June 2011 - Allegheny West Magazine

June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 3

4 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

Proud to Serve
Our Neighborhoods
for the Past
12 Years
RIGHT: The annual art show at
West Allegheny High School this
spring showcased a wide variety
of student artwork.
PHOTO BY SHANE ZYSK
“GOOD NEWS ALWAYS, MAILED & DELIVERED FREE, EVERY TIME”
Allegheny West Magazine - West Allegheny Edition, is an all positive, good news publication mailed free into the homes and businesses of
the West Allegheny School District communities of Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, and McDonald to connect communities,
promote people, heighten awareness about the richness of the airport region, and build pride in the western suburbs of Allegheny County.
West Allegheny Edition
VOL. 12, NO. 72, ISSUE 6
JUNE 2011
FEATURES
50 A Fellowship of Flowers
34 Visual Delight:
Raccoon Creek State Park
58 State of the Schools
32 Julie’s Story
40 Focusing on Firearm Safety
SPECIAL SECTIONS
15 West Allegheny School
District Newsletter
53 WACMA Annual Water Report
ABOUT THE COVER
“Lucy” is a hero and so much more. Pictured here with
Billie Jean Morosetti. Story on page 70 .
PHOTO SUBMITTED
COLUMNS
06 Publisher’s Note
10 On the Horizon
26 Library News
28 Around Your Town
31 ACTA Transportation
48 Your Schools
61 Your House & Senate
63 Municipal Roundup
65 Chamber Link
66 Groundwork
68 Sidelines
69 Community Connections
70 Personal Perspective
MORE INFO
Allegheny West Magazine-West Allegheny Edition is published in
February, April, June, August, October, and December, six issues
a year, by Jennette Communications Group, 15 Walnut Street,
Suite 101, Imperial PA 15126. Mailed and distributed free to
residents and businesses in Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale,
Sturgeon, a portion of McDonald, and adjacent areas. Extra
copies available at municipal offices, schools, libraries, stores,
advertisers, hotels, and businesses. Available by mail subscription
for $12 annually. Story ideas welcomed. Community events and
announcements from non-profit groups must be received by the
15th of the month prior to publishing date. Announcements are
limited to 30 words and must include a contact phone number.
Reproduction of any artwork, photographs, or copy prepared by
Allegheny West Magazine is strictly prohibited without written
consent of Jennette Communications Group. Copyright 1999-
2011 Allegheny West Magazine. All rights reserved. Views and
opinions expressed by contributors and/or advertisers are the
responsibility of the contributors and not those of the publisher of
Allegheny West Magazine.
The Findlay Activity Center sits at the site of the original train station
where passengers would embark and disembark from the train that ran on
the old Montour Railroad, now the Montour Trail.
TO REACH US
15 Walnut Street, Suite 101, Imperial, PA 15126
Phone: 724.695.3968 Fax: 724.695.2089
E-Mail: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net
www.alleghenywestmagazine.com
PUBLISHING TEAM
PUBLISHER AND EDITOR
Pat Jennette, APR
PHOTOGRAPHERS
G. Paul DeBor,
Dave Knoer, Christopher Rolinson
WRITERS
Kiley Brady, Kaitlin Busch,
Dick Glovier, Jocelyn Grecko,
Jessica Harman,
Heather Schiefer Murray
ADVERTISING SALES
Michele Shrader
GRAPHIC DESIGN
DeVonna Stephens
WEBMASTER
www.ddswebdesign.com
INTERNS
Amy Crawford, Shane Zysk
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE
Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce
Findlay Township, North Fayette Township
Oakdale Borough, McDonald Borough, West Allegheny School
District, North Fayette Garden Club, Western Allegheny
Community Library, Erma Dodd
OUR OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Jennette Communications Group also publishes the
Montour Edition of Allegheny West Magazine, and
the Moon Edition of Allegheny West Magazine.
MEMBER:
WE PROUDL
OUDLY Y SPONSOR AND SUPPORT:
The Western Allegheny Community Library Capital Building
Campaign and the Annual Christmas Drive-Through Light-Up
Display in Clinton Park
Allegheny West Magazine partners with Knepper Press in Clinton
to print its magazines. Knepper Press purchases wind energy credits
to offset 100% of its electricity usage, energy which is used to print
our magazines. We are also committed to recycling our used and
leftover products by sending them to Shared Acres, a Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) program in Findlay Township, of which
we are a member.
We encourage our readers to be responsible and dispose of this
magazine when finished enjoying it. Consider passing it along to
someone else, or placing it in your neighborhood recycling bins.
Thank you in advance for doing your part for our earth.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 5

PUBLISHER’S
Note
HEARTFELT SUPPORT ALL AROUND . . .
When one of West Allegheny’s own needs help, it goes without saying that
so many people come out with immeasurable support. Once again, the West
Allegheny family has poured its heart and soul into fundraising efforts,
prayers, and support for young Julie Hanczar, a 17-year-old student who was
in a serious car accident this past spring. Read Julie’s story on page 32. Our
cover is a story that should make one feel teary-eyed. Read the story on page
70 so beautifully presented by our resident columnist, Erma Dodd, to see how
Lucy, the Morosetti family’s pet canine, saved their lives when their home
burned down.
I don’t know about you, but I bet the majority reading this will agree that
everyone’s smiling now that the persistent rains have finally stopped and
warm weather is here.
So, take advantage of the dozens of wonderful community activities in this issue. From concerts
in the parks to car cruises, steak fries, and bike rides, it’s time to get outside and relish those blue
sunny skies!
Enjoy this issue! Happy Summer!
NEXT
ISSUE
DEADLINE:
JULY 18th
(West Allegheny
Edition)
Pat Jennette, Publisher & Editor
6 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 7

8 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

OUR
Advertisers
As with every issue, your community businesses are the reason for the publication of Allegheny West Magazine. Please support these businesses. Their
support allows us to mail this magazine, free, into the households of Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, and portions of McDonald as a
community service.
Advantage HVAC, p. 67, 724. 695.1985. www.advantagehvac.org
Affordable Tent & Awning, ins. fr. cover, 412.299.8500, www.affordabletentandawning.com
Allegheny West Eye Care, p. 41, 724. 695.3371, www.alleghenywesteyecare.com
All State Insurance-Jeff Myers, p. 30, 412.787.0710
Aunt Mini’s Storage Center, p. 30, 724.695.8700
Bob’s Diner, p. 67, 412. 695.7400
Boni Orthodontics, p.48, 724.695.3545, www.boniorthodontics.com
Business Legal, p. 64, 724.693.0588, www.businesslegal.net
Carol Leone, Inc., p. 30, 412.262.1638, www.carolleones.com
Carousel Kennel, p. 30, 724.683.0794, www.carouselkennel.com
Center for Organ Recovery (CORE), p. 67, 888.DONORS.7, www.core.org
Choice Chiropractic, p. 10, 412.424.0019, www.choicechiropractic.net
Clearview FCU, p. 8, 1.877.230.4508, www.clearviewfcu.org
Clinton Wesleyan Church, p. 64, 724.695.7076, www.clintonwesleyan.org
Computers Pittsburgh, p. 52, 412.708.3231, www.computerspgh.com
Cool Home Improvements, p. 7, 412.262.1140, www.coolhomeimprovements.com
Cornerstone Tonidale, p. 61, 412.787.1125
Covenant Family Church, p. 67, 724.263.7147, www.covfamchurch.org
Davey Tree, p. 27, 724.746-8852, www.davey.com
DDS Web Design, p. 61, 412.965.0688, www.ddswebdesign.com
DiSanti, Dr. Judy, D.M.D., p. 67, 412.264.6229, www.coraopolisdentist.com
Eagle Medical Equipment, p. 42, 724.218.1051, www.pittmedicalsupply.com
Felicite Day Spa, p. 38, 412.788.4772, www.felicitedayspa.com
Findlay Township, p. 7, 724.695.0500, www.findlay.pa.us
First Steps Pediatrics, p. 41, 412.788.1999, www.fspkids.com
Fitness for Life, p. 30, 724.695.2239, www.mkfitness4life.com
Heritage Valley Health System, bk. cover, 877.771.4847, www.heritagevalley.org
Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield, p. 3, 412.544.4900, www.highmarkdirect.com
Holy Trinity, p. 27, 412.787.2656, www.htsfestival.org
Imperial Tax & Accounting, p. 48, 724.695.7354, www.imperialtaxandaccounting.com
Installations Plus, Inc., p. 49, 724.693.9998
Janoski’s Farm & Greenhouse, p. 62, 724.899.3438, www.janoskis.com
JT Landscaping, p. 66, 724.693.2793, www.jtlandscaping.com
Keystone Rehabilitation, p. 39, 724.695.5661, www.physiocorp.com
Kovach Body Shop, p. 62, 724.926.8706
LaStone Therapy by Michelle, p. 62, 412.809.9809
Lazarowicz & Associates, p. 42, 412.299.7390
Liechti, Fred E., JD, CPA, p. 62, 412.787.5280
Luther Dentistry, p. 30, 412.788.6300, www.pittsburghlaserdentist.com
Mac’s Landscaping, p. 57, 724.612.2926
McDonald VFD, p. 13, 724.926.9190, www.mcdonaldfire.com
Med-Fast Pharmacy, inside back cover, 1.800.961.0761, www.diabetesoutlet.com
Medical Group Robinson, p. 4 & 29, 412.490.2500, www.medicalgrouprobinson.com
Meyers, Tom Plumbing, p. 46, 724.693.2880
Montour Dental, Dr. Picciano, p. 12, 412.787.3366, www.montourdental.com
Montours Presbyterian Church, p. 37 & 45, 412.787.1050, www.montourschurch.org
Moody Funeral Home, p. 39, 724.695.0411
Mr. Rooter Plumbing, p.49, 1.877.ROOTER2, www.rooter2.com
MTO Clean, p. 41, 412.809.9300, http://allegheny.mtoclean.com
My Laundromat, p. 45, 724.227.0513
North Fayette Parks & Recreation, p. 43, 412.788.4888, www.north-fayette.com
Oakdale Foot & Ankle Center, p. 39, 412.787.8380, www.oakdalepodiatrist.com
Oakdale U.P. Church, p. 27, 724.693.8950
Padgett Business Services, p. 27, 412.458.0639, www.padgettbusinessservices.com
Papaya Restaurant, p. 47, 412.494.3366, www.papayarestaurant.net
Park West Supply, p. 6, 412.787.8235, www.poarkwestsupply.com
Paverite, p. 57, 412.264.8404, www.paverite.net
Pgh. Airport Area Chbr. of Commerce, p. 65, 412.264.6270, www.paacc.com
Pgh. Comfort Tech, p. 57, 412.788.8654, www.pittsburghcomforttech.com
Pgh.’s Pa. Motor Speedway, p. 41, 724.279.7223, www.ppms.com
Pgh. Technical Institute, ins.fr.cov., 1.800.784.9675, www.pti.edu
Pgh. Zoo & Aquarium, p. 52, 412.665.3640, www.pittsburghzoo.org
Play Academy, p. 29, 412.299.0616, www.play-academy.org
Polidor Family Dentistry, p. 36, 724.695.8447
Pustover Financial Services, p. 29, 724.695.8885, www.pustoverfinancial.com
Richard Felser Company, p. 38, 724.728.0988, www.richardfelser.com
Robinson Self Storage, p. 29, 412.809.0900, www.robinsonstorage.com
Rohm Dental Offices, p. 67, 724.695.2100, www.drjohnrohm.com
Rudolph, Joseph P., M.D., p. 3, 412.653.4900
Self Storage of North Fayette, p. 52, 724.695.8875
St. Clair Hospital, p. 11 & 25, 412.942.4000, www.stclair.org
Thomas Studio of Dance, p. 66, 412.787.7686, www.thomasdance.com
Thomas-Little Fun. Svcs., p. 29, 724.926.2800, www.thomas-littlefuneralservice.com
Today’s Hair, p. 12, 724.695.0478
Tonidale Pub, p. 61, 724.307.3019
Tri-State Plumbing, p.68, 412.787.9177, www.tri-stateplumbingandheating.com
Up in Arms Tattoo, p. 67, 724.695.1313, www.upinarmstattoo.com
Valley Boys Pizza, p. 67, 724.899.2122
Valley Presbyterian Church, p. 47, 724.695.0300, www.valleychurchweb.com
West Allegheny Inline Hockey, p. 45, www.wainlinehockey.com
West Allegheny Soccer Boosters, p. 37, 724.693.2536
West Allegheny School District, p. 15, 724.695.3422, www.westasd.org
Western Allegheny County Municipal Authority, p. 53, 412.788.4337
Wharton-Herrick Funeral Home, p. 64, 724.695.7332
Willows, The, p. 8, 1.888.219.4105, www.integracare.com
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 9

on the horizon
Senior Groups in the
West Allegheny Area
Oakdale Community Center
Contact: 724.693.8540
Findlay Senior Citizens
Contact: 724.695.0500
North Fayette Senior Citizens
Contact: 724.693.3118 or 412.788.4888
St. Columbkille Senior Citizens
Contact: 724.695.7325
Karen Prunzik's Broadway Performing Arts will present its
spring musical production highlighting some of Hollywood's
greatest songs and dances, “LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!”
on June 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the newly remodeled West
Allegheny High School theater. Call (412) 920-1841.
Ohio River Trail Council (ORTC) and Western Pennsylvania
Wheelman (WPW) have formed a partnership to develop a
Trail Ride Series for the tri-state region. Twice-monthly
rides will be held along rail-trails. A ride on the Montour Trail
will be held on September 3. Call (724) 728-2625, or visit
the We b site at w ww.ohiorivertrail.org.
Western PA Kidney Support Group meets on Sundays from
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the King’s Restaurant in Imperial. For
more information, call (724) 796-1603.
Heritage Public Library in McDonald will hold scrapbooking
sessions, 6 to 10 p.m., on June 24 and July 29. Cost is
$10. Contact Patti Greenawalt, or (724) 344-8713.
Coraopolis Kiwanis Annual Steak Fry is Tuesday, July 12,
Rotary Shelter, Moon Township Park, 5-7:30 p.m. Steak
dinner with all the trimmings are $16; or hotdog dinners
with all the trimmings are $7. Proceeds benefit Kiwanis
service projects. Contact Jackie Smith, ESB Bank,
(412) 264-8862 or John Miller, (412) 264-8553.
Free Pet First Aid Class will be held on Saturday, June 11,
1 to 5 p.m., at the Bridgeville Public Library. This is a fourhour
certification class, in conjunction with the Bridgeville
Public Library’s grand opening. Free 90-minute skills
classes also will be offered on Saturday, July 16, 11 a.m.
to 12:30 p.m., in Robinson Township, and Monday, August
8, 6 to 7:30 p.m., in Carnegie. Contact Deb Chebatoris,
Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation, (412) 220-7800, located
at 442 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville.
Western Area YMCA
Beginning June 15, the Western Area Y will offer a 10 and Under
Tennis Clinic on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until noon. The clinic will be
open to children age 4-10. Contact Bob Schmitt for further information,
(412) 787-9622.
Western Area YMCA is now on Facebook – Like our page so that the Y can keep
fans up to date on all of its new and exciting programs. The Y will also be sharing
tips for fans and their families on healthy living, youth development, and social
responsibility.
Teen Strength and Conditioning (7 through 12 grade only) - Trainer class will
focus on strength, balance, and agility while using kettle bells, weights, and
battling ropes. All fitness levels welcome from beginner to athlete.
Teen Hip Hop/Zumba (7 through 12 grade only) - A calorie burning dance party
designed specifically for teens of all fitness levels, shapes, and sizes.
New turbo KICK class combines intense kickboxing and dance moves all perfectly
choreographed to high energy music. All genders and fitness levels welcome.
Volunteers Needed at Focus On Renewal for eBay
fundraising site. Duties include helping with donations
(sorting new and gently used clothing, taking pictures
of the items and writing descriptions about the
listings), which will be posted and sold on eBay.
Youth v olunteers c an e arn community service hours .
Contact Chr is C rytzer, ccr ytzer@forstorox.org o r
(412) 771-6460 x 305. Every item purchased benefits
programs a nd s ervices o ffered b y F ocus O n
Renewal. FOR is being assisted in its eBay
fundraising by Margie Rose of Windgap, who owns
and operates Inspired By Angels Imports.
West Hills Symphonic Band presents
upcoming concert s: Friday, June 17 ,
Oakdale Town Center 7 p.m.; Friday,
August 5, North Fayette Community
Park, 7 p.m. The WHSB performs
outreach concerts for many local
events. Organizations interested in
hosting an outreach concert, contact
Principal Conductor/Music Director
Clem Rolin, (412) 788-4713.
Saturday, September 10 -
MTC 1/2 Marathon,
5K & 5K Walk
Saturday, September 24 -
Tour the Montour
helping others
Let us know about a
project or event that helps
others. We will post it
here. These are always
free listings.
(724) 695-3968 or e-mail:
alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net
10 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 11

