IN Canon-Mac

anon Mac

WINTER 2011 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

In the Hall ofHonor

safety-driven

With all of the hustle and bustle that is starting to brew, Ihope you will take a few minutes to settle in and leaf throughthese pages! My heavens - there sure is a lot happening in thisvibrant community. You’ll love reading Cocoa, Cookies and aCanonsburg Christmas on Page 18. So many wonderfulprograms – so little time! I was so impressed with the work thatis being performed by Operation Troop App reciation right herein the community. This wonderful group provides necessities forservice men who call Pennsylvania home. I hope that if you have someresources to spare, you will remember this group with your financial donation. If you happen to attend a light up night or other holiday event in the community,

will you share your photos? Whether at the Christmas Tree farm with your family,caroling or delivering presents to someone in need with your church group or other organization, keep us in mind. We love being able to post your photos or ideas for other stories in these pages. You can send along to me at the [email protected]. From all of us at In Community Magazines, please accept ourwishes for a wonderful season surrounded by those who mean the most to you.

Marybeth Jeffries, Managing Editor

2 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE Canon Mac

PUBLISHERWayne Dollard

MANAGING EDITOR

Marybeth [email protected]

REGIONAL EDITORS

Mark Berton [South and West][email protected]

Dana Black-McGrath [North][email protected]

Monica L. Haynes [East][email protected]

OFFICE MANAGER

Leo [email protected]

AD PLACEMENT COORDINATOR

Debbie [email protected]

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Jan McEvoyAnna Buzzelli Joe MilneSharon Cobb Tamara TylendaSusie Doak

WRITERS

Heather Holtschlage Pamela PalongueKelly Lotter Gina SalingerLeigh Lyons Judith SchardtJoann Naser

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Brad Lauer Gary YonKathleen Rudolph

PROOFREADER

Rachel Maize

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGERS

Derek Bayer Tamara MyersTom Poljak

ADVERTISING SALES

Bruce Burkley Aimee NicoliaBrian Daley Robert OjedaGina D’Alicandro Ralph PalaskiTina Dollard Annette PetroneKaren Fadzen Vincent SabatiniJulie Graff Jennifer SchaeferJason Huffman Michael SilvertLori Jeffries Karen TurkovichConnie McDaniel RJ VighettiBrian McKee Nikki Capezio-WatsonGabriel Negri Sophia Williard

This magazine is carrier route mailed to all districthouseholds and businesses.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part withoutwritten permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011.

CORRESPONDENCEDirect all inquiries, comments and press releases to:

IN Community MagazinesAttn: Editorial603 East McMurray RoadMcMurray, PA 15317Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968www.incommunitymagazines.com

Spring content deadline: 1/17/2012

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

Welcome to the Winter issue of Canon Mac magazine. I hope you and yours had a wonderful fall, that the kids

transitioned back to school well, and that you had an opportunity to catch a few Steelers games along the way.We all view winter differently – some see it as the holiday season,

some see it as the gloomy period when we put away the swim trunks and patiofurniture. Others see it as their opportunity to break out the skis and sleds and hit thesl opes. No matter how you view it, winter is a time when we have to be the mostdiligent, despite our mood about snow, or our preoccupation with playing in it, forthose who need us the most – our seniors. While it’s hard enough for many of them toget around in good weather, the winter months can be a trial of terror for the elderly.Who’s going to shovel the snow? How will I get groceries? Will I be h ome before it’stoo dark for me to see the road well enough to drive? And for those who havetransitioned to assisted living facilities, the questions might be of an altogetherdifferent, but equally unsettling nature. Will anyone visit me for Christmas? Hanukah?New Year’s? These are our mothers, fathers, friends and neighbors, and they don’t liketo ask anything of us. But they need us just the same. I know the economy is bad, andI’m not saying go out and spend money you can’t afford, but going caroling with achurch group, or visiting someone who has no one is free to us all. Chances are, you’llnot only put a smile on their face, you’ll be giving them something money can’t buy –the feeling that someone cares.Have a joyous holiday and a happy New Year!

Wayne Dollard, Publisher

anon Mac

safety-drivenlearn more on page 5

IN Canon Mac | WINTER 2011 |

INSIDE

FEATURES

Hall of Honor .......................................................................... | 12

New Law Brings Changes to Earned Income TaxCollection in Canon Mac ................................................... | 14

Cocoa, Cookies and a Canonsburg Christmas ........... | 18

Miss Canonsburg and So Much More ............................ | 20

One Man Many Hats ............................................................ | 22

Operation Troop Appreciation: A Life Calling .............. | 34

Healing Our Heroes, Both Human and Animal ............ | 37

Furry Fall Festival ................................................................. | 38

QR Codes at Canonsburg Middle School Library ....... | 42

A Starry Night of Celebration .......................................... | 44

ON THE COVER | From the left, are: Jim Gregorakis (The Four Coins); Judge Katherine B. Emery,Washington County Court of Common Please; Dan Kemp representing hisuncle, the late Raymond H. Kemp; George Mantalis and Jack Mahramus (The Four Coins). Missing from the photo is The Four Coins member George Mahramus. Cover photo by Gary Yon.

COMMUNITY INTEREST

Canon McMillan School District .. | 6

UPMC Today | Health and WellnessNews You Can Use ................................... | 25

Canonsburg Senior Center ........... | 40

Real Estate in Canon Mac .............. | 47

Our Lady of Grace ............................ | 50

Special Value Coupons .................... | 56

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

Barry Bartusiak, DMDThe Top Ten Questions About Dental Implants ........................................ | 36

Cristy Watson, DPTDo You Suffer from Lower Back Pain .......... | 51

Sherry HercegLocal Loan Experts: Manager Sherry Herceg and Canonsburg’s Northwest Savings Bank | 54

W I N T E R 2 0 1 1

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

© 2011 UPMC

What’s Insidepage 2 UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services

in West Mifflin

page 3 When Your Body Talks ...Be Sure to Listen

page 4 Make a Date with Your DoctorThree Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat

page 5 Technology for 21st Century Hospitals

page 6 Taking on TouretteControlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

page 7 Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Dpeartment

BundleUp,BabyRemember how Mom made you bundle up before going outdoors in the winter so you wouldn’t get sick? She was right. So be sure you dress for the weather — and that means covering your head, ears, mouth, and hands.

Turn to page 4 to learn why your ears, nose, and throat need extra care in winter.

IN Canon Mac is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing,encouraging and promoting the Canon Mac area and its comprising municipalitiesby focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regionalpublication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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Canon Mac | Winter 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

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safety-drivenPeoples Natural Gas is embarking on an extensive program to modernize our infrastructure. More than $100 million will be investedto replace pipelines throughout our 16 county service territory.

In 2011 and 2012, this means replacing 40 miles of old cast-ironpipes wherever they exist. This year and next, Peoples Natural Gas is hiring 60 new pipeline workers. And, we’ll need to employ almost as many local contract workers. Last year, we brought back 200 jobs tothe region. These are not temporary jobs, but family sustaining jobs – the type of jobs that generations build on.

Through the end of 2012, you will see Peoples Natural Gas employees hard at work on this project. They will be working in the snow and sun to improve the infrastructure for our communities. Our goal is to replace all the cast iron pipe in our entire system. This is an extensive project and we will need your patience and understanding as we work to complete it.

In 2010, Peoples Natural Gas was purchased from an out-of-state company. We are now a Western Pennsylvania managed company. All our management lives in the region. Our sole priority is serving our local communities. Our new company has refocused its total efforts right here. This pipeline replacement program is the first major construction initiative of Peoples Natural Gas and it has been made for your safety, and the need to modernize our infrastructure for the future.

Safety is the number one priority of Peoples Natural Gas. Every day, westrive to keep our customers, our employees and our communitiessafe. Here are 3 Sensible Words about Natural Gas to help keep youand your family safe.

Natural gas leaks are rare. But they can happen. Your senses willalert you if a leak occurs.

SIGHTEscaping gas affects the nutrients in soil, so discolored soil or dead vegetation near a pipeline may indicate a leak. Dirt or water blowing up from the group may indicate a natural gas leak.

SOUNDNatural gas leaks may make a hissing or a high-pitchedwhistling noise. Noises will vary based on the line pressure.

SMELLA strong odor of natural gas can indicate unburned fuel in the air. Because the gas is odorless, a sulfur based odorant is added to give it a rotten-egg smell that warns of its presence. Be alert for this odorant or any petroleum smell.

If you believe a natural gas leak is occurring, leave the area immediately and notify Peoples Natural Gas by calling1.800.400.4271.

CANON-McMILLANSCHOOL DISTRICT

DISTRICT TRIBUTE

H-H supports 9/11 tribute

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MRS. JULIE HARTMANASSIGNMENT: Math, spec. ed.,High SchoolEDUCATION: B.S., math & ed.,Grove City; M.Ed., secondarymath ed., PittCERTIFICATION: Math (7-12),sp. ed.

