Laurel Mountain Post :: February 2014

ISSN 2330-6629

LAUREL MOUNTAIN

POST

now featuring the

o

FREE

Westmoreland County Guide to Homes

School Culture: The Other Teacher Arctic Blasts from the Past on the Lincoln Highway Hometown Talent A Patch of Sun for Boo Survival of the Fittest Flocked, Flowered & Fooled Winter Wonders Beautiful Inside and Out A Mouse in the House (or Barn)

2014 LAUREL MOUNTAIN February POST, September 2013 - 1

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Table of Contents

2014

Editor’s Introduction

SAMA-Ligonier Valley Commissions Lawn Sculpture

“Connections” by Cathi Gerhard

Today’s Education “School Culture: The Other Teacher”

by Clair Ward

Down on the Farm “A Mouse in the House (or Barn)”

by Cathi Gerhard & Gregory Susa

Shops Around the Corner The Laurel Mountain Post recommends: Schultheis Automation, Fox’s Pizza of Ligonier, and The Coventry Inn

“Winter Wonders”

by Gwen Wolfgang

“Ruby Ribbon” Women’s Fashion from Latrobe Native

Artic Blasts from the Past on the Lincoln Highway Home Study “Happy Hours . . . in Reflection”

by Brian Mishler

“Hometown Talent” An Interview with musician Eric DeFade

by Megan Fuller.

Community Notes Student Poetry Contest New Westmoreland Recycling Center 114th Christmas Bird Count Report

“Flocked, Flowered & Fooled”

by Nancy Clark

That’s What They Say “Nelson Mandela” Thought-Provoking Insights on Common Quotations by Rev. Majorie Rivera

“A Patch of Sun for Boo”

by Joe Potts

Earth Talk Do you have any tips for explaining global warming and other complex environmental problems to my kids?

Postmodern Tendancies “Meaningful Metaphorical Messages”

by Megan Fuller

“Cholesterol and Eating Habits”

by Janine Koutsky

Reversing Roles “Survival of the Fittest” by Gretchen Fuller

What’s Cooking in Fitness “Excuse or Reason? Which Will Win in 2014?” by Mark Rullo

Information for Life “What Is Important in Your New House?”

by Mike Vernon

Emergency Safety Campaign Local Families Urged to ICE Seniors’ Cell Phones

Classified Advertising Celebrations, Help Wanted, For Sale, Memorials, Discounts, Miscellaneous

Community Calendar February and March

End Notes “Absolutely Fabulous” by Cathi Gerhard

“How to Get to Carnegie Hall”

by Victoria Mull Every Story Begins At Home.

February 2014 - 3

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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 Elizabeth Srsic, Art & Layout Editor Michelle White, Business Manager Carol Gerhard, Copy Editor Sales: Jason Ament, Char Bukoskey, Bryan & Kelly Johnson-Hill Media: Joe Jerich, Eric Pensenstadler, Mary Fowler. Circulation: Jason Ament, Charl Bukoskey, Nancy Clark, Granny Earth, Gretchen Fuller, Cathi Gerhard, Bryan & Kelly Johnson-Hill, Laurie McGinnis, Victoria Mull, Bob Raho, Doug Richardson, Elizabeth Srsic, Alice Susa, Gregory Susa, Lindsay Turchetta, Robert Williams, and Jack Wilson. Columnists: please use contact information provided at the end of each article or on our website.

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Publisher cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of the matter represented in the advertisements herein published.

Please contact the advertiser to verify details.

Laurel Mountain Post-style stories, links and photos EVERY DAY!

Editorial Office 189 Fairview Lane Derry, PA 15627

Mailing Address PO Box 332 Ligonier, PA 15658

Phone: 724-537-6845 • Fax: 724-558-9548

www.LaurelMountainPost.com 591 Weaver Mill Rd, Rector Privacy? Getaway?

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Calling All Sellers: Are You Ready to Move??

If you've been on the fence about listing your home, now is the time.

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Call today for a no-cost market analysis on your home and LIST IT! OFFICE: 724.238.7600 • CELL: 724.972.8418

4 - February 2014

Every Story Begins At Home LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Connections “A good friend is a connection to life – a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world.”

– Lois Wyse

I keep many of my friends and relatives on the Laurel Mountain Post mailing list because it is a great way to let them know what I am up to – and several of them are former natives who also enjoy a good hometown read each month. Last month I received a Christmas card from an old friend of mine, and at the bottom she wrote this note: “I feel more connected to you since receiving the Post.”

In this digital age of social media, that’s quite a compliment. Facebook, Twitter and other applications give us instant access to one another’s thoughts, actions, and words . . . yet the written, printed page is what brings us closer together. Parents warn their children about the dangers of online communication by reminding them that what we post lasts forever and cannot be undone. But typically, when it comes to personal exchanges, our online words are quickly forgotten and replaced by something new just as fast as most spoken ones.

When people used to write letters, many of us saved them – wrapped in a ribbon, collected in a box or drawer, or hidden away somewhere so that we could enjoy them again one day. We take our time to read something when we hold it in our hands, experiencing a memorable connection.

That’s what we try to do with each issue of the Laurel Mountain Post. More than love letters to our hometown, our pages connect to readers like an old friend, bringing stories that matter to you. And if we have made a special connection with you through the years, please let us know.

We value your letters to us as well!

– Cathi Gerhard

Did You Miss the January Issue?

Many people are wondering what happened to our January issue of the Laurel Mountain Post. It’s always been a difficult task to gather information and handle business over the holidays, so we finally decided to change our publication schedule. Like many of the national magazines, we are combining the December and January editions into one big holiday/ Every Story Begins At Home.

winter issue. It will give our staff some needed time off, too. I would like to thank the contributing writers who stepped in to fill some pages for our February issue, as a few columnists were still on holiday. A revised publication schedule is available online, but deadlines are the 5th of each month (late date is the 10th). Here’s to another great year!

February 2014 - 5

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6 - February 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

TODAY’S EDUCATION

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

School Culture . . . The Other Teacher Parents today are encouraged to be consumers of schools. This means identifying specific indicators of “good” if not “excellent” schools. Parents are most often inclined to look at class size, the education/training levels of the teachers, and the facilities. College placement can also be an indicator of quality education in the eyes of a parent consumer. However, one of the most elusive yet crucial measures of a successful learning environment should be its culture.

Families go to great lengths to create family culture that reflects the values they wish to impart to their children. To do this, we develop norms and habits of being that reflect what we believe to be the important components of life. This is done through shared meals, traditions of faith, rituals and routines with extended family, etc. Some of this culture is intentional, some of it is not.

But at the end of the day, children grow up with a sense of the cultural norms of their households.

Well this is true for schools as well. The culture in a school sets the tone for how students view their responsibility to learn, how and what they play at recess, and the relationships that students have with adults.

There are three primary areas of culture that tend to impact education in a building: academic culture, social culture and the culture of relationships.

Academic Culture Schools should inspire students to find their passion for learning. This is done most successfully through adult modeling. Students must see teachers as being in intellectual motion. Imagine how powerful it is for a literature student to know his teacher is writing a book. Imagine the power of an art student seeing her teacher struggle to master a new technique. Or imaEvery Story Begins At Home.

gine the message a teacher sends when she is so particularly thrilled the week that she gets to teach the cycle of water. In essence, students must witness passion for a subject area in order to find their own passion.

The mistake that schools, and by extension teachers, often make is to assume that their job is only to impart knowledge, not necessarily passion.

The reality is that students will not develop academic behavior and passion if it is not modeled for them and reinforced by the adult culture of teaching and learning.

Social Culture of Learning I think we can all agree that children will not learn if they are not emotionally safe and whole. A healthy school community features students interacting with each other across grade levels and interests. It is important that this naturally be an environment of inclusion over exclusion. Ideally, the notion of “cool to be smart” should prevail as well. If students are committed to creating study groups, to getting work completed before playing with friends online, the social culture will positively impact learning as well.

Culture of Relationships This is a big one. Discipline can (and should) provide a correction without shaming a child. This is more than just a gift to a child. What this does is foster the child’s deep respect for his teachers. Teachers can playfully poke and prod students. But they must also be encouraging, agreeing to meet with and support the students. Students learn to access and utilize the resources available to them at school.

Teachers encourage students to gradually practice more and more independence. Children therefore develop a unique ability to relate to adults.

And that trait eventually translates into a life-long ability to advocate for themselves.

Last year, Howard Gardner, an esteemed author and professor of cognition and education from Harvard University wrote an article about his institution. The piece had the provocative title of “Why Kids Cheat at Harvard.” Gardner wrote about the university’s largest cheating scandal.

Aside from the obvious concern that Gardner has for the episode itself, what concerns the author most is the fact that he is noticing that students exhibit an increasing numbness to the concept of cheating. The decision to cheat is no longer a process of exploring ethical standards and convictions; rather, the students believe that life has shown them that if there is a “means to an end” then it is justifiable. Gardner writes, “…this scandal can have a positive outcome if leaders begin a searching examination of the messages being conveyed to young people and then do whatever it takes to make those messages ones that lead to lives genuinely worthy of admiration.” I believe that this is the role of culture.

Gardner’s is a poignant example of how a deficient school culture can work against the common good. So as hard as we work to prove the quality of a school through its test scores, let us also be vigilant that the other teacher—school culture—is working to promote the values about learning that we desire. Excellent curriculum, sound instruction and positive culture . . . these are the hallmarks of a good school. ***** 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.

February 2014 - 7

DOWN ON THE FARM

by Cathi Gerhard & Gregory Susa

A Mouse in the House (or Barn) Over the holiday break, I was sitting at my desk working on the planning stages for this issue. Greg and Elizabeth were at work, and Robert was visiting his father: it was just me and the cats, while Bianca was having a winter run outside. All was quiet and peaceful except for the rat-a-tap-tap of my keyboard. I love days like this, especially in the winter when there’s no guilt about staying inside all day.

Typically these days begin about 5:45 am, and I work until after noon or one o’clock, with a cat or two circling to check on me a few times or birdwatch in the bay window next to my chair. This was a particularly productive day, until the relaxing silence was shattered by sudden terrifying screams and squeaks I couldn’t identify at first. In shock, I got up and walked around to the front of my desk and saw two cats: Winry Hughes with her paws inside Greg’s shoe; and Magic, the small black cat looking on from a short distance in the hall. Jim, of course, was nowhere near because he prefers his 16-18 hours of daytime beauty rest upstairs in one of our beds.

I quickly realized what was happening: the cats had cornered one of the field mice who often find their way into our old farmhouse, especially during the cold winter. I understand the need to control the rodent population around the farm. The cats and dogs do a superb job. But inside the house, images of Beatrix Potter characters quickly come to mind, and I cannot bear to face the truth and horror of nature’s order.

So I scooped up the shoe and dumped its screaming contents outside onto the patio into a drift of snow. Too late to change my mind, I watched as the mouse fell to the ground – and so did 8 - February 2014

one of the barn cats who likes to hang out by the back door, his head making an arching bob from shoe to snow.

I turned my head to avoid the carnage sure to ensue, and went back inside. Winry and Magic were still looking around the pile of shoes. I sat back down at my desk and started to think about mice and cats and their eternal battle.

Here are few more stories about mice down on the farm, written by some LMP readers . . . *****

The Great Cranberry Famine of 1938

by Floyd Mauer November 2012 Actually, it wasn’t wide-spread, and might not even qualify as a ‘famine’ by a strict definition of the word, but it did have an impact on the families living in the little hamlet of Bloomville, NY — especially on those who shopped at E.M. Powell’s General Store on Main Street. Our Thanksgiving menu had been built around cranberry sauce since the time of the Pilgrims and it was a recurring feature of the Christmas menu as well, but in 1938 few of us living in Bloomville found any of it on the table.

The absence of cranberries wasn’t due to a widespread failure of the crop in Maine. In fact, it had been a good year. The farmers had been up to their hips in the bogs for well over a month, and had shipped their product all over the country in the traditional wooden crates that held a half bushel each. Mr. Powell had

received his shipment right on time.

He took the lid off the box and displayed it on the bottom shelf near the wood stove where folks warmed themselves while waiting for their orders to be filled. He was counting on picking up a few orders from folks who hadn’t remembered to write ‘cranberries’ on their list and needed a reminder.

I wasn’t the only one who noticed the display. As I’ve told my children a dozen times, we didn’t have school buses in those days. It was three miles to the school in Bloomville, and if you didn’t want to walk, you got a ride on the milk truck that hauled the day’s milk to the Sheffield Creamery in Bloomville. There was one problem we had to live with. The deadline for getting the milk to the creamery was 8:00 a.m. and the school didn’t open until 9:00. While the weather was fine, we would hang out around the school yard. The boys would toss a ball, and the girls would sit around and giggle.

When the weather turned cold, as it always did by the first week in November, we looked for shelter.

That meant Powell’s store, and Mr. Powell accepted us rather grudgingly.

He had to if he wanted to continue to do business with our parents. I was there with a half dozen of my classmates, and we all agreed on what we witnessed that morning in 1938.

Mr. Powell had a cat — an ugly old tom cat that he kept around to prevent the rodents from taking over the cracker barrel. When he wasn’t chasing the rats and mice, old Tom would hang out in a cozy spot under the stove; but on this morning, he woke up, stretched a bit and got to his feet. He yawned a couple of times and then walked over to the shelf LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

where the cranberries were displayed. While we watched in amazement, he climbed into the box with the cranberries and started to dig a little hole. We were all farm boys, and knew exactly what he was doing! It was all over in a few seconds. We didn’t say a thing to Mr. Powell, but we said plenty to everybody else we met. In less than twenty four hours, there was a precipitous decline in the demand for cranberries, and it lasted for at least a year. I don’t know if Mr. Powell ever figured out why his stock didn’t move. Rob Maxon, the other storekeeper in Bloomville reported that business had never been better.

Famine is defined as an extreme and general scarcity of food, but in this case, the food was there, but nobody had any appetite. Is there a word for that? How about anorexia profunditas? ***** “Mice” by Rose Fyleman, 1932 Now a children’s book illustrated by Caldecott Honor medalist Lois Ehlert, Beach Lane Books, October 2012, amazon.com

I think mice Are rather nice.

Their tails are long Their faces small, They haven’t any Chins at all Their ears are pink, Their teeth are white They run about The house at night They nibble things They shouldn’t touch And no one seems To like them much.

But I think Mice Are rather nice *****

Mousy Musings

by Dr. Nancy Mauer I have taken many views on mice.

Mouse was my childhood nickname.

Every Story Begins At Home.

My brother and I rescued a trio of “pinkies” from a junk car when I was about eight. Surprisingly, our parents let us keep them, and we were successful at feeding them with an eyedropper. We named them Mustang, Torino, and Pinto. We transported them across state lines from our Grandfather’s farm to “return them to the wild” in our Maryland back yard.

Family friends had a hunting camp where we spent occasional weekends. One morning I had noticed a mouse nest in the cookstove.

I warned the others about it. My friend’s mother assured me, as she struck a match, that it would burn up before she put breakfast in the oven.

They had taken the view that the mice spent much more time at the cabin than they did, and seemed to peacefully coexist.

In my college years, I took a course on animal ethics. Considerable time was spent discussing rodent control, what is humane, and what is not. Consequently I have tried hard to keep the habitat that is my home unattractive to invading rodents (not easy when one has pets!). An old farmhouse I rented had a mud room in the entryway where I kept a bowl of dry food for my dog to help herself.

Every morning there was a piece of kibble balancing on the baseboard above the bowl. After the third morning it seemed too coincidental that it rested there so precisely. On investigation I found a mouse hole, less than a half inch in diameter. The mouse fit through, but alas, his bounty did not.

I have occasionally pondered whether he pulled or pushed trying to jam it through the hole, and wondered that his problem-solving skills did not extend to enlarging the hole or nibbling the pellet until it would fit.

Recently I was addressing my attic work room, where stalled hobbies languish for years at a time. I took a few minutes to review viruses that can be contracted from cleaning up mouse infestations, but since I’d never heard of a case of Hantavirus in Western Pennsylvania, I rolled up my sleeves and delved into the cor-

ners. At the back of a drawer I found a nest. Mostly paper, but luxuriously lined with soft green fibers that had originated from a bolt of velveteen I had inherited from my mother. She had intended to use it for interior decorating. I guess the mice were just fulfilling her dream on their scale.

Score one for them! Indeed they had left other evidence of their presence throughout the cupboard; the rainbow of colors in a box of crayons comes through the mouse largely unchanged!

One Winter I worked at an aquarium. We had a wide variety of commercial feeds for the animals in the collection. Fish diet comes in varieties that sink, varieties that float, and sizes from twenty-grit to buckshot.

Mice are not nearly as picky as fish, they loved it all. The bags of fish feed were stored on shelves, and I learned to expect that a thirty pound bag coming off the overhead shelf would often be accompanied by a shower of fleeing mice and spillage of fish food that was broadcast far and wide to entice the next wave of invaders. We rallied behind old “Mr. Jinx,” sounding the battle cry “I hate meeces to pieces!

*****

Best friends, but never quite college sweethearts, Greg and Cathi finally married 20 years later.

Together they own and operate Fairview Farm in Derry Township, now an estate winery and community garden in the making, managed by two black cats, two devoted dogs, and a ridiculously bossy young kitten. “Down on the Farm” is a column originally started by Cathi’s father, Shelly Gerhard, about a day in the life of a family farm in western Pennsylvania.

February 2014 - 9

Shops Around the Corner The Laurel Mountain Post Recommends . . .

Schultheis Automation 322 State Route 711 South Jones Mills, PA 15646 724-593-2275 www.schultheisautomation.com Last fall my son, Robert, decided he wanted a custom-built gaming computer for his 15th birthday/Christmas present. He had taken a summer course in game design at Carnegie Mellon two summers ago which confirmed his interest in computers and digital design. My own expertise with computer hardware and software ended somewhere in the late 1990’s, so I encouraged my son to take every opportunity to learn – especially how to build his own PC. We consulted Jerry Schultheis at Schultheis Automation about designing and building a system, and he introduced us to his IT specialist, Jason Wimple, who patiently reviewed and revised our suggested parts list. Jason made several upgrade recommendations, corrected compatibility errors, found substitutions when items were unavailable, and investigated ways to get the best prices. After I placed the orders for parts, we set up a time when my son could come to their office and workshop to put it all together.

