30 October is Time to Start “Talking Turkey” Ron Eichner
32 Build Where You Belong: Wayne Homes in Pittsburgh
Health & Wellness
8 Cover Story: UPMC Matt El-Kadi Spine Center: Restoring Mobility with a Comprehensive
When Clouds Gather: Navigating the Storm of Depression Elisabeth Plutko, COO & Co-Founder, Revelations Counseling & Wellness
The Fourth Trimester Maura L. Johnson, LCSW, PMH-C
Kids & Education
School Movers & Shakers
Try a New School Experience PA Cyber
Aquinas Academy Teacher Wins First Robert P. Blume M.D. Award for Teaching Excellence
34 Support Our Troops: The United States Navy Celebrates 250 Years Paula Green 36 Trivia Connection: Frankenstein Trivia Paula Green
Mars, Pa. 16046
Phone: 724-940-2444
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Northern Connection is published twelve times a year by Swanson Publishing, LLC (P.O. Box 425, Mars, PA 16046, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge to the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Subscriptions can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year.
The mission of Swanson Publishing, LLC is to connect the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh by publishing the area’s finest community publication, Northern Connection. The publication is dedicated to the people, communities, educational, religious, travel, and recreational needs of the area.
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Left to right: Richard Wawrose, MD; Bryan Rynearson, MD; Matt El-Kadi, MD; Robert Bailey, MD; and Kathryn Hoes, MD.
Cindystock 22 which was held on Saturday, August 16 was a huge success. The annual event supports cancer screening tests and support services. This year’s fundraiser raised over $25,000 and had more than 200 attendees. Mark your calendars Cindystock 23 will be on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Passavant Memorial Homes Foundation (PMHF) recently held its 32nd Annual Golf Classic at Olde Stonewall Golf Club in Ellwood City. The 32nd Annual PMHF Golf Classic raised more than $143,000 for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, and behavioral health needs served by PMHF’s parent not-forprofit organization, Passavant Memorial Homes (PMH). All the net proceeds will be used to further enhance the services and supports provided to over 600 individuals
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that PMH serves across western and central Pennsylvania. The winners of the event’s prestigious PMHF Classic Cup was the foursome led by Dr. Frank Makoczy of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania.
YogaSix Wexford celebrated their grand opening at Wexford Plaza on September 22. Jarrid and Krissy Danburg celebrated the grand opening of their second location, YogaSix Wexford, with family, staff, founding members, and community supporters, including the Pittsburgh North Regional Chamber, Representative Jeremy Shaffer and his team, and Brentwood Bank staff. Located in Wexford Plaza at the Whole Foods Shopping Center, the new studio offers a modern yoga experience. To celebrate, YogaSix Wexford is featuring introductory specials and limited-time lifetime discounts on unlimited memberships.
UPMC Passavant-Cranberry is celebrating its newly renovated campus and expanded specialty services, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to community health care. The $42 million investment across both campuses positions UPMC Passavant as a signature specialty hub and advanced tertiary care destination for Pittsburgh’s northern communities. Newly enhanced services at the Cranberry campus include:
• Advanced cardiac imaging with a new CT scanner offering 3D imaging for improved diagnostics
• Behavioral health enhancements with a flexible care transformer room for safer, more efficient treatment
• Pediatric telehealth connectivity through UPMC Children’s emergency department affiliation
• Expanded Heart and Vascular Institute clinic footprint, including an advanced heart failure evaluation clinic
• Full weekday physician coverage at the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center site
• Surgical services in gynecologic oncology, orthopaedics, urology and general surgery
First National Bank Opens New Hampton Township Office
On August 19, First National Bank celebrated the Grand Opening of its new Hampton Township office at 4885 State Highway 8 in Allison Park. The modern branch features FNB’s innovative eStore® kiosk, TellerChat ATMs, and collaborative meeting spaces to enhance client service. The celebration included a ribbon cutting and community support with donations to the Rotary Club of Hampton Township and the Hampton Township Public Library. n
Pictured above, from left to right: Bryant Mitchell (Chief Wholesale Banking Officer), Brian Wozniak (Executive Director of Small Business Banking) , Todd Goss (Market Manager), Leslie Harrison (Branch Manager), Julie Lane (Regional Banking Executive), Ronald Donatelli (President of Pittsburgh Region) and Todd Hays (Executive Director of Retail Banking Sales).
OIn Celebration of Libraries
By Emily King
ctober is National Book Month, which has me thinking about the role that books have played in my life. I remember getting my first library card at my local library when I was in elementary school. I scrawled my name in shaky freshly learned cursive lettering, signifying an important milestone in my young life as a reader. That card wasn’t just a piece of paper that I kept in my Hello Kitty wallet, it was the ticket to imagined worlds, characters that would stick with me for life, and knowledge of the world.
My mom has always been a prolific reader, instilling in me a love of reading, and eventually, writing. I wasn’t allowed to watch PG-13 movies but no books were off-limits. Being allowed to read whatever books I wanted to felt like a huge freedom when most of childhood was dictated by rules. Granted, most of what I was reading at that time was about horses and babysitters, but that would change.
Throughout the years I’ve moved around the city, from Oakland and Squirrel Hill, to Carnegie, Kennedy Township, and now Cranberry Township, and I’ve always had a library card. The library isn’t just a place to check out books, it’s a neighborhood hub with gathering spaces, resources, and a destination for learning and community regardless of age or income. Your local library hosts special interest clubs, early-childhood pro-
grams, computer and internet access, and resources for those looking for help. Unfortunately, many libraries are at risk right now. Many libraries rely on municipal or county budgets, which are often tight. When budget shortfalls happen, library funding is often one of the first services to be cut. Many people are buying books from Amazon and other places, reducing foot traffic in libraries.
Supporting your local library provides more than just books, it provides free internet, job search support, technology
Cranberry Public Library’s “Tail Waggin’ Tutors” programs lets elementaryaged kids practice reading to dogs.
training, and safe spaces for kids. Library funding is often tied to usage statistics. I help fund my local library with the late fees in inevitably occur due to my forgetfulness.
Libraries plant the seeds of lifelong learning. They tie together communities and foster an environment of curiosity and exploration. With the weather turning colder and being forced to spend more time indoors, there’s no better time to make library visits a part of your family tradition. n
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UPMC Matt El-Kadi Spine Center: Restoring Mobility with a Comprehensive Approach
The UPMC Matt El-Kadi Spine Center — located at UPMC Specialty Care in Wexford — offers an innovative spine program that brings together experts from multiple specialties to provide comprehensive diagnostic and outpatient care at one convenient location.
“UPMC continues to expand world-class spine care and services in the northern communities of Pittsburgh,” says Matt El-Kadi, MD, chief of neurosurgery at UPMC Passavant and director of the UPMC Matt El-Kadi Spine Center. This includes expanding access to experts who collaborate – neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, pain management specialists, physician therapists, and imaging – to diagnose and treat back, neck, arm, and hip pain, numbness and/or tingling, spine disorders, deformities, and injuries.
“It really is a one-stop shop for patients with spine issues, whether they need surgery or not,” adds Bryan Rynearson, MD, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon. “It’s a bonus for us as doctors, too. Our colleagues are literally down the hall so we can discuss cases in real time. That’s the value of a place like the Spine Center: Everyone is invested in finding the best possible solutions for patients.”
