Laurel Mountain Post :: May-June 2007

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

Every Story Begins At Home.

www.LaurelMountainPost.com

Lighting the Way

to a Greener Environment MAY/JUNE 2007

FREE

May/June 2007 - 1

Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce

Birdwalk: May 18-24 An exhibition of one-of-a-kind, handmade birdhouses to be displayed in places of business and later auctioned to benefit Powdermill Nature Reserve Sponsored by the Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce 120 East Main Street • Ligonier, PA 15658 • 724-238-4200 • www.ligonier.com

Celtic Culture

Goods from Ireland and the British Isles . . . without leaving Ligonier!

137 East Main Street Ligonier, Pennsylvania 15658 724-238-2420 2 - May/June 2007

W MAY/JUNE 2007 (Volume IV, Issue 3)

The Laurel Mountain Post is a bimonthly publication of designed to focus on the people, places and events of Westmoreland County and the surrounding areas in the heart of western Pennsylvania.

We print stories about real people and their daily lives; feature local merchants, craftsmen and professionals; present short pieces of art & literature; and never lose sight of what makes this area a great place to call home.

Most of our writers are not professional reporters, but accomplished local practitioners with years of experience in their respective fields who bring credibility and personality to every article. In October 2006, the BBC News quoted us as “the voice of Pennsylvania.”

Laurel Mountain Post P.O. Box 227 Latrobe, PA 15650 724-331-3936 editor@LaurelMountainPost.com Office Hours by Appointment at 137 East Main Street in Ligonier, Pennsylvania

Cathi Gerhard Williams Editor & Publisher Briana Dwire Tomack Marketing Director & Business Manager Proud members of the Latrobe, Ligonier, and Strongland Chambers of Commerce, The Pittsburgh Advertising Federation, and The Pennsylvania Newspaper Assocation Special thanks to our advertisers for supporting this community publication!

www.LaurelMountainPost.com 15,000 copies distributed across western Pennsylvania

elcome . . .

MOUNTAIN VIEWS Cathi Gerhard Williams

It’s Not Easy Being Green In 1992, Briana and I were getting ready to face the world. College and graduate school were coming to an end, and the reality of adulthood loomed on the horizon. But we were excited and happy, looking forward to the freedom and opportunity to make our own choices, take on exciting careers, travel far away, and meet new people.

Our childhood had been filled with stories and plans for all the things we would do when this day came. Since junior high we imagined all the ways we would be smarter, happier, richer and more successful than everyone else – conquering the world while we saved it. We were young and full of ideas . . . enthusiastic and very idealistic. We were well-educated, well-spoken, and well-dressed. But nothing could change the fact that we were still quite green.

Naivete is a very retrospective thing.

No one realizes they are naive until faced with the consquences of it.

Sometimes we decieve ourselves into believing things are so just because we want them to be that way. It can be innocent, but it can also be selfish.

Our adult lives after college quickly became defined by what we could achieve, obtain, and measure. Find the best job, make the most money – and then spend it on wonderful things to prove your success. You get married, buy a house and two cars, have children, and so on and so on. Life becomes all about consuming value and much less about producing it. We don’t always mean to be so selfish – we just get so busy with responsibilities that sometimes we forget about the wonderful things we wanted to do and focus instead on all the things we have to do. Time seems to speed up, and

one day (if we’re lucky) we have a chance to think about the mistakes we’ve made, the things we regret, and all the energy we’ve wasted along the way.

We like to think that energy is renewable. After a good night’s sleep, we’ll feel much better. There’s always tomorrow.

And you might just live forever.

February 1992

We are the family that Mother Earth works so hard to sustain. Like children, we pick and poke and demand the things we want right now, sucking away all her energy. As we get older, our needs increase and our pace qickens until mom just can’t keep up with us kids anymore.

She starts to look old, tired and run down. One day we might even feel a little guilty about what we took from her.

Maybe we can’t give back that lost vitality, but at least we can take care of her now and save what’s left.

The media has bombarded us with environmental mixed messages to the point where many of us have started blocking it all out. We are confused, overloaded, so we ignore it. It’s easier.

Afterall, money makes the world go round, and our “priorities” come first.

Assuming, of course, we still have a world to go round.

advertising@LaurelMountainPost.com

Briana Dwire Tomack Cathi Gerhard Williams editor@LaurelMountainPost.com

Of course no one is actually immortal.

We live and die in our own time, on a planet that is the same. Human beings might live to be 100, but many are killed in an accident, tortured by enemies or destroyed by a terrible disease. Earth is estimated to already be 4.5 billion years old and has seen its share of accidents as well as abuse and plague.

Meteors have hit it and pollution has poisoned it. Despite its many cycles of pain and recovery, the earth still spins.

And we get to live on it.

One person cannot save the planet. It took many of us to trash it, and will take many more to clean it up. But each of us has the ability to do something – just one thing – that can make a difference. It is as simple as walking more, buying locally-grown food, driving a more fuel-efficient car, and even changing a light bulb. Better yet, all of these come with bonus material: improved health, stronger economy, and yes – more money saved!

This issue of the Laurel Mountain Post contains several articles on environmental issues both local and global. Take the time to learn something new or simply re-examine some of your choices. We can’t change the past, but we can work every day toward a better future.

May/June 2007 - 3

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Green, Green, It’s Green They Say . . .

by Barbara M. Neill

Clean, healthy, and affordable energy is a topic of great interest in these environmentally-challenged times.

The media constantly updates us with the dismal state of the world’s natural energy supplies. Alternative energy solutions are often discussed and even merited mention in the President’s 2007 State of the Union Address.

The traditional power sources of oil, coal, and natural gas have been linked to many forms of pollution as well as global warming. As the reserves of these fossil fuels shrink, their prices increase. “Green energy” is a term which describes energy sources that have fewer negative environmental consequences. They are renewable, because they will never run out. As the green industry improves manufacturing and development, its pricing decreases.

Electrical power sources in this category are wind, solar, hydro, wave, tidal, geothermal, biomass, gas landfill, and waste incineration. (Due to its troubling waste pollution, nuclear energy is not generally considered to be green.) Although these alternative powers represent a small percentage of our nation’s energy consumption, they are gaining ground in a green-friendly marketplace, creating new jobs, and fostering economic growth.

Harnessing the Wind of Change Wind power is the world’s fastest growing energy source. It is used successfully on land and at sea in the form of offshore wind farms.

Technological advances in the last decade have made wind turbines quieter, more efficient, and more competitive with traditional power stations.

Close to home there exists a pair of Exelon-Community Energy Wind Farms that operate as a single unit.

Completed in October 2001, one of these projects is situated near the Somerset exit of the PA turnpike. The other project is 20 miles away at Mill Run in Fayette County. Both wind 4 - May/June 2007

farms were developed by the Atlantic Renewable Energy Corporation and Zilkha Renewable Energy and are owned and operated by FPL Energy.

The wind farm at Somerset is comprised of 6 turbines, while the Mill Run wind farm has 10 identical turbines. Each turbine sits on a 210 foot tower and is able to generate 1500 kilowatts of power. Activated when the wind reaches 8 miles per hour, three 115 foot fiberglass blades

renewable energy credit in bulk.

The wind farm electricity is fed into the nation’s electrical grid, and Lady Liberty and Ellis Island get their power from that grid. Other government buildings utilizing wind power include the Peter Rodino Office Building in Newark, NJ and New York City’s 26 Federal Plaza which houses the GSA, the FBI, and the NY headquarters of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. These moves are examples

is easy to overlook the human element involved in its creation and development. Inscribed on a plaque that explains the Somerset project is the following tribute: In memory of Nicholas Humber of Enron Wind* A kind humanitarian who cared deeply about our earth and all people, and made critical contributions to the planning and completion of the wind power projects at Somerset and Mill Run before tragically losing his life on September 11, 2001, on American Airlines Flight 11. *Enron Wind is now GE Wind

Let the Sunshine In

turn in a circular motion to drive an electrical generator inside the turbine. The 16 turbines combine to produce approximately 63,000 megawatt hours of power each year, and produce enough energy to power more than 8,000 homes. Nearly 75 million pounds of carbon dioxide are eliminated from the air annually as a result of the work of the companion wind farms.

Since March 2006 the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island have been completely supplied by the green power of the local PA and nearby WV windmills. Many wonder whether the windmills are actually hooked up to the Statue. In actuality, the GSA (General Services Administration) which runs US government facilities, purchases

of the US government strategy to use less oil and gas, and to explore other energy avenues.

As I began my research for this article a series of television commercials that have aired over the last several months came to mind. In the original scenario the father of the family (portraying the sun) tells his young daughter in the comedic punch line that he doesn’t have time to chop the vegetables himself for the breakfast meal, because he “has to be at work early to light and heat the earth.” As we know, the sun has been providing man with energy in the form of light and heat for eons. To better utilize the solar radiation that reaches the earth, numerous modern technologies have been developed and are divided into two categories: those which convert solar energy directly and those which convert it indirectly into other forms (i.e. electricity, heat).

The southeastern PA counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia, and York are supplied with wind energy by PECO WIND, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation.

At this time, residents of southwestern PA do not have the power of green at their disposal with area utility partners. However, wind power can be purchased directly in blocks by businesses at www. communityenergy.biz and by residential customers at www. newwindenergy.com.

Interest in solar power has soared in recent years. Alternative energy proponent VA Senator Frank Wagner took up residence for one week in January as a “university guinea pig” in an experimental solar-powered home. Built by 80 Virginia Tech engineering and architecture students and eight faculty members, this award-winning house has been featured on HGTV’s “I Want That” and ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

With so much of the credit for the success of wind power discussed in mechanical and scientific terms, it

At one time considered far too expensive for use by most homeowners, the cost of photovoltaic (solar) cells has markedly decreased

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania in the last few years. CA has implemented a program that offers one million homeowners an opportunity to purchase a home with a roof of solar panels. The cost of these roofs is approximately $25,000, but with rebates and tax credits the cost is reduced by one-third. Electricity bills for these homes are cut in half.

Application options are many. Many US companies provide solar electric systems of varying sizes to accommodate varying needs.

Some homeowners may find it more cost effective to go totally solar, while others may only want to access some solar energy and rely on their current provider for the remainder. People living in remote areas often feel that it is more economical to install a solar system than it would be to pay to have a power grid run to their home and pay a monthly utility bill.

Stahlstown area residents Gary and Joy Monticue have proven that “renewable is do-able.” An example of indirect solar conversion and wind power, their home is situated quite a distance from the closest power line.

Thanks to several energy-knowledgeable acquaintances who piqued his interest, a very helpful father, and his own ingenuity, Gary built the home over a period of 6 years beginning in 2001.

The system in use has 5 solar panels

– 1 donated by a friend and 4 purchased from Kyocera, a Japanese-based company. Located in the front yard where they can be easily maintained, they are monitored inside the home.

The power is transferred to a bank of batteries and goes through a charge

controller which keeps the batteries from overcharging. The Monticues also have a small windmill, purchased used, in the backyard. The wind power it generates is also stored in the battery bank. After the power is

backup generator that can be accessed.

Monticue generally uses convection heat from a wood stove for homeheating purposes. However, he also admits to “a slight propane addiction.”

In fact, he thinks of the house as a giant camper.

Water heated by propane can be circulated by pump to heat the structure if necessary.

The refrigerator, stove, and the domestic hot water are heated with propane as well. In the future as more electricity is gathered by more panels and larger batteries, he hopes to eliminate the need to rely on propane.

The superstructure of the home is a post and beam construction utilizing mortise and tenon joinery (i.e. without nails) and was erected with the help of longtime friends in one day. Additional green features incorporated into the dwelling include renovated items from other

Most emissions from homes are from the fossil fuels burned to generate electricity and heat. By using energy more efficiently at home, you can reduce your emissions and lower your energy bills by more than 30% – www.climatecrisis.net

stored, it enters an inverter that converts the DC into AC. Anytime sun and wind are limited there is a

buildings, concrete used for counter tops, insulation made from recycled newspaper, and white cedar lumber that has not been chemically treated.

Furniture and doors have been created from wood collected over the years, and alternative finishes such as linseed oil and orange peel oil have been applied to much of the interior wood.

A distinctive wrought iron railing graces the staircase to the upper level.

It was rebuilt and refurbished by a friend after being discovered in a trash heap.

Home improvements are ongoing.

High on the priority list is a passive greenhouse/solarium on the south side of the home that will collect heat and provide Joy with a place to grow plants and vegetables.

Although local winters often include several very cold and “grey” months, the Monticues are not sorry they made their green power choice. “It’s not for everyone. But, let’s face it. It’s coming fast. Now that I have the knowledge, and see what I can do with it, I’ll never go back,” says Monticue.

May/June 2007 - 5

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

Assessing the Risks of Wind Energy Development on the Conservation of Eastern Golden Eagles in Pennsylvania The people of the Appalachian region of the United States, including central and western Pennsylvania, have a unique and special responsibility for the conservation of the eastern North American population of golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos).

Most Pennsylvanians probably are unaware that hundreds of these majestic raptors traverse the state twice a year during spring and fall migration.

Preliminary data suggest that eastern golden eagles migrate through one or more narrow (30-60 mile) bottlenecks along the Appalachian Mountains. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the ridges in these bottlenecks are also the sites within the region with the highest potential for wind power development. This puts us on a potential collision course between the interest of traveling birds and those of large and fast moving turbine blades.

