It’s not often that Christmas events are borne from warm-weather activity, but in the case of the 2021-22 Genevans, the future has made the present possible.

The 84th annual Genevans Christmas Concerts, entitled “Immanuel, God With Us”, take place at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Falls on December 3 & 4, with both shows at 7:00 PM and doors opening at 6:15. The shows are free to the public, with offerings and donations accepted.

Genevans director Dr. David Smith joined Matt Drzik on the November 30th edition of A.M. Beaver County to talk about the upcoming concerts, which–ironically enough–were inspired by what the Genevans will be doing well towards Easter as opposed to Christmas. Their Spring Tour will be taking them to Israel, and it was the realization that the students and staff will be walking along the same areas as Jesus once did that inspired the selections for the Christmas program.

The selections themselves, in Dr. Smith’s descriptions, are a varied array of styles both musically and thematically. The music contains traditional carols mixed with fast-paced vocal exercises and solemn sacred pieces. Lyrically, the sacred joyous exaltations are placed among deep, philosophical verses that view the presence of the Christ Child in ways that provide contrasts and ironies within itself. All of which will be presented by the multi-dozen students in the Genevans, along with the Eight Bells and Grace Notes groups who will be performing at the intermissions of each performance.

To watch the full interview with Matt & Dr. Smith, click on the Facebook feed below!

The joy of song and the festive lights return to Rochester for 2021…albeit with a slight twist.

Rochester Area School District has joined forces once again with the Beaver Valley Choral Society to present Rochester’s Light Up Night & Carol Sing for 2021 after a year’s absence. The event will be held from 2:00-4:00 PM on Saturday, December 4, outdoors on the campus of Rochester High School along Reno Street. Beaver County Radio will be on site for the festivities, bringing their own with the Personality Prize Wheel.

RASD Superintendent Dr. Jane Bovalino joined BVCS President Lee Pfiefer & BVCS Artistic Director Sharon Burchill to discuss the 2021 Light Up Night & Carol Sing with A.M. Beaver County’s Matt Drzik.

The festivities will begin with the presentation of the colors by the Beaver JROTC right at 2:00 PM, followed by continuous music from the BVCS (principal choir, soloists, and Treble Youth Chorale), the Rochester High School choir, and the Rochester Area Concert Band. At 3:00 PM, all in attendance are invited to sing traditional Christmas carols to kick off the festive spirit of Christmas in Rochester.

Also, the RASD & BVCS are teaming up with Frye Transportation and Families Matter Food Pantry, and they are asking those in attendance to bring non-perishable food items to help in the “Fill-A-Bus Foodraiser” that will be taking place during the Saturday festivities. And it should go without saying that some jolly big man will be making an appearance Saturday as well…

To hear all about the 2021 Rochester Light Up Night & Carol Sing, click on the player below to listen to the interview.

(Photo by Mark Peterson)

The rise and fall of the steel mills. The division into two school districts. The introduction to reverse parking.

The city of Beaver Falls has seen many changes over the course of the last several decades, and with a switch to home rule charter, a new mayor, and several additions and renovations coming to the city…many more changes are on the horizon.

A person who has been part of that parade of change over the last several years has been Bethany Williams, who is the director of Community Development for the city of Beaver Falls. She spoke to Matt Drzik on the November 24 edition of A.M. Beaver County to talk about these changes, including the change to home rule charter that city citizens voted on back in November after a process that took over a year.

“We’re looking forward to more community engagement,” Williams said. “We’re learning just as much as everyone in the community is about this, because it is new for us as well compared to what we’ve been used to.” Williams mentioned that the new system will take place in January, when a transition team will be put in place to create a new code of conduct.

“Just expect more communication from us in the near future,” Williams added. “We’re hoping to add a pipeline of leadership development in our community…what we can’t do is outpace the community in our growth. We don’t want to be building the community that the same 75 people want, we want to a build a community that all voices have a say in creating.”

