May 2023 GreeneScene Magazine

FEATURES

I LOVE THIS PLACE

Masontown, PA

GREENESCENE OF THE PAST

Masontown, PA

SHINING THE LIGHT

Masontown, PA

COOL AT SCHOOL

Southeastern Greene: Sewing Class

PUBLIC SERVICE PROFILE

Domiciliary Care

VETERANS CORNER

Carmichaels Veterans Flags and more

GREENE ARTIFACTS

Capitol Birdhouse from Jacobs Birdhouses

GOING GREENE

Farming Greene through the ages

GOOD NEWS IN GREENE

Awards & acknowledgements within our community

MESSAGE BOARD

Community announcements and opportunities

HAPPENINGS IN GREENE

Check out some fun events from the past month

HOMETOWN HERITAGE

Current and vintage local sports highlights

EXTRAS

GREENE GARDENS

Bee Idioms

CARMICHAELS-CUMBERLAND VFC

celebrates 100 years

GETTING TO KNOW THE GREASER Doug Wilson

HAMMERING IT OUT

at the WA Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop

CELEBRATING SPRING IN GREENE

Where to go for wildflowers, ramps, and reenactments

LIFE’S A GARDEN

for the Town & Country Garden Club

ARTS IN THE COMMUNITY

Mini art show, students art, and local poetry

GREENE COUNTY MARKETPLACE

Farmers market season is here with a new addition

RETIRED AMBULANCE GETS NEW LIFE with the GCCTC EMT program

COVER PHOTO by Heidi Jamison of Jefferson.

I Love this Place MASONTOWN, PA

As Hatfield’s Ferry Power Station without its towering emissions stacks comes into view, I blink and for an instant my mind pencils them back in. The two massive hyperbolic cooling towers still outline the sky but FirstEnergy has plans to begin demolition in August then ready the 236-acre site for future “energy intensive and water intensive industries.”

Change is on its way to this little corner of Greene and Fayette counties. Just over the bridge that takes State Rt. 21 up the hill to the bluff is where the historic town that grew around Mason’s Fort sits waiting. Waiting for what? I’m about to find out.

I take the first right turn past the Masontown Bridge to get a better view of the Monongahela River. There, beside the high reaches of the bridge and through an old stone railroad tunnel is a hidden world of old houses on streets that dead end into the hill, a broad boat launch, old railroad tracks and a great view of clean, sparkling water. The Mighty Mon is back in action and the fish know it. The old dirt road I’m on eventually crosses the railroad track and climbs the hill to Masontown.

Today, I turn around and go back to take the second right that goes past Dolfis Restaurant, legendary for its good eats. There’s history to be admired in the old signage for the Italian Club and the fading letters on buildings of businesses that are long gone, as the road leads to the heart of town.

I’m here to meet people I’ve chatted with online and spoken to by phone about the work they’re doing to make Masontown and its historic main street a regional destination point. I’ve joined Masontown Matters on Facebook and talked to group president Warren Hughes and retired mayor and council member Kay Rendina, still a force to be reckoned with at age 92. Kay was the first woman elected to these positions and while mayor in 1994 founded Fort Mason Historical Society.

The society disbanded in 2022 but the money from the sale of its building was put to good use, divided between German Masontown Library, Masontown Matters and Helping Hands Thrift Shop. Kay will be out of town when I come to spend the day and attend the group’s monthly meeting on April 13, but she says she will leave some local history books with Warren for me to read.

In Masontown’s 1998 Bicentennial volume, lovingly assembled by late German-Masontown librarian Gail Cunningham, I will find 22-year-old Kay Prevonich of Nemacolin who married local businessman Lendo J. Rendina in 1952. Kay fell in love with her new hometown as she raised her four chil-

dren there. She was appointed to the town’s citizens’ advisory board by the mayor in the late 1960s as space age technology, social justice and educational advancements began to change America and the world. When Lendo died in 1978, Kay ran for office, first as a council member, then mayor, then council member again as the 1998 Bicentennial brought history into sharp focus. Kay was appointed its chairperson and worked tirelessly with her many friends and neighbors to make it an event to be remembered.

On the phone, Kay is reflective about the empty storefronts on Main Street. “The malls took our businesses away but look at them now. What goes around comes around.”

By Colleen Nelson

What comes around these days in Masontown is yet another generation of folks willing to follow Kay’s lead and work together to keep Masontown a viable, family friendly town with businesses offering local services in an Internet-connected world.

Warren tells me that when he retired as county manager of the Fayette County courthouse 11 years ago, his fiscal and grant writing skills were put to good use as he helped organize Masontown Matters to tackle issues like those empty storefronts, limited economic resources and local kids who grow up and leave for greener pastures. Making it easier to do business in Masontown was a good first step.

Library assistant Mary Ann Hughes and Director Samantha Lambert holding photo of her beloved childhood librarian Gail Cunningham.

Masontown Matters Board, L-R: Front - Mary Ann Hughes, Valerie Brewer; Back - Darlene Vicinelly, Rose Cook, Marlene Vrabel, Nanette Cochran, Diane Kovach, Michelle Berry, Warren Hughes, Karen Peebles, Frank Martin.

Masontown Matters board members Karen Peebles and Marlene Vrabel with the Masontown Mainstreet Renovation Project goal board.

DO in residence Andrew Colebank, Director Dr. Amber Warren, Residency Coordinator Tracey Eberhart at Cornerstone Care Community Teaching Health Center. After school dancers on Main Street.

“It was Kay’s goal to have an incubator project for new businesses,” Warren notes. The building at 102 S. Main St. that owner George Frank rents to the group for a dollar a year is now the Business Development Center. BDC offers space for new businesses to test the waters. Business owners pay their share of building expenses in lieu of rent and hopefully go on to establish themselves locally wherever the market might be.

Today’s businesses have their logos in the front windows as I circle through town, taking in its old-fashioned nooks and crannies, making note of things still to be done. Main Street is as authentic as the many historic neighborhoods around cities like Washington DC, where specialty shops draw in customers and street fairs fit right in. I park under a shady tree and stroll to the Masontown Senior Center to say hello to director Caroline Morella. This perennially popular place to be an older adult has something going on every day, from corn hole in the parking lot to parties for every occasion, live music, lunch including grab and go meals, balance and flexibility programs, sign language classes, card tournament teams, and more listed on Facebook. “I used to come here with my mother, now I’m the director!” Caroline tells me with a grin as she heads out of her office to bring the official competition rules of 500 Bid to card players in the back room.

Down the street, German-Masontown Library’s new director Samantha Lambert has already made it back to her hometown to the job of her dreams.

“When I was laid off in New Jersey I called home and found out about this job, like it was waiting for me!”

The library is part of WAGGIN, the inter-library system that uses one card for all 20 libraries in Greene, Washington and Fayette counties. Like other libraries in the state system, it offers up to the minute electronic library access for kids, adults and serious researchers along with Libby, the one tap reading app for borrowing books and audio books. The library has a steady stream of hands-on learning for kids, especially the ones who are becoming kindergarten-ready. What’s new for the summer for these youngest learners?

“We’re working on a Story Walk – pages of a children’s book deconstructed - along Browns Run Trail. The Township Supervisors bought 20 posts and will put them up for us.”

When school lets out, kids come popping through the door to grab books and use the computers; some head for the

back room to do Fayette County 4-H Robotics Club work with Warren’s wife Mary Ann, another dynamic player on the Masontown Matters team. When we gather in the front room of the BDC at 6 p.m. I’m the impromptu guest speaker. Masontown gets GreeneScene Magazine in the mail so they know the importance of advertising locally, of telling a good story to keep history and self esteem alive and that working together to solve problems one step at a time adds up to a better place to live a good life. Now it’s their turn to show me Masontown – a work in progress.

We go outside for a group photo under the Fort Mason signage as the setting sun streams in, then wander to inspect the planters that will need volunteers to water them all season and check out buildings ready for new tenants or destined to be removed to make way for green space. We’re tourists on a visionary quest, caught between what’s happening now and imagine this. The after school dancers at Kalivoda Dance Center strike a proud pose. The Masontown Main Street Renovation Project sign on the corner by the Borough building needs its thermometer updated closer to the two million dollar mark. Borough president Bruce Cochran tells me later that work on Main Street has already begun.

Those big flowering callery pear trees on Main Street that were planted in the 1990s for the Bicentennial did not live up to their touted reputation as the perfect accent tree –their roots have invaded the sewer system and made the sidewalks buckle. They’ll be gone by next spring when new sidewalks are installed, replaced by old style lampposts, the newest addition to the official Mainstreet America look. The county park will also be updated, with pavilions, an amphitheater, walking trails, tennis courts and more.

But don’t wait till next spring to visit Masontown! Come see the fireworks on the Fourth of July. Play bingo on Friday night at the fire hall and make your own fun donation to the fund that keeps Masontown a safe place to live. Better yet – join Masontown Matters and see if there’s a project you want to take on. Just a thought - bring a friend.

Under the Masontown Bridge.

GreeneScene of the Past

Boom! Photographer Roberto M. Esquivel of the HeraldStandard snapped this freeze frame moment of demolition as the old truss bridge that connected Greene and Fayette counties for 88 years imploded, and then disappeared into the dust cloud of history on September 28, 2013. The steel-cutting explosives that brought it down were carefully placed to protect the new bridge beside it; after the fractured spans fell into the Monongahela River, Penn Dot crews retrieved the steel and shipped it off to be recycled. The 21st century now had four broad lanes to roll on, just in time for the massive truck traffic that would come with the Marcellus shale industry.

That day, crowds of onlookers and media gathered in the parking lot of St. George Serbian Church on the Greene County side to watch and document the spectacular moment; CBS and ABC captured it live for the evening news. The Observer-Reporter interviewed residents about the good old days, when it cost a quarter, or was it a dime, to drive across the bridge - a nickel for pedestrians. A nickel was big money back then. Back in 1925, it cost Greene and Fayette counties $600,000 to build it and tolls, not tax dollars, would be collected until December 31, 1945 to recoup the cost.

Before the bridge was built, ferries were used to cross the river, as they had done since settlers first came to this corner of the Western Frontier. Dr. Robert C. McClelland’s 1962 book Masontown and its Environs, captures first hand accounts of the history embedded in this stretch of river and its high bluffs of fertile land. James Flenniken and Harry Jenning came from Virginia to settle Carmichaels in 1767 and built the first ferry. Christened The Republican Ferry, it became McCann’s Ferry, named after the family that operated it. McClelland notes it was not good business in low water months because the river could be crossed on rock paths that local tribes had used for centuries.

It was these paths that earliest frontiersmen used in the 1730s before settlers arrived. When Wendill Brown and his sons set up camp near Grays Landing, “they packed meat and corn to supply Washington’s Army when it camped in Great Meadow in 1754.” After Washington’s defeat at Fort Necessity, settlers would wait for the end of the French and Indian war to venture west. But it was still dangerous times.

When a group of Germans, including Johanias Mansonga and his wife Apalgonia arrived in the mid 1770s, they built a blockhouse for protection that, luckily, was never used as a fort but soon became the village meeting house.

Outcroppings of coal along the river banks were an indicator of the industrial age to come but for now these industrious German immigrants built grist mills and stills and made flour and rye whisky for cash crops that were transported by packet boat to markets in New Orleans.

When the new Federal Government imposed a tax on whiskey in 1791, indignant “Whiskey Boys rallied around Fort Mason and organized in opposition to the government.”

When Federal troops arrived the Whiskey Boys retreated without firing a shot.

The 19th century was on its way when Johanias parceled out a ”certain tract of land called ABBINGTON” on Catts Run in German Township in 1797 with lots that would sell for half a Spanish milled dollar or any other silver or gold coinage of similar value to be found in the newly minted Commonwealth. Although Johanias Mansonge signed the deed on the “twenty ninth day of May Anno Domini 1798,” his name on

the deed was forever changed to John Mason.

John and Abigail Mason and their four daughters and sons in law left Germantown in 1803 and “moved on west, where he took up a large section land just west of where East Palestine, Ohio, now stands.”

