Laurel Mountain Post :: August 2014

ISSN 2330-6629

LAUREL MOUNTAIN

POST

now featuring the

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FREE

Homes of Westmoreland County

Play is the Summer Assignment Great Food, Great Atmosphere The Ligonier Chef Visits The Pier and Lupi & Leo’s

Empty Nest Syndrome Red Clover Carbs Are Not A Villain It’s the Little Things One Flew Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest August 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST, September 2013 - 1

2 - August 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Summer’s Legacy LAUREL MOUNTAIN

POST

The Laurel Mountain Post is an independent, monthly publication produced at Fairview Farm in 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 Megan Fuller, Managing Editor Gregory Susa, Co-Publisher & Circulation Manager Michelle White, Business Manager Carol Gerhard, Copy Editor Sales & Circulation: Jason Ament, Mary Carlson, Allison Carmichael, Nancy Clark, Gretchen Fuller, Scott King, Laurie McGinnis, Victoria Mull, Doug Richardson, Alice Susa, Gregory Susa, Robert Williams. Columnists: please use contact information provided at the end of each article or on our website.

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www.LaurelMountainPost.com Every Story Begins At Home.

“Sex is good, but not as good as fresh, sweet corn.”

– Garrison Keillor

August is never regarded for much. There are no holidays, special events or notable occasions. The eighth month of the year is simply the hot and hazy final stretch of summer vacation, promoted only for back-to-school sales – when trying on sweaters and jackets is truly unbearable.

I have an August birthday, and always received lots of wonderful new fall clothes as gifts. I tried them on in front of a box fan, set on high; then put them away in my closet for a much cooler day. The present I remember and anticipated most of all each year was from the field: sweet corn! Corn that was “knee-high by the Fourth of July” meant corn would be ready for my birthday dinner on August 5. If the Silver Queen was ripe for picking, it was even better for a Leo like me.

My mum spent countless August mornings in the sweet corn patch behind the barn, filling paper bags with dozens of ripe ears.

Friends and neighbors would arrive by noon to collect their share of the harvest, and Mum would spend the rest of the day coooking, cutting and freezing corn for winter. To her, fresh means within a few hours of picking - no sitting around for days, even in a refrigerator. I stayed close by, grabbing an ear from each platter – eating them smothered in butter and salt, or sometimes just plain. I looked like a squirrel on a typewriter. And I will admit that I still eat sweet corn that way, in the privacy of my own home.

While tomatoes are the star of most home gardens, sweet corn reigns in mine. The Texas A&M Extension service calls sweet corn “As American As Apple Pie.” Today’s sweet corn can be traced back to prehistoric Peru. It hybridized somewhere in Guatemala, and was carried by various tribes into southwestern America, spreading north and east. The Iroquois gave the first recorded sweet corn (called Papoon) to European settlers along the Susquehanna River in 1779.

Interestingly, the last war chief and diplomat of the local Seneca tribe was John Abeel, Jr., called “Cornplanter” (known as Gaiänt'wakê (Gyantwachia - “the planter”) or Kaiiontwa'kon (Kaintwakon - "By What One Plants") in the Seneca language. He was half-white (father), half-Seneca (mother) and was given a land grant of 1500 western Pennsylvania acres in 1789 (formally adopted in 1791) for his treaty work follwing the Revolutionary War. The entire local Seneca tribe became known as “Cornplanters.”

“Cornplanter had been commissioned by [George] Washington to work for peace–which he did zealously and religiously.”1 He then worked with Quakers to bring farming to the Seneca. With their guidance, Cornplanter’s community became a model: with roads, good houses, fences, plowed fields, and cattle.

“We wish our children to be taught the same principles by which your fathers were guided. Brothers! We have too little wisdom among us, and we cannot teach our children what we see their situation requires them to know. We wish them to be taught to read and write, and such other things as you teach your children, especially the love of peace.”2 Over the years, Cornplanter’s community slowly migrated north to the larger Allegany Reservation in New York. In 1964, everything remaining was torn down and burned to make way for the Kinzua Dam Project to create the Allegany Resevoir. Nearly 600 descendents of Chief Cornplanter meet annually for a family picnic on the Allegany Reservation each August to celebrate and remember his legacy.3 – Cathi Gerhard, Editor/Down on the Farm 1 “The Hatchet and the Plow: The Life and Times of Chief Cornplanter”

By William W. Betts 2 Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Agricultural History 3 Encyclopedia.com

August 2014 - 3

Table of Contents 3 5

August

Summer’s Legacy

2014

by Cathi Gerhard, Editor/Down on the Farm

17

Red Clover

Play Is the Summer Assignment

18

Carbs Are Not a Villain

by Clair Ward

by Granny Earth

by Mark Rullo, MS, CSCS, MES

6

A Pain in the Backside

7

19

Book Reviews: Fathers’ Grief

Driverless Cars by Earth Talk

20

Twenty Years and Growing

8

Great Food, Great Atmosphere

24

“Helen Keller”

11

It’s the Little Things

12

by Hayley Chemski-Horwat

by Scott Sinemus, The Ligonier Chef

by Nancy A. Clark

Is Empty Nest Symdrome A Cultural Phenomenon?

by Megan Fuller

14

Off Trail

16

Turning A House into A Home

by Joe Walko

25 29 30

by Mandy Sirofchuck

by Rev. Marjorie Rivera

August-September Community Calendar Latrobe-Unity Parks & Rec Awarded Recycling Containers One Flew Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest

by Cathi Gerhard

by Brian Mishler

Psychic Medium Rev. Marjorie Rivera Pittsburgh’s Premiere Psychic & Party Reader 412-884-7788 • pittsburghmedium.com My mission is to prove the continuity of life past the transition we call death.

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August 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

TODAY’S EDUCATION

by Clair Ward, Head of School at Valley School of Ligonier

Play Is the Summer Assignment Take yourself back to the summers of your childhood. Remember the games of Kick the Can or lying on your back and watching the clouds? Sometimes the best games of tag or episodes in the stream came after wrestling with boredom. As kids, we were expected to fill our time—adults did not consider it their responsibility to entertain us during those long summer days.

Summer for today’s children can look quite different. The minute the final school bell sounds, parents are scrambling to fill the time with extra lessons, specialty camps or playgroups. There is no question that some of this comes from the fact that many households have working adults, but the need to provide structure for today’s children also comes from a sense of responsibility that this generation feels to entertain children and protect them from boredom.

But what if I were to tell you that unstructured play can help your child be successful at school? What if, as it turns out, all of this structure that we work so hard to provide for our children in the summer can actually negatively correlate to school success?

Jessica Lahey, a correspondent for The Atlantic and New York Times contributor, recently published an article speaking to exactly this. In “Why Free Play is the Best Summer School,” Lahey refers to more than one study that links unstructured play (play initiated and led by children) to the successful development of executive function. Executive functioning is the composite set of skills that allow a person to follow directions, organize his thinking, and successfully respond to learning and/or life skills. If you have ever made a list, grocery shopped, brought home the groceries and put them away you have used executive functioning. When a child writes down Every Story Begins At Home.

a homework assignment, puts the book in her backpack at the end of the day, does the homework and brings it back to her teacher, she has used executive functioning. As Lahey comments, more than one psychologist has tied unstructured play to executive functioning.

Lahey asserts that after studying a group of six-year old children, the authors of the study she cites “found that children who engage in more free play have more highly developed selfdirected executive function.” It was also true that “the more time kids spent in structured activities, the worse their sense of self-directed control.” Fred Rogers, Dr. Spock and even Piaget would agree that without unstructured play, children do not have the opportunity to practice how and what they learn. In structured activities, children do not negotiate their own structure and test it through trial and error. Practicing the order of operations or multiple step directions in play helps a child to strengthen the very skills that can be used for success in the academic setting.

I am certainly not suggesting that parents should eliminate all structured play. Sports practices, violin lessons, and even chess club are all important experiences. Rather I am proposing that perhaps we should relinquish any guilt we feel when children are bored—perhaps we should relish a child having to create and direct his own entertainment either alone or with friends. The research tells us that play in this case is not an idle waste of time, but rather an important reinforcement of the very skills that will help our children be successful in the classroom. By learning to self-regulate and negotiate through play, our children will stand a better chance of doing that at school.

To that end, I offer you some things to keep in mind: 1. Analyze your child’s activities for the summer. Which ones would be considered structured (adult-led and planned) and which are child-led? Is there a way to rebalance so that the child is spending time in the creek or the yard without a plan at least once per week?

2. Resist the urge to allow either yourself or the iPad to rescue a child from boredom. Be aware that learning to evade boredom is a muscle that must be exercised. Allow the child to struggle through it and see what begins to happen after a while.

3. Finally, and this one is a tough one, take a good hard look at how you are modeling play and boredom for your child. When you are waiting in a doctor’s office or restaurant, do you automatically pull out your phone? If the answer is yes, you could be giving your child the unintentional message that idle time needs a technology solution instead of a social or selfregulatory solution.

So as you finish up summer, consider the value of allowing children of ALL ages—and maybe even yourself—to embrace the value of unstructured play. Feel confident that the research supports it. See if you can recapture the childhoods of your youth for the sake of your children and even yourself. ***** Clair Ward was appointed in 2008 to the position of Head of School at Valley School of Ligonier (www.valleyschoolofligonier.com).

Ms. Ward holds an M.Ed. from Boston College and a B.A. in English/Classics from Hamilton College. She lives in Rector with her daughter and husband, Bryon Williams, a doctoral candidate at Duquesne University.

August 2014 - 5

A Pain in the Backside

by Hayley Chemski-Horwat, MSN, CNRA Struggle with a nagging pain in your lower back, backside, or your leg?

Fight with numbness or tingling or loss of strength? Does this pain affect your daily living? Many cases of back/ leg pain are associated with the sciatic nerve which emerges from the lower back and runs the length of each leg.

In my professional experience, this pain is noted as “Sciatica” or pain created by a herniated disk or a bone spur compressing a part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often numbness in an affected leg.

The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body and is composed of individual nerve roots that start by branching out from the spine in the lower back at lumbar (near lumbar vertebra #3). The nerve then runs the length of each leg, specifically to the buttock, thigh, calf, foot, and toes. Symptoms emerge as pain, numbness, tingling and in severe cases loss of bladder and bowel continence as well as leg weakness. Sciatic pain is characterized as a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation, or even a jolt like an electric shock.

Risk factors for sciatica include advanced age, herniated disks and bone spurs, prolonged sitting or standing, obesity, occupations requiring heavy-load lifts, diabetes (which affects nerve health), and weak trunk muscles.

Although sciatic pain can be quite debilitating, many cases can be treated with conservative at-home treatments, such as over the counter medications, ice/heat application, stretching, stress relief, and abdominal strengthening.

If conservative measures such as anti-inflammatory drugs (i.e. Tylenol, aspirin, Celebrex, ibuprofen, Motrin), ice and heat application, and stretching fail one should attempt to strengthen the CORE muscles of the abdomen. Strengthening these muscles promotes spinal alignment and less compression amongst nerve roots.

Specifically muscles known as the extensors (back and glutes), the hip flexors (lower abdominal and iliopsoas), as well as the obliques (abdominal and paraspinal) can improve CORE strength.

Building Bodeez Fitness and Wellness Center created a CORE strengthening group fitness program years ago to combat this common condition. Instructors walk clients through hour-long formats that include functional training exercises that overload the muscle groups listed above. Moreover, regular supervised exercise decreases stress levels (which correlates to nerve pain) and decreases one’s risk for obesity and diabetes which limits risk of sciatica.

