IN Harborcreek

SPECIAL: Harbor Creek Back to School

FALL 2012

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

The HTERT Team:

ALSO INSIDE! Harbor Creek School District News Harborcreek Township News

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Harb SPECIAL:

INSIDE

IN Harborcreek is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Erie County 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.

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IN Harborcreek | FALL 2012 |

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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

RE/Max Real Estate Owner beware when vacationing! ............. | 1

GE Federal Credit Union Charitable Giving: To give or not to give ...... | 15

Brevillier Village Conrad House turns 30!

ON THE COVER

| The Harborcreek HTERT Teams consists of (in no particular order)

Brian Benovic, Joe Peck, Tim May, Wayne Boyd, Tim Eliason, Don Erbin Sr., and Krista Jelley.

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COMMUNITY INTEREST

Harborcreek Township Community Days .....................

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Harborcreek Municipal News ...........................................

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Harbor Creek School District News ...............................

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The HTERT Team is Ready .................................................

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Dear Family ............................................................................

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Car Buffs Abound in the Region .....................................

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The Story of the Erie County Fieldhouse Concerts ..

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The Perfect Pet .....................................................................

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Back to School

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INPERSPECTIVE STAF F

Welcome to the fall issue of Harborcreek magazine.

As I write this, we are having one of the hottest summers on record, and it doesn’t look like the record-breaking temperatures will end just because the leaves will be changing colors soon. So while this is the fall issue, I want to reiterate some summer tips from the health department to help you stay safe in the heat. The last two points are probably the most critical because they deal with children and the elderly.

Stay cool indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned environment.

Fans don’t help much when temperatures are in the 90s. A cool bath or shower is a more effective way to cool off, if you don’t have air conditioning. Better yet, visit someplace that does, such as a senior center, theater, mall or neighbor’s house.

Drink plenty of fluids, at least eight cups a day, but avoid alcoholic or caffeinated drinks which actually cause you to lose more fluids. Avoid hot foods and heavy meals, which add heat to your body.

Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing. A widebrimmed hat provides shade and helps keep the head cool. Sunscreen can prevent sunburn, which can affect your body’s ability to cool itself and also cause a loss of body fluids.

Avoid strenuous physical activity, particularly during the hotter part of the day.

Never leave a child, or a pet, in a vehicle alone on a hot day. A child may become disoriented in just five minutes, unconscious in 10 and brain-damaged in 20.

Use the buddy system and check on the elderly and the infirm who do not have air conditioning and are less able to take care of themselves.

For senior citizens, local governments also establish cooling centers to help people to beat the heat. Contact your local municipality for the one nearest you before the temperatures top 90 again. As always, enjoy your fall, IN Harborcreek!

Wayne Dollard, Publisher

PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard REGIONAL EDITORS

Pamela Palongue [North and East] p.palongue@incommunitymagazines.com Mark Berton [South, West and Erie] mark@incommunitymagazines.com OFFICE MANAGER

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com AD PLACEMENT COORDINATOR

Debbie Mountain d.mountain@incommunitymagazines.com SCHOOL & MUNICIPAL CONTE N T COORDIN AT OR

Megan Faloni m.faloni@incommunitymagazines.com GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Sharon Cobb Susie Doak

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda

WRITERS

John Barrera Jonathan Barnes Jennifer Brozak Matt Fascetti Tracey Fedkoe Mike Ference Jacob Flannick Britt Fresa Heather Holtschlag

Nick Keppler Chelsie Kozera Leigh Lyons Dana Black McGrath Joanne Naser Aimee Nicolia Melanie Paulick Gina Sallinger Judith Schardt

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Mark Fainstein Ginni Hartle Brad Lauer

Len Pancoast Kathleen Rudolph Gary Yon

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGE RS

Derek Bayer Tom Poljak

Tamara Myers

ADVERTISING SALES

WE WANT TO KNOW: How did you meet your spouse?

Some of the best stories we hear are how two people happened to get together. Some met in bars, some in supermarkets, while others met in more unique circumstances. Send us your story of how you met your spouse. We’ll run the best ones in the next issue.

Also include a photo of you and your spouse, how many years you’ve been married and when your anniversary is.

Send your story to mark@incommunitymagazines.com or mail them to IN Community Magazines, 603 East McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317.

You can also fax us at 724.942.0968.

Sophia Alfaras Brian Daley David Despot Andrea Graham Julie Graff Jason Huffman Connie McDaniel Brian McKee

Gabriel Negri Aimee Nicolia Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert Karen Turkovich 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 2012.

CORRESPONDENCE Direct all inquiries, comments and press releases to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968 www.incommunitymagazines.com

Winter content deadline: November 5

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Summer is well on the way and you’re going to take that dream vacation!

Here’s a thought provoking list of what not to do!

10 Things NOT To Do When Your Home Is For Sale and You’re Going On Vacation!

Whether you’re just taking a couple days away or on the three week trip of a lifetime keep these simple tips in mind! Is your home on the market, ready for sale and spiffed up and ready for the sellers at all times? Perhaps the market isn't the world’s fastest, so putting a sign in the yard and launching a full marketing blitz didn't sell it by Day 3. You’re coming up on your family’s annual vacation and you’re not postponing until after the sale. We don't blame you; everyone needs some R&R time and we don’t know if the buyer will show up tomorrow or next month, so go, have fun, relax.

But DON'T: 1) Say “No showings until we return.” Like we said, your buyer might be showing up tomorrow, and if they can't get in they’ll buy another home. And who knows how long until Right Buyer #2 may appear.

2) Drop off the grid. Don’t go to the Himalayas or somewhere that Kinko’s or equivalent doesn’t exist. We need to be able to reach you if we get an offer. We don’t expect you to answer your phone at all times, but don't go somewhere that your cell phone is in constant “Searching for Service” mode.

3) Set your thermostat to the extremes. Yes, you might save a little money, but you don’t want buyers to be uncomfortable when looking at your home.

4) Forget to get your mail held while you're gone. And if you still get the newspaper, either stop delivery or ask a neighbor to collect for you.

5) Order anything from Amazon or the like to be delivered while you're gone unless you’ve made arrangements with the neighbors.

Packages setting on the front steps for days are a signal you’re not home.

6) Post about it on Facebook, or Tweet, or Blog, or LinkedIn or ANYTHING that announces to the world that you’re going to be gone. Bad guys have access to social media too.

