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The Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center · 201 North Findley Street · Punxsutawney, PA 15767 · (814) 938-1000 · info@weatherdiscovery.org
Recent News from the Weather CenterLatest grant blows Weather Center exhibit project into Phase IIFriday, May 25, 2007http://www.punxsutawneyspirit.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6186 PUNXSUTAWNEY - Thanks to a grant secured through state Rep. Sam Smith, the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center will begin the second phase of the center's exhibitions. Through the Department of Community and Economic Development, the center received $66,500, part of the Community Revitalization Grant funding that will allow work to begin by Design Craftsman of Midland, Mich., a building firm that developed the master plan for the exhibits. This new second phase of exhibits will include themes such as Raining Buckets; Make a Thunderstorm; and Tornado Twisty Slide, among others, that will be installed in the Phil's Burrow and Weather Lore Landscape area of the facility. It is another phase of development and a major part of the educational aspect of the center that extends to young students from all over. According to project administrator Mary Jean Johnston, since the partial opening of the Weather Center Feb. 1, the center has been very active with school tours. More than 685 students from various school districts across Pennsylvania have toured the Weather Discovery Center since Feb. 8. These tours include 165 chaperones from Clearfield, DuBois, St. Marys, Brookville, Vandergriff, Apollo, and other communities. "This group has done a tremendous job with the center," board treasurer John Hallman said. "Our volunteer network has been outstanding," Johnston added. "They've all been working with the tours." "And they're enthusiastic, just like the students," Peri Long, campaign coordinator, said. "With the excitement we've seen over the initial exhibits - which make up only about 25 percent of what the center will offer when completed - we are anxious to get moving on the second group of interactive displays," Dr. Joe Kernich, center board chairman, said. "The board is very grateful to Rep. Sam Smith for his continued support and assistance as we work toward completing this project and becoming a fully operational Discovery Center." |