If mild/moderate pain persists longer than 3-4 weeks despite conser-

vative measures and affects daily living your primary care physician should be contacted. Further evaluation and non-invasive tests may be used to diagnose the crippling pain and promote a solution (steroid use or surgical intervention).

Don’t let a pain in your back cripple your healthy lifestyle.

SOURCES: • “Sciatica.” Mayo Clinic. Retrieved online at www.mayoclinic.org, 2014.

• “Sciatica and Back pain.” Spine Health; Trusted Information for Back Pain Relief.

Retrieved online at www.spine-health.com, 2014.

• “Sciatica.” MedLine Plus. Retrieved online at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ sciatica.html, 2014.

***** Hayley is a Certified Fitness Trainer and the coowner of Building Bodeez Fitness Center, located at 154 Pandora Rd in Derry, PA, as well as a fulltime Nurse Anesthetist with the University of Pittsburgh Physicians, currently based at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Fox Chapel, PA. Hayley offers a wealth of fitness and health knowledge, serving as the Group Fitness Coordinator and Wellness Programs Director at Building Bodeez.

She has developed several programs at Building Bodeez including initiation of the first ZUMBA classes in the area, as well as AerobaDANCE and Yogilates (her unique creations), and the wildly successful Building Better Bodeez weight loss intensive program.

Building Bodeez is located at 154 Pandora Road in Derry Township. 724-739-0105. www.building bodeez.net.

Building Strength • Building Community • Building Bodeez

Largest Farmers Market in Western PA Every Saturday (rain or shine) 8 am - noon May 17 - October 4th, 2014

Located at the intersection of West Main Street and Route 30 in Ligonier

Visit us at www.ligoniercountrymarket.com Fresh Picked Produce, Meats, Eggs, Perennials & Annuals, Hot Cooked Foods, and Handmade Crafts

6 - August 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

What are the environmental implications of the so-called “driverless car” that Google and others are working on right now?

Just a decade ago most of us wouldn’t have dreamed we’d live to see driverless cars whisking people around, but things are changing fast and analysts now think they will be common by 2020 and account for the majority of cars on the road by 2040. And with Google’s recent unveiling of its latest prototype—complete with no pedals or steering wheel—the future is indeed closer than we ever imagined.

Proponents argue that driverless cars—also called “autonomous cars”—are inherently more sustainable than their manned counterparts. For one, they say, once they are widely available many of us will forego owning our own cars in favor of car-sharing, whereby the autonomous vehicle comes to you, charged and ready to go, as needed.

Thus the result could be far fewer cars on the road than today. According to Steve Gutmann of the Seattle-based sustainability think tank Sightline Institute, such a carsharing scenario would also obviate the need for many parking spaces. Today the typical private car spends upwards of 90 percent of its time parked. Once we have more driverless cars, we’ll need far fewer parking spaces, leading to less land being paved and reducing storm water runoff and heat island effects accordingly.

The networked brains of these vehicles will also reduce inefficient routes and decrease overall driving time, leading to better air quality and lower carbon emissions. Also, the increased safety of driverless vehicles—they obey speed limits, can sense people, bikes and other cars coming toward them, and accelerate and brake much more gradually than human drivers—will mean that the cars can be lighter and require far fewer resources in manufacturing, reducing their overall environmental impact even further.

On the flip side, the advent of driverless cars means that many of us now not able to drive because of age or physical handicaps will be able to use these cars to get around, potentially leading to an increase in the number of cars on the road. And Chandra Bhat of the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas points out that just because a car is driverless doesn’t mean we’ll want it to be smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient. He fears that driverless cars will engender a return to larger vehicles because people will want “more comfortable space” when they are free to stretch out, relax, read, videochat, text or even nap during their trips. He adds that driverless cars could lead to more urban sprawl as car commuting becomes more tolerable without the hassle of actually driving.

Bhat also wonders what will become of the public transit systems we’ve invested so heavily in if driverless cars offer the same advantages—using the time en route to do whatever one pleases—with the added benefit of privacy and route/timing flexibility.

Today four U.S. states—Nevada, Florida, California and Michigan—allow driverless cars on their public roads for Every Story Begins At Home.

the purpose of testing; several other states are considering similar allowances. Likewise, in 2013 the United Kingdom began allowing the testing of driverless cars on its public

Driverless -- or "autonomous" -- cars may be commonplace by 2020, some analysts say, and are touted by proponents as more sustainable than their driven counterparts. But convenience factors could tip the scales the other way and mean more and larger vehicles on the road. Pictured: Google's prototype driverless car, a converted Prius, undergoing testing. Photo Credit: Steve Jurvetson.

roadways. Besides Google, several leading automakers and other companies have developed their own prototypes. Car enthusiasts can expect to see such examples from the likes of Mercedes-Benz, General Motors, Nissan, Toyota, Audi, Volvo, Tesla and others at auto shows over the next few years, and can look forward to getting “behind the wheel” of one within a decade. Whatever happens, it certainly is going to be quite a ride. ***** CONTACTS: Sightline Institute, www.sightline.org; Chandra Bhat, www.ce.utexas.edu/prof/bhat/home.html.

EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www. emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

AUGUST WEATHER FOLKLORE “For every fog in August, there will be a snowfall.”

“If a cold August follows a hot July, it foretells a winter hard and dry.”

“If the first week in August is unusually warm, the coming winter will be snowy and long.”

August 2014 - 7

THE LIGONIER CHEF

by Scott Sinemus

The Ligonier Chef is taking on our “Shops Around the Corner” column to write a multi-part series on local restaurants. This month’s article is part 1.

Great Food, Great Atmosphere I am so pleased to announce I’ve had two positive experiences in the last month!! I don’t know whether it’s the weather or just that the time has come that people are starting to constructively complain to restaurants about what is wrong with their meal. I often mention that I really don’t watch much on the food network; my husband, however, can’t seem to get enough of it. His cross to bear is having me for a spouse. It has come to be beneficial actually as when I mention what’s gone wrong with our meal if we’re out; he mentions the very nature of my complaint with something he’s watched on that network.

I was on my way back from a provisions trip to the ‘burgh and realized I hadn’t had anything, except a mung bean pancake from a street vendor to eat yet; I was nearly home but still in the middle of the stop light stretch from hell ... Route 30, a few lights from Lupi & Leo’s. I had heard good things and really needed a breather, so I pulled in. The facade a bit beguiling, I made my way in. Albeit I was there during the limbo period between lunch and dinner, the hostess and service were outstanding. Completely knowledgeable staff is so inherently wonderful to find.

The niftiest thing in the building are the sliding table top dividers which instantly turn all of the tables to “private” spaces to accommodate 2, 4 or 6 by merely sliding the wooden apparatus. Clever but uniquely American, communal seating has afforded us with some of the best experiences and chance friends we still keep in touch with to this day. Nevertheless, the feel otherwise was very much pseudoMediterranean with food to match.

8 - August 2014

The pizza was fantastic, as was the white chicken chili; which isn’t so much a chili at all: it’s more like a béchamel sauce with chicken and beans suspended in it. What could ever be wrong with that?! The desserts were also very cleverly presented – the “apple pie” stuffed into a mason jar was the most memorable.

Lupi & Leo Unique Eatery 201 West Drive Greensburg, PA 15601 (724) 838-8160 www.restaurantgreensburg.com

The best experience we’ve had lately has been a visit to The Pier at Sharky’s. John, the owner, is always pleased to come and chat about the restaurant and his vision for it. There is a welcoming paragraph at the top of the menu about how difficult it is to get to your favorite beach destination, so they brought it to you here. The atmosphere is indeed very beachy, whether you sit indoors or out on the deck. There is a canopy over half of it, which is a nice option if it’s raining or too sunny.

Last week when we were in for dinner, we ran into four tables of

people we knew from Ligonier. All of them had been there several times and couldn’t think of a single unpleasant thing to say about the food or service.

The food is a tapas style menu; we love sharing small plates, so it’s perfect for us – the more friends we take, the more things we get to try.

All of the food is cooked in 900degree coal-fired ovens. The pizza is phenomenal! There are several predesigned versions available; but designing your own is super easy with wonderful choices of toppings. The pizza is very thin with a supremely crispy crust you can only get with a wood or coal-fired oven.

We order the pot roast dip when we order our cocktails; it is definitely not to be missed. We also usually always have the scallops, which have been perfectly cooked every time.

They are open for lunch on the weekends, and the brunch menu should be in place by the time this is printed. The salmon BLT pannini is an absolute must-have, as are the stuffed French toasts with berries. My favorite was the Nutella-stuffed.

The Pier is open later than most of the restaurants in our area, which is nice if we’re working in the garden and don’t finish up until the sun sets.

Reservations are suggested, but you can’t reserve a table outside on the deck. However, if you reserve a table inside and something is available outside when you arrive, it’s yours if you’d like it.

The service is also stellar – if you are lucky enough to have Julie, you will be in for a treat. She’s knowledgeable and convivial with a great sense of humor. continued on page 21

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

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August 2014 - 9

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Main floor laundry, large mud room. Enjoy the warmth of the 2 fireplaces, sit on the deck or relax on the back porch. Offered at $299,900

Indiana

#988146 – House built around 1840. This home features large rooms with a non working fireplace in almost every room. Kitchen features the old built in stove for cooking (nonworking). BONUS: two bedroom garage apartment. Located on 1.17+/-. Swimming pool and hot tub are included in the sale. Offered at $230,000

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#1003746 – Brick farmhouse on 18 acres, with barn. Excellent views, detached pole building for garage or horses.# bedrooms on Main floor, nice location in country. Pasture is sloping and gas rights not included in the sale. Offered at $199,000.

Black Lick

#1008231 – Inviting and cozy this updated ranch features new windows,plastered walls, George Bush kitchen with Corian counters, updated bathroom,knotty pine paneled family room w/wood burning fireplace, large basement, new electric panel. Fenced garden and large shed all on double lot. Offered at $139,500

Robinson

#988361 – Well maintained one story home. Front porch 7x23 and side porch 7x12, stove as is -oven not working, laundry area in kitchen, new double pane windows, 8 yr old roof, storage shed included. United School District. Offered at $37,000

www.HewittRealEstate.net 10 - August 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

It’s the Little Things

by Nancy A. Clark The most profound sermons are sometimes delivered by the most silent preachers. Take Dutchess, for instance – an itty-bitty thing that taught me lessons to last a lifetime.

Dutchess was a three-inch tall ceramic salt shaker molded to look like a little Dutch girl. Bright blue bows painted into her blonde pigtails matched the color of her eyes and dress. She sported a perpetual smile in spite of spidery cracks in her veneer, and her hands-on-hips posture formed “handles” to make her user friendly. Mom poured salt into her through the bottoms of her faux wooden shoes and when tipped upside-down, Dutchess dispensed her all through miniscule holes at the top of her white three-cornered hat.

Off duty, Dutchess, along with her pepper-shaker brother, Dutch, endured without complaint the heat that surrounded her on the stove top between a percolating pot of Maxwell House coffee, and a cauldron of bubbling venison stew.

My sister and I were forbidden to “salt” at the dinner table, but the family heirloom shaker was permitted to stand in the space between our respective dinner plates. We girls loved Dutchess and bestowed upon her the same human characteristics we assigned to our dolls.

Dutchess was a faithful servant in our busy kitchen, dependable to the very last shake. That’s why her demise was such a paradox to a life well-lived.

During a rare outdoor adventure, and only 40 feet from our back door, Dutchess met her tragic end in a manner that literally brought me to my knees and left her salt on my hands for all time.