In time Germantown would be renamed Masontown in honor of its founder. McClellend’s sources report decades of small town rural living in Germantown where nearly every need could be made by hand or bought from local craftsmen or shopkeepers. Salt wells, tanneries and gun factories were the industries of the day and farming, milling, distilling and lumbering kept the local economy thriving.

The region missed its chance to become as prosperous as Pittsburgh when Fayette County voted no in 1834 to Baltimore and Ohio’s plans to bring its railroad west to the Ohio River through the mountains south of Uniontown, through German Township and down Brown’s Run to the Monongahela River. Instead the railroad went through the wilds of what would become West Virginia to Parkersburg in 1854 as political tensions conjured up the Civil War. The railroad effectively ended Route 40’s dominance as an economic artery and Brownsville and the rest of the businesses and towns that thrived on that economy became a backwater to the changes that the new industrial age would bring.

Masontown became a borough in 1873, the first gas well was drilled on the Sangerton farm in 1879 and by the Centennial year 1898, “the big coal rush began. …Frick started it, Hillman Coal and Coke and other companies followed.”

Life in Masontown changed almost overnight.

A new wave of immigrants from Europe arrived to work the mines and by the fall of 1904, new teacher J. S. “Mac” McClelland remembers, “the town was a wide awake village

By Colleen Nelson

that had just emerged from a long sleep.” The Klondike coal rush was on and immigrant workers came flooding in, carrying their belongings as they were herded into mining camps. Their kids spoke little English and were coming to school ragged, hungry, sometimes barefooted. During an early strike at Frick Mine, “many miners were ejected from their homes and moved to West Masontown.”

Max writes “I had 78 pupils in my room and no room had less than 55. We were visited by school and curiosity seekers from cities as far away as Harrisburg.”

The environmental impact in and around Masontown was swift and fatal for the next 60 some years.

“Sulfur and other substances discharged into the creeks and river soon killed off all the fish, to the grief of the fisherman.”

From the vantage point of 1962, Max concludes his letter, “things improved with time.” Wages went up, kids were better dressed and these new citizen had homes of their own with tidy back yards in West Masontown. “Those who went home to visit relatives, soon returned to America.”

By the early 1960s fish were returning to Redstone Creek near Uniontown and strip mining was beginning to be regulated. Land was being reclaimed for farming as the coalmines and coke ovens of Fayette County closed. Federal grants were beginning arrive to preserve Fort Necessity, Jumonville and other historic sites along Route 40. The era of historic tourism and environmental justice was about to begin.

Today we can see just how far we’ve come and how much more there is to do.

Old photos and old written memories do have that power to make us reflect on time…..and what we could be doing next.

Ask Drew Colebank what inspired him to specialize and practice family medicine and he’ll tell you: it happened in church.

“There’s a lot of need here….and a lot of potential,” Drew tells me when I catch up with him between classes at Cornerstone Care Teaching Health Center in Mt. Morris.

He’s talking about Masontown, the town where he grew up, the town where nearly every church is part of the Klondike Clergy Association, the town where everybody knows your name. This homegrown ministerium, named after the Klondike coal boom days, is a unique, sermon-in-its-shoes brigade of churches and churchgoing neighbors working together to serve a community that is working hard to renew itself in an everchanging world.

“I’ve always wanted to do something where I could help people and use my mind – and build long lasting relationships with patients,” Drew admits. The precocious kid, who was on the Albert-Gallatin Zero Robotics team that competed in NASA’s International Space Station games while in high school, went on to study pre-medical sciences, neuroscience and religious studies as an undergrad at Pitt and earn his doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at WVU. Drew discovered his specialty in 2019 while home earning money for medical school. “I remember it was Memorial Day weekend at the Brethren Church and the the pastor passed out. … He was turning gray and there was one other person who knew CPR. We took turns while I dialed 911….” That 15 minutes of CPR saved a life. “I decided to go into family medicine. Plus, I made sure everybody learned CPR!”

Another year of residency with Cornerstone and Andrew Colebank, DO. can hang out his shingle.“I love my town and I hope to live here.”

Helping Hands Thrift

Store on Main Street is an important KCA project and so is the community soup kitchen, started by the First Presbyterian Church 17 years ago. There’s a meal every Tuesday, with hymns on the piano and a local pastor on site to commiserate, Masontown Matters board member Frank Martin tells me. “Our monthly food bank serves 50 families.” He’s also happy to mention that the Free and Accepted Masons Valley Lodge 459 has been here for 150 years, has 200 plus members and does its part with Make a Wish and

By Colleen Nelson

aiding families in general.

The churches also get together for one Sunrise Service and one Vacation Bible program for all the kids.

When I contact Pastor Benji Zilka and Deacon Louie Diamond of Masontown Brethren Church about projects they participate in, the list of shared community events fills my screen. I pick my favorite: “The milk distribution happened during Covid….. it ended up distributing all kinds of food,” As a joint effort between firemen, police, the borough and business in Masontown, “We gave over 20,000 gallons of milk.”

This unique multi-church community will come together once again on May 21 for a CROP Walk, a nationwide movement sponsored by Church World Service to fundraise to end hunger and poverty in the US and the world.

How to find a photo that represents the loving egalitarian spirit of the churches and churchgoers of Masontown? Pastor Benji and his daughters found it in the cemetery by his church. Masontown native Mary Malinda Sterling (1859-1933) is listed as the first woman in America to be ordained as a Brethren Church pastor in 1889.

Her life reflects the quality of the education she received in Masontown’s public school and her degree from Monongahela College in Jefferson, which she finished in four, not six years. Her life of teaching, evangelizing and caring for her family when needed reflects the value the Brethren Church puts on women as the spiritual and mental equal of men. Her life offers those who came after her a reflection of the value of education and the spiritual rewards of “duty and from wherever the call is heard, be it from the pulpit, farm or home, it is always heeded.”

Pastor Benji and daughters at the grave of Brethren Church first women pastor Mary M Sterling.

Greene Gardens

By Lisa Lewis of the Greene County Master Gardeners

Bee Idioms: How Did They Start?

Bees are a vital part of our vegetable and flower garden life cycle. Over the years, several sayings about bees worked their way into our everyday language. Here are just a few.

Make a beeline for: The 1908 Davenport Daily Ledger reported that Gustav Stengel, Sr. of Rock Island, was thrown from his sleigh when his horse became frightened, turned abruptly, and made a beeline for home. Bees head out to a source of nectar after watching a forager bee’s wiggle dance or a bee returning to the hive fully laden with pollen and nectar. Bees fly rapidly in the shortest, straightest line available, ignoring any distraction.

A bee in your bonnet: This idiom traces back to Virgil’s Aeneid from 1553. The phrase “hede full of beis” means being preoccupied with a strange idea that conjures an agitated state one would be in if a bee was buzzing around inside one’s hat.

The bee’s knees: This phrase traces to the late 1700s when it referred to anything stylish, especially something small and delicate, such as a lace collar or the tiny joint in a bee’s leg. In the 1920s, other groovy sayings, like the “cat’s whiskers,” “snake’s hips,” and “flea’s eyebrows,” revived this saying.

Spelling bee: A “bee” is a meeting of people working together for the common good of the

group since at least the 1700s. For example, Americans would join a husking bee to strip corn. The phrase expanded to include many purposeful gatherings like Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Put the bee on: This saying meant asking someone for money, often with a pitiful, woe-is-me tale. It goes to the American frontier days when churchgoers would organize a “bee” to gather donations to pay the preacher.

Let’s end with a few silly jokes appropriate to our topic.

What does a bee use to style his hair? A honeycomb.

Why do bees hum? They forgot the words.

What do you call a wasp? A wanna-bee.

SOURCE: Steinmetz, K. Time Magazine. Behind the Bee’s Knees: The Origin of Nine Bee-Inspired Sayings. August 7, 2013. https://time. com/3897638/bee-inspiredsayings/

Kristen Haywood, Family Consumer Science Teacher and Sewing Teacher

from Southeastern Greene School District, is providing life skills to her students that will help them for years to come. While many school districts have discontinued the opportunity for its students to learn basic home economic skills, Southeastern Greene continues to offer sewing as an elective for students in grades nine through twelve.

In her Family Consumer Science class, Kristen shares basic skills with students grades seven through nine. Those skills may be sewing on a button or repairing a rip. When it comes to learning more advanced skills, like putting in a zipper or even threading a sewing machine, that’s where the high school elective class comes into play.

In our world today, sewing may seem like it’s a lost art, but it’s not. A growing number of youth and adults across the country are returning to sewing, crocheting, and knitting as a source of relaxation and creativity. Here in Southeastern Greene, there is interest among students in the district to participate in this class, where students are graded according to their skill. Projects are also based on student skill level. Kristen plans for the

Cool at School

SOUTHEASTERN GREENE SCHOOL DISTRICT

students by handwriting the directions for each project and providing picture cues so that they can complete the project by using the prompts provided.

Each year the students complete an amazing seven projects. Some of the projects completed this year have been a hand blanket (using hands instead of a crochet hook), a tree skirt, an apron, a study pillow with pockets, and a tote bag. After the planned projects are completed, students are given an opportunity to work on a project of their choice if time allows.

The students are also taught five different types of stitches and ten standard embroidery stitches. Very impressive!

How many folks today have never had the opportunity to see a sewing machine used or even have used one themselves? Sewing machines have changed a lot over the years but the basics, like how to thread a needle or thread the bobbin, have not. Students in class can become familiar with a sewing machine, giving them an advantage over many others.

Kristen wants each student to have a positive experience in this class, and, because

the classes are small, each student gets the one-on-one teacher assistance that they need to complete the projects to the best of their ability.

Sewing is a true art form. It is still a necessary skill in a throwaway society, and it is good to know that the opportunity still exists to learn skills that can be useful and fun.

Kristen said that she wished more students would take an interest in learning these skills and choose to participate in sewing class. Not only will they be learning valuable expertise, but they will be learning a skill that is super fun!

By Tracy Horne

The Entrepreneur Class is stocking the Media Center’s Mikes Store. Check out these Mikes bears created by Camryn and Patience. They’ve also added sweatpants, hooded sweatshirts, stress balls, and more.

Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Pierce, and Ms. Kniha took AP Biology, AP Environmental Science and Zoology students as well as Science Club members to the Pittsburgh Zoo to enjoy a little wildlife and to take in the great outdoors.

Students participated in the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Hershey PA. Students competed in various business categories against students from around the state. Two students placed in the top 10 and were recognized on stage at the Giant Center: Jade Barnhart- Advertising, 9th place & Caleb Hartman- Stock Market Analysis, 10th place.

For the fifth year in a row, (minus a year of hiatus due to the pandemic) the West Greene Video Club was invited to Waynesburg Central High School by the five county school district band and choir directors to livestream the All-County Band & Choir Concert held this year on Friday, March 31.

First grade students were able to learn and explore the importance of taking care of our planet. Students were able to enjoy a nature hike, paint, write, and learn about how we should care for planet Earth

Several SkillsUSA members competed in state competitions last week in Hershey. The following students won at District Competitions & competed in their events at the state level: Eleanor Turner: Restaurant Service; Dillan Fisher, Keira Schaum, Elizabeth Henderson: Crime Scene Investigation Team; Madison Ellis: First Aid/ CPR; Nicolas Snyder: Firefighting; Lydia Price: Collision Damage Appraisal.

The class has completed many different projects over the course. Kennedy made a handmade chenille crochet blanket.

SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA AREA AGENCY ON AGING DOMICILIARY CARE PROGRAM NEEDS YOU!

The Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging’s Domiciliary Care Program (Dom Care) is seeking individuals to open their homes to become a Domiciliary Care provider in Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties. Uniting adults with caring families, Domiciliary Care is one of the best public service programs in the area – and one you may have never even heard of.

Dom Care is a unique program through the Area Agency on Aging that offers job seekers a full-time, work-from-home position with monthly compensation. The program has been operating for over 30 years in Fayette, Greene, and Washington counties. The program provides quality care and housing for individuals aged 18 and over who are unable to live independently due to frailties

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM DOMICILIARY CARE?

