Laurel Mountain Post :: November-December 2007 by The Laurel Mountain Post

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

Seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Greetings

from the Kintigh Family A Letter Home from Former Westmoreland County Resident and Oregon State Christmas Tree Farmer, Bob Kintigh

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Coping With Seasonal Depression Ruth Richardson Remembers Christmas Toys . . . For Girls OR Boys We Need A Little Christmas from the Valley Players Stress-Free Dining For the Holidays

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007 Every Story Begins At Home.

FREE

November/December 2007 - 1

Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce

Christmas in the Ligonier Valley

Get away from the hectic pace of the holidays and visit our many quaint specialty shops for that perfect one-of-a-kind gift. Make visiting Ligonier a holiday tradition.

Light Up Night

A Ligonier Christmas December 1 at 8:00 PM, December 1 & 2 at 2:30 PM

Friday, November 23 – Santa arrives at 6:00 PM!

Town-Wide Open House

$10.00 Adults, $5.00 Children 6 thru 12, Children Under 6 Free

Sunday, December 2 – 12:00 to 5:00 PM

Our production of A Ligonier Christmas has become a holiday tradition for many area residents. In this all new version of our annual celebration of the holiday season, we will again feature sacred and secular music that reflects both the joyous and the serious side of the season as a holiday event for the entire family, along with songs from our special soloists and, of course, our Santas. A Ligonier Christmas is truly a family celebration.

Gingerbread House Contest

November 30- December 9; Silent Auction all week at Ramada Inn

Festival of Lights

Saturday, December 1 – Sunday, December 9, Town Hall Community Room

Merchant Raffle Window

Over 50 donated prizes . . . tickets available at participating shops

FREE 2-Hour Saturday Parking

Ligonier Theater • 208 West Main Street • 724-238-6514, ext. 2 vpltheater@wpa.net • www.valleyplayers.org • www.ligoniertheater.com

Thanksgiving through Christmas at all meters throughout the town

Saturday Carriage and Sleigh Rides

Sponsored by the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce 120 East Main Street • Ligonier, PA 15658 • 724-238-4200 • www.ligonier.com 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123456789012123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345678901234567890123 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And To All, A Good Night!

Courtyard by Marriott Greensburg 700 Powerline Drive • Greensburg, PA 15601

Whether planning an intimate affair with close family and friends or an office celebration, your guests will experience an unforgettable evening with unparalleled Marriott service and style.

W NOV/DEC 2007

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another. – Anatole France

elcome . . . MOUNTAIN VIEWS

(Volume IV, Issue 6)

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 Latrobe, PA 15650 724-331-3936 editor@LaurelMountainPost.com Office Hours by Appointment at 137 East Main Street in Ligonier, Pennsylvania

Cathi Gerhard Williams Editor & Publisher Briana Dwire Tomack Marketing Director & Business Manager Proud members of the Latrobe, Ligonier, and Strongland Chambers of Commerce, Women’s Business Network, The Pittsburgh Advertising Federation, and The Pennsylvania Newspaper Assocation Special thanks to our advertisers for supporting this community publication!

www.LaurelMountainPost.com

Our distribution of 15,000 reaches beyond Westmoreland County into the neighboring counties of Allegheny, Washington, Armstrong, Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, Somerset and Fayette. In 2006 our web traffic increased by 53% and continues to grow. Every day, more and more readers and advertisers across western Pennsylvania are discovering the Laurel Mountain Post.

Every Story Begins At Home.

Cathi Gerhard Williams

Change Always Comes Bearing Gifts In September I saw a wonderful concert at a small amphitheater in the middle of the North Carolina woods. Elvis Costello appeared with the NC Symphony and presented a beautiful collection of his songs, both old and new. The best part was that each song was performed unlike any version I had previously heard. The angry young punk-influenced Irishman had been replaced by an experienced, elegant showman and musician, yet nothing was lost in the translation. He spoke to the audience often about creative new arrangements for old material, and, of course, the metaphors starting spinning in my mind. Maybe it is because my 20th high school class reunion is coming up over Thanksgiving, and so many of us have been preoccupied with who we were rather than with who we are today. There is nothing worse than watching someone struggle to fit a mold they have outgrown . . . as evidenced by aging rock stars in leather pants or my own self trying to wear my teenage daughter’s clothes. It’s like looking into a funhouse mirror. But the reflection extends beyond simple fashion. One of the hardest things we ever do is let go of the past. I believe it has little to do with the simple romanticized views of our own history and everything to do with a fear of change. Every success is the result of our efforts, and no one wants to start all over again once we’ve achieved it. Unfortunately, this leads to a stale life of repetitive motions with no real meaning. Life and time itself are metaphors for growth and change. We

start out one way and slowly change into something else. The calendar resets itself soon, as people around the world prepare to celebrate the end of one year and the start of the next. The seasons change, and

1974

editor@LaurelMountainPost.com

Cathi Gerhard Williams Briana Dwire Tomack advertising@LaurelMountainPost.com

1978 with each “death” comes the promise and return of “new life.” It seems like people are the only things on earth who try to fight that circle of life, rather than embrace its possibilities. Change always comes bearing gifts; yet we often focus on the losses, creating our own obstacles to personal evolution. We deny and lie because we are afraid to face

the realities of truth, struggling to protect something that has already passed. It is energy wasted and dishonored; strength that should be redirected to build a more resilient and flexible future. Adaptation is the premise for evolution. Instead of trying so hard to stay where you are, consider risk to make things better. Sometimes that means letting go, and at others holding on. But like the repetitive and meaningful line from “Changes” sung by David Bowie, we need to “turn and face the strain.” Change is constant and requires habitual effort. We usually only have a finite number of pieces in our personal puzzles, yet endless combinations. It is up to us to consider them all, and make the most of what we have to work with at any point in time. With the holidays coming up quickly, we thought we would share a couple of our favorite flashbacks with you (pictures at left). Christmas always seems to make us think of those times when we were kids (no matter how much we fought with those brothers and sisters) . . . magic we will always wish we could re-create now, and sometimes still feel in our hearts during a nostalgic moment or two. From everyone here at the Laurel Mountain Post, best wishes for the happiest of holidays – and the grace with which to greet every new day that follows.

November/December 2007 - 3

Former Resident Shares His Story A Letter Home from Bob Kintigh Greetings! My name is Bob Kintigh. I am a former Westmoreland County native who relocated over 60 years ago. I was contacted recently by the Laurel Mountain Post. They suggested that their readers would enjoy reading about my life and experiences. Humbly, I consented to write this letter to you for the holiday edition. After graduating from East Huntington High School (now Southmoreland) in 1939, I attended Penn State where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Forestry degree. Here I also met my future wife, Margaret Kilgore of Altoona, Pennsylvania who has been my loving wife and companion now for 64 years. Immediately upon graduation the US Navy called me to active duty. After receiving training, I was sent to the Pacific Fleet for service as a Deck Officer on a destroyer. Our ship was in seven major naval engagements and although we saw many ships sunk or heavily damaged we survived unscathed. I have pondered many times about why it was that I got to come home but many others of my generation did not. I have no answer. However I do know that had my ship gone down, I would’ve been lost for eternity because it wasn’t until after the war while in San Francisco that I accepted Jesus as my Savior. To further my forestry education, I did a year of graduate work at the University of California before going on to Oregon where I have lived now for 60 years. I worked at several forestry jobs before we purchased our first farm and forest land in the McKenzie Valley east of Springfield and have been living here ever since. It is here that we raised five wonderful children.

Our primary goal and ambition when we purchased our property was to make our living raising timber. But timber takes many years to grow so we became engaged in raising Christmas trees, tree seedlings and cattle to

Bob & Margaret Kintigh of Springfield, Oregon. support our family while the timber grew. After some years we converted our pasture land to Christmas trees. Later more forest land was purchased, giving us a total of 250 acres of forest

land not counting Christmas trees and today we continue to grow timber, seedlings and Christmas trees. In our Christmas tree operation we have always strived for quality rather than quantity. This has resulted in satisfied customers, some of which have been purchasing from us now for over 50 years. Further proof of our ability to grow top-quality trees is evidenced by the fact that in 1992 one of our trees was chosen as National Grand Champion. This gave us the privilege of supplying a tree for the Blue Room of the White House. Fifteen members of the Kintigh family made the trip to Washington, DC to present the tree to Mrs. Barbara Bush. After presenting the tree, our family was granted a 15-minute private audience with Mrs. Bush. It was truly a delightful time. One of our prize family possessions is a personal handwritten note from Mrs. Bush thanking us for the tree and for “living family values.” We also were given a personal guided tour of the White House, the Capitol grounds and had our pictures taken with President and Mrs. Bush. From my early days in Oregon I have been in leadership roles in my church, community and professional organizations. This subsequently led to me running for the Oregon State Senate. I served three 4-year terms representing a large rural district. I am the only professional forester to ever serve in the Oregon Senate. During my last four years I served as the chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, vice chair of the Water Committee and on several other committees. I had the unique honor of being unanimously chosen as President Pro Tem during the last two years. No one could remember when there had previously been a unanimous choice. It has been our pleasure to host over 45 tours of our tree farm to show people good sound forest management. Our diverse audience includes schoolchildren and foreign visitors as well as political office holders. I have received “Lifetime Service Awards” or their equivalent from the Society of American Foresters, Oregon Smallwood Association and the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association. In 2005 Margaret and I were named the Oregon Tree Farmers of the Year. In 2006 we were named the Western Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. And then, last October we were named the 2006 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. We are the only people to have been the grower of a National Grand Champion Christmas tree and also the National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. In the sports world this would be the equivalent of an athlete winning the Heisman Trophy and the Cy Young Award. It has been a long, interesting and eventful life. Were you to ask me what is the most important thing I ever did, I would without hesitation say that accepting Jesus as my Savior many years ago is more important than anything else. Without Him nothing else matters.

1/8 page Vertical

Fifteen members of the Kintigh family with President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush at the South Portico of the White House in 1992. 4 - November/December 2007

–

October 2, 2007

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Kintigh coordinates educational forestry tours on his ranch for professionals, school and civic groups and foreigners and write about natural resource issues. “We work really hard to ensure that we are maximizing sustainable wood production without hurting the environment, wildlife habitat or water resources,” says Kintigh.

Celtic Culture Senator Bob Kintigh presiding over a session of the Oregon State Senate.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . for Nicholas Mosse pottery!

Receive a complimentary angled bowl in the red bird pattern with every $100.00 purchase of Nicholas Mosse pottery, through Dec. 31, 2007.

Goods from Irel an d an d th h Is Irelan and and thee Britis British Islles

Something else that grows on the Kintigh Tree Farm! Every Story Begins At Home.

137 EEas as ain St in Ligonier 724-238-2420 astt M Main November/December 2007 - 5

Crystal Gayle Christmas Show

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Adopt A Bone, Build The Future

Carnegie Museum Kicks Off Ultimate Holiday Gift Program

Saturday, November 24 8 PM Tickets $40 - $55 Meet Crystal at a post-show EHQHÂżW UHFHSWLRQ DGGLWLRQDO

A Christmas Carol Bring the family to Dickensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; timeless FODVVLF DQG KROLGD\ IDYRULWH IURP $PHULFDQ )DPLO\ 7KHDWHU (EHQH]HU Scrooge encounters the ghosts of &KULVWPDV 3DVW 3UHVHQW DQG )XWXUH WR GLVFRYHU WKH WUXH VSLULW RI WKH VHDVRQ $IWHU WKH VKRZ PHHW D special guest from the North Pole!

