FestiFall 2019 will be held Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29, 2019, 11am - 5pm.
This free event will take you back to the days of Albert Gallatin at his beloved Friendship Hill. There will be period-inspired crafts, food, demonstrations and music! Come join the fun at Friendship Hill!
This free event will take you back to the days of Albert Gallatin at his beloved Friendship Hill. There will be period-inspired crafts, food, demonstrations and music! Come join the fun at Friendship Hill!
2019 FestiFall Crafter and Vendor Application
Download the application form for crafters and vendors for 2019 here
Download the application form for crafters and vendors for 2019 here
Saving the Gallatin Mansion: A Tribute to the 1979 Firefighters
It’s been 40 years since a series of fires nearly destroyed Friendship Hill in the summer of 1979. On Sunday, July 14, the National Park Service will welcome back the firefighters that saved Friendship Hill for a public event to observe the 40th anniversary of the fires. This event will be held from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the Gallatin House at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. During those hours, Friendship Hill will be open for self-guided tours, where visitors can see some of the remaining fire damage, and there will be a display of fire-related photos and articles for viewing. At 2:00pm, there will be a short welcome and photo opportunity for the returning firefighters.
From June 29 to July 2, 1979, Friendship Hill was struck by a series of fires. Later determined to be arson, the fires caused damage to the historic Gallatin House as well as destroyed some outbuildings on park grounds. Eight fire companies from the surrounding area responded to the alarm: Point Marion, Smithfield, Masontown, Fairchance, Collier, Haydentown, McClellandtown, and Edenborn. The National Park Service is grateful to the over 100 volunteer firefighters who worked diligently to save Albert Gallatin’s home 40 years ago.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is located three miles north of Point Marion, Pennsylvania, on PA-166. For more information about this event at Friendship Hill NHS, please call 724-329-2501.
The Friendship Hill Association is very grateful for all the firefighters that worked to save our Friendship Hill.
It’s been 40 years since a series of fires nearly destroyed Friendship Hill in the summer of 1979. On Sunday, July 14, the National Park Service will welcome back the firefighters that saved Friendship Hill for a public event to observe the 40th anniversary of the fires. This event will be held from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the Gallatin House at Friendship Hill National Historic Site. During those hours, Friendship Hill will be open for self-guided tours, where visitors can see some of the remaining fire damage, and there will be a display of fire-related photos and articles for viewing. At 2:00pm, there will be a short welcome and photo opportunity for the returning firefighters.
From June 29 to July 2, 1979, Friendship Hill was struck by a series of fires. Later determined to be arson, the fires caused damage to the historic Gallatin House as well as destroyed some outbuildings on park grounds. Eight fire companies from the surrounding area responded to the alarm: Point Marion, Smithfield, Masontown, Fairchance, Collier, Haydentown, McClellandtown, and Edenborn. The National Park Service is grateful to the over 100 volunteer firefighters who worked diligently to save Albert Gallatin’s home 40 years ago.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is located three miles north of Point Marion, Pennsylvania, on PA-166. For more information about this event at Friendship Hill NHS, please call 724-329-2501.
The Friendship Hill Association is very grateful for all the firefighters that worked to save our Friendship Hill.
URGENT NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS:
Greetings Friends. As you know, FestiFall never charges admission, parking fees, or vendor set up fees. Our FestiFall fundraiser depends upon food and beverage. This year has suffered a critical decline in volunteer help in these critical areas. As of this date, FestiFall has no volunteers for the popular Soup Tent. We need a manager and a crew of 3 or four. FHA can help jump start the soup tent by ordering all the ingredients for the soup and have them delivered to the tent. We need people to start the fire, add the ingredients and serve the customers. Below is an outline of the soup operation:
Soup Tent
Soup Tent: Daily Needs:
1. Shredded Han - cooked 5 trays (Myers)
2. 10 lbs. onions; carrots; celery – cooked (Myer’s))
3. 25- 30 lbs. potatoes - cooked (Myer’s)
4. 5 cases Great Northern Beans #10 cans - (D’Amicos)
5. 2 jars ham soup starter
6. Pepper to taste.
Soup operation:
1. Cauldron pre-clean before FestiFall
2. 7:30 A.M. Fire started first day of FestiFall
3. 7:35 A.M. Bring 10 gallons of water to boil to sanitize and clean cauldron. Dispose of water.
