Laurel Mountain Post July-August 2009

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

No Grey Gardens!

Rules of Engagement The New Social Hot Spot Vintage Vacations Garden Fresh Reader Recipes

You Say Tomato, I Say Zucchini: Let’s Call the Whole Thing Squash!

JULY/AUGUST 2009 Every Story Begins At Home.

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

W

JULY/AUGUST 2009 (Volume VI, Issue 4)

The Laurel Mountain Post is a bimonthly publication designed to focus on the people, places and events of Westmoreland County and the surrounding areas in the heart of western Pennsylvania. We print stories about real people and their daily lives; feature local merchants, craftsmen and professionals; present short pieces of art & literature; and never lose sight of what makes this area a great place to call home. Most of our writers are not professional reporters, but accomplished local practitioners with years of experience in their respective fields who bring credibility and personality to every article.

In October 2006, the BBC News quoted us as “the voice of Pennsylvania.”

Laurel Mountain Post P.O. Box 227 206 Weldon Street Latrobe, PA 15650

724-537-6845 Cathi Gerhard Williams Editor & Publisher

Briana Dwire Tomack Marketing Director

Barbara M. Neill Features Editor/Advertising Sales Director

Carol A. Gerhard Administrative Assistant/Copy Editor THANKS TO: Carol Dwire, Heather Haines, Chris Kantorik, Pat Kintigh, Doug Richardson, Michelle Schultz, Elizabeth Srsic and Devin Winklosky Proud members of the Latrobe, Ligonier, Mountain Laurel and Indiana County Chambers of Commerce, Pittsburgh Advertising Federation, and The PA Newspaper Assocation Special thanks to our advertisers for supporting this community publication!

www.LaurelMountainPost.com

“The first forty years of life give us the text; the next thirty supply the commentary on it.”

– Arthur Schopenhauer

elcome . . .

MOUNTAIN VIEWS Cathi Gerhard Williams

Happy Birthday to Me ence between obese and extra Forty doesn’t need to be called the gap between wisdom and intellicurvy. I still try to walk every day, “new” anything. I resent those gence. It took years of experiences but it’s a long, meandering stroll headlines and articles that make to develop the context with which I around the farm early in the mornme feel as though I should be trycould view my own life. I think that ing instead of an intense and uning harder to be increasingly fabuis the true beauty of age. There rewinnable race on the track. I lous with time. In my thirties, as I ally is a day when you realize “I wasted several years on an endwas losing that battle against the get it. Life makes sense to me clock, I went through a now.” And if we are period where it became blessed, we still have my “fulltime job” just the second half of our trying to look and feel as earthly orbits to live good as I used to. It was with this new and imonly a few weeks ago proved attitude. that my ten-year-old son The best man’s commented to me: “I like toast from a wedding I you so much better this attended this weekend way. When you were instructed the bride and skinny you were mean – groom to “greet each day and all you thought about with laughter” no matwas yourself.” ter how many tears He nailed it. I could have come before. Selfnever work out enough: pity is a powerful foe, but there was no time for joy is an even greater anything or anyone unfriend. My only regrets til I had walked five so far are for each day miles and been to the that I shunned the comMe with my niece, Chi-Anne, who smiles joyfully every day. gym for an hour or so. panionship of a smile.

Whenever I went on a And so I toast my less wheel being too cool or too diet or tried to change my eating 40th birthday during the month of proud to smile and see many of the habits, I was obsessed with food – August. It’s a time for drinking lots things that simply bring joy. or the lack of it— all day, worrying of lemonade on sweltering sumPerspective is something that constantly about everything I ate mer days. Because, after all, you my high school psychology teacher and recorded. And I slowly filled know what you are supposed to tried to teach me. He said that menwith self-loathing over every make when life gives you a bunch tal health is totally based on it. pound I failed to lose and each of ripe lemons, right?

While I had an appreciation for the item of clothing in a single-digit concept, I didn’t truly understand size that was too tight. it until I grew much older . . . and I’m not saying that being overyes, wiser. There’s a complicated weight is OK. There’s a big differ-

Our distribution of 15,000 reaches beyond Westmoreland County into the neighboring counties of Allegheny, Washington, Armstrong, Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, Somerset and Fayette.

Every day, more and more readers and advertisers across western Pennsylvania are discovering the Laurel Mountain Post.

Every Story Begins At Home.

July/August 2009 - 3

No Grey Gardens!

The Heirloom Tomato Festival of West Overton

by Barbara M. Neill My sister-in-law, Carrie, was always amused at the number of fruit-printed outfits I purchased for her daughters when they were youngsters. Although it seemed that every possible fruit in every conceivable hue was embodied on the bubble suits, sundresses, short sets and bathing suits I bought for my nieces, I cannot positively recall buying any tomato-patterned togs.

(Tomatoes, as we know, are eaten as a vegetable, but are by definition a fruit.) Since I am a huge fan of everything tomato, this was a fashion oversight on my part indeed.

The West Overton Garden Club holds its annual Heirloom Tomato Festival during the month of August at West Overton Village, the birthplace of “Coke King” Henry Clay Frick in 1849 and today the home of West Overton Museums. WOM Executive Director Chris Kline recently told the LMP, “The Heirloom Tomato Festival has become an important part of West Overton Museums. This is an event that has grown from 30 attendees to 800 in just a few short years and it is our goal to have this event continue to grow each year. With the wide variety of vendors there really is something for each and every person to enjoy at the festival. As Executive Director it is a privilege to have this event take place at West Overton and be a part of it. We truly have a gem in our own backyard and this is one event that gives us the opportunity to showcase all aspects of our beautiful historic facility.”

(West Overton Village was named to the National Register of Historic Districts in 1985 and West Overton Museums marked its 80th anniversary in 2008.)

I attended last year’s colorful festival with my cousin Bonnie and we actually came away with a rosy afterglow. Firstly, the weather was spectacular; a more beautiful day could not have been imagined. The extensive event planning and organization were evident from the moment we arrived at the parking area to our partaking of the locallygrown tomatoes.

Sampling heirlooms* and other fleshy classifications with the names Black Krim, Pruden’s Purple, Cherokee Chocolate, Green Zebra, Yellow Pear and Caspian Pink, I found myself wondering if black might not become the new red! Although hundreds of guests were present and numerous activities in progress, we found the atmosphere to be amazingly relaxed at the pre-Civil War era site.

(Dulcimer music wafting through the air does have a tendency to soothe

4 -July/August 2009

the spirit.) Based on the number of smiling faces, we weren’t the only ones who sensed the feel-good factor at Mr. Frick’s former stomping grounds a year ago.

At the 5th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival (scheduled rain or shine for Saturday, August 22, 2009 from 10 am6 pm) the omni-competent Julie Giacopetti and her festival committee will once again bring more to the table than tomatoes. “Common goals make for better teams and it also betters our chances for growth, while we are educating our youth and bringing interesting projects together for the enjoyment of all. As with everything we do at West Overton Museums, we are committed to promoting local businesses, foods and artists. The absolute best way of accomplishing this is the Heirloom Tomato Festival,” says the WOM Special Events Chairperson and Board Member.

The significant structures and grounds of the 19 th century rural industrial village will be utilized as locations for tomato tastings, gourmet food samplings, displays and demonstrations while tours of the Overholt Homestead and WO Museum will be conducted. Featured speakers

at this year’s festival will include Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Backyard Gardener and author Doug Oster (Heirloom Tomatoes) Faith Starr of WKHB radio (Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants) and David Lemaster (Seed Saving). PA history series author Ceane O’Hanlon-Lincoln and cover artist Helen Alt are planning to meet and greet their County Chronicles followers and friends. [See the 2009 March/April edition of the Laurel Mountain Post, Repartee for Two: Taking a Chance on Lore at www.laurelmountain post.com for more on this local twosome.]

Among the local purveyors will be Heirloom Tomato Company, East End Food Co-op, Morris Farm, Matteo’s

Herbs Galore, Maggie’s Mercantile, Sunny Sprouts Greenhouse and Backyard Gardens. Serving up gastronomic delights will be Cheesecake Caffé, Mary Ann’s Breads and Pastries, Truly Wize Organic Bakery, One Good Cookie and Suzy’s Frozen Custard with Barbara Ferguson of Fraiche Confections offering her signature WO chocolates. In attendance also will be Latrobe’s own Jamison Farm (whose lamb has been rated #1 by Bravo’s Top Chef) and Passion Bakery (ranked by this writer as creator of The Best Nut Roll in Existence Anywhere Ever).

Also presenting their wares at the village marketplace will be numerous artisans including Creative Primworks (primitive folk art collectibles made from recycled products), Clementine (hand-beaded jewelry with a vintage flair), Ken Fike (handmade toys), Five Fine Felines (botanical arts) and Soap Creek Mill (handmade soaps and body products). Portraits will be done by Marian Ash and Scottdale’s Sharon Yoder will have her fine arts on display.

A new gift shop, Uncle Martin’s Company Store, has opened at West Overton and can’t wait to unbolt its Overholt door on festival day. Alisa Barnhart, Administrative Assistant at WOM, shares the store’s historical connection: “Martin Overholt, an uncle of Henry Clay Frick, ran an emporium in Mount Pleasant where Frick worked as a young man and it was here that he would begin his business career. There was also a company store in the village at one time, company stores being synonymous with the coal and coke heritage of the FayWest area.”

Barnhart continues, “I want folks who appreciate quality merchandise to be able to find one-of-akind items made by local artists and craftsmen at Uncle Martin’s.”

Consequently, unique items of all descriptions can be found in the shop and many of the area residents who created them will be on hand at the festival. Locally-produced food items are stocked (e.g., honey, maple syrup, mustard) and a selection of customblended WO specialty teas is quite popular.

Books are a staple at Uncle Martin’s with those of Martha Frick Symington Sanger, a great-granddaughter of Henry Clay Frick, heading the suggested reading list. [Read about Martie Sanger and her Overholt and Frick relatives online in the 2008 March/April edition of the Laurel Mountain Post, Repartee for Two: Ivory Dominoes.] Local authors are wellrepresented and books of interest with

a specific local flavor are found on shop shelves as well.

I’m saving the date and sincerely looking forward to this year’s Heirloom Tomato Festival at West Overton Village near Scottdale. Aside from the rainbow-tinted edible tomatoes I plan on taking home, I may find toddler apparel in a tomato print or an infant-size “Tomato Boy” T-Shirt.

Of a summer day maybe I can get a jump on Great Aunthood!

***** *There are varying opinions on what makes a tomato an heirloom tomato.

One classification pinpoints the age of the cultivars – 50 years often being cited as an age sufficient to qualify.

Another interpretation is based on the definition of the word “heirloom,” emphasizing generation to generation inheritance. Most agree that heirlooms must be open-pollinated.

Cultivars (plants developed from a natural species and maintained under cultivation) are highly diverse in size, shape, flavor and color.

To learn more about the 5 th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival and consult updated listings of events, vendors and artisans throughout the summer visit www.westovertonvillage.org or call 724887-7910. Uncle Martin’s Company Store will soon be an online presence that can be accessed from the website.

An important consideration for the 2009 event is the importance of prepurchasing festival tickets. Adult ticket sales will be limited to 1300, so the advance purchase of tickets online beginning July 1 st or at West Overton Museums is strongly suggested.

See Reader Recipes on page 12 for tasty tomato and local produce dishes for your summer repasts and outings!

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

SENIOR MOMENTS Area Residents Share the Facts of Life

Chick Cicconi Hometown Today: Ligonier Borough Birthplace: 1721 Dailey Avenue, Latrobe Parents: Gilbert L. and Josephine Baum Cicconi Siblings: Loretta Cicconi McGrath (deceased), Gilbert A. (deceased) High School Alma Mater & Graduation Year: Latrobe High School, Class of 1948 (The Truth Shall Make You Free) College Alma Mater & Graduation Year: College of Hard Knocks, still matriculating Spouse & Year of Marriage: Married Eleanor Robb in 1949 Children: Deborah Shock, 58; Cindy Ernst, 52; Robert Cicconi, 41 (8 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter) Vocation: Retired at age 70 after 43 years as a self-employed Nationwide Insurance Agent Positions Held: Owner/Operator of a Clover Farm store, 1950-1958; Nationwide Agent, 1958-2001; President of the United Lutheran Society, 2002-2007 Past & Present Affiliations: Mayor of Ligonier, Ligonier Borough Council, Land Use Administrator, Chairman of the Zoning Hearing Board and Ligonier Santa; St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church (Church Council, Sunday School Teacher, Mentor); Chestnut Ridge Chapter of ARC (Board Member, Blood Service Chairman, Regional Apheresis Recruiter) Avocations: Flying, golfing and riding my Honda Volunteer Positions: Volunteer for various functions and charities including The American Red Cross and American Cancer Society Favorite Charitable Cause: Any organization that offers services to abused and battered women.

Favorite Quote: You make a living by what you earn, but you make a life by what you do for others. (Zachary Fisher) Hidden Talents: Mental calculations and remembering numbers Favorite President and Hero: Abraham Lincoln Best Lesson Learned: Life is an attitude; have a good one.

Most Memorable Accomplishment: Recruiting over 1,500 Apheresis donors for the American Red Cross and receiving the Individual Volunteer Award in 1995 from the American Association of Blood Banks in New Orleans Future Aspirations: Live to age 100 and still have a good mind and body

FIFTH FIFth Annual Annual

HEIRLOOM TOMATO

FESTIVAL Presented by the West Overton Garden Club

AUGUST 22, 2009

10 am – 6 pm RAIN OR SHINE WEST OVERTON MUSEUMS AT WEST OVERTON VILLAGE 109 west overton road in SCOTTDALE, PA Tomato Tastings

Farmers' Markets of Central Westmoreland Local Producers Serving Your Community Do wn to wn Down wnto town G reens burg Greens reensb Westmoreland Museum of American Art Tuesdays 3-6pm (May–Oct)

Ro ute 66 Rou Farm Stand Business Route 66N Thursdays 3-6pm (July–October)

Lynch Field Far mers M ar k et armers Mar ark Rt. 119 N. Lynch Field Park Saturdays 9am—noon (June–October)

Ted dy’s Resta uran t edd Restauran urant M ar k et ark Rt. 30 N. Huntingdon Saturdays 8am–noon (June–October)

PA Farm Market Vouchers Accepted. Organic Products Available For more information call: 724-834-2334

Every Story Begins At Home.

Gourmet Food & Savory Samplings Featured Speakers (including Doug Oster, the Backyard Gardener of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Dozens of Artisans and Craftsmen Fine Arts & Photography Displays Visit our newly-opened Uncle Martin’s Company Store for unique & one-of-kind items!

Adults $10.00 – Children and Students w/ID $6.00 – Kids under 5 FREE Adult ticket sales will be limited to 1300, so the advance purchase of tickets online beginning July 1st or at West Overton Museums is strongly suggested.

For advanced ticket sales visit www.westovertonvillage.org.

For directions email us at info@westovertonvillage.org or call (724) 887-7910.

July/August 2009 - 5

A Letter to Our Readers

SALES ASSOCIATE, RECS/ASR

Laurel Mountain Post Format Changes Coming Soon

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I won’t deny that the last year has been difficult. As the economy struggled, so did the Laurel Mountain Post. Many of our advertisers had difficulty paying their bills on time, and many others simply could not afford to advertise. Those are the first budgets that are cut when times are tough, even though marketing is often the key to business survival.

Free publications stay in business through the strength of their advertising revenue. As a result, most are filled with ads and contain very little original or regional content. The Laurel Mountain Post has always been different in that respect, bringing you a variety of stories written by the unique faces in your community.

Despite the shrinking economic landscape, our readership horizon has been expanding. More and more of you have contacted me about how much you enjoy the Laurel Mountain Post. It has come to mean so much to so many, that I can’t imagine a day when I would have to stop publishing now.

But sometimes difficult decisions have to be made, and over the past few months, I have been wrestling with a BIG one.

No, we are not going out of business.

However, the way that we operate the business of magazine publishing is about to change a bit. In order to guarantee the sustainability of our publication and allow us to bring our readers more of what you have enjoyed over the past six years, we will begin to charge a cover price for the Laurel Mountain Post. Unlike most magazines, which can cost upwards of $4-5, we are only asking $1 per issue, which is not much more than

the 35-50 cents per day that many people pay just to read the obituaries in a local paper.

We are also changing our subscription service a bit as well. Our regular $18 per year price will now lower to $15 (for domestic subscriptions), and our mailing speeds will improve. Even though it costs more to receive your copy in the mail, it will save you the time of searching around town for a copy. It only takes a few weeks for most locations to run out. With continued ad sales and additional revenue from cover price and subscription orders, the Laurel Mountain Post will be able to print more copies, offer more color pages, and continue to bring our readers the quality publication we’ve always promised. You’ll still see complimentary copies around town – in doctors’ offices and other areas – but I ask that you leave them there for others to discover and enjoy.

Consider ordering a home or business subscription (see our coupon page) or purchasing a copy in a local store. We’re still working out the details of this change.

At the same time, we are expanding our distribution throughout Indiana County — by request!

In my editor’s piece on page 3, I talk about positive attitudes and greeting every day with a smile. Change will always be difficult, but it does bring us new opportunities. I honor and respect all of you who have embraced our magazine since we started. Your enthusiasm has guided, inspired, and energized me to continue and grow. Thank you for the opportunity to keep doing what I love, and hopefully entertain you along the way!

– Cathi Gerhard Williams, editor

What Should You Do for Shingles?

Vaccine News for Adults and Children GREENSBURG, PA – If you’ve ever had chicken pox, you’re a candidate for shingles. They’re both caused by the same virus, and once this virus enters your system, it’s there to stay. Illness, trauma, stress – or nothering at all – can awaken the virus at some point.

Anyone can get shingles, but it’s most common in adults older than age 50. The first symptoms are usually pain, burning, tingling or itching. A few days later, a red rash of fluid-filled blisters appears in clusters spanning one side of the body or circling the waist.

