St. Mary's??? (State College, St. Marys, DuBois: house, bankrupt, theater)
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Thanx, can you explain what a Mayberry type of life is? I'm not sure I'm aware of what you mean. In your opinion, do you think there is lots of opportunity for high schoolers to get prepared for a good college? All the online data i've researched indicates only a very small percentage of grads actually go off to college. Research suggested most (boys--seeing where I have a 12 yr old) get jobs in the metals and/or chemicals/labor field work. The figure was only 8% of males in St. Mary's over 25 have bachelor's degrees. Does that feel accurate to you, having lived there? What do teenagers do there?
Thank you so much for the replies.
Teenagers drive 30 miles south to DuBois and go to the mall or movies, etc. there... In fact many people do that for shopping/ dining that is not of the Wal*Mart/ fast food variety.
I think the college figures are accurate. Used to be you didn't need a college degree to get a good paying job in metals... so the older generation does not have much education... and the younger folks are going elsewhere for work once they do get their degrees... sad reality for much of the state. Ask any assortment of teens and they will mostly say they are leaving town once they graduate... probablly out of necessity.
But if you MUST buy live in Elk County, St. Marys is the place... there is growth there (industrial, commercial) although compartively the downtown has little charm... the "Diamond" creates big bottlenecks as the trucks cruise through....
Sure, lots of different people live there... White, White and Whiter.
County in general is about 60% Roman Catholic. Founded by good old German Catholics thanks to King Ludwig (of Neuschwanstein fame).
Lived and worked there for several years.
Schools are so-so... some with $$ send their kids to the catholic schools, but they can get a one-sided education there, and some lack "real world" skills. The catholic school seems to fare better academically, but that could be largely b/c of better quality of kids going there versus the "huddled masses" at the public school.
Thanks, I chuckled a bit at your honest reply about white and whiter. We are a diverse family-meaning between me and my husband, we represent Puerto Rican, Portugese and Irish decent, and it is important to us that our children also be in a well-rounded, well represented community, where they can look around and see adults of thier own nationality/background in all facets of life-be it police officers, town officials, judges, teachers, coaches, etc. From your reply, however, it does not sound like that is the case in St. Mary's. From a candid perspective, do you notice/pick up on hints of race biasness or any kind of negative views of people who are not "white or whiter"? I mean deep down. Just because someone walks by you and doesn't call you a name doesn't mean he/she aren't thinking it. We must consider these things when we think about relocating.
As a member of the Saint Marys community, I can assure you that you would be welcomed into the community. Some of the most prominent citizens in Saint Marys are of ethnicities other than white, white, white. I also know that your children would be fine in either of the schools because I am a student at Saint Marys Area High School. I see and associate with other students that are of different backgrounds. My best friend just happens to be Guatemalan. I would also like to point out that I was just named part of the "huddled masses" and really don't think that is what you would call public school students. Whatever your choice may be, I hope you don't completely follow the advice of one person who seems to have a little bit of resent for the place in question. I know there is no where the diversity of people in Saint Marys as there is in other places, but there are many that call it home.
Ok St. Marys is not the greatest place on earth nor should it be a place of interest for you, we have one of the highest drug use rates in the area. This town does not like change that benefits the whole community. There has been several attempts to bring in worth while buisness's (manufacturing and such) that have been shut down because the the city coiuncil didnt want "factories" breaking up there bueatiful sky line, pathetic if you ask me. And as far as your ethnic backround I would look elsewhere, I personally know an individual who was pushed through school do too the color of his skin, I know it seems ridiculous but this individual can barely read, write and add. Personally I have been from job to job due the lack economic growth in this area. I have a bachelors in Engineering, and an Associates degree. If you dont mind low paying jobs, high rent apartments, rude people and even more rude children then this is the place for you. From what you wrote about your background you will more then likely be the topic of the town since these people have nothing better to do then to sit around in the driveways and talk about neighbors. Lets not forget you have to drive almost 2 hours to do anything fun. Now you have probably asked your self y is this guy still here, well its only temporary, come june of 2008 me and my Family are moving out of PA. there is no reason to stay here or to venture this way. Look if you want your children to grow up to respect life and people, dont move here you will only be miserable. remember this only my oppinion, to each his/her own but this town is not one that I would look at to raise a family or to look for steady work. This town would make a nice retirement community though.
I've been outta the loop of St. Marys for the last 10 years. What's gone on since November 1997?
Hmmm...actually, quite a bit has happened in the past 10 years. Well, around 1997-8 quite a bit happened. 2 big hotels (Best Western and COmfort Inn) were built, KFC and Taco Bell opened, Auto Zone and Napa both built big stores here. A large new shopping plaza, called the Bucktail Village Plaza was built in 1999. In the early 2000's Ames closed. In 2003 Wal*Mart left its old location and built a huge Supercenter half a mile down the road in Fox Township. Tractor Supply remodeled the old store and is now there. When Wal*Mart moved, a bunch on new things were developed with it. I also think the hospital expanded around that time too. In 2007 lots of new things happened. Sheetz built a big store, Country Fair opened a big store, Movie Gallery opened, Rite Aid built a new store, and quite a few new factories have been built too. Right now, many new things are happening. A new senior housing complex was built in the depot street parking lot. Groundbreaking for a new townhouse complex called the Candensis building was held last week. A parking garage is being built to replace the parking lot that is being built on. The parking garage is supposed to have an Intermodal transportation facility as well. A new park called "Elk Creek Park" is planned behind the parking garage and a few new buildings are to be built around it as well. They are trying to make the whole town more tourist-friendly because they pouring in from everywhere to see the Elk, tour Straubs Brewery, visit the Religious sites and to see the natural beauty of the area. Things are happening and I think the town looks better than ever! (There have been many more things that have happened, but I cant rememember them all)
Hi,
I remember the theatre in town called the Diamond was for sale. It was pretty run down.Is it stillf or sale and did they fix it up at all?
I am looking to relocate with wife nad kids and love the small town safe atmopshere.
How is everything doing there and what is this I here about drug problems. nver saw any of that?
Hi,
I remember the theatre in town called the Diamond was for sale. It was pretty run down.Is it stillf or sale and did they fix it up at all?
I am looking to relocate with wife nad kids and love the small town safe atmopshere.
How is everything doing there and what is this I here about drug problems. nver saw any of that?
yeah it is still for sale......being a kid in st.marys they really need somebody to get a jump on it. its a nice town and good for kids. they are planning to build a new 10 million dollar pool to replace the old, still good one. and planning a ice rink to be built too i go to school there they are really advancing it we just got a classroom of the future to our school with like 300 labtops and touch boards it is really high tech.
Any idea what other updates are coming like to Main street. I am from NY. I would love to relocate with my wife and kids and make a go at this theatre but hesitant, want to know if I do this the town would support the theatre.
I have plans to update and make it a more enjoyable theatre. With more showings and more things going on at the theatre.
Any chance of getting some pics of the theatre in an out!
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