The Ligonier Echo
The voice of the Ligonier Valley since 1888, the Ligonier Echo is the longest continuously running business in Ligonier. In September 2011, Echo editor Debbie Brehun interviewed me about my internship with the Flight 93 National Memorial. She then gave me the opportunity to write for the newspaper, starting with the 10th commemoration of the events of 9/11 in Shanksville, PA. From that story I began writing for the Echo as a regular contributor, eventually writing 3/4 of the sports page. The Echo was a huge part of giving me my start writing professionally and I am grateful for the opportunity
to this day.
Flight 93 memorial dedicated
Ceremonies mark 10th anniversary and attack on nation
Rays of sunshine broke through a dark, cloudy Saturday morning as family and friends of the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 gathered along with other invited guests and dignitaries to dedicate the completed first phase of the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa.
Gordon Felt, brother of passenger Edward P. Felt, and President of the Families of Flight 93 called the occasion a “Bittersweet celebration.”
“The design will assure that the enduring legacy the actions of the passengers and crew will be a source of comfort, inspiration and education for future generations,” Felt said.
Students Release Trout at Linn Run
On May 1 and 3, two halves of the Greater Latrobe 7th grade class took their fourth annual field trip to Linn Run State Park to release brook trout they spent the year raising from eggs, as well as spend the day doing activities related to stream ecology, part of a program called Trout in the Classroom, sponsored by Trout Unlimited.
Park Manager Douglas Finger said Linn Run has participated in the program for five years with the Ligonier and Latrobe school districts, though the schools’ involvement with the park predates his 16-year tenure.
"It's a chance for the kids to get out and enjoy the outdoors,” said Trout Unlimited Forbes Trail Chapter director Bob Shusko. “It's amazing how many kids today have not been to a state park and gotten out of the car. We are trying to get more kids away from their computers and phones and get them aware of what this is all about. Linn Run is a brook trout stream, so it goes hand in hand; it complements and helps the state."
Powdermill Gives Tropical Students a Look at Temperate Biodiversity
For two weeks, Powdermill Nature Reserve played host to 17 graduate and PhD students from the Institute of Ecology in Xalapa, Mexico. The students were given free reign to explore Powdermill’s 2,200 acres, witnessing the emergence of spring and learning about the biodiversity of a temperate forest.
Powdermill director John Wentzel said this is the second group of international students who have come to Pennsylvania for the first time. During their two weeks, staff trained the students in the top modern standards in sampling plants, animals, and invertebrates, thereby extending their field research experience in the process.
“Some of these students are going to be the leaders,” Wentzel noted. “In 10 or 20 years these will be the people running other institutions in Latin America. So we are trying to provide them with a really broad background. If you grow up here, this is just the way life is, and you don't think it's special. But if you didn't grow up here and you come here, then you notice how impressive it is.”