#149 MARCH 2013 3

‘About Arms’

A Friendship With Lincoln

The story of Captain C.T. Arms ‘of this place’ On the cover: Daffodil Days Volunteers (front,l. to r.) Sally Sallack, Deb Weaver, Lois Guilfoyle, Adeline Shemuha (back) Lucienne Brocious, Anna Marie Meterko, Jane Halin, Shirley Piekielek, Dorothy Snyder and Mary Molinari.

Photo by Courtney Katherine Photography

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By S. Thomas Curry of Hometown magazine

W

idespread acclaim has been given to an historical film that was released in November 2012.

The movie “Lincoln” has been reviewed as one of the best-acted, best-written and best-directed movies of the year, and has received many of the major awards from movie critics.

Those who have been admirers of Abraham Lincoln, the man, and the U. S. President during a critical time in United States history, have praised the portrayal of Lincoln in the few months he was trying to end the Civil War, and also striving to pass the 13th Amendment, which would abolish slavery.

Only a few dedicated Lincoln historians would have known the details of those few months in January 1865. He was assassinated in April 1865.

From youth, many Americans (and Punxsutawney area residents) have placed in memory the birth date of Abraham Lincoln to February 12 (1809). Other than his Gettysburg Address and his tragic death, other details have usually been pushed aside or blurred in memory.

Offered in this writing is a little known story about one of Punxsutawney’s residents in the late 19th century, and his acquaintance of Abraham Lincoln during his early political years. The distinguished Punx’y gentleman was a former civil engineer during the early years of the railroad in the region.

The account is a result of research that first began with an introduction to a book that was published in 1878 and is simply referred to as “Caldwell’s History.” The frontispiece of the old publication reads as “Caldwell’’s Illustrated Historical Combination Atlas of Jefferson County.”

With its many pages of old lithograph drawings and details about the pioneers in every part of the county during the 19th century, it has become one of the most popular resources for historical research to be found in a person’s library. The distinctive book would have been a source of historical facts for Kate Scott and Dr. William J. McKnight for their publications about Jefferson County history in 1888

www.punxsutawneymagazine.com

The recently released historical film “Lincoln” has led to the uncovering of a story about a Punxsutawney resident who knew Abraham Lincoln in his earlier political years.

(Scott), 1898 and 1917 (McKnight).

Along with Caldwell’s name, the fanciful script of the front page lists names of other people who contributed to the effort in 1878.

The page informs us that the detailed work for the book was “From actual Surveys by & Under the Direction of CAPTAIN C. T. ARMS, C. E., assisted by W. F. Arms, C. E.” The artist who contributed the detailed lithograph drawings is listed as E. Franks.

An article in the Punxsutawney Spirit in May 1892, and again in January 1902, would begin the journey to know about Captain C. T. Arms, “of this place.” The 1892 news story was headlined “An Active Old Man” as the “old man” was then in his eightieth year.

The 1902 story was more intriguing. Its attention was to “Captain Arms’ Lincoln Story.”

He was preparing to celebrate his 90th birthday in March that year. He attributed his good health to the fact that his business as a civil engineer (C. E.) had made it necessary for him to do a great deal of walking.

The Captain had a history, indeed. He was a prominent railroad engineer, beginning his career in the early 1830s in his home state of Massachusetts and doing the surveys for some of the first railroads in Massachusetts and Maine as chief engineer.

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2 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

In 1837, he went to Illinois. He was in charge of the surveying crew that surveyed for a railroad going out of Illinois to meet rail lines going west from Indiana.

In 1838 and 1839 Captain C. T. Arms was in Illinois, much of the time in Springfield, where he formed a friendship with young - Continued on page 4

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Around Town

A

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for Hometown magazine

merican cancer Society Daffodil Days are scheduled for March 1824. Volunteers are needed to deliver flowers to local churches, schools and businesses during that week. Volunteers are also needed to sell daffodils.

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Anyone facing cancer has a place to turn for answers 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-227-2345 and cancer.org.

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GroundhoG Plaza PunxsuTawney 4 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

One of the contributors to an 1878 publication, commonly called “Caldwell’s History of Jefferson County,� was Captain C. T. Arms, a civil engineer and surveyor who lived his retirement years in Punxsutawney in the late 1890s.

A Friendship

corps  of  engineers  to  survey  for  a  railroad there. After a few years, in 1877 he was employed with the publishing firm that put toContinued from page 2 gether the many county histories in Ohio and Abraham Lincoln.    Pennsylvania under the name J. A. Caldwell.

Lincoln was first elected to the Illinois GenHe surveyed the townships and boroughs and eral Assembly in 1834, and was reelected in produced the maps for the now cherished pic1836,  1838  and  1840.  He  was  then  only  a torial history of Jefferson County.  common, everyday member of the Illinois legWith several years employed in railroading islature, the second youngest of the legislators. as surveyor, he retired from active work at age But he had already started to show unmistak80. While a resident in Punxsutawney, it was able  signs  of  intellectual written  about  Captain power  and  passion  for Arms that “he was still in causes.  possession  of  his  faculWhile  in  Illinois  governties, and is a genial and ment, Lincoln supported a interesting conversationnetwork  of  roads,  canals, alist.�  He  loved  to  talk and railroads. In 1837, too, about his various experiat age 28, he made a public ences and his friendship statement against slavery at with Lincoln.  a time when abolition sociAmong those pleasures eties were forming as antihe recalled was the occaslavery groups. sion  he  danced  with Before his election to the Mary  Todd,  before  she Illinois  legislature  (1834) became  Lincoln’s  wife Lincoln had earned a living (Punxsutawney Spirit, as a boatman, general store May  18,  1892).  About owner, postmaster, surveyor her, it was said, “She was and “rail splitter.� When he Among many Abraham Lincoln stories C. a  small,  pretty  young was in his early 20s, the vil- T. Arms had shared with Punxsutawney woman,  with  beautiful lage in which he lived was a residents were events when he lived in fair skin, and remarkably Illinois, when Lincoln was in small  commercial  town. Springfield, vivid blue eyes.� the Illinois legislature.

Similar to Punxsutawney at For  those  interested  to the time, the village had a blacksmith shop, a hear, Captain Arms would also recall when he tanner, a schoolhouse and churches, a general met Lincoln during one of the famous seven store, a carpenter, a doctor, and other young debates in the campaign against Stephen A. men with their families trying to start a new Douglas  for  the  United  States  Senate.  The life in the frontier of the Midwest.  main issue of each debate was slavery.  Between 1837 and 1848 Christopher Tyler In the account reported in the January 1902 (C. T.) Arms, Jr. had a personal contact with story, Arms said to Lincoln, “Abe, how does it Abraham Lincoln while he was in the state happen that you are always running for oflegislature at Springfield and when he was fice�?  elected to the U. S. House of Representatives “Well Chris,� said Lincoln, with a broad grin, (1846). It was also during those years that Lin“I’ll tell you how it is: The people want the coln met and courted Mary Todd, a popular very  best  man  they  have  for  United  States young woman in Springfield. They married in Senator, and I feel that I have no right to hang 1842. back and force them to accept a second rate In 1852, Captain Arms went to Ohio with a - Continued on page 6

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The Run or Walk for Someone Special is a great way to do this!

