Holiday #1 GreeneScene 2018

HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

• GreeneScene Magazine

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

• GreeneScene Magazine

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I Love this P l ace

BROCK, PA

by Colleen Nelson

Students attending the Joint School in Brock in 1915.

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inding lost towns to write about is fun - get a map of Greene County and look for interesting names in bold letters scattered on the back roads from the Mon River to every part of this western corner of the state. I admit I chose Brock this month because it is on Rudolph Run and with Christmas just around the corner it made me laugh. Could this be the forgotten valley where Santa keeps his reindeer during the offseason? A quick look in the phone book lists some Rudolphs who still live in the county, so Santa is off the hook. Creeks were sometimes named after those who first explored the hills and valleys and towns tend to bear the names of a first settler. In the 1840s census for Perry and Wayne townships, Richard O. Brock heads the list and members of his family are on record as attending Valley Chapel Church of Brock since its earliest days.

Thanks to Alvah John Washington Headlee (19024

1990) who was born on Rudolph Run and went on to be a teacher, chemical engineer, consultant to the gas and oil industry and later in life a dedicated historian and family genealogist, this story has some great historical facts to pass on about early days in the land along Dunkard Creek where the Mason Dixon Line was drawn in 1767.

In Alvah’s book “Valley Chapel - a United Methodist Church” he notes that settlements where Rudolph, Hacklebander and Shannon Runs follow the valleys to Dunkard Creek near Blacksville “began immediately after the running of the Mason Dixon Line between Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania.” The 25-foot wide “visto” cut by the survey party ended on Browns Hill and it took 115 men to axe it. “On their return home eastward they spread stories of Dunkard Valley which was still virgin forest and settlement began immediately as settlers followed the Mason-Dixon visto.” They began arriving in

1770 and some of the farms on Rudolph Run were patented as early as 1773.

Straddling the creek between Perry and Wayne townships, Brock was born to serve the community with a grist and saw mill, blacksmith shops, a couple of general stores and by 1838, a Methodist church.

Brock began getting its mail from Spraggs in 1852 and by 1873 had its own post office in a small addition to the left side of Minor Stephens General Store. Its first and second postmasters were Daniel S. and John A. Brock. The post office closed in 1919 and all mail went to Spraggs, but a handful of postcards survived that are postmarked Brock, each a quaint glimpse into those first years of 20th century living.

Getting to Brock means leaving the main roads behind and jumping back a few centuries to a time when isolated crossroad towns were bustling community hubs.

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HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

The shape of the land has not changed although the times have. These steep hills and razor narrow ridges are not prime farmland, although those hardy British and German settlers who laid claim to the land made a go of it and raised generations of children to be hard working American farmers, craftsmen, teachers, preachers, soldiers, merchants and so much more.

Rural agriculture reached its peak in the mid1800s, with sheep and cattle on every hillside and barnyards of pigs, chickens, gardens and workshops.

Corn grew in patches on narrow creek floodplains and nearly every farmer was a skilled carpenter handyman, building cabins and later snug, well joined barns and houses.

When the 20th century came calling, the great grandchildren of these early settlers began leaving home for the industrial age. Brock gradually became a cozy cluster of well built old homes to be inherited by family members or sold off to newcomers seeking the quiet life, surrounded by the forests that reclaimed the cleared lands of the 1800s. Brock is only four miles from Blacksville and about eight miles from State Route 218. Interstate 79 in Kirby is ten winding miles away but be forewarned – the ridges surrounding Brock are steep!

I had heard that Jeffrey Baun, retired engineer and antique clock repairman lives in Brock, so I called him up. He told me why he chose to move to the country some 30 years ago and commute more than 100 miles a day to his job in Pittsburgh.

“Peace and quiet,” he admits. “I didn’t like the way the old neighborhoods were changing, so we moved to Brock. The paycheck I was drawing at my old job was three times what I could get here, so I commuted for 27 years. Now I fix old clocks. It’s something I enjoy doing on my own time.”

Does he know county historical handyman Bly Blystone? Of course! The two of them worked together to get the big clock atop the courthouse running and then fixed the old one that was discarded inside the cupola. Now it has a home at the Greene County Museum, with its inner workings dangling in an inside room for visitors to watch and listen to when it strikes the hour.

“I remember one little girl who heard it go off say “That’s so loud it hurts my eyes!” Jeff told me. He also said that one of his neighbors was another urban transplant - Gary Lecorte, “Cornsmoke”, who played Indigenous flute and was known for his performances at local festivals in the 1980s and ‘90s. “He moved and I haven’t heard from him since. He had lots of photos of Brock and knew the history. You could try talking to Dwight Headley. He’s lived here all his life.”

Luckily, the photos and the histoHOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

ry Gary got from his neighbors were waiting for me when I contacted Dwight and stopped by for a visit.

If there’s a shortage of Brocks and Rudolphs in this little corner of Greene County these days, the Headlees and the Headleys certainly make up for it.

Those last names are everywhere and the running family joke is that one family named all the boys with a lee and the girls with a ley. Since this was told to me with a grin, I’ll only pass it on as family lore. But no matter how you spell it, the name can be traced back through multiple generations of mothers, grandfathers, great-great uncles and aunts on nearly every family tree in the area. When I stopped by Valley Chapel Church on a Sunday to enjoy fellowship with these fine folks, I met Darrell Headley, who had even more photos and tales of life in Brock from back in the day to share. In the mid-1800s, schools were mandated by the state and Crayne School was built on a hill above the church. Kids from Brock walked up one side of the hill, kids from Wadestown walked up the other, Darrel told me. By the 1890s, that first school closed and Joint School was built between Brock and the church. Darrell’s old photo shows the first through eighth graders who went there in 1915.

The school, solid as every other old building here, has been remodeled and is now the home of David King.

When I looked up Dwight Headley in the phone book before my first visit, I found two. What started out as a call to the wrong Dwight turned into a nice ending to the story of a community whose roots go back to the frontier. Dwight L. from Waynesburg used to go out with his father doing gravestone rubbings, looking for ancestors in old family cemeteries.

Part of their mission was to find ancestor Ephraim Headley who served as a scout in the Revolutionary War. Dwight L. claims he’s not as interested in history as his father was, but sounded pretty happy when he told me. “It took years but we finally found his grave up on Shannon Run. You have to drive through a hayfield to get there.”

Old postcard from Brock Post Office stamped in 1905.

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Dwight Headley and Linda Rogers in front of her home which was once a general store in Brock.

Jeff Baun inspecting a clock with Civil War era movement with wooden movement plates, metal gears and brass gear pivots in the wood.

Ephriam Headley grave near Blair Farm on Shannon Run.

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G ree n e Sce n e of the Pa st

his photograph of the village of Brock was taken during its heyday, around the turn of the twentieth century before motorized vehicles broke the rural isolation and nearly everything a family needed was either raised locally or brought in by horse and wagon. Retired Shannopin miner Dwight Headley, who has this photo in his family album, lives in the little white house, partly hidden by a tree, just above the long flat roofed general store on the main road. The store was once owned by his great uncle Francis “Bub” Headley. “Back in the 1930s when I was a kid,” Dwight has memories of what Brock was 5 like and has stories to tell about those who used to live here.

See that barn in the left hand corner?

Dwight remembers Charlie Jones used to be a trapper and he “hung his pelts there.

Some of them were polecat pelts too!”

Local fox hunters used to get mad when 1 Charlie trapped foxes but fur was just another crop to be taken from the land.

“The last polecat pelt I took I think I got twenty five cents for!” Dwight jokes. He remembers Bill and Mary Jones who lived upstairs at the store and that Charlie lived there too. Later, other Jones ran the store and turned part of it into a shop to repair vehicles. In 1968 the Rogers family bought the building from the Jones and son Don and wife Linda Rogers now live there.

Brother Dave lives in the two-story house next door that can be seen in the old photo. Linda came out to say hi when Dwight and I stopped by and Don later emailed photos of the old postcards they found in the store, left over from the post office days. Notice that the steep hills around Brock were all cleared pasture in 1905, but by the 1920s hand farming was no longer profitable and nature

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by Colleen Nelson

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2 Village of Brock, circa 1905

has reclaimed its own.

The gas and oil boom of the late 1800s left its mark here – Dwight remembers an old well in the field behind the general store when he was growing up and opines that the six bedrooms upstairs could have been used as a hotel for teamsters who brought in the pipe and tanks for the oilfields. The barn across the road would have stabled the horses and there’s hitching rails in front of the store in the photo that are gone now, along with most of the barns, chicken coops and various outbuildings that once graced every rural backyard, even ones in town.

The numbers that are included on this photo are from Alvah Headlee’s book Valley Chapel, which was published in 1988 to celebrate the 150th anniversary

of the Valley Chapel Church of Brock, where he was a lifelong member. He would have been a boy when this photo was taken, so I guess we can take his word for it!

“Brock about 1905: 1. Barn 2. Old Store It was washed down run, brought back and placed on 4 foot high stone wall 3. P.L. Barn 4. P.L. and Alice Whitlatch Headlee home 5. Store and dwelling. Minor Stephens owned and operated the store from about 1880 – 1900 6. Eli and Ruth Stephens Whitlatch home. 7. Eli barn 8. Sherm barn 9. Sherm and Haddie Moore Headlee home. 10. Sherm Blacksmith Shop. 11. Patterson or Walters home. 12. Washington and Joanna Steele Stephens home abandoned about 1904. 13. Road to Blacksville.”

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 #1 - Mid November 2018

Pancake Breakfast & Visit with Santa

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n conjunction with the first Annual Red Kettle Run, the Salvation Army of Greene County is presenting a Pancake Breakfast and visit with Santa on Saturday morning, Dec. 1st before the Annual Christmas Parade in Waynesburg.