on the horizon
2 TICKETS
FOR SALE:
Three Dog Night Concert!
Saturday, July 16
EXCELLENT S EATS!
HALF-PRICE!
724.695.0051
FINDLAY
Babysitting 101 - Monday, June 20, 9 a.m. to
3 p.m. (bring your own lunch), Findlay Township
Activity Center, 310 Main Street, lower level,
Imperial. For 11 to 13-year olds. Learn basic
childcare, how to handle emergencies, and how
to keep themselves and the children in their care
safe. Participants receive a certificate upon
completion of class. Wear comfortable clothing;
no dresses or skirts. Sponsored by Children’s
Hospital Community Education Department, preregistration
is a must. Cost is $35, payable to
Findlay Township, (724) 695-0500.
Friday Scrapbooking Workshops - Tools and
cropping station available for participants’ use,
supplies available for purchase, light refreshments
served, bring own beverage, Findlay
Activity Center, Main Street, Imperial, July 8,
August 12, September 9, November 11. $10
per workshop, 6 p.m. to midnight. Payment due
the night of the workshop,
(724) 307-3333.
Line Dancing - Learn dance steps, get great
exercise, have fun. Classes run Wednesdays,
6:30-8 p.m., Findlay Activity Center, through
July 27. (724) 695-0500.
Rollin’ & Strollin’ Stories in the Park - Western
Allegheny Community Library and Findlay
Township are p artnering to bring two special
morning summer programs at Oriole Pavilion in
Clinton Park. Take a 20 to 30-minute walk, then
relax with your child during a snack and a story.
In the event of rain, the walk will be cancelled
and storytime will be held in the pavilion. Dates
are June 23 and July 28, walk at 10 a.m., story
time at 11 a.m. Instructor is Amanda Kirby, WACL
children’s librarian.
Time for Toddlers - Children who turned two by
last September 1 can come to the Findlay Activity
Center, Main Street, Imperial, for an hour of
movement, activities, and a snack. Meet with
other families. Next sessions are June 28; July
5, 19, 26; August 2, 9. Time: 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.
Cost is $3 per session. An adult must stay with
the child. Call (724) 695-0500 to register.
Summer Kids Creative Cooking - Two summer
sessions. P lease p re-register a t l east t wo d ays
before class so that the presenters can be
prepared with food and supplies. This program is
for youth that just completed kindergarten
through grade five. Sessions are Thursdays,
July 7 and August 4, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Findlay Activity Center, Main Street, Imperial.
Cost is $8 per class for residents or $10 for
non-residents.
Music Time Productions - This unique
educational company utilizes the power of
music to teach children the fundamentals of
counting, colors, letters, safety, self-esteem,
manners, and more. ToddlerTime classes are
offered for children 12 months to three years
old at the Findlay Activity Center on Fridays,
June 10 - July 15 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Each
half-hour session during the six-week
program incorporates large and small motor
activities, rhythmic activities, and age
appropriate instruction of basic sign language
and Spanish. Weekly half-hour classes are
designed for parent/guardian and child to
participate in together. For more information or
to register, call (412) 341 - 6742.
Junior Tennis Clinic - A five-week program that
provides ba sic i nstruction su ch as ra cquet
technique, volleying skills, and drills. Participants
provide their own racquet. Clinics are
June 13, 20, and 27, July 11 and 18 at Elm
Street Park tennis courts in Imperial, 10 to 11
a.m. for youth ages 7 and up. Cost is $35.
Instructor is David Johnston, CPR-USNTA
certified. Call (724) 695-0500.
IMPERIAL
FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS
If anyone has an old car, truck, camper, or
boat that they would like to donate to the
fire department for training purposes,
please call Bob at (724) 695-8845. Titles
need to accompany the vehicles.
The annual Firemen’s Parade will be held
on Friday, June 10, 7 p.m. A street fair will
follow at the Imperial Station.
Members are selling $5 raffle tickets for
the day and evening numbers for the 4th of
July. Winners will receive a $1,000 gas
card. Call (724) 695-8845 to buy tickets.
12 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

NORTH FAYETTE
This summer the Recreation Department is
sponsoring Summer Playground (June 9),
Tennis (Tuesday & Thursday starting June
21), Shooting Stars Basketball Camp (June
13-17, off for Kennywood), Little Dribblers
(June 27-30), Shooting Clinic (June 27-30)
and Coach Cornell’s Baseball Camp (June
20-23).
Programs at Hankey Farms Pool include
swim lessons starting Saturday, June 11 and
Monday, June 13, and special events which
include Teen Night (June 22), Hawaiian Day
(July 12), Game Night (July 27), and Adults
only (August 2).
The Parks and Recreation Board is having
its Swim Party and a Movie Night, Saturday,
July 9 (“How to Train Your Dragon”), while
the North Fayette Police Department will
sponsor a free family swim Monday, July 11 .
Summer pre-school camp begins June 20
and offers six one-week sessions.
The P.A.L.S. organization is sponsoring a
summer program on Fridays at North Fayette
Township Park starting at 6 p.m. P.A.L.S. is
also having its first charity golf outing on
Saturday, August 27 at Quicksilver Golf Club.
Community Days applications are being
accept for this year ’s event August 5 and 6.
Applications to have a group, team, or
organization participate in the parade on
Thursday, August 4 also are available.
For more information, or to register for
programs or events, contact North Fayette
Parks and Recreation, (412) 788-4888,
extension 118 or (724) 693-3118. O r,
e-mail rbrozovich@north-fayette.com, visit
North Fayette Parks and Recreation on
Facebook, or visit the recreation link at
www.north-fayette.com.
McDONALD
McDonald Trail Station is open 10 a.m. to
3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through
October. Available is a rental hall for up to 80
people, a historical center about the McDonald
area, and a gift shop. Also available is
information about the Panhandle and Montour
Trails plus other sites in western Pennsylvania.
The Trail Station is located at 160 South
McDonald Street in McDonald. Call (724) 926-
2861.
McDonald Trail Station Annual Flea’tique is
Saturday July 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Vendors
and crafts, hotdogs/popcorn/drinks. Other
food people welcome. Spaces are $15. RSVP
by July 15. Make checks payable to MARA.
Applications available at First Commonwealth
Bank, Heritage Library, and the McDonald
Trail Station, or call Alice at (724) 926-4617.
OAKDALE
West Hills Symphonic Band, Friday, June 17,
7 p.m., in the parking lot adjacent to the
Children’s Art Show by The Rock and Oakdale
Inn.
Children’s Art Show is Friday, June 17 at 6:30
p.m. at The ROCK. This juried art show for
artwork by children ages 4-18 still in school is
open to the public. For information, (724) 693-
2777.
Oakdale Hose Company Street Fair is July 23
and then July 25-30.
June 2011 Allegheny West Magazine 13

on the horizon
The Early Learning Institute’s Ohio
Valley Learning Center, Kennedy
Township, is enrolling for fall.
Programming is available for
children ages two to five. Parents
are able to choose specific days
on a full or half day schedule.
Potty-training not required. Summer
camp programming is also
available. Call (412) 331-3560 or e-
mail barbarapergar@telipa.org.
The ROCK Day Camp offers a sixweek
Christian-based summer day
camp program for children five
years old having finished kindergarten
through fifth grade completion.
The camp runs June 20 through
July 29 with weekly themes: Week
1 - Mad Scientist Week, Week 2 -
Land Before Time Week, Week 3 -
Knights in Shining Armor Week,
Week 4 - Under the Sea Week,
Week 5 - Wacky & Wonderful Week,
and Week 6 - Camp ROCK’s Got
Talent Week. Choose as many or as
few we eks a s des ired. C ost for
each week of camp, held Monday
through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
is $70 for ROCK Members and $85
for non-ROCK members. A ROCK
member wa s a c hild who r egistered
with the ROCK’s after school
program during 2010-2011 season.
Extended camp hours are offered
from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for an
additional $15 per week. The week
of July 4 will only be held Tuesday
through Friday due to holiday and
the festivities being held at The
ROCK and downtown Oakdale. A
$10 non-refundable deposit for
each week to register a child is due.
Camp reservations are on a first
come, first served basis.
First Baptist Church of McDonald
celebrates its 125 th anniversary on
Saturday, June 25, 11 a.m. to 8
p.m., with food, music, line dancing,
and fun for all ages. Festivities
continue on Sunday, June 26 w ith
11 a .m. w orship w ith R everend
Lance Whitlock followed by a
banquet at the Cornerstone at
Tonidale at 3 p.m. Call (724) 926-
4216 or visit
www.fbcmcdonald.org.
McDonald Sportsmen’s Association
Gun Bash is Saturday, July
30 with all you can eat and drink,
20 guns on the ticket. Winner
need not be present. For tickets,
call (412) 498-9977.
14 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011
Collier Friends of the Panhandle Trail Rock the Quarry
2011 annual fundraiser is Friday, August 26, 5 to 10
p.m., and Saturday, August 27, noon to 10 p.m., on
the Panhandle Trail between Walker’s Mill and
Rennerdale. I nformation, v isit www.panhandletrail.org.
The Slovene National Benefit Society will present
Perpetuum Jazzile , an accapella sensation from Slovenia,
to the United States for a tour to celebrate the 20 th
Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of
Slovenia. The group will perform at the Stewart Morgan
Auditorium, West Allegheny High School, Wednesday,
June 22, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each (plus a small
surcharge) and can be purchased by visiting the Web
site, www.snpjimperialpa.com. To learn more about the
group, visit i ts We b site, www.perpetuumjazzile.com.
Car Cruises return to the SNPJ Lodge 106 parking Lot
every other Sunday starting on June 12. The Lodge 106
parking lot will be full of classic cars, motorcycles, oldies
music, and more. Car cruises start at noon. Ruth will
once again prepare a wonderful buffet of food for sale.
There will be door prize raffles and 50/50 drawings.
Anyone with a classic car or bike that would like to
show it off is welcome to come to the lodge parking lot
and pick a spot.
The Mid-Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Company will
present “PROGRESSION,” the continuation of extraordinary
dance by an exciting eclectic contemporary ballet
company, Friday, June 24 at 7 p.m. at the Father Ryan
Arts Center in McKees Rocks. “PROGRESSION” will
consist of a mix of contemporary ballet and modern
dance. Also featured on the program will be advanced
students from the Western Pennsylvania Performing
Arts Company in Greensburg and musical guests. For
more information, visit w ww.macballet.org or e-mail
macballet_holt@live.com.
OAKDALE
4th of JULY
EVENTS
Hosted by Oakdale Borough and The ROCK,
events kick off with a parade on Monday, July
4 at 10 a.m. Please register early before the
parade starts. Prizes will be awarded. Following
the parade, take part in the children’s bike
parade, pet parade, quilt show, cookout,
raffles, and lunch box auction. Free hotdog will
be given to all child participants at The ROCK
Youth & Family Center in downtown Oakdale.
For information, call (724) 693-2777 or e-mail
rock_oakdale@yahoo.com.
GOLF!
Ohio Valley General Hospital Foundation’s
26th Annual Golf Fundrive, Monday,
June 13, Allegheny Country Club. Includes
brunch, cocktails, auction, dinner, awards,
(412) 777-6359.
Montour Boys’ Basketball Golf Outing,
Saturday, July 9, Quicksilver Golf Club,
Shotgun start at 1 p.m., golf, buffet,
beverages, Prizes and more throughout
the event, (412) 877-0358.
Friends of AVS Golf Open, in honor of
Regis G. Champ and his 38 years of
service to Allegheny Valley School,
Monday, August 15, Churchill Valley
Country Club, 10 a.m. registration, 11 a.m.
lunch, noon shotgun start, 6:30 p.m. dinner,
(412) 299-2229 or visit www.avs.net.
7th Annual TC House Golf Outing, Friday,
June 24, to build a group home for young
adults with disabilities, Quicksilver Golf
Club, (412) 736-5783, w ww.tchouse.org
The Fourth Annual Bradley Classic,
Wednesday, September 14 , Quicksilver
Golf Club, 9:30 a.m. registration, lunch,
dinner, (412) 788-8219.
Moon Tigers High School Bowling Team’s
8th Annual 4 Man Scramble Golf
Tournament, Sunday, July 10, The Club at
Shadow Lakes, registration 7:30 a.m.,
(412) 269-9787.
Industrial Landscapes, a Digital Photography
Workshop for Adults, Saturday, July 9 and
Saturday, July 16, 12:30 to 4 p.m. For ages
19 and up, this workshop, taught by
professional photographer Christopher
Rolinson, is a two-day program for adults
looking to improve their photo-taking skills
and learn new tips and techniques including
selecting focal point, establishing
foreground, trying unique points of view,
working with low light, and more, to capture
great images with the equipment they
already own. Cost is $70. Bring own camera
and tripod. Call (412) 771-6460.
Urban Living: People and Places Digital
Photography Workshop for Youth, Saturday,
July 9 and Saturday, July 16, 10 a.m. to 12
p.m. For ages 12-18, this workshop, taught
by professional photographer Christopher
Rolinson, is a two-day workshop for young,
aspiring photographers to learn the
techniques and skills used by professionals
as they take to the urban landscape and
capturing and recording the people and
places that surround them. Cost is $45. Bring
own camera (tripod is optional). Call (412)
771-6460.
Outback Steakhouse Fundraiser to benefit
Western Allegheny Community Library,
Sunday, June 26, noon to 2 p.m. at the
Moon Township restaurant, 1400 Market
Place Boulevard, $15 per person. O r, order
curbside and take out a meal during the
entire month of July. Proceeds benefit the
library. Questions, call the library at (724)
695-8150.

West Allegheny Unveils Virtual Academy
Beginning August 2011, the West Allegheny
School District will offer its own cyber school.
The West Allegheny Virtual Academy will
provide online course offerings consistent with
West Allegheny curricula and course expectations
using synchronous and asynchronous vendors.
Synchronous learning, in which students and
teachers use their computers to go to a virtual
meeting place instead of a classroom, provides
direct instruction and opportunities for asking/
answering questions in real time. Asynchronous
learning is a student-centered teaching method
that provides information through online learning
resources. The teacher and student are not
simultaneously interacting with course content
but working together as a team to meet course
objectives.
Enrollment is based on an agreement between
the school district and the student’s family. The
Virtual Academy gives children an opportunity to
complete school work using online curricula at
home while allowing them to participate in extracurricular
activities sponsored by the district.
Additionally, each Virtual Academy high school
student who completes all program requirements
will receive a West Allegheny High School
diploma and qualify to participate in the West
Allegheny Commencement exercises.
Online options will also be available to West
Allegheny High School students pursuing
courses, such as Mandarin Chinese or Advanced
Placement World History, that are not currently
offered at West Allegheny due to lack of student
participation. Similarly, online courses will be
offered to West Allegheny kindergarten through
twelfth grade students who are receiving
homebound instruction due to physical ailments.
In short, the West Allegheny Virtual Academy
will provide multiple, flexible options and
services that will allow students to design custom
cyber solutions to address their unique needs.
Consistent with the district’s mission, the West
Allegheny Virtual Academy will provide online
education in a supportive environment to meet
the diverse needs of individual learners. The
district recognizes that not every student is
successful in a traditional classroom setting. The
West Allegheny Virtual Academy will provide an
alternative educational approach so that all
students can reach their potential.
(Editor’s Note: This article was provided by D r.
Christine Assetta, Assistant to the Superintendent
for Curriculum and Instruction.)
300 Drums Celebrate
Native American Heritage
Wilson fourth grade students (front) Nathan Brierton, Austin Hemminger, (back)
Logan Reed, Trent S talling, and Nick Faulk march into the gym for the “300 Drums”
finale on May 17, 2011. See story on page 14.
15

West Allegheny High School Achieves Project Lead the Way
(PLTW) Certification for New Engineering Program
West Allegheny high school students
are now eligible to receive college level
recognition at Project Lead The Way
(PLTW) affiliate universities for certain
“Pathway to Engineering” courses. West
Allegheny High School received national
certification for the PLTW program it
introduced this year (2010-11). PLTW, a
non-profit organization
offering science, technology,
engineering, and math
(STEM) education, provides a
rigorous curriculum that
allows students to apply what
they are learning in math and
science class to real-life
engineering and technology
projects.
The primary purposes of the
certification program are to recognize
schools that have successfully
demonstrated a commitment to the quality
national standards of the Pathway To
Engineering program and to provide an
opportunity for students to apply for
college credit at PLTW affiliate
universities for selected P LTW courses.
“West Allegheny High School has
demonstrated its commitment to the
quality standards of PLTW’s Pathway To
Engineering program, and the real winners
are West Allegheny students,” said Thor
S. Misko, interim CEO of PLTW.
West Allegheny students can now
receive college-level credit for certain
PLTW courses at Penn State University.
Besides beginning to work toward their
college degree, PLTW students also gain
valuable experience through internships
and learn first-hand from local business
executives who serve as mentors.
Dan Smith, principal of West Allegheny
High School said, “We’ve seen how the
PLTW program draws more students to
engineering and technology courses and
gets them thinking about college and
their career. We are extremely proud to be
PLTW certified and ecstatic that our
students can begin receiving collegelevel
recognition, including credits for
certain P LTW classes. We would not
have been able to introduce and sustain
this program, however, without the
leadership of Mr. Martin Lestander, high
school Engineering & Technology
Education teacher.”
Smith and a team composed of teachers,
staff, students, and members of the
community completed a self-assessment of
the school’s implementation of the
Pathway to Engineering program that
culminated in a site visit by a national
PLTW certification specialist. The
certification team met with teachers,
administration, counselors,
students, and community
representatives and reviewed
student work.
Teachers are a critical component
of the success of the P LTW
program. All teachers are required
to complete an intensive two-week
professional development course
during the summer before they can
teach a PLTW course.
Martin Lestander, Department Chair,
added, “The beauty of PLTW courses is
that our kids get to experience how a
formula they learned in math applies to a
real-world project. In class, there are limited
lectures; kids are building, developing and
creating. That is the kind of hands-on
experience that will engage more students
in fields that they might otherwise never
consider.”
For more information, visit www.pltw.org
or contact Martin Lestander, 724-695-5201,
Ext. 3709 or mlestander@westasd.org.
300 Drums Celebrate Native American Heritage
On May 17, 2011, West Allegheny
fourth grade students from all three
elementary schools converged at
Donaldson Elementary School to form one
of the world’s largest drum circles in the
school gymnasium for the finale of the
“300 Drums” project. Funded through a
$15,000 Grable Foundation Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts, and
Mathematics (STEAM) grant, the project
applies a Native American theme to the
study of sound.
Grant recipients and elementary art
teachers Claire March and Debbie Turici
coordinated the program in conjunction
with the music, technology, and classroom
teachers as well as their community
partners Brad and Kate Silberberg of
Mesa Creative Arts Center.
Highlights included dance demonstrations
presented by the Council of Three
Rivers American Indian Center, student
singing and other drum circle activities
led by music teachers, and student
presentations on the Native American
culture, including poetry, stories, and
history. The program also included
information on the scientific aspect of
the drums.
During this year-long endeavor on the
study of sound, the students have been
involved in various hands-on activities;
i.e., constructing the drums from kits,
learning drum rhythm, digitally recording
an Indian lullaby in the Native American
language, manipulating sound recordings
with Audacity software, and creating
feather and bead craft items.
Videos of the lessons have been recorded
by the high school Videography Department
and will be edited for posting on
YouTube so that other educators may
utilize the idea in their schools.
16