7) Forget that your flowers need to be watered and your lawn mowed. Hire someone if you need to, but don’t let the hard work you've done on curb appeal go downhill while you’ve got your toes in the sand and a Corona on the table next to the chair.

8) Forget to tell your agent you’re leaving town!! We’ll probably * Volume need to alter the showing instructions so you don't have to approve the showings while you're gone.

9) Forget to take out ALL the trash before you leave. Get the kitchen, the bathrooms, ALL of them. You do not want the first impression of the buyers to be “EWWWWW” because you forgot about the leftover salmon you tossed before leaving. That also means take care of the dirty dishes and dirty laundry before you go.

AND don’t forget kitty’s super atomic deposits in the litter box and Rover's landmines in the back yard.

10) Forget to ask a friend to check the locks after showings. Hate to say this, but sometimes agents aren't as careful as they should be about making sure a home is secure before they leave. Going by and checking post showing is something we've regularly done for clients out of town. Wish it wasn't necessary, but it's good to be cautious.

We could add some more to this list, but you get the drift.

Be careful, be available, and leave your home ready for the buyers to fall in love with it!

If you have other questions regarding real estate, please don’t hesitate to ask us!

Seth Jr.’s and Seth Sr.’s 42 years of combined real estate experience can help you net more with less headaches! Give us a call sometime and let us give you some more ideas for the easiest sale possible!

This Industry Insight was written by Seth Tuttle Sr. and Seth Tuttle Jr. Seth Tuttle Sr. and Seth Tuttle Jr. have a combined total of 42 years of real estate experience in the Erie Market.

Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 1

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Friday and Saturday, June 29th and 30th

marked the 5th Annual Harborcreek Township Community Days – and it was a hit with many HC residents. Friday evening’s “concert in the park” with Irish Rock band “Paddywhacked” followed by “The M-80’s” allowed residents a chance to visit with friends, dance to phenomenal entertainment and enjoy great food while the kids enjoyed the Giant Shark Slide and Obstacle Course. But that was only the start to a great evening – with a fantastic fireworks display celebrating all that is great about Harborcreek ending it with a bang. Saturday the entertainment continued and included more activities for kids including pony rides, face painting, balloon animals, and an opportunity to get an up close look at our local volunteer fire department’s equipment. In addition, many local organizations and craft vendors displayed their items for all to enjoy.

Saturday morning also included the Fifth Annual HC Community Days / Harbor Creek Youth Services 5 & 10K run with another record number of runners participating.

Congratulations to overall 10K winners Alex Zarger (male) and Megan Maloney (female) and 5K winners Morgan Schenberg (male) and Sandie Sweet (female).

A special thanks to our sponsors: The Harborcreek Chamber of Commerce, Port Erie Plastics, Stan’s Garden Center, ErieBank, Penn State Behrend, Woda Corporation, First National Bank, PNC Bank, 6-Mile Cellars, Waste Management, and Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.

Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

2012 Harborcreek

Senior Picnic The 2012 Harborcreek Senior Picnic was held Tuesday, July 10th at Shades Beach Park. The picnic hosted by Harborcreek Township gave senior citizen residents of the township an opportunity to hear an update on what is going on in Harborcreek from Supervisors Joe Peck, Tim May, and Dean Pepicello as well as a chance to ask questions of the township. A special thanks goes out to Harborcreek Township’s Senior Advocate Irene Edwards for helping to plan this annual event. All enjoyed a great picnic and chance to visit with longtime friends.

Harborcreek Chamber of Commerce On Saturday, October 6th, the Harborcreek Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Harvest Day from noon - 5 p.m. at Harborcreek Community Park.

This year’s Harvest Day includes food vendors, crafters, music by DJ Josh Bennett as well as horse-drawn hay rides for all. In addition this year, the chamber is excited to be bringing in a Giant Pumpkin Cannon - which promises to be a big hit!

Any crafters still interested in participating, please call 899-3171 for additional information. A rain date of Saturday, October 13th is scheduled as well.

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2012

Harvest

Day

Fall Leaf Pick-up Schedule This year’s Fall Leaf pick-up schedule will be the weeks of: October 9-12 & 23-26 and also November 6-9 & 27-30.

Please place bagged leaves at curbside on regular day of your trash pick-up.

Take Back Initiative Event The Erie County Sherriff’s Office in conjunction with The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day which will take place on Saturday, September 29, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Harborcreek Township Municipal Building. The DEA will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies focused on removing potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications to law enforcement officers for destruction. The program provides an opportunity for law enforcement, prevention, treatment, and the business community to collaborate and establish a safe collection site for all Americans, regardless of where they reside.

Scheduled for September 29th

Light Up Night 2012 Mark your calendars for Friday, December 14th for Harborcreek Township’s Old Fashioned Light-Up Night. Once again, thousands of lights will illuminate the township grounds and greet Santa as he arrives on horse drawn carriage. We are once again excited to have the Harbor Creek Vocal Ensemble and basketball cheerleaders help us welcome Santa and kick off the holiday season. Santa is tentatively scheduled to arrive at 6:30 p.m. with festivities lasting until about 9 p.m.

So even though the weather doesn’t have you thinking about the holidays yet, be sure to remember HC’s Light-Up Night – we’ll have cookies and hot chocolate waiting for you!

Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

Harbor Creek School District Mission Statement Harbor Creek School District will maximize the academic and civic potential of all students through a safe learning environment that promotes respect and acceptance and is supported by a highly qualified staff with involved parents and community.

Harbor Creek Website: Magazine Feedback: District Report Card: Like us on Facebook

www.hcsd.iu5.org http://hcmagazine.hcsd.iu5.org http://paayp.emetric.net

 

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There have been several meetings and articles in the Erie Times regarding the possible building or renovation projects for Clark and Klein Schools. I have also been asked several times about our current and projected enrollment. The following is a brief summary of the status of these projects as of August 13, 2012. Please refer to the website for additional information and updates.

The Harbor Creek School District currently has 3 elementary buildings and a Junior High and High School campus. The total student enrollment of the District is 2017. The elementary K-6 enrollment is 1042. The Pennsylvania Department of Education enrollment estimates project the elementary population to decline to 946 by 2021, a drop of about 9.5%. The 7-12 student enrollments are expected to grow by 2.8% over the same time period.

