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Notice: The Duke Center site is in the process of moving to another host.
Please bear with it while the changes are made. Thanks. Latest News Old Home Days Schedule Released!
4:00pm
Steak Bake
Otto Twp. Fire Hall
11:00am Antique Tractor
Pull Otto Park
*** Please no bikes or pets in the park***
Old Home Days Vendor Information: Old Home Days, Inc Duke Center PA 16729
On July 25, 26, 27 2008 we are having our annual Old Home Days in Otto Township Park in Duke Center, PA. On FRIDAY night at about 4:00pm, there is a Steak Bake at the Otto Twp. Fire Hall. At the park, Pony Pulls, Children's Lip Sync Contest, and at 8:00pm-12:00am Entertainment-Dance. SATURDAY 12:00pm, we start with a parade, car show, food, games, music, demonstrations, and fun for all ages. Around 9:30pm A GIANT FIREWORKS DISPLAY, said to be the best, including larger cities hundreds of miles away, followed by more music until 12:00am. Our annual King and Queen set off the fireworks display that usually last over a half hour. SUNDAY 11:00am, Antique Tractor Pull and The Lion's Club Chicken Barbeque. **************************************************************************************************** The festival is held outside so you might want to have a tent, and your own table and chairs. We will provide a 10x20 space for $25.00. If you need electric, an additional $15.00 fee will be charged. Knowing if you need electric helps us to set up vendor sites. Note all vendors are required to provide their own heavy duty extension cords at least 100 feet in length. The fees are nonrefundable and must be received by June 15, 2008 to secure your site. If your group is a Non-profit group, a space is free. Camping is available at the Otto Township Fire Hall for a fee. Contact: Bob Rogers 814-465-3428 **************************************************************************************************** We are a family oriented event. Please refrain from selling items with fowl language, realistic type guns or knives, candy/fake cigarettes etc. No silly string, poppers or like products. The clean up at the park is done by a very few people and the mess that these items cause is an added task. No GLOW IN THE DARK NECKLACES, as Old Home Days sell these items to help with the cost of getting stage events. The Old Home Days, Inc reserve the right to deny any application and to restrict items sold to avoid duplication among the vendors. It may also cause the removal of any items deemed to be obscene, objectionable or unsuitable for family-type events. **************************************************************************************************** If you are interested, please return this form along with the applicable fees to:
Tim Williams Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________ State: ______________ Zip: _______________________ Email Address: _______________________ Phone:________________________Type of Craft: _______________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ (You may use back of form) I understand that the Otto Township Old Homes Days Committee, Inc or Otto Township Park will not be responsible for accidents, injury, theft or loss of property. I also understand I am responsible for all legal and sales tax details. Signature: _________________________________________________Date: ______________________________ All monies must be received by June 15, 2008. Make checks payable to Otto Township Old Home Days, Inc. You may pre-order Old Home Days T-shirts at a cost of $10.00 for sizes S, M, L, & XL. All other sizes are $12.00. Name: ________________________________________________ Sizes___________________________________ Total Qty: ______________________________________ Enclosed Amount: _______________________________
UPDATE ON THE OTTO TOWNSHIP POOL
by Jane Larson, Secretary, Otto Township Park Commission
As most of you know, we have not been able to
open our township pool because we could not obtain permission from the
Pennsylvania Department of Health. The pool did not meet certain requirements
set forth by the DOH for a public bathing permit. A group of concerned
citizens, along with the township supervisors and members of the park
commission, decided to seek funding to pay for a feasibility study. This
would determine if the pool could be rehabilitated or if construction of a new
pool would be necessary, along with related costs for both projects. I
learned there was grant money available through Representative Martin Causer
and called him to obtain the necessary information. Cindy Gardner ( our
township secretary/treasurer at the time; now a supervisor as well) and I put
the grant information together and we received $7,500 . After doing some
research, I learned a grant (to be met with matching funds by the applicant)
was available through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources for projects like our study. After consulting with a firm whose
specialty is recreation planning (and who had advised us on prior occasions),
I sent for the information and wrote the grant application for an additional
$7,500, using the funds from Rep. Causer as our matching funds. On April
21st I was informed our township would receive the grant. That means we have
the money - $15,000 - to pay for the study - the first step in what will be a
long, involved process. I will keep updates posted on this site as I receive
more information.
April Citizen of the Month
The April citizen of the month is
Jeff Gardner of Duke Center. Jeff has lived here for 22 years. He moved here
because his roommate from the Marine Corps., Rob Roberts lived here. He moved
here because there were no jobs at home in Wisconsin.
March Citizen of the Month
The March citizen of the month is Arlene Chase of Duke Center.
Arlene was nominated for her support to the area activities. Arlene, a resident
of Kansas Branch, has lived in the same areas all of her 72 years. She has many
fond memories of growing up in Duke Center. Some of them include wading in the
creek in the summer and ice skating on the pond behind the Otto Service Center
in the winter. She had many friends and enjoyed school.
Otto / Otto-Eldred Alumni Wanted! ATTENTION GRADUATES OF OTTO TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL AND OTTO-ELDRED JR./SR. HIGH SCHOOL The alumni associations from both Otto Township High
School and O-E Jr./Sr. High School are now combined into one association.
The new name is The Otto/Otto-Eldred Alumni Association and membership is
open to all who graduated from both schools as well as those who attended
and would like to come to the annual reunion.
The mailing list is being updated and computerized.
We are looking for graduates from 1969, 1976 and everyone from 1978 on up.
If you would like to be included in the annual mailing list, please e-mail
Jane Larson (wife of Roger, Class of 1958) at:
jane1945@zoominternet.net
with your name, address and year of graduation. Or you can write to the
association secretary (Marilyn Fuss Kahle, Class of 1954) at: Otto/Otto
-Eldred Alumni Association, PO Box 38, Duke Center, PA 16729. And please
spread the word. Thank you.
The Otto Township Chamber of Commerce
recently held a meeting to plan upcoming spring events. The chamber plans many
activities and betterments for Otto Township including: American Flags,
Christmas decorations, Christmas flowers, Angel Tree, Light Contest Prizes,
Easter Egg Hunt, Senior scholarships, and many others.
February Citizen of the Month
The February citizen of the month is Judy Sanderson Schwab of Duke Center. Judy has been chosen citizen of the month because of her volunteerism to the Otto Township Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary. Judy has lived in Otto Township her whole life. She grew up in Rixford, down Depot Street, also known as Tin Can Alley. She was one of many sisters and one brother. She remembers playing outside building cabins with Larry and Janice Causer. Judy now lives on Main Street Duke Center. She says the best thing about our community is that it’s small. She volunteers in the Auxiliary and works at Ethan Allen as a seamstress. She enjoys doing housework and hanging out at home. Judy has three children. Tiffany is married to Gary Farr and lives in Rixford. She has two children. Jessica is married to Cody Pierce, and Paul, currently a senior. As far as changes to our community, she would like to see more activities for kids and teens. She would like to see more people in the fire department. While we look up to her, she looks up to her brother Randy. Randy, she says, is always there when needed and is very active in the fire department.
December/January Citizen of the Month
The December/January citizen of the month is Chris Rodgers
of Rixford. Chris has lived in the area her whole life. She is married to
Bob and the mother of Tate, 14, and Nate 12.
Chamber Donates $5000 to Fire Department
Brian Nichols, Deb Bennett and Ted Brunner
accept a check for $5000 from Dale Magee on behalf of the Otto Township Chamber
of Commerce on Sunday Nov. 18th. The check will be used to buy a new
tanker in the spring.
November Citizen of the Month
The November citizen of the month is Val Nichols of Duke Center. Val is originally from Bradford, however, she met and married a local boy, Brian Nichols and moved to Rixford. After living there for 2 years, she moved to Duke Center. She has been a resident of our township since 1991. Val lives with her husband Brian, her son, Josh, who's 17, and her daughter, Brittany who is 15. You can find Val at the Otto Eldred Elementary School where she is the head cook. She is there for both lunch and supper. Val likes living in Duke Center because it is a small community with nice neighborhood with not much crime; a good place to raise her family. When Val isn't working, you can find her volunteering for the Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. You will find her smiling face in the kitchen there for almost every event. Val would like to see more people get involved in the organizations of our community, more volunteerism, and more people out to support the activities that occur in our community. While we look up to Val, she looks up to Marilee Nichols. Marilee, she says, is a pleasant person who is involved in community activities. She's a caring person who can be counted on when needed.
