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P.O. Box 242, West Newton, Pennsylvania, 15089 United States
2026 WYTC Events
2026-06-07 Sunday Trail Appreciation Day
Meet your WYTC Trail Volunteers across from the GAP-WYTC West Newton Visitor’s Center. 11-3
Stop by our WYTC Table to learn more about Trail membership benefits, pick up individually packaged cookies, chips and water.
Get your free hot dogs and refreshments and get to know your trail neighbors. Find out what the West Newton Station has to offer you and meet the volunteers who make this resource possible for all GAP visitors.
The Rail Car will be open!
2026-09-07 Monday Labor Day Poker Run.
Ride and Walk (Bring Family and Friends!)
33rd Annual
Labor Day Poker Run
On the Great
Allegheny Passage
Sponsored by the
Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter
Event starts at 8 a.m.
You will be able to register on line.
The event will start at the Arthur H. King Access Area of the WYTC section of the GAP in West Newton. Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used by trail volunteers to maintain, preserve and enhance the Westmoreland County section of the Great Allegheny Passage.
More details to follow.
2026-04-09 Jim Lockschmidt
It is with heavy hearts that we report that Jim Lockschmidt passed away on April 9th. Jim was a member of The Over The Hill Gang (OTHG) for 18 years, diligently maintaining and improving the Trail. Jim was always willing to help with our events, doing whatever necessary to ensure that the public was enjoying themselves at the Poker Run and at Trail Appreciation Day. Using his mechanical knowledge and tools, Jim always had a determination to get the job done well.
After retirement, Jim was looking for something to do and Trail work was just what he needed. Jim stated, “I’m working with a great group of people, I love the outdoor work, and getting to meet people from all over the country is really interesting.” Jim enjoyed the camaraderie among the crew and socializing with them after a hard day’s work. Some of the maintenance included cutting trees to clear the Trail, repairing washouts, cutting the grass, and maintaining benches, and repairing gates. His goal was to keep the bikers and walkers happy.
Bob Hand, the organizer, and leader of the OTHG states, “Jim was one of our most dedicated volunteers. He never shied away from the most challenging jobs like repelling over the riverbank to clear trees from in front of memorial benches or taking down trees dangerously overhanging the trail. He was a proud Marine who showed his strength and dedication through all his good work.”
Jim’s wife Bonnie supported Jim in his Trail activities, and we enjoyed seeing her ride along with him on the Maintenance golf cart during our events.
The WYTC will miss Jim, his smile, friendship, humility, and thank him for his many contributions to the Trail which will be enjoyed by many for years to come.
2024-09-07 Tribute to Teresa Liszewski
With sadness we report the passing of Teresa Liszewski, one of our Original Over The Hill Gang members. Besides being a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, she was a true Trail Pioneer, and contributed significantly in the 1990’s to improving the former railroad area near the Youghiogheny River, West Newton, PA.
This group of men and women, the Original Over the Hill Gang (OOTHG), formed the forerunner of the Westmoreland Yough Trail Chapter (WYTC). They met weekly and selflessly gave their time to create and improve the quality of our trail. They provided manual labor, expertise, fund raising, and often their own equipment resulting in the basis of the current trail we see today.
Terry and her husband, Caz, with other members of the OOTHG, began a journey developing the Westmoreland County portion of the Yough River Trail in the 1990’s. With the combined expertise of these members, their vision was realized, and we thank Terry for her many contributions, especially for serving as Trail Monitor for over 15 years.
Many local, regional, and national visitors have enjoyed the Trail because of their involvement and hard work for many years. Thank you, Terry, for all that you’ve done to improve the WYTC portion of the GAP Trail.
In Teresa's memory, contributions may be made to the WYTC, P.O. Box 242, West Newton, PA 15089.
Here is Terry's Obituary.
More pictures of Teresa and Caz Liszewski
