and he said yes.

Richard Musselman He later moved into the position of elementary school principal in the Newport School District, followed by director of curriculum. Musselman served as a superintendent for the Juniata County School District for three years.

He then made his way to Midd-West in his current role, where he has served for six years.

Musselman said he is bothered when folks think superintendents are not doing the right thing for students.

“I talk to my administrators and our unifying belief is to put people first. We try to find a way to put people first. We ask, ‘How can we take care of the students, staff and parents?

How can we put people first?’”

Musselman is passionate about working with his building principals and giving them ownership.

“I let them run their building,” he said.

The superintendent said his weak point is dealing with documentation and data.

“I bring people in who are good at it,” he said.

Musselman said he encourages anyone who wants to pursue a position of this level in education to realize he or she will need thick skin.

“I think younger people take themselves too seriously,” he said, “You need to be conscientious and a good communicator,” without letting all the criticism get to you.

“You have to love people and spend time mentoring someone who has done this,” he said.

See Musselman / Page 28

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Midd-West School District Superintendent Richard Musselman.

16â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Lewistown, PA

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Mifflin County High School band director

By BRADLEY KREITZER

Art Belfiore

Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Band director Art Belfioreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership can be seen during the Mifflin County High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football games, concerts, parades and competitions â&#x20AC;&#x201D; anywhere a Mifflin County band performs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a public figure whether I want to be or not,â&#x20AC;?

Belfiore says, mostly due to high school football games but also community parades and concerts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The marching band is the highest profile ensemble here at the school. But, with jazz bands and concert bands and brass choir itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a very public job.â&#x20AC;?

Someone once described the position to Belfiore as life in a fishbowl. A lot of people see what you do. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m out in public. I know people see me with the band, but over the last couple of years, people I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know know who I am.â&#x20AC;? Belfiore said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why does this person know me?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and my wife always says, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the high school band director.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

Belfiore thinks the band participating in a lot of public events is important. Growing up in a small community, Belfiore said the band there was very much involved in the community events and the program he inherited is very much the same way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think the marching band and the high school music program, both the band and the choir, are a source of pride for Mifflin County,â&#x20AC;? Belfiore said.

Belfiore put things in perspective when talking about how he motivates his students to perform well. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I grew up in an era the high school band director was the boss and whatever he said you did. No questions asked,â&#x20AC;? Belfiore said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We like to involve the students as much as we possibly can in a lot of the decisions that we

Mifflin County High School Band Director Art Belfiore.

make for the group.â&#x20AC;?

Belfiore motivates the students by telling them they are not competing against anyone but themselves â&#x20AC;&#x201D; that they need to be better than the last time they were on the field whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s for a performance or a practice. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The first six years we were driving the program toward that goal where we could motivate the students by telling them you need to be better than you were last time,â&#x20AC;?

Belfiore said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the course of the past three years weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re there.â&#x20AC;?

Belfiore said it was surprising that it only took six years to get to that point. The band at the start was an amalgamation of the smaller Lewistown Area and Indian Valley high school bands creating one large ensemble. Belfiore said

that larger band motivated the students to stay in band and try the new system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the first year we lost a couple of kids and everybody else who stayed bought into the message that we were sending,â&#x20AC;? Belfiore said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are shooting for excellence

Sentinel photo by BRADLEY KREITZER

and to be excellent we need to rehearse this way.â&#x20AC;?

Over the past three years Belfiore believes the program has reached the point where the students are motivated to go out and be better and not worry about other bands they compete against or at a foot-

ball game.

Belfiore tells his students just enjoy what they are doing and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry about what they are doing, but instead worry about doing your job, show up at rehearsal, give See Belfiore / Page 29

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Lewistown, PA—17

Western region chief administrative officer, Geisinger

By GREG WILLIAMS

Kirk Thomas

Sentinel correspondent

LEWISTOWN — Kirk Thomas, Chief Administrative Officer of Geisinger Western Region, says he learns the most on how to improve and grow services by rounding and talking with staff, visitors and patients to Geisinger facilities.

The 55-year-old administrator steps away from his desk and heads to the front line of the hospital. Seeing first-hand how Geisinger serves its community puts the decision-making process in perspective for Thomas. And it provides valuable feedback.

“My interaction with patients, visitors and staff is probably the favorite part of my day,” says Thomas, who was named to the Geisinger post in October 2017. “You learn the most by talking to people. This helps us focus on taking care of people and how to better serve our community.”

A Huntingdon County native, Thomas is responsible for the strategic planning and operations of Geisinger Western Region, which includes Mifflin, Juniata, Huntingdon and Centre county clinics, as well as Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.

With more than 1,800 physicians and 32,000 employees, Geisinger Health System has 13 hospitals in Pennsylvania, providing care to people in 45 Pennsylvania counties. Geisinger Health Plan provides insurance to 600,000 residents of 43 Pennsylvania counties.

Thomas opted for a career in the medical field after seeing his grandfather battle lung disease. He earned a bachelor’s degree in respiratory therapy from York College in 1986 then went back to school 20 years later to get his master’s in health care administration from Independence University in 2006.

Prior to this position, he

Kirk Thomas, chief administrative officer for Geisinger’s western region, which includes Lewistown.

served as vice president of operations at GeisingerLewistown Hospital for 10 years. He began his career as a respiratory therapist and managed various departments at Geisinger, including

overseeing the expansion of the Sleep Center.

“Initially, I never saw myself entering the medical field as a respiratory therapist,” Thomas says, “let alone ending up as the CAO.”

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“It’s really about providing the right care in the right See Thomas / Page 30

18—Lewistown, PA

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

PA CareerLink Mifflin County

Cher Harpster

By BRANDON MORGAN Sentinel reporter

Cher Harspter, PA CareerLink business consultant.

Submitted photo

HELPING OUR SENIOR CITIZENS IN THEIR HOMES

By Providing QUALITY SERVICES With COMPASSION.

LEWISTOWN — Cher Harpster, business consultant at PA CareerLink for Mifflin County, is considered to be a leader because of her commitment to help people find jobs in the community.

PA CareerLink works with people in the community to help them find jobs that meet their skills and needs. They also work with companies to find out what job positions they need filled. This is a free service for anyone that is looking for a job with or without a high school degree or with or without a college degree. Walk-ins are available any time during their office hours.

Harpster graduated from Lewistown Area High School and went on to get her bachelor’s degree at Penn State University.

Before she worked for PA CareerLink, Harpster worked with people with disabilities.

She helped them find the perfect jobs for them. She did this for awhile and it ended up turning into her full-time career.

“I serve as a resource for the community,” Harpster said. “I find out what their needs are and help them find ways to meet their needs. I also help other businesses

succeed by doing this. This helps create better jobs. The more jobs we give people, the more money that will go back into the community.”

There is no such thing as an average day as a business consultant. Harpster meets with local employers to see what job openings they have, what kind of person they are looking for to fill an open position, meetings with PA CareerLink and being in charge of workshops for high school students or others.

Harpster also serves on committees and assists with events in the area. Some of her community activities include: • Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce, current board chair and founder and chairperson for the Chamber’s Business and Education Committee.

• Mifflin Juniata Regional Services Corporation, board member and personnel committee chair.

• Juniata Valley YMCA, board member • Central PA Pink Connection, board member • Rotary Club of Lewistown, past president • Leadership Centre County, Class of 2019 • Member of Central Keystone Valley HR Professionals See Harpster / Page 31

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Eddy

Continued from Page 8

payroll and receiving or those who regularly answer the phones and provide customer service to whomever calls, even to the people who ensure the building is clean. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m proud of is that every day our team of dedicated staff produces a totally new product that informs people, chronicles the history of our area, showcases sports and provides many other features,â&#x20AC;? Eddy says.

As anyone who has been in Eddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office can tell you, sports are an important part of her life. Among the items hanging on the wall is the cover from The Sentinelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2011 Fall Sports Preview â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the first to feature athletic teams from Mifflin County High School after the merger of Lewistown Area and Indian Valley.

Eddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love of sports blossomed while attending Penn State, where she was responsible for encouraging others who lived on the same floor of her dorm building to sign up for and participate in various intramural athletics.

Later, as a wife and mother, several sports came to the forefront, as Eddy watched her son grow up participating in baseball, basketball, soccer and track. Her husband volunteered his time as a coach in Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball and for several other teams their son played on.

She and her husband have also been season ticket holders for various Penn State sports teams, including football and wrestling.

But how did a sports-loving accountant wind up working for and eventually running a local newspaper?

Eddy graduated from Penn State in 1984 with an accounting degree and wound up working for a department store as a buyer of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

clothing â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a job that not only allowed her to follow her passion for fashion, but required monthly travel to Greensburg, near Pittsburgh, and the style mecca of New York City.

While there, she not only purchased clothes for the stores, but did many other things including tracking inventory and advertising â&#x20AC;&#x201D; interestingly enough, sometimes in The Sentinel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a hectic, fast-paced lifestyle that I enjoyed,â&#x20AC;? Eddy recalls of her time as a buyer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But then, I really felt that I should use my accounting degree more and I saw a position for an accountant with a public accounting firm and I decided to interview for that.â&#x20AC;?

Eddy eventually became a certified public accountant (CPA), but that proved to be a very demanding profession.

The hours were long â&#x20AC;&#x201D; often in the neighborhood of 90 hours or more per week â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that was something that made it difficult on the recently-married Eddy, who was contemplating starting a family with her husband Mark. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were starting to think about having children,â&#x20AC;? Eddy says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So I decided that I really wanted to work in the private industry where, even if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m working a lot of hours, I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be traveling as much.â&#x20AC;?

Eddy was hired to be the business manager by James Dible, then-publisher of The Sentinel, in 1991. Under Dibleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leadership, Eddy was able to obtain a lot of hands-on experience, which whet her appetite to ascend to the publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office. Dible was very involved in the community and he trained and empowered his department heads to learn the business. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 1994, Jim Dible left and at that time, I said eventually, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to move into that position because I could use my skills in analyzing financial statements and in working

with people,â&#x20AC;? Eddy explained.

Dibleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departure didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t directly lead to Eddyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s promotion. Two more publishers came and went before Eddy finally was chosen for the role in 1999.

Eddy has been able to be involved in the community as well over the years as the member of several organizations and by serving on the boards of the local Rotary Club, MCIDC and the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce. She has also been on the Pennsylvania News Media Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board and Pennsylvania News Mediaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Foundation board.

Now starting her 22nd calendar year leading a paper with roots stretching back to the 1800s, Eddy finds herself sometimes amazed at what unfolds at the corner of Sixth Street and Summit Drive every day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sometimes when I walk back into the press room and I watch our press running, or I open an edition on my computer, I think that this has all been happening six days a week at The Sentinel since 1903. Yes, the process has changed over the years, but the mission has not. At the core, what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to do is showcase whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on in the community and in the

world, to try to affect positive change and to record history,â&#x20AC;?

Eddy said.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all in a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work for a publisher â&#x20AC;&#x201D; even one people still mistakenly call an editor.

Name: Ruth Eddy Job: Publisher, The Sentinel and County Observer Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Buchanan Elementary, Lewistown Junior and Senior High School, Penn State University Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? I met my wonderful husband Mark at a churchleague softball game. We have been married for 32 years.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? One awesome son, Matt. He is 27.

No grandchildren.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I started as the business manager and wanted to spend less time working on accounting.

Who had a great influence on your choice? My parents always read the paper and we would discuss the daily news.

Also, Jim Dible, my first publisher.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

The fact that we have pulled together an award-winning team to produce a new product

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

every day.

What would you like your legacy to be? That I cared about people and worked to improve the community and to inform the people of the area.

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What are you afraid of?

Mean dogs.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? I sold our groceries to my little brother using a play cash register and play money.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Dedicated.

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Sechlers

Continued from Page 9

talented students that are giving back to their school and community by joining a sport or participating in clubs like Student Council, NHS and Key Club. It would be nice to see how much our students could do on the sport fields and contribute to the community through service clubs if more of them would participate.”

The challenges coaches face are often more than parents, fans and outsiders realize.

Those struggles are ones that the Sechlers face head on and Scot believes that anyone who is pushed into coaching would instantly fall in love with the job.

“Spend one day at practice and you’re hooked,” he said.

“We need good young people to stay in the area and be a part of a positive movement.”

Tamara has an added impact in the classroom on students that may not be involved in athletics.

“I would like to be known as a teacher who was kind but always pushed students to dig deeper than surface level to understand the concepts presented in whichever course I taught, algebra, geometry or trigonometry,” she said. “For track and field, I hope that help to keep the passion for the sport alive through the next generations. There are so many great sports that our athletes have the opportunity to join.”

The Sechlers work every day to ensure the success in the classroom and on and off the field through high school athletics.

Scot describes it simply through his mindset in coaching and in life.

“I have one goal every day,” he said. “Be better than you were the day before. That applies to me and my athletes.”

Name: Scot Sechler Job title: Head football and boys track and field coach, Mifflin County High School Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

East Derry Elementary, Chief Logan Middle, Indian Valley H.S. 1992, PSU 1997 Where did you meet your

Lewistown, PA—21

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

spouse/partner? How long together? Chief Logan Middle School. Sixth Grade. We started dating March 16, 1991.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Three kids: Malik (20), Kiana (17), Josiah (15) Why did you choose this profession/activity? I love sports and working with youth. I feel I have a calling to help make a positive impact in our community.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? My family.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

The thing that makes me most proud is seeing athletes years after having coached them.

When they still call me coach and talk about the fun they had during our time together.

That makes me feel like I have accomplished something.

What would you like your legacy to be? I want my legacy to be that I had a positive impact on the lives of a generation of young people and they in turn pay it forward.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? I love hunting and fishing.

What are you afraid of? I used to be deathly afraid of bees. I think I’m getting better with that.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? That’s a great question for my parents.

I would have to say the oddest thing I did as a child was to chew my food A LOT. I always drove everyone crazy with how long it took me to eat.

If you could only use one

word to describe yourself, what would it be? Driven What is a place you’d like to visit? Hawaii What is the last book you read? “The Sacred Acre” by Mark Tabb What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Peanut butter What’s on your pizza? Buffalo chicken What is your favorite movie or TV show? Favorite movie is tough. There are too many to choose from. At the top of the list are definitely “The Shawshank Redemption” and all movies “Star Wars.” My favorite TV show will always be “Seinfeld.”

What super power would you like to have? If it were a superpower, I’d love the ability to slow down time. My kids are growing up way too fast!

What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike the most? Black has always been my favorite color. I’m really not a fan of violet.

Name: Tamara Sechler Job title: Math teacher, assistant coach for Mifflin County track and field, head coach for cheerleading Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

During my youth, my family moved from Milroy to Yeagertown, and again to Lewistown. I attended Armagh Elementary (K-4), Derry Elementary (Grade 5), Chief Logan Middle School (Grade 6), Lewistown Middle School S K AT I N G RINK

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(Grade 7), Lewistown Area High School (Grade 8-12), Penn State University (B.S.Ed) and Wilkes University (M.Ed.) Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? Although Scot and I met when we were in sixth grade, we started dating during our junior year of high school. We have been together since that time.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? We have three children. Malik is our eldest. He is 20 years old, attends Penn State Altoona pursuing a degree in business and is engaged to Lauryn Sunderland. Kiana, our middle child, is a 17-year-old senior at MCHS. Our youngest, Josiah is 15 and he is a freshman at MCJHS. Why did you choose this profession/activity? Initially, I thought to pursue a career in law. I soon realized that I preferred fictional reading to nonfiction and that it may not be a good choice. So when I decided to change career paths considered what I liked to do and careers that would match my interests. I enjoyed my high school experience and loved working with kids. I also always enjoyed the challenge that math presented.

Therefore, I chose to become a math teacher.

Who has had a great influ-

ence on your choice? My parents had a great influence on my choice. They encouraged me to push myself academically, consider my options, and believe that I could be whatever I wanted to be.

What would you like your legacy to be? In terms of education, I would like to be known as a teacher who was kind but always pushed students to dig deeper than surface level to understand the concepts presented in whichever course I taught, algebra, geometry or trigonometry. For track and field, I hope that help to keep the passion for the sport alive through the next generations. There are so many great sports that our athletes have the opportunity to join. The best thing about track is that you are ultimately competing against yourself.

You are constantly working toward a bigger throw, jump or vault or a faster time on the track. It is exciting to watch athletes achieve their goals and immediately make the next one. For cheerleading, I would like to help build a strong program that unifies the gap between all-star cheerleading and recreational cheerleading. I believe we have made progress, but we still have a lot to do to make See Sechlers / Page 22

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Sechlers

Continued from Page 21

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

this happen. The ultimate achievement will be to take the squad to the PIAA cheerleading championships.

What are your hobbies/out-

side interests? I enjoy reading.

If I have any unscheduled time, I can usually be found with a book in my hand.

What are you afraid of?

Unfortunately, spiders.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? I do not recall this, but my Aunt Pam

loves to tell a story about a time that she was babysitting and my sister and I ate an entire stick of butter when she left the room for the moment.

We were probably 3 and 4 at the time.

If you could only use one word to describe yourself,

what would it be? Dedicated What is a place you’d like to visit? Ireland What is the last book you read? “Diamond Fire” by Ilona Andrews What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate What’s on your pizza?

Steak and peppers What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Some Kind of Wonderful” What super power would you like to have? none What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike the most? Not sure

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Lewistown, PA—23

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Mifflin County School District Board of Directors

By LUCAS LENZE Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — Fredrick Nickel is a newly elected member of the Mifflin County School District Board of Directors. Nickel has had quite a journey throughout his life before coming a member of the school board.

Nickel was born into a military family — both his mother and father were members of the armed forces.

Nickel, the newest member of the school board, began serving his four-year term this year. Prior to his spot on the board Nickel worked as a master tool maker and welder. He was also a teacher The Academy as a machinist.

“After I retired from the position that’s when I decide I wanted to stay in the public education end of it and I figured the best way to do that was since I was retired was to run for school board,” Nickel said. “Basically my main concern is the benefit of the student and then the benefit of the taxpayers. I figure since the taxpayers are footing the bill, the students should be the one to receive most of the benefit and that’s one of the reasons I got into it,” Nickel added.

A day in the life of a school board member varies depending on the other work that person may have. Nickel talked about coming to the meetings, hearing what is presented and interacting with the community. School board members may then bring information before the board that the member may have been made aware of by a community member they see while out in public. There are tests that are required for members to make sure they are able to fulfill the position on the board, which is part of the training process.

Nickel set a few goals for himself when he took office.

“My goals are to be honest

Fredrick Nickel

and to be able to represent the constituents honestly, see some changes in the way the taxpayer money is spent and make sure the money we are spending is going to help our students and not line the pockets of administrators,” Nickel said.

Change is something that comes with time. Nickel said one thing he would change is getting rid of standardized testing. Even though this is a state-level issue, Nickel would support or be for any idea that would help get rid of these exams.

“Doing so would allow for teachers to get back to being able to teach the way they want to teach their students,” Nickel explained.

Everyone has something that they like or dislike about their job. Nickel gave a few points on the things he likes and dislikes about working on the school board.

“The dislike, and I’m just new to this but, it seems the board is a clique, certain people this way, certain people that way and even though the policy states that everyone needs to work together and respect one another, it seems like there is a little bit

Sentinel photo by LUCAS LENZE

Frederick Nickel, right, is a member of the Mifflin County School District Board of Directors.

of friction here,” he said.

The part Nickel really enjoys is that he gets to have some input into what goes on in the community. Nickel also enjoys getting to do his

part and speak for the citizens of Mifflin County.

People love a good surprise. One thing that people would be surprised to know about Nickel is that he was

not born an American citizen. He was born in Germany. Nickel was not a U.S. citizen until he was 12 years See Nickel / Page 32

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Jude Thaddeus parishes

Father William Weary

By TABITHA GOODLING Sentinel correspondent

LEWISTOWN — Father William Weary’s role as priest with Sacred Heart and St. Jude churches is similar to that of a protestant pastor’s role in his church.

Weary said people often lump clergy together, but the general public has some misunderstandings of the Catholic clergyman, he said.

“They misunderstand celibacy,” he said, noting it is not “anti-marriage,” or “anti-sexual things.”

“It is conformity to Christ,” he said.

Weary noted that the priest is married to the people of God and referenced Ephesians 5 where it is

stated a husband must love his wife as Christ loved the church.

As pastor of two congregations in two counties, Weary found he needed some assistance to effectively love the people. A Parochial Vicar, Jayasaleen Amallnathan from India, was added to the parish a few years ago. This individual serves as associate pastor. The tag team effort allows Weary to have alternating weekends serving the two churches while the Vicar serves the other.

However, during the week, Weary is equally productive.

“One misunderstanding out there,” Weary said.

“People think we twiddle our thumbs all week long.

That is not the case. We are very busy.”

There are many meetings in the evenings as well as the parish council meeting once a month. Both Weary and the vicar visit shut-ins and make home and hospi-

tal visits. The pair meet up periodically to go over their ministry.

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Lewistown, PA—25

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Senior class president, East Juniata High School

By ERIN THOMPSON

Sentinel religion/education editor

McALISTERVILLE — Including all members of the senior class on decisions that affect them is a goal that East Juniata High School’s senior class president, Paige Smith, would like to achieve.

As a class officer, Smith’s role is to make decisions on behalf of the class such as picking the class flower, class motto and class song, as well as plan major class events.

“I’d like everyone to be able to voice their opinions, rather than just the officers ... I want them to be included in whatever we decide to do for senior activities,” she said.