All spine surgeries are performed at UPMC Passavant–McCandless, which has a dedicated spine care unit. Three state-of-the-art operating rooms are used exclusively for spinal surgery. Each is equipped with the latest technology. This includes specialized software used during surgery to create a 3D model of the spine in seconds for a real-time view of the patient’s anatomy. The pavilion also features spacious private rooms for patients who need an overnight stay.
A new navigation system with robotic technology has been used at UPMC Passavant since 2023. It helps surgeons to place surgical instruments into the spine by using CT scans that are taken during surgery. The scans create a map of the patient’s spine, allowing the system to guide the surgeon with real time precision and for procedures to be done in a less invasive way.
Left to right: Richard Wawrose, MD; Bryan Rynearson, MD; Matt El-Kadi, MD; Robert Bailey, MD; and Kathryn Hoes, MD.
Marsha’s Back Pain Story
Surgery with Dr. Matt El-Kadi helped Marsha go from debilitating pain to no pain
Before 2025, Marsha Songer had never experienced pain as severe as the back pain that radiated down her entire left side.
The pain grew so debilitating that it forced her to stop working and left her struggling even to walk.
“I’m an active person,” says Marsha, 63, of Clarion County, in northwest Pennsylvania. “I’m not used to being confined to my house, which is pretty much what I was. I just couldn’t do anything.”
Marsha was referred to Matt El-Kadi, MD, who performed fusion surgery on Marsha’s lumbar spine in April of 2025.
After surgery, Marsha is no longer experiencing pain and is returning to her normal activities.
“At my age, I didn’t know if I was ever going to be able to go back to work again,” she says. “I was so paranoid of not being able to walk. That was my biggest fear. (But) I have no pain.”
Sudden, Severe Pain
Marsha woke up one morning in January 2025 with severe back pain that radiated down her left leg.
She didn’t think much of the pain at first, going to her job as a cleaning professional for a local business. But as the day continued, the pain worsened, and she visited her local emergency department and had x-rays taken. She was told the pain was coming from irritation of her sciatic nerve and given medication to curb the pain.
While the medication helped somewhat, it didn’t eliminate the pain. Marsha followed up with her primary care provider, Paul Hamm, DO, at UPMC Primary Care in Shippenville, Pa. Dr. Hamm prescribed steroids for the pain. Over the next month, despite her pain becoming worse, Marsha continued to work.
“The pain was horrible, but I just kept on working,” she says. “I was slow at my job. I did what I was supposed to do, and I just kept push-
Marsha, from Clarion County, Pa., says she’s “tickled” that after surgery with Matt El-Kadi, MD, PhD, she no longer has the pain that radiated down her left leg and prevented her from sleeping, working, and even walking safely.
WHEN BACK PAIN CAN’T WAIT
Back pain can often interfere with daily activities, from maintaining an active lifestyle to simply getting a restful night’s sleep.
Recognizing its impact, Dr. El-Kadi and his colleagues at the Spine Center now offer same-day appointments, ensuring patients can quickly connect with a specialist in spine care.
Appointments and consultations with different specialists and different imaging modalities can be scheduled in advance for the same day, at the same facility in Wexford so patients don’t have to make multiple trips for the same issue. To schedule a same-day in-person or virtual appointment at the UPMC Matt El-Kadi Spine Center, call 724-720-4599.
ing myself. But it was definitely very painful.”
By mid-February, the pain became so severe that Marsha could no longer work. She was having trouble walking and experienced shaking on her left side. She struggled to run a vacuum cleaner, and when she cooked, Marsha needed to use a walker for support because she was worried about falling.
“I literally could walk only three feet, if that,” she says. “My legs were just so weak. I had to get a walker to help me walk.
“That pain going down my back was horrific. I couldn’t sleep. I was up every hour. Some nights, I was crying all night because it hurt so bad.”
Seeking Further Treatment
Marsha saw Dr. Hamm again, and he referred her to Dr. El-Kadi for further evaluation. She visited Dr. El-Kadi for the first time in early March 2025.
Dr. El-Kadi ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam. The imaging showed multiple problems in the lumbar (lower back) area of Marsha’s spine, including spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis, and anterolisthesis. Foraminal stenosis is a type of spinal stenosis where the openings where the nerves exit the spinal canal are narrowed. Anterolisthesis occurs when one of the vertebrae slips in front of the vertebra below it, putting pressure on the vertebrae below.
The issues were causing instability in Marsha’s spine and leading to her symptoms.
“Dr. El-Kadi explained to me what was going on. His whole staff was very, very nice, extremely nice,” Marsha said.
(Continued on page 10)
“You’d ask questions, and he’d answer them. I was very, very satisfied with my first visit.”
Dr. El-Kadi prescribed physical therapy to see if it would have an impact on Marsha’s symptoms. However, after a month, the physical therapy had no effect.
“I couldn’t do some of the stuff they were having me do,” she says.
Marsha visited Dr. El-Kadi again in early April. During that visit, he suggested the next step in her treatment plan would be surgery.
Undergoing Surgery
Marsha was scheduled for surgery on April 29, 2025, at UPMC Passavant–McCandless.
Dr. El-Kadi performed a lumbar fusion, using screws and pins to stabilize Marsha’s spine.
Matt El-Kadi, MD, chief of neurosurgery at UPMC Passavant and director of the UPMC Matt El-Kadi Spine Center.
She says when she woke up, she no longer felt any pain on her left side.
“I really didn’t know for sure because you’ve got pain medication, but after that medication wore off some, the pain in my leg was gone,” she says. “I was absolutely amazed. My legs were still weak, and I was a little bit concerned about that. But I thought, ‘Well, you know what, I haven’t used them for a little while.’”
Marsha spent three days in the hospital after her surgery. Before her discharge,
the inpatient physical therapy team helped her get out of bed, walk, and learn to use the stairs.
She says the entire hospital staff were helpful during her stay.
“That hospital is wonderful,” she says. “(Dr. El-Kadi’s) staff that he had there were absolutely wonderful.”
Feeling Stronger
One month after her surgery, Marsha says she felt almost back to normal. She began in-home physical therapy the week after her surgery and progressed to out-of-home physical therapy in late May.
Soon after her surgery, Marsha felt a major difference in her ability to move around.
“I was able to walk without the walker,” she says. “I don’t walk with a cane. I don’t walk with anything now.”
She can walk without pain and use the vacuum cleaner and cook without any issues. She watches one of her grandchildren every weekend and is also able to sleep through the night without pain.
Marsha was cleared to go back to work in July 2025.
“Just being able to walk out in my yard and enjoy it, it’s definitely been a lot better than sitting in a chair all day,” she says.
Marsha says she’s grateful to Dr. El-Kadi and his whole staff for the care they provided. She says she’s recommended him to people she knows who have back pain.
“It was absolutely wonderful — the best care,” she says. “He and his staff. I greatly appreciate every one of them. I was so worried, and now I can walk. I’m just so tickled that I don’t have that pain going down my leg anymore. I would give him 100%.” n
YogaSix Wexford Grand Opening: A New Home for Every Body
YogaSix Wexford has officially opened its doors, bringing an energizing, empowering, and fun yoga experience to the North Hills. Designed for every body and every level, our studio offers a wide variety of classes—ranging from deeply restorative sessions to dynamic, sweat-building flows—all taught in a way that ensures beginners feel supported and advanced practitioners feel challenged.
