July 2022 issue of Northern Connection Magazine by Northern Connection Magazine

July 2022

CONNECTING YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR 23 YEARS

A TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW: How medication cost and side effects can affect your health, and how your primary care doctor can help.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

July

NORTHERN CONNECTION P.O. Box 425 Mars, Pa. 16046

NC Features 21 25 32

Eichner’s Whole Farm and Greenhouses The July Journey Thru Sustainable Agriculture Ron Eichner Home Guide

Health & Wellness 8

10 14 16 18

Cover Story: A Tough Pill to Swallow Genesis Medical Associates Genesis Medical Physicians Identifying and Combating Burnout: When It’s Time to Make a Change Maura L. Johnson A Stroke Recovery Story Encompass Health Humans Are Genetically Designed to Move Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm

Kids & Education 26

School Movers & Shakers

Advertorials 19

Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have Hope Dr. Shawn Richey

In Every Issue... 4 6 20 24 28 29 30

Movers & Shakers Mover & Shaker of the Month: Jack Cohen July Events MOM2MOM: We All Ought to Have Pizza, Gyro and Fun! Sofya Stearns Trivia Connection: Soaring Through UFO Trivia Paula Green From the Editor: A Foul Story Janice Lane Palko Support Our Troops: Swift Audiology Supports Rescue 22 Foundation

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Phone: 724-940-2444 ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com www.northernconnectionmag.com President & Publisher

Laura Lyn Arnold Publisher Emeritus & Contributor

Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor

Janice Lane Palko Managing Editor/Public Relations Coordinator

Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive

Mary L. Simpson Design & Production

Kostilnik & Associates Graphics, Inc. Web Master

Swanson Publishing , LLC Core Writers

Maura Brown Belinda Burchick Ron Eichner Paula M. Green Janice Lane Palko Sofya Stearns Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing, LLC (P.O. Box 425, Mars, PA 16046, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge to the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Subscription can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year. The mission of the Swanson Publishing, LLC is to connect the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh by publishing the area’s finest community publication, Northern Connection. The publication is dedicated to the people, communities, educational, religious, travel, and recreational needs of the area. The contents of Northern Connection magazine may not be reproduced or copied in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Northern Connection magazine reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertisements that do not meet the standards of this publication.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Movers & Shakers Butler Memorial Hospital has been awarded a place on Newsweek’s list of Best Maternity Hospitals 2022. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Officials at Butler Health System and Excela Health announced they have signed a Letter of Intent to combine their respective organizations into a new health system serving western Pennsylvania. St. Margaret Foundation Brian Demchak Hope Challenge held May 15 thru May 21 set record-setting results. The event had a record 270

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registrants, 41 fundraising pages, and 24 sponsors, raising a record total of $138,672. The Hastings Center and The CunniffDixon Foundation announced that Dr. Dillon Stein, director of the Division of Palliative Care at Butler Health System, is one of six physicians across the country to be recognized with the prestigious Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Award. The award honors clinicians for outstanding care provided to patients nearing the end of life.

Passavant Hospital Auxiliary 2022 Basket Bash

assavant Hospital Auxiliary, who has a long history of funding projects large and small that benefit UPMC Passavant Hospital patients, their families, and those who care for them, is excited to announce their 2022 Basket Bash! The Basket Bash has over $7,000 worth of donated products which has created 24 baskets valued between $200 and $375. Ticket Sales are Open NOW and Close August 17. Winners will be announced on Passavant Hospital Auxiliary and Foundation Facebook on August 26. For ticket pricing and description of the baskets, go to: Passavanthospitalfoundation.org/auxiliary n

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

MOVER & SHAKER OF THE MONTH

Jack Cohen By Paula Green

On July 1, Jack Cohen, president of the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, will become the next district governor of Rotary International District 7280. It is a large region that encompasses not only Butler County but 42 surrounding Rotary clubs, and even goes as far north as Erie. The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world’s understanding, goodwill, and peace.

t is a significant responsibility, but Cohen embraces it and looks forward to his new leadership role. As

he noted, “I am blessed to have this opportunity. I know it will be challenging and fun at the same time,” Cohen said. As district governor, Cohen will be responsible for meeting with the various rotaries and discussing how he can help. He will assist them with their community projects, and Cohen will also share the international message that comes from the international president. He has attended several trainings and seminars to help prepare him for this new leadership role. Cohen has been involved with the Rotary for numerous years. “I was a founding member of the Cranberry Twp. Sunrise Rotary Club, which was chartered in November of 1999, and I served as their president in 2003,” Cohen said. He has many years of experience working in the hospitality business. “I started my work career at 16 working at Forbes Field walking around selling souvenirs. From there, I started working at The Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel in Pittsburgh. After that, I worked in a souvenir sales

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position at the Civic arena and for the Pittsburgh Penguins. I was then hired as an usher at the Civic Arena and worked various other positions,” said Cohen. Cohen went on to study at Allegheny Community College, earning an Associate degree in Hospitality and Food Service. “I began my food service career at Wendy’s Restaurants and worked for them for 13 years. I opened many locations, worked in New Jersey and New York City, and back home in Pittsburgh. I then moved on and worked at Chuck E Cheese as the director of Operations. When I turned 40, I opened my own restaurant, Safari Sam’s, in Cranberry Township. I built it, ran it, and in 10 years, sold it. That got me to Butler County Tourism. For the past 22 years, I have been the president of this organization, and I have fun every day! Northern Connection magazine congratulates Jack on his new appointment as district governor, and we wish him the best of luck! n

COVER STORY

A TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW: How medication cost and side effects can affect your health, and how your primary care doctor can help. For the average American, medications are one of the most beneficial, yet one of the most burdensome aspects of daily health maintenance. From the pharmacist, to the health plan, to the provider, there is an increasingly heavier emphasis placed on taking medications correctly and on time.

hile it may not seem important, medication adherence, or taking your medication as prescribed, may be one of the most impactful strategies to prevent disease progression. According to the World Health Organization, medication non-adherence can account for up to 50% of treatment failure and over 25% of hospitalizations each year. In addition, if left untreated, disease states can progress and significantly impact health, leading to worsening symptoms, hospitalizations, and even death. So, let’s take a closer look into medication adherence and what you can do to take control of your own health.

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WHAT IS MEDICATION ADHERENCE: Medication adherence is defined as taking a medication exactly as prescribed 100% of the time. Therefore, medication non-adherence can be as simple as forgetting to take the evening dose of a medication a few times a month. Even missing medications occasionally has been shown to negatively impact patient outcomes. While taking medications as prescribed may sound straightforward, there are many reasons why patients may become “non-adherent”, and often the fix is not always simple. Becoming adherent requires open communication between the patient and their health care management team, as well as dedication from

providers to help patients have every opportunity to succeed. Conversations with providers can involve increasing access to medication through different pharmacies, cost assessments, and optimizing your treatment regimens. HOW IS GENESIS HELPING PATIENTS? Through years of practice, our providers are dedicated to recognizing recurring patterns and reasons for non-adherence and work diligently to help patients overcome these barriers and improve their health status. While there are no easy fixes to improving adherence, Genesis recognizes that each patient’s healthcare journey is unique and requires frequent conversations and collaboration. By reducing barriers to adherence, our providers help empower patients to be in control of their health.

