Archive - May 2012
May 28th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â It wasn't a tornado, but it was as close as you could get when a storm with wind gusts clocking in at over 60 mph blew through Jefferson County around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, ripping trees right out of the ground and taking power, cable television and phone lines down with it.
"This storm was spread throughout Jefferson County, and the wind was definitely up to 60 mph," said Charlie Hoeh, Punxsutawney Emergency Management coordinator.
BIG RUN â The featured speaker for the Big Run Memorial Day service at Fairview Cemetery had a very personal experience when it comes to remembering those who lost their lives while fighting to protect freedom around the world.
"I have spent the majority of my life with young people," said Ron Ploucha, a retired math teacher, member of the Inner Circle and the Elks.
Ploucha said he grew up in the 1950s and early 60s.
"If you wonder what life was like back then, just watch a few episodes of âLeave It To Beaver,â" he said. "Life was simple and carefree, or so I thought."
Jerry M. Wells, 79, Rossiter, died Sunday, May 27, 2012, at home.
He was born Oct. 3, 1932, in Austintown, Ohio, a son of the late Lewis and Grace (Delp) Wells.
Dec. 31, 1954, he married Nettie L. Calvert Wells, who preceded him in death Oct. 23, 2008.
Mr. Wells retired as a final repairman for the General Motors Lordstown Plant in Youngstown, Ohio, after 20 years of service.
He was Protestant by faith.
Mr. Wells was a veteran, having served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Harry M. Manners, 97, Cloe, died Friday, May 25, 2012, at Wellington Heights, Punxsutawney.
He was born Aug. 12, 1914, in Albion, a son of the late John Albert and Katy Arminta (Himes) Manners.
May 11, 1942, he married Wilma Yohe, who survives, of Big Run. They lived in Cloe for 68 years.
He was employed as a carman and wreckmaster by the B&O/C&O railroad for 35 years and retired from there in 1975.
He served as a PA State Constable and Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff for many years.
Mr. Manners enjoyed playing baseball, hunting, fishing, bowling and golfing.
John Clair Woods Sr., 73, Rossiter, died Monday, May 28, 2012, at home.
He was born Sept. 21, 1937, in Punxsutawney, a son of the late John Allen and Edith May (Oaks) Woods.
July 15, 1967, he married the former Lillian Jane Hill, who survives.
Mr. Woods was a member of the Faith Fellowship Church.
He was also a member of the Rossiter American Legion.
Mr. Woods worked as a tree trimmer for Penn Lines and Asplundh. In recent years, he was a driver for the Amish.
He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and in his younger days, he was a boxer in New York.
May 25th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Everybody makes mistakes â even people who are the valedictorians of their classes and go on to become medical professionals.
Dr. Frank Bizousky pointed out a few missteps in his school career as the guest speaker for the PAHS Class of 2012âs commencement exercises Friday night, but by and large, he said, things work out when one makes amends.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â âWhat is education?â was the question asked by state Rep. Sam Smith, the speaker for the Punxsutawney Christian Schoolâs 2012 commencement, which was held Friday at the First United Methodist Church.
PCSâ three graduates were Caleb Thomas Fugate, Lindsey Ann Reed and Jesse Michael Venturini.
Smith cited several definitions for education: âRonald Reagan said, âEducation is not the means of showing people how to get what they want. Education is an exercise by means of which enough men, it is hoped, will learn to want what is worth having.â
Punxsutawney
VFW Post 2076 and American Legion Post 62 will hold Memorial Day events Monday, starting with the parade at 10:30 a.m. and a service in Barclay Square at 11 a.m.
Big Run
Big Run VFW Post 9044 will host its annual Memorial Day Program at 11 a.m. Monday at the Fairview Cemetery in Big Run.
In the event of inclement weather, the program will be held in the War Memorial.
The guest speaker will be Ron Ploucha.
Rossiter
American Legion Post 582 will conduct Memorial Day servcies at the following cemeteries Monday:
âą Pearce Cemetery, 9 a.m.
SHIPPENSBURG â The three Punxsy athletes who were slated to compete at the PIAA Class AAA Track and Field Championships Friday in Shippensburg knew they had their work cut out for them with stiff competition from across the state converging on the meet.
And with the seed times, Punxsy knew it would be a long shot for any of its athletes to advance beyond the preliminary rounds.
And although none did advance, all three underclassmen â sophomores Juliann Boddorf and Kevin Hughes and junior Alexis Young â gained some valuable experience running in the big tourney.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Hunter Hickok and Dakotah Byers combined to pitch a two-hitter, and I-Medical's bats did the rest, helping Punxsy cruise to a 17-4, five-inning victory over Walbeck in Indiana County Youth Legion action Friday in Punxsutawney.
Hickok allowed three runs, none of which were earned, and Byers allowed just one on a balk.
Hickok's line included four strikeouts, and Byers fanned three in just two innings of work.