4. 8:00 A.M. bring 10 gallons of water to boil for veggis and ham arrival.
5. 9:00 A.M. add 12 cans of beans and ½ jar of ham soup starter.
6. 9:15 A.M. Myers will deliver 5 trays of shredded ham in an insulated container. (keep door closed)
7. 9:15 A.M. Myers will deliver precooked vegetables. (Keep lids closed)
8. 9:20 A.M. add ½ of the veggies and ½ ham and pepper and stir a lot.
9. 9:20 A.M. add 10 more gallons of water and bring back to boil and stir.
10. 9:20 A.M. add ½ jar ham soup starter and stir
11. 12:00 noon: Add ½ ham : ¼ veggies 142/ jar ham soup starter and 12 cans of beans.
12. last 10 gallons of water.
13. 2 PM: add ¼ veggies; ½ jar ham soup starter and 6 cans of beans.
14: 5 PM. Clean-up
In the last ECHOES I address an post FestiFall need, which has not yet been filled.
Post FestiFall Captain. FestiFall costuming and linen goods generate at least 12 loads of laundry. The Captain would organize teams to launder our costumes and goods, return and rehang clothes, refold tablecloths and towels and banners and restack them orderly in our 2nd floor dressing room. After FestiFall the 1st floor heeds sweeping, and scattered tables, chairs and chests and flags need restacked along the walls. The stairway carpet and the second-floor carpet need vacuuming. Also, any scattered boxes or shoes or hats or other FestiFall signage needs straightened along the walls. Give me a call (724-583-9217) or email (george2050@atlanticbb.net) if you want to organize this important activity.
PS: Please remember to renew your membership for 2019.
Greetings Friends. As you know, FestiFall never charges admission, parking fees, or vendor set up fees. Our FestiFall fundraiser depends upon food and beverage. This year has suffered a critical decline in volunteer help in these critical areas. As of this date, FestiFall has no volunteers for the popular Soup Tent. We need a manager and a crew of 3 or four. FHA can help jump start the soup tent by ordering all the ingredients for the soup and have them delivered to the tent. We need people to start the fire, add the ingredients and serve the customers. Below is an outline of the soup operation:
Soup Tent
Soup Tent: Daily Needs:
1. Shredded Han - cooked 5 trays (Myers)
2. 10 lbs. onions; carrots; celery – cooked (Myer’s))
3. 25- 30 lbs. potatoes - cooked (Myer’s)
4. 5 cases Great Northern Beans #10 cans - (D’Amicos)
5. 2 jars ham soup starter
6. Pepper to taste.
Soup operation:
1. Cauldron pre-clean before FestiFall
2. 7:30 A.M. Fire started first day of FestiFall
3. 7:35 A.M. Bring 10 gallons of water to boil to sanitize and clean cauldron. Dispose of water.
4. 8:00 A.M. bring 10 gallons of water to boil for veggis and ham arrival.
5. 9:00 A.M. add 12 cans of beans and ½ jar of ham soup starter.
6. 9:15 A.M. Myers will deliver 5 trays of shredded ham in an insulated container. (keep door closed)
7. 9:15 A.M. Myers will deliver precooked vegetables. (Keep lids closed)
8. 9:20 A.M. add ½ of the veggies and ½ ham and pepper and stir a lot.
9. 9:20 A.M. add 10 more gallons of water and bring back to boil and stir.
10. 9:20 A.M. add ½ jar ham soup starter and stir
11. 12:00 noon: Add ½ ham : ¼ veggies 142/ jar ham soup starter and 12 cans of beans.
12. last 10 gallons of water.
13. 2 PM: add ¼ veggies; ½ jar ham soup starter and 6 cans of beans.
14: 5 PM. Clean-up
In the last ECHOES I address an post FestiFall need, which has not yet been filled.
Post FestiFall Captain. FestiFall costuming and linen goods generate at least 12 loads of laundry. The Captain would organize teams to launder our costumes and goods, return and rehang clothes, refold tablecloths and towels and banners and restack them orderly in our 2nd floor dressing room. After FestiFall the 1st floor heeds sweeping, and scattered tables, chairs and chests and flags need restacked along the walls. The stairway carpet and the second-floor carpet need vacuuming. Also, any scattered boxes or shoes or hats or other FestiFall signage needs straightened along the walls. Give me a call (724-583-9217) or email (george2050@atlanticbb.net) if you want to organize this important activity.
