Leadership Westmoreland Program

Greensburg, PA: The Leadership Westmoreland Program is now accepting registrations for the 2007-08 class beginning in September. Leadership Westmoreland is a ten month leadership development program designed to expand the pool of community leaders. Program topics include Local & County Government, Community & Economic Development, Education, Healthcare & Human Services, the Justice System, Business & Entrepreneurial Development, Our Heritage & Quality of Life, the Media and Understanding Diversity. The group will meet monthly for full and half day sessions.Sessions include participation in workshops, tours and projects that are designed to enhance participant’s creative leadership skills. The program is open to any adult (age 21 or over) who lives and/or works in Westmoreland County and has demonstrated a willingness to become active and involved in Westmoreland County. The program seeks participants from all sectors of the community including business, healthcare, social service, government, labor, education, professional services, industry, community volunteers and other interested citizens. The fee to attend the program is $750 and includes all materials and supplies, food and refreshments, admission charges and other program and conference fees. Registration is required; limited number of spaces available. Visit www.leadershipwestmoreland.com or contact one of the local Chambers of Commerce for additional information or to obtain an application.

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Latrobe Area: 724-537-2671

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Laurel Highlands: 724-547-7521
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Ligonier Valley: 724-238-4200
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Norwin Chamber: 724-863-0888
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Westmoreland Chamber: 724-834-2900

Weekend re-enactment, talks recall ambush of Hanna's Town
In what may come as a disappointment to local members of the Kevin Costner Fan Club, the authentic American Indian wardrobes spotted in Hanna's Town this weekend are not here for "Dances with Wolves 2."Instead, the Indians, along with British soldiers and civilian loyalists, are part of a dramatic retelling of the 1782 demise of frontier outpost Hanna's Town in Hempfield.History buffs can join about 50 re-enactors this weekend as log cabins and taverns come alive on the Pennsylvania frontier in the waning days of the American Revolution.Although there will be no attacking Indians running out of the woods, visitors can get a glimpse of life on the Forbes Trail settlement up until the raiding Indians and British allies ambushed the town 225 years ago, said Rush Blady, who is helping to coordinate the eventHanna's Town will burn again -- this time in simulation.Daytime activities include the usual Saturday afternoon fare in a frontier town: log-cabin building, leather tanning and militia drills.When evening falls, special tours will show the huddled survivors in the fort, where different perspectives on the raid will be shared. Reservations are required for the evening tour and cost $7 -- or 70 shillings.Hanna's Town, founded in 1773 by Robert Hanna, served as the first county seat of Westmoreland and was the site of the first English court west of the Allegheny Mountains.The town's glory days were short-lived, though, when on July 13, 1782, a joined force of British troops and Indians burned the community -- killing two and capturing many more."The town never recovered from the attack," Blady said, and the county seat eventually was moved to what became Greensburg.Noteworthy cases from the pre-Bill of Rights, more stringent court will be on display this weekend."There was no transcript, so you have to guess who said what," said Lisa Hays, executive director of the Westmoreland County Historical Society.One noteworthy case promises the thrills that only a "horse theft" trial can deliver, especially because Black Beauty-bandit cases were treated "like grand-theft auto is today," said Joanna Moyar, education coordinator for the historical society.Offering another outlook will be three Seneca Indians from Salamanca, N.Y. They will answer questions and demonstrate customs of the Seneca lifestyle. Children's activities include joining an Indian scout and playing period games."The Senecas are our honored guests," said Blady, who will wear an authentic period ensemble -- featuring a smock, oval spectacles and buckle shoes.More than half of the participants in the re-enactment are local, Blady said, but some are coming from as far as South Carolina and Massachusetts.The group of homesteaders, makeshift soldiers and British foes will camp out at the site.Hays said she hopes the commemoration will draw attention to Hanna's Town, which she called "the missing link" in the Pennsylvania parade of forts and settlements.The 225th anniversary also will be marked by construction on a new log cabin for the historical site.Blady said participants plan to construct a cabin "based on Hanna's original deeds." The crew expects to finish only the walls of the structure, so they will "raise the roof" at a future event.

July 22 - West Overton marks Old Overholt Days

West Overton marks Old Overholt Days
By Barbara Hollenbaugh
West Overton Museums, outside Scottdale, will celebrate an unusual aspect of the Overholt family, who founded the village, Saturday and July 22.During the Old Overholt Days celebration, West Overton will note the military service of this Mennonite family during the Civil War.The village was founded in 1800 by Henry Overholt, a Swiss immigrant who moved there from Bucks County. Overholt's son, Abraham, an entrepreneur, expanded the town's modest grist mill and distillery. He later added other businesses, including a flour mill, a cooper's shop and a blacksmithing shop. He even launched a thriving pig trade.Abraham's grand-nephews, Aaron and John, enlisted in the 15th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Calvary, much against the wishes of their father, a local Mennonite bishop.This regiment served mainly as scouts; however, members played important roles in the Battle of Chickamauga. They also were present at Appomattox on the day Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered.The regiment mustered out of service in June 1865.Barbara Pearlstein, executive director of West Overton, said Old Overholt Days is a celebration of the history of the village and of the people who lived there."There will be demonstrations of cooking, farming and preserving, along with other period crafts, such as spinning and weaving." she said. "There also will be Civil War re-enactments, and even a mock trial for a Southern sympathizer."The musical group The Remnants will perform period music, as well.Pearlstein said she plans this year to test a new program that will depict the lives of children who lived and worked during the region's coal and coke era."We'll have a self-guided picture display in the barn," she said. "People will see what life was like for these children. They had no medical care. Also, there were no child labor laws."There will be children's activities as well. Kids will be able to sort coal by grade and by size, just as their counterparts did years ago.Pearlstein said she hopes to add more living history events to the celebration."West Overton once had a thriving pig trade," she said. "That should be illustrated."Also, the building that once housed the company store is still standing. I would like to focus on its importance to the villagers. I would like to bring more attention to the old post office, as well."Pearlstein emphasized that she doesn't want to diminish in any way the importance of the Civil War in the village's history; she simply wants to bring attention to the many other aspects of village life.Pearlstein hopes that people will leave the celebration with a deeper understanding of what life was like during the Civil War Period.But she said West Overton is in need of volunteers."There's a wealth of interpretation here," she said. "We simply don't have enough volunteers to help bring it to life."

In Memory
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John W. Peck
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A Dedicated & Respected Public Servant
Westmoreland County's
Longest-tenured Sheriff

Foriska will lead Hempfield schools
By Richard Robbins
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Hempfield Area School District has a new superintendent and a new budget. Terry Foriska, who served as assistant superintendent for the past six years, got the nod Thursday for the post that was vacated by Wayne Doyle, who retired. Foriska, 53, was the unanimous choice. His first-year salary was pegged at $126,000. The Mt. Pleasant Township native said he faces two major challenges as he takes the helm: "Continued academic excellence" and whether the district is "fiscally responsible."

Bill gives Westmoreland commuter rail lines $50M head of steam
Support for two commuter rail lines that would bring passengers from Westmoreland County into Pittsburgh was jump-started Wednesday when state lawmakers voted to provide funding for new and expanded train systems throughout the state.