2001 AASD Welcomes Exchange Student From Guatemala

Angie and I enjoyed hosting Monica and wished she could have stayed with us longer.

Professor Gale Largey's The Austin Disaster, 1911

Professor Largey holding his DVD and Book entitled: The Austin Disaster, 1911

Professor Gale Largey from Mansfield University grew up in St. Marys, Pennsylvania.  During his childhood, he and his grandfather would drive up to Austin in the summertime to view The Austin Dam ruins, which still stand today.

In addition to his video documentary entitled The Austin Disaster, 1911, Gale has authored a coffee-table size book by the same name.

This is also a must-have book if you're an Austinite or interested in Pennsylvania History.  The book is available at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society, Austin Dam Memorial Association Park and local businesses in the Community of Austin.  The cost is $35.00 plus $5.00 shipping and handling.  The telephone number of the museum is (814)647-8358.

Front Cover

Back Cover

Bennett Promoted at First National Bank of Port Allegany

Danielle McLaughlin Bennett

Danielle McLaughlin Bennett has been promoted to Manager of the Lillibridge Branch of The First National Bank of Port Allegany.

Danielle, husband Chris, and family reside here in Austin, Pennsylvania.

Danielle is a E.M.T. who serves with the Austin Volunteer Fire Department.

The Coudersport Branch of The First National Bank of Port Allegany is the closest brick and mortar bank to the communities of Austin, Costello and Wharton.

2000 AASD Welcomes Eighth Foreign Exchange Student

AASD Grad Candidate for District Attorney

Photo Credit: The Endeavor News

Successful business woman and attorney-at-law Jeanne Rees Maglicio has announced her candidacy for the District Attorney's Office in Cameron County.

Jeanne is a 1981 graduate of the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania, 

Her law office is located at 33 E. 4th Street, Emporium, PA 15834.  The telephone number is 814-486-0670.

To view the 1981 Senior Class Picture of Jeanne visit the Austin Boro News Blog at www.austinboronews.blogspot.com.

Note: Attorney Jeanne Rees Maglicio was elected District Attorney for Cameron County.

The Austin Boro News Blog

The Austin Boro News Blog is a Community Service Project and  was started to bring you the news the newspaper community does not provide, or, does so on a limited basis.

Furthermore, there are  many times when newspaper reporters are unable to attend school board meetings, borough council meetings, etc., but rely on the information distributed by the organizations.

When this happens, more times than not, we are going to receive filtered information favorable to the organization which does not cover all issues of the subject.

For example, I remember the time the title of an article which appeared in a local paper read something like "School Passes Inspection/Examination, etc.", or, words to that effect, when, in fact there were twenty-seven (27) specifications the school needed to correct.  This was not mentioned in the article.

Of course, it would be nearly impossible for the newspapers covering a large area such as ours to attend all meetings.

The point is: Don't believe everything you read and attend as many meetings as you can where your tax dollars are involved.  My personal experience is that government officials are not as fiscally responsible with tax dollars as they are with their own dollars, especially here in Austin.

The Austin Boro News Blog researched and has written articles on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law after I, a Borough Councilman, was denied access to the Borough's Water and Sewage Accounts.

When this information was finally made available to me, I learned that three members of the governing body owed substantial amounts of money for past-due water and sewer fees.

Additionally, a former councilperson had abandoned their place of residence and quit paying their water and sewer fees. This amount was written off last year as uncollectible.

Furthermore, as a result of questions posed to me by a citizen of this community,  I learned that there was over $40,000.00 past due in water and sewer fees.

You should also know that any money earned by the Austin Boro News Blog is donated to non-profit organizations serving Austin or the Austin Area.

To date, we have donated money to the following organizations:

• Austin Boy Scouts
• Austin Cub Scouts
• Austin Dam Memorial Association
• Austin Pride Committee
• School Path Lighting Project
• E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society
• Austin Baseball Association

Please visit the Austin Boro News Blog at www.austinboronews.blogspot.com regularly, as I try to find information on a daily basis which should be of interest to the citizens of Austin.

The blog you are reading now, The Awesome Austin PA Blog, does not generate any money of any kind, as it does not contain Advertising. This Blog is a passion promoting the Community of Austin. I enjoyed a wonderful experience growing up here and received a solid educational foundation which has served me well throughout my lifetime. I am deeply saddened watching businesses fold, the bank closing and the apathy exhibited by the majority of  the citizens of this community.

Winter Survival & Bushcraft at Sinnemahoning State Park this Saturday Feb 21

Saturday, February 21st

Park Office and Wildlife Center

Water Survival and Bushcraft

12:00 Noon - 3:00 P.M.

Adam Nestor and his survival skills are back by popular demand!

Winter is beautiful and the snow provides great opportunities for outdoor recreation like skiing, snowshoeing, hunting and snowmobiling.  But in an unexpected emergency, this winter weather can also be dangerous.  Any of us could find ourselves in a situation where we need to use winter survival skills. Guest speaker, Adam Nestor, will demonstrate how to cope with the conditions of the season with advanced planning and a properly packed survival kit.

Program will begin in the classroom of the Park Office & Wildlife Center with an introduction to winter survival and the gear Adam uses to stay safe in the cold weather.  The second half of the program will be held outdoors in the 40 Maples Day Use Area where Adam will demonstrate bushcraft skills and give participants an opportunity to experience survival shelters built with materials found in the forest. 

Pre-registration is required for this free program, which is open to all outdoor enthusiasts, ages 10 and over.  Participants should dress for the weather, wear waterproof boots, and be prepared to interact with the environment.  Please bring along a pair of leather gloves for bushcraft work.

Please call the Park Office and Wildlife Center at 814-647-8401814-647-8401 for more information or to register for this free program.