June 2018 Issue

Me n’ lth ea sH

YOUR COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

JUNE 2018

Fat Freezing:

Myth or Proven?

The exciting new technology that permanently removes unwanted fat without surgery!

Plus...

Summer Fun Local Farms Summer Camp Guide

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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I N T H I S I SSUE

NORTHERN CONNECTION June 2018

Contents 12

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NC Features

2018 Summer Camps

12 Cover Story: Fat Freezing: Myth or Proven? Janice Lane Palko

28 Transform your child’s summer into a fun-filled adventure with CampVentures at Kiddie Academy Wexford and Cranberry Twp

47 Eden Hall Campus Summer Series 48 Pine Township Families Host Charity Lemonade Stand

Kids & Education

14 Pilates for Men

30 SchoolPinnd – A New Online Platform for Parents Janice Lane Palko

16 Naturalis Essential Oils + Wellness

32 School Movers & Shakers

18 Choice Restorative Medicine

36 “A Night to Remember” Paula Green

Health & Wellness

20 Health & Wellness Spotlight: Dr. Ana Busquets Janice Lane Palko

Local Farms 23 Why We Sell Raw Milk Ron Eichner 25 Eichner’s Farm Market

Senior Living 39 Town Crier: The June Expedition Joe Bullick 40 Happenings for Seniors

25 Soergel’s Orchards

41 In Memoriam: Bruno Sammartino

26 Clarion River Organics

Advertorials

26 Little Farmers Day Camp

10 All That Glitters...Avoiding the Pitfalls of FSBO Vince Parrucci

27 Fit Families: Grilled Vegetables: Lighten Up Your Summer Eating Joella Baker

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15 Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have Hope Dr. Shawn Richey

JUNE 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

24 In Every Issue...

4 From the Publisher: Marion Piotrowski 6 Movers & Shakers 8 Mover & Shaker of the Month: 100+ Men Who Care Paula Green 22 Where Was I?: A Little “She Time” Janice Lane Palko 24 Trivia Connection: Moo-ve on over as we skim through Dairy Trivia Paula Green 37 Support Our Troops: Tom Schad Paula Green 42 June 2018 Happenings

Dr. Chufo’s Weight Loss Program

GET HEALTHY LOSE WEIGHT • Regular, everyday foods • Restaurant foods welcomed • Supplements to take away cravings and decrease the appetite • Accountability weekly monitoring • Low sugar program • Increased energy within first week • Pounds lost, inches lost, and decrease in size of clothing • No counting calories or grams • No exercise required • Any age or size welcomed

Work with a professional who has the degree in Nursing research in the study of weight loss and obesity. Dr. Chufo has worked with clients for the past consistent 38 years, helping them to change their eating habits and their lifestyle in order to keep the weight off. Her goal is to get the weight off quickly through normal, everyday foods and enough of it (no 500-700 calorie diets that cannot be sustained long term in life; in fact, that’s dangerous)!

Simply call for an appointment or stop in and discover the best program to get your excess weight off now and most importantly, keep it off for good!

1-800-900-THIN To begin your journey to your best life now, contact the wisest woman in weight loss, Dr. Bridget Chufo at 1-800-900-THIN or drop by her Weight Loss & Wellness Center.

P U B LI SH E R ’S NOT ES

Welcome to the June Issue of Northern Connection Magazine!

I

t’s time to enjoy the summer season! Now is a great time to explore some of the local farms and farm markets. Fresh dairy products, produce and flowers will be a welcome addition to your home and kitchen! June is National Dairy Month. This month’s Trivia will test your knowledge of one of the favorite food groups.

With the start of summer, we will be hitting the pools and beaches. This month’s cover story will inform you of how and where to go to get rid of that unwanted, stubborn fat!

There are many fun and interesting activities happening in and around the area that are featured in Northern Connection magazine’s Happenings section. I hope you and your family will get a chance to enjoy many of them.

This month’s Mover & Shaker of the Month features two men who co-founded the Pittsburgh chapter of the 100+ Men Who Care about “A good father is one local causes and work hard to make of the most unsung, a positive impact in the community. unpraised, unnoticed We at Northern Connection are very honored to highlight these men in and yet one of the the June issue.

Enjoy reading all of Northern most valuable assets Connection magazine’s special feain our society” tures as well as our regular monthly Billy Graham columns. Thank you for your support, and together we continue to make our communities an outstanding place to live and work!

Happy Father’s Day to all the men who have a positive influence in a child’s life! 4 4 4

Keep in touch with Northern Connection on Facebook and Instagram

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NORTHERN CONNECTION P.O. Box 722 Wexford, PA 15090-0722

Phone: 724-940-2444 Laura Arnold laura@northernconnectionmag.com

Fax: 724-940-2447 Email: northcon@consolidated.net www.northernconnectionmag.com President & Publisher

Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor

Janice Lane Palko

Mary Simpson marysimpson@northernconnectionmag.com

Managing Editor/ Public Relations Coordinator

Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator

Laura Lyn Arnold Marketing & Account Executive

Mary L. Simpson Design & Production

Kostilnik & Assoc., Inc. Web Master

Janice Lane Palko ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com

Swanson Publishing Company Core Writers

Joella Baker Joe Bullick Paula M. Green Janice Lane Palko Marianne Reid Anderson Kelly Smith Distribution

Paula Green

Linda Watkins Lori Palmer

ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722, 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 Co., Inc. 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.

M OVE RS & S HA KE RS

Movers & Shakers Allegheny Health Network (AHN) announced that one of its top clinical leaders will take the helm at a new full-service hospital it plans to open in Pine Township in 2021. Allan Dr. Allan Klapper, MD, an obstetrician Klapper and gynecologist who currently serves as chair of AHN’s Women & Children Institute, has been appointed as president of the new 160-bed facility that will be integrated with AHN’s existing Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion. AHN received approval on its plans this week from the Pine Township Board of Supervisors and expects to break ground on the hospital this summer.

Larry Berg of Butler has been selected as the recipient of the Jean B. Purvis Community Cornerstone Award. The award will be presented at a dinner at Butler Country Club on June 15. The award was established by the Community Health Clinic of Butler County to honor those who have made significant contributions to the well-being of the Butler County community through their time, actions, talents and dedication.

Two new physician’s assistants have joined the Genesis Medical Associates, Inc. local offices.

Laura Amanda Laura Karelitz Karelitz Cooper joined the Genesis Koman & Kimmel Family Practice in

Ross Township while Amanda Cooper is on board at the Genesis Grob, Sheri, Woodburn and Griffin Family Practice with offices in Ross Township and Wexford. Karelitz joins after two years with Premier Medical Associates and earlier experience at both Butler Memorial Hospital and UPMC Mercy Hospital.

Eat’n Park Hospitality Group has recognized Michelle “Mickey” Ivosevic, a team member at the Cranberry Eat’n Park Restaurant, as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year.

The Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council announced that it has changed its name to Literacy Pittsburgh.

The National Aviary kicked off $1.2 million in renovations to its Tropical Rainforest habitat, the facility’s oldest room.

The project marks the first renovation of the Tropical Rainforest since it opened in 1952, and its completion this summer coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Aviary’s official national designation and renaming as the National Aviary.

Ember & Vine Woodfire Oven + Social Bar Takes 1st Place

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mber & Vine Woodfire Oven + Social Bar, located in the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh in Cranberry, won first place on April 28 for their Homemade Peanut Butter Cups at North Catholic’s, “Dancing with the Pittsburgh Stars” event. Ember & Vine was one of 25 participants to be invited to this event. The contest was based on attendee ballots, and Ember & Vine received a special plaque for People’s Choice Award for Best Dessert. 4 4 4

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Mickey Ivosevic

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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Mover & Shaker of the Month

100+ Men Who Care Pittsburgh

By Paula Green

In January 2017, Rick Malik and Kirk Vogel co-founded the 100+ Men Who Care Pittsburgh chapter. This is a group of men who care about local causes, and they work to make a BIG impact in the community.

“W

e meet four times a year and select a different charity each time. Each member is committed to a minimum of $400 per year ($100 per meeting) regardless if they’re able to attend the meeting or not. Each attendee has the option to submit a charity, and we randomly draw three. The selected members speak on behalf of their charity and vie for support. Following the presentations, the group votes and the majority wins. We all contribute a minimum of $100 directly to the charity. Our organization does not have an entity, we are 100 percent pass-through. We only donate to certified 501-3(c) charities which are local to Greater Pittsburgh,” Kirk said.

“I learned about the 100+ Alliance concept from a colleague of mine who started a chapter in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area. What intrigued me was the simplicity of the model and the fact that it was a way to be personally involved in selecting a charity that would benefit Pittsburgh and the Southwestern Pennsylvania area. Being able to drive significant contributions to the organizations that impact the communities that we grew up in and live in today was important to me. It really is about leveraging the relationships that we all have and bringing together a group of people that have a philanthropic heart to make a difference,” said Rick.

“Kirk was the first person I thought about sharing the concept with, and he immediately jumped at the opportunity to co-found the Pittsburgh chapter with me,” added Rick.

“We held our first meeting on March 29, 2017. Currently, we have 93 members and we continue to grow. Of course, our goal is to reach 100+. To date, we have donated a total of $33,750 to local organizations. Our most recent charity that we contributed to was Glimmer of Hope, which received $10,000,” said Kirk.

Glimmer of Hope was the first organization to reach the $10,000 donation. One member donated $2,000 to help reach that goal. “I was overjoyed to work with them and their generous hearts touched many local women through Home for Hope’s program at Allegheny Health Networks Wexford Pavilion. The money went to Allegheny Health Networks Integrated Oncology program,” said Glimmer of Hope founder, Diana Napper.

In addition to Glimmer of Hope, 100+Men Who Care has also contributed to Alexis Joy D’Achille Foundation for Postpartum Depression, Make A Wish of Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, Allegheny Youth Development and Tickets for Kids Charities.

Rick is the Senior Vice President/Sr. Principal with Healthcare Performance Partners/ Vizient, a healthcare performance improvement company. Kirk is the President/Partner of Walnut Grill Holdings.

The next event for 100+ Men will be held at 6:00 p.m., June 28, at Walnut Grill, 12599 Perry Hwy., in Wexford. For more information on 100+ Men Who Care Pittsburgh, visit their website at http://www.100plusmanpittsburgh.org/, or visit them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/100MenPittsburgh/. 4 4 4

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100+ Men Who Care Josh Adamek Chris Baer Tom Bartos Bill Battin Eric Brenner Gregg Broujos Jason Cannon Mero Capo Jeff Carlson Charles Casalnova Mark Celigoi Tony Chwatek Dan Costantino Steven D’Achille Chris Derouin Rafael Diaz-Garcia Panfilo DiCenzo Edward Dig Jack Donahue Mike Dugan Matt Fulton Ron Gabriel Jonathon Gabriel David Goldberg Dan Griffin Justin Gurlow Joss Haas Patrick Hampson Paul Hassett Bryan Hawes Dave Headrick Dick Heilman Jeffrey Hildebrand Chad Hill Adam Hurley Peter Katz Michael Katz Jaison Kelly Kent Koch Tom Kuban Daniel Littlefield Harry Lorusso Don Lovre

Mark Ludolff Rick Malik Scott Markovtiz Mike Maromonte Kevin Martz Jeff McGeary Matthew McKenna James Mendelson Joseph Moran Ethan Nicholas Bob Pachavis Alex Palawski Mike Perry Mortgage Planning Jim Prisk Mike Radich David Ramirez Edward Rice Kevin Riley Todd Salac Mark Segar Alan Shuckrow John Sieckowski Jay Simon Jim Singer Bernie Slutiak Marty Smith Joe Smith Bob Smith Tom Spagnolo Jeff Spengler Mike Tucker Kirk Vogel Jeff Walsh Mike Ward Mike Weiner James Wells JP White Jason Williams James Wiltman Mark Woodburn Scott Yusavage

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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NC ADVER TORIAL | REAL ES TATE

All That Glitters . . .

Avoiding the Pitfalls of FSBO

A

By Vince Parrucci Licensed Real Estate Agent/Realtor and Professional Real Estate Consultant

s the adage goes: All That Glitters is Not Gold. That saying applies to the FSBO (For Sale

by Owner) route of selling your home.

Although attractive on the surface because you can avoid paying an agent a commission, a look beneath the FSBO reality reveals that it is fraught with potential pitfalls.

When an owner forgoes the expertise and experience of a professional real estate agent to sell their home on their own, they are essentially taking a guess at what their home is actually worth.

A layman does not have access to the wealth of information that a licensed agent does; therefore, they cannot accu-

rately assess the value of their property unless they hire an appraiser. When a property is over-priced, it tends to linger on the market, and if it stays on the market long enough, it runs the risk of being stigmatized as having something “wrong with it.” Conversely, an uneducated seller may undervalue their property and lose money on the sale.

