Holiday #2 GreeneScene 2018

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018 • GreeneScene Magazine

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

Dear Santa, My name is Jaelyn and I am 7 years old. I have been a good girl this year because I help my Mom do the dishes, I wash the windows, and I clean my room at home. I have a couple of Christmas requests.

Could you please bring me a pair of rollerskates, some dolls, doll clothes, and LOL dolls?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I am going to put out milk and cookies, plus something for my little elf to eat. I will feed the reindeer some carrots. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Jaelyn Litten Dear Santa, My name is Kaitlyn and I am 6 years old. I have been a good girl this year because I help Mommy in the kitchen and I let my sister Hailey borrow my special blanket that I’ve had since I was a baby.

I would love if you could bring me a couple of special Christmas gifts.

Could you please bring me an art kit and a unicorn stuffed animal? The last thing I want for Christmas is to have a happy year!

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will try to be asleep when you come. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Kaitlyn Courtwright HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018 • GreeneScene Magazine

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I Love this P l a ce

aking Greene County back to the frontier days is an adventure in itself, as layers of time are peeled back to reveal that the “one street town” of Mapletown and surrounding areas has an impressive number of “firsts” to brag about.

That flashing light on State Route 88 six miles south of its intersection with Route 21 is a touch of modern bling, but don’t be fooled. The county’s frontier history begins right here, when Col. John Minor, (17441833) “the father of Greene County” arrived in 1764, three years before the Mason Dixon Line was cut to separate the colonies of Virginia from Penn’s Woods. Turn left and you’ll be in historic Greensboro on the Monongahela River. Turn right and you’ll be in equally historic Mapletown, perched half a mile above Whiteley Creek, where this story begins. Col. Minor crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains from London County, Virginia, passed through Redstone Fort (now Brownsville) then came here to make a “tomahawk improvement” on hundreds of acres of wilderness that was still considered Virginia. His claim stretched around Whiteley Creek and while he was there he made a separate claim for his brother William and another for good friend Zachery Gapen. His companion Jeremiah Glassgow explored the lands around Dunkard Creek and made a claim for himself near Mt. Morris that he had to fight an “interloper” for when he returned the next year to settle his tomahawk improvement.

According to historian LK Evans, Col. Minor built a “snug cabin” on Whiteley Creek, then, like Glassgow, went back to Virginia to fetch his bride and first son Otho, William and Zachary and their families, along with mill equipment to build the “first flouring mill west of the Monongahela River.” Indigenous fighters burned it during “Lord Dunmore’s War.” Undeterred, Minor built another of stone across from his cabin and added a sawmill, both powered by the waters of Whiteley Creek contained in a millpond and channeled to the wheel through a millrace. His sons and grandsons would continue milling for generations, first with water and later, with steam.

No part of the mill or the homestead remains, except for an old photograph from the 1880s. A later photo shows the covered bridge that spanned the creek in the early 20th century. It too is gone. Now, when you leave Mapletown and drive to the edge of the creek you can watch the coal train rumble by, taking coal from Cumberland Mine to Alicia on the Monongahela River.

But in those early days of frontier hostil4

These stone pillars are all that remain of the covered bridge.

ities between England, France and the native people who were being displaced by these first settlers, Minor, with his “Colonel’s commission from the Governor of Virginia, was recognized by all the settlers as commander in chief of all the militia in the territory.” Evans, a native of Monongahela Township was a reporter for the Waynesburg Republican during the Civil War and wrote a series of articles for the paper in 1875 - 1877 that are considered “the most authentic and interesting account of pioneer history in Greene County.” His admiration for Col. Minor is understandable – the man was a force to be reckoned with, in charge of building forts in every settlement and leading “flying brigades” of men who would engage those who would “ambush by day and surprise by night”, pursuing them across hills and valleys, driving them back across the Ohio River to the unsettled territories. His cabin doubled as a fort and he had a conch shell, which “did signal service when alarming the neighborhood of dangers both real and imaginary.” After the Revolutionary War, his reputation as a community builder and defender continued to grow as the land in this south corner of Washington County developed its own body politic. Minor became Justice of the Peace of Cumberland Township in 1781 and became political when he and his neighbors began agitating to become their own county. He ran and was elected to the state legislature on that platform in 1791 and fought for six years to make it happen. So yes, he is the father of Greene County!

Meanwhile, on the hill above Minor’s

MAPLETOWN, PA

by Colleen Nelson

The Mapletown covered bridge spanned Whiteley Creek in the early 20th century.

Mill, Mapletown, like Greene County had yet to be born. In the History of Mapletown, Malinda Minor notes that George Debolt patented “White Oak Flats” in 1786, paying seven pounds, eleven shillings and six pence for the land.” When Stephen Mapel and his young family came to the area from Middlesex County NJ in 1788, he did more than give his name to the town that was beginning to spring up above Whiteley Creek. His son Robert would someday purchase land on nearby Dunkard Creek that would be known as Bob’s Town, then later Bobtown. Robert built a flourmill, carding mill and general store and, according to Malinda Minor is credited with being the first to discover oil in the county.

When Stephen Mapel’s son Benjamin sold some of the family farm to trustees for a church in 1797, the family’s surname was well affixed to the village that, in its hey day after the Civil War would have a hattery, a thriving assortment of stores, an inn and a post office, along with “a copper, stock dealers, carpenters and gunsmiths.”

The inn is still standing, its two log cabins hidden from the outside by wooden siding. Known as the James A. Minor House, it was the first private residence in Greene County to be placed on the Pennsylvania Inventory of Historic Places. Its pedigree was well researched by James and Carol Minor after they purchased it in 1971 and the land has been traced back to George DeBolt and the first part of the building to 1803. By 1812 it was a tavern and legend has it that a Confederate deserter was murdered in the inn.

More certifiable, the rolling hills around the town were cleared for cattle and sheep and then like now, some farms had their lanes opening right onto the one road through town. In time, Mapel Town morphed to Mapletown and by 1924 a yellow brick high school was built on that one main street for the students in the southeastern corner of the county. Once nearly every farm had a place where the family dug coal out of the hills as another cash crop, later, when the big coal mines opened the boom times brought jobs and prosperity to local convenience stores.

As the mines began closing in the latter part

Charles Barb’s service station and Ford dealership sat across the road from his dairy farm.

GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

of the 20th century, Mapletown businesses downsized and the town eventually lost its last store in 2016 when owner Bobby Watson died. But the land here is beautiful, well suited for cattle and remains a cozy collection of families held together by school pride, a love of family history and weekly get-togethers at Mapletown United Methodist Church on Main Street just as it begins to dip down to Whiteley Creek.

When I got my invitation to explore Mapletown with Lorraine - Lori Beth - Adams, whose paternal Barb family has lived there “for the last 200 years!” I was on my way to an adventure into the past that is still visible from a four-wheeler on a muddy Sunday afternoon after church.

Lori Beth’s recollections of growing up helping out on Grandpap Ewing Minor Barb’s family farm on Mapletown Road give a glimpse of early to middle and late 20th century small town living, complete with family photos of great grandfather Charles A. Barb’s service station and Ford dealership across the road from his dairy farm where the family now runs cattle. Another photo shows the old general store that once sat at the corner of the farm lane. As a freshman at Waynesburg College in 2006, Lori Beth did an his-

torical essay on her hometown that earned her a high grade and preserved day-to-day details of growing up here and knowing all your neighbors.

