Herald of Jan. 3, 1923 Blair Four, near Williamsburg, was the scene of the most costly fire in the history of the community on Saturday night (Dec 30) when the general store owned by Blair R. Bice of Martinsburg was destroyed. The building, owned by the Blair Limestone Company, contained in addition to the store, the post office and two apartments. Two families were rendered homeless, one being that of Howard Swartz, manager of the store. The other family was that of the Theodore residence, an employee of the company. Not only was the utmost...
25 Years Ago
Dec 29, 2022
Herald of Jan. 8, 1998 Roaring Spring Borough Council selected John R. Green to fill a vacancy on the seven member council. Herschell D. “Pat” Varner was elected president. Martinsburg Borough Council appointed Robert A. Carper as president and William C. Lewis as vice-president. Local mayors Paul Holsinger of Roaring Spring and Donald Greenleaf of Martinsburg were sworn into office at the Blair County Courthouse. Jeanne Bolger was also sworn in as jury commissioner and sang two songs at the ceremony. The Cove Lioness Club met for its Dec...
75 Years Ago
Dec 29, 2022
Herald of Dec. 30, 1947 The Martinsburg Firemen started a fundraising campaign for a new truck and firefighting apparatus. The truck, costing $10,000, is due to be delivered February 1. It will have a 600-gallon tank, an auxiliary lighting system, a portable pump and an enclosed cab. Mr. and Mrs. Levi Lininger of Beavertown celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary Dec. 29. Mr. Lininger and his wife, the former Mary Agnes Fouse, were natives of Marklesburg. Mrs. Lininger’s father and his six brothers were soldiers in the Civil War, her f...
10 Years Ago
Dec 29, 2022
Herald of Jan. 3, 2013 Sheetz held a grand opening ceremony and ribbon cutting for the new employee health and wellness center. The Sheetz Center for Shwellness was located beside the Sheetz Distribution Center in Claysburg. The Martinsburg Fire Company was called out on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to accidents at the same location along Piney Creek Road in Huston Township. In both instances, drivers struck and sheared off the same Century Link telephone pole. Homewood’s cafe manager, Joe Gilbert, created an edible gingerbread house tha...
Honk if You Love Mamie's
Dec 29, 2022
JoAnna Brumbaugh, left, and Valerie Wyland Prough work in the cold Saturday afternoon at Mamie's Cafe and Bakery selling "honk boxes." Customers drive up, pay $20 and receive a box full of various offerings from the bakery. This was a one time/day only event to draw down on the bakery's inventory....
Four Generations Get Together for Holidays
Dec 29, 2022
Shown are (from left) Michael Ritchey, grandfather; Kyle Ritchey, father, holding Kora Ritchey (5 months); and Sherry Ritchey, great-grandmother. Sherry is from Duncansville, formerly of Roaring Spring. All others are of Hagerstown, MD....
O, Christmas Tree
Dec 29, 2022
The Williamsburg Borough prepared for Christmas with tree decorations provided by the Williamsburg Elementary School....
6 is almost done. I just feel like the whole year flew by. Each year, I do a year in review of Williamsburg. I just can’t be anything but optimistic for the things ahead for Williamsburg in 2023. Williamsburg has potential; we all know that. We have a community that continues to support each other. Attending the meetings of the Penn State students with their hopes for our town brought me much hope for what Williamsburg can be – a thriving town. We have the building blocks for quite a comeback for Williamsburg. Taking the tours with Cat...
Bird's-Eye View of Snowy Storm
Dec 29, 2022
While visiting a friend at Point View to deliver cookies for Christmas, correspondent Natalie Gorsuch snapped a picture of the view from the top during last Thursday's snowstorm. On Thursday, Dec. 22, the Cove received 1.48 inches of precipitation. It was rumored that Point View received more than 5 inches of snow. Interstates 99 and 70 had reduced speed limits until around 2:30 p.m. due to the inclement weather....
