PAHGS President Says: Get With the Program!
Society in Midst of "Event Full" Times
Since last September, through articles in the Punxsutawney Spirit, we've looked at parts of the Punxsutawney Area Historical & Genealogical Society—collections, genealogy, photography, gift shop, publications, library and educational offerings. Those things plus our volunteers, exhibits, programs and membership have all had their turn in the spotlight.
Events is the final thing to look at but, of course, we never stop scheduling events; you see them listed in our calendar in the paper every month. As part of our outreach, we have been holding regularly scheduled programs, open to the public, including a special program each year for our September banquet. In 2010 we were treated to a presentation by Diane Reed Brown, former VP of protocol at the Pentagon. Past presenters from IUP, Clarion, the Pennsylvania National Guard, Heinz History Center, St. Francis and the Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission have shared with us their passions in ways that relate to our local history. Program Vice President Jeanne Burkett and I agreed earlier this year that for our 2011 banquet program, I would give a presentation titled "History Rocks!" inspired by the Punxsutawney Rotary Club's "Circle of Trees" competition in 2009, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." We were challenged to do a tree in keeping with our mission to fit their theme. The elements we chose and the history behind them tell a great story. Since that time we learned that Anna Monyak and her videographer planned to complete a senior project to highlight our Society. Since a public presentation is part of the project, we were able offer the September 10 banquet as a program venue without having to cancel an invited speaker. Things are going well for them and we are looking forward to Anna's presentation. If difficulities arise, she will make her persentation at our November program meeting. One way or another, September's banquet attendees will hear and see how Punxsutawney history rocks. Please join us on September 10 to hear it all.
Even if you can't attend the dinner, make your voice heard by nominating a person or group for the annual commendation to be awarded that night. Every year we select from those nominated someone we wish to commend for preserving and protecting some aspect of our area's history. Nomination of those whose work was done before end of 2010 are welcome. Past awards have been made to Punxsutawney Garden Club, Boy Scout Troup 247, Hudak Monument Co., Anthony Gigliotti, Dee Veitz, Dennis Serian, Terry & Deonne Weaver, SS Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Thomas Frantz, William Zimmerman of Central Fire Company, Phil & Judy Hampton, Anne Truxall, Ted Swartz, Matthew Tibby, Harold & Barb Elkin, Dennis Heitzenrater, Donn Schenkemeyer, Esq., American Legion Post 62, William Anderson, Jeff Lundy & Jack Dereume, Shawn Basile of BS Troup 249, The Jenks Family, Punxsutawney Arts and Recreation Center Board, Edward McGinnis, Annorneys Nick Lorenzo & Nick Gianvito, Laura Lynne Yohe, Caryn & Paul Stoll, Keith Sheilds & Shields Insurance Agency, Shirley Sharp, The Cunningham Family Farm, Robert Barone, Punxsutawney Sports Hall of Fame, Jacob & Susannah Walters Mauk Reunion Association, Beverly Fairman, Nick & Marcy Gianvito and Indiana University of Pennsylvania & Foundation for IUP.
In Novembers past we’ve learned about the preservation of Bibles, antique quilts and firearms, stained glass windows and Punxsutawney’s churches, neighborhoods and early history.
February’s research focus has taken us into the past as we have explored the resources available to us at all our local libraries, on the internet, in county records and through the efforts of the DAR and LDS and researcher-author Michele Huey.
At our April meetings, we have found it instructive to look at what other folks have been doing in the area to preserve, protect and promote regional history. There’s the Jefferson County Historical Society, Coolspring Power Museum, Northfork Chapter 29 (Archaeology), Past to Present Machinery Association, the John G. Schmick Heritage Center (Smicksburg) and researcher-writers such as Dan Martin and Fr. Justin Pino. On Tuesday evening, April 19, we hosted a program presented by James Grant, Carl Vaneman and Evelyn Grant. It was a slide presentation entitled “The Story of the Charles Songer Family Memorial Exhibit Building.” The building is located on the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and houses many exhibits and artifacts, such as an old-time schoolroom and Dr. Wise’s milk wagon. It's a site worth visiting each summer during Jefferson County Fair Week.
July is a time in which we like to get a little interactive. We’ve done oral histories, seen reenacting and living history presentations and investigated our countries of origin and choices in settlement, as well as early photography techniques and our country school heritage. For 2011, geocaching was on the agenda when Jeanne and Francis Burkett shared with us one of their special interests. Geocachers have already found the special triple cashe the Burketts placed which features our Society.
Of course, all those other activities highlighed in earlier months in the paper continue. Groundhog Festival Week allowed us to preview some of the topics to be covered this year in our Children's Discovery Series. August 8 through 12, we have more special activities related to our early settlement period for those attending this year's History Caycamp. Call us to register; send a child you know to Daycamp. The discovery series will begin again in September with a study of log cabin living and continue through the year as we investigate foods, toys and games and other aspects of settler life.
Collections of native and early settler artifacts are continuing to receive a facelift and of course we are always happy to help you or your group look into the past using our library, genealogy and photograph collections and the artifacts exhibited in the Bennis and Lattimer Houses and the Snyder Hill Schoolhouse. Contact us if you would like to volunteer.
As if that weren't enough, we are planning a special event at the Snyder Hill Schoolhouse on Museum Day 2011, September 24, a fall tea with a Scots-Irish menu in October and our third annual Spirit Walk closer to Halloween. Through it all, PAAI is cosponsoring historic arts on a monthly basis and helping us pay our way, we completed a successful porch sale earlier in the summer and undertook to provide food and drink at two local auctions.
Anyone who thinks nothing interesting happens in Punxsutawney needs to join our fun, be party to an event; we really do have something for everyone. Call us at 938.2555 and get with the program.
SOCIETY CALENDAR - CALL OR WRITE FOR DETAILS
Monday through Friday, August 8 - 12
History Daycamp "Settling In"
10 am to 12 noon
Ages 8-12
Saturday, August 20
"Historic Arts" at the Lattimer House
1-4 pm
Adults
Co-sponsored with PAAI
Saturday, September 10
"Settling In: Woods & Cabins" Children's Discovery Series
1 pm
Ages 8-12
Saturday, September 10
Fall Dinner
6 pm (appetizers 5:30)
RSVP by September 1
Saturday, September 17
"Historic Arts" at the Lattimer House
1-4 pm
Adults
Co-sponsored with PAAI
Saturday, September 24
"Museum Day 2011"
10 am-4 pm
Special Snyder Hill Schoolhouse Event
Saturday, October 9
"Settling In: Fields & Hearths" Children's Discovery Series
1 pm
Ages 8-12
Sunday, October 9
"Harvest Tea" at the Lattimer House
1 & 2:30 pm seatings
RSVP by September 29
EXHIBITS & ATTRACTIONS
"Objects of Costume" Highlands Galleries
"Organizations Past & Present"
Gift Shop and Native, Settler, Lumber, Farm, Mine, Rail and Boomtown Displays at the Bennis House
Genealogy, Photography and Groundhog Day History at the Lattimer House