The Palace Theatre Greensburg ZZZ WKHSDODFHWKHDWUH RUJ

724-836-8000

Friday, November 23 10 AM Tickets $7, $8

This innovative and unique campaign allows members of the public to â&#x20AC;&#x153;adoptâ&#x20AC;? their very own bones from dinosaurs like the armorâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;plated Stegosaurus, the gentle giant Diplodocus (often known as Dippy), and the ultimate predator Tyrannosaurus rex. All adoptions will be accompanied by an official signed Certificate of Adoption and will last for the life of the exhibit. Adoptersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names will also be listed permanently on a donor plaque and a kiosk in the new hall. Adoptions start at $25 for a tooth and go all the way up to $10,000 for a dinosaur skull. All adoptions are 100 percent taxdeductible and make for unique and unforgettable gifts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially for dinosaur lovers. Bones adopted by November 30 will have certificates delivered to the individual purchasing the adoption in time for the holidays. How to Adopt: â&#x20AC;˘ Log on to www.adoptabone.org â&#x20AC;˘ Browse dinosaurs by specimen â&#x20AC;˘ Mouse over each dinosaur illustration to check bone prices & availability â&#x20AC;˘ After setting up your account, start selecting bones â&#x20AC;˘ Indicate to whom you want each Certificate of Adoption made out â&#x20AC;˘ Come and see your dinosaur bones when Dinosaurs in Their Time opens! Allow for two to four weeks for delivery of personalized certificate(s) by U.S. Mail. Adopt by November 30 for delivery of certificate by Christmas. Certificates and letters of acknowledgment will be mailed directly to the bone adoptor. The adoptor may then deliver the certificate and acknowledgment letter to the designated recipient. All dinosaurs currently for adoption will be in the Dinosaurs in Their Time permanent exhibit. More dinosaur skeletons will be made available as the project continues. Dinosaurs in Their Time specimens available for adoption by the public include:

6 - November/December 2007

â&#x20AC;˘ Allosaurus, a fierce and menacing Jurassic predator. â&#x20AC;˘ Camptosaurus, a small herbivore from the Jurassic Period. â&#x20AC;˘ Diplodocus carnegii, the first dinosaur ever discovered by Carnegie museum paleontologists and named after Andrew Carnegie. This lumbering giant is one of the biggest dinosaurs in the collection at 90 feet long and 12 feet tall. â&#x20AC;˘ Dryosaurus: a delicate herbivore with a birdâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;like beak and fastâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;moving legs for avoiding predators. â&#x20AC;˘ Stegosaurus: the Sherman tank of the Jurassic, best known for the plates located along its back and spikes on its tail. â&#x20AC;˘ Tylosaurus: a large predatory marine reptile that lived in the seaway that stretched through the heartland of America. â&#x20AC;˘ Tyrannosaurus rex: the king of all dinosaurs and one of the largest carnivorous animals ever to have walked the Earth. Both the original holotype and cast specimen of T. rex will be available for adoption. The Adopt-A-Bone Community Campaign supports the completion of Dinosaurs in Their Time, the $36 million expansion and renovation of the historic Dinosaur Hall. The goal of the Adoptâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Bone campaign is to raise $200,000. Currently $33 million has been raised for this dramatic new exhibit area in which the Mesozoic Era, also known as the Age of Dinosaurs, will be recreated and the Carnegie dinosaurs remounted in life-like poses. Early Adoptions The quiet phase of Adoptâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Bone campaign began earlier in the year. Corporate sponsors of Adoptâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Aâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Bone were also allowed to offer adoptions to their employees as part of their sponsorship. Adoptions were also made available in September and October to Carnegie Museums employees and members. As of October 16, 796 bones have been adopted, worth $70,584. Currently 1,269 bones and unlimited dinosaur teeth are still available for adoption. LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

TAKE IT ON FAITH Rev. Wayne Sautter, Christ United Church of Christ - Latrobe

a humble thought Scattered square bits of image assembling like a satellite image after a rainstorm – scouring the neighborhood for discarded Christmas trees, dragging them to a vacant lot for for annual Christmas tree fort, crawling into the snug interior, smelling the conentrated odors of Scotch pine, balsam fir, Norway spruce and the odd cedar. It is many years later, and rather than a fort, it is the thick spruce woods of Swan’s island, Maine. Suddenly, there is a gash of stark devastation. Silver skeletons lie at odd angles against each other and the earth. A blow down on the windward side of the island. The eye stunned by the naked display of root balls drying and bleaching in the sun, the nose intrudes with redemption, begging the eye to see more. the scared incense of young spruce perfumes the air, even overcoming the ever-present odor of the sea at low tide. What has the eye missed?

Erupting from the earth are thousands of baby spruce trees, filling the air with their sweet baby breath! Having waited patiently in the earth for years, now is their time! Warmed by sunlight long hoarded by the canopies of the larger trees, they grow in wild abandon. Nestled against each other for protection and support, they form a green wall rising course by course from the forest floor. Patience lies as buried in the soul as in the forest floor. How long must we wait for our turn? Must something die before something else can live? Cand we stand shoulder to shoulder in glorious profusion, each adding strength to the whole, or must we struggle to rise above the rest, hoarding the sunshine before our time? How much life is missed by seeing only death? So many questions. Then comes the sweet breath of baby spruce – the breath of God. Just a humble thought . . .

Make the Impossible Possible: One Man’s Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary According to MacArthur Fellowship “genius” award winner Bill Strickland, a successful life is not something you simply pursue, it is something that you create, moment by moment. It is a realization he first came to when, as a poor kid growing up in a rough neighborhood of Pittsburgh, he encountered a high school ceramics teacher who took him under his wing and went on to transform his life. Over the past thirty years, Bill Strickland has been transforming the lives of thousands of people through the creation of the Manchester Bidwell training center and community arts program. Working with corporations, community leaders, and schools, he and his staff work to give disadvantaged kids and adults the opportunities and tools they need to envision and built a better, brighter future. Strickland believes that every one of us has the potential for remarkable achievement. Every one of us can accomplish the impossible in our lives if given the right inspiration and motivation to do so. We all make ourselves “poor” in one way or another when we accept that we are not smart enough, experienced enough, or talented enough to accomplish something. Bill Strickland works with the least Every Story Begins At Home.

advantaged among us, and if he can help them achieve the impossible in their lives, think what each of us can do. Among Bill Strickland’s beliefs: • People are born into this world as assets, not liabilities. It’s all in the way we treat people, (and ourselves), that determines a person’s outcome • The sand in the hourglass flows only one way. Stop going through the motions of living—savor each and every day. Life is here and now, not something waiting for you in the future. • You don’t have to travel far to change the life you’re living. Bill grew up in the Pittsburgh ghetto, four blocks from where he came to build one of the foremost job training centers in the world. He now speaks before CEOs and senators, church congregations and civic leaders. You only need to change your thinking to remake your world. Through lessons from his own life experiences, and those of countless others who have overcome their circumstances and turned their lives around, Make the Impossible Possible shows how all of us can build on our passions and strengths, dream bigger and set the bar higher, achieve meaningful success and help mentor and inspire the lives of others.

Jerry D. Felton, P.T. integrating traditional and alternative physical therapy services

2000 Tower Way, Suite 2039 Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone:(724)834-7400 Fax:(724)834-7402 www.JerryDFeltonPT.com JRFelton@aol.com

Computers & Related Devices SALES ~ SERVICE ~ INSTALLATION ~TRAINING

Authorized Apple® Reseller We also build & repair PC’s 200 W MAIN ST LIGONIER, PA 15658 comtechservice.com

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The use of a Christmas wreath as a decoration on your front door, mantel or bay window symbolizes a sign of welcome and long life to all who enter.

November/December 2007 - 7

Hanna Insurance Agency 208 Weldon Street Latrobe, PA 15650

Ligonier Gingerbread House Contest Entry Form Name: ___________________________________________________ Name of Business: _______________________________________ Address: _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________________ Title: ____________________________________________________ Category: (circle one)

John Hanna, Owner PHONE: (724) 537-5140 FAX: (724) 537-0687 Providing All Of Your Insurance Needs Since 1959

Adult

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Entry fees: $15 for adults and children; $20 for professionals. All houses must be submitted at the Ramada Inn between 9:00-10:00 am on November 29. Sponsored by The Ligonier Chamber of Commerce. 724.238.4200

‘Tis The Season by Jennifer Smoker

Tired of fitness club contracts? Unhappy with your workout? Try Jazzercise FREE for 1 week! We fit everyone’s needs and schedules. Classes 7 days a week. All fitness levels welcome. Bring this coupon and receive $25 off any pass or EFT sign up. Offer valid for new members or those who have not attended for 6 months. (offer expires 12/31/07)

Loyalhanna Community Center (Knights of Columbus)

724.244.2869 • latderjazzer@msn.com Owner/Instructor Cathy Guerrieri

Jerich Insurance Agency, Inc.

A Family Owned & Operated Business 136 Market Street in Leechburg • 724-842-1841 www.jerichinsurance.com AUTO • BUSINESS • HOME AMBULANCE SERVICES • CONSTABLE LIABILITY MUNICIPALITIES • FIRE COMPANIES

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“Happy” Thanksgiving, “Happy” Chanukah, “Merry” Christmas and a “Happy” New Year! “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” but is it really? A former co-worker once confided that she wished she could “pull a Rip Van Winkle and miss the whole darn thing because this time of year is just too depressing!” She’s not alone in this sentiment, as more than a million people of all ages struggle with some degree of holiday depression. For many, just the mention of Christmas sends their blood pressure soaring as they consider all of the things that they just have to get done. For some, it’s a painful time of year as they miss their loved ones, separated by death, distance and/or disagreement. For others, it’s a time of disillusionment as they fail to achieve the perfect “Walton Family Christmas.” Whatever the reasoning or the circumstance, the holidays are tough! The good news is that with a little planning and perspective you can not only survive the holidays but actually enjoy them too! First, get organized. Set achievable goals within a manageable time frame. Make a prioritized list of holiday activities focusing on what’s most important to you. For me it would be shopping. I love to shop (the thrill of the bargain), but you won’t find me anywhere near a store during the week before Christmas. The crowds are just too crazy! I have a friend who hates shopping (she would rather have a root canal than waste her time in a store.) so she puts it off and buys everything at the last possible moment. Her gifts are always beautifully wrapped because for her it’s not Christmas without the ribbons and bows. Wrapping is not my cup of tea so I just throw things in a gift bag with some tissue paper. We have different approaches and different priorities, but both are effective. It’s your list. Only you know what works for you. Second, keep it real! It’s amazing how much pressure we put on ourselves to create the ideal holiday according to media standards. Remember that television comes with a ready-made script, life doesn’t. So the gravy is lumpy, Uncle Joe talks way too much

and the dog stinks. Realize, one day these will be the things that make you laugh and smile. Mentally prepare yourself to expect the unexpected (stuff happens) and trust yourself to handle whatever comes your way. No one else is perfect, why should you be? Third, acknowledge your feelings. Maybe you are tired and kind of sad. Every year, I miss my Grandma. She always went that extra mile to make Christmas special for us. The holidays just aren’t the same without her. The first couple of years after she passed, I put on a brave face and endured the holiday dinners. It wasn’t until my cousin started reminiscing about holidays past did I understand that I wasn’t alone in my grief. It’s okay to reach out to family and friends. They taught me that the greatest tribute we can pay to our departed loved ones is to honor them by passing on what we’ve learned and creating new memories for the next generation. Next, give yourself a break – literally. Know that the best gift you can give your family and friends is a happy, healthy you! Make a conscious effort to pace yourself. Sneak in a 15-minute nap whether you need it or not. Go for a walk or turn up the music and dance around the kitchen. Do whatever it takes to de-stress both mentally and physically from all of hustle and bustle. In this way you will be ready to celebrate to the fullest. Finally, not everything has to come from the store. An elderly friend of mine claims the best present she ever received came from her 10-year-old neighbor girl who showed up with a basket of jigsaw puzzles and popcorn. This surprise gesture “Just made the Holiday!” She was even more touched when the little girl came back to help with the puzzles. My friend treasured their time spent together much more than the actual gift. People just need to know that they are valued. A phone call, an e-card, a plate of homemade cookies doesn’t really cost all that much but to the recipient they are priceless! Count your blessings; be kind and generous with yourself and those you love. We all get blue from time to time. Remember to embrace the spirit of holidays and experience them in the truest sense! LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

18th Annual Festival of Lights at the Warden Mansion Corner of Church & Walnut Streets, Mt. Pleasant, PA

Tour this National Register of Historic Places home decorated for the holidays and filled with Christmas trees available for purchase.

Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 24-25, 1:30 - 9:00 pm Thursday, Nov. 29, 7:00 - 9:00 pm Friday & Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 1:30 - 9:00 pm Sunday, Dec. 2, 12:00 - 4:00 pm

Present this ad to receive 50Â˘ off one $3.00 admission.

Sponsored by Braddock Trail Chapter DAR & Laurel Highlands Chamber of Commerce.

In 1947, Toys for Tots started making the holidays a little happier for children by organizing its first Christmas toy drive for needy youngsters.

Latrobe Presbyterian Church Invites you to join us for an evening of readings and music

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols December 16, 7:30 PM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Unity Chapel Featuring Harpist: Christine Mazza West Virginia University Visit us at: latrobepc.org or call 724-537-3631 for more information Every Story Begins At Home.

November/December 2007 - 9

Academy of

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“What The World Needs Now” Laurel Area Faith In Action …is love, sweet love. Sharing love – that it what “community” is about. And, it is seen every day in many ways working through the Laurel Area Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers Faith in Action program. Their mission is “to enhance the quality of life for persons 60 years and older who reside in the Greater Latrobe and Ligonier areas by providing companionship and assistance.” We often hear or read terms like “building community” and “sense of community”…Laurel Area Faith in Action puts a face on “community”. They have been working since January 2002 to build a community of organizations, congregations, businesses, agencies and individuals reaching out to help the growing elderly population. Community is Laurel Faith in Action receiving referrals from the Area Agency on Aging and Excela Health for clients who need a ride to the doctor or grocery shopping. It is the youth from Adelphoi Village group homes shoveling snow and cutting grass for their elderly neighbors. It is over 100 youth from clubs, schools, and churches raking leaves every fall. Community is a pre-med student intern from Saint Vincent College organizing cooking classes – elderly cooks teaching young boys and girls how to make noodles, soup, cookies, meatballs, ham loaf… It is a retired engineer visiting a man who suffers from Parkinson’s disease so that his wife can run to the store or doctor. Sometimes they go to the mall or a park for a walk and always enjoy stimulating discussions.

711 North te u o R 3705 8 , PA 1565 Ligonier 2296 724-238-

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10 - November/December 2007

Community is the many individuals who visit Mary. She has outlived her family and friends and is determined to stay in the home where she was born 92 years ago. Mary is partially paralyzed and spends her days in a wheelchair surrounded by a community of love. Aides through the Area Agency on Aging visit to help her bathe and keep her house clean (always neat as a pin!). Volunteers deliver her Meals on Wheels five days a week. Her neighbor checks with her when she is running to the store to get her small list that always includes ice cream. And, Faith in Action volunteers, aged six to sixty, stop by for a visit. She especially looks forward to her Sunday visits when Meg brings Kentucky Fried Chicken. Community is neighbors helping neighbors showing and sharing love. It is about enriching lives and being enriched in return. The Laurel Area Faith in Action program is over two hundred volunteers, aged three to eighty three, helping more than two hundred elderly neighbors every month. It is allowing them to remain in their homes with dignity and quality of life. And, it is forever changing the volunteer’s lives and the community in which we live.

Students (and puppy) from Saint Vincent College raking leaves. Laurel Faith in Action is in many ways an incubator that grows individual responsibility and initiative, kindness and philanthropy, community awareness and respect. This work helps to create a community that is a dynamic and expansive place where people want to live and raise families. Opportunities to volunteer are many and the commitment is just two hours per week – any two hours, any day and any time. Volunteers of all ages decide what services they wish to provide and receive full training. Elderly neighbors are waiting right now for friendly visits, rides to the store, grocery shopping, help paying bills, a changed light bulb in the hallway, a friendly call, and some love, sweet love. Please volunteer today and join the fastest growing volunteer organization in the community! – By Jane Kerr Executive Director, Laurel Area Faith in Action Laurel Area Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, Inc. Faith in Action P.O. Box 854 1414 Ligonier Street Latrobe, PA 15650 724-539-4357 faithinacton@msn.com www.laurelfia.org

Learning to make noodles from the “pro’s” at the Latrobe Senior Center. LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

THE REC ROOM Jim Kasperik

What Are You Thankful For? At this time of year, many people begin to reflect on the year that has passed and all the good things that they have in their lives. People begin to count their blessings and are thankful . . . but thankful for what? Friends? Family? Good Health? Sure all those are important and I am very thankful for them, but what about some other really important parts of life? What about being thankful for living in this hotbed of sports?!? Sure the Laurel Highlands is beautiful and has a great deal to offer, but I for one am thankful for the sports that happen here! Whether it be watching your favorite teams or participating in your favorite sporting activity, the Laurel Highlands is the place to be.

Our Teams Since I am a die-hard football fan, I could not ask for any better place to live! I often times think what if I had been born in Cleveland or Baltimore. I would probably be rooting for the Browns or the Ravens and that in itself is bad enough. But what about wearing those hideous colors those teams wear? The poor Browns’ fans having to wear that terrible brown and orange and the Ravens’ fans having to sport their awful purple and yellow. Then there is the good old Black and Gold! You cannot go wrong with those colors and for that, I am thankful! But more than colors, it’s the teams. As a true and loyal fan of local sports, how can it be better at this time of the year? We have the Steelers off to another great start and under new leadership. If it is possible to have the rabid fans of Steeler Nation more into rooting for their team, then it is actually happening. All you have to do to see how much we local fans love the Steelers is just go to an away game. I am lucky that I have had the opportunity to go and see several Steelers away games over the last several seasons. I am thankful that I get to see the best sport fans Every Story Begins At Home.

in the country travel and represent our area so well. I have been to places such as Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and San Diego over the last few years and it never ceases to amaze me how the Steeler Nation shows up to root for their team. A couple of weeks ago, I made my most recent road trip to Arizona. Even though it was a rough game for the team, it was great to hear an away stadium cheering as loudly for the Steelers as it did for the home team! I am proud and thankful to be part of the Steeler Nation.

Our Recreational Opportunities So we can all be thankful as sports fans for our local teams, but what about the great recreational opportunities that the Laurel Highlands area offers? We are blessed to have so many activities to participate in on a year round basis. During the year opportunities abound for us to get out there and get involved in some great activities. We can ride some of the nicest bike trails out there, we can run in a great number of local races, we can play golf on some of the finest courses in the country and we can hike through some beautiful scenery as well. Now that winter is fast approaching we have Seven Springs waiting for us to fall, I mean ski down the mountain!

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Truly Blessed So at this time of the year we should be thankful and feel blessed. Thankful for the opportunities we have and thankful for being able to live in such a great area of the country. I have seen many friends move away from the Laurel Highlands area only to come back because they missed family, friends and also what our area offers. Our area has so many recreational activities to offer. I hope everyone enjoys there holiday season and enjoys some sports for the holidays…whether you are watching, rooting or participating! Happy Holidays and Good Sporting!

www.LaurelFIA.org 724-539-4357 • faithinaction@msn.com

Our Mission is to enhance the quality of life for persons 60 years and older who reside in the Greater Latrobe and Ligonier Areas by providing companionship and assistance. Volunteer caregivers are trained to assist elderly individuals with the following: • Transportation • Errands • Caregiver relief • Friendly visiting and telephone calls • Correspondence • Small household repairs and chores • Yard Work • Link with other community services We are all called to reach out and help our neighbor. Knowing who to help and how to help is sometimes a greater challenge that helping, though. The Laurel Area Faith in Action program makes it easy for all to help. We ask volunteers to commit just two hours per week and we provide great flexibility — you choose what you want to do and when you can do it. Get involved today!

November/December 2007 - 11

REPARTEE FOR TWO Barbara M. Neill

Need A Little Music, Laughter, Or Happy Ever After? The Valley Players of Ligonier I may be going out on the proverbial limb here, but hasn’t the theater crowd been notorious for centuries? In ancient times there were the Greeks and Romans. Need I elaborate? (The original actor was the Greek performer Thespis. The Granddaddy of all thespians, he is still rumored to be in existence as a mischievous spirit who causes theatrical mishaps.) The medieval traveling troupe was a motley male crew, widely enjoyed perhaps, but looked on as decidedly lower class. Shakespearean players were somewhat more polished, but still lacked esteem. Quasi-respectable 19th century luminaries like native-born Edwin Booth and the Englishman Edmund Kean did emerge. But, even the gentlemanly Players Club founder Booth courted infamy as the brother of Public Enemy #1 John Wilkes Booth, and the revered Kean was fond of the not uncommon practice of entertaining his patrons under the influence – still an oft-used method of acting. When females were finally permitted to take the stage, audiences viewed the likes of scandalous sirens such as Lola “Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets” Montez, Sarah Bernhardt, Collette, and the legendary Eleonora Duse. In 1923 The Duse became the first

Cathi Rhodes performs as country music chanteuse Patsy Cline in a recent VP production.

12 - November/December 2007

woman to be featured on the cover of Time magazine only to die in Pittsburgh the next year at the Hotel Schenley (today the William Pitt Union at the University of Pittsburgh). In time the career did gain some respectability due in part to the money and fame it could generate. Unfortunately, the ill repute of some participants didn’t wane appreciably. During the 20th century numerous greats trod the boards and are remembered for their arresting performances, and occasionally their arrests. Granted, for every shocking Barrymore, Bankhead or Brando there was an equally praiseworthy Adams, Arliss or Adler. Verdict prediction for 21st century thespians would be premature, but history does have a tendency to repeat itself. Locally, the Valley Players of Ligonier has achieved a notoriety of an entirely different sort. In fact its members could rightly be referred to as the VIPs of Ligonier. The group’s renown is firmly based in a rich and colorful 42-year history. Achievements include a long list of outstanding and varied productions, the purchase and restoration of a permanent home, The Ligonier Theater, and a level of camaraderie amongst the multitalented performers that is hard to surpass. Shining VP stars that have been extinguished but have not dimmed, are those of Rita Frank, Eloise Brock, Walter St. Clair, Clarence Graham, Dave Albert, and Ralph Kurtz. Sadly, these late VP associates (and numerous others) cannot personally contribute to this column, but they are remembered fondly by many for their vision and dedication. Also missing from this rendering are many individuals involved in current VP ventures. Showcased here are just some of the people who endured the growing pains and garnered the glories of a community theater group as it matured. For the holiday edition of Repartee for Two the columnist feels “We need a little Christmas!” With that in mind, I have invited the Valley Players to hang the tinsel. I will merely provide the evergreen bough.

The Laurel Mountain Post Proudly Presents: (In order of appearance in the Valley Players of Ligonier)

Chet Jaworski

Tessa Smith

I began my tenure in the theater in 1971 when I was “conned” into the VP production of Stalag 17. This was quite a stretch for the group as I believe there were 20 males in the production and I don’t think there were 20 males in the entire organization at that time. It was also the debut of Ralph Kurtz as a director. It seems that everyone in the Players was recruiting and I was approached by a friend who enticed me with the promise of free beer and a line I will always remember, “We only need you to put on a uniform, carry a gun and stand around in a group…nothing more, I promise.” Next thing I knew someone says “read this section” and I have a supporting role and 700+ lines. It was downhill from there as I couldn’t get enough of it and was cast following that opening experience in South Pacific and Guys and Dolls. At that point I learned I could sing. I ended things with Arsenic and Old Lace. I had broken my leg 10 months before that show and hadn’t planned to be involved. But Tom Devereux asked me if I’d do the part and you can never miss a chance to work under a director of his stature. In fact it was Father Tom who once commented, “What you people have done is impossible, yet I have just watched it happen.” It didn’t seem that big a deal as during this development period it was a team effort. We had people in charge of sets and costumes, but everyone pitched in. I managed to have some success in all three disciplines – drama, musicals, and comedy. Not too many are crazy enough to try all three, but it was a learning process and when you did pull it off it was extremely gratifying. It also was a sort of “job security,” as directors always had you at the top of their list as someone who could do just about anything they asked. I was also very particular about what I did. It had nothing to do about the level of character. It had everything to do about the play. When it is all over, theater at any level is only about one thing – your audience. They are never the

(Breeder of Llewellin Setters) VP Performer, Director, Crew Member

When I joined the Valley Players in 1968 they were doing their shows as dinner theater at the Holiday Inn (now the Ramada Inn) in Ligonier. They did not have a real theater to perform in. We arranged to use Town Hall and I believe I was

The ever debonair Chet Jaworski definitely a “Player.”

the first person to direct a play there. This was huge! The town was very proud of their beautiful Town Hall, so the officials were a little apprehensive about letting the local theater group do a play in it. We had to be very careful not to damage the wooden stage floor. I think the first show we did was Private Lives by Noel Coward. I guess I was asked to direct because I am English! (Tessa is too modest to tell you that she was also trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.) After this we used Town Hall exclusively. A few of the shows I was involved in include The Odd Couple, A Majority of One, and A Streetcar Named Desire (as Blanche). My involvement with the VP ended when we moved from Ligonier in 1973.

(Wine Trade Consultant, Newspaper Columnist) VP Performer, Crew Member

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

same, but they are the driving force behind your performance. If they are slow, you push to bring them up; if they are into the show from the curtain, you strive to drive them higher. You’re up there to entertain and send people home feeling that they have been truly entertained and have not wasted their time. Audrey Tostevin

(Retired Preschool Owner and Traveling Puppet Troupe Director) VP Performer, Director, Board Member, Committee Member

My first involvement with the VP was in 1973. I played Eleanor of Aquitaine in The Lion in Winter, and most recently I directed Over the River and Through the Woods in 2004. My favorite show is The Foreigner, which I directed on two occasions in 1987 and 2001. In both productions a piece of stage business elicited audience applause at every show. (“Stage Business” is defined by Dictionary.com as incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic effect.) Many times actors have received a hand during a performance, but to my knowledge, this was a first for stage business. My most gratifying portrayal as an actress was as Martha Brewster in Arsenic and Old Lace. What a talented cast Mary Lu George, Clarence Graham, Tom Moore, Kathy Varner, Chester Jaworski, Hal Dwyer, Jim Mikula, Ron Tostevin, E. Kay Myers, Buddy Helterbran, and Frank Reynolds. Altogether we probably had over 350 years of theater experience! Carol Curtis

(Retired Music and Private Piano Teacher) VP Musical Director, Pianist, Board Member

I was a young widow and my friend Dave Albert suggested my name to the VP board of directors. I was asked to play the piano for Brigadoon, and afterward I became the musical director and pianist. Annie Get your Gun was next, and I asked Clarence

Graham to direct. It was his first time as a director for the VP and what fun it was! The show had a great cast that included my sons, Tom and Jim. Along with Roger Turrill they sang the two trios behind Annie. Our biggest success and Fiddler on the Roof. Tevya was played by Clarence and my sons performed the “bottle dance.” That show was my favorite and Clarence’s as well. I also did many shows with Jim Mikula, who I admired a lot. The time of my involvement (19741984/2001) with the VP is a marvelous memory. Jim Mikula

(Retired Theater, Film, and English Teacher for the GLSD, Ligonier Country Market Manager, Latrobe Farmers’ Market Manager, Quilter) VP Performer, Director, Choreographer, Board Member

One of my first shows was See How They Run in 1976 and my latest show was the musical Clue in the summer of 2005. My favorite VP years were the 1980s and 1990s when I directed a number of highly successful musicals – Fiddler on the Roof, Camelot, Man of La Mancha, Will Rogers Follies, Godspell, Into the Woods and numerous others. Many of the performances for these shows were sold out at Town Hall and many life-long friendships were established during those years. Jennifer Redfield Rainey

(Estimator for Olympia Steel Buildings, Director of Development and Volunteer Operations for the Project to End Human Trafficking) VP Child Performer

I can think of so many 1970s VP memories…my older brother having to suffer through wearing tights as a cast member in a Shakespearean production…my mother and the director of The Bad Seed concerned that I had stage fright because my knee caps moved up and down repetitively when I was standing

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Send your Valentine a Love Letter via the Laurel Mountain Post for our January/February edition. Content must be G-Rated and family-friendly. Send with a check for $10 to: Laurel Mountain Post, PO Box 227, Latrobe, PA 15650. Deadlline for submissions is December 15.

continued on page 15

One talented trio - former VP Musical Director Carol Curtis flanked by the late Clarence Graham (left) and Sam Farls .

Every Story Begins At Home.

November/December 2007 - 13

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14 - November/December 2007

A Stress-Free Boost for the Holidays Recently while I was sitting nearly motionless on the parkway in Steeler game traffic I tried daydreaming about the holidays this year to keep my road rage in remission…for the record: the left lane is for passing not traveling in someone’s blind spot for miles! I also began hoping this past holiday season would be the last of my life where there was a green Christmas and a white Easter, something seems inherently wrong with that scenario. I remembered last year how many different functions we wound up having to attend, quite often back to back. Going to a cocktail and hors d’oeuvre party after working all day is a lovely way to end a day, but annoying at the same time as a few nibblies don’t really constitute dinner, plus after the party wraps up there’s very little time left to come home and make dinner in a timely manner. Stopping somewhere after being gone from home all day is really the last thing we want to do. The saving grace is finding individually portioned components for dinner in the freezer. During the slight lull between Fort Ligonier Days and Thanksgiving last year, I spent a few days making and freezing different hors d’oeuvre, cakes, and casseroles in anticipation of a busy season. True it’s not often we get the chance to spend a day or two just cooking away; but, it’s very easy whenever you’re making dinner during the week to make double the amount you need and freeze half of it. I heard someone once call this having “planned overs” instead of leftovers. I thought it was an extremely perceptive concept. Usually a larger pot of stew or sauce has a better flavor than a small batch anyway. Sometimes no matter how much advanced planning I do I still get to feeling like I’m completely out of energy and just don’t have the will to do anything but crash. Fortunately this past summer I got an e-mail to try and review a product called “E-Boost”. The claims of enhanced energy, wellness, prevention or quick cure of a cold piqued my interest. The celebrity endorsements were fairly impressive as well. Heidi Klum, Kirsten Dunst, even Lance Armstrong. Its limited availability in such couture venues as the Mondrian, the Shore Club and Hard Rock and W Hotels as well as online (www.eboost.com) made me want to try it even more. So I replied to the e-mail for samples, which arrived in only a couple of days. Not only did it give me almost boundless energy, it tasted good! I have tried a similar product called Emergen-C at a friend’s house, but couldn’t get past the taste…it was like

dissolved Flintstone vitamins, a taste best left forgotten in my childhood memories. It’s not the slap in your face pick me up the sugar and caffeine-laden energy drinks have; instead, about 15 minutes after taking it I was aware that I was completely motivated to get my to do list started. I’m also pleased to say there isn’t the ‘crash’ that comes with those drinks either. The crash from E-boost is more along the lines of… hmm, what do I have to do next? After looking around you realize you’ve finished everything on your to do list and instead of a crash there’s a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment without feeling tired. We’ve kept a supply of E-boost on hand ever since. Several of our friends as well as ourselves take one every morning and haven’t gotten sick even when it seemed everyone we knew was catching the change of season colds. We also keep a couple of packets in the car so that if we’re out on a long day, but still have evening obligations we can mix one up in a bottle of water and carry on like a champ. Having a source of energy so close at hand certainly helps alleviate a nice amount of holiday stress. A few other things that can relieve a little stress for the holidays are: • Don’t volunteer to take something to a party if you don’t have the time to make it • Keep a list of your favorite restaurants take away menus in your car just incase something happens and you need to pick something up on the fly • Stock up on crackers, cheeses, dried and cured meats and other pantry items with a longer shelf life incase unexpected guests stop by. • Keep mixers and liquor on hand. A bottle of wine is a cinch for a hostess gift • Ask your friends out to dinner instead of cooking for them • Try to remember getting together with friends, families and loved ones should be more about spending time catching up and enjoying each others company, not about keeping up with the Jones’ last party. I’m actually looking forward to the holidays more this year than I usually do. It’s been a long year with many unexpected circumstances, but just when I was about to lose hope something good would happen to keep my spirits up. It is my hope that you find all the joy and magic possible for your holidays this year. For more information about E-Boost, please visit their website at: www.eboost.com LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

continued on page 13

during rehearsals (I was really just moving my knee caps for something to do)…the day my mother and I were in a car accident and came from the hospital straight to the performance of Annie Get Your Gun…the crazy cast parties with the “uniquely chosen” awards for each person…my third grade romance with Chris Kurtz …I think that what I remember the most is the feeling of family…of being around people from all walks of life that were there for a common goal – to have fun…it was always hard when the shows ended...having to say goodbye. Cathi Rhodes

(Administrative Assistant for Powercast Corporation) VP Performer, Director, Choreographer, Crew and Committee Member

I performed in Oliver! in 1987, returned from working with numerous theaters to audition for the VP production of 1940s Radio Hour on Sept 11, 2001 and never left! I have met my dearest friends through the VP “family.” We proudly uphold professional standards with the work that goes into every production. My most rewarding role was directing and starring in Always…Patsy Cline, selling out 10 shows. Other favorites include The Taffetas and Route 66. Our audiences here are the very best! My “job” as a Valley Player is to invite the public through our doors, have them forget their troubles for 2 hours and ENJOY! I truly appreciate the opportunities to entertain our wonderful audiences. It is my way of giving back to the community. ***** Chet Jaworski states, “In our little dressing area hung a sign that you are likely to find in most theater dressing rooms – Dying is easy, Comedy is hard. Truer words were never spoken.” A fitting finale for a holiday contribution that hopefully leaves my readers smiling easily and hauling out the holly! Read more about the histories of the Valley Players of Ligonier and the Ligonier Theater at www.valleyplayers.org. Production schedules and additional information are available online or call 724238-6514.

Every Story Begins At Home.

SHOPS AROUND THE CORNER Getting To Know Unique Local Businesses and the People Behind Them

Sabika Jewelry Bringing Joy, Beauty and Opportunity to Women of All Back-grounds Sabika is a gorgeous line of unique necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings and rings created for everyday use. All pieces are made of lightweight, non-precious metals with Bohemian beads or Swarovski Crystal. They are definitely glamorous, but not too fussy to wear with jeans and a t-shirt. Ranging from $22 - $189, the entire collection is affordable. All pieces are hand made in Austria by women in the comfort of the own homes and sold exclusively through a home party network. Sabika Classic Jewerly are best loved pieces that are always available. In addition the the Classics, we have a Spring/Summer and Fall/ Winter Collection. These collections are only sold for six months or untill sold out. Sabika brings joy, beauty and opportunity to women of all backgrounds. “We are a young company very much on the expand, and I am eager to recruit additional Consultants in our area,” she said. “I want to continue to share with my customers the wealth of jewelry fashion information, that we continually learn from the designer/owner of Sabika, Karin Mayr of Pittsburgh.” Sue Ann is the Chapter Rep for the Norwin Chapter of Women’s Business Network, and Member of the OSIA (Order Sons of Italy in America), Emilia Sammartino Lodge, Crabtree. She thinks the greatest aspect of her community are the sincere, kind, helpful, friendly, supportive people who live here. To host your own jewelry party or simply to find out more about the opportunities we provide,

contact SueAnn Zippi by phone 724-681-3184 or by email sueannzippi@comcast.net. Sabika Austrian Crystal Jewelry www.sabika-jewelry.com Hand Crafted, Limited Edition Jewelry

ComTech

Dedicated to Doing the Job Right the First Time! Comtech is a Computer sales and service center located at 200 West Main Street in Ligonier, PA. Owner, Timm Vanderelli, has over 30 years of experience servicing computers and all types of electronics. They are one of the few locations in Westmoreland County that is an authorized to sell a full line of Apple© computers and software products. They also carry peripherals and accessories, and provide networking capabilities for many local businesses. Timm and his experienced staff can even custom build a PC for you! Comtech is the only computer sales and service provider in Ligonier, but that’s not the only reason for customers to choose Comtech.