The Pancake Breakfast is open to the public – you don’t have to be a race participant – just come and enjoy fresh pancakes with maple syrup, sausage, coffee, juice & milk – prepared and donated by Aladdin Food Service…known for great flavor.

The price is $6 per person and breakfast will be served from 9:30am – 11:30am.

Then you can head out for a little shopping before the Christmas Parade, which begins at 2pm in downtown Waynesburg.

Santa and a couple of his elves will be at the Pancake Breakfast, too. Everyone is invited to come visit with Santa, bring your phone or camera to take pictures of the kids with Santa, there’s no charge.

A particularly nice Chinese Auction will also be held with a great variety of prizes to enhance your holidays and gift giving. Sports collectibles like a Steelers Football Helmet autographed by

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Ben Roethlisberger and an Antonio Brown autographed jersey, a Clint Hurtle autographed baseball! Electronics like a 24” Vizio Smart TV, a huge assortment of gift cards for food, apparel, jewelry, health & beauty products… There are baskets with pet products, wine, Christmas Décor and more. Over 25 auction items will be sold.

All funds raised from the pancake breakfast and Chinese Auction will be joined with the Red Kettle Run proceeds to help the Salvation Army of Greene County continue Doing The Most Good.

Last year, our local Salvation Army served 823 households in Greene County, helping with everything from emergency supplies and disaster services to food, medicine, clothing, utilities, housing assistance, education, summer camp and more. You can become a part of this effort, just by coming out to breakfast for some hot, delicious pancakes, dripping with butter and maple syrup. Yum… Saturday Dec. 1, 9:30-11:30am at the National Guard Readiness Center (the PA Armory) 500 Evergreen Drive, Waynesburg.

“God, With a Capital G”

By Sevanna Shields

mma Bates is a 5th Grader at Carmichaels Elementary. She enjoys singing, dancing, theater, and writing. With the inspiration of God’s word and through a love of writing, Emma has put together a 20-day devotional filled with fun and enlightening words to help you through your day. She recommends reading one a day and reflecting on it to get the best experience.

Her advice is, “A separate thought for a separate day.” Her mother and father, Kelly and Dave Bates, have been very supportive throughout Emma’s writing process and are proud of their little girl who has some big thoughts.

The process took Emma around 2-3 years, writing on and off whenever the words came to her.

Writing is not a huge part of Emma’s life and she hopes to keep it a hobby. She wrote the book entirely on her own. It originally began as a collection of personal devotions and thoughts that she had written down for her own reflections. Emma and her mother collected all of her devotions and condensed them into 20 points that she wanted to convey. Kelly assisted with a few editing changes and the printing. Emma gave the completed book to her father Dave as a surprise Fathers’ Day present. “The hardest part about this journey was coordinating the verses and the message,” shares Emma.

God, with a Capital G is a fresh, fun look into the mind of Christian youth. It provides a new perspective to remind ourselves of our path in life. The book is focused towards youth, although anyone can benefit from hearing the messages that Emma

HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

shares. Messages often get lost in fancy words and talling $16,500, was created and more are in the in overstatement, so Emma approached her devo- works. While Pastor Dorean has left Jefferson, he tions as a clear, concise, and quick way to share is still involved in the project, leading from OklaGod’s love. Some of the devotions are funny, some homa. Bridget Vilenica assists with the project in relatable, and some might be the ones you’ve been Jefferson. “I have definitely found a purpose by needing to hear. Devotionals include, “The Bible helping in Haiti,” Emma shares. is the Guidebook of Life” and “The Cup is Always Emma would like to thank God’s gifts, her Half Full, Never Half Empty.” This is testimonial Mom and Dad, and everyone who took the time from the young generation; what better way to to read her book. “I always thought it would be fun break through to other youth than to be in their to share my work,” she says. Some of the fun she’s mindset? been able to participate in since writing the book The price of the book is a donation of $10 was an author book signing at Flenniken Library in and all proceeds go towards Houses for Haiti. The October. She hopes to continue doing God’s work Bates family attends the Jefferson Baptist Church, and feels closer to him through this process. If you which works with Houses to Haiti to provide hous- would like to purchase the book, please contact ing for those hit by the 2010 hurricane that devas- Kelly Bates by email kmbates68@yahoo.com. tated the country. The church has taken on an additional project for Haiti; President of the First Baptist Church of Waynesburg, Johnathan Johnson, Pastor John Dorean and Tiga, their Haitian contact, planned a more extensive community project. Their plan includes 12 houses, a well and septic system, a community center for adult education and tutoring, and land for raising crops and recreational activities. Pastor Dorean estimated that the project costs would come to about $100,000. A GoFundMe Emma signing a copy of her book at the Flenniken Library-hosted author to build 3 additional houses, to-

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book signing this past October.

Emma holds a copy of her book God with a Capital G at her family’s home.

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by Colleen Nelson

Parishioners in front of Valley Chapel United Methodist Church of Brock.

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hen I visited Brock for the first time, I put Valley Chapel Church into Google maps – Google doesn’t recognize Brock as a destination - and headed down State Rt. 218, across the Warrior Trail, then a left turn onto School Road that segues into Strawn Hill Road, then down Rudolph Run - miles of beautiful country road I’d never traveled. I knew Brock was at the bottom of the hill and Dwight Headley lived nearby and was waiting to tell me all about it, but when Google informed me the church was just 1000 feet up Church Road, I decided to stop there first and get a quick photograph. Much to my surprise and delight, I found a beautifully trim white wooden church tucked against the hillside and a couple of pickup trucks parked out front. Jim Moore and William “Junior” Knisley were doing maintenance work and greeted me like they knew I was coming. Within minutes I was invited in to see just how finely built this church is, its woodwork expertly fashioned by those who have lived

Jim Moore beside a newly restored stained glass window inside Valley Chapel Church

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and worshiped here since 1906, every square inch lovingly maintained over the years by the likes of Jim and Junior.

“Look at the windows,” Jim tells me. “We got them all fixed up this summer. Releaded, everything,” There’s a fine painting of Jesus on the alter and when I climb narrow steps to a balcony I see small chairs along a long wood plank where children must have once sat for Sunday School. The view of the sanctuary below is drenched in light streaming through stained glass and when I make it back downstairs I’m full of questions. Jim grins and hands me a book entitled Valley Chapel – a United Methodist Church. “Read this,” he tells me. “Take it with you. You say you came to talk to Dwight? We’re related. He’s waiting to see you.”

In Brock, word travels fast!

Later that night, after a great visit with Dwight and his daughter Judy Glaubke who lives next door, I stay up late reading Alvah Headlee’s wonderful history of the church, the people who built it and the community it serves.

“At first, meetings were held in a log school house,” Alvah tells us. A log church was built in 1838 but “no records exist of what it looked like.”

A decade later a frame church was built down the road, in old school Methodist style, with two front entrances, the right for men and the left for women. The segregated pews were separated by a waist high patrician and the seats and backs were made of plank an inch and a half thick.

The nearest other church in 1838 was Mt. Morris and Blacksville wouldn’t have a church until 1849, so “people living on the waters of Rudolph, Hackebander and Shannon runs” came to Valley Chapel. Until 1920, Alvah notes, “almost all inhabitants were members of the church and those who were not members attended or supported the church.” He also notes that in those early days, more men than women attended services.

The photograph Darrell Headley sent me shows the church in 1889 holding a winter

quarterly meeting with members from all four churches of the charge – “Valley, Fairall, Kirby and Spraggs.” Box socials were one of the ways the church raised funds and single girls got husbands. “Single young ladies prepared a supper and wrapped it in a fancy box.” Boxes were auctioned off to the highest bidder and the winner got to eat with the girl and her family. Members also held class meetings to testify about their faith and weeklong revivals were held to attract new members. Later, the Womens Christian Temperance Union met here until the “amendment banning the use of alcoholic beverages was passed.”

When the congregation decided to build the present church in 1906, nothing went to waste.

The old building was moved across the road “by Mel Headley and Blair” and converted into a two family apartment. In 1950 it was torn down and repurposed as a smaller house and the extra lumber turned into a shed and a chicken house.

When the chicken house was “torn down about 1980” the lumber was found to be “remarkably sound although it is 150 years old, probably sawed by water power.”

Contractor W.R. Blair and carpenters M. Lindsey Jones and Eli Headlee built the new Valley Chapel on the old site and it would have beautiful stained glass and a “large fine toned bell in the belfry that is seldom rung.”

“They put the basement under it in 1950,” Jim Moore told me with a grin that first day I visited. “I was only 10, so I wasn’t much help.”

I came back the next day to meet the rest of the congregation, including Pastor Monica Calvert, who preaches here at 8:30 a.m. then is off to Spraggs and Kents Chapel for the triad of Sunday services that are her charge.

I stayed for the service, sitting with Shari Curry of Spraggs who is in charge of the play the kids put on at Christmas and was introduced to the congregation by Jim Moore who couldn’t wait to see the photo I took of the stained glass windows that are being restored by sisters Beth Day and Karen Calvert. The children sat up front and Pastor Calvert took each part of her sermon and put it in words that resonated with them and the congregation sang, prayed and offered up their joys and concerns to be shared. Later everyone gathered in the parking lot for a group shot and more fellowship and an invitation to come back any time.

I’ll be back for the Christmas play, Sherri! Oh, and thanks for letting me know that for years Dave O’Donnell had a Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer head hanging on the porch of his house at the top of the hill on Rudolph Run. What a great way to end this story about Brock!

