March 30, 2006

LILLY LINES

March 30, 2006

by Jack Barlick 886-4694

NEWSLETTER

The Lilly/Washington Historical Society has just finished mailing a 2006 newsletter and membership application to over 1200 residents and former residents. Take the time to review it and also keep the schedule of events for reference.

You do not have to be a current resident to be a member. The society welcomes all former residents and those that have ties to the community as members. Just in the Mainline alone there are hundreds of former residents living in the Cresson, Portage , Gallitzin and Munster areas. All are welcome.

Daily the society acquires new information on events and people from the past and part of its goal is to document all of this for future reference by the children of the future. One of the reasons for the delay in the printing of the history book is the additional information that merits inclusion.

Be a part of this community proud organization that feels each person has a story. Your small donations now and your signing on as a member will help the society continue its work.

The Bi-centennial committee is running a cash and gift lottery that will be on going until the drawings on the Labor Day weekend. These tickets that can be ordered on a form in the newsletter or purchased locally will help finance the many projects planned through out the year. If every one buys a ticket or two it will help guarantee quality events.

Spring is here and the weather reports look better so most of us will be getting the fever to get out side. Most residents of Lilly and Washington Township take great pride in the condition of their homes and property’s. As there will be hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors this summer for the many exciting events consider planting a few extra flowers and displaying your American flag daily along with heritage flags of your ancestors nationalities and your military service.

I could give you a hundred reasons why the Lilly area is a great place to live, just let me say that I am proud to be from Lilly and enjoy being part of the community. Others must agree as real estate is hard to obtain here , its rare that many houses stay on the market.

Today, March 30^th is a big day for Donald "Zeke" Behe. He hits 50 today so if you see him in your travel wish him well and if you are lucky enough to catch him at the Legion or Sokols raise a glass in his honor.

"Zeke" has been a friend for years, I first met him when he joined our Boy Scout Troop about 1970 and he was one of the reliable kids that would help with any job. Later years he would help at the firemen carnivals and often stayed up all night as a security guard for us.

Today also, Gerald Behe, Jon Brickley and George Lukacs celebrate as will Carmella Drass, Kristy Nadolsky, Barbara Seaman, Keith Shedlock and Linda and MeganWheeler on the 31^st.

April Fools day also means birthdays for Christina (Kertes) Kearns and John Skura.On the 2^nd those eating cake and ice cream include Dave Beck, Gary Lee, Shirly Przybys, John Pyo, Patrick Shedlock and Christine Wheeler.

Also on the 2^nd Duane Misiura Sr. celebrates. If your up early you may catch him down town to give him a birthday greeting. On the 3^rd Rita Norris will celebrate.

The 4^th will find lots of parties going on as Michael Waksmunski, Howard McIntosh, Patty Muldoon, Francis Risko, Betty Behe and Jack Bost all celebrate as will Shane Hartline, Matt Nadolsky and Mary Ann Segada on the 5^th.

Robert "Bob" Behe was born in Washington Township, a son of Joseph and Mae (Bailey) Behe

Bob joined the United States Navy in 1954 during the Korean Conflict. He served as a Seabee

and saw service in Cuba and Newfoundland . He was discharged in 1958 with the rank of Petty Officer 3^rd Class.

Bob married Ruth(Lee) and raised 5 children. He is retired as a pipe fitter from United Mine Workers Construction and resides with his wife in Sankertown.

His brothers also were veterans most serving during WW2 they include: "Skip" who served with the Army Air Force; Ken with the Army; Jerome, also a Seabee, Harry" Popeye" with the Navy and Jim also with the Navy.

Bob is also a musician being an accomplished fiddle and mandolin player.. During the late 50's he and his brother Skip along with a cousin John and Bernard Leja would play for square dances at the Mickey Kuntz’s farm where "Chet" McNally would be the caller.

The band also played at clubs and weddings in the Lilly and Portage area including the old CharlAnn Bar on 53 that is now Johnnie Angels.

Lilly has the rare honor of having a resident that was named a bishop and that was the late Bishop Adrian Veigle T.O.R. who served as the Bishop of Borba, Brazil .He was also a poet and pilot along with having served as President of St. Francis College

On June 25^th of this year the Veigle family is returning to Lilly for a reunion during the Wagon

Train weekend and are planning to present his vestments and chalice to the Franciscan Friary for permanent display at the Charles Schwab mansion at St. Francis University.

The bell from the belfry at St. Brigid church , now Our Lady of the Alleghenies, was shipped to Bishop Adrian in Brazil years ago and is still in use there.