IN Bethel Park by IN Community Magazines

FALL 2011

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Meet the CELEBRATION

Living History on Kennebec A Bridge for J.R.

Thank you, Pittsburgh. At UPMC Health Plan, we don’t set out to win awards. We simply focus on doing what’s right for our members. Like providing them with access to world-renowned UPMC doctors and hospitals as well as outstanding community hospitals and physicians. Giving them the tools and programs they need to live a healthy lifestyle. And offering them a personal Health Care Concierge and online chat capabilities to answer all of their questions. So when J.D. Power and Associates ranked us Highest in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in Pennsylvania, we don’t see it as adding another award to the trophy case. We see it as doing our jobs.To learn more visit upmchealthplan.com.

“Highest Member Satisfaction Among Commercial Health Plans in Pennsylvania” UPMC Health Plan received the highest numerical score among commercial health plans in Pennsylvania in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Member Health Insurance Plan StudySM . Study based on 33,039 total member responses, measuring 11 plans in the Pennsylvania-Delaware Region (excludes Medicare and Medicaid). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of members surveyed December 2010-January 2011. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com.

s the summer winds down, and the kids head back to school, I sincerely hope that you and your family had some time to get away from it all and relax. It seems that these days, parents driving the family taxi, and kids with their sports/lessons/parties rarely get a chance to enjoy the slow pace of an ever more elusive “lazy summer.” Ask yourself – when was the last time everyone ate together around a family table? When did everyone gather to play a board game? Does anyone remember board games? If your answer was “That one night that the power went out,” then you might be trapped in the 21st century jail of hyper-life. (I made that term up, but I can do that – I’m the publisher.) I’m not an old guy, unless you ask my kids, but I think that life should be simpler. Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, should all try to spend some time with each other as a family more than that one night when the power goes out. Family time is an important part of being a community. And every community should value quality time with their families – it’s how we teach our children values, etiquette, and more importantly, how to participate in a family structure so they can pass on to their kids what you have worked so hard to build. Recently, I saw a commercial where a father shut off the main power to the house so that the family could enjoy dinner together and blamed the outage on a thunderstorm. The Xboxes were dead. The Facebook was closed. The kids came downstairs in disillusionment to ask what happened. While the commercial was pushing some Wayne Dollard tasty dinner product, the message was more palatable – Publisher you have to make family time. I would take that message one step further – you have to make family time a priority. I hope that it’s one of yours. Have a great fall!

FALL 2011 IN Bethel Park is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Bethel Park area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard M A N AG I N G E D I TO R

Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com O F F I C E M A N AG E R

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com WRITER

Pamela Palongue GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda

P H OTO G R A P H E R

Garyyonphotography.com E V E N T STA F F

Autumn Altieri Debbie Mountain Kathleen Rudolph A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S

ello and welcome to the fall issue of Bethel Park Magazine. I must admit that fall is my favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures, the blazing colors of fall foliage, the sound of leaves crunching under your feet, the smell of the season’s first bonfires, and of course football! Come October our family’s weekend schedule will be packed with all of the fun fall activities our region has to offer. There is the annual trip to the farm for pumpkin picking, the homecoming game festivities and of course, Halloween! Each year I find it more challenging to fit everything in that we want to do and see. It’s my favorite time of the year for family outings, because no matter where you go or what you do—the western Pennsylvania foliage assures that getting there will be spectacularly beautiful. We hope that you will utilize this magazine to find all the interesting people and places there are to explore in Marybeth Jeffries the community during this season and throughout the Managing Editor year. I hope you will continue to let me know if you run into a person or an organization that is worthy of our attention. You can always write to me at the magazine: m.jeffries@icmags.com. Enjoy!

Derek Bayer Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Rose Estes John Gartley Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Rita Lengvarsky Connie McDaniel

Brian McKee David Mitchell Tamara Myers Gabriel Negri Robert Ojeda Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti Nikki Capezio-Watson

This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011. CORRESPONDENCE All inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940, Fax: 724.942.0968

Winter content deadline: 11/1 www.incommunitymagazines.com

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

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Contents Bethel Park | FALL 2011 |

Publisher’s Message COMMUNITY INTEREST

History in the Neighborhood The Heart of a Lion

Challenger League Meeting Special Needs Resident Profile: Nancy Murray A Bridge for J.R.

Meet the Neighbors Celebration The Eagle Scout and Mrs. Reid Bethel Park Police Pals |

UPMC Today

| |

The History That Lives Among Us |

Bethel Park’s Black and Orange Ball

FEATURES

The Call to Serve

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 29

Real Estate in Bethel Park Fall Landscaping Ideas | 38 Costa Homebuilders | 39 Heartland Homes | 44

Making Your Home More Accessible to All Generations | 46 INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Clark Renovations, Inc.

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter | 27

Ameriprise Financial

Is a Reverse Mortgage a Sound Option for Retirement Income? | 58

Swift Audiology

Studies Show Hearing Aids Improve Your Quality of Life | 63 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS

A New Treatment for an Old Problem

Early Childhood Education Helps Children to Succeed Beinhauer Family Services ON THE COVER

Oliver Miller Homestead Associates help celebrate Bethel Park’s 125th anniversary in Bethel Park Cemetery. Photo by Gary Yon

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

Most people in Bethel Park are familiar with the street named ‘FORT COUCH ROAD.’ What may not be as well-known is the history of the man who lent his name to a major, local thoroughfare or that a house that he built still stands in the borough of Bethel Park.

ost people in Bethel Park are familiar with the street named ‘Fort Couch Road.’ What may not be as well-known is the history of the man who lent his name to a major, local thoroughfare or that a house that he built still stands in the borough of Bethel Park. Nathaniel Couch was a soldier who fought with the British against the French under General Braddock and General Forbes, two other familiar, geographical names. Part of the Virginia regiment, Couch settled in the area around 1760 and purchased 366 acres of what is now Brookside Farms neighborhood. On this tract of land which he named “Titlenure,” he built a fort to defend against the local Indians which was located where the present day McDonald’s Restaurant now stands. Couch and his wife Abigail raised eight children on Titlenure, among them a daughter named Sarah. Sarah grew up and married a man named John Manners. As a wedding present, Couch built a house for his daughter and his new son-in-law in 1763.

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Photography by Gary Yon

This two-story structure still stands today on Kennebec and is a private dwelling. Owners over the years have made various renovations to the property, but with a careful eye toward preserving its past. It was constructed from local trees and the ceiling has heavy wooden beams made of oak. The house originally contained no nails, but was joined together by hand carved dowels. There are five fireplaces in the house, which would have originally been used to heat the home and for cooking. Three-quarters of the floors in the home are original. Couch was later in his life to figure prominently in the Whiskey Insurrection, with angry residents gathering at Fort Couch to begin their march to the home of General Neville on Bower Hill. The first meeting house for a local church congregation was also built on the Couch farm. Nathan Couch died in 1802 and is buried in the Bethel Presbyterian Church graveyard, although his grave marker has been lost.

Couch’s Fort remained intact until 1890, when it was dismantled except for the fireplace and Fort Couch Inn was built around it, a popular eatery. The restaurant burned in 1971. If you would like to drive by the Couch-Manners home, you may enter the neighborhood through the Petco Store parking lot and continue on Sioux Road until it becomes Comanche Road and eventually Brookside Boulevard. Turn right onto Kennebec and look for a two-story structure with blue trim. The inside of the home is not available for touring since it is a private home. If you would like more information on the history of Bethel Park, you may contact the Bethel Park Historical Society, in care of Pres. Jay Wells, at 2600 S. Park Road, Bethel Park, 15102-3650. Bethel Presbyterian Church also has a historical room with local artifacts, furniture and documents which are viewable by appointment by calling the church at 412.835.0405. History is all around us if you just know where to look.

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Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

Heart Lion

The of a he internationally known Lions Club was founded in 1917 and originally began as a businessman’s group that participated in some charitable activities and was exclusively for men. What a diﬀerence a century makes! Service is now at the heart of Lions Club activities and for the last 22 years, women have been welcomed into the pride as full members. A large portion of the service activities of the Bethel Park Lions Club are directed toward promoting local organizations and supporting the Bethel Park community. Some of the beneficiaries are the Bethel Park Police and Bethel Park Volunteer Firefighters, the Montour Trail and the Bethel Park Library. The club’s association with helping the blind is well known and began when Helen Keller addressed the Cedar Point, Ohio Lions Club chapter in 1924. She appealed to the members to help the blind and they readily accepted her challenge. This longstanding tradition has led to major contributions for the Leader Dogs for the Blind facility in Rochester, Mich., where seeing-eye dogs and their masters are trained. The Lions

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Bethel Park

have also established Beacon Lodge Camp near Mount Union, Pa. for both children and adults who have special needs including blindness, deafness, and physical and mental challenges. What may not be a well-known fact about the Lions Club is its intense involvement in disaster relief. Whenever a disaster occurs, such as the Haitian earthquake or the Indonesian tsunami, Lions Club members are some of the first people on the scene to help set up tents for medical aid and housing, and to provide food, water and funds for disaster victims. According to secretary Jay Wells, the Lions Club motto is ‘We serve.’ “The Lions Club is the largest service club in the world,” adds Wells. The Bethel Park Lions Club has two major fundraisers to raise money for their various projects. The first is the bi-annual fish fry that was held on Sept. 9th at Lions Park. A second event, a Golf Outing was held on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Butler’s Golf Course. This event helps to fund the George Meyer Scholarship Fund. George Meyer was a beloved teacher and administrator in the Bethel Park School system and the college scholarship is awarded based on academics and extra-curricular

BY PAMELA PALONGUE

Service is now at the heart of Lions Club activities. activities. Last year a scholarship of $3,000 was awarded to a local student. In December, a Citrus Sale is planned for Lions Park where grapefruits, oranges and pecans will be sold. A date has not been set for the event, but will be announced through the website at www.bethelparklions.org. The Lions service projects are also partially funded by rental of Lions Park. The park located at 5757 Irishtown Road, has a ball park, a picnic pavilion, a volleyball court and a fully equipped kitchen. It may be rented for weddings, graduations or parties. For more information on rental of the park, please visit the Bethel Park Lions website. For more information on the Fish Fry, contact Lion Al at 412.833.3320. For more information on the Golf Outing, contact Lion Bill at 412.831.7450 or Lion Joe at 412.854.4762. If you are interested in becoming a Lion, please contact the club via email at nodk@verizon.net. Perhaps you, too, may have the heart of a lion.

Photos by Kathy Rudolph Sandra Demas, Bethel Park Lions Club Member at the fish fry on September 9

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

CHALLENGER LEAGUE

Meeting

Special Needs 

                          

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Bethel Park

                           

          

Photos by Gary Yon

                             Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

Resident Profile:

Nancy Murray Paving the Way for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

ancy Murray was in high school when she volunteered with a local family whose child had multiple disabilities. It was 1970, and programs to help people with disabilities were very limited. “People relied on their families” remarked Murray. The experience propelled Murray to pursue a degree in psychology from Gettysburg College; a “wonderful” experience said Murray. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree, Murray took time oﬀ from school to spend with her children before pursuing her Master's degree in child development from the University of Pittsburgh. She was a busy stay at home mother. She and her husband participated in a “host home” program specifically for children with disabilities. A “host home” is akin to serving as a foster family. The Murrays adopted three children with Down syndrome through the “host home” program. Murray’s children are adults now: “All are employed and paying taxes…all are healthy and enjoying life. They have a better social life than I do,” said Murray. The New Jersey native came into Pittsburgh in the late 1970’s after graduating college. Originally living in Mt. Lebanon, she moved to Bethel Park in 2001. She loves the Bethel Park community, and doesn’t plan to leave. Murray said that her children have taught her a lot: “They have taught me patience, resilience, and that it is the duty and the obligation of our society to provide for our most vulnerable citizens and that includes people with disabilities. When you have a family member with a disability you can’t stop [advocating for them].” In 1989 she went to work for Children’s Hospital and founded the Down Syndrome Center there. She said this is one of her biggest accomplishments to date. “The Down Syndrome Center provides such a support. It has had a profound eﬀect on tens of thousands of individuals with Down syndrome, and their families” explained Murray. The Center 10

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

provides educational and advocacy tools to families of children, adolescents and adults with Down syndrome. They provide help with health care and behavioral issues unique to children and adults with Down syndrome.

work that ACHIEVA is “doing now for access to health care,” she said. Currently ACHIEVA is focusing on Medicaid. Medicaid pays for about 78% of care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. ACHIEVA will be focusing the majority of its legislative efforts on things like Social Security, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income; these programs along with Medicaid are at risk due to national deficits. Murray has impacted the lives and futures of people with intellectual disabilities, as well as the families who have children, or siblings with an intellectual disability. She and others have worked tirelessly with the PA legislature to enact adult protective services for adults with intellectual disabilities. She has been working for “almost twelve years to decrease the waiting list for services for with intellectual disabilities,” Murray remarked. The waiting list is especially long for services like long term group housing for adult individuals with intellectual disabilities. When asked what is to come, Murray said she likes it where she is: “I can honestly say that I like getting up every morning and coming to work. Every day tends to be a little bit different. Every year we become involved in different issues that affect families, and people with intellectual disabilities. Most important to me is the fact that I can still help individual families. As long as I can still help families, I will still continue to stay here.”