Amy Nicely, Office Administrator explains: “Because we are a smaller business operating in a small town, we know all of our customers personally. There is a mutual respect and trust in our relationships with customers that you won’t find in a larger environment.” Amy adds, “This is a very nice work environment, as well. The staff are all generous and friendly, and Timm is very flexible with work schedules, which is important, too.” They are all about service and take care of many small businesses in the area. Timm and his staff are dedicated to doing the job right the first time! Comtech 200 West Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658 724-238-0560 www.comtechservice.com

November/December 2007 - 15

‘Tis the Season for the American Red Cross, Chestnut Ridge Chapter’s 17th Annual Holiday Dinner

“Because It’s Christmas!” (December 6, 2007, Mountain View Inn, Rt. 30, Greensburg)

Yes, it’s hard to believe, but it’s that time of year again! This year’s dinner theme is “Because it’s Christmas!” As in years past, this fundraiser will prove to be an unforgettable evening in which our guests, contributors, board members, volunteers and staff will unite to celebrate the continuing vision of building a community that is prepared for any type of emergency. Whether it is responding to the critical need for blood, teaching how to administer CPR, or aiding disaster victims in need,

The American Red Cross is always there to serve. The Chestnut Ridge Chapter needs your support to continue to improve the quality of life for all

Tickets are $35 and include: Meal consisting of appetizers, combo plate of Chicken Romano & Sirloin of Beef w/ vegetable medley, rolls, coffee/tea and strawberry cake. A vegetarian meal of Stuffed Pasta is also available. The cash bar opens at 5:00, Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 5:30, and the dinner begins at 6:00. “I have heard many wonderful comments about the Annual Dinner, and being new to the organization, this will be my first time attending this event,” explained Petro. I am very much looking forward to seeing the magic.” Marlene Petro was recently hired as the new Executive Director replacing Kristina Swank. Petro, a native of New Kensington,

Enjoy A Winter Getaway in Ligonier! Come stay with us, in our quaint country cottages, nestled in the middle of scenic Laurel Valley – a beautiful setting for a getaway any time of the year!

Ligonier Valley Cottages 75 Lincoln Highway (Route 30) Ligonier, PA 15658 (724) 238-9696 www.ligoniervalley.com

Did you know that more than 93% of our funding is funneled directly into our community services? Also, our Chapter’s Health & Safety department is ranked 4th in the nation. Your increased donation would allow us to continue enhancing our already recognized services members of our community. Won’t you please help us in our efforts to prepare for this fundraiser by donating an auction item(s) so that we may fill the room with dazzling gifts? “Our community has consistently demonstrated its support for our chapter through the incredible number of items we receive each year,” said Marlene Petro, Executive Director. The evening’s festivities will include a Live, Silent and Chinese Auction, Super Raffle and Mystery Boxes – all which offer guests many opportunities to win great prizes. Prizes in the past have included helicopter rides, weekend geta-ways, golf foursomes, artwork and sports memorabilia. Plan to join the Red Cross on December 6 at Mountain View Inn. “It is a beautiful venue in which to hold our annual dinner,” according to Jean Krouse, Committee Co-Chair. It is full of ambience and truly captures the holiday spirit.” 16 - November/December 2007

sought out opportunities with the Chestnut Ridge Chapter after the chapter responded to her family’s house fire in 2005. “I wanted to give something back to Red Cross because it significantly impacted my family in our time of need. Had it not been for the Red Cross, my family would have definitely suffered a great deal more.” All of the money raised from this event stays within the Chestnut Ridge Service Area, which includes Northern and Southeastern Westmoreland County: Allegheny Twp., Arnold, Derry Borough, Derry Twp., East Vandergrift, Hyde Park, Latrobe, Ligonier Borough, Ligonier Township, Lower Burrell, New Alexandria, New Kensington, Oklahoma Borough, Upper Burrell, Unity Twp., Youngstown, Washington Twp., West Leechburg. For more information, please contact the Chestnut Ridge Chapter of the American Red Cross at: 1816 Lincoln Avenue; Latrobe, PA 15650; 724-537-3911; crcarc @covad.net • www.redcross-crc.org

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Miss Maddie’s Gifts & More

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

The Spicy Life of Harold Stover by Barbara M. Neill Clichés can be corny, but occasionally a familiar phrase really does say it best. Harold Stover is to be admired for his “variety is the spice” way of life. Existence is certainly more interesting when goals are accomplished by diverse ways and means. Stover, a native Latrobean who now resides in Portland, ME, is an excellent example of musical multiplicity personified. His skills as an organist, director, composer, and lecturer are impressive indeed. Harold Stover was born in 1946 as a fourth generation member of the Latrobe Presbyterian Church. After studying organ with LPC’s Minister of Music, Robert Ivey, Stover attended Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) and The Julliard School. He served as Organist and Choirmaster of Second Presbyterian Church in New York City from 1968 until 1992. As the founder and director of the “Music at Second” church program series, he presented diverse choral, instrumental, and keyboard compositions. In 1986 IBM Salute to the Arts, a nationally syndicated radio program, showcased this series in an hour-long profile. Since 1992 Stover has held the position of Organist and Director of Music of Woodfords Congregational Church in Portland, ME. In addition he directs the chamber chorus Renaissance Voices and is on the faculty of the Portland Conservatory of Music. As a performer, Stover has appeared as a critically acclaimed organist in venues as varied as the Riverside Church and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Westminster Abbey in London, England, and St. Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, Scotland, to name but a few. Add to this assorted concert performances with the New York Philharmonic as an orchestral and chamber ensemble organist. His widely performed and recorded compositions include keyboard music, choral and vocal music, chamber and orchestral music, electronic music, and film scores. Stover has had numerous writings published and has lectured extensively regionally and nationally. He was listed in The International Who’s Who of Music and Musicians in 1984 and in 1989 was named an Anniversary Associate of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship. On Sunday, November 11th at 7:30 p.m. Harold Stover will perform an organ recital in memory of his parents, Harold Ellsworth Stover and Clare Gibson Stover, at the Latrobe Presbyterian Church. You might say the range of compositions runs the gamut from A to V. Recital selections begin with Comes Autumn Time (Sowerby) and ends with a set of Stover compositions that includes The Starry Night (after Vincent Van Gogh), from Nocturnes, Book I. True to Mr. Stover’s form it looks to be a night of entertaining listening for attendees! When recently contacted, Stover answered the following questions for the Laurel Mountain Post. Every Story Begins At Home.

LMP: Which audiences do you find to be more organ-friendly – American or European? HS: I’ve actually found them quite similar. On both sides of the Atlantic you typically find general music lovers who go to many different types of concerts and organ aficionados who are passionate (and opinionated!) about the instrument and its music. Also, it’s always gratifying to meet someone who has come not knowing much about what he or she was to hear, who may only associate the organ with horror movie soundtracks, and who leaves surprised and delighted by the range of expression that a fine organ can communicate. LMP: Could you give your assessment of the LPC organ that you saw and heard last fall when you attended the recital given by Alan Morrison? HS: Although the Schantz Organ Company has a long history and has built thousands of organs in many parts of the country, they have relatively few instruments in New England, so I was eager to hear this example of their most recent work. The Latrobe organ has a very rich and varied range of sounds, with some very beautiful soft voices. The full organ has plenty of power but it is well scaled to the room and never harsh. I enjoyed listening to it and am very much looking forward to playing it. LMP: Have you any fulfilling non-musical interests or activities in your life that you would care to tell our readers about? HS: I’ve always been an avid reader and I usually have at least one book going. I’ve built a couple of model railroad layouts, although my trains are presently packed up in our barn. My wife and I enjoy working on our 1850 farmhouse in rural Maine. Having returned to my country roots after so many years in New York City, I find living amid the beauties of the changing seasons to be wonderfully centering for both mind and spirit.

American Red Cross, Chestnut Ridge Chapter’s

17th Annual Holiday Dinner December 6 Mountain View Inn Unite with us to celebrate the continuing vision of building a community that is prepared for any type of emergency.

LMP: Would you care to share any remembrances from your Latrobe days? HS: I grew up in the 1950s in the country outside of Latrobe. With a bunch of friends from up and down the road and an extended family full of cousins in the Latrobe area it was a good time and place to spend a childhood. I later wound up living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan for 25 years before moving to Northern New England, but I’ve always felt connected to my Western Pennsylvania heritage.

R.S.V.P. 724-537-3911

For more information about Harold Stover visit www.haroldstover.com To learn more about his LPC organ recital visit www.latrobepc.org or call 724537-3631.

1816 Lincoln Avenue • Latrobe, PA 15650 Chestnut Ridge Chapter

724-537-3911

crcarc@covad.net • www.redcross-crc.org

November/December 2007 - 17

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18 - November/December 2007

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

DERRY REMEMBRANCES Ruth Richardson

Christmas Toys for Girls OR Boys I wonder if Sears is still churning out a million of those thick, toyfilled Christmas catalogs and sending them to all the good little boys and girls in my neighborhood? When I was a little girl, it was just about this time of the year that our mailman would deliver that magical book to my mailbox in West Derry. After its arrival, my brother and I couldn’t wait to leaf through those pages and start our Christmas lists. Those Sears guys - what marketing geniuses! Every year, just in time for our North Pole letter writing extravaganza, they would introduce to us, in fabulous detail and full color, all of the things they told us we couldn’t live without. That catalog and Saturday morning television commercials gave my brother and me all the information we needed to complete our lists for Santa Claus. As Christmas drew near, we would sit at the kitchen table and write our letters to Santa. After several days of studying the Big Book, I would reference my list against the dog-eared pages of that catalog. My brother, Keith also cross checked his letter against the pages he had marked. Mom made us take turns with the catalog since I needed to see the girls’ pages and my brother only wanted the boys’ pages. A lot of the toys from the fifties and sixties were specifically geared for either boys or girls. Some toys, like the board games, were fun for everyone, but gender lines were distinctively drawn on a great many of the toys of the day. Little girls were encouraged to aspire to certain professions by the toys suggested for them, but mostly we were guided to homemaking careers. And little boys, well let’s see, they were guided to do just about anything they wanted, except for all that homemaking stuff. Boys were told to steer clear of that; it was woman’s work. A lot of playtime activities for boys revolved around some sort of firearms - cap guns, water guns, cowboy six shooters, air pistols, B.B. guns, you get the idea. I know, somewhere along the way, guns Every Story Begins At Home.

have gotten a terrible reputation, but not back then. They were considered inanimate objects that were perfectly safe, if they were treated with respect and safety. Hmmm, what a novel idea. Guns were a part of just about every household, at least the households I knew, and we were taught exactly what that meant and what it didn’t mean. World War II had ended about the time our parents were getting married and starting families, and a lot of our dads had served in that war. Maybe that’s why toy soldiers were a big part of most boys’ lives who were raised in the 1950’s. The boys I knew loved the soldier toys, and, of course, they were accessorized with guns. Another game was ‘cowboys and Indians.’ When we pretended to be in the Old West, we not only needed guns, but also knives, tomahawks, and bows and arrows! My brother and I had tin soldier molds that had been my dads when he was a little boy. And guess what these molds incorporated – GUNS! How we loved making those soldiers in the basement on daddy’s work bench. The most difficult mold was the soldier whose rifle had a bayonet attached. It was a great accomplishment when we could get the entire bayonet to stay on when we took the soldier out of the

mold. When most boys turned 12, (the legal age to start hunting back then), guess what the number one birthday or Christmas request was for? Are you at all surprised that it was a .22 rifle? Since there were lots of hunting guns in our house,

daddy had been teaching us firearm safety from a very young age. The guns were locked safely away in the gun cabinet he had built. When he took one out, we were allowed to sit at the kitchen table while he cleaned it and learn all about the serious business of firearms.

