The Leightley's Annual Halloween Display

Despite a steady drizzle of rain throughout the day, the Kurt Leightley Family assembled their annual halloween display on Turner Street in Austin, Pennsylvania.

Kurt can be seen on the left. Jennifer stands to the left of the doorway to their home on Turner Street.

Austin Area School District's Entry in "Paint The Plow" Contest

Under the supervision of Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Rodich, middle school enrichment students (Hunter Bundy, Jacob Hooftallen, Ella Brewer, Marah Fowler, Kendyl Welsh, Joe Lipchik, and Warren Nelson & Drawing 1 Students-Kiera Dynda, Trent Fowler, Kevin Gentzel, Joe Glover, Parker Glover, & Miles Moate) have completed their first large project of the year. They tackled the task of entering the “Paint the Plow” contest held by PennDOT.

Students were given a plow to paint and design with an image relating to this year’s theme, “know before you go,” advising drivers to be prepared for winter weather.

 Their plow will be entered in a contest competing with other school districts in a multi-county area. Once plows are judged, they will be taken back to the PennDOT location in which they were created in so they can be placed on an actual plow truck to be used this winter!!

 Please watch for our painted plow on the roads this winter!

To Vote Click Here

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
News Release
10/25/2018

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to choose the “Fan Favorite” of the District 2 Paint the Plow contest by “liking” their favorite in the contest photo album on the PennDOT Facebook page. (Click Here)

Voting is now underway and will remain open until noon on Friday, November 2. The photo with the most likes will be named “Fan Favorite”. (Click Here To Vote) “District 2 is thrilled to have 16 high schools participating in this year’s competition”, said District 2 Executive Karen Michael. “The art work is extraordinary, and we encourage everyone to visit the Facebook page to vote for their favorite. (Click Here) The efforts these students put into their entries deserves to be recognized.” 

This is the third year District 2 has held the competition, branching out this year to all nine counties it serves. The sixteen participating high schools are DuBois, DuBois Central, Harmony, and Clearfield in Clearfield County, Elk County Catholic in Elk County, Smethport in McKean County, Galeton, Coudersport, and Austin in Potter County, Central Mountain in Clinton County, Bellefonte, St Joseph’s Academy, and Penns Valley in Centre County, Mifflin in Mifflin County, and Juniata and East Juniata in Juniata County. The public can search for their school’s County and vote for their favorite plow at Paint the Plow Photos. (Click Here To Vote).

All but one of the plows will be mounted to a plow truck in the area of the respective school for the upcoming winter season. The plow from Central Mountain High School will remain on display in front of Clinton County’s PennDOT Maintenance Office. This year’s theme follows the 511PA slogan of “Know before you go”, with winter driving safety at the forefront of the art work.

For more information on the Paint the Plow program, please contact Marla Fannin at mfannin@pa.gov or call 814-765-0423.

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See results by clicking HERE

Northern area (Elk, McKean and Potter counties): Austin High School with 485 likes

E.O. Austin Home/Historical Society Word Search Puzzles

The Word Search Puzzles are available at the museum on Main Street.

Introduction



Sample Puzzle

Do you know where these streets are located in town?

There are 46 additional puzzles besides the one shown above contained in the booklet and also two (2) pages of Fun Facts.

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