November 2010 Millmo..

Volume 11 Issue 7
The Millmont Times
NOVEMBER 2010
November 1, 2010
Sand Bridge State Park
& Sand Mountain Fire Tower
The opening of the 3,500-acre Valley Forge State Park* in Montgomery County in 1893
marked the beginning of Pennsylvania’s effort to preserve and protect rare, scenic, historic,
and natural areas across the Commonwealth. By 1930, one year after the creation of the Bureau of State Parks, thirteen parks had been established by the new department. As a result of
the Great Depression, and the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933, the number of state parks in Pennsylvania increased dramatically.
State parks scattered across Pennsylvania range in size from a mere 3 acres to one park that
is more than 21,000 acres. The largest is Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County. The
main feature of this park is the 17,088–acre Pymatuning Reservoir, the largest lake in the
Commonwealth.
It may come as a surprise to many folks that the smallest state park in Pennsylvania is located in Lewis Township, Union County. Sand Bridge State Park, nestled between Route 192
and Seven Notch Mountain, is
located about 4.5 miles west of
Forest Hill. While this park does
not have many of the amenities
offered at larger state parks, it
nonetheless has its own unique
character and history.
Sand Bridge State Park offers a
rustic setting with three roof covered picnic pavilions. The enrollees of the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) constructed these
pavilions during the time they
were stationed at nearby Half
(Continued on page 2)
Hartleton Mailbox by Postmaster Gail Hanselman
Well Christmas will be here before you know it. And so it's time to start getting ready for it in many
areas…. At Church it's time to start doing the Christmas Shoe Boxes, at home the kids are starting to
say what they want for Christmas and even the post office is talking Christmas. The Christmas stamps
are now on sale and the holiday mailing and shipping deadlines for APO, FPO, and DPO addresses are
as follows:
Express Mail
First Class
Priority Mail
Military Service
Letters &
Cards
Mail Addressed to:
AE Zips 090-092,094-098, 340,962-966...Dec - 18
Dec 10
Dec 10
AE Zip 093………………………….. N/A
Dec 4
Dec 4
And just in the …..International Shipping Deadlines
Global Express
Express Mail
Priority Mail
First Class
Mail Addressed to:
Africa
Dec. 17
Dec. 11
Dec. 3
Dec. 3
Asia/Pacific Rim
Dec. 17
Dec. 16
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Australia/New Zealand
Dec. 17
Dec. 16
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Canada
Dec. 21
Dec. 17
Dec. 13
Dec. 10
Caribbean
Dec. 20
Dec. 16
Dec. 13
Dec. 10
Central & South America
Dec. 20
Dec. 11
Dec. 3
Dec. 3
Mexico
Dec. 21
Dec. 16
Dec. 10
Dec. 10
Europe
Dec. 20
Dec. 16
Dec. 13
Dec. 10
Middle East
Dec. 17
Dec. 16
Dec. 13
Dec. 10
Don't forget your family and friends who can't be with you for Christmas!
Check with your local post office for all your shipping supplies.
Page 1
(Continued from page 1)
Way Dam, sometime during the mid to late 1930’s.
One of the pavilions is located on the south side of Rapid Run
while the other two are on the north side of the serene mountain
stream. A sturdy footbridge provides access to the picnic pavilions
on the north side of the stream. The path leading to the northernmost picnic pavilion is on a somewhat steep grade. An easier and
more convenient access to this pavilion is by way of the road leading off Cooper Mill Road directly to the picnic area. Rustic restroom facilities for park users are located farther up the hillside.
Rapid Run, which meanders through this park, is a popular cold
water fishery. Stocked annually by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission with brown and brook trout, this stream offers fishermen a
peaceful and relaxing setting in which to cast their line. While private land abuts the park to the east the other three sides of the
park adjoin the Bald Eagle State Forest. So despite the fact that
the park is only three acres in size there is still plenty of wide-open
One of three roofed picnic pavilions available at Sand space to roam.
Adjacent to the park is Cooper Mill Road, which is maintained
Bridge State Park.
by the Bald Eagle District Forest. Cooper Mill Road runs northward over Seven Notch Mountain to the top of Sand Mountain
where it intersects with Sand Mountain Road. If you turn west at the intersection of Cooper Mill Road and Sand Mountain
Road it will lead you to the highest point on Sand Mountain. There you will find the Sand Mountain Fire Tower, an obsolete
relic from the past. Located at the highest elevation on Sand Mountain (2,047 feet above sea level) this tower offered forestry
personnel a commanding and unobstructed panoramic view of the mountainous surroundings.
According to a 1926 article published in The Mifflinburg Telegraph the 60 foot steel tower at Sand Mountain was erected
during the summer of 1917 under the supervision of Forester Raymond B. Winter. It was the first tower of this type to be
erected in Union County. Prior to the erection of the modern steel structures forestry officials utilized “lookout stations” at various locations on
state owned forestlands. Oftentimes a forest fire lookout station consisted
of a wooden ladder mounted on a tree at an elevated vantage point on top
of a mountain.
During a March 1996 interview Lynn Shively (1913-2006) recalled his
memories of an old lookout station that was located near the Gooseneck.
As a youngster he walked from his home on Kaiser Run Road atop Buffalo
Mountain where forestry officials had years earlier turned a large yellow
pine into a lookout station. Spikes driven into the tree formed a ladder so
that an individual could climb high up the tree and survey the landscape.
