Jottings from St. John's | January 2026
- Mar 3
- 10 min read
Conservative Congregational Christian Conference
Loysburg, PA 16659............January 2026
Who We Are—David Snyder
I had encouraged Joy Nelson to resume “Who We Are” columns in the church
newsletter, and she asked me to be the first. I had sort of presumed everyone knew
enough about me, but I’m willing to repeat what I thought they might have already
known.
I was born in downtown Loysburg almost 90 years ago and grew up in that house
through my high school years. The midwife who delivered me was Lena Fetter, a
longtime member of St. John’s.
I was the No. 2 child of Harry and Laura (Henry) Snyder. My older sister is Jean
Wakefield, now 91 years old and living with her daughter Jane England and Jane’s
husband George south of Everett.
Jean and Jane are both members of St. John’s. While she lived in Loysburg, Jean
was a longtime Sunday school teacher and pianist. My younger siblings were George,
who passed away this past May, and Mary of Hopewell Township, widow of Chester
Hall.
Our mother died of kidney failure when I was 10 years old. We 4 Snyder kids
had the good fortune of having 3 fathers – our dad had 2 bachelor brothers living in the
same house. Dad and the uncles assumed responsibility for our care, and after a few
years they hired a lady named Ella Snyder (no relation) to be our housekeeper, cook,
cleaning lady, laundry lady, and child care giver. She became our “other mother,” and
we cherished having her as part of the family 5 days a week. She worked in our
household for about 20 years for $20 a week.
I graduated from Replogle High School in New Enterprise (now demolished)
along with 27 classmates in 1953 and was accepted for admission to Franklin & Marshall
College, Lancaster, largely on the recommendation of Rev. A.A. Hartman, pastor of St.
John’s at that time. My degree was biology, but I switched to journalism and took one
year of graduate work at Boston University’s School of Public Relations &
Communications. From there I stopped spending my dad’s money on higher education
and secured a job as newswriter/reporter for a weekly newspaper in Hampton, N.H. I
enjoyed the work and living in that community, but I resigned after three years upon
learning that my father was in poor health and not expected to live. I moved home and
helped care for him for several months.
After his death I was drafted into the Army. I served two years, most of that time
at Ft. Benning, GA., where I was a clerk-typist in the Adjutant General’s School. I had to
check test papers of the recruits that were enrolled, wash blackboards, and when a class
ended, use a machine to sign the AG’s signature on graduation certificates. During three
brief breaks during my military experience I was able to visit Charlottesville and Thomas
Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia, New Orleans, LA, and Miami Beach, FL.
After my discharge I immediately found a job as a newswriter for the Johnstown
Tribune-Democrat, and I drove from my Loysburg home to Johnstown each working day
for 3 years until I was appointed the T-D’s Blair County correspondent with an office in
Altoona. This shortened my commute and travel time but I really missed the fellow
newswriters I had worked with in the Johnstown office. After one year working in
Altoona but still living at home I was recruited to join the staff of the weekly Morrisons
Cove Herald by the Herald’s publisher, Blair M. Bice, who himself had been recruited to
become publisher of a new daily newspaper in State College. He named me publisher
and another former Loysburger, Dick Barnes, as general manager. Dick was already
employed by the Herald after serving in the army. During his high school years Dick’s
family lived in Loysburg and attended St. John's. We became part owners with Mr. Bice
and eventually bought his share of ownership. When Dick Barnes retired, he sold me his
share, so I eventually became sole owner.
After the longtime editor at the Herald, Milton Burgess retired, I assumed his title
of editor, thus becoming editor and publisher of one of Pennsylvania’s outstanding
weekly newspapers.
The best thing that happened to me in my 40 years at the Herald was to find a
young lady working there as a reporter by the name of Sharon Diethrich. Because I
thought I was too old to be dating a girl who was only two years out of high school and
11 years younger than me, I waited a few more years before letting her know I was
falling in love. After working together for a decade with no arguments, she agreed to
marry me in 1980. She took off work for 3 or 4 years when our children, Amy and
Adrian, came along. She then came back to work, and she too completed 40 years on the
Herald staff.
