ANNOUNCEMENT TO ST. AUGUSTINE PARISHIONERS!

ANNOUNCEMENT TO ST. AUGUSTINE PARISHIONERS

On Wednesday April 13, 2016 The Pastoral Planning Process announced that St. Augustine Church formerly a mission of St. Bibiana, Galeton will no longer be a mission church. St. Augustine will become a “secondary church” of St. Eulalia Parish of Coudersport. 

Parishioners will still have access to their original church buildings for weddings, funerals and select liturgies such as their annual feast day. 

Bishop Persico said that “Over time, after parishes merge, they may decide it no longer makes sense to maintain additional church buildings".  He further stated that they may find they don’t have resources to keep it up. At that point the parish, St. Eulalia of Coudersport, can request that the bishop consider closing St. Augustine, a secondary church building permanently.

Bishop Persico acknowledged that change would be difficult for many. The Bishop encouraged patience with the process. 

Comments to this announcement can be made to Erie Diocese prior to May 20th, 2016. The decision will be rendered by September with the final implementation February 13, 2017

E-mail:

To respond to the Preliminary Plan for Parish Restructuring goto:

http://www.eriercd.org
click on Preliminary Plan for Parish Restructuring
under Feedback Forms, click Individual Survey Form.

Community Service Recognition: Jimmy Setzer

Mayor Jimmy Setzer

The Awesome Austin Blog is honored to recognize Jimmy Setzer for his service to our community in Austin, Pennsylvania.

He is a member of the Austin Volunteer Fire Department and also helps with bingo on Saturday nights.

Jimmy spearheaded the effort to purchase the new sign for the fire department last year which is pictured below.  A large tree had to be cut down and disposed of for the sign to be located in it's current place. Jimmy took care of that also.

He was appointed mayor a couple of years ago due to the passing of Phil VanWhy and was reelected in the past election, with no one running against him.

As mayor, Jimmy goes above and beyond what is expected of him. Each and every day he inspects the community for safety hazards and when he finds one, he has it taken care of immediately. For example, Mayor Setzer was responsible for finding, purchasing and replacing the lids on the garbage cans on Main Street as the old ones had a rusted ring all the way around them and were a danger to anyone who attempted to place trash in them.

He regularly picks up litter throughout town and is currently on a campaign to improve the appearance of Austin by visiting individuals whose yard's need cleaned up and in need of some tender loving care.

He also took it upon himself to ensure that the Borough's TrafCon speed display monitor is utilized and changes it's location periodically.  The use of the TrafCon has noticeably reduced speeding in the borough.

  Jimmy patrols the streets on Halloween night not only to ensure the safety of our children, but to also cut-down on vandalism.

Mayor Setzer is not reimbursed for the use of his vehicle in the performance of his duties.

Austin now has a logo thanks to Mayor Setzer.  This past fall Jimmy approached the AASD Art Department and asked if they would create a logo for our community. Six students prepared potential logos. Mayor Setzer visited each member of the Austin Borough Council and asked them to select their favorite.  Laine Robinson's creation was chosen as our logo.

Mayor Setzer, Principal Sasala, Laine Robinson and Mrs Rodich, Art Teacher

Austin's logo created by Laine Robinson

Another example of one man making a big difference in a small community.

Thank you Mayor Setzer for all that you do!

After reading the article, Mayor Setzer stated,  "A lot also goes out to the people of Austin for working with me".

Video of the Austin Dam, Austin, Pennsylvania

Denise Butler Owens is our Resident Genealogist here in Austin, Pennsylvania.

March 12, 2016 Genealogy Day

Denise Butler Owens is our Resident Genealogist here in Austin, Pennsylvania.

She is an active member of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society. She works at the Museum every Thursday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and every other Saturday from noon until 4:00 p.m. She is noted for giving a very knowledgeable, informative, and entertaining tour of the Museum.  So much so, that many visitors ask for her by name.

