Jump to content
GoDuBois.com

mr.d

Members
  • Posts

    18,634
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    88

Posts posted by mr.d

  1. THROWBACK THURSDAY: Sabula’s Pioneer Medicine Woman

     
     

    Mary McCoullough Osborne (1839-1926) lived in the Sabula and Narrows Creek area of Sandy Township.  Mary was the eighth child of William and Mary McCoullough.  She married Henry Osborne in 1858.  

    The two were both raised in Jefferson County and relocated to Sabula in Clearfield County one year after they were married.   When Mary was 37 years old her husband passed away and she was left a widow with two children.

    Top 10Craziest Moments from “Jer

    The woods of Sabula where they lived had neighbors scattered widely as other families were settling in the area.  In those days there was much sickness and very little doctoring in the backwoods.

    Mary always traveled over the hills and through the valleys to tend to the sick, comfort the dying and help families as they grieved. 

    The locals would ride their horses to Mary’s cabin first and then into a more populated area for a doctor.  The doctors were not readily available most times.

    In the winter of 1879-80, a diphtheria epidemic struck the community.  The sickness spread from house to house throughout Sabula like wildfire.

    In those days, people helped one another in time of sickness, but not during this outbreak for fear of risking their lives and the lives of their families.  Mary was one person who took that risk. 

    She went to every home that needed caring for the sick and dying.  She also helped prepare the dead for burial. 

    After the epidemic was over, Mary was credited with saving the lives of many of her neighbors.  Throughout all this time, she and her children never fell ill.  The sickness escaped them.

    Mary was also known for her home remedies and delivering many children.  She never kept count because she was too busy.  She was 78 years old when she helped with her last baby delivery and had her last sick call.  

    Mary was laid to rest next her husband in Jefferson County 50 years after his death.  She was 86 years old when she passed away. 

     
  2. Bird flu confirmed in PA, virus detected in wild bald eagle found dead, officials say


    by WJAC Staff

    UserWay icon for accessibility widget
    Bald eagle (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
    Bald eagle (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
     

    Officials say the latest bird flu has made its way to Pennsylvania.

    The state game commission made the announcement Friday.

    They say the bird flu, or highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, was detected in a wild bald eagle found dead in East Marlborough Township, Chester County.

    They say this marks the first detection of HPAI H5N1 in birds within the sate since the virus was first identified in North America in December 2021.

    Officials add that they’re waiting for lab test results from five wild hooded mergansers with suspected HPAI recovered from Kahle Lake on the Clarion and Venango county line.

    Four of the birds were found dead and they say the fifth was euthanized after showing neurologic signs.

    The game commission says, so far, the avian flu has impacted birds in more than 20 states.

    They add that they’re working with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Wildlife Futures Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System to monitor the virus.

    Any further cases will be reported by the USDA on its website.

    Experts say waterfowl and shorebirds are natural reservoirs for avian influenza viruses.

    Infected birds may spread the virus through their feces and saliva even if they seem healthy.

    The virus can lead to sickness and death in wild poultry (turkey, grouse) raptors (hawks, eagles), avian scavengers (crows, gulls, ravens), and other species (ducks, geese).

    Signs of infection often include neurologic dysfunction such as circling and difficulty flying.

    HPAI is particularly contagious and lethal to domestic poultry, experts say, and can significantly impact the commercial poultry industry.

    While the avian flu can infect humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current outbreak is primarily an animal health issue and no cases have been detected in humans in the United States.

    No Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza viruses had been detected in Pennsylvania since the 1983-84 outbreak, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

  3. Beech leaf disease could drastically change forests

    by: Peyton Kennedy

    Posted: 

    Updated: 

     

    CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — When healthy, Beech trees can live up to 400 years, but a newly found disease is wiping out the trees in as little as two years after the first signs of damage. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources said it has the potential to drastically change our forests.

    An invasive nematode preying on the trees is believed to be the cause of the disease.

    “Thousands of these nematodes can be found in a single infested Beech leaf,” said Jeffrey Woleslagle, chief of communications for the DCNR Bureau of Forestry. “There’ll be dark banding and curling on the leaves, and what happens eventually is the twigs and the branches die back.”

    • JMA_7814-2.jpg?w=900
    • JMA_4738-2.jpg?w=900

    Beech leaf disease has spread from Ohio to New England and is found in about 31 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, mainly in the west and northeast.

    The economic and environmental cost of losing Beech trees is estimated to be hundreds of millions of dollars per state; for example, $225 million in Ohio alone, according to the DCNR.

    Woleslagle said research on the disease is ongoing by various universities and state and federal agencies.

    “It’s believed that it’s being easily transmitted by human means,” said Woleslagle.

    He said it is especially common for nematodes to be transferred through firewood as campers travel from location to location.

    “We really recommend as always that people don’t move firewood,” said Woleslagle.

    At this time, there is no cure for Beech leaf disease.

  4. THROWBACK THURSDAY: Donor of Maple Avenue Nurses Home

     
     

    Phebe Tyler was born April 10, 1843, the daughter of David and Isabelle (Mahaffey) Tyler.

    The village of Tyler was named for her father, one of the pioneers of this section of the Bennetts Branch Valley. The family moved to Clearfield County, settling here in Huston Township in 1848.

    Miss Tyler was a woman of broad education and thought. Realizing that his family should have a good education her father employed a governess for his daughters, and Miss Phebe learned to speak French and German with fluency.

    Phebe’s greatest accomplishment was in building the Nurses’ Memorial Home for the Maple Avenue Hospital in DuBois in 1923.  Tyler initially donated $15,000, which was later found to be insufficient so she contributed more.

    She continued to manage the project until it was completed, even though she was confined to her bed.

    Miss Tyler also contributed greatly to welfare and charity.  She was an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Penfield and in her own community. 

    She organized the first Sunday School in her town, which was held in a sawmill and later donated land for a church with the only stipulation being that it could not be taken over by one denomination. She later raised funds with her friends’ help in order to construct a building on the land. 

    She was liberal in her contributions to welfare work, not only organized work, but she contributed to the education of ambitious young men and women to assist them in their higher education.

    Her contributions to welfare and charity were widespread.  No one ever went by her home who was in need that was not helped. 

    img330.jpg?resize=606%2C800&ssl=1

    After her father’s death in 1882, the burden of looking after the financial interests of the family fell on her shoulders.

    (The land Mr. Tyler had bought became very valuable on account of timber.) She also succeeded her father as postmaster at Tyler for 13 years.

    Miss Tyler always did her own thinking and followed her own thoughts.  She always knew what she wanted and insisted upon having it that way.  She kept entire control of her business affairs up to the last. 

  5. Why millions of genetically-modified mosquitoes may soon be released in the US


    by WKRC Staff

    UserWay icon for accessibility widget
    FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2016, file photo, an Aedes aegypti mosquito known to carry the Zika virus, is photographed through a microscope at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)
    FILE - In this Jan. 27, 2016, file photo, an Aedes aegypti mosquito known to carry the Zika virus, is photographed through a microscope at the Fiocruz institute in Recife, Pernambuco state, Brazil. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File)

    UNDATED (WKRC) — The Environmental Protection Agency has recently approved a plan to release millions of genetically-modified mosquitos into parts of the US.

