GOAL Magazine Summer - Fall 2022

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MAGAZINE

EMPTY SHELVES, EMPTY BELLIES The Covert Realities of Food Insecurity and Local Efforts to Care for Our Hungry Page 24

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SUMMER 2022

MAGAZINE

24

In this issue, we uncover the realities of food insecurity in our local area — an increasing problem in the wake of pandemic challenges and rising inflation. We also highlight local organizations whose programs are making a huge difference in supplying relief to hungry families.

Cover Story:

Empty Shelves, Empty Bellies

Cover Photo, Table of Contents photo and Cover Story intro photo by Autumn Stankay, owner of SkySight Photography in Greensburg, Pa. Autumn is a celebrated commercial, portrait and wedding photographer with over 17 years of experience.

The Covert Realities of Food Insecurity and Local Efforts to Care for Our Hungry

by Bree Edgerly

8

16

Do Pre-Listing Home Inspections Make Sense in this Market?

Thoughts to Consider When the Bear is in Town

Founders

5 In Case You Missed It!

by the GOAL Magazine Team

6 This Story Was a Long Time in

the Making

by Jessica Rafferty, Rafferty Legal

7 Strengthening Our Internet Connection

15 Cam Rohrer Helps His Aunt

Battle Cancer Using Strong Will Forged in Faith

by Michael Giorgianni, Greater Latrobe Senior High School

18 New Leadership, New

Strengthens Our Communities

by Pennsylvania State Senator Pat Stefano (R-32)

Legislative Efforts

by Dan DeBone, President/CEO Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce

10 Building a Culture of Resilience

20 Giving Back: Visionaries Create a

by Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher

12 Beware! Two Common Tendencies That Don’t Serve Our Seniors' Health

by Dr. Reed Nelson, Westmoreland Chiropractic and Rehab Associates

Landscape Design Lawn & Garden Care Snow & Ice Removal

Culture of Philanthropy

by Kitty Julian, The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County

Associate Broker 724-433-7800 Ranked in Top 100 Agents Nationally Since 1998!

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty

Do Pre-Listing Home Inspections Make Sense in this Market

by 1st Lt. Bradley D. Galbraith, Scout Sniper Platoon Commander, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment

by the SecondHalf Coach Wealth Management Team

31 Scott Ludwick

by Scott Ludwick Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

22 Common Small Business

36 Evolution of Home Insurance Budgeting Errors

by JJ Rettura, Laurel Highlands Homes that have had a pre-listing inspection can sell for more. It’s to the seller’s advantage to fully understand the homeby before listing, and it’s also the perfect opportunity to make recommended repairs should they choose to. Another Insurance Group, LLC Bryan Kisiel, CPA® advantage is that having a detailed understanding of their home’s condition will help sellers feel confident that they’re getting the best priceAssociates for their home, which of course reflects well on you. And by having an up-to-date pre-listing Kisiel and inspection in hand to share with potential buyers, you can keep the transaction moving and get to closing faster.

38 SHE: An Evening of Women, A pre-listing inspection can also create buyer trust through transparency about the home’s condition, avoiding down the road.Lens This information is invaluable when it comes Wealth, to putting together an offer. Simply a Wellness and put, Wine 28surprises Through The buyer who’s confident about the home will feel more comfortable offering more money. by Ann Nemanic, GO Laurel by the GOAL Magazine Team Markets like this create real challenges and opportunities on both sides of the transaction. A pre-listing inspection can help you make it a win-win all around.

Highlands 40 real Strong Demand Drives Industrial If you have questions about this, or anything estate related reach out to Scott Ludwick at 724-261-5637 or Scott@ScottLudwick.com Site Sales 32 A Photographer’s Road Trip

by Autumn Stankay, SkySight

by Jason Rigone, Westmoreland Photography County Industrial Development Corporation 34 Get Ready for the Return of the Great American Banana Split 42 A Mental Health Clinic with an Celebration Innovative Approach and Heartfelt Mission Opens in Latrobe: The

by Briana Tomack, President Founder's Story Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce

by Nicole O'Barto-Trainer, Native With inventory at or near all-time lows, many homes are selling “as is” and transactions are moving quickly. In this seller’s market, is a pre-listing home inspection a good idea? The short answer is “yes.”

©2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Shafferslandscaping.com

724.454.7034

MAGAZINE

Production Team

William J. Urbanik Co-Founder

Anthony E. Slezak Co-Founder

Jessica M. Marazza Co-Founder

Tawnya Rockwell Chief Production Manager

Bree Edgerly Writer

Jaimee Greenawalt Chief Designer

Autumn Stankay Photographer

Amanda Mayger Editor

Kathleen Lloyd Editor

Jennell Benford Relationship Manager

What is GO2GOAL? GO2GOAL

is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that is best known for publishing GOAL Magazine, which utilizes the talents of local business and community leaders to provide an authentic and informative resource to our community.

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women, the LGBTQ community, young professionals, those approaching retirement and retirees.

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ns Availab

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le At: GO2GO ALUS.COM

In case you missed it!

Subscriptio

Lights, Camera, Action!

MAGAZ

INE

The Backstage Crew on the Set of Westmoreland County LIGHTS, CAM ERA, ACTION The Backsta ! ge Crew on the Se We INDIVIDUA

t of stmoreland County

L COMMITM

ENT TO A

Page 24

GROUP EFF

ORT | Win ter 202

2

F

or the Winter 2022 issue of GOAL Magazine, released in January, we went behind the scenes on the set of Westmoreland County to learn about the Comprehensive Plan and highlight several initiatives that are underway to make Westmoreland the place to live, work and play. We proudly featured community leaders Jason Rigone, Brian Lawrence, Chad Amond and Jim Smith, highlighting how their organizations are diligently working to propel the growth of our communities into the future.

The cover photo and several photos throughout the story were captured by Autumn Stankay, owner of SkySight Photography and the story was written by our GOAL Magazine writer, Bree Edgerly.

View the entire article and the last issue of GOAL Magazine by scanning this QR code GOAL Magazine presented a floating frame showcasing the front cover of the most recent issue which recognized the collaborative efforts of (pictured Left to Right) Jim Smith, President and CEO of the Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland; Chad Amond, former President and CEO of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce; and Jason Rigone, Director of the County Planning Division and Executive Director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation. Missing from photo: Brian Lawrence, Executive Director of the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Westmoreland (RAWC) and Land Bank (WCLB).

1. O pen your smartphone to the camera app.

2. Center the QR code in the frame.

3. View the entire magazine! The story starts on page 24.

If you missed this issue and would like to read more, visit

www.go2goalus.com/past-issues

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www.go2goalus.com 5

This story was a long time in the making. get a generic estate plan, it will likely fail when you and your family need it most leading to costly legal battles, increased taxes, and family conflict.

The father-daughter team of Dennis Rafferty and Jessica Rafferty knows the importance of family. For more than 15 years, we have worked together to fight for families in Westmoreland County. That is why we were so passionate about creating a firm that focuses on what matters most: your family.

When you work with our law firm, we won’t just create a set of documents for you.

Below are just some of the ways we can help protect your assets at every stage of your life. Your plan will reflect what is important to you. It will save you and your loved one’s money and will provide those reading your plan with a very clear understanding of your wishes. It is your legacy, and we will work with you to create it.

ESTATE PLANNING • Wills

At the end of January 2022, we started the firm, Rafferty Legal, PLLC. Our practice focuses on estate planning, probate & estate administration, elder law and real estate. We work closely with clients to protect their assets, their loved ones and their legacy.

• Trusts

We understand that everyone’s family is different, and that each family has unique needs. Your plan should reflect your family’s values and wishes. If you

• Business Succession Planning

• Asset Protection Planning • Financial Power of Attorney • Health Care Power of Attorney • Living Will • Kids Safety System • Special Needs Planning • And much more.

6 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

PROBATE & ESTATE ADMINISTRATION When a loved one dies, it can be a time of immense grief. Unfortunately, it is also the time you need to make sure all the legal and technical details of their estate are handled properly. We are here to help you every step of the way so that you can avoid the court system and conflict.

MEDICAID PLANNING & ELDER LAW Healthier lifestyles and advancements in medicine have resulted in increased life expectancies. While this is a positive thing, it also means more seniors will require some form of long-term care. This type of care is extremely expensive and most private health insurance plans and Medicare don’t cover long-term care costs.

Let us help you create a plan to protect your assets.

Want to learn more about planning for your future?

Rafferty Legal offers free consultations for all prospective clients. Give us a call (724) 520-2222 or visit our website (RaffertyLegal.com) to schedule an appointment with a member of our team.

STRENGTHENING OUR INTERNET CONNECTION STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITIES

by Pennsylvania State Senator Pat Stefano (R-32)

W

hile people in other parts of the state may take a strong internet connection for granted, we know the challenges that come from poor service.

Poor internet service harmed students academically when they were unexpectedly forced to learn at home during the pandemic. It restricts access to health care – and particularly specialty care – in locations that already have limited or nonexistent access. It still hurts small employers who are trying to keep their businesses running after Gov. Tom Wolf’s oppressive COVID-19 business closures. And, of course, it’s more than just an inconvenience to the rest of us.

That is why improving broadband access has been one of my top priorities since I was elected to the state Senate in 2014.

I joined my colleagues in unanimously passing legislation creating the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA), a single point-ofcontact for broadband funding in the Commonwealth to drive out federal tax dollars to eligible projects to close the digital divide.

Act 96 of 2021 handles federal infrastructure taxpayer dollars aimed at improving access to high-speed internet in unserved and underserved communities.

The PBDA is governed by 11 members, including five individuals representing both political parties of the House and Senate, as well as the governor. Subcommittees consisting of experts within the field may also be created.

Contractors who have defaulted on projects or have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in the last 10 years due to their past performance will not be eligible for funding.

Primarily, the PBDA is tasked with creating a broadband plan that allows the state to apply for competitively awarded federal infrastructure money. The law also requires the creation of a database to monitor all broadband development activities across the state. Entities that are eligible for funding must have technical, managerial and financial expertise to design, build and operate high-speed service infrastructure.

Contractors who have defaulted on projects or have been convicted of a

misdemeanor or felony in the last 10 years due to their past performance will not be eligible for funding.

After 10 years or when all federal funds are exhausted, whichever happens first, the PBDA will dissolve.

