It is that time of year again New Castle celebrates it's annual Summer fest.  Downtown Mary Mother of Hope Church adds to the fun festivities along with a variety of food delights to please every appetite. Come on down.... enjoy the atmosphere and outside and inside seating.  Enjoy sharing time with friends and community.The flower gardens around the church and parish center are bursting with color.   Bring a friend, rest a while and enjoy all that the summer fest has to offer.   Here are a few photos from the 2008 festival along with a few from this year's upcoming event.                     07/09/2009

Now is the appropriate time for wishes from the " Fireworks Capital of America " New Castle Pa sends out Happy 4 th of July wishes to all. A heartfelt wish for a happy together time with family and friends to Celebrate our Independence. Enjoy, appreciate and give thanks ......God Bless our United States of America and all who have fought for our freedoms.   Come with me for a Sunday drive through downtown New Castle. I want to share with you what our hometown has to offer. When the welcome sign greets you, it is truly sincere. The residents are proud to claim New Castle as their own. Our New Castle is going through a revitalization and with beautiful results. Our buildings stand stately, rich in history. The Lawrence County Seat of Government stands in prominence and majestically looks ... 07/02/2009

Not often do we hear of an opportunity to qualify for an $ 8000 tax credit...well first time home buyers this information is for you. You may have heard the all the noise and talk about the " New  Government program ", but found it confusing and clear as mud. Don't panic...don't give up and CHECK IT OUT.  Don't let the chance to purchase that first home slide through your fingers because  " it is just too complicated ." You have nothing to lose and an  $8,000 tax credit to gain. Like all good things must come to an end...this program ends also ..in fact on December 1 2009. You know the well heard saying   " You snooze..you lose "  Oh well maybe it isn't that well known. Humor aside...if you qualify CHECK IT OUT. Below is a flyer that Doug McIlltot from  the New Castle, Mortgage Departme... 06/08/2009

Received a public comment from a Blog that I posted on a favorite hometown event                             " The Apple Castle Festival " http://activerain.com/blogsview/736683/-apple-castle-festival-in-new-castle-lawrence-county-pa-a-fall-fun-day- This commenter wanted to surprise her husband for Father's Day and send him apples from the Apple Castle.  He was a one time resident of New Castle.  It just made me think about our small town and how the people that have moved away, never fail to remember the little things...events, places, good times and the  food. All this  is woven into the fabric of the New Castle Life....they are the  . pleasures we take for granted..until they are not at our finger tips anymore...and all we  have left is but the memory. I remember telling someone  " M... 06/07/2009

New Castle Pennsylvania celebrates " Let There Be Joy" On December 26 the Seraphim Chorus, a community choir invited the residents and friends to a free concert at  Mary Mother of Hope Parish ( St Marys Church} in downtown New Castle. The free concert featured selections by Handel, Faure, Rutter, Menotti and others celebrated the Christmas Season. The chorus is under the direction of Mary Mother of Hope's own director of music, Mr Kris Harper. Kathryn D.Miller, Westminster College organist will accompany the group. In addition to the performance of the Seraphim Chorus, Carmen Massaro-organist, Justine Kolodziej-Tenor & Kris Harper-Baritone and Anthony Nsthsl-Bass also performed at scheduled times.   ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The busyness, the h... 12/27/2008

Here it is our first " Winter Wonderland Snowfall "  that special snowy day when magic happens.  Layers of glistening flakes accumulate by inches on everything in sight.  It is like living inside one of those winter snow globes. it is truly a " Currier and Ives " moment.  Nothing dramatic...simply a pretty picture. I just captured these photos of the horse pasture and woods across my driveway,such a tranquil scene.  Hope you enjoy..the photos of  our beginning winter season in Western Pa.   "In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous"                                                                                                                  Aristotle.   11/19/2008

Another glorious Autumn weekend in Lawrence County.  The second week in October has always been the " Apple Castle Festival and Craft Fair"  The well know landmark has been fifth generation farm since 1861..It is five minute drive from New Castle located in  the heart of the Amish countryside.The Apple Castle features home grown fruits and vegetable. Their  country store delights visitors with their specialty foods like jellies, jams Amish items, apple  butter, cider, candies, cheeses, dried fruits and snacks, local eggs, honey and no sugar items. An amazing blast of Autumn colors amidst the aroma of fresh apple cider and the  " Apple Castle's famous donuts, freshy baked on the spot enticed visitors as they enjoyed the many attractions at the festival including,  two horse drawn hay wag... 10/12/2008

