Honoring Claysburg’s Finest

The Claysburg Area Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the induction of its eighth class of inductees at the Claysburg-Kimmel High School Auditorium on Saturday, April 2, 2022. This event was jointly sponsored by Claysburg P.A.S.T. and the Claysburg Rotary Club. The ceremony began at 3:00 P.M. with a reception following. This event was jointly sponsored by Claysburg P.A.S.T. and the Claysburg Rotary Club.

This year’s inductees are Mark Barnhart and NPC, Inc., Ernest P. Diehl, Rev. Taylor and Ella (Weyant) Dively, Clair and Rachel (Colebaugh) Feather and Musselman’s Grove. Hall of Fame committee members presented the inductees with individual awards. Additionally, marker plaques in their honor will be placed in the Claysburg Community Park by the Hall of Fame Committee. 

This year’s inductees include a Claysburg businessman and his company, a former Claysburg businessman and a founding member of the Claysburg Fire Company, a former minister and educator and his wife, a community volunteer, a former Kimmel Township Justice of the Peace and businessman and his wife, a community volunteer and well-known waitress, and an historic music and entertainment venue that was nationally known at one time.

The Hall of Fame committee is made up of nine members: Troy Crist, Rhonda Eckley, Aaron Hileman, Roger Knisely, Tessa Knisely, Christine Leslie, Brenda Marriner, Elaine Smith and Mary Walter.

Mark Barnhart and NPC, Inc.

-Nominated by Claysburg Education Foundation

Mark Barnhart and NPC are synonymous. They are part of a success story that goes beyond the business world. Barnhart is owner and chairman of the board of NPC, Inc., but he is much more than that. He is a local businessman who has dedicated his life to developing a successful business that takes care of its employees and to giving back to the community of Claysburg. Mark took over the operation of the business from his parents in the late 1980s and then moved the main operation to Claysburg in the early 1990s. Since then, not only has NPC, Inc. made generous monetary donations to the community and provided printing services to many Claysburg organizations, but they also have been mentoring students at Claysburg-Kimmel for several decades. 

About seven years ago, Mark partnered with the Claysburg Education Foundation to provide more funding for education to the Claysburg community - a partnership that has continued to grow. Mark’s sincere dedication to education is visible, not just through monetary donations, but also through his personal involved with the Foundation. He has participated in planning meetings with the Foundation and Claysburg-Kimmel School District personnel. He sends his employees to the school to do presentations to students and has his employees work with students and groups such as the Claysburg-Kimmel FBLA. These employees mentor students, critique such things as presentations and resumes, and help students improve the skills they will need to succeed in the real world. Mark also finds personal time to spend one-on-one with many students discussing philosophies, addressing student needs for their future growth, and generally giving advice.

While Mark devotes an extraordinary amount of time and financial resources to the Claysburg Education Foundation, it does not stop there. He is a trustee at Mt. Aloysius College and works with other school districts and organizations. When the Claysburg Fire Company had their largest truck break down beyond repair in December 2020, Mark Barnhart was contacted for two reasons. One was for financial support, but the second -and more important one - was to collaborate with him on how to do a successful fundraiser for the fire company. Mark’s valuable insight helped give the fire company the ability to raise $300,000 in less than 12 months for the new truck fund. Without his input, it would not have been easily accomplished.

Mark was named the 19th winner of the Blair County Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Business Excellence in 2020, but the presentation dinner was postponed three times because of COVID-19. The actual award was given in October, 2021. The chamber created the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002 to recognize business leaders who have made a difference in the community for an extended period of time. Barnhart, 60, is the youngest winner of the award. “It speaks to the regard that his nominators and the selection committee have for him that his monumental accomplishments are deemed worthy despite the fact that his best days may actually be ahead of him. There’s little doubt that he’s far from done,” said Chamber President/CEO Joe Hurd. “Anyone who knows Mark, who has witnessed his incredible drive and who has understood what a community advocate he is, will probably consider his selection as long overdue.”

