Sunday, October 7, 2007

Welcome to the Benton News Blog Spot

This is your opportunity to say hello to other members of the upper Fishingcreek Valley community.

There are some strict rules. Don't say anything here that you would not say to your Mother to her face. This isn't "30 Seconds." Anything you say must be signed with your full name, and don't say anything here about anyone if you can't say something nice. There are no more rules.

Now get on with it and say hello to your friends and neighbors.

David Kline on behalf of the News from Back Home in Benton, PA

72 comments:

Laurie Noss said...

I just wanted to say that this is a good idea. I want to ask everyone what they think of illegal immigrants living in Benton. We have 4 or 5 of them living on center Street. The police gave them a week to get green cards. I think they should have been taken away immediatly. They have been living there a couple of years. I know the local police know this because we called last year when the illegals were dealing drugs on their front step.

Kelly O'Brien Gavin said...

Thank you David, this is a wonderful service for the Benton / Fishingcreek communities. I hope people enjoy and respect the site and service.

Kelly O'Brien Gavin said...

Regarding Ms. Noss' comment. She should speak with local state officials to find out what the procedure is. Most often our local police are told not to take into custody illegal aliens and to follow procedures in reporting it to the federal authorities. This is something I believe is a concern and from what I have been told there are new policies that are being implemented problem is not all law enforcement authorities are working from the same policies. Communication is definitely an issue with our various levels of law enforcement and government.

Scott Jones said...

I'm glad to see this new feature on the Benton News site! I agree with your comments, David, regarding the appropriate use of this blog page. I'm optmistic that the folks who regularly visit this site will comply and look forward to its growth. Kudos to the Benton HS boys soccer team for a nice win over Loyalsock yesterday!

Paul said...

Indeed, Thanks David for this opportunity. I look forward to reading others' ideas and thoughts while hopefully being able to provide my own sometime.

Joyce Gordon said...

Thank you to ALL who gave unselfishly to the creation of the NCCCC. I was there for the grand opening today, and I'm proud to be a Bentonian when I see the community come together like it did on this project. It has so much to offer and needs everyone's support. If you haven't seen it yet, do visit and see how it can enhance your life in the Benton area. Get involved;they need us.

Nina said...

If you have not been to the new NCCCC , then you should~~~

it is a great show of love of a community,and what will happen if you all work together..


We purchased a charter membership,and plan to use it, and I will offer to help as I can,,,,,,I would like to see a Senior Fitness Club started~!

The library looks wonderful to~~and the art pieces/displays on loan are wonderful~

So please do go,, and show your support to this little town by the dam~~~

Nina K Ford,
Huntington Mills,Pa

Unknown said...

Thanks you for this blog David. I've never been a Benton resident yet feel a kinship with the town. I spent many a happy day swimming at the dam and having home made ice cream at "Aunt Evelyn & Uncle Bob's house on a warm summer evening. I read "The News" on a daily basis (well almost) and like the format and the content. Thanks for the moment.

Unknown said...

Can't really comment on Benton as I do not live there.
Yet.
However I am seriously looking.
I could use one of two things.
1- a rental every year, for maybe as much as $1000 month (depending on location, amenities, condition of course.)
2- Failing that I am prepared to buy something to use during the summer. Could be a trailer, or small cottage.
So, any help along these lines would be appreciated, but that's not the purpose of this post.

We all know how bad the No Name Flood was.
And I guess there was a bad one back in 72......
Now no one can predict when the next one will happen.........but I am trying to get a 'feel' for the floods.
How OFTEN does Benton flood?
Say, Park street, for instance. How OFTEN do those houses take on water?

Thanks in advance.


Homer

Benton News said...

This is in response to the Blog post from Homer about the flooding of property in the Borough of Benton and surrounding areas. Someone in Harrisburg or beyond who probably has never visited the upper Fishingcreek valley assigns "titles" to land to define how often a flood takes place. Some areas along streams falls under the "One Hundred" and "Five Hundred" year flood plan. Both local banks have maps which show these demarcations, and the maps are available at other locations, too. These maps, in my opinion, are good indications, but are not fail-proof. For example, Federal Flood Insurance is required on the east side of Main Street (including Park Street) if a new mortgage is needed. The west side of Main Street--on the same elevation--currently does not require Federal Flood Insurance.