However, if shingles appears on the face, serious vision and hearing problems can occur. Additionally, shingles will sometimes leave behind post-herpetic neuralgia. This is serious pain caused by damage to the affected nerve fibers.

Shingles usually heals by itself within a month.

However to help speed up the healing process and avoid complications, it’s important to see your doctor right away. Prescription pain relievers, ointments and other medications can provide relief. Your doctor can also recommend non-prescription pain relievers and self-care measures that might lessen discomfort.

Additionally, there is now a shingles vaccine specifically for older adults. As reported in a New

6 -July/August 2009

England Journal of Medicine study, the vaccine cuts the risk for shingles in half among adults age 60 or older.

According to David Steffensen, Excela Health infectious disease specialist, “the vaccine is used to prevent shingles. It is not used to treat an attack of shingles. The vaccine boosts natural immunity toward the chicken pox virus which wanes as we get older. The boosting of immunity helps prevent the virus, which has remained latent in our system, from reactivating later in the form of shingles.

“The major benefits of the vaccine are that it decreases the risk of shingles by 50 percent and decreases the risk of post herpetic neuralgia by 67 percent.”

To Protect Children: Second Varicella Vaccine Recommended The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics have recommended a chicken pox or varicella vaccine for children at age 1. Now a second booster shot is continued on page 20

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Paula J. Forte

Latrobe’s Winning Ways Generally, whenever one thinks of Greater Latrobe High School, one thinks of hallway art galleries and the Center for Student Creativity.

If so, one would not be thinking clearly.

Greater Latrobe students are better-rounded educationally than that. This year, Latrobe students excelled in practically every sport in which they participated.

The fall sports kicked off the great year. The girl’s tennis team was undefeated during their regular season and qualified for the WPIAL playoffs. Joelle Kissell won the WPIAL Tennis Individual Championship and went on to place third at the PIAA Girls’ Tennis Individual Championships in the fall. The golf team also qualified for the WPIAL playoffs with Nathan Porembka and Jonathan Hue qualifying for the WPIAL individual golf championships. Nathan, who also qualified for the PIAA golf championship for the second consecutive year, said that he only started playing golf at the age of thirteen.

He is a senior planning to attend California University this fall majoring in golf management.

In the winter, Latrobe’s athletes kept winning. The boys’ basketball team was seeded second in the WPIAL basketball playoffs. The team won the school’s first section title in twenty years with the help of Jeff Yunetz who was the school’s all-time scoring leader. Jeff, whose father helped coach the team, was very excited about winning the title. His efforts have earned him a basketball scholarship for West Liberty where he plans to major in accounting. The swimming team also produced some winners.

Kim Ciotti finished fourth in the WPIAL Diving Championships and Anna Gibas finished third in the WPIAL backstroke finals. Both qualified for the state championships.

Seniors Nathan Pennesi and Joey Walters were outstanding wrestlers for Latrobe this year.

Both Nathan and Joey finished second in the PIAA State Championships and the WPIAL Individual Championships. Nathan Pennesi was Latrobe’s first ever PowerAde Champion and plans to go to West Virginia University in the fall. Joey Walters will be a cadet at West Point after graduation.

Latrobe’s Ice Cats hockey team finished the season with a perfect record, winning the Penguin Cup Championship and the State Championship for the second year in a row. Goaltender Nick Loyacona was named PIHL State Player of the Year.

Nick, who plans to major in environmental science at Allegheny College in the fall, said that being on an undefeated team that won the state championship for the second year in a row was exciting—especially since it was his senior year.

The boys’ and girls’ volleyball teams both won their section championships and qualified for the WPIAL playoffs. It was the third straight trip to the WPIAL Semi-Finals for the boys. Lady Wildcats Kelly Feiertag and Brittany Lhota were Greater Latrobe Athletic Director Matt Smith is flanked by (left) Jeff honored by being selected for the AllYunetz, the school’s all-time leading basketball scorer, and (right) Section volleyball team, the WPIAL Nathan Proembka, who qualified for the PIAA golf championship All-Star volleyball team and the Allfor two years in a row.

State volleyball team. Kelly would like to earn a medical or physician’s assistant degree in the future.

The girls’ varsity cross country team had Therefore, this fall, she is planning to attend already won the Westmoreland County Penn State University where she will major in Championship, the Tri-State Invitational, and biobehavioral health. She said that volleyball is the WPIAL section championship before a shared family passion. She has been coached finishing in second place at the PIAA Champby her mother, the varsity coach, since she was ionships this fall. As a result of their efforts, in the third grade. they were honored as the YWCA Female Sports Spring sports teams were also successful.

Team of the Year. Senior Natalie Bowers was The boys’ track team won their section this spring. also recognized as the YWCA Female Sports The girls’ softball team won their third conTeen of the Year. Natalie also recently won the secutive section title. The boys’ baseball team WPIAL Scholar/Athlete Award and the Judge qualified for the WPIAL playoffs before losing to Driscoll Award for the outstanding female the first seed in the quarter-finals.

Scholar-Athlete in Westmoreland County.

It must be something in the water in Latrobe.

Natalie has been an outstanding athlete since These kids are not only artistic and creative, but entering high school. She is a four-time WPIAL athletic and smart. Matt Smith, the athletic individual champion in cross country, setting director for the Greater Latrobe School District, records with her victories in the 1600 and 3200 is not complaining. When I went to interview this spring and helping her team win the 4x800 him, he was already preparing for next spring’s meter relay for the third consecutive year. baseball season. He is proud of the students Natalie plans to enter Penn State in the fall on and coaches and all of their achievements. a cross country scholarship.

Every Story Begins At Home.

2nd Annual Rockin’ in the Mountains at Seven Springs Mountain Resort Friday-Saturday, August 14-15 $65 Weekend Package includes cocktails, dinner and dancing (lessons included): www.pittsburghareajitterbugclub.com Seven Springs lodging reservations: 1-866-437-1300

Cosmetic & Family Dentistry CEREC: 1-Appointment Crowns/Inlays

Frank G. Novak, Jr. DMD 483 Frye Farm Road Greensburg, PA 15601 724-537-2337 Day Day,, Evening & Saturday Appointments

July/August 2009 - 7

Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival September 12 - 13 See the all-but-forgotten art of making linen cloth from the flax plant.

Enjoy a variety of foods including buckwheat cakes with whole hog sausage, antique equipment, working demonstrations, live continuous entertainment, children’s entertainment, Civil War encampment, and on Saturday an exciting mock Indian raid!

Route 711 in Stahlstown, PA • www.flaxscutching.com • For more information, please call 724-593-2119

A “Most Useful” Plant The cultivation of flax appears to have originated in India and spread over the whole continent of Asia at a very early period of antiquity. History seems to imply that it was grown in Palestine even before the conquest of that country by the Israelites about 1300 B.C. In the Old Testament it was one of the crops damaged by thunder and hail as the plague against the Egyptians for confining the Israelites to slavery (Exodus 9:13), and Rahab hid the spies Joshua sent out under flax on her roof (Joshua 2:6). The process used at the Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival today was the process used by our ancestors in the New World and the Old World; (1) the harvesting and drying process. (2) The peeling of the stalks and separation of the fibers, (3) the hackling (heckling) and (4) the weaving of the cloth.

In 1907 Elmer N. Miller, who was Justice of the Peace in Stahlstown at that time, conceived the idea of the yearly gathering of old friends and acquaintances, and as an added attraction, the age old scutching of flax and the making of linen cloth was made the center of the celebration. This festival became a yearly event, with the exception of the years 1942 to 1947, when World War II and economic conditions made it inconvenient, but the festival was revived in 1948 and has been observed as an annual get-together since that time. At the first festival it was estimated that 1,800 horse-drawn rigs were

8 -July/August 2009

parked on the grounds. It has grown in popularity since 1907 but still the ageold customs and dress are used to retain the quaintness of the occasion. Events are scheduled to resemble the olden days so that as much of the antiquity is captured as is possible.

As early as possible, plots of flax are planted by local residents. This plant, as it grows, resembles oats, having small narrow leaves, blue flowers and slender stems. The plant will average about two feet tall. The seeds of this plant are used commercially in the tincture of linseed oil, the thread-like fibers of the plant being spun into linen thread. However, before the fibers are spun into thread, there are several processes that must be completed. First the plant must be harvested. In harvesting the plant is

pulled from the ground by the roots because there is contained some of the finest flax fibers. It is then beaten to remove the seeds and after dampening and drying several times in order to loosen the wood center and the outer layer of bark from the flax fibers the plant is ready for the next operation which is known as scutching and from which the festival gets its name.

This operation occurs in an implement know as the “breaker,” a cantilever made of wooden blades that bread the wood fibers of the plant and start the process of loosening them from the threads. After these wooden-like fibers are broken, the plant is held in the hand, placed against what is know as a scutching board and paddled until the pulp is separated, causing the broken wood fibers to fall out. It is then ready to be combed. The strands of flax are then combed through parallel rows of steel spikes, nailed to a board to form what looks like teeth of a comb. This process swill remove bits of the outer wood and bark from the fiber, also any fiber that is unfit for spinning into yarn.This is the process known as “hackling (heckling).” The remains of hackling will be strands of fine floss which is now ready to be spun into linen thread. This spinning operation requires the nimble fingers of women who are skilled in this art.

After the thread is spun, it is ready to be woven into cloth. This is a very slow and tedious process but very

rewarding. The linen which has been woven is made into table covers, jackets and numerous other articles.

RETTING The plants would be pulled including the root and laid out on the ground in rows.

These rows would be turned until the plants are ready for use. The plants at this point would be dry and ready for storage and then dried again over the kiln

KILN Used for drying flax

BREAK loosens the finer threads from the woody fibers

SCUTCHER separates the woody pulp from the long, glossy fibers

HECKLE OR HACKLE removes remaining pulp from fibers along with the shorter coarser strands of fiber

SPINNING WHEEL fine fiber is spun into linen thread and wound onto a bobbin

LOOM The bobbin is placed in a shuttle, which is treaded back and forth through a linen loom to make linen cloth

LINEN the finished product on the loom

Flax

is known as Linum usitatissimum with it species name meaning “most useful.”

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

THE REC ROOM Zachary Teich

A Great Run in Connellsville:

Courtyard by Marriott Greensburg 700 Power Line Drive Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-834-3555 www.courtyardgreensburg.com

The Highlands Hospital/ Francis “Bud” Murphy Memorial 5K

Anyone familiar with running in the local area knows full well the wide array of races available to participate in. Searching some of the local racing websites, one can find several events within an hours’ drive just about every weekend. 5K’s, 10K’s, and half marathons are taking place somewhere close by, all throughout Southwestern PA. It’s definitely not too hard to find a lot of races, but it may not be quite as easy finding the best races.

That however, happened to me by chance.

Five years ago I entered only the third race I had ever done, the Highlands Hospital/Bud Murphy Memorial Race in Connellsville. This race is the only one I have participated in every year since then. Five years in a row now, and I still keep running this race, and still keep looking forward to it as the second Thursday in June draws near.

The reasons for that are many, but I know that there is so much about this race that continues to bring me and hundreds of others back again every year.

I was fortunate to spend about half an hour talking with Patricia Porter, Public Relations Coordinator for Highlands Hospital, about the race and everything that goes into it, and why this race is a must for both the casual and serious runner.

According to Patricia, the race began in 1987 on a recommendation from the wellness committee of, at that time, Highlands Hospital’s affiliate, Forbes Regional in Monroeville. They wanted to promote fitness and offer a fun event for the entire community. Initially the race was a 10K (10 kilometers, or 6.2 miles) and a 2-mile walk. In 2002 the race was changed to a 5K (5 kilometers, or 3.1 miles) run and walk. The “Bud Murphy Memorial” in the title was added in 1994. Mr. Francis “Bud” Murphy was the owner of a local sports bar, Bud Murphy’s, and a big contributor to Highlands Hospital. When he passed away in ’94, the race was renamed in honor of him.

Talking with Patricia made me realize just how much goes into putting on a race like this. She begins getting ready for the race in January, and spends a considerable amount of time soliciting sponsors, organizing volunteers, promoting the race, and doing all the behind the scenes tasks that make the event possible. Her entire schedule during the week of the race is focused solely on getting things finalized for Thursday evening, and she gets very little sleep during this time.

Her dedication and hard work, along with the efforts of between 200 - 250 volunteers for the event, make the race what it is – one of the best 5K races in the entire area. The whole evening is one big party, with a DJ playing both before and during the race, spectators lining the start and finish, and crowds of people talking and enjoying the food that’s provided and the festive atmosphere. It really is the atmosphere and the sense of camaraderie that people find most enjoyable about the race, but so many other things bring people from all over the area to run. The prizes are wonderful, with the overall winners walking away with three-foot tall trophies, and all the age group winners taking home trophies marked with the date of the event and their place in the age group. There is also a drawing for one participant to win $200 dollars, and other prizes are given away. Lots of food is available to the participants and everyone else, and after the race the party continues at Bud Murphy’s Sports Bar, where free drinks are served.

As Patricia said, the event really is something that serves the community. Most if not all of the money from registration fees is put right back into

Every Story Begins At Home.

the race, and any profits made are used to help the hospital. Many of the vendors donate their services or products, and benefit by getting extra publicity.

The crowd of spectators and families also seems to always enjoy the evening, which is evident from the many smiling faces and happy moods. Although the course is challenging, all the runners seem to enjoy the event, as one can see by the familiar faces returning year after year.

One of those familiar faces, Ron Addis of nearby Vanderbilt, ranks the Highland’s Hospital/Bud Murphy Memorial race as his favorite. Placing 2nd in his age group (50-54) the past two years, Ron dedicates a large portion of his free time to training for local races, and for the past few months has been really gearing up for the Highland’s Race. His training consisted of running about 30 miles per week, with a mixture of slow, easy runs, some moderate runs, and faster intervals and speedwork.

On why the race is his favorite, Ron said, “I like the race because it’s really well organized, and they give away a lot of nice prizes, and the food at the end is terrific……and it’s always a great big turnout, and the course is challenging – it’s just a really nice race to attend, plus I like evening races!”

All his hard work paid off, as Ron ended up taking first in his age group with a time of 21:42!

He said though, that he is going to change a few things in his training for next year. He plans to increase the number of miles he runs per week, and do more speedwork and hill work. His goal for next year is to be under 21 minutes.

This year’s race took a different course because of construction on the usual route, and was just as challenging, if not more so, than the original one.

The temperature was a bit cooler than the past few years however, which I’m sure all the participants welcomed. There were 283 runners and 248 walkers who competed, up from last year’s totals of 212 and 175 respectively. The overall winners were: Jeff Palya of Hopwood in 16:37 and Amy Minogue in 21:10 for the run; and Don Slusser of Monroeville in 28:08 and Jamie Brooks of Connellsville in 30:35 for the walk. A big “congratulations” goes out to them, all the age group winners, and everyone who came out to compete, have a good time, and support Highlands Hospital!

Next year’s race is scheduled for June 10th, 2010 at 7pm, promising to be even bigger and better than this year’s. For both serious and casual runners, mark your calendar’s now for next year’s event. A challenging course, a great post-race party, wonderful awards, and an exciting atmosphere, make this a race you won’t want to miss!

To view the results of the Highlands Hospital/ Bud Murphy Memorial Race, please go to www.iplayoutside.com, and click on the “ARCHIVE, recaps and results” link in the left column. For more information about Highlands Hospital, please visit their website, www.HighlandsHospital.org.

Bud Murphy’s Sports bar and restaurant has been located in Connellsville, Pa for over 60 years.

It was started as a small local dairy bar by Bud and his wife Hazel Murphy. It evolved over the years into one of the largest local gathering places in the area. To learn more, visit www.BudMurphys.com

Managed by Concord Hospitality Enterprises. *Quality *Community *Integrity *Profitability

www.concordhotels.com

Zachary Teich is a Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and owner of Fitness To You Personal Training, providing in-home and office personal fitness training throughout the area since 2005. For more information on the benefits of weight training, please visit www.fitnesstoyoutraining.com.

July/August 2009 - 9

DOWN ON THE FARM Jamison Farm, Latrobe

Jean-Louis Who? This is an early episode in the ongoing adventures at Jamison Farm. This and other similar events guided us in the development of our farm life. In this excerpt, Sukey & John were delivering lamb for the first time to the then most famous French chef in the USA. At that time, Jean-Louis Palladin was the youngest French chef at age 28 to have gained two Michelin stars at his restaurant in Gascony, before heading to America. Here we were, two unknown farmers from Crabtree entering a famous French chef’s kitchen, who had just ordered lamb for his restaurant at the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC for a group of Congressmen.

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10 -July/August 2009

It was a Friday night, he was going to be busy, so I figured we should stop at a lone McDonald’s on Route 70 in Maryland to have an order of fries. As Sukey went to get our last meal, I checked the lambs for about the fifth time in the three hours we had been on the road. I was dumb but I wasn’t stupid.

Even if the chef didn’t like the lamb, I wasn’t going to kill three congressmen. I kept rearranging the ice and the gel packs to be sure the carcasses were cold. After about another hour of driving time, two more checks on the lambs, and numerous errant attempts of properly executing Washington, D.C. traffic circles, we arrived at the front of the Watergate Hotel. I went in to the lobby innocently mentioning my intentions and what I was delivering. I was immediately ushered out the door, and directed to the service entrance of the basement parking garage.

We finally found a place to park. Sukey and I gathered up the lambs. She had one draped over her shoulder. At 5ft. 4in. and 95 lbs. soaking wet, this was a sight. With one over each shoulder, I led the search for the kitchen. It was a lit basement garage but the thoughts of G.Gordon Liddy and the Plumbers quickly came to mind. As we wandered through these hallowed spaces we came upon a guard’s office. The guard, somewhat agog at the sight of a portly preppy looking farmer in striped bib overalls and blue Brooks Brothers Shirt followed by his waifish wife both of whom were carrying suspect white parcels on their backs, warily gave us directions to the kitchen.

We walked on to an outside door. We were outside the garage now in a small alcove which housed a dumpster and a walkin cooler. Across from the cooler was a door which we figured opened into the kitchen.

