TyronePA.com

Making preparations The Tyrone-Snyder Public Library is pleased to announce its seventh annual concert fund raising event scheduled for Saturday, April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Tyrone Area High School Auditorium. Acting Library Director Judie Adams, Concert Chairman and Organizer Chuck Banas, and Library Board President Susan Hunter met recently to go over some of the details of the upcoming concert. More articles on the event will follow in The Daily Herald in weeks to come. (The Daily Herald/Christina Pryor)

It’s that time of year when people start to begin to wonder when the Tyrone-Snyder Township Library will announce the annual concert fund raising event.
This will be the seventh year the library has had the concert as their major fund raising project. Each year the concerts have grown to be an event and very entertaining with nationally known recording stars and groups performing here in Tyrone.
“This year we are very pleased to announce that the seventh annual Tyrone-Snyder Township concert fund raising event will be held Saturday evening, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Tyrone Area High School Auditorium,” said concert chairman and organizer Chuck Banas. “We have just finalized our entertainers and are getting things in order to be able to announce the ticket sale starting date and other information in the next week. We will be giving press releases each week informing everyone of the upcoming details and taking a good look at our acts for this year.”
The main purpose of this fund raising event is to assist in raising the needed funds in order to help the Tyrone-Snyder Township Public Library make the mortgage payments on the new library building located in downtown Tyrone.
“Six years ago we established a goal to raise $100,000 in order to pay a large portion of the money that would be needed to keep this educational and recreation center open to the people of northern Blair County. To date our six previous concerts have brought in over $53,000 towards the realization of this dream,” said Banas, who brought the concert idea to the board in addition to chairing the event each year.
The library has not only found it to be a good fund raising event, but the entire community has benefited from the efforts. The concerts have brought thousands of people into town for the evening. Many are dining out to eat and buying other goods while here. Economically it has turned into a real plus for the entire community.
When asked about the talent that has appeared here over the last five years, Banas could only shake his head. “ I am just thrilled with what we have been able to deliver to the stage for this fund raising event. I have even noticed that some other towns in our area have attempted to copy this type of event. That is one of the biggest forms of flattery that can happen,” added Banas.
“We have had Jimmy Beaumont and The Skyliners, The Marcels, The Platters, The Vogues, Charlie Thomas and the Drifters and last year we had The Coasters. That is some real talent right there,” smiled Banas. “Plus we have tried to showcase some of our own younger talent. For them to be able to appear on the stage with the artists that I have mentioned must be a real thrill for them.”
Library Board president Susan Hunter would agree by saying, “This is by far our most successful fund raising event of the year. It has really been the spark that helps keep the library available for hundreds of our citizens.”
The library board was so impressed with the amount of funds that have been raised for the new library, in a surprise on-stage announcement two years ago, dedicated the Tyrone-Snyder Historical Room in honor of Chuck Banas. The room is officially known as the Charles W. Banas, Jr. Tyrone Historical Room.
When asked about that event and dedication, Banas sat for a moment and said, “I was totally surprised by that one. That was such a great honor. That meant so very much to me. More than the board will ever know.”
So it is now official and set. This year’s seventh annual Tyrone-Snyder Township Public Library fund raising concert will be Saturday evening, April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Tyrone Area High School Auditorium.
Mark it on your calendars. This is an event that is well worth attending. More will follow in The Daily Herald in the weeks to come.