MEETING WITH PROVIDER

Engaging with provider is key to managing health through tailored care plans involving medications, procedures, and lifestyle changes. During each appointment, Genesis providers ensure each medication taken is clinically appropriate, refills are up to date and available, and symptoms are being managed appropriately. To do this effectively, it is important to have regular office visits and relevant laboratory work completed throughout the year. Genesis Medical Associates has a dedicated team of Quality Advocates who reach out to patients for reminders of overdue wellness exams, assist in facilitating refills, and confirm patients are up to date on all preventive healthcare measures to ensure they are receiving the highest quality care throughout all stages of the healthcare journey.

rides to and from the doctor’s office and the pharmacy. Similarly, patients often must visit the pharmacy several times in one month to pick up regular prescriptions. As medication lists lengthen, it becomes difficult to keep track of medication names, reasons for use, side effects, warnings, refill statuses, and costs. Some patients have difficulty managing this, resulting in side effects, drug interactions, confusion, and decreased quality of life. Through Genesis’ Chronic Care team, pharmacists and nurses are a phone call away. Examples of ways they have helped some patients include arranging for prescriptions to be filled through mail-order services or setting patients up with medication synchronization, so all their monthly medications are filled on the same day to decrease pharmacy trips. They have arranged for prescriptions to be filled in bubble-packs with directions and pre-dosing to improve understanding. They can also create detailed medication guides for patients that can include brand/ generic names of medication, dose, reason-for use, warnings, and other important information patients and caregivers desire. Our team has experience in helping connect appropriate patients to community-based programs for additional financial, educational, and transportation aid. The purpose of medications is to help keep you as healthy as possible- don’t let cost or access get in the way. Speak to your provider today to learn how they can help. n

MEDICATION AFFORDABILITY

Some of the most common disease states such as Diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) require treatment with brandname-only medications. Often patients go to the pharmacy to pick up these medications, only to find copays anywhere from $50 up to over $500 per month. Compound this on top of several medications and cost becomes prohibitive to condition management. Genesis providers work closely with the pharmacies, health plans, and patients to ensure medication regimens are affordable. Our dedicated clinical pharmacist can review medication lists and recommend cost-effective alternatives, offer copay cards, and even work with the drug manufacturer through patient assistance programs for those who qualify.

TREATMENT PLAN CLARITY

Transportation to and from the doctor’s office is not always easy. Some people rely on relatives, friends, and coworkers for

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COVER STORY

Genesis Medical Physicians Jeffrey Bentz, DC is a national boardcertified chiropractor with an additional license in adjunctive procedures. In the past twelve years he has successfully treated patients with complex musculoskeletal conditions where multi-doctoral co-management is the standard of patient care. He has spent time in the operating room with neurosurgeons furthering his education of corrective treatment for complex spinal conditions. Dr. Bentz offers three chiropractic techniques with focus on spinal disc herniation and rehabilitation of muscular imbalances. He has been published in Dynamic Chiropractic Journal and Chiropractic Economics. Dr. Bentz is married to his beautiful wife, Janeen, and has two children, Ellie, and Austin.

residency at Hunterdon Medical Center, whereupon he finally moved out of NJ to Pittsburgh and has been here ever since. He worked as a hospitalist at UPMC Passavant for 12 years but wanted to get back to his Family Medicine roots and was excited to have the opportunity to join Northern Area Family Medicine, a division of Genesis Medical Associates. He is on the medical staff at UPMC Passavant and Kane-Ross Nursing Home. He also serves as the Medical Director for the new Physician Assistant program at Carlow University. Outside of medicine he enjoys learning about history of many different eras, particularly because of what we can learn about human nature and the nature of causality. He is married to his beautiful wife Samantha and is raising his three children to be Steeler’s fans.

Karen Bucher, DO is a Pittsburgh native and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Allegheny College. She attended medical school at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, WV and completed her Family Medicine Residency training with the U.S. Air Force at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. She is board certified in Family Medicine and has a special interest in women’s health but is also passionate about treating the whole family and patients of all ages. Dr. Bucher worked as a staff physician and medical director of the 19th Medical Group, Family Health Clinic on Little Rock Air Force Base, AR and served active duty in the U.S. Air Force for 7 years. Dr. Bucher is the Medical Director at Kane-Ross Nursing Home and is on the medical staff at UPMC Passavant Hospital. She prides herself on individualized, high quality and evidence-based patient care, as well as authentic collaboration with each patient regarding their medical care. Dr. Bucher resides with her husband, Jonathan and their son in Mars, PA.

Ashim K. Dayalan, MD attended Bangalore University Medical College as well as St. Joseph’s College and graduated in 1988. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine and is currently a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the Allegheny County Medical Society. Dr. Dayalan is also certified by the American Academy of Addiction Society to treat patients in the throes of the opiate epidemic and drug addiction. Dr. Dayalan currently serves as a preceptor for both the Duquesne University School of Pharmacy and the Duquesne University School of Nursing, Graduate Program. He has also attained recognition in diabetic care and office systems under the “Bridges to Excellence” program. Services provided within his practice include primary care, wellness, chronic disease management, behavioral health, addiction treatment, osteoporosis management and joint injections. Dr. Dayalan is the proud father of his son Raj, and in his free time enjoys playing squash, cooking, bike riding and sports cars.

Matthew G. Cook, DC is a Pittsburgh native and a graduate of North Hills High School, Duquesne University and Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Corissa, and his two boys, Dominick, and Nicholas. In addition to treating patients in his office, he is active in outdoor activities, coaching and playing soccer. Dr. Cook has been a practicing chiropractor and a part of Genesis Medical Associates since 2007 and treats athletes and patients of all ages. His services in his office include chiropractic manipulations, rehabilitation, extremity adjustments, medical massage therapy, decompression therapies and physiotherapies. He is proud to be serving the community and city he was born and raised in and strives for excellence through superior patient treatment, education and working collaboratively with medical, neuro and orthopedic physicians. He believes that a multi-disciplinary team approach assures the highest quality of care and outcomes for patients. Joshua Dalessio, MD is new to Genesis Medical Associates and is Board Certified in Family Medicine. He was born and raised in NJ where he did his undergraduate studies at Rutgers University with a major in Chemistry and a minor in music. He then attended Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (then part of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ). He completed his Family Medicine

Barbara Fardo, DO is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine who specializes in Family Medicine at Genesis Medical Associates in Cranberry Township, PA. Dr. Fardo is board certified by the American Academy of Family Medicine. Selected the Community Choice Award Winner – Best Physician Cranberry Eagle for 2013, 2014 and 2015. She has been voted one of Pittsburgh Top Doctors in 2021 & 2022. Eric S. Griffin, DO, MPH was educated at the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey) and completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He is board certified in family medicine and has been a physician with Genesis Medical Associates since 2014. Before his doctorate, he served as a public health volunteer for the United States Peace Corps and earned his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Griffin realized medicine was his calling during his Peace Corps service where he created health programs for preventative care and traffic injury prevention in Kiribati. His experience during this formative period started him down the path to his medical career. Dr. Griffin is married with two children. When not working, he spends time with his family and enjoys hiking, swimming, and gardening as well as attending the theatre, a museum or sporting event. Dr. Griffin was previously recognized as one of the Top 40 Physicians Under 40 in the state by the PA Medical Society. When asked what keeps

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him motivated in his career he stated, “I am passionate about preventative health, immunizations and putting into practice the concept of Value and Quality Based Healthcare.” Daniel K. Grob, MD was educated at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates for 23 years. Dr. Grob serves as Medical Director at Concordia at Rebecca Residence in Allison Park and is Board Certified in Family Medicine and a Certified Medical Director in Long Term Care. Dr. Grob is married to Carla, and they have three children who keep him busy, but he does find time to hunt and fish, often with one or another of his children joining in the fun. He sought opportunities in high school and college to learn more about medicine and at each step his passion for medicine was confirmed and grew. It was the director at St. Margaret’s Family Practice Residency, Dr. J. Ferrante, which showed him the rewards of long-term relationship caring for entire families across generations. Dr. Grob was recently selected as one of Pittsburgh Magazine’s Top Doctors for 2021. Kurt Heil, MD is a Pittsburgh native. He attended high school at North Allegheny where he was part of the Western Pennsylvania championship wrestling team. Outside of school, he was an Eagle Scout and active leader in the Boy Scouts of America. This helped forge his love of the outdoors. He attended the University of Notre Dame, went on to Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia and completed medical training at the Fairfax Family Practice residency program of Northern Virginia. He is proud to be part of Northern Area Family Medicine, a division of Genesis Medical Associates for over 20 years. He enjoys practicing family medicine for the great joy it brings him to care for multiple generations, seeing them through good times and bad. Medicine has gone through many tremendous changes lately, but the shift has favored primary care, allowing him to focus on preventive medicine and promote quality healthcare. Dr. Heil is on staff at UPMC Passavant and Allegheny General Hospitals, Kane-Ross Regional Nursing Home, and The Haven Assisted Living Facility. Louis Heyl, MD is a second-generation family practice physician at Heyl Family Practice. Beginning his career alongside his father Dr. Frank Heyl, in 1982, Dr. Heyl has spent nearly forty years providing care to local families in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Over the span of his career, Dr. Heyl has held many roles within the medical community including his position as past president of Genesis Medical Associates, Inc. Currently, Dr. Heyl is an active member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Last year, Dr. Heyl and his team at Heyl Family Practice earned the “Best of the Best” designation in the Tribune Review’s Community Choice Awards for the North region of the city. In his free time, Dr. Heyl enjoys spending time with his wife (Mary), his two sons (Scott and Brad) and his three beautiful grandchildren. When he’s not working and spending time with his family, he is traveling and fly fishing!