Standing outside in the dark at 10:00 pm on a Friday night with three lambs on our backs, Sukey knocked on the door with her one free hand. Within seconds, the door flew open.

His hand still attached to the door seemingly

deciding whether to open or close it, an impeccably dressed gentlemen asked in a French accent, “May I help You?” His manner impressed me as I figured he had just filled a glass of wine for Jackie Onassis and now was suavely trying to find out what these two people with three lamb carcasses were doing outside his door.

Thinking all this was now pretty cool, I tried my High School French and told him that we had “trios agneau” for the chef. With a nod and a few words in French from the Maitre’D, a cook ran in to take the lamb off Sukey’s back. Then he said, “Ah Oui, Chef has been waiting for you, please come in.”

As I stumbled sideways through the door trying to negotiate my way into the kitchen dodging waiters, cooks and dishwashers, the sea of white jackets opened and someone said, “Let me take it”.

Taking one lamb off my shoulder was a tall bespeckled character with a friendly air about him. He looked about my age. He was dressed in a Chef’s Jacket, Jordache Jeans and Reeboks. He motioned to someone and another cook ran in and took the other lamb.

He turned around, lamb in his arms, motioning to the staff to follow him. They circled around him as he carried the lamb to a stainless steel work table.

Sukey and I stayed back partly out of respect and partly to be out of the line of fire should there be a problem. All I could see was the tall chef with the S.O.S. hair opening the paper and wildly waving his arms. What I could hear was a lot of Gallic expressions which meant nothing to me emanating from his deep Gascone voice. I said to Sukey, “ This is either very bad or very good.” He motioned for us to join him.

I noticed his eyes were moist. He said, “ I am so happy to meet you. You have to excuse me because these lambs are so beautiful.

They remind me of the ones I bought when I was an apprentice. These are a souvenir of my youth.”

— from a work in progress called Coyotes in the Pasture & Wolves at the Door

by John Jamison This event took place in the late 1980’s a time long before world wide web access to knowledge. So we didn’t really know much about what we were getting into! In addition, the food revolution of the chef to farmer connection that is so common place today had barely gotten off the ground. It was Jean-Louis Palladin on the east coast and Alice Waters on the west coast who were the pioneers behind this current movement.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Latrobe Bridge Is Falling Down

by Jim Wright

Don’t miss an issue of the Laurel Mountain Post: Home delivery available for only $15 per year! (see subscription form on page 29)

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NEW LOCATION! 425 Frye Farm Rd in Greensburg Phone: (724) 537-0700 • www.JerryDFeltonPT.com

Every Story Begins At Home.

Well, not really, but it is time for the 982 bridge to Latrobe (left) to be replaced. Increased traffic, excessive loading, frequent flooding, in addition to age, has prompted its retirement. Also known as the Loyalhanna Creek Bridge, Cloverleaf Bridge, 982 Bridge, Cyanamide Bridge, it has recently been acknowledged as the Iron Bridge, although I can find no reference to that name for the structure. Built in 1931, as the affixed plaque states, it replaced an earlier bridge, several thousand yards upstream, which was at the time, the main route to Youngstown, crossing Route 30. At the time of the earlier bridge’s installation, Route 30 may or may not have been in its present location.Traveling south to Youngstown, the Old Route 982 headed east at the site of the old stone house situated on the left, just before Iron Bridge.

The road then passed through the old mining town of Elizabeth, crossing the Loyalhanna and heading toward Youngstown. The road eventually does connect with the current Route 30 at the Cloverleaf Gun and Sport Shop, and the street name has now become Newmeyer Road. As an interesting side note, further upstream was another bridge, the crossing of the West Penn Railways Streetcar also made its way to and through Youngstown.

Although that route never gained a street name, it is fully visible alongside Fox and James, Inc. The power lines that ran alongside the railway are still used and keep the access cleared.

Interest in this area became aroused with my purchase of ‘A Guidebook to Historic Western Pennsylvania’ , by Smith and Swetnam which states that the stone house at the entrance to Elizabeth was built by Joseph Baldridge in 1777. I immediately took issue with this fact due to a copy of the 1975, 175th anniversary History of Youngstown which had a photo of an old house located at the foot of what is now called Boxwood Drive, in Edgewater Terrace that was identified as the Joseph Baldridge farmhouse. That house is no longer there, but I remember seeing tulips and daffodils every year in season around the periphery of what would have been the house location. The photo, submitted by Homer Wright (no relation) who lived on Old Route 30 (Whispering Pines) just above Edgewater Terrace, showed a bell mounted on the roof to warn of Indian attacks.

Finding no local historians familiar with my question, I contacted the owner of the old stone house. I became very enlightened when I found out that the stone house was indeed built by Joseph Baldridge, a wealthy landowner from Pittsburgh, who owned much of the area, including Lawson Heights and Youngstown. He brought his wife to live in the area, only to find out that she didn’t want to live in a ‘stone house’. Another house was constructed across the Loyalhanna, and there they remained until their deaths, she in 1835, and he in 1839. They are both buried in Unity Cemetery.

Much of Youngstown, including many of its log houses were formed from the Baldridge farm.

The old school on Kingston Street also bore the name Baldridge School, and I kid my wife, having taught at that two room school. Outliving its usefulness, Baldridge School is no longer standing, but I am sure there many local graduates still in the area.

[EDITOR’S NOTE] At press time, the official description from PennDOT states the following: Loyalhanna Creek Bridge – SR 982 M01 –This project is for the replacement of the existing bridge on Route 982 spanning the Loyalhanna Creek immediately north of the cloverleaf interchange with Route 30 in Derry and Unity Townships and the City of Latrobe. Kayakers and Canoers are required to portage around the work area. The contractor on this $3,777,738.19 project is Beech Construction, Inc. Update: Work continues for the construction of abutments 1 and 2. No completion date has been announced, and the historic bridge is still available for sale – PennDOT will transfer ownership of this historic structure to an interested party, for removal to a new location. If you or your organization are interested in taking ownership, contact Jonathan E. Daily, PennDOT Architectural Historian at (814) 696-7153.

Joseph Baldridge House

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Check out our custom-designed Blairsville Underground Railroad labels at the UGRR Museum or at our winery.

Please stop by during business hours or call for information.

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We attend local Farmers’ Markets in Ligonier and Indiana!

We invite you to visit Walnut Hill Winery, make yourself comfortable and enjoy the tasteful atmosphere. Treat yourself to complimentary samplings of our flavorful wines created by Al McClinton, one of the owners.

We host private happy hours!

July/August 2009 - 11

READER RECIPES Favorite Formulas from Neighborhood Kitchens Tomato & Squash Gratin 3 1 1 3 1 1

lbs. sweet onions (Vidalia), julienned and caramelized medium zucchini, cut into ¼” slices medium yellow squash, cut into ¼” slices lbs. local tomatoes, cut into ½” slices T. fresh thyme leaves C. Parmesan cheese, shredded

Place caramelized onions in bottoms of 9 x 13" pan or casserole dish.

Overlap and alternate zucchini and squash in a row. Overlap tomato slices in a row. Continue same process until onions are covered. Top with thyme and cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 30 minutes.

– Submitted by of Linda Earnest of Earnest Gourmet

Taboulie

As a gardener and a cook, I have had to learn many ways to use up the abundance of zucchini I produce every year. Some of my favorite recipes are below. They are also the easiest.

– Submitted by Susann Camara

Zucchini Pancakes 4-5 medium zucchini (about 1 1/2 pounds) 3/4 teaspoon salt 4 eggs 1 clove minced garlic

3/4 to 1 cup flour 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• Shred zucchini. In a bowl, toss with salt. place in colander. Put a plate on top of zucchini and weigh down with a couple cans of canned vegetables. Let sit and drain for half an hour or longer.

• In a bowl, beat eggs and garlic. Stir in flour, cheese, onion and pepper until moistened. batter will be lumpy. Stir in zucchini.

• For each pancake, spoon one heaping tablespoon batter onto hot oiled griddle or skillet. Cook on medium heat 2 or 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Serve with sour cream. Can freeze up to 3 months. Makes 30 small panckaes.

This is the perfect summer recipe. No cooking is involved in the preparation and the ingredients have a very cooling effect on your body. It is also helpful that it can be made well in advance for those busy summer days.

1 C. bulgur 1/2 C. olive oil juice of 4 lemons (3/4 C.) 1 bunch scallions, finely chopped (including the greens)

2 4 3 2 2

lg. bunches of parsley, chopped lg. tomatoes, finely chopped sticks of celery, finely chopped cucumbers, finely chopped tsp. salt

In a large ceramic crock or glass bowl, make a layer of the bulgur. Add the olive oil and lemon juice. Layer the vegetables in the order listed, scallions first and cucumbers last. Sprinkle salt over the top. Cover the crock loosely and store in the refrigerator until ready to serve, at least 24 hours and up to two weeks. To serve toss the salad so that all the ingredients are well mixed. Check seasoning. Salad may be served as is or scooped with warm pita.

– Submitted by Kitty Tuscano of Nature’s Way Market

Pico de Gallo The best salsa I’ve ever had was made from scratch by Jeff Tolley (a native of West Virginia who grew up in New Mexico) and old friend of mine from the days I lived in North Carolina. Here is his recipe: 4 large tomatoes 10-12 aneheim green chiles, crisp 1 large white onion 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp garlic salt

2 tsp garlic pepper 2 cloves pressed garlic 1 tsp - 1 TBL lemon juice 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper a pinch oregano

With a chef’s knife, chop vegetables into tiny pieces, combine with seasonings, and serve with your favorite tortilla chips.

– Submitted by Cathi Gerhard Williams

Zucchini Bread 3 1 1 1 3 2 2 1

cups all purpose flour teaspoon baking powder teaspoon baking soda teaspoon salt eggs teaspoons vanilla cups sugar cup oil

2 1 1 1

cups grated zucchini cup crushed pineapple (drained) cup raisins cup chopped walnuts

Beat eggs, sugar, vanilla and oil until fluffy. Add zucchini. Add all dry ingredients. Stir in remaining ingredients. bake in 2 loaf pans @ 350o for 1 hour or until fully baked.

Apple Zucchini Bread 4 cups all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 5 eggs beaten 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 1 1 2 1 1

cups white sugar tablespoon vanilla cup brown sugar cups shredded zucchini cup shredded apples 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts

• In a large bowl, combine first 5 ingredients; set aside.

• With mixer bowl, beat eggs, add oil, sugars and vanilla. Add dry ingredients slowly and mix just until combined. On low speed, add zucchini, apples and nuts.

• Divide into 3 loaf pans.

Bake at 350o for 60 minutes or until done.

Cream Cheese Frosting 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/2 cup room temperature butter 12 oz room temperature cream cheese

3 teaspoons vanilla 1/2 teaspoon almond extract chopped walnuts

Mix all ingredients in mixer except nuts until smooth and spreadable for your favorite baked good. Top with remaining chopped walnuts.

12 -July/August 2009

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

What’s Buggin’ You?

by Brian Mishler For every human being on earth there are roughly 170 million bugs. Ants alone make up 15% of the biomass on the planet. Uncles don’t stand a chance!

Some insects bite; some eat our homes, but even more clean up after us; eating and disposing of dead plants, animals, and waste.

In some cultures, various insects are delicacies; roasted termites anyone?

Most focus is put on the negative aspects of insects; however these little creatures serve us and the planet as a whole very well.

Entomologists make their careers studying insects.

What they eat, where and how they nest, and how they mate.

By necessity of its great farming heritage, Pennsylvania has one of the best groups of entomologists in the country; few people need to know more about bugs than farmers! Insects not only destroy crops, but they can sicken the livestock, eat the barn, and send the help screaming for the hills! The Penn State extension is a great place to learn all about pests; what they do, how they do it, and how to keep them from doing it in your garden, basement and bedroom, all the while preserving the beneficial insects that we all need to pollinate our crops and support our food chain. You can contact the Penn State extension at: http://extension.psu.edu/. These helpful folks are more than happy to provide information regarding the little buggers that might attack your house, garden, lawn or in-laws.

In short, what does the average homeowner need to know about the millions of bugs living in the average yard?

Pests, like any living thing, have basic survival needs. These are food, water, shelter, and sex. If you can interrupt any one of these needs, the bugs will either move on or die. Husbands will too, but you’d have to hide the tv remote too.

A common mouse can get enough water just from the food it eats, but if water is available, say a small puddle under the washer, they will drink about an ounce, (thimbleful) per day. That’s talking about a huge critter like a mouse.

For a comparatively little bug, water vapor is enough to survive on-the mist on your air-conditioner coils or a tiny pool collecting on a leaf in your landscaping, or the little splash Fido leaves beside his water bowl, amounts so small that they pass unnoticed every day.

What can we do? Most of us reach for a can of bug spray at the first sign of pests. This is not a good idea, because homeowner abuse of pesticides is one of the leading causes of chemical pollution.

The spray you use on those hornets doesn’t just cease to exist when the hornet dies, it eventually enters the environment, along with the bug spray, lawn fertilizer, and who knows what being used by your neighbors, and your

Every Story Begins At Home.

community. From there, the rain can wash it into streams, creeks, rivers, and eventually the bays and oceans. Plus, it can remain and kill beneficial bugs, like spiders. You may hate spiders, but they kill and eat other bugs, like mosquitoes and flies. The best offense is, as usual, a great defense. First off, and you’ve read it here before, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clean and that they drain away from the house. Second, the ground around your house should slope away from the foundation, falling about one inch for every foot from the house for at least the first six feet. Third, keep plants trimmed at least one foot away from the house, and never allow them to overhang the roof. Fourth, bearing in mind that pests need food, water and shelter, what does that wood mulch around the house provide?

It’s made to hold moisture and provides a nice warm place to live underneath.

True, there’s no cable television, but the bugs don’t seem to mind. Mulch is a fine product, but it should be kept a couple of feet away from the house. Even rubber mulch provides moisture and shelter, the pests’ just need to go out to dinner. And guess who lives next door? You. Pests can move in on us and we never even notice, or we become accustomed to them.

Wood, an abundant, reliable source of building material from man’s earliest age, has also been a reliable source of food and shelter for insects for much, much longer. And it’s a good thing too, without bugs to remove the dead plant material over millions of years, it’s estimated that dead wood would cover the entire land surface of the Earth 5 feet deep! Unfortunately, to a bug there’s no difference between a fallen log and the home of your dreams, it’s all just dinner.

And of course that’s one place where bugs stop being a nuisance and become a threat. Carpenter ants, termites, and carpenter bees can all wreak havoc on a building, and do it in what seems like a short time. They actually take their time about it, but we often don’t notice them setting up shop until it’s too late. That’s why it’s an excellent idea to have a professional inspect your house. I encourage you to contact a reputable pest control operator and have them come out annually to check for pests. Generally, insects are most easily spotted spring and fall, when they’re most active. These inspections usually cost under $100 and take less than an hour to prevent or stop an early infestation. A great price for some peace of mind.

40th Annual Mountain Craft Days September 11-13, 2009 • 10 am - 5 pm Somerset Historical Center - Somerset, PA Celebrate PA History with 125 Crafts Persons, Interpreters and Entertainers!

814-445-6077 www.somersethistoricalcenter.org

Loyalhanna Care Center Providing you peace of mind and continuity of care.

SERVICES AVAILABLE 24-hour nursing care, wound care, hospice, respite, intravenous therapy, respiratory, enteral feedings, beauty and barber services, newspaper delivery, and telephone REHABILITATIVE SERVICES physical, occupational, speech, falls management, and dysphasia ACCOMODATIONS bright and attractive private and semi-private rooms, cable television in every room free of charge WE ACCEPT Medicare, Medicaid, Security Blue, and most insurances

For additional information or to arrange a tour, please call 724-537-5500

Brian Mishler is a 15-year veteran of home inspection and is a past president of PRO-ASHI, the local chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors. You can get more information about home inspection at www.pro-ashi.com

July/August 2009 - 13

JULY/AUGUST 2009 COMMUNITY CALENDAR Wednesdays, July 1, 8, & 15 from 2-3:30 pm Exploring Styles Art Camp Westland Academy for the Arts, 102 N. Main St, Suite 214, Greensburg. High school level course costs $55. To register, call 724-850-WAFA or visit www.westlandacademy.com.

Beginning Wednesday, July 1 Young Wonders for Girls and Boys Camp YWCA of Westmoreland County, 424 N. Main St., Greensburg. Weekday camp for boys and girls aged 6—10 and girls aged 11—14. Fee is $115 per week or $23 a day with a 20-day minimum. Other fees apply. 724-834-9390.

Wednesday, July 1—Sunday, July 12 West Overton Museum’s 26th Annual Quilt Show West Overton Museum, 109 West Overton Road, Scottdale. For information, call 724-887-7910 or visit www.westovertonvillage.org Wednesday, July 1—Saturday, July 18 Twentieth Century presented by St. Vincent Summer Theater St. Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA. Performances are at 8:10 p.m. on July 1-3, 7-11, and 14-18. Matinees are 2:10 on July 5, 8, and 12. Tickets: 724-537-8900.

Wednesday, July 1—Sunday, July 12 Over the Tavern presented by Mountain Playhouse Mountain Playhouse Theater, 7690 Somerset Pike, Boswell. Performances are at 8:00 p.m. on July 1-4 and 7-11. Matinees are 2:00 p.m. on July 1, 3, 8, and 10, and 3:00 p.m. on July 5 and 12. Tickets range in price from $15—32 and may be purchased by calling Lori Kishlock @ 814-629-9201 x290.

Thursday, July 2 from 6:00 p.m.—9:30 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring Bad Boy Blues Band Megan Intermission Suite and Courtyard, Palace Theater, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg Donations welcome. 724-836-1123.

Thursday, July 2—Sunday, July 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg For information, call 724-834-7474 or email info@ArtsAndHertiage.com.

Fridays, July 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 from 3-4 p.m.