The facilities at all levels are being repaired and maintained on a regular basis. However the two oldest elementary buildings, Clark and Klein are in need of several system updates that are not part of an annual maintenance schedule. An engineering study completed in 2009 and updated in January 2011 estimates the cost of these essential updates to be about $7,000,000. The recommended work would include four major areas; general construction, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical. General construction would include things such as, windows, kitchen equipment, ceiling tiles, and carpet.

Plumbing would include the addition of fire sprinkler systems, plumbing to bathrooms and kitchens, and new fixtures. HVAC covers heating and air circulation systems for classrooms and kitchens. The electrical involves fire alarm systems, security, classroom lighting and kitchen updates as needed. This estimate does not include a complete renovation or consider all needs 6

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of the buildings and grounds. A project as defined in the engineering study would displace students for about 8 months in each building.

Any time that the district considers this extensive of a project the Board attempts to look at all options and future needs. On July 19, 2012 the Board voted to not complete a study of the Rolling Ridge property for the purpose of investigating this as a possible building site for a new school. The Board is continuing to move forward with a review of two other options; One- the system updates as noted in the engineering study, and the consolidation of Clark and Klein by expanding one of the buildings to be able to hold the students who previously attended both schools at an estimated cost of $20,000,000. This would result in the closing of one of the schools.

The consolidation of the two buildings would create the opportunity to save money through the reduction of administrative, teaching and support staff although would result in increased debt. The Board presented and discussed the two options at the August 9, 2012 Committee meeting of the Board. The Ad Hoc Committee of the Board recommended that the District proceed with developing option 2, the expansion of Klein and eventual closing of Clark.

When the discussion was completed there was consensus to place the directive to the administration to develop option 2 for PDE approval on the August 16, 2012 Board agenda for vote.

There will be regular updates regarding the Board’s discussion posted on the district website, www.hcsd.iu5.org.

Questions may be submitted through the website as well.

Harborcreek Teachers Head

Harbor Creek School District has a unique partnership with Gannon University. Harbor Creek teachers have the opportunity to earn Master Level credit for taking courses which are designed in cooperation between Harbor Creek and Gannon. The classes are held on our campus and focus on only our teachers.

This summer the district has had the opportunity to offer two of these classes.

The first class, “Inquiry Activities for Math,” was held for one week in July. This course was designed to develop mathematical insights and elevate a teacher's ability to dynamically reach the learner. The key components of this course were tiered instruction, conceptual based mathematics activities, and diversified application of concepts. Numerous teachers in grades K-8 took advantage of this class and came away with countless activities and lessons to use.

The second class, “Technology Applications for the K-12 Classroom,” was also held this summer. The goal of this course

Technology Improvements

was to help teachers effectively communicate core content through the use of the many technological devices and software available within the Harbor Creek School District. Teachers had the opportunity to collaborate with peers on the latest changes, events, and challenges in the area of educational technology. This class was full of teachers taking advantage of this masters-level course held right here in Harbor Creek.

So, even though summer is here, teachers in Harbor Creek have been hard at work preparing for the 2012-2013 school year.

The Harbor Creek School District Technology Department has made big improvements over the summer months.

First, each elementary classroom has been outfitted with two new Windows 7 thin computers. This will make accessing Accelerated Reader, as well as other online resources much easier. The students will log on to the computers the same as they do in the computer lab, allowing access to their files no matter where they are working. These thin computers also generate a minimal amount of heat and noise.

The District has also invested in a small number of iPads for various classrooms throughout the district.

At this point, teachers will be evaluating the effectiveness of the

iPads so the District can make a sound decision as to whether or not to invest more into this powerful tool.

Another improvement in the District is wireless capabilities. The Senior High School has been updated to allow faster service, as well as more controlled access.

This is the first step in covering both the Junior High and Senior High with faster wireless service.

Finally, a new member to the technology staff has been brought on board. Peter Dudenhoefer has joined the Technology Department after spending more than thirteen years in this field. The District would like to welcome Peter to a great District.

Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

See our website for more information on each event: www.hcsd.iu5.org August 14, 2012

9th Grade Orientation Sr. High Orientation(for new students) Clark Kindergarten Orientation

August 15, 2012

Jr. High Orientation Klein Kindergarten Orientation

August 16, 2012

RR Kindergarten and New Student Orientation

August 22, 2012 August 27, 2012

First day of school for teachers First day of school for students Jr./Sr. High Picture Day

August 30, 2012 September 3, 2012 September 5, 2012

RR Open House No School- Memorial Day Jr. High Open House Klein Elementary Open House

September 6, 2012

Clark Elementary Open House

September 10, 2012

Klein Elementary Picture Day

September 12, 2012

Sr. High Open House

September 17, 201

RR Elementary Picture Day

September 25, 2012

Clark Elementary Picture Day

October 2, 1012

Jr./Sr. High Picture Retake

October 5, 2012

Homecoming Game

October 6, 2012

Homecoming Dance

October 8, 2012

In-service Day for Teachers

October 22, 2012

Klein Elementary Picture Retake Day

October 26, 2012

RR Elementary Picture Retake Day

November 6, 2012

Clark Elementary Picture Retake Day

November 7, 2012

College Fair

November 14, 2012

Jr./Sr. High Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 21-26, 2012

Thanksgiving Vacation

Harbor Creek School District would like to extend a special “Thank You� to ABC Glass and Enormis Mobile Specialties for making our school pages possible.

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Harborcreek Township Emergency Response Team (HTERT) is

Traditionally, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has had the largest number of volunteer firefighters in the U.S., which should not be all that surprising given the fact that in 1736, Benjamin Franklin started the very first American volunteer fire station in Philadelphia, dubbed Franklin’s Bucket Brigade. Even up to the late 1980s Pennsylvania boasted a record number of firefighters, but since that time the number has trickled to only about a third of that size. And this is not unique to our state.

Nationally the numbers are down; presumably due to the increase in dual family incomes, longer work hours and secondary jobs, making it harder than ever for people to devote the number of hours they did in the past.

It is that very decline in enrollment of volunteer firefighters nationally that has prompted the need for supplementing daytime manpower to volunteer fire departments.

Harborcreek Township employees are accommodating this community in that exact way through the recent formation of the Harborcreek Township Emergency Response Team (HTERT).