    The plan, which was created by the British biotech firm Oxitec, is intended to combat the spread of diseases such as Zika, yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya.

    An invasive species of mosquito, called Aedes aegypti, first appeared in California in 2013. In 2020, it also appeared in Florida for the first time in 75 years.

    Although they account for a relatively small portion of the total mosquito population in those areas, they reportedly cause a large number of cases of human disease, and are known to be particularly aggressive when it comes to biting people.

    Oxitec has genetically engineered roughly 2.4 million male (meaning they don't bite) mosquitos to contain the number of Aedes aegypti.

    The male mosquitos have a "self-limiting" gene that causes the population to die out over time. The idea is that they will mate with the invasive female species, "mediating a reduction of the target population as the female offspring of these encounters cannot survive," the company said.

    This method was also carried out in 2021, when Oxitec released 144,000 genetically-modified mosquitos in the Florida Keys as part of a pilot project, which the company describes as "a success."

    Oxitec also stresses that the new mosquitos will not harm other “beneficial insects,” like bees and butterflies.

    While the EPA approved the plan, the company still needs approval from the individual states. However, there has been some criticism.

    "When you disrupt an ecological system whether it's a small disruption or a big disruption, you're going to have an impact," said Dana Perls, a program manager at Friends of the Earth, a Washington, D.C.-based environmental advocacy group.

    Perls says that without confirmed data about the rate of disease transmission from the Aedes aegypti mosquito, it's unclear if the genetically-modified mosquitos will behave the way Oxitec predicts.

    Among potential concerns, Perls says a hybrid species could be created that is difficult to eradicate, or another type of mosquito could simply take the place of the Aedes aegypti. She feels there needs to be a better system in place for monitoring the engineered species before releasing it.

    "Once you release these mosquitos into the environment, you cannot recall them," she said. "This could, in fact, create problems that we don't have already."

  6. THROWBACK THURSDAY: West Side United Methodist Church of Clearfield Celebrates 150th Anniversary in 2022

     
     

    It all began March 25, 1872, when the presiding elder of the Altoona District sought out an enterprising young minister, Martin Luther Ganoe. He said, “Martin, I want you to build a Church in West Clearfield, which is a promising village.”

    Rev. Ganoe was a Civil War Veteran and received his call to preach amid the roar of shot and shell on Gettysburg Battlefield. He was the first pastor and the man who built the West Clearfield Church and started it on its first-century-and-a-half of history. He served until March of 1874.

    West Clearfield was formed from part of Lawrence Township, across the river from the town of Clearfield, and incorporated as a borough in 1883.

    West Clearfield had two schools, several small stores, a blacksmith shop, this church and about 400 residents in 1887.   The name was changed from West Clearfield Church to West Side Church in 1901 after the boroughs of West Clearfield and Clearfield merged into one in 1900.  

    The first church service was held later that year in a one-room school on Merrill Street, then in private homes. The first church building was finished the following year and dedicated November of 1873 (at the location of the current church on Nichols Street).

    Original-church-bldg-btw.-1906-and-1923.
    Original church building, btw. 1906 and 1923

    After much growth and many additions to the original church, fundraising began for a larger building. The Rev. William L. Armstrong conducted the last service in the old church and broke ground for this new building on May 27, 1923.

    While the current building was being constructed, services were held in the Agricultural Building at the Driving Park from 1923 to 1925. On July 3, 1925, the still beautiful stained-glass windows were purchased for about $8,000. (The estimate of the total building project was about $150,000.)

    So, progress of the building continued. The social hall was finished the following year in 1926. And worship was held here.

    Then, things stalled with the stock market crash and The Great Depression. In 1937, every organization of the church became motivated to raise the necessary funds to finish the building, and the sanctuary was finished by volunteer labor and dedicated in 1940.

    New-church-bldg-under-construction-1924-
    New church building under construction, 1924-1925

    The next several decades saw the following progress: 1949, first radio broadcast of services; 1953, sound system installed; and 1960, Carillonic Bells installed; they played for 15 minutes each evening at 6 p.m. and they still play today, three times a day.  

    In 1961, the Chapel was dedicated and gymnasium converted into classrooms; and in 1972, the hand bell choir started with set of 25 handbells.

    More modern updates include an elevator (1992), new organ (1995), wireless sound system (1995), multi-media installed (2015) and Facebook broadcasts (2017).

    The church started as a neighborhood church for people who desired a place of worship nearer their homes, and it continues today to serve the community with numerous missions.

    20200415_124948-Copy.jpg?resize=800%2C60
    West Side United Methodist Church, current
  7. Invasive species of giant, parachuting spiders spreading across East Coast, experts say


    by ZACHARY ROGERS | The National Desk

    UserWay icon for accessibility widget
    The joro spider, a large spider native to East Asia, is seen in Johns Creek, Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. The spider has spun its thick, golden web on power lines, porches and vegetable patches all over north Georgia this year – a proliferation that has driven some unnerved homeowners indoors and prompted a flood of anxious social media posts. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz)
    The joro spider, a large spider native to East Asia, is seen in Johns Creek, Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. The spider has spun its thick, golden web on power lines, porches and vegetable patches all over north Georgia this year – a proliferation that has driven some unnerved homeowners indoors and prompted a flood of anxious social media posts. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz)
     

    ATLANTA (TND) — An invasive species of spider has made its way to Georgia, and will likely spread out to more states along the East Coast, according to experts with the University of Georgia (UGA).

    The 3-inch long "Joro Spider" is native to Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan, according to Smithsonian Magazine. The spider thrives in Japan, which has a similar climate to the southeastern United States.

    A previous publication from UGA researchers says Joro spiders are about the size of a human hand and are an "orb weaver" species, which means they weave webs into parachutes and ride the wind around to travel.

    UGA says the arachnid first arrived in Georgia sometime in 2013, and soon spread across the state.

    "There’s really nothing we can do to stop them. But that’s not necessarily bad news," says UGA in a release.

    "It doesn’t have anything that’s controlling its population size in the new habitat, but it has perfect conditions to spread," says UGA's Benjamin Frick.

    Frick, a graduate student at Georgia's Odum School of Ecology, co-authored a study on the spiders. His co-author, Andy Davis, is a research scientist at the Odum School.

    Davis says Joro spiders "don’t appear to have much of an effect on local food webs or ecosystems," and people should just "try to learn to live with them."

    Joro spiders are resistant to the cold, making their spread across the United States more likely, according to the study. Despite their size, they are not likely to harm humans.

    “Its fangs are so small relative to most human skin that it probably won’t be able to get its fangs into you even if it wanted to,” Frick says.

    "There’s really no reason to go around actively squishing them," Frick says. "Humans are at the root of their invasion. Don’t blame the Joro spider."

    To the credit of the Joro spider, the species is said to do something other spiders don't: eat stink bugs. That may be enough for some people to see the Joro spider as a welcomed guest.

