JUNE 2020
• 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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SHINING THE LIGHT
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GREENE ARTIFACTS
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COOL AT SCHOOL
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PUBLIC SERVICE PROFILE
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MEET THE TEAM
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GOING GREENE
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GOOD NEWS IN GREENE
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MESSAGE BOARD
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BUSINESS SECTION
Greene County, PA
Plane Crash in Spraggs, PA Services Around Greene McConnells Map Adopt-A-Senior
Greene County Emergency Response Fund Get to know a GreeneScene writer Following the footsteps of faith Awards & acknowledgements within our community Community announcements and opportunities Featuring our Business Spotlights
EXTRAS 6
BOWLBY POETRY CONTEST
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FORAGING THE WILDS OF GREENE
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AT THE DRIVE-IN
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SERVING THE COMMUNITY
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KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY AND HAPPY
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COUNTY POOLS AND CAMPS CLOSED
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GREENE GARDENS
Winners of the annual Bowlby poetry contest Morel hunters and more take to the woods Drive-ins in Greene County Food banks hold emergency pantries for those in need With these sponsored activities
An update on Greene County’s pools and summer camps Get outside and garden - it’s good for you!
Memorial Day may 26
FLAG Day June 14 2
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
JUNE 2020
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
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I Love this P l a ce
t seems like Groundhog Day ever since the world we know stopped the clock in mid-March and put words like social distancing, masks, and essential workers into our everyday vocabulary. I find myself catching glimpses of Bill Murray grinning at me from the corner of my mind as one day melds with the next and I learn, to my surprise that I’m getting better at the
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GREENE COUNTY, PA
things I now have time to do, things I’ve been putting off. I look at the pie coming out of the oven with a perfect crust and grin back at Bill. Why have I waited so long to have this much fun? Day by day the seasons are changing, incrementally, wonderfully. Wildflowers bloom, the trees leaf out, and birds build nests and strut their stuff. I find myself staying close to home, caught up in the natural order of things, the day-to-day business of taking care of farm and family, shopping for neighbors, chasing spring beauty on back roads, turning on the computer to go to church, and writing down those things that make me – and you, I’m betting! - love this place. While science searches for a magic bullet for COVID-19, I hunker down and search through the local history that Dr. G. Wayne Smith was able to pull from newspaper microfilm. I’m looking for the DNA of epidemics that have visited Greene County in the past, looking for clues that might give some perspective to what we are living through today. These days we know Dylan was right – it’s blowing in the wind, carried by human movement, carried home on ships from the trenches of World War I and now on the wings of jets worldwide. As I look through Dr. Smith’s big blue books, l find yet another, earlier batch of microscopic capriciousness that came calling in the late 1880s. Greene County was by then connected to the outside world by railroad, gas and oil speculators were arriving in droves, and towns were getting big enough to overflow what little pioneer infrastructure they might have had in place. WaterEnlow Creek along with other waterways were stocked for trout borne typhoid was first to arrive in the summer season during COVID-19. of 1888, a presidential election year. Campaigning was at a fever pitch – congressional hopeful Joseph W. Ray was accused of being an “infidel, a follower of Ingersol and a foe of the working man” but he won anyway. Still, with more than 100 cases of typhoid fever in a three-week period that August, people were afraid to come to Waynesburg, college enrollment was down and Waynesburg’s 21st annual agricultural exhibition was canceled. By September, the board decided to hold the fair but attendance was sparse. By the early winter months of 1889, Greene County and the rest of the country were experiencing an epidemic of “le grippe” - influenza. There were few deaths but school attendance was down dramatically as students and teachers sickened. Another round of influenza, along with measles, swept the county the next winter – Dr. Ullum of Waynesburg caught the flu and New rules for county food pantries for safety’s sake. the Greene Academy closed for the month of
by Colleen Nelson February. According to The Waynesburg Republican “mud, la grippe and measles were holding fort,” Dr. Miller in Bristoria was riding night and day to treat his patients, and Judge Inghram was “so ill with la grippe that he could not open the April term of court.” By 1892 the overworked doctors of Greene County were able to catch their breath and host the Tri-County Medical Society at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Waynesburg. At the banquet later that evening at the Downey House, they saluted their profession with toasts “some of which were entitled ‘Physician as a Citizen,’ ‘The Rich Patient,’ ‘The Poor Patient,’ ‘The Hysterical Patient,’ ‘Quackeries’ and ‘The Physician as a Domestic Animal.’” Residents would not know such fear again until 1916 brought the threat of poliomyelitis to Pennsylvania and neighboring states. Statewide quarantines were ordered and kids under age 16 were banned from public gatherings, including fairs, movie theaters, Sunday schools, and church services. School openings were delayed - Waynesburg High School did not open until October 2. Luckily, only one case of polio was reported in Greene County, which caused Dr. Iams, the county’s medical inspector, to go into snark mode and call the scare “poliophobia…that had caused a near paralysis to many people.” Two years later, Greene County was hit with a double whammy when the boys of Company K helped push the Germans back “some six miles along a twenty-fivemile front” between Soissons and Chateau-Thierry in mid-July 1918. Joy turned to sorrow on August 15 when the telegrams from the War Department arrived announcing the death of 15 soldiers who died on July 2829 and the wounding of many others in that campaign. As news of the dead, wounded and missing continued to trickle in that fall, the war was winding down but a world pandemic was on its way. “Termed the Spanish influenza it spread like a cyclone from the Western Front in Europe and claimed about 500,000 victims in the United States alone, including thousands of soldiers in army camps.” By October 10 there were more than 40 cases in Waynesburg alone; all churches, theaters and moving picture houses were closed. Schools were soon to follow and children were ordered to shelter at home. Waynesburg Hospital in the Blair Building on East High Street was filled to overflowing and an emergency hospital with 30 cots was opened in the Ross Building on Morris Street with three nurses and 15 Red Cross volunteers tending to the sick and dying. Schools reopened after three weeks and the Armistice was signed to end the war on November 11, but the epidemic continued throughout the winter. By April 1919 “there were flu patients in almost every house in Wind Ridge and seven in one house alone.” All told, 55 Greene countians of all ages died. GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
Jessica Keener, age nine, with new arrivals on the family farm; a miniature Zebu calf and Maremma Sheep Dog pups that will someday live with and guard flocks and herds on other farms.
When Mr. and Mrs. Holder died within days of each other that April, leaving two daughters age eight and two months, their obituary was a tribute to grief: “Not in this generation, during a single year, has such a heavy weight of sorrow and bereavement been felt by the people Greene County as they have been called upon to bear during the past twelve months…” Suited up with mask and gloves, I head to town, ready to nod to old friends at the super market, drop off a bundle of ramps as a spring gift at my favorite eatery, now take out only. I’ve been out and about doing the little essentials volunteers are needed for, making signs for the monthly food pantry reminding folks to stay in their vehicles, and talking to teachers and neighbor kids about how these last two months have been going. Surprisingly well, it turns out. Kids have been doing their schoolwork in their pajamas and loving it but dearly missing their friends. Some have gone hunting after lessons are done, some have written letters to friends describing what being caught up in a pandemic is like to them. Trout fishing has given whole families a chance to get outside to enjoy the spring weather. Taking wildflower walks and lazy cruises on country roads has been JUNE 2020
just another way to remind us to find beauty in this new normal. Now that moving into the yellow zone is here, the folks of Greene and surrounding counties are poised to be part of a great experiment that no one knows the answer to – what happens next? I’m betting the folks of Westsylvania – what the first settlers tried to name this isolated corner of the Western Frontier have learned where the danger lies and are ready to do whatever it takes to keep it at bay – by keeping ourselves, our families and our community as safe as we can. If history has any lesson to teach it’s that epidemics are the ferocious enemies that give no quarter. We’re all in this together.
Toad trillium and blue-eyed Mary.
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
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G reen e Sce n e of the Pa st
by Colleen Nelson
Ostler’s jet at Carl Hoy’s farm.
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his month’s old photos are a tribute to those who served our country bravely and sometimes against all odds. Happy Memorial Day! Imagine a roomful of kids running to the windows of the one-room schoolhouse in Spraggs, staring open mouthed into the wet, gray sky. Two Thunder Jets are roaring and circling low overhead. It’s 1 pm and the weather today - March 16, 1950 – is cold and soupy. Those kids don’t know it – yet – that Army Air Force pilots Donald Lynch and John Ostler, both 23 years old, are lost, almost out of gas and this straight stretch of State Route 218 is the closest thing to a runway they’ve seen for miles. These fighter pilots have a few short minutes to figure out how to save their own lives and hopefully the lives of anyone who might be on the ground when they come in. What will happen to their F-18 war birds is anyone’s guess. History tells us that “USAF jets crashed almost weekly. Jets in 1950 were not very reliable.” Lynch and Ostler had left Otis Air Force Base in Falmouth, Massachusetts that morning to fly these decommissioned planes to an Air National Guard unit in Wichita, Kansas. Wingman Ostler lost his radio compass after passing New York at 7000 feet, doing 400 mph through thickening flurries. By the time the two jets got to Altoona, a pressure warning light was on in Lynch’s cockpit. Fearing the fuel booster might go out, he switched to wing auxiliary, bypassing the main fuel tank. Visibility was worsening so he wobbled his wings, brought Ostler into tight formation and headed for Pittsburgh to refuel. But calls to Pittsburgh went unanswered and Ostler’s radio was not receiving. Using hand signals to communicate, the pilots began circling, looking for landmarks and finally, as fuel reserves were spent, a place to land. That straight stretch of 218 was all that they could find. As Ostler circled Spraggs, Lynch dropped his speed to 140 MPH and touched down on the macadam heading south. At that moment a car came up from Blacksville and Lynch did “the only thing left. I pulled back on the stick and left the road. Eyewitnesses said I cleared the car by about two feet. With the nose pulled up as far as I dared I lost sight of the road and when I came down I clipped off six telephone poles, hit
back on the road, ran about 1000 feet and hit a culvert that threw me off the road.” The plane kept rolling for another 300 feet before coming to a stop against a sycamore tree. Lynch would later tell reporters “he placed his head between his legs and hoped for the best.” Ostler watched Lynch pick himself out of the wreckage and watched the crowd swarming the scene, making another road landing impossible. He scanned the hills for a field big enough to absorb his landing and decided the field on Carl Hoy’s farm would have to do. In his official testimony later he reports, “I tightened the safety belt and harness and set up a pattern, lost airspeed down to 200 MPH, opened my canopy, checked air gear up, lowered full flaps and when I saw the field was made I pulled the throttle past the stop cock and went in.” The wreckage from his landing was scattered for a mile from the point of impact, the cockpit was sheered in two, and ammunition boxes, hoses and an empty parachute littered the empty seat. The memory of that landing lasted a lifetime for Hoy’s son Carl. Sixty years later in 2010, he told this reporter, “He cut through a patch of willows like they were straws and knocked over a pile of lumber I had stacked, took out some fence and went between a barn and a walnut tree without hitting either one. It was amazing. Wreckage was everywhere. I heard he got out in one piece and walked to the first house he could see - Harold Yeager’s.” Ostler would be treated at Waynesburg Hospital for a dislocated thumb and body abrasions. He was back on active duty on Monday. As for those big birds that thrilled a busload of kids on their way home from school, smoldering by the highway and littering Hoy’s pasture, they were government property
Lynch’s jet.
waiting to be reclaimed. But not until the neighborhood had totally trashed out every muddy road driving in from every direction to get a good look at what had just come down from the sky. By Tuesday, Lynch’s plane was taken to Greater Pittsburgh Airport, but the scattered remains of Ostler’s jet were guarded by National Guardsmen for the days it took for the government to pick up the pieces. Not all pieces made it out of Spraggs. Shiny bits of it came up with the plow for years. Speculation about top-secret missions and missing caches became part of local lore. Rumor has it someone who was early on the scene maybe even grabbed a gun. It’s true that government investigators asked a lot of hard questions in that regard. Rumor also has it that the weapon in question was found “a number of years later” on Brant Hill, by a road crew, fixing a slip. These photographs taken by Richard Morgan for the Observer-Reporter that day still put a crisp edge on the event that would keep people talking for years to come. But for those kids at the one room school in Spraggs, it was a moment when book learning time stood still and the electrifying moment of history as it’s happening happened right before their eyes.
