IN Mercer County by IN Community Magazines

SPRING 2011

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

Farrell Football A Force on the Field

Gutchies for Kids Scouting Still Cool!

Contents Mercer County | SPRING 2011 |

SPRING 2011

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

Healthy Family, Happy Family

With UPMC HealthTrak, you now have a convenient way to manage your health anytime and anywhere.

FEATURES

page 2

Early Detection Key in Treating Cancer

page 3

From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future Stomachaches: When to Worry

page 4

Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are You Allergic to Your Bed?

page 5

UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

page 6

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Could It Happen to You?

page 7

New Lung Center Now Open at UPMC Horizon

What’s Happening at UPMC Horizon

Publisher’s Message COMMUNITY INTEREST

What’s Inside

11 13

Keeping yourself and your family healthy can seem like a full-time job.

2 13

UPMC Today

In Kids

Older Adults in Moon Township

Quota International Making a Difference in Hermitage

Boy Scouting is Alive and Well in Mercer County

Farrell Football

Grove City Community Food Pantry Feeding Body, Mind, and Soul

Home Improvement Rethinking the Attic | 8

| Health and Wellness News You Can Use |

Weddings

Fireplace Creates Warmth & The Perfect Decor | 9 |

Wedding Reception to Remember | 10 Wedding Etiquette for the Socially Inept | 11 Venue Planning | 12 |

The Greenville Symphony Continue to Amaze

Real Estate

Both Buyers & Sellers Need to BEWARE of OVERpricing | 30 Reeducating of the Seller | 31

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Why Your Business Needs a Website, or a Better One! By Greg Uhrlen | 27

COVER

Farrell Football Advances at the PIAA SemiFinals

Welcome to the spring issue of Mercer County Magazine. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends, and fun. Typically, I use this space to talk about your community or features in the magazine that spotlight the people in your community who are doing wonderful things. Well, this time I want to update you regarding our newest feature for 2011—our new website. Without venturing too far into the realm of shameless self-promotion, I want to emphasize that this website is something for you, our readers. How so? Well, you can have input and help shape the website just like your ideas help shape your magazine. Now you have a place to list all of the nonprofit community organizations that are active in the community. We are also developing pages where we list the local houses of worship. In addition, we now offer every magazine in a fully downloadable PDF format, rather than the outdated flipbook format we used to have. This will allow you to send the magazine, or links to it, to friends and family both near and far. We tied our website into Facebook as well, not to get the biggest list of “friends” we could get but to have a place to keep our readers abreast of all the news we get between issues. It also gives us a place to upload all the photos from community events that we don’t have room for in the magazine. As with all things, there’s always room for improvement, but we always have open ears. If you have comments about our new website or want to see your organization listed, e-mail mark@incommunitymagazines.com with your link or feedback. There’s no charge for listing your church, synagogue, or scout troop’s link, so send your links in today! And if you happen to be on Facebook and like what you see in the magazine, don’t hesitate to click that “Like” button. It’s always nice to be liked! I hope you have a wonderful spring!

Wayne Dollard Publisher

SPRING 2011 IN Mercer County is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Moon Township area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PUBLISHER

Wayne Dollard AS S I STA N T TO T H E P U B L I S H E R

Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com M A N AG I N G E D I TO R

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

Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com E D I TO R I A L AS S I STA N T

Jamie Ward j.ward@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS

Mark Berton Kelli McElhinny

Pamela Palongue

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Susie Doak Pati Ingold

Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda Tracey Wasilco

P H OTO G R A P H E R S

Garyyonphotography.com A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S

When I think about spring, I can’t help but think about light. The days get “lighter,” the sun stays with us a little longer each day. When we have a great idea, a light bulb goes off in our minds. At Mercer County Magazine we try to spot-light our communities. What are you doing to be a “light?” If you or an organization that you volunteer or work for is a light in the community, will you let me know? If you have a family member who is in the armed forces, or if your church group or even Mom or Dad are providing a service to someone in need, please e-mail your ideas and photos to Marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com. I would like to call your attention to Quota International. This wonderful organization has the motto of “we share” and serves the community in so many ways. If you want to volunteer once you have read the feature on page 3, you can contact Quota International of Hermitage President Carol Karol at 724.962.4409. As we look forward to warmer and brighter spring days ahead, I hope you will enjoy this edition of Mercer County Magazine.

Nicholas Buzzell Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Rose Estes Jason Huffman Jessie Jones Connie McDaniel Brian McKee

David Mitchell Tamara Myers Gabriel Negri Robert Ojeda Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti

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

Summer content deadline: 5/2/11 www.incommunitymagazines.com

Marybeth Jeffries Managing Editor "No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." –Charles Dickens 2 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Mercer County

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Quota International Making a Difference in Hermitage Quota International was founded in 1919 by Wanda Frey Joiner, but it wasn’t until 2004 that Quota International of Hermitage came to town. The international service organization links members of all ages, occupations, and nationalities in a worldwide network of service and friendship, similar to Rotary and Kiwanis. With a motto of "we share," Quotarians are known especially for their service to deaf, hard-ofhearing, and speech-impaired individuals and disadvantaged women and children. Quota members share the values of serving and encouraging others, developing friendships, and promoting international understanding. Carol Karol, current president of Quota International of Hermitage, said the group has been working hard since they got their charter to improve the lives of disadvantaged people all over the Hermitage region. “We currently have 26 members, and not all of us live in Hermitage,” Karol said. “And we meet the second Wednesday of every month at the Avalon Golf and Country Club at Buhl Park in Hermitage, except February because of the weather. We encourage people to come and check us out and see if they want to join.” Quota works with the Mid-Western Intermediate Unit IV, which is located in Grove City, to find people in need of their services. They’ve done everything from ring Salvation Army bells at Christmastime, to donating blankets and clothing to victims of fire. “The IU has a homeless program there and they’d call on us if they need things like money or clothing,” Karol said. “There are a lot of homeless children and families that need assistance. Some kids go to school without underwear or socks, so we started ‘Gutchies for Kidz,’ and all year long we collect new boys and girls underwear.”

Last year, Quota did “PJs for Kidz,” and received bin after bin of donations to help those less fortunate. Prior to that, Quota collected coats, distributing 26 of 50 received. “Coats for Kidz” will resume in January when retail coat prices traditionally drop. Local sponsors of the project include K-Mart, which donated coats and dozens of sets of underwear for the cause. Perishable food is also collected for the A.W.A.R.E. house in Sharon, Pa. This project is called “Butterfly Blessings.” Quota also sponsors the Community Food Warehouse, financially and through volunteer work, packing food. On top of all of that, if Quota’s informed of someone who just needs financial assistance, they can be counted on for that as well. All leads for assistance come in from accredited sources, so people do not petition Quota directly. “We go through an agency that gives us credible information. If we have any questions, we’ll ask around,” Karol said. “The people that call us, we know are reputable through the state or through the schools.” Despite the wealth of activity that Quota members partake in, Karol said she still has a bucket list of things she wants to accomplish before her term expires in April. That list includes getting Quota International of Hermitage a 501(3)(c) tax exempt status so more people can make tax deductible donations. Karol said that project is underway and should be compete by April. Other projects include getting a website up and running for the group, and recruiting some younger members. “We’re a very exciting and active group. We truly love each other and work our butts off. But most of my members are 50 and over and we need some younger members,” Karol said. “I’m hoping we can leave our incoming president all of these things, so I can just hand off the binder when I’m done.” Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3

t u i o n c g is Alive S y o B and Boy Scouting just passed the century mark in 2010, and it’s doing exceptionally well in Mercer County, thanks to the help of volunteers who keep the scouting district rolling along.

Cub Scouts at the BB Range

Jill Blance is one of those volunteers who started working with the organization when her son got involved in Cub Scouts. She holds the positions of Cubmaster of Pack 5 in Hermitage, Committee Member for Troop 3 in Sharon and also Commissioner for the Chief Kiondashawa district roundtable. “You have some people, like myself, who catch the Scouting bug and can’t get enough of it,” Blance said. “They love the Scouting program and want to be very, very involved. Others help out because their child is involved. They’ll help out with activities when they can. The entire program is volunteer-based. Our district executive is our only paid employee. Everyone else is completely volunteer.” "The district covers all of Mercer County and a little of Brookfield, and has a membership of approximately 940 boys," Blance said. "However, competition from sports teams has eaten into that number over the years, she added." “Over the years, I’d say membership has gone down, mainly because we have a lot of competition with sports,” Blance said. “It used to be that with sports you could be in multiple things. But they’ve gotten so serious in sports—if you miss a practice, you don’t play. And then 9/11 caused a bump in membership. Being a Scout became a cool thing to do again.” That’s because Scouting teaches young men and women to always do their best, to be helpful to 4 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Mercer County

Photos provided by Brad Parola

Well in Mercer

y t n u o C

others and to be true to both God and country. That patriotism and moral guidance has not changed in 100 years, and likely will not change 100 years to come.

