IN Peters Township by IN Community Magazines

Mark Brewer:

Peters resident and award-winning national cartoon illustrator paints the town red â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and white. OCT/NOV 2013 icmags.com

Township & School News Page 11

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features 59 Special Section: Education Top five classroom trends; jobs of the future; choosing the right college; paying for college.

76 Mark Brewer Cartoon illustrator finds joy in animals, people and doing what he loves.

82 Giving Back Peters Township residents give back to the community by helping children and families through CASA.

86 Leading Man Peters High School senior Adam Blank overcomes his disability and captures audiences by speaking from the heart.

on the cover Mark Brewer, who illustrates for The New York Times and The Washington Post, graciously agreed to illustrate our cover — a self-portrait. Let us know what you think at editors@icmags.com.

departments 4 36 48

From the Publisher IN the Loop IN Person

sponsored content Business Spotlights 7 Dr. Jay Feuer Family Dentistry 8 Trax Farms 10 Howard Hanna - Anthony Farms 40 Lisa Paris Salon 45 Conservation Consultants, Inc.

12 32 96

Township News

School INCognito

5 2 54 68 72

Prosthodontist Dr. Barry McKnight Century 21 - Lakeshire Estates Angelo Associates, Inc. Beinhauer Family Funeral Homes & Crematory/Peaceful Pastures 74 Consulate Health Care of North Strabane 89 One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning

Industy Insights 47 Your Child’s Health : Children’s Community Pediatrics 51 Healthy Feet : Pittsburgh Family Foot Care, P.C. 57 Improve Quality of Life : Zacharia & Brown Elder Law Attorneys

66 Your Child’s Education : The Goddard School 71 Your Finances : H Financial Management 90 Your Health : Jefferson Hills Surgical Specialists 92 Create Memories : Louis Anthony Jewelers

IN Community is a publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Peters 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.

FROM THE

PUBLISHER It’s not every day we feature an award-winning cartoon illustrator, whose expressive creations have appeared in Newsweek, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated for Kids and Weekly Reader as well as The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and Pittsburgh City Paper.

Our editors asked Peters Township resident Mark Brewer if he would be willing to illustrate a self-portrait for the cover of IN Community-Peters Township. Mark graciously agreed and we are thrilled to showcase his talent. Be sure to read his story, beginning on page 76. Highlighting the many noteworthy residents in Peters Township is what we strive to do in each publication. We like to surprise you with things you may not know about your community and profile people who’ve made their mark nationally or internationally— who may live down the street. One thing that makes our communities in western Pennsylvania special is the beautiful seasons. As the days get cooler and our hills become a kaleidoscope of color, we hope you and your family take time to enjoy the beautiful foliage—whether you’re walking in the park or raking leaves in the backyard.

Wayne Dollard Publisher

Tell Us What You Think!

We’d like to hear from you if you know someone in your community who is making a difference or has done something extraordinary. We’re also looking for interesting story ideas (little-known facts, history or other news) within your community. If you have suggestions, please contact Pamela Palongue (p.palongue@icmags.com) if you are in the North and East communities or Mark Berton (m.berton@icmags.com) if you are in the South and West communities. Please include your name, phone number and community magazine for which you are submitting the idea. Thanks in advance for your contributions!

4 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

To Advertise

As the largest magazine publisher in Western Pennsylvania, IN Community Magazines are direct mailed to more than 518,000 households, reaching 1.15 million readers. If you'd like to partner with us, please contact our General Sales Manager, Tamara Myers, at: 412.860.8972 or t.myers@icmags.com.

PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Julie Talerico j.talerico@icmags.com REGIONAL EDITORS Mark Berton [South, West and Erie] m.berton@icmags.com Pamela Palongue [North and East] p.palongue@icmags.com OFFICE MANAGER Leo Vighetti l.vighetti@icmags.com ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Debbie Mountain d.mountain@icmags.com DESIGN DIRECTOR Michael Miller DESIGNERS Cassie Brkich Jim Paladino Anna Buzzelli Melissa St. Giles Sharon Cobb Tamara Tylenda Contributing Writers Jonathan Barnes Heather Holtschlag Jennifer Brozak Leigh Lyons Earl Bugaile Joanne Naser Matt Fascetti Melanie Paulick Tracy Fedkoe Judith Schardt Brenda Haines-Cosola Marilyn Wempa Elvira Hoff Contributing Photographers Ben Chronister Kathleen Rudolph Ginni Klein Jennifer Steenson Len Pancoast Gary Yon Primetime Shots Gary Zak GENERAL SALES MANAGER Tamara Myers t.myers@icmags.com SALES MANAGER Brian McKee b.mckee@icmags.com ADVERTISING SALES Sophia Alfaras Aimee Nicolia Pamela Arder Connie McDaniel Nikki Capezio-Watson Gabriel Negri Dan DeCesare Vincent Sabatini Julie Graff Michael Silvert Holly Hicks-Opperman RJ Vighetti Laurie Holding ICM Printing Sales Manager Tom Poljak ©2013 by IN Community Magazines. All rights reserved. Reproduction or reuse of any part of this publication is prohibited without the written permission of the publisher. Direct all inquiries, letters to the editor and press releases to:

IN Community Magazines 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 724/942-0940; Fax: 724/942-0968 icmags.com Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Sponsored Content

Business Spotlight

Sponsored Content

Trax Farms

A Family Tradition for Generations T

his fall, when you’re looking for something fun to do with the family, Trax Farms has the answer. Every weekend in October, Trax Farms holds its annual Fall Festival. In its 44th year, the Fall Festival offers an amazing 4-acre corn maze, tons of family activities like a petting zoo, live bands, entertainment, and hay rides. The hayrides carry you on the scenic hill behind the barn to the corn maze and pumpkin patch, where the little ones can pick their own pumpkin for Halloween carving. The hayride, corn maze and visit to the pumpkin patch are all included in one affordable price, with pumpkins and fresh, hot apple cider extra. Tons of fun games are scattered throughout the greenhouse and nursery. “We’ve been growing pumpkins for over 50 years,” said Courtney Robinson, Advertising Manager. “But back then, it was mainly a presentation of the large harvest of pumpkins we grow. We started the pick your own pumpkin patch in 1990 and it’s been a hit ever since.” Last year Trax Farms sold more than 5,000 lbs. of pumpkins, so you’re sure to find the right pumpkin or weird gourd for your fall decorating. Trax has numerous games and activities set up to pass the time, including pony rides, balloon chase, rock wall and mini corn maze. Visitors can enjoy some of the delicious offerings available including pulled pork sandwiches, pumpkin gobs and, yes, the best apple dumplings you’ve ever tried. If you’re more into hand-crafted, unique seasonal gifts, Trax Farms has a selection that will make your holiday shopping easy. From hand-made wreaths, fall décor, and an expanded store with a wine shop and an antique loft, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. With over 30 Pennsylvania wines available and free wine samples, you’ll find that perfect wine for you. Have a mantel that needs decorated or a gift for that hard-to-buy-for person? At Trax, you’ll find one-of-a-kind curiosities, pictures and more that will make the perfect mantel piece or gifts. “Because we’re a 148-year-old family farm operated today by the 7th and 8th generation of Trax, a lot of people may not have been here since they were eight years old,” Robinson said. “They have fond memories of us from their childhood, but they don’t realize how we’ve grown and how we offer so much more to see and do than we did just 10 years ago.” A lot of what makes Trax Farms unique is the fact that it truly is a family operation that’s been in business since Lincoln was president. “On your way to Trax Farms, some of the houses you pass are actually houses belonging to the family,” Robinson said. “Many from the family actually lives on the farm. A lot of times, you will see them on their tractors driving to work. There’s a lot of pride in that. A big focus is on our heritage, high quality goods and services, friendliness and in being a good small business and neighbor.” For more information on everything that Trax Farms has to offer, including hours of operation, special event dates and more, go to traxfarms.com, or call 412.835.3246.

8 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 9

Sponsored Content

Business Spotlight

hen you hear the name Stambrosky Homes, developments like Nevillewood and Springfield are usually mentioned at the same time. That’s because the award-winning developer creates quality homes in unique plans. Now, Stambrosky Homes, with more than 40 years of experience under their belt, along with Tom McCloskey Builders, is announcing that Phase II of Anthony Farms in Peters Township is underway. Rick Stambrosky, his business associates Jeff Finch and Bryan Muraco, along his business partner Tom McCloskey are developing the property and building the homes there that are already a hit with Phase I residents. “This property used to be the home of Anthony Farms. We kept the name for the development, and in 2009, we started Phase I,” Stambrosky said. “That phase is almost complete with 14 homes built. We’ll have the Phase II street paved by late October or early November, and we’ll be ready to accommodate 20 more lots for prospective homeowners.” With its close proximity to everything in Peters Township, Stambrosky said that the amenities to the project are already built in. “It’s located right on McMurray Road, so you’re approximately one mile from the high school and from Donaldson’s Crossroads, so everything is right there,” he said. “The township will be taking over the roads and sewers once the project is completed, so there won’t be any homeowner’s association to worry about.”

10 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Sponsored Content

Anthony Farms is minutes from the entire Rt. 19 corridor, as well as I-79 and Southpointe. Also, driving north or south for just a few minutes will lead you to the City of Pittsburgh or the City of Washington, each with their unique venues and attractions. Stambrosky’s partner, Tom McCloskey of Tom McCloskey Builders, is well known in Peters for the developments Rees Manor I and II. McCloskey was born and raised in Peters Township and has been building quality homes and developments in the township his entire life. The home packages in Anthony Farms start in the low $600,000’s range, and lot sizes start at ½ acre and go up from there. Future homeowners are welcome to design a totally custom home that will meet their exact needs. If you’re worried that you’ll be buying into endless construction with Anthony Farms, the entire development spans just three phases, with 18 homes slated in Phase III, for a total of 57 homes. If you’re looking for a great location that comes with a top-notch school district in a municipality that’s one of the few in the state that actually lowered taxes in 2010, then Anthony Farms is definitely worth a look! For more information on Anthony Farms, go to www.anthony-farms.com online. Stambrosky Homes can be found online at www.stambroskyhomes.com, and Tom McCloskey Builders can be reached at 412.498.2933 or call HOWARD HANNA REAL ESTATE SERVICES, Site Coordinator: Danielle Mach 412. 302.4184.

PETERS TOWNSHIP Township & School News

Municipal News

Reading, Rec & More

School District News

From the Township Manager

PT Library News & Events

Back to School

Dates to Remember

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Programs at the Library

New Safety Procedures

Construction Update

Young Adult Programs at the Library

PT Students Named

McCaig Appointed to Council

Adult Programs at the Library

AP Scholars

Deer Management

Computer & Ongoing Programs at

Calendar of Upcoming

Leaf Recycling

the Library

Events

Leaf Collection Schedule

Parks & Rec Special Events

The Leaders of Tomorrow

Leaf Vacuuming Available

Preschool Programs / South Arts

at McMurray Elementary

Snow Bird Garbage Collection

Youth and Teen Programs /

Changes in Administrative

Dog Obedience

Structure for PT Schools

Adult Fitness Programs

Result in Budget Savings

Programs for Families and

One-Day Events

Mature Adults Programs

Policy

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 11

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP News

eters Township

From the Township Manager October will be an interesting month. The Township’s long time solicitor William Johnson will step down to pursue other interests. Mr. Johnson has served the Township well for over 35 years. Replacing him will be John Smith of Smith Butz an attorney whose offices are located in Southpointe, and he is also solicitor of adjacent Cecil Township. Sometime during October, we expect EQT and Geokinetics to be doing seismic testing in the eastern half of Peters Township. Peters Township expects to adopt its ordinance regulating seismic testing on October 14. A public hearing was conducted on August 19. The Township cannot prevent seismic testing but has put controls in place to protect property owners from any damage, including distance limitations, primarily using “thumper trucks” as the main method as well as insurance, bonding and third party monitoring. It is also noted that another company is interested in doing seismic testing in the western half of the Township. In a related matter, it should be noted the EQT has informed the Township of its intent to start drilling on the Trax Farms property in Union Township, across from the Trax Farms Market. A significant portion of the underground horizontal drilling will enter into Peters Township. You can check our website out for more details, but basically it is in the vicinity of Sugar Camp/ McLelland/Turkeyfoot Road. This drill site is in Union Township and the pad was constructed in 2012. On a more fun side, the Recreation Department will have a Boo Bash on October 26 for kids 3 to 12 years. This is a costume event and registration is required. The Library will be featuring Dan Rooney and Carol Peterson who will be discussing their book about the history of the North Side.

Dates to Remember 10/4 & 5

Haunted Trail, 7:30 – 10 p.m.

10/28

Leaf Collection begins (details on page 15)

10/31

Trick or Treat, 6 – 8 p.m.

10/31

Third quarter Earned Income Tax due Last day to pay School Real Estate Tax at Face Value

11/2

EQB special recycling, 9 a.m. – Noon

11/3

Daylight Savings Time ends

11/5

Election Day (see details on page 13)

11/11

Veterans Day

11/22

Thanksgiving Day, Municipal offices closed, Garbage Pick-up on Friday

11/23

Municipal offices closed,

Garbage Pick-up on Saturday

12/1

Frosty’s Funhouse, 2 – 4 p.m. at CRC

Tree Lighting/Holiday Party, 6 p.m. at Library

12/2

Last week for Leaf Pick-up

12/2

Budget Hearing

T E G D U

Budget Schedule

The Township has commenced the 2014 budget process. Council will be conducting a public hearing on December 2, 2013. Prior to that, at least four workshops will be held, currently scheduled for October 7, 21, November 4 and 18. The budget will officially be available for review on November 19. The adoption is scheduled for December 16. Information will become available on our website and a special action line section will be created for comments and suggestions.

Peters Township Council Members

Frank Arcuri Chairman 12 Peters Township

David M. Ball James F. Berquist Robert Lewis Vice Chairman

Michael R. McCaig

Monica R. Merrell

Gary J. Stiegel, Jr.

Valley Brook Intersection – According to Gulisek Construction, the project is still on schedule for a July 2014 completion. By the end of September the sewers will have been relocated and the new box culvert on Old Washington Road will have been constructed, which will permit the relocation of Old Washington and the grading of the new ramp to Route 19. In addition, wing walls will have been constructed for the Valley Brook Culvert. A key item that needs to be completed is the construction of a wall to serve the parking lot replacement for Stephen’s Hair Graphics. At this writing the status of that aspect of the project is unclear. Traffic – Now that school is back in session, the traffic associated with people traveling to school has really been noticeable. During the next year, the detour for the Valley Brook Road project will remain in effect. All residents are encouraged to have students use the bus system to attend schools to keep traffic down at rush hours. Parents who drive their children to school may wish to consider carpooling to reduce the congestion, especially for the four schools on McMurray Road. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Election Day Reminder

Drug Takeback The seventh National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has been scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity for those who missed the previous events, or who have subsequently accumulated unwanted, unused and expired prescription drugs, to safely dispose of those medications. Four drop sites have been identified for Peters Township residents. They are: n McMurray Dairy Bar – 601 East McMurray Road n Firehouse Subs – 126 Gallery Drive n Kmart – 4041 Washington Road n Walgreens – 200 East McMurray Road In the six previous Take-Back events, the DEA in conjunction with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners have collected more than two million pounds of prescription medications that were removed from circulation. The National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposal, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of these medications. In addition there is a drop off container in the lobby of the Police Station that can also be used to drop off drugs Mon. – Fri. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 13

www.peterstownship.com 724.941.4180

Residents are reminded that Election Day is November 5, 2013. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are 12 voting precincts in Peters Township. The voting precincts and poll locations are A-1 & A-3 The Bible Chapel (Gallery Drive), A-2 Our Redeemer Lutheran Church (Washington Road), B-1 Peters Creek United Presbyterian Church (Brookwood Road), B-2 & D-1 Community Recreation Center (Meredith Drive), B-3 Wright’s United Methodist Church (Venetia Road), C-1 & C-2 St. Benedict the Abbot Church (Friar Lane), C-3 Center Presbyterian Church (Center Church Road), D-2 Faith Community Church (Waterdam Road), D-3 Crossroads Church of Christ (Waterdam Road).

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P News

If any resident or your group is looking for an easy service project that is environmentally oriented, the Township has a good supply of stickers that can be applied to storm sewer inlets as well as companion literature to distribute to residents. These stickers remind the public that anything dumped into the storm sewer does get into streams and drinking water. If you are interested, please contact the Township Manager’s office at 724.941.4180 or MASilvestri@ peterstownship.com to pursue this opportunity.

Construction Update Sugar Camp Bridge – This project is moving along. The massive effort of delivering the three 150-ft. concrete beams has been completed and the beams have been erected. By the time this article arrives at your door, we expect the bridge deck will have been poured and the road should be open or near ready to open.

Peters Township

Environmental Community Service Project

McCaig appointed to Council Mr. Michael McCaig was sworn in as a councilman on August 19, and will serve for the remainder of 2013. Having been a Councilman from 2008-09, Mr. McCaig will be able to fill in with a minimal learning curve. Mr. McCaig is a lifelong resident of Peters Township and lives with his wife Laurie in the Old Trail Plan. He has 2 children, his daughter Lauren, a senior, and son Maxwell in the middle school. Mr. McCaig is a managing director for Janney Capital Markets and was previously with PNC Capital Markets. Mr. McCaig has 25 years of experience in the municipal bond industry. He has extensive experience serving local governments including school districts, municipal authorities, counties, townships and boroughs throughout Pennsylvania. Mr. McCaig is active in a number of trade organizations including: Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association (PMAA), Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officers (PASBO), Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA), Three Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Program and County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. Mr. McCaig currently serves on the Board of the Local Government Academy in Allegheny County. He was also a former member of the Peters Township Sanitary Authority. Mr. McCaig holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baldwin-Wallace University, with a concentration in finance and minors in economics and computer science as well as a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh.

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP News

eters Township

Deer Management The Peters Township Deer Management Program is in its sixth year. This program is approved by the Township and supervised by officers of the police department. All archers must have a records check with the police department and pass a skills test and an Archers’ Safety course. Authorized archers have been afield on both Township and private properties as of Saturday, September 21, 2013. This archery program is designed to cull the deer population and reduce human-deer conflict. These archers annually supply approximately 1,650 pounds of venison to “Hunters Sharing the Harvest,” a program of providing meat to local food banks. Additionally, the police department has noted a 20% reduction in vehicle-deer crashes during the hunting season. Residents who continue to have deer issues on their properties are encouraged to contact the police department to determine if this program may be of service on their property or in their neighborhood.

14 Peters Township

Do not burn your leaves! Pennsylvania’s leaf recycling law requires residents in communities with populations over 5,000 to recycle - not burn - their leaves and yard waste. The Township’s burning ordinance restricts open burning of acceptable debris to four days per week - Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Leaf Collection Schedule for 2013 Again this year, collection of leaf waste will occur on the same day your garbage is collected. Once all of the garbage is picked up, Waste Management will make a second pass through the community to pick up your leaves. Your leaf waste will continue to be composted at the municipal compost site. The weeks designated for leaf collection are:

Leaf Collection Weeks

These dates are also noted on the Peters Township calendar. Please note that there is no leaf pick up the week of Thanksgiving (November 19-23). REMINDER: Leaves in plastic bags will not be picked up. All bags must be at curbside by 6 a.m. If you have any questions about the leaf collection policies, please call Tom Gromek, Manager’s Assistant at 724.260.5758.

Snow Bird Garbage Collection Policy Many residents are already planning to escape the chill of winter by taking an extended vacation to the south. If you will be away at least three months you are eligible to have your garbage service and the accompanying bill suspended. By taking a few simple steps you can save yourself money while enjoying your vacation. To qualify you must call the Township office at 724.941.4180 prior to leaving. You will be asked to provide: 1. Your name and address 2. The date you wish service to be suspended, and 3. The date you wish to have service reinstated. Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 15

www.peterstownship.com 724.941.4180

Oct. 22-26 Oct. 29–Nov. 2 Nov. 5-9 Nov. 12-16 Nov. 26-30

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P News

Recycle.

