August 2022 GreeneScene Magazine by GreeneScene Community Magazine / Direct Results

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

FEATURES 4

I LOVE THIS PLACE

GREENESCENE OF THE PAST

COUNTY CONVERSATIONS

SHINING THE LIGHT

COOL AT SCHOOL

PUBLIC SERVICE PROFILE

GREENE ARTIFACTS

GOING GREENE

GOOD NEWS IN GREENE

MESSAGE BOARD

HOMETOWN HERITAGE

Finding Budapest

St. Nicolas Greek Catholic Church Texting 911

Making church a place for kids J-M is training leaders

Center for Coalfield Justice Poor Farm Cookbook

Almost forgotten at the County Home cemetery Awards & acknowledgements within our community Community announcements and opportunities Current and vintage local sports highlights

EXTRAS

KEEPING OUR PETS SAFE

GREENE GARDENS

ANGLERS’ SHOWCASE

AUTO CRUISE IN

GCART proved workshops for Greene County Growing Tomatoes

Take a peek at our readers’ great catches! Check out these awesome rides submitted by our readers!

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

I Love this P l a ce

FINDING BUDAPEST

By Colleen Nelson

Each fall, Civil War reenactors, vendors, and more will gather for the Covered Bridge Festival.

Passing along Bald Hill on the way to finding Budapest.

y inspiration to take this road trip through the southeastern corner of Greene County came when my friend Juliann Wozniak asked me “Hey, have you ever written about Budapest?” Where the heck is Budapest? In Newtown, right outside of Bobtown. And when you get there, be sure to stop at Jimmie’s Place. You might find an old timer to talk to about Budapest at Jimmie’s Place. How could I resist? This part of the county has layers of real life history, written as remembered by families or told by neighbors, that doesn’t show up in history books or on maps. To get to Budapest I would have to cross the Warrior Trail, which has its own tales to tell. The 5000 year old indigenous pathway goes from Greensboro on the Monongahela River, following the ridges that separate Whitley Creek from Dunkard Creek and beyond to the Ohio River. Two famous ambushes and murders happened near its vantage points above those first settlements in the late 1700s – one near Garard’s Fort, the other somewhere “between Keener’s Knob and the ridge between Whitely and Dunkard Creek ...about two miles east of Garards Fort and one mile south of Willow Tree.” Descendants of the Spicer family recalled these details and wrote them down in 1889 after a family reunion in Davistown and copy is on file at Cornerstone Genealogical Society in Waynesburg. Willow Tree is on the Greene County map but I had to check the older map from 2003 to find Davistown. Was

anything or anybody still there? The spot “one mile south of Willow Tree” had no roads near it, so I decided to find Davistown on my way to Newtown and then to Budapest and Jimmie’s Place and hopefully find an old timer to talk to. SR 2011, Garards Fort Road, is a beautiful drive through old farms still in production between the forested slopes. It climbs past Tower Road then drops down into the Whitley Creek valley and State Game Lands 223. The village of Fordyce comes into view as the game lands pause and more century farms show their stuff. Dutch House, once a general store, has been turned into an antique lover’s dream by new owner Savannah Christy. I’m just in time to see her newly restored Model A touring car get ready for its first spin and I stay to admire the ornate wooden doors she just installed on her basement workshop. In a few more miles I turn right on Roberts Run Road and find more history overlapping. The railroad tracks that bring coal from Kirby Mine to Alicia ride high over the White Covered Bridge spanning Whitely Creek. This is where Civil War reenactors fill the air with smoke as they shoot it out in the field during the annual Covered Bridge Festival in September. Once through the bridge, the narrow unpaved road becomes heavily graveled as it climbs past a freshly minted well pad to the high reaches of the Warrior Trail. This part of the trail is still farmed and the view is spectacular. Zavora Shelter is somewhere beyond the fields where the trail leaves the road and crosses private land on

Finding Davistown along the way to Budapest.

its way to Greensboro. Zavora Shelter is one of three campsites that hikers use as they make the three-day trek across the county on the trail that once took first Americans to the flint-rich hills of Ohio. The intersection of Roberts Run and Meadow Run roads has a bird’s eye view of Interstate 79, just south of the welcome center near the state line. Meadow Run drops off the trail in to Dunkard Creek watershed and slips in and out of game lands before merging with Bunner Hill Road. I’m getting close to Davistown, a frontier settlement named after William Davis or a close relative. There are signs this was once a bustling village, with a post office, church and general stores that took turns being the post office. A handsome brick schoolhouse turned community center and grange hall is still there and Davistown Methodist Church (1890-2001) stands stately and forlorn beside a flag bedecked two-story house that was the last location of Davistown Post Office (1849-54, 1855-1980). Bunner Hill Road crosses another intersection on its way to SR. 2021. Each intersection brings together more feeder streams and it’s getting easier to imagine time shifting back to those first settlement days of gristmills as wide, rocky Dunkard Creek ripples into view. SR 2021 follows Dunkard Creek for a mile then climbs Bald Hill to Bobtown. Or should I say Bob’s Town? It depends on which century you’re remembering. When Stephen Mapel came to the area from Middlesex County, NJ in 1788, he named the village that grew on the GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

hill above John Minor’s mill. Later, grandson Robert Mapel built a gristmill and opened a store three miles south and called it Bob’s Town. Bob’s Town flourished during the oil boom days of the 1860s then became a quiet village once more when the rush was over. When J&L Steel bought 1200 acres in and around Bob’s Town in 1914 it was named Bobtown. Shannopin Mine would bring in miners lured by the promise of jobs and the farmland surrounding the company houses on Sand Hill would be reshaped to fit the industrial needs of railroads, coal shafts, coke ovens and tipples. I drive through Bobtown, follow SR 2021 down the steep hill that miners walked to get to work and make a right turn on SR 2011, now Bobtown Road. Newtown is a dot on the map at the edge of Bobtown and the road sign beside the Dollar General tells me I’ve found what I was looking for. The Budapest Road sign stands next to the old store building that noted Pittsburgh coroner Cyril Wecht’s parents operated before its doors closed during the Great Depression and the family moved to McKeesport. I follow Budapest Road to the lazy circle of houses behind Dollar General where old single story houses mingle with newer neighbors. I roll down my window to meet the youngest person in Budapest, two-year old Kennedy Sharratt and her mom Kara. They live in one of the nicely updated houses built in the 1920s when Hungarians came here to live and work in Shannopin Mine. They would be joined by other families from Europe and would learn to speak English together as they worked, played, prayed and built new lives in America. “I’ve lived here four years and don’t know much about the old days but I know this is a miners house because the bathroom is in the basement where they washed up after work,” Kara tells me, catching Kennedy up in her arms and striking a happy pose in front of her porch. “I like it here. It’s a good place to live, especially now that we have a store I can walk to!” Jimmie’s Place is just up the road on SR 2010, aka Holbert Stretch. There I meet new owner, Anna Frock, who saw the historic bar, restaurant and dance hall online while living in California. She tells me she fell in love with its nostalgic charm, bought it on Valentines Day two years ago and has continued the tradition of good food, good bar service and live music in the dance hall that James “Jimmie” Vecchio started in 1923. Sure, she’s heard some of the stories, but I need to call Jimmie’s son Louie. You just missed him. He knows all about Budapest. I take Holbert Stretch as it drops down to Hidden Hollow to catch up with US Route 88 and call Louie when I get home. Cyril Wecht’s family store sold everything, Louie tells me - groceries, clothes and everything else you can imagine to the mining families of Bobtown. J&L owned all the land in town except for two lots and controlled who or what moved in. So businesses sprang up on the outskirts and Newtown was born. When Jimmie Vecchio came to Bobtown to get a job in the mine, “They wouldn’t hire him. He was known as a troublemaker.” Troublemaker? “Yeah he wanted to make unions and nobody would hire him. So he started making and distributing whiskey.” It was the Prohibition years, the law was 20 miles away in Waynesburg, the roads to Bobtown had axel-deep mud and there was a never-ending stream of miners coming off their

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Anna Frock bought Jimmie’s Place two years ago and continued the tradition of good food and good times.

