March 11, 2010 - Lilly Lines
Lilly Lines, from the "Mainliner"
LILLY LINES
By Jack Barlick
886-4694
March 11, 2010
FEINSTEIN CHALLENGE
Our Lady of the Alleghenies St. Vincent DePaul conference in Lilly will be participating in the Feinstein Challenge to fight hunger. There will be a collection of non-perishable food items/canned goods/money donations during the month of March.
All items collected will be donated to the Cresson Food Pantry to be used for needy families in the area. Please drop off your donations in the boxes provided at all the entrances to the church and chapel. To arrange for pickup of donations or items call 886-8972. The conference thanks you for your support.
BASKETBALL CHAMP
Stefan Vyhonsky the son of Pamela (Sweeney) and Ed Vyhonsky of Johnstown were on the victorious St. Benedict School 6th grade basketball team that that won the Johnstown Parochial PeeWee Basketball League Championship with a 10-0 season record. Stefan’s grand pap, Dick Sweeney resides in Lilly. Grandma Eileen Sweeney resides in Johnstown.
FEATURED
The Lilly monuments erected by the Historical Society over the past several years were pictured on both the front and back covers and in an inside article in the Pennsylvania Labor History Society Journal in their December 2009 issue. The group is planning a visit to Lilly over Labor Day this year.
I am excited to see the final drawings for the coal miner monument that Jim Salony intends to have ready for 2011. This will be the centerpiece of all the communities monuments, and rightfully so, when one studies the history of mining in Lilly. Without coal mines this community would have been long gone. Mining was the livelihood of thousands in Lilly and Washington Township from the early 1800’s until recent times.
This monument will feature a life size statue of a coal miner.
WAR MEMORIAL
The Lilly/Washington War Memorial Association recently sent out its annual fund drive appeal letter. This is one of my favorite organizations for many reasons including their providing of sports activities for the youth of the area and their ongoing efforts to honor our military past. Please consider a generous donation to help them continue their outstanding work.
Also, don’t forget their annual banquet on May 29th at Our Lady of the Alleghenies. This year they plan to honor veterans over the age of 70. The American Legion will assist them in this event by presenting an Honorable Service Commerative Medal to each veteran over age 70 from the Lilly Area that attends the dinner. Former residents are invited to the dinner but please let the War Memorial know you are coming. Dinner tickets are $10 but are free to the honored veterans.
VETERANS LIST
The Korean era veterans I am looking for information on this weekinclude: Charles Shandor, Leo Shedlock, Joseph Sisto, Andrew Slebodnik, Merle Sloan, Henry Stossel, William Stossel, Chester Vendrzyk, Joseph H. Walters and Guane Walters.
This past week was very successful in obtaining additional names and stories plus a few pictures. I am over 2300 names now and think back when I started thinking I may hit a thousand. Stan Macidyn in Benscreek was very helpful last week in giving me several leads.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Historical Society newsletter was recently mailed to over 850 residents and former residents. Anyone wishing to become a member can call Jim at 886-7282. There is an order for the Military History book and also for the Spirit of the Community History book that can be published in limited quantity.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthday greetings go to Rose Marie Nagle and Joe Suchta who celebrate their birthdays March 11th and Judy Ehrenfeld who celebrates on the 12th. On the 14th Mason McCarthy and Frank Sibis observe their birthdays as will Josephine George, Lola Leap and Allen Little on the 15th.
On March 16th Megan Filak, Amy McCarty and Brendon Muldoon celebrate and then on Saint Patrick’s Day it’s a big day of partying for Joseph Batdorf, Pat Erzal, Nellie Leap, Mary Lesko, Brett McLendon, Allura Nesbella , Brett Reffner and Shawn Stevens.
WEARING GREEN
My mom used to make sure we wore something green to school when we were in the elementary at Saint Brigid’s each Saint Patrick’s Day. I still try to observe the custom if only by wearing an Irish pin.
This coming Wednesday is Saint Patrick’s Day and you can bet plans are under way at PJ’s for an exciting day. I am told the Gallitzin Fire Company is hosting an Irish Party at the Oriental that was well received last year.
In a recent conversation with a news reporter from Bedford County she found it amazing that the Irish liked to celebrate so heartily. Keep in mind that in Southern Blair and Bedford County many towns are DRY; meaning no taverns and no liquor sold. I don’t know how a true Irishman could ever live there. HAPPY SAINT PATRICKS DAY
July 29, 2010 - Lilly Lines
