TyronePA.com

On June 10, 1999, a third grade class of twelve students taught by Jannette Ober-Lauck planted one of the four original trees in front of what was the first year of the new elementary school. The project was originated from a science lesson on reasons to plant trees, taught to the kids by Jody Wallace.
Before planting the tree, the class that is soon to be graduating in June, decided to bury a time capsule at the same time. Ober-Lauck, Wallace and Terri Shultz, the paraprofessional at the time, assisted the students in the project.
The time capsule consisted of a list of reasons to plant a tree, a class picture, signatures of all the students, and the date by which the capsule was buried.
The third grade students that day was Chelsea Brockett, Mike Moore, Tyler Ayers, Matt Christine, Arran Shields, Shane Emigh, Garrett Ray, Kyle Updyke, Shayne Tate, Josh Bradley, Dustin Hook, and Stephanie Bagshaw.
Ober-Lauck recalled how “well thought out” the list of reasons her third graders developed for planting a tree. The reasons ranged from helping “stop soil erosion” and “for oxygen” to “a good place to rest” and “a memory of school and friends.”
One of Ober-Lauck’s former students in her third grade class, Shane Emigh, approached her two months ago about the buried time capsule. He and his classmates were eager to dig up their nine-year-old memories. But, Ober-Lauck, Emigh, and the rest of the class found that it was easier said than done.
“The problem was we didn’t write down where we planted the tree, and two of the trees died since then,” said Ober-Lauck. “Shane got the kids together over at the high school, so last Wednesday was the day we decided to do it.”
Since Ober-Lauck wasn’t sure of the time capsule’s location, a metal detector was used by Carol Waite and Patty Kilmer, but that didn’t produce any definitive readings. So, the class began digging a little bit under the first tree that died, but nothing was found.
The students moved on to tree number two, but again, nothing was found. Ober-Lauck remembered that the school district did some construction at the front of the building when drain work was re-done, so she began to doubt if the time capsule survived the construction.
Then, an interesting turn of events occurred – one of Ober-Lauck’s former students, Arran Shields, began finding an omen-like number of four-leaf clovers and even a five-leaf clover, which is well-known as a good luck charm.
Indeed it was.
“We decided we weren’t digging deep enough,” said Ober-Lauck as she was realizing they were digging up school property. “We started digging more and we found one.”
Once the time capsule was found, the group was elated and prepared to take some pictures with their treasure. But, the students soon realized that it wasn’t their time capsule. Frustrated, the students dug a bigger hole at the first hole dug and they found another capsule.
That wasn’t their time capsule either.
“So, we figured it must be under the third tree and it was,” said Ober-Lauck. “It wasn’t that deep either, but we finally found it and we were happy about that.”
She added jubilantly, “I think if we would of just dug it up right away, it would have taken away from the experience.”
Once the class retrieved the time capsule and the items contained it, the group enjoyed a relaxing evening at Reservoir Park and had a picnic to reminisce about third grade and the project, along with simply catching up with friends and talking about the future.
“What was really impressive was how focused these kids are,” stated Ober-Lauck. “Just well put together kids, focused on their next step. Every one of them gave me a hug and said thank you, and I was so glad they took the time to spend that evening with me.”
She continued, “It was neat to see them out of school too, because they are really funny. That sense of humor sticks in my mind as part of that evening, but just how focused they are is amazing – their parents should be really proud of them.”
Emigh said that he thought the experience was “great,” and to be able to look back at something that seems so long ago, knowing that he and his classmates are graduating this year, put it all in perspective for him.
“It’s weird to see how we’ve changed from what we were then, even just in the picture and the friends we had then,” stated Emigh. “Just to see how we were back then to how we are now, and how Mrs. Ober-Lauck’s class really helped us a lot even as young as we were, because the enrichment class really helped me out a lot in school.”
He continued, “The friends I had then are still the friends I have now in high school, and it’s really helped me push through a lot of things. It really gave me a discipline for myself to be able to know I can push myself through anything.”
Emigh also said that it was nice getting together with his former third grade classmates, because although they all are in high school together, they don’t always see each other. He added that it was interesting seeing what everyone’s future plans were and to simply have a good time together.
“We had a lot of goals back then, but I think that we’ve exceeded those greatly and became even more than what we expected,” said Emigh. “We still goof around and there’s still little kids in each and every one of us.”

The annual Dick Dutrow Memorial Kiwanis Golf Tournament was held Friday, May 9 at the Sinking Valley Country Club.
Despite the early morning rain conditions, the tournament was a huge success.
Kiwanis Golf Committee Chairman Pete Dutrow stated, “Our annual golf tournament serves as the major fundraiser for our club’s activities. This year, our club will be awarding a $250 and three $500 scholarships to Tyrone Area and Bellwood-Antis students to assist in the furthering of their education.
“We greatly appreciate the support of all of our sponsors and golfers who help make our tournament a success. In particular, the Kiwanis Club of Tyrone would like to thank the tournament’s corporate sponsor, Albemarle and our platinum sponsors – Dave Oppel, Eunice Dutrow, John Stuckey Ford, Family Clothesline of State College, Ferguson Pest Control, Healthy Alternatives, Stiffler, McGraw and Associates and Cumming Motors,” stated Dutrow.
Approximately 90 golfers, comprising 23 teams competed in the golf scramble tournament format. The winning team of Leonard DelBaggio, Bob Nelson, Charles C. Brown, Jr. and Fred Miller shot a 58 for the low score of the tournament. The team of Steve Lewis, Sr., Steve Lewis, Jr., Mark Szanca and Rod Bair finished second with a round of 61. The Albemarle team of Tom Rumberger, Don Kirkpatrick and Jim Greslick won a tiebreaker for third place with a score of 62. Don Kirkpatrick won the prize for Closest to the Pin on hole No. 10 with a distance of 13 feet, eight inches and Jim Kneidinger won the longest drive prize on hole No. 9.
Kiwanis Club President Fred Miller stated, “It was a little wet on the first hole or two but fortunately the rain ceased and it turned out to be a nice afternoon. The weather is one thing we cannot control, but we are looking forward to sunny skies for next year’s event. Fortunately, Sinking Valley Country Club is in such excellent condition that the initial rain didn’t affect the playability of the course.
“In addition to again thanking all of our sponsors and golfers, it is also important for our organization to personally thank Eunice Dutrow, Pete Dutrow and their family for their support and dedication. Not only is the tournament a fundraiser for our organization, it is also a memorial to their husband and father, Dick Dutrow, a long-time Kiwanis member and community supporter,” said Miller.

Join the third annual Summer Praise Program at Tyrone Church of the Brethren. Each week, local youth will meet to learn and rehearse some of the coolest new praise songs while raising money to help fight drugs.
There is a small fee and all funds go directly to the Tyrone Police Department’s anti-drug efforts.
Children who will enter grades 1-5 in the fall will meet on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. and youth entering grades 6 through 12 will meet on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:15 p.m.
The program begins the first week of June and will conclude with a concert for the community on August 24.
No musical experience is necessary and all faiths are welcome.
The group is also seeking local businesses and organizations to show their support and become sponsors.
By making a donation, your advertisement will be prominently displayed in the final concert program.
Sign up before May 31 for a summer of fun, fellowship and faith.
Contact Pastor Jeff Miley at 684-4940 or Kristen Rhodes, Minister of Music at 207-9267 for more information or to sign up.

Mr. Richard W. Lazeration, age 67, of Newark, DE and a former Tyrone resident, died Friday, May 9, 2008 at Christiana Hospital following a brief illness. He was born in Punxsutawney, the son of Charles and Helen Lazeration. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Joan Burwell Lazeration, and his two sons – Richard Jr. (Kristen) and C. Randolph “Randy” (Shelley) and three grandchildren – Joshua, Noah, and Zachary.
He was a graduate of Tyrone High School Class of 1958 and was employed by the DuPont Company, retiring after 30 years of service. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a longtime member of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church where he sang in the choir. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Newark, DE followed by interment in All Saints Cemetery.