Don't give up, Homer, I didn't forget your question of how often Benton floods. A "flood" could range from an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry to a devastating amount of water overflowing a property. Understanding that there could be 100 different answers in response from that many people, the "flood" water in Benton has not been serious since 1848 when the Kauff flood, named for members of the Kauff family who were victims of a flood, took out many of the bridges between Elk Grove and Bloomsburg. Subsequent "floods" have on occasion put up to a foot of water in low-lying places and have dumped water into some basements.

When you decide that you want to live in as lovely a place as the upper Fishingcreek valley, you have to expect that a "little rain shall fall."
--David Kline, webmeister, who believes that every day is filled with sunshine

Maureen Longnecker said...

Thank you for starting this blog, and for having the web site, David! It helps me keep up-to-date now that my parents are deceased.
In the '60's, Ben Pollock hired my dad, Jim Maier, as a teacher. Dad came from Danville, and Mom (Milly) came from Millville, Benton's arch rival for the Cider Jug. Both of them fell in love with Benton. I'm glad they did! At Dad's funeral at McMichael's Funeral Home, my uncle related a story that captures what Benton meant to my parents, and what it means to me. In the '70's, Uncle Joe came to visit Dad with the intention of getting Dad to move back to Danville. The two of them went fishing at the dam, and Uncle Joe told Dad that Danville needed a new social studies teacher and Uncle Joe needed an assistant basketball coach. If Dad took the job, it would mean a very large increase in pay. He thought Dad would jump at the offer. Dad said, "That's a great offer, Joe, but I can't take it. I couldn't do it. I could never leave Benton." Uncle Joe said, "What's so great about Benton?" He used to teasingly call it a one horse town and would ask Dad if he ever got to ride the horse. Dad replied, "I could never leave Benton. I love everything about Benton: the people in Benton, I teach at a great school with a great faculty and the people are just so great here. They're friendly, so open, so honest." Uncle Joe told him you can go to any town and if you look around you'll find open and honest people. As if Dad had planned it, he said, "In Benton, you don't have to look around." I graduated with the class of '81, but Benton is still as much in my heart as it was then. I miss Benton. I miss the people...way too many to mention by name. I'll close now by sending my sincere greetings to everyone back home in Benton.

Maureen Longnecker

Laurie Noss said...

How do we start a new post or is it just the original we just make comments off of?

Benton News said...

I am somewhat new to this "blogger thing," but it appears to me that comments are cumulative. Continue a topic or start a new one. Readers will just have to scroll to the end to see the latest comments.

Bob McKelvey said...

Fond memories of Benton includes the many deer that would cross our path while driving to Benton AFS on Red Rock while stationed there back in 1958-1959. My wife and I were married and rented our "Honeymoon Cottage" on Hill St. The bear tracks in the yard, and seeing for the first time a fossil in stone near where we would swim. The rope where we could swing out over the water and splash into the water. The friendly people of Benton which made my wife and I feel at home.

Mary Marzullo said...

My husband and I are planning on retiring in Benton in about 6-8 years (hopefully). We drive through Benton often when we are out to visit friends in Berwick. We have been reading the Benton news website regularly and can't wait to leave NJ! The blog is a great way to keep up with the local happenings in Benton. Thanks everyone for your postings.

harley said...

Is there anything we can do as a community to try and persuade the federal government NOT to allow our beloved governor and state legislature from making I-80 a toll road? Having that highway as a toll will have adverse affects on our area. Rt.118 will become more of a 'race track' than it is now. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Unknown said...

where can i get copies of both books entitled "tracking yesterday"?

Benton News said...

On the subject of I-80. It certainly doesn’t look like the U.S. Congress is going to help. The federal transportation appropriation bill prohibition of the tolling of I-80 was stripped clean (although at this writing the bill has not been approved by both chambers). The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will hold a total of eight public meetings about the tolling proposal in November along the I-80 corridor, although I can't see how this is going to help the cause a lot. It appears to me that the whole thing is now up to the Federal Highway Administration.