The second church, that was built in 1849, is seen here in 1886. It was moved in 1906 to make room for the present church.

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HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

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he Greene County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Waynesburg Borough, held the 11th Annual Halloween Spooktacular on Oct. 31. The event is open to employees who work for any Chamber of Commerce member business and/or any business that is located within the Borough limits.

There were 37 participants this year, who were judged by a panel of three: State Representative Pam Snyder, Chamber Vice President Barb Wise, and Waynesburg Borough Mayor Brian Tanner.

Treat bags, sponsored by First Federal Savings & Loan, were provided to each participant. Trophies, sponsored by Waynesburg Milling, were awarded to 1st place winners, and medals sponsored

by Lola Energy Resources were awarded to 2nd & 3rd places. Cash prizes were awarded to all winners: 4th Place Individual – “Cabbage Patch Kid” Candy Hoskins from First Federal Savings & Loan - $50, sponsor First National Bank of PA 3rd Place Individual – “Operation Game” Danielle Morris from First Federal Savings & Loan - $50, sponsor PC Squared 3rd Place Group –“Sherry’s Spice Girls” Lida Murdock, Janice Lahew, Candice Buchanan, Crystal Walters, and Lisa Wheeler of the Greene County Clerk of Courts office - $50, sponsor Laick Design.

2nd Place Individual – “Wednesday Addams and Friends” Kelly Graham from First Federal Savings & Loan - $50, sponsor McCracken’s Pharmacy.

2nd Place Group – “Fruit Basket” Carrie Walters, Amanda Hall, Deanna Davis, Caitlin Fess, and Angie Riffle of First Federal S&L Drive Thru - $50, sponsor Med Express.

Best Individual – “Jafar, Royal Vizier of Agrabah” Jordan Brooks from First Federal Savings & Loan - $100, sponsor High Street Hair Best Group – “Toy Story” Regina Morris, Holly Miller, Jamie Titchenell, and Emily Usher of Logan Law Office - $100, sponsor Rhodes & Hammers Printing

HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

• GreeneScene Magazine

Most Original – “Cop and Robbers” Sheila Stewart, Rachel Moore, Brandi Triplet, Cortney Wendell, and Shayna Kerr of First National Bank of PA - $100, sponsor Baily Agency/Coldwell Banker, and custom mugs, sponsor Adamson Pottery.

Most Entertaining – “Family Feud” Lauren Stauffer from Ruff Creek Crafts & Antiques, Kristy Vilet from 5 Kidz Kandy, and Tammy Fischer from Fisher Antiques - $100, sponsored by State Representative Pam Snyder.

“Jafar, Royal Vizier of Agrabah” Jordan Brooks from First Federal S & L won the “Best Individual.”

“Cop and Robbers” of First National Bank of PA won the“Most Original” Award.

“Toy Story” of Logan Law Office won the “Best Group” Award.

“Family Feud” Lauren Stauffer from Ruff Creek Crafts & Antiques, Kristy Vilet from 5 Kidz Kandy, and Tammy Fischer from Fisher won the “Most Entertaining” Award.

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Co o l at Sc h o o l

WATER FOR SOUTH SUDAN

by Danielle Nyland

they walked, how long it took, how much water they were carrying, as well as their starting heart rate and their post-walk heart rate. Mrs. Jennifer Townsend, the Middle School Math teacher, worked with the students the following week to analyze the data they collected. magine having to spend hours each day, walking miles and miles miles as they could during 45 minutes.

Two additional student groups worked in the wooded area bejust to get fresh water for your family, barefoot and in intense “So many of the students expressed surprise at what other kids hind the elementary with Mr. Kenneth Perkins, the Middle School heat. The water you can get isn’t even that clean but it’s the only have gone through. One of the vocabulary words that I’ve tried to tie water available to you, so you have to use it anyway. The 7th into this lesson is empathy,” said Willis. “This is just a small taste of Science teacher, and Mr. Travis Townsend, the Middle School Social Grade students of Carmichaels Area Middle School tried to do just what the Sudanese girls go through for water. But I don’t just want Studies teacher. Perkins’s group of students tested the water found that in October, during their Water for South Sudan walk and learn- them to empathize with those girls, I want them to be able to apply it in the stream that runs behind the school. “The students are doing something that actual scientists would do,” Perkins said. “They’re testing exercise. to the people around them, to help them create a better community.”

“The administration challenged us as teachers to create more Other students watched the walkers, tracking how many laps ing for dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, stability, PH, all the factors that determine how healthy water is to drink.” cross-curriculum material and be more creative in the With Mr. Townsend, the students are learning primitive ways we teach,” said Mrs. Kelly Willis. So she decided to survival skills, tying into their learning about ancient and primiincorporate an interactive learning exercise to go along tive cultures. “While Sudan is not an ancient culture, much of the with the book the students are reading - A Long Walk technology available to them is basic, so the students are learning to Water by Linda Sue Park - and worked with the other about mapping and gathering materials that we will use for bow 7th grade teachers to integrate science, math, history, drills,” said Townsend. “To get clean water from dirty water, one and ELA, along with physical activity. of the first steps is to be able to boil the water, so they will be using A Long Walk to Water shares the true story of the bow drills to learn about primitive fire making.”

Salva, one of Sudan’s “Lost Boys.” Salva, separated from The children rotated between each station, spending 45 minhis family by war, spends ten years in African refuutes working in each scenario. gee camps before being brought to America. While in “We really want to give the kids a unique experience, someAmerica he eventually learns that his father is still alive thing they’re going to remember. It helps keep the kids engaged” but suffering from water-borne parasites and disease said Mr. Fred Morecraft, District Superintendent and former Eledue to the lack of healthy water in South Sudan. This mentary Principal. He gestured to the woodlands and trail where inspires Salva to start Water for South Sudan and bring the students were diligently working. “We are so lucky to have all freshwater to the people of his country by digging wells. of this in our backyard.”

His story is told alongside the fictional account of Nya, He added, “I’m so proud of our teachers and what they have l-r:: Levi Krampy, Arianne Kotyuha, a young girl that lives in one the villages. been accomplishing.”

The 7th grade students walked along the walk- and Mason Lapana testing the water Chloe Mitchell and Sydney Parker carrying gallon water Is your school doing something cool? Let us know by emailing track at the Elementary, carrying jugs of water to from the stream behind the elementary jugs around the elementary track to experience what school as part of Mr. Perkins science ing info@greenescenemagazine.com and your school could be duplicate what it’s like for Sudanese girls. Some carried many of the girls in Sudan deal with every day. station. featured here. one jug, two jugs, even four jugs while walking as many

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GreeneScene Magazine •

HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

Football Great, Larry Krutko… Hall of Famer

By Danielle Nyland

Larry attended University High in Morgantown that summer and graduated from there. That fall he enrolled as a freshman at West Virginia University as an education major with an eye on teaching. “I had hopes to be a coach,” Larry says.

Freshmen weren’t eligible for the varsity team, so Larry played as part of the freshman team during his first year. During his time at WVU as part of the varsity team, he earned All-Southern Conference first team honors in 1956. Larry ended his three-year career with 297 carries for 1,407 yards, leading WVU in rushing yards in 1956 and 1957, while also playing linebacker on defense. Krutko currently ranks sixth in career rushing yards by a WVU fullback.

Krutko played in the Blue-Gray Collegiate Bowl Game in 1957, the Senior Bowl and College All-Star Game in 1958, and helped lead the Mountaineers to two Southern Conference championships. He is a member of the WVU All-Time Team from 1950-59.

Larry was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second round of 1957 NFL Draft. “I was surprised, thrilled when I found out,” Larry says with a smile e. “I was out hunting the day they had the draft and had no idea. My wife’s uncle called my father-in-law and told him and that was how I found out. I was excited to get paid to play.”

He played with the Steelers from 1958 to 1960, appearing in 25 career games. He finished with 331 yards rushing on 96 carries, four touchdowns, and 14 receptions for 108 yards. His career for the Steelers ended abruptly, after an injury to his Achilles tendon during train-

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ing. “During a play, another player stepped on my heel,” he shares.

“Back then, an injured Achilles’ tendon was like a kiss of death, they just weren’t able to do much for it. I tried to get back into condition before the next season, but I just couldn’t keep up.”

During the off-season Larry worked with a school in Mt. Lebanon. “I had hopes to get on with the teaching staff. I really liked coaching.” Eventually he married Betty Bell, daughter of Michael J. Bell, the founder of Bell’s Wholesale Grocery.

Bell’s, originating in Blacksville, WV, relocated to Morgantown, to Brave, and back to Morgantown where it remained until 1999.

However, in 1961, a satellite warehouse was opened on S. Washington St. in Waynesburg when Bell’s bought out the Weaver Candy Co. Larry ran the Waynesburg warehouse until it closed in the mid 80’s, when he went to Morgantown to take the helm as illness forced M.J. into retirement. Bell’s would eventually move from Morgantown to Mt. Morris thanks to increasing business and an opportunity offered by the Greene County Industrial Development Authority at the new Meadow Ridge Business Park. The Krutko’s also own and operate Belko Foods.

An outstanding Mountaineer, a Pittsburgh Steeler, and a longstanding local businessman dedicated to keeping the doors of neighborhood groceries open, Greene County is proud to call Larry Krutko one of its own.

Larry Krutko playing for the Mountaineers.

ecently, one of Greene County’s own was inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame. The ceremony, held in September 2018, inducted 11 new members, among them Larry Krutko of Waynesburg.

“It was a complete surprise,” Larry exclaims about finding out he was one of the 11 inductees this year. “I had no idea!”

He adds, “I am very, very lucky. I thank God for my coaches, my family, and my friends. Alex Haley [author of Roots] said, ‘Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help.’

I had lots of help to get there.” He continues “My high school team was a close group of guys, good athletes, and it was the same at WVU.” Larry, known as one of the best fullbacks in Mountaineer football history, played at West Virginia University from 1955 to 1957.

Originally from Carmichaels, he played high school football at Cumberland Township (now the Carmichaels High School) High School from 1951 to 1953. While at Cumberland, Larry lettered in three additional sports – basketball, baseball, and track – but football was where he excelled.

While Larry played for Cumberland Twp., the team won the WPIAL Class B championship in 1952 with Larry setting a singleseason regular season scoring record in Greene County, with 99 points. That year, he received All-County and All-WPIAL honors. In 1953, the team again went undefeated but due to the system, they were unable to join the playoffs. That year, Larry received All-County, an honorable mention for All-WPIAL, was selected MVP in Greene County, and had an honorable mention for the U.S. High School Football Team.

Larry was unable to play football for Cumberland in 1954. “There was an age limit of 18 for high school football. My birthday was June 27th and the cutoff day was around August 18th,” Larry shares. “I still needed one more credit to be eligible for college, so Pappy Lewis, Morgantown’s coach at the time, helped arrange it so that I could attend summer class and pick up the history credit I needed. “

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The 2018 WVU Sports Hall of Fame. Larry is fifth from the left.

Larry in action while playing for the Mountaineers.

Larry Krutko in his Steelers’ uniform.

This picture was used for the 1961 Kahns Football card series, when Larry’s and Tom Tracy’s pictures were mistakenly switched on the published cards.

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Downtown Waynesburg has the Spirit of the Season

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lan your visit to Downtown Waynesburg from 5 to 8:00 pm on Friday, Nov. 30, for the 10th annual Holiday Open House, sponsored by EQT and presented by Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful. Serving as the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season, the Holiday Open House will feature extended hours at many Downtown Waynesburg stores, live entertainment, seasonal foods and fun for the whole family.

This year brings back many favorite activities like the free wagon rides, caricatures, pictures with Santa, the Memories & Melodies DJ Party on the west end, and the Greene County Department of Recreation’s Letters from Santa Station.

New this year will be musical performance by area artists on the east end and an outdoor eating experience.

Beginning at 4 pm, several blocks of High Street will be closed to motorized traffic. Activities start at 5pm with Santa & Mrs. Claus on site to welcome children, visitors and shoppers alike. Free pictures with Santa will be provided

by McMillen Photography at the Greene County Courthouse and Mrs. Claus will be handing out free Santa bags with treats for the first 150 children, compliments of First Federal Savings & Loan. All the other activities begin around 5pm as well, and at 6pm there will be a tree lighting ceremony for the big Christmas tree that graces the front of Greene County Courthouse.

Mark your calendar and watch for the specially decorated store fronts to remind you as well. Most downtown merchants will be lighting and decorating their windows in advance to compete for the coveted snow crystal award and cash prizes for best decorated windows, sponsored by Community Bank.

“This special evening has become a holiday tradition for many people in the area, reminiscent of an old fashioned Christmas, with carolers and 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. As usual, fire barrels will be lit along High Street 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. The free wagon rides start on High St. and take riders through College Parks.

“The Holiday Open House is a great way

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to share the season with other people and spend time with your family and friends. Start your holiday celebrations with a wagon ride through the decorated parks and streets, enjoy festive musical entertainment, and grab a bite to eat under the stars… there is so much to see and do,” Joanne adds.

The Letters from Santa Station is presented in conjunction with the Greene County Department of Recreation’s annual Letters from Santa program. Children who come with their parents to the Holiday Open House can write their letters to Santa that evening, or pick-up the forms to send in later. Either way, thanks to Greene County Dept. of Rec’s special coordination with the North Pole, each child who participates will receive a personal letter from Santa.

New this year, the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW will be roasting whole chickens. The chickens and 2 sides – green beans and macaroni salad - will be available for $12; orders can be eaten downtown amidst the festivities or to-go. Early reservations are recommended to ensure you get one of these delicious chickens!

Call Tourism at 724-627-8687 by November 23rd to make your reservation.

Lippencott Alpacas will also be at the festivities to welcome the holiday shoppers with their adorable live alpacas and alpaca apparel, accessories, yarns and gifts. Greene County Tourist Promotion Agency’s souvenir maps, hand-drawn by local artist Leslie Fehling and featuring the locations of all activities, food and participating merchants, will be distributed to help guide shoppers through the festivities.

EQT is the lead sponsor of the Holiday Open House and Community Bank underwrites the window decorating competition among businesses. You can join in the judging by casting your vote for the best display at each participating location. Waynesburg Prosperous & Beautiful is a Main Street program that operates in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. Main Street programs emphasize critical time-sensitive stabilization and revitalization of historic downtowns business districts. For more information on the Holiday Open House, call 724-627-8119.

There’s More the Next Day… The following day, Saturday, Dec. 2, Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce will present the 2018 Christmas Parade beginning at 2pm. The execution of the parade

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is underwritten by FirstEnergy Foundation.

Miss Rain Day 2018, Lauren Schroyer and the Chamber’s 2018 Distinguished Service Award and McCracken Legacy Award recipients, Sister Audrey Quinn, the family of the late G. William “Bill” Gensler and representatives from EQT will have the honor of leading the parade down High Street as it’s Grand Marshals.

WCYJ Television from Waynesburg University will videotape the parade for later broadcast on local stations. Late entries will be accepted in the parade through Nov. 21st. If you want more info on the parade, call the Chamber office at 724-627-5926 or visit the website at www.greenechamber.com.

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GreeneScene by Jennifer Barber

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“Shop Small” on Saturday Nov. 24

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lack Friday?? Forget it. Crowds, traffic, common merchandise made overseas on sale for a few hours so everyone can fight over it. It’s just too crazy and overboard… and really not the value you once thought it was.

Definitely out.

On the other hand “Small Saturday” is quite appealing. The actual name is “Small Business Saturday” – the latest trend for the weekend that kicks off holiday shopping.

First introduced by American Express in 2010, it is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and locally owned.

We’ve got plenty of those in Greene County, 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 24th by checking out the unique shops all over Greene County.

If you really want to have fun, just hop from shop to shop. Really… take Waynesburg for example. We have a specialty gourmet candy shop, we have leading names in jewelry and accessories, plus several antiques and collectibles shops, hand crafted Americana gifts and décor, great deals on brand name fashions for men & women, organic foods, herbals, skin and health care, salons, pet & farm supply stores - all of these wonderful places bringing customers right to downtown Waynesburg!

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There’s a custom computer store, a home decorating center, everyone’s favorite dollar store and a supermarket to boot. The new Lily Bees addition to the Perfect Arrangement floral shop offers some of the country’s best in gourmet foods, indulgent soaps, lotions & candles, Amish crafts and incredible home décor. Oh and speaking of food…Downtown Waynesburg offers plenty: sizzlin’ authentic Mexican, and enchanting Chinese. You’ll find the freshest most delectable deli and home style cooking… It’s ALL right there! Drive the short trip to downtown Waynesburg, park the car and walk up and down High Street. You’ll have more fun Shopping Small than at the mall! You’ll find better stuff, better deals, better service… Try it! Shop Small this Saturday November 24th. Many merchants are extending hours, offering sales and refreshments.

Just remember the best reward you’ll receive

by Shopping Small any day of the year is the quality of unique merchandise you’ll find, and how much you will be helping your local economy. Because that’s the other thing - when you Shop Small, you spend with local businesses, where your money does a whole lot more work for your community. $100 spent at a local business = $68 in revenue for the local community vs. only $43 when spent at chain stores. Small business provides nearly 70% of all new jobs in our country. Local merchants spend a much larger portion of total revenue on local labor to run the enterprise and sell the merchandise. Non-profit organizations receive on average 350% more support from local businesses than non-locally owned businesses. Buy Local, Buy Greene.

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Spo r t Sh o rt s

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Fall Sports Season Ends On Several High Notes

n our last article we featured the outstanding season for the Carmichaels Golf team. Now that the fall sports season in Greene County is completely over, we focus on three remarkable accomplishments that ended the season.

WEST GREENE CROSS COUNTRY

BEN JACKSON First, it was an individual accomplishment for Ben Jackson of the West Greene Football team.

The Pioneers’ season was a crazy one that went from Tri-County South Conference favorites, to tri-champions of the Conference, to earning the #1 spot in the conference via a 4-round coin flip, to hosting a playoff game for the first time in 24 seasons!

Unfortunately, Kennedy Field at West Greene High School was deemed unplayable due to youth games that had been played there during the previous soggy weekend, so the Pioneers moved their game to Waynesburg Central High School, where despite a 52-14 loss to Rochester, Jackson was able to end the season on a high note.

Jackson has had to deal with a lot of disappointment because of injuries the last two seasons. Due to a broken leg last season, Jackson was unable to play in the playoffs, where he may have made a difference in a 39-14 loss at Rochester.

This season, as he was approaching the 4,000-yard career mark, he suffered a similar injury in the opposite leg in the second quarter of a Week 7 game against Clairton.

Because the injury happened earlier in the season this time, there was a little more time for healing before the playoffs. Still, Jackson was clearly not 100 percent when he played sparingly in this year’s playoff rematch.

“He’s got a lot of heart,” said head

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by Jason Tennant

coach Rod Huffman. “He’s a once in a lifetime player and I appreciate him putting himself out there for us.”

