Holiday I 2020 GreeneScene by GreeneScene Community Magazine / Direct Results

HOLIDAY I 2020

â&#x20AC;¢ GreeneScene Community Magazine

FEATURES 4

I LOVE THIS PLACE

GREENESCENE OF THE PAST

GREENE ARTIFACTS

SHINING THE LIGHT

COUNTY CONVERSATIONS

PUBLIC SERVICE PROFILE

COOL AT SCHOOL

GOING GREENE

GOOD NEWS IN GREENE

MEET THE TEAM

MESSAGE BOARD

HOMETOWN HERITAGE

PA State Game Lands ‘Coon Hunters

Early Land Records

Servant Song Ministries, Waynesburg, PA Mental Health Program Salvation Army

Carmichaels’ STEM Concussion Protocol Project Andrew Dye - A Life on the Frontier Awards & acknowledgements within our community Get to know contributor Jessica Price Community announcements and opportunities Current and vintage local sports highlights

EXTRAS

MURAL UNVEILED IN FREDERICKTOWN

GREENE GARDENS

TOYS FOR TOTS

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

LIGHTING UP THE NIGHT

SHARING GOODWILL AT KILN TO TABLE

SMALL BUSINESSES BUILD COMMUNITY

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

GET TO KNOW DR

Revitalizing the former Fredericktown ferry landing Plant communication methods 2020 Toys for Tots information Shoeboxes gathered to assist needy children A new festival this year in Carmichaels

Waynesburg’s annual Light Up Night returns Community members passing it forward to help others Shop local to help both businesses and community

This year’s Small Business Saturday is November 28 Direct Results is ready to help your business with it’s social media needs

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

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â&#x20AC;¢ GreeneScene Community Magazine

I Love this P l a ce

hat’s not to love about the State Game Lands of Greene County? They are wild and wonderful, a refuge for wildlife, and protected from development by the Commonwealth as the land is allowed to return to nature. They make a patchwork of green on the official county map, their uneven edges matching surveying lines that were drawn in the 18th and 19th centuries, when every hill and valley had been cleared of virgin timber and turned into farmland. Even the steepest hillsides became pastures - this was sheep country. At one time, sheep, mostly Spanish Marino, outnumbered people and flocks grazed on nearly every bit of cleared land that was not a hayfield. The boom years of the 1800s brought prosperity because fine wool was a hot commodity for clothing, blankets, quilt battings and Civil War uniforms. But with the advent of synthetics in the 1920s, the market shrank and steep hillsides, once manicured by flocks, began to grow back their hardwood forests of maple, oak, hickory, ash and poplar. Terry Cole points to a spot on the old framed photograph on the kitchen table of his Hoovers Run home. “That’s Cephus Tustin’s farm. You can see the house. Everything along Bluff Ridge was cleared back then.” It’s startling to compare this view to the forested hillsides of today. The white ribbon of Bluff Road was once the Warrior Trail. That ancient indigenous trade and war path runs west from Greensboro through State Game Lands 223, crosses State Rt. 221 above Spraggs and then rides Bluff Ridge past Hoovers Run into Jackson Township. There it meets up with State Rt. 18 above Nettle Hill and wanders across Aleppo Township on its way to the Ohio River. The two big tracts that make up State Game Lands 179 hang on either side of the trail as it passes through Jackson Township. The land is breathtakingly steep here and hunters rarely venture beyond its narrow stream bottoms and razor back ridges. The call of the wild is growing stronger in these deep ravines – bear and bobcat are bringing back the natural order, as well as coyotes, foxes, turkeys, rabbits, muskrats, squirrels and beavers. White tail deer that were driven from the county in the 1800s made a healthy come back from Virginia and now help pay the bills on Commonwealth land with hunting fees and licenses. The same balance is returning to the privately owned forests and bottomlands of Hoover Run. Thanks to the Cole family, who invite hunters to sleep over in rustic cabins and hunt their private preserve, families have a chance to hunt together and make memories that last a lifetime.

I’ve come to Hoover Run to find old hunting photos and talk with Terry and son Shane about hunting, family history and the reason for those jagged perimeters of the Game Lands. The state began purchasing land here in the 1970s when old farms were going cheap, Terry tells me. After World War II, sons and fathers left the farm for jobs elsewhere and those that stayed took outside jobs to earn a living. Dairy and beef cattle replaced sheep as an agri-business, but only a fraction of the remaining farmers still try to make a living off the land. On the other hand, Terry’s family stayed put on Hoovers Run, where the family tree of Coles and Tustins planted itself in the very early 1800s. These families stuck it out through every economic boom and bust that came along. Terry, a sixth generation descendent, became a wrestling coach at Central Greene School District and kept his land in working order by creating a happy hunting ground that stretches up and down Hoovers Run to Log Cabin Road and beyond. He and Jane opened their home to hunters in 1987, then added cabins to rent and grew a fan club of satisfied customers who return year after year with their kids and grandkids to hunt these hills. Free access to state game lands draws not just hunters, but hikers, bikers, foragers, birdwatchers and wildflower lovers into Penn’s Woods. By law, everyone wears florescent orange during hunting season. Be mindful of the rules of the hunt, published each year in the Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest, which can be picked up at most local sporting goods stores or viewed online. PDF maps of SGLs 179 and 203 are worth tracking down on the game commission website www.pgc. pa.gov. The land is crisscrossed with state and township roads and the online maps show where it’s permissible to park and describe the terrain. The Greene County map pinpoints the 300-yard shooting range with six uncovered handicap accessible shooting benches on Rinehart Road in Jackson Township. The 100-yard range on SR 2018 is a dot on the map near historic Garards Fort and the equally historic White Covered Bridge in Greene Township. One other cluster of green can be found on the county map where St. Rt. 21 heads for the West Virginia line. SGL 302 straddles the South Fork of Enlow Creek in Richhill Township and extends into Washington County. Hunting is considered

PA GAME LANDS By Colleen Nelson

Terry Cole points to Cephus Tustin’s home and farm in this old photo.

excellent in this secluded valley and so are the spring wildflowers and the songbirds that migrate here to nest. Enlow Creek is stocked during trout season as are the creeks running through nearby Ryerson Station State Park on Bristoria Road. Portions of the park are approved for bow and rifle hunting and the park has a modern campground with RV access. FMI, go online: www.dcnr.pa.gov

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Medicare putting a hole in your wallet? THERE IS HELP. The SWPA Area Agency on Aging APPRISE Program can see if you qualify for: • “Extra Help” to lower prescription copays • The Medicare Savings Program to pay your Medicare Part B premium

Call the APPRISE Program at: 724-489-8080, ext. 4438 or

1-888-300-2704

Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, Inc.

This project was supported, in part by grant number 1801PAMISH-00 from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.”

GreeneScene by Ashley Hughes

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• GreeneScene Community Magazine

G reen e Sce n e of the Pa st

Hunting fashions of the ‘50s... (L-R: William Henry Cole, Minor Cole and Bob Cole.)

first saw this old family photograph in the 1990s when visiting Terry and Jane Cole at their log cabin home on Hoovers Run. We spent hours looking at photos and reliving the family history Terry has cobbled together from stories told by relatives, family treasures found in the attic and at auctions when another old farm gets sold. Now I’m back to find those coon hunters I remember so well, to use them to compare how hunters went about their business then and now. They stare out of the photo, holding tools of the hunt that their forefathers used, long before headlamps, electronic collars and GPS on your smart phone became the order of the day. Their names are hand lettered in order at the bottom of the photograph – Earl, Justus, Joe and Jacob Tustin. Terry notes that it was taken at the Tustin homestead on Tustin Run, Wayne Township in the 1930s. They are the sons of Abraham Tustin and Justin is “my Grandpap’s uncle. That’s a 410 shotgun, That’s a blue tick hound.” Youngest son Earl is wearing bandoliers - a World War I issue cloth ammunition belt and Jacob is carrying a kerosene lantern for the night hunt. But what’s with the axe? To cut down the tree, Terry says. Back then, raccoons were valued for their fur and brought good money, as did fox, beaver, muskrat, rabbit and opossum. As fur fell out of fashion, the reason to hunt with coon hounds and beagles reverted to the heart of the matter – not to kill the prey but for the pleasure of working with dogs, of being in fields and forests with those who share a love of nature, where time stands still and the spirit of the frontier comes alive. Terry hands me another photograph that moves the

time machine forward to the 1950s when hunters took to wearing Woolrich plaid and lacing up their boots. No fluorescent to be seen here – that was not yet the norm. Terry’s grandfather William Henry Cole is on the left, hunting foxes with second cousin Minor Cole and Minor’s youngest son Bob, on Silo Road, Wayne Township. The returning of the forests had begun and small game is what those private lands had to offer. It won’t be until the 1970s when the Commonwealth begins purchasing old farms and creating game lands that white tail deer will be reintroduced to Greene County and begin the repopulation that makes them the game hunters come for today. It’s archery season now and a family who has been hunting the hills around Hoovers Run since 1987 are back at Coles Greene Acre Farm. Manager Shane Cole sends me a photo of Ty Kennedy, a “third generation Pfeilstucker on his mother’s side” who took his first deer with a bow on November 10 and a second the following day. Now we see how this bow hunter hits the woods, 21st century style - Field & Stream camouflage, face paint and a trusty quad to bring the harvest home. But what still gets coon hunters into the woods, now that the reward of selling the pelt is gone? Turns out they grab their headlights and their dogs for a different reason than their great greats might have done. But in retrospect, maybe not. I’ve done some hunting myself for this story, tracking down a new generation of boys to men who learned to hunt from fathers and older friends and now are the fresh faces at hunting competitions held at area and regional hunt clubs. There are prizes of electronic collars and bags of Purina Pro to be won and, of course, bragging rights. Some hunt rabbits with beagles

By Colleen Nelson

And hunters’ fashions now. Pictured is Ty Kennedy.

by day in tall grasses and underbrush. Some raise red and blue tick hounds and learn the sound of their voices as they work the night forest for the scent of a raccoon. I find Delbert Calvert through his friend Braydon Kidd, who accumulated enough points with his beagle Angel in 2017 to make him the top Youth First Strike Handler in the nation at age 16. “I’m working with him with beagles,” Braydon tells me. I ask Delbert for a photo and something about why he hunts. He sends me a night shot taken by his friend Joe Straight. He and his dog Buddy, an English red tick, are checking a tree for a raccoon, a tree that would have withstood any attack by Jacob Tustin’s axe. His modern hunting gear includes leg gaiters to protect from deep underbrush and a vest with plenty of pockets. But his words sum up something universal for those who love the hunt: “I’m at peace hearing the dog barking on the trail of the coon. It makes me forget the problems of this crazy old world.”

Delbert Calvert and his English red tick coon hound Buddy check a tree for raccoons.

If you have an interesting old photo from the area you’d like to share, just send it to: GreeneScene of the Past, 185 Wade Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Or email to: info@greenescenemagazine.com with GreeneScene Past in subject line.

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United Way would like to thank our community, donors, sponsors, and volunteers! Your commitment to Greene County during these uncertain times is wonderful.

Thank you!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Your support has helped libraries transform lives with educational programs. Your donations have offered abused individuals a safe space and vulnerable adults a hot meal. You have provided food to those who are struggling and you are giving help when a disaster, like COVID, strikes.