We’re open seven days a week, with convenient morning, evening, and weekend options, so you can always find a class that fits your schedule. Each session is guided by skilled teachers who focus on making yoga approachable, uplifting, and transformative, leaving every student with a sense of accomplishment.
Whether you’re stepping on the mat for the first time or deepening an established practice, YogaSix Wexford is here to help you discover your strength, balance, and community. Call us at 724-810-4429 or visit yogasix.com/wexford to join today. n
Steel City Fortitude Fitness
Steel City Fortitude Fitness is a women owned one-on-one personal training studio in Wexford! I originally met my co-owner, Rachel Berry, through a corporate gym. We worked together there for a bit, but eventually decided to open our own studio to provide a private and comfortable environment for our clients. While the studio is open to everyone, a large percentage of our clients are female. It is not uncommon for women to feel intimidated in gyms and as someone who experienced this when I began my own fitness journey over 10 years ago, I am passionate about boosting women’s confidence in the weight room. Lifting heavy weights is not just for men; women should train the same way! Increasing lean muscle mass helps strengthen bones, increases metabolism, and reduces the risk of several chronic diseases. Seeing women push themselves and realize their strength capabilities brings me so much joy!
Phone: 412-758-4897
Email: Shannon@steelcityfortitudefitness.com
Instagram: Shan_steelcityfortitudefitness
Pitt Vaccine Trial Offers Hope for Pre-Invasive Breast Cancer Treatment
By Emily King
A grant from A Glimmer of Hope Foundation seeded a vaccine trial at the University of Pittsburgh that could be a key to treating pre-invasive breast cancer.
AGlimmer of Hope Foundation is a Pittsburgh-based breast cancer foundation that is committed to advancing the fight against breast cancer through research, programs, and studies. The dedicated team of 50 volunteers leads fundraising efforts that have resulted in over $7 million raised for breast cancer projects at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, MageeWomens Research Institute and Foundation, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Allegheny Health Network.
The foundation granted $100,000 to a landmark trial by Pitt and UPMC, which was leveraged to secure a $2.1 million grant from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the largest funder of breast cancer research worldwide.
The trial is testing whether a vaccine will initiate an immune system response in women with Stage-0 ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a pre-cancer diagnosis. This condition occurs when cancer cells are contained in the milk ducts and have not yet invaded nearby breast tissue. DCIS is typically diagnosed via mammogram. Stage-0 DCIS will progress to invasive breast cancer in 10%-50% of patients and some patients are over-treated as a precaution. A successful vaccine could decrease the need for aggressive therapy.
The vaccine relies on the MUC-1 protein, which can trigger an immune response that may help fight the cancer cells. Vaccines specific for MUC-1 are safe and have already been shown to reduce the rate of recurrence of high-risk premalignant lesions in colon cancer. The DCIS vaccine trial is led by Olivera Finn, accomplished Professor of Immunology and surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
The first phase of the study was opened to 50 post-menopausal patients. The trial consists of two groups; the experimental group will receive three doses of the vaccine along with the standard care recommended by their doctor. These patients will first receive an aromatase inhibiter (hormone therapy) for 12 weeks.
Estrogen aids the growth of DCIS, so blocking estrogen can help decrease its growth. Then they will undergo surgery, radiation, or both as prescribed by their doctor. They may also receive a booster of the vaccine after six months.
The control group will not receive the vaccine but will also take the estrogen-locking hormone therapy for 12 weeks. Then they will follow the course of treatment as determined by their doctor, consisting of surgery and/or radiation.
Emily Diego, associate professor of surgery and section chief of breast surgery for breast surgery oncology, is the co-director of the UPMC Breast Surgery and principal investigator for the clinical trial. She hopes to determine whether the use of this vaccine can help the immune system recognize precancer cells and attack them before they develop into invasive cancer.
In August of 2025, some changes were made to the trial protocol in order to recruit more subjects, making hormone therapy optional and also opening the study to pre-menopausal women. The study is set to conclude in August of 2028. If the findings of the study show successful treatment with the vaccine, this could be a promising improvement for breast cancer care.
A Glimmer of Hope Foundation was founded by Diana Napper in 1994. She established the foundation to honor her dear friend Carol Jo Weiss Friedman, who lost her battle to breast cancer in 1990. Napper’s dedication to her friend’s legacy inspired her to create a nonprofit organization to support breast cancer patients and their loved ones. GOH particularly focuses on pre-menopausal breast cancer, which is more aggressive in young women. The success of GOH is made possible through the generous support of individuals, businesses, sports figures, and sports organizations in the Pittsburgh area who take pride in knowing that their donations are being used to support cancer patients in their local community. For more information about GOH, visit symbolofthecure.com. n
When Clouds Gather: Navigating the Storm of Depression
By Elisabeth Plutko, COO & Co-Founder – Revelations Counseling & Wellness
Some days, life feels clear and bright. Other days, a fog rolls in—quietly, almost unnoticed—until everything feels heavier, darker, and harder to face. This fog is like a storm that can settle over anyone, at any age. Children, teens, and adults can all experience depression, sometimes unexpectedly, other times building slowly over time.
Depression is more than feeling sad. It can cloud thoughts, drain energy, and make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. Just as a storm makes it hard to see the road ahead, depression can make the future feel uncertain and distant.
Why Do People Become Depressed?
What triggers depression in one person may not affect another the same way. For some, it can follow major life events, such as the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, moving, or a job change. For others, ongoing stress, academic pressure, chronic illness, or family challenges can contribute. Biological factors, like changes in brain chemistry, hormones, and genetics, also play a role. Understanding this helps us see depression as a health condition, not a personal weakness.
Recognizing the Signs
Depression can look different from person to person, but common indicators include:
• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or irritability
• Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
• Fatigue or low energy
• Changes in sleep—too little or too much
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
• Changes in appetite
• Withdrawal from friends or family
Steps Toward Healing
Even small steps can help calm the storm:
• Talk to someone. Sharing feel ings with a trusted friend, fam ily member, or professional may bring relief and perspective
• Keep a routine. Structured sleep, meals, and daily activity help restore balance when life feels chaotic.
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• Spend time outdoors. Natural light and fresh air can lift mood and energize the body.
• Write it down. Journaling thoughts and feelings can help organize emotions and offer clarity.
• Seek professional support. Counselors, therapists, and healthcare providers offer guidance, coping strategies, and ongoing support.
Depression is not a personal failing—it is a human experience. Like any storm, it eventually passes. With support, care, and connection, brighter days are possible.
At Revelations Counseling & Wellness, we provide counseling for children, teens, and adults. If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available—you don’t have to face the storm alone. n
Learn more about how we can help at www.ConcordiaLM.org.
The Fourth Trimester
By Maura L. Johnson, LCSW, PMH-C
As the sun began sinking earlier each day following my daughter’s late October birth, so did my mood and energy levels. Pregnancy had consumed 41 weeks of my life and while I certainly didn’t expect the early postpartum to be easy, the adjustment period was intense.
Sleep deprivation colored most of our decisions and led to emotional dysregulation that was entirely unfamiliar. In sessions with perinatal women, I often hear about a deep sense of unease and anxiety that sets in around late afternoon, with uncertainty about the night ahead on their minds. The more I began to seek answers for what I (and many others) were experiencing, I began noticing mention of what many refer to as the fourth trimester.