Scott Heyl, MD is a third-generation family practice physician at Heyl Family Practice, following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps. Dr. Heyl joined the practice in July 2016. Over the last few years, Dr. Heyl has earned various accolades in the medical field including Top Physician Under 40 in 2019 by the Pennsylvania Medical Society and Top Doctor designation the last two years. In addition to that, he individually earned the “Best of the Best” designation in 2020 and earned it collectively with his team at Heyl Family Practice in 2021. As a board-certified practice physician, he combines his passion for quality patient care with his focus on furthering effective patient care management and preventative measures. When he is not in the office, Dr. Scott Heyl, and his wife (Dr. Rachelle Atrasz) enjoy spending time with their two children. He also enjoys spending time on the golf course. Alka Kaushik, MD has been actively practicing medicine since 1979. In 1981 she came to the United States and completed an Internal Medicine residency at Lincoln Hospital, N.Y. She then completed a radiology residency at Bronx-Lebanon Medical Center followed by an Anesthesiology residency at Methodist Hospital in N.Y. Upon relocating to Pittsburgh, she decided to specialize in Pain Management, completing a fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital in 1993. Dr. Kaushik provides full-service pain management, from medication management up to and including interventional pain procedures. She holds certification from the American Board of Anesthesiology and has been a diplomate recognized by the American Academy of Pain Management. She is also a certified in acupuncture and has been certified in addiction management by the American Board of Addiction Psychiatry. Joseph Kimmell DO is a Family Medicine physician and is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. Dr. Kimmell has been with Genesis Medical Associates since 2007 and currently serves on its board of directors. Dr. Kimmell was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area and is married with two children. Osteopathic medicine provides all the benefits of modern medicine including prescription drugs, surgery, and the use of technology to diagnose disease and evaluate injury. It also offers the added benefit of hands-on diagnosis and treatment. Osteopathic medicine emphasizes helping each person achieve a high level of wellness by focusing on health promotion and disease prevention. DOs are trained to look at the whole person from their first days of medical school, which means they see each person as more than just a collection of organ systems and body parts that may become injured or diseased. This holistic approach to patient care means that osteopathic doctors integrate the patient into the health care process as a partner. Christopher G. Koman, MD, CMD, FAAFP has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates since 1998 and is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson College and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his Residency in Family

Medicine at UPMC Shadyside, is board certified and is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is a certified medical director in long-term care by the American Medical Directors Association and serves as the medical director of Vincentian Home and Vincentian Personal Care. His professional interests are in family medicine, geriatrics, and healthcare quality. His practice is a Level III Patient-Centered Medical Home, and he was selected as a 2021‘Top Doctor’ in Pittsburgh Magazine. Dr. Koman and his wife have four children and are active in their parish. He also enjoys outdoor activities, volunteering with the Boy Scouts of America and is a private pilot. Matthew Macken, MD has been part of the Heyl Family Practice team since 2017. Dr. Macken is a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, the Western Pennsylvania Geriatric Society, the American Society of Family Physicians, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians. Additionally, Dr. Macken currently serves as the medical director of Reformed Presbyterian Home. His affiliation with these organizations further reinforces his dedication to patient care at every stage of life. Additionally, Dr. Macken has earned various accolades during his tenure at Heyl Family Practice including designation as a Top Doctor and Rising Star on Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor List the last two years. Dr. Macken resides in Wexford with his wife and three children. Tad D. Scheri, MD was educated at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry at the University of Virginia. He completed his residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s Hospital. He has been a member of Genesis Medical Associates for 20 years and President of Genesis since 2019. Dr. Scheri serves as the Chair of Primary Care at UPMC Passavant Hospital. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Dr. Scheri is married to Dedee and they have two children. He enjoys gardening, hiking, camping, traveling, and cooking. Karen L. Schogel, MD is a boardcertified internist who has practiced in the Cranberry area since 1994. She has cared for multiple generations of families over the years and finds this to be the most fulfilling part of her practice. She is currently serving Genesis Medical Associates as Chief Medical Information Officer and is an active member of UPMC Passavant medical leadership as an officer of the Medical Executive Committee. She has been voted one of Pittsburgh Top Doctors in 2021 & 2022. In the community, she serves Choices Pregnancy Care Center, as Medical Director; Grace Community Church and UPMC Passavant Hospital as a Board Member. She and her husband reside in Cranberry and are enjoying their roles as grandparents. Donald Shoenthal, MD has been part of the Heyl Family Practice team since 1990. Dr. Shoenthal holds many accolades including his most recent designation as a Top Doctor on Castle Connolly’s Top Doctor List the past two years and a board-certified director through the American Board of Family Medicine. He is also a member of

the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the Allegheny County Medical Society. He currently serves as the Medical Director of Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community in Cranberry alongside his duties at the McCandless and West View offices. When Dr. Shoenthal is not in the office, he is spending time with his wife and daughter traveling. Prashan Thiagarajah, MD is a Board-certified physician in internal medicine. Dr. Thiagarajah joined Genesis Medical in 2019 after working within the Allegheny Hospital Network for 10 years. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Yale, followed by graduate studies at Columbia University, he received his medical degree from the Ross University School of Medicine. Dr. Thiagarajah has a strong background in patient education, preventative medicine, and continuity of care. He is a strong proponent of patients being engaged with their healthcare. Outside of medicine, Prashan enjoys spending time with family and friends. Nicole Waltrip, MD was educated at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD after graduating as valedictorian at Kalamazoo College in Michigan. She then completed her residency at Magee-Women’s Hospital in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Waltrip is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been practicing gynecology In the Pittsburgh region for the last 21 years. She has a true passion for providing quality patient care and actively involving patients in decision making. Dr. Waltrip is married to Robert Waltrip, MD who practices orthopedic surgery and they have three children in high school and college. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, water skiing, and activities with her family and church. Mark Woodburn, MD solidified his desire to enter medicine when his mother passed away of breast cancer at age 43 (when he was nine). Born and raised in Pittsburgh, he graduated from North Allegheny High School. The first one to go to college in his family, he received a full scholarship to attend Denison University in Ohio, then went on to attend Drexel University College of Medicine. He returned to Pittsburgh and completed family medicine residency at UPMC St. Margaret’s. Board certified in family medicine; he enjoys caring for patients of all ages including geriatrics. He has a special interest in dermatology and sports medicine and injections. He currently lives at home with his wife Kiley (whom has a harder job than he does as a stay-at-home-mom) in Wexford, where his children are in the Pine Richland School District (Izzy - 10, Evvy - 7, Greta - 4). Mark currently is the medical director at both Manor Care North Hills and Arden Courts North Hills. Recently voted as the top medical provider in Wexford by the Cranberry Eagle and recognized previously as one of the Top 40 Physicians Under 40 in the state by the PA Medical Society, he carries his motto “treat every patient as how you would want your own family treated” wherever he goes.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Identifying and Combating Burnout: When It’s Time to Make a Change Maura L. Johnson, LCSW, PMH-C

When we consider the idea of burnout, most of us can either identify with it personally or have a general understanding of the concept. We may often consider it in the context of the professional world, where it’s not uncommon to experience this feeling from time to time. However, burnout can occur in a variety of ways, perhaps some we would never really consider.

hile burnout may be used as a term to describe a general way of feeling, such as saying “I’m so burned out on xyz,” there are actually three different types of burnout. While many will consider burnout in relation to their professional obligations, it is also common to experience these feelings in regards to caregiving, parenting and generally in giving of ourselves at the expense of our own needs. The first type of burnout is Overload Burnout. This may be the easiest to identify, as nearly anyone can relate to taking on too much at one time. With this type of burnout, you may be working your-

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self too hard, and often to the point of exhaustion. This is common amongst any profession but may be particularly high within the helping professions and first responders. In addition to obligations at work, you may feel pulled in a variety of directions related to family, social life, caregiving and household management. This may reach a point of taking on nearly every task, struggling to ask for help and noticing we are building resentment towards others. Continuing to push ourselves to do more while in this state, overworking and overloading our brains and bodies, can be detrimental to our physical and mental well-being.

