Archive
May 9th, 2011
1. How come there aren't more fans at the Punxsy baseball and softball games? I know April was uncharacteristically wet, but for a free game, much more than a couple dozen people should be in attendance every night. The Chucks have won seven-straight district titles, and the Lady Chucks are in search of their fourth straight. Combined, the two teams have lost just once at home and play on the nicest fields in the district. Come on people, show some support.
Georgieann Gaston, 64, Punxsutawney, passed away Saturday, May 7, 2011, at her home.
Mrs. Gaston was born Feb. 19, 1947, in Punxsutawney, a daughter of the late George and Eleanor (Barnoff) Stamler.
She was married to Shawn B. Gaston, who survives, of Punxsutawney.
May 8th
(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
February 19, 1896
Jesse Foltz has returned from the Pacific coast. He says this country is good enough for him. The only town between here and San Francisco, he declares, that is livelier than Punxsutawney, is Cripple Creek, Colorado.
• • •
WINSLOW TOWNSHIP — The Jeff Tech Operating Committee at a recent meeting approved the proposed $7.3 million budget for the 2011-12 school year, which includes some major reductions or the freezing of certain categories of spending.
Sherry Hassleman, Jeff Tech business manager, presented the budget and said that 81 percent of the budget is salaries and benefits, while 94 percent of the costs are fixed and can't be changed, since they are needed to run the school.
ERIE — When Punxsutawney native Katie Monoskey arrived at Penn State-Behrend three years ago, the Lions' track and field team didn't have a hammer thrower.
Head coach Greg Cooper, who recruited Monoskey, approached her to see if she would be interested in competing in the event.
Monoskey had experience in the three high school throwing events — discus, shot put and javelin — and wasn't against trying new things. She also wanted to focus on something more than the discus, which was her favorite event at the time.
DUBOIS— Punxsy softball had a two run lead and was three outs away from beating DuBois Saturday, but couldn't hold on and fell 5-4.
Shawnna Crago pitched for the Lady Chucks, struck out five batters and walked four over 6 1/3 innings pitched.
Two of Crago's walks were intentional.
Hannah Neal and Taylor Powell both drove in runs for Punxsy.
The Lady Chucks (8-2) led throughout and had a strong showing at the plate.
In the first inning, Punxsy took a 2-0 lead after Neal scored on a wild pitch and Powell drove in Ashley Barenchik on a sacrifice fly.
ALTOONA— Competing against some of the best competition Punxsutawney girls' track and field has faced all season Saturday in Altoona at the 62nd Annual West Central Coaches Invitational, senior Milea Schall proved she was one of the best.
Schall won the 3,200-meter run (11:39.48), giving the Punxsy its only champion at the event.
Punxsy competed against 55 schools, 17 from Class AAAA or AAA schools, with 38 Class AA school competing.
Schall also was a member of the 4x800 relay team, which finished in seventh place.
Randall L. Sharp, 63, Dudley, N.C., formerly of Punxsutawney, passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2011, at his home after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.Â
He was born Jan. 18, 1948, in Jamestown, N.Y., the son of Clifford and Marion Sharp.
Mr. Sharp was an accomplished athlete at Jamestown High School, where he starred as a tailback in football and a sprinter in track.
He then went to Clarion University, where he continued his football career.Â
Prior to his retirement, Mr. Sharp was a longtime self-employed carpenter in Punxsutawney and then in Dudley, N.C. Â
May 6th
PUNXSUTAWNEY — For as well as junior Randa Depp pitched Friday against Clearfield, it doesn't appear as if the Punxsy softball team will be suffering through a losing streak anytime soon.
Depp pitched her second complete-game shutout against at District IX Class AAA opponent this week, and the Lady Chucks bounced back from their first defeat this season with a 7-0 victory over the Lady Bisons.
The junior followed up her last start — which was a three-hit shutout of St. Marys Monday — by recording a four-hitter Friday. She didn't walk a batter and struck out four.
Punxsutawney baseball standout and Cincinnati Reds prospect Devin Mesoraco reached base eight times during six games this past week while batting .250 with the Class AAA Louisville Bats.
Mesoraco, who is a 2007 first-round draft pick with the Reds, once again saw his batting average dip below .300 after the week.
Through 25 games this season, the slugger is hitting .293 with three home runs and 12 RBIs. After hitting three home runs and driving in eight during his first eight games, Mesoraco has not hit a home run and has four RBIs in his last 17 games since that hot start.