Duke Center Superette Closes After More Than 60 Years of Service
By: Susan Freer The Duke Center community will soon loose one of its oldest businesses. On Friday, October 12th, the Duke Center Superette will close its doors after serving the community for more than 60 years. The store was originally built by the Snow Family, Ted, Walt, Vic, and Tom, in the early 1940's. In 1957 Gene and Wanda Spencer purchased the store and operated it for 27 years, selling it to Donna and Sonny Marshall in 1984. They made many changes such as expanding the grocery selection, building warehouse space, and adding a meat room for special cuts. The Marshalls operated the grocery store and gas station successfully for 15 years until they retired in 1999. It was then purchased by Sharon Littlefield and Buck and Kelley Daniels, who currently operate it. The Superette will certainly be missed. Duke Center residents will no longer have luxury of running to the corner for a gallon of milk or to fill up their gas tanks. Their nearest conveniences will be located in neighboring towns of Bradford and Eldred. Mark Palmer, Otto Township Supervisor, commented, "It will leave a big void in the community. Everyone in town will be without a place to buy the basic necessities." Mike Miller, President of the Duke Center Chamber of Commerce, noted, "It's sad to see it go from a personal standpoint. It's a place I've gone to visit with people my whole life. They have worked very well with the Chamber of Commerce and helped with many events. It will be an inconvenience for a lot of people." Some say it's a sign of the times. Others say small stores can no longer compete with superstores and discount gas stations. One thing is sure. As Duke Center residents line up on Main Street Friday afternoon to watch the Homecoming parade, there will also be a note of sadness for the loss of a landmark. Homecoming
The 2007 homecoming game was held on Friday, October 12th against Kane High School. During halftime, Brittany Price and Travis Bair were crowned Queen and King. They will rein over the dance on Saturday night. Congratulations to Brittany and Travis! October Citizen of the Month The October citizen of the month is Greg Given of Duke Center. Greg has been nominated because of his involvement in Otto Township. A life long resident, Greg is a member of the Boys Scouts where he is a scout master, and a member of the Otto Township Lion's Club. Greg has fond memories of growing up in Duke Center. He was on the baseball team; he hunted, fished and trapped in the surrounding area. Greg enjoyed riding his 4 wheeler wherever he wanted to go. The best thing about living here, says Greg, is that he knows everyone and feels at home wherever he goes. Greg still enjoys hunting, fishing, computers, photography and motorcycle riding. He works at Cooper Power Systems as a computer programmer. Greg is the son of Jerry and Sue Given of Duke Center. He has a sister Kim Alfieri in Smethport. She is married to Tom and has three children, Connor, Preston and Jocelyn. Greg is engaged to Karen Mostyn of Eldred and will be married in June. (There goes the eligible bachelor of Duke!) As for changes, Greg would like to see the cemetery better taken care of in town. It's often unkempt. He does appreciate the flags that have been flying throughout the communities. While we look up to Greg, he looks up to his dad. Jerry has taught him all he needs to know about life, and he has a nice tractor!
September Citizen of the Month The September citizen of the month is Randy Sanderson of Rixford. Randy was nominated because of his volunteering in Otto Township. Randy grew up in Rixford and has lived in the area all his life. Randy married Michele Schwab and has two girls, Ashton, 13, and Brittany 11. Randy has fond memories of growing up in Rixford. He enjoyed Jr. High School, particularly Miss Fragle. He enjoyed riding his ATV and building forts in the woods with the Nichols boys. In fact, it's the wooded hills that Randy says are the best things about living in our area. Randy belongs to the Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department, the Keating Sportsman's Club, ATV Traction and the Eldred Conservation Club. He enjoys hunting, fishing, trapping and riding his ATV. Randy works for the Minard Run Oil and Gas Company where he is a well tender. Something that would make Otto Township better would be more industry and jobs to keep people from moving away. While we look up to Randy, he looks up to Ozzie Schwab. Ozzie, he says, is his best friend and hero.
BUY A PIECE OF HISTORY by Jane Larson, secretary
Otto Township Park Commission
As many of you know, the Otto Township pool was not
given a bathing occupancy permit by the Department of Environmental
Protection due to problems with the filtration and drain systems at the
pool. Because there was no "fix and repair" to be done, the pool had
to be closed this year, after 50 years of operation. That's the bad
news.
The GOOD news is there are people working to secure
funding for a feasibility study for a new pool. We have half of the money
now, thanks to a no-match funds grant from Representative Marty Causer. I
am hopeful the matching amount will come from the Pennsylvania Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources (they are the folks who fund pools).
We have a consultant coming this month to discuss the steps we need to
follow. We are looking at ways to raise money - BIG
and little amounts - to fund construction of a new pool. Fund raising
ideas are welcome, as are donations. And now, the reason for this
article.
Any of you who swam at the pool - or your kids and
grandkids swam there - or maybe you were on the swim/diving team,
remember the wire mesh baskets in the bath house. Rather than let them
rust into dust, they are being sold for $5 each to help raise money.
They are great for storing all kinds of "stuff" like magazines, DVD's, CD's,
towels, cleaning supplies, garage stuff - just about anything you can think
of can be stored in one of the baskets.
