Ann Fontanella of Philadelphia demonstrates technique as she answers a question during a Parsons Suzuki Strings program Friday morning at First Christian Church. Fontanella, a violin virtuoso who played in the Parsons Area Community Concert Association concert Friday evening at Parsons Municipal Auditorium, performed a few songs and answered questions during the workshop.

Volunteers with Angels Among Us of Pittsburg finish last minute decorating for a reception they were catering for Elisa Karleskint and Raymie Metcalf at the Parsons VFW after the couple's wedding on April 6.

Climbing up a slide involves serious concentrated effort by 3-year-old Ricky Byrd, who was enjoying an afternoon at the park with his mother and grandmother.

Members of NARCOA, a national organization of railroad enthusiasts who collect railroad inspection cars, met in Altamont early Saturday morning to begin the John Spahn Memorial Motorcar Excursion. The 84-mile trek to Pittsburg and back was to honor Spahn, one of their members, who died last year at age 35. Members from various states joined in the excursion, loading a total of 17 motor cars onto the railroad tracks at Huston Street, to begin the day-long event.

Parsons High School's Health Occupations Students of America classes, as well as other student volunteers, helped with a blood drive Friday in the auxiliary gym at the school. About 70 appointments were set for the day, though walk-ins were welcome. Syvauna Hinman-Mitchell is giving blood while HOSA student Serena Shaw stays with her. Both students are seniors.

Sherri Spare’s second grade students learned about soil during a visit to the Soil Tunnel Trailer parked at Garfield Elementary School Thursday. The trailer, which cost $60,000 to fashion, is owned by the Miami County Conservation District, but is loaned out to other districts that contribute to its maintenance.