Broadcasting Studio Offers New Opportunities
The West Allegheny High School Video
Department currently offers students an
array of film-making opportunities—
producing independent films, commercials,
documentaries, and instructional videos.
However, their productions reach only a
limited audience—their teacher Michael
Shaffer and his colleagues in the
professional group TVT (Teachers of Video
Technology).
As the head of the Video Department,
Shaffer teaches classes in video production
and digital photography. He assesses the
students’ film work and collaborates with
TVT, which provides a forum to exchange
ideas. Students have an opportunity to
enter their films in the TVT video
competition held at Robert Morris
University to recognize outstanding films.
Safari Montage, a digital media
management and distribution system
acquired this year, has taken the TV studio
to the next level. In addition, an online
broadcast option became available with the
launching of the new WA TV Web site in
May. The first broadcast via the site will be
of the June 3, 2011, Graduation ceremony.
In the new Broadcast Journalism class,
students will produce and present live and
taped television broadcasts of morning
announcements district-wide. With the
addition of this new technology, these
programs, as well as others, will be available
outside the district.
Based on the current videography
curriculum, students learn the technical
Sophomores Savannah Buhite and Alyssa Gratkie view and edit their Video
Production I I p roject.
aspects of video production, including
animation, Green Screen (computer backing
for 3D objects), deck editing, computerediting,
and merging various forms of
media. While many students create
commercials and tape live events
(performing arts, sports, and special
academic programs from the auditorium as
well as offsite), some of the more advanced
students also create independent films and
documentaries. Scenery and mobile sets
were added for live videotaping in the TV
studio as well.
The high school added Digital
Photography to the course offerings for
2010-11. This course introduces students
to professional digital technology as well
as the basic techniques of good
photography. A renovated section of the
TV studio will serve as the photography
studio.
Sixth Graders Earn Medals
in Math Competition
West Allegheny Middle School sixth
grader Trent Michaels won a silver medal
and sixth grader Sai Bhatte won a thirdround
table medal in the sixth-grade
division of the Allegheny County
“Challenge 24” competition held in
Jefferson Hills on April 18, 2011. Also
representing the district were seventh
graders Tommy Burke and Sarthak Bakliwal
and eighth grader Mario Fiordilino. These
students qualified for the county level
event by winning the West Allegheny
Middle School “Challenge 24”
competition.
The rules of “Challenge 24” prohibit
the use of paper, pencils or calculators.
Participants are required to derive the
answer “24” using each of four given
numbers only once and applying any
combination of operations. The activity
was coordinated by seventh grade math
teacher Renee Treonze, who
accompanied the students to the event.
“Challenge 24” math medalists: Trent
Michaels (silver m edal) a nd S ai B hatte
(table medal).
17

Students Study Use of Model Organisms for Genetic Research
West Allegheny High School Biology and science teacher Emily
Wagner worked with a group of teachers and students in a genetics
research lab as part of the Gene Team program at the University of
Pittsburgh last summer. As a result of that experience, she was given
access to the university’s related outreach program involving a class
visit by a Gene Team coordinator.
On May 5 and 6, 2011, Marcie H. Warner, Ph.D. from Pitt’s Department
of Biological Sciences brought microscopes and stereoscopes
as well as research samples, including E. coli, yeast, fruit flies, and
mouse embryos, to the school for a classroom lab entitled “Model
Organisms.” Students were introduced to the term model organism
and learned about the model organisms set up in the classroom.
Working in groups, they examined the characteristics of each model
organism, all the while asking themselves, “If I were a research
scientist, what types of questions could I answer using this particular
organism?” After the students collected their observations, Dr.
West Allegheny s ophomores C atherine S tofan and Kristen
Suchanek exam ine t he stag es of mous e em bryo d evelopment
during the Model Organisms lab.
18
Seniors Take First Place at
2011 Science Olympiad
Neeti Bhatte
Stephen O swalt
West Allegheny High School
seniors Neeti Bhatte and Stephen
Oswalt took first place in the
technical problem solving category
of the Science Olympiad held at
California University of
Pennsylvania on March 30, 2011.
Also representing West Allegheny
were sophomores Deborah Heyl
and Alex Nolte and senior Sarah
Whipkey. West Allegheny
competed against 32 other public or
private high schools, including
Bethel Park, Fort Cherry, Franklin
Regional, Gateway, Norwin, Peters
Township, Trinity, Imani Christian
Academy, and Shady Side
Academy.
The competition consisted of a
variety of science lab stations at
which teams gathered and
processed data to solve a given
problem requiring intermediate
measurements and calculations.
Besides the technical problem
solving category, other events
included anatomy and physiology,
ecology, experimental design,
forensics, and helicopters.
Warner revealed important research discoveries made with each of
the model organisms. (Example: genes controlling embryonic
development were first discovered in the fruit fly and do correspond
to some genes controlling human development.)
Wilson Wins Tournament
The Wilson Elementary School Shooting Stars Team consisting of
Rachel Plocki, Lily Seibel, Jessica Packer, Anissa Clay, and Jackie
Patton won the Battle of the Books Tournament on March 23, 2010.
Their adult team manager was Candace Seibel. Participating teams
from each elementary school were tested on titles, authors, and story
content related to ten books from a designated reading list.
The tournament concluded the Battle of the Books program, which
began in November 2010 and was conducted by elementary librarians
Denise Medwick (McKee), Beth Schultz (Donaldson), and Nancy
Howell (Wilson).
Battle of the Books Tournament winners: Wilson fifth
grade students (sitting) Anissa Clay, Jessica Packer,
(standing) Rachel Plocki, and Jackie Patton (missing from
the photo: Lily Seibel).

Biographies Feature
Adult Role Models
High School sophomores selected a role model, an adult
who had a major impact on their lives, and wrote a biography
of that person in their Honors English class. The students
then hosted a reception on May 12, 2011, to honor the
individuals they wrote about and present them with a written
copy of their biography. Pictured is sophomore Oleg Chubko
with his grandfather Harry Russell Kohl.
Student Named Gold
Medalist for Citizenship
West Allegheny High School senior Victoria Williams was
selected by an independent panel of judges as one of the top
ten gold-medalists for the South and West regions in the
Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s Outstanding Young Citizens
program at a banquet held on April 28, 2011. The ten finalists
were individually commended for their accomplishments,
presented with gold medals, and recognized in an article and a
congratulatory ad in the April 28, 2011, issue of the newspaper.
According to the Tribune-Review, the program “recognizes
young people for giving back to their communities and
demonstrating exemplary character and academic achievement.”
David Johnson of WPXI-TV Channel 11 was the keynote
speaker.
Victoria and two other West Allegheny seniors, Alexis Johns
and Kellie Gervas, were among the top 100 candidates
nominated by their schools based on their character, academic
performance, and community service involvement.
All nominees were included in a special section of the
newspaper featuring their photographs and biographies on
Sunday, April 24, 2011.
West Allegheny Senior Qualifies
for National FBLA Competition
At the Future Business Leaders of
America (FBLA) State Leadership
Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania,
April 4-6, 2011, West Allegheny High
School senior Victoria Williams took
second place in the Client Services
category to qualify for the FBLA
National Leadership Conference in
Orlando, Florida in June 2011. This is the
third consecutive year that someone
from the West Allegheny Chapter of
FBLA has qualified to represent the state
of Pennsylvania at the national level.
Other FBLA members placing in the top
ten at the State Competition included
Jordan Grogan (fourth place, HTML),
Brandon McCracken (fourth place,
Leadership), and the following students
working in teams: Anthony Marucci and
Jonathan Lazarowicz (third place,
Computer Game and Simulation Program-
ming), Dave Kline, Kristen Rohm,
Grace Shields, Josi Sinagoga, and
Shannon Ye (fourth place, Parliamentary
Procedure), and Joey Falcioni
and Jordan Grogan (fourth place, E-
Business).
Also representing West Allegheny
at the state conference were Shubhi
Bakliwal, Derek Faix, Andrew Frank,
Kellie Gervas, Logan Himich, Drew
Honeychuck, Sarah Kidder, Robyn
Lutz, Jesse Nauman, Robert Petrick,
and Christian Rodak. West Allegheny
students were among the 3,800
members who qualified for the
competition in Hershey out of 14,000
FBLA members across the state.
FBLA faculty advisors Dan Marshall
and Pam Volakis coordinated the trip
with help from Chris Lucas, Barb
Lecker, and Julie McGough.
Victoria Williams took second place at the
Future Business Leaders of America
(FBLA) st ate co mpetition an d wi ll re present
West Allegheny at the FBLA National
Conference in Orlando, Florida in June.
19

District Launches Summer Reading Academy
Designed for Elementary School Students
To keep students reading
during the summer months, the
West Allegheny School District
will launch its Summer Reading
Academy in June 2011, at Wilson
Elementary School. The program
will consist of two sessions of six
days each on consecutive
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
The first session is scheduled for
June 21-23 and 28-30, and the
second for July 26-28 and
August 2-4. Program themes
include Up in the Sky and
Beyond!, Animals, Insects, and
Reptiles across the Globe;
Wonders of Mother Nature, and
Deep Sea Diving.
Participation is open to all
students enrolled in kindergarten
through fifth grade during the
2010-11 school year who
registered by May 16, 2011. The
$20 cost per session includes
snacks provided daily. Parents are responsible for transportation. Questions about the
program may be directed to the building principals or Dr. Christine Assetta, Assistant to the
Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.
Donaldson s econd g rade s tudents Jake Pfeffer, Alex Kot, and Maya Salih registered for
the new Summer Reading Academy. Pictured with the students is Michelle Waters,
one of the teachers in the program.
Winning Poem Honors Baseball’s Jackie Robinson
West Allegheny Middle School sixth-grade student
Amanda Beuchat was selected as the third place winner
in the fifth- and sixth-grade category for a poem she
entered in the Pittsburgh Pirates Jackie Robinson Essay
and Poetry Contest. She will be recognized at PNC Park
during an upcoming Pirates baseball game.
Her poem, which focused on the character,
perseverance, and courage of Jackie Robinson who
broke the color barrier in 1947 as Major League
Baseball’s first black American player, was chosen from
over 2,000 entries submitted. Her prizes included two
tickets to a Pirates baseball game, a tour at PNC Park,
food vouchers, a Pittsburgh Pirates Prize Pack, and a
certificate.
Middle School teachers Mary Damratoski, Deana
Mack, Valerie Meehan, and Nancy Watkins encouraged
the students to enter the contest, which was held as part
of the observance of February as Black History Month.
Valerie Meehan, sixth grade social studies teacher, congratulates
sixth gr ader Am anda Be uchat on he r aw ard fo r t aking th ird pl ace i n a
poetry contest sponsored by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
20

Environmental Exercise Explores
Effects of Camouflage in Nature
Middle School students on the sixth grade Shark
team Brooke Wilson, Allison Koester, Ciara
Terabasso, and Hannah Chauvet discuss the
effects of camouflage in nature with Kristen
Martin, middle school language arts teacher, during
the Earthkeepers environmental trip to the Linsly
Outdoor Center near Raccoon Creek State Park on
May 11, 2011. The exercise was called “Can you
find me?” in which one group of students hid
beneath camouflage sheets, leaves, and branches
while another group tried to locate them visually
with depth and color perception limitations.
All sixth grade students participate in the
Earthkeepers program, which consists of an
overnight trip to the park. During their stay they
learn to become stewards of the Earth through a
number of environmental experiences. Activities
include a study of wildlife habitats, an introduction
to Native American customs and crafts, and the
construction of birdhouses.
Slam Dunk Demonstration Discourages Bullying
The West Allegheny Middle School Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
(OBPP) continues to communicate anti-bullying messages throughout the
school year with activities like the Sky Dunk assembly presented by Sky’s the
West Allegheny Middle School students Garrett Schultz, Dylan Nauman,
Stephanie Ward, Janell Lulkovitz, Tanatswa Sambana, and Brandon Rossi
participated in the kickoff assembly for the Olweus Bullying Prevention
Program.
Limit Entertainment on April 26, 2011. This company
uses sports entertainment to promote a positive
attitude and encourage students to take advantage
of their time in school to set goals and make good
decisions.
Incorporating a basketball theme into his presentation,
the program’s coordinator Alain Anderson
emphasized the importance of an education and
stressed the necessity for respect in all relationships
while demonstrating his expertise in acrobatic
slam-dunking. He especially impressed his audience
with a half-court shot, which resulted in a $100 prize
award won by sixth grader Mike Priddy.
Middle school principal Richard Smith received a
PA CARES (Creating an Atmosphere of Respect and
Environment for Success) Grant through the
Highmark Foundation’s Healthy High 5 initiative last
year to launch the program, which underscores the
district’s commitment to assure a safe learning
environment for all students.
Besides assembly presentations, the program
includes regular discussions and activities during
the year emphasizing the school’s anti-bullying
slogan, “Take a Stand, Lend a Hand—Help Stop
Bullying!”
21

Children’s Author Visits Elementary Schools;
Demonstrates Illustration Process
Kevin O’Malley, an author and
illustrator from Baltimore, shared his
career experiences with elementary
students in the West Allegheny School
District during the week of April 4, 2011.
During the four presentations scheduled
at each school, the students observed
the illustration process as O’Malley drew
while they created a story together.
O’Malley has written and/or illustrated
over 40 children’s books, including the
following five, which students had an
opportunity to order in advance:
Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates,
Backpack Stories, Mount Olympus
Basketball, Straight to the Pole, and
Once upon a Cool Motorcycle Dude.
Students who ordered these books
received personally autographed copies
during the author’s visit.
Some of O’Malley’s other books
include Animal Crackers Fly the Coop,
the Miss Malarkey series, My Lucky Hat,
and Gimme Cracked Corn and I Will
Children’s author Kevin O’Malley autographs his books for McKee fifth graders
Noah Bauer and Carolyn Macek.
Share. Elementary librarians Nancy Howell (Wilson), Denise Medwick (McKee), and
Beth Schultz (Donaldson) coordinated the author visits.
MOVING ON ...
Fifth Graders Prepare for Transition to Middle School
Wilson fifth grade students (clockwise from left) Victoria Sadauskas,
Roger de la Rosa, Anthony Masters, Roman Votour, Zach Painter, Mallory
Mahen, and Selena Garcia take part in an auction-style activity in the
Moving On program to help them think about future goals.
While West Allegheny fifth graders celebrate the
conclusion of their elementary years with picnics
and parties at the end of the school year, their
guidance counselors are busy preparing them for the
next step in their education—middle school.
Designed to ease the transition process, the Moving
On program consists of a series of six sessions
where counselors meet with the fifth graders.
Discussions focus on life skills that will assist
students in the areas of communication, peer
pressure, stress, goal setting, accepting responsibility,
and time management. Students have opportunities
during the sessions to ask specific questions
about the middle school with regard to scheduling,
lunch, lockers, etc.
Elementary counselors Kristen Tracy (Donaldson),
JoAnn Biscan (McKee), and Kathryn Taylor
(Wilson) coordinate the program in cooperation with
Beth Kopko of Family Links.
22