The Run or Walk for Someone Special will be held Sunday, April 7 at the Sykesville Town Hall. Registration will begin at 1:30 p.m. and the run/walk will begin at 3 p.m.

It is a great day for all ages with food, prizes, and more! There is a 2-mile fun run or walk and a 5-mile race. Strollers are welcome in the event for young children! Prizes are awarded in a variety of age groups and to top money collectors.

All proceeds from this event go to The Arc of Jefferson and Clearfield Counties and Camp Friendship, serving our local community members with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization extends a special thank you to Robindale Energy Services, Inc. for being the event’s major sponsor!

Posters will soon be available at local businesses and will have the registration/donation forms attached. You can also contact Erin at 814-952-0490 or run_walk@yahoo.com, Pat 591-0949, Stacy 591-6622 or stacy@jcarc.org, or Frank at 590-4274.

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Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 5

Saturday letter delivery an expensive luxury

By Dale McFeatters, SHnS for Hometown magazine mericans are notably sentimental about the Postal Service. For many, their letter carrier or clerk at the local post office is the only federal-government employee with whom they are in regular contact.

A

The U.S. Postal Service has powerful unions, and Congress, although disinclined to pay for it, is enormously protective of the service, not least because there are post offices in every federal district, many of them named after the local member of Congress.

Unfortunately, the post office is in poor and worsening financial shape, losing $15.9 bil-

lion in the last budget year alone.

The Washington Post’s government-watchdog column, the Federal Diary, says, “The U.S. Postal Service is neck deep in debt, it has defaulted on Treasury payments and its business is in free fall.” First-class mail, its most profitable service, has fallen by 37 percent since 2007, largely because people use the Internet to communicate and pay bills.

In a daring move to cut costs, Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe recently announced that the service is planning to end Saturday pickup and delivery of letters, although letter carriers will continue to deliver packages, one of the few growth areas for the USPS, and priority and express mail, but no magazines, newspapers, catalogs or Netflix.

(Netflix believes its customers will switch from DVDs to streaming video in any case, a sample of the business problems the Postal

Service contends with.)

The Postal Service plans to switch to Monday-through-Friday delivery in early August.

The cutback is expected to save $2 billion a year, which Donahoe called “too big of a cost savings to ignore.”

The move is daring because Congress has expressly required six-day delivery since 1981, but that requirement was somehow omitted from a stopgap resolution last fall temporarily funding government operations through March 27.

Congress could reinstate the requirement, but Donahoe is betting that by then the public will have grown used to the idea and that lawmakers, prone to burdening the Postal Service with mandates they don’t pay for, will see the virtues of the savings.

Congress gives a lot of lip service to running government agencies “like a business.”

Here’s its chance to support an entity that is actually trying.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com) • • •

A Friendship Continued from page 4 man like my friend Douglas.” (Punxsutawney Spirit, January 7, 1902).

Captain Arms. too, would share his experience during the Civil War. The veteran civil engineer had been at the war front on many occasions “giving the benefit of his experiences to the generals of the army in the construction of bridges and railroads.”

(Punxsutawney Spirit, June 1906) Assisting Captain Arms in the 1878 Jefferson County Caldwell history was his son, Walter F. Arms. The youngest son of Captain Arms, he had also achieved distinction as a civil engineer. For many years he was connected with the Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Company (R. & P. C.) . And was among the corps of engineers that had worked to lay out the Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railroad (BR&P) line from Punxsutawney to Pittsburgh in the late 1890s.

As had been his father, W. F. Arms was commonly addressed as “Captain.” A 1943 news article from Hollywood, California carried a biographical note about him: “Captain Walter F. Arms, 87, contractor, was commissioned by Abraham Lincoln a captain in the Union Army at the age of 6, in recognition of having helped spike Confederate guns with files which he smuggled through the enemy lines concealed in cherry pies ...”

What a history! The Lincoln story. The Arms story. All in Punxsutawney history.

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Saluting

Our Presidents!

Jason Coleman will perform on Monday, February 25 in a Punxsutawney Concert Association performance as a tribute to his grandfather Floyd Cramer (right), a popular pianist of the 1960s with a unique sound called the "Nashville Sound."

punxsutawney Concert Association to present ‘Legacy of Floyd Cramer’

By the Punx’y Concert association for Hometown magazine or many music lovers, Floyd Cramer was an admired pianist and performer for decades. His signature piano style influenced smash hits and classic songs by many music legends, including Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley.

Cramer’s distinctive sound and unique touch at the piano remains alive today.

The Punxsutawney Concert Association will present the legendary music of the Rock and Roll and Country Music Hall of Famer in a concert performed by his grandson, Jason Coleman. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m., Monday, February 25 in the Punxsutawney Area High School auditorium.

In the afternoon, Mr. Coleman will present a matinee concert to students of the high school through the financial support of annual subscribers and donations.

Floyd Cramer never gave his grandson formal lessons.

“The 27-year old Coleman has played the piano since he was barely able to reach the keyboard,” commented S. Thomas

F

Curry, president of the concert association.

“Through his gifted ability, he heard the signature sound of his granddad countless times, and could repeat it on the piano.

That’s playing by ear!” added Curry about the talent of the young performer.

After Jason made his Grand Ole Opry debut at age 17, he was given the honor of playing for the Country Music Hall of Fame Ceremony recognizing his grandfather’s induction into the Hall of Fame.

Maturing, and developing his talent, Jason took to the studio and stage for his own career, producing his own albums.

Beginning in early February, in Oregon, Jason Coleman, with his nostalgic sound of his grandfather, began his 50-city nationwide tour. In his concert, Jason highlights his grandfather’s influence on the “Nashville Sound” of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Floyd Cramer died in 1997 when Jason was 12 years old.

For more information about Jason Coleman, his music and his grandfather Floyd Cramer, visit online at jasoncolemanmusic.com Through “The Legacy of Floyd Cramer”

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Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 7

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sangria The last class of seventh-and-eighth grade students attending the Henderson Township School at Kramer in 1950-51 included: Teacher Ira Bailey (far right); (front, l. to r.) Regis Felix, Larry Noker, Allan Scully, Geraldine Cramer, Annabelle Kos, Rose Marie Godak, Floyd Alvetro, Donald Starr, Gerald Dickey and Bob Henley; (second row) Carl Reagle, Loretta Knarr, Robert Melzer, Mary Ann Skarbek, John Petrick, Laudrea Brewer, Lyman Gaul, Peggy Gill, Eddie Kantor, Anna Marie Furdak, Ronald Margolis, Nancy Peace; (third row) Dick Shaffer, Patty Rokoski, Mike Kovalyak, Irene Sitosky, Joe Corona, Gloria Robbins, James Kuntz, Della Henneman, Wayne Shaffer, Margaret Skarbek; (back) Eddie Kaiser, Jean Guilyard, James Pudlo, Nancy Alessi, Dean Weaver, Julia Surkala, Thomas Fye, Geraldine Robertson, Ronald Corona. (Photo courtesy of Loretta Knarr Shepler.)