  “I can honestly say that I like getting up every morning and coming to work. Most important to me is the fact that I can still help individual families. As long as I can still help families, I will continue to stay here.”

While working at Children’s Hospital, Murray started work on her Master’s in Child Development. During this time she was the Director of Supports Coordination at the Staunton Clinic. Staunton Clinic was founded in the 1930’s; its goal is to provide hope for those with mental illness. Staunton Clinic provides outpatient mental health services, case management, support coordination for people with intellectual disabilities, and inpatient care services. Finally, after the Staunton Clinic, she would find her home at ACHIEVA. Advocacy is the focus of everything that ACHIEVA does; however, they have expanded their services to include things like early intervention services, residential planning support, family support, advocacy, vocational support, weekend and day trips, and respite care. To qualify for services you must have a family member with a disability. ACHIEVA has been paramount in eﬀorts to eliminate segregation of individuals with disabilities. Murray’s work with ACHIEVA is reaching many. Specifically the

Bethel Park

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n exciting night of networking and recognitions were part of the “Bethel Business Bash” held Tuesday, June 21 from 6 – 10 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Fort Couch Rd. Sixty attended the evening which included a reception, dinner, presentations, prizes and networking. The event was part of Bethel Park’s 125th Birthday Celebration. “This is the first time in many years that Bethel Park businesses had a chance to get together as a group and celebrate our business community,” said Connie Ruhl of the South Hills Chamber of Commerce. Awards were given to Bethel Park businesses in the following categories: “largest employer;” “longest, family owned;” “most philanthropic;” “most recognized;” “most updated strip mall;” “newest business;” “oldest business;” “best ‘green’ business;” and “best place to work.” “We’re planning on holding the Business Bash again next year and hope it will continue to grow and attract even more of our Bethel Park businesses,” said Ruhl.

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park Announces

23rd Annual Chicken Bar-B-Que October 8, 2011

he Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park would like to invite you to our 23rd annual Chicken Bar-B-Que to be held on Saturday, October 8th, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at Westminster Church on Washington Road near South Hills Village Mall. You will receive 1/2 chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, dinner roll, dessert and drink. Tickets are $10 in advance/$12 at the door. Feel free to dine in or take advantage of our drive thru service. This fundraiser benefits the St. Francis Early Learning Institute, Camp Aim, Southwinds, YMCA Camp Kon-O-Kwee, South Hills Interfaith Ministries (SHIM), Military Connections, Operation Troop Appreciation, Family Hospice, American Cancer Society and many other benevolent organizations. Sponsorship opportunities are available. If you are interested in promoting your business to over 3,000 potential customers while at the same time donating to several charities please contact us. For tickets or additional information, contact Brian Schill at 412.833.6229 or BLSchill@aol.com. For additional information visit www.rotary-usc-bp.org. ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF UPPER ST. CLAIR-BETHEL PARK (BREAKFAST)

The Rotary Club of Upper St. Clair-Bethel Park is one of three area Rotary clubs in Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park. The clubs are part of Rotary International, which has 1.2 million members worldwide who remain dedicated to volunteer community service, promoting high ethical standards in all vocations and furthering international peace. In addition to thousands of volunteer hours, each year Rotary contributes millions of dollars in humanitarian aid and relief around the globe, funds 1,200 international scholarships and provides cross-cultural exchanges for 7,000 young leaders. Through its flagship program PolioPlus, Rotary has contributed more than $600 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

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Bethel Park

b u s i n e s s

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s p o t l i g h t

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lthough surgery is sometimes an inevitable conclusion to resolve patient discomfort, the physicians of Steel Valley Orthopedic Associates take a conservative approach to treatment. Preventative strategies, physical therapy, medications, diet modification and injections are tried prior to surgical intervention. “We treat all ages here,” says Dr. Mark Lesh of Steel Valley Orthopedic Associates “from kids with sports injuries to the elderly. And we really do our best to always be available for our patients.” One way in which they are able to accomplish this, is by having a physical therapy facility onsite. This enables the doctors to track the progress of patients both pre and postoperatively. “Many times the physical therapist will ask us to take a look at one of our patients who are visiting for rehab. We are able to just drop by and assess the patient and make recommendations based on what we see, without the patient having to schedule another appointment or make another trip,” says Lesh. People having knee replacement surgery now number in the hundreds of thousands each year. Knee arthritis is a common ailment, but there is nothing common about the distress of the pain. This local practice is changing the way knee replacements are being done with promising results for the patient. An innovative new procedure called patient specific instrumentation (PSI), allows the surgeon to evaluate and plan

By Pamela Palongue total knee replacement specific to the patient prior to the date of surgery. A magnetic resonance image (MRI) is taken of the knee which allows the surgeon, using computer modeling, to have the instrumentation designed to the patient’s unique anatomy. According to Dr. Lesh, although this is a relatively new procedure, the results look promising for patient outcomes.

making patients feel more at ease and secure. The practice which was established in Homestead in 1932, maintains the core values of its founder, Dr. Francis O’Malley, who believed in placing the patient first. For more information on Steel Valley Orthopedic Associates, or on the procedures that they perform, you may visit their website at www.steelvalleyortho.com.

Most of the doctors at SVOA are fellowship trained; meaning that they have received additional training beyond what is required of doctors. For example, a recent addition to the staff, Dr. Ryan McMillen is a podiatrist who is fellowship trained in complex foot and ankle problems. Additional treatment options provided by the practice include waterproof casting, visco supplementation (Synvisc/Euflexxa), and an osteoporosis clinic. The physicians are on staff at Jefferson Regional Medical Center and St. Clair Hospital where they perform procedures such as carpal tunnel release, arthroscopy, rotator cuff surgery, fracture repair and total joint replacements. Following surgery, patients can choose to continue their rehabilitation under the guidance of the practice’s physical therapists, Matthew Matta, D.P.T. and Julie Schneider, D.P.T. In addition to superior training, the doctors, physician assistant and physical therapists at SVOA bring a friendly, caring attitude to their jobs, Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

BETHEL PARK BASKETBALL 11th Annual Golf Outing

B.P. Basketball Coaches, Ben O'Connor, Steve Bielich andis Andrew Tsangar

friends, parents, alumni and fans came out for a challenging and fun day of 18 holes of golf, skill prizes, a Chinese auction and a delicious dinner hosted by The Girls and Boys Bethel Park Basketball Boosters Organization. The Bethel Park Basketball Boosters is “dedicated to providing support for all levels of Bethel Park Basketball.” The proceeds from the tournament fund the needs of the basketball teams that are not paid for by the school district. “This is our main fundraiser that helps pay for extras that are not covered by the school such as team shoes, equipment and tournament fees,” said Keith Thorsen, former Bethel Park High School basketball coach, boys basketball booster president and golf tournament organizer. “The tournament brings the community together and helps the players and the school.” Taylor Zimmer is the girls basketball booster president and also helped organize the event. “The proceeds from the golf outing provide many opportunities for the girls,” Mr. Zimmer said. “It is a lot of work, but we have great parent participation and it is an awesome event.” Both The Lady Hawk and Black Hawk team members and coaches came out to support the outing, along with Varsity head coach, Ben O’Connor, who also worked hard to make the outing a success. “The players on the team are phenomenal this year,” said Varsity Head Coach O’Connor. “They are an unselfish group with character and their families are very supportive. Some of the funds raised at the outing go towards programs for them on the oﬀ-season, travel gear, team meals and a tournament that is in Virginia Beach this year.” Other fundraisers include the concession stand at games and raﬄes. For more information on The Bethel Park Basketball Boosters or how you can help, please go to the Bethel Park Basketball website at www.bethelparkbasketball.com.

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Volunteers, B.P. Basketball Boosters andis Thorsen Sandy Thorsen and Chr

Jerry Roman, Assistant Prin Scheuneman, B.P. Athletic cipal of B.P. High School and Amy Director

Photography by Kathy Rudolph 14

Players, ylor Zimmer and oster President, TaBooster and Volunteer Parent Bo all etb sk Ba er and B.P. Girls and Lauren Shaﬀ Harper Zimmer

Bethel Park

B.P. Basketball Players and Coaches

B.P. Boys Keith Thorsen Basketball Boosters Presid en and Brothers, Chris and Gret, g

B.P. Basketball Players

   (shown in top photo) Head Coach Ben O’Connor Bobby Huntington Brandon Thorsen Trey Coyne Danny Timpona Ryan Thorsen Brian Holland Coach Steve Bielich Coach Andrew Tsangaris Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

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Photo by Gary Yon

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Bethel Park

Hoisting the bridge into place in June

J.R. Taylor was a union ironworker with Local 3, making his living in the steel industry for which Pittsburgh is so famous. He comfortably glided across steel beams suspended 50 feet in the air as if they were on the ground. The devoted husband and father spent much of his free time riding motorcycles, jet skis and participating in many other lively activities. He must have seemed invincible to those who knew him best. But unfortunately, while working high up in a tree in the backyard of a family member one day, the brittle tree limb beneath him snapped, leaving him with a spinal cord injury from which he died. The only son in a family of five girls, J.R. had worked for his father’s family-run business, Century Steel until his untimely death. A couple of weeks before the accident, one of his sister’s named Debi Taylor, had just happened to have noticed a sign at Clifton and McMurray Roads. It read, “Help Bridge This Gap.” The gap it was referring to was a section of the Montour Trail near J.R. Taylor’s Clifton Road home. After Taylor’s accident, Debi remembered the sign and suggested to her other siblings that they raise the money for the bridge since he had enjoyed the Montour Trail and it was on the street where he had lived. Debi also boldly announced to trail oﬃcials that she was going to make sure that the bridge was completed in honor of her brother. The oﬃcials were skeptical, knowing that the project was going to take a large amount of money and considerable planning, but Debi was resolute. “We built Heinz Field, I’m fairly sure we can build this,” said Taylor. A group of engineers from American Bridge drew up structural plans for the steel bridge, donating all of their talent and time. Next a state grant was obtained for Safe School Crossing because the ravine was located near Washington Elementary School.

This was a start, but much more money was needed to get the project underway. In order to raise the funds for the project, the Taylor family held all sorts of events. An annual car cruise at nearby Al’s Café was held to help with funding. They also held annual motorcycle runs which wound through Washington County and ended with a sumptuous barbeque and a silent auction. This event was held for five consecutive years with the 2010 event drawing 950 motorcycles. Century Steel donated all the steel used in fabricating the bridge and it was completed four years after J.R. Taylor’s death in 2009. However, there were many government regulations that had to be met and extensive paperwork that had to be filed before the bridge could actually be erected. Finally in June of 2011, after all the requirements had been met and permits had been issued, it was time to erect the bridge. Clifton Road was closed and the bridge was constructed in the middle of the street. Fifty local union ironworkers, many of whom had worked with J.R. Taylor came to do the work and donated their time to the project and the J.R. Taylor Bridge was finally open for crossing. Debi Taylor says that the project has been a “journey of healing” for her entire family. J.R.’s death in 2004 shocked the family, but seeing the love and support of the community over the years has helped to heal their emotional wounds. It took seven years to complete the 1.1 million dollar bridge, which Taylor says is built to last. “It will be here forever, ” states Taylor. It will help connect an important part of the Montour and Arrowhead Trail and will be one important way the Taylor family will remember J.R. A dedication ceremony took place on Sept. 4th, which was the oﬃcial grand opening of the J.R. Taylor Bridge. Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

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Bethel Park



 ethel Park was incorporated in 1886 and approximately 125 guests adorned in black and orange cocktail attire celebrated Bethel Park’s 125th anniversary at The Bethel Park Community Center. The guests were treated to an evening of dinner catered by Market District, music, dancing and an art exhibit by local artists. It all started with Kristen Normile, chairman for the celebration committee and author of the Bethel Park edition of the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing. While completing the book, which involved her going from door to door to collect photographs for her research, she realized that Bethel Park was 125 years old. “I approached Mayor Morton and told him about Bethel Park being 125 years and we decide that we needed to celebrate,” said Ms. Normile. A committee of 20 planned celebrations throughout the year. Besides the Black and Orange Ball, some of the events included a time capsule filled with Bethel Park letters and artifacts that was dedicated and to be

opened in 2061. A parade marching through Bethel Park was exciting for families and The Bethel Historical Society and Bethel Presbyterian Church conducted tours of cemeteries featuring re-enactors of founding Bethel Park citizens and soldiers. The proceeds from purchasing Ms. Normile’s book at Bethel Bakery, The Bethel Park Public Library and Evey’s Hardware go to The Bethel Park Community Foundation where Ms. Normile is a trustee. Ms. Normile received an award honoring her accomplishments at The Black and Orange Ball from Mayor Morton. “I love Bethel Park and have lived here for over ten years along with some of my childhood,” said Ms. Normile. “I have deep roots here and writing the book and planning the celebrations has been a fun experience.” To learn more about Bethel Park upcoming events, go to the website at www.bethelpark.net

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 Pictured: 1 - Kathy Zimmer and Deborah Luckasevic of The Bethel Park Community Foundation 2 - Clifford Morton, Mayor of Bethel Park 3 - Brian and Autumn Metzmaier, one of the event organizers 4 - Mayor Clifford Morton presents award to Kristen Normile, chairman of The Bethel Park Black and Orange Ball 5 - David and Kristen Normile 6 - Linda Baxendale with her diverse art 7 - Rita Heberle and Marie Wohlgemuth Photos by Kathy Rudolph

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

Meet the

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Bethel Park

Photography by Gary Yon

Neighbors  Oliver Miller Homestead was established in 1772 in the present day borough of South Park. But when Bethel Park celebrated their 125th anniversary, the Oliver Miller Homestead Associates came to celebrate with them, presenting the “Meet the Neighbors Celebration.” There is a strong historical connection between the two areas, according to Judy Willison, Coordinator of Presentations for the Oliver Miller Homestead Associates. Many of the Miller family who established the homestead in South Park are buried in Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Also John McMillan, minister and founder of Bethel Presbyterian baptized 7 children at the Miller Homestead and a small congregation gathered there every Sunday to hear McMillan preach. Soon the worshippers outgrew the house and in 1776 purchased land from Nathan Couch on Bethel Church Road for 45 pounds in Pennsylvania currency to establish a church building. Eventually the church was moved across the street to its present day location. The early church was founded by immigrants who were Scots-Irish like the Millers themselves. The “Meet the Neighbors Celebration” featured a processional through the Bethel Presbyterian Cemetery with members of the Oliver Miller Homestead portraying some of the colorful characters buried in the graveyard. A revolutionary war soldier and immigrant named James Kiddoo was portrayed and related his personal hardships of leaving Scotland

    

at the age of 18 and losing his young wife and son. Kiddoo also spoke of registering his whiskey still and angry neighbors burning down his house in retaliation. Another character to rise from the dead was Reverend John Clark, a New Jersey native who was the first oﬃcial pastor of Bethel Presbyterian. Despite his religious beliefs, Clark purchased a slave named Dave and his wife Dido; a clear illustration of the dichotomy of Christian beliefs and the persistence of slavery at that time. Another notable citizen buried in the cemetery was Nathaniel Couch, the namesake of Fort Couch Road. He constructed a small fort on his property in the event of trouble with the local Native American Indians. The fort was later renovated to become the Fort Couch Inn in 1927 and was destroyed by fire in 1971. The site is the current location of McDonald’s Restaurant. Peter Croco was a German-Polish immigrant who served as a grenadier in the army of Frederick the Great of Prussia. After deserting the Prussian army to join the Americans, he settled in Lancaster before eventually purchasing land in Bethel Park near Horning and Baptist Roads. The tour also highlighted the life of James Miller, the youngest son of Oliver Miller who established the South Park farm. Miller related the beginnings of the historic Whisky Rebellion and his involvement in the skirmish. Miller’s tombstone and that of his wife Mary are still standing in the Bethel Presbyterian Cemetery. The event has proved so popular that another graveyard procession will be held on October 15th, from 1pm to 4pm, with all of the actors reprising their historic roles. It also airs on Bethel TV on Tues. and Thurs. and can be viewed on YouTube. Bethel Presbyterian Church has a history room with interesting artifacts for viewing. Tours are given by appointment only. You may contact the church oﬃce to arrange a tour at 412.835.0405. If you are interested in learning more about the Oliver Miller Homestead or joining their association, you may visit their website at www.olivermiller.org.

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

The Eagle Scout and Mrs. Reid

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even years ago, Mrs. Suzanne Reid, beloved music teacher at Independence Middle School in Bethel Park and director of high school musicals, died of complications following heart surgery. She was just 55 years old. Peter Henkels, an aspiring Eagle Scout who was never a student of Mrs. Reid, decided to restore the memorial that honors her memory.

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One reason Henkels chose to restore the Reid Memorial located behind Independence Middle School as his Eagle Scout Project may have been the special connection shared between two people who never met; music. Reid was synonymous with music at I.M.S. and Bethel Park High School and Henkels clearly has a passion for music as well. He is a member of the marching band, symphonic band, the Top 21 Audition Choir, the Concert Choir and participates in the annual high school musical. Henkel’s older sisters attended classes with Mrs. Reid and so the restoration of the memorial must have seemed a natural choice. After surveying the condition of the Reid Memorial, Henkels found that the beautiful gardens had become choked by weeds and the benches were missing bolts and unstable. The grasses had grown into much of the hillside garden. Someone had made an attempt to keep the flowers from being overtaken by the grass by placing river rock around the border of the garden. Unfortunately the stubborn weeds and grass grew right up through the stones giving the whole area an unkempt look. Henkels knew he had his work cut out for him. He went to the school’s spring music concerts and quietly stood in the back of the auditorium collecting donations to restore the memorial after the performances. He was able to collect $240, which didn’t seem enough for the mammoth project. However as work began on the grounds, local companies began to donate supplies to the project and volunteers pitched in to help. “The volunteers were made up of Bethel Park students, music teachers from the school, boy scouts and Mrs. Reid’s husband, Dan,” said Henkels. The project got oﬀ the ground in late May. First, the river rocks had to be removed. Seven wheel barrow loads of the heavy rock were hauled away. Next the laborious task of weeding the pavilion garden and the hillside garden, measuring 39 by 35 feet and 25 by 20 feet respectively was undertaken. The weeding alone took approximately 75 hours. Next the group installed plastic edging which was generously donated by Jenkins Lawn and Garden. The edging will prevent weeds and grasses from growing into the garden and keep the mulch in place. The 9 yards of mulch required to

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cover the beds was also donated by Jenkins along with 12 Russian Sage plants, bushes with beautiful purple blooms. Next, the clumps of irises, day lilies and ornamental grasses had to be broken up and transplanted in an orderly fashion. Henkels admits that this was especially hard since the work was completed in some of the worst heat of the summer. The stone-pillared pavilion was in fairly good shape, but needed some caulking and minor repairs. The benches were taken apart, washed with a pressure washer, sanded and stained. The metal components of the benches were also washed and painted and nuts and bolts were replaced with new ones donated by Evey Hardware. The commemorative plaque had fallen over, so Henkels created a stone base for the plaque to rest securely upon. Finishing out the restoration, Brookside Lumber discounted lumber to replace broken pieces of the bench and St. Clair Pre-Cast Concrete provided a discount for stepping stones for heavy traﬃc areas. When the project was all said and done, Henkels had money left over from his original $240. He gave the extra funds to the Reid Memorial Fund for upkeep and maintenance of the site. It had taken him and his group just two months to restore the memorial. Ironically, it was an Eagle Scout who originally built the memorial to Mrs. Reid, so perhaps it was only fitting that an Eagle Scout restored it. Henkels hopes that he will finish the work to become an Eagle Scout in late fall and have his Court of Honor in Jan. or Feb. He lacks only one Eagle badge and must write a paper about his restoration project. His advice to young aspiring Eagles is to “get all of the Eagle badges done first. You have to have a lot of drive and be willing to give a lot of time and work to it,” says Henkel. Only about 5 of every 100 boy scouts ever achieves the coveted status of becoming an Eagle Scout, the Boy Scout’s highest honor.There are many hurdles to becoming an Eagle Scout, but some of the requirements include earning 21 merit badges, serving in a leadership role in a boy scout troop for at least six months and accomplishing an Eagle Scout project that requires at least 100 hours of work.

If you would like more information on becoming an Eagle Scout or the Boy Scouts of America, you may visit the website at www.scouting.org.

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Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

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                               

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Bethel Park

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Academy Ac ademy of Mus Musical sical Theater Theater

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Reegi Register for the NEW Semester! eggi ď&#x20AC;&#x2039;

Pictured: 1 Danielle Manson 2 Maison Lewis 3 Linda Santel 4 Ashley Willoughby and Karen White 5 Jimmy Futrell, Rachel Dunn and Anna Rigatti 6 The Klink Family 7 Cute Family Photography by Kathy Rudolph

To find out more about other upcoming events in Bethel Park, please visit their website at bethelpark.net.

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Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

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Construction of the new Bethel Park High School is proceeding ahead of schedule and will open its doors during the 2011-2012 school year. Originally scheduled to open in August 2012, it looks like the school will open during the 2011-2012 school year. Our goal is to move into the new school during the three days of teacher inservice (January 25-27), providing construction continues at its current pace. No oﬃcial opening date has been set, but based on the construction progress so far, it looks like the Class of 2012 will be the first graduating class from the new Bethel Park High School. The new high school will include 94 classrooms, a 1,300 seat auditorium, small theater, television studio, band room, 2,350 seat gymnasium, eight lane swimming pool, rifle range and new athletic field and tennis courts. The start of the 2011-2012 school year was delayed until Monday, September 12 to allow enough time for work on the entrance off Church Road and the paving of Black Hawk Drive to be completed.

Besides the completion of roof installation and exterior brick finishing, the bulk of the work has shifted to the school’s interior, with drywall installation, painting, prepping floors for terrazzo floor installation, bathroom tile and fixture installation, swimming pool excavation and elevator installation. Weekly progress pictures of the project are available by checking out the web site www.bpsd.org you are encouraged to take a look at them to see what has transpired since ground was broken on the building on September 10, 2009. Once students have moved into their new school, the current eight building campus will be razed and replaced with parking lots and additional athletic fields. The District is in the process of not only planning Grand Opening festivities for the new school but also some Farewell activities for the current campus.

