Foulkrods Honored At DuBois Historical Dinner
February 08, 2010 at 10:14 PM
From left: President Evo Facchine, Kathy Foulkrod, Frank Foulkrod, and Beecher Klingensmith.
Kathy and Frank Foulkrod were recognized as woman and man of the year by the DuBois Area Historical Society. They were honored during the annual dinner of the Society held at the DuBois Country Club.
Kathy Foulkrod became involved with the historical society following a tour of the museum several years ago. She asked about becoming a volunteer and used her talent for decorating to help with displays in the four windows at the historical society museum. She developed unique displays and encouraged other people to offer their private collections for display, including her own Swedish Christmas collection. She also participated in the 2009 DuBois Area Historical Society Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk, taking a speaking role as one of the spirits.
Frank Foulkrod followed his wife into volunteering with the historical society. He also has a good eye for the way items can be displayed and has contributed some handyman skills to repairing or redesigning an existing item for another use. A most prominent example was converting an old flower box into a fireplace that has been used in several displays.
Beecher Klingensmith, curator for the Society, presented the awards.
Award-winning historical author P.J. Piccirillo (right) was the guest speaker for dinner selecting the topic, “Writing Historical Fiction.” Piccirillo’s work has been published by newspapers, magazines and syndicates and his short fiction has appeared in numerous journals. Many of his stories are inspired by the people of the burgs and timberlands of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Plateau, where his ancestors settled to work farms, tanneries, mines and rail sections. His historical novel “Heartwood” traces the intertwined lives of two men with common roots in the rugged timbering industry of north central Pennsylvania.
DuBois Area Historical Society President Evo Facchine served as the master of ceremony for the dinner. Rev. Chris Ramsey, DuBois Area Combined Lutheran Ministry, delivered the invocation and benediction.
Previous recipients of the DuBois Area Historical Society man and woman of the year award include: 1994 – Todd Thompson, 1995 – E. D. Reitz, 1996 – Marv Bloom and Gail King, 1997 – Diane Bernardo, 1998 – Tom and Virginia Schott, 1999 – Dr. George Nye and Nellie Beer, 2001 – Audrey Lott, 2002 – Beecher Klingensmith and Carol Johnson, 2003 – Dave Beer and Judy Leech, 2004 – Ken Wiser and Barb Emmer, 2005 – Ed and Jerry Watson, 2007 – Evo and Ann Facchine, 2008 – Gene Aravich and Carol Laughlin, and 2009 – Rob Peoples and Agnes McCracken.
The annual dinner was the opening 2010 program for the DuBois Area Historical Society. Upcoming activities include:
March 18 – Scott Foradora, a tour of Foradora Financial Services Inc. (old John DuBois offices), 80 N. Park Place, DuBois, 7:30 p.m.
April 25 – Joe Skubisz, “Walkin’ the Rails: a walking tour of the former B & O rail yard,” 11 a.m. Meeting place to be announced.
May 27 – Galen Kilmer, DuBois High School Local History Projects, E.D. Reitz Museum, 28-34 W. Long Ave., DuBois, 7:30 p.m.
June 5 – Festival of the Arts, E.D. Reitz Museum, 28-34 W. Long Ave., DuBois, open, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
September 11 – Fourth Annual DuBois Area Historical Society Open House, 28-34 W. Long Ave., DuBois, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
October 16 – Third Annual Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk, DuBois Campus of Penn State University, 6:30 p.m.
November 13 – Fourth Annual DuBois Area Historical Society Luncheon, speaker, Barb Clark, “Hidden Messages of Quilts,” DuBois Diner, noon.