On Centre: Penns Valley

Municipalities seek input on park land

Ed Mahon

Centre Hall, Gregg Township and Potter Township are seeking feedback on how to develop 165 acres into a park.

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“What we’re saying is, what do you think we need?” said Brooks D. Harris, the project engineer with ELA Group of State College.

The engineering and architecture firm was hired by the three municipalities to help develop a master plan for a tri-municipal park at a site on state Route 192 in Potter Township, west of state Route 144.

The property’s northern border is across from Sammis Greenhouse. Its southern border abuts an abandoned railbed that runs from Centre Hall to Linden Hall.

Surveys have been distributed throughout the Penns Valley area, and the first community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Centre Hall Lions Club, 153 E. Church St., Centre Hall. The deadline for completing a survey is Dec. 4.

Harris said the goal is to have the three municipalities adopt a final master plan in late March. They’re seeking feedback on how often residents use available parks and outdoor facilities, if they’re satisfied with the current offerings and what amenities they’d like to see in a park.

The committee is also looking for partners, such as other municipalities, corporate and business donors and local residents to assist in the planning, financing and creation of the park.

For more information, visit www.elagroup.com/tmpark.html.

Grads celebrate annually

The Gregg Township Vocational School Class of 1945 celebrated its 64th reunion at the Millheim Hotel earlier this month.

There were 21graduates in the original class, 11 of whom are now deceased. Six classmates attended the Millheim reunion: William and Miriam Snyder, Guy Houser and George Horner from Spring Mills; Nancy Harbison, from Shiremanstown, and Ralph Watts, from Hershey.

The class long ago decided not to wait for milestone years, and for the past 10 years has held a reunion each year.

“We’re getting older, so we decided to have it every year,” said Watts, who said they “all had a very enjoyable time recalling many wonderful and amusing experiences of our school days.”

Big night for a big band

The Tommy Dorsey Big Band will perform an evening of swing music at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Penns Valley Area High School.

The band dates back to the 1930s and has outlived its namesake. It’s now led by 90-year-old Buddy Morrow, one of Dorsey’s lead trombonists.

The event’s being sponsored by the Penns Valley Music Boosters. Tickets are $25 or $30 for adults, depending on seating location, and $10 for students. Purchase them in advance by calling 349-5787 or at the door if any remain.

Correction

In last week’s column, I misspelled the name of a Penns Valley Area Intermediate School sixth grade teacher. It’s Steve Fleagle. My apologies.

Ed Mahon writes about news from the Penns and Brush Valley regions. He can be reached at 231-4619 or emahon@centredaily.com.