Think About It
Christmas
By
Pastor B.J. Knefley
As I write this Christmas is just around the corner. COVID disrupted many over the past couple of years. It’s changed how we do things. But it’s still Christmas and for those that do show up at my house we will celebrate around a big meal full of laughter and joy.
Christmas is most often viewed as a joyous time. A time for family and friends to gather together. But for some it’s not joyous. In fact, I would venture a guess that all of us can look back and remember a Christmas or two that were not joyous. For some, Christmas has a new normal, one that they hadn’t anticipated or even considered would be their new experience. I like the saying that says, “Life happens while we’re making other plans”. It’s true isn’t it? Just in my own circle of friends and family there are some who are experiencing their first Christmas without their loved one. Another is in a place that they would have never predicted a year ago. A young mother is saying goodbye to her husband who heads back out to the oilfields to work on Christmas morning.
I don’t know how often we think about it, but Christmas is about Christ. I wonder how often we think about him beyond the holiday season? I read of a Pastor who said that we need to take Christ out of the manger and bring him into the rest of our lives each and every day. Why? Simply because the manger is only one side of the coin, the other side has a cross. And although we may not like it, life too has a cross. Sometimes it’s hard. We don’t get everything we want. Jesus said that he had come to give life, (John 10:10). Yet in the giving of life to us, it had a cost.
I don’t know what this new year will bring and neither do you. But what I do know is that I can choose to live like Jesus lived and I can love like Jesus loved. I may not do it perfectly, but I can try and when I fail, and I will, I can get back up and start again. The manger is about new beginnings. The year is full of hope, embrace it, it is yours to grasp, but it is a choice. Think about it.
GRAFTECH USA, LLC MAKES DONATION
Middle Row: Bob Quinn, Amber Schlimm, Molly Yetzer, Erica Hayes
Back Row: Travis Reed, Bert Finland, Justin Peterson, Jennifer Shelander, and Bob Schreiber
Elk County- Employees from Graftech USA, LLC presented a generous donation to the St. Marys Area United Way. GrafTech is a global graphite electrode leader delivering highly engineered services, customer-first solutions, and essential products. GrafTech is backed by and exceptional history, 130 years and counting. The St. Marys facility is located on 800 Theresia Street.
Accepting the check on behalf of the St Marys Area United Way was Doug Gaffey, President; Jason Gabler, Corporate Campaign Chair; Doug Bauer, Payroll Committee Chair; Jim Ryan, Board Member; and Becky Piccolo, Board Member. GrafTech’s corporate donation of $5,000 will support the St. Marys Area United Way 2022 campaign. The United Way’s 2022 campaign goal is $170,000. Funding raised in 2022 will be available for eligible organizations to seek grant funding for 2023. In order to be eligible for funding from the St. Marys Area United Way, an agency must: have a current 501(c)(3) status, provide services to citizens living within the St. Marys Area School District, provide services to meet health and human welfare needs, and be registered with the PA State Bureau of Charitable Solicitation or be exempt from registration. The St. Marys Area United Way encourages any organization interested in seeking grant funding to inquire by calling 814.781.6000 to receive an application. The 2022 grant application deadline will be December 15, 2022, with grant awards announced in 2023.
As a result of the 2021 campaign, the St. Marys Area United Way provided grant awards to Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, Boys & Girls Club of St. Marys, Boys Scouts-Bucktail Council, CAPSEA, Catholic Charities, City of St. Marys Parks and Recreation, Dickinson Center, Fox Township Sportsmen Youth Program, Girl Scouts of Western PA, Guardian Angel Center, Life & Independence for Today, St. Marys Area School District, St. Marys Interparish Rooted Youth Ministry, St. Marys Library and the Veteran’s Memorial-Eternal Flame located on the Diamond downtown St. Marys.
The St. Marys Area United Way has served the citizens of the City of St. Marys and surrounding counties since 1925. The St. Marys Area United Way relies on the contributions from companies and local individuals. Those donations support the financial needs of non-profit agencies that serve the health and human welfare needs of our community. If you would like to become one of these individual or corporate donors, please call 781.6000 or mail your check to the St. Marys Area United Way, 44 So. St. Marys Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SUNDAY…
- WHAT…Snow and strong winds expected. Total snow
accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50
mph will result in areas of blowing snow. A rapid switch from
rain to snow with sharply falling temperatures into the teens
will result in a flash freeze Friday. - WHERE…Allegany county.