Kara and Kennedy Sharratt live in one of the updated miner’s homes.

Louie Vecchio with a lifesize blow up of his father Jimmie Vecchio and himself at age 6 or 7.

shifts and stopping by. “He opened Jimmies Place in 1923. I took over in 1968. I grew up in that bar. It was my back yard because everything outside was paved parking lot. We lived upstairs.” Louie and wife Becky have just moved into their newly built home in Garards Fort and have one photo to share that isn’t still packed up – a life-size blow up of Louie standing with his dad at age six or seven. Becky takes a photo of Louie standing beside it and sends it to me. Now it’s Anna’s turn, Louie tells me on the phone. Anne has the recipe for Louie’s Sauce for wings and she makes the fish sandwiches and posts the weekly venues on Facebook. People come for the fish sandwiches – and the music. Get the right bands and the place is packed, “You ought to stop by sometime.” Hey! Another road trip!

G reen e Sce n e of the Pa st

he album of Dunkard Township churches on file at Cornerstone Genealogical Society has only this small photograph to show for St. Nicolas Greek Catholic Church in Newtown. Today you can find it across the street from Budapest Road, minus its steeple and cross, resided and repurposed. Very few parishioners are left to remember attending services there, but Juliann Wozniak, who went there as a kid, told me some of the back story that is part of her family history. Maternal grandfather John Rohulick, who came to Bobtown from Eastern Europe and quit the mines to build a store, invited other ethnic Catholics to hold services in an upstairs room. It wouldn’t be long before parishioners built St. Nicolas, with dozens of families in the congregation. Juliann remembers services and picnic lunches Mt. St. Macrina (near Uniontown) on Labor Day weekend to be with Byzantine Catholics from all over the country and

By Colleen Nelson

beyond. Plus, Juliann added with a grin, it was a chance to eat real old school food like halupki and halushki. (Translation: Stuffed cabbage rolls and fried cabbage and noodles.) St. Nicolas was a satellite of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Morgantown, WV and shared a priest. Due to dwindling attendance the church was deconsecrated in 1980 and Juliann thinks the Icons were taken to Mt. St. Macrina. Then the Eparchy – Greek for Diesis - put the building on the market. But Juliann hasn’t lost touch with her ancestral faith - she can still speak Church Slavonic, the medieval protoSlavic language used in the chants and hymns of her childhood and she streams Divine Liturgy services online. Plus, she knows how to make halushki the way her mother Julia and aunt Olga did. “It’s easy. You boil cabbage and noodles then fry them. Even I can do it!”

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

County Conversations 911: CALL IF YOU CAN. TEXT IF YOU CAN’T.

ireless customers across all of southwestern Pennsylvania can send a short message service (SMS) text message to a 9-1-1 operator from a mobile phone or device if there is a situation that does not allow them to call. This allows 9-1-1 access to people with hearing/speech impairments, as well as those in situations where it is unsafe to speak on the phone. When using this option be sure not to send audio recordings, videos, or pictures, as these multimedia files cannot be received by 9-1-1 operators at this time. Non-emergency calls still should be communicated to emergency services through non-emergency phone lines. How to Text 9-1-1 in an Emergency Texting 9-1-1 is easy! Simply send a short, detailed text message of the location of your emergency, your municipality, and the reason for the emergency message to 9-1-1 using this step-by-step guide: • •

•

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

In the “To” field enter the numbers 911 The first text message should contain: • The address/location of the emergency, including municipality (if known). The information from your cell phone is not enough for operators to find you. • The type of help needed (fire, ambulance, police, etc.) Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 operator (You may want to place your phone on silent so not

to alert intruders.) Once you have typed a short but detailed text message with the information listed above, click send. • Use simple words and do not use abbreviations or slang • Do not send photos or videos • Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1 (for example, no group texts) • REMEMBER: Don’t text and drive! As with all text messages, 9-1-1 texts may take longer to be received, may be received out of order, or may not be received at all. Therefore, it may take slightly longer to dispatch emergency services originating from a text. Frequently Asked Questions • Will a deactivated phone be able to text to 9-1-1? No, a text or data plan is required to place a text to 9-1-1. • If my phone service indicates roaming, will Text to 9-1-1 be available? No, Text-to-9-1-1 is not available if you are roaming. • Are all cell phone carriers able to support Text to 9-1-1? While our region has the appropriate technology in place, not all carriers are ready to offer this capability. • What if Text to 9-1-1 is not available? You will receive a “bounce back” message telling you that this service is not available in your area and to contact 9-1-1 by other means. •

aking church real for kids is the challenge of any church wishing to keep its young flock in the fold. This month, a couple of pastors and their congregations get a shout out for doing just that. When Mapletown United Methodist Church was destroyed by fire July 4, 2020, its kid-friendly congregation had to scramble amid COVID-19 to find a new place to gather. Pastor Lanfer Simpson and his flock were invited to use the old Catholic Church building in Greensboro, now owned by the Greensboro Fire Department until the new church was built, God willing. There would be obstacles to overcome. Pandemic delays affected construction costs as building plans were slowly worked out. Finally, on June 24 the congregation hosted a groundbreaking ceremony that any kid could dig. Clutching shovels and wearing fluorescent safety vests and plastic hard hats, the crew of Vacation Bible School workers from toddlers to pre-teens from the church and around the neighborhood took turns chopping their way through the grassy lawn where the new church will rise up - a testimony to the faith that has been with these farm families since the 1700s when Methodism came here with the first settlers and those first settlers built their first churches. Just like the bible teaches, Moses and his people built the Tabernacle, King Solomon and his people built the temple and faithful people rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Now these kids were learning by hands on experience that it’s up to real people like themselves, no matter how young, to listen to God, then do the work. This year, “we made up our own theme for VBS and called it Building the Faith,” VBS volunteer Amanda Adkins said. Along with talking about King Solomon, Moses and Je-

By Colleen Nelson rusalem’s wall, they made stepping-stones to be part of the new church and ate snacks that reinforced the theme and their growing bodies. Now they were holding their shovels, surrounded by parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends, laughing, jostling and striking poses for photographs on a bright sunny day that seemed to last forever. Pastor Lanmer Simpson, smiling and joking, lined them up and cheered them on, along with the crowd, as their shovels made short work of the lawn. These happy moments are what unforgettable childhood memories are made of. You can hold a family - or a flock - together with memories like these. Pastor Monica Calvert has her own way of reminding her young parishioners that church is a family they can return to as they fledge into the world of going to work, to college or whatever path they might choose to follow. On July 10, churchgoers in her charge – Valley Chapel in Brock and Kent’s Chapel in Brave, gathered at Spraggs United Methodist Church for an outdoor celebration of their combined high school graduates. Pastor Calvert’s “we’re always here for you” gift was a customized bible with the name of its new owner embossed on it. Along with the bible was the coming-of-age ceremony of being praised from the pulpit, applauded and hugged by fellow churchgoers and proud family members with plenty of hymns, warm wishes and prayers for their new lives going forward. Their future plans were read aloud: Wyatt Goforth is training in Computer IT and looking for a job, Brendan Miller and Cody Ackley are working for ShalePro, Paige Redman will study nursing at Waynesburg University, Jasmine Rowan will go to WU

for biology and pre-med, Ruthie Simms will study pre-med at WVU and Dakota Walls is now a working mechanic. Then a group photo with Pastor Calvert under the old oak tree beside the stream that borders the churchyard, with each smiling grad holding a very special bible that reminds them: “There’s no place like home.”

Masontown, PA 724-583-2680 724-583-2685 The crew of Vacation Bible School helped with the groundbreaking for Mapletown UM’s new church.

