LWHS Online Newsletter Our Home and Heritage Volume III - Issue #1, March, 2004

 

 

 

HURRAH !! Our totally revamped website www.l-whs.com is up and 90% functional.

A huge vote of thanks goes to Brian Davis & Co. for the time, energy, and ability, he brought to the mission. Paul Bart, who worked closely with Brian during this revamping, will be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the site, that is now designed to be interactive.

Please Check out the Site. We welcome your critique, your questions, and your recommendations. These can be e-mailed to lilly@l-whs.com.

Those L-WHS members who wish to have their Newsletter e-mailed, instead of snail-mailed should register their e-mail address in the designated space on the website.

 

CALENDARS

We have had a good response to our second Calendar (2004). We still have several hundred 2004 calendars, and fewer than one hundred 2003 calendars, that are available for pick-up at Gall’s Insurance Agency – Main Street – Lilly.

The calendars (specify 2003 and/or 2004) may still be ordered at $4.00 + $1.50 shipping, each.

A current L-WHS member may purchase each calendar for $1.00 + $1.50 shipping.

Checks for calendars are to be made payable to: L-WHS and sent to L-WHS, C/O The First National Bank of Lilly – P.O. Box 7 – Lilly, PA 15938.

 

We would like to thank the following businesses and organizations that have 2004 L-WHS calendars available for purchase:

In Lilly:

American Legion

Gall’s Insurance

Lilly-Washington Public Library

Val’s Clothing Store

Leap’s Garage

Patty Steberger’s Beauty Shop

Podrasky’s Barber Shop

Florals on the Corner

In Cresson:

PJ’s Tavern

Cresson Springs Family Restaurant

Station Inn B & B

In Portage:

Stager’s Store

In Gallitzin:

Railroad Museum

 

Corrections 2004 Calendar

Thanks to members who pointed out the following errors on the 2004 Calendar:

The Caption under the 1937 Lilly Band Picture:

First Row – 7^th Student from the left is Edward Yarnish seated between John Yarnish and Clyde Piper (thanks to Marcy Cooney).

Nativita Mauerer should be Maurer.

Third Row – Louise Sweeney, should be Sunday.

Pearl Allen, should be Dorothy (thanks to Margaret (Devett) Kause.

Inside Back Cover – second line of text, Scott Stebereger, should be Steberger.

 

Note – Photo Identification Please check the Photo Section of our Web-site l-whs.com

There are a number of photos posted for which we need the who, where, and when.

Members, can you help us? REMEMBER – WE NEED LOCAL PHOTOS!

 

CHECK THE PRODUCT PAGE of our website l-whs.com. You will find descriptions and ordering procedures, not only for L-WHS Calendars and the “Lilly Train Station” Prints, described below, but also for the print “Historic Lilly” (which is for the benefit of the Lilly Washington War Memorial) and also the Christmas Balls for 2002 and 2003 (for the benefit of the Lilly Decorating Committee).

 

LILLY TRAIN STATION Print --- We have had a limited response to our 2004 Print offering.

Scott Steberger donated his painting of the “Lilly Train Station” to the L-WHS from which a number of prints were made. An adaptation of the print is featured on the cover of our 2004 calendar and on the l-whs.com homepage, where order forms are also available.

A number of formats are being sold for the benefit of the L-WHS.

 

A 16” x 20” (matted size) print is $42.40 (tax included)

A Framed Print is $106.00 (tax included).

Prints may be picked up locally at Gall’s Insurance Agency – 506 Main Street – Lilly, PA

Information on shipping procedures and costs are available from: L-WHS – 417 Cleveland Street – Lilly, PA 15938 or under the Product Page of our website: www.l-whs.com.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Original Painting “Lilly Train Station” has been donated to the L-WHS by the artist Scott Steberger and will be auctioned off, for the benefit of your Historical Society.

Sealed bids will be received at:

Painting Auction

C/O L-WHS

417 Cleveland Street

Lilly, PA 15938

Minimum bid is $500.00. The sealed bids will be opened at 4:00 PM, Monday, April 5, 2004, and the winning bidder will be notified immediately, to allow for shipping arrangements to be made in time for Easter.

WE HAVE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE TO THIS OFFER AT CHRISTMAS - PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE CRUSH OF HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES – HERE’S ANOTHER OPPURTUNITY TO AQUIRE A UNIQUE PIECE OF ART – OF HOMETOWNIANA – AND AT THE SAME TIME BENEFIT YOUR HISTORICAL SOCIETY. BID GENEROUSLY !!!

 

TEN FRAMED ARTIST-PROOFS OF THE “LILLY TRAIN STATION” PRINT WILL BE SIGNED AND NUMBERED BY THE ARTIST, SCOTT STEBERGER.