Barnhart grew up in Roaring Spring the son of Barney and Charlotte Barnhart, who founded News Printing Co. in 1954. After graduating from Central High School and studying English at Penn State, Mark went to work at a printing company in Washington, D.C., in which his father had an ownership interest. He stayed there for two and a half years until the business closed. He came home to get married to one of Claysburg’s own, the former Karen Claar, and worked for the family business. He took over ownership of the business in the late 1980s when he and his father structured a buyout plan. Under Mark’s leadership, the business - renamed NPC, Inc. in 2002 - has grown from 50 to 500 employees and has seen its revenues increase fifty times. What started out as a printing business has become a delivery engine for critical information that customers depend on. NPC, Inc. makes the management of print and web and mobile communications easy, saving customers valuable time, money and frustration throughout the lifecycle of communication programs. According to the company’s website, they serve various industries including federal, state and local governments, high stakes testing, survey data collection, collection letter outsourcing, and commercial printing.

Mark’s wife Karen, their three children, Josh Barnhart, Jenna (Barnhart) Houseknecht and Luke Barnhart, and their son-in-law Brad all work for the family business. Mark and Karen have nine grandchildren and a tenth one on the way. They are: Penelope, Lillian, Adalin, Ariadne, Rozalyn and Ada Barnhart and Holland, Charlie and Blake Houseknecht.

Giving back to the community is very important to Mark and his company. Mark’s goals concerning the town of Claysburg have been improving the education of students for their own future benefits and providing future employees for his company with the skills that will be required as technology continues to march forward. He also continues to push for improvements in the town of Claysburg itself promoting such things as housing, water, and sewage hoping to provide incentives for future employees to relocate to Claysburg.

Mark Barnhart’s financial contributions to the Claysburg-Kimmel School District through the Claysburg Education Foundation have been amazing. Four years ago, his resources helped to supply iPads for every student at Claysburg-Kimmel. This was a welcomed gift at the time but became an invaluable gift as students dealt with the problems of Covid19. In 2020, he donated 140 computers to the school. About two years ago, the Foundation started a pre-K program. Again, it was with Mark’s assistance and financial support that got it off the ground. Mark’s devotion to the town of Claysburg has been rewarding for the entire community.

The Claysburg Hall of Fame is proud to welcome Mark Barnhart and NPC, Inc. to the Hall of Fame.

-Nominated by daughter Bonnie Ickes

Clair Feather was born in King, PA on May 31, 1920 and Rachel (Colebaugh) Feather was born in Klahr on September 1, 1925. This is a story about two individuals who became one on November 9, 1943. Both had stories to tell before that date, and this is how they have contributed to the Claysburg area throughout their lives. 

Rachel was born in Klahr to a very poor family. Her daddy could not work due to an illness that resulted in the removal of both legs. She attended Klahr’s one-room school and was the only one in her class for a few years. Her daddy died when she was just six years old leaving her mother, Sadie Colebaugh, to struggle just to make ends meet. There were no funds for “luxuries” such as music lessons. Despite the fact that Rachel had no formal music training, she displayed her musical talents in high school. She played in the band and was in many of the musicals - even playing Steven Foster’s wife. She graduated from Claysburg High School in 1943, which was during World War II.

Rachel had to work hard during her teen years both at home helping her mother and working for Clair and Kate Walter picking produce and strawberries. Finally at age sixteen, she started to work for Charles and Irma Feather as a housekeeper, and that was where she met Clair. They were married in 1943 and were blessed with three daughters: Bonnie, Yvonne and Shelly. 

Clair was born in King and attended the one-room school there. He attended Claysburg High School graduating in 1936 instead of 1938 because he skipped ninth and eleventh grades. After graduation, he worked on the family farm and when World War II started, continued at the farm since the military would not allow him to join because he was needed to provide food and milk for the troops. After the war, he worked for General Refractories at Sproul as a brick maker and worked there until it closed in 1960. After that he went to SKF in Altoona and retired from there. 