Greene Ar ti facts By Matthew Cumberledge, GCHS Executive Director

*covers appointment fee

$199 2

CCCregister.com | 888-316-9085 GreeneScene by Ann Newman

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EARLY LAND RECORDS

he land where the Greene County Historical Society Museum stands has a long and interesting history. Most often, in historical writings, the GCHS grounds are looked at in the context of the county home, or poor farm. That institution started in 1861, and operated for over a century, before closing and being taken over by the Greene County Historical Society. The story does not begin there, though. The land was originally surveyed on June 2, 1785 for Thomas Rinehart. The 320-acre Rinehart farm stayed in the family for generations, and Joseph Rinehart built the future museum building as his home in 1857. He sold it in 1861, when it would become the county home. This month’s artifacts are two early copies of the original land survey, dated 1815; a further survey shows how the land was broken up after Thomas Rinehart died and his children inherited the property. The text of the 1815 copy of the survey reads: “The Above is a Draught [Draft] of survey made June 2d. 1785 in purveyance of a Warrant Granted in the name of Thomas Rinehart dated December 23rd 1786 called “Rural Swain” Containing 320 Acres and 16

Perches with 6 per cent allowance situated in Washington [now Greene] County. David Redick DS.” The other document goes into further detail as to how Thomas Rinehart’s heirs were to split the land upon his death and outlines the specific boundaries they were to follow. These documents are the original handwritten copies of surveys and deeds that the Rinehart family had completed in the early 19th century to prove their claim to the land that now houses the Greene County Historical Society Museum. We are honored and incredibly lucky to be able to share these rare treasures with our visitors at the Greene County Historical Society Museum! Please keep an eye on Facebook for announcements of future events and activities, and for the launch of our new website!

he moss green Edwardian house with the high turret at 720 E. Greene Street, Waynesburg has a sign in the front yard that says “Servant Song.” For years I’ve wondered about it as I zipped by on my way to go shopping. I had never stopped to read the fine print at the bottom - “Retreat House and Spirituality Center.” Like many astonishingly wonderful things to be found in Greene County, it hides in plain sight, waiting for serendipity to draw you in. Just ask the Kollers, whose own spiritual journey was one of the seeds that helped grow this very special place “where those who come experience God’s love, mercy and His deep abiding peace.” Donna Koller remembers standing in the doorway of her ceramics studio in Ruff Creek with “light coming through the window.” The car accident that crushed her leg had been a painful transition from the day to day of having a job that had her working on her feet to staying home to slowly heal. “I read a lot and wrote. I was in a deeply spiritual quest.” She also revived her old hobby of ceramics and “began to see more beauty in them than before.” In that transformative moment in the light she realized something had been added to her artistic skills, something… “I called it a touch of Spirit….” Donna and husband Larry opened Touch of Spirit gift shop in Ruff Creek in 1980 and soon began adding Christian books of every kind. When the business moved to Waynesburg in 1991, ceramics were disappearing from the shelves as Donna gave them away. “God brought people in and the conversations turned to faith in individual lives and thanking God.” People came in from different churches and different faith traditions but their spiritual quest was bringing them together. Ecumenical - from the Greek oikoumene “the inhabited world” - strives to unite the many divergent orders and sects of Christianity. People sometimes ask, “What have we been doing? We followed God’s call.” Donna says. By 2005 there was enough strength of spirit and cooperation between people, pastors and churches in Greene County to open

By Colleen Nelson Servant Song as a nonprofit with an independent ministry team that includes ordained ministers, priests, licensed clergy and qualified lay persons. It offers spiritually guided retreats, days of prayer and reflection, healing services and ecumenical celebrations. It shares its name and mission with First Song of the Servant, Isaiah 42: 6 – 8 “I the Lord have called you for the victory of justice…” On February 15, Servant Song held an open house celebrating 15 years of service to the thousands who have come from more than a dozen states and as far away as Italy and China to retreat and heal inner wounds and leave to take the seeds of unity with them. It was a shout out to the many acts of charity between local churches made stronger by cooperation. It was a moment to look forward to an upcoming year of events to promote greater community participation. Less than a month later the COVID-19 epidemic put the world on hold. What does the future hold in store? For now, all retreats and gatherings have been canceled but online meetings and individual spiritual consultations continue by phone. There will be a lead-in discussion for an online Advent Retreat on November 22. The retreat itself is November 29. Read all about it on Facebook @SSMRetreats.

GreeneScene by Shelby Yourchik-Jeffrey

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County Conversations GREENE COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

COVID-19 has put many life events on hold, but hunger cannot be paused. You can help make a difference safely by joining the Corner Cupboard Virtual Food Drive.

he County of Greene government and will make referrals to the appropriate provides our community with a va- programs that may best fit the individual’s riety of services and care. Each de- needs. partment within our government provides No matter the mental health sympsomething to our community that makes toms, help is available. Asking for help is Greene County a better place to live and the first step to recovery. Most importantly, grow. Have you ever wondered about the help is available to assist those in need with programs they provide and how they impact zero judgement. The program offers a 1-800 you and those you care crisis line, available about? Each month, I am especially proud of 24/7 (1-800-417-9460) we will sit down for the staff that I have. They are and crisis walk-ins a conversation with a are available Monday very attentive to everyone that through Friday from representative from they encounter and want to 8:30am to 4:30pm at one of the county government’s departments connect them with any and ev- The Center for Comto keep our readers Resources ery service that they may need, munity informed of the many located at 82 High even if it is not MH services.” services available. Street, Waynesburg, Greene County’s PA 15370. “If you have Mental Health proconcerns regarding gram, part of the your own or a loved County’s Human Serone’s mental wellness vices Department, or safety, please conensures residents with tact the crisis line or mental illness have our office. We want services and supports everyone to know that that are readily accessiwe are always here to ble. Community menhelp.” tal health services are “I am especially L-R: George Lagos, program director Brean administered through proud of the staff that Fuller, Melissa Ewart and Melanie Trauth. county mental health I have,” shares Brean program offices like Fuller, the program that at Greene County director for Greene Human Services. The Greene County Hu- County’s Mental Health program. “They are man Services Mental Health Program serves very attentive to everyone that they encounas a referral source. All actual mental health ter and want to connect them with any and services are delivered by local provider every service that they may need, even if it is agencies under contract with the county not MH services.” MH office. The county MH office assists For more information on the County of with linkage to funding, assesses the need Greene’s Mental Health program or how to for treatment and other support services get help, call 724-852-5276.

“

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• GreeneScene Community Magazine

HOW TO GET INVOLVED HOST A VIRTUAL DRIVE

Just fill out a form on our website and you will receive a donation link to share.

DONATE

Via any of our virtual hosts, or directly to Corner Cupboard.

Go to www.cornercupboard.org for details.

Public Service Profile By Michelle Church

THE SALVATION ARMY

cal businesses where people can choose a tag and shop for that child. The program is available in-person or online. “This year, we are making it easier for people to support this program online,” Carla says. “To support Treasures for Children, you can make a monetary donation to The Salvation Army to purchase a toy on your behalf, purchase a toy online from the retailer of your choice and ship it directly to your local Salvation Army or personally deliver it to the center.” Tags are at Walmart in the Woodforest Bank, The Rotary Club of Waynesburg, First Baptist Church, VFW Post 3491 and Rolling Meadows Church of God until December 14. The Salvation Army normally hosts holiday meals for those in need. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 health precautions, they are unable to host holiday meals this year. However, they can still assist with other essential needs. The Salvation Army received additional funding through the CARES act this year due to COVID-19 to help families with rental assistance and mortgages; the Emergency Food Shelter Program (EFSP) was awarded $20,000 specifically for rent and lodging. Those in need can call the office Monday Friday at 724-852-1479 to schedule an appointment to determine eligibility. If you would like to make a donation of non-perishable food items, they can be taken to 131 W. First Street in Waynesburg, PA. For more information on the programs available in our area, visit www.salvationarmywpa.org

Concordia Hospice

of Washington’s Cardinal Project is a way to share our

faith with others and provide life, hope, and restoration to our senior friends living in long-term care facilities by gifting them bird feeders. The Concordia Hospice of Washington team will collect all donations, supply the feeders

Would you please help?

with seed and deliver to local long-term care facilities. Each donation will include a gift tag noting that the gift is from a special friend – you can choose to include your name or donate anonymously.

Please join us in helping our senior friends by considering a donation of a bird feeder of $25 and under.

How to Donate:

020 has brought many challenges to our community. Through it all, programs provided by The Salvation Army have worked with those in need to bring help - and hope. These programs and services are indispensable to the communities they serve, especially during the holiday season. Although some changes have been made this year, the annual Red Kettle campaign continues from November 27 to December 24. Around 33% of the donations made for the year take place through the Red Kettle campaign, so the Salvation Army has implemented multiple safety protocols to ensure a safe and successful year. Carla Hughes, director of the Western Pennsylvania Division, explains that the changes involve new payment options and new safety protocols such as: • Bell Ringers will wear a mask during their entire shift. • All kettle equipment will be sanitized at the beginning and end of each day. • As individuals approach the kettle, Bell Ringers will step aside to allow six feet of separation for safe social distancing. • Bell Ringers will not have physical contact with any donations or individuals. “People can donate at a safe distance at our kettles with Apple Pay, Google Pay or they can give online at www.salvationarmywpa.org/rescuechristmas. Every donation makes a difference,” states Carla. In addition to the Red Kettle campaign, the Salvation Army has other plans for making the season bright. A Pumpkin Drop was held on November 5; a nearly one-ton pumpkin was lifted 100-feet in the air before being dropped into a pool filled with Ping Pong balls. The winner - the ball that flies farthest from the pool after the drop - received a prize package with a TV projector, a 1-year Disney subscription and two tickets to a Penguins game once live games resume. The event was streamed online for everyone to view. At Christmastime, the Our Treasures for Children program supports local families in need. Families register for the event until November 17; tags are created for the children and placed in lo-

Visit www.ConcordiaCardinalProject.org to learn more about the project and pick the donation method that works best for you OR call our Marketing Liaison, Shilynn Renner, at 724-250-4500 Ext. 2118 for more information! 10 Leet Street • Washington, PA 15301

Local: 724-250-4500 www.concordiahw.org

Greene Scene Cardinal Project Ad.indd 1

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

10/16/20 1:39 PM

HOLIDAY I 2020

WHY CHOOSE?

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Get Informed, Empowered & Motivated! 15-week online program Trained and experienced instructor Real-time, interactive, weekly sessions

For more information or to register for the program: Call Robin at 724-489-8080 or 1-888-300-2704, ext. 4433 ryouger@swpa-aaa.org Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging

Mural Revitalizes Fredericktown’s Former Ferry Landing

he next time that you’re driving through Fredericktown on Route 88 along the mighty Monongahela River, take some time for a small detour. Travel down Ferry Street to the river launch and take in the recently unveiled mural, a tribute to the Fredericktown Ferry. The mural is part of the new park being developed by East Bethlehem Township. The Art Club at California University of Pennsylvania was approached with the idea for the mural. Associate Professor and Co-Advisor for the Art Club, Todd Pinkham, says he and the club were provided with a rough idea and a document containing historic images that had been chosen for both sides of the underpass, located right before the launch. Todd’s creativity was sparked by the project. “The middle of the underpass was only suggested by the document,” he says, “so I created my own images from the historical photos provided.” After the design and layout were finalized, work on the actual mural was ready to begin. On September 21, 2019, Todd went to work. Throughout the fall of 2019, he worked on Fridays from morning until afternoon to complete the black outline. Initially, the CalU art students were a big part of the project. They were able to assist with some of the layout, but their participation was short-lived. “I was able to get the design done in black outline by November 8, but then we lost the weather,” shares Todd. “The weather changed and by spring, COVID hit.” With the onset of the pandemic, Prof. Pinkham was on his own. During the spring, he painted in colors. It took about 16 sessions to cover both sides of the underpass. Each side is 85 feet by 14 feet. The Fredericktown Ferry, or Fred as it was affectionately

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• GreeneScene Community Magazine

called, carried passengers across the Monongahela River from 1948-2013. Fred was retired in 2013 when Fayette and Washington counties deemed it no longer cost effective to operate the ferry, since a new bridge was in place connecting the counties. It was one of the last remaining cable driven ferries in the United States. The Mon River Towns Program, an organization that provides funding to promote towns along the Monongahela River, donated $5,000 to the Cal U Art Club for the project.“I was working through the Mon River Towns Program and [director] Cathy McCollom. Then I was introduced to Mariann Kubacki, the East Bethlehem Township secretary, while I was working on site,” says Todd. The mural was unveiled at an event held this past September which marked one year after the project began. The ceremony was attended by the East Bethlehem commissioners, Pam Snyder, and Mon River Towns Program and National Road Heritage Corridor officials. “I received a positive response at the opening and encouragement locally as I worked by the river,” Todd shares. Todd, who resides in Murrysville, PA, is an only child who has been involved in art for most of his life. He has a BFA and an MFA in painting and teaches painting and foundation courses at CalU, where he has taught for the last 17 years. He is married to Julia Toner and has two daughters, Ava and Lana. Painting the mural was not without a little bit of adventure. “I fell into the river once while working on it,” Pinkham said without offering any details.

By Stephanie Lampe

Professor Todd Pinkham and the Art Club at California University outlined the mural during autumn 2019.

The completed mural was revealed September 2020 and is part of a new park being developed by East Bethlehem Township.

he new STEM course – and teacher – at Carmichaels Area School District is educating students about concussion protocols. Nichole Morecraft, Carmichaels’ new STEM teacher, is teaching students how “each lobe of the brain functions [and the] impact that would have on their daily lives if it was damaged.” Since taking on the STEM classes, she has been both searching for and creating projects that use problem-solving skills and have real-life impact. Careers in STEM fields are growing at a steady pace and offer competitive wages. With so many technologybased careers, Nichole wants her students to have an advantage in that field after leaving her classroom. The concussion protocol project educates students about concussions and their impact on a person’s life quality. “It also gives them a chance to try to invent something to better mitigate the damage that a concussion can and will cause,” Nichole says. “The idea is to create something new that eventually could be pitched to a company and one day used.” Nichole bases her projects on concepts that feel relevant to students today. They

Co o l at Sc h oo l could apply their recently learned skills and knowledge today towards other endeavors and it will be helpful when applying to colleges. Glancing at the lesson plan for the project, it’s amazing what can be accomplished with less than $5 worth of physical materials. Students in class will construct a model of the human brain, equip it with impact sensors, and then measure the impact of a head collision. After building the brain simulator, students digitize the device. They learn essential engineering skills by connecting the brain simulator to Excel to gather data and show a concussion’s impact on the brain. Students are able to see the impact on the brain and how each region of the brain is affected. “My students really enjoy seeing the live data that is collected at the end of the project because this means that all of their

By Michelle Church

The STEM class’s concussion protocol project educates students about concussions.

wiring was correct and their sensors were made correctly,” Nichole shares. “They feel like the project was a success when they see that first stream of live data come in.” The information gathered from the class can also be used to show the importance of protective headgear. This information could be applied in possible future collaborations with other teachers, such as in physical education or health courses. The students are encouraged to take the Think Taylor pledge: I pledge to be educated.