Schultheis Automation is headquartered in a beautiful log structure building in Jones Mills just past Sarnelli’s market – conveniently located off the Donegal turnpike exit, and a 30-minute drive from Latrobe. As visitors, we immediately felt at home in the comfortable lobby: staff treated us like family guests rather than formal business clients, putting my son at ease.

Though the information was overwhelming, Jason had a great rapport with my son and proved to be a wonderful teacher. They spent patient hours building the PC, brain10 - February 2014

stormed solutions together when small problems occurred, and my son left that day enabled by a secure feeling of ownership and con-trol for his new masterpiece.

Thanks to Jerry and his staff for not only providing excellent service, but for advocating youth education in a supportive and nurturing environment!

– Cathi Gerhard

*****

Tom Wynkoop, manager Fox’s Pizza of Ligonier 122 N. Market Street Ligonier, PA 15658 724-238-3733 On January 6, as the life-threatening sub-zero polar vortex viciously blew into towns across Western Pennsylvania, Tom Wynkoop, manager of Fox’s Pizza in Ligonier, posted the following message on the restaurant’s Facebook page: “This goes out to our valued customers. If you have any medical history that involves respiratory issues PLEASE PLEASE do not attempt to leave the house. Due to the extreme weather conditions please call my cell phone and I will do everything in my power to have things brought to you (medications, food, etc...) NO FOOD ORDERING REQUIRED. God Bless and Be Safe.” [along with his personal cell phone number] His post received hundreds of comments and shares, and caught the attention of national media such as Huffington Post, Glenn Beck, USA Today, and Yahoo who quoted him as saying, “ "We just did it to be part of our community. Help somebody that needs help. Don’t be afraid."

Wynkoop and his staff were able to help a dozen people in their community during a time of crisis. But

thousands more have been inspired by his selfless decision. Perhaps most of them will remember this story and be moved to action when they have the opportunity.

“Your generosity is so refreshing in this day in age. Thank you for your kindness to others . . . and no matter what your religious beliefs are,” commented Dayna Hall of Grand Rapids, Minnesota (via Facebook). “I truly believe that for everyone's kindness it gets repaid . . . if in no other way than just knowing what a decent human being you are.”

Affirmations in the form of cash donations have also been pouring in at the shop. Wynkoop has decided to match those funds and give them to the local Meals on Wheels program.

We could use more local businesses like this in the world.

– Cathi Gerhard

*****

The Coventry Inn 11 North 6th Street (PO Box 152) Indiana, PA 15701 724-463-0766, reservations www.covinn.com The Coventry Inn of Indiana, PA, was a long time in the making. Twentysome years ago, as an undergraduate at IUP, I watched it being built. An authentic English Tudor-style building rose from the cleared lot on 6th street, one block down from my old apartment. It seemed to go through a few transformations over time, but I am pleased to say that now it is perfect!

Having travelled to England a few times myself (to visit my aunt), I can say from experience that their pub fare tastes as authentic as anything I ever had over there. All that is missing from the large serving of fish and chips is the newspaper wrapper.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

My wife and I most recently visited the Coventry Inn on our anniversary last month. We were especially lucky to start our evening early, arriving in time for Happy Hour when they offer a special half price drinks and appetizer menu. There is a good selection of well-mixed cocktails and beers served in full or half pints. The fine dining menu is a favorite of mine, with all items prepared in a competent French technique. Everything is also made from scratch with no “industrial food service” items – a true culinary treat that is hard to find.

We enjoyed a warm evening by the fire in a cozy dining room, sipping complimentary champagne served in celebration of our anniversary by a great waiter. There were half a dozen other tables in the dining room, but each had its own private atmosphere.

I also recommend a visit to their website to read a fictional history of the Coventry Inn, written by the owner, Charles Runyan “right out of his head with a little help from Winston Churchill’s Memoirs, latenight war movies, and a working knowledge of the English countryside, rather like the background for the plot of an English mystery story.”

Movie buffs and World War II enthusiasts will be thrilled to notice a replica of the Robin Hood Toby mug from the movie Twelve O’Clock High with Gregory Peck. It sits proudly on the mantle in the dining room.

If you can’t actually visit England, The Coventry Inn is the next best place to enjoy a local evening out!

– Gregory Susa

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February 2014 - 11

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12 - February 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Winter Wonders

by Gwen Wolfgang

I vividly remember 28 noses pressed against the windows of Poplar Street Elementary School, in Central City, PA, as my entire fourth grade class marveled at the appearance of the first snowflakes of the season. I am not sure of the reason for this fascination. Living in the mountains of Somerset County, we had all seen more than our share of one-of-a-kind snowflakes. They usually floated into town in late October or early November. Soon their snowflake buddies would crowd the skies, cover the ground, and we wouldn’t see a blade of grass until May. Winter seemed much longer in the fifties.

Everyone in Central City had a coal furnace that was banked at night.

We had no heat upstairs except a few adventurous puffs of warm air that found their way up the narrow stairs and into our bedrooms. Most mornings, I could see my breath. The thought of crawling out from under the covers and putting my feet on those frosty hardwood floors still makes me shiver.

By the time I got downstairs, the furnace fire had been stoked and glorious hot air was spewing from the register in the kitchen. That was my favorite place to stand to get dressed.

If I ever lost a button, it went straight into the blazing bowels of the furnace, never to be seen again. By the time I was dressed for school, my scrawny little legs were baked to a bright red.

First came the snow pants. My mother took hours starching and ironing my cotton dresses. I wore at least one crisp crinoline slip under my skirt. All of that voluminous material had to be stuffed into my wool snow pants so that I could pull the straps up and adjust them tightly at the shoulder. With my skinny legs and my pants full of cotton and crinoline, I looked a lot like Tweedle-Dum. Next came the boots. Mine were brown rubber with obviously imitation fur around the top. They were Every Story Begins At Home.

worn over my school shoes and zipped up the front. By the end of winter, they would chafe a black ring around my lower calf. Nothing could be done to wash away the line so my legs always looked dirty.

After putting on my coat, mittens, and hat, my grandmother would pin a white wool scarf around the lower half of my face. As I began to walk to school, my warm breath would condense and the scarf would freeze to my lips. I had perpetual chapping on the lower half of my face for five months every year. It was a nice match to the scaly chafing around my ankles.

When I arrived at school, I hung my coat on a hook in the cloak closet at the back of the room. If I removed my snow pants, my dress and crinoline were a mass of wrinkles. If I left the woolen wonders in place, my legs would sweat all day until the flannel lining of my pants could be wrung out.

Neither choice was a very good one.

Every girl wore same rubber and faux fur boots. Every boy wore “artics”, black rubber boots with buckles all the way up the front. How did Mrs. Bantley ever figure out which boots went on which feet? They don’t teach you things like that at State Teacher’s College!

Every day, we put on our coats, boots, hats, and mittens and went outside for recess. Don’t tell Grandma, but I never put my damp scarf around my face. We played in the

snow piles until our mittens were soaked and covered with tiny ice balls. In my memory, I can still smell the essence of wet wool. Sometimes we played on the swings and our hands would freeze to the ice coated chains. The wind created by swinging made my chapped face sting and my sweaty snow pants even more uncomfortable. It never occurred to me to complain.

My trip home was about a mile, all uphill.(I will confess that the morning walk was all downhill.) Plows had cleared the roads and ashes were used to provide traction on the ice.

With so many coal furnaces in town, ashes were an endless natural resource. Chains slapped on the ashy pavement as cars passed me on my homeward trek.

When I got home, my friend Donna and I got our sleds and headed out to play. We made snow men and snow angels and enjoyed every minute of the winter.

A wall of icicles formed on the lower side of our back porch. They extended from the roof to the ground, ten feet below. Often we would break off a chunk of and suck on it like a water flavored Popsicle. The treat would leave a residue in your mouth of little tiny asbestos beads from the shingles. You could either swallow them or take off your mittens and pick them out of your teeth. They were crunchy and had a metallic taste. No one told us they were dangerous.

Now I get in my car in a warm garage and turn on my electric seat heater. It is reminiscent of the hot register. I park near my destination and run for the door. In fact, now that I am retired, I don’t even go out if I don’t absolutely have to. I have much more natural insulation than I did then. You would think it would keep me warmer. But as I shiver today, I will just close my eyes and let my memories keep me warm.

February 2014 - 13

Another Great Idea Tied to Western Pennsylvania Author Ruth Ann Schabacker said, “Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons.” In this case, the package contains shapewear from Ruby Ribbon: items you can try out in the privacy of your own home or at a small party with friends – much like Pampered Chef, Silpada Jewelry or Tupperware.

Founded in 2011 by Latrobe native Anna Zornosa, Ruby Ribbon is a social commerce apparel brand that sells its products exclusively through a technologysupported network of independent stylists who work for themselves. Ruby Ribbon designs and manufactures Shaping Essentials that includes essentials (t-shirts, leggings, skirts with shaping technology built inside the clothing), shapewear, and fashion layering.

“As a career woman and mom, I spent many years climbing the corporate ladder. And like many other women, I was always on the hunt for clothes that helped me to look and feel my most fabulous.

This was no small feat for someone who has struggled with her weight throughout her life,” explained Zornosa.

“Several years ago, however, I discovered a secret weapon: shape-wear. After many trips back and forth to my local department store, and lots of experimenting, I found a few foundational shapewear pieces that I couldn’t live without. I incorporated these pieces into my daily wardrobe, and was amazed by the boost of confidence they gave me.”

Anyone who has ever watched an episode of What Not to Wear on TLC 14 - February 2014

knows that the best style comes from making the best of what you’ve got – not trying to hide it or change it. The first step in every TV makeover was usually finding the right foundation – properly fitting bras or other undergarments. For most of us women, the process of bra-fitting is an endless public battle in stuffy dressing rooms, sometimes with overbearing sales associates wearing tape measures around their necks. There are so many sizing variables to consider, we end up taking something that is “good enough” just to get out of there!

But when we are lucky enough to find the right one, our appearance is beautifully transformed.

Anna Zornosa, now and then (as a 1976 graduate of Greater Latrobe Senior High School).

One day Zornosa had the classic “ah-ha” moment: “I realized it would be fantastic if I could figure out a way to combine shapewear with everyday clothing! So I tracked down the best and brightest lingerie, fashion and activewear designers, marrying their skills and learning from each along the way, and helped to create a collection of exciting, new shaping basics that can easily work with any woman’s existing wardrobe.”

The result was the development of products containing Intomi by Ruby Ribbon™ – a proprietary technology to enhance a woman’s figure.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Me with two of my best high school friends, Mary Ann Bach Clare, and Mary Heinnickel Wine. Mary Ann Clare was one of the first Ruby Ribbon stylists (she lives in Pittsburgh now) and Mary Wine was one of our first hostesses (she lives in Wichita.) Crystal Williamson Manning, who also graduated LHS in ‘76 and lives in Wexford PA, was also a high school "bestie" and now runs her own Ruby Ribbon business.

Western Pennsylvania has definitely put this new company on wheels!

– Anna

Most pieces come in six simple sizes, XS - XXL, and comfortably conform to fit each woman’s unique shape – even tall women like me. No more pulling and twisting. No more muffin top, saddle bag bulge, or pinched circulation. Simply step into each garment and pull up for instant support and smoothing in one fashionable step.

After my own personal trunk show, I was a believer and a customer.

Inspired by her mother, who was an “Avon Lady,” Zornosa decided on the social or “ambassador” model for her company: “Ruby Ribbon was inspired by my simple desire to create a company built around the idea of empowering women to look and feel their best, while going after their dreams.”

By incorporating trained Independent Stylists, women are introduced to the products on a personal level and can build dedicated relationships. Each stylist can then build their own customer base to become the CEO of her own company.

“We knew Ruby Ribbon would be all about girlfriend power: The team's commitment to each other; women supporting other women's businesses by having trunk shows; girlfriends signing up to work together,” Zornosa explained. “We heard that there is an Asian saying that two unrelated women with deep friendships need only bind their fingers together with a red string to become sisters. We loved that, and turned the red string into a Every Story Begins At Home.

Ruby Ribbon. When we saw the logo with two R's back to back and saw that could represent two women, or a butterfly, or a bow...we knew we had it!”

A 1976 graduate of Greater Latrobe Senior High School and a veteran national business woman, Zornosa decided to bring this company home for its debut. The first Ruby Ribbon trunk show was held at a home in the East High Acres neighborhood of Latrobe, near Mountain View. A few years later, Ruby Ribbon is a private company with a multimillion dollar run rate and more than 200 active Stylists operating in 35 states.

With headquarters in New York City and Burlingame. CA, Ruby Ribbon has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Womens Wear Daily, and Self magazine among others.

“There’s nothing like Ruby Ribbon in the direct selling space,” according to Crain’s New York Business. Independent Stylists begin by purchasing a $199 starter kit, complete with product samples and business supplies like brochures, catalogs, and order forms. Trunk Shows are held in Hostesses homes, salons, and offices – and each Hostess earns rewards (in free and discount product) based on the sales of her particular Trunk Show. Independent Stylists can earn up to 40% commissions on her personal sales and up to 10% commissions on her team’s sales. Other reward opportunities for Stylists include bi-annual retreats and other prizes.

To learn more about becoming a Ruby Ribbon stylist, or to purchase products in your area, visit www.Ruby Ribbon.com or call 650-458-RUBY.

Fall 2013 - Soho Shirt

Spring 2014 - Denim Legging

Spring 2014 - Dress

– Cathi Gerhard

***** Anna Zornosa's career has included leadership positions at startups, as well as large public companies. She founded Ruby Ribbon in 2011 after being inspired to create a unique everyday shapewear apparel company, whose products are only available through social commerce. She serves as an Advisor to several other startups including: Trulioo.com, Motista, Inc, Glam.com, and Chloe & Isabel. Previously, she served as EVP of the Cobalt Group, Vice President, Yahoo!, Chief Marketing Officer, Knight Ridder Digital, and CEO, Topica, Inc. She has both a Masters and Bachelor's degrees from the University of Wisconsin, and lives in Burlingame, CA with her family.

February 2014 - 15

Arctic Blasts from the Past on the Lincoln Highway

Packard on snow-covered roads between Irwin and Jacksonville, Pennsylvania, 1924.

1918 convoy through Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

University of Michigan Lincoln Highway Digital Image Collection This collection contains images of the Lincoln Highway (construction, views, bridges, etc.) from the University Library Special Collections. The Lincoln Highway Association was made up of representatives from the automobile, tire, and cement industries, with the goal of planning, funding, constructing, and promoting the first transcontinental highway in North America. The route, consisting of both existing and newly-built roads following the most direct route possible, ran from New York to San Francisco, covering approximately 3,400 miles.

History The Transportation History Collection of the Special Collections Library counts amongst it holdings the archive of the original Lincoln Highway Association (1910-1927). The Association was made up of representatives from the automobile, tire, and cement industries, with the goal of planning, funding, constructing, and promoting the first transcontinental highway

16 - February 2014

Packard in snow, east of Ligonier, Pennsylvania, 1924

Packard passing snow fences in winter, Westmoreland County.

in North America. The route, consisting of both existing and newly-built roads following the most direct route possible, ran from New York to San Francisco, covering approximately 3,400 miles.

The Lincoln Highway Association archive was donated to the University of Michigan’s Transportation Library in 1937. The archive, transferred to the Special Collections Library in 1992, consists of materials from the central office in Detroit dating from 1912 up through the late 1930s. There are letters, manuscript trip logs, minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors, reports, contracts, financial statements, drawings, press releases, maps, brochures and guides, including the 1928 logbook of Lincoln Highway markers made by local Boy Scouts, and photographs.

The photographic portion of the archive consists of approximately 3,000 images, including views of construction underway, towns and cities, markers, bridges, cars, camp sites, scenic views, and snapshots of Association directors and field secretaries traveling the route.

The Digital Image Project A generous grant from the University of Michigan’s Friends of the Library, in 1999, funded the first phase of a project to digitize the photographs of the Lincoln Highway Association. An additional monetary gift, presented in 2006 by the reconstituted Lincoln Highway Association, allowed the digitization pro-

ject to be completed in 2007. Through the collaboration of staff in the Special Collections Library and Digital Library Production Service, over 3,000 photographs have been scanned, digitized, provided with descriptive captions (many based on the original text provided by the Association), and mounted on the web. The original alphanumeric identifiers have been retained and are searchable, as are the state or section names. City, county, and town names, personal names, and other descriptive elements, may be included in the caption and will also be searchable. The following states and sections are available for viewing: California, Yosemite, Nevada, Victory Highway, Midland Trail, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Ideal Section, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey/New York), H.C. Ostermann, Portraits, Miscellaneous, and General.

All images reprinted courtesy of University of Michigan Library, Special Collections Library Locally, please visit the Lincoln Highway Experience, 3435 State Route 30 in Latrobe (former Johnston House at Kingston Dam) www.lhhc.org, 724-879-4241

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

HOME STUDY

by Brian Mishler

Happy Hours . . . in Reflection As a kid of the 1970’s, my clients often hear stories that involve my dad.

My three brothers and I lived in a turn-of-the-century (20th century to you millennials) 3-story, 3-bedroom, 1 bath house with our parents. You read that right; six of us, one bathroom, one female; life was good; never a conflict.

Like many Western PA dads, my dad was a do-it-yourselfer. At first, be-cause he was young and broke.

Later because he was, like many depression-era babies, afraid of becoming broke again.

I can’t recall a time ever meeting a repairman at our home. Hence, frequently uttered was: “come with me, we gotta fix…” oh no! It’s Saturday! I don’t wanna… argue as I might, I was now the flashlight holder, wrench fetcher, thingy holder-upper, pipe fitter, or whatever dad needed for that project.

At first one wants to be the “big boy” and help dad with the “manly” tasks of the house, then comes the reali-zation that you’re free labor, and hey there’s better stuff to be doing with your friends … aww dad!

Years later when I moved out into my own apartment, living paycheck to paycheck, my hand-medown “stuff” in need of constant maintenance or repair, my education in all things broken, took new meaning and importance. I learned that dad has some strengths, but several important gaps in his knowledge. So, if a repairman was necessary, I’d watch him as I did dad, to learn the tricks of their trade. Appliance repair, electrical work, and plumbing, to name a few. Building further on my “home schooling” I began and bounced around work as a construction laborer

Every Story Begins At Home.

in a variety of fields, never mastering any one. Potential poster child for Jack of All Trades, Master of None!

