In 1975, my parents chose to move me, my brother and sister in the midst of winter from St. Marys in Elk County to Marsteller, so my dad could start a new job in the coal mines.
His new job with Barnes & Tucker also would bring us back “home” to Northern Cambria, where my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – both close and a few times removed – were born and raised.
And for the record, I have never lived in Northern Cambria proper.
But my husband was raised in the Italian section of Barnesboro, and my side of the family resides in the Spangler side.
But I was educated in Northern Cambria schools, and I basically grew up in the Barnesboro-Spangler-Nicktown area.
Last week, I had the privilege of seeing the special preview of “Our Town: Northern Cambria,” a 75-minute documentary filmed by community volunteers. The program premieres tonight on WPSU at 8 and 10, and will air in segments during the station’s pledge drive.
And after viewing the final production, I think everyone in the region who watches it will think Northern Cambria could be their town, too.
The piece talks about the history of Barnesboro and Spangler – neighboring towns so close that someone from one town could spit over the line into their neighbor’s yard in the next town.
Both communities grew by leaps and bounds as a result of the booming coal industry.
The documentary also talks about how the demise of the coal and steel industry in the late 1970s and early 1980s led to a population decline – and the eventual merger of the two municipalities into Northern Cambria in 2000.
The show featured nostalgic photos from the past and great video of the present – including a helicopter bird’s-eye view.
And the stories behind the churches, businesses, schools and the famous Reilly Mine shaft explosion that killed 77 coal miners in the early 1900s is sure to evoke memories that have been tucked away for many years.
My own trip down memory lane includes:
n The evening of my wedding rehearsal dinner at Bonatesta’s tavern. In the movie, the owners talked about how the business has evolved in 41 years, and how Mrs. Bonatesta developed her famous pizza recipe.
n My early schooling in the parochial school system there as photos of the former St. Patrick’s, St. Stanislaus, Holy Cross, St. Edward’s and St. John’s churches were shown.
n Our Lady of Mount Carmel church, where my husband served as an altar boy for many years and worked many church festivals.
He introduced me to his family at the annual church picnic there when I was 14, and my late father-in-law showed this poor German girl from Nicktown how to twirl spaghetti with a fork.
n The story behind the historic consolidation of the two towns in 2000 reminded me of the fierce discussions among family members and friends about the reasons for and against joining forces.
n The story behind the Reilly Mine shaft explosion made me remember how my grandparents told me the story about what happened and how it affected the community.
Northern Cambria is not unlike other coal towns in the region. Without knowing the title, this could be a story about Nanty Glo, Portage, Patton, Lilly or South Fork, just to name a few.
And just like the folks in those towns, those in Northern Cambria are proud of their community, which shows through in every segment.
If you get a chance tonight, relax on a cold winter’s night with a hot beverage and check out “Our Town: Northern Cambria.”
Natives might get a chuckle when they see and hear friends of old. And those who have never been will not only be educated, but entertained.
And a big “thank you” to the 30 or so volunteers who took the time to videotape and talk about Northern Cambria. It was a great trip down memory lane.
Local News
Related Photos
-
File Photo
Discussion
JULIE BENAMATI | Documentary shows off Northern Cambria
- Local News
-
-
Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
-
Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
-
Cambria abolishes 16 jobs
Following through on promises to cut budget costs, the Cambria County commissioners voted Thursday to abolish 16 positions, including nine full-time jobs.
-
Blogging with heart
Anyone else have this issue: The more I know, the more I want to learn.
As I am writing my heart month stories for this week’s packages, I occasionally come across a term or description unfamiliar to me. So I look it up. And then the definition or article has something else that sounds important, so I look that up. -
Wozniak defends his support of drilling bill
State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, one of only seven Democrats to support the Marcellus Shale legislation adopted this week, said the bill protects the environment and provides help to local communities impacted by the natural gas drilling.
-
Businessman hoping to unseat Wozniak
Tim Houser uses two words – “challenging opportunity” – to describe his goal in this year’s elections.
-
Judge tosses evidence in robbery
A Cambria County prosecutor said he’ll have to drop robbery charges against a Twin Rocks woman after much of his evidence was suppressed by a judge.
-
Shooting defendant pleads to attempted murder
A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty Thursday in county court to attempted murder and theft in a Nov. 18 home invasion in which the homeowner was shot.
-
Garrett man sought in Somerset crime
An arrest warrant has been issued for Samuel McFarland Jr., 33, of Berlin Street in Garrett in connection with Saturday’s robbery of two boys outside Dollar General on East Main Street in Somerset.
-
City man shot during alleged burglary
A Johnstown man was shot during a burglary attempt in Indiana County and then burglarized a home in Armstrong County before he was arrested, authorities said Thursday.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
