May 31, 2011, the birthday of Dimi Marinos, Helen Steinruck and Harry Watts. This is the second anniversary of the retirement of Rev. David Diehl and his full-time service to the Benton Christian Church.
It was on this day in 1889 in a river valley 185 miles southwest of Back Home in Benton, PA, when a neglected dam pelted by driving rain led to a catastrophe in which 2,209 people perished and Johnstown was nearly wiped off the face of the earth.
Didja hear that Pennsylvania lawmakers are talking about making trash collections mandatory across the state? Currently, there is no state law mandating trash collections. Advocates claim that mandatory trash collection would reduce open burning, litter and illegal dumping. If enacted, this law could reduce litter and increase recycling. Opponents dislike the one-size-fits-all approach to trash collection. Opponents hint about the ruckus caused when the Government dictated health care for everyone. Expect bumps in the road before this bill is enacted, but bear in mind that lawmakers in large-population centers such as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia have more clout in our Commonwealth than those of us in the back hills. Benton borough has an ordnance on the books that prohibits afternoon and evening open burning.
The Benton Women’s Club is sponsoring an eight hour AARP Driver-Safety Program on Monday, June 27, from 9 AM to 5 PM at Christ the King R.C. Church located on Mendenhall Road, Benton. Please call Barbara King, 925-6242, for information or to enroll. You must bring a current driver’s license and a check made out to AARP. The fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members.
Our thoughts go out to the Pat Hess family on the death of their wonderful mother and grandmother. Brenda Hess Paul thanks the community for all of the condolences for the loss of Pat Hess. What a family! Glenn, Randy, Brenda and Dan Hess--the Hess Family--along with the Feolas and Friends, mounted the stage for a session of bluegrass at the Sweet Valley Fireman's Carnival Sunday at 11 AM. The Hess family has a long tradition of playing Memorial Day music and in the spirit of that tradition yesterday they again celebrated the lives of Pat and Al Hess. There were two empty places on the stage and a void in the music the upper Fishing Creek valley has enjoyed for so long.
As a sign of the times, Richard Sutliff was given a note on behalf of the emergency room in Edward Hospital (his medical center), Naperville, Illinois. The note read, "Text 'ERwait' to 41411 for ER wait times sent directly to your phone." It seems to me that if one is having an emergency, we shouldn't have to wait very long for medical attention.
The Commonwealth is considering increasing fines for violation of public meetings "Sunshine Law." Officials who hold a closed meeting that should be open to the public can get a wrist slap and a fine of $100. The Senate would increase that to $1,000. The bill now goes to the House. Read more here.
The Class of 1961 met for an informal reunion dinner on Friday, May 27, the first time some had seen each other since graduating. A total of 44 persons, 25 classmembers and 19 spouses and friends, enjoyed a chicken barbeque dinner prepared by the ladies of the Zion United Church of Christ, Zaners. Travelers came from Texarkana, TX; New Smyrna Beach, FL; Baltimore, MD; and Hawley, Gilbertsville, and Barto, Pennsylvania, as well as local addresses.
Many of those staying over met for breakfast on Saturday, and enjoyed a tour of the new high-school facilities Saturday afternoon. Most had not seen the 1973 renovation, let alone the 2004 addition or Martin auditorium. Alumni President Sandy Kogut introduced a group of 14 who represented the fiftieth year reunion class. Harold Ackerman spoke, congratulating the newest graduates.
The class is making preparations for another meeting this year, tentatively set for Fair Week.
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L. to R.: Harold Ackerman, Sherry Yost Bardo, Lynn Strauch Shaw, Norma Houseweart Eveland, Jane Halderman Himel, J. Robert Sands, Jr., Becky Stoneham Green, (almost hidden) Ruth Hess Whitenight, Gene Bardo, Devona Hittle Albertson, Wilson Lynn, Joyce Albertson Boston, Beverly Shaw Edwards, Gloria Heath Valencik, Shirley Kille Kocher, Melvin Parks, Blanche Roberts Getz, Sharon Dodson Gottshall, Carolyn Bond Jones, Terry Griffith, Nancy Devore Ballantyne, Gerald Houseweart, Donald Good, Barbara Fausey Fuehrer, Joann King Heimbach. |
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Candid shots by Robert Sands |
"First Grade What Year?"
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"Not ready for prime time"
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"Jane and Ken" |
"Trading stories" |
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"Not that one" |
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May 29 and 30, 2011. Remember last year at this time, we were begging for moisture.
to give thanks for the things we have.
Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks
to the people who fought for the things we have.
Moina Michael conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war based on the 1915 battle of Flanders Field that was covered in poppies. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. In 1922, the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies.
An unknown World War I American soldier was buried in 1921 on the hillside overlooking Washington, D.C., and the Potomac River. The location was Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River, became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans.
The Towanda Daily Review reported in its Saturday edition that the Commonwealth may be located on the largest gas reserves in the world. "The Marcellus Shale is the second largest natural gas reserve in the world," said Scott Perry, the director of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Oil and Gas Management. Beneath the Marcellus Shale the Utica Shale, "potentially as productive at the Marcellus Shale, maybe even more so."
The Memorial Day yard sales and vegetable markets did a booming business locally Saturday and cooperating weather brought customers riding in Amish buggies and packed automobiles into the borough. Sales appeared to be brisk and everyone seemed to have a good time. There seemed to be a bit of frenzy with shoppers as they hurried up and down the streets of Benton. Their frenzy was minor compared with the shopping scene which you need to watch here.
Dan, Cindy and Drew Lane were present Saturday evening as the local school honored their father, Fred C. Long, Class of 1940. Drew Long, Huron, Ohio, spoke of his father's many career achievements as part of the U. S. military and as a father. Amanda Hartman, Ann Neary and Jeanette Hartman all spoke of their grandfather and husband, Dayne Hartman, class of 1946, a "pip" of a man. Bissinger Catering did a great job with the food and Sandy Kogut and Kerry Vincent with help from some very talented people pulled off a commendable alumni banquet.
Pictures of the 2011 Benton Area Schools Alumni Banquet are available as a slideshow here and are available for viewing, printing and downloading here.
Cheryl Pasukinis is looking for your help after learning Saturday night that Sandy Kogut and Kerry Vincent plan to continue as officers for the Benton Alumni Association for only one more year. They will vacate the offices of President and Treasurer. The Alumni Association does not have a Vice President. Benton Alumni members--we need HELP! People are needed now to get involved now so they can spend next year assisting and learning exactly what these two ladies do for the Alumni Banquet.
The biggest attendees come from graduating years in the 60s and earlier. These members may be willing to help out. It would be nice to get the younger classes involved, but life is extremely busy at that point. The old saying, "If you want to get something done, ask a busy person," seems to be holding true even for the Alumni Association.
Please consider stepping up to the plate to help out. Our Alumni Banquet could fall away as so many other school district have. Cheryl can be reached at cpasukinisATgmail.com . (Change the "AT" to "@.")
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Dorothy Patricia "Pat" (Turner) Hess (February 14, 1937-May 25, 2011) died Wednesday surrounded by dear friends and family while listening to the music that so endeared her to the community. She was 73. |
Dorothy Patricia Turner was born in Inwood, West Virginia, to parents Willis and Florence Turner. She attended early schools in Gerrardstown, West Virginia, until May 1945, when the family was transferred by Mussleman's Orchards to Scoblick Brothers Orchard, Falls, Wyoming County and two years later to Luzerne County. She continued her primary education in Mill City, Pennsylvania, and a one-room schoolhouse in Ross Township. She spent three years at Shickshinny High School, and graduated from Lehman Jackson Ross in 1954.
Pat married Albert "Al" Bruce Hess on April 22, 1961. Al was a Jonestown musician with "The Tumbleweed Ramblers," While pregnant with her daughter, she and her sons began singing as the Al Hess Family Band, and later with local musicians as "Al and Pat Hess and Friends." The group was a local favorite at carnivals, festivals, churches and nursing homes. After Al's death January 31, 2008, she continued to sing in the company of friends. She also enjoyed being outdoors, wildflowers, bird watching, gardening, baking, puzzles and reading.
Pat worked as a seamstress at Harvic Sportswear in Sweet Valley, at one time traveling to New York City to picket during the Garment Union labor strikes. She also worked for Social Security, Wilkes-Barre. She took time off to be an at-home mom, then worked for 17 years as a doctor's office assistant within the Bloomsburg Hospital system. Pat was active in the Jonestown United Methodist Church where she held many offices including teacher, administrative-council chairman, pianist and lay speaker. She was a Boy Scout leader for 20 years, including one year as Scout Master of Jonestown Troop 69. She received the Iroquois District Award in 1981, and earned her Woodbadge beads.
