Holliday Presents History Facts At Dinner
September 17, 2019 at 2:57 AM
Al Holliday
The largest dinner crowd in several years, 85 members and guests, attended the DuBois Area Historical Society’s 37thAnnual Dinner to learn new facts about Pennsylvania history and honor a distinguished member of the organization.
Society President Ruth Gregori announced that long-time member Ken Wiser had been presented with the Society’s Champion of History Award. This award is established to recognize individuals, groups, or organizations who have contributed to the goals of the purpose of the DuBois Area Historical Society as described in the Society’s mission statement:
“To promote the study, preservation, and appreciation of history. The area normally served is that area within the boundaries of the DuBois Area School District.”
The mission statement is inherent in this recognition. Wiser has been a long-time member of the Society and a member of its e executive council since 2002. During this time Wiser, now a resident at Christ the King Manor, represented Falls Creek/Smithtown/ Singing Hills areas. He faithfully attended the Falls Creek School Reunions, sharing memorabilia with that group and bringing donated items by them to the society for permanent inclusion. During Clearfield County’s bicentennial celebration, he researched and wrote historical articles for submission to TheCourier Expressnewspaper’s special edition. These articles chronicled the area’s past to appreciate the heritage of our community. Additionally, Wiser was one of the researchers for the Society’s publication, Tom Mix: DuBois’ Nickelodeon Cowboy. His most sustaining effort has been with the weekly column entitled “Looking Back,” where for 17 continuous years Wiser pored over the microfilmed copies of 100-year-old DuBois newspapers to document important events of our past.
This the third time the Champion of History Award was presented. Previous recipients were Dr. Jeffrey Rice and the Paul G. and Dorothy F. Reitz Charitable Trust.
Al Holliday, publisher of Pennsylvania Magazine, was the guest speaker for the dinner. His topic was “25 Odd, Improbable and Fun Facts About Pennsylvania”. The questions ranged from: what honor did William and Hannah Penn receive in 1983? Answer, honorary U. S. citizenship; to which of the Three Stooges was from Pennsylvania? Answer, Larry Fine.
Holliday presented all in attendance with a free copy of Pennsylvania Magazineand the option to received two more free issues.
During a brief business meeting the following were elected to two-year terms: Ruth Gregori, president; Carol Laughlin, first vice president; Dick Castonguay, director of building and grounds; Carolyn Rhoades, director of youth; Todd Thompson, director of history; Paul Bojalad, City of DuBois representative; Galen Kilmer, Sandy Township representative; and Nancy Rosman, Winslow Township representative. The proposed 2020 budget was also approved.
The dinner was held at Christ Lutheran Church in DuBois and was catered by Catering by Paulette. Gregori served as master of ceremonies. Barb Emmer introduced the guest speaker. Todd Thompson delivered the invocation.