Fifth-graders at Emily Brittain Elementary School in Butler had no shortage of determination in funding a three-day trip to the McKeever Environmental Learning Center in Mercer County.

A total of 55 fifth-graders participated in the trip as a result of spirited fundraising that included a T-shirt sale, cookie-dough sale and two bake sales - all aimed at funding half of the $70 cost of their individual participation. The students were required to pay the $35 that was not part of trip's fundraising projects.

Students who wished to attend but could not provide $35 were allowed to work in the school's cafeteria to earn money for the environmental adventure.

Susan Roycroft, an Emily Brittain fifth-grade teacher, voiced praise for the students' determination in raising the necessary money for this first time that students from the school have gone to the center. The students' success this time can serve as an example for students who in the future might embrace the desire for educational opportunities that they can find only beyond the school's walls.

But as in this case, they should be made to find a way to make it happen through a financial contribution, since not all students are being accorded the same opportunity.

Achieving such a fundraising success was also an educational experience for these students.

"These kids were just very determined to make the trip, which I think is great," Roycroft said.

And what they learned over the three days of the trip is knowledge that they can build upon as their concern about the environment expands as they grow older.

Concern about the environment is something that should be on the agenda of everyone, young and old.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a 6-1 record going into this weekend's game against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles, and a big reason for the Steelers' great start after a dismal 2003 season is rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.But while the Steelers' rookie signal caller is certainly worthy of the notice and praise his performance has spawned, there is the danger that the intense focus on the young quarterback by the national media will prove to be too much of a distraction from the week-to-week mission at hand.The national media have a penchant for exaggerating players' abilities. On any National Football League telecast, listen to the adjectives and descriptions used to describe players for having made one good tackle or one other good move. Sometimes, judging from the commentators' praise and exaggeration, it seems that half of the players on the field are future Hall of Famers.Indeed, if Roethlisberger continues on his current course and continues his winning ways over a number of seasons, a place in the Hall of Fame might be in his future. And, Roethlisberger deserves a fair amount of praise for what he has accomplished so far - with the help of his teammates, of course.However, Roethlisberger isn't anywhere near enshrinement at Canton, Ohio, at this point in his career. And, going into this weekend, he still is one win shy of Steelers rookie Mike Kruczek's 6-0 start as a rookie in 1976.Putting an inordinate amount of pressure on Roethlisberger so early in the season and in his career isn't in the quarterback's or the Steelers' best interests.Roethlisberger's career to date might stack up against former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino's. Marino interviewed the Pittsburgh quarterback Tuesday for national TV."A lot of the things he (Roethlisberger) does kind of remind me of some of the things I was able to do when I played," Marino said.Steelers coach Bill Cowher has the additional task of ensuring that all of the adulation being directed Roethlisberger's way doesn't distract the Steelers from continuing what they've accomplished so far.

A week or so before the elections grabbed the headlines, a combination of coincidental timing and cooperation helped enable the Butler County Chamber of Commerce to put on a first-rate business fair, while at the same letting the public get a good look at Bill Morgan's latest property, the Morgan II professional building.The sleek, 4-story office building provided a backdrop of newness and professionalism for the "We mean business" expo sponsored by the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.The greater Butler area business community turned out to both exhibit (more than 60 booths were set up on the first and fourth floors) and visit on Wednesday, Oct. 27. The night before, a gala event was held in the building to unveil Morgan's new facility, designed especially to suit the needs of medical-related tenants.Morgan's just completed professional office building at the intersection of routes 422, 68 and 38, makes a striking visual statement as work on the upgraded intersection winds toward completion.The opportunity for Butler-area businesses to promote their products and services served not only as an opportunity to drum up new business, but also as a chance to catch up on old friendships.The excitement surrounding Morgan's new building and the first Chamber of Commerce business fair in three years provided a healthy boost to the Butler area business community.