L-R: Wyatt Goforth, Brendan Miller, Pastor Calvert, Paige Redman, Savannah Cumberledge, Jasmine Rowan.

amedisys.com

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

he kids of today are full of great promise as the leaders of tomorrow. Concluding its first year with a community focused class on leadership, Jefferson Morgan High School is becoming known as “the small school with a big heart,” according to Jodi Fulks, leadership teacher. The focus of their leadership class is to bridge the community with the students of the school around activities that have a benefit for everyone. The projects are designed to encourage open mindedness, diversity, and inclusiveness. The class week is organized to guide the students toward meeting their project goals. Each day represents a focus for accomplishing the tasks involved with their projects. Module Mondays include global topics; Team Building Tuesdays are activities to build relationships; Working Wednesday is focused on individual projects that include phone calls, emails and planning; Thirsting for Knowledge Thursday is spent creating resumes, practicing interview skills, acknowledging strengths and weaknesses, and public speaking; Reflection Friday encourages the journal entries about their activities looking at what was done, what could be done, maybe better, and any improvements that are needed. The student’s projects are diverse and emanate the feelings of “the small school

AUGUST 2022

Co o l at Sc h o o l

JEFFERSON-MORGAN SCHOOL DISTRICT with a big heart.” Coupled with both activities during school and outside of school on weekends, the students have sponsored events like Ethnic Food Day, Ducky Derby, Books to Build Family Time, and Project Serenity. Inschool projects like Ethnic Food Day invite the public in to join the students in eating foods and listening to music representing various cultures. Ducky Derby was a race amongst the rubber duckies purchased by the grade school students and joined by the local fire department as part of fire awareness week. A water slide was built and the duckies were released to race as a fundraiser for their school district’s bigger leadership participation endeavor Project Serenity’s “PS You Matter”, an organization created by Anita Mullen. One group of students wanted to provide a book for every elementary student where the family could read together as a family activity. Shipping delays prevented them from handing the books out for Christmas but the books came in shortly after and were provided to the families in January. The biggest project the leadership class participates in supports mental health aware-

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

ness, stressing “It’s okay to not be okay” with the tag “PS You Matter”. The students are tasked with building a serenity space in Mather, PA, that encourages you to reflect, relax and spread the love and awareness for all struggling with issues affecting their mental health and physical wellbeing. They participate in the “Walk for Mullen” a fundraising event designed to support suicide awareness and prevention, and stress gun safety. The walk has personal meaning for those in the school district as it is named in memory of one of their own lost to suicide. The walk raises funds to support those needing help and distributes gun locks donated by the community and collected by the students, as well as a key chain with the “PS You Matter” helpline contact. Every teacher, school worker, bus driver, and student is given a T-shirt to promote awareness around suicide and mental health needs promoting the tag-line “PS You Matter” and listing the number 1-800-417-9460. The leadership class is made

By Rochelle McCracken up of students in grades 9-12. It is both demanding and rewarding, and it requires work and participation on time outside of the classroom. It was told to Jodi that one of her younger students was encouraged to take the class by a parent. When the year was over the skills learned and practiced in this class were noticeable by both the student and parent. Jodi is excited to prepare for this year’s class in its second year of developing the leaders of tomorrow as open minded, inclusive of diversity, and with big hearts to carry out the daily tasks presented before them.

Public Service Profile By Zack Zeigler

CENTER FOR COALFIELD JUSTICE

yerson Station State Park is in Graysville, Pennsylvania and offers hiking trails, parks, and fun for the whole family. However, back in 2005 the lake that ran through the park’s center had to be drained due to the result of mining in the area. The Center for Coalfield Justice (CCJ) knew something had to be done and that same year held a “funeral” for the lake and had a group of 15-20 people talking about what they can do to prevent incidents like this in the future. For 17 years, CCJ has continued this tradition annually with the Dryerson Festival located in the state park. This year’s event was held on Saturday, June 25 and featured activities for the whole family while raising awareness of the mining damage that caused the demise of the lake. “The Dryerson Festival is the longest standing affiliated event for the Center for Coalfield Justice, and we have this festival to make sure that day is never forgotten,” says Center for Coalfield Justice Executive Director Veronica Coptis. “It is one of our big anchor events of the year as we remain invested in making sure that no harm happens to the park. If we don’t apply pressure, Harrisburg tends to forget about it and we want them to remember what happened here.” From that first Dryerson Festival in 2006, the event has undergone several changes and has grown exponentially throughout the years. At first, it was more of an informational and gathering session for 15-20 people but has grown to a more family-friendly event that is open to all visitors of Ryerson Station State Park. They have added more activities for kids and families and are making it more accessible for anyone who wants to come and learn about what happened to Ryerson and Duke Lake and how to engage in the planning to improve the park. This year’s event was the biggest showing yet and Coptis noted how lovely the park is overall. “This year’s event was one of our most well-attended with about 70-80 people coming out,” says Coptis. “We had free music and a fun picnic, and it was a great day for everyone.

Some of these people have been coming to the event as long as I have, and everyone noted how alive the park was. Not just with people at the festival, but people just walking around and enjoying the park. It is a sensation that we haven’t felt in a while, and we are glad to see the park thriving.” The Center for Coalfield Justice began as Tri-State Citizens Mining Network in 1994 and was formed by a coalition of grassroots groups and individuals concerned about the effects coal mining had on communities and the environment. The organization advocated for better protections from longwall coal mining at the state level. Today, they have grown into a larger nonprofit that helps people learn about their rights around mining and oil and gas leases, gain access to democracy, and talk about what they would like to see in terms of economic justice in Greene County. The organization works to protect our health and economy by ensuring that those in power are accountable to the people rather than to CEOs and shareholders. Many of their employees and volunteers live in the area and are here to help residents; they believe that if we all work together, we can have thriving rural communities. Part of the way they do this is by holding events throughout the year to help educate people in fun ways. “For updates on all events you can follow our Facebook page, just search Center for Coalfield Justice, ” says Coptis. “You can also sign up for our mailing list on our website at centerforcoalfieldjustice.org. We only send emails about events to people who live in that area, so we don’t bombard you. You can also sign-up for our text alerts and receive event updates that way.” The next event is their Know Your Rights Training on July 26 at the Graysville Firehall. You can learn more by visiting centerforcoalfieldjustice.org.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

The Carmichaels Pre K students and their teachers, Mrs. Lisa Robinson and Miss Chelsea Ritz, planted tomato seeds for the Carmichaels/Cumberland Township Food Pantry. Also pictured is Terri Cartier (Food Pantry Coordinator) and Food Pantry volunteer, Bernie Coneybear.

WIN a Gift Certificate! Finish the maze below to enter our Touch-ATruck contest! Three winners will be chosen and each receives either a $25 gift card from Scotty’s Pizza or $25 gift certificate to Mon View Roller Rink! Entries must be received by 8/15/22. Mail to GreeneScene Contest, 185 Wade Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370.

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AUGUST 2022

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G ree ne Artifacts By Matthew Cumberledge, GCHS Executive Director

A POOR FARM COOKBOOK

German Potato Salad

whole grain cereals are preferable, but the book warns that it may take patience to achieve popularity for these foods. Tomatoes and fruits were considered very important items for their health benefits, and we know that at the Greene County Home, such items were grown in abundance, and occasionally in excess to be sold at local markets. But above all, the book states that Ingenuity and originality must be practiced in meal preparation to prevent monotony, and to promote good health. Such a book provides a very interesting glimpse into the daily life and routine of an institution such as the County Home and helps us to gain a better understanding of what life may have been like for the folks that lived there. The Greene County Historical Society Museum, housed in the Old County Home has not one, but two, kitchen rooms open for display. A kitchen dating to the 1930s, and an earlier 19th century kitchen with a brick oven. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for updates and events, and we hope to see you soon!

nty Unit Cou ed e n e

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MADE POSSIBLE BY

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his might seem a rather large recipe and it is. This is a recipe from a booklet put out by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1939, to be given to county homes, poor farms, almshouses, and other like institutions as dietary guidance. Though small, this book contains several recipes and lists of items that should be always kept on hand to meet the needs of people living in various types of institutions. Meal plans are also included that show the structure of meals throughout the days and weeks of the cycles at the County Home. For Instance, a typical day would have a breakfast of something like stewed peaches, wheatena cereal, bread and butter, and coffee or milk. Lunch could be boiled pork or beef, sauerkraut or creamed Peas, mashed potatoes, cinnamon buns, and butter. Supper was often light, with items like fried cornmeal mush with syrup, stewed tomatoes, bread and butter, applesauce, and tea or cocoa. It was recommended that residents of the County Home receive meat four to five times a week, and at least once daily for those who were working, but the book notes that meat being the most expensive commodity in the County Home stores, it must be used wisely and be carefully purchased and prepared to not create undue waste. No one, the book states, should fill up on bread, or bread and syrup –

Cook potatoes until done, but still firm. Dice cut bacon into smallpieces, fry with onions. Add vinegar to bacon. Heat, combine all ingredients.

