Laurel Mountain Post :: March 2014

ISSN 2330-6629

LAUREL MOUNTAIN

POST

now featuring the

o

FREE

Westmoreland County Guide to Homes

Hanging in There Kindness is the Greatest Wisdom Giant Easy-Bake Ovens and Carbonated Chocolate Ice Cream!

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly on Our Adventure in Peru Eating Right With Less Salt Silent Hurricane Come On, Get Happy!

March 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST, September 2013 - 1

insert The Eyeglass Shoppe ad here

2 - March 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Table of Contents 4

What’s Your Favorite Thing About the Laurel Mountain Post?

5

Hanging in There

7

Kindness Is the Greatest Wisdom

10

28

Earth Talk

29

“These Legs Were Made for Walkin”

by Megan Fuller and Cathi Gerhard

Postmodern Tendancies “Are We a Culture of Bullies?”

by Megan Fuller

March Is Red Cross Month

13

The Ligonier Chef

14

Natural Health

18

Ligonier Valley Rail Road

20

“The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly on Our Adventure in Peru”

30

“Eating Right with Less Salt”

31

Reversing Roles

32

What’s Cooking in Fitness

34

Home Study

36

Information for Life

37

Classified Advertising

38 39

Local Organizations Win Awards

46

End Notes

www.redcross.org

“Giant Easy Bake Ovens and Carbonated Chocolate Ice Cream” by Scott Sinemus

“Yarrow” by Granny Earth

New Book Released March 3

by Megan Fuller & Family

That’s What They Say “Robert Browning” Thought-Provoking Insights on Common Quotations by Rev. Majorie Rivera

24

Call for Entries

25

Shops Around the Corner

26

Three Pennies

Global Warming

by Nancy A. Clark

by Cathi Gerhard

12

23

2014

by Hayley Chemski

“To Be Prepared” by Gretchen Fuller

“UNDER-standing Weight Loss Frustration” by Mark Rullo

“Silent Hurricane” by Brian Mishler

“The Garage Is Your Home”

by Mike Vernon

Celebrations, Help Wanted, For Sale, Memorials, Discounts, Miscellaneous

Community Calendar March and April

“Come On, Get Happy” by Cathi Gerhard

Novel Art II at Ligonier Valley Library

The Medicine Shoppe Barb’s Country Store

“Be Attitudes: Blessed or Blessing?”

by Rev. Cindy Parker

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 3

Reader Feedback:

What’s Your Favorite Thing About the Laurel Mountain Post?

“I like that it informs you about different things going on in the area. Informs you of the local “small” merchants in the area that you may have never heard about or know of otherwise!”

Angela Hohula – Loyalhanna, PA (December 10, 2013) “I love the calendar of events and reading the articles but my favorite part is the advertisements! It may sound funny but I have found new local places as well as learned more about the businesses that are right here! I would much rather support local businesses, so it's great being able to flip through it and see what's around!”

Angela Glitsky – Derry, PA (December 11, 2013) “I think it would be reading and learning about local businesses and people that I may not have realized are here. I look at it as a way to make the community aware of what is offered and make new friends. Thanks for the knowledge and your commitment to our community.”

Jodie Edmiston – Derry, PA (December 10, 2013) “I very much enjoy Ruthies column.....it makes me remember my childhood fondly growing up in the Derry area!!! Good old wholesome family memories that seem to be fading away in today’s busy world!! Thanks for preserving some of that through your column, Ruthie!”

Dana Mehalic Remaley – New Stanton, PA (December 10, 2013)

LAUREL MOUNTAIN

POST The Laurel Mountain Post is an independent, monthly publication produced at Fairview Farm in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. All material printed herein is subject to copyright and permission to reproduce in any format must be obtained in writing from the publisher. This publication is registered with the US Library of Congress, ISSN 2330-6629.

Cathi Gerhard, Editor & Publisher Megan Fuller, Managing Editor Gregory Susa, Co-Publisher & Circulation Manager Elizabeth Srsic, Art & Layout Editor Michelle White, Business Manager Carol Gerhard, Copy Editor Sales: Jason Ament, Char Bukoskey, Mary Carlson, Bryan & Kelly Johnson-Hill. Media: Joe Jerich, Eric Pensenstadler, Mary Fowler.

Circulation: Jason Ament, Char Bukoskey, Nancy Clark, Granny Earth, Gretchen Fuller, Cathi Gerhard, Bryan & Kelly Johnson-Hill, Scott King, Laurie McGinnis, Victoria Mull, Bob Raho, Doug Richardson, Elizabeth Srsic, Alice Susa, Gregory Susa, Lindsay Turchetta, Robert Williams. Columnists: please use contact information provided at the end of each article or on our website.

Publisher cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of the matter represented in the advertisements herein published.

Please contact the advertiser to verify details.

Laurel Mountain Post-style stories, links and photos EVERY DAY!

“Love the fact you support small business in our area and you promote articles and stories that I can relate too.”

Randy Phillips – Latrobe, PA (December 10, 2013) “I always pick up a copy of the Laurel Mountain Post when I find it. Although I do enjoy some articles such as the ivy plant in Ask Granny Earth, the Loyal-hanna painting by R. McWherter, and of course, the calendar, my very favorite reason for reading the Post is “what does Ruthie have to say about life today.”

Elaine McCracken – Derry, PA (May 16, 2013)

Editorial Office 189 Fairview Lane Derry, PA 15627

Mailing Address PO Box 332 Ligonier, PA 15658

Phone: 724-537-6845 • Fax: 724-558-9548

www.LaurelMountainPost.com

“. . . I’m long overdue in expressing my appreciation to the Laurel Mountain Post. We found an issue of it while vacationing in Ligonier last summer. What a truly fine regional magazine. It conveys the genuine spirit of the people and the place. Our nearest local equivalent regional magazine is nothing but advertising copy for the chamber of commerce. Not that that’s necessarily bad, but it’s pretty sad to think that business is all there is to a locality. Thanks to LMP for getting it right.”

Guy Snedeker – Rome, NY (March 28, 2013) “Chef Scott’s witty and very informative articles... love his column.”

Tammy Fuchs (December 10, 2013) “The community calendar with upcoming events is very handy when trying to plan fun activities for my family.”

Carolyn Anderson – New Alexandria, PA (December 11, 2013)

4 - March 2014

Every Story Begins At Home LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Hanging in There As I write this, we are waiting for Winter Storm Titan, Mother Nature’s way of welcoming in March like a lion.

Right now California is receiving an entire year’s worth of rain – water much needed there if they can survive the intense downpours and mudslides.

Weather has been the top story all season: throughout the false alarms, subzero temperatures and some heavy snowfall surprises, a common theme has been endurance. How much more can we take?

Fortunately, our weather gives us a break from the harsh extremes every three or four months, with a beautiful spring and fall in between. The four seasons have always been one of my favorite things about living here in Pennsylvania: the change is guaranteed. All we have to do is hang in there.

The winter of our discontent is coming to and end, but for so many others, the tragic play goes on. Some problems have no season, and we can only pray – for the strength to hold on, and the faith to believe that better days will come.

This issue of the Laurel Mountain Post contains several pages devoted to a tough subject: bullying, hate and the social trials and tribulations that so many must endure. Fortunately there are many new movements in our country to help counter all the negativity, and we will talk about them on the following pages.

As always, we try to focus on the positive things in life, but sometimes the bad must be explored in order to reach the other side. We feel strongly about this subject, and hope that you will all take the time to consider its presence in your own lives. Hopefully kindness and hope will eventually triumph over hate in our communities and around the world.

It begins with you.

— Cathi Gerhard, Editor

When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." (anonymous)

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 5

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6 - March 2014

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Kindness Is the Greatest Wisdom

by Megan Fuller & Cathi Gerhard Because we live on opposite sides of the US, we use the internet to keep in touch since our days as college roommates over 20 years ago. Most mornings we check in via Facebook or Skype over a cup of coffee to discuss life, love, like-minded politics and our work together on the Laurel Mountain Post.

Oftentimes we share stories we find online, and in February we were so moved by one we decided to research and write an article on the subject.

On February 2, a Michigan mother created a secret Facebook page for her son. She introduced it to the world by posting: “I am Colin's mom, I created this page for my amazing, wonderful, challenging son who is about to turn 11 on March 9th. Because of Colin's disabilities, social skills are not easy for him, and he often acts out in school, and the other kids don't like him. So when I asked him if he wanted a party for his birthday, he said there wasn't a point because he has no friends. He eats lunch alone in the office everyday because no one will let him sit with them, and rather than force someone to be unhappy with his presence, he sits alone in the office. So I thought, if I could create a page where people could send him positive thoughts and encouraging words, that would be better than any birthday party. Please join me in making my very original son feel special on his day.”

We are both mothers, and our sons are in high school. We have spent many empathy-filled mornings talking about their struggles in school and varied experiences with bullies. This story from Michigan really got to us, and we decided to devote a portion of this issue to various aspects of disrepect and bullying.

Bullies play a role in some oft-told tales in my family. To begin with, my father beat up the campus bully during his freshman year at Penn State – then hitchhiked home because he decided that college and the hostile, disEvery Story Begins At Home.

couraging environment there was not for him. My father never returned to school, and never got the agricultural degree he wanted. He detested seeing others beaten down, and he championed underdogs his whole life.

Most likely inspired by my father’s legendary reputation, I also beat up the campus bully when I was in fourth grade. After months of watching him pick on my best friend, I finally decided to stop it for good by putting him down with flying fists on the playground. The adults in charge must have felt he deserved it because they all turned a blind eye. I’m not proud of my violent response, but at times it seems the only way to get through. The

above. Just how much are we really fighting one another? Let’s take a closer, more scientific look . . .

A 13-year-old from Virginia, Viraj Puri, developed a blog and software application to track online bullying in the United States: bullyvention.com.

Using keywords to track and analyze online conversations, social media posts, etc., the system scores and ranks regions to assign an index of colors on the US map. On any given day, one can go to this site and see a “heat map” (more info on page 8) showing the varying concentrations of bullying across the country. We tested this map by plugging in various dates. Every single time, the map showed a terrible

“This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.”

Actress Ellen Page, February 14, 2014

fight ended the abuse, but I doubt the bully really learned his lesson. Fear and pain stopped him, not compassion. Sadly, mankind usually goes to war too quickly, often before all other means of discourse and empathy have been explored.

The art of war has always used bullying as a tactic: divide and conquer. It’s a method of distraction used in politics and corporate America as well: keep us fighting each other, and we will never join together to rise

red cloud of hate over our region: northeastern America, with Pennsylvania at its heart. We were shocked, having believed that larger, more urban areas would have the greater “disadvantage” of a hateful population due to the averages of demographics alone.

Or how about the stereotypical south, which still hasn’t overcome its history of multi-racial prejudice? Just what is making us so angry, combative and unsympathetic? continued on page 9

March 2014 - 7

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123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 You can learn a lot about bullying on my Bully Facts page and from the Cau123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 • Emotional and social forms of bullying in123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 cus. But the main point of my blog is to use technology to bring lawmakers clude yelling, spreading rumors, teasing, mak123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 ing fun of others, name calling, not including and teens together.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 others in your circle of friends because of the 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 way they look, dress, talk, or whatever.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 Because bullying is such a widespread problem in our nation and schools, • Physical forms of bullying include hitting, 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 attacking, beating, shooting, killing. my blog trends from Capitol Hill. From Capitol Hill, I interview Members of 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 • Cyber bullies use social media to harm oth123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 Congress who have a story to share or advice to give to victims of bullying. ers. Cyber bullying includes posting embarrass123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 You can listen to my interviews on the Lawmakerz page. ing pictures or videos of others, making fake 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 websites and profiles about someone else, 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 texting and emailing hurtful messages.

I also believe it is important for Members of Congress to hear from teens. On 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 • Bullying can be based on race, gender, age, 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 my Write on Washington page, you can find the name of your Senators and sexual orientation, weight, religion, or just 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 because.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 Representatives and write them to say how you feel and what you expect • Bullying is the most common form of vio123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 lawmakers to do about bullying.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 lence in our society.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 • The American Medical Association reports 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 that approximately 3.7 million youths engage Go to Write on Washington or Your Message Here and make your voice roar.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 in, and more than 3.2 million are victims of, 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 Send us a photo of you raising your pen and we will post it, too. moderate or serious bullying each year.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 • Bullying is often a factor in school-related 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 deaths.

The pen is mightier than the sword, so Raise Your Pen and stop 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 • Membership in either bully or victim groups bullying now. I’m an activist. I hope you will be an activist, too.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 is associated with school drop out, poor psy123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 chological adjustment, criminal activity and 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 other negative long-term consequences.

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 • Over 2/3 of students believe that schools Raise YOUR Pen!!

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456789012345678901212345 respond poorly to bullying.

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www.bullyvention.com

8 - March 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

continued from page 7

Unfortunately, we have no answers, only more stories to tell. There are lots of things that target masses of hate these days: illness, money, politics, ethnicity, gender and sexualtity.

The tragic consequence of this hatred is often suicide. So it could be said that bullying is the initial stage of genocide (the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group).

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (afsp.org) reports that 38,364 suicides occurred in 2010 (12 deaths for every 100,000 people), making it the 10th leading cause of death in the US. In that year, it could be said that someone died every 13.7 minutes from despair.

What’s the solution? Perhaps actress Ellen Page, in her address at the Time to Thrive conference on February 14, offered the the best advice: “. . . this world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another,” Page said. “If we took just five minutes to recognize each other's beauty, instead of attacking each other for our differences. That's not hard. It's really an easier and better way to live. And ultimately, it saves lives.”

The innaugural conference was sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign (hrc.org), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. However, they offer and support a universal message of hope and equality for all who are bullied, mistreated or rejected.

Another campaign launched last month was Operation Nice February, sponsored by actress Amy Poehler on her website, Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, Change the World by Being Yourself (amysmartgirls.com): “Here at Smart Girls, we believe the internet can unite us rather than divide us. This February, help us spread the love by keepng the web factual and friendly. Before sending a hurtful or snarky remark into the world, think about how it would feel if someone wrote it about you. Fact Every Story Begins At Home.

check what you read before sharing.

Make positive contributions rather than negative ones. Be part of the niceness.”

Kindness is the greatest wisdom, and that’s exactly what Poehler is trying to encourage every month through Smart Girls with a variety of initiatives, resources, videos, tweets and links: “When you learn about the lives of others, the world gets a little smaller and maybe even a little better.”

When we first learned about Colin and his mother’s Facebook page, it started a conversation. How many times had our own sons felt the same way? Too many, and we have always felt helpless – our maternal grief giving way to frustration and anger over things well beyond our control. That discussion led to the planning of this Laurel Mountain Post issue and its collection of related articles. We were and continue to be inspired by Colin’s mom, and her courage to do something about it.

“One month ago I had what I thought was a silly idea to create a Facebook page as a surprise for my son's birthday,” she explained. “A month later, and far beyond the 50 friends I thought this page would get, we're over 2 million, and this has become something larger than I ever expected. This crazy, silly, miraculous page has become a community.”

We invite our readers to become a part of this community, sharing a parent’s love and your own messages of hope around the world.

“The first mail from the PO box!

Colin still doesn't know (I hope) so I have to hide these!” (Colin’s mom)

If you would like to write to Colin for his birthday March 9 (or simply keep the letters of encouragement coming), please send to:

COLIN PO Box 756 Richland, MI 49083-0756 At press time, he has received thousands of letters, and over 2 million “likes” on his Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Coliniseleven)

***** For more information on this subject, please visit the following: Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls amysmartgirls.com, info@amysmartgirls.com American Society for Suicide Prevention afsp.org, 1-888-333-AFSP (2377) If you are in crisis, call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) How to Stop Cyber Bullying bullyvention.com The Human Rights Campaign hrc.org, (202) 628-4160 Time to Thrive Conference visit the LaurelMountainPost.com for the full transcript of Ellen Page’s address.

Colin’s dad picks up the mail on day 4!