A Scout on the climbing wall at Custaloga Town Scout Reservation

“If you look at the original Boy Scout handbooks from 100 years ago, the emphasis on character building and citizenship, those things are all as they were 100 years ago,” Blance said. It’s why you see numerous Eagle Scouts in the field working on community service, and why you see Cub Scouts stuffing bags at local food pantries – the service to the country and to those less fortunate is key to ensuring the future of the country. As far as youth activities go, scouting is inexpensive as well. “Cost varies slightly depending on the unit, but it’s a very nominal fee,” Blance said. “We’ll hold fundraisers as well, to help defray costs, but overall, they can easily be in Scouting for less than $50 a year. Compared to sports, it’s much more affordable and it’s a year-round program.” Cub Scouting is for boys in 1st through 5th grade (a kindergarten program is also available in many of the packs). Boy Scouting is for boys who have completed the 5th grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old. Venturing is a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 14 years of age OR 13 years of age and have completed the eighth grade and under 21 years of age. Anyone interested in these scouting programs should call Brad Parola, district executive director, at 724.264.4230, or go to www.frenchcreek-bsa.org.

Grove City Pack 76 getting ready for the evening flag lowering

Campfire circle at Custaloga Town Scout Reservation

Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

he Farrell Steelers came agonizingly close to getting to Hershey in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, they looked to get over the threshold and play for a state title. To accomplish this, they would have to beat the team responsible for each of their previous two playoff losses. The 2010 season started with eight straight victories. Only twice were they tested. In the season opener against Sharon, the offense only produced 10 points. The defense provided the spark with two long fumble return touchdowns as well as a 77-yard punt return touchdown. Two of the returns came from tailback/safety Kevin Brodie. The final was 24-7. The next six games were all comfortable wins. During this stretch, the Steelers averaged 44 points a game, while allowing a total of 33 points. In week eight, the opponent was the Sharpsville Blue Devils. The winner would claim first place in the Region 1 standings in District 10, Class A. Brodie rushed for 201 yards, scored twice, intercepted a pass, and recovered two fumbles. That stat line almost came in a losing effort. The Steelers jumped ahead 20-0 after the first quarter. Sharpsville rallied,

Farrell Football By Stephen Jeffries

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Mercer County

cutting the lead to 20-14 after three quarters. The teams matched touchdowns in the fourth, and Sharpsvilleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rally came up short. Farrell prevailed 26-21 to solidify first place. The Steelers appeared to enjoy that victory a little bit too long. Week 9 was a trip to Lakeview High School, but the Steelers may have looked past the Sailors. Brodie was held to just 79 yards on the ground, and the offense could not find a groove. Lakeview returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, and that would be all the defense needed. A surprising 20-0 shutout of the previously undefeated Steelers was the result. But they bounced back in a big way a week later, taking out their frustrations on winless Conneaut Lake. They had 53 at halftime, and cruised to a 78-0 win. They stood at 9-1 going into the postseason. In the quarterfinals of the District 10 playoffs, Farrell drew Union City. The defense posted its sixth shutout of the season, and the Steelers moved on to the semifinals with a 33-0 win. The opponent was Lakeview. The Steelers had a chance to avenge the only blemish on their record. After one quarter, Lakeview held a slim 7-6 lead. The Steelers would score the next 28 points en route to a 34-7 victory to put them one step closer to Hershey. The Steelers faced Mercyhurst Prep for the District 10 championship. In the game, the defense posted another shutout, and Brodie rushed for 114 yards. He also took an interception 85 yards for a score. A 39-0 whitewash of the Lakers sent Farrell to the PIAA quarterfinals. Against Curwensville, Brodie led the charge with 198 rushing yards and three scores. A 22-point second quarter led to a 35-14 win. In the PIAA semifinals, the Steelers faced the Clairton Bears for the third straight year. Clairton had come away the victor in both of the previous meetings. The third time would not be the charm for the Steelers, as they fell behind 38-0 at halftime, and eventually lost 48-8. The Steelers finished 13-2 and had a spectacular season. They won the District 10 championship and advanced to the PIAA semifinals. That success should fuel them to great things next season.

Grove City Community Food Pantry Feeding Body, Mind, and Soul

or more than three decades, the Grove City Community Food Pantry has been ensuring that families in need get the basic staples to survive. Traci Turner, executive director, said that the pantry was originally started by the Grove City Ministerium in the Steelworker’s Union on Broad Street in response to the massive layoffs at Cooper Bessemer . Today, the Grove City Food Pantry operates out of the basement of the Grace United Methodist Church, and currently serves more than 500 families, which translates into more than 1,800 individuals. “We give out meat, peanut butter and jelly, potatoes, tuna, cereal, eggs, butter, cheese, juice, canned fruit, and a variety of breads,” Turner said. “We received donations from Pepperidge Farms, so we have a nice variety of breads to give out. We also supply all the canned vegetables, dish soap, laundry soap, body soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hats, gloves. It’s a little bit of everything here.” Grove City Community Food Pantry also receives contributions from Grove City Medical Center, and commercial restaurants like Pizza Hut, Sheetz and Aldi’s, which provide frozen food that is repackaged and given out to patrons as frozen “extras” in addition to their regular fresh food allotment. Without the donated food that we get, the pantry would not be able to be open every week, Turner said. The Grove City Community Food Pantry operates through grants from United Way, the State of PA, and the generosity of the Community. The pantry is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit

organization that accepts donations graciously from the public. The pantry also looks for volunteers for ongoing help. “It usually takes about 30 volunteers to run the pantry each week,” Turner said. “I usually have eight on registration, eight inside the actual pantry, five to six carry out volunteers, and two runners. The pantry is a room full of shelves and palettes, and we have a lot of our product in there. Two people, our runners, will go into our store room and bring more product out as it becomes needed.” All that’s needed to volunteer is the ability to be available when the pantry is open – 1 to 4 p.m., and that you can lift up to 40 pounds. “I do ask that volunteers arrive here a little early – around 12:30 p.m., on the days that we’re open just because there’s a lot of preparation that goes into opening up for the day,” Turner said. “Other than that, we’re absolutely looking for volunteers always.” Patrons of the Grove City Community Food Pantry can come every single week for food, and regular orders are processed once each month. The regular orders are those that include the fresh meat, fruit and vegetables that the pantry obtains. The Grove City Community Food Pantry is located in the basement of Grace United Methodist Church at the corner of Pine and S. Broad Streets. (Enter at the red door below street level across from the post office.) Its hours of operation are Mondays from 1-4 p.m. (except holidays) and the first Monday of each month from 5:30-7 p.m. (except holidays). They can be reached at 724.372.5359. Clients who cannot pick up their food during the day may call the church at 724.458.8660 to make special arrangements. For more information, go to www.gccommunityfoodpantry.org. Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7

f you’re more than four feet tall and live in western Icomfortable Pennsylvania, chances are that your attic is not a space that you would consider livable. Your attic can be modified, however, by the do-it-yourselfer into more than adequate storage for a variety of your belongings, if you get creative.

The first thing you need to consider is the space itself. Is it finished at all? Many attics in the area are open spaces broken up by roof and flooring joists and wads of insulation. The first thing you want to do is inspect your attic for leaks and whether those joists are strong enough to support extra weight. You can add flooring by screwing down plywood or other subflooring. Avoid nailing materials down to prevent damaging the ceilings underneath you through the vibrations of hammer blows. Once you have your flooring down, you can decide whether or not you want to finish the ceiling joists. You can insulate and attach drywall or plywood to these joists, depending on how fancy you want to get with the finished look; or you may decide that having the recessed areas between the joists is beneficial to your storage needs. Keep in mind that a triangular space is limiting only if you have boxes or items that you need to store vertically. Items that are smaller and that can be arranged into nooks and crannies can be ideal for these oddshaped spaces. Also keep in mind that, because of the nature of attic access in older homes, the route to your attic may be through a small trap door in a hall closet, so 8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

items you put in the attic might be limited to long-term or permanent storage, like old college textbooks, holiday decorations, luggage, or all those old National Geographics that you can’t throw away because the pictures are too pretty. If you do have easy access to your attic, either by way of a dedicated staircase or pull-down steps, more options may offer themselves to you. Even tight attics have enough room for several two-drawer filing cabinets, allowing you to store many years’ worth of tax returns or product manuals. Easier access means even more versatility when it comes to your storage plan. Rather than long term, you can use the space for things that require infrequent use—bins for extra blankets and pillows for when guests are in town, large children’s toys or games that don’t get played with during the school week,

Mercer County

and sporting equipment when it’s out of season. Storing items like these in the attic will keep them out of dank basement conditions, and, in the case of linens and sporting equipment, keep the smell of mildew away. Keep in mind that the attic, while dryer than the basement, still has its own set of issues. Temperatures often vary wildly in attics depending on how insulated they are, so items that can’t stand high heat or low temperatures – like candles, for instance – may not fare well in the attic environment. Each space is different, but each is unique, and how you use that space can be a fun project for the whole family.