If you have an interesting old photo you’d like to share, send it to: GS of the Past, 185 Wade Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370 or email to: info@greenescenemagazine.com with GS Past an subject
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GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
Eva K. Bowlby Library Annual Poetry Contest K - 2nd Winner Spring is Magical by Payton Duncan
Spring is a magical season, For so many reasons. Birds return and make their nest, After their long winter rest. I wake up early to their morning song, And listen to their tunes all day long. Spring showers are needed, no more snow, Flowers and grass begin to grow. Rain washes and cleans up the ground, Everything is waking up all around. I put on my rain boots, find puddles to splash, Birds washing in them are quick to dash. My favorite thing I try to do, Is look for a rainbow with its pretty hues. After a rain shower and the sun is out, I sometimes find one and begin to shout. Is it a whole rainbow, a double, or a half? Looking for a Leprechaun makes me laugh Take a photo and make a memory please, Before the flowers make me sneeze!
JUNE 2020
Payton Duncan
Adult Winner The Red Bike
by Harriet Sellers There’s a path littered By crunchy brown autumn leaves Leading to a broken down shed The door to the shed is askew On rusty squealing hinges Over the doorstop; now step inside Sunlight slants through the slatted boards Filters through dust motes
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
Floating in the air Slices across a floor of wide oak boards The smell of dust is heavy in the air Layer upon twenty year old layer Undisturbed by any human presence Until now where My tracks have left a trail A mouse scampers away Toward his home, a safer place in the shed As I look around this old playground Memories come back Like old friends shaking my hand A chrome handlebar pokes Out from under an old baby blue blanket Faded now by years of exposure To the elements And moths that come out at night As I grasp the edge of the blanket Some of it is so old it crumbles in my hand My breath catches in my throat As I see A memory pass before me I wheeled the bike out of the door And climbed aboard a memory train A mind movie of events Of twenty years past And a million years into the future Wind whistling in my ears
Braids flowing out behind my head Going down the steep Schoolhouse Hill Ten stitches in my forehead From flying down that hill and sailing over the handlebars Heavily pockmarked red paint on the body Broken pedal Daddy fixed so many times Just so I could ride Sailing over that dirt road And the fields race by on each side of me Running my fingers Over the rusty sagging chain Fine film of rust flaking down Like my memories Floating down
Harriet Sellers
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By Colleen Nelson must admit after the first shock of not be- ing good weather ing able to go to church as part of how I throughout the lock down, allowing neighwrite this column, I started to enjoy going bors to sit on their porch and be part of the on Facebook to see what Pastor Phil Camp- congregation. bell had to say. His first online sermons were Wind Ridge Christian Church, with full of the bumps on the road of him learn- its close knit congregation of families with ing how to use technology to reach his con- young children has enough room inside to gregation at New Beginnings Ryerson Baptist keep safe family distance throughout services Church in Wind Ridge. Hearts floated up lead by Adam Stokes. from the bottom of the screen, happy hellos “We use hand sanitizer and wipe the appeared in text boxes as we settled in to hear doorknobs,” Diane tells me. Stokes Store also the good news, punctuated by the occasional sells sanitizer from big plastic jugs – bring technical glitch and giggle. We are all on the your own containers. learning curve for this new normal and it’s That first Sunday I find myself driving been a treat to see the patience and good hu- past the old wooden church on Macedonia mor that has gone out, week after week, from Road that was organized by Baptists in 1877. down home pulpits, cheered on by the sudden Now it is Macedonia Interdenominational applause of hearts punctuating those parts of and I’m just in time to see Pastor Ken Curfthe sermons that resonate with the times we’re man coming out with his extended family to living through. say hello and God bless and how’s everybody Over the weeks, the concept of being doing before heading home. on a message board has turned into a family We stand in the sunlight of a perfect gathering of sharing who needs prayers, who’s spring day, grinning and telling tales. I’m graduating and how are you doing today? As parked in the road and get called a real counI clicked into one live sermon after another, try girl by the neighbor who drives by and has on one Facebook church page after another, to get his truck around me. The hunger of toand stayed to read the messages, I could feel getherness is palpable; the urge to hug hangs the ties that bind growing stronger as the days in the air between us and makes us laugh ticked by. some more. Still, it was the best good news on May We’ll be okay as long as we remember to 15 when Greene County moved out of the follow the commandments that protect the red and into the looser mandates of yellow, sacredness of life, I find myself thinking. This bringing new possibilities for safe socializing. is not the first time neighbors had to hunker Gatherings of 25 with proper social distance down and get through dangerous times when was starting to sound like Sunday sermons disease stalked these hills and threatened would soon be happening, in parking lots what we love. filled with cars, or parishioners safely masked The scripture lesson that Harmony and spaced in country churches. Church broadcast today for all the neighbors But what about the cozy comfort of to hear is John 14:21 – He that hath my comwatching and listening to sermons at home mandments and keepeth them….” any time you feel the need, safe from COVAnd don’t forget to wash your hands! ID-19 even though you miss sitting with your friends and neighbors? Not to worry, Pastor Phil posts. Church trustees and other leaders have decided to “resume church beginning May 24 at our regular time” with guidelines to be announced. And yes, the live streaming will continue for those who still stay at home for whatever reason but especially because of health reasons. Be safe! Harmony Presbyterian Church in Wind Ridge holds a “drive-in worship service” that first Yellow Sunday and Diane Peyton, Ryan and Stephanie Patterson with Pastor Ken Curfman after services at Macedonia Nondenominational Stokes tells me Pastor Linda Shaw Church, Holbrook has been broadcasting her services via outside speakers dur-
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GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
Gre e ne Art ifa cts By Matthew Cumberledge, GCHS Executive Director
MCCONNELLS MAP, A CIVIL WAR SNAPSHOT
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020 is the census year, an important time in the United States. The census is an important tool for historians and genealogists alike, but because it happens only every ten years there are gaps in the information that we’re able to extract from these records. The Civil War was one of these historic times whose impact cannot directly be seen in the federal census because it happened between 1861 and 1865, with the census years of 1860 and 1870 bracketing it. Greene County is lucky in that we have a document that accurately details who was where and provides an interesting snapshot of Greene County right at the very end of the Civil War. “McConnells Map of Greene County Pennsylvania, drawn from actual surveys by J. L. McConnell, G. F. Wolf and assistants, Published by Tuttle & Co, Philadelphia, Penna” in 1865 is the very document that gives us that wonderful glimpse of life in Greene County in a time so very long ago. The map is a fold up that is bound into a small cloth booklet and shows the location of every residence in Greene County and who was living there in 1865. Beyond that however, it shows the locations of schools, churches, institutions and anything else that existed at the time. McConnell’s map is a valuable tool, not
JUNE 2020
only because it gives us information about an important time, but genealogists and historians are also able to compare the map to both the 1860 and 1870 censuses and figure out precise locations of where people lived, and make possible connections as to how people were interacting with each other and, in some cases, even solve genealogical mysteries! In the photo, we’ve shown a detail of McConnell’s map that focuses in on the border of Franklin and Jefferson Townships. You’ll see “County Alms House” going right, near the township line, and that County Alms house is the current location of the Greene County Historical Society Museum! If you are a researcher, and haven’t stumbled across McConnell’s map, it is an excellent resource. If you go to greeneconnections.com and click on the resources tab, you’ll find a copy under the maps section; you can also visit Cornerstone Genealogical Society’s website at cornerstonegenealogy. com and inquire about the copies of the map they have available that are in book form with an index! Please keep an eye on the Greene County Historical Society Facebook page for our Digital Programming, and to keep up on our events and happenings as we make our way through the COVID-19 pandemic!
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
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Foraging the Wilds of Greene by Rochelle McCracken
books like Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora, Jared describes himself as an amateur mycologist. He enjoys the hunt for known and unusual mushrooms as well as other forest edibles. He likens it to an The morel is among the most desired wild mushrooms and can be found right adult scavenger here in Greene County. Photo by Jared White. hunt, a sort of “Pokemon Go for s we crave a more familiar time when adults.” He encourages anyone interested in we could go into a restaurant and sit searching for forest edibles, especially mushdown to a dinner enjoying one of rooms, to use the Internet, and join groups our favorite dishes, topped with the herbs like the Western PA Mushroom Club to learn and seasonings that make our mouth wato properly identify what to pick before eatter, we are confined to home. Out of necesing. According to Jared, “you want to identify sity we have become chefs and teachers and a plant several times before eating it.” are mostly confined to home – or the spaces Dianne Nicholson is a Bethel Park resinearby. Those nearby spaces are the perfect dent that spends her summers in Greene place to find some of the delicacies that we County around Rices Landing. She credits her are missing out on, such as morel mushrooms husband for getting her interested in the outand ramps. doors and what it has to offer. Her husband The morel, or Morchella, is amongst the grew up in Carmichaels and he’s enjoyed hikmost desired wild mushrooms and can’t noring the woods since he was a child. They met mally be found in a store. It’s wildly popular while in high school and when Dianne was for cooking and it’s one of the most the comtasked with creating a wildflower book for a mon mushroom hunted by foragers. Morels school project, her husband was her source can vary wildly in their appearance – their for collecting and identifying the book’s concolors range from light to dark, their size can tents. Dianne became more involved with the be tiny or huge. But the one similarity they all forest and what it has to offer through their have is the honeycombed exterior. Inside, the walks and the life they built together. morel is hollow from the cap and through the Through the years she found herself instem; this is an important distinguishing facvolved with the local Town and Country Gartor and one of the easiest ways to tell a morel den Club and served as President for many apart from a false morel. of those years. She says, “Sharing knowledge Southwestern Pennsylvania has many with others having the same interests was a mushroom hunters; these self-taught myvery rewarding way to learn about many of cologists (mushroom scientists) and budding plants, especially the plants you cook with, chefs possess an in-depth knowledge of our like mushrooms.” Her favorite recipe with forests’ edibles. They also have unbridled enmushrooms, especially the morel, is to fry thusiasm for the great outdoors and what nathem with onions and scrambled eggs. It’s a ture has to offer. These foragers are happy to family favorite dish. share words of wisdom and suggestions with Dianne often wishes more families our readers. would turn to the outdoors like we used to Jared White is a butcher and owner at in our grandparents and great-grandparents Heritage Craft Butchers. He hails from the time. In those times we sought many plants Washington, PA area and got his start with in nature for not only food but also medicimushroom picking as a photographer roamnal purposes. She recalls as a child of stories ing the woods. What started as hobby soon that were told of her grandparents’ use of grew into a passion and became a way of life medicinal plants but the knowledge of what for him. He became very active in pursuing they were and how they were used was not. as much knowledge as possible. Self-taught She believes, “It is invaluable knowledge that through the internet, joining groups on Facehas been lost through the generations.” Her book and seeking the knowledge found in words of wisdom, especially in the times we
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are facing, “For heaven’s sake, get out of your house and walk in the woods. It is a great source of healing”. Gabby Duritsky and her husband are the outdoors type many of us grew up with in our families and as neighbors. Her husband has been a hunter and trapper since his childhood days. As a couple they hunt together and forage the woods for many plants they cook and eat. Gabby is a construction inspector that has her working and spending most of her days outdoors. Through her husband, looking to the internet for information, belonging to the PA Morel Mushroom Hunters group, and talking with others, she has become a self-taught mycologist. The knowledge she gained over the years has helped her develop this favorite way to prepare the morel mushroom. She cleans them in salt water, let’s them dry, then batters them in flour and, finally, freezes them. When the time is right, she sautés the morels in butter, onions, and Montréal seasoning. One of her favorite forest plants to fry is the fiddlehead. Fiddleheads are the furled fronds of young ferns and are one of the earliest edibles each year that you can forage from the woods. While the fiddlehead is not a specific variety of fern and only a term for how ferns look as they grow, the fiddleheads of certain ferns are harvested as vegetables. In Pennsylvania, the favored fiddlehead is the ostrich fern, known for its delicate flavor and crunch texture; it is said to taste like a mix of spinach, broccoli, and asparagus. When harvesting fiddleheads, make sure to only harvest about three from each plant – leave the rest so that the plant will be able to grow. Foragers need to carefully identify the fiddleheads of the ostrich fern or other edible ferns – many other fiddleheads are inedible and can make you sick. Scott Dillion owns a tree business. Scott’s passion for the outdoors and collecting mushrooms is evident. He grew up in the country, doing everything country boys do. He hunts, fishes, roams the forests, and absolutely loves the outdoors. He is constantly taking pictures, picking the forest’s mushrooms and plants, and sharing the crops he harvests with everyone. To quote Scott, “I just love to give them away.” There is so much to gain from knowing our local flora and fauna. Our natural world can provide nourishment for our bodies and souls. There is a world out there that should be cherished and enjoyed – and some people truly do. It is also a world still waiting to be discovered for others. So, get outside and discover the natural world!
