September 2021 issue of Northern Connection Magazine

September 2021

CONNECTING YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR 22 YEARS

Passavant Hospital Foundation A Legacy Through Giving

Also... Fall Fun | Health & Wellness | Home Guide Back to School | Neighborly Trivia

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

NORTHERN CONNECTION

September

P.O. Box 425 Mars, Pa. 16046

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Left to right: Elizabeth Shumaker, MSN, RN; Margaret Hayden, DNP,RN,NEA-BC; and Jennifer Hall, MSN, RN,CCM, ACM-RN of UPMC Passavant

NC Features 12 Business Spotlight: Forest Bathing with Doug Jones Janice Lane Palko 14 Facts from the Farm Ron Eichner 30 Home Guide 30 The Staycation of Your Dreams Weaver Homes

Health & Wellness 15 Cover Story: A Legacy of 40 Years—Passavant Hospital Foundation 20 Pump Up Your Lungs Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm 24 Shenango on the Green: Expect More From Where YOU Live!

Kids & Education 26 Expert Online Education PA Cyber 27 A.W. Beattie Career Center 28 School Movers & Shakers

In Every Issue...

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Movers & Shakers Mover & Shaker of the Month: Mallory Gurney September Events From the Editor: Comforter or Killer? Janice Lane Palko Trivia Connection: Neighborly Trivia Paula Green Support Our Troops: Focus on the Family Paula Green

Welcome to the September issue of Northern Connection Magazine! We are now in our 22nd year of connecting you to the community. We would like to thank all our advertisers and readers for your support.

Together we continue to make our community an outstanding place to live and work.

Enjoy reading our September issue!

Marion Piotrowski, President & Publisher

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

Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor

Janice Lane Palko Managing Editor/Public Relations Coordinator

Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator

Laura Lyn Arnold Marketing & Account Executive

Mary L. Simpson Design & Production

Kostilnik & Associates Graphics, Inc. Web Master

Swanson Publishing Company Core Writers

Belinda Burchick Ron Eichner Paula M. Green Janice Lane Palko Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (P.O. Box 425, Mars, PA 16046, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge to the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Subscription can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year.

The mission of the Swanson Publishing 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.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Judy Masucci, owner of Levana Bratique, a specialty retailer of bras and lingerie based in Wexford, won the nation’s top honor for Philanthropic Excellence at the Curve Awards on Sunday, August 1, in New York City. Dr. Masucci and her team have donated more than 100,000 bras, panties, and period products since 2018. Levana Bratique was chosen from a group of more than 18,000 bra and lingerie shops in the USA.

A new collaboration among UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and New Jersey-based biotechnology company Avalon GloboCare Corp. aims to develop new cancer immunotherapy approaches and streamline manufacturing processes to bring these powerful treatments to cancer patients within days instead of weeks.

On August 30, UPMC Passavant launched an advanced response unit (ARU) to assist local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel throughout the surrounding communities. This sport-utility vehicle is equipped with emergency medical equipment and staffed with certified advanced care providers trained to respond in various mutual-aid situations requiring extra personnel.

Pittsburgh Mercy, a community health and wellness provider, welcomed Nevine Estaphan, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist.

Dr. Estaphan specializes in helping children and adolescents, ages 5 through 18 years, lead healthy, successful lives in the community.

McAuley Ministries, Pittsburgh Mercy’s grant-making foundation, presented the 2021 Sister Susan Welsh Good Neighbor Award to Ann Adams Simms of the Hill District during an outdoor ceremony on Carlow University’s campus.

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Dr. Nevine Estaphan

Ann Adams Simms

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Mover & Shaker of the Month

Mallory Gurney Golden Apple Award Recipient

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or the second year in a row, a Blessed Francis Seelos Academy faculty member has been awarded the Golden Apple Award, the ultimate educator’s award in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Mrs. Mallory Gurney is among this year’s recipients. She was honored with an inscribed golden apple, certificate and a monetary gift from Bishop David Zubik. Last year, the principal, Mr. Robert Reese, received the award.

