Letter
Summer in Washington County means many things are on the horizon – the Washington County Agricultural Fair, PONY League World Series, picnics at Mingo Creek County Park, bike rides on the Montour Trail, swimming, swimming and more swimming. It also means my favorite day of the year, July 4, is upon us. And, it means the return of performances at the Main Pavilion in Washington Park by the Washington Community Theater.
A few months ago, writer Kristin Emery, who is also a Washington Community Theater alum, pitched a story on the organization’s milestone 50th anniversary season. It was an easy decision to make it the cover story. Fifty years is a long time, and I’m thrilled that WTC has survived the ebbs and flows that have come with five decades in existence. It isn’t easy, but when you have a dedicated team of board members, volunteers and budding actors and actresses, not to mention those working diligently behind the scenes, all that hard work pays off. You can read Emery’s story, as well as get a sneak peek of the upcoming season, on page 22.
I’ve told you before that I look for story ideas everywhere I go – and that includes the salon. I’ve been going to the Geno Levi Salon in Peters Township for several years now, and it was only recently that I found out about their Beauty Resources Foundation. Two percent of the gross sales from their name-brand products are donated to the Washington City Mission and the Light of Life Rescue Mission in Pittsburgh, to help local homeless. The two organizations not only use the funds for restorative programs, but for drug and alcohol programs, work-related training, and more – they get to choose how the money is allocated. While salon owners Geno and Cindy Levi don’t want the spotlight on themselves, I feel they deserve some recognition for giving back. You can learn more about the foundation in staff writer Trista Thurston’s piece on page 28.
For the past 10 years, summer in Washington County has also meant paying homage to our area’s rich history with the Whiskey Rebellion Festival. On page 18, writer Heather Holtschlag has a conversation with Washington County Historical Society’s executive director Clay Kilgore as he readies for the multi-day festival that brings people to Downtown Washington from all over – it’s become an annual destination for many out of towners.
Whatever summer in Washington County means to you, I hope you enjoy it to the fullest.
Cheers,