In the harvest season of my ninth year, I was assigned to “search and rescue” any veggie left behind after the final garden picking of the day. DurEvery Story Begins At Home.

ing one such mission, I spotted a grossly deformed cucumber and three overripe tomatoes. Now, I loved cukes and ‘maters – especially with a dash of salt to enhance their flavor; and nobody but me knew they were still in the garden, right? I had a plan, and all I needed was a little salt.

Mom was occupied with our baby brother when I slipped undetected into the kitchen and kidnapped the unsuspecting Dutchess. Clutching the ceramic victim in the safety and warmth of my right fist so as to insure her she need not fear, I wormed our way through gnarled vines and rotting cabbages to the “left-behinds” to liberate the twisted cucumber and two of the orphaned tomatoes. Then we dove into a row of free-standing corn stalks. There, in my private den of iniquity, I carefully tipped and gently shook Dutchess’ bounty over the stolen treasures until those veggies looked like they’d come through a Kansas snow storm. Hankering for more, I wrapped my juice-sticky, soil-encrusted fingers around the muddied shaker and crawled back through the garden jungle to rescue the last tomato.

That’s when I came up front and waaay too personal with a trespasser … a gigundo groundhog, who reached for that tomato just as I was about to

rip it from its warty vine. Both the critter and I froze when our paws touched on the top side of that red globe. We each issued a silent scream, reared on our hind legs, turned on our respective haunches, and ran on all fours – he toward the outhouse and me to the back porch. It wasn’t until I was tucked into my wee little bed that night when real terror struck: I’d returned from the garden sans the salt shaker.

Because of me, Dutchess had become a left behind.

Mom’s lingering dismay over the missing salt shaker eventually drove me to confess I was the “perp” in the Case of the Missing Dutchess. My punishment fit the crime: to crawl on my hands and knees in the garden and “look until you find it.” Hours of searching netted a buffalo nickel and a rusty skeleton key, but no Dutchess.

I learned invaluable lessons from this humiliating experience. Among them: a profound respect for “thou shalt not steal,” and the grace of forgiveness. I also learned that when I stand tall, stay cool and keep smiling, I can endure a lot of heat in life’s kitchens … that when I’m turned upside down and shaken, I’ll eventually land on my own wooden shoes … that when I maintain a posture of accessibility, I’m more user friendly. And when I’m empty, my ‘Keeper’ will fill me up and preserve me for inevitable servings of unsalted humble pie.

Sometimes it is the littlest things in life that teach the greatest lessons.

Thank you, Dutchess, wherever you are. ***** Nancy Clark and her husband, Tom, rejoice in 50 years of marriage, three children and three grandchildren. She dabbles in freelance and memoir writing when she isn’t baking, knitting, reading, or building a jigsaw puzzle.

August 2014 - 11

POSTMODERN TENDANCIES

by Megan Fuller

Is Empty Nest Syndrome A Cultural Phenomenon?

“Ah, there you are. The holes in the pit of my stomach and the center of my heart. I had forgotten how much you hurt everytime I say goodbye to my baby. My philosophy of parenting is to give them roots and give them wings, but let me tell you, the ‘wings’ part of that philosophy hurts like a SOB.” – Facebook post HRM

Is empty nest syndrome a cultural phenomenon? It would have to be, wouldn’t it? There are some cultures in which children never leave the family home, thereby never causing a nest to be empty. Is an empty nest uniquely American? Probably not, but my guess is that different cultures will have diverse expectations.

In reading research on empty nest phenomena, I noticed discussion of empty nest transitions and empty nest syndrome. Empty nest transition refers to the time surrounding a child moving out of the parent’s home. During such transition parents may be sad, miss their child, and experience some stress over the child’s well-being; but generally, worries are short-term. If a parent experiences empty nest syndrome they might slip into “depression, identity crisis, and lowered health and well-being,” according to Heather Conover of Simon Fraser University.

In the past, it had been assumed that only mothers would suffer from empty nest syndrome because “women mostly gain their identity from their mothering role and usually have no alternative roles to take on” (Conover p. 19). However, as more women work outside the home and more men take on child rearing responsibilities, recent research shows assumptions like this are no longer born out in reality – even if the stereotype persists.

Recent studies suggest that a parent’s mental health during an empty nest transition, and whether their sadness is short-termed or they slide into a depression, is highly related to the 12 - August 2014

success of the child. “Parents whose adult children have problems (i.e. mental, physical, or stress-related problems) experience greater depression than parents whose children do not have these problems” (Conover p.

16-17).

Cross cultural studies suggest that parents do have different ideas about how and when a child should leave the nest. Some cultures expect children to leave for college, some expect financial stability, some not until marriage, and some at a certain age. However, the studies found that across cultures, when the child left the nest at the respective “appropriate” time, parents found the transition easier. When children left home, and the timing was

considered “inappropriate,” parents had a greater chance of suffering empty nest syndrome.

Throughout Conover’s research, she found parents who were looking at the empty nest transition as an opportunity rather than a misfortune.

Parents were taking on new social activities, planning to travel, looking forward to privacy and better financial conditions with a small household.

Some studies found better marital relationships once the children had moved out, as well as, improved parent/child relationships.

Naturally, parents have some assumptions about how and when their children should leave the nest, as well as some assumptions on how having an empty nest will affect them. When I close my eyes and think about my own kids moving out, I picture myself jumping around doing cartwheels; but I expect I will be sad at the same time. According to literature about empty nest transitions, this ambiguity is normal; but when parents are confident that children will be able to successfully fend for themselves, a new adult relationship usually grows out of the empty nest transition. ***** Megan Fuller is an applied cognitive anthropologist with postmodern tendencies who grew up in the exciting Pittsburgh suburb of Pleasant Hills and had the distinct pleasure of earning a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from IUP. In 1993, Megan moved out West to get a Master’s Degree. She also picked up a husband and hasn’t quite convinced him to move back to Western PA. To maintain her authentic Pittsburgh accent she regularly watches Pittsburgh Dad and engages anyone wearing black and gold sports gear in conversation.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

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Every Story Begins At Home.

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August 2014 - 13

OFF TRAIL

by Joe Walko

Off Trail “The Earth has music for those who listen.”

Four miles into the woods, we turn off the blazed, well-used trail. Finally! We cut left, following down a thickly-tangled rhododendron-laurel studded, rain swollen, rocky mountain stream. We have to fight through the bramble and navigate tricky stream crossings made more challenging by our heavy packs, a terrible fall saved more than once by extended and straining hiking poles, and several times we are turned back when the brush is just too thick to cut through or the stream too deep and current too swift. When the last crossing has been made and the tangles thin out and the forest floor finally opens in a stately, mature, and much darker hemlock grove, both me and my backpacking partner Mark are sporting bloody gouges in our shins and countless scrapes and bruises But our hearts are pounding, adrenaline is pumping, muscles long dormant are screaming, and we are pulsing with the excitement of true

14 - August 2014

– William Shakespeare

exploration through a section of the mountain unknown to us before. Our eyes are wide open, the grins are ear to ear, backs are sore, and we are a long way from the ordinary here.

That’s part of why we go off trail.

There is nothing wrong with perfectly good trails. In fact, most of the time, I prefer trails. Our bush whack through the tangles was hard, our progress a snail’s pace, and the danger of injury from a fall much, much higher than on a trail. (Though truth be told, I fell while not paying attention on one of the flattest, smoothest section of trail! I chalk that up to age and a lack of backpacking the last two years!)

In fact, I love trails. Trails get me into the woods, without fear of getting lost. They make the going easy, they allow my attention to focus on the flora and fauna, they carry me from point A to point B without much attention needed. While walking trails I can daydream of past hikes or hikes to come, of making new trails, planning their route through rock mazes and along overlooks, criss-crossing streams and valley hollers, picturing the perfect forest scene with my trail running through it.

Of course, there would be hikers on that trail. And most times that is more than okay. But sometimes, I just want to get away, even from the outdoor crowd.

And so it is that Mark and I leave the well-trod trail, to escape to real wilderness, with a real friend, with no cell phone service or internet connection, no candy wrappers and discarded water bottles or beer cans.

We are immersed instead in untrammeled beauty.

The hemlock forest is a completely different environment from the hardwood forest of the ridge top, which the trail follows. Hemlocks like water, lots of it, the more acidic the better – the tannin they produce often turning the water brown. But the recent heavy rains have this stream sparkling pure white, and it is lined with laurels and rhododendrons, too, creating a beauty unique to western PA. The rushing stream provides refreshing drinking water (when properly filtered!) and the background music at our camp, accompanied by the winter wrens and evening thrushes at dusk.

The dainty needles of the pines provide more shade, make the forest darker, like the low lighting of a intimate restaurant. Mark and I enjoy gourmet camp food direct from our JetBoils, chili and pasta dish with a rich, creamy sauce. A carpet of bright green moss is our table clothe, an old massive downed hemlock supporting

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

our backs and setting the camp table. Dinner is good, a bit of dark chocolate for dessert and after dinner red wine.

Conversation is easy, and without distraction we re-adjust to real time. We catch up on what’s important, family and friends, and drinking in the beauty of the woods, often times just sitting in comfortable silence, letting the forest sounds and serenity percolate through us, too.

I notice our camp has an abundance of duel and even a couple triple-trunked tulip poplars. Is this a rare occurrence, making this little unmarked, unknown spot in the map special?

Probably not, given how many I notice on the hike out the next day, through the trails. But I didn’t notice them as we walked in. It took until we slowed down, until we stopped trying to cover miles and make a destination, before they seeped slowly into my notice. How much do we miss, in this too fast paced world? How much do we rush right by, rush right through, without noticing, because we are not on nature time, but racing a human fueled clock? Why don’t we have more time like this in our daily lives? Why is just sitting quietly, silently, such a forgotten art? Mark and I ponder, while sipping rye whiskey in the fire glow that replaces sunlight in the late evening, lighting up our dual-trunked camp. Sleep comes easy tonight.

Golden sunlight high in the sky tells me I have slept in and well, a rarity for me. But I always seem to sleep well in the woods. In the morning light, even more dual-trunked trees are discovered, and the moss glows bright green in the low morning sun. Pink lady-slipper orchids, too, and laurels bursting with buds. Funny the things you notice when allowed to slow down, to nature’s time. Funny how well you feel, how connected to the deep peace within, when allowed to stop and listen. Funny how even more glorious everything seems after adjusting to the lack of human intrusion. This is why we go off-trail ... *****

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Off Trail is a monthly column devoted to exploring our diverse and beautiful natural heritage, especially the the hidden gems and special places off the beaten path.

Joe Walko is a full time widowed parent to two beautiful but challenging boys, now unemployed by choice after a 25-year career in corporate finance.

He is a writer and blogger searching for his voice, a seeker of his truth, a nature and adventure junkie discovering whole new worlds and beauty in the glorious struggle, in the ordinary, in his own backyard, and mostly, in his heart. Contact him at jwalko1019@gmail.com.

***** Read more about Joe Walko’s first book, “Evening’s Light – A Journey with Grief,” on page 19 of the Laurel Mountain Post!

Every Story Begins At Home.

August 2014 - 15

HOME STUDY

by Brian Mishler

Turning A House into A Home Despite studies demonstrating that people living as part of a married couple are healthier, happier and living longer, there are never-ending jokes and fear about “taking the plunge.” Much ado is made about the uncertainty of, well, certainty; we are making a commitment, and more importantly someone is making that same commitment to us. A wedding is a wonderful celebration of that commitment to one another.