To hear the full conversation with Bethany Williams, click on the player below.

Home rule charter, a new mayor, renovation projects abound…Beaver Falls is changing rapidly, and a new future is on the horizon for the city.

Bethany Williams, the director of Beaver Falls’ Community Development, will talk with Matt Drzik about the changes, and also what the hopes and plans for the city are set to be. The interview will air after the 8:30 news.

“People gravitate towards happiness.”

Those words, spoken by Valerie McElvy of We’re At Your Service in New Brighton, is the spearheading philosophy towards the work done at the charitable agency located on 3rd Avenue.

McElvy and her crew are currently accepting non-perishable food donations and other essentials for “Thankful Hearts And Grateful Hands”, a Thanksgiving-centered drive to help out those who need food for the holiday, and to help deliver such food to those who are unable to receive the food in person. 150 bags will be donated to those in need on Tuesday, November 23 from 11 AM until 1 PM, and donations will be accepted up until then.

She spoke to Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County about the upcoming event, showcasing gratitude towards all those who have volunteered their time, services, and goods towards those who are struggling financially, socially, and mentally in Beaver County communities. “People are still suffering differently,” she said. “‘How will I find money to pay the light bill or buy a turkey?’…those are decisions that you and I might not have to make, but somebody IS making that decision.”

To hear the full interview with Matt and Valerie, click on the Facebook feed below!

Beaver County game warden Mike Yeck joins Matt Drzik on Wednesday to talk about the opening of buck season and general hunting season in Beaver County, and the safety tips some should know before going out. Mike will be on following the 8:05 news, and the interview will be on Facebook Live.

If you have any questions for Mike in regard to hunting season, the phone lines will be open at (724) 843-1888 and (724) 774-1888. You can also leave a comment on the Facebook feed.

Before the 1920s, there was Woodlawn and Economy, and no access to either town through traffic. In fact, there were no bridges connecting the north and south portions of the Ohio River at all.

Nearly 100 years later, the Ambridge-Aliquippa bridge is undergoing construction with the goal of maintaining structural integrity, as it has become a major artery connecting Aliquippa with Ambridge over the Ohio River. The bridge was built in 1927 and has become essential for travelers in Beaver County and northern parts of Allegheny County.

Beaver County historian Jeffrey Snedden joined Matt Drzik on A.M. Beaver County to talk about the history of the Ambridge-Aliquippa bridge, which originated with the industrial overhauling by both American Bridge Company and Jones & Laughlin Steel (among others) combined with the ongoing rise of automobile transportation.

The bridge itself became crucial in connecting the Ambridge and Aliquippa sides to each other, but it also became a crucial part in the cultural rivalry the two communities share. The dedication of the bridge in 1927, despite a crowd of nearly 20,000 to celebrate, created some angst whenever the current County Commissioner Chairman decided to anchor the ceremony…and one community got left in the dark.

To hear the full story (or as much as can be coddled in ~20 minutes), click on the Facebook feed below!

Local historian Jeffrey Snedden joins Matt Drzik to talk about the history of the Ambridge-Aliquippa bridge (that is currently under construction), and the history of American Bridge and its impact on Beaver County. The interview with Jeff takes place after the 8:30 news.

Plus: Pens in Chicago and Governor Wolf gives lenience…all that and more on A.M. Beaver County beginning at 6:30.

Pittsburgh Penguins broadcaster Phil Bourque joins Matt Drzik on the Friday morning edition of A.M. Beaver County to discuss Sunday’s “RMU Celebrity Classic” which benefits the Hockey Is The Goal campaign to save Robert Morris Hockey.

Also, it’s the first week of WPIAL playoff football, and it’s another chance at the “Friday Funny” in which those who call in with a funny (and clean) joke will be registered for a chance to win a $25 gift card to Al’s Corner in Koppel.

Shenaniganery unloads beginning at 6:30 AM.