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With the team’s help, emergency calls, anything from possible fires, to The team members were required to go through First Responder chest pains, to motor vehicle accidents, can continue to be handled Training and an Emergency Vehicle Driving Operations Course. quickly and efficiently within the Harborcreek Community, rather Three of the team members, Benovic, Eliason and Erbin, are also than being dispatched to departments outside the municipality. certified Emergency Medical Technicians.

Township Supervisor, Joe Peck points out that they are only For Township Supervisor Tim May, the experience has been the second municipality in Erie County to provide an emergency very eye opening and rewarding. He has been impressed with how response team. According to Peck, the team is set up to supplement, well orchestrated the initiative has been. “We are thrilled for the not replace the work of the volunteer firefighters who are both opportunity to assist our volunteer fire companies in any way we needed and appreciated. Peck says, “Our intent is to provide service can,” says May. “So many times things are overthought – not this to the good people of our community and to help keep the fire time. This is about using common sense to enhance overall public departments financially solvent.” safety for all the residents of Harborcreek Township.”

HTERT was modeled after Millcreek’s Another member of the response team, Emergency Response Team with the help Krista Jelley, a receptionist at the township of members John Blose and Bob Mitchell building, admits that it was a little scary for and began serving Harborcreek this her to go out on her first call to the home past spring. HTERT Team Leader of an ill patient. But once it was over, it felt Brian Benovic, the township’s Code both rewarding and exciting. “You don’t Enforcement Officer and Emergency know what you are going to come across,” Management Coordinator was also the she says. Being part of the team is a new former Chief of the Wesleyville Fire experience for Jelley, whose husband is a Department. In addition to Benovic, firefighter. “I’ve always been open to the team is comprised of six other discovering and learning new things,” township employees including Township she says. “And this is a really good skill Supervisors Joe Peck and Tim May, along to know.” with Wayne Boyd, Tim Eliason, Don Chip Chiappazzi, Chief of the Erbin Sr., and Krista Jelley.

Harborcreek Fire Department, has been The team has been set up to assist the pleased with how willing the Harborcreek Township Supervisor Tim May three local Fire Departments during the Township has been to help them out. daytime hours, at a time when it is “In an emergency every minute counts,” especially difficult for many volunteer he explains. “With their help, we are able firefighters who often work full-time to get on the road quicker, and it increases day jobs to be there. In an emergency our ability to respond. The fact that the situation, calls are first dispatched to township is utilizing their own people the fire departments. The Emergency is commendable. They are providing Response Team is called upon whenever another valuable asset so that we can do more responders are need, specifically in our job better.” cases when an additional person is needed Fairfield Fire Department Chief Jim on an ambulance or when a second call Hawryliw agrees that the team has been a comes in while the department is already real asset. “It has helped immensely,” he engaged at the first one. says. But he wants to remind people that “The team has been phenomenal,” says the fire departments still require their Fire Chief Bill Martin of the Brookside support. “The community needs to Fire Department. “They are a godsend,” remember that we as volunteers are there he adds. “When you need more people, for them, but we need the support from they are there.” the community too.”

In order to get the response team up All three fire chiefs stress that the best and running, the township was able to devote one of its previously way to help the local fire departments is by contributing to the fund owned vehicles and equip it with the gear required to sustain an drives. And for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer fire fighter, emergency vehicle, so that it could be accomplished without any they can either contact the fire chief for the closest department or cost to the taxpayers. The SUV, now HTERT Vehicle 237, was stop in on a training night – Tuesday evenings for the Brookside and titled to the Harborcreek Fire Department for $1, but is kept at Harborcreek Fire Departments; and Wednesday evenings for the the Municipal Building so that available team members can Fairfield Fire Department. The fire chiefs also remind residents that respond from their workplace. as in the past, if an emergency should arise, you should continue to call 911.

“This is about using common sense to enhance overall public safety for all the residents of Harborcreek Township.”

Proudly Serving Harborcreek Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

Writing letters home from summer camp is a tradition that is starting to wane. However members of Boy Scout Troop 97 from Harborcreek, PA had an opportunity to revive that tradition with a twist.

“Tomorrow we are scheduled to march into Gettysburg to look for supplies, food, and to warn people to start to leave. We are running dangerously low in food. We are only down to our last box of hardtack!”

During the first week of June the troop exchanged the traditional summer camp experiences for camping in Gettysburg, PA. While camping in modern tents, the boys had opportunities to try historical civil war food such as hardtack and traditional camp activities like writing letters home. One night there was a contest to see which boy could write the best letter that encompassed both the activities that they were presently experiencing and put themselves into the timeframe they were reenacting. The winning letter

by Kevin Bello is excerpted throughout this article.

“Today our regiment hiked for what seemed for an eternity! We walked all over Gettysburg and saw none of those darn slave owners! Although we walked forever, there were some exciting moments. As we were walking, I looked down and my entire legs were covered in ticks!”

As part of the week long event the boys went on three hikes and three tours of the area. The hikes and one tour were all led by adult leaders Ron Herrera, Steve Groshek, and Don Capan who have studied this battle extensively. One of the hikes was 10 miles around the main northern and southern lines for days two and three of the battle. The scouts had a chance to learn and see the impact of regiments like the 1st Minnesota that lost 80% of their unit. They hiked out to the exposed position of the Peach Orchard, just like the 3rd Corp on the second day, advanced through the Wheatfield, and stopped to have lunch while at Devil’s Den. After lunch, the scouts got to share the amazing view from Little Round Top as Gen. Warren and Col. Strong Vincent would have beheld.

They checked out the positions of the 83rd PA, from Erie, and the 20th Maine.

From there, the troop marched to the Confederate side, checking out the state monuments on the way to the Virginia monument and the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee, and the location of the start of Pickett’s Charge.

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To schedule an appointment at one of our five Erie locations, please visit UPMC.com/ErieCRS or call 1-888-723-4CRS (4277).

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Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

They finished the day with a dramatic reenactment of Pickett’s Charge, complete with fellow soldiers falling out from wounds, and a “double-quick” charge from the Emmitsburg Road to The Angle.

Other activities that took place during the hikes included, learning about the actions of all three Erie regiments, 83rd, 111th, and the 145th, and finding the marker where General Strong Vincent was killed. Patrols also took turns pretending to fight behind stone walls, marching while attacking, closing ranks as fellow “soldiers” went down, and charging up Cemetery Hill.

The scouts also had an opportunity to walk around the National Cemetery, reviewing the markers and realizing how many were Unknown. One scout commented, “It’s a little unnerving around all these bodies, then you realize that they gave everything for what they believed in.”

