Looking at Washington's role in Pa. history

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. -- The Jennings Environmental Education Center will have a presentation on local history at 2 p.m. Feb. 22.
During this slide presentation, Dr. David Dixon will trace George Washington's life from his journey up the Venango Trail (passing by Jennings on what are Routes 8 and 528) to his battles in the French and Indian War and beyond.
These exploits within western Pennsylvania by the man revered as "the father of his country" spanned more than two generations.
Cheating death on more than one occasion, Washington narrowly escaped being shot by an Indian near Butler, and almost was drowned in the icy waters of the Allegheny during a river crossing.
Few people realize how important western Pennsylvania was in shaping Washington's character as well as forging his identity as America's foremost military and civil leader, Dixon said.