Appraising Greene Real Estate Services
Appraising Greene Real Estate Services opened on August 1, 2018 by Gwen R. Nicholson, Broker / Pennsylvania Certified Residential Appraiser. Ms. Nicholson started her real estate career in 1995 with J.K. Willison Real Estate, Inc. in Waynesburg, PA. While there Gwen completed an apprenticeship for residential appraising with the late J. Kenneth Willison, Jr. and became a Pennsylvania Certified Residential Appraiser in March of 2011. Ms. Nicholson offers real estate appraisal services for residential properties; vacant land; farms; and small (1-4 unit) residential income producing properties. Gwen is happy to assist private individuals; Estates; Attorneys; Lenders; and others with a variety of appraisal needs.
Appraising Greene Real Estate Services is also a full-service real estate office based in Carmichaels, Pennsylvania. The company services all of Greene County, PA and portions of Fayette and Washington Counties. We offer services in real estate sales, listings, rental management, as well as appraising. We are members of the National Association of REALTORS, the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS and the Washington-Greene Association of REALTORS. Appraising Greene Real Estate Services is also a member of the West Penn Multi-List Service, and are able to assist Buyers with purchasing homes, even if they are not listed for sale with our company.
Whatever your real estate needs, Appraising Greene Real Estate Services would be happy to assist you. Please call or email our office to chat about your real estate needs.
Betty Mae’s Bakery & Cafe
The inspiration for Betty Mae’s Bakery & Café has turned 80 years old. On February 9, 2020, Betty Mae Boord celebrated her 80th birthday, a milestone owner Michelle Aubele was blessed to celebrate after her grandmother’s stroke 10 years ago.
Aubele grew up in the small town of Masontown, PA watching her grandmother bake and cook. “She loved making homemade bread and sweets for the family,” says Aubele. “My fondest childhood memory is spending my weekends with my grandmother. I would get up in the morning and assemble all of the ingredients for her homemade pancakes. Then, I would wake her up to make them.” This close family background is what inspired her to create Betty Mae’s Bakery in dedication to her grandmother’s homemade cooking and playful spirit.
Today, Betty Mae’s Bakery is a staple of the Masontown community, offering an assortment of hot foods and baked goods. Aubele is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute and of the Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh, and uses her impressive resume to create quality desserts and meals for the people of her hometown. Alongside Aubele is her aunt, Denise Pratt, who has over 25 years of experience in the baking industry. She also credits her dedicated team members Thelma Hagner, Kayla Shaffer, John David, Britany Landman, Denise Serratta, and Krystle Jones on helping her and the business succeed.
Betty Mae’s Bakery will be celebrating its 6th anniversary on April 14, 2020, and Aubele invites the entire Greene and Fayette communities to join her in celebration.
First Federal Savings & Loan of Greene County
First Federal of Greene County Announces Corporate Title Changes, Record Year-End Assets
During its annual meeting of members Jan. 22, First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County announced title changes for several corporate officers and the addition of a new corporate officer.
The Association’s Board of Directors approved the following corporate officer title changes: Chad M. Moore, Executive Vice President; Kathleen M. Toth, Vice President/Secretary; and Terry L. Clutter, Vice President/Treasurer.
The Board also named Sarah A. Westfall Assistant Secretary. Westfall joined First Federal of Greene County in 2009 as a customer service representative after previous years of experience in internal audit at another financial institution. She became a new accounts representative in 2010, internal auditor in 2012 and risk management/internal audit coordinator in 2016. In her position, Westfall works closely with Association management, external auditors and federal regulators to ensure proper policies and procedures are followed. A graduate of Waynesburg University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, Westfall has been an active volunteer with McGuffey School District athletics and children’s programs for many years. She and her husband, Robert, reside in Washington and have three children, Cassandra, Jessica and Gregory.
Also during the Association’s annual meeting, the following Association officers were re-elected: Judi Goodwin Tanner, President; Charles W. Trump, Jr., CEO; Barbara L. Galica, Vice President; Cynthia A. Crouse, Vice President; Jeffrey B. Widdup, Vice President; Courtney A. Schroyer, Vice President/Chief Financial Officer; and Danielle R. Tobusto, Assistant Secretary/Assistant Treasurer.
Directors John E. Mariner and Stephen M. Neubauer were re-elected to three-year terms on the Board. Other directors include Jay S. Hammers, Murray W. Hoy, Gregory A. Parsons, Tanner and Trump. Henry T. Cochran and Scott S. O’Neil serve as Directors Emeritus.
At the close of 2019, First Federal’s assets increased to $938 million, a year-end high for the Association and a 2.3 percent increase over 2018. Interest paid on deposit accounts increased $2 million in 2019, mostly due to an additional $23 million invested in higher-yielding time deposits or certificate of deposit accounts, Tanner noted in her President’s Report. Deposits increased by 1.9 percent, to $793 million.
In 2019, the Association closed $81 million in loans. The number of refinancing and recast loans increased, while the number of purchase, construction, second and home equity loans decreased. The number and balance of delinquent loans was also down compared to 2018.
Due to its enduring stability, First Federal of Greene County was once again awarded the prestigious Bauer Financial “5-Star Rating.” This superior rating has been awarded to the Association for the past 126 quarters, or more than 31 years. The rating is based on the Association’s capital level, asset quality, historical trends and loan delinquencies, among other factors.
“Our customers are increasingly utilizing our electronic methods of banking,” Tanner reported. “ATM and debit cards are a popular choice in completing daily business, while Internet and Mobile Banking are used more for checking transactions, payment of bills, receiving bank statements electronically and depositing checks. A convenient tool that is offered by First Federal is the CardValet app, which makes it easy to track debit card activity from ATM withdrawals to a purchase made at your local store, and it is useful for combating fraud.”
Tanner highlighted several projects completed last year, including security updates, an upgraded ATM on Washington Street in Waynesburg and improvements to servers, communication lines and computer hardware.
On a sadder note, Tanner remarked on the recent death of James L. Brewer, former Association President/CEO, Board Chairman and Director Emeritus, who passed away Nov. 19.
“Mr. Brewer played a very important role in making First Federal the Association it is today,” Tanner wrote, adding that Brewer made keen observations about First Federal’s future back in 1983 – the year after Tanner began her employment – that still ring true today.
Addressing her tenure with First Federal of Greene County, Tanner – who will retire in April – closed her final President’s Report by extending “a very personal note of appreciation to all that I have worked with and to all the customers over the years that I have had the pleasure to serve.”
“I feel blessed to have been a part of the First Federal family for over 37 years,” she continued. “Over the last year, the Board of Directors and Association Management have been preparing for my upcoming retirement as President on April 3, 2020, and I am confident that the Association will continue to thrive under the leadership of Charles W. Trump, Jr., and his team. Thank you all.”
Longtime Director Retires from First Federal of Greene County’s Board
Henry T. Cochran, longtime member of the Board of Directors of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Greene County, recently announced his retirement from the Board. During its Jan. 13 regular meeting, the Board recognized the service of Cochran, who became a Director in February 1972 and officially retired last June.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve First Federal for 47-plus years,” Cochran said. “Being part of First Federal’s phenomenal growth, prosperity and service to the community has been an extremely rewarding journey. Even more rewarding, however, is the chance I have had to associate with so many wonderful people along the way. I consider everyone at First Federal to be part of my very own family, and I cherish every memory.”
Originally a well-known cattle farmer from Fayette County, Cochran was named to the Board Feb. 28, 1972, at the age of 33. During Cochran’s nearly 50-year tenure, the Association grew from two offices in Waynesburg and Uniontown to a total of nine offices in Greene, Fayette and Washington counties in Pennsylvania and Monongalia County in West Virginia. At the time of Cochran’s appointment, First Federal of Greene County’s assets were approximately $75 million; today, the Association’s assets stand at $938 million.
“Henry’s dedication to First Federal and its Board of Directors for over 47 years is a testament to his character that is also displayed in his dedication to his hometown of Dawson and his family,” said John E. Mariner, Board Chairman and former Association President/CEO. “His example became a model for each of us to follow. We are proud that Henry was a part of the First Federal family and a part of our history for so many years.”
Cochran and his wife, Dorothy, reside in Dawson and still maintain the 500-acre family farm. The couple has two children, Hank Cochran of Sewickley and Laura Wolford of Virginia, and two grandsons, Benjamin and Ryan Cochran.
The Board of Directors officially accepted Cochran’s retirement in May 2019 and named him Director Emeritus, a position also held by former Association Presidents and Board Chairmen Scott S. O’Neil and the late James L. Brewer.
Also during its Jan. 13, 2020, regular meeting, the Board appointed Association CEO/Secretary Charles W. Trump, Jr., to fill the rest of Cochran’s term. Trump joins the Board of Directors after being named CEO last January and serving seven years as a vice president, overseeing the areas of deposit operations, marketing and security. Trump and his wife, Shelly, reside in Fairchance and have two daughters, Elizabeth and Kimberly, and a son-in-law, Luke.
“First Federal has been blessed to have Henry Cochran serve on our Board for the past 47 years,” said Judi Goodwin Tanner, Association President and member of the Board of Directors. “We want to thank Henry, a true gentleman, for his service, and we wish to welcome Charles Trump to the Board.”
HealthWorks Rehab & Fitness
HealthWorks Rehab & Fitness is proud to have opened our newest and eighth outpatient physical therapy clinic in Waynesburg. For over 40 years, HealthWorks has provided physical therapy for the Morgantown area and over the years we have expanded to meet the needs in the surrounding areas. We work closely with physician groups affiliated with both WVU Medicine and Mon Health systems.
Our clinic director is Sara (Stepp) Ryan. She is a native to the Greene County area and proud Jefferson Morgan graduate. Sara graduated with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from The University of St Augustine for Health Sciences and with a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from West Virginia University. Her background in these areas has given her the expertise and experience to treat a wide range of conditions in this outpatient physical therapy clinic including both orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions with an emphasis in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Sara is very passionate about neuromuscular rehabilitation and has been using the clinically proven LSVT Big technique in the treatment of patients with Parkinson’s disease for over two years. Sara also has experience working with Division I athletics at both West Virginia University and Coastal Carolina University. Please stop by and check out our new clinic and meet Sara and our staff. Whether you are wanting to return to competition or you want to just improve your quality in everyday life, Sara can provide an individualized treatment plan to help you achieve your goals.
The Hungarian Smokehouse
Whether you’re looking for the best beef jerky around or a delicious sandwich made with high-quality meats, you’ll find what you need at The Hungarian Smokehouse. According to Joel Pekar, son of owner Melissa Adams, the Hungarian Smokehouse started with his grandfather. His grandfather began deer processing which he saw as a “profitable hobby” and turned it into a business. Joel’s parents brought the Hungarian Smokehouse to Carmichaels from Bobtown and, in addition to meat processing, it soon began offering take-out and catering options.
The Hungarian Smokehouse maintains a lot of regular customers and Joel shares that his family likes to “give back to the familiar faces.” During Senior Tuesdays, customers age 55 and older receive 10% off all store and take-out items. The Smokehouse also offers a 10% discount to military and first responders.
One of the best-selling foods at the Hungarian Smokehouse is their popular homemade beef jerky. Fans of the beef jerky will soon be rewarded; a Jerky Club loyalty card will be rolled out soon. With the card, once you buy 8 pounds of beef jerky, you will get the 9th pound for free.
The pulled pork sandwich is another best seller, but there are many other delicious choices on the menu and weekly specials. For catering events, several different menus are offered to meet a variety of needs. The Hungarian Smokehouse is located in Carmichaels, PA. The winter hours are 9:00 A.M to 6:00 P.M Monday through Friday and 9:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M on Saturday; they are closed on Sundays. During hunting season, The Hungarian Smokehouse is open 7 days a week.