Laurel Mountain Post :: April 2015

LAUREL LAURELMOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN

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FREE FREE THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the APRIL 2015 | ISSN 2330-6629

Welcome Back, Spring!

The Wood Wide Web, Thought Experiments, Trails, Sporting Clays, Community Gardens, Paper Mache,

. . . and so much more!

Every 1Story BeginsMOUNTAIN At Home. POST, September 2013 - LAUREL

April 2015 - 1

2 - April 2015

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

It’s About Time!

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of the LAUREL MOUNTAIN

POST

Proudly serving the Laurel Area Valleys and Highlands of Westmoreland County and neighbors since 2004.

The LaurelMountainPostisanindependent,monthlypublicationproducedatFairviewFarmin Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. All material printed herein is subject to copyright and permission to reproduce in any format must be obtained in writing from the publisher. This publication is registered with the US Library of Congress, ISSN 2330-6629.

Cathi Gerhard, Editor & Publisher editor@laurelmountainpost.com

Megan Fuller, Web & Calendar Editor megan@laurelmountainpost.com

Nancy A. Clark, Contributing Editor nancy@laurelmountainpost.com

Gregory Susa, Co-Publisher & Circulation Manager Carol Gerhard, Copy Editor Publisher cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of the matter represented in the advertisements herein published. Please contact the advertiser to verify details.

Phone: 724-537-6845 Fax: 724-558-9548 editor@laurelmountainpost.com

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Spring certainly has taken the long way around this year, and I know most of you are ready for some refreshing, new experiences! I’ve collected together lots of stories all about the revitalizing power of spring and friendship for this issue of the Laurel Mountain Post – so much content that I had to add 16 extra pages!

We start off this edition with an article from Hank Baughman that discusses the “personified” connectivity of the world’s flora (page 5). Do plants communicate with us as well as each other? It’s a fascinating field of scientific research on empathy and relationships!

Connecting people to places in our area is an important job for many local organizations. The Latrobe Community Revitalization Program is on a mission to promote our unique heritage, while demonstrating our sense of community pride (page 22-23). The proposed renovation of the Historical Latanzio Building is a great example: how many generations of us climbed those wide steps up to Danceland, where we spent memorable evenings with our favorite music, best friends, first loves, and even lost loves? Those moments are forever tied to that building and its presence as part of Latrobe’s landscape. Standing tall across the street from the brand new Westmoreland County Community College Campus, its preservation cements the vital bonds between our past and future.

“King Lear and the Silver Tsunami” (page 26-27) explores the fluctuating viewpoints on ageism over lifetimes of varied experiences. Just when we think we’ve reached the end of the road, the map can change in exciting and unexpected ways!

Transformation is the very definition of Spring, so I invite you to sit back and enjoy every inspiring story on the following pages. Each one was written by your friends and neighbors from one of the best places on earth ... the highlands and valleys of western Pennsylvania.

“The Voice of Pennsylvania” – BBC News, 2006

– Cathi Gerhard

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Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 3

Table of Contents

22 Revitalizing Latrobe

April 2015

by Cathi Gerhard with Jarod Trunzo

25 A Room With A Specific View “That’s What They Say” by Rev. Marjorie Rivera

26 King Lear and the Silver Tsunami 5

The Awareness of Spring

6

Thought Experiments Prepare Students for the 21st Century Economy by Krista Sarraf

by Hank Baughman

7

Trout Season Begins!

9

GLLV Chamber Introduces Sporting Clays Event “There Goes the Neighborhood”

by Brendan Hare

28 It’s A Green Day in this Neighborhood 29 What Is the National Food Policy?

by Earth Talk

30 The Dingle Way A Story of Renewal and the Bonds of

by Mike Dudurich

10 The Artist “Fails” to Succeed

Brotherhood by Cameron Plese

32 10 Things Men Can Do to Prevent Gender Violence 33 A Guide to Writing Effective Cover Letters

by Mandy Sirofchuck

by Career Services, University of North Carolina

11 Courtyard by Marriott in Greensburg Gets A Fresh, New Look

34 April-May Community Calendar

12 Ten Reasons to Plant Trees Now

44 Local Distribution Guide

by The National Arbor Day Foundation

45 Subscribe to the Laurel Mountain Post

13 Cyber Life: BC and AC by Nancy A. Clark

46 Oops, I Did It Again “End Notes” by Cathi Gerhard

14 Social “Craze-y”

by Hayley Chemski-Horwat

MSN, CNRA

15 Appalachian Trail Conservancy Celebrates 90 Years 16 Why “Eating Right,” “High Protein,” or “Exercise” Don’t Work for Weight Loss “What’s Cooking in Fitness” by Mark Rullo

18 Pittsburgh: Land of the Brazen

MS, CSCS, MES

by Sarah Opst

20 Cheers to Spring! by Carol Whelan

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

The Awareness of Spring

by Hank Baughman Sitting beside me as I write is a large, potted plant that my son, Brent, gave me when it was much smaller, as he started college. The plant flourished, as Brent did in Boston; and as you might imagine, I grew fond of the plant and it’s wonderful, fresh green.

The leaves of one stem grew to reach out and touch my left arm as I worked at the computer. In the fall of 2011, when I was seriously ill from arrhythmia, those leaves began turning brown. There had been no change in the water or sunlight the plant received, and none of its leaves had ever gone brown before. When I first noticed the discoloration I looked at the plant and said, “ahh, so you know.”

And I believe it did. What other explanation for the changing color?

I’ve always found it difficult to believe that living things somehow have no sense of their being alive. I especially get this feeling when I’m in the woods, like at Linn Run. I love ,on a sunny day, walking a path leading from the stream into the woods – yet staying close enough to still hear the water. That gorgeous sound. Standing in the sunlit stillness I always have the powerful sense that this enchanting place knows it is here.

Biologists tell us that the trees and other plants of the forest are aware of one another, thru the wonderfullytitled Wood Wide Web. It is a vast network of fungi beneath the forest floor, whose filaments connect with the roots of trees, and through which the trees are in touch with each other, actually exchanging water and nutrients. Large, mature trees send water to nearby seedlings and saplings, or send nutrients to distressed trees.

Dozens of trees are linked thru specific fungal groupings, which contain many different species of fungi so that there may be hundreds of fungal networks thru which groups of trees continuously exchange information and resources. It’s a complex, living netEvery Story Begins At Home.

work of ecosystem collaboration, health and survival. A forest oneness.

The Wood Wide Web is likened to a neuronal network, with its fungal fibers acting like the dendrites and synapses of the human brain. Might this be why mushrooms, the flowers of fungi, affect human personality?

Fungi are earth’s natural internet.

The seeming self-awareness of the forest, at some level, may be supported by speculations and research into the nature of consciousness. Our selfawareness, our subjective experience, is very difficult to define. No one has yet been able to explain, to general satisfaction, how the brain is mind – how the flashings of our synapses are thoughts, emotions , dreams, intuition, love. I am one of those people who is convinced that consciousness is a fundamental force that we inhabit – that it does not spring wholly from the brain, nor is confined to it.

Some who specialize in consciousness, like physicist Roger Penrose and philosopher David Chalmers, believe it must involve sub-atomic particles, like photons. They may carry consciousness, allowing it to upwell from

the environment into our experience.

It seems logical; we and everything around are fundamentally the position and interaction of particles. So trees and other plants may indeed have some level of awareness. And if it’s true that consciousness is a field extending through all living things, it is not implausible to think that plants may respond to human emotion. Like the leaves that touched my arm. It is also not implausible to think that the forest as a whole has a sense of itself as the inter-connected entity of life that it is.

Perhaps when we’re amidst the trees and feeling enchantment and delight from them, they experience it at some level and communicate this positive emotion thru their wonderful, woodsy web.

Perhaps the trees also sense their new life as they bloom, as spring nutrients flow upward from the soil, and the new energy of the forest flashes through its fibers back and forth to every tree, heightening their awareness. I think so. I believe what my late father-in-law said to me about trees. “I swear they have a soul.” ***** Hank Baughman is a free-lance writer and media producer. He lives in Latrobe.

EDITOR’S NOTE: For a closer look at the fascinating “Wood Wide Web,” watch What Plants Talk About, a PBS Nature documentary (first aired April 3, 2013) now available on Netflix. You can also look for “Plants Have a Hidden Internet” on BBC.com (November 11, 2014).

April 2015 - 5

Thought Experiments Prepare Students for the 21st Century Economy

by Krista Sarraf Before the 19th century, U.S. economy was an agricultural economy. In the 19th and 20th century, we turned to an industrial economy. In the 21st century, we are turning to a creative economy. In a creative economy, innovative people with new ideas, artistic view and mindset will be needed more than ever.

– Dr. William Yu, University of California, Los Angeles

It’s 2:00 pm on a Thursday afternoon at Graceful Aging Wellness Center at Bethlen Communities in Ligonier. A group of homeschool students is brainstorming how to use common objects – such as apples – in new ways to solve societal problems.

“Take two objects and switch their meanings,” we explain.

“A pencil becomes a breakfast food and a granola bar is now a communication tool. How would you use the granola bar to solve a problem you care about?” Eyes widen. The students grasp their notebooks and begin writing.

Five minutes later, we begin.

“I switched trees and television so people will spend time outdoors, watching their favorite programs,” says one student. Her peers nod their heads in encouragement. We explain to the class that the purpose of the activity is to think outside the box.

Good ideas come from shifting your perspective. The world doesn’t have to be the way it is.

That’s why we’re at Graceful Aging Wellness Center, because students

benefit from visits to new places. They see what’s possible. Plus, they learn what it means to creatively solve a community problem.

We’ve known for a while that creative children become innovative adults. That’s why the arts – including creative writing education – are invaluable as we develop skills in young people that will help them become future economic leaders.

But what do we mean by creativity? According to psychiatry and psychology professor at University of California, Los Angeles, Dr. Robert Bilder, creativity combines the ability to make something not only new, but valuable. “It’s this intersection of novelty and value, a combination of those two features that’s particularly important,” Dr. Bilder explains. In this sense, creativity is extremely important in the 21st century economy.

For the sake of this discussion, let’s assume that creativity is important because innovation is important.

Let’s flesh out that idea. By 2020, we can expect to see 1.4 million computer science jobs in the United States. We

must prepare children for these kinds of careers, which require a high degree of technical and creative problem-solving skills. How do we do this?

Arts education is the key to the latter, suggest psychologists. To be exact, we need arts education that allows students “freedom, support and positive challenges” (Kersting, “What exactly is creativity?” 56). Thus, providing students with activities that help shift their perspectives – in a free, supportive, and positive setting – may be what the doctor ordered.

“Next, we’ll try a thought experiment,” we explain to our homeschool group. “A thought experiment is when you pose a question and explore its implications.”

“What if we could fly?” said one student. They jotted down possibilities. If we could fly, we’d have classes and a test for children. We’d have allweather suits to get us through storms and snow.

“What if the world was to end in two days?” said another. We’d resolve our differences with people in our lives, the students decided.

Westmoreland County homeschool students pose after a Write Local workshop at Latrobe Art Center.

Pictured left is Connor Chywski, a volunteer from St. Vincent's education department.

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Sisters Sarah and Abby Opst work on poems together during writing club with Write Local.

Again, good ideas happen when we see things from different perspectives.

Children – and this won’t surprise you – tend to be creative. However, creativity decreases around fourth grade.

Psychologists call this “the fourth grade slump.” To combat the decline in creativity, we need to carve time into the schedule for children and young adults to use their imaginations.

“What’s the hardest thing about creative writing?” I asked the students.

After thinking about this for a few minutes, someone said, “finding the time.”

That’s a good point. Between video games, soccer matches, book reports, and math tests, moments to write are few and far between.

If we don’t prioritize creativity, neither will our children.

Why is it that as we grow up we replace daydreaming with errands?

Why do we spend more time memorizing facts and less time using our imaginations?

One student, Sarah Opst, tells us, “I like to write because I think words allow thought to crystallize and take shape from figments to developed ideas.” Sarah gets to the heart of the matter. We write to become thoughtful, intelligent people. We use words to give shape to our wildest notions.

I have a proposal, then. Let’s agree to set aside time – for ourselves and our families – to simply imagine. Be bold as you contemplate “what if?”

Maybe it’s just what we need to reignite our creativity, to solve problems, and to shape the world into a better place.

(See the latest creative piece from Write Local in our Kids Corner on Page 18).

After working and studying in Virginia for 10 years, Krista Speicher Sarraf, originally from Donegal, PA, now lives in Latrobe where she teaches composition and critical thinking at Seton Hill University and Westmoreland County Community College. Krista is a founder of Write Local, a literacy initiative that inspires young writers to think creatively and innovate locally. Write Local’s featured event in April is Reflective Yoga & Writing. Visit writelocal.org/events to enroll. Additionally, she writes poems and stories and is currently working on her first novel.

County Parks to Open at 6:00 am for Trout Fishing on Saturday, April 18, 2015

Twin Lakes, Mammoth, Northmoreland, Bridgeport Dam, and Chestnut Ridge County Parks will open at 6:00 am on Saturday, April 18, 2015 for the first day of trout season.

All parking areas and gates will be closed until 6:00 am Saturday, April 18. No one is permitted to stay in the parks overnight. Night fishing permits are also suspended for Friday, April 17, 2015. Anyone in the County Parks between 9:00 pm on Friday, April 17, 2015 and 6:00 amnon Saturday, April 18 will be cited.

Overnight camping at Loyalhanna Gorge Recreation Area will be permitted on Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18.

No camping will be permitted at any other time.

Fishermen are also reminded that private boats are not permitted on Twin Lakes, Mammoth, or Northmoreland Lakes. Private boats are permitted at both Chestnut Ridge and Bridgeport Dam County Parks.

For further information, please contact Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation at (724) 830-3950 or visit www.co.westmoreland.pa.us.

Every Story Begins At Home.

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD

by Mike Dudurich

GLLV Chamber Introduces Sporting Clays Event It’s not quite golf weather yet, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t opportunities to get out and hunt for … sporting clays.

The Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Community Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, will host a clay shooting event Sunday, April 19 at the resort.

“This will be our first major event since the Annual Dinner last October,” said Allen Martello, the GLLV’s Director of Marketing & Events.

“That’s six months with no events since our rebrand. An event like this had been done in the past, and we wanted to revive it with a different approach.

This is a good time to do a sporting clays event. It’s good for golfers itching to get back on the course, it’s good for networking, and it’s good for people who just like to go shoot.”

The event will be held at the Field Club and Shooting Academy, just four miles from the resort in Farmington.

Registration will be at 11:30 a.m., and shooting begins at noon. This will be a 100-target shoot, lasting between three and three-and-a-half hours. Certified instructors will be at each station, making the event perfect for all levels of shooters.

“After the event, everybody goes back to the Academy, scores are tabulated, and then there will be a cocktail hour and dinner,” Martello said. “Dinner will carry through with the theme of the day. Let’s just say we’ll have food for a big appetite.”

Every Story Begins At Home.

Cost for the day is $185 per person and $740 per squad (foursome).

Dinner-only tickets are available for $50.

Nemacolin is offering discounts for GLLV members and their families at the Spa and Zip Lines.

The Field Club and Shooting Academy, just four miles from Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa resort in Farmington.

Denise Martin, Director of Membership for GLLV, has noticed growing excitement for the event.

“This is an example of the kinds of events we’re looking to have. Out of the box thinking, new and exciting events that make our members feel value for belonging,” she said. “This will be the first Sunday event we’ve done, and that’s exciting.”

Co-Chairing the committee for the event is Gene McElhaney, president of Total Service Inc., and Glenn Davidson, Total Service Inc. Service Manager. Serving on the committee are Lisa Frederick, Unity Printing; Brian Panichelle, BP Insurance; Dr. Dean Huss, Huss Chiropractic; Michelle Knupp, S&T Bank.

Domenic Caringola, Director of Group Activity Sales at Nemacolin, shares the enthusiasm.

“We’re excited about it, and hopefully it will be the first of many to come,” he said. “This is an opportunity to get some folks up here who aren’t necessarily on our radar, and hopefully it will become a regular thing.”

"This has not been your typical chamber event", said GLLV president David Martin. "We're continuing to try new things, and in the process, connect people and create positive opportunities for our members."

Reserve your spot or team by contacting the GLLV Chamber at 724537-2671 ext. 103.

Monday, April 27 is Tell A Story Day ...

Tell a Story Day is celebrated in the United States, Scotland and the United Kingdom.

The aim of the day to get participants telling, sharing and listening to each others’ stories. It is a celebration of the art of oral storytelling in all of its many forms, whether it be fiction or non-fiction, a tall tale, or folklore. The stories may be told from memory or from a book. Events can be held in community centres, churches, homes and gardens, hospitals, libraries, schools or more unusual venues!

The origin of the day is unknown, but there is surely a story to tell about it – maybe you can make one up for the next Tell a Story Day! For the day itself you can organise your own event with friends, family or colleagues and create a magical world of enchanting fairy tales, scary ghost stories or age-old family legends.

April 2015 - 9

This Artist “Fails” To Succeed

by Mandy Sirofchuck There’s a brick structure at the intersection of Tremont and Highland Aves in Greensburg that was once Our Lady of Grace Church, built by Italian immigrants living in this hilltop neighborhood in the early 1900s. No longer a church, the exterior woodwork is painted in shades of purple, turqouise and pink. A face mockingly sticks out its tongue from one window, and a locomotive bursts from the other. On any given day, other sculptures may be perched atop poles outside where the congregation used to gather. You have now entered the world of artist Brian Allen McCall and his wife, Joanna.

Described as “colorful, comical and wildly eye-catching,” McCall’s sculptures are just one of the many evolutions in the career of this prolific artist who admits that art allows him to be opinionated. Not to mention humorous and somewhat cynical. Despite his success at earning a living in his chosen vocation, McCall believes failure is an integral part of being an artist and considers it an under-appreciated aspect of art.

“People who don’t like doing art probably just can’t deal with failure. I think an artist is dealing with failure every second he’s working,” he explains.

Perhaps not as financially successful as he might have been in the world of professional baseball, McCall’s creative career spanning 50 years includes illustration, etching, Heavy Metal comics, animation, claymation

10 - April 2015

and sculpture. Stop by the Key Note Café in Jeannette, and you’ll encounter a McCall mural as you enter. Head east on Route 30 and the Greensburg Art Center beckons you with a McCall sculpture.