Of course, for the PBDA to be effective, Pennsylvania needs to receive funding, so I will continue to advocate for broadband grants. Earlier this year, Fayette County was awarded $1.1 million in a Community Development Block Grant-CARES Act funding to support its broadband initiative to provide access to extremely underserved areas of the county.

The initiative will target areas with the highest population of low-to-moderate income residents and with the greatest need for improved internet. Funds will be used to extend high-speed broadband lines to create hotspots to provide free broadband access in communities throughout the service area.

Creation of the PBDA and the recent grant funding that was awarded will undoubtedly help our area with the poor internet service we have. However, our students, employers and all residents deserve even better. We must strengthen our internet to strengthen our communities.

www.go2goalus.com 7

Thoughts to Consider WHEN THE BEAR IS IN TOWN

T

his year has been volatile for investors, and as of June, the bear is dominating the market fight. Outside of a brief moment at the onset of the pandemic in March of 2020, the market has not been in a bear market territory since the 2007/2008 recession. While this might feel like “new” rocky terrain for many investors coming out of such a long bull run, this period of the investing cycle is far from the first or last bear market. When the market drops, some investors lose perspective that downtrends and uptrends are part of the investing cycle. Here are some key ideas to consider in order to make sound decisions when navigating the peaks and dips of the market.

by The SecondHalf Coach Wealth Management Team

Market Patterns to Understand

investor may see from time to time in their financial life, often several times over the course of a decade. Bear markets are much rarer. In fact, between April 1947 and September 2021, there have only been 14 bear markets.3

Pullbacks A pullback represents the mildest form of a selloff in the markets. You might hear an investor or trader refer to a dip of 5-10% after a peak as a “pullback.”1

A retirement strategy formed with a financial professional has market volatility factored in. As you continue your relationship with that professional, they will also be at your side to make any adjustments and help you make any necessary decisions along the way.

Their goal is to help you pursue your goals.

When stock prices break lower, it’s a good time to review common terms that are used to describe the market’s downward momentum.

Corrections The next degree in severity is a “correction.” If a market or markets retreat 10% to 20% after a peak, you’re in correction territory. At this point, you’re likely on guard for the next tier.2 Bear Market In a bear market, the decline is 20% or more since the last peak.2 All of This is Normal.

“Pullbacks, corrections, and bear markets are a part of the investing cycle.”

When stock prices are trending lower, some investors can second-guess their risk tolerance. But periods of market volatility can be the worst times to consider portfolio decisions.

Pullbacks and corrections are relatively common and represent something that any

Human Tendencies to Avoid

As a neutral third party focused on your goals, your financial professional can also serve as a stable guide in navigating the personal factors that may sway your investment decisions. Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However, they are not often cautioned about their preconceptions and biases that may color their financial choices.

In a battle between the facts & biases, our biases may win. If we acknowledge this tendency, we may be able to avoid some unexamined choices when it comes to personal finance. It may actually “pay” to recognize blind spots and biases with investing. Here are some common examples of bias creeping into our financial lives.

8 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

Letting Emotions Run The Show

How many investment decisions do we make that have a predictable outcome? Hardly any.

In retrospect, it is all too easy to prize the gain from a decision over the wisdom of the decision and to, therefore, believe that the findings with the best outcomes were the best decisions (not necessarily true). Put some distance between your impulse to make a change and the action you want to take to help get some perspective on how your emotions affect your investment decisions.4

Valuing Facts We “Know” & “See” More Than “Abstract” Facts

Information that seems abstract may seem less valid or valuable than information related to personal experience. This is true when we consider different types of investments, the state of the markets, and the economy’s health.4

Valuing The Latest Information Most

The latest news is often more valuable than old news in the investment world. But when the latest news is consistently good (or consistently bad), memories of previous market climate(s) may become too distant. If we are not careful, our minds may subconsciously dismiss the eventual emergence of the next market cycle.4

Being Overconfident

The more experienced we are at investing, the more confidence we have about our

investment choices. When the market is going up, and a clear majority of our investment choices work out well, this reinforces our confidence, sometimes to a point where we may start to feel we can do little wrong, thanks to the state of the market, our investing acumen, or both. This can be dangerous.5

could lead to frustration with the investing process.

others. If your assets are mostly held in one kind of investment, you could find yourself under a bit of pressure if that asset class experiences some volatility.

Consistency. Most people invest a little at a time, within their budget, and with regularity.

They invest $50 or $100 or more per month in their retirement account or similar investments. They are investing on “autopilot” to help themselves attempt to build wealth over time.

Keep in mind that diversification is an approach to help manage investment risk.

It does not eliminate the risk of loss if an investment sees a decline in price.

The Herd Mentality

You know how this goes: if everyone is doing something, they must be doing it for sound and logical reasons. The herd mentality leads some investors to buy high (and sell low). It can also promote panic selling. The advent of social media hasn’t helped with this idea.

Above all, it encourages market timing, and when investors try to time the market, it can influence their overall performance.6 Sometimes, asking ourselves what our certainty is based on and reflecting on ourselves can be helpful and informative. Examining our preconceptions may help us as we invest.

Asset allocation strategies also are used in portfolio management. When financial professionals ask you questions about your goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk, they are getting a better idea about what asset classes may be appropriate for your situation. But like diversification, asset allocation is an approach to help manage investment risk. It does not eliminate the risk of loss if an investment sees a decline in price.

Consistent investing does not protect against a loss in a declining market or guarantee a profit in a rising market. Consistent investing, sometimes referred to as dollar-cost averaging, is the process of investing a fixed amount of money in an investment vehicle at regular intervals, usually monthly, for an extended period of time regardless of price.

Investors should evaluate their financial ability to continue making purchases through periods of declining and rising prices. The return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change.

Shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Patience. Impatient investors can get too focused on the day-to-day doings of the financial markets. They can be looking for short-term opportunities rather than longer-term potential. A patient investor understands that markets fluctuate and has built a portfolio based on their time horizon, risk tolerance, and goals. A short-term focus may add stress and anxiety to your life and

Investment Values to Embrace

Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over time, certain asset classes may perform better than

If you don’t have an investment strategy, consider talking to a qualified financial professional today.

Jessica M. Marazza, CFP®, William J. Urbanik, MBA and Anthony E. Slezak

2519 Ligonier St. P.O. Box 421 Latrobe, Pa 15650 724.537.2799 www.shcwealthmanagement.com info@shcwealthmanagement.com

SecondHalf Coach Wealth Management SecondHalfCoachWealthManagement SHCteam

Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC).

Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. To the extent you are receiving investment advice from a separately registered independent investment advisor that is not an LPL Financial affiliate, please note LPL Financial makes no representation with respect to such entity.

1 2

I nvestopedia.com, August 23, 2021 Forbes.com, September 20, 2021

3 4

I nvestopedia.com, October 29, 2021 Investopedia.com, 2022

5 6

Investopedia.com, 2021 WebMD.com, 2022

The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice.

It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2022 FMG Suite.

www.go2goalus.com 9

Building a Culture of

RESILIENCE

by Westmoreland County Commissioner, Gina Cerilli Thrasher

W

estmoreland County 911 receives nearly a thousand calls a day for help. Motor vehicle accidents, house fires, and medical emergencies are common, but what happens when a large disaster hits home? The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how interconnected our communities are, and how crucial it is that everyone have the resources they need to prepare for, respond to, and recover from an emergency incident or disaster. To reach the goal of community resilience, the Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety kicked off the 2022 year by implementing new outreach initiatives to reach our County’s most vulnerable populations – those with Access and Functional Needs (AFN).

The AFN community includes individuals who need assistance due to any condition, temporary or permanent, that limits their ability to take action. Individuals having access and functional needs may include, but are not limited to, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and populations having limited English proficiency, limited access to transportation, and/or financial resources. The 2020 census revealed that in Westmoreland County 10% of the population under 65 years old is disabled, 23% is over the age of 65, 18% is under the age of 18 and 5% is under the age of 5. These numbers demonstrate that over 56% of our population would fall into the Access and Functional Needs community, however this number does not include the percentage of individuals who have

for open discussions to provide real life scenarios that could impact our communities. The in-person outreach events are reinforced through the Department’s many other projects. The WCDPS Report newsletter which is published quarterly, social media educational campaigns, and ReadyWestmoreland, add to and support the in-person events.

limited access to financial resources, transportation or temporary conditions.

The first outreach initiative provided emergency preparedness presentations at 20 of the Westmoreland County Housing Authority high rises. These visits and interactions allowed the department to reach over 250 residents and provide education and resources on how to make a plan, build a go-kit, and stay informed in emergency situations. The presentations provided a tremendous collaboration with local first responders including Fire Departments, EMS agencies, and each municipalities Local Emergency Management Coordinator. The united front demonstrated by those involved helped to empower the residents to take personal steps towards preparedness.

The second outreach initiative for 2022 includes reaching our older population by providing emergency preparedness presentations at the 13 Senior Centers across Westmoreland County. The inperson platform allows the Department of Public Safety to present preparedness by providing resources and allowing

10 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

And there’s more! The Westmoreland County Department of Public Safety in coordination with the Region 13 Southwestern PA Emergency Response Group recently released the Text to 9-1-1 capability.

Wireless customers all across Southwestern PA, including Westmoreland County, can now send short message service (SMS) text messages to a 9-1-1 operator from a mobile phone or device. This grants 9-1-1 access to people with hearing/speech impairments, as well as those in situations where it is unsafe to speak on the phone. Calling 9-1-1 is still the preferable method of communicating emergency information so remember: CALL IF YOU CAN, TEXT IF YOU CAN’T! The Westmoreland Department of Public Safety is committed to ensuring the safety of county residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Through collaboration with first responders, community stakeholders, local businesses and the public, we can become resilient when faced with adversity and prove that preparedness is power!

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Common Tendencies That Don’t Serve Our Seniors’ Health

by Dr. Reed Nelson

O

ur senior years can be the best years of our lives! After all, what’s not to love about a less demanding work schedule and more time to pursue your true passions! The senior years open endless possibilities for adventure; they are the fruits of our labor.

Seniors have earned the freedom to slow down and enjoy each day to the fullest.

Many seniors do just that, and it makes me smile! They focus on their health, travel the world, and become as playful as a child.

However, I notice a few far too common tendencies in our senior population that can really put a drag on a person’s health and happiness.