In what may seem a drastic turn from the first, the second type of burnout is Under Challenge Burnout. When this occurs, you tend to feel bored, unmotivated and possibly unnoticed at your workplace. In this scenario, many people feel underappreciated by their superiors and peers, while also perhaps feeling “stuck” with little to no advancement opportunities available to them. While many would argue that working remotely is a major benefit, others work best with face-to-face interaction on a more regular basis. Remote work may leave these individuals feeling disconnected and under challenged, while many others thrive while working remotely. When one experiences this type of burnout, you may notice frequent calls out of work, a general avoidance of tasks, an increasingly cynical attitude towards their work and an overall decrease in motivation. The third type you may experience is called Neglect Burnout. This occurs when you are given little to no guidance in your workplace, leading to feelings of frustration, helplessness and uncertainty. What can be particularly challenging with this type is that the expectations for the work may remain high, while you have not been given proper guidance in how to fulfill the duties. This may leave you feeling as though you are incompetent, affecting your self-confidence, your drive and possibly even your enjoyment for your field. In reality, you are not incompetent, you were simply not given the guidance or resources to succeed in your position. If this continues, you are likely to feel unmotivated about your work and disengaged from your workplace entirely. So, what are some of the signs you may be experiencing burnout? You may or may not be surprised to find that several of them manifest themselves physically. They may include: • Lack of motivation (in the workplace, with parenting, at home, etc.) • Apathetic feelings towards your workplace and/or job responsibilities

• • • • • •

Procrastination Feelings of malaise, including headaches, body aches, etc. Feeling overwhelmed and/or anxious Feelings of helplessness at work, home, school, etc. Irritability with others (colleagues, children, parents) Feeling as though you are losing passion for your chosen career field • Pessimism/losing optimism regarding your career prospects Combating burnout starts with identifying what type you are experiencing and how it has been affecting your daily life. Do some of these symptoms above sound familiar? Have you been experiencing them for several weeks, months, possibly years? Once you identify what type you are experiencing, it can help to evaluate what aspects of your life you have the control to change. You can do this on your own, with the support of family and friends or by consulting with a trained therapist or psychologist. Many companies also offer Employee Assistance Programs to support their employees with a variety of life circumstances. Increasing time spent in enjoyable activities and self-care may also be helpful. Enjoyable activities may certainly assist in managing symptoms of burnout, though addressing what is within our control to change will have the more lasting effect. n Maura Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker currently in practice at Cranberry Psychological Center. She is a certified perinatal mental health provider, as well as a contributing staff member with Postpartum Support International. While her primary focus is treating PMADs, she also treats a variety of conditions and clients of all ages. She resides in the Pittsburgh area with her husband, Brendan, daughter, Sloane, and dog, Max.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

A Stroke Recovery Story Adapted by Laura McAlister from the Encompass Health blog at blog.encompasshealth.com

n a matter of minutes, Danilo went from being a fully functional 49-year-old to not being able to walk or even use his hand to grip his phone. On May 2, 2021, around 3 a.m., Danilo was jolted awake by a loud noise and found himself stumbling to get up. When he reached for his phone, he couldn’t grasp it with his left hand. Danilo had suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. Once his medical condition was stabilized at the hospital, his doctors recommended inpatient rehabilitation to help him recover from the stroke.

Making the ‘Right Choice’

Danilo was skeptical. He thought he could manage and recover through outpatient therapy, but he accepted his doctors’ advice. “The more I thought about it, I knew I needed inpatient rehabilitation,” he said. “My sister searched all the inpatient centers, and we chose Encompass Health because they had the best reviews. I am glad I made the right choice.” When Danilo arrived at the rehabilitation hospital, he couldn’t walk and had little movement in his left side. His recovery goals: He wanted to walk again and just feel like himself. “I wanted to feel normal again and do the things I normally would

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be able to do,” he said. “I wanted to get my left hand and left leg working again and wanted to ultimately be able to work and ride my motorcycle again.”

Getting Back to ‘Normal’

Danilo’s care team used advanced technologies and equipment at Encompass Health to help him get back on his feet safely. The Vector, a gait and safety technology system, helped Danilo learn to walk again while the system’s harness protected him from falling. As his strength increased, he moved to the parallel bars, where he could practice walking with the assistance of his therapy team.

Trusting Himself again

Danilo was at Encompass Health for 14 days. He said his care team gave him confidence, something he had little of when he arrived at the rehabilitation hospital. “At the beginning, I was broken-hearted and didn’t think I could do this, but the whole team at Encompass Health would constantly motivate me and helped me push through those hard times,” he said. “I started to feel that I could do this. There’s something about someone believing in you that makes you start to believe in yourself.” When Danilo left Encompass Health, he was walking again and could even climb stairs. He said his balance greatly improved, as did his confidence in himself. Thanks to the motivation he received from his Encompass Health care team, he said he was able to trust himself again. “Once you have the motivation and don’t get discouraged and you trust yourself, that’s what creates the biggest impact on your life and recovery,” he said. n

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Humans are Genetically Designed to Move By Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm

Did you know that the human body contains over 600 muscles, which contribute to 40% of your body weight? There is a reason. It is noticeable that our bodies function better when we move more. In history, the average human moved about five miles a day, which is about 10,000 steps. Today, many of us are lucky if we get 3,000 steps unless we make it a point to do extra moving. The World Health Organization claims that limited to no physical activity is the contributing cause of roughly 3.2 million deaths globally, which is the fourth leading cause of death.

e are designed to move, so keep reading to see what happens if we move and what happens when we don’t move, or worse, the negative effects of sitting and laying down. Keep moving and we start to see the following: • Speeded up metabolism • Improved flexibility • Joints are less stiff • Improved cognitive functioning • Better quality of sleep • Decreased depression • Lowered blood pressure • Improved blood sugar regulation • Improved immune function • Builds muscles for strength • Improved endurance • Improved heart and lung health • Increased self-esteem

What happens when we have limited to no movement?

• Joints begin to stiffen • Muscle lose strength and become weak (in some case, muscle wasting) • Decreased bone density • Decreased heart and lung functioning

What happens when we lay down for extended period of hours and days:

• Lungs start to change after 24 hours, and collapse in parts, which causes mucus to get trapped and lead to pneumonia. • Muscles and bones begin to breakdown after 6 months • Increased anxiety and depression • Increased body aches, especially on lower back (due to weakened muscles)

• Damaged veins, especially in pelvis and legs, leading to blood clots

What happens when we sit?

