We Welcome Russian Tourists

This blog entry is dedicated to those individuals from Russian who are reading this blog.

Austin, Pennsylvania, is a small town of about 700 people nestled in the mountains of southern Potter County, Pennsylvania.

The people here are friendly, country-folk, who look after one another.  It's really like having a large family.

For example, my wife and I visited the Philippines for three (3) weeks in March.  While we were gone our drainage pipe froze.  I could not locate where the pipe was frozen by myself.  But, my neighbors on both sides of our home worked all day, found where the freeze was and thawed it out.  That's the type of people we have here.

Austin is noted for having the second (2nd) largest flood disaster in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  In 1911 our dam burst killing 78 known individuals and destroying the town.  The dam ruins still remain.  A group of people formed an organization called the Austin Dam Memorial Association who have cleaned up the area surrounding the dam ruins, built a park and camping area.  Please visit The Austin Dam website.  We also have a highly respected museum here in town called the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society.  It is located on Main Street.

While touring Bohol, Philippines, we met some Russian Tourists and also learned that the Russians have become one of the top touring citizens in the world, rivaling Japan and China.  So, keep Austin, Pennsylvania, in mind when you are planning your next vacation.  If you are naturalists who want to tour an american country-side in the rural United States, then Austin should be on your list of places to see.  We will have the lights on for ya.

School Path Initiative By Paul W. Bennett

For decades school students from Austin have used a paved walk way joining the Main Street to the Austin Area School Building. Known as the School Path, it provided students with an alternative walk way that is far safer than walking the narrow sidewalk along Costello Avenue/Rte 872. At one time it had been lighted by 10 light fixtures so that students participating in after school activities could use the path during the evening. But vandalism had left the path darkened for years during an extended period of time during the school year.

Councilman Bernard “Mike” Fowler decided that something needed to be done to replace the lighting so the students would once again have the safety of the lighted path to the school. On Sept 21, 2013, after obtaining an estimate to replace the lighting from Austin resident Huggy Rotello, Mike launched the School Path Initiative by  internet on Go Fund Me. The initiative set a goal of $2000 to replace the lighting and ask for voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations alike.

While the initial goal to have the lighting in place by mid-fall fell short, it was not due to a lack of effort. Fowler pressed on by updating the fund drive on a regular basis and keep donors and potential donors well informed. His efforts were rewarded by 59 donations and doubling the goal which included a $1000 from the Potter County Commissioner, $500 from Northwest Savings Bank, $210.00 from the Austin Area School District Faculty and Staff.

The path is also used by local residents in the course of daily activities or who engage in walking for some form of physical exercise. Fowler was aware of that and having walked the path realized the serenity and potential beauty that could be found along the way. However, the path was overgrown with brush and offered cover for vandals to destroy the lighting once again.

Whether Fowler caught wind of a six year old biker telling his grandfather that the path needed to be “cleaned up” is unknown, but he was determined to see the path restored. Once again he demonstrated strong leadership by starting to clear the brush. He was joined in his efforts by his wife Angie and long time friends Ed Corey and Paul Bennett. Soon other members of the community joined in - Don Ayers, Donnie Ayers and Bill Brewer - just to name a few. The cut brush was removed by Borough workers and  lighting installation has been completed with a deficiency planned for correction. Many thanks to all that have made this project such a success.

 Futuristic plans for a fitness trail to be incorporated along the path have been suggested and are in the preliminary stages. One person can and has made a difference in the community of Austin because he chose to “walk the walk” instead of “talk the talk.”

Museum Movie Matinee

In what has become an annual summer event, the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society recently held a matinee for school children showing Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's classic "Who's On First."

The children were served pop corn, soda pop and other snacks.  They all had a great time, including the adults who attended.  Is there any baseball fan out there who doesn't enjoy "Who's On First"  It's one of those classics that you never get tired of seeing.

Pictures provided by Ronnie Ebbert:

Previous movie classics shown to the students were Song Of The South and I Remember Mama.

To view The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society website go to: http://www.austinhistoricalsociety.com/

The Town of History and Pride

No trip to Austin will be complete without visiting The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum located on Main Street.  Austin, Pennsylvania has endured many tragedies throughout it's history, including two major floods and numerous fires.  Yet, it has always had the resiliency to bounce back, and, is still referred to as The Town Too Tough To Die by the old-timers in town. I, being one of them.

The following pictures are provided by Ronnie Ebbert:

The staff at the museum will have the lights on for ya.

To view The E.O. Austin Home/Historical website go to: http://www.austinhistoricalsociety.com/

Camping at The Dam Park

Did you know that there are public and private camping areas at the Dam Park? Picnic tables too!

For further information go to the Austindam website.

Partying at The Dam Park

The Austin, Pennsylvania Dam Park has become the preferred place to hold parties for that special occasion.