FIREPLACE CREATES WARMTH THE PERFECT DECOR

Add Warmth, Style & Value to Your Home

What is it about a fireplace that is so comforting? That warm glow and the advantages of heat efficiency and home resale value, all make installing a fireplace the ideal home renovation project. Innovations today in cost-efficient, energy-saving models have put fireplaces at the top of the “to-do” list for home remodeling projects. In spite of the new energy efficiency, a fireplace still continues to provide ambience, warmth, and an upgrade in any décor. What’s Your Style? Fireplaces have come a long way from the typical wood-burning variety. They can be specifically designed to fit any room, and there are a large variety of fuels to produce heat or just glow. A wood-burning fireplace is the classic option. They provide a beautiful flame, crackling-wood sound, and heat. Newer to the market are gas fireplaces, which can be designed to imitate real burning wood, but their fuel source is natural gas or propane. Gas burns cleanly and is much more convenient than its wood-burning counterpart. Electric fireplaces have some of the same advantages as gas-burning fireplaces, but have the extra benefit of being able to flip a switch and have instant ambience. Which is the right investment for you? When deciding which option in fireplaces is right for your home, it is important to look at the space limitations in your home. Determine how much heat you need from the unit and whether you plan to do it yourself or hire a professional. Another thing to consider is that if you do not have a chimney in the house, installing one will add additional expense. Your choice of fuel for the fire should also be considered. Dealing with split wood—the stacking and handling, versus turning on a switch to give you the fire, is something to think about when choosing options. Adding a fireplace to any room in your home will add value to your home and provide a comfortable setting for you to relax. Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9

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Mercer County

Whether it's set in the great outdoors, a lavish ballroom, the couple's favorite restaurant, or at home, the wedding reception is a special time for newlyweds to celebrate with family and friends. The signature dessert â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cake â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is usually the centerpiece for this occasion, a continuing reflection of the wedding theme and colors. An assortment of cupcakes or a tower of layers allows today's cakes to take almost any form, from square to round, even pillow or heart-shaped. This stunning all-white creation from the wedding experts at Wilton is both simple yet elegant. Cake layers are covered in pure white fondant, while additional bands of fondant glistening with white sparkling sugar decorate the bottom of each tier. Dots of sugar pearl sprinkles, resembling perfect pearls, add a hint of texture, while a gem-studded monogram topper adds the finishing touch. This unique do-it-yourself wedding topper kit can easily be customized with one initial, two, or a trio. Self-adhesive crystal-like gems are used to trace the initials onto the clear disc. Gems can also be used to create a border or other complementary design. After the reception, it makes a perfect keepsake that the couple will treasure for years to come. Guests will want to raise a glass in honor of the newlyweds with the timeless custom of a champagne toast. Decorated flutes for the bride and groom create a long-lasting memory of this special tradition. Individual boxes are ideal for truffles or other candies to send home with guests. Tie these with ribbons reflecting the color theme of the wedding. Another fun memento is a mini champagne bottle favor that can be filled with small candies. Attach a label with a personalized message. Make it elegant or simple, and always make it meaningful and memorable. For more do-it-yourself wedding ideas, favors, and accessories, visit www.wilton.com. Bethel Park | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

for the gue By Pamela Palon

s anyone who knows me personally will tell you, I am no expert on social occasions. However, based upon the theory that even a stopped clock is right twice a day, I have made enough social faux pas to speak authoritatively on what not to do at a wedding. Some helpful tips are listed below to help get you through the season of bliss.

Never wear white to a wedding. This includes eggshell, ecru, light cream, pearl lustre and Tahitian coconut. Never attempt to upstage the bride (unless of course you hate the bride, in which case you probably really shouldn’t be attending the wedding anyway, given the spirit of the whole love and happiness thing).

At Jewish weddings do not ask, “What is that big thing they’re standing under?”

At Catholic weddings try to refrain from asking, “Why is this taking so long?” The well-prepared wedding guest remembers to bring snacks for himself and his friends. (Avoid crunchy snacks that may disrupt the ceremony.)

NEVER bet on how long the marriage will last at the reception. All odds-making must be done outside the reception venue. (In the event of inclement weather, the lobby or bathroom is acceptable.)

Never complain about the food at the wedding reception with your mouth full of food from the wedding reception. It’s a credibility issue.

Throw only designated throwing materials at the bride and groom, such as rice and rose petals. Shoes, Jell-O, and steak knives are not acceptable. Ever. Even when they are within the appropriate wedding color scheme.

The wedding day is NOT the proper time to share the fact that you once dated the groom, the bride, or their parents. In fact, the proper time to share this information may not actually exist.

If you simply must dance at the reception, remember you are not trying out for “Dancing With The Stars.” If you throw your partner in the air, make sure you catch them. Missing is considered grounds for divorce in most states. Avoid high kicks, which may warrant medical attention.

Many people adhere to the time-honored adage, “It’s not a party till something gets broken.” However, avoid breaking things that are irreplaceable, expensive, and likely to lead to a law suit. Cell phones and glasses are okay.

Given the fact that marriage is a formidable undertaking and the courageous souls who dare to tread the rose-strewn path are likely to be distraught, hysterical, and panic-stricken, you owe it to the happy couple to be the best wedding guest possible. These helpful tips are the very foundation of the social graces. If you follow them carefully, you will glide effortlessly from wedding celebration to reception party in a virtual whirl of neurotic enthusiasm.

Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11

Venue Planning forYourWedding

hen it comes time to plan for the biggest day of your life, you may not know where to start. Planning a wedding is a challenging, time consuming and expensive task, which is why those who can afford it oftentimes hire wedding planners. But for those of us who have to keep an eye on the budget, knowing what to look for in your wedding venue can save you time and money up front, and less hassle when it’s over. Obviously, you want to pick a venue suitable to the size of your anticipated invitation list, and you want to pick it early. Popular venues can be booked well over a year in advance, and if you’re getting married on a date that’s unique – like Dec. 12, 2012, or 12/12/12 – you’re going to want to start looking immediately. Robin Craig, Director of Sales for the Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe,

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said couples should plan out 12 to 18 months when booking a venue. “They need to sit down and find out their guest list and their budget. Once they determine the guest list, we can start quoting pricing,” Craig said. “Next year , 9/10/11 is a big date, and we’re already booked. Also, 10/11/12 would be a hot date. Our hot months are September and October and May and June. If you’re a teacher, June and July are busy months.” Once you have that location selected and it appeals to your personal sense of style and aesthetics, you should evaluate anything that may be taken for granted, such as ingress and egress and parking. Is the wedding/reception hall easy to find? Are there covered porticos for dropping off guests in case of inclement weather or for those who have trouble walking without assistance? Will guests be able to find the hall easily, or is it hidden deep in a labyrinth of hallways? And are the restrooms close by? “All of our parking is complimentary,” Craig said. “If you want valet, we can provide it for a fee.” Once you have the building chosen, you should discuss logistics of the day with any facility manager responsible for the site. Important items to discuss include catering – can you hire your own caterer or is there a caterer specific to the venue you’ve chosen? Is there an additional charge for alcohol and can you furnish your own? Will linens be provided and who will be responsible for setting up and tearing down the tables and chairs? Is there a suggested room layout for weddings? Having a tried and true seating

Mercer County

arrangement for the venue can save you headaches later on when you’re trying to figure out where to place the bridal table. Lastly, knowing how early you can arrive and how late you can stay will be crucial information for anyone from caterers to your bridal party. Craig said her venue offers full linens with chair covers, sashes, mirrors, candles and champagne toasts. It also offers complimentary bridal party refresher rooms. They can tray cookies at no charge and provide a gourmet coffee station. It also offers a complimentary overnight room for the bride and groom. Lastly, find out all of the financial details up front. Many venues have service charges that are above and beyond your bill. Get all of your charges in writing, up front before you sign for your venue. You don’t want to find out afterwards that there was a food and beverage minimum that you didn’t attain, or that it was ok for you to bring your own wine, but forgot to inquire about corking fees. Craig said service charge at her venue is 21 percent and sales tax is 6 percent. They also have food and drink minimums. However, discounts are offered for group room rentals for overnight guests and for off-peak days and months. Weddings in January-March and November, and those held on Fridays and Sundays, are considered off-peak. If you do your homework up front, there’s nothing stopping you from having the fairytale wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Keep in mind, like any successful marriage, wedding planning is hard work, but work that you’ll reap rewards from in the end.

SPRING 2011

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

Healthy Family, Happy Family Keeping yourself and your family healthy can seem like a full-time job. With UPMC HealthTrak, you now have a convenient way to manage your health anytime and anywhere.

What’s Inside page 2

Early Detection Key in Treating Cancer

page 3

From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future Stomachaches: When to Worry

page 4

Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are You Allergic to Your Bed?

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UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

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Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Could It Happen to You?

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New Lung Center Now Open at UPMC Horizon What’s Happening at UPMC Horizon

Early Detection Key inTreating Cancer Find out how screening tests at UPMC Horizon can support your good health. Edgardo R. Lob, MD, medical oncologist with the UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Horizon, says, “It’s always better to catch cancer early.” According to Dr. Lob, screening increases the chances of detecting cancer in its earliest and most treatable stage. “Early diagnosis and treatment lead to improved survival and cure rates,” he says.

About Our New UPMC Cancer Center

Dr. Lob urges patients to follow these recommended screening guidelines from the American Cancer Society (ACS) for cancers of the breast, cervix, colon, and rectum:

The resources needed for cancer prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment are now available right in our region with the recent opening of the UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Horizon. The $6 million project brings state-of-the-art imaging and advanced radiation oncology services to UPMC Horizon’s Shenango Valley campus in Farrell.

