in-mckeesport

SPRING 2013

MCKEESPORT

MARINA

Exciting Events AN UPCOMING SEASON OF

+ Spring Feature

Home Improvements page 38

“I’d like to have my questions answered in just one phone call.”

Here’s the Plan At UPMC Health Plan, we believe customer service should be a service to you, not a headache.

That’s why we offer you a personal health care concierge. A live person who lives here and can answer all your questions in just one phone call. Sure, we win awards for our customer service.

But it’s the reaction we get from satisfied members that we find most rewarding.

To find out more visit upmchealthplan.com

INSIDE

IN McKeesport Area is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the McKeesport 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.

IN McKeesport Magazine | SPRING 2013

ON THE COVER

46

FEATURES

Mon Yough Community Services Reaches Out to the Community with Holiday Spirit......................... | 20 Remembering Our Veterans ........ | 29 30 Mayor Michael Cherepko and Marina Manager Ray Dougherty discuss plans for the upcoming season at the McKeesport Marina. –Photos Gary Yon

The Rainbow Temple’s Everyday Living Outreach is Making a Difference in McKeesport ........... | 32 The Jewel Of McKeesport ........... | 34 Home Improvements ..................... | 38 Operation Warmth: Fire Department Provides Coats for Kids ................................. | 44

UPMC TODAY

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013

A 21st Century Warrior ................ | 46 What’s Inside 2 3 4

World-Class Care, Comforting Treatment Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass

5 6 7

4

Clinical Trials Can Change Lives

George Washington Elementary Reads

Depression and Older Adults Breathing Easier

© 2013 UPMC

UPMC Today_McKeesport_Spring_2013_Final_B.indd 1

21

34 2/20/13 5:28 PM

COMMUNITY INTERESTS

HOW FULL IS YOUR BUCKET?

City of McKeesport .......................................................................... | 3 New Advanced Treatment for Skin Cancer ............................ | 11 McKeesport Area School District News ................................... | 12 UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News ................................... | 21 The McKeesport Marina ................................................................ | 30 Tomosynthesis Offers Women Greater Detection of Breast Abnormalities .................................................................. | 37

17

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Welcome to the Spring issue of McKeesport Area magazine! I hope that you are as anxious as I am to get the cold and snow behind us and get busy planning projects around the house.

This issue is dedicated to home-improvement projects great and small. Some projects will give you curb appeal, some will increase your home’s value, and others are for the sheer enjoyment or luxury of it.

Regardless of your aims with your home, whether gutting the walls, or just planting the perfect tree in the yard, our homes are a source of pride for us, and not in a status sense. They are where we raise our families, where we feel safe, and where we invite our friends and loved ones for parties and fellowship.

Our homes are where our children play, and where oftentimes we tend to sick loved ones. They are where we try hardest in life, and where the challenges of life hit us the most. Our homes bear witness to our triumphs as well as our sorrows, and they are as much a part of our personalities as what we choose to wear or adorn ourselves with.

So with so much importance placed on the walls that contain us, we hope that you can find at least one project within these pages to be fodder for your next project around the home.

Have a wonderful spring!

Wayne Dollard, Publisher

WE WANT TO KNOW

How did you get into

GARDENING? GARDENS ARE COMMONPLACE IN WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, BUT WHY? What’s the allure of gardening that prompted you to first turn the dirt? Was it a relative who helped you plant your first tulip bulb, or was it your spouse who first introduced you to succulent, vine-ripened homegrown tomatoes?

Let us know how you first got into gardening and send us some pictures of your garden as well!

Summer content deadline: 5/9/2013

Email your submissions to: mark@incommunitymagazines.com and please indicate which of our magazines you receive so we know where to place your story.

Photo by Gary Yon

McKeesport NEWS

Mayor’s Corner MICHAEL CHEREPKO

S

pring is upon us and we’re all looking forward to various outdoor activities, including the Easter Egg Hunt, First Day of Trout Fishing, and the Fishing Derby. Please be sure to join us for these and other great family activities, most of which are held in Renziehausen Park. McKeesport has so many family oriented activities to fill our leisure time, and many of them are planned by our own Recreation Board. Be sure to keep checking the city website at: www.mckeesport-pa.gov for updates on the recreation schedule.

Speaking of Renziehausen Park, the next time that you’re in the Jacob Woll Social Hall (formerly known as the Jacob Woll Main Pavilion), be sure to check out the recent renovations that our Public Works Department made during the winter after the Festival of Trees. Besides the floors getting their annual deep cleaning and waxing, our crew painted the interior of the building to give it a face-lift. These gentlemen do a wonderful job of keeping our park in fine shape. This improvement is in addition to a much needed new roof that the building received this past fall. If you’d like to rent out the social hall for a function, just contact City Hall. Some other upgrades that we will be looking forward to in the near future will be improvements to both the backstop and dugouts at Jimmy Long Field and also basketball court renovations. While at the park, if you’ve got a green thumb and have some time on your hands, why not join the volunteers at the garden club? During growing season its members work in the rose garden each Wednesday and can always use another helping set of hands. If working in the garden isn’t for you, maybe you’d like to join the members who work on crafts in the clubhouse at the same time. These wonderful volunteers help make the park a showpiece for the second largest rose garden in Pennsylvania.

In other news around the city, we started a new recycling program in January. It’s so easy to participate and I’d like to see each and every citizen take part in this new initiative. Items

now being accepted for recycling not only include those from in the past program, but now any color glass and all plastics are being accepted. By recycling, you’ll not only help the environment and future generations, but you’ll also be saving money for the city and more importantly, for yourself. The city pays for garbage by the ton for all that goes to the landfill. If the city can save money by not taking as much to the landfill, the money saved can possibly be used to make improvements such as demolition projects, street paving or playground improvements. You can also save money by not buying as many garbage bags. This past week my family reduced their garbage to just a single garbage can by recycling as many items as possible. Make it a contest with the kids by seeing who can recycle the most! If residents don’t have a recycling bin, they can either use an existing can or purchase a garbage can, and the city will provide a sticker for that can designating it for recycling purposes only.

One other topic that I’d like to bring up is the McKeesport Message Campaign. This is run by a sub-committee of The Mayor’s Select Committee on Crime and Violence. The message that they want to spread to the citizens of McKeesport for the first quarter of the year is respect – show respect to one another.

What better way to show and to teach your children respect than to assist the elderly or disabled in your neighborhood? Ways that the committee is reaching out to the community and getting the message out are by holding events, placing signs around the city and working with youth. Their kick-off event was held in the City Hall parking lot on January 16, and was well attended by residents. They’re hoping that even more people get involved.

Remember, it takes a village to raise a child. Their messages aren’t only for the youth of our city, but for everyone. Please take a moment and think about the message whenever you see one of the signs around town.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

McKeesport NEWS

Left to right: Councilman Dan Carr, Mayor Mike Cherepko, Senator Jim Brewster, Chief Bryan Washowich

RESPECT

is the Message in McKeesport

BY ANNETTE JAMES

Led by Rev. Darrell Knopp and Rev. Earlene Coleman, the McKeesport Message Sub-committee of The Mayor’s Select Committee on Crime and Violence hopes to improve McKeesport. How, you ask? The sub-committee, consisting of members of the Mayor’s Select Committee on Crime and Violence, started a campaign in January 2013 that puts out a one word message every quarter. The SCCV is a committee that is open to anyone in the community that would like to join and help make a difference.

Their first message is “Respect.” Their goal is for everyone – man, woman and child – to practice respect, including respecting themselves. If you respect yourself, you’ll make the right choices in life. If children receive and show respect at home, chances are that they’ll carry it beyond the home environment – to the neighborhood, the classroom, afterschool activities, etc. When adults receive and show respect at home, they can pass it along to family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers. When was the last time that you 4

McKeesport Area

Pictured bottom left clockwise: LaWana Simmo ns, Bill Richards, Chief Washowich, LuEthel Nesbit , JoEllen Kenney, Jim Barry, Matt Gergely.

McKeesport NEWS

THEIR GOAL IS FOR EVERYONE,

MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD, TO PR ACTICE RESPECT, INCLUDING RESPECTING THEMSELVES. If you respect yourself, you’ll make the right choices in life. If children receive and show respect at home, chances are that they’ll carry it beyond the home environment—to the neighborhood, the classroom, after-school activities, etc. practiced the simple act of greeting someone as you passed them? This is a sign of respect that we can show to one another. Even just a smile in passing – that’s an easy sign of respect that anyone can practice. How about helping an elderly or disabled neighbor? You might be able to do something simple for them like take out their trash, sweep the snow off their sidewalk, or even while you’re baking – make some extra cookies to share. These little acts are greatly appreciated by those who may have a hard time accomplishing these tasks that are easy for most folks, but may be insurmountable for some. These are just a few examples of showing respect. Maybe you can pick up trash in your neighborhood – make it a family activity. It will instill a sense of pride and show respect for your surroundings. The messages for the following quarters of 2013

Pictured sitting left to right: Rev. Earlene Coleman, Patricia Maksin, Rev. Darrell Knopp, Mayor Cherepko Standing left to right: Assistant .

Police Chief Tom Greene, Dee Conn or, Michele Matuch.

will be Dignity, Hope and Love. The committee members hope that the whole city acts on these messages and follows through with them in their everyday lives.

The sub-committee members include not only Rev. Knopp and Rev. Coleman, but also Mayor Mike Cherepko, JoEllen Kenney, James Barry, Wendy Ethridge, Rev. Yolanda Wright, Jason Elash, Matt Gergely, Sherry Holland, Angelia Christina, Jennifer Vertulo and Annette James. Not only is the sub-committee involved with this initiative, but the Mayor’s Select Committee on Crime & Violence is also embracing this city-wide campaign. The SCCV consists of a diverse group which includes community leaders, social service agency leaders, community service leaders, religious leaders, public safety officials, school district representatives, task force leaders, higher education leaders,

financial leaders, child care representatives, hospital representatives, and housing authority representatives. With leaders from all aspects of life involved, the goal is to reach out to each and every citizen and have them embrace the goals of this group. You’ll be seeing yard signs, window signs and banners all over the City for this campaign, and the sub-committee will also be reaching out to the schools, churches, nonprofits and businesses to participate. These signs are meant to make you take a moment to think, instill important traits, and to remind you of what each and every one of us should be doing every day to make McKeesport a better place, because we are McKeesport. To quote the Mayor, “Working Together for a Better McKeesport” – it’s not just a slogan, but a way of life that everyone should embrace.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

McKeesport NEWS

Recreation Board members Dan Carr, Ernie Oatneal, Recreation Director Jim Brown and Warren Bolden discuss upcoming city events.

Schedule of Events

BY ANNETTE JAMES

The Recreation Board is working to put together a schedule of events for this year.

Of course, we’ll have all of the regular favorites such as International Village, Concerts in the Park and Salute to Santa Parade, but the committee hopes to expand beyond these and bring many more events that can be enjoyed by all City residents. Here is a sneak peak at what is planned so far:

March 23 – Easter Egg Hunt, Renzie Park, Main Pavilion April 13 – First Day of Trout Fishing, Renzie Park, Lake Emilie June 1-2 – Circus, Renzie Park, Parking lot behind Fire Station June 8 – Annual Fishing Derby, Renzie Park, Lake Emilie June 13 – Good Neighbor Day, Downtown, 5th Avenue June 25-29 – Carnival, Renzie Park, Parking lot behind the Fire Station July 4 – Rib Fest – Renzie Park, Lions Bandshell August 12 – Village for Kids, Renzie Park, Lions Bandshell August 13-15 – International Village, Renzie Park, Stephen Barry Field October 26 – Halloween Parade, Renzie Park, Main Pavilion November 16 – Salute to Santa Parade, Downtown, 5th Avenue

FYI The concert schedule is still in the development stages as negotiations with artists are still taking place. Keep checking the website for updates on upcoming concert dates and artists. If you’d like to become a “Friend of the Concert Series,” please contact McKeesport Lions Club President and Concert Series Chairman Dan Carr at 412-664-0297. For a $10.00 donation, your name will appear in the program that is distributed at every concert. There are many more activities in the works, so check back at the City website for updates at: www.mckeesport-pa.gov.