Denise has a passion for Genealogy and serves as the Museum Genealogist.  She, and her husband John, have researched  the ancestry and family history of many people with a connection to the Community of Austin. Those genealogies are on file at the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society.

Denise started researching her own genealogy in 1988 because her grandmother was adopted and she wanted to find her original family. This interest resulted in her love for Genealogy.

She uses Ancestry.com and search engines in conducting her research.  Before computers, she and John would regularly visit The Steele Memorial Library in Elmira, NY, and The Centre County Library in Bellefonte Pa, to conduct their research.

Ayer's Family Maple Sugar Shanty

Located on left-hand side of Route 872 South entering the Borough of Austin, Pennsylvania

Don, Hayden, and Donnie Ayers

Donna and Ron Hostetlar Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary

Donna and Ron

Surprise Anniversary Party at Fire Hall given by their children

Matt and Dianne Hostetlar

Scott and Amanda Hostetlar Crumrine

Dakota, Tracy, Brandon, and Scott Hostetlar

Making A Difference: Ronnie "E.O." Ebbert

Ronnie Ebbert graduated from the Coudersport Area School District in 1960.  He met an Austin girl, Priscilla Anne Carr in 1962 and they married on July 13, 1963.

Ronnie is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces having served in the Army from July 1960 to June 1966.  He was stationed in Korea and Germany during his time in the military.  Priscilla was able to join him in Germany.

Upon his discharge from the U.S. Army, Ronnie and Priscilla made their home in Austin, Pennsylvania.  He found employment  at the National Fuel Gas Company, Wharton, Pennsylvania.  He was employed at National Fuel from 1967 until his retirement in the year 2000.

Ronnie has always been a civic- and- community service-minded person. He was a driving force behind the formation of The Austin Jaycees in 1968.

Ronnie appears at the far left in the picture

Ronnie was elected President of the local chapter of the Jaycees.  Some of the projects completed by the Jaycees in addition to those pictured below were creating a Christmas Tree Lighting Contest and cutting the brush and trees at the site of the Austin Dam Ruins:

The School Path

The School Path

Built Ice Skating Rink For Community in 1968

Ronnie presenting Senior Citizen Award to Ralph Hernquist

These projects earned the Austin Jaycees the coveted Blue Chip Award by the Pennsylvania State Jaycees:

Ronnie receiving the Award

In 1969 Ronald Dean Ebbert was selected as one of the Outstanding Young Men of America

One day in 1967, while sitting at the breakfast table, Ronnie informed Priscilla that he was going to build a museum in Austin when he retired.  On September 2, 2002, the official groundbreaking for the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum began.

Ronnie Ebbert removing the first shovel of dirt

Mayor Neil Shepard

Peggy Kelsey

Mark Jeffers and Judy Heft

Staci Frank top, Don Sypien bottom

The dream became a reality and the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society opened on May 15, 2006.

Here are some pictures taken the day of the official opening:

Honorable John Leete and his wife Georganne

Ronnie with grandson Alex

State Representative Martin Causer

Since that day, the museum has added hundreds of new exhibits, is open five (5) days a week and does not charge for admission.  

Furthermore, each year the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society, under the direction of Mr. Ebbert, completes a project to enhance the Community of Austin. The trees and tree planters on Main Street, painting the gazebo, the clock in front and to the side of the gazebo,and placing many historical markers throughout the area are just a few examples of Mr. Ebberts efforts to improve our community.

This past year, Ronnie was influential in the Borough of Austin accepting the real estate contract transferring the former Northwest Savings Bank building to Austin and locating the borough offices in the bank building on Turner Street.

Additionally, Mr. Ebbert is an active member of the Austin Dam Memorial Association. He was involved in building the gift shop, remodeling the kitchen, and laying the cement for the stage; and, the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society funded the monument that appears in front of the Dam Ruins.

  Ronnie Ebbert  will do whatever it takes to get a job done and never let's the word no stop him from completing whatever mission he undertakes. He is a perfect example of the difference one person can make in a community.

Ronald Dean Ebbert