• Increased risk of diabetes, as sitting may impact how our bodies react to insulin • Electrical activity shuts off in the leg muscles • Decreased burning of calories • Drop in lipase, which is an enzyme in the legs that helps breakdown of fat • HDL (good cholesterol) levels drop after 2 hours • Insulin effectiveness drops, risking diabetes • Sitting increases the risk of death up to 40% • Onset of dementia is more likely

A few simple steps, literally, to better health in some of our major areas of our body: Brain Health Walk at least 30 minutes a day. This simple movement can help rebuild the connections in your brain and slow cognitive decline as you age. Joint Health Moving builds strength and flexibility in our joints, and even reduces joint pain. Activities such as yoga promotes flexibility and joint function. Muscle Health Moving and stretching strengthens and flexes our muscles, also, leading to better balance. Bone Health Moving builds and maintains dense bones. Important to include all three movements: walking (weightbearing), weightlifting (resistance), and

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yoga or tai chi (balance). All contribute to increased bone density. Heart/Lung Health Moving keeps your heart rate up which improves your cardiorespiratory functions. Let’s keep this simple. Try to move every 15-30 minutes, even if you simply make yourself a cup of coffee or walk around your house or play with your pets. Stand while watching TV or talking on the phone. See if you can get an adjustable sitting/standing desk at work. This is not an intense work out, but you are still working your muscles. Immediately, you will use fats and sugars in your body and even decrease inflammation. For those of you who are all about efficiency and focused work (that’s me), well, throw that concept out the window if you want to be healthy into geriatric years. We need a balance between efficient/focused work and interruptive sitting. Keep on Moving, our bodies will thank us. Get up and Get moving right now! n

Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm, has focused her career on geriatric pharmacy and automated dispensing systems to promote patient safety and improve health outcomes. For the last 10 years, she has served as Chief Pharmacy Officer (CPO) for a long-term care pharmacy, servicing the geriatric population in nursing homes, assisted living, independent living, and the senior day programs, such as, Pennsylvania’s LIFE programs and the PACE programs in multiple states. Belinda oversees the pharmacy operations in three pharmacies, located in Denver, Philadelphia and headquarters in Pittsburgh.

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FROM THE EDITOR

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Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have

Ten years ago I hurt my foot and it continued to get worse over the years. It got to the point that my feet were so sore and cold all the time. Outdoor activities are very important to me and I was losing the ability to do them. I felt there was no hope. A friend of mine learned of Tri-State Neuropathy Centers and I made an appointment. The results have been unbelievable. I have no more pain and my feet are no longer cold. My range of motion is so much better, and my balance is back. I am now enjoying all the outdoor activities I use to and am nearly 100% better.

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Janie C. It seems like it became noticeable about 20 years ago. At first my feet would ache from time-to-time, then my feet would ache so bad that I had to limit my time standing or walking. In the last two years I have had to change the way I have lived my life. I could no longer go hiking with my husband or just take a walk. I knew it was just a matter of time before I would need a wheelchair. I heard about Tri-State Neuropathy Centers and went for my free consultation to see if I was a candidate. To date, I see a significant improvement. I can take short walks, cook and I have even been gardening. It feels like a miracle. I plan to get back into volunteer work.

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Peripheral Neuropathy occurs when nerves are damaged or destroyed and can’t send messages to the muscles, skin and other parts of the body. Peripheral nerves go from the brain and spinal cord to the arms, hands, legs and feet. When damage to the nerves takes place, numbness and pain in these areas may occur. A specialized treatment protocol utilizing brand new technologies is available at the TRI-STATE NEUROPATHY CENTERS. It includes the combination of very specific, noninvasive, FDA approved and painless treatments that are designed to get rid of symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. With over 90 percent satisfaction rate and the experience of seeing over 8000 patients, they are able to tailor a specific and successful treatment plan for each individual to provide maximum results. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, don’t wait until they get worse.

Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms can include: • Sharp Pains or Cramps in the Feet or Legs Take o • Burning Pain in the Legs, Feet or Hands PREQUA ur LIFYING • Extreme Sensitivity to Touch SU www.M RVEY at aryDan • Loss of Balance or Coordination cedIn.c om • Feelings of Walking on Pins and Needles • Weakness in the Arms and Legs • Numbness and Tingling or Pain in the Toes, Feet, Hands, Arms and Fingers • Dependency on Medications If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait till they get worse. Call today to schedule your FREE consultation.

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Five Locations: Sewickley

2591 Wexford-Bayne Rd., Suite 207

Monroeville

4314 Old William Penn Hwy, Suite 105

Washington, PA

1385 Washington Rd., #100

Poland, OH

70 W McKinley Way, Poland, OH 44514

Weirton, WV

3350 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite A, Weirton, WV 26062

MaryDancedIn.com • (724) 940 -9000 19 19 www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com www.northernconnectionmag.com| |Fall J U L2021 Y 2022

HAPPENINGS

July Events Art and Exercise program for individuals with

intellectual disabilities, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. art & exercise 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., every Friday at the YMCA on Nicholson Rd in Franklin Park. For details, visit pittsburghymca.org/locations/baierl-family-ymca.

Carnegie Museum of Natural History Sensory Friendly hours, 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., July 23. For

those on the autism spectrum. For info, visit carnegiemnh.org/explore/sensory-friendly-hours/

Celebrity Care Fest Weekend, sponsored

by HM3 Partners Independence Fund Inc., the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Pittsburgh Steelers. The event will take place Friday, July 22nd and Saturday, July 23, at 405 Avonlea Court, Gibsonia. For info on tickets and sponsorships visit, hm3independencefund.org/.

Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center Birthday Toy Drive, 1-5 p.m., July

17, The Stacks at 3 Crossing, 2875 Railroad Street 15222. Celebrate the day with live music, face painting, caricature artists and enjoy multiple vendors. For details, visit ChildrensHomePgh.org.

Cindystock 19, 4 p.m., Aug. 19, Helicon Brewery,

bike ride, pizza & music, 3:30 p.m., Aug. 20, Yates House in Wexford, bands, food, raffle prizes & silent auction. For info, visit www.cindystock.org.

Cranberry Township Farmer’s Market, 3-7

p.m., every Friday, thru Sept. 30, of the Cranberry Township Municipal Building, center front lot. Food trucks, live music, special events. For info, visit pghnorthchamber.com.

Cranberry Township 55+ Club meets 1:00 p.m.

the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Members must be residents of Cranberry Township. The Club features activities, social opportunities, and visits to nearby points of interest. For info, contact Bill at (724) 776-1933.

Depreciation Lands Museum, Spinning Class, 9

a.m. – 4 p.m, June 4; Frontier Skills: Natural Dyeing to achieve Green, 1-4 p.m., June 5; Adventures in Pioneer Living: June 20-24. For details, visit www. DLMuseum.org.

Farmer’s Market & Food Trucks every Friday

from 3-6 p.m. from June 3-Sept. 30, at The Block Northway. For details, visit www.theblocknorthway.com.

Fox Chapel Area High School preschool program

is open for enrollment for the fall 2022 semester. Preschool class will be held Monday-Thursday beginning September 6 and ending December 15. For info, email jennifer_antonikas@fcasd.edu, or call (412) 967-2400, voice mail number 1883.

Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable, 7 p.m., July 18, Hampton Community Center, 1301 McCully Rd, Allison Park. Jim Broomall will present, Shepherdstown WV. Lecture is free and open to the public. Masks and social distancing required.

Martinis with Monet Art Expo kicks off

Cranberry Township Community Days. The opening is 7:00-9:00 p.m., July 13, at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road, Cranberry Twp. The show will remain hanging until Aug. 25. For details, visit www.cranberryartistsnetwork.com.

Musical concerts, 3-6 p.m., Fridays 3-6, June 3

-Sept. 30, at The Block Northway. Events held rain or shine in the indoor/outdoor south corridor located between DSW and Lands’ End. The full concert schedule is available online at www.theblocknorthway.com.

NA Class OF 1977 45th Reunion, 7-11 p.m.,

Saturday, August 20, Doubletree by Hilton Pittsburgh-Cranberry, 910 Sheraton Dr., Mars. For details, email nashclassof1977@gmail.com. To register, https://nashclassof1977.wixsite.com/reunion.