    The study says the East Coast can expect to start seeing more Joro spiders by the beginning of summer, and the noticeably large female webs will start appearing during the fall season.                                                                                                                                                                                 SEE PICTURES, VIDEO   ;   https://wjactv.com/news/nation-world/invasive-species-of-giant-parachuting-spiders-spreading-across-east-coast-experts-say-joro-spider-japan-university-georgia-uga-arachnid

  8. Historical Program to Look Back at 125th Anniversary of DuBois

     
     
     

    DUBOIS – Visualizing the City of DuBois 150 years ago is difficult to do except through drawings and photographs.

    But, visualizing activities became much easier in 1997 when video cameras were the popular way of recording events.

    With the City of DuBois celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2022, the DuBois Area Historical Society, celebrating its 40th year, will open up its programs for 2022 with a look back at DuBois 125th anniversary.

    The program will be held Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Society’s museum, 28 W. Long Ave., DuBois.  The program is free and open to the public.

    In 1997, the society then in its 15th year was part of the celebration and used a video camera to record some of the activities.

    The 40 minutes videotape was recently converted over to DVD and will be shown in its entirety during the program.

    The program includes activities that were held outside on Long Avenue, brief interviews with people who set historical exhibits at the First United Methodist Church and a portion of the anniversary celebration program held at the same church.

    Highlights include a look at downtown in 1997 and hearing presentations from some prominent DuBois residents of that time.

    This will be the first of several programs the DuBois Area Historical Society has scheduled to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the City of DuBois.

  9. Ag Dept lifts Thousand Cankers quarantine, Eastern Black Walnut not threatened

     
    Black-Walnut-tree-1.jpg
    Black Walnut (Juglans nigra L.) detail of nut and leaves. Credit: MONGO, fair use Wikipedia
    Posted on 

    Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced that the department has lifted a quarantine in place since August 2014, because Thousand Cankers Disease no longer threatens Pennsylvania’s black walnut trees. Pennsylvania leads the nation in production and exports of hardwood lumber, and the disease was once thought to be a significant threat to the state’s $36 billion hardwoods industry.

    “Quarantines are excellent tools to help protect our agriculture industry and our economy from disease and pests,” said Sec. Redding. “When science demonstrates that the disease is no longer a threat, restrictions on commerce are no longer necessary. We remain vigilant against invasive species and disease threats, but the quarantine as a tool has done its job.”

    Thousand Cankers Disease is caused when walnut twig beetles, which carry a fungus called Geosmithia morbida, tunnel beneath the bark of walnut trees, causing small cankers to form.  Over time, repeated beetle attacks and resulting cankers disrupt the movement of water and nutrients throughout the tree, causing branches and limbs to die and eventually killing the tree.

    Several peer-reviewed, published research studies have shown that despite the presence of the beetles and fungus, native black walnuts in Pennsylvania have been largely unaffected by the disease. Black walnut constitutes about one percent of Pennsylvania’s hardwood forests and is highly sought after for furniture and other valuable products, as well as the nuts it produces.

    Efforts to control walnut twig beetles using parasitic wasps are still underway and the department will continue to monitor the presence of the insects, fungus and disease in Pennsylvania.

    The quarantine restricted movement of materials from walnut trees, living or dead, including nursery stock, green lumber and firewood, as well as roots, branches, mulch and other debris. It applied to Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Affected businesses in those counties will be notified of the action this month.

    The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture also issued a quarantine in 2007 prohibiting the movement of firewood of all types and species into Pennsylvania unless it is labeled as “kiln-dried” and/or is USDA-certified. This quarantine, still in effect, is designed to help slow the spread of nonnative, invasive forest pests and diseases that are often moved long distances hidden in firewood.

    The invasive spotted lanternfly is one example of such a damaging insect. A 34-county quarantine remains in effect, prohibiting transport of items that contain the insect or its eggs. Items covered include but are by no means limited to firewood, since the insect travels and lays its eggs on any items outdoors.

    Campers and homeowners can help protect Pennsylvania’s urban, suburban and forested areas from nonnative invasive forest pests and diseases by the following:

    • Buy and burn locally cut firewood,
    • Burn any firewood already brought from another area. Don’t leave it behind or take it with you.

    The repealed Thousand Canker Disease quarantine order can be found in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

    For more information on programs, funding and initiatives to protect and grow Pennsylvania agriculture, visit agriculture.pa.gov.

  10. THROWBACK THURSDAY: Luthersburg Golden Yoke

     
     

    Pictured are photos of what we know as “The Golden Yoke.” Situated at a strategic spot on the Old Erie Pike, Luthersburg provided a host of accommodations for travelers and inhabitants of Brady Township.

    According to Aldrich’s 1887 history of Clearfield County, “The first tavern, as hotels were then called, was opened by Lebbeus Luther shortly after settling at Luthersburgh (sic), in 1820.

     
    955.8K
     
    Macron Criticized for Saying Government Should Make Life Miserable for Unvacci
    Yoke.jpg?resize=800%2C533&ssl=1

    The Golden Yoke was originally called the Merchants Hotel and it was built about 1855. It became the “Golden Yoke” in the 1940’s when it stopped being a hotel and began serving a “smorgasbord” style dinner.  

    It was named for an ox yoke that was painted gold and hung on the porch. Folks reportedly traveled from miles away to sample the cuisine.

    Much has happened there over the years. The hotel was the site of civil war political unrest, a spot to view parades and lodging for teamsters hauling iron shipments on their way along the Erie Pike.

    postcard-golden-yoke.jpg?resize=800%2C46
  11. Treasure hunters sue for records on FBI’s Civil War gold dig in Elk County

    by: The Associated Press

    Posted:  / Updated: 
     

    Treasure hunters who believe they found a huge cache of fabled Civil War-era gold in Pennsylvania are now on the prowl for something as elusive as the buried booty itself: government records of the FBI’s excavation.

    Finders Keepers filed a federal lawsuit against the Justice Department over its failure to produce documents on the FBI’s search for the legendary gold, which took place nearly four years ago at a remote woodland site in Elk County.

    The FBI has since dragged its feet on the treasure hunters’ Freedom of Information Act request for records, their lawyer said Wednesday.

    “There’s been a pattern of behavior by the FBI that’s been very troubling,” said Anne Weismann, who represents Finders Keepers. She questioned whether the agency is “acting in good faith.”

    A message was sent to the Justice Department seeking comment on the suit, which asks a judge to order the FBI to immediately turn over the records.

    Finders Keepers’ owners, the father-son duo of Dennis and Kem Parada, had spent years looking for what, according to legend, was an 1863 shipment of Union gold that was lost or stolen on its way to the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia. The duo focused on a spot where they say their instruments detected a large metallic mass.

    After meeting with the treasure hunters in early 2018, the FBI brought in a contractor with more sophisticated instruments. The contractor detected an underground mass that weighed up to nine tons and had the density of gold, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed last year at the request of news organizations, including The Associated Press.

    The Paradas accompanied the FBI to the site in Dent’s Run, about 135 miles (220 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh, but say they were confined to their car while the FBI excavated.

    The FBI has long insisted the March 2018 dig came up empty, but the agency has consistently stymied the Paradas’ efforts to obtain information.

    The FBI initially claimed it had no files about the investigation. Then, after the Justice Department ordered a more thorough review, the FBI said its records were exempt from public disclosure. Finally, in the wake of the treasure hunters’ appeal, the FBI said it had located 2,400 pages of records and 17 video files that it could potentially turn over — but that it would take years to do so.

