Archive - 2011
December 19th
Mary Louise Hosack Wayland, 86, DuBois, died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011, at the DuBois Nursing Home.
She was born Aug. 19, 1925, in Allegheny County, a daughter of the late James and Hilda (Brocious) Hosack.
Sept. 10, 1955, in Ringgold, she married Robert O. Wayland, who survives.
She was the owner/operator of Wayland Agway from 1959-1992. The business is still in the family.
Mrs. Wayland was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church in DuBois.
She was also a member of the Bereans at First United Presbyterian Church and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.
BROOKVILLE — The large courtroom in the Jefferson County Courthouse was filled to near capacity Monday when residents of Snyder Township and Brockway attended a public hearing that addressed community concerns with the Just For Jesus Group Home, located in Snyder Township.
The Jefferson County Commissioners called the meeting in conjunction with the Snyder Township Supervisors to discuss the Just For Jesus ministry group home's ability to provide proper housing for its residents.
PUNXSUTAWNEY — A Punxsutawney resident recently shared his concerns with Punxsutawney Borough Council about PennDOT's new downtown traffic light system.
Joe Ferrara, of Church Street, expressed concern about cones set up in the middle of the sidewalk at every intersection, as well as two-inch conduit protruding about 18 inches above the sidewalk surface with wires.
Ferrara said that he was told by now-former council member Roger Steele that there would be control cabinets installed on the sidewalk.
December 18th
JOHNSTOWN — Although the Lady Chucks were down by just five points at halftime Saturday against Bishop McCort, they were outscored 14-6 in the third and eventually fell 56-37.
"We have to eliminate the mental mistakes at crucial times," Punxsy head coach Randy Reitz said. "At the end of the third quarter, we had a couple of turnovers, and they got the lead up to 12 points, and that's pretty much where it stayed until the end of the ball game."
The game was close through the first two halves, with Bishop McCort leading only 11-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Lillian K. Swartzlander, 88, Luthersburg, passed away Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at the DuBois Nursing Home after a short illness.
She was born Feb. 23, 1923, a daughter of the late Wilbur and Olive (Nolder) Kirk.
Aug. 13, 1954, she married Joseph Swartzlander, who preceded her in death Nov. 16, 2004.
PUNXSUTAWNEY — Punxsutawney Borough Council bid farewell to three exiting members, the fire chief and a retiring firefighter at last Monday's meeting.
Donna Lellock, Robert Reesman and Roger Steele attended their final meeting last Monday, as three new members will join council. The term of Punxsutawney Fire Department Chief Paul Hense expires at the end of the year, and Lindsey firefighter Joe Gianvito is retiring from active duty.
"We're not losing these people, as they will continue to serve the community in different ways," council President Susan Glessner said.
PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Grace Place Apartments at the corner of Pine and North Gilpin streets officially opened for business Friday, as the ribbon was cut by a host of dignitaries.
"It's an honor to be standing in this place, thanks to a few people who had a vision," Rev. James E. Steingrass, president of the Jefferson Area Lutheran Social Ministry (JALSM) said prior to Friday's ceremony.
(The Spirit is pleased to share with our readers vignettes of life in the 19th century as originally reported in past issues of the newspapers. These reproduced stories include their original headlines and spelling.)
Local Intelligence
(April 22, 1896)
Setting a Good Example
December 16th
PUNXSUTAWNEY — In what has become a Punxsy holiday tradition — right up there with snowflake lights and the Barclay Square Christmas tree — local residents’ donations again topped those from last year during the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s annual “Light Up a Child’s Life” campaign.
As of early Friday evening, the tally for the week-long 2011 campaign was $79,447.86, topping the 2010 total of $73,285.
ANITA — Just ask Chris Moore, because thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, kids facing battles similar to his should be careful what they wish for.
After Chris, who as been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, and his family learned that he was eligible for a wish, his mother, Tammy, brought the paperwork to Wish Assistant Polly Mills.
Mills’ question to the family was, when they would like to see Chris’ wish fulfilled.
“I didn’t realize that was how it worked,” Tammy said. “I thought it had to be approved by a board of some kind.”