When making the commitment to purchase a home, we call that wedding a “closing”, and during the time leading up to it, all too often the uncertainty of certainty abounds. Did you ever see the movie “Everything was fine, and they lived happily”? Of course not; no such thing exists.

For some reason we humans are drawn to drama; our minds collect and save horror stories, and ignore the “everything was fine.” The vast majority of home owners go about owning their homes with little fanfare or major issues; it’s the minority – the houses with major and or catastrophic issues – that are talked about on the news; it makes good television.

In class, students hear that my professional title – home inspector, is a misnomer. In fact, what I actually do is house inspection. The difference –thank you for asking– is that a house is bricks and mortar, a roof, electrical, plumbing, heating and “stuff.” A home is the life that the occupants make inside that house; it’s the kids’ height scratched on the doorjamb, the memories of Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas morning, birthdays and anniversaries. Memories

that last a lifetime, and more often than not, are things that went wrong, usually hysterically wrong. I can’t inspect a home; no two are alike and it’s never the same throughout our lives; we change, the kids change, our home changes.

The certainty in marriage as well as home ownership is change. Things will go wrong, I promise you. At some point your spouse will fall short of your expectations; (and if you’re reading that correctly, it means you and I) and the water heater or some other piece of “stuff” in the house will go kablooey just as the in-laws are walking in for a holiday dinner or at some other inopportune time. It’s the stuff of stories and legends for us to frighten future generations.

Similar to relationships, our home and houses need maintenance. Rarely is a nice house the result of a huge remodel, but of consistent and faithful maintenance. Just as we and our relationships age and mature, so do our houses.

Since the dawn of time, when people first sought shelter in caves for their families our houses have served not only to protect us from the elements, but from predators as well. As time as progressed, so to have our houses; becoming increasingly complex, they protect us from the cold, heat, and boredom, they provide a place to cook and provide privacy so that we may do those things that we must do in a sanitary fashion. In just the last 150 years our houses have transformed from a basic log cabin with an outhouse to a sophisticated piece of technology.

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The idea of a home, of family, of having our own “place” has never changed; when we’re buying a home, we are making an emotional commitment. It’s the place our hopes and dreams will be realized, our family will grow, our time and money will be spent. But you can only buy a house; a home, you must “build.”

Our region has an abundance of older homes, some dating back to the18th century and a few even earlier. Just like people, the older a house is, the more maintenance it will require. Gather as much information as you can, not only about the house, but about yourself. People fall in love with the charm of a home –someone else’s home at the moment–and later discover that it’s not a good fit. Nothing major wrong with the house, nothing wrong with the buyer, just more maintenance or repair than that person or family would like to do. Some of us are tinkerers; we like to work on “stuff.”

Others like to come home, enjoy activities, and leave the “stuff” to professionals. In an old home that can get expensive quickly.

Even if you do like to work on homes, some can be more time and money consuming than what we anticipate.

Even a brand new house requires maintenance, and upkeep. But one must bear in mind that most components of a house have on average a 20-year design life. So, even a relatively young house could need big ticket items in the not too distant future. Again, the certainty of uncertainty, sooner or later the brakes on your car will need replaced; so to your furnace, roof, etc.

No one enjoys buying this stuff; we’d rather get furniture or a pool. But just as we don’t junk the car because it needs brakes, we fix the house as it dictates.

Unlike a marriage, and even the “American dream,” we tend not to stay in any one house for long. The average family changes homes every 7 years. So relatively speaking, even uncertainty of any specific house we own tends to be short-lived.

Just as you did with your spouse, make sure you “fit” not just them to you, but you to them. There will be bumps in the road; that’s what “You Tube” is for, but you’ll get over them, and live happily. ***** Brian Mishler is the owner of HomeStudy Inc., and a 20 year veteran home inspector. He began percontinued on page 23

16 - August 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

NATURAL HEALTH Healing with Mother Nature’s Weeds

by Granny Earth, ND

Red Clover (Trifolium prantense)

Every Wednesday through August 27, 5 – 8 pm

What’s for dinner? On Wednesdays, families will have a wide choice of options from 8 select restaurants who will be set up under the trees at the Lincoln Highway SupperMarket, 3435 Route 30 E, near Kingston Dam, midway between Ligonier and Latrobe. www.LincolnHighwaySupperMarket.org

Please Recycle This Magazine!

If you love magazines as much as we do, chances are you’ve got overflowing piles of old issues cluttering up your home. Newsprint is easy to recycle, but the glossy pages of magazines and catalogs present some ecological challenges. Here are some great ideas for clearing out the back stacks without flooding the local landfill: • Consider making some eco-friendly packing material. Why waste money on fancy bubble wrap or foam peanuts when you can run some old magazine pages through a shredder instead?

• Create festive garland from the most colorful pages – flowers, triangles, whatever looks pretty!

• Donate to charities or businesses.

Some suggestions include: libraries, Every Story Begins At Home.

nursing or retirement homes, military troops, women or family shelters, physician waiting rooms, preschool and daycare centers for crafts, or friends and relatives. Be sure to remove your address label before you donate!

• Websites like Pinterest, buzzfeed and other creative posts are full of craft ideas that use magazines.

• Some titles retain their value, like National Geographic. Check out eBay or local vintage shops to see what ones might be worth listing for sale.

We love that our readers will save the Laurel Mountain Post, or pass them along to others. But when the time comes, please remember to recycle every issue!

Red Clover is a perennial ‘weed’, growing up to16 inches tall. It has a hairy upright stem, leaves with 3 oval leaflets with a white crescent marking and pink/purple eggshaped flowers. Although from Europe and Asia, Red Clover’s been ‘naturalized’ in North America, where we cultivate it for hay and as a ‘nitrogenfixing’ crop. Farmers grow it as feed for their cows, or for turning under, to help the soil. But, you can also find it growing wild.

The parts used for ‘healing’ are the flower heads.

If you see them growing wild, just pick the top part and hang them in a shady spot to dry, or else simply spread them out on a screen till they’re dry. Then store them in a glass container for further use. The ‘crescent markings’ on the leaves were once considered to be a sign that ‘clover’ would help eliminate cataracts.’ This was in accordance with the ‘Doctrine of Signatures,’ which says that a plant’s appearance indicates the ailment that it is suited to treat.

So who knows? It might be worth a try to make a tea of the whole plant as a treatment for cataracts. It sure wouldn’t hurt.

In the past, Red Clover’s been used to treat breast cancer. A concentrated decoction was applied to the tumor site, which encouraged the tumor to grow outward and eventually clear the body. Since Red Clover contains ‘coumarins,’ it does have mild blood-thinning properties, which make it useful for chronic degenerative conditions.

It’s also become known as a ‘blood cleanser’ and a detox weed, being used for skin complaints: eruptions, psoriasis and eczema, among other things.

Having a reputation for the treatment of cancer and tumors, Red Clover works well with other weeds, such as: Chaparral, Poke Root, Burdock Root, Dandelion Root, Barberry Root and Echinacea – for this purpose. It’s also known to have ‘estrogenic effects’ and is therefore useful in treating menopausal complaints. continued on page 19

August 2014 - 17

WHAT’S COOKING IN FITNESS

by Mark Rullo MS, CSCS, MES

Carbs Are Not a Villain When I meet with people to discuss their weight loss goals, I am surprised by how many people have allowed misinformation to sink into their gray matter as fact. Because of this bad information people are maligning certain foods, certain macronutrients, even certain colors. I could write article after article on the numerous myths confusing the public about weight loss (and I just might – stay tuned!)

I find that the most common villain in the misinformation is the innocuous carbohydrate.

Your body uses carbohydrates to make glucose which is fuel that gives you the energy to keep you moving. Your body can use glucose as an immediate source of energy or it can be stored in the liver and muscle for when it’s needed.

The following foods are where you can find carbs: • vegetables • fruits • breads, cereals and other grains • milk and milk products • foods containing added sugars Carbohydrates are categorized as either simple or complex. Simple carbohydrates are sugars. Table sugar, candy, honey and fruit are all examples of simple carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are broken down into two categories: starchy carbohydrates and fibrous carbohydrates. Potatoes, beans, cereals, breads and pasta are all examples of starchy carbohydrates. Fibrous carbohydrates are primarily vegetables.

Often people refer to “bad” carbs and “good” carbs; blaming the “bad” carbs for weight gain. These “Bad” carbs I hear mentioned typically are your breads, pasta and cereals that people see as the villain. The fact is, there is no such thing as a “bad” carbohydrate.

Some are better than others, but they all can play a role in a balanced diet.

With a scientific understanding of weight management, it is clear that “bad” carbs do not make people fat/gain weight, rather eating more calories than your body needs is what leads to weight gain. If this science is so clear, then why do so many people fear these so called “bad” carbs?

Often the foods that people label “bad” carbs are those that are calorie dense, easy to over-eat and often served in a variable serving size leading to portion distortion.

To illustrate this lets use a cup as our serving size to compare caloric values of a few of the so called “bad” carbs against their “good” carb (fibrous carbohydrate) counterpart and you can see the difference.

FOOD Cup of white rice Cup of mashed potatoes Cup of Pasta (elbow) Cup of Broccoli Cup of Apples

Calories 204 214 390 31 57

To get the same caloric volume from broccoli as one cup of white rice, one would need to eat 6.5 cups (or 3.6 cups of apples). To equal the amount of calories in one cup of elbow pasta one would have to consume 12.6 cups of broccoli (or 6.8 cups of apples).

To sit down and eat a cup of rice, potatoes or pasta or any other “bad” carb isn’t a big deal; however, could you picture yourself sitting down at the dinner table with 12.6 cups of broccoli?

18 - August 2014

Any diets or weight loss programs preaching that carbs make you fat fail to address the actual reason people gain weight – eating more calories than their bodies need. Yes, some carbs are healthier than others as is the case with all macronutrients (protein, carbs and fats). Ultimately, eating more calories than you burn makes you fat whether you consume those calories from carbs, protein or fat. Bottom line: it is not what you eat but HOW MUCH you eat when it comes to weight loss.

A great example of this is the television show “Survivor.” On the show, individuals are placed on remote islands where they compete and vote other people out to become the “sole survivor.”

Those who make it to the finals will be there for 38 days. In the 28 seasons since its debut in 2000, no one who has make it to the final has gained weight. Regardless of age, gender, race or fitness level everyone lost weight. Ironically, their primary food source at the camp site is an ultimate starchy carbohydrate: white rice. How can that be if carbs are supposed to make you fat? Simple. They didn’t have access to eat other foods without either hunting or competing for it and the rice they did eat was rationed to last.

When it comes to understanding the so-called “bad” carbs, show it is calories, specifically calories consumed in excess of your daily burn is the cause of any weight gain. No macronutrient (protein, carb or fat) whether good or bad can trump the thermodynamics of caloric management.

Good news once the caloric management is in-line relative to your goal (lose weight, gain weight or maintain weight) then you can move down the nutritional funnel to accelerate the results.

Now rather than fear those carbs, become aware of their caloric value and learn how to fit the carbs you want into your nutritional formula. This is how weight loss/management can and has to be based on YOUR FOODS, on YOUR TERMS if you ever want it to become a livable lifestyle.

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 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!

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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. Located in the Laurel 30 Plaza of Latrobe, My Fitness Kitchen® is where weight loss is made simple. 724879-852. www.myfitnesskitchen.com | results@myfitnesskitchen.com 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 724-879-8523. Mark and his team at My Fitness Kitchen® specialize in weight loss and body transformation helping thousands meet and exceed their goals through evidence-based scientific programming.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Book Reviews: Fathers’ Grief “Laughter, Tears and Braids,” by Bruce Ham. A father’s journey through losing his wife to cancer. (therealfullhouse.wordpress.com) “Evening’s Light,” by Joe Walko.