Tree Disposal Could Help Environment, Wildlife
KATHY MELLOTT, For the Herald|Dec 29, 2022
Oh, the majestic Christmas tree, we remember those of bygone days, brag on what we had to pay, speak of how the needles so splendidly stay in place and finally, what are we going to do with it after it is pulled from the living room. Most families wait until New Year’s day or shortly after to usher out the dying flag ship of Christmas, Some do the deed 12 days after Christmas, that date promoted as the true date of the joyous holiday, but few push their luck much further than that. The longest living tree to remain in place and lit without b...
Headed Home for the Holidays
Dec 29, 2022
Kwamina Wallace just recently moved to Hollidaysburg from Buffalo, New York, for a new job. He was at the Blair County Airport Saturday afternoon hoping to catch his connecting flight out of Philadelphia so that he could spend Christmas with his family in Atlanta....
125 Years Ago
Dec 22, 2022
Herald of Dec. 30, 1897 Christmas in town was a quiet day. The sun shone brightly and the day was a pleasant one. The majority of business places were closed. The annual Christmas festivals were observed in a number of our churches. The exercises were in keeping with former efforts. Our space is too limited to publish the programs of the various services rendered. Levi Bolger is confined to his residence on account of a sprained ankle, the results of a severe fall last week. A Lincoln day is to be established in the public schools. There are...
50 Years Ago
Dec 22, 2022
Herald of Dec. 28, 1972 George P. Emigh, Jr. of Roaring Spring was elected president of the Roaring Spring Friendship Fire Company. Mr. Emigh, a member of the fire company for 17 years, succeeded Ronald C. Smith as president. Merle G. Pote was reelected as fire chief. Galen “Butch” Hall, a Williamsburg High School football hero and Penn State football standout during the early 1960s, was coaching his Oklahoma Sooners football team in the Sugar Bowl against Penn State on New Years Eve. Hall was an assistant coach, working with the Soo...
100 Years Ago
Dec 22, 2022
Herald of Dec. 22, 1922 Myths and legends associated with the celebration of Christmas in France: Loaves of bread baked at Christmas will remain fresh for 10 years. During the whole of the Christmas holidays a portion of bread should be left on the table day and night because the Holy Mother may come to share it. If the cattle on the farm are given drink immediately after midnight mass, their health will continue to be good throughout the year. Seed of wheat wrapped in a tablecloth which has been used for Christmas dinner will bring a...
25 Years Ago
Dec 22, 2022
Herald of Dec. 31, 1997 Top 5 Stories of 1997 The Imler Volunteer Fire Company Hall and Equipment Garages burn. A fire company member was charged with arson. Williamsburg Girls Basketball team wins the state Class A championship. Loysburg bypass opens Route 36 widened through McKee Martinsburg and adjoining areas host the Tour de’Toona....
75 Years Ago
Dec 22, 2022
Herald of Dec. 23, 1947 A seven year old Roaring Spring girl became ill with chickenpox and died while her parents were taking her to Mercy Hospital. Deputy Coroner Edgar G. Walls reported that the child, Beverly Ann McNally, died of encephalitis, or brain infection. She had been ill for four days. A fire swept through the J. Roy Sell home on Ann Street in Martinsburg. The fire apparently started in the ceiling above the kitchen. No one was home at the time of the fire, and the family’s black Scottie dog was found nearly dead in a bedroom a...
10 Years Ago
Dec 22, 2022
Herald of Dec. 27, 2012 Jeffrey Lee Michael of Hollidaysburg RR was shot and killed by Pennsylvania state troopers after he went on a shooting rampage along Juniata River Road in Frankstown Township near Williamsburg. Michael was suspected of killing three people, one in the basem*nt of the Juniata Valley Gospel Church and two others outside their residences. When confronted by police, Michaels began firing at the officers who returned the gunfire. Douglas E. Mingle, co-owner of the Roaring Spring Department Store True Value, was beginning a...