Breast Cancer A mammogram is a tool doctors use to screen patients for breast cancer early. Digital mammography, the latest technology for detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages, is available at the Womancare Center at UPMC Horizon. The ACS recommends women have yearly mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health. A clinical breast exam is recommended about every three years for women in their 20s and 30s, and every year for women 40 and over. Women with a family history, genetic tendency, or certain other factors should be screened with an MRI in addition to mammograms. Talk to your doctor about your history to determine if you should have additional tests at an earlier age.

Cervix The Pap test, or Pap smear, is used to check cells from the cervix. The ACS recommends that all women begin cervical cancer screening three years after they begin having sexual intercourse, or when they reach 21 (whichever comes first). Screening should be done every year with the regular Pap test or every two years using the newer liquid-based Pap test. Beginning at age 30, women with three consecutive normal Pap smears can get screened every three years. Women age 70 or older — and those who have had a total hysterectomy — with three or more consecutive normal Pap tests and no abnormal Pap tests in the past 10 years may choose to stop having the tests.

Colorectal Cancer Regular colorectal cancer screening or testing is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer. Doctors often perform a digital rectal exam during a routine physical exam. In addition, the ACS recommends both men and women with an average risk of colorectal cancer should begin regular screening at age 50. Ask your doctor which tests are recommended. If you have a higher-than-average risk of cancer of the colon or rectum, including family history, you should talk with your doctor about starting screening when you are younger and getting screened more frequently.

www.UPMC.com/Today

Some of the new technology available in the 7,135-square-foot facility includes: • Gated image-guided, intensitymodulated radiation therapy (IMRT), which delivers precise doses of radiation in a shorter period of time than traditional IMRT so patients can breathe normally during treatment. • On-Board Imaging® (OBI), which uses three different methods to take images of tumors, particularly in the head, neck, prostate, lung, pancreas, and cervix. OBI is used just prior to treatment to ensure that the patient and tumor are in the correct position. • RapidArc®, which delivers precise radiation therapy while helping to spare surrounding tissue. Appointments for Medical Oncology can be made by calling 724-983-7021 (Shenango Valley campus) or 724-589-6842 (Greenville campus). Appointments for Surgical Oncology can be made by calling 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Appointments for Radiation Oncology can be made by calling 724-983-7570 (Shenango Valley campus). Appointments can also be coordinated through your family physician, PCP, or another specialist.

From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future UPMC’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center wields a powerful “triple threat” against IBD: Groundbreaking immunology, genetics research, and innovative clinical care. The primary goal of drug therapy is to reduce inflammation in the intestines. Medications include anti-inflammatory drugs; antibiotics to kill germs in the intestinal track; probiotics to restore good bacteria; corticosteroids to provide short-term relief during flare-ups; and immunosuppressants.

At age 23, John Oliver* is feeling better about the future. Free from the gutwrenching pain of Crohn’s disease since a second bowel surgery in 2008 — this time followed by a promising new treatment developed at UPMC using biologic-based drug therapy — he is now making plans to attend medical school next fall. “I think the medicine is working. It’s the best I’ve felt and the best I’ve looked,” says John, who earned his biomedical engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in engineering management from Duke University. His gastroenterologist, Miguel Regueiro, MD, clinical head and codirector of the UPMC Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, says the future has never looked brighter for IBD patients. “Ten years ago, a diagnosis of IBD was devastating. Now, we have new medicines, a greater understanding of the disease, and better research,” he says.

IBD: Who’s at risk? Nearly two million Americans live with IBD, which is not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBD involves two chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Symptoms include abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and bleeding.

Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the small and large intestines, while ulcerative colitis affects the large bowel alone. IBD cuts across all ages, genders, and ethnicities, but generally affects Caucasians ages 15 to 35. While the exact cause is not known, experts believe IBD involves a compromised or overactive immune system. Because IBD may run in families, doctors also believe genetics plays a role. While stress and certain foods do not cause IBD, both can make symptoms worse.

Treatment According to Dr. Regueiro, drugs cannot cure IBD, but they can be effective in reducing the inflammation and accompanying symptoms. While some patients have mild symptoms requiring little medication, others have more debilitating flare-ups, and some patients have severe problems requiring surgery and even transplants.

In addition, the IBD Center recently developed a Visceral Inflammation and Pain (VIP) Center to help patients deal with both the physical pain and emotional stress of coping with IBD.

Exciting breakthroughs The latest generation of drugs, called biologic therapies, are proving very effective in inducing remission so that patients can lead normal lives. At UPMC, doctors took this approach a step further — as in John’s case — by prescribing biologic drug therapy after performing surgery to remove the damaged section of the intestine. In use now at other hospitals, this treatment has reduced the recurrence of Crohn’s disease in patients by nearly two thirds. * John Oliver’s treatment and results may not be representative of similar cases.

Stomachaches: When to Worry Everyone gets a stomachache — or abdominal pain — from time to time. Most of the time, stomachaches are harmless conditions caused by overeating, gas, or indigestion. Frequent or recurring stomachaches are often due to stress and worry, even in children. But they can point to more serious medical problems. Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours. If you have the stomach flu your stomach may hurt before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea. In serious cases, the pain worsens or becomes constant. According to gastroenterologists at UPMC Horizon, you should call your primary care physician if mild pain lasts more than a couple days, or if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms.

Get medical help immediately if: • You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden. • You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder. • You’re vomiting blood or having bloody diarrhea. • Your abdomen is stiff, hard, and tender to the touch. • You can’t move your bowels, especially if you’re also vomiting. The bottom line: Trust your gut! Contact your doctor if you’re concerned about lingering or unusual stomach pain.

1-800-533-UPMC

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are you among the millions of Americans suffering from lack of sleep? If so, droopy eyelids, wide yawns, and low energy are the least of your worries. Sleep disruption — not sleeping enough or sleeping poorly — can affect your memory, disease resistance, and leave you struggling to stay alert in school, on the job, and on the road. Studies show that people who get the appropriate amount of sleep on a regular basis also tend to live longer, healthier lives than those who sleep too few or even too many hours each night. So, what is a good night’s sleep? According to the National Institutes of Health, most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. School-aged children and teens need at least nine hours of sleep each night. Tips to help you sleep • Stick to a sleep schedule. Get up about the same time each day, no matter how many hours of sleep you got the previous night. • Maintain healthy sleep habits. Go to bed only when you’re sleepy. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and relaxing — not too hot or too cold. Don’t text, e-mail, read, or watch TV in bed. • Make sure your mattress is comfortable. Remember, even a good quality mattress needs to be replaced within 10 years. • Exercise is great, but not too late. Avoid exercising within a few hours before bedtime. • Avoid caffeinated drinks after lunch. The stimulating effects of caffeine in coffee, colas, teas, and chocolate can take as long as eight hours to wear off. • Avoid large meals at night. A large meal can cause indigestion that interferes with sleep. • Avoid alcoholic drinks before bedtime. While a nightcap may help you relax, alcohol keeps you in the lighter stages of sleep and tends to wake you during the night. And, for adolescents and young adults: • Avoid stimulating activities around bedtime. This includes intense studying, text messaging, video games, and lengthy phone conversations. • Avoid pulling “all nighters” during exams. • Sleep in on weekends — but not more than two to three hours past your normal wake time. Sleeping longer may disrupt your body clock. Find a more complete list of the benefits of good sleep at www.UPMC.com/Today.

AreYouAllergic toYour Bed? The dust in your bedroom might be making you sick. Dust mites, and dander, and fibers — oh my! These are just some of the microscopic menaces in ordinary house dust that can cause health problems. Dust mites are a common cause of allergies and asthma. It’s not the dust mite itself that can make you sick; it’s the dust mite debris (the mite’s feces and decaying body). Dust collects in every room of the house because it is easily trapped in linens, upholstery, carpets, and draperies. But the bedroom is a favorite habitat for dust mites because it provides a warm, humid environment, and plenty of food (dead skin from humans and pets).

Five ways to help wipe out dust mites While you can’t completely eliminate dust mites, these simple steps may help reduce their numbers: 1. Cover your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen-blocking covers, and encase box springs in vinyl or plastic covers. 2. Wash and dry bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, and bedcovers weekly in hot water (140 degrees). If bedding can’t be washed, put the items in the dryer set at a high temperature for 20 minutes. 3. Vacuum carpeting and upholstery weekly. Using a HEPA-filter vacuum can help keep dust from floating back into the air. 4. Use a damp cloth or mop to remove dust from hard surfaces and exposed floors. This will prevent dust from becoming airborne and resettling. 5. Keep the indoor temperature at 70 degrees and humidity at no more than 50 percent. Dust mites aren’t the only puny pests that can invade your bedroom. Bed bugs have made a comeback in recent years. For tips on ways to avoid a bed bug infestation, visit www.UPMC.com/Today. Sources: National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency

www.UPMC.com/Today

UPMC Spotlight

UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online

Keeping track of health issues, test results, and medications is challenging for Sandy Hogue*, who is disabled and chronically ill. Because she must rely on cabs for transportation, seeing a primary care doctor can be an all-day affair. That’s why she was eager to sign up for UPMC HealthTrak, an Internet-based service that enables patients to receive and manage information about their health. Sandy uses it to monitor her glucose and high cholesterol levels, check test results, make appointments, renew prescriptions, and diagnose medical conditions — all from the comfort of her home in Westmoreland County. “It’s a good system. I get the medical treatment I need faster without spending a day traveling around,” says Sandy. “It keeps me in contact with my doctor and helps me monitor my medical conditions. And if I have anything contagious, like the flu, it prevents me from infecting other people.” More patients choosing HealthTrak Approximately 42,000 UPMC patients have signed on to HealthTrak, which gives them secure electronic access to their medical records, medications, and other information. HealthTrak recently was expanded to include eVisits — an online digital house call — with a primary care physician. * These patients’ treatments and results may not be representative of similar cases.