King Street Blues restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria, VA is full of his work. DV8 Espresso Bar in Greensburg, Harrigan’s in Johnstown, and Tommy’s Bookshelf are just a few other public venues for McCall’s sculpture.

My first encounter was at New Dimensions Dentistry in Johnstown, a veritable gallery of McCall sculptures, from the “cartoon” style car in the reception area and a jungle scene of wild animals to the ballerina and baseball player that defy gravity over the dental chairs. It’s the kind of art – like a “still” from an animated movie – that elicits a smile and provokes the thought, “this artist knows how to have fun.”

A native of Long Beach, California, McCall played center field for the Chicago White Sox from 1960-64 – a bit of trivia that gets his foot in the door at events, he quips. His altruistic motive for enduring professional sports, which he hated, was that it paid the tuition at Julliard for his brother, who is now a composer. Worn out at age 24 from baseball, McCall tried envisioning himself in different roles.

“The only one that made sense to me was ‘artist’ because I could always draw, and it’s a profession I could see myself doing into my nineties,” he says. “It’s also a more physical activity compared to writing. It involves movement.” And movement is an underlying element in both his sculptures and illustrations. After gradu-

ating from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, where he majored in illustration, McCall moved to Washington, DC to begin his new career.

“I did illustrations for The Washington Post, as well as courtroom drawings for local television, and then opened a studio in the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria, Virginia,” says McCall.

“The opportunity to sell to the public co-opted my illustration career, and I began making etchings and watercolors; and was quite happy with myself until printmaking became too tedious. I was falling asleep. I began seeing it as irrelevant to make prints when copy machines could do just as well. After a long relationship ended, I realized I was tired of the tourists and ready to leave, so I bicycled across the country to find myself again.

Eventually, I ended up in Greensburg, PA.” From illustration and etchings, McCall moved on to animation “because of the chaos I see as movement,” he explains. “I thought working with movement would be an exciting thing.

But each drawing is precious,” he says, and the tedium of doing 500 drawings to get a few seconds of film was unsatisfying, so he moved on to clay and clay animation.

“Clay is really heavy, and filming it becomes a problem. You have to find ways to hold up the pieces and build structures so that your characters don’t melt under the lights or fall down as you’re filming.” That’s when he “discovered” polystyrene, from which his current sculptures evolved. He was getting commissions for sculpture in restaurants, and this new medium fit the bill for that decor. Polystyrene was available locally, was cheap, and could easily be carved with detail. It is basically the “armature” that is then LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

covered with a papier mache, painted, and pieced together.

“Sculpture keeps me grounded,” says McCall. “It’s how I make a living.

Most of my work is commissioned.” He approaches his sculptural subject matter as a “problem solver.”

“I try to find something in chaos.

I love machinery, gears and wheels, pistons and chrome.” Thus, the proliferation of planes, trains and automobile sculptures which he likes to sculpt, but doesn’t like to draw. Sometimes his work is integrated into a building; sometimes it’s suspended from the ceiling. The lightweight materials he uses liberates sculpture from the typical “pedestal.”

What does he do when he’s not developing his “3-D illustrations?”

“Sketching. Drawing satisfies another part of me,” says McCall. “I especially love sketching musicians because of the movement and emotion of the music. If I’m drawing, I want to pull from something dark and deep.

I’ll just start scribbling and tearing at the paper with the pencil, and it’s just totally arbitrary where I’m going with it. This is where the ‘failure’ aspect comes in. I’m drawing, then I’m getting rid of something, and I’m constantly failing until I start to see something I like emerge, something I can start to grow. That destructiveness is really very important.”

And very successful.

Write Local is a nonprofit literacy initiative based in Latrobe, Pennsylvania that offers novice and K-12 writers workshops, publishing, mentoring, contests, and more.

Sign up for an event today! www.writelocal.org/events "Inspiring young writers to think creatively and innovate locally ." locally."

Are you interested in supporting your local literacy initiative?

Contact our team: writelocal@gmail.com / 724.691.4864

Courtyard by Marriott Greensburg Gets A Fresh New Look “From day one, Courtyard has prided itself as a brand that listens to what travelers want from a hotel,” says Janis Milham, VP Global Brand Manager. “Guests want more control and choice with services and amenities that create a healthy balance between working and relaxing. We redefined the Courtyard lobby so it invites guests to get out of their rooms to work, socialize, or for entertainment, whether traveling alone or with colleagues.”

The open, bright and contemporary new Courtyard hotel lobby welcomes guests with vivid contrasting colors, including blue, gray, orange and white. Flexible seating options range from a communal table in the middle of the action, to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, to a more intimate, semienclosed lounge area.

Barking Dog Studio www.flickr.com/photos/brianmccall ***** Main Exhibit Gallery (301 W Main Street in Ligonier, PA) will feature the the work of local sculptor and illustrator, Brian Allen McCall, May 16 through June 28, 2015. As part of the Ligonier Art Walk on May 16, McCall will be at the gallery demonstrating and discussing his work from 2-3 pm and 4-5 pm, with a reception for the artist to follow. This event is free and open to the public.

Every Story Begins At Home.

Dining has been completely redesigned with “The Bistro – Eat. Drink. Connect.” offers casual, flexible seating, easier access to food and higher quality, healthier menu options for breakfast; and light evening fare including snacks, wine and beer so guests can unwind.

Courtyard by Marriott in Greensburg is located at 700 Power Line Drive.

724-834-3555 • Marriott.com

April 2015 - 11

Ten Reasons to Plant Trees Now Celebrate Arbor Day on April 26 1. Trees conserve energy in the summer, and save you money. Properly planted trees can cut your airconditioning costs by 15-35%.

2. Trees help clean the air. Trees produce the oxygen we breathe, and reduce air pollution by lowering air temperature through respiration and by retaining particulates.

3. Trees bring songbirds close by. Birdsong will fill the air as trees provide nesting sites, food and cover for countless species.

4. Trees around your home can increase its value by up to 15% or more. Studies of comparable houses with and without trees place a markedly higher value on those whose yards are sheltered by trees.

5. Trees help clean our rivers and streams. Trees hold the soil in place and reduce polluted runoff into our waterways.

6. Trees conserve energy in the winter. Trees can slow cold winter winds, and can lower your heating costs 10-20%.

7. Trees fight global warming. As they grow, trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the major contributor to global warming. Trees planted near our homes and in our communities moderate temperatures and reduce the need for air conditioning and heating produced by burning fossil fuels, a major source of excess CO2.

8. Trees make your home, and your neighborhood, more beautiful. Trees mark the changing seasons, and add grace and seasonal color. Trees make a house feel like a home.

9. When you plant trees, you support Tree City USA where you live. Tree City USAs have community forestry programs to plant and care for trees. You can do your part.

10. It’s easy and fun! Here’s how: Join the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation, and they will send you 10 FREE native trees, with easy-to-follow planting instructions: Sugar Maple, Red Oak, Red Maple, White Pine, Pin Oak, Colorado Blue Spruce, Silver Maple, River Birch, Redbud and White Flowering Dogwood. (some substitutions may be selected for your specific region).

By joining the Arbor Day Foundation, you will also receive the colorful, bi-monthly Arbor Day, a membership card, and The Tree Book with tree planting and care information. Your six to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or will be replaced free of charge. Trees are shipped at the right time for planting in your area, February through May in spring, or October through mid-December in the fall.

To receive your free trees, send a $10 membership contribution to: 10 Free Trees, The National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410. or join online at arborday.org.

Join now, and plant your Trees for America!

12 - April 2015

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Cyber Life: BC and AC

By Nancy A. Clark

Before the computer became as much a fixture in our house as the sofa and silverware, I slept well at night and ate regular meals with my family. I coffeeclatched more with friends, knew my children’s ages without mentally referencing their birth dates, and was out of my pajamas before high noon.

Back in that day, the top of our writing desk was home to family photos in seashell studded frames, and the drawers were filled with stationery, carbon paper and WITE OUT. Life was good and I was content, BC Before the Computer.

Taunted by peer pressure to “get with it or get left behind,” we dipped our big toes into the murky waters of The Home Computer and sought advice from would-be experts in this new field. Hubby and I wrangled more over recommended models (MAC or PC?) and points of purchase (“I know a guy who builds them in his garage…”) than we ever did naming our children. Finally, we cleared off the top of our desk for a behemoth desktop and made room in the drawers for a few floppies.

Unpacking the ponderous PC, which we ultimately named “Darned Thing,” was as unnerving as disarming an explosive device. And then there was that mammoth monitor, and miles of cables and piles of plugs to address. It takes less time to gestate an elephant than it did for us to interpret the “Getting Started” instructions – written in every language but English. The assembly process was enough to test even the strongest marriage; but on May 10, 1989, we held our collective breath, fired up Darned Thing and were catapulted over the chasm that separates ordinary from WHOA! – marriage still intact.

I doubt that Dorothy was as bewitched, bothered or bewildered when she tumbled into Oz as was I when I gingerly pressed that ON button.

Dorothy had only a scarecrow, a tin man and a lion to contend with, Every Story Begins At Home.

whereas I was accosted by a binary barrage of BIOS, Backups, Bits and Bytes. New language with word weaponry like database, default, DOS and disk drive defied definition; directives including download, drag, debug and defrag were demobilizing. Life in AC (After the Computer) was definitely not for sissies.

The wild ride got wilder when blue screens with warnings like SYSTEM FAILURE and REINSTALL reeled me into the Black Hole of Cyber Space, rending my garments and demolishing my confidence. Not since the days of potty training our wee ones had I encountered such savage frustration and futility.

But quicker than you can say “Harry the Hacker Handed a Hardcopy to Henrietta,” I was hooked – and hooked hard. It didn’t take long when, not only could I not recall my children’s birth dates, I was hard pressed to recall their names.

FAST FORWARD 25+ years. The fourth desktop in this saga now lives on the top of our desk; and as each system became more user-friendly, this user became more awestruck by its capabilities. Composing a document without WITE OUT and flipping between ENTER and DELETE have opened new worlds to me, although I haven’t a clue what to do with Excel or Power Point. I tip my mouse and tilt my keyboard to the techies and brainiacs whose genius plow paths to progress; but you can bet the farm on it: when I reach the three-way inter-

section of PC, laptop and IPad in my computer journey, I’ll probably choose the PC route, every time.

Darned Thing and I will never be BFF’s, but we’ve come to an understanding: If it doesn’t pin me to the wall to learn all the A’s to Z’s of the PC, I promise not to throw it against the wall when it dismisses my commands or threatens to blackmail me into adopting social media as a second language. Call me old (and so I am), but the very thought of cyber sharing with and exposing my innermost thoughts and opinions through “hashtags” makes my liver quiver. As for Candy Crush and Farmville – make mine M&M’s and KFC, thank you.

The archaic (by today’s standards) machine that caused me night terrors in the past still makes me cry in my coffee when NO SIGNAL and TROJAN HORSE VIRUS flash on a blue screen; but I’ll fret nevermore over entities like gibibytes, gigabytes and gigaflops, as long as I can giggle when I Google and stay within the nebulous lines of cyber etiquette.

As for that cute little “Skype camera” Daughter gifted to me at Christmas: The way I figure it, my cousin in Utah and my sister in Idaho don’t need to see me typing in my pajamas. ***** Nancy Clark and her husband, Tom, rejoice in more than a half century of marriage, three children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She dabbles in freelance and memoir writing when she isn’t baking, knitting, reading, sewing and building jigsaw puzzles.

Congratulations to Tom & Nancy Clark on the birth of their first great-grandchild

Olivia Marie Liprando on March 10, 2015 - 8:17 am, Magee Hospital

She is the daughter of Nicholas and Michelle (Grupp) Liprando

April 2015 - 13

Social “Craze-y”

by Hayley Chemski-Horwat, MSN, CNRA Building Bodeez is located at 154 Pandora Road in Derry Township. 724-739-0105. www.building bodeez.net.

Social media is certainly an phenomovement. Rough estimates quote workload involved, and the funny menon that has skyrocketed in popu50% of Americans now exercise regposts, Tweets, and Snapchats can offer larity in recent years, with over 70% ularly. As this translates to daily living the added boost needed to maintain of adults engaged especially on Faceand then to our society’s wild social focus and commitment to lofty fitness book, Inc. If you’re a frequent user media craze we find more and more goals. (or abuser) you may find that fitness posts are related to exercise. Why? Sure some take the social posts and exercise-related posts are everMaybe because folks are spend-ing overboard and post three or four times increasing. Are you ever annoyed by time getting fit. Maybe because fitness daily, even nude pictures, overthe myriad of posts, tweets, exaggeration of workout Instagram shots, or Snapresults, and unhealthy chats associated with fitness ideas. Be aware: do not use or exercise? See that a friend social media as expert had their “best workout advice. Not unlike sitting ever!”or ‘pics’ of flexed at the lunch table in grade muscles, shirtless abdominschool receiving news on als, new running shoes, the birds and the bees, seek CrossFit statistics, choreoout proper advice from graphy notes, “new exciting fitness professionals well workouts,” and more? One versed and educated in funny post taunts that “if physical fitness, nutrition, you don’t post about going and wellbeing. to the gym, what’s the use of Building Bodeez going to the gym?” Feel like boasts an ever-increasing we’re becoming a “Fitclientele base where all are Nation” obsessed with being welcome; all sizes, shapes, fitness gurus? ages, and fitness levels.

Photo uploads on Facebook total 300 million per day. (Source: Gizmodo) Are these posts about Sure, you may see a post self-indulgence, ego trips, or or two come out of our are they rather used to encourage is also a hobby, and many Americans love for the fun in fitness, but you will ourselves, or our friends and family to share love for this hobby. Maybe also find that fitness can be fun and be fit? Only you can make that call. As because some of us like to “brag” about healthy if balanced appropriately a Nurse Anes-thetist I see the impact exercise accomplish-ments. throughout your day. physical fitness plays on one’s overall One of the best reasons to join a Sources: health and well-being, and realize that fitness center is for commaraderie and any movement is good movement. Yet, support. Exercising 3-5 days/week, the • National Institutes of Health, 2012. “Don’t Just Sit There.” Obtained online, March 13, 2015 I agree that the obsession with being gym becomes your second home! from http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/ ‘fit’ can be a bit overwhelming, esFellow clients in the gym will either Dec2012/Feature1. pecially if you are not an ‘exerciser’. hinder or help you along in your goals.

• Pew Research Center, 2015. “Social Networking Let’s look deeper at this recent trend Posts then become about comparison Fact Sheet.” Obtained online, March 13, 2015 and discuss how to balance fitness, of workouts, ideas to share, tips and from http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/ social-networking-fact-sheet/. posting, and daily living. tricks of how to “fit it all in.” Facebook The National Institutes of Health isn’t always about showing off or (NIH) recommend moderate intensity bragging but more a way to engage exercise for 30 minutes-5 days a week, other like-minded ‘movers.’ Conven***** or 45 to 60 minutes-3 days a week. iently, run clubs share group run Hayley is a Certified Fitness Trainer and the coowner of Building Bodeez Fitness Center, located NIH also suggests at least two sessions times, lifters share when to meet up at at 154 Pandora Rd in Derry, PA, as well as a fullof weight or resistance training per the gym, Zumba-goers laugh about time Nurse Anesthetist with the University of Pittsburgh Physicians, currently based at St. week. These suggestions have develmissteps and booty shaking laughter Margaret’s Hospital in Fox Chapel, PA. Hayley oped over time given the ever inin class, others share the joy of losing offers a wealth of fitness and health knowledge, creasing amount of published research a few pounds. As with anything, balserving as the Group Fitness Coordinator and Wellness Programs Director at Building Bodeez. illustrating the health benefits of ancing the need for exercise, the actual 14 - April 2015

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Appalachian Trail Conservancy Celebrates 90 Years On March 3, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) marked 90 years of protecting the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). A long-standing partnership with the federal government, Trail maintaining clubs and thousands of volunteers has enabled the organization to preserve and manage the longest hiking-only footpath in the world.

The ATC was founded in 1925 by volunteers and federal officials working to build a continuous footpath along the Appalachian Mountains. A unit of the National Park Service, the A.T. ranges from Maine to Georgia and is approximately 2,185 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine.

The A.T. has over 2-3 million people visit the Trail every year and about 2,500 people attempt to “thru-hike” the Trail. People from across the globe are drawn to the A.T. for a variety of reasons: to reconnect with nature, to escape the stress of city life, to meet new people or deepen old friendships, or to experience a simpler life.

The A.T. was completed in 1937 and is a unit of the National Park System. The A.T. is managed under a unique partnership between the public and private sectors that includes, among others, the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service, an array of state agencies, the ATC, and 31 local Trail-maintaining clubs.

“This year marks a milestone for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy,” said Ron Tipton, the ATC’s executive director/CEO. “The Conservancy is widely respected and recognized for its historic role in managing and protecting the Appalachian Trail, and we are committed to preserving this wonderful hiking experience for future generations to enjoy.”

With central offices in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a quarter-mile from the Trail since 1972, the ATC currently includes more than 43,000 members, 6,000 volunteers, a full & part time staff of about 50 in six locations and an annual budget of $7.9 million and total assets of about $15 million.

The ATC celebrates its 90th anniversary in the midst of its implementation of a new 5-year Strategic Plan. The plan, launched in early 2015, identifies five key goals: Proactive Protection, Engaged Partners, Effective Stewardship, Broader Relevancy, and Strengthened Capacity and Operational Excellence. Together, these goals not only reinforce the idea that the Trail can be enjoyed by a variety of users in multiple ways, but also that the A.T. should be readily accessible to all who wish to be a part of the experience.

For more information about the ATC’s 90th anniversary, including ways to give back, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/90th.

Staff and volunteers celebrate the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s 90th Anniversary at their headquarters in Harpers Ferry, WV. About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy The mission of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is to preserve and manage the Appalachian Trail – ensuring that its vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come. For more information, please visit www.appalachiantrail.org.

Every Story Begins At Home.

Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.

– Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

April 2015 - 15

WHAT’S COOKING IN FITNESS

by Mark Rullo MS, CSCS, MES

Why “Eating Right,” “High Protein,” or “Exercise” Don’t Work for Weight Loss Whether on social media, in news clips, or on talk shows we always hear someone giving us advice…”Just Eat Right” or make sure it is “High in Protein” or just “Exercise.” Although in general these terms are correct, it is the lack of specificity that is also creating more confusion and failure when it comes to losing weight.