She is survived by brothers George Ronald Turner, Knoxville, Tennessee; Ed Turner, Dallas; sons Glenn Hess, Jonestown; Randy Hess, Nashville, Tennessee; a daughter, Brenda Paul, Edmond, Oklahoma; grandson Daniel Hess, Berwick, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. A brother, Charles Donald Turner, is deceased.
The family will continue their Memorial Day tradition by performing at the Sweet Valley Fireman's Carnival on Monday at 11 AM.
A viewing will be held Tuesday from 5 to 8 PM at the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc. Funeral services will be held at the Jonestown United Methodist Church Wednesday at 10 AM. Burial will be in the Jonestown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Northern Columbia Community Cultural Center, P. O. Box 305, Benton, PA 17814. For online condolences, please visit www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com .
Saturday, May 28, 2011, the start of the Memorial Day weekend and the birthday of Jacob Kaminski, Mary Moore Baker, Scott Wary, Pam Karnes, and twins Randy and Robby Karschner. The temperature should be about 84° this afternoon. With the warm weather and daily dose of thundershowers, the fish should be biting. Stay on track of storms so you don't get caught in the middle of a bunch of lightening. Monday is the Commonwealth's first fish-for-free event of the year. Anyone--resident or nonresident--can fish for free on Monday. The second and final fish-for-free event in Pennsylvania takes place on Labor Day. Chase Emerson Stewart was discharged from the Shriner's Hospital at 6 PM Friday following surgery on his leg Thursday. He is doing very well and has stood on his leg.
There is a fund-raising event for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble today. The event is a yoga marathon at the Alvina Krause Theatre, 226 Center Street, Bloomsburg. Area yoga teachers will be offering a wide variety of classes from 8:30 am through 6 PM to raise funds for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Classes are $10 each and a full-day pass is $50. Those who purchase a full-day pass will receive a free, healthy lunch. Ginny Mazzei's portion of the event is from 9:50 to 10:40 AM. Ginny is calling it "Yog-AHHH!" You'll be able to fine tune your energy--guaranteed to tune your energy, one that will calm you if you're jangled and boost you if you are blah.
A Troy, Pennsylvania, man, 53, fed up and sick with the "gas industry," drove his John Deere 420 tractor into a Ford pickup and a Dodge Ram March 24. He was brought up Wednesday with charges of criminal mischief and disorderly conduct for the incident March 24 on his property in Troy Township.
At Stoney Acres, anyone today only who spends more than $50 gets a free bag of fertilizer. Anyone who purchases anything from now until the July 4 gets to put their name in for door prizes. A $300 wheelbarrow is the grand prize. The first prize is a "snowfountain" cherry tree with a value of $200. The second prize is a "Serban'Spuce" with an $80 value. Third prize is a viburnum with a $50 value.
The Benton High School class of 1961 held a dinner Friday night at Zion Church social hall at Zaners, Fishing Creek Township, to mark 50 years since graduation from Benton Area High School. Twenty-two members of the class planned to attend. Many will remain to attend the annual Alumni Association banquet which will honor the 2011 graduates. Harold Ackerman will provide the Benton News with a full account including "names of perpetrators" and a photo record.
A senior friend from Camp Hill loves his computer and is now into texting, a computer-based method of communicating using basic codes or Senior Texting Codes (STCs). Here are some of his favorites...
ATD - At the Doctor's
BTW - Bring the Wheelchair
CBM - Covered by Medicare
CUATC - See You at The Center
DWI - Driving While Incontinent
GHA - Got Heartburn Again
HASMG -Has anyone seen my glasses?
IMHO - Is My Hearing-Aid On?
LMDO - Laughing My Dentures Out
OHASM - Oh, having another senior moment
OMMR - On My Massage Recliner
MSG - My Sorry, Gas
WAITT - Who Am I Talking To?
WTP - Where's the Prunes
WWI -Where was I?
WWWJTA -What were we just talking about?
GGLKI - Gotta Go, Laxative Kicking in!
Fred Dubetski (April 28, 1936-May 26, 2011), died Thursday at his Fairmount Springs home. He was 75. He was born in Fraserwood, Manitoba, Canada. He was a son of John and Stella Dubetski. Mr. Dubetski worked as a truck driver and later as a truck dispatcher for the Winnipeg Free Press until his retirement.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Eunice J. (Herman) Dubetski, on August 7, 2004. Surviving are his wife, Phoebe A (Harvey) Keller, sons Derrek and Rodney Dubetski, a brother, Michael Dubetski, all of Winnipeg, Canada. Also surviving are his step children Alvin R. Keller, Coplay; Mae Ann Yeager, Fairmount Springs; Kathy I. Halm, Wilkes-Barre; Patsy A. Smith and David A. Keller, Fairmount Springs, and Brian D. Keller, Ashland. There are 12 step grandchildren and 10 step great grandchildren.
Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the McMichael Funeral Home. To sign the online register book or for online condolences, visit www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com .
May 26 & 27, 2011. Thunderstorms are probable through Sunday.
Mitt Romney, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hyYmr1FsvINewt Gingrich, www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLsCVBsLGlcMichele Bachmann, www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWgTUIcY2DkTim Pawlenty, www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2ZoNBmMfxUHerman Cain, www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fm5kdtSfR0Ron Paul, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOA_0_gLZlA
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Wednesday night at The Center, Rev. Brad Spangenberg, Asbury, spoke on the subject of one-room schoolhouses based on his publication "Essays on the One-Room Schoolhouse." As a pastor, Rev. Spangenberg became acquainted with a number of people who in their earlier days had served as teachers in one-room schoolhouses. From them and from their students he listened to wonderful stories of "back then." |
In October 1990, the Millville United Methodist Church sponsored a celebration honoring teachers of one-room schoolhouses. Several teachers presented papers at that time on various aspects of the one-room schoolhouses, especially those of northern Columbia and east Lycoming counties. Authors included Donald Bangs, writing about the Greenwood school and his wife, Lesta, writing about "Recreation in the One-Room Schoolhouse." Former Benton resident Edgar Baker wrote about "Harmony and Discipline in School," while the wife of his former business partner, Mae Bennett, wrote about geography of the schools in Pine Township. Richard Karschner's mother, H. Irene Karschner, wrote about "materials, supplies and resources." Irma Eyer, who had the distinction of playing the organ in the Millville Christian Church for 75 years, wrote about "Graduation." Students also wrote essays on the subject.
May 24 & 25, 2011.
May 24 , the birthday of Pamela Vincent, Matthew Musselman, Micah Metz, Mollie Hough, Ron Robbins and Phillip Shultz . Samuel F. B. Morse sent the first telegraph message from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore on this day in 1844. Morse sent the line, "What hath God wrought?," a Bible verse taken from Numbers 23:23. Long before "You've Got Mail!" echoed through homes, Morse devised a series of dots and dashes to represent the alphabet, and that code ended up being named after him. In 1861, the first transcontinental telegraph line was completed, signaling the beginning of the telecommunications industry. The Brooklyn Bridge opened to the public in 1883 after nearly 14 years of construction. The 1.3 mile-long bridge spans the East River of New York City. T he special meeting of the Benton Area School board scheduled for tonight at 7 PM has been canceled.
May 25, the birthday of Brenda Conrad. On this day in 1927, the Ford Motor Company announced that the Model T, known as the Tin Lizzie, would be discontinued and its replacement would be the Model A. The first Model T was manufactured in 1908 as an "inexpensive vehicle for the great multitude." It was produced on an assembly line and by 1918 half of all motor cars in the entire world were Tin Lizzies. And Ahooga to you, too! Brad Spangenberg will speak at The Center tonight on the topic of "Teaching in the One Room School." Mr. Spangenberg has written several essays on the topic based upon several years of research including many interviews with teachers from the northern part of Columbia County who spent their entire careers teaching our parents and grandparents in one-room schoolhouses. For an evening filled with history and a chance to bring your parents and grandparents for an evening of reminiscences, come to the Center on Wednesday evening at 7 PM. Admission is free. Wednesday will be sunny, but then prepare for thunderstorms through the Labor Day weekend.