School principals submit nominees for this award, from parents, students, and fellow teachers. A selection committee consisting of members of the Diocesan Schools Office, the Education Department from Duquesne University and the Donahue Family Foundation. The winners are selected on several criteria, including an educator’s professional excellence, leadership, commitment to Catholic values and devotion to teaching in Catholic schools. The program is made possible by the generosity of the Donahue Family Foundation.

In 2020, shortly after the abrupt shutdown across the state due to the pandemic, Gurney recognized the change would be hard on her kindergarten students. So she decided to load her car with essential learning materials, as well fun surprises, and delivered them to every one of her students. She visited students from 12 area school districts, making for a long but rewarding afternoon. Families embraced this ges-

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ture by dressing up (she did, too) as Superheroes, making signs, and standing outside waiting to give a simple but memorable wave from a safe distance.

Gurney drove over 100 miles to visit each of the 22 homes of her students.

“This is a memory that these students and families will carry with them for a lifetime,” stated kindergarten parent Julie Byrne. “She has a special gift for teaching, specifically for reading and writing, and she shares her gift with each of her students daily.

She cares about and celebrates their everyday successes—large and small—and spends her days building the foundation for a lifelong love of learning for students of all abilities.”

In 2019, Gurney joined the Seelos Academy faculty and made an impact by creating a nurturing and creative classroom culture. “Mrs. Gurney created and developed a ‘Poetry Cafe,’ where her students showcase their reading and oral presentation skills. In preparation for the Poetry Cafe, which is held around Mother’s Day each year, she creates an atmosphere to welcome and make a memorable experience for her students’ families. Using a microphone, Gurney’s students, one by one, read famous poems to their families in attendance. The students also read and perform together as a group. A great deal of effort goes into putting the Poetry Cafe together, and it is just one of the many ways Mrs. Gurney makes kindergarten memorable for her students and families,” stated Reese in his recommendation letter for the award.

Mallory is a graduate of Thiel College and holds a Master’s degree in Reading and Language Arts from Duquesne University. She and her husband, Jason, have two children, the oldest of which will be carpooling to school with Mallory to attend kindergarten. n

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HAPPENINGS

September Events Ben Avon Fall Festival, 10 a.m.-4

p.m., September 25, Church Avenue in Ben Avon. Music, food, artisans, crafts, coffee, fire engines, and more!

For details and vendor applications, visit https://theavonclub.org/fallfestival/

Greybrooke Garden Club Fall Mum Sale, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 4, at

McCandless Crossing in the grassy area near Bonefish Grill. Miscellaneous garden items for sale. Riverstone Books will provide activities for children. For info, contact Karen at (412) 366-2096.

Harvest Home Dinner, 12:30-6:30

p.m., Sept. 12, St. Aidan Parish (St. Alphonsus Church), 201 Church Rd., Wexford. Visit www.saintaidanparish. org or (724) 935-4343.

Little Sisters of the Poor Home Take-out Spaghetti Dinner, 4-7 p.m., Sept. 18, 1028 Benton Ave. Drive-up meals available, $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 plus & $6 for children

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under 12. Meals include spaghetti with either meat or marinara sauce, salad, bread & dessert. For pre-orders call, (412) 307-1100 or visit www.littlesistersofthepoorpittsburgh.org.

North Hills Genealogists online, free

and open to the public, presentation, 7 p.m., Sept. 20, “The Genealogist’s Google Search Methodology.” For details, visit NorthHillsGenealogists.org.

Saint Aidan Festival, 5-10 p.m.,

Sept. 9, and 6-11 p.m. Sept. 10 & 11, St. Aidan Parish (St. Alexis), 10090 Old Perry Hwy., Wexford. Rides, games, dinners. Visit www.saintaidanparish.org or (724) 935-4343.

Sealarks Women’s Group meeting, 1 p.m., Sept. 8, Memorial Park Church, 8800 Peebles Rd, McCandless. The group provides Christian fellowship and social activity for women alone – widowed, divorced or never married.

Alone women are welcome to attend.

For details, call (412) 487-7194.

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FROM THE EDITOR

Comforter or Killer?