I got to talk to her grandmother Constance – Connie - Barb and enjoy the view from her front porch, overlooking the barnyard across Mapletown Road to the hills above, where Lori Beth says “people pause as they are walking or riding their bikes just to say “hi”. Grandma’s swing is a place to sit and watch the sun dance in the shadows and across the cows as they graze, where you can hear the football announcer on Friday night even if you don’t go to the game. You know when there are fireworks because the superintendent - whose dad worked in the hayfields with Grandpap as a teenager - lets you know so you can make sure your animals are okay being so close to where the fireworks are set off.”

I almost stayed late enough to see those shadows. After hill climbing with Lori Beth and her mom Minda Adams to see where Route 88 once ran across their pasture to come out beside the high school driveway, wheeling across muddy creek beds to see where clay was once dug to make Greensboro pottery then climbing to a stunning view on

The remains of old Rt. 88. The road once traveled along what is part of the Barb farm.

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018 • GreeneScene Magazine

the top of the hill that makes Mapletown look like a town under a Christmas tree than back again for pizza with Grandma Connie and more family tales, I headed home with

the setting sun, filled with the down-home energy of Mapletown just the way it is today – a living family history told with a generous smile on the banks of Whiteley Creek.

Jack Keener holds a picture of what his home used to look like when it was the school. Once a two story building with “two up and two down” classrooms, it has been carved down to a one-story residence. Next door is another historic artifact – the teachers dormitory, now a private home as well.

This unnamed general store used to sit on the corner of the lane to Charles Barb’s farm.

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G ree n e Sce n e of the Pa st

hen it comes to local legends, Bobby Watson of Mapletown is definitely one. He was the last owner/operator of Watson’s Store and is still remembered by those who shopped there for his ever-present baseball cap, stogie and big smile. And of course, for that nice cold bottle of Coca Cola pulled out of the water of the old school cooler that he kept filled as long as he was in business.

I found this photo of the inside of the store, complete with Bobby and his stogie, on the wall of Connie Barb’s home. That’s her sitting beside him, surrounded by walls of memorabilia and family photos that Bobby collected over his decades of being open for business.

Bobby Watson’s life followed the course Mapletown has taken over the years and the changes that came to town, as coal became king and miners’ paychecks kept little country stores like his viable.

When Bobby died in 2016, this piece of living history went with him, but his memory of a life well lived in a town that loves him remains.

At Mapletown High School he was a top athlete in the 1940s, with four letters on his sweater, according to the story Lori Beth Adams wrote about her neighbor for a local paper in 2006. Bobby spent his high school days working part time in the Watson family store “a little up the road” from the one that now sits empty at the corner of Mapletown and Maple Ridge roads. His grandmother Plezzie Tanner operated the original store and “she sold a little bit of everything.” When Plezzie decided she didn’t want to run a store, Bobby’s parents Robert and Mable took over and Lori Beth reports Bobby remembered closing the store at 5 p.m. to go to dinner and having sister Betty May coming in to keep it open until closing time. In the mid-1950s the

Watsons moved their store to its final location. Bobby had already left for the Air Force and by the time he returned home his family had bought the building and inherited its history and its clientele.

There was a post office in the store when the Ceavengers operated it, although the original post office for Mapletown was in an even older store across the road at the edge of the lane that lead into to Charles and later Ewing Barb’s farm.

Bobby remembered getting his family mail there from box 13 as kid and when the post office closed decades later, the old brass mail boxes were stored away to make room for the mini-supermarket of goods the Watson family sold to their neighbors and the coal miners who passed through Mapletown on their way to work.

The store stayed in the family for the 30 years Bobby did construction work, while wife Virginia and mother Mable kept the doors open. Later, when it was just Bobby, the doors stayed open for neighbors and friends like Connie and her family and whoever might pass by.

Watson’s Store was a living museum of what made up old country stores – the old ice cream freezer, the water filled pop cooler, the signs for Salada Tea on the screen door, the newspaper clippings that celebrated high school triumphs, the “Vote Lee Watson for District Justice” sign endorsing Watson’s son Lee when he ran for office. Bobby was known to remove that cigar from his mouth for church at Mapletown United Methodist,

and in later years a rocking chair placed near the door made the store his living room as well. The yellow metal sign on the old screen door that reads “Thank you - Call again.” was something his neighbors heeded and every day was the right time to visit. As the years after the coal boom brought empty shelves, there was always bread, milk, a rack of videos, the

by Colleen Nelson

A current photo of Watson’s Store.

newspaper and cold Coca Cola in the cooler for sale, waiting for any neighbor who might stop in.

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@greenescene.com with GreeneScene Past in subject line. The GreeneScene Community Magazine can even scan your original in just a few minutes if you bring it to our office. We are particularly interested in photos of people and places in the Greene County area taken between 1950 and 1980, though we welcome previous dates, too.

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018 • GreeneScene Magazine

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By Colleen Nelson

t’s the kind of little country church that’s within walking distance for many of the parishioners who live in Mapletown, not that walking to church is that fashionable in today’s world of family cars and places to go after services that might include a run to town. On the Sunday that Lori Beth Adams invited me to attend and later, meet her neighbors, the parking lot was full and so was the Mapletown United Methodist Church, filled with a lively assortment of kids, their parents, grand parents and related kith and kin. A photograph of this same congregation in the 1950s hangs on the wall near the front door and many of the children in that photo were back today as happy grandparents, helping keep an eye on the family flock.

“See that little girl with the dark hair, that’s my mom Minda,” Lori Beth Adams tells me later, pointing to a back row. “We all grew up in this church.”

Her son Greer, just turned two, was busy trying to stay in the seat beside me, an impossible proposition no matter how hard he tried.

A scattering of little toy trucks were on the pew between us and relatives took turns rounding him up and bringing him back to his seat while the congregation listened to scriptures, passed the silver tray to fund work on the stained glass windows, sang, prayed and sang again.

This is a church whose congregation goes back to frontier times, when the Redstone Circuit was formed in 1784 and Methodist preachers were appointed to Western Pennsylvania.

The congregation met outside of town on Whiteley Creek, according to the church history I was given to read after services. Historian L.K. Evans states that Stephen Mapel’s son Benjamin sold some of the family farm to trustees for a church

The congregation of Mapletown United Methodist Church in the 1950s. The photo hangs on the wall of the church.

in 1797 but doesn’t say where. Walking and horseback riding to church back then brought parishioners from Greensboro to this original Redstone Circuit preaching point, but as Bishop Asbure wrote in 1803 he was “stiff and sore” from walking down the “rugged, perpetual hills” between Mapletown and Greensboro. By 1820, Greensboro Methodists, tired of trudging up the hill, formed a church of their own in Glassworks and by 1833 the present circuit was established in Mapletown. Services were held in a log cabin school on Whiteley Creek “near the present home of Francis Bigley.”

Today’s church sits on land in town that was deeded to church trustees in 1887 by Mary Minor and “a building was erected shortly thereafter.” I didn’t see any photographs of it hanging on the wall but church history tells us about the money that was raised to build it. The Greensboro Graphic reported on November 11, 1886 that “$1000 of a needed $1600 had been raised for the building of a proposed new church in

Mapletown.” – and that the first pastor to serve in this first church was Reverend John C. McMinn.

By 1919 there was a parsonage and in 1922 work began on the present church. Ten years later, despite the Great Depression, the church was raised up and a basement was added. By 1951 a kitchen was in place as families grew with the times and church suppers became part of the social fabric.

In 1968, the Greensboro flock came back and merged once again with Mapletown. The vote was unanimous.

Lori Beth introduced me to her neighbors after service and bits of the history of Mapletown were offered up for the story I was writing. In the lively portrait I took of the congregation filling the doorway, you can just see the big church bell that sits on a pedestal and gives forth a joyous peal when rocked to life by an energetic young parishioner.