She died in 2014 after 33 years of marriage. She became a member of St. John’s
and was active in its Women’s Guild throughout our marriage.
A few years after Sharon died, my unmarried daughter Amy agreed to come live
with me and had permission from her employer, Highmark Insurance, to work from a
home office. My siblings donated to us the Loy homestead that had been in the family
since my dad and his brothers bought the Loy farm and mill in 1939. The place required
many interior renovations and Amy with Robert Reighard, contractor, redesigned the
interior to create a new front entrance, facing south (Churchview Road). The front door
opens into what is now Amy’s “sitting room” at one end of a large kitchen separated by a
breakfast bar. The 12-room house is now an 11-room house with Amy’s office just up
the back stairs from her sitting room. The former front door, facing Woodbury Pike, is
still there but used very little. It opens onto a central hallway with stairs leading to the
second floor.
I now am grandfather to two girls (in middle school and high school at Spring
Cove) and a grandson, Paeden Logue, a graduate of Northern Bedford High School and
an employee (welding) in Hollidaysburg with the company that grew from Curry Supply.
I’ll conclude by saying how proud I am to be a descendant of my great-
grandfather and his mother, who were charter members of St. John's in 1847, and how
thankful I am for all the friends I have made there over the years.
MEETING MINUTES St. John’s Women’s Guild- December 5, 2025
--14 Ladies Present
Overview of Program:
Marsie had the program and titled it “Gifts,” the first being “The Christmas Gift.”
She read a poem of the story of Jesus and how snowflakes are like confetti from God,
reminding us that Jesus is the greatest gift of all. Second is the gifts brought to Jesus.
We sang one verse of "We Three Kings," and Matthew 2: 7-12 was read. Marsie shared
the study notes from her mother’s study Bible. She said we must honor Christ and give
him our best as the Kings did, noting January 6 is Three Kings Day. Lastly is our
Spiritual Gifts, as mentioned in Romans 12:6-8. We all haves gifts and abilities given to
us from God, and we have a responsibility to share them with the church. Marsie passed
around a basket with all the ladies' names in and each pulled a name and shared the gifts
that lady has and shares with the church. Many compliments and gifts were shared and
appreciated.
I. BUSINESS MEETING DETAILS-
1. Beverly opened the Business Meeting, offering collected ,and meeting called to order.
2. Julie read the Secretary’s report and was accepted as read.
3. Marsie read the Treasurer’s report and was accepted as read.
II. BUSINESS AT HAND:
1. Gardner’s candy Fundraiser- Deb informed the group there is one box left and 5 single
bars.
2. Auction, was November 1- and over $5,000 was raised. Money to stay in the Guild
account at present.
3. '26/'27 Officers: Tina-President, Deb-Vice President, Barb-Secretary, Laurie-
Assistant Secretary, and Treasurers would remain the same (Beth and Marsie, Asst.)
4. Woodbury Tree Lighting- Marsie expressed thank you for the cookie donations. She
mentioned there were approximately 100 people in attendance despite the weather.
Plenty of monetary donations were received to cover the cost of the new LED lights.
III. NEW BUSINESS
1. Cookbook fundraiser- nothing new - table until 2026 - Marsie and Lauren leads on
this.
2. Congregational Meeting January 25, 2026.
3. Chili cook off and Soup-er Bowl on Sunday February 8, 2026.
4. Spaghetti dinner will be February 28, 2026 5 p.m. -7 p.m. This will be the children’s
church camp fundraiser. Cindy and Marsie to head event.
Next meeting January 9, 2026, 6pm Barb with the program and Officers are the
hostesses.
--Submitted by Julie Russell
Making Spirits Bright
St. John’s Reformed members sang on three separate caroling dates, brightening
our spirits as much as those we sang for. Marsie Albright, Steve, Kim, and Grayson
Rodgers, and Barb Thomas visited Betsy Rupp, David Snyder, Joanne Hall, Charlie
Mountain, Wayne Kagarise, and Patty Clapper Tuesday, Dec. 16, presenting Christmas
cards, calendars, and cookies, and singing carols.