Student Government
Collects Pop Can Tabs for
Spina Bifida Program
Kindergarten Students
Learn to Prioritize Nutrition
The West Allegheny Middle School Student Government
collected approximately 80 pounds of aluminum pop can
tabs to benefit the Pop Tabs for Spina Bifida program. The
project involved a competition among the classrooms to
collect the most tabs. Pictured are seventh grade students
in Mary Lococo’s home room (sitting) Austin Conn, Randy
Doehre, Zoe McDaniel, (standing) Connor Roese, and
Abigail Shipley, whose class won the contest. Krista
McGuire, middle school speech and language pathologist,
is the student government staff advisor.
Student Government members keep busy during the year
with various community service projects. Examples
include a food drive last fall for the West Allegheny Food
Pantry. They also raised over $1,900 to benefit the
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and collected
donations to support the Best Buddies organization and
other local charities.
While McKee Elementary School kindergarten students (sitting)
Marc Starkman, Emily Nolan, Emily Vavrek, (standing) Gage Upton,
and Jessica Kiss learn the importance of nutrition through classroom
lessons and information posted in the school, a visit with their
classmates to the Giant Eagle Market District store at Settler’s Ridge
on May 31, 2011, helped reinforce those lessons. The visit, which
included a discussion on nutrition and a tour of the facility, was
coordinated by kindergarten teachers Christine Pratt, Mariann
Winning, and Elise Wolf. The students also had an opportunity to
eat lunch in the cafeteria where the Food Services Department
displays posters containing nutrition information on all items served
as part of an ongoing effort to emphasize the impact of healthy
eating on student success.
Wilson Elementary School Receives
Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge Grant
Wilson Elementary School was awarded a
Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge
grant for approximately $9,700 in April,
2011. In general, the grant is intended to
support West Allegheny School District’s
efforts to help students adopt healthy
behaviors that will stay with them for a
lifetime. The grant money will provide
Wilson students with enhanced physical
activity through the purchase of Wii
System equipment, televisions, stands, and
software. This is the third of these grants
Wilson has received since 2007.
All Wilson students in grades K-5 will
have a chance to use the equipment in gym
classes conducted by Matt DeChicko and
Michael Kennedy, physical education
teachers, and for other supervised fitness
activities throughout the year.
“Since the health and wellness of our
students are essential for success,” said
Kathleen Sites, Wilson Elementary School
principal, “this grant will help us offer
students more opportunities to keep fit
while developing athletic and socialization
skills and learning to follow rules.”
This funding is provided by Highmark
Healthy High 5, an initiative of the
Highmark Foundation. The mission of
Highmark Healthy High 5 is to improve
the health of children and adolescents,
ages 6-18.
23

Runners Qualify for WPIAL Action
After the West Allegheny High School
Boys’ Varsity Track team made headlines
by winning the MAC Tournament at Mars
on April 27, both the Girls’ and Boys’
Track teams, coached by James Hamilton,
finished successful seasons at second
place in their sections and qualified for
the team playoff semifinals.
The following girls qualified for the
individual WPIAL Track and Field
Championships on May 19, 2011: Kaci
Vandergrift (200-, 300-, and 400-meter
hurdles), Adelle Collins (400-meter run),
and Barb Lesko (1600-meter run). All
three of the girls’ relay teams qualified: the
400-meter relay team of Nia Cheeseboro,
Nicole Skosnik, Taylor Bui, and Chelsea
Burdzy; the 1600-meter relay team of
Adelle Collins, Seattle Buhite, Emily Pia,
and Kaci Vandergrift; and the 3200-meter
relay team of Seattle Buhite, Barb Lesko,
Allie Gloor, and Emily Pia.
From the boys’ team Brandon Krszal
and Shane Hill qualified for the 800
meters, Parker Smith (1600 meters), Dylan
Bongiorni (long jump), Lance Johnson
(shot put), and Alex Sinclair (javelin). All
three of the boys’ relay teams also
qualified: the 400-meter relay team of Alex
Sinclair, Dylan Bongiorni, Jake Johnson,
and Demetrius Floyd; the 1600-meter
relay team of Tom Bruni, Will Page, Shane
Hill, and Brandon Krszal; the 3200-meter
relay team of Hunter Lang, Shane Hill,
Parker Smith, and Brandon Krszal.
Coach Hamilton said, “Both the girls’
and boys’ track and field teams worked
hard to qualify for the playoffs.”
At print time the PIAA Track Finals
were scheduled for May 27 and 28, 2011,
at Shippensburg, Pennsylvania.
Senior runners Hunter Lang, Parker Smith,
Shane Hill, and Brandon Krszal led the boys’
Varsity Track Team this season.
Junior runner Kaci
Vandergrift qualified
for the WPIAL Track
and Field
Championships i n
four events.
Ruby J ain, In dian da ncer
and instructor, performed
at the Donaldson
Multicultural Festival.
Donaldson Celebrates Diversity with Festival
Donaldson Elementary School sponsored a
Multicultural Festival on May 24, 2011. The
festival featured a variety of exhibits,
activities, and demonstrations of cultures
from around the world. One of the presenters,
Ruby Jain, an Indian dancer, instructor, and
choreographer conducted a series of
presentations to introduce the students to the
attire and dance of India. Jain previously
performed at West Allegheny Middle School
for an event related to the G-20 Summit last
year.
Students had an opportunity to learn folk
dancing to African music and heard stories from
around the world read aloud in the library. The ESL
(English as a Second Language) teacher explored
world languages with the students, and the
Physical Education Department engaged the
students in games associated with different
cultures.
Students browsed through a display of crafts on
China designed by the Horizons class. The
Donaldson PTA provided an international selection
of foods for sampling. Each classroom selected a
country to feature in a hallway display.
24

February 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 25

librar
ary news
SUMMER
READING
REGISTRATION
EXTRAVAGANZA
Monday,
June 20
5:30-7:30 PM
Children, teens, and adults are
invited to celebrate the kick-off and
register for summer reading on
Monday, June 20. This year’s
themes are all about travel, so
climb aboard at whatever level suits
you or your family! Participants who
register that evening will be eligible
for various prizes, including gift
cards to local restaurants and
attractions. Games, crafts, face
painting and other activities
available. Pizza will be provided by
Angelia’s of Imperial. No registration
required. So don’t miss out on
this great chance to win awesome
prizes, sign-up for upcoming
programs, and best of all have fun!
Reading incentives are available
June 20 - August 12.
FUNDRAISER!
GLOBE Express Car Wash
8650 University Boulevard,
Moon Township
$7 includes free self vacuum
No Expiration Date
The board of trustees is holding the
fundraisers and tickets are available
at the library. All proceeds benefit
the library’s building fund.
Summer Reading Clubs
Globetrotters = Birth – 5 Years Old
Jet-Setters = 6 – 12 Years Old
Come in once a week, show your reading log and receive a weekly prize and raffle
ticket. Keep reading! The more time reading, the more raffle tickets earned!
T E E N S
For every five books read and logged during summer reading dates, receive one free book. Each book
logged is also an entry for the weekly prize drawing (Target and Best Buy gift cards) and earns book bucks
for the End-Of-Summer Online Auction, which includes such items to bid on as posters, movies, and books.
Earn extra book bucks by logging books online or by reading the titles on the booklist provided at
registration. Participants will also receive an entry for the grand prize with every book read. The librar
ary
grand prize is a $50 gift card to the Mall at Robinson. In addition, teens who complete
an evalua
aluation for
orm at t the end of the summer are eligible le to win a limo ride to and from
Kennywood and six admission tickets!
A D U L T S
For every book read (or heard) fill out a review slip. This is also used in a weekly drawing for gift cards,
which entitles readers to earn a chance at the end of the summer grand prize of $50. Join us and read to
win! Don’t forget, all those who participate in the summer reading clubs are eligible to attend our End of
the Summer Pool ool Par
arty!
ty!
AGES Birth-4 Years Old
Books & Babies
- 25-minute storytime
introducing children ages birth-24 months to books
and reading with engaging stories, songs, and
activities. These interactive storytimes help parents
learn how to foster early literacy skills to prepare
their children for learning to read.
June 23 & July 28, 10:30 a.m. Rolling &
Strolling
- Bring your baby, stroller, and walking
shoes and meet us at the park for a 30-minute walk.
Then stay for the story. A program in partnership with
Findlay Township.
Donaldson or Clinton Par
ark
Stories in the Par
ark - Storytime outside! 11 a.m.
every Tuesday or Thursday. Check Event Calendar
online for locations and times.
AGES 8-12 Years Old
10 Days in… - Come play the game that will have
you traveling around the world; Africa - Sunday,
June 19 at 2 p.m.; Europe - Sunday, June 26 at
2 p.m.
Journey Around the World: Creative Writing -
Wednesday, July 1, 3:30 p.m. Write a creative story
based on a faraway place.
Postcards to the World - Wednesday, July 20, 3:30
p.m. Design a post card from your home town.
Please be sure and
register for programs
either online or at the
library. Space limited at
some events.
M-Th 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundays, 1-5 p.m.
8042 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale PA 15071 (724) 695-8150
www.westernalleghenylibrary.org
AGES 5-12 Years Old
Stories in the Park - Storytime outside!
Thursdays at 11 a.m., Donaldson Park or Clinton
Park. Check Event Calendar online for locations
and times.
Crafty Kids - Join us as we make crafts from
around the world! Wednesday, June 29, 3 p.m.,
Wednesday, July 6, 3 p.m., Friday, July 29, 2 p.m.
Bread Around the World - Wednesday, June 22,
2 p.m. Bread is a staple of life for many cultures.
Come learn about different types of bread and
even make your own Bread in a Bag to take home!
Library Olympics - Saturday, June 25, 1 p.m. Do
you have what it takes to be a Library Olympian?
Come find out as we compete in different events.
Little Chefs - 2 p.m. Monday, June 27, July 25
and August 8. Explore foods from around the
world and make some tasty treats to take home!
World Flags - Tuesday, July 12, 2 p.m. Create the
flag of your favorite country!
Outdoor Scavenger Hunt - Friday, July 15, 10
a.m. Can you find everything on our list? Come
alone or bring a team.
The library
is now open
Sundays,
1-5 p.m.
Please register on the library’s Web site or at the library’s Circulation Desk, or by calling for all programs
26 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 27

around your town
Heritage Valley News
Six Heritage Valley Health System physicians recently received recognition
from the Allegheny County Medical Society as well as Pittsburgh Magazine’s
Annual Top Doctors 2011 edition.
This spring, John A. Straka, MD, FACS, otolaryngology, was presented with
the Ralph C. Wilde Award from the Allegheny County Medical Society (ACMS)
Foundation. The Ralph C. Wilde Award is presented to a physician who
exemplifies the personal and professional characteristics of the late ACMS
President, Dr. Ralph Wilde, as a physician, teacher, leader, and human being.
Additionally, five Heritage Valley Health System physicians were named in
Pittsburgh Magazine’s annual Top Doctors 2011 May edition. Top doctors
are selected through a survey of regional health professionals and peers
who are asked to share whom they would entrust the care of their family
member when faced with a specific medical condition. The recognized
physicians from Heritage Valley include:
· Paul Dubner, M.D., Tri-State Pediatrics Associates, caring for children
in Beaver, Chippewa, Hopewell and Sewickley;
· Michael A. Karp, M.D., Sewickley Valley Medical Group, caring for
families at the Ambridge Area Healthcare Services location;
· Michael M. Sherry, M.D., Sewickley Medical Oncology/Hematology
Group, providing cancer care from his Moon Township office;
· John C. Wright, Jr., M.D., Wright Gynecology & Associates, delivering
gynecology care to women in Bridgewater, Calcutta and Beaver;
· Paula S. Youngdahl, M.D., Tri-State Obstetrics and Gynecology,
providing obstetrical and gynecological care to women from
offices in Bridgewater, Chippewa and Beaver.
Cardiac computed tomography, or Cardiac CT, services are available for
patients at Heritage Valley Beaver and Heritage Valley Sewickley. The service
represents collaboration between the Heritage Valley Heart and Vascular
Centers and Radiology departments to bring the most advanced
technology to people in the community.
A Cardiac CT is a painless, non-invasive test that uses an x-ray machine to
image the heart in order to reveal important structural abnormalities that
may relate to disease. CT angiography is used to evaluate narrowing, or
stenosis, of the coronary arteries. Heritage Valley uses 64-slice CT
Scanners with the latest technology that includes reduced radiation dosages
and high quality image acquisition and processing. Detailed evaluation of
this digital data can enhance diagnosis and management strategies.
The Heritage Valley Healthcare Foundation announces the Tito Francona
Golf Classic, Honorary Chair Tito Francona, Event Chair: Terry Francona,
Monday, August 15, 8:30 a.m., Connoquenessing Country Club & Olde
Stonewall Golf Club.
For more information about these events, send an e-mail to
foundation@hvhs.org or call (412) 749-7050.
Heritage Valley Sewickley is seeking volunteers to provide support in
several areas of the hospital. The need for volunteer help is immediate in
the following areas: Surgical Waiting Area, Physical Therapy, Storeroom,
Information Desk. To schedule an interview, please contact Irene Dailey,
Director Volunteer and Community Services at (412) 749-7052.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Clearview Supports JDRF
Clearview ® Federal Credit Union and the Pitt Men’s Basketball Team
recently donated $7,200 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
(JDRF). Clearview once again partnered with the Pitt Panthers to offer a
special “Points for Pediatrics” program. Through this program, Clearview
made a $40 donation for each three-point basket made by a Pitt player
during a Pitt Panthers men’s basketball game. All proceeds benefited the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). During the 2010-2011
season, the Pitt players made a total of 180 three-point baskets.
Wilson School Walks for Health
ABOVE: The 4th Annual Wilson Wellness Walk was held under a light
rain on a Sunday morning in May. Twenty-four Wilson Elementary
students and their families participated in the 5K walk along the
Montour Trail. The students also participated in a scavenger hunt
hosted by Girl Scout Troop 51233 led by Kim Bailey. At the completion
of the walk, Tammy Rink, a West Allegheny parent and group fitness
instructor in the community, and her student volunteers, led a “Get
Moving Program” circuit fitness challenge. All Wilson children who
completed the walk received a complimentary day pass to the Hankey
Farms Pool and were eligible to win a free bike in a student raffle. An
additional raffle was held for prizes donated by community businesses.
Amy Macklin, a Wilson parent and registered dietitian, began
this walk in 2007 to promote family physical activity.
Hyatt Honored ed Again This Year
ear
Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport received the 2011
Community Service Award at the recent Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging
Association (PTLA) Annual Spirit of Hospitality Awards Reception and
Dinner on May 2. These prestigious industry awards recognize exceptional
performance, commitment, and achievements in the hospitality and tourism
industry throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The Community Service Award is given for programs designed to provide
service and demonstrate to residents that the individual property or chain
is responsive to the local community.
Additionally, Jason Herzog, general maintenance engineer at Hyatt
Regency Pittsburgh, was a finalist for the 2011 Lodging Employee of the
Year Award.
As 35-Year Residents of Our Community, no
one knows our neighborhoods better to tell
their stories than . . .
{
{
28 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

www.pustoverfinancial.com
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 29

30 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

OVGH Opens Hospital Unit
Ohio Valley General Hospital celebrated the grand opening of Willow
Brook Geropsychiatric Unit in June with an open house.Participants met
the staff and got a personal tour of Willow Brook.
Willow Brook Geropsychiatric Unit provides short term (8 – 10 days)
inpatient psychiatric services to adults 65+ who have mental health
needs. The program is recovery-centered in its approach and strives to
help individuals to not only address their mental health needs, but also
reconnect with their hopes and personal motivations. Willow Brook will
provide a safe, therapeutic environment which allows people to maintain
as much normalcy in their everyday routines as possible. The staff of
Willow Brook will work in tandem with Ohio Valley General Hospital’s
medical services to ensure that both medical and psychiatric needs are
addressed simultaneously and cohesively.
School District Wins Awards
The West Allegheny School District received Awards of Honor in two
separate categories in the 2010 Excellence in Education
Communications Contest sponsored by the Pennsylvania School Public
Relations Association (PenSPRA). The first was one of only three awards
statewide in the School Web site category.
District Webmasters include Carol Bonnar, Laurie Cole, Kim Dawson,
Carrie Morgan, and Leah Vestal. The second was among the five awards
given in the Special Purpose Publications category for the program
booklet, “A Building for the Future,” created by Martin Lestander and
Carol Bonnar for the October 10, 2010, Open House/Showcase
celebrating the completion of the high school renovation and
expansion project.
Homemade Quilt
to be Raffled
The quilting group at The ROCK is finishing up its 4th of July raffle
quilt. Proceeds will benefit The ROCK Family & Community Center. The
quilt will be on display at the Oakdale Borough building and at THE
ROCK before the raffle. The group raffled its first quilt last year. For
tickets or information, contact Bunny Donaldson by e-mail at
bunnydonaldson@yahoo.com.
Businesses: Have You ou Moved?
ed? Added ded a
Web b site? Won on an Awar
ard? d? Expanded?
Let us know w here e a
at Alleghen
gheny West
est
Magazine: (724) 695-3968.
NEW IN TOWN
Choice Chiropractic
Dr. Shannon Thieroff, owner, and Dr. Leah Gallucci, clinic director, announce
the opening of their newest location of Choice Chiropractic and Wellness Center
in Moon Township.
Choice Chiropractic has its initial office in the North Hills, which opened in
April 1999.
Dr. Gallucci will practice at the new Moon Township office, located at 993
Brodhead Road, #50. Previously, she was the associate doctor at the North
Hills location.
Among the services offered are manual chiropractic adjustments and Activator
techniques, electric muscle stimulation, intersegmental traction, and rehabilitative
exercises.
Dr. Leah resides in Wexford with her husband, Jim, and is the proud owner of
two dachsunds -- Ziggy and Izzy.
Choice Chiropractic held its grand opening on May 6. To celebrate the grand
opening, Choice Chiropractic is offering a new patient examination for $17.
To contact Choice Chiropractic, call (412) 424-0019. Or, send an e-mail to Dr.
Gallucci at drleah@choicechiropractic.net. For more information, visit the Web
site at www.choicechiropractic.net.
NON-PROFIT GROUPS!
We offer a significant discount off of advertising
rates (call for details).
It’s one way we help you get your message out to
the entire community affordably! CALL:
724.695.3968
or e-mail: alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net.
Ready to get
healthier for
summer? It’s easy
and fun—just sign
up for the Ready,
Set, Walk! Challenge.
When you
sign up—by going
to the Walk Challenge
website at
www.walkchallenge.org.
You’ll receive a
walking kit (while supplies last) that includes a pedometer, a t-
shirt, and walking information. Count your steps and log them
on the Web site during the eight-week Challenge. Along the
way, receive motivating updates and newsletters. People
logging the most steps will win prizes. Celebrating its fifth
anniversary, this summer ’s Walk Challenge is jointly sponsored
by ACTA (Airport Corridor Transportation Association)
and the region’s two other transportation management
associations—OTMA (Oakland Transportation Management
Association) and the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership TMA.
Robinson Plaza Two, Rt. 60 & Park Manor Dr.
Suite 420, Pittsburgh PA 15205
(412) 809-3505, Fax: (412) 809-3509, www.acta-pgh.org
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 31

32 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011
Earlier in the spring, West Allegheny High School junior Julie
Hanczar suffered severe injuries in a car accident as she was on
her way to take her SAT tests one Saturday morning. Julie was
life-flighted after the accident. She had massive leg injuries and
suffered a stroke from fat emboli two days later. Her father,
Dave, said that recovering from the stroke is her biggest challenge.
She has been through a long road of healing, spending
the first 45 days at Children’s Hospital and currently recuperating
at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. The story of how so
many have come together to help Julie and her family is yet
another example of how the West Allegheny community is there
in times of need to help one another. There have been other
similar efforts over the years, and there are currently even
more such efforts for others in the community. All of
these demonstrate this special magic called
the West Allegheny family.