6

McKeesport Area

NEW TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

McKeesport NEWS

for City Website

BY ANNETTE JAMES

If you haven’t already visited the new city website, go to www.mckeesport-pa.gov and see how it has been updated. We now have videos highlighting quality of life, real estate & relocation, education, business & industry, and culture & diversity for any out-of-towners that may want to explore McKeesport. There are also updates on what is currently happening in the city and how you can contact various city departments. The website is constantly being updated by our new webmaster, Ed Wojdyla, who has been doing a terrific job! The site also includes information such as electronic forms and permits, fair housing information, city council meeting minutes, information on upcoming events and children’s activities, and photos of past city sponsored events.

Mr. Wojdyla updates the site almost daily, so even if you looked at the website a few weeks ago, check again for more updated information.

City hall will also be moving forward with new technology updates. Employees in city hall will be receiving new workstations to help them conduct business in a more efficient manner. The upgrade will not only include the workstations, but also servers.

The goal of the complete upgrade is to help workers move toward a paperless office.

Annette James and Matt Gergely looking at the new city website.

Did you know that the treasurer’s office now accepts credit card payments for municipal service fees? You can still mail in or drop off payments for municipal service fees, but we’ve now added this convenience for those who prefer to pay by credit card. You can also still drop off payments by check for water and sewage in the drop boxes in the City Hall lobby, and as in years past, current year real estate taxes for the school district can still be paid at the counter. You can also purchase brooms from the McKeesport Lions Club that are made by the blind at the counter in the Treasurer’s Office. Brooms are $10.00 and proceeds help support these blind craftsmen.

MCKEESPORT

TRAILS

BY ANNETTE JAMES

A system of four bike/hike trails that run through McKeesport make up the Great Allegheny Passage. These four trails will all be connected this spring with the completion of a project that has been in the making for quite some time. All of this is thanks to the efforts of the city and the McKeesport Trail Commission. The Great Allegheny Passage consists of 141 miles of bike/hiking trails that run between Homestead, Pa., and Cumberland, Md., where it then joins the C&O Towpath and continues to Washington, DC. The four trails that run through McKeesport are the LooP Trail, Yough River Trail, Montour Trail and Steel Valley Trail. In McKeesport, the work that is being done is behind the Lysle Boulevard garage, The Daily News building, Public Safety Building, and the Memorial Parking Lot and runs across Water Street to the existing trail. Until now, bikers/hikers have had to traverse sidewalks running along Lysle Boulevard. With the completion of this project, the trail will be more user-friendly. Not only that, but the work that is being done with a $100,000 Community Infrastructure and Tourism Fund (CITF) grant will also enhance the existing marina.

Some of you may be familiar with the Steel Valley Trail portion of the GAP that runs through Homestead, Duquesne, McKeesport and Clairton. The portion that is highly visible to even non-bikers as you approach The Waterfront shopping complex is a dedicated bike lane that

was built last year and runs from Marcegaglia USA to the condominiums in Munhall.

The GAP trailhead here in McKeesport has long-term parking available through McKee’s Café for those wishing to spend more than an afternoon on the trail. Some folks even park their cars in McKeesport and ride the trail all the way to Washington, DC, returning via Amtrak to Pittsburgh, and either ride their bike or a PAT bus back to McKeesport.

Did you know that all PAT buses are now equipped with bike racks?

Some of the other activities available to those utilizing the trail are canoe, kayak and raft rentals, and you can visit such local attractions as a grist mill, participate in a poker run, visit a maple festival or just spend some quiet time exploring the nearby wooded areas.

Even if you’re not into riding a bike, plan to visit the trail as it runs through McKeesport at Gergely Park and past McKee’s Marina. If you’re looking for a quiet spot to reflect and appreciate nature, drive down to Water Street & Fifth Avenue, park your car and either sit on a bench or just walk along the trail a bit and gaze upon the river.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

McKeesport NEWS

Make Sure Your Spring is Safe and Secure!

Tips from Chief Bryan Washo ashow wich ich

BY CHIEF BRYAN WASHOWICH AND ANNETTE JAMES With spring-like weather upon us and people spending more time outdoors, Chief Bryan Washowich would like to take this time to remind everyone of the following safety tips that we should all be following each day, but may have forgotten.

Whenever possible, take steps to reduce or eliminate opportunities that make you a target. Remember to increase your awareness in places where you are most vulnerable and trust your instincts regardless of maybe feeling embarrassed. It’s much better to be safe than sorry later! Prepare your outing or routine with safety in mind, and if you leave your home every day at the same time, be aware of your surroundings – be on the lookout if anyone is watching your comings and goings.

Also, when carrying a purse, place it against your body, clasp-side inward in the bend of your elbow. Also reduce the amount of money and valuables that you carry – take only what is necessary. These simple steps can greatly reduce the possibility of you becoming a crime victim.

WHEN DRIVING, KEEP YOUR DOORS LOCKED AT ALL TIMES AND WINDOWS UP IF POSSIBLE.

WHEN WALKING, USE WELLTRAVELED, WELL-LIT STREETS AND PATHS AND DON’T WALK ALONE.

Don’t be distracted by using your cell phone if you are alone – talking or texting can distract you from your surroundings.

If you are followed, head toward a populated or open area where you can easily get the attention of others.

When approaching your car, pay attention to those around the vehicle and look inside the car before entering. Keep valuables stored in the trunk, out of sight. If traveling, don’t display maps in plain sight, tipping off others that you are unfamiliar with the area and making you a potential target. Also keep your car well-maintained and the gas tank at least half full to avoid being stranded, and try to avoid getting gas in an unfamiliar or potentially unsafe area. When you are stopped in traffic, remember to always leave enough space between your vehicle and the one in front of you so that you can pass easily if necessary. Also, whenever possible, travel in a group because you are more vulnerable when traveling alone.

AT HOME, HAVE YOUR KEYS OUT AND READY BEFORE YOU APPROACH YOUR DOOR.

For safety reasons, the entry doors to your home should be well-lit. Criminals are less likely to approach a home that has lights on outside of the home, because they can’t hide as easily as in a dark area. For this reason, you should consider installing motion sensor lights outside. If you live in an apartment building, be sure that the outside door closes behind you. If the door remains open, that opens the door for criminals to enter, making you and everyone else in the building vulnerable. If you arrive at home and there are signs of a burglary, stay outside and call 911. If you don’t have a cell phone, go to a neighbor’s house and ask him/her to call 911 for you. Also remember to stay safe while you are in your home – if someone knocks on the door and asks to use your phone or come into your house for any reason and you don’t know the person, don’t allow him/her in your home. Instead, offer to make the call for them. This also applies to anyone claiming to be with a utility company who wants to enter your house. If you haven’t made a service call, do not allow entry, and call the utility company to verify that it has sent someone to your house. If you have made a service call, verify their identity by checking worker's badge, and feel free to contact the utility company to verify that he/she does indeed work for the company before allowing access.

REMEMBER, TO REPORT CRIME SUSPICION, ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS OR DRUG CRIMES, YOU CAN ALWAYS SEND AN EMAIL TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: crimeprevention@mckpd.us or call 911. Community information can also be obtained at www.facebook.com/

mckpd or at the city website at www.mckeesport-pa.gov. Always remember, if you see something, say something, CALL 911.

8

McKeesport Area

McKeesport NEWS

Public Works Street Department Foreman Jeff Diperna and city resident Cindy Clarke discuss the new recycling program.

RECYCLING CHANGES

BY ANNETTE JAMES A AMES

M

cKeesport revamped their recycling program effective January 1, 2013. Hopefully everyone is doing their part in recycling, as it is so easy. Trash is picked up weekly, and recycling is picked up every other week on the same day as trash is picked up for the whole city. By now everyone should have received a recycling calendar. If you haven’t received a calendar, just contact City Hall at 412-675-5020 to request a copy. You can also stop in at City Hall and pick up a recycling calendar from the counter in the Treasurer’s Office. Items now being accepted for recycling include paper (white, color, computer, etc.), junk mail (including envelopes with windows & brown envelopes), newspapers, phone books, paper & plastic grocery bags, magazines & catalogs, pamphlets, greeting cards, posters, corrugated cardboard, file folders, hard & soft cover books, aluminum & tin cans, clear & color glass, and any plastics (including milk jugs, laundry detergent containers, soda & water bottles). Not only that, but items do not have to be placed into specific bins as they are sorted at the recycling plant. How easy can it get?? Not only is recycling a great thing to do for the environment, but it will help cut down on garbage for everyone. Just think – fewer trash bags to buy! Instead of throwing that empty milk container into the garbage can, just rinse and put it in your recycling bin. Junk mail?

Just drop it into your recycling bin before you even bring it into

the house! Cans from vegetables or your favorite beverage? Toss them into the same recycling bin as everything else – no special bin needed! Public Works Director Nick Shermenti hopes that everyone participates in the new program: “Including many more items in the recycling program makes it so easy to participate.”

Many citizens are also excited about the revamped program, including Colin & Cindy Clarke, who are avid recyclers. “We’ll be able to recycle almost everything that would have gone into the garbage. We already recycled as much as possible in the past, but the expanded program will help us recycle even more,” say the Clarkes. “Not only is it important to recycle for future generations, but now we’ll save money by not having to buy as many garbage bags.” The City will also save money, because it is charged by tonnage taken to the dump. By not taking as much garbage to the dump, we’re saving money since less is being taken to the dump if everyone is recycling.

If you have any questions about the new recycling program, please call City Hall at 412-675-5020.

If you don’t have a recycling bin, you can designate one of your existing cans for recycling by placing a recycling sticker on it. Stickers are available at city hall for pick-up, or you can call 412-675-5020 to request that one be sent to you.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

McKeesport NEWS

SERVING THE

Mon Valley CITY OF MCKEESPORT

500 Fifth Avenue McKeesport, PA 15132 412.675.5020 Fax: 412.675.5049 www.mckeesport-pa.gov Mayor: Michael Cherepko City Administrator: Matthew Gergely

2280 Lincoln Way White Oak, PA 15131 412.672.9727 Fax: 412.672.0760 www.woboro.com Mayor: Ina Jean Marton Borough Manager: John W. Petro, Jr.

COUNCIL Dan Carr Richard J. Dellapenna Dale McCall Darryl Segina Keith Soles Alfred Tedesco Jr. V. Fawn Walker-Montgomery

COUNCIL Edward Babyak Charles Davis George Dillinger Ronald Massung David Pasternak Kenneth Robb Carrie Verbanick

POLICE Non-Emergency Phone: 412.675.5050

POLICE Non-Emergency Phone: 412.672.9726

FIRE DEPARTMENT McKeesport Fire Fighters 201 Lysle Blvd.

McKeesport, PA 15132 412.675.5021 or 412.675.5070

FIRE DEPARTMENTS Rainbow Volunteer Fire Company 2916 Jacks Run Road White Oak, PA 15131 412.664.9523

McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Service (MARS) Emergency Phone: 911 Bill Miller, Emergency Management Coordinator Non-Emergency Phone: 412.675.5076

White Oak No. 1 Fire Company 1130 California Ave. White Oak, PA 15131 412.664.4822

of The City as a ort h McKeesp address: new web a.gov ort-p

eesp www.mck

10

WHITE OAK BOROUGH

McKeesport Area

White Oak EMS White Oak Search and Rescue 2800 State Street White Oak, PA 15131 Emergency Phone: 911 Non-Emergency Phone: 412.672.3055

BOROUGH OF DRAVOSBURG 226 Maple Avenue Dravosburg, PA 15034 412.466.5200 Fax: 412.466.6027 Mayor: John Powell

COUNCIL Jay McKelvey Michelle Vezzani William Snodgrass, Jr. Barbara Stevenson Greg Wilson

SOUTH VERSAILLES TOWNSHIP P.O. Box 66 Coulter, PA 15028

GOVERNMENT Township Secretary: Carla Barron Treasurer: Carol Haines Board of Commissioners: John Warabak William Haywood Edward Kulasa, Jr. Terry Payne David Stockett

VERSAILLES BOROUGH 5100 Walnut Street McKeesport, PA 15132 412.751.3922 Fax: 412.751.4430 Mayor: James Fleckenstein COUNCIL Emerson Fazekas Cheryl Flaherty Dennis Keefe Cynthia Richards Gary Roscoe James Sheedy Linda Sheedy

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

McKeesport AREA

SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEWS

Dear MASD Community Members, Spring training is in full swing and many more of the much anticipated signs indicating the close of the winter season are just around the corner. The graduating class of 2013 is entering the final stretch of their K-12 school experience and preparing to join the ranks of the Tiger alumni and make their mark in our world. It is during these spring months that the many preparations for our PSSA examinations take center stage and students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 put forth their efforts in achieving proficient or advanced status as well as measured individual academic growth. High school age students will be taking their newly implemented Keystone Exams following their Algebra 1, Biology and Literature coursework.