All the kids I knew, both boys and girls, loved to play cowboys and Indians, and the woods in our neighborhoods were the setting for those cowboy and Indian wars, even when the trees were snow covered. Sometimes I was the cowgirl, traveling along side the Conestoga wagons as I rode my palomino across the plains. And sometimes I was the Indian princess, my face painted with war paint, freshly squeezed from the elderberry bushes. I loved making my Indian head dress with the tail feathers I had saved from the ringneck pheasants daddy brought home during small game season. But my favorite costume was my Hop-Along-Cassidy outfit, and my second favorite was my Annie Oakley six shooters (remember her horse, Tagg?). Everyone had cowboy hats and holsters with cap guns, Santa always kept us in good supply. The caps were red strips of paper with a little circle of gun powder in the center, they made great stocking stuffers. As you pulled the trigger on your gun, the caps would feed through the gun for rapid fire motion. We sometimes used daddy’s hammer to hit a whole

roll at a time on the sidewalk. If you hit it just right, it would make quite the spectacular boom. Even though everyone played cowboys, most of the other gun paraphernalia was geared toward boys. I remember getting a nurses kit one year, and how much fun I had that winter taking care of all of my sickly dolls. After Santa brought me that wonderful surprise, complete with a nurse’s cap, my rosy cheeked babies came down with all sorts of rare malaises. I did such a good job nursing them back to health, it made me wonder if I would like to become a real nurse when I grew up. The Sears catalog had carried a doctor’s kit, too, but I knew that it was intended for boys, not girls. My brother got an electric train one year. It had a shiny black locomotive, several coal cars, a red caboose and a very realistic looking tunnel with sparkling snow on top. He would practice being an engineer, or pretend to ride the rails and travel the world. The same year, I got a set of baking pans and cookie cutters, and a little hand mixer. Although I enjoyed learning to bake with my mom, I couldn’t wait to play trains. Another year, Santa gave me a clothes line with little brightly colored plastic clothespins. I loved my dolls, and all of their tiny wardrobe, and couldn’t wait to wash and hang their clothes to dry on laundry day, with my mom. But that same year, my brother got an erector set, and he could practice becoming an architect or builder. It all looked very intricate and exciting to me. But he didn’t allow me to help with the construction. It was for boys. The Christmas I got a doll carriage and brand new babydoll who came with several different outfits, Keith got a microscope, with slides of bugs and bacteria. Are we starting to sense a pattern here? He got a chemistry set, I got a little iron that actually warmed up and a tiny ironing board. He got Lincoln Logs the year that I got a bride doll. Like me, most of my girlfriends enjoyed playing with all the boy stuff - the tinker toys, the cowboy continued on page 21

November/December 2007 - 19

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Due to the time zones, Santa has 31 hours to deliver gifts? This means that he would have to visit 832 homes each second!

20 - November/December 2007

The Radiation Robe Project by Paula J. Forte

“Who’s your surgeon?” Those words asked of me sixteen years ago still send shudders down my spine. I was one of the lucky ones. The growths were benign. However, every year thousands of women in the United States are not as lucky. Fighting breast cancer is a long and arduous process that causes weakness, nausea and pain. However, some people are trying to make these times a little more comfortable through small gestures. Two of these women are Clara Carnes and Nancy McIlhatten. Clara Carnes is a charter member of the Radiation Robe Project which was started in 2004. Chaired by Fred Balzer, Manager of Communication Outreach and Health Promotion for Excela, and coordinated by Janet McNees, the project provides robes for women to wear during the potentially embarrassing period of time when they are receiving radiation treatments for their breast cancer. The robes are simple, constructed of cotton and Velcro. The materials used to construct them are donated by local organizations, such as the New Neighbors Club of Greensburg, and they are sewn together by women such as Clara who willing donate their time and talent to a good cause. Clara says that she has donated 190 robes to the project so far. Her goal is for that number to reach 200 by the end of the year. When asked how she finds the time to sew that many robes, Clara said that she sews in her basement while she does the laundry. According to Clara, it only takes about three to four hours to sew each robe. Clara said, “I honestly didn’t realize that making these robes would help so many women. Getting positive feedback from them about my work made me want to make more.” Women are genuinely thankful for her handiwork. Whenever I met with her at the Arnold Palmer Cancer Center, women who were waiting for their treatments walked up to her to thank her personally. Hilda White,

Clara Carnes has constructed over 190 radiation robes for breast cancer patients over the past three years.

a nurse at the center, said, “[The robes] are a blessing for these patients and so is Clara.” Nurse Nancy McIlhatten is in charge of distributing the robes to the patients. She says that she “goes shopping” with the women whenever they choose their robes. The robes are all different and Nancy says that the women are amazed that someone is willing to make the robes especially for them. Clara and Nancy are not the only women involved in the project. There are about a dozen women sewing and donating radiation robes to the cancer center located in the Arnold Palmer Pavilion near Mountain View Inn. If you are interested in being a part of this worthwhile project, call Janet McNees at 724-423-5295 for instructions and materials. If you or your organization is willing to donate money or fabric to help fund the project, contact Fred Balzer at 724-5421959 or write to him in care of the Latrobe Area Hospital Charitable Foundation at 1 Mellon Way, Latrobe, Pennsylvania 15650 and indicate that the money or fabric be designated for the Radiation Robe Project.

The Community Knitter’s Fellowship is a new group that is planning to meet in the conference room on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Adams Memorial Library. The aim of this club is to create knitted and crocheted fashions for charitable groups in the area. It is an extension of the Chemo Cap program that has traditionally met in February of each year. In addition to the Chemo Cap task, current projects include drives for scarves for the local groups Faith in Action and Relay for Life. Additional projects will be posted on the community bulletin board in the conference room in the basement of Adams Memorial Library.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

continued from page 19

gear, and all the Tonka trucks in the sandpile. Funny thing is, my brother and his friends didn’t seem to have the same affinity for playing with our toys as we did with theirs. I don’t ever remember any boy asking to change the diaper on one of our babydolls when she wet her pants, or if he could iron a few doll dresses. Although my brother did get a kick out of squeezing my Tiny Tears doll’s stomach with all his might to make her ‘cry’ from the two little holes drilled at the corner of her eyes. While I made her cry gently, he made the water squirt out in a long scary stream that quite amused him, and quite horrified me. Another favorite gift from Santa was my chalk board. It had a built in seat you straddled like a horse. The lid lifted up and inside the desk was a pegboard with little colorful pegs. I don’t know what the purpose of putting the pegs into the holes was, but I used the desk compartment for holding chalk, erasers, coloring books and my box of 64 Crayola Crayons. I would use my chalkboard when I pretended to be the teacher and all my dolls were my students. Like nursing, becoming a teacher was another suitable profession for a little girl. I guess our childhoods were the training ground for what we would become in life, and little girls were encouraged, first and foremost, even by Santa Claus, to be wives and mommies. Attending college was a luxury many families couldn’t afford, especially for a daughter. One year for Christmas, I received a little typewriter. My mom told me being a secretary was a wonderful career, and I could always get a well-paying job with those skills. A girl could become a secretary right out of high school, she said. I told her that being a biologist sounded like a lot more fun to me, but my mom thought that was a pretty unrealistic goal for a girl. Although the thought of typing, shorthand, and bookkeeping didn’t sound all that appealing to me, I chose the secretarial course of study at Derry. It was one of the best around under the guidance of Mrs. Kist. We learned all the necessary secretarial skills from her, Mr. Calabrace, and Mr. Festa (who told us we won a crocheted bicycle for a correct answer!) My girlfriends and I had a huge crush on Mr. Calabrace. What a doll he was, and still is. My friend Carol and I stopped to see him several years ago, and he is still one goodlooking guy! Mrs. Kist taught us SOP (secretarial office practice). She was a grand lady in the truest sense of the word. I remember her Every Story Begins At Home.

telling us to keep a spare pair of nylons in our desk drawer in case we got a runner, which to her would have been very unprofessional. She also said it made a good impression in an interview, if your business suit was accented with a little pair of white gloves as you greeted the interviewer. Personnel directors from all the major companies in the area would go to the local high schools in February to interview perspective new secretaries from the senior class. Westmoreland County was booming with the steel industry in the sixties, not to mention various other companies, and they all needed office personnel. I got my first job at Vanadium Alloys Steel Company, or VASCO, in February of my senior year. Being a beautician was a goal for some girls, and they would find lots of hair stuff and pretend makeup under the Christmas tree to practice those skills with. Imogene Beauty Academy was located conveniently in downtown Latrobe, and once you passed the state boards, you could open a shop at your house. That way, you could work at home, and schedule your appointments around your family. Most other careers were, of course, temporary since once you had your first baby, you would want to quit working to raise your family. Our husbands and children needed us to take care of them and most of us were happy to do that caretaking. We made a lot of sacrifices when the money from that second paycheck stopped, but we did it willingly. We knew the importance of being a stay-at-home mom. I know nothing could ever eclipse the joy and the wonder I experienced from being a mother. It was the most fun I’ve ever had and I miss being ‘mommy’ every single day. Without a doubt, having my family and raising my little Nicole was the most rewarding thing I can ever imagine doing. But, I wonder sometimes, how differently it might have turned out. I think about how our lives may have changed if any of those little girls had unwrapped a doctor’s kit, instead of the nurse’s kit on Christmas morning. How many of them were brilliant little engineers or chemists, just waiting for a microscope from Santa, and getting Chatty Cathy instead, never to discover their complete potential. What would be different today, if, on a frosty Christmas morning in 1957, tucked under a little Christmas tree in West Derry, there had been a perfectly wrapped package with an erector set inside, and a tag that read: For: Ruth Elaine From: Santa

November/December 2007 - 21

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Winter Wonderland in Westmoreland County This beautiful farm scene was taken somewhere in Westmoreland County by local photographer Stephen Simpson (www.TakeAVirtualHike.com). Visit our website at www.LaurelMountainPost.com and identify the location if you can. Our first three winners will receive a free 2008 mail delivery subscription to the Laurel Mountain Post!

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Barbara M. Neill

Listening Lessons:

Fables a La Fontaine, Aesop & GAO’s Christina Farrell By means of colorful characters and witty narrative, fables have taught lessons about human folly and virtue for several thousand years. Their universal themes appeal to children, students of literature, adults and are in a word – inspirational. But, let me briefly digress. The Founding Director of the Greensburg American Opera, Christina Farrell, was doubly recognized in early September. On a personal level her lovely 1798 home, Hawksworth House, was included on the Westmoreland County Historical Society Historic House Tour. Professionally, she accepted the 2007 Hardie Artist of the Year Award presented by the Pittsburgh-based Gateway to the Arts. For 50 years Gateway to the Arts has been transforming the lives and education of children through active participation in the arts. The award, which is given annually to a Gateway artist and/or arts organization, honors former board member Frances Hardie. In receiving this tribute, Farrell and the GAO join a prestigious list of individuals and associations that have shown outstanding commitment to bringing quality arts learning experiences to western PA students. To celebrate their educational recognition the GAO is preparing a family opera for its main stage production this year. The whimsical Fable Operas by Susan Hulsman Bingham is based on ten Aesop and La Fontaine tales. Featuring three professional singers (soprano Christina

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Farrell, mezzo soprano Melissa Collom, and tenor Jeffrey Gross), a youth chorus, and the fabulous giant puppets of artist Cheryl Capezzuti, the staging promises to be great fun. The pianist for the UPG Ferguson Theatre production is Kazumi Petinaux. Working in conjunction with UPG’s Education Department, the GAO will also provide interactive stations in the theatre lobby where children can craft their own puppets, try on costumes, and create a fable. Farrell explains, “Those who are new to opera may also be interested in attending our presentations of S’more Opera before they see Fable Operas. S’more Opera is a fun, interactive introduction to opera with short opera scenes and some insider tips about what to expect at an opera. These free presentations will be held in Ligonier, Scottdale and Uniontown and are supported through a grant from the Pennsylvania Rural Arts Alliance. Yes, there will be s’mores! See our website for details at www.GreensburgOpera.org.” The GAO website states: Whether as a performer, teacher or director, she (Farrell) hopes to share her own passion for the arts and foster the same enthusiasm in others. In bringing to musical life the famous fables of La Fontaine and Aesop, Ms. Farrell is a present-day inspiration as she invites us to participate in the enchantment. Students, parents, teachers and area residents join the GAO November 30th – December 2nd and put your hands together for lessons well heard!