One way she has made this possible is through programs like Google Classrooms as well as social media outlets like Snapchat, where students can post suggestions.

Smith, who has also served as class president her sophomore and junior years, said she welcomes opportunities for more diverse opinions.

If she could change something through her position, she would like to find a ways to make different groups of people intermingle.

“There are the athletes, the academic people, the band people ... I’d like to see more of the ag and FFA kids interacting more with, say, the athletes.”

One way to achieve this, she said, might be to organize a class gathering — perhaps during senior skip day — in which students would spend the day together as a class.

She got a small taste of this when the class participated in its senior trip to Washington and she got to talk to some peers she normally wouldn’t have the opportunity to talk to.

“I guess I didn’t realize how out of touch we are with other groups. It was a lot of fun to talk to other people I wouldn’t normally see,” she said. “I had classes with these people in seventh grade, but now that we’re going on our own paths,

Paige Smith

getting to see their perspective and how their life is playing out — it’s fun to see that.”

As class president she will be in charge of organizing the first class reunion. She said she has already begun taking suggestions on what her class would like to do.

She appreciates that her classmates trust her to make decisions on their behalf and they will come to her to give suggestions.

“It feels good to know that they trust me to do that,” she said.

She would recommend the role of class president for an outgoing person who enjoys meeting new people and taking suggestions from others.

“It’s a lot of fun because you get to talk to a lot of people you don’t normally see. Being class president is something I’m going to remember for a long time, so I try to make everyone feel like they are important and included in decisions,” she said.

If she were not involved as a class officer, she said she probably would have run for an officer position in her school’s National Honor Society. She would also be more involved with other school activities that she otherwise isn’t able to participate in like district orchestra, which she decided to not take on this year.

“I felt it would be too much and senior class stuff takes precedence,” she said.

Outside of being a class officer, Smith said she likes that her school is small and personable.

“I really like the teachers. I feel the teachers want every single student to succeed and they know you personally,” she said. “They know what you like, what you don’t like, how you learn best and I think that’s really important because they help you along the way personally.”

She also likes that the school has worked to reach more students by incorporating different clubs offered weekly that give students an opportunity to learn a new skill, or im-

prove one they already have.

Some clubs offered include air rifle, guitar, coin collecting, etiquette and stress relief.

“I’m in Stained Glass Club,” she said. “There are all sorts of different activities they tried to incorporate so everyone had an extracurricular of types.

This way, anyone can find one that they like.”

Name: Paige Smith Job: Senior class president, East Juniata High School Town where you live: Thompsontown What are your plans postgraduation? I plan to study early childhood education and eventually get certified in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL).

Who has had a great influence on you? My mom has always inspired me to become a better writer; my second grade teacher, Mrs. Annette (Haines) Frymoyer, inspired me to pursue a career in education; my See Smith / Page 29

Submitted photo

Paige Smith is East Juniata High School senior class president.

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Snyder County Commissioner

By TABITHA GOODLING Sentinel correspondent

MIDDLEBURG — Snyder County’s newest commissioner loves a small town atmosphere.

Adam Ewig of McClure was recently elected to his first term for the county. Ewig has spent many of the last several years in public service in western Snyder County.

Ewig spent 10 years as EMS chief in Beaver Springs and 10 years serving on the board for the McClure Veterans Memorial Pool. Ewig was also previously on council for the borough of McClure and the last two years he was mayor.

Ewig said he wanted to further his public service role in the county by seeking the county commissioner position. The minority on the panel, Ewig is one of two new commissioners to be chosen in the last election. He replaced a commissioner who chose not to run again.

“In this role you are asked to be your best and to do your best for someone else, and I like that about the position,” Ewig said.

He added that impact of decisions made by commissioners effects people and he seeks to do the best he can.

Ewig, who was just seated into his new position at the beginning of the year, said one thing he has learned is the way budgeting works in the county.

“What’s required of the

Adam Ewig

county to cover, “ Ewig said, was most surprising.

This goes hand in hand, Ewig said, of his main goal as commissioner which is fiscal responsibility.

“This is different here. It’s on a much bigger scale,” he said.

Ewig said the one thing he wants constituents to know about him in the county is that he is present to listen.

“The commissioners’ door is always open. I will help in any legal capacity that I can.”

Name: Adam D. Ewig Job: Snyder County Commissioner Town where you live: McClure Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? West Snyder Junior/Senior High; York College of PA Where did you meet your spouse/partner? High school.

Together 10 years, married three.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? One son/stepson, age 18 Why did you choose this profession/activity? I enjoy public service Who had a great influence on your choice? My late grandfather, Richard Herman What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Establishing paid EMS at Beaver Springs Fire Co. What would you like your legacy to be? A life of service to leave our area better than when I entered it.

What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Golfing, antiques, local history, volunteering What are you afraid of?

Unsecured heights What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Me do something odd, ha ha ha!

Nothing I or my mother can recollect If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Humble What is a place you’d like to visit? Hawaii What is the last book you read? “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Chocolate What’s on your pizza? Veggies or pepperoni What is your favorite movie or TV show? Movie: “The Shawshank Redemption;” TV: “Seinfeld” What super power would you like to have? Time travel What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Favorite: Orange; Dislike: Yellow

Sentinel photo by TABITHA GOODLING

Snyder County Commissioner Adam Ewig.

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Carlini

Continued from Page 14

Unfortunately, if you speak with a variety of hunters, and comb the internet for mentions of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, usually the experiences that are most publicized and talked about are of the negative variety.

Carlini is a man who holds hunting and trapping near and dear to his heart, hopes to alleviate some of that negativity, while recognizing that sometimes the decisions that need to be made in the interest of conservation are of the unpopular variety.

“It happens pretty regularly that we have to make those types of decisions,” Carlini said. “I really try to focus on the issues in the region here that I’m directly responsible for. I think some of our officers get a bad reputation sometimes that all they want to do is write citations, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. We cite people when we must, but we also warn, inform and educate when we can. Our officers are involved with the public and education as much as possible.”

When asked about one of the biggest changes Carlini had witnessed since he first began his career over three decades ago, he mentioned technological advancement as one of the most beneficial.

“From a law enforcement or wildlife management viewpoint, we now have access apps and geo access trough online GIS systems.

There is just so much technology that we didn’t have or envision 20 years ago. There is just so much technology to do our jobs — we can use apps and wardens have computers in their vehicles that they can learn about access and views of properties. With our new dispatch systems we can track our officers and know where they are. Its highly technical and a huge advantage.”

It’s no secret that Carlini has an incredible love for what he does, and remains incredibly dedicated even after all these years.

“There are so many leadership styles, but mine is working hard and showing people

Lewistown, PA—27

The Sentinel by example,” he said. “If I show them I love what I do and I’m working hard, its an example to be followed.

Maybe there’s things I can do to make peoples lives easier.

They folks here, they’re really the people who do the work of the agency and its my job to oversee that and support them as best I can.”

Name: David A. Carlini Job: Southcentral Region director, Pa. Game Commission Town where you live: Lock Haven Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Brockway Area High School, Ross Leffler School of Conservation, PGC Training Academy Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? High school; 34 years How many children, how old? Grandchildren? One daughter, Madison, age 16 Why did you choose this profession/activity? I have since a young boy wanted to be a game warden Who had a great influence on your choice? My father What is your proudest work-related achievement?

To date, it is implementing the new elk viewing area in Elk County What would you like your legacy to be? That I always tried to do the right thing, whatever that may be What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Hunting, trapping, fishing, kayaking, wine making What are you afraid of?

Failing my employees If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Dedicated What is a place you’d like to visit? Italy What is the last book you read? “Hiring for Attitude” by Mark Murphy What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Moose Tracks What’s on your pizza?

Mushrooms and anchovies What is your favorite movie or TV show?

“M*A*S*H” What super power would you like to have? To be able to fly What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Blue; red

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28—Lewistown, PA

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Musselman Continued from Page 15

Musselman said he truly enjoys what he does. The itch to go back to his days in the tech ed room still exists, however.

“It’s been 20-plus years since I taught in a shop. I still go up to our tech ed room and look around and ask questions,” he said, excited about the progress that has been made in that field with three-dimensional printers and the use of lasers.

Musselman said he loves to visit the students in their classroom at all of the schools in his district and rotates having lunch at each building with the students.

“I hope and pray I give them the guidance they need,” he said.

Name: Rick Musselman Job: Superintendent, MiddWest School District Town where you live: East Salem Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Upper Adams School District, Biglerville; Millersville University B.S. Industrial Arts Education; Shippensburg University M. Ed Administration & Superintendent Letter of Eligibility.

Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? Stephanie Musselman, married 35 years, met at church youth group 1981 How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Four adult children and three grandsons Why did you choose this profession/activity? I really enjoyed shop classes. I thought being a shop teacher would be the greatest job because I could work with tools and materials all day long.

Graduating from Millersville in 1984 the economy was terrible so I did seven and a half years as an officer in the Army.

Once leaving the Army in

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

1992, I started teaching at Juniata High School. I was offered a position at Newport High School as a teacher and then asked to go into administration as an assistant principal. I turned them down twice but after the third time agreed and started my administrative career. From Newport I was an assistant superintendent at Hanover Public School District and then superintendent at Juniata County School District for three years. Since 2014, I have been with the MiddWest School District and plan to retire at the end of the 2022 school year.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? My father. In the summer I worked in the factory where he worked after leaving school in the 10th grade. Because I was mechanically inclined I was considered a junior mechanic.

I learned to weld, repair electric motors and many other mechanical skills. My father, who was also a supervisor at the factory, asked what wanted to do after I graduated early in the summer of my junior year. I told him I wanted to be a mechanic at the factory. Oddly enough, that summer I got all of the dirty and boring jobs. At the end of the summer I decided I might consider going to college. My shop teacher, Mr. Charles Snyder, was also a huge influence.

He was encouraging and allowed me to help other students, which I really enjoyed.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

While an elementary principal, I had a student who was causing all sorts of problems but he was extremely intelligent. During one of my many talks with the student and his parents, I told him how intelligent he was and how he could go to college and do great things. About eight years later, he was valedictorian of his graduating class and talked about our meetings in his speech. I had left that district but was told about his

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speech and I was proud that I had a part in his success and now he is a pharmacist.

What would you like your legacy to be? Regardless of where I worked, I left that school or district better than I found it and that I cared about people.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? Woodworking.

You can see some of my work on Facebook, R. Musselman woodworking.

What are you afraid of?

Politics and the push for socialism.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? My mother said I was perfect, so ...

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Creative What is a place you’d like to visit? Sam Maloof’s shop in California What is the last book you read? “The Advantage” by Patrick Lencioni What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip What’s on your pizza?

Meats What is your favorite movie or TV show? “This Old House” What super power would you like to have? Flying very fast!

What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most? Green; Pink

Weary

Continued from Page 24

profession/activity? I wanted to serve God and His Church for the good of the people.

Who has had the greatest influence on your choice?

The 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Pastoring three parishes, also working many Cursillo weekends (an apostolic movement of the Catholic church) What would you like your legacy to be? That I was a good priest What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Running, reading, hiking What are you afraid of?

Negatively affecting some-

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

one’s faith What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Doing a kind of jumping dance while listening to music If you could use one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Dedicated What is a place you would like to visit? Ireland What is the last book you read?

“Understanding Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Haagen Dazs vanilla bean What’s on your pizza?

Vegetables What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Dr. Zhivago” What super power would you like to have? Flying What is your favorite color? Gray is favorite

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Belfiore

Continued from Page 16

110% all the time and everything else takes care of itself.

“It’s really exciting to have groups of students who are motivated to be better just because they want to be better,” Belfiore said.

As far as the strictness of his leadership style, Belfiore said, if you compared him to his band director he (Belfiore) is a really nice guy.

“There are rules and I expect everybody to follow the rules.

And there is a reason for every rule,” Belfiore said. “The rules are in place to make sure that the organization runs efficiently and we have as few problems as possible.”

Sometimes when Belfiore has to make a new rule he names that rule after one of his students.

“They did something that, OK, all of a sudden now, we need a rule for this. It’s not common sense anymore — we need a rule for this,” he explains.

Belfiore doesn’t think any of the rules he has in place

Smith

Continued from Page 25

elementary music teacher, Mr. Brent Snyder, influenced my love for music that continues to this day; finally, my pastor, Crystal Lyde, has influenced my growth in faith as a Christian.

What is your proudest achievement? I am proud of the fact that I overcame my squeamish tendency around blood and my fears of the medical field to assist my mom when she had medical issues

Lewistown, PA—29

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

are unreasonable.

“One of the things I think is really important is we be as fair with every student as possible,” Belfiore said. “There are rules for everybody and I expect everybody to follow the rules. However, everybody is an individual so if discipline needs to be taken care of I treat every person as an individual and I take into consideration their individual circumstance.

I would guess that my students think that I am more of a disciplinarian than not. But I would also like to think that they think that I am fair.”

The band members have several things they do to prepare before they play a performance or competition.

Belfiore has activities at band camp where they talk to the students about positive visualization. The students will close their eyes and imagine or see themselves marching through the show perfectly, playing all the right notes.

Belfiore and the other instructors ask the students to sit or lay down quietly and close their eyes and visualize themselves doing a run through of the show when they go home two years ago. I helped to bandage wounds when I needed to and take care of her in any way I could. I am proud that I could do this for her.

What would you like your legacy to be? When I was in sixth grade, I won the Citizenship Award, and the criteria to win included showing a positive attitude, possessing strength of character and courage to do what is right, and participating in school activities and/or community service. I guess I would like to be remembered for those things.

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and before they go to bed. He asks them to do that visualization a couple of times and every night.

“A lot of times we had students come back and say that helps,” Belfiore said. “We’ve had students say, ‘It helps me remember what I’m supposed to do.’ So because they can remember they go out and perform better.”

The group also has pregame huddles where Belfiore talks to the students in general terms of changes and additions. The band then goes off into their individual sections and they talk through the entire show.

“We do all of that, then about 10 minutes before the performance we just let them relax and get kind of the nervous energy out of the way,” Belfiore said.

Then about a minute or two before the performance Belfiore gathers them back together and sets them to the ready to try to re-focus them.

“They know a couple minutes before we go on, they come back and they’re focused,” he said. “It’s really amazing. It really works.”

What are your hobbies/interests? I enjoy reading, writing and scrapbooking.

What would people be surprised to know about you? I really like architecture.

What is your useless talent?

I can name the nicknames for all 50 states.

What are you afraid of? Spiders, bees and stink bugs — I hate stink bugs!

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? One Christmas, when all the other little kids were eager to put out cookies and milk for Santa, I was adamant about leaving

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him green Jell-O. If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Motivated What is a place you’d like to visit? Spain What is the last book you read? I’m in the process of reading “Rachel’s Tears,” a book about Rachel Scott, a girl killed in the Columbine school shooting in 1999.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Raspberry chocolate chip What’s on your pizza? I just like a plain cheese pizza.

What is your favorite

the Penn State Blue Band.

What would you like your legacy to be? To have established a strong band program at MCHS and have my students feel that being in band was a worthwhile activity that taught them skills and lessons they can use throughout their lives What are you afraid of? I am afraid of heights.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Joined a polka band in ninth grade If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Organized What is a place you’d like to visit? Italy, the birthplace of my grandparents What is the last book you read? “The Obstacle is the Way” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Vanilla What’s on your pizza? Double sauce and double pepperoni What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Ice Station Zebra” What super power would you like to have? Darth Vader powers What is your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most? Blue; Pink

movie or TV show? My favorite movie is “The Greatest Showman,” and my favorite TV show is “The Big Bang Theory.”

Cat or dog? Dog What super power would you like to have? I would like to have super speed so I could get things done quickly and always be on time for everything.

What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike the most? My favorite color is lavender because it makes me think of spring, and I dislike gray the most because it reminds me of dreary weather.

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Name: Arthur F. Belfiore Job: High School Band Director, Mifflin County High School Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Mahanoy Area High School, Pennsylvania State University (bachelor’s, 1981; master’s in education (1990) Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? Met my wife Pauline in Lewistown in 1998. Married in 2004.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Four stepchildren, Julie, Kari, Allison and Ben. Three grandchildren Sidney, Alivia and Saylor.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I was in band in high school and my band director had a major impact on my life.

Who had a great influence on your choice? My parents and my high school band director What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Winning Atlantic Coast Championship Group 3-A fall 2018 and writing and conducting a half-time performance with

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30—Lewistown, PA

Thomas

Continued from Page 17

place,” Thomas says. “In the old days, you took care of sick people and put them in hospitals. Hospitals were paid for what they did in the hospital, but systems like Geisinger are looking at health care differently saying, ‘You know what, we don’t really want people in the hospitals. We want to keep people well, provide care in a lower cost, higher quality of care environment.’”

To implement such a concept, Thomas, working with the Health System, launched two new programs last year in the western region: LIFE Geisinger in May; and the Fresh Food Farmacy in October.

Lewistown’s Fresh Food Farmacy, located at the Primary Health Network Building, 106 Derry Heights Blvd., provides access to healthy, nutritious food for patients who have uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes and who are food insecure, meaning, their household experiences hunger on a regular basis.

This program focuses on providing education and food to create better health outcomes and lower medical costs.

“It’s something you can’t get out of the pill bottle,” Thomas says. “We’re looking at it as taking patients that are diabetic where they monitor their blood sugars. We give them a prescription to go to a Fresh Food Farmacy where they get access to healthy foods, diabetic counselors, nutritional information, measuring spoons and cooking classes.”

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The Lewistown location is Geisinger’s third Fresh Food Farmacy.

The LIFE Geisinger program opened at the PHN building and offers coordinated and comprehensive care, including adult day health and social services, activities and outings, doorto-door transportation, bathing and laundry, athome supportive and personal care, medication packaging and management, medical specialty services, physical and occupational therapies and nursing and nutrition services.

The facility takes up the entire second floor at PHN, offering a large activity room, smaller quiet room, health clinic, physical and occupational therapy room and shower and laundry area.

“It’s designed for senior citizens who are qualified for nursing home care, but it’s designed to keep them out of a skilled nursing facility and in their home where they want to be,” Thomas says.

That’s been Geisinger’s charge since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

Abigail Geisinger, the wellto-do widow of a coal mine investor, would have her driver take people who needed to go to the hospital in Bloomsburg. She wondered why people had to leave their community to go to a hospital. So, she opened one in Danville. She hired her first head of the hospital, Dr. Harold Foss, from the Mayo Clinic.

Her main charge to him was, “make my hospital right and make it the best.”

“And that’s really been the force behind driving Geisinger all these years,” Thomas says. “We want to treat people close to home, so they don’t have to travel as much.

“I’m very happy with the Fresh Farm Farmacy and LIFE Geisinger opening up because they were two programs that were needed in the community,” he adds.

“I’m glad the Geisinger system acknowledged we needed them. That’s what excites me the most about this job — serving the community.”

Through all of the endeavors, Thomas quickly credits the success to his team.

“I’m not really concerned about my legacy,” he says.

“Everything I have achieved was achieved with this team.

It’s about this team and the commitment to the community that this team has. I never think about it from my perspective. I’d rather see the impact made to our community.

“I hope what’s left for me being with Geisinger is that I’ve left the programs and people in a better place than when I started,” he adds.

His typical week includes spending three days in Lewistown, one in Danville and the last one visiting Geisinger’s many clinics.

“I really spend a lot of time working with my team to improve the quality of programs and quality of care to better serve our patients,” he says.

He encourages others to follow his footsteps into the medical field. Today’s health care industry has certainly

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Name: Kirk Thomas Job: Chief Administrative Officer, Geisinger Western Region Town where you live?

Orbisonia Where did you go to school? Southern Huntingdon High School then York College (bachelor’s of science in respiratory therapy) and Independence University (master of science in health care administration)

Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? Met in junior high school and married for 31 years.

How many children do you have? Two Why did you choose this profession?

Grandfather suffered from lung disease and opted to work as a respiratory therapist. I had experience through his journey of what the front line was like.

What would you like your legacy to be? I’m not really concerned about my legacy. ... I never think about it from my perspective. I’d rather see the results.

What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Being outdoors, including hunting and fishing What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? I’ve raised several beef cattle and a couple of hogs.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Committed What is place you’d like to visit? My wife, Nanette, and I went to Israel for our 30th anniversary. We’d love to go back!

What is the last book you read? “In His Steps” by Charles Monroe Sheldon What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Peanut butter, but I like them all What’s on your pizza?

Pepperoni and mushrooms What’s your favorite movie? “Awakenings” with Robin Williams What super power would you like to have? See the future What’s your favorite color? Blue (as in Geisinger blue

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changed dramatically. It’s a lot more than the bedside care of the doctors and nurses in hospitals you might see on TV. “Health care today is not the same as it was 35 years ago,” Thomas says. “The health care models keep changing. The opportunities are endless. We have new programs in different areas to help manage patients’ health and well being.”

All the while, GeisingerLewistown Hospital must maintain a high level of service. This was recognized in January when the hospital achieved a 4-Star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, based on specific quality and performance data. The hospital previously had a 3-Star rating.

“This noteworthy accomplishment could not have been achieved without every one of our staff — our environmental service staff, physicians and clinic staff, hospital employees and administration. This effort was made possible by all of them,” Thomas says. “We continue to work toward becoming a 5-Star hospital to serve our communities more effectively.”

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Harpster

Continued from Page 19

If she wasn’t in this profession, she would love to work in a recreation field. Some of the other places Harpster might be interested in working for include a community center, community park or a gym.