The long awaited elementary realignment process is only months away as our second construction project nears completion. A graphic illustration along with a written description of the buildings, grade configurations, curricular focus and relevant dates are included in this edition of In McKeesport Area as we think ahead to the 2013-2014 school year. The exciting inclusion of our Foreign Language Academy as well as our Math and Science Academy will emerge throughout our elementary programs after years of planning. All district K-5 students will be housed in state of the art buildings fully equipped to deliver a first class, 21st century education. The renovation to Founders’ Hall Middle School will begin to take shape this upcoming summer with an opening date of August 2014 to complete the K-8 renovation and construction process.

Included in this edition will be the Career and Technology Center’s Skills USA Competitions, a highlight of the High School’s Graduation Project process, the Founders’ Hall Math Olympics, White Oak’s Black History Month activities, George Washington’s Bullying lessons, Francis McClure’s PSSA preparations, and Centennial’s Food Drive. Please share in our pride as you read the many examples that help capture the essence of the well rounded educational experience that all students receive in the McKeesport Area School District.

We encourage you to take a drive along Cornell Street and see the beautiful new primary and intermediate center as it continues toward completion. You will certainly understand the entire MASD community’s excitement as you experience the progress. Please take the time to visit www.mckasd.net to keep up with your schools and remain actively involved in the educational process. Thank you for everything you do for the children of the McKeesport Area School District.

Sincerely, Timothy M. Gabauer, Ed.D Superintendent

McKeesport Area School District

Kindergarten!

Fun Event

12

McKeesport Area

Feeding the

while

Hungry Building

Character

The Centennial Y-U-STA Afterschool Program sponsored a food drive. The Character Education group brainstormed multiple ways to begin 2013 on a positive note. One of their ideas was to help feed the hungry. The students competed against the staff members to see who could collect the most nonperishable food between the dates of January 28th – February 8th.

All items collected were donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Connecting Online with MASD McKeesport Area School District has been providing a district-run online learning program for the past nine years. The program began only focusing on high school students and gradually turned into a Kindergarten through 12th grade program. All students who attend the program are McKeesport Area School District students and have the same privileges as students who attend classes in the regular classroom.

Students may take both online classes and attend school as a traditional student. The program is designed to individualize instruction to meet each learner’s need.

The MASD Online program has been developed around the PLATO Courseware.

PLATO is built on standards-based online curriculum grounded in a tradition of solid research, sound pedagogy, and applied innovation. All courses are rigorous, have relevant curriculum that challenges students with a 21st century approach – engaging them with interactive, media-rich content. Additionally, all online courseware is aligned with the traditional classroom objectives. Whether the child is learning from home or in the classroom, the student is still receiving the highest quality instruction available.

MASD Online provides all students, whether they are falling behind, at grade level, or advanced, a unique learning environment in which they will thrive. We provide a wide range of core subjects, electives, honors courses, and advanced placement offerings. Courses consist of tutorials to teach the content, practice activities to reinforce the ideas and integrated assessments to check for mastery.

MASD Online is open to all McKeesport Area School District students. For more information, please email JCoughenour@mckasd.net or call (412) 948-1317.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 13

McKeesport AREA

SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEWS

MATH

Made ade Fun

with Olympic Event

By Joann Naser

F

ounders’ Hall Middle School in the McKeesport Area School District proved math can be fun during the Math Olympics held the week before Christmas last year.

In Olympic tradition, the event began with opening ceremonies, three days of activities and a closing ceremony, explained Missy Capozzoli, coordinator.

“All 550 students in the seventh and eighth grades participate in the Olympics,” said Principal Karen Chapman. “Everyone participates

14

McKeesport Area

in the cooperative learning activities involving team work and team building.”

The activities meet Pennsylvania math standards and “what they need to know about real world problems,” stated Ms. Chapman. “It gives meaning to what they learn in the classroom.”

On Monday, December 17, students were placed in their mathematical country, created flags and passed the Founders’ Hall torch during the opening ceremony, explained Ms. Capozzoli.

“Some of the events include integer tug of war, workout graphs, duck pond probability, Santa’s wrapping station and geometry coordinate plane putt-putt,” said Ms. Capozzoli.

Students are mixed with people from different classes and grades. “It was set up so that students are not with the same kids they see in class and it worked pretty well,” said Ms. Capozzoli. “They have friends in both grades and enjoyed seeing each other and working together on the activities.”

Over 160 engraved medals were given during the closing ceremony. They included gold, silver, and best time in each event. “There were also fun medals given to leaders, teachers and ‘mathletes,’” said Ms. Capozzoli.

McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko emceed the closing ceremonies on December 21.

“I am fortunate to be part of this nice, fun learning experience,” said the mayor. “The staff did a great job in getting kids engrossed in learning in such a beneficial and meaningful way. It was a pleasure.”

"Working hard and having fun combine to create achievement,” said seventh grader Zohaid Wasim, who won three medals including a gold team leader.

He added, “To me personally, as a former educator of fifth grade students, it was nice to see some familiar faces and interact with the youth who are our future.”

“Mathlete” medals were selected by teachers to students who stood out for participation, knowledge and teamwork, stated Ms. Capozzoli. Other awards were best golfer, best Cupid Shuffler, Packet Master, team captains, and Spirit awards.

Two-time gold medal winner for the Spirit

Announcement

McKeesport Area School District Academy in Math and Science

7th grade

8th grade Award, which shows enthusiasm and participation, eighth grader Demetrius Ashley said, “The Math Olympics is an event where we can have fun with friends, and see what we have learned through the seventh and eighth grades.

I was looking forward to it this year because it was fun last year. I love moving around and being active. Sometimes it is hard for me to sit still in class: just ask my teachers!”

“I really enjoyed it,” said eighth grader Keinen Winstead. “The award ceremony was funny because Demetrius Ashley was dancing when he won the Spirit Award. At the end of the ceremony the whole eighth grade danced the Cupid Shuffle.”

Being in four schools in the last two years, Keinen went on to say, “I have never done anything like this before. My favorite event was Santa’s Helper because we had to create a net from the box. I was excited to see that our net of wrapping paper fit the present because if it didn’t we would have had to start over. I didn’t win any medals but still had a lot of fun!”

"Working hard and having fun combine to

create achievement,” said seventh grader Zohaid Wasim, who won three medals including a gold team leader.

“At first it was hard to get everyone to work together because we didn’t know everyone in our group, but it got easier,” said Katie Ward, seventh grader. “I’m looking forward to next year and seeing if I can win a medal.”

In its second year, Ms. Capozzoli applied for and received a $1,200 Great Ideas Grant for the Math Olympics from the Consortium for Public Education. During the first year, supplies from the school were used, said Ms. Capozzoli.

“This week-long activity is a fantastic way to showcase our motto to Move, Engage and Assess in our schools,” said Dr. Timothy Gabauer, MASD superintendent. “The Math Olympics gives students the opportunity to develop their team building skills and incorporate cooperative learning. It creates a unique learning experience for our students and gives a glimpse of the amazing things going on inside the classrooms in our district.”

The McKeesport Area School District is excited to announce some exciting changes for the Academy in Math and Science (AIMS). The program, which was piloted in the 2008/2009 school term, is now in its 5th year. The AIMS Program is an “inquiry based” learning environment which provides students with engaging hands-on investigations in math and science. Due to an increase in demand, an additional class was added in the 20122013 school year. Based on this high interest, the entire curriculum in the new elementary school will have a greater focus on math and science......and, the AIMS Academy, which has a limited enrollment, will have an even greater emphasis in these areas.

The architectural design of the new school, currently under construction, was planned with the AIMS Academy in mind to better provide a “real” science laboratory experience. The program currently starts at the 4th grade level. In the 2013/2014 school year, the program will now begin at the 3rd grade level and continue through 8th grade. Each of the newly enrolled students will receive an iPad that will be used to enhance the educational experience. These will also be used for educational games, to conduct online research, and to complete assignments as part of their instruction.

The AIMS Academy, which is open to students across the district, has a limited number of openings. Space will be available in both the 3rd grade and the 4th grade classes. Please look for information from your child’s school regarding procedures for enrolling in the AIMS Academy for the 2013-2014 school term.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 15

McKeesport AREA

SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEWS

Students at White Oak Elementary Celebrate

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The staff and students at White Oak Elementary were put to a task by their principal, Dr. Sanders-Woods, to work together on a school-wide Black History timeline in recognition of Black History month. Each grade level was assigned a decade and each classroom charged with researching 4-5 famous black Americans and/or history-making events during that particular time period. Fourth grade teacher, Tracie Pry decided to have her students research African-American news anchors and journalists. To add a “real-world connection” component to their research, the 4th grade team invited local KDKA newscaster and McKeesport native Harold Hayes to visit the school. The students graciously welcomed Mr. Hayes with signs and listened attentively to his experiences as a child growing up in McKeesport and as a journalist. Students were then given the opportunity to turn-the table, and participate in a question and answer session. One student, Cainen O’Connell, caused Mr. Hayes to become visibly emotional when he asked one of the questions that students prepared prior to the visit.. “I know that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s favorite person was his grandmother, who would you consider as your favorite person or role model?” Mr. Hayes took a minute to compose himself, and replied, You really choked me up with that one…but my most favorite person I would have to say was my father.”

The timeline will be on display for the community at White Oak Elementary on March 5 at 5:30pm during a Gallery Walk which showcases student writings, art work, and various projects.

16

McKeesport Area

George Washington Elementary Reads

HOW FULL IS YOUR BUCKET?

George Washington Elementary students are participating in a school-wide program to “fill their buckets with good deeds and kind acts.�

As part of the Bullying Prevention Program students were read the story HOW FULL IS YOUR BUCKET? by Tom Rath and Mary Reck Reckmeyer. Students discussed the story and talked about ways that they could apply the story to their daily lives.

Each classroom has a small bucket that the students will try to fill with plastic jewels. Teachers will be looking for kind acts, words, and good deeds. Whichever class fills their bucket first will receive a pizza party from Mr. Sweda as a reward.

The program began on February 5, 2013.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 17

McKeesport AREA

SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEWS

MCKEESPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT KINDERGARTEN—8TH GRADE REALIGNMENT

Francis McClure Primary/Intermediate OPENING AUGUST 2013 Francis McClure Primary School

Francis McClure Intermediate School

K-2nd

3rd-5th

Primary School: Grades K—2nd Intermediate School: Grades 3rd—5th

New McKeesport Primary/Intermediate School New McKeesport Primary School K-2nd

New McKeesport Intermediate School 3rd-5th

Temporarily @ Centennial Aug.2013-Dec. 2013

Temporarily @ George Washington Aug.2013 -Dec. 2013

Founders' Hall Grades 6th-8th Founders' Hall Annex Grade 6 Temporarily @ White Oak Aug. 2013-June 2014

OPENING JANUARY 2014 (former Cornell Site) Building Name to be decided at February School Board Meeting

Primary School: Grades K—2nd, Temporarily @ Centennial August 2013—December 2013 Intermediate School: Grades 3rd—5th, Temporarily @ George Washington August 2013—December 2013

Founders’ Hall Middle School OPENING AUGUST 2014

6th—8th Grades Founders' Hall Grades 7th-8th

Grade 6 Temporarily @ White Oak Elementary August 2013—June 2014

MASD MAGNET PROGRAMS

The Academy in Math and Science (Opening August 2013 at New McKeesport Intermediate) The Academy of World Language (Opening August 2014 at Francis McClure Intermediate) All K—5 students will receive world language instruction and participate in enhanced authentic math experiences through increased instructional time.

18

McKeesport Area

MCKEESPORT AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEWS & EVENTS Noah’s Ark Community Center Scholarship Program

In the spring of 2013, the Noah’s Ark Community Center will award a $1,000 scholarship to an eligible graduating student of the McKeesport Area Technology Center through the generosity of a McKeesport Hospital Foundation contributor. This scholarship award will be dedicated in honor and recognition of Reverend Earlene Coleman, Visionary Board Member of the Noah’s Ark Community Center and Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in McKeesport. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2013. Contact Patricia Scales at 412-664-3664 for additional information.

