#140 June 2012

Pioneers of Punx’y Area Coal The Early History of the Drilling Industry

By PRIDE for Hometown magazine

Congratulations 2012 Graduates!

On the cover:

(front row, l. to r.) Karissa Dinger - Jeff Tech; Shauna Wood - Punx’y; Lindsey Reed - Punx’y Christian; (back row) Daniel Weimer - Dubois Catholic; Luke Spack - Punx’y; Taylr Jacobson - DuBois Christian

Photo by Courtney Katherine Photography

‘Punxsutawney Hometown’ magazine © Copyright 2012 — All Rights Reserved.

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Publishers William C. Anderson, Mary L. Roberts Advertising Mary L. Roberts Tracey Young Contributing Writers S. Thomas Curry Shirley Sharp Bill Anderson Art Director Melissa Salsgiver Graphic Artists Melissa Salsgiver Carol Smouse Nicole McGee

A.

Pomeroy’s 1866 map of Jefferson County identifies outcroppings of coal and coal banks.

These coal banks were easily recognized as outcroppings of coal at the surface or along streams. Geologists of that era determined the extent of the coal by visibly inspecting coal banks, mines and cuttings along roads, or by streams to determine the various rock layers and potential for productive coal mining.

The Report of Progress in the Clearfield and Jefferson District of the Bituminous Coal-Fields of Western Pennsylvania from The Second Geological Survey of Pennsylvania in 1874, by Franklin Platt, was the first comprehensive assessment of coal resources the Punxsutawney area. The report prepared from observations, estimated the measure of coal in Jefferson and Clearfield County. An example of this measure is the Diamond Colliery, which was in operation near Reynoldsville. The geologists prepared a report that showed the observed strata in the mine as shown in

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well drillers. They purchased a singlebeam, steam-driven Keystone Portable Drilling Machine, developed and sold by R.M. Downie of Beaver Falls, for use in drilling water wells.

An advertisement in The American - Continued on page 4

County Market this chart. From his report, mining engineers and geologists estimated the value of the coalfield.

The demand for better information for investors and for mine management generated a new technical specialty, core drilling, which would eventually become an industry unto itself.

Philip H. Hoffman, son of German immigrants, was born1844 in Perry Town-

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ship, Jefferson County near where Horatio once stood. He moved with his parents to the area of Trade City where he engaged in farming, conducted a hotel, and became a dealer in farm implements. In 1889, he — in partnership with W.W. Holben and J.A. Croasman — formed a company of

FezeLL’s

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Mary Roberts ................................(814) 938-0312 Bill Anderson ................................(814) 472-4110 Tracey Young ................................(814) 938-9084 Our Office......................................(814) 938-9141 Our Fax..........................................(814) 938-9507 hometown@mail.com Our business mailing address: P.O. Box 197, Punxsutawney, PA 15767 With our office located in: Railroad Building, Suite 100 North Penn St., Punxsutawney, PA 15767 Yearly Subscriptions: $36 — First Class Mail

The Hoffman Brothers’ drilling contractor’s crew, which tested for coal deposits in the Broad Top, Kearney area of Bedford County, between 1910 and 1915, include (front), Charles L. Hauck; Back Row, second from right, George W. Barnett. (Photo courtesy of Rhoda Tandy, Winchester, VA.)

• 938-3100

2 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

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• Rewarding Dirty Work Available: The Punxsutawney Garden Club will meet 7 p.m., June 5, at the home of Judy Hampton at 101 Union Street. The Garden Club currently maintains nine beautification projects within the borough.

The club regularly meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month from March through November and is open to people all ages. The committees do the ‘dirty’ - Continued on page 8

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ide Street Stage 2012 was held on May 19. It brought the art of dance to various locations in our community, promoting local businesses. It served as a fundraiser for SPLASH (the group that raises funds for the community swimming pool). Performances were conducted by VanDyke & Co. and the Mahoning Valley Ballet.

• Free Fitness Classes for those persons 60 years of age and older are held from 1 to 2 p.m. every Wednesday at the Mahoning Hills Social Center, 19298 Route 119 Highway North near Punxsutawney. For information call the center at 724-286-3099.

• Rummage Sales — The Salvation Army holds rummage sales from 9 a.m. to noon every Friday, featuring good clothes and household items. These sales are a fund-raiser for Salvation Army programs and services.

• The 4th Annual Punx’y Phil Fighters 5K Run / 1 Mile Walk - "Fighting to cure Diabetes" will be held Saturday, June 2 at the Punx’y Rails to Trails behind Lever Street. Registration starts at 10 a.m.. Race to begin at 11. $10 walker entry fee and $15 runner entry fee if preregistered. All proceeds benefit the American Diabetes Association. For more information please contact Kelly at kellyferrent@yahoo.com.

• Chamber Mixer for Chamber member businesses and the business community will be held from 4 to 6 p.m.

Thursday, June 14 at the new location of PA CareerLink-Jefferson County at 103 East Union St. Attendees will enjoy refreshments, networking, and a chance to win a $50 Punxsutawney Gift Check.

• Books, etc., wanted: Friends of the Library are collecting for their annual Used Book Sale. Books, puzzles, and audio and video tapes may be dropped off at the Coach Room of the Pantall Hotel during the month of June. This sale benefits the Punxsutawney Memorial Library. Monies earned through the Used Book Sale has provided the new floor covering in the library, the upgrades to the children’s library and additions to the young adult section. The book sale will take place during Groundhog Festival

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Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140 – 3

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Men who made diamond core drilling big businesses in the Punxsutawney Area, include, (l. to r.)

Hans Olson, Orvis Hoffman, Leon Hoffman. (Photographs from McKnight’s 1919 History of Jefferson County.)

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Thresherman promoted the drilling of wells with the Keystone Driller, stating: “There is more money in a Keystone Drilling outfit than in a Threshing Machine and you work all the year round instead of three months out of twelve.” A progressive thinking man, Hoffman soon sold his interest in the company and purchased a Keystone double-beam drilling machine, which he operated until the mid 1890s.

The availability of portable drilling machines and the development of diamond core bits rapidly changed the way coal measures were taken. Diamond core bits were metal rings in which cutting diamonds were set, enabling the drill to cut through rock, producing a core sample of the ground layers through which it passed.

With these cores, geologists had a clearer picture of the strata of rock and coal underlying the land, and could make better decisions on where mines would be developed. Geologists and mining engineers could prepare firmer estimates of the extent and value of the underlying coal. This

The rocks on the front of the bit are the cutting diamonds, and the hollow core is where the rock layers are pushed through and drawn out of the ground for geologists to analyze.

significantly reduced the risk for investors. Mining companies immediately moved to using core-drilling machines.

Hans Olson, who was born in Norway in 1858, came to the United States in 1880 and found work with the Berwind-White Coal Company at Houtzdale. His job was driving rock tunnels in the mines and cutting coal. Within a few years he was advanced to mine foreman at the company’s Anita mine. In 1887, he contracted to open the new Berwind-White mine at Horatio.

On April 27, 1887, the Punxsutawney News reported: “A drove of mules was taken through town last Monday on their way to the Fisher mines below Clayville.

Work has now begun in earnest and by the time the railroad is built coal will be ready to ship.”

Eight months later, on February 1, 1888, the News published an update on the status of the mine. “The workmen employed in the slope at Horatio Mines came upon a vein of coal one day last week which measured six feet. Work was begun on the slope about eight months ago, but no coal had been discovered until last week.” This drift mine located at Polecat Run had a seam of coal nine-feet thick.

Olson’s success in opening the Polecat Run mine earned him the opportunity to work with the mine’s chief engineer as the supervisor of diamond-drill testing on the company’s coal lands early in the 1890’s.

After spending eighteen months on this job, he left to join with William E. Pifer of DuBois, son-in-law of Thomas Pogue North, to form the Pifer & Olson Drilling Company.

Four years later he purchased Pifer’s shares and operated the company alone until he took in another partner, Charles Tindall Hauck. Hauck was a grandson of Nathaniel Tindall, who was one of the first settlers in the Punxsutawney area. Mr. Hauck, who was born in 1851, had purchased an interest in one of the drilling machines and became one of the bestknown drillers in the area. Hauck later sold his interest in the company to a Mr. Alebrand, who in turn sold it to John A. Fisher, son of Horatio Gates Fisher, mine developer for Berwind-White and the man for whom Horatio was named. In 1907, when their business was incorporated under the name Punxsutawney Drilling & Contracting Company, Mr. Olson became the president, and Mr. Fisher the secretarytreasurer. The company’s offices were located in the Weber Building (now Fairlady & Company). They rapidly expanded their business throughout Pennsylvania and the other states in the bituminous region.

- Continued on page 10

4 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

Following the end of World War I in 1918, Punx’y veterans of the war organized the American Legion Post No. 62, and purchased land near Circle Hill Cemetery for the location of a memorial burial plot for area soldiers who gave their lives in service. (circa 1925 post card)

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emorial Day, originally called Decoration Day since 1868 after the Civil War, is observed as a national holiday on the last Monday of May. The National Holiday Act of 1971 designated it as one of many three-day weekends.

With that, its meaning and tradition to pause to honor and remember those who died serving the nation during war and national conflicts has been put aside by many Americans in order to pursue other activities.

As in other communities and villages across the country, the tradition of Memorial Day has continued in the Punxsutawney area because of the devotion of many veterans from past wars who gather and call us to come together for a moment of respect for those who served in the armed forces, and who lost their lives in defending and guaranteeing our freedoms.

There is one site in the Punx’y area that symbolizes the unselfish and honorable effort of veterans, and remembers fallen patriots. That small place is the American Legion Memorial Plot. It is off Route 36 South, down Fairview Road.

Historically, when it was first developed for burials of fallen soldiers from the Punxsutawney area, it was always identified as “adjacent” to Circle Hill Cemetery. Over time and the expansion of the burial grounds, visitors would more likely describe it as “at Circle Hill Cemetery.” But, the land is private land purchased by the local American Legion Post after World War I, then called the Great War. The place known as Circle Hill Cemetery was established at the peak of the Victorian era in the late 1800s by John A. Knarr on a hillside in Fairview, as a “garden-like” cemetery. Knarr moved to Punxsutawney in 1881 and operated a cider mill in the East End section of town. He purchased land over his lifetime.

