Working on Spring ... Summer is next.

Jamie, a local model, is your Spring Time Pinup girl this week.

Spring has been about as wishy-washy as a politician telling a true story. Even tonight, after a Harley ride today, a few snowflakes dropped out of the sky. April will be here in a day or two, and showers will follow as if on cue. April is the star of spring with green colors coming and the "Blessing of the Bikes” in Murrysville. Trout fishermen will soon fill the shores of local spots that produce an occasional rainbow; skiers will put away their dreams of another late snow.

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Dorothy Gerber was awarded a commendation for the U.S. Army, which was signed by the Chief of Staff George Casey Jr. Ms. Gerber who resides in Berlin, Pa. started a local grassroots program, “Berlin Cares.”

The group provides packages of everyday items taken for granted, such as shampoo. Sandals, and so much more to keep up their moral and connection to life back home. Her son Jason is presently serving his second tour in Iraq. The group has been sending supplies to over 70 soldiers.

Anyone interested in donating either money or items, such as phone cards, baby wipes, paper, envelopes, nail clippers or even shampoo, can do so by dropping them off at Luther Haus or calling Gerber at 814-267-3829. The next fundraiser will be April 25, a bake sale during the church's rummage sale.

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Sports Update is negative, with Pitt in men & women going down this weekend. That is all I have say about that.

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Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

SPRING IS HERE

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The long winter’s grasp over the ‘Boys of Summer’ has been broken with the first crack of the bat! Like a whisper teetering on the edge of Victoria Falls, the sound was lost in the magnificence of the moment. Winter has been smitten…

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Photos:

The Boyce Campus team plays South. The game is of course the vehicle for a local community gathering, to include Jack, the baseball-loving dog. Here are a few images shot today during the game.

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PITT is in the Sweet Sixteen! Two games down, and the Championship Trophy is that much closer!!! March madness has been properly named by the rowdy behavior going on these days with brackets, beer, hot wings and pizza, and sports widows all about town!

The Steelers have not made any significant moves yet, but they have signed a lot of returning veterans from last year. More news on such as it happens.

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

St. Patrick's Day is always a big day in SIX-BURGH!

I am back from South America. Grandson Enzo flys the Terrible Towel over Lima, Peru!

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The woman had her head and eyes down sunglasses notwithstanding, as she moved along the Southside unkempt on this early morn; an obvious escapee from a night of overzealous celebration, now feeling shame and a hangover induced headache! Her theme of Irish green clothing gave her away … a St. Patrick’s Day party to forget.

Not all the celebrations yesterday were as such, as the day started out with the second largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country; and that was right here in your hometown, PITTSBURGH--or to Arizona fans--SIX-BURGH! Downtown is filled with various events. Market Square has the large crowds, which sometimes brings in the law for the rare rowdy celebrant who needs minor adjustments or removal for the safety of all. All in all Pittsburgh is known for friendly folks, and even on St. Patrick’s Day most adhere to some degree of decorum. This year it was reported that the police estimated the crowd to be around 150,000 Irish Green loving participants.

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Sports Update:

The big news of the weekend is Pitt, who for the first time in the team’s history was made the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament Bracket!!! Pitt is It!

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Uniontown’s own Army Sgt. Troy Stiner is now deployed in Iraq and has a working dog Ruby, who out ranks him. The Belgian Malinois is a staff Sgt. and is one grade above Troy Stiner. They are stationed at Camp Echo, and part of the K-9 unit there. Ruby can detect explosives and weapons, and is a part of the long stored history of dogs in combat. Their sense of smell is better than anything man has invented yet, and they also are friends of their handlers, which makes it difficult for the handlers if the dog is killed in combat. Man and his best friend, like other buddies in war has a bond that is only developed in places and times like these. When one depends on the other to survive, that bond cannot be broken easily. The best to Sgt. Troy Stiner and Sgt. Ruby … keep your head down.

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Tuesday is St. Patrick’s Day, but the parade and celebrations took place on Saturday in Pittsburgh. I am sure that Tuesday will still find the serious Irish party folks busy again, and again the next morning will find lost, suffering souls wandering the streets looking for home…

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania