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LOCAL NEWS
West Mifflin VFW 914 Awards $100 Scholarships to Students, Teacher By Michael P. Mauer Three West Mifflin Area School District students and a local educator were each awarded cash scholarships from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid and advanced to the next level of competition in this year’s Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests during the unit’s monthly meeting at the Thompson Run Athletic Association November 15. Earning the top honors Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin Commander Jake Bradich stands with local winners of the for this year’s VOD comannual Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen contests. petition are high school Pictured also are scholarship awardees Zkkrah (Ziggy) seniors Zkkrah (Ziggy) Patterson, John Gambrell and Samantha Curcio, as well as Patterson and John the post’s nominee for VFW Voice of Democracy Teacher Gambrell. Samantha of the Year, Melissa L. Fulmer. Curcio, a 7th grader from the West Mifflin Area Middle School, was awarded the top slot forwarded from there, entrants will earn a chance to compete at the VFW for the post’s Patriot’s Pen scholarship. The three students each received a Department of Pennsylvania. After that, $100 award from VFW Post 914 winners will then vie at the national level Intrepid West Mifflin at the organiza- where the top laurels include a $30,000 tion’s November meeting, as well as a scholarship. Other VOD national scholarships VFW medal. A $100 check and a VFW range from $1,000 to $16,000, and the medal was also presented to Melissa L. first place winner from each state garFulmer, an English teacher at West ners a minimum scholarship of $1,000, Mifflin Area High School, for her selecplus an all-expense-paid trip to tion as VFW Voice of Democracy Washington, D.C. Last year, approxiTeacher of the Year. mately 40,000 high school students Fulmer’s nomination will be forwarded for consideration to VFW District 29 throughout the United States participatin Pittsburgh, and if successful, to fur- ed in the VFW’s Voice of Democracy ther competition at the VFW state and audio essay competition. As the Patriot’s Pen award winner, national levels. Curcio also earned the chance to Originally from Duquesne, Fulmer advance to the next level of competition holds a master’s degree from the in the VFW’s youth essay contest. The University of Pittsburgh. A graduate of top Patriot’s Pen competitors selected West Mifflin Area High School, she from each state can earn $50,000 in earned her undergraduate degrees in awards, as well as a top prize of $5,000 teaching and English from Duquesne and an all-expense-paid trip to University and the Community College Washington, D.C. of Allegheny County. For more information about VFW All of the VOD candidates will move Post 914 and its activities, contact to the next bracket of competition to be Commander Bradich at: 412-464-9838. held at Pittsburgh’s VFW District 29. If
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Central VFC of Elizabeth Twp. Receives Grant from 84 Lumber Central Volunteer Fire Company of Elizabeth Township is pleased to announce it has received an $840 grant from 84 Lumber. These funds will support the replacement of all wood cribbing utilized in rescue operations and will be carried on Central’s new rescue. Central Volunteer Fire Company of Elizabeth Township recently took delivery of a new 4 Guys Spartan heavy rescue truck. This rescue truck is designed to carry specialized equipment and personnel to quickly and efficiently respond to various types of rescue situations. The equipment provided through this grant will ensure rescue technicians have the equipment needed to further provide safe and professional services to residents and visitors of Elizabeth Township. The all-volunteer fire department is excited to be awarded this grant. “We couldn’t be more honored to work with 84 Lumber Company on this project. The Hardy family and everyone at 84 Lumber is always first to help communities, without 84 Lumber this project would not be possible. This is the second time 84 Lumber has contributed to Central, our social hall renovation was also made possible by 84 Lumber in 2013,” said Fire Chief Chris Molinaro. Central Volunteer Fire Company of Elizabeth Township applied for the grant through 84 Lumber Building Hope program. Since 1956, 84 Lumber has actively supported local, regional charitable organizations through Building Hope.
Mid Mon Valley Model Railroad Club Plans Annual Open House The Mid Mon Valley Model Railroad Club’s annual open house will take place on weekends from November 26, 2016 through January 8, 2017 with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s weekends. Hours: Noon to 5 p.m. The club is working to depict the major industries in the mid-Mon Valley as they interacted with the railroads. Visitors can walk through three rooms of scenery as the trains run on a double-decked layout and use the helix (spiral) in a fourth room to travel from the lower level to the upper level and back again. Along the way, one can see a blast furnace, a rolling mill, a strip mine, coke ovens, a railroad yard, and a trolley line. There have been several other improvements made to the layout this year. More scenery has been completed and several structures have been added. The camera train is being repaired and should be available to broadcast the view from the cab of the engine to the monitor in the back room. Be sure to check out this truly special view of the layout. Historical artifacts from area railroads are on display in the last room, and photographs line the hallway toward the roomful of artifacts. Items to be seen include trainmen's lanterns, switch locks, tickets, timetables, caps, signal lights and many other fascinating objects. Location: 159 Main Street, New Eagle, second floor. Admission: donation of $1 per person requested. For more information, see www.mmvmrrc.org or call S. Werner at 724-379-8584.