100 Days to the PSSA 100 Ways to Prepare Your Child

At Francis McClure Intermediate School, an activity booklet was designed for families to help support their children in preparing for tasks and skills necessary to be successful in school and on the state assessments. Every day a reference is made to the activity of the day to remind students to engage with their families on that day’s task. Classroom teachers ask students to share with each other about their experiences in completing the activities. The activities center on connecting reading and mathematics within the students’ real world experiences.

McKeesport Area School District

Kindergarten!

Fun Event

Senior Project Presentations

April 2nd brings excitement to our high school as Senior Project Presentations will be taking place. To see our students shine, community members and retired teachers have been invited to be an integral part of our panel. Students begin this project in the ninth grade when they create an essay based on a career of their choosing. Throughout their high school experience, students visit career fairs, colleges, and may shadow various careers, which all culminates in their senior project presentation.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 19

COMMUNITY INTERESTS

Mon Yough Community Services Reaches Out to the Community with

HOLIDAY

S

Spirit

taying involved in our community is something Mon Yough Community Services (MYCS) strives to do each day. The organization, which is located in McKeesport, made its mission to reach out to the surrounding community by sponsoring two holiday projects in the month of December, an Angel Tree and “Warm Hands, Warm Hearts.” These are two of the many projects that enable MYCS to share holiday cheer with those in need, reflecting the true spirit of the holidays through giving.

The MYCS Angel Tree was sponsored by the Child & Adolescent Department located at 500 Walnut Street. The Angel Tree project has been in existence for seven years, allowing individuals the chance to share winter warmth through joy and caring.

Each participating “angel” randomly selects a tag with a person’s general information (male/female, age bracket) and purchases a gift for the recipient to open on Christmas morning. Each year, more MYCS staff are eager to get involved. This year, the tree toppled over with ornaments, forcing the staff to improvise and extend the number of recipients by creating Christmas tree collages to decorate the walls of the second floor. This provided a powerful statement of generosity and embodied the spirit of Christmas giving.

It also ensured that not one of 90 plus potential recipients would go unaccounted for. Thanks to the individual generosity of anonymous MYCS staff members, each tag was attached to a gift for someone to open this past Christmas, showing us that angels do indeed walk among us.

20

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

“Warm Hands, Warm Hearts” is a new holiday project for MYCS, sponsored by Angora Gardens in White Oak. This project gave MYCS staff the opportunity to directly help those in need, in a small, but significant way by providing agency consumers with winter necessities they otherwise may not have been able to obtain. Winter items such as hats, gloves, and scarves, were placed on a Giving Tree which traveled to each MYCS program department with Santa. Once at each location, consumers were then able to interact with Santa, take pictures, and most importantly choose the items they needed.

With such a wonderful response to each of these projects in 2012, MYCS is already looking forward to helping even more consumers during next year’s holiday season.

Angora Gardens is repositioning itself as a wellness center, and as such, is open to the public for a number of classes. The facilities are also available for small group use. For more information on the new Angora Gardens, call 412.675.8556 or email AngoraGardens@mycs.org.

Mon Yough Community Services administrative offices are located at 500 Walnut Street, 3rd Floor, McKeesport, PA 15132. ¿

For more information on either of these projects, or services offered by MYCS, call 412.675.MYCS or visit www.mycs. org. You may follow the organization on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MYCS1 and “like” it on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/mycsofficial.

EACH Y YE EAR, E AR, MORE MYCS STAFF ARE EAG E ER TO GET T INVOLV INVOLVED.

This year, the tree toppled over with ornaments, forcing the staff to improvise and extend the number of recipients by creating Christmas tree collages to decorate the walls of the second floor.

McKeesport Area

UPMC TODAY

Health and Wellness News You Can Use | Spring 2013

What’s Inside 2

World-Class Care, Comforting Treatment

3 4

Hope and Healing A Healing Touch Food in a Glass

5

Clinical Trials Can Change Lives

6 7

Depression and Older Adults Breathing Easier

© 2013 UPMC

World-Class Care, Comforting Treatment At UPMC CancerCenter at UPMC McKeesport, patients find state-of-the-art cancer care and a big dose of comfort and compassion.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one in three Americans can expect to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.

When that happens, finding a place that offers the best possible cancer care and treatment in a warm, comforting environment is a top priority. For residents of McKeesport and surrounding communities, that place is UPMC CancerCenter at UPMC McKeesport, which has the expertise to treat any type of cancer.

For that reason, UPMC CancerCenter at UPMC McKeesport is an important part of the community. “Our partnership with UPMC CancerCenter gives us the resources to offer the same comprehensive, advanced cancer care our patients would find at any of UPMC’s cancer facilities,” says Jason Bierenbaum, MD, a medical oncologist at UPMC McKeesport. Dr. Bierenbaum recently joined Kevin Kane, MD, who also is a medical oncologist at UPMC McKeesport. “Because we serve a large number of elderly patients, we have special expertise in both oncology and geriatric patient care,” he adds.

A comprehensive approach Once cancer is diagnosed, a multidisciplinary team is assembled to craft a treatment plan that will likely include one or more types of treatment — surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. At UPMC McKeesport, that team may consist of a medical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, a general surgeon with oncologic care experience, physicians and surgeons from other specialties, nurses and therapists, as well as a variety of other care providers. “Our cancer care team meets weekly to determine each patient’s specific treatment plan,” says Dr. Bierenbaum.

UPMC CancerCenter is one of the largest networks for cancer care in the country and a partner with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (UPCI), western Pennsylvania’s only designated center with the elite Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the NCI. In January, UPMC CancerCenter became the largest cancer network in the United States to be accredited in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiation Oncology.

“We know that we deliver the highest quality, state-of-the-art care for a variety of cancers in a safe and comfortable environment,” says Susan Rakfal, MD, medical director of radiation oncology at UPMC McKeesport. “This accreditation shows our commitment to high quality cancer care for patients.”

Caring for a community The NIH reports that people over age 65 account for 60 percent of all newly-diagnosed cancers. In the greater McKeesport service area, the number of elderly residents is among the highest in Allegheny County.

2

UPMC.com/Today

“Cancer is a complex disease and its treatment requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach,” says Steven Gribar, MD, a general surgeon at UPMC McKeesport. “By merging all of our skills together, we can target care to the patient’s specific type of cancer in order to achieve the best outcome.”

Comfort and convenience At UPMC McKeesport, providing world-class cancer care also means helping to alleviate some of the stress, worry, and hardships patients and their families can sometimes experience during the treatment process.

“Cancer treatment is a marathon, not a sprint,” adds Dr. Bierenbaum. “It can require frequent — sometimes daily — trips to the hospital. People are relieved not to have the stress of traveling outside the area to get treatment, and they find great comfort in having compassionate caregivers who are their neighbors and friends.”

To learn more about UPMC CancerCenter at UPMC McKeesport, visit UPMCMcKeesport.com or call 412-664-2000.

Hope and Healing UPMC is leading the way with new treatment options for hepatitis C.

Decades after receiving a childhood blood transfusion, Chris Sosinski was shocked to learn he had the hepatitis C virus, which had led to cirrhosis and the prospect of a liver transplant.

Today, Chris remains hepatitis C negative, thanks to a new direct-acting antiviral therapy he received at the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases last year. Months after ending treatment in October, his viral load remains at zero.

“That means it’s gone,” says Chris, 49, of Jeannette. “No more medicine and — if I take care of myself — no transplant.”

Baby boomers beware Chris is one of a growing number of baby boomers diagnosed with hepatitis C, a problem so serious that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends that everyone born between 1945 and 1965 be tested for the virus.

The CDC estimates that more than 75 percent of the nation’s 3 million adults currently living with hepatitis C are baby boomers — and most don’t know they’re infected.

“Hepatitis C is a silent disease; most people have no symptoms,” says Kapil Chopra, MD, director, UPMC Center for Liver Diseases. “But if diagnosed early, it can be cured or managed successfully before it can develop into cirrhosis or liver cancer.”

A new era of treatment Thankfully for Chris and other hepatitis C patients, two drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 ushered in a new era of treatment, delivering improved cure rates and shorter treatment time for the most prevalent — and hardest to treat — strain of the virus. Playing a critical role was the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases, where specialists have been at the forefront in the evaluation and clinical trials of promising new therapies.

Hundreds of UPMC patients took part in groundbreaking clinical trials for those new drugs. (Turn to page 5 to learn about other clinical trials and how they are affecting patients’ lives.) Today, even more are participating in clinical trials of new therapies at UPMC with the potential for even better results in fighting chronic hepatitis C infections.

“These are exciting times. Over the next few years, we expect to have several new options that will eradicate the hepatitis C virus in most patients without side effects,” says Dr. Chopra.

“It’s a new era of treatment and hope for our patients.”

A leading resource for complex care Treating and managing hepatitis C can be complex for both patients and health care providers. In the tri-state area, UPMC is the leading provider of comprehensive and advanced specialty care for patients with the virus.

“Our multidisciplinary specialists are involved in researching and evaluating new treatments. They bring a unique perspective for managing these complex therapies,” explains Dr. Chopra.

These specialists work together to assess patients, select appropriate antiviral therapies, educate patients, monitor for adverse effects and drug interactions, and provide support for patients and family members. “They are familiar with the latest, cutting-edge therapies and developing new ones,” adds Dr. Chopra. For those patients who don’t respond to treatment and are experiencing liver failure, the program also provides seamless transition to UPMC’s internationally renowned transplant program.

To read about the risk factors for hepatitis C and what you can do, visit UPMC.com/Today. For more information about treatments for hepatitis C, contact the UPMC Center for Liver Diseases at 1-800-447-1651.

1-800-533-UPMC

3

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

A Healing Touch There are ways to relieve pain and nausea through alternative medicine.

A growing number of patients are adding acupuncture and other alternative therapies to their medical care.

“You don’t have to be a believer for it to work,” says Betty Liu, MD, a physician and acupuncture specialist at the UPMC Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. “I’ve seen dramatic reductions in pain and nausea — some instantaneous, some after multiple sessions.”

Who uses it?

Patients frequently turn to acupuncture and other therapies to control pain, including arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia, migraines, and spasms, or to ease nausea due to pregnancy or chemotherapy.

Integrating these therapies with conventional medicine can help patients find relief more quickly, or continue making progress toward their goals.

What are some treatments?

Acupuncture, one of the most popular therapies, uses thin needles to stimulate various points around the body. “We’re not certain how it works, but we know it releases endorphins, which act like opiates to relieve pain,” Dr. Liu says.

Massage therapy uses acupressure and deep tissue massage to increase blood flow to an injured area and release endorphins.

What is alternative medicine?

If you visit an acupuncturist or chiropractor, you’re seeking treatment in the field of complementary and alternative medicine — an increasingly mainstream tool for doctors.

Chiropractic medicine adjusts the spine through manipulation to put the body into better alignment.

For more information about alternative treatments, visit UPMC.com/Today.

Food in a Glass Choosing the best milk option for you.

Are you lingering longer in the dairy aisle, pondering your ever-increasing options?

Should you reach for your usual skim milk — or be adventurous and try rice, almond, or soy?

Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, UPMC’s director of sports nutrition, says making the right choice is this simple: “Essentially, milk is food in a glass. Choose the drink that offers the best nutrition for your needs.”

Not all milk and dairy alternatives are equal: read labels carefully, comparing the fat and carbohydrate contents. “For example, to reduce soy milk’s ‘beanie’ taste, sugar is added,” explains Ms. Bonci. “That can jump the carbohydrate count from 12 to 24 grams.”

Look beyond just calories, too: milk is rich in protein, calcium, and minerals. “An 8-ounce serving of milk has 8 grams of protein, compared to 6 grams for soy milk and just 1 gram for almond and rice milk,” she adds.

Unless a food allergy is present, the best choice for most of us is cow’s milk. “For children under two, select whole milk,” says Ms. Bonci. “Otherwise, reach for 1 percent or skim milk — both offer a lower saturated fat content and higher calcium. Enhanced or ‘super’ skim milk features a richer texture many people prefer.”

And if you’re debating about organic versus regular milk, Ms. Bonci advises that your pocketbook be your guide. “There’s no nutritional difference between the two,” she says.

4

UPMC.com/Today

Clinical Trials Can Change Lives Bringing patients, physicians, and researchers together to change the future of medicine.

Research opens the door for new possibilities in patient care.

But long before a drug, medical device, treatment, or surgical procedure becomes widely available, it must first be proven safe and effective.

therapy from a patient’s own fat tissue,” explains Dr. Rubin.