Saturday night we watched as popular pitcher Cliff Lee threw eight innings against the team he led to the World Series last year as the Phillies beat the Texas Rangers, 2-0. The Pennsylvania team lost by the same score Sunday. Lefty Lee helped the Rangers get its first AL pennant last season. Lee simply was not happy with the Rangers and also didn't want the New York Yankees who came calling. He eventually signed a $120 million, five-year deal with the Phillies and immediately bought a condominium for a reported 4.5 million dollars on Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. His new residence has floor to ceiling windows, 10 to 20 ft. ceilings and two terraces. His unit has over 4100 square feet of customizable space. There is a state of the art fitness center with sauna, massage rooms, pool, private boardroom and garden. Pretty fancy residence for only working a couple of times every other week.
The subject never was of much interest to me until brother Dayne found out that the southern approach to Benton was going to change at the borough line and that because of eminent domain the state was going to take the family home that Father and Mother and I had lived in and the home that Dayne and Ruth Kline and their five children occupied. The barnyard on the property would suddenly be too close to Route 487 to be safe to take cows in and out of the barn. Life on the farm came to an abrupt end. The power of eminent domain.
We all know of examples of eminent domain where for the "public good" government says what was yours will soon be theirs. The government gives you a "fair price" for what it acquires.
An easement across your property is often known as a "right-of-way" agreement. Easements for the purpose of transporting natural gas from Marcellus-drilling sites to transmission pipelines are currently a hot subject of conversation. A new easement that is signed is usually permanent, traditionally 50 feet wide, specific as to its use and prohibits the landowner from building or planting anything on it. Other easements follow existing right-of-ways along power lines or roads. Most landowners will take the money and run--to the bank. A few landowners are saying no to pipeline easements on their property. A detour around that landowner's land is then necessary--an inconvenience for the drilling company.
Until there is a contamination incident locally, everything will be fine. Landowners get their money from the gas leases and hope that well drilling takes place "down the road" rather than on their property. They point to the bucks that will roll in from royalties if drilling actually takes place. And most aren't overly concerned about the installation of "gathering lines" because landowners can simply decline.
Looming on the horizon for the past year was the possibility that pipeline-gathering companies could apply to be registered as a public utility by going to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Laser Marcellus Gathering Company, LLC (Laser Marcellus) did exactly that.
Intrastate gathering lines have not been subject to eminent domain. Transmission lines (interstate) utilize eminent domain. The taking of private land "for the public good" for gas-gathering lines from the wells to the transmission lines has up to this point not been a concern. Transmission lines carrying gas interstate have eminent domain going for them, but the gathering lines (intrastate) in Pennsylvania required negotiations with property owners.
Condemnation is the term used for the process of taking private property under the power of eminent domain. Government and utility companies have the right to take private property or have an easement on private property--so long as the taking is proven to be for the public's "greater good." The 5th ( protects against abuse of government authority in a legal procedure) and 14th Amendments ( No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws) of the U.S. Constitution kicks in here. Just compensation is due the landowner for losses of both property and damages caused.
The state Public Utility Commission by a 3-2 vote now says it will declare natural gas pipeline company Laser Northeast Gathering a public utility, giving it the power to condemn private property by eminent domain. The commission told Administrative Law Judge Susan D. Colwell to stick her recommendation to deny Laser's application for a "certificate of public convenience," which would grant utility status and the right to wield eminent domain. Expect a significant impact in the local area as lines begin crossing property owner's land in order to connect with the transmission pipeline North of Benton. This ruling is significant to parties requiring the service and to individuals who do not want their land uprooted by gas companies. This action is not a "done-deal" until Laser answers a couple of basic questions, but is not expected to have any problems in doing so. Additional information on this subject is available on the Laser website .
There is a bright side to all this. The Benton area is in the action of natural-gas drilling--but out of the action for getting benefits of the usage of natural gas. The gathering lines now being built could reshape the future of energy in our valley. As gathering lines are built to take the gas from the wells to the transmission line running East and West a few miles North of the borough, similar lines could follow parallel routes to provide natural gas to Benton and surrounding areas. In order to do that, a gas company would have to step up and see if there were enough customers to eventually provide natural gas to fuel our homes. That may be years in the future, but we suspect it will eventually happen.
May 23, 2011, the birthday of Bruce Gilbert, Patrick Ribble, Brenda Wilkinson and Tom Kline. Lisa and Randy Gordner celebrate their wedding anniversary. Think thunderstorms--or the possibility of them--through Thursday.
Watching the devastation in Joplin, Missouri, from Sunday's tornadoes is horrible. While not directly related, we should all be prepared for rising insurance premiums. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. says it increased homeowners rates 7.3% on average in 18 states. Insurer Pure Risk Management raised premiums in Florida 11% this year. Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. increased premiums for some Pennsylvania homeowners by 33% last year. The increases come on the basis of the cost of rebuilding, not on the declining value of the structure. We are paying more to protect that which is worth less! Expect that premium increases will continue based on the number of natural disasters taking place. The Federal flood-insurance is running at an $18 billion deficit from Hurricane Katrina. Federal flood insurance is of questionable value locally, but is required if there is a mortgage on a property that is located in certain flood-prone areas. What you should not do is switch to a small, under-funded insurance company to save money. Some of these companies would not be able to withstand the disaster which occurred in Joplin Sunday.
We all need to save a buck or two. On-line coupons are a way of doing that. A hint: check that your supermarket will accept downloaded internet coupons. Coupons.com offers as wide a range of coupons as does the Sunday paper. It is easy to browse and print. Simply enter your zip code. CouponCabin.com shows you its "most-used coupons" and "favorite deals" and provides a weekly email newsletter each Monday. CouponMom.com lists online-coupon codes, printout coupons and free samples. You can sign up for email alerts on sales at favorite retailers or on favorite items. You can buy discounted gift certificates for restaurants at this site.
May 20, 21 and 22, 2011. Keep Sherri and Robert Strachen in your prayers. They were involved in an accident on Route 118 in which two local people were killed. The next edition of the Benton News will be distributed during the day on May 23. Now it is off to a river ride on the Delaware and watch some Phillies baseball and generally take the weekend off.
Auditions for "To Gillian on her 37th Birthday" will be held at The Center on June 26 from 5-7 PM and June 27 from 6-8 PM. Director Kevin Hickman needs two teenage girls, three women and two men. Audition scripts can be picked up at the desk later this week.
Sandy Lehet did not have her knee surgery Monday as planned. Sandy was "totally prepared to go through the big double doors," and doctors decided to do an injection for pain which would last approximately 15 hours." Somehow, they missed the vein and the injection went directly into her blood and caused seizures. Sandy passed out, but revived after shots were administered. The doctor would not then do the surgery. Other doctors are being consulted to determine the exact cause of the seizures. Hopefully, the "double doors" will swing open soon.
You may not have heard of Gilt Taste, but it is an online market with direct access to artisan products and ingredients that are generally only available to professional chefs. The on-line magazine provides direct access to farmers and artisans who make and grow the products, discover where food comes from, learn how to prepare it for the best results and buy it. The site has original recipes, stories and contributions from chefs, photographers, filmmakers and tastemakers. The current edition includes an article, www.gilttaste.com/stories/327 , entitled "What Will Fracking Do to Your Food Supply?" The thrust of the article is that fracking is tainting water. Your food might be next.
Today's "How Did They Do That?" segment is available here . The 3-D light show was projected on the face of a building in Portugal. The lighting engineers who developed the show and technology are under age 25.
Max Hartman told me about a program that detects and installs missing security patches for your PeeCee. It is the Personal Software Inspector (PSI) 2.0 or "Secunia PSI." The Secunia PSI is a free security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Attacks exploiting vulnerable programs and plug-ins are rarely blocked by traditional anti-virus and are therefore increasingly "popular" among criminals. After trying the program, I agree with Max. This is a program your computer probably should have. Download it here.
Simply Sullivan County is a new Morris Press Cook Book release compiled by Connie Hatch, Forksville. Recipes are from many Sullivan County residents, old and new, flatlanders and ridgerunners alike. For more information on how to order, contact Connie via email at wbsc62AThotmail.com. Please indicate "cook book" in the subject of your email. The cook book is soft cover with wire binding so pages can lay flat on counter or book prop or fold easily. The cookbook is $10.
Didja see where 513 undocumented migrants from Latin America, Japan, China, India and Nepal were crammed into two trucks bound for the United States? Police found the migrants in inhuman conditions in the southeastern state of Chiapas, near the Guatemalan border. Police stopped the trucks, carrying 240 and 273 people after they accelerated through a vehicle scanner at a police checkpoint.
There have been many versions of how Lopez acquired its name, but they all come back to a man by the name of John R Lopez (sometimes spelled Lopaz) who lived in the area during the construction of the Susquehanna & Tioga Turnpike. Without dignifying other versions, the Sullivan Review in its edition of December 1, 1887, notes that Lopez was a laborer for the construction company and with his wife moved as the road building slowly progressed. Mrs. Lopez ran boarding houses for the workers. At what is now known as Lopez Hill, Lopez attempted to disarm a blasting cap that had been placed in a large rock. The charge suddenly detonated and he and the rock were thrown backwards. The location of the blast became known as "Lopez rock" or "Lopez Hill." The town name was "Tar Bridge," a town of about 1,000 people, and in 1889 the name "Lopez" was adopted in lieu of "Tar Bridge." The village of Lopez took its name from the Lopez creek.
May 18 & 19, 2011. With gas prices at $3.699 within 15 miles of Benton, be assured that you can get gas with no waiting at either of the Benton gas stations as long as you are willing to pay the premium that the local stations are charging. There will be a special meeting of the school board of the Benton Area Schools at 7 PM May 24 to discuss budget issues. Keep Sherri and Robert Strachen in your prayers. They were involved in an accident on Route 118 in which two local people were killed.
May 19, the birthday of Bob Milnarik, Joyce Letteer, Michelle Lee Faux, Marvin LeValley, Christopher Kile, Paul Newhart and RoseAnn Marie Sirolli.
Voters Tuesday cast ballots to determine the candidates in November for municipal, school board and judicial elections. On the statewide level there is one vacancy on the Superior Court and one vacancy on the Commonwealth Court to be filled. Some voters were turned away from local polling places because as "Independents" they could not cast their ballots for either Republicans or Democrats. This really is a two-party nation! Results of the May 17 primary election results will be displayed at www.columbiapa.org/voter/results.php .
Fans of American Idol will love the show Thursday, May 19, when Italian teenagers Piero Barone, 17, Ignazio Boschetto, 16, and Gianluca Ginoble, 16--the singing group Il Volo--will perform. Their newest album was released Tuesday. The three have incredible voices which they proved on Italian television when they sang "O Sole Mio," www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw3c5d3aBSE&feature . They will appear on CBS Early Show's Second Cup Cafe on Saturday, May 21. Today's beautiful music segment on the Benton News comes from Il Volo. Watch, listen and enjoy at www.interscope.com/artist/player/default.aspx?meid=6314&aid=1200 .
The L.R. Appleman Elementary School is holding its annual May Day at 1 this afternoon with the theme "The Beatles." Lee Remley, who predates the Beatles by a number of years, recently reminisced about winding the May pole many years ago, but his memories were most vivid about a game that he and his fellow male classmates played during the "down time" of the activities. What the boys of that era did on school grounds would be a "no-no" in today's world and would lead to immediate expulsion.
The Sullivan County Council on the Arts will present Diamonds and Coal at 2 PM for its fifth production at the Roving Historical Theater at St. Francis Hall, Route. 487, Mildred. Diamonds and Coal is an original play celebrating the glory days of mining and baseball in the Bernice-Mildred area of Sullivan County. The mountain community was the scene of a prolonged and bitter contest between capital and labor. On one side was the State Line and Sullivan Railroad Company which first reached the town in 1871 and operated the Bernice coal mines. On the other side were 300 men employed in the mines. As time went on, bitterness on both sides grew until the superintendent of the mines needed a guard of special officers to protect him from threatened violence, while each day the miners and their families braced expecting to be evicted from their homes by the sheriff at the command of the company. Bernice had only one industry--the mines. The town was practically owned by the state Line and Sullivan Railroad Company. If that industry shut down, all business in the town would be paralyzed. Somehow the town continued to grow through World War I, supplying a unique grade of semi-anthracite coal to heat homes throughout the northeastern United States. Output fell from its peak following the war, but the mines continued to produce at varying levels during the depression and into the 1950s.
During much the same period, the semi-pro Ber-Mil baseball team--known as the "Reds"--ruled as a sports tiger of the Northern Tier, producing a team feared inside and outside its local league–-even going undefeated in 1946. The team played teams like the "Temperance Team, Brookside and the Lopez Giants,
Diamonds and Coal highlights not only the railroads, the mines and baseball, but the overall history of a community that rose from almost nothing to a peak population of approximately 1,200. The play documents the miners at work and at home, the illegal speakeasies of Prohibition, a rousing battle between rival railroad gangs, and the ravages of the dreaded Spanish Flu of 1918–-the most deadly epidemic in human history.
The Roving Theater is unique in its dedication to bringing alive the history and industries of individual communities in Sullivan County. Each play covers a specific community and is held in that community. Over the past four years it has highlighted the founding of the county at Laporte, the lumbering industry of Hillsgrove, the mercantile background of Dushore, and the Quaker roots and farming base of Elkland and Fox Townships.
The production will be held at 7 PM on June 4 and 10, and 2 PM on June 5. Tickets are $7 in advance for adults, $8 at the door, $1 for students and free for pre-schoolers. For more information on this and other Arts Council programs, visit www.sullivanarts.org, email info@sullivanarts.org or phone 570 928-8927.
Tina M. Crist (February 19, 1985-May 15, 2011), Jonestown, died Sunday as the result of injuries sustained in a motor-vehicle accident on state route 118 in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County. Two people were killed and two seriously injured in the accident near the entrance to Ricketts Glen State Park. Tina was 26.
Tina was born in the Berwick Hospital. She was a daughter of Clayton W. and Rita C. (Naugle) Crist, Jonestown. Tina was a graduate of Benton High School and Allied Medical School, Forty-Fort. She worked in the health-care field and provided in-home care for area residents.
She enjoyed spending time outdoors and especially loved fishing and camping. She also enjoyed doing crafts, scrap books and collages. The joy of her life, however, was the time that she spent with her daughter, Ashlyn Rose Houseweart. Surviving, in addition to her parents are her daughter and her maternal grandmother, Emily Naugle, Jonestown.
A visitation will be held Thursday from 11 until noon at the McMichael Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1 at the Maple Grove Cemetery, Pikes Creek. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to First Columbia Bank and Trust Co., Benton, PA 17814 for a fund to be set up for her daughter, Ashlyn Rose Houseweart. For online condolences, visit www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com .
Joseph E. "Gumba" Reabuck II (October 29, 1982-May 15, 2011), Stillwater, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a motor-vehicle accident on state route 118 in Fairmount Township, Luzerne County. Two people were killed and two seriously injured in the accident near the entrance to Ricketts Glen State Park. Joe was 28. He was born at the Bloomsburg Hospital. He was a son of Joseph E. Reabuck and Yvonne C. Kingsbury, Stillwater. Joe attended Benton High School. He worked as a mason and was employed by Roger Young, Derrs. He previously was employed by Karschner's Tree Farm.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his step-mother, Susan (Janney) Reabuck; brothers Jorden N. Reabuck, Mifflinville; Thomas E. Reabuck (B. J.), Benton; Timothy E. Reabuck, Benton; his maternal grandmother, Beverly Kingsbury, Hagerstown, Maryland, and by nieces and nephews Kayla, Tyler, Jake, Alex and Ashley.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the McMichael Funeral Home. For online condolences, visit www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com .
May 16 & 17, 2011. Lee Remley reported that .62 inches of rain fell in the borough Sunday. The upcoming forecast is for thunderstorms, rain and showers.
You can look at sample ballots as follows:
• Republican ballots for all districts: www.columbiapa.org/voter/11PPACOLREP.pdf
• Democratic ballots for all districts: www.columbiapa.org/voter/11PPACOLDEM.pdf
Results of the May 17 Primary Election will be available at www.columbiapa.org/voter/results.php .
Doug and Roxann Deitrick have great news to share. Their son, Zachary, graduated from Pennsylvania Collage of Technology Saturday with a 4.0 average for the semester in his field of business and HR. Doug's younger brother, Rod Deitrick, and Zac's grandfather, Richard Boyer, were able to be present for the happy occasion. Doug's daughter, Dr. Danielle Deitrick, is "saving lives every day in her profession." Brother Rod Deitrick is looking after our country's security. Zac will soon be heading out anxious to be a successful business person. Doug said he felt "truly blessed" as a pancreatic cancer survivor for more than five years. "Being able to witness these successes are truly a blessing to me. I am a thankful man."
If you did not receive an invitation to the alumni banquet, the school probably does not have your current address. Email me and I'll get it to the right people.
