Now that the congregation of the McKee Chapel United Methodist Church has dedicated its newly rebuilt church along Fenelton Road, it's a good time to acknowledge the hard work of the congregation in getting the project completed.

The original church, a pre-Civil War structure, was destroyed by fire in February 2007. Insurance didn't cover the full cost of the new facility, so members of the congregation did what good congregations do: They prayed, and they embarked on projects to raise the needed money.

As Peggy Boyle, a parish relations committee member, said, "We were doing one or two fundraisers every month for over a year. We just sold everything under the sun."

While some of the church's parishioners say they'll miss memories that were part of the old church, they are upbeat about the conveniences that are part of the new building, including plumbing.

And, although none of the historic structure could be salvaged, congregation members can take satisfaction that the original altar table, the baptismal font, lecterns and two pastor's chairs escaped the fiery devastation.

The dedication marked the beginning of a new era for McKee Chapel United Methodist. It should be hoped that the unity that marked the rebuilding effort will continue throughout the church's future.

This hasn't been the greatest of springs for professional sports in Western Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Penguins were ousted in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Pirates again are low in the National League Central Division standings, and most of the attention regarding the Steelers' voluntary practices have continued to center more on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's upcoming suspension than what the team is or isn't accomplishing during those practices.But there has been a bright spot in Western Pennsylvania sports, even if most people in this part of the state aren't aware of it. And, that bright spot is in the form of Peyton Seibert, 8, a player in the Center Township Athletic Association's Pinto League.Seibert has accomplished what no big league baseball player ever has accomplished — pulling off two unassisted triple plays in one season. Actually, there have been only 15 unassisted triple plays in major league baseball since 1876.Yes, Little League baseball is much different than major league baseball, and in the Pinto League, which is for players ages 7 and 8, everyone starts running whenever and wherever the ball is hit — which, in both instances, gave Seibert an edge in producing his two fielding gems.However, at the Little League level, fast thinking like that displayed by Seibert isn't an every-game occurrence. In fact, it is uncommon for a young player such as Seibert to know exactly what to do in the two situations in which he found himself.Yet he executed the plays perfectly.There were a few instances where perfect execution could have helped the Penguins get past the playoffs' second round and possibly to the Stanley Cup finals. And, a few triple plays could have helped the Pirates along the way, although the Bucs need more than triple plays to move up in their division's standings.As for the Steelers, it's a wait-and-see as to how Roethlisberger's early season absence will affect the team's winning percentage.In the end, it might be more exciting and enjoyable to watch action like that which has occurred in Center Township, thanks to Seibert, in just a span of 21 days.Seibert should continue honing his baseball skills. Maybe someday he might even end up a major league prospect — with Western Pennsylvania cheering his every new accomplishment.

JeerMajor progress was made during the past week in the task of razing the old Butler County Prison. That's good.But while there was significant progress on that front, passers-by had cause to wonder why the landscaping along the new prison was being left to deteriorate. As of Friday afternoon, the weeds that have been infiltrating the prison property for weeks were continuing to multiply and grow, while prisoners housed at the new lockup were allowed to continue their recreational activities inside the prison.The fact is, prisoners who pose a low security threat should be outside, weeding the prison property, picking up litter and otherwise tidying up the site.It's puzzling why those operating the facility haven't noticed that the new prison property has been looking shabby.Maybe the temperatures of the past week or so have been too oppressive for the prisoners and guards to tolerate.