By Janice Lane Palko

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few days ago, my four-year-old granddaughter stuck a pompom up her nostril, and it got stuck. This necessitated a trip to her pediatrician, then Children’s Hospital, where after 7.5 hours and an ENT being summoned from another hospital and her being sedated, the offending pompom was removed.

My husband and I were called that evening to babysit her sisters so that she could be taken to the hospital. As the hours slipped by, and I lay sleepless on their couch in the wee hours of the morning, receiving texts on the pompom removal process, I had a lot of time to think about how we react to situations, especially ones where someone is vulnerable. As soon as my granddaughter stuck the pompom up her nose, she knew she’d done something stupid and was panicked and remorseful.

The “pompom episode” occurred dur-

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ing the controversial episode of Simone Biles pulling out of her Olympic gymnastics competition. It seemed that everyone in the media had an opinion on that from understanding to outright vitriol. I don’t follow Simone Biles; I know who she is, but I don’t know enough about her life to opine that she choked or had legitimate reasons for not competing. However, what I do know is that there are some people who pounce when people are down.

Fortunately, for me I come from a loving family who, whenever tragedy strikes or a catastrophe occurs or you stick a pompom up your nose, no matter how stupid you’ve been, you close ranks and support and care for each other. I assumed most people are like that.

I was wrong.

Nearly 40 years ago, my husband’s family suffered the death of someone I liked a

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lot. During that stressful time, a relative, whom I will call Rhonda for clarity’s sake, and whom I thought was kind and compassionate, decided to settle an old score with the sister of the deceased, attacking her and telling the bereaved what a lout her brother was, disparaging him in a rant that led to a shouting match and others bursting into tears. All I could liken it to was a scene from the old show Wild Kingdom where a wounded animal lay crippled in the brush and a lion pounced to tear it to pieces.

Perhaps I was naïve; I was only 23 at the time, but nevertheless, I was distraught not only because Rhonda was speaking ill of the dead when he wasn’t even buried but also because how ugly Rhonda revealed her heart to be. She was downright ugly. I never regarded her the same after.

As I lay on the couch trying to catch some sleep, I vowed that I never wanted to be that vicious to the vulnerable. I’m sure my daughter felt like lashing out when my little granddaughter stuffed the pompom up her nose, but what good would it have done?

I hope when calamity strikes that I act as a comforter to the vulnerable and not as a killer. n

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BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

Business Spotlight:

Forest Bathing With Doug

By Janice Lane Palko

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e all know that stress can be harmful to our health and wellbeing, and although many of us would like to improve our lives, we don’t know how to go about unwinding. One way is to go forest bathing.

“In the 1980s, Japan was in a health crisis; its people were over-worked, and stress-related disorders were increasing. Researchers there experimented with having those stressed-out people spend time in nature, and they discovered that this was very beneficial. It boosted immune systems, reduced stress and stress-related hormones, reduced depression and anxiety, improved relaxation and creativity. This finding inspired the practice of Shinrin-Yoku, or forest bathing,” said Doug Jones, who is a certified Forest Therapy/Forest Bathing Guide.

Jones was a psychotherapist who practiced for 30 years in Sewickley, and as he approached retirement, he decided to combine his talent for helping others with his passion for nature and sought his certification through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapists. He has been leading forest bathing walks in local parks, including nearby Knob Hill Park.

“It is estimated that we spend 93% of our time indoors, and we have been divorced from nature,” said Jones. “I lead 2-2 ½ hour walks that traverse about a half of a mile. It is not a naturalist walk; we don’t identify trees or plants, and it is not a fitness walk. What I do is I invite participants to connect with nature using our five senses rather than through using knowledge. For instance, I may say, ‘Let’s take 15 minutes and simply ex-

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plore the textures in the forest.’ We will explore bark, various leaves, touch the soil. Or I may invite participants to notice the light, how the sunshine is dappled through the trees, or notice how the shade feels as compared to the sun.”

Response by those who have gone on the forest bathing walks has been profoundly positive. “It has restored forest bathers’ sense of surprise, wonder and appreciation and has reminded them of how life can be taken more slowly, relaxed and more peacefully,” said Jones.

