Photos Capture Spirit of Allegheny River

Leader Times
3 August 2011
By Diane Acerni

Starting tomorrow, the east bank of the Allegheny will be overflowing. No flooding is expected, however, a sea of people will undoubtedly form along North Water Street and Kittanning's Riverfront Park for the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival.

Aside from the obvious allure of funnel cakes and kettle korn, crafters' booths and entertainment what is the draw? What keeps bringing hundreds of area as well as long-distance festival-goers back to this event, now in its 40th year?

The answer may possibly be found in the name — it is the place and the people. Although we may not have a fort, we still have the folk. And we still have the river.

The Allegheny River not only sets the scene for this annual community celebration, it is the reason for celebrating.

From the Lenni Lenape to every group of settlers thereafter, the importance of living close to such a body of water was understood.

These advantages still hold true today, as festival attendees will be able to learn through the work of two Armstrong County sons.

David and John Beale, the sons of Edith Lewis Beale of Freeport and the late Harold Beale, grew up in South Buffalo Township, not far from the Allegheny.

Although family outings and activities as Boy Scouts would take them to the river, it would be pursuits beyond their childhood years that would develop their passion for preserving this vital body of water.

John Beale,a professional photojournalist and the youngest of Harold and Edith's five children, has captured and preserved images of the river that his eldest sibling, forester and conservationist brother Dave has worked to preserve and improve.

A Portait of the Allegheny, a collection of more than 20 images of the life of and along this great river, will be available for viewing each evening of the festival.

The exhibit will be displayed in the office of Allegheny Real Estate on the corner of Market and South Water Streets.

Owner and real estate broker, Dan Burke says, "It was a great fit and an honor for our company to be able to display this work that John has done."

Currently a senior lecturer of communication at Penn State's University Park campus, John spent more than a year observing the Allegheny from its headwaters in Potter County, near Coudersport, to its point of convergence with the Monongahela in Pittsburgh to form the Ohio River.

"My challenge was to take a series of images that would capture the river and what it's all about," John says.

To see the photos is confirmatiion that the challenge was more than met.

Many of the facets of life that the Allegheny supports, such as industry, family life and recreation serve as subject matter in these fascinating photos.

Beale has had considerable feedback from the exhibit's showings to date, which include Heinz History Center, the Paterno Library in University Park and St. Bonaventure University in New York.

"The photos seem to resonate with people,"John explains,"maybe the images bring memories of their childhood or a place they once called home."

Brother Dave Beale has always called Armstrong County home, although he says: "If it weren't for this river, I wouldn't be here."

Fortunately for county residents and the millions who live downstream, Dave's job as the Armstrong Conservation District's watershed specialist has kept him in our area, working to improve the quality of our water and ecosystems.

Beale 's promotion of responsible stewardship of natural resources through his job and as a volunteer has reached many audiences. He has seen a positive response in local communities,as there are now eight watershed associations in the county. The efforts of such organizations, as well as legislative changes over the years, have yielded a healthier river system than the one that Beale first encountered at the beginning of his career.

With this improvement, Dave sees the use of the river changing, with "less emphasis on industry and more emphasis on aesthetics and recreation."

Dave will be conducting a river walk Friday evening for anyone interested in learning more about our local river life — how to spot it, identify it and preserve it.

Positive change is what John hopes for as well: "I hope that the people who see these images will see the river differently — for the lifeline that it truly is."

David Beale

• Graduate of Penn State University

• Forester, surveyor, conservationist, educator

• Watershed specialist for the Armstrong Conservation District

• Serves on the Allegheny Land Trust board of directors; volunteers at Crooked Creek Environmental Learning Center; past leader with Boy Scouts of America for 29 years

• Avid outdoorsman; enjoys fishing and kayaking

A Riverwalk with Dave

Join river expert Dave Beale for an eye opening, informative walk as Dave shares his knowledge of the Allegheny River and the natural resources and wildlife that it supports. Bring your cameras and binoculars

Dave has seen many a turtle, beaver and eagle with his own eagle eye. The walk will organize at the amphitheater , weather permitting, at 5 p.m. Friday.The length of the walk is up to the participants. Wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

John Beale

• Graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania

• Journalist, photographer, educator

• Senior lecturer of communications, Penn State, University Park campus

• Employed 22 years Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a staff and then chief photographer

• Director of Penn State Institute for High School Journalists*

• Enjoys all aspects of photography

• John began his professional photojournalistic career at the Leader Times under the direction of editor Wayne Owen. He credits Owen for giving him many opportunities, but not the car keys. Owen initially drove Beale to his assignments as he was not confident enough to allow the teenager to solo with the company car!

A Portrait of the Allegheny

A superb collection of over 20 photographic images of the Allegheny River, from its beginning in Potter County to its ending in Pittsburgh. Professional photojournalist John Beale spent over a year traveling the length of the river to capture many glimpses of life at all hours of the day and seasons of the year.

The exhibit is open to the public at no cost each evening of the festival in the Allegheny Real Estate Office, on the corner of Market and South Water Streets.

• Hours are: Thurs.,Fri.,Sat., 5-10 p.m.; Sun., 5 to 8 pm.

• John will be available to field comments and answer questions on Thursday, following the opening ceremonies.