Wattsburg Youth Center
The purpose of this page is to reminisce about the Wattsburg Youth Center from 1988-2000. As director for those 11 years, I took thousands of photographs which I will post here weekly, a few at a time. Watch facebook to see when new posts are added. P.S. Blame this on one of the WYC members who asked me to post some pics. I have lots of space so if you'd like to add to this "remember when..." just send me a message via facebook and I'll add it.
A Tribute to My Dad: Raymond F. Tanner aka SANTA
Santa's arrival was an event the children loved at the youth center. Even those who were skeptical of Santa were comfortable on this man's lap as they shared their hearts' desire. Pictured in the left grouping are: Justin Applebee (top left), Rachel VanderVolgen (top right), Alanna Hartman (bottom left), and Rikki Lynn Triana (bottom right). In the second set of pictures are: Tiara Triana (top left), Tyler Niemeyer (top right), Steven Hartman (bottom left), and Bill Cole (Bottom right). The photos were all taken at the annual Christmas party in December 1998.
WYC Kids Work at the Fair & Other Things)
The Wattsburg Youth Center Kids were always active doing things for the community. The fair was one place they like to work so they could get a discount on entry fees. Of course, there had to be some fun to the work like the time they got more paint on each other than on the fence! Though the kids did goof around a lot, they did complete the project and even managed to get the paint donated to the fair. The paint didn't last for long, but the memories will last their whole lives.
Top left: Rick Weed cuts the grass along the fence.
Top Right: Christina Horn tries to get the pain on the fence.
Bottom Left: Christina Horn watches as another youth tries to get Timmy Cole back for whatever mischief he caused.
Bottom Right: Abby Raun and Ginger work with another girl to paint the fence around the horse arena.
Top left: Rick Weed cuts the grass along the fence.
Top Right: Christina Horn tries to get the pain on the fence.
Bottom Left: Christina Horn watches as another youth tries to get Timmy Cole back for whatever mischief he caused.
Bottom Right: Abby Raun and Ginger work with another girl to paint the fence around the horse arena.
More Pics....Erie County Fair at Wattsburg
Top Left: Amber Hart enjoys the horse ride while her sister, Amanda, (Right) prefers the motorcycles.
Bottom Left: Gregory & Andrew Phillips check out the new train that was purchased by the youth center kids for Della Bayle Park. It was on display at the fair one year to let people know who was responsible for earning it. It remains at the park today though the plaque is now at the Museum.
Bottom Left: Gregory & Andrew Phillips check out the new train that was purchased by the youth center kids for Della Bayle Park. It was on display at the fair one year to let people know who was responsible for earning it. It remains at the park today though the plaque is now at the Museum.
GOLDEN OLDIES @ July 4th Celebration
Top Left: Jason Dibble enjoys some time at Della Bayle Park back in 1989.
Top Right: Alan Dibble, Kevin Brummett, and John Kinney strut their stuff outside the youth center during a break at the Rock-A-Thon in August of 1990.
Bottom Left: Dan Seib competes in the pie eating contest at July 4th celebration in 1990. Photo was taken at Della Bayle Park.
Bottom Right: Jesse Wilcox tries his hand at sharpening a knife at the Wattsburg Area Historical Society booth with Ron Hartman. The booth was part of the July 4th Celebration at Della Bayle Park in 1990.
Top Left: Jason Dibble enjoys some time at Della Bayle Park back in 1989.
Top Right: Alan Dibble, Kevin Brummett, and John Kinney strut their stuff outside the youth center during a break at the Rock-A-Thon in August of 1990.
Bottom Left: Dan Seib competes in the pie eating contest at July 4th celebration in 1990. Photo was taken at Della Bayle Park.
Bottom Right: Jesse Wilcox tries his hand at sharpening a knife at the Wattsburg Area Historical Society booth with Ron Hartman. The booth was part of the July 4th Celebration at Della Bayle Park in 1990.
HALLOWEEN WITH THE "LADIES"
The Halloween of 1989, the boys didn't have anything to dress up as so they came to my apartment with nothing to do. They ended up using Virginia and my dresses to dress up as "ladies" while the girls dressed up as babies or toddlers.
Top Left: Jenny Pietrasiewicz with Arthur Tanner (who was mistaken for Mrs. Tanner, his mother)
Bottom Left: Brenda Hall, Ginger Raun, Alan Dibble "The Woman" and Tina Tanner. Judy Murphy is in the background.
Right: Bobbie Weed (witch), Jason Dibble, Amy Hartman, and Jenny Pietrasiewicz.
The Halloween of 1989, the boys didn't have anything to dress up as so they came to my apartment with nothing to do. They ended up using Virginia and my dresses to dress up as "ladies" while the girls dressed up as babies or toddlers.
Top Left: Jenny Pietrasiewicz with Arthur Tanner (who was mistaken for Mrs. Tanner, his mother)
Bottom Left: Brenda Hall, Ginger Raun, Alan Dibble "The Woman" and Tina Tanner. Judy Murphy is in the background.
Right: Bobbie Weed (witch), Jason Dibble, Amy Hartman, and Jenny Pietrasiewicz.
COOK'S FOREST FIELD TRIP 1995
Top Left: Steve Williams hides behind an oar while Matt Bensink gets ready to get out of the canoe
following a 10-mile trip down the Allegheny River.
Top Right: Rachel Vandervolgen gives up and decides to get this photograph over with.
Bottom Left: Meranda Drissel is ready to go canoeing.
Bottom Right: This photo was taken in the 1990s but a different year than the others. Chris Cole and Richie Niemeyer prepare to board the bus which will take them to the beginning of the canoe trip.
Top Left: Steve Williams hides behind an oar while Matt Bensink gets ready to get out of the canoe
following a 10-mile trip down the Allegheny River.
Top Right: Rachel Vandervolgen gives up and decides to get this photograph over with.
Bottom Left: Meranda Drissel is ready to go canoeing.
Bottom Right: This photo was taken in the 1990s but a different year than the others. Chris Cole and Richie Niemeyer prepare to board the bus which will take them to the beginning of the canoe trip.
HALLOWEEN
Top: Gracie Ann Kelly in 1990 at the annual Halloween Party at the center. She was
dressed as Cookie Monster. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Green) in the
background is sister, Meranda Drissel.
Bottom: Meranda Drissel had her face painted as a dog during the Halloween
Face Painting and Decorating party in 1989.
Top: Gracie Ann Kelly in 1990 at the annual Halloween Party at the center. She was
dressed as Cookie Monster. The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle (Green) in the
background is sister, Meranda Drissel.
Bottom: Meranda Drissel had her face painted as a dog during the Halloween
Face Painting and Decorating party in 1989.
ERIE COUNTY FAIR WORKERS -August 1995
Top: Don't let her facial expression fool you, Heather Weed really did enjoy working at the fair.
(What she didn't like was me sneaking up on her with the camera.)
Bottom: Mary Weed, who is now an Erie County Fair Director, began working at the fair as soon as age would allow. She enjoyed working at the lemonade stand.
Top: Don't let her facial expression fool you, Heather Weed really did enjoy working at the fair.
(What she didn't like was me sneaking up on her with the camera.)
Bottom: Mary Weed, who is now an Erie County Fair Director, began working at the fair as soon as age would allow. She enjoyed working at the lemonade stand.
TIE DYING T-SHIRTS in June 1998
Top: Rachel Vanvolkenberg, Lacie Downor, and Amanda week show off their "new" shirts.
Bottom: Nichole Weed works to get all the rubber bands off her T-shirt.
Top: Rachel Vanvolkenberg, Lacie Downor, and Amanda week show off their "new" shirts.
Bottom: Nichole Weed works to get all the rubber bands off her T-shirt.
CHRISTMAS 1998
Top Left: Jacob Vandervolgen was a Chinese auction winner at the 10th anniversary Open House at the Center in November 1998.
Top Right: Jacob's twin sister, Eva, sits on Santa's lap at the 1998 Christmas party.
Bottom: Balancing eggs on a spoon is always fun at an Easter party. These kids loved it in 1999: (left to right) Rae Bernardini, Maggie Dorman, Tiara Triana, Eva Vandervolgen, Tammy Pratt, & Heather Braner.
Top Left: Jacob Vandervolgen was a Chinese auction winner at the 10th anniversary Open House at the Center in November 1998.
Top Right: Jacob's twin sister, Eva, sits on Santa's lap at the 1998 Christmas party.
Bottom: Balancing eggs on a spoon is always fun at an Easter party. These kids loved it in 1999: (left to right) Rae Bernardini, Maggie Dorman, Tiara Triana, Eva Vandervolgen, Tammy Pratt, & Heather Braner.
1st ANNUAL WATTSBURG YARD SALE - 1989
Left: Bobbie Jo Weed roller skates down Main Street in front of the youth center at the first annual Wattsburg Yard Sale in 1989.
Right: Bobbie Joe Weed and Jen Geer lean against the building while helping at the youth center yard sale.
Left: Bobbie Jo Weed roller skates down Main Street in front of the youth center at the first annual Wattsburg Yard Sale in 1989.
Right: Bobbie Joe Weed and Jen Geer lean against the building while helping at the youth center yard sale.
WATTSBURG FAIR KIDS PEDAL PULL 1994
(Top Left)Christina Horn maneuvers the tractor down the course with brother, Richard, not far behind (Top Right). Their cousin, Joshua Ayers, tries his 'hand' at it with a full pull. (Bottom)
(Top Left)Christina Horn maneuvers the tractor down the course with brother, Richard, not far behind (Top Right). Their cousin, Joshua Ayers, tries his 'hand' at it with a full pull. (Bottom)
BOSOM BUDDIES: These girls were inseparable in 1998. Amber Norris, Lindsey, and Lacey Downor are pictured here at Christmas at the youth center.
REMEMBERING OLD FRIENDS:
Chris Cole at the punching bag and with buddy, Rick Weed. The two boys were in competition for the pool tournament title. Though Rick won, they remained good friends. Mandi Loomis and Rachel Norris met at the Erie County Fair pageant.
Rachel won the Queen title but they both gained a good friendship. Mandi now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two children. Rachel lives in Erie County.
Chris Cole at the punching bag and with buddy, Rick Weed. The two boys were in competition for the pool tournament title. Though Rick won, they remained good friends. Mandi Loomis and Rachel Norris met at the Erie County Fair pageant.
Rachel won the Queen title but they both gained a good friendship. Mandi now lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two children. Rachel lives in Erie County.
SISTERS AND FRIENDS:
Tammy, Maggie and Rae enjoy a ride on the train at Waldameer in 2000.
Angie, Rachel and Abby try to get synchronized but might need some more practice. January 1999.
Tammy, Maggie and Rae enjoy a ride on the train at Waldameer in 2000.
Angie, Rachel and Abby try to get synchronized but might need some more practice. January 1999.