Artist-Proof # 1 will be retained for the L-WHS’s permanent collection. The other nine framed artist-proof prints are for sale for the benefit of your Historical Society at $275.00 each (tax and shipping included).

First come, first served – Buyer may specify number #2 thru #10. To order an artist-proof, complete the form and send it with a check for $275.00 payable to L-WHS at:

L-WHS Artist Proof

C/O The First National Bank of Lilly

P.O. Box 7

Lilly, PA 15938

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

LILLY-WASHINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

JANUARY, 2004

James M. Salony - President Term (3) Scott Steberger - Term (3)

522 Main Street 110 Maple Drive

Lilly, PA 15938 Lilly, PA 15938

(814) 886-7282 (814) 886-2894

salonyt@yahoo.com MTAG11O@aol.com

 

John Gides - Vice President Term (3) Barry Walters - Term (2)

5221 Portage Street 390 Jefferson Street

Lilly, PA 15938 Lilly, PA 15938

(814) 886-2292 (814) 886-8610

jgides@aol.com blws@pennswood.net

 

Patricia Davis - Treasurer Term (3) Frank Klayko Term (2)

636 White Street 252 Piper Street

Lilly, PA 15938 Lilly, PA 15938

(814) 886-4845 (814) 886-2221

 

Beverley Mandichak - Recording Secretary Term (3) Patrick Barlick Term (1)

503 Main Street 471 Jefferson Street

Lilly, PA 15938 Lilly, PA 15938

(814) 886-2961 (O) or (814) 886-4261 (H) (814) 886-4415

gallsins@aol.com

 

Deborah D. George - Corresponding Secretary Term (2) Ronald Gruse Term (1)

726 West Alton Street 2195 Cemetery Road

Ebensburg, PA 15031 Portage, PA 15946

(814) 472-4270 (814) 736-9562

DebDeeGeorge@aol.com Demitri48@aol.com

 

 

Donald George completed his term, as Treasurer on the Board of Directors, in the fall of 2003. We owe a special thanks to Don, for getting the L-WHS established as a viable financial organization and in particular for going through the arduous task of securing for us our 501 (c) (3) status from the IRS.

Note: this allows corporations to match their employee’s contributions to the L-WHS.

We ask all L-WHS members to check to see if their employers will match contributions.

 

Nadine Rodgers has asked that (because of her involvement with career and community demands) her name be delisted as Director, although she will remain on call to carry on with L-WHS responsibilities.

We owe Nadine a vote of thanks for her work in membership recruitment, computerizing our membership rosters, and serving as the hostess-with-the-mostest at our social events.

 

Patty Davis (Treasurer), Patrick Barlick, and Ronald Gruse have been sworn in as Directors.

We welcome them and thank them for taking responsibilities of the Board.

We need one more Board Member to reach the number recommended in our by-laws.

We would like to have and additional two members in reserve. We would like to recruit a college student with computer skills and a person with Grant Writing experience.

--- please volunteer or nominate someone who would be willing to help the L-WHS ---

 

PROJECTS

1. Restore the stone fence surrounding St. Luke’s Church and the “town clock” housed in the stately church building. Original estimates for the restoration exceeded $30,000.

L-WHS’s creative approach: Organize the local churches to spearhead the fund drive through special collections; tap the National Lutheran Association for some matching funds; Bring in the Navy Seabees for some hands on assistance.

Over $10,000 was raised – more than enough, with the volunteer labor, to successfully complete the project

2. Mark the mass grave in St. Brigid’s Cemetery where 29 Emigrant Italian Railroad Workers, who were burned to death in 1903 are buried.

L-WHS’s creative approach: Discover the forgotten incident, research it thoroughly , present the research to the parish cemetery committee, and have the parish fund a memorial stone.

 

3. Establish a Memorial Park, featuring a large bronze plaque memorializing (by name) the 29 Emigrant Italian Railroad Workers.

L-WHS’s creative approach: Appeal to the Italian Community of Western Pennsylvania, through a system of individual referrals.

About $5,000, of the $8,000 project cost has been raised thus far.

 

PROJECTS YET TO BE FUNDED

Major Monuments ($25,000):

 

4. Erect a bas-relief Memorial in the center of town to honor the Community’s Labor Heritage.

L-WHS’s creative approach: Secure a $3,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance to anchor the funding for the $8,000 project.

 

5. Mark the 80^th Anniversary of the 1924 Ku Klux Klan riot that killed three Lilly citizens and stymied the Klan’s unobstructed expansion into the Northeast.

6. Mark Plane #4 of the Allegheny-Portage Railroad around which the community developed in the 1830’s.

 

7. Erect Bronze Plaques to name all the Community’s Veterans of all Wars.

 

8. Erect Bronze Plaque to Recognize Mrs. Esther McCabe (who gave 11 sons to the service of their country) as WWII Gold Star Mother of the Country.

