SUMMER 2005 by UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Magazine

Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Terry Abbott

Barbara Baker/ Bob Main

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Ruth Weigers Jane Compagnone, Manager

Senior Loan Officer PA Preferred Mortgage

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Rt. 19 South Office • Call (412) 833-7700 • www.PrudentialPreferredRealty.com 2

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

• Volume 11

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Issue 2

Features and Around the Township 16

Community Day 2005—Saturday, May 21 Enjoy this year’s “Township of Champions” celebration.

Pittsburgh National Aviary Visit a place of sight and sound.

Studying Abroad Studying abroad, a popular academic venture, includes family members, too.

Topiary Treasures Mary Lynne Spazok talks about a gardener’s choice—the topiary.

A Few Minutes with Lara Hillier Pat Palazzolo chats with Tempest lead Lara Hillier.

All the World’s a Stage

Read with Me

Summer Activities at the Library

School District 33

Curriculum Development Process in Our Schools Dr. John Bornyas discusses the ongoing review of the District’s curriculum.

Students Meet Astronaut USC students have face-to-face meeting with astronaut.

USC Alum Reaches for the Stars Lesley Retallick Lee talks with USCHS students about NASA.

Paw Prints Arts in Education program and PTA Council awards highlights.

Summer School 2005 Enhance your child’s summer—enroll him or her in these specially-designed workshops and labs.

Township 51

Tri-Community South EMS Breaks Ground Tri-Community to get new facility.

Board of Commissioners Meeting Highlights Read highlights from the USC Board of Commissioners December–February meetings.

Boyce Mayview Park Update Moving forward—Boyce Mayview is!

USCVFD Fire Station Progress Read about the progress of the USCVFD building and learn about the Department’s history.

Summer Reading Program at the Library Children who read succeed! Join the Summer Reading program.

Advertising Guides 8 24 42 64

Summer Activities Dining Pinebridge Commons Home and Garden

Cover 11

This cover of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine features the 2004-05 Upper St. Clair Dance Team, sponsored by Linda Thomas Spencer and The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts. See page 11 for the dance team article. For 38 years The Thomas Studio has offered programs to the Upper St. Clair community for students ages two through adults in many genres of dance and gymnastics. See pages 12 and 13 for the feature article. Summer Cover photography of ST. M&M Photography. 2005 courtesy UPPER CLAIR TODAY

Publishers

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a community magazine that is dedicated to promoting the Township

Dr. James D. Lombardo Superintendent of Schools

and School District of Upper St. Clair by recognizing the gifts and contributions of the people who live and work here.

Douglas A. Watkins Township Manager Steering Committee Thomas A. Labanc School District Representative

The 42nd issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is made possible through the combined resources of the staff and volunteers of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. Thanks are extended to the staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm and efforts on this continuing project.

School Board Directors

Township Board of Commissioners

Angela B. Petersen, President Jeffrey W. Joyce, Vice President David E. Bluey Barbara L. Bolas Russ Del Re Glenn Groninger Vicki A. McKenna Clark R. Nicklas Mark G. Trombetta, M.D.

Frank E. Marsh, President, Ward 5 Robert W. Orchowski, Vice President, Ward 3 Preston Shimer, Ward 1 Gloria S. Smith, Ward 2 Ched Mertz, Ward 4 Bill Bates, At Large Ernest T. Harris, At Large

Mark Mansfield Assistant Township Manager Editors and Staff Linda M. Dudzinski, Editor-in-Chief Paul K. Fox, Managing Editor Cindy Kane, Township Associate Editor Terry Kish, School District Associate Editor Colleen DeMarco, Office Manager Lynn Dempsey, Senior Advertising Associate Nancy Beaulieu, Advertising Associate Kathy Christie, Advertising Associate Vince Yevins, Accountant A special thank you to our volunteer contributors this issue: Katie Flecker, Dina Fulmer, Wayne Herrod, David Kish, Jim Meston, Bob Obrosky, Pat Palazzolo, Jim Render, and Mary Lynne Spazok. If your name was inadvertently omitted, please accept our apology.

The 42nd issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a joint publication of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. © Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the Editor is strictly prohibited.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a non-partisan Township, School District and community magazine.

Political advertising and political commentary are not accepted. The publishers of this magazine reserve the right to reject advertising or articles inconsistent with the objectives, image and aesthetic standards of the magazine. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is published and mailed quarterly to residents and businesses

in Upper St. Clair. Extra copies of the magazine are available at the Township of Upper St. Clair Municipal Building and the Township Library. If you did not receive a copy in the mail, please call 412-833-1600, extension 2284. The next issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY will be the Fall 2005 issue and will be published in August 2005. Articles that were submitted but not published in this issue are on file for consideration in upcoming issues. Articles and announcements may be sent to: Editor, UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241. Subscription Information If you know someone living outside the Township who would enjoy receiving UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, please send $12 to cover mailing and handling for the next four issues with name and address, including zip code, to our address listed to the left. Add $10 to cover international mailings.

Deadline for articles and advertising for the Fall 2005 issue is June 1, 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 412-833-1600, extension 2284 Fax: 412-851-2592 School District: 412-833-1600 Township: 412-831-9000

Article Information Editor Linda Dudzinski–phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2681 (email: ldudzinski@uscsd.k12.pa.us) Advertising Information Office Manager Colleen DeMarco–phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 (email: cdemarco@uscsd.k12.pa.us) Fax: 412-851-2592

Printed by Pentagon Printing Corporation 18 West Steuben Street • Pittsburgh, PA 15205 412-922-0422 • Fax: 412-922-2922 4

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

Visit our Website:

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Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

1820 McLaughlin Run Road • Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

Dr. James D. Lombardo

Douglas A. Watkins

Welcome to the 42nd edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. The Township and the School District proudly present the Summer 2005 issue, which includes Community Day 2005 information found on pages 16 through 20. The theme of our upcoming Community Day celebration, “Township of Champions,” fittingly exemplifies the wide variety of champions in our Township—from our accomplished, community-minded residents and volunteer-spirited citizens, to our children and children’s children who are champions of athletics, academics, and the arts. Everyone is a champion in one way or another, and we salute you for your efforts. Join with your friends and neighbors as Upper St. Clair families celebrate the “Township of Champions” on Saturday, May 21. As spring comes to a close and we look forward to the relaxed days of summer ahead, we are reminded of just how wonderful it is to live here with nature’s colors abounding and temperatures becoming moderately warmer. Have you visited the 17 parks in our community? There is an Upper St. Clair parks list on page 10 for your reference. Enjoy some ballpark food and watch a boys’ baseball game at Municipal field or a girls’ fast pitch game at Morton. Summer is an active time in our Township—partake! A visitor to Upper St. Clair recently remarked how beautiful our community really is, commercialization at a minimum. We certainly do spend careful thought and time maintaining our properties, both our community property and private residences. Included in this issue is a Home and Garden guide found on pages 64 through 69 to help you locate just what you need for your upcoming summer projects. We also have a Summer Activities guide on pages 8 and 9 to aid you in planning your summer days. Did you know that UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, while continuing to have a variety of interesting articles and advertisements, maintains its focus with Upper St. Clair residents in mind, all the while being self-supporting? We will continue to publish up-to-date information on our schools and Township and include feature articles about our residents and local community. We thank our advertisers who not only support our cause but who also contribute with helpful articles found in our seasonal featured guides. We encourage you to patronize their businesses whenever possible. Go outside, pull out that lawn chair, and enjoy a cold glass of ice-tea as you read this summer issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. If you haven’t already done so, retrieve your outdoor patio furniture from storage; summer is almost here!

Sincerely,

Dr. James D. Lombardo Superintendent of Schools

Douglas A. Watkins Township Manager

School District of Upper St. Clair 412-833-1600 Fax: 412-833-5535 Website: www.uscsd.k12.pa.us Email: info@uscsd.k12.pa.us 6

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Township of Upper St. Clair 412-831-9000 Fax: 412-831-9882 Website: www.twpusc.org Email: uscadmin@twpusc.org Summer 2005

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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Changing Seasons l e a r n i n g

www.cslconline.com

724-941-0100

724-941-2182

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

c e n t e r

Summer 2005

C H A T H A M

C O L L E G E

Summer Music & Arts Day Camp

Summer Scholars Program

A summer camp for boys and girls who have completed a full-day kindergarten through eighth grade. Celebrating 49 years of music, arts, sports, and intriguing classes. Private music lessons and extended

This is being offered to motivated students who are in grades 9-12. Courses are not only educational and fun; they provide a glimpse into college academics. Students can choose:

care available. Register for three to seven weeks from June 20 to August 5, 2005.

 CSI: Shadyside (forensic science)  Digital Animation and Composition  Digital Landscape Photography  Video Voyage (video editing) Classes each run for two weeks during summer 2005. Class sizes are limited.

For more information, contact the Office of Continuing Education at 412-365-1148 or visit www.chatham.edu/comprograms.

Breathing New Life into Exercise Programs Robb Hartlage The modern lifestyle is always “on the go.” We seldom

make time for anything that does not offer instant gratification. Many of us spend our days thinking about the tasks and appointments that pile up around us. Even our typical workouts have become an attempt to race through a series of efficient maneuvers to create a Hollywood body in six minutes a day. Is it any wonder these programs are largely ineffective and unsatisfying? There are a number of empowering programs available to you. But what exactly are they? Tai Chi is a form of Chinese martial arts that has been practiced for centuries. Modern students are taught a sequence of slow and flowing movements that are accompanied by precise, deep breathing to enhance and balance Qi flow. Qi is the life force or energy that is central to the study of Tai Chi and Qi gong. The practice of Tai Chi is becoming popular for people of all ages. Yoga has become increasingly popular over the past decade across the nation. Yoga students are taught a series of limbering poses that develop flexibility, concentration, and balance. Deep breathing techniques are incorporated throughout. Yoga can be physically demanding while intensely peaceful and relaxing. Instructors help teach their students to work within the capabilities of their bodies rather than forcing the poses.

Among the benefits, classes offer participants increased flexibility, balance, and strength. Some students even cite benefits such as better concentration and focus throughout the day, greater ability to relax, and lower frequency of anxiety in response to stress. More significantly, the classes encourage participants to block out the noise and distractions of their busy lives by concentrating on the slow inhale-exhale of their own breathing, if even just for a moment. The difference is evident immediately. You are more likely to look forward to the beginning of your next workout rather than counting the minutes until it is over. 

For more information about these or any of the other classes, workshops, and events, visit Changing Seasons, an adult education center that encourages fitness for the mind and spirit, as well as the physical body. Call 724-941-2182 or visit their website at www.cslconline.com. Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

A Day in the Park The Township of Upper St. Clair can fill your summer days with fun and laughter as you

and your family visit its many parks and parklets. Go for an early morning stroll or pack a lunch and stay to play. Feel the evening’s cool breeze as you enjoy the swings, climbing bars, a ball field, or a welcoming bench. You don’t have to travel far to enjoy green space and summer activity—our Township can host a wonderful day in the park.  Township

Fields/Courts

Baker Park 13.82 acres

1 small baseball field, 1 large baseball field, 2 lighted basketball courts 1 lighted shuffleboard court, 1 lighted sand surface, volleyball court 2 tennis courts

Beadling Soccer Field 3.36 acres

soccer field

Boyce Field 1 acre

baseball field

New Morton Complex play unit

Playground Equipment Renovations scheduled for 2005

Miscellaneous Bike rack, 2 concrete four square games, small shelter, water fountain, picnic tables, grass play area

Dugouts, batting cage, bleachers

Boyce Mayview Park 476 acres

Natural area and wetlands, mulched walking trails, REEC, open space

Brookside Park 3.7 acres

Natural area

Byrnwick Park 7.05 acres

1 lighted basketball court, 1 tennis court

Play unit and swing set

Walking track—handicapped accessible, water fountain, walkway lighting

Clair Park 2.2 acres

1 basketball court

Play unit with slide and 2 swing sets

Large grass play area, water fountain, small shelter, walkway lighting, spray pool

Gilfillan Park 59.57 acres

Natural area and 1.25 mile mulched trail

Hays Park 4.21 acres

1 basketball court, 1 tennis court

Play unit and swing set

Asphalt walking trail, spray pool, small shelter, water fountain, grass multi-purpose area, perimeter lighting, barbecue grill

Johnston Park 2.48 acres

1 lighted basketball court (1 full court and 6 baskets), 1 tennis court, 1 lighted hockey court

Play unit and swing set

Walking path, water fountain, walkway lighting

Marmion Field 11.32 acres

1 soccer field, 1 lighted baseball field

Morton Complex 7.5 acres

3 soccer fields, 2 lighted baseball fields

Play unit above Morton 2 area

2 batting cages, concession building, shelter, storage building, storage, dugouts, announcer’s booth

Municipal Park 29.75 acres

10 lighted tennis courts with 6 courts under air structures for winter season, 2 lighted paddle courts, 1 lighted little league baseball field with dugouts, concession stand, picnic shelter, 2 lighted basketball courts, 1 volleyball court

Swing set, 4 buck-a-bouts

Recreation Center building with meeting facilities, kitchen, pool table, ping pong table, and restrooms, outdoor horseshoe pits, large picnic shelter, 3-hole golf course, water fountain, batting cages

Shelter and bleachers, 2 water fountains

Central play structure— handicapped accessible.

Ravine Park 10.51 acres

Natural area

Trotwood Park 8 acres

1 basketball court, 1 tennis court, 1 lighted multi-purpose field

Play unit and swing set

2 water fountains, small shelter, spraypool (ladybug), walkway lighting

Tustin Park 6.52 acres

1 basketball court

Play unit and swing set

Walking trail around park

Wiltshire Park 11.2 acres

2 lighted basketball courts, 1 lighted street hockey court

1 4-man totter, 1 wooden play structure with chain ladder, steering wheel, climber, and posts, 1 swing set with 2 infant swings, 1 large play structure

Track ride, merry-go-round, shelter area, Dolphin spray pool, water fountain, amphitheater, walkway lighting

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

Upper St. Clair High School Dance Team with the requirements and procedures of UDA. Participating in a weekly technique class, taught by staff of The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts, further allows team members to concentrate on correctly executing the required dance movements and skills. Team members lift weights for one hour twice a week to prepare them for nationals. Performing at halftime home basketball games through the winter months, as well as attending local competitions, also prepares Upper St. Clair High School 2004-05 Dance Team them for the competition. Members of the Upper St. Clair High They move as one, and make it look School Dance Team are not just danceffortless. But behind the grace and beauty ers—they are performers, friends, teachers, of their motions are years of training and leaders, and focused students. Dance team dedication. The Upper St. Clair High School Dance Team auditions students entering grades nine through 12 every spring. Coached by Joyce and Beth Vance, the team begins practice in the summer with two-hour rehearsals several times a week. Senior members of the dance team choreograph and teach a dance to the rest of the team. They take this dance to a one-week competitive summer dance camp held at Slippery Rock University. Throughout the summer months the team takes a variety of dance classes and performs their dance, which qualifies them for the Universal Dance Association’s (UDA) national competition held each February at Disneyworld in Orlando. Dance Team at Disney World

Katherine Roarty

When the school year begins in September, the dance team practices for two hours two to three times a week to learn and rehearse a new dance choreographed by a professional familiar

allows them to be individuals, personally contributing to the team, while also understanding and applying teamwork skills necessary for this dynamic group environment. Working together as a team is the ultimate goal and is important to the type of dancing that the group rehearses and performs. Their dance style requires them to be synchronized, keeping individual movements specific and exact with each another.

This disciplined and perceptive relationStephanie ship is also present in Knopp their friendships. The team forms strong bonds each year, crossing over between members at all grade levels. They agree that supporting each other leads to their team’s success. These learned life skills that carry over into the rest of their lives—school, other activities, jobs, and future careers—are a big part in each member’s individual success as well. Juniors Stephanie Knopp and Cecilia Petursson, and sophomore Katherine Roarty, have been members of the dance team since they were freshmen at the high school. They agree that their previous dance training was necessary to being invited to join the team. Stephanie, Cecilia, and Katherine began training at The Thomas Studio when they were preschool age. Taking a variety of classes at the studio including ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, and gymnastics aided in the development of their dance knowledge and execution. Concentration on turns, leaps, and style in jazz classes was especially helpful. Additionally, the three dancers agree that taking workshops with professional dancers outside the studio environment exposes them to a variety of styles, and continues to advance their technique. These dancers attend three annual competitions with The Thomas Dance Company. The events give them the opportunity to be critiqued by other dance professionals and gain performance experience. 

Summer 2005

Cecilia Petursson

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

tudio S The

The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts has served Upper St. Clair and

surrounding areas for over 35 years. Ruth Stevens Thomas was a member of the “Five Hollywood Blondes.” This group of girls traveled extensively, performing at nightclubs. After her performing career came to a close, Ruth opened a dance studio near her family home in Mt. Oliver. Satellite studios soon opened, operating simultaneously in the South Side, Bethel Park, McMurray, and on Arlington Avenue. In 1967, current owner and director Linda Thomas Spencer took over the business from her mother, Ruth Thomas. Linda condensed the business, and created a main studio on North Highland Road. The studio again moved in 1999, gaining 5000 square feet of space at its current location on Painters Run Road. The studio’s staff consists of well-educated professionals who have B.A.’s and B.F.A.’s in dance and education from Point Park University, the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University, North Carolina School for the Arts, and Otterbein College. Each week over 450 dancers of all ages and levels take classes in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, hip hop, and gymnastics. The studio also offers yoga and Pilates classes for teens and adults under the direction of a certified Pilates instructor. The Thomas Studio is proud to offer programs that provide exemplary dance education for all types of interests. Whether recreational or serious, beginner or advanced, young or old, everyone can find a class of interest at the studio. The Thomas Dance Company consists of six competing dance groups, ranging in age from eight to 18. These dancers are required to take class and compete in 12

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

ballet, pointe (at the appropriate level), jazz, lyrical, tap, and gymnastics. The older and more advanced levels train at the studio up to seven hours a week. The Company performs at an annual recital, three competitions, and various

All dancers learn the benefits of a strong work ethic, time management, leadership, confidence, and discipline. These skills carry over to all areas of their lives, and can be applied at school and in their social environments. The entire student body performs in an annual recital, where their dances show the new steps and technique they’ve learned throughout the year. Exposure to the arts allows students to be creative and to express themselves. Dance awakens all the senses. Listening to the music, sensing rhythm and movement, and feeling emotions are all a part of dance class. This art form incorporates many ways of learning, welcoming all types of students. The studio is also a place to meet new friends and form everlasting bonds.

Family & Friends: Uniting People Through the Arts Emily Kikta

local events, including the annual Upper St. Clair Community Day parade. There is a strong focus on the progression and development of technique, as well as performance experience opportunity, which is vital to a dancer’s career. The Thomas Dance Company offers the serious dancer appropriate training for auditions as well as preparation for a college education.

“Whether recreational or serious, beginner or advanced, young or old, everyone can find a class of interest at the studio.”

Summer 2005

Linda Thomas Spencer has lived in Upper St. Clair for over 25 years. Her children, daughter Jessica, and son Damon, both Upper St. Clair High School graduates, assist Linda in running two businesses, The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts and Stayin’ Alive Dancewear. Jessica graduated from Upper St. Clair High School in 1993, and is the artistic director and a principal instructor at The Thomas Studio. She graduated cum laude from Point Park University with a B.F.A. in arts management, double majoring in dance and business. After graduating, Jessica performed as an original dancer in Jeff Shade’s Heaven at the Byham Theatre and at the Three Rivers Arts Festival. During college, Jessica began teaching full-time at the studio.

Today she is active in all parts of the business, especially aiding in the growth and development of The Thomas Dance Company. Jessica choreographs tap, jazz, lyrical, and gymnastics dances for fi ve levels of The Thomas Dance Company. She is a ten-time Best Choreography winner, with her work being recognized in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, and New York. Damon graduated from Upper St. Clair High School in 1997, continuing on to pursue a performing career at Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio. There he received a B.A. in music, with a minor in business administration. After college, Damon remained in Cleveland working as production manager for the Lyric Opera of Cleveland. After that experience he returned to Pittsburgh to manage the family’s retail store Stayin’ Alive Dancewear. Since coming back to this area Damon has continued to be active in Pittsburgh’s performing community. He performed Catch Me If You Can with the St. Vincent Summer Theatre, as well as Grease, West Side Story, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Annie, and 42nd Street with StageRight! in Greensburg. Damon has also expanded his business knowledge through a real estate partnership, C.O.V. Properties. Staff member Patti Kikta also resides in Upper St. Clair, with her husband, Tom, and children, Matt, Ben, Tim, and Emily. The arts brought Patti and Tom together while in college at the North Carolina School for the Arts. Patti was pursuing her B.F.A. in dance and Tom his bachelor’s degree in music. They have been living in Upper St. Clair for the past 11 years. While at Upper St. Clair High School, Tom was active in musical theatre and performed in the school’s spring musicals. He played Curly in Oklahoma, Jesus Christ in Godspell, Professor Higgins in My Fair Lady, and Tony in West Side Story. Today, Tom is director of Classic Guitar and director of Recording Arts and Science at Duquesne University. Tom was inducted into the Upper St. Clair High

Damon, Linda, and Jessica Spencer

School Arts Hall of Fame in 2001, being recognized for the technical advice he gave during the reconstruction of the high school theatre. After graduating from North Carolina School for the Arts, Patti performed as an apprentice with the Boston Ballet and New York City Ballet, and as a principal with the Mid-Atlantic Ballet. During this time,

she studied with such notables as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Patrick Swayze. After moving to Pittsburgh, Patti taught ballet and pointe classes at The Thomas Studio. This year marks her 18th year on staff. She choreographs ballet and pointe for three levels of the dance company. Patti’s students have received numerous awards, and she has won Best Choreography awards at regional and national levels. Spreading her talents throughout the community, Patti teaches dance classes for the High School’s physical education program. Patti and Tom’s four children attend Upper St. Clair schools. Matt is a junior at the high school and active in varsity football. He also gives private guitar lessons out of his home to younger students. Ben, a freshman, participates in football, wrestling, and track. Their youngest son, Tim, is in seventh grade at Fort Couch Middle School and is active in football, wrestling, and track. Emily, a sixth grader at Boyce, has followed in her mother’s footsteps with her passion for dance. She began dancing at The Thomas Studio at age two and is now an award-winning member of The Thomas Dance Company. This past winter she auditioned for and was accepted (on scholarship) in Point Park University’s International Summer Dance program. She has also danced in the prestigious School of American Ballet’s summer program, and with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and North Carolina Dance Theatre. 

For more information or to receive a summer brochure contact: The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts 1900 Painters Run Road Pittsburgh, PA 15241 412.257.2000 www.thomasdance.com Tom and Patti Kikta Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair “Building a sense of community by supporting activities and programs that enhance the quality of life for our residents.”

What We’ve Been Doing

Community Day 2005 Duck Race

The mission of the Foundation “Building a sense of community…” is accomplished in many ways. In addition to the number of grants awarded to fund projects in the community and starting programs for interest groups such as QUEST and the Bike Trail and Fly Fishing Clubs, because of the Foundation, Upper St. Clair has enjoyed top notch entertainment in the USC Theatre at a reasonable cost. Last month the Community Foundation partnered with Town Hall South to present a lecture by Andrew Stangel, art historian, on the art history and theories contained in the novel The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown. This exciting lecture gave great insight into the book and was a preamble to the soon-to-be released movie directed by Ron Howard.

Quest Update With the start of the 2005 spring session that began on March 1, the Community Foundation marked the beginning of its fourth year offering QUEST—courses and discussion classes for residents of the community. To date, there have been seven sessions—one session in fall 2001 and two sessions each year beginning in 2002. A total of 41 classes have been offered with 365 people enjoying this opportunity to learn more about a variety of interesting topics.

What’s Your Flavour? The Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair is selling its remaining inventory of the Flavours cookbook, a collection of wonderful recipes from our community residents printed in October 2002. This cookbook was the Mid-Atlantic regional winner for the 2003 McIlhenney Tabasco Community Cookbook awards. Flavours will not be reprinted; only 300 copies remain. Get yours before they’re gone! The Flavours cookbook can be purchased in two ways. • Return order form (below) with a $20.05 check or credit card information to: Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair 2585 Washington Road, Suite 131A Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 • Purchase directly by phoning Sandie Thomas at 412-257-1956. Cost: $16.05 (excludes postage and handling)

USC Flavours COOKBOOK Order Form

Name ___________________________________________________Phone# _______________________ Street ____________________________________City/State __________________ Zip Code _________

Method of Payment: CHECK (payable to Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair or CFUSC) VISA MASTERCARD Name (Print) __________________________________________________________________________ (As your name appears on card)

Card No. __________________________________________ Expiration Date ____________________ Signature

_________________________________________________________

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

Once again the Community Foundation will be sponsoring the Duck Race at Community Day on Saturday, May 21. Make a contribution and purchase your duck. Help cheer it on as it floats down the torrid, raging rapids of the McLaughlin Run Creek behind the Municipal building. The race begins at 3:30 p.m., with duck tickets being sold in advance and on Community Day.

CFUSC Fall Fundraiser Hold the date Saturday, September 24, 2005, and plan to attend the Community Foundation’s fall fundraiser at St. Clair Country Club. Trustees Peggy Snavely and Celeste Acinapura are planning another community gala event, the proceeds of which fund project grants in the community. Look for further information in the fall issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY and on the Community Foundation’s website.