MRS. KAREN McMULLEN ASSIGNMENT: 2nd grade, Cecil Elem.EDUCATION: B.S., early childhood & elem. ed., Calif. U.CERTIFICATION: Elem. ed. (K-6)& early childhood (N-3)

MR. MICHAEL MINOR ASSIGNMENT: SchoolPsychologistEDUCATION: B.S., psycholo-gy, Pitt; M.A., school psychol-ogy, Univ. of DelawareCERTIFICATION: Nationallycertified school psychologist

MRS. LAUREN BIZICHASSIGNMENT: Elem. art, S.C.EDUCATION: B.F.A., art &dance, Slippery Rock CERTIFICATION: Art (K-12)

MISS TIFFANY BURNS ASSIGNMENT: 5th grade,NSISEDUCATION: B.S., elem. ed.,Robert Morris U.CERTIFICATION: Elem. ed. (K-6)

MRS. KELLY FARRELL ASSIGNMENT: Spec. ed., High SchoolEDUCATION: B.S., elem. & sp.ed., Clarion U.; master’s, reading, Florida Gulf Coast U.CERTIFICATION: Mentallyand/or physically handi-capped, elem. ed (K-6), reading specialist; nationally board certified

MRS. LAUREN O’ROURKEASSIGNMENT: Chemistry, HighSchool EDUCATION: B.S., chemistry,Pitt; M.A.T., Waynesburg U.CERTIFICATION: Chemistry (7-12)

MRS. SANDY STROSKO ASSIGNMENT: General science, High School EDUCATION: B.A.,math/physics, W&JCERTIFICATION: Math &physics, 7-12

NEW FACULTY AT C-M

MRS. REBECCA WOLF ASSIGNMENT: Language arts,CMSEDUCATION: B.S.Ed. & M.A.T.,Calif. U.CERTIFICATION: English (7-12),middle level math & science(7-9)

MRS. JILL CRONIN ASSIGNMENT: AutisticSupport / Life Skills, NSISEDUCATION: B.S., elem. ed.,Clarion U.CERTIFICATION: Special ed.(N-12) & elem. ed. (K-6)

MISS CHRISTA LIVORIOASSIGNMENT: 3rd grade, First StreetEDUCATION: B.S., elem, ed.,Penn State CERTIFICATION: Elem. ed. (K-6)

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CANON M MILLAN

SCHOOL DISTRICT


HALL OF HONOR

JUDGE KATHERINE B.EMERY


CANON-McMILLAN

COM

MITM

ENT TO EXCELLENCE

RAYMOND H. KEMP,

RAYMONDH. KEMP

ATHLETICS

JUDGEKATHERINEB. EMERYCITIZENRY

A judge, a pioneer athlete, and a famous quartet of vocalists were inducted into the Canon-McMillan School District Hall of Honor on September 23.The inductees are:

Judge Katherine B. Emery for citizenry

Raymond H. Kemp for athletics

The Four Coins for arts,

whose members are George Mantalis, Jim Gregorakis, George Mahramus and Jack Mahramus

8 Canon Mac8 Canon Mac

THE FOUR COINS

THE FOURCOINSARTS

RAYMOND H. KEMP



NEW IN THE DISTRICT

The goal of the school’s Autistic Support/Life Skills Program is to create a positive and comfortable

learning environment.

10 Canon Mac

For more information on thePennsylvania Standards AlignedSystem, visit the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Education’s SAS websiteat http://www.pdesas.orgFor information on the Ezra JackKeats Foundation visit http://www.ezra-jack-keats.org/

E Z R A J O H N K E A T S F O U N D A T I O N G R A N T

Literacy isn’t just reading. It includes writing, speak-ing, listening, and all theways we use language to

interact and communicatewith each other.

Getting Your Child Ready to Read

“ ”


Photos by Gary Yon

Canon-McMillan School District Hall of Honor Induction



By Amanda S.F. Hartle

or as long as some Pennsylvania residents canremember they have sat down four times a

year and filled out a small postcard.This small postcard asked you to list your wages,

calculate approximately 1 percent of your earnings andmail a check to your local earned income tax collector inyour community municipal building.But in 2012, every Canonsburg Borough and Cecil and

North Strabane townships taxpayer can cross one morechore of their to do list thanks to a new, state mandate.Beginning Jan. 1, all employers who have work sites in

the commonwealth are required by Act 32 of 2008 towithhold all earned income taxes from every employee.And all employees have to do is make sure they have filedout a residency certification form.“The legislation affects every single municipality and

school district in Pennsylvania,” said Mitch Hoffman, localgovernment policy manager at the state Department ofCommunity and Economic Development.“That in itself is huge. In addition, it also affects every

single taxpayer and every single business that operates inPennsylvania.”

Earned income taxes have been a fixture in

Pennsylvania since 1965.At the time, state lawmakers imposed the levy to allow

local entities such as school districts and municipalities toraise more funds.“It provided an avenue for local taxing bodies to impose

a tax to help fund their operating costs, and it was onlyimposed on people who actually had earned income notthose who were retired or were not working,” saidHoffman.Earned income tax is unique to Pennsylvania.

Neighboring states have a similar structures in place, butthey are not identical.In theory, the tax is simple.Anyone who works in the state pays on average a 1

percent tax four times a year. Some townships, boroughsand school districts tax a bit higher and some a bit lower.And to pay their bill, an employer could withhold the

tax from an employee’s pay or the employee themselvescould calculate their tax and send it to their local earnedincome tax collector.But from the start, issues arose.Pennsylvania has one of the highest numbers of local

municipalities in the country, and at one point, there wereup to 560 different earned income tax offices in the state,said Hoffman.“It was very fractured and very convoluted. There was

no consistency in collections. No consistency in annualreturns and no consistency in transfer of records from onetax collector to another.”

Confusion about where to send taxes also aboundedfor companies that are headquartered out of state buthave a plethora of work sites and thousands ofemployees in Pennsylvania.

“Many of these companies did withholdthe tax, but with so many different


collectors it was difficult for them tocomply with all the expectations,” saidHoffman. The cumbersome structurealso was not attractive to new businessesendeavors as it created one moreregulation interested companies had tocomply with when they opened a site in Pennsylvania.Within decades, people started to

question the structure used to collectearned income tax.

By 2002, various organizations sought

change and restructuring. Their pleaswere supported by a study commissionedby the Pennsylvania Economy Leagueamong other entities.The study found that millions of

dollars across the state were not beingaccounted for correctly and millions ofpotential tax dollars were not beingcollected at all. The actual amount alwaysremained uncertain, said Hoffman.“I talk to employers every day who

have had work sites in Pennsylvania foryears and have never collected the tax.We are not just dealing with Pennsylvaniabusinesses though, this hits businessesacross North America.”Change was slow to come, but in

2008, state lawmakers passed Act 32 andits effects were so far reaching it gavelocal municipalities and school districtsthree years to implement its regulations.Under the new law, the burden

related to the tax has shifted fromemployees to their employers.Every employer in Pennsylvania is

required to have each employee fill out aone page local earned income taxresidency certification form by year’s end.On the form, employees list their

address, municipality and county ofresidence. This information matches to amunicipality specific code ensuring thetax dollars are automatically withheld andend up at the correct tax collector.Throughout Pennsylvania (except in

Allegheny County,) earned income taxcollector positions were eliminated oraltered as taxes will go to a county leveltax collector chosen by a tax collectiondistrict made up of representatives fromevery municipality and school district inthe specific county.In Allegheny County, four

collection districts were chosen to betterserve the area’s unique demographics,said Hoffman.

“The four collection districts areseparated by the rivers. AlleghenyCounty is different than anywhere else inthe state due to its diverse populationsand number of corporations.”

In addition to the more centralized

structure, the law has other oversight andaccountability features.There are explicit time frames set

out for the distribution of dollars as well as training and certification for all tax officers. There also are penalties for late payments and annual auditing,says Hoffman.“All of these are built in to guarantee

the amount of monies being collected arecollected properly, remitted properly anddistributed properly.”Filing returns also will be more

uniform throughout the state.“Some local returns were several

pages, some half a page and some hadnone at all. Now there is a standard formfor all of Pennsylvania and all the taxcollectors are required to use it. We nowhave consistency.”Canonsburg Borough Manager Terry

Hazlett expects the positive outcomespredicted to come to fruition in timeperhaps after the first year.““It may be a rocky transition, but I’m

sure it will work out in the end.”He urges area residents to note the

correct municipality on their local earnedincome tax residency certification form,which is not always the municipalitylisted in their mailing address.“Many people in Cecil, North

Strabane and even Peters have aCanonsburg address, but they do not livein Canonsburg. We need to make surethat people fill out their form correctly.”In Cecil Township, municipal

staff expects the transition to be simple.The borough has outsourced their earned income tax collection for the past few years to to an outside vendor in anticipation of the changes.Going forward, the township

now will partner with KeystoneCollections Group, WashingtonCounty’s tax collector as will NorthStrabane Township and Canonsburg.“We are hoping for the best,”

said Hazlett.“We are hoping it will actually

produce more income.”



Photos byGary Yon


n December 1923,President CalvinCoolidge walked from

the White House to theEllipse to light a 48-foot Balsamfir donated by the President ofMiddlebury College in Vermont.The tree was decorated with2,500 electric bulbs in red, whiteand green, as a local choir and aquartet from the U.S. MarineBand performed. The lighting ofthe National Christmas Tree isintertwined with the history ofAmerica. For eighty-eight years,through peace and war, fromnational celebration to national

mourning, Americanshave gathered togetherand celebrated theseason of hope at thisholiday event.

This unifying event isnot exclusive toour nation’scapital.Towns allacrossAmericahave theirown waysto celebratethe season.

DowntownCanonsburg,Pennsylvania in

Washington County,population 8,992

is one such town. It wasincorporated by Colonel JohnCanon in 1802 and broughttogether Italian, Russian,Slovenian, Hungarian, Greeks,Polish, and Slovak immigrants to work the coal mines and steel mills. This tiny town hascharm and entertainment of daysgone by.

Just as Canonsburg broughtvarious immigrants together, itcontinues to draw people everyyear to its Old FashionedChristmas. You’ll find shops forgifts, collectibles, antiques, andhome décor with everything fromfurniture to flooring. Need a biteto eat? Choose between Greekcuisine, burger, pizza and subshops, and a local coffee shop.The town’s Christmas celebrationis a highly anticipated event. Theyoung, the not so young, the kidsat heart and those that are theheart and soul of the communityare invited for festive family funwhere the main street is

transformed into a perfectChristmas card scene. Theirmotto is, “We’ll welcome andsurprise you while you make yourown downtown discoveries!”

Nadeen Steffey, Main Street Manager, explains what her organizationdoes. “We manage the downtownCanonsburgrevitalization project.We are a designatedMain Street communitythrough the Commonwealthof PA and our organization isaccredited by the National MainStreet and National Trust forHistoric Preservation.” She saidshe’s very excited about this year’sOld Fashioned Christmascelebration. “The dates this yearare Friday, December 2nd, Lite the Nite event andDecember 3rd for the SantaLunch (reservations required).The events are sponsored in partby our organization, Our Town Cooperative Main StreetProgram, our downtown businesscommunity, and the VelmaJeffries Trust.”

As soon as the turkey is madeinto leftovers, the pumpkin pie isdown to crumbs and the Macy’sThanksgiving parade is but amemory captured in photographs,it’s time to switch gears to the

next big holiday. Festivesweaters and hats comeout and mittens areplaced on tiny, chubbyhands as moms anddads zip up snowsuitson wiggly bodies.Families line the street,

waiting for it all to begin.Children are as restless asSanta’s reindeer on December24th.

At Friday’s Lite the Nite event,you’ll find horse drawn sleighrides, Christmas carols, and thelighting of the communityChristmas tree. Saturday’s lunchwith Santa has been aCanonsburg tradition for years.The day also includes Christmascrafts at the Frank Sarris PublicLibrary, hay rides, train rides,delicious treats and tours of theCanonsburg VFD.

If the Old Fashioned Christmasisn’t enough to raise your

Cocoa, Cookies and a Canonsburg Christmas

I

By Judith Schardt



spirits, then theCanon-McMillanSchool District willamaze you. The Districtturns each Decemberinto a magical time. Their vision“Is to empower the students to becomeresponsible,well-roundedcitizens.” And itshows. Chelsea Geist,high school Scienceteacher said the studentsparticipate in a Santa Hatday and have a day devotedto Christmas movies so thestudents get in a festive andgenerous mood. They participatein the Angel Tree; a student picksan “Angel” from the tree and thenbuys a gift for that person. TheNurse discreetly providesinformation to the Parent FacultyOrganization (PFO) for theannual Angel Tree and thefamilies are chosen based on need.All names are kept anonymous.The children’s sizes, number ofchildren in the family, and whatthe child may like is the onlyinformation given. The highschool also has another nicetradition. According to SherreeMohler, Learning SupportTeacher and SEC (Society forExceptional Children) Club

Sponsor, they have aHoliday Dance topromote inclusion tothose individuals withdisabilities. OnDecember 2 from6:30-9:30 pm at the highschool any teen or young

adult in theCanonsburgcommunity orneighboringschooldistrictwith adisabilityis invitedto a nightof fun, music

and interactionwith their peers. In

addition, the students raise moneyfor holiday gifts for special needs

individuals living in grouphomes. They also plancaroling parties at some ofthe group home facilities.

On the elementaryschool level, atCecil Elementary,the PFO has beenhelping localfamilies for 18years, according to Principal, Mr.Robert Kleinhans and

Director of Curriculumand Instruction, GraceLani. Like the high school,Cecil and also Muse GraceElementary Schools participatein the Angel Tree program. Mr. Tom Theodore, Principalof Muse says his school works

with the Chairman of Holy RosaryChurch to make this holidaytradition happen.

Cecil fundraises byhaving a ChineseAuction at OpenHouse.Themoney isused tobuy gift cards (Payless,Supercuts etc), andperishable items such as hams,turkeys, eggs, etc. Along with thefood that is bought by the PFO, afood drive is held at the school tocollect non-perishable items.Working together, the Nurse andthe PFO organize the gifts anddelivery, always in time forChristmas.

While the particulars of the OldFashioned Christmas and theholiday happenings in the schoolshave changed and evolved overthe years, the purpose remains thesame: a tiny community comestogether to celebrate the seasonand its magic, its joy, and itsgenerosity. President CalvinCoolidge, if alive today, wouldprobably be the first in line to lightthe tree and delight in what thetown of Canonsburg has been ableto accomplish and sustain.

Stephanie Scarci of Canonsburgepitomizes thephrase “all-American” youngwoman.In her almost 19

years of life, she hasaccomplished manygreat things. She iscurrently Miss

Pittsburgh. The competition was heldSeptember 18 at the Sheraton Station Square.“I am so excited to be representing

Pittsburgh and so proud to be representing theCanonsburg area,” said Ms. Scarci. “Everyonehas been so supportive and I want to sincerelyexpress my gratitude to the community.”The pageant is predominantly based

on interviewing. Scarci was evaluated on herability to speak clearly, correctly and concisely.“Obviously, you have to think quickly aboutwhat you are asked, but they are really lookingfor sincerity and passion in your answer,” said Scarci, who said that the competition alsoincluded swimsuit, formal wear and fashion flare.

As Miss Pittsburgh, Scarci is expected tomake a minimum of two or three appearancesmonthly. She started in pageantry when “I wasinvited to compete in Miss Pennsylvania TeenPageant in 2009,” said Scarci. She competedagain the following year making it as a semi-finalist both years.She recently made first runner-up in the

Miss Pennsylvania Collegiate Pageantrepresenting the University o f Pittsburgh,where she studies political science and Spanishwith a minor in Chinese. She plans on gettingher masters degree in international relations. Scarci said, “I chose the University of

Pittsburgh because both of my parents (Joe and Vickie), as well as my grandfather, FritzScarci, are graduates of Pitt. I wanted tocontinue the tradition.”She also won the Miss Canonsburg

competition recently. S he has appeared in theJuly 4th parade, Whiskey Rebellion Parade inWashington, Kennywood Community Day,Community Appreciation Day at Town Park,Labor Day parade in Pittsburgh, andCanonsburg Oktoberfest. She also appeared on PJ Talk with Shirley Douglas on the PCTV channel. “I would like to thank Mayor David Rhome

of Canonsburg, State Representative BrandonNeuman and State Senator Tim Solobay forallow ing me to join with them during thesefestivities,” said Scarci.Remaining an accomplished model, she was

recently selected as a “Gladys Girl” for thenational Gladys magazine. She will befeatured in a one-page exclusive in thewinter edition of the magazine, which isreleased this month.

“Invited to the release party for the

summer edition recently of Gladys, I had aphoto shoot with Aubrie Lemon Moates,formerly of Deal or No Deal, and who now hasher own photography business,” explainedScarci. “It was great.”Adding to her resume, she has done runway

modeling for David’s Bridal fashion shows andwas recently signed with T. B. Talent andCasting Agency and with the Patrick TalentAgency. “I don’t know where I will end up next,but it has been exciting,” she said.Scarci started modeling for the Triangle

I nstitute of Professional Photography ofPittsburgh for its photography classes. Theyhave instructors of photography from all overthe United States travel there to teach. “Imodeled for Jennifer Hudson, a nationally-known photographer, who is known formaterial wrapping (she was wrapped in plainfabric in an artistic manner),” she said. “I alsodid underwater modeling for Larry Peters. My eyes turned bl oodshot after awhile becauseI had to keep my eyes open, but it was fun!”An accomplished musician as well, Scarci

played the trumpet in elementary school andwas then asked to change to the tuba by herband instructor, Mr. Michael Caporizzo, at theCanonsburg Middle School. It was notnecessarily her first choice but “I picked it uppretty easily and made section leader mysophomore year,” she said. Her l ast year with the Canon-McMillan

High School band, class of 2011, was spent as afield conductor in the marching band. She alsoplays the piano and has accompanied chorusesand various soloists. “My passion is classical music,” Scarci said.

TeaRose Photography



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In her “spare” time, she has competed in figureskating and ice dancing. “I have my gold levelachievement in ice dancing and ‘moves in the field,’”said Scarci. She has also participated on asynchronized figure skating team out of RobertMorris University.If that was not enough, she was an ambassador to

China in the People to People program. Her brother,Kristopher, who is now a naval officer stationed in SanDiego, California, had completed the program yearsbefore. He traveled to Spain, France and Italy. Herdelegation went to China about two weeks prior tothe Beijing Olympics in 2008. “We visited Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, and Hong

Kong and we saw the Great Wall, Terracotta warriors,pandas and Victoria Harbor,” said Scarci. “We wereable to spend time with children playing soccer andping pong. They beat us badly.”

She added that they learned dances from each otherand they gave her a crash course in karate. Scarciwatched them make silk and she made cloisonné.Cloisonné was invented in China during the 12thcentury. It is a decorative work where metalfilaments are fused to a surface(bracelet, hair clip, etc.) then filledwith colored enamel paste.The trip made such an

impression on her that is why shewants to minor in Chinese. “Thecontrast of the big westernized citiesto the poverty of the poor isoverwhelming,” she said.Scarci cannot wait to see

what happens to her next andher public is eager to hear.

Aubrie Lem

on Moates / Hello Gorgeous Photography

im Reynolds of Canonsburg wears many hats well—husband, father, teacher,announcer and manager.His day hat has him teaching honors English and public speaking for seven

classes at Canon-McMillan High School. His English courses start off withThe Odyssey and the public speaking courses present about the students’ petpeeves. “I adore my job,” said Reynolds.

Dave Helinski, Canon-McMillan’s high school principal, said of Reynolds, “He is one of the finest teachers that I have ever met. He is trulygenuine, also has an excellent sense of humor. Both of my sons have had himfor class and have loved him. He has never let me down.”

Reynolds did not dream of teaching at a young age. His parents, BettyReynolds and the late Mervin Reynolds, owned an educational supply store.Based on their conversations and work schedules, Reynolds did not want tomake that business his career.

He took a high school course in public speaking and thought he wouldlike to teach it. He performed in Canonsburg high school and CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania dramas, where he graduated from in 1980.

Taking loads of drama and communication classes, Reynolds realizedin his junior year at Cal that he needed English courses. “Aftergraduating, I did not start off in teaching,” he said. “I was an Orkin man,moved furniture, painted houses, and put on roofs. I still keep my CDL(commercial driving license) just in case.”

In 1987, he started substitute teaching in the Canon-Mac SchoolDistrict. After six years, he was permanently hired. He has been at thehigh school ever since.

Actually taking off a hat, this is the first year in 23 years thatReynolds is not the voice of the Big Macs. He announced the football,basketball, girls and boys volleyball games plus the wrestling matches.In addition, he did play-by-play action on numerous playoff andtournament games. His father-in-law, Bill Vosel, a former footballcoach at Canon-Mac, got Reynolds involved in broadcasting beforeReynolds married his daughter.

“I have been in this profession for 33 years with 7 at Penn StateUniversity and have heard some phenomenal announcers,” said GuyMontecalvo, Canon-Mac’s athletic director. “He (Reynolds) is one ofthe finest that I have ever heard. His intellect, his spontaneity, and hispassion are unparalleled. His professionalism is impeccable,”Montecalvo said, commenting on the hours Reynolds spent researchingteams for their rosters and player statistics.

Last year, Montecalvosubmitted Reynolds’ namefor the PrestigiousAnnouncer of the Yearaward for National Service.Although he did not receiveit, “I believe he is that good,”said Montecalvo. “Things arenot the same this year. Hecannot be replaced.” Montecalvo added that so

many schools praised Reynoldswork. “He could broadcast at amuch higher level,” saidMontecalvo. “He could be a radioannouncer.”Putting on a different hat in the

summertime, Reynolds manages theCanonsburg Town Park pool, whichopens Memorial Day and closes LaborDay, so it overlaps with his teachingschedule. “It is a beautiful pool which wasbuilt in the 1930s and pretty much isstructurally the same,” he said. “It is an


One ManMany Hats

A ResidentSpotlight on

Jim Reynolds

J

By Joann Naser

awesome large pool and an awesome largeresponsibility.”Terry Hazlett, Canonsburg’s boroughmanager, interviewed Reynolds for the job.“He did most of the talking during theinterview,” said Reynolds. “I knew whatwater was and I could swim but that waspretty much it. I had to get a license tomanage the pool and passed the life guardtest which was the most physically-challenging thing I have ever done.”Sharing his time with an associate,

Reynolds spends most summer daysat the pool. There is the huge800,000-gallon pool and a baby pool.Large attendance days boast over500 people, which occur severaltimes over the summer. They had arecord-high 1,110 people at thisyear’s Fourth of July day festivities.

Hazlett said, “Reynolds haddone a tremendous job at thepool. He is well-known since he is a teacher in the area and isrecognized by those who use the pool.” “He (Reynolds) is

the perfect balance for the pool,”added Hazlett. “He lets thoseknow who have oversteppedtheir bounds but remainsfriendly to everyone.” The poolwas constructed with the help offederal funds from the FranklinDelano Rooseveltadministration during the GreatDepression years. Wearing his personal hat,

Reynolds is married to LauraVosel, who is a paraprofessionalat Canon-Mac. He quickly knewhis wedding anniversary was onNovember 15 and they have beenmarried for 31 years. He smiled,“She is the best thing that everhappened to me.”The couple has three children;

Leigh Ann is a Westminster Collegegraduate and has a master’s degreefrom California University. Shetaught in the Dallas-Fort Worth,Texas area for one year but hasreturned to Western Pennsylvania. Sheis currently substitute teaching in areaschool districts. Reynolds said, “She runscircles around me in the classroom.”His son, Jacob, is a senior at

Waynesburg University in graphiccommunications and his youngest son, Jesse,is a junior at Robert Morris Universitystudying engineering.Reynolds plans to continue wearing several

hats for many years to come.



W I N T E R 2 0 1 1

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

© 2011 UPMC

What’s Insidepage 2 UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services

in West Mifflin

page 3 When Your Body Talks ...Be Sure to Listen

page 4 Make a Date with Your DoctorThree Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat

page 5 Technology for 21st Century Hospitals

page 6 Taking on TouretteControlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

page 7 Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Dpeartment

BundleUp,BabyRemember how Mom made you bundle up before going outdoors in the winter so you wouldn’t get sick? She was right. So be sure you dress for the weather — and that means covering your head, ears, mouth, and hands.

Turn to page 4 to learn why your ears, nose, and throat need extra care in winter.

2 UPMC.com/Today

UPMC Now Offers Imaging Services in West Mifflin

For West Mifflin area residents, the new UPMC West Mifflin facility isbringing UPMC’s high quality care, including the latest in imaging technology, right to their doorstep.“We understand that not everyone can or wants to travel outside their community for treatment or a particular test,” says Stephanie Pankow,administrative director of UPMC West Mifflin.“Our communities and neighborhoods are at the heart of what makes Pittsburgh such a special place to live and work. Helping to keep them strong andhealthy is important to us,” adds Ms. Pankow.Located at 1907 Lebanon Church Road in West Mifflin (near CenturySquare), the new facility is home to the UPMC Cancer Centers, Quest Diagnostics, and UPMC Imaging Services. The new facility also featurescomfortable and attractive waiting and testing areas, as well as free parking.

The care you need — close to homeWhether your doctor suspects a broken pinky finger and wants a quick x-ray or your specialist has ordered a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound, UPMC West Mifflin gives residents easy access to a wide range of imaging services.

“UPMC West Mifflin has the most advanced imaging technology available, including a state-of-the-art 64-slice CT scanner that is faster and offers more accurate images,” saysMelissa Kovtun, executive director of Imaging Services. Imaging servicesavailable onsite include:

• MRI• CT• General/Vascular• General Radiology (including x-rays)• Ultrasound

Onsite, subspecialty trained radiologists provide your doctor with fast, high-quality readings, important results your doctor uses in making an accurate diagnosis andcrafting a treatment plan. “Physicians in the UPMC network can choose to get their patient’s imaging resultselectronically,” says Ms. Pankow.

Moving the well-established UPMCCancer Centers to the new UPMC West Mifflin location adds to patientconvenience and comfort by makingimaging services available nearby. “Patients can be assured that all of thecenter’s advanced cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment options stillwill be offered — just in a different location,” says Ms. Pankow.

UPMC West Mi in1907 Lebanon Church RoadWest Mi%in, PA 15122

Imaging ServicesPhone: 412-653-8030Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday by appointment

UPMC Cancer CenterPhone: 412-653-8100Hours of operation: Monday through Friday7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about UPMC West Mi%in, visit UPMC.com.

“Our communities and neighborhoods are at

the heart of what makesPittsburgh such a specialplace to live and work. Helping to keep them strong and healthy is

important to us.”

— Stephanie Pankow

1-800-533-UPMC 3

Being attuned to changes in your body can help in the early detection andtreatment of cancer and other serious medical problems

Is your body trying to tell you something important? It can bean excellent communicator — if you pay careful attention to its symptoms.

There are numerous warning symptoms for cancer, many of which also can point to other serious medical conditions.

That’s why you should call yourprimary care physician (PCP) if you have any unusual or persistent symptoms lastinglonger than two or three weeks,says Edward Chu, MD, chief of the Division of Hematology/Oncology at UPMC and deputy director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.

“The vast majority of patientswill get a clean bill of health from their doctor,” says Dr. Chu.“But when it comes to cancer, time is often of the essence. Early detection can help keep cancer from spreading, allow for faster treatment, and improve your chances for recovery.”

Symptoms that revealMost of us know to be on the lookout for such important cancer warning signs as a sore that does not heal; a thickening or lump in the breast, or other parts of the body; blood in the stool or urine; or changes in the size or color of a mole.

Dr. Chu says it’s also important to be aware of more generalizedbody changes (also known as constitutional symptoms) that cancompromise your physical performance and overall well-being.By getting to know what’s typical for your own body, you’ll bebetter able to recognize unfamiliar changes when they occur.They can include:• Extreme tiredness (fatigue)• Unexplained weight loss (typically 10 pounds or more)

or loss of appetite• Changes in how food tastes• Fever and chills• Night sweats• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

“These symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer,” he emphasizes. “But if they linger or worsen, it’s important for your doctor to rule out — or treat — possible problems.”

If you are interested in locating a PCP or specialist in your area,visit UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

WhenYour BodyTalks…BeSure toListen

Did You Know?The University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute(UPCI), based at the Hillman Cancer Center in Shadyside, is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in western Pennsylvania. Learn more about UPCI and its partnership with UPMC Cancer Centers at UPCI.UPMC.edu.

Cancer Screenings: Are they right for you?Another important tool in the early detection of cancer is screenings. “When combinedwith regular checkups with your family doctor or specialist, screenings like mammograms,PAP smears, and colorectal exams have proven to be invaluable in the fight against cancer,”says Eric Safyan, MD, of UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Mercy. “Your personal and family medical history, risk factors, age, and other considerations will help your physicianrecommend the right tests — and frequency — for you.”

To learn more about the programs and services at UPMC Cancer Center at UPMC Mercy,visit UPMCMercy.com.

4 UPMC.com/Today

Make a Date With Your DoctorYou take your car to the mechanic for an annual inspection to be sure it’s running properly. So why aren’t you giving yourbody the same kind of attention?

When you’re in good health, it’s easy to put off going to thedoctor. But regular checkups can help you stay healthy, andavoid disease and disability. That’s why scheduling a physical is the one New Year’s resolution you should keep.

“Your annual exam is the perfecttime to talk with your doctor aboutillness prevention, healthy lifestylechoices, and any recommendedscreenings,” says Timothy Campbell,MD, of Campbell/Philbin MedicalAssociates PC and UPMC Mercy.“That information helps you and

your doctor create a plan to maintain your health, or makechanges to improve your health.”

Building an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician(PCP) also means peace of mind. “There’s real value to beingseen by someone who knows you and your health history —someone you trust to guide you through an illness or emer-gency,” adds Dr. Campbell.

Your exam checklistHow can you make the most of your annual exam? Here arefour things to do before you see the doctor:

1. Make a list of all medications you are takingInclude all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements that you currently take, how often you take them, and why.

