June 2019
CONNECTING YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR 20 YEARS
Allegent Community Federal Credit Union Member Owned...Member Appreciated Also... Summer Home Guide • Best Friends Trivia
CELEBRATING MEN in BUSINESS
www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2019
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I N T H I S I SSUE
NORTHERN CONNECTION June 2019
Contents 10 Features
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2019 Summer Camps Guide
In Every Issue...
9 A Place to Grow Learning Center Creates a Love of Learning and Precious Memories
20 Fit Families: Summer Camp Fun Joella Baker
4 From the Publisher: Marion Piotrowski
Kids & Education
6 Movers & Shakers
10 Cover Story: Allegent Community Federal Credit Union Janice Lane Palko
23 School Movers & Shakers
38 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons
Image & Style
9 Gals On and Off the Green
38 Blume Nail Bar
Summer Home Guide 12 Pillar to Post Home Inspectors 13 Benjamin Moore Colorize of Pittsburgh: 2019 Color Trends!
27 A Night to Remember Paula Green 28 4 Fast Tips for Summer Road Trip Packing Kelly A. Smith
Senior Living 34 Town Crier: June is Bustin’ Out All Over! Joe Bullick 36 Happenings for Seniors
13 Facts from the Farm Ron Eichner
Advertorials
Celebrating Men in Business
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14 Men in Business Profiles
Get Your “ING” Back: Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have Hope Dr. Shawn Richey
8 Mover & Shaker of the Month: Anthony R. Savannah Paula Green 17 Trivia Connection: Best Friends Trivia Paula Green 27 Where Was I?: My Commencement Speech Janice Lane Palko 39 June 2019 Happenings 44 Support Our Troops: Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy Paula Green
Blessed Francis Seelos Academy Students Welcome Home Veterans
On the Cover:
Front L to R: Angelo Lucatorto, CEO, Jed Perko, CFO Back L to R: Amy Barnes, HR Manager, Mark Bruno, VP of Business Development, Kimberly Golla, Internal Auditor, Carol Mattesi, VP of Lending
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JUNE 2019 | www.northernconnectionmag.com
www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2019
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P U B LI SH E R ’S NOT ES
Welcome to the June Issue of Northern Connection Magazine!
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he cover story this month is about Allegent Community Federal Credit Union. Because their motto is Member Owned…Member Appreciated, they have a vested interest in providing the most beneficial products and services for their members. A convenient new branch will open in the fall of 2019 in Cranberry to better serve this thriving community! This month, Northern Connection magazine is proud to spotlight local professional men who are working in the community and do their best to make a positive impact on all the people they serve. Summer officially arrives in June. This is the time when the children finish another school year, and they can look forward to a relaxing summer. There is still plenty of time to choose a camp for the children. Read our Fit Families article on how to select a camp, and be sure to check “Friends are like walls, sometimes you our camp ads in this issue to find the right one for your child. lean on them and Also, check out the Happenings secsometimes it’s good just knowing they’re tion to find some fun and interesting events for your whole family to enjoy. there.” Summer is a great time to hang out with Anonymous friends and this month’s Trivia will test your knowledge of some famous pals who have entertained us through the years. See how many you can recall and enjoyed watching on TV or the big screen! Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and enjoy your special day. Enjoy reading this month’s special features along with Northern Connection magazine’s regular columns. Thank you for your support, and together we continue to make our community an outstanding place to live and work! 4 4 4
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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: ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com www.northernconnectionmag.com President & Publisher
Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor
Janice Lane Palko
Mary Simpson
Managing Editor/ Public Relations Coordinator
marysimpson@northernconnectionmag.com
Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator
Laura Lyn Arnold Marketing & Account Executive
Mary L. Simpson Design & Production
Kostilnik & Assoc., Inc.
Janice Lane Palko ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com
Web Master
Swanson Publishing Company Core Writers
Joella Baker Joe Bullick Paula M. Green Janice Lane Palko Marianne Reid Anderson Kelly Smith
Paula Green ncmagazine@northernconnectionmag.com
Distribution
Linda Watkins Lori Palmer
Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722, 724-9402444) 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.
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www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2019
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M OV E R S & SH AKER S
Movers & Shakers Heritage Valley’s Heart & Vascular Centers in Beaver and Leetsdale have been granted an additional three-year term of accreditation by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Echocardiography in the areas of Adult Transthoracic and Adult Stress. The accreditation demonstrates the Heart & Vascular Center’s ongoing commitment to providing quality patient care in echocardiography. Genesis Medical Associates, Inc. (GMA) and The Care Centered Collaborative at the Pennsylvania Medical Society (The Collaborative) announced that GMA has elected to join The Collaborative’s clinically integrated network as a founding member. The network, Pennsylvania Clinical Network (PA Clinical Network), is a physician-created and physician-governed network for independent physicians regionally in western Pennsylvania, as well as a statewide network. Highland Park Care Center has announced that Marianne Pisano, RN, BSN, NHA received the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Administrator of the Year Award at the 2019 Bravo! Awards Ceremony on May 16.
Volunteers of all ages came together on May 2 to plant a mini “food forest” of fruit trees at Vincentian Home, a senior community in
JUNE 2019 | www.northernconnectionmag.com
Allegheny County and the Allegheny County Parks Foundation announced their plans to create a sculpture garden at Hartwood Acres Park. The feature will incorporate many of the existing sculptures at Hartwood Acres Park and allow space for adding additional works in the future.
Marianne Pisano
McAuley Ministries, Pittsburgh Mercy’s grant-making foundation, today announced 12 new grants totaling $443,011 to support capacity building, community and economic development, education, out-ofschool time and health and wellness initiatives in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, Uptown and West Oakland communities.
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McCandless. The maturing trees are expected to provide an abundant harvest within five years. A number of local not-for-profit organizations are taking part in the project, including: Vincentian Academy, Vincentian Home, The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, One Tree Per Child Pittsburgh and Age-Friendly Greater Pittsburgh.
Allegent Community Federal Credit Union broke ground on their Cranberry location on May 14. Their new location will be its fourth and first in Butler County. Allegent was recently awarded The Cranberry Eagle Gold Winner for “Best Credit Union in Cranberry,” as voted by its readers. Allegent puts people first and believes in being member driven . . . not fee driven. Hard hats and shovels were produced by John Artzberger Auto Body. The building is owned by DRB Group LLC sub division DRB Haine School Road LLC, Allegent Community Federal Credit Union.
Get Your “ING” Back Peripheral Neuropathy Sufferers Have HOPE Announcing Our Newest Location!
Dr. Shawn Richey has restored the lives of thousands of peripheral neuropathy sufferers.
Laurie P. bikING again
Stephen sleepING again
Kim F. functionING again
1385 Washington Rd #100, Washington, PA 15301 Across from the Meadows
John B. walkING again
Donna S. livING again
Ed N. movING again
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 utilizing brand new technologies is available at the Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH. It includes the combination of very specific, non invasive, FDA approved and painless 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 has a 90 percent satisfaction rate. With the experience of seeing over 3000 patients, he is able to tailor a specific and successful treatment plan for each individual to provide maximum results.
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.
Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms can include: Sharp Pains or Cramps in the Feet or Legs Burning Pain in the Legs, Feet or Hands Extreme Sensitivity to Touch Loss of Balance or Coordination Feelings of Walking on Pins and Needles Weakness in the Arms and Legs Numbness and Tingling or Pain in the Toes, Feet, Hands, Arms and Fingers Dependency on Medications If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t wait till they get worse. Call today to schedule your FREE consultation.
Two Locations: Sewickley 2591 Wexford-Bayne Rd, Suite 207
Latrobe
Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH
1901 Ligonier Street
MaryDancedIn.com (724) 940-9000
Visit us on Facebook under Neuropathy Treatment Centers of PGH and join our private support group
M OV E R S & SH AKERS
Mover & Shaker of the Month
Anthony R. Savannah
President of Passavant Hospital Foundation By Paula Green
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assavant Hospital Foundation plays a vital role in making UPMC Passavant a world-class hospital in McCandless and Cranberry townships. The man who oversees its day-to-day operations is Anthony R. Savannah. Savannah joined the Foundation in 2014 as the director of Community Engagement, and last year he was named as its president. He has 20 years of experience in development, business and brand marketing, corporate, and community fundraising. Savannah is committed to fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of advancing the health and wellness of our community through education, outreach and grant making. “It has been a passion of mine to utilize my gifts and talents to help make a difference in the community and the lives of others,” said Savannah. The Foundation opened its doors in 1981. Over the past 38 years, it has been instrumental in making an impact and helping people to improve their quality of life. “We provide funding for advancement in surgical services with items that improve patient care and comfort. Help is available for out-of-town patients’ families, who might need lodging for the night. These people can receive assistance through our Care Management Department, and our partnership with Kearns Spirituality Center. We also help patients with groceries through our patient assistance fund that works with North Hills Community Outreach,” Savannah added. “We are also committed to educating our employees. Our Nursing Education Fund allows nurses to advance their knowledge and skills. They receive education and training to become certified experts in their field. This positive experience for our staff benefits the patient experience. It is a win-win situation. We have also partnered with Club Julian, where we have doctors speak on health-related topics. The Foundation teams up with Community College of Allegheny County, and we provide a variety of free health and wellness education programs for the public,” said Savannah. Thanks to the contribution from the Foundation, the Cancer Care Fund helps qualifying patients receive free wigs, medication and transportation to and from appointments. They also help families affected by a loved one’s addiction through their Bridge to Hope program. These critical programs allow patients and their families to know that they are not alone in their treatment. The Foundation is dedicated to grant making, which is now in its eighth year. UPMC Passavant staff members submit proposals for their departments. This year, 19 projects are being funded thanks to a valued partnership among the Foundation, the Auxiliary and the Hospital. The 19 projects range in cost from $500 to $60,000 for a total of $240,023. Savannah is encouraging people to participate in the Foundation’s upcoming fundraising events. Their 32nd annual Golf Outing will be held on June 10 at Treesdale Golf and Country Club. On Friday, August 16, they are hosting the 7th annual Run/Walk at North Park Pool Loop. Savannah graduated from Geneva College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Marketing. He resides in Butler County with his wife Jennifer and their daughter Harper (3) and their one- year-old son Rocco. For more information on the Passavant Hospital Foundation, visit http://www.passavanthospitalfoundation.org/. 4 4 4 8
JUNE 2019 | www.northernconnectionmag.com
Gals On and Off the Green
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als On and Off the Green, the women’s golf and casual wear boutique, is celebrating its 15th Anniversary of opening its flagship store in Pittsburgh. Since then, Gals on and off the Green has opened a second location in Dallas, Texas. Their passion for helping women of all ages, shapes and sizes to look and feel better about themselves is its secret to success. Their apparel is not only appropriate for golf – they are LIFE clothes! Their fashions are beautiful and stylish and of great quality – and are fashions suited to be worn EVERY DAY! The fabrics do not wrinkle; they hold their shape; they quickly dry if you get caught in a sweat or downpour; and they are easy-care. In addition, they are great for travel and 18-hour days. They do not say “I am going golfing.” They are smart clothes for life! Gals on and off the Green provides one-on-one attention to your needs and sense of personal style – and accentuate your best features. They offer over 40 different brands and fits - the best selection of colors, lengths and styles and can help you be “every you”- sporty-chic Gal, classic Gal, fashionforward Gal, modern Gal – their selection provides something for a Gal’s EVERY style! 4 4 4
A Place to Grow Learning Center Creates a Love of Learning and Precious Memories By Janice Lane Palko
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ince its founding in 2001, A Place to Grow Learning Center has been providing quality childcare for children ages twelve-weeks to five years. Located at 1331 Freeport Road in O’Hara Township, A Place to Grow’s vision is to create a love of learning and a lifetime of memories. Dana Cupples is the owner of A Place to Grow and has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Clarion University and a Special Education Degree from Duquesne University. Prior to opening A Place to Grow, she taught for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. She, as well as the rest of her staff including directors Nicole Bush and Terry DeMoss, have education degrees and experience in caring for and teaching young children. Classrooms at A Place Grow are bright, cheerful and inspire children to explore, play and learn. A Place to Grow also has a safe, secure environment and uses video surveillance and security cameras both inside and outside of the building. “We have installed ProCare, a specialized childcare software that utilizes biometric ID scanning which allows convenient and secure checkin and check-out,” said Ms. Bush. “We have a kiosk in front of the building, and parents sign their children in and out, by scanning their fingerprints.” The software also allows A Place to Grow to track attendance, revenue and assist with all day-to-day operations. Parents sing A Place to Grow’s praises as the numerous testimonials on their website reveal. A Place to Grow is always looking for educators who share its vision of creating an environment where children develop a love for learning while creating a lifetime of memories. For more information, on A Place to Grow Learning Center, visit the website at: www.aplacetogrow.net. 412-963-1222 4 4 4
Join our Team! We are looking for great teachers to join the A Place to Grow team!
