TyronePA.com

The Tyrone Irish Heritage Committee is in the planning stages of this year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and it looks like this year’s festivities will be even bigger and better than before.
Some plans in the making are Irish Flags throughout town, a balloon release kickoff, Luck of The Irish Parade, a Clover Leaf Merchants Sale, Sunday Spiritual Services in concert with many groups, Tyrone Community Partnership and Wesley UM Church Irish Stew Dinner with the Michael O’Brian Band, children’s readings at the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library, Blair County Genealogical Society display at the Tyrone History Museum, Daily Herald coloring contest and much more!
The Herald will be printing updated schedules and information of events for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, which is scheduled for the second week in March.
For example, the kick off event to the fun and festivities will once again be the “Luck of the Irish Parade”.
On Tuesday, March 11, the Rotary Club of Tyrone will welcome community organizations, high school bands, local and state dignitaries, church groups, fire companies, individuals, businesses and anyone interested in participating in the parade.
If anyone is interested in participating, register by February 25 to the Rotary Club of Tyrone, P.O. Box 207, Tyrone, PA 16686.
Contact Terri Swann of the Rotary Club of Tyrone at 632-9523, Jennifer Bryan, Parade Chairperson, (h) 684-4306, (w) 949-7621 or Rose Black of the Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce at 684-0736 for more information.
Also, the Wesley United Methodist Church and the Tyrone Community Partnership have teamed up to serve a special St. Patrick’s dinner on Thursday, March 13. The meal will be served at Wesley UM Church from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce office, G & P Dollar Stretcher, Alice’s Garden and the office at Wesley United Methodist Church.
And don’t forget, this year, the Tyrone Heritage Committee and The Tyrone Merchants Association is holding a “Little King and Queen” contest for children ages four to seven-years-old.
Those interested in competing in the contest must register at the Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce office, Cowfer’s Custom Design or Gardners Candies Store.
One boy and one girl will be chosen as King and Queen for this year’s contest. The winners must be available to ride in the parade on Tuesday, March 11.
Anyone with questions concerning the contest may call Laurie Cowfer at 684-6025 or Kristin Barrett at 684-0857.
The Tyrone Irish Heritage Committee is a group of excited Tyronians who have come together to carry-on the annual tradition in Tyrone of honoring our own heritage and name.
The group is open to any citizen who is willing to offer ideas or time. You may do so through the Tyrone Area Chamber of Commerce email: rose@tyronechamber.com or phone 684-0736.

The Tyrone Area Middle School Builder’s Club is a service club sponsored by Kiwanis. Students meet one day a week before school and generously give their time to help others. Members have been busy this school year collecting food donations for the Tyrone Food Bank. They are also involved in collecting animal food and pet supplies to donate to the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society. The club’s latest project centered on creating Valentine’s Day cards for the residents of Epworth Manor. The Builder’s Club would like to thank the middle school students who provided donations. (Courtesy photo)

Whoever has stated that Tyrone is a “one-man wrecking crew,” obviously has not seen Tyrone play a game this season. Throughout the year, Tyrone has faced challenges against teams who refused to let Steve Catich be a part of the game, but that’s where the rest of the squad stepped up and scored 60 points when Catich had his low games. It was Travis Peterman who stung United last Saturday, as the junior knocked down four treys and 16 points as Tyrone crushed the Lions, 66-48.
After United took a 3-0 lead early in the first quarter, Tyrone went on a 30-2 run into the second quarter behind Catich and company. Catich knocked down 12 points in the first half, as the Eagles smothered the United offense with their full-court press. Tyrone forced 12 first quarter turnovers and 19 for the half behind the press, giving them a commanding 40-18 lead.
“I scouted those guys twice through the season,” Tyrone head coach George Gripp said, “and I thought they didn’t have great ball-handling in the back court. They really only had one guy who could handle the ball well, so I knew our press and defensive pressure was going to give them trouble.”
With a 22-point lead going into the second half, Tyrone put it in cruise-control the rest of the half behind Peterman and his outstanding effort through the second half. The Golden Eagle junior racked up 16 points, 10 of which came in the second half. He managed to knock down four three-pointers through the game, and kept the Lions’ zone honest when defending the three-point shot.
