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Dear Mt Zion Historical Society (MZHS) Friends:

This is our special edition of our newsletter covering the Mt Zion Historical Society and the Valley's American Legion Post's Annual Memorial Weekend Dedication. We were very pleased of the recognition received from the newspaper coverage from DuBois, St Marys, and the Bennett's Valley. Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and Veteran's Day have all been special to the Valley and its citizens. Thank you all for your support and positive feedback.

And it is now July 4th weekend. We wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July. Happy Birthday America.

Memorial Day Dedication, 2010

May 29, 2010 brought sunny skies and a surprisingly hot day for so early in the year here in Northwestern Pennsylvania. A crowd of about 250 people was not deterred, however, for the Memorial Day Dedication Program at the Mt Zion Historical Park in Weedville.

This year focused on two different plaques added to the park. The Veterans' Honor Walk Plaque honored all family members who must wait behind when loved ones are called to serve their country during conflict. Entitled "They also serve who only stand and wait", the plaque commemorated Ward and Elodie Gardner whose four sons served in World War II. The Gardner parents received 4 telegrams notifying them that sons Theodore and Calvin had been killed in action, and that sons John and Ward, Jr. had been seriously wounded, all in the short time span of 105 days! These parents epitomize the angst and sorrow experienced by so many loved ones who are left behind to worry and wait.

The second plaque added this year opens a whole new walkway in the park. This area will focus on people, places, and events which helped shape the history of Jay and Benezette Townships. This year's first Citizen's Plaque was dedicated to Dr. Betty Hayes Voris who served the Valley citizens from 1942-1948 taking over when her father Dr. Leo Hayes died. She stood her ground against the Shawmut Mining Company to improve unsanitary living conditions for the mining families in the local company-owned towns. Her dedication to her cause, brought national attention to the plight of miners and their families, not only in the Bennetts Valley area but across the country.

The Memorial Day Dedication for 2010 showed a record crowd of visitors to the park which, happily, has been steadily increasing each year. The Mt. Zion Historical Society, responsible for the creation and maintenance of the park, has felt honored to have the additional interest of state and local government agency representatives who have made themselves available to help with the program, and this year was no exception. Mr. Jim Burke, President of the Mt. Zion Historical Society, welcomed the crowd and introduced Master of Ceremonies Leslie Neal, Elk Co. Director of Veteran Affairs. Bob Nay, Mt. Zion Historical Society Board Member, later presented Leslie with a special gift for her involvement with the Memorial Day Dedications for the last four years. Richard Coccimiglio did a superb job as the main speaker, captivating the audience with a truly touching tribute to all veterans. State Representative Matt Gabler presented members of the Gardner family with a framed replica of the Veterans' Honor Walk Plaque. Ken O'Vell, Mt. Zion Historical Society Vice President, surprised Commander Hank Anderson, American Legion Post 978, with his own paver to be added to the World War II section of the Veterans' Walk. The American Legion Post, under Hank's direction, has availed itself to helping the Historical Society with military records and information since the Park's inception. The Color Guard from Post 978 has also served to open the ceremonies each year. Rita Fenice, M.Z.H.S. Special Projects, explained the new walkway with the Citizen's Plaque, and then introduced John Hayes, nephew of Dr. Betty Hayes Voris, who gave family history and more insight into Dr. Betty. The Memorial Day Dedication always has strived to include a variety of church leaders from the Valley. This year's invocation was done by Father Tom Tyler, the closing song, "America the Beautiful", was sung by Pastor Luther Nelson, and the Benediction by Pastor Bryon Kleppinger. Lastly, Boy Scout Troop 94, under the direction of Scoutmaster Derrick Schaut, closed the program with the lowering of the flag.



Once again, the yearly Memorial Day Dedication ended with friends and neighbors (and even some strangers who were passing through the area or staying in nearby camps), meeting , visiting, and leaving with a warm feeling and "food for thought" about all they had seen and heard that day. That's what the Mt. Zion Historical Society has always hoped for, and we can't be more pleased when we see such a positive outcome! So, spread the word to those who don't know about the Park, and Join us for the festivities next year. Better yet, bring a picnic basket and come, sit, and enjoy the peace and beauty of the Mt. Zion Historical Park someday soon!

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