After the lockdowns, people have been feeling particularly disconnected from their world, and forest bathing helps to get people out of the house and reconnect with nature and their environment. “I’ve had one woman who grew up in nature, and she enjoyed it and loved gardening, but after she took my guided forest bathing walk, she said that it was the first time that she felt a part of the woods.”

If you’d like to de-stress, improve your health and reconnect with nature, Jones leads walks from spring through fall and accommodates groups as small as two people and larger groups ranging from 8-10, depending on the size of the trail. His 2 ½ hour walks are $35, and you can contact him by searching for him at forestbathingfinder. com. n

TRIVIA CONNECTION

Neighborly Trivia

By Paula Green

Since we’ve flipped through television neighbors, now we must try and pass this TV buddy test. Get set to don those thinking caps because it’s time to get a little trivial.

1. Actor Ken Osmond portrayed this two-faced neighbor on the show Leave It to Beaver.

2. This ‘70s sitcom featured upstairs neighbors the Pigeon sisters – Cecily and Gwendolyn.

3. What were the names of Rob and Laura’s Petrie’s neighbors on The Dick Van Dyke Show?

4. Name the neighbors from All in The Family who “moved on up” to their own spin-off show.

5. On The Bob Newhart Show neighbor Howard Borden worked for what type of company?

6. This duo was featured on Laverne & Shirley; they were known for their lively “Hello!” entrances.

7. Seinfeld had neighbor Cosmo Kramer who lived across the hall; what was the other neighbor’s name who was Jerry’s nemesis?

8. On which show would you find a neighbor who is a retired Marine named Chuck Larabee?

9. In Family Ties, the Keaton family had a neighbor, Edwin Handelman; what was his nickname?

10. Name the show that featured Marcy (Rhoades) D’Arcy.

11. Kevin Arnold in The Wonder Years was attracted to this neighbor who lived across the street.

12. Which sitcom had an overzealous neighbor Kimmy Gibbler?

13. Before Golden Girls, Bea Arthur & Rue McClanahan were both in the show Maude. McClanahan and Conrad Bain played what neighborly characters?

14. On which show could you find a womanizing cruise ship employee named Charley Dietz?

15. The Jefferson’s had an English neighbor; what was his name? n Sources: tvguide.com, ranker.com, goldderby.com, yardbarker.com, https://www. sporcle.com/games/Moonvest/tvneighbors

Answers: 1. Eddie Haskell 2. The Odd Couple 3. Jerry & Millie Helper 4. The Jeffersons 5. Airlines 6. Lenny & Squiggy 7. Newman 8. Last Man Standing 9. Skippy 10. Married With Children 11. Winnie Cooper 12. Full House 13. Arthur & Vivian Harmon 14. Empty Nest 15. Harry Bentley

F

red Rogers creator of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood famously sang the tune,Won’t You Be My Neighbor? In his eyes it was always, “A beautiful day in the neighborhood!” This month we celebrate National Neighbor Day on September 28. In honor of that noteworthy occasion we will peak in on some neighbors that we have enjoyed on television over the years.

On the show I Love Lucy, we were not only entertained by Lucy and Ricky, but also by their lovable neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz.

Another ‘50s series that showcased endearing neighbors was The Honeymooners. Audiences laughed with Ralph and Alice Kramden and their sidekicks, Ed and Trixie Norton. Speaking of The Honeymooners, an animated series called The Flintstones was modeled after that show.

Like Ralph, Fred Flintstone was a heavyset, loudmouthed, blue-collar husband who traded barbs with his pretty homemaker wife, Wilma.

The neighbors that played a big part in this cartoon were Barney and Betty Rubble.

The TV show Dennis the Menace had a neighbor named George Wilson. Years later, the sitcom Home Improvement also had a neighbor named Wilson Wilson, but this fellow hid his face behind a fence.

Nobody likes neighbors that peek around your fence and over your property – such was the case with Gladys Kravitz on Bewitched. Another nosey neighbor who wanted to know everything was Mrs. Poole from Valerie’s Family/The Hogan Family.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show featured Mary’s neighbor and best friend, Rhoda Morganstern. Another neighbor on the series was Phyllis Lindstrom, who was also the girls’ landlady. Three’s Company had landlord and neighbors Stanley and Helen Roper. The sitcom also featured womanizing neighbor Larry Dallas. One Day at a Time featured neighbor/superintendent Dwayne Schneider.