With the season coming to a close toward the end of another playoff loss to Rochester, Jackson ended the season on a high-note, as on the last offensive snap of the game, he broke off a 30-yard touchdown run to become just the 6th Greene County player ever to eclipse the 4,000-yard mark.

It was a moment that was expected weeks ago but despite the injury, Jackson was able to reach that goal before the end of his junior year.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Jackson after the game. “I really wanted that 4,000 but I wish we could’ve won.”

The day after West Greene’s football season came to an end,

Carmichaels volleyball

their Girls Cross Country team would make history by competing in the team State Championships for the first time.

Leading up to that meet, the team put together quite a season, winning the 1A titles at both the A.J. Everhart Invitational and the Mingo Classic, while also turning in great results at the Marty Uher Invitational (2nd) and the Red, White & Blue Classic (7th). All the while, the team was going undefeated in Section Meets, winning their first ever Section title!

“This was without a doubt, our best season,” said head coach Marcia Sonneborn. “The team set high goals for themselves and just started checking them off one by one.”

In the WPIAL Championships, the Lady Pioneers took 3rd place to punch that ticket to their first ever PIAA Team Championships, where they would finish 15th overall.

The team relied on experience from seniors McKenna & Madison Lampe and Ashley Cumberledge, but got a big shot in the arm from freshman Brooke Barner and most notably Katie Lampe, who would become their best runner as the season went on.

“She started training in the summer to make sure she would at least be competitive with her sisters (McKenna & Madison),” said Sonneborn. “She eventually found the confidence in herself to go out and lead the team. As a freshman, that’s remarkable.”

History would be made on the volleyball court in Carmichaels this year too as the 2018 Mighty Mikes Volleyball team easily goes down as the most accomplished in the history of that program.

It started in the regular season, where the Mikes went undefeated, including two hard-fought wins over Geibel Catholic that secured the first ever Volleyball Section title for Carmichaels.

“This group of girls has had such huge accomplishments throughout the season,” said head coach Ashley Shoemaker.” They should be really proud of themselves and I’m proud of them as well.”

A Section title was just the beginning.

Carmichaels was seeded second in the WPIAL Playoff bracket and did not disappoint. After cruising past Burgettstown and Beaver County Christian, Carmichaels found themselves in their first ever WPIAL Semifinal where they would run into perennial power Greensburg Central Catholic.

Though they would go on to make their first ever appearance in the WPIAL Championship and the state playoffs, the season’s highlight had to be the sweep of the Centurions.

“It was really special that night, especially because we lost on that court (Peters Township) last year,” said Shoemaker. “To have such a dominant performance, the girls did such a great job.”

A sweep of the Greensburg Central Catholic (25-19, 25-18, 25-18) put Carmichaels in their first ever WPIAL Championship Match, where they unfortunately were overwhelmed by Bishop Canevin, swept 25-11, 25-11, 25-9.

Despite the loss, the Mikes had already also qualified for their first ever PIAA State Playoff appearance.

They would lose to Bishop Carrol in the first round,(25-15, 25-16, 25-18), but the program reached heights it had never seen before and are now looking to the future, albeit without Seniors Meighan Spishock, Grace Kerr, and Micaela Ricco.

“It always takes that first team to believe and make history,” said Shoemaker.

“And it paves the way moving forward.”

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2018 TOYS FOR TOTS

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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.

The toy distribution on December 15 will be from 10am-Noon. Toys will be distributed to parents of children ages 0-12 years. There are some guidelines you need to know. Parents need to bring social security numbers for every child, and proof of household Income. Children should NOT accompany parents.

ou can mark your calendars now, the Tri-County Leathernecks have announced December 15 will be the distribution date for the 2018 Toys for Tots program in Greene County.

“This will be 36th year for the program,” said Buzz Walters, Commandant of the Leathernecks.

The original event was funded in part by an elimination dinner sponsored by the Men and Woman of the Moose. The proceeds from the dinner were used to purchase toys. To this day, the Moose continues to support Toys for Tots in Greene County with the dinner, and many of the Moose members

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 Laura Walters Clarksville at St. Thomas Church: Linda Pelkey............... 724-344-7321 Greensboro/Bobtown at Bobtown Fire Hall Toni Cline................... 724-943-2108

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Windstream Announces $1.3 Million Network Investment in Greene County

Waynesburg University launches the Chevron Center for Corporate Social Responsibility

Windstream announced earlier this month that it is investing $1.3 million into it’s Greene County network.

The project will include installation of fiberoptic cable in Carmichaels, Rogersville, Greensboro, Jefferson, and Mt. Morris (spring 2019), throughout downtown Waynesburg (second half of 2019), as well as upgrading and replacing equipment, cable, and poles around Greene County (by

end of 2018).

State Representative Pam Snyder said in response to the announcement, “One small step, but at least it’s a step forward! Thanks to relentless pressure from my office, Windstream is making improvements to our internet infrastructure. I won’t let up until everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed broadband!“

Local Schools Teams Honored in Harrisburg During October, West Greene’s Lady Pioneers and Future Farmers of America, and Carmichaels Envirothon team were recognized for their achievements at their state competitions this year with a visit to the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The groups were recognized with citations from Pam Snyder and welcomed to the floor of the House of Representatives. They were also presented citations and recognized during the Senate session by Camera Bartolotta.

West Greene’s Lady Pioneers were honored for their back-to-back PIAA Class A state championship in June. The West Greene FFA placed first at the State FFA Livestock’s career development event this past June.

Carmichaels Envirothon team won first at the State Envirothon in May and placed in the top 20 at the national competition held in Idaho in July.

Pictured (l-r): Matthew Stultz, Douglas G. Lee, Karen Rawls, Stacey Brodak, and Trip Oliver.

Chevron and Waynesburg University announced today the launch of the Chevron Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at Waynesburg University, a first-of-its-kind center in the region.

The center was made possible through a $250,000 commitment from Chevron.

During a press event hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, representatives from Chevron and Waynesburg University shared their excitement about the partnership and provided an overview of the center’s programming.

“Our partnership with Waynesburg University underscores our belief that the best way to support the region, now and for decades to come, is to work with community partners to achieve shared goals,” said Trip Oliver, manager of policy, government and public affairs for Chevron Appalachia.

“We strive to build strong relationships and make investments that support progress and prosperity in the communities where we live and operate. The Chevron Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at Waynesburg University represents another step toward achieving that goal.”

The center will seek to build a network of professionals in the region, encompassing all of southwestern Pennsylvania, and will be dedicated to sharing best practices in corporate social responsibility (CSR) work. As a membership organization, valuable resources will be shared with members to build strong and more valuable CSR programs.

Focus areas for the center will include best practices, volunteerism programs, sharing impacts of successful programs, networking with peers, educational seminars, and data compilation and analysis.

The center will also host thought leadership lectures, speaker series and roundtable discussions with inspiring partner university faculty and influential professionals in the field.

“We are very excited to announce this firstof-its-kind partnership in our region with Chevron and are appreciative of their generous support,” said Douglas G. Lee, president of Waynesburg Univer-

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sity. “The relationship that the Chevron Center for Corporate Social Responsibility will foster between our local businesses and community will be mutually beneficial for all.”

In addition to the unveiling of the center, the following corporations were announced as initial members of the Chevron Center for Corporate Social Responsibility: 84 Lumber, Community Bank, CONSOL Energy, EQT Corporation, First Federal of Greene County, Range Resources and Steptoe & Johnson PLLC. Members may be corporations, corporate foundations, professional associations and businesses of all sizes. Membership includes benefits, such as marketing recognition, complimentary registration for speaker series and roundtable discussions, peer-member benchmarking surveys and university-driven sharing and collection of relevant news, best practices and data, in addition to volunteer event participation.

Prior to the press announcement, a preliminary roundtable discussion was held that included several corporations in the area that have worked closely with Chevron and the University over the past several months.

During the roundtable, Chevron offered an indepth overview of the company’s CSR-related work and hosted Linda Topoleski from the Allegheny Conference who shared a current mapping project on work being done with K-12 education. The next roundtable discussion is planned for February 2019.

The Chevron Center for Corporate Social Responsibility will be housed within Waynesburg University’s Southpointe Center in Canonsburg.

The work of the center will be led by Stacey Brodak, vice president for Institutional Advancement and University Relations at Waynesburg University, and Matthew Stultz, corporate relations and communication specialist at Waynesburg University.

For more information, contact Stultz at 724743-4422 or csr@waynesburg.edu.

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West Greene on the House floor in Harrisburg. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Lampe.

Carmichaels with Sen. Camera Bartolotta and Rep. Pam Snyder in Harrisburg.

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Save the Date - New York City Trip The annual New York City trip held by the Nathanael Greene CDC will be on May 16th-19th.

The three-day trip will explore New York with overnight stays at the Manhattan at Times Square. Save the date if you want to join this great adventure to the Big Apple! FMI, call 724-943-4462 or email shine201027@yahoo.com.

Holiday Craft Blast Vendors Wanted Nathanael Greene CDC is looking for vendors for its annual Holiday Craft Blast on Sunday December 9th from 10am to 5pm. If interested contact shine201027@yahoo.com or call Mary Shine 724-943-4462.

Donate Blood. Save a Life.

The First United Methodist Church of Waynesburg is joining with Central Blood Bank to host a blood drive on Saturday November 24th from 9am to 1:30pm. All donors will receive a knit beanie cap featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins logo. The church is located at the corner of Franklin and Richhill and is handicapped accessible. Please eat well and stay hydrated and join us to give the Gift of Life. To make an appointment visit www.vitalant.org and use Group Code G0110165 or contact Connie Hart at cmhart@ windstream.net.

