News

OPEN FOR THE SEASON: Roadside Fruit and Produce Stands in Harborcreek Township

Do you remember driving to the Blanchfield, Finnell, Kozlowski or Nelson Fruit Stand? During the last four years three of our members have been actively interviewing families who owned or still operate fruit and produce stands in our township. Thirteen businesses and over two dozen vintage photos have been compiled for this publication. Carol Laughlin, John Skuce and Cam Stadtmueller are grateful to the present and past farming families who shared their agricultural histories and business photos. HHS will be selling this 60 page booklet for $10. plus $3.50 shipping and handling. It will be available at our office or you can email harborcreekhistory@gmail.com for a copy to be sent to you.

Society Honors Volunteer of the Year

Carol Laughlin was chosen as the Harborcreek Historical Society Volunteer for 2010. Carol has been active in interviewing Harborcreek residents and in collecting township memorabilia. From 2006 to 2010 she worked with two other society members to record agricultural histories with vintage photos from a dozen families, who were or still are operating fruit and produce stands in our township. These were published in "Open for the Season." Carol is a life-long Harborcreek resident and we appreciate her dedication to our society.

Congratulations Carol!

Previous Volunteers of the Year Awards
2002 honorees Donna Mindek, Nadia Hamilton and Harold Kirk
2003 honorees Nancy Brown and Eileen Kriner
2003 Memorial Garden Dedication at Gospel Hill Burial Ground honorees Judy Wieczorek and Anthony Ames
2004 honorees designed the Landmark Throw: Louise Smerick, Andrea Maille, Willie Bruce, Lois Culhane & Jeanne Langdon
2005 honorees Walter and Clara Starr
2006 honoree Lori Sheridan
2007 honoree Louise Smerick
2008 honoree Harold L. Kirk
2009 honorees Archive Committee Members: Ginnie Andersen, Carol Wood & Lori Sheridan
2010 honoree Carol Szlenski Laughlin

Harborcreek High School Athletic Hall of Fame

With the hype of the Super Bowl growing with each passing day and vivid memories of recent college bowl games still fresh, it seems appropriate to mention and promote Harborcreek High School Athletic Department's Hall of Fame. Recently initiated, the organization's intent is to induct its first honorees, up to ten, in September of 2011. The field is wide open and includes all sports, not just football.

Eligible nominees include athletes, teams, coaches and even trainers, managers, events personnel, and others who have made outstanding contributions to athletics at Harborcreek High School. However, the recognition at the root of a nomination is not strictly limited to Harborcreek, for instance a person having been inducted into a national hall of fame or athletic foundation could be eligible.

Reportedly, initial nominations were received up until December 15, 2010, but it's not too early to begin thinking about your nominee for a future class, which will be bi-annual beginning this September. For details contact Andrew Krahe at akrahe@hcsd.iu5.org or 814-897-2100 x 1367, or visit the school district's website at www.hcsd.iu5.org.

When Dave Hines learned of the new program, he immediately had a nominee – Bill Gay, his senior by a few years and member of the Class of 1952. Dave had great admiration for Bill, personal as well as for his athletic accomplishments. A trip to the Harborcreek Historical Society Office to gather information from the yearbook collection provided all that he needed to complete the necessary paperwork.

HHS files are available for anyone having an interest. We also request and welcome any information that will enable us to create and expand files in the area of athletics. Please stop by to share your stories and pictures.hen it was learned that an office move was necessary, it seemed to come at a busy and challenging time – Christmas Season and during winter. All concern and worry came to an end with the beginning of a bright, snow-free day, followed by countless volunteers who arrived with a sense of mission. All got right to the business at hand and looked like they had been trained for the task. There were members and non-members alike, plus students from Mercyhurst Prep. Cars, trucks and trailers made several trips just around the corner to the new office and the move was complete in a very short time. Whether part of the move that day, or helping prepare ahead of time, we offer our sincere thanks to everyone.