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August 24, 2003 at 9:28 PM

       Todd Thompson, speaking about the Great DuBois Fire of 1888, will be the guest speaker at the DuBois Area Historical Society’s 21^st Annual Banquet. The banquet is scheduled for Sept. 16, 2003, at 6:30 p.m., at the DuBois Senior Center, Parkway Drive, DuBois.

       The cost for the buffet dinner is $12, with reservations due by Sept. 2. The menu features stuffed chicken breast or beef tips with mushroom gravy, and includes mashed potatoes, broccoli mix, cole slaw, fruit salad, and dessert.

        Those wishing to attend should provide the following information:  names of those attending, address, phone number, and indicate the number of people eating stuffed chicken breast or beef tips with mushroom gravy, along with a check for $12 per meal to the DuBois Area Historical Society Inc., P.O. Box 401, DuBois, Pa. 15801. Checks should be made payable to the DuBois Area Historical Society.

        Thompson, a retired DuBois Area High School teacher, is a well-known area historian. He is a popular DuBois Area Historical Society speaker having previously presented programs about Tom Mix, Falls Creek, the DuBois Airport, Philip Paul Bliss, and several others.

        The Great DuBois Fire of 1888 is one of the turning points in the history of DuBois. The fire engulfed half of the community between 1 p.m. and nightfall on June 18. Broken water lines and inadequate fire equipment led to a near destruction of the community.

        Following this fire, DuBois had to rebuild. The process led toward a more modern DuBois and the formation of the fire companies, which now protect the community in award winning style.

        The annual banquet is the start of DuBois Area Historical Society’s programs for 2003-04. The programs will continue on Oct. 15 with Jim Sterrett presenting a genealogy workshop at the E.D. Reitz Museum, 30 West Long Ave., DuBois. The November 16 program will feature historical society president Evo Facchine, who will present a World War II program about local war heroes, Charles and Donald McDonald, in honor of Veteran’s Day.

         February’s program is to be announced.  On March 16, during Women’s History Month, Sue Raspatello will discuss the history of the Red Hat Society.  The April 21 program will feature Tom Schott, who will discuss World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C, and its website featuring information on World War II veterans and other contributors to the war effort. The 2002-03 programs will conclude in May with the annual presentation by Galen Kilmer of DuBois Area High School local history projects.

         The DuBois Area Historical Society is operating a fund-raiser through Aug. 31 in conjunction with the Dutch Pantry Restaurant. Anyone presenting a DuBois Area Historical Society coupon at the restaurant will have 10 percent of their final bill donated to the Society. Stop by the Society, or see any executive board member of the DuBois Area Historical Society, for a coupon.