Jim and grandson Caleb Delansky enjoy spending time in the woods hunting for morels.
Gabby Duritsky with a morel that will likely end up in her favorite morel recipe.
Scott Dillion is always exploring the outdoors for nature’s goodness.
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
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• GreeneScene Community Magazine
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Co o l at Sc h oo l
by Michelle Church
Adopt A Senior
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t is often said that we can’t control what happens in life, that we can only control our reaction. When our local high school graduating seniors started to lose the milestones of senior year because of the pandemic, Tracie Sypin and her sister-in-law, Beckie Bonifassi, started the Facebook group Adopt a Senior. A senior’s picture and information is posted on the group and they are up for ‘adoption.’ A member of the group - the adopter - then chooses a senior. The adopter has a special part in making their adoptee’s senior year memorable by passing along celebrations to the senior. Celebrations are whatever the adopter chooses: a card, a gift, or even as elaborate as decorating the senior’s yard. Most celebrations will take place during the time frame of May 18 through May 31, when many seniors would have been graduating. Seniors are asked to share their celebrations online, with the hashtag #GivingThanks. The group originated after a phone call between Tracie and Beckie. Beckie is involved in an Adopt a Senior style group in California; she also runs a non-profit organization called Kin’s Kids that was created to honor
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her daughter Kinley who passed away in 2017. Tracie says, “She was telling me what she was out buying for her senior. After we hung up the phone, I just kept thinking what a great idea it was and how someone should do that for our kids here.” The Facebook group was created on April 27 and within a day, there were already 1000 members. It’s since grown to approximately 2000 members. As of mid-May, there are 149 seniors posted for adoption. Every senior has been adopted by at least one person and some have multiple adopters. Donna Todd, a mother involved in the program, shared about putting her son, Donald, as up for adoption on the group. She says that the Adopt a Senior group “gave hope to all seniors in Greene County. My son watches his profile on there. It brightens up his day to see people care even though they don’t know him in person.” Kameron Baron played three years of baseball for Mapletown high school and it was very hard on him when the season was canceled. A neighbor of his mother, Christy, told her about Adopt a Senior and Christy
Christina Adams (Carmichaels)
Colby Simkovic (JM)
Gabrielle Wunder (Mapletown)
signed up Kameron. Since then, he has received a few cards. Christy says, “it has brought back his beautiful smile and he just feels so truly blessed”. “It’s been great seeing all of the kids and what their future plans are, but my favorite part has been seeing our community come toKolin Walker (West Greene) Zachery Grimm (WCHS) gether to support these kids during this difficult time,” Tracie shares. She adds, “We may have started the group but they are the just want to thank everyone for being a part reason it is what it is.” of this and making these kids feel special. We
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
WCES Cafeteria staff enjoys meals provided by Hardees.
Richie Lenk
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uality Inn of Waynesburg is supporting community members during the pandemic. When Andrew Harding, an EMS para-transit manager, was searching for a camper to use as a temporary residence during the pandemic to keep his family safe, Quality Inn stepped up to help. Andrew shared this message with Dave Shaw, who shared it with us: “I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone that took time out of their busy lives to offer me support regarding my search for secondary housing as I work through the COVID-19 pandemic. Words will never adequately express how thankful and humbled I am by your supportive messages, words of encouragement, and prayers. The Quality Inn in Waynesburg has graciously and generously offered me a place to stay as well as resources to help my coworkers who are facing similar
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Greene’s Greatest Heroes
circumstances and I couldn’t possibly be any more grateful. The spirit of human kindness and love is one that cannot be broken. We will make it through this and one day it will all be nothing more than a distant memory. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.” Hardees in Waynesburg provided breakfast to the Waynesburg Central Elementary Cafeteria staff. These five ladies prepare lunches and breakfasts for children, along with cafeteria staff members at Margaret Bell Miller Middle School under the direction of Food Service Coordinator, Sheena Helwig. Monday - Thursday these workers prepare an average of 500 lunches and 500 breakfasts. On Fridays these staff members prepare approximately 1,800 lunches and 1,800 breakfasts to feed children for the weekend. In an effort to give back to the community, Compliance Services partnered with
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
Stone House Restaurant and Inn to provide 400 hot meals to local citizens in need. Every Thursday in May, meal pick-ups were held at St. Hugh Catholic Church in Carmichaels, PA between 3-5pm. Those in need called in by Tuesday night to be included. Richie Lenk is the fire chief of the Grindstone Volunteer Fire Department as well as an EMT/supervisor at Brownsville Ambulance Service. He has been the fire chief for over 36 years and it is very rare for Richie to miss a fire call. He has been involved with EMS for over 25 years. For Richie, this pandemic does not change his passion for fire nor EMS. He continues to go on calls for both organizations and has his mask, gloves and gown ready to help. He continues to go on lift assists to help the communities’ elderly as well assisting EMS on calls when they call for the fire department. As an EMS supervisor,
Volunteers with Compliance Services pass out meals.
he makes sure the employees have the PPE equipment they need. He also makes sure the ambulances get cleaned/sanitized and serviced. Richie is highly devoted to helping his community and devoted to both fire fighting and EMS. COVID-19 is not going to stop Richie from doing what he loves - helping others. Andrea Petrosky is a pediatric nurse currently serving the front lines. Every day, she risks her own health to keep others safe. Andrea received her BSN from Waynesburg University. Her daughter Deanna shares, “She is one of the most caring, loving, dedicated people that you will ever meet. She is not letting this hard time get her down and continuing to care and love her patients. She is an amazing woman and my hero. I strive to be like her every day! Praying for her and all of the front line workers during this pandemic!
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record of the drivein exists before 1948, when the 1948-49 Theatre Catalog listed the Carmichaels Drive-In as being under construction. The Evening Standard newspaper of Uniontown also wrote about an early lawsuit against the drive-in’s owners that claimed, “when the theater was opened in 1948, reddog and earth was heaped up near the headwaters of a brook.” By Danielle Nyland BoxOffice magazine mentions in its magine warm summer nights, seated in your car or near opened (and is July 17, 1948 issue it on a blanket or chair, sipping a drink and snacking on still the oldest opthat, “The drive-in on your favorite concession stand snack, while waiting for erating drive-in.) Route 88, which will the deepening evening sky to progress into darkness. And Drive-ins began be opened within a then it’s time for the colorful images projected on the tow- to spread across few days, is unique in ering screen to transport you into another world for a few the United States its screen tower conhours. Nights at the drive-in are a mid-century American tra- and struction. Cemenstone peaked in dition that Greene County is still lucky enough to continue. Corp., Neville Island, the late 1950s to Nothing is quite like the experience of watching a movie early 1960s with is producing the 53x50 at the drive-in. It’s so much more informal than heading to over 4000 drivescreen tower in blocks the nearby multiplex – you can eat and drink and rustle that ins open. But this poured at Neville Ispopcorn bag as noisily as you need to for those last kernels, golden age began land and fabricated talk, fidget, and relax, all while enjoying a new release or an to lose its glow and here. These blocks are old classic. Before the movie starts, children are often found drive-in numbers 22 and 28 feet long, 6 playing on grassy areas between cars and in front of screens, began to decline. feet wide and 4 inches An ad from the opening night of the Waynesburg Drive-In. working out some last minute energy in preparation for the Multiple reasons are thick. The tower itself is upcoming movie. listed as part of the drive-in decline, including land costs, supported by four concrete posts, the weight being over 90 Richard Hollingshead opened the first drive-in the- VHS movies, and Daylight Saving Time. The decline contin- tons for the 45x33 screen. Louis Stuler and Durward Coe are ater in Camden, NJ in 1933. He experimented at his home ued into the 80s and 90s, but a revival appeared to be on the owners of the drive-in.” The 1949-50 Theatre Catalog conby showing movies and testing several configurations for horizon in the late 90s and early 00s as old drive-ins were firms the drive-in as open and owned by Lou Stuler and Durthe projector, screen, sound and car spacing before settling purchased and renovated. But in the early 2010s, drive-ins wood (or Durward or Duard) Coe. on just the right one. Once he had it, he applied for a patent were dealt a blow when the movie industry announced that Sometime in the early years of the 1950s, the name had and opened the Automobile Movie Theatre, with the slogan going forward, movies would be digital and film projectors transformed from the Carmichaels Drive-In to the Skyview, “The whole family is welcome, regardless of how noisy the became obsolete. Currently there are a little over 300 drive- although there would continue to be multiple spellings of the children are.” This slogan is still the primary thought behind ins open in the United States; 27 of those are in Pennsylvania name in various newspapers and write-ups; it was alternately most drive-ins, which is why they are a favorite form of fam- (including the oldest operating drive-in), making it the #2 listed as Sky View, Sky-View, SkyView and Skyview over the ily entertainment. years. state with the most drive-ins, following New York. The concept caught on and in 1934 the second driveThe original capacity for the drive-in was listed in differBy some accounts, the first Greene County drive-in in in America – Shankweiler’s Drive-In in Orefield, PA, was theater opened in 1946 in Carmichaels; however, no actual ent sources as 225 and 350, and it increased to 450 by 1963;
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The Skyview has been operating in Carmichaels since its opening in 1948.
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The original screen, with side extensions, of the Skyview Drive-in.
