CLEARFIELD – Some area groups are getting together to help one of their own.
The Clearfield County Fair Queen and Court, Fair Queen Committee, Queens for Kids Committee, and the Fair Board Directors are hosting a spaghetti dinner for Fair Queen Committee Chairperson Arlene Swales.
Swales was the recipient of a liver transplant in September. According to Brenda Hunter, public relations director for the fair, Swales became ill and went into a coma. After coming out of her coma she has been rehabilitating at Mt. Laurel Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
According to Hunter, Swales was very active in the community. She was a member of the Lions Club, the Fair Queen Committee and was employed by the Department of Conservation and Natural resources prior to retiring, as well as being active in other organizations.
Friend and former co-worker Nancy Fetters provided this information about Swales:
She was born at the Clearfield Hospital on July 6, 1944 to Charles H. and Ethel M. (Valimont) Dunlap at Frenchville, she was the younger of two daughters. Grew up on a farm and was a member of 4-H for two years. Was a member of the Frenchville Grange and also danced on the Grange Square Dance Team for a number of years.
She attended and graduated from Clearfield High School June 2, 1962. Became engaged to Robert G. Swales of Clearfield in July, 1962, whom she married July 13, 1963.
Immediately upon graduation from CHS, she began her professional business career by working for a CPA firm in State College. She returned to Clearfield to take employment as a Dental Assistant and then shortly went to work for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Transportation. After 3 years she left employment with the Commonwealth and was a Claims Adjuster Secretary for a local insurance company for several years. She then took a position as Legal Secretary and left upon securing a Civil Service position as a Clerk Stenographer with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Forestry. On July 12, 2002 she retired from the position of Administrative Assistant with DCNR – Bureau of Forestry with 31-and-a-half years of service of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Her accomplishments with the commonwealth included being appointed to spearhead the first Clerical Uniform Committee that has led to the present time when every clerical employee within DCNR is given the opportunity for a wide selection of uniform articles to wear on a daily basis in their official duties.
She was also singled out to serve on many various statewide committees throughout her years of service, including purchasing, contracting, fire prevention and also participated in many Career Day activities at local Middle and High Schools in the promotion of service to the Commonwealth.
Her accomplishments have been recognized by receipt of a citation from the House of Representatives and Representative Camille “Bud” George and a Letter of Commendation from former Gov. of Pennsylvania, Mark Schweiker.
Throughout the years she has been involved in many community activities, including involvement with the PTA and many sports activities. She has accomplished many “firsts” in the Clearfield area including:
1. Formed the first Red & Black Club Auxiliary to involve women in sports activities and later spearheaded the movement for the two clubs to be joined together as one membership of men and women know as The Clearfield Red & Black Booster Club.
2. Was also active in the Clearfield Wrestling Club, Clearfield Little League and is a member of the Elk Hose Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary.
3. The first female member of the Clearfield Lions Club and to hold the position of President which she held for two consecutive years.
4. Helped form the Committee to develop the Clearfield County Fair Queen Program in 1988. Three years later was asked to resume the role of Chairperson of the Fair Queen Committee which she continues to hold, touching the lives of hundreds of young women.
5. Redesigned the entire Fair Queen Program that has continued to grow in popularity through the years. Has placed one individual as PA State Fair Queen, one as 1st Runner-up State Fair Queen and six in the Top 5 Finalists state competition.
6. In 2001 organized and began the “Queen’s for Kids” charity to involve the Fair Queen and her court in fund raising events to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.
7. To date, over $72,000 has been raised for CMN to help meet the medical needs of the children of Clearfield County and Central Pennsylvania in a 7 year period. “Queens for Kids” has been the largest single contributor in PA for seven (7) consecutive years thanks to her guidance.
8. In 2002 organized and began the “Queen’s for Kids” Music Fund Fest – an evening filled with entertainment, refreshments and prizes to help raise money for CMN.
9. Secured funding to enlarge the Fair Queen’s Dressing Room in Expo II at the Clearfield Driving Park. Since the Fair Queen and court must work and handle animals throughout fair week, their area now contains a shower, makeup stations with lighting, rest area and storage/closet areas for clothing requirements. In recognition of her devotion and commitment to the Fair Queen Program and the entire fair industry, the Clearfield Fair Board officially dedicated the remodeled office in her honor, June, 2006 and a permanent plaque has been installed.
10. Arlene’s accomplishments have been recognized by former Secretary of Agriculture, Samuel E. Hayes, Jr. and present Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolf.
11. March, 2007 was honored as Clearfield Business and Professional Women’s Club as “Women of the Year”.
12. On June 3, 2007 at the Children’s’ Miracle Network Telethon, she was presented with the Jack (Pap Pap) Dillman award for outstanding service to The Children’s Miracle Network Queens for Kids. The only such award presented in Pennsylvania.
“Mrs. Swales has a talent for looking at how to make things better and how to make a difference in people lives,” according to Samuel E. Hays, Jr., retired Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture
“Her husband Bob is currently not aware that we are doing this. We decided to keep it from him as long as possible so he wouldnt try to talk us out of it,” said Hunter. “Bob and Arlene are giving people and wouldnt want all this fuss made about them.”
To help cover the costs of Swales’ recovery, Clearfield County Fair Queen Dani Maines came up with the idea for a spaghetti dinner.
She would like to give something back to the program that has helped her over the years.
The dinner will be held May 17 at 4 p.m. at the Clearfield County Fair Grounds. The price is $6 for an adult and $3 for a child. Take outs are available.
All proceeds will benefit Arlene Swales.