SUMMER 2017 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY by UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Magazine

Community Day Issue C S U

Summer 2017 We Keep You Smiling www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home

The official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair

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e c i v r e S in ’17 Summer 2017 • Volume 23 • Issue 2 www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home

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Features & Around the Township 14

Township 22

School District 47

Boyce Mayview Park Perimeter Trail Expands

Summertime Fun at Boyce Mayview Park

2017 USC Community Day

Know Your Audience

This One’s a Knockout!

Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair

Capital Projects Move Forward

USC Schools Named Schools to Watch

A Tribute to a Great Man— John Small

Tim Wagner Recognized Future City Competition

A Reader-Friendly Design @ the Library

Guides/ Directories 38 Pinebridge 40 Summer Activities 66 Home & Garden 84 Advertiser Index Photo Ops 10

Recycling—Do Your Part

Town Hall South Lecture Series

usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us

A Record Ten OM Teams Advanced to States

Community Day 2016 USCHS Spring Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone

Cover

The summer cover of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is sponsored by Dr. Diane Falsetti, whose daughter, Dr. Sara Barna, will soon be joining the practice. Learn more about this mother-daughter duo in the feature article on pages 12–13. Cover photo by David Savarino.

Coach’s Corner

New Look

SHOP @USC

Orchestra Honors

Kids Helping Kids 4

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

Allegheny Land Trust

The award-winning, official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a not-for-profit community magazine dedicated to promoting the

Township and School District of Upper St. Clair by recognizing the gifts and contributions of the people who live and work here. This year marks 23 years of our publication.

The 90th 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.

Fall 2017 edition deadlines: Articles—June 22 Advertising—June 26

Publishers Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Superintendent of Schools Steering Committee Mark S. Mansfield, Assistant Township Manager Paul K. Fox, School District Representative Editors and Staff Linda M. Dudzinski, Editor-in-Chief Terry Kish, Associate Editor Colleen DeMarco, Office Manager, Advertising Executive Lynn Dempsey, Advertising Executive Dorothy Clark, Graphic Designer Alison Hess, Marketing Executive

Mark Mansfield, Paul Fox, Linda Dudzinski, Terry Kish, Colleen DeMarco, Lynn Dempsey, Dorothy Clark, and Alison Hess. 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.

The next issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY will be the Fall 2017 issue and will be published in August 2017. 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:

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is published

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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 Township Library. If you did not receive a copy in the mail, please call 412-833-1600, extension 2284. 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 above. Add $10 to cover international mailings.

Editor

1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or email UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY at usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Article Information

Editor-in-Chief Linda Dudzinski phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2681

Advertising Information

Office Manager Colleen DeMarco phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 fax: 412-851-2592 Ad file submission: dclark@uscsd.k12.pa.us

Website www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home Email usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us Board of School Directors

Angela B. Petersen, President Amy L. Billerbeck, Vice President Barbara L. Bolas Phillip J. Elias Buffy Z. Hasco Patrick A. Hewitt Frank J. Kerber Harry F. Kunselman Louis P. Mafrice, Jr.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Township Board of Commissioners Mark D. Christie, President, Ward 4 Rex A. Waller, Vice President, Ward 2 Nicholas J. Seitanakis, Ward 1 Robert W. Orchowski, Ward 3 Ronald J. Pardini, Ward 5 Russell R. Del Re, At Large Daniel R. Paoly, At Large

Summer 2017

Thank you to our volunteer contributors this issue: Judge Ronald Arnoni, Karen Boston, Cindy Brophy, Ashley Monning Carris, John D’Angelo, Lynn Dempsey, Paul Fox, Dina Fulmer, Heather Holtschlag, Mark Keilhofer, Jessica Kester, Jay Lynch, Whitney Menarchek, Abby Mendelson, Jena Oberg, Lauren Pagano, Helen Palascak, R.W. Dick Phillips, Lauren Quintero (YWG), Jim Render, Rachel Rennebeck, Jennifer Roberts, Ron Sarrick, and Charles Succop. Young Writers Guild (YWG) promotes and encourages young writers in the Upper St. Clair School District to provide articles of interest for our community magazine. Email usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us to find out how your student can contribute. The 90th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a joint publication of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. © Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this magazine, in print or web version, in whole or in part, without the expressed written consent of the Editor, is strictly prohibited. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 Fax: 412-851-2592 Email: usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us Township: 412-831-9000 School District: 412-833-1600 Printed by Knepper Press 2251 Sweeney Drive, Clinton, PA 15026-1818 724-899-4274 Design by DMC Design 412-824-7844 • www.dmcdesign.com

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A Summer Note from the Publishers Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole

Matthew R. Serakowski

It is remarkable how quickly the year progresses, to the point that we are revealing our summer edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, our community magazine’s issue that includes USC Community Day information. More than any other, we enjoy introducing this one, because of what we share. On the cusp of warming weather and a season that affords increased relaxation, our message “Be sure to take advantage of it all!” resonates (as you will see) on many of the pages throughout. While last year’s weather on Community Day was a bit on the wet side and we saw sporadic umbrellas pop up from prepared residents, the day’s laughs, smiles, and conversations turned into lasting memories for those who attended. The time spent planning for this daylong event by the Township, School District, and many community organizations is well worth the outcome. It always is! Not unusual for this time of year, the weather can be anything but predictable. No worries! Residents don’t come to Community Day for the weather. Despite it, we come for the camaraderie, the parade, the contests, the activities, the food, the games—all of which culminates at McLaughlin Run Creek to watch the Community Foundation’s beloved Duck Race. (Make sure to buy your lucky duck!) Regardless of the weather predictions for this year, make your way to the heart of USC—to McLaughlin Run Road, with side trips to Gilfillan Farm and USC VFD’s main fire station along Route 19—on Saturday, May 20, where the day’s events will take place. If you’re a first-timer, we expect that after you experience Community Day once, it will become a family tradition in your household for years to come. In addition to Community Day information found on pages 22–25, there are many stories that will pique your interest. In our opinion, the volunteer writers (see page 6 for a listing) have done an outstanding job, and the Township (pages 20–37) and School District (pages 46–64) news is always noteworthy and informative. Look for the special advertising guides—Summer Activities (pages 40–45) and Home & Garden (pages 66–71)—where you’ll find articles that share some great advice. Check them out. As you sit back and relax to read the summer edition of TODAY, you’re bound to learn some new things and be entertained along the way. Let us know what you like by emailing usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us. We appreciate hearing your comments and thank you for supporting our community’s magazine, delivered each quarter to your home. Have a great summer enjoying indoor and outdoor (especially outdoor!) opportunities that exist in our wonderful community of Upper St. Clair.

Sincerely,

Matthew R. Serakowski Township Manager

Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Superintendent of Schools

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

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

TODAY, the award-winning, official publication of the School District and Township of Upper St. Clair www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home 8

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Summer 2017

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Summer 2017

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In Her Mother’s Footsteps

Dr. Sara Barna Joins Dr. Diane Falsetti’s Dental Practice Every child hears the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Some follow a direct path, while for others, the road to their chosen profession can take twists, turns, and even an occasional detour. Consider the careers of Diane Falsetti and her daughter, Sara Barna. With more than 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Diane Falsetti is a highly skilled dental practitioner who provides exceptional patient care.

“I believe this career suits her very well; she’s artistic, disciplined, and very smart.”

“Several factors influenced my decision to become a dentist,” said Dr. Falsetti, “but the unexpected benefit of my career choice is the relationships that I’ve developed with my patients. Getting to know them and their families has been wonderful and has sustained me through the years.” Growing up in Ford City, Dr. Falsetti’s father always encouraged his daughters to pursue careers where they would be able to support themselves, words all four women took to heart. One sister is a dentist in Seattle, Washington, one earned a doctorate in nursing and works as a nurse practitioner, and the fourth sister is a retired speech pathologist. All four attended the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Falsetti said that her father’s advice, coupled with a love of science and a talent for arts and crafts, led to her interest in dentistry, a field that she said melds all those elements. As a teenager, Dr. Falsetti asked her mother to drive her to a local dental practice to see if she could get hired as an assistant. She landed a job and the experience reinforced her desire to become a dentist. After earning her bachelor of science degree from the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Falsetti entered Pitt’s dental school in 1979 and graduated in 1983. Less than ten percent of her class were female. Today, Dr. Falsetti is still breaking new ground, as her daughter, Dr. Sara Barna, is poised to join her Upper St. Clair dental practice in the summer of 2018. “It’s unique,” commented Dr. Falsetti. “There are not many mother/daughter practices.” Dr. Falsetti is excited about the prospect of Sara joining the practice; but as a mother, she is aware that she needs to let her daughter Dr. Falsetti at work develop her own style and skills, both personally and professionally. Dentistry is one of the fastest changing fields explained Dr. Falsetti, with new materials, implants, cosmetic veneers, bondings, white fillings, digital X-rays, digital cavity detection, digital impressions, and digital records. Dr. Falsetti said that she uses about 25% of the techniques she learned in dental school; most of the methods she uses are practices she has learned on the job and through continuing education studies. “Sara has been learning these new techniques at dental school, as well as some of the older techniques that have not changed,” said Dr. Falsetti. “She has a lot to offer our practice, our patients, and the dental community.” Dr. Sara Barna’s path to dentistry has had a few more twists than her mother’s. Sara grew up around dentistry and remembers spending many two-hour snow delays in her mom’s office. When visiting her father, also a dentist, she remembers stone casts for teeth models being all over his house. Dr. Falsetti suggested that Sara consider being a dentist when she was in high school, but at that time her daughter wasn’t interested.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

An inviting waiting room

It was during Sara’s third year of pharmacy school at Duquesne University (she earned her pharmacy degree in 2014) when she decided to go to dental school. “I’ve always been artistic,” said Sara, “and I wanted the autonomy to prescribe and clinically manage my own patients. Dentistry was just more of a natural fit for me.” Dr. Falsetti admits she wasn’t surprised that Sara decided to become a dentist. “I believe this career suits her very well; she’s artistic, disciplined, and very smart.” Sara’s dental school experience at Pitt had some significant differences from her mother’s. For starters, Sara’s class was the first in the school’s history to have a higher percentage of women than men—55%. Electronic charting with a computer, which Sara prefers to paper charts, is completely different from her mother’s experience. Because many of the faculty know both of her parents when they attended Pitt dental, Sara sometimes felt extra pressure to do well. But Sara said her pharmacy degree helped her tremendously through dental school. “We obtain patients’ entire medical histories, including medications,” said Sara, “and, as dentists, we need to know what those medications are when planning treatment for dental procedures (i.e., oral surgery cases, periodontal procedures, etc.).” When she was younger, Sara remembers being excited for the patient prize basket when she went to her mom’s office. “My sister and I would take the stickers out of the basket and put them on our side of the car window in the back seat,” she said. “I used to also try on the gloves and use the water syringes.” Now, Sara is looking forward to performing the different types of procedures that are part of general dentistry. “I’m really happy about my career choice,” she said, “and I’m looking forward to what the future holds.” In addition to Sara, Dr. Falsetti has four other children: Meghan, a teacher in Delaware; Jimmy, a music professor at Kansas State University; David, a mechanical engineer; and Emily, a hair stylist with Geno Levi. Dr. Falsetti and her husband, Jeff Johnson, a civil engineer with Golden Triangle Construction, live in Peters Township. n

Dr. Falsetti’s office is conveniently located in Summerfield Commons.

Dr. Diane Falsetti

Dr. Sara Barna

Diane M. Falsetti, DMD 2585 Washington Road, Suite 110 Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

Dr. Diane M. Falsetti, DMD, provides general and cosmetic dentistry with a focus on comfortable, aesthetic, and patient-centered care. Dr. Falsetti’s office is located at 2585 Washington Rd., Suite 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15241. To contact the office, call 412-854-4492 or for more information, visit www.drdianefalsetti.com. Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Know Your Audience Jay Lynch

At this time of year, many USC parents with young kids might be considering voluntary involvement in kids’ activities. If you’re considering coaching youth sports, or supporting a team with logistics, parties, or even team photos, I hope you can avoid a couple of my unintended blunders. When I was a youth basketball coach for the South Hills YMCA (ages seven and eight), I greatly enjoyed teaching basketball fundamentals to little kids, and everyone involved had lots of fun. As is typical with youth sports, moms, dads, siblings, and relatives filled the bleachers at Streams School, while their young family members practiced and played at the direction of coaches and teenage referees. One of the players on our team was skilled beyond his years. Unlike most kids, Billy could control a ball nearly the size of his little body and successfully hoist it to the basket and score. He also followed directions about passing the ball to his teammates and playing defense.

up at 11. Otherwise, I don’t want to see any of you, and especially you!” while pointing my finger at Billy’s father. The crowd went silent for a few moments, followed by a chorus of boos and jeering. To which I responded, “It’s not my fault, it’s his!” (again, pointing at Billy’s dad). I braced myself for a physical altercation, but, instead, Billy’s dad made his way down the bleachers, grabbed Billy, and walked out of the gym. The referee wisely cancelled the rest of the game and did his best to minimize the damage by inviting everyone to return the following Saturday. When I got home, there was a message from the YMCA on my answering machine. I had been fired, from a volunteer coaching job! The message was eloquent: “Mr. Lynch, you need to learn how to address parental interference without discouraging parental involvement.” Whoops. Soon after my involuntary retirement from YMCA coaching, I switched gears and volunteered to be an assistant for one of my son’s baseball teams. Given my apparent reputation for anger-control issues, the team manager suggested that I help the team in a passive way. “Jay, we really don’t need any coaches, but we sure could use a team phoA solemn afternoon. Among the 2004 team players is Vince tographer,” he said. Since no little Trocheck (right side, center), who now plays professionally league team in history had ever for the NHL Florida Panthers and was selected for Team had a team photographer, I should America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. have seen through his not-so-subtle All was well, un- attempt to keep me out of the way. But, I took it as a challenge. til the day Billy’s I worked hard to capture the action and team celebrations with father attended a my trusty Nikon FM (in the days before smart phones) and enFun times for the young Panthers game and sat in couraged non-traditional team photos, where the players goofed the bleachers. around for the camera (see left). He wasn’t there to volunteer as a coach’s assistant or cheerfully However, I occasionally took it a bit too far. As all parents know, encourage the team. His objective was to make sure that young kids get tired of overzealous parents constantly asking them to Billy was the superstar and sole focus of the game. His tactics: pose and say “cheese.” Especially at inappropriate times. One hot verbal instructions and harsh criticisms targeted at Billy, but loud summer day, during a strenuous travel season (multiple games per enough to fill the gym. day for many weeks in a row), the team suffered an embarrassing To make matters worse, his admonitions contradicted my loss during a tournament. Even worse, they had to hang around instructions. I wanted the kids to learn how to play the game for two hours waiting for the consolation game. As the team astogether, with lots of passing and good defense. Every time Billy sembled beneath shade trees to lick their wounds, I showed up got the ball in his hands, his dad yelled, “Shoot it, Billy! Don’t with my camera. The emotions of the players were fully revealed pass it!” while I was yelling, “Pass it Billy, don’t shoot!” During a in the resulting black & white photo above. break, I implemented a new team rule. Three players had to touch You can easily imagine what the kids were thinking as I the ball before anyone was allowed to shoot. Billy was compliant snapped the shutter. “It’s not a good time, Mr. Lynch.” or, “Can and teamwork improved, which sent his dad into a tizzy. “I told you come back after we win?” The only exception was Steven you to get that ball and shoot. Stop passing. Those kids aren’t as Romick (center), whose expression was hidden by a self-inflicted good as you!” he yelled. bubble gum explosion. The kids went on to win the consolation Billy was befuddled. He didn’t know what to do. He wanted game and enjoyed many victories throughout the season, and I to listen to me, but clearly wanted to obey his father. After all, learned to focus my photos on happy situations. I didn’t want he only saw me for two hours on Saturdays, but he had to live another dreaded voicemail on my answering machine! with his dad. Seeing that Billy was emotionally shaken, I lost my So, as you and your kids enjoy your favorite summer activities, composure. I called time out, which confused the young referee, be sure to avoid coaches If you’d like to share a humorous as time outs weren’t allowed. I turned to the bleachers and said, with quick tempers and memory of childhood sports, send an “Moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and grandparents—next week, photographers with quick email to Jay Lynch at bkefather@yahoo. com. We’d love your contribution! you’re welcome to drop your players off at nine and pick them cameras. n 14

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

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They Were 14

R. W. Dick Phillips, Author, Revolutionary Historian Earlier this year, and as we do annually, we celebrated America’s presidents. As we approach July and the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we might also celebrate the 14 presidents who served as America’s chief executive officers before, during, and after the Revolution, under the Articles of Confederation (i.e. before the Constitution). These “Articles” were hastily put together by the state delegates, because America was about to go to war with Great Britain and the United States needed some sense of structure to unify and guide its efforts. America also needed a president with whom the other heads of state could relate. Each was elected by Congress and served for one year or less. The exception was John Hancock who served two terms, in 1772 and 1774. Because the British considered Hancock an instigator of the Revolution, they put a price on his head, while repeatedly offering pardons to all other Colonists if they would lay down their arms. These were treacherous times, with loyalists (Colonists still loyal to Great Britain) living among the Revolutionaries. President Hancock might have been the most defiant of all. Just consider the size of John Hancock’s signature on the Declaration of Independence, affixed while he had a price on his head!

Arthur St. Clair was among those 14 presidents. Having served as Washington’s adjutant general during the Revolution, St. Clair and Washington knew each other well. In 1787, St. Clair was the president to whom Washington, the Constitutional Convention chairman, presented the approved draft of that other great document for final review and distribution to the 13 states for ratification. Washington had been asked to chair the convention, thus ensuring that the delegates moved toward a final draft. Years before in 1764, St. Clair and his family settled in western Pennsylvania. His decade of “Americanization” included serving in various judicial assignments for Governor John Penn, the last of which was as Magistrate of Westmoreland County. St. Clair, a native Scot and a retired British officer, had become disgusted with the way in which the British were treating the Colonists. In 1774, St. Clair met with President Hancock and pledged his allegiance to America. He was commissioned a Colonel in the Continental Army, under Washington. One can only imagine St. Clair’s meeting with Hancock, who was well aware that St. Clair was a cousin of Thomas Gage, commanding general of British forces in North America and the man who had put a price on his head. St. Clair’s military strategies, recruiting, and Summer 2017

Brigade leadership were key factors in helping Washington overcome the Arthur St. Clair, British Army’s early moin his early mentum during 1775–77. days He had distinguished himself in battles with the British in Canada, New Jersey, and New York and was promoted to Major General, later becoming Washington’s adjutant general. After serving in Congress in 1785–86 and being elected its president in 1787, St. Clair went on to become the first federally-appointed governor of the Northwest Territory (the land between the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers). He served in that capacity for 14 years, establishing a territorial justice system, appointing its justices, and laying the groundwork for the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and parts of Minnesota. In all, more than two dozen communities and landmarks from Pennsylvania to Minnesota are named for Arthur St. Clair, two local examples being the Township of Upper St. Clair and St. Clair Country Club. n Phillips authored the book Arthur St. Clair, The Invisible Patriot, and regularly updates a Facebook page on the subject. The book is available on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble, St. Clair Country Club gift shop, and Fort Ligonier Museum. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

RONALD A. ARNONI, DISTRICT JUDGE District Court 05-2-20 Office: 412-835-1661; Fax: 412-835-4060

5100 West Library Avenue Bethel Park, PA 15102

The Discord of Law Enforcement

There is a climate of discord regarding law enforcement in our country. You see it on the news and read about it in the newspaper. In 2016, there were 64 officers killed in the line of duty, the most in five years. In some cases, officers have been ambushed and senselessly murdered. In other cases, officers laid down their lives protecting others. Likewise, the Washington Post reported that in the first five months of 2015, there were 306 fatal police shootings. There is a vicious cycle of mistrust between the general public and law enforcement. What can we do to foster the development of trust, instill respect, and improve communication with those who protect us? One answer is to start young! First, let’s discuss the functions of police. Officers are primarily responsible for the maintenance of public order, and the prevention and detection of crime, which has escalated over time due to the complexities of civilization. Without the police, there would be chaos. They enforce criminal law and judicial decisions and provide necessary checks and balances to the deficiencies of human nature. They put their lives on the line every day to protect others. Criminal justice experts agree that all law enforcement-involved shootings are preventable if officers and citizens understand and respect one another. Citizens must take personal responsibility for their actions. Many times, the person(s) Officer Fahey from the Upper St. Clair Police involved could have done or not done something Department gives a tour to a youth group. to prevent the situation from resulting in deadly force. On the other hand, law enforcement agencies must work hard to educate citizens, maintain agency transparency, and conduct themselves in a professional manner in order to gain the community’s respect and support. I recently read an essay written by a respected member of law enforcement from Ohio on improving community relations by focusing on our youth. In the opinion of the author, reaching out to children—the younger the better (early imprinting)—will establish a trust that can last a lifetime. Juvenile officers bring a preventative mindset that attempts to steer young people down the right path. All officers should take every opportunity to positively impact our youth. Many school districts are putting police officers in their schools to protect students and keep the peace. These same officers can, however, be a valuable resource in the classroom where they can educate students on a variety of topics as well as build relationships. Providing instruction on looking both ways before crossing (Safety Town program), avoiding drug use with D.A.R.E., or alerting young people to predators on the Internet through e-Copp, can help children identify police officers as protectors, not punishers. Sometimes, a gesture as simple as a smile or a wave, or giving a child a badge sticker or lollipop, can have a lasting effect. This relationship can grow as children grow, when officers get involved with athletic leagues and clubs, such as Explore programs to recruit youth into a potential law enforcement career. The ultimate goal is to build trust. Who knows what tragedies—school violence, drug overdoses, or suicides—could be averted if kids trust that the police are there to serve and protect. Parents can also contribute to creating a positive attitude toward law enforcement. Children learn by example; therefore, when we, as adults, show police officers respect and appreciation, it sends an important message. Also, it’s probably not a good idea for parents to threaten their children with the police. For example, telling a child that if he or she is not good, the police are going to put them in jail can have a negative impact. Parents of teens can also be protective partners with officers by talking to their kids about making good decisions; however, as we all know, mistakes are often made during these formative years. It is crucial that children understand the importance of accountability. In the event of an incident or a perceived incident, obeying commands and following directions are imperative to avoid further calamity. Mistakes can be overcome if we learn from them. Unfortunately, as seen in the news, those who do not abide, never get that opportunity. In a perfect world, there would be no crime and law enforcement would not be necessary. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. There are as many reasons for crime as there are numbers of crimes. Although focusing on youth to improve community relations with law enforcement is not the only answer in reducing police violence and mistrust, it is a good beginning. n 16

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

This One’s a Knockout! Abby Mendelson

It was the Pittsburgh Kid versus the Brown Bomber. On a steamy June night, 1941, in Manhattan’s Polo Grounds, boxer Billy Conn came ready to take the heavyweight title from Joe Louis. This was a tough, feisty Billy Conn, who had battled his way up from high school dropout to light heavyweight champion, then did something no one had ever done—resigned his two-year title just for a shot at Louis. Bigger, stronger, harder-hitting, Louis came into the ring outweighing underdog Conn by 30 pounds, 199 to 169. But for 12 rounds, Conn bested the champ. In a fight many consider the greatest of the century, Conn used his famous left, his jabs and hooks, keeping away from Louis’ devastating right—the one that made him champ for a dozen years. For 12 rounds, Billy Conn was the best boxer in the world. But it was a 15-round fight, and virtually every one of the 54,487 in the house wanted Sweet William to hang on for three more rounds. Nine minutes. The champ was tired, weary—everyone could see that; everyone who had come to see East Liberty’s Billy Conn, the Flower of the Monongahela, apply lessons in the sweet science. But Conn wouldn’t let himself take the title on points. Back home, his mother was dying of cancer and Conn had promised her a knock out. So in the 13th round he went for the killer blow. A step here, a feint there—but it was Louis who saw an opening. A paralyzing right to the jaw left Conn dazed. Then another, and a third. Counted out at 2:58, Conn was two seconds shy of the bell, six minutes away from the heavyweight crown. It’s the greatest “never-was” moment in Pittsburgh’s rich boxing lore.

From this world-class pinnacle to Golden Gloves moments in back-alley gyms, Pittsburgh sportswriting legend Jim O’Brien’s wholly wonderful From A to Z: A Boxing Memoir from Ali to Zivic takes us virtually everywhere with anyone who ever had anything to do with Pittsburgh and the Sweet Science. Anyone, that is, who worked out, hit the speed bag, promoted fights, wrote the stories. And it’s a marvel! A full 400 illustrated pages, with 16 more of priceless, full-color plates,

O’Brien’s history-cum-memoir is peppered with tasty stories, priceless photos, and precious memories. As a worthy addition to his legendary Pittsburgh Proud series, an entire shelf’s worth of first-rate accounts of Western Pennsylvania sports teams and figures, Jack Lambert to Chuck Noll, Art Rooney to Roberto Clemente, From A to Z gives us the kind of inside information only a seasoned sports journalist can provide. Indeed, to call Jim O’Brien a veteran chronicler massively understates the case. From his fledgling days at The Pitt News to stints at the Pittsburgh Press, New York Post, Miami News, and others, to his own 30-year career heading his own publishing empire, O’Brien’s been virtually everywhere, knows everyone, seen it all. And writes about it all with the strength and verve of a sharp uppercut. Possessing an unerring nose for a story, this hall-offame scrivener and world-class elbow-rubber—here he’s talking with Muhammad Ali, there with Frank Deford, Roy McHugh, Jimmy Cannon, Art Rooney, Billy Conn, Howard Cosell, Bruno Sanmartino, and so many others—has undreamt-of access, ac- Left to right are Billy Conn, Art Rooney, and Jim O’Brien; photo by Harry Homa cess where others find only closed doors, hears stories that never reach other, less ingratiating ears. Indeed, O’Brien’s obvious and enviable intelligence, vast experience, and amiable manner enable him to garner all manner of tales easily overlooked by lesser lights—writers less sophisticated, less traveled. Meaning that From A to Z also deserves to be an endlessly fascinating memoir about a man who’s seen them all, pugs and pugilists, trainers and ticket takers, owners and promoters and newsies galore, all the characters that’s made the boxing world so rich, and are sorely missed from today’s corporate, antiseptic sports world. Put another way, O’Brien’s been there, done that, and deservedly bought the T-shirt! Above all the larger-than-life personalities, this latest edition aptly describes Pittsburgh. An area—a state of mind, really—that’s produced such great boxers as Billy Conn, Fritzie Zivic, Harry Greb, and many, many more. Around them, O’Brien weaves a tale of triumph and tragedy, of nobility and knowledge. And, sadly, of one-way tickets to Palookaville. Then there are the thrilling palaces of yesteryear, venerable boxing venues without which any Pittsburgh historical Baedeker would be incomplete: Motor Square Garden, Duquesne Garden, Forbes Field, the Civic Arena, and others. Now-vanished temples, home to many sporting events, including grand boxing matches, it’s worth the cover price alone just to be transported back, to hear the crowds roar, to smell the sweat seeping from the walls. In the ring, on the street, in the locker room, at the gym, O’Brien takes us everywhere, introduces us to everyone. As idiosyncratic as it is irresistible, From A to Z adds up to a grand, richly-illustrated history, a ringside seat to some of the finest, and most furtive, boxing stories in Pittsburgh history. Humor and hard work, championship fights and crushing defeats, broken noses and broken dreams, this indeed is Pittsburgh Proud! n

Jim O’Brien and Muhammad Ali, in 1971 walking near the New Yorker hotel and Madison Square Garden in NYC

Award-winning writer Abby Mendelson is the author of three novels, two collections of stories, the number-one best-selling The Pittsburgh Steelers: The Official History, The Pittsburgh Steelers: Yesterday and Today, The Steelers Experience, Arena: Remembering the Igloo, and numerous other books and articles about Pittsburgh. Check out Jim O’Brien’s book From A to Z: A Boxing Memoir from Ali to Zivic. Visit his website at www.jimobriensportsauthor.com for more information.