Let’s take a look at each of these statements and how they can be holding you back from seeing success with weight loss.

EAT RIGHT Sounds simple and straight-forward enough, right? So who would argue with that? Results can only be found in what exactly defines “eating right.”

Eating “right” can mean something different for everyone depending on their goal. For example, eating “right” for heart health or sports performance isn’t necessarily going to help someone lose weight. However, when people hear the phrase “eat right,” they will most likely think of healthier . food options such as fruits and vegetables, organic, whole foods, and lean meats.

Although healthier food options are the preferred fuel for better overall health and performance, weight loss begins and ends with total calories consumed (what you eat) versus total calories expended (what you burn).

For example, if your daily metabolism (total calories burned) is 2200 and you eat “right” from a healthy perspective but your total calorie consumption is 2500, those extra 300 calories will store in your body as fat.

Therefore, although you’ve made healthy food choices and are “eating 16 - April 2015

right,” you are still contributing to weight gain by consuming more than your daily caloric expenditure.

HIGH PROTEIN Protein is an excellent macro nutrient that supports muscle growth, has an awesome thermogenic effect, and provides greater satiety than other nutrients. But what exactly is considered “high protein” when you’re trying to lose weight and reap the benefits? This can ONLY be determined on an individual basis relative to total caloric intake.

Weight loss is, again, achieved primarily by caloric management.

After that, the macronutrient breakdown of those calories is the next area of focus when targeting weight loss through nutritional behaviors. Macronutrients include protein, carbohydrates, and fats and are the primary source of the calories we consume.

From a percentage perspective of total calories for a weight loss program, “high protein” would be 20-35% of the total calories consumed with an acceptable range (not “high”) as low as 10%.

Using 1500 and 2200 total daily caloric intake diets to illustrate the breakdown, 20-35% of protein would be as follows in the chart below:

One gram of protein yields 4 calories.

Therefore, you can see that for a person on a 1500 calorie diet who is trying to lose weight, a high protein diet would have one consuming 75-131 grams of protein per day. If they are increasing their caloric intake to 2200 per day, then their protein intake would need to increase proportionally (110-192.5 grams/day) if they would still want to consume “high” amounts of protein.

Without knowledge of total calories it is impossible for anyone to know if their diet is high or low in protein.

Ironically, those who want to lose weight but resist mastering the behavior of counting calories, will never truly know if they are eating high or low amounts of protein.

This is just another example in the value of the weight loss nutrition hierarchy in that caloric management trumps everything because any instruction on macronutrients (e.g., high protein, low carb, etc…) is irrelevant and impossible to label as “high protein” or “low carb” without knowing total calories first.

NOTE: Yes, there are guidelines for protein consumption based on the number of grams per body weight when weight management isn’t the primary focus.

However, caloric management is first in any weight loss program, and to minimize error in the caloric management, it

“HIGH PROTEIN DIET” STRATEGY Total Calories

20% of Total Calories Protein

35% of Total Calories Protein

1500

300 Protein calories (75 grams) 525 Protein calories (131.25 grams)

2200

440 Protein calories (110 grams) 770 Protein calories (192.5 grams)

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

isn’t advisable to base your protein intake primarily off of your body weight.

EXERCISE There are two basic categories of exercises for weight loss – Resistance Training and Cardio (Aerobic) Training with Cardio sub-divided into interval/metabolic cardio training and steady-state cardio training.

Absolutely any and all exercise contributes to weight loss by creating greater caloric expenditure than what would be achieved while resting.

However, not all exercises are equal in how they support the weight loss process from both a physiological and time-management perspective.

I have always stressed that the most effective form of exercise when it comes to weight loss is resistance training, and NOT cardio training, for many reasons.

• Resistance training for weight loss requires less frequency per week (minimally 1x/wk) compared to cardio (minimally 4+x/wk).

• Resistance training for weight loss requires less time per workout (10-25 minutes) than cardio (30+ minutes).

• Resistance Training secures skeletal muscle better than cardio for greater “after burn” allowing for 12-36 hours of elevated metabolism while at rest.

• Resistance training actually magnifies any cardio exercise for weight loss thus why both are essential.

If you are serious about wanting to lose weight, seek an experienced resource to make it personal. Lose the generalization of your nutrition and have a personalized program set up for you based on your metabolism to eliminate the guesswork. As for exercise, a specific exercise program and accountability will save you time, money, and energy in pursuit of your weight-loss goal.

For more information, please feel free to consult with any of the fitness professionals at My Fitness Kitchen®.

Additionally, as an on-going thank you to the Laurel Mountain Post and its readers, mention this article for a FREE, no obligation, personalized, metabolic nutritional formula and fitness program that will leverage the “Hierarchy of Fat Loss.”

If you are serious about achieving a body transformation goal, then you need a program, as any goal without a plan is really only a wish!

As an added incentive for people new to My Fitness Kitchen®, by mentioning this Laurel Mountain Post article, you will receive $25 “Kitchen Cash” to be used toward our no-risk,

My Fitness Kitchen® is located in Latrobe 30 plaza, Latrobe PA. My Fitness Kitchen® is a weight loss and body transformation center that also happens to have a fitness center connected to it. From the moment you enter My Fitness Kitchen® regardless of your age, fitness level or experience, it’s all about “You.” The supportive staff, welcoming atmosphere, and friendly members combine to create the most unique and comfortable environment for your weight management and fitness success. Whether it is Nutrition, Fitness or both, you can be confident My Fitness Kitchen® is the solution to a healthier and thinner you.

About the Author: Mark Rullo, MS, CSCS, MES is an Exercise Physiologist, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Medical Exercise Specialist, Certified Golf Fitness Instructor and owner of My Fitness Kitchen® www.myfitnesskitchen.com 724-8798523. Mark and his team at My Fitness Kitchen® specializes in weight loss and body transformation helping thousands meet and exceed their goals through evidence-based scientific programming.

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NOTE: the above bullet points are presented to emphasize the importance of having concern for muscle in any weight loss program and by no means to de-value or discourage aerobic activity.

The problem with telling people to exercise for weight loss, without being specific about the type of workout, is that the expected results are usually different from the actual results. Without incorporating resistance training into a weight-loss oriented exercise program, it is like taking a butter knife to a steak house. The butter knife (cardio) can cut the steak (to lose weight), but it is much less efficient than using a steak knife (resistance training).

no obligation, 100% money guarantee 30-Day Weight Loss JUMPSTART program at My Fitness Kitchen®, as a courtesy of the Laurel Mountain Post. www.myfitnesskitchen.com 724-879-8523 results@myfitnesskitchen.com My Fitness Kitchen® is where weight loss is made simple.

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Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 17

Pittsburgh: Land of the Brazen

by Sarah Opst (Mount Pleasant, PA – Age 16) Piece composed through Write Local’s “Home” Workshop

A landscape of nothingness— a black backdrop sparsely dotted with neon highway signs—transforms into a team of starry glints, and as our car nears them, they grow more distinct, and brighter, and brighter. Glints of silver. Little, sparkling gleams of brilliance, tiny and isolated, but together, a thousand twinkling eyes, unite in unblinking stares. They are the lampposts scattered about the neighborhoods and streets. Meanwhile, the sky looks down with its own stars, the heavenly ideal, the divine mirror image. From the highway, we have a perfect, panoramic view of the city.

The hills of the city are just masses of darkness now, but in the daylight, they are cramped homes, cramped neighborhoods, cramped streets. Now they slumber in stillness and await morning. These are the tattered homes’ most prideful moments, hidden in darkness, couched between and united with other black figures underneath midnight’s thick blanket.

As we exit the highway, the train of cars continues to zoom by. They belong to the city’s identity just as much as the fixed components within.

Their headlights are blinded on both sides; they only look forward in an urge to arrive somewhere else, their next destinations. One passes in a mere second, gone off somewhere new, and another follows. What hundreds of lives zoom by on the highway, all consumed in their worlds, ready to arrive somewhere, maybe the home their souls secretly crave? They leave behind whispering ghosts of everevolving identities that taunt and snicker. We just hear them linger about, their breathy words inaudible but ubiquitous, their souls ravaging around for peace.

The bridge’s obscure outline looms ahead of us. Always the proud subject in office paintings of this city, 18 - April 2015

it stretches out like a jaw across the river. The shadow of interconnecting bars and a massive platform are the only testament to the thousands of minds and hands that took on the feat of its construction. The river is murky and dull rather than gleaming with opalescent ribbons, for it barely catches rays from the many electrical lights. The towers—man’s success, man’s beaming triumphs—stand their ground unwaveringly and reach up towards the sky. Little Babels. The Heinz sign flashes its red and yellow lights from the top of its building. I peer through glass office windows to see empty seats and desks as our car whisks down the road.

If one were to enter the city and to walk its streets, it would not differ tremendously from any other. It is a mural of gray, and it is often on a very gray day one observes this. The parking lots are crude caves. The shops shine milky light out onto the streets.

Within, people smile and laugh. These are momentary pleasures, but if one waited till the shops close, the smiling and laughing waitress would be hustling to her car with waning eyes and a tight face. The customers are hungry again in the morning, the clothes lose their appeal in a few weeks, and excitement throughout the movie fades with memory’s span. The shops are not exclusive, but the happiness they offer is. Visitors are rarely satisfied; these places just distract the mind, amuse and inflate the ego temporarily ‘til we all fall down again.

We whisk down the sidewalk in the dusk after a theatrical performance of Around the World in Eighty Days with the clop of our heels resonating against the cement and speckled mosaic of old gum. Gum: invoking immediate disdain in my fluffy, whimsical mind. Our tone is euphoric, dancing in this dead place and fading day

because we are enraptured with the past and envision the bright colors, scenes, and romance just minutes prior though the claps and curtains concluded the performance. Yet we are only enraptured with the past because we believe in a future.

A beggar crouches a few blocks down, shaking her tin can for money.

Her face is partially hidden as she tilts it down, but I can see haggard and leathery skin. She disappears from sight as we pass. I wonder how long she’ll be there. My mind lingers back to that image with curiosity rather than true conviction and remorse. I know I’ll never experience that. Interesting, how sad, how terrible, I think.

That poor woman. Not a speck of selfrighteousness, but definitely ignorance—solid and inexcusable as it is.

The gap between true pain and a bowl -of-cherries life has not narrowed yet in my youth.

However, if I had not just emerged from a happy evening, I like to think destitution’s sickening odor would have permeated my soul as it does now in my reflection, for night strips this city of its opulence and appeal, and it stands exposed in darkness. After the Pirate’s game (yellow and black, hot dogs and ketchup, cheers and Styrofoam hands!) the stadium leers at bystanders in its vacancy. The thousands of seats stretching out across the stands are empty and cold and a stark contrast to the throng of merry viewers for the play earlier that evening nibbling on their cookies and sipping their coffee. Where are the baseball players? Where are the crowds? Why does it all seem like a dream with clowns and senseless smiles? It seems to be a play itself, an act to deceive us all.

Now we leave the city and drive off on the highway. Our car races just like the rest. We are off into a new moment, a new happiness we hope to LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

find, a renewed comfort back at home and plans for the next day, and the next, and the next. We race off to another temporary destination.

Those little lights are brave lights.

Those united lampposts are bold, but they are blind, too. They stand with pride and cling to counterfeit assurance. They root themselves in confidence and individual strength. Yet they insulate themselves with ignorance. They force themselves tall. And daylight and crowds mask their weaknesses well. In the night, though, silence envelops them. Distractions disappear. They are little, clueless minds pumped full of artificial hope and energy.

Pittsburgh is the land of brazen prisoners, the weak who cannot admit their lack of strength either because

they do not see it or they do not want to see it.

As I lean against the car seat hugging my knees and peering out the window for a last, nighttime view of the city, I can’t help but wonder if I am a single, lonely glint, too, far away from any real speck of truth, but mask-

ing it all, pouring a protectant coating around my own mind. I go home to resume my happy life just like the city busies itself and bustles around each day, but in the night, I think my soul deteriorates. All of a sudden, humanity’s purpose seems either lost or never found. Ashes, ashes, we all fall down.

A note from the author: I like to write because I think words allow thought to crystallize and take shape from figments to developed ideas. I wrote this piece because I was struck by how insulated my mind is against the big picture of desolation in this world. At the same time, I felt that humanity’s overall pursuits are the result of illusions and a search for happiness when in reality, there is something deeper we need to recognize. I love cities, but because so many people are congregated within them, I am often struck by the isolation a single mind finds within a thousand others who are all travelling on a different path to fulfillment.

My own mind’s selfishness as it travels its path to fulfillment struck me, and I wanted to paint a picture of contrast between my insular happiness and the world’s complexity and uncertainty. ***** Kid’s Corner shares student writing from Write Local’s K-12 programs. Write Local is a non-profit located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania that inspires young writers to think creatively and innovate locally. To see more student writing, please visit writelocal.org.

Photo by John Marino of Pittsburgh, PA – Licensed under Creative Commons

Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 19

Cheers to Spring!

by Carol Whelan Now that our long winter hibernation Beer Festival for Jeff, and although the They invite you to join them for is behind us it’s time to rekindle those medals may be coveted by some, for their summer monthly Beer-B-Q’s, friendships we have missed while those at A.S.B.C., their mission statebut make certain to watch them on hiding under covers parked in front of ment says it all, “to build a brand Facebook for they will update their our fireplaces and televisions. Alfocused on selling locally manufacschedule regularly as they add events though following one another on Facetured craft beer: For beer people, by and new brews. book, twitter, and Instagram seems to beer people. Consistently good tasting All Saints invokes a sense of comhave become the most popular way to craft beer, brewed locally, and with radery, you will feel like you’ve been stay in touch these days, meeting up Western Pennsylvania pride and pasexpected even though you’ve never for a good old fashioned libation can sion as our constant goal.” been there before, so next time you are be the right prescription for our looking for somewhere new, fun, dusty friendships! and a little quirky to meet up, you Microbreweries by definition can reason a visit here as both are breweries producing less than educational and enjoyable! (Lo15,000 barrels per year and usucated on Rt 119 & Roseytown Rd., ally concentrating on exotic or Greensburg.) I’m no saint but I’ll high-quality beer. They have been leave you with the dear words of around for years but it seems in Saint Arnold of Metz, the patron only the most recent years they Saint of Brewers “From man’s have found their way into the sweat and God’s love, beer came media’s awareness, hence turninto the world.” ing the spotlight on those that have been quietly brewing some For friends of the wine lover of the best and freshest beer ever it’s more than just the wine, it’s Pictured from top: Mike Hepner – assistant brewer; Jeff Guidos – to be tasted. also about the experience. Many owner, brew master; and Tom Mastrorocco – marketing.

All Saints Brewing Comare familiar with the basics of pany is a great example of a craft wine tasting: look, smell, and micro-brewery. Jeff Guidos, founder Another beauty about calling taste. We need to understand there is and Head Brew Master, graduated friends to meet up at All Saints is the so much more to it, as it becomes from St Vincent College with a chemlack of televisions in the Tap Room, about sharing, and enjoying. How istry degree, moved away, taught, but no distracting programs while you’re many of us kept a special bottle after returned home to pursue his passion. catching up with one another (now a memorable evening and used it as a Maybe it’s his chemistry background when The Steelers are on this may be candle holder? My college roommate or the fact that St Vincent’s was the a different story, but I did say disand I used an exceptionally large, first U.S. Benedictine monastery to tracting television, which all of us long-necked bottle as our Christmas brew monastic beer back in the 19th know does not include anything Black tree for two years! We hung lights and century, but be it through education, & Gold.) The people there are happy ornaments on it and every time I see osmosis, or a greater calling, he was to give a tour, share history and get to one of those bottles, I smile and remeant to brew beer! After years of know you. They want you to come back member us laughing as we sang carols home brewing, then working/learnand feel welcomed, it’s not a bar, it’s a decorating it! Wine, it’s for moments, ing/mastering at the Red Star Brewery brewery where they made your beer occasions, events, meals. We sip it, Jeff and his wife Angela decided they for you in the back room, how much drinking the moment, savoring the should open a place of their own after friendlier can it get? people we choose to share it with. the Red Stars closing. He made phone Greendance Winery is locaThe Tap Room has 10 beers on ted in Mt Pleasant. Many know it as calls to likeminded beer lovers and tap, from Amber Ales, IPA’s, Pale Ales, the winery at Sand Hill Berries. We home brewers Mike Hepner (assistant to their Munich Dunkel. If having a brewer) his wife Jean, Bill Albright look for their delicious desserts but difficult time deciding which you like tasting their wines has become a new (grows many of the fruits that are used best try a “flight” which is a sampling kind of decadent pleasure. in the seasonal beers), Chris and of some favorites. They change often More than 40 wines, many craftSharon Guido and gave life to All so grab yourself a growler to take ed with the very fruits harvested there Saints. home or make it a fun switch from the on the farm including: blackberries, Voodoo’s Child Lager was a Gold traditional bottle of wine when invited red currants, black currants, goosemedal winner at the Great American to dinner.

20 - April 2015

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

berries, blueberries, strawberries, rhubarb, cranberry peach and, of course, the grapes that grow on more than seven acres of the farm. While fruit wines may be top of mind when you think of a winery on the most popular berry farm in our area, they also offer the traditional Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot, Cabernet and Merlot to men-

tion a few more. Choosing from so many options has been proven to be a challenge; therefore, free tastings are offered to help you narrow your favorites. While in the tasting bar, take notice of their very impressive display of award-winning wines above the bar.

The Nectar Garden, is a lovely place to sit and enjoy your wine amongst the flowers. The winery offers a picturesque location for private gatherings, showers, anniversaries, and birthday parties. Weekends and special events throughout the summer also offer a variety of gourmet snack and sandwich options, and will most often include live music and special events.

The garden opens Mother’s Day weekend and would be a lovely place to

spend some time with her – although there is plenty of time to enjoy, as it remains open through October. A calendar of events can be found on the Greendance website for dates and times of upcoming activities (www.green dancewinery.com/calendar) Susan Lynn, one of the owners, explained the meaning behind the name as, Green – representing agriculture, and Dance – as the dance of life. The owners include Susan and her husband, Richard; Amy & Rob Schilling; Roxanne Vinoski and husband and vintner, Walt.

Whether it be a robust round of beer, or sipping fine wine in the garden, savor the moments spent, the laughter shared and the memories made with those you hold so dear.

Cheers!