March 2014 - 9

POSTMODERN TENDANCIES

by Megan Fuller

Are We A Culture of Bullies?

Incidents of bullying are in the news fairly regularly and many, maybe most, schools are instituting antibullying programs. I asked some middle school students if they had anything to say about bullying. This small prompt initiated stories of one incident after another. I was told that of the children who are bullied, many are bullied almost constantly throughout the school day; before and after school, in the hallway between classes, and during lunch. Just listening to these stories made me feel beaten down and depressed.

As a society we certainly do not condone the tragic results of bullying; a young girl jumping in front of a train, young men bringing guns to school to kill their nemesis. If we don’t condone the results, it stands to reason that we should not condone the behavior.

• Repetition: Bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.

Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Stopbullying.gov defines bullying as: [U]nwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include: • An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people.

10 - March 2014

If bullying is unacceptable behavior within our culture, and by this definition it is, why is it so prevalent?

Anthropologists have studied bullying in a variety of ways; origins, cross-culturally, typology, in the media or online. Each tactic reveals different information about bullying, adds to our knowledge base, and has practical applications. Scientifically, it is important to look at bullying from as many angles and from as many disciplines as possible so that policy makers have a solid base of research from which to draw and aren’t just left making capricious decisions based on nothing.

Hogan Sherrow, Professor of Anthropology at Ohio University, has a great blog post on ScientificAmerican.com in which he outlines the origins of bullying. As his reason for doing such research he states, “[w]ithout the deep understanding the origins of a behavior provide, efforts to prevent bullying will continue to fail.” In Sherrow’s research he uses a definition of bullying similar to the one provided above adding that “intimidation is the goal, and bullying can happen in a one-on-one or group basis.” He looks to establish whether bullying is singularly American or if it is found in other cultures. Review of the literature shows that “bullying is ubiquitous across human cultures.” The next question Sherrow seeks to answer is if bullying is unique to humans. He finds “there is ample evidence that many other animals, including other primates, engage in bullyinglike behaviors.” Often within primate society intimidation and aggression are used to enforce group behavior or to establish dominance and ensure reproductive success. Sherrow con-cludes, “[t]he tendency to bully, or coerce, others is natural and deeply rooted in our evolutionary history…” and that “addressing bullying through culturally based social programs” will not serve to eliminate bullying. Knowing that bullying is biological rather than cultural we can already answer the titular question. No, we are not a culture of bullies—we are a species of bullies.

Humans, however, are not just biological beings. An overlay of culture LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

informs our behavior of biological functions from the way we groom ourselves to the way we go to the bathroom. A study, partly funded by the World Health Organization, looked at bullying and its effect on the health of victims across 28 European and North American countries. The authors found “[t]he proportion of students being bullied varied enormously across countries. The lowest prevalence was observed among girls in Sweden (6.3%), the highest among boys in Lithuania (41.4%).” Results such as these indicate that, although we are a species of bullies, culture influences the amount of bullying that goes on and most likely the types of bullying as well.

Professor Burlingame, on atasteof anthropology blog, writes that in the United States “[t]he basic impetus for bullying lies in dealing with difference” and “in gaining power through the subjugation of others.” Because children see intolerance and stratified power relationships in everyday American life, Professor Burlingame points out, they are apt to create the same sorts of relationships in school. Of course, school is only one place where young people congregate—children are also spending plenty of time online using social media and gaming. Relationships in the cyber-community mirror those in the real world, except in the virtual world there is a significant lack of adult supervision. Resident Anthro points out in his blog post “The Culture of Bullying” that in online gaming “[w]hen someone is mocked for low skill, a poor k/d spread, or an ‘inability’ to perform well … they are being bullied.” He goes on with his analysis saying, “[i]t’s the ‘Jones’ effect. When you see someone doing something you want to be a part of it, and when people aren’t encouraging online the only people you hear are those who are bullying… This creates a culture of bullying in online gaming.”

Since the only way to eliminate bullying from the gene pool would be to round up all the bullies and sterilize (or kill) them before they had children—a kind of Big Brotherish solution—we, as a society, need to figure out a cultural way to help ameliorate the problem. Within the articles referenced previously are ideas to help minimize the impacts of bullying. The authors of the cross-cultural study suggest that, “[t]he most important tool for diminishing bullying is addressing the school environment. It is recommended that the problem be highlighted for teachers and pupils by special work sessions, and that it be made harder to actually perform the behavior by increasing inspection in breaks and at other occasions, when bullying is likely to occur.” They also suggest letting the children define what is socially accept-able for the group. Professor Burlin-game also endorses classroom intervention. She points out that “[d]ifference doesn’t have to be seen as threatening on any level” and that “reinforcing that no one way is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ for everyone can be done at every grade level” and in all classroom subjects. “The goal of this kind of lesson is to support diversity while maintaining respect for, and pride in, one’s own cultural traditions and practices.” Lessons in diversity can teach both acceptance and empathy—giving students the ability to see the world from other people’s Every Story Begins At Home.

perspective. In an online gaming atmosphere, Resident Anthro feels the best option to deal with bullying is to, “put down my controller and turn my system off.” He reminds gamers to “check our-selves at the controller and remember that, just because you’re anonymous doesn’t mean that your actions are meaningless.”

Just this brief review of the literature available online has certainly added to my personal knowledge base regarding bullying but it also leaves me with further questions. Even though aggression is no longer necessary to find the best mate, does bullying still have a function?

How does bullying correlate to behaviors in adulthood? How does bullying correlate to other biologically based behaviors? Answers to these questions may already exist in the literature as the research I’ve done is far from exhaustive. I am certainly interested in hearing from readers regarding any research of which they are aware and how it compares or contrasts with what has been presented here.

My hope is that this is just the beginning of a conversation. ***** Megan Fuller is an applied cognitive anthropologist with postmodern tendencies who grew up in the exciting Pittsburgh suburb of Pleasant Hills and had the distinct pleasure of earning a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from IUP. In 1993, Megan moved out West to get a Master’s Degree. She also picked up a husband and hasn’t quite convinced him to move back to Western PA. To maintain her authentic Pittsburgh accent she regularly watches Pittsburgh Dad and engages anyone wearing black and gold sports gear in conversation.

March 2014 - 11

March Is Red Cross Month

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“I request that during that month (March) our people rededicate themselves to the splendid aims and activities of the Red Cross.”

–President Franklin D. Roosevelt, first Presidential Proclamation of March as Red Cross Month, 1943

The history of the American Red Cross is inseparable from the history of America itself. Since 1881, American Red Cross members and volunteers have been an essential part of our nation’s response to war, natural disaster and other human suffering. We’ve been witness to great tragedy, but more importantly we’ve seen the triumph of the human spirit as people work together to help each other rebuild their lives and communities.

Founded by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the Red Cross received our first congressional charter in 1900 and a second in 1905, the year after Barton resigned from the organization. The most recent version of the charter–which was adopted in May, 2007–restates the traditional purposes of the organization which include giving relief to and serving as a medium of communication between members of the American armed forces and their families and providing national and international disaster relief and mitigation.

The American Red Cross provides compassionate care in five critical areas – people affected by disasters; support for members of the military and their families; health and safety education and training; blood collection, processing and distribution to as many as 3,000 medical facilities across the United States; and international relief and development.

• The American Red Cross is a charitable organization, not a government agency. It depends on volunteers and the generosity of people like you to perform our mission.

• The American Red Cross is part of the world's largest volunteer network found in 187 countries.

• 10 million people learn emergency skills such as CPR through the Red Cross every year. Consider taking a class so you are prepared in the event of an emergency.

• An average of 91 cents out of every dollar that you donate goes to fulfill our humanitarian mission. Everything we do depends on the needs of the people that we serve.

Ways to Help: • Simply text the word redcross to 90999 to donate $10 to Disaster Relief through your mobile carrier. Charges will apply to your mobile phone bill next month.

• The Red Cross depends on public support to help people in need. You can help by giving blood or hosting a blood drive.

• Many companies are creating opportunities for the public to donate, purchase products or support programs that support disaster relief.

Westmoreland-Armstrong Chapter 351 Harvey Avenue , Suite B; Greensburg , PA 15601 (724) 834-6510; www.redcross.org/pa/greensburg

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

12 - March 2014

0

THE LIGONIER CHEF

by Scott Sinemus

Giant Easy Bake Ovens and Carbonated Ice Cream? OH MY! Carbonated chocolate ice cream!

Something from Willy Wonka? NO! Alton Brown!! I recently had the unique opportunity to experience the Edible Inevitable Tour with a VIP package our friend Bob set up for us.

Autographs, meet & greet, amazing seats, and access to the lounge before and during intermission.

We decided to make a weekend event of it and booked the Stay, Valet & Breakfast Each Day package at the Fairmont in Pittsburgh. It was a great deal, and I don’t believe there is a more dog friendly hotel in the city. Upon arrival, our Presidents Club Concierge told me I won the bid for a suite upgrade for $25; however, for just a little more we could have the Presidential Suite, as it was still available! Who could say no to that; especially after she said there would be so much more room for Basel to run around in . . . boy was there ever! From the marble foyer, kitchen, massive living room, dining room, bedroom and immense marble bathroom with shower, soaking tub and a television in the mirror! The wall of floor to ceiling windows made for one of the most breathtaking views of the city I can remember. It was more spacious than the ground floor of our house; so Basel definitely had the extra running room.

It had been ages since we’ve stayed over in the ’burgh for a function; so, feeling nostalgic, we made reservations at The Carlton for dinner Saturday night. I am pleased to report it is still very good dining, and the wine list is as spectacular as ever.

Every Story Begins At Home.

Sunday we had an early dinner at the Capital Grille because we needed to be at the meet & greet by 7:00. It has been a very long time since I’ve been able to say that every single morsel of food exceeded any of my expectations. The 24 oz dry aged Porterhouse was so tender I was literally able to cut it with my fork, and

The Ligonier Chef (R) with Alton Brown (C) and Jason Ament (L) before the show. the flavor was phenomenal. Everyone’s meal was an extreme delight; truly the perfect way to send us off to meet Alton.

We’ve had the tickets since June of last year. I tried not to be too anxious because the last time I was to meet Alton at the Greenbrier several years

ago, he had to cancel his appearance at the last moment. I was, of course, devastated – it was the heyday of Good Eats, and I was entranced by his ability to meld fun, science and cooking together so seamlessly.

I’m almost pleased now that I missed it. The performance of this first stage tour was beyond compare. When there was a mention ponchos would be required as our seats were in the “splash zone,” I knew it would be. The press release before the show touted it as part stand up, part multimedia lecture, part music and part food experimentation: those four parts made for a whole lot of fun!!

There were two cooking spots where a member of the audience was selected to be his assistant (alas it wasn’t me).

The first was the Jet Cream, an impressive contraption to say the least: several five-gallon water bottles linked together with fire extinguishers at each end. After the audience selected chocolate as our flavor, the fun began. Goggles, lab coats, ponchos being thrown into the splash zone . . . I could barely sit still.

When the valves were turned, I could feel the rumble of the carbon dioxide churning and freezing the chocolate milk into carbonated ice cream!

Moments later I could smell the chocolate in the air as I felt tiny frozen flakes falling on my head. I was overwhelmed. How is it possible to be in 2014, and we are just now figuring out how to make carbonated chocolate ice cream?!?! continued on page 16

March 2014 - 13

NATURAL HEALTH

Healing with Mother Nature’s Weeds by Granny Earth, ND

Yarrow:

Year After Year She Comes Back – More Beautiful Than Ever!

Achillea millefolium Page 149 – 150 Do It Yourself Weed Medicine

The name ‘Yarrow’ is a corruption of the Anglo-Saxon name for the plant – gearwe and the Dutch, yerw. It’s said that Achilles staunched the bleeding wounds of his fellow soldiers in the war with Troy, hence the name of the genus, Achillea. Its specific namemillefolium, is derived from the many segments of its foliage, hence its pop-

ular name, Milfoil and Thousand Weed. Yarrow is a perennial weed, growing wild, all around here in Pennsylvania. This wild variety has white flowers, grows in full sun and any type of soil, and up to 4 feet tall.

(Other types of Yarrow are yellow).

If you’re planting Miss Yarrow in your garden, you’ll want to leave about one foot of space between each plant.

She’s easy to grow and will return year after year for your health and sheer enjoyment!

14 - March 2014

The seeds germinate in 2 weeks at temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees. Light is necessary for seed germination, which takes only five to seven days.)

A native to Europe and Asia, Yarrow’s foliage is ‘fern-like,’ very gentle and pleasing to the eye. She is drought resistant and will grow well in any type of soil. Blooming in June, you’ll find that if you pick the flowers, she’ll bloom again in September – giving you two harvests. The flowers dry

nicely if hung upside down for a few weeks, providing you with a nice dried bouquet to admire all winter long.

Yarrow may be taken internally for a variety of uses: • • • • • •

fever and infectious diseases stops internal bleeding cleanses the liver, kidney and bladder heals mucous membranes stops diarrhea heals lungs

• •

aids circulation balances the endocrine system.

Externally, Yarrow can be used as an antiseptic for wounds, rashes and deep punctures. For these you would use as a poultice, or compress.

Yarrow exhibits diaphoretic, hypotensive, astringent, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, anti-microbial, bitter and hepatic (good for liver) properties. She has a high content of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus, which makes her a useful candidate for muscle spasms, depression, hypertension, muscle weakness, convulsions, confusion, personality changes, nausea, lack of coordination and gastrointestinal disorders.

Yarrow is one of the best diaphoretic herbs, and is a standard remedy for helping the body deal with common colds and fevers. She lowers blood pressure (with dilation of the peripheral vessels), stimulates digestion and tones up the blood vessels, too. Yarrow also helps regulate menstrual cycles, reduces heavy bleeding and eases menstrual pain. As a urinary antiseptic, she’s indicated for use with infections, such as cystitis.

Preparations of Yarrow flower have also been shown to stimulate gastric juices. This would account for her effectiveness as a tonic for improved digestion of foods, due to the presence of bitter substances in the blossoms.

The smell of Yarrow is also helpful in reducing stress and aids in restful sleep. I’ve never tried it, but I’ll just bet that adding some Yarrow flowers to your bath along with Violet would be an exceptional treat! I once planted ‘Golden Yarrow’ from seed and got a tremendous crop. Year after year, she LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

comes back, bigger and more beautiful than ever! Cutting the flowers at mid-summer and drying them upside down, the beautiful golden color never changes. It stays that way all winter long . . . just a bit of color to help me endure the long and dreary winter months.

the spirit of neighborliness was important on the frontier “While because neighbors were so few, it is even more important now because our neighbors are so many. – Lady Bird Johnson ”

www.grannyearth.com grannyearth@zoominternet.net Phone: 724-542-9713 Granny’s monthly Natural Health Newsletter- ‘CONNECTIONS’ is available via- Snail-Mail. 12 pages- All good stuff! $35.00 a year (12 issues).

***** Seventy-some years young, and following my lifelong passion, which is natural healing and teaching others about weed medicine, I believe that we each must do what we can to get back to Nature. In making your own weed medicine, you’re going to be going out looking and identifying certain weeds that grow around you–you’ll be outdoors, in the sunshine and fresh air–getting back to Nature.

Maybe you’ll start growing your own weeds, turning your backyard into a weed garden!

Granny Earth has a bachelor’s in Psychology from California University of Pennsylvania (which she earned at age 59), and both a masters and doctorate from Clayton College of Natural Health.

This advertisement sponsored by The Medicine Shoppe.

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 15

continued from page 13

The second experiment came after a subtle driving rock tribute to Spinal Tap about Easy Bake Ovens. I’ve met several male chefs in my life that also asked for an easy bake oven, even though they were geared for girls. No matter your gender, who wouldn’t want to bake a cake in your bedroom?

Just like Alton and my other chef friends, I modified the oven with bigger bulbs to bake whatever I could fit through that tiny slot. The Mega Bake used so many massive lamps, lighting at the Benedum had to be turned down to use it. The conveyor belt used a ship’s wheel to roll it back and forth.

We could feel the heat four rows from the stage. The second lucky volunteer got to make pizza in under five minutes that smelled and looked delicious.

The show ended with Alton picking up an acoustic guitar and playing a lullaby about cooking that he sang to his daughter while she was growing up. It was cute and clever, and the perfect way to close the performance.

Although I didn’t get the one on one time with Alton that I got once with Julia [Child], it was still an absolute joy to meet one of my idols. Now all I have to do is begin to collect all the parts needed to make the ice cream! ***** Scott Sinemus is a Chef with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Pennsylvania Institute for Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh. He’s continued his education with classes from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and The Greenbrier; and has travelled internationally in search of authentic cuisine.

Fallingwater Invites Volunteers to Apply for 2014 Season Mill Run, Pa. – Fallingwater is now accepting applications for volunteer positions at the Frank Lloyd Wright masterwork in Pennsylvania’s scenic Laurel Highlands.

Volunteers at Fallingwater can expect to interact with visitors from all over the world and experience this iconic home on a personal level. The organization is seeking volunteers who enjoy working outdoors or interacting with the public. Opportunities are available to assist with landscaping and gardening projects, staff exhibitions in the gallery, as well as customer service-related work.

Volunteers are eligible for a free tour each season, as well as to participate in the Fallingwater staff book club, site hikes, lectures, exhibition openings and other educational opportunities.

Interested volunteers may apply by contacting Jennifer Hiebert at 724-329-7826 or jhiebert@paconserve.org. Fallingwater’s spring volunteer orientation for new and returning volunteers will be held on Saturday, April 26.

Local residents from nearby communities such as Chalk Hill, Connellsville, Farmington, Mill Run and Ohiopyle are strongly encouraged to apply. Fallingwater volunteers are asked to commit to 16 - March 2014

a minimum of two days per month from May through October.

Fallingwater is located in southwest Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands about 90 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. The house is located along PA Route 381 between the villages of Mill Run and Ohiopyle. It is about 19 miles south of the Donegal exit (Exit #91) of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) or 10 miles north of US Route 40. For more information, visit Fallingwater.org. ***** About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy: The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region’s quality of life by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish ten state parks, conserved more than 235,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 1,500 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 135 community gardens and greenspaces that are planted with the help of 12,500 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 11,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org.

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Every Story Begins At Home . . . Let’s Tell Yours

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 17

Hobby of a Lifetime Laurel Mountain Post Contributor Bob Stutzman Releases New Book About the History of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road

The ghosts of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road can still be felt, but barely seen, as we drive through the gorge (also known as Sleepy Hollow) on Route 30 between Latrobe and Ligonier. Route 30 east was the original road, with two-way traffic. What we now know as Route 30 west was once the path of the rail road, hauling freight in and out of the valley. Travel time between the two towns was cut down from four hours to 40 minutes, spawning the growth of eastern Westmoreland County – which soon became known as Pennsylvania’s mountain playground.

But by August 1952, after sustaining years of losses, this short-line rail era came to an end. Local author and historian Bob Stutzman was just a young boy then.

“I remember sitting around the dinner table,” he recalled from his childhood in Ligonier, “and my father was talking about how to supply his business without the railroad. He owned a Rawleigh Products franchise and didn’t trust the trucking industry, so he ended up buying his own trailer to make the trip to Chester where he could pick up his products.”

The rail road of his parents’ world became a lifelong hobby for Stutzman, who began collecting memorabilia in earnest about 20 years ago – after his children left for college.

“My brother-in-law, Bill McCullough, has already been collecting ca-

sually for several years,” Stutzman explained. “We began a quest together to collect photographs, analyze material and verify locations. Ebay was our greatest resource!”

To commerate the railroad’s 50th anniversary in 2002, the two men put together a powerpoint presentation of their collection (which had grown from 100 to over 1000) and presented it at the Ligonier Valley Library to a standing room only crowd of over 200.

Darlington Station, 1935

More and more people began asking for copies of prints, so Stutzman decided to start working on a book that could be sold at the museum to raise money for the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association. After more research, and some help from friends, Stutzman’s new book tells us the whole story and brings the lost images back to life . . .

All of the author’s profits from the sale of the book will benefit the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association and its museum in the restored Darlington Station: LIGONIER VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM 3032 Idlewild Hill, PO Box 21, Ligonier PA 15658. 724-238-7819. www.lvrra.org

18 - March 2014

To provide his sons with an opportunity to create a new business, Judge Thomas Mellon agreed in August 1877 to invest in a short line railroad that would connect Ligonier to the Pennsylvania Railroad in Latrobe.

Four months later, the Ligonier Valley Rail Road (LVRR), a 10.6-mile-long line, was completed and began transporting passengers and freight between Ligonier and Latrobe. The viable transportation the LVRR provided to Pittsburgh markets immediately spurred lumber and quarry industries in Ligonier Valley and later coal mining and coke production.

Also, to increase ridership, Judge Mellon built Idlewild Park on 350 acres near Ligonier in 1878. By its end in 1952, the LVRR had hauled more than 30 million tons of freight out of the valley. Equally impressive, because of the popularity of Idlewild Park and the growing tourism in Ligonier Valley, nine million passengers rode LVRR’s rails over its 75 years of operation. Mellon’s short line railroad stimulated an economic boom in Ligonier Valley and propelled it into the 20th century.

Highlights of The Ligonier Valley Rail Road include: • The original Idlewild station, the oldest Ligonier Valley Rail road structure remaining today. It now serves as a hospitality center for visiting groups at the park and as a museum.

• Images of Ligonier landmarks, such as the school ‘s administration bui lding on West Main Street and the original Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church.

• A chapter regarding the tragic 1912 LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

railroad accident that killed 24 passengers and crew-men.

Robert D. Stutzman, a Ligonier native who developed a keen interest in the history of Ligonier Valley, is cofounder of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Association, serving eight years as an officer and seven years as editor of The Liggie, a publication he originated for the Friends of the LVRR. In December 2012, he retired as the editor and as a member of the board

of directors to write this book.

He is an active member of Christ United Church of Christ in Latrobe, and a member of the Greater Latrobe Community Chorus. Stutzman also attended Ligonier High School and the University of Pittsburgh, and served in the United States Air Force.

Retired from Timken-Latrobe Steel as the manager of the Special Products Division, he is married with two daughters and several grandchildren.

Fun Facts About St. Patrick’s Day

Believe it or not, the colour of Saint Patrick was not actually green, but blue!

In the 19th century, however, green came to be used as a symbol for Ireland.

(StPatricksDay.com) There are 34.7 million U.S. residents with Irish ancestry. This number is more than seven times the population of Ireland itself. (History.com) St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland, although he was born in Britain, around 385AD. His parents Calpurnius and Conchessa were Roman citizens living in either Scotland or Wales, according to different versions of his story. (telegraph.uk.com) The world's shortest St. Patrick's Day parade is held in the Irish village of Dripsey. It lasts only 100 yards, spanning the distance between the village's two pubs.(LiveScience.com) The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in the United States on March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City.

(History.com) Today, St. Patrick's Day revelers wear a shamrock. Trifolium dubium, the wildgrowing, three-leaf clover that some botanists consider the official shamrock, is an annual plant that germinates in the spring. (NationalGeographic.com) On any given day 5.5 million pints of Guinness, the famous Irish stout brand, are consumed around the world. But on St. Patrick's Day, that number more than doubles to 13 million pints, said Beth Davies Ryan, global corporate-relations director of Guinness.

(NationalGeographic.com)

The Ligonier Valley Rail Road by Robert D. Stutzman

IRISH BLESSING: "May the roof above us never fall in, and may we friends beneath it never fall out."

(HuffingtonPost.com)

Arcadia Publishing Images of Rail Series. Price: $21.99; 128 pages/ softcover. Release Date: March 3, 2014.

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 19

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly on Our Adventure in Peru

by Megan Fuller & Family Last May, as I was just paying off the previous Christmas, it occurred to me that if I was going to spend an enormous amount of money over the holidays I would prefer to give the family something they would actually remember, rather than more stuff for me to trip over and yell about because they aren’t taking care of it. Family entertainment was focused on British television shows such as Dr. Who, Torchwood, Call the Midwife, Mr. Bean, Keeping Up Appearances, and so on. The kids and I got to talking and concluded that it would be a good idea for us to go to Great Britain and check out the locations of our favorite shows in person. My girls wanted to ride the London Eye and I wanted to see the tower in Cardiff where Captain Jack Harkness keeps his monsters (Torchwood). We then relayed our desire to travel to Great Britain to Big Daddy who pronounced London as boring and suggested we go somewhere exciting, like Peru.

Okay, then – Peru it is. Research was done, an itinerary was determined, tickets were purchased, and hotels were booked. We were ready for an inter-cultural adventure.

We arrived in Lima well after midnight, managed to make our way through all the lines and inspections and hired a van to take us to the hotel.

The city was quiet, a few Christmas lights broke through the darkness and I spotted an ad for “Kraps” crackers (they look like Ritz). Too funny!

Cliffs line the coast of Lima and the Pacific sparkles in the morning sunshine. Truly, the view is spectacular. Lucky for us our hotel was just steps away from the coast. Parks line the cliff tops from one end of the city to the other. Each park is themed and 20 - March 2014

the one closest to our Liman headquarters was dedicated to Maria Reiche, the German archaeologist who researched and protected the Nazca Lines, so all the flower beds were shaped like the geoglyphs. A walking path and bike path runs through the parks and people were walking, running, biking and working out at the work out stations all around us. We noticed we were the only chubby people there.

to see if they were the same as here). It is remarkable for the view: only the railing and the breeze separate the shoppers from the sea.

In Peru, families traditionally gather on Christmas Eve for the big holiday dinner. The lovely young lady working the front desk at our hotel didn’t want to miss out on having a celebration so she invited all the guests to dine together. She ordered her favorite take out, Pardo’s Chicken

The scenic cliffs of Miraflores, known for its shopping areas, gardens, flower-filled parks and beaches, it is one of the upscale districts in the city of Lima.

Following the path south, for about 3.5 km, from Maria Reiche park (I know the distance because the path was marked) we found a remarkable mall called Larcomar. Normally, I wouldn’t call a mall remarkable, but this one is hanging on the side of the cliffs. There were upscale stores there such as UGG and Kipling & Co., as well as Pinkberry and Starbucks, but it’s not remarkable for the shopping (I did have a frozen yogurt and coffee – I had

(which is basically rotisserie chicken with French fries) and plenty of Inka Cola (very sweet, yellow pop – in Arizona you can find it at Target). This is probably (hopefully) not a traditional Christmas dinner menu, but the sentiment was much appreciated. It was quite a diverse group dining that Christmas Eve: five Americans, one Mexican, one Peruvian, two Chileans, two Venezuelans, and a couple of Brazilians popped in to say Feliz LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Navidad. Our Peruvian hostess made us Pisco Sours, which were fantastic, and tales of travels along with political discussions lasted long into the night.

The day after Christmas we flew off to Cuzco, the Incan capital sitting at 11,200 ft above sea level (twice as high as Denver). Everything I read warned of high altitude sickness, and everything I read was correct! As soon as we disembarked the plane we all got headaches and felt disoriented.

Drinking the coca leaf tea helped a little, and over time the disorientation passed, but the headache hung around pretty much the whole time – along with constant breathlessness.

The crazy drivers, narrow crowded streets, and constant climbing of stairs also hindered the enjoyment of this ancient city. I think the worst part though was being treated like an ATM machine. As soon as we got to the hotel – before we even got to go to our rooms – we were attacked by a lady trying to sell us tours of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu at ridiculously high prices. She worked for the hotel, and I can assure you, reader, that I did not find this high pressure sales situation welcoming. We declined everything except a ride to the train station, and she was visibly ticked off at us. My husband paid her (in cash on the spot) for the ride, and when she gave him the receipt it was for 1/6 th of the amount he had given her. Pretty much everyone in Peru, not just Cuzco, wanted us to pay in US dollars, not in Peruvian Nuevo Sols and charged us MUCH higher prices. Service workers in Cuzco were not particularly friendly either – no smiles or friendly greetings at the hotel or in restaurants – tipping is not expected there, so they don’t work for the customers. Don’t even think about getting a refill on a drink, and the only way to get your check is to stand up like you are going to walk out. Of course, we still tipped because we felt too guilty not to. My husband finally just got fed up and started serving himself (and the rest of us).

Although we weren’t enamored with Cuzco, the Andes, the Sacred Valley, and Machu Picchu were enchanting. The train ride to Machu

Machu Picchu, a 15th-century Inca site located 7,970 ft above sea level in the Cusco Region of Peru.

Believed to be and estate built for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472), it was abandoned a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest

Pisac market, a Peruvian village in the Sacred Valley on the Urubamba River, is well known for its market every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, an event which attracts heavy tourist traffic from nearby Cusco.

Picchu town gives riders spectacular views of the mountains and takes you through small villages and past farm fields that really reveal both the awesomeness and tranquility of nature. Machu Picchu is an engineering marvel on the top of a super steep mountain. The bus ride up to the ruin was scary, and I kept my eyes closed a lot of the time. Incan masonry is incredible, and the thought of hauling around all the stones to create this city is just overwhelming. Because Machu Picchu is on the peak of a very steep mountain there are many, many stairs (which are also very steep) and no

hand railings. There are no nice level paths for people with mobility issues.

Expect to use your thigh muscles to the maximum if you go there. The elevation in Machu Picchu is about 3000 feet lower than Cuzco, so it is much easier to breath while doing all the climbing.

After resting for a day from our excursion to Machu Picchu, we hired a driver to take us through the Sacred Valley. This gave us the opportunity to get close to the townspeople and visit artisans’ markets. We stopped at a couple of scenic overlooks, and at each there was an Incan family selling continued on page 22

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 21

continued from page 21

crafts and tending a llama or two. My daughters have been making the colorful plastic band bracelets that are all the rage right now, and they traded their handmade bracelets with a little Incan girl for some woven ones that she had made. The indigenous girl was hesitant at first about trading but her mother loved the idea, so did our driver. It seemed like quite a novel transaction for them.

Lucky for us, the day we went to the Sacred Valley was Sunday, and there is a huge market in the town of Pisac that day. They have the regular tourist artisans’ stalls with alpaca sweaters, blankets and shawls, embroidered backpacks and purses, clay figurines and original paintings; but the best thing about Sunday is that the indigenous set up a market to trade amongst themselves. We got to see numerous types of potatoes, glorious vegetables of many varieties, wooden cooking utensils (why didn’t I buy some of those?), fresh fish, giant onions, beautiful flowers, and all manner of everyday necessities. We dined in the street on Incan corn (which has kernels the size of nickels but twice as thick with the starchy consistency of a potato) and cheese empanadas (empanadas are pocket sandwiches). Pisac was definitely one of my favorite places in Peru.

Returning to Lima, we had a little time to explore the old part of the city.

We visited the church of San Francisco that has catacombs, and saw the bones of at least 25,000 people who had been buried there starting in the 1500s.

That was pretty cool. Naturally, we found a tourist market and spent plenty on Peruvian hats, shoes and other goodies to remember our trip.

There was a little restaurant near the market that was advertising cuy as the special of the day. If any readers watch Bizarre Foods, they will know that cuy is guinea pig. Ever since we decided to go to Peru, we looked forward to the opportunity to eat guinea pig, and here it was. My daughters both ordered the special and were very excited, until their plates came. The cuy was just a 22 - March 2014

“The cuy was just a little too realistic. Basically, it looked like half of a rat on a plate hugging some rice. Yes, it was cut in half, long-ways, head still on, legs and claws lying on top of the rice and covered in a red sauce.”

little too realistic. Basically, it looked like half of a rat on a plate hugging some rice. Yes, it was cut in half, longways, head still on, legs and claws lying on top of the rice and covered in a red sauce. It made me nauseous. My younger daughter tried some of the meat (there is hardly any) from the thigh area, but my older daughter wouldn’t touch it. I tried some of the

The author, Megan Fuller (L) , with her mother and fellow LMP writer, Gretchen Fuller (R), stop to pose in the Andes with an issue of the magazine during their holiday trip to Peru.

meat as well, and to be honest, I can’t remember what it tasted like because I was still so horrified by the presentation.

The next day, we walked across Miraflores to see a pre-Incan ruin called Huaca Pucllana. This HUGE platform mound made of clay bricks had only been discovered about 30 years ago. Even the Inca did not know it was a man-made structure because it had already been reclaimed by nature and covered in dirt when they arrived in Lima. It is really an awesome structure and designed to withstand earthquakes by placing the bricks vertically and leaving space between each. There is also a fancy restaurant on the site, and my mom decided we were going to eat there (maybe to recover from the cuy catastrophe the day before). It was delicious! Many people had told me Peruvian cuisine was wonderful, but this restaurant was over the top (and they refilled your drinks).

With more time and money, I would have liked to fly over the Nazca lines and visit the frozen Incan mummies in Arequipa, but all in all I think we had a pleasant little exploration of the Peruvian culture and landscape.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Tracing Your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors The Westmoreland County Historical Society will feature a special seminar presented by representatives from the Ulster Historical Foundation. Tracing Your Irish and Scots-Irish Ancestors will be presented on Thursday, March 20th, 1:00-4:00 PM at the Society’s Calvin E. Pollins Library, 362 Sand Hill Road, Suite 1, Greensburg, PA. Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt from the Ulster Historical Foundation in Belfast, Northern Ireland will present this seminar on Irish and Scots-Irish genealogy.

The Foundation is one of Ireland’s foremost genealogy research organizations and publishing houses. This is a unique opportunity for the beginner as well as the experienced genealogist to get advice on what to do and where to find resources. Topics will include: • An Introduction to Irish and Scots-Irish Family History Research provides a practical, comprehensive, and informative overview of the major collections.

• Understanding Irish Townlands is designed to help Americans appreciate the unique sense of place and location that helps one succeed in doing Irish genealogical research. This presentation will focus on the administrative divisions: i.e. townland, barony, civil and ecclesiastical parish, county, Poor Law Union, District Electoral Division, how they relate to each other, and their importance in the historical records.

• Using land valuation records explores the major land collections such as tax maps, defaulter’s lists, land valuation lists, and deeds, including Griffith Valuation,

Ordnance Survey Memoirs, as well as other census substitutes for the late 18th and 19th centuries.

• Q & A and Solving your “brick-walls” is a practical internet tutorial for resolving questions related to Ulster research. It is an extended question and answer session, where the speakers use online resources and their local knowledge to offer participants practical tips about Irish and Scots-Irish research.

The fee, which includes materials, is $25 for WCHS members; $30 for others. Space is limited and reservations are required by Monday, March 17th. Please call 724-5321935 x210.

The Ulster Historical Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 1956 to promote interest in Irish genealogy and history, with particular reference to the historical nine-county province of Ulster. Ulster is the northern most province of the island of Ireland. It is comprised of the six counties of Northern Ireland – Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone – and the three border counties of the Irish Republic – Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.

Mr. Mullan is executive director of the Ulster Historical Foundation. Ms. Hunt is the Foundation’s Research Officer and is responsible for the management of the organization’s many genealogical activities.

Visit our website www.westmorelandhistory.org and follow our activities on the Westmoreland County Historical Society Facebook page, and on Twitter @WCHistory.

That’s What They Say Thought-Provoking Insights on Common Quotations by Rev. Majorie Rivera

“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for? ” – Robert Browning This is, by all means, my favorite quote by any writer or poet, ever. The original poem, Andrea Del Sarto was penned to honor the great technical painter of the same name. His work was admired by many, and yet the most common critique of the painter’s work was that he lacked ambition, or soul. In the poem, Browning was speaking to the part in all of us that exists in mediocrity. He was calling us out. Browning was saying that even if you are a great technical “anything”, whether that be a painter, a sculptor, a poet, a pianist, a mother, a doctor, anything… if you don’t aspire to be better than your actual skill set, you will never achieve greatness. You can perform any task with great technicality, but not greatness. When Browning says “what’s a heaven for?” he means inspiration is what makes the difference between having technical skill and using the universe’s great capacity to inspire within us, something that is greater than the human capacity.

It is implied within the word “heaven”, that Browning saw God as his muse. To me, when someone does something with love/God/universe, the difference is palpable, taste-able, sense-able. When anything is done with love, the impossible becomes possible, the limited becomes unlimited and the finite becomes infinite. Heaven houses the infinite, the unlimited, the possible, and from what all reports indicate, love. That’s what heaven is for— Love. Love is the driving and motivating force of the universe. Love trumps all other emotions. It loosens blocks, it primes the pump for other wonderful states of being, such as joy, harmony, reverence for life, peace and creativity. Love enhances every possible endeavor, strive to do things holding love in your heart as your inspiration.

Suggested Reading: “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield and “Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 23

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w Ne

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Call for Entries: Novel Art II at Ligonier Valley Library The Ligonier Valley Library (LVL) is inviting the community to once again support Novel Art, a fundraiser to procure a state-ofthe-art digital literacy program for its children’s department. Last year’s inaugural event included over 130 entries, created and donated by amateur and professional crafters and artists, and local school children who repurposed old books into art objects, and raised money to update the Library’s aging public computer workstations.

Novel Art II includes a week-long exhibition at LVL featuring the donated artworks. Dates for the exhibition are scheduled for April 25 – May 2. The public is invited to view and vote for their favorite pieces to determine the People’s Choice Award. The fundraiser culminates with a special event on May 2 from 6-8 PM featuring a silent auction of the donated art objects. The public may contact the LVL at 724-238-6451 or visit www.ligonierlibrary.org for more information.

The LVL is seeking entries of art objects created by utilizing old books, which may be repurposed in any manner. People interested in participating may use their own books or select ones available at the Library. With the popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, there is a variety of inspiration available by searching the internet for “book art,” “repurposing books” and “altered books.”

The LVL’s website features images of last year’s entries and event, and includes links to its Novel Art Pinterest and Facebook pages.

There is no fee to enter.

Important Dates • Donated pieces due to Library no later than April 21 • Exhibition dates: April 25 - May 2, 2014 • Special event and auction: May 2 from 6-8 PM

309 Village Court, Ligonier Lovely condo in town, convenient to everything! 3br/2.5ba, vaulted ceiling in living room with gas fp, open floor plan, patio for outdoor entertaining. Easy care, one-level living with all necessities on main floor such as garage, laundry, master w/large walkin's & bath, den/ office (could be guest br). Don't miss this one! Home warranty included $247,900

491 Weaver Mill Rd Rector Great getaway or full time. 2br/2 bath on 2 acres. Garage with storage and finished upstairs studio. Classic updating, loads of character.

MUST SEE! $199,999.

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Call today for a no-cost market analysis on your home and LIST IT! OFFICE: 724.238.7600 • CELL: 724.972.8418

24 - March 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Shops Around the Corner The Laurel Mountain Post Recommends . . .

The Medicine Shoppe 709 Ligonier Street Latrobe, PA 15650 724-539-4565 www.latrobepharmacy.com Last Christmas, during a hectic day of errands, I stopped in to pick up some presciptions. The smell of hot coffee greeted me – right inside was a table full of complimentary oatmeal cookie flavored coffee and Christmas cookies!

What a wonderful break to the madness. I almost had time to put the creamer in before my prescription was ready to go: that’s how fast they can be at The Medicine Shoppe in Latrobe.

It’s an old-fashioned drug store, with everything you need and nothing you don’t except for an array of decorative and seasonal items. I had always gone to the big box stores for my medications because I thought it was more convenient – shopping for other things while I wait for prescriptions. One day when I was complaining to my family doctor about how crowded it gets, the long lines, and how often things are backordered, he said, “Why don’t you just run down the street to the Medicine Shoppe – they’ve got everything!”

Why had my “shop local and small” mentality not taken me there already? I hate going across town to WalMart (I live on the Derry side of Latrobe), and I pass The Medicine Shoppe almost every day. One by one I transferred most of my medications, and am a very satisfied customer. Stop in, and try their friendly, fast service for yourself! *****

Barb’s Country Store 1534 Linn Run Road Rector, PA 15677 724-238-8000 barbscountrystore.blogspot.com Last month, we were out making some deliveries of the Laurel Mountain Post on a route that I don’t usually handle

myself. My husband and I dropped off a bundle of magazines at Barb’s Country Store in Rector and decided to look around.

I was thrilled to discover that they carried Turner’s Dairy beverages – their apple juice is as close to freshsqueezed as I have ever tasted – along with a full cooler full of typical favorites. Next we headed over to the deli counter where they offer Boar’s Head meats and cheeses, a delicious and high-quality product line at a great price (with no fillers, by-products, trans fat, artificial colors, flavors or gluten). They also serve made on-site soups, macaroni and potato salad, coleslaw, and baked goods. These ingedients combined with local produce and Breadworks bread make up the sandwich menu.

A variety of local crafters market their products in the store next to shelves full of local honey, jellies and other homemade items. The staff is also friendly and upbeat, a refreshing change from your typical convenience store. It’s a great place to stop if you are heading out for a day at Linn Run, or just taking a country drive through the Ligonier area – but close enough for your everyday deli needs as well!

On the Diamond

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110 East Main Street Ligonier, PA 15658 (724) 238-2226

Every Story Begins At Home.

Mary Jo Culbertson Proprietor (724) 238-0497

March 2014 - 25

THREE PENNIES

by Rev. Cindy Parker

Matthew 5: 3-12

“Be” Attitudes: Blessed or Blessing?

I haven’t decided if I love preaching the lectionary readings or I hate it – let’s say I have mixed emotions. It certainly keeps one honest. I certainly wouldn’t have picked this passage to preach on. Sharing that honesty with you, I’m going to admit something: I don’t really like the Beatitudes*: probably because I don’t think we really understand them.

What is Jesus saying here? To this huge crowd who has followed him from Galilee?

Is he giving them advice? Telling them how to love their lives?

And when we hear Jesus’ words today “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” How many of us hear a command “Be a peacemaker!”

And we think, Jesus wants us to work for peace. OK I can do that. It’s not a bad thing to desire peace and work for justice, so we try and we try and try and we find out it’s not so easy, in fact it’s really difficult to not to judge others, or hunger and thirst for righteousness all the time, or be meek or to mourn . . .

And here’s the other thing that bugs me: how many of us think we have to be successful in order to be blessed?

And the other beatitudes are more about attitude. As one scholar said,

*

“emotions are a hard thing to dial up on command.”

“Hey you, quit being satisfied with your life! Don’t you know you’re supposed to be poor in spirit?” “what are you so happy about?”Don’t you remember that Jesus said those who mourn will be comforted?

That’s why I don’t like the Beatitudes: people get them all mixed up.

How many of you were taught that, or heard the Sermon on the Mount preached that way . . . if you are poor in spirit, that’s good, because yours is the kingdom of heaven? Don’t worry about your grief, God will comfort you. You are special if you are meek, because you will inherit the earth . . .

Read The Message translation: You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

4 You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you.

Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

5 You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

6 You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. 3

The term beatitude comes from the Latin adjective beatitudo which means "happy," "fortunate," or "blissful."

Each Beatitude consists of two phrases: the condition and the result. Jesus takes and Old Testament idea and teaches a new interpretation. Together, the Beatitudes present a new set of Christian ideals that focus on a spirit of love and humility, echoing the highest ideals of the teachings of Jesus on mercy, spirituality, and compassion.

26 - March 2014

He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

7 You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

8 You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart— put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

9 You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

10 You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution.

The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable.

You can be glad when that happens— give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

In this translation I think it is easier to see how Jesus is demonstrating once again that God regularly and relentlessly shows up just where we least expect God to be in order to give to us freely what we cannot earn or achieve: blessedness.

In this sermon I don’t think Jesus is offering us a recipe for success: he is not offering the keys to happiness and he is NOT offering a roadmap to having your best life now.

We read the gospel to hear the GOOD NEWS. Not to get good advice.

The Messiah speaks to this crowd, LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

March 9 , 2014 Happy 11th Birthday, Colin from your friends at the Laurel Mountain Post As you celebrate today, may your heart be filled with happiness and joy.

As you look ahead to tomorrow, may your deepest hopes and dreams come true for you!

speaks to us about a new kingdom – this kingdom of heaven being near.

And in this new kingdom things are different! So different that what you thought you knew is turned upside down and inside out!

“The meek inherit the earth, those who are mourn are comforted.

This is NOT a command to be meek or mournful, instead it is a PROMISE – that those who are already meek and mournful, those who work for peace, or hunger and thirst for righteousness, will find their faith honored in a world beyond this one.

How many of us have asked, or screamed at God, “What do you want me to do, God? What do you want me to do?”

Our Old Testament lesson reminds us, “do justice, love kindness, and walk humble before the Lord.”

Like the Beatitudes, this is not a list of requirements, but a reminder of what we become when we are in that close trusting relationship with Every Story Begins At Home.

God. That is why Jesus chooses the word blessed.

Blessed times nine.

Nine times Jesus uses this wordBLESSED to remind us, to remind you that you have worth — not because of something you did or might do, but simply because of who you are. You are a child of God: you have the capacity to rise above present circumstances, you are more than the sum of your parts or past experiences.

Blessing is something that can’t be pursued, but can only be received as a gift. We are worthy of blessing, for God has created us and called us, each and every one of us!

So I’d like to bless you now: Thank you for your faithfulness, and may God bless your life and the

way you share the GOOD NEWS this month and always, so that you may be renewed and take delight in the calling you have received. ***** Cindy Parker came to the United Church of Christ by way of the Presbyterian Church. A life-long Presbyterian, she jokes that she was “predestined to become UCC!” Currently called as the Pastor and Teacher of Christ Church UCC in Latrobe, PA and St. John’s UCC in Darlington; she, her husband Larry and three daughters enjoy traveling all over the world! Cindy also serves as a Spiritual Director for the Three Rivers Walk to Emmaus retreats and was part of the team that brought the Kairos Outside Ministry to Pennsylvania. Kairos (which means special time in Greek) is a prison ministry for women whose lives have been impacted by incarceration. Cindy completed her undergrad-uate studies at Penn State and her MDiv. from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary along with a year-long internship at Family Hospice and Palliative Care. She enjoys traveling, reading, baking, and photographing her daughters.

Interested in advertising in the Laurel Mountain Post?

Call our main office at 724-537-6845 or check our website to contact a sales representative in your neighborhood!

March 2014 - 27

Does the fact that we’ve had such a cold and snowy winter mean that global warming might not be such a big problem after all? — Lacey L: Lynchburg, VA It’s tempting to think that the cold air and snow outside augur the end of global warming, but don’t rejoice yet.

According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), weather and climate are two very different beasts: “Weather is what’s happening outside the door right now; today a snowstorm or a thunderstorm is approaching. Climate, on the other hand, is the pattern of weather measured over decades.”

Isolated weather events and even seasonal trends are not an indication of global warming’s existence one way or another, and most climatologists agree that the carbon pollution we have been spewing into the atmosphere for the past century is leading to more frequent and intense storms of every kind and causing greater temperature swings all around the planet. In short, the harsh winter we are having shouldn’t be viewed as a refutation of global warming, but rather as further evidence of a growing problem.

“There is a clear long-term global warming trend, while each individual year does not always show a temperature increase relative to the previous year, and some years show greater changes than others,” reports the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agency chalks up these year-to-year fluctuations to natural processes such as El Niño or volcanic eruptions, but points out that, regardless, the 20 warmest years on record have occurred since 1981, while the 10 warmest were in the past 12 years. And global average temperatures have risen by 1.4°F overall since the early 20th century.

According to Becky Oskin of LiveScience.com, shrinking polar ice caps as a result of global warming in recent decades are one factor that may be contributing to the cold weather in North America this winter. “One way the shrinking ice changes weather is by pushing winter air

28 - March 2014

south,” she reports. “When the stored ocean heat gradually escapes in autumn, it changes the pattern of an atmospheric wind called the polar vortex, streaming frigid Arctic air into North America and Europe.” Meanwhile, a 2012 study by researchers Jennifer Francis and Stephen Vavrus concluded that intense warming in the Arctic has caused changes to the jet stream that regulates air circulation around the planet, potentially leading to stronger winter storms hitting the eastern seaboard of the U.S. And what about all that snow? “Hotter air around the globe causes more moisture to be held in the air than in prior seasons,” reports UCS. “When storms occur, this added moisture can fuel heavier precipitation in the form of more intense rain or snow.” The U.S. is already enduring more intense rain and snowstorms, says the group: “The amount of rain or snow falling in the heaviest one percent of storms has risen nearly 20 percent, averaged nationally—almost three times the rate of increase in total precipitation between 1958 and 2007.” And some regions of the country “have seen as much as a 67 percent increase in the amount of rain or snow falling in the heaviest storms.”

And Oskin points out that while we may be bundling up and shoveling out in the U.S., it’s turned into another scorcher of a summer in the Southern Hemisphere: 2013 was Australia’s hottest year on record, and 2014 has started off even hotter, with temperatures soaring to 125°F and severe fire warnings issued in at least two states there.

Apparently global warming is still on. *****

CONTACTS: UCS, www.ucsusa.org; NOAA, www.noaa.gov; LiveScience.com, www.livescience.com.EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss, and is a registered trademark of E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com).

Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

These Legs Are Made for Walkin’

by Nancy A. Clark Don’t know how it is at your house, but in ours, every pair of scissors carried through our door and assigned drawer space or a hook on a wall will – you can bet your bottom dollar – grow a pair of legs. There’s no other explanation for their disappearance, since none of the “I Didn’t Do It” persons in our house has seen them, or knows what happened to them.

Scissors-with-legs is a curse as old as dirt, an enigma that most likely frustrated even Eve, the gal who lived at One Eden Garden Lane over there in Paradise. Legend has it that one day Eve reached into a designated drawer for her favorite double-bladed scissors to clip a vine wrapped around a piece of something Adam dragged home for dinner, but the scissors were not where she’d left them. At that point in history, there weren’t too many “I Didn’t Do It” kids or cousins to blame for the mysterious disappearance; and as no one fessed up to the crime, the only conclusion Eve could make is that even her scissors grew legs where no legs were ever meant to grow.

The issue of runaway scissors is of little interest to the FBI (except at the airport), worthy of news headlines (except as a suspected weapon) or as the subject of a congressional review (although stranger things have happened). But on the home front, scissors in absentia can be a cause for great consternation. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if the root of the rivalry between Cain and Abel had something to do with who swiped the scissors and didn’t put them back where they belonged.

In grammar school, dull, blunttipped paper cutting scissors with matching finger holes (suitable for both lefties and righties) rarely disappeared. Teacher’s shiny, sharp-bladed scissors, on the other hand, rarely lasted very long in our eight-grades classroom. One pair with cobalt blue handles was only a few days old when Every Story Begins At Home.

they went missing from Teacher’s desk. She’d put them next to Larry Montgomery’s subtraction work sheet – a paper Teacher had streaked with bold bands of her bright red marking pencil. It took only a half-turn at the blackboard for Teacher to suspect a possible connection between a small pile of white, black and red confetti litter and her missing shears. After the mysterious disappearance of two more scissors, Teacher locked her cutters in a desk drawer, so fearful was she that the most recently purchased pair would sprout Olympian running legs.

shiny new pair of scissors bearing her initials – M.O.M. - on one of the blades. For days, she carried them in her apron pocket and slept with them under her pillow, exposing the scissors only to cut something or to show them off to a neighbor. Then, with a mix of confidence and trepidation, Mom hid them in a “secret place” to ensure they’d be there when she needed them.

Well, sir, wouldn’t you know? Those treasured scissors grew legs . . . and those legs took a hike.

The Walking Scissors Phenomenon has scientists and cold case detectives the world over studying data that might shed some light on how scissors grow legs and, more importantly, how to keep them from straying. Rumor has it that beleaguered lab techs from the TSA (Traveling Scissors Agency) are developing a sensing device to be molded into a scissor’s handle – a sensor with the ability to detect molecular irregularities indicative of appendage development. A second, GPS-like device molded into one of the finger holes would pinpoint the location of scissors that are AWOL. A few days ago, I reached into the deep recesses of my own scissors hiding place. Instead of the coveted pair of 8" blades attached to “hunters orange” colored handles that I sought was a note on which was scribbled, “Got Legs! And these legs are made for walkin’. Bye-Bye!” Between you and me, that GPS thingy can’t come soon enough. *****

When I was old enough to earn a wage, I vowed to alleviate the obvious pain my mother suffered when scissors went missing and purchased a pair intended only for her. Mom’s eyes glistened with tears of joy when on the Christmas morning of my 16th year as she tore open a newspaper comicswrapped package and lifted high a

Nancy Clark and her husband, Tom, rejoice in 50 years of marriage, three children and three grandchildren. She dabbles in freelance and memoir writing when she isn’t baking, knitting, reading, or building a jigsaw puzzle.

Illustration by the author’s granddaughter, Alexi J. Green, age 14.

March 2014 - 29

Eating Right with Less Salt

by Hayley Chemski, MSN, CRNA and Certified Fitness Trainer In honor of National Nutrition Month, let's set a heart healthy goal of eating less salt!

Most of us consume too much salt (sodium) on a daily basis; typical salt intake is 2,400-4,500mg/day. This issue is largely related to the high amount of processed foods we are bombarded with at the grocers and deli, and at restaurants. Of interest, sodium plays a detrimental role in high blood pressure and by lowering your intake you can lower your risk of hypertension. As you are aware from our prior columns in the Laurel Mountain Post, hypertension can lead to stroke, heart disease, small vessel disease, and other symptoms like dizziness, blurred vision, and brain fog.

The following guidelines for salt intake were distributed in 2010 by the ADA (American Dietetic Association): everyone, even children, should reduce their sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams a day. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends levels of less than 2,000mg/day. The recommendation for salt is about the same amount as one full teaspoon of salt. Adults 51 years of age or older, African Americans of any age, and those afflicted by high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney disease should maintain a sodium intake of less than 1,500 milligrams/day.

This may sound like a tall order. How does one fall within the appropriate guidelines without suffering bland foods at every meal? Here's how.

• Create a diet high in FRESH food components!

Choose foods that are close to their original form. Refuse to eat foods of the factory, and instead eat foods of the land.

Examples may include fruits, vegetables, fresh meats, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, milk, yogurt and grains. Limit these foods if canned, frozen with preservatives, or boxed.

Eat the "real thing." Make a goal to eat at least one of these foods each time that you eat.

Processed foods are high in sodium, hence the preservation to eat at a later date. Examples include cheesy foods, such as pizza; cured meats like bacon, sausage, hot dogs and deli or luncheon meats; and ready-to eat foods, like canned chili, ravioli and soups.

• Cook at home to control your ingredients!

Enjoy home-prepared foods where you are in control of how much salt is added. Use little or no additional salt when cooking. Try to incorporate ingredients that are fresh or frozen without additives. Use flavorings that are salt-free!

Consider using herbs, spices, garlic, vinegar, black pepper or lemon juice.

30 - March 2014

If you are out and about, don't feel hesitant to ask the chef/cook to limit use of added salt in the recipe. Choose fresh options off of the menu, those that are made to order and not made days prior.

• Read food labels!

Take the time to read what you are eating. You may be surprised by the milligrams of salt in each serving you are enjoying. Many companies are making "lower sodium" options. Beware of condiments that add taste by adding salt, which may include soy sauce, ketchup, pickles, olives, salad dressing and seasoning packets. If you are using canned vegetables, consider rinsing the item prior to use.

• Maintain your hydration!

Flush your body's water regulatory system by maintaining your hydration. Textbook models have shown that appropriate hydration is met at 6-8 glasses of clear liquids each day. When the kidneys are faced with excess fluid or excess salt, they will be better equipped if the blood is full of water and not concentrated.

Moreover, hydration will prevent bloating by flushing the kidneys of excess salt.

Simple tricks can help you to maintain your salt intake at an appropriate level and decrease your risk of high blood pressure.

Coming off of February, which is Women's Heart Disease Awareness Month, we are more and more astute to obtaining reasonable control of many health disorders; we should take control of that which we can control. Here's to a healthier heart and a less bloated you. ***** Hayley is a Certified Fitness Trainer and the co-owner of Building Bodeez Fitness Center, located at 154 Pandora Rd in Derry, PA, as well as a full-time Nurse Anesthetist with the University of Pittsburgh Physicians, currently based at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Fox Chapel, PA. Hayley offers a wealth of fitness and health knowledge, serving as the Group Fitness Coordinator and Wellness Programs Director at Building Bodeez. She has developed several programs at Building Bodeez including initiation of the first ZUMBA classes in the area, as well as AerobaDANCE and Yogilates (her unique creations), and the wildly successful Building Better Bodeez weight loss intensive program.

She has also been a nurse for eight years, and obtained her Masters Degree in Nursing Anesthesia in 2008. Hayley has been recognized by the West-moreland County YWCA as Sportswoman of the Year (2010) for her dedication to women’s’ health, as well as philanthropic work through Building Bodeez. She also recently won the prestigious 2012 Westmoreland County Winners’ Circle Award sponsored by the YWCA for exhibiting early professional success as well as the potential to obtain marked achievement.

Hayley recognizes the marriage of fitness with healthy living and disease risk prevention, and offers suggestions for holistic wellbeing through her blog at Laurel MountainPost.

Building Bodeez is located at 154 Pandora Road in Derry Township. 724739-0105. www.buildingbodeez.net.

Building Strength - Building Community - Building Bodeez LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Reversing Roles:

To Be Prepared

by Gretchen Fuller Appointment Planning It’s that time of year when I think about making doctor appointments for my mother who is 98 years old. I can’t take her in the winter because she can’t move fast enough to get out of the cold nor is she nimble enough to navigate snow piles. Lucky for me she doesn’t see many doctors anymore. A few years ago, when she was younger, 90 or so, I used to make our appointments at the same time so that I didn’t have to sit in the doctor’s office longer than necessary. Now that I am older and so is she I have to devote more of my time energy to her. It is a major operation to get mom out the door and to the doctor. Since she is in an assisted living facility we need to notify them that she has an appointment.

They prepare copies of her paper work to send with her to the doctor. Then I have to get the car to the door for her.

When we get to the doctor’s office, specifically the dentist, I have to try to find a place that she can get out of the car easily. His office is on the main street of our community. It’s either park on the street or have her try to negotiate the steep driveway near the front door. The last time she went to the dentist my sister helped me take her into the office while I parked the car. That was the perfect scenario.

This time I don’t think my sister will be available to help.

The trips to the other doctors’ offices are logistically easier because those doctors are in buildings that have special drop off areas for people needing wheelchairs. The best places to take her are the ones that have valet parking where I can take charge of her and someone else can park the car.

The visit with the doctor is another issue. I usually grab a wheelchair for her because it takes forever for her to walk long hallways using her walker.

Then we get to the doctor’s office and Every Story Begins At Home.

get checked in at the front desk. She used to be able to verbalize her problems to the doctor very well. As a matter of fact, they would look to me for answers to their questions, and I would refer them to her because she was quite capable of telling them.

Now she needs a lot of prompting to get information. Sometimes the information is wrong. It is difficult for me since she is in the assisted living to really know what problems she is having. Although I visit her every day, I may not be aware of all that bothers her.

I made appointments in April for the dentist, the ear, nose and throat specialist and the eye doctor. They are each in a different week so that she’s not too tired. So I will be making two trips to each of the doctors since I also made appointments for myself.

Her little boys ages 9, 7, and 2 came in their pjs to visit Nana and celebrate Christmas morning with her. My daughter visited her several times while I was away.

When I returned home I found mom happy and healthy. I was glad I had prepared so much but I was also glad that the preparations were not needed. ***** Gretchen Fuller is the Real Estate Tax Collector in Pleasant Hills, PA. She came to that job by a very circuitous route: Gretchen spent many years substitute teaching or making the rounds of all the banks in Pittsburgh. She has a Bachelor of Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Duquesne University.

She is looking forward to retirement soon so she can spend more time with her six grandchildren.

Vacation Planning Over the Christmas holidays I went on vacation with my older daughter and her family. We took a trip of a lifetime to Machu Picchu, Peru. I was gone for twelve days. Before I left I tried to prepare for mom to be alone for that long period of time. I was really worried that she might pass while I was gone. It was too far to come home if there was a problem. I stocked up on all her meds at the assisted living center. I went to the funeral home and made arrangements with them if something should happen while I was gone. I was afraid that if I didn’t have everything in place, I would worry the whole time I was on vacation and not be able to enjoy it.

My sister came and spent Christmas with mom but had to go home on Christmas day. I am sure my mom enjoyed her visit. My younger daughter, who lives nearby, made Christmas breakfast and took it to the assisted living center on Christmas morning.

March 2014 - 31

WHAT’S COOKING IN FITNESS

by Mark Rullo MS, CSCS, MES

UNDER-standing Weight Loss Frustration Weight management, particularly weight loss, is simple in that it is all about creating a caloric deficit by expending more calories than you eat.

However simple does not mean easy.

One pound of fat is 3,500 calories.

That is black and white and straightforward science. Accumulate seven consecutive days of 500 calorie deficit and you will see a pound loss on the scale. The gray area is in calculating the respective deficit in this weight loss formula, which is based upon how we quantify both how many calories we consume and how many calories we expend.

As I have seen over the years, the biggest reason people struggle or get frustrated with counting calories to lose weight is that most either UNDER-calculate the calories they consume and/or OVER-calculate what they believe they have expended in calories.

In this article, I will expand on how individuals—despite honest attempts to log their food and count calories—UNDER-report what they consume and ultimately fail to see the desired results which causes them to quit in frustration.

WHY ONE MAY UNDERREPORT CALORIC INTAKE The main reasons that individuals UNDER-report their caloric intake include: • • • •

Portion Distortion Food Label Loop Holes Accountability Accuracy of Nutritional Labels BLT’s

Portion Distortion happens when individuals fail to eat the actual serving size they are reporting/logging.

32 - March 2014

This typically occurs when people tend to “eye-ball” rather than actually weigh/measure what they eat.

Take my breakfast cereal, LIFE®, for example. One serving (¾ cup) is 160 calories with 4 ounces of skim milk. The box also states it has 12 total servings per box. If that is true, why do I only get 4 bowls of cereal per box?

Simple, my serving is actually three servings or 480 calories. This is a 320 calorie UNDER-estimate if report only one bowl (serving). Make this error every day for breakfast and it becomes 2240 calories unaccounted for in one week. Because 3500 calories is one pound, this simple UNDERreporting could either lead to .64 lbs of weight gain per week or erase 320 calories from any daily deficit you may have thought you created through monitoring your nutritional formula.

Also, the people around you can indirectly contribute to portion distortion. Just because your serving is smaller than others around you does not guarantee you have the correct serving size. You may feel good about yourself that you ordered the 12 ounce steak when all your friends ordered the “24 ouncer.” However, considering one serving is 4 ounces, that 12 ounce steak is still 3 servings.

Food Label Loop Holes exist because the FDA allows manufactures to list foods as FREE or Zero content if the serving size if less than 0.5 grams per serving.

PAM Spray for example lists zero calories per serving, so initially this seems like a perfect option for those looking to watch their caloric intake.

This is possible because the serving size listed on the label is 0.27 grams, or 1/3 second of a spray. (I give them credit for describing the actual serving size as 1/3 of one second of a spray.)

Get a stop watch out and actually try

to time 1/3 of a second—not easy to do.

So do not expect to do it the next time you use the spray.

If you are not aware, nutritional labels list ingredients by most abundant to least. The most abundant ingredient in PAM Spray is Extra Virgin Olive Oil. When you look at the caloric value of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, one serving (1 tablespoon) is 120 calories.

Where did those calories go? They were always there; however the PAM serving size meets the requirement to allow them to state it as FREE or Zero.

Providing this information is not intended to tell you not to use PAM, rather just to inform you. This way, you can be aware and account for the calories that, at the surface state zero, but in reality exist.

I use PAM Spray every time I cook to make clean up easier. I may not be spraying an entire tablespoon, but definitely at least ½ to ¾ of a tablespoon or 60-90 calories worth.

To be safe, I round up to 100. So when I cook my eggs whites, at 25 calories per egg white, my 5-egg white breakfast is not 125 calories (5 x 25 calories); rather it is 225 calories to account for the PAM Spray. Eat these egg whites every day for breakfast and fail account for this loophole adds up to 700 calories being UNDER-reported.

Accountability of Accuracy of Nutrition Labels: Some states, such as New York are requiring that restaurants with three or more locations must list the nutrition facts of the food on their menus. On the surface, this sounds great for those looking to better manage their caloric nutritional formula. However, who is making sure what is listed is accurate? This same thought crossed the mind of a blogger who thought to randomly evaluate the accuracy of the nutrition information listed at 20 different restaurants. Of LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

the 20 different restaurants, 19 of them all UNDER-reported their caloric value by average 30%, with the worst case having an actual caloric value that was double what it listed.

Believe it or not, that item was a “healthy Tofu Burger.”

BLT’s are your “Bites, Licks and Tastes” that we fail to account for. Don’t think BLT’s can have an impact? How many make a peanut butter sandwich and actually measure the serving size? Not many, I would assume. Of the few who actually do measure, I would assume it is common that they scrape and lick the remaining peanut butter after spreading it on the sandwich. At 190 calories per serving, that could be an easy 3550 calories. What else do you “Bite, Lick or Taste” that is not being accounted for?

These are why most who struggle with weight loss have a hard time accepting they are eating too much and cannot buy into the “it’s a calorie in vs. calories out” thing.

Understanding these variables in managing your weight loss program is not a one-day or one-week process of logging food. This is why here at My Fitness Kitchen®, we highly recommend that our weight loss clients minimally commit to eight weeks of food monitoring to best comprehend this process. That will ultimately allow food intake to be built around YOUR

FOOD, on YOUR TERMS for YOUR RESULTS. Once this caloric formula is mastered, individuals can continue down the nutritional funnel to accelerate even greater results; however, to focus on anything before your caloric formula is in-line is wasting time, energy and money.

The bottom line is that failure to recognize these potential errors of UNDER-reporting can sabotage any weight loss program, create frustration and ultimately cause individuals to give up on their weight loss goals.

For more information, please feel free to consult with any of the fitness professionals at My Fitness Kitchen®.

Additionally, as an on-going thank you to the Laurel Mountain Post and its readers, mention this article for a FREE, no obligation, personalized, metabolic nutritional formula and fitness program that will leverage the “Hierarchy of Fat Loss.” If you are serious about achieving a body transformation goal, then you need a program; as any goal without a plan is really only a wish!

As an added incentive for people new to My Fitness Kitchen®, by mentioning this Laurel Mountain Post article and after meeting with one of My Fitness Kitchen’s Fitness Professionals for a private consult as offered above, you will receive $50 “Kitchen Cash” to be used toward any program or service at My Fitness Kitchen®, as a courtesy of the Laurel Mountain Post. *****

www.myfitnesskitchen.com 724-879-8523 results@myfitnesskitchen.com My Fitness Kitchen® is where weight loss is made simple.

My Fitness Kitchen® is located in Latrobe 30 plaza, Latrobe PA. My Fitness Kitchen® is a weight loss and body transformation center that also happens to have a fitness center connected to it. From the moment you enter My Fitness Kitchen® regardless of your age, fitness level or experience, it’s all about “You.” The supportive staff, welcoming atmosphere, and friendly members combine to create the most unique and comfortable environment for your weight management and fitness success. Whether it is Nutrition, Fitness or both, you can be confident My Fitness Kitchen® is the solution to a healthier and thinner you.

About the Author: Mark Rullo, MS, CSCS, MES is an Exercise Physiologist, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Medical Exercise Specialist, Certified Golf Fitness Instructor and owner of My Fitness Kitchen® www.myfitnesskitchen.com 724-879-8523. Mark and his team at My Fitness Kitchen® specialize in weight loss and body transformation helping thousands meet and exceed their goals through evidence-based scientific programming.

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Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 33

HOME STUDY

by Brian Mishler

Silent Hurricane As I type, I’m looking out my window at what is now a balmy 20 degrees, with about eight inches of snow in the yard, ice partially covering the street.

The last weather report I paid any attention to said we’ve had over 47 inches of snow to date. Those reports now all seem to blend together into “blah, blah, blah, more snow,” and no one appears to care anymore. Atlanta and a large swath of the south are experiencing their second round of paralyzing ice and snow, 187,000 folks down there are without power, and 2 –5 inches are predicted here tomorrow. Even snow lovers are sick of the extreme cold; one ski resort in New York is reporting record snow – and diminished lift ticket sales at the same time.

Hopefully, you were prepared in the fall, and had a safe, cozy and trouble-free place to escape this bitter winter. I’m equally hopeful as you read this, we are emerging from our winter cocoons, the sun has returned, and the accumulated snow is melting.

If not, you’ll find me hunting a particular groundhog.

As we huddled inside, and spent only enough time outside to run from car to buildings and back again, we become incognizant as to how bitterly cold it is –and its ramifications. We’ve been bombarded most of this winter by wind chills that can freeze skin in ten minutes, but have we given any thought to the house? It can’t come in from the cold.

An online article described loud booming noises shaking houses and startling people in Vermont. A geologist told the reporter that the phenomena are called “cryoseisms,” or an ice or frost quake. The cause is underground rock formations getting so cold that the water inside freezes and

34 - March 2014

breaks the rock, causing the boom and shaking. That’s cold!

Pennsylvania buildings and their infrastructures are not designed for the type of cold we’ve experienced this winter. This is why your furnace was running so much and why your gas (heating) bill is higher than normal.

We design and build our houses for average temperatures, not the extremes. If they were built for the extremes, we would waste energy and money during typical winters.

As we emerge from our cold induced stupor, it will be important to pay attention to our houses. We need to look the exterior over top to bottom, and even as the snow melts, problems can arise where still frozen ice obstructs drainage systems (gutters, driveway drains, etc.) and may cause leaks or pools where none existed. As soon as possible, we need to check the gutters and downspouts; did the ice twist, separate, or damage them? Did the snow squash our bushes against the exterior walls? Did the cold crack the bricks or mortar, or cause the vinyl siding to pop apart? What about the air conditioner – did a chunk of ice fall

on it, or did the cold cause a leak in a refrigerant fitting? The caulking around the windows and doors may have cracked or peeled. Soffit, fascia and other trim details may have loosened. Ice and snow may have bent or damaged aluminum awnings or roofs, and can also damage other types of roofs as well.

Inside, the aforementioned drainage issues can cause temporary basement water penetration; however once water finds a way in, it sometimes doesn’t stop. Check the interior walls for cracks; rarely, snow weight can cause structural damage. More commonly it causes shifting which in turn cracks drywall or plaster. Ceiling leaks near an exterior wall often indicate “ice damming” wherein water running down the roof is dammed by ice at the eave and pushed back up under the shingles.

While it may seem like a daunting list, every spring our heating and cooling system should be serviced, and a slow walk around the house will reveal other issues. Most of this list hasn’t happened; it is just a list of what might have. Essentially, if it doesn’t look right, it’s probably not.

Here’s to a happy, warm spring! ***** Brian Mishler is the owner of HomeStudy Inc., and a 20 year veteran home inspector. He began performing home inspection after 15 years in the construction industry convinced him that his body wasn’t made for hard labor. Brian is the former president of the Pittsburgh Regional Organization of the American Society of Home Inspectors (PROASHI), and currently sits on the board of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, a non-profit that rehabilitates homes for disadvantaged seniors and veterans, assisting them with pre-renovation inspection and selection. Brian also teaches a variety of real estate related classes, and has mentored other seeking to become home inspectors.

He currently resides in Latrobe, with his better half Carol, their Boston terrier Gizmo, three cats, and three transient college students. When spare time is to be had, Brian can be found on a motorcycle, in a kayak, or hiking in the area. He can be reached at brian@homestudyinc.com.

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Valley School Ad

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 35

Classified INFORMATION FOR LIFE

by Michael Vernon

Ads

________________________________

For Sale

The Garage Is Your Home Remember that first impressions are always critical. As a potential buyer walks toward your house one of the first things they see is the driveway. If you have oil stains or leaks on your cement driveway the buyer will look down and notate this negative aspect of your home.

There are usually minor negatives with every house and you don’t want to put something negative in their heads before they enter your home. Instead, spend a few minutes with Drano or any high powered liquid cleaner and sweep those old stains away. Please use caution and read all manufacturers’ warnings before you begin this task.

Now that you have handled this task on the outside of your home, make sure you also address the issue inside your garage as well. Do your best to clean and organize your garage. You are going to have to handle this task anyway so do it now instead of after you begin showing your home. The garage for most of us is a place to accumulate those things that you normally wouldn’t put inside your home. Old cans, broken garden hoses

and bits of lumber from some long ago project have probably found a home in the corner of your garage. Now is the time to clean out these items.

If it isn’t an item that will garner a place on the moving truck get rid of it now. One of the places a home buyer will most certainly look is the garage.

A clean organized space in a place that is typically messy and unorganized will put the prospective customer at ease. If the seller takes care of their garage this way then the upkeep on the rest of the house must also be well cared for is what they will think. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call me in my office.

__________________ Custom-Engraved Tags and Dog Collars Lots of styles and colors to choose from; tons of fonts available. FREE DROP-SHIPPING when you mention this ad. Call 724238-7003 or stop in at Equine Chic (For Horse Home and You), located on the Diamond in Ligonier. www .E quineChic.c om www.E .EquineChic.c quineChic.com __________________________________

Planning a Spring Garage Sale? Consider advertising it here in the Laurel Mountain Post. All classified ads are only $30 for up to 50 words.

Choose the color for your headline or add a graphic with fewer words. Order online at www.Laurel MountainPost.com or by calling 724-537-6845. Deadlines are the 15th of each month. We also cross-promote all ads on social media. ___________________________________

Celebrations __________________ Welcome, Claire Elizabeth!

Michael J. Vernon Broker/Owner Vernon Realty Services 305 West Main Street Ligonier, Pa. 15658 (724) 238-0443 - Office (724) 331-6858 - Cell Phone www.vernon-realty.com mike@vernon-realty.com

Born February 26, 2014

_________________________________

Miscellaneous __________________ Grow Your Business with

Laurel Leaders!

All local business leaders are invited to attend a weekly meeting of BNI (Business Networking International) held each Wednesday at the Ligonier Country Inn, Laughlintown, from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm. Visitors are welcome (no reservations needed), free of charge. www.bnilaurelleaders.com _______________________________ Place your Classified Ad for only $30, up to 50 words (per block). Sections include: Celebrations, Help Wanted, For Sale, Memorials, Discounts and Miscellaneous. Color headlines and artwork available at no extra charge!

Call 724-537-6845 or place your online order at: www.Laurel MountainPost.com. Deadline for Classifieds is the 20th of the month: (March 20 for the April issue).

36 - March 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Awards Presented to Local Organizations

MOTOR COACH TOURS BY CHRISTIN HRISTINE NE Pick-up locations: Latrobe, Ligonier, Greensburg, Irwin and Monroeville Apr. 12, May 3, & June 14 Apr. 26, June 21 & July 12 Apr. 30-May 1 May 17 May 18-20

Baltimore Express Baltimore, Inner Harbor, 7 hours (on your own) ............................$89.00

We’re happy to arrange your group’s next trip... not enough people, call us, we will get the bus rolling.

228 Summit Avenue, Ligonier, PA 15658

724-237-7518 • www.motorcoachtoursbychristine.com

Part-Time Advertising Representatives Needed Set your own hours and earn up to 25% from gross ad sales at Laurel Mountain Post! Great extra income; perfect for stay-at-home moms (lots of email/phone). Organizational & computer skills along with a friendly and professional personality are required. Pick your territories! Community representatives needed in: Ligonier, Latrobe, Derry, Greensburg, Somerset, Johnstown, Mt. Pleasant, Indiana, etc.

Commission Schedule: Make the sale and forward information to business office – earn 15%. Make the sale, handle paperwork and gather sales copy/artwork/proofs – earn 25%. Earn extra money by making deliveries each month in your territory! *(All sales representatives will be paid as 1099 independent contractors - you claim deductions and pay your own taxes as self-employed.)

The Laurel Mountain Post provides marketing materials we need you for that personal contact! Help us develop long-lasting relationships in the local business community.

Contact: Please send a brief letter of inquiry to: editor@ laurelmountainpost.com. Please indicate your preferred territories. We will schedule interviews as soon as possible!

Every Story Begins At Home.

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New York City Express leaves between 11pm and 12am the night before....................................$89.00 (on your own) Seneca Niagara overnight & Seneca Alleghany on the way home ...................$240.00 pp dd oc Celtic Woman the Emerald Tour Saturday Evening, Benedum Center.....................$130.00 Atlantic City Showboat (Sun-Tues) $30 free play, $20 food credit.................$225.00 pp dd oc, $215.00 pp triple, $320.00 single May 30-June 1 NYC Weekender 2 nights at The Manhatten at Times Square Hotel right in the heart of it all....................................$525 pp dd oc • $449 pp triple • $799 single June 1-6 Ocean City Maryland Ocean front 6 days, 5 nights ..................................$655.00 pp dbl oc June 20 & July 20 Hershey Park ...........................................................................................................$75.00

Lincoln Highway Experience DVD Selected Winner The 35th Annual Telly Awards, which honor the finest video and film productions nationwide from 12,000 entries, has selected the 13-minute DVD Through the Windshield to win a Silver Telly Award in the Travel and Tourism category. All visitors to the Lincoln Highway Experience museum, 3435 Route 30 East, Latrobe, PA view this fine film, which was directed by John Miller; photographed by Michael Hartnett of Vinegar Hill Productions; and produced by Olga Herbert, Executive Director of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.

The Silver Telly Council, the judging and oversight body, is comprised of top industry professionals that are past winners of a Silver Telly, the highest honor. All judges have previously won a Silver Telly Award, and are invested in upholding the historical standard of excellence the Telly represents. It is a remarkable achievement to be selected for recognition. An elated Herbert stated, “The film really inspires visitors to travel the historic Lincoln Highway (which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary) and see things you would never see on the interstate.” The custom-produced silver statuette award (made by the same firm who fabricates the Oscar award) and certificate will be on display at the museum, which is open 9 am to 4 pm, Mon - Fri.

Keep Westmoreland County Beautiful Earns President’s Circle Award Keep Westmoreland County Beautiful, the Keep America Beautiful program arm of Westmoreland Cleanways, received Keep America Beautiful President’s Circle Award during Keep America Beautiful’s 2014 National Conference, which recently took place in Charlotte, N.C. The President’s Circle Award recognizes exemplary performance made by certified affiliates of the national nonprofit in building and sustaining vibrant communities.

In qualifying for a President’s Circle Award, Keep Westmoreland County Beautiful has met Keep America Beautiful’s standards of merit by conducting an annual Community Appearance Index, calculating the affiliate’s cost/benefit ratio, and administering activities in the areas of litter prevention, recycling and waste reduction, and beautification and community greening.

“One of Keep America Beautiful’s most effective tools is the work of our grassroots network of affiliate organizations, which has an impact on millions of Americans each year,” said Keep America Beautiful President and CEO Jennifer Jehn. “Our affiliates are providing real solutions to local problems caused by litter, graffiti, illegal dumping and other community blight by engaging volunteers of all ages in its effort to create a vibrant community.”

Community Appearance Index-Litter Index: The Keep America Beautiful Community Appearance Index-Litter Index is a tool used by KAB affiliates to visually assess overall appearance of communities through indicators such as litter, illegal signs, graffiti, abandoned/junk vehicles and outside storage. A team of community, business and government representatives conducted the visual analysis using a scoring system ranging from 1-4, with “1” rated as “no litter” to “4” being “extremely littered.” Each year, affiliates grade their communities during a driveby examination of the same areas at the same time of the year. This provides an indication of the success of each community’s anti-littering education and other anti-littering programs.

Cost/Benefit Analysis: This measurement tool enables Keep America Beautiful affiliates to demonstrate their ability to leverage community resources by determining the dollar value returned to the community for every dollar invested by government.

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Loyalhanna Realty Ad

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

MARCH-APRIL COMMUNITY CALENDAR “May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more.

May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.” – Irish Blessing

Tuesdays, 11 am - 5 pm Latrobe Indoor Farmer's Market Through early May. Cooperstown Event Center, 2541 Thomas St, Latrobe. Tony, (724) 757-4831 Through 6/7/2014 Cajun Dance BMNECC Hall 449 W. Eighth Avenue, West Homestead, PA 412.247.6604. grandbonrein.com Here’s the current monthy first-Saturday dance series schedule from October 2013 through June 2014 at the Bulgarian Macedonian Beneficial Association Hall in West Homestead near Pittsburgh. Dance instruction starts at 7:30 p.m., and live music starts at 8:30. No part-ners are necessary, and the hall has a cash bar.

Through 6/10/2014 Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle Bloomfield Bridge Tavern 4412 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412.682.8611 calliopehouse.org The Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle is a program of Calliope dedicated to exploring, promoting and practicing the art and craft of songwriting. The circle meets monthly at the historic Bloomfield Bridge Tavern to share songs and ideas and to commune with people from diverse backgrounds and points of view who share a compulsion to write songs.

Through 4/25/2014 Friday Evening Music Club Mary Lou Campana Chapel & Lecture Center Finoli Dr., University of Pittsburgh at Gbg, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.850.9056. greensburg.pitt.edu Drawing area performers and audience for shared artistic programs and camaraderie, and encouraging excellence in young musicians through performance and scholarship.

3/1/2014 World Compliment Day Oh, wow. You look great! Have you lost a little weight since the last time we met? And your hair!

It really suits you.

Compliment Day is billed as the most positive day in the world. It’s hard to argue, what with all those compliments being passed around. There is an art to it, though. A true compliment must be genuine, or the receiver will see through it. As importantly, the receiver must accept the compliment with a heartfelt “Thank you!”. It’s no good being selfeffacing; you’ll wring all the positivity out of the situation.

If done properly though, Compliment Day is undoubtedly a force for good in this crazy world. Let’s really go for it. Compliment people you’ve never complimented before.

Compliment people in the street. Send a wave of positivity around your hometown. Anyone ever tell you you’re wonderful? www.daysoftheyear.com 3/2/2014-3/3/2014 Indoor Flea Market Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com

Every Story Begins At Home.

3/2/2014 Parlor Talk: Sport and World News West Overton Village & Museums 109 West Overton Road, Scottdale, PA 15683 724.887.7910 westovertonvillage.org D. Byron Yake will give an autobiographical talk related to his career as a senior executive with the Associated Press (AP). A 1957 graduate of Scottdale High School, he got his start in journal-ism as editor of the Mt. Pleasant Journal.

From here, he took over the AP Sports desk in Pittsburgh before moving to New York where he was a senior executive at the Associated Press.

Yake is Executive Director of Write on Sports, Inc., a program designed to inspire students to write about sports. Yake founded the program for students in 2005 to provide a set of skills that can be applied to academic areas beyond sports writing.

3/6/2014 Gaelic Storm Palace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org Gaelic Storm is back with the #1 Billboard World Album The Boathouse, a seafaring album of traditional songs of the ocean, recorded in a converted boathouse on The Chesapeake Bay. 3/6/2014 The Official Blues Brothers Revue Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center 450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904 814.269.7200. upjarts.org. 7:30 pm Paying homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, soul music, and gospel, the Pasquerilla is proud to welcome The Official Blues Brothers Revue to its stage. Produced by Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi, this show is infectious energy and a hand-clapping, foot-stomping good time. Fun for all ages, it strikes the right balance of comedy, music, and mayhem.

3/7/2014 Jefferson Starship Palace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org Jefferson Starship led by co-founder Paul Kantner, more closely resembles its original mix of psychedelic and electric folk music than the pop tunes it was widely known for in the ’80s.

3/8-3/9/2014 Maple Sugaring at Kinter Farm 2 pm. For directions call 724-463-8636.

The Friends of the Park annual Maple Sugaring Event. Come with us and learn all about maple sugaring. indianacountyparks.org 3/8/2014 58th Annual Spring Coin Show 10 am - 5 pm. S&T Bank Arena, 497 East Pike Road, Indiana, PA 15701. Info: 724-254-2471 36 Tables, Admission Free, Free Parking, Coins 4 Kids program, Everyone Welcome!

Spon-sored by the Indiana Coin Club, Inc.

3/8/2014 Spring Sky Show – Two Small Pieces of Glass 11 am. Angelo J. Taiani Planetarium and Astronaut Exhibit in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion on the campus of Saint Vincent College. Admission is free and open to the public.

“Two Small Pieces of Glass” provides a history of the telescope and how astronomers use instruments to explore the universe today.

A second, 30-minute show appropriate for children ages 3 to 10, “The Sky Over Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” will be presented at 12:30 p.m. on each date. The show will explore the sky with Rogers and the animated characters from the Land of Make Believe.

Because of limited seating, advance reservations are requested and may be made by contacting the Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing at 724 805-2631 or make a reservation online at www.stvincent.edu/planetarium. Private shows for groups of 15 to 35 people may also be scheduled at other times by contacting the Boyer School.

Scout groups who wish to fulfill requirements for merit badges are especially encouraged to make appointments.

3/23/2014 Bridal Show with Renda Broadcasting Indiana Mall. 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Brides-to-be for 2014, 2015, 2016 Free Bridal Registration: 11:00 am to 3;30 pm Bridal Fashion Show; 4:00 - 5:00 Door Prizes and Grand Prize Drawing 5:00 To be a vendor call mall office at 724-349-6110 3/8/2014-3/9/2014 Maple Weekend: Taste & Tour Around Somerset Somerset 234 Sugar Cake Road, Somerset, PA 15501 814.442.3680 Tour and taste Somerset County maple products!

3/8/2014 Warp & Weft-Art Class Westmoreland Museum of American Art 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. wmuseumaa.org Children ages 7-10 can expand and explore their creativity through innovative and engaging programs taught by professional artist instructors. Classes are from 10 AM-12 PM and are $10 per class. Registration is required.

3/13/2014 Abba Mania Palace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 thepalacetheatre.org ABBA MANIA the tribute takes you back in time by recreating one of the world’s finest pop groups in a live stage performance featuring Mamma Mia, Voulez Vous and more.

3/14-3/15/2014 Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators Conference “Spheres of Influence: Shaping the Curve of Environmental Education” Two days of informative workshops for Educators at Antiochian Village, Bolivar, PA. For more information, visit www.paee.net. Scholarships available.

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3/15/2014 St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Indiana, PA 11 am. www.downtownindiana.org 3/17/2014 Travelogue Series: “Vietnam: Land of Surprises” Greensburg Senior High School Auditorium at 7:30 pm. Series Admission, $20/Single, $10.

Sponsored by the Greensburg College Club.

After generations of war, Vietnam is finally in the limelight as a travel destination thanks to a generation born after the last war. Vietnam is fast, slow, traditional, cutting edge, exotic and familiar, and most of all ... accessible.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), its two major cities, are total opposites. There are beautiful beaches, colorful markets, historic landmarks, and restaurants ranging from fluorescent-lit dives to formal candle-lit 5-star dining rooms. There are two UNESCO sites: a royal city and the spectacular limestone mountains of Halong Bay. See the past in Hanoi, vault to the 21st century in Ho Chi Minh City.

3/21/2014 Nature Story Time, session 2/week 1: “Up, Up and Away” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks) 3/21/2014-3/23/2014 Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Spring Fever Festival Monroeville Convention Center 209 Mall Boulevard, Monroeville, PA 15146 724.863.4577 familyfestivals.com. Fri & Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4 Over 180 booths of unique arts and crafts inclu-ding; jewelry, clothing, wood folk art, pet treats, scented candles, ceramics, and floral designs. Sample delicious dips, mixes, candy, candles, fudge and much more! Acres of free parking and free shuttle! Two huge exhibit halls of arts and crafts. Monroeville Convention Center, 109 Mall Blvd, in front of Monroeville Mall. Clowns, Glitter Dot & Dapper for the kids!

Enjoy unique shopping!

3/19/2014 Tiny Wonder Time: “Animal Feet” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $1/month

3/21/2014 Taste of the Neighborhood Latrobe Art Center 819 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA 15650 724.805.0112. latroberevitalization.org

3/20/2014 Westmoreland Jazz Society Events: Harold Betters Quartet Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center 100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org “Mr. Trombone,” Harold Betters, is a remarkable man who has enjoyed a career spanning over four decades and is admired and respected by fellow musicians, friends, and fans nationwide. A native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, he credits his success to his parents who owned and operated one of the area’s hottest jazz spots.

3/21/2014-3/22/2014 The Pirates of Treasure Island Greensburg Garden & Civic Center 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000. ggccevents.org Jim Hawkins realizes his dream of living the life of a scurvy pirate when a mysterious woman delivers an ominous message. Now Jim and friends are bound for Treasure Island!

3/20/2014 Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day Any day can be a beautiful day in the neighborhood – and Won’t you Be My Neighbor Day, is no exception!

Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day is a day to remember and honor Fred Rogers, that iconic children’s TV presenter of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. His show reached it’s heyday in popularity back in the 1970's and 80's, and repeats can still be seen today. Gentle, softspoken Mr. Rogers was a mainstay for preschoolers and their parents; teaching them that respect of those around you and a good attitude were just as important as learning your colors and letters.

Why not don a 70's style sweater today, and speak softly to your partner? Be mindful of how you can show kindness and patience in explaining a simple concept to a child (or perhaps even to a work colleague!) After all, it’s a beautiful day for a neighbor – and for being neighborly! www.daysoftheyear.com

3/22/2014 5th Annual Soup’s On Downtown Ligonier. 10 am - 2 pm. Sample “signature soups” from local restaurants in participating stores. Call 724-238-4200 for more details.

3/23-24/2014 and 3/29-30/2014 Egg Hunts with the Bunny Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com 3/24/2014 Chanting Mantra and Meditation 7 to 9 pm, First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, 5433 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, 15232 3/28/2014 Nature Story Time, session 2/week 2: “Bugs on Parade” Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 Walzer Way, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.org Registration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks) 3/29/2014 March for Parks Twin Lakes Park, Cedar Creek Park, and Murrysville Sports Zone 724.830.3950 www.co.westmoreland.pa.us

The March For Parks will now be 3 times the fun! Marches will be held at Twin Lakes Park, Cedar Creek Park, and the Murrysville SportsZone. All events will start at 10:30am and end at noon with lunch for registered participants. Prior to the events, marchers will collect contributions to benefit parks and trails projects in Westmoreland County. Marchers can participate as individuals or teams. Those who raise more than $25 will receive an official March For Parks t-shirt and lunch card. The March For Parks is sponsored by the Westmoreland County Parks & Recreation Citizens Advisory Board.

3/29/2014 Yellow Creek State Park - Bird Walk 8 am, Park Office. Penn Run, PA 724-357-7913 Join the Todd Bird Club as they look for migrating waterfowl on Yellow Creek lake. The wide variety of water birds makes this one of the top five birding destinations in Pennsylvania. Meet at the Park Office and dress for the weather. We will drive to several locations near the lake for short walks. The Bird Club will spend 3 hours but you may spend a shorter time. Indianacountyparks.org 3/29/2014 - 4/6/2014 67th Annual PA Maple Festival Meyersdale, PA 814-634-0213. pamaplefestival.com (Tree-tapping ceremony: February 22 at 2 pm.)

Celebrate spring and the maple season.

Includes crafts, quilt show, parade, pancakes and more. For more information, call (814) 634-0213 or visit www.pamaplefestival.com.

• 8 a.m. Lions Club Pancake House opens • 10 a.m. Festival Park Complex, quilt show, antique tractor and farm machinery show opens • 2 p.m. Historical Pageant "Legend of the Magic Water" at Meyersdale Area High School Admission: adults $5; children 6-12 $1; Free for children 5 and under.

4/1/2014 to 4/1/2014 The Cooke Book-The Music of Sam Cooke Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center 450 Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904 814.269.7200. www.upjarts.org This show recaptures the music and magic of the Man Who Invented Soul – Sam Cooke.

Starring Darrian Ford, the show features Cooke’s greatest hits and some lesser known gems. Considered by many to be the definitive soul singer, Sam Cooke blended sensuality and spirituality, sophistication and soul, movie idol looks and Gospel singer poise. Show starts at 7:30pm 4/2/2014 to 4/2/2014 Dream Theater Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000. thepalacetheatre.com Dream Theater’s new, self-titled album is a masterpiece of ambition, adventure and redefined purpose, loaded with passionate simple grooves that drive people, but loaded with a deep sense of musicianship.

4/2/2014 to 4/27/2014 Duncan MacDiarmid Pop-Up Exhibition Westmoreland Museum of American Art 4764 State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org Duncan MacDiarmid works are a representation of the natural world through his sculptures and drawings, creating environments that question our role as everyday caretakers of the world. Similar in representation to friend and colleague Cydra Vaux, rather than using narrative, he differs in allowing the observer to create their own interpretation of the elements within the exhibition.

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LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

4/12/2014 to 4/12/2014 The Heinz Chapel Choir Ferguson Theater Finoli Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.7120 www.greensburg.pitt.edu The Heinz Chapel Choir is the auditioned a cappella choir from the University of Pittsburgh whose eclectic repertoire ranges from motets to jazz. They perform numerous concerts in the breathtaking Heinz Memorial Chapel, including Fall, Christmas, and Spring concerts, as well as many concerts in various local churches. John Goldsmith, director since 1989, is an alumnus of Chanticleer who teaches sight-singing to Pitt’s music majors.

9th & Philadelphia Streets

Weekend Matinees Saturdays & Sundays at 1 pm, 3rd Floor Check our website or call for movie schedules and information www.jimmy.org • 724-349-6112

4/13/2014 to 4/13/2014 The Miracle Worker State Theatre Center for the Arts 27 E. Main St., Uniontown, PA 15401 724.439.1360 www.statetheatre.info The Miracle Workertells the story of Helen Keller, deaf and blind since infancy, who finds her way into the world of knowledge and understanding with the help of Anne Sullivan, her tutor. In some of the most turbulent and emotion-packed scenes ever presented on the stage, Helen overcomes rage and confusion to triumph over her physical disabilities.

4/17/2014 to 4/17/2014 Westmoreland Jazz Society Event: Jenny Wilson Jazz Band Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center 100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org Jenny Wilson is rapidly becoming one of West Virginia s notable jazz pianists and composers, and is leader of the Jenny Wilson Trio. Performing regularly in venues throughout WV, MD, PA, and beyond, the trio boasts fresh original music in addition to arrangements of favorite jazz standards. Their successful New England tour in 2012 and an invitation to perform at The White House in Orlando, FL in 2013 is a testament to their growing development as one of the more unique jazz trios on the scene today.

4/18/2014 to 4/19/2014 Breakfast with the Bunny Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com 4/20/2014 to 4/20/2014 Easter Brunch at Nemacolin Nemacolin Woodlins Resort 1001 Lafayette Dr., Farmington, PA 15437 866.344.6957 www.nemacolin.com

4/5/2014 to 4/5/2014 Big Band Brass Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 www.thepalacetheatre.com River City Brass presents Big Band Brass, 7:30pm 4/8/2014 to 4/8/2014 California Dreaming Beach Music of the 60’s & 70’s Arcadia Theater 1418 Graham Ave, Windber, PA 15963 814.467.9070 www.arcadiatheater.net 4/11/2014 to 4/11/2014 Pitt-Greensburg Chorale: Festival de Musica Mary Lou Campana Chapel & Lecture Center Finoli Dr., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.7120 www.greensburg.pitt.edu The Pitt-Greensburg Chorale presents its Spring concert, featuring Jensen’s El Vito, Grau’s Kasar mie la gaji, and works of Juan Vasquez.

4/12/2014 to 4/13/2014 Breakfast with the Bunny Trax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA 15332 412.835.3246 www.traxfarms.com 4/12/2014 to 4/12/2014 Land-escape Westmoreland Museum of American Art 221 N. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org Let your imagination go wild as you assemble a fantasy world landscape. After examining the realistic landscape paintings in the galleries, we’ll use all kinds of fun materials to make creature life forms, plants and habitats, as creative and crazy as our minds can invent.

4/12/2014 to 4/12/2014 Greensburg Slow Art Day Westmoreland Museum of American Art 221 N. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601 724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org Slow Art Day is a worldwide celebration of art that encourages people to look at art SLOWLY – and thereby experience art in a new way. You can see more about Slow Art Day and the mission behind it on our website: http://SlowArtDay.com .

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 41

Grow Your Business Every Wednesday with Laurel Leaders (www.BNILaurelLeaders.com) All local business leaders are invited to attend a weekly meeting of BNI (Business Networking International) held each Wednesday* at the Ligonier Country Inn, Laughlintown, from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.

Visitors are welcome (no reservations), free of charge, and encouraged to come network with us and learn more about important topics:

March 5: Civil Engineering, Land Surveying John Cenkner, Cenkner Engineering 724-424-3800, www.cenkner.com

March 12: Screen Printing, Embroidery, Graphics Jody Shepler, JZ’s Sunsational Screen Printing 724-455-2174, jzscreenprinting@lhtot.com

March 19: Chiropractic Care Tim Allison, Allison Chiropractic 724-694-9700, www.allisonchiro.com

April 2: Wireless Communication Debbie Sanders, Verizon Wireless Zone 724-539-0105, www.wirelesszone.com/latrobe

April 9: Nutritional Counseling Colombe Freuhauf, The Wellness Chef 724-238-2271, www.thewellnesschef.co

April 16: Health Insurance Dan McCue, Financial & Group Services, Inc. 724-593-2081, fgsinc@lhtot.com

For more information about a presentation, please contact the scheduled speaker. (*Our meetings are cancelled whenever Ligonier Valley School District closes due to inclement weather)

www.bni-westernpa.com

Automobiles, Trucks, & Infernal Vehicles A visual history of early motorized vehicles will be the theme at the next Westmoreland County Historical Society program. Automobiles, Trucks, and Infernal Vehicles will be presented by Glenn Smeltzer on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the Calvin E. Pollins Library at 362 Sand Hill Road, Suite 1, Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

This entertaining presentation will highlight a variety of images from Mr. Smeltzer’s extensive collection of early 20th century internal combustion engine vehicles. Scenes featuring the Lincoln Highway and other area roads will include fire trucks, commercial vehicles, and wrecks. Photos of noteworthy early drivers and operators, as well as unusual looking modes of transportation will be shown throughout the program.

The program is free to Westmoreland County Historical Society members and $6 for non-members. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended.

Please call 724-532-1935 x210 for reservations. Visit our website www. westmorelandhistory.org and follow our activities on the Westmoreland County Historical Society Facebook page, and on Twitter @WCHistory.

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Join Nemacolin for our annual Easter Brunch from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm on Sunday, April 20, 2014. The price is $65 for adults and $32.50 for children ages 4 through 12, inclusive; children 3 and under are complimentary. Reservations are required, 866-344-6957.

4/22/2014 Earth Day Celebrate and protect our natural environment by taking part in Earth Day. Join with community groups to explore environmental and ecological issues on a local and international scales, and work towards making a difference to our habitat. www.earthday.org 4/23/2014 Talk Like Shakespeare Day Celebrate the bard’s birthday and his works, from such classics as Romeo And Juliet to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

4/25/2014 to 4/26/2014 Brewski Festival Seven Springs 777 Waterwheel Dr., Seven Springs, PA 15622 800.452.2223 www.7springs.com Join us for the 14th annual Brewski Festival, April 25 and 26, 2014! At this spectacular event, guests will enjoy the finest specialty beers from a unique selection of breweries. In the past, breweries such as Penn Brewery, Magic Hat and Erie Brewing served up samples of their finest products. This year we will be featuring over 100 micro-breweries.

4/26/2014 to 4/26/2014 Barber & Brahms The Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St, Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000 www.thepalacetheatre.com The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra welcomes violinist Bella Hristova to perform Barber’s Violin Concerto. The concert also includes Pärt’s Fratres and Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D Major.

4/26/2014 to 4/26/2014 Craft Beer Tasting Savage River Lodge 1600 Mount Aetna Rd., Frostburg, MD 21532 301.689.3200 www.savageriverlodge.com We’ll taste six to seven regionally made craft beers with light appetizers.

4/27/2014 to 4/27/2014 Mammoth Park Fishing Derby Mammoth Park 724.830.3950 www.co.westmoreland.pa.us A free event for fishermen of all ages from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Trophies and prizes will be awarded to both adults and youth. A door prize drawing will be held for all registered participants. Co-sponsored by the Westmoreland County Sportsmen’s League and Gander Mountain.

Submit items for our community calendar: Family-friendly, cultural, and nonprofit events take precedence when print space is a consideration: calendar@laurelmountainpost.com

Laurel Mountain Post Calendar PO Box 332 Ligonier PA 15658 LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 43

Where Can I Find A Copy?

Laurel Mountain Post Distribution List Seventy-five percent of our distribution remains within Westmoreland County, while the remaining 25% is circulated throughout key locations in the surrounding counties. The Laurel Mountain Post can be found free of charge at hundreds of local shops, office waiting areas, restaurants, museums, and festivals.

We keep up-t0-date location and delivery information on our website: www.laurelmountainpost.com.

If your business would like to carry the LMP, please contact us at 724-537-6845 or complete the online distribution form.

Derry Area Action for Animals Allison Chiropractic Barkley's Derry King Building Bodeez Caldwell Library Chef Dato's Derry Medical Dr. Scott Morgan First Commonwealth Bank Hansen & Torba - Dentists Jean Marie Flowers & Gifts Laundromat Mastrorocco's Market New Derry Municipal Authority Palombo's Restaurant S&T Bank State Farm Insurance Sugar Bears Sunoco Delmont, Murrysville, Export Center for Rehab Dancer’s Closet Delmont Public Library Excela Outpatient EnV Hair Salon irst Commonwealth Bank Drs. Hilliard & Tarnoff Holiday Inn Express John’s Barbershop King's Family Restaurant Kunkle's Auto Dr. Matthew Levin Lamplighter Restaurant Manordale Service Center Martello Hair Care Murrysville Library Nature Nail Spa Panera Bread PT Group Salem Crossroad Apothecary Shields Chiropractic Terri's Place UPMC Rehab Services Wagon Wheel Restaurant Donegal BP/McDonald’s - turnpike Brady’s Dairy Queen Days Inn Donegal Pharmacy Gerry’s Western Shop (Champion) Holiday Inn Express Honeybear Tall Cedars The Inn at Ligonier Sarnelli’s

44 - March 2014

Schultheis Automation (Jones Mills) Greater Latrobe Adams Memorial Library Barnes House Buchanan Tag Chestnut Ridge - Bursch Division Chicora's Chris Pakos, CPA Christ UC Church Coffee Bean Commercial Bank - Downtown Commerical Bank - Route 981 Dainty Pastry Denny's Doggie Divas Dunkin Donuts Eat n Park Excela Health Quick Draw The Eyeglass Shoppe Fantastic Sam's Four Seasons Brewing Co. Fringe Gino's Pizza Gyno Associates Hanna Insurance Dr. Scott Hudimac Jaffre's/Tin Lizzy, Youngstown Jerald Jewelers Joe's Store - Lawson Heights Kids Care Pediatrics L&L Quik Lube Dr. Patrick Lally Latrobe Animal Clinic Latrobe Art Center Latrobe Athletic Club Latrobe Hardware Latrobe Hospital Latrobe News Stand - Downtown Latrobe News Stand - Laurel 30 Laurel Highlands Village Laurel Nursery Latrobe Post Office Lincoln Highway Experience Little Shop Loyalhanna Care Center Marge’s Hair Salon - Tara Stowers McCarl Coverlet Gallery The Medicine Shoppe Drs. Mucci & Campfield, DDS My Fitness Kitchen Pizza Siena ProAdjuster Chiropractic Racer’s Tavern Roadman's Country Living Rose Style Shoppe Rusbosin's Furniture S&T Bank Scotty G's Senior Center

Shop n Save SpringHill Suites St. Vincent De Paul St. Vincent Gristmill Store Total Service Unity Township Building, Library UPMC Vascular Institute Valley Dairy - downtown Valley Dairy - Route 30 Vasco Federal Credit Union WCNS/Unity Building Westmoreland Federal Westmoreland Historical Society Wigs n More Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve Wingate Greensburg All About Me Boutique Barnes & Noble Berkshire Medical Offices Cafe Barista Courtyard by Marriott Dancer’s Closet Eat n Park Frye Farm Road Medical Offices Greensburg Art Center Greensburg News Greensburg YMCA Hampton Inn Hampton Office Products Jioio's - Carbon Dr. Matthew Levin L&S Machine Nature's Way Market The Palace Theatre Palmer Pavilion - Mt. View ProAdjuster Chiropractic RaggZ Fiber Art Dr. John Ridinger Seton Hill University The Westmoreland @rt 30 University of Pittsburgh Vittone's Music Westmoreland Dermatology Westmoreland Hospital Ligonier Valley A Touch of Grace Abigail's Coffee Amica BP Insurance Barb's Market - Rector Bo Peep Fine Yarns Carol & Dave's Roadhouse Celtic Culture Connections Cafe Darlington Inn Davies Real Estate Diamond Cafe

Diamond Hair Cuts Diamond Rug Gallery Dovecote Equine Chic Excela Health First Commonwealth Bank Flavors Cafe Fox's Pizza G Squared Get Go Giant Eagle Gino's Granny Earth Howard Hanna Real Estate Ligonier Chamber of Commerce Ligonier Country Market Ligonier Library Ligonier Outfitters/Newstand Ligonier Tavern Ligonier Valley Railroad Museum Ligonier Vallery Real Estate Loyalhanna Realty Mack M. Darr Martins Modern Elegance Mommy Gear On the Diamond Antiques The Paper House Persnickety Post and Rail Prudential Preferred Realty Ramada Inn Rosalia Jioio's Little Italy Rustic Country Treasures Ruthie's Diner Scamp's Toffee Second Chapter Books Song of Sixpence Subway The Strawberry Crow Thistledown at Seger House The Finishing Touch The Toy Box The Twisted Vine Tree House in Ligonier UU Church Vernon Realty Services Valley School of Ligonier Wicked Googly YMCA Laughlintown Compass Inn/Historical Society First Commonwealth Bank Ligonier Country Inn Pie Shoppe Washington Furnace Inn

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

West Overton Quilt Shop YMCA

Clarksburg Shaulis Convenience Market

Youngwood - coming soon!

Indiana 119 Professional Center The Artist's Hand Book Nook Cucina Mia Diamond Drug Downtown Indiana Association Hampton Inn Dr. Hilliard & Tarnoff Indiana Chamber of Commerce Indiana County Tourism Bureau Indiana Hospital Lobby Indiana Free Library Indiana University of PA Jimmy Stewart Museum Rustic Lodge Starbucks

Allegheny County

New Alexandria BP - 819 crossroads First Commonwealth Grabiak’s Johna’s Hair Salon Kaufman's Chiropractic Keystone Pharmacy Keystone State Park Kids Care Pediatrics Library Roadhouse Quik Stop Sheetz Speal's Tavern Stahlstown Flax Scutching Festival Loyalhanna Veterinary Clinic Main Street Wine Bar Mt. Pleasant and Southern Westmoreland County Market Crystal Concepts The Frick Fun Services The General Store Herbalicious Kraisinger's Market Lenox Leo's Mericonda Beer Distributor Mount Pleasant Glass Museum Mt. Pleasant Library Nino's Orourke Crystal Sandhill Berries Speedy Meedy's Vicky's Crossroads Volero Gas West Overton Deli

Allegheny General Children's Hospital Downtown Hotels Manchester Bidwell Monroeville Library Pleasant Hills Library Strip District merchants Squirrel Hill businesses UPMC Hospitals: Monroeville, Presbyterian, Mercy, Shadyside, Hillman Cambria County (Johnstown) Comfort Inn & Suites Dancer’s Closet East Hills Family Pharmacy Holiday Inn - Downtown Holiday Inn Express - Richland Nature's Habitat - Galleria The Sleep Inn more locations coming soon!

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March 2014

Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 45

END NOTES

by Cathi Gerhard

Come On, Get Happy!

When is the last time you laughed out loud? Typing LOL in a text message does not count. Did that joy require a lot of money or elaborate planning to achieve – or did it come from something simple and ordinary? Most often, the happiest moments of my own life have come from the unplanned and inexpensive.

I have received small gifts such as Hello Kitty socks, barley sugar lollipops, a Mickey Mouse Back scratcher, and an orange gerber daisy – all of those stand out in my memory much more than some of the big ones.

I would love to have a new car this year, but I am still very comfortable in my old SUV, despite its dents and broken air conditioning. Together we have travelled to many places, the best of those found off the main roads.

Those spur of the moment detours have led me to great food, new friends, and beautiful views.

Some of the best scenery is located right at home, on my farm. We have worked hard to plant thriving vegetable gardens and bright patches of blooms. Our favorite restaurant is our back patio on a summer evening, where there are two ways to enjoy a glass of wine. Sometimes I pour the bottle into a fancy glass; other nights, any old cup will do – it’s just so nice to slow down and have a drink.

My perspective drives my happiness, and that takes practice in a world driven by constant consumption. The need to have things distracts us from what we already have around us. We 46 - March 2014

hardly ever enjoy the moment because we’re already planing the next one.

While riding this train of thought, we certainly don’t have enough time to notice the needs of anyone else.

How can we expect people to be nice to one another, when we can’t

even be kind to ourselves? We need to stop the “modern” world for a bit, and take a few steps away from those chaotic tracks. That’s where all the happy, little things live.

My husband loves to watch the birds and the weather moving across

the sky. I like to play with the cats or just sit with them awhile and share their peaceful zen. My favorite cup of coffee is the first one of the day, straight from the pot – certainly not the second or the big, expensive one in town. Nothing says joy quite like listening to a baby laugh (that’s why there are so many videos on YouTube, along with all those funny cats). I tend to measure my days by those moments of small, but exquisite joy.

It’s said Walt Whitman once wrote, “Rate the beauty of the simple things. You can make beautiful poetry on little things, but we can not row against ourselves. That transforms life into hell.”

I like to think that heaven is found on earth in every living thing doing its part in the natural world. Humans can laugh out loud and other creatures can’t. We have five senses to see, hear, touch, taste and feel – how often do we actually take some time to use them all at once?

I wish that our stories in the Laurel Mountain Post could come alive and jump off the pages for you. We do our best to help you imagine more than the simple ink on paper can. Time is spent picking out photos and other artwork, on writing creative headlines, and meeting new people with stories to tell. And we enjoy every minute of it. As the other, more famous Whitman quote* now says again, “the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” *(“O Me! O Life!” By Walt Whitman)

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

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Every Story Begins At Home.

March 2014 - 47

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48 - March 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST