May 2022 GreeneScene Magazine

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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FEATURES 4

I LOVE THIS PLACE

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GREENESCENE OF THE PAST

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COUNTY CONVERSATIONS

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SHINING THE LIGHT

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COOL AT SCHOOL

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PUBLIC SERVICE PROFILE

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GREENE ARTIFACTS

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GOING GREENE

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GOOD NEWS IN GREENE

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MESSAGE BOARD

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HOMETOWN HERITAGE

From Round Bottom to Jollytown TJ Huffman House

Greene County Conservation District Last Supper Live!

ROX Program at J-M

Coaching Beyond the Game Repairing the GCHS Loom Snapshot 1876

Awards & acknowledgements within our community Community announcements and opportunities Current and vintage local sports highlights

EXTRAS

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GREENE COUNTY FUN IN THE SUN

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THE HAMMER-IN

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DEPT Of REC SUMMER SCHEDULE

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THE SHEEP & FIBER FESTIVAL

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RAMPING UP FOR SPRING

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LOCAL EAGLE PROJECT

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INTRODUCING RICH HILL HOUSE

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TURN PESTS INTO GARDEN GUESTS

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GREENE GARDENS

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PROVIDING FOR OUR POLLINATORS

Pools and summer camps

The annual event returns to the foundry Summer schedule released

The Sheep & Fiber Fest returns to Waynesburg An Appalachian favorite - learn to grow your own!

Local Eagle Projector helping out American Legion The revitalization of the TJ Huffman House Attracting beneficial guests to your garden Why pollinators are important Create a pollinator haven in your own yard

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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I Love this P l a ce

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ith Memorial Day weekend coming up how about lunch in Hundred, WV, then a back roads return into Pennsylvania to Hero and Jollytown for a visit with Private Jesse Taylor, Greene County’s first casualty of the Civil War? The problem with consulting the Official Map of Greene County that every back roads warrior should have tucked in the glove compartment, is that all roads end at the county line.

And for those who use Google maps, some of the best adventures are to be had where the Internet can’t be found to show the way.

But thanks to Jim Faber, the map he gave me, and the local history he shared, the story doesn’t have to stop at the

A well-preserved log cabin sits beside a big pavilion sporting white letters visible from the road: “White Reunion Since 1889.”

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Mason Dixon line.

Hundred’s main street, Pennsylvania Avenue, turns into Route 69 as it heads north to become Route 18. It’s the main artery that shows up on every map.

But Round Bottom Road, the last right hand turn before the state line, is an adventure waiting to happen. It winds through some nice “round bottom” fields and pastures attached to working farms, then climbs a mountainous hill to Honsocker Knob, 1652 feet in elevation. What remains of the town of St. Cloud is perched at the intersection of Round Bottom and Church Fork roads. The only house remaining has St. Cloud painted on its barn. This is where farmers brought their stock to be weighed and sold, Jim tells me. The stock

The stock sheds that once lined the narrow edge of the road are gone but the Scales shed in front of the barn is a landmark.

FROM ROUND BOTTOM TO JOLLYTOWN

By Colleen Nelson

sheds that once lined the narrow edge of the road are gone but the Scales shed in front of the barn is a landmark. The enjoined road now has two names here on the ridge - Brushy Fork Road according to the Department of Highways, White Creek Road according to those who live here. Never mind which name, the narrow strip of macadam waltzes with the ridge to Oak Forest Church, closed but certainly not forgotten. Families that have deep roots here tend to the church and its cemetery. Which includes Jim, who moved next door to the church some twenty years ago and feels he’s lived here long enough to have his plot picked out, he says with a grin. The map he gave me was copied from an old regional roadmap that he marked to show these points of interest. In a land of no Internet, not even on Honsocker Knob, it is my Indiana Jones connection to a lost world.

These steep hills were once a patchwork of hardscrabble farms and cross road villages but jobs that paid good money were elsewhere. Some homes remain in the high lands but not many. Between them are miles of hillsides and hilltops gone back to nature. Much of this is now owned by CONSOL but Jim says that plans to open Mason Dixon Mine never materialized as gas extraction became more profitable. Here on the ridge that leads into Pennsylvania in a few short miles, the only sign of corporate activity is a side road that hosts the entrance to the CNX Wadestown Deny Station.

The stillness of the trees and the conversation of crows is the background sound as spring begins to show but it won’t be long before the weekend motorcycles and four wheelers return to ride these forgotten roads.

When Brushy Run waves goodbye at the end of the ridge and White Creek Road drops into fertile lowlands before slipGreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

ping across the Pennsylvania line, it’s evident that the White family had the right to have a road named after them. A wellpreserved log cabin sits beside a big pavilion sporting white letters visible from the road: “White Reunion Since 1889.”

When the road finally connects to Gilmore Township to become SR 3006, or Hero Road, the county map in the glove compartment can come out. The forgotten village of Hero is just up the road, with an impressive historic sign that reminds travellers that it has a story to tell.

Priv. Jesse Taylor of Company F, 7th Regiment W. Va. Volunteer Infantry was “21 years one month” when he died at Romney, WV on October 26, 1861. He was brought home to rest in the cemetery on the family farm. Grandfather John Taylor Sr., a Revolutionary War soldier, purchased the land in 1806 and called it Hubely’s Delight. The village that grew up along the road and the road itself was named Hero after the war in honor of Jesse, brother Thomas, and brother in law John T. Pogue who all served in Company F. Family descendants restored Taylor cemetery in 1999, replacing gravestones and readying family history for display.

By 2014 this impressive signage was in place, with a picnic table beside it for passersby. In a mile or so Hero Road joins with Jollytown Road that takes us into town. This is where fellow Civil War comrades S.W. Gilmore, G.W. Shough, Jefferson Dye, J.L. Garrison and W.H. Meighen erected the Jesse Taylor monument in 1892. The statue is surrounded by a crown of stones and flanked by two mortars and Hooser’s Battery – a West Point cannon used to defend New York harbor during the Civil War. Hooser’s Battery has its own almost forgotten story to tell. After the war it was purchased for political rallies, then mysteriously abandoned in Greene County. Later it was res-

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

cued from a junkyard by veterans, re-abandoned, then saved you into Enlow Valley and the big creek that separates Greene

by Colonel Charles I Faddis and brought to Jollytown to stand and Washington counties. Prepare to be amazed at the carpets guard with Jesse. and clusters of Blue Eyed Mary, trillium, wild geranium, larkBy Memorial Day there will be fresh flags on veterans’ spur, Virginia bluebells and so much more, blooming along graves in every church cemetery, like those fluttering in the the banks of Enlow Creek. Which, by the way, is stocked for breeze around the Jesse Taylor monument. Pick up a copy of trout season. See you there! the Greene County map at Tourism if you don’t have one already and get out there. Pay attention to the numbers on the state road signs as their names change to reflect time itself as they pass through villages that might or might not still be there and follow creeks named after the first settlers who cleared the land.

May is also the time for nature lovers to hit the road - the annual Enlow Fork Wildflower Walk in State Game Lands 302 is May 1.

So grab your map and leave early – guided tours begin at 10 a.m. Nebo Ridge Road aka SR 4008 in Richhill Township intersects with Route 21 near Wind Ridge then leads past the almost disappeared village of Nebo. There, the dotted lines of Walker Hill Road The village of Hero with an impressive historic sign that reminds travellers that it has a story to tell, in honor and Smokey Row will take of Private Jesse Taylor.

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G reen e Sce n e of the Pa st

his old postcard from the Brice and Linda Rush collection shows just one of the many elegant houses and stately buildings that found their way onto postcards after Greene County’s first gas and oil boom ushered in the 20th century.

Wildcatters and lucky leaseholders brought their sudden riches to Waynesburg’s west side and converted pastureland and turkey farms into dream castles. Richhill Street became just that, a street for the newly rich with money to splurge. Wildcatters like Carhart Bowlby built mansions with ballrooms, bedrooms, grandiose bathrooms, and elegant front rooms to display their status and good taste and the race was on to be the most statuesque house on the block.

But the more practical tastes and business practices of Thomas Jefferson Huffman, (1849-1937) who built this castle of stone at the bottom of the hill in 1907, can be found in the obituary that family descendent and genealogist Shar Huffman sent me.

When T.J. Huffman died at age 87 “due to diseases incident to his advanced years,” he was listed as one of the county’s most well known men. His obituary in the Washington Observer notes in the byline that he was organizer and CEO of Huffman Furniture and Undertaking Company until his death.

It also notes that he was born in Ruff Creek and was a successful farmer specializing in livestock for nearly 50 years.

Huffman moved to Waynesburg in 1900 and showed his practical side by getting into real estate and joining the board of the newly minted Citizens National Bank of Waynesburg. In 1902 he bought a shoe business, sold it two years later and by 1907 had his house built by the finest artisans and craftsmen of the day. The next year he started his own business offering what everybody needs – furniture, funerals, and something beautifully inspiring to look at while shopping for either. When T.J. died, the house and business passed to daughter Inez and her husband C. W. Parkinson. The next generation would know Huffman’s house as a stately funeral home operated by the Parkinson family.

When lawyers Glenn Toothman Sr. and sons bought the property and turned the house

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By Colleen Nelson

into law offices in 1987, the elegant interior with its massive staircases, stained glass windows, hand painted walls and ceilings and inlaid floors would be marveled over and long remembered by anyone who came there to do business.

After the law offices moved, the house sat vacant, waiting for a new generation to see its historic value and be inspired to open it to the public once more. Pam and Kent Marisa became the new owners this year and restoration work has already begun. Another beautiful piece of Greene County’s historic past has been saved to live another day.

And for those of you with a taste for genealogy and a hankering to know more about the Huffman family whose great greats came here from Germany by way of the early colonies, Shar Huffman and Susi Pentico invite you to explore the Hoffman/Huffman Family in America Facebook page and also www. ourfamilyhistories.com/hsdurbin/huffman/ huffman1.html GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

County Conversations GREENE COUNTY

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CONSERVATION DISTRICT

he Greene County Conservation District’s mission is to commit to the protection, stewardship, and conservation of the County’s natural resources and to ensure a wise balance between the protection of the environment and the benefit of the landowners of the County.

It is the District’s belief that conservation works best when people living and working in the local area work together to manage their natural resources collectively.

Valuable partnerships are formed when diversity is brought into the conversation and decision-making process.

The District fulfills a critical role within the county government, providing technical and financial assistance to landowners across Greene County. They work with cooperating landowners to improve practices, address erosion issues and protect water quality. Our office is a conservation-oriented organization that offers a wide variety of expertise and knowledge. District staff can assist with questions related to permitting, offer guidance on planning for farming, administer the Farmland Preservation Program and assist landowners with various natural resource related topics.

The Greene County Conservation District Board of Directors are drawn from the community they serve and volunteer to guide and oversee the activities of staff members. Together, the Board and staff work to promote the wise use of Greene County’s abundant natural resources.

Outreach and education activities, such as workshops, field days and fair displays, promote good practices and ensure that Greene County citizens have the information they need to make

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

the best decisions for themselves and their neighbors. Youth education, like the Greene County Envirothon and the Greene County Conservation District’s poster and coloring contests, promote a conservation ethic in the next generation of leaders.

Beyond education, the Greene County Conservation District works to provide landowners the tools they need to effect real and meaningful change. For the past five years, the Greene County Conservation District has operated the GRACE program, which provides cost-share funding for farmers who want to make improvements on their farm that benefit soil and water resources. Greene County Conservation District staff help landowners plan and manage stormwater and problematic streamside areas.

The Greene County Conservation District would like to thank the Greene County Commissioners for their ongoing support of soil and water conservation activities in Greene County. The Greene County Conservation District would also like to recognize the cooperating landowners across Greene County that make all of what we do possible. FMI, visit https://www.co.greene. pa.us/department-conservation-district.

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hich apostle am I? It’s a secret,” Adam Stokes told me with a conspiratorial wink. We were sitting in the back room of Stokes Store in Wind Ridge and Adam was back from Wheeling with a carload of produce, not just for the store’s six-day-a-week deli selection of salads and subs, but for the supper happening the next evening at the Christian Church across the road. Not just any supper, but the Last Supper Live! Saturday night at 7 p.m. Family friendly. Plenty of room to park. Bring a friend.

When Adam’s Facebook page announcement was posted a week earlier, the “I’ll be there!” clicks began to add up to a full house.

I clicked and gave Adam a call.

This performance explores the mindsets of the Apostles as they gather for a Passover meal of fruits, bitter herbs and unleavened bread. Jesus has just told them that one of them will soon betray him. As the narrator finishes the opening prayer and viewers open their eyes, that moment of shock and awe is captured freeze frame by the actors before the performance begins.

When Pastor Bruce Judy came to shepherd the Methodist Church in Rogersville in 1992, he brought with him his family and the script for the Last Supper play he’d once performed in McKeesport with his father. Three years later, as son Pastor Jake Judy can best recall, “He started it here. I got involved a few years later, when I was 20 and I’ve been doing it for 20 years now.”

The play was in lockdown with the rest of us in 2020, but managed a single performance at Rogersville Methodist Church last year after vaccines were available, a tip of the hat to the pastor who brought it here. This year, as normal began to blossom with the advent of the spring holy days, Last Supper Live! was ready to do three performances once more, bringing together “12 ordinary men” to ask the question “Lord is it I?” The spiritual lesson to be learned, Lay

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By Colleen Nelson Minister Adam Stokes, who’s been in the act since 2017, tells me, is based on the reflections of ordinary men. The apostles that Jesus called to follow him – fishermen, tax collectors, rabble rousers, scholars, laborers, doubters and even traitors, were the ordinary men of their time.

Today’s ordinary men – pipe liners, iron workers, firemen, school teachers, lawyers, shopkeepers, farmers, boat captains, coal miners and pastors reflect these old lessons of doubt, faith and redemption to a new generation as they take the show on the road, first to a local performance, then beyond the county line for two other performances before Easter.

Play protocol allows for anonymity so I went to the performance, not to name names but to be delighted to learn I knew almost every one involved. These apostles, it turns out, are my neighbors, coworkers and friends.

The table for the April 9 performance was set with goblets, pitchers and candle holders that were handmade by local potters Jim and Linda Winegar of Graysville in those early years when Pastor Bruce Judy was recruiting local talent to be involved with the show and also be part of the Pioneer Festival at West Greene High School that he and his congregation were an integral part of for a decade.

This year’s Last Supper cast was an amalgam of old and newer performers; afterwards when I asked individuals how they got involved it was always: “Someone asked me and I said yes.”

This year’s cast members are from Baptist, Methodist, Brethren, Presbyterian and Christian Church congregations. They finished out the 2022 Easter season performing at Center Presbyterian Church in McMurray on April 10 and Pastor Jake Judy’s United Methodist Church in West Alexander on April 16.

Stay tuned! Last Supper Live! will be back next year at three different churches and one of them will be in Greene County.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

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oday’s girls experience a 26% drop in confidence between fifth and ninth grade. That confidence is never recovered. The Ruling Our Experiences (ROX) program was designed to combat this, and help girls with social, academic, and personal issues. ROX uses research and evidence-based programming to impact girls and the adults that influence them.

The ROX program has been around for over a decade. Last school year, Jefferson Morgan started offering the ROX program to their eighth-grade girls. Their goal is to build confident girls “who control their own relationships, experiences, decisions and futures,” says Catherine F. Herold, guidance counselor and ROX program administrator at Jefferson Morgan.

ROX began at Jefferson Morgan after Catherine spoke with guidance counselors in the area to get their thoughts on the program. She says, “I received the FISA grant last year to be trained and pay [$95] for each girl.

I then implemented the program at Jefferson Morgan during the 2020-2021 school year. I had 10 girls last year and I was very happy with how it helped girls at Jefferson Morgan.”

Catherine facilitates the program during its 20-week length and each session lasts is about 30 minutes per week. The goal is to

MAY 2022

Co o l at Sc h o o l

By Michelle Church

JEFFERSON-MORGAN SCHOOL DISTRICT teach the girls to become confident, productive and empowered women. According to rulingourexperiences.com girls can learn how to “communicate effectively, develop healthy relationships, support other girls, form a healthy body image, navigate social media, manage stress and pressure, stay safe and defend themselves, and plan for college and their careers.”

The curriculum covers a variety of topics changing weekly. Some topics covered are friendships, aggression and drama. The girls are taught how to build their self-esteem, how to stand up for themselves, and that they are capable. They “learn to feel better about themselves, their relationships, and their abilities. They learn how to be real in their relationships and how to communicate effectively. They learn they are strong and worth defending. They feel safer and more confident in their ability to protect themselves. They learn how to problem solve and girls report that they feel more connected to other girls and less alone,” Catherine says.

Catherine mentions how the best part of the ROX program is seeing the girls grow

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

and learn. Her favorite ROX lesson is when the girls learn self-defense and how they can defend themselves.

Catherine was able to provide the program at no cost to the school district or to the girls in the program. She received the grant Cindy’s Wind Fund for Women and Girls grant through the Community Foundation of Greene County for $500.

The remainder of the funding came from a FISA grand directly through the ROX Program.

In the ROX program the girls learn valuable in a fun way and build closer bonds with the other girls in their class. The ROX program is a priceless addition to the curriculum.

The goal of the ROX program is to build confident girls “who control their own relationships, experiences, decisions and futures.”

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Public Service Profile COACHING GIRLS BEYOND THE GAME

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omestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA (DVSSP) has been selected to pilot a new teen dating violence prevention program called Coaching Girls Beyond the Game (CGBG).

DVSSP was one of only three domestic violence programs in Pennsylvania selected for the pilot by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV).

Teen dating violence is a significant problem in Pennsylvania; 1 in 3 teens will experience some form of dating abuse.

Coaches are role models for young people, and they want their athletes to lead healthy lives and experience healthy relationships.

By using this program, coaches can play a critical role in preventing teen dating violence before it starts.

“Teen dating violence is a critical public health issue that’s hurting young people, and Coaching Girls Beyond the Game is an important tool that can help,” said DVSSP Male Engagement and Prevention Specialist Alex Reagle. “Athletes often form powerful connections with their coaches, which creates opportunities to talk about these relationships and examine unhealthy behaviors.”

CGBG consists of a ten-session curriculum that helps high school athletic coaches utilize sports practices, team meetings, and travel time to promote safe and healthy relationships and connect athletes to vital resources if they are facing abuse in a relationship.

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DVSSP prevention staff provide training, materials, and support necessary for local coaches and school districts to implement CGBG successfully. After the initial training, DVSSP staff continue to support coaches with check-ins, site visits, and follow-up resources. DVSSP staff will debrief with coaches, share lessons learned, collect evaluation feedback, and keep coaches connected to a broader CGBG learning community. They serve as an essential point of contact for anything coaches need to implement the program successfully, including help with some of the more difficult conversations.

DVSSP is now offering Coaching Girls Beyond the Game, as well as a similar program for male athletes called Coaching Boys into Men (CBIM), to school districts in Washington, Greene, and Fayette counties. For more information, please call 724223-5577 or email cbim@peacefromdv.org.

More information about DVSSP’s prevention programs is also available under the prevention tab at peacefromdv.org.

About Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA The mission of Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA is to increase awareness of domestic violence and its effect on the community, to empower those victimized by providing advocacy and safe and effective services, and to work for social change designed to eliminate domestic violence. Learn more at peacefromdv.org.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

Greene County Fun in the Sun (and Water!)

Water!)

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he 2022 summer swimming season will be kicking off on Saturday, June 4 when the county pools open!

Waynesburg Water Park offers a wide range of attractions and amenities, with a 330,000-gallon competition-sized pool, seven lap lanes, two diving boards & 12 ft. diving pool, 40 ft.x40 ft. children’s play area, 148 ft. spiral water slide, 25 ft. straight water slide, 180 ft. “Lazy River” with tubes for floating, water jets and recreation equipment. A community room is available to rent for special occasions. Adjacent to the waterpark is the Lions Club Park, updated with newly purchased playground equipment and a community building. The water park’s hours are 12-6pm daily. The water park is available for pool party rentals Monday through Friday from 7pm to 9pm.

Mon View Pool features a 200,000-gallon T-shaped pool, a diving board, an 11-foot diving pool, a 20x20-foot children’s play area with zero-depth entry, and a cool bench and sprinklers. It sits adjacent to Mon View Park, with volleyball court, horseshoes, newly renovated roller rink and community building for rent. Nearby is the Greensboro Borough hiking and biking trail. Pool hours are 126pm daily.

MAY 2022

Carmichaels Pool features a 300,000-gallon z-shaped pool, a diving board, an 11-foot diving pool, an 8-foot water slide, a 70-foot spiral water slide, and a 15-by-15-foot children’s play area. Carmichaels pool is adjacent to Wana B Park, containing a playground with slides, swings, and other equipment; ball fields; and an outdoor track. Pool hours are 12-6pm daily.

All pools have a snack bar or snack machines, changing facilities, showers, restrooms, lockers, and certified lifeguards on duty. Each is adjacent to a nearby playground/park with pavilions available for rent.

The pools will close for the season on August 28.

For those on the western side of the county, Ryerson Station State Park in Wind Ridge offers newly renovated swimming facilities, as well as plenty of interesting trails to hike.

Swimming lessons are offered at the Waynesburg Water Park. Participants must pre-register to participate; pre-registration began April 1. Payment is required to register. Lessons are $25 per class. Each class is designed for swimmers of certain skill levels, starting with children as young as 6 months.

Lessons will be held the weeks of June 13 for

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

levels 1, 2, and 4; June 20 for levels 3 and 5, Mommy & Me, and preschool; and June 27 for levels 1, 2 and 6. Lessons start at 6pm.

Following the opening of the pools, Greene County Day Camp will start on Monday, June 20 and run until Friday, July 29.

The six-week camp is for children ages 5 to 12 years old. Camp is held from 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday. There is a nominal fee of $20 to register the first child and an additional $10 for each additional child. Thanks to a generous donation from Iron Senergy, swimming is free again this year. A lunch and snacks are provided.

There are three camp sites: Wana B Park, Mon View Park, and the Lions Club Park. All day campers must be pre-registered to attend and there are a limited number of registrations per camp. Pre-Registration started April 1.

Payment is required to register. FMI or to register, call 724-852-5323 or visit the Recreation office at 107 Fairgrounds Road in Waynesburg.

The Greene County Day Camp Program is

sponsored by the Greene County Commissioners; and is funded through sponsors and Department of Recreation. Donations are also received from companies and other special events the county provides for the community. Additional 2022 sponsors include: Baily’s Insurance, First Federal Savings and Loan, the Waynesburg VFW, the Waynesburg Rotary Club and the Greene County Farm Bureau. Parent donations are greatly appreciated to help with the cost of operation.

FMI about day camp, pools, admission prices, pool parties, swimming lessons and more, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323, find them on Facebook, or visit www.co.greene.pa.us.

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G ree ne Artifacts

By Matthew Cumberledge, GCHS Executive Director

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REPAIRING THE GCHS LOOM

rojects are always ongoing at the Greene County Historical Society. As we prepare for Opening Day we have had a guest volunteer, weaving and textile expert Susan Logothetis from New York.

She has been helping to get our early 19th century loom operational again.

This loom was originally owned by Mary Ann Calvert Connor of Perry Township, Greene County, and was donated by her grandson, J. Byron Headley. This loom has been on display in the museum for many years and for quite some time has needed a bit of attention.

Originally designed to weave anything from rugs to the fabric required to make clothing and anything in between, this specific type of loom was referred to as a barn loom. Due to their large size, these types of looms were often kept in barns and attics as space in the house was often not available for use.

Through a wonderful working relationship with Waynesburg University and

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Dr. Kathleen Thompson’s history class, we were able to secure the help of Susan to get the loom as close to operational as possible.

Susan has been restringing the warp of the loom. The warp consists of the strands of fabric that are woven with the weft to create a cross work of threads or strands of fabric that would create cloth.

It is our anticipation that on April 30, our Opening Day, we will have demonstrators operating our large barn loom as well as a smaller loom donated by Susan Logothetis to display and use in the spinning room at the museum. As well as loom and spinning demonstrations we hope to have Native American reenactors, Civil War reenactors and Revolutionary War reenactors all onsite, and of course delicious concessions from our brick oven!

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for more updates on hours, events and activities for our upcoming season! We hope to see you there!

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

BECOME A VOLUNTEER OMBUDSMAN GREENE COUNTY LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES

724-852-6307 MYBLUEPRINTS.ORG

CONSERVATION DISTRICT OFFERS COST SHARE PROGRAM

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he Greene County Conservation District Board of Directors are currently accepting 2022 applications for the GRACE program. Greene County’s Reinvestment in Agriculture: Cost-share Enhancement (GRACE) Program is a conservationbased program designed to enhance soil health within the agriculture community.

The GRACE program provides guidance and financial assistance to farmers and forest landowners. Technical assistance and cost share practices are designed to promote soil and water conservation practices that will improve soil health in pastures and woodlands.

These practices can lead to better animal production as well as, healthier soils and forest stands. When these practices are implemented correctly, value and profit can be added to the land. Practices include but are not limited to lime, fertilizer, fencing, watering systems and forestry practices.

“It is the goal of the district to offer a program that supports the mission of ensuring healthy soils for viable farming, while maintaining a program that is easy to navigate and has a quick turnaround,” Lisa Snider, district manager said.

GRACE does have some simple requirements. For example, anyone wishing to apply

MAY 2022

for GRACE must become a cooperator with the Conservation District. Also, if a landowner is interested in assistance with lime or fertilizer, they must obtain a soil test kit from Penn State Extension that Conservation District staff will administer during a farm visit.

The District urges applicants to keep this in mind if they are planning on submitting an application, some time will be needed to conduct the farm visit and to get the information back needed for applications.

The final requirement is for appropriate farm conservation-based planning that could include manure management plans at a minimum and in some cases conservation plans.

The Conservation District will work with first-time applicants to offer assistance in plan development so that they may continue in the program. Returning applicants are required to have plans in place at the time of application. For forestry conservation practices, the landowner must have a forest management stewardship plan, American tree farm plan or CAP 106 plan in place at the time of application. The program can assist landowners with costs associated with forestry plan development.

Funds for the program are a direct result of PA Act 13 which the district receives

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

annually to foster conservation efforts within Greene County. Snider emphasized, “these funds are obtained through an ‘impact’ fee and the district believes that the money received should be used on the ground where the impacts were made.”

Applications must be submitted by August 31. Application approvals are made in September by the GCCD Board and approved practices must be completed the following year by December 31.

FMI, contact 724-852-5278, e-mail gccd@co.greene.pa.us, or visit 22 West High

Street, Waynesburg. Office hours are Mon.Fri. from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The application can also be found online at www.co.greene. pa.us/department-conservation-district.

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G o in g G re e n e

By Matthew Cumberledge

SNAPSHOT 1876: CALDWELL’S ATLAS, A 19TH CENTURY TIME CAPSULE OF GREENE COUNTY

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876 was the centennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the nation. A historic time indeed, one where Americans were looking not only to preserve their revolutionary past, but to create a record of their life and times in that centennial year. As such, all throughout the country, publishers and lithographers set out to make atlases of many of the counties then existent within the United States.

Greene County was no exception to this. In 1876, J. A. Caldwell, of Condit, Ohio published Caldwell’s Illustrated Historical Centennial Atlas of Greene County Pennsylvania.

Caldwell created many centennial atlases for several counties in the region, but the Greene County atlas is perhaps the most stunning example. The atlas contains maps of each township and many of the more significant towns, illustrations of farms and businesses, and business directories, not to mention a section on the history of Greene County annexed with the text of the Constitution of Pennsylvania.

Unlike atlases from other counties however, the illustrations in the Greene County atlas were watercolored, giving them a wonderful folk-art quality.

Caldwell’s atlas provides us with an incredible snapshot of what life was like in Greene County in 1876, with views of farms that showcase livestock and capabilities. Coupling the illustrations with the information in the business directory, you can get an accurate look into life in rural southwestern Pennsylvania nearly a century and a half ago.

Farms of all size and capabilities were featured as illustrations in Caldwell’s atlas, from small plots of land with a simple farmhouse to grand late Victorian houses surrounded by rolling hills cultivated for various purposes. Many of these homes still stand today looking much as they did in 1876.

On page 26 of the atlas, viewers are greeted with a full page dedicated to the farm of Andrew Lantz in Greene Township, just a short distance west of Garards Fort. The page depicts his barns, two of his horses named “Pony John” and “Bill Snyder” as well as his Durham cattle, Poland hogs and Leicester sheep. Andrew’s 220-acre farm seems to have been quite successful, but little else can be learned about it from

County Home Farm, Franklin Township.

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Caldwell’s atlas. Lantz is surprisingly missing from the business directory. The farm of William Kent in Wayne Township provides us with additional information.

On page 75 of the atlas, we see a beautiful image of Kent’s Georgian Revival home with its outbuildings, and an illustration of his mill. The business directory shares that Kent owned 280 acres of land and settled (or, in his case, was born) in Greene County in 1806. We also learn that he has a flock of 180 Merino sheep and that he is a “Farmer and Miller, constantly on hand, good supply of Flour, Corn Meal, Feed of All Kinds, Mill on Dunkard Creek.”

In this instance, we are lucky enough to know a little more about William Kent. William was born on Smith Creek, just a few miles south of Waynesburg to Thomas Kent Jr. and his wife Olive Smith. Thomas Kent Jr. was a son of Revolutionary War patriot and Greene County pioneer Thomas Kent.

William Kent lived on Smith Creek until 1855, where he also operated a mill. He later purchased land in Wayne Township where he would build his new home and mill, having saved and transported the mill stones from his mill on Smith Creek to his new mill on Dunkard.

William Kent was married to Elizabeth Odenbaugh in 1829, and the couple would raise eleven children. Elizabeth died in 1868, and William would later remarry Jane White, the widow of Michael White. William would live on his farm until his death in 1888.

Also on page 75 of Caldwells atlas, just above the Illustrations of William Kent’s home and mill, we see a view of Richard Moffett’s Cumberland Township home and farm that shows his sheep and cattle, as well as an image of the residence of Z. G. White in Oak Forest, a smaller farm but one that raised thoroughbred Yorkshire pigs and Merino sheep. We are also greeted by a view of the Blair and Moffett Store, owned by Jesse Blair of Oak Forest who was a dealer in groceries, dry goods, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, boots, and shoes.

Notably on the Franklin Township map, a few miles east of Waynesburg the County Home is annotated. Very little information is given; however, it shows an icon repre-

senting a building and it designates an orchard and states that the property contains 147 acres. This is of course the site of the former Poor Farm, now the Greene County Historical Society.

The maps can be very useful in this respect; they generally designate orchards, family cemeteries, schoolhouses, mills, agricultural buildings, and areas designated for specific agricultural or industrial practices.

In 1876, Greene County Pennsylvania was just beginning to experience the effects of the Industrial Revolution and was still largely an agricultural community. The 1876 Caldwell’s Atlas captures a snapshot of Greene County before industry began to take over. Within the next 50 years the county would see huge advances in oil and gas that would begin to dominate the local economy. Agriculture would fall to the side lines.

The illustrations in Caldwell’s Atlas are stunning. Many first editions of the atlas have been broken down and cut apart with the illustrations and maps framed individually to be displayed in homes and businesses, but others have survived complete. Cornerstone Genealogical Society sells reprints of the 1876 atlas, and first editions can be viewed at the Greene County Historical Society.

Pony John and Bill Snyder belonged to Andrew Lantz.

William Kent Farm

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

Trusted pediatric care

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855-WVU-CARE To schedule an appointment call:

451 Murtha Drive • Waynesburg, PA 15370 • WVUMedicine.org/Waynesburg MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

15

E

The annual Hammer In Festival

very year on the third Saturday in April, visitors get a chance to take a step back into history at the W.A Young and Sons Foundry & Machine Shop’s Annual HammerIn Festival along Water Street in Rices Landing. The Hammer-In is a free festival, open to the public, and is a day full of blacksmith demonstrations, guided tours, auctions, and more.

For more than 30 years, the foundry has welcomed visitors to stop in and take a glimpse into Greene County’s early industrial history, starting up the turn-of-the-century machines and inviting area blacksmiths to hold demonstrations. The foundry sits as it did the day it closed, with tools scattered around and even that day’s newspapers still in their spots. It is the only surviving - and functional! - example of the industrial evolution from local blacksmith to mass production machining.

William A. Young opened the machine

Visitors young and old were able to explore both levels of the historic foundry.

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shop in 1900; in 1908, the foundry was added, and then electric added in 1928. All equipment located in the foundry dates from 1870 to 1920. An elaborate system of belts and pulleys spread throughout the shop runs 25 pieces of machinery, each independent of the other and fully operational, originally operated by steam and now gasoline. During guided tours with volunteers like Bly Blystone, visitors can watch the machinery run with the belts and pulleys operating throughout the machine shop.

Young created many of the patterns used in the foundry, and a special type of wood was used to withstand the humidity changes with no warping. Sketches for parts can still be seen hanging on the machine shop’s walls, along with tools, parts, gears, and completed products. In the foundry, the original coke oven still sits, with unused coke piled beside it.

Rices Landing was once a hub for com-

mercial distribution, and the shop’s initial commerce came from steamboat repairs.

Nearby coalmines were also a key part of the business, a hardware store was opened on the second floor, and eventually the foundry also provided auto repair. Upstairs, the hardware store is still fully intact with its stock.

The foundry closed in 1965 and sat neglected until 1985, when it was purchased by the Greene County Historical Society. Repairs were made and it was opened to the public. In 1998, the foundry was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In 2009, the historical society turned over the foundry to non-profit Rivers of Steel and extensive repairs were made, including a new roof and windows. The W.A. Young and Sons Foundry & Machine Shop was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2018.

Members from the Pittsburgh Area Artists Blacksmiths Association (PAABA) and the Appalachian Blacksmiths Associa-

Outside the foundry was a metal pour demonstration.

tion (ABA) demonstrated hammer-on-anvil blacksmithing processes and amid the sounds of hammers ringing on anvils, created ornamental and functional items, some of which were offered for sale at the 1pm auction. An auction at 1pm had various blacksmithing items, photographs and handcrafted artworks available for bidding; the proceeds benefitted the Machine Shop, PAABA and ABA. A rededication ceremony was held at noon. A hot metal pour was also held.

If you missed the Hammer In this year, you can get a taste of it every Sunday from May to November, from when the shop is open for tours. FMI or to make reservations for a Sunday tour, call 724-710-4898 or visit riversofsteel.com. Tours are limited to 10 participants, cost $10, and must be purchased in advance. No tickets are sold at the door.

Inside, blacksmithing and machinery demonstrations were held.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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WCHS Lions Club Students of the Month

West Greene Lions Club’s Outstanding Students The West Greene Area Lions Club recog- Basketball Coach and the Bucking Nightmare nized outstanding students from West Greene. Charity Rodeo. She will continue her eduThey are Brooke Barner, Anna Durbin, Olivia cation at the University of Pitt-Greensburg Kiger and Kiley Meek. They were honored at playing basketball and pursing a math degree, a dinner at Graysville Firehall and each preKiger is the daughter of Luke and Kelly sented with a $50 Amazon card.

Kiger of Hargus Creek. At West Greene she Barner is the daughter of Joe and An- is a member of the Science Club, Peer Mengela Barner of Holbrook. She is a member toring, and the FFA Floral Design Program. of the National Honor Society, Peer Mentor- She is on the Academic Honor Roll and has ing, School Publications, Peer Court, Science received a Presidential Scholarship to further Club, and Aquaphonics. Brooke her education. She plays softplays Basketball and runs Track ball, volleyball and is a cheerand Field. She was a WPIAL and leader. While playing of the PIAA track qualifier. Her volunsoftball team for the Pioneers teer work has included working they have been WPIAL Chamthe Centre Hall food bank and pions twice and State Runnerice cream social, helping with a up. In softball she was chosen Children’s Christmas party for to 2nd team All State and Mcthe SCI Greene Employees AssoCrackens Pharmacy Athlete ciation, at the Center Township of the week. Olivia’s volunteer Brooke Barner Firehall, car wash for Humane work includes assisting with Society and at her church RyerLittle League Softball Teams, son Baptist with Bible School. filming for wrestling team and She will continue her education helping with Junior High Voland athletics at Saint Francis leyball. Kiger will be attending University majoring in Exercise Waynesburg University majorPhysiology and Cancer Care and ing in Elementary Education running Track and Field. and will be playing Volleyball Durbin is the daughter for the Yellow Jackets. of Dave and Lisa Durbin of Meek is the daughter of Graysville. Anna is a member of John and Tanya Meek of Pine Anna Durbin Peer Mentoring, Hargus Creek Bank. At West Greene she Designs, Vice President of the is a member of the FFA and National Honor Society and is is currently serving as Presiranked number two in her class. dent. In FFA she has earned She plays Volleyball, Softball and her Keystone Degree. Kiley is Basketball and has lettered in all a member of Peer Mentoring three sports. She is the newest Club and has been awarded member of West Greene’s 1000 with Academic Excellence for point club. In basketball Durbin three years and has earned the was chosen as a West Greene American Citizenship Award High School Heisman Athlete for four years. Meek is a four Olivia Kiger winner and Regional Nominee, year letterman in Cross CounMcCracken Pharmacy Athlete try, Basketball and Softball. of the week, Greene County She volunteers at Save-A-Horse Messenger 1st team, Herald Stables and at the Eagles Wings Standard 2nd team, Tri-Cada Therapeutic Horsemanship 1st team, Week 21 Max Preps Center. Kiley plans to attend Athlete of the week, and Pittsa four year college to major in burgh Post Gazette 1st team All Elementary Education and play Section. Anna volunteers at her softball. church the Ryerson Baptist, the Kiley Meek Humane Society, Little League

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The Lions Club students of the Month Portfolio of Work in Scholastic Writing.

(April) from WCHS are Nate Kirby and MiOutside of school she continues to read randa Hitt. and write. She also enjoys gardening and takNate Kirby is the son of Travis and Chas- ing care of the Earth. Myranda has worked for tity Kirby of Waynesburg. He has carried a 4.0 several years as an Elementary Tutor.

GPA throughout high school. Nate is a memMyranda’s future plans are to open an ber of the Football team, the Wrestling team apothecary and sell herbal teas and tinctures. and the Track and Field She also intends to be an auteam. He has been a memthor. ber of Student Council, the The Lions Club stuLeo Club, Future Business dents of the Month (March) Leaders of America, Nafrom WCHS are Jasmine tional Honor Society, the Rowan and Jordan SteinPhysics Club and the Engimiller. neering and Design Club.

Jordan Steinmiller is Nate has been recogthe daughter of Samantha nized as a four time footSteinmiller of Waynesburg. ball letterman, and a three She has been a member of time wrestling letterman. the Art Club, the Drama He has served as the capClub, and the Creative Writtain for both teams. He ing Club. She has served as Nate Kirby has been honored twice as the vice president of the Art a Greene County football and Creative Writing clubs.

All-Star, and a 1st team AllMiss Steinmiller loves Conference linebacker. This music. She is the WCHS winter Nate was a regional drum major and is a memwrestling qualifier. He has ber of the marching, concert also qualified through FBLA and pep bands. Outside of for the state competition in school she teaches flute to Financial Math and Sports young children. and Entertainment ManJordan appreciates all agement events. He was the of the fine arts. In her free winner of the Daughters of time she enjoys music, art, the American Revolution writing, dancing, acting, and Good Citizen Award. video games. She attends Myranda Hitt Outside of school Nate St. Ann Roman Catholic attends the Rolling MeadChurch. ows Church of God. He has Jordan’s future plans worked at Plieger Plastics are to attend Duquesne Uniand as a camp counselor at versity and have a future inthe EQT Rec Center. In his volving music. free time Mr. Kirby enjoys Jasmine Rowan is the spending time with family, daughter of Chris and Erin weightlifting, hunting, and Rowan of Mount Morris. playing video games.

She takes her studies very Nate’s future plans are seriously and has carried to attend West Virginia Unia 4.0 GPA throughout her versity and major in electrihigh school career. cal engineering.

Jasmine is a very wellJordan Steinmiller Myranda Hitt is the rounded student. She has daughter of Billy and Charbeen a member of the Spanlotte Hitt of Mount Morris. ish Club, the Alpha Beta She has earned a 4.0 GPA Club and the Art Club. through her high school Miss Rowan also enjoys career. Myranda is a memhelping people. Her future ber of the Spanish Club and plans are to attend Waynespresident of the Creative burg University. She intends Writing Club. to pursue a major in biology Miss Hitt loves to write. and premed with a goal of In 2021 she earned a Silver attending medical school Key for Poetry in Scholastic and becoming an anesthesiWriting. In 2022 she earned ologist.

