Wiser, Emmer Recognized By Society

October 24, 2004 at 2:06 PM

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Barb Emmer and Ken Wiser

       The DuBois Area Historical Society recognized Ken Wiser of Falls Creek and Barb Emmer of DuBois as its 2004 persons of the year. Society President Evo Facchine announced the awards at the organization’s 23rd Annual Dinner at the Best Western Conference Center. The award recognizes service to the DuBois Area Historical Society.

       Wiser is in his second term on the Society’s executive council as the area representative from Falls Creek/Smithtown/Singing Hills. He is the researcher for the weekly “Looking Back” column, a summary of events from 100 years earlier, published by The Courier Express newspaper. During the past year he has also researched and wrote historical articles submitted from the Society for The Courier-Express’ bicentennial of Clearfield County issue, served on several committees. and was one of the researcher’s for the Society’s newest publication, “Tom Mix:  DuBois’ Nickelodeon Cowboy”.

       During the past year, Emmer suggested the idea for and served on the committee that developed the historic trolley tour of DuBois, sponsored by the Society during the annual Tom Mix Festival. She also researched and wrote historical articles for The Courier-Express’ bicentennial of Clearfield County issue and continues to research and provide historical articles for use in the Tri-County Sunday newspaper’s observance of the bicentennial. She has twice served as the Society’s assistant librarian.

       The awards have been made annually since 1993-94. Previous recipients are:  Todd Thompson, 1993-94; E.D. Reitz, 1994-95; Gail King and Marv Bloom, 1995-96; Diane Bernardo, 1996-97; Tom and Virginia Schott, 1997-98; Nellie Beer and Dr. George Nye, 1998-99; Audrey Lott, 1999-00; Carol Johnson and Beecher Klingensmith, 2000-01; and Judy Leech and Dave Beer 2001-02.

       Historical Society President Evo Facchine reported the following achievements by the Society during 2004:

       •The development of and opening of a photo gallery at the museum.

       •Establishing new office space at the museum for the curator.

       •Development of better storage area for photos and other items.

       •Several successful fund-raisers were held.

       •Varied displays in the windows at the museum and items displayed on loan at the recruiting station at the DuBois Mall.

       •The Looking Back column and bicentennial section in The Courier-Express feature work completed by the Society.

       •The Tom Mix Festival was very successful for the Society with the historic trolley tour and the publication of a Tom Mix book.

       •The Society’s web site continues to grow and be updated.

       • Membership and artifacts were entered into a more functional computer database.

speaker_3.jpg       Also at the dinner, the Society’s immediate past-president, E. D. Reitz, presented a check for $200 to the Society. The donation came from the Lion’s Club, who honored Reitz at a recent meeting.


       Fifty-five members and guests attended the dinner where Julie Rae Rickard (left) of Clearfield, author of the play, “Hidden Treasures: A History of Clearfield County” was the guest speaker. Rickard highlighted her work to portray the history of Clearfield County in a two-hour performance. She showed videotape excerpts from the play, particularly those concerning 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.



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