In 1992 Shively, then a septuagenarian, wanted to see if he could locate
the lookout station he scaled as a young boy. He invited a friend along on
the trip. His friend owned a metal detector and they were hoping to locate
some of the spikes. After a strenuous climb up the mountainside Shively
located the fallen and decaying pine tree. With the aid of a metal detector
he and his friend were also able to find and collect some of the spikes used
to make the ladder for the lookout station.
When the steel Sand Mountain Fire Tower was first constructed forestry
personnel made their way to the top of the tower by using a vertical ladder
attached to the exterior. Scaling the ladder was not for the faint of heart,
or anyone frightened of heights. In later years access into the tower was
improved by adding a staircase to the interior of the steel frame structure.
In April 1921, Forester Raymond B. Winter reported to officials in Harrisburg that he had made arrangements for the construction of a small
wood frame cabin next to the fire tower on Sand Mountain. Russell Lloyd,
who had served two years with the Engineering Corps in France during
The photograph above was taken June 23,
WWI, was appointed observer at the tower during that period. According
1922 by J. I. Illick. It shows the Sand Mountain
to a newspaper account Lloyd was on duty “day and night” during the fire
Fire Tower and the small cabin nearby.
season.
Photograph courtesy of the Pennsylvania State
Pauline L. (Bilger) Thompson was born at Cherry Run on June 30, 1918,
Archives.
the daughter of George W. and Ruth Ann (Wilson) Bilger. In 1923 Pauline,
(Continued on page 4)
Page 2
BIRD TALK
by Jim McCormick
Early in the month, as I was standing on the edge of town somewhat lost in
thought, I heard a familiar but out of place sound—the call of a male Redwinged Blackbird. I say out of place because this was early October and all the
Red-winged Blackbirds had left this breeding ground in mid-July. It was a solitary male perched along Smith Run that cuts across Wilson’s field. What was
even more unusual was the fact that this male was in full breeding plumage—
shiny black coat and bright red wing patch. It was calling across an empty
field; it appeared all dressed up for a party with nowhere to go! The next day it
was gone. A week later I saw another single male, this time along Shirk Road,
and again in a familiar breeding area. This time, however, the male was in non-breeding plumage with a dull
black coat and faded wing patch.
In the past I have from time to time seen a few blackbirds return briefly before leaving for the winter. Once I even saw what appeared to be a family, a male and female with several immature blackbirds. It
was almost like the parents were saying: “This is where you were hatched!” This year I was wondering what
had happened to the blackbirds since they left in July. Normally they
would have been gathering into larger and larger mixed blackbird
flocks by now, culminating in a large flock that eventually heads
south for the winter. This year I hadn’t seen the ‘Big Flock’ and was
thinking I had missed it. A week later, just as I was approaching the
Covered Bridge, I started hearing that familiar sound of large numbers of birds in the distance. There were scattered flocks on both
sides of Penns Creek, but not the large numbers I was expecting. Along Shirk road I continued to see blackbirds in the trees and
along the small stream, some of the birds were foraging for their
breakfast or taking their morning bath. Maybe it’s the unusually
warm fall we are having this year and the blackbirds are staying
longer than normal, but I still have not seen that ‘Big Flock’ form yet.
It is the season of migration for other birds as well. Early in the
month I saw the first Darkeyed Juncos and Blackcapped Chickadees returning
to our valley. Although their Above is a photograph of a Yellowrumped Warbler. Courtesy of Jim
return means the coming of
McCormick.
winter, I still enjoy seeing
them return and actually look forward to it. They are a pleasure to
watch as they search for their ‘daily bread’ each in their own unique
ways.
The Juncos are primarily ground feeders and spend much of their
time searching for fallen seeds anywhere they can find them and the
Chickadees fly from branch to branch or from seeding plants along
the ground to hanging vines in the trees above.
This year I was fortunate to see a few Yellow-rumped Warblers as
they were passing through our area on their way south for the winter. There is still plenty of migration activity left, however, so get out
Above is a photograph of an immature
Eastern Bluebird. Photograph courtesy of there and enjoy it!
Jim McCormick.
Page 3
(Continued from page 2)
her parents, and siblings moved to a home located off Shively Road, near
Forest Hill. The church that Pauline and her family attended while living
near Forest Hill often held their annual Sunday school picnics at Sand
Bridge State Park. In her memoir Pauline included information about
her visits to the park and her trek to the Sand Mountain Fire Tower. As
a teenager she particularly enjoyed the thrill and adventure of climbing
the vertical ladder to the top of the tower.
Pauline (Bilger) Thompson wrote about her life in a publication entitled - “Live While You Live.” In that she included the following paragraph about her visits to Sand Bridge and her venture to the fire tower:
We so looked forward to these events and planned in advance all the wild
and free things we would do when to got there. My personal mission and my
own little tradition at the annual church summer outing was scaling the 65foot fire tower a short distance from the picnic grounds at Sand Bridge. After convincing one of my friends to sneak away with me, we’d walk to the
tower and make the ascent via a ladder fastened to the outer side that ledstraight up – to the top. It was a scary, dangerous climb with no way to stop
or rest once we began, but it was the greatest thrill to reach the little room
at the top – to be high above and looking out over everything. For those few
moments, I was Queen of the Hill – a lofty, huge hill. No one ever loved
that experience as much as I did. In fact, no one else even liked it. Although
once was never enough for me, it was actually just too much for everyone I
ever suckered into coming along. Not one other kid ever joined me for a
second go round. So, each year before I faced and conquered the challenge
of the tower, I’d have to meet another daunting challenge – finding and
conning some fool who had never done it into climbing along with me.