USC resident Craig Wolfley (former Steeler and current Steelers sideline commentator) instructing a boxer in his Bridgeville gym; 2004 photo by Jim O’Brien Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Coach’s Corner

Featuring Ross Drenning

Jim Render, USCHS Football Coach The letter arrived on January 15, 2017. The envelope was marked Department of Navy, Commanding Officer, HSM 73, San Diego, California, Official Business. Is there a chance they are drafting me 50 years past my prime? It is always great to be wanted, but I am not sure I could compete with the young, strong, and talented men and women of the United States Navy. Put your fears to rest, the Navy simply invited me to witness a change of command ceremony for someone who is actually much younger, stronger, and more talented than his high school football coach. Ross A. Drenning, Upper St. Clair High School, Class of 1994, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor of science degree in English and commissioned as an Ensign in May, 1999. Now 18 years later, he would relieve his commanding officer of his helicopter attack unit, the BattleCats. The invitation requested that I be in attendance for his elevation ceremony on Thursday, the twenty-third of February at ten o’clock a.m. It was with pleasure and pride that I reported for “duty” to Naval Base Coronado (North Island), San Diego, California. Ross Drenning was a student-athlete at USCHS in the early ’90s. He was part of some very good high school football teams, which included a WPIAL championship and state runner-up in 1992. An offensive guard and outside linebacker, he was an AllConference and Southwestern Pennsylvania Fabulous 22 player. In his four years of high school at USCHS, our team was the conference champion each year and played at Three Rivers Stadium for the WPIAL crown in three of his varsity seasons. Our cumulative record in those years (1991-92-93) was 36–4 against the largest and best teams in WPIAL football history. His life would forever change as a result of a spring 1994 visit to the U.S. Naval Academy. The purpose of the trip was to see the Navy spring practice football game and to visit a friend and teammate, Brian Drechsler, who was a freshman (plebe) 18

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

at the Academy. The Navy coaches asked if Ross had any interest it attending the Academy. Ross replied that it might be a possibility. The coaches gave him two days to confirm his interest. Less than a week later, Ross was interviewed in Congressman Arlan Specter’s Harrisburg office. The appointment was given with a stipulation that he first attend a prep school for one year before going to the Annapolis campus. That prep year was spent in the Wilkes Barre/Scranton area at Wyoming Seminary. Upon completing the required academic courses, he was inducted into the Navy on June 30, 1995. The life of a Navy football player requires discipline above all else. You must take six classes, strength train, attend practice, study, eat, sleep, and be up and ready in the uniform of the day at 6:30 a.m. A Midshipman must make sure his shoes are shined and that he is clean shaven, as well. Summer vacations consisted of six weeks of military preparation. The military is not a life for the undisciplined or a person who does not understand the team concept. Following Plebe Summer, Ross reported for football practice as a 205-pound defensive end. By his junior and senior seasons, he transitioned to a 248-pound inside linebacker and special teams performer. He graduated on May 26, 1999, and three days later married his USC High School sweetheart, Laurie Reese, in the Naval Academy chapel. In the meantime, Ensign Drenning had selected Naval Aviation as his first choice for his post graduate assignment. Being granted his preference, he reported to Pensacola, Florida, in November 1999 for aviation training. Ross reported that the toughest study assignment he’d ever encountered was Aviation Primary Indoctrination (API), which included six months of intense mental preparation before being allowed inside a plane. He was designated a Naval Aviator in May 2001. Since that time, Ross has been in constant work and preparation to fly Summer 2017

Ross Drenning, while at USCHS

Commander Ross A. Drenning

Naval-armed helicopters. Being deployed six times, his first assignment was in Atsugi, Japan, from 2002–2005. Commander Drenning has accumulated more than 3500 total flight hours and is qualified in all five naval variants of the MH-60 aircraft. His personal awards include a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Air Medal (Strike/Flight), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit commendations, service, and campaign awards. What he has accomplished with Navy helicopters is likened to what you watched the Air Force do in the movie “Top Gun,” featuring Tom Cruise as Maverick. Tradition was on full display when I visited the San Diego Naval Base. Custom has established that this ceremony be formal and impressive—designed to strengthen the respect for authority, vital to any military organization. All 300 men of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Three (HSM-73), the BattleCats, were present. We were seated in an open hanger and had audio access to the incoming aircraft. Commander Drenning said to the other manned helicopter, “I relieve you, sir.”

Ross and Laurie Drenning, with their children, Ainsley and Arden, standing in front of a MH-60R helicopter

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Left to right are Ross Drenning, Jim Render, and Brian Drechsler, in San Diego this past February

The former Commander, Matthew H. Ort responded, “I stand relieved.” Ross then responded, “I take the lead.” I watched with great respect and admiration as my former linebacker expertly landed his chopper right in front of us, with the Pacific Ocean glistening in the background. Among his remarks at the ceremony, Ross said that the discipline from football and the teamwork required had much to do with qualifying to fly a jet or a prop or an attack helicopter. Ross, the BattleCat commander, is now prepping his team, including 40 pilots, for

their next deployment. They will leave in October, with their 11 helicopters, aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt. I wonder what it’s like to prepare to fly a fully loaded attack helicopter, slightly above the ocean’s surface with night vision goggles and traveling 100 miles an hour? I would like to thank all U.S. veterans for your service to our country. I am sure there are many more great military stories within the readership of USC TODAY. Some of you may have sons and daughters who are Service Academy graduates with records similar to Ross Drenning. Please let them know that we are all very proud of them, as well. USC’s athletic department secretary, Cindy Storer, has a son, Jeff, who is also an attack helicopter pilot, a 2005 graduate of the Naval Academy who currently holds the rank of Lt. Commander. He has served under Commander Drenning, who Jeff holds in high regard. Guidance department secretary Cheryl Todaro has a son, Major Chris Todaro (Ret.), who is a 2000 graduate of the Air Force Academy. Chris also played football for the USC Panthers. In the accompanying picture of Ross Drenning and myself is Commander Brian Summer 2017

(Beef) Drechsler. He played football at USCHS in the early ’90s, followed by a distinguished gridiron career at Navy. I hadn’t seen him in 20 years. Navy regulations will not allow me to share more information about Brian; however, I can tell you that he is an active member of the U.S. Navy and I am very proud of him. Ross and Laurie Drenning have two children: a daughter, Ainsley (10), and a son, Arden (7). Ross’s parents are Chuck and Donna Drenning who currently live in Ligonier, and Laurie’s parents are Robert and Marilyn Reese of Upper St. Clair. Mr. Reese gave the Invocation and Benediction at the Change of Command Ceremony. We are all safer because of the many Upper St. Clair men and women who proudly serve our country as members of the United States military. n

Excerpt from Navy Flyer’s Creed … I am a United States Navy flyer. I have dedicated myself to my country, with its many millions of all races, colors, and creeds. They and their way of life are worthy of my greatest protective effort. I ask the help of God in making that effort great enough.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

T Township Commissioners

2017 Township of Upper St. Clair Meeting Dates

Mark D. Christie

Rex A. Waller

Nicholas J. Seitanakis

Robert W. Orchowski

Day 412-831-9000 2017*

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-5065 2017*

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-220-4434 2019*

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-1868 2019*

President Ward 4

Vice President Ward 2

Ward 1

Ward 3

Ronald J. Pardini

Russell R. Del Re

Daniel R. Paoly

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 724-941-1199 2019*

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-287-9076 2019*

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-862-5995 2017*

Ward 5

At-Large

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

At-Large

*Date indicates expiration of term.

All business regarding the operation of the Township is conducted at the regular meetings of the Board of Commissioners. Citizens are invited to comment on any Township matter. Complete Board minutes can be found at the Upper St. Clair Township Library or on the website at www.twpusc.org. For more information, call 412-831-9000.

New Look for Municipal Building

In the mid-eighties, the Township undertook “Project 2000” to add and reshuffle office spaces for creating better flow and efficiency in its various administrative departments. In 1986, there were 80 full-time and ten part-time positions. The Township did not have an Information Technology department at that time and the Recreation & Leisure Services Department boasted a two-person operation. Fast forward to 2017, the Township staff has grown to 118 full-time and 450 part-time positions with the addition of the Community & Recreation Center (C&RC). With the growth in operations, the need for safety improvements, technological, and security upgrades, various office and meeting room improvements were identified and subsequently funded through capital A look at the new Board of Commissions’ meeting room where public meetings are held projects budget allocations. In 2013, the first phase of improvements to the Municipal building began, which included renovations to the lobby, Finance/Tax, and file room areas. Over the course of the next several years, a new roof was installed and security improvements were made, including a centralized server and controlled door access. The latest improvements began in the summer of 2016, when the Township began the process of updating and reconfiguring its administrative office space and the Board of Commissioners’ meeting rooms. This encompassed much-needed HVAC upgrades, converting minimally-used space into new work areas and training space, improved technology features, and other cost savings improvements. Along with a fresh, new look, the Township meeting room’s graphics and sound system have been vastly improved and teleconferencing capabilities have been added. In addition to the administration wing, the lower level’s large multi-purpose room, which had significant slab migration and humidity issues, was demolished from the sub-floor up and Training room transformed into a high-tech training facility for various meetings, training, community instruction, and proctoring. The recently completed renovations not only provide a clean, safe place to conduct Township business, but they will undoubtedly continue to assist the Township in serving our community more efficiently into the future. n 20

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

Highlights of the Board of Commissioners’ Meetings January 3, 2017

Approximately 15 people attended

Recognition • Commissioner Robert Orchowski presented a Proclamation to Liam Carse for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Liam Carse and Township Commissioner Robert Orchowski The Board • Adopted Bill No. 1-17 Re. PLC16-1302–Zoning Map Amendment for Rezoning of 1353, 1355, 1357, and 1361 McLaughlin Run Road from RM Restricted Light Industrial District and R-LI Low Intensity Residential District to RM Restricted Light Industrial District. • Adopted Bill No. 2-17 Re. PLC 16-0010 granting Conditional Use Approval to Nicholas and Nancy Aspiotes to allow warehousing on property located at 1371 McLaughlin Run Road, Block/Lot 254-P-176, zoned RM Restricted Light Industrial District, subject to certain conditions. • Continued Public Hearing Re. PLC16-1303–Amendment to Chapter 130 of the Township Code entitled “Zoning” to amend the provisions for Freestanding Business Identification Signage to the February 6, 2017, Regular Board Meeting. • Approved the Sale of a Public Works 2005 International Dump Truck to West Mifflin Borough in the amount of $29,000. • Approved the following reappointments to Township Boards and Commissions: Building and Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board (three-year term through December 31, 2019) Michael McDonnell, James Sampey Civil Service Board (three-year term through December 31, 2019) P.J. Murray, III Library Trustees Board (three-year term through December 31, 2019) Robert Ontolchik Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (three-year term through December 31, 2019) Kelly Bakayza, Roger Hartung, Timothy Stouden Planning Commission (four-year term through December 31, 2020) Joel Helmrich, Scott Slagle Zoning Hearing Board (three-year term through December 31, 2019) Dwight Ferguson

February 6, 2017

Approximately 30 people attended

Presentation • Erik Lund, president of the Upper St. Clair Athletic Association (USCAA) presented a check to the Township in the amount of $29,805 for 2016 user fees from the USCAA recreational programs. The Board • Adopted Bill No. 3-17 Re. PLC16-1303–Amendment to Chapter 130 of the Township Code entitled “Zoning” by adding the SB-MU zoning district to the list of zoning districts where freestanding business identification signage is permitted and to clarify the provisions for freestanding business signage in non-residential zoning districts and planned developments. • Approved the Traffic Calming Plan for Huntington Drive. • Adopted Resolution No. 1631 to establish a public hearing date of April 3, 2017, Re. PLC16-1304–Zoning Map Amendment for Rezoning of 1345, 1351, 1365, 1371, 1373, and 1377 McLaughlin Run Road and X (unamed parcel),

1322 Cook School Road from RM Restricted Light Industrial District and R-LI Low Intensity Residential District to RM Restricted Light Industrial District. • Adopted Resolution No. 1632 authorizing the Township to participate in the 2018 joint bid for a contract for solid waste collection and disposal services coordinated and administered by the South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG). Approval of Contracts Public Works Vehicles • Hunter Truck Sales Butler, PA........................................................$ 88,191.70 One 2018 International Model 7400 SFA Cab & Chassis Truck • Tri-Star Motors Blairsville, PA......................................................$ 71,952 Two 2017 F-550 Cab and Chassis Trucks Public Works Equipment • Murphy Family, Inc. Washington, PA One 2016 Kubota Cab Tractor............................$ 33,000 Two 2016 Kubota RTV Utility Vehicles...............$ 25,000 . Total $ 58,000 Police Vehicles • Day Automotive Group Monroeville, PA...................................................$ 83,021 Three 2017 Ford Utility Police Interceptors Library Renovation Project • Brodart Company Williamsport, PA............................................$ 93,523.64 Modular Library Furniture–Adult Non-Fiction Room Billing and Collection of Sewage Fees and Delinquent Claims • Jordan Tax Service......................... $0.43 per bill + postage McMurray, PA (approx. $70,000 per year) Extension of Agreements for Billing and Collection of Sewage Fees and Delinquent Claims through the Year 2020.

March 6, 2017

Approximately 15 people attended

The Board • Continued Public Hearing Re. PLC17-0001–145 McMurray Road–Nonresidential–Conditional Use Approval to the April 3, 2017, Regular Board Meeting. • Adopted Bill No. 4-17 Re. 2011 Bond Refunding Parameters Ordinance. • Adopted Bill No. 5-17 Re. 2012 Bond Refunding Parameters Ordinance. • Approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Township of Upper St. Clair Police Department and the School District of Upper St. Clair. • Approved the Sanitary Sewer Consent Order Flow Reduction Program in the amount of $125,000. • Authorized the sale of two Public Works 2008 Ford F-550 Trucks to West Mifflin Borough in the amount of $50,000. • Authorized the appropriate Township officials to proceed with the transfer to file all applications, documents, and forms between the Township of Upper St. Clair and Boycewood Development, Inc. to finalize the acquisition of the Caste barn property located at 2551 Morton Road. Approval of Contracts 2017 Street Improvement Program • Russell Standard Corporation Mars, PA.............................................................$ 37,800 2017 Street Crack Sealing • A. Folino Construction Inc. Oakmont, PA.....................................................$1,600,000 2017 Annual Street Resurfacing w/Alternate #1– Asphalt Surface Treatment Public Works Equipment • Walsh Equipment Prospect, PA One 10'-6" Aluminum Dump Body Upfit...........$ 63,220 Two 9' Aluminum Dump Body Upfits................$ 102,058 . Total $ 165,278

Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USC Community Day Annual Community Day Schedule Saturday, May 20, 2017

Planned Activity Descriptions: The Color Run /Walk for Fun will begin at 9 a.m. Complete the registration form found on page 24 to make registration quick and easy. The 3.1 mile non-sanctioned race, complete with color, will begin in the parking lot at the Upper St. Clair High School stadium. The race is open to runners and walkers of all ages. Awards will be presented after the race at the race tent. At 10:30 a.m. at the USC Veterans Park, help kick-off Community Day and acknowledge Armed Forces Day. Clair’s Kennel will be open 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Talk with an animal control officer, and get information regarding your pet’s care and licensing. See where runaway pets are temporarily held. The annual Community Day Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. The parade will follow the route from Truxton Drive, along McLaughlin Run Road to Panther Pass, and up to the high school. Community Pickleball and High School Student Sand Volleyball Tournaments will provide fun for students and adults. Pre-registration at the HS and C&RC. Day-of registration by 10:30 a.m. at the information booth (if spots are available). The 1830 Log House will be open for a baked goods and herb sale at noon. Tours of the house will be held noon– 3 p.m., along with pioneer games and Knapp’s Battery re-enactors. The 1857 Gilfillan Farm House, will be open noon–3 p.m. for tours. The barnyard will be open noon–4 p.m. Activities will include wagon rides, cow milking, sheep shearing, and baby farm animals to see. Pony Rides will be offered near the batting cages, noon– 3 p.m. The Petting Zoo, Inflatable Attraction, and Trackless Train will be operating in the library parking lot, noon–4 p.m. Thanks to patron donations, these activities will be offered free of charge other than a minimal fee for food and milk for the animals. The Duck Race, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair, will start at 3 p.m. Adopt your duck at the Foundation’s pre-sale, or stop by their booth before the race. 

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

7:30–9:30 a.m. ............................................... Fair Booth Setup McLaughlin Run Activity Center (MAC) Parking Lot 7:45–8:15 a.m. ............ Color Run /Walk for Fun Registration High School Stadium—Registration form on page 24 9 a.m. ................................................Color Run /Walk for Fun High School Stadium Entrance (Truxton Drive) 9:15–10:15 a.m. ........................................Hottest Dog Contest Stage Area—Pre–registration form on page 23 10:30–11 a.m............................................... Kick-off Ceremony USC Veterans Park 10:45 a.m. (approx.)........... Color Run /Walk for Fun Awards Race Tent 11 a.m. ............................ Community Pickleball Tournament Basketball Courts 11 a.m.–3 p.m. ..............................Clair’s Kennel Open House 11 a.m.–4 p.m......................................................... Fair Booths Entertainment Stage Area Volunteer Fire Department Tours Main Station, Route 19 (See page 25) 11:30 a.m......................................................................... Parade Noon–3 p.m........................................ Log House Open House and Herb Sale Gilfillan Farm House Tours Pony Rides Grassy area near batting cages Noon–4 p.m............................. Inflatable and Trackless Train Petting Zoo Library Parking Lot Gilfillan Farm Barnyard Activities 12:15 p.m........................................................ Bake Off Awards MAC (See page 23) 2 p.m...................................................................... Toddler Trot Founders’ Field (See page 23) 2–4 p.m........................................High School Sand Volleyball 3 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 Church South Lot • Fire Station Please be advised that permit parking only will be allowed in the Public Works parking lot on Truxton Drive.

Panthers Under the Sea Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department invites you to visit the main station on Washington Road on Community Day from 11 a.m. to until 4 p.m. Shuttle bus service will be provided.

Tours Demonstrations Activities for the kids

Toddler Trot

Ages: Twelve months to four years (races grouped by age) Location: Founders Field (grassy area, look for the balloons) Race Course: (age-appropriate, short distances) Race time begins: 2 p.m. Register by: 1 p.m.

Pre-registration/Waiver forms available at the Information Booth on Community Day.

This activity is free, but pre-registration is required. Register, then come cheer on your favorite toddler! A USCHS Student Council-sponsored event Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USC Community Day Community Day Color Run/Walk for Fun When: Saturday, May 20, 2017. Race begins at 9 a.m. sharp! Where: Upper St. Clair High School. A 3.1-mile new route,

starting and finishing at Panther Stadium. A map is available at the Community & Recreation Center (C&RC).

Advance Registration (by May 1):

Pre-registered runners should pick up their race packets between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. on the day of the race at the high school track parking lot on Truxton Drive. Day of Registration: $10 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 8:15 a.m. Please arrive no later than 8 a.m. to allow sufficient time for registration and bring your completed “Day Of” registration form found below for a quicker registration process. No registrations accepted after 8:15 a.m. Awards will be presented at the end of the race at the Race Tent. Awards for first, second, and third place finishers in each category will be given and times will be posted at Community Day. Full results and times will be made available. Please check the Township website for future posting. Come run or walk for fun and exercise. Bring the whole family! No pets, please! Wear your sunglasses and prepare to set color on your clothing! (Note, this is not a sanctioned race.) FEMALE MALE • 8 & under • 9 to 11 • 12 to 14 • 15 to 19

• 20 to 29 • 30 to 39 • 40 to 49 • 50 & over

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

• 20 to 29 • 30 to 39 • 40 to 49 • 50 & over

USC Community Day COLOR Run/Walk For Fun Registration Form No registrations accepted after 8:15 a.m. Name_____________________________________________ Age as of May 20, 2017_____________

Sex____________

Address___________________________________________ Telephone Number_________________________________ Email (optional)____________________________________ $10 – Day of Registration Make checks payable to:

Upper St. Clair Community Day Bring this completed form with you to “Day Of” registration. T-Shirts - additional fee (availability limited) 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 Color Run /Walk for Fun.

_________________________________ _______ Signature 24

(Parent/Guardian if Under 18 Years of Age)

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Date

Summer 2017

2017 Volunteers

Upper St. Clair School District: Danny Holzer, Director of Student Activities Brooke Tarcson, Assistant Director of Student Activities Student Volunteer Chairs: Auxiliary–John Lan, Aditi Chattopadhyay Booths–Nick Toosi, Paarth Shankar Color Run/Walk for Fun–David Frauen, Alex Yerina, Steve Yerina Entertainment–Suzanna Goodman, Breighan Szajnecki Parade–Caroline Nelson, Katy Hall Parking Lots–Drew Hobart, Akshar Golakiya Pickleball Tournament–Zoe Rankin, Rebecca Smith Publicity–Breighan Szajnecki, Suzanna Goodman Sand Volleyball–Nick Toosi, Darius Radfar T-Shirts–Lexi Riley, Leah Raeder, Lauren Quintero Toddler Trot–Rod Smith, Caleb Troughtzmantz Township of Upper St. Clair: Paul Besterman, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services Ryan McCleaster, Assistant Director of Recreation and Leisure Services Lynn Walcoff, Community Programs Coordinator Chaz McCrommon, Assistant Community Programs Coordinator George Kostelich, Director of Public Works Rich Botz, Superintendent of Operations Dave Kutschbach, Superintendent of Projects Douglas Burkholder, Chief of Police Glenn Ward, Upper St. Clair Public Access Television Other USC Groups: Upper St. Clair Historical Society, Gilfillan Homestead and Farm–Rachel Heins Carlson, Marjie Heins 1830 Log House Association–Kim Guzzi Community-at-Large–Bill Findle, Larry Lehman, Karen East, Shari Leckenby, Paula Henderson, Susan and Dan Rosati, and others A Community Day wrap-up, including a complete list of all patrons, will appear in the Fall 2017 issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. We thank our kind and generous patrons for their financial and in-kind support of Community Day 2017!

Volunteer Fire Department Community Day Open House Join members of the Upper St. Clair VFD on Saturday May 20, 2017, at the main fire station located at 2001 Washington Road for the annual open house during Upper St. Clairâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Day celebration.

Starting after the parade and running until 4 p.m., doors will be open to the public. Shuttle buses will run between the McLaughlin Run Activity Center (MAC) and the fire department. Kids can enjoy time in the Sparky Bouncy House, visit with Sparky the Fire Dog, watch demonstrations of the equipment, and observe fire extinguisher demonstrations. Firefighters will be on hand to answer all questions that kids and adults might have. On display will be videos and pictures of the fire departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. Stop in to have a look around, enjoy some fresh popcorn, and get acquainted with the facility and the VFD members. We look forward to seeing you! n

Upcoming Events May 20 USC Community Day 12p-4p FREE

Gilfillan Farm

we are making history today

May 27 Barnyard Beer Benefit 6p-10p Tickets online June, July, August, September Wine Dinners with

Watch for details

check us out online www.gilfillanfarm.org www.facebook.com/gilfillanfarm #GilfillanFarm Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

T Stay and Play in the Park!

The Clubhouse at Boyce Mayview 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’s 18 parks welcome you to come and play! Visit http://www.twpusc.org/rec-leisure/parks-fields for park location information. 

Site

Fields/Courts

Baker Park 13.82 acres

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

Beadling Soccer Field 3.36 acres

soccer field

Boyce Field 1 acre

baseball field

Boyce Mayview Park 475+ acres

1 baseball field (rentable), 1 softball field (rentable), Multi-purpose field (rentable), 1 Miracle League baseball field, All fields have sports lighting

Playground Equipment Play unit and swing set

Miscellaneous Small shelter, water fountain, picnic tables, grass play area, large covered sand play area, natural surface trail head, perimeter trail

Dugouts, batting cage, bleachers The Clubhouse at Boyce Mayview is the allinclusive, custom-themed playground adjacent to the Miracle League Field for kids of all ages and abilities, featuring tower slides, ball glove tube slides, replica Clemete Bridge, water misting tree and misting fountain, ground piano, and NEOS 360 electronic aerobic game

Natural area and wetlands, ten miles of natural surface walking trails, expanding perimeter trail currently connecting Morton Complex to Baker Park to the active area of Boyce Mayview Park, including a pavilion (rentable facility), open space, Community & Recreation Center, with its 90,000-square-foot facility featuring indoor/ outdoor aquatics, state-of-the-art fitness, group fitness rooms, 1/8 mile walking track, 2 full-size basketball courts, rentable community rooms, rest rooms at the Miracle League/Clubhouse playground, baseball field concession building, Boyce Gardens (rentable through Boyce Road Garden Club) Natural area

Brookside Park 3.7 acres Byrnwick Park 7.05 acres

1 lighted basketball court, 1 tennis court

Play unit and swing set

Walking track, water fountain, walkway lighting, grass play area

Clair Park 2.2 acres

1 basketball court

Play unit with slide and 2 swing sets

Splash pad, cozy dome climber w/rubber safety surface, shelter, water fountain, and LED walkway lights 1.25 mile outer loop wood chip trail with interior trail through meadow

Gilfillan Park 59.57 acres Hays Park 4.21 acres

1 basketball court, 1 tennis court

Play unit and swing set

Asphalt walking trail, splash pad, small shelter, water fountain, grass multi-purpose area

Johnston Park 2.48 acres

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

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, 1 lighted field, 2 lighted baseball fields

Play unit above Morton 2 area

2 batting cages, concession building, shelter, dugouts, announcer’s booth, natural surface trail head, perimeter trail

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 sand volleyball court

Swing set, separate play structures for 2–5 and 5–12 year-olds, with synthetic turf safety surface, mega-tower w/two ten-foot twist tube slides, climbing wall, tot and traditional swings, and Mt. Kilimanjaro climbing rock

McLaughlin Run Activity Center (MAC) (rentable facility) building with meeting facilities, kitchen, pool table, and restrooms, outdoor horseshoe pits, large picnic shelter, 3-hole golf course, water fountain, batting cages, and the rain garden educational/picnic site

Shelter and bleachers, 2 water fountains

Natural area

Ravine Park 10.51 acres Trotwood Park 8 acres

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

Play unit and swing set

2 water fountains, shelter, splash pad, walkway lighting

Tustin Park 6.52 acres

1 basketball court

Play unit and swing set

Asphalt/wood chip walking trail around park Visual presentation of military history, benches, lighting

Veterans Park Wiltshire Park 11.2 acres

2 lighted basketball courts, 1 lighted street hockey court with goals

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Poured-in-place rubber and synthetic turf safety surface playground built in the hillside, which includes horizontal net climber, cable bridges, roller slide, double deck tower with slides, Omni spinner, and swings with infant seats; also a sand play area and frog splash pad

Summer 2017

Restrooms, pavilion, seating area, grass play area, walkway lighting, water fountain

Boyce Mayview Park Perimeter Trail Expands The Boyce Mayview Park perimeter trail is growing again! The newest section under construction is a ten-foot-wide paved hiker/biker trail approximately one-and-one-half miles long. This trail will traverse the southern and southeastern portions of Boyce Mayview Park. Accessible parking spaces have been provided at the trail heads located at the Wetlands Trail entrance and at the Boyce Gardens. This new section of the trail connects the Wetlands Trail entrance to the intersection of Morton Road and Rostron Drive. Along the way, you will pass around the compost area and Boyce Gardens. Portions of the trail have been designed to meet the American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). Entry to Sunnyview Meadow and Bird Meadow will now have an accessible route with the addition of the southern portion of the perimeter trail. Amenities, including picnic areas and benches, have been placed along the trail for leisure enjoyment. The Caste barn along Morton Road The Township is fortunate to have received a gift from the Caste family for the construction of the perimeter trail along Morton Road. The Caste family generously donated to the Township a portion of their land that includes the farm barn. The perimeter trail will pass directly behind the barn that runs parallel to Morton Road. Funding for the trail has been provided from grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD), along with supplemental funding from the Township. The Township is currently exploring funding opportunities for the section of the trail from the Morton complex to the intersection of Morton Road and Rostron Drive. Once completed, there will be more than five miles of The southern and southeastern portions of the Boyce Mayview Park perimeter trail, now under construction, will soon be the ten-foot-wide paved hiker/biker trail surrounding Boyce Mayview Park. n paved like this section of trail near Baker Park.

Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USC Recreation and www.twpusc.org

Summertime Fun at Boyce Mayview Park Stay Cool in the Pool

Outdoor Pool Opening Day Saturday, May 27

The outdoor season kicks off Saturday, May 27 at 11 a.m. The outdoor pool will remain open every day 11 a.m.–7 p.m. through Sunday, September 3. Special holiday hours (11 a.m.–5 p.m.) will be in effect Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Extended Outdoor Pool Hours June 20, July 18, August 15 Hot summer days mean warm evenings, so why not spend them enjoying the outdoor pool? The outdoor pool will remain open (weather permitting) until 8:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month during the summer season. Water Safety Day Friday, May 26, Saturday, May 27 It’s never too early to teach children the importance of water safety! This free interactive program will teach parents and children ages 3–13 years old how to stay safe in and around bodies of water.

Youth

D.A.P. Strength & Conditioning Beginning June 19 For young athletes ages 12 and up who want to focus on developing agility, power, core strength, quickness, and improving flexibility to help prevent injury. Register for the whole session or just drop-in for a few days. Youth Triathlon Training This four-week course focuses on a different aspect of a triathlon race each session. Children ages 7–12 at any fitness level are welcome to participate. See page 29 for more information on USC’s July 22 Youth Triathlon and this training course that leads up to the event.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Water Exercise Moves Outdoors Work up a sweat jumping, jogging, and kicking through the water, all while taking in the tranquil surroundings of the outdoor pool afterhours. Class schedule and pricing information is in the Township’s Spring & Summer Community Recreation Guide brochure that was mailed to all residents. Fitness for All Ages Banish those lazy days of summer with a variety of classes and programs geared to keep everyone active all summer long! For a complete list of all fitness programs, read the Spring & Summer Community Recreation Guide.