In June 1995, Dean Kriner donated microfilm and bound copies of the Argus to the custodial care of the Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society. The extensive collection covered the years 1910 to 1969. Dean made the newspaper available to the public as a memorial to the Percey Brewington family, owner and publisher, and Martin Appleman, a long-time employee of the newspaper. This collection is an important resource of Columbia County history. The collection is housed at 225 Market Street, Bloomsburg. The phone number of the society is 784-1600.
Sunday morning I noticed that Rodney Pennington walked with his head about five inches in front of his body and tilted toward the ground as if he had spent much of life lifting milk cans from a milk cooler. I casually told Rod that he was "stove up," a term Father often used following his long hours on the farm, riding in the car from delivering mail on R.D. 3 and from shoveling sand and gravel from the "gravel bars" we had on the farm. Rod's son, Doug, didn't understand the term "stove up." Someone else said that was understandable because "stove up" isn't in the dictionary.
Going to the dictionary will never teach anyone the true meaning of "stove up." Riding a horse, walking the trail at Ricketts Glen or tilling the garden will teach the true meaning of the term. Heck, there are lots of things that aren't in the dictionary. You wouldn't look in the dictionary to learn the meaning of "Firebelch 500." There isn't any point in putting a term like that in the dictionary when everyone knows what it means before it is looked up. One fellow did try to look it the term on his smartphone, but got a lot of gobblygoop; i.e., "Infinitif, to stave. Prétérit, stove. Participe passé, stove. Participe présent (et gérondif)." We didn't spend any more time looking up the term on the internet. Webster would have been much better. When Webster defines something, you don't have to look up the meaning of ten other long words.
The discussion of "stove up" then turned to contributions from people who were long on theory, but short on actual experience. "Stove up" ranks right up there with precise American sayings like "done up" and "jiggered up," "pooped, "shot," and "done to a frazzle."
People who are "done up" or "worn to a frazzle" are worn out. People who "cork out" sneak out for a five-minute nap in the middle of the day, even if they haven't done any work to warrant the nap. "Flaking out" is "corking out" as done on a boat. Again, these terms are so understandable that there isn't any need to include them in a dictionary. And the same with someone who is "stove up," a person who just "crips" around.
The next step past being "stove up" is having no teeth so that the chin and the end of the nose meet. Usually the eyes have gone by this time, so squinting when working into a glare is common. Hair will be all but nonexistent by this time. A favorite expression is "Whatdidja say?"
May 15, the 135th day of 2011, and the birthday of Cheryl Kelsey, Charles Dewey Harris, Donna Sutton Deeter, Lorraine Feola and Shawn Barrett. The official start of summer is in 37 days. Do you like rain? You are in the right part of the world for most of the coming week.
Army engineers slowly opened the gates Saturday of the 4,000 foot-long Morganza spillway to divert water from the Mississippi River around Baton Rouge and New Orleans by flooding the Atchafalaya River, basin and swamp. Floodwater began rising around homes and farms owned by about 25,000 people. Opening the spillway could submerge about 3,000 square miles under as much as 25 feet of water in some areas. Can you picture water 25 feet deep submerging the Fishing Creek Valley? The water is expected to flow 20 miles south, through Morgan City and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. Columbia County farmers are working 24/7 to get their crops in the water-drenched ground. Think of the unfortunate farmers in Alabama who will have water covering their houses, barns and fields for the next two or three weeks.
First Columbia's Online Banking will not be available on Monday, May 16, from approximately 12:01 AM until 7 PM. The system will be down for scheduled maintenance.
The 81st Millville Fire Company Carnival runs from July 1-9. Food includes the famous caramel corn, French fries, cheese steaks, cotton candy, hot sausage, hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, sno cones, ice tea, ham sandwiches, clam chowder, wings, chicken sandwiches, Nachos, rib sandwiches, ham and bean soup, ice cream, pizza and ice-cold Catawissa Sparkling Beverages. Shuttle bus service is available nightly from the parking lot at Woolcock Oil. The daily schedule for the carnival is shown on the Upcoming Events page of the Benton News.
In 2005, a bluegrass group known as "Cherryholmes" was a headliner at the O.A.T.S. Festival in Benton over the July 4th weekend. "Cherryholmes" (the group) has officially disbanded as of May 7. The young musicians in the group can now follow their own dreams and goals for the future. We want to add to the chorus of voices who wish Jere and Sandy Cherryholmes and the entire Cherryholmes family the best there is in the coming years.
The snowbirds are mostly back, including the feathered ones. Ever wonder about their spring migration maps that show the winter range, the migratory path, and the dates when you might expect to see the first arrivals in your area. Go here to see arrival dates in your area.
Susan Sedlins, Plymouth MN, and her two sisters are coming to the Benton area, probably May 16-17. The three trace back to families with familiar names like Kent, Stiles, Albertson and McHenry. Susan's grandfather was Melvin Boyd Stiles, son of Russell Boyd Stiles, a man born in the Benton area, grandson of Josiah Stiles and Beulah Albertson, and great grandson of John Stiles and Martha McHenry. Russell's second wife was Rhoda Ikeler whose mother was a Laubach. The interest of the three is in their great grandparents Josiah Stiles and Beulah Albertson Stiles.
Susan's younger sister, Barbara Dewey, is the Dean of Libraries for Penn State University. Susan and her older sister, Ann Dobon, are retired teachers. The women will spend some time in Benton, spend time with cousin Ann Sutliff Ganshaw, Mifflinburg, and do research at the Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society. They are particurly interested in the "Stiles house" on Cemetery Hill, now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Goode. Mr. Goode has promised them a tour of the historic house. Professor George Turner will also spend time with them.
Susan's mother, Barbara Stiles Kent, 90, is in very good health. She is the motivation for continuing research on the Stiles family. When Beulah, and later Josiah, died in the mid 1860s their seven children went their separate ways. Barbara knew her great grandfather, Russell Boyd Stiles, and his second wife, Margaret Ikeler, but not any of his brothers and sisters. The "Fishing Creek Confederacy" controversy could have played a big part in the Stiles "exodus" from Benton. Richard Stiles, brother of Josiah Stiles, was the local enlistment officer for the Union Army and Susan suspects that he could be "the one who started the whole incident." Richard eventually moved to Bloomsburg, then Philadelphia and finally to Delaware County. He returned to Benton in 1885 to visit a son and got attacked by two men who tried to "tar and feather" him until he was rescued by Lloyd Freas who happened along.
Josiah Stiles returned to Benton after the Civil War in 1866. His wife, Beulah, had died and he died soon after returning home, leaving his children as orphans. Susan's great grandfather, Russell Boyd, was sent to the orphanage at Orangeville. He eventually left Pennsylvania and ended up in Iowa. His son, Melvin Boyd Stiles, was Susan's grandfather. Susan recalls that Melvin "often used odd phrases, like "Ach Du lieber!" This term literally means "O thou dear" as in "Ach Du lieber Augustin." It often indicates that the speaker begins to declare an oath, as in swearing about some circumstance.
To best understand who Stiles was, revisit the article entitled "William Appleman's Petition to Congress" by Professor George Turner.
Hiram Everitt, a lumber dealer born in Northampton county, one of 16 children of James and Mary Everitt, became a large land owner in the Benton area. He was reared on a farm outside Orangeville. He was a carpenter until he became a store keeper and later got into the lumber business. A Borough street was named in his honor. He married Hannah Stiles in 1854 and together they had seven children. Mr. Everitt was drafted in the $300 draft during the Civil War. He was arrested at his home on the night of August 24, 1864, during what is now often referred to as the "Fishingcreek Confederacy," held for four months at Bomb Proof No. 3 in Fort Mifflin and was discharged without ever being told the reason for his confinement. After his wife died, he married a daughter of Benjamin McHenry and had a daughter, Tressie.
Many readers will remember the Baker & Baker building on the east side of Main Street just north of the town square. The building occupied a combination of several buildings and land that included the former Pennington & Sealy store building. The land was the former site of the home of Mrs. Oliver Hess and the J. J. Stubbs Hotel which stood on the site until 1860. The Stiles Hotel was once located where Pennington and Seely built their store. When the store building was built, the Stiles Hotel building was moved back of this store. The former hotel was a two-story budding which was connected to the store.
Charles W. Hess moved to Benton in 1909 and bought the meat market of Henry Unbewust which was in a building on the square which at that time housed the offices of the Benton Argus, a barber shop and a butcher shop. On the second floor of this building were the offices of the Congressman John G. McHenry. In the Benton fire of July 4, 1910, the building burned and as soon as possible after the fire, Mr. Hess built a meat market on what later became the site of the Baker and Baker Building.
