Week of April 18, 2024
Week of April 18, 2024
Williamsburg students enjoying the...
“I just want the young people of our town, when they see the sign – that it could be them up there representing Williamsburg all around the world; for them – the sky is the limit,” former Williamsburg Mayor Bill Brantner said of the new sign coming to Williamsburg that features prominent Williamsburg residents. Brantner served as Mayor from 2004-08, and has served as a tour manager for musical artist Ricky Lee for the last thirteen years. “When I was traveling with him, I’d see all...
“You’re going broke,” Catharine Township Auditor Daryl Cole told the township supervisors during last Thursday evening’s meeting, as he presented the annual audit report. Cole said over the last few years, the township has been losing money yearly – more than $10,000 per year. Cole then offered specifics from the audit report, such as Visa charges that were paid without receipts later being obtained, and the number of unnecessary late fees and interest charges on the township’s credit card. Cole suggested a treasurer backup, as no...
My wife and I recently returned from an anniversary trip to the Gulf Coast of Florida. We had a great time together in the sun and wished we could have extended our four-day trip for another month or two. But real life awaited us back home. While I could tell you some details of our trip, I want to focus on my reflections from the back of the airplane. We flew from Washington to Tampa on an economy airline. The price was right, but the conditions were less than ideal. The city traffic in both places reminded me that I’m thankful to live in...
The Bedford County Players will be performing Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park” April 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 at the Bedford County Playhouse located in Centerville, PA. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7:30PM and Sunday matinees begin at 3:00PM. Tickets can be reserved by calling 814-623-7555 or you can purchase them online via our website at bedfordcountyplayers.org. “Barefoot in the Park” is a production of the Samuel French Group. Synopsis: Paul and Corie Bratter are newlyweds in every sense of the word....
Aaron Andrews who works for Hollidaysburg Ambulance Emergency Medical Service (EMS) as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) taught 15 people on Sunday, April 7, the basics of CPR and how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Paramedics assess the patient’s condition at the scene and work to keep them stable while transporting them to the hospital. EMTs are paramedics who are required to complete more extensive training and are therefore, qualified to perform more advanced...
The Blair County Dog Park Association is beginning its 13th season with a lot of reason to celebrate. The dog park, which is located off Agway Road in North Woodbury Township, offers 10.6 acres of scenic, rural land. The association, a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, was recently able to purchase the 10.6 acres of land where the dog park is located. After leasing the land for 12 years, the parcel was offered to the association for purchase. Through a fund-raising endeavor, the park raised the...
Speeders from the North American Railcar Operators Association made a stop at the Roaring Station around noon on Saturday, April 13, during their visit to the area. They met at the Hollidaysburg railroad station and went through Brooks Mills on the rail line that runs to Claysburg. When they reached Claysburg, they turned the cars around to return to Hollidaysburg. From there, they headed to the Cove, stopping at Roaring Spring for lunch before traveling to Bean Hill in Martinsburg. After...
Shaylea Gates, a local cosmetologist who was employed at Serenity Hair Salon in Woodbury, has opened her own spa in Bedford, at 126 East Pitt St. Bel Cielo Hair and Nail Spa is the chosen name which was named in honor of her daughter Sky. The name means “beautiful sky” in Italian. Gates specializes in nail design, pedicures, hair coloring and styling. As a child she always had an interest in serving others and making them feel beautiful, she said. Gates attended The Salon Professional...
During the regular April meeting of the Spring Cove School District Board of Directors, Cheyenne Dickson was named Martinsburg Elementary Principal for the 2023-24 school year. Her annual compensation will be $85,000 with a start date of May 13. Dickson has been the assistant principal at Central High School for the past three years. Prior to coming to Spring Cove School District, she taught fourth- and fifth-grade classes at Bellwood Antis Elementary for seven years. She also served as an...
After completing a recent Google search, I discovered there are a number of people known for statements concerning history repeating itself. The adage that I found that best fits the story you are about to read is the quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana in his 1905 book, The Life of Reason, deserves credit for this thought-provoking quote. A cool, wet, dewy morning I was on my way to a doctor’s appointment one morning about 20 years ago, and before I left I took our dog out to do...
Horse-and-carriage rides around part of historic Martinsburg were offered on April 14 by The Carriage Barn at Homestead Manor and Restored Grounds. The Barn at Homestead Manor of Martinsburg and Green Roof Acres of Hollidaysburg are both venues available for weddings, meetings, events and...
Pennsylvania Farm Link is currently offering free land-linking database memberships until April 30, 2024, thanks to a database sponsor, Horizon Farm Credit. The $100 value waiver includes a profile on our database, notifications for potential matches, and an optional one-time social media promotion of your profile. In 2023 alone, there were 110 potential matches with six confirmed completed transactions. The purpose of the land-linking database is to provide a space for beginning farmers and current landowners to showcase their purchase/lease...