“Even though I am surrounded by childhood friends, I still feel a terrible lonliness. I really hope the slave owners will finally come to their senses, so that we can end all the fighting and injuries. Speaking of injuries, I am sad to say that Joe and Tom are deceased of illness and infections.”

Scoutmaster Ron Herrera commented, “The goal of going to Gettysburg was to try to make the scouts realize that war is not a Call of Duty game, and that the boys and men fighting were putting everything on the line to support their country. What would it be like to know your brother was on the other side, possibly shooting at you? How would you act when all your friends from your hometown were fighting with you? Besides, I and the other leaders really like sharing what we know of this battle and the Erie connection.”

In addition to the hikes through the town, the cemetery, and Culp’s Hill, the scouts toured the new Gettysburg Visitor Center and Eisenhower Farm. These were all part of a scouting program called the Heritage Trails program, sponsored by the local council in Gettysburg. Three years ago while looking for scouting ideas, Ron found this program and thought it would be a great way to promote the aims of scouting; character development, citizenship training, and mental and physical fitness. “One lucky occurrence was that former Governor Tom Ridge happened to be at the visitor center at the same time our troop was. Some of the kids were able to have a picture with him.” Ron stated. “That was really a great way to bring civic responsibility back to the present.”

Near the end of the week, the troop had a competition to see what they remembered from their tours of the battlefield.

14

Harborcreek

Charitable Giving To Give or Not to Give                  

   

                        

                      

        

                                                                                Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

It started with recognition of the Corps emblems of the Union army and finished with a game show style Q&A that pitted the patrols against each other in general knowledge of the battle.

Scott Thomas, troop committee chairman commented, “I’m amazed at how much they remembered.”

The week did not just center around the civic responsibility discussed in the hikes. The Scouts also had daily merit badge classes to have opportunities to learn Cinematography, Pioneering, Environmental Science, Camping, and First Aid. Planning for the trip took over a year, with support from everyone including parents and members of the troop committee. The time was well spent, as the week went off with no major problems. Part of the preplanning included extra tarps to protect the tents and equipment in case of a heavy rain. This proved that the scout motto is correct as a torrential downpour of rain, on Tuesday morning, did little to slow the troop down.

All the scouts pitched in helping to develop a trench system and covered the tents with the tarps to protect all their gear.

“General Meade is still deciding what we will do next. We are either going to climb these hills looking for the slave owners or we find a place to camp and make base camp.”

It was a great week of camping, cooking, learning and enjoying our time in the outdoors. But the fun does not end there.

Troop 97 continues to stay active, helping with the postal food drive, participating in the “adopt a highway” program, spending the night at the Seawolve’s sleepover, putting on a display at Harborcreek Days, going to Waldameer Park, doing a troop archery shoot at Dave’s Archery, camping up off Six Mile Creek, and more. Next year tey will be going to a more traditional scout camp for their week of summer camp, but according to Ron, “We are already thinking about 2014 and where our next big trip should be.”

“Please continue to write…I always look forward to mail call.

I will inform you of anything else in the battle. Love you, miss you, hope to see you soon.”

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Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

Northwestern Pennsylvania is home to many of these events, thanks to the many gearheads who live in the region. Here is a sampling of some of the many popular car cruises in the Erie area: Cruise the Bay – This annual summer event is open 6 to 9 p.m. every Monday except Memorial Day and Labor Day. The weekly cruise is open to all classes of cars with a different theme each week. Cruise the Bay’s weekly 50/50 raffle will help raise funds for the local Make-a-Wish chapter where the money will stay in Erie County to help grant a local child’s wish. The event is held at the Bayfront Park N Ride just off the Bayfront Highway in Erie. Cruise the Bay’s full weekly schedule can be found at www.callingallhotrodders.com.

For some, the smell of car wax, the heat of the summertime sunshine and the strains of Fifties music take them back to their younger days. In their minds, they go back to a time when having good weather and a great car for the afternoon, and the free time to enjoy it, were all that you needed for some fun.

Nostalgia lovers, dust off the Turtle Wax car polish and break out the buffer.

Thankfully, it’s again the time of year when you can lower the convertible roof on the car and go cruising, allowing the wind to blow through your hair, smelling the summer flowers and watching the gawkers staring at you as you roll past them in your classic car.

After all, what’s the sense of having an antique car or a classic muscle car if you can’t show it off and allow others to enjoy it? Sharing the love of design, beauty and mechanics of a classic car or muscle car is part of the joy of collecting such vehicles. It also can be a quick cure for any lingering winter blues.

The weather has warmed up—prematurely, in the eyes of some weather observers—but not too early for the many car buffs in Western Pennsylvania who have been waiting for the Car Cruise season to begin. Car cruises are an American tradition in which owners of classic and high-performance cars meet together in parking lots and other wide-open spaces, to show off their vehicles and to enjoy an afternoon or evening of fun with other car lovers. Often these events include music or entertainment and food, and sometimes, they even have races.

All local car cruises are weather-dependent. Check the web sites for each cruise regularly to determine if a cruise will be held when foul weather could be imminent.

While each car cruise is unique in its location and the makeup of vehicles, owners, and attractions, every car buff comes to the hobby by his or her own path.

It could have started with a secret childhood yearning for a hot rod, or by catching a glimpse of something extraordinary in a shop window, seen totally by happenstance. Like a lover retelling the story of his romance, each classic car owner has a tale to tell about how he and his car were united.

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Blast from the Past Cruise-In – This free, three-hour event runs every Wednesday at 6 p.m. from May 11 to Aug. 31 in North Springfield.

Blast from the Past, hosted at Tasty Twist on Old Lake Road, will feature a unique theme each night.

Side-show entertainment includes DJ Bill Mason who will be spinning the old classics to match the retro Americana mood. Patrons will also receive door prizes and have the opportunity to participate in 50/50 raffles and free parts swaps. Food and ice cream will be provided. For more information call (814) 922-7916.

Cruise-Town Erie 2012 – Erie County’s hottest antique, classic and sports cars will dominate State Street from West Fourth to West 12th streets downtown Erie on June 8, July 27 and Sept. 7. Erie police will close those streets to traffic on the specified dates to yield to the cruises. Last year’s Cruise-Town event brought over 800 unique vehicles to the downtown area. The three-time event will run from 6 to 10 p.m. each night and is sponsored by Contemporary Motorcar.