Basic Drawing Art Camp Westland Academy for the Arts, 102 N. Main St, Suite 214, Greensburg. High school level class costs $60. To register, call 724-850-WAFA or visit www.westlandacademy.com.

Friday, July 3 @ 5:00 p.m.

Latrobe Five Mile Run and 2-Mile Walk Memorial Stadium-Irving Avenue Side, Latrobe Registration is $23.00. 724-537-8417.

Friday, July 3 @ 6:00 p.m.

First Friday Wine Tasting Green Gables Restaurant, 7712 Somerset Pike, Boswell. Cost is $20 and includes tastings of 5 or 6 wines and a selection of light hors d’oeuvres. 814-629-9201.

Friday, July 3 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring Mary Ann Redmond Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman Street, Greensburg www.summersounds.com.

Fridays, starting July 3 Westmoreland Museum of American Art Extended Hours 221 N. Main Street, Greensburg The museum will remain open until 6:30 p.m. on Fridays to coincide with the Summersounds concerts. Dinner sandwich packs can be ordered from the Ernest Gourmet by calling 724-834-2020.

Saturday, July 4, 8am-noon Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity ReStore Sale 17 17th St and Penn Ave, Jeannette. To donate items, call Jim Miller @724-523-0308. www.centralwestmorelandhfh.org

14 -July/August 2009

Saturdays, starting July 4 @ 8:00 a.m.—noon Ligonier Country Market W. Main Street & U.S. Route 30, Ligonier www.ligoniercountrymarket.com

Sunday, July 12 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert featuring the Kiski Valley Community Band The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300

Saturday, July 4—Sunday, July 5 Smicksburg Country Days Downtown Smicksburg Complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides and music at Old Smicksburg Park. For information, contact Patty, 814-257-019, www.smicksburg.net

Sunday, July 12 @ 7:00 p.m.

Delmont Concert Band New Alexandria Fire Hall www.newalexpa.com

Sunday, July 5 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert featuring the Scottdale Area Concert Band The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300.

Tuesdays, July 7—October 6 @ 2:00 p.m.

Latrobe Farmer’s Market Parking lot at Memorial Stadium, Latrobe Contact Jim Mikula @ 724-238-6702 or Annette Couch @ 724-537-7095.

Thursday, July 9 from 6 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring the Briar Hill Gang The Palace Theatre Megan Suite & Courtyard, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg Donations welcome. 724-836-1123 Thursday, July 9 @ 7:00 p.m.

A Personal Journey Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main S, Greensburg. Artist Daniel Bolick discusses his work in this free event.

Thursday, July 9—Saturday, July 11 @ 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 12 @ 2:30 p.m.

42nd Street The Geyer Performing Arts Center, 111 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale. Tickets are $10.

Call 724-887-0887 for reserved seating.

Friday, July 10 from 10:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.

Baroque Era Music History/Technique Workshop Westland Academy for the Arts, 102 N. Main St, Suite 214, Greensburg. Course is designed for grades 6-9 and costs $50. To register, call 724850-WAFA or visit www.westlandacademy.com.

Friday, July 10 @ 6:00 p.m.

Second Friday Beer Tasting Green Gables Restaurant, 7712 Somerset Pike, Boswell. Cost is $20 and includes tastings of 5 or 6 beers and a selection of light hors d’oeuvres. 814-629-9201.

Friday, July 10 @ 6:30 p.m.

20th Annual Theatre Gala Robert S. Carey Student Center, St. Vincent College, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased by contacting the Office of Institutional Advancement @ 724-805-2897.

Friday, July 10 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring the Guggenheim Grotto Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman Street, Greensburg www.summersounds.com Saturday, July 11 @ 10:00 a.m.—noon, 2:00 p.m.—4:00p.m., and 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Naeskahoni Town Family Tour Day 715 Marshall Heights Road, Black Lick Learn about the native peoples of this area. www.naeskahonetown.com Saturday, July 11 – Sunday, July 12 St. Benedict Parish Festival – Marguerite, PA Food, Family, Fun. Saturday: Outdoor Mass at 4 pm (bring lawn chairs). Entertainment by Saddle Up, 5-11 pm. Sunday: Festival 2-10 pm, entertainment by Trel-Tones.

Saturday, July 11 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring Pop Rock Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation 724-830-3950 Sunday, July 12 @ 7:30 a.m.

Antiques and Collectibles Sale Hanna’s Town, Forbes Road, Greensburg Admission is $3 per car. Westmoreland County Historical Society, 724-836-1800.

Sunday, July 12 @ 3:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring the East Winds Symphonic Band Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950.

Sunday, July 12 @ noon—8:00 p.m.

Hoodlebug Summerfest Homer City Firemen’s Field, Home City Christmas in July with food booths, entertainment, and a parade. 724-479-2184 Sunday, July 12—Saturday, July 18 Derry Annual Agricultural Fair Derry Township Ag Fairgrounds, Route 982 North, New Derry. Admission is $5 a carload nightly and $2 a carload on Sunday. Contact Mary Ann Noone @ 724-459-7018.

Monday, July 13 from noon—2:30 p.m.

Connections: Astronomy, Mythology, and Music Westland Academy for the Arts, 102 N. Main Street, Suite 214, Greensburg. Course is suited for grades 5-8 and costs $40. To register, call 724-850-WAFA or www.westlandacademy.com Tuesday, July 14—Sunday, August 2 The Pajama Game presented by Mountain Playhouse 7690 Somerset Pike, Boswell Performances are at 8:00 p.m. on July 14-18, 21-25, 28-31 and August 1. Matinees are 2:00 p.m. on July 15, 17, 22, 24. 29 and 31, and 3:00 p.m. on July 19, 26 and August 2. Tickets range in price from $15—32; Call Lori Kishlock @ 814-629-9201 x290.

Wednesday July 15—Friday, July 17 10a.m.-noon Elements of Art Mini Camp Westland Academy for the Arts, 102 N. Main St, Suite 214, Greensburg. The course is suited for grades 3-8 and costs $90. To register, call 724850-WAFA or visit www.westlandacademy.com.

Wednesday, July 15 @ 6:30 p.m.

Herbal Cooking Class Dillweed INC.,7453 Route 403 Hwy. South, Dilltown. Fee for class is $40 and includes refreshments. 814-446-6465 www.dillweedinc.com Thursday, July 16 from 6 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring Detention The Palace Theatre Megan Suite & Courtyard, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg. Donations welcome. 724-836-1123 Friday, July 17 @ 11:00 a.m.

Native American Foodways presented by the Westmoreland County Historical Society Hanna’s Town, Forbes Road, Greensburg Registration is required and may be made by calling Joanna Moyar at 724-836-1800 x12 Friday, July 17 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring the Mystic Warriors Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman St, Greensburg www.summersounds.com.

Friday, July 17 @ 7:00 p.m.

Scottdale Concert Band’s Outdoor Concert Cedar Creek Park, Route 51, Rostraver Township. Call 724-628-1988 or visit www.scottdaleband.com.

Friday, July 17 @ 7 p.m.

Outdoor Summer Concert featuring Tangled Blue Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church 331 Weldon St, Latrobe pastorshock@trinitylatrobe.com Saturday, July 18 @ 1 p.m.

Blairsville UGRR Open House 214 S. East Lane, Blairsville Wine tasting, Art Exhibit, Period Music, Exhibits and Tours. call 724-459-0580 Saturday, July 18 from noon–2 pm Artist of the Year Celebration Touchstone Center for Crafts. Farmington, PA. 724-329-1370 www.touchstonecrafts.com Saturday, July 18—Sunday, July 19 Living History Weekend Compass Inn, US Route 30, Laughlintown, PA 724-238-4983

Saturday, July 18—Sunday, July 19 @ 1:00 p.m.

French Attack on Fort Ligonier Redoubt 200 South Market Street, Ligonier Re-enactment of battles from the French and Indian War. 724-238-9701 Saturday, July 18 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring the Penn-Trafford Community Band Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950.

Sunday, July 19 @ 2:00 p.m.

Latrobe’s Concert in the Park featuring Saddle Up and Cruzen Bandshell, Legion Keener Park, Latrobe Free, weather permitting. Latrobe Parks and Recreation, 724-537-4331.

Sunday, July 19 @ 3:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring the Don Aliquo Quartet Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950.

Sunday, July 19 @ 4:00 p.m.

Herb Garden Concert featuring Aran, an Irish band Dillweed, INC., 7453 Route 403 Hwy. South, Dilltown. Free admission. For information, call 814-446-6465 or visit www.dillweedinc.com.

Sunday, July 19 @ 6:30 p.m.

Irwin Civic Activities Committee presents Pure Gold Irwin Park Amphitheater, Walnut Street & Sweden St, Irwin. Free concert. 724-864-3100.

Sunday, July 19 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Concert featuring the Moonlighters The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300 Monday, July 20—Friday, July 24 @ 9:00 a.m.

Nature Explorer Day Camp Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College, Latrobe. For children aged 5 to 8.

Registration is required: 724-537-5284.

Monday, July 20 from noon—2:30 p.m.

Connections: Creating Art Using Music and Feelings Westland Academy for the Arts, 102 N. Main Street, Suite 214, Greensburg The course is suited for grades K-4 and costs $40. To register, call 724-850-WAFA or visit www.westlandacademy.com.

Monday, July 20—Friday, July 24 Summer Art Camp: Imagine Art Everywhere Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St, Greensburg. For children aged 10 to 12. Cost is $140—$125 for museum members.

Registration is: 724-837-1500 x 10.

Wednesday, July 22—Friday, July 24 from 10:00 a.m.—noon Working with Color Mini Camp Westland Academy for the Arts, 102 N. Main St, Suite 214, Greensburg. Course is suited for grades 3-8 and costs $90. To register, call 724850-WAFA or visit www.westlandacademy.com.

Thursday, July 23—Sunday, August 16 Souvenir presented by St. Vincent Summer Theater 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA Performances are at 8:10 on July 23-25, July 28-August 1, August 4-8, and 11-15. Matinees are 2:10 on August 2, 5, 12, and 16. Tickets may be purchased by contacting the box office at 724-537-8900.

Thursday, July 23 from 6 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring Gary Pratt The Palace Theatre Megan Suite & Courtyard, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg Donations welcome. 724-836-1123 Friday, July 24—Saturday, July 25 @ 9 a.m.

Summer in Ligonier Food booths, entertainment, and sidewalk sales.

724-238-4200. www.ligonier.com Friday, July 24 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring The Moonalice Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman Street, Greensburg www.summersounds.com.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Saturday, July 25 @ 8:15 a.m.

Five Star Trail Poker Run Lynch Field, Route 119 N., Greensburg Choose a 12-mile bike ride or a 4-mile walk.

Registration is $15 on-site or $12 if paid before the event: Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation @ 724-830-3950.

Sunday, July 26 @ 3:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring the Eric Barchiesi Group Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation 724-830-3950 Sunday, July 26 from 6:30 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Borough of Mt. Pleasant’s Concerts in the Park Gazebo in Veterans Park, Mt. Pleasant Call 724-547-6745 or www.mtpleasantboro.com Sunday, July 26 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert featuring the Penn Trafford Community Band The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300 Monday, July 27 from noon—2:30 p.m.

Connections: The Art of Social Protest Westland Academy for the Arts, 102 N. Main St, Suite 214, Greensburg. High school class costs $40. To register, call 724-850-WAFA or visit www.westlandacademy.com.

Tuesday, July 28 @ 6:30 p.m.

Geneaology Forum Ligonier Valley Library, 120 W. Main St., Ligonier.

Organization devoted to learning about family history research. To join, call 724-238-6451.

Thursday, July 30 from 6 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring James Boggs The Palace Theatre Megan Suite & Courtyard, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg Donations welcome. 724-836-1123 Friday, July 31 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring The Hard Lesson & The Rhodes Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman Street, Greensburg www.summersounds.com.

Friday, July 31—Sunday, August 9 Gypsy presented by Ligonier Valley Players The Ligonier Theater, 208 West Main Street, Ligonier . Performances are 8:00 pm on July 31, August 1, 7, and 8 and 2:30 pm on August 9.

Reservations: call 724-238-6514 or email valleyplayers@verizon.net.

Saturday, July 4, 8am-noon Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity ReStore Sale 17 17th St and Penn Ave, Jeannette. To donate items, call Jim Miller @724-523-0308. www.centralwestmorelandhfh.org Saturday, August 1 @ 9:30 a.m.

Herbs of the Bible Workshop Dillweed, INC, 7453 Route 403 Hwy. South, Dilltown. Fee is $45 and includes lunch. 814446-6465 or visit www.dillweedinc.com.

Saturday, August 1 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring Brad Yoder Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation 724-830-3950.

Sunday, August 2 @ 3:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring the Don Alesi Quartet Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950 Sunday, August 2 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert featuring the East Winds Symphonic Band The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300 Tuesday, August 4—Sunday, August 16 Lend Me a Tenor presented by Mountain Playhouse 7690 Somerset Pike, Boswell Performances are at 8:00 p.m. on August 4-8 and 11-15. Matinees are 2:00 p.m. on August 5, 7, 12, and 14 and 3:00 p.m. on August 9 and 16. Tickets range in price from $15—32 and may be purchased by calling Lori Kishlock @ 814-629-9201 x290.

Every Story Begins At Home.

Friday, August 21 @ 6:00 p.m.

Borough of Mt. Pleasant’s Car Cruise Frick Park, Mt. Pleasant For information, call 724-542-4711. www.mtpleasantglassandethnicfestival.com

Thursday, August 6 from 6 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring Jody & Jeff Perigo & Even Steven The Palace Theatre Megan Suite & Courtyard, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg Donations welcome. 724-836-1123

Friday-Saturday, August 14-15 2nd Annual Rockin’ in the Mountains Pittsburgh Jitterbug Club. Seven Springs Mountain Resort. $65 Weekend Package plus lodging by calling 1-866-437-1300. Lessons included. www.pittsburghjitterbugclub.com

Thursday, August 6 @ 7:00 p.m.

Abstract Art Comes of Age Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main Street, Greensburg. In this free exhibit, the Westmoreland’s Curator Barbara Jones will lead a gallery tour of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s traveling exhibition: Modern Masters.

Friday, August 14, 5-9 pm The Stroll – Ligonier sidewalk sales, classic cars and oldies band www.ligonier.com

Friday, August 21 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring Rarebirs & Lohio Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman Street, Greensburg www.summersounds.com

Friday, August 14 @ 11:00 a.m.

Everybody’s Revolution presented by the Westmoreland County Historical Society Hanna’s Town, Forbes Road, Greensburg Registration is required , call Joanna Moyar at 724-836-1800 x12

Saturday, August 22, 8AM-4PM Antiques On The Diamond – Ligonier 60 Dealer set up around the Diamond, East and West Main. FREE. www.ligonier.com

Friday, August 7 @ 11:00 a.m.

National Kidney Foundation Golf Classic Latrobe Country Club, Arnold Palmer Drive, Latrobe. Registration fee of $1.400 per foursome. Contact the National Kidney Foundation 800-261-4115, www.kidneyall.org Friday, August 7 @ 7:00 p.m.—Saturday, August 8 Fireman’s Parade and Fair Main Street, New Alexandria Friday, August 7 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring My Dear Disco Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman Street, Greensburg To access information about the free concerts, visit www.summersounds.com.

Friday, August 7 @ 6:00 p.m.

First Friday Wine Tasting Green Gables Restaurant, 7712 Somerset Pike, Boswell. Cost is $20 and includes tastings of 5 or 6 wines and a selection of light hors d’oeuvres.

For information, call 814-629-9201.

Friday, August 7 @ 8:00 p.m.

Elko Concerts presents George Thorogood & Jonny Lange The Palace Theater, 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg. Tickets are $46, $52 and $60 and may be purchased by calling 724-836-8000 or visiting www.thepalacetheatre.org.

Saturday, August 8, 8 am - 4 pm 39th Annual Antique Show Streets of Somerset, PA. FREE, over 100 dealers!

814-445-6431, www.somersetpa.net Saturday, August 8 @ 10:00 a.m.—noon, 2:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m.

Naeskahoni Town Family Tour Day 715 Marshall Heights Road, Black Lick Learn about the native peoples of this area. www.naeskahonetown.com.

Saturday, August 8 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring Suzy & Byron Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950 Sunday, August 9 @ 7:30 a.m.

Antiques and Collectibles Sale Hanna’s Town, Forbes Road, Greensburg Admission is $3 per car. Westmoreland County Historical Society, 724-836-1800.

Sunday, August 9 @ 11:00 a.m.—7:00 p.m.

August Fun Fest Cedar Creek Park, Port Royal Road off Route 51, Belle Vernon. Free admission, all day riding pass $3. Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950.

Sunday, August 9 @ 3:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring Tommy Phillips Tophatters Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950.

Sunday, August 9 @ 6:30 p.m.

Irwin Civic Activities Committee presents Dallas Marks Irwin Park Amphitheater, Walnut Street & Sweden St, Irwin. Free concert. 724-864-3100

Friday, August 14 @ 6:00 p.m.

Second Friday Beer Tasting Green Gables Restaurant, 7712 Somerset Pike, Boswell. Cost is $20 and includes tastings of 5 or 6 beers and a selection of light hors d’oeuvres. 814-629-9201 Friday, August 14 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring Trubab Krewe Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman Street, Greensburg www.summersounds.com.

Saturday, August 15—Sunday, August 16 Living History Weekend Compass Inn, US Route 30, Laughlintown, PA 724-238-4983 Saturday, August 15—Sunday, August 16 @ 11 am Wine & Food Festival Seven Springs Mountain Resort, 777 Waterwheel Drive, Seven Springs. Tickets may be purchased online at www.7springs.com or by calling 866-703-7625. Tickets are $25 for Saturday and $20 for Sunday if purchased in advance. Two-day tickets are $38.

Saturday, August 15—Sunday, August 16 @ 10:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.

Thunder Mountain Native American Festival Thunder Mountain Lenape Nation, Saltsburg For a $3 donation, enjoy Native American food, activities and dance. 724-639-3488 or visit www.thundermtlenape.org.