When Susan last came to Benton, she found the grave of Josiah Stiles, and other family members on Cemetery Hill.
If any readers have any knowledge of the Stiles family, please let me know so I can pass the information to Susan and her sisters.
May 13 & 14, 2011. Expect seasonal weather and possible showers from tonight through Monday.
The primary election takes place May 17. You can look at sample ballots as follows:
• Republican ballots for all districts: www.columbiapa.org/voter/11PPACOLREP.pdf
• Democratic ballots for all districts: www.columbiapa.org/voter/11PPACOLDEM.pdf
Sign up for the Fishing Creek Players acting workshops this summer. There is a class for kids and one for adults. Check www.fishingcreekplayers.com to sign up. Places are limited.
Didja ever think that politics is nothing more than listening to a constituent with money or influence, applying the answer supplied by the constituent and coming up with the wrong remedy for the general population? The political process is now working its magic in our Commonwealth as the legislative-redistricting process redraws the boundaries for state Senate and state House districts to reflect population changes over the past decade as measured by the federal census. There is a five-member state Legislative Reapportionment Commission to redraw the cockamamie legislative districts we now have. States have to redraw legislative lines every 10 years to reflect population changes reported in the federal census, the latest being the 2010 census. The LRC consists of three members from Allegheny County (think Pittsburgh; a county with a population of 1,223,348), one from Chester County (the county with the highest-income in Pennsylvania; a population of 498,894). A Superior Court Justice serves as chairman--a man who never ran for office, was appointed to both the bench and the commission. His salary is $9,450 a month. The constitution requires that the chair of the LRC be a citizen of Pennsylvania who does not hold a local, state or federal office to which compensation is attached. All those who think these guys will straighten out the legislative redistricting in our area, please raise your right hand.
Didja know that in 1947 the Kozy Korner Restaurant also operated as a lending library? Roy McHenry was the proprietor at the time.
There will be a tour and demonstration of the Swedish Bucket Lime Sand Doser from 10 AM to noon on May 17. Meet at the Game Commission Gate (directions below) and hike ¼ mile to demonstration site. As part of Fishing Creek Watershed Association’s ongoing effort to restore the East Branch of Fishing Creek, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC) is working with Lime Doser Consulting to install a Swedish bucket limestone sand doser in the headwaters. Three water monitoring sondes have already been placed by SRBC to collect data. On May 16, the sand doser will be installed for a trial period to evaluate its effectiveness in improving the water quality. Lime Doser Consulting is providing this equipment free of charge for the trial period. Four-wheel drive is strongly recommended. From Elk Grove, go five miles to right on Cherry Ridge Road. Travel another 5 miles and take a right on Grassy Hollow Road. PGC parking lot 3/4 mile down Grassy Hollow Road.
May 11 & 12, 2011. Expect mid to upper 80s through Saturday.
We are having a pop quiz today, only for Pennsylvania residents. Readers who are not from our Commonwealth may flunk the quiz and are exempt from the test. Here it is. The music at www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9U98trV80s (you may have to cut and paste this link into your browser) is the official Pennsylvania State Song. Listen to the music and name the title of the song written by Eddie Khoury and Ronnie Bonner and made the pride of Pennsylvania by Pennsylvania Statutes, Title 71. Answer at end.
Didja know that Pennsylvania is one of only eleven states that do not limit the amount of money that individuals can give to candidates? The natural gas industry gave $7,175,234 to Pennsylvania candidates and Political Action Committees (PACs) from 2000 through the end of 2010, according to a free download from MarcellusMoney.org .
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Mighty is your name,
Steeped in glory and tradition,
Object of acclaim,
Where brave men fought the foe of freedom,
Tyranny decried,
'Til the bell of independence filled the countryside.Chorus
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be filled with honor everlasting as your history.Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
Blessed by God's own hand,
Birthplace of a mighty nation,
Keystone of the land.
Where first our country's flag unfolded,
Freedom to proclaim,
May the voices of tomorrow glorify your name.Chorus
Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania,
May your future be filled with honor everlasting as your history.
What led a man to drive an ancient panel truck 200 miles to die, shot through the chest, in the parking lot of Marilyn's Cafe? Sullivan County resident Derek Davis knows and tells all in his first novel, "Gifts of a Dead Man." Published by Star Publish, it unfolds a mystery surrounding a mystery. Who was this determined driver, where did he come from and why has his death brought a renewed sense of purpose to the inhabitants of a tiny Missouri town on the edge of Business I-44?
Meet Pete, the baritone, and Millie, the soprano, of The Heavenly Choir, eight times winner of the Habernine County Choral Contest, as they ride the back roads of Kansas and Oklahoma in search of answers. Meet Ben Maline, the amateur detective (and Marilyn's husband), paralyzed from the neck down, who directs their search. Meet the Grey Man, who recovers small, ingrown worlds from the holes he digs near his lean-to; Jasper, the world's most accomplished short-order cook; alcoholic FBI agent Philbrick; guilt-wracked trucker Big Dave Westerphal; Walter Thunderclap, Native American shaman; The Spirit, who wanders in from Will Eisner's comics masterpiece; and others--many others.
Davis, originally from Philadelphia, is former editor of the alternative weekly now known as The Philadelphia Weekly. He has published more than 60 short stories and was commissioned to write a book-length history of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is presently collaborating on a screenplay with his daughter, Caitlin, working on a screenplay of his own and has two novels in progress.
You can order a copy of “Gifts of a Dead Man” online from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, or directly from the author, with a money order for $16.50 (which includes shipping and sales tax) to Derek Davis, PO Box 63, Dushore, PA 18614. For those with a Kindle, Nook, Sony or other electronic reading device, the ebook will soon be available for $4.99.
Linda Mae (Hinchcliffe) Hamilton (June 24, 1951-May 7, 2011), a retired elementary school teacher with the Benton Area Schools, died Saturday at her home in Shunk after a brave battle with cancer. She was 59. She was a daughter of John A. and Madge Hinchcliffe. She was a graduate of the Benton High School class of 1969 and graduated from Bloomsburg University in 1973.
She was preceded in death by her father, John A. Hinchcliffe; nephew, Christopher Miller, and father-in-law, Richard Hamilton, Sr. She is survived by her husband, Richard, Shunk; her mother Madge Hinchcliffe, Benton; mother-in-law Patricia Hamilton, Shunk; daughters Cheryl (Randy) Fry, Danville; Crystal (Brian) Woodruff, Bloomsburg; stepdaughters Michelle (Scott) Dangle, Cogan Station, and Stacey (Anthony) Zaikoski, Texas; sisters Nancy (William) Fricke, Benton, and Carol Ann Lore (Bob Puterbaugh), Millville; nephews: Eric Fricke and Mark Fenstermacher; nieces: Melanie Miller and Michelle Hess; grandchildren Gavin and Gabriel Fry, Korin and Kelsea Dangle, and Patrick Zaikoski; and special cousins Charles Kline Jr. and Vicki Mast.
A celebration of Linda's life will take place Wednesday, May 11, at 1 PM at the Millville United Methodist Church. The family suggests that memorial contributions be directed to the American Cancer Society, 1948 E. Third St., Williamsport, PA 17701. Professional services were handled by Morse & Kleese Funeral Home, Canton.
Sally Aurene (Letteer) Meyer (March 20, 1944-May 6, 2011), Dixon, Missouri, died Friday in the Ozark Riverview Manor, Ozark, Missouri. She was 67. She was born in Bloomsburg. Sally was a daughter of Jack Vincent Letteer and Josephine (Chamberlain) Letteer. She graduated from Benton High School in 1962, then went to work for the FBI in Washington D.C. as a budget clerk, where she worked for eight years before transferring to the FBI office in Saint Louis. In 1973, she went to work in the Director of Resource Management office at Fort Leonard Wood where she worked for 20 years before retiring in 1993.
Sally and Marvis "Marv"Meyer married in Bloomsburg in 1969. They owned Meyer Tree and Berry Farm and Pumpkin Patch, near Dixon, for more than 20 years. As a result of selling blueberries and strawberries, Sally earned the title of "Blueberry Lady." In the fall she welcomed many children and adults to the pumpkin patch and drove them to the fields to pick their own pumpkins. Mrs. Meyer was a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant for 39 years and a member of the Church of Christ, Dixon.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one niece, Lori Morgan. Those left to cherish the memories of Sally include her husband, Marv Meyer, Dixon; sister and brother-in-law, Peggy (Ronald) Morgan, Bloomsburg; nephews, nieces, and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 AM Friday, May 13, 2011, with visitation preceding, at the McMichael Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Benton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Benton Cemetery Association, c/o Robert Hess, P. O. Box 171, Benton, PA 17814. For online condolences, visit www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.co
May 9 & 10, 2011. All you need to know about the weather is that it will be wonderful through Thursday.
