This year probably will be most remembered for the paradoxically described "remnants" of Hurricane Ivan that caused flooding across large swaths of the region. But 2004 also was filled with other interesting stories and people, many of whom live or work in Pittsburgh's eastern suburbs and neighborhoods. What follows are some of the photos and quotes that helped make them memorable.

"I damn near wrecked. I stopped and backed up to figure out just what I came across." -- John Oliver, a traveling insurance salesman from Erie, after driving past the Eighth Wonder restaurant in Madison, Westmoreland County. (Jan. 7)

	V.W.H. Campbell Jr., Post-Gazette Two girls scream at the top of their lungs "I Touched Him...The President..." as President Bush was leaving a campaign rally at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe on Sept. 22. Click photo for larger image.

"All we want to do is reorganize this government and get going." -- Penn Hills Mayor Anthony DeLuca, after council was unable for a third time to get the quorum needed to conduct a meeting so officers could be elected and a budget passed. It took three months to achieve a quorum at meetings. The 2004 budget wasn't passed, however, until Dec. 6. (Jan. 14)

"Of course, it is hard to boo someone who keeps a chain saw handy." -- Ernie DeMartino, an ice sculptor from Jeannette, describing his craft before preparing to participate in Ligonier Ice Fest. (Jan. 21)

"Where do we go from here? We are stuck on stupid." -- Penn Hills resident Inez Mahone after council failed for a seventh time to achieve the quorum needed to conduct a meeting. (Jan. 28)

"This is the only time in my life I can brag, 'I'm worth every penny.' " Latrobe Mayor Warren Marckioni, joking as he talks about the town's 150th anniversary and estimates that his $3,600-a-year salary comes to about 67 cents an hour. (Feb. 4)

"I'm growing old quick on Route 30. ... This whole thing may put me into early retirement, which I really can't afford," Sylvia Howard, of Latrobe, describing her commute to work in North Versailles. (Feb. 11)

"I can't believe you've got that many people entering information. The carpal-tunnel would kill them." North Huntingdon parent Keith Pealstrom, who questioned the use of Data Match Inc.'s survey to help students make friends and raise money. (Feb. 18)

"Quilting makes today's woman a kind of yesterday's grandmother." Priscilla Richardson, of Greensburg, at a lunchtime lecture on quilting by Merl and Fay Pritts, of Mount Pleasant, at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art. (Feb. 25)

"I shy away from the Earth Mother thing. I'm an old hippie, but I've evolved." Don Kretschmann, of New Sewickley, Beaver County, owner of one of the region's Community Supported Agriculture units. (March 3)

"You can shoot pool on my yard." Fred Venditti, of Monroeville, comparing his flat yard to the slope of the yard at his mother's Rankin home, where ground-shifting caused part of her basement to slide. (March 10).

"If you've ever driven a bus from West Mifflin to Monroeville, there's no doubt in your mind -- you need the expressway." George DeBolt, owner of DeBolt Unlimited, a bus company in Homestead, explaining in a documentary by Braddock Hills filmmaker Tony Buba why he supports the construction of the Mon Valley Expressway. (March 17)

"There is so much out there today for special needs kids and for all children. But don't take it for granted; parents had to fight for all this. Return the favor and make sure life is richer for the next generation." Mary Drylie, of Irwin, one of the founders of The Arc of Westmoreland, which provides support and services for people with mental retardation and their families. The agency marked its 50th anniversary this year. (March 24)

"I'm pretty sure I'm the only wine shop-hardware business in Pennsylvania. ... We had a brew party here last Saturday, with about 150 people in here tasting and talking. We had to move all the rototillers out to make room." Ken Terwilliger, owner of Duncan True Value Hardware and Duncan's Brew Shop in Jeannette, as he describes how he sells hardware, wine and wine-making kits from the same store. (March 31)

	Robin Rombach, Post-Gazette Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry greets the crowd during a Sept. 30 rally at the historic Greensburg Train Station. Click photo for larger image.

