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Articles from the December 24, 2020 edition


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  • Amish Christmas Miracles Collection

    JENNIFER HOFFMAN|Dec 24, 2020

    This collection of heart-warming stories was chosen as a memorial for one of our treasured patrons, Charles “Charlie” Hauser. Known for his kindness, ability to spin a tale, and especially for his many years of service as the town’s barber, Charlie also loved to read. He supported the library for quite a few years and quite enjoyed reading stories involving the Amish community. The “Amish Christmas Miracles Collection” contains 14 short stories by various authors including Jennifer Beckstran...

  • Herald Extending Its Local Focus to Political Commentary as of Jan. 1

    ALLAN J. BASSLER, Publisher|Dec 24, 2020

    I’m letting readers, advertisers and contributors to know that there has been an important change in the Herald’s policy regarding political content. As of Jan. 1, 2021, the Herald will no longer publish any opinions regarding political matters beyond what is immediately local. This policy affects any commentary on any state, national or international political issues unless there is an unambiguous, clear, direct and definable effect on Morrisons Cove. General musings or opinions about national politics will not be published, in accordance wit...

  • Gables Has Electric Star

    Dec 24, 2020

    Herald of Dec. 19, 1895 One of the greatest sights of Altoona and one that delights the hearts of all holiday shoppers is the great daylight department store of Wm. F. Gable & Co. of that city. Never before in the history of this big store has greater effort been made or greater success attained in preparing for the holiday season. Truly it is a realm of fairyland and delight to behold. Fully worth a trip of many miles to see. From the outer wall to the inner circle, from the big basement to the roof, tasteful results in decorations can be...

  • Camerer, 100, Passes On

    Dec 24, 2020

    Herald of Dec. 24, 1920 Mrs. Elizabeth Camerer, who on May 21 before, had reached the age of 100 years, died at her home at the Camerer farm just outside Martinsburg borough, on Sunday. Death was due to pneumonia. The woman who was said to have been the oldest person in Blair county, was born in Franklin county, her maiden name being Horn. She came to the Cove with her parents when a girl, and became the wife of James Camerer who was the son of Daniel Camerer, one of the two original settlers of the central section of the Cove. Six children wer...

  • Flu Closes Schools

    Dec 24, 2020

    Herald of Dec. 20, 1945 Owing to the prevalence of the flu among students and teachers some of the schools in the Central section of the Cove closed Wednesday afternoon and will remain closed until Dec. 31. 75 students at Cove High were out yesterday due to illness, one instructor was off because of the flu and another went home ill. It should be a happy Christmas for the Clarence L. Smith family who live on one of the Packard orchard farms near Ore Hill. It is expected that all members of the family will be home, including 14-year-old Peggy...

  • Henry Star Re-Lighted

    Dec 24, 2020

    Herald of Dec. 24, 1970 The A star can be seen shining brightly over Martinsburg again after being noticeably missing for several years. The star is situated in a pine tree 100 feet above the home of Dr. and Mrs. Harry E. Henry and their son, Gene. It is five feet across and is made up of 30 light bulbs of 75 watts each. The theft of approximately $50 worth of tools at Steele’s Auto Parts was discovered by Leon R. Steele, owner. Approximately 270 persons attended the Cove Lions Club’s annual Christmas part for members and their families at the...

  • Homewood Promotes Fleegle

    Dec 24, 2020

    Herald of Dec. 21. 1995 Douglas J. Fleegle had been appointed the new executive director of Homewood Retirement Community at Martinsburg. Fleegle had been the administrator at Homewood’s health care center in Martinsburg since July 1992. Fleegle succeeded Linda N. Frederick, who had held the post of executive director since it was created in 1992. Area residents who may had been concerned about that Christmas might be without snow could breathe a sigh of relief. The snowy weather began with a light freezing drizzle on Monday, Dec. 18, which i...