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id you know that spaghetti funded $2000 in scholarships to graduating seniors this year? Did you know that meatballs helped soldiers, students with special needs, hurricane victims and polio is being eradicated worldwide? Did you know that because people ate pasta The Washington City Mission, Rebuilding Pittsburgh Together, the Salvation Army, Bethel Park Library, Angel's Place, the Orphan Girl's Home in Kenya, Police Pals, YMCA's Camp AIM, Alzheimer's Association, Childhood Diabetes Assoc and SHIM received support? November 5, 2-7 p.m. is the 10th annual Spaghetti Dinner sponsored by the Rotary Club of Bethel Park, held at the Bethel Park Community Center at 5151 Park Avenue. The entire community is invited to eat in or use the drive through to get some of the best food around, provided by Pasta Too and Bethel Bakery. Adults are $9, seniors $7, and children $4. Deliveries to businesses for their employees in the Bethel Park area are also available from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. Call 412.855.4633 to place orders. There will also be a raﬄe with a $1,500 prize. A silent auction with many beautiful prizes will be going on throughout the event. This year’s new partner has joined to make this event even better: Bethel Park High School Rotary Interact Club. You can purchase meal or raﬄe tickets from any of these. For more information, call 412.854.4842.

nners: hel Park Scholarship Wi 2011 Rotary Club of Bet Herb Shaffer ent sid Pre rgaux Krahe and Elizabeth Metzler, Ma

Rotary Club members John Nave, Jeff Campbell and Bob Bauer prepare to serve spaghetti

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Bethel Park

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ard to believe that it is time for this discussion, but once the vacation is over and school has started; the next chores on the to do list are not far behind. The last two years cold, windy and icy conditions have caused many problems and numerous homeowner insurance claims. Here is a checklist to help you prepare.

Outdoor plumbing – drain your hose connections, pool & sprinklers. After you turn off the water, leave the spigot in the “on” position.

Test for drafts around your windows. On a windy day, a candle will flicker. Caulk around windows on the inside and outside. Use expandable foam for cracks in basement walls, available in hardware stores. Add weather stripping around drafty doors. Routinely get your furnace tested before cold weather sets in. Prepare a “winter” bin with flashlights, batteries, candles, lighters, a weather radio, maybe some extra blankets. If you want to go one step farther, add canned goods, manual can opener, crackers, nuts, cookies, paper plates. Don’t rob the “winter bin” early! Put all this in a closet equipped with a battery touch light. Provide pipe protection on extremely cold days: Open cabinet doors for pipes on outside walls to avoid freezing, let hot and cold water trickle from faucets, don’t ever shut off the heat if traveling – set it to 55 degrees and have someone check frequently. Know where shut off valves are for a quick response. Consider having a professional install a standby generator. Lastly check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, check fire extinguishers. Stock up on rock salt and a snow shovel. Now that we’re prepared, let the snow fly!

Gutters – don’t forget to clean them out once your trees are bare. Clogged gutters often cause ice dams on the roof, resulting in leaking to the inside of the home. Install heat coil along the roof line with gutters, extending it down into the downspouts as well. Plug it into a GFI outlet (an electrician can do this) and make sure it is turned on (a timer might be a good idea). Use crack filler for cracks in your sidewalk or driveway, especially around the foundation. Trim trees away from the house; squirrels and raccoons can do tremendous damage once they find shelter. Also be sure chimneys are free and clear. If you suspect your roof could be a problem, get it inspected. Many problems cannot be fixed in freezing weather – shingles are brittle, the roof may be covered with ice and snow, and a danger to climb. If your home is old, add a layer of R-30 insulation to the attic ceiling. This Industry Insight was written by Sue Clark. Clark Renovations, Inc. is a family business, owned by Ron and Sue Clark, renovating South Hills homes for 40 years. Visit our showroom at 3180 Industrial Blvd. Bethel Park, 412.833.7222. Website address: www.clarkremodeling.com.

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

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s p o t l i g h t

Early Childhood Education Helps Children to Succeed Bob & Lori Santo have been operating The Goddard School at 825 East McMurray Road in Peters Township since January 2007. The Goddard School offers both full and half day programs for children six weeks to six years of age. They also offer before and after school care, as well as full day kindergarten in their year round offering. During the summer months, Goddard also offers a Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, and 3rd Grade readiness program. Half day offering is 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., and full day offering is from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. The curriculum includes Language Arts (English), Sign Language, Spanish, Science, World Cultures, Manners, Dance, Music Appreciation, Everyday Mathematics and Newbridge Math, Yoga, and Physical Fitness. Technology is integrated into our program whenever possible. Some Important Factors to Note about The Goddard School Safety/Security – We have security cameras surrounding our building, and we record those entering/exiting premise for 30 days. We have Finger Safe , a patented door hinge protector for children’s fingers. We leverage the strictest of health and safety standards through Goddard’s Quality Assurance program. Degreed Teachers – We have 9 classrooms, and in every classroom our lead teacher has a 4 year degree in early childhood education/elementary education. For Preschool age (3+) and older, all faculty have a 4 year teaching degree. Training – We provide faculty training on a regular basis. This is done on in-service days as well as at staff meetings. Licensing / Accreditations – In addition to having our PA Department of Public Welfare license, we are licensed by the PA Department of Education for our Emerging Preschool/Preschool/ Prekindergarten/Junior K/Kindergarten classrooms. We moved through the rigorous application process of The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). We recently received our MSA accreditation after that 18 month process. Quality Assurance – Goddard Systems, Inc conducts two, unannounced Quality Assurance audits per year (at our School and every Goddard School). These detailed audits ensure that all Goddard Schools uphold the high standards that help to maintain its reputation of quality education for children. Onsite Owner(s) – Goddard requires that the owner is on-site. This management oversight facilitates the Education Director/Assistant Director to focus in the operation of the school (training/coaching teachers, curriculum implementation, student focus, etc). It enables our staff to deliver our operational services to our stakeholders exceedingly well. Parents interested in taking a tour of the facilities or getting to know the staff can call Bob or Lori Santo at The Goddard School at 724.941.6464 or for more information, check out their website www.goddardschools.com. 28 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE |

Bethel Park

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Giving Women Options for Fibroid Treatment Magee’s Fibroid Treatment Center helps women determine the right solution for themselves

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A New Level of Pinpoint Accuracy That’s Patient Friendly

page 7

Take the Hit of a Concussion Seriously

Serious Games for Stroke Recovery Robotics and gaming offer fun — and effective — therapy for patients in rehabilitation It’s hard to resist playing video games that allow us to escape from the ordinary. That bit of fun and distraction is exactly what doctors are prescribing for patients at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s Center for Stroke Rehabilitation — and the results are impressive. Located at UPMC Mercy, the center regularly uses robotics and gaming technologies, along with traditional therapies, as part of its treatment plan.

An individualized approach “Because strokes result in a loss of important physical and mental abilities, they can be devastating to patients and their families,” says Jennifer Shen, MD, the center’s medical director. “No two stroke patients are alike, so we create a specific multidisciplinary treatment plan for each patient that can include speech, occupational, and physical therapies.” The one common element in stroke rehabilitation is repetition, which is essential to increased strength, motor learning, and recovery. But while repetition is key to the healing process, it can soon lead to boredom.

Defeating the boredom factor To keep patients engaged and involved in their therapy, the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute established the Robotics and Gaming Center at UPMC Mercy. The center’s technologies — which include the GameCycle®, Lokomat®, Nintendo® Wii , Armeo®Spring, and Armeo®Boom — allow for precise, measured, and varied repetition that can be adjusted for individualized care. The ArmeoBoom is in clinical use nowhere else in Pittsburgh, and in very few places across the country. (See the box below to learn more about some of these technologies and their role in a patient’s rehabilitation.) TM

UPMC’s Robotics and Gaming Center Robotics and gaming technology are fast becoming valuable tools in stroke rehabilitation. In addition to the ArmeoBoom, the robotics and gaming technologies available at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s Center for Stroke Rehabilitation include: GameCycle: A stationary hand cycle that’s used with a commercial video game to combine cardiovascular and balance exercises with flexibility and strength training. The GameCycle was invented at the University of Pittsburgh. Lokomat: A robotic treadmill for people who can’t walk on their own that allows them to build leg muscles while retraining the brain to control leg movements. ArmeoSpring: Like the ArmeoBoom, it provides fun and motivating therapeutic exercises for arms and hands to help patients relearn tasks.

www.UPMC.com/Today

Dr. Michael Boninger shows how the ArmeoBoom’s games and simulated tasks allow rehab patients to work hard and have fun.

“Rehabilitation can be tedious because it takes a lot of repetition to teach the body to move again,” explains Michael Boninger, MD, director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. “Using robotic equipment, such as the ArmeoBoom, for rehabilitation is kind of sneaky. It allows patients to enjoy playing a game while they’re actually working very hard at rehabilitation.” To use the ArmeoBoom, patients strap their arm into a sling attached to an overhead boom. Robotic supports allow patients to move their arm while playing reach-and-retrieval computer games such as solitaire and placing apples in a shopping cart, along with simulated tasks, such as cooking or cleaning. “Besides injecting a much-needed sense of fun and adventure into the challenges of rehabilitation, the computer games on the ArmeoBoom provide quick feedback that gives patients a sense of accomplishment that is very important,” says Jaclyn Glosser, MS, OTR/L, CBIS, an occupational therapist at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute who works with patients on the ArmeoBoom. Dr. Shen agrees that instant feedback is important in stroke rehabilitation. “It can be very hard for stroke patients to see that they are making progress,” she notes, “but with the ArmeoBoom, patients see what they can do. With even the smallest movement, patients recognize that they are getting better.” For more information about the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s Center for Stroke Rehabilitation, call 1-877-AT-REHAB (1-877-287-3422) or visit www.UPMC.com/RehabInstitute.

Use Your Head to Stop Strokes Be smart about your heart — and stroke treatment — to protect your brain The myths about stroke are numerous. Among the most popular — and perhaps one of the most dangerous — is that stroke is something that happens only to older adults. In fact, a recent report by the American Stroke Association showed a sharp rise in stroke hospitalizations among men and women ages 15 to 44, while rates declined by 25 percent among older adults. “The biggest mistake people make is thinking it won’t happen to them,” says Tudor Jovin, MD, director of the UPMC Stroke Institute. “Strokes can happen to anyone, at any age,” he says.

“You’re at risk any time your blood pressure or cholesterol are up. It’s far better to prevent a stroke than to deal with the consequences.” — Lawrence Wechsler, MD

Lowering your risk is the best way to avoid the life-changing impact a stroke can have on you and your family. When a stroke does occur, fast action is critical to minimize damage. The window of opportunity for the most successful stroke treatment is just three hours after onset.

Think FAST

Prevention: What you can do

Use this simple acronym to help determine whether you’re witnessing a stroke:

“Heart disease increases your chances of having a stroke, so it’s important to control the risk factors,” says Lawrence Wechsler, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology at UPMC. While you can’t do anything about your age, family history, or ethnicity (African-Americans have a higher incidence of stroke), you can control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking.

Face:

Can the person smile (or does one side of the face droop)?

Arms:

Can the person raise both arms (or does one side drift downward)?

Speech: Can the person speak clearly or repeat a simple phrase?

“You’re at risk any time your blood pressure or cholesterol are up. It’s far better to prevent a stroke than to deal with the consequences,” Dr. Wechsler says.

Time:

Treatment: Time lost is brain lost

Act FAST

Every minute after the start of a stroke means greater risk of permanent damage or death. One of the best treatments for ischemic strokes — where a clot blocks blood flow to the brain — is the quick administration of the clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). While UPMC doctors have had success beyond three hours with a special procedure to retrieve the blockage or dissolve it with drugs administered directly into the clot, time is critical.

Strokes require immediate medical attention, so knowing the warning signs is crucial, says Maxim D. Hammer, MD, director of stroke services at UPMC Mercy. Stroke symptoms can include sudden onset of:

For patients experiencing a hemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding in the brain, fast action is needed to repair the leaking blood vessel.

Call 911 If you suspect someone has suffered a stroke, call for emergency medical help immediately so treatment can begin without delay. Specialized stroke centers — such as UPMC’s Stroke Institute at UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Shadyside, UPMC St. Margaret, and UPMC Mercy — have experts available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to diagnose and treat patients. The UPMC Stroke Telemedicine Program also uses technology to provide fast treatment to patients at other UPMC hospitals throughout western Pennsylvania.

Call 911 immediately, if someone exhibits any of these warning signs!

• Paralysis or weakness in the face or limbs, especially on one side of the body • Problems with balance or walking • Vision problems • Slurred speech • Problems communicating or understanding • Severe headache To learn more about stroke prevention and treatment, visit www.UPMC.com/Today.

1-800-533-UPMC

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Healthy Eating for Busy Families America is getting fatter and Pennsylvania is helping to lead the way as one of the nation’s top 20 “most obese” states. Our busy lifestyles encourage unhealthy eating habits, like eating on the run and high-fat/high-sugar snacking. But with a little effort, you can gradually transform your family’s diet from “fat” to “fit”!

Achoo!

Don’t Get the Flu

Start your day off right Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Kids who eat breakfast — especially those packed with “brain food” like protein, vitamin C, and omega 3 — are more alert and focused in school; adults have more energy and concentrate better.

Unpredictable. That’s the best way to describe flu season, which officially begins in late October and winds down in May. Winter is prime flu season, but it can peak as early as October or as late as April.

• Is cereal your family’s breakfast of choice? Look for low-sugar, high-fiber options and top with fresh fruit and low-fat milk (1% or fat-free). • Get your creative juices flowing with easy-to-make fruit and yogurt smoothies. • Crunched for time? Grab a hard-boiled egg and toast, or top an apple or banana with peanut butter for a tasty “breakfast to go.”

It’s impossible to know what the 2011-12 flu season has in store for us. What we do know is that the flu is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can cause mild to severe reactions, and it can even be fatal. Every year, more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized with the flu. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated every year.

Think smart when it comes to fast-food lunches No time to pack your own lunch? Use these healthy strategies when dining out: • Say no to fried, sautéed, or creamy foods. Opt for roasted, grilled, broiled, steamed, or baked meals. • Beware of add-ons (like mayo, butter, and salad dressing) that quickly increase calorie counts. • Replace sodas with water or fat-free or 1% milk. Even diet sodas can be bad for you! • Go online for the nutrition information on your favorite meal. Don’t just focus on calories: look at factors like fat and sodium content.

Who is at risk? Even healthy children and adults can become very sick from the flu and spread it to family and friends. You can pass on the flu before even knowing you are sick!

Who should get the flu vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone over the age of six months gets vaccinated. Those at higher risk for serious complications from the flu include: • People age 65 and older • Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two • People with health conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, as well as kidney, liver, and neurological disorders • Pregnant women

Make dinner a family affair

Others who should get a flu shot: • Health care workers

Eating together as a family offers countless benefits — including serving more balanced, nutritious meals and the chance for parents to serve as “healthy eating” role models.

• Residents of nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, as well as family and friends who have contact with a resident

• Talk to your children about portion control, with fruits and vegetables comprising half of every plate. • Reduce the amount of meat your family eats by gradually introducing healthy alternatives into your meals, like fish, whole grains, and beans. • Look for seasonal produce that is grown locally. In the fall, that means vegetables like pumpkins and squash, and fruits like apples and pears. Interested in learning more about nutritious eating? Check out the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new guidelines at www.choosemyplate.gov.

• Caregivers of young children, especially infants under six months who are at the highest risk of flu-related complications

What is the best time to get vaccinated? The sooner you get a flu shot, the sooner you’ll be protected. However, experts agree: it’s never too late. If you have questions about getting a flu shot, talk to your doctor. To locate a physician in your area, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

www.UPMC.com/Today

Giving Women Options for Fibroid Treatment Magee’s Fibroid Treatment Center helps women determine the right solution for them Robin Eberle of Butler, Pa., never had a problem with her periods. But when this mother of five hit her mid-40s, her periods became heavier and lasted longer. “There were times I couldn’t even leave the house,” she recalls.

In the past, the leading treatment for UFTs has been a hysterectomy (removal of the uterus). “It’s still the only way to totally prevent fibroids from recurring,” says Philip Orons, DO, chief of interventional radiology at Magee. “But women who are planning to have Before embolization children or who are some years away from menopause may want to consider other options.”

Fibroids

Her gynecologist prescribed an ultrasound, then an MRI. Based on those results, he diagnosed Robin with uterine fibroid tumors (UFTs) and referred her to the Fibroid Treatment Center at MageeWomens Hospital of UPMC.

For Robin, her treatment of choice was a uterine fibroid embolization, a minimally invasive procedure requiring little downtime. Using a thin catheter, about the size of a spaghetti strand, Dr. Orons injected small particles into the blood vessels that “feed” the fibroids to stop the flow of blood to them. “The procedure literally changed my life,” says Robin.

As many as three out of every four women have UFTs, but the majority never even know it. For women like Robin, though, these non-cancerous growths in the wall of the uterus can literally take over their lives.

The Fibroid Treatment Center

After embolization

Established in 2008, the Fibroid Treatment Center offers the region’s most comprehensive approach to UFTs. “We bring together gynecologists and interventional radiologists with extensive expertise in treating fibroids,” says Richard Guido, MD, the center’s founder and director. “Our focus is educating women on their full options so they can choose the best treatment plan for themselves.” The center’s structure also offers women much-valued convenience. “During a one-day visit, you can have necessary diagnostic tests done, the results of these tests evaluated, and then meet with our physicians for a counseling session to determine your best plan of action,” says Dr. Guido.

The center offers a full range of other options, including pain medication, hormonal therapy, and surgery. It also has a research component that includes trial procedures unavailable elsewhere.

To learn more Women are encouraged to first have a conversation with their doctor if they think they may have UFTs. If you’re looking for a physician in your area, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). You can also visit the Fibroid Treatment Center’s webpage at www.UPMC.com/Magee. The center also will host a Community Health Talk at Magee on Thursday, Sept. 29. For details, call 412-641-4435.

Do You Have UFTs? Chris D’Amico, RN, MSN, CRNP, UPMC Mercy’s obstetrics/ gynecology administrator, says that uterine fibroid tumors can be as small as a marble or as large as a grapefruit. “It’s not clear why fibroids occur, although family history seems to play a role,” she explains. “They’re also seen more frequently among African-American women.” She advises that women be alert to these early symptoms: • Heavy bleeding • A sense of pelvic pressure • Pain during intercourse

“Symptoms usually appear in the late 30s and 40s, and they often can be controlled through hormonal therapy or other medication,” says Ms. D’Amico. “But others require more aggressive treatment, such as surgery or uterine fibroid embolization.” For most women, the symptoms of fibroids significantly diminish during menopause. It’s important to know that other conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of UFTs. That’s why it’s vital to have regular checkups, and keep an open line of communication with your gynecologist or family doctor. For more information, visit www.UPMCMercy.com.

1-800-533-UPMC

A New Level of Pinpoint Accuracy That’s Patient Friendly TrueBeam allows UPMC cancer specialists to enhance treatment and patient comfort TM

Martha Makin of Somerset, Pa., says she’s “done it all” since being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007. Not a candidate for surgery, the 69-year-old grandmother first received chemotherapy, followed by multiple radiation treatments that required her to remain still on a hard surface for long periods. But her most recent radiation treatment in April used a new form of technology that left her impressed and enthusiastic. “I was amazed at how fast and comfortable it was,” she says. “It’s definitely my choice for future treatments!”

Determining the right treatment “We see many cancer patients who are not good candidates for conventional surgery, particularly among the elderly,” explains Neil Christie, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon with UPMC. “Additional medical complications or hard-to-reach tumors just make surgery too risky.” Radiation therapy is often used in such instances to shrink or eliminate tumors. For Martha, her age and type of tumor made her a good candidate for the Novalis® powered by TrueBeam STx system, selected by UPMC cancer specialists for the precision, speed, and comfort it offers patients. TM

“TrueBeam is one of the most advanced radiation technology available,” says Dwight E. Heron, MD, FACRO, professor of radiation oncology and otolaryngology, and vice chairman for clinical affairs, Department of Radiation Oncology at UPMC Cancer Centers. “It’s letting us treat challenging cancers of the brain, lungs, spine, neck, and prostate with much greater precision.”

Another UPMC first When UPMC introduced TrueBeam STx to Pittsburgh last November, it became one of the first 20 medical centers worldwide to do so. But like all technologies, TrueBeam is just a tool. Its real potential is realized through the talents of those who use it. “In the late 1980s, UPMC was the first center in the United States to use Gamma Knife® technology for radiosurgery of the brain. Since then, we’ve advanced our knowledge through research and the innovative use of technology,” notes Dr. Heron. “Our multidisciplinary team approach gives patients a highly individualized plan of treatment based on their specific needs. TrueBeam now extends the kind of care we can offer them.”

www.UPMC.com/Today

How it works Some cancerous tumors are located in a hard-to-reach part of the body, while others “float” in an organ, or shift position when a person breathes or coughs. Just like a sharpshooter often struggles to hit a moving target, such cancers make it hard to directly aim radiation at a tumor. “But TrueBeam’s built-in imager produces sharp, ‘real-time’ 3D images that fine-tune a patient’s position during treatment, even while breathing,” explains Dr. Heron. “It’s able to track a tumor’s exact location within a millimeter.” UPMC specialists are combining TrueBeam technology with RapidArc®, another radiotherapy technique that delivers a powerful, faster, more uniform dose of radiation. Radiosurgery and other radiation treatments can now be accomplished two to eight times faster, with fewer side effects reported by patients. “These and other minimally invasive treatments are really redefining how we treat cancer,” notes Dr. Christie. “We’re no longer limited by conventional procedures.”

To learn more The TrueBeam system is housed at the Mary Hillman Jennings Radiation Oncology Center at UPMC Shadyside. UPMC provides access to a number of physicians that can refer interested patients to the center. For a list, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

Take the Hit of a Concussion Seriously UPMC Mercy is focusing on athletes, parents, and coaches as the front line in building awareness In 2010, an alarming number of professional athletes from a variety of sports were diagnosed with concussion, with some top players forced to sit out important games or their entire season. When a high-profile professional athlete suffers a concussion, it makes front-page news and raises awareness of the dangers of concussion to any athlete in any sport.

It can happen to anyone “A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI),” says Cara Camiolo Reddy, MD, medical director of the brain injury program at the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute at UPMC Mercy, and medical advisor to the Sports Medicine Concussion Program at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine. “And it can happen to anyone at any age — from elite athletes to weekend warriors, high school athletes to grade-school soccer players.” Most mild concussions go unreported or undiagnosed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which estimates at least 10 to 20 percent of all individuals involved in contact sports suffer some type of concussion. But the majority of sports- and recreation-related concussions happen at the high school level. “As doctors, we’ve learned significantly more about concussions over the past 20 years,” says Dr. Camiolo. “As a result, everyone — athletes, parents, coaches, trainers, and sports fans — is more aware of the signs and symptoms of concussions than ever before.”

A heads-up for athletes No two concussions are alike and symptoms aren’t always definitive, so young athletes may just shrug them off. Peer pressure can also be especially strong motivation for a teenager to hide the symptoms of a concussion. When an athlete suffers a broken leg or a broken arm, it’s obvious the player is hurt. “But a concussion isn’t visible, so it’s hard for a player to be sidelined with an injury that no one can see,” says Dr. Camiolo. “That’s why it’s so important to provide an atmosphere where young athletes are comfortable admitting their symptoms and asking for help.”