The students of Tyrone Area High School are proud to announce their upcoming musical production, “West Side Story”, which is scheduled for April 25-26 beginning at 7:30 p.m. both evenings in the high school auditorium.
The cast of “West Side Story” includes:
The Jets: Riff, Tyler Ayres; Tony, Jonathan Harris; Action, Garrett Ray; A-Rab, Ethan Nulton; Baby John, Rob Marlett; SnowBoy, Chris Sipe; Big Deal, Jared Shaffer; Diesel, Nick Wilson; Gee-Tar, RJ Beck; Mouthpiece, Josh Bradley; Moose, Brock Anders; Graziella, Emily Wilson; Velma, Casey Joniello; Minnie, Holli Keeley; Clarice, Eugenia Napadensky; Pauline, Alexis Henderson; Mary Ann, Christina Brisbin; Veronica, Veronica Detwiler, Betty, Wynter Nail and Anybody’s, Elizabeth Romano.
The Sharks: Bernardo, Derik Cruz; Maria, Sofia Revolorio; Anita, Stevie Woodring; Chino, Tyler Vasbinder; Indio, Logan Harper; Luis, Dan Isenberg; Juan, Sam Yeaton; Toro, Kevin Seiner; Manuel, Kenny Nearhoof; Loco, Dudley McNitt; Pablo, Jay Oliver; Rosalia, Cristina Rodriguez; Consuello, Laura Thompson; Terrista, Christi Stringer; Francisca, Salena Bradigan; Estella, Katie Spangler; Margarita, Rebecca Meyer; Adriana, Ashton Snyder and Louisa, Hanna Biddle.
The Adults: Officer Krupke, Officer Bub Dick; Lieutenant Shrank, David Rutter; Glad Hand, Ken Nearhoof and Doc, Cummins McNitt.
Drama/stage manager is Stephanie Haid, drama director is Karen Volpe, music director is Catherine Young, choreographer is Tara Penick and set design is Eric Feather and Don Deitz.
“West Side Story” is a musical written by Arthur Laurents (book), Leonard Bernstein (music) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics). The story is based loosely on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”.
Set on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, the musical explores the rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The young protagonist, Tony, who belongs to the white gang, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the leader of the rival Puerto Rican gang.
Bernstein’s score for the musical includes: “Something’s Coming”, “Maria”, “America,” “Somewhere,” “Tonight”, “Jet Song”, “I Feel Pretty”, “One Hand, One Heart” and “Cool”.
Fundraisers to support this student production will include:
• Gardners Candy Fundraiser: peanut butter meltaways candy bars and peanut butter pretzel sticks
• Hoss’s Community Eat-out Night: 20 percent of your total bill will go to support the musical, and coupons are available at the TAHS music suite that must be presented anytime throughout the day of Feb. 11
• Spaghetti Dinner: Sunday, March 9 at Joshua House from 11:30 to 2 p.m.
• Barnes-Noble Bookfair: Saturday, March 15. Proceeds to benefit the musical, and local “celebrities” will be guest readers
• Ham cheese sandwich sales
• Hoagie sales
Other organizations have already donated to help fund the musical. The middle school student council held a dance, with the money raised going to the musical. The homecoming queen, Liz Romano, donated the money raised from her votes to the musical. The Renaissance Foundation donated money, and the musical received a grant titled “Learn and Serve” for $5,000.
Other funds to support the musical will come from business sponsorship and patron ads.
A series of articles highlighting the main characters and other aspects of the musical will appear in future editions of The Daily Herald.

Do you remember the magic of a beautiful candle lit evening sprinkled with the soft, romantic tones of a crooner as, with your favorite Valentine wrapped in your arms, you dance to some of the world’s most beautiful love songs? Add to this a wide array of sumptuous desserts and the soft tones of a single guitar, and you have Just Desserts, The Tyrone Community Players much acclaimed Valentine’s Day Nightclub.
The Tyrone Community Players are thrilled to welcome, again this year, the beautiful, varied guitar styles of Mick Dennis to Just Desserts, Saturday, February 16 at St. Matthew’s parish hall from 8 to 11:30 p.m.
Mick, who lives in St. College, is a professional musician and lead in the popular group, Mick and the Mystics. He also performs with his wife, and TCP alumni, Terri Dennis (Pippin and Seussical) along with their children, Desiree (Michael in Peter Pan), Emily (Thea in Pippin) and Zach (Seussical). Mick is very well known and regarded for his diverse and accomplished styles which include the classical genre, big bands, pop and jazz.
Mick will expand his list of collaborators during Just Desserts by assisting some of the TCP’s most popular vocalists with renditions of their favorite love songs.
Darcy Wilson, Kate Coltabaugh, Pete Hedberg and Lynne Dirkse will offer a wide variety of music ranging from Patsy Cline to Taylor, The Latte Boy and from Broadway show tunes to some newly premiered works. Accompanying these fabulous vocalists will be the TCP’s own, Paula “Fingers” Pheasant, who will delight us with a few of her own upbeat, spirited favorites.
The members of The Tyrone Community Players, not only accomplished on stage, will prepare a decadent, delicious buffet of homemade desserts, unparalleled in their variety, to tempt and delight the audience. You are invited to BYOB.
Dance the evening away with your favorite Valentine, or just relax, enjoy a conversation and the quality musical entertainment provided by your hometown, award winning theater company.
Seating is limited and reservations are required. Don’t miss this opportunity to delight all your senses with an old fashioned, romantic Valentine’s Day night out!
Please phone the ArtsLine at 684-ART2 to reserve your space. Your donation of $10 per person will benefit the arts programming of The Tyrone Community Players.

