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September 28, 2004 at 2:10 PM

       Julie Rae Rickard of Clearfield, author of the play, “Hidden Treasures: A History of Clearfield County” will be the guest speaker for the 23^rd Annual Dinner of the DuBois Area Historical Society, Oct. 21, 6 p.m., at the Best Western Conference Center.

       The $15 buffet dinner features chicken or roast beef, mashed potatoes, tossed salad, hot vegetable, and coffee and tea.

       Reservation are due Saturday, Oct. 16, by mail to DuBois Area Historical Society, P.O. Box 401, DuBois, Pa., 15801 (indicate a dinner selection, chicken or roast beef); or call the Historical Society office, 371-9006; Evo Facchine, 371-8320; Emma Miller, 583-7331; or Ginny Schott, 371-4627. Checks should be made payable to the DuBois Area Historical Society.

        During the evening the Society will honor its 2003-04 persons of the year. The awards have been made annually since 1993-94. The award recognizes service to the DuBois Area Historical Society.

       Rickard was first published at the age of eight when a short essay she wrote about her cat, Tiger, was printed in a school newspaper. Since that time she has written numerous stories, novels, poems, songs, plays and screenplays.

       “Hidden Treasures: A History of Clearfield County” covered Clearfield County’s 200-year history with stories from the early settlers, raftsmen, lumbermen, coal miners, and many of the people who were important in creating our towns, boroughs and cities. The stories are told from the perspective of an elderly woman, her daughter and grandchildren as they try to clean out an antique trunk. Monologues by actors in character brought the tales to life when it was performed at the Clearfield Arts Studio Theatre, Glen Richey Homecoming Celebration, and the Paul G. Reitz Theatre.

        Rickard is also the author of  "Clearfield County" from Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series. This is a follow up to her successful “Clearfield” from the “Postcard History Series" published by Arcadia in 2002.

       Her short story, "The Christmas Stocking" was featured in "Christmas in My Heart 11"  released in the fall of 2002. It was originally published in the Christmas 1999 issue of "War Cry", the Salvation Army magazine. In 2001, she interviewed Shirley MacLaine for a cover story for "Natural Beauty and Heath" from the publishers of "Magical Blend" magazine. The article was reprinted in the French magazine "l'essentiel" in March 2002.

       With her novel, "The Destiny of Miro", published in 2000, she combined her writing ability with her interest in spiritual studies. In 2004, Sophia Publishing will publish a Russian version of the book.

       Twenty-nine members and guests attended the Sept. 30 DuBois Area Historical Society meeting. The guest speaker was Barb Kelichner of DuBois, a fifth generation descendent of the Shaffer family, the original settlers of the DuBois area.

        Upcoming historical society speakers are: Nov. 11 - Tom Schott, “The Washington, D.C., World War II Memorial, A Personal Connection”; and in 2005 - Feb. 17 – Eileen Thomas Anthony, “Bilger’s Rocks.” March 31 – Evo Facchine, “History of the Anderson Creek Reservoir.” April (date to be announced) – John Sobel, “Civil War Re-enactor.”  May 25 - Galen Kilmer, “DuBois Area High School Local History Projects.” All are free, at 7:30 p.m. in the E.D. Reitz Museum, 30 W. Long Ave., DuBois.