Knarr made a trip to Indiana, Pa. to visit its new Oakland Cemetery outside of town.

Shortly after, in January 1890, Knarr’s first drawings for his new cemetery were displayed to show “streets and avenues,” running north and south, east and west, with the streets named after trees, and the avenues after shrubs. Where there were rose bushes

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the Pool guys With Memorial Day set aside to pause and remember those who died in our nation’s service, the American Legion Memorial Plot at Circle Hill Cemetery has local significance. It is described as one of the finest veterans’ burial locations in Pennsylvania. (photo by S. Thomas Curry)

you would have Rose Avenue.

Early in January 1890, wooded land on four acres on the knoll above and south of the P & NW Railroad [the Mahoning Shadow Trail to Cloe] was cleared, trees felled, stumps blasted and the land graded. A board fence was placed around it.

As progress was made, the public was invited to view the plans for his cemetery, which was to be named the Longview Cemetery. From that spot visitors would have a vast, lengthy view towards the fastgrowing Punxsutawney, seeing its East End and Jenks Hill sections and the Graffius Addition [the Elk Run section], and the valley between Punxsutawney and Bells Mills.

Knarr’s effort was to develop a new concept in “graveyards,” toward experiencing grief in a beautiful park-like setting. It was promoted by local citizens during a time - Continued on page 6

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Over the years, the American Legion Memorial Plot was expanded and changed to feature a design created by the late Matt R. Tibby, a World War I veteran. The new plan with a six foot granite cross with walkways and curbing was dedicated in 1938 (black & white photo above). Other expansions occurred after World War II. (Color photo by S. Thomas Curry)

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6 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

The Circle Hill Continued from page 5 when sentiment in the borough was that no more burying should be done in the town, and graves in the “old cemetery” [North Findley St. Cemetery] and church cemeteries could be moved to Knarr’s new one.

His plan was to arrange plots in a circle on the top of the hill, and in a short time, a well would be drilled at the highest point, in full view of the town and travelers. In the summer of 1890, the townsfolk were calling the new majestic, landscaped lawn of burial places the Circle Hill Cemetery. By the summer of 1891, Knarr had purchased an additional seven acres to develop new sections.

Historical records of Punxsutawney’s American Legion post make note of the first burials of bodies from World War I. The Legion owned a small piece of land adjacent to Circle Hill Cemetery. It was located to the right of the lane that entered from Greenwood Avenue and up a steep hill. There were only a few burials at the time, but each was conducted with a gun salute by a “buddy veteran,” who remembered the fallen soldier.

Following the nationwide victory celebrations on Armistice Day, November 1918, veterans who survived the Great War and returned home came together in 1919 to form the American Legion. In Punxsutawney the groundwork for a Legion post was set in May 1919. A minimum membership of 15 was sought. With a goal of ”Five hundred or bust,” membership drives would follow to invite men from Punxsutawney and nearby towns to join. With over 200 veterans of that recent war having marched in the Memorial Day parade in May 1919, prospects for reaching the goal were promising.

Those eligible to join the post were men who served in the U. S. military or naval services during the period of April 6, 1917 and November 11, 1918. They had to be, of

course, U. S. citizens. But, conscientious objectors and those dishonorably discharged were refused membership.

A temporary charter was issued to allow an election of officers. The charter would be in effect until a permanent one was issued after Armistice Day of 1919. First identified as Post 62, a name would be sought for the unit.

Knowing that a name for the post could not be after a living veteran, suggestions for a name were sought from the public. In July 1919, Post No. 62 was identified as the “John Jacob Fisher Post,” by the vote of the 30 members attending a post meeting. Young Fisher was among the first volunteers of Punxsutawney to enter the Great War. A 28year-old aviator, Fisher was taking a bombing plane from Paris to near the war front and crashed to the ground in a heavy fog in October 1918. He was instantly killed. Lt. Fisher is buried in a family plot in the Circle Hill Cemetery, 100 yards beyond the Legion’s Memorial Plot.

The Legion plot was a conveniently located spot at “Circle Hill.” The land was yet wooded, rugged, and, too, had to be cleared and prepared for a burial site. Recalling his past, one old-timer had commented to the writer, “I helped clear that military burial plot. It was hard work digging up those roots and cutting down the brush. But what a thing of beauty it is now (1990). My boyhood friends [a lot of them] are in that plot.”

As a result of numerous fundraisers, improvements were gradually made. At the end of 1922, curbing enclosed the land, and shrubbery and trees were planted. By then there were 10 graves, each marked with a white cross. Flags were kept at all times on the graves. As the veterans struggled to gain in membership and find a meeting place for the post, burials continued.

The years of the early 1920s would introduce to Punxsutawney young Matthew Renwick Tibby. Tibby and his wife moved to - Continued on page 10

73rd Annual SS.C.d. lawn Festival Fri. - Sat. - Sun. - aug. 3,4,5

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David Renne joins his parents, Jennifer and Peter. (Photo by Jennifer Roberts)

Punx’y’s David renne ‘Seminarian ordained to diaconate’ “Today, David receives new sacramental life from the church,” Bishop Trautman said during the ordination Mass. “The ennifer Renne beamed at the boyhood church receives new sacramental life, as memory of her son, David, with aspiwell. Today is a day of thanksgiving and a rations of the priesthood. day of rejoicing.”

“He always The congregation wanted to be a included approxipriest,” Jennifer mately 300 people, Renne said. “He alincluding family ways used to say, members and ‘These are the kinds friends from Ss. of songs I’m going Cosmas and to sing at my church.

Damian and St. When I get my Vincent, as well as church, I’m going to Queen of the do this.’ ” World Parish in St. David Renne took Marys, where another step closer Renne has been astoward the priestsigned. hood April 28.

Renne was in“It’s an exciting vested with a deaday for our family,” con’s stole and Jennifer Renne said. dalmatic by Father David Renne, a John-Mary Tompseminarian for the kins, OSB, vice Diocese of Erie, was rector of St. Vinordained to the diacent Seminary. As conate by Bishop a deacon, Renne is Donald Trautman at authorized to St. Mark Seminary's preach the Gospel, chapel in Erie. baptize, assist in Renne, who is a naEucharistic liturtive of Ss. Cosmas Bishop Donald Trautman of the Diocese of Erie prays gies, officiate at and Damian Parish over David Renne during the ceremony in which he weddings and fuin Punxsutawney, is was ordained a deacon. (Photo by Jason Koshinskie) nerals, and bring a third-year theology the Eucharist to the dying. student studying for the priesthood at St. “We are certainly proud of our native Vincent Seminary in Latrobe. He is the son son, Rev. Mr. David Renne. David has of Peter and Jennifer Renne of Punxalway been devoted to his faith and now sutawney. has chosen a life of service in the church Being ordained to the diaconate moves among its priests. We thank him for his Deacon Renne another step closer to priestgenerosity,” commented Monsignor Joseph hood. He is scheduled to be ordained a Riccardo of Punx’y’s Ss.C.D. church. priest in 2013.

•••

J

By Jason Koshinskie FaithLife editor

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Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140 – 7

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8 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

Route 36 Punxsutawney

Bridge Club - One of the local Punx’y bridge clubs recently enjoyed a fun afternoon in Laska's Pizza meeting room. Participating in the card party are (l. to r.) Karen Smouse, Elsie Gigliotti, Roxie Miles, Dolly Guzzo, Arlene Lowmaster, Lynn Chambers, Peg Swarm, and Jean Roberts. (Hometown magazine photo.)

Around Town Continued from page 2

but very rewarding work with plants and soil. Upcoming events include the annual plant sale during Groundhog Festival week and their bi-annual Garden Tour.

Now is a good time to become a member of the Garden Club, and be part of the team that keeps Punxsutawney beautiful. For more information call Gloria Kerr at 814-427-2951 or e-mail: drgker@gmail.com • The IUP Baseball Summer Camp, June 18 - 21 (rain day June 22), is for all players ages 7 - 15 and provides an opportunity to receive instruction from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania coaching staff and current players. For camp registration, information, questions and directions to IUP's South Campus, visit www.iup.edu/camps.

• Fun and Games: The 9th Annual Community Classic Golf Tournament will take place at the Punxsutawney Country Club on Thursday, June 21. The event benefits the Chamber of Commerce, the Community Center, Make A Wish, and the Weather Discovery Center.

To sign up for an event or for more information call 938-7700, Extension #2 or e-mail chamber @punxsutawney.com • Relocation of Rumors Tavern: The orginal Rumors Tavern building, for-

Boy Scouts from Troop 245 of the Woodland Avenue Methodist Church recently participated in the cleanup of Mahoning Trail. Working on the trail are (l. to r.) Scott Jordt, James Carrier and Danny Stambaugh. The scouts had about 20 volunteers, despite the cold weather, aiding in the cleanup, clearing much of the wooden debris, including sticks, branches and logs from the 5-mile trail along the Sewage Treatment Plant to below Rose Run. (Submitted photo.)

merly Murdocks Restaurant, and located at 901 West Mahoning St. will be razed as part of the Saw mill Run Bridge replacement project, as the building is attached to the orginal bridge. A new Rumors Tavern will be constructed further back on the lot it currently occupies.

• Punxsutawney.com is maintained by - Continued on page 12

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10 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

Pioneers of Punx’y

The Circle Hill

Continued from page 4

Continued from page 6

Meanwhile, Philip Hoffman’s son, Orvis, took over his father’s well drilling business in 1896 and expanded it to include diamond core drilling for mining interests.

In 1909, his brother, Leon, joined the business, which they conducted from their first office in the Eberhart Building (now the Fairman Center). Through the years their company expanded and they worked from a number of offices located in Punxsutawney. They operated as Hoffman Brother’s Drilling Contractors until 1925 when they incorporated as Hoffman Brothers Drilling Company.

In 1933, they purchased Olson’s Punxsutawney Drilling & Contracting Company, and acquired that company’s property and machine shop located on Tiona Street. They leased the machine shop, known as Jefferson Machine Company, to Thomas, William and John Gaffney. They also contracted with W.E. Porter of the Star Iron Works, a pioneer machinist, to produce, adapt, and repair diamond core drilling equipment for the Hoffman Brothers Drilling Company.

