June 2012 - Northern Connection Magazine
Transcription
June 2012 - Northern Connection Magazine
s Contents s + – www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection |June 2012 1 26 9 NORTHERN CONNECTION This Month 2012 Wedding Guide Health & Wellness 9 Weddings: From Trendy to Traditional 30 Belly Fat in Men – No Laughing Matter Michael Parkinson, MD, MPH, FACPM, Janice Lane Palko 14 Just a Thought: The Finishing Touch Janice Lane Palko 16 Marvelous Marriages Robert and Michele Tedder 18 Wedding Guide Directory Features 7 St. Barnabas Founder’s Day 7 Flea and Tick Prevention Seven Fields Veterinary Hospital Image + Style 20 Stray Dog Yoga Chase Away Mental Clutter 22 Effective Communication Donna Summers Moul, MSEd, PC Senior Living 24 Remember When Barbara A. Killmeyer 26 Masonic Village: The Joys of a Cruise Ship on Dry Land 28 Rocking for Residents Sets Volunteers in Motion for Vincentian Residents Janice Lane Palko On Our Cover: Photo Courtesy of Frank Kendralla of Kendralla Photography Nick and Danica Cannon Married July 9th 2011 at Memorial Park Church UPMC WorkPartners 32 Recognizing Concussions Theresa Heidenreich 34 Area’s Largest Lemonade Stand Raises Funds for Pediatric Cancer Janice Lane Palko Education 38 Staying Safe in the Summer Sun and Heat Joella Baker 42 Miracle League Begins Fourth Season Janice Lane Palko In Every Issue 4 From the Publisher Marion Piotrowski 6 Movers & Shakers 6 Business Spotlight: Juice Heaven LLC Janice Lane Palko 8 Mover & Shaker of the Month: Jon and Joni Perry Paula Green Real Estate 25 Town Crier: Greetings to June 46 Is NOW the Time to Buy? It’s Never Been Better! Jacquelyn Brinker 29 Happenings for Seniors Advertorials 37 How Long Are You Willing to Live with Back Pain? Dr. Shannon Thieroff 52 Divine Providence Joe Bullick 34 Health Tips: Silencing Sleep Apnea West Penn Allegheny Health System 40 School Movers & Shakers 44 Trivia Connection: Girl Scout Trivia $5 Off Paula Green @NCONNECTIONMAG Find us on 45 Support Our Troops: Soldiers & Sailors Receives Salvaged USS Oklahoma Clock/ Local Businesses Show Their Military Patronage Purchase of $25 or more Dine in only. Cannot be combined with any other offers. Only one coupon per visit, per party. Not valid on daily specials. Excludes alcohol. Expires 6/30/12. Paula Green NC6-12-1 48 NC Happenings under Northern Connection Magazine! www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 2 June 2012 | Northern Connection 34 s NC| CONTENTS June 2012 Lindsay & Adam Schwab www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 3 “Happy marriages begin when we marry the one we love and they blossom when we love the one we marry” ~Tom Mullen NORTHERN CONNECTION P.O. Box 722 Wexford, PA 15090-0722 Phone: 724-940-2444 Fax: 724-940-2447 Email: northcon@consolidated.net www.northernconnectionmag.com Laura Piotrowski llpspc@consolidated.net Executive Editor Janice Lane Palko Managing Editor/ Public Relations Coordinator Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator Laura Lyn Piotrowski Mary Simpson mlsspc@consolidated.net August issue: Back to School CALL TODAY AND SEE HOW NORTHERN CONNECTION MAGAZINE CAN HELP YOU GROW YOUR BUSINESS BY HELPING YOU CONNECT TO THE COMMUNITY! Find us on under Northern Connection Magazine! Web Master Pat Miller, TypeLink Janice Lane Palko northcon@consolidated.net Paula Green northcon@consolidated.net Core Writers Joella Baker Jacquelyn Brinker Joe Bullick Mike Doerfler Rosemary Garrity Paula M. Green Barbara A. Killmeyer Donna Summers Moul, M.S.Ed. Janice Lane Palko Marianne Reid Anderson Kelly Smith Michele Tedder, MSN, RN, CC Distribution Linda Watkins Pat Kroll Lori Palmer Dominion Distribution Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge to the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Subscription can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year. The mission of the Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. is to connect the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh by publishing the area’s finest community publication, Northern Connection. The publication is dedicated to the people, communities, educational, religious, travel, and recreational needs of the area. The contents of Northern Connection magazine may not be reproduced or copied in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Northern Connection magazine reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertisements that do not meet the standards of this publication. www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 4 June 2012 | Northern Connection Marketing & Account Executive Mary L. Simpson Design & Production Kostilnik & Assoc., Inc. Coming in Northern Connection Magazine: July issue: Nothern Connection Magazine’s annual Physicians/Healthcare Professionals Guide and Summer Fun President & Publisher Marion Swanson Piotrowski s NC| From the Publisher Welcome to Northern Connection! T he June issue features NC Magazine’s 13th annual wedding guide. This year we feature both trendy and traditional weddings. Talk about a mother’s labor of love! NC Magazine features our own Linda Watkins. Linda took a part of her wedding dress and a part of the mother of the groom’s wedding dress, matched new material that the bride wanted, to make a very special and beautiful wedding dress for her daughter. Destination weddings are becoming more popular and NC Magazines features two different destination celebrations. Jeff and Jenny Baker’s wedding took place at a beach house at Emerald Isle, North Carolina, while Victoria and George Rose’s wedding took place at the Inn by The Sea at Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The cover photo, featuring Danica and Nick Cannon’s wedding, took place in Pittsburgh at Memorial Park Church and was followed by a traditional reception at Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh Airport. Even though each wedding was different, all the celebrations had a fairy tale ending! Be sure to read Michele and Robert Tedder’s column on how to achieve a “Marvelous Marriage.” This month’s Trivia will test your knowledge of the Girl Scouts, who are celebrating their 100th Anniversary. This month’s Support our Troops features Dr. Karl Blake, a proud veteran of The Navy, Air Force and Army. This issue provides some important medical information in the Health & Wellness section. The Happenings section offers summer fun activities that will keep you entertained and busy in June. Enjoy reading all the feature articles along with NC Magazine’s monthly columns. Thank you for your continued support, and together we continue to make our community an outstanding place to live and work. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 5 St. Barnabas Health System announced the opening of beautiful and elegant living assistance suites at The Arbors III at St. Barnabas, 6005 Valencia Rd., Gibsonia (formerly Fosnights). Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc., announced it was donated a Seth Thomas ships clock salvaged from the U.S.S. Oklahoma. This was one of the ships torpedoed during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum held a Memorial Day celebration to install a new time capsule and rededicate the cornerstone it removed in 2010 while celebrating its 100th anniversary. North Hills Community Outreach teamed up with The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and design experts from Three Sisters Farm to plant approximately 25 fruit trees on May 13 at NHCO’s Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni Garden in Bellevue. McAuley Ministries, the grantmaking arm of Pittsburgh Mercy Health System (PMHS), has awarded grants totaling $311,768 to organizations that enhance health and wellness initiatives, promote community development, offer educational opportunities, and support capacity building in the Hill District, Uptown, and West Oakland neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, historically served by the Sisters of Mercy, sponsors of McAuley Ministries and PMHS. St. Barnabas Founder’s Day S t. Barnabas Health System is the region’s largest health care concern of its kind in Pennsylvania. In the beginning, it served as a recovery home where concerned compassionate care was delivered to those in need. Gouverneur P. Hance founded St. Barnabas more than a century ago, and since then, the Hance Award has been presented annually at the Founder’s Day celebration to a national figure that has had a significant impact on the lives of Americans. This year, Dr. Anthony Campolo received the prestigious award on April 26 at the Omni William Penn Hotel. Dr. Campolo is a sociology professor at Eastern University and a previous faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania. His most impressive work is founding Front (l-r): John Curran, chairman St. Barnabas the Evangelical Health System Board of Trustees; Dr. Anthony Association for Campolo, 2012 Hance Awardee; William V. Day, the Promotion President & CEO St. Barnabas Health System. Back (l-r): Joseph Scaletta Sr., St. Barnabas Health of Education System Board of Trustees; John Turnbull, treasurer (EAPE), which St. Barnabas Health System Board of Trustees. benefits and supports programs for childhood education across the country and Canada. He has also assisted in establishing schools and universities in developing counSt. Barnabas Founder’s Day planning committee front row (l-r): tries. Campolo is a media commentator and guest on several radio and Rob Odom, co-chair, Mars National Bank; Kathy Seaton, RE/ television programs and is the author of some 38 books that focus on MAX; Dr. Anthony Campolo, 2012 Hance Awardee; Susan Krol, inspiration and related topics. Krol Media. Back row (l-r): Jim Roddey, community leader and St. Barnabas Spokesman; Bill Conaway, Comcast Spotlight; Dave Proceeds from the Founder’s Day gala benefit the St. Barnabas Cyphers, Reed & Witting Printing; Michael Garczynski, Carbis Free Care Fund, which ensures that no one is turned away based on Walker; Cindy Parknavy, WPXI-TV; Bob Parknavy, Parknavy Advertising; Marion Piotrowski, Northern Connection & Pittsburgh their inability to pay. Throughout 2011, $5.2 million was raised for patient care. F Fifty Five Plus Magazines; Joseph Stromei, Dollar Bank. Sister Grace Ann Geibel Family House recently held a Volunteer Recognition Award dinner. Members of the Carmel Group of Haddassah were recognized: Annette Felser, Nessa Berlin, Charlotte Helfer, Zandra Goldberg and Patti Schneider. (Continued on page 8) Business Spotlight: Juice Heaven LLC By Janice Lane Palko C ecily Routman, has taken her passion and whipped it into a business. Cecily of Franklin Park had been juicing for 20 years, when for her birthday in 2010, her husband, Tom, bought her an Omega 8006 Juicer. The juicer was so easy to clean and created such tasty and nutritious juices, Cecily decided that she had to take them to the public. “I told my husband we’re going on the road,” Cecily said. She bought another juicer and started her own business, Juice Heaven LLC, a portable fresh fruit and vegetable juice bar. They first set up the bar at the Mt. Lebanon Farmers’ Market, which is held on Saturday mornings in the sum- www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Flea and Tick Prevention By Seven Fields Veterinary Hospital A pril showers bring much more than May flowers. Spring also brings an onslaught of parasites as the weather gets warmer. Fleas and ticks are two of the many parasites than can cause diseases not only to our pets, but to us as well. Fleas are by far the most common external parasite of dogs and cats. The life span of a flea is 6-24 months, over which time, they can lay hundreds of thousands of eggs and lead to an environmental infestation. The fleas in the environment need a blood meal within 1-2 weeks of emerging from the larval stage. They obtain this blood meal from our pets or from us. The flea spends its entire adult life on the host and can survive for more than three months. Significant flea infestations can cause anemia particularly in the very young or very small pet. Hypersensitivity or allergic reactions to fleabites happens in those who are allergic to the flea saliva. These pets (and people) get extremely itchy and can develop red, raised bumps or hives. Fleas serve as an intermediate host for certain tapeworms. Animals and people can become infected with tapeworms by accidently ingesting an infected flea. Fleas also play a significant role in Cat Scratch Fever, as the cats that get flea feces around their claws can infect people by scratching them. Many tick species can transmit diseases to domestic animals and people. Ticks attach securely to the host and effectively transmit diseases. Of these diseases, the most common in our area is Lyme disease. Other tick-borne infections, some of which can also cause serious diseases in humans include, Ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Anaplasmosis. Signs of Lyme disease include lameness, fever, and lethargy. Lyme disease can lead to fatal heart disease or fatal kidney disease, making yearly screening and prevention key elements in keeping our pets healthy. The most efficient way to avoid disease transmission from these insects/arachnids is to prevent them from feeding. There are numerous products on the market that effectively prevent fleas and ticks from successfully attaching and obtaining the necessary blood meal they need to transmit disease and survive. We, at Seven Fields Veterinary Hospital, will help you to choose the product that is best for your pet. No single product is right for every situation. Please call us, or stop by, and we will gladly help you make the best choice for your four legged friends. F Contents s 6 June 2012 | Northern Connection mer. They spent all of July and August at the Farmers’ Market, to rave reviews of the customers. “The customers just loved the juices,” Cecily said. The following spring Cecily moved a bit closer to home and set up the bar at the Sewickley Farmers’ Market. “We were there for 16 weeks in a row last summer and went from having five customers our first week to 135 our last week,” Cecily said. Juice Heaven provides all the produce, using only the freshest, high-quality organic or locally grown fruits and vegetables. In addition, Cecily cultivates her own wheatgrass for use in the juices. “Many people love wheatgrass for its therapeutic properties,” Cecily said. Besides farmers’ markets, Cecily is available to bring Juice Heaven to your parties such as weddings, showers, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and corporate events such as business breakfasts and meetings. “We provide a healthy alternative to alcoholic beverages and soda,” Cecily said. Cecily also sells the Omega juicers at a discount for those who’d like to do their own juicing. Because of the mechanism that these juicers use, there is no oxidation and the juice stays fresh for two day in the refrigerator. She can also provide juice for those who are planning to detox with a juice cleanse. In addition, Cecily is available for speaking engagements, where she details the health benefits of juicing and demonstrates how to juice on her Omega juicers. She most recently presented at the Sewickley Public Library and is scheduled to speak at the Northland Public Library and again in Sewickley this summer. She is engaged to speak at a school health fair in the near future. “Our most popular juices are apple/blueberry and orange/strawberry,” Cecily said, and she invites you to find out what your favorite is by visiting them at the Sewickley Farmers’ market or booking them for your next event. For more information on Juice Heaven LLC, visit the website at www. JuiceHeaven.us or email cecilyroutman@me.com. F s NC| Movers & Shakers June 2012 Movers & Shakers McAuley Ministries announced the appointment of Sister Grace Ann Geibel, RSM, PhD, president emeritus of Carlow University, to its board of directors. She will serve a three-year term. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 7 Mover & shaker of the month Jon and Joni Perry “Pennies from Heaven” TRENDY By Paula Green J on and Joni Perry are the founders of the Pennies From Heaven Fund. This charitable organization provides economic assistance to financially challenged families. It allows parents to stay with children admitted to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Whether it be assistance with transportation, food, sibling care or other unforeseen expenses, Pennies from Heaven was established to keep families together when they need it most. “It all began back in 2001 when my son Trevor was a patient at Children’s when he was nearly three years old. He was hospitalized with leukemia. “We were fortunate to have the financial stability to allow both of us to remain with him during his numerous admissions to Children’s. We were devastated to see the fearful eyes of the children left alone in the hospital,” Jon Perry said. When Trevor returned home, the distress of this experience weighed heavily upon their hearts. Even though their son was back in the comfort of his home, the Perrys kept thinking about the kids who were in Children’s without their parents at their bedsides. They feel their presences during Trevor’s hospital stay contributed to his speedy recovery. With this in mind, they decided to form “Pennies From Heaven.” Thanks to the help and generosity of so many, this charity raised nearly $1.5 million over the past decade. “Together we have helped 30,000 families, and we find that to be very satisfying. However, we seldom pause to enjoy the satisfaction because for every family helped, we know there are others that could use more help that we cannot afford to give. “We are proud to have kept our initial promise that every Mary Ann Novak of Allison Park was honored by Women’s Business Network, Inc. (WBN) as Service Woman of the Year. Mary Ann Novak Zonta Pittsburgh North Foundation awarded nearly $50,000 in grants and scholarships to local women and agencies. Scholarship recipients were: Patricia Hodder, Page Vanderstrom and Cathleen Jacobs. The Board of Directors of the Butler County Symphony Association announced the appointment of Matthew Kraemer of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra as the new music director/conductor of the Butler County Symphony Orchestra. Women in Film recently held their Opal Awards presentation. Those honored included: Carol Lee Espy, Kathryn Spitz Cohan and Chelle Robinson. A special guest appearance was made by Barbara Feldon (Agent 99 on Get Smart). penny raised goes directly to a needy child. We have no overhead and rely entirely on volunteer help and private financial contributions all of which go directly to families in need. “We are truly thankful for the close friends who comprise our advisory board and the numerous individuals and companies that have supported Pennies over the past ten years,” Jon Perry said. Trevor is now fourteen years old, and is doing very well. The Perrys reside in Wexford with Trevor and their other son Alex. In addition to having nearly identical names, Jon and Joni Perry grew up in the same small town of Kane, Penna. They started dating at the age of 15 and have been together ever since. Jon Perry is a medical malpractice and personal injury attorney and partner in the Pittsburgh-based law firm Rosen Louik & Perry. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. A 1987 graduate of Pennsylvania State University, he was recently honored by the university with the Service to Society Alumni Award for his work with Pennies From Heaven. Upcoming this year, the “Pennies” organization is sponsoring an Oktoberfest fundraiser on Oct. 5, at Knob Hill in Marshall Township. To learn more about this charitable organization, visit http://rectenwald.com/pennies/About_Us.html. F Northern Connection Enhance Your Life writer Donna Summers Moul, MSEd, PC, announced a career change Donna to – professional Summers Moul life coach. She offers individual coaching, group coaching and workshops. Visit: donnamoul@gmail.com. MarketSpace Communications, a full-service branding agency based in Cranberry Twp., announced that president & CEO Pam Peters was recognized as a Diamond Award winner by the Pittsburgh Business Times. www.northernconnectionmag.com Wedding Guide 2012 Christy & Clay Nichols 9/10/11 Franklin Park Weddings: From Trendy to Traditional By Janice Lane Palko County executive Rich Fitzgerald welcomed a group of young political and business leaders from Croatia and Romania that visited the United States as part of an exchange program through the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL). In addition to Pittsburgh, the group also visited Washington, D.C. and Denver. TRADITIONAL Rachel Pokorney & Dan Dickens Engagement photo at Audubon Succup Conservancy Married there on 5/12/12 The executive team for Walnut Grill Holdings announced that a new Walnut Grill, located at 660 Washington Rd., in Mt. Lebanon officially opened on May 4. Leech Tishman announced that firm partner Richard (Dick) S. Scott has been recognized by the Pittsburgh Planned Giving Council (PPGC) as their Allied Professional of the Year. + – TRENDY Contents s 8 June 2012 | Northern Connection The Butler County Symphony Association announced their newly elected officers: Ron McKissick, president; Patti Donaldson, vice-president; Tommy Walters, secretary and Bryan Stevenson, treasurer. Front row: Trevor and Joni; back row: Jon and Alex s NC| Movers & Shakers June 2012 Lindsay Schwab and her bridesmaids Every bride dreams of a fairy tale wedding, but no bride wants one that is or by-the-book or doesn’t exemplify the couple’s lives. Brides and grooms desire weddings that reflect their personalities, style and which are like no one else’s. Northern Connection magazine is proud to present this year’s look at some weddings that range from trendy to traditional. Here are four Bridal Stories for you to enjoy. www.swansonpublishing.com (Continued on page 10) Northern Connection | June 2012 9 Both Danica and her husband are from Pittsburgh and they were married at Memorial Park Church, Allison Park and held their reception at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Airport. “We selected Memorial Park because I am a member there, and we selected the Crowne Plaza because it was a great value for a hotel reception. We were able to select menu and centerpieces through hotel vendors. The hotel was also convenient for out-of-town guests and for our wedding attendees to stay overnight,” Danica said. It took the Cannons 10 months to plan their wedding and approximately 165 guests attended. Their dinner was catered through the hotel, but the wedding cake was made by the groom’s mother. “We selected red roses and purple fennel flowers for bouquets with and outside vendor, as was the linens and deejay,” Danica said. The couple did something charitable instead of providing favors. “A donation was made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation in memory of my father,” Danica said. TRADITIONAL “When we got engaged in January 2010, we knew our wedding would be a destination wedding to Maine. For the past five years, we have been traveling to New England, but we have always been drawn to Maine and its rocky coastline. We fell in love with the quaintness and subtle luxury of the Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth. Since we love to share our travel adventures with our French Bulldog, Izabela, it was important we found a place where we all felt at home,” Victoria said. Victoria worked with a local seamstress in Pittsburgh to custom-design a dress that resembled her mother’s 1960s gown, but with a few modern twists to make it her own such as choosing to have it off the shoulder and adding crystals to the waist band. It was important to her that the sleeves remained - just like her mother’s gown. Izabela had a custom-made collar from the same material as the bride’s gown. “Although, our choice to elope was not the most conventional - or the most popular with family and friends - it was our choice. Looking back, we couldn’t image it any other way! Our day was beautiful and filled with so much love and happiness. The best part? Our beloved Frenchie could take part in all the festivities,” Victoria said. Mandy Hajduk & John Borys June 18, 2011 – Residing in New York City Mandy followed a new trend in wedding dresses. Her dress was designed to be worn at full length for the ceremony and then cut down to cocktail dress length following the ceremony. This gives the dress extended life and allows it to be worn for many years after the wedding! TRENDY + – Contents s www.northernconnectionmag.com Victoria Chester & George Rose September 18, 2011 – Cape Elizabeth, Maine (Continued on page 12) s TRENDY Danica Gordon & Nichlas Cannon July 9, 2011 – Pittsburgh 10 June 2012 | Northern Connection Decorative wedding card cage by Delightful Designs by Sandy The couple currently resides in Chicago, but Jeff is originally from Pittsburgh, while Jennifer is from Ashland, Wisconsin. They selected Emerald Isle because it had been a family vacation destination for Jeff’s family for 17 years. “We felt it was a great location for people to visit and such a gorgeous setting for a beach wedding,” Jennifer said. The couple rented a large, oceanfront beach house. “There were 75 people at the wedding including the wedding party. Our wedding colors were tan/sand and light turquoise. We wanted sophisticated and tasteful but with a homemade feel,” Jennifer said. Jeff’s father did their wedding cake as he has been in the baking business for his whole life and there are five generations of bakers. They also did a traditional Italian-style cookie table. “Jeff’s family brought their homemade bakery cookies, and the rest of his family chipped in. There were probably 15 different types of cookies,” Jennifer said. The food was entirely home cooked mostly by Jeff’s sister-in-law Joella Baker with the help of other family members. Flowers kept to the hues of the seaside with hydrangeas in square vases with a banana leaf wrapped around the inside. “My sisterin-law has dealt with flowers and creative decorations for a long time, so we had her do the arrangements for us. The bouquets were a play off that. We had paper lanterns and lights hung around the home, and we did votive candles on each table. The home and pool deck looked fantastic at night with all of the lights and lanterns,” Jennifer said. “The weather was absolutely perfect except for the wind. It is usually amazing weather the week before Rings by Diamond Memorial weekend down there but it can get pretty breezy Design Jewelers down by the ocean. We had clear skies the whole week and this was great because most of the guests came and stayed at the home we rented and a couple other homes. We had eight bedrooms in the home we got married at so all of our friends stayed with us and helped decorate and set up for the wedding,” Jennifer said. “Emerald Isle truly is a magical spot, and all our friends and families that shared this with us were truly delighted with the location,” Jennifer said. TRENDY Jennifer Brown Baker & Jeffrey Baker May 27, 2011 – Emerald Isle, North Carolina www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 11 Kristen Watkins & Matthew Jones December 10, 2011 – Pittsburgh When a bride and groom marry, it is a blending of two families, but what about wedding gowns? For Kristen Watkins’ wedding dress, her mother Linda, an accomplished seamstress, took her own wedding gown and that of Kristen’s future mother-in-law and fashioned Kristen’s gown, which she wore at her wedding at Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church. The reception was held at the West View Banquet Hall. Linda Watkins and her husband Jeff of Ross Twp. were married on May 6, 1978, and the groom’s parents, Barbara and Rick Jones of Brackenridge were married on April 30, 1983. “It was Kristen’s idea to blend the dresses,” said Linda, who used Oxyclean to remove the yellowing time had done to the dresses. “Oxyclean restored each as white as on our wedding days!” Originally, Kristen was looking at a dress from Casablanca, but she wanted a memorable dress rather than just one off the rack. With both dresses layed out Kristen envisioned her dress as a halter style. She and her mother discussed which pieces would look nice to make the dress flow. In addition, Linda made all the attendants’ dresses. Linda used the bodice from Barbara’s dress and used her skirt, altering some of it and adding lace from her dress to it as well. “I also altered my veil a bit for Kristen to wear. The lace on it matched that of the lace on the skirt, which Linda originally wore in the same church 33 years prior. F Linda and Jeff Watkins Barbara Jones Kristen Watkins Jones Wedding Cakes by One Sweet Cookie FDA Approved for... 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Must call on or before 6/30/12. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 13 Dictators notoriously surround themselves with “yes men,” but that is not the case with a healthy marriage. When you are married, your inner “yes” man collides with your spousal cabinet advisor, who says things like. “How in the world did you ever think plaid shorts go with a striped shirt?” Or “No, the on-sale beer does not taste as good as Guinness.” Or “Do you really need another pair of shoes?” There is a famous line in the movie Jerry Maguire where Tom Cruise tells Renee Zellweger, “You complete me.” As much as I like that line, I think marriage is more about “You finish me.” If it weren’t for my husband, I’d be a lot less of a person. I wouldn’t know important things like Mel Kyper has a hairline like Eddie Munster, that Eric Clapton’s “Badge” was called that because George Harrison misread “bridge” on the sheet music and thought the title was “Badge,” that Bill Bowerman founded Nike running shoes by making the soles of his shoes on his wife’s waffle iron. I suspect if it weren’t for me, my husband would still be wearing knee-high tube socks and cut-offs, would never know who Hugh Jackman is, and would have never heard of Jane Austin, seen Mama Mia or been to the opera. When I was a kid, the Sears Christmas catalog always featured scientific gifts like chemistry sets, telescopes and rock tumblers, little machines in which you inserted dull stones and by the machine’s constant rotation and a little added grist, the rocks brushed up against each other, polishing each other’s surfaces. I think marriage is a rock tumbler. Two people who choose to spend their lives together jump into the rock tumbler that is life. And over years of brushing up against each other’s wills, egos, desires and personalities, you help to polish each other into the shining beautiful people God had in mind. Marriage has not completed us; it has provided the opportunity for us to put the finishing touches on each other’s souls. F Just a Thought... The Finishing Touch By Janice Lane Palko D riage in general and mine in particular. id you know that marriage is Most scholars point to God’s creation of good for you? There have been Eve in the Garden of Eden as the beginmany studies conducted by social ning of marriage, citing this Bible quote scientists and scholars on marriage, and from Genesis: “The Lord God said, ‘It is it appears that being married helps you, not good for the man to be alone. I will your health, emotional and mental wellmake a helper suitable for him.’” being, finances, your children and society. This passage of scripture has always The Center for Marriage and Families been a bit puzzling to me. I can underat the Institute for American Values, pubstand the “not being alone” part. Even lished some of its findings about marriage if Adam had Dr. Doolittle skills, it would in a paper entitled Why Marriage Matters: probably still get a bit boring just “chatThirty Conclusions from the Social Sciences. ting to the cheetahs” all the time. But The institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan I’ve often wondered organization of approxiwhy God thought mately 100 scholars from Adam needed a helper? across the country and Setting aside the fact across the political specthat he needed sometrum. (So it’s not just one with whom to popa bunch of concerned ulate the earth, there moms who want their really wasn’t much kids to get married!) Adam needed help Below are some of the with. He didn’t have findings: a house to clean, they 1. Cohabitation is not weren’t wearing any the functional equivclothes so there wasn’t alent of marriage. any laundry, and as for 2. Marriage increases cooking—we know the likelihood that they had apples. fathers and mother So what did God have good relationthink Adam needed ships with their chilDecorative wedding card cage by help with? Why did dren. Delightful Designs by Sandy God think it was good 3. Married couples for people to marry? seem to build more wealth on average I don’t purport to know the mind of than singles or cohabitating couples. God, but from my own experience here is 4. Marriage is associated with better what I think God intended when He sent health and lower rates of injury, illAdam Eve. It’s what I call the “You’re ness and disability for both men and full of it factor.” women. I had several bachelor uncles in my 5. Married mothers have lower rates of family whom I loved dearly, and who depression than do single or cohabihave since passed away. However, one of tating mothers. the things we noticed about them after (Those are just some of the findyears of their living alone and not having ings. More can be found at their website: to answer to a spouse is that whatever www.americanvalues.org/wmm3.) they thought was gospel. When you live I will be celebrating 30 years of maralone without a wife or husband to tell riage on August 28, which since this is you, “You’re full of it,” you think that our wedding issue and I’ve racked up what you think is the absolute truth or some big numbers on the marital scorethe absolute best way to do things. board, it got me to thinking about mar- + – Contents s www.northernconnectionmag.com s 14 June 2012 | Northern Connection Janice Lane Palko, a recent recipient of the prestigious Amy Foundation Award for writing, has numerous articles in print in such publications as The Reader’s Digest, Guideposts for Teens, Woman’s World and The Christian Science Monitor. Her work has also been featured in the books A Cup of Comfort for Inspiration, A Cup of Comfort for Expectant Mothers and Chicken Soup for the Single’s Soul. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 15 TRADITIONAL Marvelous Marriages By Robert and Michele Tedder W hat makes some marriages ordinary and others stand above the rest? Why do some couples have a humdrum relationship while others enjoy marital bliss years beyond the honeymoon? The answer may lie in what people are willing to invest in their marriages. As with any financial investment from which we expect a return, how much we get out of our marriages depends upon what we are willing to put in. To have a marvelous marriage, one that is extraordinary, requires an investment of emotion, time and resource. Our emotional investment includes unconditional love, commitment and intimacy. Love is a verb. That being said, love requires action. We can make the choice to love even when our partners seem unlovable. Unconditional love is not about feelings but about a deeper commitment to accept and cherish the other person even with their shortcomings. When we have unconditional love for our spouse, we are slow to judge or criticize when they fail to meet our expectations. Emotional commitment goes beyond remaining in a relationship. Real commitment involves ongoing nurture and development of the marriage. This requires time, attention and creativity. We must be intentional about spending quality time together. If you are too busy to consistently invest private time with each other, then you are too busy. Emotional intimacy involves sharing the deepest parts of oneself with your partner. Think about the word intimacy as “in-to-me-see.” It is an invitation for your mate to look within you, to hear your thoughts, and to share your hopes and dreams. Emotional intimacy requires vulnerability and trust. Another key to having a marvelous marriage is to continually celebrate your relationship. In small ways and through grand occasions, marriages should be enjoyed regularly. We can celebrate our love for our partners through words of affirmation, sending cards or leaving notes, buying flowers or other gifts for no reason, performing acts of kindness, going on dates, reserving days for just “me and you” and planning weekend get-a ways or exclusive vacations. Recently, we celebrated 27 years of marriage by spending four romantic days at a resort in the Pocono Mountains. It was a special time for us to reconnect, rejuvenate and remember why we got married in the first place. Nestled away in a remote destination and surrounded by the beauty of nature, all we had or needed was each other as we were out of cell phone range and away from Wi-Fi hot spots. We were able to create new memories of sitting by the lake, walking by the rolling stream, riding in a horse drawn wagon through the woods, soaking in a heart-shaped Jacuzzi tub and relaxing in our private indoor pool. It was an investment of emotion, time and financial resource that was well worth it. This investment will pay dividends that last forever. No marriage, including ours, is perfect, but every marriage can be marvelous if you treat your relationship as an endowment whose funds will never be depleted. We invite you to invest in your marriage by joining us monthly for Marvelous Marriage Mondays as you and other couples take time out to celebrate and enrich your relationships through an evening of fun, food and fellowship at a local dining and entertainment establishment near you beginning in July. Reservations are required as space is limited. To reserve your spot, please email us with your contact information at coachtedder63@gmail.com. We look forward to meeting new people and sharing our experience with couples who are invested in growing together. F Baker wedding on Emerald Isle, NC TRENDY Co ns FRE ul E ta tio n ! Lose 3-9+ Inches in 2 Weeks Before We will match any Local Zerona or Yolo Curve ad for same services *Conditions apply Laser Enhancements Cranberry Twp. • 724-591-5670 *With this coupon. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Exp. 6-30-12 Contents s + – • Designed for targeted results • Northern Pittsburgh’s 1st and only authorized site Before After LOWEST PRICE! s www.northernconnectionmag.com After • Zerona specializes in all over body contouring • Cranberry Twp’s 1st and only authorized site All Lasers used are safe for men and women, painless, no side effects. Rev. Robert W. Tedder, MSW, the Senior Pastor of Union Baptist Church of Swissvale, is a clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience. A graduate of Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh, he is a seasoned presenter and former adjunct instructor at the University of Pittsburgh. A. Michele Tedder, MSN, RN, CC, is a professional life coach certified by the Life Purpose Institute and a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science Degree in Nursing Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. A former clinician and community wellness educator for UPMC, Michele has a wealth of knowledge and experience from the health and mental health arena. The Tedders have been married 27 years and are the parents of three children. They are the co-founders of Marvelous Marriages, a division of Joy for Life, a life purpose, career and marriage and family coaching organization. Joy for Life offers individual, couples and group coaching, as well as seminars and workshops. For more information, contact Michele directly at (412) 983-7661 or coachtedder@gmail.com. Be sure to like us on Facebook at Joyforlifecoaching. 16 June 2012 | Northern Connection Christy & Clay Nichols www.swansonpublishing.com 8001 Rowan Rd., Suite 205 Cranberry Twp, PA 16066 www.Laser-Enhancements.com 724-591-5670 Northern Connection | June 2012 17 Wedding Directory 2012 Audubon Succop Conservancy 185 West Airport Road Butler, Pa. 16002 (412) 963-6100 weddings@aswp.org Chiropractic Family Health Center 2591 Wexford-Bayne Road, Suite 207 Sewickley, Pa. 15143 (724) 940-9000 www.laserawayinches.com Delightful Designs by Sandy (724) 816-2125 www.delightfuldesignsbysandy. com Keller Williams Realty Cheryl Griffiths 11269 Perry Highway Suite 300 Wexford, Pa. 15090 (724)933-8500 www.cheryl-griffiths.com The Crystal Conservatories at St. Barnabas 100 Conservatories Court Valencia, Pa. 16059 (724) 625-3807 www.stbarnabashealthsystem. com Not many of us take care of our bodies the way we should. We let some things go unattended like losing weight and getting healthy. I had two heart attacks and my heart doctor told me I had to lose 35 pounds of weight or risk death. I wasn’t sure what or how to do it. Frankly, they gave me no game plan or system to make it happen. Trinity Jewelers 647 Mount Nebo Road Pittsburgh, Pa. 15237 (412)367-7131 www.trinityjewelers.com I was introduced to a local doctor named Michael Vactor who has extensive experience in the natural health field. He is a weight loss expert and knows what it takes to get results. You may have seen him on television, heard him on the radio, or read about him in the newspaper. As a matter a fact, he has worked with professional athletes from both the Pirates and Steelers organizations. This doctor absolutely knows what it takes to lose weight and keep it off. I started on his Ultimate Fat Loss System and Food Management Plan, and I have lost 35 pounds in the first 30 days. That’s right, you did not read a typo: 35 pounds in 30 days. I feel great and I have tremendous energy. I’m not on any medication, which is very unusual for a post cardiac patient. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this doctor and his program a 10 plus! He is caring and very compassionate to his patients. Frank Kendrella (724) 622-4573 www.kendrallaphotography.com www.frankkendralla.com Laser Enhancements 8001 Rowan Road, Suite #205 Cranberry Twp, Pa. 16066 (724) 591-5670 www.LaserHairEnhancement. com Diamond Designs 140 Church Road Wexford, Pa. 15090 (724) 934-2777 www.diamonddesignjewelers.net Grand Rental Station/ Absolute Equipment 3038 Babcock Blvd. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15237 (412) 931-6655 Jergel’s Rhythm Grille 103 Slade Lane Warrendale, Pa. 15086 (724) 799-8333 www.jergels.com I would strongly recommend this program to anyone who is serious about losing weight and keeping it off. Dr. Vactor custom tailors a program to each individual’s needs. His program not only works fast, but is very safe (no drugs), and is a fraction of the cost of other weight loss programs. One Sweet Cookie (412)298-7482 info@onesweetcookie.com www.onesweetcookie.com Call Now To Have Access To This Amazing Weight Loss Technology The Print Shop at Office Things 133 Grand Avenue Mars, Pa. 16046 (724) 935-2221 www.printdaughters.com www.northernconnectionmag.com 724-742-2700 (only 15 spots available) + – Contents s 18 June 2012 | Northern Connection Magnolia Room 879 Freeport Road Creighton, Pa. 15030 (724) 224-9401 www.themagnoliaroom.com s General Rental Center 20644 Route 19 Cranberry Twp, Pa. 16066 (724) 776-6990 www.general-rental-center.com The program was very easy to follow, and the natural products work like magic to take the weight off. I’m so glad that I could lose the weight without drugs or surgery. I did not even have to go to the gym and sweat to lose the weight. The best part is, unlike most diet plans, I wasn’t hungry at all. I was not only losing weight, but putting good quality nutrition and supplementation into my body. I feel so healthy and my energy levels are better than they have been in years. To learn more about this complete system that was formerly only available in Europe, contact his office to schedule your “no-cost” workshop. It will explain all the details and answer your questions. Call now as space is limited and many of his workshops have a waiting list to attend. His office number is 724-742-2700. You can also go on his website and request a “free report” at www.weightlossnorthpittsburgh.com. When you call, tell them Richard sent you, and they will take great care of you. P.S. There is no program on the planet that gets these types of results in this short period of time. It is doctor supervised and comes with a guarantee. You have nothing to lose but the weight. P.P.S. This program not only takes the weight off, but allows you to keep it off forever. He has helped so many people that have lost hope and felt that they could not lose weight. He is a leader in the natural health care field. There is a reason patients drive from West Virginia and Ohio to see him. He gets results and he is willing to guarantee it! DR. MICHAEL VACTOR 724-742-2700 weightlossnorthpittsburgh.com www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 19 NC| Image + Style Stray Dog Yoga Chases Away Mental Clutter www.northernconnectionmag.com Coming in July! + – Contents s 20 June 2012 | Northern Connection strength and flexibility, decrease stress and tension, and like all stray dogs hope for, find a happy home! As summer nears, commit to a healthy and balanced approach to your well-being. For a limited time, purchase our 3-Month Unlimited Pass for just $285. To learn more about this special offer, call, stop in, or visit us at straydogyogastudio.com. F s I t’s easy to get overwhelmed and let stress interfere with your overall health. Yoga can help you let go of mental clutter. Stray Dog Yoga Studio provides the perfect environment for you to do just that. Located in the Village at Pine, near Ichiban at 1500 Village Run Road, Wexford, Stray Dog Yoga Studio offers heated Vinyasa Yoga classes. Vinyasa Yoga is a style of yoga that links breath with movement, creating a dynamic flow. Heat is used as a tool to help you focus on your breath while allowing your muscles to safely move deeper into each posture. In addition, sweat is a powerful means of elimination that helps your body to remove Stray Dog Yoga toxins and feel revitalized. Stray 1500 Village Run Rd Dog’s state-of-the-art, energy-effiWexford, PA 15090 cient heating system maintains consisLocated in the tent temperature and humidity levels. Village at Pine, near Floor-level vents, destratification fans Ichiban and ceiling diffusers keep you comfortable and let your body enjoy the 724-719-2055 benefits of a heated practice. Unique flooring ensures the health of your joints and spine while easing pressure in the low back and providing gentle cushioning to lighten your practice. Classes offered are 60 to 75 minutes long. Experienced instructors are committed to growing in both their teaching techniques and in their own personal practice. Stray Dog’s teachers are encouraged to let their individual personalities and strengths guide their teaching style. Students in “All Levels” classes are encouraged to listen to their bodies in order to learn how to safely challenge themselves or how to modify poses when their body needs a rest. If you’re new to yoga, try a beginners class where the studio is only gently heated and instructors focus on basic alignment. You will find that each class at Stray Dog is designed to make you feel better from your head to your toes. Everyone is welcome at Stray Dog, regardless of fitness level or background. This studio prides itself on the friendly and supportive community that has been growing since its first class. Stray Dog Yoga Studio is here to help you improve your www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 21 NC| Image + Style Effective Communication By Donna Summers Moul H istorically, boys and girls have been conditioned to play distinctive and separate roles in our society. While much has changed in our belief systems about gender specific careers and role expectations in the last 40 years, many women today are still operating out of archaic conditioning when it comes to communicating in their jobs and relationships. An understanding of gender differences and good communication skills are critical for achieving success. How about you? Have you learned how to communicate effectively in your job and in your relationships? Ask yourself the following questions to see where you stand. n Do you ask for what you want or are you waiting for someone to read your mind? n Can you take constructive criticism, or do you feel personally offended by other’s comments? n Can you give constructive criticism or are you afraid of hurting someone else’s feelings? n Are you able to ask for a raise or are you working extra hard waiting for the boss to notice? n When there’s a problem, do you problem solve or do you simply complain? Do you know the difference? n Do you behave professionally at work, or do you discuss your personal problems? n Can you openly discuss your strengths? Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t accomplished these seven steps yet. Use this information as a starting point to see where you need to improve. Effective communication can easily be learned. Extensive information is available on how to communicate, gender differences and women in the workplace. Conduct a web search using women, communication and gender differences as your search words. Take a class or workshop on how to communicate effectively. Visit your library or bookstore for resources. Suggested readings: Talking 9 to 5 by Deborah Tannen, Mars & Venus in the Workplace by John Gray, PhD, The Art of Winning Conversation by Morey Stettner and Stand Up for Your Life by Cheryl Richardson. Many women unknowingly sabotage their chances for success in the workplace and in their relationships by not fully understanding the impact of conditioning on verbal exchanges. Don’t get left behind; educate yourself, gain confidence and reap the benefits of powerful and effective communications. F If your roof looks like one of the photos above, help is only a phone call away! magma is here to stay—there is no way to completely eradicate it from the region. Each homeowner in our area will need to get their own roof cleaned and protected. some are made of materials that aren’t good to clean. But if your roof is made of asphalt shingles and is less than 15 to 20 years old, then our shingle cleaning will amaze you! What is going on with your roof? The black stains on your roof are caused by a hardy strain of algae called Gloeocapsa magma. These dark algae are usually most visible on the north face of a roof since that side usually retains moisture the longest because it receives less sunlight. These algae literally eat the limestone in the shingle. Once on your roof, the only way to get rid of them is to kill them. Gloeocapsa magma are airborne, meaning that they are light enough to be carried on air currents from one home to the next, one city to the next, one state to the next. If your roof has black stains or streaks on it, then the algae are literally dining on your roof… and your shingles, unfortunately, are the main course. As the algae eat the limestone, they loosen the top coat of granules that give the roof its color. If left untreated for too long, the top coat will wear down to the point that the black asphalt layer below it will be exposed and it will look stained forever. Our biodegradable soaps and detergents kill 99.9% of those roof destroying algae immediately, leaving you with a beautiful, stain-free roof. Your roof will look cleaner and newer than it has looked in years! We are so confident in our services that we offer a satisfaction guarantee… if you are not happy with the results, then you don’t owe us a dime! We also offer a 2-year warranty against future staining from Gloeocapsa magma. After those 2 years, we offer to come out and spray a preventative treatment on your roof (at a fraction of the initial low treatment cost). Why am I seeing stains more now than ever before? Wind currents have been carrying these algae north from roofs in the Southern states for the past few years. People there have had to deal with the issue for decades. Sadly, Gloeocapsa Shingle Replacement vs. Cleaning Many experts believe that almost 25% of roof replacements in the U.S. last year were not needed; instead, the roofs just needed to be cleaned. Don’t spend thousands of dollars needlessly if roof cleaning is all you needed. Cleaning your shingles might be the answer. We say “might” because we can’t clean every roof. Some are too old or too damaged, and One call today will protect your roof for its entire life. Call today: 724-486.2161 Here are what the three roofs above look like after they were treated and cleaned. Locally owned • Fast, friendly, professional service 2 year written warranty • Local references • Satisfaction guaranteed. Free estimates, call today! www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 22 June 2012 | Northern Connection s Donna Summers Moul is a Professional Life Coach. Her passion is to help women live their best lives. She has two convenient locations in Mars, Pa and on McKnight Road. Call Donna at (724) 935-6275. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 23 NC| senior living Remember When I By Barbara A. Killmeyer received quite a shock when I turned on my computer the other day and went into Facebook to see if there were any entries from my grandchildren. Someone had sent a picture and asked if anyone could tell her what the object in the picture was. I knew immediately what it was, but before I could submit an answer someone beat me to it. The reply said that it was an ice cube maker where you pulled the handle to release the ice cubes. She said, “My grandmother had one of those.” Then, a day or so later, I saw an ad for brand new replicas of the “good old fashioned manual typewriter.” This started me thinking about things that I’ve used that were so common and how they are now forgotten. For instance, in my basement is talking to someone about that today, and she told me that her nieces don’t understand how to use a rotary phone. I’m sure that if you think about it, you can come up with many more instances of things we have experienced and used that are no longer in existence. One other thing: How often do you hear a song and get a feeling of nostalgia? Perhaps it reminds you of high school dances or a romantic evening with a special date. You know the words and can sing along. I wonder if, twenty or thirty years from now, a rap song will bring the same feelings to today’s young people. Today’s modern inventions may make things faster, and easier but I’m so glad that I had the opportunity to experience the past. F an old toaster. It’s somewhat rusted now, but you can still see places where the original gun metal blue is visible. It has a square bottom and four sides with slots running from top to bottom. It also has two wires on each side that the bread rested on. This object was placed over the burner of a gas stove and had to be watched carefully so the toast wouldn’t burn. This sure is a far cry from dropping the bread into a slot and pushing a button. I can remember as a small child in Sharpsburg, that my mother would send me to the drug store on Main Street with a nickel to use their public pay phone because we didn’t have a phone in our house. Compare that with today when everyone, even children, walk around with a phone in a pocket or purse. I was Town Crier Greetings to June By Joe Bullick I Look for it wherever you find Northern Connection Call us for advertising information 724-940-2444 www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 24 June 2012 | Northern Connection s hope you had a great May. Now it’s time to greet June. What a great month! It is a month of weddings and graduations. I wish the best to all those young people who are graduating and remind them that “commencement” simply means a new beginning. To all my farmer friends, June offers the most hours of daylight of any month of the year. It’s always a great time for the farmers and gardeners to concentrate on their fields and flowers. As a young boy, I always planted the tomatoes—that was my job. If I had a good crop, mom would can them for me. Mom always had several rose plants. She would tell me that June was the month for roses. My dad was always making sure I put all the flags out on June 14, Flag Day, which commemorates the day in 1777 when the Continental Congress adopted the stars and stripes as our flag. Then it had only 13 stars to match its stripes. It’s not an official national holiday, but in Pennsylvania, it is a legal holiday. I remember mom always had a pearl necklace she wore on her birthday. Pearl is June’s birthstone. Pearls come from the mollusk, one of the humblest of life forms, but pearls are a gem of unsurpassed beauty and elegance. Ancient civilizations had many stories to explain the origin of the June birthstone. The Greeks believed that pearls were the hardened tears of joy that the goddess of love shook from her eyes as she was born from the sea. So I guess pearls have been a passion and obsession of people www.swansonpublishing.com throughout the ages. In June, we have Father’s Day. Fathers are one of the most influential people in our lives. They leave no stone unturned to help us out of every crisis and express their unconditional love towards us. Now it is your turn to convey your love and respect toward them. Contrary to what many may think, Father’s Day was not invented by the greeting card industry to increase revenue. In fact, when the first Father’s Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910, Father’s Day cards did not even exist. I will always remember June 6, 1944. I was 14 when the Americans and Allied Forces landed on Normandy Beach. Many young men and fathers lost their lives there. It is sad that the world cannot live in peace. God bless all the fathers living and say a prayer for fathers no longer with us. Good luck to you June brides and all those graduating. I leave you with this: One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. F Northern Connection | June 2012 25 NC| senior living studies, gardening, woodworking, volunteering or even Nintendo ® WiiTM. An on-campus wellness center with an indoor pool and a hot tub help residents stay fit throughout the year. At just 20 minutes from Pittsburgh, residents also have the opportunity to enjoy urban cultural events by taking scheduled trips to the city or exploring it on their own. At the end of the day, they can return home to the safety and serenity of the suburbs. “When you look outside, you don’t see anything that looks like the city. It’s convenient - a classy place - and you can do what you want,” Jean said. “A lot of our friends asked why we moved here at our age,” Bob, who is just in his 60s, said. “From the standpoint of a life decision, it’s a mystery to me how so many people can move through their lives and be successful, but they have no plan for their [retirement]. … We feel very strongly that a person should make these types of decisions and make the move when they’re healthy enough to take advantage of all of the offerings here.” more relaxed because we don’t have that in the back of our minds,” Jean added. In addition, the Lenhards have left behind the everyday hassles of home ownership, like landscaping, lawn care, cleaning, security and maintenance, because they are all part of one monthly service fee. “There is so much uncertainty out there,” Bob said. “We have better control of our future here than we would have anywhere else. I can’t think of any other place where I’d rather spend my golden years.” With all of their newfound freedom, the Lenhardts can enjoy life their way – whether that means planning a trip with new friends to Missouri, revisiting Hawaii, cruising the coast of Norway, touring the wild west or enjoying the amenities close to home at Masonic Village at Sewickley. F The Joys of a Cruise Ship on Dry Land www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 26 June 2012 | Northern Connection As a lifecare community, Masonic Village protects residents’ nest eggs while ensuring that quality health care services always will be available. If a person’s needs change, they receive quality care without the worry and hassle that would go along with needing a greater amount of money. Flexible home care services and outpatient therapies on a fee-for-service basis also help residents to maintain independence while living in their villa or apartment. “We’re just so pleased that all the decisions are made, and now we have so much relief. We just feel so much son, when they return, their snow will be shoveled, lawn will be mowed and leaves will be raked. If they want, the Lenhardts can vacation during their twice monthly housekeeping schedule and even return to a clean home. The 24-hour security patrolling the campus offers additional peace of mind. “We have good, caring people in security. If we would happen to leave a door unlocked, they would take care of it. That is very comforting,” Bob said. “We really don’t have any problems with leaving our house unattended like we did before we moved here,” Jean added. “We know our neighbors and have no qualms about leaving – besides what we’d be missing and the menu!” The Lenhardts’ beautiful kitchen remains almost untouched after a year of living in their villa. Instead, they opt to eat in the on-campus restaurant with their friends, where they’re free from the hassles of cooking and washing dishes, and can enjoy a varied menu of cuisine fit for royalty. “There is so much included here. At a lot of other retirement villages, if there’s a wine and cheese party, you pay extra. But it is included here. The Masonic Village does everything first class,” Jean said. With special dinner events ranging from last fall’s dinner by the river to the recent Spring Fling, residents enjoy a culture fit for socialites. Jean helped to plan this year’s Spring Fling - the social event of the year - featuring a “A Toast to Broadway” theme with elegant black and white décor. Residents entered on a red carpet and enjoyed New York cocktails, including Manhattans and Long Island Iced Teas, amidst the sounds of show tunes. After a fabulous dinner, they danced the night away to a live band in their sharp black and white attire. For residents who prefer trying new experiences in more intimate settings, resident-run clubs and activities provide opportunities to discover new passions like painting, Bible s “D on’t let anyone tell you that living at the Masonic Village at Sewickley is just like being on a cruise ship. Living at the Masonic Village at Sewickley is so much better!” Bob and Jean Lenhardt, Masonic Village residents, wrote in a letter after returning from a cruise to Nova Scotia. The Lenhardts have been avid travelers since 1980. Their adventures have taken them to Hawaii, Alaska, almost every region in Europe, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean and beyond. They love to experience Earth’s wonders – the sun’s rays reflecting across the ocean’s surface, brightly colored flowers bursting from rich volcanic soil, a coastline carved by powerful glaciers. While they’re away, the Lenhardts can now focus even more on beautiful scenery, meeting new people and trying different experiences instead of worrying about their home. Maintenance-free living means that no matter what the sea- www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 27 NC| senior living Happenings for Seniors Rocking for Residents Sets Volunteers in Motion for Vincentian Residents Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group meets at 7 p.m., the 2nd Wednesday of every month, at Orion, 4361 William Flynn Hwy. Sponsored by Orion Personal Care Residence. Call (412) 337-6731. By Janice Lane Palko F itness experts are always admonishing us to get out of our chairs, get some exercise and do something worthwhile. On Saturday, June 16, the residents of four local care facilities are hoping that record numbers will do something worthwhile and take to rocking chairs to raise money for the residents of Marian Manor, Green Tree; Vincentian de Marillac, Stanton Heights; Vincentian Home, McCandless; and Vincentian Regency, Allison Park. “Everyone at Vincentian is looking forward to our Rocking for Residents event,” said Karen Kutzer, vice president, advancement for Vincentian Charitable Foundation. “It is guaranteed to be a big FUN raiser for all as well as a fundraiser!” The event will begin at noon and participants will rock in rocking chairs in 15-minute segments to raise funds for needed items at each home. “Vincentian Home and de Marillac are raising funds to purchase therapeutic whirlpool tubs for their residents. Marian Manor wishes to acquire bladder scanners, which provide noninvasive testing for infections, and Regency hopes to buy specialized wheelchairs,” said Sister Patricia Eleanor Myers, SHS, the de facto spokesperson for the event. Vincentian cares for nearly 700 residents, employs 950 people and has more than 400 volunteers, and it hopes that everyone will join in on what promises to be a joyful, fun day. Entertainment, Sister Patricia games, prizes, bake sales and refreshEleanor Myers ments are slated as well as cakewalks. “Friends and families together have the opportunity to honor our homes’ elderly residents,” said Kutzer. “This event is a great way to connect with our mission and is an effort to which all can contribute.” For more than 100 years, the Vincentian and Holy Spirit Sisters in our area have made it their mission to serve the sick, elderly, and poor. “Our work has set the standard of care,” said Sister Patricia Eleanor, who hopes to get the most pledges and who believes that a successful Rocking for Residents will help to ensure that their mission continues. Participants may register at the Rocking for Residents hotline at 412-548-4056 or via the website at www.vcs.org. Donations are also accepted and larger sponsorship packages are available for companies or individuals who want to maximize their impact. They are also hunting for rocking chairs of all sizes for use during the event. F Alzheimer’s Support Group, meets 10-11:30 a.m., the 2nd Saturday of the month, Christ Church, North Hills, 5910 Babcock Blvd. For info, call Karen (724) 934-0048. Arden Courts, 1125 Perry Highway, offers a support group for families dealing with dementia. Meets every 3rd Weds. of the month. Call (412) 369-7887. Gateway North AARP #3586 trips: June 8 –“Timeless Memories” with the Rat Pack, July 15 “Anything Goes,” WV Public Theatre, Sept. 27-30, NYC 1 day trip, 2 days cruise on the “Norwegian Gem” For info, call Mary (412) 931-8478. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group meets 1 p.m. Thurs., Family Resource Center, 216 North Washington Street, Butler. Sponsored by Butler Memorial Hospital. For info, call (724) 284-4894. Friendship Group for Visually Impaired, Men’s Group meets every Weds. 1-3:15 p.m., Knitting & Crocheting Circle meets every Weds. 1-3:15 p.m., Monthly Meeting 2nd Thurs. of each month 1:15-3:15 p.m., The Lunch Bunch meets 4th Thurs. of every month 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Talking Book Club meets 1st Mon. of each month 1-2:30 p.m. For info, call 724-444-0064. North Hills Community Outreach is partnering with Christ Lutheran church to provide minor home repairs this summer to qualified seniors and low income adults with disabilities. To apply, call Cathy at (412) 307-0069. North Hills Community Outreach is seeking lawn service volunteers for area seniors. For info, call Nancy at (412) 307-0069. North Hills Community Outreach is seeking lawn volunteer drivers and dispatchers for their Free Rides for Seniors. For info, call Kerry at (412) 449-0151. Parkwood Suburban North Meals on Wheels provides home delivered meals to the elderly, homebound and disabled. Meals on Wheels services Hampton & southern Richland townships. Call (412) 486-7115. Perrymont North AARP Chapter #2291 meets 11:30 a.m., June 21, at Northmont United Presbyterian Church, 8169 Perry Hwy., McCandless Twp. New members are invited to join. Senior Achiever’s Spring Luncheon, 12:30 p.m., June 14, Fellowship Hall in Elfinwild Presbyterian Church, 3200 Mt. Royal Blvd. www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 28 June 2012 | Northern Connection s St. Alexis Over 50 Trips, June 28; Seneca Niagara Casino, July 15-16; Wildwood, NJ, Sept. 3-7; Chadwick American Bandstand, Oct. 11; November, Light-Up Night on the Majestic; November, Chadwick 20-piece Orchestra Christmas Show; December, Meadows & Oglebay Lights. For info, call Rose (724) 728-2563. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 29 By Michael Parkinson, MD, MPH, FACPM Senior Medical Director for Health and Productivity UPMC WorkPartners Even the word itself sounds kind of funny: Belly. W hether a man has a “beer belly,” “love handles,” “a spare tire,” or is just a “roly-poly guy,” chances are his waist size inspires more mirth than it does concern. Belly fat on a man is rarely considered a matter of grave importance. More often, it’s something to be laughed about. However, a man’s belly fat can be indicative of some very serious things to come. Heart attack, stroke, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer, low levels of HDL (or good cholesterol), metabolic syndrome, and sleep apnea have all been associated with excessive girth and belly fat. The Mayo Clinic says that men who gain belly fat are at a greater risk of serious health problems, including death, than men who accumulate fat in other areas of the body. And men are more likely than women to gain weight around the waist. Belly fat is largely visceral fat – that is, the fat that surrounds the internal organs such as the heart, liver, intestines and kidney. Visceral fat is more dangerous than other fat because it wraps around inner organs and increases your risk for diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Visceral fat is more prevalent in men than in women. How to tell if you have too much belly fat For most men, a waist size in excess of 40 inches is a good indication that they have too much belly fat. For older men, a less physically active lifestyle puts them at risk for excess belly fat. While belly fat is often called a “beer belly,” beer alone is not the reason for the excess weight! Drinking too much alcohol of any kind can increase belly fat. It always makes sense to drink alcohol in moderation both to limit the calories you consume and to decrease your chances of gaining weight and belly fat. If you are a smoker and consume three or more drinks per day, eat a diet high in saturated fat and are under chronic stress, you can also increase your likelihood of having belly fat. Genetics can also play a role in body fat distribution. Belly fat raises the risk of developing metabolic syndrome which is linked to insulin resistance, high blood glucose, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. This fat is also connected with sleep apnea and mental problems, such as memory loss and verbal fluency. A study done with 360,000 Europeans found that the people with the most belly fat had approximately double the risk of dying prematurely as did people with the least amount of belly fat. Risk of death was tied entirely to waist circumference and not to being overweight. Each two-inch increase in waist circumference was associated with a 17 percent increase in mortality in men, the study found. How to reduce belly fat Reduce your intake of calories. You can do this by reducing portion sizes and by eating healthier foods that contain fewer calories. At restaurants, where you cannot control portion sizes, you can share your meal, or eat half and bring the rest home. Increase physical activity. The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommends that most healthy adults get 150 minutes per week, about 30 minutes a day most days, of moderate aerobic activity (e.g. brisk walking). Or, 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity (e.g. jogging) in addition to strength training. The good news is that you can take as brief as three 10-minute walks a day to see improved health effects from physical activity. Try to lose weight and keep it off. This may require more physical activity than the HHS recommends, such as daily walks after dinner. Spot exercising alone is not effective. Spot exercises – such as sit-ups – will make your abdominal muscles stronger, but cannot be counted on to selectively reduce belly fat. That requires healthy eating and increased physical activity. Simply put, belly fat is stored energy and to rid yourself of it you must burn more energy than you consume. For nearly all of us, this will require a lifestyle change. F www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 30 June 2012 | Northern Connection Risks connected to belly fat s NC| HEALTH & WELlNESS Belly Fat in Men – No Laughing Matter www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 31 NC| HEALTH & WELlNESS Recognizing Concussions By Theresa Heidenreich, student athlete C Call today to schedule your FREE Consultation and Scalp Analysis! 724-591-5670 8001 Rowan Rd., Suite 205 Cranberry Twp, PA 16066 www.LaserHairEnhancement.com www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 32 June 2012 | Northern Connection oncussions have become a common problem for American children and adolescents, especially those involved in contact sports. According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 350,000 concussions occur in children between the ages of 0-14 annually. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can alter normal brain function and cause symptoms such as confusion, headache, dizziness, sensitivity to light, sleep disturbance, irritability, memory problems or difficulty concentrating. Concussions occur from direct impact to the head or a sudden shaking movement. Concussion frequently occurs without loss of consciousness, and, therefore, can easily go unnoticed. If a concussion is suspected, prompt evaluation by a physician is necessary. One of the most crucial aspects toward recovery from a concussion is rest from both physical and mental exertion. Contact sports, texting, video games, computer work and even schoolwork must be temporarily avoided. Although most people who obtain a concussion recover quickly, it is still essential to take time to rest and recover. New legislation in Pennsylvania, this summer, has mandated that coaches, teachers and school personnel become more aware of signs and symptoms of concussions. “Awareness of symptoms of concussions and the proper rest that is needed to allow the brain to heal will further protect the student athlete,” says Kelly Rush Heidenreich, MD, pediatrician at CCP - Bellevue Pediatric Associates. A valuable tool in managing concussions is Impact testing, which is a computer test that measures concentration and memory skills at baseline. Having this baseline test is an objective way to monitor improvement after a concussion. It is recommended that all students, ages 10 and older, involved in contact sports receive this baseline Impact testing as a precaution. The offices of CCP Bellevue Pediatrics offer this baseline testing in three convenient locations. F s •Fits discretely in any cap at home or on-the-go •No pain, no surgery, no side effects •For both men & women •224 pure laser diodes (no LEDS) •A/C rechargeable battery pack www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 33 NC| HEALTH & WELlNESS Silencing Sleep Apnea D oes your partner or spouse complain about your noisy sleep habits? If so, you may have obstructive sleep apnea, a serious condition that can impact daily life. Sleep apnea occurs when your throat closes during sleep, cutting off air supply and causing you to snore loudly or gasp for air during the night. Traditionally, obstructive sleep apnea is treated using a type of breathing therapy known as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). CPAP utilizes a breathing mask that increases air pressure to prevent the throat from closing. However, breathing masks may cause facial discomfort and feelings of claustrophobia. Wearing a breathing mask can also discourage intimacy with a partner. “For some people, CPAP masks make it more difficult to fall asleep,” says Joseph Cillo, Jr., DMD, oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Allegheny General Hospital (AGH). “Depending on the severity of sleep apnea and other factors, these patients may be good candidates for surgery.” Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is an option for people who have moderate to severe sleep apnea, are not mor- bidly obese and have not benefited from CPAP. The procedure involves pulling the floor of the tongue forward and away from the back of the throat through a small incision in the jaw. This surgery takes about one hour to perform, and patients can return home the next day. At AGH, more than 90 percent of patients experience relief from sleep apnea following this procedure. Patients with severe sleep apnea may require a more advanced form of the surgery that pulls both the lower and upper jawbones forward slightly. This form of OMFS takes longer to perform and may require a longer hospitalization. More than 80 percent of patients at AGH experience relief following this form of OMFS. A sleep study and physical examination are required to determine whether or not you are eligible for OMFS. Allegheny General Hospital offers a number of treatment options for patients who suffer from sleep disturbances. Call 412.DOCTORS (362.8677) to be referred to one of our specialists. F Area’s Largest Lemonade Stand Raises Funds for Pediatric Cancer M.D., RPhS, RVS Board Certified Phlebologist, General Surgeon by Janice Lane Palko www.northernconnectionmag.com goal this year is another $20,000. Funds from the event help support childhood cancer research projects by funding studies of new cures and treatments and encouraging and educating others, especially children. “We really could not do all of this without the help and support of so many people and local organizations,” said Mrs. Silvester. For more information about help ’12, visit www.alexslemonade.org/ mypage/77022. F + – Contents s 34 June 2012 | Northern Connection an immediate impact on the lives of kids with cancer,” said Mrs. Silvester. “help ’12 will do that by offering kids a day away from the hospital and treatment to have fun with friends and family.” The stand, officially sponsored by “friends of Rehanna and Henry” in memory of two young friends of the Silvester family who died of cancer, is one of only 18 designated as “grand” stands by the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The label is awarded by the organization for community and corporate involvement as well as the stand’s overall impact and fundraising success. “I want to work even harder this year because my friend, Rehanna, died last year of cancer,” said Kate. “I don’t want any child to have to go through what Rehanna went through, and I don’t want any other family to have to go through what her family went through.” The Silvesters and friends have raised over $20,000 at the lemonade stand in the first three years, and their s F or the past three years, mom Lori Silvester and her two children, Kate, 12, and Harrison, 9, Cranberry Twp., have hosted the area’s largest lemonade stand fundraiser to help support pediatric cancer research through Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. This year, the Silvesters will add a twist to their lemonade stand event, which they have dubbed help ’12 (hope, enjoy, laugh, play 2012), by inviting children from all over the area who are currently undergoing cancer treatment, and also young survivors, to come out for a free day of games, rides, food and fun. On Saturday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Fun Fore All Family Entertainment Center in Cranberry Twp., Silvester, her two children and husband and a team of community volunteers will host what promises to be the biggest lemonade stand in Cranberry Township history. “We wanted to not only raise funds for research, but also find a way to make www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 35 NC| HEALTH & WELlNESS Movement can help you heal faster! How Long Are You Willing to Live with Back Pain? By Dr. Shannon Thieroff D uring my career, I have frequently encountered patients who have suffered with conditions far longer than they needed to because they were misinformed. In fact, the reason I started writing articles was to help people understand the facts about spinal health and empower them with information and choices about how to take care of their health. Here are some of the most common myths people believe. Common Back Pain Myths: #1 Heavy Lifting Causes Back Pain. It’s more likely that someone will suffer a back injury from lifting improperly as opposed to just lifting something heavy. Proper lifting uses the leg muscles and avoids loading the spine. It’s also important to avoid twisting while lifting because this is the No. 1 way to cause a lifting injury. #2 Being Overweight Causes Back Pain. Although weight can aggravate spinal conditions, it is rarely the cause. Most people who have back pain and are overweight suffer from the same underlying causes of back pain as thin people including spinal misalignment, degenerated discs and poor muscle support. #3 Back Pain is Always Caused by an Injury. 