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The Story of Stump Creek’s Kramer Mine The Largest employer ever in henderson Twp.

By PriDe western boundary. Eleanora Shaft was a for Hometown magazine mine of the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburg Coal and Iron Company. It closed in he Northwestern Mining and Ex1919. change Company opened a shaft The Kramer Mine shaft was over 325mine on land owned by George feet deep and was a Kramer, along a modern operation for the branch of the Mahoning time, making use of known as Stump Creek in electricity to power and Henderson Township. ventilate the mine. The This was the last mine mine was opened in the company opened 1922 and worked until along its railroad line, 1959. During those 37 which ran from DuBois years it employed over to Sagamore and sup1,600 people, making it ported its mines at Sagamore, Onandago, and Miners putting up a safety wall in a low the largest employer coal seam in the Kramer Mine. (Photo ever in the history of Eriton. courtesy of the Henderson Township Mu- Henderson Township.

Kramer Mine was the nicipal Authority, Stump Creek.)

The miners worked second shaft mine in under the hill in the Henderson Township. The first was the mine, but they lived on top of Kramer’s Eleanora Shaft, 135-feet deep, located along Big Run Creek near the township’s - Continued on page 12

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Christ The King Manor prides itself in offering the most personal care available including recreational activities and assistance with daily living activities including dressing, grooming, bathing and medication reminders. Residents have private suites and receive three meals a day. Our early Stage Alzheimer/Dementia unit offers special programming, support and security. There is a beautiful Chapel with daily Mass and interdenominational services weekly and an ADULT DAY CARE PROGRAM as well as an OLDER ADULT DAY PROGRAM. For more information, call 814-371-3180 and request more information on PERSONAL CARE as performed by the professionals at Christ The King Manor.

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814-371-3180

www.christthekingmanor.org Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 9

Full SErvICE OPtICal & COmPlEtE lINE OF CONtaCt lENS OPtIONS

Dr. Nathan C.

Stebbins

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Embracing Excellence in Healthcare

Punxsutawney Community Health Center Drs. Elder, Kernich &Witherite-Rieg Medical Arts Building, Punxsutawney

814-938-3310

www.primary-health.net Become our fan on Facebook

Margaret Matson demonstrates the pretzel stretch. (SHNS photo by James Borchuck / Tampa Bay Times)

A fitness plan to help get you started

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By Sally anderson, SHnS for Hometown magazine ncluding physical activity in your life can be one of the best things you can do for yourself, both physically and mentally, regardless of age. But the reality is that it's easier said than done.

Generally, it takes about three weeks to develop a new habit -- but only five or six days to break it. If you are really serious about moving and stretching out those tired and unused muscles, it pays to have a plan, one that is both realistic and flexible. Here are a few fitness facts that could help prevent fitness failure and some tips

i

to help you get moving in the right direction.

MYTH 1 Ab exercises will remove abdominal fat: Don't count on any spot exercises to remove body fat on top of the ab muscle. The only way to successfully lose abdominal fat is through cardio and strength training for the whole body, not just a body part, and, of course, a healthy low-calorie diet. That will help you reduce your overall body fat, but genetics will pretty much dictate where you will lose the fat.

MYTH 2 - Continued on page 26

SENIOR LIVING

Promoting Your HEALTH, HAPPINESS and INDEPENDENCE Is Our Specialty.

Come in for a short or an extended stay.

Our devoted staff is available 24 hours a day to assist you with your personal and health care needs. Call Steve or Kristen at

(814) 849-3924

Located 1 mile south of Exit 81, I-80 on Rt. 28, Brookville

10 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

for knowing what to do next.

If your financial situation has recently changed, we want you to know that we can help. A seasoned professional — one who understands your needs — will sit down with you and create a straightforward, easy-to-follow plan. A plan that not only helps you protect new assets and reach your goals, but also provides clarity on your options and cash flow. It’s what we’ve done for over 160 years and will keep doing for years to come. For more information, stop by your local branch or call 888-762-6226.

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (“PNC”) uses the names PNC Wealth Management®, PNC Institutional Investments® and Hawthorn, PNC Family WealthSM to provide investment and wealth management, fiduciary services, FDIC-insured banking products and services and lending of funds through its subsidiary, PNC Bank, National Association, which is a Member FDIC, and uses the names PNC Wealth Management® and Hawthorn, PNC Family WealthSM to provide certain fiduciary and agency services through its subsidiary, PNC Delaware Trust Company.

PNC does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice.

“PNC Wealth Management” and “PNC Institutional Investments” are registered trademarks and “Hawthorn, PNC Family Wealth” is a service mark of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. Investments: Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. ©2013 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Printed 02-13

CON PDF 0113-074-129702

Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 11

KIM HORNER

MICHAEL HORNER

JENNIFER MOORE

JOE PRESLOID

lOCAl reGiStereD PHArMACiStS Open: Mon.- Fri 9 to 7, Sat. 9 to 2

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Financial aid available for families of all faiths

Kramer Mine

from Kramer attended first Sykesville, then Reynoldsville and now the Punxsutawney Area High School.

The Kramer school was the center for community activities. The grounds were located where the band practiced and the baseball games were played. The Kramer Marching Band had the honor of playing at the 37th Constitutional Convention of the United Mine Workers in Cincinnati, Ohio, held in 1941. The 1939 Kramer baseball team won the Jefferson County Baseball League Championship, which qualified them to participate in the National Amateur Baseball Federation tournament in Washington, D.C. At the tournament they beat teams from Baltimore, Maryland; Youngstown and Cleveland, Ohio, and Dearborn, Michigan.

Their only losses were to Detroit, Michigan, which took the national championship that year.

The Company did not need to provide space for churches. In the modern time, the electric street railway, which traveled past the community, provided transportation for residents to attend the church of their choice, or shop or visit friends in nearby communities. The company provided a store for general merchandise, groceries and miners’ supplies. The township built a road from the mine patch community to connect with a road leading to

Continued from page 8 hill. The Northwestern Mining and Exchange Company built a mine patch community of 100 houses on the hill. The houses were of two styles, a single story bungalow and the two story workingman’s house.