Sunday, August 16 @ 2:00 p.m.

Latrobe’s Concert in the Park featuring Henny and The Versa J’s Bandshell, Legion Keener Park, Latrobe Free, weather permitting. Latrobe Parks and Recreation, 724-537-4331.

Sunday, August 16 @ 3:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring Eric Barchiesi Group Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950.

Sunday, August 16 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert featuring the Syria Temple Band The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300 (Town Hall in inclement weather) Tuesday, August 18—Sunday, August 30 Bubba’s Revenge presented by Mountain Playhouse 7690 Somerset Pike, Boswell. Performances are at 8:00 p.m. on August 18-22 and 25-29.

Matinees are 2:00 p.m. on August 19, 21, 26, and 28 and 3:00 p.m. on August 23 and 30.

Tickets range in price from $15—32 and may be purchased by calling Lori Kishlock @ 814-6299201 x290.

Thursday, August 20 from 6 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring The Lucky Strikes The Palace Theatre Megan Suite & Courtyard, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg Donations welcome. 724-836-1123

Sunday, August 9 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert featuring the Community Band South The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300

Friday, August 21 @ 4:00 p.m.—10:00 p.m., Saturday, August 22 @ 10:00 a.m.—10:00 p.m., and Sunday, August 23 @ 11:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Blairsville Diamond Days Downtown Blairsville. 724-459-6927

Thursday, August 13 from 6 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring Karaoke The Palace Theatre Megan Suite & Courtyard, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg Donations welcome. 724-836-1123

Friday, August 21—Saturday, August 29 Westmoreland County Fair Westmoreland County Fairgrounds, Mt. Pleasant Road, Pleasant Unity. General admission $7.00 includes parking. www.westmorelandfair.com

Saturday, August 22, 10 am - 6 pm 5th Annual Heirloom Tomato Festival West Overton Museums at West Overton Village in Scottdale, PA. Advance tickets recommended: 724-887-7910. www.westovtertonvillage.org Saturday, August 22 @ 8:00 a.m.

Second Annual Truck Show Lion’s Club Demo Grounds, Rtes. 22 & 119, New Alexandria. All makes and years of trucks are welcome. Free registration may be made by visiting the website www.wattsmack.com and following the truck show link.

Saturday, August 22 & Sunday, August 23 @ 1 pm Blairsville Fugitive Slave Rescue Reenactment Downtown Blairsville For information, call 724-459-0580.

Sunday, August 23 @ 3:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert Series featuring Julius Falcon Combo Island Stage, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg Westmoreland County Parks and Recreation, 724-830-3950.

Sunday, August 23 @ 6:30 p.m.

Irwin Civic Activities Committee presents The Rat Pack Irwin Park Amphitheater, Walnut Street & Sweden St, Irwin. 724-864-3100 Sunday, August 23 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert featuring the Delmont Area Concert Band The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300 Thursday, August 27 from 6 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

Thank Goodness It’s Summer Concert featuring BookEndz The Palace Theatre Megan Suite & Courtyard, 21 W. Otterman St., Greensburg Donations welcome. 724-836-1123 Friday, August 28 @ 7 p.m.

SummerSounds Concert featuring the Crawdaddies Robershaw Amphitheater at St. Clair Park, N. Maple Ave. & E. Otterman Street, Greensburg www.summersounds.com.

Sunday, August 30 @ 8:45 a.m.

Million Dollar Shootout on the Mountain Seven Springs Mountain Resort, 777 Waterwheel Drive, Seven Springs. Compete for a million dollars for a $10 registration fee. To schedule a tee time, call 800-452-2223 x4000.

Sunday, August 30 @ 7:00 p.m.

Free Summer Concert featuring the Somerset County Community Band The Diamond, Ligonier. 724-238-4300 Sunday, August 30—Wednesday, September 5 Indiana County Fair Mack Park, Indiana County Fair Grounds, Indiana. For information, call 724-479-8282 or visit www.indianacountyfair.com.

September 11-13 51st Annual Ligonier Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans of Scotland Adults $18, Seniors $15, Children 6-12 $5, under 6 FREE. www.ligoniergames.org September 11-13, 10 am - 5 pm 40th Annual Mountain Craft Days Somerset Historical Center, Somerset, PA. Celebrate PA with 125 crafts, persons, interpreters, entertainers. 814-445-6077 www.somersethistoricalcenter.org September 12-13 Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival Rte 711 Stahlstown, PA www.flaxscutching.com

July/August 2009 - 15

REPARTEE FOR TWO Barbara M. Neill

Rules of Engagement: Ligonier’s Norm Flam There was nothing commonplace about Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn. He was a man of commanding physical presence, uncommon masculine pulchritude, commendable athletic prowess and, sadly, a confounding inability to resist temptation. As a result, a number of things came very naturally to Flynn: fame and infamy, fortune and financial failure, females and felony charges and…fencing.

During his reign in the late 1930s and 1940s as Hollywood’s premier action hero, he was the living, breathing embodiment of the term “swashbuckler” in such period classics as Captain Blood, The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Sea Hawk. Greer Garson really got it right when she claimed he was “poetry-in-action.”

While most men tend to appear distinguished in a uniform, Flynn positively “glittered when he walked” onto a Warner Brothers sound stage or rode into battle on location. An Australian of Irish and English descent, the Tasmanian Devil looked magnificent in whatever the costumers put on his 6’2" frame, be it Technicolortoned tunic and tights or the garb of a British Calvary officer. Basil Rathbone, his recurring screen nemesis, was said to be more skilled with a sword, but there was never any doubt about who the viewers were rooting for in a Flynn flick duel-to-the-death. (It must be noted that the self-deprecating actor never believed his own myth.*) Flynn was a sea-loving man who was most at home with his boats and his mates when not making movies or salacious headlines. And although he was one of Tinseltown’s most respected tennis players, boxed on and off the screen, rode and swam, he is best remembered as a swordsman by his fans. (Nobody brandished quite like Errol.) So, when asked if I was interested in interviewing a Ligonier resident who had been trained by a fencing master of Errol Flynn, who was I to resist temptation? As you might expect, I was “in like Flynn.”

Norm Flam and his family moved from Swissvale, PA to North Hollywood, CA in the mid-1960s. At this time Norm evidenced an interest in

16 -July/August 2009

the sport of fencing. Ralph Faulkner, his first fencing master, was an expert swordsman who captured the 1928 World Amateur Sabre Championship and was a member of the 1928 and 1932 US Olympic teams. When he appeared in The Three Musketeers in 1935, his “dual” loves of fencing and film were united. He went on to act in more than 300 movies and staged countless scenes for the cinema capers of others, including those of the fatally fascinating Mr. Flynn.

“Many people underrated Errol,” Faulkner once observed, “but he never failed to amaze me.” (BTW: After viewing a documentary film of Faulkner’s life and a number of vintage photos, I’d say Ralph wasn’t lacking in the looks department himself.)

After his training with Faulkner, Norm went on to acquire an impressive resume replete with outstanding teachers and commendations aplenty.

He participated in championship seasons with LA Valley College, UCLA and Cal State Northridge in the 1970s and holds the titles of Moniteur de Escrime, Academie d’Armes Internationale, Paris, France and Moniteur: Foil-Epee-Sabre, United States Fencing Coaches Association.

Norm’s enthusiasm for his sport has never waned, and he could well have coined the adage: Be all you can be. Fence. As the Fencing Instructor at the Ligonier Valley YMCA and the Maestro of the Ligonier Fencing Club, he has guided his fencers to a number of notable victories including a stunning upset of the Los Angeles International Fencing Club in 2007.

Norm welcomes all comers as long as they have the desire to take their instruction seriously and the pride he takes in the successes of his students is quite evident.

Norm, together with his wife Robbie, also owns and operates Toy Soldier Gallery at 235 West Main Street.

Robbie describes herself as a Navy brat from Brooklyn. (Army meets Navy yet again.) Dealing in miniatures and the books, games and dioramas that compliment them, the couple carries a wide variety of choices in price

ranges for collectors with wallets of all sizes. The custom-painted figures, most done by the couple, are astonishing in their detail. If you visit Toy Soldier, make sure you take in the breath-taking Asian miniatures.

Even though his tenure in movieland is long over, Norm presently stars in a local cloak and dagger drama of his own. By day, he dons his trademark red suspenders and commands Toy Soldier Gallery; by night he becomes the Masked Master of the Flying Pigs!

service seated in the first row). I beat him 5-4. I went back to “The Boss” and said, “What do you think?” He said, “He scored 4 on you.”

More determined now, I went on to fence _____ (pointing to a gentleman

***** BMN: Was it chance or choice that led you to the inimitable Ralph Faulkner?

NF: We had just moved to California and with all the enthusiasm of an 11-yearold I told my Dad that I’d like to take fencing lessons. He said if I found a place that offered them, he would take me. I looked in the yellow pages and sure enough there it was – Falcon Studios (the establishment of Faulkner).

Dad took me figuring this would last for a couple of lessons and that would be the end of it. Obviously, not.

IN MINIATURE The Marine Corps Marching Band (above) Templar Crusaders (below)

BMN: Having heard that you are quite the storyteller, is there any tale that you might like to tell about your first fencing master?

NF: Mr. Faulkner, or as his students knew him “The Boss,” passed on in 1987 at the age of 95. He gave lessons every day including the morning of the day he died. The memorial service was a testament to his life with over 200 of his students there to pay respects.

Some were actors like Bo Derek, but all studied under “The Boss.”

A dear friend, Carlos Fuertes, was one of many who spoke that day, but his anecdote will always stick with me.

Carlos was one of the greats of fencing in the 60s, 70s and 80s. He was the Cuban National Champion in Sabre and after coming to the USA won many National championships in a career spanning over 40 years. He was also the Chief Referee at the 1984 Olympics. Carlos has since passed on and I am sure that he would not want this story lost.

Several years before Carlos had won the National Championship. In those days the competition was a series of 5 touch bouts in a pool of 6 men. The top 3 went on to the next round. His narrative begins in the final round and I will quote him from memory: So there I was in the first bout, fencing _____ (Carlos pointed to a gentleman attending the memorial

in the third row). I beat him 5-0. I went back to “The Boss” and said, “Now, what do you think?”

He replied, “It took you 3 minutes.”

Now I am crazed. For my next bout I fenced _____ (pointing to another champion fencer). We fenced and I beat him 5-0 in under a minute. I go back to where “The Boss” is sitting. I look straight at him and said, “Well?” He looked me square in the eye and said, “You’re sweating.”

If one tale could tell what it was like to be a student of “The Boss,” this was it.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

BMN: Your web site invites prospective members to “see the world from the other side of the weapon.” What’s that like?

NF: I wouldn’t know. That’s the only way I’ve ever seen the world.

NF: It’s all a fantasy; that’s the reality.

You’re simulating battles of the past, present, future or in a fantasy context.

The soldiers don’t move by themselves; we move them, we paint them.

BMN: Well then, how does the Maestro of the Flying Pigs express his world view?

BMN: When separating the best from the rest in miniatures, what is your criterion?

NF: Quality is quality is quality – whether it’s in coin, stamp, figure collecting or anything else. Some people will buy the cheapest they can buy and that works for them; some will buy the best they can buy and that works for them. We try to carry a nice selection of all different ranges in different prices.

NF: Life is like a buffet – you take what you want; you leave the rest. Not all people are going to go to the seafood BMN: What defense would section of the buffet and not you offer for the collecting of all people are going to go and military miniatures and battle try out the steak. Some are games to those who campaign going to eat salad. It’s a against weaponry? matter of individual taste.

Fencing is not for everyone; NF: There are two different it appeals to some people. Moniteur, Norm Flam, with his 2006-2007 Foil Team (left to right): Phil Rose, groups of people in the world: There are those who fence for Greg Susa (Assistant Instructor), and Steve DeCosmo (Team Captain). those who like to control part of their lives and don’t other people and people who continue. I have found that a don’t want to be controlled. number of people will fence early in I happen to be an historical gamer; People that like to control other people life and then come back to it. Maybe that’s my favorite. But, I understand are the ones that say, “You shouldn’t they’ve fenced in college and when the that we are trying to give the best be playing those games.” I think they kids are grown they return to it. I have simulation of a different period of should find another hobby. had people come through the class history on a table. who were fencing in the 1930s and 40s BMN: How is it that you have come to and decided that they wanted to fence BMN: Does your gaming relate to the purvey toy soldiers on Ligonier’s Main again. video and online gaming so popular Street?

Fencing is a very difficult sport, today? although it may not appear that way NF: I had sold my stores in California to people who don’t know anything NF: All the concepts for these games and we were living in Oregon in 1991. about it. It takes a great deal of work the kids are playing on computers That year we drove out to The to get to were you have to be. It’s also came from the miniature games that Historicon Convention in Lancaster, a very individualistic sport. People we’re playing now. Almost all the did very well selling our figurines there have differing characteristics – young, computer game designers have played and decided that the East Coast might old, tall, short, left-handed, rightminiature games in one form or be the place for us. (Historicon has been handed. They have different abilities: another. The advantage of a miniature hailed as “the mother of all wargaming they’re smart or not-so-smart; skilled game is that there are aspects that conventions” by the Wall Street Journal.) and not-as-skilled. We try to take each you can not get from a computer game.

So, we bought a house in Ligonier and person individually. That’s part of the Computer games are nice, but they relocated. Incidentally, I almost drowned charm and appeal of fencing. are not social. There is not much in Ligonier when I was a kid. I’ve always interaction with another person – you believed when things are meant to be, BMN: Are you of the French or Italian don’t look at him across the table, you it just all comes together. In this school of fencing? don’t have a pizza with him while particular case it did. you’re playing a game, you don’t NF: I learned in the classical French discuss all the other things involved. ***** style. I teach that way, because I have found that French is more successful.

Ralph Faulkner was often heard to say, The goals of the two schools are the “How can you retire from something same, but there are differing aspects. you love? When you do that, you might Greg Susa, my very talented Assistant as well be dead.” Stop in at Toy Soldier Instructor, learned in the Italian Gallery one of these days and ask the school and we had some modifications proprietor his opinion about that to do before he could assist me. statement. I’m sure he’ll comply, because any way you slice it Norm BMN: How do fencing students today Flam is an engaging fellow – behind compare to past students? his sabre or his counter!

NF: Students are considerably more athletic now than fencing students of the past; athleticism was not necessarily a requirement then. You get one really good athlete in there and he (or she) changes the mix.

Everybody has to rise to the competition. Right now there are a lot of spectacular athletes in fencing and it’s starting to show on the international stage. Look at the women who went to the Olympics last year. We came back with 6 medals. That is so far beyond anything the US has done in the past.

BMN: Would you give us your thoughts on historical as opposed to fictional war gaming?

Every Story Begins At Home.

*Although Errol Flynn did not “put a bullet through his head” (as did Richard Cory of the poem of the same name by Edwin Arlington Robinson), he did commit a rather lengthy suicide.

The Ligonier Fencing Club meets for lessons and practice on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6-9 pm at the Ligonier YMCA. Beginners are always welcome!

Email Norm Flam at norm@toysoldier gallery.net, call 724-238-0324 or visit 235 West Main Street in Ligonier. Visit www.historicon.org to learn more about the 2009 Historicon Convention “Ride to the Sound of the Guns” (Napoleon’s 1809 Campaign and the Spanish Ulcer) to be held July 16-19 at the Lancaster Host Resort & Conference Center. To find out more about the Ligonier Fencing Club visit www.ligonierfencing.org. For more information about the Fencing Program at the Ligonier YMCA go to www.ligonier ymca.org or call 724-238-7580.

3782 State Route 31 1 Mile East of Turnpike Exit 91

Saturday, July 4 and Saturday, August 1 Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity holds ReStore sales the first Saturday of every month from 8am-Noon at its Jeannette location: 17 17th Street and Penn Avenue.

A donation and sales center, all proceeds from the center beneifit the organization’s ongoing effort to continue building new homes in the central Westmoreland County area.

Items that can be found at ReStore include everything from lighting fixtures to doors, windows and other building supplies. There is also a nice selection of furniture such as desks, tables and chairs, dishes, tools and more.

Do you have items to be donated? Contact Jim Miller at 724523-0308 to arrange a dropoff or pickup time and date. In addition to donations, the center also requires additional volunteers. If you’d like to give your time for a worthwhile cause, contact volunteer coordinator Brian Root at: volunteercoordinator@cwhfh.org www.centralwestmorelandhfh.org

July/August 2009 - 17

Celebrating Academic Excellence, Family Video Rewards Students with Free Rentals Family Video will give Free movie and video game rentals to students for getting good grades on their final report cards. All students, Kindergarten through College, are rewarded with one FREE overnight rental for each final grade of “A” earned in any core course. Core courses include any math, language, reading, history, geography, science and spelling classes. FREE rentals include ALL movies in the store over 30 days and ALL Video Games.

For more than 30 years, Family Video has been entertaining families in our communities. “We started giving the kids free rentals 27 or 28 years ago, it’s been so long I can’t remember,” said Keith Hoogland, President of Family Video. “Every year we get letters from students, parents and even teachers, thanking us for this program. We love rewarding kids for their hard work and it’s a great way for them to start summer break.”

Family Video stays ahead of its competitors through its philosophy of “Wow-ing” patrons. The rental chain believes its successful reputation is a combination of outstanding customer service, a wide selection of movies and video games and the lowest possible rental prices.

“Even in these hard economic times while the cost of everything else is going up, we have worked hard to keep our prices as low as we can. Price is important to our customers,” said Mr. Hoogland.

“There isn’t much else a family can do together for $3 or less.

Rental is the greatest family value.”

In addition to the Report Card A program, each location offers hundreds of free kids movie rentals, with no paid rental required.

New members get unlimited halfprice rentals for the first 30 days.

