Austin Area Educational Alumni Association Honors Former Superintendent Russell Hofer Jr.

The Austin Area Educational Alumni Association has purchased a bench in memory of former school superintendent Russell Hofer Jr. Mr. Hofer was the superintendent of the Austin Area School District from 1965 - 1981. The bench is located to the left of the doors entering the front of the school building.

Russell Hofer Jr.

To read more about Superintendent Russell Hofer Jr. click HERE.

Sweet Valley Man Donates Backpacks To Austin Area School District Students

Austin Area School District

August 1 at 8:54 PM 

A very special thanks to Luther Jones of Sweet Valley, Pennsylvania for graciously adopting our school and donating brand new backpacks to every child in our district (PreK-12).

🐾 The backpacks will be available to pick up at the school on Thursday, August 16th at the modified Back to School Night from 6-8📖

Principal Dan Eskesen on the Left. Mr. Luther Jones on the Right

The Thursday, August 9, 2018, edition of the Potter Leader-Enterprise has an article discussing the reasons why Mr. Jones selected the Austin Area School District to receive the backpacks.

Note: The Austin Area School District, Potter County, Austin, Pennsylvania, is the smallest public school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with a student population of approximately 180 student in Pre-K through 12th grade.

Vietnam Veteran Robert Hunsinger Jr. Purple Heart Recipient

Bob is a life member of VFW Post 7810, Austin, Pennsylvania

Today, Tuesday, August 7th, 2018, is Purple Heart Day. Purple Heart Day is held annually on August 7th, paying tribute to General George Washington's creation of the Badge of Military Merit established on August 7, 1782 to honor soldiers and non-commissioned officers

The Purple Heart is one of the oldest American military decorations and has evolved so that it is now awarded to those who were killed or wounded in hostile environments.

READ MORE online at The Military Order of the Purple Heart by Clicking HERE.

Robert Hunsinger Jr., an active lifetime member of VFW Post 7810 here in Austin, Pennsylvania  He was wounded in action while serving in the Vietnam War during the 1968 - 1969 timeframe and proudly wears The Purple Heart.

Note the Purple Heart Badge on left side of baseball cap

Proudly Displaying his U.S. Army Uniform

Bob was serving with the First Infantry Division when he was wounded in action.

Pictures of Bob in Vietnam

APC better known as a "track" in the middle of the Iron Triangle in a rubber plantation. Front has a fifty caliber machine gun. Right rear has an M-60 machine gun. Left rear was where Bob's M-60 is mounted. That's Bob in the back on the left. The "track" is one of Bandido Charlie Company's 1st 16th mechanized vehicle.  This "track" hit a mine on November 29, 1968 and was junked.

Robert Hunsinger Jr, 1968, Republic of Viet Nam

Bob with the love of his life, the late Gladys Walker Hunsinger. Gladys was chosen as the Austin High School Representative for the 1969 Flaming Foliage Festival. Bob had completed  his tour of duty in Vietnam and was permitted to return home to escort Gladys  at the Festival.

Bob is a 1967 graduate of the Austin High School, Austin, Pennsylvania.

Thank you very much for your service Bob. It is sincerely appreciated.

The Dam Show August 24th - 26th

VFW Post 7810 Honors Clark Lerch

Clark Lerch joined the VFW in 1952

Many friends, relatives and VFW members were present at the Post Home on Costello Avenue, Austin, Pennsylvania, Sunday, July 29, 2018, when Post 7810 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and it's Auxiliary presented Clark Lerch with a plaque inscribed with sincere gratitude and appreciation for his many years of service.

Clark is a WWII and Korean War Veteran.

He joined the VFW in 1952 and has served in positions of authority and responsibility ever since.

Austin Grad Returns to Serve as School Superintendent

The Saturday, July 21, 2018, edition of the Endeavor News reports that Kimberly Fowler Rees has been hired as Superintendent of the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania.

Superintendent Rees and Jerry Sasala had alternated as the school's principal and superintendent for a number of years prior to her leaving the school district to assume the position as Executive Director of the Potter County Education Council.

Mr. Sasala had recently retired from the Austin Area School District.

Superintendent Rees is a 1987 graduate of the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania.  She earned a B.S. degree in Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and also holds M.ed degrees in School Counseling from Penn State University and Curriculum and Instruction from Gannon University, Erie, Pennsylvania. Superintendent Rees obtained the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Principal Certification from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.  

She will receive a salary of $90,000.00 per year.

Pennypackers Donate Flags To Austin

Becky and Joe Pennypacker

While most communities have had their flags and patriotic decorations on display prior to  Memorial Day, the Community of Austin did not. Austin's patriotic adornments were no longer suitable for public display.

Becky and Joe Pennypacker, both of whom come from patriotic families, noticed the lack of patriotic decorations on Main Street. So, they purchased eleven (11) U.S. Flag Display Sets and donated them to the Borough of Austin. A U.S. Flag was purchased for each of the three (3) Welcome to Austin signs, the Route 872 and Main Street intersection, and the seven (7) telephone poles on Main Street.

Borough employees Kurt Logue and Ed Vossler Sr. worked diligently throughout the day this past Friday  installing the Flag Sets so that they would be on display for the weekend.

Below are some pictures of the flags, and, as you can see, they really enhance the appearance of Austin.

A heartfelt thank you to Becky and Joe for their generosity in making Austin a more attractive place to live.