Latest news with #America250PA
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
America250PA brings its Keystone Classroom Initiative to Kistler Elementary
May 15—WILKES-BARRE — William Penn, who was born in 1644 and died in 1718 — which would make him 380 years old — came to life on Thursday at Kistler Elementary School as part of America250PA's Keystone Classroom Initiative. And Mr. Penn delivered a historical summary of his significant life to the delight of the students. Mr. Penn, who founded the Province of Pennsylvania — the British North American colony that became the U.S. state of Pennsylvania — was played by Robert Gleason, appropriately of Philadelphia. The students learned much about Mr. Penn and the democratic principles that he set forth, having served as an inspiration for the U.S. Constitution. America250PA continued its Keystone Classroom Initiative (KCI) — a program that connects young Pennsylvanians with the history and values that unite us as we prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary in 2026. "America250PA is so excited to continue the Keystone Classroom Initiative in Luzerne County and engage our next generation of Pennsylvanians at an age-appropriate level," said Cassandra Coleman, America250PA executive director and former mayor of Exeter Borough. "This program will allow us to visit with more than 50,000 Pennsylvania students all across this Commonwealth by July 4, 2026, when this historic anniversary rolls around." Several volunteers and guest readers joined America250PA for the special Keystone Classroom Initiative (KCI) visit in Luzerne County — including State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, Wilkes-Barre Mayor George C. Brown, representatives from the Office of U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan, Jr., the Pennsylvania State Police, the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department, Vicki Austin of WVIA, Chris Bohinski of WYOU/WBRE, Miss Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Victoria Vespico, and Miss Lebanon County Kristen Griffiths. America250PA's mascot — the Keystone Kid — was joined by Tux, mascot of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and Leo the Lion, King's College's mascot, to distribute swag bags filled with Pennsylvania-themed goodies, including an America250PA T-shirt, a pencil, and a custom-designed Pennsylvania coloring book. Coleman said students also received treats from Pennsylvania-based sponsors such as the Hershey Company, Crayola, Utz Quality Foods Inc., and Natural Food Group, along with contributions from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General. In addition to classroom readings, third- and fourth-grade students attended a special assembly featuring Historic Philadelphia Inc. and a live portrayal of William Penn. "We are very excited for our students to gain a deeper understanding of Pennsylvania's history," said Corey Brenner, Principal of Kistler Elementary School. "Many of our students don't yet realize the impact our state has had in so many aspects of the growth of the United States. This visit will help bring that history to life and inspire pride in our shared heritage." In total, the program reached over 800 students in Luzerne County on Thursday. Overall, Coleman said the program will reach more than 50,000 PA students by July 4, 2026. Coleman said the Keystone Classroom Initiative is a storytelling and outreach program for pre-K through fourth-grade classrooms, children's hospitals and youth camps across the Commonwealth. With the help of age-appropriate historical reenactors, storytellers, local figures and mascots, America250PA is ensuring students across the Commonwealth learn about their shared Pennsylvania story while building excitement for the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026. Coleman said the program is made possible thanks to the generous support of presenting sponsors — the Hershey Company, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions, The Hawk Family Foundation, UPMC & UPMC Health Plan, The Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the University of Pittsburgh, Access, Allied Services, Independent Graphics Inc., and Benco Family Foundation. To learn more about the Keystone Classroom Initiative and America250PA, visit About America250PA The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) was established by the General Assembly and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania's integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation's past, present and future. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Centre and Elk County awarded over $5k for community projects
(WTAJ) — Two Central Pennsylvania counties are among the awardees that were granted over $30,000 to help support community projects. The projects were awarded as part of the 2025 National Pennsylvania Day Mini Grants. The winners will be using the funds, up to $4,000 for each project, to improve the community and engage with volunteers through a project. Projects could include park and cemetery improvements, revitalization efforts, plantings, painting of community assets, river sweeps, graffiti abatement, and murals. DCNR unveils new $321K park in Johnstown Here are the two local awardees: Centre County The Roland Curtin Foundation for the Preservation of Eagle Furnace was awarded $1,700 for the restoration of the Curtin Herb Garden. Elk County Benezette Township was awarded $4,000 for an improvement project at Benezette Park. The funding comes from the Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT Corporation and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. 'At America250PA, we believe the strongest legacy we can leave for the Semiquincentennial is a Commonwealth that shows up for one another,' Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA said. 'Volunteerism isn't just something we do—it's who we are. For 250 years, Pennsylvanians have stepped up for each other in moments big and small. That's the legacy we're building on through our partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, EQT, and PennDOT. By cleaning up our communities, we're reminding ourselves what it means to belong to one.' A full list of the 2025 awardees can be found on the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Point State Park fountain won't be operational this summer amid major upgrade project
Point State Park's iconic fountain in Pittsburgh is undergoing major upgrade work and won't be operational this year as the park itself is getting a multi-million dollar facelift. It's not an accident that the fountain hasn't been turned on yet this spring and it's not the only change you should expect at Point State Park this year. 2025 is becoming a transition year for Pittsburgh in a lot of ways and the fountain itself is a symbol of that transition. The plume of the fountain reaching high above the confluence with its three side jets representing Pittsburgh's three rivers has long been the city's greeting card -- but today it sits dormant. "We're going to start a project with Allegheny City Electric," said Jake Weiland, Director of Point State Park. "They won the bid to actually replace all the fountain lighting this year." Weiland says it's a little hard to change lights if they're underwater, which is why the fountain hasn't been turned on. "We are changing all the lights out," Weiland said. "There's 280 uplights in the fountain. And we're also changing all the conduit, all the wiring, all the controls within the pump house, so we have a fully operating fountain come 2026." Events in Pittsburgh next year include America250PA, Pennsylvania's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, and the 2026 NFL Draft, among others. As the fountain gets its upgrade, so will Point State Park, to the tune of $3.4 million. "The site improvement project is a much larger, much longer project that's that's actually going to impact a great deal of our operations, to include all events this year, after the month of May," Weiland said. There won't be any summer events in the park, including 4th of July fireworks, but recognizing the walking, jogging, and biking nature of the park, Weiland says they'll try to keep the walkways open. "However, we're going to be removing all the black top, milling the black top down, and replacing the black top," Weiland said. "We're going to be replacing all the benches and the water fountains. There's a great deal of work to be done." If all goes according to plan, Weiland hopes the fountain will be ready for testing this fall. "So we can exercise the fountain, run the lights for several weeks before the end of the year, because we know in April 2026 we're going to hit ground running," Weiland said. When it comes to where all the normal events for the park are going to be relocated to, those will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Rich and storied history': Liberty Tree planting connects Johnstown region to nation's 250th anniversary
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A sapling holding the nearly 250-year legacy of the United States in its roots and leaves has been planted in Johnstown. The tree that was planted Saturday at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy in the city's Hornerstown section is a graft from the last remaining Liberty Tree in the nation. The original Liberty Tree was a famous tree that stood near Boston Common in Boston in the years before the American Revolution. In 1765, patriots in Boston staged the first act of defiance against the British government and its Stamp Act tax policy. The tree became a central gathering place for protesters and a rallying point for the growing resistance to the rule of Britain over the American colonies. When the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, townspeople gathered at the Liberty Tree to celebrate, and it was subsequently pruned by order of the Sons of Liberty. Soon, colonists in other towns began naming their own liberty trees, and the Tree of Liberty became a symbol of the American Revolution. The Pennsylvania Freemasons, in partnership with the Pennsylvania commission for the United States' 250th anniversary next year, launched an effort to plant one descendant of a Liberty Tree in each of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The tree planted in Johnstown is a descendant from the nation's last Liberty Tree, which stood in Annapolis, Maryland. Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy, 80 Hickory St., was the site selected for Cambria County's tree because four veterans of the Revolutionary War are buried there, said Nicki Waligora, Cambria County's appointed representative to the advisory committee of America250PA, Pennsylvania's commission for the United States' 250th anniversary. A couple dozen people, including state, county and local government officials, gathered around the small tulip poplar Saturday morning for a dedication ceremony. State Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Richland Township, delivered opening remarks. 'There is a rich and storied history behind this Liberty Tree, and it's fitting that we are here at Sandyvale to dedicate it,' Langerholc said. 'As this tree will grow over time – good things take time – and as its roots establish a strong foundation and its leaves reach to heaven, it will withstand the storms that come and stand as a testament to the nation.' State Rep. Frank Burns, D-East Taylor Township; Cambria County Commissioners Scott Hunt, Thomas Chernisky and Keith Rager; and Johnstown City Councilwoman Laura Huchel attended the ceremony, as well as Freemasons of Greater Johnstown Lodge No. 538. Rager, who is also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, said the moment was a powerful way to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The little tree, Rager said, is a reminder that 'liberty must be defended.' The anniversary will officially begin July 4, 2026, with the commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'Liberty Tree' planting to kick off Cambria County's America250PA observance
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Cambria County's first official initiative in preparation for America's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence will be the planting of a 'Liberty Tree' at 1 p.m. April 26 at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens and Conservancy, 80 Hickory St. in the Hornerstown section of Johnstown. The Pennsylvania Freemasons have partnered with America250PA to sponsor the planting of 'Liberty Trees' in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. The tree that will be planted at Sandyvale is a descendant of the last remaining 'Liberty Tree' that stood in Annapolis, Maryland. The event is free and open to the public. Cambria County recently formed a committee to orchestrate plans for the 250th anniversary observance. Details will be available at as plans progress.