North Allegheny Kennywood Day is Sunday,

August 14. Discounted tickets can be purchased online at www.kennywood.com/NA or stop in the Athletic Office located in the North Allegheny Senior High School, M-F, 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Northland Library, has numerous events scheduled for July. For a completed list of events, visit www.northlandlibrary.org or call (412) 366-8100.

Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club Friday Night Classic Movies After Dark, 8 p.m. start for all

movies, July 15, The Third Man; Aug. 19, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance; Sept. 16, The VIPs, Elias Fry Barn at Knob Hill Park, 415 Knob Hill Rd., Marshall Twp. For info, visit Pittsburgh Classic Movie Club.

Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber Golf Outing, July 26 at Conley’s Resort and Golf. For details, visit www.pghnorthchamber.com.

Pittsburgh Mercy Parish Nurse & Health Ministry Program will host “Foundations of Faith Community Nursing,” a five-day, virtual course that offers valuable education and resources to those preparing for faith community nursing and health ministry. Course will be held 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sept. 23-24, Oct. 1, 21 & 22. For details, visit www.pittsburghmercy.org.

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 7 p.m., July 1 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland. For tickets, visit pittsburghsymphony.org or call (412) 392-4900.

Saint Aidan Over 50 Trip, Seneca Niagara Casino & Resort, Oct 12-14, $359 double occupancy, $516 single occupancy. Mid-trip to Buffalo Creek Casino. For info, call Dave at (412) 719-3172 or Lois (412) 400-4516.

Shaler Great Local Gardens Tour, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.,

July 10. Tickets are available online at www.shalerlibrary.org. For details, www.shalergardenclub.org.

Sisters of Divine Providence 2022 Super Sweeps. Grand prize $5,000 cash prize, second & third place receive $500 and $100 cash. To

(Continued on page 22)

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Eichner’s Whole Farm & Greenhouses

s a multi-generation family farm since 1897, Eichner’s Whole Farm & Greenhouses are nestled in a Wexford valley off of Richard Road. Ron and his dad, Dick, have always seeked out what else can be nutritionally added to the laying feed for the hens to produce their exclusive high-energy eggs. For example, an average whole egg has 14 minerals, and with the addition of ground kelp, the mineral count increases to 80 minerals. Eggs are a nutrient-dense food packed with complete proteins, good fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that protect the eyes. In 21-days, a fertilized egg can be developed into a little chick. Recently studies show that eating a couple of eggs per day doesn’t seem to change cholesterol levels on heart disease risk factors. The attacks on the incredible edible egg started in the 1960s with the encouragement of a high carb, low-fat diet that led to putting processed cereals on the breakfast table, which now is being challenged nutritionally. We are now told that low carb and good fats can improve health in a number of ways, promoting weight loss and decreasing body fat. Also, it benefits many health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and neurological condition like Alzheimer’s. If you want to step up and support our laying hens, come by our farm market to purchase and enjoy the high-energy eggs and add some of our lean homemade sausages and a sliced slab of Canadian bacon, which can be a “breakfast for champions!” We are open seven days a week. Amish donuts are available every Saturday. Bring a friend and be a friend. Our family farm supports our community, and we welcome your community support. n

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enter, visit cdpsisters.org/SistersSweeps or call (412) 635.5437. Proceeds benefit the ministries and mission of the Sisters of Divine Providence. No purchase necessary. Winner need not be present. Sweepstakes ends July 29.

oodland Farms Lemonade Stand, noon-4 p.m., Saturday, July 23, Pinkerton Road & Scarlet Circle, Wexford and Mt. Pleasant Road & Emerald Fields Drive. This is the 10th year for the fundraiser. All donations raised go to the national cancer charity Alex’s Lemonade Stand. Donations can also be made online at www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/2848245. n

Twilight Picnic for the Parks, August

20, Hartwood Acres Park. For details, visit acparksfoundation.org.

Women’s Business Network has meet-

ings scheduled in July at various times and locations. For a details list, visit www. wbninc.com.

Woodland Farms Lemonade Stand,

noon-4 p.m., Saturday, July 23, Pinkerton Road & Scarlet Circle, Wexford, PA & Mt. Pleasant Road & Emerald Fields Drive. Donations can also be made online at https://www.alexslemonade.org/ mypage/2848245.

The Cranberry Chapter of Am Spirit Business Connections meets Wed.

mornings from 7:15-8:30 am at the Best Western Plus in Cranberry (and via Zoom). Currently looking for the following categories to join the chapter: Home Inspection, Veterinarian and Personal Trainer. To visit a meeting or join, contact Dorothy at dconeil@burnswhite.com Deadline for submissions to our Events section is by the 15th of the month before publication.

Woodland Farms Lemonade Stand

Ring Pittsburgh Presents – Internationally Recognized Hand Ensemble: The Raleigh Ringers

he Raleigh Ringers is an internationally-acclaimed concert handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since its founding in 1990, The Raleigh Ringers has been dazzling concert audiences with unique interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music, including famous rock n’ roll tunes arranged for handbells. Ring Pittsburgh is hosting these exceptional performers in a one-night show. The Raleigh Ringers show will be held at 7 p.m., Friday, July 15, at North Catholic High School Cahout Auditorium, 1617 PA-228, Cranberry Twp. Tickets are available at ringpittsburgh.org/event-ticket. n

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SAINT AIDAN PARISH EVENTS

Saint Alexis Church 10090 Old Perry Highway, Wexford

Saint Alexis Festival

Wednesday, July 13 & Thursday, July 14, 6-10 p.m., and Friday, July 15 & Saturday, July 16, 6-11 p.m. Rides, games, entertainment, great food and family fun.

Giant Flea Market

Saturday, July 9, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. & Sunday, July 10, 9-12 noon, (half off sale), at Saint Alexis old church.

Saint Alphonsus Church 221 Church Road, Wexford

Gently Used Clothing Sale

Friday, August 5 & Saturday, August 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Saint Alphonsus Church Collection dates: July 23-31 in the lower gym (beneath the church)

Annual Harvest Home Dinner

SAVE THE DATE – Sunday, September 11, 12:30-6:30 p.m. For a delicious home-cooked meal

For more information, visit saintaidanparish.org or call (724) 935-4343.

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MOM2MOM

We All Ought to Have Pizza, Gyro and Just Fun! I’m a mom to a 10-year-old child, I get you moms.

he summer is in full bloom. COVID does exist, but life must go on. Being cooped in, apparently is not our thing, as we all found out. The neighborhood peeps became our family; kids want to hang out with each other till the very last second of the night - rain or shine. You are just coming home from a long day at the office or just starting to crawl out from your home office, drained with Zoom calls. “Mommy I’m hungry,” you hear those dreadful

words, even though, you know your kids had breakfast, lunch and ton of snacks in between. You need time to decompress. “A human can go 30 days without food,” a thought sprints through your mind. “Ok,” you say, “will feed you shortly.” SO, being a healthy and organic food fanatic, and but of course, every meal must be prepared from scratch, I say, forget about it, call your local food truck, and make your neighborhood summer’s nirvana, or to change it up a bit, visit the most delish local place, The Gyro Shop. One of my most favorite food trucks is AVIVA. Not for nothing, the name means fresh. As the state-of-the-art brick ovens on wheels start to arrive to set up, the most divine aromatic fumes start to circle around your neighborhood as the pizzas start to come alive. Ah yes, for a second there, you feel you are in Italy. Want a Margherita Pizza? No problem. Gluten free Bianco Pizza, done deal. Aviva Pizza with hot sausage and extra, made in the house, mozzarella, absolutely. Mouthwatering pizzas served right there at your doorsteps. And if pizzas are not what you are looking for, not a problem, AVIVA is also known for their catering, luscious banana peppers, meat balls and gnocchi. Nirvana? I say, most definitely. Want to take a little drive and feel you are in Greece with a blue sky and white feathery clouds, then