  • 'Woodburys' Could Merge

    Dec 24, 2020

    Herald of Dec. 23, 2010 Supervisors in Woodbury Township, Bedford County heard from a neighboring Woodbury Borough resident who would like to see the township and borough merge. The Woodbury Good Time Christmas band traveled through the Woodbury area Saturday playing holiday songs on a number of musical instruments. The date marked the 43rd year for the band. According to the Postal Service, Monday was the busiest day of the year; more than 800 million cards, letters and packages are expected to be mailed on that day alone, compared to 559...

  • Public Notices

    Dec 24, 2020

    PUBLIC NOTICE Eligibility Survey Underway Claysburg Area – Proposed Street & Drainage Improvements Greenfield Township CDBG Program The County of Blair is assisting Greenfield Township conduct a survey in the Claysburg Area of the Township in anticipation of identifying a potential project area for use of their Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds. The survey has already been mailed to approximately 90 homes. The Township has received numerous complaints regarding poor road and drainage conditions in the neighborhood. The Township w...

  • DEATH RECORD

    Dec 24, 2020

    CALDWELL – Sandra K., 77, resident at Hillview, formerly of Claysburg FEATHERS – Edna Donita, 73, Newry HETRICK – Travis Lee, 30, East Freedom KRANIK – Vickey L., 57, Roaring Spring SPECK – Louise P., 84, Altoona, formerly of Williamsburg WHETSTINE – Robert William, 71, rural Martinsburg, formerly of Hollidaysburg... Full story

  • SANDRA K. CALDWELL

    Dec 24, 2020

    Sandra K. Caldwell, 77, a resident at Hillview, Altoona, formerly of Claysburg, passed away Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at UPMC Altoona, after a battle with COVID-19. She was born Dec. 14, 1943, in McKee, the daughter of the late Boyd and Linnie (Claar) Caldwell. She married Paul E. Sirko, who preceded her in death. She is survived by a son, Mark T. Sirko (Tracy) of Roaring Spring; a stepson, Roger Sirko of Imler; a granddaughter, Blaire Sirko; and three sisters: Daisy Morgret of East Freedom, Mary Dibert of Claysburg and Ruth Wheeland and husband...

  • EDNA DONITA FEATHERS

    Dec 24, 2020

    Donita Feathers, 73, entered into Heaven unexpectedly at her home in Newry, Pa,. on the afternoon of Saturday, Dec.12, 2020. Edna Donita (Redinger) Feathers was born on May 24, 1947, in Cumberland, Md.,to Clifford and Edith Redinger. She was a graduate of Central High School in Martinsburg, Pa., Class of 1965. Donita married Paul Jerry Feathers on Oct.16, 1965, at Saint Mary’s Church in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Donita and Paul Feathers are current members of Saint Patrick’s Church in Newry, Pa. Donita retired in 2000 after 39 years of nursing service...

  • TRAVIS LEE HETRICK

    Dec 24, 2020

    Travis Lee Hetrick, 30 of East Freedom, passed away Thursday morning, Dec. 17, 2020, at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, after a brief illness. He was born Sept. 13, 1990, in Roaring Spring. He is survived by his father and Stepmother; his mother; his grandmother, Betty Hetrick of East Freedom; a son, Olliver Hetrick of New Enterprise; three brothers; a stepbrother and Stepsister; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Travis was a 2009 graduate of Central High School,...

  • VICKEY L. KRANIK

    Dec 24, 2020

    Vickey L. Kranik, 57, of Roaring Spring, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Roaring Spring, after a brief illness. She was born Nov. 21, 1963, in Roaring Spring, the daughter of the late Charles G. and Marie E. (Helsel) Richardson. She married Richard D. Kranik. She is survived by her husband; three sons: Joseph S. Kranik of Bedford, Brian A. Kranik and wife Kirsta of Martinsburg and Travis A. Kranik and fiancee Brittany...