- WHEN…From 10 AM Friday to 7 PM EST Sunday.
- IMPACTS…Plan on very difficult travel conditions. Gusty
winds could bring down tree branches resulting in some power
outages. Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero
can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
INSTRUCTIONS: Periods of snow will result in snow covered roads and limited
visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.
Submit snow reports through our website or social media.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo (Western New York)
Louella M. Moyer, 94, of 117 Lovers Lane, Kersey, PA
Louella M. Moyer, 94, of 117 Lovers Lane, Kersey, PA passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the Elk Haven Nursing Home, after a lengthy illness.
She was born May 18, 1928, in Dagus Mines, daughter of the late Swan Swanson and Zona Fox Swanson Fredrickson. Louella was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of Kersey High School, Class of 1946, and a graduate of the DuBois Business College with a degree in Accounting. She was an employee of the former Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital where she retired in 1991.
On September 28, 1946 in the First Lutheran Church in Ridgway, Louella married Jesse B. Moyer, who preceded her in death in 1986.
She is survived by her daughters: Janna Pollino and her husband Ray and Jocelyn Breindel and her husband Donald, both of Kersey; three sons: Gary R. Moyer and his wife Shar Lou; Jesse R. Moyer and his wife Patricia; and Jason S. Moyer, all of Kersey; 15 grandchildren: Matthew Moyer (Crystal), Eric Moyer, Jesse Moyer (Maria), Susan Oskorus, Michele Daly, Chet Moyer, Amanda Moyer (Ragavan), Jacqueline Moyer, Caitlyn Moyer, Cory Breindel (Ninna), Brandon Breindel (Tori), Carissa Breindel (Robert), Emily Rindosh (Gabriel), Olivia Pollino and Zachary Pollino; two step-grandchildren: Andrew Meyer and LuAnn Meyer; twelve great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband and parents, Louella was preceded in death by her brother, Swan Swanson, Jr. She was the last member of her immediate family.
Louella was a committed member of the Maria Lutheran Church where she held various positions and volunteered her time. She was a member of the choir, council, cemetery committee, social ministry, LCW, and treasurer. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and was on the planning committee for the Fox Twp. Board of Supervisors. She loved her community where she would volunteer her time for Meals on Wheels at the Fox Twp. Senior Center, the Guardian Angel Center, and as a Cub Scout Den Mother. She enjoyed gardening, camping, traveling, and reading. There was nothing more important to her than spending time with her loving family especially her grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held in the Maria Lutheran Church on Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in the Maria Lutheran Cemetery.
Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Monday, December 26, 2022 from 2:00 until 4:00 PM and again from 6:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Maria Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 136, Dagus Mines, PA 15831 or to the Guardian Angel Center, 364 Main Street, Kersey, PA 15846.
Online condolences may be offered at www.lynch-radkowski.com.
UPMC Primary Care, Specialty Care, and Express Care Offices in Coudersport Region Closing for the Holidays
COUDERSPORT, Pa., Dec. 22, 2022 – In recognition of the holidays, UPMC Primary Care, UPMC Specialty Care, and UPMC Express Care facilities in Coudersport, Bradford, Eldred, Emporium, Port Allegany, Shinglehouse, Smethport, Ulysses, and Westfield will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Jan. 2.
All clinics will resume normal operations Tuesday, Dec. 27, and Tuesday, Jan. 3. Patients are advised to plan accordingly and reach out to their provider’s office with any questions.
Ray F. Louk, Jr., 87, of Bradford, PA
Ray F. Louk, Jr., 87, of Bradford, PA passed away on Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at UPMC Hamot, Erie.
He was born on September 1, 1935 in Bradford; a son of the late Raymond and Ida Cramer Louk.
He was a 1955 graduate of the Bradford Area High School.
He was a U.S. Army veteran; who served from January, 1956 until his honorable discharge in December, 1957.
He was a member of the Lt. John C. Roche VFW Post 212. He enjoyed attending tractor pulls and meeting his friends at the “McDonald’s Morning Coffee Club” and he was also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
He was employed as a custodian at the movie theater in town for several years and then as a parking lot attendant for several local businesses.
He is survived by one son, Doug Louk of Bradford; two daughters, Judy Louk and Darlene Louk both of Bradford; one brother, Louie Louk of Warren; two grandchildren, Shannon Louk and Katrina Louk; three great grandchildren, Farrah Young, Alyssa Louk and Lance Louk; one great great-granddaughter, Savannah Louk and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents; he was also preceded in death by one son, James Louk; one infant son, Bobby Louk; one brother, Russell Louk and two sisters, Betty Clark and Peggy Noyes.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Mascho Funeral Home, Inc.
Online Condolences can be expressed at www.maschofuneral.com.
…WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SATURDAY…
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service State College PA
103 PM EST Thu Dec 22 2022
…WIND CHILL WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST
SATURDAY…
* WHAT…Dangerously cold wind chills expected. Wind chills as low
as 25 below zero. Frequent wind gusts between 45 and 55 mph
Friday morning through Saturday.
* WHERE…Portions of central Pennsylvania.
* WHEN…From 10 AM Friday to 7 PM EST Saturday.
* IMPACTS…The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on
exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Avoid going outside during the coldest parts of the day. Dress in
layers and cover exposed skin. Wear a hat and gloves. Frostbite
and hypothermia can occur within minutes if precautions are not
taken.
Review winter weather safety and preparedness information at
weather.gov/winter.
The latest forecast information can be found on the
NWS State College Facebook page and Twitter @NWSStateCollege,
or on the web at weather.gov/ctp.
Route 322 Westbound Now Open Between Milroy and Potters Mills
Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is alerting area motorists that U.S. Route 322 westbound has reopened between Milroy and Potters Mills. The road was closed earlier due to disabled commercial vehicles.
While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts.
The department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM FRIDAY TO 7 PM EST SUNDAY…
Winter Weather Advisory issued December 22 at 11:28AM EST until December 25 at 7:00PM EST by NWS Buffalo
- WHAT…Snow and strong winds expected. Total snow
accumulations of 2 to 4 inches. Winds gusting as high as 50
mph will result in areas of blowing snow. A rapid switch from
rain to snow with sharply falling temperatures into the teens
will result in a flash freeze Friday. - WHERE…Allegany county.
- WHEN…From 10 AM Friday to 7 PM EST Sunday.
- IMPACTS…Plan on very difficult travel conditions. Gusty winds
could bring down tree branches resulting in some power outages.
Dangerously cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero can cause
frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.
INSTRUCTIONS: Periods of snow will result in snow covered roads and limited
visibilities. Slow down and use caution while driving.
Submit snow reports through our website or social media.
Issued By: NWS Buffalo (Western New York)
Registration Now Open for NPRC’s Spring 2023 Semester
Do your future plans include taking college courses? The Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) Spring 2023 semester begins Wednesday, January 18th, bringing affordable education to a classroom near you! Nearly forty courses are being offered, including Introduction to Psychology, Interpersonal Communication, Foundations of Math, Music Appreciation, and Environmental Biology. These courses are part of five associate degrees – Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Liberal Studies, and Social Sciences. If you are not interested in pursuing an associate degree at this time, NPRC’s team will help you select courses or training that meets your educational goals.
These courses are perfect for recent high school graduates, mid-career adults seeking to advance their career or begin a new one, and even current eligible high school juniors and seniors who want to earn college credits while still in high school. This program is affordable with tuition rates 70% less than the average tuition at brick-and-mortar institutions. Students with a high school diploma or GED pay $185 per credit hour. Current eligible high school students pay $60 per credit hour. Institutional Aid and scholarship opportunities are available.
These courses are offered at the Education Council’s Coudersport office, as well as more than 20 additional locations throughout northwestern Pennsylvania.
The Spring 2023 registration deadline is Thursday, January 12, 2023. For more information, contact the NPRC admissions team at admissions@rrcnpa.org or (814) 230-9010.