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P.O. Box 242, West Newton, Pennsylvania, 15089 United States
The Original Over The Hill Gang (OOTHG)
How The Trail Was Formed (10.5 Miles in Westmoreland County)
As we traverse the WYTC, we often think about how the trail was formed, who was involved and what was needed to transform it from a rail bed to a trail for biking and walking.
Please read the Feature Story – The Original Over The Hill Gang. The purpose of this article is to pay tribute to the men and women who made this happen – The Original Over The Hill Gang. (OOTHG)
Their pictures are below. Also we recognize the following OOTHG members for which we have no pictures: Al Moore and Joe Harash, Jr.
Bob McKinley-1st WYTC Manager
Bob McKinley (deceased). Bob was the first WYTC Manager and worked from 1994-2004. According to Peggy Pings, an Outdoor Recreation Planner and Program Manager of the WV Field Office of the Rivers Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service “Bob really spearheaded the development of the Yough River Trail in 1991, and led the way in taking creative steps to try to new ideas. Bob shared a big vision of broadening the net to expand the trail system with linking rail-trails, something we are still working on with the Power of 32+ Regional Trail Initiative across 53 counties in the 5 states of PA, WV, OH, NY, MD. His great spirit moved others to join in and take ownership of their trail segments. He was an inspiration to me. I’ll always remember Bob’s easy smile and laugh and the twinkle in his eyes that would go into slits of laughter! He was always so supportive too. He made the place a better place.”
From Donna Morrison, ”He was so conscientious about Trail activities, developing strategies to promote growth and usage, and engaging community volunteers and trail users to join together and make the trail enjoyable for all.” When Donna was employed as Director of Career Services at Saint Vincent College, she provided the RTC with students who served as interns under Bob’s supervision.
Rick and Carol Bianchi
Ron and Carol Bobby
Jack and Marilyn Cusick (Jack 3rd from left; Marilyn)
Dave and Dorothy Hamilton; Dave Hamilton and Caz Liszewski
Paul Hamilton
Caz and Terry Liszewski; Terry with Marilyn Cusick
Bill Kretchun center right in blue jacket,Jim Ritenour front
Harry and Donna Morrison
John Moran
Rowan and Mary Reid
Jack Prpich
Ron Bobby and Franklin Reese
3 WYTC Presidents: Harry Morrison, Rowan Reid, Ron Bobby
Rowan Reid, Jim Linaberger, Bob McKinley