Call for more information!
www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2019
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COV E R S TORY
Cranberry Twp Branch opening Fall 2019!
Allegent Community Federal Credit Union
Member Owned...Member Appreciated By Janice Lane Palko
For most people, if you have a stake in something, you tend to care more for that thing and work to make it successful. That holds true for financial institutions as well and is the primary difference between a bank and a credit union. Like banks, credit unions are financial institutions, but unlike them, it is the members who own the credit union. Therefore, Allegent has a vested interest in providing their members with the most beneficial product for their need, thus adhering to their motto of “Member Owned..Member Appreciated.”
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llegent Community Federal Credit Union was founded in March 1935 as Allegheny County U.S. Government Employees Federal Credit Union with 10 members and $70. In October 2006, Allegent progressed to a community charter, which allowed it to open its membership and officially change its name to Allegent Community Federal Credit Union. “We offer membership to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Allegheny or Butler Counties,” said Angelo Lucatorto, Chief Executive Officer. Today, Allegent has approximately 15,000 members and has grown from its original location in downtown Pittsburgh on
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Liberty Avenue to include two more branches: Penn Hills and Franklin Park. In a few months, Allegent will open its fourth branch. “We are very excited to be able to open another location in Butler County this coming fall in Cranberry Township at 1646 Haine School Road. This location will have a drive thru and ATM,” said Mark Bruno, Vice President of Business Development. Allegent offers everything that the “big banks” do to consumers, but it offers so much more. Allegent provides a variety of savings and checking accounts, investment and retirement products, home loans, vehicle loans, and personal loans as well
as online and mobile banking. “We can provide any and all services, but we provide value added services, more efficiently and with better interest rates,” said Mr. Lucatorto. “We recently debuted our Premier Money Plus checking account,” said Mr. Bruno, “and it comes with a number of benefits.” For a deposit of $1,500, members are enrolled in Allegent’s Benefits Plus Program that includes free ULTIMATE ID®— three bureau credit monitoring and a monthly notice of your credit score. It also provides Cellular Care Coverage — $600 coverage per membership account per lifetime, full-service travel discounts with cash back rewards, Ticket Xpress® Entertainment Discounts and retail and restaurant gift card discounts up to 15%. Thirty retailers participate in the program, and periodically Allegent offers a flash sale on gift cards. “Recently, we offered gift cards for TJ Maxx at 40% off, giving those who took advantage of the offer a $25 gift card for $15,” said Mr. Bruno. The Premier Money Plus account combines the high dividends of a money market account with the everyday flexibility of a checking account. It is designed for members who keep a larger balance in their checking account and wish to earn a highly monthly dividend. “We have some of the best loan rates around,” said Mr. Lucatorto, “whether it’s a personal loan, car loan, mortgage or home equity loan.” Allegent offers home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. “We are the home of the no closing cost home equity loan,” said Mr. Lucatorto. “Most banks have various stipulations such as the requirement to maintain a qualifying checking account attached to a loan. At Allegent, we offer home equity loans with low fixed rates, flexible terms and best of all, no closing costs.” Allegent is part of the Keystone Lending Alliance (KLA), a Credit Union Service Organization that is owned and operated by Allegent and four other credit unions in the area. KLA offers lending services to members for auto financing, allowing them to finance through Allegent right at the dealership. This means that you no longer need to stop by the credit union to fill out paperwork, and you can complete your car purchase even when the credit union is closed. It can all be done right there at the dealership. “From a technology standpoint, we have all the tech that the big banks have,” said Mr. Bruno. “We offer two Allegent ATMs—one at the Liberty Center branch and one at the Franklin Park branch—but in addition, our members also have access to any of PNC Bank’s ATMs without being charged a fee, which means that members have access to over 800 ATMs in the Pennsylvania region and over 9,000 nationwide.” In addition, Allegent offers credit and debit cards as well as a Mobile Wallet service allowing members to use Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, giving members the freedom to use their smartphone to make a purchase and eliminate the need to carry a wallet. Another convenience that members enjoy is the Card Valet app. “If you ever lose your debit or credit card, you can simply go on to our app and suspend the account, or you can put a spending limit on a card or limit the places where the card may be
used. Many parents like this feature,” said Mr. Bruno. Mobile deposit is also available to members and allows them to take a photo of a check on their phone and deposit that check with Allegent without ever leaving home. Popmoney is another convenience that once you use it, will make you wonder how you ever got along without it. Popmoney is a personal payment service that lets you send, receive or request money from friends, family or just about anyone with an email address or cell phone number. It’s indispensable for giving gifts to family and friends; collecting rent from tenants or roommates; requesting money for club dues, your sports team or a group vacation; paying your dogwalker, babysitter, or lawn care service; sending money to your child at college; or for reimbursing Allegent is a proud friends for a fun outing, like a dinner or sponsor of St. concert. Jude Hospital and Allegent has all the previously menWarmathon tioned products and services, but is has something more, that sets it apart. “We like to think we have a personal touch. There are many banks to choose from, so we have to be different. Our excellent customer service is how we attract and retain members. We have grown primarily by word of mouth, from family members and friends recommending Allegent to others. And we invite you to come see how Allegent can meet your financial needs,” said Mr. Lucatorto. 4 4 4
Visit Allegent’s website, at www.allegentfcu.org, call your nearest branch or stop in to become a member. www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2019
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Summer Home Guide Pillar to Post Home Inspectors
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he Tait Team of Pillar to Post Home Inspectors is based out of McCandless and services the entire Pittsburgh region. Jessie Tait is proud call Pittsburgh home and truly cares about the people and the community for which she serves. Whether you are looking to buy or sell an existing or newly built home, Team Tait is here to ensure a thorough and educational experience. Team Tait has committed to using the latest in technology including infrared camera scanning for moisture and temps, 360 Cameras, VR Technology for out-of-town investors and more. They realize that time is of the essence in a real estate transaction, and whenever possible, the reports are completed at the end of the inspection. Jessie, a US Air Force veteran, spent most of her career in commercial construction as a consultant for designers, architects and engineers on projects locally and around the globe. She felt it was time to become an employer and help others within her community and bring a different point of view to a heavily male-dominated field. Jessie lives in McCandless with her husband Lee Tait of Tait Engineering, Inc., his children, and their kooky pets. In their free time, they enjoy traveling, home improvement projects and getting involved in the community through volunteering and community education. Call today to book your inspection, or to ask any questions. Call: 412-548-3629 or email: jessie.tait@pillartopost.com 4 4 4
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JUNE 2019 | www.northernconnectionmag.com
Benjamin Moore Colorize of Pittsburgh: 2019 Color Trends!
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olorize of Pittsburgh is a small, family-owned and operated Benjamin Moore paint store with four locations—on Perry Highway in Wexford, Route 19 in Cranberry, under the clock in Robinson Town Centre and on Washington Road in Canonsburg. Need help picking paint colors for your summer projects? Let’s talk about the 2019 Benjamin Moore Color Palette. The Color of the Year for 2019 is Metropolitan, a calming gray that has a green hue. Layering gray tones helps make your home feel cozy, yet modern. If you want something bolder, pick an accent piece and paint it darker, while keeping the rest of the room light and neutral. Popular bold colors for the year include Hale Navy, Kendall Charcoal, or Black Pepper. Need a light and airy color? Try one of our frothy pinks like Head Over Heels or Pink Bliss to make your space feel light and peaceful. If you want
more in-depth color help, then take advantage of our in-home color consultation service. Experience Colorize of Pittsburgh and make us your one-stop-shop for all your painting needs. Refer to our Google Reviews and website at: www.colorizeofpittsburgh.com to get a better sense of who we are. 4 4 4
Facts From the Farm By Ron Eichner
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olks, here are some facts from the farm. It is fitting to talk about the incredible, edible egg. I am not going to explain which could have come first, the chicken or the egg, but I will give a few interesting facts on how nutritional whole eggs are. The whole egg is the No. 1 food source for complete protein. A whole egg’s protein utilization of 47% is the highest of any food! An average whole egg offers complete proteins, has every vitamin available 285 Richard Road except vitamin C, 14 minerals and two antioxidants. I like to describe eggs “as the original Wexford, PA 15090 multi-vitamin, designed by God and encapsulated in a shell.” (724) 935-2131 It truly is concerning to me how eggs have been attacked for decades and perceived as evil. Two last facts—an Italian woman lived to be over 117 years old. Asked countless times eichnerfarm@gmail.com what she did that contributed and supported her longevity, her response was that she has eaten three eggs each morning for breakfast ever since she was a little girl. Secondly, as a farm, we increase the nutritional values of our farm-fresh eggs for our customers to enjoy by utilizing fortified poultry feed, that our farm exclusively offers our laying hens. I am limited to express all the facts, but feel free to stop by Eichner’s Whole Farm for “the rest of the story.” 4 4 4 www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2019
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CELEBRATING
MEN in BUSINESS
Be so good they can’t ignore you – Steve Martin In this our June issue, we celebrate local businessmen from variety of industries and professions who are so good, you should not ignore them. Northern Connection is pleased to introduce you to them in this year’s Men in Business feature. Dr. R. Patrick Francis
| Francis Audiology
Dr. R. Patrick Francis is a Certified Audiologist. His training began at West Virginia University where he earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. His first position was with the West Virginia public school system as an educational audiologist. He soon gravitated toward the medical aspects of audiology and spent the next 20 years working with physicians and hospitals. In 1988 he moved to Pittsburgh and worked as the Director of Audiology for a prominent Ear Nose and Throat physician practice. He returned to school and earned his Doctorate degree in audiology in 2002 from Salus University. In 2006 Dr. Francis opened his own practice focusing on rehabilitative audiology. He emphasizes patient education at his practice including family members, significant others or anyone the patient wishes to include in their pursuit of better hearing. He believes that patient education is the key to successful outcomes, and it allows the patient to make educated decisions about their own hearing health care. Dr. Francis and his wife, Karen, have enjoyed raising their three daughters in both Shaler and Cranberry Townships. Now that his daughters have grown, Dr. Francis devotes more time to serving his community as a past president of the Cranberry Township Sunrise Rotary, and has served six years on The Crossings Home Owner’s Association and on the board of Missions Outreach Group at Saint Ferdinand Parish. When time allows, Dr. Francis and his wife enjoy hiking, kayaking and traveling. For more information please call 724-933-3440 or visit us at: www.francisaudiology.com
William Ilgenfritz
| Murphy Business & Financial Corp.
