Laurel Valley High School - Laurel Yearbook (New Florence, PA)

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REMEMBERING OUR NEIGHBORS On July 19-20,1977, a flood struck our valley, devastating homes and lives. In spite of the flood, people proved their endurance. They rebuilt their communities and went forward with their lives. In this, the tenth anniversary year of the disaster, we not only remember the flood as a tragedy, but also as an obstacle that many people faced and overcame. New Florence No St Trailer Court Scene Of Ordeals, Heroics brtwven New Horror and Seward. 1 Outlook better Fire company says thanks eV v' SEW ARD—Thu town New Florence Huff Johnstown and others along the Conemaugh Riser are slowly digging themselves out of the mod and debns left by the catastrophic flooding last W ednesday morning, July JO As of noon yesterday o bodies hud been found mostly from Johnstown Of the M. U have been identified and Flood ISight Long for About SNiamiwttud vehicle u oar first contact with Cm! northern end t j, By CINDY BL’RKETT T b D'mofr ’ Defense and got that' oper NEW FLORENCE - The ation in motion Then a unit night of July 19 was a long from Ligonier came in. and night for firemen throughout we set up an emergency' relief the area and those in this center at the fireball ’ Westmoreland County com- When we real tied munity of about 1.000 were no were worse in Se exception moved those units According to Floyd Keeler, and set fire chief the volunteers re- station » reived their first call at about In the » 4S p m - to bump out a the subw: flooded baserr-•From t wit wa Dear Kdi — ...... , The -N'e» Florence Volunteer Fire Shortly after AM the fi Company receiwdthefirst call to pump iieicnie unit arrived at Sew a basement at approximately ♦} P M r-.Twd «» •» onJuly IMi The rains had begun earlier Borough otuntecr Fire Com dnd basement flooding wai happening long after the Ligonier a all over the town Calls were coming in bulancearrived bringing alar K fjM „ was iRMiossible to set to offtrstaidmasenala IntUte everyoor a: the .anVtimT but E d id yy -.......... ■ ■« — —« LaYelle carried m a • The ihJuries ho» tv according to M» V vw senou- V W i 1 otoed an order CS • 1-4 Trailer Court adjac From that time on, it „ many of the firemen were not home again until midnight the nest night We ' began receiving caUs ■JP ding communities, ar “the Fairfield Volume The local Fire Hall was set up aa a shelter for food, clothing, first aid. and most any other need The clothing du-inbutioo area was so large it was moved to the local community center Help armed from ail over the county and many other areas. So many volunteer file companies that we were not able to get all the names People were working cooking, service, sorting food Muffs and helping us in so many ways Church groups arrived from throughout the Ligonier Valley National Guardsmen, state police. Red rescue workers. local Cross. -'-■45 Roads, Bridges Closed In Area .if ernaugb River ForU Several roadi and bodges in Indiana County, partlc- | J -as able t.. get out s uliit) those m the Seward. DiUtown. Robndsle andrkto P,C ,P heavily damaged by flooding and n Jarr.et Costello, maioienance official with the local Penn DOT office, has released the following list of roods and bridges dosed id the area emergency vehicle only wtU be permitted across the weakened Seward Bridge which is being watched closely by higbwsy officials — the bridge between DU It own acd Vmtondale. dosed to traffic — the Huff Bridge, closed — Indian Springs Road closed after a small arch

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L.V. AT WORK, REST AND FLAY 5

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REMEMBERING OUR FRIENDS David E. Betz, a 1985 Laurel Valley graduate, passed away on September24. 1986, following a serious illness. A capable vocational student. Dave excelled in his machine shop courses. Always a friend, he never had less than a kind word or cheerful smile for those he met along the way. Though his lifetime was short, it was full of life, and our memories of him will remain with us in the years to come. Laura Ann Rosen steel, a 1986 Laurel Valley graduate, was fatally injured in an automobile accident on September28, 1986. Students here will fondly remember her in many ways. As a majorette, she entertained us. She made us laugh with her sense of humor and she consoled us when we just needed someone to listen. Those who knew her will remember that she truly could be described by the word friend, her memory will forever be treasured at Laurel Valley.