Honorable Mention for her Jasmine Rowan GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

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HELP WANTED: Someone to drive a uhaul and assist w/ packing. The person will need to pick up in Greensboro, drive into Waynesburg to rent the uhaul, return to Greensboro and assist with packing, drive down to Jacobs Creek, unload everything & drop off uhaul in Uniontown. Pays $200.

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

19

Lucas-Hathaway Awards Presented Waynesburg University presented the 2022 Lucas-Hathaway Teaching Excellence Awards to three faculty members during the University’s annual Charter Day celebration March 22 in Roberts Chapel.

The awards recognize faculty in three categories: Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty, Excellence in Introductory Subjects and History of Teaching Excellence.

“Waynesburg College (now Waynesburg University) was established for the purpose of educating students to serve God and to serve others,” said Provost Dr. Dana Cook Baer. “On Charter Day, we celebrate not only those who founded Waynesburg College, but also three faculty members who, together with their colleagues, continue that mission by teaching with excellence.”

Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty. Recognizes a non-full-time faculty member who teaches at any Waynesburg University site or online.

Recognized as being a “key part-time faculty member” in the Biblical and Ministry Studies Program, Jacob Judy, lecturer in Biblical and Ministry Studies, received the 2022 Excellence in Teaching by Part-Time Faculty Award.

Nominations for Judy shared that he “keeps students engaged and makes the content interesting while making students work hard.”

Judy was praised for bringing “a warm combination of enthusiasm and devotion to the study of the Old Testament.”

Another nomination said that he is “reliable, well prepared and desires to foster a hospitable learning environment for students.”

Judy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Waynesburg University and a Master of Divinity degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

In addition to teaching at Waynesburg, Judy is a full-time United Methodist Church pastor and is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Excellence in Introductory Subjects. Recognizes a faculty member with teaching excellence in introductory subjects.

Described as being “a capable and encouraging mentor” and “true, forever learner,” Dr. Kenneth Cairns, assistant professor of criminal justice and University counselor, received the 2022 Excellence in Introductory Subjects Award.

Nominations for Dr. Cairns shared that he “brings a combination of academic achievements and professional experience to the classroom” and that he makes learning accessible and enjoyable.

Another nomination stated that he “understands the University’s mission, and embraces and embodies that mission through his teaching and mentorship.”

Dr. Cairns has been with the University since January 2019 and is a Pennsylvania li-

20

censed psychologist.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Adelphi University, a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, also from Case Western Reserve University.

Prior to teaching at Waynesburg, Dr. Cairns supervised the delivery of mental health services to more than 16,000 inmates at the nine state correctional institutions in the western region of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

History of Teaching Excellence. Recognizes a faculty member with a history of teaching excellence.

Presented as a faculty member who “treasures every contribution made by a student in the classroom,” Dr. Lawrence Stratton, associate professor of ethics and constitutional law, received the 2022 History of Teaching Excellence Award.

It was mentioned that he “is an excellent teacher, not only for extraordinary intelligence, but also for the genuine interest in both the subject matter and the students.”

One colleague stated that he “raises the bar for our students, presenting thought-provoking material and exposes students to a blend of lecturing and Socrative teaching.”

A student nomination for Dr. Stratton shared that he “does not do what he does to be rewarded, he does it for the love of his students and the future of this world.”

Dr. Stratton holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a Master of Divinity degree and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Princeton Theological Seminary.

In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Stratton is the Director of the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership at Waynesburg University.

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

“We are grateful to the Lucas-Hathaway Charitable Trust for providing the opportunity for us to recognize outstanding faculty members every year,” added Dr. Baer. “The three faculty members who were selected this year are talented and compassionate individuals. They represent the many faculty and staff members at Waynesburg University who recognize that the gifts we have received are not ours alone.”

Church & McCracken Join WVU Medicine Daniel Church, M.D., and Jennifer McCraken, F.N.P., will begin providing pediatric primary care services at the WVU Medicine Waynesburg Outpatient Center on May 2.

The practice will be transitioning to WVU Medicine’s Epic Electronic Medical Record System, which will allow for greater collaboration of care in the local community with specialists at WVU Medicine Children’s.

Patients previously receiving care from Dr. Church at his former practice location in Waynesburg and wish to continue seeing him in the future are encouraged to come to either his current office or the WVU Medicine Waynesburg Outpatient Center to complete a medical records release form to give him access to their history.

In addition, the practice will continue to be able to treat all patients with major insurance coverage.

In late May, Dr. Church’s current advanced practice providers, Brad Mackey and Brian Jones, will begin providing pediatric subspecialty care at WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital in Morgantown.

Church received his medical degree from the WVU School of Medicine and completed a residency in pediatrics at Greenville Health System (now Prima Health) in Greenville, S.C. He has provided pediatric services

to the Waynesburg Community for more than 20 years.

McCracken received her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Nursing from Waynesburg University and a Post-Master’s Nurse Practitioner Certificate from Wheeling Jesuit University. She has provided Pediatric and Urgent Care Services in Southwestern Pennsylvania for nearly 10 years.

WVU Medicine’s Waynesburg clinic, located at 451 Murtha Dr., provides access to a range of medical specialists and some of the most advanced medical technology available in the region. The 15,000-square-foot clinic includes 30 exam rooms and six procedure rooms. Lab and diagnostic services are also provided.

In addition to Pediatrics, other services provided at the clinic include Adult Primary Care; Dermatology; General Surgery; Heart and Vascular; Obstetrics and Gynecology, including Midwifery Services; Optometry; Orthopaedics; Pain Management; Podiatry; Urology; and Wound Care. Patients wishing to make an appointment can do so by calling 855-WVU-CARE. FMI, visit WVUMedicine.org/Waynesburg.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

Rivers of Steel Tours

riversofsteel.com/tours | 412.464.4020

W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop A National Historic Landmark in Greene County

Discover the artistry and innovation of southwestern Pennsylvania’s rich heritage!

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Miss Rain Day Accepting Applications

R

ain Day Scholarship, Inc. is accepting applications for the 2022 Miss Rain Day Scholarship Pageant. The pageant, celebrating its 44th year, will be held on Sunday, July 24th at the Waynesburg Central High School Auditorium. The pageant is open to girls ages 14 to 18 as of Rain Day, July 29, 2022, who also must reside in Greene County, Pennsylvania.

Throughout the summer the contestants will take part in several activities, including a kick-off banquet, the GCMH Foundation golf outing, radio interviews, a community service project, rehearsals, photo shoots, and naturally, the Rain Day Festival. Each contestant will compete in a Personal Interview, Sportswear, Talent and Evening Gown competition.

Scholarship awards

will be presented in a variety of categories.

The new Miss Rain Day 2022 and her court will serve as the guests of honor during this year’s Rain Day celebration.

Rain Day Scholarship, Inc. in the spirit of its mission will again offer the Scholastic Achievement Award introduced in 2012.

This optional award recognizes a candidate for her outstanding academic achievements based on her current grade point average.

The entry fee to compete is $60 payable before the deadline of April 29.

To enter the pageant between April 30 and May 3, the entry fee is $75 with the final deadline of May 3.

FMI, please contact Rain Day Scholarship, Inc. by calling 724-747-4506 or visiting www.missraindaypageant.org.

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Teddy Bear Care Cash Bash The Teddy Bear Care Cash Bash will be held on July 9 at the Waynesburg VFW at 445 E. Lincoln Street. Doors open at 3:30pm, Drawings from 4pm to 7pm. There are 2 numbers per ticket so there are only 500 tickets available. Proceeds benefit Teddy Bear Care Animal Rescue and Save a

Horse Stable in Rogersville. 50/50. Auction Baskets. food & drinks, and DJ/Bingo caller Wayne Hart will be the Cash Bash number caller that night - and you KNOW that’s always fun! Tickets are on sale now by Volunteers, and at various local locations. FMI, please contact https://www.tbccares.org/

VFI/TRPIL Walk, Run, Roll 5K Please join the Seventh Annual Walk, Run, Roll 5K, brought to you by Voices for Independence & TRPIL! This event is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 14, at the Washington Wild Things Stadium, 1 Washington Federal Way, Washing-

ton. Registration will begin at 8 am followed by the event starting at 9 am. Sponsorships are available, and registration is $25. FMI, contact Joann Naser at 724-223-5115 or by email at jnaser@trpil.com.

Salvation Army Camp Allegheny Open for Registration The Salvation Army’s Camp Allegheny is open for registration sign ups.

For just $25, ($10 each additional child) your children can enjoy four nights and five days of Christian-based, safe summer camp experiences filled with faith, fun, nature, activities, new friends and much more. The Salvation Army’s Camp Alleghe-

ny provides memorable experiences to children from across counties in western Pennsylvania. For many kids, summer camp is the first time they will see the world outside of their neighborhood.

To register, visit salvationarmywpa. org/camp. Transportation and financial assistance maybe available.

St. Ann’s Summer Playgroup/Day Camp St. Ann’s summer playgroup/day camp will be operating from June 6 to August 11.

They will be open Tuesday/Thursday, with drop off between 8-8:30am and pickup at 1pm.

Experienced teachers (Miss Beth & Miss Kristen) will wow your children with weekly themed summer fun.

All children must be registered one

week prior to ensure proper staffing. You can register at time of sign up with Kristen by texting or calling 724-255-0905.

The cost is $45/day or $80 for the twoday week. If registered for dates and paid by May 20, you can receive an early bird discount of 20%. Sibling discounts are available at 15% off weekly. Please make check or money order out to St. Ann’s Preschool.

Greene County 4-H Competes in Block & Bridle Competition The Greene County 4-H livestock judging team recently competed in the Penn State Block & Bridle Club’s annual spring judging competition at State College. Members attending were Abby Willis, Allison Pecjak, Carly Whyte, Sophie Crouse, Cody Harris, Josiah Ernest, Carter Barnes, Elijah Harris, Karston Williams, G a r r e t t

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Barnes and coach Kim Barnes.

WU’s Community Classes Open

Waynesburg University’s Fine Arts Academy for community members is currently open for summer enrollment. The Fine Arts Academy consists of communitybased non-credit courses and is open to anyone who wants to study comprehensive collegiate music or visual art, taught by current Waynesburg University faculty.

The Summer 2022 Schedule includes a ceramics course, private woodwind and percussion lessons, and a five-day summer camp for kids. Youth scholarships have been made available by funding from the EQT Foundation. Additional funding for other scholarships is also available.

Madelynn Rishell, a student at Jefferson-Morgan High School, is currently enrolled in a jazz ensemble class.

“I would definitely recommend WU’s Fine Arts Academy! It gives you opportunities to challenge yourself and learn more about your instrument and music in general. It’s a great way to push yourself,” Rishell said.

The Fine Arts Academy is currently led by alumna Emily Wiedner, part-time instructor for the Department of Fine Arts and a teacher’s assistant at an early childhood learning academy. Wiedner holds a master’s degree in studio arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

“The Fine Arts Academy has been a wonderful way for us to engage with our surrounding community,” said Wiedner.

“The pandemic, unfortunately, forced us to put the Academy on pause. We are very happy to be back and fostering creativity once again. Over the next year, we hope to offer more classes year-round and invite other University Departments to participate.”

The Fine Arts Academy offers a wide variety of classes for all ages during the Fall and Spring semesters. Those classes run for 10 weeks. Opportunities to participate in University ensembles, based on proficiency and the director’s approval, are also available.

Previously offered courses include watercolor, drawing, exploring the visual arts (K-12), elementary music, and private voice, guitar, piano, or string instrument lessons.

Summer Offerings Ceramics Course. Held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 to 8p.m., from June 7 to August 18, this new offering will provide students the opportunity to explore the creation of pottery through wheelthrowing and hand-building techniques.

Students will also learn about the glazing and firing process.

A total of 20 sessions will be offered over ten weeks, and students will be able to select the number of sessions they would like to attend.

Private Instrument Lessons. Woodwind lessons offered include flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon or bagpipe.

Percussion lessons offered include drums, keyboards (mallets), Latin percussion and symphonic percussion, for kids or adults, with or without previous knowledge.

The duration of the private instrument lessons is ten weeks, with days and times to be scheduled between the instructor and student.

Kids Summer Camp. The Fine Arts Academy Kids Summer Camp will be held Monday, June 27, through Friday, July 1, from 8 a.m. to noon and is open to grades kindergarten through 12.

Activities include: tie-dye, decorating art journals, clay dragon eggs, squirt gun painting, spin art and mosaics. The week will also feature a “Create-Your-Own-Garden Day,” during which campers will paint flower pots, rocks, plant flowers and create nature sun catchers, as well as a “MakeYour-Own Piñata Day.” The full daily schedule is available online at Waynesburg.edu/ fineartsacademy.

For more information on registration and cost, visit Waynesburg.edu/fineartsacademy.

DVSSP Volunteers Wanted April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA appreciates our dedicated volunteers that work to bring peace and safety to survivors of domestic violence and their children. Our next volunteer training will be coming up on April 25. If you are

interested in becoming a volunteer, whether on an ongoing basis, or for a one-time project, please call DVSSP at 724-223-5477, extension 19, or visit peacefromdv.org. Together, we can eliminate domestic violence for everyone.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

Giving you all the tools you need

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MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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ATTENTION

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

sports@directresults.us.

Intentional Walks

By Bret Moore

T

It’s Time to Set Boundaries

he debate on private schools participating in WPIAL and PIAA athletics has raged since the state mandated their integration in 1972.