In addition to being the proud mother of three amazing children, Carol Whelan is also a corporate and non-profit event coordinator (relaxedevents.net), and the proprietor of Fairy Godmothers 3, a vacation home concierge service (724-532-0436). Carol resides with her soul mate, Brian, her favorite fourlegged child, Gizmo (all the two legged ones have moved out), and two spoiled cats in Latrobe. Feel free to email Carol at: carolwhelanevents@aol.com

Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 21

Revitalizing Latrobe

By Cathi Gerhard with Jarod Trunzo, LCRP Executive Director

Like many local families, mine has a multigenerational history of forefathers participating in the growth of new business and the changing face of Latrobe, Pennsylvania. In 1934, my great-grandfather (Welty Jobe) was a founding director of the new Commercial Bank & Trust of PA in Latrobe. My grandfather (Ed Davis) was a charter director in the development of VASCO Federal Credit Union, formed in 1967 by employees of the Venadium Alloys Steel Company in Latrobe.

My father (Shelly Gerhard) worked for PennDOT building and maintaining Westmoreland County roads that provide the infrastructure around the Latrobe area. He also spent over 40 years restoring the family farm in neighboring Derry Township with contour strips and several “new” organic agricultural practices.

In 2004, I began publishing the Laurel Mountain Post magazine “from the heart of Westmoreland County” ... what I believe is Latrobe. Once considered another dying town amid the vast “rust belt” of the northeastern United States, Latrobe has come a long way in the past ten years alone: due in part to the

work of the Latrobe Revitalization Committee, much of it behind the scenes until now.

Newly re-branded, The Latrobe Community Revitalization Program (A Nationally Accredited Main Street Program and 501(c) 3) is a community and economic developmentbased organization implementing a vision for a safer, more walkable, sustainable and family-oriented town. They work closely with business owners, all forms of leadership in the City, non profit and county organizations, and most importantly, the families and citizens who make Latrobe the gem of the Laurel Highlands. Shifting focus away from local events and toward beautification projects, LCRP Executive Director Jarod Trunzo walked me through some of the current projects already in progress around the city ...

Lot Revitalization Initiative Our first lot overhaul is inspired by Pulitzer Prize Winner Tom Hylton known for his approach to urban design and a sustainable infrastructure as written through "Save

Our Lands, Save Our Towns." We have had the first phase of our lot project approved in January, 2015 by a partnership with First National Bank and the Parking Authority which have joined us as generous co-sponsors and partners in this ambitous undertaking. We will remove the one light that resembles a mall/highway/ car dealership appearance and replace it with three new single post pedestrian lights.

We will also create two depressions in the concrete island and plant two special zelkova street trees. This will assist in providing shade for the vehicles in the summer months, stormwater management, traffic calming, a partial sound barrier, and overall safety with the increased lighting. The second phase of this project will be announced later this year, stay tuned!

We have completed demolition of a burnt down bar in addition to securing the walls, re-painting them, filling the gaps and leveling the lot which now has grass. For phase two, we have received a very competitive $25,000 grant from the CFWC (Community Foundation of Westmoreland County) to turn this into a more functional area free for the public to use. This will also help the adjacent businesses, and they are excited to see the implementation. It will have things like art, seating for eating and socializing, a center kiosk with a large map of downtown that will also show some upcoming events, a mixed use of concrete and grass, trees, flowers and will all be lit by solar lighting. We are also looking at ways to capture some of the Latrobe’s story and historical architecture, so we are looking at a way to tastefully incorporate that aspect within budget. Implementation will likely occur this summer or the latest in early fall.

It will be a free gathering space for all to use. Neighboring business Francesca’s Cakery has already seen a boom in customer traffic since the lot was cleaned up!

Creative Place-Making This story was a special one because it is centered on a call I received from a lady who had lost her teenage grand-daughter.

Her family got together and sponsored a new park bench with her name on it to re22 - April 2015

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

member her by because, as her grandmother shared, she used to love downtown Latrobe.

Creative place-making addresses areas that are delapitated or offer minimal to no use and makes them into more viable, funcational and accessable areas for the public. These projects tend to offer temporary or permanent solutions to such troubeled areas. We recently raised $10,000 for our Post Office project on Jefferson Street through mutliple sources including the Westmoreland Realtors Assocication.

After removing shrubs that were overgrown to the point of taking over nearly half of the sidewalk we will implement a nice, permanent design adjacent to Rogers Park that will see even heavier foot traffic upon the opening of WCCC. We will have completed the installation by the end of April. That area will soon be home to a new Historical Marker for Fred Rogers early next year, which we were very excited to have been awarded here in Latrobe.

Community Vegetable Gardens The LCRP initiated the Latrobe Community Vegetable Gardens in partnership with the Latrobe Mini Garden Team that is responsible for planting thousands of flowers annually. Our goal is to give our residents, who may not have enough space for a garden at home, the opportunity to plant a vegetable garden of their own by providing well maintained, quality garden plots for them.

We have over 30 vegetable plots for rent annually that are well kept by our team of volunteers who continue to make improvements.

This year a new, larger and stronger fence was installed as deer have actually began “visiting.” They do fill up almost instantly, but you can contact our office to see if we still have openings. If you have a green thumb and the gardens are full, we can also connect you to volunteer opportunities to help with the thousands of bulbs and other flowers that are planted and maintained during spring, summer and fall. For more information, please call (724) 805 – 0112 or send an e-mail to trunzo@ latrobereviatlization.org. PLOTS WILL SOON BE OPEN FOR THE 2015 SEASON!

The Facade Grant Program We offer a dollar for dollar matching grant to downtown property (business) owners, up to $5,000 per street facing side. Working with our Design Committee, which includes a contractor and architect, we will Every Story Begins At Home.

work with your vision to beautify your storefront. This grant has given downtown businesses excellent momentum and has resulted not only in a new, beautiful storefront, but has led to an increase in customers. For instance, the Dollar General Store went from 50 to over 100 customers a day (on average) upon completion of their beautiful facade. Visit our website to see before and after photos or to see if your building is located in the zone and is eligible for grant dollars.

At present, the Historical Latanzio Building (aka Danceland) is underway for phase one, which is located across the street from the new WCCC campus. We are looking to secure an additional $30,000 to make more grants available for businesses in addition to what we have now.

We are also confirming two other façade undertakings at present. Our new Design Architect, Steve Patricia, is really a great talent to have right now in our organization, as is the expaned role of George Fetkovich, who also serves as the Art Director for Saint Vincent College and Archabbey.

Their work, combined with the rest of our committee, is the catalyst for so much good that lasts years. George is also responsible for our new logo.

The NEW Mr. Rogers Street Sign!

Consider replacing the old, green, antiquated street signs with this beautiful, custom-made street sign. This signature Trolley street sign will replace a street sign of your choosing! The sign pole will include a lifelong plaque with your choice of text to memorialize a family member, business, or community cause. Split up the cost of this with your neighbors, or if you are a business, consider buying several for the residents you serve! Join us in replacing hundreds of street signs over the next ten years until each street sign shows off Latrobe’s finest, in honor of the one and only Mr. Rogers!

So far, There is a lot of excitement over it. Latrobe just has so many great individuals and inventions attached with its proud history. But when you look at the “themeability” of Mr. Rogers and what he stood for, his message is so concretely aligned to where we are looking to go with a safer, more family-oriented and walkable core downtown and adjacent neighborhoods.

Everyone wants a neat, clean town, so this very special partnership with the city of Latrobe, Special Lite Company and our organization is a another step in that direction. The quality of the new signs is what is making an impact compared against what

is there now. The signs are part of an overall series of streetscape improvements that will be rolled out this year. These improvements are positively correlated to the bigger picture of development that we are taking on as a community.

Westmoreland County Community College - Latrobe This major development is changing the trajectory of our downtown in a positive way, showing real estate development in Latrobe is a great investment. We are managing growth for the first time in a long time, as opposed to managing decline. The market is already responding. Eight new businesses have opened in a little over a year in downtown Latrobe. I just met with another retail business–their new lease makes number nine. These entrepreneurs are relocating their entire business onto Ligonier Street downtown, a block away from the new WCCC, and they will open in May. The reality is that the cost per square foot for renting in downtown is much lower than other areas, and both vehicular and pedestrian traffic is increasing. Businesses and industry are growing at a very exciting rate in Latrobe right now, and we offer something unique you can’t always get.

The growth on route 30 and our downtown can co-exist and positively reinforce one another. Our parking garage is now open, we have a 24/7 police force with HD cameras and Rocky the drug dog, and one of the greatest park programs around, while we are also advancing plans nicely on two separate trails. We feel WCCC’s opening will bring some diversity and young life to our downtown. I am very proud of the work my fellow board members did years ago behind the scenes in helping the leadership of WCCC make the very difficult move to downtown a truly exciting reality. ***** Jarod Trunzo holds a Bachelor of Arts from UPJ in Management Information Systems and an MBA Cum Laude from the Graduate School of Business at FSU. He has also studied at an institute in Florence, Italy and has completed additional courses at Saint Vincent College. As a native of Western Pennsylvania, he has lived in Ohio, Philadelphia, Williamsport, Pittsburgh, Virginia, Tennessee, and has also spent six months in Europe. He and his wife, Bridgette, have three young daugthers.

Latrobe Community Revitalization Program Quatrini-Rafferty Building, Latrobe Office: 724-805-0112 Fax: 724-805-0119 trunzo@latroberevitalization.org www.latroberevitalization.org

April 2015 - 23

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New Alexandria Office: 724-668-5080 412 W. Main St. New Alexandia, PA 15670

Blairsville Office: 724-459-9200 213 E. Market St. Blairsville, PA 15717

New Florence Office: 724-235-3062 213 Ligonier St. New Florence, PA 15944

Derry Township

#1043779 – Well-maintained 3-bedroom, 2 full bath ranch, finished basement. Country setting, 2 private acres.

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Large rooms, massive entry. Ceramic floors, 2 working fireplaces, nicely landscaped. Back stairs from kitchen to second fl. Walk-in closet, new roof, exterior painted in 2014. Off-street parking and more! Offered at $159,000.

Marion Center

#1043394 – Split entry 4 bedroom home in Tunnelton near Saltsburg. Living room with fireplace, eat in kitchen with appliances, carpeted bedrooms with db closets, and full bath on upper level.Lower level features paneled family room, laundry area,.5 bath,storage room, 1car garage, covered porch–more! Offered at $118,000.

#1043072 – 3 Bedroom home located in Stoneycreek Twp. Well kept with integral two car garage. Large family room and sun porch.

Offered at $68,500.

Blairsville

Brush Valley

#1042386 – Move in condition--Large Rooms, Eat in Remodeled Kitchen-First floor laundry-newer carpeting. Offered at $59,900.

Homer City

#1039414 – Upper level being used as 3rd bedroom (32x11) good history as rental property–full unfinished basement, large detached garage. Make it your home or makes great investment property. Offered at $79,900.

Blairsville #1037350 – Charming, older two-story home close to schools, pool and shopping waiting for new owner.

This home offers cozy sun porch, newer laminate floors, large dining room, first floor bedroom and full bath. Eat in Kitchen includes electric range and refrigerator. Two bedrooms and full bath on second floor. Storage shed and garage in rear. Offered at $79,000.

#1037798 – Beautiful old Farm House on +/- 30 acres. Relaxing views of pond from front porch; stroll through orchard on way spring house. 3-br main housew/traditional farm house first floor. Newer 3-car garage with a 1-br apt above.

Older bank barn will need attention. Offered at $395,000.

Blairsville

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Blairsville

#1035853 – Covered front porch, formal dining room, large eat-in kitchen, lots of cabinetry. Attached 4car garage, decorative fireplaces. Offered at $53,500. #1030756 – Elegant home in a beautiful setting of mature trees, this large ranch offers sunken living room w/ wood burning fireplace, huge kitchen w/oak cabinets.

New paint and all new carpet in 2013. Roof approx. 10 yrs. New AC 2013. Offered at $280,000

#1036486 – Large rooms, lower taxes. Great starter. First floor laundry. Lots of kitchen cabinetry. Large attic area.

Yard shed stays w/ house. Offered at $40,000.

Blairsville #1035170 – Charming 4bed home on tree lined quiet street, lovely entry foyer, large living rm with bookshelves and fireplace, formal dining rm with built in china cabinet, eat in kitchen, 1st fl laundry, powder room. Large master with decorative fireplace. updated bathroom. Third floor bonus rooms. Offered at $124,000

www.HewittRealEstate.net 24 - April 2015

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY Thought-Provoking Insights on Common Quotations by Rev. Marjorie Rivera

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

– Anais Nin

A Room With A Specific View I like to think that within each of us exist many parts. Pieces or fragments working together to make up the “whole being”; a collective of energies that team up to form the larger being of us. Imagine for a moment that inside of you are many rooms. Picture yourself as a mansion, and inside that mansion, there is a room for the many different parts of you. There would be a room for the creative genius part of you, a room for the terrible singer part of you, a room for the awesome cheerleader part of you, a room for the great negotiator part of you, a room for the adventurous explorer part of you, and so on and so on. We are all such multifaceted beings, that the rooms inside us would be varied in sizes and decor. Your mansion might have a whole wing that is dedicated to a part of you that is very demanding, such as the room for the part of you that is a parent. If you gave a room inside the mansion to every part of you that ever existed, how large would your mansion have to be?

Let’s imagine further that in your mansion, some of the rooms are off limits. Let me explain my thoughts on this by saying we each have parts of ourselves that we forgot, or decided weren’t worthy to be noticed for some reason. So we may have deemed a particular part of ourselves unlovable, or unneeded. At some point we may just turn off the light and close the door to the room and walk away. I can remember very vividly a time when my parents took us on a family vacation to Sea World in Ohio. I was over the top excited because the trip brought to light in me a desire to be connected to sea mammals, mainly whales but dolphins too. I felt as if my life had changed during that trip, and that I Every Story Begins At Home.

most certainly would change my life path. I had wanted to become a heart surgeon, but now (OMG with all the enthusiasm only a 12-year-old can muster) I would just HAVE to study marine biology and save all the world’s whales. After that trip I went back home to read everything I could about whales and dolphins until my interests changed again. To use the reference of the mansion made earlier. I had

clearly opened a room inside of me for the great scientist. Once my interest faded, I turned off the light in that room, closed the door and eventually forgot the room even existed. It’s quite possible that plenty of rooms inside of us were once illuminated and now within that very large mansion, any one of us could be living only in a small portion of an otherwise expansive abode.

I look at the people in my life, like my sister for example. She is a mother, a fiancé, a sister, a daughter, a manager at her job, and she is my assistant (whew– that’s funny in and of itself).

She assists behind the scenes with my various other roles as well, like SITE NITE, and to 2 Mediums at Large.

She is an avid baker, a dog lover, a Jeep junkie, a tomboy, a Sudoku player, a roadie and fan to her fiancé’s various

bands, a tax preparer, a craft maker, a best friend, a perfectionist, a tough cookie, a grill master, and an allaround stellar human being. Her mansion would have to be huge and colorful (if her Earthly home is any indication), and I think about one particular room she must have. Her very best friend Marsha passed away years ago now, and my sister, Natalie, had such vibrancy with this woman in her life. Marsha came along and loved my sister like no one ever had. She illuminated places in my sister that perhaps without her, my sister would never have seen.

That’s what I think a friend really does. A friend shows us places inside ourselves that are safe and wonderful to love. Like rooms in the mansion we had never ventured into before (or had turned off the light and walked away from). Each friend brings with them the knowledge of a world inside us, like Anais Nin mentions in our quote this month. Rooms, worlds, universes, and the words are different, but the sentiment is the same. A friend is someone who illuminates something within us. Perhaps without them, that part of us would not have seen the light of day. My prayer for you is that your mansion is brightly shining, and blessed with many friends for your journey.

In Loving Memory to Marsha Suggested reading: “Spiritual Partnerships: The Journey to Authentic Power” by Gary Zukav Connect with me: twitter.com/PGHmedium www.facebook.com/PGHmedium www.pinterest.com/aPGHmedium/ Newsletter: www.Pittsburgh Medium.com April 2015 - 25

King Lear and the Silver Tsunami

By Brendan Hare I’m no Shakespearean. Until recently, I’d only read King Lear once. This happened in college, in the late 1960s, very early one morning, hours before I was to submit an essay entitled—if I recall correctly—“King Lear and the Tragedy of Time.” There I sat, hunched over The Collected Works, squinting at its endless microscopic print, staving off sleep with cigarettes, battering the keys of my wobbly Underwood. By dawn I’d produced a few pages of what I suspect was nonsense, but which somehow sufficed for a passing mark. After that, I declared myself an economics major, quit smoking, graduated, and ran off to law school.

Then, for forty-odd years, I busied myself with family and career, and never gave the old King more than a passing thought. His story, I believed, had nothing to do with mine. If pressed, I might have said, Sure, I know that one: There’s this eightyyear-old guy, see, and he’s senile, and one day his daughters abandon him, and so he wanders around the countryside for a bit, and then he dies.

One of the great pains of aging comes when you discover how much

time you wasted being wrong. One of its greatest pleasures may follow this, when you see there’s still time to change.

Of course I was wrong about Lear.

More than this, I was wrong about old age. And these mistakes were rooted in the same ugly prejudice: I’m ashamed to confess that, for much of my life, I was an incorrigible ageist.

I began to realize this about two and a half years ago when, freshly retired, having entered what I defensively called my “early late sixties,” I dug up a copy of Lear and gave it another go.

I was surprised to find that, as the curtain lifts, the hero is not feeble, not already half-lost to senility. Rather he is strong, blustering, full of passion and self-assurance. It’s the cruelty he suffers that speeds his decline. Two of his daughters shut him from their homes and condescend to him remorselessly.

They call him an old fool and a superannuated baby, and tell him the time has come for him to “be rul’d and led” by others. Lear experiences all this as a trauma. He exclaims, “grief hath craz’d my wits,” and begins to doubt his sanity, wondering aloud, who “can

tell me who I am?” Before long, he seems to adopt his daughters’ view, calling himself “wretched,” nothing more than a “poor, infirm, weak, and despis’d old man.”

Amid its spectacular poetry and profound truth, King Lear offers something more basic: a rough metaphor for how society often mistreats the elderly. As I write this, ten thousand Americans are retiring each day. None of them, one prays, will suffer the type of extravagant cruelty inflicted by Lear’s daughters. The evils most commonly faced by seniors are subtler and more diffuse, but pernicious nonetheless. They comprise systematic neglect, segregation, isolation, and bigotry, and might be conveniently grouped under the banner of “ageism.”