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you must try, The Gyro Shop, in Wexford. The juicy gyro’s rotisserie is served with fresh, daily-made Tzatziki or try the chicken with Mediterranean spices grilled on a fresh bed of salad with feta. It is every health nut’s dream. Nirvana? I say, most definitely. The kids are thrilled, covered with sweat and pizza sauce. You, as a parent, are over the moon, everyone is fed, kitchen is clean, and you just got yourself a few hours of freedom with really good food. Let it be your little reminder. After trying so hard to be a good parent during such unprecedented few years, you, as a parent, owe it to yourself. AND, at the same time, you are helping local businesses. We all know, they had it rough. ENJOY the SUMMER. ENJOY every bite you take. ENJOY every minute with your loved ones. After all, SUMMER, comes only once a year. n

Sofya Stearns is the proud owner of Izabella’s Gourmet Chow and the mother of a young daughter, and she is brimming with tips and ideas to share with other moms, step-mothers, grandmothers and moms-to-be to make their lives easier. Sometime, being a mom is difficult, and she hopes that she can help to connect others as they care for and raise the little ones in their charge. Do you have an idea for a feature in an upcoming MOM2MOMS article or looking for more healthy tips? Feel free to send an email to me at izabellasgourmetchow@gmail.com

FACTS FROM THE FARM

The July Journey Thru Sustainable Agriculture By Ron Eichner

Hi folks, We are in the early days of summer, and the

Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, which has been a federal holiday since 1941, kicks off this month. Just think the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to July 2, 1776. On this date, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from England. Then, on July 4, 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson The lifestyle of farming is genuinely for the few. Unlike our society, a farmer has a seven-day work week, whereas most people have five days and a two-day weekend. Mother Nature is the farmer’s silent partner. Our government has regulations and sitting policies that are overburdening and not sustainable for farming. It only adds more office work. The education that most farmers like myself have requires getting and maintaining licenses and updating them annually. Sustainable agriculture is promoted to sustain agriculture, farmers, and communities by promoting farming practices and methods that are profitable, environmentally sound, and good for our communities. In addition, sustainable agriculture aims to meet society’s food needs in the present without compromising the ability of the future. With that stated and understood, shouldn’t we have a sustainable government for the same reasons and goals? As an example of having a sustainable government, using existing resources is more efficient and does not compromise our future’s ability. Agriculture in Pennsylvania is the number one business, and the government employs the most people in the USA. It’s hard to find help-wanted signs hanging in most companies. Farming is not only a lifelong career; it also can be continued by future generations to nurture the land. Government was never created to be a lifelong career; everything is paid for and provided for, but you have to serve the people and step back into the private sector. What has been lost is “We the People by the People.” The first three words in our Constitution are the most powerful and maybe lost: “We the People.” It declares that our cherished Constitution deserves its power, not from a king or the views of Congress but from the people themselves. A healthy government and economy go hand-in-hand. We can only have a healthy economy when we have a healthy government. With everything in play for the last year and a half, and the death spiral of our economy, we should protect our seniors and elderly who have supported our communities and country for all these years. Property tax relief would be a

start. We can’t live our lives in fear, but we need to be ready for upcoming food shortages—and don’t think it can’t happen. Farmers are looking at much-needed synthetic fertilizers and the costs are up over 100%. They have doubled the price this year and everything else is escalating at record paces. My goal as a farmer is to recognize the increased costs and pass the increase so that our family farm is not working for less. Generally, farmers are outstanding in their field, and don’t make good followers. But, as a family farm, we are here seven days a week to support our loyal, valued customers and community. You are welcome to stop by Eichner’s Whole Farm and Greenhouses and let us be one of your year destinations. Bring a friend and be a friend at 285 Richard Road in Wexford, and get the “rest of the story.” n

IT’S A GOOD TIME TO

SELL YOUR HOME. The current real estate market is hot and inventory is at a record low. I would love to provide a complimentary market consultation and market analysis.

Mary Simpson, REALTOR® (O) 724-776-9705 • (C) 412-613-0249

A member of franchise systems of BHHS Affiliates, LLC

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KIDS & EDUCATION

School Movers & Shakers Aquinas Academy Twenty-two Aquinas Academy students submitted video entries for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) Regional Meeting in February. Fifteen of the 22 students received First Place recognition and qualified for the State Meeting. Along with a First Place award, Savannah Deschamps received the Director’s Award which included a $100 prize.

Three Fox Chapel Area High School 2022 graduates, Justine Eng – Latin, Laura Klamut – German, and Paris Wohlgemuth – German, have been named 2022 Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA) Global Scholars Graduates.

Seneca Valley

Fox Chapel A team of Fox Chapel Area High School seniors won first place in the 2022 Allegheny County Envirothon competition. The team members qualified for the state competition and they are Maia Gravina, Sydney Inglis, Aurora Sauereisen, Kaylee Uribe, and Anushka Vis. Each member of the winning team will receive a $500 scholarship.

The Fox Chapel Area High School team of 2022 graduate Ian Mackey-Piccolo and 2021-2022 sophomore Adhitya Thirumala advanced to the double octofinal trophy round in Policy Debate at the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament. This accomplishment placed the team among the top 32 policy debate teams in the nation.

The Dorseyville Middle School Girls Chamber Chorus and the DMS FoxTones performed both separately and together as the DMS Combined Honor Choirs at the High Note Festival adjudication. All three groups earned the highest rating of “Superior” and were given trophies for their performances. Choirs, bands and orchestras from throughout the greater Pittsburgh area participated in the adjudication festival held May 27 at Duquesne University and Kennywood Park.

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A community service project provided seventh graders from Ryan Gloyer Middle School (RGMS) in the Seneca Valley School District the opportunity to work with the PA Fish and Boat Commission and build 40 fish habitats for Lake Arthur at Moraine State Park.

Mars Area Mars Area High School Boys Varity Lacrosse Head Coach Bob Marcoux and Assistant Coach Kyle Savage were named the WPIAL Class 2A Boys Lacrosse Coach and Assistant Coach of the Year.

Mars Area High School seniors Leana Cuzzocrea, Sarah Hooper, Matthew Hannan, Nicholas Kalieda, Kaitlyn Pelaia, Anuj Kaul, Ava Black, Isabella Pellegrino, Lauren Miko and Jordan Esswein were recognized at the school’s Principal’s Top 10 Dinner on May 23. Mars Area High School senior Quinn Fuller was named the 2022 WPIAL Class 2A Boys Varsity Lacrosse Player of the Year.

Quinn Fuller

BC3 More than 50 Butler County Community College students from Butler County are among new members of Rho Phi or Delta Kappa, the college’s chapters of international honor societies that recognize scholarship and promote development and leadership. Forty-eight are new members of BC3’s Rho Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an academic honor society; and three of BC3’s Delta Kappa chapter of Kappa Beta Delta, an honor society for business students.

Saint Joseph High School (Natrona Heights) Principal: Beverly K. Kaniecki (724) 224-5552 www.SaintJosephHS.com

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TRIVIA CONNECTION

Soaring Thru UFO Trivia By Paula Green

H.G. Wells wrote this novel in 1898, and in 1938, Orson Welles adapted the novel for radio. Folks thought they were under alien attack. What was the name of this story? 2. Two U.S. Presidents have claimed to see UFOs; one was Jimmy Carter. Who was the other one? 3. Located near Groom Lake, Nevada, this secret military installation is believed to be home to an actual military aircraft.

