William Penn Life, 2011 (46. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2011-05-01 / 5. szám
Branch News Branch 34 member Gábriellé Kelley and her partner Zach show the form that won them first place awards during the Steel City Classic DanceSport competition. Branch 59 Windber, PA by Shirley A. Rakoczy-Przywara I hope everyone enjoyed a happy Easter. I trust the Easter Bunny was good to all the little ones. Here in Windber, we experienced a cold spell in early April with temperatures in the mid-30's and even some snow flurries. I was beginning to have my doubts about Punxsutawney Phil. I probably shouldn't complain a whole lot as I'm sure we will be wishing for cooler weather before you know it. Here's another bit of Windber history, reprinted from the January 2011 issue of The Windber Area Historical Newsletter, Patricia M. Shaffer, researcher: It was 1897 in the Village of Scalp Level, and the adjoining area of Windber Borough was just being industrialized. The farm families of Scalp Level had seen the coming of the Pittsburgh painters and the many new families from other countries. Garrett Ream's General Store helped to provide needed supplies and in a room above the store, a switchboard was located for the first phone service; the Salix Telephone Company. The area farmers had cut the poles, dug the holes and erected the telephone poles themselves, all for $1.50 each. Later, the phone company was purclmsed by the Windber Telephone Company, and the lines were established between the new town of Windber and Scalp Level. A voice crackled over the switchboard; handling the call was 14-year old Carrie Ream, the daughter of James and Christina Holsopple Ream. Carrie didn’t need a phone book; she could memorize all the numbers and the number of rings she needed to place a call that would get the attention of someone on the other end of the line. Back then, each person received a certain number of rings to indicate that they should pick up their phone. There weren't that many people who had a telephone. The phones were used mostly for business calls; they didn't use the phone for visiting in those days. Carrie was paid $15 a month. But that was okay with her because she didn't need to go far. The switchboard was upstairs in her grandfather’s store, right in her grandmother's living room. She served the phone company for several years and then went to work for the Berwind-White Coal Company as a cashier and bookkeeper. Carrie loved the town where she knew everyone, but in 1930, now the wife of Harvey C. Terrier, moved to Michigan. In later years, she often said she was homesick for the good old days in the Windber area and it always remained her hometown. In 1965, to celebrate her 82nd birthday, she came back to the area to visit family and friends and to go down memory lane. Carrie Melissa Ream Terrier, Windber area's first telephone operator, was bom on October 9, 1883, in Scalp Level. She died in Tlat Rock, Wayne County, Michigan on March 12,1973. I want to extend best wishes to all those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and other important dates in both April and May. I'm happy to say I was one of those people celebrating last month—I turned 73 on April 9. Please don't hesitate to call me with ideas or news that you would like to see published. Branch 132 South Bend, IN by the Officers of Branch 132 Finally, spring is here, and it's time to clean the yard and plant the garden. Our meetings will be changed to the second Saturday of the month and will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Martins Supermarket café on Ireland Road. Also, there will be no meetings in June, July and August, except for special committee meetings. Please put a note on your calendars for July 24. That is the day we will host our branch picnic at 1:00 p.m. at Potawatomi Park. Happy birthday to all those celebrating this month. Congratulations to all the high school and college graduates. Our condolences to the families of Richard Frankel and Theresa Meyer. May they rest in peace. Branch 352 Coraopolis, PA by Dora McKinsey May has finally arrived and with it warmer weather. It's been a rough winter for most of the United States, but we can now look forward to nicer days and enjoy the outdoors. There are two special holidays that are celebrated in the month of May. The first is Mother's Day which this year falls on May 8. May all mothers be blessed on this special day, and may you be surrounded by loved ones. The other holiday is Memorial Day on May 30. We must remember the sacrifices those who have served our wonderful country have made in the name of freedom. May the families of those who have lost loved ones be comforted. A food drive will soon be starting up again. Please start saving nonperishable food goods to share with those who are less fortunate. The Home Office will be collecting food again to be distributed to a ministry here on the North Side of Pittsburgh. More information will be sent to the branches in the near future. Monetary contributions will William Penn Life 0 May 2011 0 23
