'Tiger Talks' session employs first annual 'Information Exchange' and Rap Session

Beaver Falls residents from various ages, eras unite in conversation as 'Old Schoolers' exchange stories with Gen'Zers

By TIMOTHY COX, Neighbor

Jul 23, 2026 4:08 PM EDT

This post was contributed by a community member.

Steve Higgins serves as cureator at the Larry Bruno Museum in Beaver Falls. On July 16, 2026 - the museum hosted its first annual "Tiger Talks" Information Exchange and Rap Session. (Timothy Cox Photo)

By Timothy Cox

BEAVER FALLS, PA -- The weather gods provided dry skies and warm breezes for a recent congregation of Beaver Falls residents who united in conversation in reference to various generations and eras, past and present.

On the evening of Thursday, July 16, 2026 at the Hall of Achievement inside the Larry Bruno Museum in downtown Beaver Falls, Pa., the event was dubbed, "Tiger Talks" and featured several Beaver Falls natives representing a diverse set of generations and eras.

The object of the proposed event which is set to result in an annual event, was to bring forth different eras into what developed into an "Information Exchange" between
various Beaver Falls residents from the 1950s thru the new millennium (2000s) generations.

Steve Higgins, curator of the Larry Bruno Museum, introduced
the discussion, while organizer, Timothy Cox - offered the origins as to what led to the event.

"It mainly transpired during conversations between Pastor Raphael (Ray) Cox (BFHS Class of 1963) and Linwood Alford Sr. (BFHS Class of 1962), last winter. When they concluded that their casual reflections of yesteryear should be heard by a larger contingent of BF residents, this meeting came to fruition - as an organized rap session - now formally known as "Tiger Talks," explained Timothy Cox.

The Tiger is the longtime mascot at Beaver Falls High School.

Other participants and attendees at the talk session, included Felix Guilford Jr., Ronnie Cox, Neal McDowell, Steve Wyszomierski, Stratton Nash, Robert "Rocky" Washington Sr., Rocky Washington Jr., Clayton Cox in addition to videographers Seth Whitted and Gee Mobley.

For more information about future iterations of 'Tiger Talks,' call 706-231-2088 or contact Steve Higgins at the Larry Bruno Foundation and Museum.

(Author, Timothy Cox can be reached at teacawks2@gmail.com)

A diverse contingent of Beaver Falls residents attended the first annual "Tiger Talks" rap session at the Larry Bruno Museum. (Timothy Cox Photo)

Pastor Raphael "Ray" Cox (left) and Linwood Alford Sr., served to inspire the "Tiger Talks" sessions via their personal reflections of "good ole days" in 1960s Beaver Falls. (Timothy Cox Photo)

Sewickley historian and Quaker Valley School Board member, Stratton Nash Jr., (left) contemplates his brief but invaluable speech at the talk session. (Timothy Cox Photo)

Ronnie Cox and Steve Wyszomierski, both 1971 Beaver Falls High School graduates, reflect on their days as young schoolboy musicians at BFHS. Cox is organist at Tabernacle Baptist Church and Wyszomierski is a nationally-renowned Barbershop Quartet notable. (Timothy Cox Photo)

Timothy Cox (l) and Robert "Rocky" Washington Sr., reflect on their summer 1979 college work experience at J&L Steel in West Aliquippa's Bi-Products Division. (Timothy Cox Photo)

Neal McDowell (left), described his youthful experiences in Beaver Falls in the 1980s and '90s. The business owner said his early BF experiences propelled him onto adult success. Videographer Gee Mobley looks on while working media sessions (Timothy Cox Photo)

Rocky Washington Jr. exposed another viewpoint -- having grown up in new-millennium Beaver Falls. The young father is now grooming/mentoring a new generation of local children. (Timothy Cox Photo)

Rocky Washington offers a compelling backstory of his experiences as a wide receiver at Penn State University in addition to earning a contract with the Cincinnati Reds. His achievements were void of high school team sports. (Timothy Cox Photo)

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