William Ilgenfritz, Business Intermediary with Murphy Business & Financial Corporation, North America’s Premier Brokerage Firm, has been in business for 15 years. I was always very driven and worked hard at any job I was employed to do. And that drive and desire to excel led me to decide to be my own boss and to help others to realize their dreams as well. Having owned and sold businesses for myself over the years, I know how hard business owners work and how time consuming it can be to sell a business. As a business broker, I can help entrepreneurs by not only saving them time, but also by providing the tools to help sell their business and the expertise to help them navigate the process and get the most for what they worked hard to build. I am a dedicated entrepreneur, and I win every time a client wins. I love to help my clients reach their goals. 330-650-9000 | www.murphyohio.com
John Craig
| John Craig Bookkeeping & Taxes
John Craig, owner of John Craig Bookkeeping & Taxes, has been in business since 2012, and he feels that the Lord put it on his heart to become an entrepreneur. He has helped upwards of 300 clients get the most out of their hard-earned money. His personal, attentive approach to tax preparation and bookkeeping allows his clients to remain both stress-free and informed year-round, not just during tax season. He prides himself on providing professional customer service that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. “I will get the job done. If I don’t know the answer, I will obtain it for my clients. I feel blessed to have each and every one of my clients,” he said. 412-628-5455 | www.PittsburghTaxes.com
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JUNE 2019 | www.northernconnectionmag.com
Dr. Shawn Richey
| Neuropathy Treatment Centers
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Dr. Shawn Richey, graduated from North Hills High School and earned his first bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2003, he graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic with a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree and a Bachelor of Science Neuropathy in Human Biology. Dr. Shawn Richey has seen thousands of patients suffering with peripheral Treatment neuropathy. Through Neuropathy Treatment Center of PGH, Dr. Richey provides a specialized Centers of PGH treatment protocol with a successful, non-invasive, drug-free approach that is designed to heal rather than just deal with the symptoms. It includes the use of light and magnet therapy to stimulate the growth of small nerve fibers that were once thought to be incurable. Over the years, Dr. Richey’s program has a 90% success rate in helping sufferers feel 50-100% better. He has expanded his practice to include Westmoreland, Washington and Allegheny Counties in efforts to helps as many sufferers as possible. “After witnessing the incredible, healing results that I see every day and hear patients talk about how their life is being restored, I am truly inspired to help as many people suffering with this horrible, life stealing disease.” ~Dr. Shawn Richey 724-940-9000 | MaryDancedIn.com
Dana Washington
| Property Buyers Pittsburgh
Property Buyers Pittsburgh is a local real estate investment company that buys, rehabs and sells homes within Allegheny County. As a child, I have always valued independence, which ultimately inspired me to become an entrepreneur. Property Buyers Pittsburgh has been in business for over five years, but I have been investing in the Pittsburgh Real Estate market for almost 20 years. Property Buyers Pittsburgh separates itself from other local investment companies solely because we look to solve property owners’ problems first. We want to understand why people are looking to sell and work to create a solution best suited for their situation. In some cases, that means not doing a deal at all if it’s not in the best interest of the homeowner. We are a locally and veteran-owned company that is looking to rebuild Pittsburgh one brick at a time. When building a home, you start from the ground up. The same applies when helping empower residents in economically challenged areas to become homeowners through mentorship and free education. 412-726-0769 | www.propertybuyerspittsburgh.com
Ken Eisner
| Eisner Law, PC
Ken Eisner, of Eisner Law, P.C., sees his firm as bridging “GAPs.” And those letters stand for Generations, Adversaries and Persons. Generations - Our estate planning and administration practice focuses on passing your legacy onto the ones you love, bridging your family from one generation to another. Adversaries - Whether we are resolving a dispute through arbitration, mediation, or for our clients, our alternative dispute resolution practice makes sure we understand every parties’ position, so that we can bring the dispute to a successful conclusion, bridging adversaries together. Persons - Our business practices focus on negotiating and drafting contracts so that we can bridge all interested persons together for a mutually beneficial relationship. If you have GAP that needs to be bridged, contact us today. Contact Us: 412-406-8077 | www.eisnerlawfirm.com
Michael McGroarty, Jr. CIC
| McGroarty & Bradburn Insurance
Michael McGroarty, Jr. CIC has been with McGroarty & Bradburn Insurance since 2007. I was working for a large corporation and did not like how managers were fighting for the next promotion, often at the expense of their employees and customers. I wanted to cut out the corporate bureaucracy and grow a business that would benefit my team and our clients. Not all insurance agents and companies are the same. We shop your insurance with our 25+ companies to make sure you are getting the right coverage at the best price. We “do the right thing” for our clients and team. We explain insurance in simple terms so the client can make an educated decision. This allows us to customize insurance policies to meet their needs and budget. 412-444-4470 | www.mbbinsurance.com
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Peter J. Piotrowski
| State Farm Insurance
As a State Farm agency owner, my team and I strive to provide our customers with expert knowledge and guidance on risks they or their families could face in life. From the simple bump in the parking lot or a small roof leak to a catastrophic accident or house fire, we help people understand what could happen and fill any gaps they may be concerned about. My goal is to help people repair, replace and keep their cars, homes and way of life. I was inspired to be an entrepreneur because I loved the idea of working for myself and my family. I have been in the insurance and financial service industry since 2001 and have been an agency owner since 2009. I chose to be a State Farm agency owner because I believe that State Farm does provide some of the best insurance products on the market. With my background and passion for helping people in life, I feel that I can give them expert guidance, service and insight so they are empowered to take care of themselves and their families when the improbable catastrophes happen in life. I am a small business but am backed by the largest homeowners and auto insurance company in the country. You get peace of mind knowing your insurance company is strong and helps millions across the country, yet I am here in your hometown to make sure you get personalized service and options! 724-935-6330 | pete@petesinsurance.com
Forrest Works
| New York Life
I have been a Registered Representative with New York Life for three years and will be transitioning into the Partner role in August. I work directly with the Pre-Retiree marketing with the entire retirement planning and set up personal pension products so you cannot outlive your assets, set legacy plans in place, and maximize growth of assets in retirement as well. I was inspired to be in the Finance industry and be an entrepreneur because of my father who was a business owner. I like to think I have a much more personal touch to my business and client relationships. There are so many different companies and products in the finance industry it can be overwhelming, and people can be put into the wrong product. I have the No. 1 mutual life insurance company in the world and a fortune 100 company with more than double the assets under management than PNC behind me. I want people to know that working with someone to help guide them through retirement and the retiring process does not have to be difficult or expensive. There is zero cost or fee for meeting with me, and I have no advisor fee. It’s all about doing what is best and suitable for the client. Cell: (814) 558-8285 | Office: (412) 392-3600
Greg Heibert
| Sears Home Services
Greg Heibert has been the owner of Sears Home Services since 2001. The Wexford resident was working for a national organization in the same field, knowing that he could provide better customer service for people when he was inspired to go into business for himself. He provides services such as carpet cleaning; air duct cleaning; furniture, tile and grout cleaning; handyman services and new/used garage door sales and services. He does not sub-contract work; his technicians are employees. The Sears name is suffering today because of the loss of Sears retail stores, but the home services division is in over 1 million homes yearly and our local Pittsburgh branch is ranked No. 3 in customer service. Sears has been in business since 1893 and they stand behind their services. Sears Home Services is competitively priced and the work is guaranteed personally by Greg, who will go out of his way to keep you as a satisfied customer. 412-821-5200 | www.searsclean.com | www.searsgaragedoors.com | www.searshandyman.com
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Best Friends Trivia By Paula Green
1. In Mark Twain’s classic adventure, who is Tom Sawyer’s best friend? 2. Taylor Swift and this female singer first connected while each were dating a Jonas brother. The romances failed but these two ladies became best friends. 3. In the TV series M*A*S*H, Trapper John was Hawkeye Pierce’s bestie. When Trapper got sent stateside, who replaced him as Hawkeye’s new compadre? 4. In this tearjerker film, Hillary (Barbara Hershey) and CC (Bette Midler) meet as children vacationing in Atlantic City, N.J., and remain friends throughout the decades. 5. Dan Aykroyd was close pals with this Saturday Night Live castmate and fellow Blues Brother. 6. Laverne DeFazio’s best friend was her coworker/roommate Shirley. What was Shirley’s last name? 7. In Star Wars, Han Solo’s companion was Chewbacca, who was C3PO’s? 8. In the TV show Friends, who was Joey Tribbiani’s best bud? 9. These two buddies formed a flavorful friendship when they launched their ice cream business from a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, in 1978. 10. Who is Bob the Tomato’s best friend in the biblical cartoon series Veggie Tales? 11. This famous songwriting team produced numerous musicals – Oklahoma, King & I, South Pacific, and many others. 12. The Golden Girls showcased the friendship of Rose, Dorothy, and Blanche in this Florida city. 13. In the Hundred Acre Woods, Christopher Robinson’s bestie is this lovable character. 14. These two cartoon moguls formed a partnership back in 1957; they’ve been successful friends for decades. 15. In the Peanuts comic strip, what is the name of Snoopy’s little friend? 4 4 4 Sources: https://mom.me/entertainment/270810-famous-friendships-have-stood-test-time/ https://www.ranker.com/list/best-duos-of-all-time/, grizly.com/quizzes/best-buddies-cartoonquiz; https://screenrant.com/co-stars-friends-real-life-enemies-hollywood-celebs/, https:// www.biography.com/news/7-famous-best-friends-forever
Answers: 1. Huck Finn 2. Selena Gomez 3. BJ Honeycutt 4. Beaches 5. John Belushi 6. Feeney 7. R2D2 8. Chandler Bing 9. Ben & Jerry 10. Larry the Cucumber 11. Rodgers & Hammerstein 12. Miami 13. Winnie the Pooh 14. Hanna-Barbera 15. Woodstock
M
ark your calendars for a special celebration in June. “National Best Friends Day” is commemorated on June 8. It is your opportunity to tell your best friend, bestie or BFF how much they mean to you. In honor of this special milestone, we’re going to look at some beautiful, heart-warming friendships. Former U.S. Presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, had a tumultuous friendship, but they reconciled later in life and coincidentally, they both died on the same day – July 4, 1826, which was also the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. A few Hollywood celebrities performed together and were also best friends behind the screen. There was Bud Abbott & Lou Costello, Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy; Jimmy Stewart & Henry Fonda; Dean Martin & Jerry Lewis; Ben Affleck & Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio & Tobey Maguire, Cameron Diaz & Drew Barrymore, Tina Fey & Amy Poehler, and Jennifer Aniston & Courtney Cox. On television, there were some awesome pairings. Who could forget the kinship between Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton or Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz? We were also entertained with Bert & Ernie, Mary Richards & Rhoda Morgenstern, Joe Friday & Bill Gannon, Lenny & Squeaky, Andy Taylor & Barney Fife, Oscar Madison & Felix Unger, Batman & Robin, Starsky & Hutch, Cagney & Lacey, Wayne & Garth, Captain Kirk & Mr. Spock, George Constanza & Jerry Seinfeld, Norm Peterson & Cliff Clavin, Will Smith & Carlton Banks, Fox Mulder & Dana Scully, D.J. Tanner & Kimmy Gibbler, Meredith Grey & Cristina Yang, and Will & Grace. Movie friendships were featured with Thelma & Louise, Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, Harry Potter & Ron Weasley, Forrest Gump & Bubba, Bill & Ted, Lilo & Stitch, Woody & Buzz Lightyear. In the music realm – successful friends produced many hits together. We loved to listen to Hall & Oates, Loggins & Messina, Seals & Crofts, Jan & Dean, Sam & Dave, Brooks & Dunn, and Simon & Garfunkel. Cartoons have showcased some comical duos. We laughed with Fred Flintstone & Barney Rubble, Yogi Bear & Boo Boo, Tom & Jerry, Chip & Dale, Gumby & Pokey, Shaggy & Scooby Doo, Itchy & Scratchy, Rocky & Bullwinkle, Ren & Stimpy, SpongeBob SquarePants & Patrick Star, and Calvin & Hobbs. Since we have browsed through besties, we must now take this friendship query. Get set to don those thinking caps because it’s time to get a little trivial...