Later I visited Jack and Jean Keener who live in the old town school on Maple Ridge Road and read some of the history Jack has kept on school days before the yellow brick high school was built.

Once a two story building with “two up and two down” classrooms, it has been carved down to a one-story residence. Next door is another historic artifact – the teachers dormitory, now a private home as well.

In Mapletown, history is alive and well, old buildings are happily maintained and so is its frontier faith in the “true Christian spirit of brotherhood and fellowship.”

Sunday services start at 11 a.m. and boots and cowboy hats, kids, friends and even a reporter are welcome!

Dear Santa, My name is Harlee and I am 6 years old. I should be on the “Good List” this year because I share my toys with others. I would love if you could bring me some special Christmas gifts. Could you please bring me some horse toys? I can’t wait to sit on your lap sometime soon!

Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Harlee Phillips

Current congregation of Mapletown UMC.

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

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Fit to a Tea

By Danielle Nyland

s a little girl, Dianne Toothman spent a lot of time longingly staring at her grandmother’s china set. She says that’s what started the passion that would grow into a hobby and then a business. “I love glassware. I love china. It all goes back to the set my grandmother had. I loved to look at it, but it was pretty rare that we got to use it,” she says with a smile.

As an adult, Dianne still has a passion for glassware and china.

Combine that with an interest in sewing, and Tea Bags was formed.

It started small and unnamed more than 20 years ago, while her children were young. Dianne and her sister-in-law would go to GC Murphy’s and purchase inexpensive tea sets, put them together with accessories they sewed, and give them as favors for their children’s birthday parties. Last spring, with a craft show approaching, she decided to put together some bigger, nicer sets to sell and her quest began.

Putting the sets together takes time and plenty of hours searching antique shops, thrift stores, flea markets, auctions, and yard sales.

“It’s like a treasure hunt,” Dianne says. “Often it starts with just one piece. I find a basket or a teapot, or even some vintage fabric and then I start looking for pieces that will work with it.” She pauses, “Once in a while I’ll even find a whole set, but that’s rare. Those are a real bonanza.”

Once the initial piece has been found, it can take Dianne weeks or even months to find all the right pieces to make a tea set. She looks for pieces that will work together and once the set is complete, starts sewing the accessories to go with it. Once in a while, she gets extra lucky and finds a great vintage fabric, like one she found with kitty cats. “Vintage fabric is very hard to find,” Dianne states. “But luckily, there’s a great selection of modern fabrics available that work perfectly.”

Creating the fabric accessories is where Dianne gets to be really creative. “It’s a very creative process. I get to use all those really nice

sewing techniques that I’ve learned and add lace, rolled edges, and other accents.”

Each tea set has a minimum of two matching cups, but often Dianne finds sets that may have an odd number of cups. Whenever that happens, she likes to keep the sets together and not break them up.

Each set also consists of a child’s apron, an 18” doll apron, napkins, and tablecloths. Sometimes there may be additional items like a tray or sugar bowl. Each set is unique. She also creates smaller doll-size tea sets.

“I have the wonderful images of parents, grandparents, with their children, spending time with them and playing with the tea sets, lost in a fantasy world. People will send me pictures of their children playing with their set and that’s the biggest reward,” Dianne shares.

“I love the idea that the children get to play with their own beautiful china. It’s something that they can feel comfortable with. It’s not meant to be put away and only used on a special occasion. If something happens to it, it’s not a big deal.”

Dianne’s tea sets are available for purchase at The Perfect Arrangement & Lily Bee’s in Waynesburg.

This tea set was built around the vintage kitty cat fabric Dianne found.

Dear Santa, My name is Bentlee and I am 6 years old. I have been a good boy this year because I am always nice to my brother and sister, Austin and Harlee.

I also try to help people up if they fall down at recess. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me a big panda stuffed animal, a little monkey, and an Imaginext set with Michaelangelo?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will leave a note for you to read on the table. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Bentlee Phillips HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018 • GreeneScene Magazine

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The Amazing Journey of a SiMple Shoebox Gift

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he journey starts at home, when the shoebox packer decides the age and sex of the box recipient. Then items are chosen that are appropriate for the recipient. After the shoebox is filled, it is delivered to a drop-off location within the community. Volunteers inspect and prepare the shoeboxes for international shipping.

While working, the volunteers stop every hour to pray for the children that will receive the shoeboxes. The majority of the shoeboxes are sent overseas, while some stay in the United States and are delivered to Reservations. They travel by air and boat and eventually end up in the hands of children that need them through outreach events.

From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to bless children in need around the world. Parents often use the project to teach their kids about giving. Families are reached, churches grow, new churches are started, and communities are transformed. A simple shoebox given to one child could in the end touch many lives from their family, friends and community.

The 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 doing shoeboxes since 2010 when they filled 62 boxes. From this point, the number of shoeboxes completed has

increased each year: 2011 - 100, 2012 – 132, 2013 -170, 2014 – 205, 2015 – 231, 2016 – 255 and 2017 – 282. This year the six churches continued their work of providing more shoeboxes and finished with 305 shoeboxes. The churches continue to work together with a common goal in mind and make each year more successful than the last.

The work would not be possible without the generosity of some very special people that are dedicated to making the event a success. Lisa King, Church Relations with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child helped the ministry team obtain 192 plastic shoeboxes and provided suggestions for things that could be included in future shoeboxes.

Christine Hainer, Area Coordinator with Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, donated notebooks, loose-leaf paper and sharpeners. Julie C. Gatrell, Coordinator at First Church of the Nazarene (drop off location in Waynesburg) was given a donation for postage and handling of boxes – the donation was allotted to the UMC boxes and will cover part of the shipping expenses. Julie also worked for crates to carry the boxes to the next step in their journey.

If you are interested in helping next year, please contact Susan Christopher at susanc14@ windstream.net or Julie C. Gatrell at 724-833-3387.

The shoe boxes ready to begin the next step in their journey. L-R: Sue Rice, Marjie Shaffer, Audrey Duke, Debbie Summerson, Francie Wrenshall, Nicholas Wrenshall, Ferd Dolfi, Susan Dolfi, Debbie Carroll, Pastor Brian Carroll and Susan Christopher. Not pictured: Lynda Smith, Skip Smith and Cindy Horn.

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Dear Santa, My name is Carter and I am 6 years old. I have been a good boy this year because I help feed and take care of my sheep.

I would love if you could bring me a couple of special things.

Could you please bring me a Batman set and an electric guitar?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I have a countdown calendar to help me know when it is Christmas. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Carter Barnes GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

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Wreaths Across America

By Lauren Bertovich

ecember graces us with beautiful lights, complimentary colors and childhood joys. It carries with it moments of good will that inspire tiny miracles to happen. Everyone knows this is one of the busiest times of the year but there are those who still find time to volunteer their services to make great things happen.

The holidays are better when shared with families, friends and loved ones. Right now, in thousands of homes across America, someone is missing from these family gatherings because they volunteered for our country and our freedom.

They placed their own needs aside even when it cost them their lives. They are honored by making sure their memory remains and their stories are told.

On December 15th Laurel Point Cemetery in Carmichaels and Greene Mount Cemetery in Waynesburg will join over 1,400 other cemeteries across the United States to be part of the Wreaths Across America ceremony. It is a ceremony to remember our fallen heroes and to honor them for making the ultimate sacrifice. 2018 marks the first year that a ceremony will be held in each of the 50 states. The event sets an excellent example

for young people; by involving them in the process they set their own needs aside and see that something much larger than themselves can be accomplished. Wreaths Across America enlists the help of groups like the boy scouts, Civil Air Patrol, schools, and civic clubs to teach younger children about the values typical of most veterans; loyalty, duty, honor, selfless service.

The Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club has been in charge of this event for the past 8 years at Laurel Point Cemetery and each year they have met their goal by placing 339 wreaths atop the stones of fallen veterans. Andrea Semenoff, current president of the Carmichaels Women’s Civic Club and retired schoolteacher, says she would like to see more young women joining the group.

The group meets once a month from September to May and are involved in multiple activities and programs aimed at making Greene County a better place to live. Each month they recognize a girl from the senior class at Carmichaels High School for her outstanding achievements and goals. The club also sponsors a program known as HUGS that helps the homeless receive Hats, Underwear, Gloves and Socks. The Wreaths Across America ceremony is not the Civic Club’s only involvement

Wreaths placed in front of the monument at Laurel Point Cemetery. Photo courtesy of Andrea Semenoff.

with service members. Each year they send packages to deployed soldiers overseas filled with basic necessities like toothpaste and toilet paper to small reminders from home like beef jerky and Hershey bars.

“When the wreaths arrive from Maine it really is a sight. They come in on a large truck driven by a volunteer. Sometimes they arrive a day early or in the middle of the night and we must store almost 400 fresh wreaths until the ceremony and it takes the help of the community to do so,” shared Andrea. And the community jumps in – local volunteers along with volunteers from the local Scout troops will assist the Civics Club in placing the Members of Squadron 606 unpack the wreaths. Photo wreaths in the cemetery, as well as at the monucourtesy of Squadron 606. ments around Greene County.

The Greene County Composite Squadron 606 of the Civil Air Patrol will work alongside the Waynesburg VFW and other volunteers to place wreaths at Green Mount Cemetery. There is also a ceremony held at Waynesburg VFW Post 4793.

“Every donation and wreath sponsorship is a meaningful gift from an appreciative supporter who knows what it means to serve and sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of Wreaths Across America.

“We are so grateful to the community of Greene County, PA for participating in our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach.”

It is an amazing sight to see the blanket of evergreen wreaths placed carefully across the snowMajor Ciara Williams salutes the veteran. The veteran’s covered earth. Each wreath is hand-made from name is spoken aloud and he is thanked for his service.

Maine and is adorned with a big, red ribbon, the Photo courtesy of Squadron 606. color of love, and they stand out as if to represent the heart of each fallen soldier.

Holiday miracles are not getting the closest parking spot or not maxing out your credit cards before buying all your gifts. It is seeing a diverse country come together and thousands of volunteers nationwide come together to honor those who stood up for freedom. Remember the fallen; honor those who serve; teach our children the value of freedom. For more information on how to sponsor a wreath please go to www.

Members of the Carmichaels Womens Civic Club with Fred Morecraft, SuperintenWreathsAcrossAmerica.org. dent of Carmichaels Area schools. Photo courtesy of Andrea Semenoff.

Dear Santa, My name is Owen and I am 6 years old.

You will see that I have been a good boy this year because I listen to my parents and I follow the school rules.

There are a couple of things I’d like for Christmas. Could you please bring me a bike and a remote controlled car?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Owen Causer HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018 • GreeneScene Magazine

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GreeneScene

by Danielle Nyland

Dear Santa, My name is Colt and I am 7 years old. I should be on the “Good List” this year because I always stay on the green light for my good behavior at school and I also help my brother get his clothes down from his closet. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me a farmhouse and a fence to go with it? I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will leave carrots out for your reindeer and cookies with milk for you. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Colt Bissett

Co o l at Sc h o o l

JM PRIDE!

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o you have JM Pride? That’s the question that members of the Jefferson Morgan community have been answering in the past month. Jefferson-Morgan High Student Council has purchased two sets of letters spelling out JM PRIDE, an attempt to bring more community involvement to their school. Mrs. Jodi Fulks, the business/computer teacher at JeffersonMorgan is the sponsor for the Student Council, among other programs. Mrs. Fulks is credited with the idea for the letters as a play on the phrase, “Who has JM pride?” where she thought, “it would be cute if a family could, literally, have the letters JM PRIDE.” The student council purchased two sets of the letters for about $150 through an online store and soon there was a waiting list for families to get them. Each family has the letters for two days to take a picture and then it’s on to the next in line.

Some families even brought past graduates into their photos which Mrs. Fulks shares was, “something we did not expect but were pleasantly surprised with.”

The student council is trying to inspire a sense of community and hopes that the school as well as the locals feel proud of what they have been doing.

“School pride is important because we want our students to enjoy and love their school. We want

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our school to be enjoyable – somewhere that our students can feel safe and part of a community.

That way, hopefully, their sense of community will follow them in their future,” says Fulks.

Along with the JM Pride letters, the student council has freshman members Aidan Kern, Taryn Schmolke, and Nevaeh Dudas in charge of improving school pride with an activity or event each month. Schmolke says, “I enjoy going to JeffersonMorgan because, with all the different activities and

by Sevanna Shields

events that happen, it makes me want to come to school each day. Our Student Council has tried to make JM an exciting place to be. I love my school and I love being a part of our Student Council.”

The Council also does events/activities to benefit the whole community. For December, they will be taking on sessions of bell ringing for the Salvation Army and hosting a food drive for the school’s backpack program. They also will be hosting Letters to Santa for the elementary school, a winter spirit week, and a winter activity day for the students on the last day before the winter break.

The Student Council would like to thank their superintendent, Joe Orr, and their principal, Brandon Robinson, for allowing them the flexibility and

The Wood, Bedilion, Simkovic, Koratich, and Boyd families have JM PRIDE!

trust to create and organize so many events and activities. Both the superintendent and the principal attend every Student Council meeting and not only care about the council’s activities but about how the students perceive the school environment. The students of the council would also like to thank Mrs. Jodi Fulks for helping to organize and plan different events. Anyone from the community is able to sign out the letters and if you would like to take a picture with them you may contact Mrs. Fulks at jFulks@ jmsd.org. You may also share your JM pride by replying to their post on their facebook page, Jefferson Morgan Student Council, with the phrase “The ____ family has JM Pride!”.

The Dudas Family Does!

GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

Breakfast with Santa

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anta’s making his way to Greene County by air this month for a special event, but he’s not arriving by sleigh and reindeer. For this special event, he’s hoping to fly in on a white and red airplane, perfect for a pancake breakfast and pictures at the Greene County Airport’s Community Hangar.

The event - a partnership between the Greene County Flyers Club and Battle 4 Warriorz - will feature a pancake breakfast starting at 10am on Saturday, December 15. After breakfast Santa will be arriving in his plane – or maybe more conventional methods if the weather makes flying difficult – to take photos with the kids there. And that’s not all!

There will be a hot chocolate bar, plenty of games for kids, a coloring station, an ornament-making station, and maybe some other fun activities. The best part?

“The event is completely free,” says event organizer Kristie Volchko. “We wanted to do something for the community, something to bring the community out to enjoy, as well as spread the word about these two great non-profit organizations.”

Kristie, a pilot from Georgia, is a member of the Greene County Flyers Club and sits on the board for Battle for Warriorz. After hearing about a similar event elsewhere, she worked with both groups to bring the event to Greene County.

“We’ve organized the event solely through sponsors and donations,” Kristie shares. “Chris Polhemus is dedicating his time to drop off and pick

up Santa with his plane. We have a backup pilot that has also volunteered.” In addition to the volunteers, sponsors like Compliance Services, Microdiamant USA, and individual contributors have aided the event.