As an alternate means of helping residents get rid of their annual leaf waste, Council has again authorized the public works department to offer a leaf vacuuming service on a subscription basis. As in previous years, residents may purchase service coupons in advance for $55 each. Each coupon is valid for one collection service. Coupons can be purchased directly at the public works department located at the entrance to Peterswood Park or at the business department located on the second floor of the municipal building. The last day to purchase a coupon is November 28 and the last vacuum pickup will be December 3. Pickups requested for the week after Thanksgiving will cost $75. For more information on purchasing by mail, call 724.941.6161 or 724.941.4180. When you are ready to have your leaves collected at curbside, please call a day in advance to have pick-up service scheduled. Leaf collection days will be on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Because the public works department has only one vacuuming machine, service scheduling will be made on a first-come, first served basis. Leaves are to be raked or moved to the curb and formed in a long row approximately four feet wide. The machinery that collects the leaves cannot reach any farther than four feet from the gutter-line or edge of the street. Do not place the leaves on the street surface. Residents on some streets will not be able to take advantage of the vacuuming service because the equipment cannot be turned around on streets with small cul-de-sacs or with no turn-around area at all. It also will not be offered to residents on East or West McMurray Road and Waterdam Road because of the high volume of traffic.

Peters Township

Leaf Vacuuming Available

Reading, Rec & More Peters Township Public Library 616 E. McMurray Road / McMurray, PA 15317 724.941.9430 / www.ptlibrary.org Library Hours Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday (Sept.–May) 12 noon – 4 p.m.

LIBRARY CLOSED: Wednesday, November 27: Close at 5 p.m. Thursday, November 28:

Closed

Allegheny City:

a History of Pittsburgh’s North Side Book Talk

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP L IBR R A RY News

eters Township

Tuesday, October 15, 2013 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Presented by: Dan Rooney and Carol Peterson Join us as Dan Rooney and Carol Peterson discuss how they collaborated on writing the fascinating history of Pittsburgh’s North Side. Among the issues Mr. Rooney will address are the role of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the landscape, famous North Side families, and his faith in the future of the neighborhood. Ms. Peterson will provide details about the architecture and ethnic groups on the North Side. Copies of the book will be available for signing and purchase after the discussion. Advance registration is required to attend this event due to limited seating. Registrations will be confirmed at the door. Please be advised that Mr. Rooney will not be available to sign Steelers or NFL paraphernalia during this event or pose for photographs. We appreciate your cooperation with this rule.

Remodeled 2nd Floor Non-Fiction Area Have you visited the 2nd floor non-fiction area recently? The library has installed booths, tables, and video screens and reduced the size of the shelving units to allow for more natural light illumination. Enjoy using this newly furnished area for browsing, reading and group study!

16 Peters Township

The library lost a true friend with the passing of former Library Board member Emma Sue Engle on August 12, 2013. Mrs. Engle served on the Library Board for 23 years, from 1986-2009, during which time she helped raise the standards of library service and resources. Her efforts helped the library receive national recognition in 2004 from the Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings Survey as one of the top ten best public libraries in the nation serving populations of 10,000-24,999. Mrs. Engle was also very instrumental in raising funds to build the new library, completed in 1999. She was a thoughtful and caring person, and will be missed.

Join us at the library for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Party, held in partnership with the Peters Township Parks and Recreation Department. Festivities will include lighting and decorating the outdoors township tree at 6 p.m., followed by holiday caroling. Refreshments, visits with Santa, and holiday crafts for children will also be offered in the library. It’s a wonderful way to get in the holiday spirit and spend time with family and friends!

•••• •••••••• •••••• ••• • •• • • Enjoy... 2014 Coupon Book available at the library The Friends of the Library are sponsoring the sale of the “Enjoy... 2014 Coupon Book.” Coupon books, available at the circulation desk, are $30 each. Proceeds benefit the library and friends!

Children's Programs Please register at the Children’s Reference Desk unless otherwise noted.

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P L I B R ARY News

Emma Sue Engle

Sunday, December 1, 2013, 6 p.m.

Peters Township

In Memoriam

Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Party

American Girl Costume Party

Saturday, October 26, 2013 10 – 11:30 a.m. OR 1:30 – 3 p.m. Cost: $5 per child; maximum cost of $10 per family

“Baby” Book Face Contest … Got Books?

Begins Saturday, November 16. Winner announced Tuesday, November 26, 2013. Submit your baby’s picture on a book ... BOOK FACE !! (examples will be posted). Bring in a 5” x 7” or 8” x 10” BOOK FACE picture. We will post it in the lobby and the public will vote. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The 1st place winner will be in the next IN Community Magazine-Peters Township.

Wrap-Up for 2013 Summer Reading Program “Dig Into Reading” Store! Summer readers took advantage of great bargains as they redeemed their summer reading program points for an end of summer prize!

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 17

www.ptlibrary.org 724.941.9430

Bring your costumed American Girl Doll as we celebrate all things American Girl! Make a grass skirt just like Molly. Enjoy the story of Meet Molly by Valerie Tripp. We’ll also enjoy treats, crafts, prizes, games and lots of fun!! Please register in the Children’s Department.

Children's Programs Please register at the Children’s Reference Desk unless otherwise noted.

Keep Believing Holiday Storytime

Saturday, November 9, 2013; 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Presented by: Joan Dinan and Children’s Department staff Join your friends for an enchanted story time as local author Joan Dinan reads from her book Will Santa Come Tonight?, a story about a child who is worried about whether or not she has been “good enough” for Santa to visit her home. The book is wonderfully illustrated by Mai S. Kemble and comes with Enchanted Reindeer Treats. Begin your holiday season with a part of the magic... storytelling, music and crafts will keep you believing. All those, at any age, who believe are welcome. Storybook with Enchanted Reindeer Treats will also be available for purchase and autograph. Joan Dinan taught 2nd grade in the Peters Township School District for 20 years.

Holiday Programs for All Ages

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP L IBR R A RY News

eters Township

Halloween Story-time: the Return of the Monster Lab! Tuesday, October 29, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Do you dare to enter the monster lab? Then come to our oooky spooky story-time … just in time for Halloween!

Thanksgiving Story-time Tuesday, November 19, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Gobble-Gobble! Come count your blessings at our Thanksgiving story-time! A non-perishable food donation for our local food pantry is requested.

Edible Holiday Treats Tuesday, December 3, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Make beautiful and edible holiday treats with your family. Santa never had better taste or tasted better!

Family Ornament Night Thursday, December 12, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Make special ornaments with the whole family for the holidays. Add some sparkle to your holidays and your holiday gift giving! Be sure to look for a holiday train display generously provided by Peters Township Police Department Officer Dave Stanton.

18 Peters Township

For Babies through Kindergarten Regular fall session programs are currently in session. Winter session: 9 weeks, January 6 – March 7, 2014 (Sign-ups begin November 11 for residents, November 18 for non-residents.)

Book Babies

Ages: Birth – 12 months with an adult Tuesdays, 10 – 10:20 a.m.

Mother Goose Story-time

Kindergarten Story-time: “It Came From the Swamp” and other bizarre topics!

Ages: 12 – 24 months with an adult Tuesdays, 11 – 11:20 a.m.

Ages: Kindergartners and 5-year-olds Thursdays, 10 – 11 a.m. OR 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

Toddler Tales

Bodies in Motion

Ages: 2 – 3½ with an adult Mondays, 11 – 11:30 a.m. OR Wednesdays, 10 – 10:30 a.m.

Preschool Story-time

Ages: 3½ - 5 Tuesdays, 1 – 1:45 p.m. OR Wednesdays, 11 – 11:45 a.m.

Ages: 2 – 5 with an adult Fridays, 11 – 11:30 a.m. OR 1 – 1:30 p.m.

Tiny Tunes Music

Ages: 2 – 5 with an adult Mondays, 10 – 10:30 a.m. OR 1 – 1:30 p.m.

Programs for Grades One and Up Girls’ Book Club

Ages: Girls Grades 3 – 6 Mondays, October 14, November 11, December 9, 6 – 7 p.m. It’s a girls’ night! Enjoy reading together and sharing in this special girls only book club! Snacks provided. Please check at the Children’s Department Reference Desk for upcoming titles.

Paws for Reading

Ages: Grades 1 and up Saturdays, October 12, November 9, 10 – 11:20 a.m. Visit with a registered therapy dog at the library to gain self-confidence and fluency by reading to these attentive animals. Sign up for your 20-minute slot.

Legos Builders Club

Ages: Grades 2 and up 4th Tuesday of the month, 6 – 7 p.m. Join fellow Lego enthusiasts to create what is only limited by your imagination. Legos will be provided or feel free to bring your own! The library will gratefully accept Lego donations for our club!

Creative Writing Classes

Cost: $25 Instructor: Amanda Hamilton Roos, B.A. English, English Language Instruction Certificate Children in grades 2 – 5 are invited to attend our Creative Writing Classes. In each 60 minute session the class will read poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction. After being inspired by the work of others, the students will brainstorm, write and edit their own masterpieces. By the end of the session, they will have something ready to publish! They will walk away from the class with plenty of creative writing exercises to do at home so they can continue to develop their writing skills long after class has ended.

Programs for All Ages Family Story-Time Tuesdays, October 29, November 19, 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. Bring the whole family to this once-a-month evening story-time. Come for a night of crafts, movies, and of course stories! A great way to end the day with family and friends. Upcoming themes: October 29: PT Monster Lab; November 19: Give Thanks.

Family Movie Night

Ages: For kids and parents of all ages! Thursdays, October 10, November 14, 6 – 7:45 p.m. We supply the popcorn – you supply your pillow! Please check in the Children’s Department for upcoming dates and film selections.

Magic Tree House Book Club

Art Programs Ages: Grades 2-4 Saturdays, November 2 (Thanksgiving on Thursday), December 14 (Christmas in Colored Pencil Drawing Ages: 6 ½ - 13 Camelot), 10 – 10:45 a.m. 4 weeks, November 5 – 26 Tuesdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Limit: 15 children Cost: $15.00 plus supplies Students will learn basic drawing techniques with colored pencils. One session will be devoted to drawing festive winter cards (instructor will supply cardstock). Register at the library’s circulation desk; please see supply list when registering.

Young Adult Programs Programs for Tweens and Teens in 6th – 12th grade unless otherwise noted; please register in the Children’s Department unless otherwise noted.

Winning Photograph – Summer 2013 “Book Facing” Contest Teens enjoyed a “book facing” contest this summer. Book facing is a unique photography technique where a book cover is incorporated into your image. Our winning photograph featured the book Ashen Winter by Mike Mullin.

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Ages: Grades 2 – 5 6 weeks, November 4 – December 9 Mondays, 4 – 5 p.m.

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P L I B R ARY News

Please register at the Children’s Reference Desk unless otherwise noted.

Peters Township

Children's Programs

Young Adult Programs Programs for Tweens and Teens in 6th – 12th grade unless otherwise noted; please register in the Children’s Department unless otherwise noted.

The Teen Room is open for gaming, music, and socialization during library hours unless being used for library programs. (Keep checking our Teen Facebook page for additional programs!)

Programs All About T-Shirts Thursday, October 17, 7 – 8 p.m. Learn how to recycle and UP-cycle your t-shirts through tie-dye or cutting! All materials will be provided.

Halloween Costume Party Thursday, October 31, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Join us for games, snacks, and prizes as we celebrate Halloween in the Teen Room. Prize given to best costume!

Hunger Games

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP L IBR ARY News

eters Township

Saturday, November 16, 1 - 3 p.m. Excited to see the new Hunger Games movie Catching Fire? Join us for a Hunger Games party and challenge! May the odds be ever in your favor!

Ongoing Programs Gamers Unite Mondays, 3 – 5 p.m. Love video games or board games? Challenge your friends to a Wii or Xbox contest or choose from one of our many board games.

Teen Crafternoons

Youth Advisory Council

Tuesdays, 3 – 5 p.m. Do you enjoy making things? Join your friends as we create neat crafts! The library will supply materials for you to freely create what you want.

Saturdays, October 5, November 2. 11 a.m. – 12 noon (please note: there will be no meeting in December) Share your opinion to help your library provide classes and materials that interest you. Your honest feedback is needed! Also, be the first to hear about new volunteer opportunities.

Ping Pong Challenge Wednesdays, 3 – 5 p.m. Challenge your friends and peers to a pick-up game of Ping Pong.

Teen Chess Thursdays, 3 – 5 p.m. Play a friendly game of chess and work on your mastery of the game! All skill levels welcome.

Trading Card and Anime Club Fridays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. Like Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh? Join us for casual trading card games.

After Hours Movie Night

Ages: 6th grade and up only Fridays, October 4, November 1, 5 - 7 p.m. (please note: there will be no movie night in December) Watch a newly-released PG-13 movie after the library closes! Check the Teen Facebook page for movie selections! Light refreshments will be provided.

Congratulations, Jack! Jack Hussey is our first teen volunteer to complete 250 hours of volunteer library service to receive a Gold Level President’s Volunteer Service Award. Jack, a senior at Peters Township High School, received a pin and signed certificate in honor of his service. A brochure about the process of achieving this award is available at the library’s website at the “Forms and Brochures” button in the left column on the homepage. 20 Peters Township

Teen Book Club Saturday, November 2, Noon – 12:45 p.m. (please note: there will be no meeting in December) Meet with friends to discuss a fun book that was voted on by the Teen Advisory Council. November’s title: Croak by Gina Damico. This title has been nominated by the Young Adult Library Services Association “Teens’ Top 10” books.

Celebrate National Author’s Day at the Library with Three Local Accomplished Authors Reading, Writing and the Creative Process Saturday, November 2, 1 – 3 p.m. Panelists: Patricia Easton, Stephanie Keyes, and Jeanne Marie Laskas

reading influences their writing, and what rituals, superstitions, settings, and habits shape their creative process. We will also learn what/who inspired them to write. Our panelists are also looking forward to learning from you how a story changes the reader and how a reader can change a story.

Patricia Easton

Stephanie Keyes

Energy Audits: the Path to a Safe, Healthy & Comfortable Home Wednesday, October 16, 7 – 8 p.m. Presented by: Richard Rothaar of Conservation Consultants, Inc. (CCI) Have you ever wondered how energy efficient your home is? A recent study of 100,000 homes found that 85% have critical problems adversely impacting the health, safety, comfort and affordability of their occupants. In this 30-minute presentation, Richard Rothaar will share some of the common health and safety problems found in homes, and explain the benefits of receiving a home energy and safety audit. Everyone attending will receive a $25 discount towards an ENERGY

Following our panelists sharing information/ideas about their craft, our guests will have the opportunity to interact with these three writers. For those who are interested, books will be available for sale. Light refreshments will be served.

Jeanne Marie Laskas

STAR audit and a CFL light bulb to begin immediate energy savings. Conservation Consultants, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to promote responsible energy and resource use in homes and buildings. This program is sponsored by the Peters Township Public Library GO Green Club.

College Financial Aid Night Monday, October 21, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Presented by: Jayeann Harr from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) High school students and their parents can discover the ins and outs of the college

financial aid process from Jayeann Harr, who will discuss a variety of methods to finance a college education, as well as looking at alternatives to the traditional college experience. The presentation will describe all federal and PA-state financial aid programs, scholarships and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application processes. Other topics will include how colleges award aid to families and how financial aid deadline dates interface with the college admissions process. Loan rates and interest rates for students and parents will also be explained. A question and answer session will follow the program.

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In celebration of National Author’s Day, Peters Township Public Library is proud to host three local authors. Please join us for an informal panel discussion followed by a “meet and greet.” Patricia Easton, Stephanie Keyes, and Jeanne Marie Laskas will share how

Patricia Harrison Easton is the author of seven books, five of them for young people. Her latest book Davey’s Blue-Eyed Frog won the Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award. Stephanie Keyes is the author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child, which currently includes The Star Child (September 2012) and The Fallen Stars (April 2013), and After Faerie (April 2013), all released by Inkspell

Publishing. Jeanne Marie Laskas is the author of six books, including her latest, Hidden America (Putnam, 2012), as well as the award-winning trilogy of memoirs: Fifty Acres and a Poodle (Bantam Dell, 2000), The Exact Same Moon (Bantam Dell, 2003), and Growing Girls (Bantam Dell, 2006). She is also the voice behind Reader’s Digest’s “Ask Laskas,” where she dispenses wisdom with zero authority but plenty of common sense.

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P L I B R ARY News

For all free programs, please register online at the library’s website (www.ptlibrary.org) through EventKeeper or by email at programs@ptlibrary.org (please include name of program, name of participant, and phone number). You may also register at the library’s circulation desk, by telephone at 724.941.9430. For those programs with fees, registration must be completed in person at the circulation desk; registration is not complete until payment has been received.

Peters Township

Adult Programs

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP L IBR ARY News

eters Township

Thursday, October 24, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Presented by: Robert G. Coulter, MDRT, CLTC Since employers have shifted away from providing pensions, it has become critical for employees to assume the responsibility of providing for their own future. Once you leave your primary occupation and start depending on multiple sources of income in retirement, you want to make sure that income lasts for the rest of your lifespan, making it very important to have a solid plan. A good retirement income plan will help you determine: • How much income you will need and where that income will come from. • When to begin social security benefits. • How to plan for health care. • Long-term care and housing needs. • How to manage withdrawals from your retirement and investment accounts to ensure a sustainable lifestyle throughout retirement. This workshop will help start you down the path of developing your own retirement plan.

An Introduction to Chinese Knotting

Wednesday, November 6, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Instructor: Phanny Yang, instructor at TzuChi Academy Join us to learn how to create jewelry using Chinese knotting techniques. Two items will be created during the class – a Double Coin Knot Necklace, and a Phoenix Tail Bracelet. All materials will be provided. Makes a terrific gift for others or yourself!

World Peace … and Other 4th Grade Achievements Film Screening

Thursday, November 21, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Join us for an exclusive screening of the documentary World Peace … and Other 4th Grade Achievements. This film documents the efforts of John Hunter, a 4th grade teacher in Charlottesville, VA, to engage his students in an exercise called the World Peace Game. The game triggers 22 Peters Township

Life After Work – How to Create a Sustainable Income Stream in Retirement

an eight-week transformation of the children from students of a neighborhood public school to citizens of the world. The film reveals how a wise, loving teacher can unleash students’ full potential. John Hunter was named one of Time Magazine’s 12 Education Activists in 2012, and his TEDTalk was rated the “Most Influential TEDTalk of 2011.” The film has recently been presented at the Pentagon, the United Nations, Google, Harvard, Georgetown, Aspen Ideas Festival and continues to be written about widely. Parents, teachers, or anyone with an interest in children and their problemsolving abilities are encouraged to attend! For more information visit www.worldpeacegame.org.

The Steel City Garden Book Talk with Doug Oster

Saturday, November 16, 10:30 a.m. - Noon Cost: $5 Start planning this fall for a garden filled with Pittsburgh’s favorite colors with Doug Oster’s newest book. The Steel City Garden: Creating a One of a Kind Garden in Black and Gold, to be released in November, features black and gold combinations of flowers, plants and yard decor. Oster will visit the library to discuss the book and answer your gardening questions. Copies of The Steel City Garden will be available for purchase and signing after the presentation. Doug Oster is an Emmy Award winning producer, television host and writer. He is also the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s

Backyard Gardener and co-host/producer of The Organic Gardener’s radio show every Sunday morning on KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh. Oster recently received the Gold Award for Best Broadcast Media Talent in the 65th Annual GWA Symposium. The award is the highest honor a garden writer can receive from the national Garden Writers Association. He also won the Silver Award for Best Television Talent. Advance registration at the library’s Circulation Desk is required due to limited seating. A $5 program fee will be collected at registration. Please bring your payment receipt to the program for admission.

Trinity Bell Choir

Tuesday, December 3, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Presented by: The Trinity Bell Choir of Trinity United Methodist Church Join us for a relaxing hour of beautiful holiday bell music. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library after the performance.

