Archive
February 28th, 2011
By Jennifer Barr
Of The Spirit
PUNXSUTAWNEY — For many, a magical time has arrived once again this year, as boxes upon boxes filled with the famous Girl Scout cookies have been delivered.
Girl Scout cookies are much enjoyed by the community. However, selling them also teaches the girls who are involved in Girl Scouts basic but essential life lessons.
By going door-to-door selling cookies, girls learn communication and people skills in greeting potential costumers.
Earlajane Burkett, 87, Punxsutawney, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at the DuBois Nursing Home.
She was born Dec. 31, 1923, the daughter of the late Howard A. and Edna (Nichols) Jones.
Jan. 6, 1943, she married Kermith F. Burkett, who preceded her in death July 26, 2000.
Mrs. Burkett was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Punxsutawney, and she was a retired employee of J.C. Penney of Punxsutawney.
Nancy L. McGaffic, 69, New Castle and Jefferson County, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Brookville Hospital after a short illness.
She was born Jan. 16, 1942, in New Castle, a daughter of the late Orloff D. and Garnet W. (Linton) Hoover.
June 8, 2001, she married Joseph McGaffic, who survives.
Mrs. McGaffic graduated from New Castle High School and later studied nursing.
She was employed as a hostess at the Meadows off-track racing center in New Castle for 15 years and retired in 2004.
February 27th
CLARION — Punxsy senior Kody Young's 54-second pin of DuBois' Matt Bussatto during the 125-pound District IX Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championship match Saturday at Clarion University was a historic victory.
The momentous win put Young (29-2) in elite company, as he became the 25th wrestler in District IX history to finish his career as a four-time champion.
Young accomplished the feat a year after Ridgway's Garet Pisani became the 24th of that kind. Later in Saturday's Class AAA Championships, Bradford's Mark Havers became No. 26.
CLARION — Saturday won't go down as one of Punxsy's finer District IX Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships, but the Chucks will still send eight grapplers to next weekend's regional tournament.
Punxsy head coach Eric Eddy expressed disappointment in just one district champion after the Chucks entered the tournament with four top seeds. But even if senior Kody Young was the only district winner, Punxsy will be sending more than half of its wrestlers to regionals.
CLARION — If one was to see Josh Neal during the fall and winter months the past two years, chances are he would be walking with a limp in his right leg.
The junior, who suffered a knee injury before the 2009 football season and foot injury prior to the 2010 football season, overcame the leg problems to accomplish something great Saturday at Clarion University: A berth in the regional wrestling tournament.
(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)
Death of Little Clara Wells
The papers last week told the sad fact but our hearts crave a few words of fond remembrance.Â
Benjamin W. Kelsey, 31, of, Chicora, Bradys Bend Township, Armstrong County, died Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at Butler Memorial Hospital following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Kelsey was born Jan. 4, 1980, in Punxsutawney, the son of Bryan and Kim (Dinger) Kelsey of Chicora.
He was a 1998 graduate of Karns City High School. Mr. Kelsey attended the Chicora Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. He loved the Lord and he would witness to those he talked to online.Â
He enjoyed radio controlled vehicles, drawing, and the company of his family and friends.
Forrest "Skip" Clair Milliron, 75, Warren, passed away peacefully into eternal life Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011, at Cleveland Clinic of natural causes.
He was born Feb. 20, 1936, in Perry Township, the son of the late Forrest Clinton and Letha Luella (Vasbinder) Milliron.
He married the love of his life, Lori Hogue, July 13, 1986, and they enjoyed 24 years of marriage together.
.11.jpg "Punxsy senior Kody Young pins DuBois' Matt Bussatto in 54 seconds during the 125-pound final at the District IX Class AAA Individual Wrestling Championships Saturday in Clarion. Young won his fourth district title and is among eight Chucks who will head to next weekend's regional tournament in Altoona. For more on districts, see Spirit Sports on Page 6.
(Photo by Dan Walk/The Punxsutawney Spirit)")