2. Update your family historyYour family history can provide important clues about your risk for certain diseases, including diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease.

3. Ask about health screeningsScreenings can be important tools in preventing some illnesses and diseases. Get a list of recommended screenings and talk about them with your doctor.

4. Make a list of questions or health concernsAsking questions and sharing your concerns about health issues helps your doctor improve your care.

One final piece of advice: Be honest. “Never be afraid or embarrassed to tell your doctor something,” adds Dr. Campbell.“What you don’t disclose could be important for your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis or prescribe the best treatment plan.”

Winter is the season for sniffles, scratchy throats, and earaches — often all at once!And with good reason: our ears, nose, and throat all are connected and affect each other greatly. Otolaryngologists(also known as ear, nose, and throat doctors or ENTs) are physicians who specialize in caring for this complex, interrelated system. Test your ENT knowledge with this quick quiz:

Who gets earaches more often — children or adults?Nearly every child experiences at leastone ear infection between infancy and the age of five — something weary parents know firsthand. Becausechildren have shorter, straighter Eustachian tubes (which connect the nose to the ears), it’s easier for bacteria to migrate into their ears.

Why are you more likely to get a nosebleed in winter?The same heated indoor air that makesyour home cozy in winter also can dehydrate the inside of your nose. It can become crusted or cracked, or can even bleed. A dry nose makesyou more susceptible to germs, so exercise good nose care. Lightly coatthe inside with petroleum jelly. Over-the-counter saline mists and sprays (not decongestants) also are helpful.

Will antibiotics cure laryngitis? Most cases of laryngitis are caused by viral infections that make the vocal cords swell — so antibiotics are ineffective. Your best course of action? Drink plenty of fluids, rest, and cut back on talking. Straining yourvoice when you have acute laryngitiscan damage your vocal cords.

Source: American Society of Otolaryngology

Three Cheers for Your Ears, Nose, and Throat

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

1-800-533-UPMC 5

If you ever have to be hospitalized, you’ll certainly want to be cared for at a place that delivers quality health care using the latest technology available. That’s precisely what patients find when they are admitted to a UPMC hospital.

“UPMC’s vision of quality is for every patient to receive the right care, at the right time, in the right way — every time,” says Tami Minnier, RN, and chief quality officer forUPMC. “Technology lets us serve patients more efficiently and accurately. Most of all, we’re able to give patients greater control of their health care.”

Here are just two of the ways UPMC hospitals are delivering on that goal.

SmartRoom® technology brings it all to youLaunched three years ago by UPMC in partnership with IBM, SmartRoom is an impressive technology. First used at UPMC Shadyside and UPMC Montefiore, it is gradually being introduced in other UPMC hospitals. All patient rooms at the new UPMC East will be equipped with SmartRoom technology.

SmartRoom brings all essential data related to your care to your bedside. Its computerizedsoftware programsgive caregivers fingertip access toall the informationessential to yourcare — from yourelectronic medicalrecords to the tests you’ll need that day.

The SmartRoom concept simplifies workflow and makes documentation of your care faster and easier. Each room hastwo screens: one for your caregivers, and another for you to access email, entertainment, and a vast library of patient education videosand information.

The right medsat the right time“It is our goal to make the hospitalizationand discharge experience asstress-free as possible for ourpatients and theirfamilies,” saysJacqueline Dailey,UPMC’s vicepresident for Solutions forMedical Science, Research, and Patient Centered AccountableCare. “Not surprisingly, by the time patients leave the hospital,they’re often confused and overwhelmed by changes in theirmedications and how to take them.”

“We begin when you’re admitted with an electronic assessmentof your current medications and how they’re being taken,” explains Ms. Dailey. “As medications are adjusted or eliminatedduring your stay, this information is instantly available to allyour physicians — from your family doctor to the specialistscaring for you. That’s especially important if you transition from one level of care to another, such as intensive to acutecare.” An added layer of safety: both a pharmacist and the nurse administering the medications verify any new medicationorders from your doctors.

Throughout your stay, you’ll receive comprehensive instructions on your medications. “We know that people learn in different ways, so this information will be shared multiple times and in multiple ways,” notes Ms. Dailey. “We also urge patients to contact their doctors for help with any questions they may have on their return home.”

How technology is working to transform the quality of your care during hospitalization

Technology for 21st Century Hospitals

6 UPMC.com/Today

Seven Barnishin was just 11, playing withaction figures alone in his Pitcairn home,when the tics began — involuntary armflicks, head jerks, and sounds. “I freaked. It seemed like something else was controlling me,” he says.

Tom and Amy Barnishin first thoughttheir son’s behavior was linked to the startof the school year and peer pressure.When symptoms grew worse, and othertics emerged, their doctor sent Seven to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC where he was officially diagnosedwith Tourette syndrome (TS) in January2009. “We were blindsided,” says Amy.

Diagnosing Tourette syndromeTS is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting one in 100 people, says Keith Coffman, MD, a pediatric neurologist and co-director of the Tourette SyndromeClinic, part of the Brain Care Institute at Children’s Hospital. Most cases are diagnosed between ages 3 and 12; the majority are boys.

The main symptoms are sudden, repetitive, uncontrollable movements and sounds called tics, including throat-clearing, sniffing, blinking, gestures, and head jerking. For a true TS diagnosis, tics must start before age 18, include twoor more motor tics and at least one vocaltic, and last at least one year. Tics peak at the onset of puberty. Approximately 60 percent of children outgrow the tics, or the tics become so subtle only that person knows when they occur.

Coping with Tourette “People with TS cannot control their tics.They experience a sensation that makesthem feel like they have to move — like having to sneeze,” Dr. Coffman says.

The earlier the diagnosis, the sooner children can benefit. Movements can interfere with school work. Children with TS often are bullied, teased, or viewed as being disruptive.

That’s especially difficult for adolescentswho want to fit in. Tics, such as throatclearing, turning, or shaking, also can cause pain.

At the Tourette Syndrome Clinic, patients have access to a trio of experts:two pediatric neurologists with training in neurodevelopmental disorders, and an adult neurologist trained in movement disorders who provides transitional care for older teens.

Be in the know about TS Treatment varies.While there’s no cure,medication sometimes helps control tics.Psychologists can teach habit reversal and relaxation techniques to help patientscope with stress and reduce symptoms. But the most important treatment is education, says Dr. Coffman. “That includes educating families, educators, and the general public about TS.”

“Knowledge is power. I’d be unnerved if I didn’t know what it was,” adds Seven,now age 14. Although he cycled through almost every tic, the movements and sounds have subsided with treatment.

The Barnishins credit the team at Children’s for helping them understand TS, guiding them through treatment options, and providing support.

“Children’s gave us answers and helped us gain control over an uncontrollable situation. Instead of being spectators, wewere part of the process. That helped lower Seven’s anxiety, which helped ease the tics,” says Tom.

To learn more about the Tourette Syndrome Clinic and the Movement Disorders Clinic at Children’s Hospital, visit chp.edu, choose Neurology as theservice, then click the Clinics and Services button on the left.

Controlling a life in motion at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

Other TS facts include:• TS patients have the same IQ range as the general population.

• People in every walk of life, includingprofessional musicians, athletes, authors, and scientists, have TS.

• Less than 15 percent of TS patientsswear or use inappropriate expressions.

Did You Know?

Taking on Tourette

An estimated 200,000 Americans haveTS, but misconceptions still surround the disorder.

For example, TS is not an emotional or behavioral condition. It is an inheritedneurodevelopmental disorder that causes abnormalities in the brain.

1-800-533-UPMC 7

Changes Continue to Transform UPMC Mercy Emergency Department Recently completed makeover cuts wait times with focus on careUPMC Mercy’s Emergency Department (ED) has put the finishing touches on a major expansion and renovation projectwith the opening of a new patient observation unit in December.Known as a Clinical Decision Unit (CDU), the 17-bed facilityprovides a special transitional area for patients — including those with chest pain, asthma, or abdominal pain — who needmore time for treatment or testing before a decision is made to discharge or admit them. Patients will stay in the CDUwhile awaiting their test results, freeing up beds for other emergency and admitted patients, says Michael Turturro, MD,chief of Emergency Services at UPMC Mercy.“All of our ED improvements focus on enhancing the patientcare experience. We’re treating patients more quickly, more efficiently, and more comfortably,” Dr. Turturro says.

Expanded capacityBefore the 18-month expansion and renovation project began, the UPMC Mercy ED treated approximately 45,000patients annually. Last year, the ED reported 70,000 patientvisits. Now averaging nearly 200 patients a day, UPMCMercy’s ED is on track to see at least 73,000 patients this year.

The new ED, with 36 beds, also has created more capacity by improving its efficiency. “But no matter how many rooms or beds we add, there are always challenges,” says Valerie Krasneski-Schreiber, RN, BSN, MS, unit director of UPMC Mercy’s ED. “Our top priority is to deliver safe patient care quickly and more efficiently.”

New Super Track: Quick assessments and streamlined care Key to achieving that goal is a redesigned reception area staffedby a clinical nurse who makes quick assessments and assigns patients to one of three levels of emergency care. Dr. Turturrosays ED patients now move from the reception area to a treatment room within an average of 10 minutes of arrival.

In addition, the Mercy ED’s innovative new Super Track concept offers speedy care for patients with minor injuries andillnesses needing less urgent care — moving them throughtreatment to discharge in under an hour. “With Super Track,our goal is to ensure that patients who come to the ED with minor injuries and illnesses quickly get back to their lives afterreceiving prompt, comprehensive care,” says Tom Gronow,MHA, vice president of operations at UPMC Mercy.