"We have an awesome toilet, but we really do prefer using the word commode." Lynn Mamakos, founder and president of the Apple Cookie & Chocolate Factory Co. in Turtle Creek, referring to some of the uncommon shapes of the chocolate candy her company makes. (April 7)

"I'm 74, it's a sin to say it, but I'm still involved. ... I have as much vim and vigor as someone who's 20. I believe in my party, and I believe in our leaders." Angie Gialloreto, chairwoman of Wilkins Democratic committee, before attending her sixth national Democratic Convention, which she hoped would be a prelude to John Kerry's inauguration as president. (April 14)

"What else would I do? I don't golf." Albert Nusbaum, 85, of Wilkins, explaining one reason why after selling his secondhand appliance business, he went to work for Appliance Warehouse on the South Side, the company that bought it. (April 21)

"Let them pay their taxes. We had to pay our taxes. My dad would be turning over in his grave. He never got free taxes." North Braddock council President Therese Braill as she voted against a tax abatement program designed to support a $7.5 million townhouse development on vacant land next to Grand View Golf Course in North Braddock. (April 29)

"I like Hamlet because he shows a lot of expression. One minute he's up, the next down. It makes so much sense. Just like today, people do crazy things for love." Shemaria Scharmann, a Wilkinsburg High School sophomore who was among the students participating in a Gateway to the Arts workshop on Shakespeare this spring. (May 5)

"No matter how necessary an animal is to a scene, remember he isn't picky about when and where he goes to the bathroom." A warning from Pat Beyer, owner and operator of Apple Hill Playhouse in Delmont. (May 12)

"It's not like you're buying a dump truck. This is a hot, burning issue with the people of Rankin." Tim Molyneaux, a Swissvale resident who owns an electrician business in Rankin, complaining about what he felt was secrecy surrounding the appointment of Marianne Polk, a 25-year veteran of the Pittsburgh Police Department, to Rankin's police superintendent post. (May 19)

	V.W.H. Campbell Jr., Post-Gazette Joe Kowalski, of New Kensington, tosses a flood-damaged chair from his truck as Gene Armbrust watches. The two are members of the Christian Mission Alliance Church in Plum. They were helping to clean up flood damage to the church. Click photo for larger image.

"It's a wonder we survived. ... My mom used to lay me on the seat while I was sleeping." Darla Johnson, 39, of Wilkins, describing what life was like before states started to mandate the use of child safety seats. (May 26)

"It's hard sometimes, hearing them tell me they hate me, that I'm a [dog]. I try to treat it like a joke. We're only talking three dollars here, 15 at the most. You'd think I was taking their last cent." Janice Carroll, a meter maid known for her diligent work in downtown Greensburg. (June 2)

"I give those trees a second chance. ... It's my enchanted forest. Just a little sawed-off." Joe King, owner of Pine Hollow Studio in North Huntingdon, as he explains his tree-carving craft. (June 9)

"If Braddock is emptying out [of people], perhaps you could look at that as a good thing." Christine Brill, a Lawrenceville architect who has been studying how to embrace the re-emergence of nature in former steel towns after the industry has gone. (June 16)

"Signs should be where the action is or where you want the action to occur." Stephen Quick, an architect with the firm of Perkins Eastman, commenting on Monroeville's attempts to update its zoning laws -for signs to include the latest technology in "computer-driven, light-emitting diodes" or LED signs. (June 23).

"This isn't a holiday to diet. This is a time to celebrate America, its heritage and its bounty. ... Extra calories? You knock them off with all the walking around." Jill Jackson, of Greensburg, food manager for the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage festival at Twin Lakes Park, as she launches into the extensive menu of food offered during the July 4 holiday. (June 30)

"For the girls [salon operators], you know it's a good day when you go home and have five different colors of hair in your bra." Heidi Brodie, of Monroeville, a stylist at Dottie's Beauty Salon in Squirrel Hill, during the weeklong celebration of the salon's 50th anniversary. (July 7)

"All they really do here is run around and play four-square in the street." Ashlee Barret, 16, of Braddock commenting on the lack of activities in her Center Street neighborhood following a decision by borough council to redirect $5,000 originally obtained to buy equipment for the Center Street playground to redecorate council chambers. (July 14)

	John Beale, Post-Gazette Tiona Bingham looks out the from behind the storm door of her family's home on Wood Street in Braddock as the Edgar Thomson Works is reflected in the glass. Her father, Roy Bingham, is trying to get the plant to clean up the air around the plant. Click photo for larger image.

"You see an animal in the woods -- even a cute animal, a harmless animal -- don't touch it! ... If he's an opossum, he might be cute, but he's got teeth. More teeth than any other Pennsylvania animal. He's got 52 teeth and he'll eat anything!" Jeff Lejeune, a deputy wildlife control officer with the Fish and Game Commission's Ligonier office, talking with youngsters at "Wild Things" summer camp in Rostraver. (July 21)

"I came to buy some drapes. I found Al Levy." Mary Levy, widow of Al Levy, who, along with her husband, owned the Lilly Shop, Greensburg's oldest family-owned business, which closed this summer. (July 28)

"Those pigs were really naughty. It was hard working with them rubbing up against the tripods and snuffling you while you were shooting and had to be quiet!" Maria Brenner, a West Virginia filmmaker, recalling her experience making her award-winning student film "Remember Bob," featuring Bob the pig, who now lives at OohMahNee Farm in Mount Pleasant Township. (Aug. 4)

"It's all the jazz. ... It's like Vegas. They're tacky." Monroeville Zoning Board member Robert Grimes, expressing his distaste for electronic message boards. (Aug. 11)

"If I don't get the public in here, I'm dead." Ryan Bechtold, owner of Grazie Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge, explaining how he needs to find ways to attract customers to his business' obscure location inside the private Oxford Athletic Club in Monroeville. (Aug. 18)

"Getting a dog is like buying a used car -- you never know what you're going to get. The day after I finished training a dog, he dropped over dead." Pat Moloney, a police dog trainer since 1977, observing the unpredictable aspects of his field while discussing the retirement of Faro, the Wilkinsburg police dog whose back problems touched canine lovers around the county and world. (Aug. 25)

"This is no bed and breakfast. They use us and we use them." John Snyder, chief of Monroeville Volunteer Fire Co. 5, as he described Community College of Allegheny County's fire science program, whose students can get free housing and on-the-job training at a local volunteer fire department. (Sept. 1)

"It's refreshing to step back and not worry about cell phones and e-mail. The shows are great. The food is great. The ale is good." Jason Bednarczyk, of Monongahela, a computer consultant attending this fall's Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, where he had the chance to step away from technology and wear a skirt -- 16th century style, of course. (Sept. 8)

	Lake Fong, Post-Gazette Valerie Perkins, center, of Braddock, and Linda Wade, right, of Swissvale, walk across Washington Street Bridge in Swissvale in this July 22 photo. They walked through the Swissvale business district in an effort to call attention to the rising tide of crime there. Click photo for larger image.

"We're not at the lawn mower stage. We're at the backhoe and bulldozer stage." Maggie I. Withrow, director of Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity, describing the problems the organization has had maintaining the vacant property it owns in Braddock. (Sept. 15)

"When I was a kid, if a pet went into convulsions, my Dad took the animal out and shot it." Dr. William Pope, a West Newton veterinarian, describing how far pet owners have come in being willing to care for sick pets, particularly those with diabetes. (Sept. 22)

"One businessman complained [meter reader John] Trepko 'had to be waiting in the trees' and jumped out to write parking violations. That's absurd, I know. But I had to check it out just the same. Maybe we hired Spider-Man." Irwin Mayor Daniel Rose, describing to borough council his experiences on the meter patrol for a day. (Sept. 29)