Too often, seniors think their best days are behind them.

It’s an easy mindset to adopt. Some seniors just blatantly say it out loud, “Doc, you might as well take me out back and shoot me!” or say things like, “I’ve definitely seen better days.” I am here to tell you to wipe those beliefs out of your mind and replace these types of thoughts with something better, something that will serve you. After all, a senior’s past does not necessarily determine their future. To get a different outcome, we have to do something different.

One senior gave me a great example of the right mindset. He said, “I love watching you travel the islands through your pictures on the internet. You know, my house is my resort, and the drinks aren’t twenty dollars either! I only have one tiny downside,” he laughed, “I’m also the grounds keeper.”

12 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

I want you to notice how different the language is here. By telling himself that his home is a resort, he opens a whole different scope of thoughts and feelings.

He cites some clear upsides: the drinks are absolutely cheaper at your house! And, by using the word “tiny,” he shrinks the downside truth that unlike a resort, he is responsible for the landscaping. Why do I point this key language out? To highlight that we must be careful what we tell ourselves. Our feelings are immediately linked to the subtle subconscious things we say to ourselves – our thoughts have power! Remember, I’ve told you in past articles, very little of our brain’s activity is directed by us consciously, most of it’s automatic and subconscious.

Yes, do it, keep doing it.

One more crescendo, really hard.

Now stop!

Typically, if you really participated to the fullest, you would have a hard time taking the smile off your face for a few seconds. You will feel a little different. You affected your brain by using your body, then your brain gave automatic residual feedback to your body, and you continued to smile for a few seconds.

You might have noticed that you really couldn’t stop smiling for just that few seconds unless you tried to focus on it. Your brain ended up directing your body after you willed your body to affect your brain!

Seniors forget the brain is connected to the body.

Think for a moment of a senior sitting in his chair at his house for hours, occasionally rising to use the restroom and fetch some food, watching program after program and occupying a little time on the phone. Many seniors make the mistake of coasting to a primarily sedentary lifestyle. The only way you coast for long is downhill, and that is exactly where they go, downhill.

Let me ask you this, do you think this described senior will have low or high energy? Do you think this senior will have a strong posture or something less? The answers are all too obvious.

body to brain influence that will interrupt your feeling of low energy. Then, as a response, the brain can affect the body and give you the “pick me up” you decided to look for.

It’s been fun sharing with you, but I have been sitting to write this article for too long. I have to go jump around!

Another more practical exercise in brain-body connection can be utilized in a moment when you are feeling a bit of low energy, or maybe on a day you even feel a little down.

Recognize it and say to yourself, “this is what Nelson is talking about!”

Make a conscious effort to get some real movement in, maybe even just put on a fun song and sing out loud like a little kid -- yes, even dance a little bit! I’m serious: the 3 minutes and 26 seconds of a song will be the

Dr. Reed Nelson (AKA Nelson Loguasto) is the founding partner of the practice, Westmoreland Chiropractic & Rehab Associates, a wellness group that includes Chiropractors, Nutritionists, and Massage Therapists.

The body and its movements effect the central nervous system, the brain. Without motion, it’s easy to fall into low energy problems like depression and weakness. I commonly see seniors forgetting that the body connects to the brain.

Do you need proof of this connection between body and brain? LET'S GO! Smile and laugh. I mean a good hard laugh.

Go ahead and laugh!

Harder. Keep going.

Now add the smile on top of the laugh.

Greensburg Office 724.216.5004 Export Office 724.325.2112 nelsonchirorehab.com

@WestmorelandChiropractic www.go2goalus.com 13

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Cam Rohrer Helps His Aunt Battle Breast Cancer Using Strong Will Forged in Faith

by Michael Giorgianni, Co-Editor-in-Chief for The High Post Student Newsletter at the Greater Latrobe Senior High a much bigger picture to it. To be able to help my aunt, be able to share my faith, and spread goodness is something so important to me.”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

C

am Rohrer lives by this Bible verse.

Those words donned his lacrosse helmet for his senior year as the team’s goalie.

Now, the verse has new meaning for him and his family due to his aunt’s recent breast cancer diagnosis.

“I wanted to relate to my faith that I have been able to grow. I wanted to have a verse that worked for me on the field and worked with my aunt while she’s battling treatment, so I thought Philippians 4:13 was a good one,” said Cam.

Rohrer wants people to see the larger message of his fundraiser and believes tying it to his beliefs can do that.

He said, “That’s something that’s relatable on both ends, on the field and battling breast cancer, so I said let’s connect this with our faith and make something bigger than just giving back to the community. I thought that was the perfect idea because there’s certain things you can do, but there’s

Cam’s aunt, Robin Wanichko, was diagnosed with breast cancer in Photo credit November 2021.

Ramiya Henderson, junior at Greater As the spring Latrobe Senior lacrosse season High School neared in late February, Cam sprang into action to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer uses his love of lacrosse as a vehicle. He launched a fundraiser through the Breast Cancer Research Foundation in hopes of raising money for cancer research in his aunt’s name. Cam wants this fundraiser to serve as a beacon of hope for people in the Latrobe community, especially his aunt, battling the effects of cancer every day.

Alongside his twin brother, Mason, Cam is a captain of the lacrosse team. Cam believes that the fundraiser will show his teammates how to make an impact off the field as well as on the field.

“As Mason and I are captains of the team, we wanted to set the standard for everyone else.

It’s more than just lacrosse. It’s about being a good person in the community. Being someone, people can look up to,” Rohrer stated.

“Everyone needs someone to lean on and I’m trying to be that leader and let them know I’m there for them.”

The initial goal of Cam’s fundraiser was to raise $500 total and have the lacrosse team get 500 goals and saves to match every dollar raised. Cam made an Instagram post that blew up immediately and within 24 hours, he raised $1,000. The total now sits at $2,001.

As part of the inspiring fundraiser, Cam tied his faith to the fight with cancer because his aunt told him something after her breast cancer diagnosis.

“When my aunt first got cancer, she was down in the dumps,” Cam stated. “A woman told her ‘Cancer is a big C word, but there’s a bigger C word and that’s Christ, and you have to lean on him.’ That’s something that carried with me that you can take in life not just cancer. If you’re having a bad day, you can turn to Christ and ask for help.”

Wanichko’s faith along with Cam’s has guided the battle with cancer to become something not to fear. Through the fundraiser, he wants to relay this message to everyone.

“My aunt’s been able to battle, and the timing of the fundraiser was cool because she was starting her second treatment the next day, so that was perfect timing. I was able to lift her spirits. She says there’s always something that lets her know she’s not alone.”

To Cam, life is more than as it seems on the surface. His belief in Christ guides his life and gives him the confidence to lend his strength to others in need.

When Cam picks his helmet up before every practice and game, he’ll see Philippians 4:13 reminding him of the strength Christ gives him and his aunt. He’ll tell himself, “There’s a bigger C word than cancer and that’s Christ,” just as his aunt was told.

When he sees the pink note with his most cherished Bible verse on it, he’ll be taken back to the breast cancer fundraiser he started. The idea that has raised $2,000 for his aunt and countless others battling cancer every day. He’ll know that when he straps his helmet on, he’s playing for more than just himself or the Greater Latrobe Wildcats. He’s playing for everyone whose spirit he has lifted by connecting lacrosse, faith, and cancer.

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by 1st Lt. Bradley D. Galbraith, Scout Sniper Platoon Commander, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment

Founders

W

hen we as Americans think of the founding of our nation, it is difficult to not feel an intense sense of pride as well as an almost nostalgic and uniquely romantic undertone that swells within us. Indeed, as many look back on the founding presently, they view it through rose colored lenses, and rightfully so. So many stories that still regularly circulate through our culture; the ride of Paul Revere, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, defiantly dumping British Tea into Boston Harbor, among so many others highlight the most bold and valiant parts of the struggle.

What is truly amazing is that the odds were entirely stacked against a small group of rebels, who did not even have the entire support of the fledgling nation that they strove to establish. Like many other points

in our history, I believe the founding is particularly important to revisit, study, and learn more about.

be pretty scary to think about. So how can we look back at the American Revolution and use it to propel us forward?

For many Americans, particularly younger citizens like myself, I think they will find solace in remembering the founding of America for what it was. Yes, the year 1776 marked the official beginning of what would become the establishment of one of the most, if not the most, powerful civilizations to ever grace the face of the Earth. But how did it all come about? Like most young Americans today in high school, college, or even in the early years of a chosen career, they might not know what exactly the future might hold.

They might not know if what they’ve chosen will prove to be fruitful, or if all their efforts will ultimately be in vain and unfulfilling.

Truthfully, for a lot of people, the future can

The American Revolution really began as a perturbed minority that was unhappy with their lives and the lack of rights they were being provided by the then dominant British Empire. All this small band of misfits knew was that there was a problem, and although the future might not be promising, and that they may have to deal with the possibility of failure, in this case a swift and immediate death, they continued to press into what they thought was a worthwhile cause regardless. While failure in most people’s lives probably does not mean a swift and immediate death, it could feel like that. My generation, the younger generation of up-and-coming Americans, should

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Washington especially never stopped believing in the dream that was America. be comfortable in knowing that the road ahead for almost everyone will be anything but smooth. Many times, during the fight for freedom, a faction of founders felt their cause, noble in its pursuit of freedom for all, was all but lost. British resources vastly outnumbered the group of undertrained, under armed, and malnourished American guerillas led by General George Washington.

In December of 1776 the future of America was looking quite bleak. The Continental Army was shrinking and suffering from poor morale, affecting the size and patriotism of the force. Many of Washington’s men were due to leave at the end of the year, and many soldiers desperately desired to leave the army. Because of this, many men ended up deserting before their enlistments were completed. With many soldiers simply deserting the army in the face of what seemed a dying cause, it could have been easy for the founders to simply quit too.

They could have thought that maybe the whole revolution was not worthwhile, and to take on one of the world’s most powerful empires was a foolish endeavor after all. Simply sign a treaty, apologize to King George for causing the unpleasant uprising, and hope that their lives would be spared.

Instead, as we all now know, our predecessors chose the more difficult path, not knowing if it would ultimately prove successful.

Washington especially never stopped believing in the dream that was America.

Instead of backing down and conceding to the wishes of some of those around him,

he began gathering food and supplies. He planned a rather risky attack, crossing the frozen Delaware River on Christmas night.

