News and Community Archives: 2014

Bauer Steps Ahead to kick off 2015 season by seeing ‘Celtic Woman!’

To kick off the 2015 season of trips, on Sunday, March 15, 2015, Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead are traveling to the Kovalchick Complex in Indiana to see a performance of “Celtic Woman.”

The performance showcases a treasure chest of traditional Irish standards, classical favorites and contemporary pop songs. The 10th Anniversary Tour features gifted Irish women – three angelic vocalists and a brilliant violinist. The ensemble includes a full band, bagpipers, Irish dancers and the Aontas Choir that features exceptional choreography, all under the direction of Emmy-nominated music producer David Downes. Before the show, the group will enjoy lunch at the Rustic Lodge.

Meet at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg for bus transportation at 10:45 a.m. or at the Bauer Funeral Home in Kittanning at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $84 for motor coach bus transportation, lunch and the show. Call Sandy at 724-545-9464, 724-756-2710 or 814-473-3080 for reservations as soon as possible. Money is due by Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. Make checks payable to Bauer Funeral Home and mail to PO Box 997, Kittanning, PA 16201. Guests are welcome.

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead offer a way to stay connected with the community and anyone interested is welcome to join. Read about past excursions on www.bauerfuneral.com or become a fan on Facebook.

Bauer-Bly Funeral Home promotes bicycle safety at Dayton Elementary Fall Festival

Bauer-Bly Funeral Home promotes bicycle safety at Dayton Elementary Fall Festival On Friday evening, November 21, 2014, Bauer-Bly Funeral Home was one of the exhibitors and vendors that participated in the 12th Annual Dayton Elementary School Fall Festival. The festival benefits the sixth grade Gold Pass Program, a program for the students that focuses on character, discipline and academic performance. Community Relations Manager, Sandy Mikita, and Service Associate, Bobbi Ruth Blinn, were on hand representing the funeral home during the event and promoted the importance of bicycle safety.

Bobbi Ruth passed out papers that included fun activities that helped explain bike safety rules to the elementary students, and the funeral home also sponsored a free raffle that gave away two youth bicycle helmets. McKenzie Fairman was the winner of the girl’s helmet and Jarret Gould was the winner of the boy’s helmet.

“We hope everyone had fun learning about bicycle safety and that the safety tips will be put into practice,” said Mikita.

The exhibit also gave visitors an insight of other community related activities and outreach programs the funeral home offers within Dayton and the surrounding communities. A PowerPoint presentation was set up that explained the Bauer Steps Ahead outreach program and Mikita also made available to festival-goers information about cemetery monuments.

“Bobbi Ruth and I had a wonderful time at the festival,” said Mikita. “We were glad to provide fun activities for the children and also share information about our outreach programs with local residents, all while helping with this fundraising effort for the sixth grade Gold Pass Program.”

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home to display Tree of Remembrance

The Christmas season can be hard for those who have lost a loved one. To help local residents honor the memory of their family members, the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg will display a Tree of Remembrance during the month of December.

The Tree of Remembrance will showcase ornaments with the names of those who passed during 2014. Anyone’s name may be added to the tree. To request an ornament for a loved one, call the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home at 814-473-3080.

Ornaments will be placed on the Tree of Remembrance following the holiday grief program, “Surviving the Season,” that is sponsored by Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home and Clarion Forest VNA Hospice. The event will be held Tuesday, December 2, at 7 p.m. at the funeral home and will offer guidance on remembering loved ones and dealing with the sometimes overwhelming combination of grief and stress that can occur during the holidays. All who are interested are welcome to attend.

“The holidays are really tough for those who have lost loved ones, and we wanted to give residents a way to memorialize them during the Christmas season,” said Jennifer Bauer Eroh, manager and funeral director at Bauer-Hillis. “This is a wonderful way for families in the community to remember those who passed throughout the year and can be a very healing experience for some.”

An ad featuring all the names of those served by Bauer-Hillis throughout the year will run in the Thursday, December 18 edition of the Leader Vindicator. The tree will stay up at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home until Friday, January 2, 2015; all families that would like to keep their loved one’s ornament will need to collect them by that date.

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home thanks veterans for their service

During the week of Veterans Day, the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Homes of Petrolia and Rimersburg hosted breakfasts for the local veterans groups, thanking them for their service. On the morning of Monday, November 10, 2014, 35 veterans from American Legion Post 454 and VFW Post 7132, both of Rimersburg, and on Veterans Day, 20 veterans from American Legion Post 488 of East Brady, American Legion Post 642 of Chicora and VFW Post 7876 of Chicora gathered at Miller’s Restaurant in Karns City.

“Our funeral home is happy that we were able to honor the local veterans and use this as one way for our organization to show our appreciation,” said Jack Bauer, owner of the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home of Petrolia and Rimersburg. “There is no way we can possibly thank them enough for their sacrifice, but we hope they enjoyed their morning.”