Adult

Boomers & Beyond

Tabata Boot Camp A form of interval training designed to burn calories and build lean muscle. Exercises are performed for eight rounds of 20 seconds high intensity work followed by a ten-second rest.

Boomer Balance & Flexibility This class uses gentle exercise for boomers and seniors incorporating an active warm up, chair and/or standing work, stretching to promote flexibility, and special exercises to enhance balance.

30 Days of Yoga for $30 Take any number of yoga classes in a month for one flat rate of $30. Classes include All Levels Yoga, Power Yoga, Power Yoga Flow, Prenatal Yoga, and Restorative Yoga.

Kickfit A blend of the kickboxing that you already love with cycling and high intensity interval training. This is a fast-paced workout, but modifications can be provided. Invigorate This small group training class is a mix of weightlifting followed by an intense, fast-paced workout filled with cardio and functional movements.

Junior Lifeguarding Summer Camp Are you interested in lifeguarding, but not yet quite old enough? This two-week summer camp (June 12–23, with no class June 19) is designed to give 11- to 14-yearolds a fun sneak peek into what it takes to become a great lifeguard. Contact the Recreation Department for details.

Summer 2017

Strong Bodies/Strong Bones This joint-friendly, bone-hardening program strengthens the spine, hips, wrists, and ankles. This workout is designed to improve bone density, reduce fractures, and manage osteoporosis.

Participants in a Boomer class

Leisure Services 412-221-1099

Try Something New This Summer From art to athletics, the Recreation and Leisure Services Department has something for everyone. Check out these great new programs! Boyce Mayview Park Youth Triathlon Saturday, July 22 7:30–9 a.m. *Registration available online ONLY at https://register.chronotrack.com/r/28291 Children ages 7–12 will swim, bike, and run their way towards the finish line in this fun, athletic event. All participants should attend a pre-race preparation meeting the day before the event on Friday, July 21 at 6 p.m. at the C&RC to review the course. Bike safety checks performed by The Tandem Connection will be available during the pre-race meeting and the day of the event. Ages 7, 8 & 9 Swim 75 yards (3 pool lengths), bike 1 mile, run 0.5 mile Ages 10, 11 & 12 Swim 125 yards (5 pool lengths), bike 2 miles, run 1 mile Fee(s): $33 per athlete (until June 2)* $38.50 per athlete (June 3–July 22)* Fifty-participant maximum per age group (7–9 and 10–12). Athletes must check in at the C&RC community rooms between 6:45–7:15 a.m. the day of the event to receive their race number. No rain date or refunds. Helmet and bike required. Need Help Training? Youth Triathlon Training Tuesdays, June 20, 27 and July 11, 18 1:30–2:30 p.m. This four-week course focuses on a different aspect of a triathlon race each session: swimming, cycling, running, and then wrapping up with an actual mini triathlon. Ages: 7–12 years old Fees: $25 Members $30 Non-members Register in person at the C&RC or online at www.twpusc.org/crc/crc-home.

Art in the Park Each evening will feature a different art project in which families can express their collective creativity. Yoga for Kids—and More A yoga class for everybody. Children will improve strength, flexibility, coordination, confidence, and awareness. Participants will learn fun and challenging poses, partner poses, age-appropriate yoga games, meditation, and basic anatomy. Bricks 4 Kids (Legos®) Super Hero Academy Explore all the caped crusaders and discover their super powers. Create a fantasy world and protect it against all the evil arch enemies with custom contraptions made with Lego® bricks. Galaxy Far Away We’ll build models, including a rebel fighter, our own special Yoda, and lots of other cool space stuff. Build complex machines and structures based on the best designs from a galaxy far, far away.

Minecraft Machines Students will use a special Minecraft mod that allows the use of mechanics, new redstone devices, and expands what is possible in Minecraft. They will then apply their skills to create a fully functioning machine of their own creation. Ultimate Warrior Camp Centered on games and tasks, this camp week includes obstacle courses, relays, tug-of-war, and other fun activities designed to teach cooperation and teamwork, while also developing self-esteem. The Total Runner The total runner program focuses on the many intrinsic components of running and is designed for those running distances from a mile to a marathon. This program is organized and led by Clara Santucci, a four-time WVU All-American, a world class marathon runner, and a twotime Pittsburgh marathon winner. Boys and Girls Youth Basketball Camps During the week, players in grades 4–8 will go through stations and drills, focusing on different facets of the game. Participants will also get a chance to compete in organized games, scrimmages, and competitions.

Senior Information Gold Card Offered by the USC School District to residents age 62 and older. Card admits holder to School District drama and musical performances, athletic events, and other events free of charge. Applications taken at School District reception desk at 1820 McLaughlin Run Road. Silver Card Offered by USC Township to residents age 62 or older. Card admits holder to the Municipal three-hole golf course, outdoor tennis facilities, specified Community & Recreation Center programs, and other activities designated and sponsored by the Township of Upper St. Clair. Applications are available at the Community & Recreation Center at Boyce Mayview Park. Summer 2017

ACCESS 65 PLUS is a shared-ride transportation service program for senior citizens age 65 and older. Contact Chaz McCrommon, assistant community programs coordinator, at 412-221-1099, ext. 603, for information about this program and for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Senior Citizen identification card for the Port Authority Transit (PAT) system. For more information on any Older Adult programming, contact Chaz McCrommon, assistant community programs coordinator, at 412-221-1099, ext. 603, or mccrommon@twpusc.org.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USC Recreation and Leisure Services

Seniors in Action Pickleball Tournament Fourteen teams participated in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles competition at the second annual C&RC pickleball tournament, held this past February. It was a fun-filled day of play, showcasing the rapidly growing sport of pickleball. Special thanks to Lou and Sally Sherfinski for all the hard work they put into making this a successful tourney!

Men’s doubles, left to right, are Dan Levine and Malay Sheth (first place), John Taylor and Vince Chiodo (second place); missing are Rob Gogolin and Matt Wertz (third place)

Women’s doubles, left to right, are Chris Wunderlich and Andrea Sheth (second place), Eileen Devaty and Sandy McWillliams (first place), Andrea Chiodo and Donna Taylor (third place)

Mixed doubles, left to right, are Nancy Zupancic and Tim Hartman (third place), Gina Decola and Dan Levine (first place), Andrea Sheth and Malay Sheth (second place)

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Pickelball—Try It! Ready to join the fun? Try one of these pickleball activities! Beginner Pickleball Play Mondays, 1–3:30 p.m. Open play and pick-up games for beginners and newcomers. The goal of the program is to provide inexperienced players the opportunity to develop skills and confidence against opponents of the same skill level. Fee(s): $25 punch card (ten sessions) or drop-in fee of $3 per session for USC resident/C&RC member $35 punch card or drop-in fee of $4 per session for surrounding community non-member Pickleball Play Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1–3:30 p.m. The hottest racquet sport around, pickleball is perfect for those 50 and above. A fun game that is played on a badminton court with the net lowered to 34 inches at the center, it’s a combination of tennis, badminton, ping pong, and racquetball, and is one of the fastest growing sports in America. It is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. Fee(s): $25 punch card (ten sessions) or drop-in fee of $3 per session for USC resident/C&RC member $35 punch card or drop-in fee of $4 per session for surrounding community non-member

Zero Waste Award Winner This February, the Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) presented its second annual Zero Waste Event & Business awards to ten environmental leaders in recognition of their commitment to adopting sustainable environmental practices and diverting waste through recycling, compost, and reuse. Upper St. Clair’s eighth annual Bounty at Boyce Mayview Park Fall Fest was recognized for achieving a waste diversion rate of 92% through a combination of planning, recycling, composting, education, and reuse. “PRC’s Zero Waste Pennsylvania program provides special events, commercial businesses, and institutions with vital waste reduction assistance,” said PRC Western Regional director Justin Stockdale. “We’re pleased to recognize the accomplishments of those who are committed to preserving the environment, and we applaud the efforts of this year’s class of honorees for their outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication.” In 2016, PRC’s Zero Waste team assisted more than 60 events, businesses, and institutions with sustainable waste management solutions. Last year, Zero Waste efforts diverted 21 tons of material to be recycled and 29 tons of material to be composted, and reached approximately one million individuals directly and indirectly through waste audits as well as public and private zero waste services. n

Pickleball Clinic Days June 12, July 10, August 14; 1–3 p.m. The pickleball clinics are welcoming to newcomers, beginners, and players who want to improve their game. These free clinics are geared toward the development of fundamentals skills, strategies, and techniques of the growing sport of pickleball. Held on the second Monday of each month, the typical structure will be one hour of instruction followed by one hour of free play. Fee(s): Free Left to right are PRC regional director Justin Stockdale, USC’s sustainability administrator Ron Sarrick, and Zero Waste services coordinator Teresa Bradley Summer 2017

Can You Have Chickens in USC? Charles Succop, Planning & Zoning Coordinator

For more than 100 years, Upper St. Clair Township was predominantly a farming community. Beginning in the 20th century, developers began transforming farms into neighborhoods. As the neighborhoods grew into the familiar sites of today, so did the regulations. These rules, put in place by the local government, are intended to maintain the safety and well-being of the community. Included in these regulations are restrictions related to chickens and other rules concerning farm animals, which have recently become popular. As defined in Upper St. Clair’s Code, farm animals are restricted from properties less than five acres in size. If you have a minimum of five acres and would like to have chickens, visit the department of Community Development at 1820 McLaughlin Run Road or call 412-831-9000. n

Youth Say “Thanks” to USC Police On a rather warm Sunday afternoon this past winter, 40 members of St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church in Upper St. Clair—mainly students of the church’s youth religious formation classes—visited the Upper St. Clair Police Department for a tour. Officer Thomas Fahey greeted the group and provided a tour of the roll-call room, the interview rooms, and the police dispatch room. The group also had the opportunity to sit in a patrol car and hear the blare of the siren. Afterwards, the students in the group received Upper St. Clair Junior Officer badges from Officer Fahey. In appreciation of the officers’ dedication to their job of helping and protecting the citizens in our community, the students presented a specially-made Thanksgiving tri-fold and a religious icon to the Upper St. Clair Police Department and its members. n

Members of St. Gregory’s Church visit the USC Police Department. Photo courtesy of Jodi Hernandez.

Community Development

Be Aware of the Rules

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.

• 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.

• Boats, trailers, campers, and other types of recreational vehicles must be stored in completely enclosed structures.

• 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.

• 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. The Township right-of-way typically extends back 13 feet from the edge of the road.

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.

• 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. the day before collection with removal before midnight the day of collection.

• 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.

• 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.

Questions? Call 412-831-9000, ext. 501, or visit www.twpusc.org. Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Recycling—Do Your Part

Ron Sarrick, Sustainability Administrator Hello USC! I hope that each of you is inspired by the increased recycling that has happened in Upper St. Clair over the past two years. The automated curbside recycling program, started in April of 2015, is chugging along with overall increases in both years. For those of you who have been at it, diligently recycling as much as Boyce Road recycling leaf and garden waste composting area possible, kudos on your efforts! There could be a few friends and family members who need your encouragement to kick start their recycling juices. Remember, the Township receives funds from the state for its recycling tonnage, which helps to offset trash and other expenses in waste service programs.

Recycling—Trash Pick-Up The Township is aware that there have been, on occasion, some issues with hauler consistency. There can be mechanical problems or route issues that complicate timely pickup. Please know that the Township is in touch with our hauler, Waste Management, to work out residents’ complaints. However, we ask that residents refer to their Trash & Recycling Information guide or the Township website to eliminate inquiries to the Township office that otherwise could be answered by these sources. The Township will happily continue to receive your calls regarding daily pickup issues or other daily occurrences that necessitate immediate attention. Recycling Coloring Book for Kids Did you know that there is a Public Works Recycling coloring book? There are pages of familiar USC sites to color and stickers for recycling education for parents, by kids! There’s even a puzzle for mom and dad on page eight. Coloring books are available at the Township Municipal building, the Public Works building, and the children’s library. Use the book to relax with an evening of coloring and learning about recycling in USC! In addition, the Township is gearing up for a recycling coloring contest this fall, with prizes given for the winning entries. Look for further information on the Public Access Channel and the Township website, or at the children’s library. Recycling—E-cycling Below is an annual summary of the E-cycling program, a once per month Saturday drop-off program at the Community & Recreation Center (C&RC). General information regarding the program can be found on the Township’s website, Public Access Channel (Comcast 7 or Verizon 42), Trash and Recycling guide mailer, or scrolling monitors in the Township building lobby. (*supplied data measurements in pounds) * 2016 total collected..............................................380,723 • TV weight collected..................................202,259 (52%) • PC weight collected................................... 44,748 (12%) • E-scrap and others....................................133,716 (35%) It is plain to see that slightly over half of all e-cycling taken in is TVs. To learn more about recycling of TVs and other electronic devices, visit http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Waste/ Recycling/Electronics/Pages/Consumer-Information.aspx. 32

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

Leaf and Garden Waste Recycling Drop-Off In addition to the almost 390 tons of leaf and garden waste generated in USC annually at the curb, the Township’s drop-off site has been visited at a steady pace. The monthly, second Saturday program has generated an average of three bags per vehicle and 40 participants dropping off leaf and garden debris. The program runs April through December between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Boyce Road recycling leaf and garden waste composting area, which is at the top of the hill near the wood chip pile. Take advantage of this wonderful service! Document Destruction The Document Destruction program continues to generate interest, as many folks in our community are taking advantage of this service. Last year’s totals for sensitive document shredding yielded 6972 and 5234 pounds in the spring and fall programs, respectively. The shredded paper is placed back into the market, as is appropriate for any recyclable material. JVS Environmental is the Township’s vendor for the Document Destruction program as well as for E-cycling. Green Workplace Challenge The Pittsburgh Green Workplace Challenge (GWC) is an initiative of Sustainable Pittsburgh, a nonprofit organization that affects decision-making for the Pittsburgh region to integrate economic prosperity, social equity, and environmental quality, bringing sustainable solutions to communities and businesses. The GWC enables businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and colleges/universities to participate in a friendly competition where they can receive due recognition for their sustainable actions and achievements. To view the competition leader board, visit http:// gwcpgh.org/ and select the leader board or find other interesting sustainable information on this site about the GWC. U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony Boy Scout Troop 366 continues to provide a much needed service to the community in retirement of our collected U.S.

flags. The latest ceremony was held this past February, when the scouts retired 125 flags. The retirement dates are generally determined as needed throughout the year; however, the Township hosts an annual retirement on the closest Tuesday near Flag Day, June 14. That date this year is Tuesday, June 13. Come to the fire circle at the rear of the McLaughlin Run Activity Center (MAC) to attend this solemn ceremony that the scouts have put together to retire the U.S. flag with dignity. Fall Bounty at Boyce Mayview Park The annual Bounty celebration held this past November was extra special! One of several reasons that made it special was receiving the Zero Waste Award for a 92% diversion rate of recyclable waste. The Township received the award in February in a celebration to honor those who are committed to providing an enhanced effort toward waste diversion and recycling. Visit prc.org and scroll down to “Zero Waste Award Winners” to find additional information, or see “Zero Waste Award Winner” article on page 30 that further describes this award. Community Day 2017 Come out and enjoy Upper St. Clair’s Community Day celebration to be held on Saturday, May 20. Stop at the USC recycling booth at the front entry near the MAC building. Bring your recycling questions and a good recycling story to share! Informational flyers, Trash and Recycling guides, PW Paws Recycling coloring books, and more will be available. Stop by and let’s talk some trash… err... recycling! Public Works Day Celebration T h e To w n s h i p ’s P u b l i c Wo r k s Department is continuing its Public Works Day celebration with an open house on Wednesday, May 24. Activities for kids include planting a flower, painting a plow, and watching an educational recycling video. Come to see how Public Works serves the community with job demonstrations and selective job site equipment. n

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T From the Director’s Desk A Reader-Friendly Design @ the Library Helen Palascak, Library Director

Hard hat alert! The library is working with library designer Opening the Book to bring a Discovery layout to its nonfiction collection. This new floor plan will facilitate the library users’ browsing behaviors and highlight the most popular areas of the collection. What does that mean for Upper St. Clair Township Library and for you? For many years, the nonfiction collection has been arranged in Dewey Decimal order along one side of the library in long, straight rows. Tables and chairs are located on the other side of the room. Soon, the books, tables, and seating will be integrated throughout the room, welcoming both independent and collaborative learning. The experience of learning is an exciting one, and this new space will stimulate, inspire, and tempt readers to explore and learn in new ways. In 2016, Opening the Book, the leading supplier of library furnishing in the United Kingdom, contracted with Brodart, Inc., a Pennsylvania library company, to be its U.S. distributor. Their design vision is a game changer for library design. They have created a comprehensive service that considers promotion of books along with floor layout and shelf construction. Opening the Book has integrated its research on the behavior of library users with library staff training, suggestions for featuring collections, furniture designs, and open floor plans to deliver a complete package designed for high performance libraries. Principals from Opening the Book visited our library and were very involved in the design process. We were excited to blend the space and furniture design ideas with the library’s nonfiction neighborhood concept. Varying height bookcases in curving sweeps, with bold clear signage, will soon invite readers to explore and discover information related to their needs and interests. Each propellershaped bookcase unit will house a neighborhood collection of related materials. Nonfiction books will be grouped together and moved into neighborhood collections of related materials to make it easier for you to find your area of interest. Items which were previously

shelved in different Dewey Decimal numbers will be located together with their general topic. The bookcases are designed to optimize the presentation of books. The lowest shelf is positioned off the ground and slanted for easier viewing. Readers will be drawn to areas of interest with large shelf signage on top of each section. In addition, shelf displayers will display books face out, an attractive merchandising technique that effectively directs the reader’s attention to a specific area. Stop in and visit; but be forewarned! You may spend more time exploring and find more to read than you might expect. This project was funded through a grant from the Friends of the Library and the Library Endowment Fund, and approved by the Township commissioners as part of the Township’s capital improvement plan. n

Construction Alert and Eventual Grand Opening Party Work on the library’s adult nonfiction room construction begins Wednesday, May 17. Anticipated to be closed for approximately six weeks, library staff will be able to retrieve books for you, but, for safety reasons, patrons will not be allowed in the work area. And then, get ready to celebrate! In September, come to the library for an official ribbon cutting ceremony. Be on the lookout for more information and the date announcement. New floor layout for the adult nonfiction room

What Is the Library Endowment Fund? You can help keep the Upper St. Clair Township Library a modern, vibrant, and interesting space. Many residents regularly contribute to the library by making memorial book donations or participating in the Adopta-Magazine Program. These tax-deductible donations support the library today and in the future by adding to the collection of books, DVDs, audiobooks, and other materials made available to library users throughout Allegheny County. Other contributions to the library, such as dropping spare change in the donation boxes at each desk or sending a check as an annual gift, are deposited into the Library Endowment Fund. This fund is overseen by the Township-appointed library board and is reserved for very special programs and major improvements to library spaces that are not covered by general operating or capital 34

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

improvement budgets. Contributions to this fund directly benefit Upper St. Clair residents by significantly enhancing the library’s spaces and the quantity and quality of programs that it can offer in these spaces. The complete renovation of the adult nonfiction room is one example of how the endowment fund supports library innovation. You might ask, how can I contribute to the endowment fund and support the future of the library? One major way is planned giving through gifts of stocks or bonds, wills and trusts, life insurance, and life income plans. Consider participating in corporate matching gift plans if your employer offers them. While these types of donations enhance the quality of library services in the community, they can also be of personal benefit. For individuals 70 ½ years of age or older, it is possible to make tax-favored gifts known as Qualified

Summer 2017

Charitable Distributions (QCD) from traditional and Roth IRA accounts directly to a qualified charity (USC Township Library qualifies). Amounts given in this manner count toward required IRA minimum withdrawal amounts for the year of the gift and result in lower IRA income; thus, lower adjusted gross income on your tax return. Confer with your IRA administrator or tax advisor for more information. Why donate to your tax-supported library? While Township municipal support of our library is outstanding, individual support demonstrates to our governmental funders how important the library is to you. It sends a message that you consider library service an important part of our Township’s amenities. Your monetary gifts do make a difference in more ways than one! n

T Create It! Library of Things

How can the library best help its patrons achieve their lifelong learning goals? The library already provides access to tools for learning, including books and media collections, online Universal Class instructional offerings, and programs that bring local experts into our community. Another critical point of providing accessibility for everyone is the “things” necessary for experimentation and learning. The most popular areas of the library’s nonfiction book collection are those topics that help people do something or make something better in their lives. The “Create It” craft books and cooking books are among the most well-used. A “Create It” Library of Things can be a new layer of service, a useful resource to extend the reach of books and other learning resources. Library “things” collections vary widely. Some have tech gadgets, others musical instruments. Electric kitchen machines are the focus of a library in Hillsboro, Oregon, while a library in Massachusetts loans out garden tools. What these collections have in common is: • They support activities of everyday life and lifelong learning. • They help provide equity, allowing anyone access. • They foster creativity. • They support recycling within a community. Complete and submit the survey on this page about the collection the library hopes to begin. Let library staff know what you think. If successful, this will serve as a pilot project for other themed collections of things. n

“Create It” Library of Things Community Survey

Do you want to be part of a future where libraries are centers for independent lifelong learning? Would you like to explore new creative projects, borrowing tools you need from our library? Does recycling tools you no longer need or use appeal to you? We have the books and the online classes, now we want to let you borrow the tools you need to create something new! Help the library plan its first Library of Things collection by completing and submitting this form to the library. What tools would you borrow (B) or donate (D)? Circle B or D. • Scrapbooking tools: B or D • Stamps: B or D • Knitting/crocheting needles: B or D • Quilting tools: B or D • Kitchen gadgets (non-electric): B or D • Sewing patterns: B or D • Cake pans/cookie cutters: B or D • Button makers: B or D • _________________________: B or D • _________________________: B or D • _________________________: B or D Provide your name and phone number if you have items you are willing to donate to the “Create It” Library of Things collection.

The Secrets of the Sky Do you wish you knew more about watching the sky and understanding astronomy? A great way to start is by attending a series of programs, led by Kathy DeSantis of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh, that will be offered at the USC Township Library this fall. The library is considering purchasing easy-to-use astronomical binoculars that patrons could check out and use in their own backyards. Why astronomical binoculars? Telescopes can be big and difficult to set up and use; binoculars are easy! Also, in contrast to telescopes which typically have a smaller view field, astronomical binoculars have a much wider field of view and let you scan the sky. This gives you a better appreciation of how objects relate to one another. With astronomical binoculars, you can potentially see from 25 to 50% more stars than with the unaided eye. Three libraries in the North Hills—Shaler North Hills Library, South Butler Community Library, and Mars Area Public Library—are currently lending telescopes to their patrons with great success. Libraries providing this service report that patrons are grateful for the ability to borrow a tool that they would not ordinarily own. Are you interested in a program that would let you borrow astronomical binoculars from the library? Look for a survey flyer for patrons to complete the next time you visit. If there is enough community interest, the library will further develop this program and purchase the binoculars. The cost would be funded through a donation from an interested resident. n

412-835-5540

Name_____________________________ Phone # __________________________

USC Township Library Hours

Monday–Thursday, 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m. Friday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Sunday, 1–5 p.m. Outside book and video return available 24/7

The library is closed Saturday, May 20 for Community Day; Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day; and Tuesday, July 4 for Independence Day. Summer 2017

www.twpusc.org

The library is closed summer Sundays, May 28–September 3. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

T Kids & Teens Summer Classes & Special Events for Kids and Families 2017 Summer Reading Programs

The Upper St. Clair Township Library will offer summer reading programs for kids from birth through grade 12. Registration for all programs begins Wednesday, May 31 in person at the library. The programs will run from Monday, June 12 through Thursday, July 27. The library’s reading program grand prize drawing will be held on Friday, July 28. Reading Together A fun way to encourage early learning Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Rising Kindergarteners You and your child are invited to have fun with reading and rhymes. When you sign up, you’ll receive the first of six activity sheets. For each sheet, you’ll read ten library books to your child and share a rhyme. On the back of the sheet you’ll find a simple activity for you and your child to complete. When you have completed all the activities, return to the library with your child to receive fun rewards and the next activity sheet. Kids Read A fun way to encourage reading School-aged children who have completed Kindergarten through fourth grade When they sign up, participants will receive a reading log to track the library books that they’ve read. During each visit to the Summer Reading Desk, kids will earn a bead for each book they read, and receive fun rewards and one ticket for the grand prize drawing on July 28. Teen Read A reading, activity, and volunteer program Tweens and Teens who have completed fifth through 11th grades Teen Read is a way to read for fun and get rewarded over the summer months! Participation in Teen Read is mandatory for all student library volunteers. Tweens and Teens should sign up and read books that they enjoy. They’ll complete a short book questionnaire for each book read. Return the questionnaire to the library to get credit for reading. 36

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Children and families are invited to attend the library’s popular classes and events during summer reading. The library’s weekly classes for kids run for six weeks from Monday, June 12 through Thursday, July 20. Schoolaged children can enjoy Maker & More Time from Monday, June 12 through Wednesday, July 26. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.twpusc.org/library/ library-home or visit the library in person to pick up a complete program guide. Registration for the classes begins Wednesday, May 31 in person at the library. Babies & Toddlers Storytime Children ages 4-24 months with a caregiver Babies & Toddlers Storytime combines interactive play, action rhymes, songs, and books all designed to hold the attention of our youngest participants. Mondays, 10 or 11 a.m. Twos & Threes Storytime Children ages 2–3 ½ years old with a caregiver Twos and Threes Storytime features books and stories, action rhymes and songs, and puppets and play to entertain your child. Tuesdays, 10 or 11 a.m. Preschool Storytime Children ages 3 ½, 4, and 5 years old who are ready to spend a half-hour on their own Stories, songs, finger plays, and book-related actives are featured in Preschool Storytime which concludes each session with an activity for participants and their caregivers. Thursdays, 10 or 11 a.m., or 2:15 p.m. Family Storytime Families with children ages 2–7 years old Come to this fun storytime to share stories, songs, and games. Wednesdays, 10 or 11 a.m. or Thursdays, 7 p.m. Maker & More Time Children going into Kindergarten–fifth grade This come-and-go maker program will feature a sensory table, activities to experience at the library, a make-and-take activity, and Hour of Code. Mondays–Fridays, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Summer 2017

Summer Reading Skills Program for Kindergarteners Come to reinforce and practice reading skills learned during the school year in this smallgroup program. Mondays, 1:30 p.m. Session 1: June 19, 26, and July 10 Session 2: July 24, 31, and August 14 Summer Reading Skills Program for First Graders Come to reinforce and practice reading skills learned during the school year in this smallgroup program. Mondays, 2:45 p.m. Session 1: June 19, 26, and July 10 Session 2: July 24, 31, and August 14 Paws for Reading Any “Kids Read” participant Kids in first–fifth grades are invited to come to the library and read to dogs licensed through Therapy Dogs International. These dogs love to listen to stories read by boys and girls! Tuesdays, 2:30–3:30 p.m. No class Tuesday, July 4 Art in the Park Children up to age 6 with a caregiver Join the library staff at the outdoor playground for some fun art projects. Dress for a mess and wish for sun! In the event of inclement weather, this program will move indoors to the Kids library. Friday, June 2, 10 a.m.–noon Father’s Day Crafts Kids of all ages with a caregiver Get ready for Father’s Day by making some great crafts and decorations at the library. Monday, June 12–Saturday, June 17 during library hours Rock ’n Roll Pet Store Kids ages 4 and older with a caregiver Entertainer Mike Zaffuto will amaze you with magic, music, puppets, live animals, and more at this lively variety show. Friday, June 23, 11 a.m. Mike Zaffuto

T Kids & Teens The Lost Ladybug Project Kids ages 4 and older with a caregiver The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will present this citizen science program about ladybugs. Friday, June 30, 11 a.m. Craft Week: Celebrate July 4 Patriots of all ages with a caregiver Get ready for Independence Day by making some great crafts and decorations at the library. Monday, June 26–Monday, July 3 during library hours Ventriloquist Cindy Speck Kids ages 4 and older with a caregiver Ventriloquist Cindy Speck will amaze and delight you during this unique show at the library. Friday, July 7, 11 a.m. We’re Holden Puppets Presents Millennium Marionettes Kids ages 4 and older with a caregiver Delight in this amazing puppet show at the library. Friday, July 14, 11 a.m. Fun & Games Day All “Reading Together” and “Kids Read” participants with a grown-up Celebrate the end of summer reading by playing some great carnival-type games at the library. Thursday, July 27, 2–3:30 p.m.

Save the Date

Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale May 10–13 McLaughlin Run Activity Center (MAC) Wednesday, May 10, Preview Night, 5:30–8 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday, May 12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, May 13, Bag Day, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 a bag

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Summertime Programs and Events for Tweens and Teens at the Library

Teen Read participants going into sixth–12th grades are invited to participate in programs and events designed especially for this age group. Programs run June 12–July 24 and special evening events will be held throughout June and July. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.twpusc.org/library/library-home or visit the library in person to pick up a complete program guide. Registration begins Wednesday, May 31 in person at the library. Shakespeare in the Summer Participants will practice and create scenery for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. A performance will be held for the United Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair at the conclusion of the seven-week series. Mondays, 4 p.m. Parts & Crafts What can you create? See for yourself at the library’s maker program for middleschoolers and high-schoolers. Wednesdays, 2 p.m. Teen Read Book Sale Browse gently-used book to see what you can find for purchase. Proceeds benefit the USC Township Library. May 31–June 12 during library hours

Puzzle Night Solve mind-bending puzzles for prizes. Thursday, June 15, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Silent Library Perform wacky and amazing challenges all while not making a sound! Thursday, June 29, 5:30–6:30 p.m. Princeton Review Presents Crafting an Unforgettable College Essay Get tips from the pros to make your college essay stand out from the crowd. Thursday, July 13, 7 p.m. Teen Battle of the Books Lazy Summer Compete in the ultimate challenge of book knowledge at the library’s annual Battle of the Books. Thursday, August 3, 6 p.m.

Summer Reading Challenge

Calling Students From Baker, Eisenhower, and Streams This year will be the library’s sixth USC Reading Challenge. All students at Baker, Eisenhower, and Streams elementary schools are encouraged to read for their school during the annual summer reading program. The total number of participants and books read determine the winner. The winning school proudly displays its USC Library Summer Reading Champions trophy for the next school year. Last year, Streams won the trophy with 167 readers and 3094 books read. Baker came in second with 145 readers and 2559 books read. Eisenhower placed third with 106 readers and 1702 books read. Streams has won the trophy twice and Baker has won it three times. The Township and school librarians encourage all students to spend time reading during the summer. Reading is like any other skill; you have to practice it to get better! Good luck to our elementary schools in this year’s challenge.

Happy Birthday Beatrix Calling Peter Rabbit fans of all ages! Celebrate Beatrix Potter’s 151st birthday at the library on Friday, July 28 with Ann Troxell, the North American organizer of Reading Beatrix Potter. This project of the international Beatrix Potter Society aims to share Potter’s art and legacy with both children and adults. Ann will be at the library for three events. Kids’ Storytimes, 10 and 11 a.m. The Tale of Peter Rabbit Kids age 3–5 years old and a caregiver Register for either storytime, which will be Summer 2017

held in the Kids library. A surprise guest may hop in and join us! Beatrix with Tea & Scones, 1–3 p.m. Introducing Beatrix Potter Ann will share a display of items and information about Potter and her indomitable spirit. Potter’s books, as well as her life as a conservationist and her support of the National Trust in England, are all part of her legacy. English tea and scones will be served at the event in the library multipurpose room. Registration is required, with a $2 fee due at time of registration. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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With low interest rates, reasonable home prices, and no house of their own to sell, many young adults are well-positioned for buying their first home. If you’re ready to become a homeowner, watch out for these common firsttime-buyer mistakes. 1. Not getting a pre-qualification letter. Before you start your home search, meet with a lender or mortgage broker to determine how much money you are qualified to borrow. Having a pre-qualification letter in-hand offers peace of mind to you, the seller, and your real estate agent. 2. Overestimating what you can afford. Go through your income, expenses, and investments. You may discover that you aren’t comfortable spending what your lender believes you can afford. 3. Underestimating the costs of home ownership. The expenses of owning a home go beyond your monthly mortgage payment. As a homeowner, you’ll be responsible for costs that landlords usually cover, including property taxes, insurance, association dues, utilities, maintenance, and repairs.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

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4. Failing to think long-term. Cosmetic details that you can change should not discourage you from buying a home. Whether you’re planning to sell the house in a few years or make it your forever home, finding a home in the right neighborhood or one with a new furnace may outweigh drawbacks such as a slightly outdated kitchen or bath. 5. Spending all of your money. Avoid draining your savings to purchase a home or offering the maximum amount you’re qualified to borrow. You want to have money left over to cover unexpected expenses that could arise after you buy. 6. Forgoing an inspection. Before celebrating the fact that you’ve found a home you love, hire a professional home inspector to find any problems with the home that could impact your decision to buy. 7. Forgetting the contingency clause. Consider including in your purchase agreement a contingency clause that allows you to back out if your loan falls through, the home doesn’t appraise at its sale price, or you lose your job. Once you’ve found the first home of your dreams, don’t forget that you’ll need home owner’s insurance to protect your investment. n

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SUMMER ACTIVITIES

community wide flea market SATURDAY, JULY 8 (Rain or Shine) Place: USCHS Stadium Parking Lot Time: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Sale) Concessions will be available. Setup beginning at 6:30 a.m. Space is limited, so sign-up for your space early. Sellers are responsible for providing their own table(s). Complete the following form and mail to: _ Upper St. Clair Recreation, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Name:________________________________________________________________ Address:_ _____________________________________________________________ Email:_ _______________________________________________________________ Phone:________________________________________________________________ Number of spaces needed*_ _____________________________________________ *A space is equal to two parking spaces at the USCHS lot. Fee per space is $12-resident, $17- nonresident (can purchase after May 1). Checks payable to USC Recreation. For more information, call the Recreation Department at 412-221-1099. 40

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

USC Kennywood Day

Monday, June 19 Rides open at 11 a.m. Fun Day Pass

$26

Calling all USC residents to come out and enjoy a day of family fun at USC’s Kennywood Day. Kennywood ticket sales will be held on May 2: 7:30–8 a.m.–Upper St. Clair High School 8:15–8:45 a.m.–Eisenhower Elementary 9–9:30 a.m.–Fort Couch Middle School 9:45–10:15 a.m.–Baker Elementary 9:45–10:15 a.m.–Boyce Middle School 10:30–11 a.m.–Streams Elementary Tickets may also be purchased online at www.kennywood.com/usc.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES Become part of the LITTLE LAKE FAMILY during our exciting and adventure-filled 69th SEASON! Discover all the Lake has to offer!

724-745-6300 www.littlelake.org info@littlelake.org

• 11 MainStage productions • 3 Looking Glass Theatre productions for young audiences • 2 Fall Family Matinees • Exciting Summer Camps • Apprentice Program for Teens • Classes and workshops for adults • Sensory-friendly programming …and much, much more!

SAVE $2 ON ANY ADULT MAINSTAGE TICKET FOR OUR 2017 SEASON! CODE: USCMAG1 Call (724) 745-6300 or visit www.littlelake.org to purchase tickets. Make sure to use the coupon code on our website to get your savings. Bring this coupon with you to the show and redeem at the box office. Limit 4 tickets.

Go Live!—the Power of the Theatre Experience Jena Oberg, Little Lake Theatre, Artistic Director

For thousands of years, people have gathered together to tell the tales of the world around them—stories of heroes and villains, past, present, or dreams of the future. Entire communities would meet for hours and share in the collective pathos as actors brought familiar songs and stories to life. Theatre was born out of these community gatherings and has been an essential part of the human experience ever since. Today, community gatherings are increasingly replaced by our fast-paced, electronic way of life. Instead of gathering together, we quickly text or tweet from the comfort of our own bubbles. History and heroes are reduced to 15 second clips on the evening news, or 140 characters or less on our phones. We forget the amazing power of communal experiences—a vital part in maintaining a thriving community. Live theatrical performances are one of the few places where people gather together in the same space and witness the same event. When you experience theatre as audience or artist, you touch the essence of what makes us human. You participate in a collective experience, feeling empathy for the characters on stage. Regardless of the style, genre, or plot, theatre provokes us to view our lives in a different way than before the curtain rose on the performance. The benefits of participating in theatre are also transformative. Actors learn to recognize beauty in life, to have compassion, to understand how to work with others, how to present oneself, to develop a strong work ethic—all while getting to play on stage! Since 1949, Little Lake Theatre Company has brought the magic of live theatre to the South Hills, transporting audiences to new places, challenging ideas, and allowing people to be a part of the communal experience for 69 seasons. We have shared our stories with hundreds of thousands of audience members, enjoyed the talents of those onstage and behind the scenes, and trained multiple generations of theatre artists. This year, we invite you to experience the power of live theatre for yourself. Become part of the creative process by enrolling in one of our many camps and classes for children and adults. Join us as an audience member for one of our amazing plays. Take a hero’s journey with this season’s plays for young audiences. As you sit in our intimate theatre, where the plays literally unfold all around you, you will discover how easy, and enjoyable, it is to get lost in the enchantment of theatre. See Little Lake Theatre ad on this page. See you at the Lake! n Summer 2017

Prescribing Exercise for All In Pittsburgh, winter, and even early spring, tends to keep people indoors, and as a result many do not get the exercise they need to maintain good health. Considering the length of the region’s inhospitable weather, this can mean long periods of inactivity before consistent warm weather lets us move around outdoors. Inactiv- Richard J. Mitchell, M.D. ity has a negative impact on health and longevity that is comparable to smoking, says Richard J. Mitchell, M.D., a board certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates. He adds that inactivity causes 250,000 deaths per year, independent of smoking, obesity, and high blood pressure. Dr. Mitchell is a strong advocate of exercise for people of all ages. “Everybody needs exercise for their health,” he asserts. “Exercise has tremendous benefits. It can keep you strong, improve your quality of life, and help prevent chronic diseases that lead to disability and immobility.” The many benefits include improved cardiovascular health, such as reduction of high blood pressure and lowering of cholesterol levels; reduced risk of certain cancers; reduced risk of Type II diabetes and better control of blood sugar; better management of osteoarthritis; and improved mental health. Exercise delays all causes of mortality, Dr. Mitchell says. “Inactive people double their risk of coronary artery disease. It’s essential to heart health to get moving, and exercise is safe as long as you start slowly and are sensible about it. Those who want to start an exercise program should see their primary care physician if they have known coronary artery disease, active cardiac disease, or pulmonary disease. These people may need to have a treadmill stress test first.” A good exercise program is consistent throughout the year and includes cardio, strength training, flexibility, and neuromuscular exercise, but even simple activity is better than nothing. Walk the dog, take the stairs, or park the car far from the mall entrance; even small steps have benefits! n

To contact Dr. Mitchell, call 412-942-7262. See St. Clair Hospital ads on pages 2 and 65. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

A Healthier U(SC)

The (Running) Road Ahead Heather Holtschlag, Healthy Fit PR, Owner

Upper St. Clair resident Shelby Wherry began running in April 2016 after registering for a 5K mud run with her girlfriends. Shelby Wherry, with her son, “I figured that I needed to do some kind of training!” she said. Patrick, after a 5K run Since beginning running—twice a week, maybe three times on a good week—she has run a few more 5K races and has now set her sights on running a 10K. “I run mostly by myself, and I’m proving that, yes, I actually can be a runner!” Although she runs by herself, Shelby is certainly not alone in her running endeavors. In fact, many people in our region get their start around the same time of the year that she did, when the weather gets warmer and it’s easier to endure the outdoor conditions. Fortunately, there are some helpful local programs at places like Fleet Feet that offer helpful tips and training to make the transition to running a bit easier. “For beginner runners, we use a run/walk interval method,” said Kisa Snyder, training coordinator and coach at Fleet Feet. “This helps a new runner ease into the mileage comfortably. Over time, they begin running more and walking less. Our programs are ten to 12 weeks in duration.” Kisa recommends to individuals who are new to running that they run about four times a week and include some type of cross training in the form of swimming, biking, yoga, or exercise classes two times a week to work the other muscle groups. She also suggests that new runners invest in a good pair of running shoes and a sports bra (for women). She also advises that new runners run with a cause. “It’s important that beginner runners understand why they are running,” Kisa said. “They should decide if there is an end goal or if they are simply looking to make a positive change in their health. Everyone has different goals. Some may want to complete a race, others may want to set time goals, and many just want to be moving more. Regardless of the goal, however, I am a firm believer that the run/walk intervals help all runners build endurance and consistency in their movement. For some, run/walk intervals remain what is comfortable. But for others, they are able to remove the walking intervals over time and get to a point when they are completely comfortable just running.” Rather than head to the nearest trail and begin a run, though, Kisa said that stretching is an absolute must. “Prior to running, runners should perform dynamic stretching, which involves movement. This wakes up the muscles of the body and mimics the motions of exercise.” She advises runners to focus on the neck, arms, legs, and hips by doing various movements, including jumping jacks, arm circles, torso twists, and high knees or running in place. After the run, she recommends runners do static stretches to cool down the body and increase flexibility. Each stretch should be held for approximately 20 to 30 seconds without bouncing, being sure to target legs, arms, and hips. To track progress, Kisa recommends a fitness watch and said there are devices that will appeal to all levels of fitness. “You can track daily steps, monitor your distance, time, and pace, and calories burned,” she explained. “And, the device you choose should store all of your workouts for you to review at anytime. You also can set up run/walk intervals as well as monitor your heart rate. With Garmin devices (a favorite of Kisa’s), runners can download the Garmin Connect app for additional data. It’s also nice to keep a journal with outdoor temperature and conditions, and how you felt and what you wore, making notes about your progress.” Fleet Feet offers many programs designed to get new (and experienced) runners off the couch and out the door. “We offer two coached and mentored workouts,” Kisa noted. “Our mentors are previous participants who give back to the program, helping others achieve their goals.” In the spring of each year, Fleet Feet offers Dare to BE FIT, a program that incorporates total wellness with the 5K running/walking program. At the end of the program, runners participate in Global Running Day 5K and are inducted into Fleet Feet’s Flyers Run Club. There are also several other Fleet Feet running programs that take place at various times throughout the year. Check them out! n 42

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

The Perfect Summer Vacation—Courtesy of the App Store Jennifer Roberts, Extended Day Services, Administrative Director The perfect family getaway is as close as your phone! There are a slew of helpful apps that will assist with everything from planning to packing to editing photos of your summer trip! There’s even an app to protect your family from sunburn! The following apps guide you from deciding on the best vacation spot to creating super cool travel videos you might actually watch. Finally, the last app is for that adventurous “stay-cation” family! • Hitlist combines photos of beautiful vacation destinations with the best airfare deals. You simply add your favorite destinations to your watch list and you’ll get alerts when there’s a great price on flights. • Packpoint suggests a packing list based on the weather at your destination, how long you will be staying and your preferred activities. You can even add or remove items and save your list for future trips. • Peek helps you locate the best activities at the best prices while on your vacation. You can search by category such as “What to do with Kids” and you can book activities directly through the app. • Field Trip acts as your own private tour guide by showing you cool points of interest, film locations, and a ton of fun facts about wherever you happen to be. This app makes exploring a new location tons of fun for kids! • Allstay is an important app if you are considering camping this summer. It highlights popular RV resorts, gas stations, rest areas, and even bridge heights if you happen to rent an actual RV this summer! • Pix turns your phone into a smart camera, adjusting camera settings in real time and even creating a video loop if it detects motion. Pix offers useful photo enhancements rather than gimmicky features, all with very little effort. • Spark Camera allows you to keep an ongoing vacation montage of short video clips from your summer vacation. Simply hold your

finger on the screen to record a few seconds of the kids playing at the beach, horseback riding, or a family bike ride. It keeps your place so you are ready to record again when the next moment arrives. At the end Travel apps made planning for a family of your vacation, you have vacation to Hawaii a breeze! a wonderful mini movie to enjoy with your family! • Day One encourages your children, and even you, to keep a journal about your summer vacation. You can record a few thoughts each day, along with a photo, of the special places and activities from your trip. Day One automatically keeps track of the date, time, and location of each entry. • Sun Alert calculates exactly how long you can enjoy the sun without burning based on your complexion, location, time, and the SPF you’re using. A must-have for anyone with sensitive or fair skin! • Bark N Borrow is the first app that allows families to try before they buy when it comes to committing to a family dog. This canine app matches willing dog sitters with dog owners needing some parttime help. This summer, give the kids an opportunity to walk, feed, and care for a real dog while mom and dad evaluate the wisdom of adding a canine member to the family. So, load up your phone with these helpful apps and get started planning a summer vacation filled with wonderful family memories! n See ad for Extended Day Services on this page. Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

SUMMER ACTIVITIES Keep Your Eyes on the Yellow Ball of Fun Rachael Rennebeck

The pallino is the target for summer fun at Providence Point. With all of the luxurious amenities from four dining venues, a wellness center that includes an indoor pool and whirlpool spa, concierge services, and even a day spa, the question is begged as to how a pallino is the summer attraction? The pallino is the small, yellow target ball in the game of bocce. It is among eight others, which are different colors, distinguishing between two teams. After a coin flip, the game begins by the winner tossing the target ball, and then pitching his or her bocce ball as close to the pallino as possible. The opposing team then pitches, with the objective of getting closest to the pallino. This process goes back and forth, from team to team, until both teams have played all of their bocce balls. Points are awarded according to proximity to the pallino. Banking the ball as well as striking an opposing ball to move it further away from the pallino are allowed. At the end of all pitches, if two opposing balls are equal distance from the pallino, no points are awarded to those balls. The team that scores a pre-determined number of points wins the

bragging rights. All of this thanks to a simple yellow pallino, the summer target. With gorgeous gardens and nature-landscaped walking trails to enjoy through the summer months, bocce would Stan Over and Barbara Steen show their skills seem to play second fiddle. But on Providence Point’s bocce court. John Stephen will tell you that with the first sight of spring and through the committee, in bringing the game of bocce here,” summer months and into early fall, bocce is the said John. “We use bocce’s international rules most anticipated summer recreation. and tailor them to the skill level and ages of John, an eight-year resident of Providence those playing.” Point, had a group of friends who played With no complaints about sunshine, John bocce years ago in his development. As an stresses that early morning games are most onlooker, he knew that the intriguing, Italian- popular. “The heat gets to be a bit much in the derived sport would someday be something he dead of summer,” he said. “Getting a bocce would dabble in. John, the now 86-year-old game in before lunch is a priority.” retired marketing executive and former USC John helps to coordinate recreational acresident, is responsible for organizing the tivities year round, but admits that bocce in 60-foot, clay-like maintenance of the bocce area. the summer will always warm his heart while He is also credited with growing the number keeping him fit. n of participants from a dozen six years ago to See ad for Providence Point, a Baptist Homes more than 50 today. “I’m proud to have been Society Community, on page 19. instrumental, along with a Providence Point

Childhood Anxiety

Lauren Pagano, Licensed Clinical SW, Washington Health System Jimmy was a worrywart. Every morning, he worried that he wouldn’t hear the alarm ring, even though he hadn’t missed it once all year. Before lunch, he worried that he wouldn’t get to sit in his favorite place in the lunch room or that he might have a pop quiz in math class later. At night, he worried about getting his homework done and whether his clothes would be right for school the next day. At first Jimmy’s parents thought this behavior was a typical part of growing up. But when his teacher said that his anxiety was starting to affect his grades and relationships with other children in the classroom and he started having nightmares about visiting friends, they decided it was time to find ways to help Jimmy deal with his worries. What is anxiety? Anxiety is a normal and common part of childhood. In most cases, anxiety in children is temporary and may be triggered by a specific stressful event. For example, a young child may experience separation anxiety when starting preschool for the first time. Other times, anxiety can be a positive thing, such as when a child has anxiety before going on stage for the school play. However, in some cases, anxiety in children can be persistent, intense, and interfere with aspects of a child’s life, including daily routines, making friends, self introspection, and interrupted sleeping patterns. When a child’s anxiety is relentless, serious, causes turmoil in 44

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

many different areas in a child’s life, and does not go away with reassurance, it is classified as an anxiety disorder. Parents can be tempted to minimize how serious this is for the child or think it is a phase and may just go away. More often that is not the case. If anxiety is persistent and can no longer be described as temporary, it can begin to interfere with the child’s normal functioning, do harm to his or her learning, and can link to larger concerns. How common is anxiety? Anxiety disorders are widely recognized as one of the most common mental health/ behavioral disorders affecting both children and adults. According to a 2013 report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about 1.8 million children under the age of 18 (20%) have anxiety disorders (Lando, 2013). However, these disorders are often overlooked due to the natural stressors of development. While having fears and anxieties are considered part of normal development, for some children, this developmental worry may mask the presence of an emerging or pre-existing anxiety disorder. (Duffy, Horrock, Keown-Storeman, McClosky, & Grof, 2013) What would an anxiety disorder look like in a child? Signs of anxiety in children are specific to the type of anxiety disorder; however, the general symptoms of anxiety (GAD) in children Summer 2017

include excessive worry, inability to control their fear or worry, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability, sleep disruption, restlessness, muscle pains, headaches, diarrhea, stomachaches, negative thoughts, focus on weaknesses, and lack of focus on positives. There are a variety of specific types of anxiety, including separation anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and phobias. What can parents do? If you suspect that your child may have an anxiety disorder, talk to your child’s pediatrician or get a referral to a child mental health expert. It is important to consult with a pediatrician to rule out any medical issues that might account for these symptoms, including hyperthyroidism or sensory issues. Getting help is very common and is effective. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for proper treatment of anxiety disorders in children. If there are no medical issues, then seeking a mental health evaluation, engaging in talk therapy, engaging in group therapy, using positive remarks, increasing an understanding of anxiety, or potentially using medication are all ways to cope with and decrease a child’s anxiety. n For more information or to make an appointment, call the Washington Health System Children’s Therapy Center at 724-942-6100. See ad on page 15.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES Skin Cancer True or False

John D’Angelo, Tri-Community South EMS Many people have misconceptions about skin cancer, especially concerning its causes and treatment. How many of the following can you answer correctly? • Basal cell skin cancer looks like a brown mole that is slightly raised. Answer: False Basal cell carcinoma can appear in many different shapes, and the shapes can be flat as well as raised. Also, some can appear as a pearllike color, while others can range in color from pink to black, with various shades in between. • The most common type of skin cancer is basal cell skin cancer. Answer: True. Around two million people are diagnosed with skin cancer in the U.S. every year. About 80% of these skin cancers are diagnosed as basal cell skin cancers. • Skin cancer, no matter the type, will spread slowly through the body. Answer: False. Fortunately, the most common types of skin cancers do spread slowly through the body. However, other skin cancers, such as melanoma, are very aggressive and can spread quickly. These types of cancer are very deadly if not treated during the early stages.

• Minor surgery is the usual treatment for most skin cancers. Answer: True. When a skin cancer is detected early, a quick surgical procedure can remove the growth. However, if the skin cancer is not detected in time, more complicated treatments must be used. • Skin cancers only appear on body parts that are exposed to the sun. Answer: False. Although incidences of skin cancer are higher in body areas that are routinely exposed to the sun, skin cancer can appear anywhere on the body. For this reason, yearly full-body scans should be a part of everyone’s preventative routine. • Tanning beds are a safe alternative to direct exposure to the sun. Answer: False. Overexposure to the sun’s UV rays is the leading cause of skin cancer. However, those who routinely use tanning beds also put themselves at a high risk for skin cancer because they are exposing themselves to the same harmful UV rays. Cont. on page 82

Happenings! Upper St. Clair Rotary Farmers Market Westminster Presbyterian Church South Parking Lot 2040 Washington Road Thursdays, 4–7 p.m.; May 18–September 28 www.USCBPRotary.org www.facebook.com/USCRotaryMarket/ All types of locally grown foods, flowers, and more! Support local, eat healthy! Barnyard Beer Benefit 2017 Gilfillan Farm Route 19, across from USC Volunteer Fire Department Saturday, May 27, 6–10 p.m. Tickets $35–$55 https://www.facebook.com/beerbenefit/ Featuring live music, a variety of craft beer, and food, all in the heart of USC. Proceeds benefit the preservation and restoration of Gilfillan’s historic farm buildings.

USC’s Deerfield Manor Garage Sale Saturday, June 10, 8 a.m.–noon Houses with a balloon strung from the mailbox indicate participation. Questions? Email Lindsay at beck626@gmail.com. USC Kennywood Day Monday, June 19, 11 a.m.–close See page 40 for more information. Co-Sponsored USC/SF Fireworks Tuesday, July 4, dusk Shot off from South Fayette’s Fairview Park. Great view from Boyce Mayview Park! Summer 2017

USC Community-Wide Flea Market Saturday, July 8, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. See page 40 for more information. Flea Market The DeMarillac Guild will hold its annual flea market “Timeless Treasures” Friday, July 21, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. LeGras Parish Center (lower level), 320 McMurray Road Sale items galore! Questions? Call Mary Frances Glausser at 724-941-5128.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

SD Upper St. Clair School District Board of School Directors

Angela B. Petersen President 412-831-7182 2019*

Patrick A. Hewitt 412-831-0178 2019*

Amy L. Billerbeck Vice President 412-833-2712 2019*

Frank J. Kerber 412-833-4873 2017*

Barbara L. Bolas 412-833-9841 2019*

Aug 29 ��First Day of School for Students

Buffy Z. Hasco 412-833-5712 2017*

412-851-1115 2017*

412-851-0622 2017*

*Date indicates expiration of term.

Spectacular Spellers Five Upper St. Clair students advanced to the 67th

Sept 4 ��No School–Labor Day Oct 13 ��Half Day (Early Dismissal for Students) Oct 30–31 ��No School–Teacher In-service Nov 7 ��No School–Teacher In-service Nov 22 ��Half Day (Early Dismissal for Thanksgiving Recess) Nov 23–24 ��No School–Thanksgiving Recess Dec 25–Jan 1 ��No School–Winter Recess Jan 15 ��No School–Teacher In-service Feb 16 ��No School–Teacher In-service Feb 19 ��No School–Teacher In-service Mar 2 ��Half Day (Early Dismissal for Students) Mar 26–30 ��No School (Spring Recess) Apr 2 ��No School (Teacher In-service) May 25 ��Snow Make-Up Day #1 May 28 ��No School–Memorial Day Jun 12 ��Last Day of School for Students (Pending Snow Make-Up Days) Jun 14 ��High School Commencement Jun 18 ��Kennywood Day

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Phillip J. Elias 412-257-1198 2019*

The 2017 regular meetings of the Upper St. Clair Township Board of School Directors are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Central Office Board Room, unless otherwise noted. No regular Harry F. Kunselman Louis P. Mafrice, Jr. meeting is scheduled for July.

2017-2018 School Calendar

http://www.uscsd.k12.pa.us

Summer 2017

annual Western Pennsylvania Spelling Bee held this past March at Robert Morris University. To qualify for the regional competition, Ryan Popp, Olivia Hong, Rohan Mehta, Alexander Todd, and Christian Chiu each finished first in his or her school’s spelling bee. The school-level spelling bees, open to students in grades four to eight, were sponsored by the USC Teacher Council. Approximately 110 students from throughout the region competed, and the winner received an all-expense paid trip to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. this May. Upper St. Clair’s school-level results, first through fifth place, with the winning word italicized in parenthesis, are: Baker Elementary—first: Ryan Popp (dandruff), second: Hannah Del, third: Lily Pritts, fourth: Avery Neal, fifth: Sofia Jahn Eisenhower Elementary—first: Olivia Hong (conflagration), second: Noah Gidas, third: Eitan Schwartz, fourth: Jamie Barrett, fifth: Shresht Rawat Streams Elementary—first: Rohan Mehta (allegiance), second: Shriya Narasimhan, third: Caleb Guarino, fourth: Violet Rizer, fifth: Carlee Santel Boyce Middle School—first: Alexander Todd (nutrient), second: Keshav Narasimhan, third: Matvey Zoukovski, fourth: Carter McClintock-Comeaux, fifth: Jhoran Laffin Fort Couch Middle School—first: Christian Chiu (factorial), second: Shana Reddy, third: Alex LeKachman, fourth: Arunprakash Vasudevan, fifth: Dev Patel n

Architectural rendering of the high school building and grounds

Capital Projects Move Forward The Upper St. Clair Board of School Directors approved its ad hoc committee’s final report and authorized McLean Architects to continue the design development, construction documents, and construction phase administration for the proposed capital projects and additional capital projects. The action was approved during the board’s meeting on March 28. An ad hoc committee of the board presented its capital projects recommendations during the board’s meeting on Monday, March 13, 2017. Projects include the following: • Construction of new eight-lane pool at the high school o Consideration of a separate diving well/special use pool, to be bid as an add alternate or delete to the project • Construction of a multi-use complex at the high school stadium, to include: o Home and visitor-side bleacher repair/renovation o ADA compliant restroom facilities, ticket booth, concession area, announcing facilities o Multi-use space available for District and community use o District administrative office space within the complex • Completion of Boyce athletic field facilities o A single structure to include rest rooms/changing area, concession area, and announcing booth The ad hoc committee’s recommendation also includes the removal of a pedestrian bridge at the high school and repaving of the school’s parking lot at the conclusion of the project. “The new facilities will provide a greater level of service to our

Summer School

To customize learning for all students, the Upper St. Clair Summer School program provides students with choices

students and our community members,” said Dr. Patrick O’Toole, superintendent of schools. Under the anticipated timeline, construction could begin in the spring of 2018 with an estimated completion in August 2019. The estimated cost for all the projects totals $16 million. The potential effect on property taxpayers is spread out over two years with a tentative 0.15 mill tax increase in 2018–19 and a tentative 0.16 mill tax increase in 2019–20. Anticipated additional revenue from new commercial and residential developments could mitigate some of the anticipated increase. In addition, the District is seeking private contributions through a legacy campaign. Director of Advancement Sheila Gorgonio has worked with several Upper St. Clair families who have privately funded various initiatives. “Throughout the process, we will be closely monitoring project costs and increased property tax revenue from new construction,” Dr. O’Toole said. “Those factors combined with private contributions may present opportunities to lessen the financial impact on our taxpayers.” The ad hoc committee was commissioned in the fall of 2015 to review facility needs and deliver its recommendations regarding proposed capital projects, timeline, funding options, and other considerations. In addition to a dozen meetings and public reports to the entire school board, the ad hoc committee hosted a community forum, attended by more than 200 community members, in November 2016. n

in learning related to content, time, interest, and academic need. High school electives are available to students entering grades nine through 11. Upon successful completion, students will be granted one general elective credit towards graduation requirements for those courses advertised as credited options. Registration is underway. If registration has not exceeded enrollment capacity, Summer 2017

courses will continue to enroll students up to one week before the course begins. All courses are subject to cancellation based on enrollment. Summer program information is available in the Headlines section of the District’s website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us. It is exciting to know that many students will be able to take advantage of learning opportunities beyond the regular school year. n UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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, must be away from the high school for at least five years, and 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

Academics

• 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 •

• 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 •

2017 Halls of Fame Inductee Nomination To nominate a candidate for the 2017 Upper St. Clair High School Halls of Fame, use the nomination form found on the Upper St. Clair School District website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us. Click on the “Information” tab, and then click on “Halls of Fame.” Submit your name, address, and phone number, along with your completed nomination via email to: Nancy Dunn at hof@uscsd.k12.pa.us. For more information, contact Nancy at 412-833-1600, ext. 2236.

Support Our 2017 High School Varsity Football Team Cheer on our Panthers!

Kick-offs Fridays, 7:30 p.m. at Panther Stadium for four home games September 15

Youth Night USC takes on Baldwin

September 29

USC challenges Chartiers Valley

October 20

Halls of Fame/Homecoming USC confronts Hampton

October 27 Senior Recognition Night (band, cheerleader, football) USC tackles Woodland Hills

All Nominations Due May 31, 2017. Nomination forms can also be mailed to: Nancy Dunn Halls of Fame Committee Upper St. Clair High School 1825 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 48

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

For additional information regarding the schedule, call the USCHS Athletic Office at 412-833-1600, extension 2260 or 2261.

USC Schools Named Schools to Watch Boyce and Fort Couch middle schools have been named Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools to Watch, marking the fourth time that these schools have earned this honor, a feat accomplished by only two other Pennsylvania schools. Schools to Watch is an initiative of the National Forum to Accelerate MiddleGrades Reform. Boyce and Fort Couch are among 38 schools in Pennsylvania that have earned this distinction since the program’s inception in 1999. Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, superintendent of schools, said, “We are honored and excited for our middle schools to again receive this designation. It is an outstanding award for our staff, our students, and the entire Upper St. Clair community.” Schools are recognized for a three-year period and must demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated. Unlike the Blue Ribbon recognition program, “Schools to Watch” requires schools to not only identify strengths, but to also focus on areas for continual improvement. “The Schools to Watch process allows us to look deeper into our school practices educationally, athletically, and within the arts,” said Joseph DeMar, Fort Couch Middle School principal. “We have an amazing school community that is deserving of this recognition for its dedication, desire, and commitment to excellence.” The National Forum identifies Schools to Watch based on three overriding principles of high-performing middle-grades schools: • Academically excellent—to challenge all students to use their minds well. • Developmentally responsive—to be sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence. • Socially equitable—to be democratic and fair, providing every student with high-quality teachers, resources, and support. “We congratulate these schools for being places that do great things for all of their students. These schools demonstrate that high-performing middle grades schools are places that focus on academic growth and achievement. They are also places that recognize the importance of meeting the needs of all of their students and ensure that every child has access to

a challenging, high-quality education,” Bruce Vosburgh, president of the National Forum, said. “In addition, each school has strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continual improvement.” Boyce and Fort Couch first earned Schools to Watch honors in 2008. The schools were re-designated as Schools to Watch in 2011, 2014, and 2017. Selection was based on a written application that required schools to show how they met criteria developed by the National Forum. Schools that appeared to meet the criteria were then visited by state teams, which observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students, and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work. “The application process involves all staff members, and is a great way to reflect on the things we are doing well and to identify areas for potential growth,” said Dan O’Rourke, Boyce Middle School principal. “It provides an opportunity for us to focus on middle level education and systems to support middle school students.” In addition to being named Schools to Watch, Boyce and Fort Couch are National Blue Ribbon Schools. Boyce was recognized with the 1991–92 Blue Ribbon Award. Fort Couch is one of only eight schools in the nation to have earned four Blue Ribbon awards: 1986–87, 1992–93, 2001–02, and 2012–13. “These types of honors are important because our families, staff members, and students get an opportunity to have their efforts rewarded and recognized,” Principal O’Rourke said. “These honors solidify the outstanding work that is done in our schools and provides an opportunity for us to celebrate our successes.” A total of 11 Pennsylvania middle schools met the Schools to Watch criteria for 2017 and were recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education State Conference this February in State College. In addition, they will be recognized nationally at the National Forum’s National Schools to Watch Conference June 22–24 in Washington, D.C. Summer 2017

Posing with the Fort Couch award, left to right, are Mike Davia, special education teacher; Erin Peterson, assistant principal; Joe DeMar, principal; Lauren Madia, school counselor; and Bruce Vosburgh, Pennsylvania Schools to Watch director

Launched in 1999, Schools to Watch began as a national program to identify middle-grades schools across the country that were meeting or exceeding 37 researched-based criteria developed by the National Forum. Seventeen states have trained Schools to Watch state teams, with more than 400 schools recognized across the country. “We are pleased that our Schools to Watch program has shown that schools can meet high academic expectations while preserving a commitment of healthy development and equity for all students,” said Ericka Uskali, National Forum executive director. “These schools have proven that it is possible to overcome barriers to achieving excellence, and any middle-level school in any state can learn from their examples.” The National Forum sponsors the Schools to Watch program along with the Association for Middle Level Education, the National Association for Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Learning Forward, ASCD, and State Schools to Watch affiliates. n

Displaying the Boyce award are, left to right, Matt Henderson, Boyce STEAM teacher; and Dan O’Rourke, Boyce principal UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

SHOP@USC Wins Top National Award

Upper St. Clair School District has been selected as one of three national grand prize winners in the 23rd annual Magna Awards program sponsored by the National School Boards Association’s (NSBA) magazine, American School Board Journal. Specifically, Upper St. Clair is being recognized for its SHOP@ USC program. The Magna Awards recognize school districts and their leaders for taking bold and innovative steps to improve the lives of their students and their communities. SHOP@USC is one component of the Innovation Hub @ Upper SHOP@USC is a pioneering, student-run business, which St. Clair High School, which also includes an MIT-certified FAB operates fully through the collaboration between students with Lab. The program was made possible through more than $250,000 significant disabilities and their same age peers without dis- in generous monetary and in-kind contributions from foundabilities. Within SHOP, students produce and sell greeting cards, ing donors Frank and Terry Ross; Dr. Howard and Mrs. Marcy business cards, signs/banners, laser-engraved items and USC Edington; Carol J. Dunn; Mr. and Mrs. William G. Ball; Amcom spirit wear merchandise. “SHOP@USC is a truly unique program, Office Systems; Mark A. Karenchak of Snyder Brothers, Inc.; the which has impacted the lives of many students,” said Dr. Sharon Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair; and the USC High Suritsky, deputy/assistant superintendent. “SHOP combines the School PTSO. In addition, community business leaders have best of inclusionary programming with best practices from STEAM provided expertise and consultation, including Frank Schuler, and technology.” Andy Lantzman, and others. Subsequently, donations from other SHOP is an acronym for Showing How Opportunity Pays. community members and organizations have continued to enable Established in the 2014–15 school year, the program currently SHOP@USC to expand its fabrication capabilities and opportuniserves 38 students, 17 of whom are part of the school’s Life Skills ties for students. Support program with various special needs and abilities. “SHOP@USC is an extraordinary and transformational pro“We have a makerspace where students from our Life Skills gram that simply would not have been possible without private Support program are partnered with students from the general support,” Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole said. “We are very grateful for the student body and together they create, design, fabricate, and kindness and support of our community partners that share our market a variety of products,” said Michelle Zirngibl, SHOP@USC vision and are willing and able to offer their assistance.” Followcoordinator. “Students receive valuable experiences in fabrication ing the success of the high school’s SHOP@USC program, plans as well as sales. In addition, it’s the soft skills such as teamwork, are underway to expand the concept to Boyce and Fort Couch communication, professionalism, and enthusiasm that students middle schools. also gain experiences in learning. Whether you are a student with An independent panel of school board members, administraautism who needs to practice appropriate social skills or a student tors, and other educators selected the 2017 Magna Award winners who is college-bound wanting to experience a work environment, from nearly 200 submissions. “Creativity and innovation are there is something to be gained for everyone.” needed to help students realize their full potential,” said Thomas When the program first began, Michelle knew it would J. Gentzel, NSBA executive director and CEO. “The Magna Awardimprove the social and vocational skills of students in the Life winning districts are prime examples of how public schools all Skills Support program. However, the level of impact was unex- over the country are working to give students a high-quality pectedly profound. “I knew that offering SHOP@USC would be education and life.” an outstanding social opportunity for students in the Life Skills In addition to the grand prize winner, there are five first place Support program, but what I didn’t expect were the unconditional winners and five honorable mention winners within each of the friendships that would develop between them outside of the class- three enrollment categories: under 5000 students, 5000 to 20,000 room,” she said. “They have made dinner plans on the weekends; students, and over 20,000 students. gotten groups together at school events to take ‘SHOP’ pictures As the grand prize winner in the under 5000 students catfor homecoming, prom, and senior cruise; egory, USC School District’s SHOP@USC and plan fun recreational time.” In just a program is highlighted in the April 2017 few short years, SHOP@USC has made a big issue of the American School Board Journal impact on the school and, most importantly, and will receive a $5000 contribution. All its students—with and without disabilities. 33 award-winning school districts were “When I see our partner students advoformally recognized in March during a cating for our students with special needs, special presentation at NSBA’s 77th annual conference, in Denver. I know it is making a difference,” Michelle This marks Upper St. Clair School said. “When graduates contact us to report District’s second Magna Award recognition how college is going and that they joined from the NSBA. In 2013, USC School District the Best Buddies program on their campus Posing with the Magna Award, left to right, are or changed their major because of their Steven Dunmore, Sodexo CEO of schools services; Dr. was named a first place winner for its experience in SHOP, we know it’s been im- Patrick T. O’Toole, superintendent; Michelle Zirgibl, Student Leadership Academy, which helps pactful. SHOP@USC is a powerful program SHOP@USC coordinator; Barbara Bolas, USC school students understand how they can change board member and former NSBA president; Tom the world through their leadership. n in so many ways.” Gentzel, NSBA executive director and CEO 50

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

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Tim Wagner Recognized Upper St. Clair High School associate principal for Program Planning & Innovation Timothy Wagner, Ed.D. has been named an Early Career awardee from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education. “I am honored to receive Pitt’s School of Education Early Career Award,” said Tim. “The faculty and programs at Pitt coupled with the mentors and professional opportunities I’ve been afforded at Upper St. Dr. Tim Wagner Clair have directed my career in ways that I know are lifelong blessings.” The Early Career Award recognizes recent alumni with less than ten years of professional experience for their outstanding accomplishments in the classroom, administration, support services, and/or extra-curricular activities and programs. Tim was nominated for the award by Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole, Upper St. Clair School District’s superintendent of schools. “When I think about his amazing contributions, I have to remind myself that Dr. Wagner is still a young educator,” said Dr. O’Toole. “As a young professional, he is committed to his own lifelong learning and has worked hard within formal and informal leadership roles to assist other educators in their ongoing development.” Having joined the Upper St. Clair faculty in the fall of 2007, Tim began his teaching career as an elementary teacher. Throughout his tenure with the USC School District, he has also taught middle-level English and social studies and has served as a gifted education coordinator for students in grades seven through 12. From 2013–15, Tim served as the middle school English language arts curriculum leader and was promoted

to his current position as associate high school principal for program planning and innovation in July 2015. “Dr. Wagner’s success as an Upper St. Clair teacher and leader can be attributed to who he is as an individual,” said Dr. O’Toole. “He is so capable, but stays motivated to continue to develop himself. He is quite the relationship builder, whose genuine care for others is evident in all that he does.” Beyond Upper St. Clair, Tim is an adjunct faculty member in the Washington & Jefferson College Education Department. His scholarly interests relate to curriculum design, leadership development, schoolbased behavioral health, and the school experience of child refugees. A graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, Tim earned a bachelor’s degree in child development and education. In addition, he holds a master’s degree in applied developmental psychology and a doctorate in education from the University of Pittsburgh, where he is currently enrolled in the Superintendent Letter of Eligibility program. In October 2014, Tim received the 2014 Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (PASCD). This award recognizes educators who have made an impact on educating the whole child, leadership, and contributions to the profession. Two years later, in fall 2016, PASCD named him an Emerging Leader. The PASCD Emerging Leader program recognizes and prepares young, promising educators to influence education programs, policy, and practice at the state level. In addition to his educational experience, Tim is a leader within the greater community. He serves as the vice chair of the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair; is on the board of directors for Beverly’s Birthdays, the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair, and the Young Life River Region; and is a long-standing committee member for USC Cares, a community group of the Youth Steering Community engaged in exploring and promoting the 40 Developmental Assets. n Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

USCHS Spring Musical The Drowsy Chaperone With two lovers on the eve of their wedding, a bumbling best man, a desperate theater producer, a not-so-bright hostess, two gangsters posing as pastry chefs, a misguided Don Juan, and a “drowsy” chaperone, Upper St. Clair High School’s 2017 spring musical provided theater-goers with an evening of madcap entertainment! The Drowsy Chaperone, directed by Larry Cervi, featured a cast of more than 70 students and was accompanied by a 40-member student orchestra. The winner of five Tony Awards, including Best Book and Best Original Score, The Drowsy Chaperone was a loving send-up of the Jazz-age musical, featuring one showstopping song and dance number after another. n

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

Music Matches Mentors Karen Boston

Save the Date! Notre Dame & USC Band Performance Saturday, May 13, 7:30 p.m. USCHS Theater Free and Open to the Public

Do you have a favorite song, beat, symphony, jam, or students great leadership opportunities, and their mentor roles tune? It’s the one that causes you turn up the volume every time help to develop the connection between the middle school and you hear it, stops you in your tracks, moves you to dance like high school students. “The high school students’ influence helps nobody is watching, or transforms you from the present moment the middle school students stay motivated, improve their skills, to a memory of the past. Mind directed music magic! increase their confidence, and encourages their continued particiDo you have a mentor in your life—a person who has been a pation in the high school band and beyond,” said Julie. positive influence, trusted advisor, wise teacher, or strong supWith the arrival of the month of May, so comes the University porter? Our USC High School band students are privileged to mix of Notre Dame Concert Band and the opportunity for USCHS music with mentoring and enjoy two beneficiary roles: mentor students to take on the role of mentee. On Saturday, May 13, 100 and mentee. of Notre Dame’s most talented musicians will be in USC for the Every autumn, the USCHS marching band hosts and mentors day and conduct afternoon workshops for the USC high school Fort Couch Middle School students at “Fort on the Field,” an and middle school band students. Students will sit side-by-side, annual event that gives the opportunity for any Fort Couch stu- rehearse challenging pieces, exchange tips for improving skills, dent who wishes to march with the high school marching band discuss college life, and have fun. The USC students, acting in to learn more about the various groups in the high school band. their role as mentee, have much to gain from this collaboration. The middle school students are matched with the high school In attendance will be Dr. Kenneth Dye, University of Notre instrumentalists, color guard, and pantherettes, based on their Dame director of bands. Dr. Dye has served as a composer/arranger interests. Prior to the Friday night footfor more than 1800 works for bands ball game halftime show, with both Fort and orchestras throughout the United Couch Middle School and USC High States and overseas. Under his direction, School students performing on the field, the Notre Dame Concert Band has perthe high school mentors attend a trainformed in the Carnegie Music Hall, the ing workshop conducted by the high Sydney Opera House, the Mozarteum school guidance office, assist the music in Salzburg, Austria, and the Beijing department faculty with rehearsals and Concert Hall. field practices, and encourage the Fort The collaboration of the students and Couch students with the enthusiastic music faculty from Upper St. Clair and message of “You can do it!” Notre Dame will result in a community Julie Halpner, chairperson of the concert to be held that evening at 7:30 Band Parent Association’s (BPA) outp.m. in the high school theater. Come to USC High School marching band students (in uniform), reach committee, agrees that the Fort see and hear how mentors can transform mentoring Fort Couch students (in white shirts) during the USCHS football halftime time show on the Field event gives the high school you with their music. n

USCHS Hosts Nigerian Author

Upper St. Clair High School students participated in a writers’ workshop and heard about the experiences of Nigerian novelist, political columnist, and essayist Dr. Okey Ndibe this past February. Dr. Okey Ndibe The writers’ workshop, open to all high school students during mod 12, was intended for aspiring writers. Following the workshop, Dr. Ndibe delivered a presentation on the historical context of writing and the craft of writing. Dr. Ndibe is the author of three novels: Never Look an American in the Eye: A Memoir of Flying Turtles, Colonial Ghosts, and the Making of a Nigerian American; Foreign Gods, Inc.; and Arrows of Rain. In addition, he co-edited the book Writers Writing on Conflicts and Wars in Africa, a collection of testimonials by writers and scholars who have experienced or explored Africa’s conflicts and how those disruptions affect artistic and literary production. Foreign Gods, Inc. was named one of the ten best books of 2014 by Janet Maslin of The New York Times and listed among National Public Radio’s best books of 2014.

“It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to interact with this esteemed writer and gain better global awareness and the craft of writing from an international perspective,” said Tanya Chothani, USC’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Program coordinator and resource center coordinator. “Dr. Ndibe is a dynamic speaker and excellent writer!” Dr. Ndibe immigrated to the United States in 1988 to serve as the founding editor of African Commentary, an international magazine published by renowned Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Dr. Ndibe holds a master’s degree of fine arts in writing and a doctorate in literature. He has served as a faculty member at several colleges and universities, including Brown University, Trinity College, Simon’s Rock College, Connecticut College, and the University of Lagos, as a Fulbright Scholar. Dr. Ndibe is currently a writer in residence at the City of Asylum, a nonprofit community of writers located in Pittsburgh’s North Side neighborhood. “City of Asylum spoke with our students as part of our high school International Education Week in December 2016,” said Tanya. “We are excited to continue this partnership.” n Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

I See London, I See France

USC Senior Spends Semester in France Lauren Quintero

When we’re little kids, we tell ourselves that one day we’ll be the U.S. President, walk on the moon, or travel the world. Over time, those aspirations change, transform into unreachable dreams, or even disappear altogether. But for a few, those aspirations never remain dreams. Instead, they become reality, and that’s exactly what happened to Sydney Austin this year. Sydney, a senior at Upper St. Clair High School, has always had a fascination with France—both for its language and its people. Throughout her scholastic career she studied the language, and after being involved with the French exchange program as a junior, she finally had the opportunity to make every aspect of her lifelong dream a reality. Last August, Sydney left Pittsburgh to start her semester as a student at Lycée Saint Marc, a school in Lyon, France. Prior to traveling to Lyon, she stopped in Paris for a few days. Within an hour of arriving in Paris, she realized what she had really signed up for; she struggled to order a sandwich in French, only to then be abruptly rushed to order by the woman behind the counter who happened to speak English. But, according to Sydney, this wasn’t always the case. “There was a café that I would eat lunch at almost every day, and they would always tell me that I could order in English, or that they would even go in the back to grab someone who could help me, which was really nice,” she said. When her time in Paris came to a close and after completing the majority of her oh-so-important tourist duties there, Sydney’s new temporary life began to take shape in Lyon. Living with a student who was a part of the same French exchange the prior year, she started school. Her French peers were fascinated that she was from the U.S. and they wanted to learn about the place that she called home. “They were all so welcoming, and would always ask what living in the United States was like. It was really cool,” she said. Sydney quickly hit it off with her peers and quickly embraced the French way of learning. At Lycée Saint Marc, students are asked to specialize in an area of study, similar to picking a college major in the U.S. Classes are then chosen and relate to that particular area of learning. Because

Sydney was initially limited in her ability to speak French, she was placed in mostly English-speaking classes. She eventually worked her way up to taking classes, including calculus and philosophy, that were taught in French. Yes, calculus and philosophy in French! Imagine! Her class schedule changed daily, similar to a college schedule. Sydney mentioned that she had less free time, and that the free time she did have was considerably more structured, aside from being able to get lunch off campus. Sydney (right) and friend Tia Eventually, her time in France Watts, who is also a USCHS came to an end. Sydney had some dif- senior, pose atop a hill in Lyon that overlooks the city below. ficulty readjusting back to American life. At first she would accidentally begin to speak in French, and found herself saying, “Oh wait, sorry. Nobody here speaks French.” A concern of Sydney’s was that she might lose the French that she worked so hard to master. To combat that possibility, she’s kept in touch with many French friends, whom she calls often to brush up on the language. Although Sydney is not fluent in French, she’s proud that she’s conversant. She knows that navigating a second or third language isn’t as common in the United States as it is in other parts of the world. She said, “It’s kind of cool to have a one-up, in a sense.” Throughout the semester abroad, Sydney shared her own knowledge by teaching others English, embraced learning the French language, faced challenges, and even missed home a bit. With plans to major in French at Slippery Rock University this fall and take advantage of the school’s study abroad program, there was no hesitation when I asked Sydney if she would head back to France. “For sure,” she said enthusiastically. “I will definitely do it again and hopefully sometime soon!” n Lauren, a senior, graduated from USC High School in January and plans to pursue a degree in engineering. She is the daughter of Sue and Gregorio Quintero. Young Writers Guild is for any USC student, grade eight and above, to write voluntarily for UPPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. Contact usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us for more information.

Dance Team Takes First at Nationals

The Upper St. Clair High School dance team earned first place honors in the Large School Varsity Jazz division at the JAMfest Dance Super Nationals this past February in Covington, Kentucky. The team, coached by Megan Kamberis, competed against schools from California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The team’s victory at JAMfest caps off an undefeated season, having earned first place at all competitions. 54

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

“The dance team is so happy with their accomplishments this year,” Megan said. “Not only did the team win a national championship at JAMfest, but they also went undefeated this season!” In addition, five dance team members competed as soloists. Faley Bulazo placed second and Emma Artnak placed fourth in the senior lyrical division, Anna DiPasquale placed second and Peyton Ciesco placed third in the junior lyrical division, and Jesse Quiroga placed sixth in the junior jazz division. n Summer 2017

Upper St. Clair varsity dance team members (listed alphabetically) include Cara Amatangelo, Emma Artnak, Faley Bulazo (captain), Ashley Burkett, Peyton Ciesco, Taylor Depolo, Kalina Deutsch, Anna DiPasquale, Julia Geisler, Sammy Koller, Maria Lugares, Melanie McGinnis, Emma Mertz, Jesse Quiroga, Tia Watts, and Lexie Wirth

Curt Leonard Receives Service Award

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USCHS senior Curt Leonard has earned national recognition for his exemplary service to the community and has been named a President’s Volunteer Service Award winner. “The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a tremendous honor and accomplishment,” Dr. Louis Angelo, principal, said. “Curt’s commitment and service to our community are commendable and indicative of his character, leadership skills, and initiative.” Curt Leonard Curt was nominated by the high school counseling department in recognition of his volunteer service. The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of time to serve their communities, was granted by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. “Curt possesses a strong commitment to service,” Thomas Marquis, school counselor, said. “His Eagle Scout project involved mapping and logging all of the fire hydrants in the Township of Upper St. Clair.” By obtaining and verifying the GPS Sandy Goldstein ABR e-Pro coordinates of more than 400 hydrants, Curt provided the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Marshall Goldstein, The Gold Team Fire Department with an electronic database that locates the nearest hydrants while Keller Williams Real Estate crews are in route to a fire or emergency. Using the updated electronic database, first responders can reduce response times and save lives. Tel: 724-941-9400 x 215 “Through this project, I learned how to instruct people on how to do a specific Cell: 412-721-0306 task; I showed them the procedures for correctly recording coordinates and ensuring sandy@sandygoldstein.com their accuracy,” Curt said. “I also learned that leadership is best shown when you sandygoldstein.com lead by example, rather than delegating tasks to others. I’m glad I was able to help my community.” PA license RS162211A The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes middle level and high school students across America for outstanding volunteer service. “The recipients of these awards demonstrate that young people across America are making remarkable contributions to the health and vitality of their communities,” said John Strangfeld, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. “By recognizing these students and placing a spotlight on their volunteer activities, we hope to motivate others to consider how they can also contribute to their community.” “Demonstrating civic responsibility through volunteerism is an important part of life,” JoAnn Bartoletti, NASSP executive director, said. “Honorees practice a lesson we hope all young people, as well as adults, will emulate.” n

National Signing Day Nineteen Upper St. Clair High School studentathletes signed their letters of intent to compete in their respective sports at the collegiate level on National Signing Day, February 1, 2017. Congratulations to the following USCHS student-athletes who participated in National Signing Day: • Track & Field: Harvey Kane, Duquesne University (D1) • Football: Gabe Houy, University of Pittsburgh (D1); Thomas Vissman, Yale University (DI) • Girls’ Golf: Bella Petrone, Flagler University (D2) • Boys’ Soccer: Thomas Davidson, Washington & Jefferson College (D3); Stefano Paolina, Santa Clara University (D1) • Girls’ Volleyball: Elia Kallick, Dickinson University (D3); Kindler Norman, University of Scranton (D3) • Swimming: Jacob Jaime, American University (D1); Maeve Lersch, Rider University (D1); Maddie Yoos, James Madison University (D1) • Girls’ Basketball: Catherine Gollihugh, University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg (D3) • Wrestling: Eli Grape, Lehigh University (D1)

• Softball: Bailey Fialkovich, Muskingum University (D3) • Boys’ Lacrosse: William Reeder, Alderson Broaddus University (D2); Nick Weryha, Capital University (D3) • Girls’ Lacrosse: Lauren Piecknick, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (D2); Shelby Zahren, Denison University (D3) • Boys’ Volleyball: Nolan Kondrich, Grove City College (D3) n

USCHS National Signing Day participants Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Orchestra Honors for USC Boyce Orchestra Students Selected for Performance at National Event Panther orchestra students performed at the American String Teachers Association National Conference in Pittsburgh. For two days, March 2–4, hundreds of schools, collegiate representation, and leading expert string educators from Hawaii to Alaska gathered at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for professional development, music making, and collaboration. Nine fifth and sixth grade orchestra members representing Boyce Middle School performed a musical selection entirely from memory and served Left to right, front row: Keshav Narasimhan, Rosemary Ramirez, as a demonstration group for Dr. Robert Gardner, a Penn State University Elizabeth Zavadil; back row: Rebecca Lang, Leona Chen, Isabella professor. The students received wonderful feedback and compliments from Zhang, Sarah Shoemaker (Boyce, Fort Couch, and USCHS strings teacher), Irene Yap, Clara Senchyshak, Evan Sarkett the string experts present at the performance. Attendees remarked that the group sounded beautiful and that the performance piece, “Secret Agent 440,” was a nice selection. Fort Couch and High School Students Perform for PMEA Adjudication and Other Honors College professors Dr. Doerksen and Dr. Benham from Duquesne University and Dr. Gage from Youngstown State University scored the Fort Couch and USCHS orchestras during adjudications at the high school this past March. Based on live performances, groups were scored by collegiate judges in the categories of tone, intonation, accuracy, technique, interpretation, and sight reading. The Fort Couch orchestra eagerly worked to earn another top-scoring “Superior” rating, similar to the score they earned last year at Carnegie Mellon University. For information on the adjudication results, visit Sarah Shoemaker’s teacher page on the USC School District website. The Fort Couch and USCHS orchestras have participated in other honors throughout the year, including the Fort Couch Orchestra’s perfor2016 Fort Couch adjudication at Carnegie Mellon University mance at the Allegheny County Courthouse. Three students from the high school’s instrumental ensembles were selected to perform in the PMEA Honors Orchestra—James Boston, bass; Mallika Matharu, cello; and Savannah Shaw, cello. Fort Couch Orchestra performs at the Allegheny County Courthouse. Five students were selected to perform at the District Orchestra festival at Moon Area High School—James Boston, bass; Mallika Matharu, cello; Matt Higgs, percussion; Alexa Decnik, flute; and Meghan Johnson, clarinet. Three students were selected to perform at the Region Orchestra festival at DuBois Middle School— James Boston, bass; Matt Higgs, percussion; PMEA Honors Orchestra and Meghan Johnson, clarinet. High school performers Savannah Shaw and Mallika Matharu; missing orchestra students Vivek Babu and Allison Ho is James Boston were selected to participate in the Penn State Honors Invitational Orchestra festival. Students interested in playing in string programs over the summer can enroll in Strings Camp at USCHS June 19–23 (through the USC Recreation Department) Boyce Middle School Theater or contact Sarah Shoemaker for Monday, May 22, 7 p.m. a list of summer string programs District Orchestra festival performers, left to right: Alexa in the Pittsburgh area. n Decnik, flute; Meghan Johnson, clarinet; Mallika Matharu, Free and Open to the Public

