February 2023 GreeneScene Magazine

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

COVER PHOTO by Daisy Lesnett.

I Love this Place IT’S FOR THE BIRDS!

The 2022 Audubon Christmas Bird Count came early for me when I came home on December 24 and found one wounded juvenile vulture… sitting in my front yard. It was below zero for a third straight day and the wind stung my face as we eyed each other. I could see by the feathers on its dark neck and head it was young. That much I knew. It obviously couldn’t fly and the coming night would be brutal. The thought made me shudder. I took a step closer and then another, looking for signs of injury. I was too close now – the huddled bird made a sudden awkward flounce away from me, then, amazingly, made its own rescue possible. Shoulders hunched, one wing slightly askew, it headed, not to the side yard but towards the patio, with me trailing behind. When it reached the corner of the house by the door to my studio, it hunkered down and hid its head. I opened the door and said in my best ET-phone-home voice “It’s okay, it’s okay… would you like to come in?” And it hopped through the door and scurried into a corner.

I spent the rest of Christmas Eve online, reading about vultures, trying to figure out what to call it – Black vulture? Turkey vulture? Turkey buzzard? How about Buzzley! - and texting every bird-friendly pal I could think of, trying to find out what to do next.

Would it eat? In lieu of raw meat, I scrambled an egg then checked in on my studio houseguest. Buzzley was now perched on a picture frame, hunched over, keeping a bright wary eye on me. When I got close enough to put food and water on the table beside it, Buzzley flapped off the frame and hid in a corner. When I looked in later, the plate was clean and Buzzley was back on its perch. I breathed a sigh of relief and took my first photo.

That evening a neighbor came up on his four-wheeler with a king size can of cat food that was also well received. But my hunt for a nearby wildlife sanctuary was running into dead ends until I clicked on the link to Avian Conservancy Center of Appalachia on Fairchance Road near Morgantown, WV. Close enough! I called the number on the webpage, left a message and went to bed, hopeful but still wondering. Thoughts of euthanasia were hard to dispel. I did not dream of sugar plums but I did finally get to sleep.

The cheerful voice of veterinarian Jesse Fallon, returning my call at 8 a.m. on Christmas morning would be the best present I unwrapped that day.

“Yes, bring your baby vulture down. We’re open 24/7. We

rehabilitate the ones that can be released and find sanctuaries for the others. I’ll take a look and let you know what we can do.”

Buzzley hid in a corner one last time – long enough to get wrapped in a towel and tucked into a dog carrier.

At Cheat Lake Animal Hospital, Dr. Fallon took Buzzley out of the cage with experienced hands then stretched open one wing to show the lighter feathers that indicate this is a turkey vulture, still too young to have developed the classic naked red head of an adult bird. “You can see the color is just starting to come in around the beak.”

It was exciting to finally see this amazing bird up close and hissing – vultures have no vocal cords - as Dr. Fallon held him up and I took photos for this story and our eyes met one last time.

The next day Dr. Fallon’s wife and ACCA executive director Katie Fallon emailed to say the wing fracture had already healed and “we will have to find him a home at another nature center, zoo or sanctuary somewhere. Since he’s young, he will probably adapt to life under human care very well. I’m happy to answer any turkey vulture questions – they are my favorite species! Thanks again for rescuing the little vulture – and Happy New Year!”

My friend Marge Howard was disappointed that Buzzley wasn’t the rare black vulture I thought it might be when I called asking for advice that first hectic day. But she was happy to add “one turkey vulture, seen on count week” to the tally she would compile on December 28 for the Ryerson Christmas Bird Count, a 15-mile circle with Bristoria as the center point. Could I ride along? Marge could use someone to count as she spotted in the afternoon. Great!

We met up in Rogersville at 1 p.m. and headed up Lightner Run Road.

On Hopewell Ridge I was able to get enough signal to add Cornell Lab’s Merlin App to my iPhone after seeing Marge stick her phone out the window to identify birds by their songs. I suddenly felt more part of this world of stop, watch and listen, having this kind of science at my fingertips to help me learn. Opening the app to “Life List” I added turkey vulture for my first entry and grinned.

“Red tail,” Marge said from the drivers seat and I made another hash mark on the count form. The waterways were still frozen from the recent arctic weather and wild ducks were scarce. But there were plenty of red tail hawks out today in-

cluding two white ones.

By Colleen Nelson

“Leucistic,” Larry Helgerman tells me on the phone a few weeks later. Leucism is genetic mutation that inhibits melanin and other pigments from being deposited in feathers, hair or skin. “I’ve seen white robins and cardinals, even a white squirrel.”

There’s a lot to learn about birds and birding when talking to Larry. As West Virginia State Editor for Audubon he has access to all the data on winter bird counts back to the first count of 1899-1900. Each year’s count day is from midnight to midnight and can happen any day between December 14 and January 5. This oldest bird count in the world has grown over 123 years to include the Arctic Circle south to Central America and the Caribbean and the northern parts of South America. Larry was out until dark on December 28 counting the northwest corner of the Ryerson Circle where it overlaps into Washington County and West Virginia, one of the five counts he participates in that includes Pennsylvania.

When was the first eagle spotted on a Greene County count? Larry looks it up. Clarksville Circle, 2009, Ryerson 2017. When DDT was banned in 1972, America’s signature bird began making a comeback. Cleaner waterways for fishing have been a big help but eagles will eat anything, Larry notes. “They’re opportunists. I’ve seen them feeding on deer carcasses along the road. That’s how they end up getting hit by vehicles.”

Were there any winter bird trends that stand out? “In this neck of the woods, the cardinals did great this year, they had many broods,” Larry tells me. “If the common birds are doing okay, things are good. On average we see 64-65 species and half can be found in your own back yard. What we need more of are people to count them.”

Audubon’s Backyard Bird Count begins February 17 and ends February 20. Billed as a global event “when the world comes together for the love of birds,” Audubon recommends that beginning birders download the Merlin app that will tell them what birds they are seeing or hearing. All information to participate is online at birdcount.org.

For more information about educational programs ACCA offers to scouts, schools and events or to donate or volunteer: www.accawv.org, www.facebook.com/ACAWV/ Instagram @accawv. To report an injured bird call 304-906-5438.

On a cold Christmas Eve, Buzzley the injured vulture made himself at home in Colleen Nelson’s house.

Dr. Jesse Fallon at Avian Conservancy Center of Appalachia examined Buzzley to determine the extent of his injury.

The Merlin App helps make identifying birds during the Christmas Bird Count a lot easier - especially when you can only hear them!

GreeneScene of the Past

It’s a cold crisp early winter day – December 28, 2013 to be exact - and Ralph K. Bell is ready to look for birds on the roads around his Clarksville farm. The truck is warmed up and fellow birder Jordan Wolfe has his binoculars out and ready. He’ll be riding with Ralph, verifying sightings, and tallying them on the list that will be sent to the National Audubon Society for the 2013 Christmas Bird Count. Llew Williams has driven from Morgantown to count the birds on the Bell farm while Ralph, at age 98, settles for the comfort of his truck, driving slowly with the windows down on back roads and through forgotten coal towns from here to the Monongahela River and back. It’s a drive he’s been taking every year since he first started winter bird counts in Greene County for Audubon in 1958.

I snap this photograph of old friends saying hello, then, coffee mug in hand, jump in the front seat to ride shotgun with Ralph, watching, listening and learning. I’ll be writing yet another story about this annual count that gives science a snapshot of bird populations and, by extrapolation, planetary health in the Northern Hemisphere. Although not a dedicated birder, I maintain a feeder and do my part by writing about the environment and encouraging others to become citizen scientists. And every year, Ralph calls me and says “Hello kid! I have the numbers. Are you ready to write?” This year I’m excited because this is my first time going out with Ralph on the Clarksville Count, a 15-mile circle that includes the river habitat that has been attracting more than ducks and herons. The Clarksville count recorded its first bald eagle in 2009 and the chances of seeing one of these big birds today has me eagerly looking skyward.

It’s sunny but with a cold wind blowing and no snow to offer contrast some birds will be hard to spot, hunkered down in thickets. Still, the sun draws them out. Nuthatches, juncos and crows, cardinals, blue jays, song sparrows and house sparrows, titmice and chickadees dart and sing as we dip down past marshy creek beds and cruise along abandoned fence lines and pasturelands. Ralph identifies each voice, even when there’s no bird to be seen. “I’ve always had to listen harder because I’m colorblind.”

After 40-some years, Ralph knows the neighborhood. We come around a bend and sure enough, there’s a pair of mockingbirds dancing from branch to branch in a big tree, flashing the white bands on tail and wing that identify them. Ralph nods.

“I’ve seen them here before. They nest here.”

Today when we follow Ten Mile Creek to the Monongahela River we count plenty

of wild ducks and herons and the occasional soaring red tail hawk – but no eagle. Then back up Black Dog Hollow Road near Fredericktown to the scattered houses of Sandy Plains.

Ralph gets out of the truck to graciously accept Delores Doman’s tally from her birdfeeder, fastened two stories up to the outside of her kitchen window.

“Nicholas Teagarden made this for me and he put it up, too. It’s his Eagle Scout project,” she tells us. “I can put feed through the window and really see the birds up close. Last summer a mother woodpecker brought her babies here so they could eat and I watched them grow up. Everyone should have a feeder like this.”

As we drive, Ralph notes the missing bluebird boxes and empty barns. “When that farm had cattle, the rock doves were lined up on the barn roof.” Bird populations hinge on access to food and shelter as humans displace their native habitat, he tells me, not for the first time. And not for the first time I nod my head in agreement and make a note to mention it in the story I’m about to write.

Ralph turned 99 on January 27, 2014 and I stopped by as winter began giving way to spring for one last visit. It was farmer time around the kitchen table to compare notes on the weather, and swap stories about birds and

the habitat we share. Yes, eagles were returning, it’s good. Purple Martins are back as well. People need to keep feeding if they want birds in their backyard. Ralph’s homemade, no nonsense old bird feeders, seen through the back porch window were filled and dozens of birds were feasting. Pieces of corrugated tin hung above them at strategic angles – the better to keep hungry hawks from crashing the party. It was so Ralph K. Bell I had to smile. Practical, to the point, and full of good cheer. Framed by quaint lace curtains, it was a photograph worth a thousand words.