The Greene County Flyers Club, part of the SOAR in Greene County, is hoping the event will bring more attention to the airport and the services the Flyers Club offers. The club has classes to teach students how to fly, and members that already have a pilot’s license but no plane have access to the club’s plane for a special rate. “The club helps make flying affordable,” Kristie says. “We’re hoping that we can generate more interest in aviation with this event, as well as future events we’re want to have this spring and summer.”

Battle 4 Warriorz, the other organization involved, provides services to veterans in the area, as well as helping the community.

“There’s been a lot of interest in the event so far,” Kristie adds. “We’re hoping for a really great turnout so that we can do it again next year.”

Dear Santa, My name is Ellie and I am 7 years old. I have been a good girl this year because I help my Mom cook and I’m wellbehaved at school. I have a few Christmas wishes this year.

Could you please bring me a unicorn stuffed animal, a Squishy, and some LOL dolls?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will leave reindeer food out for your reindeer and cookies with milk for you. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Ellie Inmon

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

GCCTC’s 29th Annual Christmas Buffet

By Daneille Nyland

The Greene County Career and Technology Center celebrated another holiday season with their 29th annual Christmas Buffet, held on December 7th this year. This year, the 37 culinary students spent the days and weeks leading up to the buffet decorating the cafeteria and buffet area, as well as preparing delicious food for those that attend.

The process started months ago with planning; decorating started about 2.5 weeks ago, and the majority of the food is prepared the day before, with the help of two visiting chefs. Oliver Beckert of Trump International Hotel DC and Jeff Cecil of Sullivan University travel to the school and help the students create the perfect Christmas feast. Chef Cecil has been assisting the GCCTC students for about 4 years. This year is Chef Beckert’s second year working with the students for the Christmas Buffet, but he’s been working with the GCCTC students at Trump International since the inauguration of President Trump. ”Dan reached out to me about some of the students coming down to the inauguration to assist in the kitchen. I told him I would love that,” says Beckert. “I was really excited to have them. The ten students that came down really helped a lot. They helped make the amenities for each room, for about 800 – 900 guests.”

Some of the amenities students created included a basket of fruit, a basket of local cheeses, a custom dessert burger modeled after the Big Mac, and a boar of Pennsylvania Avenue with the capital, the White House and other buildings built out of

chocolate.

“When Dan invited me for the dinner last year, I made sure I made time to come. It was a lot of fun. The students even came back to Trump International to help with another event. It’s been a great experience for them. Some of them may even join us at the hotel in the future,” he adds.

Foods this year include several German and southern dishes. Beckert will work with the students to create salmon, sweet potato cakes, and potato and horseradish soup. Cecil will work with

the students in the creation of the southern dishes, such as Kentucky hot brown and that southern classic, grits.

The annual Christmas Buffet sees about 400 – 500 guests during the two hours it runs, with guests ranging from local to Butler, Morgantown, and even Kentucky. The event takes lots of careful planning and a lot of support. “Mr. Krupa gives us great support for the event,” says teacher Dan Wagner. “He gives us anything that we need to make the event a success.”

Students prepare food in advance of the banquet held the next day at Greene County Career and Technology Center.

Students decorate the hall and cafeteria for the banquet.

Chef Oliver Beckert of Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C. works with the culinary students to prepare for their annual Christmas Buffet.

Dear Santa, My name is Harry and I am 7 years old. I should be on the “Good List” this year because I help my Mommy clean the house and I clean my room. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me an Xbox One and a TV? I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will leave some cookies and milk out for you. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Harry Galloway

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

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UNITY MAGAZINE

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Old Schoolhouse Given New Life

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he old brick one-room schoolhouse across the road from Matthew and Alison Wilson’s place in Dilliner had sat abandoned for years. Originally part of the Donley property, this piece at the edge of their land was deeded to build a larger school for the community’s children. Some time after the end of its schoolhouse life, it is believed that the building was used as a church meeting site. In more recent years it sat vacated, but the Wilson family has changed that.

Matthew, a professor of animal science at West Virginia University, and Alison, a trauma surgeon at WVU, are not native to Pennsylvania.

Matthew Wilson grew up in Indiana while Alison hails from upstate New York. They met in Indiana, but parted ways to finish their schooling. A few years later, they reconnected. They got married and moved into their home in Dilliner in 2002. They currently reside there with their two sons, Hank (11) and Ben (9).

When the Wilsons first moved into their home, they noticed the old schoolhouse across the road. They kept an eye on the property over the next eight years as each pondered what they could do with it if they ever had the chance to buy it. That chance came in 2010 when the schoolhouse and the land it occupies became available at a tax sale.

They embraced the opportunity and purchased the property for $10,000. But they wondered… now that they had bought the property, what were they actually going to do with it?

At first, Matthew and Alison had very different ideas on what they could do with old building. Matthew had dreams of turning it into a large wood shop while Alison was thinking how nice it would be to have a guesthouse for visitors. They eventually abandoned those ideas and began to look towards turning it into a rental property. Before officially deciding which direction to go with schoolhouse, there were two structural issues that

By Stephanie Lampe

needed immediate attention. The roof leaked and there were bricks that needed repointed. So that is where the renovations began. The roof was patched to prevent any further damage to the building, the bricks were repointed so that the building would remain sturdy, and new windows were installed.

After accomplishing those things, the planning process began.

Over the next few years, the Wilsons met with an architect to plan out the renovations. In 2014, the major effort got underway. The roof was replaced, power lines were moved, and a septic system was installed. All of the original woodwork was removed, refinished then reinstalled. The hardwood floor was refinished. A full kitchen was installed. A two-story addition with a basement was built on to the backside of the schoolhouse. “The renovations cost us around $300,000,” Matthew shared.

Even with all of the renovations that were completed, they managed to save much of the original building’s interior. All of the woodwork, the wainscoting, front doors, a closet door, and the flooring are original. The wood floor is so authentic that, even after it was refinished, you can still see the burn marks from the pot-bellied stove and the wearing of the paths between the rows of desks.

“It adds to the character of the building,” Matthew said.

It has been a labor of love...and patience.

The old table on the first floor is the perfect example. Matthew believes that it was just a simple table, nothing special, put together quickly so it could be used. The table had a piece of graphite, or something similar, glued to the top. This top piece was removed and Alison painstakingly cleared away all of the glue. Matthew sanded and refinished it. Now it sits ready for use as a dining table.

When you first walk in through the double front doors, you immediately notice the deep, rich color of the woodwork and the open feeling of the

Inside the old schoolhouse, the wood floors have been saved and refinished and a modern kitchen installed. Near the table on the floor you can still see the original burn marks from the pot bellied stove.

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space. To the left is a sitting/TV viewing area. To the right, the restored dining table with benches for sitting. Straight ahead and across most of the backspace is a beautiful full kitchen, complete with modern conveniences. There is a dining island with stools, major appliances (refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher), a full set of stunning wooden cabinets, and a variety of small appliances. Off to the left of the kitchen is a closet/pantry.

After passing by the kitchen (on the right), you leave the original building and enter the new addition. To the left of the doorway are Jack and Jill bathrooms with a shower between. A wonderful touch to these bathrooms is that the outside brick wall of the schoolhouse was left intact to become the interior back wall of the bathrooms. Going further still, you see the first floor bedroom off to the left. The bedrooms each have a bed, dresser, and closet. In the middle of this area, steps lead down to the basement, housing the furnace and other interworkings of the building. Directly in front of the short hallway going past the bathrooms is the gorgeous wooden staircase leading to the second floor bedroom. The upstairs will eventually have its own bathroom. Adding to the nostalgia of the entire space are lovely antiques, placed throughout the home. From American flags, quilts, and old books to dressers, framed photos, and other antique pieces, the Wilsons have decorated the schoolhouse to reflect the rustic feel of the building.