Thousands of movies rent two for one dollar for five nights. That’s 10 cents a night per movie! Stores are open 365 days a year, most from 10:00 A.M. to midnight.“ Family Video CEO and Founder Charlie Hoogland said, “We started in 1978 with one store in Springfield, Illinois. Today, we have 590 stores in 18 states. We continue to open another store each week. We employ more than 6,000 talented and hardworking people. I can’t wait until we have 10,000 people!”

Family Video is the third largest – and the largest family-owned - video rental chain in the country. The Hooglands believe investing in each location by purchasing real estate, rather than leasing, gives the company strong roots in each community.

In 1946 Clarence Hoogland started Midstates Appliance & Supply Company. In 1953, Clarence's son, Charlie took over the company. In the 1970s, Midstates got "stuck" with a large quantity of videos. Charlie's team got the idea to rent the videos, and in 1978, one of the very first video rental stores in the country, was founded (www.family video.com). Today, Charlie's son Keith leads the company as President.

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Cow Appreciation Day, July 10, 2009. ¨

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Contact : SueAnn Zippi Independent Consultant

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724-681-3184

sueannzippi@comcast.net 18 -July/August 2009

Chick-fil-A Eastgate Plaza 724-836-6501

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

THE LIGONIER CHEF Scott Sinemus

Let’s Call the Whole Thing Squash Our dear editor asked me if I could come up with recipes utilizing zucchini, which is one of the only vegetables I have no taste for. Perhaps it’s because it has none and is mostly water. My father did grow a variety called “eight ball” which was still practically flavorless; but, true to it’s name, perfectly round. It was the ideal thing to hollow out and fill with something that did have some flavor. Ratatouille is, of course, the obvious choice, but the sun-dried tomato and bacon custard was definitely better.

Anyone who’s ever planted zucchini knows that it is a proliferate producer.

If you go away for the weekend, more than likely you’ll come home to find one nearly the size of a canoe. Normally I’m all for bigger being better; never in the squash realm though. Even people that make the quick bread with it have to admit it’s not pleasant to hack apart and scrape out the seeds before grating it.

There are some things that I’ve found over the years to make with it since I can’t ever seem to bring myself to just tossing it in the composter when someone brings it for a hostess present or I find some left on my porch.

I do make a side dish with zucchini, yellow squash and julienne red peppers that is always a hit with my guests. I run the squash lengthwise along the julienne blade of a mandolin so that it looks like angel hair pasta. I only use the colored skin with perhaps a few passes of the flesh underneath. It’s very colorful and appealing and if you add enough garlic and herbs it actually tastes like something. The secret to making this dish is to have a very large skillet, that is extremely hot before adding the peppers and then, consequently, the squash.

My partner adores grilled zucchini.

I will eat it without much complaining since it is, after all, grilled. Salting and

seasoning for a few hours before hand helps to infuse some flavor and omit some of the water which makes steam and prohibits the formation of the perfect grill markings. It’s best to pat dry with a towel and brush with oil immediately before placing on the grill to insure proper marking.

I recently had to do a few menus for someone with peptic ulcers. In doing some research on recommendations, I found that – because of its mild nature and high moisture content – squash is an excellent choice for a vegetable. Any diet that’s titled “The Bland Diet” is definitely not at the top of my list of choices, and I thank heaven that I’m not cursed with an ulcer.

Perhaps my favorite thing to eat from the plant is the blossom. I had them in Italy prepared two ways. One was a simple 3-stage breaded (flour, egg and breadcrumbs) and deep fat fried. It was an absolutely amazing presentation on the plate and supremely delicate. The other was stuffed Capri style before being breaded and fried. I still make both preparations several times throughout the season. I like to think the more blossoms I cook, the less squash I’ll have to make. One tip for flavor enhancement is to incorporate at least 30% freshly-grated Parmesan cheese in the breadcrumbs.

The filling for the blossoms is also outstanding as a topping or a filling for the squash itself.

Have a wonderful summer and enjoy the bounty your garden or local farmers market has to order!

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

Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

TouchstoneCenter forCrafts, 1049 Wharton Furnace Road, Farmington, PA 15437 tel: 800.721.0177 724.329.1370 www.touchstonecrafts.com fax: 724.329.1371

Artist of the Year Celebration Join us Saturday, July 18th from 12 pm to 2pm, as we celebrate Sue Pollins as Touchstone’s 2009 Artist of the Year. A reception and a luncheon will be held to honor Sue, her work, and her many contributions to Touchstone. Also, visit Touchstone’s Iron Gate Gallery, where Sue’s works will be on display throughout the month of July. The cost of the luncheon is $10 – Please RSVP with Touchstone at 724-329-1370.

Senior Citizens Life Enhancement Program Through a generous grant from the Eberly Foundation, Touchstone has established a program that will provide quality art instruction that will enhance the quality of local seniors’ lives while supporting their independence and encouraging their continued involvement in and with the community. Seven local nursing homes will participate in activities - both in their own facilities and on Touchstone’s campus throughout July and August. Instructor Nancy McChesney, of Dancing Trees Studio, has created a curriculum that will offer multiple disciplines of art instruction that will be catered to the individual ability of each participant.

Checking the list and "saving the date" for An Evening in the Neighborhood, II are (seated from left) Susannah Calvo, Committee Chairperson, Diana Kreiling, Committee Member and Gabi Nastuck, Webmaster/Graphic Designer. Standing is Jackie Dixon, Director of Latrobe Art Center.

12-15 zucchini blossoms 1 package Buffala Mozzarella* – drained well, fine dice 2 large very ripe tomatoes ~ peeled, seeded, fine diced and drained well 5 garlic cloves – roasted & pureed ½ cup fresh basil – chopped fine ¼ c. very good quality olive oil salt & pepper to taste Oil for deep fat frying • Dip the blossoms in boiling salted water for no more than 2 seconds, then immediately immerse in ice water. Drain well and pat dry.

• Combine all remaining ingredients. Fill a large disposable pastry bag with a large plain tip (star tips snag too much to be practical).

• Pipe the filling into the blossoms. Then bread them for frying. 350 degrees is a good temperature to fry them in • As with most things deep fat fried, when they float they’re finished.

Serve Immediately *Buffala Mozzarella can be purchased at Pennsylvania Macaroni Company in the Strip District. It is made the same way as regular mozzarella. The difference is it’s made from water buffalo milk.

Penn Mac also has a website and ships virtually everything in their store if you can’t make it down to the ‘burgh. Regular mozzarella can be used but it’s not nearly as scrumptious.

Every Story Begins At Home.

July/August 2009 - 19

SHINGLES, continued from page 6

Deadline for the September-October issue of the Laurel Mountain Post is Friday, August 14.

724-834-4688 271 Frye Farm Rd. Greensburg, PA 15601

20 -July/August 2009

recommended as a preventive tool to protect children as they age and progress through adulthood.

According to pediatrician Thomas Maroon, MD, vice chairman, Department of Pediatrics, Excela Health, studies strongly suggest if kids receive two doses of the vaccine their chances of ever having a significant case of chicken pox would be extremely low. “In retrospect, the chances of having shingles later in life appears to be as much as 20 times higher for people who had chicken pox as a child verses those who received the chicken pox vaccine as a child.” explained Dr. Maroon.

“However, the risks are still being evaluated.“ For a physician referral, call Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 1-877-771-1234, or visit www.excelahealth.org..

Excela Health, Westmoreland County’s largest employer, joins together some 800 physicians and allied health professionals in 35 specialties to provide health care to Westmoreland County and parts of Fayette and Indiana counties. With a workforce of 4,800, Excela Health offers traditional inpatient care through hospitals in Greensburg, Jeannette. Latrobe and Mount Pleasant, outpatient treatment and specialty services to rank as the region’s third largest health care network.

B. P. Insurance, Inc. Brian E Panichelle Panichelle_Agency@nwagent.com 3720 Rt 711 Suite 9 Ligonier, PA 15658-5004 (In Ligonier Valley Mini-Mall ) (724) 238-2148

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Duncan House at Polymath Park Resort:

Preserving Yesterday’s Architecture & Creating Tomorrow’s Memories with Lodging, Tours & Events ACME, PA – For those seeking to experience an overnight stay in a Frank Lloyd Wright house, Polymath Park Resort in Acme, PA is a Usonian utopia. The Duncan House, which opened to guests in June 2007, has been a dream come true for many Wright followers, particularly those traveling long distances to visit Wright’s masterpiece Fallingwater, located less than 20 miles away. A second house on the property also proves to be popular with those who appreciate the beauty of organic architecture. The Balter House, designed by Wright apprentice Peter Berndtson, is strongly influenced by Wright’s organic philosophies and has been described by guests as “a magical treehouse.” The Blum House, another Berndtson home circa 1965, offers individual rooms by the night.

In November 2008 Polymath Park took another large step in creating an exciting and exclusive Laurel Highlands’ destination.

Tree Tops Restaurant opened under the direction of Executive Chef Mark Henry to the delight of travelers and locals alike. The restaurant offers “fine dining enriched with nature” specializing in unique cuisine with a focus on fresh ingredients and organic menu options. The Wright-influenced facility has been meticulously renovated with natural materials including hand-crafted mahogany trim and exclusively designed hand-crafted Wrightinspired chairs.

Hours of operation are 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Sundays. Brunch is served from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. A lounge will open in July 2009.

Public Tours are offered at Polymath Park Resort on Sundays at noon, 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The 1.5-hour Polymath Park Resort Tour includes the Blum, Balter and Duncan houses. Combine your tour with brunch or dinner at Tree Tops Restaurant and save with a special combo-rate.

Tours: $22 pp; Brunch Tours are $37 pp. and Tour/Dinners are $55 pp.

Polymath Park Resort also is available for corporate and private events. The Duncan House boasts the Boulder Room, a meeting and banquet facility in the lower level of the house. Larger events can be held under tent in the Meadow. The Resort also hosts several special events each year.

Every Story Begins At Home.

Upcoming events include: • Saturday, July 4 th Red Wright & Blues Celebration from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. with Polymath Park Tours, a fabulous southern-style barbeque buffet catered by Tree Tops Restaurant, and live blues/rock entertainment. Free Admission.

Buffet $25; Tours $20; Tours & Buffet $40.

• Sunday, July 19 th 4 p.m.

Polymath Park Resort 2 nd Anni-

The Duncan House in Acme, PA

versary Celebration “Meet the Masters” Tour & Dinner – In-depth Polymath Park Resort Tour with exclusive reconstruction stories and video footage hosted by Master Builder & Usonian Preservation Inc. CEO Thomas Papinchak and Resort Executive Director Laura Argen-

Fireplace at Balter House. bright. Executive Chef Mark F. Henry will host the Private Gourmet Dinner. $125.00 pp.

• Sunday, Aug. 23 rd 4 p.m.

Polymath Park Resort Walking Tour & Lakeside Picnic catered by Tree Tops Restaurant with Acoustic Entertainment $40. pp

• Saturday, Dec. 5 th 4 p.m.

Holiday Bliss Progressive Dinner featuring a four-course meal served between Polymath Park’s three houses and Tree Tops Restaurant.

Guests travel by horse-drawn wagon and are treated to carolers and holiday entertainment at each stop. $115. pp.

The Duncan House was rebuilt at Polymath Park after having been saved by the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy in 2004. Designed by Wright as a modest but modern Usonian meant for the middle-class, it was originally built in 1957 for Donald and Elizabeth Duncan. Upon the settling of Duncan’s estate, the home was saved, dismantled, stored and moved in four tractor trailers to Western PA. After two years in storage, the Duncan House found its new residence at Polymath Park, where it joined two homes that were built on the property in the mid-sixties and designed by the late Peter Berndtson, a Pittsburgh architect and Wright apprentice. Together, the three fabulously-designed organic homes are privately nestled at the base of the Laurel Highlands, situated among 125 gorgeous wooded acres that make up the architectural Mecca now known as Polymath Park Resort.

The primary focus of Polymath Park Resort is to provide an inspiring lodging atmosphere in which guests can experience for themselves the organic vision of these two great architects. Combined with a visit to Wright’s nearby Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, a stay at Polymath Park completes a wonderful architectural journey. Rates range from $175 per night for a room in the Blum House to $425 per night for the entire Duncan House.

A two-night minimum applies to stays in the Balter and Duncan houses, but the Blum House is available with a onenight stay.

Due to the lodging schedule, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Duncan House at Polymath Park Resort is only open to the public for tours on Sundays.

Group tours (more than 20 guests) can be scheduled throughout the week with advance reservations based on availability. Reservations for tours and events should be made in advance by phone at 877-833-7829 or by email to events@polymath park.com.More information regarding events or lodging can be found at www.polymathpark.com.

Springs Farmers Market

Saturdays through Sept 12 8 am - 1 pm A wide selection of fresh produce, home baked goods (fresh donuts made Saturday mornings!), quilts, antiques, plants, tools, etc. www.springspa.org Route 669 Springs, PA

July/August 2009 - 21

Hanna Insurance Agency Weathering the storms of life with you . . .

since 1959!

John Hanna, Owner

PHONE: (724) 537-5140 • FAX: (724) 537-0687 www.hannainsuranceagency.us

Summer in Ligonier Summer In Ligonier Arts and Craft Show

July 24 and 25, 9AM-5PM Kettle Korn Man • Dave the Balloonatic • Face Painting • Jimmy the Unicyclist and Juggler Demonstration by the L. V. Historical Society and L. V. Rail Road

Writers’ Group to Host a Celebration of Art and Letters Ligonier Valley Writers is hosting a publication party for the 2009 edition of its literary magazine, The Loyalhanna Review, Friday, July 17, from 7-9 pm at the Latrobe Art Center on 819 Ligonier St. in Latrobe.

Loyalhanna Review authors will read from their work at the party. Beautiful paintings and photographs (some of which are reproduced in the magazine) will be on display in beautiful surroundings. Guests will have an opportunity to talk with the authors and artists whose work is featured in the magazine. The reception will be catered by Aroma Italiano of Latrobe, a popular vendor at the Ligonier Country Market.

The cover charge is $8. Each guest will receive a copy of the new Loyalhanna Review, hot off the presses. Join us to celebrate the literary life of the Ligonier Valley with good food, good writing, good art, and good conversation. The publication party kicks off the LVW Conference weekend. On Saturday, July 18, the 22nd Ligonier Valley Writers’ Conference will take place from 9am - 6pm at the Fred Rogers Center at St. Vincent College in Latrobe. Registration deadline is July 8. Faculty members are Faith Adiele on creative nonfiction; Kirk Nesset on fiction; Ellen McGrath Smith on poetry; and Karen Williams on children’s writing. For more information about the Loyalhanna Review publication party or the LVW conference, visit www.LVWonline.org or contact Judith Gallagher at jgallagher@LHTOT.com or (724) 593-7294.

The Stroll

August 14, 5-9PM sidewalk sales, classic cars and oldies band

Antiques On The Diamond

Saturday, August 22, 8AM-4PM 60 Dealer set up around the Diamond, East and West Main Streets No Admission Charge to Public

For more information, please contact us: 120 East Main Street • Ligonier, PA 15658 • 724-238-4200 • www.ligonier.com

Scott A. Hudimac, DDS

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5938 Route 981, Latrobe • 724-537-5505 22 -July/August 2009

The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg is celebrating its first 50 years.

Making the cut at a ceremony commemorating the museum's May 29, 1959 public opening is Judith H. O'Toole, Director/ CEO (above). The weekend-long celebration continued with Golden Reflections: The Fiftieth Anniversary Ball and a family-friendly birthday party. For more on 2009's anniversary year exhibits and events visit www.wmuseumaa.org.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

DERRY REMEMBRANCES Ruth Richardson

Vintage Vacations My daughter, Nicole, and granddaughter, Riley, are coming to visit for two weeks in August. Riley will be three years old August 6, and has flown across the country half a dozen times at least. She has also gone through customs in Canada from the time she was a few weeks old.

She is a seasoned traveler with her own carry-on bag and her own passport.

Things sure have changed since I was a kid. Going on vacation in those days, at least for everyone I knew, meant either spending a weekend at dad’s hunting camp or going to visit a faraway relative.

There were no trips to the shore. There was no going to Disney World (since it was still vacant land filled with alligators), and the only things we knew about Europe, were our dads’ and uncles’ World War II stories about marching across what was left of it in the 1940’s.

Our weekends at my dad’s camp were one of my favorite memories. Daddy belonged to a hunting camp in Tionesta, Pa. It was called the 35 Club, because all the members had 35 Remington or Marlin rifles. All but two of them worked together at Derry Westinghouse. In addition to my dad, there was Grant (Farmer) Allman, Hillary Thomas, Bob Pershing, Pete and Wayne Weimer, Mike and Andy Zitt, Bill Peters and Paul Thomas. We sometimes went to camp for an overnight get-away. It was a wonderful place for kids, and we could never understand why our moms didn’t love it like we did. The camp had two rooms, I guess when you are a little tyke your perception of size is skewed, so I remember them as huge. One room was the kitchen/living room, and the other was the bunk room, with four bunks translating into eight beds. How we loved jumping from one top bunk to the other, but the thing we found most amusing at the 35 Club was – the OUTHOUSE. This was a real novelty for us kids. We could live just like the early pioneers.We had campfires, went on hikes, slept in bunk beds, didn’t have to take baths, and got to hear all the hunting stories from our dads. We couldn’t figure out why our mom didn’t want to spend every weekend up there.

“Mommy!” we would ask, “What is there NOT to like????” Mom would just purse her lips and shake her head, as she swept spider webs out of the corners and set mouse traps. My mom was not a wilderness kind of girl.

Up until the time I was about 4, our family didn’t take any vacations, at least that I remember. But in 1953, my Grandma Veda, a widow by that time, sold her little neighborhood store/gas station in West Derry, packed up her two-tone green and yellow Pontiac, and moved to Miami. From then on, our vacations were spent in sunny south Florida. The old song “Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go,” didn’t much resemble the trips we took to visit my grandmother.

Our trip was more like “Over the Mason/

Every Story Begins At Home.

Dixon line and through the tobacco farms, cotton fields, and sweltering heat.”

Although it sounds like a pretty exotic destination for a Derry kid in the 1950’s, the reality of those journeys didn’t quite live up to fantasy. As an example, we always visited Grandma Veda in July.