The snack bar at the Skyview offers a variety of tasty snacks and food items. GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
the current owners say that it can fit about 450 comfortably but will hold a maximum capacity of 500 cars. Ownership was listed as Stuler & Coe from 1952 to 1966; although Stuler would die at age 47 in 1961 from a heart attack, Coe continued to own the Skyview. Later owners would include Cinemette Corporation of America in the late 70s and early 80s, and then switch over to G&G Theaters, Inc… until 1988, according to listings in the Motion Picture Almanacs. It’s guessed that the second screen was added somewhere around 1986, during its ownership by G&G. The original screen also received additions to assist in showing widescreen movies at this time. In the early 1990s, David Ganoe took over the management of the theater. After a couple of disappointing trips with his family to the drive-in, David reached out to owner Sorrel Naft. After a few meetings, Naft was interested in David’s ideas for the drive-in and they became partners. Thanks to David’s dedication, the drive-in began to thrive again. He cleaned the place up, instituted a familyfriendly atmosphere, and revitalized the snack bar offerings. While operating the Skyview, Davis was also instrumental in moving the theater towards playing first-run movies. David worked with the booking agent to push the matter and eventually the drive-in received it’s first first-run showing and it has maintained those first-run movies ever since. Later, David prepared to leave the Skyview and head to Florida for other job opportunities. He stayed on for about a year after ending the partnership to help the new manager, Chuck Walker, with the transition. “I still miss it,” David says. “It was the best time in my life. I’m proud of what I did. It was a lot of work, but I loved what I was doing and I got to meet so many people. I just loved it.” Drive-ins hold fond memories for both Liz and Chuck Walker. Liz had attended drive-in movies with her parents in Ohio and Chuck, who grew up in the area, had attended movies at the Skyview. Once they moved to the area after leaving the military – Liz was in the Army and Chuck the Air Force – they began attending movies at the Skyview. Liz started working at the Skyview in 1999 and Chuck became manager in 2001. They bought the drive-in in April 2007 and have worked tirelessly to maintain the nostalgic feel of the drive in while keeping up to date with technology. In 2013, drive-ins across the country faced the dilemma to “go digital or go dark” as movies began the switch from film to digital. The Walkers, with the help of Southwestern PA Rural Exploration, prepared a video and entered Honda’s Project Drive-In to win a digital projector. Sadly, the Skyview did not win and faced the possibility of going dark. To prevent that, the Walkers pooled available funds, and along with money received from donations and loans, bought two digital projectors to keep the Skyview open. One projector was upgraded in 2017. The Walkers have also implemented other repairs and renovations to keep the Skyview in shape. “We have repaired and updated the awnings on the snack bar, updated the kitchen equipment, updated the sound equipment and FM transmitters, and removed the over growth of trees and piles of stuff around the lot to make it more presentable. We updated to a point of sales system and are accepting credit and debit cards.” She adds, “Unfortunately, we are unable to keep the speakers working since the parts cannot be sourced or replaced economically. We find it difficult to even find parts for the speakers on the lot.” The Walkers have tried a variety of events at the drive-
JUNE 2020
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
in, including a car show, flea market/farmer’s market, and a Halloween movie weekend. While the market didn’t work out, the car show and Halloween weekend have been successes for the drivein and continue on. They also sell Skyview t-shirts, hoodies, hats and lanyards at the concession stand. “When we purchased the drive-in, the Skyview was the last drive-in in our county and one of only two theatres operating in Greene County. Now the Skyview Drive-In is the only theatre in Greene County. Watching the movies under the stars with your family and/ or friends is an experience most will not forget,” Liz shares. “We keep the drivein open so everyone that wants to experience it can. It’s the nostalgia of an almost forgotten time period when family togetherness was most important.” For Todd Tamanend Clark, going to the drive-in is still an experience he remembers fondly. He recalls watching a movie at the Skyview for the first time at a young age, ”I first attended the Skyview Drive-In in Carmichaels at the age of five in August 1957.” He remembers watching a lot of classic monster movies there, including The Fly (1958), The Blob (1958), House on Haunted Hill (1958), The Lost World (1960) and many more. The Waynesburg Drive-in opened on June 29, 1950 with a showing of the Boy from Indiana, starring Lon McAllister. It sat on a little more than nine acres, held 300 cars and featured one screen. At the time of its opening, it was owned by Louis Stuler and Durwood Coe. At one point it was owned by Stuler and Wilson. Sometime in the 1970s, it was a Cinemette theater. Ohio Movies, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa sold the drive in to Levine Iron and Metal Co., located in West Waynesburg, on June 26, 1979 for $50,000. It was located in West Waynesburg Roy Furman Highway (formerly Rogersville Road) and was about one mile from the courthouse. A handful of years later, it closed. It’s much harder to find information and pictures on the Waynesburg Drive-In, but we were able to talk with Bryan Hixenbaugh, who worked there for a few years in the midto-late 70s and others shared their memories of the theater on Facebook. Bryan spent three summers during high school working as an usher at the drive-in. “I was an usher,” Bryan writes. “I got to watch free moves, made sure people were parked right, speakers working, and came back in morning to clean the grounds, some of the stuff you would find!” Bryan also shared a story about typical drive-in mischief when applying for a job there, ”We snuck in, in the trunk of a car, the night we applied for the job.” Joyce Phillips shares, “I remember when we had our own drive-in right here in Waynesburg and we would go
An aerial view of the Waynesburg Drive-In.
right before dark.” She adds, “While we waited they had a small play area and we got to go play.” Joyce also remembers heading into West Virginia to see movies at the Blue Horizon Drive-In in Morgantown. Dewey Litten remembers that Waynesburg Drive-In had a “fog propeller they would turn on when it got foggy because of the creek nearby.” Southwestern Pennsylvania is lucky because, within a two hour drive, there are approximately 10 drive-ins open and still showing movies: the Skyview (Carmichaels, Pa), Brownsville Drive-in (Brownsville, Pa), Comet Drive In (Connellsville, Pa); the Evergreen (Mt. Pleasant, PA), the Dependable (Moon, Pa), Riverside (Vandergrift, Pa), the Sunset (Shinnston, WV), Hilltop (Chester, WV), and the Palace Gardens (Indiana, Pa). There are even more just outside the limit of that two-hour drive. Most of these drive-ins play new features, but some of them offer classic films, film festivals, special events and more, like the nearly film-exclusive Mahoning Drive-in in Lehighton, PA. What makes the Skyview special is that since its opening in 1948, it has continuously operated without closing down, something many drive-ins can’t claim. Currently, many drive-ins are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But what better way to watch a movie while maintaining the necessary social distancing than sitting in the comfort of your own car, dressed for comfort, and watching a great flick? So support your local drive-in and keep the tradition alive! If you have any additional information or pictures about the Waynesburg Drive-In or Skyview Drive-in, please give us a call 724-627-2040, email Danielle@directresults.us, or send us a message on Facebook.
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Public Service Profile By Danielle Nyland
GREENE COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND
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he closures and limitations brought on by COVID-19 haven’t just affected small businesses and employees facing lay offs – they’ve deeply impacted the many nonprofits that work within our community. These nonprofits, often working behind the scenes, are an important part of keeping the most vulnerable in our community healthy, happy, and safe - especially during times of crisis. In response to the closures, the Community Foundation of Greene County (CFGC) and United Way have partnered together and created the Greene County Emergency Response Fund “to address local needs resulting from emergency and disaster situations in Greene County.” “This is a community effort,” shares Bettie Stammerjohn, executive director of the CFGC. “The Community Foundation of Greene County is receiving the donations from individuals and businesses in the community and region. And we are receiving the requests for grants from local nonprofits serving our community. The committee reviewing the requests is comprised of community members representing CFGC, Greene County United Way, the County of Greene and other funders. Collectively we have a broader understanding of the needs in our area and how our nonprofits work.” These quick, flexible grants are providing resources to our area’s nonprofit organizations that are working with people and organizations impacted by emergencies and disasters, such as COVID-19. The funds will ensure that the basic needs of those in the community are met by providing health, human services, social services, emergency services, education and community development activities. Funds received from a grant reward can be used by the organization to provide services, as well as direct relief of individuals and families. “In these uncertain times, we are joining together as a community to support our front line organizations,” says MaChal Forbes, United Way executive director. “With business closures and social distancing, local agencies are facing immediate losses in funding while dealing with an increase of critical requests and limited sup-
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plies. The most important thing we can do is act quickly to provide them the resources they need.” To apply for the grant, organizations need to complete a short grant application designed to provide a quick grant response. Applications submitted by Monday at 4pm are reviewed on Thursday, with notification on Friday. The responsiveness of the program helps meet urgent needs resulting from an emergency situation. The application, as well as guide, are available on the CFGC’s website. The fund will not reward grants to individuals or businesses. One of the nonprofits that received funding was the Corner Cupboard Food Bank. Executive director Candace Tustin says, “Corner Cupboard Food Bank is grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the Community Foundation of Greene County & United Way’s Emergency Response Grant. We are appreciative for all that the Community Foundation and United Way do to help in our community and to the donors who made this fund possible. The funding awarded will assist us with day to day operations and allow us to continue our ministry, providing food security to the residents of Greene County.” As of May 4, the fund has received over $128,500 in donations from community members, businesses, and foundations, including $10,000 from Equitrans Midstream Foundation, $5,000 from Equitrans Midstream Corp. and $25,000 from DTE Foundation. The Response Fund has awarded nearly half of that - $57,047 - in grant monies to local nonprofit organizations. If you would like to donate a gift to support the Greene County Emergency Response Fund, visit the CFGC’s site at www. cfgcpa.org/emergency-response-grants/. Gifts can also be sent by mail to CFGC, PO Box 768, Waynesburg, PA 15370 (checks payable to Community Foundation of Greene County, memo ‘Emergency Response Fund’). The foundation is waiving management fees for all contributions to the fund. While the initial funds will be used to address needs created by COVID-19, remaining funds will be used to address future emergency and disaster needs in Greene County.
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
Serving the Community
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orner Cupboard Food Bank, Inc., in conjunction with Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, hosted its first emergency drive-up food distribution this past April at the Greene County Fairgrounds. The distribution served 1,140 families. Each car received two (25 lb.) boxes of food, including shelf-stable and frozen items and approximately 57,000 pounds of food was distributed. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has aided the community of Greene County each month with the Produce to People initiative. Due to COVID-19, Produce to People has been canceled indefinitely and many community members of Greene County are suffering from food insecurity like never before, due to business closures also related to COVID-19. During the 40 years the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has been serving the area it has never seen a need as large as during this pandemic. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit southwestern Pennsylvania, the organization has distributed a million pounds of food more than last year during the same period. The organization has also continued to work with school districts and community organizations to provide meals to children while school is not in session. “The need in our region right now is unlike anything we’ve seen before,” said Lisa Scales, president and CEO of the Food Bank. “Many of those who we are serving recently lost their jobs and are new to needing food assistance. We remain committed to fulfilling our mission and ensuring that all of our neighbors have enough to eat.” The Corner Cupboard Food Bank has also seen an increase in the number of people turning to its network of food assistance agencies in Greene County. “As the lead hunger-relief agency in Greene County, we’re dedicated to meeting the need of our neighbors both throughout
this pandemic and during non-crisis times,” said Candace Tustin, executive director of Corner Cupboard. “We are thankful to everyone who worked alongside us to make today possible for so many of our neighbors facing uncertainty right now.” Many of those that assisted with the emergency food distribution are community members who have been continuous volunteers, and assist at the food bank and its pantry sites on a regular basis. The Corner Cupboard and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank are grateful for the usage of Greene County Fairgrounds property and the Greene County Sheriff ’s department in Thursday’s distribution. In these unusual and uncertain times, southwestern Pennsylvania’s food banks are dedicated to providing food to the people in the communities they serve to eliminate hunger. Those who need food assistance are encouraged to contact Corner Cupboard Food Bank, Inc. Individuals can find their food pantry by going to cornercupboard.org or calling 724-627-9784.
Chris Sheldon of Crucible volunteers with traffic control.
Food bank volunteers place boxes in cars to maintain social distancing.
JUNE 2020
Zach, Kaylee, Dwan, and Aiden of Waynesburg assist with placing boxes in cars.
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
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Keep Your
GreeneScene by Melissa Hilliard
BRAIN Healthy & Happy!
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GreeneScene Community Magazine •
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Christmas Open House 1
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Remember and Honor.
We encourage people to take time out over the upcoming weekend and visit Greene County’s various honor rolls and cemeteries to honor those that have served, while maintaining proper safety precautions.
But that doesn’t mean that our veterans are going unacknowledged this weekend. During the previous weekend, individuals and small groups, such as area Boy Scouts and veteran associations, gathered to place flags on veteran gravesites throughout the county.
The current pandemic has changed everyone’s lives and left life a little off-kilter. Because of the restrictions placed on large gatherings and to preserve the safety of our veterans and the community, sadly most events normally held on Memorial Day have been canceled.
GreeneScene Community Magazine would like to thank each and every one of our members of the armed forces, those still serving or have served in the past and those that have lost their lives while serving.
B.R.A.I.N. Campaign michaels photograph of the Mon River.
The Filer-Sadlek Post No. 954 of Jefferson, PA have canceled all services.
The Waynesburg Honor Guard, consisting of members from Waynesburg VFW Post No. 4793 & the Waynesburg Legion Post 300 have canceled all services.
The Carmichaels Honor Guard consisting of the Carmichaels American Legion Post No. 400, Carmichaels VFW Post No. 3491, and Greensboro VFW Post No. 6303 have canceled all services for Carmichaels, Greensboro, Nemacolin, and Crucible.
The James R. Maxon American Legion Post No. 992 of Mt. Morris, PA have no known scheduled events.
The Brooks-Crago American Legion Post No. 816 of Rices Landing, PA will hold a prayer and gun salute on May 24, at 2pm. There will be no parade.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES
events, we’ve left our calendar blank this Skate, month. Visit greenescenemagazine.com Quick for Exit more events.
