7/16/08

Blossburg News & Views
By Cheryl Whitney Boinske

The Borough of Blossburg is a small community of about 4.5 square miles and a 1990 population of 1571 persons. The borough is located in the northern tier of Pennsylvania in Tioga County, which adjoins New York State. It is traversed from north to south by both the Tioga River and U.S. Route 15.

The borough is characterized by its outstanding scenery, including more than 600 acres of state forest lands. Route 15 forms the spine of the borough, especially the northern portion, with development extending along this road, north from its juncture with the Tioga River. South of the river, development on Route 15 is sparse. There is a small business district near the center of the borough, along the river, and some scattered commercial development, primarily along Route 15. The borough is basically a single family housing bedroom-type community, and a one-industry town.

The borough has an extensive recreational facility at Island Park. Located off Water Street, Island Park, a 62-acre multi-facility area, was established as the site for community and recreational activities in the Borough of Blossburg in 1910, and has historically served as a focal point for the community. The open space of the park has been preserved over the years, with additions of formal recreation areas over time as well. The local high school football, track and baseball teams, as well as Little League and area softball leagues, all utilize the park’s facilities on a regular basis. Community functions such as the annual celebration of the Coal Festival, wedding receptions and the like are also held at the park regularly. Island Park provides the following types of recreational facilities: swimming pool, two pavilions, community building, tennis courts, basketball court, Little League field, softball field, hardball field, football field with track, playground, horseshoe pits and a sand volleyball court.

Route 15 will be designated as the William B. Wilson Highway, passing through Blossburg. William B. Wilson was a native of Blossburg and became the first Secretary of Labor of the United States during the administration of Woodrow Wilson.

The Hot Sausage Sandwich booth sponsored by the FUMC and chaired by Sally Faughnan at the Coal Festival on Island Park this year was successful! Sally has reported that $1,938.00 was the amount that will be deposited in the General Account of the Church! Sally would also like to express her appreciation to everyone who helped in any way to make this a successful first time venture! She couldn’t have done it without the willingness of everyone to volunteer their time.

Blossburg V.I.B.E. (Visions in Business and Entertainment) V.I.B.E. meetings are held on third Wednesday of the month in the community room of the Blossburg Memorial Library at 6:00 P.M.

Pool hours are Monday through Friday. Adult swimming from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM / All ages from1:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Saturday hours are 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

The annual Library Garden Party fundraiser will be held on July 27, 2008 from 1pm to 4pm, at the Hamilton Club in Morris Run, Enjoy great food, garden tours and good company! Tickets are $25 per couple or $15 single. For tickets please call 638-2197 or 638-2295.

Spring Cleanup comparison: 2007 was 32 tons (not including metal) costing approximately $1,700.00. 2008 + 43 tons costing $2,279.00.

Octoberfest activities on October 4, 2008 or October 11, 2008 from 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. The Coal Festival Committee, Boy Scout Troop Pack 69, and V.I.B.E. all will be working together to put this event on.

REMINDERS:

A food pantry is held the third Monday each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Blossburg. For more information, contact Betty Johnson at (570) 638-2805.

T.O.P.S. (Take off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Monday at the First United Methodist Church of Blossburg. Weigh-in is at 5 p.m.

Blossburg BINGO! Every Monday bingo is held at St. Mary's Hall, 6:30 p.m.

Loretta Frost-Steffen; a Creative Memories Consultant holds scrapbooking classes every Tuesday night from 6pm to 10 pm. Call for more information: 570-404-4336

If you or your organizations have any birthdays, anniversaries, congratulations, sympathies, events, information or any questions for Blossburg News & Views, please contact Cheryl Whitney Boinske, (570) 638-3107 or news@blossburg.org.

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