Gr e

15lb. potatoes 1 onion, diced 12 cups diced celery 1/2lb. bacon 1 pt. vinegar 1 tbsp. salt

Day of Service

WWW.GREENECOUNTYUNITEDWAY.ORG/ VIRTUAL-VOLUNTEER-CENTER

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

Keeping Our Pets Safe

nyone who has had the privilege of living with a beloved pet would do anything in their power to keep them safe. The idea that something could happen beyond our control is frightening and many pet owners are unsure of what to do in an emergency. More knowledge and hands-on practice in emergencies create better prepared owners. Learning experiences such as the Lost Animal and Animal CPR Workshop offered in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania provide the perfect opportunity to get both knowledge and experience. The workshop offered classes that taught the audience how to care for their pets in emergency situations and the best methods of searching for lost animals. The classes offered priceless hands-on first aid experience that could save beloved pets. This workshop was a combined effort from Greene CART (County Animal Rescue Team), Teddy Bear Care, Inc. and the Carmichaels and Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Department, where the event was held. Within the workshop there were three classes: Missing Animal Response and Emergencies, Animal CPR/First Aid/Oxygen Administration, and What does a Humane Police Officer Do?

AUGUST 2022

The first class, Missing Animal Response, was about lost animals and how to rescue them. Susan Levy of Somerset CART taught skills in finding and rescuing animals and what type of bait to use to lure them into a humane trap. She uses a technique called LAST (Leads, Attract, Surveil, Trap). The second class, CPR/First Aid, taught first aid for pets such as treating small wounds and full-on CPR. Karen Sable of Westmoreland CART taught animal CPR. She instructed the group on pet oxygen administration, rescue breathing, burns, bleeding, heatstroke, choking, poisoning and much more. The final class, about humane police officers, taught the audience how to get help, depending on the type of animal emergency. Robin Leighty, humane police officer of Greene and Fayette counties, explained the different roles of the dog warden, local police, state police and humane police. Robin advised which officer should be called for issues such as neglect, abuse, breach of Libre Law, aggressive animals and more. Lucille DeFrank, one of the event organizers said, “I would like to thank the Carmichaels and Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Department for providing their amazing community hall and projection equipment

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

free of charge. Also, Greene CART for bringing down our trailer full of animal rescue equipment and supplies for attendees to tour.” Lucille also offered a valuable tip that might save an animal. “When an indoor-only cat escapes, almost all of those cats will be found within a twohouse area around the cat’s home…the cat will be hiding and will almost never come when called even by their owner. The best way to find an escapee is to go out at night and look under, inside, and behind objects around your house and the houses closest to you. Shine a flashlight to see eye reflection. Dogs run and run but cats hide close to home.” This priceless Lost Animal and Animal CPR class was first offered in 2019 and held again in June 2022. To show interest in future Lost Animal and Animal CPR classes you may contact Greene County Animal Rescue Team at cart.greene@gmail.com or Donna Roberts at 724-998-6491.

Susan Levy taught attendees in missing animal response.

Karen Sable instructed the class on animal first aid.

G o in g G re e n e

ucinda Coleman was born in Morgan Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania sometime in the late 1820s or early 1830s. Unfortunately, most records show her with different ages, so it is impossible to determine the exact date she was born. As a child she was known as Cynthia or Cindy and would be called that most of the rest of her life. Cynthia, however, wasn’t always well. She was prone to fits and had a hard time regulating her emotions, and only her parents seemed to have understood her. Cynthia was cared for by and lived with her parents until her father died in 1849. After that, she went on to live with her brother for a few years. From what we have been able to find, her brother wasn’t able to care for her, and he soon moved to Ohio, leaving Cynthia behind, on her own in Morgan Township. It’s difficult to say how hard of a time this was for Cynthia. She doesn’t show up in any records until 1863 when she, and another woman who were both considered insane were brought to the Greene County Almshouse, or the County Home as it was called in later years. Unfortunately, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, mental illness was very poorly understood, and if a person was prone to having fits or was dangerous to themselves or others the only way institutions knew to handle them was to restrain them. By 1871, Cynthia was found nude, being held in a cage at the Almshouse by inspectors from the Pennsylvania Board of Public Charities. Another “insane” woman was being housed in the same ten by ten room with Cynthia in her cage. Unfortunately, her living conditions were not to change. Throughout the rest of the 19th century, inspectors reported Cynthia being held in that cage. Later, it seems that it was only part of the time and that she would only be kept confined at night. Cynthia last appears in the almshouse and census records in 1900, as a woman in her 70s, but there are no written accounts of how she was housed at that time. By the 1910 census she is nowhere to be found. It is likely she died sometime between 1900 and 1910. Research was unable to find a death certificate. Like so many other souls who lived and eventually died in the Greene County Almshouse, Cynthia was buried up on the hill in front of the almshouse, just behind the present site of the Greene County Jail. Hundreds lay forgotten buried beneath the soil of that potter’s field. All the graves but two were unmarked. Catherine Cox, widow of John Cox, and Henry Younkin are the only names that can be read in stone inscriptions up on that hill. But these people wouldn’t be forgotten forever. One person who was especially keen on remembering and memorializing those who lived at died at the Greene County Almshouse was Bill A. Davison. Throughout the early 2000s he spent a great deal of time researching the almshouse ledger, county records and death certificates to find as many names of people buried there as he could. Mr. Davison used dowsing rods and plot maps to locate as many graves as possible, and in coordination with Harry D. Gillispie, then warden of the County Jail, and the County Commissioners, wooden crosses were installed to mark all the graves that could be located. A rededication ceremony was

By Matthew Cumberledge

ALMOST FORGOTTEN held on May 27, 2005, to honor the efforts of Mr. Davison and memorialize the lives of those interred on the hill behind the county jail. Ever since, the maintenance staff and inmates at the County Jail have been keeping the old County Home Cemetery clean and caring for the graves of so many forgotten souls. Forgotten souls such as Jimmy Stewart. Jimmy Stewart became an inmate of the almshouse in the early 1860s, along with his wife and two daughters. The only record outside of the almshouse that can be found for Jimmy is the 1850 census where he was living with the Orndorff family in Franklin Township as a farm laborer. It seems that by the 1890s Jimmy’s daughters had left the almshouse, but he and his wife remained. By 1891 they were both in their 60s. Jimmy must have been very unhappy with his life at the almshouse. He is recorded as having “run off ” several times and in July of 1891, he had had enough. Jimmy left out of the almshouse, and walked up the hill to the cemetery, likely telling others he was off to pick fruit in the orchard. (The cemetery was located within the almshouse orchard.) Instead of picking fruit, Jimmy hanged himself from one of the many trees and said goodbye to his troubles forever, leaving his wife alone at the almshouse. There, Jimmy would hang in that tree for more than a day until July 31, when Coroner Hiram Kent cut him down. Jimmy was taken back to the almshouse for a brief funeral and was then carried back up to the hill to rest for eternity. In 2019, many of the wooden crosses marking the graves up in the cemetery had fallen over, and had begun to rot from exposure to the elements. When the Greene County Jail Warden John Kingston and Head of Maintenance Dave Ziefel reached out to the Greene County Historical Society, we worked out a plan to replace and install new crosses to mark the final resting spots of people like Jimmy Stewart and Cynthia Coleman. George “Bly” Blystone, of the Greene County Historical Society, coordinated with the Pittsburgh Artist Blacksmiths Association (PAABA) and the W. A. Young Machine Shop of Rices Landing, operated by Rivers of Steel, to create new forged metal crosses. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and delayed things. The crosses were eventually fabricated, as pandemic conditions allowed, by the generous efforts of volunteers from The PAABA and the foundry. In May 2022, the Greene County Historical Society was approached by Brad Litman, an employee of People’s Gas, who was looking for a cemetery to repair or clean up as a community outreach project. Dave Jones of the Historical Society and Brad Litman both immediately thought of the County Home Cemetery. On June 24, a beautiful summer morning, nearly 30 volunteers from People’s Gas, and the staff and volunteers from the Greene County Historical Society gathered on the hill to install the metal crosses on the graves of many former residents of the old County Almshouse. It was a solemn experience, with many of the People’s Gas employees asking for and hearing stories of the folks they were there to commemorate. By that afternoon, all the work was finished, and everyone gathered for lunch and to reflect on all the lives that may otherwise have been forgotten, whose mortal remains still lie up on that hill.