Tyrone didn’t look back through the second half, as they contained the Lions under 30 points through three quarters and held them under 40 points until a few minutes remaining in the game. Tyrone never looked back from the first quarter, and everyone tallied in points around Catich’s low-scoring night.
“It seems as though we have not received any respect heading into the playoffs,” Gripp stated. “They talk about Catich being our only threat, but we have more guys on the team than just Steve Catich, and everyone knows that in our locker room. We have seven or eight guys who can score 20 points on any given night, so we are really tough to guard if you think taking Catich out of the game plan is all it takes to win.”
Tyrone went on to win easily, 68-46, improving their outstanding run to 21-4 on the year. The Eagles will face Penns Valley next Wednesday as they stand in their way of a District six-championship contention.
“When the year started, everyone was 0-0, and it’s just one and done now. There is no room for mistake, and although we beat Penns Vally by 20 in the season both times, we can’t expect the third game to be an easy win. This team is going to come out ready to play, and we just have to make good decisions, play good defense, and keep our intensity at a high level for our playoff run to continue.”
With the win, Tyrone improves their record to 21-4, but 1-0 in the playoffs which matters the most. Peterman ’s 16 points led the way and Catich, Kyle Updyke, and Nate Dane also chipped in double-figures as Tyrone walked by the Lions in route to a third match-up with Penns Valley Wednesday night. Catich had a great night on defense, shutting down Ross Moreau any time he reached the paint.
Bobby Simon led the way for the Lions as he picked up a few late points to give himself 11 for the night in their quarterfinal round exit.
Tyrone 66 United 48
Tyrone – Peterman 6 0-0 16, Catich 5 2-2 12, Updyke 5 0-0 11, Dane 4 2-3 10, Brooks 2 3-5 7, Ingle 2 0-0 5, Gehret 1 1-1 3, Franco 1 0-1 2. Total 26 8-12 66.
United – Simon 4 1-1 11, Moreau 4 0-0 9, Freidhoff 3 3-7 9, Campbell 2 0-0 4, Hess 1 2-2 4, Fuller 1 0-0 3, Wallace 1 0-0 3, Merle 0 3-4 3, Jones 1 0-0 2. Totals 17 9-14 48.
Score by Quarter
United 5 13 6 24 – 48
Tyrone 24 16 10 16 – 66
Three-point goals: Tyrone-5 (Peterman-4, Upydke)
United-5 (Simon-2, Moreau, Fuller, Wallace)

Tyrone lightweights Ronnie Garbinsky and A. J. Schopp led Tyrone over the weekend with championships in the first two weight classes at the District 6-AA wrestling championships at the Altoona High School Fieldhouse. That was to be expected by anyone, who knew anything about local high school wrestling. What most people may not have figured however, is that as a team, Tyrone finished third among the 26 schools who participated.
The Eagles were only 7-10 and at times didn’t look much like a championship-quality wrestling team, despite season long terrific efforts from the lightweights.
“It’s been an awesome weekend, with the team coming through where they did,. I couldn’t ask for a better performance,” was how Tyrone wrestling coach described the effort on the mats by his Golden Eagles. “We had a kind of a rough year, but finishing where we have as a team in this tournament is testament to the hard work the youngsters are willing to put in. Willingness to prepare is probably the hardest thing for the kids to come to grips with. But these kids were milling and they did as a group. We brought 12 wrestlers, and 11 of them got into the second day.”
Both Garbinsky and Schopp were the top seeds in their respective weight classes and both had a rather easy time getting to the championship finals, and both proved their mettle toughing out wins by decision to claim the title.
Garbinsky (33-2) added to a pair of falls on Friday, with a 13-3 major decision over Shane Gallaher of Forest Hills, in the semifinals. In the finals against fellow freshman Tanner Hough of Westmont-Hilltop, Garbinsky used a first-period takedown for what proved to be the only points scored in the 103-pound final. Garbinsky used a tight ride to keep his advantage in the second period and wouldn’t allow Hough to score from the top in the third stanza.