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4. What organization was founded on May 31, 1969, to investigate UFO phenomena? 5. This is the named given to tiny aliens with large heads, large dark eyes, and no hair. 6. U.S. pilots began reporting odd balls of light or shiny metallic spheres circling planes during World War II. What were these called? 7. On April 18, 1962, there was reported destruction of a craft near Nellis Air Force Base? What city and state is this located? 8. This History® Channel’s long-running series investigates the controversial theory that extraterrestrials have often visited Earth. 9. On November 5, 1975, this logger was supposedly abducted by a UFO while his friends watched. His story is the basis of the film Fire in the Sky. 10. In 1966, some 200 teachers and students reported seeing a UFO land in a suburb of which Australian city? 11. On March 13, 1977, a giant UFO consisting of several lights arranged a “V” formation in which southwestern state? 12. This American couple claimed they were abducted Sept. 1920, 1961, by extraterrestrials in a rural portion of New Hampshire. 13. In 1970, a British Air Force pilot flew to intercept a UFO, but he never returned. A month later, the plane was found near the North Sea. The cockpit was never opened, and he had vanished. 14. This was the code name for the systematic study of unidentified flying objects by the United States Air Force from March 1952 to its termination on December 17, 1969. 15. What is the study of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) called? Sources: www.wired.com/2010/07/0708army-announces-roswell-newmexico-ufo-sighting/, www.cfr.org/blog/five-movies-worth-watchingabout-ufos,www.cbsnews.com/pictures/10-famous-american-ufo-reportsfact-or-fiction/,www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2013/jun/21/ top-10-ufo-sightings-roswell-berkshire-files, www.travelchannel.com/ shows/expedition-unknown-hunt-for-extra-terrestrials/articles/5-famousufo-sightings-across-the-world, www.funtrivia.com, www.usefultrivia.com/ miscellaneous_trivia/ufo_trivia_index.html

Answers: 1. War of the Worlds 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Area 51 4. MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) 5. Greys 6. Foo Fighters 7. Las Vegas, Nevada 8. Ancient Aliens 9. Travis Walton 10. Melbourne 11. Arizona 12. Barney and Betty Hill 13. William Schaffner 14. Project Blue Book 15. Ufology

n July 8, 1947, days after something shiny crashed in the New Mexico desert, the Roswell Army Air Field issued a press release that said the military recovered the remains of a “flying saucer.” The government discounted the findings as being erroneous. Nevertheless, the announcement laid the groundwork for one of the most enduring UFO stories. In honor of the 75th anniversary of the “Roswell Incident,” we bring you UFO trivia. Two weeks before the Roswell incident, there was another sighting in the sky. Businessman and pilot Kenneth Arnold was flying near Mt. Rainer, Wash., on June 24, 1947, when he reportedly sighted nine unidentified flying objects. How about aliens hovering over our nation’s capital? On July 19, 1952, air traffic controllers at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., detected movement on their radars from aircraft that weren’t scheduled to arrive. The unknown discovery suddenly moved at speeds that the radar screens couldn’t detect. In Levelland, Texas, on November 4, 1957, motorists reported their engines stalling after encountering a glowing, egg-shaped object. Their vehicles mysteriously restarted after the craft flew past. On December 9, 1965, reports in several states talked of a fireball that left behind steaming metal debris. In the town of Kecksburg, Pennsylvania, eyewitness accounts spoke of a large acorn-looking object landing. The base of the craft was said to be adorned with hieroglyphics. Some would later refer to it as “Pennsylvania’s Roswell.” In Warren, Minnesota, on August 27, 1979, Sheriff’s Deputy Val Johnson was on patrol early in the morning on Highway 5 when he saw a bright light to the south on Highway 220. Johnson approached it. He said the light instantly jumped through the windshield, hitting him like a “200-pound pillow,” knocking him out. Since we have soared through UFO stories, we must now rocket our way through this spacey query, get set to don those alien caps, because it’s time to get a little trivial.

FROM THE EDITOR

A Foul Story By Janice Lane Palko

t was the summer of 1981, and my boyfriend at the time, who is now my husband, had a college friend from Philadelphia come to town for the Pirates-Phillies game. We had great seats for the night game at Three Rivers, about 20 rows back on the first base side. I was a big baseball fan back then and knew I had to pay attention as we could easily get hit with a line drive foul ball. Sitting in the row in front of us, were several nuns from the convent at St. Benedict Academy, where I had attended high school. I had none of them as teachers, so they didn’t know me. I just recognized their faces. Gary Maddox of the Phillies came up to bat and fouled off a high fly ball in our direction. I had already stated that if a foul came our way, I was going to duck as I had no chance of snagging a ball with all the tall men sitting around me. When Maddox’s ball sailed our way, everyone in our section jumped out of their seats to try to catch it while I ducked and covered like I was awaiting a nuclear blast. I heard the thud of the ball hitting something and spring somewhere as people clamored and shouted, “Where did it go?” Fans scrambled around the stands searching for the coveted foul ball. As I stared at the floor, hands over head, the ball rolled under the nun’s seat in front of me. My first thought was from that little angel, I should let the nuns get it. Then that little devil on my other shoulder said, “the Lord helps those who helps themselves,” and I reached down and scooped up the foul ball. I stood up with the ball in hand like I was the Statue of Liberty holding her torch and said rather sheepishly, “I got it!” People around me cheered for me, patted me on the back, and men in the stands that I didn’t even know wanted to shake my hand, treating me like I was some kind of hero, like I’d snagged a blistering line drive instead of picking up a ball that had rolled to me. I was glad I got the ball, but it was from a Philly, so I wasn’t as thrilled as if I’d caught one off a Pirate bat. I stashed the ball in my cedar chest, and over the last 40 some years, I’d take it out every now and then and show it to my kids to impress them that their mom “caught” a foul ball. I’d tell them that it was from Gary Maddox, known as the Secretary of Defense for the Phillies, and on cue my husband would chime in with, “You know what they said about Gary Maddox, ‘Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other one-third by Gary Maddox.’” This past Memorial Day I learned something else about Gary Maddox. The American Thinker had an article written by Will O’Toole, who talked about MLB players who served in Vietnam. Unlike World War II, where most eligible young men, including many MLB players, served their country, the Vietnam War was not like that. Most MLB players didn’t serve their country—but Gary Maddox did. One of nine children, he enlisted at 19 and served in Vietnam until his father suffered several heart attacks

and Maddox applied for a hardship discharge to help support his family. He then pursued his MLB career. I was treated like a hero for picking up a fly foul ball, but until this year, neither I nor my husband knew that Maddox was a Vietnam veteran who selflessly served his country and who should have received more recognition for his heroic sacrifice. However, you can be sure of one thing and that is the next time I pull out that foul ball and tell the story of how I got it, I’m going to tell people that it was off the bat of Gary Maddox, a great baseball player and an even greater hero. n

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Swift Audiology Supports Rescue 22 Foundation

n July 2021, Deb Swift, of Swift Audiology, made a decision to give back to those who have served our country and protected our freedoms. A portion of the sale is set aside for each hearing aid sold to give to the Rescue 22 Foundation. These funds help to offset the $25,000 cost of training a service dog. With the most recent donation of $4,200 since July 2021, the company has donated nearly $10,000 to support this national cause. Angela Connor, executive board chair, CFO, and co-founder of Rescue 22, is the daughter of a Vietnam Veteran and saw firsthand the effects of war. When asked what the 22 stood for, she replied, “The 22 represents 22 veterans we lose to suicide a day.” Rescue 22 Foundation provides psychiatric, mobility and medical service dogs to our veterans at no charge and without geographic restrictions. Service dogs meeting the needs of veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress remain our most requested type of dog. Currently, the VA does not provide funding for service dogs for PTS, TBI or other non-mobility diagnoses. Dogs are an essential tool to combat depression, anxiety and other challenges associated with PTSD. There are ten veterans within the Pittsburgh region on the waiting list for a service dog. Josh, a local veteran, was the first in the area to receive a dog. There are two more dogs currently in training- the average dog trains for over a year. “What makes Rescue 22 so unique is that they match the dog to the veteran’s needs. It is a volunteer-run organization. All of the dog handlers are veterans themselves. So the need for these therapy dogs is great,” said Deb. Swift Audiology is a proud supporter of the Rescue 22 Foundation. “We were proud to present checks to Rescue 22 Foundation last year on Veterans Day, and this year on Memorial Day. We have and will continue to commit monies to the organization for each hearing aid sold. Our veterans have given so much – it’s time we all do our part to give back,” said Deb. For more information on the program, call (724) 222-9010 or visit www.swiftaudiology.com. n

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July 2022 issue of Northern Connection Magazine

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