If you are interested in purchasing one for
yourself or as a gift ( great idea for someone who lives away from here )
please call me: (814) 966-3880 or e-mail me:
jane1945@zoominternet.net for more information. Please mention
"Otto Pool" in the subject line if you e-mail me.
Get your PERSONALIZED BANNER NOW Prices $110 (for Oil Well Photo) $130 (for any other Photo) Anyone can order these banners; they can say a business name, family name or no name (just town information). Our goal it make Otto Township look more welcoming, we need your help for this. All banners will be taken down during the winter months to prolong the banners life span. All $$$ MUST be rec'd BEFORE Banners are ordered Please contact Katie @ 814-225-4805 for more information August Citizen of the Month
The August citizen of the month is Christopher Schwab of Duke Center. Chris was nominated because of his involvement in the Otto Township Volunteer Fire Department. Chris has lived in Duke Center his entire life. He fondly remembers playing high school football, going to the Otto Pool, and riding his ATV in the surrounding hills. Chris enjoys living in the area because it is small with not much crime. Chris belongs to the Fire Department and is also a member of District 15, a wildfire crew. He enjoys fishing, hunting, sports and riding his ATV. Chris lives with his parents, Ozzie and Patty Schwab up Kansas Branch Road. He has three sisters, Lisa, Christie and Julie. When asked what changes he would like to see, Chris replied he would like to see more people become involved in the fire department and community organizations. While we look up to Chris, he looks up to his dad, Ozzie Schwab. Ozzie is involved in many community organizations and always seems to know the right thing to do. WWOD? Was a popular bumper sticker awhile ago. If you know what that means, you know Christopher Schwab!
July Citizen of the Month
The July citizen of the month is Karen Jeannerette from Duke Center. Karen was nominated for her participation in the Angel Tree project in December and for her willingness to volunteer in local community events. Karen grew up on Moody Hollow Road, then married Jack and moved to Duke Center. Karen's favorite memories of growing up in the area include having a loving and caring family, where she worked in her Dad's store and on her Grandmother's farm. She also enjoyed all the neighborhood kids getting together to play baseball and other outdoor games. Karen says the best thing about living in our area is the friendly people, who are always there for you when needed. This area is a wonderful place to raise children. Karen has been married to Jack for 43 years and has two boys, Mike and Derrick. Mike is married to Ricci and has Meaghan and Ryon, Derrick is married to Laura. Karen can be found working at the Armstrong Telephone Company office in Duke Center, but not for long. Karen will be retiring July 31st. She enjoys belong to the red hat group and going to community events. Karen is a gardener and enjoys spending time with her family. As for changes in the community, Karen would like to see more people take pride in the appearance of their homes, and a new pool for the children. While we look up to her, she looks up to all the older residents of our area. They were the ones who set the standards to make our community what it is. They also have time to sit and visit about all the interesting things that have happened in Duke Center through the years. Thank you, Karen, for being such a great citizen and for always having a smiling face when we see you!
Attention Vendors interested in Old Home Days
Old Home Days, INC Duke Center PA 16729 On July 27, 28, 29 2007 we are having our annual Old Home Days in Otto Township Park in Duke Center, PA. On Friday night, we have a dance and a Pony Pull at the park. Cost for the Pony Pull will be $5.00 per truckload. Saturday we start with a parade, car show, food, games music and fun for all ages. Then around 9:30pm we have a giant firework display, followed by more music until 11.00pm. Our annual King and Queen set of the fireworks display that usually last over a half hour. Sunday we will be having a blue grass festival from 11:00am to 6:pm. ************************************************************************************************************ We will provide a 10x20 space for you. The festival is held outside so you might want to have a tent if possible, your own table and chairs. We will be charging $25.00 for the space. If you need electric and extra $15.00 will be charged. This also helps us in setting up vendor sites knowing if you need an electric site. If your group is a Non-profit group, space is free. This fee is nonrefundable. Note all vendors are required to provide their own extension cords, which should be heavy duty and at least 100 feet in length. Camping is available at the township fire hall for a fee. ************************************************************************************************************ In 2003 we had a few minor problems with items sold. We ask that NO realistic type guns or knives be sold. We also want no silly string, or poppers to be sold as the clean up at the park is done by very few people and all has to be cleaned up after the event. We also ask that no GLOW IN THE DARK NECKLACES be sold, as that is what Old Home Days sell to help with the cost of getting in stage events. Please note no pets or bikes. ************************************************************************************************************ If interested please fill in the form below and return to Lauren Kuhn 1545 Looker Mt Trail Rixford, Pa 16745 Email: trueroo@zoominternet.net 814-966-3025 Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ City: _________________________ State: ______________ Zip: _____________________________________________ Email Address: _______________________ Type of Craft: ___________________________________________________ I understand that the Otto Township Old Homes Days Committee, Inc or Otto Township Park will not be responsible for accidents, injury, theft or loss of property. I also understand I am responsible for all legal and sales tax details. Signature: _________________________________________________Date: ______________________________________ All monies must be received by June 15, 2006. Make checks payable to Otto Township Old Home Days, Inc. You may pre-order Old Home Days T-shirts at a cost of $10.00 for sizes S, M, L, & XL. All other sizes are $12:00. Name: ________________________________________________ Sizes__________________________________________ Total Qty: ______________________________________ Enclosed Amount: ___________________________________
June Citizen of the Month
The June citizen of the
month is Bonnie Regis of Duke Center. Bonnie lives up Kansas Branch road
with her husband, Troy, and her three daughters, Chelsea, 13, Kortney, 10 and
Haileae 6. Bonnie was chosen because of her involvement in the
community.