A sign at the base of the Sand Mountain Fire
Tower states that those who chose to climb the
tower did so “at their own risk.” Young Pauline
Bilger, a risk taker, appears ready to ascend the
vertical ladder attached to the tower.
Photograph courtesy of Suzanne Thompson.
Pauline (Bilger) Thompson passed away on March 29, 2007. Her
daughter, Suzanne Thompson, delivered the eulogy at her funeral:
“Always a lively, energetic risk taker, she (Pauline) loved being with people, and thrived at being the center of things. She was a neat lady, so
many of you told me, and others remarked that, despite her age, they
couldn’t believe she had passed away because she was always so alive – so
much fun and always up for fun. In everything she was always either out
of it or in it, and if she was in it, she was in it to win it. Hers was a world of few gray areas - she couldn’t bear uncertainty,
and she was passionate about whatever and whoever – was in her life. Kind of caring and bold, she never held back or did
less than the best that she knew how. She was a big personality, she lit up the room, loved big, lived big, left a lasting impression. She never seemed to give too much thought or forethought to things, including her motives. It appeared that she took a
notion to do something – and…did it.”
Apparently one of those risks that Pauline liked to partake in as a teenager was to climb to the top of the fire tower on Sand
Mountain. In the weeks preceding her death, Pauline’s grandson asked her why she felt the need to climb the vertical ladder
leading to the top of the Sand Mountain Fire Tower when she was a young girl. While family members expected to hear a
response such as “because it was fun” instead they heard the 88-year old great-grandmother explain that the reason she
chose to climb that tower was - “because I was scared of doing it.” Pauline (Bilger) Thompson conquered her fears and
anxieties by facing them head on.
According to an article published in the Lewisburg Journal there were six steel frame fire towers situated at strategic locations throughout the Bald Eagle District Forest in 1963. These fire towers were manned during fire seasons in the spring and
fall, as well as exceptionally dry periods. In addition to Sand Bridge, the other towers included Big Poe Mountain near Poe
Valley State Park in Centre County; Thick Mountain Fire Tower located near Snyder Middleswarth State Park (now Natural Area); Wagner Tower in Juniata County; Rainsares Mountain Fire Tower at the southern end of Clinton County, and
Beavertown Tower on Shade Mountain in Snyder County.
During the fire season men were situated in each of the towers with a watchful eye on their surroundings. On a clear day
each tower man could spot at least two neighboring fire towers. When a fire was spotted the man in the tower radioed the
Bald Eagle District Forest office with the location of the fire by utilizing a compass. The fire warden in an adjacent tower
who was able to see the smoke did likewise. This coordinated effort, referred to as “triangulation”, assisted in pinpointing
the specific location of the forest fire, and helped to guide firefighters to the scene.
(Continued on page 5)
Page 4
(Continued from page 4)
By the early 1970’s use of the fire towers was discontinued, and many
were later dismantled. By the 1990’s there was talk about dismantling
the Sand Mountain Fire Tower. However, the board of directors and
members of the Linn Conservancy encouraged the preservation of the
fire tower as a unique and special educational and historical site. The fire
tower remains atop Sand Mountain, a sentinel and symbolic relic of the
past. Today it is the only fire tower that remains standing in the Bald
Eagle District Forest. The wood frame cabin that was located nearby was
razed years ago.
Although the fire tower atop Sand Mountain is still standing, access is
restricted due to a fence that was erected around the perimeter. Razor
wire encircles the top of the fence ensuring that trespassers think twice
before scaling and climbing the tower. Bald Eagle District Forester Amy
G. Griffith indicated that forestry personnel were compelled to install a
fence around the tower in order to deter further vandalism.
Unfortunately visitors to the Sand Mountain Fire Tower will in all likelihood be distracted by the giant communications tower located nearby.
Standing about 300 feet in height with numerous antennas and intrusive
guy-wires this communications monster dwarfs the fire tower and unfortunately detracts from the otherwise picturesque surroundings.
The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks, a division of the Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), maintains the Sand
Bridge State Park. The pavilions at the park are all open year round for
daytime use only and are available on a first come first served basis.
Charcoal grills are located next to each pavilion. A hand operated
pitcher pump in the park can be used to draw fresh water. A horseshoe
pit is also available. There are no trash collection or recycling facilities at
the park so everything that is carried in must be carried out.
We are fortunate that there were, and are, many conservationists
throughout Pennsylvania’s long history. Those conservationists were instrumental in protecting and preserving so much of this state’s natural
beauty. Today some 120 state parks are located across the Commonwealth. In fact there are state parks in 61 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties
resulting in the preservation of more than 290,000 acres into the park
system.
Union County is home to three state parks, including Shikellamy, R. B.
Winter, and Sand Bridge. Pennsylvania or “Penns Woods” has much to
offer the outdoor enthusiast. The next time you and your family feel like
exploring the great outdoors and enjoying God’s magnificent creation
why not visit one of Pennsylvania’s state parks. Remember - admission is
free!
THE MAN IN THE
STATE FORESTRY TOWER
____________________
Is Ever on the Alert to Protect the State’s
One Big Enterprise.
____________________
Pennsylvania’s thirteen million acres of forested mountain land are well dotted with a system of fire towers which aid very materially in
the protection of forests from fires. A day
spent in anyone of these sixty foot observatories is fraught with an enormous amount of
responsibility to the tower man, for 8,720,017
Pennsylvanians are depending upon him to
protect their potential forest land, their water
supply, the game, fish, scenic beauty, and the
many other products direct and indirect obtainable from forested land.