Faster lab resultsAnother important ED upgrade is the addition of a mini-lab providing critical point-of-care-testing for ED patients. That means faster urine tests, rapid strep, blood analysis, and other key tests that can speed up treatment.“Having test results in minutes absolutely makes a difference,”says Ms. Krasneski-Schreiber. “In stroke patients, for example,time is of the essence. We need vital information to make theright decisions and act quickly.”Other ED improvements include:• Thirty-six newly renovated treatment bays • Two new state-of-the-art trauma resuscitation bays for treating the most acutely injured patients

• A new 128-slice CT scanner offering the latest imaging technology with faster scanning capability

• An expanded and modernized patient and family reception area (featuring stained glass panels from the original Mercy Hospital chapel)

• Wireless Internet access and flat-screen TVs

To learn more about UPMC Mercy and its ED services, visit UPMCMercy.com.

UPMC Mercy1400 Locust St.Pittsburgh, PA 15219

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC.

This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

Follow UPMC Mercy on Facebook.



hroughout our country’s history, thousands of individuals have refused tostand idly by when their enemies attacked their freedoms. They looked evilin the eye and pushed it back so others may never have to fear it, face it or

fight it themselves. America’s armed forces walk in the face of death every day,while serving their country. Vice President Biden, at the 10th Anniversary of the9/11 attacks said, “Never in our history has America asked so much over such asustained period of an all-volunteer force.” He was right. According to theDepartment of Defense, 6,200 U.S. military personnel have died fighting the warsin Afghanistan and Iraq. The military of the United States is deployed in 150

countries, with more than 369,000 of its 1,580,255 active-dutypersonnel serving outside the United States. Most of these overseaspersonnel are deployed in combat zones in the Middle East, but someare still stationed at installations activated during the Cold War, while others serve on peacekeeping missions.

The men and women who proudly and stoically enlist to protectus and future generations should get far more recognition than theydo. However, they would say that they are NOT heroes, justaverage Americans doing what they must do. Just doing their jobs,so to speak. Hardly. Honoring our soldiers is not only a gift tothem but also a gift to ourselves. It gives us the chance toexpress our greatest gratitude to them for allowing us to live ournormal lives. We are completely dependent on our military’scommitment, selflessness, determination, and bravery whenfighting the modern day enemies who are relentless machinesof destruction and hatred.

So how can you acknowledge our troops’ heroic efforts?One of the easiest places to start is the headquarters ofOperation Troop Appreciation (OTA), inside theCentury III Mall, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 to 4 p.m. In March 2004 Kristen Holloway, the founder and

current Chairman of OTA, embarked on a personal journey. Shewanted to help a local Pennsylvania National Guard platoon (1/107 FA,

Alpha Company 759 MP), deploying 38 soldiers in Iraq. A soldier wanted anUnder Armour T-shirt, which helps keep troops cool in the desert. The shirt cost$25, but Holloway’s many donations enabled her to purchase shirts for the soldier,his platoon and the platoon’s parent company of 117 soldiers. Her legal fees werealso covered to help her set up Operation Troop Appreciation. On July 4, 2004,she met her partner, Monica Orluk, and together they formed the all-volunteernonprofit. The OTA has provided T-shirts, boots, gloves, video game consoles,sports equipment, musical instruments and phone cards to over 100,000 soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and the Horn of Africa. These donations have comefrom small business partnerships, corporate sponsors and generous individuals.The even more amazing part of OTA, according to Orluk who is the currentPresident, is that OTA has a 98.5 efficiency ratio. That means that 98.5 cents ofevery dollar collected goes directly to the troops. Ms. Orluk said that what oncestarted as a good cause became a life calling; a way to honor her dad, who servedas a marine and has since passed away. She said that each year donations keepcoming in; despite tough economic times and that her faith in mankind isrestored each time someone donates. Our American heroes sacrifice so much. There is evil out there. Sometimes

A LifeCalling

Operation Troop

Appreciation:

T

it is seen and felt so intensely that our senses are violently assaulted, yet leaves our throats unable to form words to describe it. Such events as the Holocaust, the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Oklahoma City bombing, the brutal, calculated, unimaginable attacks on 9/11 and even the smaller scale revulsions of the evening news that come daily into our living rooms are times when the horror and profound sadness simply cannot be expressed. So,most of us react with just utter shock, tears, sleeplessness, and anguish so dreadful that ourbodies actually ache from it. We retreat while others enlist and charge right into danger.Then sometimes evil is less obvious, unseen and unknown enemies lurking in the shadows ofour daily lives, intermingling with the good, the strong, the heroic, waiting for the mostvulnerable moment to make its presence known. We should all be grateful that our soldiersare also out there, watching and waiting to protect us. The mission of Operation Troop Appreciation is to build and sustain the morale of all

deployed troops and has a motto of “Committed to our Courageous.” How appropriate.OTA knows how lonely, depressed and frightened they feel removed from their families, andhow difficult it is to live in unimaginable conditions of extreme heat, rugged terrain, insects,etc. It is important that our service men and women know they are not forgotten and thattheir “wish lists” will be fulfilled. OTA accepts monetary and in-kind donations such as non-perishable

treats, socks, phone cards, gently used CDs and DVDs, games, personalhygiene items, sports equipment, and so on. You can donate by mail to:Operation Troop Appreciation, PO Box 14550, Pittsburgh, PA 15234, oryou can make a secure, online donation through PayPal at their website:www.operationtroopappreciation.org. OTA is a Pennsylvania non-profitorganization and granted by the IRS federal tax-exempt status as aSection 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to thefullest extent allowed by law.Volunteering your time or talents can also be invaluable to helping

OTA and the troops. They have remained a hundred percent volunteerorganization and can always use extra help. You can stop by their office,located in the lower level of the mall, near Penney’s to inquire aboutvolunteer opportunities. Or you can call or email them at: 412.653.1317

and [email protected]. Our troops sacrificeeverything for us, yet even the smallest donation

from us can make all the differenceto them.


The Top Ten Questions about Dental ImplantsAs a dentist that has placed implants for over twenty years, I’ll try toanswer the most frequent questions regarding dental implants.

Dental Implants are simply an artificial tooth root made of titanium.

Yes. Dental implants are constructed out of titanium, which is thesame material used in artificial hips and knees.

Dental implantology began in the 1950’s. With technology it hasdramatically changed and improved for the better.

A dental implant is generally composed of three parts:• The titanium implant that integrates (becomes part of) with the jawbone.

• The abutment, which fits into the implant, and comes out of the gum line.

• The crown, which is fitted onto the abutment for a natural appearance.

In a healthy adult in natural bone, about 95%. In grafted bone about85-90%. Failure rates can vary depending on health, specificallydiabetes. Smokers are significantly more likely to have implant failuresversus non smokers.

Yes. This is one of the top uses for dental implants. Implants assist inkeeping the denture from shifting during eating, talking, etc.

No. Dental implants can be placed to replace multiple missing teeth.Each situation is different. Please contact a dentist who’s well versedin implants to offer an evaluation.

It is patient and dentist dependent based on an individual basis. Hereare some advantages to an implant.• Less stress on adjacent teeth.• A single dental implant can feel more like your own tooth.

Generally, patients state no. They state that it feels about the samelevel of discomfort of a filling or other general dentistry procedures.

More and more insurance carriers are offering benefits as dentalimplants are now mainstream. A bridge and an implant are usuallycomparable in expense. Most dental offices offer payment plans toassist as well.

These hopefully provide some insight into dental implants and haveprovided you with something to “chew on.”

New Patient SpecialFree consultation, exam and

necessary x-rays!

724-225-3680www.drbarrybartusiak.com

Barry F. Bartusiak, DMD212 Wellness Way

Washington, PA 15301

This Industry Insight was written by Barry Bartusiak, DMD, a dentist who has spoken nationally and internationally on practice management, implants and peridontics. Dr. Bartusiak maintains a private practice in Washington, PA at 212 Wellness Way. Contact his office at 724.225.3680 [email protected].



tudies show that one out of eight soldiers who fought in the Middle East shows signs and symptoms of post traumaticstress disorder (PTSD). According to the U.S. Naval

Health Research Center, soldiers diagnosed with a pre-existingpsychiatric disease prior to going to the battlefield have the potentialto develop PTSD.PTSD is an anxiety disorder brought about by a traumatic

situation that has caused extreme fear, shock or the feeling ofhelplessness. Individuals lose their coping mechanisms and theirlives are dramatically disrupted. They may experience nightmares,social isolation, difficulty focusing, sleeplessness, jumpiness andextreme moodiness or irritability. There are physical symptoms as well, such as stomach problems, chest pain, weak immune system, dizziness, and body pain. PTSD is treated withpsychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, exposure therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy.Medications can also help. There is another excellent way to help soldiers suffering with