A journey with grief. (joewalko.wordpress.com/books/) “Living with the pressure of disease, in particular a serious condition that could end with death, is inconceivable.” – Bruce Ham But Ham and Walko both take us to that inconceivable place, in intimate, often times raw detail. We read these honest accounts of unpleasant subjects, to see how they react, what they feel, and how they handle the pressure; and mostly, to wonder what we would do and how we would feel and react.

Both of these men lose their spouse at young ages, Ham’s wife Lisa at age 39 from colon cancer, Walko’s wife Debbie from breast cancer at age 45. Both befuddled husbands are suddenly thrust into unfamiliar sole parenting roles, Ham with three girls, Walko with two boys, both now without the love and guidance and support of their partner and best friend.

At first they are stunned and left unprepared to pick up the pieces, despite longterm terminal diagnosis. Even up to the very end, Ham holds out hope for a miracle.

It takes Walko almost a year to fully comprehend the last nine days of his wife’s life, and it will be a lifetime challenge for both to wrestle with the baffling emotions of loss and grief.

But they do wrestle with their demons, one day at a time, sometimes a step or two back, but generally marching forward – as both of their spouses would have wanted them to do. Interestingly, in both families, much of the inspiration comes from the children. Ham wrestles with braids and bras and periods, while Walko struggles comically with the household chores and daily dinners. Both men wrestle with balancing school and extra-circular activities with work. But it’s the kids themselves that often times help both of them the most, forcing Ham and Walko out of their anger and sadness, and re-prioritizing their lives.

continued from page 17

Most everyone will experience loss in their lives. The candor and honesty of Ham and Walko are refreshing; they are unafraid to shine a bright public light on their shortcomings and struggles. And this is what makes both of these books worthwhile, for they have not sugar-coated the challenges.

We watch them both fall down to their knees, shaken to their core, but we watch them both get up again, too, following their own courage, for their kids, for themselves, for the love of life. And we’re rooting for them.

In the end these books are both inspirational. They are about doing the hard work of grief, about finding a new normal, and learning how to laugh and love again.

Both Ham and Walko search out the good in their new lives, as different as they are. In the end they are books about hope, beautifully written to provide memories to their children, and example and hope to us.

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Added bonus- Red Clover tea will have a nice, calming effect on your children. You could leave the flowers in and add honey to taste. The little sweethearts are sure to love it, and you’ll love the ‘sleepy time effect it has, too!

Page 136–137: Do It Yourself Weed Medicine

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August 2014 - 19

Twenty Years and Growing

by Mandy Sirofchuck

Main Exhibit Gallery at 301 West Main Street in Ligonier is celebrating 20 years of retailing fine craft and art made in the USA. Here’s a little background on Ligonier’s oldest craft gallery.

People often ask Paul and me, “How did you start Main Exhibit Gallery?”

We started with the building. That might not be what people mean when they ask, but from our point of view as an architect and wife of an architect, its usually how we start with anything.

We moved to Ligonier from Bucks County near Philadelphia after spending five years renovating a 1900’s carriage house that we fell in love with when we first married. The house was great; the neighborhood wasn’t, and Paul, though he loved architecture, was slowly evolving into a furniture craftsman.

We needed more space.

Western PA was calling Paul back home. While looking for land on which to build a house and someday studio, we saw this brick Victorian on Ligonier’s main street in what seemed like “New Hope west.” The house, complete with bats in the attic, needed much attention, as they always do, but all we could envision was: “Gallery for Paul’s furniture.”

After a year of moving walls, rebuilding, stripping wall paper, plastering, painting and sanding, we had a beautiful little space for a gallery, and a rental that would help while we established ourselves.

We selected what we thought was a clever name, “Main Exhibit Gallery,” since we were on Main Street and exhibit things.

I’m not sure the name has ever caught on.

Most folks refer to us as “the Acorn Store,” but that’s another story. We stocked the space with Paul’s furniture and some consigned art from a few local artists who wanted to give us a chance and opened in August, 1994.

Influenced by the east coast art scene, I envisioned showcasing contemporary work in addition to Paul’s creations and my own stained glass work. I had some very willing artists who contributed sculpture, ceramics, paintings and other wall art. We scheduled shows and openings and had a

20 - August 2014

good time. Of course, we weren’t making a living at it. Paul continued with architecture while building our “dream house” on 22 acres south of town, and I did freelance writing and graphic design, working from the gallery. Contemporary art wasn’t that well-received locally as yet, though visitors from other areas gave us encouragement.

Paul started making a name for himself at juried art shows, such as the West-

moreland Arts and Heritage Festival, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, The Hoyt and the Craftsmen’s Guild’s “A Fair in the Park.” Main Exhibit Gallery became a Ligonier destination for people interested in his finely-crafted furniture. I started attending trade shows to buy American craft and build up our inventory to offer our clientele more variety.

Then along came our daughter Clair in 1999. Our tiny gallery had to accommodate her as I continued to work in town while Paul moved into full-time furniture design at his studio in our new home. Once again, we needed more space.

This time, instead of having tenants, we just took over the rest of the building and revamped the apartment area into more gallery space. Paul was winning awards for his furniture, and more clients came to Main Exhibit. I attended more shows and grew my fine craft inventory, becoming a full-time “gallery” person, no longer freelancing.

Searching for new artists included lengthy discussions with them about their processes, so that I could educate my clientele about the techniques involved in making the work we were selling, and provide insight about the artists themselves.

That’s one reason why, in 20 years, we haven’t strayed from our original concept of carrying only American-made products: to support our fellow craftspeople and to know our artists, their reputations and the quality of their work.

As our gallery progressed, Ligonier did as well.

More and varied shops sprang up around town.

Visitors from out of the area and out of state are often surprised by all that our gallery, and Ligonier, have to offer.

While educating myself in various artistic processes, I realized how helpful and enriching it would be for others, as well. The next logical step is to help people know the joy of “making” by offering classes. Many of our exhibiting artists and others have offered to teach in a variety of media.

Paul’s clientele continues to grow and so does his need for display space. And my interest in large sculptural forms, especially for outdoors, has us bursting at the seams. Once again, we needed more space.

Paul and I looked at other buildings, but nothing attracted us the way this old brick Victorian did so many years ago. We decided to stay put and add on. Last fall, we began construction on a two-story addition that doubles our space and makes us accessible. In celebration of twenty years of surviving the fickle art tastes and an economic downturn, we are opening our gallery expansion with a show of more than 20 of our past and present artists.

Making and selling fine craft is our way of life. It’s a family affair, with our daughter, who grew up in the gallery, now often attending buyer’s shows and helping with clients. We are rooted to Ligonier and committed to bringing the best in American craft to anyone willing to walk up our porch and through the door.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Business to Business Networking in Latrobe!

The Laurel Leaders group invites all local business leaders to attend a weekly meeting of BNI (Business Networking International) held each Wednesday at the SpringHill Suites in Latrobe, from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.

Visitors are welcome (no reservations), free of charge, and encouraged to come learn more about a variety of weekly local business topics.

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www.bni-westernpa.com

Financial Advisors

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2790 Mosside Boulevard Suite270 Monroeville, PA 15146 412-858-9090 Fax 412-856-8433 Direct 724-493-9473 (Personal Office) 2016 Highland Avenue Greensburg, PA 15601 724-493-9473

continued from page 8

I cannot express what a breath of fresh air (literally) the pier has been this summer. I wish John and the staff the best of luck!

The Pier at Sharky’s 3960 Route 30 Latrobe, PA 15650 724-532-1029 www.sharkyspier.com

Place YOUR Business Ad in the Laurel Mountain Post for as little as $75 per month – we have prices for every budget!

continued from page 16

***** Scott Sinemus is a Chef with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Pennsylvania Institute for Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh. He’s continued his education with classes from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and The Greenbrier; and has travelled internationally in search of authentic cuisine.

forming home inspection after 15 years in the construction industry convinced him that his body wasn’t made for hard labor. Brian is the former president of the Pittsburgh Regional Organization of the American Society of Home Inspectors (PRO-ASHI), and currently sits on the board of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, a non-profit that rehabilitates homes for disadvantaged seniors and veterans, assisting them with pre-renovation inspection and selection. Brian also teaches a variety of real estate related classes, and has mentored other seeking to become home inspectors.

He currently resides in Latrobe, with his better half Carol, their Boston terrier Gizmo, three cats, and three transient college students. When spare time is to be had, Brian can be found on a motorcycle, in a kayak, or hiking in the area. He can be reached at brian@homestudyinc.com.

Would you like to become a sponsor of the Laurel Mountain Post?

We will print your logo and contact info for $40/issue or $25/month with an annual contract, and deliver employee copies to your office.

(This block is: 2.25” wide x 1” high) Show our community your support for their favorite magazine!

Every Story Begins At Home.

August 2014 - 21

Any Property.

Any place.

Ve r n o n Realty Services

Phone: (724) 238-0443 www.vernon-realty.com 305 W. Main Street | Ligonier, PA 15658 Michael J. Vernon, Broker / Owner

mike@vernon-realty.com • Cell: (724) 331-6858

Sold

Greensburg – MLS 963695 This 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bath and 1 Half Bath home is priced at $129,900 and with ZERO down payment and only $620 a month. Plus taxes and Insurances.

Latrobe – MLS 1010084 This 2 bed room home is fully updated and has a great back yard. Priced at $99,800 and with ZERO down payment and only $480 a month. Plus taxes and insurances.

Ligonier Boro

Bolivar – MLS 964032 - This Commercial property is priced at $55,000 and with 25% down payment and only $197 a month. Plus taxes and Insurances.

Ligonier Twp – MLS 1004197 This 5 Bedroom, 2 ½ Full Bath home is priced at $525,000 and with ZERO down payment and only $2,387 a month. Plus taxes and Insurances.

Hempfield Twp – MLS # 988531 This Commercial property with two units is priced at $69,000 and with 25% down payment and only $247 a month.

Plus taxes and Insurances.

Price d e Reduc

– MLS 994370 This 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath home is priced at $187,750 and with ZERO down payment and only $869 a month. Plus taxes and Insurances.

Price d e e R duc

Hempfield Twp – MLS 985432 This 5 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath home is priced at $159,900 and with ZERO down payment and only $768 a month. Plus taxes and Insurances.

Ligonier Boro – MLS 975560 This 5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath and 2 Half Baths home is priced at $249,900 and with ZERO down payment and only $1,195 a month. Plus taxes and Insurances.

Donegal – MLS 334001 This Commercial property with 8 buildings and a 2 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath home is priced at $499,000 and with 25% down payment and only $1,787 a month. Plus taxes and Insurances.

S3o11DlDad s 3 ayys in in

Ligonier Twp – MLS 1004208 This Commercial business is priced at 107,000 and with Jillian Michaels new circuit training program and Jenny Craig's nutritional weight loss program now with Curves it is a perfect time for someone who wants to help others and enjoy being physically fit and owning their own business.

Fallowfield TWP – MLS 1003981

This 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bath home is priced at $119,900 and with ZERO down payment and only $572 a month. Plus taxes and Insurances.

Greensburg – MLS 1014349 This great 3 bed room home with 2 1/2 baths will be great for any family.

Lots of new updates done thru out this home. Ask for Vernon Adams.

Terms based on 4% fixed interest rate with no points, no broker fees and no application fee with an apr of 4.278% for 30 years.

Any Property.

Any place.