“Does the tower man not become very lonesome?” That is a common question and is easily answered. A tower man who is a true lover
of the woods, a good and conscientious servant
of the people and a good woodsman will find
no time to get lonesome in several months of
tower duty. There are ten or more miles of
mountains, valley gaps, ridges, streams and
roads on every side of him to learn the names
of. The best tower man is the man who has a
mental map of the country about him. The
endless search for smoke, that signal of woods
distress, keeps his mind and ear on ever alert.
The occasional passing by of deer, or perhaps a
bear, the enactment of some tragedy in the
smaller animal world; the attack of the snake
like weasel on the docile rabbit, or of the hawk
on the ruffed grouse are ever occurring for the
woodsman observer’s pleasure.
Visitors are not rare occurrences. Sundays
bring large parties of little girls who will climb
the tower, and little boys who will not, men
TLS and women to whom the mountains must be
named, hunters with whom bear stories must
Editors Note: Pauline (Bilger) Thomspson’s siblings include Caroline
be “swapper,” Boy Scout Troops, Girl Scouts,
(Bilger) Wenrick of Hartleton and Laura (Bilger) Rishel of Belleville.
botanists with their rare finds, sight seers, and
Pauline was preceded in death by two daughters, Rebecca Lynn Thomas nature lovers, truly every day is the tower
and Beth A. Torpey; two brothers, Eugene and George Bilger; and two
man’s busy day.
sisters June (Bilger) Tyson and Lottie (Bilger) Knorr.
With the thought in mind, “ I am working for
I would like to thank Suzanne Thompson, and Bald Eagle District For- every man, woman and child in the state of
ester Amy Griffith for their help with this article.
Pennsylvania” to increase his watchfulness and
Other sources: The Pennsylvania State Archives (Pennsylvania Histori- clearness of eye, all tower men laugh at the uncal and Museum Commission); The Mifflinburg Telegraph; the Union
necessary sympathizer who whiningly sugCounty Journal; http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/; and http://
gests: “don’t you get very lonesome?”
www.city-data.com/towers/cell-Mifflinburg-Pennsylvania.html#Antenna.
* Valley Forge State Park was turned over to the National Park Service
in 1976 and is now known as the Valley Forge National Historic Park.
Editors Note: This article is from the May 26,
1923 edition of the Lewisburg Saturday News.
Page 5
Meanderings
by
Hertha S. Wehr
Benjamin Franklin
There have been a number of biographies written about
Benjamin Franklin but the latest one to be printed has to be
one of the best. I can recall reading one about Franklin when
I was in high school but this current one, by Edmund S. Morgan, has to be one of the best.
Morgan spent a lot of time dredging up letters and correspondence having to do with Franklin’s time spent in London
and Paris. We have been lead to believe that Franklin spent
most of his time in Paris, at court, just being a lady’s man.
This biography tells a different story.
Franklin was born January 17, 1706. Most of his life was
spent in Philadelphia, except for the years, at various times,
that he spent abroad. His first trip was to London in November of 1724. His purpose was to try to explain why the colonists thought the way they did about some of the problems
they were having with “the Mother Country”. The trip was
not a success so he sailed for home in July of 1726.
His personal life was not going well at this time. He acquired
the Pennsylvania Gazette soon after returning. He also had a
son William, mother unknown. About the same time he entered into a common-law marriage with Deborah Read. He
remained a faithful and loving husband to her until her death
in 1774. Morgan tells us he wrote many loving and concerned
letters to her while overseas, even though he spent ten of
those years on government assignments in London and
France.
His son William was a friend and close confidant until he
chose the wrong side in 1776. It explains a lot about how
strong Franklin felt about the future of The United States.
Franklin was appointed clerk of Pennsylvania Assembly in
1737 about the same time he was appointed postmaster of
Philadelphia. He then thought a Pennsylvania militia was in
order, so he organized a volunteer unit. Always looking at
something he felt needed to be explored he began his electrical experiments, including his experiments with lightning.
About this time he formed a partnership with David Hall and
retired from business.
In 1764 he again sails for London with a petition for the
Royal Government to try to work out differences between the
two countries. He was unsuccessful in getting an audience
with high government officials. Franklin felt at this time that
we should be one country. Looking back, it seems as if he favored an arrangement much like Canada has with the U.K.
When he could not see anyone who would take him seriously
he returns to Philadelphia in 1775.
But this time was not spent in idleness. He first met Joseph
Priestly there. There were people with whom he corresponded in France, America, Canada, Switzerland, and of
course England. Some of these people he would later meet.
Some would be helpful in different negotiations and these letters always expressed his heartfelt thanks.
It was interesting to note that even the genial peacemaker
had his enemies. He was denounced by Alexander Wederburn for supposed infraction of rules and dismissed from the
Post Office. It didn’t seem to make any difference in Franklin’s popularity or his usefulness, and who ever heard of
Wederburn again, even though he was Solicitor General of
England.
There is so much more in this book that it is impossible to
cover it all. Perhaps a list of the people whom he knew gives
us a view of his value to our country, and the scope of his interests and accomplishments. It is well worth reading.
With winter coming on, outside interests and chores diminishing I hope you’ll find time to read it.