Pictures taken by Ronnie Ebbert.

Don't forget the camera so you can take some AWESOME pictures of  your surroundings.

For contact information visit The Austin Dam website.

Fishing at the Dam Park

The area around The Austin Dam Ruins has become one of he most popular places in the area to fish.  Dedicated volunteers keep the Freeman Run stream stocked with fish.

Come visit Austin, Pennsylvania over the Fourth of July weekend and bring your fishing pole along.

Contact information can be found on The Austin Dam Memorial Association website at Austindam.net.

Fireworks Second to None

The July 4th holiday weekend is just around the corner.  We invite you to visit our Community of History and Pride during this time of celebration and plan to stay awhile as we have plenty to offer.

Each year The Austin Pride Committee sponsors a fireworks which has gained a reputation far and wide as being the best in the area.  This year's fireworks are scheduled for Saturday, July 5th.

Although Austin is a small, rural town, located in Potter County, Pennsylvania, there are many historic and interesting places to visit within a 10-20 minute drive of Main Street.

The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum is located on Main Street.  The museum is a replica of the home of the town's founder,  Edward Orramel Austin, and dedicated to the history of Austin and the surrounding areas. You can learn more about the history of The1911 Austin flood, health care, logging and farming,  military, and many other areas.

The two story museum houses over 1,700 square feet  and is comprised of thousands of  artifacts.  Each one with a different story and history all their own. Please take some time to view their website and photo gallery, but understand that the best way to learn about the E.O. Austin Home is to visit the museum and take a tour.

http://www.austinhistoricalsociety.com.

The Sinnemahoning State Park is located thirteen (13) miles south of Austin on Route 872,. Visitors can enjoy state-of-the-art interpretive exhibits, opportunities to view wildlife, and learn about green building design at the new Wildlife Center at Sinnemahoning.

In 2011, a new visitor center and park office opened in the northern section of the park. The 9300 square foot facility provides office space, improved visitor services and a gallery of interactive exhibits (Spring 2013) that will help connect the visitor to the park and the PA Wilds region.

Sinnemahoning State Park is in the “heart” of the PA Wilds region, which is comprised of wild, natural areas from 13 counties in the northern tier of Pennsylvania. It includes 29 state parks and 1.5 million acres of state forest and state game lands. The park is surrounded by the Elk, Susquehannock and Sproul state forest districts. 

Sinnemahoning was chosen because of its central location and the many connections that it offers visitors to other activities and facilities within this remote region. The wildness of the area is an important draw as it provides an abundance of wildlife watching opportunities from elk to otters and an outstanding variety of birdlife. It is also a place for DCNR to share its stewardship messages with local communities, businesses and park visitors.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/sinnemahoning/wildlifecenter-sinn/index.htm.

The Austin Dam. A couple of miles north of Austin on Route 872 sits the ruins of the dam which broke in 1911 causing death and destruction to this once thriving community.

In 1994 the Austin Dam Memorial Park Association was formed and they have worked diligently to preserve the dam remains and to create a beautiful natural park. Hiking, picnicking and camping are available.

http://www.austindam.net/

The Austin area is home to two fine restaurants.

• The Cock-eyed Cricket
• The Costello Inn

Places to stay:

The First Fork Lodge located at 1104 Costello Road in the small community of Costello, three (3) miles south of Austin advertises itself as:

A different place to stay offering a unique blend of decorum, theme rooms and outstanding meals in the Victorian surroundings of the historic "Costello House".
The house, built in 1883 by the owner of what was then the world's largest shoe sole leather tannery, is situated in Potter County, PA, "God's Country". It is both a lodge for outdoor persons AND a Bed and Breakfast where you can sit on the comfortable furnishings and just relax! 

http://www.firstforklodge.net/

Shopping:

Another Time Around, located on Main Street next to the Post Office, is a co-signment shop offering a large variety of various and sundry unique items for sale.  It's a must-see when visiting Austin, Pennsylvania.

Perry Enterprises, located on Garretson Street in Austin  and open seven (7) days a week offers:

A grocery store with a full line of groceries

• Meats
• Ice
• PA Lottery
• Hershey's hand-dipped ice cream
• Money orders
• Propane exchange
• Limited hardware items

A Sport's Shop:

• Offering hunting and fishing licenses
• Full line of hunting & fishing supplies
• Live bait
• Guns bought and sold

A Beverage Store:

• Beer distributor
• Pepsi Products

The Veteran's of Foreign Wars VFW Post 7810 is located on Route 872 south of Main Street.

Please visit our sister site www.austinboronews.blogspot.com which has been created as a Community Service Project.  All revenue earned from this site is donated to worthy non-profit organizations serving the Community of Austin.

Thank you.