The fourth trimester refers to the 12 weeks immediately following birth, which many find to be one of the more difficult life adjustments one can experience. The “Baby Blues” (not to be confused with Postpartum Depression) are incredibly common during the first two weeks, in part due to the significant hormonal changes that occur immediately upon birth. Adjusting to lack of sleep, new routines, lack of time for self/partners/other children, shifts in responsibilities, among other changes, can result in a range of complex emotions. What if we could simplify one aspect of the newborn stage, to better support moms and families during this transformational time?
In recognition of this issue’s focus on women’s health, I sat down with Dr. Ashley Loboda, board-certified pediatrician, mom of four and trusted advocate for children and families. Dr. Loboda serves as both a pediatric hospitalist for St. Clair Hospital, as well as the owner and primary physician of Direct Pediatric Care in Mt. Lebanon. Dr. Loboda practices from a Direct Care model, providing care free from the constraints of insurance, with transparent pricing, no copayments or surprise bills following an appointment or procedure. She also offers a direct cell phone number for
patient access, same day appointments, psychiatric medication management and evaluation, medical grade ear piercing, house calls and same day appointments for urgent needs. What I found most impressive during our talk was Dr. Loboda’s commitment to supporting moms and families during the fourth trimester period. To that end, she provides “Fourth Trimester Package,” which includes:
• 6 home visits in a 3-month period
• Feeding advice and lactation support
• Unlimited text, email, phone and video access with Dr. Loboda for 3 months
• The comfort in knowing your pediatrician will come to you, especially during the cold and flu season, to provide care directly in your home
Dr. Loboda provides this package for a one time fee of $500. Patients are able to join the practice once the three month period ends, but this is completely up to them. Similar to midwife visits in countries such as the UK, allowing families to remain at home, while also providing more care to mom than one 6-week postpartum visit, is a wonderful thing. Supporting moms supports better outcomes and happier, healthier families. Feel free to contact Dr. Loboda at www.directpedcare.com, as well as via text or call (412) 212-7034 and info@directpedcare.com. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy October! n
Maura Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker currently in practice at Cranberry Psychological Center. She is a certified perinatal mental health provider, as well as a contributing staff member with Postpartum Support International. While her primary focus is treating PMADs, she also treats a variety of conditions and clients of all ages. She resides in the Pittsburgh area with her husband, Brendan, daughter, Sloane, and dog, Max.
Fool Me Once . . .
By Janice Lane Palko
You’d have to be living totally off the grid to not know about AI—artificial intelligence for those Luddites among us.
Every day we see reports of how AI is going to revolutionize our world and lives. From our jobs to health care, it is projected that AI will change our world like never before.
According to ibm.com, artificial intelligence is: “technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity, and autonomy.”
Tech experts predict that it will enhance health care as it can more accurately analyze medical tests and scans than humans. It is projected to streamline processes and enhance data collection and analysis in business settings.
That may all be true, and I hope that AI does benefit humanity. However, like most things in this life, I’m sure AI will have the capacity to be used for either good or evil. There have already been news reports of medical students using ChatGPT to cheat on exams. Call me crazy, but I don’t want to be treated by a doctor who cheated to get through med school.
As a writer, I’m constantly being prodded by my Word program to use Copilot, its AI-powered tool which Word says, “assists with drafting content, summarizing documents, answering questions about your content, rewriting text, and generating ideas or tables.”
In the brief experience I’ve had with using Copilot or other AI tools to compose social media posts, I find the results to be sufficient—coherent and grammatically correct—but it lacks the personality of something written by
a human. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to replace the uniqueness that everyone brings to work, creativity, and the world.
I’m skeptical that AI will be the boon that it’s purported to be after spending countless minutes online with a chatbot trying to get a replacement battery for my rechargeable toothbrush. I’m pro-people when it comes to interaction. We still can’t get automated customer service correct.
Also, I see another more mundane problem with AI. Presently, from Facebook to Instagram to X, so much social media is cluttered with AI-generated images—some that are so real that it’s difficult to discern what is fake or what is authentic.
I previously wrote about the death of Ozzy Osbourne. One of the images that appeared on Facebook during that time was a picture of Led Zeppelin front man Robert Plant visiting the dying Ozzy Osborne on his deathbed. When I saw this, I initially thought that it was touching—I didn’t know they were friends. But the more I thought about it the more skeptical I became. And sure enough, scores of people in the comments were calling this out as a fake. However, the improbable picture that also appeared online of Ozzy and Pat Boone together was real. The unlikely pair were actually neighbors and friends. The line between real and fake is often blurred with the presence of AI.
As we were talking about how crazy some of the AI junk cluttering the internet is, my son showed me a video of a man in Africa creating a jumbo jet he crafted from wood. The video was so lifelike; it showed him sawing planks, joining pieces, and sanding the outside. It looked plausible that he’d whittled his own aircraft. But it was not.
There have always been snake oil salesmen, flimflam artists, con men, charlatans, and hucksters, but no one likes to be fooled. The adage goes, fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice shame on me.
I predict that if AI, at least on social media, corrupts our feeds, fooling people repeatedly, users will leave the platforms. Who wants to be made a fool of?
There are better ways to spend your time, like trying to decide if there really are aliens visiting us. n
School Movers & Shakers
Fox Chapel
Fox Chapel Area
High School ninthgrader Rishabh Krishnamurthy has been named one of the Top 300 Junior Innovators in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (Thermo Fisher JIC). Thermo Fisher JIC is the nation’s premier science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competition for middle school students and the Top 300 represent the best and brightest middle school STEM talent in the United States.
Ten Fox Chapel Area High School seniors have been designated as National Merit Semifinalists and 17 have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. The Semifinalists are Michael Costello, Riley Hemingray, Alan Jiang, Eloise Johnson, Ulyana Kubini, Joanna Li, Gavin Lynch, Rodrigo Silva, Yash Tahiliani, and Helen Xu The Commended Students are Marin
Airik, Arman Alborzi, Tobias Conklin, Greta Erdner, Laila Golla, Charles Hahl, Nora Kelley, Steven Li, James Manges, Max Melocchi, August Mierwald, Dayna Mullan, Zehra Ozkaya, Zachary Rubin, Joshua Shah, Joseph Shin, and Ian Wellman
The Fox Chapel Area School District has been awarded Purple Star School designation by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Fox Chapel Area’s designation will begin January 1, 2026, and last through December 31, 2029. Purple Star Schools is a program that supports military-connected children as they relocate to new schools due to a parent’s change in duty station.
Pine Richland/Mars
On Sept. 9, members of Pine-Richland/ Mars Area U.S. Air Force JROTC installed their annual “9/11: Never Forget Project” flag memorial at Richland Elementary School. The memorial which includes 2,977 American flags (one for each person who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks), remained on display through Thursday, Sept. 11.
Mars Area
Mars Area High School’s 2025 Mars Area Sports Hall of Fame inductees were recognized at the Fightin’ Planets football game against on Friday, Sept. 26, at Mars Athletic Complex. This year’s inductees are: Ira Baumgartel, Joe Cioc, David Kuremsky, Chris Georgiadis, Sara Getsy, Ali Goetz, Alex Perri, Ori Rinaman, Josh
Schultheis, Bill Starr, Adam Schultz, and Matt White.