Dr. Todd Katzner, Director of Conservation & Field Research at the National Aviary; Robert Mulvihill, Field Ornithology Projects Coordinator, Powdermill Avian Research Center of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; Mike Lanzone Assistant Field Ornithology Projects Coordinator, Powdermill Avian Research Center of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; Trish Miller, GIS Coordinator, Powdermill Nature Reserve of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History; Dr. David Brandes, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Lafayette College; and Dan Ombalski, Director of the Tussey Mountain Hawkwatch, have teamed to study the migration paths of eastern golden eagles in order to assess, and hopefully mitigate, the

risk to these birds posed by the development of wind power in an area where they concentrate heavily.

The team trapped and tagged two migrating golden eagles in November 2006, near the town of Central City, Pennsylvania. The birds were outfitted with a telemetry device that is attached via a nonabrasive harness made of Teflon ribbon. Configured as a backpack, the device is able to

individual eastern golden eagles migrate through the entire Appalachian Mountain flyway. The telemetry data will not only show the birds’ flight paths, but also altitude and flight speed under a suite of climatic and topographical conditions. It is this sort of detailed information that is essential to have before wind power projects are sited and constructed to accurately assess

obtain highly accurate GPS-quality location fixes and then transmit these data via the ARGOS satellite system.

Annual counts at hawk watches across Pennsylvania of migrating eagles show that golden eagles use the states western ridges heavily.

Data collected via satellite tracking will, for the first time provide detailed information on where and how

and effectively mitigate risk to migrating raptors from wind power projects.

These telemetry data will be used to create landscape-scale models that look at the cumulative impacts of many wind farms on eagle movements and identify critical migration bottlenecks where turbine development should proceed with caution.

Monticue Construction GARY E. MONTICUE General Contractor

building, remodeling, custom built cabinets, fine woodworking 128 Monticue Dr. Stahlstown, PA 15687 724-593-2079 monticueconstruction@lhtc.net 6 - May/June 2007

PANDOLPH Landscape Supply Driveway Stone, Topsoil, & Mulch Deliver y Available Delivery

724-537-0850

Data collected from these birds and others that will be tagged will enable the team to create explicit computer models that predict migration patterns and individual flight behavior during migration. This information will be used to create regional maps showing the relative areas of high and low risk to birds of development of wind power in different parts of Pennsylvania and the Appalachian region.

The ultimate goal is to produce maps that will be a crucial tool for land managers and politicians to guide wind power development and the placement of wind turbines throughout the region.

Since being tagged in November, the birds have traveled between 350 and 850 miles, leaving Pennsylvania and spending time in Maryland, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Wind power development is important to U.S. and local economies, it is the world’s fastest growing energy technology and in many cases it has clear environmental benefits. Industrial scale wind power development along the narrow ridgetops of the Appalachians, however, has been shown to present significant threats to flying animals - such as the thousands of bats found dead at turbines in previous years. Researchers at the National Aviary and the Powdermill Avian Research Center are working hard to collect the data needed to avoid a scenario where eagles are found injured or killed by turbines. By conducting this research in advance, the information provided can be taken into consideration during the siting, permitting and construction phases of wind farm development in Pennsylvania. This presents a unique opportunity to generate scientific information to allow wind power, a clean, renewable energy source, to be developed in a manner that is sensitive not only to our air and climate but to birds as well.

– January 2007 National Aviary: Allegheny Commons West; Pittsburgh, PA 15212; phone: 412-3237235; fax: 412-321-4364; www.aviary.org

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

When Life Gives You Scraps: Harry Miller’s Story

by Jennifer Smoker

On August 14, 1974, as Latrobe native Harry Miller was working a landscaping job, he was struck in the back by a tree branch that shattered 3 vertebrate in his lower spine paralyzing him instantly. Full of bitterness and resentment, asking, “Why me, God? What did I do that I’m being punished for?”

Harry readily admits he was a pretty nasty person for the first 3 months following the accident. At his physical therapist’s insistence, he grudgingly attended a St. Francis Hospital Halloween party given for the patients where 2 laughing little kids (with no arms and legs) caught his attention.

According to Harry, “There I sat in my wheelchair, being a royal pain, sulking, I looked at those kids having the time of their lives and thought those little ones will never walk or run or be able to hug their parents to say, “I Love You.” He realized, “Hey, I don’t have it so bad!”

So Harry and his wife Patty along with their two young children resolved to pick up the pieces and get on with their lives.

This proved difficult from the start. Harry relates that “Back then disabled people were pretty much homebound. You were kept at home. You didn’t go out in public. You stayed at home, hidden. People weren’t accepting. They shied away, somehow afraid of catching (the disease called) a wheelchair.” There was no such thing as Handicapped Parking. If a building was accessible it was by accident not design. Even Latrobe Area Hospital wasn’t accessible at that time. They didn’t have bathrooms for the disabled and the patient rooms weren’t large enough to accommodate Harry’s wheelchair.

Harry stubbornly refused to give in to societal fears and the various other hurdles he now encountered in his day to day life.

An avid hunter and fisherman, Harry never even considered that he wouldn’t be able to participate in the outdoor sports he loves. He

claims that after his first surgery, the very first thing he asked the doctor was “Will I be able to go hunting? The doctor said the recoil of the gun would be too much for my spine.” A year later, he and Patty were shopping when they came across a 410 shotgun. Harry explains, “It’s a small gauge shotgun with very little recoil. If there’s no recoil it can’t hurt my back. Pat bought the 410 for me on the spot.”

This was the beginning of what Harry calls modification. “You don’t say I can’t, you adapt and modify how you do the things you used to do. You never quit!”

Again, Harry dealt with lack of accessibility as a physically

off the side of the bridge. As I went over, I leaned real hard to the right of the chair. The upper half of me landed on the bank and my leg in the water.

The wheelchair upside-down in the middle of the creek and my shoe, God knows where. In the meantime, Patty noticed that I wasn’t on the bridge.

When she couldn’t see my red shirt anywhere she came running back down to the bridge. She gets me, gets the chair, and gets me into the chair.

Finds my shoe down stream, and puts it back on me. It didn’t matter that it was soaking wet because I was soaking wet! She made us come home! I wanted to keep fishing but we went home.”

Harry realized that there were certain spots where he (with Pat’s help) could sit his wheelchair right in the middle of the creek to fish for Native Brook Trout because the water really wasn’t that deep. He used the knowledge gained from this misadventure to adapt his fishing strategy.

The sad fact was that there just wasn’t anything (outdoors accessible), anywhere. So in 1989, Harry along with some friends created the Pennsylvania Sportsmen for the Disabled to tackle this accessibility issue. In the early 1990’s, Harry and his group worked in tandem with The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and The Fish and Boat Commission in creating accessible fishing areas for the disabled at the newly built power dam generating stations along the Allegheny River.

Harry also became aware of a project to build lake-fishing piers for the disabled headed by Paul J Mahon, a commissioner with The Fish and Boat Commission. While viewing this as a step in the right direction, Harry describes himself as a “catch and release” fisherman, the fish I catch I throw back. A pier can sit 15 to 20 feet off the water, by the time you catch the fish, reel it in, remove it from the hook and throw it back (smacking the water), chances are you’ve killed the fish whether you were throwing it back or keeping it. I like to fish from the shore. If the fish aren’t there you can

Harry Miller with his grandson, Colon Gearhart

Please donate at the:

Fire Fighter’s Blood Drive In Honor of Fallen Comrades Wednesday, June 27 and Thursday, June 28 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm Four Points Sheraton - Greensburg Presenting donors receive a “Join the Race to Save Lives” Short-sleeve T-shirt and special canteen donated from area restaurants.

Schedule your blood appointment online @ www.redcrosslife.org or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE

12SPM975 DRDGAR 041207

challenged fisherman. “So, I went to the places I always had.”

Confined to flat, stable, wheelchair friendly surfaces, He recalls a particular fishing trip he and Patty undertook to Shannon Run near New Florence. “ I wheeled out onto a little bridge that went across the stream. Pat said, okay I’m going up stream and I will fish back down to you. So, I sat there fishing off of the bridge. The bridge is made out of wood and it was covered in wet pine needles (that we didn’t think anything about). I got a snag and gave the line one little tug and the wheelchair started going toward the water. I dropped my fishing rod and grabbed the wheels of the wheelchair, but the wheelchair wheels were locked! So, they weren’t turning anyhow and the wheelchair just kept right on going

continued on page 22

May/June 2007 - 7

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

DERRY REMEMBRANCES Ruth Richardson

Idlewild Interlude You Can’t Beat Fun! I don’t know if those immortal words are still splashed across any structures at today’s, high-tech Idlewild Park or not. But in the 50’s and 60’s, we knew that, indeed, you couldn’t beat the fun that was waiting for you at Derry’s Community and School Picnic, held each June at Idlewild Park.

We just called it The School Picnic. Looking back, it seemed to be the catalyst that ushered in those long, lazy summers of our childhood. During the last few weeks of school each year, the announcement was made that Idlewild tickets would be available for purchase. We would dutifully bring our money to school that day and stand in line at the office waiting to buy our strips of tickets.

They were five cents each, ride tickets were red and refreshment tickets were tan. Each ride required a different amount of tickets. You would need two tickets to ride the merry-go-round, four tickets for the roller coaster, and three for the caterpillar. I remember saving my money to add onto what mom gave me.

My grandma would always give me a dollar or two in addition to that. I sometimes ended up with the staggering total of $5.00 or $6.00. That had to be divided up between rides, refreshments, and assorted cash only amusements, like those in the Penny Arcade. If you didn’t get your tickets at school, there were several stores in Derry that had t h e m available for purchase, too. Or you could wait until the day of the picnic and buy them from the little ticket booths scattered throughout the park. The only drawback to that was, you got more for your money if you bought the ‘books’ of tickets in advance. These ‘books’ were several strips of tickets stapled together in a little packet.

was little, we didn’t arrive at Idlewild until Daddy got home from work, after 3:00. As I got older, I was allowed to ride the school bus. It would pick us up at selected bus stops around nine in the morning and drop us off at the park. My parents would join us later in the day. When Daddy drove us, he would always park the car up on the hill behind the roller coaster. There were no paved, painted parking lots up there. You just drove up the dirt lanes until you found a couple of trees that your car would fit between and pull in. It was a delightful, haphazard mess of cars.

As we walked toward the park, the first of my senses to be awakened was my sense of hearing. I could hear the chug, chug, chug of the old wooden roller coaster as it ascended that first towering, peak.

Those cars seemed to hang in the air at the top, floating for a moment before they plunged frighteningly into the void below.

That dropping sensation triggered screams of delight and laughter that rang in our ears and urged us to hurry-up and join the fun.

We would run past that first big pavilion, filled with picnic baskets scattered on the tables, through those old stone pillars and into the thick of the adventure! Mingling with the sounds of the buoyant crowd was the distant strain of whimsical organ music filtering through the park from the merry-go-round. This delightful din was broken by the echoing crack from a .22 rifle. It came from the shooting gallery that stood between the Penny Arcade and the Roller Coaster. Idewild did not offer air rifles, there were no corks or water pistols, there was no imitation anything. Chained to the counter were five or six .22 rifles filled with live ammunition. After plunking down your money, you could shoot at moving targets to win a prize while the attendant gathered up the spent

66 9 1 , th o o b to e pho th in e m d n a g Dou

The school picnic was a complete sensory overload for a kid like me. I was bombarded from the minute I got out of the car or off the school bus. When I 8 - May/June 2007

cartridges and refilled the sleeves with more live rounds. It never occurred to any of us kids that this may be dangerous. Everyone I knew was taught basic firearm safety from a very early age, and most homes had a nice collection of guns.

The school picnic was a delight for our eyes, as well as our ears. As you entered the park, there were kids running everywhere, kicking up little clouds of dust and making paths through all that pea gravel. Lovely ancient shade trees reached for the blue skies. Those old oaks and maples were surrounded by huge flower beds, their mounds of rainbow-splashed blossoms spilling over the walls.

Tucked into this magical forest were countless whirling rides highlighted by their neon lights, and the delightfully spinning merry-go-round, resplendent with its hand painted ponies. Across the bridge was the picturesque Lake Bouquet. In the center of the lake sat the swimming pool with it’s high diving platform and freezing spring water.

It was a separate admission fee to swim there. We could also visit the trains, planes and automobiles in Kiddie-Land, not to mention the pony rides, the little school bus and the hand cranked kiddie cars that we continued to ride, even after we were in high school! Where to run to next? That was the dilemma that stayed with us all day.

Next, let’s explore the Idlewild aromas! If I close my eyes, I can still smell that sweet, sticky, cotton candy. I would watch it spin round and round until the attendant caught a piece and rolled it, fatter and fatter, onto a paper cone and handed it to me. The same booth offered fresh roasted peanuts served in little brown penny candy bags that were stapled shut. When you bought one, the bags were still warm to the touch and the peanut oil would stain the bag with little splotches. In the next booth over, the scent of those wonderful Idlewild french fries hung in the air. They were also served in a paper cone. I don’t know what they did to them, but they were the best fries ever.

Besides the food, there were other scents in the park, as well. I remember the motor and grease smell near the tracks of the roller coaster. I also can recall the electric smell at the Scooters. We would watch sparks fly from the ceiling as the cars careened into each other.

The smells wafting from the refreshment stands would trigger my appetite, which brings us to the tastes of Idlewild. And, oh my, what tastes were available for us to explore. My favorite taste treat didn’t have much of an aroma. It didn’t need one.