The average person selling their own home does not have the internet reach that a Realtor has. Real Estate professionals have agreements with multiple internet websites to maximize exposure on the internet. Limited internet exposure often results in a home taking a lot longer time to sell.

A FSBO requires a homeowner to negotiate the sale of their home, and most homeowners are not experienced negotiators. While some may be capable of negotiating a deal, many are uncomfortable doing so and may lose money if they are poor negotiators.

Lastly, FSBOs may waste a seller’s valuable time or jeopardize a seller’s safety. Realtors work with vetted clients.

Homeowners going it alone can’t be sure who they are opening their doors to. Do you want to waste your time on buyers who will never qualify for a mortgage or run the risk of opening your home to unsavory characters?

Considering a move? Whether it is buying or selling, have an expert work for you. Contact Vince Parrucci, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Realtor and Professional Real Estate Consultant, at Vincent.parrucci@pittsburghmoves.com, call (724) 612-3770 or visit: www.smartbuystrongsale.com.

In addition to being a Licensed Real Estate Agent/Realtor and Professional Real Estate Consultant, Vince Parrucci is the author of Smart Buy, Strong Sale: The Consumer’s Guide to Buying and Selling Your Next Home is available through Amazon.com. His extensive experience includes VP of Mellon Bank, VP of Allegheny Financial Group, Real Estate investor, mentor and coach to thousands on investment real estate and flipping of houses and property. 4 4 4

VINCE PARRUCCI

Residential/Commercial Realtor vincent.parrucci@pittsburghmoves.com

Real Estate Services

724-776-2900 Ext. 259 Office 724-776-2930 Fax 724-612-3770 Cell 20510 Route 19, Suite 100 Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Operated by a subsidiary of NRT LLC

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www.smartbuystrongsale.com

Look for it wherever you find Northern Connection

CALL now to reserve your advertising space for the next issue!

724-940-2444 www.pittsburghfiftyfiveplus.com

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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COV E R S TORY

Fat Freezing: Myth or Proven?

Meet the Medical Experts Who Can Give You the Facts About Fat Freezing

By Janice Lane Palko

D

uring consultation and treatment, patients at Cosmetic Laser Centers are seen by a licensed medical provider. Nurse practitioner, Maria Brosovic, and physician assistant, Sarah Abraham, can answer patients’ questions from a medical standpoint before and throughout treatment. Understanding what is happening on the inside of your body while seeing amazing results on the outside… now that’s COOL!

Meet Sarah Abraham, MPA, PA-C

Sarah joined Cosmetic Laser Centers as a physician assistant in 2013. She has been a physician assistant (PA-C) since 2009 after graduating with high honors from Duquesne University where she received her Master of Physician Assistant degree from John G. Rangos Sr. School of Health Sciences.

Prior to joining Cosmetic Laser Centers, Sarah practiced medicine in urgent care and interventional pain management for busy practices. Sarah also has clinical dermatology experience. She has always been passionate about aesthetic medicine and skin care and loves helping patients to look and feel their best. She routinely performs the full menu of cosmetic procedures offered at Cosmetic Laser Centers, including facial injections and laser resurfacing. Spider vein injections and Coolsculpting are Sarah’s favorites to perform. She is a member of The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and the American College of Phlebology. Sarah attends multiple conferences annually to stay current on the latest technologies.

Meet Maria Brosovic, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C

Maria Brosovic, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, joined the team at Cosmetic Laser Centers in November 2015. Maria graduated from Ohio Valley Hospital School of nursing in 2012 and continued her education, earning a BSN from Waynesburg University, graduating with high honors. Maria completed her MSN at Franciscan University where she graduated with high honors. Prior to joining Cosmetic Laser Centers, Maria worked in dermatology for over three years. Maria especially enjoys treating spider veins and performing Coolsculpting treatments. What she loves most about Coolsculpting is going through the process from consultation, to treatment, to the final results. “I love going on this journey with our patients because the outcomes have been amazing!” said Maria. She is a member of the American College of Phlebology, the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

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Q&A with Medical Experts Q. What Is Coolsculpting?

A. Coolsculpting is an exciting new technology that uses precise, controlled cooling to permanently remove unwanted pockets of fat without surgery.

Before

After

Q. How Does Coolsculpting Work?

A. The principle behind Coolsculpting is “cryolipolysis,” which is the idea that cold temperatures can target fat cells without damaging the skin or surrounding tissues. The fat cells freeze and die. The destroyed fat cells are metabolized by the body over time.

Q. Is Coolsculpting painful?

A. The Coolsculpting treatment involves the placement of a vacuum applicator on the treatment area. Once the vacuum applicator is engaged, patients may feel pulling, tugging and pinching for a short time. Once the cooling cycle begins, patients may feel a stinging or intense cold sensation similar to putting your bare hands in the snow.

This can be a little bit uncomfortable but only lasts a short period of time as the area becomes numb.

Before

After

Q. Is there a recovery period or the need for some “down-time” after treatment?

A. Patients typically experience little to no “down-time”; however, they may experience some mild bruising, aching, cramping, swelling, itching or numbness of the treated area. These symptoms typically resolve within a week or two. The newer Coolsculpting treatment applicators have made the patient experience not only faster, but far more comfortable during treatment and the days following treatment.

What Our Patients Say...

“Early last month I finished my Coolsculpting treatment on my stomach. After only a month, I noticed a difference!

Even my husband has noticed. Will definitely be back for treatment of other areas!”

K.L. CLC Coolsculpting patient “I am three weeks out from Coolsculpting treatment of my double chin and am just blown away at how much better it looks. I am amazed every time I look in the mirror.”

Thomas J. CLC Coolsculpting patient

Q. How long does it take to see results?

A. Many patients appreciate some results as quickly as three weeks after the treatment. Maximum results occur after three months.

Before

After

Q. Who would be considered an ideal candidate for Coolsculpting?

A. Though an “ideal” candidate would be someone who is within 30 pounds of their ideal weight, any patient who has pockets of unwanted fat may benefit from Coolsculpting.

Q. Is Coolsculpting a method for losing weight?

A. Coolsculpting is a body-sculpting tool and not intended as a means of weight loss. The Coolsculpting procedure can help both women and men get rid of those stubborn pinchable pockets of fat. The device and its applicators were designed to treat areas such as the belly, love handles, double chin and upper arm fat, to name a few. The fantastic results that Coolsculpting can provide are further enhanced with the maintenance of a healthy, active lifestyle.

Actual patient photos

Q. Can I expect the results to last?

A. The fat cells in the treated area are permanently destroyed. If the patient maintains their healthy lifestyle, the visible results should last.

Q. How many treatments are required?

A. Most patients will require more than one treatment session for a given body area. The average is two sessions per area, although there are certainly exceptions depending on body type, patient goals and budget.

Before

After

Q. How much does Coolsculpting cost?

A. Treatment plans are customized to a patient’s needs and budget.

Coolsculpting cost depends on the size of the treatment area and the number of areas a patient wants treated. The cost for a typical abdominal treatment is about $4,500.

Q. Why should I choose to have Coolsculpting at Cosmetic Laser Centers?

A. When a patient chooses Cosmetic Laser Centers as their Coolsculpting provider, not only is their evaluation performed by a physician extender, but so is their treatment. Since Coolsculpting is a body contouring tool, we feel that the medical expertise of a nurse practitioner (CRNP) or physician assistant (PA-C) is a benefit to our patients.

Actual patient photos

Q. Which body areas can be treated?

A. Coolsculpting is currently FDAcleared for nine different body areas.

These areas include the submental area or double chin, upper arms or the bat wings, abdomen, back fat, flanks, inner thighs, outer thighs, the banana roll which is the area right below the buttock, and above the knees.

Before

After

Q. How can interested patients get started with their Coolsculpting transformation?

A. Patients can call Cosmetic Laser Centers at 724-935-4200 to set up a free Coolsculpting consultation with our nurse practitioner or our physician assistant. 4 4 4

“Very pleased with my overall experience with Coolsculpting at Cosmetic Laser Centers. My under arms or ‘ bat-wings’ look so much better. Maria, the nurse practitioner at Cosmetic Laser Centers, was great from consult and throughout treatment. During my second treatment, the machine sent an alert that an area of my skin might be too cold. I was relieved and thankful that Maria was there to manage things and make sure that I was safe from a medical perspective. Great place, great staff, great results!”

Lara C. CLC Coolsculpting patient “I had Coolsculpting on my bra fat and am so happy with the results. Thrilled to wear tank tops again without feeling self-conscious!”

Leah S. CLC Coolsculpting patient “I have only finished the first of two treatments on my inner thighs, and I am already seeing and feeling a change. I can’t wait to see the end results!”

Lauren F. CLC Coolsculpting patient “Two months out from treatment of my back fat and outer thighs, and I can feel a difference in how my clothes are fitting. Yes, Coolsculpting really works!”

E.B. CLC Coolsculpting patient “I had my abdomen treated by Sarah at Cosmetic Laser Centers. I see a difference, and Sarah was great. Very professional and knowledgeable. I would recommend her to anyone who is interested in Coolsculpting or other cosmetic treatments.”

Jordan L. CLC Coolsculpting patient “I had Coolsculpting on my abdomen at Cosmetic Laser Centers and my results are definitely noticeable. Usually every year when I pull out my spring shorts and capris from being packed away for the winter, I have to pitch them and buy new as they’re always tight on my stomach.

This year, they’re loose!”

Ann G. CLC Coolsculpting patient

Is right for you?

Call to schedule a free consultation Cosmetic Laser CentersSM 16000 Perry Highway Suite 2 Warrendale, PA 15086 Phone: 724.935.4200

Cosmetic Laser CentersSM 6507 Robinson Centre Dr Pittsburgh, PA 15136 Phone: 412.788.1331

www.cosmeticlasercenters.com www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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H E A LT H & WEL L NESS

Pilates for Men A

lthough women tend to dominate Pilates classes, Pilates actually offers a host of benefits to men.

In fact, Pilates, originally known as “Contrology,” was developed by a male gymnast/bodybuilder named Joseph Pilates.

Pilates focuses on developing the often-neglected muscle groups that don’t get worked out while weightlifting. Pilates is a full-body workout that is core focused; it strengthens the deep core abdominal and trunk muscles.

These muscles are responsible for keeping your body balanced and supporting and protecting your spine. In this way, Pilates can improve your posture and alleviate lower back pain.

In addition to strengthening your muscles, Pilates is also known for muscle lengthening. It helps improve flexibility and increases range of motion. A lack of flexibility can lead to injury. For this reason, Pilates is often incor-

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porated into the workout regimes of professional athletes looking to increase their performance and agility while preventing injury.

New to Pilates and wondering what to expect? At Club Pilates, all workouts are 50 minutes long and reformer-based.

The reformer looks like a weight lifting bench on a movable springloaded carriage, and unlike traditional workouts, where the heavier the weight, the harder the exercise, in Pilates, sometimes the lowest spring settings make the exercises hardest on the core! In addition to group classes, we also offer private training for anyone who wants to learn Pilates in a more private setting.

Whether you are training for a cross-fit competition and looking to strengthen your core, a runner looking to prevent injury, a golfer looking to improve your swing or a dad looking for some lower back pain relief, Pilates can benefit your life! And although we can’t all be professional athletes, why not work out like one?

Give Club Pilates Wexford a call (878) 332-2311 or visit the website at: www. clubpilates.com/wexford. We can help you meet your personal fitness goals!

Pilates is for everyBODY! 4 4 4

Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have

HOPE Don’t GIVE UP!

Dr. Shawn Richey

“Dr. Shawn’s office along with his help from Kelly are like Family.

Tom, Pittsburgh

“I couldn’t sleep from the pain and tingling. That has lessened. Also had trouble with the balance. That is now better.”

Terri, Aliquippa

Join our private neuropathy group on Facebook Share stories about the journey to better health, support and learn from one another.

Find our support group on Facebook under: Chiropractic Family Health Center Private Neuropathy Support Group Or find the link on our website: Chiropractic Family Health Center - Chiropractor, Peripheral Neuropathy, & Weightloss Services - WEIGHTLOSS

“I can feel the pedals in my car again. I am 85% better!”

Once thought to be incurable, 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 is available at the Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH, LLC. It includes seven specific treatments that are designed to heal rather than just deal with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Dr. Shawn’s SUPERVISED, MONITORED and IN OFFICE program combines the newest and most advance technologies that are FDA approved, painless and noninvasive. Seeing over 3000 patients and with a 90% satisfaction rate he tailors a plan for each individual to provide maximum results.