Ageism stands as one of the last widely acceptable social prejudices, and is rampant even among the otherwise conscientious. When you watch for it, you find it everywhere: entertainment, government, advertising, commerce. Have a look at the birthday cards on offer at your neighborhood pharmacy. They supply a catalogue of ugly stereotypes about the old.

Jim Sheldon, 76, moved into the facility where his wife of 52 years is receiving long-term treatment for Alzheimer’s, and learns the meaning of the phrase: “no act of love is ever wasted.”

Esther May Parsons, 90, an Army nurse in World War II, discusses her and her husband’s fifteenmonth post-retirement odyssey: a camping excursion across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada and how, in the aftermath of her husband’s death, she determined to “keep putting [her]self out there,” making new friends through activities, hobbies, and service to the community.

Louisa Noble Drury, 85, lived the Left Bank life in Paris for sixteen years, worked at the fledgling Paris Review and the famous Shakespeare & Co., and was a friend and contemporary of several famous artists and authors. She speaks about returning to Vermont, to continue searching for her own artistic voice.

26 - April 2015

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Scanning them, you’d think no one has anything to look forward to past fifty but a painful, pathetic, protracted shriveling of body and mind.

Ageism is harmful because, like other forms of prejudice, it prevents people from being treated fairly. It affronts their humanity and attempts to diminish them, to disregard their character, to reduce the vast complexity of each person to a thing, a cheap, ready-made, less-than-human “type.”

As Lear illustrates, the consequences of such prejudice can prove devastating. It may “craze the wits,” and trick us into believing that we are, merely because of our age, wretched and despised. Studies have suggested that age discrimination may cause seniors to suffer higher rates of physical and mental illness. One study reported that seniors who viewed old age in negative terms faced life expectancies that were, on average, seven and a half years shorter than their peers.

My generation can proudly reflect on the many ways in which, together, we helped to shape youth culture, sex, music, politics, and civil rights. Much of this owes to the extraordinary demographic coincidence of our births: there are, quite simply, a lot of us. And in our numbers there is great power and energy. The buzz phrases used to label our cohort reflect this: We came into the world in a “baby boom”; we’ll Every Story Begins At Home.

depart it in a “silver tsunami.” Surely it is our responsibility to harness our collective might once more, and to rally against ageism with the same fervor we exercised in our youth. Stamping out age discrimination would stand as a worthy final achievement— one more generational contribution to what George Eliot called the “growing good of the world.”

And as we fight against ageism in society, we must also guard against it in ourselves. On this front, Lear is also instructive. It reminds us that old age need not be, as the King believes at the start of the drama, a long “crawl toward death.” Instead, it can be an adventure, an opportunity to enlarge our empathy and wisdom. As Lear draws nearer to death, he grows larger in spirit. “The great rage” that marred his mature years recedes, and he turns “brave” and “jovial,” wishing only to “live, and pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh at gilded butterflies.”

Lear is famously difficult, bleak, brutal, and sad. In spite of this—perhaps because of the tremendous intensity of language and character on display— it is never depressing, never foreclosed to hope. Near the end of the play, another old man, the Duke of Gloucester, having been betrayed, assaulted, blinded, and cast out, breaks down and wishes to die. His devoted son sees him wallowing on the ground and

speaks a simple phrase, one I hope to never forget, no matter what circumstances old age might impose: snap out of it, he says, “Thy life is a miracle.” ***** Brendan Hare is a retired attorney and the author of From Working to Wisdom: The Adventures and Dreams of Older Americans, a book of stories about the way that reading another person’s life story can help us to understand our own. Inside are the voices of 46 older Americans, drawn from all corners of life, all speaking to us directly, telling us of their memories, adventures, regrets, dreams, and hopes.

How do we find meaning and happiness as we age? A remarkable group of Americans—including a big-city Mayor, an adventurer, a missionary, a Marine Corps general, as well as athletes, philanthropists, factory workers, nurses, and teachers—discuss their thoughts and feelings about growing older.

They show rather than tell how to age with authenticity, vitality, and hope. The resulting book is many things: a series of reflections on growing older; a store of insight and instruction; a sustained argument for the power of choosing, no matter the circumstance, to live well.

Available at Amazon. For more info, visit fromworkingtowisdom.com.

Brendan Hare, author.

April 2015 - 27

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It’s A Green Day in this Neighborhood Sunday, April 19 – Fred Rogers Center, St. Vincent College Westmoreland Earth Day brings together environmental organizations and the community to heighten environmental awareness and increase citizen involvement. Join in the fun, 11 am - 4 pm, at the Fred Rogers Center, St. Vincent College Campus. Daylong events include: climbing wall, trolley rides, and a petting zoo.

Gardening in this Neighborhood 12:00 - 12:30 – Pollinators in this Neighborhood - Room A 1:30 - 2:00 – Composting in this Neighborhood - Room A

Photo from the Lynn Johnson Collection, Ohio University Libraries.

28 - April 2015

3:00 - 3:30 – Rain Gardens in this Neighborhood - Room A Energy in this Neighborhood 12:30 - 1:00 – TBD - Room B 2:00 - 2:30 – Solar Energy in this Neighborhood - Room B Nature in this Neighborhood 1:00 - 1:30 – Nature Photography in this Neighborhood Room C 2:30 - 3:00 – Neighborhood Nature - Room C How Did Westmoreland Earth Day Begin?

In 2002, a group of environmental organizations gathered to create an event that would engage the surrounding community in their many activities. The result was Westmoreland Earth Day, a family focused event now in its thirteenth year. Westmoreland Earth Day brings together organization and companies to demonstrate and share information and activities with the community. These exhibitors are representatives of non-profit groups, state and fed-

eral organizations and local businesses all working to protect, restore and enhance the environment in your area!

What is the History of Earth Day? The first official Earth Day Celebration took place on April 22nd 1970 and an estimated 20 million people participate nationwide. Performances, speeches, rallies, marches and parades happened in various cities around the country. Former US Senator, Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin is credited with being the founder of Earth Day. Each year since the initial day of celebration in 1970, Earth Day has been officially recognized on April 22nd. ***** Volunteers and exhibitors are needed. For more information: call 724-537-4571 or email: beth.bollinger@email.stvincent.edu www.westmorelandearthday.org LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

What Is the National Food Policy?

A November 2014 op-ed piece in The increases in consumption of other highthe article’s message that the current food Washington Post entitled “How a National calorie drinks.” Furthermore, in 2010, forsystem has caused “incalculable damage” Food Policy Could Save Millions of Amerimer New York City mayor Michael Bloomremains alarming. can Lives” makes the case for President berg stated that “an extra 12 cents on a can Whether or not to pass our own tax on Obama to sign into law an executive order of soda would raise nearly $1 billion,” which junk food and soda in the U.S. has been the establishing a national food policy for suggests that government officials expect subject of much debate in recent years. managing the nation’s food system as a people to continue buying soda despite the Some say it’s deceitful to suggest that a tax whole. tax. on sodas is necessary to curb obesity and Authored by food writers Mark Bittman Even though passing a soda tax has proType 2 diabetes when numerous other unand Michael Pollan, along with Union of ven to be controversial, The Washington healthy options like sugary caffeinated Concerned Scientists’ Ricardo Salvador and Post op-ed clearly points out the federal beverages, candy, ice cream, fast food and United Nations Special Rapporteur on the government’s contradictions concerning video games that promote sedentary Right to Food, Olivier De Schutter, the opfood. Existing federal guidelines for the behavior would still be widely available. A ed states that because of unhealthy diets, a U.S. diet, known as MyPlate, recommend 2009 study published in the Journal of third of our kids will develop Type that half the food we eat should 2 diabetes—a preventable disease be fruits and vegetables, yet that was formerly rare in children. these foods are granted less than “Type 2 diabetes is a disease one percent of farm subsidies. that, along with its associated Meanwhile, more than 60 effects, now costs $245 billion, or percent of subsidies go toward 23 percent of the national deficit corn and other grains. The rein 2012, to treat each year,” the sult, the op-ed states, is the authors note. “The good news is “spectacle of Michelle Obama that solutions are within reach— warning Americans to avoid precisely because the problems high-fructose corn syrup at the are largely a result of government same time the president is signpolicies.” The authors cite Brazil ing farm bills that subsidize its and Mexico—countries they conproduction.” sider “far ahead of the United ***** States in developing food policies”—as examples for positive CONTACTS: Michael Pollan, www. change: “Mexico’s recognition of The federal government’s MyPlate guidelines recommend that about half of michaelpollan.com; Mark Bittman, food as a key driver of public the foods we eat should be fruits and vegetables, but critics point out that www.markbittman.com; Olivier De health led to the passage last year upwards of 60 percent of our farm subsidies go towards corn and other grains. Schutter, www.srfood .org; Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa of a national tax on junk food and Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture. .org; MyPlate, www. choosemyplate soda, which in the first year has .gov. reduced consumption of sugary beverages Public Economics suggests that soft drink EarthTalk® is produced by Doug Moss & Roddy by 10 percent and increased consumption taxation leads to a moderate reduction in Scheer and is a registered trademark of Earth of water.” soft drink consumption by children and Action Network Inc. View past columns at: While the White House has not responadolescents; however “this reduction in www.earthtalk.org. Or e-mail us your question: earthtalk@emagazine.com. ded in any way to the suggestion thus far, soda consumption is completely offset by

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Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 29

The Dingle Way

A Story of Renewal and the Bonds of Brotherhood

by Cameron Plese

I hadn’t seen my oldest brother, Conor, in more than a year; and I was desperate for an adventure. Together those facts spurred a crazy idea that would lead to one of the greatest experiences we have ever had together.

Conor and I decided to meet up in Ireland to walk the Dingle Way Trail.

The trail traverses mountainsides, passes through farms and pastures, and hugs sheer cliffs as it wraps all the way around the coast of the Dingle Peninsula in southwest Ireland.

We caught up on each other’s lives over a couple of creamy pints and golden shots, and really planned our walk for the first time. Without maps to guide us, we nervously jumped out of bed the next morning, slung our heavy bags over our backs, and began walking. Luckily for us, small posts every mile or so pointed us in the right direction. We were off on the first of nine legs of the walk as we happily stumbled through strikingly green scenery, balanced over small creek crossing bridges, and stood in awe at the vast number of sheep along our path (as well as the endless droppings they left behind). Over the next few legs, sheep became less of a novelty and more of an annoyance as we hopscotched over sheep poop that layered the trails.

We set up camp under the ruins of Minard Castle alongside traveling families from Slovenia, Belgium, and Wales. After camp was set up, we climbed over the large pile of rocks that hid the cold ocean water, took off our shoes, and finally found relief for our aching feet. As night fell, our new Welsh friends made us fresh seaweed burgers from seaweed gathered near our camp. We awoke the next morning to offers of coffee and breakfast from our caravan traveling neighbors.

On our way to Dingle we emerged from the breathtakingly beautiful Conor Pass, a long narrow pass through 30 - April 2015

the heart of the peninsula, and feasted our eyes on the small town. The Dingle Brewery happened to be the first establishment one sees when entering the town. The cold, golden lager brewed with the fresh well water flowing beneath the brewery was the best beer either of us had ever had. From there we found our one and only indoor accommodation of the trip that had showers. Oh, the showers felt so good.

Eventually, after much scrubbing, we were ready to hit the town. Dingle is one happening place.

After a wild night night in Dingle we marched on to Dunquin, a small village on the North Western tip of the peninsula. On our way we passed shear, stunning cliffs dropping into the ocean, historic houses in remembrance of the famines, and even a friendly donkey that popped its head out of the brush to say hello. We hit the first pub we saw in Dunquin ready for a pint and some food. We were served our pint, but then informed the kitchen was closed. The server recommended the nearest restaurant which she said was very good. The only prob-

lem being that it was about five miles away and closed in about thirty minutes. Beers were empty within a minute as we suited up and prepared to run. With heavy packs weighing us down, the smell of sweat surely emanating from us, we rushed into the doors of the restaurant just before closing and practically begged to be seated.

The begging was far from necessary as the staff were extremely friendly and accommodating – especially for a couple of walkers hobbling into a fancy seaside restaurant. After we finished demolishing the delicious lamb sausages, the owner showed us where to set up camp for the night. It was the perfect place to set up camp, and possibly the best night sleep we had, as the waves crashed against the rocks and lulled us to sleep.

Waking up refreshed, we had a quick breakfast and continued on. At this point, we had just one more day of flat walking before traversing one of Ireland’s tallest mountains, Mt. Brandon. The rain came as we entered our destination, Feohanagh, a lovely little seaside village. Soaked, we

Pictured left to right, the author Cameron Plese and his brother, Conor.

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popped into a small restaurant for seafood stew, a pint, and some heat.

Sufficiently dry and ready to find a place to set up camp, we started out the door when a man stopped us. He offered to leave the restaurant to drive us. The Irish people are incredible! He took us to a small hotel and pub and assured us they would be willing to help us. In fact, they insisted on us setting up in the garden behind the hotel, offered us a place to shower, and recommended returning for a pint once we were settled.

The next morning, we were off to tackle the mountain. The ascent began with ease. The ground was relatively dry, the slope was mild, and the top appeared to be in sight. However, our eyes were deceived. As we came over the hill toward what we thought was the summit, the real peak emerged, hidden much higher behind thick clouds. The trail was no longer clearly marked, and the solid ground was replaced by thick mud, steep inclines, and wet rocks. We took a few pictures from the summit but we couldn’t stay too long to enjoy our triumph. The wind was powerful, and we had a long descent ahead of us. Climbing down the steep, slippery, muddy mountain turned out much more treacherous than the climb. A storm was approaching, so we made our way to the nearest seaside pub in Brandon. In fitting fashion, the campground we happened upon was behind yet another pub. Four French soldiers that had been walking the Dingle Way alongside us for a few days were celebrating passing their officers exEvery Story Begins At Home.

ams and insisted we help them celebrate. It would have been rude for us not to join them and buy them some whiskey, right?

Before arriving at our destination of Castlegregory from Cloghane, seven miles of the walk took us along Ireland’s longest sandy beach. Although the idea of a long walk on the beach sounded like a great reprieve, the combination of substantial rain, soft sand, and heavy packs slowed our pace and gave us reason not to include long beach walks on our dating profiles. In the windy town of Fahamore, we hid from the rain to enjoy more beer, hot wings, some hot coffee, and dry conditions. After the warmth of the food, drinks, and the kind locals in the pub, we layered up in our waterproof gear and continued our walk to Castlegregory to set up our tent for the last time.

Upon our arrival in Castlegregory, two German walkers invited us to join them for some pizza and a few pints.

Castlegregory is very fitting to its name. Each building has walls that resemble those on the old castles we had been seeing. Narrow streets lit up by small lanterns were lined with pubs playing host to local musicians and provided a comfortable final stop. We camped next to our French soldier friends in a large open field just beyond the town.

The final stretch featured more narrow bridges over slowly flowing creeks, passes through farms, walks along a beach, quiet roads through old villages, lots of sheep, and some more familiar sites serving as reminders of

where we had been as we once again reached Camp, Ireland. We spent our last night camped behind another pub and attempted to make dinner on a temporary grill we bought from the gas station. It did not quite work as advertised, but with lighter fluid and determination, we cooked up a decent chicken meal. Decent, not good, but it is the most memorable meal from the entire trip. While it was nowhere near the best food we’d had on our trip, we worked hard to create it, and nothing would stop us from enjoying it. Not even our incessant laughter at the failed attempts of a couple city boys “roughing it.”

That final meal summed up our entire journey. We had no idea what we were doing, but we made it work, and had the time of our lives. The point was to spend time together and have an adventure. It was hard and frustrating at times, and sometimes we wanted to give in to the pain and find a taxi. However, with a brother to lean on when one was limping or carry both packs when the other was hurt, nothing could stop us. The beers to dull the pain helped too. It really was the trip of a lifetime, filled with unforgettable memories and a lot of new friends. The Dingle Way Trail is one of the most breathtaking places we have ever seen, and we both feel so lucky to have struggled through it together. ***** Cameron Plese is a M.A. Candidate in Sustainable International Development at The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University.

April 2015 - 31

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The cover letter is used to introduce yourself and to briefly explain your qualifications to a prospective employer. The purpose of the cover letter is to arouse the employer’s interest and gain his/her attention to your application for employment. A cover letter should always accompany your resume when applying for a position.

The cover letter should highlight the information included on your resume. It should not duplicate information on your resume word for word.

9 Tips on Writing An Effective Cover Letter 1. The letter should be typed on quality paper that matches the color of your resume. If sending electronically, include the cover letter in the text of your email and attach the resume, unless instructed otherwise.

2. Always address the letter to the appropriate individual by name and professional title. If you are not able to obtain a name, address it to the apparent job title of the individual receiving your application, “Dear Human Resources Director,” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”

3. Mix up how you start each sentence and avoid beginning every sentence or paragraph with the word “I.” 4. Attract the employer’s attention by beginning your cover letter with a strong statement. Many employers receive hundreds of applications and you want yours to be one that is remembered. To do this, develop a bridge or common bond between yourself and the employer. Tell how you learned of the company/organization and/ or the vacancy. The best introduction to a potential employer is to remind him/her of the face-to-face or telephone conversation you have already had relative to your job search or to mention that you have heard about the job vacancy from a friend or other contact that works for the organization.

5. Tell why you are interested in the employer. Indicate what you can do for the continued on page 45 Reprinted with permission from Career Services, University of North Crolina at Chapel Hill. (http://careers.unc.edu) 919.962.4481

Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 33

APRIL-MAY COMMUNITY CALENDAR “April prepares her green traffic light and the world thinks Go.”

through 4/19/2015 Artists of the 21st Century Student Art Exhibition Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley One Boucher Lane & Route 711 South, Ligonier, PA 15658 724.238.6015. sama-art.org SAMA’s annual student art exhibition will return this spring with shows at the Ligonier Valley and Loretto museums. The exhibitions feature hundreds of works created by students in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties. Open to schools that participate in SAMA’s Museum/School Partnership Program, the exhibition offers children an opportunity to see their artwork professionally hung in a gallery. through 5/30/2015 Imagine Nation Open Studio Westmoreland Museum of American Art @rt 30 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. wmuseumaa.org Every Saturday & Sunday from 12:30-5 PM, children of all ages and their favorite adult can stop by the Museum and create their own art in the studio! There is a different art project featured each week. through 12/18/2015 Paint and Sip Liz Jones Arts 201 Fairview Ave., Connellsville, PA 15425 724.455.3699 Art and Wine every Friday at 6:30 PM— unlike other Paint and Sip places, each person attending can choose their own project every time, rather than having to all do the same one! Light refreshments are available... BYOB/ $20 person/ All credit cards and cash accepted. through 4/11/2015 Stone House Idol Kick Off! Historic Stone House Restaurant 3023 National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437 724.329.2020 stonehouseinn.com Join us for our 2nd Annual Stone House Idol.