Grocery Bags Needed for Project The Waynesburg Lions Club is collecting clean grocery bags of any color to make mats for the homeless. It is a Lions District 14M Project.

If you have any bags you would like to donate, contact Eleanor Chapman 724-627-5284. Also if you would like to help make plarn ( Plastic bag yarn), call Eleanor and she will train you in just

a few minutes. People are also needed to crochet or weave/braid rugs as well. The bags and balls of plarn can be dropped off at the Greene County Chamber of Commerce office during normal business hours (10am - 4pm).

Christmas Parade Applications Available

GCCTC Annual Christmas Buffet

Chef Jeff Cecil of Sullivan University.

Greene County Career and Technology Center invites you to come to their 29th Annual Christmas Buffet.

Guest chefs Oliver Beckert of Trump International Hotel D.C. and Jeff Cecil of Sullivan University will work with GCCTC students to create the perfect Christmas feast. The event will be held on December 7th, 2018 from 11:30am to 1:00pm. Cost is $12 and the event is open to the public. See you there!

Chef Oliver Beckert of Trump International Hotel D.C.

The Greene County Chamber of Commerce down High Street as it’s Grand Marshals. will present the 2018 Downtown Waynesburg Parade line-up will begin at noon. There Christmas Parade on Sat., Dec. 1 at 2pm. The is no central theme but all entries are asked to execution of the Parade is underwritten by First- portray the true Christmas Spirit. Trophies will Energy Foundation. Late entries are still being be awarded to the top three floats. All entries pleted letter request form, along with the child’s accepted through Nov. 21 at a fee of $20. are reminded that no live Santa is permitted on letter, to Greene County Department of RecMiss Rain Day 2018, Lauren Schroyer any unit in the parade as he is the guest of honor reation, ATTN: Santa Claus, 107 Fairgrounds and the Chamber’s 2018 Distinguished Service at the conclusion of the parade. Download the Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370. Requests must be Award and McCracken Legacy Award recipients, parade application from www.greenechamber. received by Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. The form in- Sister Audrey Quinn, the family of the late G. org FMI call Chamber office at 724-627-5926 or cludes the child’s contact and basic information William “Bill” Gensler and representatives from email info@greenechamber.org including gender, age and any gifts requested EQT will have the honor of leading the parade from Santa. “Dear Santa” templates and letter request forms are available online at www. co.greene.pa.us.

There is no fee for Letters from Santa as funding has been provided through various sponsors and fundraising efforts the DepartThe Greene County Chamber of Commerce invites you to Wayne Lumber for a ribbon-cutting ment of Recreation holds throughout the year.

Requests are limited to one per child. FMI: call ceremony on December 13th at 12pm for their Grand Opening! the Department of Recreation at 724-852-5323.

Letters from Santa

Local children may send a letter to Santa in care of the Department of Recreation and receive a personalized letter from Santa just before Christmas.

Parents are requested to send a com-

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Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

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GreeneScene by Lisa Crawford

GREENBRIAR TREATMENT CENTER OPENS

By Lauren Bertovich

Drug and Alcohol Treatment Tech and Artist, Lauren Nicole Bertovich, stands next to her painting in the Greenbriar Treatment Center. Her painting implies growth and recovery and was commissioned for the new facility where she will also be conducting creative therapy sessions.

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f you have not been directly impacted by the growing drug epidemic there is a significant chance someone close to you has been, which means you know the nightmarish world that accompanies addiction to drugs and alcohol. And you’ve seen the difficulties faced when those suffering an addiction attempt to reclaim their sobriety.

Locally, The Coalition for a Brighter Greene is part of the efforts being made by Greene County to overcome the drug and alcohol battle. The Coalition provides resources like the Lifetree Café and the Billy Wayne Concert held in October. As a whole, Pennsylvania is increasing the number of inpatient rehabilitation and treatment centers. This helps more people gain access to initial treatment, so vital to the recovery process.

Greenbriar Treatment Centers is opening a 90-day, long-term inpatient facility at Washington Health Systems Waynesburg. Housed in the former behavioral health unit of the hospital, the facility’s interior has been entirely remodeled and redecorated in comfortable, modern décor. Each room can house 2 patients; nurses and doctors are avail-

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able on site. Patients focus on issues that happen in early recovery and attend groups focusing on The 12 Steps of NA and AA, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. They also have the opportunity to take part in creative therapy such as painting, drawing and other activities that teach relaxation and keep the mind busy.

The long-term program will accept patients from across the region, but local patients from Greene and Washington counties will be given priority. The 3C program offered at the facility is designed for those in sever chronic distress. It is a “long-term care program with individual and group therapy covering social, occupational, financial, and educational symptoms.” 3C programs focus on self-care and allow a longer length of stay (up to 100 days) so that patients can establish a solid foundation to support a sober way of life.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction get informed and get help. Suffering one more day of addiction can mean the difference between life and death. Staying silent means staying sick, speak up and ask for help.

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A Safe “Hay”-ven

very person is given qualities at birth that make us good people; caring, strong, determined. But every now and again you meet someone who seems to have a little extra in those areas, as if their hearts are a tad bigger or their bodies a bit stronger. Their kindness button comes with no “off ” switch and they turn adverse situations into something good. Those that speak for the ones with no voices are especially blessed.

The voiceless need a guardian angel to step in and ensure a peaceful existence. And a peaceful existence endures here in Greene County, high on a hill surrounded by clouds and colorful trees.

Animals may feel truly saved here, with Darlene Moore as their hero.

Darlene Moore’s farm was built in 1892 and has seen 126 years of family memories. It’s a home to humanity and history. At age 7 Darlene received her first horse from her father as a Christmas gift, sparking a passion to love and care for her animals and her land. In 1982, she opened Save A Horse Stable to be able to care for even more animals.

Darlene’s 380-acre farm is home to herds of cattle, 10 rat-killin’ cats, 41 horses and donkeys, and a dog named Pebbles that seems to keep them all in line. She has dedicated her life and opened her home to many horses that were neglected, abused and approaching euthanasia or slaughter.

She knows every animal’s name and can tell you exactly where they are on her 242-acre farm. Her husband Kevin, children Doug and Angela, and brother Larry are proud to keep the farm functioning efficiently, because it is the final home for many horses desperately in need of one. Many friends also serve as volunteers to help the farm function.

Darlene has rescued horses that have outlived their owners and ones seen as “yard pets”, purchased cheap and left outside merely to survive. She rescues as many horses as can be properly cared for at the farm and caring for them is no small job. It includes feeding, grooming, visits with vets, dentists, chiropractors, and blacksmiths. And every horse is given room to gallop and roam, which plays a key role in their vitality.

Originally, to pay for the high costs of running the shelter, she had a riding stable but in 2012, she made the Save A Horse Stables non-profit, which gave her access to grants and allowed fundraising opportunities, like their annual open house event.

This year the farm has received the largest contribution in its history, leaving Darlene especially thankful to the unnamed patron and giving her peace of mind that all the animals will be fed over the next few months. “Save a Horse” is sustainable but still looks for help in the form of donations in addition to grants to assist with the costs of running a rescue home. Their annual open house allows guests to visit the farm, go on

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Ryan Armstrong

yan Armstrong enlisted in the United Sates Coast Guard Reserve in 1990 and served there until 1998. He had his basic training during the summer of 1990 at Cape May, New Jersey. While serving in the Coast Guard, Petty Officer 3rd Class Armstrong was involved in Personnel Administration and Data Processing. After leaving the Coast Guard, Ryan served in the US Naval Reserves from 1999 – 2002 in Legal Administration as Petty Officer 2nd Class.

Ryan has been a member of the American Legion for twenty-seven years and a Judge Advocate for the American Legion of Pennsylvania for 12 years.

GreeneScene Community Magazine joins with Ryan’s family to honor him for his dedication to serving his country and the American people. We thank you, Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Armstrong, and salute you for your service.

Darlene feeding bits of an apple to Storm a 35-yearold Palomino with no teeth and a very gentle nature.

Duke, the chestnut, and his friends enjoying a life of leisure in their hilltop pasture.

hayrides, listen to music, play games, grab a bite to eat, and interact with the horses. Darlene also works with Green ARC and its clients (individuals with disabilities), having them work with the horses as a form of therapy. The horses also provide therapy to victims of domestic abuse.

Darlene assists the Humane Society in removing horses from deplorable conditions. She recalls a specific horse, confined to a stall in a trailer park, too emaciated to walk and carried to her trailer on a tarp. Sadly, the horse died shortly after at her farm due to severe neglect and abuse it had suffered. But even after witnessing such cruelty her faith is never stronger and she gets up every day and works so that these animals can live a life of comfort and safety. Darlene misses riding her horses and recently underwent a hip replacement so she could do so in the future but says that right now there are just not enough hours in the day, something we can all relate to.

Appaloosas, Palominos, American Saddlebreds and many more breeds roam the lands of Save A Horse Stables. Each is striking and significant in its own way but they all share a grateful expression on their long faces. If you would like to help “Save a Horse” you can contact their stables through their website, saveahorsestable.com, on Facebook, or call for a visit (724) 499-5709. They are located at 165 Lightner Run Road, Sycamore, Pa 15364. These are animals worth saving; they make the world a more beautiful place. Don’t believe me – just go straight to the horse’s mouth!

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HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

Back in the Cider Again

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By Stephanie Lampe

hen it comes to family gatherings, the Mathews family of the Dilliner area knows how to do things right. This past July, they celebrated their 60th consecutive family reunion. Now, in addition to holidays, they have added another family tradition. On October 21st, family members from as far away as Nashville, TN and Wooster, OH, family friends, and members of their church family got together to celebrate the past, swap stories about the ‘good ole days,’ share a potluck feast, and make homemade apple cider – the inspiration for the event. And I was lucky enough to attend.

Located approximately 3-4 miles off of Interstate 79 is the beautiful Mathews farm, stretching across 1600 acres. The farm has been operating for generations, with the antiques to prove it. One such antique became the ‘star of the show’ at their newest tradition. Forgotten in the back corner of an old barn on the property sat an old apple press. At one point, the press was dug out, but the wood was ruined by the weather. Fortunately, Buddy (Becky) Pecjak, son of Rose Ann, wanted to save it. He and other family members completely refurbished the apple press. When the family decided to try it out, the idea for the fall family gathering was born. It was a small affair last year, but they chose to go much bigger this year.

When I arrived in the afternoon, the first thing I noticed was a very old wagon filled with apples. Next to it sat another old wagon with a quilt draped over it, some bales of hay, and more antiques.

There were fall signs and decorations everywhere. Huge round bales were stacked and spray-painted to look like a scarecrow. A small fire had been started just outside the pavilion with the makings for s’mores nearby. And there were apples, apples, and more apples. Apples in the wagon, apples in big plastic tubs, and boxes of apples stacked just outside the pavilion.

I gathered my notebook and camera and made my way toward the pavilion where I was warmly greeted by Carletta Huggins, daughter of Mary Jane. She explained that the family had worked together to gather around 54 bushels of apples. Some were from the family farm while others were purchased at auctions, etc. in Granville and Cumberland. Carletta said “some were even picked from trees in their yards.”

After meeting Carletta, the introductions began. I was first introduced to Herschel Mathews who was manning the grill. I held out my hand, and he just smiled and said “we hug here.” After giving me a big hug and welcoming me to his farm, he began to tell me a bit about the farm. At 84, he still runs Mathews Farms Seeding and Reclamation.

He still drives the dozers and tractors. “I have 18 John Deere tractors,” he said proudly, “and one of the biggest farms around.” He shared a memory about the 100+ years old wagon filled with apples. He remembered filling it with corn and apples when he was a kid. That was the main reason he wanted to include it; he wanted to fill it “one more time.” The wagon was also used with the thresher. The Mathews family was the only family around back then with a thresher - a piece of farm equipment that removes seeds from the stalks and husks of grain - so they would help out the neighboring farmers.

After speaking with Herschel, I wandered around the area jotting down notes and snapping photographs. As I was admiring an old quilt, Carletta came over. Leona Mathews, her grandmother, had made the quilt as a wedding gift for her daughter Mary Jane, Carletta’s mother. In turn, Mary Jane passed it on to Carletta when she got married.

By this time, the apple pressing had begun. Everyone was taking part in the process – which was fascinating! Whole apples were dropped in, the crank was turned to chop them up, and the cider was pressed out and strained through cheesecloth. The jugs were filled with the fresh apple cider. Carletta handed me a cupful. The first thing I noticed was the smell. The cider smelled like autumn and tasted just as sweetly. And nothing went to waste. What remained of the apples was saved and fed to the cattle. Even the cows got a sweet treat that day!

Shortly after, I met Charley Mathews. Charley is the youngest

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brother of Herschel. Harry and Leona Mathews had seven children: Herschel and his twin brother Harry, Mary Jane, Rose Ann, Dorothy, Eva and Charley. Sadly, Dorothy and Eva have passed away. Charley spoke fondly of his parents and being raised on the farm. It was, and still is, a cattle farm. They raised high quality Black Angus that were grain-fed with grain grown on the farm. They had huge gardens and made their own butter and cheeses. “We lived off the land,” said Charley. “I believe the only things were got at the store were spices and sugar.” Charley and a family friend, Sonny Keener, shared many stories from when Sonny helped on the farm. “Payment was in food,” he said with a smile. Weekdays were for working. “You worked and you ate,” remembered Charley. Sometimes, though, they would sneak off to a pond to fish or swim. Their night out was on Saturdays. “It was a buck a carload at the Blue Horizon Drive-In, but one time we took a wagonload,” chuckled Charley.

Finally, I spoke with Marlene (lovingly called Memaw), Herschel’s wife. Marlene, 80, told me the sweetest story. On their first date, Marlene wasn’t quite ready so Herschel decided to milk her cow while he waited. On their wedding day, Marlene brought her cow to the ceremony. “It was my dowry,” she giggled. She and her husband have a life filled with dancing and wonderful memories. Before moving on, she said something that has stuck with me. “We are fortunate.”

Then she paused. “No, not fortunate, blessed.”

After chatting to some others and eating my fill of the delicious, abundant food that had been blessed by Pastor Andrew Lawrence of First Baptist Church of Dunkard, I said goodbye. The apple press was still in full swing. Everyone, including me, was given a gallon. The Mathews family is one of the friendliest and most welcoming families I have ever met. I drove away feeling very fortunate...no, blessed.

Members of the Mathews family work the restored apple press.

Herschel and Marlene Mathews dressed up for the event.

Juices from the apples run out of the press into a metal can, ready for straining.

Antiques, wagons, and apples are arranged at the Mathews family celebration. The wagon on the right is over 100 years old.

The juice from the apples is then strained through cheesecloth to remove any impurities.

Leona Mathews quilt, passed on to daughter Mary Jane, and then granddaughter Carletta.

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GreeneSce n e of the Pa st This enchanting GreeneScene of the Past is compliments of Phil & Lena Galing, owners of Lippencott Alpaca. The picture is from 1957 - a group of school girls gathered in the school yard at Lippencott Grade School (along with a couple little lambs who must have followed them to school that day). Lena is among the group – can you pick her out? Phil, who actually shared the photo with us, says Lena can name every girl, but since she has no idea this picture is being published, and we didn’t want to spoil the surprise, we thought we’d give you - the readers - first chance to name ‘em if you know ‘em. We’ll share the results in our next issue.

The Perfect Live Christmas Tree

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by Valerie Glister, Master Gardener

hatever your idea of the perfect live tree, there’s a good chance you can find it locally. It has always been a tradition in my family to go out to a local tree farm in the fall and tag our trees.

If you want a tree that is so perfect it might be mistaken for an artificial tree, look for a tree farm that sheers their trees. If you prefer a look that you would encounter in the wild, go to a farm that either does nothing or prunes their trees. I tag my trees early and request that they not be pruned as I prefer the natural look. A “Charley Brown” type of tree may not be the most beautiful tree in the field, but it will fit into a very narrow space and once the lights are on almost any tree can look pretty.

The Fraser Fir is considered by many to be the perfect Christmas tree. It has a nice fragrance. The two-toned needles don’t pinch. The undersides are silver and the tops are green. The trunk is usually not too thick and will fit easily into the tree stand.

If you have a lot of ornaments, a tree with spaces between strong branches, like an unpruned Blue Spruce, is a good choice. The spaces should be wide enough that you can see the trunk. Hang your heaviest ornaments near the trunk and work your way out to the tips.

Douglas Fir has a medium size needle. They are easily grown in this area and most local tree farms have them. If you prefer a full tree, this might

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be a good choice for you.

Other things to be considered are the softness of the needles, fragrance and color. Some varieties have very sharp needles and will cause pinching, while others have softer needles, like the Fraser Fir. Consider the freshness of the tree – especially if you plan to keep it decorated for several weeks.

A freshly cut tree can last for weeks if you keep it watered and positioned away from heater vents and fireplaces.

A few other helpful hints: (1) Measure your ceiling height and the width of your chosen location. Take a tape measure with you when tree hunting and don’t forget that the tree stand will also use a little height. (2) Use a tree bag. (3) A good quality sturdy tree stand is a good investment. You don’t want to get up one morning and find that your beautifully decorated tree has fallen over.

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NEW FUNDING TO AID GREENE COUNTY FARMING PRACTICES Luke Goodling, Sports Editor

The following feature originally appeared in the Oct. 11, 2018 issue of The Yellow Jacket, Waynesburg University’s award winning, student-run newspaper. GreeneScene Community Magazine is pleased to share this and future stories from The Yellow Jacket with our readers, as we give these young journalists an opportunity to broaden their audience and share the good news of our region and campus with you. You can also follow The Yellow Jacket online at https://issuu.com/wuyellowjacket.

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arming and agriculture throughout Greene County recently received a significant boost in funding with the approval of the GRACE Program.

Last month, the Greene County’s Reinvestment in Agriculture: Cost-share Enhancement Program was approved by the Greene County Conservation District’s board of directors for $163,000 of funding for local agriculture. The funding is available primarily for water and soil conservation, but can also be applied in additional areas.

Benjamin Schweizer, conservation technician, said the funding will be through cost share assistance for a variety of needs.

“The GRACE Program is a cost share program for farmers where we are able to offer technical assistance and cost share assistance to improve farmers operations in ways which promote soil and water conservation,” said Schweizer.

“Some of the practices that we can help with are application of lime and fertilizer, interior livestock fencing, watering systems and we also just started offering forestry practices.”

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Schweizer said funding through the GRACE Program is available for anyone currently farming and not restricted to only small or large farming operations.

“It can be for anyone who is actively farming the land,” Schweizer said. “Certain practices such as fencing and watering systems, they do need to have livestock on their farms. But, for farmers with just crops – such as hay fields or corn fields – they can also apply for the lime or fertilizer.”

Recently, Schweizer said, the GRACE Program branched into forestry as well. For individuals with forests on their property, Schweizer said funding is available for the specific areas they want to improve.

For farmers in the county who are interested in applying for the GRACE funding, the application process is simple, Schweizer said, only requiring people to stop by the Borough Offices or call to get started. Once a farm has expressed interest, the property will be inspected.

“We can create a farm file for them and then kind of take it from there and schedule times to come out and check out their operation, do their

soil sample tests,” Schweizer said.

With the prominence of agriculture and farming in the county, Schweizer said the GRACE program is a way of reinvesting in the land and those who work it.

“Farming is a big thing here, there is a lot of people with farms in Greene County,” Schweizer said. “We see this as an important way to give back their practice and their hard work. Then also to promote soil and water conservation, because farmers do impact all of Greene County’s land.”

With monies now available for agricultural funding, Schweizer said the GRACE Program will most likely bolster the farming community in the county.

“I think it will definitely motivate some farmers who were maybe thinking about slowing down their operations,” Schweizer said. “I think this will be something to help them boost their motivation to farm and keep their land as cropland or as pasture. That’s something we like to see, because for a lot of these people their true passion is farming and they love doing it.”

THE SCENE OF THE (MOCK) CRIME

By Danielle Nyland

eenagers walk through the door at West Sides in Waynesburg, laughing and joking, ready for a couple hours of fun with their friends. Nasema Wilson makes sure the students are signed in at the door. Nasema used to participate in the youth gatherings while in high school; she now volunteers to help with Communities That Care events. The students grab a snack and some gather around the tables, while others cluster on a stage full of comfy chairs, talking about an upcoming dance. But all of them are anticipating the upcoming activity.

Communities That Care is a grant-funded coalition that began in 2000, under the County’s Human Services branch. It was revitalized in 2015 to what it is now – a community to reduce the risks and increase the protection of youth in Greene County. The group consists of a mobilizer from the County and a board of representatives from different sectors of the community, including law enforcement, drug and alcohol prevention, mental health professionals, business owners, parents, youth and more.

“We work to provide the youth with positive alternative activities,” says Lori Lhota, the current mobilizer for CTC. “The monthly youth gatherings are a free, healthy, safe and fun alternative to the other options out there.”

“We try to do different activities every month, but the mock crime scene is one that we bring back every year. The students love it,” Lori adds. “This is our fourth year for it. In the past, we combined it with a tour of the University lab and completed a workshop there.”

The mock crime scene got its start through University Forensic Science professor Mike Cipoletti, who helped get his whole team involved. Each year, Lori meets with the President of the Forensic Science Club to coordinate the event. The University students put together a scenario for the students to work though and volunteer their services during the event, overseeing the scene and acting as

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witnesses.

“I’m really glad that Lori reached out to us again to lead this event,” says WU senior Alisha Lesko, the Forensic Science Club President. “I did it as a freshman and it was really great. It’s a really fun outreach program to be involved in.”

“We love working with the University on our projects,” Lori says.

“They provide positive role models for our youth. They’re safe people they can talk to and bond with. They can help them set clear goals for their futures.”

As the event starts, the students gather around the TV, where Alisha leads a presentation about the dangers of drug use. After the presentation, she provides a backstory for the mock crime scene and the group of around fifteen youth are broken into three smaller

groups, each with their crime scene investigation gear and crime scene to investigate. The students get straight to work, interviewing witnesses and checking their scenes for evidence. There’s lots of laughter and giggles, but the teens throw themselves into the work, coming together to solve the mystery of their crime scene.

For more information about Communities That Care, please contact their new mobilizer, Donna Calvert at dcalvert@co.greene. pa.us.

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Saying Goodbye to Rudnick’s

By Danielle Nyland

Rudnick’s has been a local favorite since 1982.

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ts great service, monster sandwiches at unbeatable prices and the biggest selection of appetizers I’ve ever seen have made it THE place to grab a bite to eat in Washington County since 1982. But not for much longer. Owners Sherry and Vince Rudnick have decided to retire this December and are shutting the doors after 36 years of service.

Rudnick’s opened as a bar in 1982 and expanded into a restaurant in 1988. The right side was a beer distributor, as well as a feed store at one point. Above the bar, the second story served as living place for the family. When Vince’s father and grandmother passed away in 1997, Vince and Sherry took over ownership. Vince was working a full-time job in the coalmine, first at Marianna and then later at Emerald, so Sherry quit her job at JCPenney’s and took over running the day-to-day activities. The beer distributor closed due to a technicality of holding 2 liquor licenses.

The restaurant started with a large fish sandwich, large 30

fries and the now-famous burger, and eventually expanded into the full menu that’s available now, with daily specials, and probably the best selection of appetizers around (we recommend the buffalo chips). “We’re always adding new things, trying out new ideas,” Sherry says. “If something doesn’t work after a few weeks, we move on to the next thing.”

But its the one-pound burger that bring the crowds in.

“Out here, you need a draw and we never advertised,” says Sherry.

And with a burger that big – and that delicious – it’s all the advertising Rudnick’s ever needed. Word of mouth about those one-pound burgers has brought customers from all over the United States to try one, bringing them in from as far away as Alaska.

The particulars of a burger that size brought about a new problem – finding the bun to hold it. A regular bun just wouldn’t do; too small, too flimsy, they just weren’t the right

Fran Orum, who has been with Rudnick’s for 15 years, serves us one of the famous one-pound burgers.

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HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018

match for the extra-beefy burger. “We started with the bun for Vince have created, and even though she’s looking forward to er Appreciation Christmas Party, with free food, drinks, and the Whopper, but it wasn’t the right consistency. Then we went retirement and traveling, she’s still a little sad to see Rudnick’s raffle baskets. This year and for the last time, the event will be with an Italian. But those weren’t right, either. Eventually we go. After all it’s been a large part of her life for a long time. held on December 22. Those little touches, like candy bowls found the right one, a French boule bun from US Foods.”

“The girls that work for me, the guys that do the wings and on the tables throughout October and providing snacks for the And it’s not just the burgers that are big at Rudnick’s. Hoa- steaks, they’re like my family,” Sherry says with a smile. “I have kids as a stop in the Lone Pine Tractor Poker Run, are part of gies are served on a 22” bun. “When we do things, we do them girls that have been with us 27 years, 15 years… I’m totally what has endeared customers to Rudnick’s and will make it so different,” says Sherry. “You order it here, you get it oversized. amazed with my crew. I work side by side with them, I couldn’t sorely missed.

We want to make it better than it what is.” function without them.”

If you haven’t eaten at Rudnick’s yet, better hurry – the A favorite special is their Thursday pot roast. They use Sherry and Vince have been part of the Amwell Township doors are closing on December 23rd. Thank you, Sherry and one of their famous hamburger buns, hollowed out, and add community for most of their lives. Vince’s father and grand- Vince, for providing a place for the community for 36 years. the pot roast, mashed potatoes, and gravy. If you want one of mother bought the farm in 1958 and brought the family to live those, better call ahead because “they’ll be sold out before 4:30 there from the Pittsburgh area. Rudnick’s is a part of that farm; that day.”

Sherry and Vince still own the beef farm and have about 30 Other local favorites include Wing Wednesdays and the head of cattle and 2 donkeys on the 140-acre farm. They hope grilled steak and cheese on homemade Texas toast-style buns, to expand the farm during retirement. baked fresh by DJs Diner in Carmichaels. The burger is offered The buildings that would become part of Rudnick’s have on this bread, as well. The meats for their sandwiches come their own interesting history. Built in 1854, the main buildfrom the Fredericktown Butcher Shop. Sherry says the min- ing has served as a general store and phone company. The left ers in the area have their own favorite, “They like to order the backroom was once a church and on the building to the right double burger, which is two of our burger patties, dressed three has been used as residences, for feed, and as a beer distributor. times – on the bottom bun, between the patties, and again on Across the road near the creek, a four-story mill with a wheel the top.” sat (where the Rudnick’s sign sits now) and down the road was Rudnick’s used to have late hours, with DJs, “but it was Martin Mills covered bridge. All of these building were feajust too much to deal with in addition to the kitchen. We’ve tured in a local book, Country Gal by Nancy Martin Shidler. even cut back on hours over the years. The kitchen used to be “When we remodeled the building to create the front open to 10, but a few years back we cut it down 9. There just addition, we discovered the wooden slats for running nails wasn’t much business in that last hour. At one point the busi- down,” Sherry says. “We still have the dumbwaiter upstairs in ness was open 7 days a week, but eventually we started closing the attic.” on Sundays, and then on Mondays,” Sherry says.

The community will miss the Rudnick’s generosity as Saturday nights still find a line wrapping around outside, much as the one-of-a kind burgers. Each year, Rudnick’s hosts full of customers waiting to get in for a table. Sherry says that a cancer benefit in November, where funds are raised to doMartins Mill covered bridge. The bridge collapsed in 1983.

Saturday nights have always been busy, but now with the gas nate to local people struggling with cancer. Last year the wells and the closing announcement, they’re busier than ever. event raised $7500. In December, they hold a CustomThe decision to shut Rudnick’s doors permanently wasn’t an easy one.

Sherry and Vince gave their 5 children the option to purchase the business, but none of them want to take on the daunting task of running the restaurant and bar. And they don’t want to sell it outside of the family, leaving them only with the choice to close.

“We offered it to the children two years ago,” says Sherry, who works at the bar and restaurant from about 7:30am to 9:30pm every night. “But they didn’t want to have to work from 7 in the morning until 10 at night, evHouse and general store at Martins Mill. Far left is the log house on the hill. ery night. It’s very hard to do.”

Photo courtesy Country Gal. Martins Mill and the general store about 1908. Photo courtesy Country Gal. Sherry is proud of what her and

The building that houses Rudnick’s was also a church (left), a general store (middle), and a residence (right).

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The interior of Rudnick’s.

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HOLIDAY #1 - Mid November 2018