Archive - Aug 2012
August 27th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Despite the damage caused to area gardens by the many severe storms experienced this summer, Shawnee Friend's garden on Freas Lane continues to shine and was chosen as the August âGarden of the Month" by the Punxsutawney Garden Club this past week.
"I've been planting flowers pretty much since we moved in here 29 years ago," Friend said, adding that her home was built by former owners Dan and Diane Anderson.
"This property was all woods when we moved in; there was no lawn to speak of," she said.
Fidella Annaledd (Pifer) Bishop, 69, of Rossiter, died Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012, at the DuBois Nursing Home in DuBois.
She was born May 6,1943, in Henderson Township, Jefferson County, a daughter of the late Leslie and Ruby (Shepler) Pifer.
She was married to Clair Bishop, who survives.
Mrs. Bishop was a member of the Countryside Baptist Church in Punxsutawney.
She was a homemaker.
Betty Kathryn (Hoffman) Philliber, 97, Punxsutawney, died Monday, Aug. 27, 2012, at Punxsutawney Area Hospital.
She was born Jan. 30, 1915, in Punxsutawney, a daughter of the late Orvis C. and Nancy Bell (McAnulty) Hoffman.
Nov. 15, 1941, she married Robert Spencer Philliber, who preceded her in death on Jan. 15, 1973.
Mrs. Philliber was a retired school teacher from the Punxsutawney Area School District. She also served for many years on the Board of Directors of Hoffman Diamond Products, her fatherâs business.
August 26th
YOUNG TOWNSHIP â A passenger on a motorcycle was flown to an area trauma center by a STAT MedEvac helicopter following an accident involving a deer at 7:11 p.m. Sunday on Route 436 near Femco Machine.
According to fire and police scanner reports, the motorcycle struck the deer, causing an injury to a female passenger, while the male operator suffered minor injuries.
Punxsutawney-based Pennsylvania State Police were assisted at the scene by Punxsutawney Borough Police, Jefferson County EMS and members of the Punxsutawney Fire Department.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â A cable and Internet provider hopes to bridge the digital divide for students in the Punxsutawney Area School District by offering low-cost Internet access to parents.
Comcast, the nationâs largest Internet service provider, launched the newly redesigned online âLearning Centerâ on its Internet Essentials website, www.InternetEssentials.com/Learning, said Robert Grove, Comcast public relations director for the Keystone region.
(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
(September 2, 1896)
AN INDIANA COUNTY FARMER SUICIDE
August 24th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â In case you haven't noticed, between all of the "Back to School" ads and commercials, it's time for the kids to head back to school this coming week, which means motorists need to keep their eyes open for students walking to school or to bus stops.
"I think it's a good idea to review the proper entrance and exit on school buses," said Dr. Keith Wolfe, Punxsutawney Area School District superintendent.
Wolfe said everyone thinks that they are familiar with the many safety issues, but sometimes there are changes.
Natural camouflage can be a great defense system for animals to hide themselves from potential danger.
But this toadâs camo almost came back to bite him, as he had a too-close-for-comfort run-in with a weed eater Thursday afternoon.
Despite the close call, he was still trying his hardest to blend in when this photo was taken moments later.
The Punxsutawney Area Rails-to-Trails Association would like to remind The Spiritâs readers that this Sunday is Free and Fun Day from noon to 4 p.m. at the Fordham trail head of the Mahoning Shadow Trail. Pictured are (from left) Susan Wolfe, association secretary; Amy Taladay, event coordinator and her dog, Ozzie; and Howard Glessner, trail maintenance supervisor and his dog, Sadie.
Frances Elda Visniesky, 91, of Lancaster, N.Y., died August 15, 2012, at Maplewood Nursing Home in Lancaster, N.Y.
She was born Aug. 9, 1921, in McCalmont Township, the daughter of Paul and Aquelina Marie.
She was married to Andrew Visniesky, who preceded her in death.
She was a loving mother and grandmother.
Surviving relatives include three children, Stella and Ronald Golba, Judy and Chester Visniesky and Janet and Andrew Visniesky of Lancaster, N.Y.; nine grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
