KEYSTONE CLIPS Commissioner DeCarbo enjoys raising Twain

Tonight's Miss Spirit of Lawrence County Pageant has contestants buzzing over who will win. The unusual "beauty" pageant features some well-known Lawrence County men who will be donning women's clothing and personas in an effort to take the crown.
A talent portion of the show has a few contestants concerned -- some opting to read poetry or tell jokes -- but it doesn't appear to be a problem for Lawrence County Commissioner Roger DeCarbo.
DeCarbo said he's gone all out to look like Shania Twain and will perform her song "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" if chosen in the final 10. He even got a copy of the music video to make sure he matched Twain's hair and pantyhose, but some of his friends are getting a little concerned, he said.
"Some guys won't eat lunch with me anymore because they say I'm too into this," DeCarbo said.
He's not shy about acknowledging that he looks good in his short skirt and high-heeled boots. The contest starts at 7 p.m. in the Scottish Rite Cathedral. All of the $10 admission goes to the American Cancer Society.
A tongue twister
Hermitage School Director Matthew DeJulia hit a bit of a tongue twister when he was informing the school board about some upcoming activities scheduled by the Parks and Recreation program run by the city and school district.
He nearly made a verbal stumble when he announced that the Picket Fence Bench, a new arts and crafts program, would start April 16. "Boy, say that fast five times," he said.
Educational grants
Pennsylvania students seeking to renew their state higher education assistance grants for the 2002-03 school year have until May 1 to file their applications.
State Rep. Rod Wilt of Greenville, R-17th, said students seeking state grant aid for the first time have until Aug. 1 to file their applications with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.
Full-time students got up to $3,200 in grant aid last year at in-state schools and up to $600 at out-of-state schools. Half-time students got up to $1,600 at in-state schools and up to $330 at out-of-state schools. For information on these grants and other student aid, visit the agency's Web site at www.pheaa.org.
Podiatrist honored
Dr. Leonard Pleban, a Sharon podiatrist, was recognized by the Sharon City School Board last week for his year's of service to the school district's sports teams.
Dr. Pleban has been providing his medical expertise to treat sports injuries suffered by members of Sharon's teams for the past 50 years. He recently informed the school administration that he would no longer be able to continue. He was invited to last week's school board meeting, where he was presented with a plaque honoring him for his service.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Laure Cioffi, New Castle Bureau, and Harold Gwin, Sharon Bureau.