I pledge to be honest. I pledge to be supportive. This pledge asks students to take brain injuries seriously; they are asked to be educated and honest about concussions and be supportive of those who have been concussed. Nichole is very proud of her students. She says, “My students worked incredibly hard on this project and were not afraid to go out of their comfort zones to learn something new. They did an amazing job and I could not have been given a better group of students to start the year off with.”

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Greene Gardens

By Lisa Lewis, Penn State Extension Master Gardener Intern

Did You Know That Trees Can Talk?

uch like humans, animals communicate with each other through sounds, expressions and gestures. For example, most dogs are skilled at communicating their needs to their owners, letting them know when they need to go out, when it’s play time, or when someone is coming up the driveway or at the door. Trees don’t communicate in a way that humans can interpret, but we are learning they sure do interact with their environment. Under the soil, fungi create mycelium, a massed network of thread-like structures. Fungi provide water and nutrients to the tree; in return the tree gives them sugars and other products of their photosynthesis; this symbiotic relationship is a win-win for both the fungi and the trees. Trees also access the network of fungicreated threads, a ‘wood wide web,’ to commune with each other. For example, a young Douglas fir is struggling because it is too shaded for photosynthesis to make all the nutrients it needs to survive and thrive. It can communicate its need to surrounding trees through the ‘wood wide web.’ A birch tree getting plenty of light picks up the signal and in response sends its extra nutrients over to the Douglas fir, enabling it to grow taller

and get more light. Come autumn, when the birch loses its leaves, the evergreen Douglas fir returns the favor. Just like neighbors borrowing cups of sugar! Or maybe a caterpillar is eating a tree’s leaves, sucking its sap or burrowing into its trunk; that tree can emit a volatile compound into the air that attracts the wasps and flies that prey on that type of caterpillar. The tree also sends an alert signal through the ‘wood wide web’ so that surrounding trees also preemptively emit the same volatile compound to keep themselves safe from attack. Sometimes, like with the caterpillars, the trees’ communications aren’t always kind to other life forms around them, but the function is to provide the survival of the tree itself and those like the tree. Consider the black walnut tree, prized by many for its wood, nut, and landscaping value. On the other hand, perhaps as a form of self-protection, nearly all parts of the black walnut are toxic to many plants who try to root nearby and many animals who try to eat the bark or leaves. This is due to a substance called juglone produced by the black walnut. Trees aren’t the only plants known to converse. Research has found the same types of communication in grasses, bean plants, and tobacco plants. And they’ve documented the communication in response to several types of dangers including invasive plants, spider mites, caterpillars, plucking of leaves, and deforestation. The results are found in both laboratory experiments and controlled observations in nature. Gives you a new appreciation for the life all around us, doesn’t it?

GreeneScene by Jacob Rockwell

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• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Toys for Tots

ou can mark your calendars now: the Tri-County Leathernecks have announced December 19 will be the distribution date for the 2020 Toys for Tots program in Greene County. “This will be our 38th year for the program,” says Buzz Walters, Commandant of the Leathernecks. The Moose, an original supporter of the program continues to support Toys for Tots in Greene County and many of the Moose members donate their own time and money for the program. “We could not do it without the Moose and the support of the generous people of Greene County who also donate toys. They have been great each year,” Buzz adds. New, unwrapped toys can be dropped at collection boxes throughout Waynesburg and Greene County – you’ll see them all over in places like Walmart, Community Bank, Giant Eagle, Big Lots, Dollar General and Consol Energy Services (Crabapple).

The toy distribution on December 19 will be from 10am-12pm. Toys will be distributed to parents of children ages 0-12 years. At the event, parents need to bring social security numbers for every child and proof of household income. Remember, children should NOT accompany parents to the event. The following locations will have toy distribution; contact names and numbers are provided if you have questions in advance: Waynesburg at the Greene County Fairgrounds: Buzz Walters, 724-499-5332 Carmichaels/Cumberland Township at Carmichaels American Legion: Theresa Walters, 724-966-2009 Clarksville at St. Thomas Church: Linda Pelkey, 724-344-7321 Greensboro/Bobtown at Bobtown Fire Hall: Toni Cline, 724-943-2108

G o in g G re e n e

ANDREW DYE - A LIFE ON THE FRONTIER

land beyond a vast forest with rolling hills and uninterrupted woodlands unspoiled by the presence of civilization. That was the sight Andrew Dye witnessed sometime around the year 1771, when he first came to lands across the Allegheny Mountains and on the far side of the Monongahela River. He was a young man, just 27 years old, with a young wife and two children under the age of three; with them he had made the journey from New Jersey, across the wide expanse of Pennsylvania to a new land, new ideals, and a place where a man was in charge of his own destiny. There were few settlers in those days; small cabins and farmsteads were sporadically located across the landscape, and the threat of Indian attack was ever present. Andrew had found his way up Whitely Creek to the vicinity of Garards Fort, a large stockade that provided a safe haven for the few settlers in the area when the threat of attack heightened. For a small frontier fort, Garards Fort was a busy place. Traders and trappers made frequent stops, and certainly tales were told about the lands on the Ohio River, and down into Kentucky. Jacob VanMeter, who spent quite a bit of time at the fort, was just beginning to make runs up and down the Ohio River, exploring new and unseen land. Times were tough, and these people were tougher than the time in which they lived; Andrew was a hunter, and later his eldest son James inherited that trait. Just a few miles west of the fort, Andrew found a serene valley that he called “Sparrows Nest” and that’s where he made his home. He began clearing the land. This was the first thing settlers did on the western frontier; clear a plot of land to farm, keep livestock and build a home. Today, Andrew’s land is known as Patterson Run, turning off Kirby Road right by the mine. Back then, there wouldn’t have been a road in sight, and at best, a dirt trail was the route that Andrew would have used each month to go to the meetings and services at the Goshen Baptist Church at Garards Fort, established by the Reverend John Corbly. In 1782, disaster struck the community around Garards Fort. On the first Sunday in May, John Corbly and his family were walking from their home to the Goshen Baptist Church; John was slowly strolling behind his family while meditating on his sermon when Indians attacked the family, killing many

The approximate location of Garards Fort.

By Matthew Cumberledge

of them. Andrew Dye and his eldest son James, a mere thirteen years old at the time, were also on their way to the church, and they were among the first to assist Corbly after the attack. Several such attacks had happened over the years leading up to 1782 and they would continue well into the 1790s. This was the world that Andrew knew, a hard life but rich in the reward of a hard day’s work. Each day was about survival, ensuring your crops would get you through winter and staying vigilant against the ever-present threat of attack. From 1782 till 1789, Andrew and his family attended the Goshen Baptist Church, though not without incident. From 1788 to late 1789, it appears Andrew had a falling out with the church. He was censured several times for swearing and quarrelling and eventually excommunicated on December 19, 1789. From what records show, it seems that this was the end of Andrew’s time in Garards Fort. In 1790, his eldest son James, now 23 and with children of his own, acquired land further west in what would later become Gilmore Township on the waters of Dunkard Creek. Andrew went with him. By this time, Andrew had nine children, and his wife Sarah would give birth to their tenth and final child in 1791. On Dunkard, James Dye built a mill and a large log home, with plenty of farmland, good crops, and lots of livestock. Still, Andrew wasn’t satisfied. Perhaps carrying on the tradition of his distant ancestors who left Denmark in the 1600s and settled on what is now Manhattan Island, he was ready to continue west. During the 1790s, Andrew made several trips down the Ohio River and into the Ohio country; he acquired a large tract of land in Mason County, Kentucky and stayed there for a season or two, leaving his family behind on the land owned by his son James in western Pennsylvania. Somewhere around this time, Andrew’s wife Sarah died, leaving him a widower and strengthening his desire to permanently settle in the west. In 1794, General Mad Anthony Wayne, the man for whom Waynesburg is named, defeated the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers and restored peace to the western frontier. Settlers began flooding into the Ohio country. By this point, Andrew owned land in Greene County, Pa. and Mason County, Ky. and was hunting, trapping, and trading all

The site of the Corbly massacre. The monument is on the left.

over the upper Ohio Valley. In 1803, Ohio formed as a state, and Andrew settled in Miami County, Ohio - a great distance north of his lands in Kentucky. Andrew brought several of his children with him to the Ohio country, though James, his oldest, stayed behind in Pennsylvania and became a successful farmer and miller, and a prominent Justice of the Peace. James was the law of the land in southern Greene County in those years. Andrew would remarry and have several more children, many of which would stay in the area surrounding his settlement in Miami County. Some would continue west and settle in places as far as Illinois. Andrew would stay in Miami County, where he died in 1835 at the age of 91. Andrew’s story is not unique - most men of his day lived a similar lifestyle, hunting, trapping, finding land and raising a family, like the Pilgrims who first landed at Plymouth in 1620. Like them, Andrew and the first settlers of this region were made of tough stock and appreciated the security of a warm bed and a safe place to call home. Such things were a luxury in those times, not to be taken for granted. Perhaps this is the reason why, when tracing the history of Thanksgiving, not only the Pilgrims, but settlers in Virginia and Spanish explorers and settlers would all lay claim to starting the tradition we now celebrate every November. Most holidays observe a specific occasion or event, but perhaps Thanksgiving is one holiday where we can celebrate a way of thinking more than a singular, specific event. Andrew, like his predecessors, would have constantly been thankful for the bounty that life provided him. Even in the most difficult times, we generally remain safe and free, and these early settlers didn’t always know that feeling. Let us all be thankful for the great things that life has given to us.

Andrew Dye’s grave in Miami County, Ohio. GreeneScene Community Magazine •

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â&#x20AC;¢ GreeneScene Community Magazine

Wilson Named to First Federal Board

Chuck Carnahan State Farm Insurance Contributes to the Greene County Emergency Response Fund The Community Foundation of Greene available on the CFGC website. Grants from County (CFGC) is pleased to announce a gift the Fund have been made to health, human to the Greene County Emergency Response services and other organizations to help enFund by local Chuck Carnahan State Farm sure that basic needs are met, including food, Insurance Agency. The gift of $500 provides housing, and healthcare, as well as operationan impact on the fund which has made more al costs associated with re-tooling functions than 30 grants totaling $126,000 to local non- of those organizations serving the public adprofits. dress health protocols. These initial gifts have “We are so grateful for the generous sup- been used to address the local needs caused port by Chuck Carnahan State Farm Agency by the COVID-19 virus. to the Emergency Response Fund,” said Jeff According to Bettie Stammerjohn, McCracken, Chairman of the Community CFGC Executive Director, there is just over Foundation of Greene Board of Directors. $4,000 remaining in the Greene County “Their support for the Fund is a testament to Emergency Response Fund. While many their commitment to our community. We are nonprofits have used grants to adjust their proud to partner with them to help our resi- services and activities to best serve the needs dents and nonprofits weather this crisis.” of their customers while maintaining safe and Greene County Emergency Response healthy protocols, the continuing pandemic Fund was established by CFGC to address still impacts our community. New gifts to the local needs resulting from emergency and Emergency Response Fund will be used to disaster situations in Greene County. Partner- address new COVID impacts, as the moraing with the Greene County United Way, the toriums end for housing evictions and utility Fund is held by CFGC to address immediate, shut offs, and unemployment continues in the short-term and long-term needs in the wake service industry may mean more needs for of a county emergency and provide quick, grants to address these issues. flexible grants and resources to nonprofit orGifts to the Emergency Response Fund ganizations our area working with communi- may be made by check to the Community ties, people and organizations who are heavily Foundation of Greene County, using the impacted by a local disasters and emergen- memo line to note Emergency Response cies. Fund, and sent to CFGC, PO Box 768, “We are excited to be able to provide this Waynesburg, PA. Gifts may also be made by gift that helps the people in Greene County credit card using the CFGC Online Donation find ways to navigate this pandemic,” said button on the website at www.cfgcpa.org. Chuck Carnahan. “We believe it is important to help our community and give back, especially now.” Including this current gift from Chuck Carnahan State Farm Insurance Agency, the Emergency Response Fund has raised $130,777 Chuck Carnahan presents a $500 check for the Greene County Emergency since it was estabResponse Fund to Jeff McCracken, chairman of the Community Foundation of lished in March. A Greene County, and Bettie Stammerjohn, Executive Director of the Community list of donors and Foundation of Greene County. grants awarded is