During an eVisit, patients select a symptom and complete an interactive questionnaire. A UPMC doctor then reviews the information and makes a diagnosis. If medication is needed, a prescription can be sent electronically to the patient’s pharmacy.

“HealthTrak is great for college students who are far from home, the elderly, and other people who have trouble getting to the doctor. It doesn’t take the place of going to the doctor for regular check-ups, but it’s very useful,” Robin says. “If only UPMC could figure a way for me to see my dentist online!”

Oakmont resident Mark Gleeson* uses HealthTrak primarily to keep track of his medical records. In October, when the computer-savvy 83-year-old came down with a cough and cold late in the day, he decided to “see” a doctor via eVisit. Within an hour of completing the questionnaire, a UPMC doctor responded with medical instructions and a prescription for his sinus infection and chest congestion. “It was so convenient, and it worked! Within three days, I felt good as new,” Mark says. Convenience and comfort As a graduate student, Robin Sales* relied on HealthTrak to connect with her hometown doctor while attending school in Nevada. Now a young professional living in New York City, she continues to use the online service for eVisits, to fill prescriptions, and access her medical records.

UPMC HealthTrak Benefits Manage your health from home with HealthTrak. Here’s what you can do online: • Send a message to your doctor • View medical records and test results

“It’s comforting. Having easy access to a doctor back home gives me the chance to find the right doctor for me locally, without rushing into it. It’s one less thing to worry about,” she says.

• Renew prescriptions

Robin, who first used eVisit to consult a doctor about an eye infection, says the online questionnaire asks the same questions the doctor would ask at an appointment. When she needs medicine, her doctor in Pittsburgh faxes the prescription to her New York drug store two minutes away.

• Ask billing questions

• Track current health issues such as glucose levels and blood pressure • Request appointments • “See” a doctor (digital house call) For more information or to sign up, visit www.UPMCHealthTrak.com.

1-800-533-UPMC

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Could it Happen to You? Most of us associate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with returning military veterans who have experienced the tragedy of war. But you don’t have to be a soldier to undergo the intense feelings of helplessness, horror, and fear that characterize PTSD. Imagine being in a terrible car accident on your way to the mall. For days and weeks afterwards, you constantly relive the accident in your mind. You take a different route to shop and, worst of all, your body won’t let you relax. You can’t sleep — and when you finally do doze off, you’re awakened by nightmares. You can’t concentrate, your heart pounds, and you break out in cold sweats. “We know that anyone who has undergone some kind of trauma can be at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder,” explains Anne Germain, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Based at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC, she currently leads several sleep research projects with returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who have PTSD. PTSD can be triggered by a single event you’ve experienced or even witnessed — be it an accident, violent crime, or natural disaster — or by ongoing trauma, such as child abuse or domestic violence. When we experience a life-threatening event, it’s normal for our body to react with a powerful, stressful response; it’s what enables us to fight or flee. “But for some people, these symptoms persist and worsen,” says Dr. Germain. “The toll can be profound if symptoms are ignored. PTSD has a devastating impact on the lives of people who have it — and on those around them. It also has enormous financial and economic implications.”

Did You Know? UPMC's Sleep Medicine Center — accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine — is the only multidisciplinary sleep medicine facility in western Pennsylvania. The center performs approximately 2,000 sleep studies annually for adult patients with all types of sleep disorders. The staff at the UPMC Sleep Medicine Center include board-certified physicians, certified nurse practitioners, and registered sleep laboratory technologists. To schedule an appointment, call 412-692-2880.

www.UPMC.com/Today

PTSD is a relatively new specialization in psychology, and experts are still trying to determine why it affects some people and not others. Fortunately, for most people, the symptoms of PTSD begin to ease in about a month. “If they continue, it’s extremely important to seek professional help,” notes Dr. Germain. “The best place to begin is to talk with your family doctor and seek a referral to a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.”

PTSD and sleep disorders Among the most troubling aspects of chronic PTSD for patients are the recurring nightmares and insomnia it can bring. There is growing evidence that such sleep disorders have a direct impact on both a person’s mental and physical health. Individuals with PTSD often say they have problems falling or staying asleep, and that the sleep they get isn’t refreshing and restorative. “Our sleep research studies with veterans show that they have many more sleep disorders than the general public, including sleep apnea and other breathing problems,” notes Dr. Germain. With PTSD, nightmares can become an ingrained behavior, affecting a person’s daytime functioning — from faltering concentration and poor memory, to emotional outbursts. “By stopping the nightmares and helping to make sleep more normal, restful, and restorative, patients can overcome other aspects of chronic PTSD in their lives a bit more easily. And sleep can be improved in a matter of weeks,” she says. Dr. Germain uses several methods to treat PTSD-related sleep disorders, including image reversal therapy. “We help patients replace a recurring nightmare with a more positive, affirming dream. They write it down and rehearse it several times a day to train the brain to have a new dream image.” Individuals interested in participating in Dr. Germain’s sleep research studies for military veterans are invited to call 412-246-6404 or visit www.veteranssleep.pitt.edu.

New Lung Center Now Open at UPMC Horizon With the opening of the UPMC Horizon Lung Center near its Shenango Valley campus in Farrell, UPMC Horizon has streamlined its approach to treating patients with pulmonary and thoracic conditions. Located in Primary Health Park Place at 350 Sharon-New Castle Road, the UPMC Horizon Lung Center incorporates pulmonary medicine and thoracic surgery, while offering seamless access to diagnostic services available at the hospital as well as the UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Horizon. “The UPMC Horizon Lung Center provides a one-stop location for patients in the Mercer County area who require treatment from lung specialists,” says James Marcin, DO, a pulmonologist with UPMC Horizon.

Dr. Marcin and fellow pulmonologist Natalia Moguillansky, MD, and thoracic surgeons Robert Jama, DO, and Joseph Wizorek, MD, see patients at the UPMC Horizon Lung Center, offering treatment for conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, sleep apnea, lung cancer, and esophageal diseases. By providing both pulmonary medicine and thoracic surgery in the same location, the Lung Center eliminates the need for a patient to visit multiple physician offices if a referral is necessary. The center also works closely with the UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Horizon and the UPMC Horizon Regional Center for Sleep Disorders. For more information about the UPMC Horizon Lung Center, or to schedule an appointment, call 1-855-786-LUNG (5864).

What’s Happening at UPMC Horizon Event Spotlight

Classes

Support Groups

Essentials to Midlife Wellness Saturday, April 30 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Radisson Hotel Sharon West Middlesex, PA The event will include information sessions on nutrition, skin care, managing menopause symptoms, and personal safety, as well as vendor displays from local businesses. A $10 registration fee includes lunch. To register, call 724-347-7700.

ACLS Recertification BLS Skills Lab for CPR Recertification Breastfeeding Class Family & Friends Pediatric CPR Lamaze Prenatal Class Lamaze Refresher Prenatal Class Lamaze Weekend Prenatal Class New Health Care Provider Basic Life Support Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) Recertification Pediatric Emergency Assessment, Recognition, and Stabilization (PEARS) Course Seniors for Safe Driving Sibling Class Silver & Fit Senior Exercise

Bereavement Support Group Cancer Support Group (Greenville and Farrell) Empty Arms Support Group Lupus Support Group Mercer County Breast Cancer Support Group Mercer County Diabetes Support Group (Greenville and Farrell) Multiple Sclerosis Support Group

Ostomy Support Group Parents of Murdered Children Support Group Pulmonary Hypertension Support Group Weight Loss Surgery Support Group (Greenville and Hermitage) Yellow Ribbon Support Group

For a complete list of events, including dates and times, visit the “Classes and Events” section of the UPMC Horizon website at www.UPMC.com/Horizon.

1-800-533-UPMC

UPMC Horizon

Shenango Valley 2200 Memorial Drive Farrell, PA 16121

Greenville 110 N. Main St. Greenville, PA 16125

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

Follow UPMC on Facebook.

World-class cancer care is now closer to your home. The quality of cancer care in Mercer County just got even better. Patients can now be treated at our brand new, state-of-the-art facility, UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Horizon, Shenango Valley campus. In addition to medical oncology, we now offer radiation oncology services right where you live. This means you can conveniently access state-of-the-art imaging capabilities, as well as some of the most advanced radiation delivery systems available. We’ve added intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), respiratory gating, RapidArc®, and brachytherapy. These more precise tumor treatments reduce the chance of damaging healthy tissue. So now there’s a new cancer center in Mercer County with a name you already trust. For more information about our medical and radiation oncology services, call 1-888-447-1122 or visit UPMCCancerCenters.com. Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC is ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. UPMC Cancer Centers works in tandem with the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.

