Awesome Austin: 2017

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

2017 Austin in Review

MARCH

The Potter County Habitat for Humanity organization broke ground on March 24th for their first home to be built in the Borough of Austin.

The site of the new home is 37 Thorn Street which is the lot previously occupied by Gus Heneckes.

The home is being built for the Scott and Amanda Crumrine Family

From left: Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Carol Jackson, Scott and Amanda Crumrine, Brian Ruane, Dick Myers, Wayne "Tink" Walker, and Ivan Lehman
Kyler and Kylie Crumrine in front.

Members of the Potter County Habitat for Humanity who attended the groundbreaking ceremony were:

Brian F. Ruane, President
Dick Myers, Director of Construction
Wayne Walker, Board Member, grew up in Austin
Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Secretary/Treasurer
Buck Jackson, Board Member
Carol Jackson, Fund Raising Committee
Ivan Lehman, Board Member
Barry Hayman, Board Member

APRIL

The E. O. Austin Home Historical Society, One Town Square, Main Street, Austin, Pennsylvania, built a roof over the handicap ramp located at the rear entrance to the museum.

MAY

After years of neglect, the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society assumed responsibility for the repair and maintenance of the gazebo at One Town Square.

New Steps to Gazebo recently stained and first coat of white paint applied.

JUNE

AmeriCorps Lends Austin A Helping Hand

Members of the AmeriCorps Baltimore, MD, Region were in the Borough of Austin in June assisting in the Main Street Beautification Project currently in progress.

Front Left to Right: Khaseem Briggs, Sabrina Perez, Kwame Akoto, Jamonica Shoals, Madison Weigl, Joshua Lannom, and Jordan Brown - Back: Lindsey Jesberg and Kandace Major

Joshua is from Marion, Illinois

Jordan is from Roanoke, Virginia

Kwame is from Oakland, California

Khaseem is from Columbus, Ohio

Madison is from Muskegon, Michigan

Kandace is from Detroit, Michigan

Sabrina is from Chicago, Illinois

Jamonica is from Foreman, Arkansas

Lindsey is from Santa Cruz, California

While here in the Austin Borough, they cleaned and added a second coat of paint to the gazebo which had been neglected for many years before the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society assumed responsibility for it's upkeep last year.

JULY

The Gunfighters Motorcycle Club Visit Austin, Pennsylvania

The Gunfighter Motorcycle Club is a non-profit fraternal organization of active and retired law enforcement officers who share a passion for riding motorcycles.

Every year they join together in July and stop at the Cock-eyed Cricket during their travel through this part of the country.

Read More About the Gunfighters Motorcycle Club by Clicking HERE.

New Pavement at the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania

AUGUST

Austin the Wealthiest Place in Potter County!

The August 1st edition of pennlive online contains an article titled: The Wealthiest Places in Each of Pa.'s 67 Counties by Candy Woodall.

Austin, representing Potter County, is ranked 63rd of the 67 counties with 186 total households and a median income of $45,833.

Study is based on 2015-16 census data on median household income as well as property tax information from the IRS.

READ MORE.

The Austin Dam Memorial Park Hosts

The 2017 Dam Show
Friday, August 25 and Saturday August 26, 2017

Cooney's Redline Muscle Company

Physical Fitness Center Opens in Austin, Pennsylvania

Hilary and Chase Cooney opened Cooney's Redline Muscle Company Physical Fitness Center on Main Street in Austin, Pennsylvania, next to the post office.

Pictured left to right are Carson, Hilary, Carly, and Chase

SEPTEMBER

Austin United Methodist Church Repairs Tower

The United Methodist Church on Turner Street in Austin, Pennsylvania:

Monday, December 11, 2017

E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Fall 2017 Newsletter

E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

107 Years of Service to the Austin Area School District

A very special shout out to Mrs. Jeffers on her 37 years of service and Mrs. Reese & Mr. Lerch on their 35 years of service with the Austin Area School District!! Thank you all for all your years of invaluable service. We appreciate you all more than you’ll ever know!

Mrs. Jeffers, 1982

Mrs. Reese 1984

Mr. Lerch 1984

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

Remembering Gerald F. Duffee Sr., Educator, 1931 - 2009

Administrator, Teacher, Advisor, Counselor and Coach

Mr. Duffee was that rare person who could relate and connect with young people.

Mr. Duffee hailed from Ridgway, Pennsylvania. He attained a B.A. degree in Economics and Business at Bethany College, B.S. degree in Education from Mansfield University, and a M.S. degree in Educational Administration, Supervision and Guidance from St. Bonaventure University.

He began his teaching career at the Austin High School, Austin, Pennsylvania, in the mid-1960s and retired in 1985 as the High School Principal.

During his career at the Austin Area School District, he would teach history and drivers education, serve as guidance counselor, athletic director, basketball coach, and National Honor Society and Student Council Advisor.

Mr. Duffee was also a civic-minded person who coached Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Austin-Costello Sportsman's Club.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, having served in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mr. Duffee was a life-time member of VFW Post 7810 serving as the Post Commander in 1971-72 and was a member of the Potter County Honor Guard.

Below, are pictures of Mr. Duffee which appeared in the Austin Area School District, Austin, PA., yearbooks:

Mr. Duffee, Principal, 1971

1974, Student Council Advisor

1977

1978

1980

1984

1985

1991

1992

The insert at the bottom of the picture above reads:

"Mr. Duffee, we want you to know That we really do not want you to go. You have been a part of our growing up years. You've put up with our joys and our tears. We've caused you headaches, oh yes we did!! But you always forgave us, 'cause we are your kids.

We wish you good health and good luck, too. Mr Duffee, we sure will miss you!"

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Dateline September 30, 1911: 'The Dam That Could Not Break' Broke

On or about 2:00 PM on this date in 1911, the Bayless Dam burst destroying most of the community of Austin, Pennsylvania, situated two (2) miles south in the Freeman Run Valley.

This tragedy is currently the second worst flood disaster in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Johnstown flood being the worst.

At the time of the flood, Austin was a prosperous and growing community with a population in excess of 2,900 people. Employment opportunities were plentiful.

The Dam Ruins located approximately two (2) miles north of the community of Austin on Route 872

Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill Ruins

Learn more about this fascinating community dubbed "The Town Too Tough to Die" by purchasing the following books, publications and media available at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum located on Main Street in Austin.

Read about Marie Kathern Nuschke

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Austin Dam Memorial Park Site of Potter County Democratic Party Family Picnic

The Democratic Party Is Reborn in Potter County

New Leadership at the Helm

All Are Welcome to Attend

Note: Bring Lawn Chairs

Visit The Awesome Austin Dam Memorial Association Park Website by Clicking HERE.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Potter County Habitat for Humanity Austin PA Project Photo Update No. 5

POTTER COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

37 Thorn Street

Austin, PA 16720

Future Home of Amanda and Scott Crumrine

The First United Methodist Church of Clarion, Pennsylvania, In His Step Sunday School Class, came to Austin on August 19th and 20th, to begin siding the Habitat home on Thorn Street.

Some of the Sunday School class had been here during the month of June, while others were on their very first Habitat for Humanity Project.

See :