Charles T. Hauck’s son, Charles Leland Hauck, carried on his family’s tradition, working in the drilling industry and spending thirty-five years with Hoffman Brothers Drilling Company, which later became Hoffman Diamond Products, Inc. These drillers and the men who worked for them significantly contributed to the success of the coal industry in the Punxsutawney Area. They are among those who will be recognized in the Punxsutawney Area Coal Memorial.

(Editor’s Note: The resources used in the preparation of this article are available the Punxsutawney Memorial Library and the Punxsutawney Area Historical and Genealogical Society. Photographs 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. PRIDE is working to develop a Coal Memorial and Welcome Center for the Punxsutawney Area. Comments on this article may be directed to PRIDE, P.O. Box 298, Punxsutawney, PA 15767, or by calling 814-938-2493 and leaving a message. A PRIDE volunteer will return your call.)

•••

Punx’y in 1923 from Sharpsburg, shortly after his father W. C. Tibby took over a glass plant located in the valley of the Elk Run area, the Tibby-Brawner Bottle Glass Company.

M. Renwick Tibby [Matt Tibby, as Punxsutawney people knew him by name] was a volunteer soldier in World War I. He served 22 months overseas in England and France and was discharged in May 1919.

Arriving in town, M. R. Tibby transferred his Legion membership to Post No. 62, and took an active part in the organization.

In February 1924, the John Jacob Fisher Post No. 62 of the American Legion had purchased some additional ground in Fairview from landowner and neighbor Samuel Steffy.

They sought to expand their Memorial Plot to 100-by-100 feet. They announced that their special burial place would be changed.

They were going to “fix it up” and add a memorial monument in the center.

Matt Tibby chaired the committee to add a monument and to landscape the “pretty, little burial place” people had come to know and spoke about proudly.

As a tribute to fallen comrades in the Great War, Matt Tibby would design the large cross-monument that would be centered in the expanded plot. The plot would have cement walks leading to the cross and grave headstones. It was the desire of the committee to lift the bodies and rearrange them in the image of sunrays from the central memorial cross.

His design, which featured the 900 lb. granite cross, standing six feet tall on its base, was copyrighted so that his memorial plan could not be used without the permission of the local American Legion post. The name of Matthew R. Tibby is inscribed on the base of the cross. It took several years before the committee would see the completion of the magnificent design offered by Mr. Tibby. A service of dedication was held in November 1938.

With an expansion of the plan after World War II a second cross was added. [Note: The Great War of 1914-1918 was not called World War I until 1938 when another World War would take place.] A third section of land was added later for any burials in future wars.

Through many years of improvements, the Punxsutawney American Legion’s Circle Hill burial plot would soon be described as one of the finest veterans’ burial locations in Western Pennsylvania, comparable to those found in national parks.

Mr. Tibby, the World War I veteran, gentlemen and statesman who lived among us until the age of 106, died in 2001. We remember him and many others of those “old guys” who have stood silently on many Memorial Days as the American flag was displayed or carried. As veterans do, we should be remembering and appreciating our men and women who defended our freedoms and who lost lives in their service to our country.

It is easy to recite the phrase “died in our nation’s service.” But, in our small towns, we are speaking of friends and neighbors, fellow workers, and community leaders. The tradition of Memorial Day is to pause with a heart of honor, and a mind of memory for those who have courageously faced the dangers of battle and made the ultimate sacrifice in war.

We must speak for those who are gone.

•••

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

May 21, 1902 — Beer came down with a startling crash on Mahoning street Saturday morning and the amber fluid flowed freely, to the disgust and disappointment of a thirsty crowd that quickly surrounded the wreckage. A case fell out of a beer wagon and the bottles were smashed, and it was due to the prompt and vigorous action of the driver that prevented the horse from running off and scattering beer from one end of the street to the other. (Punxsutawney News) May 22, 1907 — Desire had a disastrous fire Tuesday at about eleven o’clock a.m., which destroyed four barns and came near destroying the Hotel Wayne barn. Had the latter building burned nothing could have saved the hotel and W. I. Reed’s general store adjoining it. The four barns were filled with the usual implements and vehicles, besides the usual quota of livestock.

The citizens of Desire made a gallant bucket brigade fight to prevent a spread of the fire. (Punxsutawney Spirit) May 26, 1886 — We were shown the other day a beautiful set of teeth made by Dr. Morrison, for a lady in Walston, which are quite natural looking for artificial teeth.

Morrison evidently understands his business thoroughly. (Valley News)

May 25, 1871 —The public square is now the general subject of discussion. And we would be pleased to see it beautified and enclosed, a fountain in the midst where pure wild cat would sparkle in the sun; ancient trees under whose cool and refreshing shade the tired and fatigued laborer on the street corner, or the wearied presser of brick could stretch their gin-scented mouths the curling smoke of a fragrant toby.

But as many things are to be attended to that are more necessary to the well being of the town, we suppose that the square will remain desolate for the accommodation of shows and pasture for geese, cattle and hogs. We prefer the use of it for the former, as it is far more beneficial to our borough. (Punxsutawney Plaindealer) May 26, 1870 — RAFTING. - The Mahoning was raised to a rafting flood by rains during the forepart of the week, and our lumbering population was on the move simultaneously. A vast amount of lumber was started out, much of which would doubtless reach the market; although we understand there was considerable “sticking and stoving” below. f no ill luck is encountered, our lumbermen should bring back a large sum of money, as the late product of their labor. We hope such will be the result, at least. (Punxsutawney Plaindealer) •••

Help Wanted: Reporter/Editor Hometown Publications has an opening for a reporter/editor to cover local events/stories.

Duties include writing, photography, pagination and working with local and area businesses and professionals.

Applicants must possess excellent writing and pagination skills.

Please send resume to: Hometown Publications P.O. Box 197, Punxsutawney, PA 15767 or hometown@mail.com

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73-year-old fezell Sets racing record

T

he driver in the 2008 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet — going 153 m.p.h. during the Stock Eliminator qualifying rounds at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 13 — turned some heads.

DuBois’ Don Fezell recorded the first ever eight-second pass in the history of Stock Eliminator driving. With his recorded time of 8.954 seconds, he beat the record time of 9.99 set in 2001 by Bobby DeArmond.

Around Town Continued from page 8 Msgr. Charles Kaza, who celebrated his 40th year in the Priesthood May 6, 2012, is a well-weathered veteran, and his 40 years is a testament to his dedication and commitment to service in the Roman Catholic Church.

Msgr. is a native of Punxsutawney and resides at St. Tobias Church in Brockway.

It is an impressive record. More impressive, however, is that Don Fezell is 73 years old, works fulltime in the family’s grocery business, and spends his free time tinkering with cars and racing.

Don’s son, Tim Fezell, operates the Punxsutawney store of the family’s locallyowned grocery chain.

Hometown magazine salutes Don Fezell for making racing history.

•••

the Chamber of Commerce for the community. Any area business or organization is invited to become a member of the Chamber of Commerce for as little as $75 for the year. For more information, visit Punxsutawney.com/chamber or call 938-7700. To submit an event for the calendar, visit Punxsutawney.com/calendar and fill out the form.

Do you have a community event or news item you would like to include in Hometown magazine? Submit to hometown@punxsutawneymagazine.com.

•••

PunxSutawney area MuSeuM Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.

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12 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

938-2555 Bennis House 401 W. Mahoning St. 1-4 p.m. Thurs. - Sun.

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By S. Thomas Curry of Hometown magazine

ollowing the successful, highly attended performance of the popular Four Aces in April, the Punxsutawney Concert Associations initiated its Phase I period for new subscriptions and renewals for its contracted 2012-2013 season. Phase I is the “Early Bird” special offer to area residents who support the line-up of live stage performances with a reduced annual adult membership.

The Early Bird special continues through June 1. An individual adult membership is normally $45, but is available during this time for $40. The association offers free admission for students when accompanied by an adult concert member.

The 2012-2013 season, provided in a large part by many supporters as patrons, donors and benefactors, will feature three concerts through the fall and winter months.

The new season’s schedule begins in September with the appearance of Victoria Banks. A native of Canada, and a singer and songwriter, she has achieved the honor of 2010 Female Artist of the Year, and Songwriter of the year by the Canadian Country Music Association.

She had appeared on Canada’s TV networks beVictoria Banks fore moving to Nashville. Playing acoustical guitar, she has toured with Reba McEntire, Randy Travis and Johnny Reid. As a songwriter, she has written hits for Reid, Jessica Simpson and Doc Walker.

In late February 2013, the series continues with “The Legacy of Floyd Cramer,” and features the performance of Jason Coleman at the piano. Jason highlights the songs of his grandfather Floyd Cramer, as well as his own songs in a program of c o u n t r y, pop and easy listening standards. In his late 20s, he has played the piano since he Jason Coleman was a toddler appearing on TV with his grandfather.

He brings new life to his grandfather’s familiar music.

Coleman’s skillful performance at the piano will be shared with students at the Punxsutawney Area High School through a special outreach arrangement with the artist.

“The faithful and generous subscription

support of many adults and businesses each year allows us to share one of our concert performances with the student body,” said S. Thomas Curry, association president.

“Enriching young lives will always be a part of our mission as long as money is available through the subscriptions,” Curry added.

The 2012-13 season will conclude in March with the appearance of the sevenmember Side Street Strutters Jazz Band.

With a repertoire of their own arrangements, some novelty ones, too, the group will bring to the stage colorful costumes, tap dancing, and 26 years of melodies popular-

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“For many years the support by subscribers at various levels has allowed the association to book a wider variety of performances, even in the midst of a depressed economy and some increasing costs for the association,” commented Bessie Depp, subscriptions chairman about the arrangements.

“The entertaining show of The Side Street Strutters will be presented in the manner of the final concerts that have taken place in our past seasons, when there was the Nearly Neil concert as a tribute to the music of Neil Diamond, and the John Davidson Show in 2011, and recently the voices of The Four Aces. It will be a high-powered, entertaining night equal to those performances at larger concert venues in metropolitan areas,” shared Curry about the concert seasons of talented individuals and groups of wide appeal.