Wexford Star Lite Car Cruise (Wexford) – Wexford Star Lite Car Cruise is held every Friday night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., starting May 25, through Labor Day. This is one of the largest weekly cruises in the region, and usually has more than 1,000 cars attending each week. The Wexford Star Lite Car Cruise is free and is hosted and presented by North Way Christian Community (www.starlitecarcruise.com).

YMCA Camp Sherwin Cruiz-In – The fourth annual Lake City YMCA Camp Sherwin Cruiz-In is on Friday, June 24, from noon to 3 p.m. The three-hour event is returning to the Camp Sherwin YMCA at 8600 West Lake Road where the cruise is open to all classes of cars. The best 75 cars will receive dash plaques and all participants will receive door prizes. Attendees can also participate in a 50/50 raffle and a Chinese auction. Food and a DJ will be provided. All proceeds benefit the YMCA’s “We Build People” annual scholarship fund. For more details call (814) 774-9416.

Not many Americans can say they benefited from the the motor, suspension, transmission and primer.

He’s also retained the car’s original wheels, installed Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries’ oil a custom exhaust pipe and sandblasted the frame’s embargo that led to the 1973 oil crisis in America, but exterior.

Bart Phillip, 57, of Harborcreek sits among the ranks of Phillip is striving to have the yellow racer, one of that disparate minority.

1,628 ever produced and about 700 remaining, in With gasoline prices soaring beyond affordability showroom condition for next year’s Boss Nationals during the Nixon administration, people were practically in Detroit. The Arvite giving away their low-gas mileage Technologies production vehicles and Phillip, who’s been obmanager said he likes his sessed with motor sports since he chances at the annual was five years old, was there to reap car show. the benefits. In early 1974, just after BOSS 302 Mustang “It’s so unique and part of his 18th birthday, he bought a 1969 such a special breed,” he said.

Boss 302 Ford Mustang for $1,500 1969 “But even among its peers I think off a north Pittsburgh family who it will really stand out. I’ve put so was suffering from the gas crunch. much time, effort and cash into The motor head took his 600the thing that it should, at least.” horsepower Mustang engine to the The Boss 302 Mustang was produced by Ford in 1969 Erie racetracks on several occasions, often placing first, and 1970 to compete in the Trans Am racing series and would drag race anybody ambitious enough to which includes the Z28 Chevrolet Camaro, Plymouth accept his challenges. The car tore up the northwest Pennsylvania roads until the early 1980s when Phillip Firebird and Dodge Challenger. Its 4.9 liter V8 engine and manual four-speed transmission designed by stuffed it in his garage and began collecting parts from all over the world for a complete restoration on the racer. former General Motors employee Larry Shinoda set the Mustang apart from its class and led to consistent That restoration, which Phillip has done independsuccess on the racetrack. ently in an effort to renew the ’69 Mustang to stock “It’s really just a mean car,” Phillip said. “I can’t condition, is now about 90 percent complete with a few wait to get it back on the road. I don’t know if people minor adjustments waiting in the wings. Since Phillip are ready for it.” fully committed to the restoration in 2007, he’s replaced

Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

 

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by Derek Bayer

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I can vividly remember the first rock ‘n roll concert I ever attended as an adolescent. My mom and my aunt took my cousins and me to see Seals and Crofts. I can recall our seats, and the excitement I felt to be there, but above all I can recall the concert hall. It was the Erie County Fieldhouse - which for anyone who grew up in this area in the seventies and early eighties was the place they too will most likely remember seeing their first concert. And if not their first concert, they will certainly recall seeing the Erie Blades Hockey Team tear it up on the ice.

While we locals may have taken for granted some of the great entertainment that was accessible to us there, a younger generation and those not originally from Erie might look at what now appears to be just a very average looking warehouse at the Parade Street exit off I-90, and scratch their heads a bit. Really? Bands by the likes of Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, Foreigner, Alice Cooper, Journey, and Van Halen played at this rather small and non-descript building? You bet!

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by Aimee Nicolia

In fact, that surprising little bit of Erie trivia was exactly what prompted Dan Schell to write the book Nine Years of Rock which chronicles the great rock concerts that were a part of the Erie County Fieldhouse’s history from 1974 to 1983.

“It always surprised me that so many famous classic rock bands came through Erie in their heydays via the Fieldhouse,” says Schell who explains that he was telling a very skeptical twenty-something year old coworker about the bands that had played there. “This guy had never heard of the Fieldhouse because it was closed before he was born, so he thought I was pulling his leg.”

In his quest to prove what kind of rock and roll scene had existed here in Erie, Schell started with a quick Internet search, which took him to a far more involved search of the newspaper microfilm archives at the library. As he came across concert promotional posters, photos and newspaper coverage of bands like KISS and AC/DC, his interest grew. Schell formed a Facebook fan group of folks who had actual concert stubs as souvenirs of the live rock shows they’d seen. The more memorabilia he accumulated, the more it became apparent to Schell that it would make for a very cool book.

One of the things that I found striking in the book was to see photos of the concert tickets for some of the greatest bands of the day for a general admission of only $5.50 or $7.25. Anyone who’s attended a concert in recent years can attest to the fact that $5.50 would hardly buy you a drink at the concession stand, let alone your admission!

But according to Schell, the Fieldhouse wasn’t all that different from many of the concert venues for that time period, or multipurpose “sheds” as they were commonly called. “It was a no-frills arena with poor acoustics and plastic seats,” says Schell.

He adds that the concert experience was different back then.

“Festival seating was the norm,” Shell says. “Fans would often bring blankets and run in to get a good spot on the floor of the facility. It was a less structured experience than we have today, with fans having the option to change their seat at any time during the show by just finding an open spot, whether it be next to a speaker or high in the top row.”

For Schell, some of the shows that probably were most significant to the Field House’s impressive list of shows were those of KISS, Barry Manilow, AC/DC (the first U.S. appearance of Brian Johnson as lead singer), Bay City Rollers, Black Sabbath

with Van Halen opening, Peter Frampton, and Johnny Cash.

Though the book proved to be a three-year labor of love for Schell, it did have its challenges, one of the greatest of which was finding the time to do the research. And it was sometimes difficult to validate a show that someone would mention on the Facebook group. “Memories get clouded after so many years, and sometimes their recollections were questionable,” said Schell. “The newspaper microfilm helped the most, but I had to do plenty of interviews to confirm details.