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2019 Summer Camps Join in for these great camp experiences this summer!
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2019 Summer Camps Fit Families
Summer Camp Fun By Joella Baker
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ummer is right around the corner. That means the kids are out of school, and they will be looking for something to do. Summer camps offer great alternatives to staying home. There is a camp for every type of child. Finding the right one for your child may seem tough, but there are simple ways to find the right camp for your son or daughter. Do you want this to be a learning adventure, a characterbuilding experience, something physically challenging, skill building, or just plain summer fun? Maybe you’re looking for a camp that satisfies more than one of these? Do your research! You may be surprised at the hundreds of camps out there for your kids.
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How to do your research? WEBSITE: Almost every summer camp has its own website, or at least a dedicated web page on a larger site (like a city’s website). You should be able to find a lot of useful camp program information there, including camp location and contact info. Then you can call the camp.
CALL THE CAMP: Create a list of questions you want to know that were not answered by the camp website. Then call the camp—ask a lot of questions. Get an impression of the camp. What’s your impression? Is this going to be a friendly, professional experience? First impressions matter. Ask if there is a previous camp parent/camper you could talk to (or email) as a reference.
LOCATION: It’s easy nowadays to check out a camp’s location using GoogleMaps or other mapping programs. This will give you an actual view of where the camp is and its surrounding area.
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ALLERGIES: If you (your camper) has them, you should find out about the surrounding vegetation and if allergies may be an issue.
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS, FINANCIAL AID & “CAMPERSHIPS”: Many camps now offer full or partial “camperships” or some form of financial aid to deserving campers and their families. Sometimes these programs are not listed prominently on the camp’s website or printed materials, so it is always a good idea to ask. Furthermore, there are several ‘independent’ philanthropic groups that offer financial aid for summer campers, including campers with special needs. Try a simple Google search for “Summer Camp Scholarships.”
Types of camps and where to find a camp.
Athletic/Sports and Activities Camps: Contact your local parks and recreation or your local sport specific association. These camps can be fun, but also serve the purpose of teaching young athletes new skills. My company specializes in Triathlon, Running and Fitness Camps throughout the summer at the Zelienople Community Park. The Cranberry Parks and Rec hosts a number of sports and activities camps including soccer camps, Harry Potter Camp and more. Bible Camps: Contacting your local church or Catholic or Christian School. These camps are always fun and filled with activities that bring youth closer to God. Educational Camps: Local schools, including North Catholic High School, have great summer camps that focus on molding young minds throughout the summer. You can also check the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, The Carnegie Science Center, the Carnegie Library, Slippery Rock University and more. Full-Day Camps: The YMCA is a great place to send your kids for the summer. They provide fun camps with weekly field trips throughout the area. Kids will swim, play games and stay off the computers and video games throughout the summer. There are so many great local camps. Make sure you check the credentials of the camps. Ask for references and even ask if your child can try a day before committing to a full week. This year, Get Fit Families received a $1,000 grant from USA Triathlon to promote our sport to potential young triathletes. The program allows local youth to attend a day of camp with a friend or on their own at no cost. The child will receive a full day of camp; all food and snacks are included. Each athlete will also receive a complimentary youth membership to USA Triathlon. If you want your kids to be outside swimming, biking, running, hiking and playing on playgrounds and having fun, then let them spend the summer at the Zelienople Community Park having fun outside and away from computers and TVs. Check us out at www.getfitfamilies.com to sign-up for a camp today. 4 4 4
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KIDS & E DUC ATIO N
School Movers & Shakers Fox Chapel Fox Chapel Area High School multimedia teacher Ryan Devlin received the inaugural Young Alumni Award from Waynesburg University. The Dorseyville Middle School Philharmonic and Sinfonia orchestras received several first place awards at the Music in the Parks Festival. Additionally, DMS seventh grader Mia Costello won the Outstanding Instrumental Soloist Award.
Deer Lakes
Four Fox Chapel Area High School students earned medals at the 2019 PENN HOSAFuture Health Professionals State Leadership Conference and qualified for the international competition. Medal recipients were: Vaishavi Agrawal, Gina Wang, Rachel Himmel and Jenna Tupponce. All four will attend the HOSA International Leadership Conference, June 19-22 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Fla.
Dorseyville Middle School Girls Chamber Chorus and the DMS FoxTones performed at a Music in the Parks Festival in Maryland. The Mixed Choir took first place and was rated “Excellent,” the second highest rating. The DMS Girls Chamber Chorus also placed first, earned the highest rating of “Superior,” and received the best Overall Jr. High/Middle School Choir award. Two A.W. Beattie Career Center and Fox Chapel Area High School students placed (Continued on page 24)
Deer Lakes senior Brad Perrotte has been named as one of the WPIAL Boys Basketball Class 3A Fab Five. He also made the Section 3-3A First Team All Section Team. Perrotte was the AK Valley’s leading scorer this season with an average of over 20 points per game. He took the Deer Lakes Lancers to new heights this season, including a section title, (the schools first since 1992), their first playoff win since 1985 and the school’s first two State Playoff victories in Deer Lakes school’s history.
Enrichment Center of Western PA
Four students from the Enrichment Center of Western PA in Baden were honored for their work in the essay contest sponsored from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Sue Clark, from the Kushkushkee Trail chapter presented the awards to: 6th grader: Eunice Ooi, 7th grader Ezra Hess, 8th grader William Childs, and high school winner, Ian Becker. Eunice Ooi also won the state of Pennsylvania award. www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2019
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at state competitions. Max Austin won a silver medal at the Pennsylvania Association of Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Leadership Conference. Ashton Monroe placed seventh at the SkillsUSA Pennsylvania competition.
Baldwin, Jenna Facer, and Mai Swendsen.
Seneca Valley
Shaler Area
Shaler Area High School students took top awards in the 22nd annual High School Japanese Speech Contest held at the University of Pittsburgh. Winners were: Kylie Dougherty, Marcus Katich, Nathan Hayward, Evan
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Seneca Valley students in Dan McKosky’s video production classes brought home three awards from Robert Morris University’s annual Digital Media Arts Consortium (DMAC) student video festival. The winners were Erin Vargo and Matt Ditmore. The Seneca Says crew won in the School Announcements category. Eight Seneca Valley freshmen and sophomores took second place in the Pennsylvania TEAMS Engineering competition. SV team members include Julian Town,
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Rayan Ghaffar, Zach Garcia, Dawson Ward, Connor Anderson, Nathan Sloan, David Choi and Ty Brinkley. Freshman Rachel Spear was the first-place winner at Seneca Valley in the Mathematical Association of America’s American Mathematics Competition (MAA AMC) 10. Her high score also qualified her to take the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that two students from the Seneca Valley School District placed second in the Innovations
Challenge State Championship in Harrisburg, PA on April 10. Mentored by Dean Walker, team members include senior Caroline Cohen and junior Kevin Karatassos. The Seneca Valley Academic Decathlon team placed 13th out of 82 teams globally, 11th out of 50 U.S. schools and fifth in the Large School Division at the United States Academic Decathlon (USAD) National Competition in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 24-27. SV team medalists were: Julia Allman and Katie Parker – Gold, Nishant Jayachandran – Silver, Abigail Roeckmann and Julia Allman – Bronze.
Mars Area The Ryan Gloyer Middle School (RGMS) Student Council members were recognized as National Student Council of Excellence winners. Mars Area High School Student Council collected $7,243.23 to benefit Four Diamonds as part of the school’s inaugural Mini-THON fundraiser. This initiative assists children fighting cancer at Penn State Children’s Hospital and their families through care, support and research; and, funds projects that search for a better understanding of why and how childhood cancer occurs as well as new ways it can be treated.
Mars Area High School students Mia Ola, Ashley Edwards and Vincenzia Vargo were selected to receive Society of Women Engineers Pittsburgh Section certificates of merit. Mars Area High School senior Mia Mannuppelli received a 2019 Henry Mancini Award nomination for Best Actress for her portrayal of Belle in the school’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The “Giant Diencephalic BrainSTEM Robotics Team,” members of which include Mars Area junior Adrian Adrian Zugehar, comZugehar peted at the FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) World Championships, held April 24-27 at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan.
Mars Area sophomore Mia Ola was selected to receive a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) scholarship. Mars Area Elementary School students and staff members collected more than $1,700 to benefit Mars Area Public Library through a one-day “Coin War.”
Shady Side Academy Shady Side Academy has received the second-largest gift in its 136year history, a $5.2 million gift to the financial aid endowment that will ultimately fund seven scholarships for Shady Side students in grades 6-12. The gift was made in honor of late SSA Middle School Headmaster David A. Mancosh Sr. and his wife, Rose Marie, by a group of anonymous donors. Jesse Robinson will join Shady Side Academy Senior School in August 2019 as Jesse the director of Robinson the new Glimcher Tech and Design Hub, an innovative, 8,500-square-foot space dedicated to robotics, fabrication, engineering and computer science that is currently under construction and scheduled to open for the 2019-2020 school year.
St. Joseph Saint Joseph High School Senior Leah Grady was accepted to Gannon University’s LECOM Leah Grady (Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine) pre-
med program. Leah has been awarded the top merit-based scholarship: Founders Scholarship, valued at $21,500 per year times four years. Rosanne Pucciarelli, a teacher at St. Joseph High School in Natrona Heights, Rosanne was nominated Pucciarelli for the Hannah E. (Liz) MacGregor Teacher of the Year History Teacher Award. The MacGregor Teacher of the Year award is sponsored by James F. Harris in honor of his sister and is awarded to one middle and one high school teacher annually.