Northern Bedford County School District Superintendent Todd Beatty gave a 2024-25 preliminary budget presentation at the April 9 Northern Bedford School District Board of School Directors meeting. Beatty proposed a 3.65 percent tax increase for the district, which falls just between the minimum of 0.5 percent and the state-set maximum allowed of 7.3 percent. This represents an increase to the median household of $45 a year in taxes. It does not count homestead program money that the district may be eligible for. Supplies, wages, health...
Martinsburg Borough recently installed electronic radar speed signs at West Allegheny, East Allegheny, and South Market streets. Martinsburg Police Chief Kerry Hoover said the signs can tell police how fast traffic is going and the times that speeding tends to happen. The signs show motorists driving towards the sign how fast they are going and will signal the driver to slow down when their speed gets too high. Chief Hoover said the signs can detect the speed of vehicles going both ways and not...
A fire damaged a two-story duplex on Wednesday, April 10, in the afternoon in Williamsburg. Deputy Fire Chief Steve Lane of Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Department said a neighbor called in the incident, and when his crew first arrived on scene the whole back of the house was on fire at 821 W. Second St. The homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was outside when he heard the fan in the attic pop and then saw flames coming out of the window at about 1:30 p.m. Deputy Chief Lane said...
The Roaring Spring community united to bring the UNTO humanitarian aid program to the area. More than 200 volunteers from various denominations congregated at the Roaring Spring Arch on Saturday, April 6, to package 45,000 meals destined for food-insecure regions globally. “It is a whole community effort,” Pastor John Nothwang of Christ Church and member of the Ministerium said. On Friday evening, trucks with thousands of pounds of rice and beans showed up at the Arch that were then...
It was really informative for individuals who are addicted to the thrill rush that war can be entirely rewarding in more ways than just conflict. It was an extremely intriguing book to read. The author was one of these men; when offered a promotion to an office job as a planner, he declined it because what he really wanted to do was be in the thick of the action with a gun and his friends. He was willing to put up with all manner of hardship and danger in addition to declining a pay raise to do this. Kyle has many amusing tales to tell about...
To the Editor: The primary election for the 80th District state representative race is being watched across the Commonwealth. Rep. Jim Gregory has served since 2018 and has campaigned as being a conservative standing up for our community and our values. How conservative is it for our representative to nominate and vote in favor of a far-left liberal democrat to be speaker of the House when the Republicans have a slim majority? How conservative is it to continue to vote to fund the University of Pittsburgh in light of its abhorrent conduct...
Linda Lou Ritchey, 73, a resident of The Village at Morrisons Cove, went home to be with the Lord Friday evening, April 12, 2024, at the Village. She was born April 26, 1950, in Roaring Spring, daughter of the late James H. and Evelyn (Wyles) Ritchey. She is survived by a sister, Louann S. Walters (Allen) of Walkersville, Md.; a niece, Angela Semenick (Aaron) of New Market, Md.; a nephew, Christopher Walters (Yoojin) of Walkersville, Md.; a great-nephew, William Semenick; two great-nieces:...
Helen St. Clair, 97, a long-time resident of Loysburg, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Homewood Retirement Center in Martinsburg. She came to Homewood in 2019 after living independently for 13 years following her husband’s passing in 2006. Helen and husband Robert came to Loysburg in 1959 when he was named principal of Northern Bedford High School. Helen was the daughter of Torrence (Tony) and Grace Shaffer, apple growers and nursery owners in Penn Run, Indiana County. She is...
Kenneth W. “Ken” Bowers, 73, of Roaring Spring, passed away Thursday evening, April 11, 2024, at Homewood at Martinsburg. He was born May 12, 1950, in Roaring Spring, son of the late Jack W. and Anna Mae (Keith) Bowers. On November 23, 1974, he married Kathy S. Huntsman at the Martinsburg Grace Brethren Church. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathy of 49 years; a son, Aaron J. Bowers (Tanna) of Roaring Spring; a daughter, Angela K. Wright (Greg) of Casa Grande, Ariz.; three...
Donations Accepted The Williamsburg Civic Club opened up a checking account at PennCrest Bank, Williamsburg to help aid the Bingham family following their house fire last week. Those who wish to help can also mail a donation to the bank at 101 High Street, Williamsburg PA 16693, marked as a donation for the Bingham...
SUMMER JOBS IN THE 1950s John Bush was raised in Martinsburg and graduated from Central High in 1961. He spent most of his adult life in the Pacific Northwest. He has many memories as a boy in the 1950s that give some insight to the people and culture of Martinsburg in the 1950s. John likes to tell stories and over the years he has repeated the stories of his youth many times. His belief is that those years in Martinsburg influenced him all of his life. Some of the stories are historical in nature, some are colorful, and some are personal. He...
Herald of April 17, 2014 Earl Springer of Martinsburg accepted the 2014 Pennsylvania Future Business Leaders of America Businessperson of the Year Award on April 7 in Her- shey. “It was quite an honor,” said Springer, who was nominated for the award by the Claysburg-Kimmel High School FBLA chapter. Claysburg PAST (Pre- serving artifacts, stories and traditions) would have a new concept in its history tours on Saturday, April 26. The three-hour bus tour would cover the Queen, Klahr, Bullscreek and Friesville areas. The organization has...
Herald of April 21, 1949 Morrisons Cove was to go on “fast time” or Daylight Savings Time at 2 a.m. Sunday, April 24, under protest. In retaliation for the handicap imposed on farmers “who must farm according to the sun and not the clock,” fishing was being prohibited on many Huston Township farms where hundreds of fishermen were expected. Other farmers planned to barricade their lanes which would be blocked by dozens of automobiles. Clarence E. Hoover, proprietor of the Bare Milling Co., was elected president of the Roaring Spring...
Herald of April 22, 1999 Melanie Clapper, 26, a Northern Bedford High School junior, was selected to participate in the 1999 Pennsylvania Governor’s School for International Studies. The Governor’s School for International Studies was scheduled to take place June 27 through July 13. An anonymous donor made it possible for children to enjoy a 60-foot water slide at Hershberger Memorial Pool. The donation was in the amount of $30,000 and the slide was $23,000. The remaining money was used to make the slide operational. The pool committee...
Herald of April 18, 1924 The comedy, “All a Mistake” at Woodbury High School was so well done that a repeat performance was requested. Sponsored by the PTA, many ticket holders were unable to attend because of the measles quarantines at area homes. The cast of the production, directed by D.F. Bassler, included Clyde Sell, Wilbur Stayer, Clifford Brown, Lester Sell, Vina Lecrone, Hazel Hoover, Mary Keiper and Evalyn McMahon. Proprietor G.R. Hoover opened the Martinsburg Milling Co. for business, doing all kinds of grinding for farmers and...
Herald of April 18, 1974 A violent storm on Easter evening that included winds of near tornado force caused wide spread property damage throughout the area. The most serious damage was seen at the Blair County Airport, where four airplanes were damaged after they were torn from their tie-downs by the wind. Also, a mobile home owned by Robert McConahy of Roaring Spring RD was wrecked by the wind, but the family was not home and no one was hurts. Hershberger Memorial Pool made plans to raise fees for the summer from 50 cents to 75 cents for...
Herald of April 20, 1899 A fine snow fell on Sunday morning, April 16. Several parties that had set out for church were obliged to turn back. Dr. S.M. Royer had a new shingle roof place on his residence in Martinsburg. D.L. Brumbaugh, formerly of the Cove, was elected treasurer of the city of Denison, Texas, where he was employed as assistant cashier in the First National Bank. Farmers in the Larker area were busy plowing for oats and corn. Trout fishermen in the Maria area reported successful catches of the speckled beauties from Potter...
Jesus reminded His disciples, ‘The ‘Poor’ you will always have with you.’ In Old Testament times, God gave Israel instruction to care for the widows, the orphans, the foreigners within your gates, and the poor among you. In a Matthew 25 parable, Jesus tells us there will be a judgment of the Nations regarding how they treated those who were hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and in prison. I suppose by lumping all these together, they would constitute “the poor”. A definition can be:...
A Blair County event for the 73rd Annual National Day of Prayer will be held at Legion Park, North Juniata Street, Hollidaysburg, on Thursday, May 2, 2024, beginning at noon. This event is sponsored by The Way of Truth Ministries. Attendees are invited to bring a chair or participate from a vehicle. The theme this year is “Lift up the word – light up the world.” The theme is taken from 2 Samuel 22:29-31. The keynote speaker for this event will be Pastor Denny Mallonee of The Faith Baptist Church of Beaver Springs, Pa. Local area pastors...
Executrix Notice Estate of Regis Thomas Conrad A/K/A R. Thomas Conrad, Regis T. Conrad, late of Township of East Freedom, Blair County. Letters testamentary on said estate having been granted to the undersigned, all persons indebted thereto are requested to make payment and those having claims against the same will present them without delay. Executrix Judith Ann Glass 1639 Burk Rd East Freedom, PA 16637 Attorney Shawn P. Sullivan, Esquire Sullivan Law Offices LLC 133 E. Allegheny St. Martinsburg, PA 16662 EXECUTRIX NOTICE Letters...