From the diary of the late Elder Greene Shively, born in White Springs in 1870 and a resident of Millmont from
1918 until his death in 1954:
Saturday November 3, 1945. Stormy and rainy all day. Copied some old diary. We cleaned the house today. Billy [Shively] was home
over the weekend. Came to Sunbury last night and Jacob and Florence [Shively] brought him home as the busses are on strike. Billy
hunted today.
Sunday November 4, 1945. Present at SS 70. Collection $18.50. Lesson Matthew 18:15. Be kindly affectionate one toward another.
Bro. Jos Flemming and family were to SS and church. Also David Flemming and family. Mr. and Mrs. Narehood of Milton RD 2 were
there too. We went along with Bro Jos and David and had a wonderful dinner and supper and a lovely visit.
Monday - November 5, 1945. Was to directors meeting this evening. Got things ready for my little paper today. I also fixed a toaster
today.
Tuesday November 6, 1945. This was a nice cold day. Donald [Shively] and Kenneth [Shively] just landed in Japan. They wrote that
Ken flies on a plane with the mail twice a week. The plane was forced down in Okinowa by a storm. Donald says that he may soon land
in Tokyo. Donald is in the Medical Corps and Kenneth in the Marines. A number of [Millmont] boys got their discharges, Elwood
Showalter, Harold Kaler, Kenneth Zechman, Ernest Hoffman, William Rowe, Milford Catherman, and Donald Shirk.
Wednesday November 7, 1945. I was in the garage till 9 then laid down the rest of the day. It was a beautiful day. Indian summer they
say.
Thursday November 8, 1945. 45 degrees at 7 a.m. A bright sunny day. This evening was Ladies Aid at Bertie Boop’s at Swengel. Had
some 30 present.
Page 6
Remembrance
Russell Oliver Vanatta, 77, of 4075 Wildwood Rd., entered into rest at 5:20 a.m.,
Friday, October 15, 2010, at Geisinger
Medical Center, Danville.
He was born May 29, 1933, in Millmont, a
son of the late Harry and Rosella (Long)
Vanatta. On December 3, 1954, in the Lincoln Chapel United Methodist Church,
Laurelton, he married the former Hazel A.
Wenrick, who survives.
Russell attended the Mifflinburg schools.
He honorably served in the Army from
1953 to 1955, and continued to serve in the
Army Reserves for eight years.
Russell was employed at Chef Boyardee’s,
Milton, for 43 years, until he retired in
1998.
He served as vice president of the Local
38 Union.
Russell enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, working in his yard, and drives in the
mountains.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 55
years, are one son and daughter-in-law,
Terry and Char Vanatta, of Mifflinburg;
one daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Tom
Tucker, of Mifflinburg; two brothers and
one sister-in-law, Paul and Mabel Vanatta,
of Northumberland, and Harold Vanatta,
of Bloomsburg; one sister, Irene Musser, of
Mifflinburg; seven grandchildren, Jennifer
and her husband Mike Underhill, of Beavertown, Jeremy and his wife Kara
Tucker, of Danville, Amanda Vanatta, of
Mifflinburg, Felicia and her husband Carson Long, of Millmont, Ashley Vanatta, of
Mifflinburg, Natasha Vanatta, of Lewisburg, and Brian Newcomer, of Penns
Creek; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one brother,
Earnest Vanatta.
Burial was in the Hartleton Cemetery.
***************
Sand Mountain
Fire Tower
To the right is a current
photograph of the Sand
Mountain Fire Tower
located in Lewis Township. Constructed in
1917 the tower is now
encircled with a high
fence and surrounded by
razor wire in order to
prevent vandals from
doing any further damage. It is evident that a
number of the glass windows in the tower have
apparently been shattered by callous and
thoughtless hooligans.
Having climbed several
fire towers in the Bald
Eagle District Forest in
years past I can attest to
the spectacular view of
the mountains offered by
those willing to risk the
climb. In addition to the tower on Sand Mountain I also recall scaling the fire
towers on Poe Mountain and Thick Mountain. The latter two were dismantled
years ago.
It is unfortunate that the Sand Mountain Fire Tower is no longer accessible
to the public. However, considering the liability issues and the possibility of
further damage to the structure it is understandable why forestry officials
have chosen to fence it in. Hopefully officials in DCNR and the Bald Eagle District Forest will continue to preserve the fire tower atop Sand Mountain.
Are You Moving?
If you are planning to move, or if your post office mailing address is
about to change, please notify The Millmont Times at P. O. Box 3, Millmont, PA 17845, as soon as possible. This newsletter is distributed bulk
rate each month, and therefore it will not be forwarded by the United
States Postal Service to your new address. All undeliverable newsletters
are returned to me postage due. If there are any changes in your postal
mailing address you can contact me at (570) 922.4297 or you can send an
email to: [email protected]
(Continued on page 9)
Field Notes, by WCO Dirk Remensnyder
Archery hunters need to remember tree stand safety and the use of safety harnesses. I have already had one report of a hunter falling out of a tree while placing his stand prior to the season.
Union County officers recently picked up a Red tail Hawk that had a few of its talons melted
when it landed on a wire and was electrocuted. The hawk was transferred to a rehabilitator and
is expected to make a full recovery and be released.
Page 7
Recipe of the Month
by Janice (Dorman) Shively
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Cookie Recipe
Combine: 1 lb (2 ¼ C.) brown sugar
1 C. Crisco oil
2 eggs
Add: 1 tsp. cloves, ground
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger, ground
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
Beat well.
Add: 3 C. flour
1 ½ C. pumpkin
Drop batter onto a parchment paper lined baking
sheet and bake at 350° for 10 - 12 minutes. Remove
cookies from baking sheet and cool completely on racks.