Marsie Albright, Tina and Denny Holderbaum, Joel Ritchey, Lauren Sell, Beverly
Smith and Jack Styer, accompanied by Barb Thomas, led a half hour caroling session at
Hillview Health Center in Altoona for Mava Cottle and 14-15 residents on Thursday,
Dec. 18.
St. John’s members Beth Cottle, Sarah, Lucy, Asher, and Ralph Gunnett, Linda
Henderhan, David Snyder, and Sandy Styer joined us singing, talking with residents, and
helping move them back and forth to the activity center from private rooms. We
presented Mava with her Christmas cards, a calendar, and cookies. It was a fun morning!
From left, front row: Dana Sell, Lucy Gunnett, Asher Gunnett, Grayson Rodgers, Lauren Sell, Luke Sell,
Beverly Smith. Back row: Barb Thomas, Kim Rodgers, Josh Gunnett, Ralph Gunnett, Sarah Gunnett, Jack Styer
We jingled and caroled through the halls of the Roaring Spring Graystone on Dec.
23. Sarah, Lucy, Asher, and Ralph Gunnett, Kim and Grayson Rodgers, Mark, Lauren,
Dana, and Luke Sell, Beverly Smith, Jack Styer, and Barb Thomas, escorted by Josh
Gunnett’s Mimi, Janet Bush, visited all three floors! We paid a special visit to Linda
Pressel to deliver Christmas cards, a calendar, and cookies and sang for a dozen residents.
Mark left us as we traveled to Homewood, where we were joined by Josh Gunnett. We
caroled with Gloria Baker, delivering her cards, calendar, and cookies, and with Jane
Stiles. We left a treat for Allen Detwiler, who was not in his apartment, and sang our
way to Springfield for a sweet visit with Anne Detwiler. The familiar Christmas carols
are heartwarming to us all!
--Submitted by Barb Thomas
Donations Buy Gifts to Bless Residents
Marsie Albright and Barb Thomas traveled to Hoffman Home, Littlestown, PA,
on Thursday, Dec. 11 to wrap Christmas presents for residents. Wrapping in a
downstairs room gave us opportunity to talk with Janise Bankard, VP of Marketing and
Development, and April Lombardi, head of the Holiday Gift Program, a huge
undertaking. They gave us great updates on the expanding services offered at Hoffman
Home, such as individual, family, trauma-focused, and behavior health therapies and also
parenting support. Art, equine, drama, and animal-assisted therapies help improve verbal
expression, reduce stress and anxiety, build self-esteem and coping skills, and develop
boundaries, self-discipline, patience, and respect in children and youth who have been
traumatized by physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse. Hoffman Academy is
enrolling students at risk from local communities, educating them with residents, while
providing small class sizes and individual emotional support. Janise and April expressed
sincere appreciation for the generosity and support of St. John’s Reformed Church. Your
gifts make a difference!
--Submitted by Barb Thomas
From the Archives: Bringing in the New Year
For many years at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve the sound of
shotguns and rifles being fired could be heard all over the Southern Cove. In addition
church bells rang at Loysburg, Salemville, New Enterprise, Waterside, and Woodbury.
This custom has diminished as late-night parties seem to have replaced the noisemaking
at midnight on New Year’s Eve.
For many years St. John’s was among the local churches that rang their bells to
bring in the new year. Before I was old enough to be out of the house at midnight, we
could hear both the Reformed and Methodist church bells from our house. After I was
married, but still living in the house where I grew up, my wife Sharon and I would ring
St. John’s bell on New Year’s Eve. Prior to that I’m guessing that the sextons who lived
near the church would ring the bell. The sextons' job, in addition to cleaning the church,
was to fire the coal furnace in the winter and ring the bell twice on Sunday mornings —
once at half an hour before the service and again just before the service was to start. The
sextons that I remember were Peg Spielman, who lived next door to the parsonage, and
later Dorothy Showalter, Joel Ritchey’s grandmother.