Benton News said...

Ted Fenstermacher wrote and the Press Enterprise published "Tracking Yesterday" and a companion book. A telephone operator at the newspaper told me that the book is out of print and no copies are for sale by the paper, but an employee of the paper has some copies for sale. Call 784-2121 (the Press Enterprise) and the operator will connect you with the person with the copies for sale. Copies are available for reading in the Columbia County Historical Society, Market Street, Bloomsburg.

Unknown said...

thanks david for the help

Unknown said...

its true, the ncccc is one of the best things to happen to benton. we really needed something like this. i use the fitness center daily, and it is becoming more popular everyday.

benton is really moving along. people are finding it more so than ever. not just retirees moving here for the cost of living factor. younger people are moving here too. here is the rub, lets not let it become like the places there moving from. we dont need more lighted signs like the ones in front of the restaurant and the used car lot.

lets keep as much like it is as possible. thats what people like about it.

Laurie Noss said...

Good luck deer hunters

Doug Thomas said...

Christmas Lighting Safety

Just a reminder, be sure all of your outdoor lighting is plugged into a GFCI protected outlet.

Also, be sure not to over load your electrical circuits both indoors and outdoors.

If you still have fuses in your house and a 15 amp fuse blows replace it with ONLY a 15 amp fuse do not replace with a lager fuse size.

If you have any questions please call Thomas' Electrical Services at 864-2570.

Have a Merry CHRISTmas and a Safe New Year.

Laurie Noss said...

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Dave Hilley said...

HI, does anyone know who's handling the Benton Myspace account. It's getting a little stale, and could use some cleaning up. Thanks. Also, Merry Christmas to everyone!

Laurie Noss said...

I have been wondering the same thing. Hope someone knows.

Laurie Noss said...

Doesn't anyone have any comments for this blog? Somebody certainly has something to say about Benton and the people that live there. Don't let this forum die.

Bob McKelvey said...

Memories of Benton from way back in the late 50's. Snow tires on the Chrysler and not being able to back up the inclined driveway on Hill Street when it snowed! The recapped tires had a herring bone tread that only had good traction when going forward through the snow. My wife and I remember walking down Hill Street and across the bridge to get great banana splits at the drug store. I also remember being chased by a snake while swimming at the swimming hole, although some boys dove in to look for the snake that went under the water. Bob McKelvey

JD said...

David, this is a wonderful blog! I had no idea this was even here or I'd have said hello before! Thank you for all the great items you put in the Benton News... wonderful things to add to my genealogy! Jenni Davis

Dave Hilley said...

It's good to see people are using this blog again, and a thanks to Mr. Kline for plugging it in the Benton News. We have a terrific platform for communications here, and it would be a shame to see it die out from disuse. There are a lot of people out there who must have something to say, whether they're from Benton, or not.

(Bertie)Marie said...

Hello! I am writing to you from Munich, Germany to tell you that I enjoy the Benton News very much.My father was Philip A. Knouse, born and brought up in Benton, son of Wm.Knouse and brother of Ralph, Wm.Jr,Minnie and Maud Knouse. I would like to ask if there are any people in Benton who are related or still remember the Knouses. The information about the cider mill brought back memories of the Bloomsburg Fair. I grew up in Rupert, between Bloom and Catawissa. My father had a flower business, first retail florist shop and later wholesale flower growing, on the Danville Rd. just past the Crossroads of Rte 42 and Rte 11. I have done considerable research on the Knouse history, back to 1640 in Germany, but am also interested in other sidelights.

(Bertie)Marie said...

Hello! I am writing to you from Munich, Germany to tell you that I enjoy the Benton News very much.My father was Philip A. Knouse, born and brought up in Benton, son of Wm.Knouse and brother of Ralph, Wm.Jr,Minnie and Maud Knouse. I would like to ask if there are any people in Benton who are related or still remember the Knouses. The information about the cider mill brought back memories of the Bloomsburg Fair. I grew up in Rupert, between Bloom and Catawissa. My father had a flower business, first retail florist shop and later wholesale flower growing, on the Danville Rd. just past the Crossroads of Rte 42 and Rte 11. I have done considerable research on the Knouse history, back to 1640 in Germany, but am also interested in other sidelights. (Bertie)Marie

Laurie Noss said...