Dr. Richey has expanded his practice to include Westmoreland as well as Allegheny Counties. Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH, LLC now has offices in both Sewickley at 2591 WexfordBayne Road, Suite 207 and Latrobe at 1901 Ligonier Street.

For a FREE Consultation, contact Dr. Shawn Richey at (724) 940-9000 and your appointment will be made at the location that is most convenient for you. To learn more, visit marydancedin.com.

Bill, Irwin

“I was just about to resort to a wheelchair and now I am cane free.”

Harold, Irwin

“I don’t have to take Neurontin anymore.”

Leann, Ellwood City

“I am now able to stand and talk to someone without sitting. Also able to sit down on the floor and play with my new granddaughter.”

Janie, Freedom

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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H E A LT H & WEL L NESS

Naturalis Essential Oils + Wellness is a unique store front conveniently located in Pittsburgh offering a wide range of wellness resources

C

olleen Anthony and Abbey Koenig, founders, set two goals: provide education for people to enhance their knowledge regarding natural options and provide easy access to the products and resources that have impacted the lives of so many. We were extremely selective with the brand of oils and products we chose to align ourselves with. Months of research, education and personal usage lead us to “dōTERRA CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade®” essential oils & products.

“Find your balance” is a slogan you will find displayed at Naturalis. We know it’s a struggle to find a reasonable balance between health and wellness and the fast pace in which we tend to maintain our lives. Prioritizing our own health and wellness tends to become secondary for many. You CAN find balance that doesn’t require a complete overhaul. If you can lean in a little, you will find simple ways to infuse natural options that can make a noticeable difference.

Whether you are new to essential oils or a long-time user, Naturalis offers an abundance of resources for everyone! We know there are other brands available. We welcome everyone to our store. We offer the ITOVI nutritional scanner, pay per ounce for carrier oils, glass bottles ranging from 2ml drams to 10ml rollers, spray bottles and labels and most importantly, you can pay per drop for “doTERRA CPTG® oils.” We are open daily from 10-4. We would be happy to help you “find your balance.” 4 4 4

www.naturalis13.com | 412-465-0661 2001 Kinvara Drive, #B1, Pittsburgh PA, 15237 | Located by Ross Park Mall

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H E A LT H & WEL L NESS

Choice Restorative Medicine

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Dr. Shannon Thieroff

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n addition to chiropractic care, Choice Restorative Medicine offers state-of-the-art regenerative medical procedures that heal and restore the body. “We use donor cells like stem cells from your own body, which is called Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), or from umbilical cord blood to repair and restore tissues in the joints,” said Dr. Shannon Thieroff, owner and founder of Choice Restorative Medicine. “It is effective for treating arthritis, chronic tendinitis, bursitis and repairing ligaments.” With PRP, a small amount of your own blood is removed and placed in a centrifuge to separate it into its many components, one of which is PRP. The PRP is then reinjected into a specific area to begin

JUNE 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

the regeneration process. PRP reduces pain, promotes healing, reduces the need for medication and prevents the need for surgery. The downtime is virtually zero. “To help determine whether you are a candidate for stem cell therapy or PRP treatments, we look at your medical history, including any X-rays, to help us diagnose if there is degenerative damage to the tissues surrounding the joint in question,” said Dr. Thieroff. The medical staff is very experienced in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions using umbilical cord blood and PRP. While PRP or stem cell therapy is not usually covered by insurance, Choice Restorative Medicine offers affordable rates and payment options. 4 4 4

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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H E A LT H & WEL L NESS

Health & Wellness Spotlight

Dr. Ana Busquets

By Janice Lane Palko

A

lthough the skin is the largest organ in the human body, often it is also one of the most neglected. Many times, a patient only seeks the help of a physician when a skin condition becomes unbearable. This is particularly troublesome with respect to skin cancers. “The American Academy of Dermatology has no guidelines established for when a person should be screened for skin cancers, but it has endeavored to educate the general public about the importance of taking care of your skin,” said Dr. Ana Busquets, a Board-Certified Dermatologist with WMC Physicians Practices, LLC. Board certified in 2005, Dr. Busquets practiced in Cleveland at MetroHealth Hospital for three years before coming to Pittsburgh where she worked in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. In February, she moved to Weirton and now practices general and cosmetic dermatology in Robinson

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Plaza, in Robinson Township.

“I treat the skin, hair and nails of patients of all ages from children to adults,” said Dr. Busquets. She has expertise in treating rashes, lesions, eczema, psoriasis and providing skin cancer screenings. “I take a fairly aggressive approach to treating eczema and psoriasis because there are many new treatments including immunotherapy,” said Dr. Busquets.

In addition to practicing general dermatology, Dr. Busquets also practices cosmetic dermatology. “While I primarily use Botox to reduce the signs of aging, a newer injectable called Xeomin has gained in popularity because it is considered ‘purer,’ possibly making it less likely that a patient could become resistant to it,” said Dr. Busquets.

There are now options for younger patients too. “Volbella and Belotero are hyaluronic acid fillers that are effective in erasing fine lines and plumping lips. Twenty- and thirtyyear-olds are embracing them. They are subtler enhancers; we’ve moved on from huge lips,” said Dr. Busquets. She also does chemical peels.

This area of the country is not known for its abundance of sunshine. Nevertheless, skin cancer is still a concern. “The incidence of melanoma has risen in the last decade, and the medical community is not sure why. Several factors may be at work including increasing awareness of the need to screen for it (and therefore more are being found), and the use of tanning beds. No tan is a safe tan. This needs to be impressed upon teenagers by their pediatricians because the UV rays that induce a tan in the skin penetrate deeply and do the most damage,” said Dr. Busquets.

Like screening mammograms and colonoscopies, Dr. Busquets advocates for a baseline screening of the skin by one’s mid-twenties, and then regular checkups thereafter.

During a baseline screening, she will create a body map of the skin. “We look everywhere that you have skin, but we respect your privacy. You keep your underwear on and wear a gown. While you lie on your back, I examine you from toes to head with a dermatoscope and make a notation of any thing to watch or treat. Then the you turn over onto your stomach and I do the same thing. We can provide quick treatments—freezing or burning off areas and taking small biopsies. The baseline screening is essentially painless, and the small procedures are very tolerable” said Dr. Busquets. “I do all the work.”

Dr. Busquets accepts all insurances. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Busquets, call 412-857-2609. 4 4 4

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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WH E R E WAS I?

A Little “She Time”

By Janice Lane Palko

I

’m still laughing about my first, and I hope my last, experience with a unisex bathroom. We were at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland last year, and before boarding our tour bus, my husband and I headed for the restrooms. When we arrived at them, there was a crowd of confused tourists clogging the hallway and an attendant shouting, “Men and women use the same bathroom here.”

My husband and I rolled our eyes at each other and groaned. We hesitantly entered the large restroom with nearly two dozen stalls. He headed toward the right to the next available one while I took one that opened directly in front of me and whose prior occupant was a middle-aged man.

When I came out and went to sink next to my hubby to wash my hands (which in and of itself felt strange), I looked at him and said, “My first experience sharing a bathroom with men,

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and don’t you know the guy before me left the darn seat up.”

I’m sorry, call me out-of-touch or unenlightened, but some things just aren’t meant to be shared. I love men. I was raised by one, grew up with two of them, married one and have raised two of my own, but I don’t want to share a public restroom with them. The Ladies Room has traditionally been a refuge for women, a place to regroup, adjust clothing and makeup, escape from a disastrous date for a spell or just not have to worry about touching a public toilet seat to lower it.

This all sprang to mind when the Boy Scouts recently announced that they are changing their name to Scouts BSA because they are now accepting girls into its ranks. I think that is a mistake. While I am all for equality between the sexes, I’m also for diversity, and by that, I mean some separation between males and females, some bastions where only girls reign. One of the best experiences of my life was attending an all-girls, Catholic high school. Girls ruled the school from Student Council to sports. We used to laugh that the only thing we needed a man for was to occasionally move a heavy object. But jokes aside, in order for girls and women to become the best version of themselves that they can be, they need a little “she time.” They need to be able to be and do apart from males. And that even extends to the bathroom. 4 4 4

LO C A L FA RM S

Why We Sell Raw Milk

By Ron Eichner

W

e at Eichner’s Farm have been selling raw, unpasteurized, non-homogenized milk and cheeses for over three years. As you know consuming raw milk has become controversial. Currently, we proudly sell raw milk and cheeses from a family farm called Pasture Maid Creamery in New Castle, Penna.

Some who come into our farm market have questions about raw milk. I use the RRE approach—it’s “Ron’s Rational Explanation.”

So here we go . . . Since God created cows and man domesticated them, we have had raw milk, butter, cheeses, keifer, cottages cheese and yogurt. For thousands of years, we didn’t even have refrigeration as we know today. That is why farms like ours that produced milk had spring houses to keep the milk cool.

So how did raw milk become an issue? In 1939, the public was served justified reasons by the authorities that created unjustified fears that lead to the pasteurization of milk. But pasteurization has created a new illness in less than 75 years—lactose intolerance.

Do your own research and you will learn what nutritional value raw, unpasteurized, non-homogenized milk has. The heating

process of pasteurization can safeguard the processing of other dairy farm’s milk for distribution. However, clean, safe milk is produced in a few simple steps: • The Care of Cows • Grazing in Grass Pastures • Clean Milking Practices and Cooling of Milk If you want to look at a good book, The Raw Truth about Milk is a great start.

Feel free to stop by the farm if you have questions. Pasture Maid Creamery raw milk is sold in half-gallon glass bottles. There is a $2 deposit on the bottle and the milk cost is $3. We take milk orders

by Saturday for a once-a-week delivery on each Tuesday around 2 p.m. We also have four types of raw cheeses available from Pasture Maid Creamery. 4 4 4

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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LOC A L FA R M S

Moo-ve on over as we skim through

DAIRY TRIVIA

ational Dairy Month is celebrated every June. This commemoration began as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk. It was renamed National Dairy Month in 1939, so it could incorporate other dairy products. To mark this annual observance, we are going to explore some dairy delights.

When we talk about dairy, we have to start with milk. While all mammals produce milk, cows are the most common producers in America. A cow produces an average of 6.3 gallons of milk daily and 350,000 glasses of milk in a lifetime. Twenty-five gallons of milk can make nine gallons of ice cream, 25 pounds of cheese, or 11 pounds of butter.

To get the amount of calcium in an 8-ounce glass of milk, you’d have to eat one-fourth cup of broccoli, seven oranges or six slices of wheat bread. The absolute best sources of calcium are milk, yogurt and cheese. A cow is more valuable for its milk, cheese, butter and yogurt than for its beef.

Butter is a dairy product made from churning milk or cream. The churning process separates the butterfat (the solids) from the buttermilk (the liquid). The natural yellow color of butter comes from the betacarotene found in the grass cows eat.

One very popular dairy product is cheese. There are about 300 varieties of it sold in the U.S. June 4 is National Cheese Day, and the last week of June is National Cheese Week. Philadelphia cream cheese is named after a village in upstate New York, not the Pennsylvania city. Macaroni and cheese is the most popular cheese dish in America.

People who love cheese are called turophiles.

Yogurt is milk that’s been fermented, or heated and mixed with bacteria – lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophiles. It is good for your body and your digestive system. Greek yogurt is regular yogurt that’s been strained. It contains more protein than regular yogurt and has a thicker texture. Americans eat more than 300,000 tons of yogurt per year.

It takes 12 pounds of milk to produce just one gallon of ice cream.

The country that consumes the most ice cream is the United States, followed by Australia then Norway. The most popular flavor is vanilla, then chocolate.

Louis Pasteur was the “founder” of dairy products in 1856. He discovered you could heat liquids to kill bacteria, i.e., pasteurization,

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which purifies milk and gives it its delicious flavor. About 72 percent of the calcium in the U.S. food supply comes from dairy foods. More than 1,000 new dairy products are introduced each year.

Since we have made our “whey” through dairy goods, we must now “milk” through this creamy query. I hope you’ve “herd” the answers, because it’s time to get a little trivia...

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

How many stomachs do cows have?

When is World Milk Day celebrated?

Which day of the week is top’s in ice cream sales?

In 1947 this yogurt company introduced fruit in its product.

What is the most popular cheese sold worldwide?

What is the most popular ice cream topping in America?

Name this thick, sour dairy drink.

This U.S. president had a pet dairy cow named Pauline that used to graze on the White House lawn and she provided the milk for the first family.

9. This type of cheese is known for its strong aroma.

10. Which ice cream store opened in 1940 in Joliet, Illinois (it’s still around today)?

11. This U.S. state has been a leader in dairying for over a century and is called “America’s Dairyland.”

12. This dairy product is referred to as nature’s most nearly perfect food, because it provides the most nutrients in one package.