    Finders Keepers asked the Justice Department for expedited processing, which can be granted in cases where there is widespread media interest involving questions about the government’s integrity. The Justice Department denied the request — and, as of last month, had yet to assign the FOIA request to a staffer for processing, according to the lawsuit.

    “From the outset, it seems as if the FBI is doing everything it can to avoid answering the question of whether they actually found gold,” Weismann said.                                                                                                                                    https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/treasure-hunters-sue-for-records-on-fbis-civil-war-gold-dig-in-elk-county/

  12. SPONSORED: Blast from the Past: Beverage-Air Started as The Punxsutawney Co.

    December 30, 2021 12:33 am·
    Author: exploreJefferson
     

    Screenshot at Dec 29 16-02-08Originally know as The Punxsutawney Co., Beverage-Air started out as a line of bottle coolers.

    While standard bottle coolers were available, these branded Pepsi-Cola display coolers were marketed specifically to “give your product that extra point-of-sale push”.

    A budget line, deluxe line, cafeteria models, and display merchandisers were all offered as part of the Beverage-Air Pepsi-Cola line of display coolers. Check out their latest version of display merchandisers here: http://ow.ly/VNXT50H9Qnu.

    This framed sales literature is just one of many that hang in their conference room to continuously remind all exactly where it all started. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more “blasts from the past.”

    Want to be part of the Beverage-Air Family?

    Beverage-Air, in Brookville, is looking to hire several candidates to fill current vacancies.

    They currently have openings for several various positions.

    Starting pay rate is $13.50/hour. No experience is required.

    IMG_0246(1)

    Pay can increase to as much as $18.50 with 5+ years of relevant manufacturing experience.

     

    What Beverage-Air offers:

    – Premium pay for the weekend shift
    – Quarterly pay progression reviews
    – Paid vacation and holidays
    – Comprehensive benefits package

    IMG_0252

    Check out their job opportunities at https://beverage-air.com/careers.

  13. THROWBACK THURSDAY: Italian Traditions of the Feast of the Seven Fishes

     
     

    Mangia! Mangia!

    Industry and manufacturing jobs brought a wave of Italian immigrants to Clearfield County during the end of the 1800’s and beginning of the 1900’s.

    S

    With this new rich ethnic group of people, came their customs and traditions from the “Old Country.”  In those days throughout the county, there were neighborhoods much like “Little Italy.”

    East End in Clearfield was one of those communities along with pockets of Italian families in Chester Hill, Osceola Mills, Houtzdale, Curwensville, DuBois and Morrisdale just to name a few. 

    At Christmastime, the highlight of the holiday was the Christmas Eve celebration of the Feast of the Seven Fishes. 

    Joseph-and-Mary-Santinoceto-and-Family.j
    Joseph and Mary Santinoceto and Family

    Many people from around the county would make a special trip to East End Clearfield to purchase Joseph and his wife Mary (Curtorillo) Santinoceto’s specialty Italian traditional foods straight from Italy at Santinoceto’s Italian Market.

    Travel was also made to DuBois for the delicious breads and Italian food at Charles and Fannie (Kinner) Zappia’s grocery market, Zappia’s Bakery.  

    Barrels of chestnuts, fresh buccala, smelts, calamari, pasta noodles, clams, anchovies, cheese, olives, loaves of bread and on and on were sold by the bags full to the customers, who were more like family.

    Everyone was welcome into an Italian home for Christmas Eve to share in the abundance of the traditional seven (or more) fish meal. 

    There were usually grandparents behind the scenes speaking in their native tongue.  You could always hear the words “Mangia! Mangia!” as all the guests were urged to indulge. 

    The tradition is not to eat any form of meat on this day.  It is a fasting of all meats until Christmas Day arrives.

    • Mary-Santinoceto.jpg?resize=450%2C800&ss
    • Joseph-Santinoceto.jpg?resize=450%2C800&
    Mary and Joseph Santinoceto

    Homemade wine was poured and fresh fruit was garnished on the side of the glass.  Platters of olives, cheese, anise, breads and antipasto salads would fill the tables. 

    The smell of the shrimp, eel, smelt, calamari, and stuffed buccala all fried in oils, wines, sauces and garlic would literally hit you in the face when the front door of the home was opened. 

    The scent is imbedded in the minds of many Italians that were fortunate enough to celebrate this tradition. 

    After the guests were completely stuffed from the main courses, the tables were emptied and the Italian cookies, cannoli, biscotti and coffee were then brought out for dessert. 

    There were always bowls of assorted nuts on the end tables in the living room just in case anyone would have space left for more treats.

    Many families would start the celebration mid-afternoon and have guests coming and going until late in the evening.  After the guests had all left, it was time to get dressed for midnight mass. 

    The family would arrive home, get the Italian cookie tray out for Santa along with milk and go to bed hoping Santa would not forget them.

    The sights, sounds and aroma will always be cherished by the descendants that had the opportunity to experience this Italian Christmas Eve ritual. 

    Merry Christmas from the Clearfield County Historical Society and remember, “Mangia! Mangia!”

    A Note from Clearfield County Historical Society

    You can still shop for ethnic Italian food at Joseph and Mary Santinoceto’s grandson, Nick Santinoceto’s Italian Market, located at 304 N. Third St., Clearfield.

    Also, Zappia’s Bakery is now Calliari’s Bakery, located in the same building at 318 DuBois St..  They are famous for their home of Zappia’s bread that is still in high demand. 

  14. Pennsylvania Phasing In Ban of Invasive Callery Pear, Also Called Bradford Pear

    Wednesday, December 22, 2021 @ 12:12 AM

    Posted by Leon Aristeguieta

    Pyrus_calleryanaHARRISBURG, Pa. – The PA Department of Agriculture added Callery pear, or Pyrus calleryana, commonly called Bradford Pear to a list of noxious weeds — plants that cannot be legally sold or cultivated in the state.

    The popular, non-native, flowering fruit tree naturalizes, spreading from planted landscapes, crowding out other plants and disrupting native ecosystems. The ban on sale and cultivation will take effect on February 9, 2022, with enforcement phased in over two years.

    “Callery pear is another non-native plant that was brought to this country for its beauty and rapid growth, without regard for its long-term potential to harm our environment and food supply,” said Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Banning the sale of an invasive plant is an important tool to stop its spread and is a step we take only after careful consideration of the damage it causes and its potential for continued harm to our ecosystem and economy.”

    Enforcement of the ban will be phased in over two years to allow time for nurseries and landscaping businesses to eliminate it from their stock and replace the trees with alternatives that pose less threat to the environment and agriculture. The department has established an exemption procedure for breeders who own the rights to varieties that have been researched and proven sterile, and will consider exempting these varieties from the ban.

     

    Callery pear was brought to the U.S. in the early 1900s by researchers looking for a fire blight-resistant species that could be bred with European pear to increase fruit production. It has garnered attention in recent years as a prolific invader that can easily spread into woodlands, pastures, fields, and natural areas.

    Property owners should control the tree’s spread on their land and consider native alternatives when planting new trees. Find native alternatives and information on how to control the plant on the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website, dcnr.pa.gov.

    The timeline for the two-year rollout of the ban is as follows:

    • Winter 2021 – Callery pear added to Pennsylvania’s Controlled plant and Noxious Weed list as a Class B weed. Class B weeds are those that are so prolific they cannot realistically be eradicated. These plants are targeted for control measures.
    • February 2022 – Nursery and landscape businesses will receive notice from the department, advising them to immediately begin adjusting propagation, ordering, and planting of Callery Pear to decrease inventory.
    • February 2023 – The department will issue letters of warning to any plant merchant still selling Callery Pear, providing a date in February 2024 after which remaining inventory will be subject to a destruction order.
    • February 2024 – The department will issue Stop Sale and destruction orders to plant merchants selling or distributing Callery Pear.

    Merchants with questions should contact ra-plant@pa.gov.

    Find more information about Callery pear and other noxious, controlled and poisonous plants in Pennsylvania visit agriculture.pa.gov. For comprehensive information about controlling all invasive species in Pennsylvania, visit the Governor’s Invasive Species Council.

    Photos of Callery Pear can be downloaded at www.invasive.org.

  15. Here are the most-searched Christmas cookies by state

    by: Beth Finello, Nexstar Media Wire

    Posted:  / Updated: 15599d5ae16e8c0724cdcc1f0a731e74d28db3c4
     

    INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) – Snowball cookies? Sugar cookies? Snoopy cookies? These are just a few that top the list of most-searched Christmas cookies by state this holiday season, according to Google Trends.

    Christmas cookie fudge was among the most searched, topping out the list in Nebraska, Indiana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana.

    Some other popular searches include.

    • Italian Christmas cookies
    • Keto Christmas cookies
    • Snowball cookies
    • Christmas sugar cookies

    And among the not-so-popular:

    • Lemon Christmas cookies
    • Cherry Christmas cookies
    • Swedish Christmas cookies

    Google Trends broke down the search into five categories: flavor, shape, substitute ingredients, internationally inspired, and other.

    15599d5ae16e8c0724cdcc1f0a731e74d28db3c4

    According to Google’s search data, states in the western U.S. primarily searched cookie flavors like sugar cookies and peppermint. States throughout the South searched “other” cookies, like Christmas cookie ice cream and cake. North Central and Midwest states have been searching for substitute ingredients while many New England states have Googled internationally-inspired cookies, and primarily Italian Christmas cookies.

  16. PA Great Outdoors: The Origin of Punxsutawney

    November 27, 2021 12:45 am·

    Punxsutawney-view-scaledThe town of Punxsutawney was originally settled and inhabited by the Lenni-Lanape Indians (“the Original People”) and the town’s name is derived from its traditional name Ponsutenink, meaning “Town of the Ponkis” (Ponki meaning sand fly).

    By Mike Troutman

    Shawnee wigwam villages once occupied this site on the Mahoning Creek. The first settlement that included non-indigenous people was in 1772, when Reverend John Ettwein, a Moravian Church missionary, arrived with a band of 241 Christianized Delaware Indians.

    Swarms of gnats plagued early settlers and their livestock for years and are blamed for Ettwein’s failure to establish a permanent settlement there. The clouds of biting gnats eventually drove the Indians away.

    The Indians called the insects ponkies (living dust and ashes) and called their village Ponkis Utenink (land of the ponkies), from which the present name Punxsutawney evolved.

    The area was originally settled by the Lenape (Delaware Native Americans), and “Punxsutawney” derives from a Native name in Unami (a Lenape language): Punkwsutènay, which translates to “town of the sandflies ” or “town of the mosquitoes” (punkwës- ‘mosquito’ + -utènay ‘town’).

    Punxsutawney-Name-from-Indian-sign-Carla-Wehler

    The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Keystone Marker lists that Punxsutawney was founded in 1818. By 1840 it was reported that Punxsutawney was a village of about 15 or 20 dwellings.

    Settlers drawn by lumbering and coal mining eventually drained the swamps and exterminated the insects.

    The Borough of Punxsutawney was incorporated in 1850 and had a reported population of 256 at that time.

    In 1907, Punxsutawney and Claysville boroughs were consolidated and incorporated as Greater Punxsutawney.

    A high-grade bituminous soft coal was mined in the surrounding region. Shortly after 1850, mining was being supplanted by factories which included brickworks, glassworks, tanneries, foundries, ironworks, machine shops, and wood planing, flour, feed, and silk mills.

    Follow the PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau Facebook page for more interesting facts.

  17. THROWBACK THURSDAY: Old Hunting Tales from Luthersburg

     
     

    As many Clearfield Countians begin this upcoming hunting season, we decided to take a look back at the Luthersburg area.  Wild game was very plentiful in the early days of the county pioneers. 

    So much has changed throughout the years but Luthersburg is still known to have a thriving wild game population. There are many hunting camps that come alive during hunting season with camaraderie and tradition.

    Skip Tales from long ago are remembered as we create new memories for future generations.

    Frederick Zeigler (1799-1888), an early pioneer to Brady Township, gave a recollection of his own hunting days to Mr. P.S. Weber of DuBois. 

    This remembrance was written in Mr. Zeigler’s obituary.  The obituary stated that Mr. Zeigler was a noted hunter in rural Brady Township.

    He said that he had killed probably 500 deer, shot and captured 82 bears, one panther, seven wolves, raccoons and foxes by the hundreds, and one man in a wolf trap.  That man was Fred Zeigler himself, who had forgotten the location of the trap!

    Pictured is a circa 1900 of the Luthersburg Rifle Club. 

    Standing, from left to right, are: Jim Kirk, Cristian Laborde, William Fisher Kirk, Milton Miles, Herb Luther, Johnson Kirk and George Spencer.

    Seated, left to right, are: John Parrish, Elias Woodward “Woody” Kelley, Joe Shugarts, Henry Seyler and George Shugarts.                                                                              https://gantnews.com/2021/11/04/throwback-thursday-old-hunting-tales-from-luthersburg/

  18. Secretary of Agriculture: Every Spotted Lanternfly Egg Mass Not Destroyed Is 50 More Next Spring, ‘That’s Scary’

    October 30, 2021 12:22 am·
    Author: Aly Delp
     

    Screen-Shot-2021-10-29-at-3.58.30-PM.pngHARRISBURG, Pa. – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recently reminded Pennsylvanians of the importance of vigilance against the Spotted Lanternfly as the bugs begin laying eggs on flat surfaces to overwinter and hatch in the spring.

    (Photo: Front yard Halloween décor featuring Spotted Lanternflies by Camp Hill, PA resident Angela Powars. Courtesy of Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture)

    “Every Spotted Lanternfly egg mass not scraped and destroyed now is up to 50 more of these invasive, destructive bugs we can expect to hatch next spring,” said Redding.

    “We need every Pennsylvanian to hunt for egg masses this fall and winter and destroy them – or we’re in for a scary spring.”

    Spotted Lanternfly egg masses are a light gray wax-like substance that take on the appearance of mud and encompass an average of 30-50 individual eggs. Egg masses can be found on many flat surfaces including trees, rocks, and outside objects such as picnic tables, playground equipment, grills, and sidings of homes.

    Property owners can scrape egg masses whenever encountered using a hard or rigid tool such as a credit card, putty knife, or a stick. Research has not yet confirmed whether egg masses can survive if scraped onto the ground, so it is best to scrape the egg masses in a downward motion into a container or bag with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer.

    Screen Shot 2021-10-29 at 3.58.13 PM

    “From hunters, to businesses, to even our youngest Pennsylvanians, we can all do our part to stomp out this nuisance bug,” added Redding. “If you’re a hunter, keep your eyes peeled while you’re in the woods this fall. If you’re a PA business, get a permit and check out our business toolkit to see how you can be a part of the solution. And if you’ve got young kids, send them outside of your house for an egg mass treasure hunt. It’s up to all of us to stop this pest for the sake of our $132.5 billion agriculture industry and the quality of life for more than 13 million Pennsylvanians.”

    The Spotted Lanternfly is an inch-long black, red, and white insect native to Southeast Asia and first identified in Pennsylvania in 2014. The invasive insect feeds on agricultural commodities produced in the state such as grapes, tree fruit, and hardwoods.

    Pennsylvanians are encouraged to report sightings of the insect through the online reporting tool or by calling 1-888-4BAD-FLY, a hotline managed by our partners at Penn State Extension.

    A Spotted Lanternfly Business Toolkit is available to help operations learn about why the spotted lanternfly is bad, how the quarantine works, if they need a permit, and responsibilities of holding a permit.

    For more information on Spotted Lanternfly, visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly.

    Note: High quality, public domain photos of the Spotted Lanternfly are available for download through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Spotted Lanternfly Flickr album. Designed graphics for social or other media use to raise awareness of the Spotted Lanternfly and new quarantine can be downloaded from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s 2021 Spotted Lanternfly Flickr album.

  19. Large spiders native to East Asia spinning webs, sending humans scurrying in Georgia


    by SUDHIN THANAWALA | Associated Press

    UserWay icon for accessibility widget
    The joro spider, a large spider native to East Asia, is seen in Johns Creek, Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021.  (AP Photo/Alex Sanz)
    The joro spider, a large spider native to East Asia, is seen in Johns Creek, Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz)
     

    ATLANTA (AP) — A large spider native to East Asia has spun its thick, golden web on power lines, porches and vegetable patches all over north Georgia this year — a proliferation that has driven some unnerved homeowners indoors and prompted a flood of anxious social media posts.

    In metro Atlanta, Jennifer Turpin — a self-described arachnophobe — stopped blowing leaves in her yard after inadvertently walking into a web created by the Joro spider. Stephen Carter has avoided a walking trail along the Chattahoochee River where he encountered Joro webs every dozen steps.

    Farther east in Winterville, Georgia, Will Hudson's front porch became unusable amid an abundance of Joro webs 10 feet (3 meters) deep. Hudson estimates he's killed more than 300 of the spiders on his property.

    “The webs are a real mess," said Hudson, an entomologist at the University of Georgia. “Nobody wants to come out of the door in the morning, walk down the steps and get a face full of spider web.”

    The Joro — Trichonephila clavata — is part of a group of spiders known as orb weavers for their highly organized, wheel-shaped webs. Common in Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan, Joro females have colorful yellow, blue and red markings on their bodies. They can measure three inches (8 cm) across when their legs are fully extended.

    89b790fa-6227-40c3-8ed0-7ac7c95607b7-med
    The joro spider, a large spider native to East Asia, is seen in Johns Creek, Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz)

    It's not clear exactly how and when the first Joro spider arrived in the U.S. In Georgia, a researcher identified one about 80 miles (128 km) northeast of Atlanta in 2014. They have also been found in South Carolina, and Hudson is convinced they will spread across the South.

    It's also not clear why they are so abundant this year, though experts agree their numbers have exploded.

    “We see natural ebbs and flows in the populations of many different species that may be linked to local conditions, particularly slight changes in rainfall,” said Paula Cushing, an arachnologist at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

    Cushing and other experts say Joros are not a threat to humans or dogs and cats and won't bite them unless they are feeling very threatened. Hudson said a researcher collecting them with her bare hands reported the occasional pinch, but said the spiders never broke her skin.

    Researchers, however, don't agree fully on what impact, if any, the spider will have on other species and the environment.

    Debbie Gilbert, 67, isn’t waiting to find out. She has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for the spiders around her home in Norcross, Georgia, winding their webs with a stick, bringing them down and stomping them.

    “I don’t advocate killing anything. I live in peace with all the spiders around here and everything else,” she said. “But (Joros) just don’t belong here, that’s all.”

    Turpin, 50, tried to set a Joro spider web on fire at her East Cobb home, but then got scared it would fall on her and fell into a hole as she quickly backpedaled. She had a neighbor remove it instead.

    “I just don’t think I’m going to do yard work anymore,” she said.

    Nancy Hinkle, another entomologist at the University of Georgia, said Joros help suppress mosquitoes and biting flies and are one of the few spiders that will catch and eat brown marmorated stink bugs, which are serious pests to many crops.

    c9cde7ff-23ea-4cd7-9b18-6a57c74dde9a-med
    The joro spider, a large spider native to East Asia, is seen in Johns Creek, Ga., on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Alex Sanz)

    “This is wonderful. This is exciting. Spiders are our friends,” she said. “They are out there catching all the pests we don’t want around our home.”

    Ann Rypstra, who studies spider behavior at Miami University, was more cautious in her assessment of the Jora's potential impacts, saying more research was needed.

    “I'd always err on the side of caution when you have something that establishes itself where it's not supposed to be," she said.

    Researchers at South Carolina's Clemson University also were more circumspect, saying in a factsheet published online in August that they “do not yet know if there will be any negative impacts from this non-native species on the local ecology of South Carolina.”

    Amateur gardeners and naturalists have raised concerns about the safety of native spiders and bees and other pollinators.

    Cushing said Joros are probably big enough to take on large pollinators caught in their webs, but those insects may be an insignificant part of their diet. Rypstra has studied a similar spider species and said their webs are used by other spiders as a source of food, so the Joro might help native spiders. But she said there was also evidence Joros compete with other orb weavers.

    The bottom line: there are many unknowns.

    Most of the Joros are expected to die by late November, but they may return in equally large, or even larger, numbers next year, though scientists say even that is hard to predict with any certainty.

    Anthony Trendl, a homeowner in Suwanee, Georgia, is enjoying them for now. He has started a website, jorospider.com, to share his enthusiasm about the spiders and foster understanding of them. While they raise concerns and can be creepy, they are also beautiful, he said.

    “It’s been a rough go of things," he said. "I wanted to find some good in this world. To me, nature’s an easy place to find it.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                         SEE ALL PICTURES     ;   https://wjactv.com/news/offbeat/large-spiders-native-to-east-asia-spinning-webs-sending-humans-scurrying-in-georgia

  20. Throwback Thursday: DuBois Native A.B. “Deacon” Litz Had a Thirst for Speed

    By Clearfield County Historical Society especially for GANT News.

    Artha Benson “Deacon” Litz was born in DuBois, Pa., in 1898.  Litz spent many years as a stunt driver.

