Archive - Apr 2012
April 29th
BIG RUN â Sunday, Jefferson County residents gathered at the Big Run War Memorial to honor the annual celebration of the nation's Loyalty Day.
"Loyalty Day has become a permanent fixture on this great nation's calendar," VFW Post 9044 Commander Jim Pallone said. "Though the Communist threat has greatly subsided over the years, Loyalty Day has continued to be a day worth recognizing, to reaffirm the American principles of freedom and democracy."
Previously known as Americanization Day, Loyalty Day is celebrated May 1 every year.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Two years and nine months ago, the Punxsutawney Area Community Center almost closed due to financing issues.
Thinking about the possibility now, Mick Mumau, center board of
directors president, muses over what a difference two years can make.
It was immediately following the Groundhog Festival in 2009 that the center actually did shut down for two weeks, Mumau said, adding that it would have been bad news for the entire community had the closure been permanent.
BROOKVILLE â The Jefferson County Commissioners recently proclaimed May as Older Americans Month.
This yearâs theme â "Never Too Old to Play" â emphasizes the important role older adults play in sharing their experiences and wisdom and passing that knowledge to other generations in a variety of significant ways.
âOur goal is to encourage intergenerational activities,â said Mikki Oakes, director of development and community relations for the Jefferson
Evelyn R. Faughner, 75, Rossiter, died Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Green Acres Personal Care Home, Rossiter.
She was born Aug. 9, 1936, in Osceola Mills, a daughter of the late Jesse Lee and Ruth L. (Fulton) Faughner.
She was a member of the Osceola Mills Methodist Church.
Surviving relatives include two sisters, Delores Shaw of Martinsburg and Betsy Lombardo and husband James of Osceola Mills; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Jolene Murawski and Lois Faughner.
Betty Jane Strong, 86, Punxsutawney, passed away Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Punxsutawney Area Hospital.
She was born July 6, 1925, in Punxsutawney, a daughter of the late Boyd Guy and Velma Jane (Crisco) Hicks.
Aug. 21, 1948, she married her husband, Paul M. Strong, who survives, of Punxsutawney. They were married 64 years.
Mrs. Strong was a very proud homemaker who took pride in keeping her home.
She was the last surviving member of her family.
April 27th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Punxsutawney Borough Council began the search for another person to fill a vacancy after receiving a resignation letter from council member Robert Reesman Thursday.
Reesman had served on council previously, but did not seek re-election because he was moving out of the borough. However, council President Larry Chenoga asked him to return to council when former president Susan Glessner resigned at the end of last year.
By
Michelle Hutton, for The Spirit
PUNXSUTAWNEY â April 19, eight members representing the Punxsutawney High School Class of 1951 visited the North Findley Street campus to make a monetary â and a symbolic and heartfelt â contribution.
âOn behalf of the Boles Foundation, we are grateful to the Class of 1951 for their generosity and thoughtfulness,â PAHS Principal and Boles Foundation Board President David London said. âIn the spirit of Margaret Boles, her students from the Class of 1951 are continuing her work and assisting PAHS students to further their education.â
PUNXSUTAWNEY â The only forewarning the Chucks baseball team needed that it'd have its work cut out for it against Altoona Friday afternoon in Punxsutawney came April 16 when Punxsy eked out a 1-0 win over the Lions in Altoona. Altoona's record was a pretty good indicator, as well, as the Lions entered Friday's contest with just that one loss.
A strong effort in all facets of the game by the Chucks, though, meant Altoona headed back home with a pair of losses to the Chucks this year, as Punxsy earned a 6-1 victory.
CURWENSVILLE â After five innings Friday night in Curwensville, the Lady Chucks softball team trailed the Golden Tide 3-1, but a bit of offensive spark from some unfamiliar faces at the varsity level led Punxsy to a come-from-behind, 5-3 victory in the end.
Facing the two-run deficit, Punxsy's Johnna Depp led off the top of the sixth inning with a single, and Sydney Phillips followed with a walk.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â After more than a full week off â thanks in part to a snowed-out match against Johnsonburg Monday â the Punxsy boys' tennis team returned to action Friday against a difficult squad in the DuBois Beavers, and DuBois earned a 9-0 victory.
Despite the zero on the score sheet, the Chucks did have a number of close matches, and Punxsy head coach Todd Heigley said it was difficult to keep the rhythm that his team had been building over the course of the season with such a long layoff.
