The Austin Dam Newsletter Available

The Summer 2014 Austin Dam News is now available.  The following topics are discussed:

• Timeless Tribute To Flood's Tragic Toll
• Addressing the need to improve our "road to ruins"
• Music festival returns
• Warm welcome for Austin Dam Park visitors
• In the shade of the old apple trees
• ADMA on the move: future's bright for dam park
• "History and Pride Weekend
• For just $5, you can help
• Austin's symbol of hope and prosperity
• Campground catching on

Make sure you get your copy.

To visit the Austin Dam website, go to:  www.austindam.net.

Museum and Dam Project Completed

The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society and The Austin Dam Memorial Association have completed their 2014 beautification project which was to purchase and install a split-rail fence on the east side of Galeotti's Parking Lot.  The project is part of an ongoing venture by the two organizations to beautify the Community of Austin by making it more appealing for those visiting our area.

The pictures below were provided by Ronnie Ebbert, President of the E. O. Austin Home/Historical Society: Note that Bryan Moate volunteered his services without charge

Bryan Moate of Northern Property Services

The Austin Dam Memorial Association and E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society send their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the landowner,  Lettie (GALEOTTI) Marinaro, daughter of the late Dan GALEOTTI for endorsing this project.

We Welcome Russian Tourists

This blog entry is dedicated to those individuals from Russian who are reading this blog.

Austin, Pennsylvania, is a small town of about 700 people nestled in the mountains of southern Potter County, Pennsylvania.

The people here are friendly, country-folk, who look after one another.  It's really like having a large family.

For example, my wife and I visited the Philippines for three (3) weeks in March.  While we were gone our drainage pipe froze.  I could not locate where the pipe was frozen by myself.  But, my neighbors on both sides of our home worked all day, found where the freeze was and thawed it out.  That's the type of people we have here.

Austin is noted for having the second (2nd) largest flood disaster in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  In 1911 our dam burst killing 78 known individuals and destroying the town.  The dam ruins still remain.  A group of people formed an organization called the Austin Dam Memorial Association who have cleaned up the area surrounding the dam ruins, built a park and camping area.  Please visit The Austin Dam website.  We also have a highly respected museum here in town called the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society.  It is located on Main Street.

While touring Bohol, Philippines, we met some Russian Tourists and also learned that the Russians have become one of the top touring citizens in the world, rivaling Japan and China.  So, keep Austin, Pennsylvania, in mind when you are planning your next vacation.  If you are naturalists who want to tour an american country-side in the rural United States, then Austin should be on your list of places to see.  We will have the lights on for ya.

School Path Initiative By Paul W. Bennett

For decades school students from Austin have used a paved walk way joining the Main Street to the Austin Area School Building. Known as the School Path, it provided students with an alternative walk way that is far safer than walking the narrow sidewalk along Costello Avenue/Rte 872. At one time it had been lighted by 10 light fixtures so that students participating in after school activities could use the path during the evening. But vandalism had left the path darkened for years during an extended period of time during the school year.

Councilman Bernard “Mike” Fowler decided that something needed to be done to replace the lighting so the students would once again have the safety of the lighted path to the school. On Sept 21, 2013, after obtaining an estimate to replace the lighting from Austin resident Huggy Rotello, Mike launched the School Path Initiative by  internet on Go Fund Me. The initiative set a goal of $2000 to replace the lighting and ask for voluntary contributions from individuals and organizations alike.

While the initial goal to have the lighting in place by mid-fall fell short, it was not due to a lack of effort. Fowler pressed on by updating the fund drive on a regular basis and keep donors and potential donors well informed. His efforts were rewarded by 59 donations and doubling the goal which included a $1000 from the Potter County Commissioner, $500 from Northwest Savings Bank, $210.00 from the Austin Area School District Faculty and Staff.

The path is also used by local residents in the course of daily activities or who engage in walking for some form of physical exercise. Fowler was aware of that and having walked the path realized the serenity and potential beauty that could be found along the way. However, the path was overgrown with brush and offered cover for vandals to destroy the lighting once again.

Whether Fowler caught wind of a six year old biker telling his grandfather that the path needed to be “cleaned up” is unknown, but he was determined to see the path restored. Once again he demonstrated strong leadership by starting to clear the brush. He was joined in his efforts by his wife Angie and long time friends Ed Corey and Paul Bennett. Soon other members of the community joined in - Don Ayers, Donnie Ayers and Bill Brewer - just to name a few. The cut brush was removed by Borough workers and  lighting installation has been completed with a deficiency planned for correction. Many thanks to all that have made this project such a success.

 Futuristic plans for a fitness trail to be incorporated along the path have been suggested and are in the preliminary stages. One person can and has made a difference in the community of Austin because he chose to “walk the walk” instead of “talk the talk.”

Museum Movie Matinee

In what has become an annual summer event, the E.O. Austin Home Historical Society recently held a matinee for school children showing Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's classic "Who's On First."

The children were served pop corn, soda pop and other snacks.  They all had a great time, including the adults who attended.  Is there any baseball fan out there who doesn't enjoy "Who's On First"  It's one of those classics that you never get tired of seeing.

Pictures provided by Ronnie Ebbert:

Previous movie classics shown to the students were Song Of The South and I Remember Mama.

To view The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society website go to: http://www.austinhistoricalsociety.com/

The Town of History and Pride

No trip to Austin will be complete without visiting The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum located on Main Street.  Austin, Pennsylvania has endured many tragedies throughout it's history, including two major floods and numerous fires.  Yet, it has always had the resiliency to bounce back, and, is still referred to as The Town Too Tough To Die by the old-timers in town. I, being one of them.

The following pictures are provided by Ronnie Ebbert:

The staff at the museum will have the lights on for ya.

To view The E.O. Austin Home/Historical website go to: http://www.austinhistoricalsociety.com/

Camping at The Dam Park

Did you know that there are public and private camping areas at the Dam Park? Picnic tables too!

For further information go to the Austindam website.