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M e e t our Te am
very month, our enthusiastic team of editors, writers, graphic designers, and advertising specialists work behind the scenes to create each issue of GreeneScene Community Magazine. This passionate team is dedicated to creating a fascinating, optimistic, and relevant magazine that our readers love. Over the next year, we’ll be introducing you to our team, member by member, so that you can get to know the devoted crew that brings you the GreeneScene. This month, we’d like to introduce you to contributing writer Matt Cumberledge. Matt has been a lifelong resident of Brave, in Wayne Township where his family first settled in the 1770s. Matt graduated from Waynesburg Central High School in 2000, and afterwards worked for Developed Structures Inc, in Waynesburg where he was in charge of quality and control of drawings going to steel fabrication shops throughout the country. Matt then spent 7 years in the Army National Guard, based out of Waynesburg PA, and was deployed to Iraq twice. Following the military, Matt worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections until 2018. He is currently the Greene County Historical Society’s executive director. Matt joined the GreeneScene team in early 2019, as a contributing writer providing the “Going Greene” and “Greene Artifacts” columns, as well as additional articles. “Writing for the GreeneScene has been one of the most fun decisions I have ever made,” according to Matt, “I love the positive nature of the paper and the support it provides to the community.”
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Outside of work, Matt is involved in many local organizations: Cornerstone Genealogical Society, The Warrior Trail Association, The Mon Yough Chapter of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Greene County Tourism and several others. Matt is a hobbyist blacksmith, and enjoys doing carpentry work.
JUST FOR FUN Favorite Music: Definitely a fan of Heavy Metal, Rock and Classic Rock Favorite Movie: Toss up between Bram Stokers Dracula and The Exorcist Favorite TV Show: American Horror Story Currently Reading: Circular Villages of the Monongahela Tradition, Bernard K. Means Favorite Hidden PA Gem: The Greene County Historical Society Museum! Favorite Vacation Spot: A small cabin in the Monongahela National Forest Favorite Season: Definitely fall What’s a movie you can practically quote from start to finish? Two! Bram Stokers Dracula and Hamlet If you could live in any period of history when would it be? Without Question, the late 18th Century right here in Greene County PA! What’s your dream car? An M1A1 Abrams Tank! I miss driving them!
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
Greene County POols & Summer Camps to Remain Closed for SEASON
T GreeneScene by Evan Williams II
JUNE 2020
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
he Governor has allowed Greene County to progress into the yellow phase of the COVID-19 reopening plan beginning May 15. As the county progress toward recovery, the Greene County Commissioners want to remind residents that the virus is still here, active, contagious and easily spread. They understand this has not been easy, but now is not the time to change behaviors that have successfully kept our rates of illness low. The yellow phase does not significantly change individual personal protective equipment or social distancing requirements. The major change is that some previously shuttered businesses can begin reopening and child care is again available. Also, gatherings of individuals are limited to no more than 25 people. The commissioners’ number one concern continues to be the safety and welfare of our residents. After much thought, conferring with industry experts and regional partners, it is with much desolation that the Greene County Commissioners announce cancellations and changes to our traditional summer events.
• All traditional county summer camps are cancelled. • All county swimming pools will remain closed throughout the summer. • Flashlight Drag Races for May and June have been cancelled. Although these traditional summer activities have been cancelled, they continue exploring opportunities to provide some limited activities throughout the summer that will conform to CDC and DOH guidelines. Optional activities may include computer gaming, outside games, walking clubs and disc golf in smaller groups. Please keep an eye out for additional information as we progress toward recovery. The Electronics Recycling event at the Greene County Fairgrounds on May 20, 2020 will be conducted using a drivethrough traffic pattern and residents will not get out of their vehicles. The Greene River Trail remains open and county pavilions and the facilities at the fairgrounds remain available for private events. Playgrounds will be opened at the earliest opportunity, all provided by reopening guidelines.
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G o in g G re e n e
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FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF FAITH
outhwestern Pennsylvania is a truly beautiful place. Spring is upon us, wild flowers are blooming, trees are getting their leaves, and the natural world is blossoming with life. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken much from all of us; however, it cannot take away our ability to enjoy the wonders of the world in which we live. Even beyond the sights provided by nature, our faith has illuminated the very land in which we live. So, let’s all go on a journey and experience the serene beauty of some of our local churches. PA Route 21 is the main east-west route that travels through Greene County, and the path it travels has been a main thoroughfare throughout the region since our pioneer settlers first started building their cabins in the rolling hills of southwestern Pennsylvania. We’ll start our trip just outside of Greene County, in one of the oldest congregations in the region. In Masontown, at the Intersection of Sweet Pea’s Gas Station, take Leckrone High House Road heading southeast, follow it approximately two miles through the small community of Leckrone, and turn right onto Leckrone-Masontown Road. Just a few hundred yards after turning on Leckrone-Masontown Road, turn right onto Baker Hill Road, follow it to the top of the hill and turn onto Lutheran Church Road, and you’ll immediately see the sprawling Jacobs Lutheran Cemetery expanding before you with the church in the background. Jacobs Lutheran Church, by all accounts, was established as a congregation in 1768, some eight years before the birth of the United States of America. This is a church that remembers her history well! The present church structure is of red brick, has a beautiful edifice, and was built around 1847 with significant additions and renovations over the succeeding years. This was not the first church to stand on this site. One cannot help but be drawn to the small hewn log building in the oldest section of the cemetery; this small building was rebuilt with the logs that formed the second church building to service the people of Jacobs Lutheran. This building was rebuilt and dedicated on Sunday, July 30, 1933, and stands as a present reminder of the very first families to practice their faith in this rural section of Fayette County. Many of these families can still be found in the area, and quite a few of their descendants crossed the Monongahela River to become some of the first
residents of Greene County. Now that we’ve spent a little bit of time enjoying Jacobs Lutheran Church and the centuries old hand-carved stones that mark the graves of her early congregants, let’s get back on the road! Find your way back to Route 21 and head west into Greene County; we’ll be stopping at Greene County’s oldest church next! Many of you may already know where we are headed, but for those that do not, once you cross the Masontown bridge back into Greene County, stay on 21 for several miles and turn left onto Ceylon Road, right across from Michaels Auto Sales. This is a beautiful country road that will take you through some of the most amazing landscapes in Greene County. Follow Ceylon Road all the way to the end, where it meets Garards Fort Road, and turn right. Once you get into the village of Garards Fort, you’ll see the John Corbly Memorial Baptist Church (formerly known as the Goshen Baptist Church) sitting on a small knoll to the right. The Goshen Baptist Church was created sometime around the year 1771, making it the first congregation that would be established in Greene County. The earliest church services were preached by the Reverend John Corbly in various homes of the congregants and little is known of the first dedicated church building. The current structure was built in 1862, and the bell tower was added later. It was on the second Sunday in May 1782, 238 years ago, that the Reverend John Corbly was walking with his family while preparing for church services when his family was attacked. There is a beautiful monument in the nearby Garards Fort Cemetery dedicated to the memory of the lost members of the Corbly family. Now our journey is going to take us west on Garards Fort road for approximately 5 miles where we will turn right onto Lemley Road. If you need to take a break, stop and enjoy the wetlands preservation area and overlook that you’ll see driving along Garards Fort Road. Follow Lemley Road for about 2 miles, and then turn right onto Route 19. Follow Route 19 for about a mile and turn left onto Pitcock Run, and take it to White Barn Road. At the very top of the hill you’ll see Fairall United Methodist Church positioned with some of the most breathtaking views in the county. Fairall is known by several folks in the area for being a great place to star gaze and watch the sunset. As you
walk around the hill top, pay close attention to the many grave markers that inhabit the cemetery; near the back of the church, a large granite marker that commemorates the life of Caleb Ely who passed on from this life on May 4th 1915. Caleb Ely, born on July 29, 1829, is the farmer whose birthday gave birth to the Rain Day celebration in Waynesburg every July 29th. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rain Day celebration this year has been cancelled, but you can stop at Fairall United Methodist Church to pay tribute to this well-known Greene County farmer and veteran of the Civil War. Back on White Barn Road, continue heading west to Route 218. If you turn right, you’ll head back into Waynesburg, where you have a great opportunity, if you are hungry, to head into town and support one of our fine local restaurants and get lunch to go! In the future, we’ll carry on with this journey and continue on through Rogersville, Pine Bank and Jollytown to visit some of the historic churches in the western half of the county.
Corbly Memorial Baptist Church
The Old Log Church, Jacobs Lutheran Church
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by Matthew Cumberledge
Fairall United Methodist Church
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
JUNE 2020
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Water for South Sudan
Carmichaels Receives 2020 MWEE School of Excellence Award Carmichaels Area Middle and Senior High School is recognized for their outstanding MWEE implementation in western PA through their “Habitat Restoration at the Ferncliff Peninsula at Ohiopyle State Park” programming. In partnership with the California University of Pennsylvania, Ohiopyle State Park, Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and PA Fish and Boat Commission, and with funding from the Greene County Community Foundation EITC, Toyota Tapestry, Pennsylvania American Water, and Project Learning Tree, 6th-12th grade students participate in hands-on, investigative watershed education activities built around the Youghiogheny (Yough) River. These watershed educational experiences include environmental STEM career exposure during expert-led plant identification hikes, herbaceous vegetation data collection, aquatic macroinvertebrate kick-net sampling, water chemistry measurements, and electrofishing surveys. In 2014, students’ in-depth, research-based learning experiences culminated in a student-led stewardship and civic action project to restore habitats affected by invasives and deer both on the school nature trail and Ohiopyle State Park’s Ferncliff Peninsula. Students began by propagating a variety of native trees and perennials from seeds in the school’s Native Plant Greenhouse, followed by a tree planting at Ferncliff Peninsula
and perennial pollinator garden planting at the Ohiopyle State Park Visitor Center. The schools continue to provide exceptional and inclusive MWEE programming for the next generation of watershed stewards. Special thanks to Fred Morecraft, superintendent; Lisa Zdravecky, high school principal; Ronald Gallagher, middle school principal; Kevin Willis, conservation biology teacher; Megan Patton, 6th grade science teacher; Justin Allen, 8th grade science teacher; and Ken Perkins, 7th grade science teacher. The MWEE School of Excellence Award is one of two new annual awards intended to celebrate outstanding support of and/or implementation of the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) in PA. MWEEs are learner-centered experiences that focus on student investigations into local environmental issues that lead to informed action and civic engagement. In their 2020 pilot year, the awards recognized three non-formal education partners (e.g., municipalities, nature centers, environmental education providers) and three PreK-12 formal educational institutions (e.g., schools or school districts) throughout Pennsylvania. Both awards are part of statewide watershed education capacity-building initiatives of the NOAA-funded (Grant #NA17NMF4570274) Pennsylvania Environmental Literacy and MWEE Capacity-Building Project.
Carmichaels’ students participate in a watershed educational experience.
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Carmichaels Area Middle School students may be learning from home right now, but the learning that took place in the Fall of 2019 has brought to fruition the life-giving power of water in South Sudan. For the past two years, Carmichaels’ seventh graders, including the Classes of 2024 and 2025, have held an event they call, “We walk, so they don’t have to!” This cross-curricular event organized by the seventh grade teachers is based on the book, A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. The book tells the inspirational story of Salva Dut who was forced to flee his homeland, at the age of only eleven, during the Second Sudanese Civil War in 1985. Many people in South Sudan suffer from waterborne illnesses due to drinking dirty water. Salva’s organization called, Water for South Sudan, now returns to his country to bring wells providing clean water for villages like his own. Through these water wells, the village communities experience a revolution. In addition to clean drinking water, the wells allow the villages to start schools enabling girls
to stop traveling hours a day for dirty water for their families to survive and instead, go to school! For the village people of Lilthok, located in Gogrial State, South Sudan, the Carmichaels seventh graders’ fundraising efforts have paid off by funding the rehabilitation of a well that was originally drilled in 2016. Now these people will continue to drink clean water and flourish as a healthy community. The Carmichaels’ Classes of 2024 and 2025 would like to say, “thank you” to the many donors who contributed to the funds raised for this life-giving opportunity. We could not have done this without you.
The village of Lilthok thanks Carmichaels’ students for their well.