It was a typical Saturday morning in March. Julie Hanczar, 17,
was on her way to take her SAT tests after having successfully
performed in opening night of West Allegheny’s spring musical
the night previously. She had a lead role in the show and was
excited about the prospect of performing in front of her peers, family,
and the community over the next two weeks.
In an instant, that all changed. Julie was life-flighted to the hospital. It
was determined that her injuries were severe. Each day has been a
painstaking road toward recovery. And it is not over.
As the school year came to a close, Julie was still in the hospital.
Time does not sit still for the West Allegheny family, however.
There have been no less than ten fundraising events for Julie and her
family.
Tina’s Hair Salon has sold hundreds of teal hair strips for $10 each.
Said Tina Chiodo, “The teal fundraiser was an unbelievable success.
Within two eight-hour days and one evening, we sold 450 of them. The
kids were so eager to help anyway they could!”
Chick-Fil-A held an event that brought out the West Allegheny High
School drum line and show choir to perform. The restaurant even ran out
of chicken. Teal bracelets emblazoned with the words, “The color of hope
is Teal-J.A.H.,” have been sold en masse (teal is Julie’s favorite color).
There was a fashion show, a pancake breakfast, an Avon sale, and a
Tastefully Simple party to name a few.
The annual Mr. West Allegheny show at the school district was themed
in teal for Julie this year and donations were accepted on the family’s
behalf.
The National Honor Society held a pancake breakfast at the high
school that was, according to Julie father, Dave, “a real success.” He
added, “The teacher in charge was Suzanne Lambert. I know there were
a lot of people who ate, and also a lot of money was raised by MANY
Chinese auction items, and many NHS kids worked very hard on the
event including getting up early on a Sunday morning, sacrificing their
chance to sleep in!”
The West Allegheny cheerleaders, under the direction of Dana
Kubatka, held a Chinese auction during their banquet and donated the
money to Julie.
A dinner dance was held at the SNPJ Club in Imperial last month,
coordinated by Carrie Nalesnick-Theiss. Hundreds of prizes were
donated. Several attendees agreed to have their heads shaved when
monetary donations reached a threshold. The crowd resembled a good
old-fashioned West Allegheny community reunion. Teachers, current and
retired, family and friends of Julie’s, school board members, and business
leaders stopped by for a bite to eat and enjoy the camaraderie.
Courtney Wirtz ran in the Pittsburgh Marathon on behalf of Julie.
Kaitlin and Leslie Pekular created and ordered t-shirts designed for Julie
PHOTOS, LEFT, FROM THE TEAL TO HEAL DINNER AT THE SNPJ CLUB:
STORY AND PHOTOS
BY PAT JENNETTE
that said “Teal to Heal.” A dozen Julie supporters, donning the
shirts, cheered on the crowd at the marathon where thousands
could see their cause imprinted on their shirts.
There was even a Facebook party at the Western Allegheny
Community Library. Local photographer, Emily Davis, donated her
skills to take photos of attendees, who gave a donation to the Teal to
Heal cause, and then got to post their photos on their Facebook
pages.
It all comes from the heart. But then again, that is the West
Allegheny spirit.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: For others in the community who are dealing with similar
situations such as Julie’s, “Allegheny West Magazine” regularly provides space
in the “On the Horizon” section at the front of the magazine to post events
where the community can attend or support their fellow neighbors in need.)
PICTURED, OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP LEFT TO RIGHT: Welcoming guests to the
dinner dance were, front row , Jim and Kathy Strand, and back row , Ed
Nalesnick, Dana Motte, and Jamie Wilson; Carrie Nalesnick-Theiss coordinated
the dinner, many brought their families for the evening; Bobbie and Jim
Osborne enjoyed the meal.
MIDDLE ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Bob Doddato and Roxanne Buckels;Lyn
Tinkey and Merle Hatton enjoy the festivities; John and Pat Jennette stopped
in to eat and take photos.
BOTTOM ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT: Jen Volturno and Becky Barnes, together
with Heather Evans, enjoyed the fellowship; W est Allegheny School Board
president Debbie Mirich, Debbie and school board member John Scott, and
former school district superintendent, Dr. Charles Hughey, enjoyed the event;
Tom and Mary Catherine Garrett, Joanne Chappell and Bill Berry caught up
during dinner.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 33

34 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011
PHOTOS BY
CHRISTOPHER ROLINSON

W
hether walking the trails, picnicking, camping, or taking advantage of the lake at Raccoon
Creek State Park, users of this gem of nature just outside Clinton in Beaver County will find
countless ways to enjoy this outdoor playground. The park boasts a 101-acre lake, 44 acres of
walking and hiking trails, 17 miles of trails for mountain biking, and 16 miles for equestrian
use. Add to the options a wide array of camping, a swimming area with beach, and a
wildflower preserve, and there’s simply something for everyone.
With the warmer weather now here, park users will find beauty at every turn.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as it is often said. For photographer Christopher Rolinson (many
will remember his photo spreads as part of a multiple-part story on the Montour Trail during its 20th
anniversary in “Allegheny West Magazine”), beauty lies in the magic of those simple icons of natur e. It
might be the way water gently cascades from a rock, or how a meadow bursts with wildflowers. It may
be as miniscule as a frog sitting on a log or a raindrop ready to drop from a ledge.
Enjoy the images of Raccoon Creek State Park featured on these pages, as captured by Christopher’s
lens.
Anyone is welcome to take part in the many activities and events at the park. As always, of course, the
park is open to anyone who simply wants to while away a summer afternoon under tall trees, whisk
across the lake in a kayak, or sun and swim at the par k’s public
swimming area.
For more information about Raccoon Creek State Park, and a
complete list of activities and programs, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us,
and click on Raccoon Creek State Park.
OPPOSITE PAGE:
FAR LEFT, Wildflowers along a trail in the W ildflower Preserve.
LEFT, Stone basin at the Mineral Springs, Frankfort Mineral Springs,
the waterfall at the Mineral S prings
THIS PAGE, LEFT TO RIGHT, Waterfall at the Mineral Springs,
Longtailed Salamanders live in the crevasses at the Mineral
Springs.
Christopher Rolinson is a
professor of photojournalism at
Point Park University and is a
freelance photographer for
numerous publications, including
“Allegheny West Magazine.”
His book, “Our S tate Parks” was
released in 2010.
This collection of images shows –
through photography and experiential
text, the magnificent beauty and
weather that still abounds in our
backyard. Western Pennsylvania’s
immense geographic size is rich
with w ild n ature, s cenery, and
space. Between Lake Erie and the
Maryland border, a nd b etween
central Pennsylvania to the Ohio/
West Virginia borders, there are
several climate zones and
landscapes – offering a wide
swath of outdoor activity to
birdwatchers, hikers, kayakers,
mountain bikers, photographers,
and astronomers during all four
seasons.
Christopher’s book is available
online at:
http://bit.ly/ourstateparkswpa,
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
bookstore, or the Fallingwater gift
shop.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 35

On April 12, 2011, Daniel (Dan) F. Janoski, 46, passed
away suddenly after years of battling diabetes and high
blood pressure. He was an extremely hard worker and was
loved by all who came in contact with him.
Dan worked in his family business, Janoski’s Farm &
Greenhouse, in Clinton his entire life. He was a member of
numerous professional horticultural and agricultural
associations and an original member of the Farmer’s
Market. He was also a member of the Beaver County
Antique Tractor Association and a member of St.
Columbkille Church.
In his spare time, (which he didn’t have much of) he
enjoyed competing in tractor pulling contests. He was a
kind and gentle man with a great sense of humor.
Dan was loved by all who came in contact with him and
will be sadly missed by all.
Dan is survived by his sisters Deborah Seibel and Diane
Swimkosky, his brother, Michael Janoski, his children,
Rachel, Michelle, Heather, Jennifer, and Danny Janoski, and
his parents, Sonny and
JoAnn Janoski.
The Janoski Family
wishes to thank all who
sent cards, visited the
family, sent flowers, or
offered prayers and
condolences to console
their hearts.
In Memory of
Dan Janoski
November 20, 1964 - April 12, 2011
SUBMITTED BY THE JANOSKI FAMILY
PHOTO SUBMITTED
Remembering
Ross
Rohbeck
He was the Oakdale mayor and
previously the police chief of
Oakdale. He coached baseball for
the Oakdale Little League for 15
years at one point in his life. He
served in the Korean War. He was a
model husband, father, and
grandfather. And he was an
outstanding citizen who loved his
small town of Oakdale. He was a mentor to his peers and a friend to many
in town.
Mayor Ross J. Rohbeck passed away on May 15 at the age of 80
following a long illness.
Ross was born Rosario Cilli on October 23, 1930. When he was nine
months old, his birth mother died and he was placed into foster care
through Catholic Charities. He spent his childhood being raised with
other foster children on the Rohbeck farm in Clinton and adopted the
Rohbeck name as his own.
Early on, after serving in the war, Ross worked as a plasterer and
drove a truck for a dynamite company.
He married Rosalind Csonka in 1956 and together they raised six
children.
Ross is survived by his wife, Rosalind; sons Ross “RJ” Rohbeck, Jr.,
Steve, Jamie, and Matthew of Oakdale; Mike of Shaler; a daughter, Laura
of Oakdale; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Ross was well-known around Oakdale for his kind and respectful
demeanor, his friendly smile, his warm handshake, and his love for his
hometown. He will be missed.
36 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

around your town
ABOVE: The West Allegheny girls tennis boosters and girls tennis
team sponsored their first tennis clinic for students in grades 3-8 in
May. The clinic promoted the sport of tennis and taught beginner
students fundamental skills and intermediate players more advanced
skills. Over 30 students participated, taught by Coach Rita Wilson.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
PHOTO SUBMITTED
ABOVE: For the last several years, Bob Palko and Chris Shattuck from
West Allegheny School District have sent football players to carry the
heavy boxes to help the Western Allegheny Friends to Establish a
Library (WAFEL) set up for the book sales in May and November. Here,
some of the helpers carry the load.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 37

Expires July 17, 2011
Expires July 17, 2011
Expires July 17, 2011 Expires July 17, 2011
38 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

around your town
ABOVE: Pat Jennette, publisher of “Allegheny West Magazine,”
talked with the Girl Scouts of Brownie Troop #54481 that meets at
Resurrection Lutheran Church in North Fayette to talk about writing
and publishing as a career. The presentation was part of a requirement
the scouts had to complete for a badge.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
ABOVE: Four West Allegheny High School residents who were on
the Bishop Canevin Varsity Hockey Team -- left to right: Chris Reda,
Kendall King, Frank Vance, and Gus Peponidis -- were part of the
team that won both the AA Penguin’s Cup against Peter’s Township
5-2 at Consol Center and the PIHL Class “AA” State Championship in
March. The Crusaders last captured the State Championship crown in
1989. This is their fourth state title, having also won in 1983 and
1984, along with runner-up accomplishments in 1985 and 1993.
Bishop Canevin was the underdog through-out the play-offs and the
State Championship.
RIGHT: Holy
Trinity School is
selling raffle
tickets for a lucky
person to wi n a
beautiful Chrysler
200. The car
raffle dr awing
will be at the
Robinson
Township
Autumn Day
Festival held on Saturday, September 17. Stop by the ticket booth,
located in front of the school on Steubenville Pike in Robinson
Township to purchase a ticket. The booth is open seven days a week
from 9 a.m. until dusk. For additional information, call (412) 787-2656.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 39

STORY AND PHOTOS
BY PAT JENNETTE
North Fayette Township’s Police
Department recently hosted a firearm
safety program for residents this spring.
Corporal Michael Hayes is an NRA
certified instructor who conducted the
program with the help of resident Mark
Albaugh and members of the North
Fayette Police Department.
The course covered basic firearm safety
points.
Corporal Hayes told the dozen attendees
that the primary causes of firearm-related
accidents are lack of knowledge about how
to use a firearm, being careless about the
use of a firearm, and not being in the habit
of using a firearm regularly.
He told attendees that, “Practice doesn’t
make perfect -- it only makes habit.”
He reinforced the statement by saying,
“Only perfect practice makes perfect; there
is no substitute for hands-on training by
the best instructor you can find.”
During the workshop, the attendees
learned the four key universal gun safety
rules, as developed by Lt. C. Jeff Cooper of
Gunsite: All guns are always loaded; never
let the muzzle point at anything you are
not willing to destroy; keep your finger off
the trigger until your sights are on the
target; and be sure of your target.
The attendees also learned such rules at
what is considered a restricted area for
firearms, including airport-secure areas,
court facilities, jails and correctional
facilities, post offices, primary and secondary
schools, federal buildings, and any area
designated secure or otherwise prohibited by
state or federal law.
After reviewing important information that
included how to operate a handgun, types of
ammunition, and the fundamentals of
shooting a handgun, Corporal Hayes
discussed how to care for and maintain a
firearm. He offered suggestions for regular
cleaning and safety considerations when
cleaning a firearm.
Attendees learned about various equipment
on the market for their firearms, including
holster options, carrying cases, and storage
cases.
After the workshop, attendees enjoyed a
picnic lunch at the firing range on North
Fayette Township property, where several of
the township’s police officers assisted the
participants in practicing target shooting.
They worked one on one with each participant,
showing them safety at the firing range,
stance, holding a firearm properly, and aiming
to shoot at the target.
The workshop was offered to residents who
had previously attended a program offered by
the North Fayette Police Department called
“Refuse to be a Victim” that was held last
September.
Cpl. Hayes said that there will be more of
these classes offered. Interested residents are
welcome to contact him by e-mail at
nfpdmh@north-fayette.com.
TOP: Cpl. Mike Hayes teaches the firearm
safety workshop.
BOTTOM: Lt. Mike Hamm shows a participant
how to effectively wear ear protection
while at the shooting range.
BELOW LEFT: Police Chief Jeff Falconer
assists a participant with target practice.
BELOW RIGHT: Participants observe.