That would be July in MIAMI. Not only didn’t our cars have air conditioning, neither did Grandma’s little pink house.

We would always start our trip south very early in the morning. My brother, Keith, and I were allowed to sleep until the last minute. Mom would waken us for just long enough to tuck us into the back seat of the car, still in our pajamas, so

always made us get a drink of water, probably because she knew the searing temperatures were making us dehydrated. There were usually water fountains on the outside of most gas stations. I remember walking over to the fountain, turning the faucet, and waiting for a moment so the water could cool down a little. I felt someone gently take my arm away from the faucet and assumed it was my mother. Instead, I looked up into the face of a smiling stranger. The lady gently took my hand, and in her thick southern drawl said, “Honey-bunch, you can’t drink out of that fountain, that’s for little colored girls.

Me and Keith swimming at Miami Beach. we could sleep for the first couple of hours. I always thought this was very considerate of mom until she told me the real reason she did it was so she and daddy could have a few hours of quiet before the refereeing started.

Mom saved money all year for those summer treks to Miami. My parents didn’t have credit cards. No one did. If they wanted to buy something, they saved up until they had the cash to pay for it. She had a ‘Vacation Club’ at Fidelity Deposit Bank or ‘the upper bank’ as she called it.

The Vacation Club was just like her Christmas Club, and she would put a few dollars away every payday and earn a little interest. By the time vacation rolled around, she had probably accumulated $200, a more than substantial sum to give us a fabulous twoweek adventure in Florida She and daddy would pack the old ’48 Chevy, and later the ’58 Ford Country Squire Station Wagon (the model with the fake wood on the doors), and off we would go. Sunshine State Or Bust!

The south was still pretty segregated in the 1950’s. I remember Daddy stopping one afternoon to get gas. Mom always made us use the restrooms, whether we had to go or not. And she

You come over here with me, this is YOUR fountain.” I looked back as we walked away and sure enough, hanging over that fountain was a little sign that said ‘Colored.’ I remember wondering why the little ‘colored’ girls didn’t like me to drink from their fountain.

Daddy liked to point out interesting and educational things for Keith and me to observe along the way, like all the acres of tobacco in the Carolinas and how the farm workers would pick the big leaves and stack them on wagons. He would also point out the folks bent over in the cotton fields of Georgia, filling the sacks on their back in that stifling heat. Much as daddy was intrigued by these activities, we were equally uninterested. It felt like 150 degrees in the back seat of that car and rolling the windows down had the effect of sitting a giant fan in front of a blazing coal furnace. It did little to cool us off, and we just wanted to sleep, but daddy wasn’t having it. He insisted we sit up and observe the lessons all around us. I remember him pulling to the side of the road and telling us to break off a branch with those soft round cotton balls on top so we could take it to school and show the other kids. We rolled our eyes and

told him no one cared about that kind of stuff, but daddy was undeterred. So out of the car we reluctantly climbed and walked over to the field where all the black workers stopped and asked if we needed help with something. We thanked them and said no, but asked if it would it be okay if we took a branch of cotton home with us. They laughed and told us to go right ahead.At least that’s what we think they said. Natives of the Deep South, especially Georgia, had so thick an accent it made their English sound like a foreign language to us. When the school year started that fall, I remember how impressed my teacher, Mrs. Smail was with that cotton branch. She created a whole lesson plan on the growing and manufacturing of cotton, and I remember being surprised that my dad had been right about its importance.

Another lesson my brother and I learned took place on one of those dusty, hot rural roads, somewhere in the old south of the 1950’s. We were driving along when all of a sudden my dad slowed the car down and told us to sit up and pay attention. We could see a group of men standing along the road up ahead of us, accompanied by two men on horseback. Daddy told us that these men were prisoners, and had probably started out their lives not listening to their moms and dads. He said that this is what had started them on a life of crime. As we approached the group we saw that they were chained together at the ankles. We also noticed the men on horseback were wearing uniforms and had shotguns cradled across their laps.

They also had dogs guarding them. I will never forget those sweaty faces that slowly looked up from their labor and stared through the car window into our eyes. Their faces were filled with contempt and exhaustion. It was a frightening thing for a child to witness, and I’m sure my dad hoped the lesson would be well learned. As we drove off, Daddy said, “Maybe those men should have listened to their parents’ advice when they had the chance.” His words still echo in my mind to this very day.

Back in those days, all the interstate highways hadn’t yet been built, so our journey took us through lots of little rural towns that dotted all the states between Derry and Miami. I can still remember some of the names: Jessup, Georgia; Ocala, Florida; and mine and my dad’s favorite, Welcome, North Carolina. The sign on the outskirts of town said “Welcome to Welcome” and Daddy and I always got a big laugh out of that one.

The heat, the long journey, and just having a brother and sister in the back of a car for longer than 10 minutes were all sure-fire combinations to trigger the bickering, and it usually started by the time we got to Derry’s Kingston cut-off.

I think my brother and I may have invented some of the cliché’s that are continued on page 25

July/August 2009 - 23

Keystone State Park Recreational Programs Fridays thru Sept. 1, 5-6 pm Lakeside hike with a story We will start off this leisurely hike along the Lakeside Trail at the amphitheater. The trail is approximately 2.2 miles and is made of either pavement or tightly packed crushed stone. At the end of the hike, a short story will be read to any children (or adults!) who are interested. This program usually takes about 1 ½ hours.

Saturdays thru Sept. 1, 12-1 pm Trail ride and/or introduction to biking.

Bring your own bike!!! We will meet at the beach house and go for a nice ride around Keystone Lake. This is a 2.2 mile loop around the lake.

Saturdays thru Aug 15, 8-9:30 pm Movie night (start time depends on sunset) Get out the popcorn and the blankets! Keystone State Park is bringing back movie night. We will be playing a variety of movies (pg-13 or less) at the beach house. They will be shown on a projector screen outside on the lawn so bring your blankets, chairs and make sure you dress for the weather. But most importantly bring the whole family for this great time! Movies will not be shown in inclement weather.

Sundays thru Sept. 1, 9-10:30 am Introduction to canoeing This fun and exciting class will take place at the boat house. It will be an introduction on basic paddling techniques, paddling safety and then we

will load up the canoes and head out into the lake for some excitement. This program usually lasts 1 1/2 hours. Pre registration is encouraged. There will be no guarantees on canoe availability without pre-registration. Feel free to bring your own and join in the fun.

Mondays thru Sept. 1, 11am - 12:30 pm Mommy and me lakeside walk with lunch and a story This program is set up for the mom who wants to get out and enjoy nature, get a little exercise and bring the kids along too. We will start out this walk at the beach house in the day use area, and then proceed around our lakeside trail.

The trail is approximately 2.2 miles long and will accommodate jogging or large wheeled strollers nicely. After-wards there will be an opportunity to get yourself some lunch at the beach concession before we sit down and read a story to the kids. This program usually will last 2 hours.

Equipment Loan Program Something new and exciting this year is the loaner program at the beach house in the day use area. We will be loaning out games at no charge to the public. Games included are soccer balls, volleyballs, footballs, beach balls, Frisbees, washer toss, ladderball, bocce ball, and jarts. There will hopefully be more to come throughout the summer.

We also have daypacks which include binoculars, a whistle, a compass, a continued on page 31

Ruth loves to share memories with you.

Email her at: Ruth-Elaine@comcast.net or look for her on Facebook!

24 -July/August 2009

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

VINTAGE, continued from page 23 still popular today. We used them all, from “HE’S ON MY SIDE OF THE CAR!” to “SHE’S LOOKING AT ME!” and the ever popular, “HE TRIED TO TOUCH ME!” and “ARE WE THERE YET?!” My poor dad would listen to us quarreling for hundreds of miles. Every once in a while, mom would reach back and try to get a slap in, but we were usually too quick for her. It wasn’t until daddy would adjust the rear view mirror down so he could look directly into our eyes that we knew we better sit down and shut up. He would tap the brakes, and ask us calmly (a little too calmly if you ask me) “Do you want me to pull this car over?” We knew exactly what would happen if he actually DID pull the car over because we had already experienced that humiliation.

One minute my brother and I had been happily fighting in the back seat, and the next minute we found ourselves coming to a halt along the highway somewhere in Virginia. Daddy had hit the breaks and was pulling off the road. As the car screeched to a halt in a cloud of dust we both watched in wideeyed horror as my dad made his way around the back of the car, jerked the door open, pulled us out of the car one at a time, and cracked both of our rear-ends before gingerly tossing us back into the car. One road-side thumping was enough to make us realize that when Daddy spoke, Daddy meant business.

Since it took 3 days to get to Miami from Derry and three days to get home, that meant 4 nights in motels. I remember stopping to check prices from one little motel to the next. We always begged daddy to choose one with a swimming pool out front and if the price was competitive, he usually would comply. I remember all the beautiful neon signs advertising these motels, and their tropical, exotic sounding names. And I remember the swaying palm trees planted out front with colored spot lights highlighting their overflowing, tropical landscaping.

After waking at the motel each morning, we would start our day at one of the adjacent diners. For breakfast, we were allowed to order whatever we wanted. But come supper, mom kept a close eye on our selections. She was quick to make any changes she deemed appropriate if our choice of entrée exceeded her budgeted dinner total. For lunch, Mom always packed a loaf of bread, a jar of mustard and some chips or cookies from home.At lunchtime, we would stop along the way at one of the little local stores to buy half a pound of bologna. The highways in those days had picnic grounds all along the way, and there were always families using these facilities at lunchtime. Our trusty old thermos jug was always with us too, and each morning mom would make a fresh batch of Koolaid to have in the car.

Sometimes there were gas wars along our route, and I remember how much my dad enjoyed watching the prices fall from one little service station to

Every Story Begins At Home.

the next. The price we were used to paying would average around 30 cents per gallon. But sometimes the wars would start and they would go as low as 19 cents a gallon. Daddy loved finding those bargains. Another fond memory of our trips was the fresh produce. July was when all the southern fruit was at its peak and the service stations would give free watermelons or cantaloupes with a fill-up. I remember stopping at the little fruit stands in Georgia and getting peaches that were as big as navel oranges. The orchards were right behind the fruit stands, and we would always get a basket to take to Grandma’s.

I can remember biting into one of those peaches, still warm from the

Me at Parrot Jungle!

sun, and having the juice, sweet as candy, run down my arms.

Mom always made provisions for some little luxury adventure during our yearly expeditions. One year we stopped at Cyprus Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida and watched the water skiing shows. Another year we went to Parrot Jungle in Miami where mom took a picture of me with all those beautiful Macaws on my arms and head. I can still remember how beautiful all their gardens were. I also remember the air boat ride we took in the everglades to see the alligators, and the year we drove the whole way down to Key West, and how exciting it was to cross the famous Seven Mile Bridge. We would pack a lunch for those little adventures, and always come back to grandma’s house the same day. There was no extra money for us to stay overnight or to eat at a restaurant, but we didn’t think we were missing out on anything.They were each wonderful and thrilling escapades. We usually could talk my aunt Ruthie into taking us to the beach for a day, since my parents weren’t beach-going people. If we got to see the ocean once each trip, we were lucky.

All the kids slept on the floor at Grandma’s, since the grown-ups occupied the 3 bedrooms. It never cooled off in Miami in July, even at night, and sleeping was a fitful proposition.

I always felt lazy when we were there; a lethargy that I know was from the oppressive heat.

Grandma Veda would laugh and tell us we were northerners, and we couldn’t stand the heat because our blood was too thick.

It was a yearly tradition for all of us to pile into the car and take an evening ride over the MacArthur Causeway to Miami Beach. We would cruise along Collins Avenue to observe all the rich people parading up and down. I would watch those glamorous women, on the arms of their striking escorts as they climbed the front stairs of the Fontainebleau Hotel.

They would disappear behind the heavy glass doors, held open for them by bellhops in full uniform, and slip into that cool, dark, mysterious world. I would wonder what lay beyond those doors and imagine the exotic lives those folks must have led.

Our days were spent playing in the yard with our cousins or at the “Villa” across the street. It was a huge old Spanish mansion that had been converted into an orphanage and was run by nuns from South America.

They had a wonderful playground and lots of toys. I remember the dorm rooms where all those orphans slept, and all their little beds in a row with very little room for personal items. I often wondered what had happened to their moms and dads, but I never asked.

Our lives in trendy Miami were very much like our lives at home. Only the scenery was different, our maple trees were replaced by palm trees, and our soft sweet Pennsylvania grass was replaced by the prickly, stiff St. Augustine grass of the south. Their summers were hotter, and their bugs were bigger, and as the two weeks drew to a close, I was always ready to head home. I remember that trip home, and how, on the second night one year, we had to drive straight through because we didn’t have money for the price of a room. Some car repair or some special something had thrown my mom’s budget off. By the end of our trip, we were usually a little sun-burned, a little exhausted and pretty homesick for our own beds and our friends.

When we finally coasted down the Kingston hill towards home, my little Derry felt like an oasis.

I would climb into my own bed and feel the cooling breezes drift over Chestnut Ridge and flutter the curtains of my bedroom window. I always had fond vacation memories and lots of stories to tell the other kids in West Derry, but nothing that would ever compare to the adventures and excitement that waited out my own back door.

I have been on many vacations since then, some were grand, exotic adventures, and

Barkley’s Derry King Route 217 Derry • 724-694-8552 Named Best Hot Fudge Sundae by The Ligonier Chef!

39th Annual Antique Show on the streets of SOMERSET, PA PA Turnpike exit 110

Saturday, August 8 8 am to 4 pm FREE ADMISSION over 100 dealers! sponsored by Somerset Trust Co. and Somerset County Chamber of Commerce For info: www.somersetpa.net or 814-445-6431

2nd Annual Par 3 Golf Outing & 19th Hole Picnic (Hosted by WCCC Alumni Association) Timberlink Golf Course, Route 30 W, Ligonier, PA

S A TURD AY, A UGU S T 15 t h 200 9 TURDA AUGU UGUS 2009 Sign-in begins at 10:00 AM

Register before July 15 th to take advantage of the Early Bird Foursome Discount To register or for more information contact Susan Scherff Call: 724-925-4040 or email: scherffs@wccc.edu

some were little economical weekends close to home. But in the end, each and every one has led me to the same conclusion.

The one that was so tenderly affirmed by Glinda, the good witch of the West when she reminded Dorothy, there really is ‘No Place Like Home’.

Ruth loves to share memories with you. Email her at: Ruth-Elaine@comcast.net or look for her on Facebook!

July/August 2009 - 25

THE SODA FOUNTAIN A Scoop of Pop Culture

Following the Paper Doll Trail The study of dolls is the study of mankind.

Lord Thomas Babbington Macauley, 1800-1859 Some of the most wonderful childhood memories focus on figures of the imagination – the toys that offered hours of enjoyment and occasions for creative play. Adults are often inclined to collect the playthings they spent quality time with in their youth, so the pursuit of dolls and military miniatures are two of the most popular pastimes in the world. Given that this feature will deal with 2-dimensional dolls rather than their 3D counterparts think of it as Flat Stanley Ousts Monsters vs. Aliens. (See Repartee for Two: Rules of Engagement on page 16 for a look at the abovementioned “boy toys.”)

Figures made of paper have existed in many cultures for centuries.

Uncostumed examples were used during ancient Asian ritual ceremonies and jointed jumping-jack figures called “pantins” were all the rage in France during the mid-1700s. But, the early costumed paper dolls of Europe were a product of the fashion capitals of London, Paris, Vienna and Berlin.

Providing adult entertainment for the wealthy, these hand-painted dolls not only showcased stylish apparel, but sometimes illustrated political and social personalities. (Beautiful vintage examples of this type can be found at The Winterthur Museum in Delaware, MD and the John Greene Chandler Memorial Museum in South Lancaster, MA.) Paper was a not a resource to be wasted during pioneer times, so few American children had the luxury of paper toys until mass manufacturing began in the 1800s.

Although paper dolls were hugely popular in our country from the 1930s through the 1950s, they went out of vogue thereafter.

These aesthetically-pleasing examples of ephemera have made a trendsetting comeback and are once again widely-collected and highlyprized. This may be attributed to the vast number of aging “Boomer Girls” who want to revisit the safe haven of their childhood, or perhaps this unanticipated revival typifies a new appreciation of the simpler things of life in confusing times.

Garage sales and flea markets are scoured for fashionable finds; hobby groups and web sites are filled with chic antique chatter. There are even virtual paper doll sites – a wonderful way to lure a young lady of the new millennium to the collecting fold.

The devotees at the upcoming Vegas Visions 2009 International Paper Doll Convention in Las Vegas would undoubtedly agree that there are as many types of collections as there are collectors, and, like most compilations, can have a specific focus or encompass an eclectic mix. Vintage, reproduction re-issues, and new-created dolls allow collectors to select the type and price that most suits their interest and budget. (See

26 -July/August 2009

Paper Doll Particulars at right for collection categories and tips on care.)

Documentary film maker, Andrea Niapas of Ligonier, feels paper dolls have great potential as the subject for a future film project. She explains, “When I think about Americana I think about apple pie, baseball and paper dolls.

Yes, paper dolls! They have been cut out of books and magazines for generations. Great-grandmothers and greatgranddaughters can bond while they share and compare their thoughts on the people, historical events and trends in fashion their collections represent.”

Joan DeRose and fellow collector Hazel Booher recently hosted Vintage Paper Dolls: Memories of Childhood Play and Records of Popular Culture at Redstone Highlands in Greensburg.

(The “show and tell” presentation and tea luncheon was sponsored by the Westmoreland County Historical Society, which has been celebrating its 100 th anniversary during 2008/2009.) The historical and socio-cultural significance of paper dolls was discussed, as well as their status as iconic fashion statements.