The one thing with me to this day, and probably to the very end, is a passion for learning how things work.

Regardless of what the issue was, Dad figured out what went wrong, why, and how to fix it … with this petulant boy standing there watching.

Forty years later some of my best memories are the hours I “wasted” holding a flashlight. I wonder – especially considering how many times I heard “you’re blocking my light”– how much help I was, and how much education was actually intentional.

Hmmmm.

Over the course of a 20-year home inspection career, the lack of “home-schooling” among today’s younger home buyers has become increasingly noticeable. During the course of a home inspection basic home ownership skills are taught to an ever-increasing need: where the main water shut-off valve is, where and how circuit breakers work, even the little doo-hickey on the storm door closer, and the list goes on.

Take an hour, and reverse this trend with your children. Plan a fire drill; teach how to test the smoke alarms, and how to get out of the house from their bedrooms in a crawl.

When you’re doing something around the house, have one “hold the flashlight.” Don’t know how to do a repair?

Both of you can learn from watching the repairperson, and talk about it later. Granted, yours is a more daunting challenge than my dad’s; he did not have to compete with the video games and social networks of today, although to his credit, he did manage

to pull me away from Atari, and Charlie’s Angels with Farrah Fawcett!

Good, bad or otherwise, I owe a more than 20 year career to “come on, you’re helping me with …” an hour or two at a time.

***** Brian Mishler (portrayed by an actor above) is the owner of HomeStudy Inc., and a 20 year veteran home inspector. He began performing 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.

February 2014 - 17

Hometown Talent: Eric DeFade A childhood in Southwestern PA provided Eric DeFade with a solid background in and enduring love for music. Now with over thirty years of professional experience he is in demand as a performing artist and studio musician. For the past ten years Eric has been a featured performer for the My Music series on PBS. This program is internationally broadcast and features such artists as Patti Labelle, Isaac Hayes, the Temptations, Robert Goulet, Wild Cherry, The Platters, and The Commodores to name a few. Eric has played with music greats Rosemary Clooney, Josh Groban, the New York Voices, Gary Burton, John Scofield, Dave Liebman, Ahmad Jamal, and Benny Golson and has toured internationally with The Artie Shaw Band and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Eric has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show accompanying legendary jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson. On February 20, Eric will be playing a show sponsored by the Westmoreland Jazz Society at the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center at 100 Harrison Avenue in Greensburg at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Tickets are available at the door: $10 for WJS members, $15 non-members, $3 students (age 21 and under). Call 724/837-1500 ext.

127 for membership information or gleiner@wmuseumaa.org.

A McDonald’s All-American, multi-instrumentalist, and graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Clairton, PA, Eric received a scholarship to study jazz performance at the University of North Texas and was the lead tenor saxophonist with the Dallas jazz orchestra. After working extensively in the Dallas club and studio scene, Eric relocated to Tokyo to lead his own jazz combo. Upon returning to the U.S. Eric began a busy freelance schedule including performances with the Pittsburgh Ballet theater, the Civic Light Opera, The Pittsburgh 18 - February 2014

Symphony Pops, the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild All-Star Big Band, the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, Billy Price, and Benny Benack. Most recently Eric has been touring North America with international singing sensation Patrizio Buanne. With dozens of recordings to his credit, most notably with Nancy Wilson, and the New York Voices, Eric has played

on two Grammy award winning projects and won an Emmy for his work on the music special, “Live From Studio A”. In the fall of 2012 Eric was inducted into the Pittsburgh Jazz Hall of Fame. In addition to a year round performance schedule, Eric is an artist\lecturer in saxophone and director of jazz ensembles at Carnegie Mellon University, visiting artist at

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, adjunct professor of saxophone at Seton Hill university, director of jazz studies at CMU pre college, music chair of the Henry Mancini Arts Academy, and clinician for the Pennsylvania Arts on Tour program.

Would you please share with us some of your musical background and memories of growing up in Pittsburgh?

My father was and still is a prominent player/composer/arranger in the Pittsburgh area. Our house was always filled with great music, both live and recorded. He would often bring me along to rehearsals and until I was four or five years old, I thought that everybody in the world was a musician. As I grew up in Pittsburgh I quickly became aware of the incredible history here.

Who were your biggest influences either musically or in life?

I would have to say my parents were my biggest influences. I still learn things from my Dad as we get to play together fairly often. My parents both in their own way, impressed upon me the importance of realizing that money isn’t everything and most certainly can’t buy happiness. They gave me the confidence and support to ‘go after it’ and provided calm and sensible guidance, particularly early in my career.

Will you share with us how some of your opportunities came about -like leading a jazz combo in Tokyo or playing with Nancy Wilson, and/or teaching at CMU? I have been blessed to be a part of some truly memorable performances. When I was quite young I had the opportunity to play a number of dates on the Ginza in Tokyo. It was such a great experience to play in front of such attentive and knowledgeable crowds all the while trying to communicate with the other players. A truly exciting time in my life.

My first gig with Nancy Wilson was on the Oprah Winfrey show. It was part of a Christmas music special with Ms. Wilson, Beyoncé, and Charlotte Church. We had rehearsed our parts beforehand without Nancy and when it came time to tape, and she walked out it all dawned on me at once.

I was seated a few feet away from a genuine jazz legend that I had admired for years, getting ready to play in front of several million people. When she started to sing, I almost forgot to play! Such beautiful phrasing and distinctive style. I was blown away.

Teaching at CMU has been a wonderful thing for me. Teaching is gratifying in ways that had never occurred to me when I was strictly a freelance musician. It has improved my playing and approach to the business in a variety of ways. I also love to see the students grow and excel.

To what can the audience at your February Westmoreland Jazz Society performance look forward?

I will be playing with some of Pittsburgh’s finest rhythm players including the phenomenal Tom Wendt on drums. We will play a good mix of jazz classics and originals (classics in waiting ha ha) in a variety of styles. I will be playing tenor and soprano saxophones and flute.

Are there any personal or professional goals that you are currently working towards?

I am currently putting the finishing touches on the second release of a collaboration between myself, Tony Depaolis, and London-based guitarist Francesco Lo Castro. We have tour dates in place for the summer in London, Paris, and Rome to promote our new project, “Into the Unknown”.

What advice do you give to students in their search for success?

I always tell my students that the time to go out and experience the world as a musician is now. Keep your over-head low and try not to take on too much debt. Network as much as possible and never stop working on the things that you don’t do well. Versatility is the coin of the realm in this era.

– Interview by Megan Fuller

What inspired you to become a professional musician?

Miles Davis is quoted as saying that serious musicians play out of a need to play. This was certainly true in my case. In many ways, though it may sound strange, I feel like I was a saxophone player before I ever picked one up. I always thought that the act of standing up and improvising a dynamic, and hopefully moving, musical statement was just so cool. Still do.

Every Story Begins At Home.

“Music expresses feeling and thought, without language; it was below and before speech, and it is above and beyond all words.” – Robert G. Ingersoll

February 2014 - 19

Student Poets Invited to Enter Ligonier Valley Writers' 23rd Annual Poetry Contest Ligonier Valley Writers’ 23rd annual Student Poetry Contest for poets in grades 4 through 12 is now open to submissions.

Cash prizes will be awarded at all grade levels in different forms of poetry, from haiku to rhymed forms.

Students, teachers, and parents can get entry forms and guidelines by visiting www.LVWonline.org or contacting LVW publicity director Judith Gallagher at jgallagher@LVW online.org or (724) 593-7294. A tutorial on how to write a poem is posted on the website. Homeschoolers are welcome.

If you're a kid who likes to write, give it a try. You can win up to $20 for your poem. The deadline for submitting your writing is March 11.

The awards ceremony for the winners of the Student Poetry Contest will take place on Saturday, April 26, at Barnes & Noble (1099 E. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg) at 4:00 p.m.

Thirty cash awards will be handed out (first, second, and third prizes in each of nine categories, plus McGough Awards for three poems, the best in each age group). Many students will read their winning poems aloud. They will also receive a booklet of all the winning poems.

Help us celebrate the next generation of creativity in our region by supporting these talented young people. If you are a teacher or you know any teachers, please pass on the information about the contest to them to give more students the opportunity to experience the joy of creating and win prizes with their poems.

Writing Opportunities for Adults Meanwhile, for you adults who are feeling creative, the reading period for submissions to The Loyalhanna Review opens February 1. Submit your poem, essay, short story, or artwork before May 1. The deadline for submissions to the Flash Fiction Contest is August 15. If you’ve published a book, you can sell it at the Ligonier Valley Writers’ Conference on July 26 if you’re an LVW member.

LVW is an all-volunteer nonprofit group serving writers and readers throughout western Pennsylvania. It publishes The Loyalhanna Review and offers events throughout the year, including the summer conference, the flash fiction contest, and writing workshops. For more about LVW programs, publications, and writing contests, visit www.LVWonline.org.

For thoughts on writing and some great recommendations of writers you'll enjoy, visit LVW's blog, , maintained by Jim Busch, at http://ligoniervalleywriters.blogspot.com. __________________________________

Westmoreland Cleanways Opens New Recycling Center "Where is Westmoreland Cleanways?" you might be asking yourself. They've been strangely silent. No Winter Newsletter, no 2014 Calendar ... When is the next collection? Where will it be held?"

Well, we've been busy...you see, on December 12, 2013, the Board of Directors of Westmoreland Cleanways made the game-changing decision to open its very own Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center.

As of February 1, Westmoreland Cleanways will move to new office space and a spacious, drive-through recycling cen20 - February 2014

ter at Innovative Park near Beatty Crossroads, just off Rt. 30 in Unity Township.

Electronics, tires, freon appliances, and more, can be recycled every day, with no chance of running out of room or being in anyone's way. More material will be added as time goes on.

Make note of our new address now: Westmoreland Cleanways (mailing address) 128 Innovative Lane Suite 202 Latrobe, PA 15650 Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center 113 Innovative Lane Latrobe, PA 15650 (GPS Address) _____________________________

114th Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count Report On December 28, 2013, 151 participants joined forced to tally birds in the Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count. The weather was a bit milder than normal, with a low temperature of 35 degrees and a high temperature of nearly 50 degrees. Despite mild temperatures, area lakes and ponds were mostly frozen, though streams and rivers remained open.

Participants traveled 181 miles by foot and over 250 miles by car during the count. With a cumulative total of nearly 300 party hours, the count circle was well surveyed for birds.

Unlike last year, which was an all-time high species diversity count with eruptive winter finches and a number of lingering breeding birds, this year would prove to be more typical of the region. Sixty-six species of birds were found, with a grand total of 46,577 birds tallied.

Unquestionably, the most common bird found during the count was American Crow. The roost in Pittsburgh yielded tens of thousands of crows, and when combined with numbers outside the city, a whopping 32,913 individuals were counted.

Other notable statistics include high counts of Bufflehead (11 individuals), Bald Eagle (4 individuals), Fish Crow (20 individuals), Brown Creeper (32 individuals), Winter Wren (12 individuals) and Carolina Wren (314 individuals). Each of these numbers are higher than they have been for the past 25 years! The first ever Black Vulture was found in Franklin Park – this species is increasing in southwestern Pennsylvania, though this was the first recorded during the Pgh CBC. Participants struggled to find White-throated Sparrows, a winter visitor from the north. Only 154 were found, well below our average count. Likewise, our waterfowl numbers were down from the average; however this can be easily correlated to frozen lakes and ponds throughout the count circle.

Only one American Kestrel was found. Although available habitat for this species is limited within the area, a low count is always disappointing for such a charismatic species.

In the end, most of the 66 species found during the count were on par with the average, a welcome sign for anyone concerned about overall bird populations. We’d like to express our sincere appreciation to all of those involved in the Pittsburgh Christmas Bird Count, and especially to the area leaders that help compile the data.

– Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania www.aswp.org/birding/ChristmasBirdCount.html The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is the longest standing Citizen Science project.

Scientists rely on the remarkable trend data of Audubon’s CBC data to measure changes in the environment and in bird populations throughout North America. This information paints a clear picture of bird distribution and abundance and aids in the understanding of how populations are changing over time.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

NATURAL HEALTH

Healing with Mother Nature’s Weeds by Granny Earth, ND

Plantain:

One of the Most Common Weeds in the Whole World!

There are 2 species of Plantain: A narrow-leaf called ‘Ribwort Plantain’ and a broad-leaf called ‘Plantain Major’.

Plantain is one of the most common ‘weeds’ in the whole, wide world!

The broad-leaf (pictured below) is the one preferred, for making healing remedies and poultices.

You’ve walked on this little guy lots of times and pulled him from your garden too, no doubt! You thought he was just another ‘weed’, didn’t you? Well, you shall be forgiven for what you did not know. But, in the future, please give Mr. Plantain the respect that he deserves.

Plantain is a perennial ‘weed’ that grows up to 10 inches in height, having a rosette of broad, deeply veined leaves and dense clusters of tiny green flowers (the seeds) on its ‘spikes’. You’re sure to find this ‘weed’ all around your garden and throughout your lawn if you don’t do that totally unthinkable thing and use a ‘weed killer’!

Plantain has a history of being called ‘the healing plant’, because down through the ages, it was used to Every Story Begins At Home.

treat wounds of ALL kinds. After making its way to the ‘New World’, Native Americans called it ‘Englishman’s foot’, because it seemed to spring up everywhere, in the footsteps of those white settlers.

Some of the properties in Plantain are: iridoids, flavonoids, tannins and mucilage. Aucubin (one of the iridoids) will increase excretion of uric acids from the body via the kidneys.

So, you might want to try this for arthritic conditions. Andapigenin (a flavonoid) is an excellent anti-inflammatory–also good for arthritis. You can also depend on Plantain to stop blood flow of all wounds and to repair the damaged tissue. It can be used in place of Comfrey for treating bruises and broken bones, too. For these, you would make a poultice with the leaves.

Taken internally (as a tincture) Plantain is diuretic, expectorant, decongesting. Also used to treat gastritis, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, dysen-tery, irritable bowel syndrome (I.B.S.), respiratory and urinary tract infections. I still make my Healing Salve, using Plantain- ‘Golden Gincture’ (See end of article.) It’s been known to ‘heal’ many conditions, through out the years, from skin wounds and muscle pain, to hemorrhoids and so much more!

In my opinion, one can never have too much Plantain on hand. He’s easy to pick, abundant and dries well, too. But, the most fun thing I’ve found to do with this weed, is to put him in my ‘weed soup’. Never heard of weed soup? Well, you have now!

First I put a big pot of ‘pure’ water on to boil. While this is getting hot, I chop up some onions, celery, garlic, parsley (or cilantro), celery seed and Himalayan Crystal Salt (for added minerals and taste) and add it all to the water. I wait till the pot’s boiling

and turn it down to a simmer. Then I go outside and scout the yard for nice small, young Plantain plants. I dig them up carefully with my dandelion digger and wash them off. The roots are especially important for this adventure. I ever so gently and with great reverence, add the little plants (whole, not chopped) to the pot of simmering soup and let it simmer another ½ hour, or so. Friends are always impressed when I serve them my ‘weed soup.’ A real treat and so easy to make!

Plantain, in all his beauty, looks like an exotic Chinese herb.

(Page 119–120: Do It Yourself Weed Medicine.)

www.grannyearth.com grannyearth@zoominternet.net Phone: 724-542-9713

Granny’s monthly Natural Health Newsletter- ‘CONNECTIONS’ is available via- Snail-Mail. 12 pages- All good stuff! $35.00 a year (12 issues). ***** Seventy-some years young, and following my lifelong passion, which is natural healing and teaching others about weed medicine, I believe that we each must do what we can to get back to Nature. In making your own weed medicine, you’re going to be going out looking and identifying certain weeds that grow around you–you’ll be outdoors, in the sunshine and fresh air–getting back to Nature. Maybe you’ll start growing your own weeds, turning your backyard into a weed garden!

Granny Earth has a bachelor’s in Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania (which she earned at age 59), and both a masters and doctorate from Clayton College of Natural Health.

February 2014 - 21

Flocked, Flowered and Fooled

by Nancy Clark The elementary school Valentine’s Day party has historically been the venue for prepubescents to exchange sappy sentiments like “You’re Sweet,” “Be Mine,” and “I LOVE You.” Although the observance is guaranteed to induce giggles and a bit of blushing, the practice rested under the umbrella of friendship and youthful innocence, and accepted as a fun, but genteel way of expressing non-threatening terms of endearment.

I wish someone “back in the day” had made that clear to Antonio Romeo.

Plato, himself, must have had an Antonio in his life when, perhaps in despair, he declared, “Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable.” This assessment, when applied to Antonio Romeo, was grossly understated.

As I recall, Tony (only his mother called him Antonio) was in seventh grade and I was in fourth in our one room/eight grades school – circa 1950. He was a loud, brash, fearless boy who crowned himself King of Torment-Nation, setting the bar for hijinks and antics. He had no competition for the title as even “the big kids” cut him a wide swath.

Tony was an adolescent in every sense of the word. He “put a tack on teacher’s chair,” he “tied a knot in Susie’s hair;” he pilfered coins from the Congo Relief jar, and anonymously scribbled obscenities on the outhouse walls with chalk he stole from the blackboard tray. Everyone knew that “Tony did it,” but no one dared to snitch.

Boys idolized Tony. The kid could catch a house fly in mid-air and hold his finger in a candle’s flame without wincing. He pinched the girls and made them cry and ran the ball field bases like a speed demon.

To the girls, he was an ill-tempered bully who taunted and teased without mercy. He pulled our hair 22 - February 2014

braids, tugged at our dress ties, and inserted our names in baldy limericks.

I trembled in Tony’s presence, which was probably why he targeted me for some of his nastiest pranks.

Among other things, he’d throw my notebooks into the air, sneak up behind me and scream like a banshee, and fire crabapples from the end of a tree limb to hit my bare legs … away from watchful eyes and off the school grounds.

Rarely caught; rarely punished.

Tony adopted another persona for the St. Valentine’s Day party, however. On that day he exposed a

softer, gentler, totally unfamiliar side, eager to share sugary sentiments antithetic on any of the other 364 days of the year. His cards were the Five and Dime store’s most elegant – flocked and flowery, with verse declaring affection that bordered on undying devotion.

