Business Perspectives
How to Turn a Swamp Into Money
How Beaver County’s Junction Park transformed a swamp into a trolley-era destination for affordable recreation, entertainment and community life.
The Fair, the Farm, and the Candidate in Clean Shoes
A look at Beaver County’s fair traditions, from Hookstown and Big Knob to tractor pulls, farm families, fair food and politicians courting rural voters.
The Sport of Kings, With Funnel Cake
Darlington Polo Club brings the sport of kings to Beaver County with night matches, dirt fields, family tradition, pickup trucks and funnel cake.
About That Warm, Fuzzy Feeling
Empathy matters, but compassion without consequences can mislead. Grandpa Jim explores why wisdom must ask what happens next.
Old Economy, New Lessons: Why Socialism Keeps Getting a Second Chance
Why socialism keeps returning, what history reveals about central planning, and how markets, social democracy, and communal experiments compare.
The People Who Built Economy — and Forgot to Reproduce
The story of the Harmony Society, Old Economy Village, and the celibate community that built wealth, industry, and a lasting legacy in Ambridge.
Yes, She Really Is That Into You
A humorous guide for older men on recognizing when a woman is interested, from subtle glances and mirroring to compliments, confidence, and companionship.
The Price We Pay for Hating Men
An argument against judging men or women as categories, exploring contempt, bias, relationships, and the social cost of replacing individuality with ideology.
A Good Walk Never Wasted
A witty history of golf in Beaver County, from Beaver Valley and Black Hawk to Olde Stonewall and hometown legend Bill “Putt” Gabal.
Learning to Hear the Music Beneath the Noise
A thoughtful review of Henri Nouwen’s Discernment, exploring attention, silence, identity, and learning to recognize God’s voice in ordinary life.
The Natural (and Occasionally Unnatural) History of Beaver County
From frontier whiskey rations to modern craft breweries, Beaver County’s history is steeped in alcohol—fueling industry, rebellion, and enduring community spirit.
Water, Water, Everywhere!
From 19th-century canals and millstreams to modern locks and scenic waterfalls, Beaver County’s history and economy have always flowed with water.
Vaudeville to Video: Beaver County on the Marquee
From nickelodeons to Hollywood cameos, Beaver County’s theaters and millworkers helped shape early cinema—and still keep the spotlight alive today.
The Natural (and Occasionally Unnatural) History of Beaver County
Beaver County’s story is written in coal seams, oil strikes, shale reserves, and natural gas booms. From the mines of Cannelton to the Marcellus Shale rigs, each wave of energy brought jobs, fortunes, and hard lessons—along with decline, ghost towns, and cleanup bills. The geology remains ancient, but the county’s struggle to balance opportunity and cost is always fresh.
Cold Comfort: A Brief History of Iced Coffee
From Beaver County diners to Starbucks Frappuccinos, America’s coffee culture has gone from hot mugs to iced lattes. This piece traces the global journey of chilled brews while celebrating the timeless comfort of chipped mugs, bottomless refills, and the waitresses who still call you “hon.”
A Natural (And Occasionally Unnatural) History of Beaver County
Beaver County’s clay shaped more than landscapes—it built sidewalks, lined steel furnaces, and supplied dinnerware that sailed aboard the Titanic. From yellow bricks to porcelain, the region’s clay industry left a legacy of resilience, rivalry, and reach that stretched from small-town porches to world-famous hotels.
Fascinating Things I’ve Learned While Living in Beaver County
Discover Beaver County’s quirky and fascinating history, from the first U.S. Army home and a town once more important than Pittsburgh, to a mayor who served for 58 years.
A Day in the Life of Seamus Morrow
Get a dog’s-eye view of life in Bridgewater, PA, from park patrols and river surveillance to daily car rides, favorite foods, and an unending battle against loud noises.
The Beaver County History Nobody Knows (Because It Probably Never Happened)
From native villages and forts to industrial mills and modern tech, Beaver County’s history is a relentless cycle of change, progress, and stubborn endurance.
Why I Never Tire of Beaver County
Like literary landscapes, Beaver County’s history, people, and daily life offer a rich, endless source of stories about the human condition.