Site Update! Latest Update: I've started working on the Archive of the past Citizens of the Month! It will be great to finally have all of our past recipients posted here on the website again. Click here. I had been having some problems with the previous incarnation of the site. It's PHP scripts were chewing up all the processing power on the server, and it had to go. We also had a problem with bots sending spam from the site. The bots were also posted a bunch of spam in the forums. Enough with the technical mumbo-jumbo, the site has looked the same for about a year, and it's time for a new look! You'll find it's pretty much the same, with a few added things. One of the things I'm most excited about is our weather button. You can see up above the current weather for Duke Center. This is actually the current weather in Duke Center, observed by a personal weather station in "downtown Duke Center" by a WeatherUnderground user who lives in town, who may step forward if he so chooses. So what you are seeing in that box is the actual weather right here in Duke Center, updated every few minutes. Isn't that cool? :-) Site is still under construction. I'm finally bringing the Citizen of the Month archives back online :-) Speaking of that, we have a new citizen, er, citizens for May! Scroll down! May Citizens of the Month!  The May citizens of the month are Ronda and Dan Skoken of Duke Center. Ronda and Dan have been nominated because of their volunteering in the community and because they're just nice people to be around! Ronda and Dan moved into Otto Township 10 years ago. Ronda grew up in Bradford, met Dan and moved to Salamanca. They then moved into her mother's home over Columbia because they wanted to live in the country. Then, with the threat of Dan's having to leave for the war, they moved to Duke Center as Ronda didn't want to live on 53 acres of land alone. We now can find them on Sweitzer Drive with their two dogs, a cat, and daughter, Haley. Ronda and Dan have three daughters. Tiffany Mager lives in Little Valley with her three daughters, Aurora, Taylar and Gabriella. Kelsey Hampton lives in Virginia Beach and is going to have a son in August. Kelsey's husband, Aaron is in the service and will be leaving for the Mediterranean Sea for six months on the 18th. He won't be here for the birth of his son, so Kelsey will move home for the summer. Haley, the youngest daughter, will be a senior in high school next year. Ronda works as a crisis intervention specialist at Olean high school and is also a program coordinator for independent living skills in Cattaraugus County. She will be going back to college to pursue a bachelors degree. Dan has been a track foreman at Allegheny and Eastern Railroad out of Johnsonburg for 15 years. Before that, he was a juvenile corrections officer at the Great Valley Youth Camp. Dan also retired from the national guard after 21 1/2 years. Dan belongs to the Lions Club, the Eldred legion and is a trustee at the Duke Center United Methodist Church. Ronda is a member of the Smethport legion and they both belong to the Otto Township Chamber of Commerce/Old Home Days Committee. Ronda and Haley help out at the Illusive Riders in Smethport at Rainy Day Farms for handicapped children. Ronda used to be a girl scout leader. They both enjoy bowling, boating, gardening, bird watching and family activities. Dan enjoys golfing and has planned on teaching Ronda for 21 years. Ronda and Dan both enjoy living in the township because of the close-knit community full of fantastic people. There are fun activities to do if you look for them. Between the church, girl scouts, firehall and the other organizations, there are things to do if you get out and do them. As for changes, Dan would like to see a new pool and Ronda a new rubberized track. They both would like to see a coffee shop were the adults could go meet for a cup of coffee and conversation. They both would like to see more involvement in the chamber from members of the community as well as businesses. While we look up to them, they look up to Ralph and Evelyn Jordan. The Jordans are good, kind, Christian people who are generous and caring. Everything people ought to be! Thank you for moving to our area!!!! Chamber to Sponsor Chicken Barbeque
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