Mars Area High School Boys Varsity Golf Team took third place overall at the 2025 Boys Varsity Golf MAC Invitational, held Sept. 9 and Fox Run Golf Course. Team members are: Jackson Geiger, Lukas Singh, and Jack Weaver.
IUP
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) recently held their 29th Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony. The inductees are: Frank Condino, Bob Johnston, Zack Kempa, Kerri McIntyre Joyce, Allyson Mitidieri-Washick, Denise Raymon Erb, Eric Shafer, Dennis A. & Regina Stover, James A. Welker, Rob Zinsmeister, and the 1974 Women’s Tennis Team.
Seneca Valley
Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) recently announced Seneca Valley Seniors Elizabeth Browne, Adrian Wrubel and Autumn Zacherl as Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. In addition, Seneca Valley Seniors, Giulia Pologruto, Maddox Grupp and Julian Varlotta have also been named a Commended Student in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. Giulia, Maddox and Julian were recognized by the NMSC for their outstanding performance on the qualifying test used for program entry.
Try a New School Experience
The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber) offers students in grades K-12 a traditional public education in an alternative format. Families look beyond their local school district for a range of reasons, and sometimes it’s necessary to try a new school experience. Perfecting cyber school since 2000, PA Cyber has demonstrated that learning online is an effective long-term solution for many students.
Flexible cyber education and class format options appeal to many, allowing more time for family, work, volunteering, athletic and arts training, and other interests. Every new student receives all the technology, support materials, and internet connectivity they need to succeed academically. As a public school, PA Cyber falls under the same funding as your local school district, so your child can attend at no additional cost.
Students can choose from hundreds of in-person events each year. PA Cyber’s nine regional offices provide in-person enrichment activities for all age groups year-round. These statewide locations are bustling with student activity, from school dances and career exploration to game nights and STEM workshops. Families also gather off-site for field trips to explore historical landmarks, museums, and much more. Field trips give parents opportunities to meet with other parents who are educating their children in the same way and for similar reasons, further strengthening the school community.
Enrollment is open for the 2025–2026 school year. Discover if PA Cyber may be a good fit for your child by visiting pacyber.org or calling 724-643-1180. n
THE LEARNING NEVER STOPS
Discover new K-12 education opportunities waiting for you at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School!
To learn more
Call 724.643.1180 pacyber.org PA Cyber journey today.
Aquinas
Academy Teacher Wins First Robert P. Blume M.D. Award for Teaching Excellence
Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh President Peter Blume Esq. awarded the first Robert P. Blume M.D. Award for Teaching Excellence to Mike Flynn who is in his 22nd year of teaching. This award “recognizes Aquinas Academy faculty members who have had a transformative and enduring impact on our students’ intellectual and moral development.” Blume quoted from nominators during the 2025 high school awards ceremony: “Mike Flynn ‘has high standards for what he wants his students to learn. He is not an easy teacher. He demands a lot.’ ‘He pours his heart and passion into his teaching and he does that, ultimately, because he loves his students.’”
Families are invited to attend the Preschool – Grade 12 Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh Admissions Open House on Saturday, October 11, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Register online at www.aquinasacademy-pittsburgh.org n
Aquinas Academy graduates are exceptionally formed young leaders who love God and neighbor. Students benefit from a traditional curriculum with a classical emphasis and achieve among the highest SAT scores in the region.
• Discounted Childcare • Sign-On & Referral Bonuses • Teacher Appreciation • Training & Development • Mileage Pay • Paid
Southwestern Pennsylvania’s only Preschool—Grade 12 Private Catholic School
It’s October!
October is book month—a time to celebrate one of my favorite things!
As much as we are accustomed to iPads, Kindles, iPhones, nothing beats an old-fashioned book—admiring the cover, holding it in your hands, and turning pages. Over time, sadly, we are moving further away from the enjoyment of reading. Content like social media gives us quick pleasure and excitement. For some, after spending a whole day reading documents at work, coming home and reading more doesn’t sound all that attractive. For others, it’s a lack of time.
For me, reading always meant discovering the world, experiencing empathy, and learning different styles of writing. As a new author, I admire and appreciate a good read. I encourage you to grab a copy of my book, The One and Only. Bringing this book to life took everything I had in me. I made sure that every story captured the hearts of my readers. They are stories about my personal struggles to have a baby, and the experiences of the 40 families I interviewed, who have one child, either by fate or by choice. Raising only one child in a society where most families have at least two, is often met with judgement. Once you are done reading, let me know how it made you feel.
My writing passion has always been inspired by my brilliant mom, Natalya Dragunsky. For as long as I have known her, she always read and wrote. She is a philologist and professor, taught Russian language at the Moscow University and then at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California. She is an incredible writer, and her novels explore powerful new perspectives on twentieth-century Russian life. She serves as a great example for me as a writer—how to properly describe people, their feelings, the internal and external world they live in.
My writing circle wouldn’t be complete without the incredible Gina Maza, my remarkable editor and writing coach.
And now, one of my dearest friends, Rodney Phillips, is an author as well. Dissension: A Disagreement That Leads to Discord is a thrilling tale of crime and suspense that tests the human resolve.
Books are awesome: they make you laugh, cry and feel. They make you think. Grab a book. Let’s talk about it.
La Dolce Vita!! n
Art
Nature of Things group
show, 6-7:30 pm, Oct. 7, at the Cranberry Artists Network Fine Arts Gallery at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Three CAN members are featured. The display Oct. 2-Nov. 3. Rebecca Harvey, Nicolette Tolomeo Germain, & Carol Scheftic works are on display. For info, visit www.cranberryartistsnetwork.com/.
Pittsburgh artist, Patrick Lee will be the guest artist of the Beaver Valley Artists program, 7 pm, Oct. 9, at the Merrick Art Gallery in New Brighton. Topic: Oil Painting Interiors. Free and open to the public. For info, visit beavervalleyartists.weebly.com/.
Blood Drive
Fox Chapel Area High School community blood drive, 7:30 am-1 pm, Wed., Oct. 15, at Fox Chapel Area High School, 611 Field Club Road in O’Hara Township in the large group instruction room. People 16 and older are encouraged to donate blood. For details, visit www. fcasd.edu/.
Crafts
Indoor Holiday Craft Show, 10 am-4 pm, Nov. 9, Piisburgh Syria Shrine, 1577 Shriner’s Way, Cheswick. Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, concession stand. Admission $3 per person. Proceeds benefit Daughters of the Nile. For vendor info, email peggyaddleman@gmail.com or (724) 709-9916.
Free Matinee Movies on Mondays: 2 pm, Oct. 6, The Ballad of Wallis Island, at the Legacy Theatre at Cumberland Woods Village in McCandless Twp. For details, visit TheLegacyLineup.com.
Expos
Autism Safety Expo, 9 am-4 pm, Oct. 17, 9 am-noon, Oct. 18, Monroeville Volunteer Fire Company #4, 4370 Northern Pike, Monroeville. For details, visit autismofpa.org/autismsafety-expo-2025/, or call 1-800732-0999.
Fairs & Festivals
Pumpkin Fest & Flea Market, 8 am-1 pm, Saturday, Oct. 11, Ascension Lutheran Church, 8225 Peebles Rd., McCandless Twp. Homemade apple & pumpkin pies, hot dogs, homemade soups. Vendors, crafts, and Flea Market. Reserve a space for $20, contact vickig@zoominternet.net or (724) 816-0413. Church number (412) 364-4463.
Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable, Jake Wynn presents Civil War Medicine, 7 pm, Monday, Oct. 20, at Hampton Township Community Center, 3200 Lochner Way, Allison Park. Presentation is free and open to the public.
Library/Reading
Northland Library has numerous events scheduled for October. For a complete list of events, visit northlandlibrary.org.
Vintage Market is a non-profit store in Shaler that benefits The Blessing Board. Open 10 am-3 pm every Th/F/Sat in the Shaler Plaza, 880 Butler Street & Rt. 8 (look for the gray door between Rite Aid & Planet Fitness).
Meals / Nutrition / Meals/Teas
Free Community Meal First Monday Meal, 5-7 pm each 1st Monday of the Month at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1719 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw. Meal includes entrée, starch, vegetable, salad, homemade dessert, and drink. Open to the public. For info, call (412) 4860550.
Hope Grows Iris High Tea, 11 am-1 pm, Oct. 26, Iris Respite House Bed & Breakfast. For details, visit hopegrows.org.
Networking / Social
Cranberry Township 55+ Club meets 1 pm the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Members must be residents of Cranberry Township. The Club features activities, social opportunities, and visits to nearby points of interest. For info, contact Frank at (724) 316-5807.
Glenshaw AARP 3744 meets at Elfinwild Presbyterian Church, Mt. Royal Blvd. 2 pm, second Tuesday of the month. Call (412) 487-1041 for more info.
UPMC Passavant Hospital Auxiliary Membership Opportunities! Are you looking for a stimulating opportunity for social interaction with other dedicated people in support of our community hospitals— UPMC Passavant McCandless and Cranberry? Then join the Passavant Hospital Auxiliary’s long tradition of caring. The Auxiliary meets at 10 am the 2nd Monday of each month (Sept. through June). New members are always welcome! For more info, visit passavanthospitalfoundation.org/. Call (412) 748-6639 if you plan to attend a meeting.
Young at Heart 60+ Singles luncheons meet at 1:30 pm on the 3rd Wed each month at Cracker Barrel, Cranberry Twp. To reserve a seat, text or call (724) 831-0798 by Monday the week of the luncheon.
Military
“Fill the Hill” campaign sponsored by Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall. With every $20 donation, a flag will be placed on Soldiers & Sailors’ front lawn, with a special illumination the week of Veterans Day. For details, visit www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/ or call (412) 6214253.
Run & Family Walks
Mario Lemieux & Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation 13th Annual Pittsburgh Penguins 6.6K Run & Family Walk, Sunday, Oct. 5, at PPG Paints Arena. Presented by Highmark, in-person and virtual options. Proceeds benefit the cancer research and patient care initiatives of the Mario Lemieux Foundation, and the youth initiatives of the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. Register, at www. mariolemieux.org
NA Trick or Trot 5K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run, race times: 8:30 am, 5K; 9:30 am, 1-Mile Event, check-ins 8 am & 9 am, Band Performance 10 am, Saturday, Oct. 25, Marshall Schools Campus, 5145 Wexford Run Rd. Register by October 4th to guarantee a shirt and bag (12 and under) at northallegheny.org/ trickortrot.
Sales
Rummage Sales, 8 am-2 pm, Oct. 4 & 11, and 10 am-2 pm, Oct. 5 & 12, and 9 am-2 pm, Oct. 17 & 8-2 pm, Oct. 18, St. Aloysius Campus, 3616 Mt. Troy Rd., Reserve Twp. Huge selection of kitchen items, jewelry, books, seasonal items, clothing etc…Bake goods available on Saturday. If you have furniture to donate, call Deb at (412) 3371713.
2025 Pumpkin Patch Guide
By Emily King
Living in a city that’s surrounded by rural areas means that Pittsburghers have plenty of options when it comes to finding their perfect pumpkin patch. Whether you’re looking for a quaint, low-key, farm experience or the agricultural equivalent of Disneyland, we have the right spot for you. Keep reading for your comprehensive guide to the best pumpkin-picking venues north of Pittsburgh.
Shenot Farm & Market
Address: 3754 Wexford Rd, Wexford, PA
Dates/Times: September 27 – end of October, open 11 am – 5 pm daily, hayrides to the pumpkin patch are Saturdays & Sundays, 11 am – 5 pm
Admission: Hayrides are $5 per person (2 and under free) on weekends, free on weekdays
Shenot Farm & Market offers hayrides to its pumpkin patch every weekend in October. Visitors can stroll the half-mile walking path, pick pumpkins, and visit the market for corn stalks, straw bales, decorative gourds and corn. Don’t forget to take home a gallon of Shenot’s award-winning apple cider.
Harvest Valley Farms
Address: 125 Ida Lane, Valencia, PA
Dates/Times: Saturdays & Sundays in October, 10 am – 5 pm
Admission: Free entry; pumpkins and activities priced individually
This Valencia farm goes all-out for fall weekends. Families can enjoy hayrides, pumpkin picking, a cornstalk maze, straw tunnel, corn pit, and farm animals. Enjoy food from Mars Farmhouse Café, craft beer from Conny Creek Brewing, baked goods, caramel apples, and live music.
Yeck’s Pumpkins and Hayrides
Address: 568 Baker Road, Freedom, PA
Dates/Times: Daily through October 31; Sunday–Thursday 10 am – 7 pm, Friday–Saturday 10 am – 9 pm
Admission: Weekend hayrides $5/person (2 and under free); activities free
Yeck’s is open seven days a week and offers affordable family fun. Weekend hayrides take visitors to the pumpkin patch, while kids can enjoy free attractions like a corn maze, hay tunnel, tricycle rides, and a grainery play area. Their farm market sells decorations, gourds, Amish baked goods, local honey, and cider. Cash only.
Soergel Orchards
Address: 2573 Brandt School Rd, Wexford, PA
Dates/Times: Weekends through October 26; Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Sunday 11 am – 5 pm Friday night hayrides 5–7 pm
A local favorite, Soergel Orchards hosts fall fun with pumpkin and apple picking, tractor rides, games, a corn maze, live music, and seasonal food. Food options include smoked pork, fried chicken sandwiches, cider sausage, and food trucks. Shoppers can browse the market, gift barn, greenhouse, and natural foods store. Friday evenings feature hayrides, live entertainment, and Arsenal Cider.
Freedom Farms Fall Festival
Address: 434 Overbrook Rd, Valencia, PA
Dates/Times: Saturdays & Sundays in October, 11 am – 5 pm, also open Columbus Day
Admission: $10 per person; ages 3 & under free
Freedom Farms’ fall festival includes tractor rides, a corn maze, corn pit, a hay mountain, animal barn, and pick-your-own sunflowers. Special theme days add to the fun: October 25 is Military Appreciation Day (free for service members and families), and October 26 is Moms Appreciation Day with trunk-or-treat. Extra activities include pony rides, face painting, and local craft vendors.
Renshaw Farms Pumpkin Fest
Address: 314 Ford City Rd, Freeport, PA
Dates/Times: Fridays–Sundays in October, 11 am – 6 pm
Admission: $8 per person; ages 3 & under free
At Renshaw Farms, admission covers pedal tracks, hayrides, a corn maze, bounce pillow, rope spider web, barnyard playground, and more. Extra fun includes a pumpkin cannon, sling shot, and duck pond. The farm also offers plenty of eats—café items, concessions, donuts, and ice cream—and a farm store with gifts, baked goods, and meats.
Janoski’s Pumpkinland
Address: 1714 State Route 30, Clinton, PA
Dates/Times: Saturdays & Sundays, October 4 –26, 10 am – 5 pm
Admission: $12 per person; children under 2 free
This family farm turns into “Pumpkinland” each October. Guests can walk to the pumpkin patch, enjoy hayrides, explore the corn maze, or test their courage in the haunted barn. Kids love the petting zoo, straw maze, playground, and pony rides ($5). Food vendors are available, and while credit cards are accepted for admission, some vendors may require cash.
Cheeseman Pumpkin Festival
Address: 147 Kennedy Rd, Portersville, PA
Dates/Times: Weekends in October through November 1, 11 am – 5 pm
Admission: Hayrides $5/person, age 2 and under are free
Known for its haunted “Fright Farm,” Cheeseman also hosts a family-friendly pumpkin festival with hayrides, gourds, decorative corn, and honey for sale. Of course, plenty of pumpkins are available to pick, making it a laid-back destination for fall traditions.
Hozak Farms Fall Festival
Address: 488 Anderson Hozak Rd, Clinton, PA
Dates/Times: Saturdays & Sundays in October, 10 am – 6 pm; Columbus Day (Oct 13), 10 am – 4 pm
Hozak Farms’ annual festival includes hayrides, pony rides, pumpkin painting, and a play area with straw piles, sand, and trikes. Chainsaw carving demos add extra flair, while visitors can enjoy fair-style food, kettle corn, wine tastings, and food trucks. Admission is free, so guests can customize their day by choosing activities and treats.
October is a Time to Start “Talking Turkey”
By Ron Eichner
Hi folks, October is the first full month of fall in the Northern Hemisphere, marked by the changing colors of the leaves and cooler weather.
Oktoberfest, a German event centered around Munich, runs from September 20 to October 5. With our family’s German heritage, we celebrate Oktoberfest on our family farm throughout the month of October.
October is also when it is time to start talking turkey. We are the only farm in the North Hills that raises two flocks of turkeys from arriving as dayold poults. I act as Mother Hen for 19 weeks and I’m responsible for their total welfare. I express countless times to the turkeys, “the joy you all will bring to the tables.”
We have a huge demand for our fresh turkeys each year; however, we are limited to processing only 540 turkeys annually for Thanksgiving. Our two-day processing involves over 20 family members and friends. We could easily sell a couple of thousand turkeys each year, but even if I doubled our turkey count to 1,100 turkeys, I still wouldn’t have enough family and friends to help with the processing.
We take turkey orders throughout the month of October from our customers who had a turkey the previous year. We also have a new turkey order list each year, which allows customers to have a chance to get a fresh turkey, depending on the number of cancellations I receive each year. Our customers stop by the store to “talk turkey” and decide what size they would like to order. We don’t take phone orders.
The month of October ends with
Halloween on the 31st. It’s a month full of visiting family farms for pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, seasonal vegetables, apples, and apple cider. Some area farms offer hayrides and pumpkin patches as well.
There are many haunted houses and Halloween displays in our area, and one of the best and scariest is Haunted Hillview Manor and Scare Manor in New Castle. Our farm friend Carrie Triko and her staff put a lot of time into creating spooky and scary experiences for a fun time through the month of October.
Our family farm also promotes Oktoberfest with our homemade fresh pork sausages, bratwurst, kielbasa, and homemade fermented sauerkraut in pints and quarts. Pumpkins of all sizes, gourds, and corn stalks will be available.
We have a new addition to our farm: Don purchased four cute, friendly miniature goats that love to be petted. Don has two sets of Kunekune piglets, so both new additions are a treat for the kids and grandkids. Cousin Matt’s large, hardy mums are a steal for the money. We sell Michelle’s famous buckeyes by the dozen, along with homemade cookies and Diane’s homemade biscotti.
Our family farm, nestled in a valley, is a year-round destination for farm products and homemade items. We are open seven days a week year-round. You are all welcome to visit Eichner’s Whole Farm and Greenhouses at 285 Richard Road, Wexford. Bring a friend and be a friend and get “the rest of the story.” n
Deb Walton! Scan to Watch
• Over 25 Years of Expertise in Real Estate and Marketing.
• Award-Winning Realtor and Consistent Top Earner in the Region.
• Trusted Advisor with a Proven Track Record of Success.
• Dedicated to Providing Personalized Service Tailored to Your Needs.
• Expert Negotiator Committed to Getting the Best Results for You.
• Helping Families Find Their Dream Homes Throughout the Pittsburgh Area.
• Backed by the Power and Resources of Coldwell Banker Realty.
Deb Walton, SRES® Cranberry Office (O) 724-776-2900 | (C) 724-480-6690
Let’s say you’ve found the perfect piece of land. A quiet spot with trees. Maybe it’s close to family. Or finally far enough from everyone. Either way, you’ve got the lot — now you need the house. That’s where Wayne Homes comes in.
hey’re a custom home builder that works a little differently.
Instead of building in neighborhoods, they build on your lot: your land, your vision, your terms. No cookie cutters. No compromises. Just a team that listens, gets it, and knows how to bring
Wayne Homes got its start in Ohio back in 1973, and opened the Pittsburgh Model Center in 2000. Since then, they’ve helped hundreds of families around Western Pennsylvania build homes that actually feel like theirs. Not mass-produced, not “good enough,” but homes with personality designed around real lives.
The team in Pittsburgh? Locals. People who know the area, love the region, and care about helping their neighbors build something lasting. You’re not dealing with a remote office two states away — you’re working with folks who go to the same farmers markets, drive the same snowy backroads, and can recommend the best spot for wings. (It’s not a chain.)
“We’ve grown over the years, but we’ve stayed true to that local, community-first feel,” says the Wayne team. “This isn’t just
What Sets Wayne Apart
At its core, Wayne Homes is about options — and not just picking one of three floor plans with two cabinet colors. We’re talking about real customization. Like turning a flex room into a music studio. Or adding a hidden door to a secret library. (Yes, that happened.)
You can bring your ideas, your inspiration, and your quirks, and Wayne will work with you to make them real. They’ve designed dedicated playrooms, reading nooks, home offices, craft rooms, hobby spaces … whatever makes a home feel more “you.”
And because they build on your lot, you have the freedom to choose your location. That means no settling for a neighborhood that’s almost right. Whether it’s wide open acreage or a tuckedaway wooded lot, Wayne’s team knows how to adapt floor plans to fit the land and how to navigate local codes, requirements, and all the not-so-fun-but-very-important stuff that makes a build run smoothly.
Why Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh is more than a market for Wayne — it’s home. It’s where the team lives, works, and builds. And they love it for the same reasons you do: the people are real, the views are stunning, and there’s just something about the pace here that makes life feel more grounded.
“It’s not just about building houses,” says the team. “It’s about making a lasting impact on the communities we live in.”
Wayne builds everywhere from Butler County to Washington County, and plenty of places in between. They know the hills, the hollows, and how to handle a steep driveway when the snow hits.
Your Home. Your Way.
If you’ve got land (or just the dream of it) Wayne Homes is the kind of builder that helps you create something truly personal. They make the process straightforward, the pricing transparent, and the experience as stress-free as possible. (Dare we say… fun?)
Visit waynehomes.com to browse floor plans, explore design ideas, or schedule a visit to the Pittsburgh Model Center. Because when you build with Wayne, you’re not just getting a house. You’re getting a home that actually feels like yours. n
A bra nd new k itc hen with all t he
bells and whistles, but t hey st ill on ly wa nt ce real.
Every detail matters — even if the menu stays exactly the same.
Kids don’t care whether the counters are granite or quartz — they just want a flat surface to sit on. At Wayne Homes, we design around real life. That means open kitchens where everyone gathers, flex spaces that grow and change right along with your family, and smart details that make everyday chaos feel just a little more under control. Because while the kids might not notice your tile choices, they’ll feel the difference in a home built for them (and for you).
Learn about building a custom home on your land at WayneHomes.com Pittsburgh: 866-912-1380
The United States Navy Celebrates 250 Years
“Forged by the Sea”
By Paula Green
In our June issue, we highlighted that the Army, Marines, and Navy all mark their 250th anniversaries this year, with the Navy’s on October 13, 1775. This month, we will set sail and explore the Navy’s remarkable 250-year history, from its evolution to its earliest days.
Looking back to 1775, the Revolutionary War ignited tensions with Great Britain, prompting the Continental Congress to establish the Continental Navy. This move recognized the need to defend American shores and secure independence. It also marked the formation of the Navy’s journey.
After the Revolutionary War, during which the naval fleet comprised approximately 65 ships, only 11 ships survived. In 1785, Congress disbanded the Navy and sold the remaining ships. As a result, for nine years, our country was without a naval presence at sea. However, the Naval Act of 1794 reestablished it to combat the growing threat of Barbary pirates, signaling a new era.
The Navy was reestablished in 1798. When it became its own government department, it was led first by Benjamin Stoddert, who further solidified its organizational structure and national significance.
As decades passed, the Navy continued to evolve, growing into a major force during the War of 1812. In 1814, Congress tasked it with protecting overseas commerce. As new missions emerged, naval hospitals were built. In 1845, George Bancroft founded the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland expanding both its mission and institutions.
Much later, the Navy faced new, horrific challenges. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, sinking eight U.S. Navy ships. The attack marked the beginning of a four-year period of major battles, including the Coral Sea, Midway, and Leyte Gulf—the largest naval battle in history.
Interestingly, several U.S. Presidents served in the Navy, including John F. Kennedy, who commanded PT-109 in World War II, as well as Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George H. W. Bush. These leaders reflect the Navy’s enduring tradition of service.
Here are a few other interesting Navy facts: the name “SEAL” stands for “Sea, Air, and Land,” referencing the rigorous training that allows these elite special operations forces to operate in all environments.
“Anchors Aweigh,” the Navy’s theme song, debuted at Franklin Field in Philadelphia during the Army-Navy game on December 1, 1906, enriching the Navy’s legacy. The Navy’s renowned flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, was established to increase public interest in naval aviation and boost morale.
Looking ahead, Philadelphia will host the Navy’s 250th birthday celebration from October 9 to 15. Events will include parades, ceremonies, flyovers, reenactments, ship tours, and community gatherings. The highlight, the Homecoming 250 Gala, is set for October 11 at the National Constitution Center, honoring Navy heritage and uniting its past with the present.
Northern Connection magazine proudly honors the unwavering dedication and sacrifice of all U.S. Navy members. As we mark this historic occasion, we wish the Navy a spectacular 250th birthday celebration! n
Frankenstein Trivia It’s Alive!
By Paula Green
Halloween is creeping upon us. Did you know Frankenstein Friday falls on the last Friday of October? It’s a day to celebrate Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and its iconic characters.
Shelley’s book is often called the world’s first science fiction novel. At 20, she created the story in 1816 on a rainy afternoon in Geneva. She was staying with her husband and some friends, and the group passed the time writing ghost stories. Shelley’s novel was officially published on January 1, 1818.
The first film adaptation of Frankenstein was released in 1931 by Universal Pictures. Boris Karloff played the monster, making him a horror film icon. Karloff also starred in two sequels: Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939).
Karloff mastered the role of the green, flat-topped monster with neck bolts and a jagged scar on his forehead. Who else played this creepy giant? Lon Chaney Jr., who was known for his Mummy and Wolf Man roles, played Frankenstein’s Monster in The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942).
Bela Lugosi was renowned for his long portrayal of Count Dracula. In 1943, Lugosi shelved his vampire cape when he played Frankenstein’s monster in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man. Another actor who portrayed Dracula, then switched roles to play Frankenstein, was Christopher Lee. In 1957, he played the monster in The Curse of Frankenstein.
Glenn Strange played Frankenstein’s monster in the 1944 Universal film The House of Frankenstein. He reprised the role in House of Dracula and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. During the filming of Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, Strange broke his ankle. For some shots, Lon Chaney, Jr. filled in as Frankenstein’s monster, temporarily replacing Strange in the role.
Peter Boyle was the Frankenstein monster in Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy Young Frankenstein. Interestingly, this film used many of the original lab set pieces from the Boris Karloff movie. In one of the more recent adaptations of Frankenstein, the 1994 film Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Robert De Niro portrayed the monster. Christian Bale is set to star as Frankenstein’s monster in the upcoming 2026 film The Bride
On television, Herman Munster, depicted by Fred Gwynne, is very kind and clumsy. He has the intimidating appearance of Frankenstein’s monster, but is a big ol’ teddy bear at heart. Another TV classic is Ted Cassidy’s portrayal of a Frankenstein-like creature called Lurch on The Addams Family
Since we have enlivened you on Frankenstein, we must now electrify
your thoughts in this monster query. Get set to don spooky Halloween masks because it’s time to get a little trivial.
1. What was Dr. Frankenstein’s first name in Mary Shelley’s novel?
2. Which actress portrayed a dual role of Mary Shelley and the bride in the 1931 film The Bride of Frankenstein?
3. In the movie Young Frankenstein, this actor portrays a blind man who spills hot soup on the Monster?
4. What was Lurch’s catchphrase whenever he received a butler call in The Addams Family?
5. Which cereal company manufactures the monster cereals, Franken Berry, Boo Berry, and Count Chocula.
6. What is the spooky address where Herman lives on The Munsters TV show?
7. Which 2012 animated 3D science fiction comedy film directed by Tim Burton features a dog named Sparky?
8. In the film Frankenstein 1970, this actor switches roles; he portrays the scientist Baron Charles Frankenstein instead of the Monster.
9. Which original Not Ready for Prime-Time Player portrayed Frankenstein in Saturday Night Live skits from 1985 to 1996?
10. In which animated monster comedy film trilogy did Kevin James voice the character Frank/Frankenstein
11. Herman Munster’s boss was Mr. Gateman. Where did he work?
12. In the 1985 film, The Bride is reminiscent of the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein, which pop musician portrays Baron Charles Frankenstein?
13. Who played the Monster’s bride in Young Frankenstein?
14. In the classic 1931 Frankenstein film, the Monster befriends a little girl named ____.
15. On what date will Frankenstein Friday be celebrated this year? n
