CCCF 2013 Annual Meeting

The Board of Directors of the Clarion County Community Foundation held its Annual Meeting on March 20th, our sixth since or founding 13 March 2007.  As part of our anniversary we placed a flower on the graves of those who are honored by memorial funds and those who have established a fund.

We elected to second terms of two years the officers of the Board: President Bill Kaufman, Vice President Charles Marlin, Treasurer Jerry Belloit, and Secretary Clara Belloit.  Our current Trustees on the Board of Bridge Builders Community Foundations are serving terms that expire 13 March 2015.  We elected the 13 March 2016 class of directors: Janice Horn, Jamie Lefever, Andy Montana, and Sally Vereb.

We hope to recruit three additional members to the Board; and extend an invitation to anyone interested in the work of the community foundation to contact our president, Bill Kaufman at (814) 229-8622.  Two members, Nancy Ambrose and Bill Rupert, retired at the end of their terms, and shall be missed.  Nancy Ambrose was a Founding Director of CCCF.

Following the election, the Board took three actions which must now be given final approval by the BBCF Trustees.  First, we changed the CCCF Bylaws to eliminate the restriction on the number of terms a Director may serve if elected; and to allow officers of the Board to serve two consecutive terms of two years.

Second, we approved the Adam Weeter Memorial Scholarship Fund for Keystone High School Seniors.  It will be a $2,000. scholarship, beginning this year.

Third, we approved a joint grant to the Clarion Y, a satellite of the Oil City Y, of $250 from CCCF, to be added to $750 from the Venango Area Community Foundation.  Charles Marlin

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Two New Board Members

Clarion County Community Foundation has two new members on the Board of Diirectors.  They are, on the left, Greg Faller, Clarion County Democratic Commissioner and Fryburg community leader; and Andy Montana, owner of Ace Montana Realty in Clarion.  We welcome them to the Board and thank them for their dedicated interest in providing trusteeship for scholarships and endowed trusts in Clarion County.

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Review of Lost in Shangri-La

As World War II was coming to a close, twenty-four U.S. soldiers crashed into the New Guinea mountains while on a sightseeing excursion.  Curiously enough, the plane was on its way to fly over a recently discovered hidden valley untouched by the modern world.  The twenty-one men and women who were killed included nine Women’s Army Corps (WAC) members.  One of those, Laura Earline Besley, was a local Pennsylvania woman from Shippenville.

On May 13, 1945, Ms Besley was one of only four not to perish in the actual crash, but sadly she died the next day from what were probably internal injuries.  Lost in Shangri-La, by Mitchell Zuckoff, details that experience and the ongoing story of the three survivors, who faced severe burns, the harsh conditions of a mountain jungle, and indigenous people thought to be violent and dangerous.  The book goes on to recount one of the most interesting and unusual rescue missions of World War II.

I was inspired to read Lost in Shangri-La because of the local connection to Laura Besley.  If one is looking to learn about her and her demise this book is a good place to start.  The Clarion County Historical Society has an informative display for anyone interested in the particulars of this story as they pertain to Ms Besley.

One of the things I enjoyed most about the book was the way the author depicted the cultural clash and misunderstandings among the soldiers, the rescuers, and the natives.  The book informs and entertains with rich anthropological details about the Dani, a supposedly war mongering people who were completely isolated from the rest of the world.

At first, the author emphasized the potential brutality of Stone Age cannibals who smear their bodies in pig grease and wear genital gourds.  As I am sensitive to the stereotypes towards native people, I found this depiction to be jarring, but over the course of the story I came to believe the author portrays the Dani in a fair and interesting way.

The author’s language can be stark, but it is meant to represent the attitudes and ideals of the times, capturing a period of transition in how we in the modern West imagine the exotic cultures in the hidden corners of the world.  On the other hand, the author’s sympathetic portrayal of the Phillipino-American soldiers who volunteered for the rescue mission is somewhat less telling about the attitudes of the times.

One should not underestimate the research behind these kinds of historical accounts, and I applaud the author for his devotion to historical accuracy.  On occasion, however, I wished for a more literary interpretation of the events.  There were times when the writing felt too much like a no-nonsense account from a field reporter.

No matter if one is a lover of history, or simply enjoys a good adventure story, Lost in Shangri-La does not disappoint.  This kind of creative non-fiction writing is an enjoyable way to access the richness of history.  Joe Occhipinti

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Tri-County Animal Rescue Center Legacy Fund

The Tri-County Animal Rescue Center Inc. has established a fund contract with the Clarion County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Bridge Builders Community Foundations, for the creation of the Tri-County Animal Rescue Center Legacy Fund.  This means friends of the Center who wish to make a bequest to the Center in their will, or to make another type of planned giving, or to support the fund now, have a legal document in place to protect their gift in perpetuity.

The Community Foundation will be the nonprofit, community directed, public trustee for the fund, charged with prudently investing donations, protecting and growing the principal , and returning to the Center income from the fund.  If anyone would like a copy of the fund contract to study, stop in at the Center and they will be happy to give you a copy.

