Archive - 2010 - News Article
November 15th
Letters From Home is set to put together around 3,500 packages for men and women currently serving in the armed forces in both the United States and abroad.
Chris Jovenitti, director of Letters From Home, addressed attendees at American Legion Post 103's annual Veterans Day Banquet on Saturday evening about the program's upcoming events.
St. Marys American Legion Post 103 held its annual Veterans Day Banquet on Saturday evening at the Bavarian Hills in St. Marys.
Victor Straub, Legion member and master of ceremonies, informed the sizable crowd of attendees that this year marked the organization's 64th annual banquet.
One of the first items on the evening's agenda was a ceremony to honor all of the prisoners of war and those missing in action.
"It is a special service that is recommended before every Veterans Day function," Straub said. "It is a very impressive service."
November 13th
In order to honor deceased veterans in local cemeteries, Helpings Hands of St. Marys is hoping to place a wreath on the grave of every deceased veteran in St. Marys and Kersey for the holiday season.
Dolly Wehler, member of Helping Hands, said her organization has been decorating veterans' graves with holiday wreaths for the past few years in conjunction with a program called Wreaths Across America. This year, they are working together with the Vietnam Veterans of America Bucktail Chapter 720 to expand the project to the Kersey area.
November 12th
Annual Veterans Day observances took place throughout the City of St. Marys on Thursday, beginning with observances at area churches, including a 7 a.m. Mass at Queen of the World Church and an 8:45 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Church in honor of all the living and deceased veterans of the military service.
"Today, Nov. 11, Veterans Day, is a time we have set aside to remember and celebrate these great Americans," said Jim Distler, Adjutant of St. Marys American Legion Post 103, guest speaker at the city's annual Veterans Day Memorial Service. The service was held on the Diamond in downtown St. Marys yesterday at 11 a.m.
In his brief remarks, Distler discussed two groups of American soldiers who, though from different time periods, both displayed the same sort of courage in fighting for their country.
The St. Marys Area School District Board of Directors approved several personnel issues at this month’s regular meeting.
All employment recommendations are provisional for 30 days pending receipt of Act 151 and Act 34 clearance documentation and pre-employment drug testing if applicable.
Three unpaid leaves of absences were approved.
Supplemental contracts were awarded to:
• Thomas Bussard, intramural wrestling coach, renewal at a rate of $500;
• Daniele Auman, new contract pool supervisor, at a rate of $15/hour, and Bennetts Valley Yearbook Advisor, renewal at a rate of $105;
November 11th
U.S. Army Captain Nicholas Loudon of Brockway connected faces and names with the sacrifice made by past, present and deceased veterans as part of the annual St. Marys Area School District Veterans Day Program on Wednesday.
Area veterans were recognized for their service and sacrifice to our country as part of the annual Veterans Day Assembly Program held Wednesday afternoon at St. Marys Area High School’s Carpin Auditorium.
Students, faculty and staff from the high school and middle school gathered inside the auditorium to pay tribute to local veterans.
SMAHS Senior Mandy Gerarge acted as the event’s emcee. Following her introduction of the SMAHS band, which opened the program with a performance of “Silvercrest March,” Gerarge reminded the audience of the purpose of Veterans Day.
At city council's most recent budget meeting, Tom Farley, St. Marys resident and former city councilman, addressed council members regarding a $1 million loan they recently approved for paving projects. Farley questioned whether council members would be able to lower the millage for the city's 2011 budget if they postponed the paving project.
Council members indicated they believe that many of the road issues need to be addressed now, or else their conditions will continue to deteriorate and it will end up costing more money to repair them in the future.
November 10th
As previously approved by members of city council, the city's union employees and police are under contract to receive wage increases every year through 2012. Councilman Bob Roberts brought up this point on Monday evening as he argued in favor of allowing the city's 13 non-union management employees to receive a three percent wage increase in 2011.
