I thought Ken Love did a wonderful article about my good friend John Felus. I have known John since I was a teenager working at the Summit Country Club.
John served as the club pro at the Summit for a few years, and during that time I came to know John as a true golf person and and gifted teacher.
He always carried a smile on his face and was willing to take the time to teach a young kid about the golf swing.
I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to take lesson from John, and many of the mechanics of the golf swing he taught me, I still teach today to the members of my golf team. John does not play much golf these days as he did years ago, and I feel honored that I had the pleasure of playing golf with John on numerous occasions.
I, too, started my golf career as a caddy at the Summit and became an avid golfer. Although I did not possess the talent that John had, he did pass on to me many valuable tips and the love of the game.
Occasionally our paths crossed in the community, but sadly to say, I haven't talked to John lately. If and when I do see him, I would offer him an open invitation to attend any of our practices for the team.
I know the boys would truly be honored.
It is unfortunate that not many people in central PA have heard of John and his lifelong commitment to the game of golf and also of his many accomplishments.
But through Ken's article, now many readers know of the " Mickey Rooney" of golf with the "big game."
Chris Wilk
Cresson
Penn Cambria golf coach
'Mr. Weaver' touched many lives
I learned recently about the death of my teacher at Curtin School, J. Paul Weaver.
I know to a lot of you he's known as "Scrappy," but to me he'll always be Mr. Weaver.
In the 1950s, elementary schools all over the nation were dealing with the influx of "Boomer children," and Curtin School was no exception. Some years I was placed in a combined grade classroom, while other times I had the same teacher two years in a row. So it was with Mr. Weaver who was my 5th and 6th grade teacher.
Mr. Weaver was my first male teacher. In fact, at Curtin during those years, he and Gene Conrad were the only male teachers.
How times have changed.
Mr. Weaver was different in another way too. As a young girl, I didn't know anyone who used a first initial but he was called by his middle name, "J. Paul Weaver."
Only by reading his obituary did I discover his first name was James.
Mr. Weaver had an engaging smile and was outgoing and friendly toward his students. He made us feel comfortable and respected in his classroom. We knew he wanted us to learn and succeed.
As a tall youngster for my age, I was always seated in the rear of the rows of desks. Mr. Weaver would walk all around the classroom while teaching so that those of us in the back didn't feel left out. A small thing but something I remember.
As I look back on those formative years at Curtin, he's the one teacher who stands out.
While visiting family in Hollidaysburg over the years, I would run into Mr. Weaver from time to time. It was always a pleasure for me to see him and recall the important mentoring role he played in my life.
He always remembered me and my sister and would ask about other students in my class.
It was obvious to me that Mr. Weaver loved his students and loved teaching. We loved him, too.
Alice Richardson
Santa Rosa, Calif.
(Editor's note: The Mirror profiled the passing of Paul "Scrappy" Weaver, a Hollidaysburg teacher and coach, on June 26).
A?Pirate fan's frustration
I have been a Pirate fan forever.
In the 1960s, my father, brother, and I would pack up the station wagon and head to Forbes Field for the weekend.
I saw Roberto Clemente catch a fly ball in the right-field corner of Forbes Field and throw a perfect strike to third base to put out a runner tagging from second.
I witnessed some amazing Pirate baseball in those days; however, those memories are being replaced by a money-starved skeleton of a major league ballclub.
I don't fault the players. You get what you pay for. That has never been more true than in Major League Baseball today.
No matter how many times I put my garbage on the curb, it never turns to gold. That is a fact.
Each spring the owners of the Pirates tell us this year is going to be better. They even convince the players of the same.
Mark Snyder
Altoona
