Archive - Sep 2012 - News Article
September 10th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Borough council is planning ahead for community events, from next month's Pizza and Prevention Day to next summer's Groundhog Festival.
At Monday's meeting, council approved a request from the Punxsutawney Fire Department for a street closing and meter bagging for the display of fire apparatus on Saturday, Oct. 6.
The request pertains to the 11th-annual Pizza and Prevention event, which is sponsored by Fox's Pizza Den in Punxsutawney and benefits the fire department.
September 9th
Punxsy Phil indulges in a treat on the shoulder of his co-handler John Griffiths prior to receiving his annual dose of the elixir of life â giving him seven more years of life, according to legend â at Phil Phest held Saturday at Gobblerâs Knob.
The 403rd CONUS (contiguous United States) Replacement Company was inactivated â removed from active military status â at the Maj. Charles D. Stoops United States Army Reserve Center in Punxsutawney on Sunday at 1400 hours, otherwise known as 2 p.m.
A member of the Punxsutawney community for 59 years, the 403rd Replacement Co. has supported Groundhog Day festivities for the past 10 years.
(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
(September 9, 1896)
SUPPOSED MURDERERS CAUGHT
Frank and William Dodson Arrested for the Murder of Louis Helman
William and Frank Dodson, the supposed murderers of Louis Helman, were arrested last Saturday morning by S.R. Van Horn, of Brockwayville, Deputy Sherriff McMakin and Chief of Police Robert McFarland, of Ridgeway.
September 7th
BROCKWAY â The AJ Parise senior football team evened its record at 1-1 on the season with a convincing 30-6 win over Brockway last Saturday night at Frank Varischetti Field in Brockway.
âThis was a nice team effort in all phases of the games,â said senior head coach Joel Martin. âThe offense put points on the board and had no turnovers; the defense caused some turnovers; and special teams scored a touchdown. There were a lot of positives all around.â
The long road trip and the threat of inclement weather couldnât stop Punxsyâs sea of red from making the trip to Rimersburg to watch the varsity football squad take on Union Friday night.
Despite Mother Natureâs intervention causing an hour-long lightning delay, the show went on. But it was far from a happy ending for Punxsy, as Union earned a 21-6 victory over the Chucks, dropping Punxsyâs record to 1-1 on the young season.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Punxsutawney Borough is requesting that residents talk with the borough before adding to its compost pile on Beyer Avenue.
"If anyone is going to be dumping compost or tree limbs on the pile, please call the Public Works Department or the borough office to schedule a time that it can be taken up to the pile," said Ben White, Punxsutawney Borough manager at Tuesday's Public Safety Committee meeting.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â Kindness and compassion are a pair of traits that every parent hopes his or her child picks up and runs with, and one local youngster has certainly displayed both qualities with a recent act.
Daniel Billick, the son of John Billick and Amy Cowburn, both of Punxsutawney, saved up his hard-earned allowance for a very good cause: to purchase a backpack full of school supplies for an elementary student who may not be as fortunate as he is.
September 6th
PUNXSUTAWNEY â A local car dealer is holding a fundraiser Saturday in order to raise money for the Punxsutawney Fire Department.
Geoffrey Brackman, general manager of Kuntz Chevrolet Buick in Punxsutawney, said he's had an idea for a while to hold a special benefit for the fire department.
"Bill Williams, a Punxsutawney volunteer firefighter who works with me here at Kuntz's, would always tell me about the various needs that the fire department has," Brackman said, adding that one day, while traveling to work, he came up with an idea to put on an annual benefit for the fire department.
PUNXSUTAWNEY â While runners can often be seen trekking the streets of Punxsutawney, this weekend will bring a special, additional group of runners to the town, as the 14th-annual Groundhog Fall 50K is slated to begin early Saturday morning.
For the second consecutive year, the race is being hosted by the Big Run VFW Post 9044, and the event is directed by post quartermaster Bob Lott.
One advantage of hosting the race in Punxsutawney, Lott said, is that it does bring in an out-of-town crowd and generates some revenue in the town.