K N Y O A H U! T

This is Luke Kettering. He is the grandson of Valerie Kettering and the cousin of Douglas Kettering of Hermitage, Pa. Luke has been serving in Afghanistan for five months. We would like to recognize him for his courage and heroism.

Irene Belen EsquibelMcGuire has been serving in the Air Force since December 1990. Currently, she is stationed in Afghanistan, at a Task Force Med-Pharmacy in Bagram Air Force base. She has been deployed since December, 2010 and she is scheduled to return in June, 2011. Her photo was lovingly submitted by June Esquibel.

This is Joshua Solyan from Sharon, Pa. He is in the National Guard and is currently on a training base in Houston, Texas. His sister, Samantha Solyan, sent his photo to honor his dedication and commitment.

Do you know someone who is serving in the armed forces from the Mercer County area? We would like to honor their commitment by featuring them in this magazine. Please forward your name, the soldierâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and where they are serving, along with a photo to marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com Help us recognize these fine men and women!

Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21

y S m e p l h l o i n v y n e e r eh G Photos by Renata Lob

he Greenville Symphony in its 82nd season, continues to amaze and mesmerize it’s audience in the Western Pennsylvania region. For the last nine years, it has been directed by Michael Gelfand, Conductor and Music Director from the Youngstown, Ohio area. His fascinating style and technique delight the audience at each and every concert. Each year the Greenville Symphony Orchestra performs a three concert season, Fall, Winter and Spring. In addition the Greenville Symphony Society provides a free concert for children of all Mercer County schools each fall and continues to offer young artists the opportunity to perform with a symphony. For additional information, please see the GSO website at: www.thegreenvillesymphony.org. The GSO in October 2009 held an innovative sensory experience for students of the Mercer/Lawrence County Keystone Blind Association. The students sat among the musicians during a rehearsal to hear the instruments interact to create the symphonic sound. During a one-onone breakout session the enthusiastic students were assisted by members of the Greenville and Jamestown Lion Clubs to interact with individual musicians and their instruments. A question and answer opportunity with conductor Michael Gelfand displayed an interest by the students in music opportunities and recommendations for

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instrumental lessons. That evening the students were guests at the concert. It was a very moving experience for all in attendance, especially when former Keystone student George Castleberry performed on the harmonica with the orchestra. The symphony’s mission has always been to create a quality symphonic experience for this area and to inspire people to covet performances of live symphonic music. The GSO performs with approximately 70 paid musicians. As a small community symphony, the Greenville Symphony does not have a large endowment on which to rely to cover expenses. With the help of a full volunteer board of 31 hard working individuals, Patrons, Corporate Sponsors, Grants, and Fund Raisers allow the GSO to meet it’s over $70,000 yearly budget. Our Board members sell sponsorships, hold basket raffles, set up the stage, sell tickets, run lights, hire musicians, recommend , sort and prepare sheets of music, usher, maintain the web site, administer the GSO Scholarship, participate in long range planning, manage publicity, organize the Young People’s concert, hold fundraisers such as the Brass Chef and Rising Stars. This year UPMC and St Paul’s joined Thiel as Title Sponsors for the Greenville Symphony providing funds and gifts-in-kind.

Continues to Amaze For more information about the Greenville Symphony Orchestra please visit their website at www.thegreenvillesymphony.org

Kenzie Palmer Rising Star Winner 2010

Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 23

S P R I N G

2 0 1 1

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How to Keep them Away!

G e r mWhat s Are Allergies?

When our bodies need to fight off germs, they make antibodies to attack germs and keep us healthy. Just as our bodies make antibodies to fight germs, they may also make antibodies in response to other substances that get inside our bodies. This results in an allergy—an adverse reaction caused by hypersensitivity to a normally harmless substance such as pollen, dust, food, or a drug. Allergens—the substance that causes the allergic reaction—can cause one or several responses.

Key Fact:

Germs

When you sneeze germs can travel at 80 miles per hour across a room!

When should kids wash their hands?

Children should be reminded to wash their hands before, during and after food is prepared; before and after you eat; after using the bathroom; after handling animals or animal waste such as The “Happy Birthday” song changing a cage or catbox; whenever hands are dirty or when helps keep your hands clean? kids have been outside playing; and more frequently when anyone Not exactly.Yet we recommend that when in the classroom, care setting or home is sick. you wash your hands – with soap and warm water – that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. That's about the same time it takes to sing the A single germ can grow to become more “Happy Birthday” song twice!

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Groundhog T

he groundhog, or woodchuck, is one of 14 species of marmots. These rodents eat during the summer to fatten themselves up for hibernation during the winter. After the first frost, they retreat to their underground burrows and snooze until spring. During hibernation, the groundhog lives off its body fat, its heart rate plunges, and its body temperature is not much warmer than the temperature inside its burrow. Groundhog hibernation is where the popular American custom of Groundhog Day got its name. Groundhog Day is held on February 2 every year. By tradition, if the groundhog sees its shadow that day, there will be six more weeks of winter. In the spring, females welcome a litter of perhaps a half dozen newborns, which stay with their mother for several months. Groundhogs are the largest members of the squirrel family.

wild local a nimals Though they are usually seen on the ground, they can climb trees and are also good swimmers. These rodents hang out in areas where woodlands meet open spaces, like fields, roads, or streams. Here they eat grasses and plants as well as fruits and never tree bark.

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find these things hiding in this picture. Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 25

Mercer Student Wins PennDOT Aviation Art Contest

Out of 22 students from across the state selected as division winners in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's "The View from the Pilot's Seat" aviation art contest, Mercer’s Julian Burns was the grade one through three winner for District 1. Burns, who attends Notre Dame School, competed with entries submitted from the entire district, which is comprised of Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties. "More than 500 entries poured in from homes and classrooms around the state and the students continue to impress us with their creativity," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler. "The winners should be proud of their achievement, and I offer my thanks to teachers and family members who ensure this contest is an annual success." Entries were judged in two divisions: first through third grades, and fourth and fifth grades. One winner was chosen from each division in each of PennDOT's 11 district offices. Winners will receive a mounted, 16-by-20-inch copy of their entry, and a certificate signed by the transportation secretary. The students' schools will also receive a mounted copy of the artwork for display. The winning entries were on display in the East Wing of the state Capitol building in Harrisburg from Nov. 29-Dec. 3. For more information or to see the winning entries, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on "Aviation & Rail Freight," then the bureau of aviation.

by Julian Burns

STRANGER DANGER

Strangers – What do I do? What is a stranger?

A stranger is simply someone you don’t know. Strangers can say they know you or know your family, teacher or friends. Strangers may even know your name or the names of people in your family. If you or your parents do not know that person, the person is a stranger.

What should I do if a stranger tries to talk to me?

Run in the opposite direction as fast as you can, and tell a safe adult the first chance you get. Do not talk to a stranger, even to say, “I can’t talk to strangers.” You can also yell, “Call 911!” as loud as you can. The idea is to get away and get other people’s attention so they can see what’s happening.

What if I am out with my family?

That is a hard question. Sometimes people who work in a business will talk to kids, for example. If you’re with a safe adult, you don’t need to run away. If you’re not with a safe adult and a stranger talks to you for no reason, running away is still the safest thing to do. It’s best to have an idea of what the safe places are where you’re at, or even have a special meeting place planned when you go out, so you know where to go. For example, in a store you might go to the customer service counter, the security desk or checkout counter. Look for the uniforms people who work in the business wear.

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Mercer County

Who are safe adults?

Safe adults are grown-ups who you can tell if something happens to you—people who your parents or caregivers have told you are safe to talk with. Examples of safe adults: • Parents • Caregivers • Teachers • School Counselors • Principal • Policeman in uniform • Fireman in uniform

Why Your Business Needs a Website, or a Better One! f you’ve resolved to launch or update your business website in 2011, then you’ve made a wise decision. The research firm BIA/Kelsey recently noted that a businesses’ website now serves as the central core of marketing. A website essentially combines all other forms of advertising including print, e-mail/direct mail, video, mobile, Internet Yellow Pages, reputation management, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM). When you hand a prospective client a business card, if they do not see a website or an e-mail address with your corporate domain listed, there is an instant perception that you are behind the times. This, in turn, gets people wondering where else your business falls short. The last thing you want is a customer searching for your business and finding nothing (or worse, finding your competition). Today, any credible business is expected to have a website. Yet, many businesses still fail to establish a web presence. A professionally developed website can serve a business in a variety of ways, providing a platform to convince potential consumers that the business is a legitimate, trusted operation and providing site visitors with important information about the goods and services offered. A business website will also serve as a hub for your social media pages such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, essentially cross-promoting relevant traffic and building your online reputation.

Choosing a Professional Business Website Development Firm Choosing a web design firm can be a daunting task. Many web designers like to show off websites full of flashy designs. Unfortunately, when you “lift the hood” so to speak, these web designers have left an empty shell. Most websites fail to attract traffic due to the fact they are poorly designed in terms of identifying business goals, targeting relevant visitors and following SEO best practices. A well-qualified, web development firm will be able to build your business a professional, traffic generating website that takes into account these critical business aspects: • Specification of business goals for the website • Optimization towards your target audience • Expression of the appropriate corporate message • Promotion of your goods and services However, it takes even more effort by a professional web development firm to create a traffic generating website. For the search engine spiders to crawl and index your website high in the search engine rankings these items need to be taken into consideration: • Relevant content full of business-specific keywords and keyword phrases • Accurate web page titles and descriptions • Search Engine friendly URLs which include keywords relevant to the web pages • Search Engine Optimization (SEO) If the website development firm you choose achieves these goals and you see to it that new content is added to the website regularly to keep the website current, a business should begin noticing increased website traffic and a return on investment within 3 to 6 months.

Below are a few reasons why a professional website redesign may be right for your business. • The business goals have changed • The current website fails at generating business • The current website appears outdated and contains inaccurate information • A new product or service line is missing The same rules for a website design apply for a website redesign. You can expect to start noticing an increase in relevant traffic and a return on investment in the 3 to 6 month timeframe.

Professional Web Development Services to Meet Any Business Budget As your New Years’ Resolution for 2011, make sure to launch or update your business website. There will be no shortage of potential clients who will be searching for your business throughout the year and beyond. You deserve to win that business by investing in your website today. Farmer SEO, Inc. offers affordable web development services that will turn your business website into a revenue generating machine! Give us a call today toll-free at 1-877-474-2573 to find out how we can develop or improve your website. This Industry Insight was written by Greg Uhrlen, President of Farmer SEO, Inc., an Internet Marketing company. Farmer SEO specializes in Web Design and Development, Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing. Contact Farmer SEO, Inc. at 1-877-474-2573, via e-mail at services@farmerseo.com or through the website http://www.farmerseo.com

Why Your Business Needs a Website Redesign Many businesses still have websites that were built by web design agencies on older platforms, some of which still utilize frames. Websites such as these may not be indexed in search engines such as Google, Yahoo! or Bing, which can make your website nearly invisible online! If your website looks good and was recently built or rebuilt, but is not generating a tangible return on investment, it was probably created by a web designer with no knowledge of web development best practices.

Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 27

Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation

Older Adults in Mercer County

Keep Your Credit Card Secure

ow that the holidays are behind us, you’re hopefully putting that smoking credit card back into your wallet or purse for a while. But even though this may be a down time for you and your credit card, it’s no time to be lax about your credit card security. So what do you need to know about keeping your credit card safe? First, off, don’t give yourself a pin number that’s easy to guess. Issuing banks typically assign you a random pin number when you first get your card that you can change later. Keep this assigned number and avoid picking a pin for yourself like “1234” or your birth date. While it may be easy for you to remember, those choices are also very easy for predators to figure out. If you make a lot of online purchases or just want to dip your toes into the world of Internet shopping, get yourself a dedicated card with a low credit limit. You can open up a secured credit card at most financial institutions that require you to deposit a balance to borrow against, allowing you to open a card with a $500 limit. Your deposit will gain interest and you will be able to use your card for online purchases. What’s more, most scammers try to run a small purchase 28 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

through before running a larger purchase on the card. You may not notice a $0.32 charge right away, but when your bank calls you asking if you tried to purchase a $779 laptop, you’ll be happy your limit was low enough to be declined. If your credit card number is compromised, you should call your bank immediately and report it. While police are able to enforce credit card fraud on a local level, with the Internet the person trying to run your numbers may be six states away, if they’re in the United States at all. In all cases, the sooner it’s reported, the better. Your bank will cancel the card number and reissue you another card. While you’re online, keep in mind that your bank will most likely never contact you via e-mail regarding your account. If you do get an e-mail from a bank that you use, double check the address. Chances are it will be slightly askew from any legitimate

Mercer County

address. Instead of “@yourcreditcard.com,” you may see, “@yourcreditcard1.com” or “@yourcreditcard.uk.” Banks understand that scammers routinely try to get you to give up your personal information via e-mail. Therefore, most have secured e-mail available through their websites, where you can be sure you’re talking straight to legitimate bank representatives. Lastly, if you have several credit cards that you use often, take the time to flip them over and write down the 1-800 customer service numbers on the back and keep that list in a safe place. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy in your purse or wallet. This way, when you notice your card is missing and are frantic, you can at least go to your list and call to report the missing card. In the end, you should treat your credit card like you would treat your cash—never leave it lying around.

Digital Photography for Seniors

f the last time you took holiday photos required clumsily spooling film into your 35 mm camera, don’t be intimidated by what technology has done to photography in the past few years. In fact, once you have some basics down, you may find that your digital camera is easier to use than you thought. So let’s start at the beginning and go over your new toy from stem to stern. We can’t go into detail about every feature of every camera, but luckily most cameras share the same properties, so we can cover most scenarios. More than likely, your camera came with a lithium ion battery pack and charger. All you need to know about this is that this battery can last a long time. Thanks to self-timers built into your camera, if you forget to shut it off, it will shut off automatically for you, saving battery life and allowing you to take that unexpected shot when the time comes. That said, the battery won’t last forever, especially if you are shooting with the flash often or shooting video, if your camera has that feature. If you know you’re going to be somewhere with a lot of natural light, turn your flash off altogether and shoot longer. The second thing to familiarize yourself with is your memory card. Cameras come with a variety of memory cards to choose from. Regardless of the kind your camera takes, just remember that bigger is better. A 16 gigabyte memory card can hold hundreds of photos, and if you’re not in the habit of printing your photos right away or moving them to your computer, the extra space is a must. How many pictures you can store on your memory card depends on your resolution setting for your pictures. Your resolution is how big the picture is. If you’re shooting for a website, low resolutions are better because the file size is smaller. However, if you try to print the same low resolution photo as an 8x10, it will appear distorted or “pixilated” because the camera wasn’t set to capture all of the fine details of the image. With most point-and-shoot cameras on high resolution, you can print very large prints or zoom in to crop shots for better composition. The last thing to get to know is the USB cable. This is the cable that came with your camera and connects it to any USB port on your computer. Through this cable, you can transfer your images for future sorting, correction, or sharing. Believe it or not, once you have those things down, your digital camera has many of the same features of your old 35 mm. You can zoom in, set a timer so you have a chance to get into frame, and set a scenic mode where you can select how the camera operates in certain conditions, such as a portrait, sports shot, night shot, or landscape. Your manual will list the specific icons and their meanings. Don’t be afraid to leaf through it if you get stuck. Manuals have come a long way as well and are clearly written for users of all experience levels.

SeniorAgencies Greenville Area (Mercer) Greenville Senior Community Center 339 East Jamestown Road, Greenville, PA 16125 Phone: 724.588.3155 e-mail: greenvillectr@mercercountyaging.org Grove City Area (Mercer) Grove City Senior Community Center 301 South Broad Street, Grove City, PA 16127 Phone: 724.458.6844 e-mail: grovecityctr@mercercountyaging.org Sandy Lake Area (Mercer) McQuiston Center by the Park P.O. Box 273 29 Railroad Street, Sandy Lake, PA 16145 Phone: 724.376.3608 e-mail: mcquistonctr@mercercountyaging.org Shenango Valley Senior Community Center (Mercer) 220 North Buhl Farm Drive, Hermitage, PA 16148 Phone: 724.981.7950 e-mail: svctr@mercercountyaging.org Jeannette Senior Center (Norwin) c/o Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Gaskill & Third Streets, Jeannette, PA 15644 Phone: 724.527.3200

Mercer County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 29

R E A L E STAT E

Both Buyers and Sellers Need to BEWARE of

MERCER COUNTY

OVERpricing

“You have to make sure that your agent But there’s no similar failsafe with overAs with any major purchase, doing your does comparisons to similar homes in the pricing. A home that’s overpriced may get a homework should be something you do area, knows the market, and gets supporting nice offer, but ultimately, the final arbiter of before you sign on a major loan. Never evidence that the house is really worth what it’s truly worth is the appraiser, before has this been more true than in the what it’s being advertised at before you assigned independently by the bank or housing market, where overpricing can creput in an offer,” Fincham said. “If the house lender. That appraisal will dictate the future ate major headaches for buyers and sellers. doesn’t appraise for the agreed upon price, of the sale. For sellers, overpricing can mean that it is unlikely that you will receive any The resulting appraisal could tank the sale your home sits on the market longer, raising seller’s assist.” altogether, or force buyers to seek extra flags to potential buyers that something is money or alternative financing to amiss. For buyers, an overpriced compensate for the missed seller’s home can mean a loss in seller’s For buyers, an overpriced home can mean a loss assistance. Either way, it’s going to assistance, money that sellers in seller’s assistance, money that sellers mean a hassle for the buyer and sometimes bring to the table from sometimes bring to the table from their profits frustration for the seller. their profits to help defray closing However, if an agent does the costs for the buyer. Worse yet, if to help defray closing costs for the buyer. homework and knows their business, there is no appraisal contingency Fincham said the home should be listaddendum attached to the ed at a fair price, resulting in a agreement of sale, a buyer may be relatively smooth sale in reasonable forced to go through with a home length of time. purchase after being told that it is not worth “It is now imperative that agents and what they have agreed to pay. What’s more, overpricing is a one-way Sharon Fincham, a Realtor with street by way of mistakes. Homeowners who clients know the recent selling prices of comparable homes,” she said. “Buyers Prudential Preferred Realty, said that, list their homes for too little may receive and sellers agreeing on a price is not in addition to including an appraisal multiple offers, allowing the power of free necessarily enough anymore. The study contingency addendum to an offer, you market economic supply and demand of a neighborhood before an offer is made need to make sure that your agent is to take over, driving the price up until can save everyone involved a lot of grief doing the proper legwork before the it’s comparable to the other homes in and frustration.” offer is even made. the neighborhood.