Physician Named one of PA Medical Society’s Top Physicians Under 40 Dr. Julie Orlosky has been named one of the PA Medical Society’s Top Phy s i c i ans Under 40. Dr. Orlosky is a family medicine physician with Cornerstone Care, a non-profit network of Federally Qualified Health Centers serving southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. Dr. Orlosky says, “Being a physician in a rural area means that I have the unique opportunity to offer my services to patients that may not be able to travel to more populated areas to receive care. I also enjoy the fact that in a rural area you typically care for families. This means I may take care of the grandmother all the way to the newly born infant. It means getting to know your patients on a more personal level and not just treating them for their medical concerns but becoming an integral part of their lives. Learning about their struggles, their victories and forming a
deeply connected relationship with each one of them. Knowing that some days they may not need me for my medical advice, but they may just need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen. For me, it is about serving the people in my community and offering them the best care we can.” Dr. Orlosky’s nominators commended her willingness to go above and beyond to care for her patients, always taking time to explain results and often calling specialists to discuss a patient’s case. She offers patientfocused care with an emphasis on preventive medicine. Dr. Orlosky is a member of the graduating class of 2000 at Chartiers Houston High School. She attended Pennsylvania State University for pre-med and graduated from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. She completed her residency at the Washington Hospital Residency Program. Dr. Orlosky has practiced at the Cornerstone Care Community Health Center of Burgettstown for eight years. She lives in the community with her husband and children. “Congratulations to Dr. Orlosky for a well-deserved recognition,” said Richard Rinehart, Cornerstone Care CEO. “Dr. Orlosky’s leadership sets a high standard. I am proud to say her success reflects the excellent care delivered by our entire team.“
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
JUNE 2020
• GreeneScene Community Magazine
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Farmers Market Opens! The Waynesburg Farmers Market opened on May 13 in downtown Waynesburg. The Farmers Market is held weekly on Wednesdays from May 13 to October 14th from 10 am to 2pm. Stop by Washington Street in historic downtown Waynesburg
weekly for seasonal produce, meat, eggs, and baked goods brought by local farmers and vendors. The Farmers Market is sponsored by EQT Corporation and brought to you by Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful.
Blood Drive A blood drive will be held on June 20th from 9am to 1:30pm at First United Methodist Church in Waynesburg. Appointments are recommended and can be
scheduled by visiting vitalant.org (group code G0110165), calling 412-209-7000, or contacting Connie Hart at cmhart@windstream.net or 724-852-1252. .
May Winners Free Lawn Service - Amanda Fife Kids Korner - Tina Toth. (Correct Answer: rain boots) Business Spotlight Trivia - Susan King (Correct answer: Triple M Auto Service) GreeneScene Contest - Angie Toland May’s GreeneScene Contest is located on Plum Sock Road in Prosperity, at Tool Shed Rental Equipment. Barry Martin, the owner of Tool Shed Rental Equipment, sent us more information and some additional photos of Sgt. Stone and Rocky, ‘The Chiseled Warriors’ . “Sgt. Stone, alongside his canine partner Rocky, offers a giant salute to all current military service members and veterans, across the country and around the world. At almost nine feet tall, and close to four thousand pounds, Sgt. Stone and Rocky were cobbled from reclaimed barn stone and months of cutting, grinding and chiseling. The pair stand guard at their permanent duty station by the American Flag in my front yard. They make a solid team. Thank you to all, who chose to serve. I salute you.” - Barry Martin - Prosperity Pa.
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Crouse Schoolhouse Restoration Complete After five years and multiple attempts, the Crouse Schoolhouse renovation has been completed. The Crouse Schoolhouse has been a part of the West Greene education system for over 100 years, although it hasn’t been used as a school in more than 70 years. In 2015, the school had reached a point of decay that was about to cause its imminent collapse – the bell tower, missing its bell, was falling and the roof was rotting and had a hole. Through a huge collaborative effort, a new metal roof was placed on the school, a new bell tower with bell installed, the inside was refurbished, and electric was installed inside. Eventually
an open house was held at the school. With approximately $20,000 gathered in donations and the efforts of the community and volunteer work, a West Greene historical artifact was saved from destruction.
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
GreeneScene by Grace Bradmon
JUNE 2020
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Greene Gardens
By Lisa Lewis, Greene County Master Gardeners Intern
Dirty Hands, Healthy Mind: The Benefits of Gardening and Being Outdoors
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ach season brings its own beauty. This time of year with days noticeably lengthening, seedlings growing in a sunny window, and green shoots pushing through the moist soil has many of us chomping at the bit to get out in the garden. Why do we feel so much better after a few hours or even a few minutes outdoors? Scientists around the globe have been studying this question. Studies have shown that taking a 30-minute walk around a garden or forest a few times a week results in fewer symptoms of depression and hostility as well as improved sleep. These nature walks spark feelings of vigor and liveliness, reduced physical pain, and improved blood flow to regions associated with relaxation and improved focus and learning. A 30-minute walk around town did not yield such strong benefits; being in nature is the key over and above exercise. Other studies have found that simply having a hospital room with a view of trees rather than a parking lot reduced need for pain killers and shortened hospital stays. Classrooms with views of gardens and trees or even with just a few potted plants in them have higher test scores and graduation rates. Students in these classrooms experienced improved focus and attention, and caused fewer disruptive behaviors. Engaging in aromatherapy utilizing volatile compounds derived from trees and plants (think mint, spruce, lavender, citrus, etc) enhances production of the brain’s own calming chemical called GABA. Of course, when you are out working in your garden you are inhaling many of the same volatile aromatics used in aromatherapy and getting the same GABA boost. Turns out that after ages spent living outdoors, nature is in our DNA. Researchers at the University of Virginia showed infants pictures so rapidly (30 milliseconds) that all that registered consciously was a flash of light. Pictures of spiders caused a spike in the amygdala and other brain structures that process danger and fear. Pictures of a pond and trees caused brain activity associated with relaxation and calm attention. This happened even though these babies had never seen spiders or ponds! A response to nature has become part of the genetic makeup of our brains.
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There’s more! Scientists have found a substance in soil that is a natural antidepres-
sant. When you work in the garden you interact with soil organisms called mycobacterium vaccae which stimulate the cells in the brain to produce serotonin, which makes us feel relaxed and happy. Sunlight hitting the retina causes neurons in the brain to produce dopamine which researcher Paul Meehan called “cerebral joy juice”. This “juice” satisfies us and gives us energy to take on new tasks. As one science writer concluded, the positive nature effect on our physical, mental and thinking health is even bigger than the benefit of friends and family. So why has the amount of time spent outdoors plummeted by over half? Today, the average American spends only 7% of their time outdoors, including time walking from a building to the car. Our epidemic dislocation from nature reflects mistaken self-understanding. People consistently overestimate how much they’ll enjoy indoor pursuits and underestimate how much they’ll enjoy being outside. Forecasting errors like these unfortunately play a big role in how we choose to spend our time. As a result, we’re experiencing a growing generational amnesia of what it is like to be a part of nature. But, the good news is that it doesn’t take much to reverse this. Your gardening effort, whether it’s a houseplant, a window box or patio tub, or the bottom 40 acres will boost your mood, immune system, resilience and creativity. Now that’s a lot of bang for your buck! So, get off your computer and out of the house – get your hands dirty in your garden to be a better, brighter and happier YOU!
GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
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Dunlap Creek Lake Outdoor Center
ayette County Entrepreneur Jesse Pento never once saw himself owning a bait shop. Now, as the proud owner of Dunlap Creek Lake Outdoor Center, Jesse and his parents spends their time helping stock trout, selling tackle, and creating a pillar of entertainment for their homestead community. In 2017, Jesse bought the DCLOC from its previous owner, known to many as Captain Al, who had owned the property for over 48 years. Although the lake itself is owned through the local government, the Pento family saw that the park had become dilapidated and in need of dramatic change. They committed themselves to revitalizing the Fayette County landmark for the next generation. Collaborating with several government organizations, county officials, and grant programs, the Pento family is working with a local engineering company to make DCLOC a prime Fayette County tourist destination through a 5-10 year renewal plan. This change includes creating new bike and walking trails, adding a miniature water park, dedicating a section of the lake exclusively for children, and building a dog park to encourage pet-friendly tourists. They also plan to build a community center for local schools to
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use to study the lake’s ecosystem. Jesse believes that the key element to the lake’s renovations succeeding is the community’s support. “The community is so active and dedicated to this lake,” Jesse says. “Whether it’s the stocking committee, the local officials, or the fishermen, this lake is significant to everyone in Fayette County, and I can’t wait to see how this project will bring our people even closer together.”
Dunlap Creek Lake has been recently stocked and is ready for fishing.
GreeneScene by Donna Renee
FEBRUARY • GreeneScene Community Magazine • Business Section JUNE 2020 2020 • GreeneScene Community Magazine • Business Section
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Blueprints: Home Ownership
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lueprints is a change agency that shapes futures by equipping and educating people to achieve their goals. Blueprints operates 35+ programs that serve nearly 20,000 participants each year in Greene & Washington Counties. Blueprints features a Home Ownership Center that exists to assist area residents of all incomes to achieve and sustain the “American Dream.” The primary functions of the Home Ownership Center are: • To operate as a one-stop shop for prospective homebuyers and homeowners. • To ensure residents can access all of the services, products and training necessary to purchase or build, manage and maintain a home. • To stabilize and improve neighborhoods as more residents become and remain homeowners. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Blueprints is offering free virtual sessions to assist Greene County and Washington County residents with their home ownership needs. Individuals can meet with Blueprints’ staff without leaving their home through online platforms or scheduled telephone calls. Due to the current economic crisis, a HUDCertified Housing Counselor is available to offer expertise on how residents facing mortgage delinquency can take proactive steps now, including talking with their mortgage lender to let them know about possible inabilities to stay current on their payments. For residents with foreclosure notices,
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mitigation options will be pursued. “The Home Ownership Center has supported families in their home purchase journey as well as those who have experienced home ownership hardships,” said Blueprints’ CEO Darlene Bigler. “We will continue to serve our communities and continue to develop resources to ensure that families can achieve their home ownership goals.” The Home Ownership Center is the only center of its kind in the area and serves as the catalyst for all available housing resources through national, state and local programs. Funding through agency partners allows Blueprints to provide all of its services free of charge. A down payment assistance program is also available for income eligible participants. The Home Ownership Center offers individual appointments as well as group workshops that are now available virtually. Through individual counseling sessions, Blueprints’ Housing Counselors work with homebuyers to determine what they can afford, review credit scores, create plans to repair credit scores, discuss options for down payment assistance and explore pre-qualification for suitable loan programs. Depending on the topic, group workshops last between two and four hours and include: • Pre-Home Purchase • Credit Repair • Pre-Home Closing • Counseling/Post-Purchase Counseling • Home Maintenance & Repair
• Foreclosure Prevention Homebuyers are also connected to local realtors, homebuilders, mortgage lenders and home insurers, as well as local housing programs including the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Greene (RACG), Habitat for Humanity and Threshold Housing. In partnership with the RACG, the Home Ownership Center also connects Greene County residents to local affordable housing. “Working with Blueprints has been a joy and privilege,” said RACG Executive Director Dave Calvario. “Blueprints’ Home Ownership Center has assisted more than 10 families purchase a home rehabilitated through our programs.” The RACG is currently rehabilitating 10 homes located within the communities of Clarksville, Crucible and Nemacolin that will all be ready for sale throughout 2020. Home prices are anticipated to range between $50,000 to $70,000, per home. The homes will be available to residents with low-and-moderate incomes who qualify and participate in free HUD-Certified home purchase services available through Blueprints’ Home Ownership Center. Since the Home Ownership Center was formally established, Blueprints’ HUD-Certified Housing Counselors have assisted more than 700 families to become homeowners or avoid foreclosure. “Through our work, I enjoy empowering participants with the education, options and tools they need to make informed home ownership decisions
and supporting them along the way,” said Irene Keirsbilck, a 40+ year staff member at Blueprints. Blueprints’ Home Ownership Center and its staff have been recognized with awards including: • Blueprints was named the “2016 Agency of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency • Keirsbilck was named the “2014 Housing Counselor of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency; Keirsbilck was also named the “2014 Community Action Association of Pennsylvania Staff Member of the Year.” The Home Ownership Center encourages interested local residents to contact Blueprints to schedule an appointment today. Blueprints’ Housing Counselors can work with you, regardless of your income or credit score. For information on Blueprints services and resources, visit www.myblueprints.org or contact Blueprints at 877-814-0788, 724-225-9550, or at info@myblueprints.org. Additional contact information: • Home Ownership Center Phone Number: (724) 225-9550 • Blueprints Email: info@myblueprints.org • Blueprints Phone Number: 877-814-0788 • Waynesburg Location: 58 East Greene Street, Waynesburg, PA 15301 • Washington Location: 150 West Beau Street, Washington, PA 15370
Business Section • GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
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ur team and network have been in constant discussion about how to respond to the pandemic that has changed our lives. We all feel that the best path forward is to open the economy, reduce hysteria, and maximize protective actions. We have created our Crush COVID-19 Campaign to maximize the most proactive steps to minimize the spread of this virus. In addition to social distancing and isolating carriers, we want to make the following PPE items readily available. Those items include: • Masks – all types • Hand Sanitizer • Hand Sanitizer Wipes • Plexiglass Separators
• • • • • • •
Different Furniture/Cubicle Separators Signage Disinfectant No-hand-contact door openers Antibacterial Pens COVID-19 Kits Temperature Strips
We think the goal of everyone should be to get back to work but do so as safely as possible. Sadly, many businesses are having considerable difficulties getting the items that they need to open safely. In order to make these products readily available to our community, we have procured an ample supply of the above mentioned items from global sources and we will continue to order to meet the demand. We believe our mantra of reopening busi-
Pam Marisa, owner of Direct Results, is dedicated to helping our community CRUSH COVID-19. nesses, reducing hysteria and maximizing precautionary efforts is the most constructive response to the pandemic. We have helped many organizations manage their operations safely and/or prepare for reopening. We would love to share our strategies with you and help you prepare for a safer reopening. We hope to be able to serve you and your business as you continue to conduct your business operations. Reach out to Direct Results by calling 724627-2040 to discuss your COVID-19 safety needs.