Ruth Bonham, 17, was a talented musician and a senior anxious to pursue a musical career after leaving school. Ruth's friend, Maud Sutliff, 18, had also passed her examinations and would be part of the graduating class of 1910. Robert Minnich, 19, the senior-class president, was going to exchange gifts at commencement with Carolyn Koons, 17. They became sweethearts during the last term at school.
The dam was owned by the Koons brothers. At the turn of the century, it was 100 feet wide and 20 feet deep. Its idyllic setting and close proximity to the school made it a popular picnic and boating sport for local children. The boating party met shortly after lunch that May afternoon and boarded a scow and a rowboat.
The scow, carrying six of the students, sprang a leak and began to take on water. One of the girls began to bail it out with a small can. They were near shore and could row in easily. Things were going well until the boy rowing said jokingly, "Look out or we'll all drown." This frightened one of the girls so badly that she fainted. The people in the rowboat brought their craft alongside the scow to remove her, and the five others boarded as well.
The overcrowded boat sank to almost water level, became unbalanced, capsized and the young people were thrown out. The boat shot away from them and they were left helpless in the water. Only half of them were able to swim. The girls, weighted down by the heavy skirts and petticoats that were the fashion of the day, sank quickly. The boys tried to help but were themselves dragged down. Robert Minnick made it to shore safely, but went back to try to save Carolyn Koons. He reached her and held her above water for a while, but one of the other desperate girls clung onto him and all three went down. They were later found together at the bottom of the creek.
Roy Dodson, 16, the only other boy who drowned that day, had been afflicted with a crippling condition for many years and had never been able to go in the water. His brother, George, was able to make it to the shore, but wasn't strong enough to help the others. Madeline Good, 16, almost saved herself. She came close to shore, her head well above water, when either from fright or exhaustion, she fainted and fell backwards. Iris Davenport, 17, and Rachael Thompson, 16, couldn't be rescued in time.
The screams and shouts of the terrified young people attracted the attention of Derr Klinetob who was working in a field near the dam. By the time he reached the scene, only Maud Sutliff's body was on the surface of the water. The other seven victims had disappeared from view. Maud's body was still warm when Klinetob pulled her to shore. He worked to revive her until a doctor arrived, but the effort was in vain. By the time the other boats and grappling hooks could be brought to the dam, all that remained to be done was to recover the bodies and take them to their homes. The tragedy shocked and devastated Huntington Mills and surrounding communities. Nearly everyone had a friend or relative among the victims.
The week following the drownings, the week that would've seen the graduation of Ruth Bonham, Maud Sutliff and Robert Minnich, the week that Carolyn Koons would've presented her beau with a pair of gold cufflinks and a scarf pin, was instead a week of mourning and funerals.
The spring flowers that would have been presented to proud high-school graduates and their friends were instead heaped on their coffins.
The Paper Mill dam is long gone from the banks of Huntington Creek. The dam disappeared during a 1975 flood.
Linda Hinchcliffe Hamilton, Shunk, a member of the Benton Class of 1969 who taught for 36 years in the local school system and was a lay Methodist minister, has died. An obituary will be provided when available.
May 7 & 8, 2011. This is Mother's Day weekend. Highs both days should hover around 70°, with a passing shower each day. Didja ever think about the logic of past-generation mothers? "If you fall out of that tree and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me." "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about." "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!" "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
--Clyde Hager, lyrics
"I don't know. I was always told not to answer that until you've had one."
-Jessica Simpson, on being asked how many kids she'd like to have.
Edgar once wrote a report entitled Harmony and Discipline in School, written for Pastor Brad Spangenberg as part of a project involving former teachers who were parishioners and friends of Rev. Spangenberg at the Millville United Methodist Church.
Edgar taught in the one-room school at Upper Pine, where each day the Scriptures and the Lord's Prayer were read in unison as the school day began. Songs were sometimes sung, and poems, sometimes religious in nature, were read. At Upper Pine, Edgar never had more than twenty pupils in any one year, and one year had only thirteen. Edgar's own one-room school days were very different, with about fifty students and prior to Edgar's school days about 90 students in the same school.
At Upper Pine, of the students Edgar had in school there were more than half of them that were first, second, or third cousins. Edgar and his wife, Helen, owned the Tamar country store in the same community, and all the parents were customers during the last three years that he taught. During the depression years, mandated by state law, Edgar was asked to go back to the eighty-five dollars from the one hundred dollars he had been receiving.
Edgar recalled that n 1927 during his senior year of high school, George Gordner, a school director in Pine Township, asked Edgar to teach the next year. Edgar was not interested, as he intended to go to State College. An uncle, Benton Young, also asked Edgar to come to Upper Pine to teach. Edgar's father thought it might be a good thing to teach a year or two and decide what he really wanted to take at college. Edgar finally acquiesced to teach at Upper Pine, beginning in the fall of 1927 and four or five others of his class at Millville High School began teaching in Greenwood and Madison Townships at the same time.
Edgar wrote that the appointment of teachers was nearly always made by school directors, although the County Superintendent of Schools also had a voice in these decisions.
When asked about discipline, Edgar responded by saying that restrictions on punishment were not regulated by state law in those days, except that teachers were encouraged not to use excessive punishment. Common sense was the rule. Edgar recalls that he never inflicted punishment with a whip or strap, but does recall other types of punishment: making students stay in their seats during recess or at lunch time, or making them write something a number of times.
May 6, 2011, the birthday of Karen Boston, Ray Tucker, Ann Fernandez Hippenstiel and Alica Stackhouse. The Benton Fire Department will conduct a mock car accident for Benton High School students at 1 PM today. The fire company will set up the accident scene between noon and 12:30 along Park Street near the student parking lot. The volunteers of the local fire company are also selling spring flowers at the fire hall today and tomorrow. It was cold last night, but daytime temperatures today could almost reach 70°.
The state owns mineral rights on about 20% of its total parkland, with the bulk of its
--Hope Merrill in Jamison City, as quoted by Roy Davis
May 5, 2011. It is Cinco de Mayo, a date of great importance for the Mexican and Chicano communities, the day that celebrates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862. The Mexicans were outnumbered two to one, but they inflicted an estimated 1,000 French casualties and forced a retreat to the gulf coast. The city was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza after the Mexican general that led the effort. It is the birthday of Keith Gilbert, Andrew Russel and Irene Yorks. The Benton Volunteer Fire Company begin its three-day flower sale today at the fire hall. Expect a sunny and windy day.
Enid S. Hines, 945 Bethel Hill Rd., Shickshinny, celebrated her 102 birthday Wednesday night at the Brass Pelican restaurant. Enid was the oldest of 11 children of Harland A. Talcott and Nellie Stevens Talcott. She was born on May 4, 1909, on the Steven’s farm in Broadway. She did not attend school until the age of 8 because of rheumatic fever. She attended the Pleasant Valley one-room school for seven years and the Bloomingdale School for one year. During her first eight years of school, Enid "skipped" two grades. Enid graduated from Shickshinny High School in 1928 in a class of 20 boys and 10 girls. She then proceeded to work and put herself through Bloomsburg Normal School, now Bloomsburg University. She began teaching in 1929 at the Pleasant Valley School and continued teaching in many one-room schools in the area including the Green Valley School, Frisby School (near Sweet Valley), Fairmount Springs School, Red Hill School, and Bethel Hill School--all one- room schools with grades one through eight in the same room. This changed to grades one to six in 1951 while at the Bethel Hill School. After the jointure in 1956, she taught a year in Garrison School, Shickshinny, then finished her teaching at Huntington Mills School with only one grade in a room. She retired from teaching in 1974. Many readers have experienced her in the classroom.
Enid married Delbert Hines, another schoolteacher and lay-minister, on August 17, 1934. They had one child, Joan, who blessed them with children Leo, LeRoy, Rise, Lenn and Lonny. These children then blessed her with seven great-grandchildren, who in turn have blessed her with four great great grandchildren
.She is the oldest member of the 11 Talcott children. Those deceased included Alva Talcott Franklin, Forrest Talcott, Iloe Talcott Harvey, Anson Talcott, Leta Talcott Dildine, Augustus Talcott, Lenn Talcott and a baby. Only Travila Talcott Snyder Gregory, and Mary Talcott Mincavage Balliet still are living.
