For the Record – Sept. 11, 2014
by Barbara Mastriania
This date …
This year, more so than in recent years, this date, — 9-11 – is a grim reminder that the world has a long way to go to finding peace amongst us. Hopefully, prayerfully, world peach will someday be possible.
Rumor has it …
Have you noticed the bright smiles on employees and the store manager at Dollar General recently? Well rumor has it, not a clue if it’s true, but we’ve heard that the local Dollar General store recently won ten awards at a meeting and show in Harrisburg. The local store was one of 175 stores represented at that event. No wonder they look so happy, congratulations are surely in order!
Administrator hired …
We have good news to report, a new administrator has been hired at Bucktail Medical Center. The new administrator is Tim Reeves.
BMC Music Fest Saturday …
The annual Bucktail Medical Center will be held this, Sept. 14 at the center from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Music will be provided by Bud & The Dynamics and by Drocton Hill. There will be chicken dinners available, and games – bingo starts at 2 p.m. – and raffles will be held. The public is invited to attend. The proceeds benefit the medical center and BMC Auxiliary.
SNUG to perform Friday …
This Friday night, the Lock Haven band SNUG will be at Yesterdays for a fundraiser to benefit Western Clinton County Recreation Center. The gathering begins at 9 p.m. Music starts at 10 p.m. The late start is to allow people to enjoy the home game at Bucktail High School. The public is welcome!
September Saturdays …
Saturdays in September are going to be busy. As noted above this Saturday there’s the music fest, next Saturday, the 20th, the Heritage Park Committee is holding a ‘Mixer’ with music, games and prizes at the Sons of Italy in Renovo. Music is by Bud & The Dynamics. Proceeds go to help continue the renovation of the Heritage headquarters at 530 Erie Avenue and to purchase a heating system for the building.
Sunday is busy too …
Sunday, Sept. 21 the annual Flaming Foliage Car Show will be held at the FFF lot on Huron Avenue. And the second annual Cup Cake War will be held during the car show. Again, the public is welcome.
Here’s the scoop …
We’ve gotten more information about the history and ownership of Fairview Cemetery in Farwell. Last week I included some information from a reader who resides in Arizona. This week local resident Karen Mazzulla and retired President Judge Richard Saxton have provided more.
Karen writes that her husband is Richard (Dick) Mazzulla. He is the grandson of Charles Blair “Chark” Getz, the former owner/ caretaker of the cemetery. Chark’s father was Blair Getz and as far as we know never owned the cemetery. Karen’s husband took over after Chark’s death in January of 1986.
Judge Saxton also notes that when he “was a kid, growing up in good ol’ Renovo,” the cemetery was owned by Charles Blair Getz. “He married my father’s sister, Ruth Evelyn Saxton in 1930. Charles Blair Getz was most-gainfully employed as an engineer for the PRR and “cemeteried” when the need arose.” Last week the Arizona contributor also said he wondered where the nickname “Chark” came from. Judge Saxton noted that he always believed “Chark” was simply derived from his given first name. “No one, including my Aunt Ruth, ever referred to him as anything else,” he writes.
“In any event,” he continues, “Aunt Ruth and Uncle Chark had three children, Ruth Eleanor (“Ruthie”), who was the mother of Richard “Dickie” Mazzulla (to the best of my knowledge, the current cemetery owner), Richard (“Dickie”) and Robert (“Bobby”). Dickie lives in Dover, Delaware and Bobby in Arizona.
“Aunt Ruth and Uncle Chark lived on Erie Avenue between 15th and 16th streets until they lost their home to the ’72 flood. They built on the cemetery property. Last I heard, it is still occupied by a family member. Uncle Chark died in 1986 and Aunt Ruth in 1989. She was living on the cemetery property at that time but passed away in Sunbury where she was with her daughter.
“There are many stories to be told about Uncle Chark and the cemetery, believe me. He was a character to the nth degree. His work made him unavailable at times when his services were needed at the cemetery and his two boys, my father and other family members were conscripted to prepare a grave site for proper use. Likewise my brother and I used to cut grass for him. That was long before modern lawnmowers and, believe me, it wasn’t easy.
“My father and baby sister are buried there. Uncle Chark, Aunt Ruth and Ruthie likewise. Many, many family members, too. I sort of suspect I will end up there, sooner or later. Preferably later. I know of no better site.”
My sincere thanks to both Karen and Judge Saxton for their information about the cemetery. My interest was piqued several months ago during a discussion about cemeteries in the area. I am also curious about the cemetery you can see as you cross the bridge Hyner. I think I was there years ago but I don’t remember how to get there. Someone asked me that recently and I couldn’t tell them.
