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Letter
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Since taking the helm of this magazine around two and a half years ago, one of the things I’ve struggled with is to define the area that is the Mon Valley when it comes to our coverage. Where do I draw the line? Is Perryopolis too far east? Is McKeesport too far north? What about Scenery Hill? Personally, I think that’s a bit too far west of the river. And to the south? How can I say that Greensboro isn’t in the Mon Valley, when it’s right on the river?
To solve my problem, and to have a little fun on these pages, I thought I’d kick the question to those who have been Mon Valley born and bred, to those we look to as our leaders, and to those who are faithful readers of this publication. The answers that came in were quite diverse, and they were definitely fun to read. In fact, each time one landed in my inbox, it felt like Christmas morning. You can read the responses for yourself on page 20.
Speaking of Christmas morning, that’s when toys that are constructed right in Charleroi will land under trees and in stockings around the country. Staff writer Karen Mansfield went to visit Channel Craft founder and owner Dean Helfer to get a behind-the-scenes look at what could easily be mistaken for Santa’s workshop. Simple, wooden toys, including boomerangs, train whistles, yo-yos and more, are handcrafted not by elves, but by talented men and women who understand the urgency that the holiday season brings for toy makers. Read more on page 16.
On page 12, staff writer Brad Hundt travels to Smithton. Sure, it’s on the Youghiogheny River, but it isn’t too far east to be considered the Mon Valley – again, I suppose that depends on whom you ask. At any rate, Hundt discovered that friendship and helpfulness abounds in the tiny town.
As 2018 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you, our faithful readers. Without you, there would be no Mon Valley Magazine. The stories in this magazine are yours, and it’s been a pleasure bringing them to life. I look forward to many more issues of engaging stories, history, and perhaps debates as to where our geographical boundaries lie.
Happy holidays,