Archive
March 6th, 2011
ALTOONA â When Punxsy junior Seth Spack fell shy of a second-straight District IX Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championship Feb. 26 in Clarion, his family was disheartened.
But Spack quickly quelled their upset feelings, knowing that Saturday's Northwest Region Class AAA Tournament was yet to be decided and the district tournament wouldn't affect his ability to reach states.
"The whole last week, my family was down. But I don't get mad when I lose, because everybody loses," the ever-positive Spack said. "I told them, 'Don't worry, I'm winning regionals.'"
SHARON â Following one of the best weekends in the history of Brookville wrestling, expectations were high for the Northwest Region Class AA Individual Tournament Saturday in Sharon.
But the Raiders had some bad luck and took some tough losses and sent only one of their nine wrestlers in the tournament to states next weekend in Hershey.
BIG RUN â The legendary Big Run âPeeper Watcherâ John London will appear on either Discovery Channel or Animal Planet at a date and time that is yet to be determined.
London said he was surprised when the TV crew that was taping Groundhog Day activities showed up on his doorstep to do an interview last month.
The spring peeper is a small treefrog that makes high-pitched peeping sounds and can be heard just after the spring thaw â hence this frog's name.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Due to increased interest from the public, as well as continuing requests from soldiers, the Jefferson County chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) is again sponsoring a Support the Troops project for military personnel serving in Afghanistan. Â
From now through March 30, a county-wide drive will seek to collect a wide variety of food and hygiene items, as well as stationery and recreational supplies.Â
(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 5, 1896)
A Looking-Glass Causes Trouble
Eugene R. "Red" Bowser, 83, Punxsutawney, died Friday, March 4, 2011, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Aug. 12, 1927, in Bagdad, a son of the late Floyd and Grace (Wolfe) Bowser.
April 15, 1951, he married Joan M. (Smith) Bowser, who survives, of Punxsutawney. They were married 59 years.
Mr. Bowser attended the Albion United Methodist Church.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War.
Mr. Bowser was retired from the B&O Railroad as an engineer.
March 4th
INDIANA â If the new Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex has a goal of bringing people from around the region to Indiana for athletic, entertainment and business purposes, its dedication ceremony bore a resemblance to what guests could see in the future.
The official grand opening of the $79 million, 150,000-square foot KCAC Friday included references to a classic film and even an impromptu, a cappella version of a Frank Sinatra standard by a state senator.
INDIANA â Itâs a good thing that officials from IUP and the Kovalchick Convention & Athletics Complex (KCAC) officially dedicated the $79 million, 150,000-square foot building Friday, because the first ticketed event, the Harlem Globetrotters, will hit the floor of the Ed Fry Arena next Friday.
Amy White, the KCACâs director of marketing, said the goal of the complex is to bring different kinds of events â big-name, family-oriented shows and concerts â to the Indiana area, and help people avoid longer trips to Pittsburgh, Altoona or State College, for example.
LTOONA â The Punxsy wrestling team's Big Three has a new addition.
The Chucks' best three wrestlers â senior Kody Young and juniors Seth Spack and Neko Cappella â were each expected to have a successful first day at the Northwest Region Class AAA Individual Wrestling Tournament Friday night in Altoona. Now, there's a fourth member to add to that trio.