A few other memorable neighbors on the small screen included Richard “Boner” Stabone on Growing Pains, Mr. Heckles on Friends.

Neighbor Willona Woods was known for her exuberant entrances and flashy style on the sitcom Good Times. Penny lived the across-the-hall from neighbors Sheldon and Leonard on The Big Bang Theory. We also watched Mary Alice Young on Desperate Housewives and Babette Dell on The Gilmore Girls.

In the animated realm, we have been amused by Glenn Quagmire, Cleveland Brown and Joe Swanson on Family Guy. There is also Squidward Tentacles, who in addition to being Sponge Bob Squarepants’ coworker, he is also his next-door neighbor.

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SSUUPPPPOORRTT OOUURR TTRROOOOPPSS

Facts From the Farm

Focus on the Family

By Paula Green

By Ron Eichner

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olks, an interesting question can be: What is sweet corn? It is often expressed as being a grain, seed, starch or carb! Well the fact is if grown nutritionally, sweet corn is a super vegetable. Just like the incredible egg, sweet corn is loaded with lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that promote healthy vision.

Don’t be duped when you see ears of corn. Regular corn is not sweet corn.

Sweet corn is a good source of vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent addition to a healthy diet, and it is naturally gluten free. The insoluble fiber in sweet corn feeds the good bacteria in your gut and helps support weight loss.

It is feared that all sweet corn is genetically modified—not true! If you want GMO sweet corn, it’s available for sale in some area stores, grown by some area farms.

Having family farms in the North Hills like ours, Kaelin’s, Shenot’s, Soergel’s is very unusual and not found in many suburbs in Pennsylvania. Our family farms are here to support our community; all we need is community support.

Farm-to-table is a two-step choice for freshness. Sweet corn harvest enjoyment can go into mid-October. So, support and enjoy the harvest.

I am limited to express all the facts about sweet corn, but feel free to stop

by Eichner’s Whole Farm for the “rest of the story.” n

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Now that summer is nearing its end and the kids are back in school, it’s time to focus on the family. Service members greatly rely on the support that they receive from their loved ones. This month, we will take a look at a few resources available to military families.

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ccording to the MILITARY CHILD EDUCATION COALITION, “Military children generally move six to nine times during their K-12 school years. Many make multiple moves during high school years alone, some even during their senior year.”

MCEC tries to make tough transitions easier on these kids. This organization develops information to support the transitioning military student. They maintain an alliance of school districts for communication and networking. MCEC examines technologies (teleconferencing, internet, etc.) and develops procedures to support information sharing between military-impacted school districts. They also assess sources of funding to support the alliance. For information on Military Child Education Coalition, visit http://www.militarychild.org/about-us.

OPERATION: LOVE REUNITED is a veteran-focused organization that provides free professional photography sessions and photo gifts to military families dealing with a deployment. It was founded in August of 2006 by Colorado photographer Tonee Lawrence and was approved for its 501(c)3 status in February 2009. Its mission is to boost the morale of deployed service members through photography. The good news is they have photographers located worldwide.

OPLOVE helps those long months go by a little faster by capturing the moments that you will remember and always treasure. It’s art. It’s love. It’s all made possible by artists wanting to give something back to those who make our country what it is and ask for nothing in return but for these brave men and women to come back home. Their profound motto is – “Giving back to those who want nothing more than to come home.” In addition, they also offer the OpLove Scholarship Fund and the Sgt. Soto Memorial Fund (for those killed in action). For further details, visit http://www. oplove.org/.