The company leased ground to the township for a school for $1 per year, payable in advance. The township was permitted to erect and remove any school structures while the lease was in force. Henderson Township contracted with E.A. Gray to erect a four-room brick school building in 1924. The first teachers in the school, which served eight grades were Bessie Kuntz, Lulu Weaver, Nellie McKee and Florence Gourley.

When consolidation took place, beginning with the school year 1951-52, the building became the Henderson Township School, providing education for all students in grades one through six. The Kramer-Henderson Township School continued to be used until 1973. Students from Kramer wishing to attend high school before 1950 could choose Big Run, Sykesville, Reynoldsville or Punxsutawney. However, they had to provide their own transportation to and from school. After 1950, high school students

enrollment begins March 1st

1939 Kramer Baseball Team, Pennsylvania State Champions — (front, l. to r.) A. Torretti, Kantor, P. Racchina, Pusiewicz, Haag, A.L. Shemuha, Beshada, Racchina and Padlock. (back) Brosky, Troyan, Zatsick, Adam Shemuha, Buhite, Clark, Forrest, Sitosky, Himes, Downer, Sekula and Walko. (Photograph courtesy of Gloria Sitosky Bowers.)

- Continued on page 24

The Kramer Band, dressed in their grey and gold uniforms, perform at the 37th Constitutional Convention of the United Mine Workers of America, Cincinnati, Ohio, held October 6, 1941. (Photograph courtesy of Mike Sackash.)

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12 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

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www.pUNxSUtAwNeymAGAzINe.cOm Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 13

Scott Anthony and Jennifer Roberts

Jennifer roberts, Scott Anthony punx’y’s Woman, Man of Year

i

n an exciting and emotional evening, Punxsutawney named its Man and Woman of the Year during the annual Groundhog Banquet, which took place Friday, February 1 in the PAHS cafeteria.

Well-known in Punx’y and the surrounding area, Jennifer Roberts and Scott Anthony were recipients of the prestigious awards.

Jennifer, 43, is a lifelong resident of Punxsutawney and is the daughter of Bill and Jean Roberts. She is the sister to five siblings: Bill Jr. and Jim of Punxsutawney; Joe of Philadelphia; Betty of Moorestown, N.J.; and Lori of Pittsburgh.

Her honor is well deserved. She is a board member of Jefferson County ARC and is consistently in the top three in fundraising efforts for the annual Run/Walk for Someone Special, which benefits Camp Friendship.

Her contributions do not stop there. Jennifer volunteers many hours at the Chamber of Commerce and Waltzing Matilda, in addition to her time dedicated to VanDyke and Company’s annual recitals and performances.

She is a member of Saints Cosmas and Damian Roman Catholic Church, where she is a member of the Rosary Altar Society and Catholic Daughters of America.

She was past officer of the Young Women’s Club of Punxsutawney and, currently, is the Punx’y PRIDE corsage coordinator.

Jennifer is “a true representative of the spirit of Punxsutawney.”

Upon receiving her award, Roberts said, “I can’t think of just one person,” she said, “because I’m just so thankful to everyone.”

Scott Anthony, the owner of Fox’s Pizza Den in Punxsutawney, was chosen as the 2012 Punxsutawney Man of the Year.

Working at his pizza business on Groundhog Eve, Anthony was whisked to the banquet by Punx’y borough police so that he could receive his honors.

14 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

Anthony and his wife moved to Punxsutawney in 1987.

In 1994, Fox’s Pizza became available, Anthony purchased it, and it began one of the best philanthropic stories in the town’s history. Anthony supports the American Cancer Society, Punxsutawney Area Community Center, Make-A-Wish, the various sporting groups in the community and countless senior projects through “business card fund-raisers.”

Perhaps Scott’s favorite cause is the Punxsutawney Fire Department. Because of Anthony’s efforts, much-needed lifesaving equipment has been purchased through Fox’s annual Pizza & Prevention Day Fundraiser.

Anthony and his wife Andrea, with their two daughters, are proud to call Punxsutawney their home. The residents of Punxsutawney and the surrounding area feel the same, proud to have the Anthonys as part of their community.

• • •

Concert Association Continued from page 7

the audience will hear the country, rock and roll and easy listening standards impacted by his granddad’s style, and enjoyed by generations of music lovers across the country.

Admission to the concert is by subscription. However, tickets will be available at the door for $20 for those music lovers who would enjoy the nostalgic selections of Floyd Cramer.

For more information on the concert contact S. Thomas Curry at 938-8628. For more information about Jason Coleman, his music and his grandfather Floyd Cramer, visit online at jasoncolemanmusic.com • • •

Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jefferson County Brookville Lanes, Saturday, March 9, 2013 OR

Groundhog Lanes, Saturday, March 16, 2013

To Register for For More Information Visit www.BBBS-JEM.org or Call Toll Free: 1-877-776-1636

You are your child’s first most important teacher

enroll now PArenTS AS TeACherS

• All children prenatal-Kindergarten entry • Free individualized Home Visiting Pre-School program • Participate in activities that include Books, Games, Toys, Craft activities, and other Adventures • Developmental Screenings and Group Socialization • No eligibility requirements • Your children Learn through play and will be well prepared to enter Kindergarten Contact the Parents As Teachers programs at The Guidance Center 602 W. DuBois Ave., Unit 2, DuBois, PA 15801 Phone: 814-371-0613 E-mail: tgcdubois@verizon.net

Check out the National Parents As Teachers website: www.parentsasteachers.org Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 15

34th annual run or Walk for Someone Special

sunday, april 7, 2013

at Sykesville town hall • registration 1:30pm • run/Walk 3pm

Lots oF Fun, Food and prizes

• 2 mile fun run or walk and a 5 mile race • trophies & ribbons • anyone collecting $20 or more will receive a t-shirt.

• Prizes to the top money collectors!

For more info, registration forms... Erin Cameron at (814) 952-0490, Pat mowrey (814) 591-0949, Frank hetrick (814) 590-4274, or Stacy hanzely at (814) 591-6622 or email run_walk@yahoo.com, stacy@jcarc.org, or patmowrey@yahoo.com or visit www.jcarc.org.

We are very excited to announce our major sponsor, robindale energy services, inc.

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Presents

Much Ado About Will

Theatre Arts guild Salutes genius of Shakespeare

e

ver been “in a pickle”? Felt like “a”laughing stock"? Looked like a “sorry sight”?

If you have ever had occasion to use those words---or worse yet have had someone use them about you---you may not realize you are involved with the wit and wisdom of William Shakespeare, who is credited with being the man who added those words to the English language. The most famous playwright in the world, whose works continue to be performed and enjoyed in countless languages in nearly every country of the world, may have died centuries ago, yet his creative genius lives on, not only in films, stage plays, TV productions, and books, but also in the thousands of now familiar words and phrases that he himself coined as he wrote.