He made a production of depositing his cards into the Valentine’s collection box, enunciating the name on an envelope and shooting the intended recipient “the Tony look” – a lopsided smile and raised eyebrow

to a girl, a guffaw-y smirk to a boy – before dropping the card into the redhearts spattered box. The day Tony won the toss to distribute the cards from the stuffed box, he graced me with an angelic smile and fluttered his long eyelashes as he handed me his card. I took it as a sign that my days of torment were history.

NOT! On the inside of a truly regal card, in very unregal penmanship, Tony had scribbled, “To the ugliest girl in school. I hate you, dog face. Love, Tony Romeo.”

The incongruity of the message was lost on me … my hope to feel safe from Tony’s brand of cruelty dashed. He’d sullied all of his cards with similar sassy sordidness, inducing laughter from some (mostly boys), and deep cuts to others (mostly girls). His sainted mother spent days after the party apologizing to half of the town folk for her son’s mischievousness. “My Antonio really is a fine boy,” she’d said, “but you know … boys will be boys!”

As Tony snickered; Plato sighed.

Fast forward five decades to a class reunion. The handsome and oh-so polite Antonio Ro-meo who asked me to dance was definitely not the Tony Romeo who “back in the day” tossed my notebooks, broke my pencils and targeted my legs. Mom had always said, “With God’s help, Tony will grow up someday.”

And so he did!

Mom also said, “This, too, shall pass, and one day you’ll write about it.”

And so I have. ***** 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.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

That’s What They Say Thought-Provoking Insights on Common Quotations by Rev. Majorie Rivera

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

– Nelson Mandela 1918-2013 As I watched the coverage of Mandela’s mourners this month, I was positive that no other person in history had ever had such a send-off from this plane of existence. I knew I would have to write about one of his quotes this month and memorialize Mandela in my own way.

Mandela was a true pro at rising each time he fell, or that he got knocked down, or imprisoned. Most of us have been knocked down, held back or have stayed down at times. Life does this to us. Sometimes it’s easy to stay down and admit failure and remain in the stuck energy that seems so familiar. I would like you to consider that most of us have a very personal sort of prison. A prison holds us back, keeps us trapped and without joy in life.

Many people imprison themselves with alcohol, drugs, gambling or other self-abusive behaviors. Prisons take many forms and can be self-imposed. In honor to Mandela, examine your life and be honest about what your prison may be. Consider rising above the energy that may be holding you back from experiencing more love or more joy. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there a kindness you would benefit to share?? This is how we rise. Every time we fall. Loving acts help us rise. Every time, without a doubt, extending a loving vibration helps you rise.

Mans Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

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Every Story Begins At Home.

February 2014 - 23

How to Get to Carnegie Hall

by Victoria Mull

Have you heard that joke before? A man stops another man in New York City and he replies: “Practice, practice, practice!”

Practice is the key ingredient to getting to the destination, but practice can be the most frustrating exercise a musician tackles.

I didn’t have a very strong practice method when I first started playing the violin 35+ years ago. I remember my teacher and my mom telling me to do it. I also remember my mom taking lessons at the same time and playing the exercises so horribly that she thought I’d come in and demonstrate how to play them correctly. Sometimes that worked, but practice was a lost art on me.

To me, music was like reading the words of a book, but not knowing how to link them together to form sentences and paragraphs. After several years, I did catch on — and when I realized I enjoyed playing, it was then that I developed a practice habit.

So many times, however, I hear from parents that their kids just don’t practice. I am writing a short pamphlet for parents and students on how to guide your child (and the parent, too) through the art of practice. There are also several books and several web sites with this topic. However, I want to start off my students and their families with a way to form a habit so that parents are not pulling kids from lessons for not doing it, and for students to get help from parents on a daily basis even when parents know very little about music.

One of the biggest misconceptions when you start learning to play an instrument is you will be playing “twinkle twinkle” by the end of the first week, and then you will sound like a professional by summer.

When you begin to play an instrument, you will feel very un-coordinated. You are learning to stand or sit in a whole new position and it may not be comfortable. So for the first month or so, practice holding the instrument and doing very little else is important. I had a new student begin a few years ago and her mom came into the second lesson and said, “we didn’t get very far.” I didn’t expect them to. All I really teach to a string student or a woodwind student is all of the parts and just basics on how to hold the instrument. I haven’t even introduced most of what they need to know to hold it. The first month of lessons on an instrument will be more about setting up the instruments holding it, basic fingering, bowing or breathing.

One of the most common issues about practice is not wanting to do it. This is when you need to know your child. I’ll work with you on this, because I want you and your child to succeed.

1 . Age. If you child is young, short practice times are best.

Five minutes maximum.

2 . Multiple practice. Short practice, but maybe twice a day.

If you have a busy day, it’s okay to skip or just go over it once.

3 . Where to practice. Don’t leave instruments out if you have pets or young children around. Pack them in the case, but leave out where it can be a reminder.

4 . If you can leave the instrument out...do so. One of my families has a room and they can close the door so the dog or the cat doesn’t try to play (or snack on.)

5 . Keep the practice chart. Go over what is written as the assignment. Write questions on the assignment sheet. Look in the book for practice flags (I put tabs on pages that need to be practiced.) Also put up a spot on the home chore chart.

6 . Practice doesn’t have to be war. My youngest son is not a morning person, so after a snack after school, I turn off the TV and he practices. My older son practices before he goes to the bus. He also likes to practice as a homework break.

7 . If you child is playing more than one instrument, then 24 - February 2014

alternate. If they are learning something similar, one night do piano and the next do flute. Or practice one in the morning and one before bed.

8 . Reward...Sure a sticker, a piece of candy, five extra minutes of TV. Hey, that worked for me as a kid.

9 . I loved to play in recitals and in concerts at school. I got Ice cream on the way home and a new dress. Now, my sons get a book of music they enjoy. That is one of the best things about playing music right now. I can find fun music from Disney, fiddle, pop, Broadway, country, rock, Christmas, classical for any level and any instrument. One of my students has a Classical book from the FJH series and she has played that from the start. The book starts easier and gets more complicated. But she loves the fact that she can sit down and play that book. Yes, it counts as practice 1 0 . There are a lot of educational games for music students. I have several on my computer that I will be bringing to the music store when I finally transfer the computer. Parents sometimes don’t want extra time on the computer, but when you pick out something you have trouble with, learning is a lot less of a struggle.

1 1 . What if you are really struggling to find time to practice or if it’s more of a fight. Like math homework, it has to be completed for kids to master it. See me for more advice, but if it’s creating a way, and they don’t want to quit (they just don’t like practice) find out why. Maybe practicing older and easier lessons for a while will ease the tension.

1 2 . Who should practice with your child? Or does someone need to be present? Again, this is up to you and your child.

Sometimes telling someone to go to their room and do something is fruitless. I’ve had kids tell me they feel alone and would like some company. Maybe it’s mom, dad or someone else they want. If they are melting down for you, let the other parent or someone else hang out. I’ve had kids tell me that being sent to the room, the basement or the garage was a punishment. I however, wanted to practice in the basement.

My mom didn’t feel included and kept coming in and “correcting me.” I finally told her, she could be there and stay quiet or she could hear me from afar. I don’t really like people hearing my unfinished product. Even in college I would practice late at night so I didn’t have anyone one listening.

1 3 . When you have a large instrument, it’s hard to move it out of the way. So try to find out what is best. I’ve had students who got into the habit of teaching their younger siblings how to play.

And when there are larger families, sometimes privacy is especially appreciated.

1 4 . When someone practices with a child, it can be that the child needs that time to just be with the parent or the grandparent.

It’s bonding for just the two of you in a busy world.

These are my practice ideas for parents and beginning students. I would be interested to hear what you do that works. I know when I practice, the space has to be inviting and I can’t do one thing for very long. So I rotate practice with working in my office or doing other activities I have to do at home. Sometimes I set aside practice time as a reward for scrubbing the floors, and sometimes I break music down when I am learning something new for orchestra or my string quartet.

Part of being a musician is practice. Sometimes I don’t like to do it, but I know if I do a little every day, my body will stay in shape and so will my mind and fingers. The first year I taught music in Good Shepherd School in Braddock, I told my students that ‘Practice made Perfect.” I was quickly corrected by a fourth grader.

He said, “No Miss Mull, Practice doesn’t make Perfect. Practice makes permanent.”

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

SAMA-Ligonier Valley Commissions Scultptural Work for Museum Lawn Visitors to the Southern Alleghenies “I originally thought of a scholarship proficient in a variety of media, Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley will for our art camp or a Children’s Choice including woodworking, painting, notice a new sculptural work on the Award for one of our exhibitions, but photography, and jewelry-making, Museum lawn. In late November, I was concerned neither of those but in recent years has focused on artist John Mayer installed three would stand the test of time. That was sculpture. His work has been featured cattails that stand fifteen feet high. when I began thinking of commisin numerous regional exhibitions, The sculptures are a result of a pair of sioning a sculpture.” including SAMA-Loretto’s Biennial donations the Museum and the annual Southwestreceived from Ligonier ern Pennsylvania Council Valley Middle School. The for the Arts exhibitions at school made the donations SAMA-Ligonier Valley.

– sent in 2011 and 2013 Mayer created three and totaling $1,000 – in cattails that stand 15-feet memory of one of the high for placement on the school’s students who died Museum lawn. Each cattail in a tragic accident. is constructed around 1.5Christopher Harr was inch galvanized rigid cona 6th grade student at duit and metal lath. The Ligonier Valley Middle sculptures reach 3-feet School who died in Sepinto the ground and are set tember 2010 of a gunshot in 4-inch PVC pipe. wound while visiting a “This is a very excifriend’s house in Ligonier ting permanent piece of Township. Harr’s classartwork for everyone in mates wanted to do somethe community to enjoy,” Artist John Mayer created three cattails that stand 15-feet high on the thing to honor their late said Toffle. “John Mayer lawn at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Ligonier. friend, so the school howas one of the first sculpsted its annual “Hoops for tors to come to mind to Hope” fundraiser, a basketbring the project to fruball game between students and Toffle began looking into local ition due to the playful and whimsical faculty. The proceeds of that game artists who could create a meaningful nature of his work. We are hoping to were then donated to SAMA. outdoor sculpture. “I wanted it to be expand the sculpture garden over “We host a fundraiser every year something interactive and fun,” she time as finances permit.” called ‘Hoops for Hope,’ and we said. “I wanted it to honor Chris’s The Southern Alleghenies Musedonate the proceeds to different memory, but to do so in a way that um of Art at Ligonier Valley is located organizations,” said David Steimer, would not be sullen or add to his at One Boucher Lane and Route 711 Principal of Ligonier Valley Middle family’s and friends’ grief. I felt we South in Ligonier. Hours of operation School. “Chris was a good artist and needed something whimsical and fun, are 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through loved art. I actually still have somesomething that I hope Chris would Friday and 1 to 5 pm weekends. The thing he created hanging on my wall. have enjoyed. I wanted a sculpture Museum is a handicapped-accessible Because of his interest in the arts, we that would be a celebration of life.” facility and is open to the public free felt SAMA was a good local organiEventually, Toffle enlisted John of charge. For additional information, zation for us to honor his memory.”

Mayer for the project. A well-known please call the Museum at (724) 2386015 or visit www.sama-art.org.

When SAMA-Ligonier Valley artist from New Alexandria, Mayer is Coordinator Sommer Toffle learned of the donation, she immediately decided it needed to be put to use in a The Laurel Mountain Post has been publishing since 2004, way that would create a permanent and remains an independent small business — rather than a testament to Harr’s memory. corporate subsidiary disguised as a small-town publication.

“I wanted the money to be spent in a significant and lasting way,” she said.

Please support LOCAL businesses like ours!

Every Story Begins At Home.

February 2014 - 25

A Patch of Sun for Boo

by Joe Potts The day we had to face having Sovereign put to sleep was bright and sunny. That was fitting, because in his final years he had come to love the sun. For much of his life, he didn’t get to see a lot of it, through no fault of his own. But now he loved to lie under the Victorian armchair in the living room, as the morning sun shone on him through the semi-circular palladian window in the front of the house.

Sovereign had been chosen twenty years earlier by my thirteen-yearold daughter. There were many kittens at the shelter in Yukon that July morning, but his blue eyes and white and dusty cocoa fur were magnets she could not resist. My wife and I agreed he was an excellent choice. We took him home to meet Destiny, a kitten a few weeks older, and Pharaoh, the seventeen-year-old feline patriarch of the house.

After considering many suggestions, our daughter chose the name Sovereign. It suited him perfectly. He had a natural royal air about him. He seemed to sense that he was special, perhaps partly due to all the attention he received at the shelter.

The shelter owner had told us that everyone wanted him, and she was considering keeping him for herself.

But I think she saw the wonder in my daughter’s eyes, and knew this was a perfect match.

My daughter was a fan of the cartoon character Chicken Boo, and started casually calling Sovereign “Kitten Boo,” later shortened to Boo. And so he was typically called, except when more formal address was appropriate. He became our beautiful Boo, the best Boo, the Boo cat beyond compare. And beautiful and regal he was.

He had the softest fur, the bluest eyes, 26 - February 2014

and the biggest, fattest claws this side of a lion.

Always a friendly cat, Boo loved people, and would run to see who was at the door. Then he would revel in the attention they gave him, practically standing on his head and prancing in place with his front paws, as he enjoyed the pets he was receiving. Any repairman or plumber was never lonely in our house, as Boo

Boo in his favorite patch of sun. would sit nearby, watching the goingson with great interest.

Within a couple of years of adopting Sovereign, our feline population reached five. All was well for a while, but personality conflicts eventually forced us to adopt a system of keeping certain cats separated. This resulted in Sovereign typically spending daylight hours in his basement suite (“The Boo Zone”), and evenings and nights upstairs with us. He therefore rarely saw the sun shining into the house.

Boo was easily the smartest cat in the house. You could see the intelligence in his eyes, feel him thinking as he ran his gaze over your face, cocking his head to one side. He would look at you with palpable intensity, as if expecting something from you. After a lengthy pause, if he didn’t get it, a sudden audible breath would

be expelled. He actually sighed, something I heard from no other cat.

Sovereign eventually outlived our other precious cats. Four times over five years we had to face a beloved pet leaving us. Any pet lover will understand the grief experienced in saying goodbye to these furry family members. And so, at the age of seventeen, Boo stood alone as the sole surviving cat. He had won “the contest.”

Last year, as Boo approached his 18th birthday, he became very sick.

He stopped eating, and was very lethargic, among other symptoms. My wife and I immediately cancelled an impending beach vacation, and took him to the vet. Tests did not lead to a specific diagnosis, but various medicines and vitamins were administered in an attempt to pull him out of it. I brought home a bag to give him subcutaneous fluids. After five days of no improvement – and no eating – we took him back to the vet. She explained that a cat can go only a limited number of days without eating before Very Bad Things start to happen. There was talk of a feeding tube soon if he didn’t start eating.

Dejected, I took him home and placed him in his bed. Taking a few of his favorite treats, I held them in my hand under his nose. He sniffed a couple of times – and began eating!

Excited and overjoyed, I placed a bowl of fresh food near his bed. He got up, stuck his head in the bowl, and ate. He recovered, though we never knew what had afflicted him.

For more than a year after that scary experience, Sovereign graced us with his company. He was obviously slowing down, but since he was now past 90 in “cat years,” that was LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

to be expected. He was as affectionate as ever, often sitting on my wife’s lap or next to me as we watched TV. He would do his “nodder” thing on my leg, his face sinking into my thigh as he nodded off to sleep as I stroked his still-luxurious fur. He became a sun seeker, never missing an opportunity to curl up in a patch of sunlight on the carpet.

Sovereign’s appetite was now good, and I enjoyed augmenting his diet with some “Boo treats,” as we called the various cat snacks we gave him. He enjoyed the extra fringe benefit of being the Survivor. Any time we approached the pantry where the treats were kept, he would come over and look expectantly at us with his sweet face, and who could resist him?

Fourteen months after the first scare, the dreaded affliction returned, this time worse than before.

He stopped drinking water as well as eating, and was very weak. He was lying in one of his cat beds, in the basement. He obviously didn’t feel well enough to come upstairs. But when I saw the sun shining through

the window, throwing light across his spot under the Victorian chair, I picked him up and carried him upstairs, placing him in the sunny spot.

He shifted about, finding a comfortable position, then lay purring in the warmth. I was happy for him, but felt it was precious little to give him. I knew what lie ahead, and felt powerless to deflect what I knew was coming.

We watched him closely the rest of the day, trying to tempt him with treats, to no avail. The next morning, I hoped for a miracle, but he was worse. I called the vet, knowing we had run out of grace period. We took him, and after the vet examined Boo, we all knew the time had come.

Our house seemed empty and silent the next day. Odd, considering he was a very quiet cat. For the first time in 37 years, we had no cat to keep us company. The cloudy morning seemed appropriate for the gloom in the house. During his 14month reprieve, Sovereign had worked his furry way even deeper into our hearts. We had been with him almost constantly, hoping we were balancing the ledger from his years being shuf-

fled from one room to another. As I listlessly ate my cereal, I felt I was left with an empty heart, and a pantry full of Boo treats.

After breakfast, I went into the living room. The sun suddenly broke through the clouds, and streamed through the palladian window. The patch of sun it created on the carpet lay exactly under Boo’s chair. I smiled a little as my eyes moistened. I felt Mother Nature was paying tribute to Sovereign, and giving me comfort at the same time. “Here’s to your friend,” she was saying. Here’s a tribute to your companion. Here’s something to remember him by. A sunny spot where he loved to stretch out and luxuriate, as only a cat can.

Here’s a patch of sun for Boo. ***** Joe Potts was born and raised in Pittsburgh, and is a Carnegie Mellon University graduate. He has had articles published in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, and the Loyalhanna Review. His humor blog, Reflections in a Misty Mirror, can be found on his website, www.joepottszone.com.

He enjoys playing guitar with his church’s Praise Team, and reading. Joe lives in Harrison City with his wife.

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Every Story Begins At Home.

February 2014 - 27

Do you have any tips for explaining global warming and other complex environmental problems to my kids?

— Peter Buckley, Pittsburgh, PA

Kids today may be more eco-savvy than we were at their teachers and parents to talk about global warming in a fun age, but complex topics like global warming may still and hopeful way,” reports UCS. “Kids, meanwhile, will learn mystify them. Luckily there are many resources available that all of us make choices that determine whether the to help parents teach their kids how to understand the world warms a little or a lot, and which of those choices issues and become better stewards for the planet. reduce global warming emissions.” The game is available A great place to start is the U.S. Environmental for purchase ($7.95) directly from the UCS website.

Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) “A Student’s Guide to Global Younger kids curious about climate change can Climate Change” website. The site is divided into sections consult the Professor Sneeze website, which features (Learn the Basics, See the Impacts, Think like a Scientist online illustrated children’s stories that present global and Be Part of the warming in a familiar Solution) so kids can get context. The stories for just the right amount of five- to eight-year-olds detail without feeling follow a cartoon bunny overwhelmed. One feaon various warming ture of the site is a related adventures. A virtual trip around the few of the story titles world to see the effects include “The Earth Has of climate change in a Fever,” “Where Are different regions. An the Igloos of Iglooville?” emissions calculator— and “Tears on the Other with questions tailored Side of the World.” The to kids’ lifestyles—helps site also features stories connect everyday acgeared toward 8- to 10tions (like running the year-olds and 10- to 12water while brushing year-olds. teeth) and climate Of course, teachers change. And a FAQ page can play a key role in answers some of the making sure kids are There are many resources available to help parents and educators most common queswell versed in the sciteach kids how to understand the issues and become better stewards tions about climate ence of climate change. for the planet. (Photo Credit: Global Imagination) change in easy-to-read A recently launched inishort paragraphs. tiative from the NaAnother great online resource is NASA’s Climate Kids tional Center for Science Education (NCSE)—long website, which engages kids with games, videos and craft respected for its work in defending and supporting the activities and offers digestible info on what’s causing teaching of evolution in the public schools—aims to help climate change and how kids can make a difference. A teachers do a better job of teaching climate change in the guided tour of the “Big Questions” (What does climate classroom. The group’s Climate Change Education website change mean? What is the greenhouse effect? How do we points teachers to a treasure trove of resources they can know the climate is changing? What is happening in the use to demystify the science behind global warming, oceans? and others) uses cartoon characters and brightly combat “climate change denial” and support “climate colored designs to help kids come to grips with the basics. literacy.”

Perhaps even more engaging for those eight and older ***** is Cool It!, a card game from the Union of Concerned CONTACTS: EPA’s “A Student’s Guide to Global Climate Change,” www.epa.gov/ Scientists (UCS). The game, designed in collaboration with climatestudents; NASA Climate Kids, http://climatekids.nasa.gov; NCSE’s science educators, requires players to collect “solution” Climate Change Education Initiative, http://ncse.com/climate; Professor Sneeze, www.contespedagogiques.be/pages/accueil_angl.html. EarthTalk® cards in the categories of energy, transportation and is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered forests, while slowing opponents down by playing trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. “problem” cards along the way. “The game enables

“Man's heart away from nature becomes hard.” – Standing Bear 28 - February 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

POSTMODERN TENDANCIES

by Megan Fuller

Meaningful Metaphorical Messages As a new employee at the non-profit where I am now working, I had the opportunity to meet with many of the staff in different departments to get to know agency dynamics. The mission of this agency is to match mentors with youth facing adversity.

While speaking to the gentleman in charge of recruiting mentors, he mentioned that there is a shortage of male volunteers and the agency has a list of boys waiting for a match. He said this problem exists everywherethis dearth of male mentors. I asked him why he thought that was and what does he do to try and encourage more men to sign up. He explained that sometimes the men are concerned that they will be looked at as a parent rather than a mentor. To combat this fear, the recruiter talks to them about being a coach. Coaches are trusted adults that help kids in more limited and specific areas rather than the all-encompassing responsibility of being a parent. It’s not scary to be a coach, coaches get to be fun.

This guy is smart, I thought. He knows that changing the metaphor changes the meaning.

The meaning of so many aspects of our culture is revealed through metaphor. Sure metaphor is a fun literary technique but it is actually critical to our intra-cultural communication. Our expectations and understanding of behavior in ourselves and others are based on a shared conceptual system which is revealed through metaphor. Linguist George Lakoff and philosopher Mark Johnson write in their book Metaphors We Live By, “The essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another” (p. 5).

One of my favorite metaphors that Lakoff and Johnson discuss as Every Story Begins At Home.

being integral to this American life is TIME IS MONEY. Have you ever noticed that we talk about time and money in the same way? At work I earn time off as well as my pay. We can waste time or save time, spend time or give time, make time, run out of time, budget time, or live on borrowed time. Clearly, we think about

time as a limited resource. It seems to be precious and should be properly managed. Isn’t it funny how we think of one person having more time than another, when everyone gets the same 24 hours in a day?

Another common but maybe less obvious metaphor we use is IDEAS ARE FOOD. Food for thought, isn’t it? You might devour a book, sink your teeth into something or put it on the backburner. Let that guy stew

in his own juice for a while. Maybe the raw facts will help improve that half-baked idea. Our understanding of ideas doesn’t stop at food though.

Ideas are also human-they can spawn or die out; they can be resurrected.

Ideas are also referred to as plants (budding concept, fertile imagination), products (generated or refined), commodities (worthless), resources (running low on), money (my two cents), fashions (out of style), and cutting instruments (ripped it to shreds).

Remember Pat Benetar singing that Love is a Battlefield? LOVE IS WAR, but it is also magic (she cast a spell on me) and a physical force (I was drawn to him). It could also be a patient in a sick relationship or cause madness as in Madonna’s Crazy for You. Love, like an idea, can be a plant that blooms and grows, or grows apart, or withers and dies. Love can be many things and we can share our experiences or ideas because of metaphor.

So let me just wrap up this homage to metaphor and tie up any loose ends by saying that METAPHOR IS A GIFT. We can package our emotions and experiences to communicate with others. Metaphors offer us the facility to empathize and sympathize, to teach and to learn, to create and to understand. They provide deeper meaning within our everyday lives. ***** 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.

February 2014 - 29

Cholesterol and Heating Habits Janine Koutsky, MS, founder of Nutrition Connection at Building Bodeez Fitness and Wellness Center Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.

New guidelines for healthcare and the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) were recently released by the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC). The new guidelines outline the best eating pattern and exercise plan for heart health, which includes a look at cholesterol, as it relates to CVD. What is cholesterol anyways? Cholesterol is a type of fat found only in food that derives from animals. In fact, humans also produce naturally occurring cholesterol in the liver. But, don’t be fooled by the bad reputation; cholesterol has several very important purposes in the human body. One example is that the body uses cholesterol to synthesize vitamin D. In fact, cholesterol found in food is not necessarily a villain; but rather how much is naturally produced by the liver could be a greater issue.

How does cholesterol, whether through food or naturally occurring, relate to CVD? The answer lies in your blood vessel (arterial) walls. Excess cholesterol forms deposits in these walls which lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This hardening creates blockages which slow down or eliminate blood flow within the body.

However, suggested from the AHA and ACC, drugs called “statins” and life style changes through better eating patterns and exercise can keep cholesterol levels controlled.

So, yes, there is good news! The newly released recommendations highlight a way to help lower cholesterol through healthier eating patterns. These patterns include an even greater focus on vegetables, fruits and whole grains. The benefit of these three food groups is that they lack cholesterol and contain heart healthy fiber, vitamins and minerals. Also included in the recommendations are low-fat dairy products, poultry, fish, beans, nuts and healthy oils. In addition, suggestions from the

30 - February 2014

AHA and ACC are to limit sweets, sugar-laden drinks, red meat, saturated fat and salt.

How to meet the new recommendations? Try adding a fruit and vegetable with each meal. With vegetables, look for recipes that do not use a lot of ingredients. Keep it simple. Try cooking methods like grilling or the very popular method of roasted vegetables. As far as fruits, just clean, slice, and eat raw – skin included.

Read labels when shopping for grain products. Look for breads that contains 100% whole wheat or whole grain.

Replace white pasta or white rice with whole wheat pasta or brown rice. Include oats as an option for breakfast.

Add barley to soup. Try quinoa, if you haven’t already.

As with any healthy eating pattern, plan ahead. At Building Bodeez Fitness and Wellness Center, we suggest creating balanced meal plans for the week, with a greater emphasis on eating fresh foods. Consider what you plan to prepare and possibly utilize as leftovers or include in a meal for the next day. Consider all your options. Try new recipes and new foods. Make a grocery list and stick to it!

Enlist help. As the new year begins we will start our renowned “Building Better Bodeez” Challenge again, and focus our clients and their enthusiasm in the new year towards adapting healthy living patterns. JOIN US, and find out how to fight your risk for atherosclerosis or increased cholesterol the natural way. *****

Join us at Building Bodeez, where we understand the importance of PREVENTATIVE health and well-being. We are experienced professionals who can help you promote joint health, prevent complications, and manage aches and pains through nutrition, rest, relaxation, and exercise. Building Bodeez is located at 154 Pandora Road in Derry Township. 724-739-0105. www.buildingbodeez.net.

Building Strength - Building Community - Building Bodeez

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Reversing Roles:

Survival of the Fittest

by Gretchen Fuller I have been giving a lot of thought recently to how my parents’ generation seems to be living so long. My mother is 98 years old. Her older sister will be 101 in January. A friend of mine lost her mother recently at the age of 103. How did that generation stay healthy enough to survive that long?

There were not any vaccines to protect them from the many life threatening diseases that plagued their childhood. My mother tells the story that one of her older sisters (she had four) carried her home from school on her back because she was so sick with diphtheria she couldn’t walk the distance herself. Of course, in those days mom didn’t hop in the car and run up to school to pick up her sick darling. My mom survived that illness and probably all the other communicable diseases that children were prone to contract. She doesn’t remember having chicken pox or mumps, but when I and my brother and sister had them she did not get them – so I am assuming that she had already had them.

My mom’s mother had a sister that lived two doors down from them where she sent the sick children, if it was caught soon enough, so that when the doctor came and made his diagnosis, he would quarantine the sister’s house and the rest of the family could go about their business and activities. He would say, “Isn’t it convenient that she became ill at Lena’s?”

In 1918 there was a flu pandemic, that killed my paternal grandfather, but my mom and all her sisters and three brothers survived. What in their genes or life style saved them from the pandemic?

She grew up in a house that had asbestos screens in front of the fireplaces yet she has no signs of that having caused any damage to her Every Story Begins At Home.

lungs. She has lived as long as she has even though as a young woman she smoked; although she was smart enough to quit when it was revealed that it caused cancer. A couple of her sisters were not so smart and died in their 70’s because they were heavy smokers.

“

Wait until you’re my age!

”

My mom has survived breast cancer twice. She did not have radiation treatments or chemotherapy, but she did have two radical mastectomies. She did her exercises faithfully after the operations and was able to return to playing golf. She played golf until she was 83. At 83 she decided to take golf lessons and hurt her back trying a new swing!! That’s when she quit.

About 14 years ago my mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. She had part of her colon removed, but again did not have chemotherapy or radiation. She has not had a recurrence as of this writing.

When she complains of aches and pains she says to me “Wait until you’re my age!!” I say, “I will never live as long as you!” She has spinal stenosis, but so do I, and I am 30 years younger. I get steroid injections so I can function with the pain; she does not use a pain killer. She has arthritis in her hands, but so do I. She takes high blood pressure medicine, but so do I. I also take high cholesterol medicine. I am also dealing with kidney stones, thyroid lumps, asthma, depression, diabetes and GERD. She has none of these problems.

I doubt that she ever set foot in a gym, and yet she just started using a

walker in her 97th year! She wouldn’t even be doing that, but I had to take her cane away because it just wasn’t enough to keep her steady. She told me she didn’t want to use the walker because she didn’t want to be hunched over like people she sees using them.

My mother is an example of survival of the fittest. I hope she has passed on a lot of her healthy genes to me and my family. ***** Gretchen Fuller is the Real Estate Tax Collector in Pleasant Hills, PA. She came to that job by a very circuitous route: Gretchen spent many years substitute teaching; in the years when she wasn’t substitute teaching she was making the rounds of all the banks in Pittsburgh. She has a Bachelor of Science from IUP and an MBA from Duquesne University. She is looking forward to retirement soon so she can spend more time with her six grandchildren.

February 2014 - 31

WHAT’S COOKING IN FITNESS

by Mark Rullo MS, CSCS, MES

Excuse or Reason?

Which Will Win in 2014?

Here we go again: will it be a “New Year, New You” or not? Truth be told, this is the time of year that the majority of people make a commitment to themselves to lose weight, get more fit and just become healthier overall. Statistically, weight loss is the number one resolution, with 45% of Americans citing it as their goal. Unfortunately, only 8% of people who make the commitment to lose weight actually do.

Through the years, we have found two primary reasons why people either reach their goal or give up: Motivation and Direction.

Direction is making sure that your time, energy and even money are expended with a correct plan to achieve your goal. Motivation is the emotional reason to actually want to see that goal become a reality.

An individual can be extremely motivated to lose weight; however if they are provided with the wrong information, more times than not, they will stop in frustration because the results do not match their efforts (check out my previous LMP article – Nov 2013 “Why Gyms Make You Fat”).

On the other side, if an individual has the most scientific, evidence-based game plan for weight loss (Hierarchy of Fat Loss) but does not have a burning desire to see the change become a reality, more times than not, that individual will not follow the necessary behaviors to see the desired expected results.

I often explain Motivation and Direction using the analogy of wanting to see the sun rise. If your goal is to see the sun rise, it wouldn’t matter how motivated you were if you were told to look west every morning (wrong direction). In a like manner, if you didn’t care to see the sun rise it 32 - February 2014

wouldn’t matter if someone was telling you to get up early and look east.

It’s good information but you just don’t have the motivation to see the sun rise.

As an Exercise Physiologist and weight loss expert, my goal is to keep individuals heading “East” relative to the weight loss goal; however to make sure individuals stay the course, we need some emotional “glue” to help with adherence to the program (directions). This emotional adherence is your Reason / Y-Factor.

coming up in six months. Having some fun with her, I joked that I was curious what religion she was because I am catholic and, as far as I know, we don’t have to lose weight to get married. She laughed and said her religion doesn’t require that she lose weight to get married but she went on to explain WHY she wants to make a change.

Y-Factor (Motivation) When individuals are highly motivated, the commitment and discipline of following through an effective exercise and nutrition program is not an issue, and RESULTS are achieved.

However, when motivation is missing, individuals many times leave success up for chance.

It takes some soul searching and digging but most people find that their motivation stems from an emotional response to the avoidance of pain, acquisition of pleasure or a combination of both. This is a term we refer to as the Y-FACTOR .

Your Y-FACTOR is not a specific goal (e.g., inches lost, %body fat, lean body mass, etc.) that can be measured, rather the reasons WHY you want this change. To best explain the concept of the Y-FACTOR, I have provided an example of a former client.

A young female in her midtwenties came to see me about losing weight. The first thing I asked was why she wanted to lose some weight. Looking a little puzzled and wondering why I was asking her this, she said because of her wedding

To paraphrase her story, the young lady explained to me that since she was a little girl, she dreamed of her wedding day and wearing the wedding gown that has been passed to her from her mother. At the time, the gown didn’t fit the way she pictured it, and she knew that if she could lose some inches it would. Also, she said, sticking her arms out in front of me and mentioning how fair-skinned she is, if she didn’t make a positive change she had a fear of walking down the aisle on the most important day of her life looking like a giant snowball!

Immediately with enthusiasm I said “GREAT!,” not because she may look like a giant snowball on her LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

wedding day, but because she now had the ammunition to motivate herself and achieve her goal. I continued to explain to her that she now had her Y-FACTOR to help her through the tough days when she didn’t feel like staying with the program. Her Y-FACTOR has both emotional responses, the fear of looking like a snowball on the most important day of her life, and the pleasure of fulfilling her childhood dreams of her wedding day.

The short-term goals, measurements, body fat %, etc were monitored every 1-2 weeks to assist with her accountability and make sure she was on track to reach her goal on her wedding day. However, it was the YFACTOR, the fear of looking like a snowball and the pleasure of a childhood dream becoming a reality, which provided her the personal selfdrive, motivation, and discipline to follow through with the daily exercise and nutrition prescription.

This “Fear of the Snowball” example illustrates the power of emotion and how we do things out of emotional want well before any actual logic or need. The woman above logically knew that she needed to lose weight regardless of any wedding.

Even though she knew she needed to lose weight she simply didn’t want to lose weight badly enough to stick with any program. Once she was able to identify that emotional factor it was only a matter of getting her on the right plan of attack. Not every person I work with can identify their YFactor immediately, but those who do have always met and/or exceeded their targeted goals.

So how do you make sure you are part of the 8% who make a New Year’s resolution a reality when it comes to weight loss? First, identify why you want to lose the weight. Identify what fear, pain or pleasure the extra weight you are carrying is causing you. Once identified, get on a personalized plan that incorporates the “hierarchy of fat loss” to eliminate the guesswork and let the science work for you while leveraging your Y-factor for the days when you want to be the poster child for anti-exercise and poor nutrition.

Every Story Begins At Home.

Without an emotional reason, more times than not, the excuse (notime, lack of energy, work, family, sickness, money, etc.) will win. However a goal tied to an emotional reason and an effective plan of action will put you on the winning side of this year’s weight loss resolution.

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!

As an added incentive for people new to My Fitness Kitchen®, by mentioning this Laurel Mountain Post article and after meeting with one of My Fitness Kitchen’s Fitness Professionals for a private consult, as offered above – you will receive $50 “Kitchen Cash” to be used toward any program or service at My Fitness Kitchen® as a courtesy of the Laurel Mountain Post. ***** www.myfitnesskitchen.com 724-879-8523 results@myfitnesskitchen.com My Fitness Kitchen® is where weight loss is made simple.

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

About the Author: Mark Rullo, MS, CSCS, MES is an Exercise Physiologist, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Medical Exercise Specialist, Certified Golf Fitness Instructor and owner of My Fitness Kitchen® www.myfitnesskitchen.com 724-879-8523. 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.

My mission is to prove the continuity of life past the transition we call death.

Psychic Medium Rev. Marjorie Rivera Pittsburgh’s Premiere Psychic & Party Reader

412-884-7788 pittsburghmedium.com

February 2014 - 33

INFORMATION FOR LIFE

by Michael Vernon

What Is Important In Your New House?

