TyronePA.com

Once again, after what seemed like an off-season that lasted forever, the local high school football season is here. No, we are not into the Backyard Brawl quite yet, that we will have to wait 18 more days for. It is the beginning of Fall preseason football practice. Passing league and group weight lifting and clinics have yielded to three-a-days. Coaches and players reported this morning at Tyrone and Bellwood, and the 2008 editions of the Golden Eagles and Blue Devils are getting ready for the Brawl and the ‘08 season.
Full practice began early for about 90 young athletes, who will tighten up their chinstraps and take part in the daily three-a-days during this first official week of practice.
Tyrone is pictured above on the left, with Bellwood-Antis on the right.
Tyrone head coach John Franco (145-29 at Tyrone, 185-76-3 overall) and assistants Steve Guthoff, John Gressler, Chuck Banas, Darin Elvey, Tony Yaniello, Ryan Hildebrand, Jason Wilson, Tom Palfey, and newcomers Jeff Lechner and volunteer Todd Templeton, welcomed 45 players, including approximately five of six starters on both offense and defense, after establishing a new Tyrone school record 32-game regular-season win streak, with the Golden Eagles third straight 9-0 regular season in 2007.
Eagle junior high coaches include head junior high coach Dan Plummer, with assistants Steve Johnson, Nate Verilla and Marvin Murray.
The Eagles will practice from 8-10:30 a.m., from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, and then from 3:30 to 6:15 p.m. during the first week of practice, leading up to a tri-scrimmage against Bishop Carroll and Bishop Guilfoyle at St. Francis University, in Loretta, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16. During the second week, practice will be from 3:30 to about 7:15 p.m., with a Friday, Aug. 22 scrimmage under the lights at Fishertown, against Chestnut Ridge, at 7 p.m. During Week Two, the mornings will be spent lifting weights and viewing films and meeting with the various position coaches.
Bellwood-Antis head coach John Hayes (217-81-2) and assistants Bill Crowell, Nick Lovrich, Scott Boyer, Chris Walker and newcomer Rick Schreier, moving up from the junior high, welcomed 45 players, including 16 returning lettermen. Practices will begin at 8:45-11:15 a.m., from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., and from 4:45-7:15 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, then switch to two practices daily on Thursday and Friday, from 8:45-11:15 a.m. and from 1-3 in the afternoons. B-A will scrimmage Central at 10 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 16, at Bellwood Memorial Stadium, to complete the opening week of practice. During the second week of Fall practice, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be the same as Week One. Thursday will be 3:30-5 p.m. and the Blue Devils will scrimmage Clearfield at the Clearfield Bison Sports Complex, on Friday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.
The Blue Devil junior high, with two undefeated seasons and only two losses, in the past three seasons have Charlie Burch as the head coach with assistants Art Partner, Chuck Erickson, Brandon Hescox, Travis Martin and newcomer Rick Kensinger.
The Blue Devils with four starters back on the offensive line, have played in the last four consecutive District finals with District 6-A titles in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

My friend Beverly sent me the cutest email the other day, and I just had to share it with all of you. Many who have access to email may have already seen it, but I’m certain that many others have not. This was written by a Sunday school teacher who had asked her second graders to write a book report about the Bible. Here is the children’s Bible in a nutshell.
In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas.  The Bible says, “The Lord thy God is one”, but I think He must be a lot older than that.
Anyway, God said, “Give me a light!” and someone did. I didn’t even think He smoked. Then God made the world. He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren’t embarrassed because mirrors hadn’t been invented yet. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden. Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn’t have cars.
Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel.
Pretty soon all of the early people died off except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something.
One of the next important people was Noah. He was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check.
After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat.
Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh’s people.  These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable.
God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them His top Ten Commandments.  These include: don’t lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or cover your neighbor’s stuff. Oh yeah, I just thought of one more: humor thy father and thy mother.
One of Moses’ best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town.
After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn’t sound very wise to me.
After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore. There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we don’t have to worry about them.
After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of the New. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, “close the door! Were you born in a barn?” It would be nice to say, “as a matter of fact, I was.”)
During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Democrats. Jesus also had twelve opossums. The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him.
Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the mount.  But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn’t stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead. Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, and then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution.
As I read this, tears of laughter filled my eyes. I wonder how often we take for granted that children really understand what we are teaching them. I wouldn’t be afraid to bet that many adults think the same way. We are just lucky that God said we should always remain childlike in our beliefs. Who the heck wants to grow up anyway?

Eleanor Morrison Moore, 86, of RR 5 Box 303, Tyrone, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8, 2008 at Bellmeade Manor in Altoona. She was born June 25, 1922 in Washington D.C., the daughter of the late Grace Alden and Paul Davis Morrison.
She was married 54 years to the late Eric Ellis Moore, who died in 1994.
Surviving are four sons: Christopher and wife Sharon of Sunderland, MD; Kenneth Moore of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Bruce and wife Penni of Tyrone; and Paul and wife Christina Moore of Farmington, NY. Four grandchildren: Joan Elaine, Julianne, Gregory, and Jennifer. One great-grandchild: Kristin.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Anne.
Mrs. Moore was a member of the Potomac Methodist Church where she sang in the choir. She loved to play the organ and piano. She also loved and cared for all types of animals.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society, 1837 East Pleasant Valley Blvd, Altoona, PA.
Arrangements are by the Bruce E. Cox Funeral Home, Warriors Mark.

Charlotte M. Biddle, 45, of Tyrone, passed away early Saturday morning, August 9, 2008 at Hearthside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, State College, after a lengthy illness.
She was born May 22, 1963 in Altoona, a daughter of Galen W. and Dorcas  M. (Stacey) Biddle. Her father preceded her in death August 4, 1992.
Surviving are her mother, with whom she resided; two sisters, Paula Morrissey (husband, Dave) of Tyrone and Gail Biddle, also at home; a brother, Charles Biddle (wife, Julie) of Port Matilda; her grandmother, Elizabeth Stacey of Williamsburg RR2; two nephews; two nieces and numerous cousins.
Miss Biddle was of the Protestant faith. She was a 1981 graduate of Tyrone Area High School and enjoyed NASCAR racing and spending time with her family.
Friends will be received from 2 until the 5 p.m. funeral service Tuesday at the Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Williamsburg, with Mr. Todd Lewis officiating.
Private interment will be at Royer Cemetery, Williamsburg RR2.

Robert Paul “Bob” Maser, 77, of 504 W. 15th St., Tyrone, PA, died Saturday morning, August 9, 2008 at his residence.
He was born January 9, 1931 in Johnstown, PA the son of John O. and Ethel (Koda) Maser.
He was twice married: First on May 5, 1951 at Winchester, VA to Shirley L. Gibson who died June 6, 1990. Then on August 3, 1991 in Tyrone he married Arlene Beckwith who survives.
He is survived by a son Robert J. Maser (Cindy) of Wilmington, DE and daughters Debra J. Shawley (Jim) and Kimberly J. Williams (Tim) of Tyrone.
Six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Step-children: Ron Beckwith (Jackie) and Sheri Hartsock (Eric) of Tyrone and Amy Shanley (Shawn) of Newark, NY.
Six step-grandchildren and one aunt, Irene Sidor of Johnstown.
He was a graduate of Johnstown Catholic High School and attended St. Francis University.
After moving to Tyrone in 1962 he became very active in community affairs.
He was a long-time coach, past president and treasurer of the Tyrone Teener League; and honorary life member of TACO; a devoted member and past president of Tyrone Kiwanis Club; an active member and corps major sergeant of the Tyrone Salvation Army; and recently continued service by opening the Tyrone Salvation Army Service Center.
He had taught Sunday School at Christ United Methodist Church and attended the Tyrone Alliance Church. He was a faithful servant of the Lord and he loved the people of Tyrone.
He was the number one avid Tyrone sports fan.
He retired in 1993 as an agent of the American General Insurance Company after 11 years and previously was executive director of the Tyrone YMCA.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 1 p.m. at the Derman Funeral Home, Inc. Tyrone, with Major Karen Garrett and Reverend Norman E. Huff officiating. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery, Johnstown, PA.
Friends will be received at the funeral home on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Tyrone Salvation Army Service Center, 908 Pennsylvania Avenue, Tyrone, PA 16686.