Something that Harpster enjoys during her time off work is watching Hallmark movies, even though it is after Christmas!

Harpster said she likes a lot of things about being a business consultant. Some things that make the job great include having a flexible schedule, constant change (her days are never the same) and she loves being a part of different businesses.

“I want all the businesses to know that CareerLink is here and ready to help,” Harpster said. “I want them to know what our services are and how we can help them. I wish more people knew about us. We are here for businesses and we are a good resource that you can count on.”

Harpster has many long

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

term goals at her job.

“In general, my biggest goal is making a difference,” Harpster stated. “I want to keep companies open.

“This job gives me a chance to make an impact.”

Name: Cher Harpster Job: Business Consultant at PA CareerLink Town where you live: Milroy Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Graduated from Lewistown Area High School 1991; Penn State University, bachelor’s 1998 Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? I met Adam Harpster in 1991 in Lewistown.

We are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this year.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I have been involved in workforce development in multiple capacities since graduating from college. I love making a difference for local businesses. Helping businesses grow helps the community to grow. I love my job because it provides me with many opportunities to give back to my community.

Who had a great influence on your choice? I have had

many role models in my life who have helped me grow as a person. My first employer after college was Skills of Central PA. I had a great team and a supportive supervisor named Lisa Urban.

She helped develop my passion for helping to make a difference through workforce development. I have had several different careers, but remain passionate about this career field.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

The PA CareerLink serves employers around the state.

A few years ago, the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit developed a business service team that works with businesses all across the central region of PA. I am most proud of helping to develop this regional team that can act as a resource for businesses in at least nine different counties.

What would you like your legacy to be? I want to be remembered as someone who was not content to sit on the sidelines and watch. If you believe in something, you should do something about it, not wait for someone else to do something. I hope that I have made a positive difference in someone’s life.

What are your hob-

bies/outside interests? I love our area because it is beautiful and there is never a shortage of things to do outside.

During my free time I like to be outdoors. I also serve on many local boards and committees. I like to participate in fundraising events and other community events.

What are you afraid of?

Spiders What is the oddest thing you did as a child? I used to read books while walking down the street because I never wanted to put the book down. I guess I was lucky I never had an accident while doing this. I would often spend an entire day curled up in a chair at the Mifflin County Library reading books.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself,

Lewistown, PA—31

what would it be? Giving What is a place you’d like to visit? Ireland What is the last book you read? I read so many I cannot remember all the titles. Probably a murder mystery of some kind.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Butter pecan What’s on your pizza?

Cheese, peppers and onions What is your favorite movie or TV show? I watch anything on the Food Network.

What super power would you like to have? I would love to be able to fly.

What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? I like all colors.

If I had to pick one it would be blue. My least favorite is brown.

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Nickel

Continued from Page 23

old. He holds dual citizenship to both Germany and the United States. There are a lot of implications that come with being a dual citizen. One that Nickel spoke of would be the quandary of a war involving the U.S. and Germany. Had he been of an eligible age, and neither enlisted in nor was drafted into the U.S. military, Germany could have recalled him to serve in its army.

Nickel talked about taking a trip to a place he has always wanted to visit. Nickel would like to go to Normandy, France to the beach and the cemetery to go find the graves of his two uncles he has never met.

“Even though it won’t be the same as what they did, I would love to be able to retrace their steps and be where they were,” he said.

Ever try to convince someone to do what you do?

Nickel talked about how he would convince someone to

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

run for school board.

“I would just tell people, sometimes if you want you’re voice heard you have to stand up and if you don’t stand up then you won’t be heard,” Nickel said. “Stand up and do something, run for your borough councils, run for you’re commissioners, just don’t be afraid to lose.”

Nickel spoke about what his plans would be after serving his term on the school board.

“Every day is a different day. You may wake up with plans of doing this but, in a heartbeat they can change, so be open minded be willing to step forward and be willing to offer you’re help. Don’t be afraid of failure sometimes,” he said.

People always ask the question what if? If I wasn’t doing this what would I do? If Nickel wasn’t serving on the school board he would be working a couple days a week as a machinist/welder. Now Nickel volunteers at the school teaching students how to do different kinds of weld-

ing. Nickel really enjoys the work he has done with the kids.

“I love working with the kids. The feeling when you show a student how to do something and they get it and it’s like ‘bingo!, the light comes on and it’s like, ‘Yeah I got him to do it.’ Not only do they feel the fulfillment, you feel fulfilled for getting the message to them.”

Overall, Nickel says, “I’m happy, my life is the way it is supposed to be.”

Name: Fredrick Nickel Job: Retired Tool Maker/ Precision Machinist Teacher/ Mifflin County school board member Town where you live: Burnham Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Many elementary schools, I was a military brat, as for secondary, Lewistown Jr. high for 7th and 8th then Chief Logan for 9th through 12th and three years at Juniata/Mifflin County Area Vocational School in the machine

tool program.

Where did you meet your spouse/partner?

Mister Donut in Burnham.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Two daughters one 39 and the other 37. Two grandsons one 21 the other is 9.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I love working with my hands, being able to make products from mere ideas, just loved the challenge of working with all types of materials.

Who had a great influence on your choice? My vo-tech teacher; Clair Fluke.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

As a toolmaker achieving labor grade three, as a teacher, all the students that graduated from my program and are successful in life.

What would you like your legacy to be? A friend that would always be there.

What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Hunting, fishing, swimming, snorkeling, fire fighting, camping, reloading, shooting

24

sports, road trips and exploring new places.

What are you afraid of? My wife when she is mad at me.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Rode my bike off the end of a pier into the Biloxi Bay and other things related to that day.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Confident.

What is a place you’d like to visit? Normandy Beach and Cemetery.

What is the last book you read? “Gettysburg,” by Newt Gingrich and William R. Forstchen.

What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Black raspberry.

What’s on your pizza?

Cheese and pepperoni.

What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Band of Brothers” series.

What super power would you like to have? To be able to fly.

What is your favorite color? Red. Which one do you dislike most? Dark green.

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Mauery

Continued from Page 10

that he gets to go out and patrol with the other officers.

He is a working chief, so when he is not doing paperwork in the office he is out on patrol with the rest of the unit. Another thing he really enjoys about his job is helping people out. There is a sense of satisfaction when you go out and help someone with their problems, he says.

The thing he enjoys the most is being out in the public.

“I like being out in the public, being out and talking to people, getting their feelings on things, getting their side of the story,” Mauery said. “It’s just, I enjoy interacting with people.”

The things the chief does not like about the job are when problems arise internally and disciplinary matters.

Trying to attract people to the law enforcement field is getting tougher these days.

All of the scrutiny and danger that comes with being a cop is what drives people away.

“It is hard with the way of the world, the public sometimes has a bad perception of the police, no matter how they get them, it can be a dangerous job — it depends on where you are at,” Mauery said.

If you are someone who enjoys working with people, helping people, helping solve peoples problems, solving crimes, if you have an inquisitive mind for this kind of thing, that’s how he would try to make it attractive.

If he was not a police officer, Mauery said, “I would probably be (back) working at Standard Steel.”

If there is one thing he would change, it would be the way people treat one another.

“To get people to respect others — there is so much of a lack of respect nowadays,” he said. “I was always taught if you do not have self respect you can not respect anything else.”

Name: Scott Mauery Job: Chief of Mifflin County

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Regional Police Department Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? High school, married 41 years.

Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Highland Park Elementary, Chief Logan High School, H.A.C.C. How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Four daughters, 28-37 years old; five grandchildren, 2-7 years old Why did you choose this profession/activity? Always had an interest in police work and enjoying helping people What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Being made chief of Mifflin County Regional Police Department What would you like your legacy to be? Being a fair, honest and caring person What are your hobbies/outside interests? Hunting, gardening, shooting sports, volunteer fire department, church What are you afraid of? Not afraid of, but I don’t like bats If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Sarcastic What is a place you’d like to visit? Alaska What is the last book you read? “Secret Treasure of Oak Island” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint chocolate chip What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni or everything What is your favorite movie or TV show? Movie — “Animal House;” TV — “Curse of Oak Island” What super power would you like to have? Healing power What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Red; anything pastel.

Lewistown, PA—33

Q&A for Lifestyles Editor Jeff Fishbein

Name: Jeff Fishbein Job: Lifestyles editor, The Sentinel. I was sports editor from 2008 until this year, and held other newsroom positions (including this one and sports) as far back as 2003.

Town where you live: Selinsgrove Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? I went to elementary and junior high/middle school in State College and Selinsgrove. I went to high school in Selinsgrove, and was enrolled at different times at Susquehanna University, Old Dominion University and Bloomsburg University. I served in the U.S. Navy.

Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? I met my wife, who’s a good bit younger than I, on an elementary school playground — don’t worry, I was taking her picture there for a newspaper (there’s another funny part of it, but I’m not allowed to tell that story in the newspaper). In June, we’ll be together 26 years and married 24.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? One son, age 13.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I was all but born into it. My father, Steve Fishbein, was a popular radio DJ in State College in the 1950s, and broadcast Penn State wrestling and State High football and wrestling into the mid-1970s. He also was the stadium announcer for Penn State football for many years, and the statistician for the NCAA wrestling tournament for 29 years.

I first wrote for a newspaper when I was in sixth grade, and was taking pictures for publication in high school. I was the news director for Susquehanna’s WQSU while in school there, and worked in commercial radio after I was discharged from the Navy. Basically, it’s in me.

Who had a great influence on your choice? Barbara Mitchell, who owned the Selinsgrove Times-Tribune, the first newspaper I wrote for, and her husband, A.D. “Mitch” Mitchell III. Also, John Huckaby, my first sports editor, at The (Sunbury) Daily Item, from whom I learned many valuable things.

What is your proudest work-related achievement? In 1988, while working for the Virginia News Network, I took a risk that paid off, requesting a late-night interview from Virginia Gov. Gerald Baliles during the 1988 presidential campaign after a visit by Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, the Democratic candidate for vice president. In doing so, I scooped the entire state because Baliles spoke to no other media about it, and headed off to Japan on an official visit the next morning — so no one could get to him.

What would you like your legacy to be? That we raised our son to be a good person.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? I love to travel and go to sports, concerts, shows and museums.

What are you afraid of? Climbing — it’s not even about the height anymore. I attribute it to changing the aircraft warning lights on my ship twice while in the Navy (think tower climbing, but it’s moving with the waves).

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? In the second grade, I was playing Superman or Tarzan or some such and swinging on the shower curtain rod in our bathroom. My sister, allegedly wanting to keep me from getting hurt, tugged on me. The rod pulled out, I fell and bit through my tongue. I had to get stitches and couldn’t eat solid food for days. On the plus side, my mom always said it was the quietest I’ve ever been.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Stubborn. Like a mule.

What is a place you’d like to visit? Israel. We were supposed to have a port of call there when I was in the Navy but a threat forced cancellation.

What is the last book you read? “Jimmy the Kid” by Donald E. Westlake (audiobook; it’s something I do on the ride to and from Lewistown).

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Black Cow at Penn State.

What’s on your pizza? Meat, no fish. I also like a pizza called Tuscan Taco from a chain in the York/Harrisburg area.

What is your favorite movie or TV show? I’m a huge fan of formula television — Quinn Martin was a genius, and others have successfully copied the formula. NBC’s “wheel” series Columbo is a particular favorite.

What super power would you like to have? Probably not a good idea. I’d end up being self-serving or evil.

What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Blue, blue, blue, blue. Not a big fan of brown.

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Principal, East Juniata Elementary School

By ERIN THOMPSON

Sentinel education/religion editor

RICHFIELD â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Seeing the excitement on the faces of students and teachers when they meet their goals is a major highlight of being principal at school like East Juniata Elementary. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love when students and parents are proud of their successes and celebrate within the classroom. Coming together and celebrating goals, seeing smiles on faces and knowing they have set goals and their hard work has paid off,â&#x20AC;? is part of what makes the job worthwhile, said Clint Mitchell, principal at East Juniata Elementary School.

But those successes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen with just one person.

They are usually the result of collaboration and teamwork. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It really feels good when there has been a collaborative component â&#x20AC;&#x201D; when weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked together as a team and established routines that are really working for students,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When people are working toward a goal and they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hold in the excitement â&#x20AC;&#x201D; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like the fuel that keeps you going.â&#x20AC;?

Interacting with students, teachers and parents, and seeing students grow academically and socially are among the most rewarding aspects of the job. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As the principal of the building, I get to be part of the collaborative process of making education all it can be for our students. Our ultimate goal is to prepare students to be productive, respectful citizens when they leave our school. Creating an atmosphere where students, teachers, parents and administration work together to analyze our culture and climate and procedures and strive to make an amazing school even better. As future productive citizens in our community, our students will hopefully return and send their own children to school with a positive memory of

Clint Mitchell

their school experience. Our work has the potential for impact for years to come,â&#x20AC;?

Mitchell said.

Mitchell is humbled by the impact he is able to have on students with Juniata County School District. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m blessed to be in the position that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in. Each day provides an opportunity to mentor, impact, teach and motivate students,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Throughout the day, there are multiple opportunities to collaborate and develop plans and ideas to best impact the future of our students. Working with passionate educators who are determined and always striving to better what we do for our students is an amazing atmosphere to be associated with.â&#x20AC;?

Having served as an administrator for the last 12 years, he has had the opportunity to see some students he worked with at the elementary level go on to apply for jobs within the school district. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It makes me feel a little old, but it is very rewarding to see students going through and grow up at the same time. It gives you a reality check on how important the time we have with kids really is,â&#x20AC;?

Mitchell said.

Ideally, an average day for an elementary school principal would be working to support See Mitchell / Page 40

East Juniata Elementary School Principal Clint Mitchell.

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Lewistown, PA—35

Mifflin County Commissioner

Kevin Kodish

By BRADLEY KREITZER Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — Kevin Kodish, the longest-tenured commissioner in Mifflin County, described the job of the commissioners as the chief financial stewards of the county. The commissioners levy tax rates so the county can function.

“We have to operate all the offices. Planning office, emergency 911, human services, assessment, elections. The prison is a very big one we have to run.” Kodish said, “Our number one thing is making sure the financial health of the county is good.”

Right now Kodish said the county is in good standing financially. Mifflin County currently has a capital reserve fund balance.

“When I started in 2012 we didn’t have a reserve at all.

Now we have one and we don’t have to take out a Tax Revenue Anticipation Note.”

Kodish said.

Municipalities sometimes have to take these loans before their taxes come in so they can function and continue to pay bills.

“Our capital reserve fund enables us to not have to take a loan out and pay interest. Just not having one of those loans saves us excess of $20,000 a year.”

Kodish said as commissioners they have to look at things from a county-wide perspective. A lot of other community leaders have roles where they have specific regions, such as townships and boroughs, inside the county that they are responsible for. The commissioners have 16 municipalities in Mifflin County that they have to consider when making decisions.

“I like to involve everyone in the decision making here.

We trust our department heads. They give us good feedback and work well with us.” Kodish said, “We want to function the most efficient and See Kodish / Page 41

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Mifflin County Commisioner Kevin Kodish enjoys a moment with his grandson, Fitz.

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Juniata County Commissioner

By TABITHA GOODLING Sentinel reporter

MIFFLINTOWN — A career in public health has prepared Alice Gray for her role as Juniata County Commissioner. Collaborating with her fellow commissioners has strengthened that role, she said.

Gray, a Republican, is in her second term as commissioner.

“This is my retirement profession,” Gray said, adding she ran for the position after retiring from the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Gray spent her first 17 years with PDH in Harrisburg. She served as a manager, division director and bureau director.

When she left the department she was one of five deputy secretaries.

“I always read about the commissioners,” she said of the reports of the meetings in the newspaper.

Gray said while working in Harrisburg it seemed as though people had the same opinion about Juniata County.

“It was always said that Juniata County was backward,” she recalled. “I thought, ‘I would really like to bring Juniata County into something more progressive.’”

During her first term, she said efforts were made to complete that goal.

Gray credited her fellow commissioners, Mark Partner (D), and Todd Graybill (R) and the team approach for meeting the goal.

“We each have our own strengths that we bring to the office,” she said, “My strength is to be in the office, work on grants, etc. I am best behind the scenes. Mark represents us well in our weekly meetings. Todd is very good out in the community.”

Gray said they may not always agree, but they come to conclusions by talking through the issue.

“There is no Democrat versus Republican here,” she

Alice Gray

said. Managing to work across partisan lives is how the commissioners have managed to succeed in progression.

Examples of this success include creating means for the assessment office to no longer use paper records. Other successes include the creation of a GIS department, and hiring a fiscal manager for the county.

Gray said all three commissioners are active with the Pennsylvania County Commissioners Association. “(The association) knows Juniata County, and that is important,” Gray said.

The commissioners have also made an effort to keep communication open between state representatives and county department heads. State Sen. Jake Corman and state Rep. John Hershey are committed to meeting once a year with commissioners and heads of Juniata County offices.

Gray said being a commissioner was a good fit for her at this point in her life, and her last few years at the Department of Health prepared her for this role.

The most surprising or difficult adjustment was having to “know a little bit about everything” in the county.

“As a commissioner you don’t have guidance going in,” she said, like someone starting a job or making a transition in a business setting.

Gray said anyone who is considering serving his or her See Gray / Page 43

Juniata County Commissioner Alice Gray.

The Sentinel

Sentinel photo by TABITHA GOODLING

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Lewistown, PA—37

President, Hartley’s Potato Chips

Dan Hartley

By GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel correspondent

LEWISTOWN — As a typical kid growing up in Lewistown, Dan Hartley recalls spending summers lugging cardboard boxes through his family’s warehouse.

“I started part-time when I was probably 12 years old, working mornings from 7 to 11:30 Monday through Friday,” says Hartley, now age 52 and the president of Hartley’s Potato Chips, the wildlysuccessful snack food business that bears his family’s name.

The rest of the summer, he would do other “kid” things, such as playing sports and hanging out with friends.

Working at Hartley’s plant,

located on Back Maitland Road, would have a life-long impact on young Dan. Eventually, as he got older, he became more and more involved with the production.

Today, he is a patriarch of potato chips.

“I never thought of doing anything else,” Hartley says.

“I was really interested in the packaging equipment. If I didn’t own this company, I might be running bagging machines for another company.”

Fortunately for Hartley and his family, Hartley’s Chips is still flourishing. They remain at the front of the snack pack in an era of stiff competition and consolidation.

“When we originally bought the business, we had a 40-mile radius with distri-

10%

bution,” Hartley says. “Today, we have a 200-mile radius.”

Hartley’s products, which now include nine different flavors of potato chips, along with pretzels, cheese curls, onion rings and party mix, is sold in upper New York and shipped world-wide.

“For my legacy, I want to be known in the chip world,” Hartley says.

It’s hard to argue with Hartley’s claim on this one: more potato chips, pretzels, candy, ice cream and chocolate are produced in Pennsylvania than anywhere else on Earth.

Pennsylvania leads the country in production of all of these products, and each individual snack has its own fairly standard story of why it See Hartley / Page 43

Hartley’s Potato Chips President Dan Hartley.

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Representative, Pennsylvania’s 82nd Legislative District

By JEFF FISHBEIN

Sentinel lifestyles editor

MIFFLINTOWN — No one’s going to accuse John Hershey of being thrust into power — he asked for it.

Hershey, the freshman representative in the state legislature for the 82nd District, which encompasses Mifflin, Juniata and Franklin counties — and the youngest member of the House — got his chops back at Juniata High School.

“I was not only the student body president ... but I was my senior class president and was involved in a lot of volunteering opportunities in high school,” he says. The lessons he learned then still hold true today.

“That really taught me the importance of having a good team around you,” he said.

Hershey worked as a legislative aide to 15th District Congressman Charlie Dent before seeking state office. It proved to be less preparatory in some ways because of the differences between state and federal governments.

“I will say that, since I ran, I had no idea what I didn’t know,” Hershey jokes. “I thought I knew a lot about policy and I did from the federal standpoint. But at the state level it’s totally different.”

Some things change. Some don’t. Some do a little of both.

“My goal when I first started running was to represent my community to the best of my ability,” Hershey explains. “A lot of people don’t feel like their legislators are accessible. The thing that I have prioritized is showing up to every event that I can. Responding to every constituent that I can.

So if there’s a person that reads this interview who has called me and hasn’t received a response from me, that’s a problem.

“Really, that mission hasn’t changed. My job in Harrisburg is to take the people of

John Hershey

Juniata, Mifflin and Franklin counties’ views and represent that,” he said. “While my overall ideals haven’t changed since I got into office, I’ve started to figure out where I can create priorities and the change that I can effect from my position. And that’s been new.”

Hershey said as a legislator he’s always on the clock.

He has a team — his staff back home does the case work, he said, another example of the team philosophy to governing. And he has a routine, although it’s anything but compared to the average person.

An average day in Harrisburg starts with committee and office meetings.

“The average member of the House is on three or four committees, but they like to figure out what freshmen are good at so I was just appointed to my sixth this week,” he said. “You take care of all those meetings before you go in session.”

The session starts at 11 a.m. most days, beginning with introductions on the floor of noteworthy constituents. For Hershey, that includes a family from whom a member was killed in action is being honored with the naming of a bridge, and a group of Franklin County teens who won the national 4-H trap shooting championship.

“It really means a lot to the local people who come all the way to Harrisburg to be honored on the floor,” he said.

Next are party caucuses as the legislators try and put forth a unified position on bills.

