Lead Stories
Austins Bridge Connects
Think sipping cold iced-tea under the shade of a magnolia tree on a hot sweltering day at a dusty Mississippi crossroads, locusts humming as banjos and steel guitar in the background play along with a heavy bass-line. That’s what happens to me every time I hear the new CD by Austins Bridge—their bluegrass / jazz / country / soul / Rascal Flatts / contemporary Christian / “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” sound is a Rocky-Road blend of music that sweeps you up and takes you places. It appeals to younger country and rock fans, as well as older adults who like bluegrass and country. And now the Alle-Kiski area will have opportunity to be swept up and on-down this new country road as Austins Bridge brings their unique and fresh sound to Vandergrift’s historic Casino Theatre, this September 1st at 7pm.
* LISTEN TO SONG CLIPS & WATCH AN AUSTINS BRIDGE VIDEO CLIP AT THE END OF THIS ARTICLE

Our Kids
Interested in Teaching His Whole Life
Wesley Sprankle of Leechburg is headed to Clarion University of Pennsylvania to earn a degree in elementary teaching and special education. “I have been interested in teaching my whole life” is what he told me. I wanted to know how he made this decision. Wesley started listing how his teachers have influenced him and the opportunities he has had to experience teaching.

The Dedicated
21 Years of Dedication at Plum Senior Community Center
Nina Segelson and Earlene Wolfe are as passionate today about their work at Plum Senior Community Center as when they began 21 years ago. Nina is the Executive Director and Earlene is Assistant Director. Linda Boyer, an administrative assistant, called us to tell the story about these two unsung heroes and how they have dedicated their lives to helping others. When she outlined the many sacrifices and accomplishments of these two great women, we knew there was a story to tell.

AK Educators
Saluting a Team Effort
Greeting students, slapping high fives in the halls, and jumping in on class projects are the perks of his day. Mr. Matt Curci, the acting principal at Apollo-Ridge Elementary School has plunged into the A-R excitement with a big splash. Teachers, parents, and students can't say enough to applaud the wonderful work he has done this year. Talking to Mr. Curci, however, the credit for a successful first year goes to a team effort by the whole school.

from The Editor
Stupid, Stupid Man
I recently asked a group of my friends to watch television in search of a growing phenomenon that I call the Stupid, Stupid Man Conspiracy. Their assignment was to find as many television commercials and programming that depicts men as a horse's ass.

Gloria's Kitchen
CHUNKY CRABMEAT TOSSED SALAD
Now that the hottest time of the year is upon us, I needed to fix something that would be refreshing, delicious and satisfying. This salad was the answer to my endeavor. I hope you find it an easy solution to one of your quick meal searches this summer.

Our Local Heritage
The Harmar Miners Memorial
It all began at a picnic over twenty years ago, and after many years of dedication, planning, and hard work, Harmarville will be home to a memorial dedicated to the memory of local coal miners. On June 15, 2007 a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Harmar Township fire station where the monument will be located.

AK Sports
Tiger In Our Woods
Oakmont’s recent hosting of the US Open Golf tournament made a big splash in June with big names such as Tiger Woods showing up to play. But we have our own golf course phenomena right here in our neck of the woods, and he’s a real Tiger, too.

AK Sports
Going Places: Dave Kaye
I first met him two years ago when he was a high school sophomore. Riverview High School Coach Rich Griser told me about pitcher Dave Kaye. He was among the top WPIAL strikeout leaders (third) and I asked he and his dad, Harry Kaye, to come into our offices for a video interview. (You can still see the video interview at www.alle-kiskitoday.com ) You could tell then this well-spoken, well-mannered player was going places.

AK Sports
For The Name On Front: Valley High School Girls Softball
Their great reward was the WPIAL Championship. Their great sacrifice was for the name on front, not the name on back.

Veterans of Freedom
At Daybreak He Became a German War Prisoner
“Daybreak came and I looked up from my slit trench to see a German soldier standing over me with a fixed bayonet,” said Carl D. Roof of Shelocta, “and he began shouting ‘Rouse! Comrade, Rouse!’.” It was September 7th, 1944 and Carl, with one month on the battlefield, just became a prisoner of war.

Healthy Eating
Vegetable Pizza
One of my favorites at parties and picnics is the colorful vegetable pizza. Like this pizza and most other pizzas, the lactose intolerant people get left out. Well, not always. There are some creative substitutions for this recipe that can be done easily and still taste great. I have even used a similar method to make dressings and dips that are creamy and non-dairy. Check out this great recipe, even if you are lactose intolerant.

Alle-Kiski Businesses
Third Generation Leather Craftsman
Mike Insko is a man of many talents, but his pride is in being a leather craftsman. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Mike grew up working in his dad's shop in Lexington where he learned to make and repair leather products for the horse industry. He is a third generation leather craftsman and to further his knowledge he studied to be a machinist. When you step in his Allegheny Township shop today and learn how he plies his craft it becomes evident that his machinist training plays a big role in his work. Most of his machinery was built in the late 1800’s or early 1900’s.

Alle-Kiski Churches
Avonmore Church Growing
The good news at First Presbyterian Church of Avonmore is that the congregation is growing. In the past year and nine months 18 new members have joined the church, Pastor Kevin L. Johnson reports. And, it is good news for Pastor Kevin as this is his first pastorate since being ordained. He was called to the Church in early November of 2005.

A-K Dining
Yesterday’s Dog House Popular and Growing
I was driving to Plum for an interview when I suddenly noticed this new freshly painted food place called Yesterday’s Dog House opened on Greensburg Road next to the Newport Business Institute, just outside New Kensington. It was around 3 p.m. and there were a lot folks milling around out front. I decided to stop on the way back to see what’s going on. Little did I know I was in for a big laugh and a fun time when I met Dave and Shirley Zawortny, the new owners that just opened the business a few weeks earlier.