Cheat River Campground
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heat River Campground is a new campground recently opened in Springhill Township by Point Marion; it’s located five miles from Morgantown. It’s just on the other side of the dam from Cheat Lake, which means you have access to the same water, but with less cost to you! There are 20 available spots with electric, water, septic clean out tanks and an option for a private boat dock. Campsites are available with or without campers and rent to own campers are available. Tent sites are also available for $25. The campground is very quiet, secluded, well lit and is gated on a dead end road to ensure privacy. Great fishing can be found along the river. Monthly, full-time the price is $475/ month, including water and electric. For recreational weekenders, the price is $275/month or $1900 for the year, including water and electric. Local clean out service is available and owner is responsible for proper disposal.
FEBRUARY • GreeneScene Community Magazine • Business Section JUNE 2020 2020 • GreeneScene Community Magazine • Business Section
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Blueprints: Aging Well
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ll across Greene County families have been stocking up on supplies and staying home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. People are limiting their trips to restaurants and grocery stores and minimizing their contact with others. Schools are checking in on their students, health care workers are checking in on their patients, neighbors are checking in on each other, and a very special group of volunteers at Blueprints are checking in on the elderly population of Greene County. Blueprints is a county social service organization serving Greene and Washington counties with the mission to “serve as the catalyst to mobilize the resources of the entire community to enable families and individuals in our service area to attain the skills, knowledge, motivations, and opportunities to become self-sufficient.” Blueprints offers numerous programs and services that serve many different members of our community. One of those services is Home Delivered Meals. Housed within the Aging Well department, the Home Delivered Meals service works to deliver fresh, hot meals to the members of the community who are over 60 and unable to leave their homes or prepare
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their own meals. These meals were normally delivered every day Monday through Friday by a volunteer from the Retired and Senior Volunteer program (RSVP). However, like most other organizations and businesses on March 17th , when Pennsylvania’s state wide stay at home order went into effect, the Home Delivered Meals service had to quickly and drastically change their operations. They certainly did not want to leave the 257 clients who depend on their home delivered meals program without their service, but it was no longer safe for them to be delivering hot meals every day. To minimize contact and exposure to their vulnerable population they quickly transitioned to delivering frozen and shelf stable groceries that the clients can then prepare for themselves while safely at home. This change achieved the same goal and keeps both the clients and the volunteers safe. The same volunteers, working with Blueprint RSVP, also spend time each day calling people who live alone, checking in to make sure they are okay both mentally and physically. Jill Peth, who works with the volunteers of RSVP reported that they have seen an increase in volunteers since the stay at home order went into place, and she “appreciates the
volunteers helping to carry out the mission can contact Blueprints at 1-877-814-0788. of Blueprints.” All volunteers who give their time to RSVP are 55 or older and have a variety of volunteer opportunities at Blueprints. Along with Home Delivered Meals and check in phone calls, the same volunteers currently offer grocery delivery to those who cannot safely leave their home. They utilize Giant Eagle’s grocery pick up service to prepare the order and then deliver it to those who need it. Anyone interested in either volunteering with the Tina Raber (Waynesburg Center Site Supervisor) helps Tom Waters (VolRSVP or in need unteer Home Delivered Meal Driver) load meals into his vehicle. of their services Business Section • GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
Morris Machinery
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orris Machinery, located in Prosperity, Pennsylvania, is a familyowned and operated business. Starting in 1998, with the help of his father, H.L. Morris, Rick Morris began selling preowned tractors. Since then, Morris Machinery has since grown significantly. In addition to being a Gravely Zero Turn dealer, they now sell three lines of new tractors including Branson, Zetor, and TYM; they also carry a full line of implements and hay equipment. Their exceptional service department offers tractor repairs on any make or model.
To this day, Morris Machinery is still family-owned and operated. Rick’s three children, Kelley, Samantha and Ben, have all completed their secondary educations and proudly continue to help out on the family farm and at the family business. Morris Machinery is committed to providing good, reliable service to their customers throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Morris Machinery LLC is located at: 823 Dunn Station Road, Prosperity, PA 15329 (Ruff Creek) 724-852-1060.
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Adapt and Overcome: Surviving COVID-19 in Greene
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s stay-at-home orders continue across much of Pennsylvania, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals continue to struggle with what this means for them. Many non-essential businesses remain shuttered and most essential businesses are operating limitedly. Right now, there’s no definitive answer to when this will end. Even once businesses reopen, they will face guidelines that may change they way they do business permanently. Greene County was recently moved into the yellow phase of the state’s reopening plan, and while it means many of the area businesses will reopen under strict rules, others remain closed. Many local events have been affected by the pandemic and subsequent shutdowns. Beloved annual festivals such as Sheep & Fiber Festival, the Annual Hammer-In, Rain Day, and Rices Landing Riverfest have been cancelled, leaving a dent in the tourism that these events bring and the monies they raise. As of now, other summer festivals, children’s programs, and fairs are sitting on uncertain grounds. If these events continue, expect changes in the way they operate. “Although we are planning to be available for some form of summer camp, it is almost certain that it will not look like a traditional camp experi-
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ence,” says Carla Witters of Camp Cornerstone, in regards to their summer activities. “The difficult part of COVID-19 has been to see so many businesses and organizations temporarily close and even consider permanent closures,” says JoAnne Marshall, Greene County Tourist Promotion Agency director. “The number of events and milestones that have been postponed or canceled for 2020 has also been difficult to process as these are often prepared with hours of staff and volunteer work that usually begin a year ahead. They are highlights that we as a community and visitors look forward to annually.” One of the many spring events to be canceled or postponed was Southwestern PA’s HauntedCon, held in Waynesburg for the first time last year. Originally scheduled for May, the event has been rescheduled for Halloween weekend. Event organizer Kevin Paul says,” The most difficult aspect has been in planning. There’s a sort of laundry list of expected problems you can plan for and check them off as you go but with this virus there’s the sense of waiting for the other shoe to drop.” In regards to the event itself, Kevin has been able to find a positive. “The first HauntedCon was held in May last year primarily because of speaker availability. Most of the
prominent regional researchers and speakers as well as the more nationally known are booked well in advance. That factor ruled out holding the event around Halloween. Attendance was good last year, and several attendees and vendors expressed interest in holding the event closer to Halloween. This virus literally cleared nearly everyone’s calendar simultaneously and as a result created not only an opportunity to hold HauntedCon on Halloween but should help boost interest in the event by doing so. I’m optimistic and expecting good results.’” Kevin adds, “I believe that Greene County events that are able to improvise in the face of the restrictions will also see good attendance. People will be looking for things to do in a less crowded, more relaxed environment and regionally Greene County is well positioned to provide that.” Tourism altogether may see a benefit from Greene’s rural location. “The trending values of travelers will be a benefit to Greene County with our charm and rural nature. We are also within driving distance of large populations for quick day trips such as Pittsburgh and Morgantown, and even further distances such as Columbus and Cleveland in Ohio that can still be done in a day,” says JoAnne.
Participants in the GCHS virtual 5K were able to complete the race wherever they wanted and avoid large crowds.
“Travelers are also looking to a beach/resort destination or a small town/rural area as their first post-pandemic trip with an emphasis on avoiding highly populated and COVID-19 hard hit areas.” The Greene County Historical Society Museum also took a hard hit when the shutdowns forced them to postpone their annual opening day festivities, including a pancake dinner and the Blast from the Past 5K; it’s also caused them to postpone or cancel other upcoming events, like a planned car show in early June. “The inability to host on-site
Business Section • GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
events has been a huge hit to our fundraising but the GCHS is lucky to still maintain a truly astounding amount of support from the local community,” says Matt Cumberledge, executive director. “We’ve had to make considerable changes to serve the public as almost all of our public outreach is done in person at our museum in the form of events, lectures, educational presentations and general admissions to our museum. We began doing Virtual Tours on Facebook, and on April 25th we successfully accomplished our first “Virtual Event” where we put out educational presentations, discussion, and videos of many varieties on our Facebook Page and hosted a Virtual 5k run.” The American Cancer Society has had to close its physical offices, but is still working to provide families with support and information through their 24/7 hotline. They’ve also lost needed incoming funds, shares their Senior Community Development Manager, Dillon Spencer. “COVID-19 has required us to postpone or cancel all local fundraising events through the end of June, resulting in a budget gap that our dedicated staff and volunteers are working to fill in creative new ways so we can continue to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.” Other non-profits are facing similar situations. Make-A-Wish of Greater Pennsyl-
vania and West Virginia has had to postpone 100 local wishes and nearly 50 fundraisers. But even in this difficult time, it remains committed to its vision of granting the wish of every eligible child. They are working remotely to fulfill what wishes they can. Fouryear-old Caroline, who is diagnosed with cancer, wanted to have a puppy of her own – but it had to be fluffy, black and white and have enough energy to play with her on the good days and also cuddle with her on the harder ones. Right away, Make-A-Wish went to work to find the perfect pup for Caroline –
Make-A-Wish was able to fulfill Caroline’s wish of a puppy while working remotely.
FEBRUARY • GreeneScene Community Magazine • Business Section JUNE 2020 2020 • GreeneScene Community Magazine • Business Section
a Cavachon. She promptly named her Sprinkles – because, as Caroline said, “Everything is better with sprinkles!” Because they are part of the PA Department of Education, both Flenniken and Bowlby libraries closed once the schools closed. And the libraries are still unclear as to when they will be able to resume serving the community. “Our main issue is lack of information,” shares Nicole Mitchel, the director of Flenniken Library. “We have no idea when we will be able to open. Nothing has been said in regards to what color level libraries fall under.“ During the closures, the libraries have moved to provide more digital interactions via social media, with videos for story times, crafts, and other virtual activities, like virtual bingo at Bowlby Library. Through their websites, extra databases have been made accessible to patrons. But many of the patrons don’t have reliable Internet service and don’t have access to these additional online services. A digital Summer Reading program is being initiated at both libraries. “The hardest part has been not being able to help patrons. Libraries are here for the community to help with all kinds of needs, ranging from things as simple as making a copy or faxing, to helping with job searches and resumes. It saddens me greatly that we can not help with basic book lending when
we had a process for contactless materials pick up,” Nicole adds. Kathy McClure, director of Eva K. Bowlby Library agrees, “It is frustrating to not be able to provide in-person services to patrons. Though we are providing virtual services, I am concerned for the regular patrons who either do not utilize Facebook or have reliable Internet service.” Both Bowlby and Flenniken are working to implement new systems and strategies for when they open. At Flenniken and Bowlby, computers are being moved so that they are spaced at least six feet apart and patrons will have time limits; after each use, they will be disinfected. Ionizing air cleaners have been installed at Flenniken and, once returned, books will go through a sanitization and quarantine process before they can be released at both libraries. There will be limited access to the libraries and both patrons and staff will wear masks and follow stringent sanitization processes. While some states have allowed the operation of drive-ins during the pandemic – after all, what better way to watch movies and remain socially distant - Skyview Drive-in remained closed under Pennsylvania’s stayat-home regulations. Co-owner Elizabeth Walker says the most difficult thing “has been paying the drive-in bills while having no operating funds.”