“My wife has taken an interest in military memorabilia,” Matthew said when asked about some of the photos and other items. His wife deserves most of the credit when it comes to the decor. “Old stuff smells moldy to me,” he laughed, “but not to my wife.”

After hosting a few get-togethers at the schoolhouse and having family and friends stay overnight there, the Wilsons realized they want to use the property as more of an Airbnb and event space. The property boasts a spacious yard and

ample parking space. Matthew believes it would be a great place to stay for parents of college students or for people visiting the area for the fall foliage.

They still have a few things to do to get it completely finished and a website is in the works, but Matthew is pleased with this project. “We are glad we were able to save it,” he stated. And as a part of Greene County history, we’re glad the Wilson’s decided to save this little Dilliner schoolhouse, too.

For more information on renting the schoolhouse, please call 304-376-3563.

One of the bedrooms in the addition.

The living space. The table to the left was refinished.

The renovated schoolhouse features a two-story addition with a basement on the back.

GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

GreeneScene by Lisa Crawford

Congratulations!

Congratulations!

CROSSWORD PUZZLE WINNER

MYSTERY MONUMENT WINNER

EMILY COBAUGH of Jefferson, PA

ANDREA SEMENOFF of Carmichaels, PA Answer: Nemacolin

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Dear Santa, My name is Annika and I am 6 years old. I have been a good girl this year because I am kind to others. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me a real puppy? I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Annika Scapellato

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Back to Brock

ur article last month on Brock brought a lot of comments and feedback from our readers. One of our readers, Sandra Brock Grimes, shared the story of her early ancestors and their part in the history of the town of Brock.

The first Brocks that settled in this area were originally from Germany; they owned approximately 2000 acres of land in Greene County. The head of the Brock family in Greene County was William Brock II. The hamlet of Brock and the Post Office were named after William’s grandson, John Ashby Brock (b.1819). John was the Head Postmaster. The original Post Office stood about a mile north on Strawn Hill Road in Wayne Township. It was later moved to a location attached to Minor Stephens General Store in 1873.

The Brock family cemetery where John and his family are buried is located on top of the hill where the original Post Office was located. Hudson Brock, John Ashby Brock’s brother deeded the land for the cemetery to John and wife in 1880.

The Brock Family still passes down a story that ‘so long ago the memory of man now living knoweth not’, two brothers named Rudolph and

Postcard postmarked from the Brock Post Office from 1911.

They are addressed to Ina Headley, Sandra’s grandmother and first cousin to Alvah John Washington Headlee, who wrote the book Valley Chapel – a United Methodist Church.

Robert alighted on the land in and around where Brock and Spraggs now stand. It’s said that Rudolph Run was named after Rudolph and Roberts Run was named after Robert.

There are some Brocks still living here in the town of Brock, carrying on family traditions and history. Donald E. Brock is the oldest living Brock in the family; he’s 80 years old and lives on Hoy Run.

The Brock family cemetery on Strawn Hill Road where the old post office used to be.

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

Dear Santa, My name is Evan and I am 6 years old.

I should be on the “Nice List” this year because I am a good friend to everyone. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me a Nintendo Switch and new controllers for our XBox? I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will probably get up at like 4:00am. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Evan Shiflett HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018 • GreeneScene Magazine

GreeneScene

by Danielle Nyland

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Dear Santa, My name is McKenna and I am 6 years old. I should be on the “Good List” this year because I follow the rules and I sit in a “ready to learn” position at school. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me a girl kitten and a girl puppy? I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I’ll be going to my friend’s house to visit and then I’ll be back in time to go to bed, before you get there. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, McKenna Swartz Dear Santa, My name is Raena and I am 6 years old. I have been a good girl this year because I help my Mommy with my baby sister. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me some LOL dolls, an art set, and an LOL spray can?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will leave cookies and milk out for you to eat. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Raena Tharp

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

CASA Inaugral Class Sworn In

Replica of Proposed Memorial Park on Display

On Thursday, November 29th at 5pm at the Greene County Courthouse, the inaugral CASA class was sworn in.

CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocate, consists of volunteers assigned to children by the judicial system. They work with the children to gather information about their situation, recommend actions to the court, and help the children understand what is going on with their case.

Judge Farley Toothman led the inaugral ceremony. “I am for the child whose name no one remembers, who no longer attends,” he said during his emotional opening remarks. “This program is making, or at least helping, Greene County be a

great place to live.” Before swearing in the new members, attorney Adam Belletti ran volunteer Thelma Szarell through a mock questioning so that volunteers would better understand the importance of sitting in the witness stand on behalf of the children for whom they advocate. The inaugural class consisted of: Dina Bennett, Kara Compton, Bernice Fox, Christine Gardner, Renee Howard, Pamela Sanders, Joanne Sharer, Emily Stout, Thelma Szarell, Lyndsay Webb, and Tyler Webb.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please call 724-833-2615 or email greenecountycasa@ gmail.com.

L-R: Don Martin, veteran and member of the Greene County Salute to Veterans Committee; Greene County Commissioner Blair Zimmerman; Rick Black, veteran and member of the Greene County Salute to Veterans Committee; Dave and Rita Martin, who built the display; and Cindy Martin, Auxiliary member of the Waynesburg Veterans of Foreign Wars.

A replica of the proposed Memorial Park in honor of United States military veterans is currently and prominently on display in the front window of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County in downtown Waynesburg.

The display, which was built and donated by area residents Dave and Rita Martin, depicts the park that is being coordinated by the Greene County Salute to Veterans Committee.

Don Martin, a veteran and committee member, said the idea to build the park was born following the huge, positive impact of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, which was on display last fall at the Greene County Fairgrounds and visited by thousands of people.

Don Martin said the committee had received many donations for the Vietnam Traveling Wall display, and money left over is being used to fund the new Memorial Park that will honor veterans of all military branches in and out of the county.

Martin added that the committee has received and is currently receiving “a tremendous amount of support” from area businesses, service organizations, individuals and county officials – including the Greene County Commissioners – in bringing the plans for the Memorial Park to fruition. “This is a true community effort,” he said.

Martin also recognized Jim Hopkins, an area contractor who “has done a great deal of work” on the site. The park is being built on land donated by the Commissioners, near the county museum; Martin said the committee hopes to officially dedicate the park sometime in 2019. He added that the committee intends to sell blocks to the public for the Memorial Wall in honor of veterans, and the proceeds will be used to pay for park costs.

The display at First Federal will be available for public viewing indefinitely; Martin said he hopes the display will eventually receive a permanent home with a veterans’ organization.

The volunteers of CASA and families, Judge Farley Toothman, newly hired Program Director Rebecca Matchett and members of the CASA board attended the swearing in ceremony on November 29.

Operation Warm: Bobtown Elementary Operation Warm in partnership with EQT has donated 315 coats so that each student at Bobtown Elementary received a new winter coat. Representatives from EQT arrived at the school on the morning of December 7th to help distribute the coats to students. Each coat also was tagged with a friendly reminder: if you don’t need the coat, pass the donation along to someone that does or

return it and the school will donate it to someone in need. Teacher Amy Caldwell said, “We are overwhelmed with the generosity and wanted to share it with the community.” Bobtown Elementary and Southeastern Greene School District would like to express their sincere gratitude to EQT and Operation Warm for their generosity and thoughtfulness to our students.

Greene County 4-H Collects Toys

Greene County 4-H Clubs participated in the Holiday Open House in downtown Waynesburg on November 30th. They passed out hot chocolate

and cookies to attendees. They also participated in the Greene County Toys for Tots toy drive and collected toys for needy families.

Botwon Elementary welcomed representatives from EQT & Operation Warm to their school to distribute coats.