YELLOW RIBBON REINTEGRATION PROGRAM’S mission is to assist, collaborate and partner with services and agencies at the lowest level possible to provide for service members. Veterans and their family members benefit from informational events and activities, referrals, and proactive outreach services throughout the phases of deployment or mobilization. The program provides quality joint deployment support and reintegration services to all service members and their families effectively, efficiently and as close to their homes as possible, ensuring they are informed and self-sufficient, thus enabling them to sustain the rigors associated with deployment or mobilization. For more information, visit http://pafamiliesinc.org/military-families/ support/yellow-ribbon-reintegration-program. n

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Pump Up Your Lungs Get Ready for the Cold and Flu Season...and COVID

By Belinda Burchick, RPh, BPharm Since breathing just happens without thinking about it, we can take it for granted.

You may not realize the importance of lung health until you have experienced a hard time breathing or get conditions such as, asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or lung cancer. Your lungs provide you oxygen as you breathe in, and, just as important, remove carbon dioxide from your body as you breathe out. This is called gas exchange and is essential to life. Genetics, disease and the environment can have a negative impact on your lung function, leading to respiratory conditions and a shorter lifespan.

With the continuous threat of COVID, and the upcoming cold and flu season, now is a good time to get your lungs in good shape.

Below are some guidelines, exercises and foods that can help you on this journey toward lung health.

Healthy lung guidelines:

• Remember to breathe deeply as much as you can

• Avoid exposure to pollutants, inside and outside • Don’t smoke • Move and stay active • Pay attention to your posture • Simply laugh • Prevent infection • Stay hydrated • Get flu and COVID vaccine

Exercising your lungs:

As you walk up the stairs and get to the top, you will feel your breath becoming shallow and rapid. You have to either slow down or stop to catch your breath. Improving your lung function by better breathing increases oxygen to your muscles, including your muscles used for breathing.

1. Patterned breathing exercise can help you coordinate your inhales and exhales, for example, a 2-2 pattern: Breathe in, then step left, right; Breathe out, then step left, right; Breathe in.

2. Standing or sitting straight: Breathe in, with palms facing out and up, raise your arms out and up, so that your palms are facing each other. Breathe out, then lower your arms back down to your sides.

If you have trouble walking or losing your balance, there are exercises that you can do lying on your back.

Nutrient-rich foods for your lungs:

The right combinations of nutrients can help you breathe easier. Oxygen and the food you eat or drink become fuel for your body, producing energy, which we need and use, and carbon dioxide, which is a waste product that we exhale. Carbohydrates produce the most carbon dioxide and fat produces the least. For some people with COPD, eating a diet with fewer carbohydrates and more fat helps them breathe easier.

Nutritional Guidelines • Choose complex carbohydrates and limit simple carbohydrates.

• Eat 20 to 30 grams of fiber each day • Eat a good source of protein at least twice a day to help maintain strong respiratory muscles.

• Drink plenty of fluids.

Studies have shown that foods rich in flavonoids, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, certain vitamins and minerals, fiber, Omega 3, promote lung health. Below are some nutrient-rich foods that may support lung health: Vegetables. Beets, Peppers, Pumpkin, Red cabbage, Swiss chard Fruits. Apples, Pears, Tomato/Tomatobased products, Blueberries Others. Yogurt, Brazil nuts, Sardines, Barley, Lentils , Olive oil, Green tea, Turmeric, Dark Chocolate Keeping your lungs healthy is essential to feeling your best. Be mindful of your exposure to environmental toxins and inflammatory foods. Studies have shown that a nutritious diet and lifestyle modification can have a positive impact on your lung health, even if you suffer from lung conditions, such as, asthma, COPD, and lung cancer.

Let’s all breathe better, and make our lungs stronger to fight these viruses that are creeping into our neighborhoods. Yes, it’s time to get vaccinated against the flu and COVID. Now, take a deep breath, relax, and smile…

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

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Expect More From Where YOU Live!

CALL NOW

to reserve your advertising space for the Fall issue!

724-940-2444

Are you looking for independence, well-being and peace of mind? Now more than ever, living at Shenango on the Green is a real advantage.

Our residents continuously Expect More from our community. We are proud that they are staying connected, engaged and supported by our compassionate team members. We are a community that is defining engagement, lifestyle and freedom.

“S

henango on the Green residents have a strong foundation of connection. And I have witnessed that connection grow deeper with each other and other members of our surrounding community over the last year,” remarked Shenango on the Green Executive Director Kevin Henderson.