Every Saturday at the Stone House. Stone House Idol Finale will be held on April 11th, 2015 at Jim Shorkey Kia. through 5/27/2015 Weekly Playgroup SeaBase Family Fun Center 770 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.838.8887. seabasefun.com Join us Wednesday mornings at 11 for weekly playgroup! Ideal for ages 2-5. Free with admission! through 4/19/2015 Someday is Now: The Art of Corita Kent The Andy Warhol Museum 117 Sandusky St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 412.237.8300. warhol.org This is the first full-scale survey covering more than 30 years of work by the American artist, 34 - April 2015

– Christopher Morley, John Mistletoe

Corita Kent (1918-1986). In her rich and varied career, she was a designer, teacher, feminist, and activist for civil rights and anti-war causes. Her thousands of posters, murals, and signature serigraphs reflect these combined passions for faith and politics. Kent became one of the most popular graphic artists of the 1960s and ’70s, and her images remain iconic symbols that address the larger questions and concerns of that turbulent time and continue to influence many artists today.

4/1/2015 Facts or Fools?

Fort Ligonier, 200 South Market Street, Ligonier, PA 15658. www.fortligonier.org 7:00 - 8:30 PM - Find the myths and mistakes during this unique, fun "April Fool's Day" tour experience, where the objective is to determine the truth - or be a fool! Call 724-238-9701 to make your reservation. $8 per person. (Recommended for those 21 and older.)

4/1/2015 to 4/26/2015 Pop-Up Exhibition Adrienne Heinrich & Brian Geary Westmoreland Museum of American Art @rt 30 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. wmuseumaa.org Experience works by southwestern Pennsylvania artists in monthly Pop-Up Exhibitions at Westmoreland @rt 30, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art’s temporary location during a major renovation and expansion project. April’s featured Pop-Up Exhibition artists are Adrienne Heinrich & Brian Geary. Admission is free and coincides with museum hours, Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

4/2/2015 to 4/4/2015 Jesus Christ Superstar The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org Jesus Christ Superstar is a 1970 rock opera, whose music was composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and whose book and lyrics were written

by Tim Rice. The musical is loosely based on the Gospels’ accounts of the last week of Jesus’s life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion.

4/3/2015 to 4/25/2015 Blues Brothers Tribute Morguen Toole Company 130 Center St., Meyersdale, PA 15552 814.634.9900 morguentoole.com We traded in the Cadillac for a microphone in an attempt to beat the winter blues! Every Friday and Saturday evening in April, Morguen Toole Company will be the “sweet home” for our very

own Blues Brothers Tribute! Our first floor event space will be a haven for bass guitar riffs, brassy notes of saxophone jazz, and the upbeat sound of the nostalgic blues music. Doors will open promptly at 5:30 with show starting at 7 pm.

4/3/2015 Brothers Kelly Four Seasons Brewing Company 745 Lloyd Ave. Ext, Latrobe, PA 15650 . fsbrewing.com Brothers Kelly is an Acoustic Rock Trio playing songs from Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Amos Lee, Tom Petty, the Beatles, Weezer, Social Distortion and many more.

4/4/2015 Easter Egg Hunt - Keystone State Park Keystone State Park's annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place at the beach area and is for children 12 years of age and younger. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at the beach house. The Easter Bunny will be here for hugs and photos! Don't forget your Easter basket! Fee is $4 per child and exact change is required. Contact: Pam McQuistian, (724) 668-2566, pmquistia@pa.gov 4/4/2015 Breakfast with the Easter Bunny Stone House Restaurant & Country Inn 3023 National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437 724.329.2020. stonehouseinn.com Bring the whole family to have breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the Stone House. Menu and activities to be announced.

4/4/2015 Woods Family Band Four Seasons Brewing Company 745 Lloyd Ave. Ext, Latrobe, PA 15650 . fsbrewing.com The WOODS FAMILY BAND consists of Tim Woods, Derek Woodz & Ryan Woods.

4/5/2015 Easter Brunch at Nemacolin Nemacolin Woodlands Resort 1001 Lafayette Dr., Farmington, PA 15437 724.329.8555 nemacolin.com This Easter, gather your baskets and head to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for a new tradition.

Join Nemacolin for our annual Easter Brunch from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. Reservations are required.

4/5/2015 Easter Sunday SeaBase Family Fun Center 770 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.838.8887 seabasefun.com Easter Sunday Special Holiday Hours with an egg hunt at 1!

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

4/5/2015 Easter Family Style Stone House Restaurant & Country Inn 3023 National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437 724.329.2020. stonehouseinn.com Family Style Easter Dinner, menu to be announced.

4/7/2015 Westmoreland Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Tim Murphy University og Pittsburgh-Greensburg Campana Auditorium, 150 Finoli Drive, Greensburg. (724) 850-7312 The public is invited to attend this free Town Hall Forum. Come with your thoughts on: securing the border, fixing the VA, national security, cutting spending, the 'war on coal', growing jobs and Obamacare updates.

4/8/2015 Business After Hours - DiSalvo’s Station 325 McKinley Avenue, Latrobe, PA 15650 www.disalvosresaurant.com. 724-539-0500 Join the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Community Chamber of Commerce at 5:05 pm. The networking FUN continues in April with our wildly popular Business After Hours presented by First Commonwealth Bank! Join us at this month's beautiful venue - DiSalvo's Station Restaurant in Latrobe, and enjoy Happy Hour DRINK SPECIALS, delicious appetizers and lots of great networking!

Business cards are highly encouraged; NO extra marketing material is permitted.

Meet the representatives from that evening's Spotlight Tables and have your Business Card stamped for a chance to win some AWESOME prizes: Saint Vincent Theater Department, Bedding Warehouse, Aflac and BNI Laurel Leaders.

All Chamber Members AND Guests are Welcome! Register at (724) 537-2671 or gllv.org 4/9/2015 Nature Book Club: Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, PA 15650 724.537.5284. wpnr.org In his groundbreaking work about the staggering divide between children and the outdoors, journalist and child advocate Richard Louv directly links the absence of nature in the lives of today’s wired generation to some of the most disturbing childhood trends: the rise in obesity, attention disorders, and depression. This is the first book to bring together a body of research indicating that direct exposure to nature is essential for healthy childhood development and for the physical and emotional health of children and adults. More than just raising an alarm, Louv offers practical solutions to heal the broken bond.

4/9/2015 to 4/10/2015 Pitt-Greensburg Chorale & Chamber Singers University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg 150 Finoli Dr.724.836.7120. greensburg.pitt.edu The Pitt-Greensburg Chorale and Chamber Singers will perform their spring concert, “Pop Stars, Rach Stars.” This collection of popular music, past and present, will include familiar opera choruses, a splash of Rachmaninoff, and contemporary hits featuring the music of Lady Gaga and Meghan Trainor.

Every Story Begins At Home.

4/9/2015 The Lennon Sisters The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org The sweet-voiced harmonizing quartet of sisters Diane (DeeDee), Peggy, Kathy and Janet shot to fame as “America’s Sweethearts of Song” after a well-received debut on Lawrence Welk’s Christmas TV special in 1955. Their natural vocal talents, wholesome image and strong family values, made them naturals to join Welk’s “show family” of featured entertainers on his popular CBS musical variety show where they stayed for 13 years until 1968. Today, the famed family group consists of an equally talented sibling trio, Kathy, Janet and Mimi. Sisters Diane and Peggy retired from performing years ago; youngest sister Mimi shares the vocal spotlight and audience applause. “Even during our many years performing in Branson, any time one of the sisters couldn’t make a show, it was Mimi who would fillin for concerts,” Kathy said. “So she is a natural talent for joining the family tradition.” During their 55-year career, The Lennon Sisters have performed for seven U.S. presidents. They have recorded several studio albums, which featured their interpretations of popular American standards and highlight their hits including “Tonight You Belong to Me” and “Sad Movies (Make Me Cry).” In the 1980s, they worked together to pen a memoir titled “Same Song, Separate Voices,” not only detailing their career accomplishments, but also the personal challenges they faced after their father’s tragic death after he was shot by an obsessed fan of his famous daughters. In 1987, The Lennon Sisters were awarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

4/10/2015 2014-2015 Classic Film Series: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory State Theatre Center for the Arts 27 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401 724.439.1360 statetheatre.info Play a crazy game at every movie sponsored by The Herald Standard for a chance to win prizes!

4/10/2015 FREE Oral Cancer Screenings - Dr. Learn 8 am to Noon. 5927 State Route 981, Suite 1.

APRIL IS ORAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH! This even will be open to the public, and walkins will be welcomed and taken on a first come first serve basis. Appointments can be scheduled ahead of time to ensure your time and will take priority. Contact the office to reserve your time at 724-537-3314.

4/10/2015 Children’s Book Festival of Johnstown Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center 411 Third Ave., Johnstown, PA 15906. 814.262.0732 thelearninglamp.org The three-day festival is free and is geared to children in grades Pre-K through 6. Designed to bring books alive in an impactful and lasting way, the festival features performances by nationallyknown, award-winning authors, illustrators and storytellers.

4/11/2015 Westmoreland Cultural Trust Presents BATTLE of the BANDS Come on over to The Palace Theatre from 7-11 pm to celebrate spring with a night of live music and local bands; it’s never too early to start thinking about the sounds of summer that are just around the corner. Battle of the Bands is a brand new fundraising event supporting Westmoreland April 2015 - 35

Vernon Realty Ad - page 1

36 - April 2015

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Vernon Realty Ad - page 2

Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 37

Cultural Trust. Local bands will compete on stage at The Palace Theatre for two spots in our 15 week T.G.I.S. concert series. You, the audience, will have the power to vote your favorite band into the finals, and into the winning two spots.

Loosen your tie, let your hair down; and enjoy a great night of music, cocktails and concessions which will be available in our Megan’s Suite.

Tickets can be purchased online NOW or by phone. $10 general admission / $15 ticket at the door. For more information, 724.836.1123 x10 or www.westmorelandculturaltrust.org Scheduled to Appear: Jessica Saenz , The Laurals , Vertigo , Supper Break String Band, Supermoon, County Line Collision, J. McCall Band, JWP, Xavier in the Doghouse

4/11/2015 to 4/12/2015 Rafting Kick-off Weekend Wilderness Voyageurs 103 Garret St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470. wilderness-voyageurs.com Are you ready to put the epic winter behind you? Celebrate spring with an intense adrenaline weekend that starts on the Lower Yough on Saturday, and rallies for the spectacular Cheat River Canyon in nearby West Virginia on Sunday.

In between, get into great food and a Saturday night party of live music, dancing, and microbrews at Falls City Pub in Ohiopyle. Check out the Kickoff Weekend details (and Cheat Canyon size savings of $100 per person!)

16th. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and vendors will serve until 8:30 p.m. Please call for information, and for ticket sale locations. Tickets are $30 for LV Historical Society members and $35 for non-members. (724) 238-6818. tgrohall@compassinn.org 4/16/2015 Spring Daisy Paint and Pour Stay Inn Latrobe 905 Mission Rd., Latrobe, PA 15650 412.601.0706. stayinnlatrobe.com Classes are only $30 and are sure to fill your evening with fun and inspiration!

4/16/2015 Westmoreland Jazz Society: Kevin McManus and the Bone Forum Seton Hill University 100 Harrison Ave., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500 wmuseumaa.org Founded in 2005 by trombonist Kevin M. McManus, The Bone Forum is a Pittsburgh-based jazz trombone ensemble composed of five trombones and rhythm section. The group s repertoire draws extensively from the literature of the big bands and spotlights the music of Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, Buddy Rich and Charles Mingus.

4/11/2015 Beatty Road Clean Up Join the Nature Reserve and Mountain View Rotary at 9 am as we clean up Beatty Road. Meet for coffee and donuts at 8:30 a.m. at St. Vincent Gristmill. Please pre-register. (724) 537-4571

4/12/2015 River City Brass Band Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center 450 Schoolhouse Rd., Johnstown, PA 15904 814.269.7200. upjarts.org River City Brass performs a 56-concert series in eight different venues in Western Pennsylvania. In addition, the 28-piece ensemble tours extensively throughout the United States with more than 60 performances each year as a part of a community concert series, major symphony pops series, and arts festivals. From California to New York (as well as everywhere in between), River City Brass Band has delighted audiences with its signature style.

Every performance features both superb soloists and some lighthearted fun! Often called the “Boston Pops—In Brass,” the band’s extensive repertoire includes American tunes, Big Band swing and jazz, music from Broadway and Hollywood, classical and contemporary masterworks, and—of course—traditional marches. Sponsored by: Concurrent Technologies Corporation

4/11/2015 Art on the Vine Greensburg Art Center/Rowe Gallery 230 Todd School Rd., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.527.3761 greensburgartcenter.org An evening of tasteful delights at the Greensburg Art Center. Food pairings with wine from Greendance Winery, dessert by Sand Hill Berries, silent art auction by Greensburg Art Club.

4/15/2015 Tiny Wonder Time-”We Planted a Tree” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, PA 15650 724.537.5284. wpnr.org Nature play hour for children ages 2-4 with an adult. Will include a nature hike or outside activity (weather permitting), two interactive activities or experiments, a craft, and a story.

Online Registration Required.

4/17/2015 Springtime Botanical Class Lincoln Highway Experience 3435 Route 30 East, Latrobe, PA 15650 724.879.4241 lhhc.org Friday, April 17 we’ll gather at 7:00 pm pm to create a lovely terrarium. Floral designer Mary Jo Bullington will help us create our own Springtime project. Includes take-home arrangement. Special refreshments are included.

4/11/2015 The Tortoise and the Hare The Arcadia Theater 1418 Graham Ave., Windber, PA 15963 814.467.9070. arcadiatheater.net This classic tale is brought to you by the Coal Ala Bear himself. Come watch the Speedy Hare and the Slow Turtle Race their way to the finish line in this classic retelling of an old Fable. Your children will learn that “slow and steady can win the race.”

4/16/2015 GLLV Chamber Breakfast - Ligonier Ramada 216 W Loyalhanna Street, Ligonier PA 15658 www.ramada.com/ligonier 724-238-9545 Welcome in a NEW DAY with some NEW CONTACTS! Join us bright and early for a hot buffet breakfast, coffee, juice and of course, NETWORKING @ Ramada Ligonier. Our Guest Speaker is Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Bring your business cards to share with new leads (and for a chance to win a prize!)... and be prepared for your "45-second elevator pitch"!

Marketing material IS permissible to distribute at this event. $12.00/per person. Includes hot buffet breakfast, coffee and juices. Please RSVP/ Register: 724-537-2671 or online at gllv.org

4/18/2015 Fort Ligonier Opens for 2015 Season!

Fort Ligonier, 200 South Market Street, Ligonier, PA 15658. www.fortligonier.org (724) 238 - 9701 Saturday, April 18, marks the opening of Fort Ligonier's 2015 season! Lots of fun upcoming programs and events planned this year... kids summer camps, living history weekends and much more. Check the Events Calendar or Fort Ligonier for more information.

Fort Ligonier is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10.00am - 4.30pm and Sundays from 12.00pm – 4.30pm. Hours vary on Holidays.

4/11/2015 Remember When . . . Hats and Purses Were Required Attire?

11 am - 2 pm. 134 W. Madison Road, Madison, PA Westmoreland Historical Society, $15 for WCHS members, and $20 for all others. (724) 532-1935 x215 or janet@westmorelandhistory.org This very special program features two extensive vintage collections: the hat collection of Anne Marie Welty and the purse collection of Peggy Herron. Event includes a wine and mimosa cash bar and a light luncheon served at themed tables decorated by volunteers. A tour of the historic venue is also included.

4/11/2015 Introduction to Reflective Yoga & Writing Latrobe Art Center 819 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA 15650. 724.691.4864. latrobeartcenter.org or writelocal.org Bring your mind to stillness for reflective writing with Write Local. Build balance from the earth up. awarness from the inside out. Gently play with postures, balance, mindfulness, breath, attention, gratitude and kindness blended with time and prompts for reflective writing. Space is limited. Please register by April 3.

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4/16/2015 Tastes of the Town 2015 - Ligonier Sample the area's finest cuisine from local eateries. The Ligonier Valley Historical Society is sponsoring the annual "Tastes of the Town" at Antiochian Village & Conference Center on April

4/17/2015 Murder Mystery Dinner Stone House Restaurant & Country Inn 3023 National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437 724.329.8876. stonehouseinn.com Join us in our grand ball room as we host a Murder Mystery Dinner. Doors open at 6 (Cocktail Hour), Dinner and Theater at 7. $39.99 per person.

Benefits Alexandra’s Butterflies of Hope.

4/18/2015 Big Band Brass April in Paris & Rio The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, PA 15601 800.292.7222. thepalacetheatre.org River City Brass presents Big Band Brass April in Paris & Rio Your River City Brass presents the big band music of two contrasting composers, Duke Ellington and Tom Jobim, with Brazilian LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

guest singer Kenia, in this evening of hot jazz standards and cool Bossa Nova. Thrill to the sounds of April in Paris, The Girl from Ipanema, It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) and Aquarela do Brasil, in this evening of the best in big band and Latin music! $31, $26, $24, $2 Discount for Seniors and Students.

4/18/2015 Walk A Mile in Her Shoes St. Clair Park, Greensburg Blackburn Center: (724) 837-9540 Ext: 144, www.blackburncenter.org Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, the International Men's March to End Sexual Assault, Rape, and Gender Violence is scheduled for April 18th. Men are invited to walk a mile in women's shoes, in their regular footwear, or they may borrow high heels; women and children may participate. Fee is $5. Participants T-shirts while supplies last.

Registration: 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. Walk begins at 10 a.m. Registration is recommended by April 2nd to insure correct shoe size.