It was an amazing partnership between several organizations and the County Jail to make this simple measure of devotion come to fruition. The selflessness that was shown by everyone on that hill that summer morning served as a reminder that what we were doing wasn’t about the credit anyone would receive for it. It was a genuine act of kindness and a sincere desire to remember those who could so easily been forgotten. If anyone is interested in visiting the County Home Cemetery, please be reminded that it is on the grounds of the County Jail, and permission must be given prior to accessing the cemetery. Please respect the security concerns of a faithful county institution that is remarkably committed to preserving the memory and the final resting places of those who died in the County Almshouse.

People’s Gas volunteers and the newly installed metal crosses at the cemetery.

1896 photo of the County Home.

Aerial photo of the County Home Cemetery. GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

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THE POWER OF

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Learn more at WVUMedicine.org/Waynesburg

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The Power of WVU Medicine is a campaign to highlight what truly drives the WVU Medicine brand: Expert healthcare providers, dedicated support staff, and inspiring patients.

WHS Receives 2022 Governor’s Achievement Employer Award

Ralph K. Bell Scholarship Winners

The Ralph K. Bell Bird Club recently held a dinner for their 2022 scholarship winners. Matthew Ankrom received the $1000 scholarship. Matt graduated from Waynesburg Central High School this year and plans to attend Waynesburg University and major in Biblical & Ministry studies. Matthew Ankrom Taylor Burnfield received the $500 scholarfinance. ship. Taylor graduated from Jefferson-Morgan this year and plans to major in business/

Taylor Burnfield

WU Named College of Distinction Again Waynesburg University has been recognized as a 2022-2023 College of Distinction for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed, marking the seventh consecutive year for the honor. The University was also named a Pennsylvania College of Distinction and a Christian College of Distinction. “We’re inspired by the ways in which Waynesburg University immerses students in their fields, all while fostering a welcoming community that will support them through and beyond their college years,” said Wes Creel, founder of Colleges of Distinction. Colleges of Distinction’s selection process includes a sequence of in-depth research and detailed interviews with schools, all of which must adhere to the Four Distinctions - Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes. According to Colleges of Distinction, these principles are informed by highimpact practices to prioritize the ways that institutions enable students to have a fulfilling, individualized college experience both inside and outside of the classroom. “Every student has individual needs and their own environment in which they’re most likely to thrive. We want to extend our praise to the schools that prioritize and cater to students’ goals,” said Creel. “Waynesburg University’s inclusion is informed by the unique ways it commits to achieving success. The effective strategies for student satisfaction and outcomes were the kinds of engaging experiences found at Waynesburg.”

In addition to the overall undergraduate recognitions, Colleges of Distinction also presented Waynesburg with special recognition in the areas of Business, Education and Nursing. “We complete a thorough review of the programs before giving the awards,” said Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer for Colleges of Distinction. “We’re looking for such qualities as accreditation, hands-on experiences, high-mastery rates, integration liberal arts and successful outcomes for students. It’s wonderful to see how Waynesburg University really exemplifies these qualities within the field.” Waynesburg’s business administration program prides itself on providing students a practical experience from knowledgeable faculty, invaluable internships and handson learning centered on steadfast business practices. Likewise, the education program offers unique learning experiences that balances strong educational content with in-classroom opportunities that begin as early as a student’s freshman year. Waynesburg’s nursing program has consistently been ranked regionally and nationally for value and academic excellence. The program’s high academic standards and early clinical opportunities are among the program’s advantages, including the state-ofthe-art simulation laboratory. For more information about Waynesburg University’s rankings and awards, visit waynesburg.edu/value.

On May 4, 2022, Washington Health System (WHS) received the prestigious Governor’s Achievement Employers Award presented by the PA Workforce Development Association (PWDA) together with its partners, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry Workforce Deputate (L & I), and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. This award recognizes Washington Health System as one of Pennsylvania’s employers that are exemplary supporters of workforce, community, and economic development in the commonwealth, and which have created jobs and partnered to hire skilled workers through Pennsylvania’s workforce development system. WHS was recognized as an employer that provides employees a familysustaining wage, benefits, continuous

training, and opportunities for career advancement. This award also recognizes our team’s efforts in developing our Phlebotomy training program, Medical Assistant training program, and EMT training program. “We are honored to be one of this year’s winners of the Governor’s Employers Awards, and grateful to our amazing team that made this possible,” says Terry Wiltrout, President of WHS Greene and WHS VP of Operations.

DVSSP Announces Board & Officers

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP) has announced the agency’s Board of Directors and officers for the 20222023 fiscal year. Chair: Mike McClaine, CEO of Aspirant Vice Chair: Natalie Chaido, Development Manager with Washington Health System Treasurer: Polly Musar, Retired bank vice president and manager Secretary: Elisabeth H. Wagers, Family Law Attorney with Wolf, Wagers & Wolf Board members: Dolores H. Hart, Dr. Jo Ann Jankoski, Andrea O’Daniel, Susan Price, Mary Pruss, and Karen Yocca. “Everyone knows someone affected by domestic violence, and we are grateful to these

leaders for their commitment to helping survivors find peace and safety, and to preventing domestic violence in our communities,” said DVSSP CEO Lisa G. Hannum. As CEO of Aspirant, McClaine launched the company’s Connection of Hope initiative specifically to help domestic violence survivors. Under his leadership, Aspirant developed the RU Safe and Bright Sky apps to help those affected by domestic violence assess the safety of their relationship and get connected to resources to help. Learn more about their work atwww. aspirant.com/connectionofhope.

Little Miss Firecracker 2022 Crowned Hailey Policz, daughter of Shawn & Savannah Policz of Waynesburg, is the 2022 Little Miss Firecracker winner. She is 7 years old. She was crowned at the annual Waynesburg Lions Club 4th of July Celebration in the Waynesburg Lions Club Park on July 4, 2022.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Gateway Rehabilitation Center Acquires Greenbriar Treatment Centers Effective July 1, 2022, Gateway Rehabilitation Center has acquired Greenbriar Treatment Centers. A formal agreement was reached in March between the original parent company, Washington Health System, and Gateway Rehab. The two organizations have finalized the acquisition and are glad to announce the deal was completed on June 29. Under this agreement, all Greenbriar Treatment Center operations will be owned and managed by Gateway Rehab. James Troup, Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Rehab, stated, “Our goal in bringing Greenbriar services into Gateway Rehab’s treatment network is to continue to provide addiction treatment to the local members of our community while also managing costs. This development strongly fits into Gateway Rehab’s mission to help all those affected by addictive diseases to be healthy in body, mind and spirit.” As the health care industry continues to evolve, providers and consumers are both seeking solutions that meet public demands for coordinated care at a reasonable cost. Both providers service similar areas across southwestern Pennsylvania so combining

efforts rather than working as competitors creates an even stronger focus on the patients and families that need our help during their road to recovery. Brook Ward, President and CEO of Washington Health System said, “We’re excited for the transition of the Greenbriar facilities and staff into Gateway Rehab’s operations and business. We’re confident Gateway Rehab can take the great work we’ve done for decades and help advance this service for the benefit of our communities.” Gateway Rehab has committed to continue operating the residential treatment and outpatient programs in Greenbriar’s current service area including detox, short and long-term inpatient, halfway houses, and outpatient counseling. Prior to this acquisition, the decision was made by Greenbriar leadership to end operation of its Squirrel Hill outpatient office. Also, effective immediately, staff and patients from this office have been offered to transition to Gateway Rehab’s Squirrel Hill outpatient office, located at 5818 Forbes Ave. All other Greenbriar locations will remain in operation as of today.

