DUBOIS – Galen Kilmer and Jean Hayes were named “People of the Year” by the DuBois Area Historical Society during the organization’s 29th Annual Dinner held at the Ft. Worth Restaurant in DuBois. Fifty-five members and guests attended the dinner.
Kilmer, the Society’s “Man of the Year” has been active on the Society’s executive council as the Area Representative for Sandy Township for the past five years. He has served on several committees including nominating and the lantern walk. He has been a tour leader and source of much background narration for the first three Lantern Walks. He has served as a museum guide during the Society’s annual open house and other events.
His love of history extends from his profession. A teacher at DuBois Area High School, Kilmer took over the local history class founded by another executive council member and “Man of the Year”, the now retired Todd Thompson. Since 2002, he has provided a yearly program for the Society highlighting the historical research completed by the students in his classes.
Hayes, the Society’s “Woman of the Year” is also active on the Society’s executive council as the Area Representative for Brady and Bloom Townships for the past nine years. She is also active on several committees including an active role in the first three Lantern Walks. One of her other skills on the domestic side of the ledger is baking. During the Festival of the Arts in downtown DuBois, she has coordinated the Society’s annual cookie sale, which always ranks in the top five fundraising activities held each year by the organization.
A retired school teacher, Hayes brings that love of education to the Society’s activities. In addition to the cookies, she will always be remembered for the classic line she wrote for her real life experience that she related at the first Lantern Walk – “The junior high is on fire!” – as she recalled the day the now demolished Scribner Avenue School was damaged by a fire.
The guest speakers for the evening were Dr. Anju Jolly and Pam Kirk, who presented “Sabula’s Secrets and Treasures.” Kirk has lived in and around DuBois all her life, the last 33 years in Sabula, and teaches special education at DuBois Area High School. Jolly was born and raised in India, but has lived for approximately 30 years at Sabula. She came to the United States in 1975. She worked at Penn State University for 15 years teaching and managing support programs, and has taught for the last 10 years at Penn State Harrisburg as a faculty member in the department of education. She is also a self-taught mosaic artist.
Their power-point presentation focused on Sabula’s development from a tiny railroad and and lumbering village that grew into the first local resort community. Particular attention was given to John DuBois’ construction of the lake to contain logs for his lumberyard, the construction of the train tunnels, and the establishment of the area as a summer residence for DuBois residents.
DuBois Area Historical Society President Evo Facchine was the master of ceremonies for the dinner. Virginia Schott introduced the speakers. Tom Schott presented the awards. Rev. Chris Ramsey, DuBois Area Combined Lutheran Ministries gave the invocation. Wal-Mart Bakery donated a cake for dessert.
Past recipients of the Man or Woman of the Year Award include: 1994 – Todd Thompson; 1995 – E. D. Reitz; 1996 – Marv Bloom and Gail King; 1997 – Diane Bernardo; 1998 – Tom and Virginia Schott; 1999 – Dr. George Nye and Nellie Beer; 2001 – Audrey Lott; 2002 – Beecher Klingensmith and Carol Johnson; 2003 – Dave Beer and Judy Leech; 2004 – Ken Wiser and Barb Emmer; 2005 – Ed and Jerry Watson; 2007 – Evo and Ann Facchine; 2008 – Gene Aravich and Carol Laughlin; 2009 – Rob Peoples and Agnes McCracken; and 2010 – Frank and Kathy Foulkrod.
The annual dinner is the opening program of another busy year for the DuBois Area Historical Society. Upcoming speakers and activities include: March 16 – Sean Craig, Photoshopping Your Old Photos, 7:30 p.m., E. D. Reitz Museum, DuBois; April 23 – Third Annual Spring Walk, during which Anne Young and students of DuBois Area High School’s Pupil Enrichment Program will unveiling their downtown DuBois walking tour; leaving from E. D. Reitz Museum, 11 a.m. May 26 – Galen Kilmer, DuBois Area High School Local History Projects, E. D. Reitz Museum, 7:30 p.m. June 4 – E. D. Reitz Museum open during Festival of the Arts, Downtown DuBois; Sept. 10 – DuBois Area Historical Society Annual Open House, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Oct. 15 – Fourth Annual “Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk,” TBA, 6 p.m. Nov. 12 – Annual Luncheon, speaker: John Shenkle, Sky Soldiers: Veterans of Air Combat, TBA.