Both Clair and Rachel loved their home community and were involved in many activities. Rachel was on the Farm Show Committee for years and was proud to have won many awards with her canning and baked goods. In 1954, they both were on the committee for the 150th Celebration or Sesqui-Centennial and worked hard to make it a success. They sang in the chorus, created a float with the family for the Farmers’ Parade, and attended all events because Clair wanted his daughters to learn about the history of Claysburg. 

Over the course of fifty years, Clair served as Justice of the Peace for Kimmel Township, was a member of the Claysburg School Board where he served as secretary, and was the Kimmel Township Supervisor’s secretary. During this time, he was honored by the state and local governments for his diligences to provide service to all in the community. He worked long hours and his desire was to be the best he could be. 

Clair was very involved in the school even after his daughters graduated and moved away from the area. Claysburg and the school were always a big part of his life. 

Rachel worked at Peggy’s Diner for years and left an impact on so many people. She is remembered for her kindness and always taking care of the needs of others in the community. If someone had a need, she was there to help them no matter what.

Clair and Rachel touched so many children throughout their lives. They both worked in their churches heading up the children and music ministries. Rachel wrote and orchestrated many programs over the years. They were well received by all and showed their love for the Lord and his people. Clair was a board member throughout his life at the church in King and then at the Foot of Ten Independent Bible Church. He was a gentle man, but had great leadership skills. Both were wonderful testimonies for the Lord and to this day, people talk about their impact on their lives. 

Daughter Bonnie lives in Waldorf, MD with her husband Tom Ickes. Daughter Yvonne lives in Mechanicsville, MD with her husband Art Rice, and daughter Shelly lives in Bridgeville, PA with her husband Frank Kellander. Grandchildren of Clair and Rachel are: Matthew Ickes, Phillip Ickes, Maria West, Chad Rice, Suzi Scarborough, Tim Kellander and Betsy Jaye plus eleven great grandchildren. Clair passed away on April 6, 2001, and Rachel passed away on October 22, 2012.

The Claysburg Hall of Fame is pleased to welcome Clair and Rachel (Colebaugh) Feather to the Hall of Fame. 

-Nominated by the Claysburg Hall of Fame Committee

Music has always been part of the life of the Claysburg Area. Our ancestors had a knack for playing instruments, singing and entertaining. Whether it was playing a fiddle, banjo, dulcimer, mandolin, horns of various types, drums and even kazoos, the Claysburg area has been entertaining since the first settlers arrived. 

Many of these talents were brought from the Mother Country by the arriving immigrants and passed down through the years. People were taught, trained, and cultivated to become performers. Local places like Musselman’s Grove, Mayberry Claar Grove, and Barnhart’s Grove provided these local talented people with a place to perform and a few became quite successful over the years. Musselman’s Grove has seen more entertainment on its grounds than most other locations in central Pennsylvania. At one time, the Grove was a nationally known entertainment venue.

In the early days, people needed a way to be entertained locally since travel was not easy. The original Musselman family came from Switzerland to Germany to avoid religious persecution. Later they came to America and settled in Lancaster County. In 1803, John Musselman and his family came to the Klahr area from Lancaster County. They settled in front of the present Lower Claar Church where two large trees were planted and a cabin built. The current cemetery behind the church started out as a family plot. At one point, John Musselman’s family owned all the property from the Lower Claar Church to the Smoky Run Road. 

Musselman’s Grove was originally part of the John Musselman, Sr. property. Jacob Musselman, son of John, then owned the property which was passed to his son David in the early 1900s. David’s son, John Musselman, who lived above the Upper Claar Church, owned the Grove until his death in 1982. It is currently owned by Jarrett and Ashley Musselman. Jarrett is a great grandson of John Musselman. 

Musselman’s Grove was home to the Annual Claar Walter Reunion which was started in 1909. (The first two reunions were not held at the Grove. They were held off Picnic Road and then moved to the Grove.) In the 1940s, both the Musselman Reunion and the Black Reunion were also held there. It was the Claar and Walter Reunion that first brought some big named entertainment such as Grandpa Jones to the Grove.

Musselman’s Grove only had a few small concession stands and a small stage for picnics until 1946-47 when Doc Williams rented the property for $25 per week. Doc rented the property for three years in a row in 1947-48-49 and then sporadically until the early 1970s. An advertisement in the Altoona Mirror for a June 12, 1949 show listed the price of admission as 60 cents for adults and 30 cents for children. The show started at 1:30 pm only two hours after church was over. 

When Doc Williams rented the property, a joint effort between his crew and folks from the community built the current stage and cook shack. They used cinder blocks and tree trunks topped with slabs of boards for seating. It was Doc Williams who put Musselman’s Grove on the map by bringing in big name country music stars. Doc knew how to put on family friendly and entertaining shows. In his book, Doc states, “At that time in 1947, it was the heyday of the country music parks in Pennsylvania. The crowds we had there were huge” - sometimes exceeding 5,000 people! Doc also booked comedy and vaudeville acts like Martinez and his Animal Circus which featured a mouse and cat crossing on a wire. 

In 1959, Frank Blazevich of Frank’s Place in Claysburg was in the military in Frankfurt Germany looking at the October, 1959 edition of Esquire magazine when he noticed a picture with a Coca Cola sign on a stage and thought it looked familiar. Indeed, it was. The magazine included an article written about Musselman’s Grove and Country Western/Bluegrass music. The picture was from a painting by Tom Allen, a well-known New York illustrator, featured in the magazine. Allen had visited the Grove to do the painting. When Allen died in 2002, his paintings were selling for over $25,000! The painting showed people dressed in black near the front of the stage. The Esquire article referred to them as the “silently approving Amish.” However, those people were not Amish; they were Church of the Brethren people from Upper and Lower Claar Churches. Even up until the 1960s, especially the older members of the Brethren Church all dressed in black similar to the Amish or Mennonites. 

Doc William’s shows were generally held on Sundays, not Saturdays, since he was performing on WWVA radio in Wheeling, WV on Saturdays. Prior to the 1970s, PA Blue Laws prevented people from shopping even for groceries on Sundays. Doc Williams, a smart promoter and businessman, worked things out so he could present family-style entertainment on Sundays. He asked the Smoky Run Rod and Gun Club from Klahr to co-sponsor the shows. Because they were a non-profit organization, they were allowed to have entertainment on Sundays. Doc struck an agreement with the Gun Club to have the soda pop and ice cream concessions at the Grove with no commission paid to him. Normally he charged 25% of the take as his commission.

However, there were still a lot of upset Brethren from Upper and Lower Claar because of having the shows on Sundays. To reduce the unhappiness, Doc Williams hired many of these Brethren to work the events as ticket takers, security guards, cooks, etc., and paid them a dollar an hour which was a lot of money back in the late 1940s. It was money they badly needed to help support families, and locals welcomed the work even though it was on Sunday.

In Doc Williams book Looking Back, he speaks fondly of Musselman’s Grove. He was dedicated to making it a success. Since he often worked on a tight time schedule because of his Saturday night performances in Wheeling and then his Sundays at the Grove, he would occasionally fly his Piper Cruiser Aircraft to the Grove, weather permitting, and land in a nearby cow pasture to get there on time.