June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 41

around your town
Girl Scouts Clean Up
Girl Scout Troop #51301, comprised of Wilson Elementary fourth grade students, chose a
community service clean-up project for Findlay Township. On April 15, the girls spent their evening
cleaning up Clinton Park, collecting over 14 bags of garbage and many large discarded items.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
42 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011
Youth Catches Big One
Jimmy Ervin, 10, caught the big one on opening day of trout
season April 16. While he didn’t beat the state record, it came
close. Within 20 seconds of the start of the season, Jimmy
caught a golden palomino trout, 26 inches long. He will
receive an award from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat
Commission Angler award program for his catch. A picture of
Jimmy with his catch is also posted in the ranger station at
Raccoon Creek State Park. Jimmy attends Donaldson
Elementary.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
ABOVE: West Allegheny
High School teacher
Jessica Conforti was
nominated by senior Nicole
Siebert in the My
Favorite Teacher contest
sponsored b y B arnes &
Noble Booksellers. Three
other West Allegheny
teachers, Mark Davis, Brian
Karcz, and Lauren Siciliano,
also were recognized on
April 12, by Barnes &
Noble for being nominated
by students for its My
Favorite Teacher Contest.
Middle school science
teacher Brian Karcz was
nominated by Richard
Mandus. Middle school
language ar ts te acher
Lauren Siciliano
was nominated by Krysta
Ray, and middle school
math/resource teacher
Mark Davis, by Lexi
Battocchi. These students
each wrote an essay about
their favorite teacher, and
their essays were among
the 15 chosen for
Honorable Mention from
about 60 submitted. The
students read their essays
for their teachers at the
event. PHOTO SUBMITTED

Visit LIBERTY TREE GROVE - Donaldson Community Park
HONORING OUR LOCAL SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN AND VETERANS
FOR THEIR BRAVE AND COURAGEOUS SERVICE
DONORS
West Allegheny Foundation:
Grant of $4,000
Range Resources, LLC: $1,500
Industrial Scientific: $1,000
GROVE SUPPORTERS - $500
Wharton-Herrick Funeral Home
BENCH SUPPORTERS - $250
Home Depot, North Fayette
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
TREE SUPPORTERS - $100
Allegheny West Magazine
Body Systems Fitness
Garden of Eating Pizzeria
Kindred Hospital
West Hills Nissan
LEAF SUPPORTERS -
$10 to $50
Advance Auto Parts
Costco
Elite Management Services
Giant Eagle Market District
Grab ‘n Go
Luther & Noel Dental Associates
Sam’s Club
ACT is Action for Change Today
- a group of local residents serving
the community
www.actionforchangetoday.org
ACT says Thank You to the following
Partners and Donors for their hard work and generous support
Five teenage boys from Crossroads
Church who were part of the church’s
FOCUS community service program
recently mulched the areas around the
trees at Liberty Tree Grove that are a
tribute to each branch of the military. Park
West Supply donated the mulch for the
project.
Said Bob Schiff, who worked with the
teens on the project, “I was blessed to
learn from this group of five very
respectful, polite, and honorable young
Christian men. Thanks to the boys for
allowing me to be part of their day.”
Bob noted that this is a special place
that everyone should visit and learn about.
“One of the trees is an offspring from a
tree which started as seeds that have
been to the moon and back. The trees, and
ABOVE: Jeff Hironomus and Bob Schiff with teens from
Crossroads Church during the FOCUS project at the park.
the tribute rocks that people have placed around the trees in memory of their friends and family
who have honored us with their dedication to all of our Freedom by serving in one of our military
services over the year, are special.”
Bob noted that some of the names have worn away this past winter and could not be read.
Another FOCUS volunteer, Jeff Hironimus, wrote down as many of the names on the rocks as
he could read to see if one of Donaldson Elementary’s teachers can initiate a class project each
year to help keep the honor rocks freshened up. More importantly, Bob said, this would help the
students from Donaldson learn about Liberty Tree Grove, which sits adjacent to their school.
Frank Blaskowitz, one of the people who helped to get the park created in the first place,
worked with the FOCUS group teens all day and offered a lot of information about the park. Said
Bob, “He was an inspiration to each of us all day.”
The park also includes a stone path and benches.
Bob said, “This is an honorable place that so many have helped create and maintain. I was
honored to be able to assist with this Focus Project. Isn’t this what community is all about?”
PROJECT LEADERS
Eagle Scout Rob Deklewa, Boy Scout Troop #248 – Design and creation of
the walking path
Eagle Scout Daniel Henry, Boy Scout Troop # 355 - Build and installation of
commemorative benches
Eagle Candidate Dominic Merlino, Troop #355 - Layout plan, prep and
installation of all informational signage
PARTNERS
Township of North Fayette – Land donation; Accounting & Administration
Resources
Bartlett Tree Experts – Consulting expertise; Tree planting; Labor & Materials
Landscape Workshop – Consulting expertise; Labor & Materials; Coordination
for landscaping & walking path
Accessibility Matters, LLC – Consulting on ADA recommendations &
compliance
Tim Stewart – Stewart’s Repair Service – Labor & Equipment for excavation &
installation
Park West Supply – Individual military tribute rocks to honor local service
members; Mulch for trees and plant beds
North Fayette Home Depot – Donation of plants and shrubs for landscaping
Crossroads Church Focus Group – Labor for edging and mulching of trees &
plant beds
PHOTO SUBMITTED
44 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

News from
Heritage Public Library
SUMMER READING PROGRAM STARTING JULY 8 –
REGISTRATION BEGINS JUNE 13
SCRAPBOOKING Friday June 24 from 6-10 call Patti,
(724) 344-8713 to register.
*WEIGHT WATCHERS GROUP Tuesdays starting at 6 p.m.
Participants of ABITIBI Recycling Fundraising Program! THE
BINS HAVE
TEMPORARILY BEEN MOVED DOWN BY
FIRST COMMONWEALTH BANK.
Airport Offers Travel Tips
With increased traffic and the heavy summer travel months just ahead, the
Allegheny County Airport Authority is reminding travelers to arrive at
Pittsburgh International Airport at least 90 minutes to two hours before the
scheduled departure of their flight.
The Airport Authority reports that there are two security checkpoints at
Pittsburgh International Airport. The Main Checkpoint — on the Transit
Level of the Landside Terminal – is open 24 hours, while the Alternate
Checkpoint – located just outside of the Ticketing Level of the Landside
Terminal – is open from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To expedite the screening process, passengers are reminded to follow
the Transportation Security Administration’s 3-1-1 rule for liquid or gels in
carry-on luggage. The 3-1-1 rule is: no more than 3 ounces of a liquid or
gel in a container; all containers must be packed in a clear 1-quart, zip
top bag; and only 1 bag per passenger.
The Allegheny County Airport Authority urges travelers to visit the TSA’s
website at www.tsa.gov prior to traveling.
Crossroads is Growing Again
Crossroads United Methodist Church recently held a ground breaking
ceremony. The church is adding 600 seats to its worship facility together
with ten additional classrooms for children. Parking will be doubled. The
goal is to serve more people from the West Hills area and beyond.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 45

Access Broadway Honors Abound
LEFT: Students from Karen Prunzik’s
Broadway Performing Arts took
away numerous honors in this
year’s Access Broadway
competition. Winners were, left to
right, Chloe Kehm, Ryan Lenkey,
Shane Treloar, Natalie Sciulli, studio
owner Karen Prunzik, Nicole Fish,
Gabriela Zucckero, Stephanie Fish,
and Brianna Patterson. Karen won
the prestigious “Best Studio Director”
award.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
St. Clair Hospital Debuts DaVinci
STORY AND PHOTO
SUBMITTED
Surgeons at St. Clair
Hospital in Mt. Lebanon
have started using the
latest technology, the
da Vinci Si, to provide
the benefits of roboticassisted,
minimally
invasive surgery to
prostate cancer
patients.
St. Clair urological
surgeons Arthur D.
Thomas, M.D. and Kevin
P. Bordeau, M.D. both of
whom have years of
experience with the da
Vinci System, perform radical prostatectomies (removal of part or all of the prostate gland) on area
patients suffering from prostate cancer. With the da Vinci System, the patients had less pain and
blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and quicker recovery and return to everyday life, compared to
traditional “open” surgery. “Among the many benefits of robotic-assisted surgery is the ability to
do better surgical reconstruction,” says Dr. Thomas. “In men who have their prostates partially or
fully removed, robotic-assisted surgery can mean a faster return to urinary continence and lower
rates of urinary pain. And the closer you can dissect to the prostate, the more nerve tissue you can
spare, and the quicker the patient can recover and return to everyday life.”
Dr. Bordeau says other urological applications for the da Vinci system include repairing blockages
in a kidney, and the full or partial removal of a kidney. “Like prostatectomies, these procedures
also require very delicate work, which is the greatest strength of the da Vinci,” he says.
The da Vinci Si System manufactured by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. uses the most advanced
technology to enable surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a few tiny
incisions with increased vision, precision, dexterity and control.
The da Vinci System consists of four interactive robotic arms that are controlled by a surgeon who
is positioned at a console in the operating room. Three of the arms are for tools, such as a scalpel
and scissors, the fourth holds an endoscopic camera with two lenses that gives the surgeon a 3-D
image at 10 times magnification of the patient during the procedure. The system seamlessly
translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into precise, real-time movements of
surgical instruments. Every surgical maneuver is under the direct control of the surgeon.
The da Vinci is currently being used at St. Clair for patients who require prostatectomies or other
urological procedures, but the system is also designed for gynecology, cardiothoracic, head and
neck and general surgery procedures. Other surgeons at St. Clair are expected to begin using the
new system in the near future.
Approximately 75 percent of prostate cancer surgeries in the United States are performed using
robotic-assisted surgery.
46 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

Vacation Bible School/Summer Activities
Crossroads Church - (412) 494-9999, July 11-15, 6 to 9 p.m.,
“Pandamania...Where God is Wild About You,” children entering
kindergarten-completed fifth grade with limited space for children who
will be four years old before July 11, 2011, or e-mail:
ginny@crossroadsumc.org.
Kenmawr UP Church - (412) 331-2863, August 23, 10 a.m. to 2
p.m., “Fun in the Sun Day,” four year olds-sixth grade, please call to
register, or e-mail: kenmawrchurch@comcast.net; “Hometown Nazareth,”
July 25-29, 6 to 8:30 p.m., four years old through middle school.
Montours Presbyterian Church - (412) 787-1050, June 26-
July 1, “Hometown Nazareth-Where Jesus was a Kid,” preschool-fifth
grade, (412) 760-9408, E-mail: info@montourschurch.org Westridge Christian Community Church - (724) 695-7500,
Oakdale UP Church - (724) 693-8950, Marketplace VBS: “Be a
Good Neighbor,” June 20-23, 9 a.m. to noon, corner of First and
Hastings Avenues, Oakdale, or e-mail: markvmi96@gmail.com.
Riverdale UP Church - (724) 457-0207, “Parable Quest,” ages
three-grade five, July 18-22, 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., e-mail:
hp@riverdalechurch.org or office@riverdalechurch.org.
Resurrection Lutheran Church - (412) 788-4513, June 27-July
1, “Camp on the Road,” children entering grades one-five in the fall.
The ROCK - (724) 693-2777, Daycamp, six weeks starting June 20-
July 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Extended hours available 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Themed weeks, cost is $70 per week for ROCK members, $85 per week for
non-ROCK members; extended hours, add $15 per week, located at 150
West State Street, Oakdale, or e-mail: rock_oakdale@yahoo.com.
St. Columbkille - (724) 695-2146, Dr. Josie Crame, “SonSurf Beach
Blast,” August 1-5, 9 a.m. to noon, ages kindergarten through grade six,
or e-mail: stcolumbkilleparish@comcast.net.
“Son Surf Beach Bash,” July 14 and 15, 7-8:30 p.m., July 16, 10 a.m.
to 1 p.m. (with lunch at 11:30), July 17, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. during
the church service.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 47

Parkway West Career
& Technology Center
NEW PROGRAM: Precision Machining/Robotics
Parkway West CTC has added Precision Machining/Robotics to its course
selections this fall. The program was introduced during a special open house on
April 27.
According to the Pennsylvania Center for Advanced Manufacturing Careers
2010 Report, there are critical shortages of precision manufacturing and
industrial maintenance technicians in Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector.
Additionally, advanced manufacturing careers pay 20 percent more than the
state average, with an annual salary of $53,000.
And, the report also states that there are 72,000 individuals working as
precision machinists and industrial maintenance technicians in Pennsylvania. It is
estimated that employers will need between 15,000 and 17,000 more workers
within the next decade.
The workforce for this career is considerably older than in 1980 and 2000,
and has aged steadily over the past decade. An estimated one-third of the state’s
workforce in this field is now over age 50 and most of them will retire in the next
ten years.
High school students can attend this program half day while also attending their
home school. Students and their parents who are interested in this program are
welcome to call (412) 923-1772.
Send a bit of “home” to someone you know!
We Do Gift Certificates!
Send a Subscription of Allegheny West Magazine for
that out-of-town relative,
college student, or someone who has moved away.
Subscriptions are just $12 per year for six issues!
CALL: (724) 695-3968 or e-mail:
alleghenywestmagazine@comcast.net.
www.imperialtaxandaccounting.com
48 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 49

STORY BY SHANE ZYSK
PHOTO BY JJ
With the sun now shining and front yards now green, it can truly
be seen that warm weather season is finally here. Trees are full of
leaves and flowers are sprouting in full bloom, washing away that
winter gloom. Perhaps no group of people, however, could be more
excited at this time of year than those of the North Fayette Garden
Club.
Officially organized back in 1925, the North Fayette Garden
Club has a history that goes back generations.
“Some of the members that are in the club now have mothers and
grandmothers who were also involved,” said club treasurer, Colleen
Stripp. “I actually became a part of this club through my mother-inlaw,
who had been a member for countless years before that.”
Colleen explained how the club was originally founded with a
very selective membership that included mainly those of upper-class
origins.
“It was a very prominent social group, made up of the women of
Oakdale, who would get together while their husbands were at
work and share tips on gardening,” said Colleen. “This was a very
prestigious hat and glove society that you had to be privately voted
into following nomination by a fellow member.”
Though it was initially a difficult club to become involved in, the
North Fayette Garden Club has since opened up its membership to
virtually everyone.
“We are open for people anywhere, of any age, to join. We have
had members from Oakdale, North Fayette, South Fayette,
Bridgeville, and Washington. As long as you’re interested in
gardening, we’ll take you,” said Colleen.
Members of the North Fayette Garden Club take part in a range
of activities that are selected democratically each year.
“In the past, we’ve made birdhouses and butterfly gardens, and
have even had florists visit and give lessons on how to create
arrangements and such. Anybody can have a suggestion, which will
then be discussed and voted upon by our club members,” said club
president, Doloris McHugh. “Any money that comes out of our
treasury, for any purpose, must be voted upon.”
Much of the money the club makes comes from annual
fundraisers that the club holds.
“We had a table set up during Oakdale’s Oaktoberfest celebration
where we sold baked goods, held a Chinese auction, and handed
out brochures. We have at least one fundraiser like that each year,”
said Doloris.
Doloris expressed her belief in holding the club’s fundraisers in
Oakdale as a way of supporting the community in which the club
operates. “We’re a community organization, so we believe in
supporting this area and its businesses,” she said.
The North Fayette Garden Club also supports the area by
buying many of the flowers it uses for projects from Oakdale’s own
Moore’s Hardware store.
Many of the projects the club undertakes are designed to
beautify the local community, such as planting flowers at the
Oakdale Cemetery and Oakdale Community Center. The club also
makes donations to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Meals
on Wheels, and the Oakdale Youth League. In addition to these
activities, the North Fayette Garden Club gives out a yearly book
award to a student who meets the club’s requirements.
“Children or relatives of members write an essay that is then
judged by the members. One of those essays is selected and the
winner receives the club’s scholarship,” said Colleen.
Of all the elements that make this club truly great, however, its
most vital element are the members.
50 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

ABOVE: Members of the North Fayette Garden Club, front, left to right: Lattie Smilnyak, Billie Dufresne,
Esther Biearman; center, Doloris McHugh; back row, left to right: Joan Garrett, Colleen Stripp, Pat
Ewing, Dolly Pearson.
“I came to this club to meet people, learn more about the flowers
I love, and to see if there was any way in which I could help our
town out,” said club member, Audrey Moore. “This is a very nice
place to live and the people here are great!”
Sharing in Audrey’s passion were both Colleen and Doloris.
“My father and grandfather had wonderful gardens,” said
Colleen, “and I hope to have one that would make the both of
them proud.”
“I became a part of the Garden Club back in 1989. Before I
knew it, I was the vice president, and now I’m already serving my
second term as president. We’ve had some really dedicated
members over the years,” commented Doloris, “ I remember one
who had a fantastic herb garden and greenhouse room in her
house.”
It’s members like this that have made the North Fayette Garden
Club what it is today, and both Doloris and Colleen expressed the
need to get more such individuals involved.
“The group historically had over 100 members, but now has
under 20, so we’re definitely in the market for more people,”
Colleen said.
As previously stated, anyone is encouraged to join, and can get in
touch by either contacting Doloris McHugh at (724) 693-8413
or attending one of the club’s regular meetings. The club meets at
the Oakdale Community Center on Seminary Avenue in Oakdale
at either 12 or 1 p.m. in the afternoon on the last Tuesday of every
month starting in March, with the exception of holidays. Meetings
usually consist of a theme, such as a craft, holiday, season,
gardening skill, or planned event. In addition, the meetings are also
occasionally attended by guest speakers, and offer a luncheon with
food supplied by a local business, such as Sil’s Market. The
membership fee for the North Fayette Garden Club is $5, which is
usually collected at the first meeting in March, when the club’s
yearly program books are also distributed.
Located on the club’s past brochures, Doloris created a mission
statement which says, “The North Fayette Garden Club seeks to
provide educational opportunities for the home gardener in our
local area. This group also actively contributes to civic projects and
the improvements of our local communities by participating in
local events, financially supporting community organizations, and
providing flowers and gardens to beautify local communities in our
area. ”
In a day and age when small town groups and values appear to
be growing rarer than ever, it’s nice to find an organization such as
the North Fayette Garden Club, which proudly upholds its past
traditions of supporting the local community and provides
a social gathering for its members to share in
common interests and goals.
Summing up an image of the Garden Club
was fellow member, Billie Dufrense. “Gardens
are like children,” said Billie, “they need
sunshine, fresh air, and lots of love and
tender care.”
The North Fayette Garden Club stands
by this, offering plenty of love and tender
care to the natural world and the people
around it.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 51

52 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 53

56 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 57

DUE TO THE GOVERNOR’S BUDGET
REDUCTION S TATEWIDE, PUBLIC
SCHOOLS ARE CUTTING ST AFF AND
PROGRAMS, LOOKING AT EVERY
POSSIBLE W AY TO ELIMINA TE
WHATEVER THEY CAN TO BALANCE
THE BUDGET. SCHOOLS ARE F IND-
ING CHALLENGES AT E VERY S TEP.
D
ESPITE THE GOVERNOR’S
DECISION AFFECTING THE
STATE’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS,
LOCALLY, THE WEST ALLEGHENY
SCHOOL DISTRICT IS HOLDING THE
LINE ON TAXES, ACCOMPLISHED A
TEACHER’S CONTRACT, OPENED A
NEWLY RENOVATED HIGH SCHOOL,
MAINTAINED STAFF, ADDED PRO-
GRAMS AND SERVICES, AND MORE.
state of
the
schoo
BUDGET & PROGRAMS
Despite significant proposed reductions in state revenues, West
Allegheny adopted its 2011-12 budget without a tax increase.
“Given the challenges associated with this year’s state budget, I am
very proud to say that the 2011-12 budget reflects no tax increase.
More importantly, we were able to maintain the integrity of our
programs and services,” stated Superintendent Dr. John S. DiSanti.
The superintendent commended the staff, and, in particular the
administrative team, for their efforts to contain costs, eliminating any
unnecessary expenditures, and moderating budget requests. Dr.
DiSanti also acknowledged the Board of School Directors for its
confidence and support in the administrative team’s oversight and
management of the budget process.
The board approved a $52,765,097 budget, which is an increase of
1.76% for the 2010-11 adopted budget. Business Manager George
Safin indicated that several cost-effective changes are being implemented
to save dollars that can be diverted to maintain educational
programs and services. Those cost-effective measures include
consolidation of printers and copiers, expanding the use of electronic
media to curtail postage and paper usage, the elimination of small
appliances throughout the district, and energy retrofits to reduce
utility costs.
“Our ability to sustain programs long-term could rest in decisions
made by the legislature as it relates to state funding and the elimination
or curtailment of non or underfunded governmental mandates,”
concluded Dr. DiSanti.
58 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

ols
NEW CONTRACT
After 15 months of challenging negotiations, the West Allegheny
Board of School Directors and West Allegheny Educational
Association (WAEA) agreed to a new deal that will extend through
August of 2015. Both sides bargained in good faith since January
of 2010, evidenced by the over 30 sessions that had been held.
Throughout the negotiations process, the district was committed to
reaching a settlement that would 1) offer additional instructional
time and flexibility for students, 2) create more opportunities for
teacher training and development, 3) provide fair and equitable
wages and benefits for professional employees, and, 4) be fiscally
responsible. Board President Debbie Mirich stated, “The new
agreement accomplishes all of those goals.” The contract includes
the following:
- Additional time for student instruction, curriculum, and
staff development. The teacher day will be extended by
15 minutes. As a result of this expansion, along with
modifications in the student schedule, elementary
students will receive an additional 15 minutes each day
for core subjects (reading, writing, math, science, and
social studies) and five minutes more for special subjects
such as art, music, world language, physical education,
art, and technology. Middle school and high school
students’ instructional time will increase daily by 12
minutes. One more student day will be added to the
school calendar beginning next year. Also, three
additional teacher days will be phased into the calendar
over the term of the contract beginning next year. The
days will be used for professional training, planning,
curriculum writing, and developing other instructional
improvement strategies.
- Contractual language that enables the district to create its own
Cyber Academy. This issue was vital to the district’s ability to
protect taxpayers and to compete with current and proposed
school choice options. With this new language, the district will
establish the West Allegheny Virtual Academy, an online
educational program for students who have already withdrawn
from West Allegheny or who are considering leaving the district
to enroll in cyber schools elsewhere. Under current law, school
districts must make tuition payments to cyber schools based on
selected per-pupil expenditures in the student’s resident district.
These payments far exceed the actual operational costs of the
cyber schools. As a result, the district has lost $1,483,442 in
revenues over the last five years. The new contractual language
authorizes the district to 1) create its own cyber school through a
qualified provider, 2) offer more educational courses and
scheduling flexibility to students, 3) give West Allegheny
teachers the ability to teach individual courses on-line, and 4)
save taxpayers thousands of dollars annually. The new
contractual language also insures that no teacher will be
furloughed as a direct result of the district’s Virtual Academy.
- A fair salary package that is comparable to compensation in other
Allegheny County schools that have already ratified agreements.
While the average annual increase is 3.5%, teachers who
approach the top of the 17-step salary scale will receive larger
increases attributed to experience and advanced educational
degrees.
- A benefits plan that provides teachers with high quality family
health care. Employee health care contributions will increase
from 4% in the current contract to 5.5% of premium in the first
year of the new agreement, then gradually increase to 8% in the
fifth year of the contract.
- Overall costs to the district will be significantly offset. This will be
accomplished by savings from healthcare contributions, the
recovery of revenues lost to cyber schools, the reduction of
payroll costs from expected retirements, and the educational and
monetary value derived from additional time for instruction and
professional development. It is anticipated that projected
savings in these areas will reduce the district’s average financial
outlay to 1.8% per year.
ACADEMICS
The West Allegheny School District continues to be
committed to providing rigorous academic programs that
challenge and engage students to think critically and become
proficient, well-informed members of society. One way that
rigor is being addressed is through the comprehensive revision
and enhancement of district curricula. Since 2009, curricula
have been revised and written in the areas of art, music, math,
language arts, social studies, science, life skills, library science,
technology education, career development, and physical
education and health.
All curricula, available on the home page of the district Web
site, are aligned with Pennsylvania standards, national
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 59

ACADEMICS cont.
standards, and content specific research based practices. The math,
language arts, social studies, and science curricula specifically include
the Pennsylvania Department of Education Standards Aligned System
which addresses statements related to the big ideas, concepts,
competencies, and essential questions related to instruction.
Additionally, curricular checklists have been created for each content
area as a tool to monitor implementation of district curricula.
In 2006, the West Allegheny School District offered three
advanced placement (AP) courses at the high school level. With the
addition of several new AP courses each year, the high school is now
providing 13 AP course selections with AP American Government,
AP Psychology, and AP Biology being the latest additions. In 2009,
pre-AP English/Reading curricula and courses in grades 6-8 were also
developed and implemented consistent with Pre-AP/AP Board
expectations.
Furthermore, Project Lead the Way high school technology
education courses are available to high school students and offer preengineering
opportunities in a hands-on instructional environment.
Classes include Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles to
Engineering, Digital Electronics, and Computer Integrated
Manufacturing.
West Allegheny students are also empowered to meet the
educational demands of the 21 st century by utilizing up-to-date
textbooks and related resources that complement the delivery of the
district curricula. Within the last two years, textbooks have been
adopted in the areas of math, social studies, business and technology,
and family and consumer sciences. The Accelerated Reading Program,
an electronic program assessing students’ reading levels/
comprehension and assisting teachers in analyzing data to meet each
student’s literacy instructional needs, was introduced at the middle
school in 2009 and will be phased into the elementary schools for
grades 3-5 in 2011. Smart Literacy Centers were piloted at the
elementary level during the 2010-2011 school year and will be
implemented in all K-5 classrooms in the fall of 2011. The centers
provide meaningful, authentic , curriculum-based literacy activities
that engage students as they work in small, cooperative groups.
Similarly, Scantron’s Achievement Series is an online assessment tool
that the district utilizes as an end of the year evaluation measure to
determine mastery of the math curricula.
During the 2010-2011 school year, the structure of the Primary
Intervention Program for beginning reading instruction and the
Elementary Math Resource Program evolved to adhere to a Response
to Intervention Model. A Response to Intervention Model is based on
data driven decision making in order to determine students in need
of specific academic interventions. Participating students engage in
frequent remedial sessions in the regular classroom as well as
intervention classrooms. This is in order to build the phonics/
phonemic awareness skills necessary for success as a reader and/or to
master skills related to numbers/operations, measurement, geometry,
algebraic concepts, and data analysis/probability to be
mathematically literate.
With the start of the 2011-2012 academic year, the grades 1-5
elementary remedial reading program will be revised from a model
where struggling readers are removed from the regular classroom to
receive instruction to a combination model. In a combination
model, participating students will still experience some “pull-out”
instruction but also a format where the reading specialists will work
with small groups of students in the regular classroom. This model
promotes the creation of differentiated reading groups that meet the
unique needs of each learner and also provides “coaching”
opportunities in which the reading specialists are demonstrating
and modeling research-based literacy instructional practices for all
classroom teachers.
Another district initiative that will promote the development of
strong readers and writers is the introduction of the Elementary
Summer Reading Academy which was launched this month at
Wilson Elementary. The program will consist of two-hour sessions
of six days each on consecutive Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and
Thursdays. The first session is scheduled for June 21-23 and 28-
30, and the second for July 26-28 and August 2-4. Program
themes include Up in the Sky and Beyond!, Animals, Insects, and
Reptiles across the Globe, Wonders of Mother Nature, and Deep Sea
Diving.
The Elementary Summer Reading Academy will help students to
improve comprehension for multiple purposes through extensive
reading in a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts in order to
become fluent, lifelong readers. It will also promote retention of the
literacy skills and concepts students learned during the school year
so that they do not lose ground over the summer months.
Strategies,
resources, and
helpful hints
will be shared
with parents of
participating
students so that
they are able to
provide
support and
reinforcement.
EDUCATION
60 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mark Mustio to create a freestanding act to regulate and establish minimum
standards for Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs) unanimously passed the state House.
“Just like any other job-creating industry, House Bill 1055 provides both a regulatory framework and
uniformity for PEOs by requiring annual registration with the Department of Labor and Industry,” said Mustio.
“This legislation also specifically clarifies regulator relationships and responsibilities pertaining to PEOs.”
PEOs are organizations that partner with small businesses, employing an average of five to 20 employees, to
provide human resources, employee benefits management and many other valuable support services necessary
to attract and retain high-quality personnel. PEOs enable small business clients to better focus their time and
energy on day-to-day operations.
Currently, 35 states regulate PEOs. House Bill 1055 now moves on to the state Senate for consideration.
STATE SEN. JOHN PIPPY
1009 Beaver Grade Road,
Suite 210
Moon Township, PA 15108
(412) 262-2260
www.senatorpippy.com
jpippy@pasen.gov
STATE REP. MARK MUSTIO
1009 Beaver Grade Road,
Suite 220
Moon Township, PA 15108
(412) 262-3780
www.repmustio.com
mmustio@pahousegop.com
Legislation sponsored by Rep. Mark Mustio to simplify and clarify the definition of an “independent
contractor” under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act to allow sole proprietors, partners of a partnership,
and officers of a Limited Liability Company (LLC) to purchase workers’ compensation insurance was
unanimously enacted by the House today. House Bill 440 now moves on to the Senate for consideration.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 61

COUPONS
WEST ALLEGHENY EDITION
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PHOTOS BY PAT JENNETTE
62 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011
LEFT AND ABOVE: A “300 Drums Finale” was held with all of the district’s fourth grade students on
May 17 to celebrate the completion of a project that was conducted through a STEAM grant awarded
to West Allegheny art teachers Claire March and Debbie Turici and community partners Brad and Kate
Silberberg (above left) of the Mesa Creative Arts Center in Burgettstown.

Findlay Township
Residential has been slow but steady. Current residential construction
includes four houses in Sun Ridge, one in Maronda Farms, one
in Marion Estates and a five unit townhouse in Woodcreek Manor.
Clinton Lake is looking to start construction of its townhouse units
this July or August.
In April the Board of Supervisors approved Allegheny County
Airport Authority’s tentative application for Clinton Commerce
Park, Phase II. Phase II, consisting of 361 acres, will extend Sweeney
Drive 2,044 feet for a 459,000-square-foot building pad and
construct a new 4,050-foot long roadway off of Sweeney Drive for
five building pads with up to 990,000-square-feet.
The Contribution Agreement for the Route 30 / Clinton Road
Intersection Improvement Project has been signed, sealed, and
delivered to finance the upgrade and lane addition to Clinton
Road at its intersection with Route 30. The Agreement calls for an
80% Federal Highway Administration / PennDOT contribution
to the Project and 20% Local match being provided by Findlay
Township through right-of-way donation. The right-of- ways will
include a a portion of the former Mamone’s Restaurant property
being donated to the township by its owner – Maronda
Foundation, and through the township’s purchase of the house on the
other corner that is owned by the William J. Wolf Trust.
The project has progressed to the point of a Right-of-Way Plan submission
to PennDOT and a Line and Grade submission to PennDOT
for review and approval. Engineer for the project is Atkins
(formerly PBS&J). The next step, once the Right-of-Way Plan is
approved, is the completion of an appraisal process for right-of-way
valuation.
The Board of Supervisors recently approved the appointment of the
firm of HRG ( Herbert, Rowland and Grubic, Inc. ) as the new traffic
engineer replacing Atkins ( formerly PBS&J ). HRG will be involved in
general traffic engineering, impact fee ordinance updates, developer’s
reviews, and project design, except for the Route 30 / Clinton
Intersection Improvement Project which will remain, through
completion, with Atkins, Inc.
Findlay Township’s “Fair in the Woodlands” for 2011, previously a
three-day event, will now be a two-day event – Friday, August 19 and
Saturday, August 20. The Semi-Great Race still will take place on Friday
evening at 7 p.m. and the community parade will still be Saturday
morning at 10:30 a.m. Many of the same activities and entertainment
will take place during the two-day event.
Reminders to Findlay Residents . . .
Findlay Township reminds residents of the following property
maintenance issues now that warm weather is here:
• All lawn areas must be maintained and grass cut less than ten
inches (10”) in length.
dark for kids.
• All motor vehicles must be parked on an improved surface. Please do
not park vehicles in lawn areas, which include the grass strip
between curbs and sidewalks.
• Any vehicle parked outside must have a current registration and
inspection.
• In residential plans (Imperial Pointe, Westbury, Marion Estates,
Maronda Farms, Lenox Place, Mystic Hills, Woodcreek Manor), all
front yard lamp posts must be maintained in operating order. In lieu
of street lighting, these plans were required to install front yard
lamp posts with dusk-to-dawn sensors. Without these lights
working properly, township streets and residences become very
• Swimming pools must be maintained at all times and water must be
chemically treated to prevent algae and/or bacteria.
• All trash and recycling materials must be placed curbside in approved
containers. (i.e. cans, bins, large garbage bags). Grocery bags are not
approved storage containers for curbside. If using grocery bags to
collect items from one’s residence, please place them in a larger
garbage bag or container before putting them curbside.
North Fayette Township
NEWS FROM THE BUILDING & ZONING DEPARTMENT
IT’S TIME FOR HOME IMPROVEMENTS!
Obtain a building and/or zoning permit for your spring and summer projects prior to beginning any work.
Permits are required for additions, decks, roofs, and sheds (regardless of the size). The building
department is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The building inspector is in the office
between 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Visit the Web site at www.north-fayette.com, stop by the office, or call the building
department at (724) 693-3107 for more information and/or permit requirements and an application.
Please be aware that structures such as decks, sheds, swimming pools, detached garages, and others must
comply with property line set-back requirements and are not permitted to be constructed over an easement
or right-of-way. (The location of easements and right-of-ways can be found on the official property survey.)
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 63

SWIMMING POOL AND HOT TUB SAFETY
Any type of swimming pool, hot tub, or spa capable of being filled with greater than 24 inches of
water requires a permit. This includes portable and inflatable swimming pools most commonly purchased
at department stores. Installing one of these swimming pools without proper safety barriers is
very dangerous to neighboring children and can result in drowning.
FENCES
Permits are not required for the installation of a fence, however, there are several requirements: in
residential zoning districts, fences no greater than six (6) feet in height shall be permitted in rear or
side yards. Privacy fences which contain openings equal to or less than fifty percent (50%) of the area
of the fence shall be permitted in the rear yard, provided they are located at least one (1) foot off the
lot line and do not enclose the entire rear yard. Fences which contain openings equal to at least
seventy-five percent (75%) of the area of the fence and which are not more than three (3) feet in
height shall be permitted in a lot’s front and/or side yards.
ADDRESS NUMBERS!
Please make sure your home has address numbers placed on the structure in a position to be plainly
legible and visible from the street fronting the property. Address numbers shall contrast with the
background and shall be a minimum of four (4) inches high with a minimum stroke width of ½ inch.
Homes lacking visible address numbers are difficult for emergency responders to find and may result
in potential delays when help is needed.
RECREATIONAL FIRES
Small recreational fires are permitted. However, there are several requirements set forth by the
Allegheny County Health Department that must be followed: Recreational fires may not be larger than
16 feet square by 3 feet in height and must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the nearest
structures or property lines. Only smokeless fuels may be used to start the fire and only clean wood
may be burned. Anyone wishing to have a recreational fire must notify the North Fayette Township
Police Department at (412) 787-8900 prior to starting the fire.
HELP KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES LOOKING CLEAN AND BEAUTIFUL
Weeds and grass shall be cut and maintained throughout the exterior property areas. Rubbish and/or
garbage and junk vehicles shall not be stored. or accumulated in the exterior property areas.
In light of recent encounters involving
dogs and rabies-infected wildlife, the
Allegheny County Health Department is
cautioning pet owners to vaccinate dogs and
cats against rabies, keep them away from
wildlife as well as stray animals, and take
appropriate actions to protect themselves and
their pet if such encounters should occur.
In one case an unvaccinated dog developed
rabies after an encounter with a skunk
and in another case a Labrador Retriever was
spared the disease after encountering a
rabid raccoon along a walking trail because
the dog’s owner had kept its rabies vaccination
up to date.
Spending time outdoors as the weather
warms makes a pet more likely to have an
encounter with wildlife or a stray animal that
might be rabid. Make sure your pet is
protected. State law requires that dogs and
cats be rabies vaccinated and booster shots
be given periodically to maintain lifelong
immunity.
If you are ever bitten, scratched or
otherwise exposed to saliva from wildlife or a
stray animal, cleanse the contact area with
soap and water, seek emergency medical
treatment and report the incident to the
Allegheny County Health Department by
calling 412-687-ACHD (2243).
64 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