Shades of Joy Ages 5-7 Winners
Dec 22, 2022
The Herald's annual Shades of Joy contest winners for the 5-7 group are Laura Steele and Brielle Wise, both of Martinsburg. The Herald was thrilled and proud to print every submission to the Shades of Joy contest this year. Due to the high volume of submissions, we cannot post them on the website. However, with a paid subscription, you can view the PDF of the paper by clicking on the e-Edition button on the homepage or the "View PDF" button on each individual article. You can also pick up a...
Shades of Joy Ages 8-11 Winners
Dec 22, 2022
The Herald's annual Shades of Joy winners for the 8-11 group are Jackson Lingenfelter of Culpeper, VA, and Shawn Zimmerman of Roaring Spring. The Herald was thrilled and proud to print every submission to the Shades of Joy contest this year. Due to the high volume of submissions, we cannot post them on the website. However, with a paid subscription, you can view the PDF of the paper by clicking on the e-Edition button on the homepage or the "View PDF" button on each individual article. You can...
Piney Creek School Draws Christmas Pictures for Jingles
Dec 22, 2022
Douglas Horst, Lanson Martin and Colson Martin of Piney Creek School sent in Christmas drawings for the 2022 Jingles....
The Herald's Annual Christmas Jingles 2022
Dec 22, 2022
The Herald’s annual Jingles are a little different this year. The Herald proudly presents the Jingles special section, which includes poems and art by Cove-area school students. This year we asked fourth-grade classes for their contributions. Because we have a Christmas section this year, we are thrilled to be able to print all the submissions for our Shades of Joy contest. For the ease of those trying to find a particular student’s effort, we’ve provided a directory. We invite you to spend some time enjoying the Jingles written by area stude...
South Cove School Gives Christmas Drawings
Dec 22, 2022
Laura Grace Zimmerman, Christopher Lynn Zimmerman, Delvin Rissler and Richard Sauder of South Cove School sent the Herald Christmas drawings....
MRS. BLACKBURN’S CLASS Snowman No time to sleep Out of school Wintertime Aleah Smith Christ came down for us Happy New Year Really fun time It’s a joyful time of the year So warm-hearted Too much to do Merry Christmas A superlative time Such a joyful, happy, fun time Aubrey Banaszak Seasons greeting New Years Oh, so cold White as a pearl Sadie Barton Cookies Holly and Jolly Reindeer Ice So much fun Twenty-fifth Merry Christmas Amazing Santa Claus Blake Bollman Cookies Holly and jolly Really fun Interesting Snow Too much fun Me and my fam...
Martinsburg Elementary Grade 4 Writes Acrostics
Dec 22, 2022
MRS. BARBARINI’S CLASS Dear santa come here Everyone is here Everyone is your dear Reindeer. Tommy G. Presents Remember to get someone a present Everyone open presents Santa Excited Night is when we fly to our Grams Tree Stockings. Lucas H. SANTA IS ALWAYS WATCHING YOU ALWAYS WATCHING IF YOUR NAUGHTY OR NICE NOT mean TRYING TO KEEP IN EYE ON you ALWAYS DOING WHAT HE CAN! Jacobi D. Joy to the world Everlasting GOD Super special dude Unstoppable guy Son of GOD! Miles F. Wrapping presents one, two, three. Rising up with joy. After presents were u...
C-K's Fourth Grade Composes Poems
Dec 22, 2022
MR. CRAIN’S CLASS Glowing Christmas lights I wish you a Merry Christmas New Years Gifts Elf Reindeer Blitzen Rudolph the red nosed reindeer Egg nog An ornament Deck the halls Mrs. Claus Angel North Pole Ava Candy cane Hot chocolate Rudolph the red nose reindeer I wish you a Merry Christmas Snow Twelve days till Christmas Music Advent calendar Santa Claus Hannah Cookies and milk for Santa Have presents and fun Ribbons on top of presents It’s snow season and cold Santa workshop at school Time to stay in and animals habitat Merry Christmas and...