13. Which food is craved the most?

14. This creamy dessert is whisked with milk and comes in various flavors – chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch, and pistachio (to name a few).

15. In 1831, this fresh cheese curd product with a mild flavor was invented. 4 4 4 Sources: http://www.idfa.org/news-views/media-kits/cheese/june-is-national-dairy-month, http://www.agfoundation.org/news/june-is-dairy-month, http://curiouschef.com/healthyeating/blog/celebrate-national-dairy-month-with-cheesy-facts/ https://www.farmflavor.com/at-home/cooking/dairy-fun-facts/, https://www.wisconsincheeseman.com/blog/cheese-nation/june-dairy-month-facts-dairy-foods/ https://my.extension. illinois.edu/documents/8092503090309/s2_0606_dairytrivia.pdf Answers: 1. four 2. June 1 3. Sunday 4. Dannon 5. mozzarella 6. chocolate syrup 7. buttermilk 8. Howard Taft 9. Limburger 10. Dairy Queen 11. Wisconsin 12. milk 13. cheese 14. pudding 15. cottage cheese

N

By Paula Green

Eichner’s Farm Market

E

ichner’s Farm Market & Greenhouse has a wealth of insight to offer their year round customers with 3rd, 4th, and 5th generation family members sharing their knowledge and wisdom. With entertainment for customers being an evolution, we want to invite you all for some “down on the farm” FUN (Farming & Nutrition). With Dick and Vi always focusing on nutrition and supplements, Ron has elevated it all to a higher level. The buzz now in the media is “fruits and vegetables are nutritionally depleted.” It leads to farmers growing crops with commercial fertilizers. Check out the US Senate Document #264. You’ll be alarmed what has changed nutritionally and disease increase since 1936. Our crops are nurtured with poultry manure, which is loaded with minerals and trace elements that commercial fertilizers can’t duplicate.

We have partnered with Serenity Hills Farms, Cheswick, PA which supply us with grass fed beef, pork and lamb meats. We’ve also teamed up with Thoma Meat Market, Saxonburg, PA for various meat products and Pasture Maid Creamery, New Castle, PA for raw milk and cheeses. These all complement our homemade pork products that we’ve offered for generations.

Our laying hens are busy producing our high energy eggs while we are busy getting our fields planted, for our delicious nutritionally fortified full line of vegetables, especially our butter and sugar sweet corn! We are proud to offer our customers “farm to table with enhanced nutrition.”

Our greenhouses are stocked with an array of beautifully colored flowers to fit all of your gardening needs as well as herb and vegetable plants. So if you get a chance stop in our farm market & greenhouse, we are open 7 days a week. “Bring a friend and be a friend” 724-935-2131 eichnerfarm@gmail.com There is also a certain warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with supporting a local business. When you do business with your nearby family farmer, you are supporting a member of your community. 4 4 4

Su C h r m me r is June tmas 25

Soergel Orchards

S

oergel Orchards is a family farm market dating back to the 1850s when John Conrad Soergel, a German immigrant, settled in Wexford, Pa. What began with the planting of apple trees has blossomed into generations of family members continuing to be involved in the daily operation and farming of over 400 acres.

Throughout the past 50 years, Soergel’s has grown and developed into a multi-faceted business that includes a farm market, bakery & deli, gift shop, garden center, natural foods store and the newest addition - Arsenal Hard Cider.

Soergel Orchards also hosts birthday parties, corporate events, meetings and baby/bridal showers in their multi-purpose building, McIntosh Hall.

The Soergel family welcomes you and your family and friends to join us here on the farm for yearlong events, shopping, and every day play. For more information on great events and activities, follow them on social media (www.facebook. com/soergelorchards and on Instagram) or check out their website at www. soergels.com. 4 4 4

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LOC A L FA R M S

Clarion River Organics

C

larion River Organics is a cooperative of 12 horse-powered family farms working together near Clarion, PA. Most of the families are Amish, and all of our farms are certified organic and strive to maintain healthy soils as their main means of pest and disease control. Since we have multiple farms working together, we are able to offer a wide selection of produce over an extended season. Community supported agriculture (CSA) is a way for you to connect with the farms and farmers that grow your food. At its most basic level, a CSA involves subscribing to a portion of a farm or cooperative’s harvest for a given season, but it’s about a lot more than just the produce. We consider our CSA to be the best expression of the mission and vision of our cooperative and joining it as the best way for people to connect to that mission--and to enjoy a bit of agrarian life in their wider community. Our popular CSA serves Pittsburgh, Erie, and rural Northwestern Pennsylvania. In addition to certified organic produce, the farms now also offer pastured meats and jarred specialty products. In addition to subscribing to our CSA, you can find our produce at Whole Foods Market, the East End Food Cooperative, Sunny Bridge Natural Foods, Erie Whole Foods Cooperative as well as several Pittsburgh restaurants. 4 4 4

Little Farmers Day Camp

L

ittle Farmers Day Camp is an experience that your child will never forget. Let your child be entertained, educated and amazed by the everyday wonders of the farm. Enjoy this beautiful 138-acre farm located close to Moon Township.

Experience life on the farm with hands-on interaction. Imagine your child bottle feeding a new born calf, riding a pony, holding and petting a bunny from our rabbitry. How about feeding and caring for lambs, baby goats, ducks, chicks, and pigs. Or better yet learning to care for and cultivate an expansive garden.

Collecting eggs from the chicken coop and preparing dishes such as homemade pickles and strawberry jam or goats milk fudge.. all from items on the farm. However farm life is not all work. Crafts, games, nature walks also round out the day of work, play and learning. Rain or shine there is always something happening. New this year is a climbing wall, a rabbitry, a greenhouse and lots of new baby animals. We are always looking for new experiences for return campers. For more information, visit blueribbonfarmsinc.com, or call (412) 974-1650.

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Fit Families

Grilled Vegetables: Lighten Up Your Summer Eating

By Joella Baker

I

love vegetables and grilling out. It’s one of the best parts of summer. However, it’s not always easy to grill veggies. Here are some of my favorite tips for perfectly grilled veggies. Hillary Meyer from Eating Well suggests you use oil, know the veggies you are grilling, use grilling aids like packets, skewers and baskets to make the best grilled veggies. I’ve used her tips and the variety and types of flavors you can add to your grilled veggies is endless. I hope her tips and some of what I’ve learned from experimenting can help you find your favorite recipe.

1. Add Oil Before You Grill

Vegetables can dry out when they hit the heat. Toss them with a light coating of extra virgin olive oil. I like to use flavored oil—basil, Tuscan herb, garlicinfused or lemon are my favorites. I like to add salt and pepper too and sometimes fresh parsley or minced garlic.

2. Know the Veggies You Are Grilling

Some vegetables take longer to cook than others. Potatoes take the longest to cook. To prevent burning, sear vegetables over high heat, then move them to a cooler part of the grill to finish cooking. I prefer to precook them and then give them a few minutes on the grill to get some color on the outside. The smaller the veggies the faster they will cook, the thicker they are, the longer they will take.

3. Use a Skewer

Small veggies like cherry tomatoes, cut carrots, small potatoes, mushrooms, small peppers can move around on the grill and fall through. Solve this by putting them on a skewer. Soak your bamboo skewers in water before you cook with them. Grill directly over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until veggies are browned and tender. Don’t forget to turn them over at 4 to 5 minutes in.

4. Try Cooking in Packets

One of the easiest ways to cook veggies is with a veggie packet. Simply place a 24-inch-long piece of foil on the counter and lightly coat with nonstick cooking spray. Arrange thinly sliced vegetables in a single layer, slightly overlapping, on the foil. Leave a 2-inch border on all sides. Fold foil over and pinch the edges together, making a packet. Place the packet on the grill. Cover the grill and cook until the vegetables are tender (about 12 to 15 minutes). Remember, foil packs cook with steam, so they should be sealed tightly and be careful opening the foil since the steam will flow out.

Run out to your favorite farm stand and grab some great veggies to add to your dinner. My favorites to grill are artichokes, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes and mushrooms. I hope you find your favorite grilled veggie this summer. 4 4 4

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2 018 S U MMER C AMPS GUIDE

Transform your child’s summer into a fun filled adventure with CampVenturesSM at Kiddie Academy® Wexford and Cranberry Twp Summer camps for children ages 2 through school age.

A

t Kiddie Academy,® we aim to make your child’s summer as educational as it is fun. Our CampVenturesSM program and curriculum do exactly that through themed events, activities and trips. From preschool through elementary school, your child will enjoy playing developmentally appropriate games. Throughout the summer, we reinforce what your child has learned in school. With CampVentures, your child’s ordinary summer vacation is transformed into a fun and strong foundation for the future.

Life Essentials®is Kiddie Academy’s proprietary, developmentally appropriate curriculum and supporting programs, methods, activities and techniques that help better prepare children for life. Life Essentials gives your child a happier, healthier, more well-rounded foundation for the future. In other words,what children learn at Kiddie Academy will help to prepare them for school and for life.

Kiddie Academy’s CampVentures turns your child’s ordinary summer vacation into a summer of exploration. Our program inspires imagination through exciting

activities, field trips and special visitors, while balancing the individual needs and interests of each child in our care.

CampVentures awakens a world of fun, learning and friendships for your child.

At Kiddie Academy, STEM is integrated throughout our Life Essentials curriculum. Through the Project Approach, our

children are encouraged to be scientific thinkers through hands-on experiments that allow them to discover the natural environment around them. Technology skills are enhanced though interactions with simple and scientific tools, as well as individual and group participation with interactive Smart Boards, classroom computers, and tablets. Engineering is the focus when the children are using critical thinking and problem solving skills to engage in projects that promote team work and discovery of how things work and real world engineering problems. The children are invited to participate in mathematical activities that encourage them to solve problems, increase their number sense, focus on geometry skills, practice measurement skills, and improves knowledge of spatial relationships. 4 4 4 28

JUNE 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

2018 S UM M E R C A MPS GUID E

SchoolPinnd – A New Online Platform for Parents

By Janice Lane Palko

H

ave you ever wanted to contact other parents in your school district about a matter or ask a question? You could go to Facebook, but as we all know, your posts may be shared with others not in your school district. Enter SchoolPinnd, a simple, safe and effective online network where you can communicate with all the parents in your school or district.

SchoolPinnd, a local tech startup, is a first-of-its-kind comprehensive online platform for parents, guardians, residents and other stakeholders of a particular school community to exchange information/communicate with each other and be more informed and better equipped to get answers to everyday questions, all in a coordinated, trustworthy and private setting, hence facilitating and enhancing civic engagement to better education and a happier community.

It was founded by Himani Jain.

“I am a resident of Wexford and my kids go to NA. I am just like any other parent (and a mom) trying to solve a piece of this puzzle, in a smart, simple and innovative way.

After a relentless pursuit of aggregating and researching various aspects (for at least a year) and leveraging some of my technical background, I founded SchoolPinnd since I believe, parents (and teachers) are one of the most important influence in a child’s educational experience and education is the backbone of a society,” said Himani.

SchoolPinnd is also Benefit Company (B-Corp, a new entity type), which is a social enterprise with a purpose of creating public benefit and operating in a socially and/or environmentally responsible manner and to be more credible and transparent. Find more about SchoolPinnd at www.schoolpinnd. com 4 4 4

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K I D S & E DUC AT ION

School Movers & Shakers Kiddie Academy Kiddie Academy of Cranberry Township has received Stars 3 Level for continuous quality improvement from Pennsylvania Keystone Stars Program.

North Allegheny North Allegheny School District (NASD) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

Pine-Richland Eden Hall Upper Elementary School Assistant Principal Greta Kuzilla has been appointed principal of Hance Elementary School. Ms. Kuzilla has been Greta Kuzilla serving as an assistant principal at Eden Hall Upper Elementary in the Pine-Richland School District since August 2016.

Fox Chapel Sanjay and Arvind Seshan, students at Fox Chapel Area School District, won the most prestigious award at the FIRST LEGO League World Championships held in Detroit, Michigan on April 25-28.

Four Fox Chapel Area High School students placed at the annual Westminster Model United Nations (UN) Conference. The team of juniors Diana Crookston and Grace Stasolla placed first, and the team of sophomores Jackson Boychuk and Thomas Traub placed third.

A team of Fox Chapel Area High School students won first place in their division at the Pittsburgh Data Jam. Winners were: Albert Liu, Andreas Paljug, Max Wolfendale, Arnav Gupta, Zachary Lakkis, J. Oliver Choo and Rajeev Godse.

Five Fox Chapel Area High School students won individual awards at the Ohio State University Model United Nations (UN) Conference.

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Winners were: Rajeev Godse, Jackson Romero, Diana Crookston, Tristan McClelland and Gavin Hitchens.