Providence Heights Alpha School Providence Heights Alpha School eighth grader Louisa Jen of Cranberry Township has been selected as a 2019 Carson Scholar.
of Science. She achieved a perfect score at the regional level. She was also awarded the PJAS Chemistry Gina Award with a Palladino $100 prize, the Duquesne University Excellence in Science Award, the CMU Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology DNA Zone Award and the Pittsburgh Section of the American Chemical Society 2019 Award for Excellence in Chemistry. Additionally, Gina also won Awards from Covestro, Kennametal and Braskem.
Blessed Francis Seelos Academy
Louisa Jen
Providence Heights Alpha student Gina Palladino won awards at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy
Nine Blessed Francis Seelos Academy students attended the (Continued on page 26)
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80th Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair at Heinz Stadium on March 29. Two students won fourth place in the Behavioral and Social Sciences Category. Hayley Baranowski and Marco Perri received a medal, certificate and monetary award for their projects. McKenney Martha, Mary Zagrocki, Emma McCosby, and Amelia Perri received Certificates of Excellence.
La Roche University Dr. Joshua D. Bellin, professor of English at La Roche University, published the final novel in his Ecosystem Trilogy on Monday, April 22. Titled “House of Earth, House of Stone,” the novel concludes a series that began with “Ecosystem” and “The Devouring Land.” Twelve 2019 senior graduates at La Roche University presented honors theses at the annual Honors Convocation this spring. The students were - Andrew Colvin, Donald Daube, Felicia Gehres, Zachary Hornick, Jessica Lee, Jack Mangold, Jaynil Patel, Heather Radick, Taylor Rosso, Kassondra Rush, Cassidy Shaffer and Justin Woollett.
Providence Heights Alpha School (Allison Park)
Principal: Margaret Ruefle M.ED.M.S. (412) 366-4455 www.alphaschool.org
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BC3 For the second time in three years, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs in Overland Park, Kan., has selected a Butler County Community College business educator Les Graves as the winner of a five-state Teaching Excellence Award. Graves is now for consideration as the council’s international award recipient in Texas in June. Butler County Community College’s Class of 2019 was its largest of the century with 599 graduates – 14 more than in 2017, its previous top class since 2000.
CCAC Robert Piemme, a student at Community College of Allegheny County’s Allegheny Campus, is one of 61 recipients of the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate
Saint Joseph High School (Natrona Heights)
Principal: Beverly K. Kaniecki (724) 224-5552 www.SaintJosephHS.com
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Vincentian Academy (North Hills, PA)
Principal: Mrs. Rita Canton (412) 364-1616 www.vincentianacademy.org
Transfer Scholarship. The highly competitive national scholarship will provide Piemme with up to $40,000 annually for a maximum of three years to complete his bachelor’s degree.
University of Pittsburgh
Robert Piemme
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy Program Evaluation and Research Unit (PERU) is partnering with Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission Inc. and the Center for Emergency Medicine to increase access to drug and alcohol treatment and reduce opioid overdoses by training first responders to implement community-based paramedicine (CP).
St. Vincent College Dr. Steven Gravelle, associate professor of chemistry in Saint Vincent College’s Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing, was honored with the presentation of the Boniface Wimmer Faculty Award at the Saint Vincent College Honors Convocation. David Stephen, a junior criminology, law and society major from Winter Garden, Florida, was presented with the Class of 1968 Fr. Ronald R. Gorka Scholarship Award at the Saint Vincent College spring Honors Convocation on April 24 in the Saint Vincent Basilica. Senior biology major Floyd Nichols has been named the winner of the 45th annual Saint Vincent College President’s Award, the College’s highest honor.
KIDS & E DUC ATIO N
A Night to Remember By Paula Green
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hey dressed in formal attire - fancy dresses, tailored tuxedos—as they road in the limousines and finally walked the red carpet. The crowd of onlookers cheered them on as they entered into The 7th Annual A Night to Remember. The special needs prom for teens/adults age 16 and older, was held on Sunday evening, May 19, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Marshall Township. It is sponsored annual by Discovery Christian Church in Cranberry Township and Diehl Automotive Group. Before the event, the ladies in attendance were able to choose a formal dress for the evening, and the guys were given a free tuxedo rental courtesy of the Men’s Warehouse in Cranberry Township. The attendees had a professional photo taken. Then they were treated to a formal dinner with plenty of dancing, camaraderie and fun! This year, over 400 special needs individuals attended this elite dance. At the end of the evening, the honorees were given a unique “swag bag,” which contained their professional portrait, Pirates tickets, Dave & Buster’s coupons, a T-shirt plus other special surprises. The excitement in the air was incredible. For these special people, it was a magical night! 4 4 4
WHERE WA S I?
My Commencement Address By Janice Lane Palko
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e are in graduation season. And although no one has asked me to give a commencement address, that is not stopping me. Here are some things I learned after finishing school and beginning my career that might help all you recent graduates. Is That all There Is? – Several weeks into working at my first job, I remember thinking: I worked hard all through school and landed a good job and this is all there is? Why was I in such a hurry to get here? I don’t care if you are pursuing your dream career and love your new position, entering the full-time workforce is a huge transition for a young person. You will have to deal with an alarm clock, traffic and minutiae that will test your patience. But take heart; you will adjust. I did, and eventually came to like and enjoy my job. Getting a paycheck helps with that (if you overlook the amount of taxes deducted from your pay). Talk About Diversity – The buzzword at colleges these days is diversity, but when you enter the workforce, diversity slaps you upside the head. I’m not talking about adjusting to working with people who look different from you or come from different backgrounds, I’m talking about learning how to get along with the boss who removes his shoes and clips his toenails in the office (I witnessed this) , or the slacker who never puts paper in the printer when it runs out, or the petty thief who steals your lunch from the office refrigerator even though your lunch bag is clearly marked with your name. In truth, not one of us is the same, and you will
have to learn to deal with some people who are annoying, inconsiderate, or downright nasty. But the flipside of diversity is tolerance. Working in the real world will help you to develop your tolerance muscles and make you grow. Just Because I’m an Adult Doesn’t Mean I Act Like One – When I went to work, I assumed childishness was left at the schoolhouse door. Wrong. I’ve seen grown men throw tantrums because they didn’t get the office with the window. Or grown women shun other women “Mean Girls” style. You will encounter backstabbers, cheats, and liars, but you will also meet kind people, friends, and maybe even a spouse. I became friends with people who were older than my grandparents and found mentors who looked out for me and promoted me. Like you did in school, avoid the jerks and be the kind of person you’d like others to be. Finally, Nothing is Etched in Stone – I began my adult life employed as a corporate secretary. I never dreamed that someday I’d be working as a writer. Most people’s lives, including their careers, are not linear. You will venture off your intended path, sometimes willingly and sometimes not. But whatever happens, there is one thing to keep in mind that will not fail: Always be the best you can be wherever you may find yourself. It will be rewarded in the long run, if not by others, but in the satisfaction that you will feel from representing yourself well. 4 4 4
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arm, sunny weather, the first Friday of summer and a sense of adventure are almost all that you need for your next road trip. Whether you’re heading out west, down south or anywhere in between, spending time long-hauling in the car can be a fun time if you know how to travel in comfort and style. The key to surviving a road trip is making sure you are as comfortable as possible. You don’t want to be cramped in a car all bound up in tight jeans or a fitted dress with strappy sandals. You also don’t want to be schlepping around at every stop with pajama bottoms and oversized T-shirts. A few items are a given for a road trip—jacket, raincoat, comfy socks as well as other essentials, but it’s easy to fall to the lackluster side of fashion when packing for your next road trip, so what’s a girl to do? Find the happy medium, of course. I like the idea of taking just one bag to save on space and to maximize my look but at what cost? Believe it when I say that you can take your personal style on the road without sacrificing style and still travel with just one bag. Read on, and then get to packing! THINK WRINKLE FREE – This can include blouses with easy to wash fabrics such as poly/rayon or cotton/ lycra mix, making sure you include both a long- and a short-sleeved option. A romantic, breezy blouse will give you just the perfect combination of comfort and beauty. If you use the rolling, rather than folding technique, you’ll be wrinkle free for your road trip. Also, be sure to pack a few slinky, solid tees for mixing and matching. Don’t forget the basics—leggings, tanks and tees. Never leave home without them. Anything that will need a steamer or an iron to look presentable, leave it behind. ONE-PIECE WONDERS – Opt for easy-on, easyoff dresses or jumpsuits. Do make sure they are loose fitting and billowy enough to provide the comfort you need while keeping the theme of summer fun fashionista at the forefront. As far as colors, I like to stockpile pretty prints such as floral or stripes in bright, summer colors. They unpack less wrinkled than solid colors and have a fun summer vibe—not to mention, a fun print will disguise those latte or other inevitable stains that are always inevitable on a road trip.
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Fast Tips for Summer Road Trip Packing By Kelly A. Smith
DENIM INDISPENSABILITY – If you’re like most of us denim-loving ladies, then you know that a good pair of jeans goes along way. Denim can be bulky to pack so do be particular when choosing which pieces come with you, and which pieces stay behind. I think it’s best to include one pair of jeans, one pair of shorts, and one denim top, shirt or jacket. Here’s another good tip— add one pair of colored jeans to really pack a punch. Colors to consider are red or white because they are very fashion forward, match with anything and can be quickly, and easily interchanged with many tops and blouses.