Funeral directors Larry Bliss, Jack Bauer, Jennifer Bauer Eroh, Joshua Starr and Mark Thompson, and funeral intern John W. Bauer, Jr. attended the Rimersburg breakfast, and before the veterans were served a delicious breakfast of pancakes and sausage, Thompson said the blessing.

The Petrolia breakfast was attended by funeral directors Jack Bauer, Larry Bliss and Joshua Starr, and funeral intern John W. Bauer, Jr. The men there enjoyed a breakfast of scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, sausage and home fries, and Starr said the blessing.

Starr also thanked them for their past military service and present service to local families in performing military honors. “Performing military honors may seem like an everyday task,” said Starr, “but it means the world to the families we serve.”

Each veteran in attendance at both breakfasts was also presented with a coffee mug that featured the logo of each of their organizations.

“Our staff often works with the local veterans and we are so thankful of all they do for not only us, but for the community,” said Bauer. “I am proud to work with a group of men so dedicated to serving our country and our town.”

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead to enhoy a Holiday Pasta Party!

On Monday, December 8, 2014, join Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead for a “Holiday Pasta Party” at Grace Presbyterian Church in Kittanning. Chef Angelo Mantini, of A Mano Pasta in Ford City, will demonstrate how he makes authentic Italian pasta from scratch. Those coming should bring their aprons, because Angelo will be happy to have volunteers assist him. He’ll also entertain with stories about his life travels, learning new recipes and his culinary experiences in foreign countries.

Attendees will enjoy mouth-watering appetizers, tossed salad, a pasta buffet and a delicious dessert. Following lunch, the Kittanning Senior Chorus, under the direction of Monica Stango, will perform holiday songs and before leaving, guests can tour the sanctuary of the church and see the exquisite Tiffany windows.

Attendees are to meet at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 155 North Jefferson St., Kittanning. Parking and the entrance are in the back of the church. The cost is $25. Call Sandy at 724-545-9464, 724-756-2710 or 814-473-3080 for reservations; money and reservations are due by Monday, December 1, 2014. Make checks payable to Bauer Funeral Home and mail to PO Box 997, Kittanning, PA 16201. Guests are welcome.

Bauer Steps Ahead offers a way to stay connected with the community and anyone interested is welcome to join. Read about past excursions on the website or become a fan on Facebook.

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home announces “Blue Christmas” Remembrance Program

The Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home of Petrolia, in conjunction with Zion Church of Petroleum Valley and Clarion Forest VNA Hospice, will present “A Blue Christmas,” a service of remembrance and strength during the holiday season. The program will be held Sunday, December 7, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Zion Church, 1392 Kittanning Pike, Karns City.

The Rev. Sue Evans, RN, BA, Bereavement Coordinator, the Rev. Randy Evans, BA, Hospice Chaplain, and Debbie Lucas, MA, NCC, LPC, Bereavement Counselor, all of Clarion Forest VNA Hospice, will offer guidance on remembering loved ones and dealing with the sometimes overwhelming combination of grief and stress that can occur during the holidays. Also participating in the program will be Pastor Joe Olkowski of Zion Church.

The Blue Christmas program acknowledges the pain and sadness many people experience as the holidays approach, but also encourages people to move toward hope.

“It’s about facing the reality that the holidays can be the toughest time of the year for some people,” said Jennifer Bauer Eroh, manager of Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home. “This service comes out of a need to fill a special niche during this holiday season; to help people find comfort and still share in the season, even though they may still carry a bit of sadness with them during the holidays.”

"We all grieve differently, but most find the journey through it eased by sharing the grief with others,” said Pastor Joe Olkowski. “We tend to be so private that we do ourselves harm – especially in times of loss. I tell people, 'You're among friends and people who understand, so share the load you feel.'”

Those who attend are asked to bring an ornament in memory of their loved one. The ornaments will be returned following the program.

The public is encouraged to attend this special holiday remembrance program, which will include the singing of songs, a brief inspirational message and a candle lighting ceremony. Light refreshments will be served following the program. Reservations are requested but not required and there is no admission fee. Please contact the staff at Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home at 724-756-2710 for questions or to make a reservation.

Bauer Family Funeral Homes holds Holiday Remembrance Program

The Bauer Family Funeral Homes will host a free Holiday Remembrance Program entitled, “Holiday Grief: Surviving the Season.” This very special presentation will be held on Sunday, November 16, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Bauer Funeral Home, 515 North McKean Street in Kittanning.

Jenna Rhodaberger, MSW, LSW, Bereavement Coordinator and Medical Social Worker of the VNA Hospice and Palliative Care, will offer guidance on remembering loved ones and dealing with the sometimes overwhelming combination of grief and stress that can occur during the holidays.

The public is encouraged to attend this special holiday remembrance and bereavement support program. Reservations are requested but not required and there is no admission fee. Light refreshments will be served following the program. Please contact the staff at Bauer Family Funeral Homes at 724-545-9464 to advise us the number of guests who will be attending.

