The Progress News 2025 Year in Review - part 2

March 2025

• An Emlenton teen was selected to represent the Civil Air Patrol in Washington D.C. A select few Civil Air Patrol Cadets travel to Washington D.C. in February for National Legislative Days as representatives of the Pennsylvania Civil Air Patrol Wing.

Cadet Ambassadors are top-performing members selected through a competitive application process to accompany CAP senior leadership. Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Luke Pentz of Emlenton was selected from many applicants across the state. The selection criteria is based upon character, leadership skills, commitment to advancing through the cadet program, volunteer service, and an oral interview board.

• Emlenton’s Gaslight Campground Gaslight Campground announces new name, new owners. The GAnnounces Local Veterans Chosen to Attend the National Veterans Creative Arts Festivalaslight Campground was acquired by Ugly Duckling Recreation Group (UDRG) in 2025 and is now called, Allegheny I-80 Campground. Ugly Duckling Recreation Group specializes in revitalizing recreational spaces, ensuring that each location under their umbrella offers unique and memorable experiences for all visitors.

• February 14th, 2025 was the official re-opening day of Amy’s Closet, located in the Crawford Center, Hill Street in Emlenton, PA. Amy’s Closet also celebrated 30 years in business on July 5, 2025.

• 2025 winners of the Parker VFD Fire Prevention Essay contest were announced. The contest was open to all 6th grade students. The winners were 1st-Elista Ritchey, 2nd - Lily Black, 3rd-May Alworth, 4th-Brennah Dunkerly, and Honorable Mention - Layton Pollock. Parker VFD has been a traditional sponsor of this contest. Mrs. Longo a 6th grade teacher guided the students with this project.

• The Art Academy of St. Petersburg announced the grand opening of its new paint studio, bringing exceptional art education and a vibrant creative space to the St. Petersburg community. 

The Art Academy of St. Petersburg is part of the Art Academy Studios network, which operates internationally and is founded on the belief that artistic proficiency is developed through quality education and practice.  Saturday, April 19th, was the date of the Grand Opening.

• The Foxburg Country Club brought on Jayson Dewitt to oversee the general day to day management of golf operations at the historic course. Jayson is a retired Command Sergeant Major (CSM) of the U.S. Army. After serving 26 years in the Army, Jayson relocated to Economy Borough (outside of Cranberry Township). Jayson, in coordination with the Board of Governors at Foxburg, plans to improve upon the overall golf experience at Foxburg.

April 2025

 • Clintonville Hardware & Rental, under new ownership, held an open in April 2025. The new owners, Christie & Daniel Karns, and family, were introduces and showcased some of the new changes they have brought to the business. Visit them at 201 Mercer St, Clintonville, PA and online at www.Clintonville Hardware.com

 • The Red Brick Gallery in Foxburg opened its 2025 season on April 11th with an exhibit of photographs and poems by Greg Clary from his latest book, “The Vandalia in Me”.

 • Nine members of the Clarion Chapter of PA Order of the Eastern Star (PA OES) traveled to the Sewickley, PA area to join 156 other PA OES members and guests to honor members (of Chapters in Western PA) celebrating their 50th year in the OES. Clarion chapter honorees were Marilyn Beers and Betty (BJ) Sigworth

 • Every April, Autism Awareness is the focus for the Autism Tough group of Knox. They hold several events throughout the month.

 • Noah Suto, a Slippery Rock University senior management major from Parker (Allegheny-Clarion Valley H.S. graduate), was named an SRU Outstanding Student Academic Leader.

Caption: From left, Noah Suto is presented The Outstanding Student Academic Leader award from the College of Business by Thuy Bui, professor of business, at SRU’s Celebration of Achievement ceremony, April 1, at the Smith Student Center Ballroom.

 • Edenburg Presbyterian Church, Knox, announced the arrival of their new Pastor, Rev. Sarah Sedgwick who officially began leading the congregation on March 2, 2025.

 • In an afternoon of Beethoven’s music in Foxburg’s Lincoln Hall on Sunday, May 4 at 2 PM, gold prize winning pianist David Allen Wehr and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Principal Cellist, Anne Martindale Williams performed masterpieces that embrace the full emotional range of Beethoven’s writing. This was ARCA’s, FOUNDERS’ CONCERT, honoring the memory of its founding President and Secretary/Treasurer, Dr. Arthur and Patricia Steffee, respectively.

 • A blood drive was sponsored for the third year by the Rimersburg Lions Club, with the community service organization being assisted at the school by Union High School students of the National Honor Society. Also the American Red Cross now promotes a student scholarship program based on the number of successful blood donations secured at the school blood drive which can range from $250.00 to $3000.00.

 • Drake Well Museum and Park, Titusville, PA, announced the return of Engine Start Up Day. On this day the Museum officially opened with, “start its engines” for the regular season including the steam engine in the Drake Well replica and the 1896 Olin gas engine and Simplex power in the Central Power Exhibit, both located on the grounds of the Museum. This event was held every year prior to COVID-19.

To be continued next week's issue!