MTU student studies Ford Addition

Link to December 20 Iron Mountain Daily News article.

Excerpt: "This kind of project, looking not only at why Ford built houses or what they looked like but also how workers lived in those houses, hopefully creates a record for those who wonder what it used to be like," she said. I" plan to continue working in Michigan's automotive history and historic preservation, so that a generation from now there's still an understanding of the amazing industrial progress that happened in this state. The project also, peripherally, builds on the fantastic historic work already done by people in the Iron Mountain-Kingsford community and hopefully provides some more information."

Randy Rossman, obituary

Randy Rossman, 56, of 405 Lexington Ave., Warren, PA, went peacefully to his eternal life lovingly surrounded by his family, on December 17, at UPMC/ Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., after receiving the gift of a second liver transplant.

Randy was the son of the late Earl and Gertrude (Dinsmore) Rossman. He was born on July 14, 1952, in Warren, where he lived most of his life.

Randy survived a first liver transplant 14 years ago and made the most of those years by traveling with his wife and together watching their daughters grow to maturity and create families of their own. He was so proud of his girls and loved having them around. Randy was a true fighter and ever hopeful of being fully restored to health. He will be greatly missed by all who knew, loved, and admired his kind, gentle, generous spirit.

Randy was the husband of Ann Jarvis Rossman, to whom he was married for 37 wonderful years. He was the father of Jennifer Rossman and future soninlaw Jonathan Miller, Leslie Rossman and husband Ron Carner, and Emily Young and husband Shawn. Randy was the proud and loving grandfather of Jada Rossman, the "apple of his eye", Gavin Rossman, his special little man, and Austin, Cory, and Ashley Carner. Randy is also survived by Howard and Bea Jarvis, to whom he became a "son" when he married their daughter Ann; his sisterinlaw, Linda Jarvis Cylenica and family; his brotherinlaw, Todd Jarvis and family; and a niece and nephew, Christine and Tom Pratz.

Randy was preceded in death by his brother, Art Rossman, and his sister and brotherinlaw, Bea and Bob Pratz.

Randy's passions and hobbies were working, fishing, and going to flea markets. He loved doing things with his hands and tinkering. He also took great pleasure in owning and running Jarvis Cleaners for 17 years and then owning and managing Whispering Winds Mobile Home Park and an apartment building in Warren. Randy was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and Close to the Heart Transplant Support Group which he helped cofound.

Randy's ultimate joy and pleasure was his family. Nothing meant more to him than those he loved. He enjoyed vacationing, holidays at his home, and making memories with those he cherished. He had the best devilish laugh when he played a practical joke on others. He had a heart and spirit that constantly gave to others.

Visitation will be held from 24 and 79 on Friday, December 19, at Peterson Blick Funeral Home, 1003 Penna. Ave. E.. Warren, PA. There will be an additional visitation hour on December 20 beginning at 10 a.m. at Grace United Methodist Church on the corner of Prospect St. and Pennsylvania Ave., followed by his memorial service which will begin at 11 a.m.

Contributions may be made to Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute, Medical Arts Building, Suite 400, 3708 5th Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 152133405 or Close to the Heart Transplant Support Group, in care of Warren General Hospital. Nothing would honor Randy more than for others to become an organ donor.

Great Falls Street Views from Google Maps

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112 8th Street North. The Old Parsonage.


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First English Lutheran Church


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First English Lutheran Church. Focusing on the addition.


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Whittier Elementary School, where I attended kindergarten (full year) and 1st grade (1 1/2 months).


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Jacques' house.


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Developers see new life in Kensington Heights

Link to December 14 Buffalo News article.

Excerpt:
Kensington Heights has been vacant since 1980. And in those 28 years, the six-tower complex in one of Buffalo’s poorest neighborhoods has become a symbol of urban blight — an eyesore not only to the community but to motorists who drive by it on the Kensington Expressway as well.

Frances Wester

Frances L. Wester, 79, of 9 Terracehaven Dr., Clarendon, PA, died on Friday, December 5, 2008 at her residence.

Mrs. Wester was born on July 21, 1929, in Kane, Pa., the daughter of the late Ben and Anna (Fox) Reynolds. She was a waitress at various restaurants in the Warren area, including the Arcaide Restaurant, in Kane, Penn Restaurant, Lazy Suzanne, Three Flags, and Allegheny Hotel.

She was 1947 graduate of Kane High School, a former member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, and a member of the Clarendon VFW, Post 314 Auxiliary.

She is survived by her husband, John C. Wester, whom she married on February 12, 1955 at the First Baptist Church, in Kane; three sons, Thomas Wester, Mt. Lebanon, PA, Ben Wester and his wife, Judy, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, and John E. Wester, Clarendon; two brothers, Alvin Reynolds, Randolph, NY and Donald Reynolds, Kennedy, NY; six grandchildren; five greatgrandchil dren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Loretta Rice, Gladys Butters, and Sarah Snyder; and three brothers, Clayton, Norman, and Gilbert Reynolds.

Fluvanna Quality Markets Closing

Link to December 6 Jamestown Post Journal article.

Excerpt:
When the Fluvanna Avenue Quality Markets store was erected in the early 1980s, the price tag for construction was $2 million.

At the time, the Fluvanna Avenue corridor was a bustling area of commerce in the city. The closing location also featured the first supermarket-based salad bar in the area, as the idea was only experimental in 1983.

Along with the Fluvanna Avenue store, Penn Traffic recently closed grocery stores in Oswego and Lebanon, N.H., citing the same reasons as those given for the local closing.

City seeks best ways to improve West Bank

Link to December 1 Great Falls Tribune article.

Excerpt:
For years, Great Falls' West Bank area resembled a battered prize fighter, bloodied and humbled.

These days, it looks more like the Comeback Kid, sporting a new look on the way to becoming a thriving commercial and parkland area.

City commissioners last year declared the West Bank an urban renewal area and authorized a system of tax-increment financing to pay for some of the work. Private developers will pay for the bulk of their own projects as well.

Already under construction is a new $16.4 million federal courthouse building, expected to be completed next spring or summer. The next big project is a $13.4 million Staybridge Suites hotel proposed on property owned by the Great Falls firm James Talcott Construction, just north of the courthouse project.

I haven't lived in Great Falls since July 1957, but I still remember crossing the Central Avenue West bridge from downtown and feeling as though we were entering a different place. Maybe it was the lack of trees.