Sapori d’Italia: the Flavors of Old and New World Italy

Tuesday, December 10, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Presented by: H.J. Manzari, Associate Professor of Spanish, Washington & Jefferson College What makes Italian culture so attractive? Join us as Professor H.J. Manzari shares his experiences and deep understanding of contemporary Italy, encompassing its recent history, regional differences, social institutions, and historic and contemporary issues. Professor Manzari will address questions fundamental to understanding the seeds of Italian civilization and the various flavors that contribute to this diverse and rich peninsula culture, including: How is it that “la dolce vita” continually plays a vital role in one’s understanding and appreciation of Italian culture? How have history and politics served to leave their imprint on today’s contemporary Italy? How has its ethnic flavor and current diversity transformed this one homogeneous population into an even more vibrant and delightful society? What role has tourism and its geographic location played in sculpting Italy’s current image? (Not a Cooking Club program.)

For more information, see the library’s website.

Introduction to Crochet 4 weeks, October 7 – October 28 Mondays, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Cost: $30 per 4-week session (includes a start-up kit with crochet hook and yarn) Instructor: Cathy Layton Join us for a 4-week class to learn the basics of this old, now-new-again art of crochet. We’ll enjoy learning about the originality of this craft and see how to use it in decorative and creative ways that are limited only by your imagination. It’s not just about afghans!

Afternoon Book Club for Adults

Crochet Club

3rd Wednesday of every month, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Every Monday, 6 – 8:45 p.m. Join us at the library for all things crochet! Bring your new or unfinished projects to work on while spending time with others who share your interest. The club is not intended for beginners – for those wanting to learn how to crochet, please consider attending an Introduction to Crochet class offered periodically (usually in September, October, April and May) throughout the year.

Evening Book Club for Adults 2nd Wednesday of every month, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Mystery Book Club for Adults

Computer Programs All computer classes require a $5 fee (unless otherwise noted), and require basic mouse and keyboarding skills. There is a limit of 12 students per class, unless otherwise noted.

Last Wednesday of every month, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Writer’s Workshop Mondays, 7 – 9 p.m. OR Wednesdays, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $20 per month The Writer’s Workshop meets weekly at the library and focuses on writing for children and teenagers.

Adult Writing Workshop 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of every month, 6:30 – 9 p.m. Adult writers of all skill levels and genres are welcome.

Social Networking Tuesday, October 1, 7 – 8:45 p.m. Maximum: 10

PowerPoint Presentations Tuesday, October 8, 7 – 8:45 p.m.

Wednesday, October 16

Word Processing 1 Tuesday, October 22, 7 – 8:45 p.m.

Word Processing 2 Tuesday, October 29, 7 – 8:45 p.m.

Word Processing 3 Tuesday, November 5, 7 – 8:45 p.m.

Getting the Most Out of Email

Beading Club

GO Green Club 3rd Monday of the month, 7 – 8:45 p.m. For more information or to join the club please email ptplgogreenclub@ gmail.com or call 724.941.9430.

Photo Club

Cooking Club 1st Thursday of the month, 7 – 8:45 p.m. Cost: $5 per meeting to defray the cost of food samples and plates/ utensils. Registration is required by noon Monday the week of meeting. Questions? Please email the club at ptplcookingclub@gmail.com

Thursday, December 19, 10 – 11 a.m. Facilitator: Julie Ann Sullivan, Certified Laughter Leader

Coupon Club

Doing Research on the Web

1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6 – 8 p.m. Questions about the club? Email ptplcouponingclub@gmail.com.

Computers 101

2nd Wednesday of the month, 7 – 9 p.m. Cost: $15 (annual dues)

“Roots” Genealogy Club 2nd Tuesday of the month, 1 – 3 p.m. Facilitator: Christi Hirriger

Technology Thursdays

Laughter Club

Tuesday, November 12, 7 – 8:45 p.m.

Tuesday, November 19, 7 – 8:45 p.m.

3rd Wednesday of the month, 6 – 8 p.m. Ages: 12 and up Instructor: Karen Krohner of Beads 2 Wear

Every Thursday, 3 – 4 p.m. Location: KEENage Korner in the library

Wii Sports for Seniors Every Monday, 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon

Tuesday, November 26, 7 – 8:45 p.m.

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Cover Letters & Resumes (no charge for this class)

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P L I B R ARY News

Library Ongoing Programs

Peters Township

Arts Programs

Reading, Rec & More Parks and Recreation Department 700 Meredith Drive / Venetia, PA 15367 724.942.5000 / www.peterstownship.com COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER HOURS Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.

CRC CLOSED for the respective holidays Thanksgiving Break: November 28 and 29 Christmas: December 24 and 25 New Year: December 31, 2013 and January 1, 2014

What if a program is cancelled? Please register for programs at least one week prior to the start date to avoid cancellation. All classes must meet a predetermined minimum number of participants to be held. The Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to cancel, combine or change any aspect of a program it deems necessary. Residents are given first priority during the registration process for events and classes. Sports programs are open to residents only.

Refund policy:

Full refunds will be given if requested more than 7 days before a class begins. All refunds requested by Online: www.peterstownship.com (6 weeks) participants less than 7 days before a class begins will be Walk in: cash/check/Visa/MasterCard accepted November 7 – assessed a $5 processing fee, plus any supplies already Mail in: check and registration form to the December 20 purchased. Refunds will not be given after the second Parks and Recreation Department, Registration begins class. Sorry, but refunds are not offered for special 700 Meredith Drive, Venetia, PA 15367 October 21, 2013 one-day classes or events, unless canceled. Call 724.942.5000 for information regarding day trips. Please allow 2-4 weeks for refunds to be processed. Class and Event Registration: Registering at the first class is risky.

SESSION 6

Easy ways to register:

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP PARKS & RE C RE ATI O N News

eters Township

2013 FISHING DERBY WINNERS

Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

First Fish – R.J. Woeber Most Fish – Aaron Martire Biggest Fish – Angelise Zakis Smallest Fish – Abigail Opferman Thank you to the McMurray Rotary for their support and hard work! Also, thank you to all the businesses that donated give-aways and prizes! Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Carnegie Science Center, Sun Chevy, Mm! Mm! Pizza, Wet Pets & Friends, Isoplex @ Southpointe, Arby’s - McMurray, Wendy’s - McMurray, Clearview Federal Credit Union and Giant Eagle. We appreciate your support; it has made this program a huge success!

24 Peters Township

BOO BASH

(AGES 3 – 12 YEARS) Minimum 8 – Maximum 25 Come dressed in costume, do some crafts, play games and enjoy a snack. Preregistration required. Day: Saturday, October 26 Time: 10 a.m. – Noon Fee: $5 Resident / $8 Non-Resident Deadline for Sign Up: October 18, 2013

Frosty’s Funhouse

(AGES 10 AND UNDER) Kick off your “hometown holidays” with our two events in Peters Township: Frosty’s and Tree Lighting. First, Frosty’s Fun House at the Community Recreation Center for some holiday crafts. Let your children come and create a masterpiece that you will enjoy forever. Children ages 10 and under invited. Parents must remain with their children during the event. (Volunteers needed for this event)

Day: Sunday, December 1 Time: 2 – 4 p.m. Fee: $5 Resident /$8 Non-Resident (per child participating) Location: Peters Township Recreation Center

Tree Lighting

Come to the Peters Township Municipal Complex to see Santa arrive in his shiny red fire truck and enjoy the sounds of the season, followed by a visit with Santa, a craft and refreshments in the library immediately following the Tree Lighting ceremony. All ages are welcome. Come and enjoy the evening to meet and greet old and new friends. Volunteers are needed for this event. Day: Sunday, December 1 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Peters Township Library Fee: Free t

Tiny Tots Pre-Ballet (Ages 2 – 3 Years) Minimum 7 – Maximum 14 An introduction to ballet for our youngest dancers! Students will learn basic ballet steps at the barre and across the floor while using exciting props and doing fun dance games. There will be an in-class performance on the last day. Instructor: Richelle Lyn School of Dance Day: Thursday Time: 10 – 10:30 a.m. Fee: $52 Member / $78 Non-Member

Princess BALLET

Pre-school Movement and Games (Ages 3 – 4 Years) Minimum 7 – Maximum 14 Fun and Movement! Play games to develop coordination, gross motor skills, and creative thinking with exciting props and music! Activities such as musical chairs, the parachute game, crab soccer, and much more will keep your child moving. Instructor: Richelle Lyn School of Dance Day: Thursday Time: 9:30 – 10 a.m. Fee: $52 Member / $78 Non-Member

Kids Dance and TUMBLE (Ages 2 – 3 Years) Minimum 7 – Maximum 14 Students will learn basic dance steps and beginning tumbling. They will learn log rolls, bear walks, crab walks, and somersaults while developing coordination, balance, and control! There will be an in-class performance on the last day. Instructor: Richelle Lyn School of Dance Day: Thursday Time: 10:30 – 11 a.m. Fee: $52 Member / $78 Non-Member

Mommy and Me! (Ages 1.5 – 3 Years) Minimum 7 – Maximum 14 Adult participation is required for this intro to dance class for young dancers

and those who may not be ready to go in by themselves. Exciting props will be used for a fun-filled first dance experience! Instructor: Richelle Lyn School of Dance Day: Thursday Time: 11 – 11:30 a.m. Fee: $52 Member / $78 Non-Member

Basketball for Children (AGES 3 – 6 YEARS) Minimum 6 – Maximum 15 Enjoy learning the glorious team sport of basketball. Have a blast learning to make baskets, dribble, pass and play. Enthusiasm, excitement and energy will be a part of every class! Instructor: “Koach” Tim Conroy. Day: Monday Time: 1 – 1:45 p.m. (begins Nov 4) Day: Thursday Time: 10 – 10:45 a.m. Fee: $74 Member / $111 Non-Member

Stretch-N-Grow (AGES 3 – 5 YEARS) Minimum 8 – Maximum 18 Come Stretch-N-Grow with us! This is a fabulously fun fitness & nutrition program for children. It’s designed to help children gain strength, cardiovascular wellness, improved motor development, spatial awareness and cognitive ability. When kids learn to move, they move to learn; healthy living! Instructor: Jamie Hummer Day: Wednesday OR Friday Time: 1 – 1:45 p.m. Fee: $60 Member / $90 Non-Member

HOLIDAY ART

CREATE YOUR OWN CARTOONS

WATERCOLOR PAINTING

(AGES 5 – 12 YEARS) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 In this festive class, students will have fun creating holiday themed projects such as a winter wonderland painting, a snowman sculpture, watercolor holiday cards and much more! Instructor: South Arts Day: Monday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $64 Member / $96 Non-Member

(AGES 5 – 11 YEARS) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 All the basics of cartooning and all kinds of fun will be created in this class. Students will use their full imaginations to sketch cartoon animals, creatures, super heroes and much more! An 11x14 sketch pad and a black marker are required. Instructor: South Arts Day: Monday Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $64 Member / $96 Non-Member

(AGES 5 – 12 YEARS) Minimum 3 – Maximum 10 Students will learn the basics of watercolor and explore rice and salt washes in this fun class. Lots of wonderful watercolor paintings will be created on watercolor paper suitable for framing. Instructor: South Arts Day: Tuesday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $64 Member / $96 Non-Member

TH SOU TS AR

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(Ages 3 – 5 Years) Minimum 7 – Maximum 14 This is a fun-filled and popular Princess themed ballet class. We will use props, dance to Princess music, and learn basic barre, across the floor, and center combinations. There will be an in-class performance on the last day. Instructor:

Richelle Lyn School of Dance Day: Thursday Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Fee: $52 Member / $78 Non-Member

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P PARK S & RE C RE ATI O N News

Toddler Open GYM (AGES 1.5 – 5 years) Minimum 7 – Maximum 25 Are you a stay-at-home mom with energetic kids? Would you like a place to burn off that energy? Sign up for the Toddler Open Gym. We will have equipment such as balls, cones, hoops, and mats to keep kids happy and moving. This is a great way for kids and parents to interact and teach their children an activity. No Instructor/ Must be accompanied by an adult Day: Friday Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Fee: $30 Member / $45 Non-Member

Peters Township

PRESCHOOL

YOUTH AND TEEN Teen CENTER NITE

CampFIT

MAD SCIENCE CLUB

Teen Dance is back at the Recreation Center, come hang out and dance the night away with your friends! Light concessions available for a fee. Must be a Peters Township student attending the middle school. Adult volunteers needed for this event or it may be cancelled. Day: Friday, November 15 Time: 8 – 10 p.m. Fee: $5 per person (must present student ID) Location: Recreation Center

(AGES 6 – 12 Years) Minimum 6 – Maximum 18 Ever heard of boot camp being fun? Now you have! This action-packed Fitness Boot Camp is sure to get the troops in shape. Each session involves continuous, vigorous activity that incorporates endurance, strength, flexibility, motor skill development AND FUN! Instructor: Jamie Hummer Day: Tuesday Time: 5 – 6 p.m. Fee: $60 Member / $90 Non-Member

(AGES 6 – 10 YEARS) Minimum 10 – Maximum 20 Come and explore the amazing world around us as we dive into chemistry, jump around physics, dig for geology, and reach for the stars with astronomy! Instructor: William Cody, Mad Science of Pittsburgh Day: Thursday Time: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Fee: $67 Member / $101 Non-Member

Adventures in Acting

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP PARKS & RE C RE ATI O N News

eters Township

(AGES 10 – 13 YEARS) Minimum 6 – Maximum 26 Looking for a fun way to challenge your imagination and creativity? Then come discover your inner actor! Through fun improvisational games and acting exercises you will learn the importance of team cooperation, while also strengthening your own creativity and self-confidence! Instructor: Jenny Malarkey Day: Wednesday Time: 5 – 6 p.m. Fee: $50 Member / $75 Non-Member

ZUMBATOMIC (AGES 8 – 12 YEARS) Minimum 4 – Maximum 20 The crazy-cool dance-fitness workout for kids set to hip-hop, salsa, reggaeton and more. Shake, wiggle and giggle your way to fitness in the Zumba style! Instructor: Christine Rauch Day: Wednesday Time: 6:15 – 7 p.m. Fee: $23 Member / $35 Non-Member

MAD SCIENCE CLUB DOG OBEDIENCE CLASSES Walk This Way: How to Stop Your Dog’s Persistent Pulling Minimum 6 – Maximum 10 Teach your dog or puppy to walk nicely on a loose leash. Only gentle, positive methods will be used. Requirements: Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old. Handlers and auditors must be at least 16 years of age. NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS. Instructors: Deborah Miller-Gurchak and assistant Kelly Pontiere Day: Tuesday, November 5 – December 10 (6 one-hour sessions) Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $90 Resident / $135 Non-Resident ($30 for non-handler auditors) Location: Community Room, 200 Municipal Drive, in the back of the Police Station (off of McMurray Road, near the Library) 26 Peters Township

Dog - Basic Dog Obedience Part 1 Minimum 6 – Maximum 10 BASIC DOG OBEDIENCE PART 1 will cover all basic obedience commands, housebreaking, leash manners, safety, proper dog care and grooming, dog body language and behavior. Requirements: Dogs must be at least 12 weeks old. Handlers and auditors must be at least 16 years of age. NO AGGRESSIVE DOGS. Instructors: Deborah Miller-Gurchak and assistant Kelly Pontiere Day: Tuesday, November 5 – December 10 (6 one-hour sessions) Time: 8:15 – 9:15 p.m. Fee: $90 Resident / $135 Non-Resident $30 for non-handler auditors) Location: Community Room, 200 Municipal Drive, in the back of the Police Station (off of McMurray Road, near the Library)

Off the Couch and Into Shape: Beginning Aerobics and Toning (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 5 – Maximum 20 This class features a simple cardio routine to burn calories, followed by strength training with light weights for toning, and concludes with stretching. A great basic workout to get you off the couch and into shape safely and effectively! Instructor: Hilary Livingston Day: Sunday Time: 1 – 2 p.m. Fee: $42 Member / $63 Non-Member

Power Hour Boot Camp Minimum 10 – Maximum 20 Kick it up a notch with this 60 minute class that WILL challenge your body and soul to become stronger, leaner and more powerful. All types of equipment and challenges are utilized! Modifications will be shown. Instructor: Suzie Bode, AFAA certified Day: Monday OR Wednesday Time: 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. (No class on Wed Dec 4) Make up on Dec 6 Fee: $38 Member / $57 Non-Member (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 10 – Maximum 20 This interval-style class has been proven to be the ultimate metabolism and fat burning workout. We will alternate between cardio, kickboxing work and strength training drills. You will build core power, muscle and strength – guaranteed.

KICKBOX INTERVAL

BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE YOGA Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 This class offers a blend of various styles of yoga – Kripalu, Ashtanga, Sivananda and Yin yoga. Increase strength, flexibility and endurance and reduce the effects of stress using breath work, meditation, and yoga posture. YOGA MAT REQUIRED! Certified Yoga Instructor: Terry Gustas Day: Tuesday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $42 Member / $63 Non-Member

INTRODUCTION TO BALLROOM DANCING (AGES 14 – ADULTS) Minimum 6 – Maximum 24 Learn ballroom for exercise, cruise, wedding, social etiquette, school dance or just for fun!! This course gives an introduction to the most popular dances requested at this time. It includes the slow and fast social dances in Ballroom and Latin styles. Instructor: Kathy Burchill of Dryden Dance Center

BALLROOM I Learn basic steps and patterns in the four most used dances; Foxtrot Swing/ Freestyle, Waltz and Cha Cha Cha/Salsa Day: Tuesday Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m. Fee: $60 Member / $90 Non-Member

BALLROOM II (Ballroom 1 required) Review dances in Ballroom 1 and add new patterns. Day: Tuesday Time: 7:30 – 9 p.m. Fee: $60 Member / $90 Non-Member

Fit, Fabulous & Ready for Fun! (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 8 – Maximum 20 Discover how fun exercise can be in this non-competitive class that combines easy to follow low impact cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strengthening (utilizing tubing, bands, light weights, stability balls, body weight), and balance and flexibility training. Instructor: Elaine Bigler – ACE Certified Personal Trainer/ Group Fitness Instructor Day: Wednesday Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $42 Member / $63 Non- Member

TOTAL BODY SCULPTING Minimum 6 – Maximum 18 Join this strength training workout designed to shape and tone the body without building muscular size or bulk. The class will challenge your body by using free weights, resistance bands and the body ball. Any fitness level can enroll. Certified Instructor: Jennifer Alexander, with over 20 years of experience Day: Monday OR Friday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $30 Member / $45 Non-Member

kettlebell fusion: Low Impact Cardio & Pilates (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 8 - Maximum 20 Fun energetic class! 30 minutes of kettlebells, and core circuits, followed by 30 minutes of upbeat Pilates. Try kettlebells and you will be hooked! Class includes low impact Tabata circuits on alternate nights! Bring kettlebell. Contact Nancy for recommended weights. Instructor: Nancy Griffin Day: Mondays Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Session Fee: $48 Member / $72 Non-Member

PILATES FUSION: Pilates & Kettlebell Training Minimum 8 – Maximum 20 Get the kinks out and streamline your physique! Class begins with fun kettlebell routine and ab circuits, followed by 30 minutes of upbeat Pilates and refreshing warm down. Build muscle and feel 10 years younger! Bring kettlebell. Instructor: Nancy Griffin Day: Tuesday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $48 Member / $72 Non-Member

20/20/20 Minimum 6 – Maximum 20 This class will keep you moving with two 20 minute segments of cardio exercise and 20 minutes of total body sculpting. Each class will be different with cardio segments, and each workout will challenge you without boring you with the same weekly routine. Certified Instructor: Jennifer Alexander Day: Tuesday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $30 Member / $45 Non-Member

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www.peterstownship.com 724.942.5000

KICKBOX INTERVAL – Coed

Instructor: Suzie Bode, AFAA certified for Kickboxing Day: Monday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $38 Member / $57 Non-Member