4/18/2015 Trout Opening Day - Keystone State Park Join us for the opening day of trout at Keystone State Park! Friends of the park will have a variety of food and beverages available for sale until 5 pm. There will also be chances to win prizes.

This Friends Group fund raiser has afforded the Friends the ability to hold other events at the park throughout the summer as well as help to make improvements at the park. (724) 668-2566 4/18/2015 Spring Thaw Wine Festival Glades Pike Winery 2208 Glades Pike, Somerset, PA 15501. southwestpassagewinetrail.com Featuring the wineries of the Southwest Passage Wine Trail. 814.445.3753 4/18/2015 Action for Animals Cash Bash Doors will open at 6 pm. Ticket price includes all-you-can-eat buffet and three numbers. No one under the age of 21 is admitted. Huber Hall, Latrobe. Registration: 724) 539-2544, www.afa.petfinder.com/~PA60/.

Every Story Begins At Home.

4/18/2015 Volunteer Open House Westmoreland County Historical Society Potential volunteers 17 and older are invited to an open house 10 am to noon at Historic Hanna's Town. Morning refreshments will be served at 9:30 am prior to the meeting. Positions are available in the gift shop and as tour guides. (724) 532-1935 Ext: 212 4/18/2015 The Joan Chambers Concert Series University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg 150 Finoli Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.7120 greensburg.pitt.edu The Joan Chambers Concert Series presents the Heinz Chapel Choir , the auditioned a cappella choir from the University of Pittsburgh. Under the direction of Dr. Susan Rice, it’s eclectic repertoire ranges from motets to jazz.

4/19/2015 1st Annual GLLV Sporting Clays Tournament Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, The Field Club and Shooting Academy. 321 Pike School Road, Markleysburg, Pa 15459. gllv.org The event will be a 100 target shoot at Nemacolin's Shooting Academy at The Field Club.

Participants can register individually or in squads of four by printing and returning the event flyer, or by contacting the Chamber's Event Office at 724-537-2671 ext. 103.

BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY! Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa is extending Special Room Rates for Saturday and Sunday (4/18 & 4/19 based on availability), as well as discounts at the Resort (Spa, Ziplines, etc.). To take advantage of these great discounts, contact Reservations at 866-344-6957.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Allen Martello at 724-537-2671 ext.

103 or allen@gllv.org.

4/19/2015 Westmoreland Earth Day St. Vincent College 300 Fraser Purchase Rd., Latrobe, PA 15650. westmorelandearthday.org Join local environmental and energy organizations as they share their time and expertise.

Environmental groups will connect you to your community and help you find the pieces of the environmental puzzle.

4/19/2015 "A Sailor Remembers the War in the Pacific" Baltzer Meyer Historical Society, 642 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Greensburg, PA 15601. 2-4 pm.

(724) 836-6915. baltzermeyer.pa-roots.com Join Baltzer Meyer Historical Society for a program "A Sailor Remembers the War in the Pacific. Speaker: Bob Maynes. From his diary and his memory Bob shares his experiences in the Pacific Theatre during the latter stages of World War II. 4/20/2015 Junie B. Jones State Theatre Center for the Arts 27 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401 724.439.1360 statetheatre.info Dear first-grade journal, Hooray, hooray!

Everyone should come see a great brand-new musical (that is a play all jumbled together with singing and dancing, i believe) - it’s all about me, Junie B. Jones! This is the bestest musical ever!

Love, (but not the mushy kind) - Junie B. Jones 4/21/2015 Paul Anka The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org By the ‘70s, Paul Anka’s success of “My Way” and a string of hits like “(You’re) Having My Baby” confirmed his status as an icon of popular music.

His later achievements as a recording artist included “Hold Me ‘Til the Morning Comes,” a hit duet with Peter Cetera in 1983, the Spanishlanguage album “Amigos” in 1996, and “Body of Work,” a 1998 duets album that featured Frank Sinatra, Celine Dion, Patti LaBelle, Tom Jones and daughter Anthea Anka. If this wasn’t enough, it was revealed upon its release in 2009, that Anka co-wrote Michael Jackson’s posthumous #1 worldwide hit, “This Is It,” which has further cemented his place upon the most prolific and versatile songwriters of any generation. Not one to

April 2015 - 39

rest on his laurels, Anka’s two most recent albums – “Rock Swings” and now “Classic Songs, My Way” – ingeniously featured songs originally created by some of the biggest rock performers of the day – as well as other established artists across several genres.

4/22/2015 Visitors Day – BNI Laurel Leaders 11:00 am - Wingate Hotel in Latrobe, PA. Would you like to learn more about Word of Mouth marketing and how it can grow your business? BNI Laurel Leaders welcome visitors to attend an information session and luncheon.

Please RSVP: www.bni-westernpa.com 4/23/2015 to 4/25/2015 Craft & Flea Market Bazaar Camp Harmony Summer Camp 1414 Plank Rd., Hooversville, PA 15936 814.798.5885 campharmony.org Do you have lots of things you need to get rid of after spring cleaning? Or maybe you’re a bargain hunter wanting to find some great deals on gently used items. If this is you, come to our Craft & Flea Market Bazaar! There is sure to be something fun for everyone!

4/24/2015 Neil Berg’s 101 Years of Broadway State Theatre Center for the Arts 27 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401. statetheatre.info 101 years of Broadway recreates the greatest moments from the finest shows of the century featuring the actual stars of shows such as The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Jersey Boys, Jesus Christ Superstar, and more. These amazing, Broadway performers light up the stage with songs from the hit shows in which they starred.

Neil Berg presents brilliantly revived arrangements of Broadway classics as well as thrilling numbers from Broadway’s newest hit shows. This show is a MUST SEE! 4/25/2015 Beach Party Boys The Arcadia Theater 1418 Graham Ave., Windber, PA 15963 814.467.9070. arcadiatheater.net The Beach Party Boys is a fun interactive show where audience members will get strapped into their Little Deuce Coupes at the beginning of each show and different aisle in the theater will be singing as loud as they can to push their injected Sting Ray, a 409, or a little Honda over the finish line. By the time the show ends, Fun Fun Fun audience members will be shaking it up on stage with the band while the audience tosses beach balls back and forth to one another.

4/25/2015 German Dinner Baltzer Meyer Historical Society, 642 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Greensburg, PA 15601. 2-4 pm.

(724) 836-6915. baltzermeyer.pa-roots.com Join the Baltzer Meyer Historical Society for a German Dinner!

• First seating : 4.00pm - 5:45pm • Second seating : 6.00pm - 7:30pm • Take-out meals : 4.00pm Cost: Adults - $10.00, Children 7 -12 years - $4.50 Under 6 years - Free. Tickets, 724.836.6915

Gear Swap & E-Cycling Wilderness Voyageurs 103 Garret St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470 724.329.5518 One person’s trash is another’s treasure! Bikes, paddles, rafts, kayaks, skis, roller skates, clothing ... any gear works!! All transactions will occur between the seller & the buyer, unless you don’t wish. Plus live music!

5/1/2015 Novel Art Benefit Auction 2015 Ligonier Valley Library, 724) 238-6451 A "Novel Art" benefit auction is being held May 1st at the Ligonier Valley Library. Participants must create an entry using discarded books, either your own or free books from the library.

Entries are due by April 18th. ligonierlibrary.org

4/25/2015 Irwin Car Cruise on Main Street Irwin Business & Professional Association PO Box 222, Irwin, PA 15642 724.864.3840 irwinborough.org Antiques, classics and muscles dominate the streets, as the proud owners of these beauts strut their stuff.

5/1/2015 December 63-A Frankie Valli Tribute Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center 450 Schoolhouse Rd., Johnstown, PA 15904 814.269.7200. upjarts.org The music of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons comes to life in this re-creation of a Frankie Valli concert experience. DECEMBER ’63 showcases all your favorite songs from Frankie Valli including the one of a kind classics that have been thrilling audiences for decades including everyone’s most popular singles from the musical The Jersey Boys.

4/25/2015 Paris Dreams The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, PA. 724.837.1850. thepalacetheatre.org The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra presents Paris Dreams featuring works by Haydn, Saint-Saëns and Ravel with guest pianist Louis Schwizgebel. Conducted by Artistic Director Daniel Meyer.

4/25/2015 to 4/26/2015 Poetry & Bookmaking Workshop Westmoreland Museum of American Art @rt 30 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601 wmuseumaa.org This immersive, artist and poet led, two-day workshop will combine poetry and book arts, including letterpress. You’ll explore the Museum’s collection for inspiration in writing Ekphrastic poetry and creating unique books. Attendees will also enjoy a letterpress demonstration and will be able to select glyphs and typefaces to use in their second book.

4/25/2015 to 4/26/2015 Art in Bloom Spring Art Show Ebensburg PotatoFest 200 South Center St., Ebensburg, PA 15931, 814.472.8414 The17th Annual Ebensburg Spring Art Show will take place April 25th & 26th at the Cambria County Courthouse in downtown Ebensburg. The show is open to anyone -amateur or professional, young or old - who would like to submit a piece of their work. Visit www.ebensburgmatinstreet.com for further info.

4/27/2015 Farmers Market Series Penn State Extension, Clarion County – 8 Grant Street, Clarion, PA 16214. extension.psu.edu Get geared up for the season by improving your marketing strategies! Customers are always looking for something new and different in the marketplace. Participate in up to three evening workshops on social media, market channel assessment, and market display to keep your business going strong. 6-9 pm Register by April 25: Extension Registration Support. 814-563-9388. Email: Extension Registration@ag.psu.edu Questions? Contact Juliette Enfield. 814-563-9388 or jse15@psu.edu

5/2/2105 Backyard Composting Workshop Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 9 am.. 744 Walzer Way. Latrobe, PA 15650. Fee: $10.00. (724) 8794020, nreese@westmorelandcleanways.org Learn how to transform kitchen and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment; great for gardeners and recyclers. Registration is required.

5/2/2105 Hannas Town Opening Day Historic Hanna's Town, 809 Forbes Trail Road, North of Greensburg. (724) 532-1935 Ext: 210 www.westmorelandhistory.org Historic Hanna's Town will open to the public for the 2015 season on May 2. In addition to site tours, special opening day activities will include an encampment in the fort by the Revolutionary War era Proctor's Independent Battalion Westmoreland County Pennsylvania; historic toys and games; planting in the tavern kitchen garden, and a full tea in the Klingensmith House.

Tea will be served on Saturday during seatings at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. A "full tea" will be served, which includes savories, scones, sweets, pastries and of course tea, for $20 per guest. Seating is limited and advance booking is a must.

In addition to tours, visitors can help with spring planting in the tavern's kitchen garden, and play with a variety of toys that were popular in early America. The Museum Shop will feature opening day specials.

Guided tours are $5 for adults, $4 for students/ seniors. Registration is required.

5/2/2015 Compass Inn - Opening Day Compass Inn Museum, 1382 Route 30 East, Laughlintown, PA 15655. 724- 238-4983 Hours: 11.00am - 4.00pm. Admission: $9.00 Adults, $8 Seniors (62+), $6.00 Students, Ages 5 and under free.

5/2/2015 to 5/3/2015 20th Annual Open House Weekend Glades Pike Winery 2208 Glades Pike, Somerset, PA 15501 814.445.3753. gladesspikewinery.com We’d like to offer a big ‘ol,”Thank You” to some of the best customers ever! So come in, grab your wine, and enjoy some food and music on us!

4/25/2015 40 - April 2015

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Jackson Monsour playing Saturday Tim & Stacey playing Sunday.

5/2/2015 National Postcard Week program with Brian Butko Lincoln Highway Experience, 3435 State Route 30 East, Latrobe, Pa 15650, www.lhhc.org Join Lincoln Highway Experience for National Postcard Week program with Brian Butko. Brian will also be signing books from noon to 1:00pm.

Cost: $7.00, Reservations: 724-879-4241 5/2/2015 to 10/31/2015 4th Street Market Irwin Business & Professional Association PO Box 222, Irwin, PA 15642 . irwinborough.org Vendors bring you the freshest produce this side of the farm, along with unique food and treats only found in Irwin.

5/2/2015 A Puppet Show Children’s Art Class Westmoreland Museum of American Art @30 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. wmuseumaa.org Create a story using your own characters and make it come to life with puppets, props and a stage. The production involves drawing, painting, constructing and theatrics. Before the class, take time to be creative and make up an original short story with two to four characters.

5/3/2015 Free Museum Day in the Ligonier Valley 10 am - 5 pm.

FREE ADMISSION to all the historic sites and museums in Ligonier Valley! These include: Compass Inn Museum, Fort Ligonier, Lincoln Highway Experience, Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum and Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art - Ligonier Valley and Antiochian Heritage Museum.

5/5/2015 to 5/6/2015 My Heart in a Suitcase Mountain Playhouse 7690 Somerset Pike, Jennerstown, PA 15547. mountainplayhouse.org “My Heart in a Suitcase” is ArtsPower’s compelling dramatic adaptation of Anne Lehmann Fox’s courageous auto-biographical account of her experiences as a 12-year old on the Kindertransport out of Germany. Beginning in December 1938, Anne and 10,000 other Jewish children fled Germany, without their parents, on the Kindertransport, afraid and uncertain of what the future would hold for them and the families they were forced to leave behind.

5/7/2015 Hand Rolled Beeswax Candle Workshop Series Summer Smiles Honey Farm 939 Horner Church Rd., Stoystown, PA 15563 814.525.0306 shop.summersmileshoneyfarm.com Workshops will be the 2nd Thursday of every month from February to July.

5/7/2015 Exploring the Small Farm Dream Slippery Rock University - SEA; 165 Elm Street Slippery Rock, PA 16057. extension.psu.edu Is starting an agricultural business right for you? Whether your vision includes making goat Every Story Begins At Home.

A postcard image probably from the 1930s shows the keystone marker at Lookout Point, Grand View, in the Allegheny Mountains. Perhaps the greatest oddity to be sighted on the Lincoln Highway in Pennsylvania (or perhaps along the entire Lincoln for that matter) was the S.S. Grand View Point Hotel. Clinging to the downslope side of the Lincoln as it crossed the Alleghenies, this five-story structure was remodeled to resemble a small ocean liner.

It featured a canvas-covered observation deck on the bow and on the fantail. Life preservers were attached to the life rails, and telescopes were positioned to sweep the terrain of three states and seven counties. Note the ship is in "full dress," naval parlance for pennants streaming from bow to stern.

Aboard was a gift shop and restaurant (another card in this collection depicts the maitre'd in nautical officer attire). And, for those who might be inclined to drink and drive, there was the Coral Room Bar and Lounge.

Also, overnight accomodations were available. (George Clark, LincolnHighwayAssoc.org)

cheese, selling cut flowers, or growing rare tomato varieties, this course will give you the tools to start making that dream come true.

Participants will discuss current opportunities in small-scale agriculture, explore objectives, assess personal and financial resources, conduct preliminary market research, and develop an action plan for pursuing their interests in food and farming. If you are thinking about starting a farm, this course is designed for you. This includes people thinking about full-time farming, farming part-time while continuing other employment, changing careers to start a farm, and/or developing an existing but informal farming pastime into a more serious business activity.

Register by April 20: Extension Registration Support, Phone: 814-563-9388, Email: Extension Registration@ag.psu.edu. Questions? Call Juliette Enfield, 814-563-9388; Email: jse15@psu.edu 5/8/2015 to 5/16/2015 Noises Off Ligonier Theatre: Home of the Valley Players of Ligonier 208 W. Main St., Ligonier, PA 15658 ligoniertheatre.com Performances: May 8, 9, 15, and 16 at 7 pm and May 10 and 17 at 2:30 pm 5/8/2015 to 5/9/2015 Perform-A-Thom at Mountain Playhouse Mountain Playhouse 7690 Somerset Pike, Jennerstown, PA 15547. mountainplayhouse.org The public will be invited to participate in and/ or watch a 24-hour performance marathon by signing up to show off their talents. All ages, groups, schools and talents welcome.

5/9/2015 City of Champions The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, PA 15601 800.292.7222 thepalacetheatre.org River City Brass presents City of Champions Pittsburgh is proud to be called ‘The City of Champions’, and rightly so! Here we celebrate the music of the ‘70s; the songs that were played in the golden age when our great teams won their famous trophies. You’ll hear your favorite team’s fight song remixed with hits by rock icons Chicago, The Rolling Stones, Phil Collins, The Carpenters, ABBA, Don McLean’s American Pie and Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger. Come and meet a Pittsburgh sports celebrity at every show! $31, $26, $24, $2 Discount for Seniors and Students 5/9/2015 Spring Nature Walk Bushy Run Battlefield, 1253 Bushy Run Road, Jeannette, PA 15644. bushyrunbattlefield.com Calling all walkers and runners! Come along to Bushy Run Battlefield, embrace their park and trails and do their annual Spring Nature Walk!

Join Bushy Run volunteers and nature enthusiasts Bob Learzaf & Dave Browning as they conduct this annual rite of spring! Explore the woodlands at Bushy Run Battlefield and learn about the various flora and fauna of Western Pennsylvania.

No registration is required. Bring sturdy, water resistant walking or hiking shoes and dress for the weather. (724) 527-5584 Time: 10:00am -1:00pm. Cost: Free for BRBHS members and $5.00 for non-members.

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5/9/2015 Antiques & Collectibles Sales at Historic Hanna's Town Historic Hanna's Town, 809 Forbes Trail Road, North of Greensburg. (724) 532-1935 Ext: 210 www.westmorelandhistory.org Antiques Lovers of antiques, collectibles and one-of-a-kind items will enjoy the Antiques & Collectibles Sales at Historic Hanna's Town. This longstanding community tradition brings together over 200 vendors in a quaint and historic setting and is western Pennsylvania's oldest show of its kind. The staff, volunteers and vendors strive to plan and promote an atmosphere of friendship, camaraderie and fun, along with good buying and selling opportunities.

The gate opens at 7:30 Sunday morning and the market continues through early afternoon, although many vendors are set up by 1:00 p.m.

Saturday and sell that afternoon. There is parking on site; admission is $3 per car. Parking revenues are divided equally between the Forbes Road Volunteer Fire Dept. and the Westmoreland County Historical Society who administers Historic Hanna's Town for Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation.