Area theater-goers will have an opportunity to enjoy a fast-paced stage production that re-introduces the audience to the matchless words of the Bard of Avon. The Punxsutawney Theatre Arts Guild will present Robert Johanson's “Much Ado About Will,” a celebration of the words of Shakespeare in four performances at 7:30 p.m. March 1 and 2 and March 8 and 9 in the auditorium of the Punxsutawney Area Middle School. Tickets will be sold at the door. The play is produced through special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois.

Under the direction of Guild veteran Kathy S. Dinsmore, the two act play is a blend of comedy and pathos culled from a variety of scenes and soliloquies of many of Shakespeare's plays. The amusing antics of the rustics in “A Midsummer Night's Dream” serve as the bookends for the Guild's show. In between are explorations of such themes as mistaken identity, mur-

der, love, and war. Among the familiar characters who will appear are Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and the Three Witches (as you've never seen them before), Hamlet, Cleopatra, and Richard III. “Much Ado About Will” also includes some of the lesser known characters, such as Joan of Arc and the infant princess Elizabeth.

Utilizing lighting, small platforms, and an assortment of colorful accessories, the cast skillfully moves from one area of the stage to another all the while changing the locale, the characters, and the mood of each scene.

Commenting on the presentation, director Dinsmore said, "This unique play is a fine introduction for those who may not know much about the reasons Shakespeare is considered the greatest writer in our language. It also gives the actors an opportunity to rise to the challenge of mastering the dialogue and creating new and fresh insights into the classic works of theater. We're excited about starting our 38th season with a show that celebrates the wonders and the power of the written word. The themes and the excerpts from many of the plays are like a buffet of comic and dramatic treats for the ears and the heart."

A cast of 12 area performers will assume various roles in the show. Newcomer Hunter Lee Pataski joins Debra Dinsmore, Doug Fye, Ilona Ball, Jef Dinsmore, Jessica Schidlmeier, Lynn Duncan, Morgan Barrett, Seth Evans, Tery A. Fye, Timothy Lee Cooper, and Kathy S. Dinsmore.

Matthew Dinsmore and Terry Studebaker will serve as the technical crew handling lights and sound.

Anyone who desires more information about the production may contact the director at 938-0378.

• • •

(A celebration of the words of Shakespeare)

by robert Johanson

7:30 p.m.

March 1 & 2 and 8 & 9 Punxsutawney Area Middle School Auditorium Tickets at door: Adults $9.00 Seniors $8.00 • Students $5.00 Produced by special arrangement with DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois

16 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

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The Legend of John London’s Big run ‘peepers’ Lives on

By Bill anderson of Hometown magazine ollowing Punxsutawney Phil’s pregnostication that spring is just around the corner, even the most true believing of Phil fans in Punxsutawney know ... the season hasn’t officially sprung until the spring peepers trill in the Big Run swamp.

“That means spring is official,” the late John London, Big Run Frog Man, proclaimed every year over the past 40 years.

“The peepers are always accurate.”

The legend of the Big Run peepers began in 1972, when London took notice of the peep from the peepers for the first time.

There were and still are thousands of them in the swamp, or to be politically correct, the wetlands located behind the Big Run Carpet business.

London charted the date on the back door of his shop and for four decades never missed a “call.” But few in Big Run knew of his records.

The legend of the Big Run peepers all came to light in the spring of 1993, when Bill Graff, a reporter from the Indiana (PA) Gazette was talking to London about several fires in the Big Run area. They got to shooting the breeze about hunting, fishing, and the weather, of course, and London mentioned the peepers.

“In this area, we’re all born with nature in mind,” London said, referring to his conversation with Graff.

Graff saw that a good story was lurking in the swamp.

The Gazette reporter’s tongue-in-cheek tale appeared in the March 17 edition of his newspaper. And it didn’t take long for the media to jump on it. The Associated Press picked up the Big Run frog dispatch and transmitted it nation and worldwide.

Within a day, Big Run was on the map.

According to London’s records, March 20 seems to be the date the peepers are expected to emerge. They have trilled as early as March 2 and as late as April 2.

The frogs — the official ones located in the swamp behind Big Run Carpet — burrow into the mud in the fall, spend the winter in a dormant state, then emerge and start their peeping when spring temperatures are suitable. As weather lore goes and legend dictates, the frogs are in their homes waiting for the ice to melt.

They will not come out until they can see through the glass (ice) three times.

“The first time they come up, it’s a good first starting of spring,” London once explained. “The next two cold spells send the frogs back down. After the third freeze, the frogs emerge and spring is really here.

“The saying is ‘they’ve got to see through glass three times,’” adding the process could take a day or even weeks.

According to London, frog watching had been around for quite a long time.

“I’ve had quite a number of farmers call me and say they have been watching frogs for years,” London acknowledged several years ago.

Longer than you think, John.

F

In fact, just as long as neighboring weather king, Punxsutawney Phil.

In 1886 (the year the local newspaper first acknowledged the Groundhog in Punxsutawney), editor W.O. Smith, who went on to become one of the foremost and original Punx’y groundhog boosters, wrote in the Feb. 17 edition, “A large bull-frog came out of his lair in the swamp adjacent to our residence last Sun-

day and bellowed, ‘Gurr-r-r-roun-hog, gurr-r-r-roun-hog.’ Then the cold-hearted rana, thinking he had ruined the reputation of the wood-chuck forever, dodged back into his hole with a broad grin on his face and a merry twinkle in his eye.”

Had W.O. Smith taken a different path at the crossroads of Jefferson County weather myth, Phil may have been history.

However, during the springtime in Big Run over 125 years later, London’s frogs have taken the lead.

Like a chorus of peepers responding to the first warm night of spring, the citizens of Big Run, riding the wave of that first national media attention, petitioned their borough council to hop on board to proclaim a “National Peeper Week.”

A committee was formed that first year and the town featured a “Peeper Weekend.”

The tradition continues annually in March, allowing everyone in the community to band together, hop along and promote their town, have a good time and pay tribute to each other, and this year, John London, too.

The Big Run Frog Man will be missed.

• • •

The Shortest Distance Between Hospital And Home Is . . .

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Short Term Rehab Therapy Unit The Short Term Rehab Therapy Unit is Christ The King’s latest addition to making the transition from hospital to home as easy and comfortable as possible. Our therapy department features highly trained physical therapists, occupational and speech therapists.

Other amenities include: Private Rooms with Mini-Kitchens and Private Bathrooms Country Kitchen • Separate Dining Facilities • Spa For more information and a tour of our Rehab Therapy facilities call 814-371-3180.

Christ The King Manor 1100 West Long Avenue, DuBois, Pennsylvania 15801

814-371-3180 Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 17

Dr. Bill, Dr. Ben and Staff look forward to the BIg run peeperS & SprIng!

iSe

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18 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

e

By allie Shields of Hometown magazine

ach year, on the second of February, locals and tourists anticipate the seeing of Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow, deciding whether or not there will be six more weeks of winter or if spring is right around the corner. But what many may not know in the surrounding areas of Punxsustawney, that’s not the only way to find out if spring is on its way or not.

For the past 40 years, the late John London, affectionately known as the official “Peeper Watcher,” would walk through the swamps of Big Run, listening for the peep of frogs, indicating as to whether or not spring will be on its way.

London always said that according to the legend, in order to determine if spring is coming, the frogs would have to see through the ice of the swamp three times.

Another way to decipher if spring is coming is to add up all of the days you heard the peeping and divide it by the years John has been doing this, and it just so happens when you do this calculation for 2013, it

equals March 20th, the first day of Spring.

But this year will be a little different, not only will the world be awaiting the peeps of the frogs, but they will also be listening in honor of the frog man himself. John London sadly passed away in November, and in honor of him, his family is going to create a memorial, of course called “Big John’s Frog Pond,” located behind Big Run Carpet. John’s sons are creating a pond with an island in the center, a golf green and a flag, a bench to sit nearby to listen to the frogs, and a rock with a plaque on it, honoring the “Frog Man.” The peeping could happen all through the month of March, and there is even a “Peeper Banquet,” which is a public event where many can come together to celebrate the charting of the peeps they may have heard throughout the month. Although the “Peeper Watcher” won’t be here to partake in his pride and joy, it is up to the community to keep the tradition going and celebrate the life of John London.

It is a tradition worth preserving.

• • •

Bernard P.

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Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 19

The Land of Celtic and Country Collectibles Take the short drive to Thistle & pine

(Editor’s Note: ‘From Our Past,’ researched by S. Thomas Curry, features items of interest from past editions of Punxsutawney and area newspapers.)

February 13, 1895 — It is not generally known that we have a music composer in our midst, but such is the case.

Mr. Carroll McAfee has composed half a dozen banjo solos with accompaniment, but a few weeks ago he completed an anthem which was sung by the Presbyterian choir on February 3 at the morning service. It promises to be a popular piece of music. It has been offered to the Choir Leader magazine, of Ohio, in their contest and it is likely that it will appear in that publication during the early summer.

His banjo music has received great praise from the publishers. (Punxsutawney News) February 15, 1892 — G. G. Reed, station agent at Big Run, is in possession of perhaps the oldest and crudest mechanical impliment (sic) outside of a museum.

It is a stone hammer which archaeologists say was used by man in the Bronze Age to fashion his crude knives and arrows. It is a pear-shaped stone, weighing three or four pounds, which is as hard as flint, and bears evidence of long use. The thumb and finger marks of those who wrought with the tool are plainly visible on its sides. The stone was found by Ed. Kellogg on a flat car. He gave it to Mr. Reed, who made inquiry as to its character with the result stated. (Punxsutawney Spirit)

A

By PriDe for Hometown magazine

short drive down State Route 119 to Thistle & Pine will magically transport you from the hills of Pennsylvania to a land of the Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Celtic traditions. Located at 7570 Rt. 119 Highway North just south of Marion Center, the shop features unique Celtic and country collectibles.

There are items to tantalize your taste buds: bold Irish tea, orange and vanilla flavored Irn-Bru, and fudge richly flavored with the best Scottish whisky.

Aromas of the Irish Sea and the heather on the heath are found in imported cologne and scented candles. Rich, bold colors in the tartans of Ireland, Scotland and Wales are displayed in a variety of wearing apparel, including tams, aprons and real woolen scarves. Items crafted in metal, ceramic and glass, are perfect gifts for special occasions. Fiddles and Bodhran drums may be purchased by

Thistle & Pine has items for special events and gifts — guaranteed to please — for any special occasion.

Beginning her business became a reality after she received her degree in Business Management. Teresa completed a business plan while taking a class on entrepreneurship at Butler County Community College. While there the idea for

Beautiful Celtic designs to catch the light in a window are among the items at Thistle & Pine.

Angels, or Aran Isle designs, on ornaments make unique decorations for the home.

February 17, 1870 — ICE. - During the past week all the ice-houses about town were filled with a supply of beautiful ice; and thus we are prepared to “keep cool” during the hot summer months.

(Punxsutawney Plaindealer) February 24, 1886 — Three wagons of beer were taken to Walston Mines on last Saturday. (Valley News) February 26, 1890 — The J. A. Weber Fire Company, through its purchasing agent, D. S. Altman, Esq., has secured a fine new four wheeled hose carriage. It is a handsome vehicle-one of the best made-costing upwards of five hundred dollars. There is nothing too good for a live, progressive town like Punxsutawney. We are determined to keep abreast of the times or bust a suspender.

(Punxsutawney Spirit) • • •

Teresa Perry creates many of the coun- Tea pots and a selection of Irish and English try items available at Thistle & Pine. teas are among the items at Thistle & Pine.

those desiring to learn the art of Celtic music.

Teresa Perry, the owner and operator of the Thistle & Pine, personally selects the items she imports for the shop. In addition, she creates a number of country items ranging from okra Santa Claus ornaments for the Christmas tree, to red, white and blue slat flags to hang by your front door for patriotic holidays, or just because. She enjoys repurposing items and is currently working on making walking sticks.

Foxburg, near Emlenton. She also participates in the Annual Robert Burns Dinners which are held in honor of the famous Scottish poet. Teresa has organized huge Celtic weekend events at the Thistle & Pine which have been very well

Welsh Heritage is easily disMusical instruments are available at played by wearing the family tartan.

Thistle & Pine also carries Thistle & Pine. If it is a slow day, you just might hear Teresa Perry practic- the colorful plaids of Scottish Clans and Irish Counties. ing her Celtic music lesson.

a Celtic & Country store was realized.

She and her husband relocated to Marion Center in 2000, and in 2006 she decided to put the plan to work. She researched the market and created Thistle & Pine.

According to Teresa, starting a business is a lot of hard work, but very rewarding.

In addition to operating the shop, she has been involved in a variety of events including The Edinboro Highland Games, Ligonier Highland Games, and The Riverstone Scottish Festival in

attended.

Heritage is important to Teresa. Her Celtic roots run deep and influenced her in opening Thistle & Pine.

While growing up, she listened to her father playing bagpipes, as he does today.

Teresa has recently taken up the Celtic style of fiddling. She takes lessons from well known instructor Ed Pearlman via Skype. When you visit Thistle & Pine you might hear her practicing authentic Celtic music.

• • •

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20 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

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Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149 – 21

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22 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

By Bryan Brasher, SHnS for Hometown magazine hether it was the time you had to duck to avoid being blasted by someone who was trying to kill a duck or the time you were pulled from icy waters by your buddies after water poured into your waders, we’ve all had those near-miss moments.

They made us smarter, only because they barely missed making us gone.

Some of the best stories I’ve heard in that department come courtesy of the pro-staff at Avery Outdoors. They’re a Memphis-based company with pro-staffers all over the world, and they’ve been through a little bit of everything.

Take Bartlett resident and longtime Avery employee Bill Cooksey, for example.

He tells a story about hunting once during his college years on the Obion River. The water was up and they had seen lots of ducks flying across the river, so they decided to follow them — even though they knew they’d be at the mercy of the currents if something went wrong with their 9horsepower engine.

Since Cooksey has luck a lot like mine, that’s exactly what happened. The engine died, sending the small aluminum boat and three young hunters drifting swiftly toward a bridge there was no hope they’d make it under. “We had a bow rope, but it was rotten,” Cooksey said.

“We knew that wouldn’t hold us. So I reached down and grabbed one little willow tree to keep us from hitting that bridge and probably dying right there.”

The temperature was in the teens, and every drop of water that hit his gloves was freezing almost instantly. His friend asked him if he thought he could hold the boat until help arrived, but no one knew when that might be.

“This was before the days of cellphones, and it was noon,” Cooksey said. “People wouldn’t even be looking for us until after dark. I didn’t know if we were going to drown or just freeze to death after the boat sank, but I sure thought we might be dead right there.”

Just as the engine had died for little or no reason, it finally cranked up again, allowing the young men to escape one of those grim outcomes.

“That night, I was talking on the phone with my buddy and he told me we would have a fourth hunter joining us the next day,” Cooksey said. “I told him if he was going to have four, he could count me out. My mother said she’d never been so proud of me.”

That may be the only good thing about situations like that — they cause us to develop a little voice inside our heads that says, “Probably not the best idea,” the next time we consider a bad choice.

Avery pro-staffer Mark Brendemuehl doesn’t have to think twice about where his little voice comes from.

Brendemuehl hunts in Minnesota, where they truly have a different definition for the word “cold.” It was that kind of Minnesota cold with a ridiculous wind blowing a few years back when he embarked on a late-season duck hunt with a friend to Lake Artichoke.

W

He knew the hunt was a bad idea, even as he was launching his 14-foot boat. But the call of the hunt was too much to resist.

“We launched the boat in kind of a protected cove, and as soon as we rounded the point, a wave slammed into the boat so hard I thought it was going to sink us right there,” Brendemuehl said. “The water was freezing instantly as it poured over the side, and it was weighing the boat down. I was afraid we might sink.”

Miraculously, the hunters made it to the island and stashed the boat in what they thought was a safe spot. But when they went back to check the boat 30 minutes later, it was under water.

“We were scared to death because we didn’t have anything to bail it out with,” Brendemuehl said. “So we took the motor off and started rocking it back and forth, using our bare hands to get the water out.”

Soaking wet and concerned they might have to spend the night on an island in frigid temperatures, they decided to put the motor back on the boat and take their chances. But the gas line was frozen solid and snapped in half.

“We still just decided to chance it,” Brendemuehl said. “I was thinking, even if we tipped the boat over, we’d swim 50-60 yards to shore and walk back home. If we’d had to stay there overnight, we literally might not have survived.”

Brendemuehl said he learned things from that trip that still serve him well today.

Those kinds of close calls — the ones we can blame partly on ourselves — are a lot different from the near-fatal heart attack that hit Olive Branch hunter Pat Pitt a couple of years ago or the dozens of stories I’ve heard about people nearly being shot by another hunter.

When we brave the elements, sometimes things are just beyond our control — like they were a few years back for New Yorker Brian Rhodes and some fellow hunters.

They had kayaked to a good hunting spot in the Long Island Sound, and they were waiting for the sun to rise when they heard a boat approaching.

“It was a Coast Guard cutter, and they just flew by us,” Rhodes said. “We were hit with four 8-foot waves, and since we were sitting between the rocks, there was no place for the weight of those waves to go.”

They lost one shotgun and several blind bags when one of their two kayaks broke into pieces. Rhodes’ friend suffered multiple broken ribs — and since the lone surviving kayak had floated away, they were left sitting in the middle of the sound with no way back to the mainland.

Luckily, the Coast Guard cutter doubled back.

“The captain of the boat was showing the crew where he lived,” Rhodes said. “They were just out for a joy ride and they almost killed us. When we told the captain, he acted like he didn’t believe it.”

The only lesson they learned was to expect anything — and hope you live to tell the story of your close call.

(Contact Bryan Brasher of The Commercial Appeal in Memphis, Tenn., at brasher@commercialappeal.com.)

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Continued from page 12

farms in the area. This provided opportunities for farmers to sell their produce, dairy and meat to the residents in the community.

The company doctor operated his office upstairs over the post office, located at the

WEEKDAYS 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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24 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

The tipple at Kramer Mine. Photo courtesy of the Henderson Township Municipal Authority, Stump Creek, PA.

foot of the hill near the mine entrance. He treated the miner and his family, and was on call for emergencies at the mine. The post office, when first established in 1884, was named “Clouser.” It closed in 1887.

In 1922, the post office was reopened and named Kramer for George Kramer and Kramer mine. Due to name confusion with a place named Cramer in Cambria County, the name was changed to Stump Creek.

On February 2, 1972, the official geographic name of the town was designated by the United States Board of Geographic Names in Washington D.C. as Stump Creek.

When the houses at Kramer were built, they were equipped with the latest conveniences including electricity. The Rural Electric Initiative had not yet reached the farms in the surrounding area. The farm children, who attended Kramer School, were envious of those youngsters who lived in the town, and who had electricity and could listen to the radio.

The mines needed more workers than those residing in company housing. The surrounding farmers found they could work a shift at the mines and still work on their farms. By working at the mines, the farmer could afford to purchase new farm equipment, a truck or even a car, which improved their standard of living. Miners could live in communities as far away as DuBois, Punxsutawney, and Reynodsville and work at Kramer because of the street railway and, later, their own car.

Although the community was modern, work in the mine was hard and dangerous.

Much of it was pick and shovel work.

Miners had to be on guard for lethal gases, rock falls, fires, floods, accidents, and other dangerous situations.

The worst tragedy at Kramer happened on Easter weekend, March 27, 1937. The mine had closed for the holiday and the only workers on duty were those needed to inspect and reopen the mine for the shift which would come on duty Sunday night.

According to reports at the time, there were four men in the mine working on different levels. Two shot firers had entered the mine and, a few minutes later, when two rock-dusters entered they felt a vibration. A call was placed to alert others that there might be trouble below.

A rescue crew of five men met with the

two rock dusters and headed down the shaft to find the two shot firers. A second party of five was in the cage on the way down the shaft when another explosion took place. The explosion lifted the cage but spared the men. Nine men lost their lives. They were Andrew O’Connor, 52, and William Lewis, 59, of Punxsutawney; William Laird, 43, Big Run; William H. McCracken, 42, and Steve Yasenchak, 29, of Kramer; John McHenry, 49, George Hill, 28, H. Thomas Heberling, 46, and Francis Dixon, 44, of DuBois.