--Submitted by David Snyder
Advent Season Celebrations
December brought lots of extra special events in our church: the Sunday school
Christmas program, caroling, and the Christmas Eve service. All the children's Sunday
school classes, as well as the youth, young adult, and adult Sunday school classes shared
scripture, skits, songs, etc. for a wonderful, Christ-honoring Sunday school Christmas
program on Sunday, December 14. The children and adult choirs shared beautiful song
selections of "More About Jesus" and "All Because of Him." We also enjoyed piano
solos by three up-and-coming pianists: Janelle Nelson, Dana Sell, and Henry Kurtz. The
Christmas Eve service featured many scripture selections, read by various members of
the congregation, as well as lots of Christmas hymns, and our traditional closing of
"Silent Night" by candlelight, followed by a rousing rendition of "Joy to the World," sung
a cappella.
Please enjoy some photos of these special moments shared as a church family.
(Photos provided by Kim Rodgers)
--Submitted by Joy Nelson
Mary & Joseph (Annie Kurtz & Ralph Gunnett)
--Photo submitted by Sarah Gunnett
Angels, from left: Rosie Kurtz, Winnie Kurtz, Bristol Howe, Natalie Nelson; cow: Samuel Nelson; sheep: Ransom Salyards
Children's Skit
From left: angels: Rosie Kurtz, Winnie Kurtz, Bristol Howe, Natalie Nelson; cow: Samuel Nelson; Mary: Annie Kurtz; Shepherds: Preston Howe, Judah Salyards, Luke Sell.
Children's Choir, from left, first row: Jude Nelson, Janelle Nelson, Asher Gunnett, Dana Sell,
Lucy Gunnett, Harper Howe, Henry Kurtz. Second row: Grayson Rodgers, Janie Russell, Mollie Stepianos, Blaire Gable, Cannon Gable, Greg Russell. Adult Choir, from left: Brad Gable, Berneta Gable, Lauren Sell, Jack Styer, Beverly Smith, Tina Holderbaum, Dennis Holderbaum, Marsie Albright, and Beth Clark
Christmas Eve Service – 92 people present completely encircled the perimeter of our
sanctuary as we sang "Silent Night" by candlelight
LOOKING AHEAD
VBS Meeting January 4th, following Sunday school
Choir will break through January, resuming practicing on Wednesday, February
4, at 6:30.
Congregational Meeting January 25, 2026
Chili Cook-off/Soup-er Bowl February 8, 2026
Spaghetti Dinner February 28, 2026, 5-7 p.m. (children's camp fundraiser)
JANUARY PRAYER CONCERNS:
Eileen Adams, Andrea Chamberlain, Robin Clapper, Penny Corle, Allen Detwiler, Denny
Holderbaum, Floyd (Casey) Kegg, Lorie LaSala's mother & brother, Robert Morris
family (grieving), Charlie Mountain, Kim Ritchey, Kelly Schibi, Zeke Shade, Danny
Varchetti
JANUARY FOOD PANTRY REQUESTS:
Chef Boyardee main dishes and Hamburger Helper (mac & cheese, shells & cheese, pot
roast, chicken rice, etc.)
CALENDAR
Acolytes:
January 4-Grayson Rodgers
January 11-Janie Russell
January 18-Sole Rhoat
January 25-Grayson Rodgers
Music Ministry:
January 4-Choir
January 11-Joel Ritchey
January 18-Laurie Stiles
January 25-Debbie Bowser
Children's Moment:
January 4-Debbie Bowser
January 11-Laurie Stiles
January 18-
January 25-
Altar Flowers:
January 4, 11, 18-Beth Clark
January 25-Molly Shirk
Birthdays:
8-Harper Howe
18-Wayne Kagarise
22-Karey Wertz
27-David Snyder