MISS LONG’S CLASS Cinquains Snowmen Snowmen! Snowmen are white Singing, playing, walking With three bottoms on their body Snowmen! Ainsley Fay Christmas Day Christmas You get presents You can get many toys Kids are happy on Christmas day Fun day Elizabeth Clapper Rudolph the Reindeer Rudolph Has a red nose It shines bright all night long He was not appreciated Special Mikah Dopp Christmas Time North Pole There’s red and white Elves, Santa, candycanes Come out to visit Santa Claus Christmas Braylyn Speacht Good Times You play In many ways Run...
Lone Oak School Participates In Herald's Annual Jingles
Dec 22, 2022
Please enjoy the Morrisons Cove Herald's special Christmas section. Thank you to all the fourth graders who submitted to the Jingles this year....
For many years, the question always arises – what was your favorite holiday memory or your favorite gift? For me, I always have the same answer. It is my honor to share this wonderful memory with all you readers this holiday season. Back in 1997 when the famous Titanic movie came to theaters, one of the hottest ticket items was that infamous necklace that Rose donned in the movie. When Avon was popular, my mom would bring the Avon book home after work and ask if there was anything I’d like in it. Christmas of 1998, I was adamant. There was onl...
Gingerbread House Named Light Fight Winner
Dec 22, 2022
Williamsburg held its 2022 Light Fight, which allowed residents to show off their Christmas cheer. The Gingerbread House (12) was the victor of Light Fight. The house is owned by Jayelle Smith and Jim Mikesic. Second place was Christmas Toyland (11), and third went to A Christmas Story (15). There were 23 houses entered in the contest and over 500 votes were cast....
New Enterprise Couple Welcomes Christmas with Luminaries
JUDITH OTT, Southern Cove Correspondent|Dec 22, 2022
Lori and Scott Douglas of New Enterprise have been blessing New Enterprise with homemade luminaries for the past five years. Lori had decided she wanted to try this for New Enterprise just to bring some Christmas spirit to the town. Luminaries are made from cutting plastic milk jugs, adding sand, and placing a 3-inch candle in the middle of the sand. The Douglases make their own candles by melting wax and pouring into the glass candle. These are reused each year as well as the plastic jugs....
Joseph Conlon Recounts Christmas Eve as a POW
KATHY MELLOTT, For the Herald|Dec 22, 2022
A man, who over the years touched the lives of many young people in the central Morrisons Cove, spent some of the most formidable of his years living under conditions one can barely imagine. Joseph Conlon, best known for his teaching at Roaring Spring High School and Spring Cove School District, touched thousands of lives, few of whom may be aware he spent one very lonely Christmas Eve as a prisoner of war in a German detention camp. The prolific writer died in 2015 at the age of 90, but he penned an account of that Christmas Eve and today we,...
Jolly 'Belsnickel' Served as Cove's Early Day Santa
MILTON V. BURGESS|Dec 22, 2022
Published in the Herald of December 21, 1972, in his Local History column. Burgess was a former editor of the Herald. The people of the Cove have their own Christmas customs, many of which stem from the lives of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestors. Mrs. Mamie Teeter, proprietor of Teeter's Hotel in Martinsburg, who was raised in the Pennsylvania Dutch country of Eastern Pennsylvania, likes to hear some of the old Dutch sayings and revive memories of happy Christmases when she was a little girl. She rec...
More than $66 Million Distributed To Support Volunteer Firefighters, Protect Residents, Communities
Dec 15, 2022
Auditor General Timothy L. DeFoor announced his department has released more than $66 million in state aid to help dedicated volunteer firefighters save lives and protect property across Pennsylvania. “This crucial funding will help more than 1,850 volunteer firefighter relief associations to provide equipment, training and insurance for Pennsylvania’s volunteer first responders,” DeFoor said. “At a time when many volunteers are spending more time raising money than fighting fires, these s...
125 Years Ago
Dec 15, 2022
Herald of Dec. 23, 1897 John Wilson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stahl, north of Martinsburg, died on Thursday morning last week, aged 12 years, 8 months and 20 days. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. F. A. Rupley, D. D., were held in the Jugtown schoolhouse on Sunday morning. Deceased was ill for one year and his death was caused by consumption. The officers of the congregation of the Lutheran church are completing arrangements to have the celebrated Dickinson College Glee Club give an entertainment for the benefit of the church on Wednesday...
