Shields Herb & Flower Farm
Shields Herb & Flower Farm is a greenhouse in Spraggs specializing in over 700 varieties of herbs and perennials. The greenhouse is owned by the Shields family, Leigh, Lillian and their sons, and has been operating since 1982. The greenhouse includes a selection of beautiful hanging baskets – perfect for a Mother’s Day gift – and a full assortment of water plants.
A farm gift shop with country farm décor is open year-round and features many unique gifts. The gift shop is stocked with Shields Demesne Winery, an aromatic wine made with grapes and honey; wine tasting is also available.
Shields Herb & Flower Farm is open daily from 9am to 5pm on Monday through Saturday and 11am to 5pm on Sunday. It is considered an essential entity, meaning it will remain open for the foreseeable future while COVID-19 social distancing is occurring. It is located at 374 Smith Creek Road, Spraggs, PA. You can also find them on Facebook @shieldsflowerfarm. FMI, give them a call at 724-435-7246.
Wayne Lumber & Supply
One thing I love about my hometown is the family-owned businesses that still thrive and provide personal, individual service to customers. It is this type of service and expertise that customers long for in a home improvement situation and Wayne Lumber & Supply, in Waynesburg, PA, has been a local hardware and building materials provider for more than 67 years. Greene County natives Ryan and Greta Mooney purchased the business from the Headlee Family in 2018. Wayne Lumber & Supply is an essential business and is remaining open during the current COVID-19 situation. They have put in place social distancing signs, customer curbside pick-up and they are cleaning their store regularly, in an effort to adapt to the circumstances. They have everything you need to keep your home comfortable and safe during this time of uncertainty: plumbing, electric, heating and cooling supplies. However the selection of products and services offered go beyond basic upkeep and security.
Spring is a wonderful time to plan, begin, and finish projects in all areas of the home. Wayne Lumber & Supply offers a wide selection of treated lumber for outdoor projects including fences, porches, and railings and also composite and engineered lumber products for decks by Timber Tech and Fiberon. They are an authorized Pro Via door retailer, an award-winning manufacturer for the most innovative exterior doors. You will find many other reputable vendors, including Wolf Cabinetry, for kitchens and bathrooms and WinCor windows.
“We are looking forward to having some demonstrations and workshops very soon and will be having a Spring Sale May 2nd to 9th,” Greta Mooney explains “We are open 7am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday, 7am to 3pm Saturdays and closed on Sundays.” FMI please call 724-627-3171, visit the website at www.waynelumbersupply.com and like them on their Facebook page.
Triple M Auto Service
Opened in May 2018, Triple M Auto Service of Carmichaels is your on-stop shop for your car service needs. Bob Miller, owner and mechanic, has worked his entire life as a mechanic says it was always his dream to open up his own garage, and when the former Maraney’s garage closed, it presented the perfect opportunity for Bob to realize his dream in the recently vacated building on Vine Street.
Triple M is a full service shop offering state inspections, mechanical work, tune-ups, inspections, brakes, exhaust work, tire changes, oil changes, towing services, and more. “There’s not much we don’t do,” says Bob. “We can handle anything and everything, from state inspections to engine changes.”
Triple M’s convenient location along Route 88 has been remodeled with new equipment. This new equipment includes state of the art diagnostic equipment to find out what’s wrong with your vehicle. Customers recommend Triple M Auto Service thanks to the quality of work, friendly and accommodating staff, and their pricing.
Triple M is open Monday through Friday from 8am-6pm and Saturdays are by appointment only. FMI, call 724-319-2397 or visit them at their shop, located at 110 S. Vine Street, Carmichaels, PA 15320.
Rolling Meadows Nursing Home
Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, located at 107 Curry Road in Waynesburg , PA, is proud to welcome two new members to its team of healthcare professionals. The new administrator of this skilled nursing facility is Jennifer Rhodes and the new Director of Nursing is Laura Shaner. Both women are very excited to be working in Greene County and bring more than 20 years combined Healthcare experience to the facility.
Rolling Meadows Nursing Home currently holds 121 beds and offers a variety of health care treatments and services. The Physical Rehabilitation program treats conditions, including but not limited to, Arthritis, Joint Replacement, chronic diseases, general weakness, and Stroke Recovery. The center also offers specialty care services including Cardiology, Nephrology, Dialysis, Psychiatry, and Pain Management. The facility has allotted 20 beds specifically for its Dementia patients. The Memory Care program gives patients an atmosphere of home while offering stimulating and supportive care activities for individuals to maintain and improve their quality of living.