  • LOUISE P. SPECK

    Dec 24, 2020

    Louise P. Speck, 84, of Altoona, formerly of Williamsburg, passed away Thursday evening, Dec. 17, 2020, at the Altoona Center for Nursing Care. She was born March 14, 1936, in Warriors Mark, daughter of the late James and Geraldine (Wilson) Peters. On June 29, 1957, she married Peter Speck in Altoona. He preceded her in death Dec. 12, 1997. Surviving are a daughter, Suzanne Gorsuch (Richard L.) of Williamsburg; a son, Mark Speck (Elise) of Horseheads, N.Y.; two granddaughters: Natalie N. and...

  • DEATH NOTICE

    Dec 24, 2020

    Robert William Whetstine, 71, of rural Martinsburg, formerly of Hollidaysburg, passed away unexpectedly, late Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, at his home. A private funeral service will be held at John K. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Martinsburg, Pastor Brian L. McCall will officiate. Interment will follow at Royer Cemetery, rural Williamsburg. www.bolgerfuneralhome.com...

  • Not Your Typical Church

    Kelly Baker, Correspondent|Dec 24, 2020

    Dec. 21, 2020. The longest night of the longest year. The Star of Bethlehem is to appear on that night, which is in the future as I write, and in the past till this prints. Will we have been able to see it? Will it have been visible? Will there have been clouds? I'd really like to see it. Will I know what it is when I look at it? I am not an expert astrologer. I'm not even a beginner. The night sky is just something big and beautiful to look at when the opportunity presents itself. It would be...

  • Thought for the Week

    Pastor Earl Herr, Correspondent|Dec 24, 2020

    Scriptures to Read: St. Luke 1:5-25 St. Luke 1:26-38 St. Luke 139-56 St. Luke 1:57-66 St. Luke 1:67-80 St. John 1:19-34 St. Luke 2:1-20 Another often overlooked character in the Christmas Story is an infant, but not the Infant Jesus. He is the infant John, who, along with his parents Zachariah and Elizabeth, fills an important role in the Christmas Story. Much of their story is found in St. Luke's Gospel. There is prophecy telling of his coming found in Malachi 3:1 and 4:5-6 and explained by...

  • Ready for Christmas

    Dec 24, 2020

    St John's Reformed Church of Loysburg looks serene, like it is waiting for Christmas, during the new-fallen snow Thursday, Dec. 17. The church will hold an outdoor Christmas Eve worship service along with caroling at 7 p.m. today, Dec. 24, by the lighted bush near the pavilion....

  • Start New Caroling Traditions

    Dec 24, 2020

    Caroling is a symbol of community that once was a wildly popular holiday tradition but has largely fallen by the wayside. According to the Pew Research Center, about 16 percent of Americans reported caroling in 2017. However, this once-beloved tradition can be brought back with vigor. History of caroling Caroling evolved from the practice of wassailing. The word “wassail” is derived from the Old Norse phrase “ves heill,” which translates to “be well and in good health.” As early as the 13th century, people in England would travel between hou...

  • Old Order Mennonite Memoirs

    Roseann Zimmerman, Correspondent|Dec 24, 2020

    The grandfather's clock in the corner of the living room chimed to me about my approaching bedtime and brought me away from my reverie of poetry reading and Christmas card creations. The darkness of the year's longest night looks into the window but the light of our short days have been greatly brightened by the thick cover of snow on the valley last week. Children were much delighted to play and ride sleds in the unusually early snow. The last time December gave us so much snow, our oldest...

  • Conemaugh Nason Earns Accreditation

    Dec 24, 2020

    The American College of Cardiology has recognized Conemaugh Nason Medical Center, Roaring Spring, for its demonstrated expertise and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. Conemaugh Nason was awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation with Primary PCI based on rigorous onsite evaluation of the staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 730,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a...

  • Shades of Joy Ages 8-11 Winner

    Dec 24, 2020

    Grace Zimmerman, 11, of New Enterprise is the Morrisons Cove Herald's first-place winner for ages 8 to 11 in the annual Shades of Joy coloring contest. Grace will receive a prize for her efforts....

  • Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company Raising Funds to Replace 1994 Truck

    Dec 24, 2020

    The Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company has recently hit a rough patch of road. The company’s 1994 International pumper truck, which the company purchased new and was its main truck for fighting large fires, broke down two weeks ago. It has transfer case and pump failure issues and cannot be driven. With this truck out of commission, every resident and business in the Claysburg community is in jeopardy, company officials said. The cost to repair the 26-year-old truck is prohibitive. The purchase of a new truck will stretch the company’s financial...

  • W-burg Grade 4 Students Write Cinquains and Haikus

    Dec 24, 2020

    The students in fourth grade at Williamsburg Elementary School penned cinquain and haikus poems. A cinquain consists of five lines. Line 1: one word (subject or noun). Line 2: two words (adjectives) that describe Line 1. Line 3: three words (action verbs) that relate to Line 1. Line 4: four words (feelings or a complete sentence) that relates to Line 1. Line 5: one word (synonym of Line 1 or a word that sums it up). Haiku is a traditional form of Japanese poetry. Haiku poems consist of three lines. The first and last lines of a Haiku have five...

  • Shades of Joy Ages 5-7 Winner

    Dec 24, 2020

    Rosene Martin, 7, of Martinsburg, is the Morrisons Cove Herald's first-place winner for ages 5 to 7 in the annual Shades of Joy coloring contest. Rosene will receive a prize for her efforts....

  • Jingles 2020 Looks Different Than Most Years

    Dec 24, 2020

    The Morrisons Cove Herald’s annual Jingles edition looks much different in 2020. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on schooling this year. A lot of the schools have met virtually since November. Area schools elected to have their students focus on their schoolwork and not contribute poems and art to the Herald. Williamsburg Elementary School had met in-person until just recently, and the fourth-grade teachers at the school were able to have their students create writings for the Herald’s annual Christmas edition. This edition also includes win...

  • Shades of Joy Ages 8-11 Second Place

    Dec 24, 2020

    Janeva Rose Snyder, 9, of Woodbury, is the Morrisons Cove Herald's second-place winner for ages 8 to 11 in the annual Shades of Joy coloring contest. Janeva will receive a prize for her efforts....

  • Simple Ways to Prolong the Life Of Poinsettias

    Dec 24, 2020

    Poinsettias and their rich red, white or variegated color schemes are the ideal backdrop for Christmas celebrations. In fact, poinsettias are among the most popular decorative flowers during the holiday season. According to the 2013 USDA Floriculture Statistics report, poinsettias accounted for about one-quarter (23 percent) of all flowering potted plant sales that year. Roughly 34 million poinsettia plants are sold in a given season. Indigenous to Central America, the plant was introduced to...

  • Boxing Day Extends Holiday Fun

    Dec 24, 2020

    The end of the year presents plenty of opportunities for shopping and celebrating. Starting with Thanksgiving preparations, there is a steady supply of days geared around generosity and merriment, counting down to the holiday gifting and entertaining season. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and all of the weekends preceding Christmas are prime opportunities to snag discounts and deals. However, for those in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom, gift-giving doesn’t cease with the passing of Christmas. Boxing Day, which falls the day aft...

  • Shades of Joy Ages 5-7 Second Place

    Dec 24, 2020

    Levi Steele, 6, of Martinsburg, is the Morrisons Cove Herald's second-place winner for ages 5 to 7 in the annual Shades of Joy coloring contest. Levi will receive a prize for her efforts....

  • Best Ways to Host Virtual Celebrations

    Dec 24, 2020

    The 2020 holiday season figures to be vastly different than seasons past. The novel coronavirus COVID-19 has transformed daily life in many ways. The public has become accustomed to wearing masks while shopping, limiting the number of people in public venues and keeping their distance from friends and loved ones. Many events have been reimagined as virtual celebrations because of social distancing protocols. For those with large families or people with inherent risk factors that make them more s...

  • 'Deck the Halls'

    Dec 24, 2020

    It's hard to hear "Deck the Halls" and not immediately be overcome by the festive nature of the holiday season. The lyrics to "Deck the Halls" were written by the Scottish musician Thomas Oliphant in 1862, and the song many people know today is a traditional Christmas carol. However, the Welsh melody that is part of the song can be traced to the 16th century and a song called "Nos Galan." That song is not about Christmas, but rather New Year's Eve. "Deck the Halls" Deck the halls with boughs of...

  • Spreading Holiday Cheer

    Dec 24, 2020

    Larry & Sharon Frederick of Martinsburg are very proud of their college sophomore grandson, Tyler Horvat. Due to the restrictions put into place throughout the pandemic, children have been faced with limited or no social activities. For this reason, Tyler and his two friends have decided to take matters into their own hands and spread some much needed holiday cheer. They dressed up like Santa, an Elf and Blitzen the reindeer to visit homes with children in their area. The three young men...

  • Fun Facts About Three Kings Day on Jan. 6

    Dec 24, 2020

    The holiday season began with Thanksgiving, and many people believe that the festivities come to a close after ringing in the new year. In fact, for the faithful, the Christmas season does not end until January 6 (January 12 in Eastern churches). Jan. 6 marks the celebration of the Epiphany, sometimes referred to as Three Kings Day, Little Christmas, the Baptism of Jesus, and Día de los Reyes. The Epiphany is celebrated 12 days after December 25. In fact, that is where the phrase the Twelve...

  • Let's Take a Sled Ride!

    Dec 24, 2020

    Hadassah Brockus (left), 9, Adaya Brockus (center), 8, and Christopher Corle, 9, all of New Enterprise, enjoy being off school from Northern Bedford Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 17. They played and sleded in the snow in New Enterprise....

  • A Versatile Molasses Oatmeal Loaf

    Dec 24, 2020

    Cooks who want a versatile bread that's great for sandwiches and morning toast can try the following recipe for "Molasses Oatmeal Loaf" from Linda Collister's "Quick Breads" (Ryland, Peters & Small). Quick and easy to prepare, this loaf provides a chewy texture and a pleasant tang. Molasses Oatmeal Loaf Makes 1 medium loaf 2 tablespoons molasses 11⁄3 cups buttermilk 3⁄4 cup rolled oats 12⁄3 cups whole-wheat flour 13⁄4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon sea sal...

  • Help Isolated Loved Ones This Holiday Season

    Dec 24, 2020

    A phenomenon called "cabin fever" tends to set in around late autumn or in midwinter. Long hours of darkness coupled with cold, inclement weather often is a recipe for increased time spent indoors. For people who live alone, the effects of cabin fever might be more pronounced. In addition to seasonal cabin fever, this year another factor comes into play: social distancing and voluntary quarantine as a result of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Even those who may venture outside to socialize,...

  • Did You Know?

    Dec 24, 2020

    Christmas Day is the most popular day to get engaged. According to the 2020 WeddingWire Newlywed Report, more couples who were married in 2019 got engaged on Christmas Day than any other day during the year. Christmas Eve was the second most popular day to pop the question, while the Sunday before Christmas Eve came in fourth (New Year’s Day rounded out the top three). The appeal of Christmastime proposals helped make December the most popular month to get engaged, as more than 19 percent of couples who married in 2019 got engaged in the f...

  • New Enterprise Christmas Scene

    Dec 24, 2020

    The Baker Ranch on Ridge Road New Enterprise looks like a Christmas card with wreaths lining the driveway to the house among the new-fallen snow Thursday, Dec. 17. The snowstorm dumped approximately 11 inches in the Cove area....

  • 'O Christmas Tree'

    Dec 24, 2020

    "O Christmas Tree" is a wildly popular holiday song. In fact, the song is so popular that there are many different versions, each of which is based on a traditional German folk song. That song, "O Tannenbaum," is centuries old and has nothing to do with Christmas. "O Christmas Tree" O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree Thy leaves are so unchanging O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree Thy leaves are so unchanging Not only green when summer's here But also when it's cold and drear O Christmas tree, o...

  • Stock the Pantry with Holiday Baking Ingredients

    Dec 24, 2020

    Many holiday traditions begin with family and friends gathered in the kitchen or around the dinner table. Food is an integral part of celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanukah, and key components of each holiday are tied exclusively to food. Come the holiday season, many people gather to make delicious desserts for holiday dinners or even as gifts. The right ingredients are necessary to produce a bounty of baked goods. It’s also essential to ensure those ingredients are fresh, as age can compromise the taste of some spices, and l...

  • Resembling a Gingerbread House

    Dec 24, 2020

    The Loysburg Barber shop appears to resemble a gingerbread house ready for Christmas following the 11-inch snowstorm that hit the region Dec. 16 and 17. Much of the fallen snow may be gone by the end of today, Dec. 24, as weather.com is calling for high temperatures to be around 48 degrees with the possibility of more than an inch of rain. Snow may fall later tonight into Christmas Day....

  • 'Jingle Bells'

    Dec 24, 2020

    The popular Christmas carol “Jingle Bells” has an interesting history that remains a topic of debate even now. Written by New England native James Lord Pierpont, “Jingle Bells” was never intended to be a Christmas song, and in fact does not even mention Christmas or any other holiday. In addition, the song’s birthplace is disputed, so much so that there are two commemorative plaques in two different cities, each of which claims to be the place where Pierpont purportedly wrote the song in the 1850s. One plaque is in Medford, Massachus...

  • 'O Holy Night'

    Dec 24, 2020

    The story of “O Holy Night” can be traced to a request made by a 19th century French priest. In the fall of 1847, that priest asked a French merchant named Placide Cappeau to write a Christmas poem. Cappeau’s poem was eventually shared with French composer Adolphe Adam, who quickly set the poem to music. The resulting song made its debut on Christmas Eve 1847 and has been a beloved holiday song ever since. “O Holy Night” O holy night! The stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth! Long lay the world in sin and error...

  • The Sportsman's Corner

    RICHARD TATE, Correspondent|Dec 24, 2020

    Both good and bad events occurred during the past rifle deer season. Let's begin with one of the good things. My friend Brady built a number of deer stands two summers ago. Mine is a "Taj Mahal," though I had him build it in a poor location. However, he is smarter than I am and chose a good spot to build one for himself. For the second consecutive year he downed a nice buck from his stand. While he and I were tugging it uphill, my son arrived just when we needed his help. Bob pulled Brady's...

  • Park League Draws Crowd

    Dec 24, 2020

    Prior to Gov. Tom Wolf's shutdown of non-essential business through Jan. 4, Morrisons Cove Memorial Park was hosting a vibrant and well-attended youth Basketball league. This season, 158 children in kindergarten through sixth grade registered for the league and clinics, which began on Nov. 10. In the photo above, children on the "red" and "white" teams play a league contest recently....

  • Area Students Named Provost Scholars at IUP

    Dec 24, 2020

    Students from Blair County have been recognized as Provost Scholars at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Provost Scholar status is achieved when students complete a minimum of 45 semester hours at IUP and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Provost Scholar recognition is given only once during a student’s time of study at IUP. Provost Scholars from this area include: Duncansville: Ryan Jessica Shade, B.S. in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; Khala Lynn Vines, B.A. in International Studies Hollidaysburg: Alayna P. K...

  • Fort Williamsburg

    Dec 24, 2020

    Detwiler brothers Tanner (foreground), 5, and Tucker, 8, work on a snow fort outside their Second Street home in Williamsburg after the area was hit with heavy snowfall last week. Approximately 11 inches fell in the Cove area Dec. 16 and 17....

  • Pastor Recalls Larry Kulp's 'Selfless, Giving Nature'

    RICK BOSTON, Staff Writer|Dec 24, 2020

    A long-time local farmer is being remembered as a man of God who went out of his way to make people feel special. Francis Larry Kulp, who owned and operated the Lar-Ann Dairy Farm in Martinsburg for 26 years before his retirement in 1999, passed away on Friday, Dec. 11, at the age of 77. A leader in the dairy farming community, Kulp also served the Cove community as a member of the Spring Cove School Board as well as a youth leader and Sunday school teacher at Martinsburg Mennonite Church....

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