Ralph admitted that day he was slowing

By Colleen Nelson

down but still managed to get out to mow his fields when it was time. And he was there to greet but not walk with his fellow birders for the spring count on the roads around his farm on May 17, 2014.

Ralph’s obituary reports that on May 20 he told daughter Joanie he was tired, adding “I’ve had a wonderful life and loved every minute of it.” He died that day, leaving us this secret to living a long life: “Keep moving and never retire.”

A rtist Gallery ARTIS CORWIN

Oftentimes, people can get so caught up in life that they forget the beauty of their every-day surroundings. It becomes easy to forget to appreciate seemingly insignificant moments such as the drive home from work. That is why the first lesson of Greene County artist Artis Corwin is to simply look and fully take in the world.

“If you don’t know how to look, you don’t see how to paint,” Corwin says, whose work ranges from landscapes to doll sculpting. “We have so much beauty here and I wish people could see it. I think that’s what I try to promote when I paint.”

Corwin’s path as an artist began naturally, as she followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother. She credits her mother for putting crayons and pencils into her hands before she was even able to hold them. Corwin also noted how similar she was to her grandmother in her work as her grandmother’s art extended to creating dolls as well. Corwin’s dolls have even been featured in the 2012 issue of the Huffington Post’s “The Prim’s Dolls” Magazine.

Corwin had excelled in art throughout her life as a few teachers noticed early on. One of her High School teachers had even warned students to not compare their work to hers because it would “scare them to death”. It seems her love for learning has never worn off as she considers herself a constant student to this day.

“It keeps my mind sharp. It keeps my mind happy,” add-

By Morgan Marisa

ed Corwin passionately. “It’s my happy place. I don’t paint for money; I paint for what I love.”

Although Corwin was born in Fayette County where her mother was from, she has spent most of her life in Greene County. Her grandfather had been a merchant in Waynesburg along with some other of her ancestors, and her father had worked in Beaver County. She eventually moved to Greene County where she raised four children with her husband and has since added ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren to her family tree.

After a career hiatus, Corwin dove back into art during the 2020 pandemic, where she estimates creating over a hundred paintings. She enjoys painting now just as much as she ever has. Her husband has even recently bought her a studio off the back of their home and comments how he can never get her out of it.

Corwin’s work primarily consists of landscapes of Greene County and surrounding areas along with occasional portraits and dolls as well. She is extremely passionate about the overlooked beauty of Southwestern Pennsylvania with its old-fashioned barns and bridges and farmlands. She tries to promote the charm of the region with her art, which can be found in private collections in homes across the US from California to Vermont. Corwin’s artwork can also be found in her granddaughter’s shop in Fordyce called “The Dutch House”, where she occasionally teaches classes.

Besides painting, Corwin additionally has driven school

buses for forty-three years for Greene County. She has passed on her art knowledge to the youth as well by being a guest artist at Waynesburg’s elementary school. She enjoyed these classes especially because she feels there is much to learn from children when it comes to art as they “don’t go by rules, they go by their heart.” She hopes to continue to spread her love and knowledge of art for many years to come.

Amy Smith remembers what she felt as she read Alex Haley’s 1976 Pulitzer Prize winning novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family as a precocious elevenyear-old.

“His descriptions about Africa and generations of slavery and being brought here violently…it affected me. I’ve always had a strong sense of social justice.”

Haley’s vivid descriptions of living in Gambia and the village of Jufureh that Haley’s ancestor Kunta Kinte was reputedly abducted from also captured Smith’s imagination. “I knew I had to go to Africa someday.”

The novel’s descriptions of the poverty, disease and tribal tensions that still haunt much of Africa would be experienced first-hand when the kid from rural Greene County grew up to made her dream come true.

“I had to wait for the right time,” Amy admits. She credits grandmother Carrie Bell Smith, a Rogersville Methodist Church regular, for instilling in her the value of service unto others. “She raised me since I was three. Grandma would deliver cookies to shut-ins. She took me with her and I took them to the door. They were so thrilled. It was kind of addicting.”

Amy remembers the strength of Carrie Bell “in her 50s running the house and the farm, all those animals. I remember we had 77 lambs when I was ten. I’ll never fill those shoes but I like to try.”

Amy did more than read above her grade level as a kid – she journaled her way through high school and beyond, developing a writer’s eye for seeing the world. After earning a nursing degree at Waynesburg College in 1990, she returned for a degree in English and Journalism in 1992.

For the next 11 years she would put away her dreams of Africa and be a cardiac nurse at Mon General Hospital in Morgantown. It was a time to stay close to home, to care for family and attend the family church in Rogersville. There would always be time to do good work.

Amy was a seasoned medical professional when her time finally came. “When my grandmother died in 2000, I started looking up mission groups online.”

Volunteers in Medical Missions (VIMM) from South Carolina recruits physicians, nurses, medical students and as-

By Colleen Nelson

sistants to go on one and two week missions to bring medicine and healthcare into poverty stricken, sometimes war torn countries in Africa. Amy got a recommendation from Pastor Bruce Judy, included a copy of her nursing degree, and was accepted.

The Observer Reporter covered her first trip to Zambia in 2001. With warthogs and baboons along the road, “it was everything I’d pictured in my head.” Then came the reality of the first primitive clinic and the 300 patients they saw that day, mostly women, some walking miles with sick children. Knowing there was little they could do for major illnesses, “we did the basics, Tylenol for fever and antibiotics as long as they lasted. They were so appreciative of everything. It was heartbreaking. I wish we could have done more. It was a drop in the bucket.”

Two exhausting weeks and 6,600 grateful patients later VIMM returned stateside and Amy told her story to Greene County. “I know it touched my spirit because I now have a real passion for this.”

Amy’s last mission trip to South Sudan in June started with a late-night trip back to the airport to pick up a stray team member and delayed luggage, and then a morning flight to the airport in Juba, where she was greeted by Abass, a nurse, and Dunna, wife of Abass - another part of the family Amy has claimed over the years. “He calls me mom... They named their daughter Amy. I’m a grandma!”

South Sudan gained its independence in 2011, but unresolved political and ethnic tensions flared up in 2013, leading to years of conflict in the underdeveloped, povertystricken new nation. Amy remembers that at some point “VIMM thought it was too dangerous to go but a tiny group from our team decided to go anyway. We’ve been going ever since whenever we can.”

Abass is the nurse Amy met as the fighting of 2013 continued and the ETA camp near Juba began filling. Abass, an Anyuak from the village Pochalla, was educated in Ethiopia, then returned home to become an integral part of the mission of mercy.

Over the years, the team’s trips have had to deal with the humanitarian crisis brought on by government and tribal warfare and years of drought and famine. They were unable to go in 2018 (too dangerous) and 2020-21 when the pandemic ravaged

the world.

But those years on the ground in South Sudan have built relationships with the people in the villages and refugee camps in and around the capital Juba that can be supported when the team isn’t there. Sending funds via Venmo means that money for medicine, supplies, critical operations and even food and schooling can be crowd sourced from friends, neighbors, churches, and organization back home.

Then, on June 24, Amy shared: “Abass’s wife Dunna works at the IDP (Internally Displaces Persons) camp here in Juba. She saw “Little John Boy” there, and told the team. [John was a child who had a complicated facial mass removed.] … after the fighting broke out and everyone fled Pibor…I had no real expectation of ever seeing him again. Today, we saw him.”

The photos of the IDP camp are filled with barefoot children, dusty streets and blanketed doorways. John Boy stands in the doorway of one tent. His now-symmetrical ten-year old face has circular scars around the right eye and cheek that are still healing. His gaze is solemn, direct. His hair is rust colored. While his face is healing, he was still suffering from malnutrtion and his mother was bed bound. An effort was made to raise funds in the US for a new wheelchair, and...“We got the wheelchair for John Boys mom! – I still don’t know how she made it to the IDF camp in that broken chair she had. It was the rainy season. It’s a miracle. We also got her treated – she had malaria real bad. What’s really cool, she’s letting Abass and Dunna adopt John Boy, she was worried he’d be running in the streets at the camp and get in trouble. He’s going to school now and they’re taking real good care of him.”

Support keeps coming in from “people who have watched this story evolve and have become involved.” And Juba’s just as close as a Zoom meeting or conference call.

Amy Smith, Dunna, and Dunna’s daughter Amy greeted Smith at the airport on her most recent missionary trip.

Public Service Profile

By Rochelle McCracken

GIVE GREENE FUND

The GIVE Greene Fund is an endowed donor-advised fund created by the EQT Foundation in 2021 that will be used to support nonprofits and agencies in Greene County. The fund is managed through the Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC), which is a 501(c) (3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to investing in the future of Greene County.

The fund was inspired by a similar program created in Belmont County, Ohio when a group of (then Rice Energy) landowners decided to donate a portion of their royalties from natural gas leases to create a comparable fund. Similarly in Greene County, EQT landowners will be offered an opportunity to invest in the future of the county through an innovative royaltywithholding program, where, with landowner approval, a small portion of monthly royalties received by the landowner will be donated to GIVE Greene by EQT on the landowner’s behalf. The EQT Foundation will then match the amount donated by the landowner, up to $10,000, for the first year of their participation.

Since the GIVE Greene Fund match was announced in December 2022, more than $13,000 has been received thus far from landowners and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the EQT Foundation. Additional dollars will be raised by other local businesses and individuals to help grow the fund.

“This is a community effort,” said Ellen Rossi, President of the EQT Foundation. “We are proud to have seeded the fund and will make an annual contribution for the next several years, and we anticipate other business and community leaders will join us as well. And of course, we hope leaseholders will support this initiative that will

leave their fingerprints in Greene County forever.”

CFGC serves as the central philanthropic organization within Greene County for donations of various types and sizes and strives to serve the interests of donors and the community. Through donations, CFGC can dedicate financial resources to support change and change-makers in Greene County. Funds are invested and then distributed through grants to the many nonprofit agencies working to bring change to Greene County.

According to Dave Calvario, Executive Director of CFGC, “EQT has been a strong philanthropic partner in Greene County for years. The corporation and its employees have a steep history of donating their time, talents, and resources. The GIVE Greene Fund, since it is an endowed fund, will live on into perpetuity and benefit our County for generations to come. EQT has always been a problem solver in our community, and this commitment further shows their commitment to investing in our County.”

The goal is to raise $1,000,000 for the fund by the end of 2023. Nonprofits will be asked to submit applications for funding and based on a 4% annual payout, this will allow approximately $40,000 to be reinvested in the County, which will be decided by GIVE Greene funders and other leaders.

To find out more about the GIVE Greene Fund or to make a donation, contact CFGC at 724-627-2010 or cfgcpa@ gmail.com.

After being placed in a drone class as part of her high school curriculum, Carmichaels Area High School student Camryn Lemley knew she wanted to come up with a new plan. She didn’t have much interest in learning about drones and wanted to use her time to do something more meaningful to her. And then had an idea.

Camryn approached her teacher, Nicole Morecraft, about completing a service project instead of working on the drone program. Morecraft approved of the independent study service project. “She thought it was a big undertaking. She wasn’t sure that it would all come together in time,” Camryn says. “But once it was done, she was very proud. “

After getting her teacher’s approval, Camryn had to choose her service project, something with special meaning. After some thought, she decided on making blankets for people that needed them. Blankets had a particular significance in her family, as many family members still had their childhood blankets.

Initially, she wanted to create the blankets for WVU’s Children’s Hospital. She contacted the hospital, but they informed her that they were no longer taking donations of handmade items due to COVID-19. While

Cool at School

CARMICHAELS

AREA

considering what places would appreciate the blanket donation, she thought about her pap. They had always had a close relationship, but he had recently passed away. Her thoughts helped her come to a decision. Once completed, she would donate the blankets to a local nursing home and chose Rolling Meadows in Waynesburg.

Over the next three months, Camryn would dedicate most of her free time to the service project. She planned out everything that she would need to do to see it through to completion. The first step was raising the much-needed money for supplies. She reached out to area businesses, family, and friends, and they came through for her project, donating more than enough funds for the supplies she needed.

With the funds coming in, Camryn and her family began making trips to area craft stores to take advantage of their fabric sales. Eventually, they purchased enough fabric to create the blankets, each blanket one and a half yards long and double sided. With some help from her grandmother Bette Jo, Camryn began making the blankets by tying them to-

SCHOOL DISTRICT

gether – no easy task when you have over a hundred blankets to make.

“I spent my weekends, afternoons after school, and even class time to make the blankets. I would take them with me to [drone] class and free periods so that I could get them tied,” Camryn says.

They were able to get the hundred blankets, plus a few extra, tied in time to deliver to Rolling Meadows before Christmas. Some leftover money from the initial batch of donations was used to create gift baskets for residents, also. “It was overwhelming and rewarding to see the reactions from [the residents]. They were all so happy, so excited to get them. Some of them even cried,” Camryn shares. “It was very nice seeing how much they meant to them.”

“People should help out more so things like this for community. It often means more

By Danielle Nyland

than you think,” Camryn says. “It really made an impact.”

The project isn’t quite finished yet. After everything else was completed, Camryn received an additional donation too late to help with the blankets. “We wanted to make sure that the money doesn’t go to waste, so it will be used to donate coloring books to WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital,” Camryn adds.

Members of the Youth Traffic Safety Council had the opportunity on Monday to tour the Eighty-Four PennDot garage. They also sat in on presentations from various PennDot employees and the PA State Police about Distracted Driving and DUI awareness.

During the months of Nov. & Dec., children at Helping House practiced being grateful and appreciative by helping others. From giving smiles to making cards and baking cookies for nursing homes, the children had fun giving back to the community. Thanks to the kindness of many people, the children enjoyed a Christmas Party filled with presents and roller skating.

First grade students from Bobtown Elementary made homemade instruments and played in their very own band at school today. This activity was created to go along with their story, A Musical Day.

First grade had the challenge of designing a snowman with marshmallows and toothpicks. The goal was to build the tallest snowman that could stand on it’s own! The tallest was 8.5 inches.

Dress for Success Pittsburgh worked with GCCTC students in December to provide free professional dress clothes. They had a great time trying on and picking out new outfits and accessories!

Fourth grade wrestlers RJ Stephenson, Griffin McKay, Easton Henry, and Coleman Kincer met Olympic athlete and professional wrestler Kurt Angle at the high school wrestling match in January.

Photos below courtesy each school’s Facebook.

For an independent school project. Camryn Lemley created over a hundred blankets for residents at Rolling Meadows.

Greene Artifacts

By Matthew Cumberledge, GCHS ExECutivE DirECtor

WAYCHOFF POINT COLLECTION

Thousands of years of history exist in southwestern Pennsylvania. We often forget the area’s long history, until the unexpected happens–like finding an arrowhead along a creek or during a utility excavation. Our archaeological history is incredibly rich, thanks to the area’s extensive history.

This is a collection of arrowheads, or projectile points, collected by a museum founder and author of a “History of Greene County Pennsylvania”, Andrew J. Waychoff This collection is superb and was compiled locally by Waychoff, from items found in the earth of plowed up fields, creeks, and streams, as well as archaeological digs in the first quarter of the 20th century.

Not all the collection is shown, but Waychoff’s collection alone represents the entire span of prehistoric human habitation in Greene County. A few of his points date back to Paleo Indian times!

Here is a brief overview of the archaeological periods represented in Greene County (dates are approximate).

Paleo Indian Period - Ca 13,500BC –Ca 8000BC: The Paleo Indian Period began a minimum of 13,000 years ago and evidence even suggests humans may have traveled to North America long before that. The Paleo Indian people were purely hunter gathers, spending little time in one place and following their food sources. These people went after big game, in the grandest sense. Mammoths, mastodons, and other large, extinct mammals were a major part of their diet. There is little evidence of them in the archaeological record, however, a few sites exist, such as Meadowcroft Rock Shelter in Washington County. A fluted Clovis style point is the most common artifact found from these times.

Archaic Period – Ca 8000BC –1000BC: We see a bit more in the archaeological record from the Archaic Period. By this time, most of the large game had gone into extinction, and there was a diverse variety of tools. Many of the points in the photo are from the Archaic Period. This is when axes, adzes, and other wood working type tools begin to appear. Towards the end of the Archaic Period, we see a shift in subsistence that lays the foundation for agriculture.

Woodland Period – Ca 1000BC –1000AD: The Woodland Period is one of the most interesting to study; this is the time of the moundbuilders! In the early Woodland Period, the Adena Culture began to develop. The Adena existed in the Ohio Valley (to

include Greene County) and were responsible for mounds of all sizes, from the small mounds on the Crow farm, near the site of the Crow massacre in Richhill Township, to the giant Grave Creek Burial Mound in Moundsville, West Virginia.

In the middle Woodland Period we meet the Hopewell people. The Hopewell didn’t exist much in southwestern Pennsylvania, but occasional artifacts do show up. The Hopewell Culture was centered in southern Ohio, specifically in areas around Chillicothe and Newark. The Hopewell are famous for The Hopewell Interaction Sphere, a huge, nearly continent-wide network of interactions, involving trade, ideas, spiritual beliefs, and travel that influenced nearly every area of the United States from the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains. The Hopewell Culture seemed to collapse around 400AD. They are also known for their large mound and earthwork sites that can be found all over the middle Ohio River Valley.

After the decline of the Hopewell, other cultures began to emerge to fill in the gap left by the dissolution of their culture. In Greene County, during the late Woodland Period, there was the Monongahela Culture, named after the Monongahela River Valley, their primary area of occupation. The Monongahela were true agriculturalists, living in settlements with sometimes as many as a hundred families. There are hundreds of Monongahela sites in Greene County. The Monongahela never had direct contact with Europeans and disappeared by about 1630. They did have indirect contact via trade, and many European trade items are found in late Monongahela sites.

Going Greene

BRAVE, BLACKSVILLE, AND THE

Anyone who grew up in Brave or lived there any time before the trains stopped running, remembers coming up the road from Blacksville and getting stopped by the train at Cliff Bridge just off Route 7, and again just a little bit further up the road by The Gun Club at Morris Run Road. If you lived in Brave behind the Brass Plant, you’d get stopped by the train a third time on Chestnut Street right at the Brass Plant.

The trains were a part of daily life to the folks in Brave for many years. Usually you didn’t even notice, and it sure could be a pain when you got stuck waiting for the train to clear the road. But it was a huge part of the local economy, transporting coal from the mines in the area and providing people with good paying jobs. It’s a safe bet to say that everyone had adapted to the sound of the whistles as the trains went through Brave, going largely unnoticed unless you were in the company of someone who didn’t live there. They would invariably ask, “How do you deal with that?” The reply often was, “Oh, the train. You get used to it and don’t even notice.” Most people could sleep right through it.

Like everything, the railroad tracks from Blacksville to Brave have a story, and a large part of that story begins with the Brass Plant, or the company that initially inhabited that building in 1906, Peoples Natural Gas. Peoples Natural Gas built the Brave Pumping Station, the largest pumping station of its kind in the world in 1905 and 1906, and it turned a small community of farms into the booming town of Brave. Brave was quite the place in the days of Peoples Natural Gas; it boasted a school, gas stations, streetlights, several stores, and even a hotel. The gas company was even responsible for bringing the Railroad through Brave.

Railroad tracks first forged their way from Blacksville to Brave in 1918, when the Morgantown and Wheeling Railway Company finished laying the tracks in Brave in August 1918 as World War I was raging on in Europe. The Morgantown and Wheeling would bring coal to the gas company in Brave and take many cars of Casing Head Gasoline back down the valley towards Morgantown. Casing Head Gas is gas taken unprocessed from an oil well. The Morgantown and Wheeling Railway hit hard times throughout the winter of 1919-1920. Cars and tracks were wearing out and the line was plagued by derailments as a result. In the winter of 1921-1922, the rail-

By Matthew Cumberledge

MONONGAHELA RAILROAD

road would shut down completely, and its assets would eventually be taken up by the Scotts Run Railway.

The Scotts Run Railway was a product of the Osage and Morgantown Coal companies. They wished to further expand their rail traffic towards Peoples Natural Gas in Brave, and the purchase of the assets of the Morgantown and Wheeling Railway made this a possibility. The Scotts Run Railway would not only haul coal to Peoples Natural Gas, but they would also offer passenger service into Brave. Scotts Run Railway was formed in the interest of the Monongahela Railway, and, in 1933, the Monongahela would take complete ownership of Scotts Run.

The Monongahela Railway was a larger company headquartered in Brownsville, and a coal hauling short line railroad jointly controlled by the Pennsylvania Railroad, the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Under control of the Monongahela, passenger traffic through Blacksville into Brave would cease, though coal shipments coming to Peoples Natural Gas would remain consistent. By 1959 Peoples had closed and the building would soon be taken over by Bell’s Wholesale Grocery. For several years the only traffic on the line to Brave was cargo shipments of canned and paper goods going to Bells a few times each month. Movements of the line were controlled by the yardmaster at the Maidsville Yard, in Maidsville West Virginia.

On February 12, 1967, the last train would run to Brave, all while coal fields around Brave and Blacksville were being developed. The Waynesburg Southern Railway would be tapped to take over transport of the coal coming from the new Blacksville No. 1 Mine and Federal No. 2 Mine. New tracks were laid around this time, on different rights of way, requiring a cut to be made through a large hill just beyond the old Peoples Natural Gas building. During construction of this cut and track, a Monongahela Culture Native American settlement was discovered and excavated.

Waynesburg Southern would control the rails through Brave and Blacksville until they merged with Consolidated Coal in 1993, and eventually the line would be bought by Norfolk Southern; trains ceased

just a few years ago.

Now the tracks between Brave and Blacksville remain largely abandoned. Occasionally maintenance vehicles will travel them to keep a check on track conditions but otherwise the most traffic they see are folks walking to spots along Dunkard Creek to go fishing or when riding their ATVs. But, they have their story, and what an interesting story it is, taking us back to a time when big business was in the area, and coal was king.

The new Morgantown and Wheeling tracks freshly laid in Brave.

Gas measuring station at Peoples Natural Gas Company in Brave.

A dog named Echo posing in front of Peoples Natural Gas in 1918.

Gustave A. Drews, Yardmaster at the Maidsville Yard in the 1960s.

Local Student’s Art Selected for Calendar

Cecelia Maskil of Carmichaels Area Elementary Center was one of 13 students to have their artwork selected for 2023 Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General DrugFree Calendar. Cecili’as artwork will be featured for the month of January. Carmichaels Elementary will also receive 100 copies of the calendar.

The contest was open to all fifth graders in the state of Pennsylvania and focused on the importance of a drug free life. The winning entries were chosen from 624 submissions from 124 schools in 42 counties, based on the artists’ creativity, ability to illustrate, and the inclusion of a drug-free message. Each selected student receives a certificate and a $529 contribution to their Pennsylvania

529 College Savings Program. Photo courtesy Carmichaels School District Facebook.

Conservation District Awards Ceremony

The Greene County Conservation District honored eleven recipients during its annual awards ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Valley View Farm.

Each year, the Conservation District honors those within the county who have shown an outstanding commitment to soil and water conservation. Honorees for 2022 included Kevin White, recipient of the Outstanding Cooperator of the Year Award; Dan Bazzoli, recipient of the Outstanding Forest Conservationist and Alex Shultz, recipient of the Outstanding Conservation FFA Speaking Award. Eight District and Farmland Board directors were honored with years of service.

Waynesburg’s Criminal Justice Program Ranked Among the Top in Pennsylvania

Waynesburg University’s Criminal Justice Administration Program was recently ranked a top program overall and a top program for veterans in the state of Pennsylvania by College Factual.

Waynesburg’s program ranked No. 2 overall out of the 22 schools named to College Factual’s 2023 “Best Criminal Justice Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The program also was named the No. 1 school on College Factual’s “Most Veteran Friendly in Pennsylvania for Criminal Justice” list.

“The faculty in the Criminal Justice Administration Program remain dedicated to preparing the next generation of lawyers, law enforcement officers, counselors and corrections officers through hands-on learning experiences to reinforce the traditional classroom learning,” said Adam Jack, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences and professor of criminal justice. “The continued recognition as one of the top programs in the state illustrates that our graduates are going out into the workforce and making an impact.”

College Factual uses several factors to steer its ranking methodology, including accreditation, student body caliber, educational resources, degree completion and post-graduate earnings.

Waynesburg’s Criminal Justice Administration Program features faculty members

who are expert practitioners from the criminal justice field. Students receive unique, hands-on training, utilizing cutting-edge technology starting as early as freshman year.

This past year, the program added a patrol simulator to its collection of state-of-theart equipment, which also features the Laser Shot Firearms Training Simulator and PatrolEyes body cameras.

“This is a training tool that, once again, puts us in a position to be one of the only schools in the United States to provide this type of immersive experience for our undergraduate students,” added Jack.

The patrol simulator is a driving simulator outfitted with the elements of a patrol car, including lights, a siren, and a mobile digital terminal. It enables students to experience real-life scenarios through a series of exercises to enhance their understanding of being on patrol. The simulations can revolve around distracted driving, pursuits and navigating severe weather conditions.

Kevin White and his family were honored as the 2022 Outstanding Cooperator of the Year. This award is given to local farms that have shown substantial improvements to their operations by committing to the use of conservation practices that are intended to improve soil and water quality. Mr. White’s farm is in Greene Township near the White Covered Bridge. The White’s manage and farm 47 acres with a herd of 15-20 angus cattle. Mr. White has worked to improve pasture conditions, implement rotational grazing, develop water resources and control stormwater. By implementing these farming practices that protect our natural resources were leading factors in being selected for this award.

Dan Bazzoli was presented the Outstanding Forest Conservationist Award for his tireless work improving the forest stand on his Jefferson, PA farm. Mr. Bazzoli has implemented his 2020 Forest Management plan by planting over 200 trees and completed 18-acres of woody vegetative management. These practices only enhance Greene County’s local forests and valuable forest resources.

Money

Raised for Food Pantry

The All Things Christmas Festival raised $4892 for the Cumberland food pantry. Their top three selling trees were Naughty or Nice donated by the Carmichaels Women Civic Club, Candy Christmas donated by the Donaldson family, and All Roads Lead to Home donated by First Christian Church CWF and

LMF. Nicole Baker of the event wishes to share: “We are so grateful for everyone that came out and donated trees, crafts, and their time. People from all over the came out and helped raise money for such a great cause…. I am beyond grateful for the outcome of this year’s festival and anticipate next year!”

Kevin White, Outstanding Cooperator of the Year Award

Dan Bazzoli, Outstanding Forest Conservationist Award

Alex Shultz, Outstanding Conservation FFA Speaking Award

Service Eight District and Farmland Board directors were honored with years of service awards.

Nemacolin VFD Flea Market

The Nemacolin VFD Flea Market continues for the season every Sunday until February 19. 7:30am to 1pm, kitchen open 9am-12pm. Entry fee is only 25 cents. To reserve a table, contact Drew at 724-317-7911.

DVSSP Launches Secure Communications for Domestic Violence Victims

Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania (DVSSP) has partnered with Western Pennsylvania-based, woman-owned technology development company OhanaLink Technologies™ to provide clients experiencing domestic violence with a secure communication channel as they receive help.

DVSSP recently began using OhanaLink Technologies’ OhanaLink Purple™ mobile solution—a first-in-the-market secure cloud-based delivery system. OhanaLink Purple™ gives DVSSP the tools to better coordinate and communicate with clients and their family members.

“DVSSP is continually looking for new and improved ways to serve our clients, and we are excited to offer the OhanaLink Purple mobile solution,” said DVSSP Chief Operating Officer Megan Dunlevy. “From providing a secure, private communication channel between our advocates and our

clients to the wealth of resources available to them, OhanaLink Purple is a true gamechanger for us.”

The COVID-19 pandemic spotlighted the challenges faced by those experiencing domestic violence, and shed light on the need for improved, safe communication tools between domestic violence agencies and their clients. As a result, in the fall of 2020, OhanaLink Technologies partnered with a coalition of domestic violence agencies to create OhanaLink Purple™ to address this overwhelming need.

OhanaLink Purple™ is delivered with proprietary Traceless Safety Features™ that can be used on smartphones or tablets to provide a safe, private mobile communication and support tool. The mobile system is free for DVSSP’s clients to use and gives them immediate access to the full functionality of the system. Learn more about OhanaLink Purple™ at ohanalink.com.

Waynesburg U. to hold Ministry Leaders Appreciation Dinner

Waynesburg University’s Biblical & Ministry Studies Program will host its annual Ministry Leaders Appreciation Dinner Tuesday, Feb. 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Pastors and ministry leaders from the area are invited to attend.

The event, which celebrates pastors and ministry staff from local churches, features a sit-down dinner in the Glass Dining Room of Benedum Dining Hall, ministry fellowship with local leaders and Waynesburg students, a message shared by a guest speaker and a concluding prayer.

Kent Chevalier, team chaplain for the Pittsburgh Steelers with Athletes in Action, will serve as the guest speaker for this year’s event.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to bless local ministry leaders and to make connec-

tions for our students at Waynesburg University as they seek to grow in their own ministry calling,” said University Chaplain Joshua Sumpter.

While joining in fellowship around the table, Biblical & Ministry Studies students will have an opportunity to grow their connections and engage in discussions with active ministry leaders about their own calling to ministry.

“As a Christian university, our relationship with local churches and ministry staff is vital to helping our students grow in Christ during their time at Waynesburg University,” added Sumpter.

Local pastors and ministry leaders interested in attending this event should send their RSVP to Sumpter atjdsumpte@ waynesburg.edu by Friday, Feb. 10.

Greene 4-H at the ‘23 PA Farm Show

(TOP) Goat & Market Lamb, L-R: Allie Midla, Carly Whyte, Allison Pecjak and Karston Williams. (BOTTTOM LEFT) Rabbit Show, L-R: Chase Sager, Jenna Longstreth, Allison Pecjak, Rachel Koratich, and Silas Sager. (BOTTOM RIGHT) Greene County 4-H member Andrew Sanders showed his market hog at the 2023 PA Farm Show.

WU Student Completes Research for Scholarship Initiative

Waynesburg University student Nicholas Haushalter, a senior Christian mission major, recently completed and presented his scholarly research titled, “John Chrysostom and the Exposition of Scripture” as part of the Iona George Fund for Scholarship in Early Church History at Waynesburg University.

The Iona George Fund for Scholarship in Early Church History was created through a generous donation by Thomas George in honor and in memory of his aunt, Iona George, whose life of faith was a witness and example to him. The scholarship seeks to improve understanding of the first 400 years of the Christian church through research done and collected by Waynesburg University upperclassman, who will receive the scholarship over the years.

As part of his research, Haushalter completed an 80-page paper focused on Chrysostom and sources related to his work, which he presented to faculty members, peers and family Tuesday, Dec. 6.

“I started with reading a lot of background information in secondary sources: books on Chrysostom’s life and work, how other contemporaries interpreted scripture and ancient exegesis in general,” Haushalter explained of his research process. “After I was familiar with that material, I began reading Chrysostom’s homilies themselves. I also made use of academic journal articles to get the newest and best research from current scholars. In total, I used seven volumes of primary source material and around 55 secondary sources (books

and articles).”

Through research completed by recipients like Haushalter, the vision of the scholarship is to create a scholarly library containing information on early church history. Haushalter’s research paper will be added as the first piece of collected works in the scholarly library, which will be accessible in Eberly Library and the President’s Office on campus.

“I couldn’t be more excited about this scholarship opportunity going forward,” added Haushalter. “These papers will not only be valuable resources in themselves to our library, but they will also help develop interest in the early Church among students, introduce those who receive the fund to serious historiographical research and promote academic excellence at our school.”

The Iona George Fund for Scholarship in Early Church History provides an annual scholarship to one Waynesburg University student interested in studying and writing about the early history of the Christian church. In return for research done by the scholarship recipient, the scholarship covers tuition over a 12-month period.

“We are proud of the work our students have done and will continue to do through this scholarship initiative,” said Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee. “This is a substantial opportunity for students to not only grow and refine their skills academically through research but also gain a deeper understanding of the early Christian church and its leaders.”

County Conversations

Broadband Expansion Begins in Greene

Plans for broadband installation from the $1M donation by the CNX Foundation and contribution by fiber broadband industry partner Kinetic were recently finalized. The third phase of Greene County’s broadband program was officially approved by Greene County Commissioners and will begin soon with a two-year completion estimate.

“Kinetic is proud to partner with the county and the foundation on this important project,” said Kinetic state operations President Susan Schraibman at a county-hosted event announcing the investment. “The communities in this county that were previously bypassed for high-speed broadband deserve the same opportunities for highquality internet connectivity that larger, urbanized areas enjoy. Fiber provides that connectivity. It’s the broadband of tomorrow. And Kinetic will provide the highest-quality, most reliable and most user-friendly broadband possible.”

“We’re delighted so many residents and businesses will get the benefits of fiber, and we’re thrilled this partnership will let us provide the ultrafast fiber internet so affordably,” Schraibman added.

The approved fiber to the premise projects are within Gray Township, Morris Township, and Richhill Township and include Ryerson Station State Park. This project includes 31 fiber miles and more than 103 addresses of unserved or underserved residences, businesses and state park addresses that will have access to gigabit speed broadband. There are numerous projects in different stages of completion or planned within the county and these specific addresses were not covered by any other proposed project. The county’s goal is to provide the opportunity for every residence, business, or industry to access high-speed broadband.

This is the third major investment in broadband in Greene County in the past two and a half years. Following a comprehensive feasibility study

in 2020, the Commissioners successfully invested more than $3M in broadband service improvements to serve more than 8,300 underserved and unserved households with a combination of CARES Act Funding and Kinetic capital investments.

Following that success, the Commissioners received $2.5M in Appalachian Regional Commission Grant matched with $2.7 million from Kinetic capital investments which will be invested in all or parts of Aleppo, Freeport, Gilmore, Perry, Springhill and Wayne Townships. Construction of this project begins soon and includes 105 miles of fiber to 767 unserved locations in Greene County.

“CNX Foundation is proud to support the Greene County Broadband Expansion initiative and is pleased that the team has moved quickly to reach the installation phase of this important project,” said Brian Aiello, Vice President, External Relations at CNX Resources. “This is a significant milestone to bring gig speed internet access to all communities within Greene County and we applaud the County Commissioners on their commitment to advancing this effort forward.”

Greene County Commissioners understand the positive impacts in education, entertainment, employment, and economic development access to broadband delivers and determined to offer access to every resident, visitor, business, and industry in Greene County. We continually strive to make Greene County a better place to live, learn, work and play and sincerely appreciate our industry partners.

Funded by CNX Resources, the CNX Foundation publicized in July 2021 their initiative to oversee the $30M charitable pledge designed to drive long-term, sustainable return on investment and broaden the path to the middle class in the Appalachian region. One million dollars for broadband access in rural Greene County was among the first donations announced.

Greene Receives $66,500 for Greene River Trail Development

The Greene County Commissioners are pleased to announce a $66,500 grant for additional Greene River Trail development. The grant will enable the county to prepare a study for the development of approximately 9 additional miles of the Greene River Trail in Cumberland and Monongahela townships from Old Ferry Road in Monongahela Township to State Route 21 in Cumberland Township.

The current 7.24 mile long Greene River Trail is a rail trail that runs adjacent to the Upper Monongahela Water Trail greenway providing a tranquil view of the river for its users. The trail is accessed by two trailheads. The Rices Landing Trailhead is located near Rices Landing United Methodist Church at 125 Main Street, Rices Land-

ing. The Southern Trailhead parking lot is located near Jessop Boat Club at 201 River Lane, Carmichaels. The trail is managed and maintained by the Greene County Department of Parks & Recreation.

The trail was designed to accommodate individuals interested in walking, jogging, and biking. A twelve-foot-wide right-of-way with fencing along most of the periphery provide a variety of trail users and adjacent property owners with a sense of safety and security. The trail has smooth crushed gravel surface that is very well maintained by the recreation department. The proposed expansion would more than double the length of the current trail.

Commissioners Pass 2023 Budget with No Increase in Taxes

The Greene County Commissioners passed the county’s 2023 budget at their normal business meeting today with no increase in taxes. “Although long-term fiscal concerns remain as we continue to seek additional positive, diverse economic drivers, we have settled into a stable budget pattern for the near future,” said Chairman Mike Belding, Greene County Board of Commissioners.

With the implementation of significant fiscal policy changes and expense reduction actions in 2020, there is growing evidence of positive budgetary trends. The 2021 Auditor’s Report highlighted increases in Governmental Funds Fund Balance, General Fund Balance, and Unrestricted Net Position.

Additional fiscal improvements were noted in a recently completed Strategic Management Planning Program and Five-year Financial Management Plan (STMP). Fiscal policy changes reduced total expenses for 2020 to the lowest level since 2015. 2020 marked the first time during the six-year study period that the fund balance grew instead of declining. The government general administrative expenses dropped by 13.9% from 2019 to 2020. Commissioner Blair Zimmerman said, “The STMP presented valuable analysis, data and recommendations for future activities and opportunities to keep improving our budget process and effective spending of tax revenue.”

The 2023 general fund budget is programmed for increased expenses of only $300,000 which have been offset by increased ACT 13 funding and the second installment of the county’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Funding. “If you consider all the economic impacts of the last year - inflation rates and increasing medical and personnel costs - we are happy with the slight increase presented in this budget,” said Commissioner Betsy McClure. “Our departments and staff have worked extremely hard in managing costs and increasing the successful applications for grant opportunities

to offset eligible costs,” she shared.

The Commissioners wish to commend the department heads and staff for their efforts in prioritizing expenditures and implementing cost cutting policies. Our focus is on maintaining adequate staff and resources to continue supporting the residents, those employed within the county and visitors with expected services. It is important that we seek grant or philanthropic financial contributions for new, unfunded initiatives.

Overall, there have been positive developments in the county towards diversifying workforce requirements, business and industrial opportunities and the significant grant-funded investment in broadband deployment continues. Community involvement in defining, analyzing, and working toward solutions in cooperative efforts continues. From broadband installation, water and sewer projects to owner-occupied home improvement programs, county departments are focused on quality-of-life initiatives, increasing amenities available and effective use of financial resources available.

We have momentum in the right direction, but we must remain focused toward smartly investing our precious resources, growing opportunities to increase tax revenue for future budget cycles and continue fiscally responsible decision making. It is imperative that we continue to work with other government entities, school districts, and develop public/private partnerships to bring businesses, diversified industry and increased residential housing activity into Greene County. Every day, your county commissioners and staff remain focused on making Greene County a better place to live, learn, work, and play.

The Auditor’s Report, STMP and 2023 budget are available on the county’s website. Additional information can be obtained on the Greene County Commissioner’s Facebook page or by calling (724) 852-5210.

Commissioner’s announce the expansion of Stahls’ Hotronix in the Paisley Industrial Park, in Carmichaels, PA. This expansion could create up to 40 family sustaining jobs in the area.

ATTENTION PARENTS AND COACHES!

Email it to: sports@directresults.us.

Intentional Walks

The Bard’s rhetorical question about the insignificance of a name may not be relevant to current athletic teams. For instance, many people on both sides of the issue have strong feelings about the current trend to change Native American nicknames such as the Washington Redskins or Cleveland Indians. Stanford University was among the first to drop the Indian mascot way back in 1972. They became the Cardinal (the color, not the bird); although, their mascot is a tree. That makes perfect sense.

However, that’s not what this column is about. I want to explore the boring banality, the absurd silliness, and humorous irony of nicknames we accept without question in our sports’ pages every week.

First, for the ultimate in lack of imagination, one need only look across the state at the Philadelphia Phillies. Really? Can you imagine the Pittsburgh Pitts or the Nashville Nashies. Unfortunately, there are other examples of this dazzling creativity: the Montreal Canadiens, the Houston Texans, and the St.

Bonaventure Bonnies.

As for the absurdly silly, we have the University of California Santa Cruz Banana Slugs, the Scottsdale College Fighting Artichokes, and the University of Arkansas Monticello Boll Weevils. I also had a good friend who played for the Fighting Student Princes of Heidelberg College. (Side note: Their colors were red, orange and black. Their uniforms looked like Walt Disney threw up.)

Some of the silliness has an interesting historical twist. The Georgetown University teams were known as the Stonewalls. At the games, one bright student came up with a cheer in Latin, Hoya Saxa (what rocks). That’s a pretty cool story, except that means the teams are really called the whats. In a similar vein, the Hokie of Virginia Tech is just a made-up word a student pulled out of his beanie during a cheer.

On a more disturbing note, every year around March Madness, I wonder what a St. Louis Billiken is. Turns out, it was a really creepy “charm doll” sold at the turn of the 20th century. It was a monkey-like figure with pointy ears and a mischievous smile. It would be like calling a team, the Chicago Chuckies today. In the NBA, the Washington Bullets found it necessary to change their name in 1997 to the Wizards after the murder rates in the nation’s capital became alarmingly high. One could discern a great deal of irony in this choice of a name. One definition of a wizard is “a very clever or skillful person”. Do I really need to finish the joke?

For years, Waynesburg University called their teams the Yellow Jackets when the school colors were orange and black? In fact, the colors were adopted early in the school’s

history when many of the students did preseminary work here before going on to Princeton to complete their graduate degrees. The school adopted the Tigers’ colors but never got an official nickname until 1925. I have never found an explanation of the incongruent mascot choice.

Some bizarre nicknames result when a franchise moves and for some reason clings to a comically out of place name. The Minneapolis Lakers (Land of 10,000 Lakes) headed to the West Coast determined to keep their name, despite the fact there are no lakes in Los Angeles. The city is also responsible for an annoying bilingual redundancy. Los Angeles is Spanish for the angels. Therefore, the Los Angeles Angels, translates to “the the an-

By Bret Moore

gels angels”. My favorite ironic nickname occurred when the New Orleans Jazz basketball team moved to the desolate musical vacuum known as Utah.

Finally, a little literary knowledge can lead to unfortunate choices in the name of culture. The Coastal Carolina Fighting Chanticleers are named after the arrogant, vane, and foolish rooster in The Canterbury Tales. Not exactly a lion, tiger or bear. However, the worst nickname in sports goes to the hated Baltimore Ravens. They honor a malevolent talking bird with an extremely limited vocabulary that is the creation of a disturbed alcoholic who married his 13-year-old cousin. Makes the stupid Browns’ nickname seem not so bad.

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

The Stanford University Tree costume is designed anew each year by the current student mascot.

Sports Shorts

The Waynesburg University Lady Yellow Jackets notched their second victory of this season in a home matchup against the Franciscan Barons. This matchup featured the bottom two teams in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. Coming into the game both teams had just one conference win in the season, with Franciscan ahead of Waynesburg due to a non-conference win. In the game Franciscan got off to a fast start, earning a 18-9 lead in the closing seconds of the first quarter until a long three-point buzzer beater by Madison Platt made it a six-point game. The low-scoring second quarter saw Waynesburg close the gap to just one point going into halftime. Coming out of the half, after struggling to shoot the ball in the first half, both teams were lights out from the three-point line in the third quarter. Waynesburg was a perfect four of four and Franciscan hit five out of six. The two teams combined to hit on ninety percent of their three-point attempts in the third quarter, with Waynesburg heading to the final quarter with a four point lead. Waynesburg worked to hold the lead and clinch their second win of the season in the fourth quarter with a 68-56 win. The Jackets were led by junior Avery Robinson with 26 points in the win. Also contributing heavily to the win were senior Anika Dansby and freshman Emma Seto who both posted double doubles in the game. This win gets the young Waynesburg team out of the basement of the PAC to bring in the new year as they head toward some tough matchups coming forward.

J-M Boys Basketball

Season Recap to Date

Jefferson-Morgan 49 Beth Center 37

Double figures: (BC) Brady Tharp 20 (JM) Troy Wright - 24, Houston Guesman - 10

Jefferson Morgan 48 Frazier 47

Double figures: (JM) Troy Wright - 17, Houston Guesman - 13, John Woodward - 11

Jefferson Morgan 58 Charleroi 51

Double Figures: (JM) Troy Wright - 17, Houston Guesman- 12, John Woodward13, Dayton Marion - 11

Jefferson Morgan 63 Mapletown 42

Double figures: (JM): Troy Wright 20, Houston Guesman 18 (Mapletown) Landen Stevenson: 17

Jefferson Morgan 57 Carmichaels 41

Double figures: (JM) Troy Wright 20 , John Woodward 11, Houston Guesman 11 points; (Carmichaels) Alec Anderson 14, Ayden Adamson 11

Jefferson Morgan 60 California 52

Double figures: (JM) J Jacobs 15, Troy Wright 14, Houston Guesman 12

Jefferson Morgan 36 West Greene: 31

Double Figures: ( WG) Allison 12 (JM) Troy Wright 18

Monessen 58 Jefferson Morgan 55

Double Figures: (JM) Houston Guesman 18, Preston Wood 10

Jefferson Morgan 48 Frazier 47

Double figures: (JM) Troy Wright 17, Houston Guesman 13, John Woodward 11

Greene County Basketball Leaders

BOYS GIRLS

Lane Allison (WG)

Troy Wright (JM)

Huston Guesman (JM)

Parker Burns (WG)

John Woodward (JM)

Kaden Shields (WG)

Patrick Durbin (WG)

Troy Wright (JM)

Krista Wilson (M) 11.4

Josie Horne (WC) 10.2

Isabella Garnek (M) 9.3

Josie Horne (WC) 7.2

Krista Wilson (M) 6.4

Peyton Cowell (WC) 5.1

Kaley Rohanna (WC) 3.6

BOYs and GIRLs OF THE MONTH

Aydan Adamson is the son of Shannon and Shawn Adamson. He is a junior member of the basketball, baseball, and football teams. His football accomplishments for the 2022 season include, WPIAL Tri-County South Conference team, TRICADA All-Conference team, and Trib Live Class A All-Conference team. In school, he is a peer leader, library aide, and a member of the National Honor Society, Leo Club, Junior Standing Committee, and the Big Brother/ Big Sisters program. Outside of school, he is an alter server for St. Matthias Parish, a member of the Greene County Allies travel baseball team, and volunteer at the local food bank.Aydan also attends the Greene County Career and Technical Center for welding.

Megan Voithofer is the daughter of Justin and Kristen Voithofer and sister to Avery and Parker. She is a member of the Mike’s softball team and a three-year starter for the girls’ basketball team. This year, she was named to the All-Tournament teams for the Jefferson-Morgan - Donna Furnier Tip-Off Tournament, and the Carmichaels’ Lions Club “Coal Bowl” Christmas Tournament. She is a member at St. Hugh Catholic Church and volunteers at the Corner Cupboard Food Bank. Academically, Megan is an honors student, who achieved Highest Honors, and is on the National Junior Honor Society.

Jeremiah Mick is the son and stepson of Karen Mick and William Marshall. The 6’3” junior is a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. He is also a member of the Morgantown Church of Christ. During his free time, he loves to fish, camp, and watch sports on TV or in person with family and friends.

MaKenna Lotspeich is a freshman member of the varsity volleyball, basketball, and softball teams. She also plays center field for the Reapers travel softball organization. MaKenna currently maintains a 4.2 GPA and is a member of Mapletown’s Academic League, debate team, student council, and FBLA. She is also class president. In MaKenna’s free time, she enjoys drawing and creating artworks, fishing, and spending time with family, friends, and pets. She is the daughter of Nicholas and Amy Lotspeich of Dilliner.

Hudson Guesman is the son of Timothy Guesman and Elizabeth Coleman of Mather. The senior is a member of the Rockets’ wrestling team and a member of the JROTC program. He plans on enlisting in the U.S. Navy after graduation.

Addie Larkin is the daughter of Krystl and Michael Larkin of Jefferson. She is a member of the Rockets’ basketball, volleyball and softball teams. Addie is a freshman and a member of the National Junior Honor Society, the Principal’s Advisory Counsel, science club, and the academic team. She is also on a travel softball team and enjoys playing her guitar.

Nathan Reed is the son of Bob and Karen Reed of Hargus Creek. He participates in basketball and baseball. Nathan was a member of last year’s baseball team that won the school’s first-ever Section title. He has also been an annual participant in the WPIAL boys’ basketball playoffs. In school, he is Vice-President of the senior class and Sergeant at Arms of the National Honor Society.

Sean Campion is the daughter of Paul and Stacy Campion of Sycamore. She is a freshman and participates in volleyball, rifle and softball. The Pioneer volleyball team participated in the WPIAL playoffs this year. Sean is a member of the FFA program and recently attended the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg. She also participates in the Science Club.

Christopher Mincer was inadvertently omitted from the Hometown Heritage Athlete of the Month Banquet. We would like to offer our sincerest apologies.

LOTTERY SCRATCHOFF TICKETS: Patti Barna, Cathy Barno, Annette Hennen, Ida Froats, Linda Garet, Brent Romine

BRAG MAG: Dylan Carrico

The Greene County Boy and Girl of the Month Banquet was held on Saturday, January 7. The winners of the $1000 scholarships were: Beth Cree of Carmichaels High School and Levi Howard of Mapletown High School.

A LIFETIME OF COMMUNITY MEMORIES

The 1982 sitcom Cheers starts with the opening song that contains the words “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name.” These words perfectly encapsulate John “Buzz” Walters, a Greene County staple.

Buzz Walters passed away on December 16 at the age of 88. He attended and graduated from Mapletown High School in 1952 and, while in high school, was involved in wrestling and football. He had a 20-2 record in wrestling and was recognized as the most valuable wrestler his senior year. After graduating, he joined the US Marine Corp with his three brothers.

Afterwards, armed with a wrestling and football scholarship, he attended Waynesburg College and earned a bachelor’s degree in teaching. While wrestling at Waynesburg, he was coached by Raymond Murdock, a NCAA Hall of Famer, and Buzz talked about learning a lot from him. In his four years at Waynesburg, Buzz had a 24-5 record and qualified for the NAIA Tournament as a junior.