  Is buying that home just wishful thinking?  Is the media closing the door to your dream?  You know what they say......You can't believe everything you hear! What you hear may not fit your location or your situation.  What do you do first? Know your credit score. What are the benefits of a good credit scorewhen looking to buy a home?                Lower interest rate Speed up loan approvals  Boost buying power The most in depth and accurate way to determine your credit score when thinking about buying a home is to talk with your lender's  loan officer  and ask them to run a merge report. It is free and will pull your credit  score from all   agencies. Transunion Equifax  Experian    The determining factors to how your credit report rates, is based on paying your debts on time the avai... 10/09/2008

West Penn Multi-listings in the Mohawk School District- September 29,2008               According to the 2000 census, the North Beaver Township area has a population of 4,022. ( 1 % urban- 99 % rural )    North Beaver Township covers 43.1 miles The Mohawk Schools,  Elementary and Secondary are  the only schools in the Township. The enrollment is approximately 1839 for the district with 946 High School Students and 893 Elementary Students The Mohawk High School is now under major renovation of expansion to create additional rooms. The Elementary School Building is located next to the High School at the end of a long pine tree drive. For additional information on this shool district visit their web site at ttp://www.mohawk.k12.pa.us/elementary/default.asp   I wanted to capture some pictur... 09/29/2008

Well .....we are into the first few days of Autumn. Fall in Pennsylvania is nothing less than spectacular.    The color palette is amazing. I wanted to go back to the farm markets to take photos of the different   fall displays. These farmers  takes such precision in creating exciting pumpkin displays. I hope you are  able to take these beautiful Fall days and drive out  to the various markets in the country . It's a beautiful day for a drive.  There are new Fall items corn stalks, gourds, fall decorating items and and still plenty of  fresh picked vegetables. First set of photos---Sperdute Farm Market on Kildoo Road in North Beaver Township, outside New Castle, Pennsylvania. The next Photos are of the Walker Farm Market and Hand crafted Gift Shop. located on Rt 108 Mt Jackson Road, jus... 09/28/2008

Mc Connells Mill State Park, in Lawrence County about 2o minutes from New Castle, Pennsylvania, encompasses around 2,546 acres of magnificent Slippery Rock Gorge. The park is open year round from sunrise to sunset.  It is a spectacular park that entertains thousands of visitors every year.  Mc Connells Mill is not your usual park.  It has two picnic areas next to the parking area at the northern end of the gorge, near the Old Mill. The park has many shaded picnic tables, charcoal grills. but no covered pavilions.Restrooms are located near the picnic areas. No alcoholic beverages are allowed. The park has a play field for softball or other summer activities and in the winter the field is used for sledding. Climbing and rappelling enthusiast take advantage of the two areas available to pr... 09/25/2008

  I wanted to revisit the Lawrence County farm Markets to check out the fall        pumpkin displays. Well I found a little extra surprise waiting for me. Sunflowers, sunflowers and more sunflowers.  Why is it everyone loves those huge, funny, happy looking flowers? They gently sway in  the breeze as though they are hundreds of smiley faces inviting all who pass by to stop and look at them. These golden gems are the project of  Michael Sperdute.  He is the son of Steven and Susan Sperdute part owners of the Sperdute Farm market on Kildoo Road in North Beaver Township. These flowers have been quite the attraction at the  farm market. It is a sight to behold. Dorothy Sperdute, Michael's grandmother told me that Michael had about seven acres of sunflowers planted in two different location... 09/22/2008

You are all welcome to attend the 18 th Annual Lawrence County Polish Day.....Sunday September 21, 2008 Sponsored by the American Polish Central Committee of Lawrence County.... Held at Cascade Park Pavilion .Join the fun and excitement and star studded evening with Top Polka Bands from               The East Coast & From Chicago........  Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push .and..Eddie Blazonczyk's  Versatones                                       Doors & Kitchen open at noon..Polish food by   Holy Trinity  PNC   Church                    ADMISSION- $ 12.00  (16 and under free)  Dancing from 1:30 PM - 8:00 PM ____ Ethnic Foods, crafts and more                  PROCEEDS BENEFIT APCC SCHOLARSHIP FUND The expressed purpose of this organization is to cultivate, enrich, and develop patriotic social... 09/12/2008

It is that time ..... summer has slipped away and a beautiful fall is anticipated. The harvest is ready.Small road side  stands dots the area, offering fresh corn and a variety of  vegetables. I took the short drive to the beautiful countryside to visited  two established farm markets, they not only offer top quality fresh picked produce daily but they extend down home country hospitality. and friendly customer appreciation.  Both these farms markets  are in Lawrence .County, a  short drive from New Castle  to  the North Beaver Township farm country.  A few miles outside New Castle limits. The Leckwart Farm Market is certainly a common everyday name to produce buyers in the New Castle area Giant Eagle Super Markets   The Leckwart farms have supplied vegetables to the market since 1990.... 09/09/2008

                          Making strides to end domestic and sexual violence I stopped at the Crisis Shelter booth at the Lawrence County Fair and talked with Carol.  The Crisis Center in New Castle, has not only been a shelter for those in a horrific situation  but  an emotional empowerment for the victims of domestic and sexual violence.  There, the victims find a safe shelter of protection and loving care, a helping hand, to break from,  what no one should endure .A place to regain their dignity and well being. They have a 24 hour hot line at 724-6529036  for help If you can, on Saturday October 11 2008...think about spending a beautiful fall day, with others who care to help this worthy cause. Just a short Post to get the word out that The Crises Shelter of Lawrence County, New Cas... 08/28/2008

With school starting a few days away, I thought it might be interesting to feature the different schools and do a short market report on                 "Homes for Sale in the School Districts"as of today the West Penn Multi-list reports 604 Active and Sale Pending  listings in Lawrence County. You  can receive information on any of these homes for sale. Just contact me for an immediate response.               As you can see we have a number of homes listed in the multi-list .              There are 219 homes for sale in the New Castle School District                                                                         Front of  the new,   New Castle High School                      There are 100 homes listed in the Ellwood City Area School District                     in addition th... 08/16/2008

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission is serious about protecting buyers and sellers. Think about the Consumer Notice as a Helping Hand for the consumer. What is this green sheet about anyway?  Do I have to sign it?  I just want to look at a house,  I am not ready to sign any contracts. These are common concerns of real estate consumers. Let's see if I can clear up some mis-conceptions. When a customer meets with a real estate agent for the first time, they  are asked to sign this green sheet ( sometimes it's white). It is a IMPORTANT document, for you to read BEFORE you get into any substantive conversation with your Real Estate agent .  It is NOT a contract..It is just a NOTICE.. It tells the Real Estate Commission, that we as agents are doing what the law tells us to do.  That law... 08/16/2008

ReRelocating?...Moving Out?....Don't know where to start?.........  Relax.                                                                            Moving to that new location can be a lot easier than you imagine.What ever the reason for your move your job, a vacation home, a second home or maybe an investment home for those college years,   I can be of help. For those relocation..out of the area moves Northwood Realty Services, through it's membership with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World TM can assist and manage your transfer with ease.Leading Real Estate Companies of the WorldTM is the largest relocation network available.We have a team of professionals to manage every detail of your move.Call me to see how we can make that move a lot less stressful. Moving In We have acc... 08/16/2008

    Thinking about selling ...where do you start? A few dollars and a green thumb can make the difference.   The homeowner, before putting his home on the market has to decide... what needs to be done to improve the overall value of his home. You often hear about curb appeal, first impressions, drive by. Does this really have an impact on whether my house gets sold? Yes, buyers can make a decision, (if this is the property they want to see) in the first few minutes, before they even enter, into the home, Many times, buyers will drive by, and never make an appointment to see the inside, of what may be, a very well maintained, beautiful home. The National Association of Realtors recommends improving the outside of the home, as one of the 10 top repairs needed to sell a home.   A well main... 08/08/2008

    Here we are again ......a double fun time event. Every year, New Castle Pennsylvania, Lawrence County, closes down the bypass leading into the city to celebrate their Fireworks Festival .. At the same time, Mary Mother of Hope celebrates Summerfest, at the Parish Center . This event this year was held on July 11 & 12. I just returned home from Penn State College from visiting my family and what a coincidence...Penn State also celebrated their Fine Arts Show. Low and behold ..the streets were closed off at State College for their festivities, What an amazing experience at Penn State. We even caught the Boalsburg Festival. What a fun time. I made sure I was home in time to catch the last day of New Castle's well planned event. Our New Castle events were a success, well attended and a... 07/28/2008