    He started racing with his own home-made car on dirt tracks at county fairs soon after World War I.  Deacon began his professional career in 1927 and appeared in the 1929 silent film, Speedway, as a racecar driver.

    Litz was a star when the Dusenburg and Miller racing cars dominated the American tracks.  He participated in many well-known races throughout his career, including the Indianapolis 500 and the Vanderbilt Cup.   

    His best finish at the Indianapolis 500 Speedway was placing fourth in 1934.  He was a 12-time starter at the Indianapolis 500.   Litz was inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1964.

    He retired from the sport after his last Indianapolis 500 race in 1941. Litz was noted for being an excellent speaker regarding the sport of speedway racing after his retirement.  Litz died in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1967.

     
    Deacon-Litz.jpg?resize=587%2C800&ssl=1
     
  21. Invasive plant in PA that harbors ticks with Lyme Disease, how to spot and remove it


    by Ed Russo

    UserWay icon for accessibility widget
     
    Volume 98%
    Japanese barberry, an invasive ornamental plant, is a perfect home for deer ticks

    FRANKLIN COUNTY — Pennsylvania is a beautiful state. Gorgeous rolling hills, to endless mountain ridges, and countless streams and rivers. Unfortunately, the landscape is also host to the deer tick.

    As a result, the state is one of the worst in the country for Lyme Disease cases. There's one plant in particular that harbors them.

    Japanese barberry, an invasive ornamental plant, is a perfect home for them.

    "In Michaux State Forest, they recently removed eight acres of this plant. It's highly invasive and it crowds out our native plants," says Heather Andrews, known as ‘The Thoughtful Gardener’ in Mechanicsburg.

    "The challenge of importing these exotic plants is because we don't know what they'll do, they can have a really terrible effect on the environment. Because deer and other wildlife don't eat them, they can absolutely harbor ticks," says Andrews.

    You can’t just pull Japanese barberry out of the ground. It’s tough. You have to cut it, and then you have to rip it out making sure you grab all of the roots. The first thing you need is a cutter... a pair of loppers... or clippers!

    Wear gloves! The plant is prickly.

    You must have the right tools for removal or this bush will come back time after time.

    And what's worse...

    "It puts out a chemical that tells the native plants to stop growing." says Andrews.

    This is the bush's *true colors*.

    The next step is to shovel, like I said you have to dig the roots out and sometimes that requires going deep. It's tough. When near a tree, it’s even tougher because when you dig deep, you often hit the roots.

    With lots of effort, you can eventually get the job done.

    Try and remove as much of this bush from your property as possible. Don't just do it to help decrease the tick population. Do it for the exercise, do it for the environment, or do it because you just want to have fun!                                                                                                                                    SEE VIDEO    ;    https://wjactv.com/news/local/invasive-plant-in-pa-that-harbors-ticks-with-lyme-disease-how-to-spot-and-remove-it

  22. Prevalence of ticks in PA is high, take steps to prevent bites

    tick-no-small.jpg
    Posted on 

    Harrisburg, PA — Pennsylvania Acting Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Patrick McDonnell, and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn today met at Boyd Big Tree Preserve to discuss the high prevalence of ticks in Pennsylvania, highlight the numerous diseases that ticks can carry and remind residents of ways they can protect against tick bites.

    “Ticks are most active during warmer months, which is why we typically see more instances of tick bites and cases of tick-borne diseases this time of year,” Dr. Johnson said. “This year in particular, we are seeing increases in the number of Lyme disease reports across the state, and clinicians are reporting that they are seeing more cases of other tick-borne diseases, such as anaplasmosis. As Pennsylvanians continue to spend more time outdoors, we are urging everyone to take steps to prevent tick bites, such as wearing insect repellent, putting permethrin on their shoes, gear and clothing, and doing frequent tick checks.”

    Video Player
     
    00:00
     
    22:25

     

    DEP collected two times more Blacklegged tick nymphs compared to last year. This is especially concerning considering the extremely small, poppy seed-like size of the nymphs.

    “The increase in nymphs really drives home the message that we all need to adhere to the necessary precautions to stay safe from ticks,” said McDonnell.

    The Wolf Administration reminds Pennsylvania residents and visitors of simple ways to reduce their chances of being bitten by ticks:

    • Cover exposed skin with lightweight and light-colored clothing
    • Avoid tick-infested habitats such as areas dense with shrubbery or tall grass
    • Use an EPA-approved insect repellent
    • Once returning home, immediately check yourself, children, and pets for ticks
    • Take a shower immediately to remove ticks that may be crawling on skin
    • If possible, dry clothing and gear in a dryer to kill any ticks

    “It is always important to take preventative measures so you can enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of being in the outdoors, especially with regard to ticks,” Secretary Dunn said. “As tick-borne diseases are becoming more prevalent in Pennsylvania, it is critical to be aware of the risks and be prepared when spending time outdoors year-round, whether that is visiting one of our 121 state parks, hiking our more than 2.2 million acres of state forestland, or enjoying your own backyard.”

    Blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, are the most common carrier of Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and Powassan virus. Ticks typically thrive in tall grass, brush and wooded areas, but deer ticks have been found in every county in the commonwealth and can live in any habitat.

    Common signs of a tick disease include fever, headache, chills and muscle aches. Lyme disease is often characterized by a bullseye-like rash, although Lyme disease may not always present itself with this obvious sign. Additional symptoms for Powassan virus may include vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, difficulty speaking, or even seizures in severe cases. While transmission for Lyme disease from tick to human takes approximately 24 hours or more, Powassan transmission from a tick bite can happen in as little as 15 minutes. If you have symptoms that are consistent with a tick-borne disease, it is important to speak to a doctor immediately.

    For more information on ticks and tick-borne diseases in Pennsylvania, visit the Department of Health website or follow the Pennsylvania Department of Health on Facebook and Twitter.                               SEE VIDEO REPORTS      ;    https://www.connectradio.fm/2021/08/20/prevalence-of-ticks-in-pa-is-high-take-steps-to-prevent-bites/

  23. Poison Hemlock: deadly invasive species made its way into our area


    by Nicole Fuschino

    <p>Poison hemlock has a spotted, purple, hairless, hollow stem and thin, fern-like leaves.{/p}
     
     
    Volume 
    <p>Poison hemlock has a spotted, purple, hairless, hollow stem and thin, fern-like leaves.{/p}
    Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

    (WJAC) — Poison Hemlock, which has been designated as a class B noxious weed in Pennsylvania, has been spotted in our area.

    "It's one of the most deadly plants in the world."

    That's what Heidi Mullendore, an Environmental Educational Specialist at Canoe Creek State Park, said about the toxic plant.

    "It's becoming a big concern. It's incredibly toxic to people, and it's also very toxic to wildlife."

    Mullendore describes the plant as having a white, lacey flower on top.

    (The poison hemlock we're showing in our video -- is at the end of its flowering cycle -- so the flower is a brown color.)

    Poison hemlock has a spotted, purple, hairless, hollow stem and thin, fern-like leaves.

    "This plant grows in very dense colonies where its feet can stay wet. So, in wet ditches, lake edges, etc. So, it's becoming a real problem. It's spreading quickly and making very dense patches," Mullendore told 6 News.