I heard the Fireside Video closed. What happened? Still no information about the Benton Myspace page?

Laurie Noss said...

Eleanor Laubach passed away this morning, February 5, 2008.

Karen said...

Can anyone tell me if the North Columbia Community and Cultural Center has a website?

I would love to attend some of the classes, but missed out on the first sessions. It would be terrific to have a single resource to find out what the center is offering.

Forgive me if I missed the info in the Benton News. Love it, by the way. Thank you David for offering such an interesting and valuable resource to the Benton community. (even if I miss reading some days!!! a time-management skill I would do well to improve...) Just want you to know that your time and effort is very much appreciated.

Benton News said...

The web site for the Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center is http://www.n4cs.org/ .

Laurie Noss said...

Happy Presidents Day everyone!!

George A said...

hi benton,im new here,not from your area but i have spent many sommers camping and winters hunting in rickets glen state park
and shopping in your local stores
i love your area just the way it is without neon signs ect.and hope mc donalds dont come there.
thanks for listening to me Geo.

George A said...

Question,is this blog sill allive??

thank you dave for my jeep article
and the information about the gas co. im from nj but hang out and now spend alot of time in northern lackawanna co, gods country its a
peaceful retreat, no smog,no noise,
no cars,trucks,people,phones puters
just quiet and you can see the stars listen to the birds and the
cyottes at night. now the Gas co. wants to come in and screw this all up. they are a large co. and will probally get there way or if the neighbors sign up it will mess up our property any way, a no win.
they use large noisy equipment round the clock for 6 mos.with bright lights at nt. and rune the local water supply canada is lookin good Geo.

Paul said...

I agree with you George A - I have a small plot of land and will not lease it to any company to allow wells to be drilled on - hopefully my neighbors will feel the same way. To lose what we have - clean water, quiet land to name but two you have, for a maybe chance at income is too great. I won't argue with others on their decisions, it is only my opinion.

TheDuck said...

Just wanted to add a little on the piece about the local forts of the area.
I grew up at the site of Fort Wheeler just outside of Lightstreet.
The DAR placed a stone marker there and a flagpole.
At that time the property belonged to the Whitenight's.
Great place to grow up surrounded by fields and the Sand and Gravel plant and Fishing creek nearby.
The house and barns have since been raised but the old stone marker is still there.

Unknown said...

Well, David is going to take some well deserved time off.
I think it is time to thank David for this wonderful Internet Site.
I sit down here in N Ft Myers and read the Benton news every night.
I enjoy it very much and hope y'all enjoy it as much as I do.
I appreciate all the effort that David has put in, recording and recalling the history of the area.

I'm not from Benton but have been visiting the area since 1968 when I started dating and then married Edna Rogers, of Dallas.
In fact we will be spending July and August this year at her brother's house in Meeker.
So if you see an old reprobate that you don't recognize in the The Old Filling Station this summer, come on over and say Hi.

And if it's not me, so what? ;)

Thank you David.

Homer

Ed said...

I was reading the April 17 news. I think the word "leaks" is misspelled. It should be "leeks". I have spent the last 37 years teaching English and Social Studies. Can't help it; I gotta correct people.

Recently, I began reading your publication. You are doing a great job. I am a Benton High School graduate(67). I may be retiring in your area. I think you are doing a great job. Thanks.

Ed Rhinard (Son of Ken and Hilda Rhinard)

Benton News said...

Ed Rhinard was absolutely correct. I did spell the word "leek" incorrectly. I am surprised it was not caught sooner. Thanks for keeping me straight, Ed.

Alexandra.Schaich said...

This has nothing to do with anything that is going on in Benton, but I just wanted to say that I miss the area. I moved to Central/Benton in the 90s with my parents, grew up there, and graduated from Benton High in 2005.

I moved to Pittsburgh a year ago, and miss the area terribly! I come back every chance I have. I'm glad that there is a website I can go to and see what is happening in little ole Benton! Keep it going!

