JAN. 31: How many years can we report this? Ray Van Horn of
Keating Summit phoned to tell us he had dug leeks, and picked
daffodils and pansies on the very last day of January 2006.
Punxsutawney Phil says six more weeks of winter, and Tarport Tony
puts the number at five. But with a “winter” like this, who
cares?
MR. SINIBALDI: A very nice tribute arrived from Patricia Huff
Stromberg of Camp Hill about the recent death of Nick Sinibaldi,
well known not just in Bradford but in St. Marys.
She writes, “My husband, Dennis Stromberg, and I are
transplanted Bradfordians and are regular Era website readers. It
was through this means and with great sadness that I learned of the
passing of Mr. Nicholas Sinibaldi. The impact of this singular man
on the lives of hundreds of children in the Bradford area (and
beyond) simply cannot be overstated.”
“I had the privilege of being one of his ‘band kids’ from the
fourth through the tenth grade – from Derrick City Elementary
School through High School. But his influence went well beyond
teaching the technique of clarinet mastery and an appreciation of
music.
“Mr. Sinibaldi believed in each of us and in our ability to
achieve the very best – and somehow we came to believe this of
ourselves. He helped us to appreciate the value of individual
contribution to a larger whole.
“We learned to understand that working hard produced positive
results (although I must confess that it took me a while to
appreciate the effort of the daily practice he expected!)
“Armed with these principles, we were better equipped to face
the challenges of life beyond the band room.
“I join the hundreds of his students in expressing condolences
to Mr. Sinibaldi’s family. I would also like to thank his wife and
daughters for sharing him with us through the years. May you take
comfort in knowing what an impact he has had on so many and how
much he was loved and appreciated.”
Mr. Sinibaldi, a 1941 graduate of Bradford High School, was a
long-time band director for St. Marys Area High School. Before
heading to St. Marys, though, he also taught instrumental music in
the Bradford area schools.
He died this past Sunday in St. Marys and, as Mrs. Stromberg
attests, influenced the lives of hundreds of youth people in this
region. Our condolences to the family.