PS: Please remember to renew your membership for 2019.
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Saturday, May 18, 2019 the Friendship Hill Association and the Friends of Fort Necessity teamed up for the National Road Festival at the Mount Washington Tavern, Fort Necessity National Battlefield. Albert Gallatin, as Secretary of the Treasury, arranged the finances for the construction of the National Road. Serving guests in tavern are: Laurel Miller, Daniel Miller, and FHA President, George Relic. Laurel, Daniel and Debbie Miller (not pictured) are members of both Friends groups.
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Friendship Hill Association Board of Directors
Inaugurates their 38th year.
Newly elected for the 2019-2020 term of office, the Friendship Hill Association Board of Directors inaugurated their 38th year at their January 21st meeting. Following two consecutive record-breaking years for the annual FestiFall, which honors the life and times of Albert Gallatin, hopes and prospects for FestiFall 2019, on the 28th and 29th of September are high. The annual FestiFall is held at the Friendship Hill National Historic Site off Route 166, three miles north of Point Marion.
The board members for the 2019-2020 term are pictured above.
Seated left to right: Joe Cocalis, Board Member; George Relic, President; Jerry Clark, Board Member
Standing left to right: Endicott Reindl, Treasurer, Dr. Toni L’Hommedieu, Vice President; Laurel Miller, Board Member; Donna Cocalis, Secretary.
Not Pictured: Kathy Miller, Web Page and Face Book Manager and Lourie Stewart, ECHOES newsletter editor.
Biography:
President: George Relic
Masontown resident, US Army veteran, retired banker, and ordained minister, third term as FHA President and longtime FHA volunteer, Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe Captain.
Vice President: Dr. Toni L’Hommedieu
Smithfield resident, FHA board member for 12 years, President for two terms, second consecutive term as Vice President, loves history, especially Friendship Hill
Treasurer: Endicott Reindl
Greensburg resident, Executive Director for the Westmoreland Symphony, also serving on the board for Westmoreland Co. Non-profit network and FEMC. Loves Art, History, and to Volunteer.
Secretary: Donna Cocalis
Wisconsin native. Point Marion resident. Came to Pennsylvania in 1980. Worked for the Federal government in Morgantown. Wife, mother, grandmother. Involved with FHA in various aspects since the mid-1980's.
Board of Directors: Joe Cocalis
Point Marion resident, retired Public Health Service Engineer, Rotarian, and FestiFall volunteer. Currently serving on FHA Board of Directors.
Board of Directors: Jerry Clark
Resident of Masontown. A retired Band Director and a History and genealogy buff. First term on the board. FestiFall entertainment captain and Master of ceremonies.
Board of Directors: Laurel Miller
FHA past president, treasurer of Friends of Fort Necessity, Ye Olde Bakery FestiFall Tent Captain.
Web Page/Face Book Manager: Kathy Miller
Resident of Gans, Long-time member, past board member, Ye Olde Tavern FestiFall Beverage Tent manager.
Echoes Editor: Lourie Stewart
Resident of Hopwood, retired School Librarian, Former FHA treasurer and demonstrator of spinning wool/flax and reenactor at FestiFall.
Inaugurates their 38th year.
Newly elected for the 2019-2020 term of office, the Friendship Hill Association Board of Directors inaugurated their 38th year at their January 21st meeting. Following two consecutive record-breaking years for the annual FestiFall, which honors the life and times of Albert Gallatin, hopes and prospects for FestiFall 2019, on the 28th and 29th of September are high. The annual FestiFall is held at the Friendship Hill National Historic Site off Route 166, three miles north of Point Marion.
The board members for the 2019-2020 term are pictured above.
Seated left to right: Joe Cocalis, Board Member; George Relic, President; Jerry Clark, Board Member
Standing left to right: Endicott Reindl, Treasurer, Dr. Toni L’Hommedieu, Vice President; Laurel Miller, Board Member; Donna Cocalis, Secretary.
Not Pictured: Kathy Miller, Web Page and Face Book Manager and Lourie Stewart, ECHOES newsletter editor.
Biography:
President: George Relic
Masontown resident, US Army veteran, retired banker, and ordained minister, third term as FHA President and longtime FHA volunteer, Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe Captain.
Vice President: Dr. Toni L’Hommedieu
Smithfield resident, FHA board member for 12 years, President for two terms, second consecutive term as Vice President, loves history, especially Friendship Hill
Treasurer: Endicott Reindl
Greensburg resident, Executive Director for the Westmoreland Symphony, also serving on the board for Westmoreland Co. Non-profit network and FEMC. Loves Art, History, and to Volunteer.
Secretary: Donna Cocalis
Wisconsin native. Point Marion resident. Came to Pennsylvania in 1980. Worked for the Federal government in Morgantown. Wife, mother, grandmother. Involved with FHA in various aspects since the mid-1980's.
Board of Directors: Joe Cocalis
Point Marion resident, retired Public Health Service Engineer, Rotarian, and FestiFall volunteer. Currently serving on FHA Board of Directors.
Board of Directors: Jerry Clark
Resident of Masontown. A retired Band Director and a History and genealogy buff. First term on the board. FestiFall entertainment captain and Master of ceremonies.
Board of Directors: Laurel Miller
FHA past president, treasurer of Friends of Fort Necessity, Ye Olde Bakery FestiFall Tent Captain.
Web Page/Face Book Manager: Kathy Miller
Resident of Gans, Long-time member, past board member, Ye Olde Tavern FestiFall Beverage Tent manager.
Echoes Editor: Lourie Stewart
Resident of Hopwood, retired School Librarian, Former FHA treasurer and demonstrator of spinning wool/flax and reenactor at FestiFall.
FHA President George Relic talks to Mr. Gallatin and Mr. Monroe today at Friendship Hill. (7/22/17)
Photos by Laurel Miller
President’s Notes:
Stephen M. Clark is the Superintendent of the National Park Service (NPS) of Western Pennsylvania. He visited with the Friendship Hill Association’s (FHA) Board of Directors at their April 17, 2017 meeting in my home in Masontown. While there he was interviewed and photographed by Herald standard reporter, Fran Zajac, and photographer, Rebecca Deveraux.
Prior to the meeting Superintendent Clark was kind enough to provided our board with biographical information. Clark currently serves as the Superintendent of the National Parks of Western Pennsylvania, which include Flight 93 National Memorial, Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site.
He is a 30 plus year veteran of the NPS, starting out his career in 1986 at two of the parks he now manages: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Prior to joining the NPS, Clark also worked with the Pennsylvania State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service.
Prior to his current assignment, He served as the chief ranger for the Northeast Region from January 2011 until March 2015. Prior to that, Clark served as the branch chief of law enforcement and emergency services for the region.
Other park assignments include serving as the chief ranger at Biscayne National Park and Virgin Islands National Park. He also served as a park ranger at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and Shenandoah National Park.
Significant detail assignments include superintendent at Congaree National Park and two details as chief ranger at Gulf Islands National Seashore in the aftermath of the Mississippi Canyon oil spill in 2010.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management with a concentration in Park Management from Slippery Rock University and an associate’s degree in Wildlife Technology from the Pennsylvania State University.
He is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government along with completing the Executive Management Program at Northwestern University in Chicago and he earned a certificate in the National Park Service Ranger Program from Slippery Rock University.
On a personal note, Clark enjoys spending time in the outdoors, especially golfing and fishing, and is an avid baseball fan. He especially enjoys time with his three daughters Brieanna, Erin, and Makenna, and his grandchildren.
During the April 17 interview with Fran Zajac, Clark previewed the direction he intends to lead our five regional national parks and sites. His overview of the park system is that it is there “to protect, preserve and tell the story of America.” He disclosed that the Western Pennsylvania Parks “reached a milestone with a combined1.2 million visitors last year.” And they generated $80 million to the regional economies. He has a focus on children and “wants as many kids through these parks as possible…We want to use the parks as classroom and laboratories.” To that end, he abolished the entrance fees to Fort Necessity, Allegheny Portage Site and the Johnstown Flood Memorial, and eliminated the $1 charge per student for field trips. Clark claims to be a “budget hawk,” and he wants a bigger NPS presence in the parks. To that end, when the deputy superintendent retired early in 2017, Clark did not fill the position, but used the funds to hire more interpretative rangers and seasonal maintenance personnel.
Clark had high praise for our local Chief Ranger, Chip Nelson, who looks after Friendship Hill and Fort Necessity. He commented upon a Friendship Hill project involving Monarch Butterfliers. [President’s Note: Visit the Monarch butterfly tent at FestiFall 2017. Madonna Bird brings wonderful visual displays and provides a wealth of knowledge about the project and the butterflies.]
Clark shares a feeling with the FHA in that we all want Fayette County to be proud that a national park is in our neighborhood. In our case not only one, but two.
George Relic
President, Friendshiphill Association
Stephen M. Clark is the Superintendent of the National Park Service (NPS) of Western Pennsylvania. He visited with the Friendship Hill Association’s (FHA) Board of Directors at their April 17, 2017 meeting in my home in Masontown. While there he was interviewed and photographed by Herald standard reporter, Fran Zajac, and photographer, Rebecca Deveraux.
Prior to the meeting Superintendent Clark was kind enough to provided our board with biographical information. Clark currently serves as the Superintendent of the National Parks of Western Pennsylvania, which include Flight 93 National Memorial, Johnstown Flood National Memorial, Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Friendship Hill National Historic Site.
He is a 30 plus year veteran of the NPS, starting out his career in 1986 at two of the parks he now manages: Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site and Johnstown Flood National Memorial. Prior to joining the NPS, Clark also worked with the Pennsylvania State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service.
Prior to his current assignment, He served as the chief ranger for the Northeast Region from January 2011 until March 2015. Prior to that, Clark served as the branch chief of law enforcement and emergency services for the region.
Other park assignments include serving as the chief ranger at Biscayne National Park and Virgin Islands National Park. He also served as a park ranger at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and Shenandoah National Park.
Significant detail assignments include superintendent at Congaree National Park and two details as chief ranger at Gulf Islands National Seashore in the aftermath of the Mississippi Canyon oil spill in 2010.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Resource Management with a concentration in Park Management from Slippery Rock University and an associate’s degree in Wildlife Technology from the Pennsylvania State University.
He is also a graduate of the Executive Leadership Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government along with completing the Executive Management Program at Northwestern University in Chicago and he earned a certificate in the National Park Service Ranger Program from Slippery Rock University.
On a personal note, Clark enjoys spending time in the outdoors, especially golfing and fishing, and is an avid baseball fan. He especially enjoys time with his three daughters Brieanna, Erin, and Makenna, and his grandchildren.
During the April 17 interview with Fran Zajac, Clark previewed the direction he intends to lead our five regional national parks and sites. His overview of the park system is that it is there “to protect, preserve and tell the story of America.” He disclosed that the Western Pennsylvania Parks “reached a milestone with a combined1.2 million visitors last year.” And they generated $80 million to the regional economies. He has a focus on children and “wants as many kids through these parks as possible…We want to use the parks as classroom and laboratories.” To that end, he abolished the entrance fees to Fort Necessity, Allegheny Portage Site and the Johnstown Flood Memorial, and eliminated the $1 charge per student for field trips. Clark claims to be a “budget hawk,” and he wants a bigger NPS presence in the parks. To that end, when the deputy superintendent retired early in 2017, Clark did not fill the position, but used the funds to hire more interpretative rangers and seasonal maintenance personnel.
Clark had high praise for our local Chief Ranger, Chip Nelson, who looks after Friendship Hill and Fort Necessity. He commented upon a Friendship Hill project involving Monarch Butterfliers. [President’s Note: Visit the Monarch butterfly tent at FestiFall 2017. Madonna Bird brings wonderful visual displays and provides a wealth of knowledge about the project and the butterflies.]
Clark shares a feeling with the FHA in that we all want Fayette County to be proud that a national park is in our neighborhood. In our case not only one, but two.
George Relic
President, Friendshiphill Association
Friendshiphill Association Christmas Dinner
From Bottom to top: Treasurer Lourie Stewart. President George Relic, Vice President, Dr. Toni L’Hommdieu, Board Member Joe Cocalis, Board Member Vicky Evans, Board Member Marice Clark and Secretary Jo Loftstead.
Click here to see the 2017 FHA Officers.
Click here to see the 2017 FHA Officers.