Smokey Pleacher was born in Manns Choice, but moved to Claysburg as a kid. We consider him Claysburg’s Smokey Pleacher. He was a comedian who performed across the U.S. and on the Grand Ole Opry. Smokey was with the Doc Williams Show from 1951-52 and later from 1960-70. Betty Musselman has compiled an extensive list with dates of all the people who performed at Musselman’s Grove over the years including locals such as Smokey Pleacher, Jim and Jane Claar, Duggie Potter, and the Green Mountain Boys. “Big name” performers included Roy Acuff from Hee Haw; Big Slim and his horse; the Carter Family with Mother Maybelle Carter and her sister and her brother; the Sons of the Pioneers, without Roy Rogers; the Chuckwagon Gang; Anita Carter and the Carter Family Girls with Hank Snow; Stoney and Wilma Lee Cooper, a husband and wife team from the 1940s; Johnny Mack Brown; Little Jimmy Dickens of Grand Ole Opry fame; and Mother Maybelle Carter and her three daughters, Helen, Anita and June, who married Johnny Cash. Others who appeared at the Grove were Minnie Pearl from Hee Haw; Smiley Burnette; Ken Curtis who played Festus on Gunsmoke; Tex Ritter and his horse; Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys; Cowboy Copas; Ernest Tubb; Crazy Elmer; and Eddy Arnold. Grandpa Jones of Hee Haw appeared there five different times in 1947, 48 and 49, and Connie Smith, introduced by Hawkshaw Hawkins, had her debut performance at the Grove. We will never know the names of all the stars who performed there! 

One of the entertainment groups that drew a big crowd at the Grove was husband and wife team Lulu Belle and Scotty. They were from Chicago and performed nationally. They appeared at the Grove annually in 1947, 48 and 49. They would take the Pullman train from Chicago to Altoona and then were picked up and driven to the Grove for their performance. Their show on September 21, 1947 drew the largest crowd in the Grove’s history. There were 8,600 in paid attendance. The crowd was so large that they “hung from the trees.” Doc Williams commented on the back of a picture from that show that there were “8,600 paid attendance plus thousands more who came in free.” (Imagine the Grove with plank seats and filled with 8,600 people.) Doc also mentioned that if all could have made it to the show and gotten in, 20,000 would have been in attendance. The traffic was so bad that the PA State Police shut down the road to Klahr from Sproul. People parked everywhere. Doc was quoted in a 1996 PA Magazine article that they sold 640 cases of soda pop or 15,360 bottles that day and could have sold triple that amount! Today we have modern stereo and sound systems. However, Musselman’s Grove was operating with only 2 bullhorn type speakers hanging from 2 poles for the entire area.

The last Doc Williams show was held on September 9, 1973. It was a reunion show that featured Smokey Pleacher with much of the proceeds going to help with the construction of Claysburg’s Little League field.

A lot of songs were sung, a lot of people were entertained, a lot of wonderful food was served, and a lot of memories were made at Musselman’s Grove. Musselman’s Grove had the potential to be a Branson, Missouri if it had been nurtured. Nonetheless, along the way, Musselman’s Grove left its mark on history! 

Fortunately for the Claysburg area, John Musselman’s grandson, Jarrett and his wife Ashley, made the decision to resurrect the Grove. Jarrett and Ashley began the long arduous task of renovation in 2019. They have done a spectacular job to date. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for reviving a piece of Claysburg, PA history. Today we are here to honor an historical place with a great tradition of entertaining people. 

The Claysburg Hall of Fame is proud to welcome Musselman’s Grove into the Hall of Fame with the Pioneer Award. 

Dave and Betty Burket
Nominated by Megan (Burket) Weyandt 

The Burket Farm was established in 1928 by Frank W. Burket. Dave Burket assumed responsibility of the family farm at the age of 14, when his father Frank was injured and unable to work the farm. After graduating from Claysburg High School in 1950, Dave took over full management of the Burket Farm. In 1953, Dave married Betty (Roub) and together they started Burket Falls Farm on Polecat Road. The farm was named after the natural waterfall located on the farm. The Burkets have three children: Dave Jr. and wife Cathy, Frank and wife Loraine, and John and wife Kay.

With Dave’s keen interest in dairy cattle and genetics, over the next half century the family developed a herd of registered Holstein dairy cattle that became world-acclaimed for the polled (naturally hornless) and red hair coat genes. Today, over two-thirds of all polled Holsteins in the world trace their roots to Burket Falls Farm. Cattle, semen and embryos have been marketed to dairy farmers across the United States and on six continents. The farm near Claysburg has hosted thousands of visitors from over 40 countries. The four-generation farm is now operated by Dave’s son, John and his wife Kay and their children Quentin, Meghan and Grace. The Burkets have been key contributors to the agriculture industry and have built an international reputation.

The Burket Falls Farm has received many professional recognitions over the years. In 2001, the farm was inducted into the Pennsylvania Holstein Association Hall of Fame and in 2003, received the Larry Moore Distinguished Breeder Award. In 2015, the farm was given a Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Award, in recognition of outstanding contributions to water quality through the installation of Agricultural Best Management Practices. In 2017, the farm was a recipient of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce ACE (Agricultural Community Excellence) Award and in 2018, was inducted into the National Dairy Shrine as a “pioneer” in dairy cattle breeding and genetics for contributions toward the advancement of the dairy industry. In 2019, Burket Falls Farm was nominated as one of the top 25 Holstein breeding establishments in the world.

Burket Falls Farm has been on the cutting edge of the dairy industry for decades. As their farm flourished through their use of polled genetics, the Burkets never wavered in their commitment to the local community. Dave and Betty are life-long members of Grace United Church of Christ in Claysburg where Dave served on the consistory and held other offices over the years. He also chaired the C-K Building Authority from 1968-71.

For advancements made toward the welfare of animals by helping to eliminate the practice of dehorning, we are proud to welcome Burket Falls Farm and Dave and Betty Burket into the Claysburg Hall of Fame. 

Nominated by daughter, Linda (McDonald) Peterson 

Ray McDonald was born in Sproul in 1922, the son of William and Clara (Helsel) McDonald. He graduated from Claysburg High School in 1942. After high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps as a private first class and fought in the Pacific theater in World War II. Ray was wounded in action and was awarded the Purple Heart. While recuperating in a hospital, Ray saw the lack of focus given to veterans with disabilities.

Until World War II, rehabilitation for injuries was not common. Following his time in the military, Ray utilized the GI Bill to earn degrees from Penn State University, the Medical College of Virginia, and New York University. He was one of the first graduates with a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy in the United States.

Ray married Pauline Davis of Sproul in 1944. They had four children: Linda McDonald Peterson, Joseph McDonald, Terry McDonald, and John McDonald. 

Ray was the first licensed physical therapist to practice in Blair County. He began working for the Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona in the mid-1950s. As director, he was honored for the excellent manner in which the physical rehabilitation section was operated. He retired as the director of the Physical Therapy department of the Van Zandt VA Medical Center after 35 years of service. He was involved in the founding of the Easter Seals Societies in Blair, Bedford, Clearfield, and Lycoming counties. While working at Easter Seals, he specialized in working with children with cerebral palsy. In 1968, he was honored by Dr. Burton Chance, a cerebral palsy specialist at the Philadelphia Crippled Children’s Hospital, for his continued service of excellence and advancement of rehabilitation for patients with cerebral palsy. He continued working as one of the leading physical therapists in the Northeast and opened offices in Lewistown, Dubois, and Clearfield. 

Ray volunteered for various high school football and wrestling programs as a physical therapist. In the 1970s, he was the trainer for the Big 33 football games. He helped to raise money for athletic boosters and the Easter Seals Society. Additionally, Ray offered free physical training and rehabilitation services to athletes, as well as consultations to coaches and parents.

Ray was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather to whom education was an important priority in life. Though he resided in Hollidaysburg, PA from the late 1950s, he always referred to Claysburg as his hometown. Ray was a pioneer in modern day physical therapy and used his expertise to help countless individuals in the central Pennsylvania area and beyond. Ray died on January 1, 1998.

For his efforts to make life better for veterans and for those suffering with cerebral palsy, we welcome Ray McDonald in to the Claysburg Hall of Fame.