ACCESSORIES/SHOE MUST-HAVES – It’s all about layering and recycling outfits when traveling minimally so do rely on your scarf and fun jewelry inventory to break up a variety-challenged weekend wardrobe. A few touches of accessories will go a long way. Want to add some sass to your road trip? Look no further than an oversized trendy tote bag. It can hold everything you need to keep your face, body and mind fresh and stunning. I like a good inventory of shoes as much as anyone, but when it comes to a road trip, less has to be more so, again, be smartly selective. Try to keep your shoe selection to three pairs. Now, I know that sounds hard, but work with me here. Start by wearing a comfortable shoe at the beginning of your road trip such as a trendy slip-on ballet flat or mule. This a bonus pair, so you’re really getting to bring along four pairs of shoes—jackpot! Next, try to select your remaining shoes from three categories- casual, dressy, sporty. You’ve already got casual on, so pick another casual style like that strappy sandal we talked about. It can double as dressy casual. Next, don’t forget the heels, possibly a cute wedge in a neutral tan or bone—perfect with any summer outfit. Lastly, always bring a good athletic or walking shoe because you don’t want to get caught on an unexpected trek wearing heels. You can take your personal sense of style on the road without sacrificing your fashion sense. Sometimes, all you need is the right pieces with effortless style, combined with comfort, to avoid a lackluster wardrobe disaster. Hopefully, these wardrobe packing tips will keep you—and your car—running smoothly on your next road trip! 4 4 4
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H E A LT H & WEL L NESS
Sarah Abraham, MPA, PA-C
Maria Brosovic, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C
Cosmetic Laser Centers offers a wide variety of non-invasive medical aesthetic procedures including injectables like BOTOX Cosmetic and treatment devices including Coolsculpting and Thermage. “I was inspired to pursue a career in medicine – aesthetic medicine specifically – because I wanted to combine my interest in science and my desire to help others look and feel their best,” said Sarah Abraham, MPA, PA-C, who has been a physician assistant for nearly a decade, graduating with high honors from Duquesne University in 2009. She has been working for Dr. Krysinski at Cosmetic Laser Centers and Vein Institute of Pittsburgh since early 2013. “Although Cosmetic Laser Centers provides the latest nonsurgical cosmetic procedures, we are not a dime-a-dozen med spa. We pride ourselves in being a private physician’s office where no less than an advanced practice provider will treat you,” said Mrs. Abraham. “Our conservative but effective treatment approach aims to make you look more youthful and rested while remaining uniquely you. We customize treatment plans to suit men and women and patients of all different ages and budgets in a comfortable and professional setting.” https://www.cosmeticlasercenters.com/ 724-935-4200
The Vein Institute of Pittsburgh is a vein specialty care center that focuses on the treatment of lower extremity venous insufficiency, including varicose veins and spider veins. “I screen our new patients for venous disease with ultrasound evaluation and venous mapping. Additionally, I see patients post-operatively for their follow up and to review postop care instructions. I also work at our other practice, Cosmetic Laser Centers, where I perform sclerotherapy for the treatment of spider veins as well as other cosmetic services that we offer,” said Maria Brosovic, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, who began working at VIP as a RN in November of 2015. During that time, she assisted Dr. Krysinski with their EVLA procedures while completing her MSN at Franciscan University. She graduated in December 2016 and is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. “At VIP we work closely with our patients to establish lasting relationships. Communication throughout the treatment process is key to establishing a trusting relationship, and I feel that our staff goes above and beyond to ensure that we build those relationships,” said Mrs. Brosovic, who believes that patient education is an important part of their experience. https://www.veininstituteofpittsburgh.com/ 724-934-VEIN
Cosmetic Laser Centers
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The Vein Institute of Pittsburgh
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S EN IO R LIVING
Town Crier
June Is Bustin’ Out All Over! By Joe Bullick
J
une is traditionally the “wedding month.” Many “I Do’s” will be said this month. Some report that the average cost of a wedding these days is approximately $30,000. God be with those of you who are taking this big step this month. June is the first month of summer, and the longest day of the year occurs either on June 21 or 22. Many people are happy to welcome summer, warm weather and sunshine. Many high school seniors look forward to the end of school and graduation. Commencement simply means a new beginning. June was great time for my mom and her garden. Once, my mom decided that she wanted to have the buzz of bees around her. I told her bees were a lot of work. (I knew I would be doing all the work.) The average hive typically has 20,000-60,000 bees. Gardeners know how important bees are. In June, we celebrate Flag Day and Father’s Day. Let’s not forget all those fathers who are no longer with us. June is also National Dairy Month. When I was a boy living in Wexford, there were lots of farms. I was raised on cow’s milk and lots of dairy. June is also a great time to head to the ballpark, go on a picnic, go swimming or enjoy an ice cream or cold draft beer. The first Nickelodeon opened in Pittsburgh on June 19, 1905. Legendary actor John Wayne died of cancer on June 11, 1976. Of course, D-Day occurred on June 6, 1944, with 330,000 Allied troops converging in Normandy, France. Happy Birthday to all you Geminis and Cancers and to all you dads, enjoy your day. I leave you with this:: One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. — George Herbert
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SE N I OR LIV ING
Happenings for Seniors Collections North Hills Community Outreach is collecting safety items for seniors. For details, visit nhco.org or call Cathy, at (412) 307-0069 x3313.
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.
Pennsylvania consumers are encouraged to sign up for a text
alert system through his Bureau of Consumer Protection to raise their awareness on how to avoid becoming a scam victim. For info, visit https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/ consumer-alerts/
Meals on Wheels McKnight Meals on Wheels provides home delivered meals to the elderly, homebound and disabled. Services Ross Twp., Berkeley Hills, Swan Acres, McCandless, Shaler & Hampton Townships. Call (412) 487-4088.
North Country Meal on Wheels
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.
Medical North Hills Community Outreach offers free medication safety screenings for seniors living in northern
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Allegheny County, north of the city of Pittsburgh. For details contact, Cathy at (412) 307-0069, ext. 3313.
Seminars Legacy Theatre Seminars: 11
a.m., June 11, Stroke Prevention & Treatment, July 9, Enigma: Inventing the Computer, July 23, #FakeNews: Journalism: Digital Media and the Rose of Clickbait. For info, visit thelegacylineup/seminars/.
Senior Facilities UPMC Senior Communities offers independent living & personal care. For details, call 1-800-324-5523.
Senior Meetings 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) 816-2159.
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. from 1:15-3:15 p.m., The Lunch Bunch meets 4th Thurs. from 11 a.m.1:30 p.m., The Talking Book Club meets 1st Mon., 1-2:30 p.m., at Berkeley Hills Lutheran Church, Sangree Rd., Ross. Call (724) 444-0064.
Primetimers, noon, first Thurs of the month, Christ Church Grove Farm, Ohio Twp. Call (412) 741-4900 or visit http://www.ccgf.org.
Social Groups Amazing Singles, for singles in the
Pittsburgh region, visit, http://www. amazingsingles.com/pittsburgh.html.
AUP Club, have fun & meet new
people with the Association of University People/AUP. We are looking for single, 4-year college graduates over 50 to join us for monthly dinners, meet at various social spots, gatherings and Scrabble. For info, call (412) 734-8445 or visit us at www.aupsinglespittsburgh.org.
JUNE 2019 | www.northernconnectionmag.com
Catholic Alumni Club of Pittsburgh, has dances, retreats
and plays various sports and other great events. Visit their website http://www.cacpittsburgh.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.
Trips Saint Alexis Over 50 Club Trip,
Bedford Spring Resort, June 5. Journey on to historic Bedford Village, Gulf Art Deco Service Station, see a gigantic Coffee Pot. Quaint shops throughout town. For info, call Dave at (412) 366-3789.
Volunteer Opportunities Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers to visit Hospice patients. Call (412) 367-3685.
Lighthouse Foundation is looking
Stay in Touch with Your Community! Deadline for submissions is by the 12th of the month. 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.
for volunteers to help in the food pantry for prep and packing, distribution, & greeters. For details, contact Lee Ann at (724)586-5554.
Neighborly Gnomes assist seniors
with disabilities with yard tasks. Visit NeedsbyNeighborhood.org. North Hills Community Outreach needs volunteer dispatchers for their senior shuttles. For info, contact Kerry at kkmulhern@nhco.org or (412) 449-0151.
North Hills Community Outreach
urgently needs volunteers in the upper Route 28 corridor to help seniors. Visit http://nhco.org/ volunteer-opportunities/volunteerhelp-seniors/. 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.
UPMC Passavant Auxiliary Membership Opportunities,
are you looking for an opportunity for social interaction with other dedicated people in support of UPMC Passavant McCandless and Cranberry? Then join UPMC Passavant Auxiliary’s tradition of caring. The Auxiliary meets the 2nd Monday of each month (Sept.-June) at 10 a.m. New members welcome. For info, contact Alice at (412) 7486640 or burkea2@ph.upmc.edu.
Ursuline Services’ Checks and Balances program assists those
who have difficulty with financial affairs. Register at (412) 224-4700 x113 or ktobin@ursulinesupport.org.
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18|8 Fine Men’s Salons
Blume Nail Bar
The Block Northway
The Block Northway
I
W
n 2002 Scott Griffiths and Ron Love, both with long histories in the salon industry, realized there were few places men could go for grooming services which understood the unique needs of the modern male. After careful research, the concept of 18|8 Fine Men’s Salons was created with the sole focus of providing a comfortable, masculine atmosphere with exceptional services. Twelve years later, while seeking opportunities to start their own business, Walt and Cathy Kozlowski happened upon 18|8. The amazing guest service and relaxing environment of the salons they visited convinced them they found a winning concept. 18|8 Salons seemed a perfect fit to present to Pittsburgh men by providing a relaxed setting where specially trained stylists and barbers could meet a man’s specialized grooming needs At 18|8, complementary beverages and snacks are available while receiving an outstanding Executive haircut, complete with a hot towel face treatment and warm stone shoulder massage. For that special (or not so special) day, a classic straight razor shave should be on every guy’s list of must-haves. Within the semi-private stations or VIP room, hair coloring and grey blending have become an attainable luxury without the bustle experienced in other salons. Every stylist and barber undergo a rigorous training program in 18|8’s proprietary, scissor over comb cutting method as well as on-going education in the latest grooming products guaranteed to make a guy the best they can be. According to owner Cathy, “As adding 18% chromium and 8% nickel transforms iron into stainless steel, we see our salon as the transformation of every man into his best self with the help of our amazing Stylists and Barbers! Stop by the lower level of the South Atrium in The Block – Northway and find your own transformation at 18|8” 4 4 4
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ith an innovative and new technique, founded by one of Blume’s co-founders Quincy, Blume has expanded across the country. Quincy has discovered infusing industry products together, on very specific levels on the nail, which costs less trips to the nail shop per month. This wonderful additional service is coined “HYBERGEL!” HYBERGEL is the number one service requested; it is fume free and people love it. Husbands and children of our clients sit and enjoy complimentary drinks while waiting for their loved ones, free of complaints of strong, excruciating odors. Blume is also proud of the diversity of its employees. While most nail shops around Pittsburgh are filled with language challenges, Blume has employees from a variety of nationalities. Not only will you get a great product on your nails, you will also have a Nail Tech that understands you, and you them. Blume accepts appointments online which allow you to request your favorite tech at your most convenient time. The ambiance and decor of Blume is extraordinarily clean and sleek. When walking into Blume, clients have expressed their feelings of “entering a top fashion magazine,” “wishing that they could transform their homes into the style of Blume” and asking “Who is the designer?” We have the best pedicure chairs that allow you to relax in your most comfortable position while enjoying your pedi with massages, wine, water, or soft drinks, hot towels, and more. Don’t forget, Blume is exceptionally clean. We use disposable products like, but not limited to, plastic bags for the pedi tubs. FYI: HYBERGEL is also available for your feet. Blume is always researching the needs of our clients and industry changes to stay ahead of the curve. Your experience at Blume will be a conversation piece to share. This is why our clients highly recommend us to their families and friends. We also accept reservations for larger groups including bridals parties and more. We want to give special thanks to our “MEN” clientele. Some other shops charge more for men’s services; we do not. Everyone deserves to be pampered, especially men, who a lot of times neglect their beauty needs. More and more men are enjoying Blume’s services, with and without a partner. Blume has plans to expand further in the “Burgh,” so that everyone may have the experience of HYBERGEL, exclusively provided at Blume, and other great services and products. 4 4 4
June 2019
Happenings Strawberry Arts & Entertainment Legacy Theatre Movies, 2 p.m., June 3,
Bumblebee; June 10, On the Basis of Sex; June 17, The Wife; June 24, The Kid Who Would Be King; July 1, Leave No Trace, 700 Cumberland Woods Dr., McCandless. Visit http://www.thelegacylineup. com/movies/
Legacy Theatres shows: 7:30 p.m., June 8,
Johnny Angel and the Halos, June 22, The Fabulous Hubcaps, July 13, Beach Party Boys Tribute to the Beach Boys, July 27, Old Friends A Simon & Garfunkel Tribute, 700 Cumberland Woods Dr., McCandless. Visit http://www.thelegacylineup.com/productions.
