Is Austin Still The Town Too Tough To Die

This year has been the most challenging for our community in recent memory.  Businesses have closed and now our bank of fourteen (14) years has also decided to leave.  Rarely has a day went by this past week when I haven't heard a citizen ask, "What's next? The Post Office?  The School?"

As we entered 2014, I asked the citizens of this community for ideas on businesses which could be established here in Austin that provide a "living-wage".  There has been no response.

Our environment is changing rapidly. Facebook, Smart Phones, websites, blogs, routers, Netflix, Internet banking and commerce, and e-harmony dating for godsakes.

The cost of living is skyrocketing. The Endeavor says it will cost parents $241,080 to raise a child and that does not include sending them off to college.  With the cost of living rising, the Economic Policy Institute reports that real hourly wages for the middle class was no higher in 2012 than in 2000.  The Wall Street Journal reports that stagnant wages are a real threat to our prosperity and way of life.  It's no wonder President Obama and others in the know want the minimum wage raised to at least $10.00 an hour.

The Endeavor says that Rural America now accounts for only 16 percent of our nation's population.

The point I am trying to make here is that we must all work together in order to survive. Each and every one of you are good at something.  Can you give an hour or two a week of your time devoted to sharing that special talent with the community?  Is there a project you would like to see completed?  Is there an organization you would like to see formed? Or, can you just give some time helping others complete their mission, e.g., Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Pride Committee, Baseball Association, Dam Association, Historical Society, VFW, Ladies Auxiliary, etc. Or, take the big jump and run for the Borough Council or School Board.

In fact, we absolutely, positively, and without a doubt need our young men and women taking leadership positions in our community.  They have stayed abreast of all the technological changes taking place and the different ways of doing things. Their knowledge, skills, abilities and ideas are needed badly in this community if we are to survive and thrive.

Can someone out there form a committee dedicated to economic development here in Austin? How about someone organizing a group dedicated to making Main Street more attractive. Or, maybe promoting cash mob days to support our local businesses? I'm sure you've heard before that no question or idea is stupid.  Well, it's true.

In closing, I ask, do you have the spunk and spirit to turn this ship around?  Is Austin going to remain The Town Too Tough To Die.  It's all up to you.  Please come forward.

The Annual Austin Dam Show Next Weekend

The place to be next weekend is Austin, Pennsylvania, where the Austin Dam Park will host it's Annual Dam Show.  The Dam Show is sponsored by the Potter County Visitor's Association and once again they have put together an extraordinary lineup of musicians and bands.

The Dam Show begins on Friday, August 22, 2014, at 4:00.  The CJMG Band will start a weekend of music you can only find here in the Freeman Run Valley.

Here is the lineup:

4:00          CJMG Band
6:00          Backwoods Experience
8:00          The Woodshed Profits
10:00        The Blind Owl Band

Saturday's entertainment begins with local artist Josh Wolf at noon.  Saturday's lineup is as follows:

Noon:       Josh Wolf, followed by: The New Daze, Mysterytrain, The Dinosaur Truckers, Willie Jack & Northern Light, and Swift Technique.

More information can be found at:  www.damshow.com.

Movie Matinee Scheduled

The E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society has scheduled another movie matinee at the museum for Monday, August 18, 2014, at 1:00 p.m.

The movie classic Anne of Green Gables will be shown.

Kids of all ages are invited to attend.

Free popcorn and soda will be served.

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Parents did you know that the E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Museum located on Main Street in Austin, Pennsylvania, shows classical movies to children throughout the summer vacation months?  That refreshments, including popcorn, are also provided? That the cost is FREE.

Usually the movies are shown in the early afternoon, but yesterday arrangements were made to show the movie at 10:00 a.m. and the children were shown some of the Laurel and Hardy Comedy Classics. 

After the movie the children watched the old player piano play "The Green, Green, Grass of Home.

Titles of the movies that have been shown are:

• The Song of the South
• I Remember Mama
• Abbot and Costello's "Whose On First"
• Laurel and Hardy's Comedy Classics

Each child was given an E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society wristband as a momento of their visit to the museum.

Adults are also invited to attend.

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Austin, Pennsylvania, is a community of between 600 - 700 people.  It is home to the smallest public school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  Essentially, it is a public school in a private school setting.  Last year our school won a bronze medal for its' academic performance.

We invite those of you looking for a new place to live to think about buying one of our rundown homes, tearing it down, and building something new in its place.

Austin, Pennsylvania is known for having the second worst flood disaster in the Commonwealth, when, in 1911, our dam burst killing 78 known citizens.  The dam ruins still stand.

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.”