= Many calls have been coming in to the chamber office, asking about the train which was operating in the area the last several years. Unfortunately, it seems that the Westmoreland Scenic Railroad may have had its last boarding call. Financial problems appear to be keeping the train from running.
Over the past several years, the train has operated under the auspices of different groups, with Westmoreland Scenic Railroad being the last attempt to operate the train profitably.
The passenger train has brought many tourists into the area over the last several years, with many locals also riding the rails with their grandchildren, who may have never been on a train. Obviously, the local communities are saddened to see that another group has been unsuccessful in making this venture work.
= Look for the Scottdale Farmer's Market beside Gazebo Park on Sundays from 5 to 8 p.m. Call Tom Bailey at 724-887-0952 for more information.
= Don't forget the third annual Scottdale Community Yard Sale on Aug. 7. Maps can be picked up at Collections By Marty, The Independent-Observer, Standard Bank, Scottdale Bank & Trust and Fox's Pizza after Aug. 3.
= The 2004 Summer Concert Series at the Scottdale Gazebo will include the following: Aug. 1 -- Blair Elton Concert Band; Aug. 8 -- High Rider Band; Aug. 15 -- Moonlighters-Mixx; Aug. 22 -- Neon Swing X-perience; Aug. 19 -- Jake Zelmore Band. In the event of rain, concerts will be moved to Christ United Methodist Church on Market Street.
= Plan now to attend the annual "Picnic in the Park" which will be held at Loucks Park on Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. For information, call Tinkey Nist at 724-887-6274. Fireworks will be sponsored by Scottdale Bank and Trust Co. and Brilhart Hardware. The Citizen of the Year will be honored at this event.
= Congratulations to Brilhart Hardware as they celebrate their 100-year anniversary in business in Scottdale.
= We now have a new Scottdale mayor, former councilwoman Patricia Walker. Congratulations and best wishes for much success.
= Two new businesses have recently opened on Porter Avenue, Scottdale. Twigs Country Furniture features a line of primitive furniture. During the months of July and August, Twigs is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shoppers should call ahead to make sure the store is open at 724-887-5500. Laurel Highlands Structures produce storage sheds. Laurel Highlands Structures is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those customers requesting custom-built sheds should call ahead for a consultation at 724-887-5500 or visit www.laurelhighlandstructures.com.
= Congratulations to Al Maida, who recently was honored as citizen of the month. He was a former member of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He has over 40 years of service with the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department. Maida spent 44 years with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and is probably one of the best-known people in town. Thanks, Al, for your many years of service to the community.
= Family members of Mount Pleasant native Geraldine Miller, who passed away this past spring, asked for donations to the Town Clock in lieu of flowers. "We have received over $1,800 just from people sending in for Gerry," according to Monica Palkovic of the Mount Pleasant Borough office. Other families have sent memorial donations as well.
Contributions can be sent to Mount Pleasant Town Clock Fund, c/o Mount Pleasant Borough Office, Etze Avenue, Mount Pleasant, PA 15666, or they can be dropped off at the borough office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.
= The furnace at the former Lenox glassmaking plant in Mount Pleasant is being sold after a two-year search by economic development officials to find another glassmaker produced no results. "After two years, it's time to move on," said Larry J. Larese, executive director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corp. The 8.5-ton electric melter has the capability of pulling 7.5 to 11 tons of glass through the production line. Removal of the furnace would release 53,000 square-feet of space, much of which is high-bay or high-ceiling space, ideal for manufacturing or distribution. He also said about 20 acres of the original five-acre property is also available for development.
Larese said in two years, the agencies received only two inquiries, one from a glass bead company whose glass product is mixed with paint to make reflective lines on highways, and one from an individual from West Virginia who considered moving his business into the Lenox plant.
= Don't forget the Farmer's Market that runs weekly in the parking lot behind Levin Furniture. The market takes place every Wednesday from 3 to 6 p.m. Look for home-grown produce, hand-crafted items and home-baked goods at reasonable prices. Your support is necessary to have this event continue.
= A great big "thank you" from the Laurel Highlands Chamber of Commerce to all of the merchants who provided money, gift baskets, gift certificates, etc., for the Mount Pleasant School-Community picnic at Idlewild Park. Thanks also to the businesses who sold tickets for us, to Standard Bank employees for their help with soliciting prizes and helping with the prize drawing, to the Mount Pleasant Volunteer Fire Department for transporting the prizes to the park, to Bill & Andi's Cafe for providing breakfast for the men from the fire department who made the trip, to the Mountain Laurel Chamber of Commerce for help in soliciting prizes, to Mayor Jerry Lucia for assisting in the prize drawing and to Nick Aldom for assisting in the prize drawing.
Although we had a few rain showers here and there, it was a huge improvement over last year's total all-day wash-out! We have not yet spoken with Idlewild to see if the change will be permanent. We'll keep you informed.
= The fifth annual Mountain Laurel Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing will be held on Aug. 9 at Hidden Valley. The cost per foursome is $300. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Cost includes lunch, dinner and prizes. Call 724-593-8900.
= The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will perform an outreach concert benefiting the students served by Communities in schools. The event is scheduled for Aug. 8 at 8 p.m. at Laurel Highlands High School Auditorium. All proceeds from the concert will benefit Communities in Schools and the youth of Fayette County. Call 724-437-2540 for ticket information.
= The United Way of Westmoreland County announces the availability of $16,600 to support programs offered by nonprofit organizations throughout the UWWC service area as defined below. These monies will be distributed by the Supporting Vulnerable and Aging Populations and Supporting Children and Youth Impact Councils. Each council has a total of $8,300 to disseminate. Programs requesting consideration must identify which Council they are applying to and clearly identify which of the council goals (as defined in the application) they are addressing. The Supporting Vulnerable and Aging Populations Impact Council has established an award limit of $4,500 while the Supporting Children and Youth Impact Council will consider proposals up to the total amount available ($8,300). Program applications are available for download at www.unitedway4u.org. The deadline for submissions is Aug. 2. All requested information on the application should be addressed to the appropriate impact council at United Way of Westmoreland County, 1011 Old Salem Road, Suite 101, Greensburg, PA 15601. Only those agencies submitting accepted programs will be notified.
