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Preventing accidents possible and preferable; meeting set for Feb. 23
Extension Today
The forecast of warming temperatures is welcome news to area farmers weary of the cold, ice and snow which has gripped the area. Spring planting finally seems within grasp. However, longer days mean longer hours in the field, which lead to increased risk of farm accidents.
In the past week, many area farmers were fortunate to hear Davis “Dave” Hill, director of Penn State’s Managing Agricultural Emergencies program speak at the AgChoice Farm Credit producers meeting near Clarks Mills. Many thanks to AgChoice for making this presentation part of their program and taking a lead role in promoting farm safety.
Dave’s presentation focused on how we all make risk-benefit decisions throughout our daily routines, our historic record of being one of the worst areas in the state for farm fatalities, and the efforts of Penn State Extension, local agri-business and dedicated volunteers to reverse this trend.
Preventing accidents is both possible and preferable, but we all know that they inevitably can and do occur. What we do to educate ourselves in evaluating risks on the farm is important.
So is teaching everyone on the farm to practice safe working procedures every day — every time. Nevertheless, being prepared to react to the unthinkable is critical if someone is involved in a serious accident or life threatening situation.
Think about it: Would you know how to respond to an accident if you discovered it? Are you sure? Life is the most precious commodity we have on our farms and we measure it in time. For many of the more common and serious accidents encountered on the farm, time is your enemy.
The Mercer County Agricultural Health and Rural Safety Advisory Committee has been an extremely dedicated group of volunteers who have worked hard for many years to help us provide educational programs devoted to farm safety and we have witnessed a dramatic decline in farm fatalities in our region.
Most, if not all, of these volunteers have become involved due in part to an accident which happened to someone close to them. They know the phrase, “It won’t happen to me,” is unrealistic.
They know the danger and find doing nothing about it is unacceptable.
Our committee invites you to become involved in the discussion with us.
When you consider the risks of farm life, ask yourself if a few hours of your time is worth keeping those you love alive.
Our next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Mercer County Extension Office. Representatives of our Amish community are encouraged to attend and discuss their perceived educational needs as well. Together, we can continue to make a difference.
Gary W. Micsky is sustainable agriculture/natural resources educator for Mercer County Cooperative Extension. Contact him at: 724-662-3141 or by e-mail: MercerExt@psu.edu
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Sisters pretty accomplished
The most nerve-wracking moment in a pageant is when it comes down to the last two girls on stage, and 17-year-old Caroline Collins has stood in that spot three times in her life.
After two first-runner-up places in the National American Miss Pennsylvania Pageant, the pressure was really on for the Shenango Township girl the third time — her younger sister, Lexi, had taken the pre-teen crown in Harrisburg the day before in her first pageant run.
But Caroline wasn’t disappointed this year. In August, the Collins family celebrated the crowning of two daughters when the older sister was named Miss Pennsylvania Teen, and they all couldn’t be happier.
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‘Rat Packer’ pays homage to friend
When Jerry Chiodo was in the hospital, shortly before he died, Sirjio the Entertainer, his friend for 40 years, stole into his room one night after Chiodo’s family had left, and sang “New York, New York,” to him.
“I promised him right then, ‘I won’t let people forget you,’ ” Sirjio said.
Sirjio, of Farrell, has made good on his promise by creating the Jerry Chiodo Memorial Scholarship, a non-profit charity that plans to present music scholarships to high school students interested in careers in music.
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Pet project
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Greenville-area residents Kristen Weaver and Todd Dunlap have been working as the shelter’s new managers since May, and they’ve already completed some upgrades to the property at 94 Donation Road.
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Car club hosting national antique car event here
Antique and classic cars are no strangers to local roads this time of year as old car enthusiasts cruise on sunny days.
Next week, expect to see not one or two cars as you drive around town, but dozens.
The folks who put on the Father’s Day Car Show will be hosting a national classic car tour Wednesday through Aug. 27 that will be based in the Shenango Valley.
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Flying fortress
“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it,” 88-year-old John Grosbeck said in a weak voice that was filled with emotion.
It was the first time Grosbeck had been on a bomber since 1944, he said. The local stop was part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s “Salute to Veterans Tour,” and on Tuesday and Wednesday people had the chance to buy a seat on a flight aboard the “Aluminum Overcast” B-17G.
The Aluminum Overcast is at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Pa., through today and will be at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport Sept. 14 and 15. Ground tours are offered for a small fee but are free to all veterans. -
Teen wins two World Open baton twirling titles
Brianna Colbert, daughter of Steven and Melissa Colbert, Hermitage, won World Open Three Baton Twirling and World Open Flag Twirling titles at the National Baton Twirling Association’s America’s Youth on Parade at Notre Dame University, July 20-23.
This National and World Open baton competition held in South Bend, Ind., had thousands of twirlers from all over the United States, Canada and representatives from other countries as well. While there,Simone Esters of Hermitage and Marissa Pierce of West Middlesex, members of the Shining Star Competition Team, represented Pennsylvania in the Miss Majorette of America Pageant, founded in 1945.
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Blues will fill air
The Sharon Arts and Music Initiative’s inaugural Sharon City Blues Fest, like its headliner, is “The Real Deal.”
Grammy Award nominee John Primer will take the stage along with local and regional blues musicians on Sept. 11 in downtown Sharon.
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Teaching with technology
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Jan Abernethy, a fifth-grade teacher at East Elementary School, was one of 75 teachers nationwide chosen to attend the Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute, which is held at a different location each year.
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Actors visit Camelot
The magic and mysticism that abounds in the King Arthur legend has been just as prevalent in the life of a woman who has written a three-part play chronicling the history of Camelot’s famed ruler.
Youngstown native Carol Weakland said she’s been working for 12 years on the play that premiered last weekend: “The Arthurian Trilogy Part One, Arthur and Merlin: The Making of a King.” She was never able to assemble a cast to play the demanding roles or “whittle down” the lengthy script into a compact but complete show. But this year, everything came together.
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Annual senior fair is Friday in Sharon
State Rep. Mark Longietti will hold his fourth annual free Senior and Health Education Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Sharon American Legion, 1395 E. State St., Sharon.
The fair will feature farmers market coupons, free health screenings, about 50 vendors, door prizes and free information and services.
For more information, call 724-981-4655. - More Community Headlines
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Sisters pretty accomplished