“Sometimes that spills out onto the floor, but we try to have a semblance of this is what the team’s belief is going to be going forward,” he said. “After that we have floor debate.”

Which can be brief, or run well into the night.

See Hershey / Page 42

Sentinel file photo

Rep. John Hershey, at right in second row, is sworn in as a member of the state legislature.

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Lewistown, PA—39

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

President and CEO, Mifflin County Industrial Development Corp.

By KIER HARRIS Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — Mifflin County’s economy certainly wouldn’t have near the vitality it does today without the involvement of Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation President and CEO Nick Felice.

In his daily involvement with MCIDC, Felice splits his time between nonprofit realestate management and local economic development. On the real-estate side, this means doing phone interviews with companies inter-

Nick Felice

ested in doing business in Mifflin County, filling unoccupied space in already-existing buildings and the daily nuts-and-bolts management of tennant-lease arrangements.

In terms of economic development, Felice represents Mifflin County in Washington to foreign industries looking to break into the U.S. market, among other tasks centered on bringing economic sustenance back home.

“Economics is the basis to everything,” Felice said. “It’s the essence of what our society is built on. (My job) is fulfilling because you see a need

for your fellow man, and you meet it. That’s what’s fulfilling: Having the ability to help companies and individuals realize their dream.”

Felice then referenced Nittany Paper in Lewistown’s industrial park as a prime example. The company was started by a local resident in his garage, and through some impressive entrepreneurship and assistance from MCIDC, it turned into a large, local company with an extremely positive impact on the surrounding economy.

Felice also said that MCIDC strives to ensure that their businesses coexist with the communities they inhabit beyond economical stimulation.

“If runoff from your enormous parking lot drains into and ruins your neighbor’s yard, for example, you aren’t being a good neighbor,” he said. “If you’re hurting your neighbors, you aren’t helping your community.”

When asked if he could change one thing about his

job, Felice mentioned the bureaucracy and red tape, saying that individuals within those bureaucracies could sometimes be a bit more understanding.

“Planning for every contingency can sometimes get ridiculous,” Felice said. “The government timeline (which is usually quite slow) never matches up with businesses’ timelines. I don’t know where it is, but there’s a happy medium. Sometimes the people in these bureaucracies would do well to note that the bureaucracies themselves are sustained by the money these projects bring in. It doesn’t just come out of nowhere.”

Felice also spoke on the importance of bringing young people into his field, pointing out the Chamber of Commerce’s leadership program and calling it a “tangible example of how to enlighten young people.”

“You’re here. Your life is here. Your family is here. Involving yourself by working

on a board or in a leadership role directly improves where you live,” he explained.

“That’s the kind of attitude that will sustain this organization year after year.”

Felice proffered a few words of wisdom: “It’s a microcosm of how to relate to the world, really — choose an optimism campaign,” he said.

“Every town has its drug and crime problems. You can’t ignore the negative, but you’ve got to accentuate the positives. That’s how you improve your community and the world at large.”

Name: Nick Felice Job: President/CEO of MCIDC Where you live: Derry Township Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Primary, Summit Central Elementary; Secondary, Fort Le Boeuf High; College: Mercyhurst University See Felice / Page 41

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Mitchell

Continued from Page 34

and address ongoing goals for the school.

“If all goes as planned, a typical day would allow administration to be visible within the building, visiting classrooms to understand how things are going in each class and being available to students, staff and parents,” Mitchell said, adding that regular communication is necessary to ensure the success of students.

“In situations where students may need discipline or ongoing support, we spend time making phone calls and communicating our efforts collectively so we can best meet our students’ needs and make sure students learn from their mistakes and demonstrate appropriate behaviors in the future. The everyday situations in a school are never ending but it is important to schedule fidelity checks for programs to monitor our strengths and determine areas for growth,” he said.

Becoming a principal at a new school can be both challenging and rewarding.

Before coming to East Juniata Elementary, he served as the principal of the now-closed Tuscarora Valley and LackTuscarora elementaries, then at Juniata Elementary.

At this juncture, he, along with staff and students are familiarizing themselves with the culture at East Juniata and getting to know the needs of the students and staff and working to develop practices that work best at East Juniata Elementary.

“I think we’ve done an amazing job,” he said. “We’re still working out some of the nuts and bolts and logistics of everyday functioning. I work with an amazing team of educators and helpful, invested parents and we want to continue to grow as a community and keep building that school pride so that people feel connected.”

The toughest part of serving as a principal, Mitchell said, is knowing that despite all efforts to be fair and conscientious of everyone’s needs, it’s impossible to please all the people all the time.

“Sometimes decisions are made within a district and you’re not always going to have everyone agreeing and happy with decisions, so it’s

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

tough when decisions are made and people are upset. It’s difficult when you can’t please all the people time,” he said.

Mitchell outlined a number of initiatives the district is putting in place to help support students, including the addition of a master’s level position and two bachelor’s positions that would provide schoolbased behavioral therapy for students.

Academically, there is a focus on improving math scores in the district, as well as making sure students in kindergarten through second grade are proficient readers.

A third key focus is making sure the school’s Positive Behavior Support Program is teaching and rewarding students for appropriate behavior in school.

Mitchell has held a variety of positions during his time as an educator and an administrator and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than what I’m doing now,” he said. “There is no another job you could have that has this type of reward each year ... I wouldn’t want any other job in the world.”

Name: Clint Mitchell Job: Principal at East Juniata Elementary School Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Penn State, Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education; Temple, master’s degree in Education and Administration; Shippensburg University, Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? My wife is Dr. Deedre Mitchell. In high school I worked at H.P. McGinley’s, now Stella Jones (a producer of pressure-treated wood products). At that time one of my co-workers invited me to go swimming at his house and she happened to be at his sister’s house visiting that day.

We instantly had a connection and always remained close friends. We later married (July 4, 2009) and recently celebrated our 10th anniversary.

Her background is school counseling so education and helping children is a passion of both of ours.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Deedre and I are blessed with three amazing children. Ryan Christian Mitchell is 9, Avery Grace Mitchell is 7 and Jax James

Mitchell is 5. This year, all three are at East Juniata Elementary School. My wife says she should send the cooks a thank you card for feeding her entire family every day.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? From a very young age, God has surrounded me and blessed me with some extremely influential mentors and role models who have been there for me through every turn and growing pain I’ve had in life. Every child faces challenges and has to overcome some type of adversity. From my own firsthand experience I have seen how much a mentor can impact the future of an individual. I chose the teaching profession because educators have an opportunity to be an influential in the success stories in thousands of students lives over their career. Working with teams of educators with a passion and love for students in making a difference in their lives is truly an every day blessing.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? My parents have provided an amazing foundation and support structure for me throughout my life. My grandmother, grandfather, aunts, uncles and cousins have been in education for years. Hearing their stories and teaching experiences in-

spired me to be a teacher.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Throughout my years as an educator I’ve had the opportunity to work with many students.

The proudest achievement to me is when a former student reaches out and expresses how influential and important I was to them as a teacher or mentor. Teaching is a tough career and takes immense dedication and time to your students. Nothing could make me prouder than knowing the efforts were appreciated and made an everlasting impression and impact on someone’s life.

What would you like your legacy to be? As principal of East Juniata Elementary my goal and legacy would be to make the school the best it possibly can be. This means that students leave with a sense of pride about their school and feel confident that their education has prepared them to compete and be successful in any job of their choice. Ideally we are working to create an atmosphere and community connection that has students yearning to come back to their hometown after they graduate so their children can experience and be part of the same amazing educational experience they had as children at our school.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? Outside of school hours I enjoy spending time and being active with my family. Our kids are involved in many activities including piano, dance, soccer, basketball, church activities and Awana. Being actively involved with them is our main priority so their hobbies are ours.

What are you afraid of?

Snakes and heights.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? We will leave that up to another interview of one of my previous teachers.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Persistent What is a place you’d like to visit? Hawaii What is the last book you read? Egermeier’s Bible story book (to my kids) What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip What’s on your pizza?

Everything but anchovies What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Remember the Titans” What superpower would you like to have? Time manipulation What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most? Favorite, blue; least favorite, yellow

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Kodish

Continued from Page 35

effective level.” Kodish said the commissioners are always looking for ways to do things better. They do this by implementing new policies, rearranging staffing in departments, consolidating departments.

“What we’ve done is basically if someone leave a department that gives us an opportunity to step back and look the department.’ Kodish said, “Instead of just automatically replacing that person we look at all the jobs in the department and see if there are ways we could reallocate duties better or is there a way we could save money. Those opportunities give us a chance for that analysis.”

Kodish’s style of leadership and decision making, he feels, hasn’t changed because of having to make decisions with the two other commissioners. He feels the county set up of three commissioners is the perfect way to have the office arranged.

“I think our diversity is a strength.” Kodish said, “We have Mark Sunderland who

Felice

Continued from Page 39

(BA in History) How long have you known your spouse? I met my wife Gina in college.

We’ve been married for 34 years.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Two boys: Mac, 33, and Alex, 26.

No grandchildren yet.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? In 1994, I ran for state representative in Somerset County. Then in late 1995, the Somerset County Development Coun-

comes from a farming background. Rob Postal is a former MCIDC president. I worked in higher education, communications in Harrisburg for 30 years. So we come from different angles when we approach things and it gives us different perspectives.”

Kodish feels this allows the group to see the whole picture and how someone looks at a particular issue might be changed by something one of the other commissioner has to offer.

“I’ve been fortunate enough, we’ve always had good working relationships on the boards we’ve had.”

Kodish said, “Once in awhile there are disagreements on a particular item, but in large we’ve always talked things through and make a decision that is best for the county ultimately.”

As far as goals when first taking office, Kodish, from a financial standpoint, wants to see the county get in better shape. Kodish thought the county was operating too close to the bottom line. The county was taking out the TRAN loan every year before getting the tax revenue mak-

ing everything really tight fiAlso, Kodish nancially. wanted to see about starting new programs where possible. One such program that Kodish is most proud of is the bridge program that the commissioners started with the municipalities.

“There’s are a lot of under20-foot bridges in the county that are structurally deficient.

Many of them are owned by the municipalities.” Kodish said, “Fixing a bridge is pretty costly. There are so many liquid fuels monies available to fix them.”

The bridge program applies a $5 local use fee added on to car registrations. That money goes directly to the county from PennDOT and is paid out twice a year. The commissioners took out a Pennsylvania Infrastructure Bank loan for a couple million dollars and, working with the municipalities, townships and boroughs only have to pay 10% of the cost with the county picking up the remaining 90% to replace a bridge. The county uses the PIB loan money to replace the bridge and then the $5 local use fund is used

to make loan payments.

“We’re fixing a lot of bridges in the area and the townships that couldn’t afford to do it are only paying 10%.”

Kodish said. “It pays for itself. It’s really a win-win.”

Name: Kevin Kodish Job: Mifflin County Commissioner Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Sacred Heart School, Lewistown Area High School and Bloomsburg University Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? Met in high school, married 36 1/2 years How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Two daughters, Katy and Brooke, ages 34 and 32. Grandson Fitz, will be 2 in May. Why did you choose this profession/activity? I wanted to serve my community and make a difference.

Who had a great influence on your choice? Bruce Hinderliteo, former minister at Lewistown Presbyterian Church What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Establishing a meaningful

capital reserve fund and starting the bridge program.

What would you like your legacy to be? That I worked hard for all citizens and that I helped to enhance the county’s financial position.

What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Sports, higher education and my grandson Fitz.

What are you afraid of?

Snakes What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Used chalk to place football yard lines on the living room carpet and then played the game!

Mom wasn’t impressed.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Friendly What is a place you’d like to visit? Austria What is the last book you read? “Winning Every Day” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Cookie dough What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni What is your favorite movie or TV show? The original “Planet of the Apes” What super power would you like to have? The ability to time travel.

What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Blue; Orange

cil lost its leader. Having been a politician, I promised job creation as the main theme of my campaign. Seeing this economic development organization as a vehicle for change, I applied for the position and secured the job in April of 1996. Since then I have worked in economic/community development in six different Pennsylvania communities, including Somerset, Meadville, Huntingdon, Latrobe, Johnstown and now Lewistown.

Who had a great influence on your choice? Too many to cite.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Bringing Swedish-based powdered-metal producer North American Hoganas to Hollsopple, Somerset County.

What would you like your legacy to be? Creating/perpetuating a positive community attitude based on hard work, commitment and entrepreneurial pursuit.

An economic understanding that profit is not a dirty word, but an enabling factor in all aspects of our opportu-

nity based society.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? Hiking, fishing, golf.

What are you afraid of?

Economic downturn If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Consistent What is a place you’d like to visit? Italy What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Chocolate What’s on your pizza?

Pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, sausage, olives

What is your favorite movie or TV show? “The Patriot” What super power would you like to have? Flight What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Red; gray.

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Hershey

Continued from Page 38

German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck famously said that no one should see how laws or sausages are made.

Part of that is because dealmaking — and back biting — are part of the legislative process when it comes to hotbutton issues.

One of Hershey’s priorities falls into that category — tax reform. Specifically, elimination of the property tax as the primary means of funding education at the local level.

“It’s so different across the state,” he says. “I would like to see a more fair system that’s based on sales and income taxes that gets distributed from Harrisburg.”

But since he arrived at the state house, Hershey admits he’s learned the nuances of property taxes. A home is the primary investment for many, and longevity is making it harder for seniors to pay the real estate tax on homes they’ve occupied their entire lives.

“My No. 1 issue though, and what I would like to see accomplished in Harrisburg before I leave, is just a general tax rewrite that takes corporate taxes into account,” he says.

Pennsylvania’s business taxes, he says, are among the highest in both real and effective rates nationally.

“Then you have businesses that are essentially headquartered in Pennsylvania but they might have one person in an office in Delaware and they end up headquartering their business in Delaware and they pay state taxes in Delaware,” he explains — businesses relocate to friendlier states and people follow.

“This is an issue that Republicans and Democrats

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

agree on, but we just can’t agree how to get there,” Hershey laments.

He also wants to put an end to youth flight from the Keystone State.

“People my age in Pennsylvania are leaving the state at a pretty alarming rate.

Most of my friends from high school are no longer here,” he notes. “I want Pennsylvania to be a great place to work and raise a family for young people like me.”

Hershey’s background includes enough variety that he should be able to play a meaningful role on the house floor. He learned to work with others as a competitive square dancer with his brothers, Tyler and Andrew, and friend Justin Reed through 4H (they won, too).

He also learned how to recover from failure, both in and out of his own family.

It wasn’t all bad — he made it to districts as part of Juniata’s tennis team in his senior year. But he also played on a basketball team that won just one of its 22 games.

“My youngest sister’s a dancer and even she’s a better athlete than me,” he jokes.

My sister (Anna) played soccer at Juniata and my brother (Tyler) was a wrestler and a football player.”

When he chose to seek the legislative seat, he said, it was his choice: “There were no party elders that came to me and asked me to run.”

Hershey believes a state legislator is still a local citizen and needs to stay involved in the community. He talks about a condition that veteran Centre County legislator Kerry Benninghoff, who also represents part of Mifflin County, calls “Harrisburgitis.”

“Often times too many people go to Harrisburg and they get entrenched in that

political culture. And they’re not willing to hew to the ideals that got them elected,” Hershey says.

And he may not stay with it. He insists this is not a career job; that he was preparing to finish law school and return to the area as a bit of a country lawyer.

“A lot of our attorneys are retiring or nearing retirement age and I think it’s a value that the area needs,” he says.

It’s just one more sign of Hershey’s pragmatic approach to serving. One that, if he’s successful, will help him achieve his goals wherever he lands.

“What people need to remember is that in the political process, especially when government is divided like we are ... it’s not so much a matter of selling your soul to the devil as it is, you always have to, no matter how idealistic you are, give up some things that you want to get other things that you want,” he says.

Name: John Hershey Job: State representative for PA-82nd district (Mifflin, Juniata, Franklin counties) Town where you live: Mifflin Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary, Juniata High School, Messiah College Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? I met my fiancee (getting married in August!) in second grade at Fermanagh and we became good friends in high school.

We didn’t start dating until after college, in recent years.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? None Why did you choose this profession/activity? It’s the best way to serve my hometown and the community

that I love. I really enjoy being able to directly impact people’s lives in a positive way, whether it’s by cutting red tape with state agencies or actual legislation.

Who had a great influence on your choice? My parents encouraged me to run for office and also encourage me to stay true to the values I promised when elected.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Being in office for only one year, I’m sure I will have many achievements to come.

For the time being, in addition to having two of my bills being signed into law by the governor, I would say stopping a regional brokerage of our counties’ Medical Assistance Transport Programs, such as the Call-A-Ride Service (CARS). There is still work to be done but brokering the system at a regional level would have had a severe negative impact on Juniata and Mifflin counties.

What would you like your legacy to be? Regardless of bills I get passed or rewards I may receive, I want people to be able to say I served the Juniata Valley to the best of my ability.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? I like to read, travel, play tennis, spend time with family and volunteer with my church and in the community. Aside from those, I like country boy things — shooting my guns and bonfires. I’m starting a garden this year for the first time — results remain to be seen.

What are you afraid of? I don’t like to fail.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Before I could get around on my own, I used to sit in my closet by our front door. This was apparently my way of asking my mom to take me outside.

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cious host: My parents, said I would cry when guests would leave our house because I didn’t want them to.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Motivated What is a place you’d like to visit? Athens, Rome, Jerusalem and Cairo are at the top of my list What is the last book you read? Oren Cass, “The Once and Future Worker,” and Ben Sasse, “Them: Why We Hate Each Other — And How to Heal” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint chocolate chip What’s on your pizza?

This is controversial, but Hawaiian pizza all the way What is your favorite movie or TV show? It’s not for kids, but HBO’s “The Wire” is excellent, and a great combination of police, politics and cultural commentary. My fiancee lived and taught in Baltimore for a few years and I enjoy listening to her draw parallels to real-life events that happen there.

What super power would you like to have? Flying would make the commute to Harrisburg a lot easier What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Red (my parents manage Hoober’s. I didn’t have a choice growing up). I don’t dislike any colors.

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Hartley

Continued from Page 37

has become so successful. As far as potato chips, the Keystone State’s soil, slightly acidic, combines with an intensely humid climate to create ideal growing conditions for potatoes.

Considering potatoes have been eaten for thousands of years, you’d think someone would have come up with the idea of slicing them thin and frying them in a fat quite a while ago. And maybe someone did, but documentation of what we now know as potato chips is surprisingly recent; the first documentation is in 1849, at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York.

The most common story about the invention of the potato chip: a very annoying customer at Moon’s insisted that his fried potatoes were not crispy enough, over and over, until the chef got fed up and sliced them ridiculously thin and fried the potatoes until crisp all the way through. Instead of falling for the prank, the customer loved them, and the potato chip was born.

That fried delicacy became wildly trendy there around the mid-1800s. For a while, they were called “Saratoga Chips.” It’s hard to say how they got to Pennsylvania, historians agree.

Within a few decades, they became entrenched in Central Pennsylvania. While there are many chip companies dating from the late 1800s and early 1900s, Hartley’s was founded

by Hartley’s great grandparents in 1935. His grandmother took over the business in 1967. Finally, Hartley bought the business in 1990 with his sister, Kellie Johnson, and father, Carl Hartley.

“We’re actually fourth generation,” Dan says. “When we bought the business. The plant was antiquated. We built on and got more advanced equipment. I would go out to other factories and see how they modernized.”

They also swapped out the costly pre-made wax bags to their current packaging.

“We had a lot of angry people,” Hartley says of the change. “We were the last company to switch over. But the new bags keep the chips fresher.”

Today, the potato chip

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scene is not like other places.

You go to the supermarket and you’ll find a vast array of what are essentially local micro-chippers: Martin’s; Middleswarth; Herr’s; Utz; Wise; and, of course, Hartley’s.

Niche techniques survive.

Hartley’s is the only potato chip maker that uses a unique kettle-cooked process. While there are other competitors who sell kettle cooked products, Hartley’s is “completely different,” Hartley says.

“If you eat ours, they are not as hard,” he explained.

“That makes us distinct. You are not getting that hard crunch.”

Ever get a mysteriously dark chip in your bag? Those aren’t burned; they just come from a potato with more sugar content, which caramelized and darkened in the hot oil.

Expansion with new products flavors and additional distribution has helped Hartley’s compete in a rugged snack food industry. While originally just offering plain and barbecue-flavored chips, Hartley’s has added waffle style to go along with no salt, salt and vinegar, sour cream and onion and jalapeno cheddar. Their latest flavor — sweet barbecue — came out about two years ago and has become popular.

Much like their competitors, Hartley’s has also diversified into other products and services. They sell pretzels, cheese curls, onion rings and party mix.

Additionally, they provide packaging services to other brands and labels. Currently, they have customers in Ohio, another large snack food producer.

“Our goal is to expand our packing for distribution into the Western United States,” Hartley says.

While profits remain important, as they do with most businesses, Hartley realizes the importance of quality. The family name remains on every product that leaves the plant. It’s one reason he and his family are so hands-on.

“We do just about everything,” Hartley says, referring his family’s role in the business. “Kellie works in production and oversees the office work. I deal with distribution, promotions and advertising. These are all things that help grow the business.”

That can mean some long

days, especially from midMay until after New Year’s – their busiest production periods. Hartley often works 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. During slower periods, his work day is a more manageable 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

“We’re getting a break right now, but in May we’ll start back up again,” he says.

Johnson was already working at the plant when a young Hartley started at age 12. Her husband, Tim, is responsible for the plant’s maintenance and daily production.

Their father, Carl, who retired from AT&T, also worked at the plant.

“He always wanted to be involved with the business,” Dan Hartley says. “Since retiring full time, he still helps with daily odds and ends as needed.

“I always knew I wanted to be involved,” he adds. “That (being a family-owned business) pushed us into it.”

Name: Dan Hartley Job: Owner, Hartley’s Potato Chips Town where you live?

Lewistown Where did you go to school? Chief Logan High School Why did you choose this profession? Family business What would you like your legacy to be? I want to be known in the chip world.

What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Golf and Penn State football What is one word to describe yourself? Funny What is a place you’d like to visit? Australia What is the last book you read? American Sniper What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate What’s your favorite TV show? Sports, including football What super power would you like to have? X-ray vision What’s your favorite color?

Blue

Gray

Continued from Page 36

county in this capacity needs to be prepared to invest time.

The commissioners’ schedule can change according to meetings and places they need to be. This can mean day or night hours.

Gray said she is always thinking about how each decision made will impact one end of the county to the other as well as businesses and farmers and everyone in between. Making sure the benefit of their decisions reaches the vast majority can be overwhelming.

Another difficult factor is negativity from constituents.

“I don’t do Facebook. But I am told what people are saying,” she said. “I hate the negativity.”

Her favorite part about her job is meeting with other organizations and the citizens of the county.

“It’s so rewarding,” she said, when a goal is completed.

Name: Alice Gray Job: Juniata County Commissioner Town where you live: Port Royal Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Tuscarora Valley High School; Harrisburg Polyclinic School of Nursing; Pennsylvania State University Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? Mutual friends set up a date; together 55 years — married 51 years How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Two daughters (middle age); four grandchildren (ages 21, 16, 13, 10) Why did you choose this profession/activity? Nurs-

ing, because I wanted to work with medicine and health; County commissioner, to help make Juniata County a place where people want to live and work Who has had a great influence on your choice? Nursing — my parents; County commissioner — no one, that was on my own What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Developing and coordinating state-wide immunization programs during the 2009 influenza pandemic What would you like your legacy to be? I was a good nurse; a progressive county commissioner; and a caring individual What are your hobbies/outside interests?

First and foremost, my family (especially my grandchildren); love to Google to learn about unusual things (like where if the coldest place on earth); exercising; shopping with my grandchildren; cooking new and unusual recipes What are you afraid of?

Making a bad decision that would cause Juniata County a problem What is the oddest thing you did as a child? As a teenager, cleaning the house after my parents and brothers went to bed If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Industrious What is the last book you read? “Origin” by Dan Brown What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Chocolate What’s on your pizza?

Everything What is your favorite movie or TV show? “NCIS” What super power would you like to have? A cure for cancers What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most? Navy blue; I don’t dislike any, but green is my least favorite

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Superintendent, Mifflin County School District

By ERIN THOMPSON

Sentinel education/religion editor

LEWISTOWN — A day in the life of the superintendent of Mifflin County School District is “never boring.”

Whether he is advocating for public education or organizing meetings, Jim Estep pushes himself and encourages staff to step outside their comfort zones.

“I’m very big into the notion of becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. I don’t think people grow unless there is a certain degree of tension and push to get them to move outside their comfort zones because I think that is how growth occurs,” he said.

Estep was forced to push the school district out of its comfort zone shortly after he was hired with the district about 10 years ago.

At the time, he said, the economy was coming out of the recession and the district

Jim Estep

was struggling financially.

“I had to make some radical changes,” he said. “We had to close a lot of buildings ... We had to restructure our staff. There were a lot of really uncomfortable things (including) making staff move from positions, (which) takes them out of their comfort area.

Those were things we had to do because we were in a situation where we were in a state of urgency.”

During his tenure, Estep has also made a push from whole classroom instruction to small group instruction and worked to “beef up” the availability of autistic support and lifeskills programs, as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs.

In his role, Estep impacts the community by managing the school district’s finances and serving as the face of the school district.

“I’ve tried to make sure we are in a position financially where we can either keep

ROBERT P.

good programs that we have, or in some cases create new programs for kids,” he said.

His daily responsibilities are varied.

One day, he says, could be peaceful, while the next he could be dealing with a perceived crisis.

“For as long as I’ve been in leadership ... it has always amazed me that even after all this time, I can run into a situation where it’s an experience where I’m not exactly sure how to respond.”

While he described his dayto-day impact on students as indirect, he strives to make Mifflin County School District as a school of choice.

“We’re in an era where people can choose other options and so to me, it’s really important that as a district, we make people feel like even if there are options that this is the best choice because we can offer more to kids,” he said.

See Estep / Page 52

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Sentinel file photo

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Office manager, Penn State Cooperative Extension

By BRANDON MORGAN Sentinel reporter

MIFFLINTOWN — Tammy Heikes, office manager for the Penn State Cooperative Extension in Mifflin and Juniata counties, shows her leadership skills everyday helping people in the community.

A graduate of Juniata High school, she moved on to Shippensburg University as a psychology major.

Heikes wanted to be career oriented and work with statistics.

She met her husband, Tom Heikes, through one of her friends and decided to leave Shippensburg. She realized after meeting her husband her plans had changed — for the better, she said — and she wanted to start a family.

Later, at her son’s basketball game, she was reading The Sentinel. She read her horoscope, and it told her to find a new job.

“My life changed from a newspaper horoscope,” Heikes said.

Heikes would not trade this job or lifestyle for the world. College did come in handy for one thing — Heikes found herself and realized the family life was what she really wanted all along.

“I love being of service to our community,” Heikes said.

“We are here for everyone.

We are here for farm owners, 4-H kids, you name it.”

There is no such thing as a normal office day for Heikes.

She is in charge of all the finances, volunteering at the local county fairs, helping children, helping out with different programs at schools and answering phone calls or questions about different things.

One of the things she sometimes dislikes about her job is Penn State’s size — it is huge, extremely difficult to know and learn everything. The good news about that is there are more people to meet and knowing a lot of people comes with a lot of resources.

Tammy Heikes

“I try to make sure I learn everything about Penn State,” Heikes said. “It is a big organization. We have to make sure rules are followed.”

Working with kids is just one of the many reasons why Heikes loves her job. While she is helping them, kids are helping here keep up with up to date social media and trends.

“I love working with people,” Heikes said. “It is something different every day. For everyone that comes through the door, you don’t know who you’re going to meet and interact with.”

Being an office manager is no easy task, but Heikes keeps goals to keep her going.

“My number one goal is to make sure we are a positive face to the community,” Heikes said. “Serving the public and customer service is number one for me. When you come in, I’m going to make sure you are helped.”

Heikes said she loves riding her 2005 Harley motorcycle with her husband.

Business can be rough and troublesome at times, but Heikes, with her bubbly personality, keeps up with the work and takes on challenges.

Finding the right information and sources to find answers is one of the many challenges Heikes faces every day.

“You have to be self-motivated because supervisors are not around often,” Heikes said. You also need to love people and be ready for diverse days to be part of this career.”

Name: Tammy Heikes Job: Office manager, Penn State Juniata County Town where you live: Mifflintown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Walker Elementary, Tuscarora Valley Elementary, Tuscarora Jr. High, Juniata High School and Shippensburg University Where did you meet your See Heikes / Page 52

Sentinel photo by BRANDON MORGAN

Tammy Heikes is manager for the local Penn State extension office.

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Shawnee District chairman, Juniata Valley Council

By BRADLEY KREITZER Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — One of the themes that is inherent in the Boy Scouts of America is that of leadership — from committee chairs down through scoutmasters and assistant scoutmasters to troop patrol leaders and their assistant patrol leaders, all are important roles to keep troops functioning smoothly.

At the top of the Juniata Valley Council’s Shawnee District is district chairman Steve Dedmon, who also serves on the council’s executive board. As chairman, Dedmon’s role is one of guiding and training and things of that nature.

“The district has many different arms, if you want to call it, sort of like a multilegged octopus with three heads,” Dedmon said. “A strange looking animal but that’s basically what a district is. We have finance, membership duties, training duties, unit service, which is where the commissioner’s staff comes in at. All sorts of different things that have to coordinate together to be an effective district.”

Dedmon said that he and the other leaders in the district always have goals that they want to achieve with the district.

The district uses the National Metrics management tool to attain its goals.

“You have to have management but it’s sort of like the heavy hand,” Dedmon said.

“It’s the thing you have to do in order to make sure you’re progressing toward your goals. Leadership is more about vision.”

The BSA Shawnee District is set up with pre-existing goals. There are gold, silver and bronze level metrics.

“Obviously we want to be gold in everything and it’s not really possible. But as an organization we do pretty good,” Dedmon said.

Steve Dedmon

The Shawnee District usually finishes out the year as silver or gold as an organization. Membership is one of the main things the district strives to put to the forefront.

In 2017 and in 2018 the district had dramatic increases in membership with some of the top performances in the region. In 2019 the district just missed having a positive membership gain.

Dedmon said the mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to make leaders out of the youth that are in the organization.

“We do that through a whole bunch of different ways including the patrol method and the scouting function. Explorers and Venturing are also organizations that push leadership skills,” he said.

Some of the highest awards someone can attain in Boy Scouts, like the Eagle Scout, are leadership awards. But Dedmon says it goes beyond just the merit badges and ranks. The Boy Scouts of America use the National Youth Leadership Training program, which is designed for councils to teach the scouts leadership skills. These courses are designed in such a way that the learned leadership skills can be used not only in the BSA troops but also in other situations demanding leadership of self and others.

The six-day course centers around the concepts of what a leader must be, know and do. The key elements are then taught with a clear focus on how to apply these elements.

Content is delivered in a troop and patrol outdoor setting with an emphasis on immediate application of learning.

“From an adult viewpoint, adults can’t teach leadership unless they know leadership,” Dedmon said. “So we also have wood badge courses to train them how to be leaders and see what the boys have to go through with

the patrol method and the scouting program.”

The BSA has only one mandatory training course for its adult leaders, which is Youth Protection.

“We need to get all leaders trained at least to know what their functions and responsibilities are. We call that basic training,” Dedmon said, “so they know that if they are den leader they know what their responsibilities are. If they are a unit leader like a scoutmaster, assistant scoutmaster or cubmaster. They have to know what their functions and their roles are. Even in non-leadership positions like in committees where a lot of the routine things are taken care of, management stuff is taken care of at those level.

We still need to have them trained as well.”

Dedmon went through the Webelos program in his youth but did not continue on into

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See Dedmon / Page 53

Sentinel photo by BRADLEY KREITZER

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The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Senior pastor, Calvary Bible Church

Rev. Ethan Druckenmiller

Church in Lewistown, filling the vacancy of the retiring pastor, Howard Houtz. Houtz had been pastor during Druckenmiller’s youth.

By TABITHA GOODLING Sentinel correspondent

LEWISTOWN — As early as 6 years old Ethan Druckenmiller felt he was called to a special kind of leadership.

He made a decision at that tender age to follow Jesus Christ, and even then, he said, he felt pastoral leadership was in his future.

“That later developed in my 20s which began in preparations and education,” Druckenmiller said.

He eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Ministry and an M.A. in Theology.

Druckenmiller had no idea when he left for his first pastoral role in Wisconsin that he would eventually return to his home church.

As a first time pastor in a small church, Druckenmiller said he “went through a lot and learned a lot.” He then took a position as an associate pastor in a very large church

The Rev. Ethan Druckenmiller, second from left, and family.

in Florida.

“That experience gave me a lot more to work with,” he said, adding it was exciting

“to see how God worked it out that I was brought back here.”

Druckenmiller came home

Submitted photo

to the church where he first heard the name of Jesus. He accepted the position as senior pastor at Calvary Bible

Name: Ethan Druckenmiller Job: Senior pastor, Calvary Bible Church Town where you live: Granville Where did you go to school? Easy Derry Elementary, Indian Valley High School Where did you meet your spouse? At church in Elkhart, Indiana.

How long together? Together for 15 years, married for 13 How many children, how old? Four children ages 12, 12 (twins), 9 and 7 Why did you choose this career? I believe it is what God called me to do Who has had a great impact on your choice? My former pastor Carl Henry What is your proudest work-related achievement?

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See Calvary / Page 53

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Judge, Mifflin County Court of Common Pleas

By JULIANNE KILMER Sentinel correspondent

LEWISTOWN — For one local sports enthusiast, being benched carries a different meaning.

Aaron Gingrich, of Lewistown, is known by many as a basketball coach. He is also a common pleas judge, who hears all criminal cases, civil matters in excess of $12,000 and custody, juvenile delinquency and dependency cases, among various other items.

“Common pleas judges hear matters that impact many aspects of our community,” he said.

In his position, Gingrich said his goal is to make sound, well-reasoned decisions based on the law. He would like to see reduced recidivism, or the tendency of people to reoffend.

“The hope of any judge is that people learn from their mistakes and make better decisions in the future,” he explained.

He said bringing cases to their conclusion is rewarding, but the decisions judges make are not liked by everyone.

“Judges have to accept this fact and continue to make well-reasoned decisions based on the law, while still respecting the rights of all litigants,” he said.

A typical day on the job is scheduled months in advance, but emergencies arise on a daily basis.

Attracting someone to the profession is not easy, Gingrich

Aaron Gingrich

said. To be a judge, individuals must obtain a four-year undergraduate college degree and three-year law school degree, pass the Pennsylvania Bar Exam, practice law to gain experience and be willing to run in an election.

However, he said, becoming a common pleas judge is rewarding.

If he were not a judge, Gingrich said he would likely be a practicing attorney. However, he also has a graduate teaching certificate and was offered assistant college basketball coaching positions before he entered law school.

Name: Aaron L. Gingrich Job: Court of Common Pleas judge, basketball coach Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school? Lewistown Area High School, Dickinson College, Widener Law School Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? Wife Shauna, in Lewistown, 19 years How many children?

Three: Marissa (15), Maelyn (13), Marshall (23 months).

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I grew up in the legal profession, with my father being an attorney. After working as a lawyer with him, I made the choice to run for judge.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? Obviously, my father because of his 45 years of experience in the legal field, but also my entire family, as jobs like these

Mifflin County Common Pleas Judge Aaron Gingrich. impact your entire family.

What is your proudest work-related achievement? I take pride in being fair and honest with all parties and litigants who come before me, and try to make well-reasoned See Gingrich / Page 51

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Gingrich

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decisions based on the law.

What would you like your legacy to be? A judge who followed the rules and law, and

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

made sound, well-reasoned decisions.

What are your hobbies/interests? I have coached basketball in Mifflin County for over 25 years. I was the boys varsity basketball coach at Lewistown Area High School and MCHS

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One word to describe yourself? Competitive What is a place you’d like to visit? There are many places I’d like to visit, but with

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Estep

Continued from Page 46

One way this is achieved is by encouraging faculty and staff to focus on providing “good customer” service to students, parents and the community.

In addition to his work with staff, Estep advocates for public schools and against legislation that pushes education toward privatization.

“My greatest fear is lobbyists who are pushing to make public education a for-profit institution,” he said. “It scares me to death because I think there are always going to be winners and losers and I think public schools as an institution have been one of the most wildly successful institutions that we have ever established in the United States and I truly believe in them.”

At one time, he even considered becoming a legislator, explaining that he would have served on the education committee.

“I’d like to have influence on public education in a positive way so that (schools) can continue to operate and thrive,” he said.

On the flip side, he explained that “bad legislation” is one part of his job that he does not like.

“Most problems that school systems encounter don’t have to do with kids, they have to do with adults,” he said.

Estep also struggles with judgments that are made about leadership at the school district.

“Sometimes I think we get pegged as being something that we’re not,” he said. “I also think some people think the superintendent has a second degree in meteorology and can predict weather events when I’m no better than anybody else at predicting things like that,” he joked.

Estep said he got his leadership ability from his dad, who also served as a superintendent.

When he sees employees who he perceives to “think like a superintendent,” he said he tries to make them aware and encourages them to pursue their certification.

Estep has found fulfillment in seeing plans related to programs come into fruition.

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

“It’s a good feeling,” he said. “I love seeing us be able to create new programs or save worthwhile programs.

There are a lot of districts that have really cut back on the arts and we have managed to keep that in place and it’s thriving.

I’m really proud of that.”

Estep would like for his work to be able to play a larger part in enticing more companies to relocate to Mifflin County.

“That would be a really cool thing — to create growth like that here. A superintendent alone can’t do that. It takes a lot of people working in concert,” he said. “If there’s something I could do more of, I’d feel really good about that.”

When he’s not running the school district Estep is an avid hunter.

Some may even by surprised to learn that in his free time, he enjoys playing “Modern Warfare” on Xbox.

“I don’t know if a lot, but when I do, I enjoy it because it’s kind of mindless and fun,” he said.

Name: Jim Estep Job: Superintendent of Schools, Mifflin County School District Town where you live: Mount Union Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? College, 30 years Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Mount Union Area School District, Bridgewater College, Shippensburg University.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Three children, 33, 24 and 22. Two grandchildren.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? Love kids and love helping people.

Who had a great influence on your choice? My dad was a superintendent, as well as some other great mentors.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Facing huge financial challenges and overcoming them.

What would you like your legacy to be? Having put strong systems in place to ensure future success.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? Hunting, fishing, canoeing.

What are you afraid of?

Government allowing public education to be privatized.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Ate crayons and paste!

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Genuine What is a place you’d like to visit? Scottish Highlands and the Welsh countryside What is the last book you read? ‘The Outsider,” by Stephen King What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Black raspberry What’s on your pizza?

Sausage and mushrooms What is your favorite movie or TV show? “The Green Mile” What super power would you like to have? Vulcan mind meld What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Silver; pink

Heikes

Continued from Page 47

spouse/partner? How long together? I met him through my friend. We’ve known each other for 30 years and have been married for 28 years.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Stepdaughter, 33; stepson, 32; son, 26. My stepchildren have given me six grandchildren and our 14-year-old granddaughter lives with (my husband) and I. Why did you choose this profession/activity? I love what Penn State offers to our local communities.

Who had a great influence on your choice? I rely on God’s guidance every day.

What would you like your legacy to be? That I was kind, had empathy, integrity and treated everyone equally.

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

What are your hobbies/outside interests? I love to go camping, ride motorcycle and read.

What are you afraid of?

Live chickens What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Ask anyone, I was a very odd child.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Happy What is a place you’d like to visit? Scotland What is the last book you read? “Killing Lincoln” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Meyer Dairy Mocha Chip What’s on your pizza?

Mushrooms What is your favorite movie or TV show? “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Blue Bloods” What super power would you like to have? Mind reading What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Blue; Brown.

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Dedmon

Continued from Page 48

Lewistown, PA—53

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

the Boy Scout program.

“I had some not-so-good leadership back then and that really turns you off as a youth,” Dedmon said. “It makes you understand just how important having good leaders is to the success of a child.”

The structure of the scouting program has changed throughout the years,” he said.

“I think there is more emphasis on the adults to have good leadership skills,” Dedmon said. “That’s probably the biggest thing.”

Starting in 2000 the BSA began a 21st century leadership course called ‘Wood Badge.” The BSA had a previous Wood Badge program but that was focused more on skills than leadership.

Name: Steve Dedmon Job: Shawnee District Chair, Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council Town where you live: Alfarata Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Pennsbury and University of Pittsburgh Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? Scouting, 24 years How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Five (3346), 11 grandchildren.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? A friend and coworker, Tom Write, asked me.

Who had a great influence on your choice? Same.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Space shuttle and Titan projects What would you like your legacy to be? That I’ve had a positive impact on the lives of

the youth.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? Fossils, minerals, wines What are you afraid of?

Sometimes heights What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Flew around the world, commercial.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Helpful.

What is a place you’d like to visit? Antarctica What is the last book you read? “Magicians” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Teaberry What’s on your pizza?

Mushrooms What is your favorite movie or TV show? “The Hobbit” What super power would you like to have? To be a better listener What is your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most? Blue; none

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Calvary

Continued from Page 49

Seeing peoples’ lives transformed What would you like your legacy to be? That I lived faithfully to my Savior and to my calling What are your hobbies?

Hunting, fishing, carpentry What are you afraid of?

Snapping turtles What is the oddest thing you did as a child? I tried to cut my eyelashes off after kids at school made fun of how long they were

If you could use one word to describe yourself what would it be? Relatable What is a place you’d like to visit? Machu Picchu What is the last book you read? “Divine Direction” by Craig Groeschel What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookies and cream What’s on your pizza?

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

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Senior class president, Mifflin County High School

By ERIN THOMPSON

Sentinel education/religion editor

LEWISTOWN — Each member of the senior class at Mifflin County High School is important.

Senior class president Olivia Ahern wants to make sure they feel supported and that their voices are heard.

When tragedy strikes within her class, she feels it is her role to reach out.

“Last year, a student lost their father. We would send them a card to let them know that the class is supporting them,” she said. “I’ve had multiple cards sent to (students when) family members that have passed away.”

In the tragic event when a student passes away, she also makes it a point to attend the viewings on behalf of her class to show the family support.

“I want to make sure that every single student knows they are an important part of our class,” Ahern said.

As the face of the senior class, she plays a large part in arranging fundraisers for her class.

Some of her favorite things about her role is preparing for dances and working closely with other class officers and advisers.

Her parents instilled in her the significance of leadership.

“My mom and dad have always expressed (the importance of) being a leader, not a follower, so I wanted to make sure they knew I wasn’t going to be following everybody else,” she said, which is what led her to running for class president in eighth grade. She has been chosen to serve in the role every year since.

