February 6, 2002: RIF Program at Ingram School

March 2, 2002: Genealogy Workshop

April 20, 2002: Local Girl Scouts honor past leaders

May 18, 2002: Ground breaking and dedication of our Centennial Time Capsule

June 22, 2002: Canoe Trip down Chartiers Creek

July 20-21, 2002: Ingram Days

August 2, 2002: Cosmic Family Bowling Night (This date is the actual anniversary of the Incorporation of Ingram Borough!)

September 2002: 2nd Annual Flea Market

October 5, 2002: Square Dance in the Park

November 16, 2002: Cotillion at Cathedral Hall in McKees Rocks

December 7, 2002: Historic Homes Tour

*SEE BELOW FOR DETAILS

We started the celebration by creating two very special items. A special one-of-a kind Centennial Calendar with historic pictures of Ingram's past as well as a Commemorative Afghan of Ingram's Centennial. Both items are still available for a limited time.

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Our first special event was on January 20, 2002. The Historical Society hosted an Antique Appraisal and Local Artists Exhibit. The Artists Exhibit featured the artistry of some of Ingram's own Craftspeople and Artists. We featured displays such as scrimshaw, woodwork, paintings & drawings, quilting, weaving, stained glass, photography, and pottery.

The Antiques Appraisal was a big success. There was a fantastic variety of items brought in for appraisal and every on enjoyed themselves.

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In February"Reading is Fundamental" celebrates 100! February marks the 100th Day of School and 2002 is the 100th year Anniversary of Ingram. As RIF Sponsor, the Ingram Historical Society is going to share many of our pictures and memorabilia showing how our community has grown and changed over the years. With numbers being the theme, each student has been challenged to read a book with a number in the title of the book. Each child that returns the Challenge slip will receive a special treat.

The RIF program is also holding an extra contest. For Third through Fifth graders they are asking them to write an essay on what they think a day in school 100 years ago would have been like. For Kindergarten through Second Grade there was a coloring contest. There was one winner per grade with the Historical Society deciding the winners of the essay contest.

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In March we were host for something special - our first Genealogical Workshop. This was an exciting all day event for both the beginner or the experienced genealogist.

We had a wonderful variety of speakers and subjects covered. First was John Fairman of our Ingram Historical Society who is one of the writers for our new book that will be coming out next year on the History of Ingram. John spoke on the "Early History of Western Pennsylvania". Next was Sharen Williams from the Historical Society and Centennial Committee who spoke on "Beginning Your Family Research". Sharen has been doing genealogical research for about 8 years now.

After a break to visit our informative Vendor area Luanne Eisler, head of the genealogy room at the Butler Public Library spoke on the informative subject "Using and Understanding Newspapers as a Genealogical Resource".

We then all took a break for a wonderful buffet lunch served by the Historical Society. The afternoon continued with two talks by a nationally known speaker Elissa Powell. Elissa is a Certified Genealogical Records Specialist and currently is serving as program chair for the WPGS. She was past president of the North Hills Genealogists and is a Trustee for the Assoc. of Professional Genealogists. Elissa also appears in Episode 207 "Cemetery Records" of the PBS TV. She spoke with us on the subjects "How Did My Ancestor Get Here? Migration Trails Out of the Keystone State" and "Sailing Into the Sunset: Tips for Finding Your Ancestors on Passenger Lists"

The event was both informative and educational and we have had many positive comments from attendees.

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On April 20th from 1-3 PM the Girl Scouts sponsored a dinner in Ingram Park to honor their past leaders. The girls arranged the program and dinner themselves in recognition of the efforts of those women who had given their time to the Girl Scouts. Eighteen past leaders were honored.

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May 18th was the Ground breaking/dedication ceremony for our Centennial time Capsule. Adam Cygnarowicz volunteered to make all the arrangements for the time capsule as his Eagle Scout project and the ceremony was held at the Borough Building at 10:00 AM.

The ceremony began with a flag raising performed by Adam and his fellow Eagle Scouts. Then Adam, the Mayor and other distinguished citizens from Ingram Borough joined in breaking ground for the memorial which Adam will now build on the site which will hold our time capsule containing mementos from the various organizations in Ingram and of the Centennial events scheduled throughout the year.

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The Chartier's Canoe Trip on June 22 has been one of biggest successes. We all started the trip at the SHARP EDGE Restaurant where the staff made us all welcome. John Fairman, our local historian, spoke to us about the history of the area and the importance Chartier's Creek played in our history.

Then, John Hamm, from the Chartier's Conservancy then spoke to us about the Creek today and the work the Conservancy is doing to preserve the Creek for the enjoyment of all. Mr. Hamm, after some brief instructions, led the group on it's exciting journey down the Chartier's. There were 32 canoes and/or kayaks making the trip and everyone enjoyed themselves immensely.

We would like to thank John Hamm and the Chartier's Conservency, without who this event would not have been possible. The Conservency supplied 16-19 canoes or kayaks for the trip. Thanks to the generosity of the 42 people who attended the lunch before the trip the Conservency was able to collect over $200. in donataions to help preserve this wonderful recreational waterway for future generations.

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Ingram Days was a great place to showcase the Cenennial and the Historical Society had some special things planned to commemorate the Centennial.

Our entry in the parade this year was a Trolley in honor of one of the modes of transportation used for so many years in Ingram. After the parade the trolley drove around the town to pick up any who would like a ride to join in the festivities in the park.

The Historical Society Booth was set up in keeping witht the Centennial theme. This year we featured and old fashioned Country Store which we called the "Centennial Store". The store sign was created for us by one of our members, Steve Huspeth and all the members contributed items which could be found in an early 20th Century Store. We also had many commemorative items for sale and information on our upcoming events.

On Sunday, the Centennial Committee and the Historical Society sponsored Old Fashioned Games from 3:00 PM until about 5:00 PM. Many area young people were there to join us in Sack Race,, Penny Scramble, Baloon toss, and other competitions for people of all ages! We appreciate the participation of so many young people in spite of the 90 degree heatThe winners received a special medallion engraved for the centennial and there was be candy for all the participants.

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Our actual Anniversary for the Borough of Ingram was on August 2, 2002. We marked the occasion with another special event, Cosmic Family Bowling at Crafton Ingram Lanes. Afterward, we all enjoyed Pizza and Cake. It was a great family event and a wonderful way to commerate Ingram's Anniversary.

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September 7th was our Second Annual Historical Society Flea Market. Brought back by popular request this event is fast becoming something Ingram residents look forward to each year and a great way to trade in your "trash" for a "treasure.

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Another great family event was held on October 5th, the Square Dance at Ingram Park. Wade Johnston was our caller and we had a perfect fall evening to hold the event. One of the members of the Ingram Fire Department kindly donated his time and use of his "Bratmeister 5000" to cook hot dogs and we had cider, chips, and other goodies to munch. The kids enjoyed bobbing for apples and all enjoyed the wonderful evening.

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Of course, the highlight of our Centennial was the Cotillion at Cathedral Hall. We had a wonderful dinner and several participants dressed in period dress for the occasion.

Our mayor Charles Mitsch opened the program with announcements and a champagne toast. We were also honored by a short address by Rep. Tom Petrone who read a congratulatory message from the State of Pennsylvania on Ingram's Centennial.

Next, we were privilaged to have a dance demonstration, by the Dryden Dance Center, of dances throughout the century. John Dryden, Kathy Burchill, Darlene & Michael Kalimon, gave us a wonderful exhibition of many of the popular dances throughout the years.

Thanks also to our fantastic area merchants and clubs for thier generous door prize contributions for the evening. The prizes were surpurb, each valuing $50 - $75, and approximatly 50 prizes were given out during the evening.

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Our last event of the year, but not least, was the Ingram Historical Society Centennial House Tour. We had three homes on the program this year as well as a tour of Ascension Church, which many of you know was formerly the old Trolley Barn. Tours were given of the Don Bauman home on Linshaw and the homes of Gerald and Carolyn Crowshore and Michael and Darlene Kalimon, both on West Prospect. All were impressed by the restoration of these beautiful onl homes. We can be proud that Ingram boasts so many of it's older homes have been preserved for future generations to enjoy.

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Our Thanks to the Ingram Centennial Committee, Ingram Borough Council, The Ingram Historical Society, The Ingram Fire Department, The Ingram EMTs, and our other Ingram Clubs and organizations who participated to make these Centennial Events such a success.

TO SEE PICTURES OF THE CENTENNIAL EVENTS GO TO:

CENTENNIAL PICTURES-1

CENTENNIAL PICTURES-2