The Board of Directors of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County recently appointed Douglas A. Wilson of Jefferson Township, Greene County, to a vacant seat on the Board. “The Board and I are excited that Doug has joined our Board of Directors,” said President/CEO Charles W. Trump, Jr., who also sits on the 8-person Board. “The First Federal of Greene County team welcomes Doug, and we know that his popularity and visibility, as well as his service to our region, will help to reinforce how we live out our slogan, ‘The People You Know, The People You Can Trust.’ “Considering Doug’s appreciation for family and community, he is a perfect fit for our Board of Directors and the First Federal of Greene County family.” Since 1992, Wilson has worked at WANB Radio in Waynesburg as an on-air personality. Currently, he serves as the station’s operations manager and morning host as the persona “Crazy Dougie.” Wilson also hosts the Sunday night “Greene County Gold” oldies music show as “The Greaser.” “I am truly looking forward to working with this Board of Directors and being a part of this family,” Wilson said. “Everyone who serves on this Board cares deeply about this institution, and that to me speaks volumes. This is a group of individuals who cares about the responsibility that has been given to them, and I am looking forward to being a part of that.” A native of Mercer County, Pa., Wilson officially moved to Greene County in the early 1990’s. He attended the-then Waynesburg College, studying broadcast communications and hosting college radio programs. Wilson graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in English and was hired at WANB that summer. In the mid-2000’s, Wilson returned to his alma mater when he became an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication at Waynesburg University. He is also

the faculty adviser for the university’s radio station. A lifelong history buff, Wilson in 1994 co-founded the Civil War re-enactor group 140th Pennsylvania Volunteers Co. A. He continues to play an active role in the group, participating in living history events in the region and re-enacting significant battles. Wilson is a member and past board member of the Greene County Historical Society and has held leadership roles at Hewitt Presbyterian Church in Rices Landing and with Cub Scout Pack 1168 and Boy Scout Troop 1168. Wilson and his wife, Amy, have three children – Bradley and wife Lauren, Chelsey, and Christian and wife Emily – and two grandchildren, Lilly and Keith. Wilson is the son of Rev. Dr. Donald P. and Deborah Wilson, and has a brother, Tom, and sisterin-law, Patty.

Blue Knights Donate to Greene County Foster Care The Greene County Commissioners and Greene County Foster Care would like to thank the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, PA Chapter XVI for donating a $1000 towards the Greene County Foster Care Christmas party. Pictured L-R: Commissioner Betsy McClure, Beth Booker, Foster Parent Supervisor, Fran Suppok, from the Blue Knights, Mark Starostanko, CYS Administrator,and Michael Holloway, Deputy Administrator. GreeneScene Community Magazine •

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Meet our Tea m JUST FOR FUN

very month, our enthusiastic team of editors, writers, 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. 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 contributor, Jessica Price.

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Favorite Music: Boy bands from the ‘90s. Favorite Movie: Wizard of Oz Favorite TV Show: This one changes often, anything funny! Currently Reading: Connecting with Students Online (Jennifer Serravallo) Favorite Hidden PA Gem: Waynesburg Unity Trail Favorite Vacation Spot: The beach Favorite Season: Spring Movie I Can Quote: The Titanic If you could live in any period of history when would it be? The ‘60s or ‘70s What’s your dream car? A self-driving car

have been her favorite thing as long as she can remember. Writing took center stage in college in both the technical sense as she completed a degree in psychology, and in the creative sense as she completed minor degrees in children’s literature and creative writing! Her ultimate life goal is to author children’s books, and her current role of teaching Kindergarten amidst a global pandemic is giving her a lot of inspiration. Jessica is also a mom to one energetic boy, and can often be found riding bikes on the river trail, or getting a coffee at Kiln to Table.

CLASSIFIEDS House for Rent. FMI, call 724-324-9152. Hunting Land for Lease. FMI, call 724-324-9152. To submit your free classified ad, visit www.GreeneSceneMagazine.com. Deadline for next issue is 12-7-20.

Jessica is a Kindergarten teacher by day and a freelance writer for the GreeneScene by night - and on the occasional weekend and school break! She grew up in the tiny town of Nineveh in Greene County, and only briefly left the area for the 5 years she was attending the University of Pittsburgh. Jessica has a master’s degree, from Pitt, in elementary education, and loves teaching the Bobcats of Mountainview Elementary in Morgantown, West Virginia. Writing, reading and all things literacy

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Warm Nights Greene County’s Warm Nights program offers free overnight shelter, providing a warm, safe place to stay on extremely cold winter nights. The program is available when temperatures are 25 degrees and below during November through March (as determined by Warm Nights). Located at the Greene County Fairgrounds, the overnight stay is from 7pm - 7am; guests may arrive between 7pm - 10pm. Cots and bedding

are provided, and hot showers are available. Families and children are welcome but no pets are allowed (except registered service dogs). The Greene County Humane Society will house animals overnight at no cost, upon request. To register, you must call the SPHS Crisis line at 1-800-417-9460 or dial 211 before 4pm that day. Walk-ins are not permitted.

Tour the W.A. Young Foundry A visit to W.A. Young & Sons is a step back in time! Nestled in the historic district of Rices Landing, Greene County, the Machine Shop is an astonishing industrial treasure. Built in 1900, the shop produced parts for steamboats, coal mines, railroads, and supported local small businesses. When it closed in 1965, the building was locked and all of its tools and equipment were left in place—perfectly preserving its line shaft driven, 25-machine network for future generations. Visitors tour the blacksmith shop, pattern shop, hardware store, and foundry—and marvel as the machines are switched on during a live demonstration of this turn-of-the-last century technology!

WINNERS GreeneScene Contest - The winner of the GreeneScene contest, Michelle Popernack, knew that the painting was the new mural at the Fredericktown Ferry landing in Fredericktown. See our article FMI on the mural.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. You will be required to show your electronic or paper tickets for admission. No tickets will be sold at the door. A maximum of 6 participants will be permitted on each tour. Visit www.riversofsteel.com to reserve a space on a tour.

Haunted Hills Estate Tickets (October 2020) - Alan Anderson, Rose Gabeletto, Donna Cunningham, and Kayla Dupont. Caption Contest (September 2020): Jessica Carter. “Sorry to bother you but the bird feeder’s about to be empty.”

Potters’ Landing Canoe Launch The Nathanael Greene CDC is pleased to announce that the renovated Potters’ Landing canoe & kayak launch is fully operational. The launch is handicapped accessible, with a public gazebo nearby, as well as public restrooms and paved parking.

Many thanks to the volunteer efforts and contributions from JLM Construction, EQT, Walmart, Greensboro Borough, and the Ice Plant Restaurant. If you would like to visit the launch, the GPS coordinates are: 39°47’35.7”N 79°54’35.9”W.

WAGGIN Announces New Online Services Washington, Greene & Fayette County Public libraries announced the availability of a new online chat and email service for their communities. Chat with a WAGGIN librarian is a new chat function connecting you with a librarian in Washington, Greene or Fayette counties. It is also part of the Statewide LIVE Chat Service where librarians answer questions 24/7. This is a FREE resource for all residents of Pennsylvania offering live chat assistance with a real librarian, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your local WAGGIN librarians staff the chat service at various hours throughout the week; however, at times when they are

not available, you will be connected with a librarian outside our area who can help you with your questions. For immediate assistance with a general question use chat, visit www.waggin.org/chat. If you have questions about your local library, item availability, library card account questions, or a question that will require more in-depth research, you can email WAGGIN through the same service: www.waggin.org/email-us. WAGGIN is the 20 member, public library consortium located in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties - 20 libraries, ONE library card! FMI, visit waggin.org.

District X Annual Meeting The Jaycee Pavilion at Waynesburg Lions Club Park was this year’s site for the annual meeting of District X of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was a combination of various 2020 events. The group also celebrated the 90th birthday of the GCFP. District Director Kay Bair recognized the state board members, District X Board Members and eight presidents of the 10 clubs that compose District X. There were 47 members and guests in attendance. A short program was presented by Emily Capule, owner of a local cut flower farm, Blomster Field Farms, located in Greene County. Emily specializes in fresh cut, locally grown, chemical-free flowers in bouquets, or by the stem. District X awards were presented by Awards Chair Roxanne Huss, President of Valley Garden Club. Haddie Weber, of The Garden Club of Munhall, gave red tulip bulbs to new members and their sponsors. Director Bair presented the Perennial Bloom Award to Marion Walker of Town & Country Garden Club. Legacy awards went to Town & Country Garden Club and Susan Luisi of Martha Washington Garden Club. The Exceptional Horti-

culturist Award went to Donna McKnight of Giant Oaks Garden Club. The Butterfly Award was given to Lou Ann Kinol of Giant Oaks Garden Club. Marilyn Backus, GCFP Awards Chair presented numerous awards that normally would have been presented at the GCFP Convention in April. The three outstanding awards were: 2019 GCFP Gold Seal Award to Vina McLeod Rudolph of Martha Washington GC; 2019-2020 Presidential Citation to Marie Mueller, GCFP KG Online Newsletter Editor of Pleasant Hills GC; and 2019 GCFP Forget-Me-Not District Award to Grace Mitchell of Martha Washington GC. Marilyn Bacus reinstalled the following District X officers for the 2020-2022 term: Kay Bair, District Director; Mardell Page, Assistant Director, Linda Coleman, Secretary; and Sandra Grilli, Treasurer.

Vina McLeod Rudolph and Grace Mitchell.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

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Operation Christmas Child

he Greater Purpose Team Ministries is a charge of six United Methodist Churches located in Jefferson, Rices Landing, Fredericktown, Denbo, Howe and Roscoe. They have been working with Operation Christmas Child’s Christmas shoeboxes since 2010. That first year, they filled 62 boxes. From that point, the number of shoeboxes completed increased each year and their 2020 goal is 330 boxes, with 55 each for boys and girls in each age group: 2–4, 5-9, and 9-14. They’ve already received a donation of 26 boxes, which along with their goal, would give them a total of 356 boxes for 2020. The churches continue to work together with a common goal in mind and make each year more successful than the last. Shoeboxes will be filled on November 14 and displayed in the Jefferson United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 15. Boxes include school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, school scissors, as well as hygiene items like soap, wash cloths and toothbrushes. The shoeboxes will be

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boxed up and taken to the drop off center at the First Church of the Nazarene located at 115 Deerfield Lane, Waynesburg, PA during national collection week November 16 – 23. Churches, organizations and individual people can drop their boxes off there. If you are planning on dropping off shoeboxes, contact Julie Gatrell (Julie.gatrell@gatrellbusinesssolutions.com) prior to drop-off as there will be COVID-19 guidelines in place to keep everyone safe. The Nazarene will package, load up, and deliver the boxes to a Volunteer Processing Center. Here all boxes will be opened and checked to see that appropriate items have been included. If an inappropriate is found, the item is replaced. The boxes are then sealed with tape and placed on pallets ready to ship to special children around the world. The work would not be possible without the generosity of the very special volunteers dedicated to making the event a success. FMI, contact Susan Christopher at susanc14@windstream.net or Julie C. Gatrell.

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

All Things Christmas Festival

he 17th Annual Christmas Tree Extravaganza held last year during the week of December 2 – 7 at the Carmichaels First United Methodist Churches Fellowship Hall was the last year for the annual event organized by the A.C.T.S. shop. This year, the 1st Annual All Things Christmas Festival will be held in its place, sponsored by the Cumberland Food Pantry. “I personally want to thank A.C.T.S. for their many years of hosting such a beautiful and giving tradition,” says Nicole Baker, event organizer. “This will be our first year and I feel blessed to bring this community event to everyone.” The Christmas Tree Extravaganza raised funds for the Cumberland Township Food Bank and the new event does the same. Each year the Cumberland Township Food Bank gathers its resources to provide the best boxes for those in the community. The food provides plenty for the holiday season and upcoming winter. With the new year approaching, funding to purchase goods becomes imperative. Last year, the Extravaganza raised $3530 to donate to the Cumberland Township Food Bank. The All Things Christmas Festival is reaching out to the community and local businesses for much needed support to make their first year a success. They are accepting donations of

decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, crafts, baskets, and more for the event. Each item should have its own theme and will be listed with the name of the individual or group whom donated it. The Christmas items will be displayed for a week in the Carmichaels First United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall from November 30 to December 5. Setup will take place on November 27 and 28 starting at 9:30am. Those interested can bring their decorated items for setup in the Fellowship Hall. Decorated trees can be real or artificial and from 18” to 7.5’ tall. Raffle tickets may be purchased from 9:30am to 7pm all week in the Fellowship Hall; tickets are used to select items that you are interested in winning. Winners will be announced in the hall and on Facebook livestream on Saturday, December 5 at 6pm. “This is not just a raffle, but a way to raise funds to provide food for Greene County families in need,” says Nicole. If you would like to make a monetary donation to the Food Bank during the event, please make all checks payable to “Carmichaels FUMC” and include Food Bank in the memo section of your check. All proceeds received go directly to the Cumberland Township Food Bank. FMI, contact Nicole Baker at 724-9703276, or visit @allthingschristmasfestival on Facebook.