Ve r n o n Realty Services

Phone: (724) 238-0443 www.vernon-realty.com 305 W. Main Street | Ligonier, PA 15658 Michael J. Vernon, Broker / Owner

mike@vernon-realty.com • Cell: (724) 331-6858

Ligonier Twp

– MLS 1009105 The 4 bed room with a great view is priced at $69,000.0 and with ZERO down payment and only $331 a month. Plus Taxes and Insurance.

Ligonier Boro – MLS xxxxxxxxxx

This new construction condo is in the heart of town and with an elevator you need have steps to climb. Priced at $265,000 and with ZERO down payent and only $1,263 a month. Plus taxes, condo fee and insurance.

Ligonier Twp – MLS 1014849 This great 5 bedroom home has a mother In-Law suite in the basement.

The stands proudly in the center of 10 lush acres.

Come and enjoy the country living at its finest. Priced at $325,000 and with ZERO down payment and only $1,550 a month Plus taxes and insurances.

So11 lDDdaayy n iin

Irwin – MLS 1002287 This great 3 Bed Room home is located in the heart of Irwin and newly updated and won’t last long priced at $59,900 and with as little as 3 ½% down payment and only $288 a month.

Plus taxes and Insurances.

Derry – MLS 1014593 This extra-large 3 bed room brick

home has many updates. With the extra fenced lot will be great for pets or family picnics. Priced at $179,000 and with ZERO down payment and only $858 a month. Plus taxes and insurances.

S1o66DlDad s 1 ayys

S1o00DlDad s 1 ayys

in in

in in

Ligonier Boro – MLS # 981422

This home has three bedrooms and a master bedroom and bath on the main floor. This home will not last long at $109,900.

S2o77DlDad s 2 ayys

Ligonier Twp – MLS 971851

Sold in 16 day so call today for me to list and sell your home.

So11 lDDdaayy n iin

in in

Ligonier Twp – MLS 992043 The only thing missing from this

gorgeous Wendover abode is a new family! This home is totally move-in ready, with solid surfaces in both the kitchen and bathrooms, window treatments, a plethora of included appliances and plenty of room for living and growing. Come take a peek-you may not want to leave!

Ligonier Twp – MLS 967087

Sold in 1 day so call today for me to list and sell your home.

Latrobe – MLS 978722 You can enjoy the private oases in the fully landscaped rear yard with a built in the ground swimming pool with a water slide. This home has it own dog run and with many updates this home is in move in condition.

S3o44lDDadayyss 3 in in

Ligonier Twp – MLS 970976

This stunning all brick home boasts oversized room's on a great double lot. Located on a private street, in Ligonier East just 6 miles from the diamond. Great home for sitting around the outdoor fire pit or hanging out on the back porch. This home has been priced to sell.

So11 lDDdaayy n iin

Ligonier Twp – MLS 1009025 - This great new home with a fenced back yard and a stone fire place is priced at $265,000.

Terms based on 4% fixed interest rate with no points, no broker fees and no application fee with an apr of 4.278% for 30 years.

Quickly becoming one of Latrobe’s biggest summer celebrations, we’re so excited to host the second annual Banana Split Festival! This is an all-American family celebration designed to honor Latrobe as the birthplace of the world-famous banana split. With block parties, cupcake contests, sock-hops, and galas as part of the festival, it’s going to be a sweet summer in the Neighborhood!

Tuesday, August 19- Banana Split Block Party Wednesday, August 20- Gone Banana’s Painting Workshop for Kids Thursday, August 21- Pop the Cork Night “Banana Split Theme” Friday, August 22- Yellow Tie Gala featuring WCCC Band Saturday, August 23- Banana Breakfast @ LAC

Latrobe Art Center 819 Ligonier Street Latrobe, PA 15650 Office: (724) 537-7011 Cafe: (724) 539-8049 www.latrobeartcenter.org

This advertisement sponsored by The Medicine Shoppe.

THAT’S WHAT THEY SAY

Thought-Provoking nsights on Common Quotations by Rev. Marjorie Rivera

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” –Helen Keller There is something about a quote that can fit on a bumper sticker that really attracts me. Bumper stickers, as I see it, were the tweets of old. They had to be short and direct, and usually funny or profound.

After some research, I can tell you that bumper stickers existed in some way even before bumpers did. People have been putting messages on their vehicles since long before the invention of the car. Why did this not surprise me at all? Advertising slogans were printed on canvas wheel covers, horsefly nets, and painted signs. These advertising pieces laid the groundwork for the bumper stickers we know today. As long as people have had a message, it would appear we have also had a desire to convey that message to anyone who would be willing to listen.

This is my theory behind Mediumship.

People have a message, and just because they don’t have a body any more, does not stop the desire to convey a message. We are not bodies that have a soul, we are souls that have a body.

Being a professional Medium for almost two decades now, I have made some ob24 - August 2014

servations; Folks are opinionated. Moms want to tell us how they perceive what we are doing no matter where they are currently living. If they are currently living in Heaven, they will want to give you a heavenly perspective on things. Everyone has something to say. Question is; Who is listening?

Mystics have long been engaged with cosmic conversations, talking with and listening to the heavenly realms, and to God. Mystics pay attention to the subtle vibrations of the Universe and how energy works. Scientists are just now beginning to study the things that have been on the minds of mystics for centuries. Nikola Tesla was quoted to have said: “The day science begins to study non-physical phenomena; it will make more progress in one decade than in all the previous centuries of its existence.” Scientists like Edison, even wanted to create a machine that would allow us to talk to the other side. So why would Edison the scientist be interested in such a thing?

Because our souls live on, and our love lives on. When we love someone, we want to know they are ok, that they still exist.

Edison reasoned that it could be accomplished through scientific means – a device that could do the job that Mediums advertised. He wanted to industrialize what he saw as useful and yet undefinable. It makes perfect sense on some level, to seek scientific proof of the “continuity of the soul.” Until such time that science catches up to the mystics, and I am sure it will come, enjoy and deeply love everything, so that it will become part of you. If you allow something to become part of your soul, your bond will also become eternal.

For as long as we people have had something to say, we have been trying to help other people get our message—whether it was a cave drawing, a bumper sticker, rock n roll, tweets, or the messages of a medium.

Messages are just a language of love. Question is; are you listening?

Recommended Reading: Body and Soul: A Sympathetic History of American Spiritualism by Robert S. Cox Tweet tweet = https://twitter.com/PGHmedium Like me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PGHmedium Pin with me: http://www.pinterest.com/aPGHmedium/ Sign up for my newsletter at www.PittsburghMedium.com

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER COMMUNITY CALENDAR

“One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by.”

through 8/31/2014 "20@20" Twentieth Anniversary show featuring more than 20 Western PA artists. Main Exhibit Gallery, 301 W.Main St, Ligonier. 724-238-2310 through 10/4/2014 Ligonier Country Market Ligonier Corner of W. Main St. & Springer Rd. 724.858.7894 www.ligoniercountrymarket.com Every Saturday from May 17-October 4, 2014 through 8/29/2014 Movies Night Keystone State Park 1150 Keystone Park Road, Derry, PA 15627 724.668.2939 http://dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/ keystone/index.htm Grab the blankets, snacks and especially the family; come to Keystone State Park for the Friday night walk in movie. The park will be playing a variety of movies (PG-13 or less) at the beach house. through 9/20/2014 Springs Farmers’ Market Springs Folk Festival Grounds 1711 Springs Rd., Springs, PA 15562 240.310.2086 Produce, Baked Goods, Antiques, Flea Market, Collectibles, Artwork & More! through 10/4/2014 Springs Museum Springs Folk Festival Grounds 1711 Springs Rd., Springs, PA 15562 814.634.1489 Depicting life of the settlers of the Casselman Valley. Large two-story museum with antique equipment annex. through 8/31/2014 Sunday Evening Summer Band Concerts Ligonier 120 E. Main Street, Ligonier, 15658

Every Story Begins At Home.

– Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle

through 11/15/2014 Somerset County Farmer’s Market 800 Georgian Place Drive, Somerset, PA 15501 814.279.5620 www.somersetcountyfarmersmarket.com Producer-only tailgate market at Georgian Place in Somerset. Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer.

through 8/31/2014 Summer Concert Series Cedar Creek Park 724.830.3950 co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks Free concerts featuring local musicians and groups will be held on Sundays in June, July and August at Cedar Creek Park. Concerts start at 4 p.m. on the Amphitheater.

through 9/28/2014 Farmers’ Market Keystone State Park, 1150 Keystone Park Rd, Derry. Sundays, 10 am - 2 pm. $10 per vendor table.

through 10/29/2014 Bikes, Bites, & Beats Morguen Toole Company 130 Center Street, Meyersdale, PA 15552 814.634.9900 morguentoole.com, Wednesdays from 5-9 pm.

through 10/21/2014 Latrobe Farmers’ Market Latrobe Community Revitalization Program 816 Ligonier Street, Suite 307, Latrobe, PA 15650 724.805.0112 www.latroberevitalization.org

through 9/29/2014 Uniontown’s Storey Square Summer Concert Series Storey Square 17 East Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401 724.438.4289 This is an outdoor event: a band plays from the stage and attendees bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit in the lawn. A restaurant sells a light meal and market vendors line the street.

Cancellations announced on WMBS after 1PM.

through 8/27/2014 Lincoln Highway SupperMarket Latrobe Community Revitalization Program 3435 Route 30 East, Latrobe, PA 15650 This summer, there’s a terrific supper alternative to “drive-thru fast food”- the Lincoln Highway SupperMarket. It offers great food from a variety of select regional restaurants; something to satisfy everyone’s tastes. through 9/11/2014 Thank Goodness It’s Summer The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 Every Thursday. Local entertainment, free admission, food available, rain or shine through 8/29/2014 SummerSounds St. Clair Park 135 N. Maple Ave., Greensburg Every Friday. Great FREE concerts featuring national acts.

through 9/22/2014 Marlana Adele Vassar: Natural Selction Touchstone Center for Crafts 1049 Wharton Furnace Rd., Farmington, PA 15437 724.329.1370. touchstonecrafts.org Marlana Adele Vassar is an emerging artist renowned for her dreamlike figurative imagery, and her adeptness with a number of painting and mixed mediums. Her solo exhibit is inspired by Touchstone’s bucolic location and will have nature at its creative core. through 8/15/2014 Evening Eco-Paddle Laurel Hill State Park 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd., Somerset, PA 15501 814.352.8649 http://dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/ laurelhill/index.htm. Registration is required.

August 2014 - 25

LOYALHANNA REALTY

201 S. Market Street Ligonier, PA 15658 (Across from Fort Ligonier)

BUYER & SELLER AGENCY JEAN M. CASE

Owner/Broker, GRI, ABR

724-238-3663

2.5 ACRES $158,900 #1015938. Brick 3-bedroom, 2-bath ranch in Robinson. Public water/sewage. Hardwood floors, 2 cedar closets, screened porch, central air, finished basement, & garage. United School District.

LORRAINE LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

WELL-MAINTAINED $69,900 #987117. Darling 2-bedroom Cape Cod w/attached garage in Ligonier Twp. Fenced-in yard, eat-in kitchen, new roof in 2011.

LORRAINE LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

www.loyalhanna.com

216-ACRE FARM $950,000 #1001676. Renovated 3-bedroom, 3-bath farmhouse w/gorgeous hardwood & beamed ceilings. Pond, barn, cottage, & greenhouse. COLLEEN LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

Price

Redu

Lisa Davis: 412-596-1028 Lorraine DiCecco: 724-953-2356 Associate Broker Kathy Johnston: 724-995-1013 Susan Ransel McBroom: 724-309-3395

SALES & APPRAISALS

FAX: 724-238-0317

Jean Case: 724-600-5182 Tracy Case-Pelesky: 724-510-4010

ction

VICTORIAN-ERA HOME $249,000 #1012525. Classic woodwork throughout, 3 bedrooms plus nursery, 2-1/2 baths, galley kitchen, dining room, pocket doors, lovely closed-in sun porch, & garage in Ligonier Boro. JEAN/LORRAINE LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

Colleen Pritts: 724-493-7734 Amy Stoner: 724-217-6610

HISTORIC HOME $549,000 #1010514. Nestled in green rolling hills of Ligonier on 4 acres w/ maple & walnut trees. 6 bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, hardwood floors, remodeled sunny kitchen, dining room, 2 fireplaces, gameroom, garage, & English garden. Public water, spring, & well. Panoramic view of Laurel Mtns., yet just a mile from town!

LOYALHANNA REALTY TRACEY/JEAN 724-238-3663 LIGONIER BORO $79,000 #1007962.Great starter home in excellent condition. Most of the home has been remodeled. Central air & stone patio. JEAN LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

ING LIST W E N

WONDERFUL COUNTRY SETTING $335,000 #993333. Four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath, 2-story in Derry Twp. Well-constructed home w/wraparound porch, 2 master suites, & grand entrance. Gorgeous views, beautiful landscaping! TRACEY LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

SELF-STORAGE BUSINESS $700,000 #1011295. Five various-size storage units, land, & office bldg. on several different-sized lots. All metal buildings. Office has electric, public water, heat, & septic. Ligonier Twp. LORRAINE/JEAN LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

Price

OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS! $249,000 #997725. In this well-constructed brick building with loads of parking. Great location right along Rt.271N in Ligonier Twp. JEAN LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

26 - August 2014

Redu

CHARMING FARM $569,000 #1001402. 46.74 acres w/beautiful 5-bedroom home, large barn, & outbuildings. Very workable farm in Cook Twp., but minutes from Seven Springs. Mostly pastures, some woods.

Fabulous location! Gas rights included. JEAN LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663

ction

INVESTMENT PROPERTY $107,900 #979643. Great location - Duplex with low utilities. Could be 3 units if area above garage is finished. Must-see! Public water & sewage, separate meters. Laughlintown area. Minutes from town.

LOYALHANNA REALTY LISA 724-238-3663

CALLING INVESTORS! $161,000 #1011218. Brick 2-unit apartment building, currently leased.

Each unit has 2 bedrooms & 1-1/2 baths. Off-street parking. New roof 6/2014. N. Naugle, Ligonier. LORRAINE LOYALHANNA REALTY 724-238-3663 LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

through 8/22/2014 Concerts in the Park Penn Eben Park Downtown Ebensburg, PA 814.472.8414. ebensburgmainstreet.com through 8/24/2014 Kennywood’s 65th Annual Fall Fantasy Parades Kennywood Park 4800 Kennywood Blvd., West Mifflin, PA. 412.461.0500. kennywood.com What better way to celebrate the changing of the seasons and your kids’ return to school than Fall Fantasy? Over 150 area high school and college marching bands perform over the nineteen night run of Fall Fantasy. Beautiful floats decorated with special theme complete the nightly parades. Get $5 off evening admission with coupon from Kennywood.com through 12/4/2014 Biophilia: Pittsburgh Schenley Park: Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens One Schenley Park Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412.622.6914 phipps.conservatory.org Are you a creative thinker who cares about the environment? Join the club! Biophilia: Pittsburgh is a meet-up group dedicated to strengthening the bond between people and the natural world — and it all starts with good conversation. The group meets over small plates and a cash bar to discuss an environmental topic, share ideas and identify opportunities for creating change. Advance reservations are required. Sign up at www.meetup.com/biophiliapittsburgh. through 9/14/2014 Tamara Rodef Shalom Congregation 4905 Fifth Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412.621.6566 You’re in the great home of Gabriele d’Annunzio, the Italian poet responsible for the Nationalist movement, Fascism. You’re offered a glass of champagne. And it begins! The barrier between spectator and actor is dissolved. The audience has choices to make, journeying from room to room in Rodef Shalom Congregation. As characters leave a room, which will you follow? Or will you wait and see who shows up?

8/8/2014 to 8/10/2014 Cookie Daze Downtown Rimersburg Main St., Rimersburg Small town festival featuring a main parade, queen contest, fireworks, rides and games for kids, bed races, cart races, lots of good food and fun, crafts.

8/8/2014 to 8/10/2014 Straightening Combs Off The Wall 25 W. Main St., Carnegie, PA 15106 724.873.3576 insideoffthewall.com Straightening Combs, starring Kim El and Nia Washington, is a heartfelt biographical story about growing up in the Pittsburgh Hill District and the repercussions of low self-esteem and resulting chronic depression. You will live through the challenges faced by many as you journey through the experience of coming to age in the Pittsburgh Hill District through the eyes of a young African-American female.

8/9/2014 Art 30 Open House Westmoreland Museum of American Art 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. wmuseumaa.org Admission is free. Light refreshments and live music from 11 am to 2 pm. Family activities.

Every Story Begins At Home.

8/9/2014 to 10/11/2014 City of Champions!

The Pittsburgh Sports History Tour Duquesne Incline 1197 W. Carson St., Pittsburgh, PA 15219 412.381.1665 pghtoursandmore.net Whether you shout “Touchdown!,” “Goal!,” or “Raise the Jolly Roger!,” this tour will cover them all. The City of Champions Tour will take you to some of the ‘Burgh’s iconic sports locations. This interactive tour includes the city’s teams histories and fun facts about famous players and sports legends, such as Josh Gibson, Johnny Unitas, Franco Harris, Honus Wagner, and many more! With sports entusiasts as your guides, you’ll be saying “Yoy, yoy, and double yoy!” like Myron Cope!

8/9/2014 Free NFL Legends Youth Football Camp Serra Catholic High School 200 Hershey Dr., McKeesport, PA 15120 412.715.9751 FREE NFL Legends Youth Football Camp open to boys and girls ages 6-14. Saturday August 9th from 9:00-1:00. Contact Lisa Fetzko at fetzkolisa@gmail.com for registration information.

8/9/2014 Two Classes: Plum Jam and Picked Green Beans and Pressure Canning Dundee Farm 528 Scaife Rd., Sewickley Heights Boiling water bath class and how to safely preserve low acid foods.

8/9/2014 Super Science Series: Genetics Exploration Carnegie Museum of Natural History 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412.622.3131. carnegiemnh.org Dig deeper into the traveling exhibition RACE: Are We So Different? with hands-on activities examining genetics. Learn about special topics in science such as DNA, heredity, and variation in living organisms. Explore these with educators from Carnegie Museum of Natural History and Carnegie Science Center.

8/10/2014 Antiques & Collectibles Market Historic Hanna’s Town 809 Forbes Trail Rd., Greensburg, PA 15601 Over 100 dealers, morning show.

8/11/2014 to 8/17/2014 Style Week Pittsburgh 2014 Pittsburgh’s Grand Hall at The Priory, 614 Pressley St., Pittsburgh. 412.294.9892 styleweekpittsburgh.wordpress.com An annual celebratory week showcasing fashion, glamour and style, hits local venues and runways August 11-17, with two upscale Fashion Shows, Accessory Showcase, Jewelry Showcase, Style Awards Program, Boutique Crawl and Sunday Brunch.

8/13/2014 to 12/10/2014 Conversation Salon Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh 4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412.622.3114 carnegielibrary.org Conversation Salon is a forum for active participation in the discussion of the meaningful and interesting events of our time and an opportunity to connect with, participate in and contribute to your community.

8/15/2014 to 8/23/2014 60th Westmoreland County Fair 123 Blue Ribbon Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.423.5005. westmorelandfair.com

8/15/2014 to 8/31/2014 Ten Little Indians Freeport Theatre Festival 2498 White Cloud Rd., Leechburg, PA 15656 724.295.1934 freeporttheatrefestival.org In August, FTF will present a murder mystery by Agatha Christie to exercise those little grey cells of ours. It’s a tale of 10 people invited to an isolated place only to find that an unseen person is killing them one by one.

8/15/2014 Family Story Time Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, PA 15650 A free family program, for all ages, which includes reading a story together in the barn and exploring the grounds while completing a scavenger hunt at your own pace. No registration required. Starts at 10:30am 8/15/2014 to 8/17/2014 Horror Realm Weekend Crowne Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh South 164 Fort Couch Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15241 412.833.5300. horrorrealmcon.com Join us for guests including: Day of the Dead Reunion – Terry Alexander, Lori Cardille, Antoine Dileo, Gary Klar, Joe Pilato, Howard Sherman; from The Addams Family – Lisa Loring & Felix Silla plus Lew Temple, J. LaRose, Bill Cardille 8/16/2014 to 8/17/2014 Laurel Highlands Garlic Festival Faranda Farm 1171 Penn Ave., Hollsopple, PA 8/16/2014 to 8/16/2014 I Made It! Market at the Waterfront The Waterfront Town Center W. Bridge St and W. Waterfront Dr., Homestead, PA 15120 412.254.4464. imadeitmarket.com Shop I Made It! Market’s 30+ local artisans offering all handmade wares, and stock up on baked goods, fresh produce, cheeses, sauces and more from the Farm to Table Pittsburgh vendors.

8/16/2014 to 8/17/2014 Laurel Hill Bluegrass Festival Laurel Hill State Park 1454 Laurel Hill Park Rd., Somerset, PA 15501 8/16/2014 Lobster Clambake Chistian W. Klay Winery 412 Fayette Springs Rd., Chalk Hill, PA 15421 724.439.3423 cwklaywinery.com The evening will feature complimentary tastings of award-winning wines from the Christian W. Klay collection, and a savory menu.

8/21/2014 Family Nature Experience: Beautiful Butterflies Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, PA 15650. www.wpnr.org Do you know the difference between a moth and a butterfly? Can you identify backyard butterflies? Come explore the life cycle of these fascinating insects, take a butterfly hike, and more with Reserve staff. Free fun for the entire family. Registration required. 10am-Noon 8/22/2014 to 8/24/2014 Great American Banana Split Celebration Latrobe Community Revitalization Program 724.805.0112. latroberevitalization.org There will be a series of events throughout the weekend including a yellow tie gala, baking contest, car hop, family walk, street fair and sock hop.

August 2014 - 27

8/23/2014 Banana Ingredient Baking Contest 10:00 - 11:30am Quatrini Rafferty Building. Latrobe The Latrobe Business & Professional Women's Club. FREE to enter! Entries accepted starting at 9:30 am at Quatrini Rafferty Building (Corner of Main & Ligonier Streets in Latrobe) Categories: Cakes, Bread, Cupcakes, Cookies.

All entries must include bananas as an ingredient. One entry per person per category.

8/24/2014 to 9/28/2014 Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival West Newton, PA 112 Renaissance Lane, West Newton, PA 15089 724.872.1670 pittsburghrenfest.com The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival and Artisan’s Marketplace returns us to the age of wonder, adventure and song, where pleasure reigns and merrymaking is the rule. Trumpets sound and the armored knights battle on horseback in the Tournament of Champions. Stroll our wooded paths for handmade crafts 8/25/2014 National Park Service Birthday Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site 110 Federal Park Rd., Gallitzin, PA 16641 Celebrate the National Park Service’s birthday with free entry to all National Parks in Western Pennsylvania!

8/25/2014 Tee Time for a Nun Saint Emma Monastery 1001 Harvey Ave., Greensburg, PA 15601 Sponsor or play and enjoy a day of golf! All proceeds will benefit the work of the Benedictine Nuns of St. Emma Monastery.