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania The Ice Cream Booth was in the same location as today, but there were some stark differences.

Back then, you didn’t get frozen ice milk and we had never heard of frozen yogurt. Instead, they served a buttery colored frozen custard, and it was the most luxurious and creamy treat ever.

This was where I always stopped first. It wasn’t every day that a girl could have ice cream for breakfast, and what mom didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.

the sunken boats, of which there were plenty!

None of us gave our names when we rented a boat. No one asked our age. No life preservers were issued and no releases of liability were signed. Nope, just “Here’s a boat, kids, have fun!”

This is just another example of how things have changed. Can you imagine giving a bunch of today’s middle schoolers their choice of row boats, and sending them out on a lake - no questions asked?

And how did Idlewild feel? It felt wonderful - From the butterflies in my stomach while I was riding the whip, to the butterflies in my stomach from a stolen kiss in the Caterpillar with my boyfriend.

Idlewild conjured up many feelings. I remember the feel of the summer wind on my face as I rode in those huge silver and red airplanes that swung silently out over the Loyalhanna creek. I remember the annoying feel of gravel trapped in my brand new Keds; I got a new pair at the beginning of every summer, or the sting of sunburn on my shoulders. I remember the bumpy surface of the little bamboo fishing poles at the fish pond, and what it felt like to finally catch the famous number 32 fish and get my pick of the prizes. I chose the hula dancer Kewpie Doll from the top shelf. I also remember the feeling of elation when I noticed a strip of ride tickets dropped by some unlucky person, just waiting for me to pick them up!

In grade school, we would coordinate our matching outfits for the picnic with our best friends. In high school, we would have matching boyfriend/girlfriend outfits. The perfect accessory for the girlfriend was the Hawaiian lei your boyfriend would win for you by shooting baskets – and the more he won, the better you looked.

I can also recall the feel of the icy water of Lake Bouquet. You could rent boats at the boathouse and row the entire way around the swimming pool. The pool was on its own separate island, and you had to cross a big metal bridge to get to it. We tried to row our boat under that bridge as quickly as possible to avoid the missile-like ammunition that was thrown by the ornery boys standing up there, just waiting for us to pass under them. My girlfriends and I would rent one row boat and the boys in our class would rent another one. Our main objective was to look cute in our new matching outfits as we rowed the boat serenely around the lake. Their main objective was to soak us as completely as possible by angling the oars toward the water surface and smacking them as hard as possible, sending a rooster-tail of water toward us. Many a novice sailor tipped those boats over and sank them during these splash-fests. The trick then, was for them to swim, then wade through that green, muddy slime to the shore. Next, they had to cross the little railroad tracks while avoiding the train, (and all the poison ivy!) and hightail it back to the park before the attendant could catch them.

The park had one flat-bottomed boat with a motor that they used for retrieving us if we exceeded our half hour rowing limit, or to retrieve

I remember organized games and races being held in front of the old stage in the center of the park. The Derry Business and Professional association would be the sponsor of this event, and they gave out cash prizes to the winners. All the businesses in Derry were closed the day of the community picnic. Even the banks closed at noon. After the races, a drawing was held and they gave away lots of wonderful prizes donated by the many stores located throughout Derry. The drawing would culminate with the awarding of the BIG prize - a brand new bicycle for some lucky Derry kid.

This was also the area for specialty acts to perform. Idlewild would bring in all types of circus-like acts. I remember acrobats, tight rope walkers and high divers, climbing way up a big pole and perching on a tiny platform before diving into a little pool of water. When I was in high school, they would have popular musical groups singing in one of the pavilions, too. I remember seeing the Essex, singing their hit ‘Easier Said Than Done’, and every one of them was in full dress uniform. They were all in the Marines at the time, and always appeared in uniform. Their stage presence was quite striking when compared with the other popular groups of the day, like the long-haired, mod look of The Rolling Stones!

As a kid at Idlewild, my last stop of the day was usually the Penny Arcade. If I had, by some miracle, any cash left, this is where I would dispose of it. I would turn the dial and stamp out my name on those little silver medallions.

Or you could proclaim your ‘True Love Always’ by adding your boyfriend’s name next to yours, with the date. I loved to see what ‘Grandmother’s Predictions’ were for me. Seated high in her glass enclosure, she was a little scary looking with her continued on page 10

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

NORTHWOOD REALTY SERVICES Brenda Fillmore Perry office: (724) 537-0110 ext. 22 cell: (724) 396-2001

CALL FOR A FREE HOME ANALYSIS

GREEN MEADOWS at Latrobe An Emeritus Assisted Living and Dementia Community

500 Brouwers Drive • Latrobe, PA 15650 724-537-5255 • www.emeritus.com May/June 2007 - 9

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST continued from page 9

Hanna Insurance Agency 208 Weldon Street Latrobe, PA 15650

John Hanna, Owner PHONE: (724) 537-5140 FAX: (724) 537-0687 Providing All Of Your Insurance Needs Since 1959

big lace collar, cameo broach and gray hair pulled into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. I would insert my penny and wait for her old weathered hands to pass over the cards and her head to turn side to side while she contemplated what life had in store for me. Then my life prediction would appear on a little card in the bottom slot. Moving on to the next booth, I would drop a penny in and hope to get post cards with pictures of my favorite movie stars. I always crossed my fingers for a Troy Donahue or a Connie Stevens, but I usually got Randolph Scott or Bette Davis. Next we would see how many kids we could squeeze behind the curtains in the little photo booth, and who could make the craziest faces. There were also those little brass movie machines in the back that we somehow thought were so forbidden. I think you actually had to crank them to make the movies work.

You could see just about everyone who lived in Derry at those picnics. It seemed like the whole town turned out. Those long green benches, dappled with sunshine that peeked through the trees, were usually filled with parents and grandparents. We always kept a close eye out for relatives, hoping they would slip us a little ‘extra’ dough! It seemed strange to see our teachers, wearing casual summer clothes and enjoying the day with their own families. It was the one time of the year we would think of them as just moms and dads, much like our own. And from first grade through high school, most of our classmates were there, waiting for us to find them, to share in those fleeting and wonderful moments. Young parents would push strollers, and young lovers would hold hands. I watched the generations replacing each other from year to year.

Toward the end of the day, the merry-go-round was the main gathering place and that is where my brother and I would always meet up with mom and daddy at suppertime. From there, we would make our way back up to the parking area where picnic tables were scattered under those wonderful old trees. And in that warm late afternoon glow, we would munch on fried chicken, potato salad and all the wonderful summer dishes my mom had packed for us.

It’s not too late to get in shape for summer!

Try us out for 1 week for FREE! Now offering classes 7 days/week • Offer expires 6/30/07

Loyalhanna Community Center (Knights of Columbus)

724.244.2869 • latderjazzer@msn.com Owner/Instructor Cathy Guerrieri

10 - May/June 2007

For me, going to Idlewild was a treasured ‘once-ayear’ treat. I remember the wistful feeling at the end of the day when our car made its way slowly through those big stone gates and headed home.

The sounds and smells of Idewild would fade into the distance, just like the rosy sunset that peaked over Chestnut Ridge. We would clutch our treasures in sticky hands – a fish pond prize, a half eaten candied apple, or a stray ride ticket, as we made our way back home to Derry. But that sadness didn’t last long. After all, the whole summer was stretching out before us. It was only June. Endless adventures were waiting, and we had all the time in the world to find them.

Jazzercise Relay For Life Cancer Awareness Quilt Teacher, actor, director, and quilter are all words used to describe Jim Mikula of Ligonier. Jim is a retired English teacher from Greater Latrobe Area High School. He still acts and directs shows for local theatres. Jim is the Market Manager for the Ligonier Country Market in the summer, and it is there you will find him with his beautiful handmade quilts.

When he was only four years old he learned from an aunt who was a seamstress and lived next door to him in Uniontown. Jim began quilting in 1974. He needed to quilt a piece he had made, so he went to a church to watch some women work on a quilt; then he read a book on quilting. He now sells his beautifully designed quilts at the Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival in Greensburg, Old Fashioned Days at Idlewild Park and at the Ligonier Country Market.

Jim designs quilts for people for special occasions and celebrations. He recently designed a quilt for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. Jim is a student at Cathy Guerrieri’s LatrobeDerry Jazzercise Center which has a team for the Relay. The team has been raising money for the relay by selling chocolate covered pretzels and graham crackers, Cancer Awareness bracelets and anklets, raffle tickets, candles, and Streakfree Microfiber Cloths. Jim thought he could help the team’s efforts by designing a cancer awareness quilt featuring the pink breast cancer ribbon.

Jim put many hours into designing the quilt, piecing it together and hand quilting it. The Jazzercise Relay For Life Team is selling a $2.00 ticket for a chance to win Jim’s gorgeous queensize quilt. The winning number will be taken from the 7:00 p.m. PA 3 Digit Daily Lottery on Saturday, June 23, 2007. (The night of the Relay at the Legion Keener Park in Latrobe.) All profits will go to the American Cancer Society. Please contact Cathy Guerrieri at Latrobe–Derry Jazzercise (724-2442869) to purchase tickets.

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

TAKE IT ON FAITH The Equal Exchange Interfaith Coffee Program

Serving A Cup Of Justice “I want to send my thanks to all of the congregations that purchase our coffee.

Thanks to you, we have a seed of hope in our lives.”

– Jose Luis Castillo Vasquez, Coffee Farmer, El Salvador A few months ago, I had a great cup of coffee. I was at church with my parents and was sitting around with them and some friends during the social time between Sunday School and the Sunday morning service. When I asked what kind of coffee it was, it soon tasted even better.

ATTENTION COLLEGE STUDENTS AND 2007 HIGH SCHOOL GRADS $15.75 base/Appt.

SUMMER WORK customer sales/service, conditions apply, no experience necessary, all ages 17+

CALL NOW! 724-834-3350

137 West Main Street Ligonier, PA 724-238-4831 www.LigonierTavern.com

“GREAT FOOD, GREAT FRIENDS, GREAT CONCERTS” Coming February 11 Commander Cody Band and April 19 Leon Russell Tickets on Sale January 12 Singer Songwriter Challenge ($1000 prize) starting January 25–call for details

33 East 1st Avenue 724-694-2788

Christ United Church of Christ of Latrobe participates in an interfaith coffee program with a company from Bridgewater, MA called Equal Exchange, the oldest and largest for-profit Fair Trade company in the United States. First of all, the purpose of Fair Trade is to guarantee farmers a minimum price for their commodity. This is done by eliminating the many corporate layers that typically exist between the farmer and the consumer. Coffee is one of the most heavily traded commodities in the world, but most of its growers live in poverty throughout Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Due to the nature of their business, they live in rural communities isolated from markets and are forced to accept low prices. Many lack suitable housing, healthcare, and education; they cannot obtain affordable credit to expand or adapt their farms, and are trapped in the cycle of poverty.

Equal Exchange works with co-op programs, faith-based organizations and human rights groups to help such farmers learn about Fair Trade, obtain affordable credit, and improve their lives. Many of these farmers learn to invest in sustainable agriculture, cultivating organic crops such as shade-grown coffee. Their partnership with this system also enables them to obtain organic certification for their products.

Equal Exchange lists as one of their business commitments: “To encourage ecologically sustainable farming practices that help build a long-term economic base for farmers while protecting their communities, the environment and consumers from dangerous chemicals.“

Organic coffee farming has many benefits. No toxic chemicals are applied for the safety of the farmer - men, women AND children. Shade-tree cultivation of coffee and cocoa preserves the biodiversity of the region and provides a chemical-free habitat for millions of migratory song birds. And, a certified organic product contains no genetically-modified ingredients.

That means the milk from the cow is genuine, and without hormones.

There are many other products available from Equal Exchange. They include: cocoa, chocolate bars, sugar and tea. This past year also saw the addition of products like dried cranberries and almonds grown by farmers in the United States.

The next time you shop for coffee, consider trying a cup of justice – for the earth and its people.

For more information, contact your local churches or visit www. EqualExchange.com – Cathi Gerhard Williams May/June 2007 - 11

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

What is Bowen Therapy? simple, gentle, effective pain relief

Bowen therapy involves subtle and precise mobilizations over muscles, tendons, nerves, and fascia in order to relieve pain stemming from these structures. It is a non-invasive form of treatment performed in specific sequences with frequent pauses to allow the body to process and respond to the new data it received through the gentle soft tissue mobilization technique. For example, the practitioner takes up the skin slack by gently stretching the muscle tissue, then “challenges” the muscle by gently compressing it for several seconds and then the fingers roll (spring) over the treated muscle or involved area. The main principle of using this technique is to assist the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Jerry D. Felton, P.T. 2000 Tower Way, Suite 2039 Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone:(724)834-7400 Fax:(724)834-7402 www.JerryDFeltonPT.com

Green Design in Southwestern Pennsylvania

by Carma Lamm

I thought it would be so cool to start this article with the old cliché, “Think Global, Act Local”…but then as I researched Green Design in Pennsylvania, I found the “old” cliché splashed everywhere! But before abandoning the “Think Global, Act Local” for a more original opening, I had to admit there was a positive vibe in its “over-use”. Pennsylvanians are not only thinking globally, but acting locally by giving global, environ-mental issues the local relevance needed to spur a cultural movement toward Green Design.