The time Schell put in to the book was worth it and in the process, he learned a lot. “I really enjoyed finding out the details and timeline of how the facility came to be built,” he says.

“There was a lot of politics involved for years, but then when the decision was finally made to build it, everything happened within a matter of about 6-7 months.” But, Schell adds that his favorite part of the project was hearing the personal anecdotes of the promoters, fans, and employees.

Nine Years of Rock seems to have struck a chord for many Erieites. Within its first month of being released it already sold over 200 copies, a pleasant surprise for Schell. It is available at the Erie Book Store, Romolo’s, World of Music, Werner Books, the Bicentennial Tower, the Bayfront Bookshelf, and the Erie County Historical Society.

So now that Schell clearly proved his point about the Fieldhouse to his younger, non-believing coworker, what’s next for him? “A lot of people have been suggesting other Erieentertainment-history types of subjects for me to write about,” he says. “However, right now I have no plans ... but you never know what might come up in conversation.”

Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

By Amanda Fastuca

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Harborcreek

The prospect of bringing a pet into the family might come up every now and then in conversation, with questions still up in the air.

The truth is, it all depends on which house pet is right for you.

–––––– FISH ––––––

According to the 2011-2012 American Pet Products Association (APPA), in the National Pet Owners Survey, researchers found that there are about 72.9 million households in the United States that have at least one pet. That’s more than 60 percent of the U.S. population who are considered pet owners! This number has drastically increased within the last 20 years.

There are currently about 151.1 million freshwater fish that are owned within the U.S., making them the number one household pet. Because of the way fish peacefully glide through the water, they are known to have a calming effect on their owners. Fish are also an easier, less expensive alternative to a larger pet. Although the prices can vary, depending on the type of fish and aquarium, fish are generally an affordable investment. Owning fish requires little maintenance; however it is very important that they are still cared for on a regular basis. The main and most important responsibilities in caring for fish are as follows:

The survey’s results also show that the benefits of owning a pet include relieving stress, creating companionship, and just making a pleasant change in your daily life. Describing only a few of the many household pets in the U.S., it’s proven that those who have a close relationship with their animals tend to live a longer and healthier life. It especially helps those who might suffer from depression or illnesses.

r Appropriate feeding r Checking water temperature and equipment r Cleaning the tank or aquarium when necessary

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Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

–––––– CATS –––––– Cats are the second most popular pets owned in the United States. With 86.4 million house cats, they are an affordable way to add a loving animal member to your home. For the most part, cats are easy to maintain.

Because they have a natural instinct to clean themselves, frequent bathing is not necessary. Although commitment and plenty of care is essential, house cats usually don’t require too much attention, making them great pets for those who are generally busy throughout the day. Prices also vary when it comes to choosing the right cat. Some breeds range from 500-1,000 dollars, plus other expenses like food, vaccines, operations and other necessities. However, adoptions from shelters are becoming more and more popular. Cat adoption varies from about 100-150 dollars, making the purchase much more affordable. In fact, many cat lovers might agree that adoption is the best way to go.

–––––– DOGS –––––– Number three on the list of the most-owned house pets belongs to “man’s best friend,” a dog. There are about 78.2 million domestic dogs in the U.S. With their energetic personalities and great sense of companionship, dogs require the most attention. Depending on the breed, grooming and hygiene care must be taken with full responsibility. Along with grooming comes time and commitment to training and building a strong relationship. Training can be time consuming, but is well worth it when accomplished. As most of us already know, dogs are known to be quite active and playful. According to the previously mentioned survey, 40 percent of dog owners say that they are more motivated to exercise on a regular basis than those who do not own a dog. Like cats, dogs can get quite expensive as well, depending on the breed. Purchasing a pet-quality puppy can be anywhere from about 300 to over 1,500 dollars.

However, adoption can go as low as 60-70 dollars. Additional costs also must be kept in mind.

When the topic of animal shelters and adoption comes about, certain points should be highly considered.

With such a low percentage of rescued pets being returned to their original owners, about 5-7 million animals are kept in a shelter or rescue society.

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Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

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The Fall is not just a time of changing leaves and cooler temperatures, it’s a time when the dormant diesel engines of the school buses fire up, SAT applications and college inquiry letters are sent, and students return to college campuses across the nation.

In the United States, education is a $900 billion a year business, and that investment, either by the federal and state government, parents and students themselves via student loans, is a testament as to how important learning is to making a name for yourself in the world.

Fortunately, for individuals and the economy as a whole, everyone is different and educational opportunities abound for people no matter what their interests or aptitudes.

College: College remains one of the most avenues for graduated traditional high school students to pursue.

Colleges can be public or private and offer two-year or four-year degrees. While postsecondary education is not a requirement for securing work, those who obtain a college degree can expect estimated lifetime earnings of $2.1 million, according to the US Census Bureau. A master’s degree boosts that to $2.5 million, a professional degree averages $4.4 million, and a doctoral degree $3.4 million. High

school graduates are estimated to earn just $1.2 million over the course of their lifetime, according to the same report.

Trade Schools and Vocational Careers: While vocational training high school, thanks to regional vocational/technical can start in centers that serve school districts, post-high school programs can take graduates from apprentices to masters of their field. What’s more, vocational programs aren’t like they used to be in the latter half of the 20th Century. Today’s vocational schools still cover trades such as carpentry, plumbing and stonemasonry, but they also excel in specialty fields such as computer networking, HVAC, and robotics.

Online Learning: Online learning is a relatively new form of degree

program using the power of the Internet to bring students and schools together. Also known as E-learning or distance education, online programs have brought some big names into the fold as Harvard and MIT recently joined forces, offering a variety of free, online courses.

Online education typically costs less than bricks and mortar schools.

Financing Education: No matter where you end

up after high school, chances are you’re going to need to take out a few loans to make your goals attainable.

Student loans come in a variety of forms ranging from federal to private. Scholarships often are attainable for eligible students, and are nice to have, but realistic students shouldn’t expect to garner enough scholarship money to cover their entire academic career. Programs such as the Federal Stafford Loan can offset up to $23,000 of tuition,

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Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

Our Back to School

PARTNERS

which can be increased to $46,000 if parents do not qualify for the Parent PLUS program. The downside to student loans is that you will be graduating with substantial debt to pay down. The upside, however, is that student loan interest rates are generally low, tax deductible and the loans themselves can be deferred until you are in a position to make payments on them, such as the time necessary for you to find a job.