Benton News said...

For Alexandra,

The upper Fishingcreek valley is not a big spot on earth, but the folks who come from this area have the biggest hearts in the world. I'll try to keep you informed about things going on. You are always welcome to email me for suggestions of things that you might want to now more about.

Webmeister David

Unknown said...

well it has happened. just as i knew it would. a couple of months ago, i stated on here that wee need no more digital signs in benton. sure enough, we have another. thanks to the grocery store. this sign can be seen from the bridge by the inn under. its gross.

Laurie Noss said...

I am glad that Benton has finally joined the 20th century. Three digital signs, wow! I know you are gonna say that this is the 21st century, so Benton has a long way to go. Maybe the bank will stay open till 4 or 5 on wednesday. I what to also say that I love the new cash registers at Country Fresh. Each register having a credit card machine was long overdue. Way to go, Country Fresh!

Bob McKelvey said...

Recent news of bears mentioned in the Benton News, I recalled the time my bride stepped out of our apartment on Hill St. back in the late 50's to get the milk and the door slammed and locked behind her. She was home all alone and of course in her night gown on that cold morning. Mr. John Mather our landlord had a key and he let back in our apartment. He mentioned that there were bear tracks in the yard that morning!

charles duane sutliff said...

Does any one know if "The Benton Argus" paper will be on display at the new civic center? If it is or will be, will it be in a form that will allow people to read it?

Benton News said...

Original copies of the Benton Argus are on file at the Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society. These copies are not in a condition where they could be viewed by the general public.

Microfilm copies are also available at The Society, but these copies were poorly and quickly made.

An effort is being made to have the original copies of "The Argus" copied one last time. Regretfully, another copy job will probably render the originals useless, but if they are not copied they will probably end up being useless anyway.

When a final answer to the problem is known, it will be posted on the Benton Newe. I will work to expedite an answer.

David

Jackie M. said...

For those who are interested in the progress of Weight Watchers in Benton, we have a leader who has been approved by WW. She now has to be trained. We hope to get started by September 08. We also have a possible receptionist.

L. Edson said...

I was glad to see that the Weight Watchers program is taking off. Thanks Jackie for heading this up.
L. Edson

Susan Ridall said...

David, the account of Buster's plight was priceless. I'm glad is is home safe and sound. Next year maybe doggie earplugs???!!!

Chuck Carrathers said...

My great-great-great-great grandfather is said to be buried at a "stone schoolhouse" at North Mountain. Does anyone know of this schoolhouse? Thanks.

Alexandra.Schaich said...

A stone schoolhouse in North Mountain? I lived there from the age of 3 until the age of 20 and the only schoolhouse I can think of is the one by Grassmere Campground. Maybe it was covered or torn down when they built the one standing now?

Another place I would be able to think of is possibly somewhere in Jamison City. It was a booming place in the 1800s. And considering there was a train station there, it might be a good place for a school.

I'd love to know if anyone has information on this!

Nina said...

I work at N4'C...I wanted to let you know are having a Christmas dance Dec 20 (5-10 at the Center)

with Santa, treats.drinks, hot cocoa,a delectable chocolate fountain!! you can dip marshmallows, pretzels,, cheese doodles~~and lots of music~~Santa will pass out the gifts~~snd you can take your pics of your kids with Santa ..

and a gift exchange,get your tickets at the front desk,members are $3.00 non members are $5.00.we ask you to bring a $5.00 gift to use at the gift exchange,,,,if you are a man get a small man's gift,same for a woman or teen or a child


Come over,, get a ticket,, and join us for a fun night!!
Please support the Center we need YOUR help!

front desk volunteer,Nina

Nina said...

I also wanted to comment on the uncouth act of killing the albino deer,what a waste of a beautiful creature........you should be ashamed of what you did,,but I am sure you are not,,,,,,,,,,,

Dave Hilley said...

I agree on the subject of the killing of the little albino deer. There was no reason for anyone to do that, especially the way they did it. It was a criminal act, and if they are caught, they should be treated as such.

BJ said...

I was truly excited to see this Benton News Blog. I am a graduate of Benton High School in 1981. I would love to have contact with any and all classmates. I consider Benton my "HOME". I haven't been "HOME" in over 20 plus years but Benton will always be "HOME" to me. To Maureen Longenecker...I miss you too and please contact me so we can play "catch up". As well as all Alumni from the Class of 1981.

Unknown said...

I have nothing to do with Benton, except that 1) I went trout fishing there once 2) drove from North Lake once with my cousins to have a few beers in a Benton bar and 3) drove by on my bycicle many a time...in any case I stumbled across this site and wanted to comment as to how well written and entertaining it was....who knew - aside from being a lovely corner in the countryside - Benton was a hotbed of literary talent and sophistication? Keep up the good work!

Unknown said...

What is the latest story on the natural gas drilling in Benton. Have all of the companies finally left and who are the landgroups speaking with, dollar amount?

Toris Enterprises said...

I live a very hectic life. I work a fast paced job, I run from one chore to the next and I have too many extra curricular community activities to count. Needless to say, anxiety attacks are common. And I'm only 31 years old.

I desire change.

For the past 6 months, I have been working on pausing. Bringing my life to a screeching halt would be traumatic but walking instead of running, breathing instead of gasping, and appreciating instead of dismissing are changes towards a life I find more complete. I want to notice that my Iris plant has bulbs. I want to see the birds enjoy the feeder. I want to feel breezes on my face. Because sadly, and unnoticeably, those things have not been lost but rather never even acknowledged for life as I have known it didn't allow it in.

To assist me with this journey, I lean on a small rural town. Although a visitor of this town for nearly 30 years, for some reason now, at this chapter in my life, it has a whole new meaning.

Benton, for me, is a sanctuary.

Frequenting Benton now means an examination of the beautiful architecture embraced by turn of the century homes. It means a feeling of enjoyment to see a modest parade stroll down Main Street. It means a new antique hat at the Benton Antique Store. And all of this adds together to mean one thing for me, the most important meaning of all, my own personal pause.

Pausing means a new way of life , a new chapter, a new journey, a new me.

One word wraps that up, Benton.

Thanks.

Paul said...

Quick question to the locals that have been here and in the know :) I am trying to get rid of trash that I have cleaned out of my cabin, but can't seem to find a local dump anywhere in Benton? Is there anywhere to take my trash (paying to dump I mean - not dumping somewhere). The only place that I think may take trash is Heaps in Millville - but don't want to drive to Millville only to be told they don't take trash drop-offs... thanks for any help. :)

ronnie69 said...

I love this blog. I read the benton news everyday. There is one thing Benton needs and it is a Daycare that opens at 6:00 and closes at 11:00. It is very hard to use a daycare when you don't get out of work until 8:00 and they close at 5:00. Why don't we have a day care like this? Why is there only one daycare in Benton?

ronnie69 said...

Here is some info people might not know. Did you know that if you have a swimming pool even one of those air pools that you need a permit.
They will fine you up to two hundred dollars. I never new this until recently. Wonder what else I don't know about Benton.

Joyce Gordon said...

I attended the full dress rehearsal of "the Dividing Line" written and directed by M.R. Daniels for this week-end"s activities. I was impressed with the performance, and touched by the story. There will be 4 shows; do not miss it. Thanks to all of you for giving so unselfishly of your time and efforts. It's a great community service.

Benton News said...

M. R. Daniels is a talented writer and a gifted director. What most don't realize is that only a handful of people showed up to try out for parts in the play. M.R. didn't throw in the towel at that point. She took what she had and made gifted performers out of each of them. By all means, see the play.

Charlie Crusan said...

David, Thanks for the great service that you provide for the Benton Area. We all need to do our part to help save the Benton Dam, but several people have asked me what will happen to the money collected if the full amount needed to save the dam is not raised. Do you know what, if any, plan is in place?

michael9909 said...

I been fishing behind 20 mill st there are biggggg fish and you shuld go to the n4cs

Unknown said...

a great place to get lighted signs is from a houston based sign company, image32. http://www.image32.com

Jackie M. said...

ZUMBA is also held on Mondays at 5:30 pm at N4Cs