Did You Know? • You do not have to experience loss of consciousness to have a concussion. In fact, most concussions, even ones with serious lingering effects, do not involve loss of consciousness. • Any athlete thought to have sustained a concussion should be removed from practice or the game, and a medical evaluation must be done before that athlete can return to the sport. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, referral to a concussion specialist is warranted. • At last count, 27 states had passed concussion legislation, and in several others (including Pennsylvania) legislation is pending.

Education is key The UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program has been at the forefront in educating athletes, families, coaches, trainers, and health care professionals on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to a concussion. “We take advantage of every opportunity to talk about how serious concussions are, and how devastating this injury can be,” she says.” During a recent visit, a young patient explained his injury to Dr. Camiolo saying, ‘I got hit, but thought I was okay — until my teammates told me I wasn’t acting right and said I should go sit down.’ “If young athletes are educated about concussions to the point where they are looking out for each other, it tells me that we’re getting the message across,” she adds. She also stresses that the effects of having another concussion in close proximity to the first can be very dangerous. Her advice to coaches and parents of young athletes? “When in doubt, sit them out!”

1-800-533-UPMC

UPMC Mercy 1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

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From horseback riding to whitewater rafting, Megan was always up for an adventure. But an unfortunate ATV accident left her with a broken back and neck, and unable to move her legs. After recovering from 17 hours of surgery, Megan elected to go to the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute for inpatient rehabilitation. It was a daily struggle, but working with world-class doctors, therapists, and state-of-the-art equipment, she worked to sit up, stand, and walk again. She’s come so far, in fact, she’s not only riding her horse again, but she is soon jumping into life’s ultimate adventure. This October, Megan will be, quite literally, walking down the aisle to be married.

To learn more about the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s seven locations, including UPMC Mercy, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762) or visit UPMC.com/MyRehab. Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

REAL ESTATE 

Real Estate a comprehensive look at the Bethel Park market. In this section, you’ll find interesting information about creating beautiful spaces to live in, interesting facts about an historical home in the community and help trading up (or down) on your current home.

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

REAL ESTATE

Be t he l Pa r k

F E AT U R E S T O R Y

FALL LANDSCAPING IDEAS When the dog days of summer are behind us and that first crisp snap of fall is in the air, energy seems to make a rebound and even the animals seems livelier, more alert. During this time, there’s nothing more wonderful than taking advantage of those last days of warmth to get outside and enjoy the outdoors by doing a little yard work. This is a great time to rake up all those leaves on the ground. But don’t just throw them into a trash bag to be hauled away. Leaves are great for composting and may have as much as three times the amount of minerals as fertilizer. They need to be shredded to be easier to work with, but this is easily accomplished by running a mower back and forth a few times over a pile of leaves. Also, be sure to add a little nitrogen to your compost pile with the leaves.

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If your summer flowers have faded, be sure to trim back dead leaves and blooms and add some fall flowers for some more vibrant color. Mums and sunflowers can be purchased in pots to accent any garden with a fall palette, but don’t forget purple as a great contrasting color to oranges, yellows and sienna. Some fall flowers with purple accents are pansies, purple coneflowers, asters and mums. All of these will grow well in zone 6. For some green accent, you might try growing some arugula in a pot or self-watering container. This spicy, leafy plant has long been popular in France and Italy and actually grows better in the fall than in the summer. The leaves will add zest to your salads and other fall dishes. Although the planting time for arugula is in the spring, seedlings can be purchased and transplanted, however they also do well if left in containers or pots.

Bethel Park

Even if you’re not particularly good at growing plants and flowers, there are many ways to accent your lawn and garden with minimal eﬀort and maintenance. Brightly colored pumpkins placed around pathways and steps give a whimsical touch to decorating. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight and directly on the ground and your pumpkin may well last for two to three months in the cool fall climate. Other low-maintenance decorations for fall are corn stalks and bales of hay. Hay bales also provide extra seating in outdoor areas. Summer may be over but your yard can still be a bright, cheerful place full of beautiful, living things. - by Pamela Palongue

Dare to Dream...

osta Homebuilders is a fourth generation, family-owned construction company based in Pittsburgh, PA. At Costa Homebuilders, our goal is simple: Provide our customers with the most positive experience possible throughout the building process. We are one of the area’s leading building companies, and our clients receive the finest product at the greatest value possible.

Timeless Beauty

Visit our website and take our Costa HomeBuilders New Life™ Questionnaire

Positive feedback and customer referrals have helped Costa Homebuilders achieve its solid reputation. We have built our reputation by making the process as worry-free as possible, and by using only the finest quality materials and craftsmanship.

“Creating a home with the lifestyles of the clients in mind gives home buyers not just a house, but a vacation, making every turn into the driveway a peaceful retreat from the world” – Jeff Costa

w w w. c o s t a h o m e b u i l d e r s . c o m

412.384.8170 Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

The New Life™ Custom Home Five Star Builders Program makes buying your dream home… easy as 1-2-3. With our New Life™ Custom Home Five Star Builders Program we show you:  How to get more house for your investment  How to save time and money  How to choose a lender that fits your needs  How to understand pricing step by step  How to reduce stress and help you save time and money

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The first step in the process is doing the evaluation and initial contact! Our process will include:  Filling out the New Life™ Questionnaire  Phone Consultation with our expert which will include: • Home building finance options • Budget • Full review of wants and needs.  Evaluating price range  Deciding area - Washington, Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette or Westmoreland  Helping you locate a lot to build on and reserve it if possible.

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Elegance Mastered

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Step 2

Educate

Step 2 involves a two hour Personal Home Building Workshop, customized for you and your family. During this workshop we will:  Study your lifestyle and provide insight into your true needs and desires  Show you how to use 100% of your floor plan daily  Enlighten you about your custom options  Finalize the budget  Review specifications  Educate you on the “most wanted” home trends in the industry  Explore the standard features at our 3,500 square foot showroom

Step 3

Excite

In the Five Star Proprietary Process you will enjoy watching your dream come alive. The design experts at Costa HomeBuilders will cover:  Deposit  Small scale drawings will be developed until the layout is enthusiastically agreed upon and the budget is met.  Sign Contracts  Laying out your new home on the lot  The step by step process to building your home  Timelines and expectations  Selections guided by our professionals in multiple categories  Move in

Legendary Quality 412.384.8170

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

For Jeff Costa, operating manager of Costa Homebuilders, building a custom home is more than picking countertops and crossing items off a punch list. It’s as unique as the clients he builds for. “We get to know our clients as individuals and study their lifestyles,” Costa said. “This provides unique insight into a client’s true needs and desires.” Costa provides small-scale drawings and works with clients until the layout of the home is enthusiastically agreed upon and that their budgetary plan is met. “Every step is significant, and our clients tell us that our process is enjoyable because of its organization,” Costa said.

Personal Design    903 Gill Hall Road Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 (412) 653-3548 www.vosstv.com

Our Mission Our mission, supported by a commitment to excellence, is to operate a total quality building system. We are a construction team full of people who take pride in what we do and put forth our greatest effort to accomplish team goals. Our construction team is made up of in-house departments, subcontractors, and vendors that demonstrate a high standard of quality that our customers depend on. We are determined to provide superior service, quality workmanship, pleasing job appearance, and a safe working environment. The end result will be nothing less than a quality product.

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w w w. c o s t a h o m e b u i l d e r s . c o m

A Quality Home

a Great Neighborhood Phone: 412.384.8170 Fax: 412.405.9513 Showroom: 600 Hayden Boulevard (Rt. 51), Elizabeth, PA 15037 www.CostaHomebuilders.com

Scan this QR code with your smart phone to go directly to our website.

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Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

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Visit Brookfield Manor in Bethel Park! Conveniently located close to Route 51, Pittsburgh, South Side Works, shopping and restaurants and just minutes from golf courses and South Park walking trails and park amenities - Brookfield Manor is a unique community with homes in the Bethel Park and South Park School Districts Brookfield Manor has spacious home sites with fantastic views – but they’re going fast!

Want more information on Brookfield Manor or any of their other 20 communities? Call Jodie, New Home Specialist – 412-512-6671

As Western Pennsylvania’s premier stone masonry contractor we are committed to serving our residential and commercial clients by providing high quality, reliable and consistent results at competitive rates. Our showroom is located at 3464 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237. For additional information please call (412) 596-2114 or visit us online at www.stoneageinc.net. Andersen windows use natural wood to create a timeless combination of beauty and durability – plus All Andersen windows feature the Perma-Shield system, which protects the window’s exterior beautifully for decades. Never settle on your home builder or the window they use! Dow Building Solutions has a 60+ year legacy of providing innovative insulation and air sealing solutions such as STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing and GREAT STUFF™ Insulating Foam Sealants to home owners that help

to reduce energy costs and effectively seal a home’s building envelope from wind, rain and moisture. Heartland Homes is creating homes with the whole building envelope in mind that are not only well-built, but are actively saving money for the homeowners every month Since 1873, Kohler has been improving people’s lives with exceptional products, including kitchen and bath fixtures, faucets and accessories, furniture, cabinetry, and tile and stone. As a global leader, Kohler offers its customers world-class products to create a complete design solution. For information, ideas or inspiration, visit www.KOHLER.com.

Rex Glass & Mirror Co has been serving Greater Pittsburgh since 1958. As a family owned and operated business, we strive to provide customer service and quality craftsmanship that exceed the expectations of our customers. We design, fabricate, and install high quality residential and commercial glass products. For nearly 100 years, the Whirlpool brand has helped people all over the world find better ways to take care of household tasks. We want our customers to live cleaner, more organized, less busy and more flavorful lives through our appliances. So every Whirlpool® product is born of our decades of experience creating incredibly useful features.

Precision Stone Products is engaged in the production and distribution of premium grade architectural synthetic stone products and accessories resembling natural stone to the finest detail. Our full product line is backed by a 50 year limited warranty. Call (724) 282-2022 for more information or visit us online at www.pspstone.com. Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 45 www.LoveHeartland.com

REAL ESTATE

Making Your Home More All

Be t he l Pa r k

Accessible to Generations

ccording to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in Washington, D.C., homes where multiple generations of family have blended together under one roof are on the rise. With economic constraints and the high cost of child care, it is easy to see why children, parents and grandparents living together in one dwelling makes sense in many situations. It’s easy to see why multi-generational dwellings which appeal to the needs of all ages are quickly becoming the trend. From this perspective a ranch-style house on one floor is a good choice. Seniors with mobility problems will not have to deal with steps, but also parents will not have the added worry of their young children falling down stairs. Another important feature of multi-generational homes is the ‘mother-in-law suite,’ which could just as easily be called the ‘father-in-law suite.’ This is generally an area of the house that is designed for an aging parent, giving them a degree of privacy and independence while still being a part of the nuclear family household. They are sometimes located in a basement for easier access for those with mobility issues and often times will have a separate entrance, giving it the

continued on page 48

When accessibility becomes an issue with an older person, there are many options for making the home more accessible without giving it the industrial-style, nursing home appearance.

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Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

REAL ESTATE

Be t he l Pa r k

Making Your Home More All

Accessible to Generations

continued from page 46

appearance of a mini-apartment. They usually always include a bedroom and private bath, however they may also come with kitchenettes and a small living area as well. When accessibility becomes an issue with an older person, there are many options for making the home more accessible without giving it the industrial-style, nursing home appearance. This is an important consideration when it comes to the re-sale of the house. First of all, if an individual is wheel-chair bound, doorways must be made larger to accommodate the chair. With a modern contemporary home, this may be accomplished by removing walls for a more open floor plan which appeals to buyers or widening doorways with attractive archways. This will make the change look more intentional and less like a temporary fix for a mobility problem. Many times it becomes necessary to install grab bars in baths and showers for the safety of senior family members. Although there are many industrial style models from which to choose, there are a few companies on the web that are sensitive to the attractiveness of the grab bars and oďŹ&#x20AC;er styles in decorative brass and silver. Walk-in showers and baths can be constructed with attractive glass enclosures that fit everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style and are still accessible for seniors.

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A few changes to your home can help make it safer for seniors and children and more valuable when it comes time to re-sell.