“By harnessing the body’s own regenerative capabilities, we’re applying new technologies and scientific advancements to restore both form and function in patients.” For more information, visit UPMC.com/restore or call 412-864-2587.

Solutions for out-of-control blood pressure. Of the 67 million Americans with high blood pressure, more than half fail to keep it under control. Many have difficulty battling the disease despite taking three or more medications, a condition known as treatment-resistant hypertension.

As part of the body’s sympathetic nervous system, our kidneys play an important role in regulating long-term blood pressure.

In most patients with hypertension, the sympathetic nervous system is overactive, thereby increasing blood pressure and causing heart, kidney, and blood vessel damage.

At UPMC, clinical trials are the bridge between research and the future of modern medicine. As one of the nation’s top-ranked health care systems, UPMC annually directs or participates in hundreds of groundbreaking clinical trials in virtually every medical specialty. Some are offered only at UPMC, while others are part of national and even international trials. Each is carefully monitored and measured by expert UPMC physicians who are leaders in their fields.

For patients whose illness has no cure or no longer responds to current treatment, UPMC’s clinical trials offer potentially life-saving medical breakthroughs. Other patients enroll in clinical trials with the hope of finding a better or more costeffective treatment.

The following three UPMC trials currently are seeking qualified patient volunteers: Healing soldiers disfigured in battle. A flash of light, the sound of an explosion … and a soldier’s life is forever changed by a traumatic facial injury. But thanks to two government-funded clinical trials, efforts are under way at UPMC to improve the lives of wounded soldiers through facial reconstruction using the person’s own tissue. The study is enrolling military and civilian patients with visible deformities of the head or face following trauma, applying minimally invasive therapy to restore a more normal appearance.

These trials are led by J. Peter Rubin, MD, director of UPMC’s Center for Innovation in Restorative Medicine and an expert in adult stem cells derived from fat. “We’re using stem cell

John Schindler, MD, an interventional cardiologist with UPMC’s Heart and Vascular Institute, is participating in an industryfunded clinical trial in which a device is placed in an artery leading to the kidney. “This therapy uses a catheter to deliver low radiofrequency energy to destroy or disable the renal nerves,” says Dr. Schindler. “If effective, this device could be a valuable alternative to medications for patients with resistant hypertension.” For more information, contact Lisa Baxendell, RN, at 412-802-8672.

Eliminating blood clots. In 2013, nearly a quarter-million adults will be diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in which blood clots form mainly in a deep vein in the leg. DVT can result in persistent leg pain and swelling; if the clot breaks loose and moves to the lungs, a potentially deadly pulmonary embolism can occur. Conventional treatment involves blood thinners and wearing compression hosiery. “We want to dissolve the clot to eliminate its consequences,” says Rabih Chaer, MD, a UPMC vascular surgeon.

Dr. Chaer is participating in a national, multidisciplinary clinical trial to determine if DVT patients would benefit from a more aggressive treatment involving the use of an image-guided catheter to dissolve the clot. “In vascular surgery, our work is technology driven; medical devices are constantly changing,” says Dr. Chaer. “By testing innovative devices, we offer our patients new opportunities to alleviate or resolve their illness.”

For more information, contact Susan Tamburro at 412-623-8452.

For a complete list of clinical trials now available, please visit UPMC.com/Today. To learn more about the benefits of clinical trials in patient care, please turn to page 3 and read about UPMC’s advancements in the treatment of hepatitis C.

1-800-533-UPMC

5

Depression and Older Adults While it may be common, it’s important to know that depression is not a normal part of aging.

Its services include: • Preventive services, evaluation, and consultation • Treatment through therapy and/or medication • Participation in innovative research studies • Educational support • Referrals for assistance

Research studies benefit patients today and tomorrow Among the center’s current research studies are efforts to improve sleep patterns, lower stress levels, promote brain health, and reduce pain as a way of preventing depression among adults age 60 and older.

These include: RECALL: A study about reducing stress among seniors experiencing mild memory, language, or judgment loss More than 6.5 million Americans over age 65 experience latelife depression that can last for months and even years. But many older adults and their caretakers don’t seek treatment because they think depression is inevitable as we age. Its symptoms — irritability, social isolation, poor sleep, loss of appetite, and memory loss — also are easily mistaken as signs of other illnesses.

“Depression erodes our quality of life, our productivity, and our ability to have fulfilling relationships,” explains Charles Reynolds III, MD, director, Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Endowed Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC, and director of the Center of Excellence in Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research at the University of Pittsburgh. The center is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Untreated, late-life depression puts older adults at risk for significant declines in their mental and physical health. It can be so debilitating that it threatens their ability to live independently,” he notes. “But the right professional help and medications can be life changing for these individuals.”

A wide range of support The center offers expertise in the detection, prevention, and treatment of depression, stress, complicated bereavement, or bipolar disorders in older adults. Through its research focus, all visits and medications are provided at no cost.

6

UPMC.com/Today

RAPID: A study for adults with osteoarthritis knee pain Addressing Pain and Depression Together (ADAPT): A study for adults living with both depression and back pain Healing Emotions After Loss (HEAL): A study for adults ages 18 to 95 who are experiencing prolonged or acute grief lasting six months or more over the loss of a loved one

One of the nation’s leading programs of its kind The Center of Excellence in Late Life Depression Prevention and Treatment Research is located in the Oakland area of Pittsburgh at both the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and Western Psychiatric. It is one of only three centers of excellence in geriatric psychiatry funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and the John A. Hartford Foundation.

To learn more about the center’s services or to participate in one of its current research programs, call 412-246-6006 or visit latelifedepression.org.

Breathing Easier Minimally invasive surgery can help speed recovery for patients at UPMC McKeesport.

Days after undergoing lung cancer surgery at UPMC McKeesport last spring, Yvonne Biddle was back at church and walking around her local grocery store. Within six weeks, she was cleared to bowl again, and in August she drove to Boston to visit her grandchildren.

“I feel like there’s nothing I can’t do now!” says Yvonne, 73, an Elizabeth Township resident, who had a third of her right lung removed during a minimally invasive procedure known as a thoracoscopy (or keyhole surgery). “All my symptoms disappeared as soon as he took out the tumor. I was amazed at how little pain I had and how quickly I recovered.”

At UPMC McKeesport, thoracic surgeries are done in one of two state-of-the-art operating suites specially equipped with high-definition screens, top-of-the-line endoscopy tools, and specialized minimally invasive surgical equipment.

During a procedure, the surgeon makes several small keyhole incisions, or inserts a tube through the mouth or nose, to access the tumor or diseased area with a flexible scope. Using a long thin tube with a tiny camera attached, the surgeon is able to project the image onto high definition screens and operate on the area quickly and precisely using small flexible surgical instruments.

Better outcomes for patients “These are complex procedures. We wouldn’t be able to do them without the specialized equipment,” says Dr. Abbas.

“Better visualization of tissue leads to better outcomes.”

The difference in recovery time is stunning, he adds. Lung cancer patients, for example, are usually discharged within three to four days and most are feeling better within two to three weeks. Patients undergoing traditional “open” surgery faced a two- to three-month recovery time and pain that often lingered for more than a year.

“Minimally invasive surgery is wonderful,” says Yvonne, who feels fortunate that she did not need chemotherapy because Dr. Abbas was able to remove all the cancer. “The whole experience was amazing. I didn’t realize how sick I was until after my surgery. Now, I feel younger and have more energy.”

Types of minimally invasive thoracic surgery At UPMC McKeesport, thoracic surgeons use minimally invasive procedures to treat:

Putting high-tech to work Yvonne’s surgeon was Ghulam Abbas, MD, chief of thoracic surgery at UPMC McKeesport and part of UPMC’s Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery led by James Luketich, MD. Dr. Abbas says developments in minimally invasive techniques have transformed the field of thoracic surgery. Many of those procedures were pioneered and developed by Dr. Luketich, Dr. Abbas, and their team of thoracic surgeons.

“We’re able to perform procedures on major organs, such as the lungs, in a safer way with smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, fewer complications, less postoperative pain and discomfort, and a faster recovery time for patients,” he says.

• Lung cancer • Esophageal cancer • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) • Chest tumors • Chest infections • Hiatal hernia • Swallowing disorders, such as achalasia • Excessive sweating (sweaty palms)

To schedule an appointment, or for more information about any of our physicians, visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

1-800-533-UPMC

7

UPMC McKeesport 1500 Fifth Ave. McKeesport, PA 15132

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for information 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.

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

Our wound healing services benefit all walks of life.

A chronic wound is cause for concern – and deserves exceptional care. The kind you’ll get from UPMC Wound Healing Services at UPMC McKeesport. For conditions ranging from diabetic foot ulcers to slow-healing surgical wounds, our team of experts will develop a treatment plan that works best for you. And advanced treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help you heal faster. If you want to get back on your feet again, why would you choose to go anywhere else?

To learn if UPMC Wound Healing Services is right for you, call 412-664-2400, or visit UPMCMcKeesport.com/WoundHealing.

Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

Remembering

OUR VETERANS The McKeesport Veterans Activities Association will sponsor the annual Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade which will be held on Monday, May 27, at 9:15 a.m. at the War Memorial on Lysle Boulevard in downtown McKeesport.

Also, the McKeesport Veterans Activities Association in conjunction with the McKeesport Preservation Society and the Elizabeth Township Historical Society is planning a Civil War program commemorating the Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Gettysburg.

The Civil War event will be held at the beautiful McKeesport-Versailles Cemetery, on Sunday, May 19, at 1:00 p.m. in McKeesport. The ceremony will take place at the Soldier’s

Monument on the Oval. The hour-long program is still being finalized, but will include readings, period music and the placplac ing of flowers on the graves of Civil War veterans.

The McKeesport Veterans Activities Association provides support to veteran-related activities and traditions, including flag-placing ceremonies at veterans’ graves and memorials throughout the wards, and the organization of the city’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades. They are funded entirely by supporters’ contributions. For more information on supporting the group, volunteering or attending the events, please call Debi Debiak at 412.537.8693.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

the

MCKEESPORT

MARINA a whole other world

By Pamela Palongue alongue

30

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

I’VE GONE FISHING THOUSANDS OF TIMES IN MY LIFE, AND I HAVE NEVER ONCE FELT UNLUCKY OR POORLY PAID FOR THOSE HOURS SPENT ON THE WATER. -William Tapply

There’s just something about being on the water. Maybe it’s the mystery of what lies beneath its surface or its ability to change shape and form with the seasons. But something about the cool breezes off the water and the afternoon sun sparkling on the ripples like diamonds, just seems to bring a peaceful feeling whenever a people find themselves in the midst of it.

This April 15, the marina will once again open for boaters and fishermen and the whole area will be buzzing with activity. The marina offers approximately 182 slips that range in size from 20 to 60 feet and also has 22 jet ski docks. According to Ray Dougherty, manager of the McKeesport Marina, the slips are almost filled to capacity with boats, however a few spaces are still available for those who apply. The slips are equipped with electricity and water.

In June, the Summer Concert Series will start up which will feature area bands in the genres of country, acoustic rock, blues and oldies. The concerts are free to the public and will take place throughout the summer.

There’s something incredibly romantic about the sound of music as it travels across the water on a warm summer night and Dougherty says that the attending crowds are inspired to dance by the music and moonlight.

The McKee Cafe will also be opening in the spring and will serve refreshing drinks and prepared foods.

It will be a welcome destination for anglers, bikers and walkers. The site will likely also be the location for several enjoyable events over the next few months as it becomes a gathering place for local organizations. The cafe walls are filled with signatures and messages from visitors who have come from all over the world to visit the marina, but for fortunate McKeesport residents, it’s a playground located right in their backyard.

The biking trail, which is part of the Great Allegheny Passage, runs right by the scenic marina and provides a great place to ride for both serious cyclists and the weekend enthusiast. The trail will be finished just in time for spring cycling. Volleyball courts and a children’s playground also give residents more possibilities for enjoying the outdoors on the river.

Fishing is another great reason to visit the marina this summer and according to Dougherty, the fishing is great all year, but especially so in May and June. Anglers have snagged trout, crappie, walleye and smallmouth bass from the waters by using worms, minnows and lures. The river is non-navigable for large freight boats and barges, which makes for calmer water and better fishing.