The “Early Bird Special” ends on June 1, but adult memberships continue after that at $5 more. The financial support in other categories did not change and remains open until the first concert in September. For added value, a membership subscription in Punxsutawney will permit members to attend concerts in DuBois and Lewistown at no additional charge.

For more information and a brochure about the concert selections and the subscription levels contact Bessie Depp, subscription chairperson, at 938-5333, S. Thomas Curry, association president, at 938-8628, or stop at Trailhead Gallery in downtown Punxsutawney.

Arts offerings are an integral part of any town and develop community pride as they become established through the financial support of citizens and organizations.

•••

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By Ron Cook Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ormer Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dave Giusti doesn’t bother knocking. His friendship with longtime teammate and Upper St. Clair, Minn., neighbor since 1972, Steve Blass, is well beyond that.

Giusti blows into the Blass house, accepts a beer, plops down on the back patio and commences swapping stories. These guys are so entertaining they should write a book.

One did, actually.

Blass’ “A Pirate For Life” has hit the bookstores.

Reading it is almost as much fun as sitting with the fellas on a gorgeous spring afternoon.

“I thought I had a story worth telling,” Blass said. “You can go through something bad career-wise and it doesn’t have to destroy you. Work is what you do, it’s not who you are.”

Few athletes hit the heights that Blass did.

He was a World Series hero for the Pirates in 1971, pitching two complete-game wins against the Baltimore Orioles, including the Game 7 clincher. No less than home-run king Hank Aaron told him he had the best slider in the National League.

On the flip side, few athletes crashed and burned the way Blass did. In ‘72, he was an all-star, finished second in the Cy Young voting and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In ‘73, he couldn’t throw a strike. In ‘74, he was back in the minors. After briefly trying again in spring training in ‘75, he was out of baseball at 32.

Before the book, Blass never truly revealed his torment to anyone, not even to his family. He always laughed when people talked of other players with control problems having “Steve Blass Disease.” But he was crying inside. “Many nights, I would sit in this backyard by myself until 3 or 4 in the morning and keep asking, ‘Why is this occurring?’ I never had a sore arm. I thought I was going to pitch forever. I just wanted to know why this was happening to me.”

Blass never did get his answer or find a solution. Certainly, he tried everything, meeting with a hypnotist and a psychologist, practicing transcendental meditation, even switching to loose underwear because a hunter wrote to him that tight underwear threw his aim off.

“I was embarrassed and humiliated,” Blass

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14 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

It’s all about Punxsutawney Hometown yOu!

wrote in the book’s first chapter. “I was thinking about getting rid of my bathroom mirror because I didn’t like what I saw ... I think people felt sorry for me, and that bothered me.”

Don’t get the wrong idea. Blass’ book is hardly a downer even though he writes extensively about his emotions during his fall.

“After the first chapter, the rest is a fairy tale,” he said. “I lived my dream.”

Blass is a fabulous storyteller, as anyone who has heard him as a much-in-demand public speaker knows. There’s the requisite bawdy clubhouse humor involving former teammates. There are great memories of Pirates Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente — Blass delivered the eulogy at his memorial service — and Bill Mazeroski, who offered Blass the best advice any player can offer another about being a pro and not making excuses. “People want to know why you did, not why you didn’t.”

But Blass shared more than just his admirable humor in the book. He wrote of sending his son, David, away at 15 to live with relatives after the boy kept fighting kids who said his dad was a bum. “Funny, those same kids were asking him for my autograph the year before,” Blass said. He wrote of his struggles with drinking and gambling after he left baseball. He wrote of his wife, Karen, leaving him for 10 months in 1987. He wrote of crashing his car into a tree not long after and being arrested for DUI. “What good is a book if you aren’t going to be honest?” Blass asked. “Maybe people are wondering: ‘What is this guy really like?’ “ The short answer: Blass is human.

Readers likely will forgive Blass for his warts. He has been a popular member of the Pirates broadcast team for 27 years. It hasn’t always been easy. But Blass said he has loved every minute.

“The Pirates gave me a chance when I was 18 years old. They will have my loyalty forever.”

Blass turned 70 April 18. He said he doesn’t have many goals left. He wants to spend more time with his family, including a new great-grandson. He also wants to keep broadcasting after his contract is up after the 2013 season.

“Those two years (of his fall) didn’t take away my love of the game,” Blass said.

Blass does have one other goal, even if he knows it’s unachievable. He wants to be liked by everyone. “It’s almost an obsession of mine to try to make people laugh or smile,” he wrote in the book.

Blass grinned when he was reminded of that passage.

“I don’t apologize for it or think of it as a negative,” he said. “I’m a pretty happy boy.”

(Contact Ron Cook at rcook(at)postgazette.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)

•••

T

‘residents beware’

hose are the words issued by Punx’y Borough Police Chief Tom Fedigan recently, as a spate of thefts has occurred in the Punxsuawney area.

The police cannot be everywhere, so it is important for citizens to take smart actions to protect themselves from being victims.

Here are seven simple ways not to hang out the welcome sign for would be burglars and scam artists: First, use locks. Lock your car and your house. A lock is not the most secure device, however, it makes it more difficult for the thief to enter your car or your home.With today’s automatic locks on cars there is absolutely no reason not to lock your car.

Second, ditch the purse. Ladies, consider all the stuff you carry with you and often leave in your car because it is too heavy. A visible purse in a car is an invitation to a break-in. Leave all valuable items including computers, cell phones, jewelry, guns, money, etc., at home. If you must take them with you, please do. If you absolutely must leave a valuable item in your vehicle, make sure it is not visible.

Third, install lighting. Motion sensor lights are great for deterring crime. Lights which come on when someone enters your driveway, your yard or your porch will make the thief uneasy. It is also good to leave a light on when you are out in the evening. If you are worried about the electric bill, weigh the cost of a few kilowatts of electricity against the loss of your valuable belongings.

Fourth, keep private business private.

Do not broadcast your activities on social media. If you tell the world you are going to the movies, to a dance, or on vacation, expect the criminals will be reading your posts. You may find your home has been burglarized while you were gone.

Fifth, password your computer. Make sure your passwords are easy to remember and have at least one capital letter, one number, one symbol and contains at least eight characters. Use a word you will remember like mothers, which can be spelled m@Th3r5. Simply substituting symbols and numbers for easy to remember words can confound the hacker. It will take much longer for an outsider to break into you computer.

Sixth, just hang up. If you feel guilty hanging up if someone calls asking for money, simply tell the caller to have the person who needs the money to call you.

After you hang up dial *69, get their phone number, call the police and report the incident. If the number is out of the area or unavailable at *69, still report the call. Note this again will cost a little, but can save a lot.

Seventh, never give out personal information over the phone, no matter who is calling, no matter what prize they say you have won, no matter how much you can make on their investment. Never give out your Social Security number, credit card information or bank information.

Should you become a victim, you should call the Borough Police Department at 814938-6220 and if you live outside the borough, call the State Police 814-938-0510.

•••

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814-938-3235 Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140 – 15

Theatre Arts guild Summer Show to Entertain Entire family

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SUMMER FUn FOR tHE WHOlE FAMilY Hop to it and See...

“A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD” Music by Robert Reale u Book and Lyrics by Willie Reale (A Musical Stage Play Based on Popular Characters Created by Arnold Lobel)

Special Family Matinee: 2:00 p.m. u Sunday, June 24 Other performances: 7:30 p.m. u June 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 All Performances at Punxsutawney Area Middle School Auditorium Tickets sold at the door: Adults $11 Seniors $9 Students $6 "Presented by Special Arrangements with Music Theater International, New York"

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O P E N M O T H E R S D AY, M AY 1 3 16 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

T

wo of the most popular figures in children's literature, Mr. Frog and Mr. Toad, will come to life with all of their woodland friends when the Punxsutawney Theatre Arts Guild presents "A Year with Frog and Toad."

The Tony-nominated musical will be staged at the Punxustawney Area Middle School auditorium at 7:30 on June 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30. A special family matinee has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, June 24. The adaptation of stories by Arnold Lobel features music by Robert Reale and book and lyrics by Willie Reale. The local production is made possible through special arrangements with Music Theatre International of New York City.

Filled with whimsical humor and jazzy little songs, the show remains true to the spirit of the original stories as it follows two great friends, the cheerful and popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad, through four fun-filled seasons. Waking from hibernation in the spring, they proceed to plant gardens, swim, rake leaves and go sledding, learning life lessons along the way, including a most important one about friendship and rejoicing in the attributes that make each of us different and special.

Adding to the mix of merriment is an assortment of other comical creatures, including birds, a mouse, a mole, a lizard, a snail, a turtle, and a squirre.

Veteran director-performers, Jef and Kathy Dinsmore, are directing the show, handling the staging and music. Commenting on the production, Jef said, “When we selected the Guild's summer show, we wanted to stage a production that touches the imagination and the heart. ‘A Year with Frog and Toad’ is a great way for families to share the fun and the excitement of live theatrical pereformances. The cast is eager to see the reaction of the audience when these well-known characters hop from the printed page to the stage. PTAG is pleased and proud to bring this high quality show to area audienes.”

The cast of the show includes Doug Fye and Dustin Jewell as Mr. Frog and Mr. Toad. Jef Dinsmore will portray Man Bird and Father Frog. Cast as Lady Bird 1 and

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Lady Bird 2 are Kathy S. Dinsmore and Debra Dinsmore.

Other performers who are bringing an assortment of woodland creatures to life are Ilona Ball (Mouse and Mole); Jessica Schidlmeier (Snail); Laura Chelgren (Turtle, Mother Frog, and Mole); newcomer Jennifer Soliday (Lizard, Squirrel and Mole); and Sierra Dinger (Squirrel, Young Frog, and Mole).

Karen Rummel is the rehearsal pianist and accompanist; Brenda Cooper will direct the 11-piece pit orchestra. Matthew Dinsmore is the technical coordinator and Elissa Hill is the production assistant.