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P PARK S & RE C RE ATI O N News

ZUMBA! (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 10 – Maximum 20 Party yourself into shape with the Latin inspired, easy-to-follow, calorie-burning, dance fitness party! Instructor: Christine Rauch Day: Saturday Time: 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $30 Member / $45 Non-Member

Peters Township

ADULT FITNESS

ADULT FITNESS Cardio KicKboxing Minimum 4 – Maximum 12 A high-energy workout for everyone! We will use (non-contact) kicking and punching moves to get a fabulous cardio, flexibility and strength workout. You WILL see results! Instructor: Jen Milavec Day: Tuesday Time: 10 – 11 a.m. Fee: $42 Member / $63 Non-Member

YOGA - EVENING (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 8 – Maximum 35 An all level, moderately paced class which breaks down yoga poses and breathing techniques in detail, ending with quiet relaxation. This class can increase your strength, flexibility, balance and focus. Yoga mat required. Instructor: Lynn Duda, LMT, E-RYT Day: Tuesday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: $45 Member / $68 Non-Member

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP PARKS & RE C RE ATI O N News

eters Township

ZUMBA (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 10 – Maximum 75 ZUMBA is a fusion of Latin and International music and dance themes creating a dynamic, exciting, effective fitness system. Certified Zumba Instructor: Debbie Colditz Day: Tuesday Time: 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. Day: Wednesday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Day: Friday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $38 Member / $57 Non-Member

STEP IT UP + ABS (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 6 – Maximum 18 High energy, heart pumping classes

using step choreography to keep you moving and grooving to the beat of the music! No two classes are ever the same! Intermediate to advanced levels. Instructor: Marjorie Kay Yaksich, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America Certified Day: Tuesday Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Begins Nov 5 (No class on Nov 19) Make up on Dec 17 Day: Thursday Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Day: Saturday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. (No class on Nov 16) Make up on Dec 21 Fee: $23 Member / $34 Non-Member

MIXED LEVEL – YOGA FOR EVERY BODY Minimum 8 – Maximum 15 This Hatha Yoga class joins the breath (prana) to the postures (asanas) to create a flowing practice. This class is designed to increase strength, flexibility and balance for overall health, wellbeing and harmony. Instructor: Gayle Zacharia, Certified RYT Day: Wednesday OR Thursday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Fee: $42 Member / $63 Non-Member

DIRTY 30 BOOT CAMP Minimum 10 – Maximum 20 Everyone has time for this 30 minute POWER class of cardio, strengthening and core exercises. With stations, drills and so much more, you might even have fun!! Modifications will be shown. Instructor: Suzie Bode, AFAA certified Day: Thursday Time: 9:30 – 10 a.m. Fee: $19 Member / $29 Non-Member

kETTLELATES fusion: Pilates & Kettlebells Minimum 8 - Maximum 20 Best workout ever! 30 minutes of kettlebells, and fun ab circuits, followed by 30 minutes of upbeat Pilates. Once you try kettlebells you will be hooked! 2nd half is upbeat Pilates to rock you to the core! Bring kettlebell. Contact Nancy for recommended weights. Instructor: Nancy Griffin Days: Thursday Time: 9 – 10 a.m. Session Fee: $48 Member / $72 Non-Member

Adult Volleyball (AGES 18 AND OVER) Minimum 6 – Maximum 18 Interested in playing recreational volleyball? Join us in this adult program that is open to all skill levels and be ready to have some serious fun! Previous knowledge of the game is a plus and you must register before playing. Coordinator: Dave Davis Day: Thursday Time: 6:30 – 9 p.m. Fee: $15 Member / $23 Non-Member

ZUMBA (90 minutes) Minimum 10 – Maximum 75 This is the one-hour Zumba class followed by an additional 30 minutes of Zumba Toning. It is a total body workout that will elevate the participant’s fitness regime. Bring 1 - 3 lb. hand weights or Zumba Toning sticks. Certified Zumba Instructor: Debbie Colditz Day: Friday Time: 9 – 10:30 a.m. Fee: $56 Member / $84 Non-Member

STEP IT UP + ABS 28 Peters Township

The Bars Minimum 2 – Maximum 20 This class will introduce you to The Bars, 32 points on the head that when gently touched effortlessly release electromagnetic energies stored in the body. Once this energy is released, anything can change. Health, money, anxiety, weight and much more. Instructor: Diana Smith Day: Saturday, November 23 Time: 2 – 4 p.m. Fee: $25 Member / $38 Non-Member

Digital Photography 101

Six Weeks to Wellness (AGES 16 AND UP) Minimum 6 – Maximum 25 Join Dr. Christopher Carr to discover how to maximize your health! Each week enjoy different workshops on: Lose 20 pounds in 30 days, Advanced Nutrition, Fitness and Toxicity. And learn how to

exercise 12 minutes/day by participating in two high intensity interval training sessions! Day: Tuesday Time: 11 a.m. – Noon Fee: $45 Member / $68 Non-Member

Energy Medicine Minimum 5 – Maximum 25 Energy Medicine is based on activating the meridians in your body to energize and balance the system to a state of homeostasis. Energy Medicine is a fun, hands-on class appropriate for kids and adults. Instructor: Lois Reich Day: Sunday, November 3 Time: 3 – 4 p.m. Day: Sunday, November 10 Time: 3 – 4 p.m. Day: Tuesday, December 3 Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Day: Monday, December 9 Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $15 Member / $23 Non-Member

CHESS (AGES 7 and older) Minimum 5 – Maximum 20 Meet at the Peters Township Recreation Center for Chess instruction and playtime. We all like to exercise our body; how about exercising your mind? Instructions include openings, middle game, end games for 6 weeks of classes. Pre-Registration required Instructor: Eric Berthoud. Date: Thursday Time: 5 – 6 p.m. Fee: $35 Member / $53 Non-Member

Reiki Minimum 5 – Maximum 15 Reiki, a Universal Energy healing method, is helpful for stress, emotional issues and even cancer. Local hospitals offer this treatment. You can learn Reiki easily and help yourself and others. Instructor: Lois Reich, Master Reiki Teacher Day: Wednesday, November 6 Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Day: Tuesday, December 3 Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Day: Tuesday, December 10 Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $15 Member / $23 Non-Member

Reflexology Minimum 5 – Maximum 15 Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands that correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and promotes balance in the body. Basic information and hands-on treatment. Instructor: Lois Reich, Licensed Massage Therapist and Reflexology Trainer Day: Wednesday, November 13 Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Day: Wednesday, December 11 Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Fee: $15 Member / $23 Non-Member

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www.peterstownship.com 724.942.5000

(AGES 18 YEARS and UP) Minimum 5 – Maximum 25 Acquire basic photography skills that will take you beyond automatic camera settings that cause blurry and incorrectly exposed photos. You will learn how to use flash, exposure compensation, portrait, close-up, shutter, aperture, program and manual modes creatively with confidence. Bring tripod and Digital camera. Instructor: Michael Haritan, photographer Day: Wednesday Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Fee: $68 Member / $102 Non-Member

CHESS

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P PARK S & RE C RE ATI O N News

Family Game Night at CRC (AGES 6 AND UP) Minimum 4 Families – Maximum 12 Families Get out of the house and come play board games at the Community Recreation Center. Games that are available to be played are Twister, Life, Uno and much more. Bring the entire family with you! No Instructor/Must be accompanied by an Adult. Day: Friday Time: 6 – 7 p.m. Fee: Member $15 per family / Non-Member $23 per family What to Bring: Games to share and your game face!

Peters Township

PROGRAMS FOR FAMILIES AND ONE-DAY EVENTS

PROGRAMS FOR MATURE ADULTS Holiday Bus Trip Nemacolin Woodlands and Lady Luck Casino Join us to kick off the holiday season at Nemacolin Woodlands. This trip will include transportation, a guided art tour of nearly 1,000 individual pieces of the Hardy Family Art Collection, valued at over $45 million, lunch at Nemicolin Woodlands and some time at the Lady Luck Casino. (35 participants needed or may be cancelled) Day: December 4 Departure time: TBD Fee: $85 per person Registration Deadline: November 1st

BRIDGE FOR BEGINNERS Minimum 6 – Maximum 12 This class provides the fundamentals necessary for learning to play bridge. It introduces the vocabulary and the concepts, including the bidding and the playing of the hand. No experience necessary. Welcome those with previous playing experience too. Instructor: Martin P. Cohen Day: Monday Time: 7 – 8 p.m. Day: Wednesday Time: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Fee: $60 Member / $90 Non-Member

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP PARKS & RE C RE ATI O N News

eters Township

ZUMBA GOLD Minimum 10 – Maximum 40 Zumba Gold takes the Zumba formula and modifies the moves and pacing to suit the needs of the active older participant, as well as those just starting their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle. Certified Zumba Instructor: Debbie Colditz Day: Tuesday Time: 6:30 – 7 p.m. Fee: $19 Member / $29 Non-Member

Pickleball Minimum 6 – Maximum 16 Looking to improve hand-eye coordination, balance and agility? Ever heard of Pickleball? If so, bring your friends and tennis shoes to play this low-impact mini-tennis sport that uses a wiffleball and paddle. Open to all adult ages and skill levels. Day: Monday Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Fee: $15 Member / $23 Non-Member

range of movement, and activity for daily living skills. Handheld weights, elastic tubing with handles, and a ball are offered for resistance; a chair is used for seated and/or standing support. Free to select Medicare/local health care plan qualified participants. Day: Monday & Wednesday Time: 10:15 – 11 a.m. (No class on Wed Dec 4) Make up on Dec 6 YOGASTRETCH - Move your whole body through a complete series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of postures designed to increase flexibility, balance and range of movement. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation will promote stress reduction and mental clarity. Instructor: Suzie Bode Day: Thursday Time: 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. Fee: $60 Member / $90 Non-Member (fee, if not covered by health insurance); this includes all classes offered in the session. CARD GROUPS AT THE CRC 500 BID Card Players meet the 4th Tuesday afternoon of the month at the community center from 1 – 4 p.m. Drop-ins welcome. No preregistration required. Men and women of all ages are welcome. Beverages and snacks are provided. Donations welcome. For more information call Rae Helman at 724.941.1081. BRIDGE We are looking for new players! Group meets September through May. For more information call Joan Knoll at 724.743.1767 Fee: $15 per year used for supplies and a charitable donation. Location: Community Room, 200 Municipal Drive, in the back of the Police Station (off of McMurray Road, near the Library) ♦ Marathon Bridge: 1st Tuesday of every month from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. ♦ Duplicate Bridge: 3rd Tuesday of every month from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Senior Luncheons Luncheons are held at the Recreation Center on the second Wednesday of each month. We ask that you bring a covered dish and share with others. The second hour we provide entertainment or a lecture. Contact Lisa at 724.942.5000 for more information. Day: November 13 Time: Noon – 2 p.m. Day: December 11 (Holiday) Time: Noon – 2 p.m. Fee: Free (smiles required)

SilverSneakers® Yoga STRETCH and MUSCULAR STRENGTH & RANGE OF MOVEMENT CLASSES: (AGES 65 AND OVER) MUSCULAR STRENGTH & RANGE OF MOVEMENT Have fun and move to the music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength,

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BRIDGE

Middle School science students in Mr. Kelly’s class get an overview for the year.

Back to

SCHOOL

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP SC H OO L DI S TRI C T News

eters Township

The first week of school is an exciting time of reuniting with old friends and opportunities to make new ones as well. In Peters Township, the year began on August 26 with great anticipation for students as staff alike – new classmates, new routines, new challenges, and even a new Superintendent of Schools. Below are some images of the first several days in our schools.

Kindergarten students in Mrs. Piatt’s class get a visit from Superintendent Dr. French.

32 Peters Township

Students are eager to get the first day started at McMurray Elementary.

Principal Mike Fisher gives a hive five to returning students at Pleasant Valley Elementary. Brand new kindergarten students learn the rules of the classroom in Mrs. Wardzinski’s room.

The overall safety of our schools is impacted anytime guests enter our building. While parents are a vital part of our school community, this added layer of engaging visitors prior to allowing them access to the building will help us to more effectively screen guests in our schools. Some buildings may also have designated drop off areas where parents may leave items forgotten at home (lunches, folders, etc.). Staff members will be able to see and talk with guests about the nature of their visit as they request entry into the building. Parents should note that extra time should be allotted to comply with our entry procedures when coming to the school for meetings, early dismissals, etc. Only those entering who have staff identification cards will be permitted to bypass the procedures. As always, anyone entering the buildings for more than a drop-off or dismissal will also be asked to provide photo identification.

Peter Township Students Named

AP SCHOLARS

A visitor uses the new video phone before entering the Middle School.

Last year also marked the District’s first year with a School Resource Officer on staff at the High School. Officer Jim Stevick has been an asset to the District as not only a daily presence at the School, but also as a vital member of the District’s safety prevention efforts as he has attended safety meetings and trainings in all schools. This year, we welcome Officer Dave Stanton as a Resource Officer as well. In addition to his regular visits providing the DARE program to our students, Officer Stanton will be in the District on a part-time basis and will be on hand at McMurray Elementary and the Middle School throughout the day.

Peters Township High School students continue to receive national recognition for their outstanding performance on the Advanced Placement exams. Not only do these students challenge themselves in taking the exams, but 113 students have earned AP Scholar Awards for their performance in 2013. The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on these exams. The AP exams provide students with the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement at the college level. Seven students have qualified for the prestigious National AP Scholar Award by earning an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. These students are: Joshua Bowman, Maple

The District’s strong partnership with the Peters Township Police Department has enhanced our safety efforts Districtwide. Officers on patrol routinely visit and walk through our buildings to provide an additional level of security throughout the school day. “We have worked closely with the schools for several years now,” said Chief of Police Harry Fruecht. “I think we have a great relationship with the schools and we are pleased with the progress that has been made.”

Chen, Matthew Girouard, Bryan Hall, Carla Hoge, Brandon Lo, and Matthew Perryman. In addition:

• Thirty-six students qualified for the

•

AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. Twenty-eight students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. Forty-nine students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of three or higher. Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 33

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P SC HOOL DI STRI C T News

As parents and students were welcomed back for a new school year, guests in our schools encountered a few changes in safety procedures. Each school building is now equipped with a video phone system at the main entrance of the building. Anyone needing to enter the building during school hours must use this system to speak with a staff member before gaining entrance into the school building.

Peters Township

New Safety Procedures for Peters Township Schools

The Leaders of Tomorrow

at McMurray Elementary

Teachers in Peters Township work hard to prepare our students to be the leaders of tomorrow. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Leadership Academy at McMurray Elementary School. This summer, nearly 30 students gathered at McMurray Elementary for the school’s first-ever Leadership Academy. Throughout the two day session in June, the students took part in a variety of activities to help them identify the positive character traits of leaders – learning the value of teamwork and trust, overcoming obstacles to achieve a common goal, the value of being a good listener, and understanding that leadership is more than a willingness to “take over.” “We don’t believe that leaders are born,” said school librarian Meg Owens, one of the teachers in charge of the effort. “We believe those skills have to be developed, and we can help with that here.” These very sophisticated lessons were taught with a decidedly pre-teen spin – through races where the students wore three inch high heels (overcoming obstacles), learned to tie a knot in a rope when everyone in the group had hold the rope at all times (team work) and followed QR codes to find quotes from great leaders in history (learning from the past). The students in the summer academy also played a key role in developing the

Calendar of Upcoming Events

PE TE RS TOWN SH IP SC H OO L DI S TRI C T News

eters Township

October 8 College Fair Night ~ 6:30-8:30 p.m. October 10 Pleasant Valley Elementary ~ Open House October 11 Faculty Inservice, No School for Students October 23 Bower Hill Open House (Kindergarten & 2nd Grade) October 24 Bower Hill Open House (1st & 3rd Grade) October 29 Haunted Hallways at Pleasant Valley October 29 End of First Grade Period November 1 Faculty Inservice, No School for Students November 7 Parent Conference Day, No School for Students November 27 Faculty Inservice, No School for Students November 28 - December 2 Thanksgiving Break, No School

A complete list of District events, as well as more details on the items listed above can be found on the District website at www.ptsd.k12.pa.us.

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school’s theme for the 2013-14 school year “Walking in Our Shoes with Success” and created a large paper mache shoe covered with leadership quotes that all students pass by entering school each morning. Sixth grader Margaret Kriz added the quote “Don’t follow the crowd, let the crowd follow you,” to the shoe during the final day of the academy this summer. This was Margaret’s first time participating in the leadership group, but other students have taken part in meetings throughout the school year for the past few years. “I saw the cool things they did and I definitely wanted to join,” Margaret said. Teacher Debbie Miller explains that the Summer Academy grew out of the school’s leadership teams that operate throughout the school year. “We have short meetings before the school day begins; students come in early to participate,” said Miller, “but the Academy gave us more time to explore leadership in depth.” All McMurray students are welcome to join the leadership team and students can plug in through a variety of committees that include a media group that produces videos for morning announcements, a health and wellness group, peer tutoring, grant writing, and building beautification. Through these activities, the more than 120 students who regularly attend gain a sense of ownership in their school. Sixth grader Ryan Moore took part in the beautification committee last year that purchased pots and planted flowers outside the building’s main entrance. “Kids walk in kind of gloomy off the busses,” he said, “and I hope that when they see the flowers they think ‘it’s not so bad.’” “At this age, students are starting to see the world differently and are finding their place in it,” Owens explains. Following their leadership discussions, the students have asked to share their voice at PTA meetings, help to plan McMurray Day events, and even weigh in on lunch room choices. “We saw the skills that they need to develop,” adds Miller. Fulfilling that need has also drawn national attention to McMurray Elementary, when their leadership efforts earned the school a Promising Practice Award from the National Character Education Partnership. The CEP has honored McMurray several times over the past decade, starting with their designation as a National School of Character in 2004. Other teachers involved in the Summer Academy were Caroline Abele, Katie Rys and Pam Harrison and throughout the school year others contribute as well. “Leadership is a habit at McMurray,” says Principal Blair Stoehr. “We are so proud to look around the building and see what these students and staff members have accomplished. I’m sure this coming year will be no exception.”

Overall, the changes will result in a more than $43,000 reduction in salary and benefits, while providing a structure better suited to meet the needs of a highachieving District. Dr. Patricia Kardambikis was given the new title of Assistant Superintendent (formerly Assistant to the Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment). In addition to current responsibilities in the areas of curriculum development and classroom assessments, this position will also address District policies, comprehensive planning, homeschooling and homebound instruction, and continue to oversee the District’s K-12 counseling and nursing staff. The District also welcomed Dr. Jennifer Murphy as the new Assistant

Dr. Patricia Kardambikis being sworn in as Assistant Superintendent by the Honorable Judge Joanna Papazekos.

to the Superintendent for Performance Management (formerly Director of Human Resources). This new position will oversee teacher and principal effectiveness in the District in accordance with Act 82, as well as professional development for all staff. State-wide assessments will also fall under the Performance Management purview as well also establishing goals and performance metrics to meet desired District outcomes. Mrs. Patricia Kelly also transitioned to the new title of Director of Pupil Services (formerly Director of Special Education). In addition to current special education responsibilities, this position will oversee all gifted services, 504 plans, and English as a Second Language programs. The position will also supervise student services (OT, PT, Speech, etc.), all outside placements, extended school year services, as well as the District’s intervention program and student discipline. The Pupil Services Director will also play a role in comprehensive planning and District policies. At this time, an open position in the administrative team is that of Director of Instructional Technology (formerly Director of Staff Development and Instructional Technology). This position will not only oversee the District’s technology staff and

network operations, but will also provide instructional leadership in the area of technology for principals and teachers in the classroom. Mr. Vince Belczyk continues his role as the District Business Manager and in addition to responsibilities related to the District’s business, maintenance, facilities and transportation operations, Mr. Belczyk will also assume oversight of the District’s Human Resource Coordinator and all related functions including District benefit plans, to more efficiently align staffing with the budget process.

