David Gaibis Guest Speaker At Ellwood Historical Society Monthly Meeting

The Ellwood City Area Historical Society convened for their regular monthly membership meeting Monday February 14th. Present Everett Bleakney welcomed the 30 present and Guy Prestia, a World War II veteran led with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.

The meeting commenced with Charles Brown presenting the financial report. Robert Morabito, chairman of the Programs and Publicity reported on the future guest speakers. Thomas Woodske would be the speaker in March and his topic would be the Underground Railways. Jeff Bales, the guest speaker’s topic in April would be Lawrence County Memories. These would be followed in May, as the History Center would award the two annual Janice and Robert Barensfeld Scholarships.

Jane Kocher, accessioning committee, mentioned their group meet once per week, and are constantly looking for additional volunteers. She also stated they are making arrangements to make the Riverside High School yearbooks more accessible for research.

Everett reported that the Lawrence County Career and Technical Center is making progress. This project has been delayed due to Covid 19 and hopefully will progress on a timely basis now. He also stressed the annual scholarships being awardee in May. Two graduating seniors, preparing to proceed in higher education are eligible. They must be from Lincoln or Riverside High Schools. Applications may be obtained from their guidance counselor, ar from the History Center.

Gaibis spoke on his annual trips to Philadelphia with his Lincoln High School government class.

Robert Morabito then introduced the guest speaker David Gaibis. David Gaibis was born and raised in Ellwood City. He attended the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic grade school, attended Lincoln High School, and graduated from the Pennsylvania State University in 1977 and Slippery Rock University in 2004. He is a member of the Holy Redeemer parish in Ellwood City and currently resides in Beaver Falls. David worked at various capacities in the metals industry for many years, residing in Iowa, Texas, Alabama, and Florida. In 2002, David enrolled at Slippery Rock University to obtain a degree in education and began teaching at his alma mater in 2004, teaching American Government.David is the sponsor of the Senior High Student Council which sponsors the Christmas semi formal, the Halloween dance, and many charitable causes as well. David has been taking his advanced placement government students to Philadelphia for 10 years to hear oral arguments at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

David spoke on his annual trips to Philadelphia with his Lincoln High School government class. For several years he has had the opportunity to bring his class to hear the Pennsylvania Supreme Court proceedings. A former local resident and Lincoln High School graduate currently serves on this court, Debra McCloskey Todd. David gave a detailed tannery of the three day excursion and how it benefits the students. He explained how the court system works, and how the students were educated in the judicial process while there, even to the interaction between them and the Judges, as part of this program.

David then finished with a notation of the Little Sisters statue that was placed at Lincoln High in 1951. He mentioned that as part of the maintenance program, the statue would be soon removed and a new base built. This was a program of many Statues of Liberty erected by the Boy Scouts of America, of which there are two in Lawrence County.

Everett presented David with a copy of T. Fowler’s 1896 bird’s eye view of Ellwood City, and an years membership to the Society.

Charles Brown presented an 1850 family Bible for display, and Helen Bowers donated a Kiwanis name tag pin and Ellwood City Hospital items for Show and Tell.

Door prizes were awarded to Jane Kocher, Blanche Novak, Louise Carroll and Helen Bowers.

Refreshments were prepared by Robert and Cindy Morabito, Andy Kindle, Jane and Al Kocher.

It was announced the next meeting would be March 14, and reminded that Thomas Wookske would be the guest speaker.