Stan Yoder Memorial Preserve

    Progress continues on the Master Plan with “rooms” giving us glimpses into our agrarian past. The Harris Township Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee oversees implementation of the plan. Overall, efforts are aimed at reducing invasive species such as autumn olive and honeysuckle.
     The current focus is on the orchard in the southeast corner of the Preserve. A local Eagle Scout plans to rehabilitate the area and to plant more native apple trees.
    Intensive mowing this past spring is having a major impact, but some areas will require more concentrated efforts. Paths have been widened by mowing, allowing easy access for all.
    A kiosk was installed near the entrance to the Preserve this past summer with the support of the Conservancy. An illustration of the Master Plan is currently displayed there and plans are under way to add information about the history of the Preserve. Doggie “waste” stations as well as several benches have also been added in recent months. Future
plans include an amphitheater and interpretive signage.
    When you have a chance, take a walk through the Preserve and enjoy the peace and solitude of this local treasure.
    –Patty Devecka, psdevecka@aol.com

Let the Light Shine: A history of lamps and lighting is portrayed
in the current exhibit at the Museum. Margaret
Tennis shares her collection of lamps. More than 130 are
on display, beginning with some very early ones, fueled
by whale oil, and progressing through the times when kerosene
was the mainstay. Many beautiful and rare lamps
are included, some of them electrified. Margaret has prepared
scores of handwritten legends to identify the individual
pieces. Her lifelong passion for lamps began when, at
age 13, she went to work for a family friend who operated
the Albright Lamp Company in Akron, Ohio. For many
years she operated her own lamp shop on Boal Avenue.
She sought out many extraordinary and rare items, often
refurbishing them prior to offering them for sale. The
Museum exhibit opened on November 3 and will be in
place through December 15.

What’s Happening? The house will receive its annual
spruce-up on November 26, when members of the Linden
Hall and Boalsburg Garden Clubs decorate for the holidays.
Words such as vintage, innovative, beautiful, and
magical help describe their efforts as they transform the
place into a wonderland. Don’t miss it. (continued)
❖ Museum hours: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 2 to 4 pm,
until November 27. Then every day through December
15, also from 2 to 4 pm.
❖ As part of Hometown Christmas activities, the Cookie
Contest will take place at the Museum. Bakers of all
ages are welcome to submit 14 cookies by 2 pm on
Saturday, December 1. Winners will be chosen by
judges on December 2. Remaining cookies then will
be sold to benefit the Museum.
❖ The Annual Meeting of the Museum Association:
December 13 at 7 pm at the Museum. Everyone is welcome.
Come see the exhibit, view the decorations,
have some refreshments, and visit with Margaret
Tennis. We will have a brief business meeting.
❖ The Museum will close December 16, reopen March
4, 2008. During the interval, members will inventory,
archive, and catalog holdings. Special tours or visits
are welcome. Call 466-6978 for tour information.

Repair and refurbish: Some fireplace bricks in the Summer
Kitchen were deteriorating. Phil Hawk and associate
came to our rescue with a professional restoration. Roofs
were repaired and given a thorough coating of waterproofing
compound. The work was ably done by Witherite
Home Improvement & Siding of Belle Ave. Most recently
we spruced up the kitchen, including fresh paint. Bud and
Pat Morgan and Pete and Phyllis High were the artisans
who did the work. A sincere vote of thanks is due these volunteers.

A Barn Dance? Sure, but not just yet The Board of Directors
took an exciting step November 8 when it voted to
erect a barn where one once stood on the property. We
believe that part of our mission is to remind and inform the
public that barns were an integral part of the village scene.
The structure will be a typical Pennsylvania bank barn—very
basic, no frills. Amenities and special interior adaptations
for specific uses will await the future. Mr. Stan Lindsay is
the contractor in charge; Mr. Mike Speicher and Sons will
erect the superstructure. Preparatory work, such as timber
mortising, will begin now. Actual erection probably will
happen in spring. As that time approaches, you will have
the opportunity to partner with us on construction costs
(translation: fund drive).
    —Earl Kesler, wkesler534@aol.com

For information on Boalsburg's Hometown Christmas, click here.

Planning is underway for a wide variety of activities
related to our town’s 200th anniversary in 2008–2009.
But we need your help to make sure it all happens. Please
join the current planners at their next meeting, 7:30 pm on
December 4, at the Township Hall meeting room. A list of
who’s in charge of which efforts is on the BVC 200th Website at http://boalmuseum.com/200th.htm
Thanks to everyone for sharing your time and energy!

Boalsburg Village Artisans: The Art of Giving, the Giving of Art

On behalf of the BVA, "Thank you, Boalsburg!" for your
warm and supportive welcome into the community of merchants.
Since our opening Memorial Day weekend, literally
hundreds of art lovers have come away with high
quality, one-of-a-kind, collectable works of art: wood arts,
clothing, quilts, pillows, paintings, and photography, just to
name a few.
During the holidays, the BVA Gallery will also feature jewelry,
stain glass, and pottery. Come and enjoy a cup of hot
tea, festive cookies, and great art!
"The Art of Giving; The Giving of Art" at the BVA Gallery,
located at 203 East Main Street. Please check our web
site for upcoming exhibitions and gallery tours of selected
holiday gifts.
Hours
November 23–December 16:
Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 am–5 pm
Wednesdays and Fridays, 10 am–7 pm
Sundays, 12–4 pm
Monday and Tuesdays, Closed
December 17–23:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saurday, 10 am–5 pm
Wednesday and Friday, 10 am–7 pm
Sunday (12/23), 12–6 pm
    –Annie-hannah Mancini, lenzwomn2@aol.com

Burgeoning Merchants’ Association

What Drew You to Boalsburg?

The Boalsburg Village Conservancy

P.O. Box 451

Boalsburg, PA 16827

Join the Boalsburg Village Conservancy

Opportunities to Share in Your Community; Annual, Lifetime, and Business Memberships Available

Yes, I want to support Harris Township, Boalsburg Village, and all they represent in our culture and history. My check is

enclosed, made out to the Boalsburg Village Conservancy. Donations are tax deductible.

NAME(S) ____________________________________________________________________________________

BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION _____________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________________________

CITY/STATE/ZIP _______________________________________________________________________________

PHONE NUMBER _____________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS __________________________________

Please mail form with your check to: Boalsburg Village Conservancy, P.O. Box 451, Boalsburg, PA 16827. Or send your

interests by e-mail to chris@boalmuseum.com.

Web site: http://boalmuseum.com/bvc.htm. Local events: http://boalsburgvillage.com.