Washington hoped that the surprise attack would deliver enough of a blow to revitalize the withering American campaign. If the attack failed on the outfit of elite Hessian soldiers, it could mean the total destruction of what remained of Washington’s Army, and the end of the chase for independence.

Somewhat worried that intelligence reports were potentially inaccurate, Washington gambled and proceeded with the attack. To emphasize the riskiness of the operation, the password for soldiers crossing the river was “Victory or Death”. Early the following morning, the desperate and malnourished Americans crossed the Delaware in freezing conditions, but ultimately successfully completing the crossing and launching the attack. The attack on unsuspecting enemy troops almost instantly destroyed their position, decisively winning the battle for the Americans. Ultimately, the enemy commander was mortally wounded, and the Americans captured 1,000 prisoners and seized muskets, powder, and artillery. The

attack also quickly drew the attention of the nation, rallying patriots across the colonies, and proved to be a key turning in the fight for independence.

Like anyone trying something new: starting a new job, entering a new relationship, or beginning a new project, it can be inspiring and fulfilling at the outset. But with most journeys or dreams will inevitably come unforeseen and uncontrollable events or circumstances that can make the goal you had in mind at the beginning suddenly seem out of reach. When adversity strikes, and Murphy’s Law manifests itself, it can seem like the end of the world, the end of the goal, or the end of the dream. More often than not, the easy thing is almost always to revert back to what is easy. As we celebrate the 4th of July, we should use it as a time to reflect on not only how hard it was to get America off the ground, but also how we can use our nation’s inspirational founding to continually inspire us to fight through adversity in our own lives, and realize our individual, and uniquely American, dreams.

by Dan DeBone President/CEO Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce

NEW LEADERSHIP, New Legislative Efforts

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s new Chamber President/CEO, I am thrilled to bring two-decades of experience in government, legislative and stakeholder/community development at a local, state and federal level as an added benefit for current and future members. While I have background in a variety of leadership positions in Operations, Marketing and Communications, the majority of my professional career covered government affairs and legislative advocacy, and I bring with me a vast array of connections amongst PA local, state and federal officials.

I have been working on the reduction of the corporate net income tax (CNI), the replacement of Act 89 and the ability to successfully advocate for more discretionary dollars for infrastructure improvements for the region.

getting some traction to reduce the CNI. Reducing the CNI would not only help our region become more competitive, but it will help increase population, while improving home values and wages without negatively impacting state revenue. It would also help jump start new investments while leading to economic growth. This would initially make Westmoreland County more attractive for new or existing companies wanting to relocate from other states or countries. However, in order for the CNI to make any difference, the current 9.99% must move well beyond 8.99% in order for any allowance to make a difference throughout PA, but most importantly within our backyard.

As a resident of Westmoreland County for more than 20 years, I was ready to jump right in to my new leadership role at the Chamber by tackling several specific initiatives that will propel new business growth and economic objectives, which I hope will ultimately complement the county’s comprehensive plan, Reimagining Westmoreland. A few legislative items that I have been working on the reduction of the corporate net income tax (CNI), the replacement of Act 89 and the ability to successfully advocate for more discretionary dollars for infrastructure improvements for the region. These could have lasting impacts throughout the business community.

I have also continued an aggressive advocacy campaign to obtain dedicated, predictable and growing funds for roads, bridges and highways at the federal level. As many are aware, President Biden signed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill in November which is directly aimed at improving physical infrastructure by authorizing the federal government to spend new funds on roads and bridges, public transit, clean drinking water and wastewater systems, high-speed internet, and clean energy among other projects.

Although funding has and/or will continue to be distributed to states and counties through a formula allocation process, there are plenty of competitive discretionary dollars that could greatly enhance our residential and business communities now rather than pending future level funding allocation. I have started to work with Jason Rigone, Executive Director of the Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation and Jim Smith, President/CEO of the Economic Growth Connection upon his new assignment. I’m extremely fortunate to work with, but most importantly learn from, two incredible leaders who have and will continue to make a huge economic impact upon new growth and development throughout the region for years to come.

I recently traveled to Harrisburg with company executives from major corporations and tax experts throughout PA in hopes of

I’m also striving to make business owners and employers throughout the county aware that a very important piece of PA

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(State) legislation, Act 89, expires in 2022.

Extremely critical to infrastructure, Act 89 was signed into law by Governor Corbett in 2013 to fund road projects, bridge repairs, and public transit. Act 89 also establishes a multi-modal fund which covers ports and waterways, freight and passenger rail, aviation, transit, and bicycle and pedestrian projects. This fund has and will continue to help Westmoreland County.

Governor Wolf initiated a task force in 2021 to generate new funding ideas to replace the gas tax and $450 million in annual turnpike obligations over the next ten years, which basically support Act 89. Current studies from the task force have identified a replacement value close to $18.15 billion in annual funding needs to adequately address roads, bridges and highways. Although such recommendations from the report don’t fully meet current and/or estimated needs, the report clearly identified the funding gap which has helped leaders and key legislators throughout Pennsylvania keep the conversation and dialog moving within a positive direction.

Within our Chamber organization, I am excited to share that I am working on a 5-Point Strategic Action Plan which will concentrate on new member initiatives as well as enhanced business and county objectives that were developed through a recent member survey and Chamber Board input. The action plan will include a new marketing and rebranding campaign comprised of new events, enhanced content and more educational learning opportunities which are relevant and needed for the Chamber’s members now and in the future.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Chamber or becoming more involved with the organization’s current and future initiatives can call me directly at (724) 834-2900, email dan@westmorelandchamber.com or visit the Chamber’s website at www.westmorelandchamber.com.

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GIVING BACK: Visionaries Create a Culture of Philanthropy What are the most important issues facing Westmoreland County and who are the emerging leaders addressing those issues? Those are the questions that the Visionaries, a young donor group established by The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County (CFWC), have been tackling since it was established in 2010. The group is convening once again this summer. In this Q&A we talk with some of the original class of Visionaries about the inspiration for the group. Jordan Pallitto, Michael Quatrini, CFWC Executive Director McCrae Martino, and Maria Rossi, who is back for her second time as a Visionaries member, will be talking about what they hope to achieve and why. The Visionaries will hold a Pitch-In Party this fall to report on findings and encourage others to give.

by Kitty Julian, director of Communications, The Pittsburgh Foundation Jordan, you were one of the founders of the Visionaries program and now you’re on the board of CFWC. What is the origin story for the Visionaries giving group?

JP: It starts back when I was a senior at Hempfield Area High School in 2002. A friend of mine was involved with a youth advisory committee of students from four Greensburg area high schools. The students made grants to improve the community.

Through that experience, I realized that nearly all of the organizations creating quality of life in our community are funded by foundations. I had no idea of how foundations worked prior to that. It was transformative and eventually led me to join the board of CFWC in 2008. Talking with others at CFWC, including Michael Quatrini and Kirk Utzinger, we realized that creating a donor group for young professionals and recent college graduates would be powerful because it brings people together. An individual with a little bit of money can only go so far, but if a half-dozen or more come together, there is potential for real impact.

McCrae, you’re leading the current round of Visionaries. Can you tell us about how the program works?

MM: We recruit up to 10 early and midcareer professionals to learn with us and make an impact by contributing $1,000 each for local nonprofits. From May to November, we host learning sessions, site visits with nonprofits and explore the issues the group wants to address. The meetings are dynamic and eye-opening. Based on these sessions, the Visionaries develop a request for grant proposals, then review the submissions and select three finalists to go to the Pitch-In Party. On Nov. 17, the entire community is invited to hear the finalists explain what

they do and everyone attending contributes.

The Pitch-In Party is very high energy and inspiring and fires people up to give to supplement the donations from the Visionaries and incentive funds from CFWC. Maria, you’re back for your second round of involvement with the Visionaries. What appeals to you about the program?

MR: Back in 2019, I had just moved to Greensburg from my hometown of Latrobe to start practicing law. Kim Kramer, who was on the CFWC board, suggested I join the Visionaries to meet people and get to know the region. I grew up fairly sheltered from issues such as housing insecurity, and the program opened my eyes. Now

in the legal profession, through court appointments, I’ve learned a lot more about the needs in this community. I’ve always believed that, if we all live together, we should all work together to make Westmoreland County better for everyone and to make it a place where young people want to come and stay.

Jordan, you’ve now dedicated two decades of your life to the community foundation.

What do you see as the most significant priorities and how can the Visionaries make a difference?

JP: The top three priorities for CFWC are leadership in the county, convening to improve organizational capacity and

The Visionaries in 2015. Nonprofits included Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, Powdermill Nature Reserve and Westmoreland Cultural Trust.

Attorney Michael Quatrini was among the co-founders of the Visionaries. In 2018 he spoke to the New Philanthropic Leaders, a Pittsburgh Foundation young donor group modeled after the Visionaries.

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Jordan R. Pallitto co-founded the Visionaries in 2010. He’s now chief operating officer with The Hill Group, serves on The Pittsburgh Foundation board and chairs The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County board. growing philanthropy to encourage giving. There are so many smart people in the county and the Foundation can bring people and organizations together to work on really difficult things. Basic needs of vulnerable people are critical, especially for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. It’s human services generally. If you’re not receiving those supports personally, I’m certain that someone in your neighborhood or your family is or someday will. Community foundations bring people together and do more than we could ever do if we remain siloed.

Michael, how have you seen the Visionaries evolve?

MQ: The founders already had a connection to CFWC and how philanthropy benefits nonprofits. We recognize that if the Visionaries were going to achieve their goal of broadening the pool of people in their 20s, 30s and 40s to pair with nonprofits, we had to close the knowledge gap. Our educational breakthrough finally arrived thanks to

McCrae Martino is executive director of The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County and is leading this year’s Visionaries cohort. the vision and hard work of Emmie Calland and Mallory Reese at the Foundation. Now, rather than just informal gatherings and a one-time (and really fun) “Pitch-In Party” to hand out funds, participants are provided with a thorough review of the issues, a broad census of area nonprofits, and inperson experiences to actually see the nonprofits in action.

Which nonprofit funded by the Visionaries inspires you the most?