Save the Date

Fort Couch and Boyce Orchestras

cello; James Boston, bass; Matt Higgs, percussion

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

Future City Competition A team of Fort Couch Middle School students finished second among a field of 28 teams in the 2017 Pittsburgh Regional Future City Competition held this January. Fort Couch team’s presentation was led by eighth graders Christian Chiu, Richa Mahajan, and Sophia Shi. In addition to second place, the Fort Couch team earned three special awards, including Excellence in Systems Integration, given by Engineers’ Society of Western Pennsylvania; Best Management of Water Resources, from AECOM; and 17-year anniversary school, presented by ESWP and Carnegie Science Center. Future City is a national, project-based learning experience where students in grades six, seven, and eight imagine, design, and build cities of the future that offer solutions to sustainability issues. Previous issues included storm water management, urban agriculture, and green energy. This year’s challenge focused on “The Power of Public Space.” A team of more than 35 Fort Couch gifted students worked throughout the fall to transform the current city of Manila into Magbahagi (Filipino for “sharing”), existing 100 years in the future. “Magbahagi includes a wide array of public spaces and incorporates innovative technologies throughout the design,” Jason O’Roark, gifted education teacher, said. “Straddling buses travel the streets as cars pass under them, vertical and off shore hydro-pod farms feed the city, an aqua tower cleans the river while providing hydroelectric power, and a clear ceramic dome provides a multi-use shelter and public space that helps protect from frequent hurricanes are just some of the many aspects incorporated into the city.” Students presented their solutions through a virtual city design, using SimCity, a 1500-word essay that described their city, a scale model, a project plan, and a presentation to judges. “At competition when our students were asked what they found to be most challenging, they said it was working productively with such a large group of students who had significantly varying ideas and opinions, learning to listen to each others’ ideas, treat each other respectfully, compromise, and at times combine various ideas to create the best solution to meet the challenge,” Connie Gibson, gifted education teacher, said. Many former Upper St. Clair Future City alumni have entered engineering fields, including Michelle Szucs, a 2010 USC graduate, who was honored at the 2017 competition as the Future City Alumni of the Year, and Brian Gaudio, a 2009 USC graduate and CEO of housing startup company Module. “Researching existing technology, thinking toFuture City participants, left to right: Christian Chiu, Harrison Chui, Kathy Li, Richa Mahajan, Sophia Shi, Erin Payne ward the future, writing a technically persuasive essay, communicating with expert mentors, channeling creativity to bring an idea to life, and capping off the months of hard, collaborative work by standing on stage presenting to a large audience—these were just some of the valuable experiences I gained from participating in Future City,” Michelle said. “I continue to employ these lessons in my work today as I team up with engineers from varied backgrounds to develop products that push boundaries and demonstrate value to our customers.” Michelle, who earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and engineering from MIT, credits her experiences with the Future City competition in developing relevant, real-world skills for success. Brian, who participated in Future City as an eighth grader, now designs innovative housing and recently hosted a local preview screening of his documentary “Within Formal Cities.” He spoke with Fort Couch students to share information about his documentary. “Brian and a friend traveled to five cities in South America to learn about innovative ways architects were solving the housing crisis,” Connie said. “Creating this documentary was Brian’s inspiration to start his company, Module, which continues his interest in innovative and futuristic design within cities.” Brian’s work focuses on modular housing, which is designed to expand over time through a patent-pending structural system. Fort Couch students benefited greatly from having access to an Upper St. Clair alumnus with experience in design, engineering, and the Future City competition. “This year’s Future City team was especially inspired that a former Future City participant was available for research purposes,” Connie said. n Summer 2017

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Writers’ Workshop Held at Boyce

Earlier this year, fifth and sixth graders at Boyce Middle School participated in a writers’ workshop led by Frederic S. Durbin, author of three books and numerous short stories. Sponsored by the Boyce Parent Teacher Organization, the event was part of the school’s annual Author’s Day celebration. This year marks the first time Author’s Day has followed the writers’ workshop format. During the morning announcements, students watched a brief introductory video about Mr. Durbin in order to provide as much time as possible for students to write and interact with him. “This format allows the kids to do some hands-on writing,” Frederic said. “It’s not just a lecture to a large group; it allows the students to be in a more intimate setting and be able to practice writing skills.” Students working on their short stories Frederic held 30-minute writing workshops with each of the middle school’s eight teams, challenging students to vary their writings. After picking the name of a character, students were asked to create a short story consisting of just eight sentences from the following specific instructions: • Include a sensory detail. • Start with something not the subject. • Use an action verb. • Write a sentence using 21 words. • Include something you can hear. • Have your character think or feel something emotionally. • Write a sentence using six words. • Bring it to a close. In addition to writing, students had the opportunity to ask questions and provide Author Frederic S. Durbin, leading the workshops feedback. One student asked how he comes up with the names for his characters. “A lot of times, names come from old folk tales,” Frederic said. “Sometimes even from the dictionary—a word will make me think of a name for a character.” Frederic shared what he believes is the secret to good writing. “The story really isn’t about the story… that’s not what keeps you reading,” he said. “The story is about the story happening to someone. It’s about a character experiencing the story and that’s what brings it to life. If you know what that character is feeling, what the character is thinking, that’s what makes you want to keep reading to find out what happens to the character.” Among Frederic Durbin’s books are The Star Shard, Dragonfly, and A Green and Ancient Light. n

Boyce Students Excel in Math Fifth grader Alex Sun earned the top score at the recent schoollevel Pennsylvania Mathematics League (PML) contest at Boyce Middle School, a contest which is designed to stimulate student interest and confidence in mathematics. Alex scored 31, narrowly defeating three competitors who trailed him by just one point. Alex Sun, first place In total, 85 students participated winner in the PML in the PML contest this February. contest at Boyce Participants were given 30 minutes to solve 35 questions, ranging from simple and straightforward to complex math problems. The school’s team score, derived from the school’s top five individual scores, is reported to the PML. For the past five years, Boyce’s sixth graders have finished first or second in Pennsylvania. At the school level, students were awarded trophies and medals for their efforts. Students earned recognition for earning top scores among all students, as well as the top scores for each team. Students enrolled in accelerated math competed in a separate category. n 58

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Accelerated Math Student Results First (score of 31): Alex Sun (grade 5) Second (tie, with score of 30): Rebecca Lang Phillip Markovitz Alex Todd Third (tie, with score of 29): Carter Chui Ben Wasson Honorable mention (tie, with score of 28): Carter McClintock-Comeaux Keshav Narasimhan Mariah Rainier Honorable mention (tie, with score of 27): Mahir Parmar (grade 5)

Top Scorers for Each Team (scores between 21–24) Team Energy: First (tie): Kyle Kerber Ty Riemer Drake Wagner Team Predator: First: Noah Wangler Second: Lauren Starr Team Solar Power: First: Chase Neponuceno Second: Priyanka Palayekar Team Wind: First (tie): Jason Lu Ipsita Singh Second: Owen Damon

A Record Ten OM Teams Advanced to States Of the 19 Upper St. Clair teams that competed in the March 4 Odyssey of the Mind (OM) regional tournament, a record high of ten teams qualified to advance to the state competition. “We believe that the most number of teams to have advanced in the past is seven,” said Laura Murtough, coach and OM program co-coordinator. In order to qualify for the state competition, teams must finish first or second in their respective division and problem. The advancing teams comprise students from all six Upper St. Clair schools. “Each team worked from October through March to creatively solve one of five problems from Odyssey’s STEAM-based program, which requires that students receive no outside assistance from teachers, parents, or friends,” Laura said. The teams going on to states represent Divisions I (elementary), II (middle school), and III (high school), and their eight-minute solutions include the vehicle, classics, balsa, and performance problems. At the competitions, they are judged on creativity and risk-taking. First place: • Vehicle problem–Division I: students Michael Conte, Armen Pettit, Jack Lowden, Anushka Sharma, Virginia Gaither, Taylor Latiolais, Tyler McClintock-Comeaux; coached by Rusheen Pettit, Beatrice Conte • Classics problem–Division II: students Sara Hess, Antara Cleetus, Shivani Jajoo, Bryce Keating, Joe Phillips, Chris Jahn; coached by Alison Hess, Ponny Jahn • Vehicle problem–Division II: students Matthew Earley, Carter McClintock-Comeaux, Daniel Seewald, Philip Markovitz, Josilyn Seftchick, Grace Kelly, Marina Gzikowski; coached by Meridith Markovitz, Stacey Seewald • Performance problem–Division II: students Joseph Markovitz, Max Murtough, Constantine Tripodes, Brianna Lin, Victoria Cuba, Eric Wang, Sammie Seewald; coached by Laura Murtough, Stacey Seewald, Meridith Markovitz

Second place: • Vehicle problem–Division I: students Addie Young, Collin Rosenberg, Geneva Eisinger, Lauren Ginsburg, Kurt Baran, Lily Simons, Ellie Simons; coached by Nate Eisinger, Simon Rosenberg • Vehicle problem–Division III: students Jacob Conte, Yash Jajoo, Maggie Lowden, Christina Conte, Gracie Lowden, Isabella Putorti, Vivek Babu; coached by Rachel Lowden, Beatrice Conte • Balsa problem–Division I: students Jeffery Zhang, Anand Jani, Colin Green, Ben Ross, Holt Eberhardt, Devesh Jani, Harrison Barker; coached by Autumn Barker • Classics problem–Division I: students Anastasia Gzikowski, Esha Lathia, Stella Moss, Ben Murtough, Jake Casares, Peter Markovitz, Ben See; coached by Stacey Seewald, Laura Murtough, Meridith Markovitz • Performance problem–Division I: students Rachel Thomas, Shubham Patel, Garrett Ziegler, Neil Joon, Leah Levine, Katie Kucherawry, Janelle Knierim; coached by Heather Ziegler, Stacy Knierim • Performance problem–Division 1: students Taylor Gibbs, Lylah Kateeb, Camryn Friday, Natalia DiSora, Sadie Tomczyk, Chloe Faist, Anoushka Barve; coached by Lauren Gibbs, Stacey Friday Teams that finished first or second at the state competition held in April advance to the OM World finals held May 24–27 at Michigan State University. According to its website, “Odyssey of the Mind is an international creative problem-solving program for K–12 and college students. Students learn the value of brainstorming and teamwork, as they grow their self-confidence and appreciation for the ideas and strengths of others while in an encouraging teamfocused atmosphere.” Congratulations to all participants! n Look for an OM wrap up in UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY’s fall 2017 edition.

An Illuminating Experience Imagine a town designed and created by a group of nine year olds. Welcome to Lightsburgh, complete with buildings, roads, parks, and other city features, and all developed by fourth graders at Streams Elementary. The project was the culminating activity to the fourth grade electric circuits unit. Students were tasked with creating and designing a room to illuminate. In addition to learning about electric circuits, students worked together to create an entire city, appropriately dubbed “Lightsburgh.” “In class we used our knowledge of electrical wiring to wire the room and light the bulb,” Betsy Allen, classroom teacher, said. “After our buildings were wired, we used our urban planning skills to create a city in which we would want to live.” Students worked together to plan and incorporate each of their buildings into the town. They strategically decided store locations, being careful to keep some distance between the competing pet shops. Lightsburgh featured a residential neighborhood, a downtown shopping district, restaurants, an airport and hotel, stadiums and a movie theater, as well as a jail and space center, located on the outskirts of the town.

“I was so proud of the collaboration and communication I noticed from my students,” Betsy said. “The kids did a fantastic job working together!” n

Students show off Lightsburgh, a town they designed and created. Summer 2017

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T HEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? SD THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEY DID WHAT?THEY DID WHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEY DID WHAT?THEY DID WHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? THEYDIDWHAT?THEYDIDWHAT? Data Jam USCHS students took top honors in the 2017 Pittsburgh Data Jam competition in February at the University of Pittsburgh. Team members included Aditi Chattopadhyay, Mahima Reddy, Yash Lahoti, Kriti Shah, and Brooke Christiansen. USC finished first among a field of more than 25 teams. Students were tasked with formulating a question that could be answered using public data. They tackled the question, “Does insomnia correlate to income at a national/local level?” “Interestingly, they found opposite trends at the national vs. local level,” Lynn Kistler, high school science teacher and science department curriculum leader, said. “The program is very challenging, requiring students to develop a question, collect the appropriate data, and analyze the results.” According to its website, the goal of the Pittsburgh Data Jam is to “introduce Pittsburgh high school students to big data and data analytics. It raises the students’ awareness of the impact that big data will have on their lives as individuals and the new career options that are being created by the advent of big data in nearly Left to right: Mahima Reddy, Brook every industry imaginable.” This year marks the Christiansen, Aditi Chattapodahyay, third year for this analytics competition. Yash Lahoti (back), Kriti Shah

Eighth Grader Named Semifinalist in Geography Bee A Fort Couch Middle School student has been named a semifinalist in the 2017 Pennsylvania State Geographic Bee. Eighth grader Atharva Barve scored among the top 104 on the qualifying exam that was administered to school-level students throughout Pennsylvania. The 2017 Pennsylvania Geographic Bee was held in March at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. The National Geographic Bee, in its 29th year, is open to students in grades four through eight. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Visit www.nationalgeographic.com/geobee for more information on the National Atharva Barve Geographic Bee.

Streams Jump Rope for Heart Week Streams Elementary collected $6321 through its annual Jump Rope for Heart Week fundraiser to benefit the American Heart Association. “Each year, students have the opportunity to make a donation to Jump Rope for Heart while they learn a variety of ways to jump rope in gym,” said Barb Rahr, physical education teacher. “They also learn about the importance of a healthy heart.” In addition to jumping rope, Streams families, friends, and staff members participated in Wear Red Day.

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All-Eastern Honors Choir USCHS senior Carly DeCock was selected to perform in the All-Eastern Honors Treble Choir. Carly, a soprano 2, joined more than 800 of the most musically-talented high school students in the eastern United States to perform in the 2017 National Association for Music Education All-Eastern Honors Ensembles, held in April in Atlantic City.

Carly DeCock

Shakespeare Contest A team of Fort Couch Middle School students was one of five finalist teams in the Upper Division Scenes category in the 23rd annual Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. Eighth graders Morgan Meddings and Kate McQuillan performed a scene from “The Two Gentlemen of Verona.” More than 1000 students in grades four through 12 from 100 area schools competed in the preliminary rounds in early February. Students in grades eight through 12 competed in the upper division, while grades four through seven competed in the lower division. A panel of judges evaluated each performance and selected the finalists to compete in the Showcase of Finalists in February.

USCHS Student Wins First Place in Poster Contest Competing against nearly 100 students from western Pennsylvania during the 2017 High School Japanese Speech Contest, USCHS student Maggie Bryant (tenth grade) took first place in the Poster Contest category, while Edward Celesti (12th grade) placed second in the same category. In the beginner level speech category, Anna Culhane (11th grade) and Grace Eden (12th grade) finished in second and third place, respectively. Students were presented with their awards by the Consul from the Japanese Consulate General of New York. USCHS Japanese language teacher Junko Chidori Kapples coached the USC teams. The Japanese Speech Contest is an annual event organized by the Asian Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh and the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania. Held this year on March 3, it features a poster contest for students in their first year of Japanese or in a Japanese club at school. This year’s poster contest theme was “The most fascinating Japanese technologies.” There were four levels of the contest for students who had two or more years of Japanese language. The beginner level speech, delivered by memory, is always a self-introduction. The upper level speeches, also delivered by memory, had the theme of “Imagine how Japanese society will change in the next ten years.”

Summer 2017

Minori Hayakawa

Ariana Chiu

America Bowl A team of Boyce Middle School students earned top honors at the regional America Bowl this February. USC fifth graders Marco Carone, Louis Gargani, Jhoran Laffin, and Shiven Verma placed first among a field of nearly 30 school districts. Students answered individual and team questions from categories that included Pittsburgh, U.S. presidents, U.S. states, famous people in America, things to see in America, U.S. government, and a physical map. “The students commented on what a fun educational experience the America Bowl was and how they would like to attend again,” said Susan Fleckenstein, gifted and enrichment resource teacher.

Left to right are Marco Carone, Louis Gargani, Shiven Verma, and Jhoran Laffin

Young Artists Nine works of art submitted by three USCHS students earned recognition in the regional Scholastic Art & Writing awards. Ninth grader Vivian Li earned a Gold Key award for her piece titled “Nocturne” and a Silver Key award for her painting “Blackbird.” Freshman photographer Lauren Teresi earned five Silver Key awards for her works, “A Foggy Winter Morning,” “Jellies,” “Hearst Castle,” “Muir Woods,” and “Bixby Bridge,” as well as an honorable mention for her photo “Succulents.” Sophomore Serena Luo was awarded a Silver Key award for her artwork “Spring Valley.” In addition, four Fort Couch eighth graders earned recognition. Jaron Maine won a Gold Key award in the printmaking category for his submission titled “Jellyfish.” Silver Key awards were earned by Antara Cleetus for her editorial cartoon “United Shades of America” and by Manjiri Palayekar for her drawing “Nirvana.” Two drawings by Katherine Li earned honorable mentions, “A Walk Through Death” and “The Hill.” As Gold Key award winners, Vivian and Jaron qualified to compete at the national level.

Three selected for All-State Choir Three USCHS students have been selected through competitive audition to participate in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Choir. Mackenzie Damon, Jonah Glunt, and Jack Smith performed in the All-State Festival in April at the PMEA state conference in Erie. In addition, the following USCHS students participated in the Region Choir Festival: Carly DeCock, Connor Halloran, Christian Jones, Andrew Rauber, Logan Reynolds, and Eva Schenker.

Left to right, front row: Andrew Rauber, Mackenzie Damon, Eva Schenker, Carly DeCock; back row: Lorraine Milovac (USCHS choral music teacher), Jonah Glunt, Jack Smith, Logan Reynolds, Christian Jones, Connor Halloran

Exploring Pharmacy Students in Laura Marks’ USCHS honors organic chemistry class recently participated in an interactive, hands-on patient simulation provided by the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. The presentation included the use of a high-fidelity human simulator, a mannequin with life-like functions that offers realistic medical training, and presentations by Pitt Pharmacy Rx ambassadors, students who are currently enrolled in the program. Among the class of nearly 30 students, five were selected to perform the roles of physician, pharmacist, nurse, and two emergency medical technicians to experience managing a patient with a heart attack as well as an opioid overdose. The Pitt Pharmacy team was led by Dr. James Coons, associate professor. He was assisted by Rx ambassadors Addie Brown, a 2012 USC graduate; Shannon Ye, a 2013 West Allegheny High School graduate and daughter of Lixia Kang, a USCHS Mandarin Chinese language teacher; and Marissa Postava, a 2014 Montour High School graduate. Summer 2017

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Pawprints...

SD PTC

Baker

Eisenhower

High School PTSO Sally Ondrejko Every strong community engages in selfreflection in order to maintain, and ideally to grow, its strength. Each of the six schools in Upper St. Clair is a distinct community within the larger USC school boundary. USCHS, with approximately 1350 students and 200 staff members, is the largest of these school communities. Over the past two or so years, the high school administration has been engaging in very deliberate “self-reflection” in connection with the School District’s “Re-Imagining the High School Experience” initiative. Surveys of students, community members, teachers, and staff have yielded data which is now being used to improve the academic experience, as well as the social and emotional experiences, at the high school. In times of change within communities, it is always helpful to stay in touch with community members and to seek feedback. With this in mind, and because the focus of this issue is “community,” I conducted an informal, unscientific survey of a small number of high school students in the four grade levels. I asked one question: “If you had to pick one thing, what would you say is your favorite thing about your high school experience so far?” The responses are as varied as the students, but the results definitely lean in the direction of non-academic experiences, whether they are with clubs, the arts, or athletics. In short, the meaningful experiences mentioned are primarily those involving a feeling of belonging to a community, and that feeling comes in smaller groups, rather than in the high school as a whole. Some examples are: • My favorite thing about the high school experience is the variety of clubs and activities you can join. It lets you meet lots of diverse kids outside of your immediate friend group. I’ve been able to join clubs related to art, foreign language, Natural Helpers, and the high school musical. Joining clubs also allows you to try new things and find ways to take the pressure off the academic workload. As a freshman, it has also let me meet upperclassman and made the school feel more familiar. (freshman) • Band! It’s what gets me through the day! (junior) • Hockey! (senior) • Free mods. (senior) • My favorite thing throughout high school would have to be participating in the musicals; I’ve 62

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made so many friends and have so many amazing memories! I love getting the opportunity to perform on stage and share what we’ve done with the community. (junior) • All the friends I’ve made. (senior) • Seeing friends every day. (sophomore) A few students combined academics and nonacademics in their comments: • The opportunities I had available to me, including varsity swimming and Frisbee, and the knowledgeable and helpful teachers. (senior) • Teachers’ willingness to help. Making “forever friendships.” Being on a team and winning together feels great. (freshman) Some students’ answers focused on academics: • Biology class. (freshman) • The wide variety of courses offered and that you can take classes over the summer to free up your schedule during the school year. (junior) • The increasing course offerings in technology, because I feel it is preparing me to use these tools in the real world. (senior) • Not that I have experienced it yet myself, but I have heard from friends who have graduated that USC prepared them well for college-level work. I find reassurance in this. (senior) Strong academics have, to a large extent, built the Upper St. Clair community, both in the sense of people living in a particular locality and in the sense of people sharing a common goal. As the student responses indicate however, that is only part of the picture of this community. Their responses highlight the importance of not just living in a community, but of belonging to that community. The latter has the potential to sustain and nurture the high school, as well as Upper St. Clair as a whole. Fort Couch PTSO Melanie Lenthall Fort Couch Middle School has again been named as one of the Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools to Watch. The award, which recognizes a school’s achieving academic excellence, has been bestowed upon Fort Couch for the fourth time; only two other Pennsylvania schools have reached this level of recognition. On the heels of this honor and as the president of the school’s PTSO, I wanted to learn what the students liked best about Fort Couch. I reached out to student council and attended one of their meetings. The responses I received were overwhelming; I couldn’t write down their reasons fast enough! Summer 2017

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Some students expressed they most liked activities, including Field Day with the team t-shirt competition and decorating for the Valentine Dance. Others were excited about the variety of musical bands, Fort on the Field, the Ping Pong Room, performing in the musical, and attending the Pirates game offered to student council members. Many stressed the importance of the increase in independence and that they have more of a voice. The eighth graders appreciated talking to guidance counselors and teachers from the high school when they came to Fort Couch to provide information on choosing classes for ninth grade. And for the first time, the high school’s ninth grade student council met with members of Fort Couch student council in a mini conference to discuss council at the high school level. Many were enthusiastic about Fort Couch enabling them to reach out to the community through fundraisers. The students really enjoyed the seventh grade Toy Drive where they had the chance to dress up and have a Halloween party for children from a day care and distribute the toys collected. The Fort Couch Reach Out, that culminates prior to winter break, enabled students to carol with friends and bake cookies to raise funds for charities. This February, students collected coins for the Education Partnership in a friendly homeroom competition, and student council organized a Pink Out to support cancer awareness and a February Frenzy basketball competition to raise more charity funds. Of course, specific students and teachers were mentioned and students especially enjoy advisor time (AT) where they get to rotate through various homeroom teachers for different experiences. Most importantly, they felt the overall environment at Fort Couch is a welcoming one! Being a part of the PTSO has given me the opportunity to see first-hand why Fort Couch is such a great school. Listening to student council members talk about what they like best has given me a broader perspective of the special opportunities offered to the students in our community. Boyce PTO Katy Loomis Serving the community is a core value at Boyce Middle School. Principal Dan O’Rourke observed, “One of the first things I noticed about Boyce is the number of community

... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature service projects our staff, students, and parents take part in and support. Multiple staff members plan and organize charitable events and fundraisers that enable our students to participate in opportunities that benefit others.” Justin Gremba, sixth grade math teacher and student council advisor, leads more than one hundred fifth and sixth grade student council volunteers in charitable works. Last fall, student council built and delivered school supply kits for the Education Partnership. Students’ notes that were included with each kit were a highlight! Student council brought the community together for Boyce Bash, raising over $3000 for the Miracle League of South Hills. Boyce guidance counselors Vicki Cayuela and Amy Antonio helped students with multiple projects. The Friendship Shoe Box project served 750 families in Washington County and the Halloween Candy for Troops was especially well received. Many soldiers wrote personal letters thanking the students for their notes and candy. Valentine Grams partnered with Random Acts of Kindness Week and raised more than $1300 for the Education Partnership. Physical education teachers Dana Mellinger and Pete Serio brought the fun of service to Pride Time with a Boyce March Madness 3-on-3 basketball tournament, with this year’s donations going to Make-a-Wish®. Through a recycling initiative sponsored by Matt Dudley, fifth grade math teacher and Green Team advisor, more than 40 fifth graders collected discarded paper, bottles, cans, and plastics from around the school each Friday. They also participated in the Recycling Bowl, sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, and collected nearly two tons of recyclables from the school’s campus. The Green Team also developed a Denim Drive, where collected used denim is recycled to produce insulation for Habitat for Humanity homes. Boyce students make serving the community a priority. With the support of staff and parents, Principal O’Rourke believes that “these experiences expose students to the value of being kind, generous, and selfless.” Baker PTA Kristie Proud Baker is the best! When I asked teachers and students what they liked most about Baker Elementary, this was the recurring theme: Baker is like a close knit family, and the hallways are bursting with pride and excitement each and every day. Evan, a fourth grade student, said what he likes best about Baker is being able to show his family and friends his ceramic tile on the lobby wall each time they are at Baker. “It will be there forever and that is so cool!” he exclaimed. At Baker, third graders design a small ceramic tile

that gets installed over the summer so that on the first day of fourth grade they can see their “thumbprint” cemented in the walls. A little piece of each student at Baker will forever be displayed so that every student remembers where they started their education and always feels welcome. Ethan, a Kindergartener, said what he likes best about Baker is that “Mrs. McCarthy is my teacher!” The kids adore their teachers at Baker. Renee McCarthy greets her Kindergartners with a hug every day as they arrive to school and Erik Wiesemann conducts a yo-yo club before school hours get underway. Morgan, a second grade student, said, “I love how Mr. McFerran makes everything fun! The best part is being the VIP student of the week. You get to sit up front with the teacher and all the kids write nice things about you.” There are countless examples of our teachers going above and beyond to create special and memorable experiences for all the students. Bryan, a fourth grader, said, “If I could pick one place to be for the rest of my life, I would pick Baker!” Baker teachers feel the same way about their students. For as much as the children adore the teachers, the teachers have as many wonderful things to say about the students. Heather Herbay, Baker’s new art teacher said, “Their cheerful hellos that greet me every morning as I walk down the hall and the endless supply of beautiful drawings and notes they give me makes me feel like a celebrated artist. I have longed for my own classroom for the past five years, and so being able to build lasting relationships with my students is a dream come true. There is a magic that happens when children create art and I am blessed to witness that magic each and every day!” When I polled a group of third graders about what they liked most about Baker, they were split between loving recess or gym best. An obvious answer for grade school kids, but it shows that’s where friendships are made. Mary, a third grader, said, “I feel safe at Baker, and I know that my teachers will help me to do better at school.” Frank McFerran, a second grade teacher, summed it up when he said, “My favorite thing about Baker is teaching, nurturing, and being a role model for my students. I have the distinct privilege to help kids learn, grow in confidence, and have fun.” Eisenhower PTO Jill Hicks As the summer months approach and our school year draws to a close, I can’t help but reflect on this past year and my experience as Eisenhower PTO president. It seems as if it was just yesterday that I was planning fall activities, and, now, here I am, preparing to pass the baton to next year’s president. Summer 2017

In a year that was filled with constant PTO activities, events, and outreach efforts to help others in need, I can say that my experience as PTO president has been nothing short of amazing. I leave my role with a feeling of accomplishment and gratefulness for having the opportunity to meet and work with so many wonderful people. Even more, I built stronger relationships with the faculty and administration at Eisenhower and within the District, little of which would have been possible if it wasn’t for my PTO involvement. I believe that Eisenhower isn’t just a school, it’s a family—a network of people who are consistently looking to enrich the minds of our students every day and always keeping our kids’ best interests in mind. It’s a place that provides a safe and motivating environment where kids can strive to do their best… and have fun while doing it! While Eisenhower is personally dear to me, I was curious to hear what others from Eisenhower had to say about what they like best or appreciate most about our school. Here are a few comments from Eisenhower staff and students: • I love Eisenhower because the teachers are awesome! Learning is fun and different every day. All of my friends are here, too. Eisenhower feels like home.–Anna C., fourth grader • What I love most about Eisenhower is our amazing culture of students, families, and staff. I feel blessed to teach Kindergarten in such a positive environment where doing what is best for children is the primary focus.–Erica Kristan, Kindergarten teacher • The wonderful teachers!–Meredith G., fourth grader and Becca G., first grader • I am excited to come to Eisenhower each day knowing that I will be inspired and rewarded by the students, staff, and families I interact with.–Conrad Linger, third grade teacher • I like all the extra things we do at Eisenhower, like the School of Rock class, the Ike Crawl, and other fun things. I realize how lucky we are!–Thomas G., second grader • In my opinion, Eisenhower gets it right. The atmosphere of trust and cooperation that exists between the staff and the community is something I enjoy and it helps create a very special place to work.–Christopher George, fourth grade teacher It’s rewarding to hear such positive comments about Eisenhower and see how similarly we all feel about our school. I’m privileged to be a part of such a wonderful school community and feel confident that the efforts of our PTO and all of our volunteers have played a significant role in our school’s success. It’s been a pleasure serving Eisenhower. I am now, and will forever be, Eisenhower proud! Cont. on page 64

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

SD Pawprints Cont. from page 63

Pawprints... a USC Parent Teacher Council Feature

Streams PTO Leria Miles There are times when we, as parents, ask our children questions and we get answers that are slightly indicative that there is much more work to do as we guide them on their paths to greatness. As they get older, we put them in the capable and competent hands of teachers who offer their own guidance, and we trust that their time at school will be filled with learning lessons that will be valuable for years to come. That is exactly what happens at Streams Elementary. Together, the parents and teachers at our school have done a spectacular job at creating a nurturing environment where kids can thrive and… well… the kids seem to think so, too! Check out some Streams students’ answers to the question posed: “What do you like best about Streams?”

• I like lunch. It’s yummy.–Griffin P., third grader • Mrs. Kopicko. I never want to leave her. –Matilda L., Kindergartener • I like that it’s a nice school and they take care of their students and if a student is sick they take care of them.–Conrad D., first grader • That you can express yourself and do art, and gym, and other stuff.–Mark T., third grader • The teachers are really nice.–Noah B., third grader • Word building.–Landon C., Kindergartener • Gym and computer lab.–Eli A., first grader • Chorus and being able to sit wherever you want as a fourth grader.–Essence D., fourth grader • They sometimes let your mom come to school. –Brooklyn G., Kindergartener When I reflect on each one of these answers, I see that no matter the difference in

expression, there is one common theme in our children’s eyes: the support of a community. In a true community, you will find that your individual needs are met in ways that benefit the entire group, and that’s what is promoted in our school. At Streams, our community provides avenues for self-expression and enrichment, both individually and with friends. Nourishment and care is given in fundamental ways, and also in ways that make sense based on every child’s individual needs. There is no shortage of ways to re-energize and rejuvenate. Our community breeds thinkers and creators, while at the same time, makes room for family dynamics to be in the front row, taking it all in! We will continue to work to uphold our children’s expected standards while “customizing learning, nurturing potential, and delivering excellence.” ■

Kids Helping Kids at Streams This February, the Streams community celebrated its 13th annual Children

for Children, an event that celebrates a two-month-long community service project and offers crafts, activities, a bake sale, and a silent auction. This year’s proceeds from the event went to Connecting Children with Champions, founded by Upper St. Clair graduate Sidney Kushner. The nonprofit assists children with cancer through the developmental and social challenges that accompany the illness by asking kids “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The child is then matched with a volunteer who is a fitting inspiration for what he or she wants to become. Volunteers become a source of companionship, friendship, excitement, and hope. With the slogan, “A Simple Act Can Make a Difference,” the Streams’ community service initiative was first launched in the 2004–05 school year when a group of parents approached Principal Dr. Claire Miller about developing a child-focused, child-driven charity event. The goal was simple: expose students to other children in the world who are in need, and show them how they can make a difference. Students participate in all aspects of organizing and running the event. They decorate, sell tickets, and run games. In addition, many of the silent auction items are student-made, including hand-knitted hats and scarves, baked goods and art creations, as well as student services for babysitting, dog walking, and yard work. In addition to raising money during the event, classrooms compete in a coin collection and students seek contributions from local businesses. “Our coin collection has resulted in a massive hallway graph that follows our progress,” Dr. Miller said. “Another group of students practiced their phone communication skills by making donor request calls to a select group of local businesses. A local bank, Community Bank, even donated manpower hours to help with rolling all the coins!” Each year, the school selects a different charitable organization, with the only prerequisite being that the organization must help children. Since 2005, the Children for Children initiative has raised nearly $75,000 to benefit 14 local, regional, national, and Students smile as they prepare for the auction. international organizations. Charities include UNICEF Tsunami Relief, Katrina School Fund, CORE Organ, Dominican Republic Outreach Program, Heifer International, National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple, Casey’s Clubhouse, Charity Water, Jameson’s Army, Grady’s All Stars, The Education Partnership, Global Links, Our Clubhouse, and Beverly’s Birthdays. n 64

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ST. CLAIR ORT

OPEDIC ASSOCIATES

Shaka M. Walker, M.D.

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Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

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St. Clair Orthopedic Associates is the newest division of St. Clair Medical Services. Leading experts in their field, these physicians provide a full range of orthopedic services, including sports medicine, total joint replacement, hand and upper extremity surgery, and foot and ankle surgery. They help patients ease pain, restore range of motion and return to normal activites. TWO CONVENIENT OFFICES:

Shaka M. Walker, M.D. earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at University of California San Francisco, with a subspecialty in Sports Medicine. Dr. Walker is boardcertified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He practices with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services.

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William T. DeCarbo, DPM, FACFAS earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Cleveland. He completed his residency at Grant Medical Center, Columbus, and a surgical fellowship in foot and ankle at Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Center, Inc., Columbus. Dr. DeCarbo completed a traveling fellowship, learning advanced techniques in foot and ankle surgery nationally and internationally. He is board-certified by the American Board of Foot & Ankle Surgery in Foot, Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgery. Dr. DeCarbo practices with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services.

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Richard J. Mitchell, M.D., M.S. earned his medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at George Washington University, Washington, D.C., and a fellowship in Sports Medicine at Washington University, St. Louis. Dr. Mitchell is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He practices with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services.

Summer 2017

Gerson B. Florez, M.D. earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, where he served as Academic Chief, and completed a fellowship in Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Florez is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He practices with St. Clair Orthopedic Associates, a division of St. Clair Medical Services.

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This Old House Dina Fulmer

Troubles never come alone; they always arrive in groups. Thus begins the tale of my repair-and-replace-it project. It is not meant to encourage or discourage anyone designing a project, only to report what happened to me and my 58-year-old house. It began five or six years ago when a landscaper noticed that the sill of bricks outside a window in one of the basement walls was concave rather than straight. Oh, my, the basement wall was caving in! After removing the inside paneling, we found a zigzagged crack in the foundation, with one edge protruding about an inch and a half from the other edge. A little research led us to having wall anchors set; they were to be tightened periodically via four cables that were anchored about 20 feet from the foundation. While this system appears to work for some, for us it did not. Five years later, the wall was still not plumb; in fact, the protrusion appeared even greater than before. What to do? All of the decisions were mine alone now, and I had neither the knowledge nor the inclination to be a general contractor; I had to find someone to take charge, someone whom I could trust to make all of the correct decisions without bankrupting me. An engineer friend whose judgment I trusted suggested I talk with a neighbor who had done some construction work for him. “Trust Al Lewis,” he said. So, I did, and after seven months of frustrations, unanticipated discoveries, and unsuspected problems, the job was finally completed. The first thing Al noticed had nothing to do with my immediate problem; the roof was covered with moss, and much of my home’s redwood exterior was deteriorated and needed to be replaced or repainted. Trouble number three: the ceiling in the laundry room (under a bedroom!) had sprung a leak. The source turned out to be a crack in the flashing around one of the roof vents. That taken care of, it was time to tackle the basement wall. In came the backhoe, digging a trench the length of the wall, about four feet wide and ten feet deep. The wall was pushed 66

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into plumb position, an eight-inch exterior concrete wall was poured, and the basement wall was anchored to it at one-foot intervals. The remaining cavity was filled with a huge amount of gravel, and the soil was replaced. It now awaits new landscaping. Additional trouble four: a leak in the opposite basement wall, caused by a collapsed French drain at the back of the house. The repair entailed dismantling part of a stone wall and digging another trench in the back of the house. The inside work began in December. First priority, remove the contents of the family room so that the destruction and reconstruction could begin. Having lived here for 42 years, I had a lot of stuff to move: out-of-season-clothing, extra dishes, serving items for big parties, games, books, an electronic organ—stuff and more stuff. The big furniture went into the garage, everything else to various rooms in the house. What a mess! And of course, dust everywhere. For some time, the shower in the garage level of the house was always damp. I had thought there were leaking pipes behind the shower, but closer inspection indicated the shower pan was the problem. Now what? Demolish the shower and build a new one! Not so simple. Fifth additional trouble: there was a leak in a pipe carrying the water from the lower level to the bathroom level, and the pipes were underground. Now, what? Since the walls in the bathroom were being replaced because of mold, the solution was obvious—reroute the water through the ceiling, so that no water would be carried underground. Trouble six: the vanity in that bathroom could not be reused; it contained mold. Rebuilding the shower was going to be expensive; a better solution proved to be a selfcontained unit with a sliding glass quarter-circle door. Less expensive and the bathroom seems much larger now! The remaining reconstruction went relatively smoothly. The two lower levels have new drywall, new tile and carpeted floors, additional electrical outlets, a new bar. But along the way, troubles numbers seven, Cont. on page 84

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has been remodeling the South Hills of Pittsburgh for more than 48 years. Working from two locations on Industrial Boulevard in Bethel Park, their team of expert craftsmen, designers, and support staff are well-versed at turning your dreams into beautiful, functional, and stylish works of art. Their showroom provides visual examples of the quality and craftsmanship you can expect when you choose to contract your next project with Clark Renovations. Showcasing the finest materials available in the industry, their showroom can provide inspiration and elicit thought-provoking questions that will help shape the scope of your next project.

When choosing a remodeling partner, a prospective client’s decision to contract with a firm is influenced by many factors. In no particular order, considerations such as trust, quality of products offered, warranty, availability, cost, craftsmanship, the ease of doing business, and the company’s reputation all play a role in the decision process. Other factors that are just as important, but often overlooked, are the company’s financial stability, proper insurance, licensing and certifications, and years in the business.

“An educated consumer is our best customer,” boasts Steve Clark, president of Clark Renovations. “Customers who have done their homework, reviewed potential contractors, investigated the best products, and asked friends, neighbors, and co-workers about their own remodeling experiences often choose to work with us in the end. Once a client decides to partner with us, they rarely go elsewhere. Approximately 85% of our business comes from repeat clients and their referrals.” For those customers who believe that remodeling is a commodity and that the lowest price is the best value, Clark offers the following words of advice, “Customers generally focus on only one of the cost components, that when combined together, form the aggregate cost for a project. When considering a remodeling project, there are essentially three types of costs that the homeowner should consider when choosing a contractor: monetary costs, the client’s time, and, equally as important, the level of frustration and stress that the client is willing to take on.” Interestingly, Steve shares that there is a notable difference in clients’ perceptions of the cost to complete a project depending on whether they are a first-time remodeling customer or someone who has had work done in the past. Consumers new to the remodeling process often make the mistake of assuming all contractors are created equal and that they all have the requisite registrations, insurance, capabilities, and resources available to ensure that a project starts on time, ends on time, and runs smoothly. When things go wrong (and they occasionally will), good companies stand behind their employees and their contracts and make things right, regardless of fault or cost. Remodelers need to make a reasonable profit to assure their viability; otherwise, warranties are worthless. Anyone who has had a project completed by a subpar contractor, or had work done only to find that it was only warranted until they paid their bill in full, understands that there is much more to value than just the price you pay. 68

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Home & Garden Most remodeling clients (and people, in general) are busy. Jobs, family, community, friends, recreation, and commitments all consume precious time and leave the average person little time to invest in a remodeling project. A good remodeler will have processes and resources in place to help streamline the decision-making process, substantially reducing the amount of time a client spends worrying about the details. You’ll be surprised (and very possibly overwhelmed) by the number of selections and decisions that need to be made before your project begins. Each of these decisions will impact project timing and cost. Better remodelers—ones with designers and support staff—will have an enormous impact on reducing the amount of time you’ll need to spend making selections. The old cliché, time is money, is true. And the more time you need to spend on a remodeling project, the less time you have to live the rest of your life.

Clark Renovations, located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, has built its highlyregarded reputation upon years of highly satisfied customers. See ad on this page. Errata—Please note that the quality of the Clark Renovations feature spread found in the spring 2017 edition was the result of a printing error and not the intended creation from Clark, TODAY’s spring front cover sponsor.

A majority of folks would rather not be frustrated. They don’t like living with the stresses that come from uncertainty and unmet promises. Even when working with the best remodelers, clients can experience occasional surprise or disappointment. These instances, when handled properly and with the necessary amount of attention, can often be rectified quickly without impacting project timing or cost. If this added attention is unavailable, minor issues can become major stumbling blocks to your project’s completion date, budget, and overall end result. Having a new bathroom or kitchen installed doesn’t have to be a time-consuming, stressful process filled with uncertainty and frustration. Choose a contractor wisely so that your dream project meets your vision and expectations, and becomes one that you are proud to show off to family and friends. n

Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Home & Garden

Tax Benefits of Home Ownership Lynn Dempsey

There are many joys and rewards of owning a home. One’s home is a place where memories are made while building your financial future or your nest egg and getting some relief on your taxes. Below is some useful information for you to consider as a homeowner. 1. Use your mortgage interest. For taxes, you can deduct the mortgage interest you pay over the course of a year. The more recent your mortgage, the greater your tax savings will be. 2. Write off your property taxes. Generally, your property taxes are deductible on your tax return, resulting in, sometimes, hefty savings. If you have a mortgage, your taxes might be built into your monthly mortgage payment. You might also be able to pay your property taxes early and write off the entire expense if you are looking at a large tax bill for any given year. 3. Use your mortgage insurance as a tax write-off. If you put down less than 20% on your home mortgage, you will, most likely, pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) which could cost you from 0.3% to 1.15 % of your home loan. Take a tax break and deduct this from your income tax. 4. Use energy-efficient upgrades in your home. In addition to energy savings, they might also be a tax write-off. Look for “green” updates when you are remodeling your home. The renewable Energy Efficiency Property Credit allows you to claim a credit for up to 30% of the cost of equipment you purchase that uses renewable energy sources (example: solar panels). 70

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5. Do you have a home office? If you work from home, as so many individuals do, your office and related expenses can be deducted from your income. It is estimated that you can take a $5-per-square-foot deduction for up to 300 square feet of office space, which allows you a maximum deduction of $1500. However, there are strict rules of what constitutes a deduction. Consult with your accountant. 6. Declare the interest on a home equity line of credit. If you tapped into your home by getting a home equity line of credit (HELOC), the interest you pay on the loan can be deductible provided that you use the money to pay for home improvements or repairs. How much you save depends on how much you borrow. Remember to consult with your tax accountant for further details and explanation on possible tax deductions of your home. Enjoy your home, but let your home save you money, too! n Lynn Dempsey, Realtor, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services, can be reached at lynn.dempsey@pittsburghmoves.com. See ad on page 77.

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Interior Design Forecast

Ashley Monning Carris, Ashlin Interiors, Owner It’s exciting for us to share with you the newest trends, colors, and concepts for the home in 2017. • Timeless jewel tones. Bold jewel tones are back and giving interiors new life with unexpected pops of color, and eclectic mixing of patterns, textures, and shades. The possibilities are endless from fabrics, wallpaper, tile, art, and case goods. • Fabrics. Large pattern statement fabrics accenting solids are everywhere, and we love it! Velvets are back in a big way from upholstery to bedding and accents. Clients want comfort in their seating; down fill is more popular than ever. • Wallpaper. Today’s wallpaper is not your grandma’s seashells in the powder room; they are literally works of art! The right wallpaper can transform the smallest residential nook to the largest commercial space into a unique installment. Accent walls are a fabulous way to use exquisite wallcoverings for a real statement. • Tile. Tile is a product with limitless options, from kitchens, baths, and floors to ceilings. Selections range from handmade clay to glass, and 3D basket weave is our personal favorite! The art of tile is not just the product. Tile patterns from herringbone to chevron and brick all lead to fantastic custom layouts on floors, showers, and backsplashes. • Artisan over DIY. Local artists and craftsmen can add that extra special custom touch. Ashlin collaborates with area artists instead of trying to add a DIY to its services. The end results are worth leaving it up to the pros! • Grand entry. Be excited about today’s trend of “first impression.” Your home’s entry is your first impact on guests. It should have a real “wow” factor while also being functional. A great piece of art, a unique lighting fixture, that pop of color on the walls, a piece of furniture, or a great area rug. Make you home inviting, welcoming all to your individual space. • Open vs. closed-floor plans. The open vs. closed-floor plan discussion is normally at the top of our clients’ lists. Most new construction features more open floor plans. The kitchen, dining, and living spaces are combined in a great room. Many of USC’s older homes have closed-floor plans. Knocking out a few walls can provide for alternative layouts, which can lead to the home of your dreams. Open floor plans are a fantastic way to use all the space in your home. n See ad for Ashlin Interiors on this page. Summer 2017

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Around the Township

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

2017–2018 Season

The Town Hall South Lecture series presents its 2017–18 line up of speakers. The series

explores current and topical issues and offers speakers chosen for their wide-reaching appeal, relevant topics, and dynamic speaking styles. Marlee Matlin received critical acclaim for her film debut in Children of a Lesser God, for which she received the Academy Award for best actress. Though Matlin lost her hearing when she was only 18 months old, she never let her challenges dictate her future or deter her dreams. She has helped raise awareness for better hearing health for millions of deaf and hard of hearing children and adults in developing countries. In 2015, Matlin developed “Marlee Signs,” the first celebrity-driven mobile app teaching the basics of American Sign Language. She currently serves as a spokesperson for The American Red Cross and was instrumental in getting legislation passed in Congress in support of closed captioning. Harvard political philosopher and bestselling author Michael Sandel challenges audiences to examine ethical dilemmas we confront in politics and in our everyday lives. Sandel’s legendary course “Justice” has enrolled over 15,000 students and was the first Harvard course to be made freely available online and on public television. It has been viewed by millions of people around the world. In his New York Times bestseller Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?, Sandel has inspired public debate about the ethical and civic questions of our time. His lectures have been the subject of television series on PBS and the BBC. His ongoing BBC Radio series “The Public Philosopher,” engages audiences in debates about the big philosophical questions lying behind the headlines. Tom Gjelten is a veteran journalist who covers a wide variety of global security and economic issues for NPR News. Over a 30-year career he has covered wars in Central America, the Middle East, and the former Yugoslavia, as well as major stories in the United States. He is a regular panelist on the PBS program Washington Week, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a member of the Editorial Board at World Affairs Journal. Gjelten’s latest book, A Nation of Nations: A Great American Immigration Story, tells of the transformation of America during the last 50 years since the passage of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act. Theresa Payton is one of America’s most respected authorities on Internet security, data breaches, fraud mitigation, and technology implementation. The first female to serve as White House Chief Information Officer, Payton oversaw IT operations for the President of the United States and his staff from 2006 to 2008. Previously she held executive roles in banking technology at Bank of America and Wells Fargo. Payton collaborated with IT expert and attorney Ted Claypoole to author two books focused on helping others learn how to protect their privacy online, Privacy in the Age of Big Data and Protecting Your Internet Identity. She is founder, president, and CEO of Fortalice LLC, a leading security, risk, and fraud consulting company. As the first grandson of Jacques Cousteau, Fabien Cousteau spent his early years aboard his grandfather’s ships, learning how to scuba dive on his fourth birthday. Today, the aquanaut, business strategist, and documentary filmmaker continues to fulfill his family’s legacy of protecting and preserving the planet’s extensive and endangered marine inhabitants and habitats. He uses his experience and knowledge to promote environmental discipline as a viable basis for cutting-edge solutions that strike a balance between regional and global environmental problems and the reality of market economies. In 2016, he founded the Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center dedicated to the restoration of the world’s water bodies through active community engagement and education. Lectures are held at the Upper St. Clair High School Theater on the first Tuesday of October, November, December, February, and March. Non-refundable tickets are available by series subscription for $165. n For further information and a Town Hall South subscription form, visit www.townhallsouth.org or look for a pamphlet at the Upper St. Clair Township Library. 74

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Marlee Matlin October 3, 2017

Michael Sandel November 7, 2017

Tom Gjelten December 5, 2017

Theresa Payton February 6, 2018

Fabien Cousteau March 6, 2018

412-561-5405

info@outreachteen.org Dear Outreach, My wife and I have very different approaches to raising our kids. They see her as more strict and me as easy going. We each have different things we discipline for that get on our nerves. Our contrasting styles cause confusion and more behavior problems for the kids. How do we get on the same page? Parenting Problems Dear Parenting Problems, Kids are smart and if there is a way to manipulate their parents to get what they want, they will exploit it. On the other hand, lacking a plan and consistency can lead to them being disciplined or held accountable for rules that change, which is confusing and unfair to them. The good news is that when parents have different approaches, they also tend to have unique perspectives and strengths that can be used when they work as a team. Start by making a list of your strengths and the strengths you see in your partner. Use this to begin a discussion about what approach works best in various situations. There may be areas where the children would benefit from more strictly applied rules, or where they need the easy-going freedom to try out new behaviors. In the end, your goal should be to develop a list of rules and consequences that both parents agree to implement, know who is in charge of what, and how the other parent can be supportive. Share this with the kids so that they know what to expect. Outreach offers parent consultations and can help facilitate these discussions. n

Outreach Teen & Family Services is a nonprofit, confidential counseling service that offers educational programs to teens and parents. For further information, contact Outreach at 412-561-5405 or info@outreachteen.org.

Outpatient Psychological Services The Watson Institute offers services for an array of mental health diagnosis and include: • Psychiatric Evaluations • Psychological Testing • Individual Therapy • Medication Management • Wraparound Services – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) • Social Skills Group Therapy

Our therapists work with children with the following area of diagnosis: • Adjustment disorders • Anxiety • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder • Autism Spectrum Disorder • Mood Disorders: Depression, Bi-Polar • Behavioral Disorders, Oppositional Defiance • Grief, Loss, Trauma Services available at: Bridgeville, Friendship, Sewickley and Sharpsburg Phone: 412-749-2889 Toll Free: 1-866-893-4751, Option 3 www.theWatsonInstitute.org

Does Your Child Exhibit Troubling Behaviors? Whitney Menarchek, MS, LPC, The Watson Institute When you’re a parent, it’s difficult to know when your child’s behavior is a normal part of development and growing up and when it could be something more. We are often asked by parents or caregivers about particular behaviors and whether or not it might be a sign that their child would benefit from behavioral health services. Common behaviors that parents express concern about include: • Difficulty interacting with peers or lack of friends • Lack of enjoyment of or interest in activities their child previously enjoyed • Difficulty concentrating or appearing anxious • Trouble in school—fear of school, lack of desire in attending, no interest • Excessive worrying • Sleep issues due to worry • Anger or aggression • Lack of motivation If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, therapy services may be beneficial to your child. Through therapy services, one-on-one sessions are held with a therapist and your child, with family sessions as needed. Therapists work with children on Summer 2017

a range of diagnoses, including adjustment disorders, anxiety, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and grief and loss. A skilled therapist will select strategies and interventions tailored to meet the child’s needs, based upon his or her diagnosis, strengths, and areas of opportunity. Frequency of therapy sessions is customarily determined based upon the needs of the child. Another program that can be helpful for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is social skills group therapy. The goal of social skills group therapy is to help with ASD to improve conversation skills, make and maintain friendships, apply emotional regulation skills, and assess and handle teasing and/or bullying, among other social skills. Both individual therapy and social skills groups can help boost a child’s selfconfidence and provide him or her with the skills to handle the many challenges faced throughout life. n For more information about Watson Institute psychological services, visit www.thewatsoninstitute.org or call 412-749-2889 or 1-866-893-4751, option 3. See ad for The Watson Institute on this page. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

A Tribute to a Great Man—John Small Paul Fox

“Advocate,” “best friend,” “caretaker,” “colleague,” “facilitator,” “gentleman,” “inspirer,” “leader,” “mentor,” “musician,” “organizer,” “professional,” “role model,” “statesman,” “teacher.” Among many others, these words describe the late, former Upper St. Clair School District administrator John D. Small, who at the age of 82, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2017. Very active in his love of his church, community, and music, some of his passions included the Hamilton Presbyterian Church, Community Band South, Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair, Big Band Memories, and the 432nd Army National Guard Band. He was a charter member of Hearts on the Run, a group of runners that have had open heart surgery. He touched many lives, so it’s only fitting that we celebrate his legacy with quotes from some of the people who felt blessed to have worked with him. Everyone who knew John said he truly made a difference… and these stories provide a momentary glimpse of the shared love that came from an extraordinarily caring, focused, talented, and selfless individual who put the feelings of others first.

I can tell you that I remember Carl R. Streams was the Supervising Principal of Upper St. Clair (the title for superintendent, in those days) and died in open heart surgery during the construction of the school that was named for him. John Small was its first principal (1966-67) and served in that role for about 20 years. He was a fine administrator, a compassionate listener, and a fierce advocate for children. His presentation, jointly conceived with Bob Furman, entitled “The Yellow Brick Road,” advocated for children in a day when there wasn’t yet much talk about the importance of student voice and the impact of self-esteem on learning and achievement. I followed John at Streams and can testify that the school ran like a well-oiled machine. He was gracious with advice when I asked for it, and withheld it when I wasn’t smart enough to ask!—Patricia Dunkis, retired Streams Elementary Principal

the glue that helped build the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair into the giving and uniting organization that it remains today. John served in every capacity, beginning as its first executive director, head of administrative staff, photographer, writer of publications, developer of the year-end appeal, right down to the erector of the booth on Community Day and collector of the Duck Race ducks. John did it all and with a great smile and energetic bounce. He loved doing for others, but did not prefer individual recognition because he liked being part of a team, particularly a winning team. That is why he was so dedicated to our School District and our community. With that, his family has chosen memorial funds be given to the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair. Again, this reflects his love and loyalty to our Upper St. Clair. I hope that our community will be generous in their contributions for John so that the Foundation will have adequate funds to establish an educational scholarship in his honor. John was a great man that leaves a great legacy: role model for children and adults. Thank you, John!—Linda Serene, former Executive Director of Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair and retired School Board Director, Upper St. Clair School District

John Small, in 2011 when he was inducted into the Upper St. Clair Halls of Fame

John and I had a very special and unique relationship. Our friendship began in 1968 when I covered as the principal of Streams School while John was recovering from a minor health issue. This began my professional dependence on John as I learned so much about being a principal, an educator, and an ethical human being. John’s and my relationship continued to change and grow as we began to travel and present a three-screen slide presentation titled “In Search of the Yellow Brick Road.” With John’s organizational skills, he was in charge of everything technological, financial, and educational. I merely watched in awe and learned what I could from the master. Being with John was like earning another certification, but this man’s expectations were much higher than any college professor. John would never stand for mediocrity. He would only accept perfection. Over the next several decades, John and I were like brothers. Our families grew very close and we supported one another through tough times and good times. John represented the best of what an administrator should be. He was such a positive role model for all of us. He leaves a beautiful legacy in his children. He will be missed by all and his music will be shared with the angels.—Bob Furman, retired Deputy Superintendent, Upper St. Clair School District

John was the master of slide presentations… before PowerPoint®. He used them to build culture in Streams School, and for the District. He would painstakingly select the appropriate picture to build connections with our hearts… and with our call to the best educational practices. He would piece together cartoon characters, pictures of staff members, flow charts from Don Eichhorn’s models for child development, and Piagetian theory. Each time we saw his creations, our understanding and commitment increased. John Small, left foreground, playing his trumpet during a practice of John appealed to all our senses. In fact, his inCommunity Band South service training programs were inspiring and extremely effective. On one occasion, he wanted to sensitize I still remember “Mr. Small is very tall” as one of our elementary school us to the challenges that some learners faced. He arranged for us to “walk in their shoes” by playing two sound tracks, just off by about 30 seconds… rhymes. I was a student at Streams Elementary from 1966 to 1969. Another to demonstrate how hard it is for children with learning disabilities to sort girl and I were called to the principal’s office in second grade for repeatedly out sounds. A similarly sensitizing visual activity was when he asked us to pushing one boy’s book bag out of line for the morning bus ride. I was terrified at the time, but now I wonder how Mr. Small ever kept a straight face draw a star while looking in a mirror. John modeled “the best” in being the best teacher of teachers (and admin- with two terrified little girls and one indignant little boy in his office. He was istrators). He truly was the Statesman of Upper St. Clair schools!—Cathy fair, firm, and effective. I have not pushed a book bag out of line in the past 48 years. My condolences to his family and friends.—Judi Truskey, Upper Luke, retired Deputy Superintendent, Upper St. Clair School District St. Clair High School Class of 1979 John was a delightful person to know and work with. He was a John was a meticulous sort of guy. He always had things done on time wonderful combination of the artistic and administrative—an excellent photographer, musician, statistic keeper, and organizer. He was and carefully organized. We often called him “Steady John.” He had a special 76

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procedure for putting together each classroom’s student roster in the spring or early summer for the following fall. He cut out a small paper template with each child’s name on it and would carefully paste the template on a sheet of paper for a certain classroom. He would do this for 500+ students, placing them in 22 to 24 classrooms for the beginning of school. This project often took several days of concentrated effort to compete. In June 1965 in the middle of the enrollment project, he was called out of the office for an afternoon meeting at central office. Prior to leaving his office, he placed all of his enrollment materials into two cardboard envelope boxes and carefully placed them on top of the trash receptacle behind his desk. When he returned to school the next day, the boxes were not where he left them. His head custodian was also a well-organized man and tried to keep the school spotless at all times. When John asked him about the boxes, his custodian explained that he assumed they were trash and put them in the incinerator. John’s project went up in smoke and, in a manner of speaking, Steady John also went up in smoke—but just for a day. The next day, John began the task of assigning each student a homeroom for the fall of 1965. It was his last year at Eisenhower School, as he would become the first principal of the Carl R. Streams Elementary School in 1966. Yes, a brand new school and a new staff, but the same fail-safe procedure for assigning students to homerooms.—Carl Lindstrom, retired Central Office School Administrator, Upper St. Clair School District My perspective on John may be unique as we had three different relationships: parent and principal when my children were in elementary school, school board member and curriculum supervisor when I was on the board and John was at central office, colleagues when we were both involved in the work of the Community Foundation. In every relationship, John was the consummate gentleman and dedicated professional, giving so much more than he ever received. It was a special privilege to know him; the community benefited so much from his having been a part of it. He will be sorely missed.—Dina Fulmer, former School Board Director, Upper St. Clair School District John was “kindness,” “generosity,” and “professionalism” personified. He was my supervisor of curriculum when I first came to work at Upper St. Clair School District in 1980 and attended every one of my school concerts. He sent a personalized hand-written thank-you card after each performance, always congratulating the students and me, praising and encouraging the accomplishments of our singers and instrumentalists, and telling us in detail what he liked and how proud he was. (I saved them all! He was an inspiration!) He provided compassionate and thoughtful leadership and support to the Upper St. Clair School District grades 1–12 performing arts department. We all relied on him and depended on his wisdom, dedication, vision, and love of music! To me, he was “The Mount Rushmore of educators!” After I retired in 2013, it was my privilege to work side-by-side with John on various projects for the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair. He was the unassuming “man behind the curtain,” our “wizard” behind-the-scenes who quietly made sure everything ran smoothly. Among his other jobs as administrative assistant, he did the Foundation’s layout and design for the TODAY magazine pages, program ads, signs, photography, archiving meeting minutes, managing the annual solicitation mailing… everything necessary to support the Foundation’s executive director and board of trustees. John modeled the core philosophy of helping others, but not accepting any of the limelight in the process. According to John, “We were put on this earth to facilitate the success of others.”—Paul K. Fox, retired Performing Arts Curriculum Leader/ Music Teacher and current Trustee of the Community Foundation of Upper St. John and his wife, Linda, at the Community Foundation’s 2014 Oktoberfest Clair n

Mary Hardy Ketchum

cell 412-445-0819

mketchum@howardhanna.com

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Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Something to Tweet About

Jessica Kester, Allegheny Land Trust, Vice President of Education Here’s thinking positively to the future of the season when it’s sunny and warm, with the insects humming and birds chirping, while you’re reading this. That brings me to my topic for today—birds! Upper St. Clair is home to the second most popular birding spot (according to eBird) in Allegheny County, Wingfield Pines. This news should not come as a shock to anyone who has visited Wingfield Pines, the conservation area off Mayview Road. If you’ve not yet visited, here are a few highlights. Wingfield Pines has an uncommon vegetative mix; once common in the river valleys of the Ohio River, forested floodplains are harder to find these days. Why is that? We seem to have a lot of riverfront here in the Pittsburgh region, and you can find a Sycamore tree easily enough it seems (just be careful not to confuse it with a London Plane Tree that is often planted on city streets). These areas have been historically sought after for their river access for settlement, industry, and transportation, as well as their rich soils that made for nutrient agricultural areas. But humans are not the only species who find the forested floodplain area ideal. There is a higher likelihood to have a greater diversity of bird species in this habitat type than in surrounding forests lying outside of the floodplain area. Birds, including the brown creeper, yellow-billed cuckoo, yellow-bellied sapsucker, great crested flycatcher, and red-shouldered hawk are just a few species that prefer the forested floodplains because of its diversity of vegetation and relatively open canopy. Tree species commonly found in this habitat include sycamore, boxelder, red ash, black walnut, and black maple. Shelter and food-providing shrubbery, including silky and grey dogwoods, riverbank grape, and everyone’s favorite, poison ivy (Yes, it does have a purpose; it makes for great nesting material.), are found there, along with ground plants, including jewel weed or touch-me-nots, a variety of nettles (not all of them sting), goldenrod, wingstem, and one of my personal favorites, Jack-in-the-pulpit. It’s this diversity of shelter, open space, nesting materials, and food sources that make forested floodplains so enticing to birds and, in turn, bird watchers. According to eBird.org, a citizen science database, Wingfield Pines is the second most logged birding location in Allegheny County with nearly 200 species recorded. And we have the forested floodplain habitat, in part, to thank for that! In addition to the forested portion of the property, which lies mostly along the Chartiers Creek streambank, toward the southern end of the parcel, Wingfield Pines boasts a thriving cattail marsh. Yes, cattails are a vital part of a healthy freshwater marsh, not just something you find growing in roadside ditches, and provide phytoremediation, which is the scientific way of saying they clean the water! Think of cattails as nature’s Brita filters. Cattails act as sieves, not only catching larger particles found in runoff before it can get into the waterway, but by stabilizing the banks and preventing erosion. In addition to holding onto a variety of deposited materials, cattails can also absorb contaminants

such as arsenic, zinc, cadmium, lead, pharmaceutical waste, and even explosives’ residue found in the water. All of this makes them great for the water’s qualBoardwalk through the wetlands ity as it heads from at Wingfield Pines the boardwalk accessible wetlands into Chartiers Creek (and eventually into the Ohio River and our drinking water). The cattails also provide shelter for one of the iconic summer birds, the red-winged blackbird, who nest amongst the thick growing stalks and perch on their tops as they defend their territory with the familiar “conk-la-ree” call. Non-tidal wetlands such as those found at Wingfield Pines are one of the most biologically productive habitats in the world, with a high diversity of life relative to their size. Combined with the shelter for macroinvertebrates, fish fry, small mammals, and of course, birds, and the northern half of the Wingfield Pines parcel is teaming with life just waiting for hikers and bird watchers to appreciate. It is part of ALT’s mission to not only purchase and protect important green spaces but also to restore and conserve the biodiversity. Our efforts to rejuvenate these habitats include native plantings, removal of invasive plants like purple loosestrife, multiflora rose, and Bradford pear, and planned management of the property, including the abandoned mine drainage reclamation system. Actions such as these have led to the attraction of a nesting pair of Virginia Rail, the first for Allegheny County. Now that you know a little more about the habitats at Wingfield Pines, why don’t you add to our biodiversity and join us for one of our programs this summer? Bring your binoculars, a camera, and a friend and explore these 80 acres of uncommon wonder. We think you’ll find it something to tweet about! n

Upcoming Programs in the South Hills May 13

Twitter in the Trees: Migratory Bird Count @ Wingfield Pines

8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Science Sprouts Camp: Ages 3–4, with adult @ Wingfield Pines

10:30–11:30 a.m.

Science Sprouts Camp: Ages 3–4, with adult @ Wingfield Pines

10:30–11:30 a.m.

June 3

Boy Scouts Merit Badge Workshop: Nature

Noon–5 p.m.

Science Sprouts Camp: Ages 3–4 with adult @ Wingfield Pines

10:30–11:30 a.m.

July Wingfield Pines’ passive AMD system pipes that pump the ironoxide-filled water into the system

Lost for the Weeds: Citizen Science Workshop

8 a.m.–4 p.m.

Macro Mayhem Monday

4:30–6:30 p.m.

Chartiers Creek BioBlitz

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

August 8 A hawk in Wingfield Pines 78

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Summer 2017

Watering Your Garden of Knowledge: Early Childhood Educator Workshop

9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Find more information and registration at http://bit.ly/altoutside.

Custom Framing— More Distinctive Than Ever Mark Keilhofer, Gillespie Gallery, Custom Framing Manager

U.S. Heart and Vascular

David J. Burkey, M.D., F.A.C.C. Leonard G. Gehl, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P. James W. Marcucci, M.D., F.A.C.C. Adil Waheed, D.O., F.S.C.A.I. Ryan W. Zuzek, M.D., F.A.C.C.

Mini mosaic tile

One of the best things about custom picture framing is the vast selection of available moulding styles and finishes. Picture frame manufacturers have long offered more than enough variety to satisfy even the most discerning customer, as well as keep pace with the latest looks in interior design. Whether for a timeless original oil painting or a trendy piece of wall decor, there are numerous framing options from which to choose that will perfectly complement the artwork and its surroundings. In spite of offering an incredible selection—or maybe because of it—many frame moulding manufacturers have introduced styles and looks that are more distinctive than ever. Advancements in production methods have enabled the creation of certain finishes that were previously available only on small readymade frames. These special mouldings are far outside the box of the usual stained wood, gold, silver, and metal finishes that have historically been offered by custom picture framers. Surfaces, such as faux giraffe, mosaic tile, and inlayed mother of pearl are but a few of these exciting and unusual frame finishes from which to choose. Since many of these styles are so out-of-the-ordinary, they are ideal for framing full-sized mirrors to hang in an entryway or bath, or smaller-sized accent mirrors that can be placed just about anywhere! n Faux giraffe

Lacquered inlayed mother of pearl

Shown are just a few of the specialty frame styles available at Gillespie Gallery, 2871 Washington Rd, 724-941-7515. Hours: Tue, Thur 10–6, Wed, Fri, Sat 9–5.

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Atrial Fibrillation Congestive Heart Failure Venous Insufficiency Pacemaker Implantation

363 Vanadium Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15243 3928 Washington Road • McMurray, PA 15317 (412) 429-8840 • FAX (412) 429-8067 www.usheartandvascular.org

Tennis—a Family Affair Early tennis matches in Upper St. Clair were a family affair; memberships were not needed. Back then, large families sometimes converted an open space on their property for the sport. A simple grass court—no fence and near an orchard—provided hours of activity for siblings and neighbors. The tennis outfits needn’t Tennis court at the Fred Boyce farm house (no date available) be fancy. Capitola Poellot (1912–1996) recalled playing tennis in whatever dress she happened to have on that day “because [she] didn’t think [her] father approved of anything else for a young lady at that time.” But playing tennis in an everyday dress was better, in her opinion, than her active wear for school gym class: black sateen bloomers. In those days, according to Capitola, it wasn’t uncommon for USC residents to restring their own racquets. The sports gear, like many things in larger families, was hand-me-down. While the tennis courts, clothing, and gear have certainly changed over time, one thing hasn’t changed: many USC residents enjoy playing a match or two with friends. n Source: Oral history interview with Capitola Poellot conducted by June Ellington on April 13, 1978; photo and information courtesy of the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair. If you have genealogy questions or old photos that you would like to share, email president@hsusc.org. Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Prof iles

on People with a USC Connection

Know of a resident to profile?

Send information to: Editor,

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us. When Upper St. Clair resident Dianne Lynch was diagnosed with osteopenia, the news sent her husband, Rich, and their children searching for answers and alternatives to medication. Along the way, in addition to helping Dianne, they discovered a brand new business venture! Most of us think of our skeleton simply as a structure that holds up our skin, and we’re not wrong—our bodies would be floppy jellyfish without them—but bones are so much more fascinating than that. Right now, all 206 of your bones, which are living tissues, are doing some amazing things for you. They’re making new blood cells. They’re protecting your organs from harm. They’re storing vital minerals, including calcium and phosphorus. And yes, they’re helping you look less like a jellyfish. As we age, it’s especially important to take care of our bones. Unfortunately, at about age 30, most of us reach peak bone mass and our skeleton begins to lose its groove, putting us at risk for Dianne and Rich Lynch skeletal disorders, like osteoporosis. Such disorders endanger our entire bodies and increase our chances of falling and fractures. OsteoStrong, a new family-owned wellness center that recently opened at Scott Towne Center, can help keep your bones healthy and strong, no matter your age or your diagnosis. Osteogenic loading, the basis of the OsteoStrong program, leverages your body’s own physiological responses to trigger the growth of healthy bone and muscle tissue safely and naturally. OsteoStrong’s patented equipment and its trained session coaches take members through a weekly ten-minute session of four short, isometric movements. Dianne, co-owner of the OsteoStrong Scott Towne Center location, says, “We want to provide an alternative to traditional osteoporosis treatments that is natural, proven, and effective.” OsteoStrong also works with its members on their balance, using a vibration plate at the beginning and end of each session to improve stability. And after your session, a HydroMassage lounger is available for some well-deserved relaxation. But don’t try OsteoStrong just because it feels good! According to American Bone Health, (www.americanbonehealth.org) one out of every two women and one out of every four men will have an osteoporotic fracture after age 50. “And that’s largely preventable,” says Dianne. The Lynches, USC residents since 1998 after a 20-year Coast Guard career, consider wellness to be a family value. Now, nearly one year after learning about OsteoStrong, they’re ready to book appointments for their neighbors with similar values. Call 412-407-3698 to schedule your first two free sessions. For more information, visit www.osteostrong.me. 80

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John G. Krah, executive director of the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS), received the 2016 Executive Leadership Award from the ACMS Foundation during its Celebration of Excellence Awards gala at Heinz Field this past March. John is the first recipient of this award, which is presented to an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and advocacy for physicians over a sustained period John Krah of time, displaying administrative guidance and support to physicians, aiding their ability to improve the lives and health of the people of our community. John has served as the society’s executive director since January 1989 and has dedicated his career to advocacy for physicians and patients. During his tenure, John has worked extensively to help physicians achieve meaningful tort reforms in Pennsylvania and led local legislative efforts to stop Medicare fee cuts scheduled under the Medicare SGR formula. Among other things, John was instrumental in helping the society establish a medical student scholarship fund for students from Allegheny County and an endowed health care studies scholarship at the Community College of Allegheny County. “John fully understands what makes doctors tick and how best to serve them,” says Lawrence John, MD, 2016 ACMS president. “His skills and insight are amazing and impress me on a daily basis. Physicians have been served comprehensively under his leadership and ACMS has been blessed to have Jack at the helm all of these years.” John currently serves on the board of directors of the Pittsburgh Regional Healthcare Initiative, and previously served on the boards of the American Association of Healthcare Executives, the Better Business Bureau of Western PA, the North Side Civic Development Council, the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Western PA, and the Pittsburgh Society of Association Executives (PSAE). He has served as president of the PSAE and received the Joe Gilbert Outstanding Association Executive Award from the organization. John and his wife, Nancy, reside in Upper St. Clair and have two adult daughters. Serving Allegheny County since 1865, ACMS represents physicians from all specialties and provides leadership and advocacy for patients and physicians. IKM Incorporated, a 100-year-old leading architecture firm, has moved from 1 PPG Place to its new and green office space on the 22nd floor of Eleven Stanwix Tower, downtown Pittsburgh. The firm, which is well-represented with leaders from the Pittsburgh area, includes COO, Michael McDonnell, a USC resident who is an active member of the Township. He volunteers his time and expertise to the USC planning commission, the development committee for the Township’s Environmental Education Center, and the USC building and fire codes appeals and advisory board. Officially opening this location in February under LEED guidelines, construction took approximately five months to complete. IKM partners with clients in the region who make a difference in higher education, healthcare, and civic engagement—think Children’s Hospital, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and Phipps Conservatory. This project marks a shift in not just where, but how IKM serves its clients in an increasingly competitive environment.

Here Comes the Son

After traveling the world, native son returns Justin Cipriani, who was educated in Upper St. Clair as a youth and traveled and lived all over the world for 15 years post high school graduation, returns to USC to design the next generation of architectural sensibilities. The opening of Siena in the USC community marks the most visible example of his contributions. Justin, who as a child lived in the land of Lincoln Logs and Legos®, forced his way into two years of high school drafting classes prematurely, completing them as a sophomore rather than a senior. He approached his former USC baseball coach, Dennis Astorino, about interning with him so he could see the operation of an architectural studio. Mr. Astorino allowed him to “work” around his office while in high school, hooking him on the world of the architectural process. Following his junior year at USC, Justin was accepted into the CMU summer pre-college architectural program that led to a massive portfolio of drawings and 3-D designs. During his interview at Cornell’s prestigious architecture Justin, Lauren, and Marco Cipriani program in the fall of his high school senior year, his 30-minute interview lasted more than two hours while his work was shown to several professors; he was accepted days later. His studies in Europe rounded his design appreciation of the old masters and antiquity. Ten years in California shaped his Frank Lloyd Wright language, something that he has evolved to this day. You can see his work at www.ciprianistudios.com/. As Justin matured, he grew more appreciative of USC as a place to raise a family, comparing the rest to the best and realizing its wonderful value. Returning home to find his wife, Lauren, they’ve grown their family of two to three, including son Marco, with another one on the way. Stepping up to assist in the layout and theme language of Siena—his father’s dream for their hometown to replace a shuttered office building and empty parcel of ground—he consulted on and set up the first layout with his dad, Gerry Cipriani, positioning the stand-alone grocery store, the two-story retail and office building, and the type and layout of the soon-to-be town homes and patio homes that we now see coming four years later. While assisting in the re-zoning effort, Justin met with the neighbors to fully understand their legitimate concerns, including one meeting in a home in nearby Springfield, sitting in the family room looking at the site. That visit resulted in a significant change to the site plan that would raise up the grocery store structure and place parking underneath the building so neighbors would not be constantly bombarded with car headlights. He persuaded this expenditure of additional millions of dollars to do the right thing for the community. Justin presented his vision to the USC Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners, helping to persuade them to grant the developer’s mixed use zoning changes. He also assisted the plan’s home builder with design cues to add in a more Mediterranean theme consistent with his father’s vision. Justin is active at Bailey Park, his 16-home development on Mt. Washington, and looks forward to other local projects in western Pennsylvania. Welcome home, native son. USC is happy to have you back! n

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rebeccachurch@howardhanna.com

Contact me today for a free consultation.

Commercial Expansion Near USC Not five minutes outside the boundaries of Upper St. Clair sits commercial office space owned and operated by Burns Scalo Real Estate (BSRE) in South Fayette, housing Bursca Business Park, Abele Business Park, and phase one new construction of Beacon 1 at the overlook. Bursca and Abele are both home to traditional office, showroom, medical, technical, and distribution tenants with flexible usage space offered. These parks neighbor several restaurants, hotels, retail centers, and a golf course. These commercial office spaces also feature a central location to top four ranked school districts, including Upper St. Clair, and many family-friendly neighborhoods. Looking directly over the two commercial parks is the Class A, 100% sustainable Beacon 1, the newest edition to the BSRE family of commercial space. Beacon 2 will be erected in 2018 and will also overlook Interstate 79 and the business parks below. With UPMC’s move to pursue a new hospital project in South Fayette, along I-79 and the extension of the Southern Beltway project to the new interchange with the Mon/Fayette Expressway, the area expects to see a boom in demand. New found accessibility will come along with the interchange and the hospital, with many new companies expected to move into the area. n Summer 2017

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Custom Made Window Treatments Roman shades, pillows, bedding and more.

draperies

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fabrics

Stacy & Emanuel Romanias

trims and more

Vivian C. Dibrell (412) 344.3308 chasecustomcreations@gmail.com www.chasecustom.com

USC residents since 1991, with over 14 years of experience.

Office 724.941.3000 Cell 412.370.3447

Simply Put, We Get Results...

x77

www.stacyromanias.com

Traveling with TODAY

The group stopped to share an Irish smile outside the Grist House in Millvale.

On a cold, but sunny Saturday afternoon, a jovial group from USC dressed in March holiday attire and toured Sharpsburg, Millvale, and Lawrenceville with Porter Beer Tour, in search of craft brew houses. They followed up the tour with a visit to the Pour House in Carnegie for its annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY climbed on board the lively 14-passenger bus with them and snaked through the many spirited neighborhoods of Pittsburgh for a great adventure. n

Read the following criteria to find out how to submit information. • Clear, close-up photo of USC resident(s) holding his or her TODAY magazine. • Digital photo or hard copy 35mm accepted. ‣‣ For digital, attach jpg (at least 300 dpi) and send via email, including required information (see below) in the body of the email. ‣‣ For 35 mm, attach post-it to back of hard copy photo, listing the required information (see below). • List name(s) of resident(s), group, and specific photo location. • List objective of visit—leisure, volunteer, career, etc. • Include email address or phone number should further contact be necessary. • Deliver one 35 mm photo with details to the USC Township receptionist in an envelope marked “ USC TODAY,” or • Email one digital photo with details to usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us, with “TODAY” listed in subject line. Note: Submitted photos and information for this feature section will remain on file for upcoming editions until published.

Skin Cancer

Cont. from page 45

• The color of one’s eyes can be a risk factor for skin cancer. Answer: True. People who have the highest risk factor for basal cell skin cancer are those with grey, green, or blue eyes. Blondes and red-heads also are at a higher risk level. Others with higher risk factors include senior citizens, men, and those whose jobs require them to be outdoors most of the day. • To be most effective, sunscreen must be applied at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Answer: True. To assure that the skin has been adequately protected, apply sunscreen on the skin for a recommended period of 30 minutes before 82

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

exposure to the sun begins. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher should be used for extended activity in the sun. An SPF of 15 or higher is recommended for normal daily use. • Never use sunscreen on infants. Answer: False. Infants under the age of six months should be kept away from exposure to sunlight as much as possible. However, sunscreen should be used in infants over the age of six months. • Common medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Answer: True. Certain common medications, usually labeled “phototoxic,” will make one’s skin more sensitive to sunlight, which increases the Summer 2017

risk factor for skin cancer. These medications include antibiotics (tetracycline), NSAIDS (ibuprofen), heart medications (amiodarone), antihistamines (Benadryl), and diuretics (Lasix). Although phototoxic drugs come with a warning on the label, always seek your pharmacist’s advice if you are unsure. So, how did you do on the True-False test? Members of Tri-Community South EMS want you to understand the importance of yearly skin check-ups to help prevent small problems due to sun exposure from growing into larger and more dangerous ones. n

e c i v r e S in ’17 Advertiser Index

www.twpusc.org/magazine/usc-today-home

Summer 2017

Advertiser Page

Affordable Decks and Additions ............................................................. 70 * ARAMARK ............................................................................................. 51 Arbor Tree Specialist, Inc. ...................................................................... 71 Asbury Heights ...................................................................................... 33 Ashlin Interiors ...................................................................................... 71 * Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, The Preferred Realty, Rt. 19 South ..7 Brookside Lumber ................................................................................. 67 * Calabro Tire & Auto Service .................................................................. 27 Chase Custom Creations ....................................................................... 82 Chinese Acupuncture & Herbs Center, LLC ........................................... 81 * Clark Renovations, Inc. .......................................................................... 69 * Coldwell Banker–The South Hills Office .......................Back outside cover Coldwell Banker–Lynn Dempsey ........................................................... 77 * Cupelli & Cupelli, Drs. .......................................................................... 57 Davey Tree and Lawn Care ..................................................................... 70 Eichenlaub Landscapes for Living ........................................................... 9 Extended Day Services .......................................................................... 43 Falsetti, Diane M., D.M.D. ............................................Front cover, 12, 13

Jacksons Restaurant + Bar ..................................................................... 45 * Keller Williams–Sandy and Marshall Goldstein .................................... 55 * Kerr Family and Cosmetic Dentistry ...................................................... 38 Little Lake Theatre Company ................................................................. 41 * Louis Anthony Jewelers .......................................................................... 5 * Manalo, Larry E., D.M.D. ....................................................................... 39 Pediatric Dentistry South ....................................................................... 39 * Pinebridge Commons Associates .......................................................... 38 Plastic Surgical Assoc. of Pittsburgh, Robert W. Bragdon, MD, FACS .. 33 Preferred Drapery & Blinds ................................................................... 67 Providence Point, a Baptist Homes Society Community ........................ 19 * Rusmur Floors ...............................................................Back inside cover * St. Clair Hospital ............................................................................... 2, 65 * Scott Bros. Windows and Doors ............................................................ 66 * Sesame Inn ........................................................................................... 42 South Hills Endoscopy Center ................................................................. 1 Southwest Gastroenterology Associates ................................................ 83 * State Farm Insurance–Cindy Brophy ..................................................... 38

What They Said We are so pleased with our decision to place our first ad ever with UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY because of the number of local residents and businesses we have been able to reach. TODAY has always been a favorite magazine in our home, with its interesting articles and informative commentary for Upper St. Clair residents. We love hearing the great feedback from clients, friends, and neighbors about our coverage in TODAY!—Ashlin Interiors, USC residents Linda Monning & Ashley Monning Carris G’s Landscaping .................................................................................... 67 Heartland Homes Bedner Estates ........................................................... 11 Historical Society of Upper St. Clair ...................................................... 25 * Howard Hanna USC Office ............................................Front inside cover * Howard Hanna–Maureen Cavanaugh .................................................... 27 Howard Hanna–Rebecca Church ........................................................... 81 * Howard Hanna–Susan Highley .............................................................. 57 * Howard Hanna–Diane Horvath .............................................................. 51 Howard Hanna–Mary Hardy Ketchum ................................................... 77

The Dance Conservatory of Pittsburgh .................................................. 40 The Romanias Group at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices .................. 82 The Watson Institute .............................................................................. 75 * Thomas Dance Studio ........................................................................... 43 Torrente at Upper St. Clair–Luxury Apartments ....................................... 3 Troy Orthodontics .................................................................................. 39 U.S. Heart and Vascular, P.C. ................................................................. 79 Washington Health System .................................................................... 15 * Wellington Real Estate–Patty Thomas & Rebecca Lutz .......................... 21

The summer 2017 issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a great opportunity to advertise in USC’s Community Day issue! Our advertisers know this and have responded wonderfully by placing their ads in our publication! *The above advertisers, who are advertising in this issue, have contributed their financial support for a minimum of 45 issues. Thank you.

This Old House

Cont. from page 66

eight, and nine arrived. The 25-year-old furnace dropped dead, the 33-year-old oven exploded, and efflorescence appeared on the living room ceiling by the fireplace. Fortunately, I had Al and his terrific crew from Window and Kitchen Specialists available. They installed a new oven (rebuilding the cabinet which housed it) and hood, fixed the chimney, replastered and repainted the living room ceiling, fixed the front door lock, replaced broken glass panes, and took care of other little annoyances. 84

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Summer 2017

The “other” Al, Keith, Kenny, and Dave can do everything—plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, plastering, painting—all with good humor and the utmost courtesy. Their work was beyond competent; it was perfect! Although I was consulted every step of the way, I usually accepted the suggestions of the people doing the work. All that remains is to get my downstairs put back together, decide what to keep and what to pitch, give the rest of the house a thorough cleaning, and finally throw a restoration appreciation party. At last, this old house is in excellent condition and so is its owner! n

Be Exotic Bridgeville n Moon n Murrysville n North Hills n Whitehall PA Contractor’s License #1961

Relax. It’s Rusmur. 1-800-2-RUSMUR n www.rusmurfloors.com 1-800-278-7687

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

1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

This magazine was printed on recycled paper.

We Move Upper St. Clair! Proud to Be Part of Upper St. Clair!

Hope Bassichis

Noel Bliman

Anita Crago

Barbara Cusick

Lisa Davis

Janine Dillon

Lynn Dempsey

John Geisler

Elaine Goldblum

Genie Gooding

Don’t miss us at community events throughout the year!

Leigh Harkreader Nancy Heffernan

Judy Hlister

Sydnie Jones

Kathi Kernan

Jane Krauth

Sandi Lamar

Maria & Joe Lane

Kim Lanphear

Milo Hindman Manager

Julie Leslie

Ron Loncharich

Julie Puzausky

Tulla Rakoczy

Kathy Sekeras

Laura Simon

Diane Snyder

Mary Torchia

Carmela Viviano

Jim Walsh

Mary Ann Wellener

Faith Williard

Jane York

The South Hills Office 412.833.5405 • 1630 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15241

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