Alpha Gamma Rho - Penn State University

Gamma Chapter Alumni Association P.O. Box 102 Mexico, PA 17056-0102 Address Service Requested ΑΓΡ gamma crescent Attention: This newsletter is intended for alumni, undergraduates, and parents. If your son is still attending Penn State, he will receive a copy at the chapter house. If he has graduated, please send us his permanent address to update our records. Thank you. THE 1966 FIRE Jim Kessler '66 (Γ905) Recounts That Fateful Day I n 1966, the chapter house burned from an electrical fire. The brothers were forced to re- locate to a Nittany Halls until the house could be repaired. Only a few items inside were saved. The house's interior was soon rebuilt to its current state in 1968. The newspaper says that there were two members living in the house at the time of the fire. I was one of those members. I am Gamma 905. Here is what happened. I was sleeping on the second floor room closest to the stairwell over the TV room. I remember someone yelling "FIRE, FIRE" in the middle of the night. I thought I should get up and see what was going on. The nonmembers were roomed on the third floor so I went to check on them. The hallway was filled with smoke down to about two feet off the floor where there was still some clean air. I crawled down the hallway checking each room. I found one person asleep on his bed. He was to- tally nonresponsive. I grabbed him by the col- lar and dragged him as I crawled back down the hallway to the stairway. As I continued dragging him down the stairs, he began to cough, gag, and resuscitate. By the time we got outside, he was breathing, and talking, sort of. Then I was able to make a trip back to my room and get my books, supplies, and an armload of clothes for the next day. I was not able to make another trip because of the now intense heat. And by then the fire department was there. A year later we were able to back into the house for the fall term of classes. Keep up the good work with the chapter and the building. Fraternally, Jim Kessler '66 (Γ905) M atthew Strite, partner/owner of Strite Apple Orchard in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was presented the 2019 Outstanding Grower Award by the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania (SHAP). SHAP President Chris Baugher, who presented the award during the annual Fruit and Vegetable Growers Banquet, said Matt was honored for his outstanding contributions to the tree fruit industry and the association. The Strite family has been farming in the Harrisburg area since 1843. The first fruit trees and vegetables were planted by Joseph C. Strite in 1917. His son, Earl, would eventually join him in the business and over time expand the farm to over 250 acres. Earl sold his produce at markets in the city of Harrisburg and door to door in nearby Hummelstown. In 1950, the original market was opened on the farm. Earl's sons, Joe '65 (Γ889) and Tom '68 (Γ933), joined their father on the farm and added greenhouse operations. All three received the honor of being named Master Farmers over the course of their careers. In 1994, a new farm market and bakery were built and the farm was expanded to 300 acres. 2011 was the inaugural year for Strite's community supported agriculture (CSA) program that allowed business to deliver produce throughout the greater Harrisburg area to participating members. Current family members actively involved on the far are brothers Joe and Tom, wives Sharon and Sheryl, and children Jonathan and Matt, who received the SHAP recognition at the banquet held January 28. A Family of Farmers Matthew Strite Receives Grower Award 28 years, retiring as the director of real estate in 1999. He then enjoyed 20 years of retire- ment, traveling and spending time with family and friends on Lake Gaston. Edward was an ac- tive member of the Wissahickan Ski Club and the Philadelphia Swimming Club, and was a life member of the Penn State Alumni. He loved both snow and water skiing, golf, and working on projects in his garage. He was always willing to help fix a lawnmower, car or boat. Edward was a football and NASCAR enthusiast and was a loving friend and husband. Bruce Hoskins '69 (Γ938) entered Chapter Eternal on December 13, 2019, at his home in Canby, Oregon. He will be missed. Chapter Eternal (Continued from page 7)

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