Filling Recipe
2 egg whites, unbeaten
2 tsp. vanilla
4 T. milk
4 T. flour
1 ½ C. shortening
2 T. powdered sugar
Combine all ingredients and beat well. Add 4 C. pow-
dered sugar &
beat again until
filling is smooth.
Put filling between 2 cookies
and wrap in
plastic wrap.
Store in the refrigerator or
freezer. The extra frosting can
be frozen & thawed for later use.
Melanie (Shifflet) Yoder of Mifflinburg recently
shared this recipe with me. She was looking for some
help with a fund-raiser and I was happy to get on
board! The first time I made these whoopie pies I inadvertently used Crisco shortening instead of the oil called
for in the cookie recipe. The whoopie pies were delicious! The second time I made them is when I realized
that the recipe called for oil, not shortening. So, I made
the cookies the way this recipe is written, and they were
delicious too. The cookies were more cake-like with the
oil, as opposed to a more solid cookie with the shortening.
While the recipe says to bake at 350° for 10 – 12 minutes, to get an optimum result I baked mine at 375° for
18 minutes. Use your judgment. No one knows your
oven like you do. This is a great autumn treat.
ENJOY!
Thank You!
I would like to thank the following people for making monetary donations toward the publication of this newsletter: Ruth
E. Diamond of Indialantic, Florida; Caroline Wenrick and Mr. and Mrs. David Wager of Hartleton; Siebert and Connie
Teichman, Terry and Joyce Osgood, Sam and Shirley Diehl and Grace Weidensaul of Millmont; J. Nicholas and Tina Nash
of Coal Township; Robert and Bernice Dluge of Elysburg; Lee and Norma Sauers and Shirley Kerstetter of Mifflinburg;
Jim and Cam Hironimus of Coburn; Galen and Esther Keister of Penns Creek.
I would like to welcome the following new subscriber: Carmen Bollinger of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Thanks also to
everyone who renewed their subscriptions for an additional year. Your support is what helps to make this newsletter possible, and is greatly appreciated!!
I would also like to thank Caroline Wenrick of Hartleton for donating numerous newspaper clippings, photographs, poems
and other interesting material; Grace Weidensaul of Laurelton for offering to loan me a number of local historical books
from her collection as well as allowing me to copy a program schedule from the Union County Sesquicentennial 1813-1963
and an early view of the Hartley Township High School; and Bruce Schnure of Watsontown for the information he provided
about the Laurelton Laurels Baseball team.
The small photograph in the upper left hand corner of page one shows the small cabin that was situated next to the Sand
Mountain Fire Tower. The photograph was taken by Forester R. B. Winter in 1922. The photograph, which is preserved by
the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission included the following notation: “This cabin was built of blighted
Chestnut from the local forest. Forester Winter says it is warm, cheerful, and well arranged in harmony with its surroundings.”
Photograph courtesy of the Pennsylvania State Archives.
Page 8
Remember When
The Laurelton Laurels
Baseball Team
To the left is a photograph of the Laurelton
Laurels baseball team circa 1935. The team
traveled throughout the area playing against
teams in spirited rivalries. The Laurelton Laurel’s home field was located at what is now Lincoln Park, site of the annual Union County
West End Fair.
When Carrie Lincoln deeded a portion of her
property over to the West End Fair Association
in 1936 one of the stipulations recorded on the
deed stated that “the Laurelton Baseball Club
shall be allowed to use the said baseball park as
how laid out and used free of rent.”
Ninety-six –year old Bruce Schnure, a resident
Front row left to right: Charles Cook, Ray Keister, LaRue “Rat” Shirk, of Watsontown, remembered playing baseball
and Harold “Chink” Shell. Back row left to right: Forest “Duly” Ruther- with his teammates on the home field at Laurelford, William Schnure, Bruce Schnure, Argyl Hironimus, Floyd Libby,
ton. He also recalled some of the spirited rivalRobert Schnure, unknown, Nevin Schnure (manager), Ernest Keister,
ries the Laurelton Laurels engaged in, and the
and ? Shively.
support and local enthusiasm showed to the
Photograph courtesy of Bernice (Schnure) Dluge and Bruce Schnure.
team by the residents. He quipped - “On Saturday afternoons the town shut down and they
went to the ball game.”
Schnure also played baseball for several other teams, including Coburn, Millheim, Lewisburg, and Watsontown. Impressed
with Schnure’s pitching and third base skills a baseball scout by the name of Breckenridge offered him a once in a lifetime
opportunity to try out for a couple of professional baseball teams, including the Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies.
However, his interest in his high school sweetheart Myrtle H. Hironimus of Weikert (daughter of James and Margaret
(Galer) Hironimus) and having no desire to leave the area, Schnure turned down the offer. Bruce has no regrets about declining a possible chance at playing professional baseball. He said rather bluntly — “it wasn’t supposed to be.”
Schnure was employed at the Laurelton Foundry from the time he graduated high school in 1932 until 1939. He was subsequently enticed by a part owner of the Watsontown Foundry into joining that company. Ralph Smith was not only interested
in securing Schnure’s talents as a foundry worker he also persuaded him to play baseball for the team in Watsontown as
well.
Schnure retired from the Watsontown Foundry following 40 years of employment. At the time of his retirement in 1979 he
was serving as superintendent.
Myrtle Schnure passed away on March 26, 2005. Bruce and his late wife were parents of two sons, Karl, of Wyalusing and
Clair, who passed away in 1987. They also have two grandsons, Ronald and James Schnure.