 

9. Erect a Monument in the local Miner’s Park to recognize Lilly as THE Pioneer Coal Town of Cambria County and the site of the finest “smithing” coal in the world.

 

Historical Markers ($10,000):

For the three dozen coal mines in the community

For the eight township schools and various town schools.

For bridges and springs.

For churches, theatres, and businesses.

Maps and brochures to illustrate, document, and annotate the Community’s Historical Heritage.

 

 

2006 BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

 

The Bicentennial Committee has been focusing its attention on firming up the schedule for the Labor Day Weekend of 2006. This weekend will be the major event of the Bicentennial Year, particularly for the former residents who have “moved away”.

 

We are scheduling a reunion for All the students who attended Lilly High School, and Lilly-Washington Joint High School. If you are able to “come home” only once during the Bicentennial Year, the best buy for the buck will be the Labor Day Weekend.

 

The Theme for Saturday will be a “Reprise of the Field Days of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Activities will be centered at the Lilly-Washington War Memorial Field. The focus will be on Family Entertainment – three or four generations coming together to celebrate the fun of bygone days. (Grandparents show the kids it doesn’t have to be “plugged in” to be fun.)

THE TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: (We welcome your comments and suggestions)

 

SATURDAY

 

Ecumenical Prayer Service (possibly sunrise).

 

Community Breakfast and Program at the School in Dutchtown

This event will probably be the ONLY time during the weekend when everyone will be able to get together at one time and in one place and the only event for which tickets will be presold.

We had initially thought about a dinner and dance at the school, because we wanted to keep the activities of the weekend within the community and the school was the only venue large enough to accommodate a large crowd. But because the school is a non-smoking, non-alcohol zone, we came up with the options described below. So, do put the Community Breakfast on your must-attend schedule.

 

Events at “The Field” will run from late morning until about 6:00PM.

PLAN ON ATTENDING AS A FAMILY

There will be:

Good home-cooked food by local churches and community organizations.

A Variety of Musical entertainment throughout the day.

Athletic Games and Contests for all ages.

Pony Rides – Fire Truck Rides – Hay wagon Rides – Doll Show

Pet Parade – Games of Chance – Bingo – Greased Pig Race

Your Suggestions Welcomed - Grandpa/ma bring the kids.

 

Saturday Evening Return to “The Field” at dark

Ground Fireworks for kids of all ages.

Old Black and White Movie Classics

Three Stooges – Little Rascals – Buster Keaton – Laurel and Hardy – etc.

Free Popcorn

Under 21 Dance on the Tennis Court.

 

Downtown, Make the Round of Dances – 9:00PM til 1:00AM.

Polka at the Sokols - Oldies at the Legion - Country at the PNA - Irish at the GBU

An OLD TIME TROLLEY will be making the rounds between clubs, so plan to sample them all !!!

 

 

SUNDAY

 

THE DAY FOR CLASS REUNIONS

We are thinking of gathering by groups – (Pre-1950) – (1950-1959) – (1960-1964) – (Students from Lilly & Washington Township who graduated from Penn Cambria, Bishop Carroll, and Admiral Peary). SUGGESTIONS ??

We need help organizing the classes. Updated list of graduates with addresses are needed. Particularly from those classes that recently held reunions. PLEASE FORWARD CLASS ROSTERS and indicate if you can help organize the reunion to:

L-WHS

417 Cleveland Street

Lilly, PA 15938

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DONATIONS FOR “THE NOBILITY OF LABOR” MONUMENT

 

$100 - In memory of George Robert (Bobby) Lukacs from Fire Station 78 Houston, Texas

$200 - In memory of Bill Leap from Lilly American Legion Aux. Unit 628.

$ 25 - In memory of Herlene (Muldoon) Lenz from the Lenz family.

$ 25 - Jim Yingling

$ 5 - Marita Ryan-Driscoll

$ 50 - Susan Plewka

$ 20 - Margaret Stossel

$100 - Peter P. Bulinsky

OUR SINCERE THANKS TO ALL !

 

 

ODDS AND ENDS

 

CARPENTER - We need the services of a CARPENTER to install some shelving in the L-WHS Office.

Please call 886-7282

 

NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS - Two years ago, we were told that a “lady in Lilly” has an extensive

COLLECTION OF NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS, CONCERNING LILLY HAPPENINGS.

Would that lady, please call 886-7282 and allow us to make copies of those clippings?

 

PHOTOS - WE NEED PHOTOS, SHOWING THE HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF OUR

COMMUNITY. We, of course, like OLD photos, but they need not be ancient.