Schopp (34-3), who finished third in the 2007 district tournament and improved that to a second place medal at the PIAA state tournament, pinned his way through to the finals, adding a pin over Devin Dorian of Westmont-Hilltop, in the semifinals, in 1:22. In the 112-pound finals, against undefeated United freshman Evan Henderson (30-0), Schopp traded a first-period takedown with a second-period reversal by Henderson for a 2-2 draw after the first two stanzas. In the third period, Henderson chose the bottom position to begin and Schopp nearly got a tilt from the top several times, before finally tilting Henderson for two back points and a 4-2 win.
“The two champs (Ronnie Garbinsky and A.J. Schopp), were leaders all season, and along with Anthony (Romano) and Shayne (Tate) finishing fourth and fifth and all four will be a good representation of Tyrone going to Regionals.”
Shayne Tate (171) and Anthony Romano (125) will join the two Tyrone lightweights at the Regional Tournament at the Cambria County War Memorial in Johnstown in two weeks (Feb. 29-March 1).
The top five at each weight move on to the regionals.
Tate (22-9) ran into a buzz-saw in Huntingdon’s top seeded and undefeated Bobby Mort in the semifinals. Although Mort won only 4-2 in the dual meet, the Bearcat senior was all over Tate on Saturday winning by a 15-0 tech fall, in 5:21. Tate came back in the consolation semifinals to edge Chaz Merriman of Westmont-Hilltop, 7-6. In the consolation finals for third place, Tate ran into another nemesis in Zack Hicks. The Mount Union junior edged Tate for the third time this year, 3-2 to claim third place and settle Tate with fourth. Hicks also downed Tate 5-3 in the Ziegler Tournament and 3-2 in the dual meet.
In a win, or be finished for the year match in the consolation finals for fifth place, Romano (30-9) edged Claysburg-Kimmel freshman Cole Claar 5-4 to earn a place at the Regionals in two weeks. Romano lost a 7-6 decision to eventual 125-pound champ Tom McVicker of Forest Hills, in the semifinals and then was edged 2-1 by Craig Harris of Richland, in the consolation semifinals.
After winning big with a pin and major decision on Friday, Romano was engaged in three one-point decisions on Saturday.
Tyrone 119-pounder Chase Weaver also had a win-or be done match in the fifth-place consolation finals, but dropped a 7-0 decision to Corey Aungst, a freshman from Claysburg-Kimmel. Weaver lost 8-0 to Aungst at the Zeigler Tournament, and 7-2, in the second round of districts on Friday. Weaver defeated Nathan Cahill of Ligonier Valley 11-1, and Peter Mykut of Huntingdon 1-0 before falling 7-0 to Dalton Smith of Mount Union, in the consolation semifinals to set up the fifth/sixth place final match with Aungst. Weaver had a busy weekend, actually wrestling eight times, winning five. Chase (19-20) won by a 15-0 tech fall over David Kurtz of Juniata Valley, pinned Donnie Partner of Bellwood-Antis in 4:04 before the match against Cahill.
Bellwood-Antis had three wrestlers make it through the first day to Saturday, but all three dropped out of the tournament with losses in the consolation rounds. At 130, Shane Noye (11-16) was majored 12-3, by Kyle Pucci of Somerset. Caleb Stevens pinned Tyrone 215-pounder Corey Barnhart in 1:58, then was ousted by Jason Everhart of Huntingdon 2-0. During the season, Stevens was pinned by Barnhart in the dual meet and lost twice to Everhart, 6-0 at the Zeigler Tournament and by fall in the dual. At 285, Kevin Stager avenged a loss by fall to B-A 285-pounder Cody Smith (15-10) in the dual meet, by pinning Smith in 1:43.
“A lot of our kids contributed this weekend, that’s always a positive,” said Bellwood-Antis coach Ron Wilson. “It wasn’t one like last year, where all of our points were scored by four kids. We had a lot of kids contribute this year. We were pretty pleased with their effort. It would have been nice to have someone go on to the next round, but we will take what they did, try to improve on it and with what we have coming in next year, we should be pretty solid. We gained experience, there are some good kids coming up from the junior high. We got some good performances here from our ninth graders, our sophomores are experienced now, and we have a good junior class coming back next year as seniors. Things are looking up, it’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together, and getting some wrestling time in the offseason.”
