Summer Might be Over, but the Fun Isn't

Although the leaves are already changing, this is officially the first week of Fall in mountains of South Central Pennsylvania. The forest are rapidly changing from green to every color under the rainbow and snow can't be that far off.

Mail Pouch barn along Route 219 outside of Grampian, PA.

Built in the 1890s by a local doctor, the McCoy House is now a bed and breakfast in Hastings, PA.

New York Aster -- Aster novi-belgii

Central Cambria (with the ball) vs. Cambria Heights

If you look closely, you can see the football.

One woman rescue team enters the water at Lake St. Francis prior to the Third Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta.

The Third Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, sponsored by the Psychology Club at Saint Francis University, was held on Lake St. Francis, Saturday afternoon.

Psychology Department faculty members got in on the fun.

Fall has just begun and as you can see from the tree shown here in the center, the leaves have already begun to change. This opening in our tree line faces due east.

I caught this gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) burying acorns in the yard.

One car, one pole, one driver -- the pole won.

Ed's pond along Poplar Road.

Looking like an impressionist painting, this photograph shows the reflection of the trees along the shore in the water on Ed's pond.

Out the back door, 1/2 mile through the woods, and there lies a Gateway computer monitor. Go figure!

Last Week of Summer - 2006

This is the last week of summer. The leaves are already starting to change colors in this part of south central Pennsylvania. Fall is upon us.

Central Cambria "Red Devil" cheerleaders -- this is just part of the cheerleading team at the Central Cambria vs. Penn Cambria game. Penn Cambria was the victor.

One of the unsung heroes of high school football are the trainers. They play a very important role and are instrumental part of the team. Shown here is the Central Cambria trainer.

Penn Cambria's fullback, #5, charging through the Red Devil offense.

Shoppers at the Annual New Germany Arts and Crafts held over this weekend. The last Arts and Crafts festival of the summer.

Close-up of wine corks which are actually part of a trivet made by my friend Bruce B. who is a cartoonist and a wood turner.

Everybody knows what orange pumkins look like. I ran the original picture through PhotoShop.

I saw this piece of stained glass at the festival and thought it was interesting, 'til I got finished with it, it looked like some kind of alien.

I think I'm gonna use this picture as one of our Christmas cards this year.

This is one of two ladies who have been producing kettle cooked popcorn for the past seven years. One of 15 pictures taken over 2 minutes and 8 seconds that showed the production of a pot of kettle corn. 24 oz of oil, 64 oz of popcorn were used to produce this full pot of popped corn. By the way, the woman on the kettle is a Marine. Semper Fi

One of three greyhounds that were at the show to promote the adoption of retired racing dogs.

These guys worked all day long producing untold numbers of delectable bbq chickens. By the way, the guy with his back to us is a Marine. Semper Fi

Woodland Sunflower - Helianthus strumosus

This is a Volvo P1800, very rare in this part of the United States. I can't believe that this one is still sitting, hidden in the weeds. The car was produced in the 1960's and 70's.

Two old '40s cars sitting amongst the ragweed, Cambria County, PA.

All alone am I, since the 40s went by...

Carrolltown Public Library

Reporter for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat and the Borough manager, discuss upgrades to the former Carrolltown High School building, built in 1925, which is now the home of the Borough offices, library and local scout troops, for an upcoming story.

Last, but not least, we'd like to congratulate the 19 members of the Hastings-Elder High School Class of 1956, who this past weekend gathered to celebrate their 50th class reunion. Here are some statistics for the class. The class originally had 61 freshmen, 39 of which graduated, 22 dropped out and only 6 have passed away.

A Bit of Everything

Longhorn Beetles -- Cerambycidae

Jewelweed with dew drops - Touch-me-nots Impatiens capensis

Tree Cricket

This picture was taken during the presentation of a Farm Rescue Assistance Program that was introduced in Cambria and Somerset Counties. Jill Stull, a Conemaugh MedSTAR flight nurse and farm safety educator presents the program to local farmers on the Gerald Yahner Farm.

The Conemaugh Hospital's MedSTAR II helicopter flies over Elder Township after lift off from the Yahner Farm.

Instrument panel, MedSTAR helicopter.

Veterans Memorial Ambulance was one of three EMS services who attended the farm safey program.

The underside of a Yellow-backed spider with it's lunch.

Penn Cambria Panthers swarm all over the quarterback for Bishop Carroll.

Holes like this helped Penn Cambria in it's 40-6 win over Bishop Carroll.

Friday night, under the lights, PC vs. BC.

Night time in the sanding yard, it's not quite Warren Zevon, but it's close. Maintenance building in the Cresson Rail yard, Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Portage Mustangs charging through the Blacklick Valley Vikings defense for a large gain.

Mustang's running back #19, Ryan Fuller, on his way to another touchdown.

Close-up of the Blacklick Valley quaterback, hands on the ball, eyes closed.

Portage coach, Gary Gruse, wins his 100th game 41-14.

Chris Maneloeoulos, Greensboro, NC shows Rammy, a standard poodle, during the 23rd Annual Altoona Area Kennel Club meet held at Duman's Lake County Park. He took second place in their class.

Last Friday afternoon saw the return of a much loved local landmark with the reappearance of the lifesize grizzly bear outside the Shadowbox Nursery along old Route 219 just outside of Ebensburg, PA. The bear, which has stood in front of the nursery for more than 2 decades, was damaged in an ice storm last winter and had to be removed because of damages. The bear was repaired over the last several months by nursery employee Dave Pundzak, a local artist.