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Big Boy made a big impression

The arrival of “Big Boy” in our little town of Altoona left a big impression on me as I know it did for thousands of others. I was transported back in time over 60 years. As a child, I would lie in my bed at night hearing the steam whistles, dispatchers and the screeching of cars, a haunting yet comforting sound. Altoona was once a bustling railroad hub; my father and grandfather were employed by the PRR. Big Boy brought that lost era back. Seeing that gigantic steel monster was like my early childhood years were flowing into my present. I could feel the intense radiating heat ...

Group plans ‘sit in’ over ordinance

I consider myself an independent thinker, and I believe people have every right to peacefully protest. That said, I find the idea of a sit-in over this issue confusing because I’m not sure it moves us closer to meaningful solutions. I don’t particularly like the ordinance myself. However, from what I’ve personally observed, our mayor and others involved have spent considerable time trying to connect people with resources rather than simply making arrests. Homelessness is a complex issue affecting communities across the country, and I don’t believe there is one simple ...

Grateful for support during July 4th race

It takes much more than a race team to bring another successful Angie Gioiosa 4th of July Race to downtown Altoona. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who gave their time before, during and after the race; our generous sponsors; our setup crew; and our race timer for helping make the event run smoothly. A special thank you goes to the Mishler Theatre for opening their doors for the day before race packet pickup; the volunteers from the Cathedral for providing a wonderful food setup, along with cold watermelon and popsicles that were enjoyed by so many participants ...

The cost of freedom

Now that all the parades, fireworks and enjoying the Big Boy train that traveled throughout the country to celebrate the 250 years of the signing of the Declaration of Independence are over, I started to wonder how many wars we have endured since then in order to keep our nation a free country. I am ashamed that my history lesson was at a loss for me, so I took the time to search for that information and would like to share it with you. The wars included: The American Revolutionary War, The War of 1812, Indian wars, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish American War, World War I, World ...

Let Freedom Ring concert praised

I just wanted to give a shoutout to P&J Productions, Penn State Altoona, the City of Altoona and First Frontier of Blair County for a wonderful musical tribute, “Let Freedom Ring” on June 27 and June 28 at the PSU Altoona Misciagna Family Center. What an amazing showcase of local talent, from the singers to the young dancers, this patriotic performance was a wonderful lead in to the 4th of July weekend and a great tribute to our country and those who have served to protect it. Thank you for an amazing show! Karen Isenberg Altoona

Are lawmakers ignoring constituents?

TV daily news gives a snapshot of the day’s events and various commentators present their views. Some lean to the left and some to the right, and Fox News admits it presents opinion disguised as news. The Declaration of Independence starts with “we the people.” The people of the United States have often held opinions contrary to their government’s actions. Public demonstrations exerted pressure from “the people” which ended the Vietnam conflict. Locally, there have been two marches protesting the government’s reduction of Medicaid reimbursements for nursing homes. This ...