Benefits of tutoring services: One of the keys to acquiring scholarships is good grades. While that’s totally on the student to achieve, there are many services available that can help that student put in the extra effort to make the grade. From SAT preparation centers to study centers that cover a broader range of curricula, these investments are well worth the cost if the result is several thousand dollars coming off your tuition bill because you got a 4.0 versus a 3.8 GPA. Private Schools: Private schools are a popular option for parents when it comes to picking an education for their child. A study found that students who attend private school tend to score higher on standardized tests, and sends more graduates to college than public schools, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Private schools also tend to have a lower number of students, leading to a more effective student-teacher relationship. If a student tends to seek more attention or one-on-one help from teachers, private schools might weigh in more benefits. Private schools also create their own funding, including tuition, grants, and fundraising. According to the National Association of Independent Schools, the average cost of private school tuition tends to be around $17,441.

Benefits of Preschools: When it comes to early cognitive development, researchers have found that that children who attend preschool tend to show higher intelligence quotients than those who do not, according to Early Childhood Research and Practice (ECRP).

Although sending your child to preschool can help them academically, it also improves their early social skills. Preschool is the time when children become aware of sharing and learning how to interact with one another. The classroom gives the young students a friendly, safe environment that allows them to grow and prepare for the later education in kindergarten and Grade School. Children who attend preschool are usually between 3-5 years old.

First LastName Company Name 555-555-5555

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No matter what your path in life may be, being prepared academically for that path is the key to future success.

First LastName Company Name 555-555-5555

First LastName Company Name 555-555-5555

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Financial assistance is available.

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Pine-Richland | Summer 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

 

 Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

Conrad House at Brevillier Village Turns 40!

Forty years ago, a small group of individuals brainstormed to determine what should be done with 17 acres of land left to the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Paul by Katherine Conrad Brevillier. The stipulations in her will were rather specific, that the land be used for a charitable, educational and spiritual purpose to serve the elderly population. In 1972, Conrad House was born.

Conrad House was a HUD (Housing and Urban Development) subsidized apartment building dedicated to serving the low to middle income elderly population.

Residents paid 30% of their monthly income as rent.

Medical expenses were also figured into the monthly rent calculation. There were 133 total apartments. One hundred and five efficiencies and 28 one bedroom units.

Efficiencies were to house single individuals, while one bedroom units catered to married couples.

Fast forward 40 years later and Conrad House is undergoing major change.

Effective September 1st Conrad House will no longer be under a HUD contract. Rents will now be market rate according to rental rates in the Harborcreek area of similar size apartments.

Apartments in Conrad House currently are small in comparison to today’s more spacious, modern units in

By Lisa Anderson, Brevillier Village, Vice President of Community Outreach

newly constructed buildings.

Conrad House will still have some efficiency apartments available for rent. However, they will receive facelifts that include: new electrical wiring, new plumbing, new carpeting, new cabinetry and counter tops in the kitchen, an accessible shower in the bathroom and new air conditioning units.

In addition, there are some efficiencies that will be gutted and combined with another efficiency to make new, spacious one bedroom units. Cost of all apartments now will be based on the size of the new units and not on the income of the individuals.

There are currently around 70 residents still living in the building as this extensive renovation begins. They are gearing up to move out of their existing units for this major renovation. Meetings with residents and families have taken place so they might better understand what will take place over the next several months.

On Sunday, August 12th, Conrad House celebrated their 40th anniversary with a special blessing by Reverend Shawn Clerkin from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, a chicken dinner for current residents of Conrad House and former residents that live in Barnabas Court and Ball Pavilion, and an outdoor performance by the Dixie Doodlers. A ceremonial “burning of the mortgage” took place.

This anniversary celebration was the beginning of the new Conrad House!

Please watch for future dates and times of open houses as the renovation proceeds.

For more information, please contact Lisa Anderson at 897-2374.

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.

Work hard and play hard this fall and winter by avoiding common injuries The kids are heading back to school, the leaves are going to change, and before you know it the weather forecast will be calling for snow. Whether you have plans to work around the house, take part in your favorite activity, or play quarterback in a backyard football game, there is no good time to have an injury. Everyone wants to stay healthy and active, and by keeping in mind a few simple tips, you’ll safely and successfully do all the things you love, all year long.

“Warming up is important to help prepare your muscles and joints for physical activity,” says Ryan Kobel, PT, DPT, ATC, a physical therapist with UPMC Centers for Rehab Services. You can warm up with simple activities such as a brisk walk or jogging in place.

Finally, don’t let chores like raking leaves or shoveling snow land you inside all winter. “A majority of the people I treat are referred for low back pain, neck pain, shoulder, knee, and ankle sprains or strains,” says Kobel, who sees patients at the CRS-Peninsula Drive location in Erie. “Many of these types of injuries can be avoided when people keep in mind simple tips for staying healthy and injury free.”

Shoveling and raking: Eight tips to help you avoid injury while getting the job done 1. Allow extra time to complete these tasks if you are not used to such heavy activity.

2. Choose a rake or shovel that is appropriate for your height to limit lower back strain.

3. Limit shoulder strain by alternating arms.

4. Try to avoid twisting at the back while throwing snow; instead move your feet to change directions.

5. Bend at your hips and knees, not at your back, so that your large leg muscles can help you pick up leaves or snow.

6. Take frequent breaks, change positions, and limit time in the same bent forward position to promote neck and back health.

In addition to a good warm up, the following tips will help you stay healthy this fall and winter: • Stay hydrated — this is just as important when it is cold outside.

• Wear proper footwear to help avoid falls.

• Take it easy when trying new activities — injuries are often the result of doing too much, too fast.

• Stretch — this is another way to get your body ready for activities, and it may help reduce muscle soreness following new or strenuous activities.

7. If you find yourself frequently in a bent position, you can stretch your low back in the opposite direction. Stand upright and place both palms directly on your back (fingertips should be pointing towards each other to the middle of the back). Spread feet to about shoulder width apart and bend backwards for 10 to 15 repetitions. It is important to go as far as is comfortable for you on each repetition.

8. If you feel any chest pain during strenuous activities, stop what you are doing and call 911.

For more tips to help you avoid injury, please visit UPMC.com/ErieCRS. Harborcreek | Fall 2012 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

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