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SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013 | HERALDsTANDARD.COm
Uniontown man enjoying visit to Brazil By Dave Slusarick For the Herald-Standard
“A stranger,” entertainer Will Rogers said, “is just a friend I haven’t met yet.” To understand me, you must understand that my soul is perpetually restless; I am a man fueled by the persistent notion that there are future friends, near and far, waiting to be met. The road of personal growth does not need to be traveled alone. This narrow, curvy stretch of blacktop, with few signs and lots of potholes, becomes less of a task to be mastered and more of an adventure to be had, as each new friend takes a turn in the passenger seat, helping us to navigate. If you would have told me six months ago that this mad journey would land me in Paraná, Brazil, where I am spending much of April and May immersed in the culture as a team member for Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange (GSE), I would have laughed in disbelief. Yet, with disbelief intact, here I am. Riding shotgun with me, as of late, is Araken, a man with a mischievous glimmer in his eye. People began shortening his name to “Ken” when he left his native Brazil in the 1960s to attend Miami University of Ohio. It was around that time that he developed partiality for the music of Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker and Iron Butterfly. He and his friends even cut a barbed wire fence to sneak into Woodstock. Fast forward to the 21st century, and Ken, whose rock ‘n’ roll CDs sometimes skip from the overuse they still receive, has amassed four
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Eberly also told graduates to never be afraid to have a dream and to nurture it, and to never forget to make time for their families. “Your careers are vital, of course, and giving of your spare time to charitable endeavors and to your community is commendable, but in the
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explicit video and pictures after a night of drinking. Bell pleaded guilty to the corruption of minors charge, and prosecutors agreed to dismiss the charge of disseminating explicit sexual materials. Because his plea is a general one, it was entered without a fixed sentence. Fayette County Judge Steve P. Leskinen will decide the sentence on July 16. Assistant District
Nestle recalls frozen pizza
CARLISLE — Martin’s Food Markets, following a recall by Nestle USA, announced it removed from sale California Pizza Kitchen Crispy Thin Crust White frozen pizza because it may contain fragments of clear plastic. The following product is included in this recall: California Pizza Kitchen Crispy Thin Crust White frozen pizza, UPC 7192198745, 12.8-ounce, with a production code of 3062525951 or 3062525952 or 3063525951. The production code is the first ten digits on the second line of the blue box found on the A Rotary International Group Study Exchange team stands in front of the Guartela Canyon bottom panel of the pizza box. near the city of Tibagi in Brazil. Members of the team are (from left) Anne Minich, Kate
Martin’s said it has received no reports of illnesses or injuries to date. Customers who have purchased the product should discard any unused portions and bring their purchase receipt to Martin’s for a full refund. Martin’s has a store in Connellsville. Consumers looking for additional information on the recall may call Nestle USA customer service at 1-800-456-4394. In addition customers may call Martin’s customer service at 1-888-814-4268 for more information. Customers can also visit the Martin’s website at www.giantfoodstores.com or www.martinsfoods.com.
McCullough, Clare Dooley, Dave Slusarick and Kristina Mellinger.
decades of multinational experience in developing and marketing new businesses. He speaks English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, and can command anyone’s attention by telling a joke or tale that fits the moment perfectly. Another important recent co-pilot of mine is a financial consultant named André. Wearing impeccably pressed, pleated clothing, but lacking any air of pretense, he is a trim but hearty man thanks to daily 6 a.m. trips to the “academia” (gym) or the local walking trail. André is a disciplined man. He allows himself a few moments for a light, healthy breakfast before walking to his office. On Monday and Wednesday nights, his routine includes intensive English language lessons. Tuesday nights are spent in Rotary meetings, and every Friday, you’ll find him at church for Bible study. His high-rise apartment is somewhat small, but is
a place where guests are warmly received. I know, because André is my current host, providing me a warm bed, food, shower, and most importantly, the warmth of friendship in the sprawling city of Curitiba. Developing friendships with larger-than-life characters like André and Ken is a welcome part of my responsibilities this month with GSE. The program is a cultural and vocational exchange allowing young professionals to experience another country’s customs and institutions, observe how a given vocation is practiced abroad, develop relationships and exchange ideas. I am now in the thick of my four-week tour, which generally includes five days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 presentations to local Rotary clubs, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two or three days at a Rotary District Conference, three to four hours per day of cultural
and site tours, and three to four hours per day spent with one of several host families. The GSE program is incredibly valuable. We live in an age of increasing tolerance for ethnic and cultural diversity, but we are called to do much more than simply tolerate each other’s differences. Growth happens when we explore these differences, question them, celebrate them as the beautiful things that they are. Friendship develops when we embrace our common humanity, as well as our differences. “You are now a citizen of the world,” Ken says. “Welcome to the club.” I somehow knew all along that a citizen of the world is what I was destined to be. Dave Slusarick is a communications professional with Coordinated 360, regular contributor to the Herald-Standard and a member of the 2013 Rotary District 7330 Group St.
grand scheme of things, family is paramount.” “Family is what gives us meaning in our lives, and I know that my grandfather and father would be very proud of all of you, and so am I.” Aside from Eberly, student responses were heard from Ronald Simon and Emily Marchewka, who each graduated with highest distinction. Simon, who earned an associate degree in electrical engineering technology, acknowledged
all of the graduates who have juggled the student life as well as having a family or a full-time job. “Many of you have families, full-time jobs and other obligations and I want to applaud you all for the hard work and dedication it has taken each of you to get to this point.” Simon also commended families and friends for being supportive of the graduates as they’ve worked hard to obtain
their goals. Marchewka, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family studies, urged grad uates not to forget the memories they’ve made during their years at Penn State Fayette. Of the nearly 200 graduates, two students graduated with highest distinction, six graduated with high distinction and eight others walked across the stage with distinction honors.