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 49

Photos by Kathy Rudolph



 

party of Bethel Park Graduates since 1960 came together to reminisce and celebrate the memories of Bethel Park Senior High School, one of the first campus-style high schools of its’ kind. A new High School is being built to better suit the student’s needs and the eight buildings will be demolished. The party was held in the gymnasium, which looked like it was decorated for a high school prom. Friends and acquaintances were treated to music from all decades and photos of past students flashed on the wall. Old yearbooks, cheerleading outfits and trophies were displayed to look through. The fun

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continued with a B.P. High School Trivia Game and prizes awarded for best dressed in orange and black or outfits from one’s high school era. “Bethel Park Senior High school meant so many things to so many people,” said Vicki Flotta, Bethel Park School District Director of Public Relations and one of the event planners. “We wanted people to be able to come and bid a fond farewell to the school.” Many graduates have wonderful memories of their high school years and Bethel Park. “I remember playing here and sled riding on this hill as a child; it was the wilderness,” said Regis O’Donnell, one of the first graduates in the new high school in 1960 and the M.C. at the party. “Then they built the high school and it was so exciting to spend your senior year on a campus. We had dances every weekend and had a lot of fun.” Others have poignant stories. “Our family was the first Black family in Bethel Park and settled here in the 1930’s,” said Pat Richardson Todd, who graduated in 1976 and was accompanied by her sister, Hazel Richardson Bagby. “Many in the Richardson Family still live here. We love Bethel Park and our high school years.” Mr. Glenn Hughes graduated and taught at Bethel Park. “I graduated in 1967 and was in the first class that graduated in the new stadium,” said Glenn Hughes. Mr. Hughes took on diﬀerent positions in over 30 years

Saying Goodbye To A Building Full Of Memories of employment in the district, including Bethel Park High School Teacher, Principal and Athletic Director. “I am enjoying my retirement.” He was accompanied by his wife Sue, who taught and coached at rival Upper St. Clair and coached against him and his team four times. Judy Murtaugh Volpatti, a 1976 graduate, helped to plan the celebration. “After high school I went to college for one year and then moved back to Bethel Park, got married and opened my Dance Studio,” said Ms. Volpatti. “I loved high school and the kids there. Many of the graduates in the past 35 years I know because they have taken dance classes at my studio.” Debi Taylor, a 1974 graduate, was also on the committee. “I like being involved in the community and when Vicki asked for my help I was happy to do it,” said Ms. Taylor. “I am on The Recreation Board and we recently opened the J.R. Taylor Memorial Bridge connecting the Bethel Park and Peters portions of the Montour Trail in honor of my brother, J.R. Taylor.” The new high school will open during the 2011-2012 school year. “It’s nice that people can come together and share their stories about the high school and give it a great send-oﬀ,” said Vicki Flotta.

To learn more about the new high school, please go to Bethel Park’s School District Website at

www.bpsd.org.

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 51

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Bethel Park

PHOTO BY GARY YON

  

he Bethel Park Police Pals was formed 22 years ago as a way for the police force to get to know local school children and to build a healthy relationship between students and officers that fosters good will in the community. An officer is adopted by a school and interacts with the kids by visiting them at lunch time and spending time with them on a regular basis. This begins in elementary school and goes all the way through high school. Officer Tom Righetti is the Community Resource Officer for the Bethel Park Police and has seen the program grow over the years and the positive changes that have resulted. “Sometimes I have been called to the home of one of our kids that we visit at the school for a [domestic disturbance]. When I’m there, the kids aren’t scared. They know that I’m there to help.” This trust has also helped Righetti when talking with kids in emergency situations. The children know that he is a trusted friend and are more willing to open up with important details that will help the police and paramedics to be more effective in their jobs. In addition to Righetti, Officers Jim Modrak and Scott Zinsmeister also visit the schools and speak to classes about Halloween safety, bicycle safety, drug awareness and other issues. The police department also sponsors a Red Ribbon Week, in which police officers go to the schools every day for a week, speaking to the classes individually about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The presentations usually last about one hour, and despite the grim subject matter are made more lighthearted by the officers having, “Wear Your Slippers To School Day” or “Bring a Stuffed Animal to School Day” to make the event more fun. The Bethel Park Police Pals also have a food drive at Christmas to give back to the community. This past year, the food drive was

made more diďŹ&#x192;cult by the school being closed for a strike. Instead of collecting canned goods for the drive at school, police oďŹ&#x192;cers and students stood out in front of local grocery stores to collect food and donations. According to Righetti, $2000 was collected in a single weekend. The police sponsor a Citizens Police Academy program called LEAP (Law Enforcement Apprentice Program) for students considering a career in law enforcement. Members of various law enforcement agencies, including local police and F.B.I. agents, talk to the students about the job and the conduct requirements for oďŹ&#x192;cers. Kids who attend the LEAP program can apply for a scholarship toward their law enforcement education. The Bethel Park Police oďŹ&#x192;cers play the Pittsburgh Steelers in basketball every year, with the proceeds of the event being used to award scholarships to the students for as much as $500 each. Righetti has seen many children who have gone through the program go on to a successful law enforcement career, including a Pittsburgh police oďŹ&#x192;cer from Bethel Park. Another important activity of the Bethel Park Police Pals is the issuance of identification cards for children. The card resembles a driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license and has the childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s picture, fingerprint and other identifying information such as height, weight

and even blood type. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This information is so important for us to have if a child goes missing. Parents are distraught and this makes the information immediately accessible to us so that we can quickly begin our work of searching for the child,â&#x20AC;? said Righetti. He estimates that the department issues approximately 4500 to 5000 ID cards per year. Righetti has been a part of the Police Pals long enough that he has seen some of the children grow up and have children of their own. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The parents sometimes come to us with their children and have us speak to them about wearing their seatbelts, safety issues or drugs. They remember us from when they were children. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really special.â&#x20AC;? At a time when many police oďŹ&#x192;cers are receiving bad publicity, it is especially important to remember that the overwhelming majority of our police oďŹ&#x192;cers are outstanding individuals who chose law enforcement as a career because they had a desire to help others. The Bethel Park Police Pals helps kids to see oďŹ&#x192;cers as helpful individuals and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. If you would like more information about the Bethel Park Police Pals, visit www.bethelpark.net and click on the police link.

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Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 53

THE HERITAGE

PLAYERS

 

  

Calendar of Events "Once Upon a Mattress" by Rodgers, Barer, Thompson and Fuller Thursday-Saturday, October 13-15 and 20-22 at 8:00 p.m. Sundays, October 16 and 23 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets: $12.00 for Adults, $9.00 for Students and Seniors Box office opens one half hour before curtain Children's Holiday Play Auditions October 5th from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Seeking actors ages 11-16 for Children's Holiday Show, Friday December 9, 2011 Auditions for "Bedroom Farce" by Alan Ayckbourn November 14 and 15, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Callbacks November 17 at 7:00 p.m. Seeking actors 20s-60s for a cast of four married couples Performance dates in February 2012 Holiday Variety Show Fundraiser December 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $5.00 per person, $2.00 for children under 10

Please visit www.heritageplayers.org or phone 412-831-6800, ext 745 for upcoming details. Bethel Park Community Center • 5151 Park Avenue, Bethel Park



ethel Park School District Superintendent Thomas Knight died on Friday, July 22, 2011. Knight was hired in December 2005 as the district’s 11th superintendent, at a time when the school district was experiencing financial difficulty and high administrative turnover. “Dr. Knight was the right leader at the right time for Bethel Park,” said Nancy Aloi Rose in a statement, assistant superintendent under Knight. “His leadership style was simple, direct and effective. He treated everyone with warmth and respect, and he supported his staff with his words and actions. Every decision he made was well thought-out and based primarily on the best interests of our students, staff and community. “He was loved by his staff. His passing is a great loss for the Bethel Park School District.” Knight came to Bethel Park from East Allegheny School District, where he served as superintendent since 1998. Prior to East Allegheny, Knight was the superintendent in the Bethlehem-Center School District in Washington County. A scholarship has been established in Dr. Knight's name. Contributions to the scholarship can be made to:

  c/o Bethel Park School District 301 Church Road Bethel Park, PA 15102 ATTN: Leonard Corazzi

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Reflfflflelect Reflections Ref R Reflectio eections ctions onnss off the ththe he Past Pas P Pa           

                            

     Residential and Commercial Heating and Air Conditioning Experienced with servicing all brands of furnaces and boilers • NATE Quality Circle Contractor (North American Technician Excellence)

• NCI certified Carbon Monoxide specialist • Low-level CO alarms available • Located in Bethel Park

calhounrepair@verizon.net

Contractor # PA13042 Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 55



ccording to the 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics, the age group most likely to volunteer in the U.S. were those aged 35 to 44. But a new non-profit located in Pittsburgh is trying to ensure that more young people become more involved in giving back to the community. The Call to Serve provides college-aged students the opportunity to travel across the United States volunteering at a number of diﬀerent non-profit organizations that protect the environment, help animals, disaster victims and those aﬄicted will illness. Co-founded in 2009 by Adam Kunes and Andrew Blythe, the Call to Serve brings small groups of college students together for approximately three weeks to tour five cities in two RV’s. As they arrive in each place, they

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Bethel Park

volunteer with local organizations helping the community’s residents. The experiences of the group are often life changing. Bethel Park resident Ben Petchel went on a volunteering mission with seven other college students in late May and early June for a tour of five southern cities. The founders of the organization plan the volunteering trips and drive the RV’s for the group. The first stop on their mission of mercy was in Nashville, TN, where they helped a flood victim restore her basement by finishing drywall, framing windows and painting. Next they headed to Austin, TX where they visited a high-risk youth shelter and cooked dinner for the kids who were aged 11 to 16. “One of our volunteers was a social worker, so she was able to talk to the kids about their



If you would like more information about the CALL TO SERVE or would like to make a donation, you may visit their website at www.thecalltoserve.org.

problems. I think it was really nice for them to have someone to relate to who was closer to their age,” says Petchel. Also in Austin, the students spent time at an animal shelter where a local woman adopts Longhorn cattle, horses, dogs and many other types of animals that have been abused or abandoned. After Austin the group headed to New Orleans, still struggling from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Petchel was struck by the overall sobering mood of the city to see homes that people had simply abandoned, perhaps because of the lack of money to repair or the resignation of residents to head to other locations to avoid future disasters. The group was in New Orleans for four days and worked with a local church organization called Helping Hands. Each day they worked on repairing homes damaged in the hurricane and then were fed by the organization. When the group travelled to Pensacola, FL they worked with an organization called Clean and Green where they painted the home of a stage 4 cancer victim and re-landscaped her yard. Also in Pensacola, they worked with a group called Embrace which helps hurricane victims living in temporary housing. The Call to Serve students helped landscape the grounds and handed out evacuation packages to the residents. Finally the group headed to Wilmington, NC where they worked on an environmental project of building a dam of oyster shells to prevent erosion.