Bill Reed, a mover and shaker (old cliché) in regenerative design, defines Green Design as: “The continual improvement toward a whole and healthy integration of human activities with natural systems.” Simply put, people need to be more a part of the environment and not apart from it. Let’s look to some Green Design projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania for examples of integrating human activities with natural systems.

12 - May/June 2007

The Giant Eagle grocery store chain is now involved in a green make over. Human activities – working and shopping – were integrated with the natural systems of sunlight and the hydrologic cycle. In Shadyside, the lighting systems were linked with skylights that dim fluorescent bulbs in relation to natural lighting and a 12,300-square-foot vegetated rooftop absorbs stormwater originally displaced by the building. Green roofs also absorb solar heat, helping to cool things down!

The new Children’s Hospital being constructed in Bloomfield will boast roof top gardens, recycled building materials, and low VOC materials.

This means that people healing and working at Children’s will not be exposed to volatile organic chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer and contribute to multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) condition. Children’s is also helping conserve our limited clean water supply by recycling water (where appropriate), and installing water efficient fixtures and landscapes.

The David Lawrence Convention Center is a phenomenal Green Design, putting Pennsylvania on the map as a “LEED”er (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in sustainable growth. The unusual shape of the building captures the natural air-flow off of the Allegheny river to help cool and ventilate the space. Most emphasized in the Center is the use of locally manufactured and harvested recycled materials. The use of local products minimizes carbon emissions by reducing transportation distances. Locally produced features like walls of glass help regulate the temperature while maximizing natural lighting. These green features attune exhibitors to fresh air, and the movement and cycles of natural sunlight.

Each time a Green Design integrates human activities with our natural environment, energy costs go down and our health improves. Our planet provides plenty of natural energy for us to capture, rather than displace.

The payback for Green Design is

always higher than that of adhering to conventional building codes, it’s just a question of when the biggest paybacks occur. Our health benefits come immediately, and the energy savings reveal themselves over time. Green Design is a win-win situation for us and the natural environment that supports us.

Carma Lamm is a designer with Lamm Engineering, an Emergent Regenerative Design firm. In addition to working on sustainable design projects, Carma enjoys natural photography and writing environmental tidbits for children.

She lives with her husband and two sons in Gibsonia, PA.

Learn More!

Green Building Alliance www.gbapgh.org Children’s Hospital www.chp.edu/about/ new_building_green.php David L. Lawrence Convention Center www.pittsburghcc.com US Green Building Council www.usgbc.org Giant Eagle www.gianteagle.com

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

Little Drops of Water Make the Mighty Ocean

By Dana Rizzo You might know someone that is old enough to remember having to use a hand pump to draw water for daily use.

Or perhaps they had to haul water from a distant well or spring. How many times do you suppose that water was used before being disposed of on the garden or trees surrounding the home?

How differently would you feel about water if you had to haul all of the water you use every day? As lifestyles changed, people demanded more convenient and efficient methods to do their daily tasks. This resulted in inventions such as indoor plumbing, water and wastewater delivery and collection systems, washing machines, and dishwashers. These technologies made life easier and healthier. Water quality and quantity issues, however, have caused us to become more aware of our water use practices. The need for utilizing this shared resource more thoughtfully is a strong reality.

Turn the water off when you are brushing your teeth. Run the clothes washer only when you have a full load.

Use a broom, not a hose, to clean the sidewalk or driveway. Fix A leaky toilet.

Many of us have heard of and even do these simple tasks meant to conserve water. But why should we conserve water? Since most of us can get water easily by turning on the faucet, we may take water for granted and use more than we need. Domestic water consumption has changed dramatically in Pennsylvania during the past 100 years. In 1900, only 5 million people lived in the state and

each used about 5 gallons of water per day. By 1995, there were over 12 million residents, each using about 62 million gallons per day.

Water is essential to every life form on the planet. Our bodies contain as much as 75 percent water. Most of us could only survive about a week without fresh water. Water, however, is a finite resource. There will never be any more water than there is right now on the Earth. Water is naturally collected, cleansed, and distributed through the water or hydrologic cycle.

We use the same water that was here when the dinosaurs were walking the planet! The Aztecs or Abraham Lincoln or Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart may have used the same water you drink now!

Approximately 97 percent of the Earth’s water is saltwater, which is unsuitable for drinking or agriculture.

This leaves three percent as fresh water. Unfortunately, only a fraction of a percent of that fresh water is available for use as potable drinking water! The rest is frozen in polar ice caps, polluted, trapped in the soil, or too far below ground. Conservation is an important method to increase the longevity of our available water sources.

Humans have developed technologies to speed up the process of the hydrologic cycle. Water and wastewater treatment allows us to use and recycle the water much quicker. However, there are several factors (climate, drought, flood, population growth, pollution) that affect water supplies around the world. The accessibility to

fresh, potable water is different in each of the ecosystems. Some regions in the United States and around the world do not perceive a need to conserve because water seems plentiful.

Most of the water that comes into our homes is used to remove wastes.

Washing clothes, washing dishes, bathing, flushing the toilet, and washing the car account for most of the water used in the home. Drinking and cooking are insignificant uses of water compared to the amount we use for waste removal.

Quality of life and healthy natural environments are mutually dependent, not mutually exclusive. As the title of this article implies, if we each practice our little part in water conservation, nationally we could save billions of gallons of water per day! This would reduce the need to build more dams and expensive sewage plants. Conserving water reduces the amount of wastewater. Water saved, or not wasted, within municipal systems does not have to be purchased and can

reduce water and wastewater bills.

Water conservation can reduce or eliminate septic tank and drain field problems. The more water we use, the more we remove from the environment.

Water levels in streams, rivers and reservoirs can be lowered. Conservation is not only a responsibility of all water users but a necessity in our growing, changing society.

Dana Flowers Rizzo is a 1990 graduate of Derry Area High School. She attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania and graduated in 1994 with a BS in Education. She received her MS degree in 2000 from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in Park & Environmental Resource Management. Dana is the Extension Educator for Water Quality in a shared position with Penn State Cooperative Extension, Westmoreland County and Westmoreland Conservation District. For more information on water conservation, water quality, water testing, well, spring and septic maintenance, pond management and other water issues, contact Dana at the Cooperative Extension office by phone at 724-837-1402 or email def18@psu.edu.

May/June 2007 - 13

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

FRIENDS AND HEROES Honoring Our Neighbors Serving in the United States Military

Dedication of West Perry High School’s Veteran’s Memorial Grove and Mogadishu Memorial Presented by West Perry History Club and Student Senate On Friday, April 20th, 2007, West Perry High School in Elliottsburg, PA held a memorial service and dedication ceremony for the fallen soldiers of Mogadishu, Somalia. A Derry native, SFC Earl Fillmore, was one of the casualties of this battle. His sister, Brenda Fillmore Perry, spoke at the ceremony and read a letter written by General H. Norman Schwarzkopf to address the attendees.

Battle of Mogadishu In 1992, the United Nations approved Operation Restore Hope, a multinational mission to Somalia, east Africa. This U.S. led effort was designed to end widespread lawlessness, a severe famine that had already left 300,000 dead, and a reign of terror by feuding warlords, who were seizing food shipments meant for famine victims.

On 3 October 1993, U.S. Delta and Ranger forces became engaged while successfully completing a mission to capture aides to a leading warlord,

14 - May/June 2007

resulting in the Battle of Mogadishu.

Nineteen American Soldiers gave their lives, including Randall Shugart and Gary Gordon, who were posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for volunteering against overwhelming odds to rescue the crew of a downed Blackhawk helicopter.

The Ranger Creed Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.

Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move farther, faster, and fight harder than any other soldier.

Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight

and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be. One hundred percent and then some.

Gallantly I will show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.

Energetically I will meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might/. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.

Readily I will display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.

RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!!

– photos by Briana Tomack

Those who made the Ultimate Sacrifice CWO Donovan Briley SSG Daniel Busch SPC James Cavaco SSG William Cleveland SSG Thomas Field SFC Earl Fillmore CWO Raymond Frank MSG Gary Gordon MOH SGT Cornell Houston SGT Casey Joyce PFC Richard Kowalewski PFC James Martin MSG Tim Martin SGT Dominick Pilla SFC Matt Rierson SGT Lorenzo Ruiz SFC Randall Shugart MOH CPL Jamie Smith CWO Cliff Wolcott

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

Just The Facts •

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs) last longer than typical incandescent light bulbs, and use less energy.

• If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with a CFL, it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road.

• Replacing a 100watt incan-descent with a 32-watt CFL can save you at least $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

• CFLs operate at less than 100° F, they are also safer than typical halogen bulbs, which are frequently used in floor lamps, and burn at 1,000° F. Due to their high heat output, halogens can cause burns and fires. CFLs are cool to the touch.

• CFLs provide the same amount of light (lumens) as standard incandescent bulbs, but have lower wattage ratings.

• CFLs are lower in mercury compared to other types of bulbs.

According to the EPA, while CFLs do contain very small amounts of Mercury, they do not release mercury during use unless broken.

Care should be taken when disposing of CFL lightbulbs, in the same manner as used batteries.

Visit www.earth911.org to see how to properly dispose of CFLs in your Zip Code.

• Electricity production is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., and lighting accounts for about 25 percent of American electricity consumption.

Standard incandescent lights are notoriously inefficient. Though CFLs cost more at the outset, over the life of the bulb they will save you money.

• By replacing four standard bulbs with CFLs, you can prevent the emission of 5,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and reduce your electricity bill by more than $100 over the lives of those bulbs.

• Replacing one incandescent light bulb with an energy saving CFL bulb reduced carbon monoxide emission to the atmosphere by 1,000 pounds.

•

CFLs last about eight times as long as incandescent bulbs. They only need to be replaced every five to six years.

• To maximize savings, use CFLs in places where lights are on for long periods of time.

Frequent switching on and off will shorten the CFL’s life.

• CFLs contain four milligrams of mercury, approximately half the mercury found in a linear fluorescent lamp.

Mercury vapour will only be released when the lamp is broken while operating. Most lamp manufacturers offer a “low mercury” or environmentally friendly lamp. The green socket or end cap identifies these lamps.

• Lighting accounts for about 20% of all electricity use in the country and about 15% of electricity use in our homes. The typical household spends about $110 per year on lighting and most of this is wasted on inefficient incandescent light bulbs. These bulbs are actually heaters in disguise, converting 90% of the electricity to heat and only about 10% to visible light.

• If every household replaced its most commonly used incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, electricity use for lighting could be cut in half. Doing so would lower our annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 125 billion pounds. This action alone could halt the growth in carbon dioxide emissions from the United States, given recent growth rates.

• By installing CFLs in their most commonly used light fixtures, consumers will do good for the environment and for their own pocketbooks. If more households did this, we could take an important step towards protecting the planet from global climate change.

Pledge to switch your bulb at www.earthday.net.

The Earth Day Network (EDN) seeks to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. We pursue these goals through education, politics, cultural events, and consumer activism.

Winter Seemed to Last Forever An ode to red, white and blue just outside of Latrobe . . .

Photo by Andrea M. Hamilton, Loyalhanna, February 2007 May/June 2007 - 15

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

TheWinnie Palmer Nature Reserve

by Paula J. Forte

The word “Latrobe” always conjures up pictures of rolling green hills, pastures, and fields of corn.

However, lately, Latrobe is the scene of new development—both commercial and residential.

The addition of two new shopping centers along Route 30 in the past fifteen years has added to the convenience of the residents. Residences have also increased with the development of several new complexes within a ten-mile radius of the city. However, with all this new development, many felt the sense of rural aesthetics was being lost in Latrobe.

One of these people was Winnie Palmer. As a member of the board of Trustees at St. Vincent’s College, Winnie particularly enjoyed the view of Saint Vincent’s College from Route 981 and wanted to preserve the land between Route 981 and the college from developers. After her death, her family wanted to grant her wish for the preservation of this land. The Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve was born.

A board of trustees was formed to oversee the project. The board is chaired

by Richmond Ferguson, Jr., prominent Latrobe lawyer. The Palmer family, including Arnold Palmer, Peggy Palmer Wears, and Amy Palmer Saunders, as well as long-time family friend and employee, Donald W. Giffin, are seated on the board. The Reverend Douglas Nowicki, Arch-Abbott of Saint Vincent’s College, was asked to represent the college on the board.

Barbara Nakles, who has been instrumental in the development of many Latrobe projects, was invited to work on the board of trustees. David Roderick, retired USX chairman and board member, helped Mr. Palmer create the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve Trust to raise money for the project.

The board of trustees determined that they needed to raise $7.5 million to acquire and renovate the twenty-six acre site. Arnold Palmer Enterprises provided $1 million dollars to the project. The board applied for and acquired federal and state funds, including a $500,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation that was part of former Governor Tom Ridge’s $650 million “Growing Greener” program. The board also solicited private donations from corporations and individuals. The Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve is a non-profit corporation that accepts donations that are tax-deductible.

Funds have been raised to maintain the reserve as well as to construct it.

Once funding was underway, the board employed Dale Earl and John Sweringen from the engineering firm of Ferringer, McCartney and Grey located in Monroeville to develop the project. According to Bob Demangone of Arnold Palmer Enterprises, the site development

philosophy was to maintain the natural topography to lessen the impact of any additions to the area.

In addition to planting trees, crops and flowers, their plans include using man-made structures that were already on the site. Their goal is to leave the area as natural as possible while making it

accessible to those who might like to study the flora and fauna indigenous to the area.