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home to host Holiday Remembrance Program

The Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home will host a free Holiday Remembrance Program entitled, “Holiday Grief: Surviving the Season.” This very special presentation will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 7:00 PM at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home, 758 Main Street in Rimersburg.

The Rev. Sue Evans, RN, BA, Bereavement Coordinator, the Rev. Randy Evans, Chaplain, and Debbie Lucas, MA, LPC, Bereavement Counselor, all of Clarion Forest VNA Hospice, will offer guidance on remembering loved ones and dealing with the sometimes overwhelming combination of grief and stress that can occur during the holidays.

The public is encouraged to attend this special holiday remembrance and bereavement support program. Reservations are requested but not required and there is no admission fee. Light refreshments will be served following the program. Please contact the staff at Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home at 814-473-3080 to advise us the number of guests who will be attending.

Kittanning Rotary Club volunteers pass out dictionaries to local third graders

Kittanning Rotary Club volunteers pass out dictionaries to local third graders Jack Bauer, owner of Bauer Funeral Homes, has been an active member of the Kittanning Rotary Club for many years and the each year the club’s fundraising activities help fund events in the community. This fall, the club collaborated with the Armstrong School District and helped purchase a student dictionary for each third grader in the district.

One of the highlights for the club was personally delivering the dictionaries to each third grade class. On Tuesday, October 7, 2014, many Rotary Club members and stand-in volunteers were on hand when the dictionaries were delivered to each classroom.

Sandy Mikita, community relations manager at Bauer Funeral Homes, was one of the stand-in volunteers. She was assigned to visit Mrs. Tracey Eddy’s third grade class at Dayton Elementary School. The students were excited to learn how much information was included in the dictionary.

After Sandy gave them a couple of words to look up, she explained that the dictionary would not only help them with reading, pronouncing and understanding words, but also with English, math, history, science, civics and world cultures. She also told them about what the Rotary Club does in the community. The class was great, eager to learn and excited to participate. As Sandy was leaving, the students and teacher expressed much appreciation to the Kittanning Rotary Club.

Clark Chapel Funeral Home supports Fifth Annual Don Miller Truck Show

Clark Chapel Funeral Home supports Fifth Annual Don Miller Truck Show The Fifth Annual Don Miller Memorial Truck Show was held in conjunction with the Apple Butter Festival in Elderton on Saturday, October 4, 2014. This annual event honors the life of Don Miller, who was an outstanding business owner and resident of Elderton when a tragic accident on April 23, 2010 took his life. This year the truck show was held at the Elderton Soccer Field to make sure there was enough room for participants. Twenty big rig trucks were on display, with some of the owners and drivers from local towns and others driving in from miles away.

The proceeds from the truck show registration will go toward Relay for Life. This was a cause important to Don since he was very involved in a number of community-minded efforts. Each truck driver was given a dash plaque to display in their truck and kids-choice trophy awards were also given to three trucks that were favorites. Brice Miller, an eighth grader at West Shamokin Junior/Senior High School and son of Don and Patty Miller, picked a 2014-389 Peterbilt Rig owned by Chad Baker of Kennerdale, PA, Brice’s friend, Adam Morgan, picked a 2015 Peterbilt Tri-axle Dump Truck with driver Tom Deal at the wheel from Riggle Trucking of Apollo, and Robbie Lucas of Rural Valley selected a 2010 Peterbilt Tri-axle Dump Truck owned by Moose Sarnese of Derry, PA. The youths took the judging very seriously and had a lot of fun narrowing their choice to their favorites. After the judging, the boys were excited to ride in the trucks for the parade.

The show is truly a family event. Nick Clawson, son of Don Miller and truck show organizer, along with Patty Miller, Don’s wife, were glad to see such a good turnout even though there was some inclement weather that day.

Clark Chapel Funeral Home is honored to assist the Miller family during the truck show each year. The funeral home is proud to sponsor the DJ that provides music to entertain everyone during the show. The DJs, Doug and Cathy Lucas of Rural Valley, always look forward to providing the music for the truck show each year.

Bauer Steps Ahead will board the Gateway Clipper in October

On Sunday, September 28, 2014, Bauer Steps Ahead enjoyed a performance of “Oliver” at the Strand Theater in Zelienople. Trip attendees were greeted by the owners of the Spring Street Café, Carol and Mary, at the first stop upon arrival. All of the Café staff members were very accommodating and served up a delicious four-course, chef-prepared dinner. After the meal, most of the group chose to walk down the street to the Strand Theater while enjoying the local businesses in the quaint town of Zelienople. The Strand Theater featured the musical “Oliver,” a beloved production that vividly brings Dickens’ timeless characters in “Oliver Twist” to life. Everyone agreed the 34 professional and regional talents of the cast (including the children), the live orchestra and the professional staging came together to create a superb performance.

The next outing is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2014, when Bauer Steps Ahead will board the Gateway Clipper in Pittsburgh to enjoy a lunch buffet and show. Those who attend will see beautiful views of the Pittsburgh skyline and enjoy a new lively song and dance show, the “Roaring Riverboat Review.” The show pays homage to the “Showboat” era of life on the river, featuring some of the region’s best entertainers.

Bauer Steps Ahead offers a way to stay connected with the community and anyone interested is welcome to join. Meet at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg at 7:45 a.m. or the Bauer Funeral Home in Kittanning for bus transportation at 8:45 a.m. The cost is $68 for bus transportation, cruise, lunch buffet and show. Call Sandy at 724-545-9464 for reservations as soon as possible. Money is due by Tuesday, October 7, 2014. Make checks payable to Bauer Funeral Home and mail to PO Box 997, Kittanning, PA 16201. Guests are welcome.

Bauer Family Funeral Homes participate in 2014 Armstrong County Senior Expo

Bauer Family Funeral Homes participate in 2014 Armstrong County Senior Expo Senator Don White, Representative Jeff Pyle and Representative Donna Oberlander hosted the 2014 Senior Expo on Tuesday, August 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Many seniors from across Armstrong County attended the event that was held at the Kittanning Township Fire Hall.

Those in attendance found it a great opportunity to acquire free information from local organizations, businesses and health associations, as well as county, state and federal agencies. This annual event is an informational day that aids local senior citizens with various concerns and interests. Exhibitors provided one-on-one information along with informative brochures and handy give-a-ways. Throughout the event, the hosts provided refreshments and many door prizes were awarded, courtesy of all the exhibitors.

The Bauer Funeral Home staff was pleased to see all who stopped to visit at our exhibit at the Expo. John W. Bauer, Jr. and Kayla Price, administrative assistant, were on hand to give out informational brochures regarding funeral pre-planning, cremation options and traditional funeral options. They were also able to offer information on cemetery grave markers, bereavement information and the Bauer Steps Ahead outreach program.

Visitors also signed up for door prizes at the Bauer Funeral Home exhibit. Elva Jean Westlake of Kittanning won the floral arrangement donated by Kimberly’s Floral and Design, Phillis Popp of Elderton was given the floral arrangement donated by Darlene’s Floral and Gifts, and Mary Troup of Dayton won the $20 gift card to Dizzy Lizzy’s Restaurant.

Many thanks go out to our hosts for a very successful day that was provided on behalf of Armstrong County's Senior Citizens.

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead to see performance of "Oliver!"

On Tuesday, August 26, 2014, Bauer Steps Ahead traveled to the Palace Theater in Greensburg to be entertained with an unforgettable violin musical performance by Shoji Tabuchi and his band ensemble that included four talented singers and dancers. The many varieties of music had the audience tapping their toes or even singing along with some selections while they enjoyed the light-hearted stories and comedy from Shoji. Before the show, the group stopped at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Delmont for a delicious hot lunch.

The next outing is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2014, when Bauer Steps Ahead will enjoy a performance of “Oliver” at the Strand Theatre in Zelienople!

This beloved musical brings the timeless characters in Charles Dickons’ “Oliver Twist” to life. Set in London in 1853, this heart-wrenching and heart-warming musical journey tells the story of a young orphan who falls into a gang of pick-pockets. It’s a “Dickens” of a tale brought to life by professionals who have performed on the Broadway and Pittsburgh stages, in addition to local talent.

Before the show, the group will stop for lunch at the Spring Street Café in Zelienople. The menu includes Winter Chicken Salad and a cup of soup, or either Anniversary Chicken with cheddar cheese and bacon or Sliced Roast Beef Au Jus, served with a cup of soup or salad, Green Beans Almandine or Garlic Mashed Potatoes. All meals include dessert, coffee, tea and iced tea. When making reservations, please give your meal selection.

Bauer Steps Ahead offers a way to stay connected with the community and anyone interested is welcome to join. Participants are to meet at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg at 9:15 AM and the Bauer Funeral Home in Kittanning at 10 AM. The cost is $72 for bus transportation, lunch and the show. Call Sandy at 724-545-9464 to make reservations as soon as possible; seating is limited. Money and reservations are due Wednesday, September 10, 2014. Make checks payable to Bauer Funeral Home and mail to PO Box 997, Kittanning, PA 16201. Guests are welcome.

Read about past excursions on www.bauerfuneral.com or become a fan on Facebook.

Bauer Family Funeral Homes to participate in 2014 Senior Expo

Senator Don White, Representative Jeff Pyle and Representative Donna Oberlander will be hosting the 2014 Senior Expo on Tuesday, August 26, from 10 AM – 1 PM at Kittanning Township Volunteer Fire Department, 13126 State Route 422, Kittanning.

The Senior Expo is a great opportunity that is free of charge to local senior citizens and friends. Local organizations, businesses, health associations, and state and federal agencies gather to participate in an informational day with the hope of aiding local senior citizens with various concerns and interests. Visitors can pick up informative brochures and receive handy give-a-ways from exhibitors. Throughout the day there will be many door prizes awarded, and refreshments will be available. There are usually over 50 exhibitors on hand and over 300 visitors attend the Expo.

The Bauer Family Funeral Homes professional and friendly staff will be present to offer information about pre-planning funerals, cremation options, traditional funeral options, monuments and bereavement information. We will also have brochures and other literature available that will help seniors make educated decisions on these topics. Several other door prizes will also be available when signing up at the Bauer exhibit. These will include two beautiful autumn floral arrangements donated by Kimberly’s Floral and Design of Kittanning and Darlene’s Flower and Gift Shop of Elderton, and two $20 gift certificates for Dizzy Lizzy’s Restaurant in Kittanning.

You won’t want to miss this annual event. We hope to see you there!

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home ready for a Zoo-tastic weekend at Cookie Daze

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home ready for a Zoo-tastic weekend at Cookie Daze Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg is looking forward to this year’s Cookie Daze Festival, which will take place Friday, August 8 through Sunday, August 10. The theme for the fun-filled weekend is “Zoofari.”

“Cookie Daze is a wonderful way for the Rimersburg community to come together and enjoy a weekend of fun,” said Deana R. Turner, manager and funeral director at Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home. “We love being a part of this community and Bauer-Hillis is excited to partner with local groups to offer these enjoyable events for families.”

The festival will roar into action on Friday evening by getting things started with a parade and, once again, the funeral home staff and their families will dress the part. The funeral home’s float will feature various animals under the supervision of the zookeeper. After the parade, Bauer-Hillis’ parking lot will be available as a wonderful place to relax and watch the fireworks show that will begin at dusk.

On Saturday, Bauer-Hillis will sponsor the Power Wheels Parade, which takes place in the funeral home’s parking lot. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at the funeral home and the cruise starts at 10:30 a.m.

The Cookie Daze Car Cruise will take place on Sunday beginning at 3 p.m., and the Bauer-Hillis parking lot will be used for the cruise while local groups will sell concessions under the funeral home’s portico. This popular car cruise drew over 300 cars last year.

To close out the festivities on Sunday, Bauer-Hillis is showing a family movie in the funeral home’s parking lot. Beginning at 5 p.m., a DJ will play music while people gather and enjoy refreshments that will be sold by local community organizations. The movie, Zookeeper, will start at dusk, and keeps with the theme of the weekend by chronicling the life of zookeeper Griffin Keyes (played by Kevin James). When Keyes decides to leave his position at the zoo to gain a more prestigious job that will help him find a girlfriend, the animals he cares for take matters into their own hands so that Keyes can get the girl and still keep the job he loves. The event is free and everyone attending should bring their own seating.

“Rimersburg is a special town and my staff and I are committed to doing everything we can to thank the citizens for their support over the years,” said Turner. “Community festivals, such as Cookie Daze, are a wonderful opportunity for us to show residents our appreciation for their patronage, and we hope people will come out and have a fantastic time this weekend!”

See Shoji Tabuchi perform at the Palace Theater in Greensburg

Join Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 to see Shoji Tabuchi from Branson, MO perform at the Palace Theater!

Don’t miss this unforgettable show that features country, bluegrass, big band, Cajun, Broadway, pop, jazz, swing and classical music, melded with class, warmth, humor and professional perfection. Before the show, the group will stop at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Delmont. The menu choices are boneless stuffed chicken breast, baked stuffed pork chops with red skin potatoes, or broiled Boston scrod with rice. All dinners include a fresh fruit appetizer, tossed salad, vegetable, bread, assorted desserts, coffee, tea and iced tea.

Meet at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg at 8:30 a.m. or at the Bauer Funeral Home in Kittanning for bus transportation at 9 a.m. on August 26. The cost for the bus, luncheon and show is $85. Reservations and money are due by Friday, July 25, 2014. Call Sandy at 724-545-9464 to make reservations as soon as possible; seating is limited. Make checks payable to Bauer Funeral Home and mail to PO Box 997, Kittanning, PA 16201. Guests are welcome.

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead offer a great way to stay connected with the community and anyone interested is welcome to join.

Read more about past excursions on the website or become a fan on Facebook.

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home celebrates Older Americans Month with Rimersburg Senior Center

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home celebrates Older Americans Month with Rimersburg Senior Center On Wednesday, May 28, 2014, the staff of the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home helped the Rimersburg Senior Center celebrate Older Americans Month by serving lunch to the center attendees. Manager Deana Turner, Funeral Director Larry Bliss, Advance Planning Consultant Rebecca Donahue-Nedd, and Funeral Service Associate Courtney Shirey, had a great time interacting with those in attendance and presenting fun skits.

“High Tea” was the theme for the afternoon and was organized by senior center director Kelly Fair. Everyone enjoyed finger sandwiches, a variety of teas and cake. Fair then put on a ventriloquist show featuring Bliss as Mustang Sally that had the audience laughing. Clarion County Commissioners Wayne Brosius and Greg Faller also participated in the fun and helped serve food.

The funeral home donated two $10 Dollar General gift cards for door prizes, and those were won by Cecil Craig and Maxine McNaughton. The senior center also gave away a small plant to everyone in attendance.

“I am so glad that my staff and I were able to support the Rimersburg Senior Center today,” said Turner. “We work with the senior center often and hope the members realize how much we appreciate them!”

The staff of the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Homes recognizes and respects the past contributions and continued accomplishments that all “Older Americans” have given to their country, communities, families and friends. These remarkable achievements demonstrate the strength and character of older Americans and underscore the debt of gratitude we owe to the generations that have given our society so much.

Photo credit: Clarion County Commissioner Wayne Brosius and Rimersburg Senior Center Director Kelly Fair during the ventriloquism skit.

Bauer-Bly employees participate in Adopt-A-Highway in Dayton

Bauer-Bly employees participate in Adopt-A-Highway in Dayton On Tuesday morning, May 13, 2014, five staff members of the Bauer-Bly Funeral Home picked up 12 bags of litter along a 2.4 mile stretch of State Route 839 as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway program. We joined the program in 2001 to give back to the Dayton community and have since collected 382 bags of trash from the side of the highway. Our staff is pleased to take part in this beautification effort and looks forward to volunteering each spring and fall. The employees who volunteered were:

Jack Bauer – Owner, Bauer Family Funeral Homes
Sandy Mikita – Community Relations Manager
Ralph Funkhouser – Grounds and Maintenance
Joshua C. Starr – Funeral Director
Kayla Price – Administrative Assistant

We enjoyed doing our part to help the Dayton community and will be ready to continue our efforts in the fall!

Check out our Facebook page to see photos from the day.

Bauer Funeral Home helps support local Older American's Month celebrations

Bauer Funeral Home helps support local Older American On Wednesday, May 7, 2014, Sandy Mikita, community relations manager at Bauer Funeral Home, had a wonderful time helping the Kittanning Senior Center celebrate Older American’s Month by serving lunch to the center’s attendees and volunteers.

Goldie Reesman, director of the Kittanning center, did a great job organizing the day’s activities, which also included some musical entertainment. A special dinner menu was also selected to be served to all the senior centers in Armstrong County.

A $20 gift certificate to Dizzy Lizzy’s Restaurant in Kittanning was donated by the Bauer Funeral Home for the door prize. Nancy Wright from the Armstrong County Area Agency on Aging office also helped serve and delivered proclamations recognizing all who help serve lunches held at the center throughout the year. “Safe Today, Healthy Tomorrow” is the theme for 2014, and Bauer Funeral Home also donated door prizes to the Senior Centers in Elderton and Dayton to help with their celebrations.

The staff of the Bauer Family Funeral Homes recognizes and respects the past contributions and continued accomplishments that all “Older Americans” have given to their country, communities, families and friends. These remarkable achievements demonstrate the strength and character of older Americans and underscore the debt of gratitude we owe to the generations that have given our society so much.

The Older American’s month-long observance is a proud tradition that shows our commitment to honor the values that elders contribute to our communities.

“My Life Sentence” brings drinking realities to life for KCHS students

“My Life Sentence” brings drinking realities to life for KCHS students Karns City High School seniors, juniors and their dates will get glossed and glittered Friday night for the prom rite of passage, but they’ll also have in mind a fresh lesson about safety. On Wednesday, approximately 300 students participated in the Prom Promise event which emphasizes Prom safety. This year’s event was year three of the three year program and was sponsored by the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home of Petrolia and the KCHS Administration and Teachers.

For year three of the program, guest speaker Mr. Vernon Hilyer presented, “My Life Sentence.” He delivered a sobering message through a dynamic multimedia show informing high school students about how the decisions they make today impact their lives tomorrow. He shares a true life story about his son’s fight with alcohol and the effects his choices had on everyone who knew and loved him. Hilyer shares many things about his son’s drinking world, both in high school and in college that most can relate to. His story has had a life-changing effect on many people.

Hilyer believes, as many parents do, that the community must make an investment in the future of children today by giving them the skills they need to make smart and legal choices about alcohol. Also, implementing programs – such as Prom Promise – we can establish at a young age the fundamental decision-making concepts that can ensure the safety of all individuals on the road.

“We’re doing this to try to encourage students to not drink and drive. Prom is a rite of passage for high school students, and we want them to enjoy themselves, but also have the ability to remember it,”said Deana Turner, manager of the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home. “We want them to be aware of the law and about the consequences so that they make it through and survive.”

Hilyer is hoping that his testimony will help save another young person from going through what he went through. When kids watch videos on the Internet or hear things on the news, it’s usually disassociated from them. What Mr. Hilyer attempts to do is bring home to the kids that it could happen to someone in their community. His message is not just for prom though. He wants students to think about graduation, summer vacation and beyond. “Hilyer’s message showed that every decision they make has far-reaching consequences, so they need to make good choices,” said Turner.

Mock trial brings drinking realities to life for Union High School students

The case of the State v. Leah Milliron, charged with homicide by vehicle while driving under the influence and underage drinking, was decided in the secondary gymnasium at Union High School Thursday afternoon in front of the school's sophomore, junior and senior classes.

Surrounded by the normal courtroom trappings – judge, defense attorney, prosecutor, law enforcement, bailiff, various witnesses and jury – student Leah Milliron was found guilty to charges of driving while impaired and homicide by vehicle. More than one hundred students witnessed court personnel in action and viewed a realistic account of the trial process. Students learned that under certain circumstances, if they are convicted of driving while impaired, they could receive stiff penalties including fines and mandatory jail time.

The district’s mock trial was held in conjunction with Prom Promise, a three-year program initiated in 2013 with a mock accident scene including fatalities. This year’s event took students through the full legal process that follows an impaired driving arrest, from the arrest itself to jail time and a full criminal trial, resulting in a conviction for drunk driving and homicide by vehicle.

The trial was presented by the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home of Rimersburg and members of the community, including Union Administration and faculty member Ms. Lisa Hummel, presiding Clarion County District Judge Jeffrey Miller, Retired District Judge Dan George, Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron and assistant District Attorney Anna Welsh, Attorney Ray Scott, Clarion County Sherriff Rex Munsee and Deputy Sheriff Chris Fox, Clarion County Coroner Terry Schaeffer, School Board member Pastor John Milliron and Mrs. Lorrie Milliron, and Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home staff members, Manager and Funeral Director Deana Turner, Funeral Director Larry Bliss, and Resident Intern Courtney Shirey. Student participants in addition to Milliron included Tori Vasbinder, UHS Alumni and current CUP student as the innocent victim in the second car, Cheyenne Hazlett, Dani Curry and student jury participants Kassie McGarrity, Danara Hawk, Noah Vereb, Alyssa Wyant, Vanice Wong, Willow Huffman, Angela Conner, Michael Keefer, Brooke Kriebel, Eiley McGregor, Michaela Lencer, Raegan Johnston, and alternate Beau Rankin.

“It challenges young people to consider the consequences-prior to prom night-of drug or alcohol use to help avoid impulsive and possibly regretful consequences,” said Turner. For many of the students, this was their first exposure to the legal system. At the conclusion of the program, students were given the opportunity to ask questions of the trial participants.

“The questions posed by the students to our community professionals were perceptive and intuitive, evident of their attention to the process presented. If this reenactment saves just one teen from a terrible tragedy, then we’ve accomplished what we had hoped for,” said Turner.

Bauer Steps Ahead to see Vicki Lawrence in Altoona

On Saturday, April 5, the Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead groups traveled to Greensburg to hear River City Brass Band present “Big Band Brass” at the Palace Theater! James Gourlay, artistic director, led the talented musicians in playing music from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s. The evening performance included wonderful soloists – both vocal and instrumental – along with delightful comedy and light hearted fun. Before the concert, the group enjoyed dinner at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Delmont.

The next outing is scheduled for Thursday, May 22, 2014, when Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead see a performance of “Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two-Women Show” at the Mishler Theatre in Altoona!

Emmy Award-winning comedienne Vicki Lawrence is one of the most beloved television personalities of her generation. First introduced to audiences in 1974 as the sidekick on “The Carol Burnett Show,” Vicki later headlined the spin-off, “Mama’s Family.” You will find this performance to be very funny and entertaining with a mixture of stand-up comedy, music and observations about her life.

Before the show, we will stop for lunch at the Olive Garden Restaurant in Altoona. The menu includes unlimited garden fresh salad, your choice of soup, a side order of pasta (fettuccine alfredo or spaghetti with meat sauce) and assorted Dolcini desserts. When making reservations, your pasta needs selected.

Meet at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg at 7:30 AM or at the Bauer Funeral Home in Kittanning at 8:30 AM. The cost is $90 for motor coach transportation, meal and show ticket. Call Sandy at 724-545-9464, 724-756-2710 or 814-473-3080 to make reservations as soon as possible; seating is limited. Money and reservations are due by Wednesday, May 7. Make checks payable to Bauer Funeral Home and mail to P.O. Box 997, Kittanning, PA 16201. Guests are welcome.

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead offer a great way to stay connected with the community and anyone interested is welcome to join.

Read more about past excursions on the website or become a fan on Facebook.

Bauer-Hillis ranks high as best of the best

Bauer-Hillis ranks high as best of the best Jennifer Bauer Eroh, president of the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Homes of Rimersburg and Petrolia, announced that Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home was rated among the “Best of the Best” for 2013 by the Texas-based Funeral Service Research Group (FSRG).

Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home ranked near the top of the more than 92 elite rated funeral homes during the annual period. Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home earned “excellent” ratings for Overall Satisfaction from 100% of the customers that responded to the survey. “We have FSRG survey every family we serve,” explained Eroh, “and then our results are ranked yearly against the 92 firms FSRG represents, which includes 898 funeral directors serving over 70,000 families per year.”

“Receiving 100% excellent Overall Satisfaction for the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home is quite an achievement and displays the compassion and attention that they provide to each family,” stated Scott Newton of the Funeral Service Research Group. “In fact, Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home was ranked at the top in nearly every category that we surveyed during this time period. For example, Bauer-Hillis is rated #1 out of all 92 elite firms for the ‘Attention to Detail’ and ‘Options and Prices Available’ questions. In the category for ‘Support and Follow Up,’ Bauer-Hillis ranked #2 among all funeral homes that we survey. Jennifer and her entire staff should be very proud of their high level of customer satisfaction."

Individually, both Deana R. Turner and Eroh were honored with 100% Overall Satisfaction Arranger certificates. This was only achieved by only 37 of their colleagues out of 898 with 100% Overall Satisfaction as a funeral director.

“We strive to serve families in a way that we would like our own families to be treated. Deana, manager of Bauer-Hillis, and all of our employees are committed to delivering a memorable and meaningful service to all of our client-families just as Dick Hillis provided for 45 years. We pay close attention to the details which are important to our families, care about their experience and focus on exceeding their expectations,” said Eroh. “Delivering excellent service is truly a team effort. All of our staff works together to make a real difference.”

“The feedback we receive from the families is very important to us and we use these surveys to learn from their experiences. Their input pinpoints areas we are doing well in, along with areas we can improve upon. We truly appreciate the honest feedback from our client-families,” explained Eroh. “This year 62% of the families we served returned the survey to FSRG to help us achieve our scores.”

Founded in 1980, Funeral Service Research Group has surveyed hundreds of thousands of families. FSRG surveys more than 70,000 individuals throughout the United States and Canada annually who experienced the loss of a loved one. Their research has led to groundbreaking improvements in funeral service.

Photo credit: Richard D. Hillis, supervisor of Bauer-Hillis Rimersburg, Deana R. Turner, manager of Bauer-Hillis Funeral Homes, Larry Bliss, funeral home.

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead to enjoy a big band concert

On Saturday, April 5, join Bauer Steps Ahead to hear the River City Brass Band present “Big Band Brass” at the Palace Theater in Greensburg.

This Pittsburgh-based 28-piece band ensemble tours throughout the US and many other venues across the world. River City Brass swings into Big Band mode featuring hits made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr., and also music from the libraries of Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and others.

Before the concert, the group will stop at the Lamplighter Restaurant in Delmont for dinner. The menu choices are boneless stuffed chicken breast, roast sirloin with whipped potatoes or broiled Boston scrod with rice. All dinners include a fresh fruit appetizer, tossed salad, vegetable, bread, assorted desserts, coffee, tea and iced tea.

Meet at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg at 1:30 PM or at the Bauer Funeral Home in Kittanning at 2:30 PM. The cost is $65 for bus transportation, concert tickets and dinner. Call Sandy at 724-545-9464, 724-756-2710 or 814-473-3080 to make reservations as soon as possible; seating is limited. Money and reservations are due by Friday, March 21. Make checks payable to Bauer Funeral Home and mail to P.O. Box 997, Kittanning, PA 16201. Guests are welcome.

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead offer a great way to stay connected with the community and anyone interested is welcome to join.

Read more about past excursions on the website or become a fan on Facebook.

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead to see Disney on Ice!

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead to see Disney on Ice! On Thursday, March 6, 2014, join Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead to see the Disney on Ice show, “100 Years of Magic,” at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh!

Join in the celebration as 65 of your favorite Disney characters from 18 beloved stories come to life on the ice. You’ll be captivated by the glittering, colorful costumes and show props, fascinated by the artistry of the professional ice skaters and enchanted by the familiar music of Disney. Become a kid at heart as you experience this ice skating spectacular filled with magical Disney moments you will never forget. After the show we will stop at Eat’n Park Restaurant. The menu choices are a Bavarian turkey pretzel sandwich with a side, the soup and salad bar, or the super burger with fries. Lunch includes a beverage and desert.

Meet at the Bauer-Hillis Funeral Home in Rimersburg at 7:15 a.m. and the Bauer Funeral Home in Kittanning at 7:45 a.m. for bus transportation. The cost is $70 for bus transportation, the show and lunch. Call Sandy at 724-545-9464, 814-473-3080 or 724-756-2710 to make reservations; seating is limited. Money and reservations are due by Wednesday, February 19. Make checks payable to Bauer Funeral Home and mail to PO Box 997, Kittanning, PA 16201.

Bauer Steps Ahead and Bauer-Hillis Steps Ahead offer a great way to stay connected with the community and anyone interested is welcome to join.

Read more about past excursions on www.bauerhillisfuneral.com/steps-ahead or become a fan on Facebook.