Looking ahead – with an attitude of gratitude – around this year’s ‘Givingthanks’ table It is our “pride and

Thanksgiving.

Contemplating this word produces many thoughts and meanings. For most of us, it names a holiday tradition, embedded in our culture, that connects today with warm memories of family, friends, and gatherings.

pleasure to serve you.

”

Thanksgiving, to some of you, is the absolute favorite holiday, while for others, a lackluster holiday nestled between the beauty of Autumn, and placing the star atop the Christmas tree, in just a week or two.

Our team at First Federal of Greene County often refers to itself as the First Federal Family. It is a special group of people, indeed, and a team of which I am so proud, and for which I am incredibly grateful.

Perhaps more power and meaning comes about when reversing the two halves of the word, “Givingthanks.”

Please know that our First Federal Family gives thanks in November, and all year long, for the relationships, bonds, and experiences that we share with so many of you, and it is our pride and pleasure to serve you.

That reversal might just allow for a frame of mind that takes us past the fourth Thursday in November, to a deeper and more critical condition. Reflecting on the things for which we are most grateful is so gratifying, and important.

We pray that your homes and hearts continue to endure, and that you continue to experience the peace, protection and warmth from the blessings in your life…those things for which you’re most grateful.

So many of us are grateful for so many of the same things. Faith. Family. Friends. Life. Food. Home. The list could expand well beyond the words of this message.

Giving thanks,

—Chuck Trump

Charles W. Trump, Jr., President/CEO, First Federal This year, however, makes that Savings and Loan Association of Greene County reflection all the more crucial, and clear. November is the month for giving thanks. Giving thanks this year, perhaps, began earlier for you and will continue, for some time to come. Trials and tribulations often reveal, highlight and reinforce those things in our lives that are most special, and for which we are most grateful. Even during a tumultuous year marked by a global pandemic and many, many other challenges, there is so much to be grateful for.

NMLS#458729

www.firstfederalofgreene.com

Charles W. Trump, Jr., is the President and CEO of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County. Based in Waynesburg, Pa., First Federal of Greene County maintains eight offices in Greene, Fayette and Washington counties in Pennsylvania, and a loan origination subsidiary, First Greene Service Corporation, in Morgantown, W.Va. For more information, visit www.firstfederalofgreene.com.

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

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Sponsored by

www.firstfederalofgreene.com

Intentional Walks By Bret Moore

Pigskin for Thanksgiving

he permeation of sports into our holiday traditions is nothing new. Abraham Lincoln signed the proclamation declaring the first official Thanksgiving holiday in 1863. The first Thanksgiving football match took place only six years later in Philadelphia between the Young American Cricket Club and the Germantown Cricket Club. Two weeks earlier, Rutgers had defeated Princeton in what is recognized as the first official collegiate football game. By 1876, the Yale versus Princeton Thanksgiving contest became the unofficial college championship game. At that time, the game was still evolving from the rugby hybrid to the game we know. In 1882, The Intercollegiate Football Association started inviting the top two schools in the country to New York City to play in the Thanksgiving Championship Game. That lasted until 1901 when Michigan became the first non-Ivy League school to win the championship. The newly formed National Football League scheduled six Thanksgiving Day games in 1920 to generate interest. The struggling Detroit Lions franchise started their holiday tradition against the Chicago Bears in 1934. The game was such a financial success the tradition took root. The fledgling Dallas Cowboys took the same path starting in 1966. When high schools started playing the game in the early decades of the 20th century, many young men were needed by their families to help harvest the crops in late summer. Therefore, the football season often didn’t start until October. Since there were no playoffs, Thanksgiving Day games were usually the season finale against a traditional rival. The oldest high school Turkey day rivalry is between Boston Latin and English High Schools in Massachusetts. They have played on that date every year since 1887. In Pennsylvania, Easton High School has taken on its rival across the river in Phillipsburg, New

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Jersey each Thanksgiving since 1916. The winner takes home the Forks of the Delaware Trophy. In eastern Pennsylvania, a handful of these holiday rivalry games continue today despite regional and state playoffs. Locally, Waynesburg College played its first football contest on October 19, 1895. They beat West Virginia University 10-8 at the old fairgrounds. It is believed the Mountaineers sent their “reserves” because they were expecting an easy win against the “farmers”. Waynesburg then lost back to back away games against Washington & Jefferson and the Mountaineer’s varsity. However, there is confusion about what constituted an official game and what was simply an exhibition. What many consider the Yellow Jackets’ first real game was played on Thanksgiving that year at the Fairgrounds in Waynesburg with the locals avenging their earlier defeat to W&J by a 4-0 score. (Note: A touchdown was worth four points at the time. Two points were awarded for extra points and safeties, while field goals were worth five.) If that were determined to be the first official game, Jesse Hunnell Hazlett scored the first official touchdown in Waynesburg College history at that game. Many of the spectators had no idea of the rules of the game. In fact, most of the players on the roster had never even seen a game before they began the season. Of course, the big game the following year was against W&J. Students holding purple and Klondike yellow streamers (the school’s colors at the time) led the team in a parade down Washington Street to the W&W narrow-gauge train bound for Washington. Two hundred fans boarded the train with the team to cheer them on. Unfortunately, Waynesburg was on the short end of a 20-0 score. However, the season ended on a high note with a 14-5 Thanksgiving Day victory over Western University of Pennsylvania, the school that would become the University of

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

Pittsburgh in 1908. The following year, the season was canceled due to the SpanishAmerican War. Football resumed in 1899 with a loss to rival W&J in front of 1,000 spectators at the old fairgrounds. However, they defeated Bethany College and California Normal before concluding the season with a 20-0 victory over WVU on Thanksgiving. In 1920, Waynesburg High School decided to try to bring back football after a three-year hiatus because of World War I. A six-game schedule was announced in October with home and away games against

Morgantown, Cameron, and Claysville. The season was to run from mid-October to Thanksgiving. However, they failed to finish the season because of too many injuries. The 1922 Thanksgiving Day season finale against Washington High School drew 3,000 people to College Field, despite the fact the team was “not exceedingly brilliant,” according to the school’s yearbook. In the 1930s, the WPIAL started using different classifications and expanding the playoffs, and eventually the traditional high school holiday games began to dwindle.

CARMICHAELS CHRONICLES

Wrestling ost people don’t realize Cumberland Township High School was the first successful wrestling program in the county. Frank Bonifield started the wrestling program in 1930-31. After only two weeks of practice, the team went to the Tri-State Tournament and finished second. The program then remained dormant until 1935-36; the team finished 4-4 that year. In their second full season, the team record was 6-9, but they had tremendous individual success. Gildas Davies won the county’s first WPIAL wrestling title in 1937 when he won the 135-pound weight class. The tournament was held at Dormont High School. The Mikes also had three runners-up: Otto Callaghan (155), Paul Toth (165) and Mike Monchlovich (185). Davies’ season record was 18-1, while Monchlovich’s was 3-2. Callaghan repeated as runner-up the following year at 145 after going 10-2. The final year of the decade saw the Mikes finish with a 10-5 record and win the County Tournament. That season they also split their two matches with Waynesburg and gave WPIAL Champion Canonsburg their closest match of the season. They fell to the Gunners 22-18, despite forfeiting 5 points. It was the closest Canonsburg had come to los-

ing a match in four years. That Mike squad had two WPIAL runners-up: Davey Miller and Pete Ferretti. Basketball The Cumberland Township High School Redbirds’ first recorded basketball game was in 1913 and resulted in a 45-10 victory over a team called the Willow Tree 5. The following season they played Waynesburg High School and the Waynesburg College Academy and lost both games. The game at Waynesburg was a hard-fought 18-9 affair and marked the first game at the Red and Blacks’ new basketball facility on South Morris Street. It was on the third floor of the building that recently housed Hot Rod’s Restaurant. The Redbirds’ lineup included familiar local surnames such as Williamson, McMinn, Davis, Helmick and Crago. In 1916, they entered the first Greene County Scholastic Basketball Tournament and finished fourth. The following year the tournament added teams from Washington County and West Virginia and split into two divisions. Carmichaels entered in the B Division but failed to place. The 1917 team had a successful season, including a 40-15 rout of Rogersville High. Players on the team included Crago, Hartley, Call, two Mt. Joys and four Bailys.

GOLF TEAM Row 1: Matthew Wilczynski, Roland Burghy, Patrick Holeran, Domonick Colarusso; Row 2: Garrett Bogucki, Dustin Hastings, Dylan Rohr, Liam Lohr, Christopher Barrish; Row 3: Aiden Jakoby, Mason Lapana, Remmey Lohr, Nickolas Ricco, Coach Dave Briggs

FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP VOLLEYBALL

(Record: 10-2) AA Players of the Week throughout the season: Alexandra McGee, Emma Hyatt, Kendall Ellsworth, Sydney Kuis Class 2A Section 3 All-Section: 1st Team: Emma Hyatt, Sydney Kuis, Alexandra McGee 2nd Team: Emma Holaren, Nicole Ludrosky

VOLLEYBALL

MS SOFTBALL

“The best part about this season was bonding and playing with my team. This year has been filled with a lot of ups and downs and we weren’t even sure we were going to have a season; but I’m forever grateful that we did. This was a season I will never forget and I’m so glad we got to play this year and I’m so grateful to have learned many life lessons that will guide me, not only through volleyball, but for the rest of my life.” - Madison Ellsworth

Row 1: Emma Hyatt, Alexandra McGee, Nicole Ludrosky, Madison Ellsworth, Alizah Roberts, Sydney Kuis, Emma Holaren; Row 2: Macie Kraynak, Carlee Roberts, Emalee Meija, Aliyah Thomas, Grace Huggins, Jovi Blasinsky, Chloe Mitchell, Brookelynn Walker; Row 3: Karissa Rohrer, Ava Simons, Beth Cree, Mikayla Andrews, Mary Schmelzlen, Kendall Ellsworth.

Row 1: Ashton Batis, Carys McConnell, Bailey Barnyak, Ali Jacobs Anne Cree; Row 2: Kaylee Dickey, Allie Miller, Duski Staggers, Payton Plavi, Pacey Pratt, Marissa Yeager, Haylee Yeager.

(Record: 5-2) Top Rushers: Bailey Jones (874 yds) and Trenton Carter (327 yds)

FOOTBALL

GOLF

(Overall Record: 9-2; Section Record: 9-1) Section Champions WPIAL Championship: 3rd Place Liam Lohr, WPIAL Finalist Remmey Lohr, WPIAL Finalist

MS SOFTBALL

(Record:11-0) 8th Grade: Allie Miller, Ali Jacobs, Kate Waggett, Ashton Batis, Duski Staggers, Pacey Pratt. Marissa Yeager 7th Grade: Carys McConnell, Payton Plavi, Bailey Barnyak, Anne Cree, Kaylee Dickey, Haylee Yeager, Kaylie Rahl Scores:

Carmichaels 17 - 0 Avella (3 innings) Carmichaels 18 - 12 Jefferson Carmichaels 24 - 0 Beth Center (3 innings) Carmichaels 13 - 2 Waynesburg (5 innings) Carmichaels 20 - 2 Mapletown (3 innings) Carmichaels 12 - 7 Frazier Carmichaels 18 - 0 Avella (3 innings) Carmichaels 19 - 9 Jefferson (6 innings) Carmichaels 18 - 2 Beth Center (3 innings) Carmichaels 15 - 0 Mapletown (3 innings) Carmichaels 9 - 2 Waynesburg

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

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FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP VOLLEYBALL

RETRO ROCKETS

Wrestling espite the team not winning a match in its first year, the Jeffs had their first WPIAL champion in 1943. Charles Barno won the 95-pound crown that year. By the end of the decade, the team had records around the .500 mark. The 1945-46 team finished 5-3 and took seven boys into the semi-finals at the WPIAL Tournament at Waynesburg. However, a dispute of some kind occurred, and Jefferson withdrew all seven of their wrestlers from the tournament. The 1946-47 season was notable because they defeated Waynesburg for the first time. In addition, they lost to WPIAL Champion Canonsburg by a single point. However, injuries and illness beset the team, and they finished with a 4-6-1 record. In addition to Barno, the school’s WPIAL champions that first decade of competition were Joe Yourchek, 1945 (145) and Duane Cole, 1947 (88) . Basketball In 1896, Monongahela College closed its doors. However, a decade later John Stewart, a Monongahela alum, started Jefferson High

School. The first class of six students graduated in 1910. In 1907-08, the school’s first informal team was a basketball “quintet”. They practiced on the third floor of the old red brick college building. However, the teachers soon chased them out and replaced the area with a library. The sport disappeared until just before World War II when Julius Biery, Jr. was officially named as the basketball coach. However, the first unofficial team to represent Jefferson took the floor in February of 1914. They lost badly to a team from Waynesburg College Academy. The starters in that first game were: Eaton, Meighen, J. Smith, Minor, and Van Kirk. Six seasons passed before another team represented the school. They were winless in two games with Waynesburg and one with Carmichaels. Although they gave up 74 points to Waynesburg in the first game, they improved a great deal in the return match.