Attorney Meghann Mikluscak said after discussions with the victim and the investigating officer on the case, the district attorney’s office was satisfied with Bell pleading guilty to the corruption charge alone. According to police, Bell first contacted the teen through social media, and they later exchanged cellphone numbers and started sending text messages. Police alleged Bell sent the teen two sexually explicit photos of himself and one video of him performing a sex act. The girl also sent photos of herself to Bell, police
said. When police interviewed Bell, he told them that he was drinking when he swapped photos with the girl, and may have sent her a video, but could not remember. Months before Bell was charged with “sexting,” he was admitted to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for six months for driving under the influence of alcohol and other summary offenses. Bell, court records alleged, was involved in a Jan. 26, 2011, accident in Bullskin Township, and his blood-alcohol was
over .16 percent. That’s twice the legal limit for driving under the influence of alcohol in Pennsylvania. One of the conditions of the program, generally for first-time, non-violent offenders, is that they not engage in any additional criminal activity. A judge found Bell violated that condition when he was again arrested for drunken driving in Allegheny County on Nov. 19 — his birthday. Bell served a brief jail sentence in Fayette County Prison earlier this year before being released on parole.
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Variety of kettle corn removed from stores CARLISLE — Martin’s Food Markets, following a recall by ConAgra Foods Inc., announced it removed from sale Orville Redenbachers Ready-ToEat Kettle Korn because of undeclared milk, an allergen, on the ingredient label. Certain bags may have been inadvertently filled with white cheddar-flavored popcorn, which contains the milk allergen, Martin’s said. The following product is included in this recall: Orville Redenbacher Ready-To-Eat Kettle Korn, 5 ounce, UPC 2700052321, with a best by date of Sept. 2, Sept. 3 and Sept. 4, 2013 and a lot code of 5486234100 or 5486234200 or 5486234300 Martin’s said it has received no reports of illnesses to date, but people who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to milk may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product. This product is safe to consume for customers who do not suffer from a milk allergy. Customers
who have purchased the product should discard any unused portions and bring their purchase receipt to Martin’s for a full refund. Martin’s has a store in Connellsville. According to Martin’s, symptoms of food allergies typically appear from within a few minutes to two hours after a person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic. Allergic reactions can include: hives; flushed skin or rash; tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth; face, tongue, or lip swelling; vomiting and/or diarrhea; abdominal cramps; coughing or wheezing; dizziness and/or lightheadedness; swelling of the throat and vocal cords; difficulty breathing; loss of consciousness. Consumers looking for additional information on the recall may call ConAgra Foods customer service at 1-866518-4177. In addition customers may call Martin’s customer service at 1-888-814-4268 for more information. Customers can also visit the Martin’s website at www.martinsfoods.com.
Lou “Chief” DeFrank
MEMORIAL BLOOD DRIVE Saturday, May 11, 2013 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Footedale VFD - Social Hall
501 Footedale Road, New Salem, PA 15468 On July 4, 2011, Lou DeFrank noticed he was having double vision. After a visit to the local emergency room the next day, his world, as well as his wife, Deb’s, was turned upside down: A tumor in his sinus cavity was discovered. Two weeks later, neurosurgeons at Allegheny General Hospital attempted to remove the tumor, but is was bleeding too much. They were able to get a sample to send to the lab, and it was discovered the tumor contained cancer cells. After several tests, Lou was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Following his diagnosis, Lou received several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. The ultimate goal was to have a stem cell transplant, but every time his cancer numbers were down and he would be pretested for the transplant, a problem would arise; another tumor, kidney stones and a case of shingles. He never made it to transplant. Over the Christmas holidays, Lou developed lung problems and his health deteriorated. He slipped away in his sleep on February 22, 2013, with Deb, his wife of 36 years, at his side. Lou was a strong family man and a loving father to his two sons, Doug and Adam. His daughter-in-law, Miranda, future daughter-in-law, Heather, and godchild, Casey, all held special places in his heart. He was looking forward to Adam’s wedding in June. He was a member of the First Christian Church of New Salem and served his community by joining the Footedale Volunteer Fire Department at the age of 16. He held several offices in the organization but was most proud of the past 26 years, during which he served as fire chief. Lou never hesitated to help someone, no matter the time or place. Even when he needed blood to combat his own illness, he felt he was taking it from someone else who may have needed it more. Over the years, he gave so much of himself. Let’s use this blood drive as a way to give back in his honor. Central Blood Bank is the not-for-profit organization that supplies the blood products and transfusion-related services to approximately 40 hospitals in western Pennsylvania, northern West Virginia and eastern Ohio. To schedule your life saving blood donation for Pittsburgh area patients, please log on to www.centralbloodbank.org and use sponsor code F0010112 or call Tim Tignanelli at 412-400-4521
www.centralbloodbank.org 1-866-366-6771