Park Benches Added to School Path, Austin, Pennsylvania

Without fanfare, two (2) park benches have been added to the school path by unknown individual(s).  These are very nice, sturdy, metal benches that will last a long time. I wish to thank those involved for their community spirit and thoughtfulness.

Cherry Springs Makes The List

Appearing in the Yahoo! Travel section today is an article written by Lindsey Olander entitled: Dazzling Stargazing Destinations Worth Going Off the Grid For which lists Cherry Springs State Park as one of nine worth the trip.

Of course, after you have visited Cherry Springs State Park, you will want to visit the dam ruins in Austin, Pennsylvania which is only a 25 mile trip from Cherry Springs. The dam disaster is the second worst in the history of the Commonwealth with 78 known individuals losing their lives on September 30, 1911.

The recommended route to get there is:

1. Head west on Cherry Springs Rd (PA-44) 10.4 mi/16.8 km
2. Turn slightly left onto E 2nd St (US-6) 2.2 mi/3.5 km
3. Turn left onto Buffalo St (PA-872) and travel approximately 11 mi - Note; This  is Route 872 South to Austin - Post 192 of the American Legion is located at the intersection.  If you see The Austin Dam Ruins on your right, then you have missed the entrance to The Austin Dam Memorial Park.

After visiting The Austin Dam Ruins, you'll want to travel two more miles south into the small community of Austin and visit The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum located on Main Street.

Take my word for it, the experience is well worth the drive.

The Austin Dam Memorial Association Meets Tonight

The ADMA will meet tonight, Tuesday April 28th, at 7:00 p.m. at the EO Austin Museum located on Main Street in Austin, Pennsylvania.

Items to be discussed will include:

  Austin PBL Student Project Presentation at the Dam (May 22)

  Apple Pruning Workshop with PBL Students & those interested (May 7)

  Fishing Youth Day sponsored by April Goerner, Potter County Anglers Club (May 17)

  Road Project

  Open House - Opening Day of Fishing Season Report

  Bel Canto Choral Group visit and video at the dam

  Orchard Access

  Membership

  Budget

The public is invited to attend

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

In May, we celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders heritage. Use the resources below to introduce your students to the traditions, the people, and the events that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed to in our rich and varied history.

•   For Teachers: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Asian American Heritage Month - National Endowment for the Humanities 
• Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month - National Park Service
• Teachers Resources: Freer Sackler Galleries - Smithsonian
• Audio and Video: Library of Congress
• Video: Asian Pacific Americans

Note: There are at least three Asian Pacific Islanders living in our community, two of which have become citizens of the United States of America.

New Signage at Perry's Enterprises on Main Street, Austin, Pennsylvania

AASD Grad is Communications Assistant for D.C. Based Business Roundtable

Rayna Valenti

Rayna Valenti is a 2008 graduate of the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania.

Blessed with brains, beauty and physical skills, Rayna was a high achieving student athletic at Austin High School. Her senior profile lists the following leadership positions, academic, activity and athletic achievements:

• Class President - Grades 7 - 12
• National Honor Society President - Grade 12
• Vice President - Grade 11
• Student Council President - Grade 12
• Student Council Vice President - Grade 11
• National Honor Society - Grades 10 - 12
• Student Council - Grades 7 - 12
• Enrichment and FCCLA - Grades 9 - 12
• Yellow Ribbon Club - Grades 10 - 12
• Yearbook Business Manager - Grade 11
• HOBY Representative - 2007
• Flaming Foliage Candidate
• NYLC Alumni
• Scholastic Scrimmage Member
• Mock Trial Team
• Volleyball Team - Grades 7 - 12 
• Basketball Team - Grades 7 - 12
• NTL First Team All Star
• Big 30 Third Team All Star
• District 9 Second Team All Star
• District 9 Second Leading Scorer
• Christmas All-Tournament Team
• West Branch All-Tournament Team and Most Valuable Player
• 1,000 Point Club

As a teenager, Rayna developed an interest in law and wanted to become a lawyer. She was advised to pursue a degree in political science as a path to law school.  Rayna chose to obtain her degree at the University of North Carolina because they have a reputation for having one of the best political science programs in the country and also an excellent basketball program.

However, after taking a few classes and the environment created by the 2008 Presidential election, she fell in love with politics, stating "I knew Capitol Hill was the place for me, not a law firm".

Rayna attained a degree in both Political Science and Communications with a concentration in rhetorical studies.

Rayna is employed as a Communications Assistant by Business Roundtable (BRT).  BRT is an association of the CEOs of leading U.S. companies working to promote sound public policy and a thriving U.S. economy.  In her role, she works on digital outreach, media relations, advertising and member communications for the association.

Established in 1972, Business Roundtable applies the expertise and experience of it's CEO members to the major issues facing the nation.  Through research and advocacy, Business Roundtable promotes policies to improve U.S. competitiveness, strengthen the economy and spur job creation.

The Business Roundtable's CEO members lead U.S. companies with $7.4 trillion in annual revenues and employ more than 16 million employees.  BRT member companies comprise more than a third of the total value of the U.S. stock market and invest $158 billion annually in research and development - equal to 62 percent of U.S. private R&D spending.  Their companies pay more than $200 billion in dividends to shareholders and generate more than $540 billion in sales for small and medium-sized businesses annually. BRT companies give more than $9 billion a year in combined charitable contributions.

This past December, President Obama was a speaker at the CEO Quarterly Meeting.

Rayna on the left - President Obama on the right

When asked what her current goal(s) were, she replied: "Work in the White House for Hillary Clinton".  Ironically, Mrs. Clinton is scheduled to announce her intentions on seeking the Presidency this Sunday, April 12, 2015. If she decides to run, there is no doubt in my mind that both Hillary and Rayna will achieve their goal.
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October 2018: Rayna has advanced to the position of Senior Director of Communications for the Business Roundtable, Washington, D.C.

For Historical Purposes

I am experiencing a lull in obtaining background information in order to write a couple more AASD Grad mini-profiles so I am going to use this free time to make a notation on the State of Affairs of Austin, Pennsylvania at this time in our history.

It has been many years, at least ten (10), since the Borough of Austin has applied for any economic, housing and redevelopment funds.  Many houses in the community are deteriorating and last month another business on Main Street closed.

Despite the many economic and redevelopment programs created as a result of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in 2008, the Community of Austin did not apply for any assistance, even though the federal government urged municipalities to do so.

Keep in mind, the country was on the verge of bankruptcy at the time TARP was created.

The major bright spot in our community today is the continued investment by Paul Perry of Perry Enterprises in his establishment on Main Street.  Remember, Mr. Perry was the winning (only) bidder on the former Galeotti's Restaurant.

Mr. Perry has a well-stocked convenience store, outdoor store and alcohol distributorship, and, is continually adding new items to his merchandise inventory. GRAND OPENING is scheduled for SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

He is now in the process of adding advertising signs promoting some of the products and brands he has in stock.  Yesterday, workers were preparing the framework for a large sign which will face Route 872.  I will post pictures when the sign is complete.

The borough council, employees and VFW continue to work in preparing for a Special Memorial Day Ceremony here in Austin, Pennsylvania this year. In addition to it's impressive annual ceremony, the Borough will dedicate three of it's bridges to servicemen who were killed in action while serving in the armed forces of the United States of American.

The three (3) servicemen to be honored are Perry J. Hooftallen, Robert I. Roberts and Fred J. VanWhy.  More information will be published on these individuals as we get closer to the ceremony. Information I have received is that we are the first known municipality to bestow this honor.

Clarence Walker

Yesterday, Clarence Walker, our local Civil War Historian, was at Appomattox Court House, VA, to participate in the ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of General Robert E. Lee's surrender which ended the South's attempt to create a separate nation. Mr. Walker is a graduate of the Austin Area School District and is one of the individuals I plan to write a mini-profile on in the near future.

The Williams Foundation Donates to AASD STEM

The article below appears on the front page of The Endeavor News, Saturday, March 28 - Friday, April 3, 2015, edition:

The Endeavor News is owned and operated by AASD Grads and local residents, Robert A. and Britta Bresslin Hooftallen. The Endeavor is located at 29 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA 15834.  Their telephone number is (814)-486-1400.  They are also online at www.endeavornews.com.