Our Kids
Jumping Into Life With Both Feet
"Yes Alle-Kiski Valley, there is a Santa Clause." Well, he's not fat and jolly with a beard of white, and I doubt if he's ever took a trip down a chimney, but he's played Santa on quite a few occasions.

Our Kids
Learning From Example
Sitting on the edge of a stadium seat, eyes wide and soaking in the action of his brother's hockey game, a young Matthew Mike fell in love with the sport.

Our Kids
The Heart To Excel
There are so many opportunities in the world to improve the life of others. There are organizations, programs, and foundations in all of our communities designed to bring some type of relief to those in need. The gift of serving others is very important to the Beasley family.

Our Kids
Never Missing An Opportunity To Excel
What parent wouldn't be pleased to have a child who loved school, tried her hardest in everything she attempted and had a great zeal for life?

Our Kids
An All-American Youth
Baseball, hot dogs and apple pie are the all-American theme this time of year. Another great example of what America is all about is the talent and determination of our children and the parents behind them.

Our Kids
New Experiences In College
Although the bright lights and activity of the big city can seem attractive, there is nothing like the charm of growing up in a small town.

Our Kids
Equestrian Excellence
Many young girls at some time develop a love for horses and more than anything want their very own. For Caitlin Holt of Plum, the request for her own horse wasn't so out of reach. Her mom had ridden as a young child and Caitlin began riding when she was only seven years old.

The Dedicated
Focusing On The Community
When one really belongs to a community they make it become a part of their daily life. It tends to permeate everything they are: their job, their home life and even their recreational choices. Terry Stepnick of Plum has found this to be true. He has invested a lot into the community and found that he has gotten just as much in return.

The Dedicated
Making An Impact On The Lives Of Our Children
One day at church Frank Baker was surprised to see a young man that had crossed his path some years before.

AK Educators
A Dream Job
Sporting the title "Teacher of the Year," Mr Paul Fantaski, has concluded yet another successful year of teaching at Kiski Area High School. The students at Kiski voted for their favorite teacher according to character and teaching style. Who wouldn't walk away from their job for the summer filled with great satisfaction knowing that the students they have invested in think so highly of them?

AK Educators
Out Front in Computer Education
In a world of rapidly changing computer technology, business students today must have comprehensive computer training. Providing a hands-on program to equip students in the array of necessary skills seems an impossible task. Achieving this feat, however, is an award-winning teacher at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center, Jennifer Nix.

AK Educators
Capturing Students With Creativity
Being creative and presenting challenges as a teacher in the classroom can have a tremendous impact on the life of a student. "I had a wonderful biology teacher at Leechburg that I really enjoyed. That's what got me interested in science." Ed Palermo, Science and Biology teacher at Freeport High School, found it to be the most motivating thing as a student to have a good and interesting teacher, and he has used these positive experiences as the foundation for his own teaching.

AK Educators
Life Changing Experiences
It is amazing how opportunities come to us and change the course of direction that our life is following. For Sam Andrew, what began as a one-year term has turned into a successful 37 years of teaching in the Highlands School District.

AK Educators
Making A Total Investment Into Others
"A man with vision sees potential in everyone" Every child has a unique and special gift to offer and a teacher has the ability to draw out that gift. And, according to Plum Junior High teacher Joe Ionta, if you show respect to the students and show them that you care, 95% of the time they will reach their maximum potential. If a teacher has this attitude, not only will school life be improved but also society will be better off.

AK Educators
Providing Opportunity For Students
One of the biggest and most positive changes that Donna Sybert, Principal at the Apollo-Ridge Middle School, has seen over the years are the programs that are available to help individual students with special needs.

from The Editor
Nothing like the 4th of July in the Alle-Kiski Valley
There is nothing like the 4th of July in the Alle-Kiski Valley. Walking the rows of canvas festival tents in any of our community celebrations unfolds a divers ethnic feast of culinary delights second to none. And it would never be the 4th without several days of entertainment of all sorts, fire station contests, the dunking booth, local softball games, church bake sales and of course those hometown nighttime fireworks displays.

from The Editor
Weathering the Storm
Humility is a virtue, especially when you need help. Every so often in life we find ourselves in need of the kind of help that can come only from friends, family and God. These are the moments in which the continuation of our existence depends upon the mercy and grace of others. In such times we truly discover the breadth, length and depth of the true treasures in our life.

from The Editor
Be Proud Of What They Gave Us
I have observed an interesting phenomenon creeping through our country these last couple decades. It is kind of like a false contriteness.

from The Editor
I Asked For It
Leave it to me to get in trouble simply by starting a monthly writing contest. Of all the worst-case business scenarios I could have imagined this was last on my list. But I asked for it.

from The Editor
May Peace Endure
As we close out 2002 and enter 2003 we find ourselves, as a nation, facing the possibility of military conflict. A truly sobering way to begin a new year. I viewed a TV show the other day where Americans were being asked where they were and what they thought when they heard about the September 11th attacks.

from The Editor
Expansion By Smuggling
In a normal business world the expansion of business usually comes through meticulous research, planning and long term investment. Our company never seems to do things "normal-ly".