8/26/2014 Shoji Tabuchi The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA. J. B. Productions Inc. Admission $46. 2 &6 pm.

8/28/2014 to 10/27/2014 Springs Historical Society Public Programs Folk Meeting House 1711 Springs Rd., Springs, PA 15562 814.442.4594. springspa.org Programs of interest, including old-time music, history, local events led by qualified speakers. Check www.springspa.org for listing and calendar. Monthly on the 4th Monday.

8/29/2014 to 9/1/2014 21st Annual Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Colonial Festival 123 Blue Ribbon Lane, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.863.4577. familyfestivals.com Shop over 220 booths! Enjoy fantastic food!

Two string bands! Bagpipers! Flute Choir!

Military encampment! Over 500 costumed participants! Rated 19th Best Craft Show in America! Great family fun!

8/30/2014 to 8/31/2014 Hammer Inn Blacksmith Day Compass Inn Museum 1382 Route 30 East, Laughlintown, PA 15655 724.238.6818 compassinn.com See the Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmiths Association (PAABA) create works of art. Iron forges will be set up on the museum grounds and as the blacksmiths to demonstrate their individual techniques.

8/30/2014 50th Anniversary Laurel Highlands Model Airplane Club: Mini Air Show & Open House Mammoth Park, 11 am - 5 pm. Free

28 - August 2014

9/5/2014 to 9/6/2014 Northern Appalachian Folk Festival Indiana, PA 500 Block of Philadelphia St., 724.313.6559. northernappfolkfest.org The Northern Appalachian Folk Festival is dedicated to preserving the past, promoting the present, and securing the future of folk music, art, and other forms of cultural expression of the Northern Appalachian region.

9/6/2014 Downtown Connellsville Mum Festival Connellsville Crawford Ave., Connellsville, PA 724.626.0141. downtownconnellsville.org Featuring an array of craft vendors, food booths, children’s entertainment and live music. Floral demonstrations and fall decorating ideas. Mustang 50th Anniversary parade begins at 9AM. Check Facebook or downtown connellsville.org for additional details.

9/6/2014 to 9/27/2014 Silly Saturdays Compass Inn Museum 1382 Route 30 East, Laughlintown, PA 15655 724.238.4983 compassinn.com 9/6/2014 Beginning Beekeeping Class Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve 614 Dorseyville Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15238 412.963.6100. countrybarnfarm.com This is a classroom-based course offering an introduction to honey bee biology and basic approaches to beekeeping. The goal is for students to learn how to keep bees for the first year.

To register, Joe@CountryBarnFarm.com.

9/6/2014 to 9/7/2014 Saxonburg Festival of the Arts Roebling Park Rte. 228, Saxonburg, PA 16056 Saxonburg Festival of the Arts is a culturally enriched weekend of art appreciation presented by the Saxonburg Historical & Restoration Commission. This is a great place to meet family & friends to enjoy various performing and visual arts.

9/12/2014 Kids Weekend at West Overton Village!

West Overton Museums 109 West Overton Rd., Scottdale, PA 15683 724.887.7910 westovertonvillage.org This event is a kid friendly, educational weekend, and fun for the whole family! There will be games, activities, story time, and food and beverages! Also, the civil war exhibit from the Heinz History Center will be here!

9/12/2014 to 9/28/2014 Johnny Appleseed Freeport Theatre Festival 2498 White Cloud Rd., Leechburg, Pa 15656 724.295.1934 freeporttheatrefestival.org Freeport Theatre Festival will host an Appleseed Revels along with its premiere of Johnny Appleseed, a new play with music written by Rennick Steele.

9/13/2014 to 11/8/2014 Insiders Tours of Meadowcroft Rockshelters Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village 401 Meadowcroft Rd., Avella, PA 15312 724.587.3412. heinzhistorycenter.org On select dates throughout the 2014 season, visitors can enjoy exclusive Insider Tours with James M. Adovasio, Ph.D., who achieved international acclaim with his archeological excavation of the Rockshelter in 1973. Dr. Adovasio will present a lecture and lead a special tour of the site.

9/13/2014 Antiquing Along the Allegheny Kittanning Riverfront Park Market St. and North Water St., 724.543.2091 armstrongcounty.com 2014 date changed to Sat. Sept. 13 for 15th annual antique and craft fair sponsored by KitHan-Ne Questers. 8:00 am to Riverfront Park, Kittanning, 3:00 pm. Appraiser from 10:00 am to 11:30 am @ $5.00 per item. Proceeds for local historical preservation project. Reproductions and new merchandise is not suitable.

9/18, 9/20-21/2014 Derry Railroad Days • Hobo Picnic, Sept 18 at 5:30 pm • Parade, Sept 20 at 10 am • Sat: 10 am - 5 pm; Sun: noon - 5 pm www.derryrailroaddays.com Derry Railroad Days has a purpose to recognize and preserve the railroad hertiage of Eastern Westmoreland County, especially Derry Station. It is important to honor the railroad men and women for their significant contributions to the culture, enrichment, and history of the Derry Area.

Originally known as Derry Station, Derry was first created in 1852 specifically to serve the Pennsylvania Railroad. Derry's location was ideal for a major railroad station due its access to water, and because it sits on top of a slight summit along the railroad right-of-way.

Back in the late 1800s, Derry had four hotels, mostly to suit railroad workers, and a roundhouse where locomotives would recieve daily maintenance, and a massive railroad yard.

There is very little left tothe railroad in Derry today. In the 1920s, construction on a new set of tracks set to bypass Latrobe and Greensburg began, but the route was never completed.

9/20/2014 to 9/21/2014 FestiFall & Market Fair Friendship Hill NHS 223 New Geneva Rd., Point Marion, PA 15474 For a great fall weekend, plan to attend FestiFall & Market Fair at Friendship Hill NHS. This event is co-sponsored with the Friendship Hill Association and celebrates the life and times of Albert Gallatin, the original owner of Friendship Hill. This free event includes demonstrations of historic trades and crafts and live period music, providing the perfect ambiance for a peaceful afternoon of good food and family fun. While children explore historic toys, the family can enjoy eighteenth century foods that have been the staple of FestiFall since its inception in 1982.

9/26/2014 Sleeping Beauty Stage Right! 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg, 724.832.7464. stagerightgreensburg.com Friday/Saturday-7:30 PM, Sunday-2:00 PM

***** Please submit events for consideration to: editor@laurelmountainpost.com or Laurel Mountain Post Events Calendar 189 Fairview Lane Derry, PA 15627 LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

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Every Story Begins At Home.

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LATROBE, PA— Latrobe-Unity Parks & Recreation (LUPR) will get a boost to their recycling efforts this summer thanks to the Coca-Cola Bin Grant Program, made possible by support from The Coca-Cola Foundation and Keep America Beautiful (KAB). Latrobe Unity Parks & Rec will receive 25 recycling bins designed for placement in LUPR parks throughout the community.

The public is invited to attend a recycling kick-off celebration on Wednesday, August 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Timken Plaza at Legion Keener Park in Latrobe. The bins will be formally presented to LUPR by Coca-Cola and the Keep America Beautiful affiliate Keep Westmoreland County Beautiful, the KAB program arm of Westmoreland Cleanways.

A brief program is planned, to include remarks from Latrobe Mayor and LUPR Commissioner Rosie Wolford and a representative from Coca-Cola. Other invitees include local legislators, City Council and LUPR Commission members, and representatives from the Coca-Cola Distribution Center in Greensburg. Children of all ages can enjoy some fun and informative recycling activities provided

by Westmoreland Cleanways and The Coca-Cola Company.

Light refreshments, including ice cold Coca-Cola products, will be available.

Latrobe-Unity Parks & Recreation’s application was selected from among hundreds of applications across the country by Keep America Beautiful based on criteria including level of need, recycling experience and the ability to sustain their program in the future. Upon learning of the award, Jeanne Ashley, LUPR Executive Director commented, “We are so fortunate to have received this grant, as our efforts to keep our 200+ acres of Latrobe park facilities clean are challenging. Keeping America Beautiful begins at home in our local communities.” www.latroberecreation.org www.westmorelandcleanways.org www.kab.orgwww.coca-colacompany.com August 2014 - 29

END NOTES

by Cathi Gerhard

“I want my children to have all the things I couldn’t afford.

Then I want to move in with them.” – Phyllis Diller

One Flew Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest Last month, my family loaded up a flights from Latrobe to Dallas! (please, That pink bedroom has no purtruck and two cars, then made an explease bring them back!) pose now; it fills no specific category hausting two-day journey to Austin, Sure, I will see my daughter on in our house plan. I have heard many Texas. At age 23, my daughter, Elizavacations and at Thanksgiving or people talk about the joy of convertbeth, was about to begin her adult life, Christmas, whether it’s in Pennsylvaing those empty nests into many along with her three best friends, in a nia or Texas. But she is gone from my things: craft rooms, expanded closets, new town far from “home.” She had everyday life, and that’s going to be a game rooms, offices, etc. And there are been accepted to the University of hard “habit” to break. I was 21 when no grandchildren on the near horizon Texas graduate program for she was born, and have lived art history, and soon won a every single day of my adult professional fellowship. life with her as a primary After a rough “gap” year concern and focus. I am when none of the recent colequal parts regretful and lege grads had found their afraid. There’s no more time “dream job” or true directo “do right by her” as a partion, a few major changes ent: making the perfect seemed like a good idea. They home, saving enough money jumped off the crazy hamster or providing the best opporwheel that many of us have tunities. My failures and sucfound ourselves treading: no cesses as her mother have longer children, but not livbeen measured. What do I ing on their own as adults eido now? ther, working temporary jobs Surely, I will dote on my without much potential. My cats, short of dressing them daughter maintained her up in baby clothes. But now own apartment in college; my full attention and renow everything was in storsources will also be availage, and she was back in her able for my son, Robert, who Summer 1994: I was around the same age that my daughter is today. small, pink bedroom. We turns 16 in a few months. My She was three, and we moved away to North Carolina that autumn. were once more making her relationship with him is meals, my mother was doing completely different than her laundry, and we were all with Elizabeth, and I am helping to pay her bills. looking forward to growing it. He has who could snuggle into it as their It was nice to have my “baby girl” never had me all to himself like his sisGrammy’s nursery. None of those conback home every day, but yet also ter did for eight years, so this is ancepts seems to fit right now. Elizastressful for everyone. It was time for other new beginning for us both. beth’s room is just an empty space in her to start life on her own, making A few weeks ago, we started lookour home, and in my heart. decisions and taking on responsibiliing at used cars because Driver’s EduWould I feel this void as much if ties – the tough stuff that accompacation will begin soon. It seems that she had not moved so far away? I’m nies freedom. time is layering ironic knots around my not sure. As with my own life experiA month has passed since Elizaemotional hole – soon I will be giving ence, you have to move a certain disbeth left. I didn’t cry until I saw the Robert the keys to that car, turning him tance in order to truly break the deempty closet full of hangers. When she loose on roads that will eventually lead pendent bonds. I moved to North was in college, she had always left her him away from me. But until that time Carolina for 13 years, a day’s drive off-season clothes behind – part of her comes, I plan to concentrate on my away from Pennsylvania. Texas is a was still here. Now everything is gone; revised role as his mother, making his very long two days by car, and a more it’s real for the first time. nest the best launching pad that I can. complicated plane trip since Spirit airlines recently stopped their convenient 30 - August 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Valley School

Every Story Begins At Home.

August 2014 - 31

32 - August 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST