June 02, 2006

The Conrad Chiropractic-Lilly American Legion Altoona City league team here in town got off to a great season start beating Pro Active 10-0 at the opening game here in Lilly on May 22. Cliff Veverka had 3 hits for 3 times at bat which included 2 triples. Kip Watkins was the winning pitcher in a 4 hit game. The next game was played on May 25 in Altoona and our team beat Holisinger 5-2 with Brandon Ickes having 3 hits including a triple and a runner batted in. John Ostinowky pitched the winning 4 hitter.

On Friday, June 2^nd at 5:45 the Lilly team will play Sheetz here in town. This game is being dedicated to all the Lilly area veterans both living and deceased. The team invites all veterans and their families to come out and enjoy the game.

In other baseball events the Lilly LAABA teams didn’t fare as well last week. The American Legion team is now 5-2 after losing two. The Sokols also lost two and the Knights of Columbus split 1 and 1. The girls soft ball team also split 2 games and are 1 win 2 losses for the year.

This past Memorial Day weekend in Lilly is one for the history books. Not only were we greeted with beautiful sunny days it was also a time to let the jackets at home.

Saturday evening the Lilly/Washington War Memorial Association had an exceptionally nice dinner at Our Lady of the Alleghenies with approximately 140 attending. Mike Davies did a great job of leading the singing of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic". George Klayko and Francis Risko presented service awards to Jerry Glass, Ruth Smith in honor of her late uncle Howard McIntosh and Patti Tranquillo in honor of her late father, Leo Goss.

The Association honored current and past veterans of the Afganistan and Iraqi war with certificates presented to the veterans or their families including: John Boylan, Nathan Hoover, Steven Kertes, David Lingafelt, Randy Myers, Chad Pysher, James Secrisky, James Shable, Mace Smith, Ed Stombaugh Jr.and George Wozniak Jr.

The event concluded with the crowning of the Bi-centennial Lilly area Fire Queen after a competition conducted by the Ladies Auxiliary of the American Legion Post 628. Crowned Queen was Miss Eva Behe, daughter of Betty and Mark Behe. First runner up was Megan Filak and the Queens court includes Shannon Baum, Shelby Williams, Melanie Davis and Sarah Wilson.

Memorial Day morning started off great with clear sunny skies and not a rain cloud in sight plus the added feature of a rapidly warming day. Approximately 500 men, women and children ventured out to the War Memorial service at the Lilly field. The ceremony got off to a prompt start with a fine rendition of the National Anthem by Mike Davies and turned into a great event. The Union and Confederate re enactors added greatly to the pomp and ceremony with Civil War era music and a musket salute. Their encampment was very interesting to see.

The placing of floral wreaths provided by the Gallitzin and Lilly Legions and the Ashville and Sankertown VFW’s added to the occasion as did the presentation of 1864 colors by 4 descendants of Company "A’ 55^th Pennsylvania Infantry casualties.

One gentleman, Pete Mooney traveled from Ridley Park near Philadelphia especially for the occasion. His ancestor Simon Musselman served in K company of the 55^th and is buried at Lillydale Quentin Brown from York also participated in memory of his ancestor George Brown who died at Andersonville. Another man, Mr. Kuhar from Richland came in civil war garb in honor of his ancestor George McCombie of Carrolltown who served and died with the 55^th. Richard Sweeney of Lilly led the Civil War color guard in memory of his ancestors Hugh and Patrick Sweeney who both served and died with company "A"

The Lilly American Legion Honor guard was impressive as usual. An active duty Navy petty officer and a retired Naval reserve Chief joined them for the occasion. 86 year old Harold Cassidy participated as did Paul Sweeney also 86. Both are WW2 veterans.

Summary: Beautiful and dignified, the way Memorial Day should always be.

Michael Conrad and Hillary Wertz received Americanism awards at the Memorial Day service provided by the Lilly Legion and Auxiliary while Jaydon Aldrich received a two thousand dollar scholarship and Lacey Behe received a one thousand dollar scholarship both provided by Lilly Legion Post 628. Interesting side note: both scholarship recipients are descendants of local Civil War veterans.

This coming Sunday, June 4^th there will be Thunder on the Mountain as the Lilly Fire Company sponsors its annual spring Poker run for Quads and dirt bikes starting at 9 A.M.. I always find these riders to be an interesting diverse group who travel many miles to enjoy our mountain trail. Looking for breakfast. The fire company will be hosting a breakfast for the riders and public that morning at the pavilion. That’s as far as I will travel that morning. Join in.

Sympathy is extended to the family of Sharon Walters Diehl of Altoona who died recently. She was a daughter of the late Mary and Sherry Walters of Lilly and was 67 years old. Her brothers Guane and Joseph proceeded her in death. Sharon is survived by two children Sherrie and Guane.

Stanley Sarneski of Portage died May 25^th. He was raised in Washington Township the son of Lawrence and Anna Sarneski and was a WW2 veteran. His sister Betty McCarthy still resides in town.

Today, the 2^nd, Dianne Batdorf, Kathleen Moyer, Ian Wissinger and Anthony Zumer celebrate as does Ian Erzal, Bernadette Hmiel, Don Wilt, Sr.,and Brenda Koval on the 3^rd. Come the 4^th it will be Jesse Guzic, Bob Rabatin,Jr. Nicole Resse and Joshua Kovals turn.

The 5^th is a very busy party day as Marcelle Cooney, Stuart Custer, Pauline Hritz, William Mitsko, Jacqueline Bost, Theresa Mitchell, Richard Slebodnik, Sr. Judy Smith and Tony Smith all celebrate as will Patricia Behe, James Drass and John Patterson on the 7^th.The 8^th will find Regis Kinback, Sr. Corrine Kirsch, Leann McConnell. Robert Sloan and Adam Steberger enjoying cake and ice cream as will Jason Lego, Brian Risko and Nancy Stombaugh on the 9^th.

Yesterday, the 1^st, James and Mary Martino observed their wedding anniversary Today, the 2^nd, Doris and Paul Erzal observe their 59^th year together. On the 3^rd Patricia and Regis Tremel observe their anniversary as will Ed and Jacqueline Myers on the 4^th.

On the 7^th, Linda and Ron Cropsey celebrate as does Audrey and Mike Krumenaker The 8^th is Alice and Richard Michaels anniversary and on the 9^th Ed and Rosemary Kertes and Ed and Nancy Stombaugh celebrate. Best wishes to All.

During this Memorial Day week allow me to salute all of the veterans both living and deceased from the Lilly area .From Mexico in 1848 to Gettysburg in 1863 to the Argonne Forest in 1918 to the rocky slopes of Iwo Jima and the hedgerows of France in 1944 to the frozen fields of Korea in 1951 the jungles of VietNam in 1966 , to Kuwait and then Afghanistan and now Iraq Lilly area men and often women have always been there and in all times between and many other battlefields each doing their part.

June 23, 24 and 25^th will be an exciting weekend in the community with the visit by the Appalachian Wagon train and parade Also that weekend are the Walters and Veigle re-unions.

The Veigle re-union includes an open invitation to their Saturday afternoon event for all descendants including the George family tree but they need a head count. (See last week Ad in Mainliner) Also pre registration is required for the buffet luncheon Sunday morning at Our Lady of the Alleghennies at 12:30 call me at 886- 4694 or Jim at 886-7282 for details.

Dig deep under the mattress for a few bucks and buy a chance on the many prizes and cash to be given away Labor Day weekend by the Historical Society. Your donation will help us guarantee many great events before years end. THANK YOU