MQ: Looking back, it’s the breadth of programs we’ve supported more than one nonprofit. For instance, our funding has jumped from protecting vulnerable children in the foster care/legal system (CASA of Westmoreland), to battling food insecurity (Westmoreland Food Bank), to sustaining a world class level of music (Westmoreland Symphony), and to maintaining a valuable link to our regional heritage and formation (Ligonier Valley Historical Society). We have achieved the greater goal of connecting younger people with opportunities to

Maria Rossi is an attorney with Avolio Law Group in Greensburg and is back for her second round of involvement with the Visionaries young professional donor group. volunteer their time and energy, while at the same time providing nonprofits with an opportunity (and a nudge) to recruit their future volunteers and leadership.

Maria, what advice do you have for young professionals who want to do more for their community but might not feel like they have the experience or resources to give?

MR: As a young professional you have to be humble about what you don’t know. No one here is going to judge you for wanting to get involved. It’s very welcoming.

Though donating $1,000 may seem daunting, through the Visionaries, you see it go directly to our community and how it benefits people here. And you’ll meet fascinating people from all over who want to learn while meeting community needs. It’s a great way to understand what’s missing in our community and to work together to fill those gaps and learn along the way.

Take part in the Pitch-In Party!

Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 6 to 8 p.m.

Hear compelling pitches from Westmoreland nonprofits. Then give with the Visionaries at the crowdsourced Pitch-In Party. All are welcome. Details on location and registration are coming soon. Visit cfwestmoreland.org/visionaries or call McCrae Martino at 724 836 4400.

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Common Small Business Budgeting Errors When creating a budget, it is essential to estimate your expected income and spending as realistically as possible. Here are five budget-related errors commonly made by small businesses and some tips for avoiding them.

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Not Setting Goals It’s almost impossible to set spending priorities without clear goals for the coming year. It’s important to identify, in detail, your business and financial goals and what you want or need to achieve in your business during the course of the year.

Underestimating Costs Every business has ancillary or incidental costs that don’t always make it into the budget - for whatever reason. A good example is needing a new piece of equipment or software. While you may have accounted for the cost of the new purchase in your budget, you might not have remembered to budget the time and money needed to implement, train staff and for maintenance.

Forgetting about Tax Obligations While your financial statements may show positive results, don’t forget to set aside adequate funds for business taxes (e.g., sales and use tax, payroll tax, mercantile tax) owed to state, local, and federal entities. Don’t make the mistake of thinking this surplus is “money in the bank” and use it to pay for expenses you can’t afford or worse, including the surplus in next year’s budget and later finding out that you don’t have the cash to pay for your tax obligations or other commitments. One tip to avoid this pitfall is to setup a separate bank account for your tax obligations and fund it as you incur the debt and them pay from the separate “tax account”.

Assuming Revenue Equals Positive Cash Flow Revenue on the books doesn’t always equate to cash in hand. Just because you’ve closed the deal, it may take some time before you are paid for your good or services, and the money is in your bank account. Easier said than done, perhaps, but don’t spend money until you have it in the bank. “Borrowing” from anticipated future cash flows to pay for current spending is dangerous for the financial health of your business.

Failing to Review and Adjust Your Budget Don’t be afraid to update your forecasted income and expenditures whenever new circumstances affect your business. Your budget should be a living document that ebbs and flows with your business as it grows and matures, it should not be set in stone on January 1st of each year. Either monthly, or quarterly at a minimum, you should set aside time to compare your budget estimates against your actual results from income and spending. You should then adapt your budget accordingly, as needed, to keep you on the best path to achieving your business goals for the year.

Bryan Kisiel, CPA® CEO, Kisiel & Associates Director of Tax Planning, SecondHalf Coach Wealth Management

Please like us on facebook: Kisiel & Associates, PC

Please contact our office if you have any questions or need assistance setting up a budget to meet your business financial goals.

724.626.2926 Success Is A Journey, Not a Destination The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties.

Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation.

www.go2goalus.com 23

EMPTY SHELVES, EMPTY BELLIES The Covert Realities of Food Insecurity and Local Efforts to Care for Our Hungry

by Bree Edgerly

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Barren grocery store shelves are a site most of us have grown accustomed to seeing in the wake of the economic impacts of the pandemic. While supply chain shortages have complicated many consumers' shopping experiences, empty pantries and refrigerators in the homes of our food insecure neighbors is a far more devastating struggle.

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he last couple years of navigating the pandemic as a society have thrust us all into unfamiliar, unusual and sometimes unsettling situations: wearing masks, quarantining, getting new vaccinations, working and learning remotely, adapting or shutting down our businesses, navigating supply chain shortages and rising inflation.

Though in some ways the separation necessitated by the pandemic has inflamed our state of divisiveness as a society, in other ways it has drawn us closer together.

Lifted quarantines and social restrictions ignited a renewed appreciation for gathering as a community. Seeing our businesses struggle heightened an awareness of the real value of supporting local to maintain the integrity of those unique establishments that we might have previously taken for granted.

Mandated state-wide remote learning uncovered another issue of great concern within our community that was perhaps disguised or minimized by the effective solution of free and reduced lunches in our schools. When the schools closed for in-person learning, our school districts did not just have to figure out how to teach their students online; they had to find a way to make sure that the hundreds of local children who relied on their cafeterias for breakfast and lunch were not stuck at home without food to eat. Many schools created meal pick-up programs in their parking lots during the week to be able to continue to fulfill the needs satisfied by the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Long before the pandemic, several local organizations had joined the fight against hunger in our schools and initiated weekend programs to supplement the national weekday nutrition programs, sending children in need home with backpacks stocked with nutritious food for the weekend. One of these groups, the Rotary Club of Latrobe Food for Thought Backpack Program, has

been supplying weekend meals to the elementary school children of the Greater Latrobe School District for the past 7 years.

Started in January 2015 by Rotary Member Jerry Supko, the program is exclusively run every week by volunteers and fully funded by a constant stream of donations collected from individuals, businesses and even large corporations. Despite the distribution complications presented by remote learning in the 2020-2021 school year, the program succeeded in providing nutritious weekend food to approximately 140 elementary children in need for 32 weeks of the school year. A similar backpack program by the Westmoreland Food Bank supplied nearly 390 weekend meal kits each week during the 2020-2021 school year to students in need at its partner schools across Westmoreland County. Over 530 local children in need were served between these two programs.

In totality, today in Pennsylvania 1 in 9 individuals and 1 in 7 children are struggling with food insecurity.

This presence of hundreds of hungry children in our schools points to the reality that we have thousands of hungry families in our communities. Food insecurity is not always apparent on the surface – in many cases the struggle against hunger extends far beyond the obvious complications of homelessness. Food insecurity is generally

defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle.

The issue of consistent access can be a product of insufficient income or the inability to travel. In many low income situations, individuals might be forced to make the choice between using their funds to buy food or life-sustaining medicine, heat in their homes, clothes for their children or fuel for their vehicle to be able to travel to work. Many of our food insecure neighbors are likely respectable, working individuals whose paychecks are just not making all the ends meet. In more rural areas, food insecurity can result when individuals do not have a vehicle, access to public transportation or enough money for fuel to travel to the groceries stores that are farther than a reasonable walking distance away.

Food insecurity has only been heightened by the added layers of stress caused by escalating food costs. Rising inflation has not just affected our bills at the gas pump, it has also increased price tags on the grocery store shelves. Tom Charley of Charley Family Shop 'N Save cited 10% price increases from their vendors such as Kraft Heinz and Proctor & Gamble – major suppliers who stock their grocery store shelves with thousands of products. In addition to the cost of the items for sale rising, so too are the costs of gas to transport them, paper to advertise, and bags to send them home with consumers. In order to stay in business, some of these increases must be passed to the consumer. While everyone is feeling the pressure of the inflation effect in some way, many individuals and families who have just been getting by have been thrust into the realities of food insecurity as prices have risen in the past couple years.

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Volunteers pack bags for distribution in the GLSD elementary schools in an assembly line at the Rotary Club of Latrobe Food for Thought program headquarters in Latrobe. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Supko) According to figures provided by the Westmoreland Food Bank (WFB), a local 501(c)3 charitable organization whose mission is to enable all Westmoreland County residents who are hungry or at risk of hunger to have access to food, more than 200 food banks across the country reported varying levels of increases in their food assistance programs after the start of the pandemic, including Westmoreland County alone reporting a 33% increase of 2,500 additional households requiring services over a two month period. In totality, today in Pennsylvania 1 in 9 individuals and 1 in 7 children are struggling with food insecurity. Serving residents strictly within Westmoreland County, the WFB supplied food to more than 18,000 individuals within 7,500 households each month across their various programs in 2021. Of participants served, 78% were working poor or disabled,

27% children and 16% senior citizens.

Since its inception in 1982, the WFB has grown from distributing 2,000 pounds of food to over 5.4 million pounds in 2021.

With a staff of 24, a network of over 5,000 volunteers contributing over 55,000 service hours per year and 20 partner agencies, the WFB operates food distribution across its 40 county-wide Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens, Senior High Rises, Emergency Shelters, Congregate Feeding Sites, School Backpack Program, Summer Food Sites, Military Share, and the Grab & Go Fresh Express programs. They also offer a SNAP Application Assistance Program to help individuals in need secure additional benefits through the federal Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program.

While the WFB is continuing to grow their outreach as they expand their assistance programs and find ways to collaborate with other human service organizations to streamline aid initiatives in the county, currently they serve approximately 5% of our county population while an estimated 11% struggle with food insecurity1. Thankfully, the WFB is among a network of organizations whose missions are dedicated to caring for our hungry neighbors and a large number of businesses and philanthropic individuals who support their causes.

Charley Family Shop 'N Save has been a community grocery store in the area for decades, but they regularly and generously extend their services beyond the shopper to contribute to the hunger cause. At their Greensburg and Murrysville stores, SNAP and EBT participants can take advantage of the Food Bucks program to receive discounts on fresh produce (made possible through the federal Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program). In addition to the donations they have made over the years to organizations like WFB, Charley Family Shop 'N Save also partners with 412 Food Rescue to be mindful that the inevitable “waste” produced in their industry does not actually go to waste, but to those in need. Products that are not sellable on the shelves but fine for consumption

Westmoreland Food Bank volunteers pose for a group photo after assisting with a Grab & Go Fresh Express distribution. The Fresh Express program saved over 420,000 lbs. of food in 2021. (Photo courtesy of WFB)

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(excess inventory, freshly past “sell by” date items, damaged bakery and produce items, excess seasonal stock) bypass the trash and are picked up weekly by Food Rescue Heroes, volunteers of the 412 Food Rescue organization, to be redistributed to those struggling with food insecurity.

The friendly and intuitive 412 Food Rescue app (available for download on the App Store and Google Play) makes food recovery easy and convenient. It only takes about 30 minutes to claim a food rescue. Driven by the belief that good food belongs to people, not landfills, 412 Food Rescue launched in Pittsburgh in March 2015 to redirect healthy food from the waste stream to households and nonprofits that serve people experiencing food insecurity.

According to the USDA, up to 40 percent of food produced is wasted while 1 in 5 people go hungry2.

Locally, 412 Food Rescue’s growing community of 19,000+ volunteer drivers has redirected more than 21 million pounds of food in the Western PA region, equating to 18 million meals. On a monthly basis, the operation works with 260 food retailers and 320 nonprofit partners. The development of the Food Rescue Hero technology platform in 2016 has enabled expansion of the program to 31 counties within the United States and Canada, helping community organizations to launch and scale food recovery. Kind of like Uber for rescued 1 2

s t o r y

food, the platform matches excess food from retailers, institutions and events to households and nonprofits that serve people experiencing food insecurity, and then volunteer drivers are alerted within the app when surplus food is available to be picked up near them. The 14-partner Food Rescue Hero Network serves over 1 million people.

While our area has these great organizations actively working to resolve food insecurity, no good effort seems to come without challenges.

“You would be surprised how hard it is to give away free food,” admits Lauren Hill, Director of Development at WFB. Spreading awareness of the problem and the solutions providing relief is an essential step in continuing to expand the reach of our human service organizations. As we continue to rise up out of the mess left in the wake of navigating the pandemic, we need to keep our eyes wide open to the lessons we should be learning in overcoming new challenges. As we continue to come back together as a community, we can build unprecedented strength by supporting

A Food Rescue Hero delivers rescued food straight to the doorstep of one of the program's senior participants.

(Photo courtesy of 412 Food Rescue) one another and building up our weakest members. Part of our mission at Go2GOAL is to inform and empower our readers. With this cover story, our hope in exposing the reality of food insecurity within our community and highlighting some of the local organizations working to address the problem is to inform readers and empower those who are able to join the cause to care for our hungry.

WFB data as compared to Westmoreland County Census data: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/westmorelandcountypennsylvania https://www.usda.gov/foodwaste

Here is a brief listing of some of the organizations and programs in our area that support food insecurity relief initiatives that we learned about while writing this story.

Visit their websites or reach out to the contact person provided here to learn about ways that you can give food, your voice, time or money to the cause. If you or someone you know is struggling with food insecurity, these organizations are a good starting point for receiving aid.

412 Food Rescue:

Knead Community Cafe:

Charley Family Shop 'N Save:

facebook.com/CharleyFamilySNS

Rotary Club of Latrobe Food for Thought Backpack Program:

Fayette County Community Action Agency Food Bank:

Westmoreland Community Action:

412foodrescue.org

fccaa.org/programs/food-bank-programs Feeding the Spirit:

feedspirit.org

kneadcommunitycafe.org

Jerry Supko jsupko@comcast.net

westmorelandca.org/emergency-services-2 Westmoreland Food Bank:

westmorelandfoodbank.org

www.go2goalus.com 27

Ann Nemanic, Executive Director, GO Laurel Highlands

How many times have you tried to capture the perfect photograph?

Likely a GOAL of everyone with eyes on this page. We live in a world where we can filter a face, eliminate red eyes, whiten teeth, and transform ourselves into an Avatar figure just for fun. Don’t you miss the glory days of a black and white still photography?

28 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

W

hat is important to remember is what we see through the lens. That instantaneous moment captured for eternity. True, photographs pop up daily on Facebook memories and are housed in an iCloud floating somewhere, but the ‘moment’ is magic.

The Laurel Highlands provides us all with a magnificent natural backdrop for those moments.

Waterfalls, stately Hemlock groves, jutting rock formations, and unparalleled sunsets create a scrapbook of stories we can treasure and share. Populate those backdrops with friends, family, fireworks, and fur babies and your own personal story begins to unfold.

Challenge yourself to create an interesting picture book and bring

new meaning to a popular location. Or navigate the backroads of the Laurel Highlands and discover a new favorite spot. Keep it for yourself, or validate your discovery and share with others so they too can stand in the space and treasure a moment in time.

Seasons are changing. Our warm summer nights will eventually ease into a cool autumn breeze.

Our purple petunias will be replaced by plump pumpkins in every color we can find. We’ll toss an extra blanket in with the camping gear just as quickly as we toss another log on the fire.

Savor the sweetness of the last remnants from your garden. Sip a little slower on your favorite craft beer. Our seasons remind us time can be fleeting. Snap a few more photographs... for the magic…for the moments that will never fade.

www.go2goalus.com 29

o t Announ d e l l i r h T c e e r a O u O r & N u e e e w m a L ook r W ew N !

N

Our new brand and our new name aligns with the true values and mission of our organization. We heal animals that are abused, abandoned, and neglected, and in turn the animals heal us through their inspiring spirit and unconditional love.

At Heal Animal Rescue we give ourselves to a greater mission of helping animals that cannot help themselves and giving them the life they deserve. Our operations remain unchanged. We continue to rescue and care for farm animals at our sanctuary, and rescue and rehome dogs and cats at our adoption center.

facebook.com/HealAnimalRescue @healanimalrescue @HealAnimalRescue

ADOPT - DONATE - VOLUNTEER

See more at HealAnimalRescue.org

Do Pre-Listing Home Inspections Make Sense in this Market?

Scott Ludwick

Associate Broker 724-433-7800 Ranked in Top 100 Agents Nationally Since 1998!

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices The Preferred Realty

With inventory at or near all-time lows, many homes are selling “as is” and transactions are moving quickly. In this seller’s market, is a pre-listing home inspection a good idea? The short answer is “yes.”

Homes that have had a pre-listing inspection can sell for more. It’s to the seller’s advantage to fully understand the home before listing, and it’s also the perfect opportunity to make recommended repairs should they choose to. Another advantage is that having a detailed understanding of their home’s condition will help sellers feel confident that they’re getting the best price for their home, which of course reflects well on you. And by having an up-to-date pre-listing inspection in hand to share with potential buyers, you can keep the transaction moving and get to closing faster.

A pre-listing inspection can also create buyer trust through transparency about the home’s condition, avoiding surprises down the road. This information is invaluable when it comes to putting together an offer. Simply put, a buyer who’s confident about the home will feel more comfortable offering more money.

Markets like this create real challenges and opportunities on both sides of the transaction. A pre-listing inspection can help you make it a win-win all around.

If you have questions about this, or anything real estate related reach out to Scott Ludwick at 724-261-5637 or Scott@ScottLudwick.com

©2022 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.

"... a place with unmarked trails and

hoodoos that

make you think you’ve

just arrived on a new planet..."

by Autumn Stankay, Owner and Photographer of SkySight Photography

s ’ r e h p a r g o t a Pho

p i r T d Roa

A

s a photographer who has been a part of GOAL since the first run, I thought this issue would be fun to share a travel log from a recent photographic adventure. We embarked on a month-long road trip from Greensburg with our daughter. She was an awesome little 3-year-old copilot who helped us decide our next route.

We started our journey through Ohio then dipped southwest and stopped to walk through the “gateway to the west”, the St Louis arch. Then we found ourselves in beautiful state parks in Missouri and Oklahoma. We traveled a bit along old Rt 66, and found great roadside attractions, and some of the nicest people in every small town we stopped.

In Amarillo, we experienced more wonderful roadside attractions along Rt 66 like the Cadillac Ranch, and an absolutely amazing drive west from there to New Mexico.

We landed in Albuquerque after a few 32 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

thousand miles of driving over four days and decided to stay put for a week in our Airbnb. We met new friends, wandered old streets full of art, climbed mountains with magical sunrises and sunsets, and saw petroglyphs that were 700 years old and left you feeling something you couldn’t really explain. Then we journeyed south.

We took a stunning drive (Rt 25 to 380 to 54) to the White Sands, and with shaking hands and legs, climbed to the top of the first dune at sunset and literally gasped with shock. I’ve seen sand dunes before, I’ve even been to the Sahara dunes in Africa, but these were beyond this world.

There are some house rental options in Alamogordo, but we found a charming motel built in the 50s with full kitchens in their hotel rooms! We befriended the owners, had great breakfast in their hotel restaurant each day, and loved their local art they sold in their lobby made by Native Americans.

We spent a week there then turned north, stopping for several days to explore the Navajo region of the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, a place with unmarked trails and hoodoos that make you think you’ve just arrived on a new planet.

Only a few more hours north from there we arrived for a half week stay at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. We highly recommend a small motel at the entrance to the park, called the Great Sand Dunes Lodge, because it’s the ONLY option for many, many miles around! Staying at the park is a great advantage so you can get into the park at sunrise and beat the crowd. The Great Sand Dunes are the size of small mountains, so it can take a few hours to walk to the top of the highest dune. It’s both a thrill and challenge, as is sled riding down the sand dunes!

Our final week was full of beautiful views in the Colorado Springs region. We explored an amazingly powerful place called Paint Mine Interpretive Park, mountain drives to 12,000 feet on Pikes Peak, walks through Garden of the Gods, and a train ride through the Royal Gorge along the Arkansas River.

We hit about 4,000 miles of road travel over 30 days, and I flew from Denver back home with my daughter for much needed R&R. My husband continued the journey through Rocky Mountain National Park,

Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota and finally back home a week after our arrival.

Our country is quite incredible. I encourage you to get out and explore the uncommon, far-off places that exist here. Anyone who is able to explore by car, should give it a try. It does take some time, but planning can be done as you go. Have fun with it, embrace serendipity and see what you discover. You’ll find mind-blowing places and discover something special about yourself too.

Explore my galleries for more!

www.skysightphotography.com www.go2goalus.com 33

e h t f o n r u t e r e th Get ready for

n a c i r e m A t a e Gr t i l p S Bananraation!

Celeb been made to the city over the last few years: freshly paved streets, brand new traffic lights and several revitalized store fronts.

The Yellow Tie Gala, hosted by the Latrobe Art Center, kicks off the fun on Friday at 6 p.m. with live music and a party on Ligonier Street with guests dressed in their finest yellow attire!

