Nixon Hotel ~ Butler, Pa.

Does anyone remember this elegant Butler hotel?

Prizewinning Photographer ~ Dick Gamble

Nature's Best Photography magazine has selected Dick Gamble's underwater entry to be one of twelve photos for publication in their 2005 Fall Collector’s Edition. Moreover, Dick's award-winning photo is now being displayed at the prestigious Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History from November until April.
Dick Gamble is a '58 graduate of BHS. He and his wife Juli now live in San Diego.

Congratulations Dick!

Eric Namesnik~ Butler's Olympic Medalist

When Eric stepped up on the podium to receive his silver medals at the '92 and '96 Olympics everyone in Butler trembled with pride. Eric died in a car accident on his way to swim practice last Saturday. A colleague at the University of Michigan where Eric was a swim coach said: "Eric wasn't flashy, he was kind of a quiet guy, but with a deep, deep resolve. He had the heart of a champion, with all the things you think a great athlete should be. He was just the best."

That's how we feel about you Eric, and bow to you in recognition for your accomplishments.

Our condolences to Eric's wife and two children, Austin, 5, and Madison, 2 who live in Ann Arbor, Michigan and his parents who live here in Butler.

Judge Martin J. O'Brien ~ BHS '48

Judge Martin J. O'Brien is retiring after nineteen-and-a-half years of service to Butler County. He is a 1948 graduate of BHS and a 1955 graduate of Georgetown University Law School. He practiced law for 28 years in Butler before being appointed to the bench. His service has been of untold value to Butler and Butler County. We thank you wholeheartedly, Judge O'Brien.

Match cover from the 1986 campaign.

Jim Simons ~ Our Homegrown Golfer

Jim Simons, as an amateur, came within three strokes of the U.S. Open Title in 1971. Jim's performance was arguably one of the finest by an amateur in the post-World War II era. Jim had a two-stroke lead heading into the final round, only to shoot a 6-over 76 and tie for fifth, three shots behing Jack Nicklaus and Lee Travino.

Jim died on 8 December. He was 55. From Butler we send condolences to his three sons, his mother and father as well as his three sisters.

† 8 December 2005

Diehl's Bakery

Remember the Diehl Bakery [later Chandler's Bakery] at the foot of Center Avenue . . . and the sweet smell of bread when passing by?

Photo: Steven Golubski

Admiral Jonathan Greenert ~ BHS '71

Jonathan Greenert, native of Butler, is now Chief of Naval Operations
as of Sept. 23, 2011.
Commenting on his hometown he said: "You take what you learned from growing up and from high school, and you apply it to real life. I'm very proud of being from Butler".

We salute you, Admiral Greenert.

Information

We're Proud of You ~ Norma Norris

In 1987, after hearing a sermon by Msgr. Francis Glenn in St. Paul's Church, lamenting the fact that local prosecutors and law enforcement agencies had been deluded into thinking that people didn’t care about the hardcore porn being sold in their neighbor-hoods, Norma Norris gave herself the challenge to inspire the Butler community to send out the message: "We Care - We Count". She adopted the White Ribbon as a symbol for decency and a new movement was born involving many organizations, churches, and citizens in Butler County.

Now her White Ribbon Against Pornography campaign has spread nationwide. This year, the week of October 26 through Novermber 2 is nationally recognized as Pornography Awareness Week. Thank you, Norma.

BHS Football 2005 ~ 3 Wins ~ 6 Losses

Quarterback Nick Monteleone

BHS 24 – Kiski 14
BHS 28 – Hempfield 7
Upper St. Clair 34 - BHS 0
Shaler 21 - BHS 17
North Hills BHS 42 – BHS 21
North Allegheny 27 - BHS 24
Bethel Park 28 - BHS 14
Mt. Lebanon 50 - BHS 17
BHS 47 - Seneca 29

William Purvis ~ BHS '66

Hornist William Purvis, a native of Butler, Pa., displays virtuosity at the service of artistry in a recent album of music [Bridge Records] by the one of the 19th century's most famous musical couples, Robert and Clara Schumann.

A graduate of Haverford College with a major in philosophy, he is currently a faculty member of the Yale School of Music, The Juilliard School, and SUNY-Stony Brook. 

Photo: Yale

But. . . Our Viaduct is Gone! ~

The new replacement structure will be a dual structure carrying two lanes northbound and two lanes southbound separated by a barrier. One sidewalk will be carried on the East side of the bridge. The new bridge will be on a curved alignment to the west of the existing structure and will tie into existing Route 8 south.

Our Penn Theater is Back !

Sixty-seven years ago the Penn Theater on Main Street in Butler opened its doors, offering films to patrons of the thriving downtown business district. Now the new Penn Theater is seen as a catalyst to downtown's revitalization. The Butler Penn Theater Community Trust acquired the theater last year and began to return the structure to its original Art Deco splendor. Already numerous performances have taken place.

Butler Senior Women's Basketball ~ Ages 50 to 70

Butler women are going strong, setting example for women across the nation!

We're Proud of Our New Museum ~ The Maridon

The museum and collection is Mrs. Mary Hulton Phillips' gift to the city of Butler. More information

Matt Clement ~ Butler's Major League Pitcher

Matt Clement is Butler's contribution to the Boston Red Sox.
Matt's Major League Debut was in 1998.
We're gunning for you Matt. Keep that right hand delivering the stuff!
(Photo:Stuart Cahill)

Keep track of Matt's record here.

Congratulations ~ Vincent Sanzotti BHS '54

PGA Golf -- Holes in One
Monday, June 13, 2005 ST. CLAIR -- Vince Sanzotti of Butler, No. 7 (Terrace), 328 yards, driver.

The Library of Bygone Days ~

Classical entrance to our library.
Poem about the library

One of Ours ~ Butler Mourns

Sgt. Carl J. Morgain, 40, of Butler, Pa., died May 22, in Balad, Iraq, of injuries sustained in Kadasia, Iraq, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. Morgain was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, Butler, Pa. [Pa. Army National Guard].

 For the Mothers of the Fallen on Facebook

Our Hospital 1980

Poem

Butler, Pa. --- Home of the Jeep

The first Jeep was designed at the American Bantam Car Company in Butler by Karl Probst. All in all, the company manufactured 2,675 of its version of the car. But the demand was so great and the Butler plant so small that the War Department authorized other larger companies in Detroit to produce their nearly identical version of the Jeep to fill the urgent military need. The Butler company went out of business in 1956.

Poem about our Jeep

Our Stately Courthouse ~

Our Courthouse is eloquent witness of the public spirit and progressive ideas which characterize the people of Butler county, and which never fail to assert themselves in all matters involving county pride or public welfare.