When it opened on Broadway in 2003, “A Year with Frog and Toad” broke new ground for bringing professional children's theater to “the Great White Way.” Praised by critics and popular with family audiences, the show garnered three Tony nominations including those for best musical, best book of a musical, and best original score.

In addition to the Punxsutawney shows, the musical will also be staged at the Sawmill Theater in Cook Forest on July 4 to 7 at 8 p.m. For ticket information about the Sawmill, phone (814) 927-5275.

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Patient’s fear of being ‘difficult’ may hurt care, study finds

H

By Victoria Colliver San Francisco Chronicle

ugo Campos doesn’t view himself as a difficult patient. But he senses his doctors’ exasperation with him because of his insistence he be given all the medical information they have about him.

“I want to be empowered, I want to be in charge, I want to know what’s going on,” said the Oakland, Calif., resident, 45, who has repeatedly asked for the raw data from the defibrillator implanted in his chest to regulate his heart.

That’s information currently available only to doctors and device makers.

“My understanding of their perception is they want me to consent, comply and basically shut up — to let them do their job,” he said.

Campos’ assertiveness with his doctors may be rare among patients.

A study published Monday shows that patients often defer to their doctors for fear of

being labeled “difficult.”

But patients who take that approach can hinder their ability to fully participate in decisions about their health, according to the study, which appears in the journal Health Affairs.

In the study, 48 Bay Area patients recruited from Palo Alto, Calif., medical practices

said they feared that challenging their physicians or asking too many questions might result in lower-quality care or strain their relationship.

The study referred to a 1996 episode of “Seinfeld” in which the character Elaine discovered her physician had described her as “difficult” in her medical chart, a label that made it hard for her to get treated for a rash — even after she changed doctors.

“The experience Elaine had in that episode is very similar to what our participants were talking about,” said Dominick Frosch, the study’s lead author and an associate investigator at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute.

Study participants made comments like “I don’t want to rock the boat” or they worried they would irritate the doctor. “I was brought up in the generation which ... elevated doctors to a high throne in heaven someplace, and that’s just not true,” said one 86-year-old woman in the study.

“What’s interesting to us is these were

getting along with your doctor Patients often feel reluctant to ask questions or challenge their doctors’ suggestions for fear of being labeled as “difficult.”

But patients who don’t communicate their questions or goals could be jeopardizing their own health.

Health experts recommend these tips to improve that interaction: — Be courteous, and respect your physician’s time. For example, come prepared with written questions to ask if they are not answered during the course of the appointment.

— If your physician seems unwilling to address your issues or involve you in the decision-making, consider finding a doctor who will.

— Tell your doctor when you are uncomfortable with a recommended treatment rather than deciding on your own to not follow the advice.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle research. (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)

- Continued on next page

Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140 – 17

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18 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

Dieting not always key to weightloss

By Tom Valeo Tampa Bay Times ecent public appearances show that actor Jonah Hill has regained most of the weight he lost while on his well-publicized diet. So does dieting itself make you fat? Or are people genetically predisposed to be fat simply more likely to diet?

It's the dieting, according to researchers in Finland. They found that identical twins who attempt to lose weight tend to end up heavier than their non-dieting siblings who have identical genes.

Why? The researchers offer three possible explanations.

First, dieting may lead to a preoccupation with food, which leads to overeating. Second, dieting tends to slow the metabolism and burn up muscle mass, two changes that hamper the body's ability to burn calories.

Finally, weight gain leads to more dieting, and multiple attempts at weight loss compound the two problems just mentioned.

So the old joke -- if you want to gain 25 pounds, lose 20 -- appears to have scientific backing. How can overweight people lose weight without gaining back even more?

Dr. Kirsi Pietilainen, the lead author of the study, suggests losing weight slowly so the body doesn't think it's starving, and exercising more to discourage the loss of muscle mass (and, of course, to burn calories).

"Also, fill up the stomach with low-energy foods," Pietilainen said by phone from Helsinki. "You can do that with vegetables and fruits. And eat protein because that creates more satiety than carbohydrates."

Perhaps the most important strategy involves abandoning diets altogether and adopting instead a new lifelong pattern of eating that does not contribute to weight gain.

"With my patients, we try to find a way to permanently adopt a diet they like, a diet they will be able to continue for the rest of their lives," Pietilainen said. "If you can learn to love vegetables, fruit, low-fat dairy products, fish, meat -- that sort of thing -and if you exercise more, then you will find a permanent way (to control your weight)."

Another helpful strategy involves mindful eating, promoted by Brian Wansink, a professor of nutritional science at Cornell University and author of "Mindless Eating," a book Pietilainen recommends to her patients even though it is written in English.

"We do exercises in group meetings that help them to eat mindfully," she said. "We concentrate on how the food tastes, smells, feels in the mouth. This is very useful for my patients. A lot of times eating is mindless. You just grab something and don't even think about calories. (At the end of the day) you don't even know how much you've eaten."

Pietilainen said that about 80 percent of her patients can maintain a 5 percent

r

weight loss if they remain in contact with her to receive advice and support, but about 80 percent regain the weight if they don't.

"Many obesity centers have the same results," she said. "If they give patients a regimen to follow and keep in contact with them, they achieve pretty good results, but if patients don't show up, then a year later they have regained all of the weight or more. It's a constant struggle, my patients say, and they need continuous support."

(Tom Valeo writes about health matters.

He can be reached at tom.valeo(at)gmail.com.)

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

Patient’s fear

Continued from previous page mostly Caucasian, highly educated, well-todo people, and they’re talking about these difficulties,” Frosch said. “It’s difficult to imagine this is easier for people in a less advantageous social position.”

But health experts say the rules are changing. Patients are increasingly being asked to take a greater personal and financial role in their health decisions, whether it’s by selecting a doctor or hospital based on coverage options or choosing between treatment options when there is no clear superior choice.

The federal health law actually requires shared decision making between patients and doctors as an essential part of its programs. And the wealth of health information available online also contributes to patients’ increased involvement.

“The people who are more likely to be labeled ‘difficult’ are pretty involved in medical research and are likely to show up in the doctor’s office and say, ‘I know what I want, and I want you to help me get it,’ “ said Joanna Smith, a patient advocate who runs Healthcare Liaison Inc. in Berkeley, Calif.

Smith said she tries to bridge the gap between what patients want and what doctors can provide. “Medicine has gotten too complex, and we haven’t given people good tools to understand how to make a complicated medical decision,” she said. “And it’s only going to get more complex.”

Doctors also share the responsibility, said Dr. Alan Greene, a pediatrics professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and founding president of the Society for Participatory Medicine.

“When we talk about participatory medicine, the biggest challenge often is that (doctors) say, ‘I’m already doing that,’ “ he said. “But in reality, that’s not really happening.”

(Contact Victoria Colliver, a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer, at vcolliver(at)sfchronicle.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)

•••

Aging behind the wheel

I

By Patti Ewald Tampa Bay Times

was behind the wheel of the car.

I had complete control, one hand on 10 o’clock, the other on 2, as I eased into the left-hand turn lane at the intersection.

As soon as I got the green arrow, I put my foot on the gas, hurtling the car into the middle of the intersection. Then I whipped the steering wheel to the left as hard and fast as I could.

If it wasn’t a 90-degree turn, it was close.

“Patricia Ann!” scolded my mother, who was hanging on by her fingernails.

“They told us to make square turns,” I said as I worked to keep the car in the lane with those going in the same direction I was.

“I don’t think they meant that square,” she said as she straightened out her clothes and planted herself back in her seat.

I was a 15-year-old driver-in-training.

The “they” of square-turn admonitions was my driver’s-ed teacher.

My mother, God love her, was my copilot.

It seems like yesterday. I remember the intersection where it happened. I remember the look on my mother’s face. It was somewhere between utter disbelief and sheer terror.

But in a split second, we realized how ridiculous the situation was. We were laughing — guffawing, actually. In fact, we still laugh about it.

And now, all these years later, I’m just another old lady on the road. That squareturning kid, so vividly still me, is only years away from being part of the 20 percent of the U.S. population that is over 65.

Yep, that’s right. The Senate Special Committee on Aging projects that, by 2020, 1 in 5 Americans will be over 65.

Given the independent nature of those baby boomers, most of them will still be driving. And proud of it.

Now that’s scary.

AAA has our back. The road-safety advocate group realizes (because respondents to its survey told it so) that 90 percent of drivers over 65 would find it a problem if they could no longer drive — with half calling it a “serious” problem.

Gee, ya think?

Many of us have kids living in another state. Some of us wouldn’t know our neighbors if we tripped over them on the sidewalk in front of our house. And our friends are as old as we are (and we drive better than they do, right?).

There is always the bus. But if we have a hard time plopping ourselves behind the wheel of our car and getting out of the driveway safely, how on Earth will we be able to find a bus schedule, amble down to the bus stop, clamber on and off the bus and then trudge home with our bags of groceries a la Willy Loman?

AAA not only is trying to dispel the myth that old people can’t drive (statistics back up the auto club), but it has assembled some cool online tools at seniordriving.aaa.com to keep us driving longer safely.

For instance, one exercise tries to help

with problems we may have driving at night as we age.

AAA first tries to say that maybe, perhaps, conceivably, perchance, possibly we could try to think about not driving at night. But, if it absolutely can’t be avoided — like if you have to drive your

spouse to the emergency room, or to get a milkshake — there are tips to “minimize the challenges of night driving.”

Example: Compensate for reduced visibility by decreasing your speed and increasing your following distance.

Slow down and stop tailgating? We know.

Example: Watch for sudden flashes of light at hilltops, around curves or at intersections, because these may indicate the - Continued on next page

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Study shows women’s lifespan edge over men slowing

By Kim Lamb Gregory Srcipps Howard News Service

A

new, 20-year research project shows women still outlive men but that their life spans are increasing more slowly than men's.

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation conducted a county-by-county estimate and comparison of U.S. life expectancies from 1989 to 2009.

Nationwide, life expectancy grew by 4.6 years for men and 2.7 years for women in those two decades.

"Men are catching up with them," said Dr. Ali Mokdad, head of the study's U.S. County Performance team. "Men and women should have exactly the same life expectancy (gains)."

Chipping away at women's life spans are preventable causes of death, including tobacco, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and alcohol, researchers say.