(Record: 4-8) Class A Section 2 All-Section: 2nd Team: Abby Ankrom 3rd Team: Neveah Dudas, Anna Uveges, Madison Wright Season Stats Kills: Anna Uvegus (81), Madison Wright (57), Savannah Kramer (47), Jessica Torres (41) Blocks: Anna Uvegus (18), Savannah Kramer (12) Assists: Neveah Dudas (117), Kayla Larkin (75) Digs: Abby Ankrom (169), Finley Kramer (93), Madison Wright (80), Maddie Call (74), Mia Baker (58) Aces: Madison Wright (27), Mia Baker (21), Finley Kramer (19), Abby Ankrom (18)

J-M MS SOFTBALL

J-M Middle School softball supporting Breast Cancer Awareness in October. L-R: Danica Grainey, Jaci Glover, Karlee Crockard, Ava Wood, Catelynn Teagarden, Brooklyn Snyder, Addy Teagarden, Addalei Larkin, Alyson Harris, and Kaelyn Martos.

FOOTBALL

All County Team: All County Team: Owen Maddich, Jonathan Wolfe, Colt Fowler, Logan Rhodes, Mason McNett, Andrew Vessels, Mason Sisler Top Rusher: Jonathan Wolfe (698 yds)

GOLF

Kyle Clayton was a WPIAL Finalist and Qualified for the PIAA Championships.

MS SOFTBALL (Record: 9-3)

MAPLETOWN MEMORIES

J-M GOLF Kyle Clayton was a WPIAL Finalist and Qualified for the PIAA Championships.

“The best part of the season was the last game against West Greene. Even though we lost, the game was intense and fun. It was a good way to end my senior season.” - Abby Ankrom

Wrestling he origin of wrestling at Mapletown is not exactly linear. The school started its wrestling program in 1937. The results were to be expected for a first-year team. The match against Cumberland Township ended in a lopsided 63-8 score. The following years saw sporadic attempts to create a program, but the efforts were hampered by numerous factors. However, by 1954, the Maple Leafs won the WPIAL Section I Tournament. They defeated Carnegie, Greensburg, Shaler, Latrobe, Jennette, German, West Allegheny, North Huntington and West View. They were coached by Roy Yanosh, who had been on Waynesburg College’s first wrestling team (1928). In 1955, Sam Minor was a PIAA State runner-up. He went on to wrestle at Penn State and finished fifth in the nation at 147 pounds. The Maples finished 10-2 for the 1955-56 season. In addition to Minor, the squad featured Ted Cree (138) (11-1 record) and George Lewis (185) (12-1 record). Lewis lost on a controversial referee’s decision to the vaunted John Vidovich of German Township in a much publicized and anticipated event. Another name very recognizable to local

wrestling fans appeared on the roster at this time. The legendary coach Buzz Walters was part of this successful era in Mapletown wrestling. However, 1955-56 would be the last season of wrestling for the Maples for the rest of the decade. Basketball I.K. Teal, a Rices Landing native, learned basketball at Waynesburg College and brought the sport to Mapletown in 1910. However, the court was outside, and the “floor” was sawdust. Most schools refused to schedule outdoor winter games, so opponents were few and far between. However, the intrepid young men continued to practice year-round in case a game was scheduled. Finally, Coach K. Gordon revived the sport in Mapletown for the 1924-25 season. He coached for two years before John Lessner took over. The program had some outstanding athletes and did well. However, both Waynesburg and Carmichaels were powerhouses during this time and overshadowed their neighbor. Highlights included a 25-0 shutout of Beallsville and a 37-4 victory over Nineveh in 1928. That squad had many talented players including Gabler, Yanosh, Gapen, Messich and Furman.

FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP VOLLEYBALL

Class A Section 2 All-Section: 1st Team: Ella Menear 2nd Team: Macee Cree

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3rd Team: Riley Pekar, Krista Wilson

FOOTBALL

Top Rushers: Landan Stevenson (939 yds)

FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP

RAIDER RECALL

Wrestling n recounting the origins of one of the top wrestling programs in the state, it appears Waynesburg High School attempted to have a wrestling team in 1915. There is a photo of the team, but no results were found of any matches. In 1929, a group of boys at Waynesburg High School talked their teacher into coaching a wrestling team. A young teacher named Mr. Swart had wrestled at Penn State and agreed to show the boys some wrestling techniques. Only three matches were scheduled. The boys lost two matches to Morgantown High School, who had an established team, and beat North Union 25-0. It would be almost a decade before wrestling became a sanctioned sport. During the 1937-38 school year, Waynesburg started an official wresting program. It was coached by Waynesburg College alum Asa Wiley, who would helm the first five years of the future dynasty. That first season ended with a 2-4 record. They defeated Monessen twice (3115 and 33-15) but dropped home and away matches to both Carmichaels and Shadyside. Within a year, they would start a run as a wrestling powerhouse that continues to this day. The following season, they improved to 8-3 and had two WPIAL champions - Raymond “Bucky” Murdoch (85 lbs.) and Reed Huffman (95 lbs.). James Lechey and John Ross finished as WPIAL runners-up that year. Murdock would go on to win Waynesburg’s first PIAA state title that year. Wiley compiled a career record of 37-11-1 and won two WPIAL Team Championships. He also coached 14 WPIAL Champions and four PIAA Champions. Basketball In 1910, Lawson Bash was selected as manager of the Waynesburg High School basketball team. They participated in the Waynesburg College Inter-School League, which had started three years earlier. The team played its games on the roller rink

MBM MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL

he Lady Raiders finished their first fall softball season with a 3-7 record but gained valuable experience against tough competition. Pitcher Bayli Barclay struck out 12 batters and gave up only one hit against Washington in an 11-0 win. Gina Tedrow struck out 10 and allowed one hit in the second win over the Lady Prexies. The other win came against Bentworth when

floor on South Morris Street (The building that recently housed Hot Rod’s Restaurant). They played Wash High twice and Washington Academy once that season. They won all three games with a lineup of: Lawson Bash, Allen Hill, Carl Headlee, Edgar Frye, and Jack McCullough. The following year, they played each of the previous opponents once. The Wash High game was a thrilling 14-12 win. The 1912-13 season was mediocre because all the games were on the road, because the roller rink/gym was sold in 1912 and turned into a Vaudeville theater. After two years, the theater owners sold the building to the Waynesburg High School Athletic Association, who remodeled the site into a permanent basketball venue. On January 9, 1915, Waynesburg High School defeated Cumberland Township High School 18-9 in the facility’s first game. The schedule that year also included Bridgeville, Hickory, Canonsburg, Greensburg, Claysville, and Washington. J. Inghram Hook was hired as the first official basketball coach for the 1916-17 season. That season saw the high school shut out the Waynesburg College team 21-0. They lost only two games that year. The following year the team moved their games to the Armory and finished 14-1. After losing the opener to Washington, the squad finished the year unbeaten including avenging the loss to Washington. Paul Ross was the star of the team and went on to play at Pitt the following year. The following year was a rough one against a topflight schedule of Ambridge, Charleroi, Canonsburg, Crafton, Washington, Fifth Avenue and the Pitt Freshman team. In 1919, Waynesburg College hosted the Basketball Championship of Southwestern Pennsylvania at the Armory. There were two divisions, and all the high schools in the TriCounty area were invited. Waynesburg defeated Washington in the Class A game, while Claysville beat Blacksville for the B Championship. Both Carmichaels and Rogersville participated in the B Division.

Brynn Lahew scored on a walk-off hit by Emily Pace. Three players batted over .400 on the season including Mikalynn Good, Aidan Snider and Breanna Kerr. In addition, Tedrow (.375), Lahew (.364) and Faith Long (.370) also had great seasons at the plate. Joey Barchiesi, Jaydon Laskody, and Pace led the team in on-base percentage. Breanna Coon had five stolen bases on the season.

VOLLEYBALL

(Overall Record: 13-2; Section Record: 11-1) Section Champions WPIAL Playoff #5 Seed and Semi-Finalist For the first time, WCHS Volleyball won a first-round playoff match this year. They defeated Seton LaSalle in straight sets to advance; in the quarterfinals, they beat section rival Frazier for the third time in the season after the Commodores upset #4 Deer Lakes in the first round. The game was arguably the Raiders best performance of the season. They dominated with scores of 25-14, 25-15, 25-19 to win again in straight sets. They fell to top-seeded North Catholic in the semifinals. Class 2A Section 3 All-Section: 1st Team: Emma Robinson, Cayla Rush, Sarah Stephenson 2nd Team: Riley Bowers, Paige Jones “My favorite part about being a part of the Waynesburg Central Volleyball team is we always stick together and lift each other up win or lose. In the first round against Seton LaSalle, we started off each game losing but we never gave up. Even losing by seven points, we were able to come back and win every set by sticking together until the end. We always work as a team and find a way to lift each other up instead of pointing fingers. Being a part of such a good and supportive team is what I love most about this group

and why I think we have made it so far in the playoffs.” - Sydney Jones

FOOTBALL

All-Century Conference Team: 1st Team: Luke Maley (OL) and Nate Kirby (LB) 2nd Team: Breydon Woods (RB) Honorable Mention: Darnell Johnson (QB) Top Rushers: Breydon Woods (538 yds) and Darnell Johnson (344 yds)

CROSS COUNTRY (BOYS & GIRLS)

(Overall Record: 12-3, Section Record: 7-3) WPIAL Meet: 10th overall Gabe McConville finished 1st in each meet and was the number one runner in the section. He also placed 15th at the WPIAL Meet. Other members of the team were Travis Tedrow, Aiden Pell, Kyle Pester, Ryan Desrosiers, Anthony Kutcher, and Kendrick Wesley.

GIRLS SOCCER

Ashlyn Basinger was named to the AA AllWPIAL Team.

GOLF

(Record: 8-2) They were a perfect 5-0 on their home course and earned a WPIAL playoff berth.

VOLLEYBALL

CROSS COUNTRY

Row 1: Morgan Stephenson, Lily Rush, Riley Bowers, Sydney Jones, Emma Robinson; Row 2: (Red Jersey) Paige Jones, Taylor Lohr, Ryleigh Watson, Emma Kindervater; Row 3: Madison McMaster, Jordan Dean, Keelan Sprout, Abbigail Kidd, Sarah Stephenson, Karlee Hogue, Cayla Rush.Row 4: Coach Higinbotham and Assistant Coach Shannon Morgan.

L-R: Coach Derosier, Coach Pester, Coach Brandstetter, Ryan Derosier, Kendrick Wesley, Anthony Kutcher, Gabe McConville, Josie Morgan, Emily Woods, Kaitlyn Pester.

GOLF TEAM Row 1: Jacob Thomas, Braden Benke, Aiden Moore, Kristin McCall, Evan Davis; Row 2: Jacob Frye, Hayden Church, Matthew Ankrom, Hudson Boris, Dawson Fowler, Carson Teagarden; Row 3: Coach Chad Teagarden, Coach Jamie Moore, Coach Dave Fowler. GreeneScene Community Magazine •

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JACKET JOURNALS

Wrestling he Yellow Jackets’ program began in 1928 under head coach J.M. Miller, who coached the squad until 1942. His career record was 48-41-6. The first season the squad won two and lost one match. The first full season was 1929-30 and the team wrestled six matches - two each with Marshall, Gettysburg and WVU. They finished 2-3-1, losing to WVU twice and splitting with Marshall. Future coach Ace Wiley wrestled 165 for that team. In the Jackets’ third wrestling season in 1930, the team did not fare well, but Ace Wiley lost only one match. The teams in the first half of the decade were competitive, but overmatched. Their first winning season was the 193435 campaign. All the losses were to nationally ranked teams, including WVU, Kent State and Case University. During the 1936-37 season, one of the wins was against the University of Miami (Florida) on a snowy January Saturday at the Armory. The most interesting story of the period occurred in 1936. The team had graduated most of its wrestlers after the previous season. A “public tryout” was held in

the Armory after the basketball game with Glenville in mid-January. The first scheduled match with WVU had been postponed to February 28 to get enough team members. The event was apparently successful given the team’s results. They ended up defeating Pitt 29-5 in a warm-up match for WVU. At that match, the referee was Al Gwynne, the WVU coach and a resident of Carmichaels. The Jackets ended the season 6-2, losing only to WVU (17-13) and national power Kent (26-8). The story gets even better when the team traveled to Kent for the individuals for the Interstate Wrestling Championships. Guy Tornabeane (155) was undefeated on the season and won the tournament. John Sullivan (175) (2nd), Fred Bartoletti (165) (3rd) and Bill Cummins (Heavyweight) (3rd) helped the Jackets get into the final four with Kent, Akron and Case. By virtue of their finishes, all four men qualified for the Olympic Trials the following week at Lehigh University. However, all were quickly eliminated because they had no idea there were different rules (Greco-Roman) for Olympic wrestling. The Jackets closed the decade with a 3-3-1 record.