80 percent of Americans report back pain but only a small percentage of sufferers can relate it back to a specific injury or incident. What is most common is that a series of small insults, over a period of years, weakens the spinal column and causes damage. This eventually, over a long time, leads to pain. These causes can include postural problems, unhealed injuries, degenerative changes, and how we use our body for everyday chores or our job (wear and tear). good for back pain. Then studies started to show that it actually made the patients have more chronic and persistent pain. The new findings show that gentle walking, exercise and stretching is better. #3 Chiropractic is the MOST EFFECTIVE treatment for low back pain. Studies show that when patients have chiropractic care, they heal faster and get back to normal activities sooner. They are also less likely to take medicines or have surgery. In fact, a Consumer Reports article showed that chiropractors have the highest satisfaction rating (over 90 percent). So my question for you is…How long are you willing to live with back pain? How long are you willing to give up doing the things you love and having a normal life? I hope the answer is that you’re not willing to live like that any longer! I have seen too many people who have told me “Dr. Shannon, I should have done something a lot sooner. I never thought I’d feel this good.” I want to encourage you to do something good for yourself and take better care of your spine. You just get one and it should last a lifetime. Questions, comments, etc. are always welcome. Please send me an email by visiting my website at www.choicechiropractic. net. We are an in-network provider with all major insurance companies. This message brought to you as a public service by: Choice Chiropractic & Wellness Center, P.C. Dr. Shannon Thieroff and Associates McKnight (412) 364-9699 Moon (412) 424-0019 www.choicechiropractic.net Here Are the Real Facts: www.northernconnectionmag.com + – Contents s 36 June 2012 | Northern Connection s #1 Muscle Relaxers and Pain Medicines are Not Recommended for Back Pain. Studies have shown that these medicines rarely have a positive effect for the patients taking them, especially at the initial onset. Anti-inflammatory medicines have been shown to delay the healing process. Also, the high risk of side effects and addiction to pain medicine make them a poor choice. #2 Movement Helps Patients Heal Faster. It was believed that bed rest was www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 37 By Joella Baker W e all love summer. Hot sun, swimming pools parties, and getting outside as much as we can. Unfortunately, too many people still do not protect themselves or their children from the summer elements. Summer should be a time of fun, outdoor activity and exploration. However, summer is more often referred to as “trauma season” by health care professionals working in emergency departments. Across the country, children 14 years and younger will be rushed to emergency rooms for treatment of nearly 3 million injuries from May through August according to the Department of Health. Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability for children and youth. Injury rates are highest during the summer months for children and teenagers because it is the time when they are exposed to more injury risks. What are some of the major risks causing these injuries? nSwimming/Drowning n Biking injuries and biking without a helmet n Skate boarding and scooter injuries and riding without a helmet n Vehicular accidents with children running into streets and playing in drive ways n Bee stings nSunburn n Burns from grills and camp fires nDehydration n Playground falls n Trampoline accidents n Summer poisons, including plants, pool chemicals, gardening chemicals. How can you protect your children this summer? n Supervision is always number one. Making sure children are properly supervised is the number one way to make sure they are safe. Know where your children are and what they are doing. n Make sure all playground equipment is safe and if using a trampoline, limit how many children are on the trampoline at one time. Supervision is of utmost importance when playing on playgrounds and trampolines. n Keep children away from the grill area while preheating and cooking, and while the grill is cooling to prevent burns. n Keep children at safe distance from campfires. n Remove potential poisons from your yard, including poisonous plants, pesticides and pool chemicals. n Keep swimming pool areas and hot tubs locked. No one should ever swim alone. www.northernconnectionmag.com By following some simple rules, it’s easy to have a safe and fun summer. Simply laying down some ground rules will make it easy on everyone and even printing out the rules and hanging them in your house will be a constant reminder of how to be safe. The main thing is letting them know that being safe doesn’t mean not having fun. Being safe actually gives them the freedom to have fun all summer instead of ending up with an injury that could keep them indoors. We all know that accidents do happen, especially with kids, but if your children understand there is no swimming without an adult present, no riding without a helmet, that sun screen must be worn all the time and drinking water through the day keeps them hydrated, they will have a better chance of staying healthy and out of the emergency room this summer. Good luck and enjoy the sun, with your sunscreen on of course! F + – Contents s 38 June 2012 | Northern Connection n Apply sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher to your child’s exposed skin 15 to 30 minutes before going out, and reapply frequently. n Make sure your child drinks plenty of water. A child who seems tired or achy should rest in the shade or go inside for a while. Get immediate medical help any time a child’s skin is hot to the touch (with or without perspiration), if a child has a seizure, or if they become disoriented in hot weather. n Bee stings, check your porches, decks shutters and yard for hives from bees, wasps and hornets and remove them immediately if found. n Make sure your children always wear helmets when biking or riding a scooter or skateboard. s NC| EDUCATION Staying Safe in the Summer Sun and Heat www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 39 NC| EDUCATION School Movers & Shakers Fox Chapel North Hills Fox Chapel Area High School seniors Anthony Brooks and Alexandra Vogel have been named winners in the 2012 national Stossel in the Classroom Essay contest. The North Hills Future Business Leaders of America Entrepreneurship Team finished eighth in the commonwealth at the 2012 Pennsylvania FBLA State Leadership Conference. Team members: Dan Kaminski, Matt Stiehler and Sarah Schwartz were honored. Two Fox Chapel Area High School students placed at the annual Freshman-Sophomore Forensic Tournament. Rishi Mirchandani and Jonathan Stebbins were award recipients. Fox Chapel Area High School freshmen Rama Godse and Anandhini Narayanan were named winners in the 3rd Annual Gilda’s Club Teen Writing & Art Contest. Kanika Srma, a freshman at Fox Chapel Area High School, placed second in the 2012 Pennsylvania BioGENEius Challenge. Two Fox Chapel Area High School students placed in the 2011-12 Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh (SACP) High School and Middle School Essay Contest. Simran Parwani won first place and Elizabeth Shneider garnered second place honors. Fox Chapel Area High School senior Angelia Wang has been named a semifinalist in the 2012 United States Presidential Scholars Program. PTI Pittsburgh Technical Institute announced the winners of the 2012 annual Concept Car Competition and Scholarship program. The winners were North Hills High School students: Nate Heid, Shane Donat, John Witherel, and Kaitlyn Wagner. The following North Hills School District students have been selected to participate in various honors bands and orchestras. They are: Stephen Knott, Evan Perez, and Michael Zech. Additionally, Shannon Kelley, Jonathan Perez, Abby Humphrey, Robby Kaup, Evan Perez and Michael Zech were selected to participate in the Pittsburgh Symphony’s Side-by-Side Concert. Hampton Dan Ostronic, a senior at North Allegheny High School, won the Gold Medal in Sheet Metal Production at the Skills USA Pennsylvania Championships and will represent Penna., at the National Championships in June. Patricia Ward Kelly, wife of the late Gene Kelly visited Hampton High School on May 25. Kelly was in town as the guest of honor for the 22nd annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theatre held at the Benedum Center. North Allegheny senior Chrissy Figan won a Second Place award at the 2011-2012 Fairchild Challenge at Phipps Conservatory. Seneca Valley Julie Vandrak, a senior at Seneca Valley, was honored by Positive Athlete spokesperson and former Pittsburgh Steeler wide receiver Hines Ward, as well as Jeff Kartsens from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Vandrak has been voted Western Penna’s “Most Positive High School Athlete.” Seven North Allegheny School District students were accepted by audition into the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association. They are: Romane Couteux, Lucas Song, Margaret Hu, Dante Denillo, Tyler Singery, Benn Gibbs and Christina Eisenreich. Seneca Valley sophomore Emily Clark has been chosen as the junior representative to the Pennsylvania State Board of Education. She is one of just two students chosen from across the state as a member of the board. Seven elementary students from the North Hills School District were selected to participate in the PMEA District 1 West Band Fest held at Shaler Area Elementary School. The students were: Evan Landskroener, Ellie Urich, Greta Zewe, Megan Medfisch, Ryan Mullen, Shane Riley and Jessica Bauer. Pine Richland Marshall Middle School student Anrey Peng finished first in the county and state in the 7th Grade Pennsylvania Math League Competition. Min-Soo Kim, Andrew Xu and Ashwin Reddy achieved notable rankings in the Allegheny County region. Emily Clark Shady Side Academy Senior School Science Dept. chair Dr. Kathy Malone, a resident of O’Hara Twp., was one of 19 educators nationwide selected to serve one-year term in D.C. Three Pine-Richland Middle School seventh grade GATE students took awards in the Northern Area Gifted Consortium Wordsmith Competition. The honorees were: Amanda Labuda, Kendall Pomerleau, and Trevor Russell. Edward T. Brett, professor of history at La Roche College, has published a new book titled The New Orleans Sisters of the Holy Family: African American Missionaries to the Garifuna of Belize. CCAC Dr. Kathy Malone The Shady Side Academy Middle School Science Olympiad team won the Pennsylvania State Tournament held at Juniata College. First place winners were: Angie Kim, Krishna Patel, Mark Antosz, Claire Holthaus, Connor Colombo, Roy Navid, Ciaran Beckford, Tom Scherlis, and Michael Miller. St. Alphonsus North Allegheny St. Alphonsus School students sang the National Anthem at the May 11 Pittsburgh Pirates game as part of Catholic Schools Night. North Allegheny’s Marching Band received numerous honors at the 2012 Festival Disney. The band received the Outstanding Percussion Award, a Disney Silver Star Award and a Superior Rating, and it was also named the Best Overall Marching band in the festival. + – Contents s www.northernconnectionmag.com s St. Alphonsus fifth graders recently went on a maple sugaring field trip at Lutherlyn Environmental Education Program. Teacher Theresa Huerbin won an $800 grant from Target Corporation to fund the excursion. North Allegheny senior, Erica Fries has been selected to receive a $2,500 scholarship from the North Allegheny Federation of Teachers. On April 27, Aquinas Academy students kindergarten through 12th grade raised $60,000 for Aquinas Academy during their 7th Annual Walka-thon inspired by the theme “Making Our Mark on the World.” LaRoche College Shady Side Academy Pine-Richland High School took five awards at the 19th Annual Robert Morris University’s Television & Video Teachers Spring Student Video Festival. Award winners were: Selina Bitting, Jessica Malandro, Jeff Burgess and Davis Karran. PR-TV won an Award of Excellence. 40 June 2012 | Northern Connection Aquinas Academy North Allegheny senior, Jeremy Miller was awarded First Place in the category of Sports Management at the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference. Seneca Valley freshman, Laura Ward was honored with an award of excellence from The Teachers of video & Television (TVT) Spring Film Festival. Three North Hills elementary school students were named first place winners in the district’s Invention Convention held at Ross Elementary School. Winners included: Mary Doerfler, Charlie Knox and Amberly Valeriano. Additionally, Ryan Osche, Jake Higgins and Duncan Kreps were named finalist. St. Alphonsus School science teacher Nancy Snyder has won a 2012 Golden Apple Award honoring her as an outstanding individual who devotes her life to teaching in Catholic schools. Donna Imhoff, PhD, president, North Campus and West Hills Center at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) has been honored with the 2012 Tribute to Donna Imhoff Women Leadership Award in Education from YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh. Imogene Hines, professor of Journalism at the Community College of Allegheny County Allegheny Boyce Campus has been selected as the winner of the 2012 Sojourner Truth Award. Imogene Hines Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) student Kirk Thoma has been honored with a 2012 Newman Civic Fellow Award. Eric Poplowski, a Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) North Campus student and member of its golf team, finished second at the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Region XX Golf Championship. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 41 By Janice Lane Palko T he opening of baseball season is always exciting, but it is never more exciting than for the players in The Miracle League of Southwestern PA. “The MLSWPA provides the opportunity for children with special needs with a chance to experience playing baseball in a leaguebased environment,” said Mike Sherry, board member and president of MLSWPA. The league was formed in 2007 and after two years of much work and effort, the league had its first opening day on May 16, 2009, with 10 teams playing a 16-game schedule. Today, the league has expanded to include a Competitive Youth Division and an Adult Division. “More than 240 children and adults are registered to play this year. We are one of the largest Miracle Leagues around the county. Our games are played on Tuesday and Thursday nights www.northernconnectionmag.com youth. We have so many dedicated and passionate high school students who take the time to come out and make our league a very special place. I have had parents come up to me and tell me that because of their son or daughter’s experience as a Buddy, that they have decided to pursue a degree in Special Education…wow!,” Sherry said. “Inclusion is an important part for a child or adult with special needs. Inclusion is a right not a privilege. For our players being able to play America’s game just like any other child has a profound effect of them. It also impacts the player’s parents and grandparents. They now have the opportunity to do something that they might not be able to do and that’s cheer on their son or daughter playing baseball,” Sherry said. It is the Miracle League’s goal to develop more fields in the area. Within the next year, three more fields will be added: Miracle League of The South Hills, Upper St. Clair; Miracle League of Western PA, Murrysville; Miracle League of The Ohio Valley, Wheeling, W.Va. The Miracle League welcomes volunteers. “Announcers are what we could really use more of. The players love to hear their names called during the game,” Sherry said. Financial contributions are also welcome, and you can buy a brick on the league’s Rotary Wall of Fame. Sherry also asks that “you become an advocate for children and adults with special needs. Look for ways in your life that would open the doors to children with special needs to be active participants.” And it almost goes without saying, come out and cheer! For more information on the MLSWPA, visit the website at: www.mlswpa.org. F + – Contents s 42 June 2012 | Northern Connection and all day Saturday,” said Sherry who resides in Cranberry with his wife, Chris, who is also a co-founder and serves on the Miracle League Board. “Without her, the Miracle League would not be where we are today,” Sherry said. They are the parents of son Tanner, 11, and daughter, Jordan, 8. Jordan plays in the league. Sherry is the director of sales for Keymarket Communications and Forever Broadcasting. No child is turned away from playing in the league. The games are held at The Pirates Charities Miracle League Field in Graham Park in Cranberry Twp. The field was specially designed with an all-weather rubberized surface, which is handicapped accessible, with no raised surfaces to interfere with crutches, walkers or wheelchairs. “The success of the Miracle League starts with our board of directors. I have a tremendous board that truly understands the mission of the Miracle League. They are all engaged in the various operations of the league. But you can’t talk about the success of the Miracle League without mentioning the support we have received from the Cranberry Twp. Athletic Association, Cranberry Twp., Pirates Charities, the business community, civic groups, and the residents of this area. It is truly remarkable,” Sherry said. Also indispensible are the numerous volunteers. “The success of the Miracle League is founded on our wonderful volunteers: coaches, managers, Buddies, team Buddy coordinator, umpires and announcers,” Sherry said. Each player is assigned a Buddy, who protects the player from balls, assists the player in batting and running the bases (if needed), and is a friend on and off the field. Buddies receive a Miracle League Buddy T-shirt for their participation. “Many of our Buddies have created lifelong bonds with their players. Year after year, they look forward to partnering with the same player. The MLSWP is so proud of all of our volunteers but especially our s NC| EDUCATION Miracle League Begins Fourth Season www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 43 A Centennial Celebration By Paula Green 1. Seven former First Ladies were in Girls Scouts – Laura Bush, Rosalyn Carter, Hillary Clinton, Pat Nixon, Nancy Reagan, Edith Wilson and _______ (she served two terms as president of the Girl Scout organization.) 2. On this date each year Girl Scouts celebrate “Thinking Day,” which is a day when they learn about another country, their customs, etc. 3. Juliette Gordon Low was recently awarded this honor. 4. The highest honor for Senior Girl Scouts is called? 5. The Girl Scout symbol, the trefoil symbolizes______? 6. In 1936, the first commercially baked Girl Scout cookie sale took place in? 7. The first local Girl Scout Council charter was issued in which city? 8. What is the Girl Scout motto? 9. In 1984, a new program level for young Girl Scouts was introduced called____. 10.The first Girl Scout uniform was what color? 11.In the 1980s, these were introduced for Brownie Girl Scouts. 12.In honor of the centennial celebration, this year’s Girl Scout theme is_________. 13.What is embroidered on the Girl Scout bridging patch? 14.What is this called? - On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, and to Live by the Girl Scout Law. 15.On June 9, to commemorate the 100th Anniversary, 200,000 women and girls will participate in a Girl Scout Sing-Along in this area? F R enaissance Pittsburgh Hotel, located in the cultural district recently launched its Half Price for Heroes program. This plan offers active and retired members of the U.S. military and first responders 50 percent off their nightly room rate when booked by Dec. 31. The discount applies to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard and Reservists. It also includes those in divisions of the Department of Defense, as well as first responders including firefighters, police and paramedics. For more information on the Half Price for Heroes program, visit renaissancepittsburghpa.com. The Chamber of Commerce, Inc. is hosting an event for veterans from 8:30-4:00 p.m., June 14, at the Army Strong Community Center in Coraopolis. The program called Transition Forward helps service member’s transition from military employment to civilian work. The day’s agenda will focus on networking skills, resume writing and the correct techniques to employ during the interview process. Former Marine Virg Palumbo will lead the day’s events. The seminar is free to veterans, and breakfast and lunch will be provided. For information, contact The Chamber at (724) 776-4949. F Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scouts_of_the_USA, http://www. girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history, http://www.main.org/gsusa/histry.htm, http://www.huffingtonpost. com/2012/01/11/girl-scout-cookies_n_1197489.html, http://www.girlscoutsrv. org, http://www.funtrivia.com www.northernconnectionmag.com + – S oldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc., received a Seth Thomas ships clock salvaged from the USS Oklahoma. “One of the reasons Soldiers & Sailors is so special to our region is because our exhibits are filled with authentic items donated by veterans or their families,” said president & CEO John F. McCabe. “This process makes our exhibits personal and unique and Mr. Heller’s donation is a wonderful representation of how extraordinary this experience is for the donor, the museum and our region.” In February, Mr. Don Heller of Marionville, Pennsylvania donated a Seth Thomas ships clock salvaged from the USS Oklahoma after it was torpedoed at Pearl Harbor on December. 7, 1941. As a result of the attack, the Oklahoma capsized and sank on her side in the harbor. The battleship was so badly damaged that it took two years to right her to a point where she could be moved. During the righting operation, it was determined that the Oklahoma could not be repaired and was therefore sold for scrap by the Navy in 1946. Ironically, in May 1947, the Oklahoma sank again while being towed to California to be cut up. Mr. Heller acquired the clock in the mid 1960s from an Army-Navy store, where the clock hung. Out of curiosity, Mr. Heller began researching the clock. He believes the clock was removed from the USS Oklahoma during the salvage operation and has compiled some preliminary research from Seth Thomas Accounting & Tax Preparation Company and the US Navy. Service for Personal & Business The clock is currently being examIncome Taxes ined and catalogued by the Soldiers and Sailors curatorial staff. Plans are to make it a cornerstone piece in a new display Enrolled Agent currently being designed about World Federally Authorized Tax Practitioner War II in the Pacific. F P.A. ERBE & Associates Inc. Penny Ann Erbe 412-487-1009 We welcome brief biographies and photos of local servicemen and women from our community. If you know of someone you’d like to see featured in this column, please call (724) 940-2444 or mail the information to: Northern Connection Magazine, P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722 or email northcon@ consolidated.net. Contents s 44 June 2012 | Northern Connection A few local businesses are reaching out and supporting our troops. s F rom its humble beginnings in 1812, the Girl Scouts of America has influenced generations of women. The organization was founded by Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low after she met Boy Scout founder Robert Baden-Powell. When she returned to her home in Savannah, Georgia, she announced, “Come right over, I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight.” Low believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop, physically, mentally and spiritually. The first meeting took place on March 12, 1912, and 18 girls attended. During this time, women were facing many struggles. Their education was limited and so were their futures. As the dawn of World War I approached, women realized that their role was a vital one. Organizations such as Girls Scouts were especially important to the development of a new, stronger and more gifted young woman. The original name of the troop was the Girl Guides of America. In 1913, it was changed to the Girl Scouts of the United States and the organization was incorporated in 1915. The name was officially changed to the Girls Scouts of the United States of America in 1947. The group was given a congressional charter on March 16, 1950. GSUSA brought girls out of isolated home environments and into community service. Girls Scouts hiked, played basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars and studied first aid. The program was originally for girls age 10-18, but over time it was subsequently divided into various levels. Daisy (grades K-1), Brownie (grades 2-3), Junior (grades 4-5), Cadette (grades 6-8), Senior (grades 9-10) and Ambassador (grades 11-12). Today, the Girl Scouts organization has a membership of over three million, a significant growth from a century ago. Girl Scout cookie sales started as early as 1917, five years after the Girl Scouts were founded. In the 1920s and 1930s, Scouts would bake their own sugar cookies and sell them door to door. In 1936, the Girl Scouts licensed the first commercial baker to start making Girl Scout cookies. Thin Mints are the top selling Girl Scout cookie, followed by Samoas, Trefoils, Tagalongs and Do-Si-Dos. Since we’ve crumbled our way through Girl Scouts history, we must now “be prepared” to test our knowledge of this female organization. Get set to put on those thinking beanies and berets, because it’s time to get a little trivial... Answers: 1. Lou Henry Hoover (wife of Herbert) 2. Feb. 22 3. The Presidential Medal of Freedom 4. The Gold Award 5. The three parts of the Girl Scout promise 6. Philadelphia, Penna.7. Toledo, Ohio 8. Be Prepared 9. Daisies 10. blue 11.try-its 12. “The Year of the Girl” 13. rainbow 14. The Girl scout Promise 15. Washington, D.C. (The National Mall) I realize that each year it has changed and grown until I know that, a decade from now, what I might say of it would seem like an echo of what has been instead of what it is. — Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scout founder Soldiers & Sailors Receives Salvaged USS Oklahoma Clock NC| Support Our Troops NC| TRIVIA June 2012 Girl Scout Trivia Local Businesses Show Their Military Patronage www.swansonpublishing.com 4767 William Flynn Highway Allison Park, PA 15101-2456 Northern Connection | June 2012 45 NC| REAL ESTATE Is NOW the Time to Buy? It’s NEVER Been BETTER!! By Jacquelyn Brinker www.northernconnectionmag.com landlord, and the profit margin he or she is looking to realize on the property. As the number of available homes for sale shrinks, the landlord is able to increase the rental amounts, meaning that, again, renting becomes more expensive on a monthly basis than owning your own home. Renting does not provide anything at the end of the month (except a receipt), where the tax advantages to home ownership abound. The interest on a mortgage is still tax deductible as well as the property tax payments. So JUNE BRIDES, and anyone else who may be sitting on the fence on this issue, listen up! We’ve been saying for quite a while that “Now is the time.” All the analysts are in agreement. The difference today is the unbelievably low interest rates, which are predicted to rise later this year. Would you like to pay less now or more later? The last important factor to remember – always use a reputable real estate professional as well as a reputable lender. It can make a huge difference in the ease of your transaction, not to mention making certain all of the necessary paperwork and ancillary issues are resolved. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions in this area. Professional service makes the difference, and remember, “Your home loan matters!” F + – Contents s 46 June 2012 | Northern Connection Why is that, you ask? Mortgage rates are at historic lows (again & still) helping buyers afford higher priced homes. The lower the rate, the lower the payment, the higher the amount a potential buyer qualifies for on a monthly basis. As they say, it is all relative. With less foreclosures occurring now than in the last several years, and even fewer being predicted in the next several years, housing inventory is likely to decrease. Less inventory leads to higher prices. In essence, the consumer will be seeing higher interest rates, coupled with fewer homes for sale. Higher rates, fewer homes, higher payments, fewer bargains. Moral of the story – if you are thinking of a new home in the foreseeable future – pull the trigger! Renting in this environment can actually be more costly than home ownership. A renter is at the mercy of the s C NN Money recently published an article indicating buying a home will never be any cheaper than it is today. The article went on to say that experts are saying this year may be the last chance for bargain hunters to cash in on the best deals in the housing market. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 47 North Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh is offering 4 different week-long courses, July 23-27. For details, visit www.GRIPitt.org. History, Reading, Writing & Listening Camp, July 23-27, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. To register, call (412) 621-4253, ext. 219 or tim@soldiersandsailorshall.org. Horse Shows, June 10, Open Series Horse Show, call Joe, (412) 784-0860; June 24, Gymkhana/Obstacle Practice Horse Show, call Tanya (412) 841-4517 or (412) 364-6500. Both shows sponsored by NA Horsemen’s Association. North Park Ring. North Hills Community Outreach’s Community Auto Program is looking for vehicle donations that will provide transportation for low-income individuals. Call Harriet, (724) 443-8300 or www.communityauto.org. North Hills Community Outreach is in need of volunteer computer trainers. Call Linda, (412) 487-6316, opt. 2. North Hills Community Outreach is seeking financial coaches to work one-on-one with individuals to improve financial management. Call Harriet, (412) 487-6316, opt. 2. Mondays Cranberry Mothers of Multiples, 6:30–9 p.m., second Mon. of each month Sept.-June, Cranberry Municipal Center. Info: www.cranberrymothersofmultiples. com. Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table meets the 4th Monday of every month, 7 p.m., (June 25 meeting) The Hampton Township Community Center, 3101 McCully Rd., Allison Park. Call Bob or Margie (724) 6252329. North Hills Music Club will meet 10:30 a.m., June 11, at the Franklin Park home of a member. The program will feature music for piano & flute. Call, (412) 761-8818. Tuesdays Cranberry Chapter of the Women’s Business Network meets 7:30 a.m., June 7 & 21, 2662 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp. Call, Mary (724) 251-9755 x214. Criders Corner Chapter of the Women’s Business Network meets noon, June 14 & 28, Cranberry Library, 2525 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp. Call, Melissa (412) 824-9636. Western PA Professional Business Association Network Breakfast, 7:15 a.m., Tues., at King’s Restaurant, Rt. 8, Gibsonia. Call, Mary Ann (724) 935-2221 or visit www.wpabusiness.com. Ross-West View Chapter of the Women’s Business Network meets, 7:30 a.m. June 14 & 28, Panera Bread, 7217 McKnight Rd. Call, Sarah (412) 915-1699. Wednesdays Ask the Attorney, 7-9 p.m., June 13, NHCO, North Boroughs at AGH Suburban General, 100 S. Jackson Ave., 2 South in Bellevue Appointments are required. Call Linda, (412) 487-6316, opt. 2. Cranberry Chapter of the Professional Referral Exchange meets 7:15 a.m., Weds. at North Park Lounge Deck House, Rt. 19, Cranberry Twp. Call, Joe at (724) 772-5555 or visit www.prorefx.com. Pittsburgh Banjo Club meets 8 p.m. every Weds., Elks Lodge #339, 400 Cedar Ave., Northside. For details, (412) 321-1834 or visit www.thepittsburghbanjoclub. com. Professional Referral Exchange (PRE) meets 7:158:30 a.m., Weds, Deck House, Rt. 19, Cranberry Twp. Visit, www. prorefx.com. Wednesdays at 1 at the Kean Theatre: June 6, New Year’s Eve; June 13, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows; June 20, Red Tails, June 27, The Artist. Visit www.keantheatre.com. www.northernconnectionmag.com Mars Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Sats. thru Sept., 225 Crowe Ave.(parking lot across from the post office). Pittsburgh Mad Hot Ballroom Pittsburgh, a benefit for Dancing Classrooms Pittsburgh, 5-9 p.m., June 10, the Westin Convention Center, 1000 Penn Ave., downtown. For tickets, contact Lorry Perkins, @ Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, (724) 934-3538, or LPerkins@mercy.pmhs.org or www.pmhs.org/events. Seven Fields Chapter of the Women’s Business Network meets, 8:15 a.m., June 7 & 21, Concordia Life Care Community, Rt. 228, Adams Ridge. Call, Loretta (724) 772-3633. Arts & Entertainment Volunteer Orientation, 10 a.m., June 14, NHCO, 1975 Ferguson Rd., Allison Park. Contact Linda, (412) 486-6316, opt 2. Butler Symphony Concerts to Munch By, 12:15 p.m., Weds., June 6, Sharp Edge Barbershop Quartet; June 13, Tom Wotus & Mary Andreassi; June 20, Andrew Percy; June 27, Jim Cunningham & Friends, July 4, no concert, 259 S. Main St., Butler. Fridays Calvin Singles Dance, 7-8 p.m., lessons; music until 11 p.m., 2nd Friday of the Month, Calvin Presbyterian Church, 415 E. Grandview, Zelienople. Visit http://www.calvinchurchzelie.org/ sglcafe.html. Chicago, dinner & show, 6:30 p.m., show only 8 p.m., July 13 & 14, Kean Theatre. For tickets, (724) 444-KEAN (5326) or www.keantheatre. com. Christy House 35 Year End Yard Sale & Lunch, 11:30-1:30, June 22, Frederick St., Sewickley. Rain date, June 29. Needles Eye and Earthly Treasures shops open. Take outs available, call (412) 741-5960. th Chris Higbee, dinner & show, 6:30 p.m., show only 8 p.m., June 9, Kean Theatre. For tickets, (724) 444-KEAN (5326) or www. keantheatre.com. North Hills Chapter of the Women’s Business Network meets 12:30 p.m., June 8 & 22, Atria’s Restaurant, 5517 William Flynn Hwy. Call, Susan (412) 965-4888. Concerts in Community, 7 p.m., July 13, Chamber Music Community Concert; Sponsored by Center for Young Musicians & Passavant Hospital Foundation. Legacy Theatre. Free. Contact Autumn, (724) 935-0505 or akunselman@ youngmusicians.org. 3on3 Basketball Tournament, 6 p.m., June 1, North Allegheny High School. Skills Competition benefits the Eric Pelly Memorial Scholarship & Concussion Awareness. Admission $10. Zelienople-Harmony Chapter of the Women’s Business Network meets, 8:30 a.m., June 8 & 22, The Stohr Haus Bakery, 534 Mercer St., Harmony. Call, Meg (724) 452-5232. + – Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, June 1-10, downtown Pittsburgh. For a list of events, visit, http:// www.3riversartsfest.org. Contents s 48 June 2012 | Northern Connection Thursdays Tuesdays at 2 at the Kean Theatre: June 5, Albert Nobbs; June 12, Man on a Ledge; June 19, One for the Money; June 26, The Grey; Visit www.keantheatre. com. Wexford Chapter of the Women’s Business Network meets, 8:00 a.m., June 12 & 26, Atria’s Restaurant, Rt. 19, Wexford. Call, Kathy (724) 9345143. L3 for Singles, adult singles ages 35 & up meets 7:30 p.m. Sats, Sept.-May, Orchard Hill Church. Call, Toni (724) 935-7604 or email tkidd@orchardhillchurch.com. s NC| happenings June 2012 NCHappenings Saturdays EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta updated its website-threeriversregatta. net. Food and Wine Classic, 5:30-9:00 p.m., June 26, Greater Pittsburgh Masonic Center. 20 wine booths, 15+ restaurants and food vendors. Sponsored by The Chamber. For info, call (724) 934-9700. Johnny Angel & the Halos Concert, dinner & show, 6:30 p.m., show only 8 p.m., June 23, Kean Theatre. For tickets, (724) 444-KEAN (5326) or www.keantheatre. com. Opera Theater Summerfest, June 29-July 15, 286 Main St., 3rd Fl., Pgh. For info, (412) 6211499 or info@otsummerfest. org. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Benefit Concert featuring En Vogue, June 29. To order tickets, (412) 392-4900 or 800-743-8560 code 30314 or visit pittsburghsymphony.org. Health & Wellness Pitt Research is examining military couples’ sleep and their risk of developing cardiovascular disease. For info, call Marissa at (412) 246-5783. Talents of Hope, Talent Show, June 2, The Ryan Center at St. Alphonsus School. Proceeds benefit The Hope for Autism Foundation. For info, visit www.thehopelearningcenter. com. Vigil of Hope, for families who’ve lost loved ones to drug & alcohol addiction, 7 p.m., June 6, Passavant Hospital Foundation Conference Center & Legacy Theatre, 700 Cumberland Dr., Allison Park. Visit www. bridge2hope.org. Support Groups Amp Up! (amputee support group) meetings are held 3rd Tues., of every month at UPMC Mercy South Side Outpatient Center, 2000 Mary St, Pittsburgh. Call (412) 215-6926. Bereavement Support Group, 6:30-8 p.m., Mondays, UPMC Passavant. Group meets for 8 weeks. To register, call Toni (412) 358-3173. Bereavement Support Group, 7-9 p.m., alternate Mon., The Baierl YMCA, Nicholson Rd. For info, call Chuck (412) 913-0272 or acwein123@gmail.com. Breast Cancer Support Group, 7-8:30 p.m., 1st & 3rd Weds of every month, UPMC Passavant Cranberry, Breast Center Conference Room, Building #3, St. Francis Way. Free, required registration. Call (412) 622-1212. Bridge to Hope Support Group meeting 7 p.m., each Wed., Conference Room #1, Passavant Hospital Foundation Conference Center, Cumberland Woods Village, UPMC Passavant McCandless Campus, 700 Cumberland Woods Dr. Visit, www.passavanthospitalfoundation.org. Butler Breast Cancer & Women’s Support Group meets 7-9 p.m., the 1st Tues., of every month, 4th Floor of the former Morgan II Building, the corner of Rt. 38, 68 & 422. Call Cheryl at (724) 282-4421. Cancer Caring Center Free Support Groups - Thursdays at UPMC Passavant Hospital. General Patient group meets 7 p.m., 1st & 3rd Thurs, & Breast Cancer group meets 7 p.m., 2nd & 4th Thurs. To register, (412) 622-1212 or www.cancercaring.org. Compulsive Eaters Anonymous meets 6:30 p.m., Fridays, Perry Hwy. Lutheran Church. No dues. Call (412) 225-1664. Development Disabilities Support Group meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7-9 p.m., at Orion Adult Day Services, 4361 Rt. 8, Allison Park. Call (412) 213-3500. Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous meets Fridays, 10:30-noon, Union Project, 801 N. Negley Ave., Pgh. No dues or fees. Call Sue, at (724)625-1683 or visit www. foodaddicts.org. (Continued on page 50) www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 49 NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Family Support Group meets 7 p.m., 1st Wed. of the month, Rm. 231 (2nd floor), 105 Braunlich Dr., McKnight Plaza, Ross Twp. Contact (412) 366-3788 or info@namiswpa.org. NAMI Support Group for Families of Individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder, meets 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 3rd Sat. of the month, Rm. 231 (2nd floor), 105 Braunlich Dr., McKnight Plaza, Ross Twp. Call (412) 3663788 or info@namiswpa.org. North Hills MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Support Group meets 6:30 p.m., 2nd Tues of the month, Lutheran Senior Life Building, Rt. 228 & Pittsburgh St., Mars. For info, email judpot50@yahoo.com or phess@ lutheranseniorlife.org. Pennsylvania Educational Network for Eating Disorders (PENED) offers two support groups. Meetings are 7:30 p.m., the 2nd Tues, of the month & 7 p.m., the 4th Monday of the month, North Hills Village Mall, 4801 McKnight Rd., Suite 205. For info, (412) 215-7967. Support Group for Parents of Children and Teens with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), meets 7 p.m., 1st Wed, of the month, Conference Room at Northland Library, Cumberland Rd., McCandless. For info, email mariecm167@comcast.net. Veterans Discover HOPE HereCareer, 3rd Wed., 6:30-8:45 p.m., Cranberry Twp., Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp. Free. Call, (724) 779-8323, discoverhopehere@ gmail.com or www.discoverhopehere.com. Walk-A-Thons Arthritis Foundation Spring Walk, 10 a.m. (8 a.m. registration), June 2, Three Rivers Heritage Trails on the Southside. Register at, www.letsmovetogetherpittsburgh.kintera.org. Fearless 5K, 8:30 a.m., June 30, North Park Boathouse. Proceeds benefit the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. Register online www.thefearless5k.com. Pittsburgh Cure Sarcoma 5K Walk/Run, 9 a.m., July 14, North Park Boathouse. www.northernconnectionmag.com required. Call (724) 625-2002 or www.valenciapresbyterian.com. Vendors Wanted for Community Yard Sale, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., June 2, Heritage Presbyterian Church, 2262 Rochester Rd. For info, call (412) 366-1338. Benefits Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry. SSG Edward F. Greiner Jr. 5K Walk-a-Thon, 9 a.m., July 29, North Park Boathouse. For info, http://www.facebook.com/ groups/EdwardGreiner5K. School Happenings St. Barnabas Medical Center 5K Run/Walk, 9 a.m., Aug. 4, USA Track & Certified, out-andback course on Meridian Rd. To register call (723) 443-0800, ext. 5310 or www.stbarnabas5K.com. Community Youth Soccer Camp, for kids ages 4-16, 9-11:30, Mon-Fri., June 25-29, July 9-13, July 30-Aug. 3; Premier Resident Camp,9 a.m.-3 p.m., July 16-19. Sponsored by La Roche College & UPMC Passavant. For info contact Miguel.Lozano@laroche.edu. Religious Events & Ministries Hampton Township School District Summer Enrichment Program, three sessions, 9 a.m.noon, June 18-22, June 25-29 & July 9-13, Hampton Middle School. For info ht-sd.org/ Community/Summer Program. Giant Flea Market, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., July 21, St. Alexis School cafeteria, 10090 Old Perry Hwy., Wexford (across from Target, Pine Creek), bag sale 1-2 p.m., everything must go! North Allegheny is accepting registrations for their Preschool program ages three 1/2-five years. Sessions run Tues, Wed, Thurs., 8:2510:40 a.m. or 11:15 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For info, call Kristy at (724) 935-7233 or kcoquet@ northallegheny.org. Legend of Son-Dance Kid Vacation Bible Camp, 9 a.m.noon, June 25-29, St. Alphonsus Church, Wexford. For details, call (724) 935-1160 or http://stals. org/school/pdffiles/vbs.pdf. North Hills Community Outreach is collecting new backpacks and school supplies for distribution to low-income children. For info, contact Vicki, (412) 487-6316, opt. 1. National Association of Pastoral Musicians 35th Annual Convention “Renew the Face of the Earth,” July 23-27, David L. Lawrence Convention Center. For info, visit http://www.npm.org/ North Hills Summer Baseball Camp, 9 a.m.1 p.m., June 12-15 (rain date 18), ages 6-14, Scharmyn Park. For info, (412) 8180687 or http://northillsbaseball.com/CampsandClinic. aspx. Preschool Camp, “Summer Stars,” ages 4-5, 9 a.m.-noon, July 16-20, “Carnival of Colors,” July 23-27, “Pint Size Science,” St. Alexis, 10090 Old Perry Hwy, Wexford. 1 session $60, both sessions $100. Call, (724) 935-3940. Son Rise National Park Vacation Bible Camp, 9 a.m.noon, June 18-22, St. Alexis Parish, 10090 Old Perry Hwy., Wexford. For info, call (724) 9350877 or visit stalexis.org. Saulle’s Teddy Bear Official Memorial Parade (S.T.O.M.P. Out) Cancer walk, June 8, Evans City Elementary. Held in honor of Linda Saulle. For info, email delgrecokm@svsd.net. St. Paul’s Players present “The Ransom of Miss Elverna Dower,” June 12-16, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. 1965 Ferguson Rd., Allison Park. June 13 & 14 performances benefit North Hills Community Outreach. For info, call (412) 487-6316, opt. 1 or visit www.nhco.org. Gardening Butler County Symphony Assoc. Garden Tour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., June 16. For info, call (724) 283-1402 or butlershmphony@zoominternet.net. Trip to New Jersey & New York City, June 22-24, leaves from St. Joseph in Coraopolis. Sponsored by the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Contact, Mary Lou at (412) 2649393 or mllanza@hotmail.com. Vacation Bible School, 6:308:30 p.m., June 26-29, ages 4-12, Dorseyville Alliance, 3703 Saxonburg Blvd., Indiana Twp. Free. Register at (412) 7674600 or www.dorseyville.org. Feature Your Summer Event in Northern Connection Magazine’s Happening Section Call Today for Special Summer Fun Rates. 724-940-2444 Shaler Garden Club meets, 12:30 p.m., the 4th Tues., Church of the Savior. Brochures & info are available at North Hills Shaler Library. Summer Excitement Antique & Classic Car Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., June 3, Mars Area Middle School, Rt. 228, Mars. Admission $1. Sponsored by the North Hills Historic Auto club. For info, call (412) 443-9425 or Joeandkath@verizon.net. Mahajibee Blues, 7 p.m., June 20, Avonworth Community Park, June 20, 498 camp Horne Rd. Free. For info, (412) 766-1700 or www. mahajibeeblues.com. Marshall Twp Events: Playground Program, 9-11:30 a.m., June 11-July 2; Concert in the Park with “No Excuses,” 7-10 p.m., June 15, Knob Hill Park-Elias Fry Barn; Movie in the Parks, dusk, June 27, Puss in Boots & July 18, Spirit-Stallion of the Cimarron; Nature Discovery Camp, 9 a.m.-noon, July 9-13, Knob Hill Park-Elias Fry Barn; Marshall Twp Community Day, 4 p.m.-fireworks, July 28, Knob Hill Park, (724) 935-3090 x115; Movies in the Park, Weds; June 13, Shark Tales; June 27, The Neverending Story; July 18, Puss in Boots; Aug. 1, Little Giants; Aug. 15, Dolphin Tale, at Pine Community Park. For info, (724) 625-1636, ext. 170 or www.twp. pine.pa.us. Golf Outings Passavant Hospital Foundation 25th Annual Golf Outing, June 11, Treesale Golf & Country Club, contact: Pam Taylor, (412) 635-5788 or taylorps@ph.upmc.edu. St. Barnabas Charitable Golf Open, June 4, Butler Country Club. For info or tickets (724) 444-5521 or www.stbarnabasgolf.com Library Allegheny County Library Association meeting, 10 a.m.-noon, 2nd Wed., Sewickley Library; 1-3 p.m., 3rd Wed., Squirrel Library; 1-3 p.m., 4th Wed., Northland Library; 1-3 p.m., 2nd Thurs., Northern Tier Library in Pine; 2-4 p.m., 2nd Fri., Northland Library. For info, visit http://www.aclalibraries.org/ Herb & Garden Fair, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., June 9, Harmony Museum. For info, call (724) 4527341 or www.harmonymuseum.org. North Hills Community Outreach’s Organic, Community Garden, 119 Davis Ave., in Bellevue is open to volunteers, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mon & Wed. Call Dave, (412) 4876316, opt. 1. Vacation Bible School, 6-8:30 p.m., June 18-22, Valencia Presbyterian Church, 80 Sterrett St., Valencia. Pre-registration is + – Coming in July and August Garden Tour, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., June 16 (six locations). Sponsored by the Butler County Symphony Association. For info, call (724) 283-1402 or email butlershmphony@zoominternet.net Contents s 50 June 2012 | Northern Connection Entertainment, prizes and children’s activities. Register online at www.pittsburghcuresarcoma. org. s NC| happenings June 2012 Lupus Foundation Support Group, 7 p.m., 3rd Tues., of the month, UPMC Passavant. Free. Contact, Valarie Brown, RN, (412) 527-3335. www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 51 + – Contents s www.northernconnectionmag.com s 52 June 2012 | Northern Connection www.swansonpublishing.com Northern Connection | June 2012 53 s Contents s + –