The Center opened December 3, 2011, in the freshly painted and refurbished building of the former animal shelter at 9562 Rt 322, Shippenville PA, between the junctions of Rt 208 to the West and Rt 66 to the East.  It is a dedicated no-kill rescue and placement center.  The officers and volunteers are careful to not take in animals if space is not available.

It is a sad truth there are more companion animals than there are responsible pet owners; but it is an article of faith at the Center that there are many potentially wonderful pet owners in every community for whom the Center has the perfect animal waiting to be adopted.

The Center needs volunteers to help care for the animals at the Center and to keep the place clean and healthy.  The Center needs donors to help cover the expenses of running an active center.  The Center needs potential owners to come in and fall in love with their future pet.

Currently the Center is licensed to care for cats only, but has renovations planned so they can be licensed for dogs and to run a foster care program.  The renovations await future donations to cover the costs.  The Center also has a low cost spay and neuter program for cats.  For information about this program, please call the Center.

If a pet owner is having a hard time paying for their pet’s food, the Center has a pet food bank that works just like people food banks.  When in stock, the Center has dog food and cat food.  Stop in to take advantage of this program.

To visit, donate, or volunteer, call (814) 918-2032 for their hours, or contact them at contactus@tricounty-arc.org  If visiting, look for their sign with the cat & dog logo.

 

 

Our pictures include all of the Center tee shirt colors available; Bill Kaufman, President of CCCF, and Patty Laswick, President of Tri-County signing the fund contract; the officers of Tri-County, from left to right, Carol Lanzoni, Secretary and Treasurer, Debbie Stephens, Vice-President and Medical/Foster Manager, and Patty Laswick with Bill Kaufman standing behind the officers.

Then to touch your heart, Carol Lanzoni is holding up a kitten who is looking for you.  Other kittens in the fight for your heart are also shown.  Charles Marlin

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The Cricket Inn

Hail to the chef, The Cricket Inn on Rt 322 between the Marianne Estates and Shippenville PA is a great soup-and-sandwich shop.  For the old timers, it’s where Judy’s Motel once stood, that later became The Keg & Crate, and then burned down.  The Cricket is in a section of the old motel, with bright yellow doors.

Dave Woolslayer, graduate of Clarion University and Community College of Allegheny County, opened last June, and keeps hours 7 to 7, Tuesday through Saturday.  You can order takeout at 782-3355, but you will miss the fun of eating in.  The decor has a little bit of everything for a friendly, funny atmosphere.  Just when have you dined under Picasso’s Guernica?  Never, I bet.  If you plan ahead, he does cakes and pies to order.

I can personally attest to the tasty Crabby Club that could hold its own on the East coast.  I also enjoyed the Grilled Meatloaf sandwich on dark, marble bread with spicy Dijon mustard.  I have had three of his own soups: Potato, Ham & Pea, and Mulligatawny, each excellent.

If you really plan ahead you can order the Cricket Special.  The organic, cage free crickets are shipped live, dipped in a very light batter, then lowered into hot oil with an Asian strainer for less than a minute.  I am not allowed to say how he lifts the fragile cluster out of the strainer on to paper towels and then to an arranged bed of fancy lettuce on a presentation plate, dressed with drizzled pomegranate sauce.  If there are crickets separate from the cluster, they are arranged as though guarding the cluster.

 

 

If you like to eat in local spots where you know who does the cooking and serving, you can talk to the big one who brings your minus because the big one is Dave.  Charles Marlin

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Mary E. Shaner Scholarships For 2011

 

The Mary E. Shaner Scholarships for 2011 were recently awarded; and they went to Katie Kohlenberg who plans to attend Clarion University, Bryan Botts who plans to attend Clarion University, and James Gillen who plans to attend Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

In the photograph, from left to right, are Katie Kohlenberg, KHS Principal Vicky Walters, Bryan Botts, and James Gillen.

Mary E. Shaner was a life time resident of the Knox area.  Her career was spent first in local classrooms, and then as librarian at Keystone High School, Knox PA.  A bequest in her will established the scholarship fund at Keystone that bears her name, entrusted to the Clarion County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Bridge Builders Community Foundations.  Charles Marlin

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More Clarion County Native Plant Sale

If you love using native plants in your garden and landscaping, mark your calendar June 14th and 15th, 9am-7pm at C & A Trees, 2.5 miles south of Clarion on Rt 68, a great place year round and host for this fund-raiser for the Seneca Rocks Audubon Society.  With 30 perennials, 3 vines, and 25 shrubs/small trees to choose from you will not go home empty-handed.

This our second post of plant images, so please back up and check out Clarion County Native Plant Sale.  Charles Marlin

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The Most Serene Spot In Clarion County

Serene and beautiful, the best that Clarion County PA can give you.  The old Seceder Presbyterian Cemetery is convenient and easy to locate, so do yourself a favor and visit soon.  It is three minutes off of Exit 64 of I-80, the Clarion/New Bethlehem exchange.  Go south on Rt 66 a quarter of a mile, turn left on the first single lane you see, then drive up to the top of the hill.

It’s old and honored by the presence of seven Revolutionary War veterans.  Betty Elza has just published Seceder Cemetery: A Transcription with Photographs, available on-line and locally in Clarion at The Book Nook and the Clarion County Historical Society.