Oakland Business Improvement District art exhibit at the Forbes Digital Plaza featur-
ing Chicago-based filmmaker Melika Bass. VARDELDUR will be displayed on the Forbes Digital Plaza screen through June 15. For info, visit www. OnlyinOakland.org.
Pittsburgh Area Core Choir Auditions for
children entering grade 3 & up, 2-3 p.m., Aug. 9, Pittsburgh Opera headquarters in the Strip District. For info, visit PittsburghYouthChorus.org or call (412) 281-4790.
Sundays at Salem Summer Concert Series, 7
p.m., June 2, Classical & Sacred Piano, July 14, Duet Performance, Aug. 4, Sacred Piano & Organ Concert, 350 Manor Rd., Wexford. For ticket info, visit www.salem-umc.org.
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 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. over fifty, 2:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed., of the month, St. Sebastian Parish, 311 Siebert Rd. Visit http:// www.saintsebastianparish.org/
Pittsburgh L.A.M.P.S. is 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,
Mt. Nebo Presbyterian Church Saturday, June 22 • 4-7 p.m.
Bereavement Support
Grief Support Group for widows and widowers
Festival
Classic Car Cruise, Chinese auction baskets, hot dogs, sides, beverages, and strawberry ice cream & cake.
For more info: 412-741-6880 Cumberland Rd., McCandless. Contact Laurie. Jackson@lifeaftermps.org.
Camps Fox Chapel Area School District STEAM Summer Camps, Jun. 17-21, for 1st-9th grades. Innovative & engaging camps incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. Visit www.fcasd.edu.
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Glade Run Specialized Camps for children with autism spectrum disorders, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mon- Fri., Jun. 17-28 & July 29-Aug. 9. To register visit, www.gladerun.org or (724) 452-4453.
Pittsburgh Youth Chorus Summer Singers Day Camp, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.,
Aug. 5-9, Pittsburgh Opera headquarters in the Strip District. For info, visit PittsburghYouthChorus.org or call (412) 281-4790.
Shady Side Academy’s summer programs for kids entering grades PK-9, from June 10 thru Aug. 9. Open to kids from any school. Various camps & summer school classes. To register, visit www.shadysideacademy.org/summer or call (412) 447-2230.
Vacation Bible School: To Mars and Beyond! 5:30-8 p.m., June
23-27, Salem United Methodist Church: 350 Manor Road, Wexford. All children ages 4 years and older are welcome. Registration fee is $25 per camper. Visit www.salem-umc. org or call 724-935-1627 to register.
Vacation Church and Bible Camp, SonSurf Beach Bash, 9
a.m.-noon, June 17-21, St. Alphonsus Parish, 201 Church Rd., Wexford. To register, visit stalexis.org or saintalphonsuswexford.org or email reled@
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stalexis.org or religioused@saintalphonsuswexford.org.
Cancer Support 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.
Cancer Caring Center free exer-
cise programs for cancer patients, 7:30-8:30 p.m. every Wed., Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA; 9:30-10:30 a.m., every Sat., Sewickley YMCA. Registration is required, call (412) 622-1212.
Cancer Support Groups at Our Clubhouse, 6:30-8 p.m., 1st Tues,
Breast Cancer Support and Prostate Cancer Groups; 6-8 p.m., 2nd Tues, Multiple Myeloma; 6-8 p.m., 3rd Tues, Living Life with Metastatic Breast Cancer; 6:30-8 p.m., 2nd Thurs., Pancreatic Cancer Group, 2816 Smallman St., Pgh. Call (412) 338-1919 to register.
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General Cancer Center Support Groups, 6:30-8 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.
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. Register at (412) 622-1212.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) “Teal Hearts
Network” meets 6-8 p.m., the 3rd Monday of every month at the Cancer Caring Center. This network group is for ovarian cancer survivors. Visit http://ovarian.org/component/ events/event/483.
Collections North Hills Community Outreach Back-to-School collection is running thru Aug. 2 at any NHCO office. For info, visit nhco.org or call (412) 487-6316 opt. 1.
Colleges & Universities Butler County Community College (BC3) free certificate program provides training for entry-level health care jobs. For info, email kelly.mckissick@bc3.edu or call (724) 287-8711, ext. 8171.
La Roche University invites higher education professionals and graduate students to the Conference on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education on Nov. 15. Early registration ends Aug. 31. For info visit, laroche.edu/teachingconference/.
Counseling Ask the Attorney sessions for
low-income families, free legal consultation for noncriminal issues for families in need at North Hills Community Outreach locations at 7 p.m. the 3rd Wed of each month (except Dec.) Sessions: June 19, NHCO Millvale, July 17, NHCO Allison Park. Preregister by contacting Jackie at jmboggs@nhco.org or (412) 408-3830 x 3217.
Ask the Financial Advisor, free second opinions on 401Ks, social security & other financial related matters.
Contact Kevin, at klingenfelser@ cfnmail.com or (412) 605-7900.
Dancing Events 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.
Saturday Singles Dance, for ages
40+, 8 p.m. to midnight, June 8, Coney Island Cookout Dance Party featuring an indoor summer picnic dinner; June 29, birthday cake for everyone. Free dance lesson 7:30 p.m., West View VFW, 386 Perry Hwy. Visit www.dancetonight.weebly. com or email dancetonight09@aol. com, or call (724) 316-5029.
Food Truck Festival, 11 a.m.-3
p.m., Aug. 3, Glade Run, Beaver Rd. in Zelienople. For info, visit https:// gladerun.org/.
Strawberry Festival, noon-6 p.m.,
June 1, Parkwood Church, 4289 Mt. Royal Blvd., Allison Park. Games, prizes, auction baskets, pizza booth, strawberry desserts. For info, visit parkwoodchurch.org.
Fundraisers Cindystock 16: Hope On Wheels, 4 p.m., June 28 at Helicon Brewery in Oakdale, 4 p.m., June 29 at the Yates House in Marshall Twp. For details, visit www.cindystock.org.
GO APE Treetop Adventure,
St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Hall, 10 Arbor Street Lyndora. $9 per person, B.Y.O.B - B.Y.O. Mix, Snacks, tea, coffee and ice provided. Songs from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. For info, call Marty at (724) 283-1867.
located in North Park, will donate 10% of any reservations made for June 2-30 using the GO APE code NHILLS19 to North Hills Community Outreach. GO APE is located at 991 Tennis Court Road in North Park, Allison Park. To book an adventure, visit goape.com or call 1-800-9718271.
Environmental
Sisters of Divine Providence Summer Sweeps. To enter Sisters’
Oldies Dance with “Golden Oldies” D.J. Marty Tack June 15,
Western PA Mushroom Club
meetings, 7 p.m., Jun. 18, Jul. 16, Aug. 20 & Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Beechwood Farms auditorium. Visit wpamushroomclub.org or email cs4wpmc@gmail.com.
Farmer’s Market The Block Northway Farmer’s Market, every Friday 3-7 p.m., thru
October, in the 2-level south atrium near DSW & Wahlburgers. Visit www.theblcoknorthway.com or (412) 364-1171.
Flea Market St. Mary of Assumption Flea Market, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., July 19 & 20, 8 a.m.-noon, July 21, 2510 Middle Rd., Hampton. Early admission July 19, 7 a.m., cost $10. For info, contact StMaryfleaMarket@gmail.com.
Summer Sweeps, visit cdpsisters. org/2019summerSweeps or call (412) 635-5437.
Gardening Greybrooke Garden Club will
bemeeting, 9:30 a.m., June 12, Fellowship Hall of Parkwood United Presbyterian Church, 4289 Mt. Royal Blvd., Guest are welcome.
Greybrooke Garden Club Botanic Garden Tour, 11 a.m. Jun. 19. Tickets are $12 per person. Guests are welcome. RSVP to Karen at, kmlampman@verizon.net or (412) 366-2096.
NHCO’s organic garden needs
volunteers for the Rosalinda Sauro Sirianni Garden, a program of North Hills Community Outreach. Volunteer hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m., MonThurs., thru October. Contact Alyssa at aacrawford@nhco.org or (412) 307-0069 x 3311.
Shaler Great Gardens Tour, 11
Fairs & Festivals Career Fair, 9 a.m.-noon, June 4, at
the Millvale Community Center, 416 Lincoln Ave. Sponsored by North Hills Community Outreach & JFCS Career Development Center & the United Way. Preferred registration, at gyoung@jfcspgh.org, walk-ins are welcome.
Family Fun Day, 11 a.m.-2, June
15, Holy Family Manor. Have fun with Sister Antonina, puppet making, Zumba with Jen Ka, picnic lunch. Required registration at agadacz@ chfmanor.org.
a.m.-3 p.m., June 30. Tickets can be purchased at the Shaler North Hills Library, 1822 Mt. Royal Blvd. Visit www.shalergardenclub.com or www. shalerlibrary.org or (412) 486-0211.
Southern Butler County Garden Club Garden Tour 9 a.m.3 p.m.,
July 13. Self-guided tour of gardens in Cranberry, Mars & Zelienople. Presale tickets $20. For payment details, visit www.southernbutlercountygardenclub.org or call Alicia (724) 242-5532.
Golf Butler County Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing, Thurs.,
June 13, at Lake Arthur Golf Club. For info, visit butlercountychamber. com, or email jennifer@butlercountychamber.com or call (724) 2832222.
Charity Golf Outing & dinner
to benefit North Hills Community Outreach, 11:30 a.m. registration, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, Aug. 9, at Pheasant Ridge Golf Club. RSVPs, payment and hole sponsorships by July 9. Register by contacting, Mike Weber at (412) 486-5406 or Mary Weber at (412) 860-0279, or email Mike or Mary at webheads3819@ hotmail.com.
Community of Wexford Golf Outing, 9 a.m. shotgun (8 a.m.
Mass under the pavilion), June 12, Cranberry Highlands Golf Course. Supports the Seelos Academy Learning Enrichment Fund. Register at tinyurl.com/ForeLearning2019. For details, visit golf@seelosacademy.org or (216) 244-5668.
Lighthouse Foundation Golf Outing, noon, July 15, at Butler
Country Club. Open to men and women of all skill levels, both foursomes & individual golfers. Early bird pricing for foursomes who register before May 31. Register at, www. thelighthousepa.org/golf-outing or call (724) 586-5554.
Saint Joseph High School’s Spartan Scramble, June 10.
Register to play. Contact Christie at (724) 226-8043 or cbenton@saintjosephhs.com for details.
25th Silver Anniversary Ladies’ Golf Outing, Mon., Aug. 19 at
Butler County Club. For info, visit butlercountychamber.com, or email jennifer@butlercountychamber.com or call (724) 283-2222.
Health & Wellness First Place 4 Health is a Christian
Bible-based weight loss group that meets 6:15-7:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 536 Lincoln Ave., Bellevue. Call (412) 487-4819.