One of the structures already on the property was a block building that was constructed in the 1780’s as an armory during the Revolutionary War. Board chairman Richmond Ferguson employed Robert Reintgen, Derry history teacher and

member of the Latrobe Historical Society, to act as project coordinator for the restoration of the building. With the assistance of the Latrobe

Historical Society in an advisory capacity, Mr. Reintgen restored the building which was named the Lochery Blockhouse. The blockhouse will be the site of academic classes as well as open for public inspection at certain times of the year under the auspices of the Latrobe Historical Society.

Another structure that already stood on the property was a large barn. Since Winnie Palmer loved barns, it was thought fitting that the barn should be the activity center of the project. Roy Saunders, Winnie’s sonin-law, had worked in the field of historical preservation in Virginia and was acquainted with Allen Holcolb from Moss Creek, an architectural preservation firm. Saunders knew that Holcolb was especially talented working with barns and enlisted his expertise in the design of the project. Jack Pellis Construction, a Greensburg construction outfit, was hired to dismantle the barn and reconstruct it in the middle of the property. Holcolb’s plans called for modernizing the barn so that it would have electricity, plumbing and heating while retaining the look and feel of the original barn. Therefore, the construction workers used the original beams to frame the barn.

Then they added additional studs, insulation, plumbing and wiring that would meet modern code regulations for the middle layer of the barn. Finally, they covered the outside surface of the barn with the original wooden planks.

Anyone who enters the structure will feel as if s/ he is entering a real barn with a concrete floor; however, this barn is much safer and more comfortable than your average rural barn.

The barn will consist of two stories. The lower level will house two restrooms, a utility room, a kitchenette, and a large multipurpose open space. The upper level will contain two offices and a restroom. The offices will be occupied by Angela Belli, the Director of Environmental Education at St. Vincent College and Beth Bollinger, Environmental Education Center Coordinator. Both women will be active in the development of programs at the nature center. Saint Vincent College, through its proximity to the area, is expected to use the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve in its science curriculum. The college will be connected to the reserve through a walking trail that will connect the College Gristmill with the wetlands on the edge of the reserve. The reserve’s board of directors hopes that this space will be used for educational endeavors as well as entertainment purposes. They envision public use of the barn for summer concerts and private weddings. Through St. Vincent College, they also plan to offer classes on ecology to school students and adults in the area. continued on page 21

16 - May/June 2007

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

REPARTEE FOR TWO Barbara M. Neill

The Jewels Of Jennerstown Long ago I remember being told of weddings at Green Gables. The descriptions of these nuptials never failed to intrigue me. The idyllic locale, al fresco ceremonies, rustic interiors, sumptuous wedding feasts, and even a blushing bride bedecked in a blush-colored gown are a few of the matrimonial details that I recall. These festivities sounded so utterly and positively romantic. Well, it seems romance has indeed played a part in the history of The Jewels of Jennerstown – Green Gables and the Mountain Playhouse.

Rewind to 1927. James Stoughton, a former farmer, and his sister, Louise Stoughton Maust, gained local attention selling chicken salad sandwiches and angel food cake at their Somerset Pike roadside stand. Over the years they expanded their business, now known as Green Gables, one room at a time.

After the tough times of the 1930s, James decided to establish a professional summer stock theater to draw customers to the restaurant. He discovered an 1805 vintage grist mill in the Roxbury area of Somerset County, had it dismantled and rebuilt as the Mountain Playhouse on his property in 1939. As the theater prospered, it became necessary to enlarge the restaurant.

Terraces with lovely views of the adjacent stream were added and the family barn was converted into a banquet room.

Unfortunately, this banquet room was destroyed by fire on December 31, 1962.

More fortunately, an architect by the name of Teresa Mullane was hired to design an addition to the restaurant, which would serve as the new banquet area. Teresa and James were captivated by the charms of their project and each other, and married one year later. Today their progeny, Teresa Stoughton Marafino and Mary Louise Stoughton, preside over the family’s 80-year legacy, which includes the in-house Jenner Art Gallery and accommodations venue Huddleson Court. On the morning of the last snowstorm of the winter, Teresa provided me with an insider’s view of this rich heritage.

LMP: Since it was a culinary venture that began it all, let’s start with Green Gables. Would you touch upon the architectural highlights of the Tuscany Room, the unique banquet room that brought your parents together?

TSM: The room was built from the materials of several barns that had been marked for demolition in the summer of ‘63. All of the stone in the room, the chestnut planking, and the timbers that are featured came from those three barns. Four oak trees grace the corners of the dance floor. They had to be removed to build the Stoughton Lake that my Uncle Bob Stoughton created in 1951.

Someone had the foresight not to cut them up and my Father had them brought in when the Tuscany Room was being built. The architect, my Mother, pointed out that the trees were too short for the massive beams, so they were elevated 2½ to 3 feet with concrete pillars. The dance floor is an intricate design of inlaid white pine created by Buddy Gindlesperger, the contractor’s son. Used to great artistic effect in the room are refractory tiles that are mixed in with the stone. These round tiles

them. A deal was made – if Father could get them out of St. Francis, he could have them. With the help of an acquaintance’s casket-moving equipment the statues were brought here. This was before Route 219 and the Turnpike were in existence. They were driven down winding country roads, just as the dismantled grist mill that became the Mountain Playhouse had been. Several of the statues are holding up the roof on a terrace of the restaurant, some are found along paths and nestled in gardens, and one is the focal point of the new theater addition. However, there is one that takes awhile to find. You really have to know the grounds to find it. We’re always being asked where the eighth statue is!

LMP: The Mountain Playhouse is a member of a very select group. CORST (The Council of Resident Stock Theaters) is an organization comprised of the 11 remaining professional stock theaters in America. Please explain “resident stock theater” for my readers.

TSM: We usually do a new show every two weeks. While we are doing a show, the same actors are rehearsing for the next show. The crew, designers, etc. are building the next set and gathering the props for the upcoming show. We close a show on Sunday and open a new one on Tuesday. On Wednesday Green Gables, 1928 morning the actors are back in rehearsal for the next show. From an actor’s point of view, the idea of coming to a theater and being given were used to mold ammunition during World War the opportunity to explore several shows in a row II. A large mural entitled “Viva Roma” and painted playing characters that they might not typically be by my Father is a fantasy version of the Roman able to play elsewhere is enticing.

Coliseum complete with Pegasus. He carried the Roman theme through to the various copper LMP: By any chance, were you and Mary Louise lanterns that he hand-crafted for the area. The child performers in productions here? fully functional fireplace is an outsized feature of the room since my Father wanted it to be large TSM: Yes, I’m actually a card-carrying member of enough to allow him to stand inside it. It is flanked the Actors’ Equity Association, the national union by enormous dog-shaped doorknockers from an for performers and stage managers. For years I old Philadelphia bank that survived the Studio acted here, but I don’t have the time anymore.

Barn fire. We’ve had many a beautiful winter wedding in front of that fireplace.

LMP: This is truly a family enterprise. You and LMP: Eight 1920s statues by the French sculptor Crenier have found their way to your establishments. They were once part of the Loretto, PA estate of American industrialist Charles M. Schwab. Tell us how these statues were acquired and have been put to good use.

TSM: At one time the statues adorned the pool at Mr. Schwab’s estate. Upon his death they were donated to the priests at St. Francis College. It is my understanding that the priests didn’t want them because they were rather pagan-looking and had fallen into disrepair, but my Father did want

your sister are co-producers of the theater and restaurant proprietors. James Robert Maust, your cousin and the son of your Aunt Louise, is the master carpenter for the theater. Are your husband and your children involved in any way?

TSM: My older children, Elizabeth and James were in The King and I last year. My husband is normally in one show a year. Everyone in the family seems to have worked here at one point or another. continued on page 18

May/June 2007 - 17

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST continued from page 17

Loyalhanna Care Center Providing you peace of mind and continuity of care.

••• SERVICES AVAILABLE ••• 24-hour nursing care, wound care, hospice, respite, intravenous therapy, respiratory, enteral feedings, beauty and barber services, newspaper delivery, and telephone ••• REHABILITATIVE SERVICES ••• physical, occupational, speech, falls management, and dysphasia ••• ACCOMODATIONS ••• bright and attractive private and semi-private rooms, cable television in every room free of charge ••• WE ACCEPT ••• Medicare, Medicaid, Security Blue, and most insurances For additional information or to arrange a tour, please call 724-537-5500

LMP: The Mountain Playhouse offers such a variety of theater experiences. Comedy, drama, musicals, farce, bio shows, cabaret fare, revues, and interactive theater are all represented. (Casts are chosen for each season by the producers and directors during auditions in Jennerstown and New York City.) How is your season’s slate of productions chosen?

TSM: We use a variety of methods. I see as much theater as I can work into my schedule and I am constantly talking to theater professionals.

Inevitably, shows come up and ideas come out of that. We have a program committee that brainstorms with me as well. Audience members will suggest shows and they also give us input when they fill out our surveys. We comb through catalogs we receive from the companies that handle the rights to plays. For several years we have had the Mountain Playhouse International Comedy Playwriting Contest. There is a winner each year and we consider whether we will give that play a full production. We very successfully produced one of these plays last year – Harps and Harmonicas by Linda Escalera Baggs.

LMP: I regularly receive your email publication Now Playing! and the Mill and Mountain newsletter.

From perusing them and attending performances I know that there are a number of actors that are considered Mountain Playhouse favorites. Pittsburgher Barbara Russell seems especially connected to your theater. When did she become a regular player here?

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 Specialty Ceramics, Wine Accessories, Soy Candles, 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 Prepackaged Gourmet Foods, Candle Accessories, 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 Custom Gift Baskets, Gift Certificates, Free Gift Wrap 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 18 West 2nd Street • Greensburg, PA 15601• (724)834-0358 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456 123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123456

Miss Maddie’s Gifts & More

18 - May/June 2007

TSM: In the early ‘60’s she was here in a couple of shows, including Paint Your Wagon, and that’s where she met Don Brockett. My Father had hired him to choreograph the show.

The meeting launched “Brockett and Barbara” (a popular Pittsburgh comedy team), but she did not appear back on our stage until the mid1990’s after Don died. She has been in shows here on and off ever since.

LMP: Our niece, Emily Kamarchik, a sports management major at Saint Vincent College, and I attended a 2006 performance of The Chief.

(This one-man play by Rob Zellers and Gene Collier is based on anecdotes from the life of the late Pittsburgh Steeler owner Art Rooney). At the

conclusion of that wonderful piece of 20th century nostalgia, the star of the production, James Prendergast graciously consented to come out to the footlights and chat with Emily and me. Have you found that the actors that perform here are generally accessible and approachable?

TSM: Absolutely. It takes a team player actor to be part of a stock company, so it’s natural to them to be gracious. They will not survive in this atmosphere if they are not.

LMP: What show or shows would you most like to produce at the Mountain Playhouse?

TSM: Actually, we have done some of the shows that we always wanted to do such as To Kill a Mockingbird, The Winslow Boy, and Guys and Dolls. The directors, designers, performers, and the staff that supports us combine their talents to help us realize things we never thought were possible. I would like to produce at some time Glengarry Glen Ross, A Few Good Men, and A Little Night Music. We always joke about Sweeney Todd, but wouldn’t that be fabulous!

As a fitting finale to my interview experience, I was to have lunched at Green Gables. Due to the very inclement weather conditions, I declined with much regret. Executive chef, Shay MacDonald, has created a menu that he describes as “contemporary eclectic cuisine.”

Shay, a native of Pittsburgh and a graduate of IUP’s Culinary Arts program, came to the restaurant from Charleston, SC, where he worked with acclaimed chefs in several prestigious establishments.

Considering the tempting choices on the lunch menu, I could not have erred. What a delightful dilemma it would have been deciding between a Grilled Shrimp and Scallop Caesar Salad and Portobello Crostinis! Alas, March in western PA …

The musical 42 nd Street is scheduled for a July 2007 run at the Mountain Playhouse. Green Gables was voted Simply the Best Place for a Romantic Date by the readers of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat in 2006.

The restaurant boasts a chef who by his own admission is passionate about food. The romance in Jennerstown continues.

To find out more about Green Gables, the Mountain Playhouse, Huddleson Court, and the Jenner Art Gallery visit MountainPlayhouse.com

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

THE LIGONIER CHEF Scott Sinemus

Yet Another Southern Fried Chicken Recipe On a snowy night in April after Easter I made Southern Fried Chicken Breasts & corn-off-the-cob – which turned out to be amazingly flavorful and really hit the spot for something we hadn’t had since warm weather.

I trimmed most of the rib bones, the wishbone and excess fat and skin off.

It makes for a much more pleasant experience at the table. I usually never buy corn so out of season but heard the corn from Florida was quite tasty so I thought we’d give it a try.

I think southern fried chicken is something that everyone enjoys; boneless fried chicken is supremely enjoyed. At the beginning of the farmers market the only fresh produce found is usually the greens.

When I heard this issue was going to be a “green” themed one, I thought how appropriate a recipe incorporating greens would be.

While everyone has a favorite recipe for southern fried chicken, I find the ones that soak the chicken in buttermilk before frying tend to be my favorites. One other thing I’ve noticed about southern fried chicken is: the real deal is always fried in a cast iron skillet with the oil only coming halfway up the meat as it fries, rather than completely submerged in a deep fat fryer. The strips of chicken for use in the salad I do prefer a complete submersion in oil.

Another salad to make with leftover fried chicken is to make a “traditional” chicken salad with mayonnaise, celery & onions, which

is also a lovely compliment on top of fresh salad greens. If you dice the chicken fine enough it also makes a fantastic hors d’ oeuvre, whether it’s stuffed into cherry tomatoes, phyllo cups, tea sandwiches or canapés. It may not be the most health conscious choice, but it’s definitely the most flavorful.

The following recipe is merely a guideline. The amounts & types of spices are entirely up to your personal tastes as well as the tastes of your guests. If you like spicy food add cayenne pepper to the flour or add chili paste to the buttermilk for marinating.

Mixed Greens with Southern Fried Chicken Strips • 1 Boneless chicken breast per person cut into 1" strips (at least 1 per person) • Buttermilk to cover • Flour for dredging • Salt, pepper & Bells Poultry seasoning • Vegetable oil for frying • Mixed greens of your choice • Vegetable garnishes of your choice: pickled beets, hard cooked eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, olives, pickled baby ears of corn, etc.

• Dressing of your choice – Garlic Ranch is a favorite of ours Ahead of time: • Cut the chicken into 1" strips and soak in buttermilk for at least a few hours or preferably overnight.

Rain or Shine!

Ligonier Country Market Open Every Saturday 7 AM to Noon May 26 through October 6

l Speciaes Featureek!

Every W

Herbs • Fresh Picked Produce Straight from the Farm Beef, Poultry, Eggs • Fresh Flowers, Perennials, Annuals Handmade Unique Crafts • Specialty Breads, Pastries Homemade Salsas, Pickles and Relishes • Jams and Jellies

West Main Street and US Route 30, Ligonier

• Mix the spices with the flour in a very large zip top plastic bag.

• Wash & tear the greens into bitesized pieces and crisp them in the refrigerator for at least a few hours.

bad for you, you can actually feel your heart clogging and slowing down while you’re eating it is the food that tastes the best – LOL.

For Frying: Bring the oil up to 375 degrees in a heavy bottomed cast iron skillet with tall sides. Or use a deep fat fryer if you have one.

Pour the chicken into a sieve to drain off excess buttermilk. Then place chicken in the bag with the flour & spices and toss to coat. Turn coated chicken pieces out onto a large sheet pan, separating & checking to make sure that all the pieces are fully covered. Shake excess flour off of the chicken, and place in oil. Fry in small batches so that the temperature of the oil has time to recover quickly. The chicken is done a few minutes after it rises and floats on top of the oil.

Remove chicken to several layers of paper towels to absorb excess oil.

I like to toss my greens with dressing before plating; this insures an even coating and much less mess on the tablecloth. Assemble your salad greens & garnish on the plates or platter, top with the chicken & serve immediately.

For those of you that remember “Sorry Charlie’s” in Greensburg, and don’t have any worries about cholesterol, strips of steak can be substituted for the chicken. And let’s face it, sometimes the food that’s so

Computer Consulting & Troubleshooting hardware and software one-on-one or group training contract office work

724-242-3137 mmcklveen@verizon.net

724-238-6702 May/June 2007 - 19

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

THE REC ROOM Jim Kasperik

Get Out There And Ride!

As I write this article, I just got done staring out the window at yet another mixture of rain and snow in mid-April. Now, I grew up in Western Pennsylvania and have lived the majority of my life in the Laurel Highlands and I still cannot seem to get used to the lack of Spring we have! Didn’t it start over a month ago? Where is it?

All right…enough complaining! But hey, I am ready for some nice weather soon so that I can get to one of my favorite sporting activities. The activity that I look forward to is riding my bike on some of the great bike trails that are seemingly everywhere in the Laurel Highlands.

Road Riding vs. Trail Riding So of course you can ride your bike virtually anywhere you like because there are signs on the sides of the road that tell motorists to share the road with bicyclists. Anyone that has taken a ride on their bike on a busy road knows that motorists do not often pay attention to that sign! So for a

safer alternative, many riders have looked for other places to ride.

Those other places are trails that are made just for such activities like biking. The Rails to Trails program was started and is run by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The program consists of the conversion of former railroad corridors into public use trails for hiking and of course biking as well. Each year, millions of outdoor enthusiasts now enjoy an ever-growing network of Rail-Trails.

The Rails to Trails program is a statewide initiative that is continuing to develop through partnerships with DCNR, local Rail-Trail organizations, counties, townships and municipalities. These partnerships have worked to acquire, design, construct, manage and maintain Rail-Trails in every region of the Commonwealth. From small villages in rural areas to larger cities in urbanized areas, volunteers have come together to make the Pennsylvania Rail-Trail Program a national leader. Due to the work of people involved in the Rails to Trails program, the

Laurel Highlands has no shortage of trails to utilize for biking excursions.

Take Your Pick So what kind of a ride do you want to take today?

Challenging? Easy and Relaxing? Do you want a workout or possibly want to see some beautiful sights along the way? Well you can experience all those kinds of rides in the trails in the Laurel Highlands, and you could even have all of those feelings on the same trail! In Southwestern Pennsylvania alone, there are over 25 trails that are open for use by bikers, and I will mention a few highlights of some trails below.

The Five Star trail is a place where a rider can go with their entire family and have an enjoyable time. This 6.1-mile trail has trailheads in such locations as Greensburg, and Youngwood and is easily accessible with plenty of places along the way to park your vehicle. It is almost entirely flat

A Family Owned & Operated Business 136 Market Street in Leechburg • 724-842-1841 www.jerichinsurance.com AUTO • BUSINESS • HOME AMBULANCE SERVICES • CONSTABLE LIABILITY MUNICIPALITIES • FIRE COMPANIES

Call us today for a FREE QUOTE Serving Western Pennsylvania Since 1944

20 - May/June 2007

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania and is wide enough that you can enjoy a ride and a conversation at the same time.

The Five Star Trail If you would like to ride a trail with some different scenery and wildlife around, then the West Penn Trail is for you! This 12-mile trail is located in Westmoreland and Indiana counties and has trailheads in Blairsville and Saltsburg.

The trail features picnic areas along the way and multiple other trails off the main trail for hiking. The scenery includes multiple views of the Conemaugh River as you make your way through the quiet, wooded setting. Last year, I decided to take a ride on the West Penn trail early on a Saturday morning. When I got there it was still a bit foggy, but a beautiful start to a warm summer day. During that two hour ride, I saw geese, turkeys, possums, deer and oh yeah – one black bear! You want to get closer to nature? Well this trail could be for you!

If you would like to take a ride that is a bit more challenging and a bit more of a workout, then the Ghost Town Trail is a great option. The Ghost Town trail, which derives its name from the once thriving mining towns the trail weaves through, is a 16-mile trail that goes through portions of Indiana and Cambria counties.

There are trailheads in such areas as Dilltown, Nanty Glo and Blacklick and it can be easily accessed off of Route 22. It does not seem to actually be possible, but when I ride this trail it sure seems like that you are riding up a slope Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve continued from page 16

A patio will be built behind the barn for outdoor nature studies. Connected to the patio will be a garden which will showcase native plants that reflect the texture and color of the reserve. Since Winnie was very fond of wildflowers, especially Queen Anne’s Lace, this garden will be planted with native wildflowers. Amid the flowers, a sculpture that represents Winnie will be placed. When plans for the reserve were being discussed, F. Morgan “Buzz” Taylor, former president of the U.S. Golf Association and close friend of Mrs. Palmer, wanted to include a sculpture of Winnie in the garden. Winnie’s daughter, Amy, however, pointed out that her mother was shy about portraits and would rather have an abstract sculpture that reflected her personality traits.

Mr. Taylor, therefore, commissioned Julie Amrani, a sculptor from Chicago to create a work that reflected Winnie’s love of nature and reading. Amrani created an abstract bronze sculpture with twisted tree limbs embracing books to represent Winnie’s support of Adam’s Memorial Library. A second garden, a butterfly habitat, will be built on the other side of the reserve’s driveway.

both ways! It is a nice wooded setting and a nice challenge for a more serious rider.

Another great ride can be had on the Youghiogheny River Trail South. This trail is part of the bigger Greater Allegheny Passage Trail that spans from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, Maryland and onward to Washington, DC. This portion is 28-miles in length and has trailheads in Confluence, Ohiopyle and Connellsville. This generally flat trail (maybe a slight grade in places) features riding over structures spanning the Casselman River Valley that is quite near Pennsylvania’s highest point on the former Western Maryland Railway right-of-way. In addition as the trail gets closer to Maryland, riders gets to experience biking through the Big Savage Tunnel which is nearly ¾ of a mile long. You will experience the drastic change in temperature as you enter and exit the tunnel and the enjoyment of riding in the dark also!

Pro Cuts & Styles Paul Mitchell Focus Salon

724-423-5544 Charles Houck Road, Whitney

Enjoy the Rides!

So as the weather changes (I hope!) and becomes warmer, get out there and ride. If you have not ridden a bike in a while, start up! It is a great time and you do not need anything but a bike and some time. The rides can be solo or shared with family and friends. The trails available in Western PA seem to be endless and are just another reason that the Laurel Highlands are a sportspersons dream!

In addition to flowers, an orchard will be planted in the reserve. Since the area was used as a farm for many years, the nature reserve is currently devoid of trees. An apple orchard behind the barn will help to enhance the existing forested area around St. Vincent’s College. The existing wetlands and farmlands will also be woven into the preserve so that all facets of native wildlife can be studied on this site.

The grand opening of the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve is slated for September 9, 2007. By that time, event coordinators Angela Belli and Peg Palmer Wears hope that some pilot programs will have concluded so that they can give the public a good idea of the types of activities that the reserve will provide. In addition to a power point demonstration that will include pictures of the summer’s activities, t0he women hope to offer guided nature walks and activities during the open house.

The community is invited and encouraged to attend the open house. Amy Palmer Saunders said that so many people have devoted their time and help to the project that she hopes that she and her family can thank all of them at that time. However, the Latrobe community can also be thankful. Thanks to Winnie and the Palmer family, Latrobe has added yet another natural gem to its already spectacular landscape.

May/June 2007 - 21

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST Harry Miller continued from page 7

LINDA EARNEST MARGARET DIVIRGILIO 646 S. URANIA AVE. GREENSBURG, PA 15601

724-834-2020

SEE OUR

BOOK YOUR PARTIES EARLY! NATURE’S WAY MARKET WWW.EARNESTGOURMET.COM

SALADS AT

pack up your stuff and move to a different spot.

With pier fishing, you have one spot and if the fish aren’t biting, You’re stuck. Harry asked, Why can’t we build something on the shore that’s level for the guys to fish from?”

Thus, began the idea of Shoreline Enhancement. First implemented at Keystone State Park, a level concrete pier was built at shoreline height. About 70 feet of shore at the right of this pier was then renovated. Heavy, rock-filled cages were stacked on top of each other to form a base that was then tamped down with a mixture of chips and powder. The augmentation of rain creates a concrete-like surface, which prevents erosion and stabilizes the shoreline. Additionally, the area is slopped 1 degree back away from the water’s edge so if a person in a wheelchair leans forward the chair will remain stationary avoiding the possibility of a Shannon Run type incident.

Shoreline Enhancement not only proved accessible to the disabled and ecologically sound but also cost effective. By Harry’s calculations, the first project costs about $10 a linear foot which is way less that the building of a traditional concrete or wooden pier. Harry hopes to further

defray the cost by encouraging civic organizations to get involved by contributing capital and manpower to a shoreline enhancement project. four additional areas of enhancement and the Bureau of State Parks started a pilot project selecting 10 different state parks through out the commonwealth where they replicated the procedure. The latest project was completed on a creek at Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County. Harry’s goal is to one-day see shoreline enhancement reach a national level.

In recognition of his efforts, Harry became the first recipient of the Fish and Boat Commission’s Paul J Mahon Access for All Award. When I congratulated him on this achievement, Harry graciously refused the praise. He credits his desire for parity in outdoor recreation as the genesis of this idea.

Explaining it away as a matter of happenstance.

Thoughout this interview I was continually reminded of a greeting card I received a while back that reads, “When Life gives you Scraps…. Make Quilts!” Harry Miller is the epitome of one who chose to transform the frayed material of his life into a true masterpiece of accomplishment. This not only serves to inspire those who know the man and his story, but due to the legacy of his shoreline enhancement project, will carry that inspiration through to future generations.

Barkley’s Derry King Route 217 Derry • 724-694-8552 Named Best Hot Fudge Sundae by The Ligonier Chef!

DELI COUNTER WITH FRESH CUT MEATS AND CHEESE MADE TO ORDER DELI SANDWICHES ICE CREAM, SLUSH PUPPIES WIDE VARIETY OF BEVERAGES FRESH BREWED COFFEE NEWSPAPERS

22 - May/June 2007

WE DELIVER ALL DAY ($8.00 MINIMUM)

Hours: Mon–Thurs 11:00 - 10:00 Fri & Sat 11:00 - 11:00 Sunday 12:00 - 8:00 LOOK FOR OUR DAILY SPECIALS WE ACCEPT VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER

Call For All Your Catering Needs!

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

Did You Know?

• Approximately 32,000 gallons of water is needed to make an automobile.

• If you have a leak of just one drop per second, you can waste between 2,400 and 2,700 gallons of water a year.

• Water is one of the few substances on Earth that can be naturally found in solid, liquid, and gaseous states.

• Camels drink about 50 gallons of water at a time and can go nine days without a drink.

• The kangaroo rat of the desert southwest never drinks water. It gets all it needs from the seeds it eats.

• A saguaro cactus in the Sonoran or Chihuahuan deserts of North America can store as much as 10 tons of water in its fleshy tissue.

• Cowboys of the Old West sometimes ordered “swamp seed” for supper. You eat it, too, but you likely call it rice!

• From about 1880 to about 1910, arsenic was widely used as an embalming fluid which can contribute to groundwater contamination around the cemeteries of this period.

• To make a 2-lb loaf of bread it requires about 1,000 gallons of water…from the planting and

growing of the wheat to the hot loaf coming out of your oven!

• A pair of jeans made from cotton, from the planting of the cotton seed to the production of the hip huggers in your closet, requires about 1,800 gallons of water!

• Producing a ton of recycled paper uses 62,000 gallons less water than producing a ton of virgin paper!

• The first flush toilet or “water closet” was designed by Sir John Harrington.

• In A.D. 100 Greek scientist Hero invented a simple steam engine called the aeolipile. Its potential is not tapped for over one thousand years.

• The water cycle, or hydrologic cycle, is the continuous movement of water over, above, and beneath the Earth’s surface. Solar energy powers the cycle. And because it is a cycle it has no beginning or end. As water moves around the hydrosphere, it changes state among liquid, vapor, and ice. The time taken for water to move from one place to another varies from seconds to thousands of years, and the amount of water stored in different parts of the hydrosphere ranges up to 1.37 billion cubic kilometers, which is contained in the oceans.

(Adapted from Wikipedia)

Environmental Education Resources The Air & Waste Management Association, A non-profit citizens’ organization working Allegheny Mountain Section for clean air and water in Southwestern http://www.ams-awma.org/ Pennsylvania.

Promoting better understanding of problems Pennsylvania Environmental Council, in the fields of air and water pollution and Western Pennsylvania Region waste management and providing a means http://www.pecwest.org/ for exchanging information Formerly the Allegheny towards resolving those Watershed Network. A PA problems.

Environmental Council Allegheny County project “formed to allow “I believe that it is Conservation District citizen groups and our responsibility to http://accd.pghfree.net/ government agencies active hand down to our the government agency within the Allegheny River children a legacy of responsible for conservation watershed an opportunity to clear streams, of the county’s soil resources. exchange information and uncontaminated The Allegheny ideas about the protection and land and clean air.”

Defense Project enhancement of their local www.alleghenydefense.org/ water resources.”

The — John Heinz An activist organization Pennsylvania Environmental October 18, 1987 comprised of scientists, Council (PEC) is a statewide, environmentalists, econon-profit, education and nomists, students, indiadvocacy organization devoted viduals, and organizations to promoting the protection of working to protect and restore the native watersheds, the sustainable uses of land, forest of the Allegheny Plateau. and the implementation of environmental GASP: Group Against Smog and Pollution inno-vations. The primary focus of PEC’s http://www.gasp-pgh.org/ current work is watershed conservation.

IN STOCK

NOW! May/June 2007 - 23

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST MAY-JUNE 2007 COMMUNITY CALENDAR May 1

May 2

May 3

Senior Social 2 PM Country Café & Video Pleasant Unity 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org John Noble presents 11th Annual Westmoreland Night of the Stars 6:45 Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA call 724-853-2296 jnoble@mdbbe.com Senior Social 2 PM Valley Dairy Jefferson St. Latrobe 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org

May 3-6 Bedroom Farce A Comedy by Alan Ayckborne May 10, 12 Apple Hill Playhouse Delmont, PA 724-468-5050 www.applehillplayhouse.net May 4

Jimmy Beaumont & The Skyliners Mountain View Inn, Greensburg, PA Reservations needed in Advance. Call 724-834-5300 www.mountainviewinn.com

May 11

The Westmoreland Trust Presents “A Couple of Blaguards” 8 PM Palace Theatre, Greensburg, 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org

May 20

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region & The Westmoreland Trust Present The Clarks 7 PM 8 PM Palace Theatre, Greensburg, 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org

May 12

Women in the Outdoors Sponsored by the Penn’s Woods Spurs Chapter of the Natl Wild Turkey Fed Trafford Sportsmens Club; 724-523-3164

May 22

Ligonier Valley Library Genealogy Forum presented by Marie Forehan. 6:30- 8 PM Ligonier Valley Library 724-238-6451 lvlparoom@yahoo.com

May 12

Westmoreland Human Opportunities, Inc. and Wal-Mart 5K run/walk 830 AM Lynch Field Greensburg, 724-834-1260 ext. 153

May 23-25

Pittsburgh Believers’ Convention Pittsburgh Expo-Mart, Monroeville, PA 412-373-7300 www.pghexpomart.com

May 12

River North A Dance Review featuring Jazz, Ballet, Modern, and Lyrical Dance 8PM, Casino Theatre, Vandergrift, PA; 724-567-5000 www.casinotheatre.org

May 24-27 Tuesdays with Morrie May30-Jun2 by Mitch Ablom & Jeffery Hatcher Apple Hill Playhouse Delmont, PA 724-468-5050 www.applehillplayhouse.net

May 13

The Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure 630AM-Flagstaff Hill, Oakland, PA Pre-registration recommended www.komenpittsburgh.org

May 25-27

May 14-15

AARP Driver Safety Program 9AM to 1PM Westmoreland Hospital Greensburg 1-877-771-1234

Rockin’ Oldies Classic Weekend The Fabulous Hubcaps (May 25) - 8:00 PM The Vogues & The New Holidays (May 26) - 8:00 PM Johnny Angel & The Halos (May 27) - 6:00 PM Convention Hall, Seven Springs Mountain Resort Champion, PA 866-703-ROCK (7625)

May 15

Car Seat Safety Checkpoint Latrobe Hospital by appointment 1-877-771-1234

May 25

Pittsburgh Fitness Festival (Kumite Classic) Pittsburgh Expo-Mart, Monroeville, PA; 412-373-7300 www.pghexpomart.com

May 16-18 May 22-23

Adventure Days at Idlewild Park Preschool - third grade groups enjoy interactive entertainment while exploring Story Book Forest, Jumpin Jungle, and Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood of Make-Believe Ligonier; 724 238-6784 www.idlewild.com/park_info/#events

May 26

2nd Annual Ligonier Valley Road Race, 2007 PA State Road Race Championship 730AM-Registration, 10AM-Race, Ligonier, 724-689-9885, www.raceligonier.com

May 28

8th annual Ligonier Valley YMCA “Tour de Park” 5K Walk / Run Idlewild Park Ligonier, 724-238-7580 www.idlewild.com/park_info/#events

May 31

“Through the Johnstown Flood”: The Rev. David Beale Collection 7 pm at the Heritage Discovery Center, Johnstown Presentation of the newly-discovered diaries and other memorabilia of Rev. Beale, one of the most famous survivors of the Johnstown flood. FREE www.jaha.org or 814-539-1889

May 31June 1

Award Winning Jeff Treece Band 7 PM Greensburg Garden Club, Greensburg 724-834-4464

May 31June 17

Disney’s High School Musical Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-471-6070 www.pgharts.org

May 4-6

Ms. California Ligonier Theater; 208 West Main Street.

May 4-5 at 8 PM; May 6 at 2:30 PM. www.ligoniertheater.com 724-238-6514, ext 2

May 4-6

Spring in the Mountains Donegal/Somerset Corridor, PA; 814-443-2897 www.seasonsinthemountains.com

May 18

Coin Show Pittsburgh Expo-Mart, Monroeville, PA 412-373-7300 www.pghexpomart.com

Auction for the Animals, 2007 7PM, Mountain View Inn in Greensburg; 724-850-8802 www.afa.petfinder.org

May 18-19

Relay for Life at Ligonier – Weller field

May 18-20

W.M.A.A. ART IN BLOOM Celebrate Spring! Join us for a weekend of art and whimsy enjoying an exhibition of floral arrangements.

View and Vote: May 18, 19, 20(11AM-5PM), Cocktail Reception: May 18 (6PM- 8PM), Special Guided Tours: May 19 & 20 (2PM), Westmoreland Museum or American Art, Greensburg; 724-837-1500, www.wmuseumaa.org

May 4-6

May 4-6

SOCIAL SECURITY a comedy by Andrew Bergman Greensburg Garden & Civic Center 951 Old Salem Rd, 724-836-7529 www.gctheatre.org/mainshows

May 5

Stage Right Production Presents the play “Mortimer” by Robert Munsch (For Kids in 3 Grade and Under) 1:00PM Jeannette Public Library (724) 523-5702 www.nb.net/~jntlib/

May 5

River City Brass Band presents A Very Grand Finale The Palace Theatre, Greensburg; 800-292-7222 www.thepalacetheatre.com

May 5

The Seventh Annual Powerday Powerlifting Meet 8AM-Weigh-ins, 930AM meet, Clarion Area HS, Clarion, PA; 724-867-3191 powerwags@earthlink.net, 814-226-9895 davemcclaine@yahoo.com

May 5

May 5

May 6

May 6

May 6

Westmoreland Cleanways Partners with Keystone State Park for Tire Collection, Battery and Appliance Recycling Event 724-836-4129 www.westmorelandcleanways.org Saint Vincent College Concert Series presents Ashu, Saxophone Robert S. Carey Performing Arts Center, Latrobe, 724-537-4565 www.stvincent.edu Laurel Highlands Springtime Bed and Breakfast Tour Various B&B properties. 800-333-5331, ext. 18 www.laurelhighlands.org African Wildlife Lecture and Slideshow Presented by Safari Guide and Author Mark Ross 7PM, Lynch Hall Auditorium Seton Hill University 724-830-1005 http://alumni.setonhill.edu/africa07 Murder Mystery Dinner Show, featuring The Unusual Suspects Mystery Theatre 6:30 PM Mountain View Inn, Greensburg, 724-834-5300 www.mountainviewinn.com

May 18-24

“BIRDWALK” 2007 In conjunction with the Powdermill and SAMA Garden Themes and Birdhouse Dreams Auction event, birdhouses will be displayed at Ligonier businesses and many activities in the diamond and on the Bandstand in Ligonier.

May 18

The Westmoreland Trust Presents Ethel Merman’s Broadway 8 PM Palace Theatre, Greensburg, 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org

May 18–20

ALLE-KISKI-CONNIE RIVERS SOJOURN Canoeing/kayaking and touring on the Conemaugh, Kiski and Allegheny Rivers… day trips or overnight.

Registration forms at the Strongland Chamber of Commerce office, strongland@alltel.net or 724-337-3722

May 18

Westmoreland County Community Night at PNC Park sponsored by WCNS 705PM, Pirates vs. Arizona Diamondbacks with Fireworks, 412-325-4964

May 19

Free Tours of the Palace Theatre 10AM, 11Am, and 12Noon, Palace Theatre, Greensburg; 724-836-8000

May 19

A Community Yard Sale Sponsored by Academy Hill Historic District 9AM Main Street Greensburg. 724-836-7284

May 19

Relay for Life at Latrobe Fashion Show 1130AM, Four Points Sheraton, Greensburg 724-837-3713

May 6

Greater Latrobe Area CROP Walk Greater Latrobe Ministerial Assoc. 724-537-7273 www.churchworldservice.org/CROP/index.html

May 19

Pond Management Workshop 830AM-1PM, Derry Area High School with a Field Trip to a Farm Pond, 724-837-1402 def18@psu.edu

May 8-18

The Westmoreland County Senior Games (For anyone over 50 years) Mammoth Park and several other Greensburg area locations. For Registration call Westmoreland County Bureau of Parks and Recreation at 724-830-3950 www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks

May 19

Celebrate America, A Salute To American Music 8PM Westmoreland County Community College Science Hall Theater, Youngwood www.westmorelandchoralsociety.com

May 9

Free Morning Movie & Popcorn 1030 AM GLSD Center for Student Creativity 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org

May 20

Jennerstown Speedway Bike Race 9AM-Registration, 10AM-Race, Jennerstown Speedway, 724-689-9885, www.raceligonier.com

24 - May/June 2007

Disney’s High School Musical Mall Audition winners from South Hills Village Mallory Milsak, 17, (right) from CAPA High School, and Camden Williams, 16, (left) from McGuffey High School. Both winners will receive a CLO Academy Scholarship and a part in the teen-chorus of the Pittsburgh CLO’s production of Disney’s High School Musical, which will run this summer from May 29 - June 17 at the Benedum Center.

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania May 31

PennFuture’s 2007 Annual Clean Energy Conference 830AM-430PM, Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center, Camp Hill. Register by May 23, www.pennfuture.org 717-214-7920 or 800-321-7775

June 2

Huey Lewis & The News 7:30 PM Grey Rocks Amphitheatre, Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion. 866-703-ROCK (7625)

June 2

TOUR DE TROUT FISHING TOURNAMENT 7am-2pmNorthmoreland Park Lake, Allegheny Township, Strongland Chamber of Commerce office, strongland@alltel.net or 724-337-3722

June 2

Stage Right Production Presents the play Arthur Lost in the Museum by Arthur Brown (For Kids in 3 Grade and Under) 1:00PM Jeannette Public Library (724) 523-5702 www.nb.net/~jntlib/

June 2-16

Vandergrift Fine Arts Festival “A Trip to Vaudeville” Details TBA; Strongland Chamber of Commerce strongland@alltel.net or 724-337-3722; 724-567-5000

June 3

Mammoth Fest sponsored by 1480 WCNS 11 AM-7 PM Mammoth Park in Mount Pleasant Twp, FREE Admission, 724-830-3950 www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks

June 26, 28,29 The Dark Castle by Sally Netzel July 3, 5, 6 Apple Hill Playhouse Delmont, PA 724-468-5050 www.applehillplayhouse.net

The Palmer Summer Reading Program Unity Library, 156 Beatty County Road Latrobe, PA 724-532-1840 www.unitytownship.org/Libraries.htm

June 15

June 5

Senior Social 2 PM Country Café & Video Pleasant Unity

June 16

June 5-6

AARP Driver Safety Program Noon to 4 PM Frick Hospital Mt. Pleasant 1-877-771-1234, 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org

INPEX (The Invention Show) Pittsburgh Expo-Mart, Monroeville 412-373-7300 www.pghexpomart.com

June 7

Senior Social 2 PM Valley Dairy Jefferson St. Latrobe 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org

June 8-10

Always . . . Patsy Cline Ligonier Theater - 208 West Main Street.

June 8-9 at 8:00 PM; June 10 at 2:30 PM www.ligoniertheater.com 724-238-6514, ext 2

June 9

June 9

June 10

Family Fishing Event 9 AM Pavilion #1 Keystone State Park Pre-register by June 1, 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org Laurel Ballet presents Don Quixote 2 & 7 PM Palace Theatre, Greensburg, 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org Latshaw Productions Presents As Time Goes By 75 years with music from the great American Songbook. Mountain View Inn, Greensburg 724-834-5300 www.mountainviewinn.com

June 11-12, 19 Tom Netherton Dinner Show Mountain View Inn, Greensburg, PA 1-866-296-7121 www.mountainviewinn.com June 12

Greater Latrobe School/Community Picnic Idewild Park

June 16

Free Morning Movie & Popcorn 1030 AM GLSD Center for Student Creativity 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org

June 14-16 20-24, 29,30

“Children of Eden” Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Apple Hill Playhouse Delmont, PA 724-468-5050 www.applehillplayhouse.net

Movies in the Park At dusk, Legion Keener Park 724-537-4331 www.latroberecreation.org Academy Hill Historic District Garden Tour 10 AM- 3 PM Greensburg, PA 724-834-3424 Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region Presents The Fabulous Hubcaps 7 PM Palace Theatre, Greensburg 724-836-8000 www.thepalacetheatre.org

June 17

Twin Lakes Park Fishing Derby Co-sponsored by the Westmoreland County Sportsmen’s League 8 AM-1 PM Twin Lakes Park Greensburg 724-830-3950 www.co.westmoreland.pa.us/parks

June 17

Latrobe 4th of July Celebration Miss 4th of July Pageant 6PM, Greater Latrobe Senior High School 724-537-8417

June 19

Car Seat Safety Checkpoint Westmoreland Hospital Greensburg by appointment 1-877-771-1234

June 19

Latrobe 4th of July Celebration Big Wheels Race on Memorial Drive Register 6PM, Race 7PM, Latrobe, PA 724-537-8417

June 19-July 1 The Foreigner Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown 814-629-9201 www.mountainplayhouse.com June 19–July 1 Oklahoma!

Benedum Center, Pittsburgh, 15222 412-471-6070 www.pgharts.org June 21

Book Club 6 PM Unity Library, 156 Beatty County Road Latrobe, 724-532-1840 www.unitytownship.org/Libraries.htm

June 23

Special Day for Special Kids Sponsored by Pennsylvania Sportsmen for the Disabled 9 AM Keystone State Park Pavilion # 1 Contact Harry 724-539-3095. Pre-register by June 21.

June 24-25

June 12,14,15 Legend Of Pocahontas by Vera Morris 19,21-22 Apple Hill Playhouse Delmont, PA 724-468-5050 www.applehillplayhouse.net June 13

Latrobe 4th of July Celebration 5-Mile Run 724-537-8417

July 4

Latrobe 4th of July Parade 1030AM, Downtown Latrobe, 724-537-8417

Thru Sept 1

Made In Johnstown Exhibit At The Heritage Discovery Center 10 am - 5 pm, Heritage Discovery Center, Johnstown; 814-539-1889 www.jaha.org

American Red Cross Blood Drives Please call for locations and times 724-837-3671.

June 5

June 6-9

June 29

Recurring Activities Around the Area . . .

Spider-Man Meet and Greet Idlewild Park Ligonier www.idlewild.com/park_info/#events

Steel Magnolias Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown; 814-629-9201 www.mountainplayhouse.com

Annual Westmoreland Fire Fighter’s Blood Drive Challenge 1 PM-7 PM Four Points Sheraton Keystone Rooms, For more info contact: Stacy at 724-837-3651

June 30-July 3 Westmoreland Arts & Heritage Festival Twin Lakes Park Greensburg 724-834-7474 www.artsandheritage.com

June 4-7

June 5-17

June 27-28

Relay for Life at Latrobe 11am-11am (24 hours), Latrobe Memorial Stadium with Special Celebrations at 7PM and 9PM; Maria 724-532-3151, or Dawn 724-834-9081; www.acsevents.org/latroberelayforlife

June 24

Latrobe 4th of July Celebration Patriotic Interfaith Program 6PM, Latrobe Elementary School, 724-537-8417

June 25

Craft & Storytime 2:30 PM Unity Library, 156 Beatty County Road Latrobe. Register 724-532-1840 www.unitytownship.org/Libraries.htm

Barnes & Noble: Our Children’s Storytimes are every Tuesday and Saturday morning at 10:00 AM and Thursday evenings at 7:00 PM. The last Wednesday morning of each month at 10:00 AM we have a Signing Storytime with a storyteller from American Sign Language Association.

Sunday Evening Band Concerts May 27-Aug 26 Each Sunday Evening at 7PM on the Diamond in Ligonier; 724-238-4200 www.ligonier.com First Friday Wine Tastings The first Friday of each month, 6-8PM, Green Gables Restaurant, Jennerstown, PA 814-629-9201, www.GreenGablesRestaurant.com Ligonier Country Market Saturdays from 7AM-12 Noon, May 26-October 6 West Main Street and US Route 30, Ligonier; 724-238-6702 Greensburg Toastmasters Club We enable people to improve their communication and leadership skills in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Meets Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Greensburg Court House, Main Street, Greensburg. For more information call Mike at 724 537 7966.

Meet the Scientists Carnegie Museum of Natural History On two Saturdays this month, meet a different Carnegie Museum of Natural History scientist in one of our permanent exhibit halls for an informal discussion of the Museum’s collections and on-going research. Free with museum admission, registration is not required. www.carnegiemnh.org Springs Farmers Market Saturdays from 8AM-2 PM, May 26-September 15 Route 699 in Springs, PA, 3 miles North of Grantsville, MD, and 4 miles South of Salisbury, PA; 814-662-4366 Free Family Activities Carnegie Museum of Natural History Saturdays and Sundays: Explore selected exhibits with hands-on materials, examine natural history specimens and artifacts at our Discover Carts, experience the thrill of digging in Bonehunters Quarry, and more! For available activities on the day of your visit, be sure to pick up a TODAY sheet at any information desk. Free with Museum admission, no registration required. www.carnegiemnh.org ARTventures: Family Art-making in the Galleries Carnegie Museum of Art. Free with museum admission Sat. and Sun., 12:30–4:30 p.m. Join us every Saturday and Sunday for a fun exploration of artists and their work in our collection. With the guidance of ARTventures staff, set off together to discover something new in a museum location. A new destination each month! Stay as long as you like, and enhance your museum visit by looking and thinking in a hands-on way.www.cmoa.org 412-622-3131.

Good Fridays Andy Warhol Museum Friday Nights, 5-10PM, Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh 412-237-8300; www.warhol.org The Weekend Factory, Andy Warhol Museum Every Sat and Sun, 12-4PM, Open studio workshop provides opportunities for visitors of all ages to experiment with materials, techniques and themes used by Warhol. 412-237-8300; www.warhol.org

To submit your community event to this calendar, please email complete information to:

advertising@LaurelMountainPost.com

May/June 2007 - 25

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

EARTH TALK Ligonier Theater 208 West Main Street • 724-238-6514, ext. 2 vpltheater@wpa.net • www.valleyplayers.org • www.ligoniertheater.com

Always...Patsy Cline June 8 and 9 at 8:00 PM; June 10 at 2:30 PM

A New York State Of Mind

A Live! OnStage evening of Caberet Style Music Featuring Craig Niezelski as pianist/vocalist with Dave Walters as percussionist and Kristin Paschen as vocalist July 7 at 8:00 PM All Tickets $10.00 – Reservations Not Necessary

Little Shop Of Horrors

August 3, 4, 10 and 11 at 8:00 PM; August 12 at 2:30 PM

Latrobe 30 Shopping Plaza 724-537-8438 Mon, Tues, Wed, Sat 9-5; Thurs & Fri 9-7

COUPON VALUES Buy One Lunch Special Get One Half Price Expires June 30, 2007 (LMP)

Latrobe-Derry Road in Bradenville, PA

(724) 539-3441

Academy of

The Wagging Tail Pet Grooming and Express Pet Wash

FREE Vanilla Eggnog Facial with Full Groom expires 6/15/07 (LMP) 815 E. Pittsburgh St.• Greensburg, PA 15601

724-834-BARK

ZAPPONE SAUSAGE COMPANY RETAIL STORE Long s Road in Latrobe, PA 724-539-1430 ZapSausage@aol.com Specialty, Gourmet & Italian Foods FREE 1 pound bag of Rizzo s frozen soup noodles with $15 purchase - exp. 6/15/07

Take $2.00 OFF your new paid subscription to the LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST exprires June 30, 2007

26 - May/June 2007

Buy One Rib Dinner get the second half price (Wednesdays Only) Expires 6/30/2007

(724)424-2844 Across from the Westmoreland Fairgrounds

Eq uine Chic Equine 10% OFF

your next in-store purchase with coupon through 6/30/2007 www.EquineChic.com

Questions & Answers About Our Environment I see so much waste in packaging every day—from water in self-serve bottles to all the foil and cardboard you have to break through to get to a new print cartridge. What is being done to make packaging more “green friendly,” including cutting out as much of it as possible?

Thanks to forward-thinking action by the national model, as it protects our environment, saves taxpayers money and European Union (EU), people around the world are beginning to recognize that puts costs where they belong to encourage wasteful packaging puts unnecessary safe design and recycling of electronic stress on the environment. In 1994 the EU wastes.” issued a “Directive on Packaging and Some U.S. companies are also taking initiative. Microsoft worked with Packaging Waste,” putting the responsibility of waste reduction and Packaging 2.0, a packaging solutions reclamation on manufacturers instead of company that recycles used materials on retailers, consumers and local into new packaging, to develop an governments. environmentally responsible and reusable package for its line of GPS The program, popularly known as “Producer Pays” or “Extended Producer consumer electronics products. And a Responsibility,” requires product makers number of other companies, including to either take back their Unilever, Johnson & packaging (consumers Johnson, Kraft Foods, can leave it behind in Microsoft and Nike, have the store or send it back come together under the in the mail at the umbrella of the Sustainproducers’ expense), or able Packaging Coalition, pay a fee to an a project of the non-profit organization called GreenBlue, and released “Green Dot” that will a guide for designers and handle it for them. developers to assist them “Green Dot” is now the in designing sustainable standard take-back packaging. program in two-dozen In February 2008 WalEuropean countries.

Mart will implement a According to Bette “packaging scorecard” to Fishbein of INFORM, measure and evaluate its Inc., a nonprofit enentire supply chain.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, vironmental research Goals include using less annual generation of municipal solid organization based in packaging and using waste in the U.S. increased from 88 the U.S., the concept more sustainable mamillion tons in 1960 to 229 million tons in 2001, with containers and has “spread like terials in packaging. packaging making up almost a third wildfire” and has been According to Wal-Mart, of the weight. – Getty Images adopted by many the company is already industrialized nations—including Poland, beginning to make headway. “By reducing Hungary, the Czech Republic, Japan, the packaging on one of our patio sets,” Korea and Taiwan—but not yet by the says the company website, “we were able United States, which could certainly to use 400 fewer shipping containers benefit. According to the U.S. to deliver them. We created less trash, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and saved our customers a bundle annual generation of municipal solid while doing it.” waste in the U.S. increased from 88 CONTACTS: Green Dot, www.packagingmillion tons in 1960 to 229 million tons waste.com; INFORM, www.informinc.org; in 2001, with containers and packaging Sustainable Packaging Coalition, making up almost a third of the weight. www.sustainablepackaging.org.

Maine has followed the European model and initiated its own “Producer ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: Pays” program; the first in the U.S. Maine EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental requires electronics makers to fund Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www.emagazine.com/ consolidation centers where used TV and earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: computer monitors are sent. According earthtalk@emagazine.com.

Read past to the state’s Department of columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/ Environmental Protection, “Maine’s archives.php. electronic waste recycling law…is a

A Magazine from the Heart of Western Pennsylvania

May/June 2007 - 27

Our New Spring Line from the Connoisseur Equestrian Collection!

Equine Chic

For Horse, Home & You!

106 E. Main Street • Ligonier, PA Tuesday - Saturday, 10-5 • 724.238.7003 www.EquineChic.com

A Fresh Viewpoint On Looking Well Put Together When You Ride

28 - May/June 2007