Neighbors

November 24, 2007 Last Updated: November 24, 2007 02:06 PM Community

Vakiner

Monica Vakiner of Cranberry Township was presented a Knights of the Kingdom Award recently by Glade Run Lutheran Services.The organization presents the awards annually to an individual, business and congregation that make significant contributions to Glade Run.The awards were presented at the Society of 1854 Dinner held recently in Pittsburgh.Vakiner has volunteered since 2004 with her therapy dog, Belle, who died in the spring. She is training a new dog and hopes to use it for therapy at Glade Run.

Jo Marie Rankin, 2007 Miss Butler County USA, was named one of the 15 semifinalists out of 86 contestants in the Miss Pennsylvania USA pageant held Nov. 16 to 18 at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport.Rankin, 21, is the daughter of Gary and Sheila Rankin of Butler. A 2005 graduate of Butler High School, she attended Clarion University and is currently employed as a dental assistant and office manager for Dr. Huber Family Dentistry in Evans City. She is also an activist for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.Rankin's sponsor for the pageant was the Miss Butler County USA pageant.———

The Butler PM Rotary Club honored Butler native Marilyn Hilliard Monday for her effort in winning the Veterans Administration's first medal at the 2007 Senior Olympics in Louisville, Ky.Hilliard entered the Army after graduation from Butler High and spent the majority of her active service in Germany.Agraduate of Slippery Rock College, she taught for 30 years in Butler County before retiring.———

The Freeport Area Soccer Association and Highlands Area Soccer Club are receiving a donation of more than $1,800 in funds and equipment from Highland Tire and Uniroyal Tire as part of a longstanding program designed by Uniroyal to support youth soccer across the nation.Now in its eighth year as a sponsor of youth soccer, Uniroyal and its dealers have provided 735,500 free soccer balls to soccer families across America and have donated a total of $10 million in funds and equipment.For information about the Uniroyal Tire Soccer Program, visit www.uniroyal.com. To contact Highland Tire, call Brad Bonnett at 724-224-7900 or visit www.higlandtire.com.———

Earlier this month, Aubery Hulings, assistant vice president and branch manager in the Butler market of Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, presented a check to Penn Christian Academy in the amount of $3,000.The bank made the contribution under Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.———

Winners at the Butler Duplicate Bridge Club game held Nov. 15 were Helen Brydon and Lorraine Worsley. Coming in second place were Richard Horlacher and Bill Stewart.Notices, in writing, of festivals, fundraising events, newly elected officers and other news from clubs and nonprofit groups should be sent to the Focus department one week in advance of the event.