Introduction to Autism for Parents & Caregivers of Children, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Jun. 4, Autism Connection, 35 Wilson St. Preregister at http://autism-support. org/.
Mission of Mercy Pittsburgh (MOMPGH) is seeking 1,500 vol-
unteers to assist with a free dental clinic taking place July 26-27, at PPG Paints Arena. Help is also needed for set up on July 25. To learn more and to register as a volunteer, log on to http://www.mompgh.org/ volunteer/. (Continued on page 42)
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Networking 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.
AmSpirit Cranberry Twp., Referral
Based Networking Chapter meets 7:15 a.m. every Wed. at the North Park Lounge in Cranberry Twp. Contact: Mike Hall at rentit@generalrental-center.com or (724) 612-7844.
AmSpirit Business Link McCandless, Referral Based
Networking Chapter meets noon every Wed. at the Wildwood Golf Club, Sample Road, Allison Park. Contact: Stephen Deal at stephendeal@pghdeal.org or (724) 4933292.
AmSpirit Pittsburgh North Chapter, Referral Based Networking
Chapter meets 8:00 a.m. every Thurs. at the Sports Grille Cranberry Twp. Contact: Dan Novakovich at novakovich@zoominternet.net or 724309-2553.
AmSpirit Wexford, Referral Based 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, 12:30 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.
Library Northland Library, RBG Movie
Night, 6:30 p.m., June 13; Ayurveda Cooking with Ann, 7 p.m., June 24; Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream: Science for Adults, 6:30 p.m., June 27; Crocheting 101, 1-4 p.m., July 6 & 13; Northland Nerdcon, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., July 20. Visit www.northlandlibrary.org or (412) 366-8100.
Moms Single Moms CARE Group
facilitated by Anchorpoint Ministry, meets 6-8 p.m., 1st & 3rd Weds., at Heritage Presbyterian Church, 2262 Rochester Rd. For info, call Anchorpoint, at (412) 366-1300.
S.P.I.N. For Single Moms: 6-7:30
Historical Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table meeting, 7 p.m.,
June 17, at Hampton Township Community Center, 1301 McCully Rd., Allison Park. Presentation Underground Railroad in South Central Pennsylvania. Lecture is free and open to the public. For details, visit http://www.grpghcwrt.com/.
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p.m., 4th Monday of the Month in Bellevue. For details, call (412) 3661300.
Movies Movie in the Park, 6-8 p.m., June 6, Glade Run, Sensory Playground, Beaver Rd. in Zelienople. For info, visit https://gladerun.org/.
JUNE 2019 | www.northernconnectionmag.com
Networking Chapter meets 8:15 a.m. every Wed. at Walnut Grill, Wexford. Contact: Jen O’Donnell at jnodonnell86@yahoo.com or (724) 809-6647.
Butler County Chamber Friday Morning Coffee Club, 8-9 a.m.,
June 7 & 21, SpringHill Suites by Marriott in Butler, June 28 Strawberry Ridge Golf Course in Harmony. For info, visit www.butlercountychamber.com or call (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 Knitters needed to join the Busy
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.
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 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.
Ridgewood Food Pantry, open
every Tue. 5-7 p.m. & every Wed. 2-6 p.m., 335 Center Ave. Pgh. Street parking available. Helping the West View Community Call Judy at (412) 931-1313.
UPMC Passavant Auxiliary Membership Opportunities,
are you looking for an opportunity for social interaction with other dedicated people in support of UPMC Passavant McCandless and Cranberry? Then join UPMC Passavant Auxiliary’s tradition of caring. The Auxiliary meets the 2nd Monday of each month (Sept.-June) at 10 a.m. Contact Alice at (412) 748-6640 or burkea2@ph.upmc.edu.
Recreational Autism Connection has discounted Kennywood tickets available on a first-come-first-served basis for specific dates. For details, call Jennifer at (412) 449-0165. Depreciation Land Museum: Foods on the Frontier, 1-4 p.m., June 23; Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social, 1-4 p.m., July 14; Flax to Linen, 1-4 p.m., Aug. 18. For info, email DLMuseum@ gmail.com or call (412) 486-0563.
Reunion Street Reunion, if you grew up on
Barbour Drive, Shaler Township, a “Street” Reunion is planned for August at the Hampton Community Park. Please email Linda@cutler51@ msn.com for details. It will be a day filled with lots of memories and laughs!
Runs, Walks & Races Brendan’s Boots, the hiking group
of St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church, hits the trail every three weeks. Group meets at 10 a.m. & each hike is followed by lunch. Visit stbrendans. org or (412) 364-5974.
Sales Saint Aloysius Rummage Sale, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sat., June 1, and noon-3:30 p.m., June 2, 3610 Mt. Troy Rd., Reserve Twp. New & used treasures in 18 rooms & 3 garages. Clothing, linens, floral, crafts, furniture, electronics, toys & other quality pieces. Hot food & bakery items in the cafeteria.
Schools Fox Chapel Area High School preschool program open for enrollment for the fall semester.
Preschool class will be held 8:15-10:45 a.m., MonThurs. beginning Sept. 9 & ending Dec. 19 at Fox Chapel Area High School. For info, email Jennifer_ Antonikas@fcasd.edu or call (412) 967-2400, voice mail number 1883.
North Allegheny Kennywood Day, Thurs, June
20. Tickets available at NA schools or visit www. Kennywood.com/na. For info, call (724) 934-7238 or visit http://athletics.northallegheny.org/department/ubo.
Support Groups Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 a.m., Tues., at St.
Brendan’s Episcopal Church, 2365 McAleer Rd., in Franklin Park. For info, visit www.stbrendans.org or call (412) 364-5974.
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.
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.
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.
Chronic Warriors Support Group, held 7 p.m., Fridays: Jun. 7 & Jul. 5, Ridgewood Church. For info, email Brenna.pugliese@gmail.com or call (412) 260-6808.
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.
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.
Overeaters Anonymous, 7 p.m., Weds, at St.
Brendan’s Episcopal Church, 2365 McAleer Rd., in Franklin Park. For info, visit www.stbrendans.org or call (412) 951-9157.
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.
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.
Veterans Cranberry Township Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 879 Memorial Day Ceremony, 1
p.m., Sunday May 26, at Veterans Memorial in Cranberry Townships North Boundary Park near the community pool and baseball field.
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 Veterans in Adaptive Sports at Slippery Rock University. Visit www.va.gov/adaptivesports.
VA Butler Healthcare Flu Vaccination Clinics
to Veterans at the main campus, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics, and other community locations this fall. For a list of date and times, call (724) 2874781 or 1-800-362-8262.
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, 4:30-
5:30 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.
Volunteer Opportunities American Cancer Society is looking for volun-
teers to drive cancer patients who are undergoing treatments to & from their appts. Call (412) 9191100 or emailsharon.stalter@cancer.org.
ESL Conversation Friends, which teaches
everyday language skills to immigrants meets at 10 a.m., Tues. & Thurs., and 7 p.m. Weds, at St. Brendan’s Episcopal Church, 2365 McAleer Rd., Franklin Park. New students & volunteer tutors are welcome. Visit stbrendans.org or (412) 364-5974.
Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers for their patients. Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time, just have the heart! Call (412) 367-3685.
Lighthouse Foundation is looking for individuals or groups to do local food donation pick-ups, help with food pantry distributions & special projects, and office assistant work. For details, call (724) 586-5554.
Mission Vision needs volunteers to help with
Provide vision–Give hope. Call (724) 553-3114 or www.mission-vision.org.
Seeking hospice volunteers... if you can find the
time to sit with hospice patients, we would love to have you. Call Bethany Hospice, at (412) 921-2209.
Veterans’ Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Support Group, 10 a.m., Fridays, VA Butler Healthcare. Call 800-362-8262 ext. 2498.
Tutoring volunteers needed for Anchorpoint’s
“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/.
Wounded Heroes Hunting Camp Trap Shoot for Heroes, 8:30 a.m., June 8, Northside Sportsmen’s
Tutoring Mentoring Program. For details, call (412) 366-1300 x123.
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.
Association in Warrendale. To register, visit www. WHHC.org/trap-shoot-for-heroes.html.
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SU PP ORT OUR T ROOPS
Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy By Paula Green
T
he Western Allied troops of America, Britain and Canada banded together as they landed in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. The Normandy Invasion, also called Operation Overlord or D-Day, ranks as the boldest and most successful large-scale invasion in military history. With Hitler’s armies in control of most of mainland Europe, the Allied forces knew that a successful infiltration of the continent was central to winning the war. Under the orders of U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the troops crossed the English Channel and began their military operation. The sea invasion began at dawn as the soldiers stormed five separate beaches - Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha. The maneuver encompassed 6,000 landing craft, ships and other vessels that carried 176,000 troops. The aerial attack contained 822 aircraft filled with parachutists headed for a drop zone in Normandy. An additional 13,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air coverages and support for the invasion. The total Allied losses at Normandy are estimated to be at least 4,413 and total Allied deaths in the bloody battle, which dragged on until August, topped 226,000. Due in part to the massive influx of troops and equipment, D-Day marked a decisive turning point in the war. Less than a year later, on May 7, 1945, Germany signed an unconditional surrender. To commemorate the 75th anniversary
of D-Day, a few local facilities are featuring honorary events. D-Day: Normandy 1944 3D, 75th Anniversary Screening will be shown on June 1-6 at The Rangos Giant Cinema at the Carnegie Science Center. The giant screen will immerse viewers into this pivotal chapter in American history in stunning detail. For info, visit http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/rangos-giantcinema/d-day-normandy-1944/. Another commemoration that will be held at The Giant Rangos Cinema is Voices from World War II – D-Day: Normandy 1944 3D. The event will be held at 4 p.m., June 2, and features an introduction and panel discussion with WWII veterans. It is presented in partnership with the Veterans Breakfast Club. Visitors will hear from vets who lived through D-Day. For info, visit http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/rangos-giant-cinema/d-daynormandy-1944-special-event/ The Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum and The Pittsburgh Chapter of Pets for Vets at Animal Friends will feature a special honorarium. The 75th Anniversary of D-day Commemoration Ceremony will be held 9:30 a.m., Thurs., June 6, at Soldiers & Sailors. For more information, visit soldiersandsailorshall. org. 4 4 4 Sources: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/d-day, http://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/sites-and-attractions/the-d-daylanding-beaches-5-2.html, https://www.britannica.com/event/ Normandy-Invasion, https://www.history.com/news/d-daynormandy-wwii-facts
Blessed Francis Seelos Academy Students Welcome Home Veterans
A
group of Blessed Francis Seelos Academy students, families and teachers participated in Honor Flight Pittsburgh on April 27. Honor Flight Pittsburgh recognizes American War Veterans for their sacrifices and achievements. They transport vets via deluxe motor coach to Washington, D.C., to visit memorials dedicated to their service and sacrifices. The Seelos community participated in the veterans’ “welcome home” from their trip. Many of these veterans did not have a “heroes” welcome when they returned from their service, so the community provided them with a welcome home that they deserved. Students made signs and waved flags as the veterans disembarked from their bus onto a red carpet. The trip consisted of two busses and included veterans from many different branches of services and WWII vets. 4 4 4
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www.northernconnectionmag.com | JUNE 2019
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