Looking for a new house can be an exciting time.

Whether it is your first starter home, a new upgrade where you and your family can spend the next 20 years or downsizing to a more easily managed property, canvassing prospective neighborhoods for your new digs will most assuredly keep you busy. Quite often it is in the details that a will separate a savvy buyer from a person who paid too much.

For instance, if you are someone who grew up with a swimming pool and would love to enjoy the benefits of your own watery oasis in the summer sun then make sure that you put a swimming pool on the list of amenities included with the house. An in ground pool with a landscaped back yard and complete fencing could set you back $50,000 or more if you hired the contractor yourself. Let the original owner assume that cost. Just because they put $50,000 into the pool doesn’t mean that their house should sell for $50,000 more than a comparable property.

The same could be said for granite countertops, tile flooring or exotic wood cabinets. Often a seller thinks their house will command a higher sales price because they just put on a new roof and/or new windows. But every house needs a roof and windows so if that is important to you then look for properties that have these upgrades and you will enjoy the benefits of these items without having to pay for them yourself.

For other ways you may be able to make your purchasing dollars stretch farther, please feel free to contact me in my office at your convenience. Look out for more of my Information for Life.

Michael J. Vernon Broker/Owner 305 West Main Street Ligonier, Pa. 15658 (724) 238-0443 - Office (724) 331-6858 - Cell Phone www.vernon-realty.com mike@vernon-realty.com

Part-Time Advertising Representatives Needed Set your own hours and earn up to 25% from gross ad sales at Laurel Mountain Post! Great extra income; perfect for stay-at-home moms (lots of email/phone). Organizational & computer skills along with a friendly and professional personality are required. Pick your territories! Community representatives needed in: Ligonier, Latrobe, Derry, Greensburg, Somerset, Johnstown, Mt. Pleasant, Indiana, etc.

Commission Schedule: Make the sale and Make the sale, handle paperwork and gather money by making deliveries each month in paid as 1099 independent contractors - you employed.)

forward information to business office – earn 15%. sales copy/artwork/proofs – earn 25%. Earn extra your territory! *(All sales representatives will be claim deductions and pay your own taxes as self-

The Laurel Mountain Post provides marketing materials - we need you for that personal contact!

Help us develop long-lasting relationships in the local business community.

Contact: Send a letter of inquiry to: editor@laurelmountainpost.com. Please indicate your preferred territories. We will schedule interviews as soon as possible!

34 - February 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Valley School Ad

Every Story Begins At Home.

February 2014 - 35

Local Families Urged to ICE Seniors’ Cell Phones In Case of Emergency Safety Campaign Aims to Keep Elderly Safe in Cold As cold temperatures blanket our area, a growing number of seniors may wind up in trouble, stuck in life threatening situations. They may slip and fall, their car might break down, and they may get lost, confused, or stranded – literally left out in the cold. That’s why Visiting Angels, one of the nation’s largest in-home senior care agencies with a location in our area, has launched the ICE a Cell Phone Safety Campaign to help seniors in case of emergency. To ICE a cell phone, you load emergency contacts in seniors’ phones with the word ICE in front of the emergency contacts’ names, so when someone finds a senior in trouble they know who to call In Case of Emergency. Visiting Angels hopes this will become a universal emergency plan – a quick way for emergency responders to pick up a senior’s cell phone, and press the letter ‘I’ to find seniors’ emergency contacts.

“We urge families to ICE seniors’ phones, or come by our offices and we will ICE seniors’ phones for free,” says Larry Meigs, CEO of Visiting Angels. “We care for thousands of older Americans, and we constantly hear stories about how families need an emergency plan for seniors. One family told us their elderly loved one with dementia roamed five miles from home. When police tried to help they had no clue who to call. ICE contacts help responders know who to call in emergencies in this cold or at any time of year.”

How to ICE Seniors’ Cell Phones: • Under ‘I’ in the cell phone contact list, load the In Case of Emergency contact names, beginning with the word ICE (ie: ICE_Heather).

• Make sure the emergency contact(s) agree to be an ICE partner.

• Include every phone number (home/cell/work) of the ICE partner.

• ICE partners should know the seniors’ medical conditions, doctors’ names and medications they’re taking.

36 - February 2014

• An ICE sticker can save a life. Place a Visiting Angels’ ICE Loaded sticker on seniors’ cell phones, so if someone finds a senior in trouble they know who to call in an emergency.

Cold Weather Caregivers Along with ICE-ing seniors’ cell phones, Visiting Angels caregivers come to seniors’ homes to protect them from cold weather dangers. *Older Americans can’t feel cold weather shifts like younger people, and they may suffer from hypothermia without even knowing they’re in danger. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, more than half of all hypothermia-related deaths happen in people over age 65.

Cold Weather Caregivers help seniors with: • Outdoor Tasks – caregivers can do outdoor tasks for seniors, such as shovel snow and get the mail. People who are outdoors in cold weather should avoid sudden exertion, like lifting a heavy shovel full of snow.

Even walking through heavy, wet snow or snow drifts can strain a person's heart, according to the American Heart Association.

• Proper Dressing – dress seniors in loose-fitting layers when heading outside. High winds, snow and rain can steal body heat. Wind is especially dangerous because it removes the layer of heated air from around your body. Layers of loose clothing trap air, creating a protective insulation.

• Senior Cold Weather Safety Kits – caregivers can make sure seniors have these items on hand during the cold: emergency radio, essential medications, copies of prescriptions and medical records, extra set of car keys, first aid kit, flashlights and fresh batteries, ready-to-eat foods, stock of water to last three days, heavyduty windshield ice scraper, snow shovel.

• Proper Thermostat Setting - experts suggest to keep the thermostat at at least 65 degrees in cold weather months. Sometimes seniors forget to turn up the heat or will try to save money by not turning up the heat.

• Insulation Check - caregivers can check doors and windows to make sure cold air is not getting inside seniors’ homes.

• Blanket Check – be sure seniors are using extra blankets, not electric blankets, to sleep. Electric blankets are a known fire hazard.

• Hypothermia Check – this condition occurs when the body can’t produce enough energy to keep the internal body temperature warm enough. Hypothermia can be fatal.

Most of these deaths are caused by heart failure. o Symptoms of hypothermia include: mental confusion, slowed reactions, lack of coordination, shivering and sleepiness. o The risk of developing hypothermia can increase when seniors have under-active thyroids, diabetes or heart disease, or take certain prescriptions. Some medications that are used to treat anxiety, depression or nausea, or even some over-the-counter cold remedies can increase an older person’s risk for hypothermia. *American Heart Association

**** Visiting Angels was established in 1991 in Baltimore as an independent agency caring for seniors in their homes. Today, Visiting Angels has more than 450 private duty agencies throughout the United States. Visiting Angels agencies employ only experienced caregivers and conduct the most comprehensive background screenings to ensure that their caregivers meet or exceed the company’s high standards. For companion care, Alzheimer’s care, Dementia care and the country’s best palliative care program, make Visiting Angels your choice in senior homecare. For more information on Visiting Angels please visit visitingangels.com.

Our local branch in western PA is located at: 742 Allegheny River Blvd, Suite 103, Verona, PA 15147, and serves Pittsburgh, Monroeville and surrounding eastern suburban communities.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Classified Ads Hit the Mark!

Place your Classified Ad for only $30, up to 50 words (per block). Sections include: Celebrations, Help Wanted, For Sale, Memorials, Discounts and Miscellaneous. Color headlines and artwork available at no extra charge! Call 724-537-6845 or place your online order at: www.LaurelMountainPost.com. Deadline for Classifieds is the 15th of the month: (February 15 for the March issue). ________________________________

Help Wanted __________________ Part-Time Advertising Representatives Needed

Set your own hours and earn up to 25% from gross ad sales at Laurel Mountain Post! Great extra income; perfect for stay-at-home moms (lots of email/ phone). Organizational & computer skills along w/ a friendly & professional personality are required. Pick your own territories! Details available on our website: www.LaurelMountainPost.com ________________________________

For Sale __________________ Custom-Engraved Tags and Dog Collars

Lots of styles and colors to choose from; tons of fonts available. FREE DROP-SHIPPING when you mention this ad. Call 724-238-7003 or stop in at Equine Chic (For Horse Home and You), located on the Diamond in Ligonier. www .E quineChic.c om www.E .EquineChic.c quineChic.com __________________________________

Every Story Begins At Home.

__________________ Planning a Spring Garage Sale?

Consider advertising it here in the Laurel Mountain Post. All classified ads are only $30 for up to 50 words. Choose the color for your headline or add a graphic with fewer words. Order online at www.Laurel MountainPost.com or by calling 724-537-6845. Deadlines are the 15th of each month. We also cross-promote all ads on social media!

_________________________________

Memorials __________________ In Memory of Shelly R. Gerhard

April 26, 1944 – February 1, 2009 All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful, The Lord God made them all.

Cecil F. Alexander, Hymns for Little Children, 1848

_______________________________

_________________________________

Celebrations __________________

__________________ Happy Birthday

Jennifer Luttner March 5

Celebrate a Birthday or Anniversary with an Ad!

Reserve this space for only $30. Choose up to 50 words or just a headline and graphic. Order online at www.Laurel MountainPost.com or by calling 724537-6845. Deadlines are the 15th of each month. ________________________________

_________________________________

Margie Kotzalas

Grow Your Business with

February 11

“All the world is a birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.”

George Harrison

Happy Birthday from your Arizona family! __________________________________

Miscellaneous __________________

Laurel Leaders!

All local business leaders are invited to attend a weekly meeting of BNI (Business Networking International) held each Wednesday at the Ligonier Country Inn, Laughlintown, from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm. Visitors are welcome (no reservations), free of charge. www.bnilaurelleaders.com _______________________________

February 2014 - 37

Loyalhanna Realty Ad

38 - February 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

FEBRUARY-MARCH COMMUNITY CALENDAR “Take away love and our earth is a tomb. ” – Robert Browning

Tuesdays, 11 am - 5 pm Latrobe Indoor Farmer's Market Through early May. Cooperstown Event Center, 2541 Thomas St, Latrobe. Tony, (724) 757-4831

controlled and forcefully articulated” by The Los Angeles Times, pianist and wildlife conservationist Hélène Grimaud returns to Heinz Hall with Brahms’ fierce and dramatic first piano concerto.

Through 2/9/2014 18th Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art One Boucher Lane and Route 711 South, Ligonier, PA 15658 724.238.6015. www.sama-art.org The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Ligonier Valley will celebrate the work of local artists with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Council for the Arts 18th Annual Regional Juried Art Exhibition. On view from November 22 through February 9, the exhibition features 71 works by 71 individual artists from the 19 southwestern counties of Pennsylvania.

Featured work will span a variety of media, including acrylic, oil, photography, fiber arts, and many others.

1/31/2014 - 2/2/2014 Groundhog Day Celebration Downtown Punxsutawney, PA. 3PM - 8PM (Jan 31), 8AM - Midnight (Feb 1) All day until 4:00 PM (February 2) Come visit Punxsutawney during its most famous time of the year! Many great events, craft shows, art shows, vendors throughout park, bands, luau dancers, murder mystery show, dueling pianos and more!! For all the event details please visit www.groundhog.org

Through 6/7/2014 Cajun Dance BMNECC Hall 449 W. Eighth Avenue, West Homestead, PA 412.247.6604. grandbonrein.com Here’s the current monthy first-Saturday dance series schedule from October 2013 through June 2014 at the Bulgarian Macedonian Beneficial Association Hall in West Homestead near Pittsburgh. Dance instruction starts at 7:30 p.m., and live music starts at 8:30. No partners are necessary, and the hall has a cash bar.

Through 6/10/2014 Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle Bloomfield Bridge Tavern 4412 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412.682.8611 calliopehouse.org The Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle is a program of Calliope dedicated to exploring, promoting and practicing the art and craft of songwriting. The circle meets monthly at the historic Bloomfield Bridge Tavern to share songs and ideas and to commune with people from diverse backgrounds and points of view who share a compulsion to write songs.

Through 4/25/2014 Friday Evening Music Club Mary Lou Campana Chapel & Lecture Center Finoli Dr., University of Pittsburgh at Gbg, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.850.9056 greensburg.pitt.edu Drawing area performers and audience for shared artistic programs and camaraderie, and encouraging excellence in young musicians through performance and scholarship.

1/31/2014-2/2/2014 Bach, Beethoven, & Brahms Heinz Hall 600 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.392.4900. www.pittsburghsymphony.org Manfred Honeck, conductor Hélène Grimaud, piano Bach (orch. Stokowski): Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-flat major, Opus 60 Brahms: Concerto No. 1 in D minor for Piano and Orchestra, Opus 15 Originally written for organ, Leopold Stokowski orchestrated Toccata and Fugue in D Minor in 1927. It has since thrilled audiences and was made famous in popular culture by Disney’s Fantasia. With its fiery, rich harmonies and the powerful spirit of this symphony, it is surprising that the fourth is one of Beethoven’s lesser-known works. With playing touted as “superb, tightly

Every Story Begins At Home.

2/1/2014 Winterfest - Ohiopyle State Park 11 am - 4 pm. Ohiopyle, PA. Sugarloaf sledding area. Contact: 724-329-0986 or bawallace@pa.gov This celebration of the winter season provides visitors with the opportunity to explore Ohiopyle at its frozen best. Try your luck at snow shoeing or cross country skiing or go on a horse drawn sleigh ride. The Friends of Ohiopyle (FOO) partner with the park to put on this event. Snow or no snow this event is a go!

2/1/2014 Woodchuck Walk - Keystone State Park 1150 Keystone Park Rd, Derry, PA. 724-668-2566.

This is not only a weekend for waking up sleepy animals and predicting the weather, it’s also a great time to hit the trails and explore the woods!

Hike with us to learn about how plants and animals cope with cold winter weather. We’ll also talk about the star of the day and what this shadow business is all about! Please call 724-668-2566 or email pmcquistia@pa.gov if you wish to join us for this adventurous hike. Meet at the visitor center and dress for the weather (don’t forget your warm shoes/boots and clothing – dress in layers).

2/1/2014-2/2/2014 Indoor Flea Market Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com 2/1/2014 Compagnie Kafig Byham Theater 101 Sixth St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.456.1350. trustarts.org This innovative hip-hop ensemble has become an international phenomenon, touring the world with sold out performances and rave reviews. Inspired by an encounter with eleven young dancers from the shantytowns of Brazil, director and choreographer Mourad Merzouki created Correria and Agwa—two heart-stopping works that showcase a sensational combination of athletic samba, hip-hop and capoeira dance styles. The all-male company from Brazil exhibits theatrical intelligence and is gifted with irresistible personality and astonishing dancing. Bursting with fun, humor and vitality, this show is set to an energetic soundtrack of samba and bossa nova music.

2/1/2014 Gershwin Valentine Palace Theatre 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg, 724.837.1850 westmorelandsymphony.org The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra featuring guest pianist Joyce Yang performs Gershwin’s Concerto in F and Vaughan Williams’

Symphony No 5. Conducted by Artistic Director Daniel Meyer. Sponsored by Excela Health.

2/4/2014 - 6/6/2014 Woven Woolen Stories to Tell: Fairy Tales McCarl Coverlet Gallery, St. Vincent College www.mccarlgallery.org, 724-805-2188 2/4/2014 and 3/4/2014 FREE Help with Obamacare!

Ligonier Valley YMCA, 5:00 -7:00 pm Join us for an open meeting on the Affordable Care Act.We can assist in choosing and obtaining the best health insurance coverage for you on the marketplace. For more Information: Dan McCue, Financial & Group Services, Inc. “We Can Handle Your Health Insurance Needs from Cradle to Grave!” 724-593-2081 2/5/2014-3/2/2014 Sam Thorp and Brian Gonnella Pop-Up Exhibition Westmoreland Museum of American Art 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, 724.837.1500 wmuseumaa.org Sam Thorp is classically trained in anatomy and fine art but experiments in modern technology to supplement traditional image making. Thorp’s subject matter is rooted in the western tradition of figure studies, with the aim to make each work an expression of the living breathing uniqueness of each person. Brian Gonnella’s inspiration for his pop-up exhibition is his feel that the country was beginning to undergo a resurgence of the discussion about the end of the world, arriving in a multitude of catastrophes, ranging from religious prophecy to nuclear annihilation.

2/6/2014-2/16/2014 Shrek the Musical Byham Theater 101 Sixth St, Pittsburgh, PA 412.456.1350. trustarts.org Shrek the Musical, based on the Oscar-winning Dream Works film, brings the story of everyone’s favorite ogre to life on stage. In a far away kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre shows up to rescue a feisty princess.

2/7/2014 First Friday Wine Tasting Green Gables Restaurant 7712 Somerset Pike, Jennerstown, PA 15547 814.629.9201 greengablesrestaurant.com. From 6 to 9 pm 2/7/2014 Nature Story Time, week 2: “You Are What You Eat” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks) 2/8/2014 Late Winter Sky Show - Dynamic Earth 11 am. Angelo J. Taiani Planetarium and Astronaut Exhibit in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion on the campus of Saint Vincent College.

Admission is free and open to the public.

“Dynamic Earth” explains what makes Earth different from Venus and the role that life plays in creating this difference.

A second, 30-minute show appropriate for children ages 3 to 10, “The Sky Over Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” will be presented at 12:30 p.m. on each date. The show will explore the sky with Rogers and the animated characters from the Land of Make Believe.

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Because of limited seating, advance reservations are requested and may be made by contacting the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing at 724 805-2631 or make a reservation online at www.stvincent.edu/ planetarium. Private shows for groups of 15 to 35 people may also be scheduled at other times by contacting the Boyer School. Scout groups who wish to fulfill requirements for merit badges are especially encouraged to make appointments.

2/8/2014 Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge Quemahoning Reservoir, Boswell, PA Registration & info: www.plungepa.org Help support the Special Olympics through the 2014 Laurel Highlands Polar Plunge. Half of the proceeds from this event go toward the costs of running the Special Olympics Pennsylvania Winter Games, held Feb. 9-11 in Johnstown, while the other half goes to the county Special Olympics of the registrant's choice.

Festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. with registration starting at 10 a.m. The plunge begins at 1 p.m. The event also includes bands, free food and beverages.