Global Event Promotes Pursuit of Peace

Against the tragic backdrop of a historic conflict in Europe, many residents of Greene County will unite with millions around the globe to promote the timely theme “Pursue Peace” as they participate in a six-part annual event scheduled for July and August 2022. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been holding global conventions for more than 100 years, the last three years featuring virtual events accessed through the free JW Library app or at jw.org. The program’s first segment became available for streaming (or download) June 27, 2022. All are invited to attend the program at no charge. “This convention is an object lesson in how peace is being achieved by a global community right now as it unites millions of people even in areas of conflict like Ukraine and Russia,” said Robert Hendriks, U.S. spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “ Prior to 2020, Jehovah’s Witnesses held their annual convention locally at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War

Memorial in Johnstown. While they hope to host in-person large gatherings again in the future, the decision was made late last year to again hold the 2022 convention virtually. Among topics to be explored are: • How love leads to inner peace and peace with others. • Why the Bible can be called “the road map to family peace.” • What people from around the world are doing to enjoy peace. • Why friendship with God can lead to true peace. The program can be accessed via jw.org on the web or JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library app available for iOS or Android, or on streaming platforms like ROKU TV, Apple TV and others. The program is free. FMI, please contact Jehovah’s Witnesses United States at (718) 560-5600 or pid@jw.org.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

Neither do we. We see you. We believe you. We are here for you.

1.888.480.7283 CARE Center STTARS Program

Paid for with Pennsylvania Tax Payer Dollars. Campaign created by Fenway Health.

BHVRP-61

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Greene Gardens

By Lisa Lewis of the Greene County Master Gardeners

Growing Tomatoes

ew things can top the multisensory pleasure of eating a tomato plucked fresh from the vine of one of your lovingly and patiently tended plants. The complex taste of sweet and tart are a delight to the taste buds. Whether you are planting tomato plants you have purchased at your local nursery or started yourself from seed indoors and whether you are growing in the garden or a container, the following tips apply. First, when to plant? It is only somewhat helpful to say a time of year, such as just after Memorial Day or Mother’s Day. Some years that would mean we are safely into prime tomato planting season – no danger of frost and air temperature reliably above 65 degrees during the day and above 55 degrees at night. Some years that might mean still too cold and too rainy to work the soil or already very hot and dry. Instead, it is better to follow the cues nature gives us – a science called phenology – and plant our tomato plants when dogwood trees or lily of the valley are in bloom. How deep to set the plant in the soil? Research shows that it is better to plant deep. Unlike most plants, tomatoes thrive when an inch or two of stem is planted below the soil line. Remove a few leaves if you need to by pinching them off. The buried stem will quickly set roots that absorb nutrients along with the already established roots. This allows the leafy and flowering parts of the plant to take off growing at an accelerated place. If your tomato plant is a determinate variety, that means it tends to reach a set height and stop growing and will likely not require staking or caging for support. Indeterminate varieties tend to keep growing until stopped by frost, and they require support. There is some evidence that when support is required, staking tends to produce larger tomatoes while caging tends to produce more tomatoes, but the difference is not huge in the home garden. Supports should be put in place at the time of planting, and plants should be set two to three feet apart to allow good air circulation. Watering should be done deeply and frequently enough to avoid problems caused by large variations in soil moisture (blossom end rot, splitting). Tomato

plants require at least six hours of full sun a day, preferably more. Rotate planting location to avoid planting where tomatoes/eggplants/ potatoes/peppers have been planted in the past two years to minimize common diseases and nutrient depletion. The tomatoes are the fruit produced by the self-fertilized yellow flower of the tomato plant. Though usually not a problem, if your tomatoes do not flower and set fruit, consider a soil test. Too much nitrogen and not enough phosphorus may keep the plants from blooming. Wind, high temperatures (above 85 degrees), and too little water may also cause lack of fruit. While the plant is growing, check the space where the branches leave the main stem. If you see a “sucker” branch growing out from there, pinch or cut it off as they produce few tomatoes. If pests such as tomato hornworms, Colorado beetles or aphids are harming your plant, either handpick them, hose them off the plant or spray them with insecticidal soap or another organic solution. A few times during the season side dress with compost or organic fertilizer starting when the flowers appear. Your efforts will be richly rewarded with dozens of tomatoes to eat, freeze. or can, with harvest generally starting in late July or August.

SOURCES: Delahaut, K. Phenology. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Extension, May, 2012; Pacilli, S. Phenology – The Ultimate Garden Planner. Penn State Extension Philadelphia Master Gardeners, January, 2018; Kalb T. How to Stake Tomatoes. Should You Stake, Cage or Trellis? North Dakota State University Extension.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

Become a

Master

Gardener T

he Master Gardener program is accepting applications for residents to enroll in the 2022 Master Gardener Basic Training classes, starting fall 2022. This program consists of a training course designed to provide participants with information and skills necessary to share their knowledge with others. Volunteers will then use this sciencebased knowledge to teach the community about growing vegetables, attracting pollinators, educating the public of all ages, keeping plants healthy, and more. This is not a garden club; it is a 40-week course taught by Penn State educators. Online weekly classes start in October 2022. They will be held Thursday evenings via zoom with Penn State faculty. Should students miss the class, recordings will be available. Participants will then meet in person monthly. This allows students to learn more about activities in Greene County. The students will also do hands-on activities for some of the classes. The cost of the class is $200 and includes an award-winning Master Gardener manual and hands-on materials. After completing the class training, candidates must complete 50 hours of volunteer work by September 30, 2023 to become certified. Each year following the original certification, 20 hours of volunteer activities and 10 hours of continuing education are required to maintain certification. There are a variety of activities including demonstration gardens, pollinator studies, writing articles, teaching, answering garden questions, growing plants for our programs, and more. The Master Gardener’s mission is to provide education to the public using research-based information. You must be 18 years of age or older. If interested in becoming a Master Gardener, please contact the Penn State Extension office at 724-627-3745 or email Cheryl Brendel at ckb5569@psu.edu. Applications will be accepted until Sept. 3.

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

ATTENTION

PARENTS & COACHES! Do you know of an achievement in sports and would like to see it shared in Hometown Heritage? Email it to:

sports@directresults.us.

Intentional Walks By Bret Moore

The Pittsburgh Crawfords vs. the Georgia Crackers

ave Cressey, president of the Cornerstone Genealogical Society, sent me an interesting newspaper article about a local exhibition baseball game in the 1940s by two of the most famous Negro League teams in history. The Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Georgia Crackers brought their barnstorming tour to Waynesburg’s College Field in July of 1944. The Crawfords were one of the most famous Negro League teams of all time. Their rivals, the Homestead Grays made numerous visits to our area from 1912 through the 1940s. They would play local all-star teams in Waynesburg, Nemacolin, Mather and Rogersville (Golden Oaks Park). However, from 1931 to 1938, the Craws were the preeminent team in the nation. At one point, they featured four future hall of famers; Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell and Oscar Charleston. The team competed first as an independent, then in the Negro National League. They played their games at Greenlee Field in Pittsburgh and got their name from the popular Crawford Bath House recreation center in the Hill District. The Crawfords and their home field were unique because they were owned by a black businessman – Gus Greenlee. Ironically, the team moved to Toledo in 1939 because local politicians told Greenlee he could not hire black concession workers for the Craw’s games. The Georgia (Atlanta) Crackers were the defending champions of the Negro Southern League, which served as a quasi-minor league system for the National and American Negro League teams. During this time, players in the “black majors” could make as much as $350 dollars a month, which was well above the average black salary at the time. The Southern League was not as financially stable as

the black majors; therefore, the players were forced to barnstorm to supplement their incomes. In the summer, they played Northern teams. During the winter, they played in Cuba and throughout the Caribbean. The leagues in that region were integrated decades before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947. Black players played alongside white and Hispanic teammates in front of huge crowds. The team was actually known as the Black Crackers because Atlanta’s White Crackers were a highly successful minor league AA affiliate of the Boston/Milwaukee Braves. The term cracker was originally coined in that area referring to the Irish farmers who would crack their whips while herding their animals. The term eventually became a pejorative for any poor white person. The 1944 version of the Crawfords who came to Waynesburg was a re-boot of the original franchise. They had been denied entrance into the Negro National League because the Grays already had a contract to use Forbes Field when the Pirates were out of town. The league offered Greenlee membership if he went to another city, which he declined. However, he would not be deterred. He went to the Negro League all-star game and started stealing players for his new league, which would start in 1945. The United States League

was formed by Greenlee and legendary scout/ owner Branch Rickey for the express purpose of evaluating players for the impending integration of the majors. Rickey was at first a silent partner, so he could quietly approach black players for his Brooklyn Dodgers. The Democrat-Messenger article anticipated “the largest crowd of baseball fans assembled at College Field in many moons.” The game was also to be a reunion of sorts for the local men who had played in the professional Pennsylvania-Ohio-Maryland (POM) League. The former president of the P.O.M. League, Dick Guy was going to be at the

game. Guy had been a founding member of the legendary Pittsburgh Collegians, the best team in the area at the turn of the century. While this history is fascinating to baseball and local history enthusiasts, we can’t forget the subtext of this event. Those incredibly accomplished players, who provided entertainment for millions and lined the pockets of mostly white businessmen were forced to sleep on buses or return to a large city to find accommodations. Any amount of nostalgic reverie must always acknowledge the basic ugliness of this period of our history.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

BOY OF THE MONTH

GIRL OF THE MONTH

Parker Jones is the son of Brian and Kathy Jones of Carmichaels. He just completed his freshman year and shoots skeet and sporting clays for the Hunting Hills Hawkeyes. He was a member of the state and national champion Rookie Division Team in 2019. He is a member of the current state intermediate advanced second place skeet and third place sporting clays teams. Parker loves the outdoors and enjoys hunting and fishing. He competed with the Hawkeyes at the national championships July 9-12.

Ali Jacobs is the daughter of Jeff and Melanie Jacobs. She will be a sophomore in the fall and plays basketball and softball for the Mikes. Ali also plays travel softball for Black Diamond Express. In school, she maintains a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and the Envirothon Team. Ali was named to the AllCounty softball team this past season.

BOY OF THE MONTH

GIRL OF THE MONTH

Billy Whitlach is the son of BIll Whitlatch of Wind Ridge. He was a key contributor to the section champion football team this past season at West Greene. Billy participated in wrestling in the winter as well. He is working hard in the off-season weight training program and won his weight-division at the TCSCA Powerlifting competition at Brownsville High School.

Marissa Tharp is the daughter of Cory and Natasha Tharp of Wind Ridge. She just completed her freshman year and participated in volleyball, basketball and softball. Her volleyball team qualified for the playoffs and the basketball team was section champions. Marissa also made a large contribution to the section champion and WPIAL runner-up softball team as a courtesy runner. She ended the season as one of the top base stealers and run scorers in the WPIAL.

TEAMS FROM THE PAST The Mount Morris Blackhawks won the Greene County Little League Championship in 1981 and 1982. L-R Front: Dana Adams, Steve McIntyre, Billy Craig, Chad Ammons, Lance McIntire, Danny Dalton, Ronnie Howard, Jason Minor. Middle Row: John Roach, Eddie Spitznogle, Tim Wilkins, Scott Koast, Tab Minor, Andy Hatfield. L-R Back: Travis Menear, Gary Evans, Carl Jones, John Adams, Jim Statler, Willard Layman, Elvis Lemley, John Lemley. Cheerleaders: Shelly Yoder, Tammy Gallitan, Susie Hollabaugh, Traci Stump, Melinda Stewart, Bobbi Jo Trichler, Shelly Roupe, Katrina Snyder. Photo submitted by Ron Lemley.

Do you know of an achievement in sports and would like to see it shared in Hometown Heritage? Email it to:

sports@directresults.us.

FIVE GREENE COUNTY GIRLS NAMED ALL-STATE IN SOFTBALL

Katie Lampe, West Greene, 1A Second Team Shortstop

London Whipkey, West Greene, 1A First Team Catcher

Kiley Meek, West Greene, 1A Second Team DP

Kylee Goodman, Waynesburg Central, 3A First Team Shortstop

Sophia Zalar, Carmichaels, 2A Second Team Outfield

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

ROHANNA’S REPEATS AS GREENE COUNTY CUP CHAMPIONS

The team of Derek Bochna and Jason Wilson helped lead Rohanna’s Golf Course to a defense of the Greene County Cup championship. The pair led the squad with scores of 35 (Better Ball), 30 (Scramble) and 36 (Alternate Shot). The competition consisted of nine holes each at the Greene County Country Club, Carmichaels Golf Course and Rohanna’s. Mark Strosnider and Jason Hampson fired a 34 in the alternate shot round for the winners. The top better ball score of 32 was

posted by the Country Club’s Kyle Clayton and John Henry. Carmichaels’ Dave Briggs and Matthew Barrish tied for low score with a 30 in the scramble. Rohanna’s posted a three-under-par team score for the 27 holes. The Country Club was two strokes back and Carmichaels finished at three over. Five of the 12 Carmichaels’ team members were high school students. The tournament was sponsored by the Greene County Recreation Department and KSW Oilfield Services.

Carmichaels Golf Course. L-R Front: Joey Menhart, Craig Haywood, Remmy Lohr, Timmy Gacek, Matt Barrish. L-R Back: Brian Fortney, Dave Briggs, Les Seibert, Liam Lohr, Mason Lapana, Dustin Hastings, Bret Katarsky.

SPORTS SHORTS SPORTS TIDBITS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY

Greene County Country Club Team. L-R Front: Dave Mariner, Craig Conklin, Jeff Jento, Damian Saab, Chris Haines. L-R Back: Kyle Clayton, Ben Adams, John Henry, Duane Dupont, Austin Shelestak, Charlie Hamrick, Brian Shimek. .

Raider alum Luca Augustine won the U20 79kg Pan Am Championship in Oaxtepec, Mexico. He defeated his Canadian opponent in the finals 10-0. Luca will wrestle for Pitt again this year. Paige Jones and Kaylee Goodman were named to the all-section softball team; while Matt Ankrom, Lincoln Pack and Alex Van Sickle were named to the all-section baseball team for the Waynesburg Raiders. Waynesburg Central alumnae Marissa Kalsey recently competed at the prestigious USA Track and Field Outdoor National Championships. She finished 11th with a jump of 14’ 3 ¼”. Jefferson Morgan announced that Jasmine Demaske, Payton Farabee, Kayla Larkin and Brooklyn Snyder were named to the GCADA All-Greene County Team. Demaske was also an All-Section selection. Liam Ankrom, Brock Bayles, Easton Hanko and Patrick Holeren were name to the All-County baseball team.

Rohanna’s Golf Course. L-R Front: Joel Rohanna, Eric Rohanna, Kevin Pincavich, Aaron Yorio and Jason Makel. L-R Back: cotty Bedilion, Rob Rodavich, Mark Strosnider, Derek Bochna, Jason Hampson, Joel Kovach, and Jason Wilson. Missing from photo: Ray Behm.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

Presented by

• • • • •

2022 SEASON

Belts - What’s the Hold Up?