50 Years Ago
Dec 15, 2022
Herald of Dec. 21, 1972 A flood of Christmas mail swamped local post offices, causing delays in delivery. A system set up in the past year sent all mail to Altoona to be sorted and canceled. The Altoona postal center was not mechanized so work had to be carried out by hand, delaying deliveries. Additionally, the local post offices could not hire extra carriers because of a hiring freeze. H. Dean Teeter, 26, returned to his home in New Enterprise after being hospitalized for more that 10 weeks to recover from burns he received in an explosion...
100 Years Ago
Dec 15, 2022
Herald of Dec. 22, 1922 Martinsburg and vicinity is to be congratulated on the success of the recent Red Cross Drive which was put over splendidly by the earnest efforts of a few faithful workers. The success of the drive is due to the diligence and management of Mrs. J. S. Bonebreak and Rev. D. L. Shaffer, the secretary and chairman. A deal was recently consummated whereby the May Bakery was purchased by Aaron Brumbaugh, of south Martinsburg. Mr. Brumbaugh will take possession the first of March. J. Nevin May, who has been in charge of the...
25 Years Ago
Dec 15, 2022
Herald of Dec. 31, 1997 Local weather prognosticator George Acker delivered his forecast for 1998 to the Herald office. He based his forecast on eclipses of the sun and moon, among other things, such as how early the winter potatoes in storage sprout eyes. His forecast called for heavy snow in January, but the stormiest months would be April and July. The Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension service was offering three workshops on farming needs at Morrisons Cove Memorial Park. Sarrah Bidle of Williamsburg shared her experience of visiting...
75 Years Ago
Dec 15, 2022
Herald of Dec. 18, 1947 The bodies of Pfc. John F. Keating, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frances Keating and Pfc. Jack Herron, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Herron, all of Roaring Spring, were returned home last week. The two young men both entered the service on December 14, 1942 and were sent to New Cumberland and Camp McCoy, Wis. together. They arrived in France on the same day and served in the same company. Telegrams arrived at their homes simultaneously, telling both had died July 12, 1944. A joint burial service was planned for Saturday at Alto Rest...
10 Years Ago
Dec 15, 2022
Herald of Dec. 20, 2012 Local schools were reviewing their safety plans after the school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Twenty children and six adults were shot at the school by an intruder. School districts in the Cove already had some security measures in place, like locked entry doors and security cameras, but the superintendents said they would be looking into other options to provide more protection to students and staff. Jeff Appleman, coach of the Claysburg-Kimmel girls basketball team, hit the 500 win mark...
Four Feathers
Dec 15, 2022
These four generations of the Feather family gathered for a Thanksgiving celebration. Shown (from left) are Hannah Maness, Marilyn Feather, Megan Maness and Sue Benner. Hannah, Megan and Sue are of Knoxville, Tenn. Marilyn Feather is a resident of Homewood Retirement Center....
Oxbow Bend Popular Spot for Photos
Dec 15, 2022
Beyond the Cove, Denny Shoemaker of Woodbury has traveled often and taken his camera with him. This photo was taken in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, at " Oxbow Bend," the northern part of Jackson Hole, just south of Yellowstone. It's one of the most popular spots for photos. The Snake River is in the foreground. Mt. Moran is the high peak on the right. The photo was taken the last week of September in 2021. Shoemaker recently sold a calendar of Cove-area photos. He plans to make another calendar next...
Calling All Cookers, Bakers and Meal Makers
Dec 15, 2022
Editor's Note The Herald would like to thank Elise Evans and Mary Corle for sharing their recipes with us this year. Attached to her recipes, Corle noted that "they aren't maybe your holiday kind of recipes, but I do them all year round." So feel free to keep these recipes all year! ("Except the mincemeat. That's in deer season mostly," Corle says.) Because of some feedback from readers and recipe lovers, this year we have recipes in the week before our Jingles to give those interested time to...