Fable Operas by Susan Hulsman Bingham Friday, November 30th at 7:30 pm (interactive activities at 6:45 pm) Saturday, December 1st at 2 pm (interactive activities at 3:00 pm) Sunday, December 2nd at 2 pm (interactive activities at 3:00 pm)

Univ. of Pittsburgh-Greensburg Ferguson Theatre $12.00 adults, $8.00 ages 3-18 • Call 724-972-1031 for tickets!

Every Story Begins At Home.

The first Christmas card was designed in 1843, by London artist, John Calcott Horsley

November/December 2007 - 23

It’s Tradition! by JB Rossi Webster’s dictionary defines it as the passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation especially by oral communication; a mode of thought or behavior continuously followed by a people; a time-honored practice. The word comes from the Latin word “traditio” which means “to hand down” or “to hand over.” What is it? It’s “tradition”, of course. As the holiday season approaches, I am reminded of this concept of “traditions”. Some traditions are worldwide such as the gift giving and manger displays during the Christian observance of the Birth of Christ on the 25th of December. Some are national such as the eating of turkey and pumpkin pie during the harvest celebration of Thanksgiving and the firework displays and parades of Independence Day on the Fourth of July. Other traditions are solely within a particular group such as a religious sect or a family unit. I grew up surrounded by the practicing of many traditions. One such tradition was the eating of Canadian Ragout on New Year’s Day. Canadian ragout was made from pork tenderloin braised for many hours in a dark brown sauce with meatballs and potatoes. This dish was always served with fresh baked rolls for dipping into the sauce (Canadians never waste anything good). You could always tell that the New Year was approaching because when you walked into the kitchen, the horrid scent of browning flour almost gagged you. And every year I would crinkle my face and ask why we had to eat this smelly concoction. And every year I would get the same answer; “Because it’s Tradition!” Truthfully, the final holiday dish was so appetizing that it was always worth a little gagging during the preparation stages! When I started my own family, I wanted my children to have these same wonderful memories. So I decided to incorporate all the old traditions as well as add a couple of new ones. We started, of course, with the traditions associated with Christmas. As with most, my children were fascinated with the brightly decorated houses during the Christmas season. From early on, we were fans of the huge Overly Christmas light display, often returning to see them several times during the same season. And every time, we would see something new that we hadn’t seen the time before. 24 - November/December 2007

Then one year I decided that we would take one Sunday before Christmas and start our own lighting tradition. I would take the children to the movies in the afternoon and Dad ( my secret elf) would stay behind to “work”. After the show, Dad would join us at a favorite restaurant to have dinner and then we would all come home together. Upon arriving at home, the house would be all lit up with decorations done by the magical elves. This new “tradition” went so well during the first couple of years. The children were so ecstatic when we pulled up the driveway to see the brightly colored decorations that the “elves” arranged while we were at dinner. As each year passed, they grew more excited trying to guess which day the “House-decorating Elves” would come. They would ask to go out to the movies and dinner every night until our house was decorated as bright as the Overly light display. Then the children made–up rules that seemed to govern the House-Decorating Elves. Rule #1: The better behaved you were all year, the earlier in the season your house was decorated, but never before Thanksgiving day (I believe this last clause had to be added because it seemed to get earlier and earlier each year that the children looked for a decorated house!) Rule #2: The Light-Decorating Elves would only come to your house when no one was home. They were very shy and liked to surprise the family. Rule #3: Sometimes, if you looked hard enough, you could actually see the footprints of the tiny little elves in the snow! (Thank goodness my husband had small feet.) Every year it was fascinating to see the amazed looks on the children’s faces as we drove up the driveway to a brightly decorated home! And every year it was amazing to my husband and I how much the children enjoyed this little “tradition”. However, our little “tradition” became increasing hard to facilitate. As the children grew older, they also grew a lot smarter. At school, they began asking the other children if the HouseDecorating Elves had been to their house yet. When the other children just stared at them with blank faces, my children would explain all the “Rules” to them. One year I was deluged with so

many telephone calls from other mothers that I had to add a new rule to the list. New Rule #4: Perhaps we shouldn’t talk about our family “traditions” with other children, just in case the other children didn’t know about the House-Decorating Elves yet. Then the children started noticing that some of their friend’s parents decorated their houses. New Rule#5: Just because some people decorated their own houses, doesn’t mean that those kids were bad. And it doesn’t give us the permission to ask what they did wrong. Sometimes it just means that there were so many good kids that year that the elves had to get extra help from other people to get everything done in time. Then came the year of the “Big Storm”. Because of previous commitments, my husband wasn’t able to decorate early in the season. The house was undecorated until the week before. It was his last chance, but the weather channel was calling for several inches of blustering snow, howling winds, and sub-zero temperatures. But we didn’t want to disappoint the children. So I loaded up the four-wheel drive SUV and headed for the theater. The good Elf bundled up and braved the cold. I can’t remember what movie we saw that afternoon. My mind was concerned about my elf out in the storm. Several times during the movie, the power flickered. I thought perhaps it was about time to end this particular tradition and prayed that the elf was doing okay. Two hours later as we waited for him at the restaurant, I grew frantic. I just wanted to pack everybody up and go home. I would just have to divulge the secret of the House-Decorating Elves to the children. Disappointed as they might be, I needed to get home and rescue Dad. Then a message came saying to hold tight, that he was on his way. So we continued to wait. The snow continued to pile up. The temperatures dropped. Finally Dad made it. His hands were frozen and his cheeks were fiery red from wind burn, but he made it. We ate quickly and drove home through the blizzard. As we stood in the driveway gazing at the wonderful light display that I know had taken a long time to do in some very unfavorable conditions, I was thrilled that we were once again able to pull off the family “tradition.” However, my son observed something quite different. He

walked all around the display and then looked up at his father and me with a puzzled face. “Mum,” he asked. “Why do the elves use the same decorations and the same color lights year after year? I’m not doing the same good deeds every year.” New Rule# 6: Never, ever, question the Elves and always be thankful that they came to decorate. Without the lights, Santa might not be able to find the house on Christmas to deliver the gifts. “Besides,” my quick thinking husband added, “Maybe the elves liked those particular colors and style of decorating. They like to have their traditions, too!” At that moment I knew it was time to give up this particular tradition. It was just getting too hard to continue the charade. The kids were getting too smart, they would soon catch on. But how do you stop a family “tradition?” The head Elf decided that a nice letter explaining things to the children was in order. The letter would explain why the elves couldn’t continue to decorate any more and how they asked if Dad could fill in for them now and decorate whenever it was convenient and the weather conditions were favorable. Perhaps the elves could even invite the children to participate in the decorating, too! The letter was typed but never mailed. The head elf continues to come every season in secret (although it tends to be on a “bye” weekend for Steeler football and he has employed some additional helper elves). So, one Sunday early in the season, I pack up the SUV, and the kids and I head off to the movies. The head elf stays home to work and we meet for dinner at the same restaurant. When I am asked why we continue with this “tradition” when it is clearly evident that the children are grown-up and wellaware of who the HouseDecorating Head Elf is, I deferred the answer to the children. Together they respond in unison, “Because it’s tradition!” But we do make minor adjustments as we go. This year’s change is that I will not be the one “driving” the SUV to the theater! My daughter has her permit! My, how time changes things! Thank goodness “traditions” stay the same!

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

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Advent Wreaths:

An Evergreen Promise These have their origins in the folk traditions of northern Europe, where in the deep winter people lit candles on wheel-shaped bundles of evergreen. Both the evergreen and the circular shape symbolized ongoing life. The candlelight gave comfort at this darkest time of the year, as people looked forward to the longer days of spring. Later, eastern European Christians adopted this practice, and by the 16th century they were making Advent wreaths much as we know them today. An Advent wreath traditionally contains 5 candles—three purple, one rose, and one white. Some Every Story Begins At Home.

churches use royal blue candles in place of purple ones to distinguish from the (penitential) purple of Lent. The rose (or pink) candle represents a lightening of the mood of Advent on the third Sunday, and is sometimes said to represent Mary, the mother of Jesus. The white candle in the middle of the wreath, the Christ candle, is lit on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. The Advent wreath, with its growing circumference of light Sunday after Sunday, reminds us of the light of Christ in a world of darkness, and of our responsibility (and privilege) to be that light to those around us.

Contact the Indiana County Tourist Bureau at 724-463-7505 or toll free at 1-877-7INDIANA. Email: info@visitindianacountypa.org

“Real Trees Make Scents”

E-MAR ACRES TREE FARM wholesale • retail • spruce • pine • fir 724-639-3610 or 639-3823 Growers Outlet and Maps located at The All American Barber Shop 222 Point Street in Saltsburg

CHOOSE & CUT BY APPOINTMENT 1 Mile Off Rt. 286 on Nowrytown Rd. LOOK FOR SIGNS Ron & Margie Mancabelli, Owners November/December 2007 - 25

Somerset PA 15501 814-443-1282 1 Mile West Of Somerset On Your Way To The Resorts! New & Used Sales! Rent By Day/Season! Expert Service! 4th Annual Black Friday Blowout Sale & Swap!! November 23 – 25 8am-8pm Details Online! route31boardandski.com

DesignLine Gallery & Gifts

Rosina Corner Cottage Home of DesignLine Gallery & Gifts (814-445-6282) and Clothesline for Women (814-445-4378) 110-112 N. Rosina Ave. Somerset, PA 15501 * Vera Bradley handbags, luggage, home decor, stationery and pottery *Lang and Ganz products * Custom and Designer Furniture *Crabtree & Evelyn *Good Home *Primal Elements We also offer Interior Design consultations.

Christmas in the Mountains Nov. 30th – Dec. 2nd in-store specials!

New Photographic Book Captures History of Greensburg Greensburg is one of the newest additions to Arcadia Publishing’s Postcard History Series. Written during her first year of graduate school, Rachel E. Smith hopes to preserve the history of Greensburg for generations to come with her new pictorial. Smith, a graduate student in journalism at West Virginia University, is a Greensburg native and a member of the Westmoreland County Historical Society. She has dran from both her own postcard collection and that of the historical society in order to create this visual journey through time. Smith dedicates her book “to all of those who have made Greensburg the town it is—past, present and future.” Highlights of Greensburg: • Features rare images of buildings that no longer exist • Shows many hotels of the area, almost all of which have ceased operation and have been torn down. • Meant to compliment Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America: Greensburg by P. Louis DeRose. • Gives history of Greensburg over the past 150 years. Greensburg is available at area bookstores, independent and

online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com. Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional hisotry in the United States. Their mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places. Have they done a book on your town?

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

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Join us for our Holiday Dinner Show on December 16th and 17th. $20 per person call for reservations.