Marvin Hamlisch and the Pittsburgh Symphony POPS Coming (Back) to Town Visiting Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District to enjoy the Pittsburgh Symphony POPS is an exhilarating experience. What could be better? Enjoying the Pittsburgh Symphony POPS Orchestra without leaving Upper St. Clair would be better. After their sold-out event last July, Marvin Hamlisch and the POPS return again this July. Where: Upper St. Clair High School Theatre When: Friday, July 29, 2005 Ticket cost: $25 (reserved) Call the USC Theatre Box Office at 412-833-1600, ext. 2599. The Pittsburgh Symphony POPS Pre-concert Dinner with Marvin As part of this PSO fund-raising evening, the successful “Dinner with Marvin” (before the show) will be repeated this year. Dinner reservations are $1000 a couple. If interested, call the Foundation office at 412-831-1107 and leave a message including your name and phone number. 

Community Foundation Contact Information Phone: 412-831-1107 • Fax: 412-257-4160 Website: www.mainstreetusc.com/cfusc • Email: cfusc@adelphia.net

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Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

27th Annual Community Day—May 21, 2005 Township of Champions Activities

Annual Community Day Schedule

Mud Volleyball will begin at 6:30 a.m. This annual event for high school juniors and seniors kicks off the 27th Annual Community Day Celebration. Run for Fun will begin at 9 a.m. sharp! Please pre-register by completing the form on page 18 and mailing it prior to the May 13 deadline. The 3.1 mile non-sanctioned race will begin in the lower parking lot at the Upper St. Clair High School stadium. The race is open to runners of all ages. Race day registration is between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m. The annual Community Day Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. The parade will follow the route from Truxton Drive, down McLaughlin Run Road and follow Panther Pass back up to the High School. Pony Rides will be offered for children for $3. The arena will be located behind the Recreation Center. The rides will be offered immediately following the parade until 4 p.m. The Middle School Games for Fort Couch and Boyce School students will be held on the Municipal basketball courts from 1–2:30 p.m. These games will consist of an obstacle course and a water balloon toss. The annual Water Balloon Toss will be held on the Municipal Little League field at 2:30 p.m. All participants will receive a prize. The annual Community Day Treasure Hunt will be held at noon. Clues will be displayed at booth Number 1 immediately following the parade. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the search for the treasure and win a prize! The 1857 Gilfillan Farm House, a work of restoration in progress, and the surrounding buildings will be open on Community Day from noon–3 p.m. Visit the farm for house tours, wagon rides, and to see the farm animals. Country Fair Games will be held noon–3 p.m. at the Gilfillan Farm House. Join us for crafts, games, and special activities designed for children up to grade four. The Moonwalk and Rainbow Express Train will be located in the Library parking lot noon–4 p.m. These activities will be offered free of charge through a donation by the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair. The Petting Zoo will be located behind the Library and will be open from noon–5 p.m. Children can visit the animals at no cost. There is a minimal fee for food and milk for the animals. Clair’s Kennel will be open noon–3 p.m. Get information regarding your pet’s care and licensing. See where runaway pets are temporarily held. Talk with an Animal Control Officer. Animals will be available for adoption. The Log House will be open for tours, noon–3 p.m. and will have demonstrations, crafts, and activities for the whole family. The Duck Race sponsored by the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair will start at 3:30 p.m. Watch for information on pre-purchasing your duck, or buy your duck at the Community Foundation booth on Community Day.  16

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Summer 2005

6:30 a.m. ...................................Junior/Senior Mud Volleyball Behind Recreation Center 7:30–9:30 a.m. .............................................. Fair Booth Setup Recreation Center Parking Lot 7:45–8:30 a.m. .................................Run for Fun Registration High School Stadium—Registration form on page 18 9 a.m. .................................................................... Run for Fun High School Stadium Entrance 10–11 a.m. ........................................... “Hottest Dog” Contest Stage Area—Registration form on page 18 10:45 a.m....................................... Three on Three Basketball Municipal Basketball Court 11 a.m. ........................................................................ Bake Off Stage Area (See page 19) 11 a.m.–5 p.m. ....................................................... Fair Booths Open Entertainment 11:30 a.m. ...................................................................... Parade Noon ..................................................................Treasure Hunt Booth #1 in Fair Area Noon–3 p.m. ...................................... Log House Open House Clair’s Kennel Open House Gilfillan Farm Tours Country Fair Games Gilfillan Farm House Noon–4 p.m. ............ Moonwalk and Rainbow Express Train Library Parking Lot Pony Rides Behind Recreation Center Noon–5 p.m. ...........................................................Petting Zoo Library Parking Lot 1–2:30 p.m. ........................................... Middle School Games Municipal Basketball Courts Water Balloon Toss at 2:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. ..................................................Run for Fun Awards Stage Area Diaper Derby Municipal Little League Field Registration form on page 18 3:30 p.m. .................................................................. Duck Race McLaughlin Run Creek

Shuttle Bus Parking

Shuttle bus service will be available to the Municipal Building every half-hour starting at 10 a.m. from the following locations: • Boyce Middle School • Fort Couch Middle School • Gilfillan Farm • USC High School • Westminster Presbyterian Church Please be advised that permit parking only will be permitted in the Public Works parking lot.

Community Day 2005 Committee Heads and Co-Heads Students Auxiliary–Cole Conboy, Bobby Petrini Booths–Anthony Sirabella, Katie Law Country Fair Games–Joe Diederich Diaper Derby–Melissa Kaduck Entertainment–Brad Wagner, Noah Simmons Middle School Games–Brett Scheller, Chris Heckel Mud Volleyball–Bobby Petrini, Cole Conboy, Kristen Colelli

Parking Lots–Brian Weller, Eric Cheng Run for Fun–Andy Mueller, Michael Spina Parade–Elaine Bluemling Publicity–Rob Dormish, Chris Carosella T-Shirts–Anne Palermo, Nicole Paladino Three on Three Basketball–Tom Tawoda

Township and School District Representatives Cable 7–Glenn Ward Township of Upper St. Clair– Paul Besterman, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services George Kostelich, Superintendent of Operations David Kutschbach, Superintendent of Projects Ron Pardini, Chief of Police United Senior Citizens–Lynn Walcoff USC Historical Society Gilfillan Farm and Country Fair Games– Jean Brown, Pamela Reinheimer

Baker PTA–Treasure Hunt–Lisa Davis Boyce PTA–Parade–Janine Gross, Carla Roehner Eisenhower PTA–Run for Fun–Mary Schmitt Fort Couch PTA–Middle School Games–Kathy Sullivan High School PTSO–Programs and Publicity–To be announced. USC High School–Danny Holzer, Director of Student Activities and Sheila Bartlett, Assistant Director of Student Activities 1830 Log House Association–Kim Guzzi

Fair Booths: The following organizations ask you to stop by to enjoy food, games, and fun on Community Day! Allegheny Land Trust—Information Baker PTA—Treasure Hunt Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair—Duck Race, Float Contest, Moon Walk, and Rainbow Express Train Faith Lutheran Church of USC—Sand Art Friends of the Library of USC—Book Raffle, Book Sale Interact Club—Henna Art Odyssey of the Mind Teams—Taco in a Bag Make-A-Wish—Ring Toss Regional Environmental Education Center—Display, Kids Activities Peters Creek Baptist Church—Children’s Crafts, Balloons The Alliance Church—Make Your Own Metal Tri-Community South EMS—Emergency Medical Services United Senior Citizens of USC—Bingo, Bake Sale, Beverages USC Band Parents—Musical Board Game, Button Making USC Chamber of Commerce—Ice Cream USC Cheer Boosters—Lemonade Stand, Putting Green, Megaphone Ring Toss USC Cub Scout Pack 660—Identification Kits for Kids USC Dance Team—Pulled Pork Sandwiches

USC Democratic Committee—Cotton Candy, Nachos, Soft Drinks USC Football Boosters—Stuffed Animal Raffle, USC Football Gear USC Girls Lacrosse—Mini Lacrosse Stick and Bucket Game USC HS Boys Soccer Boosters—Soccer Shots on Goal, Merchandise USC HS Softball Boosters—Bean Bag Toss USC Lacrosse Club—Sponge Throw Game USC Lady Panthers Basketball Boosters— Closest to the Pin Golf Contest USC Lions Club—Brooms, Garbage Bags, Peanuts, Tulip Bulbs USC Newcomers—Pick a Lollipop Game USC Police Department—Driver Simulator, Information USC Rebounders-USC Basketball—Foul Shooting Contest USC Republican Committee—Kielbasi, Hot Dogs, French Fries USC Volunteer Fire Department—Fire Safety Welcome Wagon of USC—Sandy Candy Art Westminster Presbyterian Church—Children’s Game, Information Woman’s Club of USC—Funnel Cake Youth Steering Committee–Dime Toss 1830 Log House Association— Open House noon-3 p.m.

Patrons: Thanks to the following patrons for their financial support of Community Day! Chuck’s Complete Auto Service Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair CONSOL Energy, Inc. King’s Family Restaurant Lorenzato Automotive Service Louis Anthony Jewelers Max and Erma’s Restaurant

Pasquarelli’s Restaurant South Hills Financial Group St. Clair Country Club Taylor Rental/Party Plus The Gateway Engineers, Inc. ZEP Manufacturing Co./Ray Santomo

Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Community Day 2005—Township of Champions USC’s “Hottest Dog” Contest Community Day—May 21, 2005 10–11 a.m. at Stage Area Sponsored by Howard Hanna of USC FIVE CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION

• Best Dressed Dog • Best Pet Trick • Most Colorful Dog • Cutest Puppy • Owner and Dog Look-Alike

Entries are limited to ten dogs per category. Prizes will be awarded to the top three dogs in each category. All participants must register in advance.

Name: ________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________ Phone Number: ________________________________ Dog’s Name: ___________________________________ Category Dog is entered in: _______________________ Send registration form and current immunization record with $3 entry fee to: Howard Hanna Real Estate 180 Fort Couch Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Questions should be directed to: Julie Lim, Kathy McCloskey, or Maureen Cavanaugh at 412-833-3600 Please register prior to May 13, 2005.

Diaper Derby

The Diaper Derby, a crawling race, will be held at the Municipal baseball field’s outfield. The Diaper Derby will be held at 1:30 p.m. sharp! Proud parents and their babies can enter the Diaper Derby. Categories include 1 day to 6 months and 6 months, 1 day to 1 year old. The winners in each age group will receive a prize. Registration can be done in advance by mail or by bringing a registration form to the event.

Diaper Derby Registration Form Name of baby _____________________________________ Address __________________________________________ _________________________________________________ Telephone ________________________________________

Community Day Run for Fun When: Saturday, May 21, 2005. Race begins at 9 a.m. sharp! Where: Upper St. Clair High School: A 3.1 mile, moderately

hilly course, starting and finishing at Panther Stadium. Advanced Registration: $2 registration fee pri or to

May 13, 2005. Mail registration to the address below. Pre-registered runners should pick up their numbers between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. on the day of the race at the High School track parking lot on Truxton Drive. Late Registration: $3 the day of the race. Registration will be

held at the High School parking lot on Truxton Drive the morning of the race from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. Please arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. to allow time for registration before the start of the race. Awards will be presented at the stage area at 1:30 p.m. Race

results will be posted at the Recreation Center on Community Day. Come run for fun and exercise. Bring the whole family!

Trophies or plaques for first place, and ribbons for second and third place will be awarded in the following age groups. (Please note—this is not a sanctioned race.) • 8 & under • 9 to 11 • 12 to 14 • 15 to 19

q Female

Age as of May 21, 2005 q less than 6 months

q between 6 months and 1 year

St. Clair, the Community Day committee and volunteers, and/or any employees thereof harmless and blameless for any accident or injury which may occur while participating in the Diaper Derby.

_________________________________________________ Date

Return this form by May 13, 2005 to:

Department of Recreation and Leisure Services Township of Upper St. Clair 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

• 8 & under • 9 to 11 • 12 to 14 • 15 to 19

• 20 to 29 • 30 to 39 • 40 & over

Run For Fun Registration Form Name____________________________________________ Age as of May 21, 2005 ____________

Sex ___________

Address __________________________________________ Telephone Number ________________________________ Make checks payable to:

Return this form by May 13, 2005 to:

Mary Schmitt 2064 Outlook Drive Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

CONSENT RELEASE FORM: I agree to hold the Township of Upper

• 20 to 29 • 30 to 39 • 40 to 50 • 51 & over

Upper St. Clair Community Day

q Male

Parent’s Signature

FEMALE

MALE

Summer 2005

CONSENT RELEASE FORM: I agree to hold the Township of

Upper St. Clair, the Community Day committee and volunteers, and/or any employees thereof harmless and blameless for any accident or injury which may occur while participating in the Run for Fun. _________________________________________________ Signature

Date (Parent/Guardian if Under 18 Years of Age)

Community Day 2005—Township of Champions Second Annual USC Bake-Off!

The Gilfillan Heritage Doors are Open for Community Day—May 21

Community Day - May 21st, 2005 Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Inc. Kids, don t miss this chance to show off your culinary skills! Prizes for winners in each of the following categories plus a grand prize winner!

Most Patriotic Dessert Best U.S.C. Themed Dessert Most Original Dessert Pre-registration required. For more information and to register call: Virginia Montgomery 412-344-0500

Come experience the Gilfillan Homestead and Farm on Community Day

this year and be a part of Upper St. Clair history. Once again, the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair will open the Gilfillan property for tours, wagon rides, country fair games, and visiting with farm animals from noon to 3 p.m. This continues to be a “restoration in progress.” Please check Upper St. Clair Cable 7 and watch for flyers for more information.

What Will Your Favorite Part of Community Day 2005 Be? The UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is taking a residents’ poll on Community Day 2005. What will your favorite part of this year’s festivities be—the parade, the booths, the Run for Fun, the Gilfillan farmhouse, the petting zoo, the Log House, or the food? How about the Diaper Derby, the dog contest, the Duck Race, or the pony rides? After the eventful day’s celebration, jot down your thoughts and we’ll include your opinion in our poll results. Send us a photo; share a poem or story about the day; let us know what you liked the most! All articles and photos will be considered for publication in future issues. Please include your name and contact information. Information submitted will not be guaranteed a return.  Responses must be received no later than June 1, 2005, to: UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, Community Day Poll 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or to: ldudzinski@uscsd.k12.pa.us (Email subject line must read USCT poll.)

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

A Day in the Life

of a Community Day Participant 7:30 a.m.– Home to shower. (A must!)

6 a.m.– Drag your body out of bed.

6:30 a.m.– Head to the mud volleyball courts for the High School’s junior/senior volleyball competition. 8:30 a.m.– Sign up for the 9 a.m. 5K , then limber up Community Day Run for Fun.

r the 11:30 a.m. fo up e in L .– m a. 5 11:1 ghlin Run Road. au cL M g on al e ad r pa 10 a.m.– Visit the staging area for the man’s best friend competition or view the bake-off contest entries at 11 a.m.

Noon– Visit the fair booths fo food, and fun and enjoy the ente r games, rtainment at the stage area.

1 p.m.– Hop on the shuttle bus and visit Gilfillan Homestead and Farm. (Open noon to 3 p.m.)

4 p.m.– One last stop at the fair booths for some delectable fair food, then home to rest! 2004 Community Day photos provided by Nancy Barnard 20

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3:30 p.m.– Be back at McLaughlin Run Creek for the exciting Duck Race. Will your duck win?

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ouse for H g o L e h t it is 2:30 p.m.– Vrical adventure. a histo 3 p.m.) o t n o o n n e p O (

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Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Fly with Me, Comeome C Fly, Let’s Fly Away

Wayne Herrod

Mr. Dayton Baker’s favorite song must be

“Come Fly with Me” by Frank Sinatra. His favorite movie has to be Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. And his favorite story has to be Poe’s The Raven. Well, maybe not, but they should be. Mr. Baker is the executive director of the Pittsburgh National Aviary, and birds are his life. Actually birds and animals are his life because Mr. Baker’s wife, Dr. Barbara Baker, is the executive director of the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Wouldn’t you say that the Bakers have the market covered on animals and birds in Pittsburgh? The Pittsburgh National Aviary allows you to travel around the world and visit Central America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Russia in one afternoon. The aviary is located in West Park, in Pittsburgh’s historic North Side. Before my visit in February, it had been years since I’d been there. But rest assured, it won’t take me that long to get back again. The aviary has over 600 exotic birds from all over the world displayed in settings Macaw parrot that represent their natural habitats, including a 200,000 cubic foot rainforest and a landscaped display featuring native Pennsylvania birds. The exhibits are wonderful, the birds are magnificent, and the sounds are incredible. From hummingbirds to bald eagles, from personal encounters with penguins to owls, you are in for a treat when you visit the nation’s only indoor, freestanding aviary. Did you know that the aviary earned the added

Trainer Justin Garner feeds fish to Elvis. 22

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Bald Eagle

name of “National” in its title? In 1993 the U. S. Congress named it America’s official National Aviary Zoological Association. In mid-year 2004 the aviary announced a $20 million expansion, with groundbreaking scheduled for 2005 and opening in 2007. The expansion will include a 250-seat indoor bird theater known as “Immersion Theater.” The expansion will allow visitors to be immersed into the habitats of birds from all over the world, offering spectacular bird shows in a theater environment. “The National Aviary is a national treasure in our own backyard,” commented Allegheny Chief Executive Dan Onorato. “The National Aviary expansion will raise the organization’s existing profile, creating a world-renowned center for education and conservation and making it one of our region’s premier tourist attractions.” The aviary is much more than a tour designed to look at caged birds; it offers educational programs and encounters with the birds, and is a major player in conservation. The first sentence of its mission statement relays its extensive diversity: “As an environmental organization composed of educators, conservationists, and researchers, our goals are many.” So off I went on a very special tour of a very special place. I got to meet Elvis, an African penguin, up close and personal. Trainer Justin Garner brought him out to meet me. How do you think Elvis got his name? If you guessed that he got his name because he was born in the Memphis Zoo, you would be right!

Summer 2005

‘E’

Elvis appeared very attached to Justin. I learned that penguins develop a special bond with their handlers and Elvis wouldn’t get closer than within a foot of me. But while Elvis was feeding on fish, Justin shared some fascinating facts about these penguins. Did you know that all penguins are found south of the equator? The African penguin lives in an area where temperatures can reach 90 degrees on a summer afternoon. Its black and white feathers are nature’s way of protecting this cute little bird. The white feathers on the fronts of these birds allow Victoria Cro them to withstand wned pigeon the heat. Facing their fronts towards the sun keeps them cooler. The black feathers on their backsides offer their disguise from predators as they swim face down in the ocean. The black feathers blend well with the bottom of the water. Penguins can dive to depths of 420 feet. At one time there were over one million African penguins alive; now there are less than 100,000 of these birds in the wild. The second bird I met was ‘E’—an Eurasian eagle owl. Lead bird trainer Erin Estelle brought ‘E’ out to a group of excited children while I was there. As the kids watched in awe, Erin told some fascinating facts about ‘E’. Although this owl is the world’s largest owl, it weighs no more than five pounds because its bones are hollow, and it is made up of mostly feathers. For these reasons it flies silently. This owl’s prey has no chance of survival if the owl spots its potential dinner and swoops down, without a sound.

‘E’ with trainer Erin Estelle

Senate of Pennsylvania John Pippy

State Senator - 37th District Senate Box 203037 • 168 Main Capitol Building Harrisburg, PA 17120 Area Offices: 650 Washington Road, Suite 106 • Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228 610 East McMurray Road, Suite 105 • McMurray, PA 15317 Phone: 1-866-736-7477 (1-866-SEN-PIPPY) Fax: 412-262-6394 Website: www.senatorpippy.com • E-mail: jpippy@pasen.gov

Pennsylvania’s Trail of History Red Crowned Crane

Owls have small brains; their large eyes take up most of the room in their skulls. Their eyes are fixed, but they can see panoramically because they can rotate their heads to more than 240 degrees. The aviary, in addition to giving tours, has many conservation projects. One of its major projects is the preservation of the Red Crowned Crane. This rare bird has been spotted flying at over 30,000 feet and is sadly in danger of extinction. Currently there are only 1700 to 2000 of these cranes remaining in the wild. The aviary has a Red Crowned Crane exhibit. Every May, the aviary’s curator of birds, Jim Dunster, travels from the U. S. with eggs from the Red Crowned Crane to leave in the wilds of Russia. It’s a 21hour plane trip and an 18-hour train ride to get to the nature preserve in Khinganski. The aviary’s efforts are paying off; this conservation program has successfully increased the number of Red Crowned Cranes in the preserve. Hopefully, I’ve whet your appetite for an aviary excursion. Enjoy the aviary as a family outing or a day out by yourself. Not only will you have a great time, but more importantly, you will be helping the aviary—America’s only independent indoor nonprofit bird zoo. The Pittsburgh National Aviary works to inspire respect for nature through an appreciation of birds. It is truly a treasure of sight and sound. Go see and listen for yourself. 

Senator John Pippy With summer just around the corner

our thoughts turn to vacations and family time. What better way to enjoy that time together than to explore Pennsylvania’s rich history and traditions. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is charged with oversight of the operations of 26 historical museums and sites across our commonwealth. Each of these destination spots is rich with opportunities for you and your family to enjoy a wide range of fun-filled, learning experiences for everyone from child to adult. For complete details on all of the sites listed here, along with the other 18 sites across the state, or to learn more about historic preservation efforts in Pennsylvania, visit the Commission’s website at www.phmc.state.pa.us. For a free copy of the Trail of History brochure or for Pennsylvania maps and travel books please call my office. Enjoy your time discovering Pennsylvania, again. • Erie Maritime Museum and Flagship Niagara: Erie takes great pride as the home of the U.S. Brig Niagara. This reconstruction of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s flagship in the battle of Lake Erie was completed in the summer of 1990, and since then the Niagara has embarked on an ambitious program of sailing and historic interpretation. • Drake Well Museum (Titusville): Birthplace of the oil industry in Pennsylvania (1859). • Old Economy Village (Ambridge): Old Economy Village interprets the history of the Harmony Society, a highly successful 19th century religious communal society, and preserves and interprets the unique material culture of the Society during its period of residence in Beaver County.

• Fort Pitt Museum (Pittsburgh): Fort Pitt Museum interprets for citizens and visitors the strategic importance of the “Forks of the Ohio” during the French and Indian War period in which British, colonial, French, and Native American forces struggled for control of North America, and during the subsequent founding and development of the city of Pittsburgh. • The State Museum of Pennsylvania (Harrisburg): Educational programs at The State Museum are designed to encourage visitors, both young and old, to explore, discover, and experience the stories of Pennsylvania’s rich and exciting past. • Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (Strasburg): The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania houses one of the most significant collections of historic railroad artifacts in the world. The museum is devoted to preserving and interpreting the broad impact of railroad development on society. • The Daniel Boone Homestead: Reading preserves a number of historic structures. The Homestead offers many historic programs and exhibits detailing the first 16 years of the life of Daniel Boone, preserves 579 acres of open space, and provides passive recreational areas. • Washington Crossing Historic Park (Washington Crossing): George Washington led his ragged troops across the ice-choked Delaware and assaulted the unsuspecting Hessians at Trenton. His victory bolstered sagging morale, changing the course of the American Revolution. The 500-acre site and recreational area includes 13 historic buildings, the noted 100-acre Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve and observation tower, and many picnic areas. 

Pittsburgh National Aviary Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

2005 Summer Dining Guide ��

Sesame Inn FINEST CHINESE CUISINE

ese n i h C “Bessttaurant” Re

voted by the readers of • PITTSBURGH magazine 2002, 2003 and 2004 • Mt. Lebanon magazine • Post-Gazette • Tribune Review • Rated  by KDKA TV • Pittsburgh City Paper 2004

Lunch • Dinner Free Delivery • Carryout Banquet Facilities Gift Certificates McMurray 724-942-2888 Mt. Lebanon 412-341-2555 Station Square 412-281-8282 North Hills 412-366-1838 www.sesameinn.net 24

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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Gourmet Chinese Restaurant Treat your family to the award winning Best Chinese Restaurant Reservations recommended

(412) 279-8088 Open 7 days

Make your reservations now for Father's Day Sunday, June 19 Gift Certificates Available

1082 Bower Hill Rd. (next to St. Clair Hospital)

Pittsburgh, PA 15243 Summer 2005

Summer Dining Guide 2005 � ��

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Coffees of the World ~ Belgian Coffee ~ 1/4 cup coffee 1/2 cup whipped cream and egg white

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A Bit of Ireland Comes to Mt. Lebanon

~ Viennese Coffee ~ Coffee topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg ~ Café Borgia ~ Coffee 1 tsp cocoa ~ Mexican Coffee ~ Coffee 1/2 tsp cinnamon Sugar to taste Top with whipped cream spiced with 1/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1/4 tsp. confectioners’ sugar ~ Café Cappuccino (Iced) ~ Coffee Mixture: 1/2 cup evaporated milk, 2 tbs. powdered sugar, 1/4 tsp. vanilla, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon Preparation: Chill milk until frozen. Add remaining ingredients and beat until fluffy. Add to coffee. Flavours cookbook, page 45, courtesy of Terry Himes.