The marina is seeing some positive changes this year due to the creation of the new board by Mayor Cherepko which will

oversee both the McKeesport Marina and The Palisades. The city is also hopeful that a recreation association can be formed for bikers, walkers, anglers and other citizens who engage in outdoor activities at McKeesport parks and trails.

Dougherty adds, “We have so much fun down at the marina. It’s almost like a little summer community where everyone knows each other.”

For more information on the McKeesport Marina and upcoming events, please visit the website www.mckeesportmarina.com visit our Facebook page.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 31

FEATURE

THE RAINBOW TEMPLE’S EVERYDAY LIVING OUTREACH

is Making a Difference

BY MATTHEW J. FASCETTI

in McKeesport

The French writer and poet Moliere once said, “Every good act is charity. A man’s true wealth hereafter is the good that he does in this world to his fellows.” If this is true, then the individuals involved in the Everyday Living Outreach through Rainbow Temple in McKeesport are wealthy indeed.

The Everyday Living Outreach (ELO) program was founded in 2010 by parishioners

and lifelong friends Soleil Meade and Kellie Nelson with the help and support of Pastor Peter Giacalone and his wife Elaine. The dynamic duo of Meade and Nelson came up with the idea after a massive layoff at the EchoStar call center in McKeesport left 600 people without jobs, and some without hope. As Christians, Meade and Nelson felt a strong desire to do something to help not only the former EchoStar employees, but anyone in the area who needed assistance.

The two women looked into what was currently available for those in need and soon realized that food banks were one of the only resources available to most residents. So they decided to go in a unique direction with ELO, providing everyday living essentials 32

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

to anyone who needs them – items such as toilet paper, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, garbage bags and more. People can come to Rainbow Temple at 536 Shaw Avenue on the last Saturday of every month between 10 a.m. and noon to pick up items they need. The only information required is a name and address. Typically there are four or five volunteers on hand to pass out goods.

ELO is more than just helping the community to Meade and Nelson; it is a way to minister the love of Christ. Meeting both physical and spiritual needs is their goal. The outreach has been successful with loyal and appreciative clients who are open to prayer and encouragement from ELO staff.

The program has been tremendously successful and has grown quite a bit in a short period of time. In May 2010, its first month

ELO is more than just helping the community to Meade and Nelson, it is a way to minister the love of Christ. Meeting both a physical and spiritual needs is their goal. of operation, ELO served 32 people. Five months later it served 71 people in one month, and in May of 2012 it served 110 people at the ELO second anniversary breakfast buffet. This can be credited to the hard work and determination of the staff and volunteers, and the generosity of those who donate the items. As word continues to spread, more people step up and donate.

But ELO does not plan to rest on its laurels. Five years from now the program aims to expand into all areas of the Mon Valley, Allegheny County and parts of neighboring states by establishing ELO branches and developing service workshops simultaneously. ELO will provide curriculum, one-on-one consultation and training, and resources focused on service.

An additional service the leaders hope to provide in the future is transportation for those with health or mobility issues. They want to serve the elderly and disabled at assistant living facilities and to meet more specific needs of individuals.

The Everyday Living Outreach at Rainbow Temple truly does amazing work that makes a difference. If you would like to be a part of it, the program is always looking for helpful volunteers and donations. Items currently accepted are toilet paper, paper towels, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant and tissues. No food or clothing donations are accepted. For more information please contact ELO at 412.385.3222 or everydaylivingoutreach@gmail.com.

For more information please contact ELO at 412.385.3222 or everydaylivingoutreach@gmail.com.

Within a three-week period, Bill suffered not one, but three strokes.

Damage to the right side of his brain caused him to struggle with walking and controlling his hands. Putting his trust in the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, Bill worked hard and steadily regained control of his hands and relearned to walk. He found motivation from therapists, nationally recognized researchers, as well as a therapy dog we introduced him to.

So taken with a canine companion, Bill adopted and trained a therapy dog of his own upon leaving. Now he and Rudy, his Goldendoodle, volunteer at schools, nursing homes, and weekly at UPMC. To learn more about the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute’s seven locations, including UPMC McKeesport, 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 top 10 hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.

BillMcKeesport_McKeesport.indd 1

1/29/13 7:09 PM McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 33

COMMUNITY INTERESTS

Jewel The

of McKeesport Victorian teas, botanical classes, a wedding venue and much more: The Garden Club of McKeesport brightens the community

BY HEATHER HOLTSCHLAG

34

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

When building, designing and maintaining a spring garden, do what you like or what appeals to you.

There are no rules; it is your garden, after all.

These are words to live by for avid gardeners and good advice from McKeesport resident Jane Miller, who offers tips to gardening beginners and “green thumbs” alike. And if anyone knows anything about gardening, it is Miller, who serves as publicity chairperson of the Garden Club of McKeesport.

“First, clean up the debris in your garden, such as leaves and weeds,” Miller advises. “Cut out old foliage and trim branches. Prune your roses back, and in May, begin to fertilize your garden.”

If you have ever seen the work of the members of the McKeesport garden club, you know they practice what they preach.

The club got its start in 1933 from a group of McKeesport area women, says Miller. It was federated in 1936, and the arboretum— planned by Ezra Stiles, a well-known architect in Pittsburgh—was established in 1938.

According to the club’s website, the City of McKeesport provided workers for all of the labor, and the walls and pillars that were crafted from natural stone are still in existence today.

The club is located in Renziehausen Park, named for Henry Renziehausen’s family, who gave the 258 acres of land to the City of McKeesport. In the transaction, it had been stipulated that the land be used for a park and never sold. Members of the garden club help ensure that this remains so.

“Members of the club feel that we are an asset to the park and the community because of the gardens that we maintain,” Miller said. “But we promote the club’s educational benefits just as much as the beauty of the plants and flowers that we maintain. In fact, we have often been referred to as the ‘Jewel of McKeesport.’”

The club maintains a total of three acres of land, which includes a 400-foot perennial garden, a pond area, butterfly garden, herb garden and many trees and shrubs. Members also maintain the rose garden, arboretum and their clubhouse.

The 40-plus members of the club work hard to distinguish the work that they do from the rest. And they give a good contrary argument to the saying that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. After all, they have the accolades to back up the reasons why their roses may smell just a bit sweeter.

“The Garden Club of McKeesport’s garden is the second-largest rose garden in Pennsylvania and was voted one of the top 10 best rose gardens in America,” Miller noted.

One project for which the club may perhaps be most recognized is a wedding garden, which surrounds a gazebo and serves as the Next page ›

a common love of Members not only share on to maintaining the gardening, but a dedicati according to Miller, grounds as well. In fact, n 3,600 hours of members logged more tha past year. gardening work during the

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 35

Members of the McKeesport garden club enjoy volunteering with each other and sharing their love and passion for gardening

perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony.

And as if that is not enough, there also is a pond garden that has served as the perfect location for a couple’s special day. Donations to book the wedding or pond gardens are accepted and reservations can be made by calling 412.672.1050 or visiting the club’s website at www.gardenclubofmckeesport.org.

Members not only share a common love of gardening, but a dedication to maintaining the grounds as well. In fact, according to Miller, members logged more than 3,600 hours of gardening work during the past year.

“Members of the McKeesport garden club enjoy volunteering with each other and sharing their love and passion for gardening,” Miller said. “We also form great lasting friendships with each other that make the work we do even more gratifying.”

In addition to the gardening work, club members also host several fundraisers

throughout the year, including a spring craft and bake sale, which will be held April 20; a big plant and Mother’s Day gift sale on May 4; and four Victorian teas that will take place at 1 p.m. on June 13, July 11, August 8, and September 12.

Other upcoming events include a twosession stained glass class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 9 and 16, and Art in Bloom from April 5 to 7 at the Carnegie Museum.

The garden club also offers walking tours of its gardens for interested individuals.

The club begins its year in mid-April with two pruning classes, scheduled this year for April 6 and 13, with help from the Pittsburgh Rose Society. The classes are free and open to the public and will include hands-on demonstrations of how to prune roses. Additionally, volunteers from the Garden Club of McKeesport and the Pittsburgh Rose Society work from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Wednesday

from April to October. Volunteers can be seen gardening, collecting flowers to be pressed for dried arrangements or crafting in the clubhouse.

The garden club, which is affiliated with several prestigious organizations such as the National Garden Club, Inc., Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania, and the Confederation of McKeesport District Women’s Clubs, gives back to the community in other ways as well. It offers a $500 scholarship through the McKeesport High School Alumni and Friends Association, and provides monetary and food donations to the food bank.

Annual dues are $30, and members of the club meet at 11 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, except in January, at the clubhouse. A lunch and program follow the meeting.

For more information about the Garden Club of McKeesport, or to inquire about becoming a member or reserving the wedding garden or pond garden, call 412.672.1050 or visit the website at www.gardenclubofmckeesport.org.

Interested members also are invited to visit the club during a Wednesday workday.

36

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 37

Home

Improvements In McKeesport Area If you have a home, you know how challenging it is to maintain it. Roofs leak, landscapes need weeding, and kitchens and baths need facelifts. If you’re handy, you can get by with your own sweat equity. However, most people don’t have the skills, let alone the time, to tackle major household projects. Here, we try to cover it all for you – from financing your project to enjoying it when it’s complete.

Building a home addition can be a good alternative to buying a new home or building a house from scratch. Besides saving money, it can be a means of investing in your home and customizing your home to serve your family’s specific needs and desires.

An addition can drastically change the way a house looks from the road or yard. An addition that isn’t well planned can look like it doesn’t belong or doesn’t match the rest of the house in terms of style or overall shape.

Planning an addition carefully with a skilled architect is the best way to ensure that the house looks as good, or even better, than it did before the addition. To minimize the appearance of an addition, homeowners can usually choose to build onto the back of the existing house, thereby hiding the new construction from the road.

Depending on the size of an addition and the construction schedule, it may take weeks or months before an addition is completed. If a homeowner can’t afford to be patient during the planning and construction process, moving into a new, larger home may be a better option.

An addition can be a good investment, helping to increase the value of a home. Using a home equity line of credit or getting a new mortgage that includes money to pay for the addition can be a wise financial decision, especially when interest rates are low. However, if the expected value of an 38

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

addition – which a homeowner can estimate by studying the sale prices of nearby homes with similar characteristics – is less than its cost, it may be a poor investment.

An addition is likely to raise the value of a home. After the addition is completed, a new assessment will raise property taxes. Prior to adding on, homeowners should estimate the value of their home with the addition and compute a new annual tax liability based on current tax rates.

Building an addition is an ideal time to invest in energy-efficient fixtures and construction. Windows that prevent hot or cool air from escaping and low-energy-consuming appliances can minimize the cost of an addition by reducing energy bills and its environmental impact.

Remodeling your bathroom is another popular way to jazz up your home as well as build equity. Giving your bathroom a boost doesn’t always have to require a boatload of cash or space – just a little planning and creativity before you get started. Refresh your bath’s look with a wow-worthy makeover that improves its style and function.

One popular and inexpensive option is to have a theme for your bathroom.

Examples could be a Disney theme for a child’s bathroom, or perhaps a beach theme. This can be accomplished by painting the walls, adding a wall border and by well-placed décor. Some larger and more costly bathroom updates include new flooring, new sink and vanity and a new bathtub or shower.

Decks on the rear or side of homes have become extremely popular in the United States.

Used for entertaining or just relaxing, decks come in all shapes, sizes, designs and material.

The most popular, and least expensive, deck material is

treated wood. It is durable, however it will need to be painted or stained yearly or every other year depending on your climate. Composite decking products are building materials manufactured using a mixture of plastic and wood fiber. Composite decking materials are very popular because they require less maintenance than wood and often use recycled materials.

Composite decking is easy to install and is guaranteed with a 20-year warranty against rotting, splitting, splintering or termite damage.

However, composite decking can be very costly.

Vinyl decking made from Cellular PVC is a great choice for decking because it is essentially resistant to stains, mold, insects and fading. PVC material is low maintenance and is a sustainable building material.

Powder coated aluminum decking can be used to create a watertight floor for your deck. This unique material will never splinter, rot or rust. LockDry Aluminum decking is cool to the touch and is available in five colors.

Aluminum decking is strong and lightweight. The LockDry system can be used to create a dry space to use under your deck on rainy days.

If you are building a deck yourself it is very important to check all local building codes and follow all of the guidelines very closely to ensure the safety and long-term durability of your deck.

Bringing your family together is often difficult. A family game room is a fantastic way to upgrade your home and bring the family together.