THE TRADITIONAL BANANA SPLIT RECIPE Peel a banana and slice it lengthwise. Press the halves against the sides of three scoops of ice cream – vanilla, chocolate and strawberry – lined up in a banana boat dish.

Top the vanilla ice cream with pineapple sauce, the chocolate with chocolate sauce and the strawberry with strawberry sauce.

Top each scoop with whipped cream and sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Top the scoops on each end with maraschino cherries and garnish the scoop in the middle with a paper American flag.

A

fter two years of alternative celebrations, a virtual live stream in 2020 and a one-day event in 2021, The Great American Banana Split Celebration will be back in full swing this year from August 19-21st.

For those who need a refresher on the reason for our event, the banana split is a classic ice cream dessert that’s been making people smile since 1904 when it was invented right in downtown Latrobe by David Strickler, an apprentice pharmacist at Tassell’s Pharmacy! In 2013, a Pennsylvania Historical Marker and a banana split sculpture commemorated the site of the former Tassell's Pharmacy (later renamed Stricker's) right on Ligonier Street in the heart of town.

This year’s event, sponsored by Robindale, marks the 9th anniversary of the celebration, and we are ecstatic to be back in the downtown area to show off the many improvements that have

34 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

Other plans include two entertainment stages with live music and performances all weekend long, a beer and wine area, the ever-popular climbing wall, activities for kids of all ages, goat yoga, candy bar bingo, 5K Banana Run, car show, blood drive, opportunities to meet our newly crowned Banana Split Princess Lilly Zemba, and banana splits!

The headlining act this year is The Crystal Blue Band, formerly Tommy James and the Shondells, well known for their hits like Mony Mony, Crystal Blue Persuasion, Crimson and Clover, and many others. They will perform Saturday evening, from 7-9:30PM on the main stage. Local talent will also be booked to perform throughout the weekend.

Parking will be free in downtown Latrobe throughout the weekend.

More information about the festivities is available at www.latrobelaurelvalley.org/BananaSplit

Hope to see you there!

by Briana R. Tomack Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce President PO Box 463, Latrobe, PA 15650 724-537-2671 www.latrobelaurelvalley.org

EVOLUTION OF

W

HOME INSURANCE

hen was the last time you truly reviewed your homeowner’s policy? Maybe 5 years ago?

How about when Clinton was in office or when Toto released their song “Africa”?! Anyone of those answers is way too long. Just as you sat there and thought, “wow, things are really different now,” so are your home policy and the risks associated with it.

Originally policies were primarily designed to cover fire; through the years a few other perils were added to make policies more inclusive. Evolution causes the need for this change: technology gets smarter, weather patterns fluctuate, the economy dips and peaks, and we as a society have this uncontrollable urge to sue everyone for everything.

All things considered, what coverage should you be looking for in a home policy today?

Home policies today almost always insure your dwelling for Guaranteed Replacement Cost (GRC). To understand how GRC works, imagine the worst-case scenario where your home is a total loss, like a tornado or a fire levels the structure, and the last time you looked at your policy you had $250,000

36 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

of coverage. However, as the adjuster is determining the value of the home, the rebuild cost ends up being $325,000 due to the high rate of inflation and increase in building material cost that we are all currently experiencing. Even though the policy seems to not cover the whole amount, with GRC the insurance company will cover the full value of the home with no capping.

While still talking about a total loss, consider what happens to all of your belongings or personal property. Much like the actual structure, you want to be sure personal property is covered by replacement cost. By doing so, you will be made whole again and not have to be concerned about receiving an amount lower than the current value of your belongings. Replacement cost will replace damaged belongings with those that are of like kind and quality brand new.

Example: If a 15-year-old, 4-burner, gas, Kenmore stove burns up in a kitchen fire, you will not be paid for a 15-year-old stove off of Craigslist; you will be paid for a brand new 4-burner, gas, Kenmore stove of like kind and quality.

Today it seems that we have to be worried about being held liable for everything.

Gone are the days of asking a friend or neighbor to have access to their property because “you might sue me if you get hurt.” Every home policy comes with liability coverage to protect you in cases of personal injury or liability, but it’s the amount of coverage that matters. Based on increasing costs in medical bills, you should carry no less than $300,000 of liability on your policy; depending on your assets, you may choose to take out a maximum of $1,000,000 of coverage. If the maximum does not provide enough coverage, you can consider a separate umbrella policy to provide proper protection.

Criminal Defense Cost Reimbursement rides on the coattails of liability. Again, in the current day and age we have to be concerned about lawsuits even when the insured is in the right or protecting themselves. Imagine this: an intruder breaks into your home and during the invasion a struggle occurs which leads to you fatally wounding them. Even though you were protecting yourself, your family and property, most likely you will be going to court to prove your innocence. With proof of innocence, criminal defense cost coverage will reimburse you up to $25,000 of expenses. This protection also covers

by JJ Rettura, CIC Vice President/Operations Manager Laurel Highlands Insurance Group LLC

similar situations of personal defense that occur outside your home.

Sewer or Drain Backup is protection typically added upon the request of the insured starting at $5,000 in coverage.

This endorsement covers damage to building material and personal property caused by the black or grey water that results if a sewer or drain backs up in your home.

In our area, this coverage is particularly beneficial if you have a finished basement.

Living in Pennsylvania we have many seasons with extreme temperature fluctuations that require both heating and air conditioning (HVAC). Working hard, HVAC systems tend to break down over time and cause complete failures. Equipment Breakdown coverage protects against this type of loss. This coverage extends

beyond HVAC systems to sump pumps, water heaters, security systems, swimming pool equipment, refrigerators, ranges, deep well pumps and more. Not only will your loss be covered up to $50,000, but the coverage allows an additional $10,000 to replace the equipment that is Energy Star or “Green” to incentivize environmentally friendly choices.

If your home is older, it can be challenging to replace certain building materials if they are no longer made, or you can’t find remnants in surplus. Rather than suffer the frustration of piecing together mismatched materials for a repair or replacement, siding and roofing restoration coverage will supply $10,000 over the original claim estimate to tear off all siding/roofing and replace it all if no matches can be found to repair the existing product.

Did you know that your utilities from the foundation of your home out to the main service line are your responsibility? The water company or gas company may send you mail trying to sell their coverage for these lines, but before you buy in on the utility company’s coverages, check your home policy. Underground Service Line coverage will protect you up to $25,000 for any of these buried utilities including, but not limited to communications lines, compressed air, water, heat, drainage, or waste disposal. These losses can occur due to accidents, wear and tear, weight, mechanical breakdown or even artificially generated electrical currents, all of which could lead to thousands of dollars in damage.

The Final Word It’s pretty amazing how much can now be protected under your home policy if you choose the right coverages and endorsements. We live in a crazy world full of surprises; with costs on the rise with no end in sight, it’s comforting to know you have protection where it is needed.

Do yourself a favor and dig out your home policy, read through it or call your agent to review your coverage together. See if you have any of the coverages listed above or if you can add them to your policy; you will thank yourself later – if and when tragedy strikes.

Laurel Highlands Insurance Group LLC 724-437-2371 info@laurelhighlandsins.com

If you would like to review your existing homeowner’s policy, we would love to help. Laurel Highlands Insurance Group LLC is an award-winning, premier, multi-lines, independent insurance agency in the heart of Southwestern PA with decades of experience. We take great pride in providing our clients with unbiased and honest information so they can make the best decision possible for themselves and their families. It’s our goal to leave you with a better understanding of your risk and provide you with the protection to match. Please contact us by phone, email or by scanning the code. *Coverage options vary with insurance company, type of policy, and options purchased. Please consult your insurance professional for answers specifically related to your policy. Coverage included in this article is specific to Laurel Highlands Insurance Group LLC and the companies it represents.

www.go2goalus.com 37

Instagram: @she.of.goal Facebook: SHE For more details, visit our social media accounts:

The women of GOAL Magazine founded SHE, a female networking group that organizes purposefu social events that support local

female-led businesses and bring awareness to

tps://pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/ local charities that help women and children. or guidelines on what to donate visit: nfident! terviews can walk out of our office looking and feeling fabulous and othing must be ready to wear, so that women who have same-day rectly helps change women’s lives. All of your donations are tax deductible. omen each year in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Each donation you make nfidence.At You can berecent part of theover community that helps toat serve their most event, 70 local women gathered Bellaover Terra2,600 Vineyards in ow women to PA enter interview, training program, and/orand new job with Hunker, for aan fun-filled eventjob titled “Women, Wealth, Wellness Wine.”

Guests were ork-appropriate clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry.

Your donations empowered and educated by speakers while raising donations for a local charity. ou can help by donating your new and gently worn women’s interview and

An Evening of

Women, Wealth, Wellness and Wine

What is Dress for Success?

er business and will share a wine and appetizer pairing. egedus, owner of Caffe Barista, will tell her short story about how she started bout telling their story without judgement. At our launch party, Lisa em happy. We want to create a safe space for women to feel confident greater purpose that connects inspirational women doing what makes ereafter, we will plan not just a networking event, but a girls' night out with bilities to join our efforts in SHE. For the launch party and every event CEO, a secretary or a stay-at-home mom, we welcome you and your unique Fountain, enlightened she guests is on able. Whether as their children.

Assistance Hosted atthan Bella Terra Vineyards, fference rather noise in whatever capacity you are comes in many forms including educational attendees tasted samples of their most elements of mental wellness by sharing popularthe winestrue while co-owner Jacque of her personal experiences as scholarships, and emergency e believe that success of a some woman is found in her ability to make a financial Bell entertained the crowd with the history of how the winery has expanded since it opened in 2015.

a mother and entrepreneur and led a guided meditation that demonstrated the exceptional power of our minds.

Jessica Marazza, CFP®, managing partner of SecondHalf Coach Wealth Management discussed the importance of financial wellness and several tips on how to achieve it.

Each attendee’s registration fee was 100% donated to Westmoreland Community Action’s M3 (Mother’s Making More) program. This program gives comprehensive support to single mothers to further their education, build a career, and improve their quality of life for themselves as well

What is

Tara Stowers, owner of Sanctus Spa & Salon, Grace & Purity and Floral

38 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

assistance to meet essential living expenses.

?

