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The Liggie Published by the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association for the Friends of the LVRR June 2010 Volume 6 - Issue 2 ANNUAL DINNER COINCIDES insight into what it must have been like to work WITH GRAND OPENING on the railroad and live in the Valley in the early 20 th century. OF THE LVRR MUSEUM MAY 20, 2010 The media room was equally popular with the crowd. Interesting to many purists was the On May 20, 2010, over 120 Friends of the LVRR refinished stove removed from LVRRA’s bobber joined together to celebrate the Grand Opening caboose. A cabinet filled with the many awards of the LVRR Museum in the restored Darlington presented to the LVRRA drew the attention of Station. The date of the event, planned to many, as did a big screen monitor, centered over coincide with the LVRRA’s fifth annual dinner, the cabinet, on which a video of the LVRR’s Last highlighted all that the LVRRA has Run played on a continuous loop. accomplished during its brief existence. Soon after Bill McCullough and Bob Stutzman organized the LVRRA in 2004, the idea of preserving the Darlington Station and eventually turning it into a public museum became an ultimate dream for both men. Little by little that dream became a goal for many others as people from throughout the area joined the group to help in restoring an important part of Ligonier’s history. The Grand Opening gave all those who contributed in any way a chance to share their pride in helping to Pat Wallace presents Charles A. Fagan, III, with a picture of the make what first appeared to be possibly just Darlington Station, painted by Lynn Byers on an original slate removed from the station during its restoration. another pipe dream into a reality. The Grand Opening party was all that one As guests moved to the large tent that covered might expect of such a celebration. Guests, the entire parking lot, the festivities continued greeted at the station platform by LVRRA with Terry Sabo providing background music conductor Dave Byers, were impressed upon with his guitar and familiar vocals. The tables entering the museum. The beautifully restored were adorned with colorful floral arrangements but empty Darlington Station that most had not created by Bob and Sally Ambrose of Ridgeview seen since last year’s Gala stood before them Acres Farm in Stahlstown. Equally attractive transformed into a fully furnished, bona fide was the buffet table on which Ernie Vallozzi’s railroad museum. Many admired the Restaurant presented a delicious choice of hors illuminated display cases which highlight the d’oeuvres, entrées and desserts. Keeping with photographs, memorabilia, and railroad relics, the theme of the evening, the menu offered which for years were buried in LVRRA’s Pullman pulled pork, whistle-stop potato salad archives. The attention of many was drawn to and red-flag warning BBQ chicken. The real the original painting of the Ligonier Station by eye-catcher of the buffet, however, was the Milan Petrovitts, which now hangs as a focal dessert table with its choo-choo train cup cakes point in the former station lobby. On the walls riding on Thomas the Tank track. throughout the museum, photographs picturing Pat Wallace, a director of the LVRRA, chaired various railroad scenes taken during LVRR’s the annual dinner and served as emcee. After existence allowed Friends to gain a greater welcoming the guests and acknowledging the volunteers, he congratulated the 306 Friends of INAUGURAL WEEKEND OF THE the LVRR for a job well done. In introducing the LIGONIER VALLEY RAIL ROAD directors of the LVRRA, Wallace praised them MUSEUM AT THE DARLINGTON as “the best non-profit board that he has ever served on.” Wallace also recognized the four STATION MAY 21 AND 22, 2010 foundations most supportive of the Darlington Station project: Allegheny, Katherine Mabis A steady flow of visitors toured the newest McKenna, Richard King Mellon, and R. K. museum in Ligonier Valley on its inaugural Mellon Family. In his introduction of the guest weekend, May 21 and 22. Approximately speaker, Wallace enumerated the various 60 guests were led by volunteers on tours accomplishments of Charles A. Fagan, III. throughout the museum and the caboose over the two days. Most stayed at least an Local historian, Charles A. Fagan, III, began his hour looking at the rich array of LVRRA’s speech by establishing the historic significance railroad collection. Especially interesting to of Ligonier Valley dating back to the mid 1700s. Fagan recalled the story of George Washington’s many visitors were the videos of the Last near-death encounter not far from Fort Ligonier Run and of Wilpen that played throughout when his troops became disoriented and the day. Of course, climbing into the engaged in a friendly-fire incident. Fagan also caboose is always the highlight for the elaborated upon the importance that Forbes children. Road played in western migration in the 1800s and upon the emerging technology that brought growth and prosperity to western Pennsylvania as well as a need for new means of transporting both raw materials and finished products. Fagan went on to trace the part Judge Thomas Mellon and his sons played in choosing to develop the LVRR and the positive effects the railroad had on the region. Expanding on the wisdom the senior Mellon exhibited in raising his sons to accept responsibility and jump wholeheartedly into a project that piqued their interest, Fagan philosophized on the importance of identifying “critical ’main chance’ crossroads Matthew, Christopher, and Anita Cox of Crabtree were anxious to in life” and of grasping those moments. Fagan visit the museum on its inaugural weekend. warned, though, that although intuition should not be ignored in today’s world, “better and Several volunteers helped to assure that the broader” educational experiences are needed in opening weekend went smoothly. LVVRA recognizing “main chance” opportunities. officers Bill McCullough, Bob Stutzman and Bill Potthoff were on hand to share Most attending the Grand Opening of the LVRR railroading tales with the visitors and to Museum would agree that the evening was a answer questions. Dave Kindl added to the grand success. LVRRA would like to extend atmosphere in his bib overalls and railroad heartfelt thanks to the following sponsors who cap as he greeted visitors at the caboose and generously helped in making the evening such a showed them around. A Friend from special one: Connecticut even offered his help. Bill Commercial Bank and Trust of Pennsylvania Potthoff’s brother Tom came to the valley Covington Investments Advisers, Inc. for the weekend so that he could take part Richard F. Flickinger in the opening of the museum. Other Hadley Family Foundation personnel on hand to help were John Dave Herrholtz Vucina, Mimi Owens and Lois Neiderhiser. Idlewild and Soak Zone In addition, numerous Friends dropped by J. M. Builders, Inc. to say hello and to congratulate the board Ernie Vallozzi’s Restaurant and other volunteers on a successful (See related photographs on back page.) beginning. LVRR MUSEUM HOURS OF in the three gift baskets are a pair of season OPERATION passes to the Valley Players’ productions, a family membership to the Compass Inn, a The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekend for two at Antiochian Village, a on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Other times will be made available family membership at Fort Ligonier, and an upon request by interested persons calling 724- honorary membership in the Friends of the 238-7819 or sending an e-mail to [email protected] . LVRR. COMMUNITY DAY The varying hours for those participating in ARTS AND HISTORY the self-directed tour are as follows: THROUGH THE VALLEY Darlington Station ― 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. JUNE 13, 2010 Fort Ligonier ― 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Antiochian Village ― 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum at Compass Inn ― 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. the Darlington Station will be participating SAMA ― 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the 2010 Community Day, Arts and Valley Players ― 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. History through the Valley. The “open house” format provides area residents free CALENDAR OF LVRRA EVENTS admission to Fort Ligonier, Antiochian Village, Compass Inn, Southern Alleghenies June 13 ― Ligonier Community Days Museum of Art (SAMA), Valley Players and July 23 & 24 ― Summer in Ligonier the Darlington Station. September 25 ― Annual Gala COME ALONG WITH US AND RIDE THE LIGONIER VALLEY RAIL ROAD In Ligonier Valley on a very cold and blustery February 28, 2010, 50 people attended a 45-minute presentation of the 2010 version of a virtual ride on the Organizers of the 2010 Community Day, Arts and History though Ligonier Valley Rail Road at the Ligonier the Valley recently met at the Darlington Station to finalize plans Town Hall. The program included a for the event. Left to right are Tina Yandrick of Compass Inn, Julia Ritter of Antiochian Village, Cathi Rhodes of Valley Players, completely new slide show comprised of Bill Potthoff of LVRRA, Jim Koontz of Compass Inn, Annie pictures not part of previous versions. It Urban of Fort Ligonier, and Larry Shew of Valley Players. was narrated by Bob Stutzman and Each site has special events planned for the followed by an interesting question-and- day. In addition, to encourage participation answer session. five area restaurants will offer discounts. They are Abigals, Carol and Dave’s Road- Any group interested in viewing historic house, Colonial Inn, Ligonier Country Inn photographs of the LVRR or recent ones of and Ligonier Tavern.

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