The losses were to three of the top teams in the country: Kent State, Franklin and Marshall and Kansas State. The tie was against the University of Ohio. Basketball At the turn of the century, basketball was primarily a girls’ sport at Waynesburg College. The men were concentrating on football and baseball and showed little interest in roundball. Mrs. Nettie Iams Whittles, whose husband had brought the game of football to the college, taught basketball to an eager audience of young women. Wearing stockings, bloomers to the knees, and blouses with sleeves to below the elbows, these enthusiastic young women became extremely popular with audiences. Well into the 1920s, they were often part of a doubleheader with their male counterparts. Women such as Edna Faddis Stephens, Hilder Mortenson Baily, and Gertrude Harvey were hoop stars before the first World War. Most of the games were played at home because of the problems of sending women to stay overnight without appropriate chaperones. Then, during the 1902 Christmas break, some of the males thought there was too much of a layoff between football and baseball. The school brought in Fred Hatch from Oberlin College to be the new Athletic Coach. The boys’ team was set up to practice on the fourth floor of the main building and the girls played in the Armory. In 1904, Lloyd Pollock, Sam Iams, Frank Hoover, and Ross Burns decided to recruit some friends and find a manager to organize a team. Soon after, manager Chauncy Parkinson decided his team was ready for outside competition. He arranged a sled to take the team to West Virginia University on a snowy Saturday in January. The team had only practiced on the attic floor and were not prepared for the “glass like floor” that awaited them in Morgantown. At times, the boys were afraid to move for fear of falling. The final score was 81-12. To make matters worse, the following day the snow had melted, and they had to walk home. The following two seasons, there were some unofficial exhibitions played. The Waynesburg Republican first recorded a Waynesburg College game on November 11, 1905. The team defeated Waynesburg Business College 26-8. The game consisted of two 15-minute halves. In the return game a week later, the Business College was victorious. The games were played on the top floor of Miller Hall in an area known as “the Chicken Coop”. It was so named because chicken wire had been nailed to the rafters to keep the ball in play. Another trip was made to Morgantown that year with slightly better results. The team boarded a riverboat in Rices Landing and played an afternoon game. This time, the score was 42-15 in favor of the Mountaineers.

The first official college team defeated the Washington Scholastics 48-27. The Scholastics were W&J students, but their school had not officially recognized the team. In 1908-09, Edward Martin became the school’s Athletic Director and organized the first real basketball schedule outside the immediate area. The squad defeated three other colleges and lost their only game to Honus Wagner’s traveling professional team from Carnegie. One of those victories was a 40-17 win against W&J on January 23 at home. In addition, they upset Carnegie Tech, the team that was favored to win the Western Pennsylvania Championship, by a score of 37-28. In the starting line-up were forwards John Ross and J. Inghram Hook, guards Lloyd Pollock and Carl Biddle and center Harvey Andrew. Hook would go on to become the first basketball coach at Waynesburg High School and a venerable judge in the county for decades. They played big games at the Armory on Washington Street until there was a problem with the lease. In 1909, the games were moved to the Ross Building on South Morris Street. In addition to the men’s team there were two women’s teams - a dorm team and a town team. In one reported game the dorm team won 18-7.

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PIONEER PAST

Wrestling n 1947, Center Township High school sent seven boys to Waynesburg to wrestle an exhibition match. None of the boys won his match. The West Greene Pioneers started their official wresting program in January of 1960 after several scrimmages. They wrestled only three official matches that season under coach Carol Dodge. The first match was against Mapletown – a 40-5 loss. After a 2-point draw in the middle weights, Jack Patterson got the program’s first win with a decision at 180 pounds. The squad lost another 44-4 decision to the Maples later that season. They also lost to Waynesburg’s B team. In 1963, Lynn Hamilton became the first Pioneer to represent the school at the WPIAL tournament. However, by the 1963-64 season, the Pioneers would become extremely competitive. That year, they went 8-6 and even beat Waynesburg 39-9. The following year, they had an 11-3 record, losing only to Waynesburg, German Township, and Uniontown. Their best year came during the 1965-

66 season when they won 13 matches and lost only to Waynesburg. Basketball In 1914, Waynesburg College alum John Lively organized a basketball team at Rogersville High that started playing games in a broom-maker’s garage. Although the school did not officially recognize the team, they played an ambitious schedule. They faced the men of Company K and Spragg Hill, as well as Waynesburg and Nineveh High Schools. Reid Bristor was the star of the team, and he led a band of “ball hawks” in Whyte, West, Stahl, and Bland. In the 1915-16 season, they finished the regular season undefeated, including a win over a powerful Waynesburg High School team. However, they settled for the bronze at the County Tournament when Waynesburg got revenge in the semi-finals. The following year, a team of Scotts, Crouses and Phillips did well; however, the lack of a gym caused interest to wane for many decades.

GREENE COUNTY COUNTRY CLUB

raig Conklin aced hole number 5 at the Greene County Country Club on September 22. He used an eight iron from 140 yards.

Craig Conklin retrieving his hole in one ball.

2020 Club Championship: Winner: Kellen Haines Runner-Up: Brian Shimek 3rd (tie): Craig Conklin & Chris Haines

VOLLEYBALL

3rd Team: Sophia Plock

FOOTBALL

Top Rushers: Colin Brady (538 yds), Corey Wise (324 yds)

L-R: Club Championship - Craig Conklin (Third Place) , Kellen Haines (Champion), Chris Haines (Third Place), Brian Shimek (Runner-up)

MOUNTAIN STATE YOUTH LEAGUE SEASON

he Mountain State Youth League recently completed its season with its Championship Weekend. West Greene won the 3rd and 4th Grade Division (B) when they defeated Mannington by a score of 21-0 in the title game. Morgantown defeated Westover in the A Division. Bobtown and Albert Gallatin also made the playoffs in the B Division, and West Greene, Bobtown, Jefferson and Albert Gallatin all made the A Division playoffs. In the Flag Division Division (Ages Kindergarden to Second Grade) the Bobtown Bulldogs won the Championship and finished the season undefeated.

T Bobtown’s Cayne Yoders reaches for Jefferson’s Jaxon Corazzi in a Mountain State Youth Football League game. Credit: Twisting Lens Photography.

Greene County Country Club (Club Championship NET): Winner: Scot Moore, Runner-Up Jonathon Bortz (not pictured).

Email it to sports@directresults.us or submit it online at www.GreeneSceneMagazine.com/submit/newsreleases/.

ROHANNA’S GOLF COURSE COURSE

he 2020 season is drawing to a close at Rohanna’s Golf Course. This year’s club champion was Brian Virgin of Waynesburg. The winner of the First Flight Division was Greg Stoner of Waynesburg. The Tuesday Night League concluded with Trevor Pincavitch winning the Primary Hole-in-One Prize by acing the 170 Yard 13th Hole. The accomplishment was witnessed by Kevin Pincavitch, Greg Leathers and Bill Nelson (pictured on right).

Hometown Heritage is brought to you by the dedicated sponsorship of First Federal Savings & Loan of Greene County. www.firstfederalofgreene.com 30

L-R: Member Guest Tournament - Charlie Riggs and Lance McIntire (Runners-up) and Austin Shelstak and Scott Bedilion (Winners).

Have a sports or outdoor accomplishment to share?

FALL SPORTS ROUNDUP Class A Section 2 All-Section: 1st Team: Elizabeth Brudnock, Jersey Wise 2nd Team: London Whipkey, Mackenzie Wise

2020 Member-Guest: Winners: Austin Shelestak (member), Scott Bedlllion (Guest) Runners Up: Charles Riggs (member), Lance McIntire (Guest)

Home Office: 724-627-6116 Waynesburg Drive-Thru: 724-852-2203 Washington Office: 724-228-9005 Taylorstown Office: 724-225-8942 Carmichaels Office: 724-966-5053 Uniontown Office: 724-437-2861 Uniontown Drive-Thru: 724-430-2889 Mount Morris Office: 724-324-2700

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

FEBRUARY HOLIDAY I 2020

HOLIDAY I 2020

â&#x20AC;¢ GreeneScene Community Magazine

Lighting up the Night S

ave the date and plan your visit to Downtown Waynesburg from 4 to 8:00 pm on Friday, Dec. 4, for the 12th annual LightUp Night and Holiday Open House, sponsored by EQT and presented by Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful. Serving as the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season, the event will feature shopping opportunities, entertainment, seasonal foods and fun for the whole family.

Things may look a little different this year, but a mixture of in-person and virtual activities will fill Light-Up Night with cheer and festivities. Returning are many favorites like the free wagon rides, caricatures, and pictures with Santa. “This special evening has become a holiday tradition for many people in the area, reminiscent of an old-fashioned Christmas, with all the sparkle and magic of small-town America,” says event chair JoAnne Marshall of Greene County Tourist Promotion Agency. There will be plenty of shopping available, both indoors and outdoors. Fire barrels will be lit along Washington and Church streets for holiday shoppers to pause for a visit and warm their hands. One of the most popular activities of the evening are the horse-drawn wagon rides by Rocky Ridge Acres, which offers free rides all evening. “With the generous sponsorship of EQT, nearly all the activities are free this year. Take a ride through the decorated parks and streets of town in a horse drawn wagon, enjoy the shopping opportunities, get a free caricature drawing by artist Jeff Harris… there is so much to see and do– and it’s for the whole family,” says Jeanine Henry, president of Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful. New this year, a Holiday Market will start at 4pm until 8pm. Local crafters, artisans, and vendors will have items for sale along Church and Washington streets. An event map will be released on Facebook on December 1 to help guide shoppers through the festivities. Lippencott Alpacas will also be at the festivities, and although they won’t have any live alpacas with them this year, they are bringing plenty of alpaca apparel, accessories, yarns and gifts – all make great gifts this holiday season! Beginning at 10 am, sections of Washington Street and Church Street will be closed to motorized traffic. Due to pandemic regulations, High Street will not be closed to traffic this year. Vendors will be open at

4pm and activities start at 5pm with Santa & Mrs. Claus on site to welcome children, visitors and shoppers alike. At 6pm, there will be a tree lighting ceremony for the big Christmas tree that graces the front of Greene County Courthouse. The tree lighting ceremony will be held in person and live on the Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful Facebook page. Attendees are asked to maintain social distancing and wear face coverings during the ceremony and the event. Special thanks to the Waynesburg Moose Lodge for acquiring and decorating the tree with assistance from WaynesburgFranklin Twp. Vol. Fire Co. and the County of Greene. Free, socially distant pictures with Santa will begin after the tree lighting ceremony and are provided by McMillen Photography at the Greene County Courthouse with the 1925 American LaFrance Fire Truck from the Waynesburg-Franklin Twp. Vol. Fire Co. (weather dependent). Treat bags will be available for the first 200 children, compliments of First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Greene County. For children unable to attend, Santa will be sharing a message on the Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful Facebook page. As in previous years, a caricaturist will be there to draw your free holiday keepsake. To minimize crowding, tickets for the caricaturist Jeff Harris, wagon rides and photos with Santa will be distributed to minimize lines at each activity. The tickets will be for the time to enter the line. Distribution times for the caricaturist will be at 5:00pm and 6:30pm; distribution times for the wagon rides will be 4:45pm and 6:15pm; distribution times for photos with Santa will be at 5:30pm. and 6:45pm. Mark your calendar and watch for the specially decorated store fronts to remind you as well. Downtown merchants will be lighting and decorating their windows to compete for cash prizes, sponsored by Community Bank. The competition will be judged the evening of November 30 with the Community Choice virtually voting on Facebook following the completion of judging through 10 p.m. on Friday, December 4. Virtual events will correspond with downtown activities on the Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful Facebook page. If you can’t make the event in person or prefer to avoid gatherings of people at

this time, the virtual events are perfect for participating from home. The tree lighting ceremony will be broadcast live via Facebook, as will a special message from Santa, and additional coverage. “We ask that all attendees maintain social distancing and wear face coverings to help protect our community and businesses,” shares JoAnne. “If you feel sick, please refrain from attending and watch the virtual content on Facebook.” She adds, “Please respect parking restrictions due to pedestrian safety and utilize the Waynesburg Borough public parking lots. These parking lots will be identified on the event map.” Jeanine adds, “Restaurants and businesses may alter their operations to safely accommodate the volume of shoppers

during the event. Please have patience and help us keep our community safe and our businesses open while you Buy Local, Buy Greene.” Normally, the day after Light Up Night would be full of additional holiday celebrations – namely the Christmas Parade through downtown Waynesburg. This year, the parade has relocated to the Greene County Fairgrounds and those that attend will drive their vehicles through a parade route to view the stationary displays. This event starts at 2pm.

Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful with EQT Corporation present

Light-Up Night Historic Downtown Waynesburg

Friday, December 4

Tree Lighting Ceremony @ 6 pm

4-8 pm: Holiday Market & Music Holiday Open House

Unique & hand crafted gifts, plus great deals on apparel, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, specialty foods, & more.

5-8 pm: Caricatures Horse Drawn Wagon Rides 6:15-8pm: Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus

waynesburgpa.org

GreeneScene Community Magazine •

HOLIDAY I 2020

Shop local for a chance to WIN gift card and merchandise!

Take the Challenge this Holiday Season!

Support Local

1. Shop or dine at one of the participating locations

November 28 - December 20, 2020 in Greene County, PA. See a complete list of participating locations at www.VisitGreene.org/challenge.

2. Collect 12 stamps by making a purchase or e a purchase in When you mak y , $0.67 of ever Greene County u e. So when yo dollar stays her can y Greene,” you “Buy Local, Bu te t and help crea ac p im g bi a e mak live in. a community to pandemic The Covid-19 esses to is causing busin ore than ever. struggle now m

are counting s e ss e n si u B ll a Sm t’s show them on all of us - le y mean to our how much the community!

HOLIDAY I 2020

• GreeneScene Community Magazine

completing a task at the location. One stamp per person per visit.

3. When you earn 12 stamps, complete your contact information and turn the form into your 12th location. 4. Repeat for more chances to win the grand prize! Winners will be notified on Dec. 22, 2020.

www.VisitGreene.org/challenge 724-627-8687 Facebook: @VisitGreene

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Sharing Goodwill at Kiln to Table

ith the holiday season peeking around the corner, the spirit of giving is growing weekly. One local restaurant is spreading the spirit of giving early this year as customers are buying meals for those in need. Kiln to Table, opened by Jennifer Adamson, has been bringing its homemade fresh food to Waynesburg for just over a year. She didn’t know it at the time, but her establishment would turn into a hub for those wanting to give back to the community. During the past year, her customers have been buying gift cards and leaving them behind for those in need to purchase a meal. “One of our staff members, Kelly Beale-Kraich, presented the idea to us when she wanted to leave a friend a gift card at the restaurant,” shares Jennifer. “The ‘You’ve Got Mail’ campaign began, and people have been leaving personal notes and gifts for friends and strangers.” Customers have continued to come into the restaurant and purchase gift cards to leave on the You’ve Got Mail board. Once the gift cards are added to the board, anyone in need can come take one of the gift cards to cover their meal. People of all backgrounds have been receiving the meals, whether they’re from friends or a complete stranger. “The majority of our guests buy gift cards from us, then creatively address the envelopes with descriptions of intended recipients,” Jennifer says. Recipients include “veterans, single mothers, a person who does a good deed, needs a smile, and so on.” If you are in need of a meal, Jennifer invites you into her

By Zack Zeigler

restaurant to spend one of the gift cards and make sure that you get a delicious hot meal. “If someone is in need of a meal, they can go to the wall and choose from the marked envelopes,” Jennifer says. “Then they can use that card to purchase a meal to cure their hunger.” As an owner, these acts of charity from her customers warm her heart. She has always known that the people of Waynesburg and the surrounding communities were charitable and is delighted to see their giving nature. “Our customers have always been generous on so many levels from their daily support of our business, our customers, and our community,” Jennifer shares. “It is a gathering place and promotes giving the best of ourselves.” If you want to donate a meal, visit Kiln to Table The You’ve Got Mail board is full of pre-purchased gift certificates bought for those in need to receive a delicious homemade meal at Kiln to Table. and ask to purchase a gift certificate. Inform the staff how you would like the card addressed and they will pin it up for you. This opportunity is a perfect way to help support those in the community that are suffering from limited funds in the community, as well as support a local business. You can visit Kiln to Table at 325 S. Richhill Street in Waynesburg, Wednesday through Friday from 8 am to 7 pm and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm. Their menu includes homemade food and local coffee fer. Coffee and handcrafted pottery pieces are also available and espresso drinks, specialty milkshakes, and local desserts, for sale. You can visit Facebook @kilntotable to see their daily much of it served on handcrafted pottery created by Jenni- specials. GreeneScene Community Magazine •

HOLIDAY I 2020

â&#x20AC;¢ GreeneScene Community Magazine

Small Businesses Build Our Community

his year, small businesses all over the world have been hit hard by the on-going pandemic. Many of them were unprepared for the changes the pandemic would create – customers shopping from home and utilizing online shopping and deliveries, restaurants limiting capacities, and the dangers a new virus presents. Businesses are suffering and need the support of their local communities to keep them from closing their doors permanently. Now, more than ever, it’s important to support your local small businesses during the upcoming holiday shopping season. Small businesses support local economy and communities in more ways than you realize. Every time you purchase a local item or participate in a local event or class, you’re making a difference in your community. For every $100 spent in a local business, approximately $67 remain in the local economy. When spending the same at a non-local business, only $43 stays in the community. Across the United States, more than $9.3 billion would be directly returned to the economy if every family spent just $10 a month at a local business. Wages, taxes, and donations from local businesses also support the local economy. Small business donations and support help fund many of our local events, such as 50s Fest & Car Cruise, Light Up Night, and even the Greene County Fair. In fact, small businesses donate 250% more than large businesses to community causes and that makes a BIG impact for local charities, youth organizations, and local service groups. (Visit https://www.score.org/resource/infographic-small-business-charitable-giving-big-impact-local-communities for more information on small businesses and charitable giving.) Small businesses offer employment opportunities and committed employees. 56% of workers at locally owned businesses have high commitment scores compared to only

38.7% of workers at non-locally owned businesses. And because these employees are usually local, they have community ties that make them passionate about helping those in their community. This often is reflected in the customer service offered by local businesses; because they are part of your community, employees and owners are engaged with the customers on a one-on-one level and want to make them happy. They’ll work hard to ensure a positive experience. Shopping small is better for the environment. Many small businesses use locally sourced, recyclable, or use recycled materials in their business. This helps reduce their economic footprint; by purchasing locally you can help reduce pollution, processing, packaging, and transportation waste. Small businesses offer a unique selection of items. Among the many reasons people shop small, the majority say it’s the availability of unique products that keeps them shopping local. There’s no better way to sway shoppers to your own business than emphasizing what makes your business unique, whether it’s the merchandise you sell, the outstanding customer service you offer, or something different. Other reasons

Ways to Support Local Businesses • • • • • •

consumers shop locally include not finding the items from bigger businesses, supporting the community, trying new retailers, broader assortment of items, and innovative shopping experiences. Our quiet little corner of southwestern Pennsylvania has more to offer local shoppers than you may recognize. Spread throughout the county and its neighboring communities are specialty gourmet candy & baked good shops, several antiques & collectibles shops, handcrafted Americana gifts and décor, great deals on brand name fashions for men & women, organic foods, herbals, skin and health care, salons, pet & farm supply, custom computer stores, home decorating centers, seasonal flag stores, sporting goods stores, floral shops, gift shops, an independent book store, and more. Oh, and speaking of food… you can find plenty of delicious options to choose from: sizzlin’ steaks and BBQ, authentic Mexican, enchanting Chinese, kiln to table delicacies, homemade baked goods, a craft butcher shop, home-cooked cuisine, and so much more. It’s ALL right here! And don’t forget our local artisans! Greene County is home to a large creative community, including potters, painters, jewelry fabricators, soap makers, custom home décor creators, and more. While many don’t have physical storefronts to sell their creations, they often have online stores or can be found at the local vendor & craft events held throughout the county during the holidays. This year remember that “Shop Small” or “Buy Local” are more than just slogans for many businesses. It could be the difference between being open or closing their doors forever.

Instead of buying restaurant gift cards to major restaurant chains, purchase gift certificates for local restaurants. While eat-in arrangements at your local restaurants may be limited, most are now offering the option of curbside delivery or carry out. For holiday flower arrangements, grave blankets, and other floral needs, purchase from one of our local flower shops or nurseries instead of a national brand. Look towards local artisans for unique and creative handmade merchandise that is one of a kind, as opposed to commercially produced items. Write a review for your favorite small businesses on social media. Online reviews are high stakes for local businesses, and a radiant review will attract other local shoppers. Want to buy local for someone living outside our area? Give the store a call. Many local businesses are willing to ship your purchase to wherever you’d like it to go.

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

H STATE SENATE H

Representing Beaver, Greene and Washington counties PAID FOR BY CAMERA FOR SENATE

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HOLIDAY I 2020

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Small Business Saturday

lack Friday? Forget it. Crowds, traffic, common merchandise on sale for a few hours so everyone can fight over it. It’s just too crazy and overboard… and often not the value you think. Definitely out. On the other hand, “Small Business Saturday” is much more appealing – and a great way to kickoff your holiday season shopping. Going strong more than a decade, Small Business Saturday was introduced by American Express in 2010 as a contrast to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores. Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize businesses that are small and locally owned during one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year. And according to American Express, “In 2019, shoppers came together to support their local communities more than ever. The 10th Annual Small Business Saturday hit a record high with an estimated $19.6 billion in reported spending.” We’ve got plenty of awesome small businesses in Greene County and its neighboring communities, and if you haven’t been “shopping small” recently, you will be pleasantly surprised at the variety and affordability you’re going to find when you do. Make that discovery on Saturday, November 28 by checking out the unique shops all over our little corner of Pennsylvania. Make Small Business Saturday a part of your annual holiday shopping tradition and be a part of the Shop Small Movement supporting business all year around. You’ll have more fun shopping small than at the mall when you visit any of the towns in the Greene County area that feature local businesses! You’ll find better stuff, better deals, and MUCH better service… Try it and see!

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HOLIDAY I 2020

ometimes it feels as if social media has taken over and - love it or hate it- a strong social media presence is an integral part of running your small business. In today’s fastpaced, digital world, social networks are often the quickest way to communicate with customers and reach new people. Moreover, social networks are still growing; with a projected annual growth of 25% over the next 5 years, social media is more than a passing trend. Some may be hesitant to tackle the Goliath social media has become with all the lingo that can feel intimidating; engagement, reach, ads, posts, algorithm, audience, analytics – it sounds like a lot of work! And it can be, especially in the already overloaded schedule of a small business owner. This is one of the biggest reasons building a social media presence gets neglected – there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to squeeze this in between all the other things small business owners juggle every day. Clara Warner, a creative specialist on Direct Results’ digital team, shares insight on how important social media is for your business. Clara shares that deciding whether social media is worth it is something owners have to decide for themselves. “Creating a community online through social media can do great things for your company like increase brand awareness, strengthen brand loyalty, humanize your company, boost website traffic, generate leads, grow sales, reach new audiences, and the list goes on. Building a strong social media is by no means the only way to accomplish these goals but has become a tried and true way for those willing to dedicate the time.” For business owners that don’t have the time, there are different ways small business owners can solve the problem of time. “If you want to handle it all yourself, schedule one afternoon each month to create a content calendar so that everything is set for the next month. You won’t have to put huge effort into posting when your schedule takes over because you’ve

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already created all the content! You’ll just spend a few hours each week interacting with followers,” says Clara. If your goal is to have it taken off your plate completely but don’t want to put a lot of money into it, Clara suggests utilizing a college student majoring in social media communications as an intern or hiring a part-time employee specifically for the task. “These solutions may not be perfect, but they do let you move social media off your plate and on to someone else’s,” says Clara. If you want to hand off social media and see big results, hire an external social media team to manage your accounts and alleviate the looming stress. Partnering with an agency has many benefits, the biggest being their expertise in all things social media.“Many people are familiar with the basics of using social platforms for personal use, but social media management teams have the specialized knowledge that will give you great results in a shorter amount of time,” says Clara. “It’s literally our job to stay up to date about the latest tricks and trends and know what specific strategies will help you reach your goals.” She also notes that their specific knowledge of how to track, analyze, and interpret data collected to adjust strategy and capitalize on successful tactics. “Direct Results is a great example,” states Clara. “In addition to being a one-stop-marketing shop, our digital team gives clients the secrets to social media success, helping them to become a leading authority in their field, create an overall positive digital presence, cultivate and interact with an engaged fan base, and establish your brand in your community.” It sounds like no matter which path you take, if you haven’t invested in your social media, the time is now! Direct Results lets you focus on your business while we focus on your social growth. Give us a call at 724-627-2040 today.

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