Petchel fears that the work may have been undone by Hurricane Irene. Petchel, who served as the lead still photographer for the group described his time of volunteering as one of the most eye-opening experiences of his life. “One important thing I learned is that everywhere we travelled, there were people there just like us, who cared so much about helping people. There are good people everywhere.” Another important lesson Petchel takes away from the experience is that he has to push himself to experience things outside of his comfort zone. “All of a sudden we were all there together in an RV on the road for hours at a time and none of us had ever met before. When things would go wrong you just had to learn to adapt,” says Petchel. The challenge to experience things beyond his comfort level was rewarded with a trip that has changed his perspective of volunteering. “It was the best three weeks I’ve ever had!” says Petchel. Along with Petchel’s still photographs, the trip was also documented on film by another student. The film and pictures will be made into a documentary called “Love in Motion” that will hopefully be out later this fall. Currently The Call to Serve arranges a summer trip only, but the organization plans to include a fall trip as well in the future if more donations are secured. Petchel would like to see the extra trips added so that more students can have this experience. He also points out that individuals can donate RV’s to be used for travelling as well as monetary donations. Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 57

Is a reverse mortgage a sound option for retirement income?

t’s the first of the month. As usual, I am at Dave DeLallo’s restaurant and I am in a ravioli and chianti state of mind. I am looking for some inspiration for this month’s article when I run into home builder/remodeler/superstar Tony Tommarello. Tony is telling me about a trip to Florida. Sunsets, beautiful beaches and pina coladas. I’m thinking, Florida, the capital of reverse mortgages. The concept behind reverse mortgages is nothing new. They provide a way for those who are retired or about to retire to generate cash flow based on the value of their home. The terminology may sound confusing, but a reverse mortgage is considered a loan to the individual—similar to a home equity loan. A reverse mortgage is an option for retirees to tap into the equity they’ve accumulated on their home, particularly if the mortgage is paid off or if the balance on the mortgage is low. But reverse mortgages can take different forms, and it’s important for homeowners to clearly understand the terms of any agreement they consider. Given the financial strain many retirees feel today as a result of the volatile investment markets of recent years and despite the fact that home values were hard hit in recent years, curiosity about reverse mortgages remains high. Retired homeowners who are looking for income in addition to what they will receive from retirement plan savings, pensions and Social Security often consider this option to help meet their financial needs in retirement. Key facts about reverse mortgages: • A reverse mortgage allows one to receive income based on his or her home’s value while continuing to own and live in the home. • Reverse mortgages are typically limited to individuals age 62 and older. • Although payments are based on the equity in your home (among other factors), there is an obligation to repay the full amount received plus interest either at the death of the homeowner or when the home is sold. However, in many cases, the amount due will not exceed the value of the home when it is sold. • Those who receive reverse mortgage payments remain obligated to

•

pay taxes and insurance on the property. This becomes difficult for some—the number of borrowers who default on reverse mortgages has increased in recent years. Many don’t have sufficient assets to make property tax and home insurance payments, or they simply weren’t aware of this requirement. A good solution is to set up an automatic payment program through a bank or cash management account. The biggest factors that affect the amount one can borrow are current age (older individuals may receive larger reverse mortgage payments), and the amount of equity one has on the house.

Three different options There are three different types of reverse mortgages. They include: • Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (or HECMs), insured by the Federal Housing Administration • Single Purpose Reverse Mortgages (offered by some state and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations), typically aimed at low and moderate-income homeowners • Proprietary Reverse Mortgages – private loans backed by the companies that originate the loan The vast majority of loans in the market today are government-sponsored HECM’s. Participants can receive payments monthly or even establish a line of credit that can be opened when or if needed. Obligations of the borrower In many ways, reverse mortgages are similar to home equity loans in which the value of the home is used to generate cash flow while you continue to own and live in the property. There are costs involved and private loans tend to be more expensive than those offered through government agencies. Unlike a home mortgage, the amount you owe on a reverse mortgage increases over time. Interest is charged on the outstanding balance and added to the amount owed each month. Repayment occurs by selling the home or having heirs take care of repayment after the death of the homeowner. Therefore, it is important to let heirs know in advance that the reverse mortgage is in place. Most of these loans have a “nonrecourse clause,” protecting heirs from owing more than the value of the home when the loan becomes due and the home is sold. It’s also vital to be cognizant of the interest rate charged on a home equity line. Although some have fixed rates, most utilize a variable rate, so the net value of payments made can decline over time if interest rates rise. Dan is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of PA, OH, WV, VA, IL, CT, FL, SC, TX, NY, and NJ. This  was written by Dan Martin, Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial (formerly American Express Financial Advisors). Contact his office in Bethel Park at 412.831.6240 ext. 208 or by e-mail: daniel.e.martin@ampf.com. Be sure to ask your sales representative about the insurance policy’s features, benefits and fees, and whether the insurance is appropriate for you, based upon your financial situation and objectives. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. © 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved The S&P 500 is an index containing the stocks of 500 large-cap corporations, most of which are American. The index is the most notable of the many indices owned and maintained by Standard & Poor's, a division of McGraw-Hill. Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets index, an unmanaged market capitalization-weighted index, is compiled from a composite of securities markets of 26 emerging market countries. International investing involves increased risk and volatility due to potential political and economic instability, currency fluctuations, and diﬀerences in financial reporting and accounting standards and oversight. Risks are particularly significant in emerging markets. Diversification helps you spread risk throughout your portfolio, so investments that do poorly may be balanced by others that do relatively better. Diversification does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets. Investment products, including shares of mutual funds, are not federally or FDIC-insured, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in the states of Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, and New Jersey. Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients. Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets, mscibarra.com

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Bethel Park Library 5100 West Library Avenue • Bethel Park, PA 15102

Adult Services Outreach The Outreach Department seeks to serve the special needs of older adults, public, and those adults who either work with or care for these groups. Services to these groups are provided through in-house and outreach programs and materials. Homebound Delivery Service Library materials are available to Bethel Park residents who are unable to come to the library either temporarily or permanently. Every two weeks library staff will select and deliver materials directly to your home and pick up returns. This service is provided to both individuals in their homes and residents of senior care facilities. To sign up for homebound services, please call the library at 412-835-2207 ext. 264. Read Aloud Program Volunteers present monthly reading and discussion programs in local nursing homes, personal care homes, and other senior centers. The format of the program encourages participants to listen to readings and participate in discussion. Volunteers are always needed for this rewarding program. Please contact Mary Mullen, Outreach Librarian for more information. Aging Center The Aging Center is an on-site resource center that provides materials for activity professionals, caregivers, and volunteers working with seniors. The center houses books, multi-media kits, games, videos, and cassettes. These materials assist patrons with program planning, recreational and educational activities, and caregiving.

Children’s Services Display Case We have a display case located in the Children’s Department where kids can show off their favorite collection for one week. Please sign up in advance since this is one of our most popular attractions! Grandparent Kits Do you have grandchildren coming to visit? We will make up a special kit with books, cd’s, dvds, and/or puppets geared to your grandchildren’s ages and interests.

Bethel Park | Fall 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 59



  few years ago, Dan Cavanaugh volunteered to be the bus captain for a group of World War II veterans making the trip to Washington D.C. to visit their long awaited memorial. During the trip, Cavanaugh paused to talk to each of the passengers and listen to their personal accounts of the war. Their stories of a war fought over 60 years ago captivated him. But he noticed something else too; relating their experiences seemed to give them a sense of peace as well. Many of the veterans in their 80s and 90s had never told their story to a living human being before. Cavanaugh, the son of a WWII veteran who served in the 3rd Army, 65th Infantry under Gen. George Patton, began to formulate an idea where veterans could come together on a regular basis and share their stories and their camaraderie. With this in mind, he organized a breakfast in the spring of 2008 with about 30 veterans in attendance, and the Veterans Breakfast Club was born. Since that time, the organization has grown to four locations where veterans meet on a regular basis. Historian Todd DePastino, also the son of a veteran, has joined ranks with Cavanaugh to help make sure that these snippets of history are not lost. Many of the veterans are older and unable to make long trips to memorial celebrations and reunions that they may have attended in the past. The locations of Bethel Park, Coraopolis, Penn Hills and the North Hills serve as places for them to gather, enjoy a breakfast and share their experiences. The men are encouraged to bring photos of themselves during their service time which are displayed on a projector. “Once they enter the room, it’s as if they are transported back in time,” says DePastino. Music from the 1940s is played and posters from the era are displayed. The veterans share their stories by addressing the entire group and also informally. There are a majority of WWII veterans, however the club is not limited to one war or even to veterans. Anyone who is interested in attending and learning more about our nation’s conflicts from firsthand accounts of those who were at the forefront of the action are welcome. DePastino notes that recently a 22 year-old veteran attended the breakfast to share his story and it was eerily similar to the experiences of his elder counterparts.

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If you are interested in joining our veterans for breakfast, you may visit the Veterans Breakfast Club website at www.veteransbreakfastclub.com for a schedule of upcoming events. Veterans, their spouses and all interested members of the community are welcome.

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German prisoners of war who helped save his life was working as an orderly in the hospital where he was being treated. “At first glance, although some of these men may not look as though they would be very eloquent speakers, I’ve found that everyone is an expert at telling their own story,” says DePastino. The breakfast meetings regularly draw about 150 people at the Bethel Park location and around 60 at the other locations. Wives, children and interested members of the community are frequently in attendance. The Veterans Breakfast Club was granted non-profit status in July and DePastino, already a published author of note, will organize a narrative collection of these stories. “The telling of these stories has a therapeutic eﬀect for these veterans,” says DePastino, “and it’s amazing to see the relief they feel of having finally shared their experiences.” We honor our veterans when we listen to their stories and perhaps even more so when we refuse to forget them.

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Studies Show Hearing Aids Improve your Quality of Life

merican adults have become more savvy when it comes to their healthcare. They regularly get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked; they are exercising and eating better. But one very important aspect of health care often gets overlooked: Hearing Tests! That’s right. Hearing loss is a chronic health condition that affects more than 20 million adults over the age of 45 in the United States, and is the 3rd most common chronic health condition in persons over the age of 65 (AAA task force, 2007). The consequences of hearing loss can be devastating. The inability to effectively communicate can impact a person’s social, emotional, and mental well-being, ultimately leading to a diminished quality of life. The National Council on Aging study "Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss,” shows benefit and improvement in one's emotional and mental abilities, as well as improved social skills, self confidence, and relationships when hearing loss is treated with hearing aids. Overall, that means an improved quality of life for hearing aid users. How does hearing loss impact my social life? The ability to communicate with family and friends is one of the great joys in life. It also becomes a necessity when communicating with your physician, or doing business over the telephone. Untreated hearing loss can add stress to your relationships. Just to ignore your spouse’s (and others) frustration over having to constantly repeat themselves, or sitting out of conversations because you can’t follow along, further distances you from loved ones and your world. How does hearing loss impact my emotional well-being? Hearing loss can cause frustration and loneliness, as well as lead to depression and anxiety. The simple act of listening can be exhausting when you have to use more energy just to figure out what someone has said, and many find it easier to just avoid social situations. Isolation is a result of untreated hearing loss. Barriers begin to develop a wall. You begin to slow, age and distance from life. How does hearing loss impact my mental abilities? Untreated hearing loss can contribute to memory loss and affect the brain’s ability to process information. The connections from your ears to your brain can weaken and slow down if the brain is deprived

of a rich sound environment. Understanding speech is an exercise for the brain. How do you remember what you don’t even hear or process correctly? You know the old saying..”Use it or lose it!” So…why aren’t you getting your hearing tested?!? If you thought that hearing aids don’t work, or you’ve heard that many people leave theirs in a drawer instead of wear them, we have news for you: 9 out of 10 people who wear hearing aids say that their quality of life has improved since purchasing hearing aids! (Most recent, Better Hearing Institute survey). How do I become a successful hearing aid user? There are three major factors that can lead to success. First, choose a hearing health care provider with a good reputation. Counseling is extremely important and can have a greater impact on your satisfaction than even the particular hearing instrument chosen. It is important that he or she takes the time to educate you, listen to your needs, properly program the aids and counsel you on what to expect with your new hearing aids. Second, YOU can contribute to your success! Remember that it is a process. Work with the professional to find something that best meets your needs. It’s not always a quick fix, so don’t give up. Your brain has to acclimate to hearing again. Finally, it is important for you and your provider to choose a hearing instrument that is best suited for you. The newer technology is part of the reason that more and more people are happy with their hearing aids. But, there are many different options - one size does not fit all. Do not believe the old “myth” that hearing aids end up in a drawer. Old myth = old school! There are many factors that lead to successful hearing aid use. Most importantly, find a provider who will spend the time counseling you and working with you until a solution is found. Get your hearing tested and try a pair of hearing aids for yourself. Become one of the 90% whose life has improved with hearing aids…you deserve it! The Professionals at Swift Audiology will not let you down! By Dr. Leslie Myers AuD (On the staff of Swift Audiology)

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