Human Interest

Foreign Exchange Student Revisits Ellwood After 37 Years

John Magargee and his wife Janice are pleased to welcome Soh Ping Summers, a foreign exchange student they hosted in the year 1978 to 1979, back to Ellwood City after 37 years! Soh Ping was a student from Singapore, Malaysia who joined a foreign exchange program when she was 18 and attended Ellwood’s very own Riverside High School, where she graduated with the senior class in 1979. She is back to visit Ellwood, again being hosted by the Magargee’s, however this time she isn’t here for school and she comes accompanied by her Scottish husband and a lot of updates on…


Back to School: Flu Season

With the summer months coming to an end and flu season approaching fast, it’s important to remind our children how to avoid getting sick this year! There are some very common aliments that become prominent in schools specifically during the colder months; among the general population, the cold and flu are the most commonly contracted illnesses and are the least likely to be serious if properly treated. The flu and cold are both viruses and their symptoms are very similar, however the duration of the two and the severity of the symptoms is the main tale-tale sign between the two….


Beaver County Humane Society’s “Fall” In Love Event

This month the Beaver County Humane Society is having their “Fall” In Love event, promoting the adoption of available cats. Starting today and going through the end of September they will be offering cat and kitten adoption fees at half the normal price! View the official flyer below. For this event, they’re featuring two lovely cats who are currently available for adoption at the facility: Annabella- Breed: grey and white domestic short hair (cat) Gender: female Age: approx 2 years Been at the shelter since: October 9, 2015.   Gideon- Breed: black domestic short hair (cat) Gender: female Age: approx…


4th Low Cost Spay & Neuter Clinic for Cats

In America the number of stray animals has reached epidemic proportions. According to the ASPCA website, though it’s impossible to get an exact number of stray pets in the USA, it is estimated the numbers of stray cats alone reach into the 70 thousand range. The ASPCA also lists other statistics regarding the importance of spaying and neutering pets: Fertile cats produce, on average, one to two litters of kittens a year. The litters typically contain four to six kittens. The cost to spay is less than the cost to raise puppies and kittens for one year. Approximately 7.6 million…


Local Artist Invites All to See His Dinosaur Replicas

George Shean, a disabled veteran living on Rhode Island Avenue in Ellwood, encourages all in the area to come by and view the replica T-Rex skeletons he has designed and displayed on his front lawn. There are currently two replicas, one is a large T-Rex which stands six feet tall, four and a half feet wide, 23 feet in length and took roughly eight months to complete, then there is a smaller T-Rex, reaching a maximum length of nine feet, that stands guard over their replica T-Rex nest. In order to create the replicas, Shean stated that he starts out…


Ellwood City Public Library Activities for the Week of Aug 15

Activities taking place at the Ellwood City Area Public Library include the following: Monday, August 15, at 1:30 p.m. – Afternoon Book Discussion Group for Adults. The group will discuss the book, “American Ghost,” by Janis Owens. Call the library at 724-758-6458 for more information. Wednesday, August 17, at 10:00 a.m. — “Coloring for Adults,” a weekly program that is free and open to the public. “Coloring for Adults” is a new concept in helping to reduce the stresses of everyday life. These weekly sessions are returning to Wednesday mornings now that summer is drawing to a close. Call the…


Heat Doesn’t Deter Good Works: Carpenter’s Project 2016

Despite an exceptionally hot, humid week, volunteers weren’t deterred from the Carpenter’s Project. Throughout the week, over 100 volunteers divided into 18 crews will work on an estimated 100 projects at 58 houses. The Carpenter’s Project is a volunteer, community organization that provides external repairs to the houses of the elderly, disabled and others who are unable to perform the work themselves. Projects range from painting (the most predominant), to porch railings, demolition, concrete pouring and yard work. The Carpenter’s Project is formed by a collaboration of local churches. Equipment and food are all purchased from local businesses. This year,…


Festival Band Previews: Nickel Plated Revolver and Brok’n Pic Band

The 2016 Ellwood Festival will emphasize the entertainment part of Arts, Crafts, Food and Entertainment at an unprecedented level. All of Friday is dedicated to showcasing Ellwood-based bands and Saturday and Sunday will see additional local entertainment. The previews will be updated throughout the week to highlight different bands. All information taken from interviews or social media. All photos used with permission of the band. Friday, July 1- Community Day 12:30 p.m. Wine & Spirit Perennial festival performers Wine & Spirit will open the musical acts on Friday. “I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve played at the festival,”…


Relay for Life 2016: Paint Your World Purple

The Ellwood City Relay for Life 2016 will honor cancer survivors with a “Paint Your World Purple” theme. This year’s Relay for Life will run Saturday from noon to midnight, rain or shine. Twelve teams are registered to walk around the track and participate in events that include a balloon release, exercise demonstration, basket auction and world survivor lap. “Purple is the symbol of hope and courage for cancer survivors,” Jackie Kline, the Relay for Life publicity chairperson, said. “Cancer is no longer a death sentence.” Kline is a 10 year, going on 11 year, survivor of breast cancer. The…


Ellwood’s Petrak and Lott Advance to Track States

The 300 meter hurdles and 1600 meter run are two of the most physically taxing events in track and field. The hurdles not only requires one to sprint an extended distance, but navigate hurdles as well. The 1600 (approximately one mile) requires speed, endurance and a considerable amount of strategy to pace the four laps and outlast the competition. Ellwood has an athlete advancing in each event. Junior Taylor Petrak placed fourth at the Class AA WPIAL finals in the girls 300 hurdles with a time of 47.35 seconds and junior Billy Lott placed seventh in the boys 1600 with…