= A pint of Guinness is not just another beer, and an authentic Irish pub is not

just another bar—especially in the case of one new local pub. Molly Brannigan’s traditional Irish pub and restaurant has transformed a vacant Washington Road building into our neighbor-to-the-north’s own slice of Irish food, drink, and culture. A shipment, including two 40-foot containers which held authentic furnishings, arrived locally in February following a journey by ocean freighter direct from Ireland. “Our authenticity is very important to us and is essential to the Molly Brannigan’s experience,” states owner John Melody, whose most recent trip home to Ireland in March included attending auctions to purchase pieces for the interior of the next Molly Brannigan’s location in Phoenix. Patrons can enjoy the authentic ambience of an Irish pub with a large selection of food and drinks. Molly Brannigan’s, which opened in March and also has locations in Erie and Harrisburg, serves individually prepared traditional Irish fare, as well as a variety of American menu selections. Visit them at 660 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.  Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Studying Abroad I‘ve often heard parents of my football players say how their lives

have been affected by the teams and the activities in which their kids became involved in. Parents have formed lifetime friendships with other parents in similar booster club related social events, community days, and various other activities because of the choices of their children. As a parent of post-college-age boys, my life continues to change because of their decisions—most of them, positive ones. Like many of you, I did things I told myself that I would never do. For instance, I was 30 years old when I first saw the mountains of Seven Springs (in the summer) and vowed that I would never come down those mountains strapped to a pair of boards. Twelve years later, with my wife, Pam, and kids, J.T. and Eric, I came gliding down to the base of that mountain on skis. Likewise, I was one of those people who would say that there was still so much of the United States to see before I would travel to Europe. Then I would recite my litany including Montana, the Dakotas, New England, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and, of course, Alaska, and Hawaii. By the way, I still haven’t been to any of these great places. However, in 2000, my life changed once again when my son, Eric, wanted to know if he could study abroad. He reasoned that the cost was roughly equivalent to a semester at Penn State. I will not attempt to explain how broad a term “roughly” can be. Eric, with an unbending focus, can be very persuasive. I’m not sure where he gets this trait. As you can probably gather from the article’s title and the direction this story is heading, Eric welcomed the beginning of the 21st century as a student of TempleRome University. Temple has formed a partnership with other Pennsylvania universities and placed many students in their school in Rome. Today, a semester abroad has become a popular addition to an undergraduate education. Rome, Italy–Eric Render (USCHS ’97) Eric described his experience as a student abroad unmatched by any other in his young life. He writes the following: 26

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

The term “study abroad” is an oxymoron. It’s a four-month vacation without peer to anything I’ve ever done. One of my favorite side trips was taking the train from Rome to Naples. After exploring arcades and shops and eating pizza, I walked to the port of Naples and took an evening ferryboat to the island of Capri. There is a certain anticipation when traveling by ferryboat. The boat itself seems to unite folks who haven’t a thing in common other than their destination. Everyone had different origins, and before the ferry’s short passage, some have traveled long distances. I had already come a great distance just to board the ferry. But isn’t that part of the fun? Studying hard makes an “A” sweeter, long practices makes a victory more deserved, and

Enjoying the Coliseum are (left to right) Kate Wexler, Eric Render, and Ariel Paredes

when you travel somewhere that has taken most of your day and most of your patience, and you have used almost every means necessary to assure your arrival, what awaits you is a satisfaction that cannot be equaled. I am young, but sometimes I wonder if I’ll ever have a better weekend than the one I spent on Ana Capri, sitting atop the island with a friend, looking out at the bluest of seas. Priceless! Barcelona, Spain–Ariel Paredes (USCHS ’97) Eric’s good friend Ariel Paredes was at Boston College when she elected to study in Barcelona during the winter of 2000. What a coincidence! The following is what she writes about her experience. I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Barcelona during my junior year at college. Boston College encourages its students

Summer 2005

Jim Render

to study abroad for either a semester or an entire year, so I up and moved to Gran Via de los Corts in Barcelona for six months. My program was quite different from a lot of the programs offered by Boston College, which I believe was part of its draw. It was definitely not a hand-held program. We were told when classes began and when we should arrive. I will never forget the day when seven other BC students and I boarded the plane to Barcelona, anxious about where in the world were we going to live! It worked out in the end, and we all found remarkable apartments, managed to make it to classes, and find our way around our new city. The school that I attended was called Pompeu Fabra; the dominant language, Catalan. There were only 11 other American students in my entire school, which I found refreshing. We were forced to form friendships with students from around the world and practice new languages. We honed our Spanish speaking skills, but brushed up on a little Catalan, Italian, and French as well. Our classes were taught in Spanish, and I think we were a little bit of a mystery to the native Spanish students. We got to check out local hangouts and see the city through their eyes. I wanted to approach the city like it was my home. A lot of my friends back home also took the occasion to study abroad, and this gave me the opportunity to visit them and see all the places and things that they were experiencing. I saw countless museums, churches, tombstones, ancient landmarks like the Coliseum and the Pantheon in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Big Ben in London, the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam, and the Boboli Gardens in Florence. I got to take a cruise in Switzerland through the Alps, take hikes in southern Italy, eat authentic kielbasa in Munich, and attend the Cannes Film festival in the south of France. I get goose bumps even writing about it. The food and nightlife were also unbelievable! Every city had its own authentic flair for food, flavors, and clubs. The Spanish tortilla was an everyday staple—made of eggs, potatoes, and onions and served on a banquette. Also, fresas con nata (strawberries with fresh whipped cream) was one of my favorite desserts next to the gelato from Italia. The fondue from Switzerland couldn’t

Gathering in St. Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday 2000 are (left to right) Eric Render, Mike Conley, Ariel Paredes, Kate Wexler, Cindy Perno, and Pam Render

be beat, and the fresh homemade pastas from Italy were awesome. There were quaint bars, loud, trendy nightclubs, and local dives. All of it shaped my experience. The photos I took are priceless, as are my memories. I will always value my time abroad and never take it for granted. It was a time of learning new things about others and myself. I made new friends, ate new foods, and visited places that I previously had only read about. If this opportunity ever presents itself to you—jump, jump, jump! Barcelona will always be my second home—a place I will continue to visit time and time again.

in elaborate and ornate costumes strolled through the city’s small walkways. During my stay in Prague, I ventured to many castles, art nouveau museums, and town squares. I learned of a new culture that was unlike American or Roman life. Prague’s food, language, and currency forced my friends and me to conform—giving us the opportunity to feel like citizens of the Czech Republic for the weekend. My travels this semester have been life changing, while allowing me to learn more about myself—something I believe not possible as a student in America.

Rome, Italy–Julie Moritz (USCHS ’02) Julie Moritz is in Rome as I write this article (March 1, 2005). I asked Julie, with her mother, Jeanne’s, permission, to email me a message about her experiences in Rome. The following email exchange is priceless. February 23, 2005–Jeanne: Julie, please send something to Mr. Render. Do not embarrass me. February 24, 2005–Julie: Mom, I really don’t know what to say, but here’s something you can send to him. I’ll call you later today, and please put money in my account because it says I only have $11.

You might still be wondering whether I altered my priorities by making a trip to Italy. In the spring of 2000, I spent 12 outstanding days in Rome, Florence, Naples, and Capri. Pam and our friend, Cindy Perno, had previously made plans to go over before I got the travel bug. When I made my plans I actually went ahead of them, and spent several days with Eric before they arrived. While Eric was in class, I spent many hours walking and touring by myself. I also met up with USC friends Tony Sinatra and Giuliano Rossi and his son, Joe, for a tour of the Vatican, and had a great lunch at one of their favorite restaurants near Trevi Fountain. In Florence, I met up with Pam and Cindy at the train station before we went to dinner with USC graduates Chrissy Johnson, Mike Conley, and Jeff Pietragallo as well as Ariel and Eric. My trip also included Mass at St. Peter’s on Easter Sunday with a close up view of Pope John Paul II. In my opinion, no one had a better time in Italy than I, the guy who thought he did not want to go. My kids keep making changes for me. Montana may have to wait, because Italy keeps calling me back. Ciao! 

Email message: Studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience. I have the opportunity to live in Rome while traveling throughout Europe, meeting new people, and experiencing an exciting new culture. I’ve traveled to Venice and Prague so far this semester, and in each new city I try to immerse myself in their culture rather than act as a tourist. While in Venice, I fell in love with the ambience of the city. My friends and I were there to celebrate the international celebration of Carnivale. The streets were crowded with locals and tourists who all joined together in the festivities. Men and women dressed

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An Open Letter to the High School Graduating Class of 2005 Jim Meston A few years ago

I had the distinct honor of being the invited High School Baccalaureate speaker. While giving my speech, I noticed that no one fell asleep or walked out. I recently came across my notes from this speech and decided to share them with you. Mercifully, if you read this, it’s much shorter than my Jim Meston talk and the attempts at humor are gone. I intend only to offer some thoughts about choices that graduating high school students can make now and in their futures.

Ego—Do Not Take Yourself Too Seriously You have every right to be proud of your accomplishments and the talent and skills you’ve developed. You should be grateful for the opportunities you’ve been given. Please also recognize the support and guidance you’ve had along the way—none of us succeeds totally on our own. Don’t take yourself too seriously. When you do, you have difficulty admitting that you don’t know everything, and you have a hard time accepting criticism and negative feedback. This could keep you from learning more and improving yourself. If your ego is inflated you also have a hard time giving credit where credit is due—you want to take all the credit for yourself. Not taking yourself too seriously allows you the freedom not to be perfect. You can laugh at yourself when you’ve done something silly or be at ease with yourself when you just can’t get it right. You can relax when some careless driver cuts you off or someone crowds in ahead of you in line. You don’t have to be a doormat, but you will avoid many hassles and aggravations that you need not get caught up in. You don’t have to pretend to be something you’re not; you can be authentic. Accept your shortcomings. Rest assured, we all have warts.

You Can Choose a Life-long Code of Behavior Most of you will find success in your future. Many of you will graduate from college and graduate school and go on to successful careers. This class will have doctors, lawyers, teachers, writers, actors, scientists, coaches, ministers,

salesmen and women, and the list goes on. Some of you may make a lot of money, which is great as long as you make it honestly. Most of you will be parents. Whatever your position in life, may all of you have one common code of behavior that shapes everything you do every day of your life—choose to be a good person. Good people never abuse their own power, authority, or level of influence in any situation. They treat others with respect and kindness. They are generous with their praise and support. Good people acknowledge others’ actions, whether it’s a waitress, the mailman, or a brain surgeon. Taking the time to recognize the efforts of others is a hallmark of a good person. Good things you do for others, and the kindness you show to your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, and even to strangers will be the best things you do in life. The great thing about it is that everyone has the potential to embrace good behavior.

You would avoid any occasion where you could contract a harmful disease, including a lifethreatening disease. Loving your body simply means practicing all of the good values you already know, but sometimes fail to follow. You’re entering the time of your life where you will be on your own. Make the right and responsible choice in the face of temptation; there may be no one else around to guide you. The consequence of a wrong choice could harm you. You do have two things going for you. You have a great computer between your ears. Your brain contains some 13 billion cells, capable of solving complicated problems and evaluating alternatives. You also have the power of free will. You can make choices between alternatives. Your brain lets you weigh your alternatives and your free will allows you the freedom to make the right choice.

The Spokes in Your Wheel

… recognize the support and guidance you’ve had along the way— none of us succeeds totally on our own. You have one opportunity to walk this life, never knowing how much time you have left on earth. It makes sense, then, if there’s something good you can do, or any kindness you can share with others, you should do it while you can; you won’t pass this way again.

Whom Should You Love? Before you can love someone else, you first have to love yourself. Focus this love by first loving your body. This doesn’t mean to be a narcissist and stand in front of the mirror admiring yourself. It means realizing that you live your life in your body. How healthy your body is has a profound impact on your mental attitude, your energy level, and what you’re able to accomplish. Loving your body means you would never be in a moving car without first fastening your seat belt. It means you would never drive a car after consuming alcohol or ride with someone who’s been drinking. If you love your body, you’re not going to smoke or drink alcohol. If you choose to drink, it will only be in careful moderation. Loving your body means eating healthy food; you would not make junk food your daily habit. You would make sure to get the proper amount of sleep and exercise regularly.

Can you remember your early days of riding a bicycle? If so, you also remember that if the wheel’s spokes weren’t properly tightened it affected the balance of the wheel. Likewise, your life has many spokes. You can create your own wheel and include as many spokes as you wish. Among them, I’m sure you will have spokes for health, fun, work, play, hobbies, family, children, entertainment, studying, exercising, and many more. Your challenge in life will be to keep all of those spokes in balance. If you allow work to become a huge spoke in your wheel, the other spokes get short changed. Project that scenario to any of your other spokes. Too much focus on one has a negative effect on the others. There will be many tugs and pulls throughout your life, trying to offset your balance. Remain focused to keep your life’s wheel in balance.

Going Forth As you leave the cocoon of high school and go forth into your future, enhance your potential for a happy and productive life by shaping your daily behavior with a good value base; you will become a more loving person. When you love yourself, it’s easier to give love to others. Oscar Hammerstein wrote a verse in The Sound of Music that went “A bell is no bell ’til you ring it. A song is no song ’til you sing it, and love in your heart wasn’t put there to stay. Love isn’t love ’til you give it away.” When you give your love away imagine the impact you can have in helping to make this world a better place to live. 

Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Upper St. Clair School District Board of School Directors

Angela B. Petersen President 412-831-7182 2007*

USC’s World Language Program—the Gold Standard

Jeffrey W. Joyce Vice President 412-257-1704 2007*

Left to right: Aryn Long, Lou Pasquarelli, USCHS Japanese teacher Junko Kapples, Sheena Kapples, Ritu Thomas, and Shari Kapples at the 2005 Cultural Cabaret Upper St. Clair School District was one of only four schools across David E. Bluey 412-835-6145 2005*

Barbara L. Bolas 412-833-9841 2007*

Russ Del Re 724-941-3336 2005*

Glenn Groninger 412-854-5345 2007*

Vicki A. McKenna 412-831-7125 2005*

Clark R. Nicklas 412-831-1027 2005*

Mark G. Trombetta, MD 412-831-8543 2007* *Date indicates expiration of term.

3232 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 2005 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer Summer 2005

the state to receive a Golden Globe for their foreign language program from the Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA). To celebrate the “2005: The Year of Languages,” PSMLA decided to identify and showcase exemplary world language programs throughout Pennsylvania. The PSMLA invited over 1000 Pennsylvania high schools, public and private, to participate in the program by completing a rigorous evaluation of their school’s foreign language programs. Eleven indicators were used in the evaluation process, from retaining students at higher levels of foreign language education to staff maintaining membership in professional organizations. Deanna Baird, USC foreign language curriculum leader K-12, said she felt great that her department and teachers were getting recognition for what they’ve done well for a long time. Baird is very proud of the exchange trips available to the students which give them the opportunity to experience foreign language and culture first hand. Baird is also proud of the assessment program used to evaluate student progress in foreign language. From grades kindergarten through 12, teachers use the same set of standards. Students know on what they are being evaluated. Baird said the focus is on how much language a student can produce, both written and orally. The High School offers five levels of French, German, and Spanish, four levels of Latin, and a two-year sequence of Japanese. The middle school foreign language program begins with an exploratory program in fifth grade. All students take twelve weeks each of French, German, and Spanish. Students continue with the language of their choice in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades to complete the equivalent of two semesters of high school work. At the elementary level, students in first, second, and third grades receive two 25-minute periods of Spanish instruction each week, while students in fourth grade receive three 25-minute periods of instruction. The foreign language department also sponsors enrichment events like the “Cultural Cabaret” (held this year in February)—an evening that exposes students to a variety of world cultures. In another enrichment activity, USC foreign language students headed to Pittsburgh’s Strip District to participate in the “Year of Languages Pop Quiz.” This quiz was part of local activities celebrating “2005: The Year of Languages.” Students and teachers stopped local people to ask, “What time is it?” in various languages. So how did Pittsburghers do? Seventy-two by-passers could not respond at all to the question; 64 showed comprehension by responding accurately, but in English; and 66 people responded accurately in the correct language. With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that Upper St. Clair’s foreign language program is at the top of the class! 

Curriculum Change in Our Schools— an Ongoing Process Dr. John Bornyas, Director of Middle Level Education A distinctive aspect of the Upper St. Clair School District is the curriculum

development process, an outstanding feature of the instructional program. The curriculum is continually being analyzed throughout the school year, and formal recommendations for change and improvement are made yearly at all levels and in all content areas. Considerable training efforts are dedicated to implementing approved changes. Curriculum committees or departments, led by curriculum leaders, meet twice monthly. This model differs greatly from the model used in most school districts in which each specific curricular area (such as mathematics, reading and language arts, foreign language, social studies, science, music, etc.) is reviewed and modified on a seven-year cycle. Many times, the curriculum development process in the seven-year cycle model is driven by a textbook adoption for all grade levels in which the curriculum is taught. Since a specific curricular area is only reviewed once every seven years, most districts are forced to adopt textbooks during the review year. This results in greater expenditures in new textbook adoptions over time. Using this model, once the curricular change is adopted and implemented, intense analysis of the curricular area will not occur again for another seven years. In the Upper St. Clair School District, new ideas are constantly being addressed through the curriculum development process. These new ideas are not just associated with a textbook review and adoption recommendation. An idea for curriculum development may be formed or initiated by teachers, curriculum

leaders, other District administrators, students, or community members. After discussion and study, ideas for curriculum change are formulated into recommendations by the appropriate curriculum leader and department or committee members. A recommendation is then reviewed in a series of panels chaired by the appropriate curriculum level directors. After panel discussion and review, the recommendations are approved, identified for more study, or not approved by administration. Once this administrative step is completed,

This past January and February, the school board reviewed 13 fast track curriculum recommendations, and accepted specific recommendations that required its approval. The recommendations formulated through the fast track process included: • Revise the standardized testing program K-8 • Pilot an elementary phonemic awareness intervention program • Pilot an elementary oral reading fluency program • Revise the 11th and 12th grade mathematics offerings • Revise IB diploma foreign language courses • Revise scheduling of the high school adaptive physical education program • Change the title of high school learning support • Change the title of the high school practical law course • Pilot an advanced placement economics text • Realign IB diploma science offerings • Pilot a high school comparative anatomy and physiology course • Offer an IB diploma economics course • Continue to study instituting a high school fashion design course

In the Upper St. Clair School District, new ideas are constantly being addressed through the curriculum development process. approved recommendations are discussed and reviewed with the Academics, Arts, and Extra Curricular Activities Committee of the Board of School Directors. Based on the committee’s findings, the committee will then recommend (or not) the curriculum changes to the entire school board for approval. The majority of recommendations for curriculum change occur during the spring, but at times there may be a need to have a change approved by January or February of the preceding school year of when the change is to be implemented. This type of curriculum recommendation is labeled a “fast-track” recommendation. The study, discussion, development, and panel review for the fasttrack recommendation occurs during the first semester of the school year.

Many District administrators, who have administrative experience in other school districts, have identified the curriculum recommendation model used in Upper St. Clair to be a major factor in the District’s success. 

Foreign Service Officer Addresses Students USC alumnus Jonathan Bayat

spoke to some of the High School social studies students on March 3 as part of the Hometown Diplomats Program. Jonathan is a Foreign Service officer currently in training with an onward assignment to the U.S. Embassy, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Jonathan joined the Foreign Service in March 2002. His first tour with the Department of State was in Minsk, Belarus, where he ran the operational and logistical functions of the Embassy, and also worked in the Consular Section. While in

Minsk, Jonathan received the Department of State’s prestigious Superior Honor Award. He speaks Russian and is currently training in Spanish. Before joining the Foreign Service, Jonathan worked for The Hawthorn Group LLC, a Washington public relations firm. He received a bachelor’s degree in international relations and economics from The American University in Washington, D.C.  Jonathan and his wife, Yulia Bayat

Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

All the World’s a Stage Pat Palazzolo, Gifted Coordinator Pittsburgh is known for its many

parades, but one frosty February morning found a particularly unusual group marching down Penn Avenue. There was Romeo strolling with Shylock while Juliet exchanged nervous glances with Hamlet. Puck and Mercutio were stamping their feet to keep warm while Lady Macbeth chatted with Marc Antony. Was this a gathering of the members of a Shakespearian Hall of Fame? No, the participants in this parade were the 41 students from Boyce, Fort Couch, and Upper St. Clair High School on their way to the O’Reilly Theater to compete in the 11th annual Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest. The contest is open to public, private, and home schooled students in grades four through 12 from throughout western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and eastern Ohio. Students begin preparing in the fall by selecting a monologue, scene, or both from any of Shakespeare’s plays. Over the next months, the students work to become familiar with the play, memorize their lines, and block their movements. In January, actors and actresses from the Pittsburgh Public Theater provide a coaching session for the students. Eighth grader Anna Gorman, who chose to perform a monologue from King Lear, found these coaches to be “… fantastic and very experienced. They help you understand Shakespeare, so that even if you don’t win, you’ll end up with a memorable experience.” Finally, after all the weeks of preparation, the students perform their monologues or scenes on the main stage of the O’Reilly Theater before a panel of judges. Seventh grader Karsh Gaurav, competing for the second year, summed it up this way: “Picking your monologue or scene, memorizing it, rehearsing it, and finally presenting it is all part of this fun process. I know I’ll continue Shakespeare!” Teacher Diane Ecker, a gifted education coordinator at Boyce Middle School and longtime supporter of the Shakespeare contest, is as amazed by the process as she is by the results. “To see the process that the students go through, from their initial introduction to their mastery of the material, actually gives me goose bumps,” she said, 34

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

“as they often deliver lines in a manner every bit as skilled as a veteran performer.” This year was very special for Ecker. For the first time since offering this competition, the students from Boyce, Fort Couch, and the High School were able to see one another perform. For Ecker, this meant seeing students who had begun this process in fifth or sixth grade “continue with their talent and dedication of keeping Shakespeare alive with such flair and ability.” Not every high school competitor, however, had begun the process in middle school.

Upper St. Clair Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest participants

Senior Andrew McNally was a first-timer. Andrew credits Mrs. Ecker with inspiring his passion for writing back in sixth grade. His dream is to write professionally for the stage, but this was his first foray into the Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest. He did not know quite what to expect, but said, “I got there and started seeing some of the competition just from Boyce and began thinking, ‘at least I tried.’ I was lucky enough to see all the 40-some participants from fifth through 12th grade, and I can honestly say that there was not one scene or monologue that wasn’t entertaining.” McNally was rewarded for his efforts in the role of Hamlet by making it to the finals of the competition—one of only 20 monologues selected from over 900 competitors from 90 different schools. He attributed his success to experience gained through competition on the Upper St. Clair speech team coached by Ben Edwards. “I would highly recommend it (the speech team) for anyone interested in debate or drama, since you can learn so much from it, and have a ton of fun.” Since McNally has been volunteering his time all year to teach speech and de-

Summer 2005

bate methods to interested students at Fort Couch, the seventh and eighth graders were especially excited and proud to witness him translate his expertise in speech into an outstanding monologue performance. Joanne Szymanski, a gifted education coordinator at Fort Couch, was also pleased that this year’s competition provided a chance for the students in grades five through 12 to see one another perform. She found it just as exciting to watch the High School and Boyce students compete as she did her own Fort Couch students. She noted that it was rewarding to see the growth in skills of the students over the years. One of those students, Chelsea Cramer, mentioned that when she was in seventh grade, she stopped in the middle of her monologue and simply stood there. Yet, an hour later, she competed in a scene with other students and did well. One of the judges called her that night just to be sure she was all right. She learned from her experience and continued to compete year after year. On stage in this year’s competition (her fifth), she appeared as relaxed as a pro. The younger students learned from watching the older ones, thinking about the years of competition ahead. Upper St. Clair’s next generation of actors are well on the road to success and enjoyment. Fifth grader Mallory Winner sounded as if she already understood the value of perseverance espoused by Chelsea Cramer. “It was very nerve-racking at first, but it was an experience I’ll never forget,” she said. Boyce students Nathaniel Blecher and Alex LeClaire echoed the sentiment that the experience, win or lose, was worthwhile and unforgettable. “If you ever get the chance to do it,” advised Alex with great enthusiasm, “go for it!” One perennial competitor and four-time winner had to sit it out this year. Senior Lara Hillier was cast in the lead role of Miranda in the Public’s main-stage production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The students from Boyce, Fort Couch, and the High School enjoyed watching her in a special daytime performance on March. 9.  See “A Few Minutes with Lara Hillier” article on page 79.

ARISS Students Meet Astronaut Mike Fincke

Astronaut Mike Fincke (second from left) stands with student Luke Walker, teacher Pat Palazzolo and student Michelle Lee. Fourth grader Luke Walker did not hesi-

tate. Grinning broadly, he walked confidently up to Colonel Mike Fincke, extended his hand in a manner far beyond his years, and said proudly, “I’m Luke… Luke Walker. I asked you about the stars.” Without missing a beat, the astronaut smiled, looked Luke in the eye and said, “I remember, Luke. That was a great question. I told you they didn’t twinkle from orbit.” When Mike heard the word “team work” mentioned as he shook the hand of senior Michelle Lee, he reiterated how important he thought her question about it had been. Almost six months after having asked their questions of Mike Fincke via ham radio as the International Space Station passed over Pittsburgh, two of the students involved in the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact, along with their fathers and teacher Pat Palazzolo, were thrilled to be able to meet the astronaut back on planet Earth. Fincke was in town visiting his parents, and speaking at Sewickley Academy, his alma mater. Sewickley Academy was kind enough to invite the Upper St. Clair students. Sporting what he referred to as his “Captain America” suit (not the standard NASA-issue blue flight suit but, rather, a khaki suit that the Russians had designed especially for him with a huge American flag across the chest) Fincke proved to be a phenomenal communicator. He shared video of hearing his baby’s first cry (his daughter, Tarali, was born while he was in orbit), the rarely heard sound of the International Space Station’s ship’s bell at the change of command, and the photo of Pittsburgh he took from orbit. Holding degrees in aeronautical engineering from MIT and Stanford, fluent in both Russian and Japanese, and possessing a warm sense of humor, astronaut Fincke, in the opinion of the Upper St. Clair guests, is also definitely one of the most genuinely nice human beings on (or off!) the planet.  For reference, see article on page 58, “Astronaut Fincke, Phone Home” in the Winter 2004 edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY.

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Lesley Retallick Lee—Upper St. Clair Alumna Reaches for the Stars Pat Palazzolo Upper St. Clair teachers have always

On November 6 the Upper St. Clair slides helped the audience understand the encouraged their students to reach for the High School Class of 1984 held its 20th special equipment required to exercise in stars. One 1984 graduate has taken that ad- reunion. This cause for celebration also a microgravity environment. In addition, vice very seriously. As section manager of provided a treat for the current generation Lee brought samples of actual astronaut Human Adaptation and Countermeasures of USC students. In town for the reunion, food for the students to see, and the NASA Office Projects for NASA contractor Wyle Lesley offered to speak at USCHS. Her stickers, pencils, and pins she handed out Laboratories, Lesley Retallick Lee works at background in exercise physiology and were certainly a hit with everyone! the Johnson Space Center supervising a di- life sciences fascinated the biology and Perhaps the most unexpected and verse group of 26 people who are seeking to physical education students in attendance. memorable part of her presentation was the understand and develop countermeasures It was especially exciting for the students behind-the-scenes look at our astronaut’s to the effect of microgravity on landing. After six months aboard the human body. the International Space Station, A more down-to-earth deMike Fincke had returned to scription of her job is that Lesley Earth in a Soyuz capsule, landand her staff work hard to help ing before dawn in windy and the astronauts and cosmonauts cold Kazakhstan just a few days prepare for the changes their prior to Lesley’s visit. bodies will undergo during Lee brought a video she had long-duration expeditions to received from Fincke’s wife of the International Space Station, the very special reunion of the as well as to re-adapt to Earth’s crewmembers and their families. gravity upon their return. The students were privileged Lesley’s office does much testing to see Colonel Fincke greet involving both crewmembers his wife and children, includand volunteers participating ing baby Tarali, who was born in ground “analogs,” such as while he was in orbit. The video bed rest studies. Her husband, also revealed the importance of J.T. Gralka, Matt Boyas, Lesley Lee, Brian Weller, and Michelle Lee Stuart, also works with NASA human interaction, communiin this field. He is an expert in exercise who had participated in the August radio cation, and culture in the space program. contact with the space station to meet the The crewmembers were greeted by young physiology. It was Lesley Lee who was instrumental woman responsible for providing that op- women dressed in traditional Kazakh cosin making a true out-of-this-world experi- portunity. tumes and given flowers and bread and salt Lesley covered topics ranging from the to welcome them home. ence possible for Upper St. Clair students. Her friendship with Pittsburgh-area astro- crewmembers’ loss of bone mass and musLesley’s position requires her to work naut Mike Fincke and his wife, Renita, led cle strength to nutrition and sleep patterns. with people of other cultures and, in parto Fincke’s selection of the Upper St. Clair In each case, she was able to personalize ticular, to travel to Russia. She spoke of School District as a crew pick for contact the technical information with stories of some of the cultural differences, noting her interaction with astronauts and cos- that in her experience, she has found it from orbit via amateur radio. Thanks to the expertise of two lo- monauts. For example, when discussing best to first gain the friendship of Russians cal amateur radio groups (WASH and the noise level on the space station, she to be trusted in business, unlike the U.S. WACOM) and the support of District recalled that cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev where camaraderie often develops through administration and staff, on August 27 (with whom Upper St. Clair had been business before becoming friends. She has observers were treated to a truly magical selected to have a radio contact back in found the Russian people she has gotten to nine minutes as students from grades four 1994) had just been in to have special foam know to be very warm and caring. to 12 asked Colonel Fincke questions, and put in his ears to form the individualized Lesley advised students to “be respectheard his thoughtful, inspirational, and earplugs each crewmember wears. ful and inquisitive of others’ cultures, When she spoke of the importance of mores, and traditions.” She said she tries sometimes humorous answers from the International Space Station. In Houston, the physical training and therapy to rebuild very hard not to be the “ugly American” Lesley was able to listen in on the contact, muscle and bone strength after a mission, because, unfortunately, she has seen many and said she was “incredibly thrilled and a she was able to mention Stuart’s work of them. “Instead,” she continued, “I try to bit emotional to hear them talking to one with John Glenn (on whose flight Upper learn more about my hosts’ culture, and another, knowing how much work went St. Clair students were fortunate to have they, in turn, will be receptive to learning sent an experiment in 1998). Videos and about mine.” into the whole thing.” 36

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Summer 2005

Lesley Lee

After her presentation, Lee was eager to tour the High School. She had spent time in it as a student and Lady Panther in the 80s, and as a soccer coach in 1991 just before the NASA opportunity came up, but she had not seen it since its renovation. She was impressed by the theatre, the LGI, the library, and the labs. The things that she was most excited to see, however, were some “artifacts” left over from the old building—her former teachers! She credits her terrific teachers and sports coaches with providing the “foundation for the skills I’m proud of today.” The first stop was the room of physics teacher John Irwin. Lee made the comment that “Mr. Agiro, Mr. Greenway, and Mr. Irwin inspired my interest in science, and look where I am today!” Next was a mad search for German teacher, Deanna Baird, better known as “Frau.” Lee was able to tell her that, although she is progressing in Russian, she does use the German she learned from Baird’s and Herr Hartley’s classes while she travels for work. “I sometimes use it as a common language when a Russian colleague doesn’t speak enough English and I don’t speak enough Russian to understand each other.” Finally, upon spotting English teacher, Mary Muffly, in the hall, Lee greeted her happily and commented, “Mrs. Muffly dragged me reluctantly to a system of keeping my work organized—but it’s one which I tout to my employees today!” Lesley’s advice for students interested in a career in life sciences is to keep up their grades, develop strong writing skills, “and above all else, pay attention to freshman biology and chemistry classes! If you don’t

learn the fundamentals, you will have difficulty grasping the more advanced concepts you’ll need for a successful career.” She strongly advised becoming involved in active research projects and pursuing co-op and internship opportunities while in college. She noted that almost all her new hires have done some undergraduate research. Lesley’s work continues at a rapid pace. After coordinating astronaut Fincke’s program to readapt to Earth’s gravity, her office began ramping up activities in preparation for the April landing of the Expedition 10 crew. This entailed travel to Russia in March and April. When asked what she finds most rewarding about her job, Lee said it is “knowing that I had a part in the success of those missions going on 24-7, 225 miles above the Earth, helping to keep those crewmembers healthy so that they can continue to perform the amazing work they do up there. Also, knowing the dedication with which all the NASA family honors those who have perished in our mission to explore space.” After having spent six months on the International Space Station as flight engineer for Expedition 9, Mike Fincke commented that he had always been a fan of the space program, but now that he had actually been to space, he could say without a doubt, “It’s worth the money and it’s worth the time for us to reach for the stars, Americans and Russians working together.” Upper St. Clair can take pride that Lesley Retallick Lee is not only doing just that, but encouraging the next generation to reach for those stars as well! 

Author of this article and USC teacher Pat Palazzolo, was the Pennsylvania “Teacher-in-Space” finalist for the ill-fated Challenger mission. Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Putting Physics to the Test

Gaygan, and Corey Trout Left to right: Brandi Cheetham, Jill to turn on a toaster. ct proje gather together with their en? But, where would it fit in the kitch

Upper St. Clair High School students in Tracy Doyle’s physics class put

their lessons to work when their teacher challenged them to develop a complex method to perform a simple task. Tracy based her challenge on the satirical cartoons of Rube Goldberg. Working in small groups, students had to design a new process to perform one of five common tasks: turning off an alarm clock, putting toothpaste on a toothbrush, putting coins into a bank, turning on a radio, or toasting a piece of bread. The new process had to have a minimum of five steps, and the students had to write about the physics involved with each step.

Left to right: Kiersten Luther and

One of the most interesting parts of the project for Tracy was when a project wasn’t working the way the students thought it would. They had to figure out where and why they were having problems. She commented, “I like when they struggle to find a solution.”

No squeezing the tube in the middle with this invention!

Maret Seitz save money with flair!

Maret Seitz, Kiersten Luther, Stephanie Maloney, and Jordan Perry worked on a complex method to put a coin in a bank, which included using a pulley and sending marbles down a chute. Working the process backwards at times, Maret remarked, “It was cool putting it together.” Jill Gaygan, Brandi Cheetham, Courey Trout, Jamie Harshman, and Karly Roberts decided to find a new method to turn on a toaster. Their process started by pulling a string, which lifted a jug that swung and knocked over CD cases. The falling cases hit a battery which slid down a tube, knocking over cassette tapes. The cassette tapes hit a golf ball, causing it to go through

Eisenhower First Graders Roll Over the Competition It was another successful season for Eisenhower

students and their families who bowled for fun and competed for the Eisenhower Cup. The annual “Eisenhower Cup Challenge” has been held the last three years for all students, grades K-4, and is a time for children to share some common experiences outside of school with classmates and their families. This event is successful because so many families participate each year. A record number 445 bowlers joined in the fun and participated in this year’s challenge. The challenge concluded with first-level students and their families knocking down the most total pins—24,392 to be exact! First level now has its place in history marked on the coveted cup, which is displayed in the school’s main office. 

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

The first grade teachers are so proud that their students won the Eisenhower Cup they want it to shine! Left to right, front row: Kelly Young and Krystle Grove; back row: Jen Daley, Amy Beyerl, Kristen Rauber, and Jayme Solomon

Pizza Anyone? This year’s fifth level students from Mrs.

Eric Petrichevich, who worked with Jack Mathews, Evan Magliocca, Gary Snyder, and J.T. Pion, gets ready to squeeze a tube of toothpaste.

some cups where it hit another ball. The second ball went through some tubes, and landed on the toaster lever. While the students commented that making their project work was hard, it made them think in different ways. 

Ford’s science classes may never look at a delivery pizza without thinking of the Periodic Table of Elements. In science class the students learned how to determine the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons a particular atom of an element has by using the Periodic Table. Each student was assigned a specific element to research. The information had to include the number of protons, neutrons, and Anna Schneid displays electrons an atom of their element had using what the element chlorine. they had learned in class. Next, they had to decide what they would use to represent the different parts of one atom of their element (buttons for the neutrons, cheerios for the electrons, coins for the neutrons, etc.). The bottom half of a pizza box was used to display the 3-D model of the atom they’d created. The research they gathered about their element was typed and taped on the inside lid of the pizza box. Not only were the pizza boxes a great way to display the students’ finished projects, but they also helped keep the projects organized and made them easy to store. Bon appetit!  Laura Baumann displays a calcium model and James Southorn displays phosphorus.

Support Our 2005 High School Varsity Football Team Cheer on our Panthers in the Quad North Conference!

Kick-offs Fridays—7:30 p.m. at Panther Stadium August 26

Non-Conference Game USC plays Canon McMillan

September 16 Youth Night

USC faces Mt. Lebanon*

September 30 Halls of Fame

USC battles Bethel Park*

October 7 Homecoming

USC confronts North Hills*

October 21 Senior Recognition Night (Band, Cheerleader and Football)

*Conference Game

USC challenges Shaler*

Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

3 X 4 = Birdie! Terry Abbott

The fifth grade IB students in the

Cilli-Henderson Team at Boyce Middle School attentively watch the monitor as the seconds begin to tick away to “tee time!” Half of the students in the room are the caddies and half of the students are the golfers who are ready to take their basic math facts time test. The golfers know that the better they score on their math facts test, the better they will score on their golf scorecard. All caddies and golfers are ready to do their best in a creative new math program that has caused a tremendous amount of excitement among the students on the team. Teachers Matt Henderson and Kristin Cilli wanted to find a way to improve their students’ memorization of basic math facts, and at the same time involve their students in a fun and entertaining activity. They found the common denominator to be golf. Both teachers are huge golf enthusiasts, and they wanted to bring this wonderful game that teaches values and etiquette into the classroom in a meaningful way. The program they developed is called “Ryder Cup Math.” It begins when the students take weekly math facts tests and then translate their scores into golf scores (birdie, par, bogey, etc.). Each student has a scorecard that is completed as he or she plays the math golf course that consists of 18 holes (tests). Each week the class and the teachers determine the average score of the classroom, and then compare the class average to a score earned by a professional golfer that week,

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like Tiger Woods or Vijay Singh. They then compete in a Ryder Cup style match against professional golfers throughout the entire 18 weeks. The students have the opportunity to earn bonus strokes when they putt on golf holes that are set up in the classroom. The program is also used to promote the global IB concept, and students regularly research professional golfers and engage in lessons that are focused on the information they acquire from this research. In addition, students use daily (driving range) practice papers to keep their skills on basic math facts sharp for the week’s upcoming hole, which is usually played on Friday afternoons. Boyce teachers and District administrators are often invited into the classroom to be celebrity golfers, and their scores are incorporated in the class average for the week. The students have really enjoyed the program and are always eager to play.  Mr. Henderson and Mrs. Cilli are hoping to improve and add to the program by finding local support and a possible partnership for the activity. If you are interested in hearing more about the “Ryder Cup Math” program or becoming a supporter or partner in the program, please contact Matt Henderson at 412-833-1600, extension 5054 or email to mhenderson@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

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Family Bingo was a fun way to spend time with Grammy!

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ing to a stream of numbers, hoping for the ones to pay off on their card. Family Bingo was sponsored by the Streams PTA and offered a chance for children, parents, and even grandparents to spend a fun evening together. 

Summer 2005

Hoops for Hearts at Boyce Dana Pears and Matt Mellinger, Boyce physical education teachers “Hoops for Heart” was a fun-filled, heart-

healthy way to raise funds for the American Heart Association. After a week of basketball games, the two finalist teams for fifth level and sixth level competed before their peers and teachers. After the contest between the students, they combined to form one team and competed against Boyce staff members. The students defeated the Boyce staff members.

The tournament was a success because of the support of Karen Brown, Boyce principal, Justin Gremba, Boyce administrative assistant, and all the Boyce staff members. Special thanks go to the families of the students, and the students themselves, for raising over $1200. All contributions went to the American Heart Association for lifesaving cardiovascular research and education. 

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Reading Night with Dad

The Eisenhower PTA hosted its third annual “Reading Night with Dad” at Eisen-

hower school, and once again the night was a huge success! Dads, granddads, uncles, and 163 children came together to enjoy a good book. Eleven guest readers, including school board directors Angela Petersen and Glenn Groninger, principal Mark Miller’s father, USC police officer Kevin Kubala, and USCVFD firefighter Mike Russell kept the children interested in a wide range of books. Throughout the evening the children rotated through three different reading themes. They listened to a guest reader and then chose from a variety of books to read with their family member. PTA hosts and hostesses provided the books for each theme. 

Valentine’s Social

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The guys were

decked out…

… and so were the girls!

Middle school students at Fort Couch had a

great time on Friday, February 11 at the school’s annual Valentine social. Music and dancing were the focus of the evening, with occasional breaks for snacks. Fortunately, the USC police were on hand to handcuff PTA President Annette Tomasetti to the refreshment table so the kids never ran out of good things to eat! 

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The USC Football Boosters Annual Golf Outing Monday June 6, 2005 St. Clair Country Club

18 Hole Event 9 Hole Terrace Scrambles This is always a fun event attended by Coach Render, his staff, alumni, and friends. Interested in participating? Contact Kenny or Frannie Brown at 412-854-4512.

As Always, We Look Forward to a Fun-filled, Sold Out Event. Hope to See You There.

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Paw Prints Arts in Education “A Different Kind of Hero” was the theme for the National PTA’s Reflections

program, in its annual Arts in Education competition. Early in August, students were invited to ponder this theme and express their ideas artistically through literature, photography, music, and visual arts. Over 100 USC students participated, and their works were truly inspired. Entries featured moms and dads, seeing eye dogs and everyday pets, firefighters and police, and war veterans and teachers. Judging began at the local school level, with the top five entries from each category moving on to the PTA council level. The winning entries at the Council level represented USC at the PTA District 10 level. Eighty-four of the 662 entries received at District 10 advanced to state competition. Eleven of the 84 entries for the state competition were from USC students. Congratulations to all the students who participated in Reflections 2004-05. 

Eisenhower winners (left to right) front row: Mackenzie Rodgers, Zachary Lazur, Benjamin Nadler, Heather Godwin; middle row: Julia Mackewich; back row: Chrysann Panos, Adam Taraszewski, Morgan Hogenmiller, Erin McNamara

Boyce Middle School winners (left to right): Michael Sweterlitsch, David Trombetta, Akhil Venkatesh, Michael Boyas, Jennifer Lloyd, Avisha Shah, Marissa Bowman, Caroline Robinson, Rachel Amoroso, Christie Parkinson, Karrah Beck Streams winners(left to right): Ally Steve, Alex Bowman, Kendall Robinson, Manoli Despines

Fort Couch winners (left to right): Matt Boyas, Chelsea Lane, Alex Bishop, and Brenna Thomson with principal Joe DeMar (center)

Baker winners (left to right): Erin Pacalo, Aubrey Carson, Abigail Elias, Alyssa DeShields, and Eric Grubbs with Kathy Painter, Reflections chair (far left) and Dr. Ruth Ann Matyuf, principal (far right)

USC Council winners Music: Manoli Despines, Michael Boyas, Christie Parkinson, Chelsea Lane, Devtulya Kavathekar, Matthew Boyas, Jessica Frey Literature: Abigail Elias, Eric Grubbs, Alyssa DeShields, Morgan Hogenmiller, Erin Pacalo, David Trombetta, Akhil Venkatesh, Marissa Bowman, Chrysann Panos, Mackenzie Rodgers, Avisha Shah, Jennifer Lloyd, Matthew Boyas, Jessica Frey Photography: Erin McNamara, Alex Bowman, Michael Swelterlitsch (four entries), Brenna Thomson, Faith Beck Visual Arts: Ally Steve, Aubrey Carson, Benjamin Nadler, Zachary Lazur, Heather Godwin, Julia Mackewich, Kendall Robinson, Adam Taraszewski (three entries), Christie Parkinson, Caroline Robinson, Marissa Bowman

District 10 winners Music: Manoli Despines, Matthew Boyas Literature: Akhil Venkatesh Photography: Erin McNamara, Alex Bowman (honorable mention), Brenna Thomson Visual Arts: Zachary Lazur, Christie Parkinson, Adam Taraszewski (three entries) 44

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

PTA Council Awards Honorary Life Memberships

DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW? DID YOU KNOW?

Amy Billerbeck, PTA Council President

GATE Committee Formed

On February 2, USC PTA Council celebrated

Founders Day, marking the 108th anniversary of the founding of PTA. PTA was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1897, and has been instrumental in establishing many programs we take for granted today, such as hot lunches, required immunizations, the juvenile justice system, and more. Did you know that PTA is the oldest and largest volunteer association working exclusively on behalf of all children and youth? As part of the Founders Day celebration each year, PTA Council awards two individuals with Honorary Pennsylvania PTA Life Memberships for their significant contributions to Upper St. Clair PTA over the years. Congratulations and many thanks to this year’s honorees, for their countless hours of dedication and service to our PTAs and the children of our District! This year the honorees are: Lori Feldmann, PTA Council Board Advisor Lori has been active in PTA for over ten years, chairing many committees and events at Streams, Boyce, and Fort Couch. She served as PTA secretary at Streams, as PTA Council presiAmy Billerbeck, PTA dent in the 2003-04 Council president, presents school year, and is award to Lori Feldmann currently PTA Council board advisor. Congratulations Lori. Mary Ann Stabile, Secretary to the Superintendent Mary Ann has assisted all of the USC PTAs over the years in their interactions with School District administration and central office staff. She facilitates communications District-wide, distributes information Mary Ann Stabile accepts to parents, adminisaward from Amy Billerbeck trators, and school board members, assists with program and speaker scheduling, and helps each committee carry out its duties in many ways. Congratulations Mary Ann. 

DID YOU KNOW?

The USC PTA Council has established a new standing committee entitled the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Committee. Approved at the February USC PTA Council meeting, the committee’s objective is to provide information and support to parents of academically talented and gifted students. The GATE committee is charged with working with local PTA units, parents, staff members, and school administrators to promote understanding, provide support, and schedule programs on subjects that relate to the special education needs of gifted and academically talented students. This committee will provide a more structured mechanism for parents of gifted children to work within and enable more efficient delivery of information to parents. It is not designed to advocate for individual students or situations. The co-chairs for the remainder of the current school year are Shree Kumar (shree@yahoo.com, 412-851-0920) and Elise Boyas (mmejboyas@aol.com, 412-914-0777).

So Long, Farewell

Left to right: Dr. Kevin Deitrick, Carson Murphy, Caitlin Allebrand, Rachel Starr, David McCurrie

Fort Couch students had the chance to express their best wishes and say goodbye to Dr. Kevin Deitrick during their lunch periods on Thursday, February 10. Dr. Deitrick accepted a position with the North Allegheny School District. In addition to saying their personal goodbyes, each student wrote him a letter. The letters were placed in binders and presented to Dr. Deitrick that day.

Douglass Receives National Award Sophomore Blair Douglass was recently awarded the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) “Yes I Can” national academic award. Blair, a student in the High School’s IB program, was Blair Douglass honored at the CEC’s national convention this past April.

USCHS Forensics Places at Championships USCHS forensics team claimed third place at the Pennsylvania High School Speech League District III championships this past February. Individual winners were: Matt Lentz, 2005 District III oral poetry interpretation champion; Andrew McNally and Vijay Nair, district runners up in duo; Anish Mathur, district runner up in oral interpretation of prose; Ravi Mehta, district runner up in extemporaneous speaking; Drew Aloe, third place in humorous interpretation; Chelsea Cramer, fourth place in humorous interpretation; Helene Schlein, fourth place in dramatic interpretation; Adi Rao, fourth place in prose interpretation; Matt Prorok and Blair Douglass, fourth place in public forum debate; Neesha Hathi and Neha Mehta, fifth place in duo; Mohit Kudaravalli, fifth place in extemporaneous commentary; Miriam Loebman, sixth place in poetry oral interpretation. Five speakers qualified for the state championships held at Susquehanna University last month. Congratulations on a great season!

USCHS Yearbook Wins Award The 2004 Clairvoyant staff was awarded the Herff Jones Showcase Award for the 11th consecutive year. Melissa Tungate and Keith Froelich received Gold Awards for achievement as teacher sponsors, while students Alex Langley, Catherine Peterson, and Blair Ashley received Yearbook Achievement awards. 

Indoor Track—Out in Front USC’s participants in indoor track had a great winter season! At the Pennsylvania Track and Field Coaches Association Meet, Rob Rankin placed second in shot put, while the girls 4 x 8 relay took third, and the girls 4 x 4 relay took sixth. Nationally, at the Nike Indoor Challenge, the girls 4 x 8 relay team of Beth Deidrich, Catherine Fitzgerald, Sara Sukenik, and Katie Orchowski placed third; Rob Rankin placed fifth in shot put.

Announcements on TV You can watch the USC High School announcements every weekday morning at 7:30 a.m. on Adelphia Cable channel 19. Summer 2005

2004-05 USCHS Winter Sports Results Sport

Wins-Losses

Basketball–Boys 27-3 2005 WPIAL AAAA Section Champions Basketball–Girls 12-12 Swimming/Diving–Boys 6-7 Swimming/Diving–Girls 7-6 Rifle 9-5 Wrestling 15-9 USCHS basketball coach Danny Holzer was named high school boys’ basketball “Coach of the Year” by the Post-Gazette, with a 2004-05 season record of 27-3. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

WTAE Meteorologist Visits Eisenhower It was a cold and snowy day in early March when

WTAE meteorologist Don Schwenneker, cameraman Gary O’Data, and Marilyn Fitzsimmons from the Carnegie Science Center, arrived at Eisenhower for an afternoon of weather-related learning and fun. After introductions, principal Mark Miller escorted Don and his crew to the gym, where they quickly set up for their presentation. It was obvious they had done this many times before since they had everything ready to go in less than five minutes! Don said they make about 30 school visits each year. Typically they visit a new school each week during the academic year, taking a week off near the winter holidays. A week or two at the end of the school year is left unscheduled—in case they have to make up for a snow day! Don said he really enjoys visiting s ter’ Cen the schools, commenting that the kids nce Scie ie Carneg Marilyn Fitzsimmons are very attentive. “This is my very favorite thing to do,” he said. Another part of Don’s job that he especially likes is covering thunderstorms and tornados. He explained that many meteorologists have a favorite weather event (according to Don, Joe DeNardo’s favorite is winter storms), and after growing up in Iowa, he is interested in the severe weather typically seen in Pittsburgh’s warmer months.

After set-up, Don and company were treated to a catered lunch, compliments of Eisenhower’s teachers. Giant Eagle at Village Square provided cake for dessert, a cake to take back to the studio, and flowers for the tables. After lunch it was back to the gym where the excited students gathered for the afternoon’s activities. Marilyn conducted weather-related experiments for almost an hour. Don followed with his presentation, taking time at the end to answer questions. Don’s visit to Eisenhower was especially interesting for the first level students, who were studying a unit on weather. First level teachers Kelly Young, Krystle Grove, Jen Daley, Amy Beyerl, Kristen Rauber, and Jayme Solomon, along with art teacher Michele Scureman and principal Mark Miller, coordinated WTAE meteorolog ist the visit.  Don Schwenneker

2005 Upper St. Clair School District Calendar (May 16–July 4, 2005)

All events are subject to change. For the most up to date information, please check the calendar on the School District’s website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Legend: BA – Baker Elementary • BO – Boyce Middle • CO – Central Office • EI – Eisenhower Elementary • FC – Fort Couch Middle • HS – High School • ST – Streams Elementary May 2005 16-24 HS–IB Tests 16-27 HS–Spring Art Exhibit 17 HS–Art Awards Night (LGI) @ 5-10 p.m. BA/EI/ST–Elementary Strings Concert (HS Theatre) @ 7:30 p.m. 18 HS–PTSO Meeting (Room 148/149) @ 9:30 a.m. HS–Spring Sports Banquet ST–4th Level Special Night @ 7-9 p.m. 19 HS–Senior Banquet FC–Band Concert (HS Theatre) @ 7:30 p.m. 20 HS–Band Parent Changeover Meeting (LGI) @ 7:30 p.m. FC–Teacher Appreciation Luncheon @ 11:15 a.m. ST–Fun & Fitness Night EI–PTA Meeting @ 9:30 a.m. 21 Community Day 23 ST–PTA Luncheon 24 HS–Band Concert (Theatre) @ 7:30 p.m. EI–4th Level Farewell (High School) @ 6-9 p.m. 25 HS–Honors Banquet @ 6:00 p.m. 25-26 HS–Band Orientation (Band Room) @ 4-6 p.m. 26 BA/EI/ST–Elementary Band Concert (HS Theatre) @ 7:30 p.m. BA/EI–3rd Level Moyer Testing 27 HS–Band Orientation (Band Room & Stadium) @ 4-7:30 p.m.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

30 31

ST–3rd Level Moyer Testing (AM) Memorial Day–No School HS–Awards Night @ 7:30 p.m.

June 2005 1 2

3 6

HS–Choral Concert (Theatre) @ 7:30 p.m. CO–PTA Council @ 9:30 a.m. HS–Last Senior Day HS–Jazz Concert (LGI) @ 7 p.m. FC–8th Level Farewell Party (MPR/Gym/NC) @ 7-9 p.m. EI–Kindergarten Field Events Day HS–Graduation Practice FC–Field Events Day BA–Field Day HS–Graduation Practice Make-Up FC–Field Events Rain Date EI–Kindergarten Field Day BA/EI/ST–4th Level Parent Orientation (Boyce) @ 7 p.m. HS–String-A-Thon Concert (Theatre) @ 7:30 p.m. HS–Cap/Gown & Graduation Practice Make-Up EI–Field Events (1-4) BA–Kindergarten Orientation BO–Incoming 7th Level Parent Meeting (FC MPR) @ 7-9 p.m. ST–Field Day EI–Kindergarten Field Day Rain Date

Summer 2005

HS–Prom BA/EI/ST–4th Level Move-Up Day EI–Cultural Arts Day 10 FC–Move-Up Day BO–Field Day ST–Field Day Rain Date EI–Field Day Rain Date (1-4) Last Student Day (Pending Snow Make-Up Days) 11 High School Graduation Ceremony @ 11 a.m. Panther Stadium 20 Kennywood Day 21-23 HS–String Camp (Rooms 203, 206, 207, 311, 312, 314, LGI, Band, Ensemble, Choir) 24 Report Cards Mailed 28-30 HS–String Camp (Rooms 203, 206, 207, 311, 312, 314, LGI, Band, Ensemble, Choir)

July 2005 4

Independence Day–School District Offices Closed

Upper St. Clair High School Graduation Ceremony Saturday, June 11, 2005, at 11 a.m. Panther Stadium

Wild About You High School biology teacher Ed Callahan and

many of his students were at the USC Township Library on February 19 with a menagerie of animals. The Children’s Library became a small zoo for the morning as the public had a chance to learn about the many different animals at the event. Some of the more adventurous attendees had the opportunity to touch and hold the animals. 

Maureen Cavanaugh The Proof is in the Performance

ce and her friend, Anna Marie Justi tarantula. e th ip, Phill

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Danny Spatz and his dad, Bill, mee chinchilla held by Pat Foley. t a

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Lena Werner is brave enough to touch the mouse held by Juliana Hendrick.

• ERISA—BENEFIT ISSUES • ESTATE PLANNING • RETIREMENT PLANNING • BUSINESS PLANNING • TAX PLANNING

(412) 854-3838 910 Summerfield Commons 2543 Washington Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Philip Heinrich holds Louise Means’ double yellow-headed Amazon parrot, Big Bird.

Email: gablerpc@gablerpc.com Summer 2005

www.gablerpc.com

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Keeping Kids Safe at the Cybermall Bob Obrosky, USC School District Director of Technology How comfortable are you dropping your child off at the

mall and leaving him or her there unsupervised? You might say our mall is pretty safe, but consider the same question about a mall in a strange neighborhood or strange town. Feel just as comfortable? I’m betting not. Allowing your child or children to “hang out” unsupervised on the Internet should cause you to feel just as uneasy. The Internet is a wonderful and powerful resource. Its value as a research and information tool is immeasurable. A savvy Internet user has access to hundreds of readily available reference tools—encyclopedias, English and world language dictionaries, atlases, compilations of quotations, medical libraries, etc. The Internet also offers wonderful communication and entertainment opportunities. Using the web, one can stay in touch with friends, meet new people, explore ideas, and play interactive games with people halfway around the world. People can shop and barter online and even purchase movie and event tickets. However, the positive potential of the Internet should not lull us into complacency about its darker, negative side. The value of the Internet as a research, reference, and communications tool in our schools continues to grow rapidly. Residents should be assured that very thorough and sophisticated measures are in place in our District to prevent Internet access available at school from providing any connection to inappropriate material or potentially harmful individuals. The alternative to having such protective resources in the average home is parental understanding of the Internet’s down side, and how important it is that children’s use of it is supervised.

Conscientious parents would not, of course, wish to risk their child’s innocence or safety. Just as a parent would not allow a child free access to certain kinds of reading material or movies, the same care should be taken to insure that the home computer isn’t a direct connection to similar influences. Hate-sites, prodrug sites, and sites that offer just about anything you can think of that you would not want your child to explore freely are easily accessed on your home computer on the Internet or on computers in his friends’ homes. Recent local history reminds us that there are predators or bullies out there who may use the Internet to take advantage of children’s innocence and trust for purposes that would harm them. Be aware that such individuals work through websites, newsgroups, and 48

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

chat rooms to get familiar with children. Your tools for protection are information about these potential negatives and supervision of your children so that they don’t encounter them, or that they know how to deal with them if they do. If you are an Internet user yourself, by entering terms such as “Internet, safety, and children” in a search on a site like Google (www.google.com) you’ll be presented with dozens of useful resources that offer information and tools that will help you protect your children. The information found at www.fbi.gov/ publications/pguide/pguidee.htm is quite comprehensive. The following is advice common to most sites about steps parents can take to help keep their children safe while they use the Internet. • Gather information. Attend or take on-line classes, spend time listening or talk with other concerned parents about children’s safety on the Internet. • Place the computer where its use can be observed and supervised. Is your computer in the family room or in your child’s bedroom? Notice if your child turns off the monitor or changes the screen when you come into the room. • If your child has access to a home computer during hours when you cannot supervise the activity, consider software such as Net Nanny, CyberPatrol, iProtectYou or Norton Parental Control that will provide limitations to free access. Only grant them Internet access during times when you can observe them. • Participate with your child while he or she is online. Get to know the programs and services they use. Ask them to show you how those programs work. Find out your child’s screen name, passwords, and also their friends’ screen names. • Make your children aware of the unhealthy things that they can encounter on the Internet. Make sure they understand that they should never give out personal information such as address, telephone numbers, location of their school, where you work, etc. They should never email their photograph to anyone they and you do not know. • Have them tell you immediately if they discover information or materials on the Internet that makes them feel uncomfortable. • Have them agree never to meet with strangers over the Internet or to respond to messages that might come from a stranger. • Think “mall.” Be diligent and consistent about supervision. Be aware that the police department is available to help you if you encounter problems that you feel cross lines of legality. These steps are a pretty good start to Internet safety. Consider them, and use them for your child’s safety and for your own peace of mind. 

Upper St. Clair High School Halls Of Fame Mission Statement: To identify and to honor those who have distinguished themselves in academics, the arts, or athletics at the high school, collegiate, or professional level and who, in so doing, have contributed to the pride and prestige of Upper St. Clair High School. A former student must meet the following criteria to be considered for any of the three Halls of Fame. The individual must be

a graduate of Upper St. Clair High School and must be away from the high school for at least five years. The individual must have made a positive contribution during high school as well as significant achievements after leaving USCHS. Students are nominated by members of the high school staff, an Upper St. Clair alumnus, or the Upper St. Clair community. Administrative staff, teachers, and coaches are also eligible. Each Hall of Fame committee will include representatives from the high school staff, alumni, and the community. Nominees must earn a 75% vote of a quorum of the committee. During and after high school, the student could have excelled in one or more of the following: Arts • School and Local Awards • District and Regional Awards • • State and National Recognition • Contributions in the Field • • Post Graduate Recognition • Collegiate Recognition • • Professional Accomplishments • • School Service and/or Leadership in Field • • Benefactor of the Arts • Contributions to Society • • Excellent Citizenship •

Athletics • High School Awards and Records • • WPIAL or PIAA Champion • Post Season Recognition • • National Recognition • Multiple Sport Consideration • • Post Graduate Recognition • • Collegiate Accomplishments • • Professional Accomplishments • • Leadership Accomplishments • • Other Hall of Fame Honors • Media Recognition • • Excellent Citizenship •

Academics • Academic Honors • National Merit Recognition • • National Honor Society • Valedictorian • • Student of the Year • Scholarship Awards • • School Service and/or Leadership • • Post Graduate Recognition • Collegiate Recognition • • Publication of Work • Professional Accomplishments • • Contributions to Society • Excellent Citizenship •

2005 Halls of Fame Inductee Nomination Nominee’s Name: ________________________________ My nominee should be honored in the Upper St. Clair High School Halls of Fame because: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (include a separate sheet if necessary)

All Nominations Due June 3, 2005. Please submit your name, address, and phone number along with your completed nomination to: Principal’s Office Halls of Fame Committee Upper St. Clair High School 1825 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

USC Kennywood Day

Monday, June 20

Rides open at 11 a.m. Bus servic available e is fr Fort Cou om Middle S ch chool.

ater Bottled wby the provided Foundation nity Commu the shelter at ill. he Old M t d in h e b

Ticket Sale Price

$18

Ticket sales available from Kennywood personnel on Friday, May 20 at the following school buildings: High School 6:45–7:45 a.m. Eisenhower 8:15–8:45 a.m. Fort Couch 9–9:30 a.m. Baker 9:45–10:15 a.m. Boyce 9:45–10:15 a.m. Streams 10:30–11 a.m. St. Louise de Marillac 12:15–12:45 p.m. Watch for mailings or call PTA Kennywood representative Amy Walker at 412-833-1904 or Cheryl Ellison at School District Central Office at 412-833-1600, extension 2202. Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USC Summer School Program 2005 Application forms available at all school buildings beginning May 1, 2005 Back-To-School Reading Camp (grades K-1) Students who have completed kindergarten or first level may enroll in a special workshop designed to help compensate for regression that may take place during the summer months of play and relaxation. Phonemic awareness and phonics skills will be emphasized and some time will be devoted to individual tutoring and story comprehension. Location: Streams Elementary School Dates: August 8–12 Hours: 8:30–10 a.m. (exiting K) 10:15–11:45 a.m. (exiting grade 1) Fee: $55 Elementary Math Lab (grades 1-4) This lab is for students who are experiencing difficulty with mathematics. Manipulatives, learning games, and individual practice will be a part of this lab. Location: Streams Elementary School Dates: June 27–July 15 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30–10 a.m. (exiting grades 3, 4) 10:15–11:45 a.m. (exiting grades 1, 2) Fee: $125 $10 discount if registered by May 27. Elementary Reading Lab (grades 1-4) This lab is for students who are experiencing difficulty with reading. Each child will experience small group instruction designed to meet individual learning needs. Learning games and independent practice will also be a part of this lab. Location: Streams Elementary School Dates: June 27–July 15 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30–10 a.m. (exiting grades 1, 2) 10:15–11:45 a.m. (exiting grades 3, 4) Fee: $125 $10 discount if registered by May 27. If taking both Reading and Math Lab, combined fee is $235 per child. Keyboarding Workshop (grades 3-8) This workshop will be an opportunity for students to learn or sharpen keyboarding skills. Individualized practice will be arranged to meet varying skill levels. Enrollment will be limited to the first 60 students who enroll for each session. Location: Fort Couch Computer Lab Dates: July 18–29 Hours: 8–10 a.m., or 10:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Fee: $125

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Links to Learning through Mathematics (grades 5-8) This program is for middle school students who need to improve their skills in mathematics. The instruction will focus on the state standards and concentrate on the needs of each student. Location: Fort Couch Middle School Dates: June 27–July 15 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30–10 a.m. (exiting grades 7, 8) 10:15–11:45 a.m. (exiting grades 5, 6) Fee: $125 Links to Learning through Reading (grades 5-8) This program is for middle school students who need to improve their skills in reading. The instruction will focus on the state standards and concentrate on the needs of each student. Location: Fort Couch Middle School Dates: June 27–July 15 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30–10 a.m. (exiting grades 5, 6) 10:15–11:45 a.m. (exiting grades 7, 8) Fee: $125 Camp Invention (grades 1-5) This program is an exciting one-week invention camp. The program is created and run by National Inventors Hall of Fame, which is located in Akron, Ohio, with a local site planned for Boyce Middle School. Students will solve problems combining science, math, art, and history using their minds and imaginations. This will be of special interest to gifted and talented students. Location: Boyce Middle School Dates: June 27–July 1 Hours: 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Fee: $199 Registration is through Camp Invention at www.campinvention.org or 1-800-968-4332. High School English and Math (grades 9-12) Classes in English and mathematics will be held for students who need to repeat course work. Enrollment will be in the Guidance Office at USC High School. Location: Upper St. Clair High School Dates: June 27–August 5 (no class July 4) Hours: 7:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Fee: $100 per semester (3 weeks) $200 for the year (6 weeks)

Summer 2005

Physical Education (grades 10-12) This course is designed for students who either have not met the requirements of a previous year’s physical education class or a student who wishes to complete next year’s physical education requirement over the summer to ease their schedules for the 200506 school year. Attendance hours required for PE 11 and 12 are 30 hours; PE 10 requires 60 hours. Location: Upper St. Clair High School Dates: June 27–August 5 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30–11:30 a.m. Fee: $150 (30 hours for PE 11 and 12), $275 (60 hours for PE 10) Make-ups charged on a per diem basis at $20 per day. An afternoon session may be added if enrollment permits. C-MITES Summer Program–Food Science (grades 3-5) Food Science is a two-week summer program that is being offered in Upper St. Clair by Carnegie Mellon University’s Institute for Talented Elementary Students (CMITES). This is an exciting and entertaining program for academically talented students currently in grades 3-5. This course is full of experiments and the science that explains them. Determine levels of compounds like sugar, vitamins, and fat in your favorite foods. Watch molecules in motion. Create, investigate, and eat protein puffs. Work with your team to complete experiments and solve problems like why food looks and smells so bad when it spoils, what the words and numbers on food nutrition labels really mean, and what happens to food as it passes through your body. Location: Streams Elementary School Dates: June 20–July 1 Hours: 9 a.m.–noon Fee: $325 (C-Mite tested), $375 (non C-Mite tested) Call 412-268-1629 or visit the website www.cmu.edu/cmites to register by April 13.

Registration Information • Registration is underway now through one week before each class starts. Note the discount for certain elementary level classes. • All classes are subject to cancellation based on enrollment. • Applications for high school classes are available at the Guidance Office in the High School; for elementary and middle school classes, please visit the principal’s office at each school. • Student transportation to summer school is a parental responsibility. • Families for whom tuition presents a hardship are encouraged to contact the counselor at their child’s school. • Students who do not attend Upper St. Clair schools will be accepted on a spaceavailable basis. • Make checks payable to Upper St. Clair School District.

Tri-Community South EMS Breaks Ground for New Facility Tri-Community South EMS staff,

government officials, and municipal managers didn’t mind the cold and snow on March 1, 2005; the day was filled with excitement for the groundbreaking for its new headquarters and Bethel Park ambulance base. The new building will be built at 5490 Progress Boulevard in Bethel Park and will include garage space, crew areas, and the system’s business offices. The building will total 14,100 square feet compared to the current 2000-square-foot EMS base at 2470 Slater Road, Bethel Park. The new facility is expected to be occupied by October 2005. The Progress Boulevard site is closer to the geographic center of Tri-Community South’s service area. With improved street access and with the garages located adjacent to the EMS base, response times, already good, should improve. For the first time in the system’s history, it will have garage space for all of its vehicles. At present, and for the entire 27-year history of Tri-Community South, at least two vehicles had to be stored outside. At the new site, crews will be able to reach the vehicles directly from the crew area. Most recently, they had to walk 500 yards to reach the garage area. Most importantly, the garage area will be secure and under the direct control of a security system. Currently, it shares garage space in the public works garage. The business office will have file storage space and enough work stations to accommodate all employees as well as all of its records that cannot be accommodated in its current base and are stored at the Upper St. Clair Municipal building. A classroom and meeting area, sufficient to accommodate the entire staff, is also included. At present, the system must depend on outside agencies to host training sessions, since the current meeting and classroom areas are inadequate to accommodate more than half of the system’s staff. A paved parking area will be another first for the system. The new facility is expected to cost about 2.1 million dollars. About half of that amount will be financed, and a building fund drive is in the development stages.

The home of Tri-Community South operations has moved several times over the years. The first ambulance base was near the existing building in Bethel Park’s public works complex on Slater Road. Tri-Community South shared space in this building with the Bethel Park sewer department and the Teen Job Bank. The building had originally been built as temporary quarters for the Bethel Park Police Department during the 1967 construction of the Bethel Park Municipal building. When this construction was completed, the building was reassembled at the public works site and

Tri-Community groundbreaking ceremony, March 2005

had a variety of uses until occupied fully by Tri-Community South in 1979. Garage space was provided in the public works garage, 100 feet from the base. Staff members had a few run-ins with the large geese that would congregate in the lot and snap at their ankles! Though far from optimal, this arrangement would continue in Bethel Park for the next 27 years. The business office was originally located in the Upper St. Clair Municipal Building in an office shared with the Director of Public Works and the Township Forester. In 1979, space was found in the county park on Buffalo Drive. Two large, but poorly insulated, poorly heated, and non-air-conditioned rooms on the second floor provided sufficient space but little comfort for Tri-Community South’s operation. With the additions to the Bethel Park Municipal Building in 1982, the office moved to much smaller, though better, quarters in this new space. Still, the growing volume of business necessitated yet another move. On June 30, 1997, Tri-Community South celebrated the opening of its current

business office and Bethel Park ambulance base in the public works complex at the current Slater Road site, about 500 feet from the former base. Modest space was provided. At a total of 2000 square feet, the operation continued to grow, and the space soon became inadequate. Tri-Community South also operates from bases in South Park and Upper St. Clair. The South Park base was first occupied on February 26, 1978, in the police department garage that had been carpeted. The roll-up door was bolted shut, and temporary dividers with doors were built to keep exhaust fumes out of the base. The ambulance was kept in the adjoining garage bay. This base was renovated in 1992 as part of the overall renovations to the municipal complex. Permanent walls and doors were installed at this time, and the heating and cooling systems were connected to those of the other occupied areas of the building. In 1978, crews sat on office chairs in the hall of the Upper St. Clair municipal offices during the daylight hours, and in the reception area of the planning office at night. After several moves around the building, in 1982 a space was allocated in a renovated former police department garage. This base was moved in 1985 as part of the renovation of the municipal building. The current base includes space for secure medication and equipment storage, lockers, showers, equipped kitchen, emergency power, and a room that can be used as sleeping quarters in the event of an incident that requires extended staffing. Tri-Community South will continue to use the South Park and Upper St. Clair bases during the daylight and evening shifts in order to reduce response times to the farthest reaches of the service area. The headquarters of Tri-Community South has come a long way in 27 years. The highly organized and efficient new facility will enhance the day-to-day services of Tri-Community and enable them once again to have the space to host training sessions. Visit Tri-Community’s website at www.tcsems.org to view photos showing the progress of the new building, or call Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for any Tri-Community information. 

Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Township of Upper St. Clair Frank E. Marsh President, Ward 5

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 724-941-6244 2007*

2005 Comprehensive Plan is Underway The 2005 Comprehensive Plan preparation is currently underway and we need

Robert W. Orchowski

Vice President, Ward 3 Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-1868 2007*

Preston W. Shimer Ward 1

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-221-1736 2007*

Gloria Smith Ward 2

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-833-1284 2005*

Ched Mertz Ward 4

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-833-3631 2005*

Bill Bates At Large

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-257-8115 2007*

your help. The Department of Planning and Community Development is working with Environmental Planning and Design (EPD) to create an effective Comprehensive Plan that can guide the Township through the next decade. The first of a series of public meetings was held on February 21, 2005, to review and educate the community on the Comprehensive Plan process. Please check the Township website for upcoming public meetings scheduled throughout the year. Community input is a large part of the foundation of this document. You are encouraged to attend these public listening sessions to express your thoughts so that our community continues to be as successful in the future as it has been in the past and continues to be today. 

Finance Department Emergency and Municipal Services Tax PA Act 222 of 2004 On November 21, 2004, House Bill 197 was passed by the state legislature and

was signed into law shortly thereafter by Governor Rendell to become PA Act 222 of 2004. This piece of legislation automatically replaced the former Occupational Privilege Tax as defined in Act 511 to the new Emergency and Municipal Services Tax. The act allowed municipalities to enact their own levy from a minimum of $10 to a maximum of $52 annually on individuals employed by businesses and employers operating within the municipality’s borders. A low-income exemption was also contained in the new law that established a range of up to $12,000 in wages that could be exempted from the new tax. The following restricted uses of the funds derived from the new tax were also established in the act: 1. Expenditures for police, fire, and/or emergency services. 2. Expenditures for road construction and/or maintenance. 3. Reduction of property taxes. The Township advertised, in accordance with requirements of Act 511, a public hearing be held on December 20, 2004, for the purpose of enacting the new legislation and establishing the levy and low-income exemption amounts. After the public hearing was closed, the Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance number 1927, which established a new levy of $52 per year and a low-income exemption per person of $3200 per year. Based on testimony presented at the public hearing, the new tax as enacted will provide additional revenues of $220,000 annually to the Township, and over 75% of the individuals paying the tax will be nonresidents. 

Township of Upper St. Clair Meeting Dates • The Board of Commissioners meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal building. The regular public meeting is held the first Monday of the month in the Board Meeting Room. The informational and general affairs meeting is held the last Monday of the month in the Board Meeting Room.

Ernest T. Harris At Large

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-1119 2005*

• The Planning Commission meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. • Parks and Recreation Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., no meeting in December. • Zoning Hearing Board meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m. • Civil Hearing Board meets as needed. • Building/Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board meets as needed.

*Date indicates expiration of term.

5252 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 2005 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer Summer 2005

Visit our website - www.twpusc.org

Highlights of the Board of Commissioners Meetings All business regarding the operation of the Township is conducted at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Citizens are invited to comment on any Township matter. Complete Board minutes can be found at the Library or on the website at www.twpusc.org. For more information, call 412-831-9000. December 6, 2004 Approximately 32 people attended.

Proclamations and Recognitions: • Commissioner Mertz presented a proclamation to Christopher Peterson recognizing his attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout. • The Upper St. Clair High School boys’ soccer team received a proclamation presented by Commissioner Mertz in honor of its second consecutive state championship. • Megan Trachok (not in attendance) received a Certificate of Achievement for her WPIAL girls’ golf championship. The Board: • Adopted Bill No. 17-04 granting unified conditional use and preliminary and final land development approval to the Chick-Fil-A restaurant, 1604 Washington Road, subject to certain modifications and conditions. • Adopted Bill No. 18-04 granting preliminary and final subdivision approval to Trotwood Extension Plan No. 9, a re-subdivision of lots 802 and 809 in Trotwood Extension Plan No. 8, subject to certain conditions. • Adopted Resolution No. 1446 establishing Monday, February 7, 2005, as a public hearing date for PLC04-1301, Amendment to Chapter 130 of the Township Code entitled “Zoning” to revise the storage structure requirements within the Special Business District (SB); to revise the Restricted Light Industrial District (RM) to allow for storage structures in front of the principal structure under certain circumstances; and to provide for amendments as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. • Continued the discussion until December 20, 2004, regarding PLC04-1251, amendment to Chapter 25, entitled “Vehicles and Traffic” to update Schedule VII regarding posting of stop signs throughout the Township.

• Adopted Bill No. 15-04 appropriating specific sums estimated to be required for the specific purposes of the Township government during 2005. • Adopted Bill No. 16-04 amending the Police Pension Plan as required by Act 30 of 2002. • Adopted Resolution 1445 amending the Police Pension Plan authorizing ad hoc benefit increases as mandated by PA Act 64 of 2002. Board Approval of Contracts: • W.A. Petrakis Contracting Co.—Monroeville Sanitary Sewer Corrective Action Program with three one-year options ............ $ 441,461.56 Option Year 1................................ $ 484,539.65 Option Year 2................................ $ 508,766.41 Option Year 3................................ $ 534,204.99 • Pentagon Printing Corp.—Pittsburgh Two-year contract and one option year for preparation, printing, mail preparation, and delivery of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine...$239,957 (Average cost per issue $21,814.27) • Recreation Resource, Inc.—Kennett Square Morton soccer field #3 bleacher equipment ................................ $26,190 • USDA Wildlife Services—Harrisburg Assistance with special use culling permit ........................................ $ 20,000

Special Meeting of the Board of Commissioners

December 20, 2004 Approximately 15 people attended.

