Archive - Sep 2011
September 21st
PUNXSUTAWNEY â One of the first signs of autumn is the return of one of the communityâs most popular events: The Punxsutawney Spiritâs Appreciation Day. Â
Brimming over with talent, food and fun for all ages, The Spiritâs annual tribute to its readers, advertisers and the community runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday at the SS.C.D. auditorium.
And due to popular demand after a successful inaugural event last year, Appreciation Day will again be highlighted by its own âPunxsyâs Got Talent,â with 10 local talents, beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday in the SS.C.D. gym.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â After nearly six years of waiting, the day has finally arrived for the groundbreaking for the proposed Area Transportation Authority (ATA) terminal at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30 on North Findley Street.
John Lacny, ATA communications director, said those who has been involved in this project are pleased that the project is moving forward.
Punxsutawney Borough Council President Susan Glessner said despite the many delays, council members knew the project would get off the ground some day, although some members of the community may have thought otherwise.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â During a welcoming reception in his honor Wednesday night at the Punxsutawney Country Club, Terry Appolonia, the new dean at IUP-Punxsutawney, used a much loved past-time â football â to describe the challenges and goals for himself and his staff at the West End campus.
He read an Aug. 1, 1944, letter from E.L. âCurleyâ Lambeau, coach of the Green Bay Packers, to Ed McGroaraty, which also contained a one-page contract for him to play for the team.
September 20th
DUBOIS â The Punxsy boys' soccer team won its third straight and improved its record to 5-1 with a 4-1 victory over DuBois Central Catholic Tuesday evening in DuBois.
The Chucks jumped out to an early lead just 10 minutes into the contest when Tanner Evans buried one in the back of the net to give Punxsy a 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later, Trevor Peace struck a ball toward the net, and after a few deflections in front of the net, the ball ended up across the goal line.
The goal was scored an own-goal, though, so Peace wasn't given credit.
BROOKVILLE â The Punxsutawney volleyball squad traveled to Brookville Junior-Senior High School Tuesday night to take on the Lady Raiders, and the Lady Chucks reigned victorious in straight sets, 25-16, 25-9, 25-8.
"I think that we did really well as a team," Punxsy head coach Lisa Kephart said. "We had some switches in our rotation, but they did a really good job and worked to pull out the win."
The Punxsy girls had Brookville's number from the beginning of the match as they notched an early 10-point lead in the first set before dropping a point to the Lady Raiders.
BROOKVILLE â Punxsy needed a victory over Brookville to clinch the southern tier of the Allegheny Mountain League, and the Chucks did exactly what they needed to, defeating the Raiders 162-180 in Brookville Tuesday.
Punxsy was led to victory by Ian Miller, who was the tournament's low-medalist with a 35 including a chip-in birdie on No. 3 and another birdie on the par-five eighth hole.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Itâs a manner of gardening that works just fine for Cecilia (Wehrle) McCann, but at times, it may alarm passersby.
Given the fact that her eyesight isnât what it used to be, she gets low to the ground, generally on her knees or lower, for a better look at the flowers sheâs tending at her Liberty Street home.
âItâs hard on my legs, so I just get on the ground,â Mrs. McCann â also known as Aunt Deed, a derivative of her childhood nickname, Dee Dee Dumpling â said Tuesday. âI canât stand up that long, and I canât see that far anyway.â
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Over the years, there have been many high-profile fires that have heavily damaged or destroyed historic buildings in Punxsutawney, but a fire that destroyed a building Feb. 16 has taken some more of history with it.
This time, itâs a part of Clayville history.
There was the Dec. 24, 1971, fire that destroyed the Jordan Furniture Company, Freeleeâs Store and other buildings along East Mahoning and North Jefferson streets, as well as a Nov. 16, 1982, fire on Thanksgiving at the Findley Hotel.
Mary (McCurry) Minster, 57, Punxsutawney, passed away Monday, Sept. 19, 2011.
She was the daughter of Charlotte McCurry of Bakerstown and the late John McCurry.
She was married to Ernest J. Minster, who survives.
Mrs. Minster's compassion and kindness was great, and she gave all for her family. She extended her heart to all, and her love was felt by many.
Her commitment to caring for all children was demonstrated through her service as a Catechism teacher and school board member.
Lucinda Lee Shrecengost, 59, Mercer, passed away Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, at her home.
She was born March 9, 1952, in Kittanning, a daughter of the late Clifford and Eleanor (Marshall) Shaffer.
Ms. Shrecengost was a retired seamstress, having worked for 13 years at Sportswear in Punxsy and for nine-and-a-half years at G&K in Sharon.
In her free time, she enjoyed quilting, and cross stitching.