Each speaker gave an overview of her personal collection and related anecdotes about her displayed keepsakes. Sharing her learning and insights, Joan answered several questions about her fragile loves for the Laurel Mountain Post.

people in them are all created by manufacturers. As children we cut out the paper dolls, matched skirts with blouses, and dresses with purses, hats and jackets. We staged the fashion

LMP: Who tops the best-dressed list in your “gal pal” collection?

shows and played out other fantasies with paper movie and television stars, families and children.

Keeping these memories of creative childhood play alive is a wonderful way for women of all ages to come together. I was so very happy to see a young woman of only 9 years old at the program and find that she loves to play with paper dolls. One of the much older ladies at the program brought in backgrounds of landscapes and home interiors cut out of very old magazines that she had used as stage sets for her paper doll shows.

What wonderful memories were stirred, as I had done the very same thing!

LMP: Do you feel, as some, that the original Barbie doll first seen in 1959 is responsible for the demise of the Golden Age of Paper Dolls (approx. 1930-1960)?

Joan DeRose and paper doll personal faves - Doris and Bonnie!

LMP: What are your thoughts on keeping the memories of creative childhood play alive?

JD: I think the key word in your question is creative. So many of the toys on the market today require little imaginative creativity since the worlds and the

and includes clothes from layette to toddler. While I don’t remember my first year, I have wonderful photos picturing me and my family from that time. These little dolls add color and depth to those black and white images. Doris Day represented the aspirations (somewhat misguided as time would tell!) of many girls growing up in the 50s.

JD: That is certainly what many of the articles I have read mention as part of the beginning of the end for the age of paper dolls. I would say it also has to do with the mass production of many less expensive dolls and also of the growing attachment to television and all the technologies that followed. The few paper dolls produced today are reprints of old ones, artist-drawn dolls depicting celebrities or satiric renditions that make a social or political statement. They may be more sophisticated, but I think they have lost the simple charm that made them so appealing.

LMP: Which paper dolls do you consider your “dream dolls?”

JD: Nostalgia for the 40s and 50s is the main reason I collect paper dolls. So, my Bonnie’s First Year set, which was produced the year I was born, and my Doris Day dolls are among my very favorites. The set, consisting of six baby dolls at various stages of development, follows a child through her first year

JD: It’s really difficult for me to pick among all my movie star dolls, but I must say that Lana Turner and Elizabeth Taylor seem to have been given the best fashions to wear by the unnamed paper doll artists. I think the best-dressed dolls in my collection are the toddlers of paper doll artist Queen Holden. These darling children have complete and detailed outfits that are beautifully drawn and show the care with which mothers dressed their children in the 1930s.

LMP: As the coordinator of the Museum Shop at Historic Hanna’s Town, do you plan to expand the selection of paper dolls available there?

JD: Since the program Hazel and I presented as part of the WCHS lecture series, we have expanded our selection at the Museum Shop. We have always offered paper dolls of the Colonial era, including George Washington’s family.

To complement the paper dolls of our first president, we have just added a book of paper dolls featuring the Obama Family. Our selection now includes Queen Holden paper dolls, reprints of Shirley Temple and reproductions of several movie star dolls (e.g. June Allyson, Grace Kelly) as well. ***** Indulge your passion for fashion and consider paper dolls as a collection possibility. These tender treasures are unlike some people we know – you can dress ‘em up and you can take ‘em out…over and over again!

Visit Historic Hanna’s Town Museum Shop at 809 Forbes Trail Road in Greensburg. Hours of operation are WedSat 10 am-4pm and Sun 1pm-4pm. For more information call 724-836-1800 x 15 (or 724-836-1961 during shop hours).

Perhaps you can buy a paper doll to call your own!

To learn about Westmoreland County Historical Society and Historic Hanna’s Town visit www.starofthewest.org or call 724-836-1800.

– Story & Photos by Barbara M. Neill

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Pittsburgh Quest for Freedom Live and Learn Weekend September 11-12 Live a little and learn a lot on Friday, Sept. 11 & Saturday, Sept. 12 as the Unfinished Work Book Discussion Series creates a learning group dialogue on Fleeing to Freedom: Stories of the Underground Railroad As Told by Levi Coffin and William Still. The Underground Railroad is a significant part of American History. But did you know that a large number of the “lines” for this secretive activity were not only in Western Pennsylvania but ran through the Blairsville area on its way to freedom in Canada?

Join the conversation with “Guest from the Past” Mary Peck Bond, daughter of noted nineteenth-century Pittsburgh abolitionist John Peck, and her Special Guest Abraham Lincoln, as they discuss the perils faced by those who dared to leave the bondage of

slavery for a new life in the North. This two-part program features a reception and interaction on Friday, Sept.

11, at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with Mrs. Bond and President Lincoln, followed by a lively introduction to the weekend’s history and topic by scholar Dr. Veronica Watson, Associate Professor of English and Director of the Frederick Douglass Institute for Intercultural Research at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Return on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10:00 a.m. – Noon for a delicious continental breakfast with our Guests from the Past and an animated discussion of Fleeing to Freedom: Stories of the Underground Railroad As Told by Levi Coffin and William Still. All registered participants will receive a FREE copy of this featured book.

Both events will be at the historic Blairsville Underground Railroad Museum, 214 East Lane, Blairsville, PA, - site of the original Second Baptist Church, built in 1918 Admission and refreshments are FREE. Seating is limited and pre-registration is requested. To register: go to: www.paquestforfreedom.com. Or if you do not have access to the internet, please contact Terri Blanchette at (412) 454-6411 to register. For additional information on the day of the event, contact the Historical Society of the Blairsville Area 724459-0580. For more information on a weekend getaway to Pittsburgh, including the Live and Learn programming and hotel accommodations, go to www.visit pittsburgh.com

FRAMESI OR & CUT COLOR COL

Paper Doll Particulars

WE’RE YOUR R COLO S RT E P X E

Playmate, come out and play with me And bring your dollies three.

Climb up my apple tree; Look down my rain barr’l; Slide down my cellar door And we’ll be jolly friends forever more.

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Cut-Out Collection Categories & Examples Historical – Ancient, Medieval, American Colonial, Victorian, Gilded Age, WW I, 1920s, Cultural – Imported, Nationality Dolls, Native Costumes Publishing Company –Raphael Tuck, McLoughlin, Saalfield, Whitman (Little Golden Books), Merrill, Dover

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Artist – Queen Holden, Sheila Young, Rose O’Neill, Grace Drayton, Tom Tierney, Kathy Lawrence (the daughter of and a child model for Holden) Series – Kewpie Dolls, Angel Baby Dolls, Barbie, American Girl, Bratz Celebrity – Theatrical & Musical Performers, Movie & TV Stars, Presidents & First Families, Royalty Miscellaneous – Fashion Designer, Wedding, Fairy Tale Characters, Animals

Collectible Dolly Dos & Don’ts Do keep paper dolls protected: air and humidity are harmful to the health of your already frail treasures. Archival and acid free storage and display materials are suggested.

Don’t snip. Books of paper dolls decrease in value by half if they are cut.

Don’t mend or clean, since these tidy tasks lessen the collectability value of paper dolls.

Don’t toss vintage newspapers or magazines out before checking carefully.

Rare paper dolls may be tucked away between the pages!

EXPIRES 8-31-09

TEXTURIZING PERM

Comic Book – Archie Comics (Katy Keene; Betty & Veronica), Atlas (Millie the Model), Fawcett (Dennis the Menace) Advertisement – Lyons Coffee, Pillsbury Flour, Baker’s Chocolate, Singer Sewing Machines, Clark’s Thread

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Every Story Begins At Home.

July/August 2009 - 27

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28 -July/August 2009

Donegal’s Living Treasures Animal Park Have you noticed lately how often news broadcasts end with segments about animals or babies? Producers must figure that if you leave ‘em laughing (or at least smiling) it might bump up the ratings and with any luck brighten an otherwise dismayingly dismal time slot. And what lights up a face, young or old, faster than an endearing creature or tot? (Hold that thought.)

During my youth there were quite a few animals in evidence.

Special favorites were Sly Fox and his aptly-named Animal Rummy pals. Among my book buddies were Beatrix Potter’s nattily-dressed woodland creatures and the tigers of Little Black Sambo. Animated mice thrived with Mickey & Minnie, Cinderella’s helpmates, Jerry (of cat & mouse fame) and Mighty Mouse setting the pace. (An episode featuring that last muscle-bound superhero and a bevy of hula-skirted mini-mouse babes is forever trapped in my memory.) Others like Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, and the uniquelytalented Mr. Ed and Arnold Ziffel qualified as animal-action celebrities. But, an obvious pattern does persist.

Since live animals were much harder to come by at our home, occasional excursions to the Pittsburgh Zoo were anticipated for months. Thanks to my Father’s

meticulous planning and mapreading skills (and my Mother’s never-ending patience and vigilance) my family did observe feathered, furry and scaly exotics on summer vacations throughout North America. But, not every child was so lucky in that less-worldly era. Happily, times have changed.

For the last 11 years Living Treasures Animal Park in Donegal has given its visitors an opportunity to get up close and personal with over 300 animals in an outdoor environment.* Feeding (with grain and snacks supplied by the park) and petting of some creatures is permitted and horse, pony and newly-added camel rides are offered. During a one-on-one tour this May given by Resident Curator and Park Manager Fawn Dumbauld, I could not have been more impressed with the facility.

The park’s catchphrase “Where animals are loved!” is obviously not an exaggeration. The quality of care and commitment is evident in everything from the nutrition and health care programs to the animal

sanctuaries.

Additionally, more than double the space required by the Department of Agriculture is provided for the animals. The park is much larger than I expected at 9 acres and is extremely attractive and well-kept by the staff. It isn’t any wonder the Living Treasures residents seem so content with their habitat accommoda-tions!

Always a peoplewatcher, my trip may very well have converted me to an animalgazer, since fascinating behavior can be witnessed at every turn.

The animals found at Living Treasures are as entertaining to watch frolicking with their friends as they are enjoying a solitary lounge in the mud to cool off. Fawn told a comical story of a resident chicken that sat on a duck egg last year and after it hatched proceeded to raise the resulting infant as her own – a dual case of mistaken identity that led to hilarious behavior by both “mother” and “child.”

Since spring is a prime birthing time for animals, I was able to see many of the park’s newborns and young including baby lemurs, goats, wolf puppies and a llama that had arrived the day before my visit.

(Animals are born at one of the Living Treasures parks throughout the year or acquired from other American zoos.) Too cute for words were a group of sibling baby ducks – 1 yellow, 1 spotted, 1 black and 1 that will eventually look like a mallard; not an ugly duckling in the bunch.

It’s a one-stop stay and play experience at Donegal’s Living Treasures. With a picnic area and refreshments available, it is the perfect venue for a day trip, field trip or birthday party. The wellstocked gift shop holds more fun than a barrel of monkeys; souvenirs of all sorts are available including stuffed animals, toys, artwork, clothing, jewelry and postcards.

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offers top quality products for all the needs of horse and rider. The adjacent Log Cabin Motel provides a unique haven for travelers and many area attractions are within easy driving distance.

As previously mentioned, babies and animals do score points, but baby animals are an unbeatable combination. I would like to suggest to the park management a set of marketing concepts sure to hit the jackpot. Why not create a Living Treasures Baby Animal Rummy and a companion Lotto Game – Pick of the Litter – featuring the winning baby photos of the annual photo contests held by the park? This would make for take-home treats sure to bring a smile to faces of all ages. Muffin, the miniature cow with a tongue anything but tiny, is a sure winner. Watch out Wooly Lamb and Slick Click – Adorable Aoudad and Perky Parrot may be replacing you as player picks sometime soon!

– Story & Photos by Barbara M. Neill *An affiliated Living Treasures Animal Park is to be found in Moraine, PA near New Castle.Visit www.ltanimal park.com or call 724-593-8300 (Donegal) or 724-924-9571 (Moraine) for more information.

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July/August 2009 - 29

TECH TALK Bob Appleby

The New Social Hot Spot – Your Computer Whatever happened to meeting your friends on a Friday evening for a few drinks to catch up on what happened that week? This probably still happens but more often than not, you are probably doing a lot of the catch up with friends on the fly with email or one or more of the many on-line social networking sites that are available. You have probably heard of sites like: MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, FriendFeed, LiveSpaces, Plaxo and LinkedIn. When considering if you want to join one or more of these social scenes you will want to consider the information you want to share, and the audience that you want to communicate with. Since I am in the computer industry, I find myself dabbling in many of these venues, but I am only active in a few. In fact, most of my postings have nothing to do with the social networking. Most of my posts announce a new blog entry that I want to drive my audience to. So in my case, I am not really spending a lot of time in the social sites to have ongoing conversations like many people do.

What I want to do in the rest of this article is talk a little about some of the better known social sites and what many of the people who have set up accounts are using them for. There are some really good niches that are filled by some of them as you will see.

MySpace caught the world on fire with this social networking phenomenon that allowed you to present yourself and your thoughts to the world.

It gives you a way to present the things that you are interested in to your friends and family and the world at large. If you have looked at it recently you may find that it is cluttered and not at all user friendly. It has many promotional ads as part of the site, and you may find this too busy for your taste. MySpace has become a haven for our younger generations (like my granddaughter). I think my age is showing. It provides the site owner with email, blogging, picture galleries, video galleries and much more.

It is a very rich environment that you can make into a very personal statement.

There are many special interest groups

30 -July/August 2009

you can join and meet up with people that have your same interests.

Facebook has made this type of self portrait and life presentation into a much simpler and more enjoyable experience.

I guess as I get older I need the simplicity that a clean, simple interface provides. I go back to the question: “What do you want to say, show and share?” It’s so simple to put it out there and move on.

There are also some nice controls that let you publish to more than one site at the same time. In fact, I have begun using a site called FriendFeed that posts to its site as well as Facebook and Twitter at the same time. When you are trying to get your message out it makes it nice to keep the publishing aspect as simple and fast as

possible. This way, no matter where people are following you the message you are trying to get out gets to them.

Blogging is a more controlled method of getting your message out. The word Blog comes from the term Web Log which is a web interface for your personal or business journaling. Depending on where you host your Blog you can have many different additional pieces of information that you provide the visitors to your site. Where MySpace and FaceBook are more about social interaction, Blogs traditionally are more one sided, though most have the ability to allow visitors to comment your postings. Most Hosting Blog sites provide on line tools to add, edit and manage your Blog Page. I like to use a Microsoft product called Live Writer that allows you to write your articles offline and publish them to the blogs sites that you have defined in application. One of the nice things this program provides is the ability to see the website preview so you can tweak your article before publishing it to the website.

There are many free or low cost blog host sites. Google, Yahoo and Microsoft’s Live Spaces are a few of the free sites you can take advantage of. The problem with most of the free sites it that they will show advertising, usually above your header to pay for the hosting. If you don’t want the advertising or want to control what is advertised on your site so you get the money, you will need to pay for the services. Microsoft’s Live Spaces can

be updated for this but if you really want a lot of control consider one of the primary website hosting services like GoDaddy who can do it all for you.

Twitter has been getting a lot of press over the past year because of the number of celebrities that have discovered it. Twitter is a simple way to push out a message (no more than 140 characters allowed!) that can be accessed by all of the people that are following you. It has been called a mini-blog and you will find that there are some people who are worth following and others that are not. Many of the people I follow are technical pundits and they are using this as a quick way to drop a note about something that has peaked their interest and want to share. Others are just clogging up the messaging with nonsense though. Sounds like some of the parties I have attended. There are some real benefits in this kind of application but like so many things people tend to abuse a service rather than share real information as it was originally designed to do. You will find some people posting a TWEET about every little thing that they do. This is not something most of would care about. But some groups have figured out some really interesting ways to make use of it. There has been some news where emergency workers use the service to keep everyone in their team up to date on their location and what they are doing or what they need. This is especially helpful for emergency workers like forest firefighters.

Social Sites can be used for business connections as well. FaceBook can be used as a way to present your business.

You can use it to present new products, ideas and it can be used as a forum for communication from your customers as well. There are other social sites that are more geared to keep in touch, share leads, product ideas and more. Sites like LinkedIn and Plaxo allow you to create a professional relationship on line with the people that you do business with and those that you hope to do business with in the future. You can enter all of your pertinent business data in and setup your contact lists to make it easy to communicate using email or just journaling as you would on a regular website. These sites allow you to create a resume of your career both past and present. This can help solidify your expertise in the products that you offer your clients. LinkedIn has a less personal nature to its presentation of your data where Plaxo provides some personal touches that include postings from Facebook or other sites that allow for RSS feed links. This can give you a more human side as well as get your message out as well.

Well that’s it for this issue. Be sure to visit www.bobstechtalk.com on line to see more information like what you

have found in this article and more. You will also find a supple-mental post to this article that will give you pointers to the sites that I have mentioned. Have a wonderful 4th of July Holiday and I hope to see you again at the end of summer.

Bob has been working in the computer field since 1975 and started Computer Connections with his partner Jude Daigle in 1981 at the beginning of the personal computer revolution. Bob grew up in Ligonier and graduated from Ligonier H.S. in 1972. Bob graduated from George Washington Medical University in 1978 and he is currently living in the Greensburg area. You can see more tech tips and product reviews in Bob’s Blog pages at http://www.bobstechtalk.com and you can contact him at bobstechtalk@comcast.net.

KEYSTONE, continued from page 24 magnifying glass, a bird I.D. book, and an animal tracks guide. All of these items can be signed out at the beach house by anyone over 16 with a valid driver’s license or state ID card. All items must be returned no later than 6:00 pm the day they are signed out..

For general information call the Park office at 1724-668-2939, or try the toll-free State Parks number 1-888-PA-PARKS. Visit us on the web at www.visitPAparks.com/parks/keystone.aspx or visit DCNR at www.dcnr.state.pa.us. If you need an accommodation to participate in park activities due to a disability, please contact the park office or the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks at: 1888-PA-PARKS (Voice), 1-888-537-7294 (TTY), 1888-558-2711 (international TTY), or 1-800-6545984 (PA AT&T Relay Service). The Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks will gladly discuss how to accommodate your needs.

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July/August 2009 - 31

Discover All You Can Do At Chestnut Ridge.

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