Our Local Heritage
Local Heritage
Apollo-Ridge: Fired Up - Apollo lost 29 buildings to a major fire in 1876, causing over $32,000 in damage in dollars of that day.

Our Local Heritage
Deer Returns
In 1820 at Warren Ferry [probably between Apollo and East Vandergrift -ed.] Owen Jones smacked a deer with an oar as it swam the Kiski--it was the last killed in the area, according to a local newspaper article.

Alle-Kiski Online
Rametta Audiology and Hearing Aid Center Web Site Informative
Rametta Audiology and Hearing Aid Center has done an excellent job of developing a web site that is very informative. First, the web site is set up to make it very easy to find information. A nice clean index bar on the left quickly directs you to each section. Besides their home page and a page with an interesting history of the firm, there is a consumer guide section followed by an Audiology FAQ section. The FAQ section is packed with informative articles ranging from children with hearing problems to the question of whether or not you need a hearing aid.

Alle-Kiski Online
Growing With Technology Starts With Web Site
Smart companies are putting up web sites on the Internet. We are living in an era that is changing rapidly from one way of doing business to another, and Spark Technologies, Inc. is one of those smart companies that saw this early on.

AK Sports
2003 Tour de Strongland: Still Going Strong
Now in its 15th year, the Tour de Strongland bike race exemplifies how a region can work together to produce one of the finest recreational events found anywhere. In 1989 Phil Morton put together the original idea for the bike race.

AK Sports
Look Out, Boys, There's A World of Outlaws Comin'
Round up a posse and get ready for the storm of Outlaws that are invading the Alle-Kiski Valley Tuesday night at Lernerville in Sarver. But don't worry, there's a new sheriff in town as local hometown favorite Ed Lynch from Apollo hopes to repeat his 2002 triumph over the Outlaws.

AK Sports
What She Can Now
She had just taken the gold in the 100m hurdles at the WPIAL finals. It was her second gold of the day. But even though the talented track athlete stopped to give a big smile at the camera, you could see in her eyes that the future Pitt athlete wasn't done yet.

AK Sports
The Girl With The Propeller-Pitch
Remember those cartoons where they are pitching a baseball or a stick of dynamite and their arm spins so wildly fast it looks like the blur of an electric fan? They must have gotten that idea from watching Jen Kulick pitch. She is so fast you almost think her arm is going to turn into a propeller and she will take off like a jet airplane.

AK Sports
2003 Kiski Area Intermediate Girls Soccer
The 2003 Kiski Area Intermediate Girls Soccer finished their season undefeated with their best record to date of 15-0-3. Congratulations to all the girls for their hard work and dedication.

Veterans of Freedom
Veterans of Freedom - Seaman Frank E. Laero
Our freedom we enjoy today is made possible by the many veterans who served our great country.

Alle-Kiski Women
Using Time To The Fullest
Fond memories of home for Kathy Starr include working on the family chicken farm as a child. Her and her brother had to collect the eggs every morning. Since there were so many chickens the task looked quite enormous to two youngsters.

Healthy Eating
Colorful Meatless Medley
Many people choose not to eat meat for various reasons. Beans are a great protein substitute many times for meat in a main meal or side dish. Some times eating beans can be just a change of pace.

Alle-Kiski Home Life
Gardening and the Dog Days of Summer
These are the lazy, hazy days of summer! You're probably thinking of vacations, picnics and barbecues, swimming and boating.

Alle-Kiski Home Life
Planting doesn't stop in July
Diane Allen is our new writer of Gardener's Corner, and the newest member of Beall's Nursery sales staff. She has worked in the nursery business for over 25 years.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Saltsburg Area's Best Kept Secret
Nestled in the landscape just outside Saltsburg on Rt. 981, a treasure awaits those who step off the beaten path. Less than a quarter-mile from the road sits "Saltsburg area's best kept secret."

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Specialized Therapy Consultants
Rehabilitation Innovations was established in January 2001 and opened its first stand-alone clinic in March 2003. It is one of the newer outpatient rehabilitation clinics that have opened their doors for patients of all ages and is emphasizing their expertise in children and infant rehabilitation.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Route 356 Discount Sales Growing
When Joe Worthington wanted to expand his business, Kabinets Plus in Tarentum, he spotted Discount Sales on Route 356 in Sarver, just three miles north the Route 28 Expressway.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Caring Companions: Helping Hands For The Elderly
Brenda Metal was on the career fast track. After college, she found employment in the world of corporate headhunting where she spent seven successful, well-paid years recruiting employees for a number of well known corporations.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
New Business Has Pets Looking Good
If you've noticed an increase in the number of attractive, well-groomed dogs strolling our parks and sidewalks lately, you can bet they've paid a visit to one of the newest businesses in the Alle-Kiski Valley. What you are seeing is the handiwork of Glamour Paws.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Czekalski Real Estate, Inc
Truly serving the community through four generations and counting is what makes a great business success story.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Cloverleaf Communities
Many businesses around our area have more history than you think. Some even have roots back to the turn of the century.

Parting Shots
Parting Shots - Saltsburg River & Trail
Years ago when Eric Sutliff opened Saltsburg River & Trail, his initial focus was on the sales of small canoes and kayaks. Then one day, someone came in and asked if they could rent a canoe.

Parting Shots
Parting Shots - Locks Of Love
Since 1999, Fantastic Sam's in Sarver has donated almost 3,000 ponytails to the Locks of Love Program. Today twenty-five Fantastic Sam's in Western PA participate in the program with the Sarver chain designated as an official Locks of Love drop-off point.

Parting Shots
Parting Shots-Apollo Spring Church Sportsmen's Club
From humble beginnings in the old Grange Hall in Spring Church to its current location which houses an 18-acre lake, clubhouse, archery range, rifle range, and trap range, the Apollo Spring Church Sportsmen's Club has seen some exciting changes.

Parting Shots
Parting Shots - Leechburg Strawberry Festival
Despite rainy weather, people still showed up in the masses to enjoy this year's Leechburg Strawberry Festival that was held the week of June 16 - 21.

Alle-Kiski Health & Fitness
Lower Back Pain and Alternative Treatments
Chronic lower back pain is a condition that has been treated by many different professions over the years. Unfortunately, this condition accounts for millions of dollars spent each year on its treatment.

Alle-Kiski Health & Fitness
Most Hearing Loss Can Be Treated
Over 28 million persons in the United States suffer with a debilitating disability everyday.

Alle-Kiski Health & Fitness
Fibromyalgia
An estimated 4 million Americans suffer from Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a debilitating condition characterized by anxiety, depression, fatigue, irregular sleep, pain and tenderness.

Alle-Kiski Families
A Family Reaching Out to Others
It's important, as parents, to instill in children the value of caring for and investing in family, others, and the community. These are things children carry into adulthood and help shape the future of our communities. Rick and Tami Kelly grew up learning these values and now they are passing them on to their three children.

Alle-Kiski Families
Passing Down Treasures
When describing their family gathering for a holiday meal, Amber and Sheridan Chambers spoke exuberantly.

The Sport of Cheerleading
WELCOME BACK
That's right! Another season of cheerleading has arrived. High School and Middle School summer cheer camps open this month. Youth cheerleading for most Alle-Kiski Valley communities starts by the end of July or early August. Here are some helpful tips I have collected over the years to get ready for camp and the new season.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Pine Run Presbyterian Church
Pine Run Presbyterian Church at Markle may be over 155 years old, but it is still young in spirit and growing.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Dynamic Youth Group At Harvest Baptist Church
Harvest Baptist Church in New Kensington strongly believes in emphasizing youth ministries.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Gateway to Growth at Evangel Heights
"Gateway To Growth" is the 2003 priority for Evangel Heights Assembly of God in Sarver.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Serving God and Community
I sat with Elder Dale Wiley and Youth Pastor Jon Andrews to learn more about Pittsburgh East Full Gospel Church in Plum.

A-K Dining
Go Down To The Crossroads For The Best In Home Cookin'
Finding yourself at a crossroads in life can mean a lot of different things, but if it happens to be the Crossroads Inn & Hotel in Allegheny Township, you can bet that some good eating is in your immediate future.

A-K Dining
Furry friends from the Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley
Furry friends from the Animal Protectors of Allegheny Valley

A-K Valley Outdoors
Fishin' Buddies
The old tackle shop has been pretty busy, even if the weather is not cooperating. I want to tell about a great matter that is positive for the sport of fishing.

A-K Valley Outdoors
Newfound Respect
Hey, you got a minute? I have to tell you what happened to me. I was stocking 6-8" perch into a private lake at a sportsmen's club. It was your standard fish placement, and then nature took its course.

A-K Valley Outdoors
2003 Tour de Strongland: Still Going Strong 15 Years Later
Now in its 15th year, the Tour de Strongland bike race exemplifies how a region can work together to produce one of the finest recreational events found anywhere.

A-K Valley Outdoors
Legacy at Lernerville:
"…surrounded by cornfields, a man stands in the middle of plowed dirt waiting for people to show up… " In its early days, there were those who said Don Martin's Lernerville Speedway wouldn't be around too long.

A-K Valley Outdoors
Look Out, Boys, There's A World of Outlaws Comin'
Round up a posse and get ready for the storm of Outlaws that are invading the Alle-Kiski Valley Tuesday night at Lernerville in Sarver.

Photo Shoots
Summer shots of Memorial Park in New Kensington
Summer shots of Memorial Park in New Kensington

Photo Shoots
Overview of Hyde Park taken from Lovers Leap Road in Leechburg
Overview of Hyde Park taken from Lovers Leap Road in Leechburg

Photo Shoots
Vacation Bible Club at Trinity United Church of God in Lower Burrell
Vacation Bible Club at Trinity United Church of God in Lower Burrell

Photo Shoots
Scenes from the back roads of Gilpin
Scenes from the back roads of Gilpin

Photo Shoots
The Gazebo Art Gallery behind the Dairy Queen in North Apollo
The Gazebo Art Gallery behind the Dairy Queen in North Apollo