(Continued from page 7)
Donald Lewis Stahl, 70, of 14425 Old Turnpike Road, entered into rest at 7:27 p.m. Thursday, October 28, 2010, at Williamsport Regional Medical Center where he had been a patient since Thursday morning. He had lived in Lewis Township since 1999 and previously
resided in Vicksburg.
He was born October 3, 1940, in Limestone Township, Union County, a son of the late Earl James and Lauretta Anna (Dersham) Stahl.
He was married on April 19, 1958, in Millmont by the Rev. Joseph Hoffman to Mazie Seuvan Lepley, who survives.
Don attended the Rand School and Mifflinburg High School. He was self-employed as an employee-driver for Christ Zook Construction,
of Winfield.
Don was a very active member of the Bethel Holiness Church, New Berlin Mountain Road, Mifflinburg.
In addition to his wife Mazie, he is survived by a son, David J. Stahl, of Hartleton; four daughters, Brenda L. and husband Lloyd Z. Kilmer, Becky J., and husband Vernon E. Schramm, and Judy M. and husband Scott E. Jordan, all of Mifflinburg, and Donna L. Stahl, of
Vicksburg; also 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers and four sisters, and their spouses, William E. and Pamela M. Stahl, of Mifflinburg, the Rev. Junior E. and Anna M. Stahl, of Mifflinburg, Ruth A. and Jack L. Wagner, of
Selinsgrove, Betty M. and Terry L. Stimmel, of Mifflinburg, Edith E. and Rodney A. Bingaman, of Mifflinburg and Esther L. and Clair A.
Kuhns, of Millmont; also numerous nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by two sons, Fred Lewis Stahl, on October 27, 1958 and Donald Daniel Stahl, on February. 9, 2003; and a
brother, Timothy Harold Stahl, on July 12, 1967.
Burial was in the Hartleton Cemetery, Hartley Township.
Page 9
Blessings from the Bible
By Brenda Weaver
“Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
The entrance of thy word giveth light…”
Suggested reading: Psalm 119
The wind died. A full moon rose in a clear sky as daylight sank to the opposite horizon. I scurried to the garden,
afraid the finger of frost would etch its contents before morning. Snip, snip, snip. A comforting fragrance filled the
chilly air. After much snipping my shears had harvested a grocery bag full of a family favorite—meadow tea. Instead of
being bitten by frost, it will dry on a warm, sunny windowsill. Steeped, sweetened, and iced, the meadow tea had refreshed us all summer long. Thanks to plenty of autumn rain, more tea can be dried and saved to be steeped, sweetened,
and served steamy hot all winter long.
The comforting refreshment of tea reminds me of the comfort and refreshment of soul we can receive from God’s
Word.
I have to ask myself:
Have I found the Word of God sweet lately? “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my
mouth,” Psalm 119:103.
Have I taken delight in His message to me? “Thy testimonies also are my delight, and my counselors,” Psalm 119:24.
“And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved,” Psalm 119:47. “Unless thy law had been my delights,
I should then have perished in mine affliction,” Psalm 119:92.
Have I found direction for life? “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!” Psalm 119:5. “Thy word is a lamp
to my feet, and a light unto my path,” Psalm 119:105.
Have I meditated on the things I’ve read from God’s Word? “O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day,”
Psalm 119:97. “My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes,” Psalm 119:48.
Have I memorized portions of Scripture? “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee,” Psalm
119:11. “I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me,” Psalm 119:93.
Have I asked for understanding of God’s Word? “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy
law,” Psalm 119:18. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart,” Psalm
119:34.
Have I prayed for deliverance from evil? “Order my steps in thy
Thanks for Tea
word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me,” Psalm 119:133.
“The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy
testimonies,” Psalm 119:95. “I have gone astray like a lost sheep: seek
Dear God, I want to thankful be,
thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments,” Psalm 119:176.
Even for my cup of tea.
Have I prayed for safety? “Thou art my hiding place and my shield:
Tea grew beside my garden wall;
I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers; for I will keep the
Thanks
for the rain that
that made it tall.
commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I
Autumn came, with mornings of frost;
may live; and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I
shall be safe; and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually,”
I cut the tea before it was lost.
Psalm 119:114-117.
Now it can dry on my windowsills;
My response? “My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me
winter
This w
inter warm tea will chase away chills!
thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandI
can
share tea with friends, who stop in,
ments are righteousness…Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee: and
Or brew a small pot so my family will grin.
let they judgments help me,” Psalm 119:171, 172, 175.
How thankful we can be for the blessings of God and the Bible!
And just in time for Thanksgiving Day!
Thank you for blessingsblessings-abundant, galore!
Prayer for Today:
Dear God, “Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for
therein do I delight,” (Psalm 119:35). Thank You for the gift of Your
Word…and the many inspiring truths of Psalm 119. May we be grateful
and thankful in this month when we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Amen.
Page 10
Thank you for tea, and dried tea to make
more.
-
Brenda Weaver 2010
Penlines From my
Kitchen to Yours
by Lucy Hoover
Looking Back
The newspaper article below was originally published in
The Mifflinburg Telegraph on November 12, 1909.
CONGRESSMAN FOCHT
TRUE TO HIS PROMISES.
September 16, 2010
Leroy and Mary Ann Horning of Mifflinburg have a son
named Glendon. He has one brother. Grandparents are Samuel and Alice Horning and Linus and Irene Martin.
