The Progress News - Year in Review – Part 4

August 2025

Isaac Cole returned to The Mark at the Park, Sally Buffalo Park in Cadiz, Ohio, for the second year in a row, this time he opened for Randy Houser and Craig Morgan, Backroads and Campfires, theme on August 16th! 

– The 3rd series of the Farmer Trading Cards, debuted at The Butler County Farm Show. To celebrate those amazing individuals involved in the local agricultural community the Butler County Farm Bureau Women’s leadership has come up with Farmer Trading Cards.  Farmer Trading Cards are meant to advocate, educate, and promote Butler County Farm Bureau members and their involvement in the community.

– Gladys Jacobs celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday, August 17, 2025, with a celebration at the Union Presbyterian Church in Clintonville.

– John Russell, Emlenton, earns first place at the Civilian Marksmanship Progam / National Matches, with his efforts in the 3 Position Smallbore shoot. Russell participated in the Civilian Marsksmanship Program and the National Matches event at Camp Perry in Port Clinton, Ohio, last July.

– Primary Health Network (PHN), Pennsylvania’s largest Community Health Center, officially opened the doors of its new Emlenton Health Center in 2025. To celebrate this milestone, PHN hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in partnership with the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, August 7.

September 2025

– Tara Hackwelder, a local Butler County resident and founder of the ZTTK SON-Shine Foundation, had the honor of ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange this past Friday on August 29th.

– An open house marking the 150th building anniversary of the Salem Lutheran Church, at 2057 Route 208, Lamartine, PA, was held at the church on Saturday, September 20th from 11 am to 2 pm. There were light refreshments, a slide show, memorabilia displays and a few activities for children to participate in. The Salem Lutheran congregation was established in 1835. The first church building was erected in 1838 and was known as the Old Black Church. That building was used by many different denominations. The current church building was built in 1875 with the dedication of the building taking place on September 4th of that year.

– Perry Township Planning Committee hosted the Perrty Township Fall Festival, a day of fun for all ages. It was held September 20th at the West Freedom Ball Field, 73 Collier Rd, Parker, PA 16049. There were a variety of crafters and food vendors throughout the day.

– Kendrick Kinney finished in first place at the PA State Game/60 Chess Championship - West under 600 division. The event took place on Saturday September 13, 2025 at the University of Pittsburgh, (PITT).  There were 21 participants in the event, and included players from Pennsylvania and Ohio. 

­­­ The Allegheny Riverstone Center for the Arts celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a the Gala “Birthday” Pops Concert on Sunday, October 12, in Lincoln Hall by mezzo-soprano Katherine Soroka, who sang the first ARCA concert in Lincoln Hall in 2006. She was joined by virtuoso pianist and ARCA favorite Nathan Carterette,  distinguished violinist Maureen Conlon Gutiérrez and acclaimed tenor Robert Frankenberry. The concert commemorated the visionaries who founded ARCA and the contributions of audience members, donors and volunteers whose enthusiasm, generosity and support have made this rural arts initiative a success.

October 2025

–The 6th Biennial Meandering Trails Quilt Show was held on Friday, October 10th and Saturday, October 11th at the Scrubgrass Grange in Emlenton, PA. The quilt show was sponsored by the Scrubgrass Stitchers Quilt Guild (SSQG).

– The year in review will conclude next week.