2/8/2014 WinterFest Nemacolin Woodlands Resort 1001 Lafayette Drive, Farmington, PA 15437 866.344.6957 nemacolin.com It’s Nemacolin’s annual WinterFest, the Laurel Highlands region’s premier winter adventure event! WinterFest has something for everyone and is a full day of adventure sports, family fun activities, live entertainment, kids’ snow activities and much more!

2/9/2014 Carnegie Mellon University Wind Ensemble Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St. Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000. thepalacetheatre.org FREE Concert – General Admission tix available in person at the Box Office or by mailed request with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Concert starts at 7:30pm 2/13/2014-2/16/2014 Swan Lake Benedum Center for the Performing Arts 237 7th St, Pittsburgh. 412.456.2600. trustarts.org Set to an unforgettable score by legendary Russian composer Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971), this work combines all the charms and virtuosity that classical ballet has to offer.

2/13/2014 - 2/16/2014 Valentine Craft Show Indiana Mall. Mall Hours. www.indianamallpa.com Great time to find that Special Someone a Valentine Gift. There is also a florist to pick up flowers while you are at the mall. One Stop Shop for your Valentine with Candy, Card, Gift, and Flowers.

2/14/2014 Nature Story Time, week 3: “Nature Love” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks) 2/14/14 Love is in the Air: Celebrating the Human-Animal Bond Action For Animals Humane Society (AFA) on Route 217 in Latrobe is holding their annual Love is in the Air event on Saturday, February 8, 2014, 6pm at Latrobe Country Club.

The event is presented by Commercial Bank & Trust of PA, Smail Auto Group, Tooling Specialists, Inc. and Rita Whiteman - In Memory of my Mom, Rita Lux. Ed DeLancey from Healing Hearts Animal Therapy will be the evening's speaker. His "Oscar Program" reaches people with autism and various mental and emotional health issues with a unique type of Animal Assisted Intervention. He will be joined by therapy dog, Oscar, an American Bulldog.

Admission is $50 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The evening will also include Hors d'oeuvres, cookies and pastries, cash bar, silent and Chinese auctions.

The Event Co-Chairs are Laura Guskiewicz and Terry Zorch.

Visit AFA's website afa.petfinder.org to purchase admission/sponsorship via mail or PayPal and for more information about the event.

All proceeds from Love is in the Air will benefit the homeless animals at Action For Animals Humane Society, 724-539-2544.

2/14/2014 The 39 Steps Greensburg Garden & Civic Center 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000. ggccevents.org Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a spy novel, a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theatre!

2/15/2014-2/16/2014 Indoor Flea Market Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com 2/15/2014 Cupid’s Undie Run - Pittsburgh http://www.cupidsundierun.com/city/ pittsburgh/. Buckhead Saloon , 225 West Station Square Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15219 This Valentine's Day weekend, come put the hilarity in charity with hundreds of half-naked runners taking to the streets in celebration of fundraising for the Children's Tumor Foundation.

Be a part of something great. Last year Cupid's raised over $1.3 Million to end NF and we're

relying on YOU to join and make this year's fundraising (and party) the biggest and best yet.

Start a team, join a team, or just run solo and make some new friends!

The party starts at 12:00pm , run time is 2:00 pm, then back for more fun until 4:00pm . Arrive early and stay late... and feel free to remain pants-less the entire time! $50. Please send donations to: Children’s Tumor Foundation Attn: Cupid’s + [Runner's Name] 95 Pine St. 16th Floor New York, NY 10005 2/15/2014 STOMP The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St. Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org Stomp is a non-traditional dance troupe (originating in England) that uses the body and ordinary objects to create a physical theatre performance.

2/15/2014 Love in in the Air: A Valentine’s Pops Celebration Scottish Rite Cathedral 110 E. Lincoln Ave., New Castle, PA 16101 724.654.6683 pittsburghsymphony.org A night of laughs, tears and most of all, romance!

Warm your heart with John Williams’ “Princess Leia’s Theme” from Star Wars and Elton John’s “Can you Feel the Love Tonight” from The Lion King.

Also, cuddle a little closer to music from West Side Story, The Godfather and more!

2/16/2014-2/24/2014 Teacher from the Black Lagoon various schools and Byham Theater 101 Sixth St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.456.1350. trustarts.org This musical revue based on the books Teacher from the Black Lagoon, Dogzilla,I Want My Hat Back, Love, and Splat shows that our imagination can get the best of us. Amuse and quell fears of new experiences, all at the same time! Join Hubie and friends as they learn to be courageous when confronting the things that scare them.

2/17/2014 Random Acts of Kindness Day There’s no better time to help a pensioner to cross the road than on Random Acts Of Kindness Day. Of course, crossing assistance is only one of the ways that you can show kindness and assistance to those around you – get creative in finding small ways to make a difference and to make somebody smile! www.daysoftheyear.com 2/19/2014 Tiny Wonder Time: “Arctic Animals” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $1/month 2/19/2014 All You Need Is Love Byham Theater 101 Sixth St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.456.1350. trustarts.org Over 20 world famous Beatles Tribute musicians perform “LOVE” celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles in America.

2/19/2014-2/20/2014 Shen Yun Returns Benedum Center for the Performing Arts 237 Seventh St., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.456.2600 trustarts.org Discover the glory of a fantastically rich culture, that of classical China, brought to life through brilliantly choreographed dance and mesmerizing, all-original orchestral compositions. Magnificently costumed dancers—the world’s elite—move in poetic arrangements that evoke pastoral beauty, imperial drama, and the glory of an ancient civilization.

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2/20/2014 Westmoreland Jazz Society: Eric Defade Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center 100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. wmuseumaa.org Eric has played with music greats Rosemary Clooney, Josh Groban, the New York voices, Gary Burton, John Scofield, Dave Liebman, Ahmad Jamal, and Benny Golson. He has toured internationally with The Artie Shaw band and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Eric has appeared on the Oprah Wingrey show accompanying legendary jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson and for the past ten years Eric has been a featured performer for the My Music series on PBS. 2/21/2014 Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad Carlow University, Antonian Theatre 3333 5th Ave, Pittsburgh. 412.578.6033. www.carlow.edu This stirring drama with music is a classic tribute to the great American who freed herself and hundreds of her people from the bonds of slavery.

2/21/2014-2/22/2014 Bodiography Presents Left Leg, Right Brain Byham Theater 101 Sixth St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.456.1350. trustarts.org A full-length premiere of Caruso’s new ballet focused on raising awareness about Parkinson’s disease as seen through the lens of esteemed local artist Frank Ferraro.

2/21/2014 Nature Story Time, week 4: “Sleeping Animals” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks) 2/21/2014-3/1/2014 Conservatory Dance Company Point Park University 222 Craft Ave, Pittsburgh, 412.392.8000. pittsburghplayhouse.com Conservatory Dance Company students shine on stage in this annual tradition featuring the dazzling work of our most accomplished dance faculty.

2/22/2014 More Bees, If You Please 10:00 AM. Indiana County Courthouse Annex Meeting Room; 827 Water Street, Indiana, PA Learn how a colony of bees functions as one super organism. Using an interactive, largerthan-life beehive, volunteers will act out the functions of the different bees. A live demonstration of how bees sting will be presented.

Registration recommended at 724-463-8636.

Contact: www.indianacountyparks.org 2/22/2014 Athena Reich as LADY GAGA Arcadia Theater 1418 Graham Avenue, Windber, PA 15963 814.467.9070. arcadiatheater.net 2/22/2014 Hollywood Party at the Palace Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St. Greensburg, PA 15601.724.836.1123.westmorelandculturaltrust.org The celebration begins with a 6 pm pre-party on the time-honored stage, hosted by WQED personality Rick Sebak. Paparazzi will capture the elegant formal attire of guests as they walk the red carpet for entry to the pre-party extravaganza.

This year, the evening’s musical selections were chosen by you! You voted for your favorite movie songs and the top voted selections will be performed by the talents of Greensburg’s very own Stage Right! and friends.

2/23/2014 Winter “Weed” Walk Blue Spruce Park Lakeside Center, Indiana. 2 pm.

Join Cindy Rogers to find native and alien wild weeds in Blue Spruce Park at different times of the year. Learn to identify different plants on the

Every Story Begins At Home.

Winter, Spring (Mother’s Day), Summer & Fall “Weed” Walks. Come to one program or all 4. Dress for the weather. Programs will be held unless weather is severe. Please register, 724-463-8636.

2/23/2014 Winter Wine Festival Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com 2/25/2014 Theater Arts Workshop Byham Theater 101 Sixth St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.471.6079. trustarts.org 2/26/2014 Tell A Fairy Tale Day Gather round the fire, and make yourselves comfortable. Tell A Fairy Tale Day is all about exploring myths and stories, old and new. From grim(m) tales to urban legends, tap the dark corners of your subconscious and see what you find. www.daysoftheyear.com 2/27/2014 Soweto Gospel Choir Byham Theater 101 Sixth St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412.456.1350. trustarts.org Mixing African gospel with traditional hymns, Jamaican reggae and American pop, Soweto Gospel Choir presents a rich live music experience.

Formed in Soweto in 2002, the 30-member chorus powerfully expresses messages of hope and joy with its gorgeous South African vocal harmonies.

2/27/2014 Enery Lecture by Dr. Michael Webber of the University of Texas, Austin Washington and Jefferson College 60 South Lincoln St., Washington, PA 15301 888.926.3529 www.washjeff.edu Energy Lecture by Dr. Michael Webber of the University of Texas, Austin begins at 6:30 PM 9:00 PM, Thursday, February 27.

2/28/2014 Nature Story Time, week 5: “Do You Speak Frog” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks) 2/28/2014 - 3/1/2014 USS Somerset Commissioning (Bus Trip) The Somerset County Chamber of Commerce has organized an overnight bus trip for those interested in attending the commissioning of the USS Somerset on March 1 in Philadelphia.

The trip will include bus transportation and overnight accommodations at the Wyndham in Philadelphia’s Historic District.

Buses will be leaving from the Georgian Place in Somerset at 6 a.m. on Feb. 28 and will be arriving in Philadelphia at approximately 1 p.m. The commissioning ceremony is tentatively scheduled for 11 a.m. March 1. Buses will be departing Philadelphia to return to Somerset by mid-afternoon. Additional details will be announced closer to the event.

Space for this trip is limited and is being allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, prices or to register, call the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce at (814) 445-6431.

Please note that purchasing a bus ticket and hotel room from the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce does not include an admission to the commissioning ceremony March 1. Everyone attending the USS Somerset Commissioning must have RSVPed to Janet Vatavuk to request a ticket. Those individuals should then receive an invitation to the ceremony from the U.S. Navy.

Once you receive an invitation, you must RSVP directly to the Navy if you plan to attend the commissioning ceremony.

9th & Philadelphia Streets

Weekend Matinees Saturdays & Sundays at 1 pm, 3rd Floor Check our website or call for movie schedules and information www.jimmy.org • 724-349-6112

2/28/2014-3/2/2014 The Secret Garden Greensburg Garden & Civic Center 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 ggccevents.org This enchanting musical classic of 11-year old Mary Lennox, orphaned in India, who returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his invalid son Colin.

3/1/2014 World Compliment Day Oh, wow. You look great! Have you lost a little weight since the last time we met? And your hair! It really suits you.

Compliment Day is billed as the most positive day in the world. It’s hard to argue, what with all those compliments being passed around. There is an art to it, though. A true compliment must be genuine, or the receiver will see through it. As importantly, the receiver must accept the compliment with a heartfelt “Thank you!”. It’s no good being self-effacing; you’ll wring all the positivity out of the situation.

If done properly though, Compliment Day is undoubtedly a force for good in this crazy world.

Let’s really go for it. Compliment people you’ve never complimented before. Compliment people in the street. Send a wave of positivity around your hometown. Anyone ever tell you you’re wonderful? www.daysoftheyear.com 3/2/2014-3/3/2014 Indoor Flea Market Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com 3/2/2014 Parlor Talk: Sport and World News West Overton Village & Museums 109 West Overton Road, Scottdale, PA 15683 724.887.7910 westovertonvillage.org D. Byron Yake will give an autobiographical talk related to his career as a senior executive with the Associated Press (AP). A 1957 graduate of Scottdale High School, he got his start in journalism as editor of the Mt. Pleasant Journal. From here, he took over the AP Sports desk in Pittsburgh before moving to New York where he was a senior executive at the Associated Press. Yake is Executive Director of Write on Sports, Inc., a program designed to inspire students to write about sports.

Yake founded the program for students in 2005 to provide a set of skills that can be applied to academic areas beyond sports writing.

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3/6/2014 Gaelic Storm Palace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org Gaelic Storm is back with the #1 Billboard World Album The Boathouse, a seafaring album of traditional songs of the ocean, recorded in a converted boathouse on The Chesapeake Bay. 3/6/2014 The Official Blues Brothers Revue Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center 450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904 814.269.7200. upjarts.org. 7:30 pm Paying homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, soul music, and gospel, the Pasquerilla is proud to welcome The Official Blues Brothers Revue to its stage. Produced by Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi, this show is infectious energy and a hand -clapping, foot-stomping good time.

Fun for all ages, it strikes the right balance of comedy, music, and mayhem.

3/7/2014 Jefferson Starship Palace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org Jefferson Starship led by co-founder Paul Kantner, more closely resembles its original mix of psychedelic and electric folk music than the pop tunes it was widely known for in the ’80s.

3/8-3/9/2014 Maple Sugaring at Kinter Farm 2 pm. For directions call 724-463-8636.

The Friends of the Park annual Maple Sugaring Event. Come with us and learn all about maple sugaring. indianacountyparks.org 3/8/2014 58th Annual Spring Coin Show 10 am - 5 pm. S&T Bank Arena, 497 East Pike Road, Indiana, PA 15701. Info: 724-254-2471 36 Tables, Admission Free, Free Parking, Coins 4 Kids program, Everyone Welcome! Sponsored by the Indiana Coin Club, Inc. 3/8/2014 Spring Sky Show – Two Small Pieces of Glass 11 am. Angelo J. Taiani Planetarium and Astronaut Exhibit in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion on the campus of Saint Vincent College.

Admission is free and open to the public.

“Two Small Pieces of Glass” provides a history of the telescope and how astronomers use instruments to explore the universe today.

A second, 30-minute show appropriate for children ages 3 to 10, “The Sky Over Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” will be presented at 12:30 p.m. on each date. The show will explore the sky with Rogers and the animated characters from the Land of Make Believe.

Because of limited seating, advance reservations are requested and may be made by contacting the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing at 724 805-2631 or make a reservation online at www.stvincent.edu/ planetarium. Private shows for groups of 15 to 35 people may also be scheduled at other times by contacting the Boyer School. Scout groups who wish to fulfill requirements for merit badges are especially encouraged to make appointments.

3/23/2014 Bridal Show with Renda Broadcasting Indiana Mall. 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Brides-to-be for 2014, 2015, 2016 Free Bridal Registration: 11:00 am to 3;30 pm Bridal Fashion Show; 4:00 - 5:00 Door Prizes and Grand Prize Drawing 5:00 To be a vendor call the mall office at 724-349-6110

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3/8/2014-3/9/2014 Maple Weekend: Taste & Tour Around Somerset Somerset 234 Sugar Cake Road, Somerset, PA 15501 814.442.3680 Tour and taste Somerset County maple products!

3/8/2014 Warp & Weft-Art Class Westmoreland Museum of American Art 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. wmuseumaa.org Children ages 7-10 can expand and explore their creativity through innovative and engaging programs taught by professional artist instructors. Classes are from 10 AM-12 PM and are $10 per class. Registration is required.

3/13/2014 Abba Mania Palace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org ABBA MANIA the tribute takes you back in time by recreating one of the world’s finest pop groups in a live stage performance featuring Mamma Mia, Voulez Vous and more.

3/14-3/15/2014 Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators Conference “Spheres of Influence: Shaping the Curve of Environmental Education” Two days of informative workshops for Educators at Antiochian Village, Bolivar, PA. For more information, visit www.paee.net. Scholarships available.

3/15/2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Indiana, PA 11 am. www.downtownindiana.org 3/17/2014 Travelogue Series: “Vietnam: Land of Surprises” Greensburg Senior High School Auditorium at 7:30 pm. Series Admission, $20/Single, $10.

Sponsored by the Greensburg College Club.

After generations of war, Vietnam is finally in the limelight as a travel destination thanks to a generation born after the last war. Vietnam is fast, slow, traditional, cutting edge, exotic and familiar, and most of all ... accessible. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), its two major cities, are total opposites. There are beautiful beaches, colorful markets, historic landmarks, and restaurants ranging from fluorescent-lit dives to formal candle-lit 5star dining rooms. There are two UNESCO sites: a royal city and the spectacular limestone mountains of Halong Bay. See the past in Hanoi, vault to the 21st century in Ho Chi Minh City.

3/19/2014 Tiny Wonder Time: “Animal Feet” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $1/month 3/20/2014 Westmoreland Jazz Society Events: Harold Betters Quartet Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center 100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org “Mr. Trombone,” Harold Betters, is a remarkable man who has enjoyed a career spanning over four decades and is admired and respected by fellow musicians, friends, and fans nationwide. A native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, he credits his success to his parents who owned and operated one of the area’s hottest jazz spots.

3/20/2014 Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day Any day can be a beautiful day in the neighborhood – and Won’t you Be My Neighbor Day, is no exception!

Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day is a day to remember and honor Fred Rogers, that iconic children’s TV presenter of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. His show reached it’s heyday in popularity back in the 1970's and 80's, and repeats can still be seen today. Gentle, soft-spoken Mr. Rogers was a mainstay for preschoolers and their parents; teaching them that respect of those around you and a good attitude were just as important as learning your colors and letters.

Why not don a 70's style sweater today, and speak softly to your partner? Be mindful of how you can show kindness and patience in explaining a simple concept to a child (or perhaps even to a work colleague!) After all, it’s a beautiful day for a neighbor – and for being neighborly! www.daysoftheyear.com 3/21/2014 Nature Story Time, session 2/week 1: “Up, Up and Away” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks) 3/21/2014-3/23/2014 Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Spring Fever Festival Monroeville Convention Center 209 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville, PA 15146 724.863.4577 familyfestivals.com. Fri & Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4 Over 180 booths of unique arts and crafts including; jewelry, clothing, wood folk art, pet treats, scented candles, ceramics, and floral designs.

Sample delicious dips, mixes, candy, candles, fudge and much more! Acres of free parking and free shuttle! Two huge exhibit halls of arts and crafts.

Monroe-ville Convention Center, 109 Mall Blvd, in front of Monroeville Mall. Clowns, Glitter Dot & Dapper for the kids! Enjoy unique shopping!

3/21/2014 Taste of the Neighborhood Latrobe Art Center 819 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA 15650 724.805.0112. latroberevitalization.org 3/21/2014-3/22/2014 The Pirates of Treasure Island Greensburg Garden & Civic Center 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 ggccevents.org Jim Hawkins realizes his dream of living the life of a scurvy pirate when a mysterious woman delivers an ominous message. Now Jim and friends are bound for Treasure Island!

3/22/2014 5th Annual Soup’s On Downtown Ligonier. 10 am - 2 pm. Sample “signature soups” from local restaurants in participating stores. Call 724-238-4200 for more details.

3/23-24/2014 and 3/29-30/2014 Egg Hunts with the Bunny Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com 3/28/2014 Nature Story Time, session 2/week 2: “Bugs on Parade” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks) 3/29/2014 March for Parks Twin Lakes Park, Cedar Creek Park, and Murrysville Sports Zone 724.830.3950 www.co.westmoreland.pa.us The March For Parks will now be 3 times the fun! Marches will be held at Twin Lakes Park, Cedar Creek Park, and the Murrysville SportsZone.

All events will start at 10:30am and end at noon with lunch for registered participants. Prior to the events, marchers will collect contributions to benefit parks and trails projects in Westmoreland County. Marchers can participate as individuals

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

or teams. Those who raise more than $25 will receive an official March For Parks t-shirt and lunch card. The March For Parks is sponsored by the West-moreland County Parks & Recreation Citizens Advisory Board.

3/29/2014 Yellow Creek State Park - Bird Walk 8 am, Park Office. Penn Run, PA 724-357-7913 Join the Todd Bird Club as they look for migrating waterfowl on Yellow Creek lake. The wide variety of water birds makes this one of the top five birding destinations in Pennsylvania. Meet at the Park Office and dress for the weather. We will drive to several locations near the lake for short walks. The Bird Club will spend 3 hours but you may spend a shorter time. Indianacountyparks.org

Grow Your Business Every Wednesday with Laurel Leaders (www.BNILaurelLeaders.com) All local business leaders are invited to attend a weekly meeting of BNI (Business Networking International) held each Wednesday* at the Ligonier Country Inn, Laughlintown, from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.

Visitors are welcome (no reservations), free of charge, and encouraged to come network with us and learn more about important topics:

February 5: Engineering, Automation, Computers Jerry Schultheis, Schultheis Automation 724-593-2275, www.schultheisautomation.com

February 12: Civil Engineering, Land Surveying John Cenkner, Cenkner Engineering 724-424-3800, www.cenkner.com

February 19: Mary Kay Cosmetics Sue Miller, Senior Sales Director 814-289-1347, www.marykay.com/millermiles

February 26: Screen Printing, Embroidery, Graphics Jody Shepler, JZ’s Sunsational Screen Printing 724-455-2174, jzscreenprinting@lhtot.com

February 19: Mary Kay Cosmetics Sue Miller, Senior Sales Director 814-289-1347, www.marykay.com/millermiles

March 5: Chiropractic Care Tim Allison, Allison Chiropractic 724-694-9700, www.allisonchiro.com

March 12: Wireless Communication Debbie Sanders, Verizon Wireless Zone 724-539-0105, www.wirelesszone.com/latrobe 3/29/2014 - 4/6/2014 67th Annual PA Maple Festival Meyersdale, PA 814-634-0213. pamaplefestival.com (Tree-tapping ceremony: February 22 at 2 pm.)

Celebrate spring and the maple season.

Includes crafts, quilt show, parade, pancakes and more. For more information, call (814) 634-0213 or visit www.pamaplefestival.com.

• 8 a.m. Lions Club Pancake House opens • 10 a.m. Festival Park Complex, quilt show, antique tractor and farm machinery show opens • 2 p.m. Historical Pageant "Legend of the Magic Water" at Meyersdale Area High School Admission: adults $5; children 6-12 $1; Free for children 5 and under.

For more information about a presentation, please contact the scheduled speaker. (*Our meetings are cancelled whenever Ligonier Valley School District closes due to inclement weather)

Enhance Your Life With Music Submit items for our community calendar: Family-friendly, cultural, and nonprofit events take precedence when print space is a consideration:

piano • violin • viola • cello • guitar • voice • flute • lessons weddings • events

calendar@laurelmountainpost.com

Lessons at Vittone’s in Greensburg

Laurel Mountain Post Calendar PO Box 332 Ligonier PA 15658

Every Story Begins At Home.

724-309-0553

vmullmusic@gmail.com

February 2014 - 43

Where Can I Find A Copy?

Laurel Mountain Post Distribution List Seventy-five percent of our distribution remains within Westmoreland County, while the remaining 25% is circulated throughout key locations in the surrounding counties. The Laurel Mountain Post can be found free of charge at hundreds of local shops, office waiting areas, restaurants, museums, and festivals. We keep up-t0-date location and delivery information on our website: www.laurelmountainpost.com. If your business would like to carry the LMP, please contact us at 724-537-6845 or complete the online distribution form.

Derry Area Action for Animals Allison Chiropractic Barkley's Derry King Building Bodeez Caldwell Library Chef Dato's Derry Medical Dr. Scott Morgan First Commonwealth Bank Hansen & Torba - Dentists Jean Marie Flowers & Gifts Laundromat Mastrorocco's Market New Derry Municipal Authority Palombo's Restaurant S&T Bank State Farm Insurance Sugar Bears Sunoco Delmont, Murrysville, Export Dancer’s Closet Delmont Public Library First Commonwealth Bank Drs. Hilliard & Tarnoff Holiday Inn Express King's Family Restaurant Kunkle's Auto Dr. Matthew Levin Lamplighter Restaurant Manordale Service Center Martello Hair Care Murrysville Library Panera Bread PT Group Salem Crossroad Apothecary Shields Chiropractic Teri's Place UPMC Rehab Services Wagon Wheel Restaurant Donegal BP/McDonald’s - turnpike Brady’s Dairy Queen Days Inn Donegal Pharmacy Gerry’s Western Shop (Champion) Holiday Inn Express Honeybear Tall Cedars The Inn at Ligonier Sarnelli’s Schultheis Automation (Jones Mills) Greater Latrobe Adams Memorial Library

44 - February 2014

Barnes House Buchanan Tag Chestnut Ridge - Bursch Division Chicora's Chris Pakos, CPA Christ UC Church Coffee Bean Commercial Bank - Downtown Commerical Bank - Route 981 Dainty Pastry Denny's Doggie Divas Dunkin Donuts Eat n Park Excela Health Quick Draw The Eyeglass Shoppe Fantastic Sam's Four Seasons Brewing Co. Fringe Gino's Pizza Gyno Associates Hanna Insurance Dr. Scott Hudimac Jaffre's/Tin Lizzy, Youngstown Jerald Jewelers Joe's Store - Lawson Heights Kids Care Pediatrics L&L Quik Lube Dr. Patrick Lally Latrobe Animal Clinic Latrobe Art Center Latrobe Athletic Club Latrobe Hardware Latrobe Hospital Latrobe News Stand - Downtown Latrobe News Stand - Laurel 30 Laurel Highlands Village Laurel Nursery Latrobe Post Office Lincoln Highway Experience Little Shop Loyalhanna Care Center Marge’s Hair Salon - Tara Stowers McCarl Coverlet Gallery The Medicine Shoppe Drs. Mucci & Campfield, DDS My Fitness Kitchen Pizza Siena ProAdjuster Chiropractic Racer’s Tavern Roadman's Country Living Rose Style Shoppe Rusbosin's Furniture S&T Bank Scotty G's Senior Center Shop n Save SpringHill Suites St. Vincent De Paul St. Vincent Gristmill Store Total Service Unity Township Building, Library

UPMC Vascular Institute Valley Dairy - downtown Valley Dairy - Route 30 Vasco Federal Credit Union WCNS/Unity Building Westmoreland Federal Westmoreland Historical Society Wigs n More Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve Wingate Greensburg All About Me Boutique Barnes & Noble Berkshire Medical Offices Cafe Barista Courtyard by Marriott Dancer’s Closet Eat n Park Frye Farm Road Medical Offices Greensburg Art Center Greensburg News Greensburg YMCA Hampton Inn Hampton Office Products Jioio's - Carbon Dr. Matthew Levin L&S Machine Nature's Way Market The Palace Theatre Palmer Pavilion - Mt. View ProAdjuster Chiropractic RaggZ Fiber Art Dr. John Ridinger Seton Hill University The Westmoreland @rt 30 University of Pittsburgh Vittone's Music Westmoreland Dermatology Westmoreland Hospital Ligonier Valley A Touch of Grace Abigail's Coffee Amica BP Insurance Barb's Market - Rector Bo Peep Fine Yarns Carol & Dave's Roadhouse Celtic Culture Connections Cafe Darlington Inn Davies Real Estate Diamond Cafe Diamond Hair Cuts Diamond Rug Gallery Dovecote Equine Chic Excela Health

First Commonwealth Bank Flavors Cafe Fox's Pizza G Squared Get Go Giant Eagle Gino's Granny Earth Howard Hanna Real Estate Ligonier Chamber of Commerce Ligonier Country Market Ligonier Library Ligonier Outfitters/Newstand Ligonier Tavern Ligonier Valley Railroad Museum Ligonier Vallery Real Estate Loyalhanna Realty Mack M. Darr Martins Modern Elegance Mommy Gear On the Diamond Antiques The Paper House Persnickety Post and Rail Prudential Preferred Realty Ramada Inn Rosalia Jioio's Little Italy Rustic Country Treasures Ruthie's Diner Scamp's Toffee Second Chapter Books Song of Sixpence Subway The Strawberry Crow Thistledown at Seger House The Finishing Touch The Toy Box The Twisted Vine Tree House in Ligonier UU Church Vernon Realty Services Valley School of Ligonier Wicked Googly YMCA Laughlintown Compass Inn/Historical Society First Commonwealth Bank Ligonier Country Inn Pie Shoppe Washington Furnace Inn New Alexandria First Commonwealth Kaufman's Chiropractic Keystone Pharmacy Keystone State Park Kids Care Pediatrics Library

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

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

724-238-7933 fb.com/secondchapterbooks

Roadhouse Quik Stop Sheetz Speal's Tavern Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival Loyalhanna Veterinary Clinic Main Street Wine Bar Mt. Pleasant and Southern Westmoreland County Market Crystal Concepts The Frick Fun Services The General Store Herbalicious Kraisinger's Market Lenox Leo's Mericonda Beer Distributor Mount Pleasant Glass Museum Mt. Pleasant Library Nino's Orourke Crystal Sandhill Berries Speedy Meedy's Vicky's Crossroads Volero Gas West Overton Deli West Overton Quilt Shop

YMCA Allegheny County Allegheny General Children's Hospital Downtown Hotels Manchester Bidwell Monroeville Library Pleasant Hills Library Strip District merchants Squirrel Hill businesses UPMC Hospitals: Monroeville, Presbyterian, Mercy, Children's Cambria County (Johnstown) Comfort Inn & Suites Dancer’s Closet East Hills Family Pharmacy Holiday Inn - Downtown Holiday Inn Express - Richland Nature's Habitat - Galleria The Sleep Inn Fayette County Adrian's - Hopwood Braddocks Inn Restaurant Chalk Hill Flea Market Miller’s Grocery Store Nemacolin Inn - Farmington Ohiopyle Falls

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Blairsville Cokeville Produce Market Comfort Inn Dean's Diner Hampton Inn - Chestnut Ridge Senior Center Sheetz

Jennerstown Green Gables/Mtn Playhouse Our Coal Miners Cafe Three Rivers Dental

Clarksburg Shaulis Convenience Market Indiana 119 Professional Center The Artist's Hand Book Nook Cucina Mia Diamond Drug Downtown Indiana Association Eat n Park Hampton Inn Dr. Hilliard & Tarnoff Indiana Chamber of Commerce Indiana County Tourism Bureau Indiana Hospital Lobby Indiana Free Library Indiana University of PA Jimmy Stewart Museum Rustic Lodge Starbucks

Somerset Area Comfort Inn Eat n Park Econo Lodge Hampton Inn Holiday Inn Express Mountain Craft Days Oakhurst Tea Room Sheetz (route 31) Somerset Family Eye Care Somerset Historical Center Summit Diner Quality Inn

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February 2014

Every Story Begins At Home.

February 2014 - 45

END NOTES

by Cathi Gerhard

Absolutely Fabulous Greg and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary on January 9th, and this is the card I sent to him (below).

On Facebook, of course, so that I could share the sentiment with hundreds of other people! Its message spoke to me on many levels, and it seemed like the perfect post (kudos to all the people who make and share these things on social media).

lucky that I can still get out of bed most mornings.

I lose half of my daytime to sleep now because the painkillers make me tired. Afternoons are for long naps, and I am usually sleeping when Greg gets home from work. If I miss my nap, then I pass out for the night right after supper.

We never got to take our spring honeymoon because I broke my back in a car accident four days after the wedding. Greg has spent a lot of time sitting next to me doing absolutely nothing ever since. It’s been a long and painful recovery, and I will never be “all better.” While I am grateful to still walk (although painfully and awkwardly at times), my lifestyle has been forever changed. We were an active couple (even as best friends in college) who loved the outdoors and planned to travel. I wanted to go hiking with him. I wanted to explore the world with him. And now I am

When I am awake, my back is usually so sore by late day that all I can do is lay down and watch TV/ movies or read. So that’s how we spend our time together, especially in the winter. Summers have been better, and I find the strength to do some gardening with Greg – but he does most of the work while I sit on a stool or sprawl in the hammock and watch. It’s not what we planned, but we make the most of it.

What I have come to realize is that most of my life is actually really great, whether it’s what I planned or not.

The real adventures in life are the

46 - February 2014

ones we experience together every day: the true meaning behind “for better or worse.” Greg and I had to learn early on how to make the best out of the worst. The reason other past relationships failed for us both was incompatibility in times of crisis: I think that is true for most people.

We are also older and wiser than our younger selves. Many of our mistakes were made apart from one another. But more importantly, we have both reached a more settled stage of life (partly because of my accident). We are no longer working on careers and focused on the “some day” when we will accomplish fabulous things. We are where we want to be, doing what we want to do, and doing it together. And there is a lot of love to be found in the simple, routine aspects of each day when shared.

I no longer take days or even hours for granted. I used to work a lot by myself – long hours into the night while my family was living their lives without me. Now I am much better at shutting down the computer when my husband and children are home in the evening and on weekends. I try to plan my necessary naps around their activities. I have learned to treasure that time with them, no matter what is or is not planned. And often, those unplanned, ordinary moments spent together are the best.

I still miss out on a lot because of my health, and there are times when I pout and complain. However, I have also been given a new perspective that is with me the rest of the time: doing absolutely “nothing” is absolutely fabulous with the right person.

I am doubly lucky to have found him, even if it took 20 years: I also believe that timing is no accident.

Happy Anniversary, Greg.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

McCune Trail at Keystone State Park by Mary Fowler, January 2014 (Mary’s Photography: 724-396-0224, maryjim7596@gmail.com)

Every Story Begins At Home.

February 2014 - 47

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

Price d e Reduc

Ligonier Twp – MLS 964714

Rector

Bolivar – MLS 964032 - Large building could have two store fronts or one large main floor. Could live on the second floor with a 3 bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room and Kitchen or rental income.

Currently rented $350.00 per month. Options: Church, Funeral Home, Day Care, Doctor's Office, Dental Office, Hair Salon, Tanning Salon, Dog Grooming, Store Front, Retail and more.

Ligonier Twp – MLS 964728

Hempfield Twp – MLS # 988531 Wonderful opportunity for

Hempfield Twp – MLS 985432

Ligonier Boro – MLS 975560

Great business opportunity this 9 building village nested on

This sprawling estate boost oversized rooms, hard wood floors, crown moulding, elegant formal living and dining rooms. A beautiful open kitchen with stainless appliances. Lovely breakfast area with a fireplace! Oversized integral 2 car garage and detached 4 car garage. Just bring your tool's or toy's. Great cul-de-sac location.

This home has many upgrades and is move in ready. The has laminate floors plus newer stainless steel stove. The finished lower level includes a kitchen area living room full bath and two rooms great for a In-Law suite with separate entrances. Huge yard for pets or to play.

– MLS 964271

Absolutely Charming Gentlemen's Horse Farm! This spacious three bed room multi-level brick colonial home is in the quiet neighborhood of Rector but has access to all major highways. Come and see the soon to be finished lower pasture or design it for yourself. You will be amazed with the size of this home.

This stunning split entry boasts large rooms in a great corner lot.

Enjoy sitting by the fire place just in time for the holidays.

Beautiful home on a corner lot in the borough. Large rooms with a finished attic and basement. Great home for a large family of it could be a great B & B as the property is zoned Village Residential

Greensburg

– MLS 963695

Great ranch home with newer kitchen, interior doors and trim, bath and a covered side porch. The Fenced rear yard is great for kids or pets. This home qualifies for 100% financing.

extra, steady income, but ready to rock as is! Nice, spacious lot for the kids or pets, and, though situated conveniently along 119, quiet atmosphere. Lots of storage in basement. Worth a peek at the current or future potential! Won’t last at $69,000.

almost three acres has many possibilities. The thriving business "The Mountain Shoppe" Gift Shop and Rustic Furniture is located on RTE 711 in Jones Mills. This location boasts over 3500 average vehicle traffic per day. With 338 foot frontage and traffic heading to Seven Springs year round resort and other great local attractions. Owner willing to sell inventory for cost, consider staying on as to transition to new ownership.

UNDERCT A CONTR Ligonier Twp – MLS 985829

Totally redone on the inside Newer Carpet, Newer Flooring, Newer Paint updated kitchen and bath. Large enclosed front porch on almost an acre of land. Enjoy the country but a short drive to the center of Ligonier.

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 977845

UNDERCT A CONTR

This home is larger than it looks from the street. The home has newer kitchen, newer full bath, newer hardwoods, new carpet, fresh paint. Move in condition.

Bring offers motivated sellers.