Despite comprising only 22 percent of the PIAA membership, “non-boundary” schools win an inordinate amount of the championships in the so-called major sports.

Non-boundary affiliates include all private academies and religious schools who can accept students from anywhere. Defenders of the status quo will use faulty statistics to bolster their argument. They correctly claim that over the last two decades private schools have won only 23 percent of the championships. However, they fail to mention the vast majority of the 186 non-boundaries are tiny schools who do not even field athletic teams.

This deceiving overall number inflates the percentage of private schools for their argument. In addition, the private schools do not field multiple minor sports which would be included in the total number of sports determining those percentages. In reality, if we are talking about football, basketball and soccer, private institutions are dominating for obvious reasons.

Over the past 15 years, Catholic and Charter schools have won 69 percent of the PIAA boys’ basketball titles, 67 percent of the girls’ basketball titles, and 50 percent of the football titles across all classifications.

The boys’ basketball title number is so high because in 2008 the PIAA admitted Philadelphia, which includes a large number of Catholic schools. Moreover, this past season 50 percent of the PIAA Final Four participants in boys’ and girls’ soccer were private schools.

Over the past decade, public schools have not won a single 3A boys basketball title.

Eight of those championships went to one

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school, Neumann-Goretti, a Philadelphiabased Catholic school. Archbishop Wood, near Philadelphia, won three 3A football titles before the move to six classifications.

After the change, it moved to 5A, but they continued to find success and won the next two championships.

Many states such as Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia and Texas have different divisions for public and private schools. Other states have complicated “multiplier systems” which count private students as anywhere from 1.35 to 2.0 students in order to determine a school’s classification. Others use a point system which assigns points to a school for winning a section, regional or state championship. If a school amasses a specific number of points, it must move up a classification.

The multiplier and point systems are not really effective in the long run. All they do is take the private school that’s causing problems in 1A and make it 2A’s problem. Take for instance Kennedy Catholic located just north of Pittsburgh. The school should be familiar to Greene County fans because in 2019 and 2020 they knocked the West Greene girl’s out of the state basketball tournament. This year, they reached the state championship and went 22-2. They were led by the No. 1 and No. 10 basketball recruits in Pennsylvania, one of whom transferred from Virginia. The team that beat them in the finals was Northumberland Christian Academy.

Kennedy Catholic not only dominates the 1A division in Western PA, a couple of years ago it routed four 2A teams by an average of 39 points, one 5A team by 29 points and a 6A team by 18. Its only losses that year were to three teams that weren’t in the PIAA, so moving them up would not make much of a difference.

One unique approach is taking place in Tennessee which allows private schools that don’t offer financial aid to athletes to compete in the public division. In what is a clear violation of the spirit of scholastic competition, this aid is all too often granted based on a student’s 40-yard dash time or three-point percentage, rather than their PSAT scores.

In fact, I know of a Catholic school south of Pittsburgh which saw a walk-out of its student body to protest the fact that the re-

cruited athletes did not have to adhere to the school dress code.

Unfortunately, nothing can be done unless the state legislature amends or rescinds Act 219. The last effort to do so failed in 2000.

Momentum is once again growing to level the playing field, with some schools favoring withdrawing from the PIAA. We need to get this reform right to restore the competitive fairness to high school sports.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

F

Train Now - Don’t Wait

irearms culture is a 24/7/365 venture.

Are you ready or do you just think you are ready? What have you really trained to do with your firearm?

A coal miner spends 5 to 7 days per week mining coal, often for 20-30 years or longer. I would consider the level of expertise that goes along with their profession pretty high. How much training has been packed into the career of a miner? I would venture to say quite a bit. Four years of college to become a schoolteacher, student teaching and then a mentor program with the state. Nurses, doctors, lawyers; I won’t even venture there. Suffice to say, a lot of training.

So, how prepared are you to utilize the firearm that has been collecting dust in your bed stand for five years when you fly into action to defend your family from things that go bump in the night? This may be the most important decision you ever make. When was the last time you went to the range? Did you stand on the firing line and leisurely punch holes in paper for a half hour? (Gunfights rarely tend to look anything like paper punching.) Was there any stress involved in your training package? Have you dry fired your weapon in the last six months? Have you handled your weapon or function tested it to make certain it is operating properly?

Regular cleaning and maintenance program?

Didn’t think so. Most “gun people” buy a gun, bring it home, load it, and place it in the drawer or safe. Good to go! Prepared! If you really believe that sleeping next to a gun makes you armed, then try the same thing with a scalpel. I doubt that reasoning will allow me to operate on you successfully, by merely sleeping next to the instrument. Oh, it’s there, but am I trained to use it?

Ammunition is expensive these days.

Many folks don’t have convenient access to a range. So, what do I do to stay proficient?

First step: Have a plan. Set up a schedule to dry fire once a week. Unload your weapon and leave your ammunition in a separate room. Double and triple check for unloaded/safe. Go to a place in your home with a safe backstop. (Think brick wall, fireplace or wall facing an unoccupied area. Perform slide racks, lock your slide to the rear, practice cocking and decocking your hammer if you have one, find your front sight, work on your sight picture, and breath.

Speed up the process. Begin by pressing

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

the trigger as gently as possible. Pay attention to how much your sights move. If your sight picture is disturbed when pressing the trigger, then your trigger press needs work.

Perform magazine changes.

If you have access to a range, think about a .22 caliber weapon for practice. They offer less recoil, ammunition is cheaper and you can often find them in the same configuration as your larger caliber weapon. Many of the same firing drills can be accomplished with less fatigue, less noise, and less expense.

Pellet pistols can offer a cheap practice alternative, as well and can be shot safely, indoors. If you are going to fire larger caliber ammo, then perform drills that mimic combat shooting. Don’t take an eternity to fire and shoot shot strings of varying amounts: one, two or three rounds quickly. Shoot from varying distances. Draw your weapon from your holster if you plan to carry.

One of the benefits that I offer students at my school is free range time if you train with me, as well as free update training. Students who enroll in a level I pistol course can retake the course for free later as a refresher.

Some of my students return once a year to update their firearms handling skills; most don’t. A few of my students schedule range time several times per year… Most do not.

This is the self-defense quandary. Most of us think we know a lot more than we really know. In the words of Yankee great, Yogi Berra, “Most people don’t know that they don’t know.” We are offended when someone makes us aware of our shortcomings. Rather than being grateful when we are informed of our lack of skill and proficiency, we take offense. I constantly hear folks say things like, “I’ve been hunting all my life,” or “I’ve been around guns all my life.” I’ve stood next to my daughter’s violin for years and can affirm, my near proximity to the instrument has not made me a virtuoso. You can either play or you can’t. Train now! Don’t wait!

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BOY OF THE MONTH

Nickolas Ricco is the son of Thomas and Carrie Ricco of Carmichaels. He has been a part of the Mikes’ baseball and golf teams since his freshman year.

He was the captain of both teams his senior year. In school, he is senior class president, valedictorian, vicepresident of the National Honor Society, co-editorin-chief of the newspaper, and an officer of the student council. He is also a member of SADD, Big Brother Big Sisters, Student Standing Committee, and Leo Club. Nickolas’ favorite memory of high school was last year when the baseball team made it to the WPIAL semifinals and state playoffs. He

BOY OF THE MONTH

plans to attend West Virginia Wesleyan and major in History and International Studies, with future aspirations of attending law school. He will also play baseball for the Bobcats.

GIRL OF THE MONTH

Grace Brown is the daughter of Joe and Kayla Brown of Nemacolin and Sabrina Scott also of Nemacolin. She plays third base for the Mikes’ softball team and currently maintains a 3.1 GPA. Gracie loves spending time with her family and best friend Dylan. She plans to continue her education at the Greene County Career and Technology Center

GIRL OF THE MONTH

Morgan Kiger is the son of Luke and Kelly Kiger of Hargus Creek.

He is a sophomore and competes in football, wrestling and baseball.

Morgan was part of this year’s section championship winning football team and had a successful wrestling season. On the diamond, “Mo” is an all-section catcher and helped get the Pioneers to the playoffs last year, where they captured the program’s first post-season victory. Morgan hopes to guide West Greene back to the playoffs and make a deeper run this season.

Payton Gilbert is the daughter of Robby and Jennifer Gilbert of Aleppo. She is a freshman who competes in volleyball, rifle and softball.

This spring Payton will pitch and play infield for the Pioneers, where she hopes to add to the recent success of the varsity softball program. She is involved year-round with clinics and travel ball.

Payton is an avid outdoors person as well, assisting her father with his show “Trapping Time.”

BOY OF THE MONTH

GIRL OF THE MONTH

Zachary (Zack) Brewer plays left field for the Maples. He is a sophomore and member of the National Honor Society. He is also a member of the Mapletown debate team, SADD and Interact Club. He plays on his church dart-ball team, which won the championship this year.

He also plays on his church softball team. When he’s not on the field, Zack enjoys playing guitar and singing, where he performs at local venues. He also enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He works in the summer as a lifeguard for the Greene County Department of Recreation.

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Hannah Hartley is the daughter of Roger and Diane Hartley of Mt. Morris. She has played varsity softball for four years. Hannah is currently the first-baseman for the Lady Maples.

Outside of softball, Hannah is extremely involved with other extracurricular activities and volunteering. She is a member of National Honor Society, Envirothon, Interact Club, Future Teachers of America, and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Hannah plans to major in nursing after high school.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

GREENE GREENE COUNTY COUNTY BASEBALLSTAT BASKETBALL STAT RACE Not all teams reported or posted on Maxprep

Local Author & GreeneScene Sports Editor Finishes Second Book

A

fter more than a year and a half of additional research, local author Bret Moore has published Volume Two of his work Rough and Ungentlemanly Tactics, A History of Greene County Sports. The first volume covered the years 1860 to 1960. The second continues the narrative to present day.

“I told people I was 90% finished with Volume 2 when I published the first one.

I didn’t realize how wrong I was,” Moore laughed. “There is just so much information because of the addition of multiple sports and the explosion of women’s athletics over the past six decades.”

As a life-long resident of the county and a sports and history enthusiast, the project came naturally to Moore. “I grew up reading John O’Hara and my father’s [local newsman Jim Moore] columns about the people and sports of the area. I think it’s important for our cultural identity to pass this information on to future generations. I didn’t want the incredible accomplishments of some of our athletes to simply fade away.”

The book is divided by decade and by sport. All levels from youth to professional are covered. The Champions Index covers

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world, national, state and WPIAL award winners. In addition to the records and accomplishments of the teams and individuals, the work relays human interest stories and personal narratives.

Moore emphasizes the material is more than just a chronicle of scores and records.

“I think sports directly reflect the historical values and culture of a period. Whether it’s changes in the rules, who’s allowed to play, or the role a sport plays in the larger society, we can learn about that era.”

The author also discussed the problem of comparing sources to ensure a c c u r a c y.

“I wanted to be as accurate as possible because most of the people in this book are still a r o u n d .”

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Moore used newspaper archives and yearbooks for most of the research. “I’m sure there will be discussions on the accuracy of an event here and there. It’s the old joke, the older I get, the better I was.”

Both volumes can be purchased at Direct Results, The Nest at Waynesburg University, McCracken Pharmacy, or online at drfanwear.com/sportshistory. There will also be a book signing session at the Denny House on May 20.

Batting Average Drake Long (C) Mason Sisler (JM) Nick Ricco (C ) Lincoln Pack (WC) Liam Ankrom (JM) Alex Van Sickle (WC ) Colin Bisciglia (JM) Matt Ankrom (WC)

.818 .800 .778 .562 .545 .538 .500 .333

Runs Batted In Nick Ricco (C )

Trenton Carter (C ) Drake Long (C ) Mason Sisler (JM) Lincoln Pack (WC) Liam Ankrom (JM) Mason Switalski (WC) Patrick Holaren (JM)

8 7 6 6 5 4 4 3

Pitching Earned Run Average Drake Long (C) Brody Ross (JM) Patrick Holaren (JM) Tyler Groves (WC) Dawson Fowler (WC)

1.80 1.91 2.62 3.36 3.1

GREENE GREENE COUNTY COUNTY SOFTBALL BASKETBALL STAT STAT RACE Not all teams reported or posted on Maxprep Batting Average Kendall Ellsworth (C ) Grace Brown (C ) London Whipkey (WG) Payton Gilbert (WG) Katie Lampe (WG) Lexie Six (WG) BreAnn Jackson (WG)

.571 .556 .533 .500 .333 .308 .308

Runs Batted In Lexi Six (WG) Ali Jacobs (C ) Katie Lampe (WG) BreAnn Jackson (WG) Grace Plavi (C ) Grace Brown (C )

6 6 5 4 4 3

Pitching Earned Run Average Allie Miller (C ) Payton Gilbert (WG)

0.82 2.52

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GIRL OF THE MONTH

Addison Blair is the daughter of Charlie and Natalie Blair of Waynesburg. She is a member of the cross c o u nt r y, basketball, and track teams. She also competes as an equestrian for Seldom Seen Farm. Her activities include Spanish Club, Alpha Beta and Student Council. Addison maintains a 4.0 GPA and enjoys traveling, hanging out with friends and family, and helping with youth basketball.

BOY OF THE MONTH

Former Waynesburg Central state champion Daniel Layton set a personal record of 54.60 in the 400 Hurdles for William and Mary at the Colonial Relays. Earlier in the season, he won both the high jump and 110 Hurdles at the Dan Stimson Memorial Meet.

Waynesburg Central’s Jake Stephenson takes a cut during the Raiders visit to the Cal Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach.

Masontown, PA 724-583-2680 724-583-2685 amedisys.com

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L-R: (Front Row) Levi Sisler, Alek Palko, Colton Chambers; (Back Row) J-M Youth Coaches Troy Barnhart & Tom Palko (Jim Hanning not pictured).

