January 21, 2010 - Lilly Lines
Lilly Lines, from the "Mainliner"
LILLY LINES
By Jack Barlick
886-4694
January 21, 2010
HAITI SURVIVOR
Sister Patti Rossi of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, who resides at the convent here in Lilly arrived back home from Haiti this week. Sister Patti was working at an orphanage north of the capital city of Port-Du-Prince when the quake occurred. She was with a delegation from the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese that was doing construction and repair work at the orphanage. All individuals in her party were found safe after the devastating quake.
We, as individuals should try to make monetary donations to the relief work in Haiti. Three good ways to do so are through the Diocese Relief Fund, the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Maybe we, also as a community, could look into adopting the orphanage Sister Patti was working at. I will help if there are a few citizens interested in leading an endeavor. Call me.
COLD SPELL
Finally we are getting a little reprieve from the cold spell that was gripping both this area and the nation since the holidays. The Lilly Borough street crews did an outstanding job of keeping the streets and alleys open around town and removing ice and snow piles as time permitted.
SYMPATHIES
The community sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Raymond Lundberg Sr. who died last weekend. Ray, also known as “Red” and his family had resided on Main Street in Lilly for many years before moving to the Level. He worked for the PRR and Conrail as a tower operator.
Sympathy also is extended to the family and friends of James Donahue of Ashville who also died last week. James was a 1961 graduate of Lilly/Washington High School. He was a classmate of mine from first grade at Saint Brigid’s onward through high school.
Sympathy also is extended to the family of Gary Paul Mattiello who died on January 16th. He was a son of Anthony and Ruth Mattiello and grandson of Pete and Marie Mattiello of Lilly. Gary, who resided in Altoona was a Navy veteran and was retired from the Altoona Post Office. As a teenager in Lilly he would play the bugle along with Fred Hudak at military funerals.
ICE SKATING
By the end of January residents of Lilly Borough and Washington Township should be able to enjoy winter ice skating activities at the basketball court at the Lilly War Memorial Field.
A small group of volunteer Board Members of the War Memorial led by Project Chairman Ron Muldoon designed and are constructing two rinks inside the fenced in court. The Lilly American Legion Post 628 has donated towards the purchase of lumber, equipment, liners and insurance to get the project underway.
The rink will require adult supervision when it is in use and Ron asks that any volunteers willing to commit a couple of hours on weekends to call him at 886-8868.
One 40’ x 66’ rink will be for the more experienced skater. The other one, also 40’x 60’ will be for adults with children, younger children and beginners. Saturday mornings will be reserved for ice hockey and afternoon and evenings on the weekend will be for open skating. Strict Rules will be posted and please allow time to work out schedules and times. Keep in mind also that a rink is weather dependent and will be store during warm weather. Watch for more details next week.
UPCOMING
The Lilly Area Ambulance Association has mailed the annual membership appeal this week. The once a year low cost membership helps in keeping the organization going. Lilly now has several paramedics and an EMT on paid status to provide emergency service so any donations are greatly appreciated.
The Lilly/Washington War Memorial Association will be mailing its annual fund drive request letter by the end of January. This is one drive that deserves a lot of support also as they do so much for the community with a small group of volunteers.
This year the association intends to honor all veterans who currently reside in Lilly or Washington Township or formerly resided in Lilly or Washington Township over the age of 70 at their annual Memorial Day Weekend banquet on May 29th. Free admission to the banquet will be provided to each veteran over age 70 attending. Other guests will be able to purchase low cost tickets. All WW2 and Korean War veterans fall into this category.
Pictures or news items on these veterans can be submitted to George Klayko or Francis Risko to display at the field in the glassed in cases.
Officers of the War Memorial nominated for the 2010 Office Year are President: George Klayko; vice president, Francis Risko; Secretary, Ron Muldoon and Treasurer John Gides.
BIRTHDAYS
Today, January 21st is Carol McLucas’s birthday. The cold spell has kept her in from daily walks so I bet the break in the weather is welcome. Jake Guzic also celebrates today. Tomorrow the 22nd Marie Dougherty, James Kozak and Dane Nesbella observe birthdays as will Larry Summerville on the 23rd and Corey Shedlock and Catherine Weakland on the 24th.
Then on the 25th Carol Wertz observes her birthday as will Ron Courtot, Shawn Nadolsky, Raymond Lasinski and Gary Nagy on the 26th. On January 27th it will be party time for Michael Crocetti, Mike McCarthy, Bailey Prebish and Jesse Wilson. Happy Birthday to All.
ANNIVERSARIES
Celebrating anniversaries this week are Francis and Lynn Filak on the 21st and also Leroy “Fritz” and Mary George on the 21st. Also on the 21st Robert and Margaret Kunrod will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.
Then on the 24th Bonnie and Stephen Mardula will celebrate their anniversary. Best wishes to all couples.
VETERANS
World War Two Veterans that I am seeking information on this week include: Robert Stephens, Robert E. Stevenson, John Stoke, Thomas Sweeney, John Trybus, George Vytovich, Joseph Vuritza, Robert Williams, Mike Wolososavich and Albert Yanik. Any help is appreciated. Readers please keep the information coming. Many of you have been most helpful. This is a book to honor veterans and includes family trees also. Don’t let me miss anyone.
DAIRY PRODUCTS
It has come to my attention that Wal-Mart was featured on the local TV news as not buying area milk products including Gallikers and Ritchey’s for resale in their stores. Well, I wish to announce that I will never buy a dairy product at Wal-Mart and ask all who live in Pennsylvania to do like wise. If Wal-Mart can’t be supportive of our local farmers and dairies-send Wal-Mart to the devil.
Besides, Valewood Farms, our most local dairy, has better products then Wal-Mart all the time, and they will even home deliver. Viva la Valewood.
POISON PEN LETTERS
Nothing is more disgusting than a letter written to attack or criticize some one else and the author is too cowardly to sign their name to what they write. I have seen two incidents of this in the past few months and can only say to such a writer…you are spineless.
July 29, 2010 - Lilly Lines