Eagle 135-pounder Cody Weaver (20-15) got his 20th victory by pinning Dylan Scott of Sugar Valley in 4:56 in Saturday’s fourth round consolation, then fell to Northern Cambria’s Scott Knarr 6-3 to exit the tournament. Weaver pinned Huntingdon’s Mark Smyers in 2:15, and edged Eddie Cass of Blairsville 7-6.
At 140, Eagle sophomore James Weston ended his season 11-21, losing a 2-1 heartbreaker to senior Cory McMillan of Blairsville. Weston majored Charles Miller of Ligonier Valley, and doubled up Ryan Altman from United 8-4.
Jeremy Barlett (19-12) pinned Jed Peterson of Marion Center, at 145, to begin his Saturday, then dropped a 7-1 decision to Chad Miller of Richland. Barlett decisioned Robbie Bopp of Forest Hills 5-3, on Friday.
Dustin Weaver (4-25) lost by fall to Zak Newton of Penn Cambria, finishing 2-2, at 189, over the weekend, with wins over Neal Nanessy of Ligonier Valley by injury default, and 2-1 decision over Tim Rash of United.
Prior to exiting the tournament against Stevens, Barnhart, a senior 215-pounder, pinned Darren Williams of Richland in 0:14, and Adam Kaelin of Northern Cambria, and decisioned Caleb Selvage of Moshannon Valley 5-0.
Eagle 285-pounder Dalaun Carroll (7-16) pinned Glendale’s Robert Shepler in 3:14 in the consolation rounds.
Donnie Hunter (1-5) finished 0-2.
Bellwood-Antis got wins from seven wrestlers who will return next year.
Bellwood-Antis freshman 103-pounder Luke McFarland (7-16) won an 18-13 shootout on Friday over Brennan Kline of Cambria Heights. Freshman Dan Noye (9-5) shut out Darryl Patterson of Southern Huntingdon 7-0 and Orry Corman of Penns Valley 5-0, at 112. At 135, junior Tim Collier (14-14) beat Joseph Rematt of Cambria Heights, 5-0 and pinned Ben Dodson of Claysburg-Kimmel, in 4:18. Junior Kyle Shawley (17-16) won by 16-1 tech fall over Mo Valley’s Brian Jasper, at 152, and pinned Joshua Sanders of Glendale, in 1:58. Sophomore Tyler Brazle (11-19) pinned Corey Sheeder of Southern Huntingdon, in 2:41, at 189. Stevens pinned James Martin of Forest Hills in 3:27, and Stevens edged Harley Shaffer of Forest Hills 1-0.
Donnie Partner (119), Troy Weyant (125), Travis Taylor (145), Dustin Pruznak (160), and Jimmy Watters (171) were all 0-2 for the Blue Devils.

Calvin W. Fahr, 83, of Juniata died Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. at Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona Hospital Campus.
He was born April 12, 1924 in Altoona, a son of Andrew Jackson and Eleanor (Wood) Fahr. On February 10, 1969 in Winchester, Virginia he married Norma Jorden.
Surviving are his wife of Cresson, a son Bruce David Fahr of Altoona, 2 step-children Alicia Fahr of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Glenn W. Campbell of Altoona, 4 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and a sister Virginia Sims and husband Merle of Grazierville. He was preceded in death by a brother Bruce, a sister Doris Cole and a stepson Greg E. Campbell.
He had been owner of Altoona Roofing Company from 1971 until his retirement in 2001. He was previously employed as an industrial engineer for Small Tubes Products, Inc., Duncansville for several years and also worked as an engineer and fireman for the Pennsylvania Railroad.
He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of WWII serving in the Central Pacific where he received a citation of serving during the assault and occupation of Saipan, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
Calvin as known only as “Chief” to his son Bruce, loved hunting, fishing, camping and horseracing. He lived his life fully, loved deeply and was generous to all who knew him. He saw the good in everything and everyone. He passed with courage, dignity and grace. His presence will always be with us.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Burial with veteran’s honors will be held at Blair Memorial Park.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Feller Memorial Home.