Beaver County Memories

Sponsored by St. Barnabas Beaver Meadows

Arnold Palmer

“Everyone has an Arnold Palmer story,” says lifelong Center Township Dennis Darak whose friendship with the late great golfer dates back to the 1940s.

Dennis met Arnold through his father who for 40 years was Aliquippa County Club’s golf pro. The junior Darak also had a lengthy career in golf – serving as CEO and Executive Director of the Tri-State Section of the PGA. He Dennis recalls how the celebrity made a special effort to see his father who was suffering with the late stages of lung cancer. “We seated him at Hole #1,” Dennis reflected. “But the crowd blocked his view of the tee. When Arnold learned that my father was nearby, he stopped, politely pushed through the spectators and talked with my dad. He was a genuine man.”

Dennis Darak appreciation of “Arnie” inspired him to create the Palmer Cup. He, Arnold’s brother Jerry, Oakmont’s Bob Ford and Pittsburgh Press reporter Doc Giffin honored their friend with the award and tournament annually since 1995. This year Mr. Palmer was unable to present the Palmer Cup himself. The small group, and soon the world, learned that Arnie’s health declined and led to his passing just 3 days later on September 25th

“The King” wrote a letter to Dennis Darak who was celebrated at a retirement dinner on September 28th, just 3 days after he died. His kind words were framed and read to Mr. Darak, surprising him and touching all in attendance.

Arnold Palmer will be remembered by Beaver County residents as well as admirers around the world. He was proud of his Western Pennsylvania roots and among all of his memberships, remained registered with the WPGA – Western Pennsylvania Golf Association.

The Beaver County Memories are sponsored by St. Barnabas Beaver Meadows.

A woman is facing charges for allegedly assaulting a police officer in Cranberry Township. Jessica Winchman was charged this week for the incident, which occurred when she was pulled over for a DUI earlier this month. Police say Winchman sideswiped another vehicle on Powell Road in Cranberry and appeared to be intoxicated. Officers claim she became violent when they got her to the hospital, and kicked one of them in the chest.

Police are continuing to investigate a sexual assault case in Beaver County. Ralph Ruprecht was arrested in August for allegedly raping two teenage girls, but police now think there could be more victims. Ruprecht is accused of meeting the teens on the Internet, taking them to an apartment in Pittsburgh’s Strip District and forcing himself on them. Detectives also believe several other men were involved.

For the second time in just over six weeks, an Ambridge man overdosed on heroin while he was supposed to be babysitting a 2-year-old boy. Police say Justin Kriest was found overdosed, inside a home on 13th Street. The discovery was made by the landlord. Police say the man overdosed with the two-year-old ‘hugging’ his leg. Kriest was in court Tuesday and took a plea of six months to two years in jail, followed by 18 months’ probation.

Beaver County Commissioners handled mostly routine business during their weekly work session today but questions after conclusion of their agenda made for newsworthy information. Commissioners would not comment on last Friday’s meeting with the Nottingham Group, the company that did the audit of Friendship Ridge. According to Beaver County Radio’s Greg Benedetti, Commissioner Egley engaged in an icy exchange with Beaver County Times courthouse reporter Tom Davidson over the cost of renovating her office. At first, Egley issued a flat “no comment” and then coldly responded that there’s money in the commissioner’s budget to cover the cost of a new paint job and installation of a hardwood floor. Egley refused to disclose the cost of the remodeling.