If you are aware of a person 18 years or older who are unable to live independently due to difficulty with meal preparation, housekeeping, grooming, medication management, or similar things due to physical, mental, or medical related disabilities who do not require skilled or intermediate nursing or hospital care on a 24-hour-basis, domiciliary care may be a perfect fit.

Family friends, social service agencies, and hospital staff are common referral sources for the program. Anyone can make a referral by contacting the Domiciliary Care Program at 724-489-8083 or call our Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-411-5655.

Placement will happen in three steps. Once a referral is made, a consumer’s eligibility for the program is determined. After a consumer is determined eligible, careful consideration is given to the selection of the home which best meets the person’s special needs, preferences, and interests. After placement, a Care Manager is assigned to follow-up and to provide care management services on a regular basis.

of age, physical and/or mental impairment. These individuals must not require skilled or intermediate nursing or hospital care on a 24-hour basis.

The 2023 monthly stipend rate for a Dom Care provider is $1270.96 per individual. Providers may become certified through the Area Agency on Aging to house up to three individuals in their home. Anyone who has a caring heart and the desire to help others in need by opening their home should contact the Agency for more information. Dom Care is a community living, family style, housing program.

Dom Care Providers are responsible for providing room and board, transportation to and from appointments, set up/ supervision of medications, laundry, preparation of healthy meals, and making sure individuals needs are met.

Dom Care providers provide care in their own home, offering a warm atmosphere and a feeling of family not often found in other living situations. Families in Dom Care often build strong relationships, and providers operate like foster care. Individuals that utilize the Dom Care program have often stated that they feel like part of the family and have even attended vacations with the Dom Care Providers.

To become a Dom Care provider, there are certain requirements that must be met: you must be at least 21 years of age, complete an application through the agency, a face-toface meeting, and a home inspection. You’ll need to provide various references, complete a background check and physical, and a few additional tasks. Once everything is complete, another face-to-face meeting will be held to go over training and complete a second home inspection. The homes and providers are certified, with inspections every 6 months to make sure they are following program regulations. Providers may become certified through the Area Agency on Aging to house up to three individuals in their home.

To apply to become a Dom Care provider, or for more information on the Dom Care Program, contact the Domiciliary Care Program at (724) 489-8083, ext. 4612, or call 1-800-411-5655.

Veterans Corner

HOMETOWN HEROES MILITARY BANNER PROJECT TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN CARMICHAELS & CUMBERLAND TOWNSHIP

The Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club will be overseeing the coordination of the Hometown Heroes Military Banner Project throughout Carmichaels Borough and Cumberland Township.

The Hometown Heroes Military Banner Project is a living tribute created to honor and recognize Cumberland Township and Carmichaels Borough men and women who served, are currently serving, or have given their lives for our country in the United States Armed Forces. To qualify, a veteran or service member must have a connection to Carmichaels Borough or Cumberland Township (either lived or is currently living in Carmichaels, Nemacolin, Crucible, and parts of Rices Landing that fall within the township).

The banner will be 2’ x 4’ printed double sided on heavy vinyl. A 12” x 18” yard banner (flag only) can also be purchased.

The banner will display the veteran/service member’s name, photograph, branch of service, rank, and hometown. The banners will be hung on telephone poles along Route 88 and George Street. Applications will be accepted from April 1 through September 1, 2023.

If you are interested in sponsoring a banner, please fill out an application form. An application form and a detailed flyer about the project has been distributed throughout the Carmichaels area at various locations: the VFW, American Legion Post 400, Flenniken Library, and Carmichaels VFD. The application form and flyer can also be downloaded from the Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club Facebook page. Request the flyer and application form be sent to you via email by contacting CWCCBanners@gmail.com.

VETERANS CAN NOW RECEIVE CARE BY VIDEO AT THE GREENE COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES OFFICE

Veterans can now receive VA care by video telehealth at the Greene County Veterans Service Office! You don’t need to have your own computer, smartphone, or internet connection. This ATLAS site has everything you need to connect with your VA providers. Learn more: connectedcare.va.gov/partners/atlas.

HELP IS AVAILABLE

If any veteran is struggling, support groups and info is available in Greene County to help, thanks to Together With Veterans.

• Reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and then pressing 1 or texting 838255; online chat is also available at veteranscrisisline.net.

• The Vet Center offers counseling, peer support, and other resources for veterans and their loved ones: 877-WAR-VETS.

• Vets 4 Warriors is a national 24/7 peer support network for veterans and military communities staffed veterans and members of the military community: vets4warriors.com.

• Make the Connection allows veterans and their families to share stories of strength and recovery: maketheconnection. net.

Dial 988 and then press 1

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DRAWN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 with the 7:00 PM PA Pick 4 Number (no wild ball numbers)

www.GreeneCountyUnitedWay.org/TruckGiveaway2023

TICKETS ON SALE STARTING MAY 1 GREENE COUNTY UNITED WAY AT 748 E. HIGH ST, WAYNESBURG

SPONSORED BY:

Greene Artifacts

By Matthew Cumberledge, GCHS ExECutivE DirECtor

A CAPITOL BIRD HOUSE

This birdhouse, intended for Purple Martins, was designed and built by J. Warren Jacobs, founder of the Jacobs Birdhouse and Manufacturing Company in Waynesburg, PA in the 1940s. It is the last of this design ever to be built. Called the “Capitol Birdhouse”, it was one of the largest models produced by the Jacobs Birdhouse Company. It was designed to be mounted on a pole, towering 16 to 18 feet above the ground.

In 1915, Henry Ford purchased 15 Purple Martin birdhouses in the Capitol design to be used on his estate, Fairlawn, in Michigan and on the Ford Motor Company Grounds.

Greene County native J. Warren Jacobs (1868-1947) was a self-taught ornithologist and oologist (one who studies bird eggs). He gained international fame following the publication of his story of a Purple Martin colony in a 1903 pamphlet. The story detailed his observations of a colony he established in 1896 at his home in Waynesburg.

In his early life, Jacobs was employed in the family business painting scroll work and trim on repaired wagons and advertising on buildings and signs. He was also a noteworthy woodworker. His sign painting and skills as a calligrapher were a gift he utilized throughout his entire life, with the Waynesburg and Washington Railroad being

one of his regular customers.

This specific Capitol Birdhouse was the last made by Jacobs — made to the original design specifications, whereas most models available by the 1940s had experienced some design changes. It was gifted to the Greene County Historical Society in 1959 and has been on display since 1984; it was refurbished by museum staff in 1990. Now it is a focal point in the main hall of the museum.

Please keep an eye out on our Facebook Page and our website at http://www. greenecountyhistory.org to stay up to dates on our presentation series and events as we look forward to our open season beginning April 29, 2023.

The George J. Nader, Jr. “Remember, Your Education is Important” Memorial Scholarship Established at CFGC

The George J. Nader, Jr. “Remember, Your Education is Important” Memorial Scholarship was established at the CFGC by executors of his estate, which included teachers he taught with and previous students. George passed away in 2022. Born in Philadelphia, George received degrees from West Virginia University. His degrees were Pre-Med, a minor in Chemistry, and a Masters in English. He began his teaching career in Prince George’s County, Maryland where he taught English. Upon returning to PA, George taught at Fairchance, before becoming a Chemistry teacher at Waynesburg Central High School for 30 years. George retired from teaching in 2003 and remained a resident of Waynesburg. Often times George went the extra mile to assist the average student to reach their potential, and push them to excel.

It is with this in mind, knowing that George would have been excited that future students would be able to obtain the promise of a start on their post-secondary education, friends of George have established the George J. Nader, Jr. Memorial scholarship fund.

George was the executive secretary for the Central Greene Education Association for many years, a member of the Greene County Association of School Retirees, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, and he belonged to the National Education Association.

The scholarship will award one scholarship each year to a Waynesburg Central High School student planning to obtain a four-year degree from a four-year college or university.

Scholarship guidelines for the George J. Nader, Jr. “Remember, Your Education is Important” Memorial Scholarship are available on the CFGC website http://www.cfgcpa.org/ post-secondary-scholarships/.

To learn more about the George J. Nader, Jr. Memorial Scholarship, or how to make a gift to the scholarship fund in his memory, contact Community Foundation by phone at 724-627-2010, email at cfgcpa@gmail.com or go to our website at www.cfgcpa.org.

The Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC), a private, non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded in 2000, is the central philanthropic vehicle in Greene County for donations of various types and sizes. CFGC currently manages over $8 million in assets through more than 100 different endowed and restricted funds.

Going Greene

FARMING GREENE THROUGH THE AGES

Farming and agriculture have been a part of the land in Greene County for far longer than many people realize.

Though the extent and methods have changed over the year, decades, and centuries, the results have been the same — people have survived and thrived.

The first farmers here, over two thousand five hundred years ago, were the Adena people. Many of us are familiar with the Adena from their use of large earthen burial mounds. Many small mounds are throughout Greene County, and there is the extremely large mound that gives Moundsville its name. As farmers, however, the Adena left a much smaller footprint. Adena people did not have large sprawling fields with many varying crops. Instead, they had small patches of earth with a few domesticated plants. Pumpkin, squash, sunflower, and goosefoot (a leafy vegetable used similarly to spinach) were used to supplement their diet, which was primarily “fed” by their lifestyle as hunter gatherers. It would be another fifteen hundred years before we would see farming on a larger scale.

The Monongahela people appear in the archaeological record around the year 1000AD. Often considered the first “true” farmers, they raised crops of corn and lived in well laid out permanent villages, unlike the Adena before them who still lived a somewhat nomadic existence. The Monongahela were the last group of Native Americans who called Greene County home. They disappeared from the archaeological record around 1635, and evidence shows that disease and conflicts with the Iroquois and other groups in the region largely wiped them. The Shawnee, Delaware and others would travel through and often hunt in what we know as Greene County before European settlement began, but there is no sign in the historical and archaeological records that any of these groups had permanent settlements here.

It wouldn’t be until the 1760s and 1770s that European settlers would start filtering into the area we now know as Greene County and establishing settlements and farms. The Minor, Van Meter and Swan families were among the first of the European families to call this land home. John Minor is often credited with establishing the first mill in Greene County in the 1770s.

The first farms were small and similar to the first “farm” plots used by the Adena over two thousand years ago. In the 18th century, Greene County was a vast woodland paradise — old-growth trees covered the land. When pioneer settlers first

arrived, they first would have to clear the trees from a small plot, in part to get logs to build a home and to have a sunlit patch where they could grow a few small crops. Corn would have been one of those crops, along with other vegetables that would have supplemented their diet. Like the Adena people, the diet of the Pioneer settlers consisted of what they gained from hunting and gathering wild plants, with small farm plots supplementing.

Some early pioneers grew on a larger scale. Wheat and other grains could be found in immense fields, and usually the owners of such crops would have also had a mill to process grain into flour. They could sell or trade this to other settlers for different goods and services.

Livestock wasn’t kept as commonly as it would be in the 19th century. A farm may have a cow or two, maybe a hog — just enough to sustain a family. Over the course of the later decades of the 18th century and into the 19th century, farming would expand. By the 1850s, farming was huge. It was the only large-scale industry in the area. The Industrial Revolution, along with easier and cheaper access to tools and equipment, would help make large-scale agriculture a reality. Farmers could now produce a surplus and weren’t just sustaining themselves.

There are a handful of resources to learn about 19th and early 20th century farming in Greene County. Caldwell’s Illustrated Combination Centennial Atlas Of Greene Co. Pennsylvania published in 1876 gives nearly a farm-by-farm view, with many illustrations showing what many of these 19th century farms looked like. We can also learn from directories in the atlas the types of farming. Every landowner in Greene County is listed in the directory; approximately 90 to 95 percent are listed as farmers, with other occupations including doctor, blacksmith, tanner, stock dealer, cooper and similar industries.

The many illustrations give us a further glimpse into area life. Merino sheep were common livestock, along with Durham cattle, Chester White pigs, and dairy cattle. Corn, wheat, and hay were among the most common crops. Later, in 1916, the American Agricultural Farm Directory for Greene County provides us with a very similar glimpse of life into farming a few decades on.

It would be remiss to not mention the importance of the poor farm in Greene County as well. Now the site of the Greene

By Matthew Cumberledge

County Historical Society, the poor farm sat on 147 acres of land, 140 of which were cultivated for various purposes. The facility was used to house and provide the general welfare for the indigent population of the county, but in practice the poor farm was not much different from the average farm in the county. Crops grown included tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage, and various beans; cattle and chicken were also raised. Many goods were canned and much of the livestock was butchered and smoked in the smokehouse to be used later, and much of the cattle were raised and sold to help fund the farm.

Farming still exists in Greene County, perhaps here more so than anywhere else in the region. While its popularity is nothing compared to what it was more than a hundred years ago, it is still very much a part of the rural lifestyle here, and one that should be celebrated. Many still grow on their land and raise livestock, and that will probably be the case for many more years to come. Farmers markets are available in Waynesburg, and we can find a great deal of local produce at many of the events hosted around the county.

The small number of resources available to learn about this history of farming in Greene County may seem unlikely, but that is largely because it was simply the way of life. Caldwell’s 1876 atlas is probably the single best resource, as it gives the most details. From Caldwell’s, you can see the acreage of a farm, the type of farming done, and the products raised. Census records are also an excellent asset; they will give the occupation of the landowner and give the assessed value of the land they lived on. The 1916 Agricultural Farm Directory will give us the same information that Caldwell’s Atlas does, but for a generation later. A few good maps are available: Patterson’s Farm Outline Map and Rainey’s Farm Outline Map both fill the gap in time between 1876 and 1916. All these resources can be found at Cornerstone Genealogical Society if you are interested in further research.

A local family with a thrashing machine. Monongahela Culture settlement

Livestock featured in Caldwell’s Atlas.

TRANSFER YOUR MONEY FROM ANOTHER BANK WITHOUT MOVING AN

INCH.

Available May 2023!

Online transfers are the convenient way to move money from your accounts at other banks into your account at First Federal of Greene County – no checks, cash deposits or branch visits required. For more information, or to enroll in Online Banking, visit us online today!

WG Lions Club Students of the Month

The West Greene Area Lions Club recently honored these outstanding students with a dinner, certificate, and Amazon gift card.

Greene County Parks and Recreation Receives Donation From EQT

The EQT Corporation recently donated $25,000 to the Greene County Department of Parks and Recreation for equipment and activities at the Greene River Trail. The funds were used to purchase a much-needed utility vehicle for trail maintenance and safety. In addition to the vehicle, industrial leaf-blowers were purchased to aid workers in keeping the 7.1-mile trail clear. The grant will also fund an expanded fall festival and 5K run in October. Greene County Commissioner Betsy McClure said, “We would like to thank EQT for this donation. When industries donate to our county, it helps us with economic growth. Director of Recreation Bret Moore added, “EQT has been tremendously generous to us in funding multiple projects. This

donation will allow our workers to work more efficiently at the trail and create an even better recreational area. The near future holds even bigger improvements to our facilities because of the generosity of EQT.”

Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Awards Presented to Wilson, Cummins and Davis

Waynesburg University honored three faculty members with the 2023 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards during the annual Charter Day celebration.

The Lucas-Hathaway Awards recognize faculty in three categories: Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty (Doug Wilson), Excellence in Introductory Subjects (Dr. Tracy Dohn Cummins) and History of Teaching Excellence (Dr. Bradley Davis).

“We are grateful to the Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust for providing the opportunity for us to recognize outstanding faculty members every

year,” said Provost Dr. Dana Cook Baer. “The three faculty members who were selected this year are talented instructors, compassionate advisors, supportive mentors and excellent role models.”

The Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust has established an endowed fund that provides two annual teaching excellence awards for full-time faculty members and one award for a part-time faculty member. Faculty members were nominated by students, faculty or alumni. Each recipient will receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,200 award. The Trust is funded by J. Richard Lucas and C. Joan Hathaway Lucas, members of the class of 1950.

ACS names WU Faculty Member Global Outreach Volunteer of the Year

Dr. Evonne Baldauff, chairperson for the Department of Chemistry and Forensic Science at Waynesburg University, was recently awarded the Global Outreach Volunteer of the Year award by the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Committee on Community Activities.

A total of 27 members were recognized by the ACS’s Committee on Community Activities with its 2023 Outreach Volunteer of the Year Awards for outreach efforts in both local and international chapters. Only one individual receives the global award each year.

Her contributions to activities in the ACS Pittsburgh Section during National Chemistry Week (NCW) as a volunteer and coordinator helped to garner her recognition for the award. During the 2022 NCW, Dr. Baldauff assisted in the

organization of events and outreach efforts for the ACS Pittsburgh Section, including an annual event at the Carnegie Science Center. Another outreach initiative was the creation of science experiment activity kits distributed to school districts in the Pittsburgh area.

Dr. Baldauff has advised WU’s ACS Student Chapter since her first semester on campus in 2007 and has been active with the Pittsburgh Section since 2013. She has served in various capacities over the years; she currently serves as a director and chair of the NCW Outreach Committee.

WU’s ACS Student Chapter received the “Outstanding Chapter Award” for activities conducted during the 2021-2022 year. This most recent award marked the 15th outstanding designation the Chapter has received since 2005-2006.

Sophia Plock (top) is the daughter of James and Shawn Plock of Rogersville. She participates in: Varsity Volleyball, Manager of the Boys Basketball, President of the Science Club, Vice President of the National Honor Society, Member of the Calculus Club, Engineering Club, Ski Club, Peer Mentoring Program, and Hargus Creek Designs business. Awards and community service include: Principal Honors Grades 9-11, Student Athlete Award 9-11, Academic Letter Grades 9-11, Academic Excellence Grades 9-11, Academic Achievement Grades 9-11, The Challenge Program Community Service Award-Grade 11, and Hometown Heritage Athlete of the Month in Grade 11. Sophia enjoys working with the Humane Society of Greene County, The United Way of Greene County, and the Rogersville United Methodist Church. Sophia’s future plans are to attend Slippery Rock University’s 3+3 Program to obtain a degree in Occupational Therapy.

Kaden Shields (second photo) is the son of Mark and Johnetta Shields of Graysville. Kaden’s accomplishments and awards include: 4 Year Letterman for Basketball and Cross Country, as well as a 3 Year Letterman for Baseball, 2 Year Member of the National Honor Society, 3 Year Member of the Science Club, 4 Year Member of Peer Mentoring, 4 Year Member of the Ski Club, Boy of the Month, Citizenship Award, and 4 Year Scholar Athlete at West Greene. Kaden plans on attending a college

or university to major in Athletic Training.

Emily Simms (third photo) is the daughter of Billy and Amy Simms of Waynesburg. Her activities include: Varsity Volleyball Softball, and Wrestling Statistician, Treasurer of the Class of 2023, Secretary of the National Honor Society, Secretary of the Science Club, Member of the Peer Mentoring Program, Calculus Club, Future Farmers of America, and attends Willow Grove Baptist Church. Awards that she has received are: Principal Honors Grades 9-11, American Citizenship Award Grades 9-11, Pittsburgh Positive Athlete Award, Grade 10, Academic Excellence Award Grades 9-11, and Academic and Athletic Letters Grades 9-11. Emily’s Community Service consists of: Volunteer at the Greene County Humane Society, TRICADA, and the West Greene Little League Softball Program. Emily also created and donated self-care baskets to Washington Health System Facilities during Covid-19. Emily plans to attend The University of Pittsburgh for studies in Pre-Physician’s Assistant.

Trevor Triplett (bottom) is the son of Dennis and Billie Triplett of New Freeport. Trevor is active in: The Science Club, History Club, Calculus Club, Future Farmers of America, National Honor Society, Scouts BSA, and the National Youth Leadership Training Staff. He is an Eagle Scout. Trevor has volunteered for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive, Scouting for Food, and Wreaths Across America. Trevor’s plans on attending West Virginia University majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

8th Annual Walk*Run*Roll 5K

8th Annual Walk*Run*Roll 5K brought to you by TRPIL/Voices for Independence will be held on Saturday, May 20 at the South Strabane Township Community Park, 750 Floral Hill Drive, Washington. Registration begins at 8am followed by the event at 9. Proceeds from this event will benefit the independent living programs

such as home modifications, which ensures that individuals with disabilities are able to access their home, and the Wellness Center, which allows for individuals with disabilities to stay healthy by exercising. FMI and sponsorship opportunities, contact Joann Naser at 724-223-5115 or jnaser@trpil.com.

Summer Counselors Needed for WWJD

WWJD Christian Center is looking for Summer Day Camp counselors for a Christian camp. The camp runs for six weeks, from June 19 to July 28, 8am to 3:30pm, for children K-6th grade. Applicants must be 18 years or older; pays $11 to $12 an hour. Deadline for applying is May 20. Contact Cathie at 724-627-9450 by text/call or email to pastorcathie@ yahoo.com.

Greene County Department of Recreation Offering Swim Lessons

Greene County Department of Recreation offering swim lessons at the Greene County Water Park for the weeks of June 12, June 19, and June 26. There are six levels, preschool, and Mommy & Me classes. The lessons start at 6pm. Lessons cost $25,

Waynesburg U. announces 2023 Commencement speakers

Waynesburg University will hold its annual Baccalaureate and Commencement exercises Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, on the campus of Waynesburg University.

Tom Foley, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Pennsylvania (AICUP), and Mindy Zatta, private wealth advisor with IronBridge Wealth Council, will address the Class of 2023 as the Commencement speakers. The Reverend Austin Crenshaw Shelley, senior pastor and head of staff at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, will serve as the Baccalaureate speaker.

AICUP President Tom Foley has held numerous leadership positions over three decades in four fields, including education, workforce development, volunteer service and public policy. He has written on a wide range of public policy topics, including on issues of justice, foreign policy, preschool education, sports, workforce development and Irish history.

and you must pre-register to participate. Registration began April 3 at the Greene County Dept. of Recreation Office at the Fairgrounds or by calling 724-852-5323 (option 1 then option 2).

Greene County Department of Recreation Day Camp

Greene County Department of Recreation Day Camp begins June 19 to June 28 from 9am-3pm for ages 5-12. The Day Camp will be held at three locations: Wana B Park (Carmichaels), Mon View Park (Greensboro), and Lion’s Club Park (Waynesburg). Swimming is free this year, thanks to a donation from iron Synergy. Registration began April 3 at the Greene

County Dept. of Recreation Office at the Fairgrounds or by calling 724-852-5323. Cost is $25 for the first child, and $10 for each additional child. All children must be pre-registered to attend. The department is also taking applications for those interested in being a lifeguard, day camp counselor, concession stand employee, and ticket clerk.

Meet the Candidates

Candidates are invited to meet, speak to, and mingle with voters at the Harveys-Aleppo Grange “Meet Your Candidates” event on May 3, 7pm at the Grange. All candidates for all offices will be introduced and given the opportunity to speak to the assembly.

Spring Basket Bonanza

The First Christian Church in Carmichaels is holding a Spring Basket Bonanza May 1 to May 5. Over 30 baskets are being raffled off! Follow Spring Basket Bonanza on Facebook for basket pictures and updates. Hours are 10-7pm daily.

Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5, and 25 for

$20. The drawing will take place on Saturday, May 6, at noon on Facebook Live. Winners will be notified by phone.

A Spaghetti Dinner will be held during the raffle on Friday, May 5 from 3 to 6pm. Take out only; donation based. Proceeds will be used to purchase new windows for the sanctuary. FMI, call 724-966-7961.

Zatta will speak at the Graduate and Professional Studies ceremony at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and Foley will speak at the undergraduate ceremony at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Baccalaureate Service will be held at 11 a.m. in Roberts Chapel.

Mindy Zatta is a private wealth advisor with over 20 years of experience. Zatta has devoted her entire career to the financial services industry and bettering her clients’ lives. Before joining IronBridge Wealth Counsel, she served as a financial advisor helping to build a successful advisory practice at a national financial services firm.

The Reverend Austin Crenshaw Shelley is the senior pastor and head of staff at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. Previously, Rev. Shelley served for nine years as the associate minister of Christian education at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, where she was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in October 2012.

Two Commencement ceremonies will be held over the weekend on the Lawn of Miller Hall, honoring nearly 400 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students from the Waynesburg campus as well as the University’s additional site in Southpointe.

All events will be livestreamed, available online at Waynesburg.edu/live. FMI, visit waynesburg.edu/commencement or email commencement@waynesburg.edu.

Foster Care Recruitment Event

Greene County Foster Care is having a Recruitment & Appreciation Event on May 17 from 3pm until 7pm at the Greene County Fairgrounds 4-H building bottom floor. There will be food, refreshments, and a Chinese auction. If you come and bring a friend you earn an extra ticket for the auction. Greene County is in desperate need of foster homes and you can make a difference!

Classroom Support Scholarship Opens

The Greene County Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will award the “Dr. Nancy I. Davis Memorial Scholarship for Educational Support” in memory of the late Dr. Nancy I. Davis this coming July.

The $500 scholarship was established to honor the memory of Dr. Nancy I. Davis who was an educator and advocate for education to aid teachers in their classrooms by providing scholarships to aid a particular project or need that will be used to enrich the learning experience in the classroom.

Applications are available by contacting the Chamber office at 724-627-5926 or by email at info@greenechamber.org . The application is also available on the Chamber’s website (“Community Service” tab), at www.greenechamber.org.

Completed applications must be submitted by 3:30pm on May 30, 2023. The winner will be announced at the Chamber’s Business Connection Luncheon on July 26, held at Waynesburg University in the Benedum Dining Hall.

Farmstead

Dobermans, 2 adult red males natural eared outside dogs. They are brothers but will place separate. Small adoption fee. 724993-0874.

Whirlpool 220v stovetop range, Bisque/ Light Beige, $400, New Oven Control Module, 3-post pigtail. Samsung Plasma Display 42inch HDMI, DVI, RCA, Coax, Works $40obo. Noritake China Set #48, 8 Setting, various pieces, $40obo. 412-582-2544

Firestone WinterForce tires/rims 205/65R15/GM6.5jx15ET41/PCD5x110, $150 No Warranty. 412-582-2544

13” Boy’s Kent bicycle, like new, coaster brakes, $25. 16” Boy’s bicycle, like new, coaster brakes, $30. 20” Boy’s Huffy bicycle, 10 speed hand brakes, $50. 412-582-2544

Summit Climbing Tree Stand, Steel, Rubber-coated Cables, Safety Harness, $175, No Warranty. Steel Ladder Stand 9ft. Camo, Tree attach & carrying straps, $40, No Warranty. 412-582-2544

Clint Black leather hat, size 7 3/8, black, by Bailey, USA, in original box, very good condition. $90. 724-737-5761.

Office furniture, solid wood with glass tops, desk (3’x6’x30”) & credenza (5’x20”x30”, $300. Trundle bed, heavy duty metal frame, Bassett twin size with mattress, like new, lowers to fit underneath a bed, $125. 724737-5761.

That’s right! ‘50s Fest & Car Cruise is looking for two cars to showcase this year - one on the show’s 2023 event tshirt and the other one the 2023 dash plaque.

If you’d like the chance to see your car featured on the event t-shirt or dash plaque, send:

• A photo of your ride

• Information about your au-

Happening in Greene

IS

tomobile (year, make, and model)

• Contact information (name, phone number, and email) to 50s Fest Auto Entry PO Box 317 Nemacolin, PA 15351

Be

The Waynesburg Toy & Comic Expo brought comics, art, collectibles, celebrities, and more to Waynesburg!

For those that love to fish, areas on Route 188 behind the Greene County Fairgrounds have been stocked recently by CNX.

Another ribbon cutting in Waynesburg at Phillips & Ross, LLC Attorneys at Law. Congratulations!

The Greene County united Way’s Day of Service saw volunteers getting out into the communities and doing good around Greene.

The Denny House hosted an Easter party earlier in April.

The Corner Cupboard Food Bank recently held a chicken roast to support their mission.

Another successful Seed to Supper program at the Eva k. Bowlby Library ended with preparing a wonderful Panzanella Salad and Fried Zucchini.

Photos below courtesy of Facebook or Instagram.

A Helicopter Egg Drop was held the Saturday before Easter at the Greene County Airport.

The Allegheny Land Trust came to the library today and shared how to care for and start your own backyard chickens

Susan Swala, Greene Co Master Gardener, placed signs identifying spring wild flowers along the Greene River Trail.

beautiful spring day in Greene County.

We want to see your photos in the GreeneScene!

Tips on Taking the Best GreeneScenes

photo from a different angle or position.

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• Submit a high quality file300 DPIfor best results. Set your camera’s quality to the highest or finest possible setting. For print purposes, we are only able to consider images of excellent quality and resolution.

• Send photo at original size and with minimal editing or post-processing.

• The best pictures are unplanned. Always have a camera with you to capture those moments.

• Make sure that photo is in focus and isn’t blurry , especially the part you want the viewer to focus on.

• And most important of all, have fun!

• Have a focal point. Is the image too busy? Are their distracting elements in the picture you can avoid? If you fond that there are distractions on the image due to background elements, take the

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CONTEST WINNERS

like-minded knitters!

Spaghetti Dinner 3-6pm @First Christian Church, Carmichaels. Take out only, donations only. Roller Skating 7pm @Mon View Roller Rink, Greensboro. Coffee with Veterans 8-10am @EQT REC Center. FMI, visit facebook.com/TWVGreene.

TOPS 10:15am @Bowlby Library. Weight management support group meets every Saturday. FMI: 724-627-9776.

Designer Bag Bingo 7pm @Clarksville & Community VFD. $25/ticket. Reading Rangers Reading Club 7pm @Fredericktown Area Public Library, second Wednesday of the month. Fourth grade and older. Farmers Market 10am-2pm @Downtown Waynesburg. Warrior Trail Meeting 6:30pm @Warrior Trail Headquarters, Garards Fort.

10 20 each month. Share your ideas, projects, yarn and experience

5

Kicking Cancer’s Butt Kickball Tournament 8am@Rices Landing Athletic Club Fields. Visit facebook.com/ kickball2017 FMI. Greene County Marketplace 9am-1pm @Greene County Fairgrounds.

5K 9am @South Strabane Twp. Community Park. Registration begins at 8am. Participation is suggested $25 donation. Albert Gallatin Regatta 5/27-28 @Point Marion. Parade, powerboat races, talent show, live band, kids activities and much more! 80s Dueling Pianos 7pm @Jefferson VFD. $12/person. Food trucks, BYOB.

Walk*Run*Roll

27 17

Need help with your device? A tech-savvy librarian is ready to help! FMI, call 724-627-9776.

Mahjong Club 1-4pm @Bowlby Library. RSVP at 724-627-9776.

Wine Down Wednesday 5pm @Thistlethwaite Vineyards. Glass and bottle specials, food, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Discovery Detectives 7pm @Fredericktown Area Public Library, first Wednesday. White Covered Bridge Assoc. Meeting 7:30pm @Greene Twp. Community Building.

Meet Your Candidates 7pm @Harveys-Aleppo Grange. Nifty Knitters 11am-1pm @Bowlby Library. Meet the first and third Thursday

Intentional Walks

With the approach of youth baseball and softball drafts, I thought it would be interesting to look back at an incredible story from the early days of Greene County sports lore. Baseball was primarily a sandlot game for young people in the first half of the 20th century. Even early attempts at forming high school teams were sporadic and usually unsuccessful. Waynesburg’s team finally joined the WPIAL in 1935.

The first official Little League team wasn’t formed until 1939 in Williamsport, PA when a man named Carl Stotz raised $30 dollars to outfit and equip three teams. After World War II, Waynesburg had a four-team Junior Baseball League that included the East End Wildcats, the Northside Invaders, West Waynesburg, and a team from Dilliner. By the 1950s, official Little Leagues had reached the area. The county had 34 teams in six different leagues.

However, a once in a lifetime collection of young men amazed locals with their prowess on the diamond a decade and a half earlier. A man named Gail Lewis took his 12-yearold son George to the local fields to teach him the fundamentals of the game. George soon brought along some friends, and each day the group grew until it reached 17 dedicated boys. They took the game so seriously; Gail was determined to find them some real games. All the boys were either 12 or 13 years old, but displayed talent well beyond their years. The boys approached multiple businesses and asked for a $1.00 donation from each for uniforms and equipment. The response was overwhelmingly positive. The father of one of the boys worked for South Penn Telephone and donated the use of a company truck to take the boys to games. They called themselves the Little Pirates.

Jim Meighen and George Clelland, both well-known local athletes, volunteered to help Lewis coach. The team destroyed all competition close to their own age; therefore, they

decided to schedule some adult teams. After winning most of those games, word got out about the phenoms. They started to travel the area to take on adult teams for a $35 gate guarantee. They defeated adult teams from Fairmont, Morgantown and Jefferson. When they arrived in Brave for a game, the fans began to boo as the team exited the truck. They felt they had been conned out of their admission fee when they saw the size of the boys. Lewis calmed the crowd by telling them he would return their money if they were not satisfied after three innings. The Little Pirates won the game 7-4. The adults even brought in three ringers in the final innings to avoid embarrassment, but the effort was to no avail.

Other notable games included a trip to Moundsville to play the prison team and a contest in Clarksville against a Negro League team. In the three summers they played, their record was 121-6. Pittsburgh Pirate Hall of Famer Honus Wagner read about the boys in the paper and invited them to his baseball school in Washington, where he gave them private lessons every other Friday night. He also gave them official Pirate patches for their uniforms.

Team members George Lewis and Dick Drury would go on to play in the Pirates’ minor league system. Boots Howard and Wilson George would also play professionally in the minor leagues. Bucky Murdock would go on to be a legendary wrestler and coach at both Waynesburg High School and College. Dave Clelland was also a very successful coach at both Mapletown and Waynesburg High Schools. Sherm Roberts was a revered youth coach for decades, and Jim Hook became a prominent attorney in the county. Other members of the team included: Don and Eddy McClure, Bill and Bob Phillips, Tony Russo, Charles Finch, Johnny White, Smitty George, and Ronnie Lemley.

By Bret Moore

BOYs and GIRLs OF THE MONTH

Jacob Fordyce is the son of Cliff and Tammy Fordyce of Carmichaels. He is the catcher and team captain for the baseball team. He was named First Team All- Section and All-Area his junior year. He maintains a 4.12 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, the Academic League, Student Council, Spanish Club, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Jacob volunteers at the Food Bank, altar serves for St. Matthias Parish, tutors at the high school, and is a member of SOAR at the Greene County Airport. He has his private pilot’s license and instrument rating. He is also a WWII re-enactor and volunteer with Vintage Wings, Inc.

Carys McConnell is the daughter of Tiffany McConnell and the late Ryan McConnell of Waynesburg. She is a freshman member of the Mikes’ softball team. She is currently batting over .500 with 19 RBI and three home runs. Carys also plays travel softball for the Pittsburgh Lady Roadrunners ‘07. In 2021, she was picked for USSSA AllAmerican South region team and played in Florida. In addition to softball, she enjoys spending time outdoors and hanging out with friends and family.

Mac Church is the son of Dan and Gina Church of Waynesburg. He is a four-year letterman for the wrestling team and a twotime Pennsylvania State Champion and four-time placer. He is also an Ironman and Powerade champion and three-time WPIAL champion. His high school record is 151-13. Mac also maintains a 4.0 GPA. He will wrestle at Virginia Tech in the fall and plans to become a physical therapist.

Addison Blair is the daughter of Charlie and Natalie Blair of Waynesburg. She is a member of the basketball, cross-country, and track teams. She is also on the Seldom Seen Farm equestrian team. Addison maintains a 4.0 GPA, while taking college courses at Waynesburg University through the Achievement Academy. Her activities include student council, Alpha Beta, prom committee, and helping with youth basketball. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and traveling to new places.

Drew Adams is the son of Scott Adams and Tiffany DeVoe of Clarksville. He is the starting catcher on the Rockets’ baseball team and also pitches. Drew also wrestles and plays football for the school. In the summer, he plays travel baseball for the Greene County Ghosts and helps umpire and coach youth teams. In school, he is a freshman and maintains a 4.0 GPA.

Kayla Larkin is the daughter of Michael and Krystal Larkin. She is a junior and plays volleyball, basketball and softball. In school, she is president of her class and is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, and the Academic Team. Kayla also plays for the Lady Knights travel softball team.

Josh Howard is the son of Bob and Kristi Howard of Garards Fort. He is the starting left fielder for the baseball team and received All-County honors as a receiver/defensive back while contributing to the football team’s undefeated regular season. Josh is also on student council, the debate team, Academic League, and Tru Club. He is the sophomore class president and an officer of Student Forum. He is a welding student at GCCTC and in his spare time, enjoys hunting, fishing and being outdoors.

Colten Thomas is the son of Dave and Tiffany Thomas of Aleppo. He is a junior and participates in football and baseball. Colten is a member of FFA program and enjoys several hobbies including hunting, fishing, and outdoor riding.

Emily Simms is the daughter of Bill and Amy Simms of Iron Rock Road. She is a senior and participates in volleyball and softball. Emily has also participated in basketball and kept stats for the wrestling team. She is secretary of the National Honor Society and the 2023 class treasurer. She is also involved in several other clubs and organizations.

Danielle Jennings is the daughter of Andy and Stephanie Jennings of Garards Fort. She has played basketball for two years and softball for three. Danielle carries a 4.25 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Interact Club. She has participated in Maples for Christ for two years and is an active member of the Mapletown United Methodist Church and youth group, where she reads scripture and has led the children’s sermon. The senior spends her time volunteering for community and church events while working for Willow Tree Farms on the weekends, holiday seasons, and summers. She is attending Penn State University in the fall, where she will major in Business Management and Hospitality. Her future plans are to manage hotels and travel.

WCHS Announces Members of All-Conference Basketball

Alex Van Sickle & Dane Woods; Josie Horne & Addison Blair; : Kaley Rohanna.

Levi Sisler, 9 years old, from Crucible took state runner up at the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling Tournament held at the Petersen Event Center. Levi wrestled in the 10u 60 pound division. Sisler attends Carmichaels Area Elementary and is in 4th grade. Levi wrestles for Jefferson Morgan Youth Wrestling. Levi is the son of Nicholas and Thea Sisler and little brother to Lily. Levi is pictured with his JM coaches, Troy Barnhart and Tom Palko.

The Waynesburg Central youth basketball teams that participated in the Beth Center Instructional Basketball League this winter. Four teams participated—two boys teams and two girls teams, and the girls teams competed against each other in the championship game.

Waynesburg Central’s Sarah Stephenson recently signed a letter of intent to play volleyball for California University of Pennsylvania.

Waynesburg Central’s Emily Mahle recently signed a letter of intent to high jump for California University of Pennsylvania.

Carmichaels All-County winter sports athletes. Boys Basketball: Aydan Adamson, Alec Anderson, Dom Colarusso, Tyler Richmond; Girls

Carmichaels-Cumberland Township VFC Celebrates their Centennial

By Stacey Flynn

Past. Present. Future. A centennial milestone has a way of bringing each of those elements into unique focus.

In 1923, a few dozen men likely never imagined we’d be thinking about them today, 100 years later. Their focus was far more immediate. Devastating fires (documented as far back as 1884) had repeatedly impacted their community. The time had come to act. To protect life and property. So, they organized. They called themselves “Carmichaels Volunteer Fire Company.”

In 2023, that organization not only still exists, but has become an integral part of a community that’s grown and thrived over the course of a century. Today it’s called the Carmichaels-Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Company — Company 65.

What has it taken to sustain the organization for so long? What will it take to sustain it for the future?

I recently had the privilege of chatting with some of today’s members. Our discussion taught me a lot about the company they proudly volunteer to serve. But what struck me first, and most, is what they didn’t want to discuss…

Following introductions and brief descriptions of their roles within the department, they very deliberately steered the conversation away from themselves. I immediately sensed that, in this capacity, they function as one. Member Todd Allison said, “We don’t want to make it about any one individual.” They went on to explain that the organization, which can have up to 60 active members, currently has 50. They emphasized that each member contributes in distinctly valuable ways.

The ratio of actual vs. possible number of volunteers struck me as impressive. Increasingly so as I learned more about exactly what goes into serving as a volunteer firefighter in 2023. The requirement of 200 training hours represents a real commitment in and of itself; especially when balanced with work, family, and other interests and obligations. Volunteers also become part of a relatively small number of individuals sharing the many responsibilities involved in keeping every aspect of a critical public service up and running.

That’s important to note, since not everyone can imagine themselves responding to emergencies. “Everyone has something to offer,” said Chief Jim Higgins. Some members excel at organizing and working fundraising activities. Others bring mechanical and maintenance expertise. Still others

have administrative experience. And in every role, members also function as representatives of the department within the community.

Individual sacrifice for the common good clearly proves rewarding. That shines through in the pride with which members speak of their department. They tell me that people often become involved to serve in one capacity but, compelled by camaraderie and a sense of purpose, eventually grow into other roles.

For some, serving in the department is truly a way of life. “Over the course of 100-years, we’ve had generations of firefighters. Membership is kind of a lineage,” said First Assistant Chief, Mike Riggen. Historical records support that statement. Several last names listed on the register from 1923 still appear in 2023. But lineage is not always linear. Today’s members recognize that they cannot expect generational volunteers to sustain the organization indefinitely. Statistics show volunteerism declining sharply statewide. Furthermore, today’s workplace doesn’t typically offer the flexibility that existed in the days of industry, rotating shifts, and privately-owned local businesses. For example, Higgins mentioned the late Chief Carl “Jum” Allison and his mid-town service station: “When the whistle blew, Jum would just close the station and go. But life’s different now.”

Different indeed.

But life was never simple or easy. While 2023 certainly has its unique challenges (including those still lingering from the COVID-19 pandemic), the department’s past has included the Great Depression and men heading off to war…

Yet through it all, the whistle has blown. At least since 1930, when the first one was mounted atop what is today the Community Bank building. Its sound has assured the community: Help is coming — whenever and wherever.

Today, keeping that possible costs more than ever.

In 1923, the department purchased its first new fire truck for $2,000. Today, one costs roughly $500,000. Records first mention a purchase of safety equipment in 1935, with “masks,

boots, and coats” listed on a line including other gear like “hose, nozzles, and tools” — all totaling $3,000. Today, it costs approximately $12,000 to outfit one firefighter with the appropriate equipment.

For an all-volunteer organization providing a free service, these considerations prove something as true today as it was a century ago: It has always depended on people. The ones who climb aboard trucks and rush to wherever others need them most, and the ones who provide the support to equip them to do so.

President Craig Baily said, “People in the Carmichaels area really support this fire department. I can’t emphasize that enough. We can’t do it without the people who come to bingo every week… to every gun bash…” Regarding fundraising, he said, “We’ve tried just about every possible way, and the people always support us.”

Higgins also spoke of the relationship between the fire company and residents. “In addition to saving property and lives,” he said, “even the building itself is a major part of the community.” For instance, today’s fully generator-powered facility serves as a public warming and cooling station during extreme weather. For 100 years, the company has always opened a space to the public. From the earliest boxing matches and dances to 68-years of the King Coal Association’s iconic Coal Show, to decades of weddings and other cherished personal events, Carmichaels Fire Hall has proven a gracious host.

This year, one very special celebration will honor its own very special milestone: 100 years! With plans underway for an open house event, the department encourages residents to follow its Facebook page for details and updates.

“We’re pretty proud of the first 100 years,” said Mike Riggen, “and we just want to keep the thing going.”

Respect for the past. Faithful stewardship of the present. Proactive dedication to securing a future. Maybe Carmichaels has discovered the secret to building something that lasts.

Members of the Carmichaels-Cumberland Township VFC gather in a picture to commemorate their 100th anniversary.

An early fire truck for the volunteer fire company.

Getting to Know The Greaser

They say that the greatness of a community is measured by the actions of the members of said community. One man who has put forth the effort to make Waynesburg a great community is Doug Wilson. Wilson has been a part of the community since he went to Waynesburg College in the early 1990s. After he graduated from Waynesburg with a degree in English he never looked back.

After graduating in 1992, Wilson started at local radio station WANB. “Initially I was hired to only do the Oldies Show,” Wilson said. “After graduating, I sent out resumes to specifically oldies stations and didn’t hear from any of them, so I threw out a broader net and reached out to WANB, and as luck would have it, the last one who had been the host of the show was let go and they were looking for a new host.”

Wilson just celebrated 30 years as the host of the show, so it is fair to say that it was a good fit. Wilson also assumed the role as an evening host only a few weeks after getting hired, which eventually turned into the morning show he has today. The oldies show is the one that he has been with since the beginning, and he has a fantastic time with it. “One of the things I really like is at 10 every night I play a song from what I call the vinyl vault and I actually play a song from a record and for me that’s pretty cool.”

Wilson later worked all the way up to operations manager for WANB and has been in that position for several years.

In the mid-2000s, Wilson took on another opportunity by teaching at Waynesburg University. He initially started teaching a radio course for one singular semester in the fall for a professor on sabbatical. After not teaching in the spring, he was offered an opportunity to teach again. “At first it was one course for one semester and then over the summer they reached out about teaching another course and I thought, ‘I had fun, yeah, I’ll do it,’ and I’ve been teaching ever since.”

Outside of his journey in radio and the different places it has taken him, Wilson is also a big history buff. He vividly remembers being in fifth grade on family vacation and asking to learn more about history. “It got to the point that on vacation we would be traveling, and I would make my parents stop at landmarks and take photographs.” During high school, he thought about getting involved in reenacting, but other activities prevented him from that. So, it was later in life that Doug and some of his friends decided to start their own re-enacting unit. They started the 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers Company A Greene County Rifles Unit, and today Wilson is one

of the commanding officers. Sergeant Major Wilson tries to make it to as many events as he can because he believes that every event is important. “We actually have events lined up from the end of April, through May and then through the first part of June for every single weekend.”

Wilson has become very well known for his attendance and contributions to many local events, and he is often called upon as a host for various events in Greene County. If you go to any kind of an event in the county, there is a good chance you will find Wilson there in some capacity. Wilson has done remote broadcasts for the radio at the Greene County Fair and has been the Master of Ceremonies at Rain Day for several years and will be again this year. “I have had the honor of being the Master of Ceremonies for the last several years and they have invited me to come back again this year and I’m really looking forward to being a part of that as it’s a very special event.”

Another annual event that Wilson is highly involved with is the 50’s Fest & Car Cruise in Waynesburg. “Crazy Dougie Wilson” can be found on the courthouse steps for that occasion, covering tunes from another era gone by while spectators stroll along and check out the classic cars that line the streets.

While most people know all about Wilson’s community involvement and WANB, many probably don’t know that Wilson himself has made music! After playing in some bands and being an amateur songwriter at a younger age, later in life he wanted to try out making a song. “I didn’t want to look back on it and be like, ‘I wish I would have gone into the recording studio.’ So, in my senior year of college I wrote out some lyrics and sent out cassette tapes to independent record labels.” MFN Agency, a record label in Texas reached out, and one of the labels they owned called Pristine Records were the only ones to write back on the demo. They got two songs recorded and put out on an actual record. The two songs were called “Bad Boy Blues” and “Take a Chance”. The song, “Bad Boy Blues” actually charted in the top ten on a station in Belgium. “It was a lot of fun to do and every once in a while I’ll go on eBay and I’ll type in Doug Wilson Bad Boy Blues and every once in a while someone’s got a copy of it for sale.”

Doug Wilson grew up as a literal “son of a preacher man,”

By Alex Hughes

and his life has been centered on family, love, and music. He and his wife, Amy, who may also be known to WANB morning show listeners as “She who must be obeyed,” have raised their family in Greene County, and they are both respected and admired by friends, family, and neighbors. In a time when people oftentimes will say how busy they are as an excuse, Wilson manages to find the balance in life. Not only is he the operations manager, morning host, and host of the oldies show for WANB, he teaches five days a week at Waynesburg University, he is on the board for First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County, he is a Civil War reenactor, an active member of his church, he is a husband, father, and grandfather, and involved with countless events in the county. For Doug Wilson, being busy is just another day and never just an excuse.

Hammering it out at the annual W.A. Young and Sons Foundry & Machine Shop Hammer-In

Visitors got a chance to travel back in time at the W.A Young and Sons Foundry & Machine Shop at the annual Hammer-In Festival along Water Street in Rices Landing on Saturday, April 15.

That morning the Foundry’s doors were opened to the public, the machines turned on, and area blacksmiths began demonstrations showcasing how the shop’s machines function, blacksmithing processes, and more. Members from the Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmiths Association (PAABA) and the Appalachian Blacksmiths Association (ABA) led the demonstrations and auctioned off their artworks to support the Machine Shop, PAABA, and ABA. An audience favorite, an aluminum pour was held in the afternoon. In previous years, aluminum or brass pours were completed during the event.

For over 30 years, the Foundry has welcomed visitors on the third Saturday of April to lift the curtain and peer back into the history of early industry in Greene County. The foundry sits as it did the day it closed, with tools and newspapers still sitting as they were left. It is the only surviving example of the industrial evolution from local blacksmith to mass production machining. The hardware store, located on the upper floor, is a step back in time, its shelves lined with stock and its desk complete with typewriter. Downstairs, the original coke oven remains, with unused coke piled nearby.

The shop’s initial commerce came from steamboat repairs and nearby coal mines. William A. Young opened the machine shop in 1900, added the foundry in 1908, and then electric in 1928. An elaborate system of belts and pulleys throughout the shop runs over 20 pieces of machinery, each independent and fully operational.

After closing in 1965, the foundry sat neglected for twenty years, when it was purchased by the Greene County Historical Society. After repairs, it was opened to the public, and the foundry was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. In 2009, the non-profit Rivers of Steel acquired the foundry and extensive repairs were completed. In 2017, the shop was designated a National Historic Landmark. The foundry is just a small part of Rices Landing’s rich history.

If you missed the Hammer-In this year, you can get a taste of it every Sunday when the shop is open for tours. The one-hour tours cost $10. FMI or to make tour reservations, visit riversofsteel.org.

Take a Trip to Rices Landing!

If you’re making a visit to Rices Landing to visit the Foundry, plan to make a whole Sunday day trip, and check out these places on your trip.

On your way into town, stop by Lindaz Little Bakery for some delicious baked goods and the newly-opened Rices Landing Coffee Co. for a hot coffee.

After your guided tour, head out for a walk on the Greene River Trail or enjoy a picnic lunch and hike in Pumpkin Run Park. Nearby, Pumpkin Run Park has fields, pavilions and picnic tables, and a peaceful stream. The Greene River Trail, passing through Rices Landing on its way to Millsboro to the north and Carmichaels to the south, offers a smooth surface for hiking and biking, with informative displays and artwork along the way. Each of these trails and parks have an abundance of wildflowers and wildlife, so bring some binoculars!

On your way to the Greene River Trailhead, enjoy your drive or walk through the Rices Landing Historic District, which includes the old brick jail built in the 1850s, the 1873 Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rices Landing National Bank building, the remains of the Monongahela River Lock Number 6, Dilworth Mine remnants, railroad bridge and tunnel, and other residential and non-residential buildings. The Borough Building, one of the two buildings remaining from the Lock, also houses a museum (by appointment only).

If you’re looking for lunch afterwards, head back into the Dry Tavern area for barbecue at Big Er’s BBQ or Chinese at the Golden Dragon.

Photo courtesy W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop Facebook.

Celebrating Spring in Greene

As the days grow longer and the dormant plants ripen from warm sunshine and plentiful rain, Greene County’s rolling fields and forests are blooming with color. Most of it is green, but the rest of the rainbow can be found in the variety of plants and wildflowers found in southwestern Pennsylvania.

A sure sign of spring each year are the Eastern Redbuds blooming along Route 21 as you’re entering or leaving Waynesburg from the east. This harbinger of spring blooms in a profusion of delicate pink blossoms, with leaves that emerge a reddish color before turning dark green. Anyone driving

along this stretch of road during spring is always in for a beautiful sight. (See sidebar for more about the Eastern redbud.)

The area’s trails – such as the Greene River Trail and the Warrior Trail – take you through scenic countryside. The State Game Lands and Ryerson Station State Park also offer ample opportunities for wildlife and wildflowers. And our country roads are a great way to get out of the house and explore, with wildflowers becoming their own roadside attractions.

For those interested in a wildflower walk with knowledgeable guides, both the Enlow Fork Wildflower Walk and the Mason-Dixon Historical Park Wildflower Walk are exactly what you need.

First up this year is the Mason-Dixon Historical Park’s Wildflower Walk. The park’s free Wildflower Walk will begin at 1:15pm on April 29 in the parking lot next to the Red Barn. In case of inclement weather, the walk will be canceled. If you can’t make it to the guided walk, the park’s trails – especially the Bluebell Trail – can be enjoyed any day of the year. Find the Mason-Dixon Historical Park on Facebook for updates and information on other events throughout the year.

Next, the Enlow Fork Wildflower Walk is held at Enlow Fork Natural Area, part of State Game Lands 302. The event brings large groups of birdwatchers and wildflower enthusiasts.

This year’s walk will be held on Sunday, April 30. The bird hike starts around approximately 8am and the first guided wildflower walk starts at approximately 10am. Guests can take independent, non-guided walks at any point during the day. The trail follows a closed dirt road, making it an easy hike. Along the way, you’ll pass two iron bridges along the nearby stream.

The trail is located at the end of Smoky Row Lane which is in State Game Lands 302; GPS coordinates are 39.961076, -80.462700. There is on-site parking and access to the trail is located at the end of the parking area. FMI, visit https://enlowfork.tripod.com.

Along your walks, you’ll see an abundance of local wildflowers, including wild geranium, red and white trillium, Virginia bluebells, blue-eyed Marys, Solomon’s seal, false Solomon’s seal, bluets, violets, phlox, Sessile bellwort, and Larkspur.

The Eastern redbud, or Cercis canadensis, is a small deciduous tree that grows from southern Canada to northern Florida, with some varieties reaching all the way west to California; various varieties of the tree grow in almost all of the continental United States, only avoiding the coldest and hottest climates.

Known as the “harbinger of spring” it is one of the first trees to bloom each spring, with flowers blooming between march and April. The showy, delicate flowers are a rosy pink with a tinge of purple. The flowers last two to three weeks and, by mid-summer, are replaced with seed pods (legumes). Both the flowers and legumes are edible!

The broad, heart-shaped leaves are approximately three to five inches high and wide. Giving the tree its name, the leaves emerge a reddish color, eventually turning green, then dark green, and eventually yellowish in the autumn. The trees typically grow 20 to 30 feet tall and have a short trunk and spreading branches.

If you’d like to include redbud in your home landscaping for early spring color, there are both wild and cultivated varieties available. Alba and Royal White produce white flowers, Appalachian Red has bright pink flowers, and Flame produces double rose pink flowers, among others. Other varieties have differences in leaf color. Eastern redbud grows best in full sun for the best blooms, but can grow in partial shade, and does best in moist, well-drained soil. Regular watering is beneficial and pruning while the tree is young helps with structure; pruning a mature tree is not generally necessary. Eastern redbud has few insect pests and is not favored by deer but is vulnerable to some diseases.

Not only is the tree a beauty in most seasons, it has other useful properties. The buds, flowers, and legumes are edible, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Green branches can be used to season small game. The roots and bark of the Eastern redbud were used for medicinal purposes in the past.

orioles, and even some Midwestern and Carolinian species of birds.

For the birdwatchers, commonly seen birds include robins, warblers, sandpipers, ducks, vireos,

If you’re looking for something less beautiful to the eyes, but delicious to the stomach, look no further than the Ap-

Head over to Mason-Dixon Historical Park and check out their stunning Bluebell flowers. Courtesy Mason-Dixon Historical Park Facebook.

The Mason-Dixon Historical Park has trails, a spring wildflower walk & ramp dinner, and many more activities. Photo courtesy Mason-Dixon Historical Park Facebook.

palachian specialty – ramps. Ramps (Allium tricoccum) are a delicacy available only for a short time each spring, around late March and early April. These one or two leafed plants are one of the earliest wild edibles to emerge each spring, making them staples in early spring Appalachian diets. Their arrival meant that the long winter had finally ended. Harvesting the ramps grew into a celebration of cooking and music, a tradition still held today in various ramp festivals across the eastern United States.

Ramps unique flavor - stronger than the mild onion flavor of a leek and more garlicky than a scallion – make them a delicious additive to many dishes. They are a foraging favorite in the area.

If you’re not into foraging, you can get your fill of ramps at the Mason-Dixon Historical Park’s Ramp Dinner, held the same day as their Wildflower Walk. From 9am to 2pm, they’ll be serving up the finest ramp dinner the Appalachians have to offer. The dinner, held at the Red Barn, will include ramps, fried potatoes, soup beans, ham, salad, chicken ‘n noodles, sausage gravy, biscuits, applesauce, corn bread, deviled eggs, picked eggs and cakes. An adult meal is $12, age 6-12 is $5, and age 5 and under are free with adult.

Another sign that spring has sprung in Greene County is Opening Day at the Greene County Historical Society museum. Opening day this year is April 29 - the same day as the Mason-Dixon Historical Park’s Ramp Dinner & Wildflower Walk. Reenactors will be leading presentations and demonstrations, concessions from the historic brick-oven will be available, and attendees can visit the museum to see what’s new for the season and revisit their favorite displays of the past.

If it’s just about getting outdoors and enjoying them - either to marvel at the variety of wildflowers, catch glimpses of avian wildlife, or even to forage for your own local edibles, Greene has many areas to enjoy, some public and some private. Remember while out admiring the flowers or foraging for edible delights this spring to be mindful of where you walk, and don’t pick the wildflowers, ramps, fiddleheads, or morels along the trails and on private property without permission.

Other local foraging favorites include fiddlehead ferns and morels. Fiddleheads are a popular spring ingredient in spring salads or alone sauteed or roasted. A fiddlehead is not any particular type of fern. It refers to young ferns, still coiled. While there are many types of fiddleheads in the wild, not all of them are edible. Foragers must be very careful in only harvesting edible fiddleheads; if you’re inexperienced in foraging for the correct ones, forage with someone more experienced.

The morel has nutty or meaty flavor and generally emerges after ramps and fiddleheads, between mid-April and mid-May. During the early part of morel season, look for them on south-facing hillsides; attempt north-facing slopes in May.

The common morel (Morchella esculenta) is about 4-8 inches tall and 2.5 inches wide. They can be found in chalky soil under living trees and have a yellow/brown cap, brown gills, white spores, and white/cream stem. Cut

the morels close to the ground with a sharp knife. A mesh sack is recommended for foraging; the mesh allows the morel’s spores to release back into the wild, making it more likely you’ll find morels in that spot again later.

Other popular edible mushrooms in Pennsylvania are field mushrooms (Agaricus campestris), chanterelles (Cantharellus cibarius), winter oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus), and chicken of the woods (Laetiporus sulphureus). If you’re unsure about foraging locations or uncertain of your identification skills, many types of edible mushrooms, fiddleheads, and ramps can be cultivated at home.

This last weekend in April is a great way to reconnect with what makes our little corner of southwestern Pennsylvania so special: history and nature. Grab a ramp breakfast, take a wildflower walk, and support our local historical society while enjoying the beauty of a Greene County spring.

Life’s a Garden with the Town & Country Garden Club

In October 1951, a group of 12 women came together and organized the Town & Country Garden Club. Today, the club is still going strong and making a difference in the Greene County community. With several community service projects throughout the community and local fundraising events, they uphold their club theme: “Learn. Grow. Together.”

“We are a small club, with membership carrying from around 12 to 24 members,” said Kay Bair, former president and current member. “Our objectives are to stimulate love and knowledge of gardening, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, and birds, and to encourage civic planting in Rices Landing and the surrounding area.”

While they organized the club in 1951, they took the next step the following year, when they became a part of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania (GCFP). By becoming a member of the GCFP, the Town & Country Garden Club would join a network of over 4,700 Garden Club members across the state of Pennsylvania. Membership also provides the club several opportunities, including being invited to the annual state convention, which was held this year in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Through the GCFP, the club is also a member of National Garden Clubs Inc. (NGC), which is the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world.

“By being a member of National Gardening Clubs Inc, our members have the opportunity to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the NGC,” said Bair. “They have different classes in Landscape Design, Flower Show School, and Gardening School among others. These courses are taught by instructors from the NGC or instructors who are approved by the NGC and are experts in their fields.”

By Zack Zeigler

At the local level, the Town & Country Garden Club has several projects throughout the local area. They help to maintain plantings at the Rices Landing traffic circle, “Plant it Pink” garden at the Cornerstone Care Clinic in Greensboro, the flower bed at the entrance of the Flenniken Memorial Library, and the flower bed in the Carmichaels town square. Along with these projects, they also offer a yearly $1,000 scholarship to assist students pursuing a career in the fields of ecology, conservation, landscape design, environmental studies, floriculture, or any field of conservation. Since 1990, they have awarded 32 scholarships to students in the local schools of Greene County. Kevin Willis was the first recipient of the award in 1991 and he continues that tradition by helping his students at Carmichaels Area High School continue studies in environmental exhibitions.

Besides the scholarship and different projects in the local area, the club plays a big role in producing flower shows. Since 2004, the club has produced seven different flower shows, with the latest being “Beauty in Nature”, an NGC Horticulture Specialty Flower Show in 2022. The Flenniken Public Library in Carmichaels hosted the event, and it was one of the many ways the club tries to connect with the community. This July, the club members will visit flower shows of neighboring garden clubs in Washington and Greene County.

The Town & Country Garden Club holds ten meetings per year on the third Thursday of the month at the Hewitt Presbyterian Church, 1206 Crucible Road, Rices Landing, PA, at 6 PM. New members are always welcome, so look for flyers at local businesses with information about their upcoming meetings. You can also find the club on Facebook at Town & Country Garden Club.

The 2023 officers of the Town & Country Garden Club, L-R: Tami Burnworth, President; Linda Shefcheck, Vice President; Kay Bair, Treasurer; Dottie Doman, Secretary; Kas Maddich, Corresponding Secretary.

A rts In the Community

Bowlby Library Hosts First Miniature Painting Show for All Ages

WU Faculty Publishes 3rd Poetry Manuscript

Dr. Robert Randolph, professor of English at Waynesburg University, recently published his third full-length poetry manuscript, “Broken.”

“Broken” features the poetic voice of an old man who feels “broken into prayer by God’s presence,” with each poem representing “the shards of that breakage.”

Dr. Randolph’s first full-length poetry manuscript, “Floating Girl (Angel of War),” was published in 2006 and his second, “The Appalachian Archive,” was published in 2021. Prior to publication, all three works gained recognition in their earlier forms.

“‘Floating Girl (Angel of War)’ was the editor’s choice from Elixir Press in a national competition,” said Dr. Randolph. “‘The Appalachian Archive’ was a finalist in the Fernanto Rielo World Prize for Mystical Poetry, from Madrid, Spain. Sixteen years ago, it was one of 13 finalists from entries coming from many countries. ‘Broken’ was also a finalist, two years ago, in the Rielo Prize, this time one of 10 finalists.”

No Third Place

Eva K. Bowlby Library held a Tiny Art Show at the library during the month of March. The small masterpieces were on display until mid-April. Competitors were supplied with a canvas and supplies, but could use their own paints/multimedia. Four age groups competed: 6-8 years, 9-12 years, 13-17 years and Adult (18 years & up). A first, second, and third place winner was chosen for each category. Age 6-8 winners: 1st - Kylo Nyland, 2nd - Landon Harris, & 3rd - Grace Miller. Age 9-12 winners: 1st - Julianna Kirsch, 2nd - Aubrey Morris, & 3rd - Palmer Bailey. Age 13-17: 1st - Emalene Gifford, 2nd - JJ Martinez. Adult: 1st - Angie Brandon, 2nd - Danielle Nyland, & 3rd - Lainey Duncan.

WU Fine Arts Hosts Student Art Exhibition

The Waynesburg University Department of Fine Arts hosted a gallery student show in the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery. The opening reception was held April 17 from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

“This show [featured] work made by University students currently enrolled in visual arts classes,” Emily Wiedner, associate professor of fine arts, said. “These classes are Ceramics, Jewelry and Metals, Watercolor, Drawing, Art in Elementary School and Digital Art.”

This annual exhibition presents an opportunity for both the students who made the pieces and the students coming to see them.

“This show provides a full-circle experience for students on what it feels like to be an artist, from the making of the work to exhibiting it,” Wiedner said. “It’s also an opportunity to share with the rest of campus what our students have been working on all semester.”

The student art show ran from Monday, April 17, through Friday, April 28.

Each manuscript is connected to its own story. Through the prose, “Floating Girl (Angel of War)” expresses anger surrounding the effects of war on children, while “The Appalachian Archive” and “Broken” embody a sense of awe.

In “Broken,” that sense of awe is illustrated through the old man’s poems written to God.

“That is the inspiration—feeling God’s presence, being moved to awe and responding in words,” explained Dr. Randolph on what inspired him to write his most recent published book. “The poems are written, let’s say, from inside the poet’s heart and everyday experiences, to God.”

For those interested in pursuing a degree in creative writing and publishing their own written works, Dr. Randolph suggests becoming immersed in the craft through reading and writing.

“I would advise anyone interested in creative writing to write and write more, not to stop, and to read and read more,” added Dr. Randolph. “It is ok to write from the heart. It is also ok to learn from other writers about the craft.”

In addition to publishing three poetry manuscripts, Dr. Randolph’s work has been published in nearly 40 journals worldwide throughout his academic career. He was a Fulbright Teaching Scholar in both Finland and Greece. For over 12 years, he was also a Commissioned Ruling Elder for the Greensboro Presbyterian Church.

DAVE FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY

RUSSO

ROUND 1

DA Russo comes out with 19+ years of trial experience, over 40 superior court appellate cases and has successfully argued in front of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Plus 4 years as the current Greene County District Attorney, implemented Greene County Major Crimes division and had the largest drug bust in Greene County history. Vanata enters as an assistant in the District Attorney's office under the prior administration, who stockpiled drugs and paraphernalia in the office and cut sweetheart deals for sex offenders of child victims .

ROUND 1- GOES TO DA RUSSO!

ROUND 2

Mrs. Vanata begins with changing her lifelong liberal democratic party status in January 2023, from democrat to republican just days prior to filing her petition as a District Attorney candidate, Republican In Name Only!

DA Russo has been a Lifelong Conservative Republican, clearly supports Republican values and positions inside and outside the office and has put those values and policies to practice by fighting county corruption and the county drug problem.

ROUND 2- GOES TO DA RUSSO!

ROUND 3

District Attorney Russo developed and maintained working relationships and support for law enforcement, is an active and contributing member of the Pennsylvania District Attorney's Association and has changed the prior administrations policies to protect the people and the children of Greene County!

RUSSO DAVE RE-ELECT FOR DISTRICT ATTORNEY

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Summer Marketplace Supports Greene County Small Businesses

By Alex Hughes

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Anew event is coming to Waynesburg at the Greene County Fairgrounds this spring, summer, and autumn: the Greene County Marketplace. Starting May 20, the Greene County Marketplace will run from late spring into summer and through the month of October. It will be open every Saturday from 9am until 1pm.

Looking for a place to get some fresh produce? Or maybe a bite to eat? Or just something handcrafted locally with love? The Greene County Marketplace will be a good place to visit. Like a farmers’ market, the marketplace will offer different things for sale from a variety of local businesses. While their key target is vendors selling produce, plants, and other foods and beverages, the marketplace hopes to attract many different vendors. Other vendors are wanted selling crafts, flowers, and bath & body products as well. There will be vendors selling ready-made food for purchase with some flea market vendors as well, so it is not just a place for produce and things alike. It’s an entire market of homemade and handmade goods.

The mission of the Greene County Marketplace is to provide educational and growth opportunities for prospective, new, and current small business owners through the weekly market. The focus for them is to make this a place for Greene County products to be sold. With that in mind, people selling their products made in Greene County will get priority

for vendor spots. For everyone else looking to get a spot to sell their goods, it will be on a first come first serve basis.

The Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful annual Farmers’ Market starts in May as well (May 17) and will continue weekly on Wednesdays until mid-October in downtown Waynesburg. The new market has some similarities to that established farmers’ market, and it runs at similar months, but it is not meant to be a competition. Instead of competing against each other, the two are hoping to work together to make each other better and support both one another and local businesses.

If you have any questions, are interested in being a vendor, or are looking for more information for the Greene County Marketplace, contact the market manager at greenecountymarketplace@gmail.com. The market hopes to give people who want to sell the goods that they make or produce an opportunity to get their items out to the public and be able to sell it to a wider selection of customers.

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Retired Ambulance Gets New Life

Alocal ambulance is getting a new life as a teaching tool to train the next generation of EMTs.

Rices Landing Volunteer Fire Department donated an ambulance to the EMT program at the Greene County Career & Technology Center to help build an EMT training program in Greene County.

“We want to continue to have the opportunity to grow for a job that’s in high need and high demand, not just in GREENE County, but basically nationwide,” Dan Halliday, an instructor of emergency protective services at Greene County CTC, said.

For Bill Kozich, chief at Rices Landing VFD, it is a way to give back to the community.

“We knew that the center was going to start an EMT program at the same time, we were actually waiting for the arrival of our new ambulance,” Kozich said. “A bunch of us got together and thought it would be good to take the ambulance, which we probably not going to get a whole lot of money on if we traded it in, and it would probably be more beneficial for the community to get the program off the ground.”

There are 34 students in the current EMT program at Greene County CTC, and Halliday said that there will be even more next year.

“I don’t know what the cutoff is, but I do know we are we have a full roster for next year,” Halliday said.

The ambulance will help train students to provide emergency care in a small, moving, enclosed space.

“Having a mobile ambulance, we can

By Micah Leith

actually be on the move while they practice taking things like vitals or performing CPR on the CPR dummy in the back of an ambulance,” Halliday said. “Having an ambulance available means we can offer to our seniors that are 18 and that have a driver’s license an emergency vehicle operations class. So they can actually get certified in the ability to drive an ambulance also. That’s a little bit of an additional thing from our regular curriculum, but that’s in the works to establish hopefully by next year.”

Kozich hopes that the donation of the ambulance can help boost community interest in emergency services in Greene County.

“We have got some people interested in it now and they can train here in Greene County, get their training and everything done here, so they don’t have to go out of the county,” Kozich said.

Volunteering and donating time is important to Kozich.

“Whether it’s fire, whether its EMS, whether it’s the church, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, if everybody would hopefully give back a little bit, you know, and maybe by us giving or inspire somebody else to give up some of their time to help,” Kozich said.

A strength that the program at Greene County CTC carries is the local nature. Halliday said that people who leave the county to get certified tend to get hired where they get taught.

“This will be the big change because we have nine students graduating for the national registry this year. So once they have an EMT license and they graduate, we’ll see if they do stay. Hopefully, they stay,” Halladay said.

Pictured L-R: Dan Halliday - CTC instructor, Tom Teegarden - Ambulance Commander, Brandon Kozich - Vice President/Captain, Mark Krupa - CTC Principal, Bill Kozich - Fire Chief, Richie Policz - Greene County EMA Director.