Continued pg. 40.
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the PA Fish and Boat Commission stock Dunlap Creek Lake with trout about four times a year, the first starting in mid-April. However, things have changed this year due to the COVID-19 Crisis. Instead of the lake being stocked throughout the year, the commission decided to only stock the lake once this year, at the beginning of April. So instead of there being a steady flow of trout, thousands of trout were released all at once, forcing the lake’s private stocking committee to double their efforts to keep the fish supply steady throughout the rest of the season.” Matt Cumberledge summed it up perfectly when he added, “Greene County is a truly amazing place, in the last few months I have personally witnessed us become a stronger and more united community, supporting each other, helping out, and generally making this tough time a lot easier to get through. Greene County, you’ve got it going up, and keep up the good work! We’ve showed that we can adapt, overcome and move forward in the most trying of times.” To continue helping our county’s businesses during these difficult and uncertain times, make sure to shop locally, whether in person or online. Consider changing suppliers for your business to a local one – if you can get it in Greene, why go anywhere else?
SEASON
Beaver County home. They’ve continued operations from their home, taking phone orders and offering free USPS shipping. But owner Beth Joliffe has seen a positive come from the situation, “One thing positive that has come out of this is how our downtown community of business owners has come together and held biweekly zoom meetings to brainstorm ways to help each Bowlby Library has implemented virtual options other.” of their typical events. As an essential business, HealthWorks Rehab and Fitness has been able to continue Changes are being made to ensure proper social distancing as they return to offering physical therapy services to their business. “Our employees are wearing masks patients. To keep everyone safe, they’ve conand gloves and no customers are permitted tinues their strict sanitization processes. “We in the snack bar. Concessions can be ordered regret that our patients cannot see our smilthrough an app or online and picked up by ing faces through our masks, and that we customers at the snack bar’s modified take must use gloves to keep everyone safe. Freout window door. Instead of two cars park- quent hand washing and thorough cleaning ing in between poles, only one car is allowed of our equipment has always been performed between two poles until social distancing is in our clinics, but the completion of those procedures before and after each patient is fully lifted.” Other local businesses, such as those that more important now than ever,” Sara Ryan, provide personal care and entertainment, are Waynesburg clinic director, says. Jesse Pento, who owns Dunlap Lake, has still unable to open now that the county has moved to yellow. ManKind Gentlemen’s Cuts remained open during the pandemic, but it celebrated their first year anniversary and 16 has not been without struggles. “Normally, days later, was shut down due to the closing of non-essential businesses. Business had just been picking back up after the long winter months and owners Lydia Hobbs, Heather Jeffries, and Laura Johnson have had to put plans and hold and use savings to staying afloat while the doors are closed. Once they have the green light to open their doors, the owners want to give back to those in the community and will be offering specials. Much like other small businesses, Your CBD Store of Washington has been struggling with the COVID-19 closures. Since they closed their doors on March 13, they’ve laid off their 3 part-time employees and consolidated their products and registers into their
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Due to the COVID19 pandemic, we’ve had to postpone the May and June race dates at Waynesburg. SATURDAY
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Depending on the circumstances, there is a chance we may run the July 11 race if we can do it safely. Please go to our website for up-to-date news.
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Business Section • GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
Blueprints: Early Learning
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he end of the school year is usually full of laughter, fun, getting ready for new adventures and a lot of hugs. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Blueprints classrooms look a little different because they are happening from home! Blueprints Early Learning programs serves over 1200 children and families, prenatal to 5 years of age throughout Greene & Washington Counties offering both center and home based programming. Although Blueprints Early Learning is a local non-profit school system, they follow the schedule and practices of local school districts and when Governor Wolf closed Pennsylvania schools due to the pandemic, the classrooms which are located in the schools and in other community locations also closed. Because of the closure, Blueprints knew they needed to continue working with their families to ensure the children were continuing to meet their developmental milestones. Some of the changes Blueprints adopted were conducting “televisits” weekly for Head Start Home Based services, video and telephone calls conducted by caseworkers to ensure families have the resources they need and finally launching Blueprints Virtual Learn-
ing on a weekly basis. The Blueprints Virtual Learning Program provides families with ideas of how they could support the child’s growth & early learning at home each week by posting ideas for families such as books to read, art activities, and science & math for preschoolers which can be found by going to myblueprints.org “Our staff is kind, dedicated, and caring,” said program director, Brenda Fronzaglio, “Keeping in touch with families has been their main priority throughout this pandemic.” Behind the teachers & home visitors is a team of support staff, managers, and agency leaders working countless hours to break barriers for the enrolled families. Knowing that families may not have every education resource our classrooms have, the Early learning managers packed and distributed over 500 tote bags to distribute to enrolled families that included children’s books, resources for families, and a variety of early learning materials earlier this month. Blueprints Early Learning education managers Matt Rogan & Kris Krivanek would like families to know that the best way they can help their child to grow & learn is to spend time reading, sing-
FEBRUARY • GreeneScene Community Magazine • Business Section JUNE 2020 2020 • GreeneScene Community Magazine • Business Section
ing silly songs together, and just doing simple things like taking a walk and just playing together. The best teaching tools are things that can be found around the house. One can say the COVID-19 didn’t stop Blueprints from continuing to help provide services for the communities they serve. Blueprints main objective is to keep families informed with trusted facts and be a resource to families who may not know where to turn. “Our goal as an agency was to adapt to what was happening around us so we could provide all of our participants with credible resources, educational tools and support during these times of uncertainty” said C ommunications
Manager, Anastasia Barr, “You may not be able to visit us in our offices or classrooms, but we aren’t letting the pandemic stop us from helping our families break barriers. We are just helping you do it virtually.”
Blueprints Early Learning program prepared and handed out bags for students to use at home.
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4 Seasons Lawn & Garden
4 Seasons Lawn & Garden – 25 Years It’s all about the people…or should we say it’s about ALL the people.
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fter managing someone else’s business for 17 years, Murray Hoy was presented with an opportunity in 1995 that became a life-changer, a challenge, a blessing and most certainly a success…for Murray and for many other important people in his life. Locally owned, and also locally respected, valued and appreciated, 4 Seasons Lawn & Garden in Waynesburg begins its story 25 years ago, when Murray and his father, Jack Hoy, decided to purchase an existing business that had come up for sale – Fran’s Lawn & Garden. A couple of months later they also purchased Yarish Sales in Carmichaels, a John Deere dealer, and merged that business into their Waynesburg location. “Other than mowing my own grass, I had no experience in this industry,” Murray recalls with a chuckle. “When asked about it, I always told people I knew how to buy and sell stuff, and I knew how to treat customers, so the product didn’t really matter.” Although he has certainly since gained vast knowledge and experience in the world of lawn & garden equipment and more, Murray’s original formula has been the key to this company’s incredible quarter century of growth and stability. He cares about people – and he knows how to treat them well. It’s an inherited trait, and it applies to customers, employees, friends & family. Murray and his wife Debbie, along with parents Jack and Jo Hoy, operated the family business on East High Street until 1997 when it was relocated to its current home on Rolling Meadows Rd. By 1998, Murray and Debbie had purchased Jack and Jo’s share in the business, and hired Jeremiah Allison who was to become a key employee and vital member of the 4 Seasons Family. “Through the years Jeremiah has worked and managed in nearly all aspects of the business and is responsible for much of our growth and where we are today. He is currently our sales manager and continues to be a vital contributor to our success,” Murray says. While in high school, Courtney (Hoy) Hursey, Murray and Debbie’s daughter, worked part-time in the business, and also while in college. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in business management from Waynesburg University, Courtney joined the staff full-time and now handles everything from selling parts and equipment to purchasing, advertising and accounting. After retiring from Fox Ford, Jack Hoy came back to 4 Seasons and has done pick-up and delivery since 2004. “He knows where everyone lives, he can tell you what kind of driveway they
1995 picture of Jack Hoy (left) and Murray Hoy, proud owners of the new 4 Seasons Lawn & Garden when it first opened on East High Street. On right, newspaper ad for Grand Opening in 1995.
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have, whether you can turn around a trailer there…and usually what kind of tractor they have,” Murray says of Jack, “at 81 years old he’s still going strong.” Murray says his employees continue to top his list of assets needed to keep a business going and growing for 25 years: “Kurtis Patterson joined the team in February 2016 as a salesman and parts manager. Mike Harvey joined us in January 2017 as a service technician, bringing over 30 years 4 Seasons Lawn & Garden in Waynesburg, owned by Murray & Debbie Hoy, celebrates its 25th anniverof mechanical experience. sary this year. Murray poses here with his father Jack Hoy, (an original partner when the business opened Our newest full-time techniin 1995). Jack is still an integral part of the staff, doing pick-ups and deliveries daily, at the age of 80. cian Justin Connelly joined the team in May 2017, with 10 years of experience, and we includes the people who make up his coveted clientele: “None of have been blessed with many other great employees along the this would have been possible without our customers, of course. way.” Because of their loyalty and commitment, 4 Seasons has been So just what have these talented people achieved in the last able to grow and prosper the way we have in this community. 25 years? Some stats on sales will tell you much of the story: They have choices, and they continue to choose 4 Seasons Lawn In 1995, 4 Seasons Lawn & Garden had about 12 John & Garden. That means a lot.” Deere tractor models to choose from; today, there are over 50 Truly being a part of the community in which you operate, models in stock and annual tractor sales have increased over working together and supporting each other, is another element 700% since then. of success. There are more people to credit, according to Murray. In 1995 a small shelf held a few chain saws and trimmers. “Our business partners have also been a big part of our Today there’s a 72-foot lighted wall display and three free standjourney. Not only our commercial customers, but those who ing displays with over 80 models of Stihl Power Equipment ofhave served our own business needs all along the way. Direct Refered. Annual Stihl sales have increased over 900%. sults and Shelly Brown have been supportive and involved with The volume of equipment serviced each year has increased the marketing and promotion of 4 Seasons since the day she went over 1,000% since 1995, as 4 Seasons Lawn & Garden has beinto business. Fox Ford, Burns Tire, Hinerman Automotive, Yincome the area’s most trusted service, repair & parts source for gling Insurance, Jacobs Petroleum and Community Bank, just to nearly all makes and models of lawn and garden equipment. name a few, have all supplied our needs. They not only provided In addition to John Deere and Stihl, 4 Seasons Lawn & Garus professional services, we have also developed personal reladen has expanded to include many other trusted brands includtionships with all of them, their services, advice and friendships ing Honda Power Equipment, Simplicity, Husqvarna, and most have helped us reach this milestone.” recently the addition of Kioti Tractors. As any business owner might tell you, there are always chalMurray is thankful for his people…all the people that have lenges to be met. Murray says being able to adapt and change influenced the 25-year life of 4 Seasons Lawn & Garden. That with the times, and not being afraid to try something new has worked for 4 Seasons Lawn & Garden. “Debbie and I thank our employees past and present, our customers big and small, our business partners, suppliers, and manufacturers for enabling and supporting those changes and decisions over the years, and in the future.” What’s next in the life of 4 Seasons Lawn & Garden and its many people? “From here I feel we have no limits, I think the Kioti brand will play a big role in our future, we will keep providing outstanding service, selling the best products, and living by the golden rule: Treat people the same way you would want to be treated,” Murray affirms. It truly is about the people… ALL the people.
Business Section • GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020
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Masontown, PA 724-583-2680 724-583-2685 amedisys.com
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GreeneScene Community Magazine •
JUNE 2020