AmeriCorps Lends Austin A Helping Hand

Members of the AmeriCorps Baltimore, MD, Region were in the Borough of Austin yesterday 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. 

Here are some pictures I was able to take of them yesterday:

They also applied a coat of paint to the unsightly garbage container which is stationed at One Town Square. 

What A Difference A Coat of Paint Makes

Before:

After:

They you AmeriCorps for all the help you have given.

To Learn More About AmeriCorps, Click HERE To Go To Their Website.

Potter County Habitat for Humanity Austin PA Photo Update No. 2

37 Thorn Street

Austin, PA

Future Home of Amanda and Scott Crumrine

Ivan Lehman, Potter County Habitat for Humanity

Front to back: Pastor Steven Small, Scott Crumrine, Brandon Boyd, Dick Myers, and Barry Hayman

Sill Plate Completed. View More Pictures by Clicking HERE

Carl Johnson, Scott Crumrine, Wayne "Tink" Walker, Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Barry Hayman, Dick Myers and Ivan Lehman

Left to right front: Jeff Tracy, Code Inspector, Dick Myers, Construction Supervisor, Ivan Lehman
Left to right back: Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Wayne "Tink" Walker, and Scott Crumrine

Left to right: Wayne "Tink" Walker, Dr. Marilyn Kistner, Ivan Lehman, and Dick Myers

Deck Completed. View More Pictures by Clicking HERE.

Potter County Habitat for Humanity Austin PA Photo Update

37 Thorn Street

Austin, PA

Site of Future Home for Amanda and Scott Crumrine

March 15, 2015: 37 Thorn Street

March 26, 2017
Groundbreaking
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.

May 2017

Ralph Fuller

Buck Jackson

Chad Barr Jr.

Bucky Blanier and Chad Barr Sr.

Bucky Blanier

Chadd Barr Jr.

Chad Barr Sr. and Chad Barr Jr.

Chad Barr Jr. and Chad Barr Sr.

Cory Glover

Chad Barr Jr. and Chad Barr Sr.

Deb Barr

Chad and Deb Barr

Chad Barr Jr.

Cory Glover

Cory Glover and Chad Barr Jr.

Deb Barr

Deb, Chad Jr. and Chad Sr.

Chad Barr Jr. and Chad Barr Sr.

June 2017

Vision, Pride, Dedication and Hard Work on Display in Austin, Pennsylvania

"I finally got in to see your museum. I can't believe all the items you have on display there. I particularly liked the children's book display. You really have something to be proud of there". 

This was the greeting I received today from the VA doctor at the Coudersport, Pa., outpatient clinic.

She went on to describe the flurry of activity taking place at One Town Square when she arrived in Austin this past Sunday.  She indicated that people were painting the gazebo, the fire hydrant and putting up patriotic decorations for the Memorial Day Ceremony the following day and it really looked beautiful.

I had noticed how attractive One Town Square looked earlier in the day when I stopped by the post office to pick up the mail.  So, I knew what she was talking about. 

One Town Square is the area on Main Street, Austin, Pennsylvania, maintained by The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society. They were responsible for the planning and coordinating of the decorating activities, ensuring it would be completed before Monday's Memorial Day Ceremony.

  Later, I was able to ascertain the names of the individuals and organizations responsible for this undertaking:

• Emporium Specialties Company and Ron Ebbert provided the bunting for the gazebo
• Donnie Caskey applied the bunting on the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum
• Flag pole taken down and put back up by the Austin Fire Department
• Ron Ebbert painting the flag pole
• Entire lawn and trimming by Ron Ebbert
• Flowers in urns at the entrance to the All Veterans of All Wars Memorial Monument by Nancy Glover and VFW Post 7810 Auxiliary
• Flower arrangement in the Children's Monument by teacher Karen Crosby and her students
• Museum decorations provided by the members of The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society

The result of their effort is pictured below:

One Town Square Austin, Pennsylvania

E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum grounds are  always immaculate.

Gazebo with new coat of paint. Fresh flowers next to the Children';s Monument on right.

Children's Monument

New Steps to Gazebo recently stained.

Veterans Memorial landscape manicured with fresh flowers in urns.

Fresh coat of paint

Fresh coat of paint on flag pole

Small Town America Patriotism at It's Best.

Seven Local Men Who Were Killed-in-Action During Time of War

On Monday, May 29, 2017
at 3:00 P.M.
Take a Moment to Remember

The Seven Local Men Who Died Serving Our Country 

Sergeant Paul M. Brown, Wharton Area, served in the Korean War.  He was Killed In Action on March 1, 1951.  His funeral was held in the Coudersport Consistory.  There is a picture of his casket in the E.O. Austin Museum. Read More



Private Perry Hooftallen, Austin, served in World War II.  He was Killed in Action on October 19, 1944, in France. He is buried in France. He was awarded the Gold Star for his Valor.  There is a picture of his Grave Marker and his brother, Sergeant Elias Hooftallen, standing in front of The Veteran's Memorial in France, on the Second Floor of the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum in the Military Section. Read More



Captain Edgar E. Nuschke was killed-in-action during the Vietnam War. Additional information on Captain Nuschke can be found at the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Museum, Austin, Pennsylvania. Read More




Private Edward Ritsick, Wharton, was killed-in-action during the Vietnam War. He was a close friend of mine. Further information on Private Ritsick is on display at the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society Museum in Austin, Pennsylvania. Read More






Private Robert I. Roberts, Austin, served in the Korean War.  He was Killed In Action on May 28, 1951.  There is a picture of his Funeral Color Guard in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. Read More





Private First Class Howard W. Thompson, Wharton Area, was Killed In Action in Germany in World War II.  I have learned that his nickname was "Chain", but don't know why. There is a picture of PFC Thompson in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. Read More



Private Fred Van Why, Austin,  served in the Army during World War II from 1943-1945.  He reenlisted in 1950 when The Korean War broke out.  He was Killed In Action on February 8, 1951.  There is a picture of Private Van Why in the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum. I am proud to say that he is my uncle. Read More