The selling vendors pay a fee to set up their wares at the Antiques & Collectibles with these proceeds benefiting the Historical Society's preservation and interpretation efforts at Historic Hanna's Town, site of the first English courts west of the Allegheny Mountains. The town was attacked and burned at the close of the Revolutionary War by a raiding party of Indians and their English allies. Historic Hanna's Town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Antiques & Collectibles is held the second Sunday of the month May through September. The public is cordially invited to browse for bargains, enjoy a variety of food booths and support local history preservation as well as a local fire department at the Antiques & Collectibles Sales at Historic Hanna's Town.

5/9/2015 Made in America Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center 450 Schoolhouse Rd., Johnstown, PA 15904 814.269.7200. upjarts.org

5/9/2015 May Mart & Opening Day at West Overton Village West Overton Museums, 109 West Overton Road, Scottdale, PA 15683, westovertonvillage.org Join West Overton Village for this great gardener's event! Featuring heirloom and hybrid tomatoes plus vegetable plants, annuals, perennials, herbs, unique houseplants, hanging baskets, Oglevee's geraniums and flowers for Mother's Day. Guests are invited to bring a plant and take a plant from the Swap Table. In addition to plant sales, there will be vendors selling pastries and fresh roasted coffee, hot chocolate or tea.

Admission is free. 724-887-7910 5/10/2015 Mother’s Day Brunch Stone House Restaurant & County Inn 3023 National Pike, Farmington, PA 15437 724.329.8876, stonehouseinn.com All you can eat menu, served family style to your table! Adults $25.99, Children 12 & under $12.99, Under 3 Complimentary. All prices plus 6% sales tax and 20% gratuity. Reservations are strongly recommended!

5/11/2015 to 5/15/2015 Skippyjon Jones Mountain Playhouse 7690 Somerset Pike, Jennerstown, PA 15547. mountainplayhouse.org Skippyjon Jones is a little kitten with big ears and even bigger dreams! Sometimes he pretends to be a bird, sometimes he pretends to be a llama, and sometimes he pretends to be a whale...

Anything BUT a Siamese cat!

5/14/2015 American Red Cross Blood Drive for National Nursing Home Week Mountainview Specialty Care Center will be holding a blood drive May 14th from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at 227 Sand Hill Road Greensburg PA to celebrate National Nursing Home Week.

5/15/2015 2014-2015 Classic Film Series: South Pacific State Theatre Center for the Arts 27 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401 724.439.1360 statetheatre.info Play a crazy game at every movie sponsored by The Herald Standard for a chance to win prizes!

5/16/2015 to 10/3/2015 Ligonier Country Market Corner of West Main St. & Springer Rd., Ligonier, PA 15658. ligoniercountrymarket.com The Ligonier Country Market is located on the Loyalhanna Watershed Farm near the intersection of West Main Street and U.S. Route 30 Ligonier, Pennsylvania (click here for map and directions).

We are pleased to be affiliated with the Loyalhanna Watershed Association and share their ideals about conservation and sustainability. It is our pleasure to provide a link to thier website http://loyalhannawatershed.org for more information about this organization that we heartily endorse.

Try growing your own herb garden at home.

42 - April 2015

5/16/2015 Spring Tea at Bushy Run Battlefield Bushy Run Battlefield, 1253 Bushy Run Road, Jeannette, PA 15644. bushyrunbattlefield.com Experience the beauty of Western Pennsylvania along with the pleasures of a lovely afternoon tea in the elegant Stone Room at Bushy Run Battlefield. On Saturday, May 16th from 1:00pm3:00 p.m. enjoy tea, hot chocolate, sandwiches, and pastries with family and friends.

The cost of this event is $18.00 per adult, $12.00 per child ages 6-12. Seating is limited, so this event is by reservation only. Call 724-5275584 to reserve a spot in this event.

5/16/2015 Spring Frolic Westmoreland County Courthouse, 2 N Main Street, Greensburg, PA. westmorelandhistory.org The Westmoreland County Historical Society invites you to join them for a 1940's themed Frolic! Westmoreland County Courthouse will be recreated into a USO WWII canteen. Dance to the music of a swing band, with guest appearance by "The Andrews Sisters", and buffet by The Supper Club.

Tickets: $70.00 for WCHS members, $80.00 for non-members. (724) 532-1935.

5/17/2015 "Good Intentions... Gone Terribly Wrong" Baltzer Meyer Historical Society, 642 Baltzer Meyer Pike, Greensburg, PA 15601. 2-4 pm.

Join Baltzer Meyer Historical Society for program "Good Intentions... Gone Terribly Wrong" Speakers: Rob & Lydia Myers In many cemeteries there are many headstones that have been irreparably damaged by people with the greatest intentions, who were simply trying to help. We Will look at some of these failed DIY attempts as well as damage caused by people who claim to be professionals. We will wrap up by looking at the preservation and restoration results that can be attained by a trained conservator.

5/20/2015 Americana Mini-Herb Garden Class Lincoln Highway Experience, 3435 State Route 30 East, Latrobe, Pa 15650. lhhc.org. 724-879-4241 Join Lincoln Highway Experience for an Americana Mini-Herb Garden class by Expert Gardener Mary Jo Bullington. As with all Mary Jo's classes, attendees will have a beautiful take-home.

Pre-registration required. Cost: $25.00 5/23/2015 Detachment of the 8th Regiment in Garrison at Fort Ligonier Fort Ligonier, 200 South Market Street, Ligonier, PA 15658. www.fortligonier.org (724) 238 - 9701 Visit Fort Ligonier to learn more about Garrison encampment, drills and musket firing demonstrations during the 18th century. ***** Please send all community calendar listings to: editor@laurelmountainpost.com.

We will do our best to consider your event based on available space and editorial review.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 43

Laurel Mountain Post Distribution Guide

Pick Up a Copy at Your Favorite Community Location!

The new Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Visitor & Information Center, located on Route 30 below Sharky’s Cafe, is the main hub for each new issue release. However, we will continue to distribute copies in your neighborhood at the following 300+locations: Derry Area Action for Animals Allison Chiropractic AmeriServ Financial Barkley's Derry King Building Bodeez Caldwell Library Chef Dato's Derry Medical First Commonwealth Bank Hansen & Torba - Dentists Jean Marie Flowers & Gifts Laundromat Mastrorocco's Market New Derry Municipal Authority Palombo's Restaurant S&T Bank State Farm Insurance Sugar Bears Sunoco Route 22 DELMONT Center for Rehab Svcs Chestnut Ridge Excela Ciggy’s Tobacco Cogo’s Delmont YMCS Execela Health PT Holiday Inn Express Hot Rod Lounge (Spaghetti House) Lamplighter Salem Plaza Laundry SuperCuts Three Rivers Six Pack Shop Wagonwheel Restaurant Watson Chevrolet EXPORT Artisita Salon Choice Gas Station Claire Bridge Memory Care Cozy Inn Murrysville Music Murrysville Rehab Pgh Chiropractic Restella Dance Studio MURRYSVILLE Eye Doc Aluring Designs Salon Chaye Coffee and Tea Dancer’s Closet Dean’s Fitness Dick’s Diner Dr. Abraham/Dr. Gill

Duff Park Info Center Eat n Park En V Salon Focus Hair Design Golden Living Ctr Healing Arts Bldg Hoss’s Walnut Shops Library Borough Building Nature Nails New Horizons Counselors Panera Panther Chiro pt Therapy S&T Bank Scott Medical Sportszone Standard Bank Starbucks SuperCuts UPMC Partners in Health Various Prof Agencies West Historical Society Yoga Flow Donegal/Jones Mills BP/McDonald’s - turnpike Brady’s Dairy Queen Days Inn Donegal Pharmacy Hardware Store Holiday Inn Express Honeybear Tall Cedars The Inn at Ligonier Sarnelli’s Greater Latrobe/Unity Twp Adams Memorial Library Arnold Palmer Regional Airport Barnes House Chestnut Ridge - Bursch Division Chicora's Chris Pakos, CPA Christ UC Church Coffee Bean Commercial Bank - Downtown Commerical Bank - Route 981 D’s Windy Cottage Dainty Pastry Denny's Doggie Divas Dunkin Donuts Eat n Park

Excela Health Quick Draw The Eyeglass Shoppe Fantastic Sam's Four Seasons Brewing Co. Gino's Pizza Gyno Associates Hanna Insurance Dr. Scott Hudimac Jerald Jewelers Joe's Store - Lawson Heights L&L Quik Lube Dr. Patrick Lally Latrobe Animal Clinic Latrobe Art Center Latrobe Hardware Latrobe Hospital & Little Shop Latrobe News Stand - Downtown Latrobe News Stand - Laurel 30 Laurel Highlands Village Latrobe Post Office Lincoln Highway Experience Loyalhanna Care Center McCarl Coverlet Gallery The Medicine Shoppe Drs. Mucci & Campfield, DDS My Fitness Kitchen Neighborhood Visitor & Info Ctr Pizza Siena ProAdjuster Chiropractic Roadman's Country Living Rose Style Shoppe Rusbosin's Furniture S&T Bank Sanctus Spa & Salon Scotty G's Senior Center Shop n Save SpringHill Suites St. Vincent College St. Vincent De Paul St. Vincent Gristmill Store Unity Township Building, Library UPMC Vascular Institute Valley Dairy - downtown Valley Dairy - Route 30 Vasco Federal Credit Union WCNS/Unity Building Westmoreland Federal Westmoreland Historical Society Wigs n More Wingate Greensburg Barnes & Noble

Courtyard by Marriott Café Barista Cellar Door Café Couture Salon Gateway Convenience Rt. 66 Getty’s Grill Greensburg Library Greensburg News Greensburg YMCA GV8 Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Jioio’s, Carbon Mr. Bones Rt. 66 Nature’s Way Old 66 Grill PC Connect Pizza Siena Ramada Inn Senior Life E. G’burg Shop n Save Sun Dawg Café Downtown The Medicine Shoppe Vittone’s Music Westmoreland Athletic Club Westmoreland Hospital White Rabbit Café Ligonier Valley A Touch of Grace Abigail's Coffee Amica BP Insurance Barb's Market - Rector Berkshire Hathway Carol & Dave's Roadhouse Celtic Culture Connections Cafe Darlington Inn Davies Real Estate Diamond Cafe Diamond Hair Cuts Equine Chic Excela Health First Commonwealth Bank Flavors Cafe Fox's Pizza Get Go Giant Eagle Gino's Howard Hanna Real Estate Laughlintown Pie Shoppe Ligonier Chamber of Commerce Ligonier Country Market (in season)

Second Chapter Books New and Used Books • Children’s Gifts Jewelry • Greeting Cards • Neat Stuff 139 East Main Street Ligonier, PA 15658

44 - April 2015

724-238-7933 fb.com/secondchapterbooks LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Ligonier Library Ligonier Outfitters/Newstand Ligonier Tavern Ligonier Valley Railroad Museum Ligonier Vallery Real Estate Loyalhanna Realty Mack M. Darr Main Exhibit Gallery Modern Elegance On the Diamond Antiques The Paper House Ramada Inn Rosalia Jioio's Little Italy Ruthie's Diner Scamp's Toffee Second Chapter Books Subway Thistledown/Bo Peep The Toy Box The Twisted Vine Vernon Realty Services Valley School of Ligonier Wicked Googly YMCA

NAME: ______________________________________ PHONE: ____________________

Laughlintown Compass Inn/Historical Society First Commonwealth Bank Ligonier Country Inn Pie Shoppe Washington Furnace Inn

APRIL 2015

Subscribe to the Laurel Mountain Post!

Complete and return this form, along with payment of $20, to reserve your monthly issue for home delivery!

ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________________ CITY: _________________________________ STATE: ______ ZIP: _________________ EMAIL: ________________________________________________________________ Check or money order payable to: Laurel Mountain Post 189 Fairview Lane Derry, PA 15627

New Alexandria BP - 819 crossroads First Commonwealth Grabiak’s Johna’s Hair Salon Kaufman's Chiropractic Keystone Pharmacy Keystone State Park Kids Care Pediatrics Library Quik Stop Sheetz

Mt. Pleasant Library Nino's Orourke Crystal Sandhill Berries Speedy Meedy's Vicky's Crossroads Volero Gas West Overton Deli West Overton Quilt Shop YMCA

Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival Loyalhanna Veterinary Clinic Main Street Wine Bar

Allegheny County Allegheny General Children's Hospital Downtown Hotels Manchester Bidwell Monroeville Library Pleasant Hills Library Strip District merchants Squirrel Hill businesses UPMC Hospitals: Monroeville, Presbyterian, Mercy, Shadyside, Hillman

Mt. Pleasant and Southern Westmoreland County Market Crystal Concepts The Frick Fun Services The General Store Herbalicious Kraisinger's Market Lenox Leo's Mericonda Beer Distributor Mount Pleasant Glass Museum

Youngwood - coming soon!

Cambria County (Johnstown) Comfort Inn & Suites Dancer’s Closet East Hills Family Pharmacy Holiday Inn - Downtown

Cover Letters, continued from page 33

employer rather than what the employer can do for you. You can combine this with your first paragraph when you are gaining their attention, or this can be a separate paragraph all on its own.

6. Use the center of your letter or next paragraph to arouse the employer’s curiosity by stating brief facts from your resume about your education, experience and accomplishments. Highlight your talents

Every Story Begins At Home.

Holiday Inn Express - Richland Nature's Habitat - Galleria The Sleep Inn Fayette County Adrian's - Hopwood Braddocks Inn Restaurant Chalk Hill Flea Market Miller’s Grocery Store Nemacolin Inn - Farmington Ohiopyle Falls Ohiopyle Pub Summit Hotel - Route 40 Indiana County BLAIRSVILLE Cokeville Produce Market Comfort Inn Dean's Diner Hampton Inn - Chestnut Ridge Senior Center Sheetz CLARKSBURG Shaulis Convenience Market INDIANA 119 Professional Center The Artist's Hand Book Nook The Coventry Inn Cucina Mia Diamond Drug

and particular points in your background that complement the type of job you are seeking. The employer will be looking for skills that you posses to benefit the organization.

7. Always thank the employer for their time and consideration.

8. Always sign your letter. If sending electronically, make sure you type “Sincerely” and print your name. An electronic signature is not expected.

9. Proofread to correct all spelling and

Downtown Indiana Association Hampton Inn Dr. Hilliard & Tarnoff Indiana Chamber of Commerce Indiana County Tourism Bureau Indiana Hospital Lobby Indiana Free Library Indiana University of PA Jimmy Stewart Museum Rustic Lodge Starbucks SALTSBURG exclusively at: Saltsburg Pharmacy Somerset County JENNERSTOWN Green Gables/Mtn Playhouse Our Coal Miners Cafe Three Rivers Dental SOMERSET AREA Comfort Inn Eat n Park Econo Lodge Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Express Mountain Craft Days Oakhurst Tea Room Sheetz (route 31) Somerset Family Eye Care Somerset Historical Center Summit Diner Quality Inn

punctuation errors. Both the cover letter and resume must be free of mistakes.

For more information, job listings, and resume tools, visit your local Pennsylvania CareerLink office, or www.pacareerlink.com.

PA CareerLink Westmoreland 151 Pavilion Lane Business & Industry Center Youngwood, PA 15697-1814 724-755-2330

April 2015 - 45

END NOTES

by Cathi Gerhard

Every 13 seconds someone in America suffers a brain injury. www.biausa.org

Oops, I Did It Again March was National Brain Injury Awarealone in their recovery,” explained ness Month. Even though I didn’t proZellmer. “And that those who have mote it ahead of time, I participated never heard of a TBI or don’t quite unin the “observance” just the same – I derstand “what” it is will gain a better suffered my second concussion while sense of understanding, and be able the month was roaring in like a lion. to show grace and compassion toDespite my best preventative efforts wards strangers they come across who (while wearing snow boots with ice just aren’t “quite right” and they don’t grippers), I slipped on the ice at the know why.” farm and landed on the back of my Grace and compassion are qualities head with a thunderous crack of lightI often “preach about” on these pages ening through my skull. All I could – hopefully with a good sense of selfthink about as I fell was “Oh no, not again!”

Photo Credit: imgkid.com In 2002, I got a bump on the head that seemed pretty insignificant at first, but by the time I got to the hospital, I could no longer write my name or find the correct words to speak in whole sentences.

Things quickly spiraled down from there, and it took almost eight years to really plateau in my recovery. Since then, I have written about my experiences with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and even given a few lectures about it. effacement. It’s hard to go from the The most difficult part is summing up perfectionist I was, to the person who what it feels like to be me – every day. always has to make excuses for falling On March 5, while taking a few short of the mark nowadays. As hard weeks off to rest my head in a darkas it has been for me to accept that I ened room and pray for a better outwill make mistakes every day, it’s even come this time, I read an article on harder to expect others to understand.

Huffington Post that finally found the All I can do is apologize (often) and right, concise words: “5 Things Evtry to fix things. That’s where the senery TBI Survivor Wants You To sitivity to grace and compassion come Understand” by Amy Zellmer. The in. I’ve learned to give others second first in a planned set of posts, she covchances, and be more understanding ers the basics: cognitive deficiencies, about “perfection.” There isn’t much fatigue, anxiety, chronic pain, and isoI can do about the fatigue and anxiety lation.

– except to retreat as they occur, and “My hope is that those who are come back out when things clear. struggling with a TBI will not feel 46 - April 2015

Chronic pain and headaches finally went away after eight years, but my back injury more than makes up for that – so it’s still on the master list, and will always be a problem.

We all have problems, but most of them are kept as secrets. No one walks around with a sign listing their personal issues: “abused,” “drowning in debt,” “addicted,” “going through a divorce,” “ill/wounded,” “grieving,” “insecure,” etc. What that we could, though, without fear of judgment? If only we could each have empathy for the conditions and circumstances of others, all the time?

My son faces this silent struggle every day with Crohn’s Disease.

It’s not a visible condition like a broken arm, but he is in pain every day – the degree determines his ability to perform. Most people don’t understand what it feels like to have the symptoms of stomach flu or food poisoning, all the time. Afterall, he looks OK on the outside.

Appearances drive our perceptions of reality, often down the wrong road.

Don’t forget to stop and ask for directions along the way. ***** Cathi Gerhard is the editor and publisher of the Laurel Mountain Post magazine. She has been working as a professional writer and advertising creative director for over 25 years and now lives on the family farm in Derry Township with her husband, Greg; two children, ages 24 and 16; and her mom, Carol.

“5 Things Every TBI Survivor Wants You to Understand” http://huff.to/1z1YZ9I

Visit LaurelMountainPost.com for a direct link to this article!

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Every Story Begins At Home.

April 2015 - 47

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