Dr. Murphy Joins PT Leadership Team In mid-September, Dr. Jennifer Murphy joined the District leadership team as the new Assistant to the Superintendent for Performance Management. Dr. Murphy comes to Peters Township from the City of Pittsburgh School District where she has worked in various roles since 1997. She began her career as an English and French teacher at Brashear High School after earning her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Duquesne University. After eight years in the classroom, she spent three years as the Assistant Principal at Brashear High School, and an additional four years as the Principal of Carrick High School before accepting a special assignment as the District’s Instructional Leadership Specialist. Among her many responsibilities in that position, Dr. Murphy played a critical role in developing the new principal evaluation system in accordance with Act 82, and supported the leadership of 13 schools with Common Core implementation and instructional leadership needs. In addition to her undergraduate work at Duquesne University, Dr. Murphy earned her master’s degree and doctorate in School Leadership, Administrative and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh.

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 35

P E TE RS TOWN SHI P SC HOOL DI STRI C T News

At their August 19 regular meeting, the Peters Township Board of School Directors approved changes to the current administrative organization of the District. The new structure is a combination of a newly created position, along with changes in the scope of work and corresponding titles for current staff members. As a result, we believe Peters Township will have a more efficient leadership structure as we align specific job responsibilities to meet the changing needs of the District.

Peters Township

Changes in Administrative Structure for PT Schools Result in Budget Savings

in the

Loop

Smith Recognizes Outstanding Team Achievements in Peters Township

Peters Twp. Lacrosse: Sen. Matt Smith presents the Peters Township High School Girls’ Lacrosse Team with state Senate citations upon winning the 2013 WPIAL Division I Girls’ Lacrosse Championship. The team defeated Shady Side Academy by a score of 16 to 14 to capture the WPIAL title.

What’s news in Peters Township Coaches: Head Coach Kristin Slemmer and Assistant Coaches Mary Kate Egan and Audrey Wilcox Team: Melanie Morgret, Samantha Moore, Caitlin Carey, Hannah Wilcox, Alyse Kilberg, Isabella DiGnazio, Rosa Winslow, Allison Hurley, Sarah Bootman, Nicole Spindler, Rachel Windmueller, Lillian Fornof, Olivia Vanistendael, Olivia Glod, Gina Vilsack, Angela Esposito, Elizabeth Hill, and Krista Powell. Peters Township Dance: Sen. Matt Smith presents the Peters Township High School Varsity Dance Team with state Senate citations upon winning first place in the Small Varsity Hip Hop Division of the 2013 Universal Dance Association

Photo by Stacey Reibach

National Dance Team Championships, which were held February 2 - 3, 2013, in Orlando, Florida. The team captured the national championship with a score of 92.16 and defeated sixty-three other teams in its division. Coaches: Dominique Deliere Schuster and Barb Deliere 36 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Team: Jess Joseph, Carla Buzzatto, Lyss Townsend, Lexi Uhler, Megan Amelio, Maddie Williams, Savanna Schweizer, Sydney Scott, Val Mikec, Erika Miller, Robyn Bisignani, Sam Abraham, Natalie Leven, Kylie Pollack, and Natalie Olivio. Also in attendance: Brian Geyer, Athletic Director; Lori Pavlik, HS Principal; Emily Sanders, Assistant Principal; Christian Lesnett, Assistant Principal

“A Candlelight Soup and Stroll,” The Greening of the Wright House 2013

Anyone looking for an au naturel, noncommercial holiday experience will find it when the greening of the Wright House Museum occurs for its popular seventh annual “Candlelight Soup and Stroll” event on Sunday, December 8th from 12 to 5 p.m., a holiday experience for area families presented by Peters Creek Historical Society. Visitors to the immensely popular event will enter by candlelit walkways, peek into the decorated old sleigh, then step into the 1816 Wright House bedecked in beautiful 19th century style natural Christmas decorations. A feast of holiday sensory experiences awaits. Guests will spend Christmas in the 1800s. Guests are invited to stroll both floors of the house museum where displays and various holiday experiences and decorations await. Costumed reenactors will mingle throughout the museum, creating an authentic atmosphere. Festive live music will be playing throughout the event. In the popular costume room , visitors will be able to enjoy a timeless holiday tradition as professional STORYTELLER Linda Nickles engages all ages in her mesmerizing historical holiday tales, a pure delight (1 to 3:30 p.m.). This was so enjoyed last year, we had to repeat the experience. “Candlelight Soup and Stroll” will be offered by Peters Creek Historical Society on Sunday, December 8th from 12 to 5 p.m. at the Wright House Museum of Western Expansion, 815 Venetia Road, Venetia, PA. Handicap parking is available. Takeout food will also be available. Admission tickets at door only. For information, phone 724.941.5710 or on our website, www. peterscreekhs.org.

Murphy Recognized for Health Information Technology Efforts

Representative Tim Murphy was honored by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) recently with the 2013 National Health Information Technology Congressional Leadership Award. In recognizing Dr. Murphy, HIMSS cited his leadership in national healthcare policy, including authorship of the Behavioral Health Information Technology Act (H.R. 2957). The award ceremony took place at the HIMSS policy summit on September 19th, held as part of the 8th annual National Health IT Week, a collaborative forum where public and private healthcare stakeholders discuss the importance of health IT to patient care. Dr. Murphyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bipartisan Behavioral Health Information Technology Act adds mental health professionals to a 2009 law assisting healthcare providers in adopting health information technology. The legislation continues Murphyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to mental health reforms and improved outcomes in behavioral healthcare. Along with his efforts to improve coordination of care for the mentally ill, Murphy has been working to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and led a top-to-bottom examination of federal mental health programs and treatments since assuming the Chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations. Earlier Thursday, Chairman Murphy outlined his Continued on next page

HIMSS Executive Director Steve Lieber presents Dr. Murphy with the 2013 Congressional Leadership Award. Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 37

in the

Loop Continued

mental health reform agenda in a speech before the House of Representatives. The legislative package will address lack of outpatient and inpatient treatment options; research into pharmaceuticals and medication; and barriers under HIPAA and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act; and coordinated care for the mentally ill.

On the Calendar

Amateur Astronomer’s Association of Pittsburgh Free Program Friday, October 18, 7:30 p.m., Bayer Science Auditorium of the Carnegie Science Center

38 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

The Most Fascinating Place in the Night Sky - The Moon Anyone who observes the changing face of the Moon with a backyard telescope, or studies its geologic history soon realizes that it is a remarkable place, perhaps even the most fascinating place in the universe (at least as seen from Earth). Remarkably, a tremendous amount about the processes that formed and modified the Moon can be observed telescopically, you just have to learn to read it. Recent lunar orbiters from China, Japan and India, and the US’s now orbiting Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, have provided new information from detectors more sensitive than available 40 years ago, and terrestrial laboratory capabilities have likewise greatly improved. The most unexpected result is that water has been detected in Apollo samples that show the Moon was not completely dry, raising questions about where the water came from. Additionally, the LCROSS probe that rammed into the floor of a polar crater released “bucketfuls” of water and other volatiles which confirm that a valuable resource for living on the Moon is available at the shadowed poles.

Dr. Charles A. Wood was trained as an astronomer and planetary geologist, but he has always been an amateur astronomer with a telescope in the back yard. He has published more than 100 research papers about the Earth and other moons and planets in the solar system, and also has written the Exploring the Moon column for Sky & Telescope since 1998. His day jobs are Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, and Executive Director, Center for Educational Technologies, Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV. Wood is a member of the Cassini Radar team investigating Titan, Chair, of the IAU Lunar Nomenclature Task Group, and author of 5 books including: The Moon: A Modern View (2003) (Sky Publications) The Kaguya Lunar Atlas (2011) by Shirao and Wood (Springer) 21st Century Atlas of the Moon (2013) by Wood and Collins (WV Univ. Press)

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Business Spotlight

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Lisa Paris Salon Haute Styles at Affordable Prices

tyling hair has always been a passion for Lisa Paris. After high school, she went off to college, but knew that hair styling was what she wanted to do with her life, and so began a lifetime of dedication and perseverance that led to the opening of Lisa Paris Salon in Peters Township earlier this year. “I was a top producer in a salon for years, and have done everything to learn about and excel in the field,” Paris said. “I’ve been to Vidal Sassoon’s school among many others, and have traveled to Paris, Milan and New York City to keep up with the latest styles and trends.” When opening Lisa Paris Salon, Lisa said her goal was to “be able to offer people highquality services for reasonable prices in a warm, comfortable environment.” So far, the response has been phenomenal. Not only has Paris brought her 300-plus clients to her new salon, but the rate of walk-ins and referrals has soared. “The feedback has been great,” she said. “One of the biggest hits is the private pedicure and waxing room. Men and women both really enjoy

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receiving their services in a private area.” Like most family businesses, Paris involves her husband and daughter in various aspects. Her husband, she said, has been supportive of her career since she left college, encouraging her to pursue her dreams with her salon. Her daughter styles hair alongside her, and probably will follow in her mother’s footsteps, Paris said. Paris’ daughter, Paige, has already started travelling to attend cutting, coloring, hair extension and keratin classes. “It’s the type of thing where you can’t stop learning because the industry will pass you by,” Paris said. Overall, Paris said that she’s just thankful to have the support of her family, her clients and the community, and that because of that support, she tries to go out of her way to give back with service. In addition to styling and pedicures, Lisa Paris Salon offers a full menu of nail and waxing services. For more information about Lisa Paris Salon, call 724.260.0019, or stop by at 110 West McMurray Road, McMurray, Pennsylvania 15317. Walk-ins are always welcome and gift certificates are available.

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Business Spotlight

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Is Your Home in the 85%? A

recent study of 100,000 homes found that 85% have critical problems adversely impacting the quality of life of their occupants in the areas of health, safety, comfort, or affordability. How do you know if your home is in the 85%? Unlike your car which came with an owner's manual to help you understand maintenance requirements, your home is a complex set of systems for which there is no guide to help you maintain those systems or identify issues. Some symptoms are easy to identify such as cold floors or window condensation while other problems such as a malfunctioning furnace require specialized equipment and training. The professionals at Conservation Consultants, Inc. (CCI) can identify and help you understand all of these issues through an inspection called a Home Energy & Safety Audit.

Who is CCI?

Founded in 1978 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, CCI's mission is to promote responsible energy and resource use in homes and buildings. CCI achieves its mission through education and the identification of efficiency improvements that helps its customers to: • Improve personal comfort, health and safety • Save money by reducing utility bills • Support American energy independence through energy efficiency

Knowledge and Experience The most important considerations when choosing an auditor are their training, certification and experience. The most highly qualified auditors are trained and certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI). CCI's auditors are BPI certified and are some of the most experienced auditors in the greater Pittsburgh area having completed thousands of home energy and safety audits.

Mention this and rec ar ticle eive

an Ener 5 off gy Star Audit

What is a Home Energy & Safety Audit?

The audit is a comprehensive top to bottom review of your home and its systems performed by a certified professional who determines how well those systems are operating and their effect on your safety, health, comfort and utility use. It starts with an interview to understand how your home is impacting your quality of life. The auditor then analyzes your home using advanced diagnostic tools such as a blower door to measure and locate air leaks, an infrared camera to inspect the quality of insulation and other tools that assess the condition, function and safety of your home's systems. Critical health and safety concerns such as excessive carbon monoxide, natural gas leaks or equipment malfunction are immediately brought to your attention. Based on the assessment of the entire house, your auditor will develop a comprehensive written plan that details the most cost effective strategies to improve your comfort and save you energy and money. With the audit report in hand, you'll have the evidence you need to make informed decisions in order to seek out contractors to implement the plan. After completing the improvements, your auditor can come back for a quality and safety inspection of the work performed.

Why choose CCI?

The Whole-House Approach When was the last time a heating contractor told you that by adding insulation in the attic he could install a smaller, less expensive furnace? A whole-house audit doesn't just focus on a single aspect of your home, but rather all of the components as a system. An unbiased wholehouse audit will give you the information you need to achieve a more comfortable, safe and affordable home.

Affordability CCI manages or participates in all local utility-sponsored efficiency programs that can save you money on home energy audits and efficiency upgrades. Learn More Join us for an informative presentation and discussion at the Peters Township Public Library on October 10th at 7 p.m. To register, submit your name to programs@ptlibrary.org or call 724.941.9430.

Contact CCI

For more information or to schedule a whole-house energy & safety audit, call 412.773.7163 or visit our website using this easy to type URL: http://bit.ly/13jWJhu Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 45

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Your Child’s Health

oncussions in athletes have been the subject of many recent news reports. Professional, collegiate, and high school athletes are now taught to identify symptoms of a concussion. What about parents and younger children? Concussions can and do occur outside of the sporting arena and affect children who have never played on a sports team. It is important for every parent to know the signs and symptoms of a concussion. A concussion is a brain injury that occurs during a traumatic event such as a car accident, fall, or collision. You do not have to be “knocked out” or lose consciousness to have a concussion. The most common initial symptoms of a concussion are headache, dizziness and feeling mentally foggy or disoriented. Nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, and memory loss of events surrounding the time of the injury are also frequent complaints. You may think of vomiting, severe headache, sleepiness or lethargy, weakness or numbness, or seizures as symptoms of a concussion. If one or more of these serious symptoms occur, seek emergency help immediately since that could be a sign of a life-threatening injury. Recognizing a milder concussion is also important. A headache that worsens with reading or physical activity is a common complaint. Difficulty sleeping or feeling very fatigued, as well as emotional irritability, can also signify a concussion. Trouble with short term memory and concentration that negatively affects schoolwork is another symptom. Vision changes, difficulty with balance, and poor coordination are also signs of a concussion that may increase the risk of another fall or injury. Avoiding a second head injury is crucial, since it can cause severe brain swelling if the child is already suffering from a head injury. Immediately after a mild concussion the best treatment is rest, hydration, pain control for the headache, and avoidance of further injury. Call your pediatrician to schedule an evaluation. The evaluation should occur within 1 to 2 days, and should consist of a detailed history of exactly how the injury occurred and a thorough discussion of pertinent symptoms, as well as a comprehensive neurologic exam. The plan of treatment for a school age child with a concussion often includes modification of academic work. Avoidance of further brain stress is a key to concussion recovery. Visual input, such as reading, using a computer, texting, or playing video games often needs to be avoided. The child’s school day may need to be shortened and the

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Recognizing Concussions in Children

assignments read aloud. Loud noises, such as riding the school bus or eating in a busy cafeteria, may worsen symptoms. No gym class, sports, or active play should be permitted while the child is recovering from a concussion. Your pediatrician may write a letter to the school detailing the specifics of these and additional recommendations. The recovery period from a concussion is usually measured in weeks or months, not days. The rate and pattern of symptom improvement is quite variable between individuals. Sometimes a computerized test called ImPACT is used to give a more objective measurement of brain function. Ask your pediatrician about obtaining a baseline ImPACT test if your child is older than 10 years of age. When a child has a personalized baseline established prior to a concussion, more meaningful information can be gained from re-testing after a head injury. Concussions can occur in any setting and even mild concussions have serious consequences.

This Industry Insight was written by Christine O’Neill Yost, M.D., FAAP. Christine O’Neill Yost, M.D., FAAP strives to provide excellent health care for children as a board certified pediatrician at Children’s Community Pediatrics - South Hills at Waterdam. She was voted the Best Pediatrician in Peters Township in 2012. Dr. Yost graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and completed her pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Dr. Yost is married with two children.

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inPerson Meet New Peters Township School Superintendent

Jeannine French By Earl Bugaile

My skill set is bringing people together in a way that we can really focus on what is important. And what is important is the children’s experience in the classroom.

here are some who believe that the toughest job in the world is that of a school superintendent. Not only does the superintendent have to set the course for education in the schools, they must be a strong administrator with an eye always on the budget, have a vision for the future of their district, and be the type of person that can work well with administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents and the board of education. They are often called upon to make difficult decisions, and those decisions may not always be popular with any number of people. Dr. Jeannine French, the new superintendent of the Peters Township Schools appreciates the challenges that the job entails, and she said the best formula for success is to embrace all of the challenges and the people she will serve. “The best way is to have perspective and to know that our staff, parents, Board and community are all resources to help us get our job done,” French said as she prepared for the opening of the 2013-14 school year. “If

48 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

we didn’t have any one of them we would not be able to achieve at the level that is expected of us. There will be times when there are

conflicting agendas, but the majority of the time we will get back to what we all want. There is no one group that doesn’t want the best for our children.” French said she plans to spend a great deal of her first year getting to know teachers, administrators and students. “I plan to spend a great deal of my time in school so the people who will have the most access to me will be our teachers, our students and our families. The other approach is to really develop a team, so it’s not just what I say or I believe, because we’re going to be a team, and there will be more people who can make decisions and to have access to the Central Office,” she said. Dr. French began preparing for the new school year as soon as she arrived in midJuly. She came from the Pittsburgh Public Schools, where she had served for 16 years in a number of roles including Behavior Specialist, Coordinator of Health Services, Coordinator of Student Services, Regional Coordinator, Principal, Assistant Superintendent of K-8 and Middle Schools and Chief of School Performance. She had been serving as

Deputy Superintendent for the Pittsburgh Public Schools, when she was recruited to interview for as superintendent for Peters Township. “I had never imagined a day when I would leave the City schools,” she said. “Some of the students I had when I was a principal in Pittsburgh are graduating, and I imagined I would be having their children in school someday,” she said. “Through circumstance and my good fortune I was able to have opportunities to come out here and meet with the (Peters Township) board, and every time I came I felt more compelled to be here.” Dr. French holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Allegheny College, and she received her master’s degree in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Duquesne University. Her initial certification was in Secondary Guidance from Duquesne University. She received her principal certification at Carnegie Mellon University, and her Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from the University of Pittsburgh. The biggest change for Dr. French, no doubt, will be in leading a suburban school district like Peters, after spending nearly 17 years in a large urban school district that is comprised of numerous neighborhoods, and children from all socioeconomic backgrounds. “One of the nice things about Peters Township is that there is an opportunity to focus in the sense that we’re not trying to compete with both ends of the spectrum,” she said. “If we can really look at issues and problems from a pinpointed perspective instead of trying to be everything for everyone, that’s a huge plus.” Dr. French credits the resources already in place that have helped the Peters Township Schools be successful in the past. “The parentfamily involvement is a blessing, and I think it will be a great asset,” she said. The new school year is one in which she intends to not only come to know the faculty and the students but to try and improve on already academically successful district. She said she will count her first year successful if the children are more successful this year than they were last year. “Are the children getting into the colleges that they want? Are they safe? Are they happy? Are we hearing that the parents are satisfied? I think it’s the combination of our

data, along with the softer side. We want children to be safe and to be happy and want to be here. These are the things you can measure by walking through the halls,” Dr. French said. “I think the parents will also let us know if we’re doing a good job.” Explaining her references to “safety,” Dr. French said the idea goes much further than safety as it applies to secured doors and police officers in buildings. “Safety is physical safety, but it’s also a sense of belonging,” she said. “I think you can be safe in an environment where (you) can put your ideas forward, where (you) can feel safe to make mistakes, where (you) can be safe to work. What I want for our children is to give them a place where it’s safe. Where they can grow and explore and feel safe and welcome.” The first year of any new school superintendent is one of learning and becoming familiar with teachers, administrators, students, parents and the community. It is also a time to allow those same people to become familiar with the superintendent as well. “I hope that what teachers will be able to say about me is that I will do everything that it takes to help support them,” Dr. French said. “I know that teachers are our most valuable resource and everybody in concentric circles around our teachers has to be ‘all in’ to be sure (teachers) have all of the materials that they need and support that they need for magic to happen in the classroom. I want them to know that I’m the person that’s going to do that.” She said the same also applies to students and parents. “My skill set is bringing people together in a way that we can really focus on what is important,” she said. “And what is important is the children’s experience in the classroom.” ■ Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 49

50 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Healthy Feet

Foot Talk with Tara...

s the beautiful summer months come to an end, we get excited for “sports season!” Whether we are watching soccer, baseball, football or our favorite Little League games, we as parents and fans all fear injuries. Things like keeping players hydrated, making sure they stretch prior to a game and wearing appropriate gear are among some of the important basics to keep our favorite players in the game. Do you ever think about what they are wearing as they are sprinting from base to base or that deep pass for a touchdown? Cleats are used in many sports. Many sports involve a lot of high impact movements along with speed. Dynamic jumping, landing, cutting and running can place a lot of strain on players’ ankles and feet. Football cleats for example are lighter than ever before emphasizing on speed and style. These cleats are often narrow with thin plastic soles and may not provide the optimal support for the added stress of a larger player. In the 1970s football shoes were made from leather weighing about 16 ounces. Today most are manufactured with synthetic materials weighing as little as 5.64 ounces! Cleats do not have built in controls or arch support.

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Beat The Cleat Feet Blues Sports, your feet and avoiding injuries immobilization and physical therapy which can prevent further injuries and get athletes to return to sports. It is important if we have kids in youth sports to remember some key points. Sports involve increased impact to the heels. Kids have unfused growth plates until they become teenagers and shearing forces on the plate can cause inflammation and pain to the feet and ankles. Cleats should be worn only on the field, not for walking on sidewalks, parking lots or wearing for leisure after games. Researchers say that shock absorption can be decreased via heel lifts, heelpads or orthotic management. Don’t let the “Cleat Feet Blues” slow your athlete down! Look for our next article discussing the importance of testing for Peripheral Artery Disease. Like us on Facebook, Pittsburgh Family Footcare P.C.

Biomechanical imbalances lead to increased injury to players. Whether recreational or professional, players who want to excel in the sport may benefit from addressing the potential underlying biomechanical imbalances that lead to strains and injuries. A lot of sports include pushing off which involves the big toe. Some injuries include turf toe which is a hyperextension of the first MTP joint. Sprains, plantar fasciitis, fractures and tendonitis are some of the most common sports injuries. Many athletes including marathoners, golfers, football, baseball and soccer players take advantage of custom orthotics to relieve hip, knee, ankle and foot pain caused by biomechanical imbalances. Some athletes are born with leg length discrepancies. A leg length difference can place additional strain on players. Gait scans and assessments by a podiatrist may determine if or when orthotics (custom innersoles) are needed as a part of a treatment program. Modifications to orthotics can be made to allow the big toes greater movements in sprinting, pushing off and lateral foot movements. Sometimes a podiatrist can recommend other treatment plans including replacing the shoes, stretching, resting, icing, proper This Industry Insight was written by Tara Nardozi, CPMA. Tara Nardozi is a Certified Podiatric Medical Assistant (CPMA) and Certified Radiology Technologist at Pittsburgh Family Footcare P.C. 2001 Waterdam Plaza Drive #207, McMurray PA 15317, 724.941.9440 www.pffcpc.com

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52 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

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Business Spotlight

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Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 55

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Improve Quality of Life

ospice care and palliative care are very similar when it comes to the most important issue for dying people: care. Hospice care is a type and philosophy of care that focuses on the treatment to help relieve disease related symptoms of a terminally ill or seriously ill patient's pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs. Unlike other medical care, the focus of hospice care isn't to cure the underlying disease. The goal of hospice care is to support the highest quality of life possible for whatever time remains. One of the most widely voiced complaints of hospice care is that it is not implemented or discussed soon enough. Often, physicians, patients and families resist discussing hospice options because it gives the impression that they are “giving up” or that there is no hope. James Gordon, M.D., Medical Director of Palliative and Supportive Care Service at Northwest Hospital and Medical Center in Seattle, was quoted in Neurology Today stating that, “there's always the tendency toward the prolongation of life, and we're not well trained at all for treating someone for comfort when someone appears to be dying and dying uncomfortably. We have difficulty accepting that sometimes the most compassionate thing we can do is to accept the notion that someone is dying. It's the hardest thing for any of us to accept.” Neurology Today: 4 April 2013 - Volume 13 Issue 7 - p 18–20 Hospice care is available at hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and dedicated hospice facilities. However, more than 90% of hospice care is provided in the patient’s home in the United States. Therefore, the Medicare hospice benefit provides necessary equipment and personnel. In addition to professional staff, one of the foundations of hospice is the utilization of volunteers to provide comfort and support to the patient and family. The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization provides the following definition of hospice care: The focus of hospice relies on the belief that each of us has the right to die pain-free and with dignity, and that our loved ones will receive the necessary support to allow us to do so.

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(as with hospice patients), palliative care offers a solution. Palliative care teams are made up of doctors, nurses, and other professional medical caregivers, often at the facility where a patient will first receive treatment. These individuals will administer or oversee most of the ongoing comfort-care patients receive. While palliative care can be administered in the home, it is most common to receive palliative care in an institution such as a hospital, extended care facility, or nursing home that is associated with a palliative care team. Treatments are not limited with palliative care and can range from conservative to aggressive/curative, while with hospice care treatments are limited and focus on palliation of symptoms. The goal is no longer to cure, but to promote comfort. Most insurance plans cover all or part of the palliative care treatment you receive, just as with other hospital and medical services. This is also true of Medicare and Medicaid. It is encouraged for families to embrace proactive planning for care management and seek out the wonderful benefits that are available to individuals battling chronic illnesses. A Life Care Planning Elder Law Firm can help assist families in planning and discussing these options with your physicians and medical providers to help assure the best possible quality of life.

Hospice and Palliative Care Benefits

Palliative Care

Unlike hospice care, palliative care is appropriate for patients in all disease stages, including those undergoing treatment for curable illnesses and those living with chronic diseases, as well as patients who are nearing the end of life. Chronic diseases include but are not limited to: cancer, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, kidney failure, Alzheimer's, AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis. Since not all patients with a life-limiting illness have a prognosis measured in months rather than years This Industry Insight was written by Christine Brown Murphy. Christine Brown Murphy is a partner with the elder law firm of Zacharia & Brown, PC. Zacharia & Brown is one of the oldest, most established elder law firms in Western Pennsylvania. Their practice includes life care planning for seniors, elder law, Medicaid & Veterans Benefits eligibility, nursing home asset protection, care review and advocacy, and estate planning and administration. Contact information: www.PittsburghElderLaw.com,724.942.6200, 111 West McMurray Road, McMurray, PA 15317.

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58 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

EDUCATION PETERS TOWNSHIP

fall

20 13

hen it comes to education, too much is never enough. And in a world where job competition is fierce, parents believe the more educated their child is, the better their chances of getting that rewarding, high-salaried position that will allow them to grow as a professional, support a family and pad their 401(k). But ask any high school junior what they plan on majoring in, and you’re almost guaranteed to be met with a blank stare.

Traditional college is a smart choice, but for today’s students, other options are available that do not require a degree. The job market indicates an increasing demand for skilled trades, non-degreed and service professionals which is quickly outpacing those who can deliver it. In this special section, we take a look at college preparation — from choosing the right preschool to prepping for SATs, as well as some alternatives to college that promise a bright future without the need for a four-year degree. Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 59

PETERS TOWNSHIP

Top Education Trends O

ne thing is for sure; school is not what it used to be. No longer are college students expected to sit for long periods of time in one classroom, listening to one professor while feverishly taking notes. Today, students have a wide array of schooling options, study tools and reference materials that make it easier to get the grade. Among these latest trends are:

Social Media: Social media has given students access to a whole new way of communicating and learning. In todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classrooms, professors are blogging, maintaining Twitter and Facebook accounts and even communicating with students through these mediums. Students also have access to YouTube and may even be required to produce and post videos as a part of their learning curriculum. Students may find it helpful to use social media techniques to find employment since many sites, such as LinkedIn, give job seekers the venue to create resumes and profiles that are searchable by potential employers. Graduates can also begin networking with professionals in their desired field.

60 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Online Learning: No longer is traveling to a school building and sitting at a desk beside 25 other students part of school requirements. Students who want to pursue chosen fields of study can learn from home and study at their own pace laptop style. In fact, according to the Bacon Survey Research Group, the number of students enrolled in at least one online course increased for the ninth straight year. The study reports that the number of students taking online courses has surpassed six million and nearly one-third of all students in higher education are taking at least one online course. Some universities such as the University of CaliforniaBerkeley, Johns Hopkins University and Stanford, even offer free online

courses, a trend that is expected to continue in coming years.

Massive Open Online Course: Massive open online course, or MOOC, is a relatively new way for students to learn. MOOC is a course that is offered exclusively online to provide large interactive participation and open access through the Internet. MOOCs offer all of the traditional types of course materials, but also provide interactive user forums that help build communities among students and teachers and teaching assistants. These free courses only require the use of a computer and an Internet connection. As an extra incentive, there is some discussion about awarding official college credits to students who take these

PETERS TOWNSHIP

courses, which continue to grow in popularity around the globe, as they are offered in nearly 200 countries in 44 different languages and have more than 4,500 testing centers.

Better Job Market: Students graduating now may enter a better job market than students from previous years. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, companies expect to hire 9 percent more 2012 graduates than in 2011. And, students who have studied in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) have even greater odds of landing a job.

Game-Based Learning: While still a new concept for both students and teachers alike, game-based learning, or GBL, is a method of learning that is growing in popularity and has proven to be

an effective method of teaching. These games are designed exclusively to provide educational value to students in any type of educational environment. They are designed to teach students about certain subjects, reinforce growth and development, encourage the development of new skills, or understand an event that took place in history. GBL methods include boards, cards and video games and incorporate methods like learning simulations with both serious

games and video games into the classroom. In addition, this method offers both gameplay and subject matter so that students can easily remember what they have learned and get ready to apply it in the real world. Although this method is still in its infancy, it is expected to expand in growth in the coming years. The way we learn is changing and it is broadening our horizons, our skills and our possibilities.

The number of students taking online courses has surpassed

six million

and nearly one-third of all students in higher education are taking at least one online course.

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PETERS TOWNSHIP

Jobs

of the

Future

hile a college degree does garner some credibility and an advantage in finding a well-paying job, there has been an increase in demand for people who have the right skills, and not necessarily a degree, in certain industries. According to a recent story featured in Forbes magazine, jobs of the future are comparably â&#x20AC;&#x153;lowskilled,â&#x20AC;? meaning they still require a lot of all-around intelligence to succeed, but not a degree. For example, carpentry has experienced a 56 percent growth, and medical secretaries have seen an increase of 41 percent in recent years. Other top jobs include web developers, which has a median salary of more than $75,000 a year and has risen in popularity among those who are self-taught or who have only a minimal amount of college training. In fact, the demand for people in this field is so great that

companies do not view it as a disadvantage if the person does not have a college degree, particularly the smaller start-up companies. Plumbers can make more than $46,000, a profession that is expected to grow 26 percent in the next few years. Paralegal assistants, electricians and industrial machine repairers are also professions that can expect an annual salary of more than $46,000. Administrative executive assistants could see a salary of more than $34,000. Bookkeepers and pest control specialists can earn more than $30,000, while receptionists and skin care specialists may be paid more than $25,000. A possible reason for this recent upward trend in jobs that do not require a college degree, may be that there is a heavier demand for people who offer actual services and specific skill sets. Caring for an aging population is one of the reasons that jobs like home health aides and personal care aides

Some in-demand professions that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require a four-year degree.

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PETERS TOWNSHIP

Carpentry has experienced a growth of

are at the top of the fastest growing jobs list compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, as reported by CareerCast.com. But right below these two occupations are biomedical engineers, which anticipates a 61 percent growth by 2020. Jobs such as brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons and tile and marble setters, expect to grow at least 60 percent by 2020. Veterinary technicians and technologists are expected to grow in demand by 52 percent. Reinforcing iron and rebar workers will increase by nearly 47 percent, physical therapy assistants by 46 percent, pipelayers and steamfitters by 45 percent, meeting and event planners by 44 percent and diagnostic medical sonographers by 43 percent. These fields all rank near the top of the list in popularity and expected job growth.

56 percent

Biomedical engineering anticipates growth of

According to Forbes, many of these types of jobs do not require a college education because a person could potentially learn more about them with on-the-job training as opposed to sitting in a college classroom. Many people who enter "non-degreed" professions are self-taught and begin freelancing with a few clients. Through word-of-mouth, they are able to grow enough to launch their own business. For the most part, the trend remains that college graduates still stand to earn more in their lifetimes than nongraduates, as companies will continue to look for the bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree on a resume. However, there is a bright future for non-graduates with much potential if they have the desire and motivation to be successful.

61 percent

Physical therapy assistant jobs will increase by

46 percent

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 63

PETERS TOWNSHIP

Occupations with the most job growth, 2010 projected 2020 (Numbers in thousands) Employment 2010 National Employment Matrix Title and Code

2010

2020

Change, 2010-20 Number

Median Annual Wage, 2010

00-0000

Total, All Occupations

143,068.2

163,537.1

20,468.9

14.3

$33,840

29-1111

Registered Nurses *

2,737.4

3,449.3

711.9

26.0

64,690

41-2031

Retail Salespersons

4,261.6

4,968.4

706.8

16.6

20,670

31-1011

Home Health Aides

1,017.7

1,723.9

706.3

69.4

20,560

39-9021

Personal Care Aides

861.0

1,468.0

607.0

70.5

19,640

43-9061

Office Clerks, General

2,950.7

3,440.2

489.5

16.6

26,610

35-3021

Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food

2,682.1

3,080.1

398.0

14.8

17,950

43-4051

Customer Service Representatives

2,187.3

2,525.6

338.4

15.5

30,460

53-3032

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

1,604.8

1,934.9

330.1

20.6

37,770

53-7062

Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

2,068.2

2,387.3

319.1

15.4

23,460

25-1000

Postsecondary Teachers

1,756.0

2,061.7

305.7

17.4

45,690

31-1012

Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants

1,505.3

1,807.2

302.0

20.1

24,010

39-9011

Childcare Workers

1,282.3

1,544.3

262.0

20.4

19,300

43-3031

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

1,898.3

2,157.4

259.0

13.6

34,030

41-2011

Cashiers

3,362.6

3,612.8

250.2

7.4

18,500

25-2021

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

1,476.5

1,725.3

248.8

16.8

51,660

43-4171

Receptionists and Information Clerks

1,048.5

1,297.0

248.5

23.7

25,240

37-2011

Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners

2,310.4

2,556.8

246.4

10.7

22,210

37-3011

Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers

1,151.5

1,392.3

240.8

20.9

23,400

41-4012

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products

1,430.0

1,653.4

223.4

15.6

52,440

47-2061

Construction Laborers

998.8

1,211.2

212.4

21.3

29,280

43-6013

Medical Secretaries

508.7

718.9

210.2

41.3

30,530

43-1011

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

1,424.4

1,627.8

203.4

14.3

47,460

47-2031

Carpenters

1,001.7

1,197.6

196.0

19.6

39,530

35-3031

Waiters and Waitresses

2,260.3

2,456.2

195.9

8.7

18,330

33-9032

Security Guards

1,035.7

1,230.7

195.0

18.8

23,920

25-9041

Teacher Assistants

1,288.3

1,479.3

191.1

14.8

23,220

13-2011

Accountants and Auditors

1,216.9

1,407.6

190.7

15.7

61,690

29-2061

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

752.3

920.8

168.5

22.4

40,380

29-1060

Physicians and Surgeons

691.0

859.3

168.3

24.4

111,570

31-9092

Medical Assistants

527.6

690.4

162.9

30.9

28,860

Source: Employment Projections program, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

64 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Choosing the Right College You made it. You got through grade school, succeeded in high school, and now the search begins…for the perfect college. You may already have your eye on a school, or you may be keeping your options open. Whatever your situation, there are some pointers to keep in mind when making your decision. To start, make a list of the colleges in which you are most interested. Divide the list into three categories: top choices, acceptable choices and sure-things. You also may want to add the reasons they interest you and the factors that make them unique. Seek out advice from those you trust – high school teachers, guidance counselors, friends and family members or school alumni – and ask why they favor a particular school. Also consider your educational goals and the field of study you would like to pursue. If one of your top choices does not offer that particular major, it may be safe to scratch it off your list. Another important component to consider is the social atmosphere and the type of housing accommodations the school has to offer. Do you want to attend a school where the students never sleep, or would you prefer to live in a quiet, non-party environment? Make sure the school that you choose will make you feel comfortable so you can succeed academically. Seek out printed information about the school. Directories, websites, maps and newsletters will help you navigate the campus and enable you to decide if this is where you want to spend the next four, or more, years. Lastly, talk to college representatives and staff on campus. Interview them about their likes and dislikes about the school, the academic and non-academic programs that the school offers and the types of financial aid that is available. Most importantly, make sure the school will meet your needs and help you to excel in whatever path you choose.

The SATs – Preparation is the Buzz Word You know there is no way around it. If you want to go to college, you must do well on the dreaded SAT test. This single event can lead to many sleepless nights and bouts of nervous anxiety. But if you head into the testing center armed with a few special tips, you may score well ahead of the game. For starters, begin preparing and studying for the test months in advance. Find practice tests or study guides online and upon completion of these practice exams, study the results. Find out why you scored wrong on a particular question and look at what you did right. Perhaps the best way to aid in preparation is to take challenging courses in high school. Take plenty of math and science courses and make sure that your reading comprehension and writing skills are in order. Develop a plan to study for the SATs for an allotted amount of time each day. Seek out the aid of a specialized tutoring service, such as the SAT tutoring offered at Huntington, which may not only help you with your studying, but may increase your confidence and calm your nerves. If you decide to take the test twice, learn from your experience the first time. Research the questions you got wrong on the first test and learn why you got them wrong. As the day of test approaches, do something relaxing the night before, such as reading a book and getting a good night’s sleep. Wake up early enough to eat a nutritious breakfast and plan to arrive at the testing center early. Finally, be sure you are prepared with the right materials – a valid ID for access to the testing center and several number 2 pencils. With preparation, you will find that the test-taking anxiety you initially felt, will be replaced with confidence and satisfaction.

SAT

Paying for College You have your heart set on going to college. Now you need to pay for it. Planning ahead will not only help you save money, but may save you time, as well. First, plan ahead. Simply depositing a minimal amount of money into a savings account years ahead of college will pay off big when the bills for tuition and books start to come. There are a couple of easy methods for saving. The first is to write yourself a check each month that automatically goes into your college account. Or, simply have a part of your paycheck directly deposited into the account. Also, know that you do not have to save for the entire four years of school. There are options like financial aid, grants and loans available that can help to cover expenses and minimize the economic impact on your wallet. Consider investing in a prepaid tuition program, which enables you to prepay for tomorrow’s college tuition at today’s costs. Or, choose a 529 college savings plan, which has no guarantee of earnings, but can be used at any college, for any expense, and has specific tax advantages. Websites such as SavingforCollege.com, offer valuable resources for planning and maximizing your college tuition and other expenses. Most states have a website that contains information about prepaid tuition programs or 529 college savings plans. If you are beginning to save more than five years from the college entrance date, consider investing in mutual funds through a professional fund manager. If you have less than five years before entering college, consider other options such as savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit. With a little planning and some smart budgeting, paying for college is an attainable goal.

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 65

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Your Child’s Education

d D n a ad m o M are

Different: M

others and fathers care for their children in very unique ways. Children can recognize the differences between mother and father care, which actually enhances their development. This article focuses on the critical role fathers play in a child’s development. Newborns can differentiate between mom’s voice and touch and dad’s voice and touch. Although mom may have gotten a head start on the bonding process with the baby, dads have their chance, too. By six weeks old an infant can distinguish a father’s voice from a mother’s, and while a quiet baby may pay more attention to mom’s voice, an upset baby will calm more readily to his father’s handling. Mothers usually are very consistent in the way that they handle their children, often picking them up in the same manner, saying the same thing before they handle them, for example, at bath or bedtime. Dads rarely approach the baby with such consistency. Each time they pick up the baby, they usually do so in a different manner than before, but this helps the baby recognize that it is dad who is holding him.