Coming Up . . .
Milestones & Ribbon Cuttings
MEMBER
MILESTONES
15 years: Allegheny Medical
Integrated Health Services;
Sam’s Club
10 years: Daley &
Associates; Panera Bread -
North Fayette Location; Value
Ambridge Properties
Advanced Vein Cen ter
Arlene’s Fun Travel
Behavior Business Partners
Culligan Water Conditioning
Eggs N’at, LLC
Forletta Consulting & Investigative Services
Gerard Plumbing and Heating, Inc.
TOP: The Montour Trail Council
celebrates its 10-year milestone
with the Chamber; Choices
Chiropractic poses with Ambassadors
for their ribbon cutting; new
members, Eyetique, doing their
ribbon cutting with Chamber
Ambassadors
BOTTOM: Ambassadors help Forma
Personal Training with their ribbon
cutting.
Welcome New Members
Hopewell Township
JPapa Consulting
Mr. Rooter
Pickles Pizzeria
Premier Safety & Services, Inc.
Pre-Paid Legal - Frank Cox
Smith Rupp Fiore Insurance Management
June 16
Inspiring Leaders: Jim Roddey
11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Radisson Greentree
July 14
Summer Gala
6 to 9 p.m.
Roselea Farms, Moon Township
To Reach Us
850 Beaver Grade Rd.
Moon Twp., PA 15108
Phone: (412) 264-6270
Fax: (412) 265-1575
Satellite Office:
One Veteran’s Way, Carnegie, PA 15106
Phone: (412) 276-1414, x 1326
www.paacc.com E-Mail: info@paacc.com
Serving These Areas
Aliquippa, Ambridge, Carnegie, Clinton,
Collier, Coraopolis, Crafton, Crescent,
Edgeworth, Findlay, Glenfield, Greentree,
Haysville, Heidelberg, Hopewell, Ingram,
Kennedy, Leetsdale, McDonald, McKees
Rocks, Moon Township, Neville Island, North
Fayette, Oakdale, Osborne, Pennsbury
Village, Robinson, Rosslyn Farms, Sewickley,
Stowe, and Thornburg
Chamber Officers
BERNADETTE PUZZUOLE, Chairperson
CAROL IFFT, 1st Vice-Chair
JOHN DALEY, 2nd Vice-Chair
DEAN HASTINGS, Vice-Chair
VINCE SETNAR, Vice-Chair
RONALD PASIC, Treasurer
SEAN HENDERSON, Immed. Past Chairman
Chamber Staff
Sally Haas – President
Michelle Kreutzer – VP, Business
Development & Marketing
Doug Keeter – Membership Director
Tammy Lynn – Financing
Amanda Coumbassa – Membership
Services
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 65

Ground Work
“A Rose is a Rose is a Rose is a Rose”
There are many different categories and types of roses. Modern
roses are the most common. Unlike their older, hardy, more disease
resistant predecessors (e.g., species roses and old roses), most
modern roses bloom all summer long.
There are several different types and categories of modern roses:
hybrid teas, polyanthas, floribundas, grandifloras, English roses,
miniatures, climbing, shrub, and tree roses.
Hybrid tea roses generally grow three to five feet high, have
exposed bare canes, and have large fragrant flowers on long stems
that are often used in floral arrangements.
Polyanthas are more bush like. They grow approximately two feet
high and have small flowers (about one inch in size) that occur in
clusters on the stem. They are often used as hedges or in groupings
for masses of color.
Floribundas are easy-to-grow compact bushes approximately two to
four feet tall with numerous flowers on short stems. Floribunda
flowers are larger than polyanthas but smaller than hybrid tea roses.
These roses are used as hedges, borders, and mass color
groupings.
Grandifloras grow four to six feet high and are used in the back of
BY ANN CUSTER
flowerbeds and/or as shrub borders. Flowers grow singly or in
clusters on long stems—unless they are hybrid tea grandifloras,
then they have shorter stems.
English roses are bush-like structures with arching canes that grow
three to five-feet high. These flowers are distinguished by their deep
cup shape and their high petal count.
Miniatures grow between ten and 36 inches tall. They have tiny,
perfectly proportioned leaves and stems, and are often used in
hanging baskets, container gardens, rock gardens, borders, and
edgings.
Climbing roses have long canes that need to be anchored to a
support. They can be up to 20 feet in length and flowers bloom the
whole length of the cane.
Shrub roses grow two to five feet tall, are super rugged, easy to
grow, andbloom repeatedly and heavily throughout the season. They
make good border shrubs that amass color.
Tree roses consist of hybrid teas, floribundas, and/or miniature
roses that have been grafted onto standards usually two to six feet
high. These plants are highly susceptible to winter damage and must
be moved indoors during the winter season.
Presented by the North Fayette Garden Club
66 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

Community Cards
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS, ORGANIZATION, PRODUCT, OR SERVICE HERE! Just $115 for a black and white
business card, or $125 for a business card in color. No contract required. For more information, call (724) 695-3968.
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 67

CAMPBELL BROTHERS PART OF WA TRADITION
Family and tradition are two of the elements that help to explain the
concept of successful athletic endeavor. Hard work and talent are other
factors. Make no mistake, an athletic team, in order to be successful, has
to act as a family.
There is also the conventional family factor as exemplified by the
Campbell brothers.
Kevin Campbell is the eldest of three sons of Kevin Sr. and Cindy
Campbell. Kevin’s brothers Kellen and Kirk followed him into a golden
era of sports at West Allegheny.
There was at least one Campbell brother on the West Allegheny
football roster every year when the Indians won four WPIAL
championships in five years from 1997 through 2001. Kevin and Kellen
were players on the Indians’ first two PIAA runners up teams in 1999
and 2000. Kirk was a sophomore reserve wide receiver on the 2001
state championship team.
All three of the brothers also had outstanding careers as wrestlers
as well. Between them they brought home nine MAC titles. Kevin won four,
Kellen three and Kirk two.
All three went on to play football in college. Kevin was a linebacker
at Mercyhurst. Kirk followed him to the school in Erie as a wide receiver.
Kellen played at Pitt and was the starting fullback on the 2004
Panthers Fiesta Bowl team.
A tool company in Alexandria Virginia now employs Kevin.
Kellen is a consultant for a logistics company in Carnegie.
Kirk is currently on the football coaching staff of Tiffin University in
Ohio.
The Campbell brothers’ legacy belongs in the WA archives now.
Suffice it to say that the three brothers’ honors fill the home of Cindy
and Kevin Sr. in Hankey Farms with trophies, ribbons, medals, and other
sports memorabilia accumulated over the years.
PHOTO SUBMITTED
LEFT: The 14U West Allegheny Travel Baseball Team played in a 14U
tournament in Penn Hills over the Memorial Day weekend. The team
went 5 - 0 and scored 48 runs while giving up on nine runs. Left to
right, First Row: Nick Wiethorn; Second Row: Chayse Dillion, Brandon
Pouch, Tyler Scanlon, Chasen Claus; Third row: Zack White, Christian
Stout, Sean Orsini, Josh Bahr, Ethan Manley, Coach Orsini; Players not
in picture Colin Claus, Jonathon Artinger and Michael Cummings.
Soccer Recognition
LEFT: Nick Kolarac, a 2010 West Allegheny graduate,
attended St. Francis University this past year as a
freshman on a scholarship to play Division 1 soccer.
His team missed the NCAA playoffs by one game. The
school athletic department announced Nick as
freshman of the year for soccer. Nick played on West
Allegheny’s soccer team from middle school through
his senior year when they went to States. Majoring in
Secondary Education/History, his parents are Sharon
and Tom Kolarac.
68 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

Community Connections
MUNICIPALITIES
FINDLAY TOWNSHIP
1271Route 30
Clinton, PA 15026
(724) 695-0500
www.findlay.pa.us
NORTH FAYETTE
TOWNSHIP
400 North Branch Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 788-4888
www.north-fayette.com
OAKDALE BOROUGH
6115 Noblestown Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 693-9740
www.oakdaleborough.com
McDONALD BOROUGH
151 School Street
McDonald, PA 15057
(724) 926-8711
www.mcdonaldboro.com
PUBLIC & PRIVATE
SCHOOLS K-12
West Allegheny
School District
600 Donaldson Road
Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 695-3422
www.westasd.org
Parkway West Career &
Technology Center
7101 Steubenville Pike
Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 923-1772
www.parkwaywest.org
This list includes only those public and private
schools located within the municipalities served
by the West Allegheny Edition of Allegheny West
Magazine
EMERGENCIES:
Dial 911
CHURCHES
Allegheny West Christian Church
7600 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 788-4988
Church of Jesus Christ
57 Moore Road, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 899-3935
Church of The Living Christ
220 West Allegheny Road, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 695-7188, www.cotlc.com
Church of the Nazarene
507 Route 30, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 695-7669, www.nazarene.org
Clinton UP Church
25 Wilson Road, Clinton, PA 15026
(724) 695-7993
Clinton Wesleyan Church
1022 Clinton Road, Clinton, PA 15026
(724) 695-7076
Covenant Family Church
P. O. Box 15533, Pittsburgh, PA 15244
(724) 263-7147, www.covfamchurch.org
(meets at Springhill Suites)
Crossroads Methodist Church
1000 Crossroads Drive, Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 494-9999, www.crossroadsumc.org
First Baptist Church
141 N. McDonald Street, McDonald, PA 15057
(724) 926-4216
Hebron Presbyterian Church
1767 Route 30, Clinton, PA 15026
(725) 899-2276
Montours Presbyterian Church
3151 Montour Church Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 787-1050
Noblestown United Methodist Church
7313 Noblestown Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 693-2755
Noblestown United
Presbyterian Church
7427 Noblestown Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 693-8250
Oakdale United Presbyterian Church
62 Hastings Avenue, Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 693-8950
Resurrection Lutheran Church
7600 Steubenville Pike, Oakdale, PA 15071
(412) 788-4513
St. Columbkille Church
103 Church Road, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 695-7325, www.saintcolumbkilleparish.org
St. Patrick’s Church
7322 Noblestown Road, Oakdale, PA 15071
(724) 693-9260, www.saint-patrick-parish.com
The Bible Chapel
@ PIttsburgh Technical Institute
(724) 941-8990, www.biblechapel.org/robinson
Valley Presbyterian Church
237 Main Street, Imperial, PA 15126
(724) 695-0300, www.valleychurchweb.com
West Ridge Christian Church
100 Gorwood Drive, Coraopolis, PA 15108
(724) 695-7500, www.wrccc.org
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Al-A-Non, West A area, (724) 926-3396
American Legion Post 171 Oakdale, (724) 693-8759
American Legion Post 335 Imperial, (724) 695-0491
Boy Scouts-Grtr. Pgh. Council-Frontier, (412) 325-7971 or 7995
Findlay Athletic Assn., (724) 255-3139
Girl Scouts WPA, (724) 774-3553
Heritage Public Library-McDonald, (724) 926-8400
Kiwanis Club #1571, (724) 899-3695
Lions Club Imperial, (724) 513-7616
Masonic Lodge #669, (724) 693-8274
McDonald Area Redevelopment Assn., (724) 926-4617
Meals on Wheels-Oakdale, (724) 693-8540
Meals on Wheels-W.A., (724) 695-0634
Montour Run Watershed Assn., www.mrwa.info
Montour Trail Council, (412) 257-3011
Montour Valley Grange, (724) 695-0481
Mothers of Preschoolers-Crossroads, (412) 494-9999
Mothers of Preschoolers-Hebron, (724) 899-2276
Mothers of Preschoolers-Valley, (724) 695-0300
North Fayette Athletic Assn., (412) 580-0655
North Fayette Garden Club, (724) 693-8413
Oakdale Youth League, (724) 693-8951
Rotary - Parkway West, (412) 287-9273
Senior Citizen Groups:
- Findlay Township, (724) 695-0500
- North Fayette Township, (724) 693-3118
- Oakdale Community Center, (724) 693-8540
- St. Columbkille, (724) 695-7325
SNPJ Lodge 106, (724) 695-1411
Sturgeon Athletic Club, (724) 926-2150
The ROCK Community Center, (724) 693-2777
VFW Ladies Auxiliary, (412) 788-4674
VFW Post #7070 Oakdale, (412) 427-9195
VFW Post #7714 Imperial, (724) 695-8866
West Allegheny Food Pantry & Thrift Shop, (724) 695-1305
West Allegheny Foundation, inquiries@wafounation.org
West Allegheny Friends to Enhance the Library (WAFEL), (724) 695-8150
West Allegheny Ministerium, (724) 693-8950
West Allegheny Booster & PTA Groups, visit www.westasd.org
Western Allegheny Community Library, (724) 695-8150
West Allegheny Aqua Club, (412) 608-4583
West Allegheny Arts Advocacy, (724) 695-3374
West Allegheny Inline Hockey, (412) 334-2640
West Allegheny Youth Assn., (724) 695-2449
West Allegheny Youth Soccer Assn., (724) 695-1984
West Allegheny Youth Wrestling, (724) 695-3787
June 2011 www.alleghenywestmagazine.com 69

PERSONAL
Perspective
By
Erma Dodd
North Fayette Township
resident
Lucy, a springer spaniel-chocolate lab
mix, began to bark and bark. Normally she
made whimpering sounds to awaken Jim
and Billie Jean Morosetti.
Lucy would not stop barking. Billie was
becoming upset with her and told Jim, “I’ll
get up and take her out.”
Jim answered, “I think it’s a robbery.”
Opening their bedroom door, they
smelled the smoke. It was enough smoke to
set off the ‘Lucy alarm,’ but not yet
enough smoke to set off the smoke
detector.
They rushed down the stairs and could
see the fire falling and bouncing off the
patio.
Billie ran upstairs in her robe, grabbed
walking shorts for Jim. It was 1:30 a.m.,
November 22, 2010, and seasonably cold
outside. Police arrived in minutes.
Jim went out the back door, thinking
Billie was behind him, but Billie does not
panic, or was in denial. She stayed to get
her purse and some picture albums of
grandkids. She wanted her phone and was
about to go into their smoke-filled family
room when, loud and clear, the commanding
voice of North Fayette police officer,
Chad Slovick, stopped her.
“Mrs. Morosetti, get out now ,” he said.
Lucy never left her side. She believes
Lucy would have followed her into that
smoke-filled room, even died with her.
Sarah Heinlein, a North Fayette
firefighter, asked Billie, “Is there anything
you want us to get for you?”
“Yes.”
Her thoughts went to a bracelet, a gift
from her son.
Sarah went into the house, to the master
bedroom, and rescued the bracelet and an
engraved mirrored jewelry box, a treasured
gift from Billie’s U.S. Airway’s friends
when she retired.
Other firefighters went into the house.
They thoughtfully took family pictures
from the walls, and set them outside under
a tree.
Firefighters told the Morosetti’s to get
into their truck to keep warm, and to drive
to the end of the driveway. Lucy sat on
Billie’s lap; Jim was mighty grateful for the
warmth of the jogging suit (and friendship)
that neighbor Jerry Kehm brought to him.
Son, Bill Morosetti, teacher and wrestling
coach at West Allegheny, arrived. He could
only watch “as the house I spent my entire
childhood in was burning.”
Karen Kehm Antoszeski has been their next
door neighbor for 32 years. She and Jack
invited them into their warm home, and they
all watched the fire. Billie and Karen had
always been friends, but did not realize how
much they loved one another until the fire.
They have shared many tears.
After several hours, the fire was out. The
firefighters, all volunteers, went back to their
busy lives. Not much sleep that night.
By 6:30 a.m., friends and neighbors and
folks Billie and Jim did not even know began
to arrive.
“It seemed like 100 came to offer help,” said
Billie Jean.
One young man stopped. “I am young and I
have a truck. What can I do to help?”
An unforgettable moment, Kathleen Duffy
stopped and asked to talk to the owner. She
said, “I have a house in Walden Woods. You
can move into it and stay as long as you need
to.”
Billie, in awe and full of gratitude, answered,
“Oh honey, I don’t even know you.” They
hugged.
Other friends offered shelter. Dick Ackman
offered a house. The Meehans arrived with
winter coats and coffee.
Half of their two-story colonial home was
gone, the other half drenched, and later the
November rains came.
The missing piece, son (and brother)
Christopher, flew in from Rhode Island about
noon. He also flew into the arms of his family.
When Billie saw her son at the apartment, she
knew she “had it all.” These sons could have
lost both parents, but didn’t.
“We can’t say enough about the firefighters.
They risk their lives. They were wonderful,”
she said.
One firefighter’s response was, “That’s our
job.”
Billie and Jim take notice of the fires on the
news nearly every day. News that tugs at
their hearts for the families.
“So many gave us the gift of time as they
reached out to us. The many cards, notes,
calls, hugs, and prayers all mean so much to
us.”
In the days after the fire, the insurance
company asked, “What was lost in the fire?”
They also asked what their son, Bill, lost.
His firm and sure answer, “I realized,
everything I wanted made it out of there.
My parents. All I really cared about. All that
really matters.”
“Pay It Forward” is a favorite movie, and
Billie is committed to pay it forward (which
means receive a blessing, give and give again).
Their faith and God’s grace carried them
through.
It has been six months. Billie thinks she is
done with the emotions and crying, until
tears come to her eyes in gratitude. She has
learned the three-foot closet in her son’s
home has all the clothes she really needs.
“Just being alive, with friends and loved
ones in my life, I didn’t lose anything; I have
it all.”
Time now to rebuild. Cause of fire,
undetermined.
That night as they watched their home
burning, one firefighter came to the window
of their truck. Lucy was sitting on Billie’s
lap. Billie told him how Lucy had saved their
lives. The firefighter said, “I hear that every
day. Your dog is your best alarm system.”
Lucy received gifts, too, like lots of doggie
treats. Best of all, Lucy received the gift of a
home when she needed one. She was adopted
six years before
the fire.
To Jim and
Billie Jean, Lucy
is three-in-one:
soulmate and
princess and
hero.
(Jim Morosetti is
a North Fayette
Township
supervisor.)
70 Allegheny West Magazine June 2011

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