Archive - 2013
April 3rd
PUNXSUTAWNEY â The Punxsutawney Area School Board voted to approve a resolution calling for reform of the Commonwealth's cyber charter school funding formula.
For a full recap of Dr. Keith Wolfe's comments on the resolution, see Thursday's print edition of The Spirit.
Rehearsals have been ongoing over the past two weeks for the 2013 Variety Show, which will be held at 7 p.m. from Thursday April 11 through Saturday April 13 at the Punxsutawney Area High School auditorium. Pictured are the this yearâs emcees performing a skit dealing with social media addiction (from left): Alex Anderson, Maija Carol, Trevor Peace, Sarah London and Caroline Dunkel. Tickets are available at the door or from a participant in the Variety Show.
George E. Johnson, 82, of Burnside, Pa., died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at the Punxsutawney Area Hospital.
The son of Burton and Sarah A. (Trevessick) Johnson, he was born on Jan. 15, 1931, in Juneau.
George was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the U.S. Army as a PFC overseas during the Korean War.
For over 30 years, he was employed as an equipment operator for PennDOT.
George was a life member of Barnesboro VFW Post No. 343 and a member of Disabled American Veterans.
He greatly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and especially
Winifred McKee Leach, 92, of Volant, formerly of Grove City and Big Run, died Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at 6:12 a.m. at Grove City Medical Center following a brief illness.
Born in Jefferson County on April 16, 1920, Winifred was the daughter of H. Ray Colkitt and Mary Laura Stewart Colkitt.
On Oct. 18, 1941, she married Robert Allen McKee, who preceded her in death on March 13, 1961. On Feb. 20, 1988, she married Russell W. Leach, who also preceded her in death on July 31, 2000.
Dale E. Schultz, age 79, of Mayport, Pa., passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2013, in Mahaffey.
He was born Oct. 20, 1933, in Templeton, Pa., the son of Veto and Sara Bell (Anderson) Schultz.
Dale was formerly a resident of the Templeton area but lived in the Mayport area for a number of years.
He honorably served in the U.S. Army and was employed as a mingler for the Glen-Gerry Brickyard in Summerville.
Dale formerly attended the Punxsutawney Wesleyan Methodist Church.
April 2nd
PUNXSUTAWNEY â It may have been sunny outside on Tuesday afternoon, but Phil forgot to turn up the thermostat.
But after a slow opening two frames to start, Punxsy suddenly hit its stride.
Following a pair of scores in the third to tie the game at two, the Chucks changed to hot setting with a 10-run fourth to overtake the Wildcats of Kittanning for a 12-2 five-inning 10-run-rule victory on a cold opener in Punxsutawney.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â The dirt was flying when ground was broken for the new Primary Health Network (PHN) medical facility that is being constructed on Prushnok Drive in the east end of Punxsutawney.
The weather was cold, but dry, and the sun was out for the ceremonial turning of earth at the seven-acre location.
Jack Laeng, CEO of PHN, welcomed the guests and dignitaries to the festivities, which were held on the construction site located behind the old Career Link building that is also owned by PHN.
Ruth Edith (Reed) Trayer, 86, of North Freedom, died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Punxsutawney Area Hospital.
Ruth was born Sept. 19, 1926, in Brookville, a daughter of Charles Elias Reed and Mary Dora Haines Reed.
On Nov. 28, 1944, in Brookville, she married Clyde E. Trayer, who survives.
Ruth worked as a tester at Sylvania in Brookville and as a homemaker and farmed with her husband on the family farm.
She was a member of the North Freedom United Methodist Church and the Freedom Grange No. 2073 in Ringgold.
Wendy Renea Robbins, 46, of State College, Pa., died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at home.
She was born May 29, 1966, in Brookville, the daughter of Arthur F. Robbins and Dixie (Sherry) Thomas.
She worked as an electronic technician.
She was an avid Notre Dame and Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
She is survived by her mother, Dixie Thomas of Punxsutawney; one brother, David Robbins and fiance Penny Erickson of Clymer; and one sister, Mrs. Jay (Laurie) Salada of DuBois.
April 1st
BIG RUN â It has now been over two weeks since spring officially arrived on the calendar, and still, there's been nary a peep from the peeper frogs in Big Run, which is how most locals decide whether or not spring has officially arrived.
"It's hard to believe that we still haven't heard the tiny frogs announce the arrival of spring," said Jeff London, owner of Big Run Carpet and now resident Peeper watcher.
London said the average first day of peeping has been on March 20, the date for the official arrival of spring as far as the calendar is concerned.