The Board: • Adopted Bill No. 20-04 providing for the imposition of an Emergency and Municipal Services Tax on the privilege of engaging in an occupation within the geographical boundaries of the Township, which said tax replaces the Occupational Privilege Tax.

January 3, 2005 Approximately 7 people attended.

The Board: • Continued the public hearing for PLC04-0007, Fox Chase Phase 4 PRD Rezoning, until February 7, 2005. • Tabled the discussion for PLC04-0008, Beatty Subdivision preliminary and final subdivision approval, until February 7, 2005. • Amended Chapter 57, entitled “Fees,” to adjust Library fines for children’s materials. • Approved the following appointments and reappointments: Board/Commission Youth Steering Committee Building & Fire Codes Appeals & Advisory Board Cable TV Board Civil Service Board Municipal Authority Parks & Recreation Board Planning Commission Zoning Hearing Board

Name Celia Evans Michael P. McDonnell James A. Sampey Rich Sandala P.J. Murray, III T.A. Ward Roger Hartung Don Rectenwald, Jr. Joel M. Helmrich Scott R. Slagle Dwight D.Ferguson

Term 2-year 3-year 3-year 3-year 3-year 5-year 3-year 3-year 4-year 4-year 3-year

Expiration 12-31-06 12-31-07 12-31-07 12-31-07 12-31-07 12-31-09 12-31-07 12-31-07 12-31-08 12-31-08 12-31-07

February 7, 2005 Approximately 65 people attended.

The Board: • Tabled PLC4-0008, Beatty Subdivision, preliminary and final subdivision approval, until March 7, 2005. • Continued the public hearing re PLC04-0007, Fox Chase Phase 4 PRD rezoning, until March 7, 2005. • Continued the public hearing re PLC04-1301, Amendment to Chapter 130 of the Township Code entitled “Zoning” to revise the storage structure requirements within the SB (Special Business District); to revise the RM (Restricted Light Industrial District) to allow for storage structures in front of the principal structure under certain circumstances; and to provide for amendments as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. • Tabled PLC05-0001, Forestbrook Estates Plan of Lots preliminary and final subdivision approval, to March 7, 2005. • Tabled PLC05-0002, Oakbrooke Estates Plan No. 1, to March 7, 2005. • Adopted Bill No. 5-05, granting preliminary and final subdivision approval to the Brubaker-Walsh plan of lots, subject to certain conditions. • Adopted Bill No. 6-05, to assess the costs and expenses of improving a section of Cook School Road to the owners of the abutting properties which were not previously assessed or applied against the developer contribution, by an assessment according to front footage and directing the collection thereof. • Accepted the recommended guidelines re Boyce Mayview Park Management Conception Parameters, and agreed to convey them to the Parks and Recreation Board. • Acknowledged Boyce Mayview Interior Trails Plan developed by Troy Scott Parker, Natureshape, Boulder, Colorado, in cooperation with the ad hoc Interior Trails Committee. • Adopted Bill No. 7-05 approving a general obligation note for Upper St. Clair’s share of the construction of a new base facility for the Tri-Community South EMS. • Amended DEP Growing Greener Grant to increase award by $140,000 for the McLaughlin Run Phase IV Streamside Stabilization/Riparian project. Board Approval of Contracts: • Various Contracts Construction of Tri-Community South New EMS Base .............................. $1,718,690.36 • Woltz & Wind Ford, Inc.—Heidelberg Two 2005 Ford Explorer Police Utility 4x4’s and two Crown Victoria Interceptor Police Packages ....................................... $82,188 • Robinson Pipe Cleaning Co.—Eighty Four 2005 cleaning and televising sanitary sewer lines.............. $1.50 per lineal foot (2003-04 contract price) • Aquatic Resource Restoration Co.—Seven Valleys McLaughlin Run Phase IV Stream restoration................................. $258,706

Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

2004-05 Boyce Mayview Park Development Update In 2004, the Township of Upper St. Clair Board of Commis-

sioners created an ad hoc Boyce Mayview Park Interior Trails Committee. At the committee’s request, the Board of Commissioners authorized a contract with Mr. Troy Scott Parker from Boulder, Colorado, to aid them in their charge to develop an interior trails plan. The consultant’s plan was completed in January 2005, and the Board of Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the plan at its February 7 board meeting. The board has also visited several communities to review different recreation facilities. Visits included Cuyahoga Falls, Middleburg Heights, and West Lake, Ohio; Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania; and the Cameron Wellness Center in Washington, Pennsylvania. Facilities visited included recreation centers and swimming pools. The commissioners later authorized a three-commissioner work group to further study the economic feasibility of building a recreation center and leisure pool in the Township of Upper St. Clair. Ballard* King and Associates, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, along with WTW Architects, Pittsburgh, was to review the economic feasibility of a recreation complex for Upper St. Clair. A final report from the consultant is due mid-year. The Board of Commissioners has also approved the blueprint for Phase I of the Boyce Mayview Active Area in January 2005. This blueprint includes an entrance and access road, two football/ soccer fields, a regulation-sized baseball field and a girls’ softball field. The initial construction phase of this plan is anticipated to begin later this year.

In the meantime, the Parks and Recreation Board has been given the charge for creating a Boyce Mayview Land Management Plan as well as a Development Plan for Gilfillan Park for consideration by the Board of Commissioners. The charges include the following: • Develop elements of a management plan that would pertain to the current passive segment of the park(s) and the current active segment of the park(s). • Elements could include administrative policies, operational policies, Land and Facilities Management Plan, management of volunteer groups, and funding resources. • Hold open public meetings with resident stakeholders, including but not limited to the following: USC School District, Citizens for Recreation Facilities, Boyce Road Gardeners, Citizens for Land Stewardship, USC Athletic Association, USC Historical Society, REEC Inc., and homeowner associations. Input from nonresidents should also be accepted and considered. • Use available Township staff and volunteers as needed or consider hiring a professional consultant such as the example set by the ad hoc Interior Trails Committee. • Complete task within 18 to 24 months after charge from Board of Commissioners to Parks and Recreation Board is accepted. The emergence of Boyce Mayview Park is gaining momentum.

Community Development

412-831-9000, extension 501 • www.twpusc.org Just a Reminder! According to the Township of Upper St. Clair Codes: • Lawns need to be maintained at a maximum height of six inches from April through October. • Satellite dishes that exceed 24 inches in diameter require building and electrical permits. • Vehicles without current inspection or registration must be stored in a completely enclosed structure. • Waste receptacles and recycling containers should be placed at the curb line after 6 p.m. Wednesday evening and should be removed before midnight on Thursday, day of pickup. • Boats, trailers, campers, and other types of recreational vehicles must be stored in completely enclosed structures. • Garage sale signs are permitted provided the following regulations are met: – Signs are located only on the lot where the sale takes place. – Signs are displayed only on the day of the sale. – Signs do not exceed nine square feet combined. – Signs are set back a minimum of ten feet from any side lot line. – Signs are to be placed outside the Township right-of-way. Typically, the right-of-way extends a minimum of 13 feet back from the edge of the street or curb. – Signs may not obstruct sidewalks. • No structure may be placed within the Township right-of-way except for a driveway or mailbox. A structure is any object having a stationary location on or in lots. 54

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The Township right-of-way typically extends back 13 feet from the edge of the road. • A newspaper tube is permitted provided it is attached to the existing mailbox post. The newspaper tube may not be supported by a separate structure such as a post or column. • Realtor open house signs are permitted provided the following regulations are met: – One tent or easel type sign not to exceed four square feet. – Sign permitted to be displayed Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. – Sign must be located a minimum of 13 feet back from the edge of the street or curb. – With permission of property owner, open house signs may be placed on a lot other than the one for sale with the same restrictions above. – No open house signs are allowed on Township-owned property. • Building permits are required for most construction and remodeling projects. Typical projects that require a building permit include, but are not limited to sheds, garages, swimming pools, decks, additions, retaining walls, driveway pillars, and patio enclosures. Some projects such as patios and driveways require only zoning approval. In all cases, when a building permit or zoning approval is required, a land survey of the property must be submitted as a part of the permit application process. The Township may have a copy of the property survey on file. Please check the Township website at www.twpusc.org for types of projects requiring a permit and the application process. Questions concerning permit requirements can also be directed to the Community Development Department at 412-831-9000, extension 501.

Regional Environmental Education Center Have you heard about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going on at the Regional Environmental Education Center in Boyce Mayview Park? The REEC offers something for everyone: students, teachers, service groups, and community residents.

Continuing the Tradition

Visit the REEC website at www.regionaleec.org or call about events and programs at 412-838-0064.

Block Party Time is Any Time! Block Parties are Easy to Organize and Fun!

1. Send a letter or download a Block Party Request Form (www.twpusc.org) requesting permission for a Block Party with a specific date to: Township Manager, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241. 2. You will receive a letter granting authorization to have the party in your neighborhood. Activities must be held between noon and 10 p.m. 3. The Public Works Department will deliver barricades to your residence a day or two before the event and will pick up the barricades soon after the event. The street may not be barricaded for more than six hours.

Baptist Homes is sponsoring Providence Point, a Continuing Care Retirement Community that will offer 216 apartments & 36 patio homes, situated in a new neighborhood that is designed to enhance the lifestyles of seniors. Providence Point is Pittsburgh's Newest Active LifeCare Community near Bower Hill Road in the heart of the South Hills. Please call or visit our website to learn more about our exciting new community.

4. Residents in the neighborhood are responsible for providing adequate access for public safety vehicles during the event. Please be considerate to any neighbors who may not be involved in the festivities. 5. The Police and Fire Departments give informational talks to kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;call 412-833-1113 or 412-835-0660 to schedule a time. 6. If you have additional questions, please call 412-831-9000.

Visit our information center that showcases all that Providence Point will be, at 1145 Bower Hill Road, Suite 101.

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7. Take photos, write a short article about your event, and send to Editors, UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241. Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USCVFD Fire Station Progress David Kish, USCVFD vice president

Groundbreaking ceremony, October 2004

If you’ve traveled Route 19 through

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

the Township, no doubt you have noticed the progress on the new volunteer fire station. Short on space and in desperate need of a larger primary facility, the Volunteer Fire Department of Upper St. Clair broke ground for the new station on October 4, 2004. One of the reasons the Volunteer Fire Department of Upper St. Clair needed the new station was to maintain its Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating. Currently the USCVFD has the highest ISO rating available to a volunteer fire department. The rating is important to the residents of the Township since it helps keep insurance premiums to a minimum. In order to maintain the rating, the fire department must continually upgrade its equipment, communications, training, and vehicles. For example, several of the department’s trucks need to be replaced over the next five years. Because of NFPA regulations, fire trucks are becoming larger and wider and will not fit into the current station. The new station will eliminate this problem. Fire trucks are currently being stacked (one parked in front of another) because of space limitations. The potential delay in response time associated with moving around the stacked trucks, or if one of the trucks in the front of the garage bay fails to start, is eliminated in the new facility since each vehicle will have its own bay. “We’ve run out of space for trucks, administration, offices, training facilities, just about everything,” said Volunteer Fire Department President Jerry Kopach, Jr. “We’ve run out of room to function safely and efficiently.” Summer 2005

At over 18,000 square feet, the new fire station, scheduled to be completed summer 2005, will meet the department’s spacing needs and will enable it to serve the community better.

New Station at a Glance The new station will include: • Six truck bays • Operations and command center • Library for reference materials • Training and seminar room • Firefighter fitness training center

Fund Raising Efforts A common misconception is that the new building is being completely funded by the Township of Upper St. Clair, and that the fire department should not need to raise funds for this project. The Volunteer Fire Department of Upper St. Clair has committed to raise $500,000 for this project over the next several years. In addition, department expenditures over the next three years for refurbishing its rescue truck, safety updates to its breathing apparatus, and equipment for the new facility will require an additional $500,000, bringing the department’s financial needs to $1 million.

Under constuction, March 2005

Artist’s rendering of the new fire station

Severns Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Residents and businesses can assist by making contributions to the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department New Building Fund. These contributions go directly towards construction of the new building. In addition to donations toward the building fund drive, engraved bricks can be purchased. The bricks will be placed around the flagpole at the new station as permanent recognition of your support of USCVFD. Individual, family, group, or corporate names can be engraved; bricks can also be engraved in memory or in honor of an individual. Residents can visit the fire department’s website at www.uscvfd.org to view construction progress, to download forms for brick purchases and fundraising, to view the department’s history and current equipment, for household safety tips, or for other community-intended information. The volunteers of the USC fire department appreciate the continued support of our residents.

History of Upper St. Clair VFD In June 1938, a group of 12 Township residents met and formed the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department (VFD). After a fire at St. Clair Country Club, insurance companies were planning to double fire insurance premiums of local residents because there was no organized fire protection in the Township. The VFD started in 1938 with $250 cash and no real property, and was officially chartered as a non-profit corporation in November 1939.

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The department purchased its first pumper in 1939, and housed it in a service station located at the corner of Route 19 and North Highland Road. The service station was owned by Ross Blodgett, one of the charter members. Later the department obtained property across from Westminster Presbyterian Church, and built the first fire station in 1949. The current building has gone through several additions and renovations through the years. In 1975, with the help of then State Representative Michael Fisher, the Township obtained a parcel of land from the Commonwealth at the corner of Hastings Mill and Morton Roads. A sub-station was built on the land to better serve the southern area of the Township. The Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department has grown from the original pumper purchased in 1939 to a fleet of seven vehicles and two stations. (To view the current fleet, visit www.uscvfd.org.) The department’s membership has grown over the years as well, from the original 12 members to a high of 50 members. Throughout the years, one thing, though, has remained constant: the dedication to serve and protect the members of the Upper St. Clair community. 

For more information on volunteering with the USCVFD, call 412-835-0660.

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USCVFD members stand in front of the department’s first pumper. Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Savvy Seniors

Are you a retired resident of Upper St. Clair, age 55 or older? Would you enjoy: • Making new friends • Playing bridge or other card games • Bowling • Shooting pool • Going on day trips • Or just talking with friends, old and new? Members of the United Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair cordially invite you to have lunch at the Upper St. Clair Recreation Center on McLaughlin Run Road on any Wednesday that is convenient for you. The center is open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. for the Township’s senior citizens. Not only will you be served a hot lunch, dessert, and beverage, but also you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy interesting and varied programs, presentations, and entertainment

sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Leisure Services. All you have to do is check us out! To make a reservation, or for more information, please contact Betsey Krebs, president, at 412-835-9199; John Lesica, membership, at 412-221-2289; or Lynn Walcoff, Older Adult Coordinator, Township of Upper St. Clair, at 412-831-9000, extension 296.

United Senior Citizens Participate in Community Day 2005 The United Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair will once again be participating in Upper St. Clair’s annual Community Day. Stop in at the Recreation Center and see what they have to offer this year. The aromatic and great tasting coffee will be ready early, and they’ll have freshly baked rhubarb pie and many other yummy baked goods for sale. Smiles and friendly chitchat are free! 

Silver Card

Gold Card

Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair, apply now for your Gold Card. See and enjoy drama and musical performances, exciting athletic events, and other activities, courtesy of the Upper St. Clair School District. If you are a resident, 62 years of age or older, just stop by the School District receptionist desk and ask for your Gold Card! It’s a great way to experience your community.

Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair, the Recreation and Leisure Services Department offers for your consideration the Silver Card. Holders of this card are entitled to free admittance to the three-hole golf course, outdoor tennis facilities and family swim at the High School pool. Any resident age 62 and retired or age 65 with no restrictions is eligible for the Silver Card Program. Applications are available at the Recreation Department, so stop in and ask for your Silver Card!

Upper St. Clair Police Department Bicycle Registration and Safety Program–Saturday, May 14 The Upper St. Clair Police Department will sponsor a

bicycle registration and safety program for Upper St. Clair residents on Saturday, May 14, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Municipal Building rear lot. Registration will include a bicycle inspection, a rider skill course, repair and traffic safety instruction, and safety videos. A certified bicycle mechanic from Bike Outfitters of Bridgeville will be on hand. Participants will receive a bicycle license plate, an adhesive reflector strip, and safety pamphlets. A license number will also be stamped into the frame of each bicycle for identification purposes. Each participant will have chances to win a new Dick’s Sporting Goods bicycle, a safety helmet, and other prizes. McDonald’s restaurant will provide complimentary beverages. A fourth sponsor is Lorenzato Automotive. Parents are urged to bring their children to this bicycle registration and safety program. For additional information, contact the Police Department administrative office at 412-833-1113, daily 8 a.m to 4 p.m.  58

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Summer 2005

Bike winner Michael McCombs with Lt. Jim Englert (left), resident Michael Seese who was completing his Eagle Scout requirements, and Lt. John Sakoian (right)

U. S. House of Representatives Timothy F. Murphy

U.S. Congressman for the 18th District of Pennsylvania 322 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2301 Fax: 202-225-1844

504 Washington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15228 Phone: 412-344-5583 Fax: 412-429-5092

Website: http://murphy.house.gov/ E-mail: murphy@mail.house.gov

Working to Lower the Cost of Healthcare Congressman Tim Murphy As one of the few healthcare professionals in Congress and co-chair of the

Congressional Health Care Caucus, I have made it a priority to deal with soaring healthcare costs by improving the quality of patient care. Some of the ways this can be accomplished is through electronic medical records, electronic prescriptions, improving emergency care access, expanding community health centers, reducing hospital infection rates, and eliminating medical errors. Electronic medical records allow all records on a patient including medical history, tests (Xrays, MRIs, CT scans), and treatments (such as films of surgery) to be kept in a secure manner.

Physicians then have access to accurate information in a moment’s notice. Not only does this reduce errors and redundant tests, but it also allows for better tracking of appointments and procedures for the patient. Pittsburgh hospitals are considered a model for the rest of the nation when it comes to electronic medical records. Even under the best circumstances, the best doctors may not be aware of all the prescriptions a patient is taking or if the patient is taking the proper dosages. Due in large part to insufficient information, millions of errors occur each year, costing thousands of lives and billions of dollars. The use of electronic prescribing eliminates illegible

Internal Medicine Stephanie Colodny, M.D. Ashith Mally, M.D. James Moreci, M.D. Walter Robison, M.D. Michael Carpathios, M.D. Harumi Burns, M.D. 5000 Waterdam Plaza Drive Suite 120 McMurray, PA 15317 (724) 941-8877

hand-written notes, checks for proper dosages, offers updated research on medication, notifies if the prescription is filled, and alerts doctors for possible adverse reactions with other drugs. Expanded use of electronic prescribing in the Medicare and veterans hospital systems to improve patient safety is a major goal Congress will address. For the uninsured and underinsured, community health centers can provide comprehensive healthcare at about one tenth the average per capita spending on personal healthcare. Community health centers provide primary care and assistance for minor problems rather than having patients use emergency rooms. Often, these centers are staffed by physicians who volunteer their time. I am the sponsor of a bill to promote and expand community health centers to fill this gap in access to affordable care. Hospital-acquired infections affect five to ten percent of all patients every year, adding billions to healthcare costs. The U.S. ranks second worst among developed countries in some hospital-born infections (e.g. methecillin resistant staphylococcus infections). Pittsburgh hospitals are again seen as leaders in the country in taking major steps to reduce the infection rate. Because the federal government is the largest single purchaser of healthcare (spending over 45% of the mandatory budget on healthcare), I am promoting this Pittsburgh model to be applied at health centers across the nation. I will continue to work in Congress on ways to reduce healthcare costs through these and other actions. 

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer Programs

Library Summer Reading Program 2005

Registration for all programs is in person at the Library.

Dragons, Dreams, and Daring Deeds at the Library

Castle Intrigue Mystery Night Tuesday, June 21 at 7 p.m.

Someone has stolen the crown jewels and imprisoned the princess in a tall, dark tower. Clues and suspects are lurking about, but it’s up to you to find out who’s the culprit. Think you can? Kids going into grades six to eight are invited. Registration begins Monday, June 6. Medieval Mayhem Wednesdays June 22–July 13 at 2:15 p.m. When you report on your reading at the Summer Reading desk you’ll get an instant prize and a chance to win more prizes.

Kids who read succeed. It is a well-

documented fact that reading is a key to success in both school and in life, and the Summer Reading Program is a fun-filled way to encourage your child to spend extended periods of time reading books he wants to read. Kids of all ages are invited to participate in the Library’s Summer Reading Program. Children who participate will receive their own personal reading record in which they can record the titles of books they have read. Children who are reading will receive one ticket for each book read that can be used in the weekly prize drawings. Young children who cannot read will receive one ticket for each set of ten books they listen to—a ticket that also can be used in the weekly prize drawings. The more children read, the greater their chances of winning! There will be six weekly drawings; the first drawing is Wednesday, June 22. Registration for Summer Reading begins Monday, June 6. Book logs will be checked beginning Monday, June 13. The Summer Reading Program will end July 26 at 8:30 p.m. 

Join the painters at this year’s Art in the Park.

Art in the Park Thursday, June 2, 10 a.m.–noon

Kids up to six years old with a grownup are invited to join the staff for a fun morning of creativity at the Municipal Park behind the Library. Registration begins Monday, May 16.

Medieval Mayhem is a program designed for children going into grades two through five. We’ll delve into the mysteries of dragons, unicorns, knights, castles, princesses, and princes. Registration begins Monday, June 6 for residents and Monday, June 13 for nonresidents. Fit for a King and Queen Thursdays, June 23–July 14 at 2:15 p.m.

If you’re entering first grade in the fall, this program is for you. We’ll be exploring dragons, unicorns, knights, castles, and magic through stories and activities. Registration begins Monday, June 6 for residents and Monday, June 13 for nonresidents.

Magic Tree House Book Club Tuesday, June 21 at 4 p.m.

Doc Dixon’s Magical Mayhem Show Tuesday, June 28 at 2 p.m.

Come to the Library and discuss the very popular Magic Tree House book The Night at Dawn. Travel into the past with Jack and Annie, and come to the Library for book exploration, fun activities, and even an art project. Children going into grades two to five are invited. Registration begins Monday, June 6 for residents and Monday, June 13 for non-residents.

Come to the Library to be astonished, amazed, and amused by Doc Dixon’s Magical Mayhem Show. The show will feature comedy, audience participation, and, of course, magic. Children ages four and older with an adult are invited. Registration begins Monday, June 13 for residents and Monday, June 20 for non-residents.

Summer Library Hours

We’ll have great prizes for six weekly drawings. 60

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Monday–Thursday 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Summer Sundays Memorial Day–Labor Day Closed Monday, July 4 and Monday, September 5

Summer 2005

Fairy Tale Princess Tuesday, July 5 at 2 p.m.

Medieval Fair Tuesday, July 26, 2–4 p.m.

We’ll wrap up Summer Reading with a fun and lively afternoon at the Library. Stop in and report for the last time, then stay and play. All kids who participated in the Summer Reading Program (accompanied by an adult) are invited. Registration begins Monday, July 11.

Kim Adley will return as the Fairy Tale Princess.

The beautiful and magical Fairy Tale Princess will be visiting the Library and sharing some of her favorite fairy tales this summer. Knights, knaves, princes, and princesses ages three and one-half and older with a grown-up are invited. Registration begins Monday, June 20 for residents and Monday, June 27 for non-residents. Rodney the Magic Rabbit Puppet Show Tuesday, July 12 at 2 p.m.

Group Benefits Come to the afternoon Medieval Fair celebration on July 26, the last day of Summer Reading.

Commercial Insurance Individual Financial Planning

Story Times Babies and Toddlers Children four months to 24 months of age with a caregiver will meet on Thursdays at 10 or 11 a.m. Dates: June 9–23 Registration begins Monday, May 23 for residents and Tuesday, May 31 for non-residents.

Professional Liability Coverage Life-Disability-Automobile-Homeowners

Twos and Threes Children aged two to three and one-half with a caregiver will meet on Fridays at 10 or 11 a.m. Dates: June 10–24 Registration begins Monday, May 23 for residents and Tuesday, May 31 for non-residents. We’re Holden Puppets will present Rodney the Magic Rabbit Puppet Show.

We’re Holden Puppets returns with its famed puppet magic show. Rodney will be here performing magical feats beyond your imagination. This show is sure to amaze, astound, and delight! Children ages three and one-half and older with a grown-up are invited. Registration begins Monday, June 27. Wild About Harry Potter Night Tuesday, July 12 at 7 p.m.

Harry Potter’s back this summer! Fans going into grades five to eight are invited to the Library to celebrate all things Harry, Hogwarts, Hermoine, and Ron. Registration begins Monday, June 27.

Preschool Children aged three and one-half to six years of age who have not yet attended kindergarten will meet on Tuesdays at 10 or 11 a.m. Dates: June 7–21 Registration begins Monday, May 23 for residents and Tuesday, May 31 for non-residents. Bedtime Stories Children aged three and one-half and older will meet at 7 p.m. Dates: Wednesday, June 8; Wednesday, June 29; and Wednesday, July 20 Registration for the June 8 story time begins Monday, May 23; Monday, June 13 for the June 29 story time; and Tuesday, July 5 for the July 20 story time. 

Protecting Today. Securing Tomorrow .

Henderson Brothers, Inc. 920 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222 T • 412 261 1842 F • 412 261 4149 E • info@hendersonbrothers.com

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Continued on page 62 Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Library Continued from page 61

New Music of Special Interest Helen Palascak

…with the knowledge and experience you deserve. Judy knows what you expect in a Realtor… and she delivers.

Popular Has Been by William Shatner. Yes, “Captain Kirk” has collaborated with musician Ben Folds to create an intriguing, introspective collection of mostly spoken-word tracks to create an effect that is surprisingly touching, highly entertaining, and unlike any music you’ve ever heard. Classical Powers of Heaven: Orthodox Music of the 17th & 18th Centuries, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, directed by Paul Hillier. Russian choir music with a deep, mystical atmosphere that is outstandingly beautiful. World Street Signs, by Ozomatli. An energetic fusion of Spanish, rap, hip hop, flamenco, salsa, and Middle Eastern music, with a beat that rocks and melodies that linger in the mind.

Gospel How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals & Traditional Gospel Music, Chanticleer. Many favorite songs and spirituals, such as “Amazing Grace,” “There is a Balm in Gilead,” and “Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child” are included in this wonderful collection. New Age Ambient: Music for Airports, by Brian Eno. This complex-sound sculpture was created by Brian Eno in 1978. Recently re-released, it’s an ambient-minimalist soundscape that unobtrusively colors the atmosphere with what Eno calls “discreet music.” French Jazz Motifs, by Paris Combo. The perfect album to listen to after a stressful day at work, this French group’s music will transport you to a smoke-filled nightclub of the 60s. 

Technical Update - USB Flash Drives Helen Palascak The USB flash drive has become an increasingly popular alternative to the floppy disk as a medium to store and transport computer data. These drives are called by a variety of other names including memory sticks and thumb, jump, key chain, or pen drives. The drives feature superior storage capacity (16MB-2GB), faster file transfer speeds, no moving parts, and a very small form factor for easy portability. You may now use these drives on all EIN Internet computers at the Upper St. Clair Township Library. The Library does not have a supply of USB flash drives; you must bring your own. 

The Evidence is Indisputable. The Two Perfect and Talented Volunteers are right here in Upper St. Clair.

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The Library seeks a Mystery Maven and an Artist. Call 412-835-5540, extension 247

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

Ever ything to Make Your House a Home

David J. Stapor, M.D. Donald F. O’Malley, Jr., M.D. Edward D. Poon, M.D. Mark L. Lesh, M.D. Jeffrey M. Matheny, M.D. Certified American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

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Westminster Presbyterian Church members invite you to experience our caring community of faith. Listed below are some of the many activities to which you’re invited!

WROC (Westminster Recreational Outreach Center) Classes...Sunday School for Children, Youth and Adults...The Bridge...Sunday Worship at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. ...Mission to Haiti...Youth Crossfire and Crossroads...Children’s Choirs...Labyrinth Walk... Christian Formation Seminars...Nursery School... Westminster Child Development Center... Children’s Day In...Wednesday WOW Dinners...Retired Men’s Luncheon ... Counseling Center...Stephen Ministers...Handbell Choir...Local Missions...Fishers of Men.net

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A SPECIAL INVITATION TO K–6TH GRADERS "BAREFOOT SCHOOL" (Vacation Bible School) June 13–17, 2005

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Eye On Design

The Essentials of the Comfortable Home

Amelia Dean, B.S.I.D., Jaro Interiors, Inc. Thomas Jefferson wrote, “I am as

happy as nowhere else, and in no other society, and all my wishes end, where I hope my days will, at Monticello.” No matter whether it was the charming interiors, the architectural style, or his beloved gardens that made Jefferson so singularly happy to be at home, we know that no other place could supplant Jefferson’s affection for the comfort of home. Perhaps today, more than ever, with hectic schedules reflecting multiple demands on our time, energy, and attention, our homes need to be havens for healthy, happy, and restful recuperation for our nagging backs, jangled nerves, and flagging spirits. So, how do we make ourselves more comfortable in our own homes, yet maintain a certain level of elegance, grace, and style to our interior spaces? The secret is to make our rooms work for us rather than against us by applying design principles of scale, proportion, light, color, and rhythm. 64

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

It may seem elementary, but many people say comfort is their goal when decorating, and then choose spindly legged chairs with tight seats and backs, (apparently out of concern for the scale of the furniture proportionate to the size of the room) instead of opting for club chairs with ottomans that beckon you to put your feet up and sit a while. Getting the scale right is essential; consult a designer if you feel you are not up to the task on your own. Lighting is key to making a room seem hospitable and comforting. Cozying up with a good book in a comfy chair and ottoman won’t be half as much fun if you haven’t provided the right lighting for the area. Be sure to provide lighting at different heights around the room, i.e., ceiling spots in combination with table lamps and bridge lamps. So too, the right type and amount of lighting is essential to color rendition. No matter how wonderfully soothing the color palette, insufficient lighting will

Summer 2005

make the room appear dull and lifeless, instead of the kind of place that makes your spirit soar. Researching the best lighting for the task pays big dividends in comfort. Finally, so much of what makes a house a comforting haven is the personality with which we infuse it. A treasured collection creatively displayed, family photographs similarly framed, or a combination of art and accessories provide necessary rhythm in a space and makes one want to linger.  Amelia Dean, owner of Jaro Interiors, Inc., can be reached at 412-561-5454. Visit her store at 3734 Poplar Avenue (just off Castle Shannon Boulevard).

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Topiary Treasures of USC Mary Lynne Spazok Springtime in Upper St. Clair is

glorious. Early bloomers such as tulips, croci, and snowdrops leap to life overnight. Just as quickly, though, they are gone. Deer, chippies, rabbits, raccoons, and moles feast on our flora and fauna with no regard for our reverence of beauty. Spring 2004 set a record rainfall for Western Pennsylvania. In despair, avid gardeners planted beloved bedding plants such as petunias, marigolds, pansies, and impatiens not once, but as many as three times only to have them perish from root rot and mold. Oh the tragedy of it all! This spring and summer season don’t despair! The resolution to your gardening woes lies with the topiary. Three-ball topiary Forget the old-fashioned yews and privet hedge. Liven up your deck or lawn with a dancing dolphin or a flamboyant flamingo. Today’s fully hearty “living sculptures” of boxwood, holly, pine, and ivy are able to withstand our harsh winters. Containerized creations made up of the fragrant rosemary herb are ideal for the patio. Does your yard need a sophisticated focal point? Shaped shrubs and conifers give instant maturity to any environment exhibiting an air of

You get what you pay for.

dynamic visual impact. The topiary’s basic shape is spiral, spherical, or conical. The decorative ball at the top of any topiary is known as a pom-pom. A cluster of pom-poms is called a poodle style. However, there isn’t one of us Animal sculpture that isn’t fascinated with theme park creations of ferocious jungle animals and whimsical cartoon characters. Straight away, you too can fashion a sports figure or historic landmark. Feeling patriotic? The metal frame for the letters USA can be purchased from online landscape supply houses as well. Place the metal frames over existing shrubs for an instant creation. Forms with multiple partitions, such as the letters U, S, and A on three separate forms, are connected easily with metal clips provided by the manufacturer. Ornamentals require a periodic light trimming or carving with secateurs (plant shears). Banish the electric clippers! They tear away at the growth causing the sculpture to burn and brown. As with any plant, a topiary’s roots require a balance of air and water. Stress is caused by desert or waterlogged conditions. Liquid feeding along with controlledrelease fertilizer mixed with fresh compost ensures a pleased plant. Spraying for mites will safeguard against disease as well. Keep a file of the

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manufacturer’s instructions and warranty. Never let your plants grow out. With proper, tender loving care, your topiary will thrive. Upper St. Clair resident Mary Stammer was frustrated with the local wildlife (deer, rabbits, raccoons, turkeys, squirrels, chipmunks, moles) that destroyed her magnificent flowerbeds season after season. After planting hundreds of bulbs and breaking the budget more than once, she chose towering topiaries and pest resistant greenery to showcase her superb landscape design. Self-taught, Mary sculpts pleasing commercial and residential gardens that unes a spiral. outsmart wretched intruders with glutMary Stammer pr tonous appetites. Mary’s words of wisdom: “Inventory the amount of sunlight at your desired planting area by simply stepping outside early morning, noon, and late evening.” Chronicle plantings of interest and survival yearly. Choose perennials, annuals, shrubs, and ground cover best suited for sun and shade areas. Investigation is required but the end result is worth it. Groundhogs are kept at bay with Mary’s atypical proven choices! Perennials Columbine Salvia Yucca Heather Pachysandra

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If you don’t toil in the soil, then any silk fabric ornamental is a sensible investment; no green thumb is necessary. Meticulously handcrafted designs showcase variegated or uniform-colored foliage that is twined on wire forms and rooted in distinctive wood, metal, or resin planters. These specimens may be used outdoors under protective cover. Preserved plants are real specimens that take years to grow. The 100% natural preservation process is complex. These first-rate works of art look and feel natural. When you see and touch these plants it’s hard to believe they’re not alive. Keep in mind that the cost of any topiary, “preserved” or living will range in price from moderate to ultra expensive for a substantial, intricate design. The Colonial Williamsburg catalog and the Internet are convenient for at-home shopping. Visit your favorite landscape design center early in the season to tag exotics while they are abundant. Twirling, towering topiaries are tops. Triumphant in the end, pesky critters are defeated, and isn’t that the best part of it all?  Half standard Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

COMPUTER PROBLEMS? “Solutions For the Home and Small Business” WE COME TO YOU! Pop-Up Removal Virus Removal PC Installations Wireless Networks Wired Networks Upgrades General Help

SimpleTex Computer & Network Services

412-583-8058 Eric Hayes, Owner

Aren’t Computers Great? When They Work, That is! Eric Hayes Today every U.S. household has an av-

erage of 1.7 computers, and they are used for a variety of reasons, such as emailing jokes to friends; downloading the latest songs; and IMing 13 of your friends at the same time. These tasks are taken for granted until your computer stops working properly. Today the most common problem with a PC is spyware. I’m sure by now you’ve experienced being on your computer, minding your own business, when an advertisement pops up on your screen. Usually these ads are just annoying, but sometimes they advertise lessthan-desirable websites or products. Spyware has the ability to track your every movement on the Internet and report your activity to advertisers who send you even more pop-ups. Sometimes spyware installs search bars into your web browser. “How did I get spyware in the first place?” you ask. This is a great question with many answers. Usually spyware comes from illegally downloading music, however it can come from just looking at the wrong website. Some websites 68

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

install spyware directly onto your computer, usually without your knowledge. Spyware can almost immediately wreak havoc on your PC. Although not easily removable, spyware should be uninstalled from your computer because, in addition to the annoying pop-ups, it can cause your computer to run 50 to 70% slower than normal. Microsoft offers updates that help protect your computer from spyware and viruses. You can set your computer to automatically download and install these updates. The threat of a computer virus is also a concern. Viruses are usually passed from one computer to another through email attachments. Every time you open an email with an attachment, you run the risk of installing a virus on your computer. Email viruses many times come from people you know and trust. Usually the sender doesn’t realize that they are sending infected emails. It is imperative to have an updated virus scanner running at all times on your PC. There are a variety of software packages available; some of them are even free of charge for personal use.

Summer 2005

Another common computer problem is hardware failure. Inside every computer are many parts that can, and do, go bad. One particular part, the hard drive, holds all of your personal data, programs, emails, and everything else that makes a computer run. When a hard drive quits working or “crashes,” it’s usually without warning. When this happens, it’s nearly impossible to retrieve your data. It is very important to backup all critical data frequently, including financial and tax data, emails, and irreplaceable photos. Almost every computer has a CD-RW drive that allows you to create backups onto blank CDs. These typical computer problems can usually be avoided or repaired. Make sure to protect your computer with up-to-date software and get your problem computer fixed so you are back in tiptop shape and ready for the real important stuff, like playing Solitaire!  This article was written by Eric Hayes, owner of SimpleTex Computer and Network Services. Eric can be reached at 412-583-8058 or simpletex@mail.com for all your computer questions.

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The American Outback— is it Safe? Pat Nicholson, CR One may ask, what do I mean

Your Home Sold in 90 Days, Guaranteed or I Will Sell It for FREE! To find out more, call 1-866-311-0618 ID# 6012 anytime, 24 hours a day, for pre-recorded information which explains this offer (talk to no agent).

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by the American Outback? Well, of course, I am referring to the great outdoor space we Americans love and enjoy—our own home’s backyard. The question is, though, is it safe for children and adults alike? Many backyard patios and decks are not safe. Unsafe conditions can exist in a typical outback, and you should become familiar with them. Small things that we as homeowners quickly grow accustomed to can be very dangerous to visitors unfamiliar with our home. An extra high step placed at the home’s rear door leading down onto a deck or patio is a potential hazard. The typical step’s rise should not exceed seven and three quarter inches. Many patios tend to settle over time; this settlement can cause an excessively high step down from the rear door to the lower surface. While the homeowner gets used to this high, difficult step, an infrequent visitor might not only be surprised, but he could also lose his balance, twist an ankle, or fall. Many of these high step problems can be remedied easily by either adding another step structure or raising the existing patio stones or decking to a safe exit height. Another possible hazard are improper guard railings around high decks or patio spaces. A safe railing must be at least three feet above the walking surface of a deck or patio. The railing must also have vertical, non-climbable balusters (pickets) with spaces between each baluster no greater than four inches. This height and arrangement of railing balusters keep young children and small dogs from climbing or breeching them, thus reducing the possibility of a fall. Balusters should be securely fastened to the railings with screws, and railing support posts should be attached with screws or lag bolts to add additional sturdiness. Stairways should have at least one graspable hand railing (usually on the right) and guard railings on both sides for safety. An average size deck should be supported with ground-contact, pressuretreated post timbers that are at minimum six inches by six inches in size and attached to a three-foot-deep concrete footing. Deck Summer 2005

floors built ten feet or higher above the yard’s grade surface may require extra diagonal support or alternative bracing to reduce the possibility of shudder or sway. Such sway can eventually cause the deck to work itself away from the home’s attachment causing the deck to fall away from the home. It is critical that a deck be attached properly to a home’s exterior wall. Bolts connecting the deck to the home should be sufficient in number and should not be rusted. These one-half-inch diameter bolts should be no more than 16 inches apart and be pulled down snug. Waterproof membranes on sided homes should be used between the deck’s ledger board attachment and the home’s exterior wall to prevent the possibility of rotting of the home’s framing. For homes with brick veneer exterior walls, builders should strategically set floor joists through the home’s brick wall and attach the deck joists directly to the home’s framing—not relying on the lag bolts alone to connect the deck structure to the structure of the house. These let-in floor joists must then be sealed to prevent water or vermin infiltration that could occur through the brick wall into the house. Safety in and around your home is always a concern. These tips should help improve the safety of the deck in your outback.  Pat Nicholson, CR, a Certified Remodeler of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the chairman of the Board of NARI, and a member of the Better Business Bureau Executive Board of Directors, is the CEO of Deckmasters® Technologies Incorporated.

USC Wrestlers Place Second at Home Tournament Congratulations to the USC youth wrestling team for

taking second place at the first annual Upper St. Clair team tournament this past February. Participating teams included Canon McMillan Blue, Canon McMillan Gold, Upper St. Clair, and Moon. Wrestlers from the USC team include CJ Saluga, Vincent Palm, Ryan Kincaid, Brooks Wilding, Corey Wilding, Garrett Walnoha, Nick Ramser, Daniel Kincaid, Jonathan Erdman, Sam Cramer, Danny Palm, John Kyriacopoulos, Alex Bowman, Austin Himler, Austin Wilding, Spencer Davis, Bobby Tuttle, Brandon Levine, Nick Tancredi, Ben Huss, Tyler Morrow, Eddie Lisivick, Tim Kikta, Conner Buker, and Jacob Huss. Coaches for the team are Jim Wilding, Jim Walnoha, Bob Tuttle, Jim Kyriacopoulos, JC Morrow, Bill Erdman, and Bill Kincaid. The USC tournament was similar to a high school dual match. Points were awarded for wins in each weight class with a total given to each team. Wrestlers ranged in age from five to 12 years old. 

Upper St. Clair 2004-05 Yout

h Wrestling team

For more information on the USC youth wrestling program, as well as this season’s highlights, visit their website at www.uscyouthwrestling.org.

July 25-29, 2005 USC Community Girl Scout Day Camp “Tropical Adventures” Contact Amy Kerman at 412-221-5407 for more information. Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Around the Township

Boyce Road Gardens Do you head straight to the organic section of the

supermarket or can’t wait until the local farmers’ markets open? Then why not consider the fun of growing your own produce, herbs, or flowers at the Boyce Road Gardens right here in Upper St. Clair? Boyce Road Gardens is an organic garden in its 30th season and welcomes new members each spring. Activities during the year include an early spring educational and social meeting and a late summer garden fair and picnic. Judging at the fair takes place for many categories ranging from modern vegetables, heirloom varieties, flowers, herbs, and (always a hit) the special children’s table of produce. Two Best of Show awards, voted by gardeners’ secret ballot, are given to an adult entry and a child’s entry. A new planting area is planned this summer, specifically for children’s gardens (with parental supervision, of course). Boyce Road Gardens will continue its “Grow-a-Row” project for the St. Winifred food pantry, which distributes food to area needy families. Seasonal fresh vegetables are delivered weekly and are enormously appreciated! This has been a projn bo n wins a blue rib Carly Henderso t sunflower. ect of gardener Murray Hoover for a number of years, and all for a grea members are eager to continue their support.

Hester Joseph wi ll 30th year as a Bo be celebrating her yce Road garden er.

The gardens are located at the southern end of Boyce Mayview Park with the entrance at Boyce and Morton Roads. Annual membership is $5, and plot rental of a 40' X 40' plot is $10. Information on membership for the 2005 season can be obtained by calling Phyllis Kender at 412-221-3118. 

Sandy Feathers (center) from Penn State Extension Service judges the entries at the Boyce Road gardeners’ fair.

Judging the children’s entries at the fair

Upper St. Clair Cardboard/Paper 2005 Recycling Program When: 9 a.m. to noon on the following Saturdays: June 4, August 6, October 1, and December 3 Where: USC Public Works Parking Lot (Truxton Road at McLaughlin Run Road) What: Corrugated cardboard, paper (not newsprint), magazines, catalogues, phone books, and junk mail. Also accepting: shredded paper, computer paper, office paper, envelopes, brochures, and wrapping paper, but not cereal boxes. Please remove staples from office paper. Now accepting household batteries (9V, AA, AAA, C, and D).

Curb Recycling Reminder Please place your recycling containers several feet away (if not on the other side of your driveway) from your regular trash. That placement makes it easier for the BFI workers (contracted collectors) to differentiate between the recyclables and the regular trash, resulting in better service to the community. Thank you for your cooperation.  72 72

UPPER UPPERST. ST.CLAIR CLAIRTODAY TODAY Summer Summer2005 2005

USC Lions Club Celebrates 50 Years of Service Help Us Help Others May 2005 marks the 50th year anniversary of the USC Lions

Club in Upper St. Clair. The club’s fifty years of existence pays tribute to the Lion’s Club service motto of “Help Us Help Others.” The Lions look forward to serving others for 50 more! Fundraising, which primarily comes from local residents and merchants, enables the Lions to contribute funds to local organizations such as: • Pittsburgh Vision Services • Radio Information Service • Leader Dogs for the Blind • Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind • Meals on Wheels • Children’s Institute • South Hills Hospice • USC Library To help raise money, the sale of high quality plastic trash bags and straw brooms made by the visually impaired are available for purchase throughout the year. These products can be delivered to your home or office at no additional cost to you. Because of the rising cost of crude oil, the Lions need to raise its prices for plastic bags. • kitchen size (100 per box) @ $15/box • 30 gallon size (100 per box) @ $15/box • 33 gallon size (100 per box) @ $16/box In the fall, compostable paper leaf bags are available for sale with pick-up at the USC Department of Public Works on the corner of McLaughlin Run Road and Truxton Drive. Look for dates and times in the fall issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. A key annual event that the USC Lions participate in is “The Keystone Blind Bowlers Tournament.” This well-attended, three-day event is one in which blind and visually impaired men and women bowlers come from various states to compete. Lions also collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids for needy people. An eyeglass and hearing aid collection box is maintained in the Township Library for your used item donations. The Lions support research for diabetes and diabetic eye disease, and they provide funds to the needy for eye exams and glasses. The Lion’s Club presents an annual award to a female high school junior for her outstanding achievement in academics and community service. Frank and Kathleen Gaudio are the proud parents of this year’s winner, Maria Gaudio. Maria was presented with a wristwatch for her outstanding achievements at the January 26 dinner meeting. The USC Lions Club meets at Pasquarelli’s Restaurant on Painters Run Road on the first and third Wednesdays of each month beginning at 7 p.m. Maria Gaudio accepts her award Meetings generally last two from Lions president Wesley Hurst. hours.  For more information on the Lions Club, log on to www.mainstreetusc.com and link on to Lions Club listed under USC Clubs, or write to USC Lions at PO Box 12778, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241. Summer 2005

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A Civic Orchestra in Our Community Katie Flecker, PCO intern The sweeping sounds of the violins. The low hum of the

cellos. The soft ringing of the winds. These combinations create an emotional narrative, a story that can be hard to articulate. Yet the story moves beyond the music, through the audience, and turns to illuminate the faces of those playing the instruments they hold so dearly. The musicians of the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra are themselves an art form; they are more than movements of music, much larger than the sounds that rivet our souls. If you took the time to look beyond the music to the musicians, you would see those who appreciate every note, those who pour themselves into the movements to create a special resonance. A community of effort, skill, and passion drives this orchestra. But the orchestra’s relaxed feeling of appreciation—taking musicians and placing them where they belong, is the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra’s calling. Under the leadership of Bruce Lauffer, laughter is heard during rehearsals. a contagious laughter that creates smiles from its members. For here, people of all ages gather from all walks of life and all backgrounds. Is it this diversity that creates the sound that draws its audiences? Yes, audiences may have heard the symphonies before—Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, but the people who create this remarkable stirring are those you might come across on a daily basis. Jean Roemer, violinist, can be found nursing children back to health in Pittsburgh’s Children’s Hospital. Carnegie Mellon University employs PCO’s David Sholl, a violinist who teaches engineering in his

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Summer 2005

Left to right: Music Director Bruce Lauffer, Jackie Bialosky, Anita Murray, David Sholl, Paula Scandrol, Arlene Cook

free time. Violinists Leni Roberts, who volunteers her time assisting the elderly, and Marion Clarke, who uses her talents as a historian, are members of the PCO. Cello player and 42-year member of the orchestra Dee Borman is a member of four Bible study groups, nine bridge groups, two book groups, a few dinner groups, and the “Culture Club,” a friendly group that frequents theaters. I believe it is the variety of people in this orchestra that causes such musical masterpieces. Members enjoy the PCO—a haven to escape the worries of the world. This is a community. Two of PCO’s violinists Marion Clarke and Janet Scandrol played the violin together in grade school; Robert Yusko, tuba player, and Bruce Lauffer, director, are best friends; and Mary McBride, flutist, was invited by oboist Jill Walter to join the orchestra. Yet this sense of community does not come from casual acquaintances; this community has been built over time, and new members are quickly welcomed. A few years ago, Natalie Lustig was in a serious accident that left her impaired for weeks. During that time, the prayers, cards, and phone calls from orchestra members never stopped. Natalie truly believes their prayers and acts of kindness inspired her to make a quick recovery. Members join the PCO for their love of playing in an orchestra and enjoy its relaxed setting. With players hailing from Australia, Japan, Italy, and Austria, it is an orchestra where understanding is a necessity—both musically and socially. Musicians join the orchestra to be a part of a legacy where dedicated players strive together to make beautiful music. “Nothing compares to making the music come alive under your own fingers, regardless of your degree of proficiency,” says Bill Ceriani, clarinetist. That is the truth. That is the virtue. That is the passion that draws audiences to see the eclectic diversity of culture, taste, and personality. Jackie Bialosky shares the memory of a time when she had the privilege of playing with the late Georgia Woehr. “She was helping out the cello section during a community concert we were doing with other arts organizations in Carnegie. An amateur ballet group came on stage. There were people of all ages, shapes, and abilities. They were dancing to Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. I glanced over at Georgia, and she had tears streaming down her cheeks. She whispered to me that this is what the arts are all about. What an opportunity for the dancers to express their urge to move to this wonderful music. What an opportunity for those of us in the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra to play great music.” Local residents of the Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra are violinists David Sholl, Kathy Painter, and Jean Forry; cellists Jackie Bialosky and Christopher Carosella; violist Arlene Cook; and French Horn player Anita Murray. Paula Scandrol, elementary strings specialist in the Upper St. Clair School District, is also a member. The Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra presents five concerts in the Upper St. Clair Theater. The next performance is May 14. Look for details on the PCO’s website at www.artsnet.org/pco. 

Family Hospice to Offer Inpatient Hospice Care Facility Family Hospice and Palliative Care

has begun plans to establish The Center for Compassionate Care, the first of its kind in the region. This center will house a 12 to 14-hospice inpatient unit for patients who desire a home-like environment but are no longer able to remain at home. In addition, the largest hospice in Western Pennsylvania will have their administrative office in the new center. There will also be facilities to accommodate community and professional educational seminars and conferences. The center will provide space for caregiver and bereavement support groups. Plans are being made for the center to be located in the former Ward Home for Children on Moffett Street in Mt. Lebanon. This 42,000-square-foot building, surrounded by a 3.3-acre parcel of land, is an ideal setting for patients and families. This peaceful, residential neighborhood will afford privacy and an atmosphere of serenity for hospice patients and their families. The proximity to medical and long-term care facilities, such as St. Clair Hospital, Covenant at South Hills, and Asbury Heights will make an easier transition for both patients and families. A hospice inpatient unit provides care for a limited time period to a small number of hospice patients who can no longer remain at home or in other settings. These patients may need additional care to control symptoms or to provide the extra support that may not be available in other settings. For many families and caregivers, a hospice inpatient unit offers an opportunity for respite care. The new center will offer the patient and family a warm, home-like environment.

The unit will include a kitchen for patients and families as well as overnight accommodations for family members. There will also be a family gathering room and a room for quiet contemplation. The hospice inpatient staff will be specially trained in hospice care and will have an increased sensitivity and knowledge of issues, both physical and psychological, which may arise during the last months of life. Family Hospice and Palliative Care also operates The Quality of Life Center, a day respite and life-enhancement program for hospice patients. In addition, the hospice will soon open The Residence at Anderson Manor, a residence for hospice patients on Pittsburgh’s north side. Rafael Sciullo, president and CEO of Family Hospice and Palliative Care, welcomes this opportunity to further enhance the lives of patients and families. “Family Hospice and Palliative Care will now be able to offer patients a continuum of care from their home to The Residence at Anderson Manor, and then to the acute hospice inpatient unit if needed. This results in a seamless care plan for those patients and families who need these options.” For 25 years, Family Hospice and Palliative Care has provided compassionate end-of-life care. With four offices, Family Hospice and Palliative Care serves patients and families in 11 western Pennsylvania counties and three in eastern Ohio. Care is available to children as well as adults. 

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Programs and Support Offered • Family Hospice and Palliative Care speakers’ bureau provides programs for clubs, neighborhood groups, and church or synagogue groups. Possible topics include the philosophy of hospice care, and grief and loss. Call 412-572-8809 to arrange for a speaker. • Family Hospice and Palliative Care is pleased to introduce “Growing Through Grief,” a free six-week educational and support program for those dealing with the death of a loved one. The program is held at Southminster Presbyterian Church on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon. Attendance at all six sessions is requested. Pre-registration is required. For dates and further information, please call Bereavement Associate Barbara Martin at 412-578-3666. • Hospice services are available to those with a life-limiting illness. Family Hospice and Palliative Care provides physical, emotional, and spiritual support to patients and their families. Call 412-572-8800. Summer 2005

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�� UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Brookside Women’s Club Celebrates 80 Years

Front row, left to right: Mary Ellen Rhoa, president; Mary Lu Denny, treasurer; Peggy Snavely, back row: Lorayne Koch, Cherisse Abinanti, Cristi Parks, Pat Babcock, Carla Rose

In January 1925, Mrs. G. Hunter Culley had the enthusiastic

idea of starting a literary club in her new neighborhood. Her family had just completed building their house in the new upscale plan that was once farmland, currently known as Brookside Farms. Nine women came to that first meeting, and by March of that year, there were 19 charter members enrolled. Thus, the Brookside Women’s Club was formed. Brookside Farms is a wooded neighborhood that straddles Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park just south of South Hills Village. Earlier this year, the Brookside Women’s Club met to celebrate its

“Cruisin’ Oldies Fest” Offered by South Hills Chamber of Commerce The South Hills Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its

sixth annual “Cruisin’ Oldies Fest” to be held in South Park on Sunday, October 2, noon to 5 p.m. This South Hills Chamber of Commerce festival is an annual community event. A portion of the proceeds goes toward awarding scholarships to South Hills students. For more information call the South Hills Chamber of Commerce at 412-833-1177.

80th anniversary of this neighborhood group. A high tea was held in April. For 80 years the club’s monthly meetings have included a prepared luncheon served by a small committee of members, a short business meeting, and a lively program of guest speakers, artists, and authors. The group also takes field trips to a variety of places such as Phipps Conservatory and Heinz Hall. In the years following the formation of the club, members have enjoyed many activities including gardening, crafts, and a theater group. At its high point, the club had more than 80 members. Club membership rises and falls depending on traditions of the time. The club sustained a membership throughout the Great Depression and World War II. As the club celebrates its milestone anniversary, approximately 40 members attend each month with high enthusiasm. The Brookside Women’s Club members raise money each year for charitable contributions. Over the years the club has made donations to various organizations and charities including South Hills Interfaith Ministries, Tri-Community South EMS, Interfaith Hospitality Network, and both Upper St. Clair and Bethel Park neighborhood libraries, foundations, and fire departments. The Brookside Women’s Club is proud of its 80-year history and invites area women interested in a casual monthly get-together with neighbors to join. For more information, call membership chairwoman Pat Babcock at 412-831-0704. 

USC Woman’s Club Offers Educational Scholarships Each year the Woman’s Club of Upper St.

consideration may be obtained by contacting Shirley Tadda, Woman’s Club president at 412-835-9607. The Woman’s Club of Upper St. Clair and The Junior Woman’s Club of Upper St. Clair, a department of the Woman’s Club, are social, cultural, and philanthropic organizations for women from all communities in the South Hills. This club offer activities for women of all ages and interests. Club events include luncheons, family fun, girls’ night out, bridge, special events, golf, today’s living, home and garden, couples events, community outreach, escape trips, game nights, networking seminars, gourmet lunches and brunches, book clubs, drama, and couples dinners. There is something for everyone! For further Pictured (left to right) are Darlene Kovel (mother of winner), Rebecca Kovel membership information (winner), Elizabeth Davis (Woman’s Club scholarship committee chair), call 412-835-9607. 

Clair accepts applications for two $500 educational scholarships. The club offers this scholarship to any high school senior who is an Upper St. Clair resident, regardless of which high school the applicant attends. For many years, the club has offered this scholarship award as part of its community outreach efforts. The application deadline is in April of each year. Applications for future

Meredith Dodd (winner), and Jeannette Dodd (mother of winner)

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

Tri-Community South EMS Seeks Support Tri-Community South EMS is the

second largest EMS agency in Allegheny County and is nationally recognized for having the best AED program in the United States. For the past 27 years, it has continued to be a valuable community asset relied upon by Bethel Park, South Park, and Upper St. Clair residents and business owners. Tri-Community South’s system revenues come from donations, insurance reimbursements, and the annual subscription drive, all of which have been declining over the past several years. Resident subscriptions are the foundation—the core of system revenues. Last year, only 5859 out of 24,000 households subscribed to the system. Seventy-three businesses also subscribed. For $50 a year, less than $1 a week, residents can provide the necessary financial support for this critical emergency medical service. “People think that they’re never going to need an ambulance; hopefully, they never will. But, if they do, we will be there for them. By subscribing to TriCommunity South EMS, residents will not only show their support for their system, but they will also provide funding critical to providing the necessary equipment and training,” said Tri-Community South EMS Director Nora Helfrich. According to Helfrich, every time Tri-Community South pulls out of the garage on a call, its unit cost analysis is $605. Therefore, a subscription with TriCommunity South EMS is a good value. “Many individuals think that their insurance company reimburses at 100% and feel they don’t need to subscribe to an EMS service,” said Helfrich. “In reality, most reimburse only up to 46% of the total cost; it’s very rare that an insurance company will reimburse at 100%,” she said. For $50, a residential subscriber receives coverage for all EMS treatment and transport with no additional costs billed. Tri-Community South accepts the insurance company reimbursement as payment in full. In addition to being covered by Tri-Community South, other EMS systems agree to cover our residents in their service area under the same billing procedures according to Helfrich. “We need the support from our residents so we can continue to provide this

life-saving service,” said Helfrich. “Our onboard ambulance equipment costs in excess of $42,000, our cardiac monitor alone costs $26,000, and the price of an ambulance today with no equipment is anywhere from $100,000 to $125,000. We must carry and maintain the equipment mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to be licensed to provide emergency care in the Commonwealth.” Last year, Tri-Community South responded to over 6200 calls. Tri-Community South receives no tax dollars for its operating costs and no revenue from the three communities it serves. “We would like to keep it that way and can only do so with the support from our residents and businesses,” said Helfrich. Tri-Community South EMS offers numerous classes and programs such as: • CPR and CPR instructor training • Canine CPR training • First aid training and certification • AED training and certification • Day care center safety checks • Car seat safety checks • Child and babysitting safety classes • Senior citizen programs/fall prevention • Block parties • Public relation speakers for schools, churches, and businesses • Disaster planning and evacuation drills • Health fairs • Community Day events Tri-Community South EMS is the number one community-training center for the American Heart Association in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the only EMS agency to hold this position. It’s ranked as the second largest communitytraining center for the American Heart Association in the Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New York region. Please support your EMS service. Subscribe to show you care. Subscribe to keep it the best EMS around! 

For more information, call 412-831-3710 or log onto Tri-Community South’s website at www.tcsems.org. Summer 2005

Kristy G. Cupelli D.M.D. Pediatric Dentistry

Alfred A. Cupelli D.M.D.

Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

411 McMurray Road, Suite 102 Bethel Park, PA 15102 412/831-3373 Fax: 412/831-3777

Diane Horvath, GRI

Real Estate Sales & Listing Leader USC Office 2004 412-833-3600 ext. 219 412-833-6808

Real Estate Services

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Prof iles

on USC Residents

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services named its Rookies of the Year for 2004 during an annual awards extravaganza held Friday, February 11 at the Hilton Pittsburgh. Included in the five rookies named regionally was Lynne Bingham who covers the south and west territories of Pittsburgh. Bingham earned the coveted distinction by being a multimillion dollar producer in her first year.

Classifieds To place your small business or professional ad in the classified section, send 35 words or less with a check for $75, made payable to the Township of Upper St. Clair, to UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine,

1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 78

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Mark Hofstetter, MD. has been named the chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Mercy Hospital. Dr. Hofstetter is the chairman of the Infectious Control Governing Board. He also sits on the pharmacy and therapeutics committee, of which he is the former chair. Dr. Hofstetter is currently a clinical assistant professor in the department of clinical pharmacy at Duquesne University School of Pharmacy. A graduate of the College of Medicine at Ohio State University in Columbus, Dr. Hofstetter completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Waterbury Hospital in Waterbury, Connecticut. Dr. Hofstetter is a diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners and the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. He has been published in several professional journals. Dr. Hofstetter and his wife, Irene, have three children. 

Cindy Roche was promoted to vice president of patient care services at Family Hospice and Palliative Care. Beverly Barolo was promoted to Family Hospice and Palliative Care’s vice president of human resources. With four offices, Family Hospice and Palliative Care serves patients and families in 11 western Pennsylvania counties and three in eastern Ohio. Cindy Roche

Beverly Barolo

Nicole ‘Niki’ Williams, a senior at Seton Lasalle High School, will graduate in May as one of the most honored athletes in the school’s history. A four-year starter and three-year captain of the basketball team, she finished her high school career with over 1800 points and is second in school history to Olympic gold medallist Suzie McConnell-Serio. Niki earned numerous section, WPIAL, and state honors, including the Post Gazette’s AA Fabulous Five nomination. She is the first athlete (male or female) to be nominated for the Almanac’s Athlete of the Year Award for three consecutive years. Niki is also an all-star soccer and softball player for the Seton Lasalle Lady Rebels. Niki is a high honors student and recipient of the 2004 Nathan H. Kaufman Scholastic Athletic Award. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Big Sisters, Youth Retreat Leaders, and Senior Leadership Conference. Niki’s basketball prowess has earned her an athletic scholarship to Division I Hofstra University where she plans to major in pre-law. Niki is the daughter of Stuart and Francine Williams. Summer 2005

A Few Minutes with Lara Hillier

Photo by Ric Evans

In chronological order: Arthur from King John, Desdemona from Othello, Olivia from Twelfth Night, Joan La Pucelle from Henry VI: Part I, Lady Anne from Richard III, Portia from Julius Caesar, Celia from As You Like It, and Cleopatra from Antony and Cleopatra.

Brian Murray as Prospero and Lara Hillier as Miranda in Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production of The Tempest

Lara Hillier, an Upper St. Clair High

School senior, was cast in the lead role of Miranda opposite Broadway actor Brian Murray in the Pittsburgh Public Theater’s production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Needless to say, with classes, homework, college visitations and auditions, and PPT rehearsals, her plate is more than full. As Lara put it, “I have been absolutely swamped with rehearsals; life is insane, but I’m not complaining!” I was pleased to be able to catch her for a few minutes to ask her about her experiences in the Shakespeare contest in which so many of our students participate. What is the best thing about your involvement in the Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest? The absolute best thing about my involvement and what the contest has given me (besides a few prized volumes of The Complete Works) are the wonderful memories, friendships, and performance opportunities that I will never forget, and for which I will always be grateful. What have you learned by competing in this contest? Through competing in the contest I have been taught, along with thousands of other children, not only to develop a completely comprehensive understanding and appreciation of classical theater, but to also enjoy it! What roles did you choose to play in the contest over the years?

What was your favorite performance? My favorite experience was playing Desdemona. In a particular scene, Desdemona is waiting for her husband to come and kill her, so quite obviously, the stakes are high. While at the time I was only 12 years old, for some bizarre, inexplicable reason, something in me just clicked. She was terrified and incredibly isolated, and yet there was this sort of youthful innocence and naivety about her. I understood the scene; I understood how she felt, even though I had no personal experience to draw upon in preparation for the piece (thank goodness). In a way, I felt as if I became Desdemona, or at the very least, my best “seventh grade Desdemona.” What has it been like to be cast as the lead in the PPT’s production of The Tempest, alongside professionals? Let’s just say that I am having the most incredible time of my life! It’s a bit surreal being a lead in a main-stage production on the same stage where I spent years as a student competing in the contest. I am not sure if I have quite grasped the magnitude of the situation yet, or if I ever will. I was given the role about five months ago, and I’m still on cloud nine! What do you hope to be doing ten years from now? Ten years from now I hope to be a working actor. To actually make a living at what I love doing. I could never wish for more!

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Pat Palazzolo

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fe harmon sp 05 pg 84 PICK UP FILM

Why would you encourage students to participate in the Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest? From my viewpoint, what could be better than being given your own five minutes of glory on the O’Reilly Theater stage to play any role you desire? I mean, how exciting! The possibilities are endless. 

See related article “All the World’s a Stage” on page 34. Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

BUSINESSES a t y o u r S e r v i c e

Fifth Annual Kids Triathlon

550 Sleepy Hollow Road Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228

412.563.2858

www.MtLebanonMontessori.org PRESCHOOL (AGES 2-6) THRU 6TH GRADE OPENINGS AVAILABLE FOR 2-AND 3-YEAR-OLDS

2004 Kids Triathlon participants

Are you twelve years old or younger? Maybe you have children that fit into

this age category? If so, plan to attend the fifth annual South Park Kids Triathlon sponsored by Citizens Bank. The race will be held, beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, on the grounds of the South Park wave pool. The race offers a unique opportunity for children, family members, volunteers, and sponsors to support an effort that encourages physical activity, establishes a foundation for children to be healthy for life, and exposes them to the benefits of community service by helping to build a future for other kids and their families in a fun and meaningful way. The 2005 triathlon will host 200 children, ages seven to 12, as they participate in a coordinated swim, bike, and run activity. All participants will receive finisher’s medals, with top places in all age categories being recognized at an awards ceremony at the completion of the event. All race sponsorship dollars go directly to Habitat for Humanity. Lace up your running shoes and start training now! 

RETAINING WALLS Repair - Rebuild - Replace Stone - Block - Timber

Wm. “Dirt” Dugan Landscaping, Inc.

724-348-4476 20 Years of Professional Service

For general race information and application questions, or to sponsor the event, contact Julie at Pittsburgh Habitat for Humanity, 412-466-6719.

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COMMUNITY WIDE FLEA MARKET

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SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2005 (Rain or Shine)

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Place: U.S.C.H.S. Stadium Parking Lot Time: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sale) Setup beginning at 6:30 a.m.

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Space is limited, so sign-up for your space early. Only Upper St. Clair residents may receive a space prior to May 13. After that date, other reservations will be accepted. Sellers are responsible for providing their own table.

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GHELARDUCCI’S G A R D E N

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ROSES, TREES, SHRUBS, VEGETABLES

412-276-6882

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Please complete the following form and mail to: Upper St. Clair Recreation, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Name________________________________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone____________________________________________________________________________________ Number of spaces needed*______________________________________________________________________ *(A space is 2 parking spaces 9’ x 18’ each,one for automobile and one for setup.) Fee per space is $6 resident, $10 nonresident. Check should be made payable to Upper St. Clair Recreation.

Summer 2005

You don’t have to leave Pittsburgh to become a

World Ready Woman . ®

Chatham College is a women’s college where students share enthusiasm for academics, community service, and leadership. Every sophomore has the opportunity to study abroad, and all students may earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years in one of eight graduate programs.

www.chatham.edu 800-837-1290

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Chatham College

admissions@chatham.edu 

Woodland Road



Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Summer 2005

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Advertiser Index Summer

Advertiser

Page

Alcorn Christie Insurance Agency .......................................................................15 * Amel’s Restaurant ...............................................................................................24 * Angelo Associates, Inc. ......................................................................................69 * Bedner’s Farm Market .........................................................................................66 * Blackstone Fine Jewelers ......................................................................................1 C. W. Carlson Contractors, Inc. ..........................................................................67 * Calabro Tire & Auto Service ...............................................................................59 * Carlson Wagonlit Travel ......................................................................................42 Catalucci Painting & Restoration, Interior & Exterior ..........................................80 Changing Seasons Learning Center .....................................................................8 Chatham College ............................................................................................9, 81 * Clark Construction Company .............................................................................68 * Coffey Contracting Company ..............................................................................69 * Coldwell Banker–Route 19 South/Galleria, USC, South Hills, Peters Twp. Offices .................................................28, 29, 30 Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Inc. Corporate ............................. Back outside cover Coldwell Banker–Waterdam Farms .....................................................................21 Crandall, Steven R., D.M.D. ................................................................................41 * Cupelli & Cupelli, Drs. .......................................................................................77 Deckmasters Technologies .................................................................................69 Design Image Salon ...........................................................................................42 “Dirt” Dugan Landscaping, Inc. ..........................................................................80 Don’s Appliances ................................................................................................65 Ferry Electric Company ......................................................................................65 * Gabler & Associates, P.C. ...................................................................................47 GALLERIA of Mt. Lebanon ..................................................................................21 Gateway Engineers .............................................................................................79 * George Girty Landscape Design .........................................................................67 Ghelarducci’s Garden Center ..............................................................................80 Gurtner, Steven M., D.M.D. and Gurtner, Maggie, D.M.D. ..................................71 Harmon F. E., Inc. ...............................................................................................79 Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. ..........................................................................................35 * Henderson Brothers, Inc. ....................................................................................61 * Herman J. Heyl Florist ........................................................................................75 * Howard Hanna Real Estate Services ........................................... Front inside cover Howard Hanna–Maureen Cavanaugh .................................................................47 * Howard Hanna–Susan Highley ...........................................................................27 * Howard Hanna–Diane Horvath ...........................................................................77 Incredibly Edible Delites .....................................................................................39 Jacksons Restaurant-Rotisserie-Bar ...................................................................25 Jamie’s Restaurant ..............................................................................................25 * Jaro Interiors, Inc. ..............................................................................................63 Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh ..................................................8

2005

Advertiser

Keller Williams–*Sandy and Marshall Goldstein ................................................56 Keller Williams–Marcie G. Smith .......................................................................70 * Kerr Family and Cosmetic Dentistry ...................................................................43 * Lesko Builders and Remodelers .........................................................................65 Louis Anthony Jewelers .............................................................. Back inside cover * Manalo, Larry E., D.M.D. ....................................................................................42 Mellon Private Wealth Management Services .....................................................15 Melluci, John C., D.D.S., Family Dentistry .........................................................63 Mt. Lebanon Montessori School and Academy ..................................................80 National City Bank ..............................................................................................21 Northwood Realty–Bonnie Detwiler and Marlene McNaughton ..........................73 Outback Steakhouse ...........................................................................................24 Oxford Mortgage–David and Cheryl Bayne .........................................................40 P & W SAAB .......................................................................................................83 Piccolina’s Restaurant .........................................................................................43 * Pinebridge Commons Associates .......................................................................42 Preferred Primary Care Physicians .....................................................................59 Premier Granite & Stone .....................................................................................83 Providence Point ................................................................................................55 * Prudential Preferred Realty–Route 19 South .........................................................2 Prudential Preferred Realty–Terry Abbott ............................................................40 * Prudential Preferred Realty–Judy Ward ..............................................................62 * Regis McQuaide & Co. Master Remodelers, Inc. ................................................66 * Robin Richards Photography ..............................................................................73 Rohrich Cadillac .................................................................................................75 Rollier’s Hardware ...............................................................................................70 * Rusmur Floors ....................................................................................................84 * Scott Bros. Windows and Doors .........................................................................64 * Sesame Inn .........................................................................................................24 Severns Dentistry & Orthodontics ......................................................................57 * Silk Road Gourmet Chinese Restaurant ..............................................................24 SimpleTex Computer & Network Services ..........................................................68 * South Hills Orthopaedic Surgery Associates, P.C. ..............................................74 * St. Clair Fitness & Racquet Club ..........................................................................8 * St. Clair Hospital ..................................................................................................7 State Farm Insurance–Cindy Brophy ..................................................................43 Steel Valley Orthopedic Associates, Inc. .............................................................63 Sunrise Senior Living ...........................................................................................5 The Little Gym of Pittsburgh–South Hills .............................................................8 * The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts, Inc. .............................. front cover, 12, 13 Valley Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. ...............................................................69 Wellington Real Estate–Patty Thomas .................................................................37 Westminster Presbyterian Church .......................................................................63

Advertise with UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, in publication since 1994. Phone: 412.833.1600, extension 2284 • Fax: 412-851-2592 • Website: www.twpusc.org/magazine/ *The above VIP advertisers, who are advertising in this issue, have contributed their support for a minimum of 21 issues. 82

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2005

Page

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

usmur f loors

“You Stand On Our Good Name Every Day!” – SOUTH – – NORTH – – EAST – 500 Station Street 3230 Babcock Boulevard 2047 Golden Mile Hwy. Bridgeville, PA 15017 Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Pittsburgh, PA 15239 84(412)UPPER Summer 2005 221-6366ST. CLAIR TODAY (412) 364-7330 (724) 325-1900

– WEST – 996 Brodhead Road Moon Twp., PA 15108 (412) 262-4707

– WHITEHALL – 4720 Clairton Boulevard Pittsburgh, PA 15236 (412) 884-3600

Check out these fabulous Upper St. Clair area homes! Point. Click. Lovely colonial 4Br, 2.5Ba, updates, Family room Fireplace, sliders to patio and private yard, side porch! Emily Shonberg 412-344-0500 $229,900

Mint condition! Slate entry, hdwd thruout, 4Br, 3+2Ba, Fmrm Fp, den, Gmrm, double deck, security system! Sekeras/Cobb 412-833-5405 $299,900

Move.

Totally updated 4Br, 2.5Ba split entry. Lvrm and Fmrm fireplaces, deck, corner lot, community pool! Stacy Romanias 412-833-5405 $259,900

Lovely 4Br, 2+2Ba colonial on cul de sac. Oak kitchen, built-ins, mouldings, fmrm Fp, gameroom, 2 tiered deck! Michelle Bonnar 412-833-5405 $379,900

Cul de sac location, 3Br, 2.5Ba colonial, updated kit and baths, gmrm to private patio, screened porch, deck w/ hot tub! Janine Dillon 412-833-5405 $137,900

Completely remodeled 4Br, 2.5Ba colonial, fmrm, gmrm, gleaming hdwd flrs, ceramic, great yard, corner lot! Sherry Cagney 412-833-5405 $237,000

Brookside Farms - nice room sizes, lvrm & fmrm fp, wet bar, 2nd flr laundry, flagstone screened patio, oversized garage! Suzanne Sala 412-831-5555 $295,900

Superb updates! Maple and granite kit, Austalian hdwd floors, greatroom fireplace, awesome view on 1.4 acres! Monica Mahla 412-831-5555 $369,900

New construction, Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driveway, open foyer, gourmet kit, 4Br, 3.5Ba, 1st flr laundry, covered deck, patio! Inder Kaistha 412-831-5555 $499,900

Lovely, open townhome, master Br has vaulted ceiling & bath w/ walk-in closet, loft, greatroom, patio! Helen Cramer 412-831-5555 $235,900

Two story beauty, 4 spacious Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, new gourmet kitchen, double tier deck! Hope Bassichis 412-833-5405 $319,900

Elegant two story foyer, sunken Lvrm, 4Br, 3.5Ba, fmrm, gmrm wet bar, French doors to deck! Ron Graf 412-344-0500 $539,000

Incredible architecture! Open floor plan, gourmet kit, 4Br, 3.5Ba, fmrm, den, 4 car garage, one of a kind! Kathi Kernan 412-344-0500 $669,000

Charming, updated 4Br, 2+2Ba colonial, fmm fireplace, den, gamerm, screened porch, move in condition! Leigh Harkreader 412-344-0500 $259,000

Northwood

Owned And Operated By NRT Incorporated.

9% Prudential 10% 20% 19% Howard Hanna

Coldwell Banker sold more listings in 2004 than any other real estate company.

SOUTH SUBURBS

Listings Sold in the South Hills in 2004

Owned and Operated By NRT Incorporated. If your home is currently listed by a real estate broker please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers. Listings taken and listings sold based on West Penn Multi-List data between January 1 and December 31, 2004 in SAL (Upper St. Clair, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, South Park, Jefferson Boro, Pleasant Hills, Scott Twp.-SAL, Baldwin Twp., South Side, Mt. Washington, Allentown, Arlington, Beltzhoover, Knoxville, Carrick, Bon Air, Mt. Oliver, Overbrook, Brentwood, Whitehall, Baldwin Boro, Duquesne, Homestead, West Homestead, Lincoln Place, Munhall, West Elizabeth, Whitaker, Dravosburg, Clairton, West Mifflin, Castle Shannon, Beechview, Brookline, Dormont).

1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

ECRWSS* CARRIER ROUTE

POSTAL CUSTOMER Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

This magazine was printed on recycled paper.

Presorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Pittsburgh PA Permit No. 206