Colton Chambers won 6th place in the 10U #60 division. He’s a 4th grade student at Jefferson Morgan Elementary. He’s the son of Destiny and Jake Chambers of Jefferson.

Levi Sisler won 3rd place in the 8U #55 division. He’s a 3rd grade student at Carmichaels Elementary and the son of Thea and Dave Sisler of Carmichaels.

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

Brock Bayles is the son of Darin and Kelly Bayles of Clarksville. He is a sophomore member of the baseball and golf teams. He lettered in both sports as a freshman. Brock also plays for the Tri-County Elite travel baseball team.

He will also be umpiring for youth baseball and softball in the coming months. In school, he maintains a 3.42 GPA. In his spare time, Brock enjoys riding his dirt bike with his friends and enjoys

hunting and fishing. After high school, he plans to pursue a career in the medical field.

GIRL OF THE MONTH

Clubs.

Finley Kramer is the daughter of Monica Haky of Rices Landing. She has earned three varsity letters on the Rockets’ volleyball team. In school, Finley is a member of National Honor Society with a 4.25 GPA. She is also a member of the art and Spanish

Alek Palko won the title of 12 U 115# PJW State Champion on March 27 at the Petersen Event Center. Alek is a 6th grade student at Jefferson Morgan Elementary. He is the son of Tom & Melissa Palko of Jefferson. Grandparents Tom & Paula Palko of McClellandtown & Fred & Chris Evans of Smithfield. He trains at One Shot Wrestling Club and Felix Wrestling Academy.

BOY OF THE MONTH

Waynesburg University freshman and JeffersonMorgan graduate Bryce Bedilion has been one of Waynesburg’s top players this spring. He’s earned a spot at the top of the team’s batting order and has secured his position in the Jacket outfield.

GIRL OF THE MONTH

Waynesburg University freshman and Clay Battelle graduate Sydney Wilson has not only been one of the top pitchers in the PAC, but in all of Division III. As of April 12, she led the country in ERA (0.19) and is tops in the conference in strikeouts per seven innings (97).

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

31

Department of Recreation Releases Summer Schedule

W

ith the leaves budding and the weather warming, County residents’ thoughts turn to summer breaks and outdoor activities. The Department of Recreation aims to supply something for everyone.

On May 21, the Pittsburgh Outdoor Club will host a kayak training session at the Waynesburg Water Park. The following day, the popular Flashlight Drags return to the Greene County Airport. That weekend will also see the Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful Sheep & Fiber Festival return to the fairgrounds.

All three County pools are scheduled to open June 4. (See article on pools and day camps FMI.) According to Bret Moore, the Director of Recreation, “The amount of time we can keep the pools open will be dependent on how many lifeguards and staff members we can hire. If we can hire enough people to safely staff the pools, we can remain open longer in the season and possibly expand services and events.” Moore also stated that anyone interested in summer employment should apply on the County’s website. “In addition to pool personnel, we need general laborers, camp counselors, concession/ticket

Want To Volunteer But Don’t Know How To Get Started?

R S V P TODAY! RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) of Greene County offers meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunities for adults ages 55 & over.

workers and individuals to work at the Mon View Roller Rink. The more people we have, the more hours and sites we can provide to the public.”

Elsewhere, construction is continuing at the Wisecarver Recreation site west of Waynesburg. Work on the softball fields, kayak launches and fishing docks will resume this month as the weather improves. The multi-phase project will also include numerous recreational sites such as playgrounds, a 3D archery range, an amphitheater, and walking and biking trails.

On the eastern end of the County, the Greene River Trail features the addition of murals by local artists, new quarter-mile markers, raised flower beds, and benches overlooking scenic cutouts. Residents will also notice thirty new brass historical plaques courtesy of a Greene County Tourism grant.

Many of these improvements were made possible by donations from EQT, Advanced Masonry, the Waynesburg Rotary Club and the Rices Landing American Legion Post 816.

At Veterans Park east of Waynesburg, WVU Medicine and Iron Senergy made possible four new lighted pickle ball courts with their donations. The new courts are adjacent to the Waynesburg VFW’s newly dedicated Memorial Plaza and pavilion. The pavilion

Upcoming Events

5/21: Kayak Training Session (Waynesburg Water Park) 5/21: Sheep & Fiber Festival (fairgrounds) 5/22: Flashlight Drags (Greene County Airport) 6/11: Pop-up Kayak Event (Greensboro) 6/19: Flashlight Drags (Greene County Airport) 6/26: Greene County Cup Golf Tournament 7/4: Lions Club Pancake & Sausage Breakfast & Fireworks 8/7-13: Greene County Fair 8/20-21: Aviation Days (Greene County Airport) Labor Day Weekend: Horse Show (fairgrounds)

may be reserved free of charge by calling the Recreation Office. In addition, the small school house next to the tennis courts has been renovated thanks to another donation from Iron Senergy. The Greene County Historical Society will utilize the facility as a military museum featuring local memorabilia.

The popular Mon View Roller Rink will limit its summer hours to Saturday evenings for the general public; however; private party reservations will still be accepted for Saturday and Sunday afternoons. There remains a possibility of keeping Friday nights open if enough workers can be hired.

FMI, call the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.

Benefits of Volunteering: Supplemental Accident Insurance Mileage Reimbursements Opportunity to Meet New People Make a Difference in your Community

RSVP volunteers may serve as: Financial Literacy Course Instructor Food Bank/Pantries Home Delivered Meals Drivers Store to Door Grocery Delivery Telephone Reassurance VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Tax Preparer

For more information about volunteering with RSVP, Contact us at 724.852.2893 | 877-814-0788 | myblueprints.org 32

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO ATTEND

A Multi-Cultural

Food Festival

Sample a variety of dishes made from foods that will be grown in the Carmichaels Community Garden!

FREE

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SATURDAY

ADMISSION AND FOOD!

MAY 2022

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

FLENNIKEN LIBRARY

102 E. George Street - Carmichaels, PA

IN THE EVENT OF RAIN, THE FESTIVAL WILL BE HELD INSIDE THE LIBRARY.

Questions? Contact DVSSP at 724-223-5477 or edutrain@peacefromdv.org.

Get info about the garden at peacefromdv.org/community.

FARMLAND EASEMENT APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED

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re you wanting to improve your farm?

Are you looking to ensure your property is farmed for future generations?

Have you thought about enrolling in Farmland Preservation and selling an easement for help with projects on your farm as well as ensuring future farming? The Greene County Farmland Preservation Board is now accepting applications until June 1, 2022 from qualifying landowners for the agricultural conservation easement program.

The agricultural conservation easement can permanently protect a family’s farmland from being lost to future non-agricultural development. It may be used as an estate planning tool to help landowners successfully pass farms on to the next generation. Or landowners may receive cash for some of the equity tied up in their land for expansion or improving farm operation, debt repayment or retirement while retaining ownership of their land. The easement is an interest in land, which represents the right to prevent development or improvement of a parcel for any purpose other than agricultural production. The easement may be granted by a farmland owner to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, a county agricultural land preservation program, a local government unit or a local land trust. Easements may be sold or donated with the restrictions recorded in the

MAY 2022

recorder of deeds office in the county where the easement is located.

For eligibility, a landowner must: • Be enrolled in an approved agricultural security area consisting of at least 500 acres.

• Have at least 50 contiguous acres.

• Have at least 50% of the soils on the parcel under consideration in soil capability classes I to IV (as defined by the web soil survey).

• Be available for agricultural production.

• Contain the greater of 50% or at least ten acres of harvested cropland, pasture or grazing land.

• The landowner will also need to provide ownership verification to the surface mineral rights on the parcel being considered.

There are eight Greene County townships with approved agricultural security areas: Center, Cumberland, Franklin, Greene, Jefferson, Morgan, Washington and Wayne. If your land is in one of these townships, you may be eligible for Farmland Preservation – even if you are not yet in the Agricultural Security program.

FMI, contact the Greene County Conservation District office at 724-852-5278 or gccd@ co.greene.pa.us.

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Wildlife Corridors: Keeping Wildlife Safe

P

ennsylvania is home to incredible native species. From our elk, bobcats and black bears to the millions of songbirds that cross the Commonwealth as they migrate north and south annually, we have stunning wildlife that call Pennsylvania home. We are also home to one of the country’s largest state park systems and a thriving outdoor recreation industry. But our native species are threatened as critical wildlife habitat is chopped up by our roads, energy infrastructure and other development. This makes it harder for our wildlife to forage, mate and migrate.

Wildlife corridors are a solution that can help keep both our wildlife populations and Pennsylvania drivers safe. Wildlife corridors are a variety of solutions that connect critical habitats, including overpasses or underpasses to help deer and elk cross highways safely, a bit of woodland to allow black bears and badgers to migrate between farm fields, a wetland strip between parking lots to connect box turtle ponds, or milkweed along a highway to help feed the monarch butterfly along its famous migration. These corridors support critical migration patterns and can increase the resiliency and ecological diversity of our wild places.

Pennsylvania is a national leader in vehicle collisions with deer and other wildlife; it ranks in the top five states for animal-vehicle collisions, with more than 166,000 animal collisions happening in the past year. We can strategically use fencing and corridors to keep deer off our roads and vehicles.

Wildlife corridors can prevent unfortunate accidents and keep our natural heritage intact. Connecting and protecting key habitats can strengthen the populations of key game species for hunters and protect endangered species, like the Blackcrowned Night Heron. And recreation is Pennsylvania’s second largest economic sector, creating $13 billion in revenue in 2019 alone.

Pennsylvania has a unique opportunity to invest in wildlife corridors, and grant money is available at the federal level.

States will become eligible for that money when they show they have conducted a study on how best to use it. Let’s encourage those that can to take advantage of this opportunity, and not leave money on the table and deer on our roads. Let’s protect the people and wildlife of our state by protecting, preserving, and restoring wildlife corridors across the Commonwealth!

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Waynesburg Sheep & Fiber Fest

T

he third Saturday of May will once again bring fiber fanatics flocking to Greene County as Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful stages its 19th Annual Waynesburg Sheep & Fiber Festival at the Greene County Fairgrounds.

A great chance to get your fingers into some fleece and fiber – this family event offers many interactive activities for all ages, and best of all – it’s FREE. Saturday, May 21 from 9am- 5pm, the fairgrounds will be filled with fiber fun, sheep, alpacas, and other fiber producing critters, in addition to live music, demos & entertainment and plenty of food.

A juried crafts and fiber supply vendors show will offer real fiber enthusiasts a chance to buy everything from raw fleeces to hundreds of sheep & alpaca yarns and fibers, plus all the tools, supplies and equipment for artists and beautiful finished goods for the rest.

And for those who want to learn, this festival is your destination!

The Fleece to Shawl Event is a real show stopper with three to four teams of skilled artisans competing with each other and the clock to transform a fleece fresh from the animal into a finished, ready to wear shawl. The competitive groups start with bags of raw fiber (wool &/or alpaca) and then begin clean-

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ing, carding spinning, weaving & designing.

The Breed Pavilion is always popular as local and regional breeders show off up to a dozen different varieties of sheep raised for fiber and or meat production. You can touch & feel as you learn about the variety and differences between breeds. Get an up-close look as professional shearers participate in Sheep Shearing Demos.

The Maker’s Space is back, where everyone who enjoys working in the fiber arts is invited to gather in a shady tent each afternoon to spin, knit, crochet, whatever your passion.

This is an excellent place for newbies to observe and learn as well. Spinners, weavers, and knitters will be demonstrating techniques and skill in the Fiber Arts Demos.

Various food vendors are on site with goodies like lamb pitas, pulled lamb sandwiches, hot sausage hoagies, hot dogs, funnel cakes, cabbage and noodles, deep-fried Oreos, and homemade desserts, too.

Mark your calendars now to enjoy the day at the Waynesburg Sheep & Fiber Festival – celebrating

our area’s heritage by learning, seeing, touching, and doing! Find full schedule of events and information at www.sheepandfiber.com, emailing msm@waynesburgpa.org, or by calling Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful at 724-627-8119.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

Take Flight with the John G. Brodak Memorial Fly-In

By Lachlan Loudon

T

he John G. Brodak Memorial Fly-In will prepare for takeoff on June 13. As it is recently memorialized in the name of the late John Brodak, the fly-in will conclude June 18, the day before Father’s Day as it usually does. This is an acknowledgement that control-line flying is a family activity.

“John Brodak had a real passion for control line flying and really helped to maintain interest in the sport,” Stacey Brodak said.

John created the Brodak Manufacturing & Distributing Company to make and sell control-line airplane kits. It still operates today in Greene County from Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. The company continues to host the Brodak Fly-Ins. “He was so invested that he hosted the event at his home to make it more personal and friendly. Many friendships were created throughout the years that span the globe,” Stacey said.

Over the years, the Brodak Fly-In event grew to become the largest of its kind in the United States, as builders and fliers from South America, South Korea, South Africa, Australia, Canada and various regions around the United States would come together to participate. An Argentinian television show, “The Aeromodelista,” even attended and broadcasted one of the events.

After the passing of John two years ago, in part with the pandemic, the last Brodak Fly-In was in 2019 where it celebrated its 20th anniversary. Last fall, the Greene County Commissioners reached out to John’s wife, Coral, to see if the event could return to Greene County. That was a catalyst for Coral to create another event on her property, honoring John’s passion with a new (and appropriate) event name this time.

The process of putting on this kind of event is rigorous. First, the event must be sanctioned by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), as all requirements are met.

This usually entails the hiring of an experienced and knowledgeable director along with key staff members to oversee the planning of all contests. Safety is a top priority, according to Stacey.

Then, a group of volunteers assemble,

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John G. Brodak

mostly comprised of Brodak family members and friends, will help manage logistics and hospitality. Organizing hotel room blocks, managing the lawn, setting up signs and tents and arranging meals are part of this setup process.

Judges use AMA guidelines to score each flight, with the top three being recognized at a final ceremony at the end of the event. All scores are shared with the AMA. The Brodak Fly-In has historically hosted more than 3,000 pilots who completed over 12,000 flights, not including practices.

Contestants as a whole have logged more than 65,000 miles through the air. That’s more than 12 round trip flights from New York to Los Angeles.

Starting with the first Brodak Fly-In in 1997 bringing in around only 30 people, it’s safe to say John’s legacy has grown to have worldwide influence. John would print and distribute thousands of flyers to welcome centers and hotels to promote control-line flying. His impact on the sport lent to its growth not only in Greene County, but around the world.

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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Ramping Up for Spring

S

pring has officially sprung and that means that Greene is getting greener!

And part of that growing greenery is the broad-leafed ramp.

About the Ramp Ramps (Allium tricoccum) are a scarce delicacy available only for a short time each spring, around late March and early April.

These one or two leafed plants are one of the earliest wild edibles to emerge each spring.

Also known as a wild leek, ramps aren’t a leek at all. Often confused with scallions, as well, ramps are known for their unique flavor, stronger than the mild onion flavor of a leek and more garlicky than a scallion.

Ramps are native to the hardwood forests in the higher elevations of eastern North America, as far north as Canada and spreading down south as far as Georgia. They have 1 or two broad, flat leaves measuring 1 to 2 ½ inches wide by 4 to 12 inches long.

Throughout the Appalachians, ramps have always been revered as a favorite. It was a certain sign of spring when ramps came into season, and eventually ramp harvesting grew into gatherings with cooking and music, eventually evolving into the festivals we know today. Appalachians love of the pungent ramp helps support many local community organizations, through fundraising festivals and dinners.

Ramps were also used a folk remedy, a spring tonic, throughout the Appalachian region, thought to have restorative qualities and cleanse the blood. Ramps are high in vitamin C, so their use after long, cold winters by early settlers helped with scurvy and other nutritional troubles.

History of Ramps Ramps are so popular in Appalachia that we even have our very own Ramp King.

Bato Crites, born in 1888, became known as the “King of Ramps” in Richwood, WV, and the surrounding area. He was the 16th of 19 children in a WV family. Bato supposedly could locate ramps faster than any other person and was instrumental in their harvesting.

He died in 1960. Richwood is still known as the “Ramp Capital of the World” and continues to hold an annual festival celebrating its heritage.

Ramps began to reach national interest in the mid-1980s and exploded in popularity in the mid-90s when New York Magazine published a story extolling the virtues of the

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wild leek. Ramps continued to grow in popularity, reaching a frenzy outside of the Appalachians where they are much harder to come by. In 2011, James Chamberlain, a research scientist with the United States Forest Service announced that ramps are being overharvested due to foragers not acting sustainably.

But there is a light: the Cherokee offer a traditional method that allows for sustainable ramp foraging. Using a sharp knife, cut the leaves from the main bulb, leaving the bulb in the ground to continue to grow. Other sustainable foraging practices include only harvesting one leaf per plant, not harvesting all plants in a patch, and cultivating them by growing your own, from seed or bulb transplant. Sustainable ramp foraging allows foragers to take ramps without decimating their wild populations.

Planting Ramps from Seeds Greene County would normally be gearing up to celebrate that delectable spring plant and Appalachian favorite, the ramp with two delicious events. The pandemic has, sadly, led to the repeated cancellation of our local ramp festivities. If you’re like me, you’re very much missing those ramp celebrations.

But there is a light at the end of the tunnel! You don’t have to rely on our local festivals to get your hands on some ramps. Ramps can be harvested through sustainable foraging – or you can grow your own!

Starting ramps is not an easy task, but with the right conditions and proper effort, you can engineer the right environment. And once they begin growing, the plants are easy to look after. Planting ramps is a long-time investment – it will take at least five years before ramps planted from seeds will reach harvestable size and may take as long as seven years.

Bulb plants will take slightly less time, about three to five years.

Before planting, you’ll need to find your ramps the proper home. Ramps prefer to grow in moist, organically rich, loamy soil in shady areas. Ramps do well with most trees and can thrive where other plants fail; if you have a grove of trees or a forest setting in your property, this is often the best place to plant.

You’ll need to find an area like this to begin growing your ramps.

If you don’t have a natural forest, you’ll need to create shade for your ramps with a man-made structure. You can also build a raised plant bed for your ramp garden to provide the best growing environment. You’ll

You Can Plant Ramps near These Trees • Beech • Buckeye • Basswood need to make vest the whole • Birch • Hemlock • Oak sure that plant, dig up a • Poplar • Hickory • Sugar maple you have encubic foot of soil riched, moist around the plant soil with a pH Avoid conifers! Ramps do not seem to grow well under and replant. You between 5.0 conifers. can also dig up and 6.5, propsmall clumps of er drainage, Look for areas that have trillium, toothwort, nettle, ramps and careand partial black cohosh, ginseng, bloodroot, trout lily, bellwort, fully break apart shade/partial and mayapple – these spots should be suitable for grow- half the bulbs sunlight. You ing ramps. and replant four may also need to six inches to irrigate the apart. soil to get the proper moisture. Ramps need Root scraps can be used to regrow new approximately 35 inches of rainfall a year. ramps, also. Cut off a half-inch of bulb (with And keep those weeds away! roots attached), soak them in water overFall-Planting Your Ramp Seeds night, and then plant outside, root side down.

For the seeds to develop and the shoot It will take several years for your ramps to emerge, ramps require a period of warmth to become established. To build a robust, esfollowed by a period of cold. Seeds can be tablished crop, wait five years to begin harplanted in the fall or spring, but fall planting vesting and only harvest mature plants. Be is best. Fall-planted seeds often do better, with careful not to harvest too many ramps; keep higher germination and plant survival rates. your harvest to about 10 to 15 percent. You After you’ve found a place for your can harvest the plant bulb and all or just ramps, clear the space of leaf matter, and cut off the leaves and leave the bulb in the then loosen the top three to four inches of ground. If you take the entire plant, consider dirt. Place the seeds into the loosed soil four saving part of your bulb and its roots to use to six inches apart. After you have planted for replanting. the seeds, cover the area with two inches of You can allow your plants to propagate moistened hardwood leaf mulch. Avoid pine naturally, or you can harvest the seeds from bark and commercial mulches. The seeds can mature plants. Harvest the seeds when the take 6 to 18 months to germinate. seed head. When the seed head has turned brown and dry, collect the seeds by cutting Planting from Transplants & Root off the seed head and drying it. Once dry, you Scraps can take the seeds from their seed cases.

Ramp bulbs can be planted in February Harvested amps can be used fresh, froor March if they have been recently harvest- zen, dried, pickled, made into ramp butter, ed. You can also harvest them yourself from and so much more! an already established ramp garden. To harGreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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A Walk on the Wildflower Side

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s the bucolic beauty of Greene County ripens under the spring sunshine, the wooded hills and valleys are blooming with color from the myriad of wildflowers emerging up from their winter slumber in our rich soil. Our corner of Pennsylvania is the perfect place to head out for a springtime wildflower walk – and some bird watching.

Greene County has many places perfect for a spring wildflower walk. The area’s trails – such as the Greene River Trail and the Warrior Trail – take you through scenic countryside. The State Game Lands and Ryerson Sta-

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tion State Park also offer ample opportunities for wildlife and wildflower viewing. And our country roads are a great way to get out of the house and explore, with wildflowers growing right up to the sides of the roads.

Each spring, the Enlow Fork Wildflower Walk is held at Enlow Fork Natural Area, part of State Game Lands 302. The event brings large groups of birdwatchers, including members of the local Ralph K. Bell Bird Club of Greene County, and wildflower enthusiasts.

This year, the Enlow Fork Wildflower Walk will be held on Sunday, May 1. The bird hike starts around approximately 8am and the first guided wildflower walk starts at approximately 10am. Guests can take independent, non-guided walks at any point during the day. The trail follows a closed dirt road, making it an easy hike. Along the way, you’ll pass two iron bridges along the nearby stream. Depending on the weather, the area may be muddy, so wear appropriate shoes and clothing.

The trail is located at the end of Smoky Row Lane which is in State Game Lands 302; GPS coordinates are 39.961076, -80.462700. There is Bluets on-site parking and access to the trail is located at the end of the parking area. A portajohn is also available onsite the day of the event.

Along your hike, you’ll see an abundance of local wildflowers, including wild geranium, red and white trillium, Virginia bluebells, blueeyed Marys, Solomon’s seal, false Solomon’s seal, bluets, violets, phlox, Sessile bellwort, larkspur, and more.

Remember while out admiring the flowers this spring to be mindful of where you walk and don’t pick the wildflowers along the trails and on private property without permission.

The area lies close to PennsylvaRed trillium nia’s western border with West Virginia, called Ellicot’s Line. The border between Pennsylvania and Ohio – Ellicot’s Line – was named after it’s original surveyor Andrew Ellicot. It was originally surveyed and marked in 1780. It was used a base line of all surveys in the Western Reserve in 1796. The Western Reserve, also called New Connecticut, consisted of around 3.3 million acres of land in northeastern Ohio – before it was Ohio.

The event is sponsored by the Wheeling Creek Watershed Conservancy. FMI, visit https://enlowfork.

Phlox tripod.com.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

IS LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD CARS! That’s right! ‘50s Fest & Car Cruise is looking for two cars to showcase this year - one on the show’s 2022 event t-shirt and the other one the 2022 dash plaque.

If you’d like the chance to see your car featured on the event t-shirt or dash plaque, send: • A photo of your ride • Information about your automobile (year, make, and model) • Contact information (name, phone number, and email)

na o d e r u t a e Be f et! n g a m r o t shir

to 50s Fest Auto Entry PO Box 317 Nemacolin, PA 15351 Entries must be received by June 1.

The winning autos will be chosen at the June 50s Fest meeting.

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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ELECTRONICS RECYCLING SCHEDULED IN GREENE

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reene County Commissioners and the Department of Planning and Community Development announce the opportunity for appliance and electronics recycling. May 4, 2022 will be the first of two opportunities for Greene County residents to recycle appliances and most electronic devices. This event will be held at the Greene County Fairgrounds, 107 Fairgrounds Road in Waynesburg, from 2:00pm until 6:00pm. This fall, the second opportunity is scheduled for September 21, 2022.

Freon appliances are $25.00 each which would include refrigerators, dehumidifier and water coolers. Most electronics are free including: cell phones, cameras, computers, monitors, printers and scanners. Flat screen and CRT style TVs are also accepted with a potential fee for TVs with broken screens.

Fluorescent light bulbs are $2.00 each. Please pre-register for the event at https://www. co.greene.pa.us/recycling.

Recycling of traditional materials is offered through the Greene County recycling program to residents and businesses through a cooperative relationship between the County of Greene, Greene Arc, Inc. and Gateway Recycling.

Greene Arc, Inc. is a private, non-profit corporation providing Residential, Vocational, Day Support, Job Support, Job Opportunities, Advocacy and Mental Health/Recovery services to citizens with disabilities from Greene and surrounding counties.

The recycling center located at 197 Dunn Station Road, Prosperity, PA 15329 serves private citizens who individually deliver products for recycling. The facility is open to the public Monday through Friday, 09:30 am – 1:00 pm. A staff member will examine your products to ensure they are acceptable. This will not be a “drop & go”.

ACCEPTABLE PRODUCTS: • Paper as listed (please separate) • Cardboard (Corrugated Boxes, Chipboard, Empty Cereal Boxes) • Sorted Office Paper (White Paper, Envelopes, Copy Paper, Shredded Paper – staples and paperclips OK) • Mixed Paper (File folders, Junk mail, Magazines) • Newspaper (Black and White)

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• Metals as listed • Tin Cans (Soup Cans – rinsed and clean) • Plastics as listed (please separate) • #1 PET Bottles (Water and Soda Bottles – clean and empty) • #2 HDPE Jugs (Milk Jugs – clean and empty) NOT ACCEPTED: • Aluminum Cans (pop, soda, beer) • Plastics (Mixed Bottles, jars, bags, Styrofoam, vinyl siding, toys, buckets) • Wood (Furniture, TV Stands, Speakers, Pianos, Cabinets) • Glass (Windows, Automotive Glass, Mirrors, Ceramics) • Electronics (TVs, Computers, Speakers) • Clothes • Medical Equipment • Light Bulbs • Home Appliances • Ink/Toner Cartridges • Batteries • Mattresses or Carpets • Used Motor Oil • Tires • Construction Waste • Any item with food residue • Car & Bicycle Parts Greene Arc is unable to accept aluminum products (pop, soda and beer cans) at this time.

In addition to Greene Arc, Mountain State Waste offers free recycling service in Mt. Morris. Their Mt. Morris location has recycling bins for metals, plastics, papers and cardboard. The bins are open from 8am to 4:30pm on weekdays and 7am to 11am on Saturdays.

FMI on the electronics recycling contact Greene County Planning and Community Development at (724) 852-5300. FMI on the recycling of other materials please call Greene Arc, Inc. at 724-627-5511.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

A $1.9 million Renovation Begins at Carmichaels Clinic Clinic Will Remain Open During Construction with Offices in Temporary Modular Building Carmichaels Clinic under construction circa 1959

Major construction will expand and improve the medical and behavioral healthcare facilities while laying the groundwork for adding dental services in the future.

The main medical wing of the building will include six exam rooms, three doctors’ offices, a lab, offices, and a staff lounge. The wing also will include a negative pressure room to treat patients with respiratory symptoms.

The behavioral healthcare wing will include therapy rooms and community room. Part of the wing will be developed so that it can be converted into a dental services department in the future.

Carmichaels Clinic opened in 1961 and is part of the Centerville Clinics network.

Centerville Clinics will welcome Dr. Thomas Wittman to Carmichaels Clinic this summer.

Architect for the project is Ken Kulak, president of Kulak-George Associates.

Funding for the construction project includes a grant of $945,324 in Federal funds under the American Rescue Plan.

The project will also include exterior renovation, including a new portico, a new parking area with handicapped parking spaces, a circular driveway, plantings, signage, and new exterior lighting.

The Centerville Clinics Network

Total Healthcare for the Entire Community FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAMS AT CENTERVILLE CLINICS VISIT CENTERVILLECLINICS.COM

Eagle Scout Project Replacing Legion Flag Retirement Box

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mily Adams is one of only a thousand young women in the whole organization of Scouts BSA, formerly the Boy Scouts of America, to have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Since 2019, young women have been able to join Scouts BSA and earn the Eagle rank. In 2021, approximately one thousand young women became the first Eagle Scouts in the organization’s history. Emily has earned that honor and is the first female Eagle Scout for Troop 9280.

The rank of Eagle Scout was created in 1911 and is the highest rank of the Scouts BSA. Many years of hard work, service to their community, and sheer determination go into achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Emily attributes her success in scouts to following her brother around from the age of eight as he participated in the activities that scouting provided.

Eagle Scout is considered a prestigious milestone in scouting. It is recognized across the country and the world with many prominent service personnel, astronauts, and United States senators marking it as one of their achievements. An important part of the Eagle Scout rank is service to their community. As part of that service, they are to complete a project that benefits the community through

MAY 2022

structural maintenance needs.

The VFW is Troop 9280’s charter organization.

Because of that charter, Eagle projects are often related to the needs of the VFW. Since no repairs or maintenance were needed The current flag retirement box. at the VFW, Emily was encouraged to contact the Amerimately 4 can Legion. The Legionnaires had a flag refeet by 4 tirement box that needed to be replaced. This feet. Adbecame Emily’s main Eagle Scout project. ditional The flag retirement box is in the Legion’s assistance parking lot. It houses retired, worn-out flags will be until they are properly disposed of on Flag provided Day, observed on June 14 each year. Emily

by Troops 1280 and 9280 to complete the has ordered a new steel box to replace the project. old box. The box she ordered is like the drop Emily will also be trimming trees and boxes used by the USPS. clearing an overgrowth of plants blocking the The box will need a concrete pad poured view of a sign. After Emily has installed the to support and permanently secure it. Emily box and cleaned up around the sign, she will will be constructing a form and mixing the wrap up her projects with an ad campaign. concrete manually to fill an area approxi-

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

By Rochelle McCracken

The ad campaign will introduce the new flag retirement box and announce that it is ready for use. Emily plans on creating flyers to distribute around town to spread the announcement. Emily is excited about her projects and looking forward to announcing the availability of the new box once installed.

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Introducing

RICH HILL HOUSE

W

hen walking up the front steps an elevator installed outside make the space of the T.J. Huffman House at 61 more accessible for visitors and events? What North Richhill Street, the first activities might the university plan to do here? thing to notice is that name is engraved on “We hope to create an interest and allow the front steps along with 1907, the year the the community to be engaged and involved in house was built. Then there is the intricately this exciting project.” tiled porch floor. It stretches around the stone Open House is Saturday May 21 from façade of the exterior walls, painting a genteel 1-4 p.m. at 61 North Richhill Street. See you floral portrait of the family members and there! their children who once sat here on a warm summer evening.

The names of the artists and craftsmen who did this fine work have been lost to time, but the power of the art they produced is still there to behold.

Step through the front door with its beautifully leaded glass panels and be greeted by a massive ornate wooden staircase that sweeps up three floors, illuminated by the light from stained glass windows. High ceilinged rooms lead one to the other, each with its own artistic character and ornate fireplace, some powerfully imposing, some delicate and serene. Chandeliers hint at what once was to be found here, but now the rooms stand empty, draped in the fine detail of their painted walls and ceilings. It all has the look of a stage, waiting for its next act to begin.

Which is exactly what new owners Pam and Kent Marisa plan to do. “While our vision is still Come visit the Huffman House at its open house Saturday, May 21 from 1-4pm. evolving, we plan to restore it to its former elegance. We hope this adds yet another element to the revitalization of the west end of High Street in Waynesburg,” Pam says.

There is plenty of work that needs done before that elegance returns but the building is sound and restoring the artistic beauty of the interior is well worth the effort, Pam notes. But before the serious work of repair and renewal begins, the Marisas are planning an open house to let everyone see the “before” and be inspired to help contemplate what will come “after.”

Ideas are already swirling.

Could the third floor turret be turned into an artist’s loft for some inspired author to rent for a season? Could the kitchen be used for a classroom? Would having

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GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

here.

Schedule a Visit

Experience Waynesburg first-hand with a group of prospective students or on a private tour.

There’s no better way to discover if Waynesburg University is where you’re meant to be.

waynesburg.edu/visit

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

43

TURN “PESTS” INTO

GARDEN GUESTS S

ome animals we know are good for our garden. Most are familiar with the importance of pollinators like butterflies, moths, bees, and birds. But wildlife often considered pests are beneficial for a thriving garden. These “pests” can help with pollination and pest control, improve soil health and support fertilization, and provide your garden with ecological balance.

WORMS. Wiggling through the dirt, worms are one of your garden’s best friends.

Some worms are natural composters and can process organic matter into nutrients for your plants. Other worms aerate the soil as they move through the earth. This allows both water and air to flow through the soil more easily to provide nutrients to your plants. If you want to attract earthworms to your garden, provide organically rich soil. You can bury cardboard just under the surface to enrich the soil. You can also build a worm bin that allows worms to come and go as they choose.

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS. Lizards, toads, frogs, and snakes are incredible, natural pest control. Our hopping, crawling, and slithering friends eat many animals that

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are harmful to your garden, such as slugs, snails, rodents, and insects. Toads can eat up to 10,000 bugs in a single summer – approximately 100 bugs every night!

Most reptiles prefer dark, safe places to hide when they aren’t on the prowl or in search of some sun to warm up. Woodpiles provide and other similar items provide low shelter that will attract snakes. Toads prefer dark, moist places like logs, rocks, or even an overturned pot; these all make excellent toad houses. Make sure to provide a source of fresh water for your reptile friends. If you want to attract frogs, consider creating a frog pond.

SPIDERS, BEETLES & OTHER INSECTS. While often seen as scary, these six-, eight-, and many-legged creatures are often our friends. Like reptiles and amphibians, spiders are excellent pest control and assist in reducing unwanted insects in your garden like mosquitos, flies, roaches, mites, and aphids.

Centipedes are also great pest control.

While some beetles are harmful to gardens, others can be very beneficial. They often aid in pollination, can help control pests, and can turn dead plant and animal matter into plant fertilizer. Ladybugs eat both pollen and other insects and can assist with pest control of aphids and mites. You can attract them with pollen, and plants like chives, dill, fennel, and marigolds.

To attract spiders, plant perennial bushes to serve as habitats. Leave mulch piles and dried leaves to attract ground dwelling spiders. To attract centipedes, provide a place to hide such as logs, stones, bricks, or similar items.

BATS. Bats are another example of excellent, natural pest control. They eat many types of small insects and keep mosquito populations down. While mosquitos don’t directly impact your garden, they can impact your enjoyment and care of it. Mosquitos pester us as we garden or relax outdoors and can spread deadly diseases. Reducing the amount of mosquitos in your garden can increase your enjoyment of it. If you’ve got the right environment, you can build or purchase a bat house and place on your property.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

Greene Gardens

Presented by

2022 SEASON

By Lisa Lewis of the Greene County Master Gardeners

Pollinators & Why We Should Care About Them

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cientists estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators.

Three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and roughly 35% of the world’s food crop depend on pollinators to reproduce. Without pollinators, our diets and the diets of all animals, would be severely limited and we would be unable to get the range of vitamins and minerals we need to survive and to stay healthy.

So, what are these things called pollinators we are so dependent upon?

Pollinators are simply insects, birds, and other animals that move pollen from the male part of a flower, called the anther, to the female part, or stigma. This can happen on the same plant, called self-pollination, or between plants of the same species, called cross-pollination. In either case, the result is the same: the flower’s egg becomes fertilized allowing it to produce the seeds and surrounding fruit or vegetable so that the next generation of plants can come into being.

And we can eat!

The most important pollinators are bees. More than 3,500 species of native bees help increase crop yield.

(Around 400 species of native bees have been observed in Pennsylvania.)

Other important pollinators include some species of flies, butterflies and moths, beetles, ants, wasps, birds such as hummingbirds, bats, possums and so on. Some plants like wheat have lightweight, smooth pollen and they are pollinated by the wind. But many plants have heavy, sticky pollen that requires being physically moved from anther to stigma by a pollinator.

You may have heard that pollinator populations have been rapidly declining in recent years. Sadly, this is true. The causes are multiple and interactive and include the use of pesticides, habitat loss due to human encroachment, disease/ parasites, encroachment of invasive plants, and climate change. Some pesticides kill pollinators outright while others do so indirectly by impairing their memory and ability to return to the

MAY 2022

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$ Both bees and butterflies are important pollinators.

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Pollinator gardens are a great way to support our pollinator species.

hive or by suppressing the immune system causing heightened vulnerability to disease.

So what can you do to help? Like us, pollinators are hungry! We need to give them a healthy smorgasbord to choose from.

By planting a diverse range of flowers, shrubs and trees – especially the ones native to our area – and by eliminating or at least reducing our use of pesticides, we can help our pollinator friends.

SOURCES: Schmotzer, C. Pollination and Pollinators.

PSU, April 26, 2018; Insects and pollinators. USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Services, 2021; Pollinators 101. PSU, Department of Entomology, 2022.

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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

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Providing For Our Pollinators Garden Pollinators for Greene P ollinators are a vital part of our environment, and they are in trouble. As mentioned in the pollinator article by Master Gardener Lisa Lewis, about three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants depend on pollinators to reproduce.

Some scientists even estimate that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists thanks to the many types of pollinators.

Without pollinators, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy favorites like strawberries and other berries, tree fruits like apples, peaches, and lemons, pumpkins, honey, various vegetables, coffee, grapes (and wine), and even chocolate!

Whiles bees and butterflies are most often thought of when someone refers to pollinators, many animals across the world play a part in pollination. Other pollinators include ants, bats, beetles, birds, flies, moths, wasps, slugs, gnats, honey possums, lemurs, and even reptiles.

So, how can I help pollinators? There are many ways to help pollinators that can be done right in your backyard. Creating a pollinator-friendly garden is a great way to provide both food and a habitat to help local pollinators thrive. Even if you don’t have space for a garden, you can plant pollinators in containers that can be placed in windows or on porches.

The biggest step you can take to help pollinators is to plant non-invasive, pollinator-friendly plants in your yard or garden. When choosing your plants, make sure to select a diverse and abundant mixture of nectar- and pollen-rich plants, with varieties that flower from early spring to late fall. The plants should also be varied in colors, scents, and shapes to attract the widest range of pollinators. Plant in drifts of at least three (a group of the same plants arranged in a natural way, and, usually in odd numbers). Drifts of plants are easier for pollinators to find. Place plants close together. This helps form a natural weed barrier and reduces the need for mulch or landscape fabric. To attract bees, plant flowers that are purple, yellow, or blue; hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to colors like red, orange, and yellow. Check out the sidebar to see a list of great pollinators for your Greene County garden.

Pollinator-friendly landscapes will receive some plant damage on plants used to provide habitats for butterfly and moth larvae. This damage is natural and should be expected.

Avoid using pesticides in your garden or yard, as these can hurt your visiting pollinators. Use pest control strategies such as removing pest habitats, planting naturally disease- and pest-resistant plants, manual removal of pests, and proper disposal of infested plants. If you must use pesticides, choose low impact pesticides that selective to specific types of insects and have low toxicity to your pollinators.

In addition to planting pollinator-friendly plants, make sure to provide clean water for your pollinators. Use a shallow dish or a birdbath to provide water and include stones in the water to provide safe perches. Consider leaving dead tree trunks or “snags” to provide habitats for wood-nesting bees and beetles. Native bee houses can also provide homes for many bee species. Other ways to aid in pollination are to add wildlifefriendly elements, like bird houses and feeders, hummingbird feeders, and bat boxes. You can also allow some areas of your yard to grow a little wild and allow “weeds” like dandelions to bloom.

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A diverse mixture of native, non-invasive plants in your pollinator garden will provide both a habitat and food source to a wide range of pollinators. Plants should be nectar- and pollen-rich, varied in colors, scents, and shapes, planted in abundance with drifts of species, with species that bloom from early spring to late fall.

Varieties to plant include boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata), butterfly milk-

weed (Asclepias tuberosa), stiff goldenrod (Solidago rigida), Joe Pye (Euthrochium dubium or Euthrochium fistulosum), purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea), mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum and Pycnanthemum virginianum), field thistle (Cirsium discolor), and more. Visit https://xerces. org/publications/plant-lists/pollinator-plants-great-lakesregion for a list of suggested plants or reach out to our local Master Gardeners.

Boneset

Purple Coneflowers

Stiff Goldenrod

Mountain Mint

Field Thistle

Swamp Milkweed

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022

MAY 2022

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

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GreeneScene Community Magazine •

MAY 2022