A team of Fox Chapel Area High School students won third place at the PA BotsIQ State Competition and qualified for the national competition. Team members include: Jason Hertzberg, Gregory Kirklewski, Tyler Rapp, Christian Reiber, Graham Childs, Samuel Gilmore, Jacob Keeler and Connor McAtee.

The Fox Chapel Area School District has been named among the 2018 Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation.

Three Fox Chapel Area High School seniors have been named Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA) Global Scholars.

Cassidy Carson – German, Lea Prato – Spanish, and Kacie Zakin – Spanish have all attained the distinction of 2018 PSMLA Global Scholars Graduates.

Several Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association (TSA) State Leadership Conference at the Seven Springs Conference Center. First place winners were - Nathan VanDemark, Jorgen Wu and Aaron Wu.

Seneca Valley Seneca Valley School District was recently honored with an Edison Award. SV was the only featured K-12 public school in the nation to be included on the list as a finalist. Haine Elementary/Middle School won for their Creativity, Innovation and Research Center (CIRC).

Seneca Valley Orchestra high school students (grades 9-12) came in first place and received a Superior rating at the High Note Festival at Hershey Park on May 4. The eighth grade orchestra placed second with an Excellent rating.

The Seneca Valley Marching Band was named the Grand Champions in the Norfolk North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Festival’s “Parade of Nations” in Norfolk, VA, held on April 28.

JUNE 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

The following Seneca Valley School students were selected as winners of the national Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Patriot’s Pen Youth Essay Contest. They are from Haine Middle School; Joey Loeffler, Priscilla Rozic, Tanner Miklos, Ben Stanton, Lucas Chvilicek and Maura Wertheimer.

North Hills North Hills School District graduates Don Goebel and Julia Santucci received the district’s Distinguished Julia Don Alumni Award on Santucci Goebel May 17. Goebel is a member of the Class of 1980, and Santucci is a member of the Class of 1998.

North Hills High School students took home Top 10 honors at the state competition of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) in Hershey. Winners were: Ben Flory, Kaylee Lawson and Katie Emmons.

The North Hills High School World Language Department has been recognized as an exemplary high school foreign language program and honored with a Silver Award for the second time by the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association.

North Hills High School earned a nomination in the 28th annual Gene Kelly Awards for Excellence in High School Musical Theater for its recent production of Dames at Sea. Sophomore Jane Fusco was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role as “Joan.”

Mars Area Mars Area School Board has appointed Dr. Richard Glosser as director of Student Services.

Mars Area sophomore Mitchell McMarlin was named a Grand

Richard Glosser

Prize Winner at the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) Aviation Science Center “AIM for the Future Friday” event, held Feb. 23.

Mars Area senior Caleb Isaacs and sophomore Adrian Zugehar took first place overall as members of “The Giant Diencephalic BrainSTEM Robotics Team” at the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship on April 28.

Dana Petruska, Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Basketball head coach, was selected as the PSW AllTai State Class 5A Girl Johnson Basketball Coach of the Year. Lauren Wasylson and Tai Johnson, both members of Mars Area High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team, were named to the PSW All-State Class 5A Girls Basketball First Team.

Lauren Wasylson

Catholic Schools of the Pittsburgh Diocese REGISTER NOW for the 2018-2019 School Year

Dana Petruska

Several Mars Area High School Advanced Algebra II students competed in the Allegheny Math Partnership’s 2018 Amazing Math Race, held April 26 at North Park. First places winners were - Dalton Becker, Connor Bird, Blake Edwards and Zachary Leachman. Rachel Goetz, Emily Hayward, Alexa Knox and Ruby Watson placed third.

Mars Area Primary Center collected more than 10,000 diapers as part of the school’s “Stuff the Bus” Diaper Drive, held April 16-20 to benefit The Lighthouse Foundation food bank in Middlesex Township.

Three Mars Area Elementary School students were selected as Grade Level Winners of the school’s Doodle 4 Google Contest. Winners were - Addison Orehowsky, Brynn Williams and Zacharias Yohe.

Five Mars Area High School students were selected for induction into the school’s National Business Honor Society chapter. Inductees are: Jonathan Knotts, Ashley Parham, Alexis Bonifate, Anastasia Bonifate and Matthew Olsen.

Butler Catholic Butler Catholic School Athletic Association held its annual Sports Banquet on April 7 to

Blessed Francis Seelos Academy (Wexford)

Providence Heights Alpha School (Allison Park)

(formerly St. Alphonsus/St. Alexis Schools) 724-935-1152 or 724-935-3940 Principal: Mr. Robert Reese www.nhrces.org\seelos

Principal: Margaret Ruefle M.ED.M.S. (412) 366-4455 www.alphaschool.org

Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy (Aspinwall) Principal: Mr. Mark Grgurich (412) 781-7927 www.cdtca.org

Saint Gregory School (Zelienople) Principal: Erin Harris (724) 452-9731 school.stgregzelie.org

Saint Joseph High School (Natrona Heights)

Holy Cross Academy (Ross Township)

Principal: Beverly K. Kaniecki (724) 224-5552 www.SaintJosephHS.com

Principal: Mr. John Benzing 412.364.7171 HolyCrossAcademy.net

honor all BCS student athletes.

The honorees were: Nick Rine, Shaylee Walls, Lacy Zagurskie, Jamee Watson, Alice Sommers, Jordan Slater, Madison Romanovich, Trevor Braun, Grace Foehringer, Chiara Sloboda, Colin Dorcy, Gretchen Foehringer, Leah Zagurskie, Nathan Maher, Santino Sloboda, Mateo Saspe and Katy Short.

Butler Catholic School held its First Healthy Living Day on April 27. The purpose of the day

was to promote and encourage students and school community members to lead healthy lifestyles in all areas including mind, body and spirit.

Providence Hights Alpha School Two Providence Heights Alpha teachers and two of their students recently received special honors. Teacher, Jennifer Brown-Clair was awarded the 2017-18 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Linda Cessar, the school’s science teacher for grades 5-8, was awarded (Continued on page 34)

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KIDS & E DUC ATIO N

the 2018 Teacher’s Award by The Society for Analytical Chemists of Pittsburgh. Additionally, seventh graders, Sofia Mancing and Regina Palladino, won the SACP PJAS student award as they tied for the highest score at this year’s regional competitions.

Aquinas Academy Aquinas Academy Middle School performed Captain Hook on March 23 and 24. Cast members were: Laura Richthammer, Isabella Hite, Theo Austin, Mary BouSamra, Palma Serrao, Mia Russell, Kian Buchanan and Michael Cerny.

Holy Cross Academy Holy Cross Academy fifth graders sponsored its 15th annual Fuzzy Feet Slipper campaign. One hundred and sixty pairs of new slippers were collected and delivered to patients at Children’s Hospital on Holy Thursday.

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Holy Cross Academy sixth grader David Thomas took first place at the Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair at the Carnegie Science Center.

Holy Cross Academy Forensics Team placed 6th out of 28 schools for the 2018 forensics season. Individual awards were earned by Ava Barkich, Marlena Battista, Zoe Blankenship, Joey Daeschner, Luke Daeschner, Hanna Felsing, Gabby Geyer, Naomi Jesionowski, Bridget Lucas, Becca Moorhead, Maeve O’Connell, James Polen, Shannon Schollaert and Phoebe Tebbs.

Holy Cross Academy hosted the 2018 Novice forensics competition. Students earning individual awards were: Madison Helwich, Olivia Marche and Paige Rossi. Other award recipients included: Rylee Gadomski, Katie Gaertner, Carina Simmons, Mia Brown, Madison Hartung, Emily Koman, Anna Simmons and Gianna Sturdivant.

Holy Cross Academy Varsity Boys Basketball team finished runner up in the Diocesan Grade School Class A tournament.

La Roche College John E. Napolitano recently joined the La Roche College Board of Trustees.

La Roche College honored its 2018 graduates at the 53rd commencement on Saturday, May 5. The college conferred 381 degrees, including three doctoral, 60 master’s, 307 bachelor’s and 11 associate degrees.

Eight graduating seniors at La Roche College presented honors at the annual Honors Convocation. They are: Margaret Briggs, Heather Clay, Connor Forsythe, Bradley Gray, Charleigh Smith, Kristen Spezialetti, Zachary Weaver and Taylor Zediker.

BC3 Natalie Kitzko, a 1968 graduate of Butler County Community College, was honored for 50 years of employment at her alma mater (BC3).

An 80-year-old Butler Community College history major made history when he became the most senior student ever to graduate from BC3 during its 50th commencement

exercises in 2018. William “Don” Thomas also represents the most senior Class of 2018 graduate among the state’s four other western institutions within the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.

Don Thomas

St. Vincent College Mitchell G. Farrell, an accounting and music double major, has been named the 44th annual winner of the President’s Award, Saint Vincent College’s highest student honor presented to the member of the graduating class.

Dan Boland of Pittsburgh, a senior accounting major at Saint Vincent College, was this year’s winner of Saint Vincent College’s The Voice, an annual singing competition hosted by the college’s Activities Programming Board.

Boland received a trophy and a cash prize of $200.

Dr. Eric Kocian, assistant professor of criminology, law and society in the Saint Vincent College School of Social Sciences, Communication and Education, was honored with the presentation of the Quentin Schaut Faculty Award at the Saint Vincent College Spring Honors Convocation on April 25 in Saint Vincent Basilica.

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KIDS & EDUC ATIO N

Ashley Dengler (left); Jamie Lee Patterson (right); and Stephen Liebrock (standing)

Matthew Dorsey

“A Night to Remember”

By Paula Green

O

n May 6, they walked the red carpet and dazzled the crowd as Discovery Christian Church hosted their 6th annual “A Night to Remember.” The formal event is held for special needs teens/adults ages 16 and older.

The attendees were pampered to the tee. Prior to the evening, the girls paid a visit to Discovery Christian, where they perused hundreds of dresses, and selected one free of charge. The gentlemen were given free tuxedo rentals from Tuxedo Junction in Cranberry.

On the “big day,” the ladies were treated to salon styling, makeovers and nail manicuring. They were given limo rides, walked the red carpet and were photographed by the paparazzi. Finally, Madison Pavlick walking the red carpet they were provided with dinner, dancing and plenty of camaraderie. This year’s “A Night to Remember” was held at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Marshall Township.

Ashley Dengler, 24, also of Marshall, has attended this spectacular affair every year. “It is really awesome! I especially love the dancing,” said Ashley.

“It is an amazing sight to see; these folks walk the red carpet and high-five each other. It is such a great opportunity for them,” said Ashley’s mom, Linda Dengler.

Over 350 volunteers participated in this year’s extravaganza. Guest registration and volunteer information will open in January 2019, visit http://www.discovertogether.com/anighttoremember. 4 4 4

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S UPP O RT O UR TRO O P S

Tom Schad Marine Corps Reserve

By Paula Green

D

ignity Home Care Professionals is a veteran-owned, family-run elder care service. Co-owner Tom Schad followed in his family’s footsteps when he decided to serve his country. “I was compelled to join the military due to the many family members who served, both my grandfathers in World War II, a great uncle in the Korean War, an uncle in Vietnam and several cousins who served in the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq in the early 1990s,” Tom said.

He spent nine years in the Marine Corps Reserve. Tom served as a heavy equipment mechanic in support of various operations. He was deployed twice. “I joined the Marine Corps Reserve and was standing tall on the famous footprints on my 18th birthday in June 2000. The year before I graduated from North Hills High School, my cousin joined the Marines following his graduation. I wanted to prove that I could be the best as well. I knew my life would benefit long-term from the discipline and training I would receive,” Tom added.

This ended up being a rewarding experience for Tom. As he noted, “Being in the Marine Reserves afforded me various opportunities to interact with the public. My Master Gunnery Sergeant was active in his community of Newton Falls, Ohio. Every year, our unit would take pieces of equipment to participate in their Independence Day parade. I always enjoyed talking to members of the VFW, The Marine Corps League and other veterans’ groups. The knowledge they shared and history they know will pass with them unless we take the time to learn from their experiences.”

Tom is a member of the VFW, and he and his wife, Bethany, support Wounded Warriors and other veteran’s suicide awareness groups. His company, Dignity Home Care Professionals, just launched a program offering a 10 percent discount to veterans and their widowed spouses.

“I always wanted to be an advocate for seniors or help older people in some way. When I was young, my great uncle (the man who served in the Korean War) suffered a stroke.

After weeks of rehab, he was gaining back some motor and verbal functions. Unfortunately, he suffered a second stroke and was moved to a nursing facility close to my grandparents’ home, so we had many opportunities to visit him. My great uncle always wore a mustache, but in his last days, while in the nursing facility, one of the aids cut it off in order to make feeding a bit easier. I remember how upset my family was,” Tom said.

“Our aim at Dignity Home Care Professionals is to provide the highest quality care while giving our clients the utmost respect they deserve. Helping them maintain their dignity is our priority. One of the things that makes our company unique is the family involvement. My wife and her mother, Hana Haatainen-Caye, run the business and various members of both families work in some capacity to help us succeed. We feel honored to serve the senior population throughout Pittsburgh,” Tom said. To learn more, visit https://www.dignityhomecarepgh.com/. 4 4 4 www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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S E N IO R LIVING

Town Crier

The June Expedition

By Joe Bullick

W

ell, here comes June. I hope you have been enjoying spring. My mom would say, “A dry and leaking June would make the farmer a merry tune.”

Half of 2018 will soon be gone, and schools will be on summer break. Finally, we have plenty of sunshine.

This month also brings us Father’s Day. In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring dads. Father’s Day is celebrated the third Sunday in June; this year it will be on June 17.

If you have a father, make sure you make his day special. Here are some gift ideas – aftershave, ties, wallet with a buck in it, or some dads love a good cigar. Love him and respect him for everything that he has done for you.

I had a stepdad. He was a good man, and I learned to love him. There are some kids who no longer have a father, and their grandfather takes over the role. I always light a candle in church for all fathers; some were even lost in war. This time of the year, I think about D-Day, which happened on June 6, 1944. It was the largest amphibious military assault in history. Approximately 156,000 Allied troops stormed Normandy’s beaches. More than 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives in the D-Day invasion with thousands more wounded or missing.

June offers the most hours of daylight.

Farmers and gardeners are concentrating on their fields and planting. There is an old proverb that states, “Calm weather in June gets corn in tune.” Farmers and gardeners hope for perfect weather.

One of the customs in June is marriage with “June brides.” I want to wish the June brides best wishes. Weddings can be costly; the average one is about $20,000 to $25,000. There are many components to make a marriage work. There is intimacy both physical and emotional, and communication is a big key. Try to find a couple who could be your mentor. Think about what your marriage might look like when you’ve been married for fifty years or more. Now is the time to invest in your marriage; later you will reap the rewards.

June is a great time to travel. There are many things you can do. Why not take the kids to a farm for a visit? We have a couple of great ones in our area. If you like photography, then visit Photo Antiquities, the museum of Photographic History on the North Side on East Ohio Street.

Well, God bless and I leave you with this – “A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”

— Saint Basil

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SE N I OR LI V ING

Happenings for Seniors Collections

Seminars

Social Groups

North Hills Community Outreach

Legacy Theatre Seminars, 11 a.m.,

Amazing Singles, for singles in the

is collecting safety items for seniors.

For details, visit nhco.org or call Cathy, at (412) 307-0069 x3313.

Entertainment & Social St. Alexis Over 50 trips: July 4,

Gateway Clipper & Fireworks; Sept.

9, Mackinac Island. Contact, Rose (724) 728-2563, or (412) 908-0124, or Janet, at (724) 869-5339.

Health & Wellness Free Services for Seniors through North Hills Community Outreach.

Help with rides to medical appts., grocery stores, yard work. Call Cathy at (412) 307-0069 ext. 3313 or Kerry at (412) 449-0151 to schedule an in-home registration visit.

Healthy Start Café, 8:45 a.m.,

every Mon & Thurs, St. John Lutheran Church of Highland, 311 Cumberland Rd. Presented

by Lutheran SeniorLife & St. John Lutheran Church of Highland. Call (412) 364-1606 or (412) 307-1797.

North Hill Community Outreach provides Safety Checks for Seniors. Interested seniors who

reside in northern Allegheny County should email Cathy at clpschirer@ nhco.org or call (412) 307-0069 x3313.

Meals on Wheels McKnight Meals on Wheels pro-

June 12, The Darkest Hour; 10 a.m.1 p.m., June 26, Day of Health for Seniors. For info, visit http://thelegacylineup.com/

Senior Facilities UPMC Senior Communities offers independent living & personal care.

For details, call 1-800-324-5523.

Senior Meetings AARP 3736 welcomes new mem-

bers, 7:30 p.m., every 2nd Thurs., of the month (except June & July) at St. Ursula Church Social Hall. Special dinner in Aug. and exciting trips.

Cranberry Township 55+ Club

meets at 1 p.m., the 2nd Tues., of the month in the Cranberry Municipal Center. The club features activities, social events and local trips. For info, call Bill at(724) 776-1933.

Friends and Fun 55+ Singles

meet at 7 p.m., every 1st Friday, at St. Ferdinand’s, Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp., Oldenski Hall, Upper Room. Call (724) 776-9274.

Friendship Groups for Visually Impaired, Men’s Group meets

every Weds. 1-3:15 p.m., Knitting & Crocheting Circle meets every Weds., 1-3:15 p.m., Monthly Meeting 2nd Thurs. of each month 1:15-3:15 p.m., The Lunch Bunch meets 4th Thurs. of every month 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Talking Book Club meets 1st Mon. of each month 1-2:30 p.m. Call (724) 444-0064.

vides home delivered meals to the elderly, homebound and disabled.

Services Ross Twp., Berkeley Hills, Swan Acres, McCandless, Shaler & Hampton Townships. Call (412) 487-4088.

Gateway North AARP #3586 meets

North Country Meal on Wheels

Primetimers, noon, first Thurs of the

provides home delivered meals to the elderly, homebound & disabled.

Services Marshall, Pine, Richland, Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, parts of McCandless, West Deer, Cranberry, Adams, Seven Fields, Mars & Valencia. Call (724) 9351877.

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at 1 p.m., the 3rd Monday of the month, at West View Banquet Hall at 398 Perry Hwy. Short meeting with entertainment, and cake & coffee.

Everyone is welcome. month, Christ Church Grove Farm, Ohio Twp. Call (412) 741-4900 or visit http://www.ccgf.org.

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Pittsburgh region, visit, http://www. amazingsingles.com/pittsburgh.html.

Catholic Alumni Club of Pittsburgh, has dances, retreats

and plays various sports and other great events. Visit their website http://www.cacpittsburgh.org/.

Have fun and meet new people with the Association of University People/AUP. They’re looking for

single, college graduates over 50 to join monthly dinners, meet at social spots, book club, play bridge or scrapple and social gatherings. Call (412) 734-8445 or visit www.aupsinglespittsburgh.org

Visit Pittsburgh Events & Festivals lists upcoming events for

singles, kids, and married folks. It enlightens Pittsburghers on dining, shopping and recreational events. Go to http://www.visitpittsburgh.com/ events-festivals.

Support Groups Alzheimer’s Support Group, 10

a.m., 1st Monday of each month, St. Catherine of Sweden Parish, 2554 Wildwood Rd. Call Suzie, at (724) 799-7049.

Bereavement Support Group (for

Widows/Widowers over 50), 1-2:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed., St. Sebastian, Haber Hall. To register, call (412) 366-1300.

Home Instead Senior Care®

has a program to help families in Northwest Allegheny County manage the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Free training is available at HelpForAlzheimersFamilies.com.

Paramount Senior Living at Cranberry Alzheimer’s Affiliated Support Group meets 2 p.m., the last Friday. Contact Pam, at (724) 779-5020.

Volunteer Opportunities: Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers to visit Hospice patients. Call (412) 367-3685.

Neighborly Gnomes assist seniors

with disabilities with yard tasks. Visit NeedsbyNeighborhood.org.

North Hills Community Outreach

needs volunteers to snow shovel for seniors. Email clpschirer@nhco.org or (412) 307-0069 x3313.

North Hills Community Outreach

urgently needs volunteers in the upper Route 28 corridor to help seniors. Visit http://nhco.org/volunteer-opportunities/volunteer-helpseniors/. For details, call Kerry, (412) 449-0151 or kkmulhern@nhco.org.

Pittsburgh OASIS Intergenerational Tutor Program

seeks volunteers (50+) to tutor in Pittsburgh & Woodland Hills School Districts in grades K-4. Trainings are held at the Duquesne Light Building downtown Pittsburgh. For info or to register, contact John at OASIS at (412) 393-7648 or jdspehar@oasisnet.org.

Ursuline Services’ Checks and Balances program assists those

who have difficulty with financial affairs. Register at (412) 224-4700 x113 or ktobin@ursulinesupport.org.

Stay in Touch with Your Community!

Deadline for submissions is by the 12th of the month.

In Memoriam

Bruno Sammartino

T

he wrestling world lost an icon on April 18. Bruno Sammartino died peacefully at the age of 82. The Ross Township resident and Hall of Famer was appropriately nicknamed, “The Living Legend.�

Sammartino grew up in a small town, Pizzoferatto, in the Abruzzo region of Italy. His family miraculously escaped the Nazi invasion during World War II by hiding in the mountains for 14 months, where he nearly died of starvation. He moved to Pittsburgh in 1950 where he took up weightlifting and wrestling. He also served in the U.S. Air Force.

In 1959, Sammartino was spotted by a wrestling promoter, who launched his wrestling career. By January 1960, Sammartino was wrestling at Madison Square Garden and went on to sell out that venue a record 187 times. Sammartino was a WWWF champion for 11 years. He wrestled in every state and on every continent. He stands to this day as the longest-reigning world heavyweight champion. Sammartino was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Carol, and his three sons David, Danny and Darryl. 4 4 4 www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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June 2018

Happenings Arts & Entertainment Legacy Theatre Movies, 2 p.m.,

June 4, Murder on the Orient Express; June 11, The Darkest Hour (2 p.m. & 7 p.m.); June 18, Wonder; June 25, The Greatest Showman (2 p.m. & 7 p.m.), 700 Cumberland Woods Dr., McCandless. Visit http:// www.thelegacylineup.com/movies/

Legacy Theatres shows: 7:30

p.m., June 9, Johnny Angel & the Halos, July 7, La Bohème Warhola

by Giancomo Puccini, July 14, The Bird Dogs Present: Everly Brothers Experience; July 28, My Gal Patsy Cline – Tribute by Josie Waverly; Aug. 25, Pure Gold, Sept. 15, The Return of Buddy Holly - Tribute Concert; Cahal Dunne, Oct. 13; The Marcels, Oct. 27; 700 Cumberland

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Woods Dr., McCandless. Visit http:// www.thelegacylineup.com/productions.

Martini’s with Monet Art Exhibition runs June 28-Aug. 15, at

the Cranberry Township Municipal Building. For info about C.A.N, visit their website at www.cranberryartistsnetwork.com.

Camps Adventures in Pioneer Living Camp, for ages 8-12, June 18-22,

Depreciation’s Land Museum. For details, visit http://www.depreciationlandsmuseum.org/ or call (412) 486-0563.

Choir Camp for students entering

1st-7th grade, 9 a.m.-noon, Aug. 6-10, St. Alexis Parish. Singing, bell

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ringing, instruments, games, crafts, Mass at 11 a.m., Aug. 12. Free.

Registration due by July 25. Visit stalexis.org for details, or call (724) 935-4343 x226.

Seneca Valley Summer Camps:

Kidsfest, July 8-13; July 15-20; July

Splash Canyon Vacation Bible Camp, 9 a.m.-noon, June 18-22, St.

22-27, Orchard Hill Church. For info, visit https://www.orchardhillchurch. com/.

Materials Science Camp, 9 a.m.3 p.m., June 11-14, Saint Joseph High school for students entering grades 5-8. For info, visit www.

SaintJosephHS.com, email jsusa@ SaintJosephHS.com or (724) 2267877.

Musical Camp, 9 a.m.-noon, June

25-29, Saint Joseph High School. For info, visit www.SaintJosephHS.com, email jsusa@SaintJosephHS.com or (724) 226-7877.

algebra, art, band, culinary, dance, gaming, orchestra, photography, robotics. For details, visit www.svsd. net/SVSummerCamps.

Alexis Parish, 10090 Old Perry Hwy., Wexford. For info, visit www.stalexis. org, email reled@stalexis.org or call (724) 935-0877.

Collections North Hills Community Outreach

cleaning supplies collection for distribution to the families who use their three pantries. Items are appreciated

by June 8. For details, visit nhco.org or (412) 487-6316, opt. 1.

Concerts Ring Pittsburgh Concert: 7 p.m., June 8, Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Ave. Visit, www.ringPittsburgh.org or (412) 913-5728.

Counseling Ask the Attorney, free counseling

for qualified individuals, the 3rd Wed. of every month, 7 p.m. June 20 at North Hills Community Outreach in Millvale, July 18 in Allison Park.

Pre-register at jmboggs@nhco.org or (412) 408-3830 x3217.

