dcuzzolina@altoonamirror.com
From left, songwriters Jay Zimmerman of Bellefonte and Jack Servello of Huntingdon, and lyricist Bill Dann of Sinking Valley, listen to the group’s new single, “Santa’s Curbside Pickup” in Servello’s home recording studio. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
On a fateful Lakemont Park Light Up Night in 2007, the local songwriting duo of Jack Servello and Bill Dann was (just about) born.
The duo has written more than 60 songs together, some of which have appeared on nationally-recognized radio stations. Others have been passed virally through YouTube, Facebook and other social media profiles near and far.
dcuzzolina@altoonamirror.com
Justin Bailey (right) of Altoona buys a used snowblower from Jason Mapes, owner of Altoona Small Engine on Broad Avenue on Monday afternoon. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
As the biggest storm in more than a year lurches toward Central Pennsylvania, locals are bracing for impact.
Dave Mallow, owner of Mallow’s Hardware on East 25th Avenue in Altoona, said his store has been “extremely busy.”
“Everything snow-related is going off the shelves shovels, salt, snow scrapers, salt spreaders and brushes,” he said. “The day before a 12-18 inch storm, people are buying Christmas sleds a week early.”
Saint Francis University students have won a statewide competition in promoting Pennsylvania businesses.
Students Hunter Longenecker of East Freedom, Yanessa Shabbick of Heilwood, Indiana County, and Urska Medvesek of Maribor, Slovenia, won the America250PA Direct Effect Innovation Challenge with a comprehensive integrated marketing campaign to promote businesses in the state.
Under the direction of Assistant Professor of Marketing Tricia McFadden, the three Shields School of Business students competed Nov. 18 against 10 universities and colleges across the commonwealth, unveiling their plan, called “Small Businesses Build Big Dreams” #BuyPA.
Shabbick called the win a “huge accomplishment.”
“We worked really hard on this project, so to see it flourish the way it did was a dream come true,” she said.
Zeek
As people pass down memories of those who lifted this community, David Zeek will be a name often voiced.
Hollidaysburg Mayor Joe Dodson shared a succinct overview of Zeek’s voluminous contributions:
“He was always there for the fire company and the ambulance association. He worked for the borough for more than 40 years. He was a school crossing guard and he helped at the Canal Basin Park during the summers.”
“I called him ‘Mr. Hollidaysburg, ” he said.
Zeek, 69, passed away Wednesday at UPMC Altoona. He is survived by his wife, Sarah; two daughters, three grandsons, a brother, sister-in-law and many friends.
dcuzzolina@altoonamirror.com
HOLLIDAYSBURG The Hollidaysburg Borough Council passed a 2021 budget with no tax increase, though they were accused by a community member of not being transparent in the process.
On Thursday evening, the six council members present voted to pass the budget, which is projected to give the borough a general fund surplus of $15,553. Councilmember Richard Scholton was not present for the vote.
The 2021 general fund revenue is budgeted at $3,083,350 with expenses totaling $3,067,797. The borough budgeted for salary increases in multiple departments, the largest being a nearly $100,000 hike for the municipal police force. Additionally, the borough expects health insurance costs to increase in nearly all departments from actual 2020 amounts.