Gun - check. Holster - check. Spare Magazine - check. Knife - check. Shooting glasses, range bag, gloves? Probably all in your kit?

ut what about a belt? Oh, unless you are carrying an elastic belly band or leg holster, you probably have on a belt. Rarely, however, do we give much thought to the oft neglected belt, possibly one of our most important EDC (everyday carry) components. The belt is our foundation for our weapons platform. Carrying a large frame weapon? You’ll need a bigger (see “torsionally stiffer”) belt. Want to keep your gun from printing or pressing out of the fabric of your cover garment? Again, make sure you have donned a proper gun belt. A properly fitted gun belt can keep one’s firearm from canting outwards and revealing the butt of your piece. Belts come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles. There are nylon tactical belts, thick leather belts, even belts lined with stiffeners of plastic and metal that add rigidity to the waist support column. Some are carved and stamped with leather work and metal conchos that rival museum grade art. None of this is important unless your belt fits you. Individual fit and comfort are sort of like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Some belts are too stiff, some are too flimsy, and some are just right! How do you know what’s right for you? Try them on with your weapon, holster, and magazine carrier. Common sizes for gun belt width are 1.25”, 1.5”, 1.75” and (2.0” usually reserved for military and police grade equipment.) 1.5” is generally considered standard. It is important to measure your holster loops to ensure that your belt will fit. Also, measure the belt loops of your

pants as well. While a soft, gooshy, flexible belt will add some forgiveness to a tightfitting belt loop and some overall comfort, it will do precious little to support your weapon properly. Some belts are overly stiff and therefore, not comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Others, possibly due to their construction, thickness, pliability of the materials incorporated, or style of sewing can be more comfortable to move about in. Whatever you choose in a belt, make sure it fits properly, offers the most support you can wear comfortably and secures your gun in your holster. Don’t overlook that last line… Does your weapon stay put even if you go to the ground? (Think fight.) How about upside down? (Think car wreck with seat belt secured, while upside down.) Could you do a summersault and not lose your side arm? Can you run short distances in your rig, hands free? My rig does all this and more. Ask me how I know. Good luck as you move forward in your search for the proper gun belt. And remember, I am always just a phone call/email away, to answer questions should they arise. Also, if you are looking for a top-notch leather belt, try Hanks Leather Goods. The web site is hanksbelts.com and they offer the most comprehensive selection of belts I have ever seen. Their products are of superior quality and are unbelievably durable. The Gunner 1.5” in Oakwood is my personal favorite.

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Spectator

To Race

SUNDAY

PID AUG REUNION

Gate opens at 11:00 pm Racing 2:00 pm-6:00pm Raindate August 28

NEW THIS YEAR! Big Tire/Small Tire Racing

NO PREP!

STREET RACING WITHOUT THE JAIL TIME!

$100 Buy-In / 100% Payout Must be Street Legal! Insurance Required

SATURDAY

• First Flashlight Drags WEEKEND of FUN! • NEW for the season, BIG TIRE/SMALL TIRE, NO PREP RACING, 100% Buy-in, 100% Pay-out Must be street legal – insurance required! • Sept 10: Gate opens at 2pm, Racing 4-8pm • Following the races, live music by the CASSIDY PAIGE BAND • Sept 11: Gate opens at 12-Noon, Racing 2-6pm • Day of Rememberance and a Day to Celebrate all who served!

SUNDAY

SEPT SEPT &

1011 Raindate October 2

FUN ALL WEEKEND!

Sept. 10 – Gate opens at 2:00 pm – Racing 4:00 pm-8:00pm Sept. 11 – Gate opens at 12:00 pm – Racing 2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Primative Camping is allowed. No electric, or sewage hookups. Details to follow, stay tuned!

Supporting Sponsors

Contributing Sponsors DAN DISHART TEAM Bean Racing PHoTogRAPHy

Jeanne’s Garage LLC

Visit us on Social Media

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!

AUGUST 2022

www.FlashlightDrags.com The Flashlight Drags wish to thank the Greene County Board of Commissioners, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Waynesburg VFD for their continued support.

Mason Mullins of Harrisburg landed this catch while fishing in the Monongahela River in Greensboro. He was using a bottom jig and fishing worms. Congratulations, Mason!

MASON MULLINS

BRIANNA ORRAHOOD EMILY ADAMS

Brianna Orrahood of Waynesburg caught his this 37 pound 4 ounce catfish in Camden, Ohio. Nice catch, Brianna!

Emily Adams of Sycamore caught her first ever catfish while fishing at the Waynesburg Sportsman’s Club. Congratulations, Emily!

$50 E R! WINN

FRANK ORAWIEC

STEPHANIE STEVENS

Frank Orawiec with his daughter Raelyn, age 7, both of New Freeport, caught these 20 inch and 17 inch fish in Wind Ridge on April 2, 2022. Congratulations, Frank & Raelyn!

Stephanie Stevens of Hundred, WV landed this catch while fishing with minnows at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. Way to go, Stephanie!

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

OWYN LINDSTROM Owyn Lindstrom of Carmichaels caught this largemouth bass with the help of his Opa while fishing at the Waynesburg Sportsmen’s Association. Congratulations, Owyn!

LYNLEE FORDYCE Lynlee Fordyce of Ruff Creek caught this rainbow trout while fishing at Waynesburg Lakes with a worm and bobber. Way to go, Lynlee!

MARK MELEGA Mark Melega of Rices Landing is a busy fisherman! He caught this 9 pound 28 inch Lake Erie brown trout in November (left), this 28 inch seven pound trophy gold trout near Blacksville in April (center), and this 19 inch smallmouth bass in June at Yough Dam Lake (right). Nice catches, Mark!

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

CECILY SUTTON Cecily Sutton of Adah landed this catch while fishing the Monongahela River near Isabella, in about hip-deep water. Congratulations, Cecily!

RUDSSELL SUTTON IV Russell Sutton IV of Adah caught this shark while fishing in Ocean City, Maryland, using a double hook baited with a fish head and fresh squid. The shark fought for 30 minutes before Russell was able to reel it in. Congratulations, Russell!

LUCAS STEVENSON

LAYLA LINDSTROM Layla Lindstrom of Carmichaels landed this bluegill with the help of her Pap Pap while fishing at the Waynesburg Sportsmen’s Association. Congratulations, Layla!

Lucas Stevenson of Mapletown caught several steelhead trout, including the pictured ten pounder, at Lake Erie in November (left) and this 20 inch 4.75 pound largemouth bass at Pymatuning Lake (right) . Congratulations, Lucas!

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

$50 E R! WINN

CHARLIE POWELL

ROGER & JANICE CLUTTER

1974 1/2 MG B GT 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix

Owner: Roger & Janice Clutter, Crabapple, PA This Grand Prix belonged to Roger Clutter before he sold it in 2018. When Roger passed away, his wife Janice was blessed to receive the car back in 2020. Pictured with the car is their grandaughter Beckett. She had a very close bond with her Pap.

Owner: Charlie Powell, Waynesburg, PA Charlie sold this car n 2005 before graduating high school and later bought it back in 2018 from the person he had originally sold it to 13 years ago. The vintage sportscar has 2.0L engine with oil cooler, electronic ignition, Mikuni 44phh carb, exhausted header, and auxiliary drving lights.

JOHN “BO” DEAN JASON M. THORNE

1956 International S100

1966 Chevrolet C10

Owner: Jason M. Thorne, Waynesburg, PA

Owner: John “Bo” Dean, McClellandtown, PA Bo had been looking for this body style for years and finally found this gem about five miles away from his home. Bo built this rat rod from the ground up. The truck features a 12 gauge shotgun as a gear shift, 270 Win Mags welded around the fire wall, custom keg fuel tank and various other quirky things that go right along with his personality. It has parts from Chevy, GMC, International, and Ford. It has a small block Chevy 350 with a Howard’s Ratter Cam, a Muncy 3 speed transmission, and an F250 Ford rear end. Lil Rusty is Bo’s third project.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022

LILY HENDERSON

1970s Ford Truck

Owner: Lily Henderson, Waynesburg, PA A 1970s Ford truck had been Lily’s dream for years when her finace surprised her with this truck for their anniversary in January 2022.

JIM SWEENEY

1928 Coach

Owner: Jim Sweeney, Greensboro, PA This 1928 Coach is a unique auto that Jim got from the Carmichaels Dance Studio after someone wanted to trash it. It was created from wood, cardboard, and duct tape and it sits on a wooden dolly with wheels.

AUGUST 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Together

We can grow a healthy

Commyou nity

Because Washington Health System is Centered Around You.

Washington Health System is a proud supporter of Rain Day. Please stop by our booth on July 29th for games, prizes and more.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit No. 1219

whs.org

Find a DOCTOR whs.org

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

AUGUST 2022