“I also care for my class and for people,” Ahern said.

Being senior class president “is a great opportunity to show classmates that you care for them,” she said. “If you’re socially awkward, it definitely gets you out of your bubble.”

The role requires her to at-

Olivia Ahern

tend meetings and know what’s going on within her class.

If she could change anything about her position, she said she would like the person in her role to fulfill more requirements.

“I feel there could be more done with my position ... I would like there to be a little more responsibility,” she said.

Ahern explained that if she had the resources, she would like to compile a timeline for organizing class reunions.

She has been known to go above and beyond in her position.

In 10th grade, she said she started the school’s first Sadie Hawkins dance, in which the girls ask boys to the event, so that there would be more opportunity for sophomores to be included in dances.

Since sophomores cannot attend prom unless they are invited, “I decided (they) should have another dance where they could dress up besides homecoming, so that’s

when we created the Sadie Hawkins dance.”

If she wasn’t in her current leadership role, Ahern said she would likely seek another leadership role such as in Key Club where she would be able to do more volunteering.

As someone who represents her senior class, Ahern appreciates that there is not a lot of bullying at her school.

“We have a very low tolerance ... I feel very safe here.

We have a lot of drills and our teachers are always take preventive measures,” she said.

“I feel they would know what they were doing if there ever was to be an incident.”

If she was to ever witness bullying, she said she would “stand up for the underdog.

I’m not a person to get physical, but I would definitely report the incident and make sure the (victim) know that whatever they were bullied for isn’t true.”

See Ahern / Page 60

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Olivia Ahern is Mifflin County High School senior class president.

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Lewistown, PA—55

President, Mifflintown Borough Council

By LUCAS LENZE Sentinel reporter

MIFFLINTOWN — Samuel Klinger is the president of the Mifflintown Borough Council.

When he’s not running council meetings or attending to other important business, Klinger works in road construction.

Being a road construction worker is how he makes a living. Klinger’s job is to help provide safer roads for the public to travel on. You never really put much thought into what it is like for construction workers. They are out there making sure we have passable roads to drive on and sometimes the public just sees it as an inconvenience.

Days for road construction workers are not very favorable. Klinger described his daily activities as “On my last job I would leave the house around 4:30 in the afternoon to be at work at 6 p.m. I would jump in a crash truck and go out on the turnpike and set

Samuel Klinger

patterns so we would have a lane closed to work in. Then I would jump into my equipment usually a gradeall or a shuttlebuggy or whatever they needed me in at the time. Then when all the work was done for the day we would pick the pattern back up and go home, usually got home around noon, and then turned around and did it all over again.”

Klinger and the road crew have goals that they operate under when they are out fixing the road. They want to get the job done as fast and as safe as possible. Klinger said “I try and break my goal every day about how much work I can get done in a day’s time. It doesn’t always work.”

There are always some things with a job that you like or dislike. One of the things that Klinger likes most about his job is the people he works with. The other thing he likes about his job is getting to travel.

“I work with some of the most amazing people and get

to work in many areas of our state,” Klinger said. To go along with the things Klinger likes the most about the job, is he gets to run many different pieces of equipment. There is a flip side to the travel though.

Klinger said the travel and the hours really take a toll on him.

Everyone has a quality to them that would surprise other people. Klinger says the thing that people would be most surprised to know about him is “I never give up, and I can run anything they want me to sometimes I get nervous about it but I can run it.” One area of his job that he would change if he could would be the set hours that they work on the job.

Road construction is a tough area to get people to come into.

Klinger said no one wants to do the kind of work that they do, the profession is a “dying breed.” The work they do is too hard for most people and the hours are too long. “The See Klinger / Page 60

Submitted photo

Mifflintown Borough Council President Samuel Klinger.

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau

Jenny Barron Landis

By JULIANNE KILMER Sentinel correspondent

Submitted photo

Jenny Barron Landis heads the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau.

LEWISTOWN — There is a tourism trade in Mifflin and Juniata counties that isn’t realized by many locals.

Jenny Barron Landis, executive director of the Juniata Valley Visitors Bureau, says she wants to open the eyes of residents so they can see the great things that are happening locally. “(The bureau’s) job is to promote this area to other regions in a way that compels people to visit,” she said. “I was born and raised in this area, and I really appreciate the opportunity to brag about the things that I know and love about central Pennsylvania.”

Whether visitors shop for a few hours or stay overnight in one of the area’s hotels, cabins or bed-and-breakfasts, they are likely to spend money. In 2015, visitors spent more than $102 million in Mifflin and Juniata counties, Landis said.

Personally, she enjoys developing creative ways to attract attention to the community.

“It’s been really fun working to bring Goose Day back to life, but our work is not finished with that,” she said. “I would like our local holiday to not only be something to bring visitors into town but also be a point of pride for everyone that lives in the Juniata River Valley.”

Landis said she also enjoys working with teammates

Janet Walker and Buffie Boyer, who are always looking for ways to better promote the area.

Attracting visitors also affects jobs, both directly and indirectly, that come with demand. Landis said she loves learning about new businesses, interesting history and unique locations.

“They’re just more things to share with our visitors,” she said.

The bureau’s offices are located in the historic courthouse in downtown Lewistown. The offices also serve as the visitors bureau, with brochures for local destinations and visitors guides from all over the state. All the special interest tours listed on See Landis / Page 68

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Director, Juniata County Library

By BRANDON MORGAN Sentinel reporter

MIFFLINTOWN — Vince Giordano is the Juniata County Library Director and is a leader every day.

He was a Springfield Township High School (Montgomery County) graduate and went on to get his history degree at Shippensburg University. He later went on to get his Master of Library Information Science degree at the University of Pittsburgh.

Giordano does many things during the day at the library.

Some of the things he takes care of include buying new books for people to read, taking care of all the marketing for the library, training all the volunteers and new employees and taking care of all the social media posts and updates for the library’s Facebook page and website.

“I make sure the library is relevant, vibrant and useful to all people, which is a challenge,” Giordano said. “I do think it is a nice challenge to have because we are different and you don’t have to make so much money to come through our doors. It is open to everyone and we are consistently working with different kinds of people and I love it.”

There is no such thing as a typical day in the life of a librarian. Giordano arrives at the library at 8:30 a.m. to start working through his emails.

This is his only quiet time because things get hectic after that. At 9 a.m., doors open and the public is welcome to come find their next favorite book.

During the day Giordano helps people with technology and finding certain books and going through the old damaged books and finding out which ones to keep and which ones to replace. Giordano wants to make sure the library always has new content.

Every Wednesday, Giordano buys new books that are up to date and popular to readers

Vince Giordano

and every Friday he buys new DVDs for the movie goers.

While Giordano has high expectations for the library and always wants the library to be more modern, funding can be an issue — one he finds is not easily solved. The library is getting the same budget from the state as it received in the 1980s.

“Funding is tough,” Giordano said. “It is hard to give the people what they want.”

Among the first things Giordano would change are better furniture and more funding for more books and movies.

Giordano also keeps up with technology in the library.

All the computers are now updated to Windows 10, the library started using e-books and it offers tech help and lessons on how to work with the technology and better understand it.

“People read in different ways,” Giordano said.

Giordano has goals that keeps him going.

“One of my biggest goals is accessibility,” Giordano said.

“We put in a new stairway outside and hung signs up showing which section of the library you’re in.

“Outreach is another important goal,” Giordano stated. “When I talk to people I ask them, ‘How did you come across the library?’ They will say they came to the park near me for a storytime, or brought books to my school.”

While working on social media gets people interested, Giordano does different projects to show off how interesting the library is. One project is Giordano goes to senior centers and lets senior citizens check out books to read every eight weeks.

“You need to take the library to the people,” Giordano said.

When people go into book stores, there are signs showing which genre of books are where, but in the library, it goes by the Dewey Decimal See Giordano / Page 61

Juniata County Library Director Vince Giordano.

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Asst. Principal, Athletic Director, Greenwood Middle/High School

Adam Sheaffer

By BRADLEY KREITZER Sentinel reporter

MILLERSTOWN — “Why me?”

That was the question Adam Sheaffer of the Greenwood School District had about being selected to be part of Juniata Valley Magazine this year.

Best guess? Well, that would be the fact that Sheaffer holds two important leadership roles at the Greenwood School District. Sheaffer serves as assistant principal at the Greenwood Middle/High School as well as athletic director for the district.

Having both roles means each day on the job brings different challenges.

“Some days are very hectic.

Some days it’s tough to manage the time between the two.

Particularly if it’s a day with bad weather and depending on what else is going on.”

Sheaffer said. “I am very fortunate that I have a lot of good people around me.”

The people that Sheaffer is referring to are the administrative staff as well as the coaches at the Greenwood School District.

Having both roles means Sheaffer is not only involved in the students lives’ but that of the parents and community as well.

“Many times I am the first voice that people hear from.

Particularly if they are involved in athletic events,” he said.

Sheaffer puts in a lot of time at Greenwood, especially with his position as athletic director.

When asked what advice he’d give to someone wanting to be an athletic director Sheaffer said there are a lot of advantages to the position but be prepared to put in the time and have a very limited time away from the district or the school building.

“With my wife working and coaching and doing everything else, people would always say ‘How do you guys

do it?’ I’ve always relied on or think the answer is in quality (time) not in quantity.” Sheaffer said. “When we are both off and around our kids we try to make it a quality event not so much the days spent together.”

Sheaffer and his wife have three children, two daughters and a son.

“When my kids were young the part I disliked is that there was a lot of things I missed of my kids’ stuff coming up , but as they got older they were here (middle/high school).

And we knew that. That was a give and take going into this position.”

Sheaffer said there are also a lot of advantages to the position as well.

“Obviously I enjoy working with young adults, middle school through high school students, so that is an advantage every single day,” Sheaffer said.

A typical day for Sheaffer begins around 6:30 or 6:45 in the morning. If there are no games scheduled and nothing major happens at the school that needs disciplinary action, Sheaffer will usually get to leave at 3:30 in the afternoon.

On days when Greenwood has junior varsity games scheduled Sheaffer will work straight through until 6 or 6:30 in the evening.

“I’m fortunate enough that I live close enough that I can go home, grab a sandwich, let the dog out and then turn around and come back in.” Sheaffer said, “So I get a little bit of that de-escalation before it starts back up again.”

Sheaffer is a graduate of Juniata High School and returned to teach there for a number of years. Sheaffer said there wasn’t really any specific thing he took from his time as a student or educator at Juniata that he incorporated into his position at Greenwood.

“I think we all learn from our environments. We all pick up things here and there that we learn and store away,” See Sheaffer / Page 61

Sentinel photo by BRADLEY KREITZER

Adam Sheaffer is Greenwood’s assistant high school principal and athletic director.

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Athletic Director, Mifflin County School District

By KYLE BRADY

Tish Maclay

Sentinel sports reporter

LEWISTOWN — Tish Maclay is no stranger to Mifflin County.

She attended Brown Elementary and Kishacoquillas High School before becoming a part of Indian Valley High School’s first graduating class.

Maclay went on to get her bachelor’s degree from Elizabethtown College and a teaching certification from Concordia University.

In 2015, Maclay was teaching and coaching at Mifflin County High School when the athletic director, Matt Shoemaker, announced that he was vacating the position. With the support from her sons John Michael and Isaac, as well as her mentor, former State College Area School District athletic director Peg Penepacker, the Mifflin County native decided to throw her hat into the ring. “(I was) a long-time coach at all levels, (as well as an) official, parent and athlete,” Maclay said. “The opportunity presented itself for sports administration and I hoped to make a difference.”

On June 30, 2015, Maclay officially became Mifflin County school district’s AD, a title she still holds.

The job, which Maclay likens to “a fire chief putting out fires” has proven to be a challenge, but one that has come with many rewards.

“I enjoy seeing our athletes reach their full potential (as well as) working with others to improve Mifflin County athletics,” Maclay said.

Part of running an entire school district’s athletic program requires a certain connection with the community.

Maclay incorporates the opinions of the community when it comes to making big decisions so she can gauge which options might prove to be the most beneficial and well-received.

“Mifflin County has a strong athletic tradition. Many people

Mifflin County Athletic Director Tish Maclay. have strong opinions regarding how athletic programs should run and who should coach, et cetera,” Maclay said.

“I feel any decision an athletic administrator makes impacts the community. I try to get the community involved and supportive of the entire athletic program, its coaches and its student-athletes.”

For all of the work Maclay

does in the public eye, she also has many responsibilities behind closed doors. Maclay handles small tasks like answering phone calls and returning emails to the more higher profile tasks of approving budgets, scheduling all aspects of sporting events and dealing with disciplinary issues revolving around set regulations.

Mifflin County School District photo

Just like most people when it comes to their profession, Maclay sets goals for herself that all involved the betterment of those around her, and the entire program. “(I want to) treat people fairly, ensure they know they are appreciated, upgrade our facilities, improve the culture of Mifflin County athletics and continual professional devel-

opment for our coaches and student-athletes to grow,” Maclay said.

While Maclay already has enough on her plate with the day-to-day operations of Mifflin County athletics, she has one big goal in mind for her program — one that involves an entire makeover for the Huskies’ facilities, that would hopefully not just improve athletic performances, but present more financial opportunities in the future.

“For Mifflin County to have an athletic complex with at least two turf fields to allow our athletes to compete with other schools in the regular season and playoffs,” Maclay said about her biggest desire for the school district. “Schools without turf are no longer permitted to host postseason events, and more and more schools will not schedule events with schools that do not have turf.”

When Maclay decides that it is time to move on, she hopes that her tenure will be remembered fondly by those she interacted with over the years. “(I would like to) be remembered as a leader who cared See Maclay / Page 60

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Klinger

Continued from Page 55

money is what attracts workers to the job,” Klinger said.

If you weren’t doing the job you have now, what would you be doing? Some people don’t really have an answer for this question. Klinger said “I would own my own do it all repair shop. Working with things from guns to appliances to building cabinets or repairing furniture down to plumbing and electrical and furnace repair.

“I love fixing things, except vehicles. I don’t enjoy that anymore.”

Being a road worker is hard work, but when you stack that on top of being the president of a borough council, it makes it much harder on an individual.

Klinger prides himself on being a hardworking individual who will do anything to make sure the job gets done in or out of the office. When you wear multiple hats like Klinger does it can be overwhelming,

Maclay

Continued from Page 59

about people and made Mifflin County athletics a great experience for all of those that participated and to secure funding for the development of a modern outdoor athletic complex for Mifflin County School District,” she said.

Name: Tish Maclay Job: Mifflin County Athletic Director Town where you live: Reedsville Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Brown Elementary, Kish HS, Indian Valley HS How many children, how old? Grandchildren? Four kids. Two boys: John Michael Maclay 23, and Isaac Maclay, 21. Two stepdaughters: Addie Wise 26, and Lexie Wise 22.

Why did you choose this profession/activity?

Long time coach of athletics at all

but he uses his never-give-up attitude to push through and help keep the community running safe and sound.

Name: Samuel Klinger Job: Road construction Town where you live: Mifflintown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Juniata High School, vo-tech Why did you choose this profession/activity? I needed more income at the time and I always wanted to run equipment.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Succeeding and living comfortably What would you like your legacy to be? That you can get more out of life by having friends than you can by having money.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? Reloading, camping, squirrel hunting, cutting firewood, fixing chainsaws What are you afraid of? Losing my eyesight and our cur-

levels, official, parent, athlete — opportunity presented itself for sports administration and I hoped to make a difference.

Who had a great influence on your choice? John Michael and Isaac Maclay — very supportive of my decisions and encouraged growth and development. Peg Penepacker — former State College AD — great mentor and encouraged professional development through PSADA and NIAAA What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Not one single accomplishment but working to change the athletic culture of Mifflin County What would you like your legacy to be? Be remembered as a leader who cared about people and made Mifflin County athletics a great experience for all those that participated and to secure funding for the development of a modern outdoor athletic complex for MCSD

rently sitting Democrats.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? When my parents will leave to go somewhere I would take the upstairs windows out of the house and me and my neighbors and one or two sisters and I would run through the house and see who could jump the farthest out the window.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Achiever What is a place you’d like to visit? Heaven What is the last book you read? Hornady reloading manual What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Chocolate marshmallow What’s on your pizza? Meat What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Gunsmoke” and “Andy Griffith Show” What super power would you like to have? Mind reader What is your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike most? Black; I don’t dislike any color, properly placed they are all amazing

What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Hiking, going to the beach, spending time with my children What are you afraid of?

Losing people in my life that are special to me What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Took all the clothes out of my drawer and sat in it until someone found me If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Charismatic What is a place you’d like to visit? Greece What is the last book you read? “Becoming” by Michele Obama What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Rocky Road What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, black olives, onions, sweet peppers What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Remember the Titans” and “Miracle”

Ahern

Continued from Page 54

Outside of her involvement as senior class president, Ahern carries a full schedule.

She serves as vice president of National Honor Society, is involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student council, Principal’s Cabinet, Ski Club, Key Club and plays varsity softball.

She arrives at school about a half-hour early to attend club meetings and ends the day either at the weight room or softball practice, depending on the time of year.

School activities are typically followed by two to three hours worth of homework, she said.

Name: Olivia Ahern Job: Senior class president, Mifflin County Town where you live?

Lewistown What are your plans postgraduation? I plan to attend a four-year university to obtain a bachelor’s degree in premedicine, go to medical school, and eventually become a dermatologist after completing my residency.

Who has had a great influence on you? My mother and father What is your proudest achievement? I am proud to say that I made the Top Gun All-American softball team in Kansas City. Approximately 200 teams from across the United States compete in this tournament, which is one of the biggest softball events annually, and I was one of the few girls to make the all-star

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

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What would you like your legacy to be? I would like to be remembered as a selfless, driven and kindhearted person who was always looking out for others.

What are your hobbies/interests? I love to play softball, snowboard, play guitar, and fish.

What are you afraid of?

Heights What is the oddest thing you did as a child? As a child, I got extremely paranoid and cried every time I heard a plane fly near our home because I thought it would crash into us.

What is one thing that people might be surprised to learn about you? I was born in Arkansas, so I’m not originally from this area.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Compassionate What is a place you’d like to visit? Pompeii What is the last book you read? “Wuthering Heights” What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Vanilla What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni, mushrooms and banana peppers Dog or cat? Cat What is your favorite movie or TV show? “The Vampire Diaries” What super power would you like to have? Immortality What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike the most? Favorite — blue; least favorite — orange

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Giordano Continued from Page 57

System. Since most people don’t understand the system, Giordano made handouts all over the library showing people how to read the numbers and what they all mean. He also put up signs as well to make it feel more like a bookstore. This helped the library become more user friendly.

Being a librarian is tough, but there are a lot of great things that come with the job.

“I enjoy training and working with staff the most,” Giordano said. “Before this, I worked five years in York in customer service. Everyday I was working with people directly. Sadly, I don’t get to do that as much now, but with having a small enough library, I still have direct ground contact with my staff and volunteers.”

Giordano, during his time at Shippensburg University, had a minor in secondary education and used to be a teacher. He is accustomed to

Sheaffer

Continued from Page 58

Sheaffer said. “Are there interactions with people or were there interactions with people that shaped me? Definitely. I think that has happened everywhere.”

Sheaffer said that students have changed and the way you deal and react with them has changed throughout his years as an educator and administrator. Sheaffer acknowledged he changed as well, noting that if would ever go back to coaching that the way he was coaching in the past and the way he is now would be two different things as well.

Serving two separate roles with the Greenwood School District, Sheaffer he has two main goals he always tries to accomplish.

“I want us to succeed at a high level, but not at any cost athletically,” Sheaffer said. “As far as administratively goes, I want kids to feel that it (school) is a safe place to come in, day in and day out, to learn at the best of their ability.”

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

being the boss, but in the library, every volunteer has their strengths. When Giordano needs help with a subject he doesn’t fully understand, there is always someone with a strong understanding with that subject in the library to help him or a customer out.

“I like being able to work as a team,” Giordano said. “I work with all different ages.

We have someone that is 20 years old and another person that is 62. They both have totally different experiences and they even teach me some things, too.”

If Giordano was not a librarian, he would like to build websites. The library website was made by Giordano.

“I like troubleshooting things,” Giordano said. “I like finding out why something broke and finding out ways to fix things.”

A the Juniata County Library, Giordano makes sure learning and reading never stop.

Name: Vince Giordano

Name: Adam Sheaffer Job: Assistant principal, athletic director, Greenwood Middle/High School Town where you live: Millerstown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Juniata High School, bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven, master’s degree/certification from Shippensburg Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? At a party. Married for 28 years.

How many children, how *Carpet

Job: Librarian for Juniata County Library Town where you live: Milroy Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Springfield Township High School, Shippensburg University (History Major, Secondary Education Minor), University of Pittsburgh (Masters of Library Information Science.)

Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together?

Young adult church group in Chambersburg. Married 10 years.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I have always believed in helping others and I especially like finding information and using technology. In libraries I can help people find books and information and use computers and emerging technology to do that.

Who had a great influence on your choice? A previous boss of mine, Mina Edmondson from the Martin Library in York, taught me a lot about technology, library themes and ethics and diplomatically working with others.

What is your proudest

old? Three: 24, 20 and 18 Why did you choose this profession/activity? Enjoy working with young people Who had a great influence on your choice? Many people influenced me What is your won’t forget work-related moment? I will always remember putting a state championship medal on my daughter’s neck.