Take the book with you when you visit.  It is an excellent field guide.  Charles Marlin

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Knox Library Light Shines Bright

The best news since moveable type has come to the Knox Public Library.  With cuts in state aid a yearly event, there is not a public library in Clarion County that is not starved for good news.  This is better news than all delinquent borrowers returning their overdue books and paying their full fines.

An anonymous donor has through the services of Clarion University Foundation given $120,000 to the library to help them relocate to their own building.  The library board in response, negotiated with the Clarion Forest VNA and have an agreement to purchase the current office building of the Clarion Forest VNA for $65,000.

Clarion Forest VNA will move to be close to the Clarion Hospital in Monroe Township.  The Knox Public Library will move down Main Street to their first stand alone building.

This is a wonderful move for the library, but for it to succeed and also expand services, the Knox community has to step forward in mass and give as they have never given before.  The building needs upgrades, and as everyone knows, owning your own home does not come cheap.  There are new yearly expenses.  There are emergencies.  There are costs to looking loved and well cared for.

You have hopefully already responded to the library’s yearly letter asking for support.  Expect more appeals for support.  Please don’t think of them as a burden because they are first and foremost an opportunity to build your community.

If you decide you would like to make a bequest in your will to create an endowed fund for the Knox Public Library, then the Clarion County Community Foundation are the people for you to talk to.  We are a Commonwealth chartered nonprofit authorized to serve as trustee for community endowments.  We protect and grow those endowments in perpetuity.

When a fund contract is signed by CCCF and you, your family, or your executor, you know with certainty your wishes will be followed as to purpose and administration of your endowment.

You may contact the CCCF President Dr. Jerry Belloit, home (814) 227-2673, or cell (814) 221-5537; or our Interim Executive Director Dr. Bill Kaufman, home (814) 226-8216, CELL (814) 229-8622; or call me at (814) 797-2233.  Charles Marlin

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Bill Kaufman To Be BBCF Interim Director

The Board of Trustees of the Bridge Builders Community Foundations announces steps to transition the organization from the leadership of Mr. Stephen Kosak, after 21 years as Executive Director, to new leadership.

The Board has assigned Mr. Kosak a new title as Senior Executive Director effective when his employment with PNC Bank, National Association begins on January 1, 2011.  As Senior Executive Director he will advise, review, and consult with the Bridge Builders staff, Trustees, and affiliate Boards, serve Ex-Officio on the Bridge Builders Board of Trustees, and represent the community foundations at functions when appropriate.

Beginning January 1, 2011, Dr. Bill Kaufman of Clarion will serve as Interim Executive Director.  He has been given an ambitious set of instructions by the Bridge Builders Trustees.  Additionally he will manage the administrative offices at 213 Seneca Street, Oil City, meet with donors, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations seeking grants from one of the three affiliate community foundations.  All the services the foundations are known for will continue during this transition.

The specific challenges given to Dr. Kaufman are to evaluate all operations, budget, and staffing to create efficiencies, expand services, and economize; create goodwill in our service area; organize Penn Jefferson Community Foundation as an affiliate to serve Jefferson County; make recommendations for future operations, budget, and staffing; and finally to assist the Trustees in the employment of a new Executive Director.

After 37 years in education, Dr. Kaufman retired in July 2009 from his position of Executive Director of the Riverview Intermediate Unit 6.  Before his tenure at Riverview, Dr. Kaufman served 12 years as the Superintendent of the Clarion Area School District.  Prior to this, he was employed by the Oil City Area School District where he worked in several capacities ranging from math teacher and coach to assistant superintendent.  Dr. Kaufman received a BS in mathematics from Juniata College, a master’s degree from Westminster College, and a doctorate in education from Penn State.

Mrs. Lynn McCaslin of Tionesta, Trustee President, says, “the mission of Bridge Builders Community Foundations and the affiliates Clarion County Community Foundation, Forest County Community Foundation, and Venango Area Community Foundation is the same as under Mr. Kosak.  We are a nonprofit trustee for charitable endowment funds, administered by independent, local affiliate Boards and the final Board of Trustees.”

Mrs. McCaslin continues, “we emphasize local control, low administrative fees, and direct participation by donors, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations.  Our funds include scholarships, school funds, unrestricted funds, funds serving a specific nonprofit, cemetery funds, community funds, and field-of-interest funds.  Our breadth and commitment are unique.”

The phone number for the administrative offices in Oil City will remain (814) 677-8687 at 213 Seneca Street.  In Clarion County the mailing address is Clarion County Community Foundation, Suite A, 21 N 6th Avenue, Clarion PA 16214.  The Clarion County President is Dr. Jerry Belloit of Clarion, and Vice-President is Mr. Barry McCauliff of Shippenville.  The Forest County President is Mr. Jim Parrett of Marienville, and Vice-President is Mrs. Josie Habjanetz of Tionesta.  The Venango Area President is Mr. Joseph Keebler of Franklin, and the Vice-President is Mr. Ed Bergin of Franklin.

Pictured from left to right are Dr. Kaufman, Mrs. McCaslin, and Mr. Kosak.  Press Release

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