"Their life spans are getting shorter because they are not able to control the risk factors," Mokdad said.

The study, released this spring, was funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation is an independent global health research center at the University of Washington.

In 661 counties, women's life expectancy held steady or decreased from 1989. The study also found that a larger percentage of women than men had inadequately treated high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Dr. Cheryl Lambing, the Ventura County (Calif.) Health Care Agency's clinical education and outreach medical director, said the study's findings merit more investigation.

"This is a red flag," Lambing said. "We need to look closer. We need better data collection and medical studies."

Lambing, who served with the Office on Women's Health in Washington, D.C., said she is not surprised at the factors affecting women's life spans. She says she wants more detailed clinical studies to find out why women are not keeping pace with men in terms of improving their health, but she has some hypotheses.

Health research studies were often conducted on only men 15 years ago, Lambing said, because the results would not be affected by as many hormonal cycles.

Today, more research is needed on diagnoses, symptoms and preventive measures for women and on their physiology, she said.

"Physiology between men and women is very different," she said. "Aspirin is a great example. Evidence shows that you give aspirin to both men and women to prevent cardiovascular disease. But when you study them, they pan out very differently."

Social factors may play a part, too, said William Heisel, the institute's assistant director of external relations.

"Men started smoking post-World War II in big numbers," he said. "We see a peak and then a decline. Women started smoking a decade or two later."

Lung cancer generally shows up after years of smoking, so lung cancer deaths peaked and then declined in men after research showed the dangers of smoking.

Heisel said there now could be a similar cycle for women.

Lambing said dietary changes and the increasing number of women in the workplace could be contributing to stress and life spans.

"We're perhaps not working on a farm.

We're working at a desk," she said. "There is less activity.

"Obesity impacts every chronic medical condition I manage. If you can drop 10 pounds, you can drop your blood pressure.

"We need to get back to the basics," Lambing said. "We need to start with our pediatric patients. It's diet, exercise and active management (of medical conditions)."

(Contact Kim Lamb Gregory of the Ventura County Star in California at www.vcstar.com) •••

Aging behind the wheel Continued from previous page

presence of oncoming vehicles.

Look out for oncoming cars? We know.

OK, this is where we should maybe, perhaps, conceivably, perchance, possibly try to admit to ourselves that we’re not as young as we used to be. Our eyes don’t work as well as they once did. Our reaction time, although still commendable, has probably been better.

And, I hate to say it, but, ahem, that means all of us (as in men, too).

What’s the upshot? We all must be careful out there. It’s just a fact that there will be more and more of us mature types on the roads.

We have to be brave enough to tell our friends and relatives — parents — when they should limit their driving or stop driving altogether.

And we have to be cool enough to listen when our friends or relatives — kids — tell us the same thing.

After all, the streets are dangerous enough with all those teenagers doing exactly what their driver’s-ed teachers have taught them.

(Patti Ewald can be reached at pewald(at)tampabay.com.)

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

FULL SERViCE OPTiCAL & COMPLETE LiNE OF CONTACT LENS OPTiONS

new devices gently push, prod and bribe us into fitness

E

By Casey Newton San Francisco Chronicle

very few weeks, it seems, another story arrives in the newspaper urging us to get more physical activity. But no amount of news coverage has been able to get Americans off the couch.

There are plenty of reasons we are overweight, from busy lives that leave less time for working out to sprawling suburbs that require cars to get around. Also: Bacon is delicious.

But most of us are missing daily motivation to get up and move. Hiring a personal trainer remains an expensive luxury for most, and our dedication to the gym hits a sudden, glorious peak on Jan. 1 and then collapses a few weeks later.

But what if you had a tiny motivator in your pocket? A gadget that tracked your daily movements, while constantly pushing you to do more, might be just the thing to increase your physical activity. It has been for me.

I've spent the past few weeks testing Striiv, a $100 "smart pedometer" that tries a variety of tactics to help you set and achieve personal records in your daily activity.

It's one of a growing number of devices designed to measure your physical activity and provide you with regular feedback. Fitbit, Jawbone Up and Nike FuelBand are just a handful of competitors helping to bring these tiny, wearable computers into the mainstream.

Striiv, which is available at Amazon, Best Buy and other locations, is a small rounded rectangle that attaches to your keychain or clips to a belt. On the front surface is a color touch screen that displays information about your activity, as well as a series of applications designed to motivate you.

The device charges using a micro-USB cable, and in my tests the battery lasted about three days between charges.

"We're in the motivation business," Dave Wang, the company's founder and CEO, told me recently.

Competitors have focused on showing users charts and graphs of their activity, he said, which appeals to the kind of type-A personality who rises before dawn each day for a brisk 17-mile run before heading into work.

Striiv (pronounced "strive") is going after a different type of person -- the more sedentary person who still wants to exercise more. About 75 percent of the product's users are women, Wang said, and the aver-

age user is in her 40s and is overweight.

A couple of quick quibbles about the device: The touch screen can be balky, and frustrating for anyone used to the smooth scrolling you'll find on an iPhone. And the Striiv has trouble keeping track of steps on my gym machine of choice, the elliptical trainer, unless it's clipped onto your shorts.

For the most part, though, Striiv works as advertised. And it seeks to motivate you in a charming variety of ways. A game called "MyLand," modeled on "FarmVille," lets

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you build a whimsical village using the energy you earn from physical activity. Advancing in the game requires an ever-greater amount of energy, and more than once lately it has contributed to me walking home from a restaurant instead of taking mass transit.

Recently, Striiv unveiled new social features. For friends or families with more than one device, users can invite another person to an activity-based challenge, like taking the most steps in a day or being the first to a milestone. It's a nice way of encouraging friendly competition to keep moving.

And if you don't want to work out for yourself, how about someone else? Striiv partnered with GlobalGiving to let you make donations every time you take a certain number of steps. I chose to provide a day's worth of clean water to a child in South America for every 10,000 steps I take; you can also help preserve the rain forest or donate vaccinations against polio.

Taken by themselves, no one of these features would likely be enough to change behaviors. But together, I've found them to be effective in getting me to walk more each day. And all that walking adds up. Last week I earned a virtual trophy for walking 70 miles in total. Healthy living requires more than measuring your steps, of course.

But it's a start.

(Casey Newton is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Twitter: (at)CaseyNewton.

Email cnewton(at)sfchronicle.com.)

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)

•••

Dr. Nathan C.

203 CLEARFIELD AVE., PUNX’Y

Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. 8 to 5; Thur. 8 to Noon; Wed. Evening & Sat. by Appt.

938-5800

ST. 814-938-5920 S. FiNDLEY PUNX’Y

medicare, medicaid and most insurances accepted hillsdale Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, L.P. d/b/a hillsdale Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. We subscribe to a non-discrimination policy.

www.hillsdalenursingandrehab.com 383 Mountain View Dr. Hillsdale, PA 15746

• hospice care • Long-term nursing care • Physical, occupational and speech therapy • Post-acute care • Respite Care • Short-term rehab care • Stroke Recovery • Alzheimer’s/ Dementia Care

814-743-6613

Fax 814-743-5556

• Prescriptions • OTCs • Prescription Bubble Packs • Vitamins & Minerals • Delivery Service • PA LOTTERY • UPS Shipping Center

203 N. Hampton Ave. - Groundhog Plaza

938-9150

FREE & Convenient Parking M-F 9-7, Sat 9-3, Closed Sundays

• Gift Shop with FREE Gift Wrap or Bags • Yankee Candles • Home & Seasonal Decor • Everyday low price GREETING CARDS for $1 • Joan Baker Stained Glass Art we accept manufacturer coupons

Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140 – 21

research on multi-tasking is of two minds

I

By Lee Bowman Scripps Howard News Service

t's the era of the split attention span, for better or worse. The people who text and drive. The colleagues who sit through meetings while trolling their iPhones. The teens who study and watch TV, listen to music and monitor texts all

at once.

Researchers have been gathering new evidence about how and why we multitask, and learning that juggling things is neither a guarantee of success nor always doomed to fail.

One recent study led by Ohio State University communications professor Zheng

aging aging seRViCes seRViCes,, inC. inC.

Wii - open acoustic Jam sessions - nutrition education - games Bowling at groundhog lanes (Call the center for details) Computer Class with internet access - health & Wellness speakers

PaRties - tRiPs - Fun

Fitness Class

is held FREE every Wednesday at 1 pm with instructor Carole Zicha. Join us as Carole leads us through ‘easy on the joints’ chair work outs.

FRee Monthly Blood PRessuRe sCReenings

Wed., June 6 by Home Nursing, 9:30–11 am Tues., June 12 by Home Health, 10 a.m.

Wed., June 13 by Indiana Regional Medical Center, 10 am - 12 Noon

sPeCial June eVents: indooR/outdooR Flea MaRKet June 20-22

at The Mahoning Hills Social Center, 19298 Route 119 Highway North near Punxsutawney, located beside Longview Elementary School. The sale will be from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. all three days.

Tables will be available for usage at a cost of $10 for a 6 foot table space and each additional table $5.00. A great time to clean your closet and get rid of junk! Donations cheerfully accepted! Refreshments will be available for sale. Stop by and find that perfect bargain. For more information or to reserve your space, call (724) 286-3099.

“legal issues” Monday, June 18th at 11 a.m.

Attorney Carmella will speak on “Legal Issues” and will answer questions.

“dePRessed?”

tuesday, June 26

presented by Amber from Senior LIFE. Come and learn the facts.

Fun & gaMes thursday, June 14th at 1:15 pm

Come and join us for a patriotic game of Red, White & Blue Bingo in celebration of Flag Day. Don’t miss the picnic at noon! Call for details.

tuesday, June 19th at 11 a.m.

Jen from Mulberry Square will visit and amuse us with games once again.

A word about Meal Rervations - If you’d like to join us for lunch, we’d love to have you, but please either call a day ahead, by noon, and rerve yourself a meal, or stop in and sign up a day ahead.

Wang found that college students who watched TV while reading or studying didn't do as well at their main task, but felt better about it than those who turned the TV off, because they felt more entertained and relaxed.

The findings were based on activity logs -- electronic, of course -- maintained by 32 students over a four-week period.

While some people may think such multi-tasking makes them more productive, the study showed "they are not being more productive, they just feel more emotionally satisfied from their work,'' Wang said.

However, other studies seem to show that some people are better at multi-tasking than others -- particularly when drawing information from different senses.

Last month, Kelvin Lui and Alan Wong at the Chinese University of Hong Kong reported that people ages 19 to 28 who frequently use different types of media at the same time seem to be better at integrating information from multiple senses when asked to perform a specific task.

"Media multi-tasking may not always be a bad thing,'' the authors concluded in a report published online by Psychonomic Bulletin and Review.

Compared to so-called "light multitaskers" (based on questionnaires about media usage), those who media multitasked the most were better able to pick up information from seemingly irrelevant sources. A total of 63 people were tested.

The task was to search for a visual target on a screen, which changed color from time to time. During half the experiments, an audible tone sounded just as the image changed colors. The light multi-taskers were much better at running down the target when there was no sound cue, but with the sound added, the frequent multitaskers were much better at finding the image.

Of course, there may be times where multi-tasking has to happen. Ask any air traffic controller, combat soldier or parent.

Still another study carried out last year

by communications researchers at the University of Texas at Austin found that 20- to 24-year olds have conflicted views on multi-tasking, at least in the workplace.

Multi-tasking voluntarily is one thing, but being expected to handle several things at once by a boss was not always viewed positively by many of the "millennial" respondents the UT researchers interviewed in two focus groups (63 students) six months apart.

Keri Stephens, an assistant professor and lead author of the study in published in the January issue of Human Communications Research, said many students have confessed they don't consider themselves well-suited to juggle several tasks a once.

The responses in the study focus groups revealed that many see "simultaneous multi-tasking" in a job description as meaning they'll be expected to work or be available outside normal hours.

Finally, an experiment described by University of California at Irvine researchers during a computing conference in Austin in early May gives some hint about the health impacts of multi-tasking.

Volunteers who regularly worked on computers at an Army support center outside Boston were studied using heart monitors and software sensors. Half had their email turned off during the workday.

Over a five-day period, those cut off from email reported feeling better able to do their jobs and stay on task, with less stress and fewer time-wasting interruptions. Those with email changed reading panes on their screens an average of 37 times an hour; those without, about 18 times an hour. And the hearts of the email users were in a steady "high alert" state with more constant rates; while those who were cut off experienced more natural, variable heart rates across the workday.

(Contact Lee Bowman at BowmanL(at)shns.com.)

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

Casteel Chiropractic DR. IAn CAsTeel Our job is to keep your spine in line for a better, healthier you!

410 East Mahoning St.

938-4400

22 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

To restore function you need to restore posture.

"We address the cause, not the symptom"

NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS X-Rays (on your first visit) Highmark, UPMC, Medicare, Access & More Regular Hours: Mon., Wed., & Fri. 9-1 & 3-8; Closed Tuesday & Thursday

Thistle & Pine Celtic & Country Collectibles

Distinctive Home Decor Celtic Accents & Jewelry “Make your home a haven” 7570 Rt. 119 Marion Center Hours: Tues. - Sat. 10-5

Gift Cards

724-397-2442

www.ThistleAndPine.com

Tanning packages available

the Pool guys POOLS • SPAS ACCESSORIES

Stop In & See our beautiful Selection of Plants and more...

Alvetro’s

landscaping & garden Center

83 Jefferson Ave., Falls Creek • 371-6867

www.alvetrolandscaping.com Follow us on facebook PA#2268

Richard l. Fait Funeral Home

“We Serve As We Would Be Served. . .

Because We Care”

117 n. Jefferson St. Punxsutawney

Service & Installation

938-9396

HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 9-6 Sat. 9-? • Sun. Closed

938-8200

www.faitfuneralhome.com

WACHOB’S 100 W. Main St. Big Run

427-4211

Market

gROCERiES LOTTERY

Made-to-Order, homemade

FRESh DOUgh PiZZA DAiLY Mon.- Fri. 7am - 9pm Sat. & Sun. 8am - 9pm

Proud to support the Firefighter's of our communities.

ATTORNEYS AT LAW Personal Injury • Civil Litigation Real Estate • Criminal Law Workers’ Compensation • Wills, Trusts & Estates Landowners Rights • Oil, Gas & Minerals Businesses, Partnerships & Corporations

J. Kipp LUKEHART JEffREY LUNDY JAY p. LUNDY punxsutawney • phone: (814) 938-8110 www.lukehartandlundy.com

938.5291

814-938-2051

114 universal drive punxsutawney, pa 15767

cARpEt W

Punxsutawney Fire Department

Juneau

www.cf-bank.com

• Carnival Starts each Night at 6:00 pm • J & J Amusments will be on the Midway each night.

Member FDIC

One price nights tues., thur. & Sat.

JCARC Day will be Wed., June 27th You can also purchase books of tickets from the firemen. They will be in their usual places in County Market & Peebles Plaza.

232 Hampton Avenue 814.938.1101 539 West Mahoning Street 814.938.1125 MEMBER FDIC

• There will be a drawing each night at 10:45 for some great prizes donated by area businesses. (Must be 18 or older & present to win) Firefighter’s Parade Saturday, June 30th at 4 pm

BIG RUn CARPeT

“The Store For Your Floors”

427-2041

Working Family Prices You Can Afford

The Firemen ask that you be courteous to the businesses in the plaza by not parking in front of their businesses.

There is plenty of parking on the Carnival grounds.

West End

KORNER KUPBOARD ANTIQUES ScReeN PRiNt • embRoideRy PRomotioNal PRoductS 109 main St., big Run

1028 W. Mahoning St.

1-800-527-2066 • 814-427-2066

938-6961

www.standardpennant.com

Shop our online store:

Putting Pennsylvania Back On the Right Track Paid for by Citizens for Sam Smith

938-3077

132 West Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney

Real Estate Appraisals Punx’y

938-4004 Nicholas Gianvito Attorney at Law

314R West Mahoning St. Punxsutawney

938-1776

www.nglawoffice.com General Civil and Domestic Claims Work Comp – Personal Injury Social Security Disability Deeds – Mortgages – Wills – Estates

neal’s

septic tank service • Portable toilet Rentals • Pumping grease traps

locally owned & operated since 1965

Residential • Commercial

deP approved - Fully insured For your Protection 1570 sportsburg Rd., Punx’y, Pa 15767

938-8494 • 938-7685 A hometown bank you can count on . . . both today and in the future!

653-2178

502 Main St.,Reynoldsville Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Closed Sun. & Mon.

1-800-556-6262

Owners: Pat & Doc Gordon

To All firefighters of our communities ank you for everything you do.

Mon.- Fri 9 to 7; Sat. 9 to 2

BURleiGH APPRAiSAlS

9 Rooms of: Antiques • Collectibles quality Furniture • Refinishing Products

Walston Club

Sam Smith State Representative

RlD

• Ceramic Tile 938-8687 • Carpet • Vinyl Mon.-Fri. 9-8 • Laminated Sat. 9-1 We Feature homecrest cabinets

tuesday, June 26th thru Saturday, June 30

102 Indiana St., Punx’y • 814-938-5770

202 Thompson St. Big Run

221 W. Mahoning St. PUNXSUTAWNEY

cAROl’S

2012 Old Home Week Celebration

stbank.com

814.938.3111 rick@drrickbishop.com www.drrickbishop.com 119 West Mahoning St. , Punx’y

SHIELDS INSURANCE AGENC Y

LUKEHART, LUNDY & LUNDY • • • • •

Dr. Rick Bishop

2509 Walston Rd., Punx’y

938-5368

www.marioncenterbank.com

Big Run Dayton MaRion CenteR ClyMeR Punxsutawney willow sPRings inDiana u

MEMBER FDIC

Supporting Our Local firemen!

Sheriff Carl gotwald Sr.

Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140 – 23

nEw!

we now have covered screened topsoil!

Earthworx 849-worx

let us help you spruce up your lawn!

Screened TopSoil • limeSTone & Gravel • reTaininG WallS pavinG BrickS • Bark mulch • landScapinG SupplieS 435 Rt. 36, Allegheny Blvd., Brookville • 849-9679 • www.earthworx.biz Delivery Available

gilson’s Stained glass & more

g

By PRIDE for Hometown magazine

ilson’s Stained Glass & More is a jewel, glowing in the night at the corner of Findley and Mahoning Streets. Debby Gilson, owner, has created a gathering place for artisans who enjoy using glass to create beautiful items for their homes.

“I started in glasswork because I loved the Victorian Era windows and lamp shades,” said Gilson, “but I couldn’t afford to buy the wonderful antiques by artists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany.”

Captivated by the art, Gilson took her first

Gilson’s create, include lamps, lamp shades, windows, hangings, and more.

Among the favorites are the kaleidoscopes, which are constructed of glass and mirrors and hold a variety of non-conventional items, including lace, buttons, and butterfly wings, in the spinner.

The “More” in the business title is for the marvelous items Gilson accepts on consignment from local artisans. The range of items available is almost limitless, with antiques, art work, jewelry, and unique gift items. The items in the shop rival those of the most unique boutique shop in any urban mall or artist’s village. Even the display fixtures in the shop are a delight to see. The

MOTheR’S DAY GIVeAWAY WINNeRS Shirley Caylor Pam Lettie $25 Gift Card $25 Wal-Mart Certificate Allstate - Jody D. McCullen Fairlady & Company

Kambrea Pratt 15 Tanning Sessions The Pool Guys

Jennifer Mennitti $25 Gift Certificate Back to Simpler Times

Mary Waltman Swan Creek Candles Basket Punxsy Hometown Pharmacy

Penny Lowry $15 Gift Card Biggie’s Meats Carol Johns $15 Gift Card Biggie’s Meats Martha Jo Rupert Chiro Flow Water Pillow Casteel Chiropractic Diane Ewing Tea Basket Caterina’s

Sally Lantz Weight Loss Basket Gigliotti Chiropractic & Naturally Healthy Dorothy J. Marshall Hanging Basket Hanzely’s Garden Center Margaret Reed $20 gift certificate Hockman Candy Julie Vanham Emergency Roadside Safety Kit Kengersky - Nationwide Ins.