"Our mamas dropped us on our heads into the mud when we were babies. We're still playing with toys in the dirt. But these ones are bigger and noisier, and make smoke and smells, too." Bill Burgman, of West Newton, describing the attraction of mud bog racing at the Smithton Hole Mud Bog in South Huntingdon. (Oct. 6)

"It's almost a Pepsi-Coke type of thing. People are loyal to one brand or another." Lynn Mander, a portfolio manager for Bryn Mawr Trust Co. in Philadelphia, explaining customer loyalty to mega stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot in light of Lowe's opening a store in Monroeville three miles from it's hardware competitor Home Depot. (Oct. 13)

"Toddlers love detail and color. ... Working with these, they feel they're accomplishing something worthwhile. It builds self-esteem. And it gets them to use the potty." Tammie Aaron-Barrada, of Ruffsdale, describing the reward system of her PottieStickers toilet-training method, which made her a finalist for a national "Stevie" award for Best New Product of 2004. (Oct. 20)

"He came in sweaty, sopping wet, kneeled down next to me and said, 'Will you marry me?' and shoved the ring on my finger." Lillian Winkelmann, 84, of Penn Hills, describing her heartfelt but not very romantic proposal from John McClure, 83, of Penn Hills. (Oct. 27)

"This isn't religion. It's really just quiet no matter what you might have heard. No worship going on here." Mary Furlo, co-owner of Wisdom and Wonders day care center and preschool in Greensburg, allaying any questions about the afternoon yoga time offered at the school. (Nov. 4)

	Darrell Sapp, Post-Gazette Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell read "The Cat in the Hat" to the three kindergarden classes at the Washington Elementary School in Penn Hills on Feb. 27. Click photo for larger image.

"My husband came in one day and said there's no use having a garden and watching the groundhogs eat it." Mrs. C, who lives next door to property owned by the Breitigam family in Monroeville and who did not want to be identified as she complained about the condition of the vacant land. (Nov. 10)

"If I'm out somewhere, I'll call my cell phone and sing into my voice mail. Right now, I have about 10 saved messages of me just humming a melody. To me, writing on an instrument is more of an afterthought." Josh Verbanets, lead vocalist/guitarist for This Band is Called the You, explaining his creative process. (Nov. 17)

"This place wouldn't be nothin' without it. I'd be dead if it wasn't for the chicken soup. That stuff is like a miracle, you know?" George, a regular at Cook's Market in Greensburg, where the soups and sandwiches often elicit praises like those of George -- though maybe worded a little differently. (Nov. 24)

"It's frustrating. There were more people at council meetings to complain about skunks running around their property than there were when the proposed budget came up for a vote." Irwin resident Sue Bishop, expressing her, well, frustration at the lack of public outcry in the face of a proposed 3-mill tax increase for next year. Council eventually settled on a 2-mill increase, which was Irwin's first in 18 years. (Dec. 1)

"I don't know, honey. It was so much nicer last night, with a DJ playing carols and all the people coming out for lightup night, and having a donkey, too. Where is everyone?" A somewhat frustrated Anna Marie Stevenson, of Salem Township, who organizes live, outdoor Nativity scenes in Downtown Greensburg, complete with barnyard animals. The second night of this year's event didn't quite live up to the first. (Dec. 8).

"I would've joined sooner, but it took me a while to get used to the thought of 'Briggs in tights.' " Dick Briggs, of Greensburg, explaining the self-consciousness he had to overcome before joining the Saint Vincent Camerata. Members of the group perform in Renaissance costume at Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica in Latrobe during the holidays. (Dec. 15)

"I won't do snakes." Kathy Karelitz, animal groomer and owner of the Pet Corral in Monroeville, identifying one type of pet she won't allow to sit on her lap when she dresses up as Santa to pose with pets for holiday photographs. (Dec. 22)