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Track the New Year!

The 2019 edition of the Greene Country Calendar, by Wendy Saul and Colleen Nelson, is now available! Just $15 each at many local retailers, including Waynesburg Milling Company, Specialty Herbal and Direct Results, Home of the GreeneScene Magazine, in Waynesburg. You can also find it at Thistlethwaite’s Vineyards in Jefferson and Gloria’s Ceramics in Rogersville. Featuring pen-and-ink drawings of many local scenes, the Greene Country Calendar makes a great gift - even if it’s a gift for yourself. If you can’t find one in your neighborhood, Colleen Nelson can be reached at crnelson@windstream.net. She’ll make sure you get one!

Greene County Flyers Club Accepting New Members

Volunteers Needed for Home Delivered Meal Program Blueprints is looking for volunteers to help with their Home Delivered Meal program, especially out of the Carmichaels area, which includes Carmichaels, Nemacolin, Crucible, and more. The schedules are very flexible – volunteer multiple days a week, one day a week, or even one day a month – anything helps! If you are a volunteer age 55+ you can also enroll in RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) which can provide mileage reimbursements, supplemental accident insurance, and more.

Warm Nights Greene County Warm Nights is a FREE overnight shelter providing a warm, safe place to stay on extremely cold winter nights. It’s open when temps are 25 degrees and below December through March. Guests can stay from 7pm to 7am and may arrive for the night between 7pm and 10pm. Located at the Greene County

Fairgrounds, cots and bedding are provided. Hot showers are also available. No pets are allowed.

The Greene County Humane Society will house animals overnight at no cost upon request. Must call to register by 4pm pm that day. No walk-ins are permitted. To register call 1-800-417-9460 or dial 211.

Bald Eagle Sighting Reader Cody Kuntz spotted this Bald Eagle along Icebox Road in Jefferson this November. “I had to pull over and take a picture of it because people would not believe it,” he said when he sent the photo. Although Bald Eagle sightings are still unusual in Greene County, the numbers are increasing. During the 1980s, Pennsylvania only had 3 Bald Eagle nest sites and now the state has around 300, with a nesting site right here in Greene. Hopefully we’ll get to see more of these beautiful birds as their population continues to grow.

If you’ve ever thought about learning to fly or already have a license and would like to start flying again, the Greene County Flying Club offers the perfect chance.They are currently accepting new members and offer two different memberships: a three month or twelve month commitment option. Members can fly the club

plane for a special rate – only available to members! They also work with groups that may need access to a plane for educational purposes. FMI, contact Max Loughman at 724-344-9693 or Dan Smith (724) 447-2721. You can also email flyingclub_info@gmail.com.

Blueprints Home Ownership Program If the home-ownership process intimidates you, or you aren’t sure which steps to take regarding home purchase – Blueprints can help.

Participants in the program will go through comprehensive counseling by a HUD-certified counselor dealing with all aspects of home ownership; from preparation, establishing a solid financial plan, credit worthiness, and becoming mortgage ready to maintaining the home foreclosure counseling, and even home owner education. This program “provides the skills necessary to allow

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all potential and current homeowners to coordinate with all available resources to help families navigate whatever stage of home ownership they may be in,” according to Kimberly Grewe, housing counselor at Blueprints.

The only mandatory guidelines for the program are that you must be a resident of PA and either a potential home-buyer or current homeowner. There are no income guidelines or fees for this service. To find out more about the program, visit www.myblueprints.org or call 1-877-8140788.

Double Trouble Reader Lisa Crawford of Washington sent us this interesting growth spotted in Waynesburg, PA. A young evergreen is growing in the forks of a maple tree. Lisa said, “I’ve never seen anything like this!” when she shared the picture in an email to us.

If you have a picture of Mother Nature creating some weird and wonderful accomplishment, send them in to the GreeneScene. Your picture could be featured here in our Message Board. Email them to info@greenescenemagazine.com.

Correction: Monument Winner Amber Donley was our winner for the monument contest in the November issue. Sorry for the incorrect name, Angela... we mean, Amber!

GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

Dear Santa, My name is Rylan and I am 6 years old. I have been a good girl this year because I watch and help take care of my baby brother. I also help my other brother, Darren, do the dishes. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me LOL Confetti Pops, LOL Under Wraps, and LOL Glam Glitters?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will leave cookies and milk out for you. There will be carrots for your reindeer. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Rylan Knight Dear Santa, My name is Malokai and I am 6 years old. I have been a good boy this year because I have been helping my brother work on his math. I have a couple of Christmas requests. Could you please bring me a police bike, a teddy bear, and a new phone?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! We will set up our Christmas tree and leave out some milk and cookies.

Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Malokai Phillips

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Dear Santa, My name is Violet and I am 6 years old. I have been a good girl this year because I stay on the green light at school for my behavior. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me a new dress, a real puppy, and a stuffed animal puppy?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I believe in you, Santa.

I will make some gingerbread and snowman cookies for you. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, V iolet McClain

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Little Food Pantries

By Danielle Nyland

early 5,310 residents of Greene County don’t know where they will find their next meal. The Greene County Food Security Partnership is working to help those more than 5,000 people find meals through community-provided services, the newest of which are the little free pantries available around the county.

Greene County offers many assistance programs to help food insecurity in the county; SNAP benefits are available, as well as the community food banks. The Greene County Food Security Partnership offers a monthly Produce to the People near the end of each month. Some people don’t qualify for those programs but still suffer from food insecurity – the little free pantries help bridge the gap between those that qualify for assistance and those that don’t but still need help.

“Food insecurity is a big problem,” said Maribeth Tarpley-Garrett of Greene County Human Services. “A lot of people don’t qualify for the typical forms of assistance like SNAP or food pantries. There are a lot of guidelines to meet. This helps those people that need that extra assistance but can’t turn to the other options.”

“There’s also a lot of pride when it comes to dealing with food insecurity. A lot of people don’t want to get help because of their pride. These little pantries are more anonymous and they can access them any time.”

The GCFSP partnered with the Greene County Career & Technology Center to build the boxes. The weather stable pantries are resistant to weather and watertight. They are stocked with non-perishable food items, canned goods, as well

as personal hygiene supplies, toiletries, household items and even activity books.

The four sites around Greene County organized the GCFSP – located at Bowlby Library, Flenniken Library, Aleppo Brethren Church, and Spraggs United Methodist Church – are each monitored and stocked by a community group that has taken them over after installation. The library itself initially monitored Flenniken Library’s little pantry, before Girl Scout Troop 52374 took it on as a project. The troop monitors the items in the pantry, checking for perishable items, expiration dates and packaging, as well as stocking it with supplies.

“We’ve seen a lot of activity with the box that was installed here at the library,” said Nicole Mitchell, Flenniken Library Director. “Just a few weeks ago, a man thanked us for having it because he was able to make a dinner when he didn’t think he would be able to. It’s been very helpful for the community.”

“Transportation plays a large part in food insecurity, especially in a place like Greene County where there isn’t a large public transit system,” added Maribeth. “We’re looking to expand into more pantries in the future so that they are even more accessible. If we can get someone in the community to support the pantry, make it a service project… it’s a good way for people to get involved in their community.”

If you are interested in starting a little food pantry in your community, contact the Greene County Food Security Partnership at 724-8525276. If you would like to donate goods for the pantries already available, please reach out to the organization monitoring the pantry near you.

Dear Santa, My name is Tyler and I am 6 years old. I should be on the “Good List” this year because I follow the rules at school.

I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me a Ford toy truck and a puppy? I will name the puppy after my teacher, as long as it’s a girl. I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Tyler Barnhart

Executive Director Nicole Mitchell and head of Children’s Outreach Brandy Schooley stand near Flenniken’s pantry.

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

Wishing you a safe and healthy Holiday Season. whs.org/greene

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2018 Christmas Parade

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Dear Santa, My name is Sara and I am 7 years old. I should be on the “Good List” this year because I help my sisters even when they are mean to me. I am also super good in school. I have a couple of Christmas wishes. Could you please bring me a drumset, a pair of tap dancing shoes, and a ballerina dress?

I can’t wait for you to visit on Christmas Eve! I will decorate my tree with a super sparkly star at the top. Merry Christmas Santa!

Love, Sara Gonzalez

he holidays have arrived! And the best way to get into the Christmas spirit in Greene County is to celebrate with the annual Christmas parade, held by the Greene County Chamber of Commerce on December 1 in downtown Waynesburg. The execution of the Parade was underwritten by First Energy Foundation.

85 entries appeared on Saturday representing various schools, churches, civic organizations, and businesses from all over the county.

The parade will be available for broadcast for those that had to miss it, WCYJ Television from Waynesburg University videotaped, narrated and edited the parade for broadcast on local stations.

WCYJ is a student operated television station under the direction of Bill Molzon. A broadcast date will be announced as soon as it is available.

Float Winners 1st - WWJD Christian Center 2nd - Seldom Seen Farm 3rd - Beallsville, Centerville, Richeyville Lions Club Most Original – Geene County Democratic Committee Most Spirit – VFW - Military Order of the Cooties Puptent 33 Best Design – Relay for Life of Greene County The “Miss Merry Christmas” winners were also selected at this annual Christmas celebration. The 2018 Miss Merry Christmas line-up is pictured here in front of the Greene County Courthouse. L-R: Elise Benke – Waynesburg Central High School, Makayla McNett – Jefferson Morgan High School, Tessa Mason – West Greene High School, Hannah Dusenberry – Mapletown High School, and Emily Menhart – Carmichaels Area High School.

The Greene County Chamber of Commerce thanks all those businesses and individuals who helped to make this year’s parade a success. Parade photos by Jeanine Henry.

Congratulations also to the Holiday Open House Window Decorating winners from the night before the parade. Window Decorating Winners: 1st – It’s About Time, 2nd – First Federal S&L of Greene County, 3rd – 5 Kidz Kandy, Nuttiest Window Display – Ruff Creek Crafts 7 Antiques, Community Choice – It’s About Time, and Honorable Mentions – The Fashion Shoppe & State Farm Paul Braddock.

1st place float winners WWJD Christian Center with their ‘Simply Jesus’ float.

A little rain didn’t stop the parade-goers from attending the annual Christmas parade in downtown Waynesburg.

2018 Miss Merry Christmas representatives

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HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018

Remembering Robena: 56 Years Later

By Danielle Nyland

On December 6th, a snowstorm raged through Carmichaels, while below ground a different type of storm was about to tear through the Robena No. 3 Mine. That day, two explosions ripped through Frosty Run shaft, taking the lives of 37 miners and shocking the community.

The first blast occurred around 1:05pm, the second occurring about 20 minutes later. According to a December 7 article from the Daily Courier of Connellsville, “workers in the corrugated structure got their first indication that something was wrong at 1 p.m. EST Thursday when the ventilator fan at the Frosty Run shaft stopped operating.

Shortly after that miners came rushing out of the shaft.”

Miners from as far away as two miles from the blast site said, “they heard a ‘thud’, some felt a rush of air. Some said the blast waves knocked their helmets off their heads.”

Some of the escaped miners would join the rescue teams that began to arrive on scene in hopes of rescuing the 37 trapped within the mine. Hope remained that the miners survived the explosions, although the odds were against them and no communication had been heard since the explosion.

Two of the miners trapped below were “crack rescue men” and hopes were that they would find an escape route.

Recovery operations began soon after the second explosion. Emergency equipment and supplies began to arrive, but with difficulty due to the heavy snow and strong winds. Many roads closed that night due to increasingly bad weather.

Families began arriving in the bitter cold about 8 hours after the explosion, once a place had been created for them to wait in safety. The families remained in the lamp house that housed the Frosty Run elevator and suffered the following hours waiting for news. “They were mostly silent. There was no weeping,” reported the Daily Courier.

The recovery process was extensive and timeconsuming, stretching from around 3pm December 6 to December 11, when the face area was finally ventilated and the last victim brought to the surface at 2:04pm. During recovery, methane and other gases were encountered, slowing recovery at times.

The 37 men that died in the explosion consisted of two production crews, each comprised of a continuous mining machine operator, two shuttle car operators for each crew, and two roof bolters, under the supervision of the production foreman.

Also in the area were 14 construction men and a foreman, 2 repairmen and a foreman, 3 engineers and 2 mainline transportation men.

They were working approximately two to three miles away from the bottom of the shaft, which was more than 600 feet deep. 53 loaded cars and one partly loaded car of coal were in the section; 63 tons of coal was swept from the cars as a result of the explosion.

The Robena No. 3 mine was part of an immense structure. No. 3, along with Robena No. 1 and Robena No. 2 spread across almost 70, 000 acres in Greene and Fayette County and employed 1,200 men. It was touted as the first fully mechanized mine in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Tunnels connected the three mines and they operated as one unit. After the explosion, work was halted at

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all three sites and would not resume until January 1963.

The Robena explosion is the second worst mining explosion in Greene County; the explosion at Mather mine in 1928 took the lives of 194 miners. Robena, along with an explosion at Farmington Mine, WV in 1968, were the catalysts for revised federal safety regulations. The loss of life due to unsafe mining conditions eventually resulted in the Federal Coal Mine and Health Safety Act of 1969 and led to the creation of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Before 1969, compliance with federal mine safety laws was voluntary.

In 2009, December 6th was designated as Miners Day by the Senate, “in appreciation, honor, and remembrance of the accomplishments and sacrifices of the miners of the Nation; and encourages the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities celebrating and honoring the contributions of miners.”

Greene County does just that every December 6, with an annual ceremony at the Robena memorial site, located off Roy E. Furman highway (Rt. 21) near the Hatfield Ferry power plant. During the ceremony, the names of the 37 men who died in the disaster, as well as two men that died in a previous explosion at Robena in October 1962, are read.

Speakers at this year’s ceremony included Marlon Whoolery (President, UMWA Local Union #1980), Edward D. Yankovich, Jr. (International Vice President, UMWA District #2), Levi Allen (UMWA International Secretary Treasurer), and Cecil Roberts (UMWA International President). An invocation and benediction were led by Father Rodney Torbic of Hidden Valley, PA. Wreaths were placed around the memorial and a roll call for the deceased minors was called before a Rifle Salute and Taps were led by VFW Post 4584 of Masontown.

December 6th not only marks the 56th anniversary of the Robena Mine Explosion; it also marks the 111th anniversary of the worst mine disaster in the United States – the Monogah, WV explosion that killed 362 men.

Ambulances lined up outside of Robena Mine No. 3’s Frosty Run Shaft on the day of the explosion. Photo courtesy Lonnie Miller’s Robena Photographs.

A newspaper account shows scenes from the mine, rescue efforts, and a list of men trapped.

The Robena Mine Memorial, dedicated to the injured and deceased miners of Robena Mine.

2018 • GreeneScene Magazine

Family members wait for news about the 37 miners trapped underground at Frosty Run Shaft while a US Steel employee sweeps the floor.

UMWA International President Cecil Roberts speaks to the crowd at the 2018 Robena Mine Memorial Service.

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HOLIDAY #2 - DECEMBER

2018