Berkeley Hills Lutheran Church is offering it Stephen Ministry Program for people experiencing

grief, divorce, cancer, illnesses, job loss, loss of home, military deployment & other life struggles. Free & confidential program for people of any faith. Call (412) 486-4010 or www.bhlc.org.

Group Services, Intensive

Outpatient Program, 5:30-8:30 p.m., M,W,Th.,Therapy Group 6-8 p.m., Tues., Family Only Group 7:30-9:00 p.m., 2nd Tues, Psycho-educational Support Group 7-9 p.m., 4th Mon. Contact Anita (412) 215-7967, pened1@aol.com, or www.anitasinicropemaier.com.

North Hills Community Outreach

offers multiple free programs aimed at helping people attain self-sufficiency, including employment help.

For details, email jmboggs@nhco.org or (412) 408-3830 x3217.

Dancing & Recreational Events Ballroom Dancing, 7-8 p.m. (beginners); 8-10:30 p.m. (social dance), 1st & 3rd Fri., thru Jun. 1, Orchard Hill. Visit https://www.orchardhillchurch.com/

Country Knight Line Dancers

host a line dance 7-10:30 p.m. every Wed., in St. Athanasius Hall, cost $5 per person. Call, Janine (412) 9316971 or janine.beley@gmail.com.

Festivals All-Star Craft Beer, Wine & Cocktail Festival, 3-7 p.m., Aug.

11, PNC Park. This event is 21+ only, proper ID is required. For tickets, visit www.BallparkFestival.com/ Pittsburgh.

Bataam Jeep Heritage Festival

runs June 8-10 in Butler. For details, visit http://www.bantamjeepfestival. com/.

Fundraiser Little Sisters of the Poor RockA-Thon, 1-4 p.m., June 9, 1028

Benton Ave, Brighton Heights.

Entertainment, a bake sale, gift basket & auction. Proceeds benefit the elderly Residents living at their nursing home. Rockers of all ages are welcome. For info or to register, contact Kathleen at (412) 307-1268 or adevpittsburgh@littlesistersofthepoor.org or visit www.littlesistersofthepoorpittsburgh.org.

Gardening Greybrooke Garden Club Meeting, 9:30 a.m., June 13, in the Fellowship Hall of Parkwood U.P. Church, 4289 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Allison Park. Shade Gardening is this month’s topic. Guests are welcome. For info, contact Bonnie at (412) 366-3689.

Hosta Show, 1-4 p.m., June 2,

Soergel Orchards Farm Market.

Hosta plant sales starts at 10 a.m.

Presented by the Daffodil & Hosta Society of Western PA. For questions, call Jim at (724) 933-3382.

Ingomar Garden Club meets 10:30

a.m., the 1st Wed. of the month, thru Nov., at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 311 Cumberland Road, McCandless Twp. Business meeting followed by a light luncheon and speaker. All perspective members are invited.

Visit https://www.ingomar-gardenclub.com/

Shaler Great Gardens Tour,

40+, 8 p.m. to midnight, June 2, Great Giftcard Giveaway; June 23, Coney Island Cookout. Free dance lesson 7:30 p.m., West View VFW, 386 Perry Hwy. Call (724) 316-5029 or www.dancetonight.weebly.com.

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday, June 24.

Benefitting the Shaler North Hills Library. Shaler Local Gardens Contest entries due by July 6. Tour tickets can be purchased at the Shaler North Hills Library, 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd. Rain or shine. Visit www. shalerlibrary.org or call (412) 4860211 for info.

Environmental

Golf

Saturday Singles Dance, for ages

Western PA Mushroom Club

meetings, 7 p.m., June 19, July 17, Aug. 21, Sept. 18, Oct. 16 (photo contest results & election of officers), Nov. 20 (potluck dinner & member photos), Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve, 614 Dorseyville Rd. For info, visit wpamushroomclub.org.

Butler County Chamber Golf Outing, June 7, Lake Arthur Golf Club. For info, call (724) 283-2222 or email Jennifer@ ButlerCountyChamber.com.

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June 2018 Happenings

Saint Joseph High School’s Spartan Scramble: Golf, Dinner

& Auction, 10:30 a.m., June 11 at Lenape Heights Golf Resort in Ford City. Non-golfers are invited to join in at 5:30 p.m. for dinner & participate in the auction. Visit SaintJosephHS. com for details or contact Christie at (724) 226-8043 or cbenton@saintjosephhs.com.

Health & Wellness Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh

(MOMPgh) is seeking volunteers to assist with a free dental clinic, Jun 29-30 at PPG Paints Arena. For details, visit http://www.mompgh. org/.

Parkinson’s Exercise programs

are available at the Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford. For details, visit http://www.oxfordathleticclub.com/ knocking-out-parkinsons-with-thenewest-programs-at-oxford/ or call (724) 933-1911.

Revelations Fitness® Fusion (car-

dio, strength & flexibility) classes, 9:30 a.m., Mon; 6:30 p.m., Thurs., 2 p.m., Sundays, Get Moving for those with special needs, Woodland Valley Church, Mars; 6:30 p.m., Tues.,

Revelations Fitness® Fusion, North Way Christian Community. Contact heather.simplynatural@gmail.com.

Tai Chi Classes, gentle martial

art that provides health benefits, 1:30 p.m., Tues., at St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church, 2365 McAleer Rd., corner of Rochester Rd., Franklin Park. Visit www.stbrendans.org or call (412) 364-5974.

Tai Chi Exercise for Exercise,

11 a.m.-12:15 p.m., thru June 23, Orchard Hill Church. For info, visit https://www.orchardhillchurch.com/.

VA Butler Healthcare will be offer-

ing flu vaccination clinics to Veterans at the main campus, CommunityBased Outpatient Clinics, and other community locations this fall. For a list of date and times, call (724) 2874781 or 1-800-362-8262.

Library

Northland Library, Star Wars Day,

noon-4 p.m., June 2; Landscape Weaving Demo, 7 p.m., June 7; Journey to Puerto Rico, 7 p.m., June 14; Moving Into Retirement: Real Advice from Real Estate Agents, 12:30-2 p.m.; Medicare: Putting the Pieces Together, 7 p.m., June 28. For info, visit www.northlandlibrary.org or (412) 366-8100.

Networking AM Spirit Business Link Chapter,

a business networking group, meets 11:45 a.m. every Wed, at Bistro 9101, 9101 Perry Hwy., McCandless Twp. Call Roy at rrudl@northwood. com.

AM Spirit Cranberry Chapter, a

Historical Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table lecture Civil War

Photography and Teachings, 7 p.m., June 18, Hampton Township Community Center, 1301 McCully Rd. Free & open to the public.

business networking group, meets 7:15 a.m. every Wed, at North Park Deckhouse, Rt. 19, Cranberry Twp. Call Glen (412) 916-8699.

AM Spirit McCandless Chapter, a

business networking group, meets at noon every Wed, at Bistro 9101, Rt. 19, McCandless Twp. Call Glen (412) 916-8699.

Nativity Lutheran Church, 4517

Mt. Royal Blvd. in Allison Park is a donation site for non-perishable groceries for North Hills Community Outreach for its three food pantries.

Drop-off hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit, www.nativitylutheranchurch15101.org.

North Hills Community Outreach’s Pathways program

offers goal-setting help for those who are struggling. Call Abby at North Boroughs (412) 307-0069; Nicole in Millvale (412) 408-3830 or Shela in McKees Rocks (412) 331-1685 x233.

North Hills Community Outreach’s staff or volunteer speakers will speak to your congregation, civic group or school at no charge. For details, contact Jen at JLKissel@nhco.org or (412) 487-6316 opt. 1 x3112.

North Hills Food Bank, 10 a.m.-

1:45 p.m. every Tues & Thurs, rear parking lot of Hiland Presbyterian Church, 845 Perry Highway. Call, (412) 366-7477 or www.northhillsfoodbank.com. Donations always welcome.

AM Spirit Wexford Chapter,

Olive Branch Fair Trade Store and Missions & More invites knitters &

a business networking group, meets 7:15 a.m. every Mon, at Eat N’ Park, Franklin Village. Visit https://www.amspirit.com/chapter. php?chapter=Wexford.

Amity Lodge #45 affiliated with

Italian Sons & Daughters of America is welcoming new members.

Meetings are held the 2nd Sunday of the month with a social & refreshments. If interested, call Joanne at (724) 443-8303.

Butler County Business Matters Friday Morning Coffee, 8-9 a.m.,

June 29, Coffee Brake in Evans City; July 27, Central Blood Bank in Butler.

For info, email Jennifer@butlercountychamber.com or (724) 283-2222.

Western PA Professional Business Association Network Breakfast, 7:15 a.m., Tuesdays, King’s Restaurant, Rt. 8, Gibsonia. Call Mary Ann, at (724) 935-2221 or www.wpabusiness.com.

Outreach Donate your vehicle to NHCO’s

Transportation Assistance program.

Free pickup or towing and hassle-free donation process. For details, visit nhco.org/donate/donate-car or (412) 408-3830 x3225.

JUNE 2018 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

Hands Group at The Olive Branch Fair Trade Store and Missions. The group meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., 1st & 3rd Monday of the month, at 11160 Perry Highway in Wexford. Bring your needles! For info, call (724) 799-8700,

AM Spirit Pittsburgh North Chapter, a business networking

group, meets 8 a.m. every Thurs, at Sports Grille at Cranberry. Call Glen (412) 916-8699.

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Knitters needed to join the Busy

crocheters to join their Busy Hands group. The group meets 9:15-11:15 a.m., the 1st & 3rd Mon. Busy bee sewing group meets 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the 4th Thurs of the month.

Questions? Call (724) 799-8700.

UPMC Passavant Auxiliary is

looking for dedicated people who wish to support UPMC Passavant McCandless & Cranberry. The group meets 10 a.m., the 2nd Mon. of each month. (Sept-thru Jun.) For details, call (412) 748-6640 or burkea2@ ph.upmc.edu.

Races & Walks St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church hiking group hits the trails every

three weeks. The group meets at 9 a.m., each hike is followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant. For details, visit www.stbrendans.org or (412) 364-5974.

Sales St. Aloysius Spring Rummage Sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., June 9 & 12:30 p.m.3:30 p.m., June 10, 3616 Mt. Troy Rd. Visit https://saintaloysiuspittsburgh. org or call (412) 821-2351.

School & Classes College Kickstart Day Open House, 3-6 p.m.,

July 18, all eight campuses of Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC). For info, email admissions@ccac.edu.

La Roche College Campus Visits for prospec-

tive students & their families. Summer Nights at La Roche will be held from 5-7 p.m. June 11, June 19, June 28 or July 11, in the Fisher Multipurpose Room of the Wright Library. Register online at laroche.edu/summernights. Contact Freshman Admissions at (412) 536-1272 or admissions@ laroche.edu. Transfer students email transferadmissions@laroche.edu or call (412) 536-1260.

Leadership program, presented by Fox Chapel Area School District and Dale Carnegie & Associates, Jun. 18-28. For details, email Lisa_ Gibson@fcasd.edu or (412) 967-2479.

North Allegheny Kennywood Day is June 21.

Discounted admission tickets are $30. Tickets available at all of the NA district’s schools in the Athletic Office & online thru Jun. 19 at www.

Kennywood.com/na. For info, contact the Athletic Dept at http://athletics.northallegheny.org/department/ubo or (724) 934-7238.

North Hills Community Outreach Back-toSchool collection is on. They’re collecting back-

packs, school supplies for students in kindergarten thru 12. For details, visit www.nhco.org or call (412) 487-6316, opt. 1.

North Hills School District is accepting reg-

istration for its summer educational programs Online Academy for students in grades seven to 12. Deadline to register is June 22, classes begin June 25. For info or to register, contact Denise at (412) 318-1017 or email habermand@nhsd.net.

St. Stephen’s Church Classical Academy,

located in Sewickley Village is open for enrollment for grades 1-3. For details, visit https://classicalchristian.org/measure-it.

Summer Events National Aviary: Father’s Day Brunch, two

seatings, 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., June 17; Newly Renovated Tropical Rainforest will be unveiled in July;s Night in the Tropics, July 21. For info visit, www.aviary.org.

Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social, 1-4 p.m., July

15, Depreciation Land Museum in Allison Park. Visit http://www.depreciationlandsmuseum.org/ or call (412) 486-0563.

Support Groups Amputee Support Group, 4-5:30 p.m., 3rd

Wed. of every month, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley, 3rd Floor Boardroom, 303 Camp Meeting Rd., Sewickley. For info, call Michelle at (412) 749-2388.

Bereavement Support Group, Beyond Bridge

to Hope, 7-8:30 p.m., 2nd Wed., of every month, Passavant Hospital Conference Center, McCandless Twp. Free of charge, no registration is necessary.

Call (412) 748-6640.

Bereavement Support Group (for widows/

widowers over 50), 1-2:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed., St. Sebastian Parish, Haber Hall. To register, call Anchorpoint at (412) 366-1300.

Bereavement Support Group in the North Hills,

10-11:30 a.m., 2nd & 4th Thurs. of each month, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1965 Ferguson Rd., Allison Park. To register, call (724) 334-6600.

Brain Injury & Stroke Support Group, noon-

1:15 p.m., 3rd Weds., HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Sewickley, 3rd Floor Board Room. For info, call Michelle at (412) 749-2388.

Brain Injury Support Group, Mind Matters,

7-9 p.m., every 3rd Thurs., of the month, Butler Memorial Hospital, East Brady St. in the Dimmick Center. Call (724) 283-6666.

Brain Tumor Support Group, 6:30-8 p.m., 3rd

Thurs., AHN Health & Wellness Pavilion. Free & open to cancer patients & caregivers over 18, no students. Sponsored by the Cancer Caring Center.

Register at (412) 622-1212.

Breast Cancer Support Groups, 5:30-7 p.m., 3rd Mon., AGH Hospital; 7-8:30 p.m.,1st & 3rd Weds, UPMC Passavant Cranberry; 6-7:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed., AHN Health & Wellness Pavilion. Free & open to cancer patients & caregivers over 18, no students. Sponsored by the Cancer Caring Center.

Register at (412) 622-1212.

Bridge to Hope, 7 p.m., every Wed., of the

month, Passavant Hospital Conference Center, at Cumberland Woods Village, McCandless Twp. For drug & alcohol addiction. Visit bridge2hope.org, or call (412) 748-5120. bridge2hope.org.

Christian 12-Step Recovery, 7-9 p.m., Kidzburgh 4th-5th grade room, Orchard Hill Church. Visit orchardhillchurch.com.

Iarrapino’s EXTERIOR PRESSURE WASHING for your House Wash off Green Algae/ Black Mold from Siding, Stone, Brick, Walkways, Decks, etc.

Also PAINTING both Exterior and Interior.

22 Years Experience CALL TODAY! 412-901-7112 Parkinson’s Support Group, 10 a.m., 1st Tues of

each month, Rose E. Schneider YMCA. For details, contact Dale at (724) 591-8121 or d.reckless@mrsphysicaltherapy.com.

Parkinson’s Support Group, 1-2:30 p.m., last

Wed of each month, HealthSouth Harmarville, 320 Guys Run Rd. Contact Jessica, at (412) 828-1300 x7710.

Recovery from Codependency, 7-9 p.m.,

Kidzburgh 3-yr old room, Orchard Hill Church. Visit orchardhillchurch.com.

Compulsive Eaters Anonymous, 10:30 a.m.,

Tues., Prayer Room of Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Rd., McCandless. For info, call Jane at (412) 951-9517.

Recovery for Parents of Addicts, 7-9 p.m.,

General Cancer Center Support Groups, 6:30-8

S.P.I.N. For Single Moms: 6-7:30 p.m., 4th

p.m., 2nd & 4th Weds, UPMC Passavant Cranberry.

Free & open to cancer patients & caregivers over 18, no students. Sponsored by the Cancer Caring Center. Register at (412) 622-1212.

Grief Support Group for widows and widowers

over fifty, 2:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed., of the month, St. Sebastian Parish, 311 Siebert Rd. Visit http:// www.saintsebastianparish.org/

Lupus Foundation meetings, 7-8:30 p.m., every

3rd Tues, UPMC Passavant Hospital, 9100 Babcock Blvd., Donor Hall. Call (412) 261-5886 or ccallen92@aol.com.

Metastatic Cancer Support Group, 5-6:30 p.m.,

1st Thur. of each month, UPMC Passavant HospitalMcCandless. For cancer patients and survivors with metastatic disease. Caregivers are welcomed. No cost to attend. Led by Wendy Myers, MSW, LSW. Free parking & light refreshments. Sponsored by the Cancer Caring Center. New members register at (412) 622-1212.

MISS Foundation (Mothers in Sympathy and

Support) for those grieving the loss of a child – includes miscarriages, still birth and prematurity.

Meetings held 7:30 p.m., 1st Tues of the month, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Cumberland Rd., McCandless. Contact Laurie.Jackson@missfoundation.org.

Overeaters Anonymous, 7 p.m., Tues, at St.

Brendan’s Episcopal Church, 2365 McAleer Rd., corner of Rochester Rd. in Franklin Park. For info, visit www.stbrendans.org or call (412) 364-5974.

Kidzburgh K-1 room, Orchard Hill Church. Visit orchardhillchurch.com.

Monday of the Month in Bellevue. For details, call (412) 366-1300.

Stroke Support Group, 1-2:30 p.m., once a month on Weds., HealthSouth Harmarville, 320 Guys Run Rd., For info, contact Valerie at (412) 826-2784 or valerie.bucek@healthsouth.com.

Under One Roof supports people who are hous-

ing extended family members under their roof.

The group meets 6:30 p.m. every other Wed. at St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church, 2365 McAleer Rd., Franklin Park. St. For details, visit www.stbrendans. org or (412) 364-5974.

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Council Meeting in McCandless Township McCandless Town Council meeting, 7:30 p.m., Monday, June 25, at the McCandless Township Hall, 9955 Grubbs Road. The topic for discussion is the proposed relocation of the Sheetz convenience store on Perry Hwy. If you and your area will be affected by this proposal, please attend the meeting. For more information, visit https://www. townofmccandless.org/town-council.

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Strawberry Festival

Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Saturday, June 23 • 4-7 p.m.

Picnic Food & Antique Car Show For more info: 412-741-6880 Sweepstakes Sisters of Divine Providence Summer Sweepstakes, chances to win cash prizes of $2,000, $500 and $100. Sweepstakes ends Sept. 5. For details, visit cdpsisters. org/2018SummerSweeps.

Veterans North Pittsburgh Quilts of Valor meets 7-9 p.m., 2nd Mon., of the month, Quilt Company, Middle Rd., Allison Park. Call (412) 487-9532 or www. qovf.org.

Pennsylvania Community-Based Programs Awarded VA Grants to Support Disabled

Katie’s Clay Studio Celebrating its 6th Year Anniversary with a Special Discount Day on Sat. June 23!

5.00 off $35.00 purchase (before tax) paint your own pottery only. $40 Wheel throwing (includes Clay and clay paint same day, glazes extra at return visit).

Bring your own YOUTH SIZE shirt for tie dye, only $12+tax Reservations required for all these activities. Call 412-486-2184

Veterans in Adaptive Sports at Slippery Rock University. Visit www.va.gov/adaptivesports.

VA Butler Healthcare’s Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Program now offers

Veterans the opportunity to work one-on-one with a personal trainer in its Wellness Center at the Abie Abraham VA Health Care Center. For info, visit https://www.butler.va.gov/services/Health_and_ Wellness.asp or call, 878-271-6484.

Veterans Breakfast Club Meetings, held every month throughout the Pittsburgh region. For details, visit http://veteransbreakfastclub.com/.

Veterans Discover HOPE Here-Career, 3rd

Wed., 6:30-8:45 p.m., Cranberry Twp., Municipal Building, 2525 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp. Free. Call (724) 779-8323, discoverhopehere@ gmail.com or www.discoverhopehere.com.

Veterans Fitness Classes 5 Days a week , 4:305:30 p.m., VA Butler Healthcare Auditorium (bldg.

1), 325 New Castle Rd., Butler. Visit www.prevention.va.gov/B_Physically_ Active.asp.

Veteran HOPE, support group for women

Veterans recovering from mental illness, meet 6-8 p.m., every Tues., VA Butler Healthcare, Room 217WS, Building 1. Call (724) 996—8892 or (724) 285-2756 or butlerva.gov.

Veterans’ Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Support Group, 10 a.m., Fridays, VA Butler Healthcare. Call 800-362-8262 ext. 2498.

“Veteran X” mental health & substance abuse

recovery program for vets meets 6 p.m., every Mon., at VA Butler Healthcare, Room 213, East South (ES), 325 N. Castle Rd., Butler. Visit http:// www.butler.va.gov/.

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Eden Hall Campus Summer Series

C

hatham University’s Eden Hall Campus Summer Series in Richland Township kicks off its fifth annual run on Sunday, June 17, with events running through August.

Presenting live musical performances, a Father’s Day Brunch followed by a Kids Can children’s festival and a series of food-focused workshops, the Summer Series offers an unforgettable opportunity to experience music, fun and learning surrounded by the beauty of nature.

At the center of it all is the Hilda M. Willis outdoor amphitheater, a oneof-a-kind performance space carved directly into the landscape.

To date, thousands of people have enjoyed events at the Eden Hall Summer Series. New for 2018 are food workshops from the Center for Regional Agriculture, Food, and Transformation at Chatham University (CRAFT), including Gourmet Pizza, Intro to Brazilian Cuisine, Summer Shrubs, Dry-Curing Meat for the Home Chef, Seasonal Salmon, Sourdough Bread Baking and more. Please note that there is a cost associated with these workshops.

Events are free (unless otherwise noted) and open to the public.

Learn more at chatham.edu/summerseries/

Volunteer Opportunities American Cancer Society is looking for volun-

Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers for their

Tutoring volunteers needed for Anchorpoint’s Tutoring Mentoring Program. For details, call

patients. Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, just have the heart! Call (412) 367-3685.

(412) 366-1300 x123.

teers to drive cancer patients who are undergoing treatments to & from their appts. Call (412) 9191100 or emailsharon.stalter@cancer.org.

Mission Vision needs volunteers to help with

Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council volunteer

Seeking hospice volunteers...if you can find the

tutors needed to work with adult literacy students on basic literacy skills, 4 hour/week commitment.

Free tutor training provided. Call (412) 393-7600 or http://www.gplc.org/become-a-volunteer.cfm.

Provide vision–Give hope. Call (724) 553-3114 or www.mission-vision.org. time to sit with hospice patients, we would love to have you. Call Bethany Hospice, at (412) 9212209.

Volunteers needed at The Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh, 282 Sarah Street on the Southside. Help make a difference in the lives of those with intellectual disabilities. Call (412) 3810277 or www.EmmausPgh.org.

www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2018

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“Saving Time to Make You Money!”

It’s time to make an investment in yourself, and your company It’s time to call

John Craig Bookkeeping is Pittsburgh’s top firm for professional tax and bookkeeping services!

Specializing in: Tax Preparation Small Business Accounting Bank Reconciliations Bookkeeping Budgeting Fair priced • Office appointments available or we can travel to you

Elorapalooza Memorial 5K/1-Mile Run

T

he 13th and FINAL Annual Elorapalooza Memorial 5K/1-Mile Run, Walk or Lollygag and Free Post-Race Picnic will be held at 8:30 a.m., July 15, at North Park Lodge.

This fundraiser memorialized Elora Geier, who lost her battle with leukemia at the young age of 14. Elora had a variety of special needs.

She suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a car before her second birthday. Despite her physical difficulties, Elora loved 5K races. She brought out the best in others, and the Elora’s H.O.P.E. Fund was created in her name and spirit.

Previous Elorapaloozas have drawn hundreds of participates and many local businesses, including Allegheny Health Network. To date, over $185,000 has been raised. These fundraising efforts have benefitted the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Patient Life Committee at West Penn Hospital’s T7 Oncology Unit. Additionally, 18 college scholarships for students majoring in special education have been awarded. For more information, visit elorashope.org/elorapalooza. 4 4 4

John Neil Craig Jr.

412-628-5455 www.PittsburghTaxes.com

P.A. ERBE & Associates Inc.

Pine Township Families Host Charity Lemonade Stand All proceeds go to national children’s charity, Alex’s Lemonade Stand

Accounting & Tax Preparation Service for Personal & Business Income Taxes

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Enrolled Agent Federally Authorized Tax Practitioner

412-487-1009

4767 William Flynn Highway Allison Park, PA 15101-2456

T

he 6th annual Woodland Farms Lemonade Stand will be held noon-4 p.m., Saturday, June 23, at the corner of Pinkerton Road and Scarlet Circle, Wexford (off Warrendale Road). The lemonade is freshly squeezed and icy cold. There is no cost for the lemonade, but donations are greatly appreciated. A free home-baked cookie is given to anyone who makes a donation.

This is a pet-friendly event; dog treats and water are available. The stand will also provide to-go cups. To date, the Woodland Farms Lemonade Stand has raised over $4,000 for Alex’s Lemonade Stand. The goal this year is to raise $1,200. Donations can also be made online at https://www.alexslemonade.org/ mypage/1443561.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $140 million toward fulfilling Alexandra Scott’s dream of finding a cure, funding over 690 pediatric cancer research projects nationally. For more information on Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

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