Archive - Jan 2013
January 18th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â A few years back, a Woodchuck Whittle Competition was part of the Groundhog Day festivities here in town, and this year, it is trying to make a comeback!
The Groundhog Club is looking for participants to join the competition, and the deadline is quickly approaching.
The actual competition will take place on Feb. 3 at the Punxsutawney Community Center gymnasium, with set up running from 8 to 9 a.m. and the show taking place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The actual judging will take place at noon.
Pictured are Kristy Anthony and her son, Hayden, holding groundhog souvenirs from Punxsy Phil's Official Souvenir Shop. Hayden's father,
Chief Warrant Officer Greg Anthony, has been deployed to Afghanistan, where he will serve for a year.
Hayden is a 5-year-old who attends the Punxsutawney Christian School and is one of Sydney Bevak's pre-school students.
Upon learning that Haydenâs father had been deployed, Bevak decided to do something wonderful for the soldier and his unit.
The Annual Groundhog Day Corsage and Boutonniere Sale is once again underway.
What was started by the Women's Club 10 to 15 years ago has now been passed along to two of its most dedicated members.
Together, Jennifer Roberts and Katie Laska are working to bring an old tradition back into the town just in time for Groundhog Day.
Roberts, Punxsy PRIDE corsage coordinator, has been instrumental in starting it up again as well as putting it together.
Daryl J. Barrett, 57, Punxsutawney, died Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at Dubois Regional Medical Center.
He was born Aug. 7, 1955, a son of Roy C. and Reatha V. (McElwayne) Barrett.
On Sept. 16, 1978, he married Janeen (Burkett) Barrett, who survives.
He was a member of the First Church of God of Punxsutawney.
He worked as a police communications officer for the Pennsylvania State Police Punxsutawney Barracks for 12 years.
Ivan D. Coblentz, 8, of Rossiter, died Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at Childrenâs Hospital.
He was born July 8, 2004, in DuBois, a son of David C. and Ella J. (Byler) Coblentz of Rossiter.
His paternal grandparents are Christ H. and Martha Ellen (Hershberger) Coblentz of Rossiter. His maternal grandmother is Ella (Miller) Byler of Atlantic, Pa.
Ivan loved horses, being outside from sun up till sun down and fishing and hunting with his dad and family.
January 17th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Are you ready for some more soccer?
How about 7th- and 8th-grade soccer that might be coming to the Punxsutawney Area School District as early as this coming season?
Bill Vassallo, Punxsutawney Area School District athletic director, said that Phil Shenkle, boysâ varsity soccer head coach, approached him with the possibility of having a co-ed middle school soccer team.
"Some area schools have a boysâ and girlsâ middle school teams, and there are a lot that have co-ed teams," he said.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â This winter, the Punxsutawney Memorial Library is offering much more than exciting programs for children and adults.
The library is jumping head-first into the technology era by offering a few new online learning resources, as well.
These resources benefit not only the patrons who are stuck indoors, but also children and students who are eager to learn something new.
By accessing the library's website at www.punxsutawneylibrary.org individuals are able to click on links that will allow them access to online magazines or downloadable e-books.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Itâs that time of year again â time for Phil to put on his tuxedo, top hat and dancing shoes for the Inner Circleâs Groundhog Ball, which will be held Jan. 26 at the Punxsutawney Country Club.
Doors open for the event at 8:30 p.m., and the music will fill the air from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
This yearâs entertainer â Rudy and the Professionals â played the event last year and provided âa fabulous show with all types of musical selections,â said Katie Donald, executive director of the Groundhog Club.
The Punxsutawney chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has named Tim Krise the recipient of its annual Community Service Award.
To be eligible for this award, the recipient must have contributed to the community in an outstanding manner through voluntary heroic, civic, benevolent service with no compensation, or by organizing or participating in community activities.
January 16th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â When it comes to art, the town of Punxsutawney knows how to capture it at its finest.
Throughout this lovely town, one will most certainly find murals, crafty signs, wood-carved art, and of course the famous Phantastic
Phils. However, it is in front of the Eagles Club that passersby and tourists may be drawn to perhaps one of the more fascinating, often unnoticed, pieces of art â a Tree Clock Glockenspiel.
In October 2005, the Eagles celebrated its 100th anniversary with the unveiling of a rare piece that was created by the Verdin Company of
Ohio.