PTSD. We know that the United States discontinued the draft in1973, moving to an all-volunteer military force. However, theWashington County Humane Society and 84 Fitness Center callupon veterans to enlist in a very important cause; for the last twoyears in October, the Humane Society and Fitness Center sponsoreda Furry Fall Festival with the theme Pets for US Vets. Thousands ofdollars are raised at the annual event which all go to a special fund atthe Humane Society known as the “Veterans Fund.” Veterans whosuffer from PTSD, loneliness or just needing an animal companioncan adopt a dog, cat, bird or other animal needing a forever homefrom the no-kill shelter at no cost, as long as the funds hold out. Allpets are micro-chipped, spayed or neutered and up to date on shots.Volunteers are available to answer questions or offer suggestions. Suzi Smith, the organizer of the Pets for US Vets program, said

the 2011 Furry Fall Festival was particularly important to her. “I felt that this year’s event would be next to impossible for me toorganize. In the beginning of the year, we learned my dad hadincurable cancer and had only months to live. By the end of May, he was gone. But I decided that the 2nd Annual Furry Fall Festivalwould be in honor and memory of dad, a World War II Marine; andall of our veterans past and present. It would be a day to rememberthe sacrifices made by those individuals who have kept and continueto keep us safe… Plus this year the hero dogs of 9/11 will behonored. Working together in our community to make a differencecontinues to be the goal of 84 Fitness Center and the WashingtonArea Humane Society”So what is a Furry Fall Festival? On October 8, 2011, it was an all

day, lively family event for dogs and their humans. It was a fundraiserfor the vets program and a celebration of patriotism. It took place ata pavilion and ball fields behind the 84 Lumber offices on Route 519.The day included dog walks, patriotic presentations with a publicthank you to all veterans, the Claysville American Legion Post 639Honor Guard presenting arms, the Washington Festival Choralesinging the National Anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a specialmoment to honor the 9/11 Search and Rescue Dogs. A blessing ofthe animals took place with Father Mike Ruffalo of ImmaculateConception Church, along with an exotic bird demonstration byJohn Lege, and a Silly Agility course for dogs and their owners.Raffles, Chinese auctions, Pets for US Vets t-shirts, food and candlesales were also part of the Dog Party. Children got a train ridearound the ball field and photos with the animals. The mostimportant part of the event was the “Meet and Greet” with the petsup for adoption and the raising of money for the Veterans Fund. As our service men and women work through their own traumas,

the situation at the shelter is also heartbreaking. Some of the furryresidents have been there over a year. There are many adult pets thatwould fit easily into a loving home, but sadly some have been passedover many times. They should not spend one more hour in a cagewaiting for someone to love them, nor should a veteran spend onemore day fighting their private demons from the battlefield. Thisprogram helps heal all the heroes. It’s not often that you have awin/win situation for all involved. Cats were placed in the Pharaoh’s tombs to help them journey to

the spiritual world in safety. Some religions believe when an owner isill, an animal can actually take on the illness to help in the healing.Medical studies have shown that the simple stroking of a pet canlower heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure. Watching fishin an aquarium has similar effects. It is both soothing and meditative.Imagine that effect on soldiers suffering from PTSD. Having a petalso facilitates social interaction and brings people together with acommon interest. Our service men and women need all the help andcompassion they can get to resume their normal civilian lives. 84Fitness and the Humane Society understand the great importance of“pet therapy.” Even though the Furry Fall Festival is over for this year, you can

still adopt an animal or tell a friend about the Washington HumaneSociety special Veterans Fund. You would be doing a great service toboth the animals and vets who really need your help. You canvolunteer or donate to the “VeteransFund” to keep the program goingthroughout the year. TheWashington Area HumaneSociety’s contactinformation is: P.O. Box66. Eighty-Four, PA15330; 724.222.7387.You can also call 84Fitness Center at724.228.8855, and thankLynn Osborn, themanager, for donating theball fields for the DogParty, and Suzi Smith, whois working diligently to bepart of the solution!

By Judith Schardt


Obediencedemonstrations bythe OG West PennSchutzhund Club.

Demi Blairand Arnie

Sharon Gouldingand Lucas alongwith Carly Blairand Bobby Jo

WashingtonArea HumaneSocietyVolunteer,Rene Beckand Dodger

Christy andBella Fennell

Lilly, Natalie andJessica Beadlingwith their dog Cindy

Sadie is upfor adoption

Brandon Ripperand Nugget

Isla Skye

Photos by Debbie Mountain

Maddie Micjanand Cinderella

Buddies hangingout together at theFurry Festival

Shorty andSassy Moore intheir stroller

Sue and DennyMartin with Sassy

Cyndy Blackhurstand Ford

Ed Barr andhis dog Kona

John Collisand Bear

Obediencedemonstrations bythe OG West PennSchutzhund Club.


anonsburg Senior Center is a bright, friendly place for anyone over the age of 60 whowould like to have a nice meal, get a little exercise in, visit with others and maybe evenplay a card game or two. The center located on East Pike Street is open Monday

through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for area residents to interact with others in their agegroup and engage in healthy activities. “It’s important for people to get out and spend time withother people," said center coordinator Jerri Dire.

When the center opens at 8 a.m., visitors are served coffee and doughnuts. Then according toDire, many of the visitors like to engage in Wii Bowling for a little exercise. If they are soinclined, there is a workout room with three machines, a treadmill, a stationary recumbentbicycle and an elliptical machine. Another favorite around the center is dartball, a baseball gameplayed on a wooden dartboard.

Senior visitors to the center also regularly engage in playing cards, (mostly pinochle andeuchre) and enjoy bingo every Wednesday. Every day from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. a meal isoffered for a $2 donation. “The food is really good,” says Dire, “and they have a variety of thingslike spaghetti, pot roast and hamburgers.” The meals are planned by a dietician who makes surethat they are nutritionally balanced and delicious.

The center is funded by the state Area Agency on Aging and also the Aging Services ofWashington County. Each month Dire invites informational speakers to come and talk onhealth subjects of interest to the group such as getting sound sleep, blood pressure, exercise andnutrition. Dire also tries to schedule day trips for the seniors which frequently include trips tothe casino. “It’s one of their favorite things to do,” says Dire.

In addition to all of the beneficial activities for seniors, the Canonsburg Senior Center also participates in fundraisers. The senior center members participate annually in theAlzheimer Memory Walk held at Peterswood Park. In addition to the 1 mile walk, they alsosponsor a Chinese Auction and last year raised over $20,000. The center also sponsored abooth with games of chance at the Pennsylvania Bavarian Oktoberfest held in September in downtown Canonsburg.

Dire says that approximately fifty seniors attend the lunches held at the senior center every day,providing an excellent opportunity for older residents to meet others and form friendships.Many of the center visitors are unable to drive, but Dire explains that Washington Ridesprovides shuttle service to the center for anyone over the age of 60. “For other destinations,individuals must be 65, but to come to the center they only have to be 60,” says Dire.

Dire also adds that they are always in need of volunteers to help with serving coffee in the mornings and lunch at noontime to their visitors. Although many of the volunteers tend to be middle-aged, they readily accept help from young people who are working on service projects or school-related projects.

Anyone over the age of 60 interested in becoming a member of the Canonsburg Senior Center can join for $5 per year. The center may be contacted at 724.745.5443. (The center does not currently operate a website).

By Pamela Palongue

Frances Toth &Dorothy Sifinski


Donna Arlington & Rozella Beegle


The wonder of this holiday season was celebratedwith Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company’s 28th annualfull-length performance of “The Nutcracker.” PYBCstands alone in bringing to the Pittsburgh area thebrilliant, timeless, and unrivaled choreography ofGeorge Balanchine’s ©”Snowflakes.” PYBC’s “TheNutcracker” is a family tradition for many.

The show garnered fantastic reviews from familiesand critics alike! Jane Vranish, Dance Critic of thePittsburgh Post- Gazette wrote “One of the Countriestop regional Ballet Companies… PYBC gilds theNutcracker lavishly… a sugary assortment ofcharacters in a remarkably sumptuousproduction… a hothouse of talent that isdeveloping a national reputation.”

This wonderful full length Nutcracker wasperformed at Upper St Clair Theater.

Workshops for Girl Scout and Try It Badges,Patches and workshops along with SeniorCitizen organizational discounts are available.

For tickets and more information visitPittsburgh Youth Ballet’s School andCompany’s website at:www.pybco.org or call 724.969.6900.

Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company “The Nutcracker” Photo by Michael Haritan

Pittsburgh Youth Ballet Company performingin George Balanchine’s© “Snowflakes” ®The George Balanchine Trust.

The Canonsburg Middle School librarymedia center remains on the cutting edge oftoday’s technology to entice students to readand acquire more knowledge, which include QR codes.

Amy Barbarino, the library mediaspecialist, and Julie Gaetano, a seventh gradelanguage arts teacher, are collaborating on aspecial project involving QR codes. A QR code(meaning quick response code) is a type of two-dimensional code designed to be read bysmartphones, according to Wikipedia. The codeconsists of black modules arranged in a squarepattern on a white background.

Created by Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994, the QR code was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. Thetechnology has seen frequent use in Japan and South Korea as well as the UnitedKingdom. Now, it has arrived in the UnitedStates. Consumers may see these codes onHeinz ketchup bottles, advertisements andother products.

At the beginning of the project, two studentswrote book trailers for particular books theylike such as the popular series Midnighters byScott Westerfield, The Lost Hero by RickRoirdan or Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.The technology is similar to how televisionpromotes movie trailers for new movies. Thestudents read the book, storyboard the plan,determine a mood and then use Windows moviemaker to capture the images. Now they workon QR codes individually.

The application is free on the Web but theschool purchased two I-Pod touches to see the productions. Barbarino, who has been atthe middle school 13 years, saw this technologyused last year at a conference. She partneredwith Gaetano, who has been with the middleschool nine years, and asked Dr. Greg Taranto,middle school principal, to start the project.

Dr. Taranto said the reason he approves ofthe project is “The QR code is part of strivingfor technology integration at our school. It started with Web 1.0 with smartboards and projectors where the teachers presentinformation. Web 2.0, like QR code, is thetechnology in the students’ hands. They are the google generation and they are using technology.”

“The students are excited about the QRtechnology and using this product,” saidBarbarino. “They work on it at home to dosome editing and producing of the videos.”

Some of the trailers have appeared on thedaily morning announcements at the school andBarbarino has seen an increase in those booksbeing checked out. “The book trailer is like ateaser for them and they want to check out thebook now,” said Barbarino.

Gaetano said the two collaborate all thetime. “It is equal work,” she said. “We are co-teaching. Amy is so adept with the technology

QR Code for @theCMS_lmc

QR Codesat

CanonsburgMiddleSchoolLibrary

There is a link to the trailersunder “Check Out Our Work”

.......

.......42 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE Canon Mac

By Joann Naser


and such a good resource for projects. It seems toneed two teachers to answer questions and figureout the issues.”

One thing they are trying to instill in thestudents that not all information on the WorldWide Web is accurate and appropriate. Ms.Barbarino said, “Students need to develop theirsearching skills and what is the best type ofinformation for a project.”