Debra Byerly Wendy Giavedoni $20 Gift Certificate $25 Gift Certificate Lily’s Restaurant, Christian Book & Gift Shop Bakery & Deli

Bertha Koza Hanging Basket Gift Certificate Reagle’s Notary Irene Carulli Aluminum Water Bottle, Bistro Mug and Tumbler with straw S&T Bank Donna Houk Stello Food Gift Basket Stello Foods Sara Burkhardt Hanging Basket Steve’s Greenhouse

Jayme Farcus $25 Neko’s Gift Card CNB Bank

Elaine LeVier Ceramic Bird Bash Mahoning Valley Milling

Bernice Greeley $25 Gift Certificate for the Grocery Store of Your Choice Christ the King

Cammi Kunselman Value Menu Gift Certificate Mary Murray McDonald’s Lovely Gift Basket Wal-Mart Supercenter Dorothy Painter

Ethel Davidson Hanging Basket County Market Bonnie Kramer $10 Gift Certificate Country Cone Raye Graffius $25 Gift Certificate Double M. Ceramics

$25 Gift Certificate The Medicine Shoppe Rhonda Parsons $25 Gift Certificate Pizza Hut Kathy Kanouff $20 Gift Card Pizza Town

Susan Jordan $25 Gift Card Trailhead Gallery

Bev Zanaghio $25 Gift Certificate Windgate Winery Dawn Hughes $25 Gift Certificate Yoder's Furniture

Some of the beautiful things to see at Gilson’s Stained Glass & More: (l. to r.) A view through one of the kaleidoscopes, Dave’s World hanging lamp shade, a close up of a lamp shade in reds and greens and a lamp shade in pinks and blues.

class at Cooks Forest, and in 1990 attended a class in Tiffany Designs. She enjoys helping others learn the art.

At Gilson’s Stained Glass & More, local artisans gather to create stained glass works, which rival the beauty of the earlier masters. The items that the patrons at

doorknob hall tree is a “knock your socks off” functional piece of artwork, but it is not for sale.

Debby invites you to stop in at 101 West Mahoning Street, and see what Gilson’s Stained Glass & More has to offer.

•••

hometown Magazine... online all the time...

www.punxsutawneymagazine.com 24 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

FAMIlY OWNeD SINCe 1909

BURkETT’S P.A.W.S.

maHOninG Valley millinG CO. We cay everything for your spring planting needs

Come see our newly expanded line of tactical guns and accessories, including AR15’s and Ak47’s

• Bulk garden seeds, onion sets and garlic • Doeblers and Pioneer seed corn, seed oats & alfalfa • Fertilizers and mulches • Check out our spring line of Minnetonka moccasins, Muck boots and garden shoes • We carry fishing and camping supplies and Old Town Canoes and kayaks

mahoning Valley milling is your local Glock Stocking Dealer We stock Saiga shotguns plus oPEN DAILy 8-5 varmint guns and scopes FRI. 8-7, SAT. 8-3 57 GilPin St. PUnx’y•938-8850

w free PAk So a

is ad h t h t i w

Visit us online at www.mahoningvalleymilling.com & check us out on Guns of America and Facebook

Gilson Stained Glass & More We are preparing for the Glass show in october. stop by anytime for your application and any questions on what you need to do to enter.

Handmade Gifts by 18 different craftsmen neW class sIGn UPs cUsToM orders

Hours: Tues. - Fri. 10 to 5; Sat. 10 to 2 Wed. & Thurs. Evenings 101 W. Mahoning St., Punx’y

938-8570

To have your business and article featured in our Punxsutawney Area Business Section contact Hometown magazine at 938-0312 or hometown@mail.com

Dr. Nathan C. Stebbins Take care of your eyes they are a vital part of your health.

Get your yearly eye exam, because sometimes changes in your eyesight happen without you even realizing.

WE OFFER FULL SERVICE OPTICAL AND A COMPLETE LINE OF CONTACT LENS OPTIONS FOR ALL AGES. We take the time with each patient to make sure we are giving you the best in eye care.

S. FiNDLEY ST. PUNXSUTAWNEY

814-938-5920

Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. 8-5; Thur. 8-Noon; Wed. Evening & Sat. by Appt.

Most Insurances Accepted

All Breeds Dog & Cat grooming

814-938-3974 242 NORTh FiNDLEY ST., PUNX’Y

Carulli Computer Support now located at 700 Myrtle Ave. Bldg. B Punx’y

Reliable computer support at reasonable rates.

938-6241 HOURS: 11-5 M-F

REPAIRS • UPDATES • INSTALLS • DATA RECOVERY COMPUTER CHECK-UPS • ANTIVIRUS • REFORMATS SET UP ROUTERS, SMALL NETWORKS • BACKUP DEVICES PERSONALIZED TRAINING • PC CLEANUP INTERNET SETUP, TROUBLESHOOTING VIRUS & SPYWARE REMOVAL

Caterina‘ s

Assistance in Computer Purchases & Set-up

meeting room Dining

Fl avored iced tea & Frappes

homE of ThE paNiNi Now available: club, Whole Wheat & Gluten Free paninis Bagels • Muffins • Biscotti • Gobs • scones & cake

14 Flavors oF Biscotti Open Weekdays at 8 a.m.

Sat. 9 a.m.

110 W. Mahoning St.

938-8781

additional seating Now available WirElEss iNTErNET availablE Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140 – 25

pERRY tWp. FiRE DEpARtMEnt

Stop & Visit Our Spring

Lawn & Garden Center

bo o K u S NoW! eddings, for all yournsW rties Receptio n,qPuaets and Ba AMPLE OFF STREET PARKING

Air Conditioned • Smoke Eaters • Large Coolers

21920 Route 119, Punxsutawney

Seats Up To

350!

Call to Reserve:

dan coleman 952-1777

Downtown Punxsutawney

chill out with Frozen Strawberry lemonade or New cherry berry chiller

In TodAY’S WoRld, PuT YouR AdvERTISIng dollAR WhERE EvERYonE WIll SEE IT...

In hoMEToWn MAgAzInE, dIRECT MAIlEd To 100% oF ThE hoMES In PunxSuTAWnEY. And onlInE All ThE TIME...

www.punxsutawneymagazine.com 938-0312 or 938-9141 hometown@mail.com 26 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140

Do you exhibit aggressive driving behavior? w

Scripps Howard News Service hat driving habits madden most everyone on the road? In a survey sponsored by tire maker Michelin, 94 percent of respondents selected tailgating as their leading pet peeve. Tailgating drivers (you know who you are) are followed closely by drivers who cut off their fellow travelers (91 percent), drivers who zip from lane to lane with nary a clue they’re getting ready to make a move (85 percent) and, in a related faux pas, drivers who don’t know how to use their turn signals (85 percent).

Tailgating, the top offense of aggressive drivers, isn’t just annoying. It’s a good way to be involved in an accident, and the unlucky person who is being tailgated could be the target for road rage. According to the AAA Foundation’s Aggressive Driving update, such behaviors are a factor in up to 56 percent of fatal crashes.

Other aggressive behaviors — speeding and running red lights — may not seem aggressive to the perpetrator, but they’re textbook examples of impatience and entitlement, both traits exhibited by aggressive drivers.

Although we might not want to admit it, most of us have exhibited some aggressive behaviors in our day-to-day travel.

AAA gives hints on its website for dealing

with aggressive drivers. Among the top five are three of the most important if you don’t want to engage in a game of chicken with an already stressed and angry foe: — Avoid making inappropriate or offensive gestures.

— Don’t make eye contact.

— Seek help if you’re being followed by driving to a safe/crowded location or by dialing 911.

Of course, when it comes to distracted driving, people who can’t live without their cell phones for even a few minutes are the worst offenders. Our favorite scenario is a driver behind the wheel of a vehicle that’s way too much machine for said driver to handle. He or she is also usually in midturn with a cell phone held between shoulder and ear and one hand bunched around a burger. (It’s funny to watch attempts to park those behemoths, too).

The AAA website has a quiz that might give the smug and superior among us a shock when the final results are tallied.

Check to see if you are an aggressive driver at: www.aaafoundation.org/ quizzes/index.cfm?button=aggressive.

If the answer is yes, knock it off, will ya?

The rest of us would like to get where we need to go without having our lives flash before our terrified eyes.

•••

windgate’s new GuEST HOuSE is available for single night, weekend, or longer rentals. nestled in a woodland country setting, the guest house accommodates up to six guests and sports views of the sprawling 15-acre vineyard next door. as a bonus, guest house visitors enjoy a complementary bottle of windgate wine with each stay.

Call the winery at 814-257-8797 for details and reservations.

• 3 Bedrooms (1-Queen, 1-Double & 2 Twin Beds) • 1 Bathroom • Fully-equipped Kitchen • Living Room • Second-level Sitting Room • TV/VCR • Side Deck facing Vineyard • $100.00 per night • Security Deposit: $100 (refundable) • No Pets • MasterCard/Visa accepted • Reservations

Have your private party, seminar or wedding in our Vine Room Banquet Facility Our VINE ROOM has become a favorite gathering place for weddings, receptions and other special events and can seat up to seventy five people.

Make reservations now for your next celebration. it’s also the spot to enjoy wine by the glass, which is accompanied by live entertainment on some weekends. Keep tabs on our events page or facebook page to see upcoming events in the vine room.

Call the winery at 814-257-8797 for details

Merlot: a dry,

June 2

Wine Making Class Call the winery at 814-257-8797 for details and to sign up

June 9 June 23 June 30

Strawberry Saturday Vineyard Management Class Explore the Specialty Shops of Smicksburg

windgate

vineyards & winery

medium-bodied wine made from the classic vinifera grape. rich in tannins & a fruity nose.

new reLease: Vignoles

windgatewine@windstream.net

www.windgatevineyards.com

814-257-8797 Five Locations to Serve You • The Shop at the Winery • Indiana Mall • Pittsburgh Mills • The Country Cupboard • Downtown Ridgway Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140 – 27

28 – Punxsutawney Hometown – June 2012 - Issue #140