Whether you have an unfinished basement, an unused attic or an empty garage, you can transform it into a fantastic oasis where your family can spend countless enjoyable hours. There are many aspects to making your game room remodel a success. First you should talk to a Design/ Build contractor about water access, waste lines and additional electricity needs. The contractor can also offer advice on any changes that might be necessary to update the space, whether it be additional insulation for a garage or attic room or waterproofing for a basement room.

Water access could also be an important aspect if you plan to have a bar or sink area. A Design/Build contractor can offer advice on what needs to be done to make the area completely usable.

Electricity for lighting and appliances is also incredibly important. If you are updating an unused area of your home, the current electrical wiring may not be able to handle the additional demands of a game room. The Design/Build contractor can guide you through what will need to be updated and how much it will cost.

If finances are an issue there are definitely still projects you can complete yourself including painting, laying carpet, adding shelves or simply updating the décor.

Our Home Improvement Partners Valley Pool & Spa is your community, family owned Pool & Spa superstore since 1967. We pride ourselves on creating a unique shopping atmosphere with a huge product selection in our stores. With free computerized water testing and pool experts on staff, we can help with your every need. Visit one of our stores in Monroeville, North Versailles, or Greensburg and experience the Valley difference.

Valley Pools & Spas 412.824.3030 • www.valleypoolspa.com

In 1987 Inks Installations, a home remodeling business was established by Michael T. Inks.

Today, Inks Installations is ranked at the top of the businesses involved in home remodeling.

Inks is family owned and operated, serving Allegheny County and the surrounding areas, specializing in bathrooms, kitchens, additions, game rooms, roofing, siding, and other small jobs. For more information call or stop by the showroom!

Inks Installations 412.653.0850 • www.inksinstallations.com

Energy Swing Windows offers the easiest-toclean energy efficient windows in Western PA. They sell, manufacture, and install all windows using company employees—no subcontractors. Energy Swing is a two-time recipient of the Western PA Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics. Call today to see why they are the Most Referred Window & Door Company in Western PA. Energy Swing Windows 724.387.2991 • www.EnergySwingWindows.com

For 32 years, residents in and around the Pittsburgh area have turned to Davis DAVIS Remodeling for full-service kitchen and REMODELING bathroom design - we offer cabinetry (stock or custom), a wide variety of countertops, flooring, plumbing fixtures and all that is necessary for a complete kitchen or bath remodel. Enjoy the best service from a staff that really cares! Member - Better Business Bureau since 1981. PA# 043293 Davis Remodeling 412.469.1181 • www.davisremodeling.net McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 39

Home Improvements In McKeesport Area Gone are the days when it was frowned upon to bring work home. Today a home is not a home unless it has a home office. Whether you are turning an extra bedroom into a workspace with store-bought furniture or constructing a full-scale two-level library and office, home offices are a regular part of what makes a house a home in 2013.

Create a space that makes you more productive and relaxed.

A desk is an essential part of most offices. Choose one that meets your needs. If all you need is a work top to use your laptop from, consider a computer cart and save the space for a comfortable chair or small sofa. If you are in the market for a larger desk, consider office furniture resellers.

They sell executive-grade used furniture for a fraction of the cost.

Bookcases or other storage can be a nice addition. Not only can they store books, but they are also great places to display awards or showcase your favorite collection of nicknacks or memorabilia. Antique shops have great deals on beautiful bookcases, and most local cabinet shops can design and install custom built-ins.

A comfortable chair or two is a necessity. Choose long-lasting fabrics and sturdy frames. Go with classic styles that won’t end up as next year’s garage sale item. Test out the chair before you buy it. Desk chairs especially need to provide good support and be comfortable.

Many popular home magazines have a page dedicated to converting your basement into a home theater, or something similar. The HGTV website has 16 home theater features alone. First, you need a fairly large space, either a big family room or a basement. Second, you need to budget for all the furnishings, including the stars of the show: home theater equipment – a big-screen TV, DVD player and speakers – and comfy seating. Also very popular for home theaters is floor and aisle lighting similar to real movie theaters, and perhaps even an old-fashioned popcorn maker.

The home improvement website Home Time has a really useful feature on home theater planning. It covers everything you’ll need to consider, like the space you’ll need and even suggested room layouts, to maximize your viewing pleasure.

Kitchens are the most popular room in the house to remodel.

Many people consider the kitchen to be the center of the home and its most important component. Another reason it is so popular to remodel is there are so many things in the kitchen that can be remodeled….cabinets, cabinet hardware, countertops, floor, appliances, lighting, walls and sinks.

There are so many choices when it comes to style, design and type of material for every component of your kitchen. When remodeling there is much to consider: cost, what is your goal, what is your situation (pets or small children could help decide what type of flooring to use, for example) and what is the cost vs. equity value of the remodel.

If finances are an issue and you are not the handiest individual, there are still many simple and easy things you can do to add pizzazz and value to your kitchen. For example, you can paint your cabinets and add new handles rather than buying new cabinets. Adding a stylish splashguard behind your stove and sink is easy to do and adds great appeal. Painting the walls can also make a huge difference in your kitchen, as can changing the light fixtures.

If done well, landscaping can completely change the character and perception of a home. Landscaping encompasses anything on the outside of the home including grass cutting, plants, flowers, rock, mulch, borders, vegetable gardens and water features.

Solar heat absorbed through windows and roofs can increase cooling costs, and incorporating shade from landscaping elements can help reduce this solar heat gain. Shading and evapotranspiration (the process by which a plant actively moves and releases water vapor) from trees can reduce surrounding air temperatures by as much as 9° F (5°C). Because cool air settles near the ground, air temperatures directly under trees can be as much as 25°F (14°C) cooler than air temperatures above nearby blacktop.

40

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

Using shade effectively requires you to know the size, shape, and location of the moving shadow that your shading device casts.

Therefore, you need to know what landscape shade strategies will work best in your regional climate and your microclimate.

Also, if you can determine how much water your plants actually need, then you won’t overwater them and waste water. It is important to not only understand a plant’s particular watering requirements, but also evapotranspiration.

Also, if you can determine how much water your plants actually need, then you won’t overwater them and waste water. It is important to understand a plant’s particular watering requirements. It’s best to water or irrigate your plants in the early morning when evaporation rates are low. This also provides plants with water before midday when the evaporation rate is the highest.

Lighting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to cast an enchanting spell on any outdoor space. It is also very effective for safety and security purposes.

Examples of exterior lighting include: torches, candles, lanterns, solar ground lighting, flood lights, lamp posts, landscape lighting and general light fixtures. For setting a mood the most popular lighting is candles or small lanterns. For security and safety purposes, it is critical to have flood light or lamp posts or ground solar lighting or all. A burglar is much less likely to enter a home with a lot of light.

With countless styles and options available, there are no right or wrong choices. The outdoor lighting a homeowner will choose will come down to budget and personal preference.

Many of us take pride in our homes, investing countless hours rearranging and remodeling the interior. But it can also be refreshing to step outside of the confines of our home and spend some time outdoors. When the weather is favorable, it’s difficult to miss out on a nice day outside.

But spending time outside doesn’t mean you have to forfeit your creature comforts. With a few small adjustments you can make your outdoor space comfortable and inviting. With the right setup, you may find yourself hosting handsome barbeques and dining al fresco with family and friends.

Options for an outdoor living space include outdoor kitchens, fireplaces or fire pits, a water feature, gazebos and pavilions. Ponds can be a wonderful addition to your property’s outdoor experience.

Before you dig, call 811 or your local one-call center to have gas and electric lines marked so you know where to dig to steer clear of them.

Then, when you map out the location of your pond, put it where it will be noticed – visible from a window, off a patio, or along a walkway – but away from the play areas of small children or pets. Keep clear of major root systems or mature trees, which can block too much of the sunlight plants and fish need. You’ll also need to be within reach of a grounded exterior outlet so you can plug in a pump, an essential tool for keeping the water aerated; most pumps come with a maximum cord length of 25 feet, and extension cords are not recommended. You may need to bury the power cord a few inches down in PVC pipe to hide it.

Space permitting, you need at least 40 cubic feet for your pond – about 7 feet by 4 feet – to keep the water clean. An initial shallow terrace just inside the perimeter of the pond holds rocks that conceal the liner edge and keep it in place. A second, deeper terrace supports plants that live in the water and help balance the pond’s ecosystem. As you dig, you must slope the sides of the pond so that if the water freezes, the ice will push up instead of against the liner. Even in warmer climates, small ponds can change temperature rapidly, so if you’re adding fish you’ll want a deeper pond that will maintain a more consistent temperature and accommodate the fish – 18 to 24 inches for goldfish and at least 3 feet for koi.

To maintain the consistent depth of the water, you need to line the pond.

A thin layer of sand and old newspapers or burlap bags softens the jagged edges of rocks and roots. But over that you will need to put a waterproof skin. There are several types of flexible liners meant for small ponds – made from polypropylene and EPDM, among other materials. Look for one that’s weather-resistant, so it will stand up to UV rays and freezing temperatures. It should also be rated “fish-safe” if you plan to stock your pond.

Remodeling your home can generate tremendous equity for the future, as well as personal enjoyment in the present. Remodeling projects come in all shapes, sizes and costs. Projects can range from replacing flooring or a faucet, to installing new trim work or tile and replacing windows and doors. Remodeling can also take on the form of revamping or adding a bathroom, redoing a kitchen, overhauling your home’s exterior for improved curb appeal, or completing an addition to increase your home’s square footage and add valuable space. Big and small changes can both have an impact and will improve the way your home looks and functions, increasing its value and making it more enjoyable for you and your family.

The key to any remodeling job is to make sure it makes sense financially. Not all remodeling jobs are cost-effective. For example, it is possible to pay $75,000 for a new addition, but an appraiser may be of the opinion that it only raised the value of your house by $50,000. It is very important that you do as much Continued on next page

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 41

Home Improvements In McKeesport Area research as possible and talk to as many experienced professionals as possible so you can make an informed decision about what is best for you.

Financing Remodeling Projects While home sales may be sluggish, home remodels are roaring. In the second quarter of 2011, Americans were expected to spend $132.8 billion on remodeling – up 12.8% over the previous year, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

Refinance Your Home What it’s good for: Larger projects for a home you plan to live in for the long term.

A “cash-out” refinance allows you to refinance your mortgage for an amount that is larger than your current mortgage. You get the difference in a check – effectively rolling the sum into a newly financed 15- or 30-year mortgage. This can be an attractive option, as mortgage rates have hovered at historic lows in recent years.

The downsides include closing fees that can be in the thousands of dollars.

Plus, the threshold to qualify, including income and home-value requirements, can be high – both of which can pose a challenge in this economy.

Return on your Investment

And it’s no surprise that these projects aren’t cheap. In fact, the same studies report that 57% of homeremodeling projects cost at least $20,000.

Thinking about adding a deck or revamping the kitchen so you can up the price of your home before you sell? You might want to crunch the 2010-11 Cost vs. Value numbers, compiled by Remodeling magazine, before you do.

Since saving your pennies in a pickle jar is probably not enough to update your master bathroom with a slate walk-in shower or add granite countertops to your kitchen, explore these options to finance your newand-improved home.

Projects with highest return on investment

Purchase a Variable-Rate CD What it’s good for: Projects that can wait until a fixed time in the future with a price tag you can pay by saving.

If you plan to pay for the kitchen of your dreams the old-fashioned way – by saving for it – consider a variable-rate certificate of deposit. This savings vehicle is similar to a traditional savings account in that you can add money to it at any time (a fixed-rate CD does not allow additional deposits during the term of the CD).

• • • • • • •

Replacing entry door with steel door (102%) Garage door replacement (84%) Adding a wood deck (73%) Minor kitchen remodel (73%) Vinyl siding replacement (72%) Wood window replacement (72%) Attic bedroom addition (72%)

Project with lowest rate of return on investment • Home office remodel (46%) • Sunroom addition (49%)

In return for an interest rate that may go up or down, the interest rate often is slightly higher than a traditional CD when you buy it. You make a low minimum deposit and lock in your money for a fixed time – usually at least six or 12 months. If you withdraw your funds before then, you pay penalties and lose the interest.

• Bathroom addition (53%)

Open a Home Equity Line of Credit

• Average cost of project.

What it’s good for: Long-term projects that can be paid off over five or fewer years.

• Added resale value.