‘Tis the season for Christmas movies. Typically, on the weekends, you can find me watching my favorite show, Dateline, watching my Baltimore Ravens or finding a sappy, romance movie on either Hallmark or Lifetime. This inspired my question for the week – what is your favorite Christmas movie or special? Here is what a few residents had to say: Rebecca Miller: White Christmas Don Zimmerman: Roadhouse Christina Hatch: It’s a Wonderful Life Holly Hamilton: Elf – Buddy is like an autistic kid and I connect to that. James Flaig: Walton’s Christmas A...
Wish Books: Residents Go Down Memory Lane in the Pages of Sears Catalogs
KATHY MELLOTT, For the Herald|Dec 15, 2022
It’s late fall, the mid-1950’s, an early cold front has brought snow flurries and sharp wind to the region. A group of little girls huddle at a front window of an old farmhouse waiting for the mailman to stop. This certainly has to be the day that it arrives. It’s been anticipated for so long. And arrive it does, the latest edition of the Sears Roebuck Christmas catalog. It was filled with a cornucopia of wonderfulness that, for the little girls, would never find its way to their house, but it was so much fun just to look and dream. This scena...
Southern Cove Power Reunion Hosts Second Drive-Through Light Show
JUDITH OTT, Southern Cove Correspondent|Dec 15, 2022
On Dec. 9, Southern Cove Power Reunion started the Second Annual Country Christmas Light Show at 5:30 p.m. The grounds were filled with displays from area businesses, groups and families. Folks driving through the grounds could turn their FM radio to 90.1 to listen to a Christmas playlist. A stop at the clubhouse for a visit with Santa, hot chocolate, and cookies was a highlight of the exhibit. On Saturday night, Dec. 10, there was a two-horse drawn wagon families could ride in as they enjoyed...
Hush, Dad, the Game's On
Dec 15, 2022
Jayden Yingling of Martinsburg entertains his six-month-old daughter Arizona during half time of the Central v. McConnellsburg basketball game Friday....
1938 RS Football Team Signs Photograph
Dec 15, 2022
Shown above is the team photo of the Roaring Spring football team 1938. "My father Bill Hamer is first row, center. Number 25," said Joseph Hamer, who submitted this photo to the Herald. "I remember my mother mentioning that his nickname was 'feet.'" The picture below is the reverse side on the team photo with teammates signatures. Recognize anyone? Let us know at news@mcheraldonline.com....
125 Years Ago
Dec 8, 2022
Herald of Dec. 16, 1897 The first anniversary of the failures of the Martinsburg Deposit Bank and the First National Bank of Hollidaysburg was observed on the 14th, inst., by the sitting of Auditor Neff, and the gathering of the creditors to distribute the money in the hands of the assignee. A large number of depositors were present to learn if possible where their money had gone. The weather clerk was a little behind time with his Monday rain, which did not reach us until Tuesday, much to the relief of the washday brigade. Probably he held...
50 Years Ago
Dec 8, 2022
Herald of Dec. 14, 1972 George E. Kensinger of Martinsburg, first assistant executive director of the Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8, was assigned as temporary district superintendent of the Everett Area Schools following the death of Miller C. Hood who held that position. There was no comment from either school as to whether the appointment would become permanent. Williamsburg borough council unanimously voted to allow sledding on West Second St. hill from Tom Ake’s to Plum Street for the west end of town.. Liberty St. remained the designated...
100 Years Ago
Dec 8, 2022
Herald of Dec. 8, 1922 The regular Winters Farmer’s Week at the Pennsylvania State College, which has been suspended for a few years, is being resumed this year. December 18-21 has been set for those meetings when the students will be home for Christmas vacation, thus providing room in the village and college buildings for the large influx of farmers. On Thanksgiving Day Miss Maude Gephart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Gephart, and Paul Guyer, son of Mrs. Minnie Guyer of New Enterprise, were married in Braddock. Mrs. Guyer is a graduate n...
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