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Mercer County

R E A L E STAT E

MERCER COUNTY

Reeducation

Seller

In today’s post-housing-bust world, selling your home isn’t the same process that it may have been when you moved in 10 years ago.

Maureen Cavanaugh, with Howard Hanna Real Estate, said that sellers need to re-educate themselves if they want to remain competitive in today’s market and make a profit on their homes. “Selling your home is very diﬀerent today, and it’s been a progressive thing,” Cavanaugh said. “Ten years ago, you could list your home as is. Buyers were willing to come in and do updates. With the changes that occurred in the last three and four years, the expectation of buyers has dramatically risen. Many sellers who have lived in their homes for years with a lot of equity should consider doing as many updates as they are willing to do.” Those updates will reap more money when it comes to their final sale price, Cavanaugh said. No updates will result in a lesser price. “It really depends on the house. I’m dealing with someone right now that has a nice home of 32 years, and they’ve spent three months and have done everything. They’re spending upwards of $25,000, but it will take their sale price from the $380,000 range to $425,000 or $430,000. They will recoup what they put into it,” Cavanaugh said. “And the reason is that today’s buyers want to move in, put down the furniture, start paying the mortgage,

and get on with their lives. They don’t want to be bogged down with the projects and upgrades like taking down old wallpaper.” If you don’t have a budget for upgrades, Cavanaugh said that even minor cosmetic changes can improve your odds of getting more for your home when it comes time to sell. These types of upgrades include updating the hardware on cabinets to more contemporary styles. At the very least, Cavanaugh suggests getting rid of any junk, cleaning thoroughly, and doing some rudimentary staging. “Exposing hardwood floors is a no-brainer. You don’t have to paint the whole house beige. You can still have some color and have some interest,” she said. “But everything should be sparkling.” Cavanaugh said that now that the first-time homebuyer frenzies spurred by government tax rebates are over, the bulk of homebuyers are mid-level buyers looking in the $150,000 to $300,000 range with access to aﬀordable mortgage money. “These are relocation buyers, and they want all the bells and whistles,” she said. “They want to buy more, and they want it done.”

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Mercer County Commissioners Pleased to Assist Successful Retention of Reznor $2.5 million grant from PA enables Reznor to up-grade facility and add R & D component.

The recent announcement that Betts & Thomas’ Reznor facility in Mercer would remain where it has operated for over 100 years was certainly good news for the people of Mercer County. Faced with financial challenges resulting from the economic downtown, Reznor had no choice but to review all of its international operations. As had been long-rumored, the Mercer facility appeared ripe for closure— with all jobs likely relocated to other existing Thomas and Betts plants, including some outside of the country. Even assuming that Reznor continued operations in the United States, they could have gone anywhere. “Other communities, including our neighbors in Ohio, were dangling all sorts of ‘carrots’— including as much as $4 million in incentives,” the commissioners noted. ”Needless to say, we are both relieved and gratified that we had the opportunity to work

with the company and to address their needs sufficient for them to stay. We are especially excited about Reznor’s decision to not only stay, but to build a state of the art research and development facility on its site—which will modernize the plant and will bring with it the potential for long term sustainability and job growth.” Reznor was long- rumored to be looking for a new home. A fixture in Mercer for over 100 years, the company was doing what every company does periodically—reviewing options to achieve efficiencies and improve productivity. In Reznor’s case the issue was the need to either expand locally or move. The building in Mercer lacked the capacity to house expanded operations and, according to company officials at the time, Mercer County did not have a suitable alternative. However, local officials and concerned citizens were determined to avoid the loss of the 100-

Contact your employer about donating used computers to e-Cycle! Visit www.thencne.org under Community Programs.

32 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE

Mercer County

plus jobs at Reznor. They were also concerned about the future marketability and use of the building itself. In its current condition, the facility was unmarketable and the County faced the risk of adding yet another “brownfield” site to our inventory. Thus, working under conditions of extreme confidentiality requested by the company, the group went to work. Working with the Wesex Corporation of West Middlesex and Larry Segal, an economic development consultant under contract to our county, lengthy dialogue with senior officials from Reznor was held. After assessing the company’s needs, and the exciting prospect of a new research and development facility, the county’s team succeeded in securing $2.5 million in state grant funding, which combined with the company’s investment of $3.7 million will complete the necessary financing. Today, the company announced its plans to stay and grow—and we are most grateful and very pleased.

We are looking for experienced writers! If you’re a writer based in the Mercer County community interested in writing features that keep our readers up-to-date on what’s happening, respond to: hr@incommunitymagazines.com No phone calls, please!

Mercer County Municipal Information

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Mercer County Offices & Services Area Agency on Aging ....724.662.6222 Building and Grounds .......724.662.3800 Children and Youth ............724.662.2703 Clerk of Courts ...................724.662.7548 Commission for Women ...724.662.3800 Commissioners Kenneth Ammann ...........724.662.7532 Brian Beader ...................724.662.7531 John Lechner ..................724.662.7533 Conservation District ........724.662.2242 Controller ............................724.662.7507 Cooperative Extension ......724.662.3141 Coroner ................................724.662.3800 Cost and Collections .........724.662.7510 Court Administrator ...........724.662.7527 Department of Public Safety .......................724.662.6100 District Attorney .................724.662.7587 District Justice Antos .......724.346.3591 District Justice Arthur ......724.588.3210 District Justice Hinch .......724.662.5230 District Justice McEwen ..724.458.4931 District Justice Songer .....724.346.6541 Domestic Relations ...........724.662.2404 Election ................................724.662.7505 Engineers ............................724.662.4977 Fiscal ....................................724.662.7540 Historical Society ..............724.662.3490

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Mercer County Libraries Community Library of Shenango Valley 11 North Sharpsville Ave., Sharon, PA 16146-2194 Amy Geisinger, Library Director 724.981.4360

IPP Administration .................724.662.7518 ARD ...................................724.662.7530 Community Service ........724.662.7523 House Arrest ...................724.662.7521 Pretrial / TASC .................724.662.7522 Jail ........................................724.662.2700 Jury Commissioners ..........724.662.7503 Juvenile Probation ............724.662.7501 Law Library .........................724.662.3800 MHMR .................................724.662.6715 Microfilm .............................724.662.3800 MIS .......................................724.662.3800 Personnel ............................724.662.7514 Prothonotary .......................724.662.7561 Public Defender .................724.662.7628 Purchasing ..........................724.662.7502 Recorder .............................724.662.7573 Sheriff ..................................724.662.6135 Soil Conservation ...............724.662.2242 Solicitor ...............................724.662.3800 Tax Assessment .................724.662.7551 Tax Claim .............................724.662.7550 Treasurer .............................724.662.7508 Veterans Affairs .................724.662.7511 Victim Witness ...................724.662.7589 Voter Registration ..............724.662.7542

Greenville Area Public Library 330 Main St., Greenville, PA 16125-2619 Sheila Kretser, Library Director 724.588.5490, FAX: 724.836.0160 Grove City Community Library 125 West Main St., Grove City, PA 16127-1569 Jessica Hermiller, Library Director 724.458.7320 Lakeview Area Public Library P.O. Box 344, Sandy Lake, PA 16145-0145 Theresa Panner, Library Director 724.376.3766 Mercer Area Library 110 E. Venango St., Mercer, PA 16137-1283 Connie Jewell, Library Director 724.662.4233 Special Needs Library P.O. Box 364, Mercer, PA 16137 Located in Mercer Public Library 724.662.4147 Stey Nevant Library 1000 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, PA 16121 Margaret Orchard, Library Director 724.983.2714

COLLEGE LIBRARIES Grove City College Henry Buhl Library 100 Campus Dr., Grove City, PA 16127-2198 Diane Grundy, Head Librarian 724.458.2050 Penn State Shenango Lartz Memorial Library 177 Vine Ave., Sharon, PA 16146 Matthew P. Ciszek, Head Librarian 724.983.2876

Mercer County Main Courthouse: 724.662.3800 Alternate Number: 724.962.5711

Thiel College Langenheim Memorial Library Greenville, PA 16125 Douglas Cerroni, Library Director 724.588.7700

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Commissioners Kenneth Ammann 724.662.7532 Brian Beader 724.662.7531 John Lechner 724.662.7533

Mercer County Law Library 305 Courthouse, Mercer, PA 16137 724.662.3800 Ext. 302 Northwestern Legal Services 1031 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, PA 16121 724.346.6112

MEDICAL LIBRARIES Greenville Regional Hospital Medical Library 110 North Main St., Greenville, PA 16125 724.588.2100 Ext. 2671 Sharon Regional Health System Medical Staff Library 740 E. State St., Sharon PA 16146 724.983.3911

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MERCER COUNTY |