NEIGHBORS

January 29, 2005 Last Updated: January 29, 2005 12:14 PM Neighbours

The Junior Women's Club of Butler recently elected

April Edwards-Elliott as its president.Other officers include first vice president

Maria Blose, second vice president

Nicole Bronder-Robinson, recording secretary

Jennifer Krason, corresponding secretary

Nancy Kulick, treasurer

Dawne Skerbetz and assistant treasurer

Lisa Book.A member of the club since 2000, Edwards-Elliott has served as second and first vice president, long-range planning chairperson and membership chairperson.While serving as membership chairperson, the club reached a record of 13 new members.She has also served on numerous committees and attended two state conferences.A reading specialist at Laurel High School, she teaches seventh and eighth grade reading, facilitates mandatory study periods for athletes, participates in the student assistant program, attends the annual Governor's Institute for Data Driven Decision Making, monitors academic assistance, serves as senior class advisor and is a member of the International Reading Association.Edwards-Elliott was recently selected to participate on the Pennsylvania State Reading Assessment Committee at the Midwestern Intermediate Unit V in Grove City.This year's club theme is "Read to Succeed." Club members plan to support activities at the Butler Public Library and assist with the literacy and tutorial learning labs at Butler County Community College.The education committee will once again present scholarships to Butler County Junior Miss and Butler High School seniors who actively serve the community.The club plans to continue working with Habitat for Humanity and the garden project at the intersections of Routes 8 and 422.Members are currently preparing for the annual Twilight Magic event which will be held March 5 at the Tanglewood Senior Center.The Junior Women's Club of Butler meets the third Monday of each month at The Maridon Museum. For information about the club, call membership chair Nicole Bronder-Robinson at 724-283-3144.

BUTLER TWP - The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation board of directors appointed six new members at its annual meeting.New directors joining the board include Dr. William DiCuccio, Dale Lumley, Cindy McKnight, Dan McKnight, Audray Muscatello and Sharon Perschke.The board also elected the following to serve as officers for 2005: Jim Cunningham, president; John Walchesky, vice president; and Frances Grabowski, secretary.Other board members include Carole Achezinski, Sue Bennitt, Art Bernardi, Teri Bosco, Erich Campbell, Ed Fink, Ray Johnston, Mike Kelly, Lisa Nicholas Konesni, John Kosar, Paul Langland, Richard Musko, Jerry Slamecka, Roger Snodgrass, Leo Stepanian, Michael Strutt and Dan Vernon.The foundation, established in 1991, is a nonprofit, publicly supported organization run by a board of volunteers. The foundation raises money for both athletic and scholastic programs in the Butler School District.For information, call 724-214-3240.

The Associated Artists of Butler County Art Center, 344, S. Main St., recently received a $10,000 grant from the Vira I. Heinz Endowment.The grant will be used to fund the after-school arts program for youth ages 6-18.

Krystle Foertsch of Butler and Heather Cox of Evans City were recently named junior members of the American Angus Association, the largest beef registry association in the world.

Women of Venture Club of North Pittsburgh recently donated a computer and a desk to the Victim Outreach Intervention Center Shelter in Cranberry Township.The VOICe gift to the facility was paid for through funds raised by projects undertaken by the professional women who are members of the service organization.Other projects the group has under way include raising money for the Homeless Children's Education Fund and Family Resources.The Venture Club is seeking new members. For information, call Shanda Kanonik at 724-728-9598.