August 2017 —————————————————————————————————————————
LOCAL NEWS
Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter Plans 24th Annual Labor Day Poker Run On The Great Allegheny Passage The Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter of the Regional Trail Corporation will hold its annual Poker Run on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2017. The walking/biking non-competitive event will start at the Arthur H. King Access Area of the Great Allegheny Passage in West Newton. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used by trail volunteers to maintain, preserve and enhance the Westmoreland County Section of the Great Allegheny Passage. The Poker Run consists of three events: 1) A walking, jogging, wheelchair optional, four-mile flat course. 2) A level 12-mile bike ride that runs south along the Youghiogheny River to Smithton Beach and back. 3) An endurance 20-mile bike ride that runs south along the Youghiogheny River Trail to Whitsett and back. All cyclists are required to wear an ANSI- or SNELL-approved helmet. The Poker Run is not a race. Participants walk or ride at their own pace taking as little time, or up to two hours, to finish their course. At checkpoints throughout the course, participants will pick a playing card to develop a poker hand. At the end of the course each poker hand is tallied and the person with the best hand in each of the three events receives a cash prize award. Afterwards a raffle is conducted and all participants are eligible to win one of more than 75 door prizes of various kinds and values that have been donated by regional businesses and merchants who support the trail and what the trail brings to our area. A bicycle is the grand prize giveaway. There will also be a half-the-take drawing. Many people are unaware that the Great Allegheny Passage is not maintained by county or state workers, but by volunteer effort. The Poker Run is the major fundraiser for the volunteer maintenance of the 10.5 miles of trail that runs through Westmoreland County. The Poker Run entry forms may be picked up at the Regional Trail Corporation office in West Newton (located in West Newton Station), from the bulletin boards along the trail, from the many supporting businesses in the region and on the website at www.bikewytc.org. The cost is $20 per person for adults, and children age ten and under $10. Each participant who registers before August 17 receives a short-sleeved Poker Run T-shirt. There is no increase in cost for event day registration. The event is held rain or shine, no refunds. For additional information please email wytcnews@hotmail.com. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Event start time is 8:30 a.m.
CAHS, Inc. Annual Reunion Picnic Event Features George & Martha Washington Re-enactors Charleroi Area Historical Society Program President Kenneth Thompson welcomed all in attendance to the Annual Reunion Picnic and invited everyone to partake of the "potluck" picnic spread. Next, Thompson introduced the evening program with Mr. and Mrs. William Elder as George and Martha Washington, reenacting and showcasing the personal and larger history of the United States of America First Couple and the events and situations that surrounded them, from the Colonies to the French & Indian War, to the Revolution, and after he became president. There was a lengthy Q & A period afterward, where more information was shared. Thompson thanked everyone and reminded everyone that the next monthly meeting in August will be about quilts.
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Perryopolis Farmers’ Market in Full Swing This Season Every Saturday, Perryopolis Farmers’ Market will run from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. next to Perry Drug Store, right off of the center of town. We have local farmers’ participation throughout the summer with their berries, vegetables, corn, tomatoes, etc. as they start coming into season. Vendors are lined up for homemade jellies, pickles, baked goods, flavored popcorns and fudge, and we even are featuring a winery. Ethnic foods can be eaten onsite or taken home. We’ll also be featuring honey and maple syrup, American Indian beaded jewelry, silver jewelry, homemade soaps, herbal teas, and textiles sold by our Old First Bank Museum. For more information, you may contact us on Facebook at Perryopolis Farmers’ Market or call 724-3663412.