In 1949, ten years before the mine closed, the Northwestern Mining and Exchange Company sold the property on which the town was situated to the Kovalchick Company. The new company collected rents but did not maintain the houses. By 1970, the town had deteriorated to a deplorable state. In 1973, the Institute on Man and Science of Rensselaerville, New York purchased the 110 acres and 96 homes from Mr. Kovalchick. They worked to revitalize the community. A Municipal Authority was created to provide and manage a water and sewage system, making it possible to renovate and upgrade the houses. The homes were offered for sale, first to the residents and then to others. A new community building was built by the Municipal Authority where twice a year the citizens of Henderson Township cast their votes.

The buildings at the mine shaft have been repurposed. Several serve as township buildings. The others were sold and are now used by Gruda Metal Recycling.

Clouser, also known as Kramer, and now officially Stump Creek has a rich mining history. It is a mine patch that has renewed itself as residential community on top of Kramer’s hill.

(Editor’s Note: The resources used in the preparation of this article are available the Punxsutawney Memorial Library, The Punxsutawney Spirit at accesspadr.org, the Reynoldsville Public Library and the Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society. Pictures are as attributed.This article has been prepared by PRIDE – Punxsutawney Revitalization: Investing, Developing, Enhancing. PRIDE is a nonprofit organization which brings together residents, business people, community leaders and civic organizations, to improve the business districts in Punxsutawney. Contributions to support the develop a Coal Memorial and Welcome Center for the Punxsutawney Area may be made to PRIDE, P.O. Box 298, Punxsutawney, PA 15767) •••

hometown Super Winner Micah Kriebel of Punxsutawney was the winner of Hometown magazine’s Super Football contest, which appeared in last month’s edition. Micah, who came closest to the total points scored in the game, will redeem the winning merchandise certificate at Laska’s Pizza.

Many thanks to all participating advertisers and contestants who supported the football contest throughout the year.

•••

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T

he National Restaurant Association has organized the first Pizza Industry Council, it’s 14 members will serve as the primary advocate of the pizza industry.

Scott Anthony, owner of Fox’s Pizza Den in Punxsutawney, was chosen to sit on the steering committee of the first Pizza Industry Council. Anthony will work with top pizza executives around the country who represent the pizza industry.

Others members of the board include industry leaders from Marco’s Pizza, Oregano’s Pizza Bistro, Grimaldi’s Coal Brick oven pizzeria, Pizza Today Magazine, Boston’s Gourmet Pizza, Sbarro’s, Papa Gino’s, Fresh Brothers Pizza, Monical’s Pizza, Connie’s Pizza and Rocky Ro-

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Our initial meeting held at NRA offices in Chicago was very productive.”

The Pizza Industry consists of 70,000 pizzerias, generating nearly $39 billion in revenue. Future undertakings of the council will be to make readily available the operational tools and resources necessary to improve the performance of pizzerias and the quality of life of the operator.

The council’s plan includes supplying educational venues, leadership networking and “chain-like” assets that all pizzeria operations may take advantage of.

• • •

fitness plan

dropping out.

5. Reward yourself: When you reach your personal mini-goals, treat yourself to a little something, maybe a massage or seeing a special movie you have been wanting to see. And give yourself a big hug.

Exercises: High-to-Low crossover Targets core muscles. Begin with a light weight or medicine ball, until you are used to the movement. Standing tall, feet shoulder-width apart, extend arms overhead holding ball or weight; abdominals contracted. Moving hips to the back, lower into squat position while lowering ball to right foot with straight arms, elbows slightly relaxed. Pushing through heels, return to original position. Continue to alternate sides for 10 repetitions per side. the Birddog Strengthens muscles around spine, abdominals and gluteal muscles, and helps to improve balance and stability. Begin in a hand-knee position, abdominals contracted and back parallel to floor, knees under hips and hands under shoulders. Keeping head in a neutral position with eyes looking downward, extend one arm shoulderheight while extending opposite leg hipheight, parallel to floor. Hold a few seconds, then release. Complete 10 repetitions, repeating 10 more reps with opposite arm and leg.

Squat and Balance Strengthens thighs and improves balance.

Holding both arms in front of chest, balance on right leg, lifting left leg several inches from floor. Maintaining a straight back, slowly bend right leg; lower hips slightly to the back and keep knee over ankle. Hold for a count of four. Press into heel to return to standing. pretzel Stretch Stretches hips, gluteals and lower back, and is very relaxing. Lying on back, cross left foot just above bent right knee, clasping hands behind right thigh. Gently bring leg in toward chest while opening left knee to further the stretch. Hold 15 to 20 seconds, repeating on opposite side.

Note: If you are 50 or older and have not been exercising, check with your physician before beginning any exercise program.

(Trainer Sally Anderson is happy to hear from readers but cannot respond to individual queries. She can be reached at slafit@tampabay.rr.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service shns.com) •••

Continued from page 10 You should be sore after every workout: This has never been validated by any scientific research, but persists because of the mistaken macho belief that a workout needs to make you feel really sore to be effective. Workouts need to be challenging and your muscles may be slightly sore when you first start to exercise, but you should not evaluate the success of workouts by how sore you feel after the workout.

MYTH 3 Aerobic workouts will increase metabolism for hours after a workout: This is actually only half a myth. The caloric burn is minimal: 20 extra calories a day.

MYTH 4 Strength Training will bulk up women: Testosterone is a key player when it comes to building muscle size, and women generally do not have enough of it to build large bulky muscles. Men have 20 to 30 times more testosterone than women.

Tips to get started 1. Create a good attitude: Think positive.

Think of exercise time as an opportunity to regain energy you may have lost; give you some time to yourself; reduce stress; gain mental and physical health benefits; lose weight; and firm up.

2. Keep it simple: Long-term goals may act as a good motivating tool, but tend to be a little overwhelming. While you never want to lose sight of your major goal, as you progress, introduce smaller weekly goals; monitoring goals and successes in a journal can be very helpful.

3. Enjoy: Bringing along a friend might help to keep you motivated; you can create your own personal biggest-loser competition. Your choices are many: walking or jogging, gym workouts (many gyms will give a free orientation); have a certified personal trainer set up a home program for you to follow; try a cardio dance class or just a night of fun dancing. Exercise doesn't have to be running until you drop!

4. Mix it up: When you continue to perform the same exercise routine all the time, your body adapts to the exercise and can begin to lose its effectiveness. Challenge your body by varying the routine. Your muscles will thank you for more stimulation, preventing a plateau. And a big plus: You will prevent becoming bored and

26 – Punxsutawney Hometown – March 2013 - Issue #149

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