In 1961, Buzz was hired at West Greene, where he would be a high school social studies teacher and later a wrestling coach during his 32 years at the school. He was extremely successful as coach at West Greene; he had a losing season in his first year and wouldn’t have another for the next 28 years. In total, he coached 32 section champions, six WPIAL champions, and one Southwest Regional champion. He stepped down as wrestling coach at West Greene in 1990 with a record of 284-134-3.

After leaving as coach at West Greene, Buzz would spend a few years as coach at Beth-Center and Clay Battelle high schools and his final coaching record was 300-143-4. These impressive accolades earned him spots in the West Greene Hall of Fame, PIAA Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Washington-Greene County Sports Hall of Fame. During his time as a teacher and coach, he also joined the Pennsylvania National Guard and supported his country.

However, it’s not just what he did as a coach and teacher that made Buzz such a well-known figure in his community, but what he has done for the community that he loved. He was involved in several different organizations over the years including many years participating and leading the Toys for Tots program, which provides toys to low-income children for Christmas. He was Commandant of the Tri-County Leathernecks, a member of the Graysville Legion, Mt. Morris Legion, served as Greene County Veterans Chaplin, served on the United Way Board of directors, and was highly involved with other community organizations and his church. He was

named as a previous Greene County Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and served as grand marshal in several county parades.

Buzz leaves behind a family to treasure his memory. His wife, Doris, passed from cancer 39 years ago. He is survived by his three children, John (Buzzy), Rikk, and Jodi. His other surviving family includes his sisters Cindy and Bonnie, his four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Buzz lived in Rogersville and was the owner/ operator of Walters Takedown Tire and Snack Shop and remained a big supporter of West Greene. He may have retired from teaching and coaching, but never retired from living a full life and attacking all he did with determination. Almost everyone has a story or memory about Buzz.

As a home-school visitor for West Greene, he never hesitated to make home visits. One of the stories often shared was a home visit that Buzz made to a family whose children were missing several days of school at a time. The story goes that Buzz made a “friendly wager” with the father of the children. If Buzz did 50 push-ups then and there on the kitchen floor, then the father would be responsible for making sure the kids made it to school. Let’s just say if there was an award for “most improved attendance” those kids would’ve won!

Buzz never knew a stranger and could be spotted jogging in the streets of Rogersville passing dog treats out to canine friends along the way or spotted at local restaurants or businesses. He needed empty boxes to organize years of photos and memorabilia that he collected. He always had a smile to share, a story to tell, and left an impression on generations. Buzz believed that there is a time and a season for everything, and he lived his days with that belief. Even the younger people who were not around during his time as a teacher and coach still hear stories about him from their family and know who he was.

Buzz didn’t want anyone crying over his passing because he lived his life and made his mark on his community and even though we are saddened by the loss of an icon, his legacy will live on. I think it is safe to say that this is somewhere where everybody knew the name Buzz Walters.

By Alex Hughes

Buzz Walters was dedicated to assisting with the Greene County Toys for Tots each year.

LIVING WITH HIV and Need Help with Mental Health Support?

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Both Flenniken Public Library and the Eva K. Bowlby Library have introduced a new feature to make it easier for patrons to get their reading material. Both libraries have installed book lockers and they are now ready for use!

Flenniken shared, “You’ve likely seen this book locker when you’ve stopped at the library, and we’re happy to announce it is up and running! A big thank you EQT Foundation for making this possible!”

If you’re busy and want to make a quick stop, can’t make it during library opening hours, or you simply don’t want to come inside, you can use a code that will be sent to you via text or email to open your locker.

Some tips to using the lockers from Bowlby:

• You need a valid library card; first time users need to sign up at the Circulation Desk (or call the library). A phone call will notify you when the service is available, which may take up to one week. Once you’re added to the smart locker system, notify the staff by phone of the items (holds) you wish to pick up in a locker. You will need to do this each time you want to use a locker.

• Once your item(s) has been placed in a locker you will receive an email or text message with a code, which is needed to open the smart locker. You may download the Smiota Smartphone app, but it is not necessary. Remember to have your device’s location and Bluetooth turned on.

• Items on hold will remain in the locker for 3 days and have been checked out to your patron account. If you do not pick up the item(s) during the 3-day window, the item(s) will be removed from the locker & sent on to the next person on the waiting list.

• Remember to update any changes to your account information immediately. To use the lockers, call 724-627-9776 for Bowlby or 724-966-5263 for Flenniken.

Eagle Scout Project Opens Door to the Past

Cemeteries serve as both a final resting place for our families and loved ones and a way to keep their memories alive. They give a glimpse of the past and serve as a reminder that even though those loved ones are no longer with us on Earth, they will always be kept alive in spirit with the fond memories of all the good times shared.

When Trevor Triplett, a Boy Scout in Troop 1280, was looking for an Eagle Scout project to complete, it didn’t take him long to know what he wanted to do to honor those who have passed and keep their memory alive. He had been working at the Braddock Cemetery in Graysville laying memorial flags since he was six years old, and his plan was to help renovate the cemetery and honor the several veterans whose bodies were buried there.

“Having worked at [Braddock Cemetery] since I was six years old, I wanted to base my project around the cemetery,” Trevor says. “The idea started with cleaning the headstones, because there were several that needed cleaning and restoration. When I went to the cemetery board to pitch my idea, they gave me the idea to do a map of the cemetery and that idea was added on to

the project.”

In the end, Trevor’s project was a threestage project to help renovate the cemetery: cleaning, mapping, and memorializing. In the first stage of the project, Triplett and several other younger scouts came together to clean some of the older headstones in the cemetery. Braddock Cemetery has stones that date all the way back to the Civil War era and Triplett’s goal was to clean them so that the names can be read, and the men and women could be honored. To complete the project, they used a D2 Biological Solution that got into the stone and helped clear the mud. While working on this step, the group discovered stones they didn’t expect to find of important people to the area.

“We cleaned an older section of the cemetery, and it took us around two to three hours,” Trevor says. “We ended up cleaning the stone of the founder of Graysville as well as the stones of several veterans from the Civil War and the Revolutionary war.”

Once the stones were cleaned, Triplett set out to map the cemetery. He used an older map for reference and worked off a general outline of the cemetery. They used a drone to help them get the general layout and then

mapped the entire cemetery by rows and columns. Once the map was completed, a public map was hung for visitors to not only see who was buried there but be able to find their loved ones as well.

The final phase of the project was to lay a stone honoring the veterans buried there. In total, five veterans were laid to rest there with Thomas Vanatta (Civil War), Abner Braddock (Revolutionary War), Francis Braddock (Revolutionary War), William Fletcher (Civil War), and Noah Clutter (Civil War). “I’ve always been involved in history and every veteran deserves recognition,” Trevor says. “I just worked to give them what they are owed and to memorialize them.”

In total, the project took about eight months to complete from start to finish as Trevor was able to not only complete his Eagle Scout project but give back to a place that has given so much to him. “It’s hard to describe my emotions now that the project is done, it’s kind of a mix of relief and joy,” Trevor says. “I am very happy with how it turned out and I’m glad the younger Scouts got to come out and help. It is something I have been

By Zack Zeigler

working on for a while and it is a relief to see it finished and ready for the community to use.”

Now that his project is completed, Triplett can look back and give advice to the next generation of Eagle Scouts. His best advice is to pick something you are passionate about because then it will be fun and won’t feel like work.

“The best type of Eagle Scout projects to do are the ones that mean something to you,” Trevor says. “Find something that you are passionate about or something that you enjoy, and you will remember it forever.”

Trevor met with some of the representatives of the church and gave them a copy of the project book.

THE EYES HAVE IT - WITH SOME HELP FROM THE LIONS CLUB

Since 1940, the Waynesburg Lions Club has sought ways to serve the community. Whether it be founding a local swimming pool and financially supporting it, maintaining Lions Club Park, or collecting used eyeglasses, their number one goal has always been community service.

Providing eyeglasses has been an International Lions Club project since 1925. When Helen Keller spoke at a convention held in Cedar Point, Ohio, that year, she asked the Lions to be “Knights to the Blind” during her crusade to prevent blindness, and with that being said, the Lions Club began their campaign to provide folks the opportunity to receive eyeglasses when they cannot afford them on their own.

But just that wasn’t enough for the ever-striving Lions. In conjunction with other clubs and the county matching funds, the Waynesburg Lions Club was recently able to purchase an Orcam reader for a woman who is legally blind. This device allows this person to do the one thing she had desired to do: read. Now, she is able to have anything she would like to read to be dictated to her by this device.

Eleanor Chapman, a member of the Waynesburg chapter, announced a new program that will soon be available, thanks to a grant they received from the Community Foundation of Greene County. This $2000 grant will be used to provide eye medications for community members who need medication cost assistance. Applications will be available at local pharmacies and eye doctor’s offices in all Green County.

For those who qualify, the prescriptions will be paid for by the Waynesburg Lions Club. They are also hoping to utilize a QR code in the future so that as soon as prescriptions are written, the application process can happen immediately.

Eleanor also spoke about other projects the Lions Club is involved with; she shared that she wants folks to know that the whole purpose of the organization is to serve. They provide food baskets to the needy and award scholarships to seniors at Waynesburg Central each month. Wherever there is a need, they are willing to step up and serve.

The club actively fundraises: they sell brooms, bags, Koeze nuts, and, recently, gun raffle tickets. These fundraisers provide means for their charities, as well as park maintenance.

“Without the support of the public, the Waynesburg Lions Club would not be able to maintain the level of community betterment that it currently funds,” Eleanor says. On behalf of the club, she thanks the community for their support.

The eyes have it, and the community has the resources to reach folks who need assistance regarding their eyes, whether it be with eyeglasses or medication. Our ability to see is a precious gift and its importance has been the front running project of local Lions Clubs for decades.

For information about the newest grant or about any if the other services available to you through the Lions Club feel free to reach out to Eleanor Chapman at 724-998-6962 or 724-627-5284.

Congratulations to the WCHS Waynesburg Lions Club Students of the Month for December: Aiden Moore and Carly Whyte.

Aiden Moore is the son of Jamie and Jessica Moore of Waynesburg. Aiden has earned a 4.0 GPA through high school. At school he is a member of the Academic League Team, NHS, Engineering Club, FBLA, Golf, Chorus, and E-sports team. Through his hard work he has earned the Academic Excellence Award from the Challenge Program. His team also won 1st place for their invention at Waynesburg University’s “Something from Nothing Innovation Challenge.” Aiden’s plans are to attend a 4-year university and major in electrical engineering. Outside of school Aiden enjoys spending time with friends and family and playing video games. In the summers he works as a camp counselor at Greene County Day Camp. Aiden at-

By Tracy Horne

tends Fairall United Methodist Church and the Crossroads Youth Group.

Carly Whyte is the daughter of Cliff Whyte and Rebecca Johnson of Waynesburg. Carly has earned a 3.95 GPA into her senior year. Carly is a member and president of the Waynesburg FFA. She stays very busy with her animals and presenting them at local shows. She has held multiple positions in the FFA including vice president and president. Carly and her animals have earned the following awards: Supreme Champion Ewe (2021), Supreme Champion Ewe (2022), Grand Champion County Bred lamb (2021) and Grand Champion County Bred Lamb (2022). Outside of school Carly is a member of 4-H where she shows market lambs and market steers. In the summer she shows her lambs in a statewide show series. She also attends a Methodist church. Carly’s plans are to pursue a degree in animal science and management.

Happening in Greene

The

The event featured remarks from several speakers, and Blake shared his story of graduating from West Greene High School in 2021, going to barber school and getting started building a clientele locally. Guests were then treated to light refreshments. The Greene County Chamber of Commerce is honored to participate in welcoming new businesses to our area.

FMI on Cut the Chase, please visit cuttothechasebarber.shop or call 724-833-0520.

After

Want to see your event featured afterwards in the GreeneScene? Submit your recent event at GreeneSceneMagazine.com as a news release, or email a picture and description to info@greenescenemagazine.com.

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The free Christmas Dinner, sponsored by Chuck Wolfe & family and the Waynesburg Eagles, served 1211 meals in 2022, and made sure each senior got a filled stocking and gift. Every child also got a filled stocking. The dinner had several volunteers including Greene County District Attorney Dave Russo. Russo helped cook, package meals, and delivered 135 meals. This is his third year helping either the dinner.

much puzzling, the winners of the December puzzle competition at Eva K. Bowlby Library are Andy & Debbie Heisey finishing with a time of 1hr 20 min. Fifteen minutes later the second place winners, Erika Ketchem & Olivia Statler, finished. Check out Bowlby Library for 2023 puzzle competition dates!

Flenniken Public Library held its first Paint & Sip in December and it was a great success. Visit Flenniken Public Library on Facebook for more events like this!

The Greene County Department of Recreation’s Breakfast with Santa was so much fun! The department wants to send out a big thank you to Santa, their wonderful photographer Brett Spitznogle from Memories & Melodies and their sponsors, Greene County Farm Bureau and Direct Results.

The second Waynesburg Toy & Comic Expo was held in early December at the EQT REC Center in Waynesburg. The next event will be on April 15. Visit Waynesburg Toy & Comic Expo on Facebook FMI!

Greene County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony for a new business in downtown Waynesburg. On Friday, January 13, family, friends and local dignitaries gathered to share in the celebration as owner, Chase Blake, officially cut the ribbon on his new barber shop located at 68 West High Street, Waynesburg, PA.

On January 13-15 the Jefferson-Morgan Drama Club presented two shows: The Wild Bunch Women and Variations on the Death of Trotsky. Check them out on Facebook to see when their next show is!

Retired state representative turned barista Pam Snyder serves CASA Director Aaron Houser an iced coffee soda on January 13 at Farleys Hotel Cafe. Fridays at Farleys (4-8 pm) features a different celebrity barista each week, ice cream, live music and a coffee auction to raise money for CASA - Court Appointed Special Advocates for children of Greene County.

Phillips & Ross, LLC sponsored Pet Photos with Santa to benefit the Humane Society of Greene County. Pictured is Rhino, the dwarf hamster, Santa’s smallest visitor of the day!

Photos below courtesy of Facebook or Instagram.

10 Point Buck

Jason Phillips of Rices Landing shot this 10-point buck while hunting in Graysville. Congratu-

8 Point Buck

Addyson Teagarden of Lippencott shot this 8-point buck while hunting in the Lippencott area. Congratulations, Addyson!

Dylan Carrico

First Buck

Dylan Carrico of Aleppo harvested his first deer this November with an Excalibur crossbow. Congratulations, Dylan!

Addyson Teagarden

Jason Phillips

8 Point Buck

Alex Vukmanic, age 12, of Waynesburg shot this 8-point buck while hunting on a friend’s proprety in Spraggs. Congratulations, Alex!

8 Point Buck

Averi Gallagher of Waynesburg shot his first 8-point buck while hunting near Ruff Creek. Congratulations, Averi!

10 Point Buck

Hunter Hamilton shot this 10-point buck with a 21.5 inch spread while hunting in Aleppo. Congratulations, Hunter!

Double Does

Kaydee & Ben Caldwell shot these does while hunting in Cumberland Township. Congratulations, Kaydee & Ben!

8 Point Buck

Ben Jellick, age 9, of Mount Braddock bagged this 8-point buck on the first day of archery season. Congratulations, Ben!

8 Point Buck

Barbara

First Buck

Aubrey Lash, age 7, of Wayneburg shot her first buck while hunting in Ninevah. Congratulations, Aubrey!

7 Point Buck

Hayden Hamilton shot this 7-point buck with a 7.5 inch spread while hunting in Aleppo. Congratulations, Hayden!

Alex Vukmanic

Hunter Hamilton

The Caldwells

Aubrey Lash

Averi Gallagher

Barchiesi of Waynesburg shot this 8-point buck while hunting in Jefferson Township. Congratulations, Barbara!

Barbara Barchiesi

Ben Jellick

Hayden Hamilton

First Buck & Turkey

Danielle Pavick of Jefferson bagged an 8-point buck (her first) and her first turkey during their respective seasons in 2022. Congratulations, Danielle!

8 Point & 11 Point Bucks

Denny McIntire of Greensboro shot this 8-point buck while hunting in Missouri, and this 11-point buck in Cumberland Township. Congratulations, Denny!

8 Point Buck

Miles Sowden, age 14, from Mather shot his first 8 point buck while hunting in Mout Morris. Congratulations, Miles.

Danielle Pavick

Denny McIntire

Shawn Rice

Miles Sowden

Double Bucks

Jake & Taylor Hamilton of Finleyville shot these bucks while hunting in Fairview, West Virginia. Congratulations, Jake & Taylor!

8 Point Buck

Deakin Whipkey shot this 8-point buck with a 22.5 inch outside spread while hunting in Franklin Township. Congratulations, Deakin!

First Buck

Leo Bedillion bagged his first buck while hunting with his father Mark. Congratulations, Leo and Mark!

Big Buck

Olivia Fawn Rice of Centerville harvested this buck while hunting during archery season in Centerville. Congratulations, Olivia!

First Buck

Morgan Sholtis of Waynesburg bagged this 8-point buck while hunting in Lippencott. Congratulations, Morgan!

Marky Durbin

9 Point Buck

Marky Durbin of Waynesburg shot this 9-point buck while hunting in Waynesburg. Congratulations, Marky!

The Hamiltons

Deakin Whipkey

Leo Bedillion

Morgan Sholtis

Olivia Rice

Bradly

8 Point Buck

tions,

Big Buck

Kolby

Jaime

Community

Brumley of Whitely Township shot this 8-point buck. Congratula-

Bradly.

Bradly Brumley

Kendall of Waynesburg shot this buck while hunting in Lippencott. Congratulations, Kolby!

Kolby Kendall

8 Point Buck

Jason Lemley of Mt. Morris shot this 8-point buck while hunting in Ohio. Congratulations, Jason!

Jason Lemley

7 Point Buck

Young of Carmichaels shot this 7-point buck while hunting during archery season. Congratulations, Jaime!

Jaime Young

Jay Duritsky

10 POint Buck

Jay Duritsky of Carmichaels shot this 10-point buck while hunting with a compound bow. Congratulations, Jay!

Kory Taylor

10 Point Buck

Kory Taylor, age 15, of Waynesburg shot this 10-point buck at 480 yards while hunting in Waynesburg on the family farm. Congratulations, Kory!

Jaci

10 Point Buck

Jaci Glover, age 16, of Clarksville shot this 10-point buck while hunting in Clarksville. Congratulations, Jaci!

First Buck

Landon Patterson of Canonsburg shot his first deer, a 3-point buck, while hunting in Center Township. Congratulations, Landon!

Luke

First Buck

Luke Patton, age 9, of Rutan shot his first buck while hunting at his home. Congratulations, Luke!

Joe Shriner

8 Point Buck

Joe Shriner of Clarksville bagged this 8-point buck. Congratulations, Joe!

First Buck

Kaylyn Stoneking of Brave shot her first 8-point buck while hunting on her grandparents’ farm. Congratulations, Kaylyn!

First Pheasants

Seth Courtwright bagged his first pheasants while hunting in Aleppo Congratulations, Seth!

Landon Patterson

Kaylyn Stoneking

Glover

Patton

Seth Courtwright

8 Point Buck

Mike Belding of Waynesburg bagged this 11-point buck with a 22inch spread while hunting at Leap of Faith Farm in October. Congratulations, Mike!

8

First Buck

Steve

Stone

7 Point Buck

Rhonda

8 Point Buck

Big Buck

Darin Acklin of Rices Landing shot this buck while hunting in Rices Landing with his son Roscoe. Congratulations, Darin!

GreeneScene Community

Mike Belding

Heitz shot his first 10-point buck while hunting in Oak Forest. Congratulations, Steve!

Steve Heitz

Point Buck

Morgan of Waynesburg bagged this 8-point buck while hunting in Greene County on October 15. Congratulations, Stone!

Stone Morgan

Hamilton shot this 7-point buck while hunting in Aleppo. Congratulations, Rhonda!

Rhonda Hamilton

Darin Acklin

Austin Fisher of Prosperity bagged this 8-point buck. Congratulations, Austin!

Austin Fisher