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13th Annual Fire & Ice Festival Somerset, PA January 18, 19, 20

www.TakeAVirtualHike.com November/December 2007 - 27

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2007 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Fridays, Nov 9 &16

Nov 16-18

Self Defense

Greater Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Holiday Spectacular

6-730PM, YWCA Greensburg, PA; 724-834-9390 www.ywcawestmoreland.org Nov 9-11

Thru May 2008

BODIES: The Exhibition Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh, PA; 412-2373400 www.carnegiesciencecenter.org Weekends thru December 9

Stage Right Presents “Annie”

Nov 17

The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org

Greensburg Free Film Series Presents Miyazaki’s “Spirited Away”

Nov 10

630PM, Stark Building, 41 W. Otterman St. Greensburg, PA www.greensburgfilmseries.com

CPR & First Aid

Compass Inn Museum Laughlintown, PA 724-2384983 www.compassinn.com

9AM-5PM American Red Cross-Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Latrobe, PA Pre-Registration & Pre-Payment Required 724-537-3911 www.redcross-crc.org

Nov 1

Nov 10

Compass Inn Candlelight Tours

Senior Social 2PM, Valley Dairy, Latrobe, PA; 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org Nov 2-4

33rd Annual Seven Springs Fall Polka Festival Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA (708) 594-5182 www.versatones.com Nov 2

Ricky Scaggs & Kentucky Thunder 8 PM Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org Nov 3

Expo-Mart, Monroeville, PA; 724-863-4577 www.familyfestivals.com

Greensburg Free Film Series Presents Wim Wender’s “Land Of Plenty” 630PM Stark Building, 41 W. Otterman St. Greensburg, PA www.greensburgfilmseries.com Nov 10

Murder Mystery Christian W. Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA; 724-439-3424 www.cwklaywinery.com Nov 8-11

Crimes of the Heart Apple Hill Playhouse, Delmont, PA; 724-468-5050 www.applehillplayhouse.org

Nov. 17

Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra Presents “Give Thanks” 8PM, The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 724-837-1850 www.thepalacetheatre.org Nov 17

Babysitter’s Training 9AM-3 PM American Red Cross-Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Latrobe, PA Pre-Registration & Pre-Payment Required 724-537-4331 www.redcross-crc.org Nov 17 thru January 1

Overly’s Country Christmas Westmoreland Fairgrounds,

www.overlys.com

Nov 17

Greensburg Holiday Parade 12Noon, Greensburg, PA; 724-834-4880

Blood Drive 8 AM – 2 PM American Red Cross-Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Latrobe, PA; 724-537-3911 www.redcross-crc.org Nov 3

Greensburg Free Film Series Presents Richard LinkLater’s “A Scanner Darkly” 630 PM Stark Building, 41 W. Otterman St. Greensburg, PA; www.greensburgfilmseries.com Nov 3

River City Brass Band Presents “Songs of Freedom” 8PM Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 1-800-292-7222 www.thepalacetheatre.org Saturdays

Sign Language Nov 3-Dec 8 10-1130AM YWCA Greensburg, PA 724-834-9390 www.ywcawestmoreland.org Nov 4

Bridal Show 12PM, Mountain View Inn, Greensburg, PA; 724-8345300 www.mountainviewinn.com Nov 4

Latshaw Productions Presents “Puttin On The Ritz” 2 PM Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org Nov 6

Latshaw Productions Presents “A Doo Wop Spectacular Featuring The Platters & The Drifters” Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA; 724853-4050 www.latshawproductions.com Nov 6

Senior Social 2PM Country Cafe & Video, Pleasant Unity, PA; 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org Nov 9

Vegetarian Thanksgiving Dinner 530PM YWCA Mansion, Greensburg,PA, Pre-Registration required; 724-834-9390 www.ywcawestmoreland.org

28 - November/December 2007

Nov 13

Blood Drive 12PM–6PM American Red Cross-Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Latrobe, PA; 724-537-3911 www.redcross-crc.org Nov 15

Irwin Light Up Night 5PM, Downtown Irwin, PA; Santa arrives, Parade, Snacks. 724-296-8074 www.irwinpa.org Nov 16-18

Light-Up Night Weekend Glades Court Building, Somerset, PA; 814-443-9166 www.lhmrc.org

Nov 18

Holiday Craft Show Mountain View Inn, Greensburg, PA; 724-834-5300 www.mountainviewinn.com Nov 21

Elko Concerts Presents “ Joe Bonamassa” 8PM, The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA 724-8368000 www.thepalacetheatre.org Nov 21

Dinosaurs in Their Time Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Oakland, PA; 412-622-3131 www.carnegieMNH.org Nov 22

13 Annual “Turkey Trot” 930AM, Latrobe Memorial Stadium, Latrobe, PA; 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Nov 23

Dec 2 International Christmas for Children 1-330PM, Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, reservations required. 724-836-1123 www.westmorelandculturaltrust.org

Light-Up Night Nemacolin Woodlands, Farmington, PA; 724-329-8555 www.nemacolin.com Nov 23

Dec 4

Light Up Night

Senior Social

Santa Arrives at 6PM!!, Downtown Ligonier, PA; 724-238-4200 www.ligonier.com

2PM Country Cafe & Video, Pleasant Unity, PA; 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org

Nov 23

Dec 6

Westmoreland Cultural Trust presents “A Christmas Carol”

Latshaw Productions Presents “Big Band Christmas Spectacular”

10AM, The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org

Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA; 724-853-4050. www.7springs.com

Nov 23-25

Dec 6

Fourth Annual Bike, Board & Ski Swap

Senior Social

Somerset, PA; 814-443-1282 www.route3lboardandski.com

2 PM Valley Dairy, Latrobe, PA; 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org

Nov 24

Dec 7-23

Westmoreland Cultural Trust presents “Crystal Gayle”

A Musical Christmas Carol Byham Theater www.pittsburghclo.org

8PM, The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 724-8368000 www.thepalacetheatre.org

Dec 8-9

Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra Presents “The Nutcracker”

Nov 24

Grand Opening Holiday Greenery Sale & Event

The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org

Christian Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA; 724-439-3424 www.cwklaywinery.com Nov 24-25

A Maple City Christmas Meyersdale, PA; 814-634-8840 www.meyersdale.net Nov 24-25, 29 thru Dec 2

Festival of Lights Braddock Trail Chapter House/ Warden Mansion, Mt.Pleasant, PA; 724- 423-3275 www.geocities.com/fol5666 Nov 29

Dec 1

Annual Christmas Open House Christian Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA; 724-439-3424 www.cwklaywinery.com Dec 1

Babysitting Certification Sponsored by American Red Cross 9AM-3PM YWCA, Greensburg, PA Pre-Registration is Required; 724-834-9390 www.ywcawestmoreland.org

Shopping Bus Trip to PA Christmas and Gift Show in Harrisburg

Dec 1

645AM, bus departs. Pre-registration required. $39 covers round trip transportation, admission to show and breakfast. 724-834-2153 www.aerobicccenter.org

8AM–2PM, American Red Cross-Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Latrobe, PA; 724-537-3911 www.redcross-crc.org

Nov 30-Dec 6

Latshaw Productions Presents Glen Campbell The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org Nov 30

The Seven Deadly Sins: Vice and Virtue in Music and Movement Reeves Theatre, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA; 724-838-4241 boxoffice@setonhill.edu Nov 30-Dec 6

Christmas in the Mountains Rt. 31 Donegal/Somerset Corridor, Somerset, PA; 814-443-2897 www.seasoninthemountains.com Nov 30-Dec 2

Second Annual Ebensburg Dickens of a Christmas

Blood Drive

Dec l

River City Brass Band Presents “Christmas Classics” 8PM, The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 1-800-292-7222 www.thepalacetheatre.org Dec 2

Christmas Town-Wide Open House 12-5PM, Downtown, Ligonier, PA; 724-238-4200 www.ligonier.com Dec 2

Academy Hill Historic District 2007 Holiday Tour of Homes Greensburg, PA www.Academy-Hill.org Dec 1-2

A Ligonier Christmas presented by the Valley Players of Ligonier

Downtown Ebensburg, PA; 814-472-8780 www.ebensburgdickens.com

230PM and 8PM on the 1st and 230PM on the 2nd, Ligonier Theater, Ligonier, PA; 724-238-6514 vpltheater@wpa.net

Nov 30-Dec 9

Dec 1-9

Festival of Lights

Festival Of Lights

Town Hall Community Room, Ligonier, PA; 724-238-4983 www.ligonierhistoricalsociety.org

Ligonier Valley Historical Society 724-238-6818 www.Ligonierhistoricalsociety.org

First 3 weekends in December

Dec 1-30

Decked Out December

Christmas at Mountain View Inn

Homestead House, West Overton Museums, Scottdale, PA; 724-877-7910 www.westoverton.org

Greensburg, PA; 724-834-5300 www.mountainviewinn.com

Every Story Begins At Home.

Dec 8

Sensations of the Season Progressive Dinner 5PM, Polymath Park Resort. Enjoy A meal at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Duncan House, the Balter House and the Blum House at Polymath Park Resort. $95 per person. 877-833-7829 ext 2 or events@polymathpark.com Dec 11

Blood Drive 12PM–6PM American Red Cross-Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Latrobe, PA 724-537-3911 www.redcross-crc.org Dec 12

Latshaw Productions Presents “Big Band Christmas Spectacular” The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org Dec 13

Holiday Luncheon Buffet 1130AM, Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, Greensburg, PA; reservations required $16/per person. 724-836-1123 www.westmorelandculturaltrust.org Dec 15

CPR & First Aid 9AM-5PM American Red Cross-Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Latrobe, PA Pre-Registration & Pre-Payment Required 724-537-3911 www.redcross-crc.org Dec 15

Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra Presents “Home for the Holidays” The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 724-837-1850 www.thepalacetheatre.org Dec 16-17

Holiday Dinner Show Our Coal Miners Café, Jennerstown, PA; 814-629-5518 www.ourcoalminerscafe.com For the latest events and expanded listings, please visit our online community calendar page at www.LaurelMountainPost.com. New information is added daily!

To submit your community event to this calendar, please email complete information to:

advertising@LaurelMountainPost.com

November/December 2007 - 29

Featured Price

MOST CARS

INCLUDES: 5 Qts Oil, Filter for Most Domestic & Foreign Cars and 12-Point Check

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

+Tax

Valvoline® All-Climate® Motor Oil 5W-30 Valvoline® All-Climate® Motor Oil 10W-30

Taking Care of the Family Vehicle for Over 18 Years!

Angelo Caruso, Jr. and James Deglau, Owners

L&L Quik Lube,

Inc.

100-1/2 Depot Street • Latrobe, PA Behind Domino’s 724-537-9329

COUPON VALUES Equine Chic For Horse & Home Take 10%

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Your Total Purchase

ZAPPONE SAUSAGE COMPANY RETAIL STORE Long’s Road in Latrobe, PA 724-539-1430 • ZapSausage@aol.com Specialty, Gourmet & Italian Foods FREE 1 pound bag of Rizzo’s frozen soup noodles with $15 purchase - exp. 12/15/07

Celtic Culture

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

Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital Auxilary Sponsors

Annual Poinsettia Sale Enhance holiday decorating or select a gift for those on the shopping list by ordering poinsettias, mumsettias, fresh pine wreaths, or white pine roping from Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary. Order forms are now available from any auxillian or at the Westmoreland Hospital Hospitality Shop, first floor, 532 West Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg. There are two ways to order: place order in box provided at The Hospitality Shop or mail to Darlene Delaini, 117 Den

Mar Court, Greensburg, PA 15601. Order deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 19. Please make checks payable to WHA (Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary). Orders may be picked up in the hospital lobby, 1 to 4 p.m., Dec. 5. Proceeds from the sale help meet the auxiliary’s pledge to fund renovations in the critical care waiting areas. For more information, call the Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary, 724-832-4540 or Darlene Delaini, 724-832-7059.

(expires December 31, 2007)

For online shoopers, enter promo code “saddlebag” during online checkout.

www.ShopEquineChic.com Academy of

The Wagging Tail

Pet Grooming and Express Pet Wash

FREE Honey Almond Facial with Full Groom expires 12/31/07 (LMP)

815 E. Pittsburgh St.• Greensburg, PA 15601

724-834-BARK

30 - November/December 2007

Receive a complimentary angled bowl in the red bird pattern with every $100.00 purchase of Nicholas Mosse pottery, through Dec. 31, 2007.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Happy Holidays from the Laurel Mountain Post

Indiana County COME FOR FUN, TAKE HOME A MEMORY!

Christmas Tree Farms Festival of Lights Holiday Shows Community Light-up Nights Outdoor Recreation Unique Shopping “It’s A Wonderful Life” Festival

Stop by our Visitor Center or Call us for your Complimentary Visitor Guide

INDIANA COUNTY TOURIST BUREAU 2334 Oakland Avenue – Indiana Mall – Indiana, PA 15701 1-877-7INDIANA – WWW.VISITINDIANACOUNTYPA.ORG Every Story Begins At Home.

November/December 2007 - 31

Bogut

Cardille

McGann

Finelli

Shovlin

Pelky

Hoerth

Bogut In the Morning “Chilly Billy” Mid-Days McGann On The Way Home With Jack Bogut – Chris Shovlin & Carol Finelli 6 – 10 AM

The one and only Bill Cardille 10 AM – 3 PM

Mike McGann with Traffic Updates from Lisa Pelky 3 - 7 PM

Rock ‘n Roll Sunday Nights with Doug Hoerth

and Pittsburgh’s Favorite Music 32 - November/December 2007

All The Time!

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST