RESCUES: Just recently, the world watched, transfixed, as crews hurried to rescue 12 boys and their football coach from a cave in Thailand.

It wasn’t the first time a group of rescuers worked together to free fellow human beings trapped in the earth.

It was 16 years ago today that nine coal miners became trapped in the Quecreek Mine, right here in Western Pennsylvania. They spent 77 hours underground while supporters above ground struggled to free them.

And free them they did. All nine survived the ordeal.

Travelers to Somerset can now visit the site of the rescue, as a non-profit group — the Quecreek Mine Rescue Foundation — formed after the rescue to keep the story of hope alive.

According to the foundation, after the ordeal, “Tens of thousands of people from all over the world have come to see the site where their prayers were answered, and they continue to come.”

Residents were inspired to start the foundation and begin developing a Monument for Life at the site — meant to “honor the tireless heroism of rescue workers everywhere, as well as serve as a lasting tribute to the coal miners of Southwestern Pennsylvania and across the nation.”

Visitors can “walk right up to the rescue shaft where the miners emerged from the dark, cold mine 240 feet below after 77 hours of frigid darkness.”

FRESH PAINT: Community groups have one more week to apply for a Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Fresh Paint Days PA grant.

The grant provides up to 20 gallons of exterior paint, along with painting supplies, to freshen up a community structure. Eight grants will be awarded, and recipients will have from Sept. 1-30 to complete their project.

Deadline for applications is July 31. Any tax-exempt group in Pennsylvania is welcome to apply.

For more information or to apply, visit http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/grants-awards/fresh-paint-days/. Questions can be answered by Michelle Dunn, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful program coordinator, at 877-772-3673 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.