What would you like your legacy to be? Treid to do things fairly and the correct way What are your

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Helping the York County Library Systems migrate their integrated library systems.

This included reviewing policies for lending and library cards, working with vendors, troubleshooting and beta testing and finally training staff and volunteers at 13 other libraries.

What would you like your legacy to be? My legacy, so far, has been streamlining and modernizing the Juniata County Library. I have either hired or promoted staff to new positions and seen them grow in their skills and confidence. I have trained and coached staff to deal with issues they experience at work.

Overall I have invested in the personal and professional growth of my staff and in turn helped serve our patrons in great ways.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? I volunteer my time helping the GPS app Waze. I edit the map and ensure road closures are entered in it, places have accurate information and navigating throughout Pennsylvania is userfriendly.

hobbies/outside interests?

Hiking, hunting and spending time outdoors What are you afraid of?

Sending a team to an away game that the other school doesn’t have on their schedule What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Enjoyed liver and spinach as a meal on my birthday If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Honest What is a place you’d like to visit? Revisit Germany or

Lewistown, PA—61

What are you afraid of? I can often be afraid of making big changes or commitments because I don’t want to go back out and appear like a flake or not having thought things through well enough.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? A friend and I were locked out of my house. No one was home. I threw a fire extinguisher through my own home’s screen porch window to get us in.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Thinker What is a place you’d like to visit? Russia What is the last book you read? “The Outsider” by Stephen King What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Anything with peanut butter What’s on your pizza? Either sweet peppers or pepperoni What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Game of Thrones” and “The Wire” What super power would you like to have? Mind reading What is your favorite color? Green

Switzerland What is the last book you read? “Unbroken” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Butter pecan What’s on your pizza?

Everything What is your favorite movie or TV show? I still watch “M*A*S*H” reruns What super power would you like to have? Being able to fly What is your favorite color? Which one do you disike most? Blue; Brown

62—Lewistown, PA

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Executive Director, United Way of Mifflin-Juniata

By BRANDON MORGAN Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — Oksana DeArment, Executive Director of United Way of Mifflin-Juniata, is a leader that cares about making her community a better place.

She was born and raised in Ukraine. DeArment left home and her family during her teenage years to travel to the United States. Once there, she wanted to get an education and start a new chapter in her life here.

DeArment met her husband in Lewistown, which led to her working at United Way. At United Way, DeArment is in charge of raising local funds for agencies in the community.

DeArment is also in charge of working to discover issues within the agencies.

DeArment also takes care of all the day-to-day office jobs, meetings with the community, takes part in some boards and committees, visits future donors and works on presentations. She also mails letters to potential donors and organizations twice a year to ask for donations.

“Our mission is to mobilize the caring power of the community and improve people’s lives,” DeArment said. “We help raise money to help support the local community.”

DeArment has many goals she sets for herself at her workplace.

“My biggest goal for myself is to reach my campaign goal,” DeArment said. “This is the biggest purpose of my job. $450,000 is the goal for 2020.

Last year had the same goal and it was surpassed. I would like to do the same this year.

“A side goal for myself is to work with others. I want to address and help local needs.

Relationship building is the key.”

To be good at her job, communication, working with others and having a go get it attitude is needed.

She enjoys that she is making a difference while she talks

Oksana DeArment

to different people with her job.

“Going to companies and asking them to support United Way is what I do,” DeArment said.

DeArment wants to be trusted by the people she works with. DeArment said one of her biggest dislikes about her job is she doesn’t want to be known as the person that is always asking for money, even though it is going to a worthy cause.

“No one really enjoys asking for money,” DeArment said. “I’m asking for money for a good cause. Once you have that relationship build, they will trust you and it is no longer a bad thing.”

One thing DeArment would like to change about her job is to have more staff to help her by taking over some responsibilities in the office.

This would allow her to breathe and have more time to raise money for United Way. If she wasn’t at her job right now, DeArment said she would like to travel around the world and would like to visit France.

Name: Oksana DeArment Job: Executive Director of United Way of Mifflin-Juniata Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Chertezh Elementary School (small village school in western Ukraine), New Hope-Solebury High School in New Hope, Pa., and Dickinson College in Carlisle.

Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long together? I met my husband Steven at Dickinson College.

We have been together for 22 years and married for almost 20 years.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? I have one daughter, Mackenzie, who is a senior at Mifflin County High School (17 years old).

Why did you choose this profession/activity? I chose this profession because I like helping others. United Way collaborates with and funds

Sentinel file photo

Oksana DeArment, second from right, and Mifflin County Commisioners, from left, Kevin Kodish, Mark Sunderland and Rob Postal, proclaim ‘United Way Month’ in January.

agencies that address community needs. I enjoy working with others to bring together programs and solutions that

will strengthen our community.

Who had a great influence on your choice? I have been

helping others through volunteering my entire adult life.

See DeArment / Page 68

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Travis Quici watches his team in action during a game earlier this season. Quici, the longtime coach of East Juniata’s girls basketball team, added another line on his resume when he became the athletic director for both Juniata and East Juniata. He is also a librarian in the school district.

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Travis Quici

By WILLIAM WHISLER Sentinel sports editor

MIFFLINTOWN — Travis Quici mans the bench, pacing and pointing with purpose, barking out instructions to his players on the floor with the type of eagerness and enthusiasm that is only a microcosm into the life of a man that juggles three different jobs seamlessly within the Juniata County School District.

Quici wears many hats, serving as a librarian, an athletic director of both Juniata County schools by day and the East Juniata girls’ basketball coach by night in the winter months.

His job consists of early mornings, tireless hours and late evenings, but the job is one that is perfect for Quici, considering his love for sports.

An average day for Quici begins around 4:30 a.m. Quici

starts his day by checking his email and getting caught up with anything that may have happened at night. He then checks the weather to make sure that the sports schedule will not be impacted by any changes.

Upon arriving at school, Quici checks in with the office to get his day started.

“When I get to school, the first thing I do is check in with my secretaries,” Quici said. “They are both phenomenal and are the reason that I can do my job as well as I can.

My library duties come first. I do have the ability to perform my AD duties during most of the day. I check the daily athletic schedule and confirm that games are still on as scheduled. At the end of the day from November to March, basketball takes over.

Games or practice, then another hour home. During the fall and spring, it’s out to check on our teams and

coaches before the commute home.”

Quici’s work allows him to serve the community’s youth in multiple roles.

“Having multiple jobs allows me to have different impacts on the students and the community,” Quici said. “As a librarian, I see most of the high school students on a daily basis. I am huge proponent of teaching the students to be life-long learners.

“As an athletic director, I have a different set of responsibilities that have an impact on the community,” Quici continued. “The fanbase is very passionate and invested in the high school sports scene. They want our teams to be successful on the field and court. I want our student-athletes to experience that success as well. The lessons they learn from winning and losing will set them up for experiences See Quici / Page 69

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Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Mifflin County Historical Society

By BRADLEY KREITZER Sentinel reporter

LEWISTOWN — Much of Mifflin County’s past is being preserved thanks to the efforts being made by the people of the Mifflin County Historical Society. One such person who delves into the local history is board member Forest Fisher.

Fisher has been on the board of directors for 25 years, an officer in the society for several terms, served as president for five years and is currently vice president of the society.

“Our society is sort of divided into three phases,” Fisher said. “Genealogy, which the research library is involved with. Historical collections, which is the McCoy House Museum, and the other is what I sort of think of as the educational aspect — the community school interaction we are involved with.”

Fisher’s role at the society includes all three phases as his responsibilities are broad with varying depths of involvement. “One of the challenges is to be able to adequately care for the items that are donated to us,” Fisher said. “For many years we would receive things and some of them would be on display, but in a small museum we have limited display space so most of them would be stored.”

Fisher says the historical society is at a point now that they are working on a heating, ventilation and air conditioning in the McCoy House Museum, which will make it a more environmentally controlled space. The upgrades are possible through grant money acquired through the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Another challenge that faces Fisher and the society are securing volunteers to work in the McCoy House or research library. When they do find someone interested in volunteering the society

Forest Fisher

looks to the volunteer to express what their area of interest is.

“If they are interested in the genealogy end of it, doing research and working with scanners and equipment and the resources of this area (research library), then we let them come here,” Fisher said.

“The seasoned volunteers are the ones who help train them.”

The historical society does have written guidelines of board policies for volunteers of the museum and research library to give them an outline of the requirements. The historical society is in the process of digitizing many of the older documents so physically handling the original document is not necessary.

“We would be looking for people who are technologically savvy or at least not afraid to get into the technology so that they can better fulfill that task of digitizing,” Fisher said.

Fisher’s interest when he first joined the Mifflin County Historical Society was old photographs.

“Having come from a family of photographers on my mom’s side, photographs were always a special interest,” Fisher said. “I was able to work with and document and scan and use in a lot of society publication those old photographs. So that was one of my goals was to work with those and better preserve them.”

Fisher stressed the importance of being able to retrieve photographs that visitors want to view from the archives.

“You have to be able to find it. Know where it’s filed and how it’s filed and that sort of thing,” Fisher said.

“That has been an ongoing, challenging project of digitizing, numbering, cataloging.

Never-ending.”

The society sometimes has no problem finding things to archive into their system.

“We are at an age right now where attics are being

Sentinel photo by BRADLEY KREITZER

Forest Fisher is a board member of the Mifflin County Historical Society.

cleared out. Homes are closed. A generation has passed on and the families are left with these things.

They think, ‘What do we do with them?’” Fisher asked.

“We’re sort of like Mifflin County’s attic. They decide to bring them in here. And many things we can take but it does get overwhelming.”

Being overwhelmed with

items, documents and photographs is one of the downsides that Fisher and the society face. They combat this See Fisher / Page 69

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Juniata County District Attorney

Cory Snook

By TABITHA GOODLING Sentinel correspondent

MIFFLINTOWN — Cory Snook has had a desire to help people since he was a child watching old Perry Mason reruns.

Snook is starting his third term as Juniata County District Attorney. He grew up in Juniata County and was asked to consider running for the position in a special election when former DA Kenneth Mummah was elected judge.

Snook kept much of the same staff when he transferred from his private practice and was elected DA. “Everyone in the criminal justice system works together as a team here,” he said.

Snook worked 10 years in law clerkship with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, which he said helped prepare him for the role of DA. “I received a lot of insight on legal issues and death penalty cases,” Snook said.

He said when it came time to open his own practice, Snook was certain he wanted to do that in Juniata County.

It was during his time in the private practice that he received that call to consider running for DA. “I wanted to help the community. I knew it was a lot of responsibility, but rewarding,” he explained.

Snook said he originally had interest in law watching those old Perry Mason reruns as a child. He never thought he would end up as DA of his home county, though.

The most difficult aspect of his job is helping people who are victims of sexual assault.

“It’s not that it happens more, but ever since the (Jerry) Sandusky situation happened, more people are comfortable reporting,” he said.

Another frustration is helping people understand there is a difference between crim-

inal law and civil law. The DA can’t help someone disputing his neighbor over property boundaries, Snook said.

However, dealing with various personalities is a learning experience in the role of DA. “You have to wear many hats and deal with a vast array of people,” he said, adding he may encounter cases with the same crimes committed that “looks similar on paper,” he said, but the individuals in the case may be extremely different in personality and how they handle the issues.

Snook has learned an ability to be flexible as well as discerning in his role. No matter how hard the case, they do not all end like perfectly planned like the conclusion of Perry Mason episode — which may be a good thing for Snook, since the DA rarely won against Perry Mason.

In the end, he is simply doing what he promised to do.

“It’s rewarding just being able to help people,” he said.

Name: Cory Snook Job: Juniata County District Attorney Town where you live: Mifflintown Where did you go to school? Juniata High School, Lebanon Valley College (B.A. in Political Science), Dickinson School of Law Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? Met through mutual friend; married 14 years How many children?

None Why did you choose this profession/activity? To make a difference in my community What would you like your legacy to be? That I helped make our community a little bit better place to live, work, and raise a family What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Being outdoors, hunting,

cooking, Penn State football What are you afraid of?

Snakes What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Broke my collarbone attempting a cartwheel If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Evenkeeled What is a place you would like to visit? Bavaria What is the last book you read? “Never Settle” by Marty Smith What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Peanut butter ripple What’s on your pizza?

White pizza with chicken and broccoli What super power would you like to have? Invisibility What is your favorite color? Blue

Sentinel photo by TABITHA GOODLING

Juniata County District Attorney Cory Snook.

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

Middlecreek Area Community Center

By GREG WILLIAMS Sentinel correspondent

BEAVER SPRINGS — Michael Bobb doesn’t have any superpowers. To his credit, he doesn’t want them, or even need them.

“You’ve got to live with what God gave you and do the best with what you have,” quipped the 59-year-old executive director of the Middlecreek Area Community Center in Beaver Springs.

Bobb speaks the truth — every day. Whether he is trying to secure funding from a potential donor or convince a prospective member to join, Bobb has the community center in his best interest. It’s been that way since day one for him and his family.

“As executive director, you’ve got to set the vision,” says Bobb, who has held the position since July 2019.

“You’ve got to set a positive tone, understanding our mission and how are we able to serve the community.

“Our ultimate purpose is to make the changes that provide what the community needs,” he adds. “Once you understand that, you can start executing things.”

This is exactly what Bobb has done during his tenure.

He initiated such projects as the installation of cabinets and countertops in the infant/toddler rooms and the front office.

“This has addressed workspace and storage issues in these rooms and has significantly helped the staff do their jobs and to keep the child care areas safe for the children,” Bobb explains.

Bobb began implementing the vision, established two years prior, for a playground at the MACC. Construction in the back lawn area is underway.

“We started the first phase of that project, which was to excavate the area so that it was properly sloped to let the water drain away,” he says.

“This summer, we will com-

Michael Bobb

plete the second phase which is the installation of a fence around the playground area and installing donated playground equipment. As additional funding becomes available, we will purchase and install playground equipment until we have completed the basic playground area to be used for our childcare programs and the MACC membership.”

Bobb admits that he’s had to be very resourceful and creative at times when addressing certain challenges at the community center.

“My main focus has been to improve the business operations at the MACC and increase the number of sources of funding,” Bobb says. “The MACC does not have enough members to cover the operational expenses. The difference has been made up by many generous individual donors, businesses and foundations that have been supporting the MACC for many years.

“Increasing membership has been a focus by starting the scholarship program, adding new activities like instructional field hockey and soccer for youth, improving the overall appearance and utility of the facility and the services offered there,” he adds. “In line with the theme of improving business operations, I have committed to being in the position of executive director for four years so that changes in the business operations and programs and cultural changes that take a long time to implement and cement into place can be affected.”

Bobb believes the creation of the scholarship program is meeting one of the community’s pressing needs, allowing individuals who cannot afford the membership fee to join the MACC. “The community center needs to be available to everyone and this was a way to make that happen,” he says.

Bobb and his staff are regularly evaluating the needs of

Submitted photo

MACC Executive Director Michael Bobb, right, and members of his staff, from left, Lindsey Anderson, Megan Boyd and Angela Keiser. the community. A responsive community center will be more successful, he believes.

“Part of the business operations improvement is to make a community needs assessment a systematic part of what we do,” Bobb says. “We routinely repeat the question to ourselves, ‘Why are we here?’ so that we’re constantly assessing whether the activity we are performing is in line with our mission statement, Making Our Community Stronger.

“We are adding a significant number of new board members to ensure that a cross-section of the community — both skills and geographically — are represented in the leadership at the MACC so that community needs will come to light and are effectively addressed in what we do at the MACC,” he adds.

The community center was designed to serve everyone — individuals both young and old.

“We want to make sure everyone in the community is See Bobb / Page 72

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Lewistown, PA—67

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JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Class president, Juniata High School have to be really good to be on a sports team, but at our school you can be average and still compete and get better,” she said. “I think that helps different groups mesh together.”

Outside of school, Stroup can be found working at the The Cream Stop in McAlisterville.

Submitted photo

Anna Stroup is Juniata High School senior class president.

ic athet p m E ess F a ir n

What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike the most? I like pale blue and dislike orange

or tiveendable p p u S Dep

ciall Fin an g tron

or TV show? “Bridge of Spies” What super power would you like to have? Time travel, but only back in time

E I C V ty i R n u E S ionComm nsible l in l a e Abov

Prote

Caring

Name: Anna Stroup Job: Senior class president, Juniata High School Town where you live? Port Royal What are your plans postgraduation? Attend a four-year college and run track there Who has had a great influence on you? My teachers at JHS What is your proudest achievement? Beating Juniata High School’s girls 4x100meter relay record in track and making it to states my junior year What would you like your legacy to be? To be a lifelong learner and learn from my mistakes What are your hobbies/interests? Track and field, swimming, SADD club, newspaper editor, piano, working at The Creme Stop, student government, church youth group What is your useless talent?

I can write in cursive really well.

What are you afraid of?

Opossums What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Memorized whole movies and repeated them constantly What is something people might be surprised to learn about you? I really like to read a lot and have time to myself.

People might find that surprising because I’m really outgoing.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Exuberant What is a place you’d like to visit? Greece What is the last book you read? “Rebecca,” by Daphne Du Maurier What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cookie dough What’s on your pizza? Extra cheese Cat or dog? Dog What is your favorite movie

elpful

MIFFLINTOWN — Keeping a senior class of about 150 in touch after graduation is a task that Juniata High School senior class president Anna Stroup, along with other class officers, are prepared to handle.

Class officers are tasked with arranging events like class fundraisers, dances, graduation and class reunions, and managing the class funds.

“I think we will be able to stay close through social media,” she said. “A long time ago, they only had addresses and word of mouth, but now in five minutes, I can text every single person in my class. I think that will make it easy to keep in touch with people.

“Of course, you can’t make everyone stick around and come to the reunions, but I think we will because we’ve been a rather close class.”

Her class at Juniata High School is one of the biggest in many years, she said.

“I think you can tell that by the variety of people we have.

We have very good athletes, very good people in academics, very talented musicians and some that are all three,” she said.

As someone who is involved in a variety of activities — including track, swimming and being newspaper editor to name a few — Stroup’s sociable personality makes her an ideal candidate for a role like class president.

“I am friends with a lot of people and am involved with a lot of different groups and activities,” Stroup explained. “I think that is a good person to have for class president so that all groups of people are represented.”

However, she would not be able to do it on her own.

“All of the officers have just as much input and power as I do and they’re all very important,” she said. “I think someone who knows a lot of people and wants to keep the class together through reunions, likes

working with other people and has a little free time would be good for this position.”

Stroup also enjoys planning events, which will come in handy over the next several weeks as she and her classmates organize graduation, class night and baccalaureate.

“I’m excited to plan graduation and class night with class officers,” she said.

Class officers are also tasked with putting together a PowerPoint presentation that is played during the meal that is served prior to graduation. The PowerPoint displays each student and groups of friends.

With monies raised through fundraisers, class officers help direct where the funds are allocated.

“We do things to help out some fellow students. If they have a loved one that passed away or if they are having a hard time, we can help them out that way,” she said.

While she already has a full plate, if she could do more in her role, she says she would like to make it easier for students to receive tutoring.

“It is available, but it is a little awkward for people to ask for help,” she said.

Stroup said she might utilize technology in some way to help students feel more at ease about asking.

Outside of her role as class president, Stroup said she enjoys working closely with her teachers and peers.

“I think (my peers) help each other out a lot with academics.

It helps to keep everything competitive,” she said.

Stroup strives to keep up with her academics, as well as the athletics she is involved in, adding that the top 10 students are very close academically in vying for the roles of valedictorian and salutatorian.

“I think that’s pretty impressive,” she said.

She also likes that — because she attends a small school — student-athletes who might not be able to participate at other schools get the chance to compete.

“At a bigger school, you

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DeArment Continued from Page 62

There are many individuals that played a role in me pursuing this particular position in human services. One individual specifically convinced me that my past experience with community outreach and volunteering would make me a good fit for this position.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

The proudest work achievement for me in my current role is that we surpassed our 2019 campaign goal. I certainly had a lot of help from my staff, Board members and the communities that we serve.

What would you like your legacy to be? I have never thought of this before but I guess if I had to choose something it would be that I was part of making a difference in the community.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? I love to travel.

Our favorite place to visit is Walt Disney World in Forida.

What are you afraid of?

Snakes.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? I don’t have anything really odd that I did, or at least not anything that I can recall. Leaving my family as a 14-year-old to move across the world not speaking the language is probably not odd, but certainly a bit crazy.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Thoughtful What is a place you’d like to visit? I don’t have a specific place that I would like to visit but I would love to go to Northern Italy.

What is the last book you read? “Desire, Discipline and Determination” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? It’s a tie between Death by Chocolate from the Penn State Berkey Creamery and Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

What’s on your pizza? I love veggie pizzas but my favorite is probably mushrooms, green peppers and onions.

What is your favorite movie or TV show? “Pretty Woman” and “Survivor.”

What super power would you like to have? I would love to be able to fly.

What is your favorite color? Which one do you disike most? Light blue; Orange.

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

The Sentinel

Landis

JUNIATA VALLEY MAGAZINE

Continued from Page 56

the bureau’s website are available in paper form at the courthouse.

“They are a great resource for guests coming for the weekend, family reunions and other groups wanting to discover the Juniata River Valley,” Landis said.

The bureau has welcomed people from all corners of the world, as well as locals looking for something new to do.

Landis said the largest category of visitors is family and friends who return to visit.

“Many of them are stuck in the same rut, going to the same places” she said.

Landis hopes visitors will expand their knowledge of the area by trying something new.

However, it is getting harder to make an impact. As social media algorithms change and print resources continue to divide into smaller demographics, Landis said advertising decisions become more difficult to make.

“We started collecting data on our efforts early last year and will use that to help guide us through this new year,” she said.

A job like Landis’ is best suited for someone who is comfortable talking with strangers.

“This is not a job for an introvert,” she said.

Volunteering is the best way to get “behind the scenes” and learn about what goes into making things happen on a local level, Landis explained.

If she were not welcoming visitors to the Juniata River Valley, Landis would still have a job mingling with residents of her community.

“I’ve been saying this for

years,” she started. “In my next lifetime, I will sell ice cream from a fiberglass igloo and have a blast making up crazy promotions to build business.”

Name: Jenny Barron Landis Job: Executive Director, Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau Town where you live: Lewistown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)?

Buchanan Elementary, LAHS Class of 1979, Parson’s School of Design, NYC. I have a BFA in communication design.

Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? Married to Dave Landis, 28 years. Met in Miss Arseniu’s third grade class at Buchanan How many children, how old? Grandchildren? None Why did you choose this profession/activity? I had to grow into it. As a child, I was shy in public (but not at home!). Eventually, I found my confidence as well as a passion for making things happen. Representing rural tourism relies on creating reasons to visit. It’s a joy to share things I’ve known all my life and package them into interesting things someone from out of town can appreciate.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? My mom, Audrey Barron, was very involved in this community as a volunteer. She was keyed in on helping people with disabilities and developing places for teens to go to stay out of trouble. I watched her take pride and great satisfaction in accomplishing projects but didn’t really get the picture until I started volunteering with the MJ Arts Council when I moved back

here after college.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

As event coordinator at The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, my job was to represent the newspaper at community events. Over almost 10 years at that job, I built a list of “Fabulous Volunteers” that would help me staff our booth at events like business fairs, community events and larger happenings like the Farm Show. I had recruited and maintained a list of 50 to 90 fellow employees that were ready to donate time to represent The Patriot-News. I worked hard to make their free time fun while as a group, we were representing the newspaper. I will always be proud of that list of volunteers.

What would you like your legacy to be? To be one of many people here trying to build access and appreciation for the arts in the Juniata River Valley.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? I like to make things. I sell pins, magnets, and Good Fortune Cards through my micro-business called JayBeeYell (a take off on my initials). I also host workshops and volunteer for the MJ Arts Council. We provide a free craft every First Friday in the back room of East End Coffee Co. I’m on the historical society board of directors and am working on a spring event to highlight the Logan Guard story — something I think everyone in this county should know. I’m also currently working with Ryan

Cherry on another “Heart Bombing” event where we show attention to blighted and ignored buildings in this community and get others to see them, sometime for the very first time. FYI — we’re changing the name of the project to These Places Matter.

What are you afraid of?

Bats in my house. They’re fine outside but they look like pterodactyls indoors.

What is the oddest thing you did as a child? I was terribly shy. No one would guess that about me now.

If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Tall What is a place you’d like to visit? The list is long but right now, I’d like to see the Tim Burton exhibit in Las Vegas.

What is the last book you read? “What I Found in a Thousand Small Towns” by Dar Williams.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Anything that has a lot of bits and pieces in it like pretzels, peanuts, marshmallows, etc.

What’s on your pizza? Ham and pineapple. Yes, I admit to liking pineapple on pizza.

Favorite TV show? My guilty pleasure is “The Curse of Oak Island.” Will they ever find treasure? No. What super power would you like? Ability to get a good night’s sleep.

Favorite color? Must be orange since I own a lot of orange things. All colors are useful when you craft but I really don’t like baby blue.

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that they will have in life.”

As a coach, Quici’s goal is to influence his players on the court and in life.

“Being a positive role model for my players and setting a positive example is crucial,” he said. “I understand that the spotlight is often on coaches and they are looked to as leaders.”

The biggest goals for Quici in his work include communicating well so that everything can run as efficiently as possible.

“I want to be proactive — keep open lines of communication with everyone,” he said. “Getting out in front of issues and problems makes everything go smoother.

When the coaches and student athletes are informed, they can focus on the task at hand. The coaches know that they are supported, and I try to keep them involved as much as possible in the decision-making process. Being a coach myself, I understand the daily grind that they go through and want to be there to support them.”

The best parts of Quici’s job include being around sports each day and the negatives can often be faced through social media and criticism.

“Honestly, I love most aspects of my duties,” Quici said. “There are some challenges that all athletic directors and coaches face. I think the most obvious is dealing with criticism. When we sign up for positions like this, it is a given that eventually we will be challenged and that our decisions will be questioned.

Fair or not, the prevalence of social media has allowed for everyone to have their opinions about choices that are made. At the end of the day though, we do what we can to allow our teams and athletes to be successful give then many constraints that we face.”

One thing that keeps Quici organized is an old-fashioned paper calendar that allows him to have a backup to easily see what’s on the schedule each day.

Ultimately, Quici thinks that his job has a lot to offer for anyone interested in sports

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and making a difference for kids through athletics.

“I think the best way to attract anyone into any profession is to be positive about the situations and show them all that it has to offer,” he said.

“Teaching and coaching is hard. You have to love it to wake up every day and do it.

When we think of it every day as who we are and what we do, instead of “time to go to work,” and that is observed by others, they will want to be part of it.”

Name: Travis Quici Job Title: Juniata County School District High School Librarian, Athletic Director, East Juniata girls varsity basketball coach Town where you live: I sleep in Bellefonte but spend most of my time in McAlisterville or Mifflintown Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Pleasant Gap Elementary, Bellefonte Area High School and Clarion University Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? Married 10 Years How many children, how old? Grandchildren? No children. One fur baby Why did you choose this profession/activity? To have an impact on as many people as possible by sharing my love for athletics with others.

Who has had a great influence on your choice? My parents. Both teachers and dad coached many years at Bellefonte. I’ve also had some great coaches and mentors along the way. The late Skip Coleman was my high school basketball coach. We were not a successful team in regards to wins and losses, but he made us realize that success can’t always be measured that way.

What is your proudest work-related achievement?

A tie — to see former players get into coaching (Steph Yetter, Lauren Maguire, Caitlin Hoover, Harley Straub and more to come I am sure). Realizing that I can have that type of influence that others would want to pursue coaching and leave their impact on our young athletes. Winning my 100th game as a head coach and to do it at Bald Eagle Area (my high school

rival) will stand out as one of my top personal moments.

What would you like your legacy to be? I want my players to look back and remember the “stuff,” not necessarily the wins and losses or single games. The life lessons (working for something you want, being accountable to other people, believing in yourself even in the face of adversity) and from the moments spent with their teammates (team camp, holiday party, bus rides, team meals) What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Penn State football (supervisor at Beaver Stadium) and fantasy sports What are you afraid of?

Snakes What is the oddest thing you did as a child? I was like 5 or 6 and I stuck a little pebble in my nose. My mom still talks about the ER doctor using a paperclip to get it out.

If you could only use one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Committed What is a place you’d like to visit? Cuba What is the last book you read? “They Call Me Coach,”

by John Wooden What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Peanut butter cup What’s on your pizza? Pepperoni What is your favorite movie or TV show? ”Game of Thrones” — not even close What super power would you like to have? Easy ... I want to fly.

What’s your favorite color?

Which one do you dislike the most? Favorite — blue.

Dislike — brown.

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amount of backlogged material by cataloging the items in smaller amounts and chip away at the larger sum.

Sometimes when the historial society’s office is bustling they’ll have what they call the question of the day. Someone will call in with a question about the area. An original location of old restaurants or the name of the first hotel in the area for example. Then the society will pull together to do the detective work to figure out the answer to the question.

Fisher, obviously, likes to delve inside the history of Mifflin County and the heritage of the area.

“It comes in small things. In a little box that’s found in a drawer that contains a badge where somebody attended the monument dedication in 1906,” Fisher said. “It’s buried there among all the other seemingly insignificant things and there this little gem comes out and it’s like ‘Eureka!’ and so we’ll all discuss it.”

It’s those small revelations of local history that Fisher likes most about working with the historical society.

“I learn something every week, every day that I’m here that I didn’t know about our heritage, our history, the people, the places,” he said.

Name: Forest K. Fisher Job: Mifflin County Historical Society, Retired Mifflin County School District 2009 Town where you live: Reedsville Where did you meet you spouse/partner? How long

together? We were teachers in the same building, 37 years Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Reedsville Elementary, Kish High School, Harrisburg Area Community College, Penn State University How many children, how old? Grandchildren? None Why did you choose this profession/activity? Life-long interest in history Who had a great influence on your choice? My family’s interest in history What is your proudest work-related achievement?

Being able to share out local heritage with many through work here What would you like your legacy to be? History is our story, we must pass it along What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Photography, collecting memorabilia, travel What are you afraid of?

Heights What is the oddest thing you did as a child? Pulled a large piece out of a plaster wall with a toilet plunger at age 8 If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? Reflective What is a place you’d like to visit? Rocky coast of Maine What is the last book you read? “Missing 411 – Hunters” What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Chocolate What’s on your pizza?

Cheese and pepperoni What is your favorite movie or TV show? Period mysteries What super power would you like to have? Strength What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? Blue; Orange

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Port Royal and Matamoras United Methodist Churches

Rev. Terry Brosius

By BRANDON MORGAN Sentinel reporter

PORT ROYAL — Terry Brosius, the pastor of both Port Royal United Methodist Church and Matamoras United Methodist Church, shows his leadership not only through his work, but outside his work.

“When someone needs gas, I’ll personally take them and pay to fill their car up,” Brosius said. “I’ve paid for someone’s rent before as well. My impact covers the whole community.”

Brosius graduated from Halifax High school, got his associate degree from Harrisburg Area Community College and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Lancaster Bible College.

He then received his master’s in ministry at Lancaster Bible College.

Brosius started out being in youth ministry while he attended Lancaster Bible College. After doing that for a few years, he sensed God wanted him to become a pastor. He took God’s word and became a pastor in 2005; his first church was Charlestown UMC, in Mercersburg.

Brosius is always on the run when he is at work. He is in charge of taking care of events like soup giveaways, volunteering at the food pantry and helping serving meals and put together some supplies to give to others in need.

During his office hours, Brosius chooses the hymns, writes the sermon, the bulletin and scripture that will be used for the upcoming Sunday. All of this is time consuming, but he always does his best to ensure they are as good as he can make them.

One thing that Brosius enjoys about his job is visiting people at nursing homes or hospitals. He visits one to three people per day to read See Brosius / Page 71

Sentinel photo by BRANDON MORGAN

The Rev. Terry Brosius divides his time between two churches, Port Royal United Methodist and Matamoras United Methodist.

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to them and talk to them.

“I visit 25 people a month,” Brosius said. “I talk to them and make them a bulletin for them to read. Some visits are 20 minutes, some are over an hour. I always pray with them before I leave. It blesses me more than it blesses them.”

Sunday is the busiest of the week for Brosius. He preaches at 8:30 a.m. at Port Royal UMC. After the service, he travels to the Matamoras UMC for the 9:30 a.m. service.

Then, he goes back to Port Royal to preach the 10:45 a.m. service. He also stays after for choir and band practice.

“There is a lot of communication and coordinating as a pastor,” Brosius said.

There are a lot of joys of being a pastor, like meeting new people and helping couples with weddings.

“One year, I had three or four weddings to take care of,” Brosius said. “That made my life rather busy. I never have a boring day.”

Brosius said he has no complaints about being a pastor.

There are some hardships like having to call the police once for someone disrupting a Sunday service. He doesn’t like when his service is interrupted.

One surprising thing about Brosius is he knows when someone changes a seat during one of his services. Everyone usually sits at the same place every Sunday and he tells people to pick a different seat, so they have a different perspective. Once people take that challenge, they ask him where they sat and where they used to sit, just to see if he noticed. Brosius would always remember and get it right.

The job is tiring for Brosius and is no easy task. Everyone

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wants to have him to talk to 24/7 and it is very hard to please everyone. He does set goals to make sure everyone has someone to talk to.

“I’m goal and task driven,” Brosius said. “Everyday I have things to accomplish.

One of the biggest challenges I try to overcome is outreach.”

Brosius is an excellent leader and makes sure that other people and the two churches he serves are his top priority. He invites anyone to come in for a service and be a member of the church.

“It is OK to attend a church and not be a member,” Brosius said.

Name: Rev. Terry Brosius Job: Pastor of Port Royal UMC and Matamoras UMC Town where you live: Port Royal Where did you go to school (primary, secondary, college)? Halifax High school (1986), associate degree from Harrisburg Area Community College (1989), bachelor’s degree from Lancaster Bible College (1992), master’s from Lancaster Bible (2005), Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary (2009).

Where did you meet your spouse/partner? How long together? I met my wife at Grace Community Church (Evangelical Free Church) when I was a youth director.

My youth leaders hosted a Dating Game Show and invited Caren to attend, meet me and play the game. We were married Jan. 2, 1999.

How many children, how old? Grandchildren? I have a daughter, Grace, who is attended Bloomsburg University and plans to graduate in 2021 with an elementary education degree. My son, Scott, will graduate from Juniata High School this year. He plans to attend Penn State Harrisburg for civil engineering.

Why did you choose this profession/activity? When I was laid off in 1990, I attended a service at David’s Church in Millersburg and heard Dr. Gilbert Petersen, President of Lancaster Bible College, preach. I sensed a call to youth ministry so I attended Lancaster Bible College. After a few years of searching for a position as youth director I began part time at Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church in Lititz. Rev. Dr. Roy Haupt said to me “Terry, you are called to be an ordained elder.” That was in 1994. In 2004, sitting at my desk in Chambersburg as First United Methodist Church’s youth director I sensed God wanted me to be a pastor.

Every time I had a question about my call, the Rev. Don Nolder explained to me the process of being ordained.

The next pastor at First UMC, the Rev. John Dromozos, also had influence and said, “Do this and call this person because a deadline is this date.”

In 2005, I began Seminary at Wesley Theological and began as a part time pastor at Charlestown UMC in Mercersburg.

Who had a great influence on your choice? Years ago, my mother was a director of christian education at David’s Church for 10 years. I have learned a lot by watching her.

When at Bible college I did an internship for the summer at David’s Church with the youth group and children’s programs.

What is your proudest work-related achievement? I believe I’ve chosen the hardest ordination process out of any denomination. From 2005, and beginning the ordination process, it took until June 2015 to be ordained in the United Methodist Church.

Every candidate goes through four different interviews after

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writing four different papers to be approved for the process. It’s not over yet. Another four interviews, videos and writing papers proving your effectiveness as a pastor are necessary.

What would you like your legacy to be? Over the years I’ve officiated over 75 funerals. As I share I speak to the individual’s life. Each individual their life story can evolve into how they have witnessed for the Lord or how they have been involved with the church if they are a Christian. I would like my legacy to be known as a Christian family man, a pastor who has shared the gospel good news through every curch for a great influence.

What are your hobbies/outside interests? I have always supported my family and my children in their school activities. It has been great to arrange committee meetings around some of my children’s activities. I loved attending their basketball, field hockey, track and field, and soccer games. I have coached my son and his friends from the soccer team at the Lion’s Den for a few years. We even won the championship once. These soccer players make me look good as their coach. My other interests are painting optical illusion paintings.

What are you afraid of? I do not have too many fears.

I’ve bungee jumped a few times before marriage. I’ve encountered some situations as a pastor where I had to call the police. I feel my double education and life experiences have trained me to handle many situations.

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If you could use only one word to describe yourself, what would it be? As I was thinking about this word, my wife suggested passionate. I came to think of the word “courageous.” I’ve never sought leadership or preaching situations. I was always content in working at UPS, or Pizza Hut, or as a forklift driver or in youth ministry.

God seemed to place me wherever he needed me to be in a church as a pastor.

What is a place you’d like to visit? Disneyworld and Disneyland What is the last book you read? I have over 5,000 books.

I fall back to some old books that I’ve read a few times. The one that sticks with me is “Learning to Lead” by Fred Smith. Why? Because as a pastor, I need to bring out the best in people. How do I do that? As I visit with people in their home or in the office, and as I preach, I’ve preached about people exercising their spiritual gifts. As Christians everybody has a gift or two and needs to claim their gifts and exercise the gifts. When people work together with their gifts the church is at its best.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Raspberry from Mexico Market What’s on your pizza?

Pizza Hut meat lover’s What is your favorite movie or TV show? My favorite is “Fast and Furious” What super power would you like to have? Power to heal people What is your favorite color? Which one do you dislike most? I don’t think I have a color I dislike.

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benefiting in some way,” Bobb says. “When you serve everyone, you have to have something for the youngest member to the oldest one.”

That includes child care and the other programs the community center offers.

Bobb is always seeking out new volunteers to assist with its programs. Working with these individuals is one of the most rewarding parts of his job.

“I enjoy meeting our volunteers and thanking them,” he says. “It’s great watching everyone work together to achieve our goals.”

Despite the community center’s recent improvements, Bobb wants to do more: “It seems like there’s not enough time to do everything,” he laments.

A former systems engineer for Lockheed-Martin Corp., Bobb retired in 2018. He certainly hasn’t spent much time enjoying retirement, although his current work seems like a labor of love.

He plans to eventually spend more time with family. Traveling abroad with wife, Tracey, is on his to-do list, including a return trip to Italy. The Bobbs have four adult children and five grandchildren. “Plus, one (grandchild) on the way.”

When you look more closely at the community center’s creation and its subsequent growth over the years, it’s easy to see the connection with the Bobb family.

Twenty years ago, his father-in-law Donald Moyer

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and his late wife, Naomi, were instrumental in establishing the community center. At age 84, Moyer is a board member and is still actively involved at the MACC. “He pulled a group of people together and made this happen,” says Bobb of the opening of the community center in 2002. “I was living in King of Prussia (working at Lockheed-Martin) at the time, and I came home on weekends. I could see that dream he had and am doing everything I can to help it continue.”

That group was a few concerned citizens who met near the end of the 1992 school year and talked about building a recreation center in Western Snyder County.

They put a survey together to determine how much support would be given to such a project. Overwhelming results became the basis of a board of directors that continues to work toward this goal since those early days.

Tracey also served as executive director for two years, prior to Michael accepting the position. Through the years, his brother, Brent, and father, Charles, served on the board of directors and daughter, Lindsey (Bobb) Anderson, currently serves as the community center’s child care director.

Anderson says the community center’s success fuels her father’s passion.

“It’s really hard to just say one thing that Dad has done to impact the center,” Anderson explains. “He has done a lot of little things that have added to seeing a change in

the facility. He is very level headed and is able to be the calm in a storm. When emotions are high, he knows how to be rationale and come to a solution that works best for everyone.

“He is also very driven,” she adds. “When he sees that there is a job to done. He also realizes that being the director doesn’t mean he’s just sitting in the office. If there is ice in the parking lot, he is in early spreading salt to make sure all who visit our community center are safe. He realizes it is important to be visible in the community as well. You will see him attending events hosted by other groups because he knows the importance of supporting and working with local organizations.”

Organizations that provide valuable resources to the community center through financially or potential members. The passion that he has for the community center also fuels their drive for success.

“My dad is a very inspirational man and one that I often turn to for guidance,” Anderson says. “We are very fortunate to have him as our leader.”

Others at the community center share that sentiment.

Megan Boyd works closely with Bobb as the community center’s office manager.

“Mike has the strong ability to listen and hear what people are looking for or are in need of within our center – members and employees alike — as well as the community as a whole,” Boyd says. “He approaches situations logically and with care

to the potential outcome. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him and look forward to where he takes the MACC.” Bobb is quick to deflect the accolades, instead talking the individuals who “volunteer thousands of hours of time and tens of thousands of dollars each year to keep the MACC a reality for the community,” he says. “It’s a place where one person’s contribution — large of small — joins with many others to create a positive, safe and beneficial place, serving all of Snyder County and the surrounding counties.”

Which has been the community center’s goal since day one.

The 10,000-square-foot gymnasium hosts basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, field hockey, softball, baseball, gymnastics and other indoor activities. The fitness center is equipped with the latest free weights, cardiovascular and weight training machines.

The MACC also has two regulation courts for racquetball, squash and handball as well as an aerobics studio, offering a variety of activities from step aerobics to self-defense.

The game room with billiards, air-hockey, shuffleboard, ping-pong, video games and a vending area.

There’s an educational room for meetings, tutoring, training and workshops, along with a bank of computers for use by members. As an added convenience, a nursery is available.

“I want to follow my fam-

Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020

ily’s tradition of supporting this institution,” Bobb says.

“It all started when I had an opportunity to get on the board of directors. The financial director wanted to retire in 2018. I volunteered to do that work and it helped the center out financially.”

Eventually, Bobb agreed to fill the role of executive director. Those involved with the community center are glad he did.

Name: Michael Bobb Job: Director, Middlecreek Area Community Center Town where you live?

Beaver Springs Where did you go to school? West Snyder High School then Penn State What are your hobbies/outside interests?

Working around house, volunteering, spending time with family What are you afraid of?

Not meeting obligations What is one word to describe yourself? Persistent What is a place you’d like to visit? Italy (been once and would love to go back) What is the last book you read? “Confessions of Saint Augustine” What’s your favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip What’s on your pizza?

Everything except anchovies What’s your favorite movie? Gladiator What super power would you like to have? None — you’ve got to live with what you’ve got and do the best with what you have.

What’s your favorite color? Green

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