CREATIVE
Mary Evelyn “Ev” Salko grew up in the small coal-mining company town of Windber, PA. Windber was named after Charles and Edward Berwind, owners of the Berwind Corporation, who oversaw the establishment of the town (Berwind = Windber). Mining operations were conducted by The Berwind-White Coal Mining Company with imported workers from both eastern and southern Europe. Despite being a short walk away from Mine 35 on what is now called Railroad Street, the family home was not company owned. That said, several members of her immediate family spent various time working in the coal mines. Ev was the youngest of three siblings and the only daughter in the family.
Coming from modest means, Ev worked hard to be an outstanding student with the idea of eventually pursuing a college degree. In addition to her academic studies, she was CREATIVE, a naturally gifted pianist who learned mostly under the tutelage of her oldest brother, Joe. Her uncle as well as her brothers were all musicians to varying degrees and all trumpet players. Music came easily to Ev.
After successfully graduating in the top 10 of her class from Windber High School, Ev realized her college dreams by enrolling at Clarion State College. While there, she received her Bachelor of Science in Education (Comprehensive English/Reading). Additionally, she accumulated twenty-four teacher certification credits from a combination of Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh.
Armed with her college degree and teaching certifications, Ev spent the next several years as an English teacher at Bellevue Junior-Senior High School, now part of the Northgate School District located in Allegheny County, PA. While she ultimately sacrificed her career in order to raise a family, she imbued her only son with both a strong academic work ethic and the importance of creativity, particularly through musicianship. Pecan is thankful to share many of her core values.