QR codes can beexpanded so if a studentmissed a science lab it canbe filmed and accessed bythe QR code. If someone istrying to learn a foreignlanguage, a QR code canbe established for wordpronunciations. It can alsobe formatted for listeningto music for a particularinstrument. The QR codetakes them directly to thewebsite from the I phonetechnology.

“The students need to understand digitalcitizenship,” said Taranto. “They need to beproductive and take this type of technology (QR codes) to the next level and not use it in anegative way.”

“Today's libraries need to move beyond justthe physical library,” said Barbarino. “Ourvirtual library, where we provide 24/7 access toresources through our blog is just as important.That's one thing I want to get across to ourstudents during orientation. When they needhomework help while they are away from school,our library media center blog should be one of thefirst places they turn. (The address for the blog ishttp://thecmslmc.blogspot.com/).”

Barbarino has also used glogster.com to getstudents involved in theweb. It is a website thatcreates virtual,interactive posters. Theyalso worked on wikispaces, which are closedchat rooms.

Today’s definition ofliteracy is changing toincorporate the use oftechnology, explainsBarbarino. “Literacy is effectivelycommunicating throughall kinds of media,” she said.

“Students need to think about things in adifferent way and what positive information isavailable to them,” Barbarino concluded. This(the library) is an exciting place to be. There issomething new every day. The students love it andit (QR code production) is helping them readmore. The library is not a quiet zone anymore—that sound you hear is learning.”

Example: Seer of Shadows

Example: The Curse of the Wendigo

.......

AStarry Night

of Celebration

Carol Andrews and MelindaTanner, Peacock Keller Employeesand Off The Shelf Organizers

Amol and AnamikaWith ConsolEnergy’s From EarthTo Moon Display

Many Moons Display byMon Valley Hospital

Outdoor Space,Home OutsideDisplay byPeacock Keller

Douglas R. Nolinand Jonathan G.Higie of Peacock Keller ,Dr. Jay Apt,Former NASAAstronaut

WashingtonCountyCommunityFoundationwith theirSpace, Stars,and TheBeginning ofTime-HubbleTelescopeDisplay

The Bowlby Library Staffwith Their Curious GeorgeGoes to Space Display

First Place Winners, First Federal Savings andLoan Assoc. of Greene County, DisplayingStar Wars, The Empire Strikes Back Book

The Flenniken Library Staff withtheir The Little Prince Display


AStarry Night

of Celebration

Peacock Keller Hosts “Off The Shelf…A Celebration of Books”

Creative table displays full of stars and planets by local Washington,Greene and Fayette County Libraries and businesses made for a uniqueevening of fun at the “Off The Shelf…A Celebration of Books” hosted byPeacock Keller Law Firm. Library lovers came together to display theirinterpretations of their favorite books about space in support of libraries in their communities.

The proceeds from ‘Off The Shelf” went to Washington, Greene and FayetteCounty Libraries and the creation of a One-Library-Card System thatresidents can use at any Washington, Greene and Fayette County Libraries.

“Peacock Keller is committed to helping our local libraries so that they can continue to be a vital center for education, learning programs and the arts in our communities,” said Jonathan G. Higie, Peacock KellerManaging Partner. “Proceeds from Off the Shelf will help fund the creation of a Regional ‘One-Card’ Network with the vision of ensuring that every resident may go to any library in our three-county region and use one library card. This system will increase convenience andaccessibility for library customers as well as add cost savings andefficiencies that will benefit the entire region.”

Besides the judging of the decorated table displays, the event included aChinese auction, dinner and live musical entertainment. The featuredspeaker was Dr. Jay Apt, of The Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School ofBusiness and The Department of Engineering and Public Policy and aformer NASA Astronaut. His accomplishments range from being in spacefor more than 35 days with four space shuttle missions and two spacewalks, to being an author that has sold over 600,000 books in 11lanquages.

Although all participantswere winners forchampioning libraries,First Federal Savings andLoan Association ofGreene County won FirstPlace for Star WarsEpisode V – The EmpireStrikes Back. Along withtheir table display, theydressed up as charactersfrom the book.

“We are so proud to dothis and our entire teamworks so hard to makethis event happen,” saidMr. Higie. “It is a naturalthing for us to professliteracy and educationbecause of the work thatwe do with schooldistricts. It is great tohave the support of oursponsors and thecommunity.”

To learn more aboutPeacock Keller Law Firmor Off The Shelf…ACelebration of Books, visittheir website atwww.peacockkeller.com.

Planets, A Solar SystemStickerbook Author,Ellen Hasbrouk andDaughter Tasha in frontof Fredricktown Library’sdisplay of her book

Bugs in SpaceDisplay byCommissionersTable

The Dan Baker Group

Beth fromR.G. JohnsonCompany withFat Men fromSpace Display

Rebecca Smiley,Citizens Librarian,With Her MissionControl, This isApollo Display


By Kathleen Rudolph


Make Your HomeCleaner&Greener

F

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Peters Township OfficeWaterdam Commons4215 Washington RoadMcMurray, PA 15317

724.941.3340

Cecil 141 Parklane Drive – $265,000Jodie Gallagher – 412.370.9930

Canonsburg427 Bluff Street – $168,900

Terri Ferragonio – 724.747.2924

Canonsburg229 Taylor Drive – $78,000

Susan Accetta – 412.953.0686

Cecil1011 Mayfair – $289,900

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Midway208 Prospect – $169,900

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Canonsburg115 Muse Bishop Road – $65,000

Tom Houpt – 412.327.2893



CANONSBURG

old winter weather is inevitable in Pennsylvania, butyou can make sure your home is warm and toasty bygetting your home ready now for the snowy season.

One important thing to do is to purchasesome non-perishable food items that can be eaten withoutheating in case of a winter power outage. Also, make sure those flashlights have fresh batteries and are in ahandy place.

Make sure that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide(CO) detectors have fresh batteries. CO detectors becomeespecially important in the winter months because ofincreased use of kerosene and gas space heaters, leakingchimneys and furnaces, wood stoves and gas stoves – allsources of carbon monoxide. CO detectors are inexpensiveand install easily.

Next, insulate all exposed water pipes to prevent freezingpipes in the coldest part of winter. Be sure to leave yourheat set to at least 55 degrees if you are going to be awayfrom home for a few days. Consider adding extra insulationto the attic. The U.S. Dept. of Energy recommendsapproximately 12 inches of insulation in attics in Zone 5.One important thing to remember when adding insulation isto avoid insulation with paper backing which will act as avapor barrier and may cause moisture problems.

Seal up foundation cracks and any entry points into yourhome such as crawl spaces. This will deter mice andinsects from coming into your house and also help withheating bills. Use weather resistant caulking for exteriors

and masonry sealer for brick areas. Weather strippingaround doors and caulking around windows will helpprevent cold air from pouring into your home. Plastic maybe used in basement windows for added protection.

If your home has a fireplace, yearly cleaning by achimney sweep is essential; twice a year if the fireplace isused frequently. The buildup of wood resins forms creosoteand can create a combustible fire in the chimney that candestroy an entire home. Make sure that the chimney tophas a grate to prevent small animals such as squirrels fromentering your home through the chimney.

A furnace inspection will not only ensure safety, but helplower heating bills by more efficient use of your furnace.Cleaning the ducts and replacing filters monthly helps yourhome to have cleaner, healthier air. Dirty filters restrict airflow and can potentially cause fires.

One area of your home that may go unnoticed is thegutter spouts. These should be cleaned thoroughly andhosed down before temperatures drop. Leaving gutterspouts clogged with leaves will lead to snow and icebuilding up in the gutters with no way for melting snow todrain, causing possible water damage to your home.

A really easy tip is to reverse your ceiling fan so that theblades turn in a clockwise direction. This will help forcewarm air down into living space, rather than collecting nearthe ceiling.

With a little planning, your home can be safe and warm all winter long, no matter what the temperature outside.

By Pamela Palongue



Academically Speakingwhat’s going on at Our Lady of Grace School

1734 Bower Hill Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15243 • 412.279.6611www.olgscott.net

A Foundation in Gospel Values, Service to the Community, and Academic Excellence.




The Greater Washington Food Bank attempted tocollect more than 567,000 pounds of food in a 24 hourperiod to break the Guinness World Record whilecelebrating its 30th anniversary.

The food bank did so with a huge event featuringconcerts by Lonestar and Donnie Iris. The family funday portion of the event included performances bySynergy School of Artistic Dance by Roz and theSupercyclers Unicycle Club of Canonsburg. Kids andadults could visit many booths with activities, get theirfaces painted or just watch the harness racingexercises on the track.

The funds and food collected during the eventprovided much needed food relief for the patrons ofthe Greater Washington County Food Bank.

Photos by Debbie Mountain

Ryan Bunting, Theresa Vallozzi and Kacey Miller.

UPS volunteers, Shannon Meloan, Bo Luan,

Yangi Weng and Barbara Galvahek

JocelynnMcMurray,Dairy Miss.

Synergy trioRandi Thomas,Jenna Butterfieldand Chloe Smith

SynergyDancer,Nikki Zahn

MC of the event,Joyce Ellis.

For more photos, go towww.facebook.com/ICMags

TexasRoadhouse'sAndy theArmadillo and J.T.Mowery.

Sarah Heisey,Kayla Frattini andAmanda Harmonof Eat N Park.

Dilyn Stevenson,

Emily Vaski,

Amanda Cole an

d Jessica Cole

Rosalynn Cruz, Owner

/Director of

Synergy School of Arti

stic Dance

by Roz in Canonsburg

Michele Smicknick and Geri Pergola of Citizens Bank


Synergy Dancers andsupporters.

Donald Carter,

George Werry,

Donald Henderson

and Gary Woodruff

of the Washing

County Farm

Bureau.

Becky and

Braden

McCormick.

Bob Jones receivinga donation



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