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The Role of Fathers Time with dad is typically less structured and more play-oriented than with mom. Most of mother’s time with her children is dedicated to care-giving tasks or educational play, while dad’s time is less structured and full of impromptu play. Where mom uses toys, dad tends to use his body. Dads are typically more physical with the kids and they love it. Physical play helps to stimulate both physical and brain development. Dads also have a tendency to make any situation educational, even if they don’t realize it themselves, so that a father’s tasks around the house might be an adventure for the child. Fathers challenge their children to learn. Obviously, both mom and dad want to help their child learn in any way they can, but they do this differently also. For example, when teaching a frustrated child, a mother tends to assist her in finding the answer; whereas, a father is more likely to guide the child through the frustration and challenge her longer to find the answer on her own. Fathers also encourage more exploration and boundary pushing than moms do. A father’s way of teaching his child persistence in the face of adversity results in positive academic and social performance in the long run. Certainly, one style is not better than the other, and children absolutely benefit from both. THE ROLE OF FATHERS Recent research about the role of fathers and their approach to parenting include the following: • Fathers tend stylistically to encourage problem-solving skills by letting their kids struggle with frustration a little longer before stepping in to help. (Of course, there is a huge personal variation here, as there is in mothers.) • Fathers permit a little more emotional autonomy during learning sequences with their young children, supporting and encouraging but without the same emphasis on intimacy that is more typical among mothers. • Fathers tend to mix play with learning a little more successfully, from the child’s point of view, allowing longer work periods. • Fathers’ more functional (‘do it because it needs to be done,’ rather than ‘do it because it will go better between us if you do’) approach to academic work builds in the child a larger range of problem solving skills over time that probably contributes to more lasting self-esteem. This Industry Insight was written by Bob & Lori Santo. Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School®, located at 825 East McMurray Rd. in Peters Township. Goddard offers both full- and part-time Infant/ Preschool/Kindergarten programs. For more information, visit www.goddardschools.com or call 724.941.6464.

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PETERS TOWNSHIP

EDUCATIONDIRECTORY Bob & Lori Santo are the owners of The Goddard School located in Peters Township. The Goddard School provides the foundation to encourage each child’s lifelong love of learning. In our warm, loving atmosphere, caring teachers support the healthy development of children from six weeks to six years old. Our year-round program offers families the choice of either a half or full-day schedule. The Goddard School 724.941.6464 • GoddardSchool.com

Our school program provides comprehensive special education and therapy services individually designed to meet the needs of children ages 3-8 with special needs. Community locations (North Hills, Strip District, Baldwin and Murrysville) offer small class sizes and low staff to student ratio. Full day program provided with on-site therapy staff and Assistive Technology services. Disability awareness and inclusion education is provided through preschool integration opportunities. Easter Seals Western and Central Pennsylvania Linda Lanham Zeszutek School 412.281.7244 X 269 • www.eastersealswcpenna.org

Finding the Right Preschool Deciding on a preschool for your child is an important decision requiring a lot of thought and research. You want your child’s first experience in school to be a positive one filled with happy memories. There are several factors to keep in mind as you make your decision. Among the first, should be the location of the school. Do you want something that is close to home or close to work? How far are you willing to drive? Another consideration is the school’s reputation. Do you have any friends who send their children to the school or who know any of the staff? Talk to them while doing your research and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. The Child Care Aware hotline, 1.800.424.2246, can give you the number of a local childcare referral agency, which can provide you with the names of preschools in the area. Before calling the school, make a list of all of the questions that are important to you, such as teacher to student ratio, the staff’s credentials, what types of activities the kids engage in and what is the level of progression from year to year. Also, be sure to ask if the school is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a sign that the school is trustworthy and reliable. If you are allowed to visit the school, take a tour and perhaps observe the class where your child would be attending. During this visit, observe how the teachers interact with the kids, their demeanor toward each other and their overall personality. Finally, observe the children themselves. If they are happy in their surroundings and you feel comfortable, it just may be the perfect school for your child! Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 67

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Business Spotlight

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Established Family Business Remodeling a Generation of Homes

hen Lou Angelo got into the construction business, the Beatles had just hired a drummer named Ringo Starr to fill the seat of Pete Best. Now, nearly 50 years later, Angelo Associates and its 12 employees are still remodeling homes and making homeowners more comfortable through his work. “I started off working in this business parttime, while working full-time days as a school teacher,” Angelo said. “My father was a building contractor, and since then, the business has evolved from building houses into a remodeling company. Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, Angelo Contracting Company operated as a partnership. In 1990 we made a planned

Kitchen and Bath Manager Lisa Hurley, Certified Kitchen and Bathroom Designer said remodeling homes allows people to add to their biggest investment, stay in the comfort of a living space they’re used to and provides for homeowners to stay current with trends and styles in the industry. “Today, you’re seeing less tubs and more high-end showers,” Hurley said. Angelo said with the new homes, the biggest trend is towards openness in the bathroom. “People seem to want spacious, open showers,” he said. “Most of our showers are done in ceramic or porcelain tile.” Angelo said kitchens are trending upscale as well. “Certainly, the countertops have changed through the years. The highest percentage of our top sales are done in granite and that is probably because of the wide range of availability and consequently reduced cost. We’re a factory dealership for Wood-Mode and Brookhaven Cabinetry and we do a very impressive volume in frameless cabinets,” Angelo said. Hurley said frameless cabinets are a more European style of cabinet, giving homeowners more storage space for their money because they don’t have the typical cabinet frames that people are used to seeing. “You don’t see any columns between the double doors,” Angelo said. “It’s all doors with no obstructions. Installation precision is really, really important for frameless cabinets. It’s not for the do-it-yourselfer in general.” Complementing their kitchen and bath work reputation, Angelo Associates has made a name in window and door renovations and has been a Certified Pella Contractor since the certification program was instituted. Window/Door and reorganization. At that time, I chose to form General Remodeling Manager Dean Papciak a closely held S-Corporation, so that future said, “We are well equipped and experienced transitions in management and responsibilities for the structural hard jobs such as adding or could occur smoothly and without interruption. enlarging window and door openings, and I chose the name Angelo Associates because frequently incorporating a significant new look it reflected my desire to maintain a close for the exterior as well as the interior.” working team of professionals who would Angelo Associates also excels in deck work support the customer-oriented Angelo business and bringing people together outside their patio philosophy.” door. Angelo said business remains strong in “With deck work and exterior siding and this economy and that moving from new trim, the trend today is towards synthetic construction to increased volume of kitchens, materials,” Angelo said. “Even in the very high bathrooms, windows and doors, has been great end jobs, people are asking for mostly synthetic, for his business and his clients. low maintenance materials. There are some very

68 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

interesting natural jungle mahoganies that we’ve worked with. They’re durable, and they work well, but are generally more expensive.” If you don’t see ads for Angelo Associates, don’t be surprised. As with any good professional, their business tends to come from referrals. “Most of our business comes from word of mouth,” Angelo said. “They’ve been referred from a past customer. For the past several years, our sales were over 94 percent by referrals on average. We’re really happy about that because it’s based on what we have shown we can and will do.” That’s not a bad track record for a business headed toward its half-century mark. Angelo said he’s proud of where he’s been and foresees many remodeled homes to come in the future. Another aspect that Angelo’s proud of is the fact that customers can get a live person on the phone and service within 24 hours in an age of automated telephone menus. Office and showroom hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and Saturdays by appointment. “We’re good at remodeling. We’re good at building strong ethical relationships,” Angelo said. “And we’re pretty good at sticking around.” For more information on Angelo Associates, go to angeloassociates.com or call 412.655.3430.

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 69

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INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Your Finances

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Wishing You Had a Crystal Ball? “S ooner or later, there is going to be a bloodletting in the bond market,”… thus began an editorial in Investment News (September 2, 2013). With interest rates at near historic lows, many bond investors are concerned about the impact a rise in interest rates may have on their portfolios. This anxiety derives from the fact that interest rates and bond prices move in opposite directions. Thus, if interest rates rise, bond prices are likely to fall. Experiencing early signs of panic, some folks might feel an urge to compare U.S. stocks to U.S. bonds this year and, looking in the mirror, ask themselves why they should own bonds at all. In terms of raw logic, bonds have lost some ground recently. However, although such disruptions in the bond markets have made some investors nervous, we nevertheless continue to believe that bonds have an important diversifying role to play in balanced portfolios. Please read on for some answers: The fact is, no matter how much we think we know about the markets, none of us is very good at predicting the future. That is why we preach diversification in the form of stocks, bonds, and alternatives like emerging market stocks, commodities, and other investments that tend to move in different patterns in relation to each other. Keep in mind, diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss. Let’s look back over the past 40 years. Since 1973, bonds have shown a negative return in only three years. The worst decline in bond prices during this four-decade period was in 1994, when bonds dropped 2.92%. Yet over that same 40-year period, bonds returned an average of 7.86% per year. Let’s do some math. The total return of a fixed income portfolio (bonds) is made up of not only the sum of the price change of the underlying security (its capital appreciation or depreciation), but also includes the interest (coupon) payments received. For example, if a bond matures in 4 years, it might drop about 4% if interest rates rise 1%. But if the yield or interest is 3.50%, you’re only down .50% (when prices drop interest or yield may go up). Now, there is always some risk associated with any type of security. The role of an investor, or more than likely a trusted advisor, is to understand those risks and to weigh the pros and cons. The greatest risk in purchasing a bond is that the bondholder could default on the obligation (although in relative terms, investing in stocks may be more risky). This threat can be minimized by purchasing bonds of higher quality or buying into a bond fund. Sure, bond prices can fluctuate up and down, and they are impacted by interest rates. But if you hold an

individual bond to maturity, you should earn interest and receive your money back at the end. It doesn't really matter what the price is today unless you have to sell the security today. An additional risk may be associated with bond mutual funds where investors may pull money out as an emotional response to market volatility, forcing the fund to liquidate positions prematurely. In a mutual fund, bonds are routinely bought and sold, so you will see fluctuations in value and possibly negative returns on paper, but, again, only if you sell on the dip. If you hold your position, it will likely recover its value over time. In fact, you can safeguard yourself against this by purchasing a fund with an average maturity of, say, 1-3 years. You won’t earn much, but you won’t lose as much either in a short-term bond fund. Finally, a recent article in Forbes Magazine referenced a study that compared an all-equity (stock) portfolio to a balanced portfolio (60% stocks and 40% bonds) over the past 10 years. The all-equity portfolio achieved 8.53% per year; whereas the balanced portfolio returned 11.43% per year. Not bad for the balanced portfolio, which actually experienced significantly less risk. In 2008, equities lost about 60% on paper, whereas the balanced portfolio, with 40% in bonds, lost only about half that much. So, when the market recovered, the balanced portfolio had less ground to recover, and thus outperformed an all-equity portfolio over the same time period. The fact that bonds are underperforming right now is actually how a diversified portfolio is supposed to work. In fact, Russell Investments thinks the Fed will keep interest rates at very low levels through 2015. Yes, interest rates may eventually move up, but most investors need the counter-balance that bonds can provide stocks. Think long term. You don’t need a crystal ball to be a successful investor. This Industry Insight was written by Garrett S. Hoge.

Garrett S. Hoge, CFP®, ChFC®, MS of H Financial Management, is a private wealth manager based in Southpointe serving the ever-changing financial needs of his clients. Please contact Garrett at H Financial Management, 400 Southpointe Blvd., #420, Canonsburg, PA 15317, Phone: 724.745.9406, Email: garrett@hfinancial.net, or via the Web: www.hfinancialmanagement.com. Securities offered through Triad Advisors, Member FINRA/ SIPC • Advisory Services offered through H Financial Management. H Financial Management is not affiliated with Triad Advisors.

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 71

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Business Spotlight

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Peaceful Pastures Pet Cemetery, Crematory and Funeral Home We treat your pets like family. L

osing a family pet can be as traumatic an experience as losing any human loved one â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sometimes more so for children. As a Beinhauer Company, we understand the impact of that loss, and have been offering compassionate care for pet funerals, burials and cremations to our clients for more than 15 years.

Peaceful Pastures Pet Cemetery, located next to Woodruff Memorial Park, allows pets to be next to their human families in two adjacent cemeteries. While you may have known that Beinhauer provides pet burial and cremation services, you may not have known about Beinhauerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to our animal friends. Peaceful Pastures provides free burial for all service animals, including seeing-eye dogs, canine police officers, along with police horse patrol.

72 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Many of the same arrangements available to humans are available for pets, including pickup service for the deceased, funeral planning and viewing services complete with casket, memorial markers, and online memorial pages and guest books for friends and relatives. Pet cremation has become an accepted option for families, giving them many choices when it comes to their beloved pet. Your cremated pet can be buried in a plot, or placed in a columbarium or scattered at Peaceful Pastures. Depending on the wishes of the family, pet cremations can be individual, or private, as well as communal. For those families and their children, who want to see their pet one last time, they can schedule a private visitation at our pet funeral home. Just like human funeral arrangements, pet arrangements can be made in advance. This is especially important when a pet family knows that their pet has a terminal illness. Having a funeral plan will eliminate a lot of the stress when a pet dies. Beinhauer can ensure your pet never leaves their care. Our cremation and burial facilities are on site, which makes us different than any other

provider. As a measure of your peace of mind, all cremations maintain a separate, identifiable tracking number, including a permanent identification disk. Accommodations can be made for pets as small as hamsters and guinea pigs to those as large as horses. Peaceful Pasturesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; extensive urn selection is available to help you choose the perfect urn for your pet. This urn may be buried, placed in our columbarium, or taken home. The advantage of a selection within the cemetery

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Business Spotlight

Funeral Etiquette –

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Art of the Eulogy

The is the opportunity to provide a permanent granite or bronze memorial acknowledging your pet‘s life. For those desiring a traditional burial service, Peaceful Pastures provides a selection of caskets. As with the cremation services, you may opt to have a funeral and visitation service for your pet, facilitated by one of our professional staff or a clergy person. Peaceful Pastures also offers a clay paw or nose print and lock of hair and keepsake jewelry to remember your pet by. Peaceful Pastures provides the only free pet obituary website to share stories of your pet’s life with your friends, and where they can upload their favorite photos and offer their condolences. For more information, call 724.969.0200, or visit us at www.peacefulpasturespetcemetery.com.

hen Kevin Costner delivered the eulogy for Whitney Houston, it was a moment that was so touching, it went viral on internet video sites. But how many funerals have you been to where there was no eulogy? Would you know what to say if you were asked to deliver a eulogy? In 2013, many young people have never heard or read a eulogy, or think that it’s only something done for celebrities or dignitaries. But the fact is, the most celebrated and dignified should be members of your own family, and a meaningful eulogy can not only help loved ones grieve, but elevate their spirits as well.

forms is part of the process.” Individual family customs such as a toast are also appropriate ways to honor and remember the deceased. Sharing in a positive way, how the deceased touched people’s lives is an easy way to let loved ones know how much that person meant to others, and that they are not alone at such a transitional time in their lives. Beinhauer’s staff of professionals recommend that people plan for funerals in advance so decisions regarding the eulogy and others can be discussed before a death occurs. The more details your funeral director has in advance, the more meaningful the funeral experience is for the family.

Kelly Carter, a funeral celebrant at Beinhauer Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, said that delivering a memorable and Beinhauer serves five communities in the appropriate eulogy is something that family South Hills—Peters Township, Bethel members can often do better than anyone. Park, Bridgeville, Dormont/Mt. Lebanon, and Canonsburg—and their locations are “Funerals, by nature, are stressful situations family-friendly. Included in the facilities are for family and friends. Several suggestions children’s rooms, and cafés where food and to eliminate stress are reminding those in beverages can be served. A community room attendance to turn off all electronic devices. There’s nothing more distracting at a funeral is available for dinners or luncheons while they care for your family. The community service than a cell phone going off,” Kelly room also is available to families for special said. “Secondly, anything funny, uplifting events, such as birthday parties, bridal or poignant about the deceased is great to showers, anniversary acknowledgements talk about. Things to avoid are the use of inappropriate language, distasteful references, and other non-funeral activities. Several or off-color stories. You want to highlight the service organizations use these facilities on a monthly basis. personality of the person and their life.” Kelly said that family members can choose who they want to speak and in what order, and allow the funeral director, funeral celebrant or attending clergy member to conduct the service.

The Beinhauer Family also manage Woodruff Memorial Park Cemetery and Peaceful Pastures Pet Cemetery and Crematory, located on Route 19 in North Strabane Township.

“I would encourage families to allow mature children to speak. Many times, they capture the essence of the situation with words that adults wouldn’t think to use. Families need to understand that the funeral home is a safe place to laugh, cry and share an entire range of emotion. There’s no ‘right way’ to grieve, and funeral directors know that dealing with grief in its many

As an industry leader, the Beinhauers have provided the area’s only onsite cremation facility since 1921, and their experience provides families the most cremation options. Their Community Mausoleum is quickly becoming a landmark on Route 19. For more information on Beinhauer Family Funeral Homes and their cemetery and cremation options, call 724.969.0200 or visit them at beinhauer.com and take their virtual tour. Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 73

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Service with Hearts and Hands

n the heart of Peters Township is a community within a community, dedicated to providing the best service and care available for area seniors. Consulate Health Care of North Strabane and Retirement Village offers residents an entire campus where they can enjoy their golden years maintaining their independence without feeling isolated from the greater community. “We’ve been in operation since 2000, and we were designed to be a health care facility from the start,” said Rich Valentic, executive director. “We offer our residents skilled nursing and rehabilitative services, personal care services and we also offer a secured dementia unit for clients with a dementia diagnosis.” The skilled nursing and rehabilitation sector of Consulate offers a short-term stay for patients recovering from surgery or illness. Consulate offers private and semi-private accommodations with 24-hour nursing professionals under the supervision of Medical Director Dr. Edward Dainesi. Consulate’s skilled nursing and rehabilitation program boasts a 40 percent return to home rate and a 70 percent rate of return to prior level of function. “Therapy services are what we are known and recognized for. We strive to get people back into their homes or back on their feet,” Valentic said. “And our people are our biggest asset here. No matter which department of the facility you visit, you’re going to find caring, dedicated people, many of whom have been here since day one.” “I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and compassion of the personnel and rehab program at Consulate,” said resident Ron Sarrick. “The therapists and the nursing team work with both professionalism and compassion. I was quick to learn that, with the proper equipment and superb therapists, I was back on my feet, walking faster than expected, after a motorcycle accident that occurred on July 26, 2013. My rehab experience at Consulate has been quite an awesome experience.” The personal care home or Retirement Village at Consulate is a 90-bed facility, offering residents private and semi-private rooms. Apartments here are equipped with kitchenettes that include refrigerators and

74 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

microwaves. Residents here are assisted with daily needs such as bathing and personal hygiene, as well as other normal, everyday activities. Meals are provided by a full complement of professional chefs, and residents also benefit from a fully-staffed event and activities department that provides numerous outings to local and regional attractions. Entertainment also is provided on the campus itself, and exercise and pet therapy are a key part of Consulate’s dedication to their residents. “It’s like the Italian Riviera with the most beautiful people in Washington County,” said resident Lois Carnell. “Gourmet food, good care, excellent supervisors and staff. I would highly recommend Consulate to anyone.” Consulate’s secured dementia unit serves clients diagnosed with dementia. The 20-bed unit, licensed under Pennsylvania Care Home regulations, is a safe and accommodating facility for residents who need extra care and assistance due to the nature of their diagnosis. Staff members in the unit are trained to learn

about each resident, their past and their hobbies, and their family dynamics so that they can uniquely care for that resident. Just like the other facets of Consulate’s offerings, those in the dementia unit also are included in events and outings, and benefit from the many activities and functions provided on campus. Consulate is affiliated and served by Washington, Canonsburg and St. Clair hospitals, as well as those located in the City of Pittsburgh, where resident choices in acute care services/ procedures are available. Consulate accepts all major insurances, including Medicare and most managed care product offerings. For more information on Consulate Retirement Village, including a complete listing of all their programs and services, go to www.consulatehc.com or call 724.743.9000.