Finalists for the First Columbia Teen Star musical event at 2 PM on Sunday, May 22, at Haas Auditorium on the campus of Bloomsburg University includes Leah Bergstrom and James Steigerwalt of the Benton Area Schools. Benjamin Ikeler and Keeyan Zimmerman of the Millville Area High School are also finalists. Lance Diehl of the First Columbia Bank & Trust Co., sponsor of this event, noted that the contest will showcase the musical talent of the high-school students in Columbia County. General admission tickets are available for purchase for $3 at any of First Columbia Bank’s 14 community banking locations. Proceeds from the show will be donated to a local charity.
Didja know that the majority of the American voting-age population is 45 or older according to the 2010 Census? If we round the figures off, 119 million people 45 and older make up 51% of the voting-age population. Americans 55 and older are a large bulk of that group. With this group of voters, don't expect a lot of Social Security changes.
It is good to be back in Pennsylvania. After chicken and waffles for lunch and buckwheat cakes and sausage for supper, I don't plan to eat until the next meal. Here are some random thoughts about being back in Benton...
Not much has changed. While some will disagree, I see little progress on gas drilling. The well at the Martin site looks almost vacant, with only a couple of large holding tanks on the premises. A large expanse of blue plastic "drop-cloths" surround the bore hole, which has moved a lot of water into the swampy adjacent land since the plastic keeps water from penetrating the earth. It seems surprising that this plastic was not removed after drilling completed, but what do I know! Fracking has not begun at this site--which is another surprise to me. When I left the area, Larry Hess was convinced that a gas well would be drilled near his house. By the time I returned to Benton, not only was the well not drilled, but the lessor had let the lease expire.
Chevron Corp. has agreed to acquire 228,000 acres in the Marcellus Shale from Chief Oil & Gas LLC and Tug Hill, Inc. in southwestern Pennsylvania. Chevron will gain 5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves in its Marcellus leasehold. Tug Hill will be left with about 125,000 acres in Bradford, Susquehanna, Tioga, Sullivan and Wyoming counties. Seems like the little players in the natural-gas drilling business are getting bought out and the "biggies" remain. Those who raise their environmental ears over gas drilling will feast on the story about the Towanda hairstylist who suddenly found the family water well contaminated with Barium, Chloride, Strontium, Manganese, Lead, Methane, Radiological material, and Radon from the drilling of the natural gas well 1,200 feet from their property--the water that the family had been drinking, cooking with and showering in. Read the story here.
The state Department of Environmental Protection did away with its five-week-old directive requiring Marcellus field-enforcement actions be approved in Harrisburg by political appointees. Oil and gas field inspectors are now allowed to write violation notices as they did prior to a March 23 internal department memo that directed them to take no action on violations until they received "final clearance" from DEP Secretary Michael Krance
The House Transportation Committee is making it tough on drivers caught with a Big Mac or other piece of food, or with a cell phone in their hands. Stiffer penalties are around the bend under new legislation passed Tuesday concerning "distracted driving" by the House Transportation Committee. It would become a primary offense with a possible fine of up to $100 with an additional $100 fine if the offense occurs within a school zone. Other legislation would add penalties for careless driving if the driver was distracted by a phone call, food, drink or personal grooming. Text messaging would be prohibited although making a traditional phone call would still be legal, unless it causes the driver to be pulled over for driving carelessly. New legislation will make the state’s seat-belt law a primary enforcement for drivers and passengers under 18 years. The current state law is that all drivers must wear a seat belt, but can only be ticketed for failing to do so if they are pulled over for another offense. Final vote is expected next week.
The special meeting of the Benton Area School Board of Directors "for budget issues scheduled for Thursday, May 5, in the middle/senior high school cafeteria at 7:30 PM is cancelled.
The Benton Odyssey of the Mind team is planning a spaghetti dinner on Monday, May 9, from 4:30 to 7:30 at the Benton United Methodist church. The cost is $5 and is all you can eat. Take outs will also be available. Proceeds from the dinner will go towards the cost of the trip to World Finals at the University of Maryland, May 27th-31st. There will be several baskets filled with items that will be raffled off at the dinner, as well as a lottery board that people can buy chances for.
Your Loving Choices crisis pregnancy center, Bloomsburg, is having its 20th year celebration on May 14 at the Bloomsburg Town Park. This is a family-event fundraiser with refreshments, music and carnival activities for the kids. The walk through the park is two miles. Registration starts at 9 AM and at 9:30 the festivities begin. This is a rain or shine event. All participants receive a free water bottle. By supporting Your Loving Choices, lives are changed within our community by allowing the staff to reach out to women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy.
Pictures of Lady Satin at the Benton Airport are available for viewing here.
May 4, 2011, the birthday of Frances Wenner, Jen Reichenbach and Lynn Sutton, as well as singer Randy Travis who headlined at the MerleFest last week. The weather forecast for today continues the pattern of this spring: some sun, some rain, some wind.
Donald H. King (October 10, 1922-April 30, 2011), 270 Cole's Creek Mill Road, Benton, died Saturday at the Bonham Nursing Center. Don was under the care of Columbia Montour Home Hospice following a lengthy illness. He was 88. He was born in Lake Township, Luzerne County. He was a son of George Wayne and E. Mae (Ruggles) King. Don was a 1940 graduate of the former Lake Township High School and Bloomsburg State Teachers College in 1950. He served with the U.S. Army during World War II. He lived in Dallas for a number of years before moving to Sugarloaf Township in 1975.
Don was employed as an underwriter for the Bendix Corp., Tunkhannock, for 20 years before becoming a self-employed contractor during the period 1975 to 1988. He served as Benton Borough secretary for four years, retiring from that position in 1992. He served as an auditor in both Lake Township and Sugarloaf Township. He also served on the Columbia County Planning Commission for 15 years.
He was a member of the former Benton Lodge 667 F&AM for more than 25 years. He was a member of Oriental Lodge 460 F&AM, Orangeville, the Benton Christian Church, the Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center; and a charter member of the Benton Rodeo Association where he served as secretary for many years. He was a charter member of the Benton Lions Club, was its first president, served as secretary for many years and became a district officer. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award by Lions International in recognition of his tireless work and dedication to Lions.
Don became a "folk celebrity" after he personally designed, excavated and built a segment of Cole's Creek Mill Road which improved traffic flow and diverted the "old road" from in front of his house. His road building was of a quality that Sugarloaf Township then took over the maintenance of the road. His efforts resulted in the Associated Press, CNN and newspapers as far away as England's "London Daily News" asking for interviews.
Don was preceded in death by a son, Alan B. King, in 1977, and by brothers John W. King and Roy H. King. Surviving are his wife, the former Barbara R. McNinch, with whom he celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary on June 14, 2010; sons Donald L. King (Pat), Harveys Lake, and Kenneth M. King (Melissa), Haltom City, Texas; stepdaughters Susan E. "Soozie" Hummel, Port Orchard, Washington; Kay Hummel Wright, Lancaster, and Kathy A. Hummel, at home.
"Grandpa Don" had three grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, one great-grandson and nine step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Wadas, Shavertown, and brothers Richard E. King, Harding; Lyle K. King, Dallas; and E. Theodore King (Lorraine), Centermoreland.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 AM in the Benton Christian Church, Third and Church streets, Benton., with friends gathering preceding the services. Military honors will be provided by the combined VFW group. The family will provide flowers. Memorials may be sent to either the Columbia Montour Home Hospice, 410 Glenn Ave., Bloomsburg, PA 17815, or the Benton Lions Club, P.O. Box 193, Benton, PA 17814. Arrangements are by the Dean W. Kriner Funeral Home. To sign the guest book or to send a message of condolence, go to www.krinerfuneralhomes.com.
May 2 and 3, 2011. May 2 is the birthday of Alice Strauch, Don Stauffer, Jeremy Keeney, Lori Lenhart, Michael S. Miller, Guy Roberts and Abigail LeValley and the wedding anniversary of Bruce and Darla McMichael. May 3 is the birthday of Lynn Shaw. We note with regret the passing of Don King. The president and his national security team instructed the CIA to intensify its efforts to hunt down, capture or kill Osama bin Laden. On Sunday evening, the announcement was made that Osama bin Laden is dead and his body recovered.