“We have prepared an isolation wing in the event that we must treat any patient testing positive for the COVID 19 virus,” Rhodes explains. As for right now the facility is taking the proper measures to minimize any unnecessary contact and encouraging visitors and family members to use alternative communication methods to stay in touch. Both Rhodes and Shaner are very excited to strengthen an already amazing health care team and spoke very highly of facility and the community. If you have any questions please visit the website at www.rollingmeadowsnursing.com or call 724-627-3153.
Greene County Conservation District
The Greene County Conservation District (GCCD) Board of Directors are currently accepting applications for the GRACE program. GRACE is Greene County’s Reinvestment in Agriculture: Cost-share Enhancement Program. This is a conservation-based program designed to enhance soil health within the agriculture community.
The GRACE program provides guidance and financial assistance to farmers and forest landowners. Technical assistance and cost share are designed to promote soil and water conservation practices that will improve soil health in pastures and woodlands. Practices available include: lime, fertilizer, fencing, water developments, and forestry. These practices can lead to better animal production as well as, healthier soils and forest stands. Value and profit can be added to the land through properly implemented practices.
“It is the goal of the district to offer a program that is easy to navigate and has a quick turnaround,” Lisa Snider, District Manager said.
GRACE has some simple requirements. For example, anyone wishing to apply for GRACE must become a cooperator with the Conservation District. Conservation District staff will bring the Cooperator Form with them at the time of the farm visit. Returning applicants must have appropriate farm conservation-based planning. These plans may include a manure management plan and a conservation plan. The Conservation District will work with first-time applicants to plan these for future program years if they plan on reapplying. Applications for lime and/or fertilizer will require soil testing. Conservation District staff will take soil samples at the time of the scheduled farm visit.
Forestry conservation practices, the landowner must have a forest management stewardship plan, American tree farm plan or CAP 106 plan in place at the time of application.
Funds for the program are a direct result of PA Act 13, which the district receives annually to foster conservation efforts within Greene County. Snider emphasized, “These funds are obtained through an ‘impact’ fee and the district believes that the money received should be used on the ground where the impacts were made.”
Covid-19 will not impact the application period and should not discourage landowners from applying. Health and safety precautions will be taken by Conservation District staff while performing farm visits. The protocol being followed for safety measures will be explained via phone with the applicant prior to farm visits and to discuss any concerns. Applications must be submitted by August 31. Application approvals are made in September by the GCCD Board and approved practices must be completed the following year by July 31.
Due to Covid-19 the office location is closed. District staff are available by email or phone. Those interested in applying or for more information may call the District at 724-852-5278 or e-mail gccd@co.greene.pa.us for more information. An application can be found online at www.co.greene.pa.us/department-conservation-district.
Redevelopment Authority of Greene County
The Redevelopment Authority of Greene County (RACG) was reestablished in 2009 with its mission “to assist the Greene County community with economic development, community revitalization, affordable housing initiatives, and home ownership opportunities.”
RACG works towards eliminating and stabilizing blighted areas throughout Greene County. RACG purchases homes and underutilized properties in Greene County that need TLC.
Dave Calvario, RACG Executive Director, has been instrumental in working with Township Supervisors in helping to revitalize communities. “We want to stabilize our communities according to Calvario, and continue partnerships to improve our County in order to ensure the success of first-time homeowners.”
RACG is currently rehabilitating ten homes located within the communities of Clarksville, Crucible, and Nemacolin that will be available for sale throughout 2020. Once the homes have been fully rehabilitated, they are available for purchase through RACG’s Homebuyer Assistance Program (land contract). RACG works closely with partner Blueprints to make sure that affordable home ownership opportunities are provided to those with low-to-moderate incomes through the Blueprints Home Ownership Center.
To enter into a land contract, a payment plan is set up with RACG based on the resident’s income. RACG will receive the down payment and mortgage payments (included principal, 5% interest, insurance, and taxes) for the next 18-24 months, until the buyer improves their credit enough to qualify for a traditional mortgage. During the time the resident has a land contract with RACG, they meet quarterly with Blueprints for credit counseling sessions.
“When we work on rehabbing homes, we don’t just put a band-aid on the problems,” says Dave Calvario. “Our goal is to have them ready for the homeowner and maintenance free for eight to ten years.” RACG and the Greene County Career and Technology Center provide students with the opportunity to learn more about rehabbing homes through hands-on internships.
RACG has also assisted homeowners with no-interest loans for home repair. They have helped various home owners in Nemacolin with new roofs, wiring, and more, thanks to a PHARE grant provided to continue improving the housing stock in Nemacolin.
Thanks to the hard work of RACG, many families that felt home ownership was out of reach have been able to fulfill their dream of owning a home, hence, repairing their credit and seeing their communities flourish. FMI, contact RACG at 724-852-5306 or stop by the office at 49 South Washington St., Waynesburg.