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 75

76 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Mark Brewer

Cartoon illustrator finds joy in animals, people and doing what he loves.

ark Brewer may have the best job in the world. At least the Connecticut native who sketches cartoons for a living, and whose work has appeared in numerous magazines, books and hundreds of daily newspapers from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review to the New York Times is having fun doing what he loves while making a living. He also works for himself, accepts assignments he wants to take from individuals, companies and major publications, and always seems to be busy, as well as happy in his work. Is that a great job or what? “I can illustrate for books, magazines, newspapers and I’m really fortunate,” Brewer said while relaxing between assignments over iced coffee at a Peters Township restaurant. “Over the last ten years, most of the newspapers have let their editorial cartoonists go. They don’t

even exist anymore. I’m really fortunate because now I can draw, paint and color and do everything from politics to local stuff.” For this interview, Brewer is the picture of contentment. He wears a white shirt, dark jeans and a baseball cap with a smiley face logo. His craft of making people chuckle or even laugh out loud with his sketches of humans, as well as dogs, cats and even cows reading the daily newspaper, allow him to be as creative and funny with a bit of a quirky way of looking at things. It wasn’t always that way for Brewer. He recalled times that his visited his grandmother, who provided him with coloring books and things to do, “so I wouldn’t get into trouble,” he laughed. “I drew Batman and Robin in between the pages of watercolor paint books, and would take some of the paint and color them in.” When he entered high school, his mother told him if he passed Continued on page 78 Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 77

Mark B

contin

rewer

ued...

a certain grade, she would let him take a class with syndicated cartoonist Bob Weber. “His class was about an hour or so away, and I drove it as a 16 year old, and all of a sudden here was this guy making a living by drawing cartoons, and it was thrilling.” About the same time, Brewer won an award in high school as “best editorial cartoonist” and landed a spot creating a weekly editorial cartoon for The Shoreline Times, his local newspaper. “That was my sophomore year in high school, and I drew an editorial or political cartoon for them once a week for the next eight years,” he said. “It was about everything from the town mayor to happenings in town. It was pretty cool.” He struck up a friendship with Weber, who invited him to regular lunch meetings of cartoonists from the region. “Just to listen to them, and hear them talk about their drawings and cartoons that were being printed in The New Yorker and other magazines was really great.” Brewer began by submitting his editorial cartoons to major publications, and his work was printed in USA Today and Newsweek magazines, but was never able to land full time work as an editorial cartoonist. It was then when he realized that his work would become more productive financially if he worked independently. “I could never land a job as a full-time editorial cartoonist,” he said. “I tried really hard and I look back at the stuff that I was doing, and thought I was pretty good. But I’m really fortunate that I never got a (newspaper or magazine) job, because I love what I’m doing now. I would never want to put myself in a position of working for somebody and get laid off which has happened at so many newspapers.”

78 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Continued on page 81

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 79

Mark Brewer

continued...

80 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

Now, Brewer works on his own schedule, but is constantly working on projects with deadlines for a number of regular newspapers, books and a broad range of publications. It takes an average of six to eight hours to develop, sketch and paint a finished cartoon. He uses a number of formats including pencil, pen and ink, water color and oil. He starts with a pencil sketch that begins on paper. Once developed, he transfers the art to an illustration board. He then gives his developing cartoon a complete underpainting. Once that is completed, Brewer adds more detail with a brush, after which he will ink the illustration. Following that step, Brewer adds more paint to darken and color the work. “It’s sort of a process back and forth. I then add some watercolor and oil pastels to finish up the work,” he explains. Brewer enjoys creating people in his cartoons, but especially is fond of sketching animals in his work to convey a message or story. His cartoons have included dogs, and other four-legged creatures which seem to be embraced by his readers. They are also a favorite of his. “I love animals,” he chuckles, “Dogs, cats, platypus and hippos. People respond to animal cartoons. It’s one of those things I like to include. Whenever I can do a dog or cat lying on the couch I’ll do it. I need to have animals or people in the work.” It’s one of the things that makes Mark Brewer unique among illustrators, and defines the projects he likes to tackle. “I was offered a chance to do the illustrations for a home

makeover magazine, and they just wanted me to draw buildings and cars and stuff like that. I didn’t take the assignment, but years ago I would have taken it,” he said. “I’m only going to take the stuff that has character in it.” Although it’s common for some cartoonists to develop characters from people they know, Brewer said none of his sketches are based on actual people or are an alter ego. He does admit that some of his ideas have been created by events that have gone on in his life. His son Benon, is a student at Peters Township High School, but Brewer said Benon has developed talents of his own, which are not related to drawing cartoons. “He’s more cerebral, and he’s a quick thinker, and he’s really smart,” Brewer says. “He’s very talented and very kind and compassionate. I couldn’t be more proud of him.” As for his own future, Brewer says he enjoys what he is doing and loves his schedule and working conditions. “It doesn’t matter what you’re getting paid,” he said. “When you’ve done it long enough you want to do your best all the time. Just as long as I can keep the bills paid.” ■

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 81

Giving Back By Earl Bugaile

Peters Township residents give back to the community by helping children and families through CASA.

amie Ruiz and Bob Garrity have completely different backgrounds, but the two Peters Township residents share a common bond together as Volunteer Advocates in the Washington County CASA for Kids Program. CASA, an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates, is a program that has been in operation since 2002. In those 11 years, CASA, through Advocates like Ruiz and Garrity, has advocated for more than 487 children through some 132 Volunteer Advocates. Nationwide, CASA programs are in more than 950 communities, with Volunteer Advocates providing a voice in the courtroom for children who have been abused, neglected or are the victims of a broken home. Ruiz, a stay-at-home mother of two, joined the CASA program last year, while Garrity, a retired FBI agent, has been a Volunteer Advocate since March, 2012 and is still working on a case involving three children. She has also been exposed to other cases moving through the court system, but so far the major part of her work is involved with her original case. “For a long time I had the desire to foster or adopt another child,” she said. “But we didn’t think that would work with our current situation with small children. What really directed me toward CASA was the Jerry Sandusky trial, and hearing of cases where children and foster children had no advocate to work for them. I felt that there was no accountability in those foster care situations, and I found CASA on the internet when I searched for ‘child advocate’ and CASA came up.” Garrity said he was drawn to CASA by a newspaper advertisement seeking Volunteer Advocates. He has now been an Advocate for over seven years, and has been involved in five cases involving nine children. He has handled cases of children from preschool age to teenagers.

CASA Volunteer Jamie Ruiz

“It’s extremely rewarding work...When you see that you are making the difference in children’s lives, that’s the big reward.” 82 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

By Earl Bugaile

He is currently with a two-year old child who is in a pre-adoptive foster home, where he says “chances are looking good” for a permanent adoption. At the present time, there are 34 other CASA Volunteer Advocates working with children and families in Washington County. CASA Executive Director Vivian Osowsky said some 97 individual cases are split among the Advocates, but at least 14 more children are on a waiting list for an Advocate. It means that every Advocate is working on a case, and that the need for additional Advocates is critical. “It’s always concerning when we have a wait list,” Osowsky said. “If the Court gives us a case, it’s because they want an extra set of eyes and ears on that case or for those children. We recently had two cases close, and those two volunteers were ready and willing to take another case.” Ruiz said without the help of Volunteer Advocates, children are at risk of losing a chance to live in a loving home, simply because there is no one that has the time to help them through the court system. “It’s overwhelming,” she says. “In some cases parents have made bad choices and their children are taken away, but at the same time we are trying to equip them to make the right choices. It’s overwhelming on that hand, and also trying to figure

Bob Garrity discusses case with CASA Program Director Lynn Sylvis.

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 83

out court appearance dates and how to navigate through the system.” Both Ruiz and Garrity meet individually with the children to try to determine their feelings, and base a report to the courts on their investigation and of the children’s wishes. “You are really speaking on the behalf of the child, especially the smaller ones,” says Garrity. “Our only interest is that child and that particular family. Everyone in the system, including CYS, the attorneys and judges have multiple cases. We have the ability to concentrate on a particular child.” Ruiz said a CASA Advocate’s first responsibility is to establish a rapport with the child they will be representing. “I think all children at first are very fearful of someone from the outside. In my case, I met the family and dialogued with them, and really tried to see what was going on,” she said. “I didn’t go out to meet them with an agenda, and wanted to get to know them, and they could become comfortable with me.” New CASA Volunteer Advocates receive 52 hours of training, which is spread over a five-week period, They are prepared to deal with any number of issues common to abused or neglected children and those from broken homes. The Volunteer Advocates work with schools, medical professionals, attorneys and Children and Youth Services to ensure the child’s needs are met. After meeting with all parties and the child, the Volunteer Advocate

84 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

compiles a written report and a recommendation to the Judge and to the Court. “The training is challenging and the work is challenging,” Osowski says. “They learn so much about so many things, but I don’t think there is any kind of volunteer work that can directly affect a child as profoundly as this.” The CASA office in Washington supplies case information about the children and families, and provides regular support with case review and updated training programs. “It’s extremely rewarding work. I can help children and families navigate through the system,” she says. “But you have to be willing to put the time in. When you see that you are making the difference in children’s lives, that’s the big reward.” “It’s a time commitment certainly, and there are problems along the way,” Garrity says. “You have to keep your eye on the ball, and in this case the ball is the child. At the end, it’s a great satisfaction of being personally involved with the child.” “The ultimate goal of an Advocate is to have a child in the right forever home,” Osowski said. “Whether it is back with their parents, or in an adoptive home, the whole goal is permanence. And when a child has a safe and stable home, they are going to have a good future.” Information about the programs is available at the CASA office at 724.228.0414 or at www.casawashingtoncounty.org. ■

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 85

Peters High School senior Adam Blank overcomes his disability and captures audiences by speaking from the heart.

umerous surveys conducted by some pretty reputable organizations have shown that public speaking is the number one fear among most people. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pretty amazing statistic, because in most cases, people fear public speaking even more than death, or any number of frightening things including fears of heights, closed spaces, flying in airplanes or fear of spiders and insects. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell that to Adam Blank, an eighteen year old senior at Peters Township High School. He not only is able to speak confidently before his friends and classmates, but he can go before his teachers and other educators and elicit their attention, their laughs and even tears. He completed the feat in August, when he wowed an audience of more than 700 educational professionals at the annual orientation of the Intermediate Unit 1 professional staff. His August speech was actually an expanded version of the one he gave in the spring to more than 200 school board members, school

superintendents and Intermediate Unit 1 staff members. He drew a standing ovation from attendees at both sessions, which is not a bad accomplishment by any standards. Especially for someone who has received educational support services all of his life because of albinism. Fewer than five people in 100,000 in the U.S. and Europe are born with albinism. The condition causes a lack of pigment and affects the eyes. Students with the condition are often provided support in their education and assistance in reading through units such as the Intermediate Unit. They have worked with Adam since age three, and have been a part of his life through his years in school. The PowerPoint presentation he presented covered the years and people who played an important role in his life, and helped him gain the confidence to speak for nearly 40 minutes on how they helped make it possible not only to succeed in school, but also to give him the confidence and ability to be able to stand before their annual gathering.

Man

Leading

By Earl Bugaile

86 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

“Adam has always been an enthusiastic student and has a place in the hearts of those who worked with him,” says Jenny Barney, the Teacher of Visually Impaired (TVI) and Orientation and Mobility Instructor for Intermediate Unit 1. “He has had great teams over the years which include the wonderful teachers, support teachers, guidance counselors and paraprofessionals at Peters Township. He has connected with the principals, maintenance staff, and support staff. Everyone knows and loves Adam.” Adam also has become close to the people who have worked with him. He has “adopted” her as his unofficial “aunt.” “Adam has many gifts and the one that is so amazing is how he can make you feel good about yourself,” Mrs. Barney noted.

The son of Ken and Mary Ann Blank, Adam credits his parents and family with providing him support through his childhood. He has two older siblings, a sister, Elizabeth, and a brother Aaron, all of which he says have been his biggest fans, who always encouraged him. He also said he has drawn support from his closest friend, Martha Batchelder, as well as Amanda and Armando Ocando. His classmates at Peters Township High School have embraced him, and elected him as vice president of the senior class, according to Charles Mahoney, executive director of Intermediate Unit 1. It was Mrs. Barney and his instructional team who introduced Adam to Mahoney several years ago, and set the wheels in motion for his two appearances before the Intermediate Unit. Continued

“

Adam has many gifts and the one that is so amazing is how he can make you feel good about yourself.

”

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 87

Man

Leading

continued

“He’s such an engaging young man,” Mahoney said. “He asked everybody about themselves, and it was so unusual to see a young man of that age to be so engaging.” Mahoney kept in touch with Adam and thought he would be the perfect speaker for their annual meeting last spring. “We usually bring in someone like the state Secretary of Education or another major speaker, but I thought Adam would be the perfect speaker because he has been a part of the program all of his life,” Mahoney said. “Who better to send a message out to the 25 superintendents and administrators than someone who has been in the program?” “His presentation was better than anybody we could have had. He was just amazing,” he added. Adam said he felt apprehensive when first asked to speak before the crowd, but continued to be reassured throughout the preparation process by his parents, Mrs. Barney, speech therapist Nicole Scott, and social worker Jason Kusic. “I was surprised at how many people loved the speech,” Adam says. “I just went up there and talked. I didn’t have notes except for the Power Point.” Not only was the experience challenging, because it was before crowds of more than 200 and 700 respectively, it was also before adults and educational professionals. A situation that would be intimidating to any person. “I had spoken before the middle school, but this was the first time for anything like this,” Adam stated. “It was Martha (Batchelder) who

88 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

really got me to start speaking because I was afraid to socialize. She got me going to church youth group meetings that helped me.” As he continued to gain confidence in his ability, Adam has developed so well as a speaker that his IU team members feel that a career in a field such as tourism or public relations would be an ideal fit for him after he completes high school. Adam also has studied various speakers, and lists former President Bill Clinton as one of his favorite orators. “I would love to be able to speak like him,” he says. Both Mrs. Barney and Mr. Mahoney agree. “It’s amazing,” she says. “He has a great moral compass and it comes from his incredible family.” “This young man has potential that is beyond expression,” says Mahoney. “When you are with him you just feel like ‘Wow, America’s great and so is this kid.” Both Adam’s parents are justifiably proud of his accomplishments. “Adam has had to overcome so much in his young life. He has always spoken from the heart, so speaking to a captive audience is something that comes naturally to him,” Mrs. Blank said. “He has a gift, who knows where this will take him on his journey in life.” “Ever since Adam was a little boy, he always cared about other people,” said his father, Ken. “Getting to know others and making them a part of his life is very important to him. Speaking to the Intermediate Unit 1 In-Service attendees about the services he has received over the years was from the heart. He really does appreciate everything they have done for him.” ■

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Where Faith and Service Intersect

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

n this day and age, customer service isn’t what it used to be. But for Tim Bartman, owner of One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, it’s everything. Tim has been in the business for 38 years, starting a plumbing company in 1976 in the Mon Valley. A few years later, two of his four brothers, joined the business, bringing their expertise in heating and air conditioning. Currently his daughter and son in law are also part of the family business. As with most companies we started in the new construction side of the plumbing heating and cooling. With the pace of new construction rising and falling with the tides of the economy, Tim decided to change direction and go into the service and repair part of the industry. “We stopped doing new construction in the year 2000 because I don’t believe you can mix the two aspects of the business together and give true quality to the home owners.” Tim said. “The mentalities are totally different. When I did new construction I would go to work in old jeans and dirty shoes and rarely interacted with the home owners, if see them at all. Here at One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, customer service is a very high priority. We drug test, do criminal back ground checks, wear clean uniforms and shoes. We train every day, not only on repairing equipment, but also on how to be respectful of you and your home. I hire people of good character. We can teach them how to fix a furnace but I can’t teach them to be a good person, and that is of utmost importance to me.”

When it comes to customer service, Tim said he is proud of his stellar record with the Better Business Bureau and with U*Win, a consumer advocate program that ensures the customer is always satisfied with services provided by its member companies. You can check them out at www.877655uwin.com. We also use a system called Net Promoter Score. A survey company asks our customers one question, based on 0 to 10 how likely would you recommend us to family and friends. Out of over 350 participating heating and cooling companies in their data base, we are consistently ranked in the top ten for customer satisfaction. Tim attributes his faith and what it has taught him as person behind his success in business. I was raised in a strong Catholic life and now attend the South Hills Bible Chapel. “I want people to understand that I run my business like I do my personal and Christian life. I try to instill that upon everybody who works for me,” he said. “Doing what’s right, doing what’s in the customer’s best interests, that’s what I want my employees to do. I believe that how we represent the company and ourselves by solving problems for customers is the key to them coming back to us. We’re a different type of company in that way.” In addition to running a successful business, Tim said he’s always been active in the community as well. “My father taught me that if you make a living from your community, you need to give

Tim Bartman

My father taught me that if you make a living from your community, you need to give back to your community as well. back to your community as well,” he said. In that regard, he’s been president of both the Monongahela Chamber of Commerce and 2 times for Monongahela Rotary. He’s also sponsored numerous youth teams over the years, participated in community fundraisers and even helped clean streets. That dedication to family and community spills over into how he treats his employees as well. “It’s your family and then business,” Tim said. “I try my hardest to let my employees enjoy their family time. Family is important. Everybody has to work, but your family is more important. And because of that, we have a family-friendly atmosphere here at work and everyone feels better about their jobs. “We take our time talking with and educating people. If you’re going to invest time and money with us, we want to make sure that what we do for you is what you want, not what we think you want. And because of that, over 85 percent of our business is from repeat customers.” Tim also runs his plumbing company, Bartman Plumbing, in the same way as One Hour Heating and Air conditioning.

For more information or to set up your appointment, call 724.292.7349 today. You can also email bartmaninc@verizon.net or visit www.onehourwashingtonpa.com

Peters Township | Oct/Nov 2013 | icmags.com 89

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Monica Rich Kosann started her career as a fine art portrait photographer. A number of years ago she, along with her husband, would travel to flea markets in search of the perfect vintage lockets, cigarette cases and other antique items to creatively display their family photos. Her love for capturing and celebrating memories evolved into a sterling silver and fine jewelry line. The collection is known for lockets and charms, giving the wearer an opportunity to tell their story. With prices starting at $295 for a sterling silver locket and 18K gold pocket watch key charms at $67, heirloom jewelry for the modern woman is also an asset that can be passed on for generations to come! This Industry Insight was written by Amie Guarino Yadouga. Yadouga is a jewelry stylist for Louis Anthony Jewelers. She has a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from West Virginia University and has studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Amie has been involved in the family business since high school. For more information, visit Louis Anthony Jewelers at 1775 North Highland Rd., call 412.854.0310 or visit www.louisanthony.com.

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inCOGNITO

Did you know?

Peters Set Record in 1989

96 724.942.0940 to advertise | Peters Township

ack when Peters Township School District was an AA-classified Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) school, they were the first team in WPIAL history to win back to back state soccer titles. Coached by Jerry Luxbacher, the team had gone to states four times in the WPIAL’s then 16-year history. Not only did the team lose 17 graduating seniors after the 1989 season, Coach Luxbacher took a sabbatical, which left a virtually blank slate of a team for the 1990 season. While the game made history with the back to back wins, it also was unique in that it ended scoreless. With combined regulation and overtime play, Peters Township and rivals Great Valley spent 110 minutes on the field without either team letting a goal get by. Both teams were named co-champions, which was a testament to the monumental talent each team put on the field that year. The Peters Township Boys Soccer team wouldn’t see another WPIAL championship victory until 2003. They beat Quaker Valley at Mt. Lebanon’s artificial turf stadium in the semi-finals leading up to the state championships. Luxbacher returned after his sabbatical for several more seasons, but finally resigned in 1995 to spend more time with his daughters, who were 7 and 11 at the time, and pursuing their own school sports. . ■

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