“From virtual exercise classes to creative walking groups and access to our abundant library, our residents continue to prosper with all that Shenango on the Green offers through our lifestyle engagement programming.”

You can count on Shenango on the Green during these uncertain times. Schedule a safe and personal tour of our welcoming community to explore our retirement living apartments and new carriage home community-StoneCreek of Shenango on the Green-Lawrence County’s first smart-home community. From our model apartment and home, to our chapel and exercise area, you’ll be able to get a first-hand look at the Expect More lifestyle that Shenango on the Green offers.

“Shenango on the Green continues to do everything we can to keep our residents informed, connected to loved one and engaged in healthy practices. Giving our residents and their family members peace of mind is what we do best,” said Mr. Henderson.

“At Shenango on the Green, an abundance of caution comes with many comforts. Our residents are able to not only enjoy apartments and homes that are styled to their personal tastes, but also live with the confidence of knowing that our team members are committed to help them flourish,” said Bobbi Jo Haden, vice president of Retirement Living for Presbyterian SeniorCare Network. Shenango on the Green is part of the Presbyterian SeniorCare Network 10-county family of living and service options dedicated to Making Aging Easier®. For more information, visit www.ShenangoSRCare.org. n

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K I D S & E D U C AT I O N

Expert Online Education

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wenty years of online education. A legacy of 19,000 alumni. The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School is open for enrollment to any school-age child residing in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and does not charge tuition to students or families.

PA Cyber offers a modern, fully accredited curriculum, balancing fine and performing arts with a wealth of other programs such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses. Through the Writing Lab, teachers provide interactive feedback to help students understand specific areas for improvement while heightening the students’ confidence. The PA Cyber library, which is always open, includes e-books, videos, guides, and a variety of physical resources. Students may choose from more than 70 clubs and workshops that fulfill a variety of specific interests. The school provides every student with a laptop, printer, and all of the necessary textbooks and support materials to enrich the educational process.

PA Cyber is headquartered in Midland, PA, and maintains a network of nine regional offices around the state. These offices serve as hubs for enrollment, orientation, and yearround social activities. Pittsburgh offices are located at Warrendale and South Side.

Customize your child’s education by visiting pacyber.org. n

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

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A.W. Beattie Career Center

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tudents at A.W. Beattie Career Center will notice upgrades in the 2021-2022 school year, particularly within its medical programs.

The Health and Nursing Sciences program was relocated into a renovated space where new equipment will be used by more than 80 students.

The State-of-the-Art Healthcare Suite will enable students to develop skills in outpatient, acute, and skilled nursing settings.

“I’m ecstatic because it’s more advanced than where I went to nursing school,” Health and Nursing Sciences instructor Sarah Dietz said. “This is everything you would see and experience if you were going to a nursing program today. The new lab will give the students the opportunity to have hands-on experience with real equipment that is used daily in hospitals.”

The Dental Careers program is newly equipped with a Panorex machine to take full mouth X-rays and a new 3D Printer and Scanner, which are used to make impression models in the field.

“It’s the new thing in dental offices and what students are going to see when they enter their career and post-secondary education,” Dental Careers instructor Paula Gibson said. “That’s how Invisalign does it. They scan to make models that go right to the lab. It’s what’s needed in this field, and it will provide students with invaluable experience.”

A.W. Beattie’s Surgical Sciences program is the only one of its kind at the high school level in Pennsylvania, and it has added

scrub sinks, abdominal simulation equipment and thoracic simulation equipment.

“Students will gain experience scrubbing in and simulating full surgeries at the abdominal and lung regions,” Surgical Sciences instructor Mrs. Vincenzina Olszewski said. “I’m most excited about those hands-on opportunities for second-year students and seeing their growth to take more ownership and be mentors to first-year students, which is a key component in the surgical setting.”

The Automotive Technology program added a Hawkeye Alignment Machine and a Snap ADIS Machine which are new to the automotive field.

“This equipment isn’t even in most shops yet that you would go to for your vehicle,” Automotive Technology instructor Larry Parks said. n

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K I D S & E D U C AT I O N

Fox Chapel Dorseyville Middle School language arts teacher Scott Vensel donated 100 teddy bears to Family House in Shadyside, which provides housing for patients and families staying in Pittsburgh for medical care.

The bears were donated in memory of Holocaust survivor Shulamit Bastacky.

For the last several years, Bastacky spoke to eighth-grade students at Dorseyville as part of Holocaust remembrance assemblies. Sadly, Bastacky passed away in early 2021.

Fox Chapel Area High School and the high school world and classical languages department were recognized by the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA) for furthering interculturality and global competence in students. Those honored include - Pam Barentine, Kelly Barone, Shannon Finley,

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Tanja Koller, Mark Matusiak, Amy Montgomery, and Drew Richards.

Mars Area Jessica Semler has been appointed assistant Jessica Dale principal at Semler Sleva Mars Area High School. Dale Sleva Jr. has been appointed principal at Mars Area Primary Center.

St. Joseph Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, Saint Joseph High School is one of four Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh that will benefit from the St. John Paul II STAR Student Tuition Assistance Resource program.

New scholarships are available to make Catholic education affordable. For info about SJHS, contact Shane Palumbo (724) 226-4932, admissions@ SaintJosephHS.com.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | www.northernconnectionmag.com

La Roche University La Roche University was championed a College of Distinction for the tenth consecutive year. The designation recognizes La Roche for exhibiting excellence in the classroom and for incorporating high-impact practices in every student’s undergraduate education.

The Board of Trustees at La Roche University Ernestine Dione elected Harris Graswick Ernestine Harris ’03, M.S. ’10 as board chair and Dione Graswick ’93 as vice chair.

BC3 A golf outing that raised funds for the Butler County Community College Education Foundation on Aug. 6 raised the most money in its 26-year history. The 2021 single-year record

of $115,000 follows then-records of $100,000 in 2020 and of $95,000 in 2019.

Two Butler County Community College business administration students Ian Moore and Megan Denny have been named 2021 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars.

Butler County Community College (BC3) has begun construction of the college’s $9 million, state-of-the-art Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building.

A motorcycle group from an American Legion post in Butler County has contributed $10,000 to its Butler County Community College scholarship fund. The money will support student-veterans pursuing higher education as they transition to civilian life. The Butler American Legion Riders from Post 117 established the Butler American Legion Riders Veterans Incentive Scholarship Post 117 with the BC3 Education Foundation in 2015.

HOME GUIDE

The Staycation of Your Dreams

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e build luxury homes that are synonymous with happiness — spaces that are open and filled with natural light, thoughtfully designed floorplans that fit your unique lifestyle. Our homes throughout northern Pittsburgh promote happier, healthier living… with boutique-sized communities where neighbors know neighbors, and open-concept designs allow family and friends to come together and feel right at home.

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Weaver Homes offers homeowners two distinct community types — singlefamily communities for growing families and lifestyle communities for low maintenance living. In a single-family community, you’ll enjoy more space and family-friendly, scenic settings within exceptional school districts.

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Your Home, Your Style

We want your comfortable, personalized Weaver home to be your sanctuary.

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In our Design Studio, you’ll see the best brands in the industry, the highestquality, top-trending interior choices for your new home. Our Interior Design Specialist will walk you through all the options you have to make your home entirely your own. This way, when you step inside for the very first time — and

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every single time after that — you’ll know you’re right where you were always meant to be.

A Family Tradition

With more than three decades of design and building experience, Weaver Homes is Greater Pittsburgh’s premier personalized home builder. With roots right here in Pittsburgh, we’re passionate about the people we work with and the communities we build. From our designers to our subcontractors, everyone is an equal part of our family, and we believe that’s what makes us different. Together, we support our community in every sense of the word, whether we’re sponsoring a little league team or engaging with local leaders. Because we’re not just your builders, we’re your neighbors too, and we believe in building communities that last for generations. Since 1986, when Bill and Bonnie Weaver founded our family-owned company, our promise has been to ensure your journey home is just as enjoyable as everything that comes next.

We’re honored for the opportunity to build your happy place. To get started building your dream home visit WeaverHomes.com n

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