Photos of Street Scenes, Events, Parades, Businesses, Mines, School, and Sporting Events, etc. from the 1940’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s are needed for future Calendars and the History Book.

In particular, we need photos of the Washington Township Schools (with or without students), Brown, Riley, Behe, Stromer, Dutchtown, Moshannon, etc. and any recollections associated with them. We only need to copy the photos and then we will return them, immediately.

Please complete and return the form, concerning the photos you have, or call 886-7282.

 

 

LARGE COMPOSITE LILLY HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PICTURES

These framed composites were displayed around the first floor hall of the old yellow brick High

School Building. We have three of these – The first from 1934 and two from the 1940’s.

We’re not sure what happened to the other composites, when the old school was torn down, but we would love to find them and display them in the L-WHS Museum.

Please check to see if you have a large composite, then call 886-7282, if you would be willing to donate the composite to the L-WHS, to share with the community.

All donations will be acknowledged with a plaque, posted by the donated composite.

 

 

ARTIFACTS FOR THE L-WHS MUSEUM

We are now ready to begin accepting donations of artifacts for the Museum. We would like to

Begin with articles that have the words LILLY or WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Copies of the old Lilly Newspaper “THE LILLY SIGNAL” are particularly desirable (we can

Make copies and return the original, if you desire).

Advertising items like: Calendars – Blotters – Badges – Banners – Matchbook Covers – Bottles –

Trophies – Etc.

Programs for: Plays – Movies – Athletic Events – Graduations – and other community events

We are also looking for old Lilly High School Uniforms: Band – Cheerleaders – Varsity Jackets –

Sports Jerseys – Athletic Uniforms.

Please tell us of any item you have which you think would be of interest to the Museum.

Please call 886-7282 to discuss the items you have.

 

FORMS ENCLOSED

 

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THROUGH THE NEWSLETTER - THEN COMPLETE AND RETURN ALL THE RELEVANT FORMS.

FORMS WITH CHECKS ENCLOSED SHOULD BE SENT TO:

L-WHS

C/O The First National Bank of Lilly

P.O. Box 7

Lilly, PA 15938

 

FORMS WITHOUT CHECKS MAY BE SENT IN ONE ENVELOPES TO:

 

L-WHS

417 Cleveland Street

Lilly, PA 15938

 

WE NEED YOUR COOPERATION

 

 

FORM I. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

click the form name above to print a form.

 

If you are currently an ADULT or an ADULT SUSTAINING – HOUSEHOLD or HOUSEHOLD SUSTAINING Member and haven’t paid your dues yet for 2004, they are now due for renewal or upgrade

 

NOTE: All current members are CHARTER MEMBERS.

MEMBERSHIP CARDS based on the returned renewal (& upgrade) forms will be issued with the next newsletter.

 

N.B. After the forms are returned, all listed (& upgraded) members who are SPONSORS (Life and Memorial), - PATRONS (Life and Memorial), or BENEFACTORS (Life and Memorial), will be acknowledged on plaques.

 

 

FORM II. FORM TO INDICATE THE AREAS IN WHICH MEMBERS CAN HELP L-WHS

click the form name above to print a form.

 

The L-WHS needs the help of all our members. If your Society is to succeed, in memorializing the history of our community, with monuments, documenting the accomplishments of our ancestors in a History Book, and celebrating the Community’s Bicentennial, each member must contribute Time, Talent, Treasure.

 

WE WILL NEED AT LEAST TWENTY FUNCTIONING COMMITTEES, IF WE ARE TO SUCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISH THE PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE SET OUT ABOVE.

PLEASE USE THE VOLUNTEER FORM.

 

 

FORM III. FORM TO SUBMIT RECIPES FOR OUR BICENTENNIAL COOKBOOK.

click the form name above to print a form.

 

The L-WHS is collecting RECIPES to be included in our COOKBOOK that will be produced as a FUNDRAISER for our BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

 

The Cookbook will be a display of FAMILY FAVORITES – with the name of the person in the family “famous” for preparing each favorite, titling the recipe. e.g. “Grandma Pupo’s Spaghetti Sauce” submitted by granddaughter, Sue Smith.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR FAMILY’S FAVORITES WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

 

In addition to the old favorites, we welcome the submission of LOW-FAT, LOW-CARB, CROCKPOT, WILD-GAME, and other or your SPECIAL RECIPES.

 

To have your recipes included in the Bicentennial Cookbook, please submit them, along with a brief description of where they originated (Grandma, Uncle, Yourself) – with your name and phone number to:

Recipes

417 Cleveland Street

Lilly, PA 15938

Or email them to:

CHEFLEEANN@AOL.COM

BOOKS WILL BE PRE-SOLD AND AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS 2004.