Chief Executive Officer, Mandy Zalich, and Development Manager, Toni Antonucci, spoke to event guests about the M3 program, shedding light on how the donations would be granted. The ladies of SHE are pleased to announce that with the support of the attendees and speakers, they were able to donate $1,500 to this incredible cause.

CEO of Westmoreland Community Action, Mandy Zalich (L) accepts a donation check of $1,500 from one of the founding members of SHE, Tawnya Rockwell (R).

Join us

for our next event

Home SWEET Home TUESDAY NOVEMBER 15, 2022 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. $20 donation per person *All event donations benefit the charity

Event speakers and charity: (from L to R) Jacque Bell, owner of Bella Terra Vineyards; Toni Antonucci, Director of Advancement and Development Planning, Westmoreland Community Action; Mandy Zalich, CEO, Westmoreland Community Action; Tara Stowers, Owner, Sanctus Rejuvenation Spa & Salon; Jessica Marazza CFP®, Managing Partner, SecondHalf Coach Wealth Management

About The Event Whether you are buying, selling or maintaining value - this event is full of essential tips for sweetening your home!

Enjoy light bites and beverages, including wine and a fall themed Moscow Mule bar while listening to local female professionals give advice on home renovations and interior design techniques.

Take a tour of Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity and find inspiration for your next home project in the warehouse store.

Decorate the ultimate SWEET treat to have when entertaining guests - Sugar Cookies! Follow a local certified bakery owner as you decorate turkey sugar cookies.

About The Charity Habitat for Humanity partners with people in your community, and all over the world, to help them build or improve a place they can call home.

We belie differen a CEO, a abilities thereaft a greate them ha about te Hegedu her busi

Guest Speakers

W

Cahla Downs Realtor Keller Williams Realty

Tiffany Contic You can Principal and Interior Designer 7Tier Design Studiowork-ap

allow wo

Sheri Slezak Owner and Certified confiden Pastry CulinarianTM women Heart and Soul Cookies & Pastries

directly Jessica Marazza Clothing Certified Financial Planner SecondHalf Coach Wealth interview Management confiden For guid https://p TM

Learn more about previous SHE events and register for the next event by visiting www.go2goalus.com/she www.go2goalus.com 39

Strong Demand Drives Industrial Site Sales

W

e’re starting to feel full here at Westmoreland County Industrial Development Corporation, and I’m not talking about food. We’ve leased two more of our facilities to full occupancy, we have an agreement in place to sell the last parcel in another one of our parks and our largest industrial park has just one lot left. Yes, we still have parcels available, but to ensure that the county has a robust portfolio of properties to attract business, we’re planning the next phase of development at Distribution Park North. We’ve secured $2 million in state grant funding that we’re matching with our own funds, and we’re working to secure the remaining funding for this $6 million project through a loan through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority. This project will add 60 acres — and three shovel-ready sites — to the list of properties we have available for new and expanding businesses. We couldn’t tackle economic-development projects such as this without the support of Westmoreland County’s delegation in the state Senate and House and the leadership of Sen. Kim Ward and Rep. George Dunbar. Before I get too caught up in the future, let me recap the good news of the past six months.

In December, an affiliate of New Jerseybased Weiss-Aug Group finalized the purchase of a 6.23-acre lot in Westmoreland Business & Research Park. Weiss-Aug plans to build a 32,000 SF manufacturing facility on the Washington Township lot.

Construction is expected to begin later this year and will take 12-15 months.

Plans call for the building to be expanded to 65,000 SF as business grows. WeissAug plans to add 50 new jobs between this business and another B&R Park manufacturer that it owns, JK Tool.

In February, an affiliate of real estate development company Al. Neyer signed an option agreement to buy a 14.79-acre lot in Westmoreland Technology Park II.

Despite being taken only nine months ago, this photo of Westmoreland Technology Park II soon will be obsolete. Two lots are currently under agreement to be purchased and developed.

Westmoreland Business & Research Park — the largest of the countydeveloped industrial parks — is down to only one undeveloped lot after Weis-Aug Group completed the purchase of a 6.23-acre parcel for a manufacturing facility.

Al. Neyer plans to build a 150,000 SF flex industrial/warehouse building that could support more than 150 jobs when at full occupancy. The property is across the street from the 13.39-acre lot where Al. Neyer is currently building its 150,000-SF Hempfield Commerce Center I facility.

Shortly after opening its 41,000 SF Tech Park II facility earlier this year, Fossil Industries announced expansion plans.

40 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

An affiliate of the company entered into an option sales agreement in April to buy an adjoining 5.72-acre lot so the manufacturer can build a 52,000 SF facility.

This expansion project is expected to add five salaried employees and up to 20 hourly employees to the Fossil Industries workforce within three years. Fossil Industries also plans to expand its existing building in the coming years.

by Jason Rigone, WCIDC Executive Director

This project will add 60 acres — and three shovel-ready sites — to the list of properties we have available for new and expanding businesses.

In May, Roechling Industrial signed an option sales agreement to buy the final lot — Lot 1-R — in Westmoreland Technology Park I. Roechling owns an adjacent lot and expects to break ground on an expansion project that will add 26,000 SF to its existing 34,000 SF building. This 6.39acre new lot would be the site of a second, future expansion.

Roechling, which currently has 61 employees, expects this year’s expansion to create seven to 10 new jobs; its employee count will increase to nearly 100 when Lot 1-R is fully developed.

After signing two new commercial tenants to long-term leases, the WCIDC now has more than 99 percent of its leasable property under agreement. In May, Westmoreland Community Action opened its new administrative headquarters in our

GreenForge Building along Donohoe Road in Hempfield.

A nonprofit agency dedicated to strengthening communities and families to eliminate poverty, Westmoreland Community Action experienced significant program growth in 2020-21.

GreenForge will serve as its administrative headquarters, and many of the WCA program staff will continue to work out of its old Greensburg location.

In June, Greensburg-based Scott Electric Company signed a fiveyear lease for 50,095 SF of space in Jeannette Industrial Park.

Scott Electric has been in business since 1946 and employs 680 people at multiple locations. It plans to move one of its wholly owned subsidiaries to the recently renovated suite. Initially there will be 26 employees at the location, but the company anticipates adding five to 10 new jobs in the near future.

County hires consultant to improve broadband connectivity When the county adopted the Reimagining Our Westmoreland comprehensive plan in 2018, commissioners made it a priority to support broadband internet expansion.

After collaborating with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission to identify broadband challenges and opportunities at a regional level, the county formed a Broadband Taskforce that guided the process of hiring a consultant that will lead the efforts to bring reliable internet service to unserved and underserved locations while looking to create affordable internet options. In May of this year, the commissioners hired Michael Baker International to: • create an equitable broadband expansion plan for the county, • identify areas in need of an investment in broadband infrastructure, including two early action projects, and • aid the county in creating a partnership with a private internet provider to expand its services to those target areas.

Internet connectively is no longer a luxury.

It is essential for school, work, medicine — it touches nearly every facet of our lives.

Improving broadband service will be integral to our efforts to make Westmoreland an even more attractive place to live, work and play.

For additional details, visit westmorelandcountyidc.org and follow us on social media www.go2goalus.com 41

A Mental Health Clinic with an Innovative Approach and Heartfelt Mission Opens in Latrobe: THE FOUNDER’S STORY

by Nicole O’Barto-Trainer, Ph.D., MS, LPC

T

hroughout my career as a therapist, I’ve strived to send a message of innate health. Innate health is the idea that all humans are inherently whole and possess the capacity for mental health and well-being within them.

So, when I started to brainstorm ideas for the name of my new practice I knew that I wanted the name to exemplify an innate or inborn potential for health and healing and embrace the simplicity and resilience that is symbolic of nature.

The name ‘Native’ immediately struck a chord with me. The word native has many definitions and is used in multiple contexts including in reference to plants.

Anyone who knows me, knows I love plants and gardening. I routinely share that in retirement I want to be a small-scale flower farmer, but I digress.

Think of it this way: plants that are native to certain regions will thrive more readily and effortlessly when planted in those areas. Why is that? Well, because they are accustomed to the growing conditions in that area. They are capable of thriving in the predominant soil of that region and the prevailing climate even if both

are less than ideal.

They are naturally resilient there!

As I considered the parallels between the term native as it is referenced in horticulture and the applicability to my own working definition of mental health, I knew I found the one.

We are native in health. We are capable of thriving in whatever conditions we are “planted in” because our potential doesn’t exist outside of us, it exists inside of us.

When we find our way back to our native or natural ways of being and living we also will effortlessly thrive.

Thus, Native Integrative Mental Health Care was founded in 2021 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

At Native, we believe it is essential to educate our clients on symptoms of mental illness and provide a framework for helping them understand their emotional experiences. However, we also think it is equally important — if not more important — to encourage our clients not to define themselves by the state of their mental health.

We believe that the science and study of theories including neuroplasticity, meditation, neurocardiology, epigenetics, and nutrition exemplify the powerful relationship between mind and body and our inborn potential for healing.

The study of these sciences as they relate to health and wellbeing highlight both the mind and body’s ability to change and heal. I always tell my clients that the natural propensity of mind and body is to move toward health, both mental and physical.

The intention at Native is to provide integrative mental health care. This type of health care incorporates evidence-based, complementary and alternative therapies

42 GOALMagazine: A Publication of Go2Goal | Summer 2022

when appropriate. These types of therapies range from ‘third wave’ talk therapy, nutritional consultation, meditation, relaxation training and biofeedback just to name a few.

We provide a client-centered approach that is collaborative and affirming.

By working together, we aim to instill a sense of hope and confidence in our clients as they move forward with their lives – empowering them to know that no matter what they have experienced or how difficult their life has been at different points in time, there is always more right with them than wrong. They are capable of anything.

I believe that this is a unique time both in our culture and in the history of psychology.

I think we have been presented with an opportunity to increase mental health awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding seeking help for mental health problems.

I think it is important that we embrace a definition of mental health that is fluid and allows for changes in our emotional wellbeing to be considered a natural, normal part of living. A definition that encourages us to explore our emotional and physical states to understand better what we need to sustain emotional well-being throughout a lifetime.

At Native, we strive to offer the optimal healing environment both in the design of our office space and in the intention our clinicians hold in their hearts. We believe the therapeutic relationship developed between client and therapist is fundamental for healing and change, and we seek to create relationships that model intentional attunement, acceptance and love.

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