The beauty of using the equity in your home is that you write yourself checks from a line of credit and pay interest on only what you borrow. Plus, the interest is typically tax deductible.

• Change from last year’s report.

While current low interest rates add to the allure, these credit lines can be tough to come by in this climate of lowered home values and tight credit.

When interest rates rise, your home improvement project may become more expensive than you anticipated.

42

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

• Garage addition (59%) The data includes national and regional averages on over 20 common home improvement projects ranging from kitchens and baths to roofs and decks. Data for both midrange and upscale projects is provided on:

• Percentage of investment recouped.

The above numbers assume you’re hiring out the labor on the project.

If it’s a do-it-yourself project, and you do a good job, the rate of return on your investment will be higher. Unless you plan on doing the work yourself, or not doing the project makes your house undesirable or unsellable, most home improvement projects will return less from your investment than you put in, so you might want to consider staying in your home a while to enjoy the results of your improved home!

CHOOSING THE FOR

Right Food YOUR PET

W

hen it comes to caring for your pets, you do everything you can to ensure they stay happy and healthy. And while there are a variety of pet foods on the market boasting recipes made using wholesome ingredients, if pets aren’t digesting that food correctly, they may as well be eating the inexpensive fillers you’ve been trying to avoid.

In fact, many pet owners don’t know their dogs and cats have sensitive stomachs, which may make it hard for pets to properly digest their current food, and could lead to a host of problems. Pets need consistency; they need to eat the same food every day to avoid digestive upset. If pets can’t absorb the nutrients in the food they eat, it can lead to malnutrition, lethargy, frequent vomiting and worse.

The good news is there are pet foods on the market that offer wellbalanced, easily digestible nutrients. With this in mind, here are some tips for choosing the right food for your pet:

Easily Digestible Enzymes Several organs such as the pancreas help break down food within the digestive process by producing enzymes. Adding enzymes to pet food actually helps with this process by ensuring your pets are getting the nutrients from their food, while reducing stress on their organs. This is especially crucial for aging pets.

When it comes to choosing a pet food for your dog or cat, keep in mind that more than just the main ingredients matter. Ensure your pet is getting the maximum amount of nutrition from every bite by purchasing quality food that supports the digestive system.

Check the Label Look for natural, wholesome ingredients and avoid fillers.

Remember, while proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals all play an important role in the health benefits of your pet’s diet, there are other ingredients to consider to help ensure your pet is properly absorbing these key nutrients.

Probiotics Your pet’s digestive tract requires a careful balancing act of bacteria.

Probiotics – or good bacteria – help keep your pet’s immune system healthy. There are cat and dog foods that contain live probiotics added to the food after it has been cooked and cooled. This process assures maximum survival of the probiotics, so that your pets reaps the full benefits of their food.

Prebiotics Prebiotics stimulate the growth and maintenance of good bacteria, like probiotics, in your pet’s digestive tract. Examples of prebiotics include beet pulp and inulin, which is a fructose found in plant roots and is believed to aid in the absorption of calcium and magnesium, according to a 2005 study published by the National Institutes of Health.

Natural Fibers Just as fiber plays an important role in human digestive health, it also plays an integral role in your pet’s digestive health. Fiber-rich foods such as oatmeal and flaxseed promote digestive regularity. Flaxseed, for example, helps with the movement of food through your pet’s digestive tract, is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, and offers benefits for your pet’s cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems.

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 43

COMMUNITY INTERESTS

OpERAtION WARmtH: H: FIRE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES ES COATS COAT A S FOR K AT KIDS

BY MICHELLE ZEHR

E

very year when the temperatures drop, most of us reach for our favorite winter coat and go about our daily lives. After all, this is the Pittsburgh area and below-freezing temperatures, snow, ice and wind are just a fact of life until the spring rolls around about April.

Many don’t realize, however, how lucky we are to be in a position to have the warmest of winter weather gear. For some children in the McKeesport area, this just isn’t the case.

Hard economic times leave families with the inability to purchase new winter coats for their children. This winter the McKeesport Fire Department had something a little different in mind to help: “Operation Warmth.” The firefighters’ concern and caring for their fellow citizens of McKeesport is making an inspired difference in our community.

If you have never heard of Operation Warmth, also referred to as Coats for Kids, this is likely because it is the inaugural year of the program in McKeesport. According to Jeffrey Tomovcsik, vice president of IAFF #10, Operation Warmth was officially adopted as a charity at the IAFF union convention in Philadelphia early in 2012. When the McKeesport Fire Department president attended the

44

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

MEMBERS OF THE MCKEESPORT FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ABLE TO PASS OUT 372 NEW COATS AS WELL AS NEW SOCKS THAT WERE COLLECTED BY THE MON RIVER FLEET LIONS CLUB. convention, he came back with the idea to participate in Operation Warmth.

It didn’t take long for the entire fire department to jump on board. The group was quick to engage local businesses, according to Tomovcsik, and also reached out to the local media to help engage members of the community as well as previous residents of McKeesport.

While the program may be young, there was no shortage of participation by the community to help make Operation Warmth a success. “Being our first year I can tell you a majority of donations came from residents and prior residents of the City of McKeesport. The larger donations, of course, came from the businesses but we did have a large donation from a previous resident of the city, who now lives in Georgia,” stated Tomovcsik. Donations, both large and small, were able to help make this young program a success.

Members of the McKeesport Fire Department were able to pass out 372 new coats as well as new socks that were collected by the Mon River Fleet Lions Club. It is important to realize that all 372 were brand new. This program does not collect gently used coats, but monetary donations. These donations allow the fire department to purchase coats to distribute. Since its start, in all the cities where Operation Warmth is in place, the program has been able to provide over one million coats to schoolaged children. That’s spreading a whole lot of warmth!

The program generally uses a list of schoolchildren who qualify for free or reduced school lunches as a guide for who may receive a free coat. The McKeesport Fire

Department chose children from George Washington Elementary School to be recipients of the coats this year.

The hard work of the fire department does not come without reward, but this is a different kind of reward. Tomovcsik notes, “Being active and making a difference in the community that we all live in is very rewarding. Most men found passing out the coats at George Washington [Elementary to be] one of their best memories yet while working at the fire department.”

Volunteering in the community is not just a wintertime activity at the McKeesport Fire Department. It is a yearlong effort that has benefited the entire area. Tomovcsik stated that the McKeesport Firefighters Local #10 completed approximately $10,500 in charity work over the past year.

Projects included selling pink breast

cancer awareness shirts and sponsoring Little League baseball teams. The department is also in its second year of sponsoring a coloring contest in all the elementary schools of the city. During Fire Prevention Month (October), the firefighters pass out a drawing of one of their fire engines for the children to color. One boy and one girl from each school are selected as winners. These winners receive a new bicycle and helmet from the fire department.

For more information, stop by any of the fire stations or visit the McKeesport Fire Department’s website at www. mckeesportfirefighters.org.

Next time you bundle up in your warm winter coat, think of the McKeesport Fire Department and its efforts to make these harsh winters a little warmer for the children of McKeesport. ¿

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 45

FEATURE

a 21st Century

Warrior A

BY PAMELA PALONGUE

lthough a peaceful people by nature, the Hurons (also called the Wyandotte) could be formidable enemies and fierce warriors when the situation called for it. Today, a Huron who lives in McKeesport is a warrior for education and enlightenment, using his traditional skills and customs as his weapons of advocacy.

This American Indian, who prefers to be known only by his Huron name of Ghost in the Head, has made world-wide connections without ever setting foot on a plane or traveling more than a few hundred miles outside of his native home of McKeesport.

Ghost in the Head is the son of a Huron woman. He was born and raised in the Mon Valley and attended McKeesport schools, while still marching to the beat of his own drum.

“I always stuck out in school with my long hair,” he explains. “And when the other kids would be out playing football, I would be tanning hides and weaving fishing nets. I had friends, but they didn’t understand.”

Ghost in the Head has learned many traditional skills from his mother and other elders from knowledge that has been passed down. A lifetime of learning the old ways has made him an expert in presenting an accurate depiction of what

46

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

He also eats traditional foods, including insects and bear.

“The ants probably taste the best,” laughs Ghost in the Head the Huron lifestyle was like in the period from 1750 to 1850. More than just an historical re-creationist though, Ghost in the Head lives his culture, spending two or three days a week in his wigwam, even on snowy days, which is made of woven grasses. He also eats traditional foods, including insects and bear.

“The ants probably taste the best,” laughs Ghost in the Head, who no doubt understood a long time ago that this kind of a strong commitment to living the traditional culture requires some compromises, not to mention some acquired tastes.

He can often be found making presentations at schools, community events and other gatherings to educate others, although he has found that this lifestyle expression can be confusing for others at times.

“I may be at a reenactment and people later see me talking on my cell phone about a future booking and find that strange,” says Ghost in the Head. Although he is a living, breathing expression of an ancient people, he is also a man living in modern times in which technology is so pervasive. Even a traditionalist needs to make a phone call now and then.

In his presentations, he is not playing a part or wearing a costume. His clothing, which is made of animal skins, traditional beading and woven fabrics, is part of who he is as a Huron.

Also, Ghost in the Head is not a character portrayal of a famous chief, it is his own

persona. “People used to tell me that I must have ghosts in the head to be interested in doing things in the old way.” The name stuck and he has been known by the moniker ever since.

One of Ghost in the Head’s most impressive skills is traditional archery in which he is an expert. He is a former World Champion Traditional Archer (1998). He uses his archery for hunting and surprisingly, fishing.

If you’ve never heard of the sport of bow fishing, it might be because of the high degree of difficulty to actually snag a fish with a bow. The refraction of the water can distort the distance of the fish in the water, making it extremely difficult to hit the target.

As a female counterpart to Ghost in the Head’s traditional skills of a Huron man, he is sometimes accompanied by Carol Shining Spirit Fortunato. Fortunato is of Cherokee origins and demonstrates the traditional role of an American Indian woman in the 18th and 19th century. Although American Indian women may have had very set roles in their contribution to the survival of their people, their position was in no way subordinate.

Women were treated with great respect and their consent was often required for men to go to war, because of their ability to give life through giving birth.

Ghost in the Head gives Fortunato a great deal of credit for encouraging him in his role as a re-creationist, lecturer and teacher.

Continued on next page ›

McKeesport Area | Spring 2013 | incommunitymagazines.com 47

FEATURE He has also worked as a model for traditional frontier artist Andrew Knez, Jr., who has painted him in a variety of different activities that are representative of the daily life of American Indians.

Ghost in the Head’s calling of teaching the traditional ways in the community has a larger mission; one of reaching out to all cultures with a message of understanding and sharing of what connects us all, our spirit. He was deeply touched when a few years ago, a young woman who was a Mennonite approached him at one of his presentations.

He was showing how heirloom pumpkins can be used as a crock pot, by stuffing them with rice, plums, cranberries and fish or meat. The young woman asked if she might have some of the seeds from the pumpkin. Ghost in the Head readily agreed and said, “Take all you want.” Not giving the incident too much more thought, the woman returned about two years later, bringing him corn and a pumpkin.

She explained how she grew pumpkins from the seeds he had provided and sold them to raise money for missionary work in South America.

Aeschylus once said, “From a small seed, a mighty tree trunk grows.” Ghost in the Head was overwhelmed to realize that from a handful of seeds, orphans thousands of miles away were being helped in South America.

“I am more proud of that than anything else I have ever accomplished,” he says. “It brought tears to my eyes.”

He has also “scalped” willing participants to provide hair for wigs for children with cancer who are unable to afford hairpieces through the Locks of Love organization.

The spring and summer months usually find Ghost in the Head at the Meadowcroft Archeological Site, where he is the American Indian cultural advisor, teacher and trainer of the site’s staff. Many of his creations are on permanent display at the facility. In addition to his work at the site, he visits schools, retirement homes, historical societies and other organizations to lecture and provide hands-on experiences in traditional living. His message is personalized to the audience and he has shared his knowledge with elementary to college students and special needs children as well. He is often called upon by Boy Scout troops to help the young men in obtaining their merit badges.

Ghost in the Head adds, “To connect with people is an honor.” Anyone interested in scheduling Ghost in the Head for their event or organization can contact him at 412.673.2802. ¿

48

724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

|

McKeesport Area

For more information on the frontier art of Andrew Knez, Jr., please visit the artist’s website at www.andrewknezjr.com.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PITTSBURGH, PA PERMIT NO. 887