September 20
Isaac (2) has just learned how to cut with scissors, and he
snips at whatever lays around. Curvin came to put on his new
shoes this morning and when he tied them the shoelace fell off.
(Even our shoes are safer if they are stored in the closet where
they belong).
September 24
Paul Weaver of Mifflinburg had a public auction to sell his
machine shop tools. He is retiring from shop work.
Jonathan and Lucy Martin of Middleburg have a daughter
named Jayna. She has two brothers and one sister. Grandparents are Mervin and Anetta Martin and Amos and Lizzie
Hoover.
September 27
Harvey and Marlene Hoover have a daughter named Rosalyn. She is their first child. Grandparents are David and Ruth
Hoover and Ivan and Ada Horning.
September 29
Johnny Zimmerman (18) son of Abraham and Wilma Zimmerman of Mifflinburg is in the hospital again.
October 2
Baptismal services were held in the Vicksburg Church where
four youth were baptized.
October 4
Alvin and Erma Zimmerman of Lewisburg have a daughter
named Regina. She has four brothers and four sisters. Grandparents are Ammon and Erma Zimmerman of Kutztown and
John and Brenda Nolt of New Holland.
October 14
David Foresman of Lewisburg passed away recently. He used
to haul livestock for the folks in our community.
Correction
In the October 2010 issue I noted that Jacob G. Shively’s article entitled “Betz Heilman, Witch” was first published in the
November 1953 issue of Pennsylvania Folklife. The article was
actually published in The Pennsylvania Dutchman, which was
the predecessor to Pennsylvania Folklife.
____________________
The Trout Have Been Placed in
Penns Creek by the Car Load.
____________________
In accordance with his promise of a short time ago Congressman Focht is going ahead stocking Penns Creek with
fish. Some time ago he had the first installment sent and
planted in the lower waters of that stream. This week there
arrived at Glen Iron a car load of fish sent from the Government hatcheries at White Sulphur, W. Va.
The car arrived at Glen Iron at seven o’clock Tuesday
morning. It was met by Mr. John T. Church, who had
charge of the distribution. Several thousand rainbow and
brook trout were unloaded there and placed in the furnace
gap stream, in Penns Creek, west of Laurelton, and in Laurel Run. The stocking of these streams was in charge of Ned
F. Church and Andrew Herbster.
The car was then taken to Pardee where several thousand
trout were placed in Penns Creek by W. W. Oakes. At
Weikert David Libby took charge of stocking the run with
rainbow trout.
The car was then shifted to Cherry Run where D. R.
Pursley, of Laurelton, placed several thousand brook and
rainbow trout in Cherry Run and Penns Creek.
Paddy Mountain was the last stop. Here the remainder of
the fish were placed in the streams in that section, the work
being in charge of C. L. Braucher and the men who accompanied the car.
Mr. Church says this consignment of trout was the finest
lot ever placed in the streams in this part of Pennsylvania.
The smallest were full three inches long, while the greater
portion of the car load measured five and six inches in
length.
It is evident that Congressman Focht means to carry out
his purpose of making Penns Creek the greatest stream for
sportsmen in Pennsylvania.
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The Millmont Times is distributed during the first week of each month, and is available through mail subscriptions. Mail
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Millmont PA 17845
Telephone: (570) 922.4297 or
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November Birthdays & Anniversaries
1 – Edwin Oberholtzer
2 – E. Walter Shirk
3 – Bill Neese
3 – Frank & Helen Raker - 1941
3 – Leon Klock
3 – Bob Walter
4 – Lindsey Aikey
5 – Eugene & Marian Kahley – 1956
6 – Holly Potoeski
6 – Henry & Linda Dorman – 1965
6 – Roger & Betty Shoemaker – 1965
7 – Richard & Eunice Swain - 1964
7 – John Renninger
7 – Bettie Catherman
7 – Mark Bingaman
8 – Harvey Hoover
9 – Jonathan Potoeski
9 – Robert & Fran Stroup - 1963
9 – Marie Zimmerman
10 – Donald L. Groff
The Millmont Times
P. O. Box 3
Millmont, PA 17845
Return Service Requested
Page 12
10 – Joe White
11 – Ian Shively
11 – Paul Long
11 – Shane Failor
12 – Jeanne Jolly
12 – Lucy Martin
12 – Tyler Hopta
14 – Tina Sholter
14 – Ruth Kostenbader
15 – Edward & Lucy Martin - 1984
16 – Steve Hackenberg
17 – Charles Neese
17 – Kim & Sue Blyler - 1972
17 – Stanley Catherman
17 – Katherine Neal
17 – Mervin Nissley
18 – Jim & Cam Hironimus – 2003
18 - Lois Page
18 – Delphia Shirk
18 – Amos Brubaker
18 – Terry Kline
19 – Esther Zimmerman
19 – Angie Walter
20 – Sam & Debbie Smith – 1993
20 – Rick & Wanda Kerstetter - 1999
20 – Donald Hoy
20 – Betty Shively
21 – Grace Kovacs – Celebrating 100 years!
Anyone wanting to send Grace a birthday
card may do so at 12845 Old Turnpike Road,
Mifflinburg, Pa 17844
21 – Pat Gross
22 – Wanda Kerstetter
23 – Spencer & Shirley Boyer - 1950
25 - Thanksgiving Day
26 – Joe Smith
27 – Shirley Kerstetter
27 – Harry Mensch
29 – Amanda Salter
29 – Paula Dorman
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