Dennis Irvin Deegan, age 74, of Sugar Land, TX, passed away Sunday, February 3, 2008. He was born October 4, 1933, in Johnstown, PA, to John Edward and Henrietta Eleanor (Custer) Deegan.
Dennis was educated in the Huntingdon, PA public schools, and graduated from Juniata College in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, followed by post graduate courses at Penn State University.
Dennis was married to Janice Lorene Hummel on July 4, 1958, who preceded him in death on November 4, 2003, after forty-five years of marriage.
He served two years in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a Cryptographer in Heidelberg, Germany, after which he joined the Westvaco Corporation as an Assistant Paper Mill Superintendent in Tyrone. In 1975 he was transferred to the New York corporate office in the Fine Papers Division, and eventually retired in 1994 as Technical Director, with forty years of service.
After moving from Fairfield, CT, to Texas in 1999, Dennis and his wife became active volunteers in the Fort Bend community.
Among his many interests were gardening, bowling, traveling, and, most importantly, spending time with his family.
He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and the Jubilee Sunday School Class.
He is survived by his three children, Beth Denise Markiewicz and her husband Tom of Guilford, CT, Melissa Ann Crawford and her husband Jeffrey of Sugar Land, TX, and Christopher Sean Deegan and his wife Rebecca of Monrovia, MD; grandchildren, Kelly and Jennifer Markiewicz, Jessica and Sarah Crawford, and Lauren and Daniel Deegan; brother, Kerry Deegan and his wife Marcia of Harleysville, PA; sister, Judith Castrina and her husband Frank of Carlisle, PA; and special friend, Doris DeMatteis.
A Memorial Celebration of Dennis’ life was held at 10 a.m., Friday, February 8, 2008, at Christ United Methodist Church, 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX.
For those desiring, memorials may be made to Houston Hospice, 1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77077, or to Christ United Methodist Church.

Robert L. Barger, age 86, of W. Buffalo Run Rd., Port Matilda, PA, died February 7, 2008 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born February 13, 1921 in Centre Hall, PA to the late Milton Haven and Emma (Breon) Barger.
He was married on November 28, 1940 at Boalsburg Zion Lutheran Church to Marion E. Witherite, who survives.
Survivors include children: Wendell L. and Martha Barger of Port Matilda; Leonard E. and Alda Barger of McVeytown; Donald W. Barger of Port Matilda; Charity and husband, Daniel Maher of Port Matilda and Robert M. and Sara Barger of State College; 14 grandchildren: Patty, Randy, Scott, Elizabeth, Kevin, Robin, Leana, Carol, Ronnie, Donnie, Evie, Alex, DJ and Phillip; 24 great-grandchildren, faithful friend and companion, Mr. Tuppins; one sister, Carrie Spicer of Pleasant Gap and one sister-in-law, Bessie Fisher of Howard.
Robert attended State College Assembly of God.
He was a lifelong farmer in Buffalo Run Valley of which he was a faith steward of the land. He enjoyed his many friends and spending time at the Belleville Auction. He enjoyed winters in Florida. He was always helpful when there was a need. He was a beloved father. He was a founding member of the State College Assembly of God Church and a member of the National Rifle Association.
Funeral arrangements are scheduled for February 12, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at the State College Assembly of God Church, 2201 University Drive, State College with Pastor Paul Grabill and Pastor Harry Brotzman officiating. Place of burial will be Pine Hall Cemetery.
Friends will be received at the church on Monday from 7 to 9 and on Tuesday from 9:30 until time of services at 10:30. Memorials may be made to the Indonesia Orphanage, c/o State College Assembly of God Church, 2201 University Dr., State College, PA 16801.