     

    She said the plant was brought to the United States from Europe as an ornamental flower.

    It's often confused with its "good cousin," Queen Anne's Lace, which also has a white, lacey flower.

    "This is the plant that people generally confuse with poison hemlock: Queen Anne's Lace, or wild carrot."

    Both are in the carrot family, so if you pull the plants out of the ground, you'll see a carrot root covered in soil.

    Because of poison hemlock's toxic properties -- from the roots to the seeds -- Mullendore said you can die from eating it.

    "When you have "carrot" in the name, people want to try it. A lot of people are into wild edibles -- or talk about when grandfather or grandmother picked this or that -- and think wild carrot is edible."

    She says to handle the plant with gloves, because the sap could create a poison ivy type rash on your skin.

    If you don't know what it is, don't try it or handle it.

    "It doesn't take much to kill a 1,600-pound cow. So, you can imagine a 200-pound human. Only a few bites of seeds or roots would kill you," Mullendore said.

    Last month, an Ohio man spent over 40 days on a ventilator after handling poison hemlock.

    The poison weed has ended up in people's yards after aggressively spreading far and wide.

    "Climate change is driving a lot of things on this planet. One of them is the ability for invasive species to spread and be even more invasive. This is spreading along roadways where vehicles travel, because the cars and tractors have the seeds on it," Mullendore said.

    She said the weed hasn't made its way into Canoe Creek State Park yet.

    State agencies are trying to prevent its growth while hoping for an end to the spread.

    "If you think it's poison hemlock, just leave it alone and don't touch it. Better safe than sorry."

    If you find poison hemlock on your property, Mullendore said first and foremost, let your family and children know.

    The plant will need a chemical agent to treat it.

    Contact your local state park, state forestry, Department of Agriculture, or another environmental agency to start the process.                                                          SEE VIDEO , TWEET     ;     https://wjactv.com/news/local/poison-hemlock-deadly-invasive-species-made-its-way-into-our-area

  24. DCNR Announces New Conservation Measures on State Forests to Protect Bats

    Aly Delp | July 21, 2021

    Bat.-Photo-courtesy-of-Pennsylvania-Bat-HARRISBURG, Pa. – On Tuesday, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced new conservation measures in certain state forests where federally threatened and endangered bats are found.

    The new conservation measures (PDF) address traditional firewood collection and cutting of standing dead trees to help protect and maintain habitats for the federally threatened northern long-eared bat and the federally endangered Indiana bat.

    Standing dead trees along roads provide important habitat for the bats, which roost and rear their young in the cavities and loose bark.

    “It is critical we work to protect bats because of their importance in maintaining a healthy ecosystem,” said State Forester Ellen Shultzabarger. “DCNR understands that firewood is an important source of fuel for locals. We are providing this guidance to help ensure those who rely on firewood are able to collect it without disturbing the habitats of these bats at critical times during their life cycles.”

    Bats are vulnerable in April and at certain points throughout the year because they are still waking up or require dead trees as habitats to rear flightless young bats.

    To protect the bats during critical points in their life cycles, firewood cutting and harvesting will be limited on designated roads in Bald Eagle, Buchanan, Elk, Forbes, Gallitzin, Loyalsock, Michaux, Moshannon, Pinchot, Rothrock, Sproul, Tiadaghton, Tioga Tuscarora, and William Penn state forests now through August 31.

    Cutting also will be limited on designated roads in Bald Eagle, Pinchot, and Rothrock state forest districts between Sept. 1 through Nov. 1 and between April 1 and May 14, 2022.

    Roads in these districts were chosen because they had the highest quality habitat for the bats that were vulnerable to firewood cutting.

    Bats are essential in managing insect pests and contribute to forest health. In Pennsylvania, bats are insectivores eating at up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in an hour and consuming as much as 25 percent of their body mass in a single feeding event. Pregnant or nursing females can consume their body weight in insects each night.

    The conservation measures are included in a Bat Habitat Conservation Plan prepared by DCNR and the Pennsylvania Game Commission and approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which identifies activities that may impact bats and presents avoidance strategies.

    Those with questions are encouraged to contact their local district forest office for specific details for how these conservation measures are applied in your area and for detailed maps of areas where firewood harvesting is limited.

    More information about firewood cutting is found in an FAQ (PDF). Visit DCNR’s website for more information about bat conservation efforts.

  25. Brookville company in the middle of growing streetcar popularity among major cities

    by: Yanni Tragellis

    Posted:  / Updated: 
     

    SUBSCRIBE NOW

    JEFFERSON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) – The streetcar is back in style. And according to Brookville Equipment Corporation, an area company that manufactures the form of transportation, they have seen a spike in business recently.

    Brookville Equipment Corp. has designed streetcars for more than 100 years. Today, modern streetcars line the streets in cities like Dallas, Detroit, Oklahoma City, and Milwaukee. Six more streetcars will head to Arizona this year, as well as an additional five will be off to Tacoma. Two more are destined for Portland, Oregon in the near future.

    oklahomacity.jpg
    A streetcar built by Brookville Equipment Corp. located in Oklahoma City, OK. (Courtesy: Brookville Equipment Corp.)

    The company has also previously designed 120 historic streetcars, which can be found in more than a dozen cities across the country. Throughout all the years, although the styles have changed, Joel McNeil the VP of business development at Brookville Equipment Corp said one thing has stayed the same.

    “The product itself has changed quite drastically now with these fancy modern streetcars. But that common thing has been rail,” McNeil said.

    He adds that Brookville Equipment is solidifying itself as a major player in the ever-growing streetcar industry. But unlike many of the major international corporations, the small Jefferson county business has always done things in its own unique way.

    “An engineer that is designing a part… in a year from then gets to actually walk out and see that being produced on the floor. And that’s something special for someone in the engineering field,” McNeil said.

    brookville_streetcars-2.jpg?w=900
    A streetcar in the process of being designed by Brookville Equipment Corp. It will be delivered to Tempe, Arizona later this year.

    The process is quite lengthy. Initial design work can take months.

    “We make sure that our overall dimensions are correct the seating capacity is what they want the operator control,” said Ron Smith, a project manager, Brookville Equipment Corp. who has overseen both the historic and modern “Liberty NXT” models. “So we work very closely with the customer and their consulting agencies to get it the way they want it.”

    Once all the details are ironed out – then it’s time to get to work.

    “Once we have the drawings released and get going with the raw materials cars can get built here in just a few months,” Smith said.

    Once the current orders for the modern “Liberty NXT” streetcars ship, there will be a total of 36 of these sleek, modern streetcars in U.S. cities. As the demand for streetcars grows across the country… the need for people to manufacture and design them grows as well. Brookville Equipment is currently hiring positions all across the board. McNeil added as the number of streetcars manufactured in Brookville grows, the personal connection with each one is still there.

    “It makes you proud when you go to a city and you see something that was built from our local area,” McNeil said.                                                       SEE VIDEO REPORT  ;   https://www.wearecentralpa.com/news/local-news/brookville-company-in-the-middle-of-growing-streetcar-popularity-among-major-cities/

×
×
  • Create New...