The Ellwood City Area Historical Society will open their first meeting of the year on Monday, January 14 at 7:00 pm. Newly elected officers and board members, Andy Kindle, Dana Baker and Alexis Bodenschantz will be installed.
The guest speaker for the evening will be Jonica Walters of Neshannock Township.
Jonica Weigel Walters was 4 years old as she walked across the Ewing Park Bridge to kindergarten. She literally followed in her sister’s footsteps, picking up the imprints in the snow and stacking them high on her arms. Through the years her family lived in Pittsburgh Circle, Hardyville, and Wurtemburg. Jonica was obviously in different schools and districts throughout her childhood.
Entering high school presented a decision about what direction her life might take as far as a career. She took a leap of faith, leaving the comfort of the familiar Lincoln High School to pursue Dental Medical Secretary at Lawrence County Vo Tech. Following high school, she worked at Liberty Mutual in New Castle, Clearfield Hospital, Ellwood City Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and as a care review person (inspector) for a total of 20 years.
However, there was a dream in Jonica’s heart to become a teacher and she started to attend college taking it “one class at a time”. Graduating in 1989, she felt lucky to be hired at Ellwood City Area School District. She has now been there 25 years. She was happy to be part of a graduating class from Slippery Rock University with her sister, Raylene.
A teaching career was not all that took up Jonica’s time. Her son “brought home” a foreign exchange student in 2007 and Jonica has been involved in hosting or finding host families since then. She was chosen by AFS as one of a dozen volunteers throughout the United States who worked on German/USA relationships to improve programing. She now volunteers with YFU, and works with her sister to place students in Western Pennsylvania.
Jonica is married to Doug Walters of Neshannock Township. They have two children; Ben (and Beth) Walters of Neshannock Township and Janne and Carter Fox of Wurtemburg. Grandsons are Solomon Walters (5) and Jeremiah Fox (18 months). The busy schedule has often trumped Genealogy Research, but Jonica is excited to share with you what she has learned.
Her talk will be “Genealogy: the Importance of a Personal Touch.”
Door prizes will be awarded, and light refreshments will be served. The public is invited to attend.
Hi Jonica, Dee Ruckert former art teacher has joined the Big Knob Grange and is the “lecturer”, always looking for presenters. We would like a 20-30 minute program and will offer a $50 stipend. If you’re interested, get back to me! E-mail or call 412-445-0250. I still don’t text!
Hi Jonica, Dee Ruckert former art teacher has joined the Big Knob Grange and is the “lecturer”, always looking for presenters. We would like a 20-30 minute program and will offer a $50 stipend. If you’re interested, get back to me! E-mail or call 412-445-0250. I still don’t text!