Mon Valley Magazine - Jan./Feb. 2024

MonValley

$2

MAGAZINE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024

RIVER HOUE CAFE’S NEW OWNERS

adding modern flair with same hometown charm

ANTIQUES ON BROAD

returns to Brownsville, keeps familiar name

NEW THIS YEAR:

SWPA Bridal Fair coming to Mon Valley

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APPLY NOW FOR A $5,000 SCHOLARSHIP! "I am beyond blessed and honored to have been chosen for the Washington Financial Charitable Foundation scholarship. I feel that my hard work has paid off and this scholarship motivates me to keep working hard."

- Olivia Vettorel 2023 Scholarship Recipient

Each year The Washington Financial Charitable Foundation awards scholarships to local students entering to help with the increasing costs of advanced education. Applications are open to all Washington Financial Bank customers and immediate family members. Currently, the award is a one-time $5,000 scholarship to selected applicants, selected using a quantitative scoring system which ranks grade point average, community service and financial need.

Scholarship applications must be completed electronically using the standard Washington Financial Charitable application form and must be submitted by March 31st each year.

For more information, visit https://www.washfin.bank/about-us/washingtonfinancial-charitable-foundation.html.

J A N U A R Y/ F E B R U A R Y M O N VA L L E Y M AGA ZI N E

CON T E NT S

MonValley MAGAZINE

8

18

SACRED HEART CEMETERY OFFERING SAVINGS FOR MAUSOLEUM ADDITION

ANTIQUES ON BROAD HAS A NEW LOCATION BUT NOT A NEW NAME

22

26

BRIDAL FAIR TO HELP TO PLAN YOUR

RIVER HOUSE CAFE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

SPECIAL DAY IN A FUN WAY

AN NICHE PUBLICATION

January/February 2024

from the editor

122 South Main Street Washington, PA 15301 Washington & South Hills 724.222.2200 Greene County 724.852.2602 Mon Valley 412.944.5575 observer-reporter.com/publications/ monvalleymagazine EDITOR Trista Thurston tthurston@observer-reporter.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carole DeAngelo GRAPHIC DESIGNER Megan Morris CONTRIBUTORS Michele Gillis John Sacco

Embracing choices in 2024

It’s the season of resolutions. I’ve always been pretty against resolutions myself, and revisiting columns from years past around this time of year, I’ve opined on why plenty: I much prefer to focus on long-term, achievable intentions no matter what time of year it is. Or, I at least attempt to do so. My success varies.

I’ve seen many adopting the practice of selecting a word for the coming year instead of picking a habit to take on or drop, which I am a fan of. I’ve picked a word that is very personal to me for 2024: choice. I want to choose to show up for my life in ways I couldn’t in 2023.

There are generators and lists online with inspiration for words of the year. Blog posts, YouTube videos, Pinterest boards and more provide suggestions. If you’re interested in a word of the year, you’ve likely already got yours picked out.

We’re approaching the abandonment period if you opted for a traditional resolution instead.

One poll cites that over a quarter of Americans make resolutions. A Forbes contributor chatted with researcher Dr. Michelle Rozen about her work on the 6% of people who stick with their resolutions. On average, 94% of us have moved on from our New Year’s proclamations by the end of February. The second Friday in January, too, has colloquially been deemed Quitter’s Day.

on the cover

Progress, not perfection. Any incremental movement towards what you want, no matter the size, is much better than staying the same. We only get what we want if we show up, yes, but showing up looks different depending on our circumstances. The ebb and flow of the daily grind gets us down. We fall into old habits, beat ourselves up and then give up. Kindness and curiosity, in my experience, lead to more lasting results than rigid resolutions with no wiggle room for life and all it throws at us. That’s my two cents when it comes to resolutions, for what it’s worth.

Of course, even though I won’t call it a resolution, I got back on my stationary bike beginning in January. I signed up for an online fitness challenge. My coworkers and I are doing a group wellness challenge, trying to curb our mindless snacking in the middle of the workday. Despite using a different framework, I’m doing many things other people are trying to do, too. I’m calling it a return to myself after some backsliding last year. Hey, whatever works, right?

Maybe you’re like me, and you’re getting back on the saddle, literally in my case. The transition from 2023 to 2024 may mean nothing to you and your sense of self. Whatever your flavor of approaching the rest of this year, I wish you well in your endeavors, whether they be resolutions or not.

In our first issue of Mon Valley Magazine for 2024, our cover story features River House Cafe in Charleroi, now under the ownership of Rick Kalinowski, Jimmy Lemon and Nick Sebold. They’re no strangers to the establishment. Kalinowski and Lemon used to work there, and Sebold rounds out the trio as a friend and frequent patron. Speaking of old favorites with a new twist, Antiques on Broad has moved from its eponymous location in Belle Vernon and into Brownsville. Read more from Michele Gillis inside.

Thank you so much for reading. Take care, stay safe and see you in the next edition.

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Editor

Photo courtesy of River House Cafe Jimmy Lemon, Rick Kalinowski and Nick Sebold are the new owners of the River House Cafe.

M O N VA L L E Y M AGA ZI N E | J A N UA RY 26, 2024 | 5

The Residence at Hilltop

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The staff at The Residence at Hilltop continually strives to provide the best quality lifestyle for each and every resident. Our residents truly become part of the family.

This dedication, teamed with a beautiful and functional environment is why neighbors, family and friends throughout the Mononghela Valley and surrounding communities now call The Residence at Hilltop home.

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Sacred Heart Cemetery

offering savings for mausoleum addition

By John Sacco All photos Courtesy of the Catholic Cemeteries Association

Phase 2 of preconstruction savings of an addition to the cur- The Catholic Cemeteries Association in the Diocese of rent mausoleum remains available from Sacred Heart Cem- Pittsburgh offers families a choice of selecting crypt spaces located within a Community Mausoleum Chapel that afetery as the project approaches a midway point. fords a personal access code or the option of purchasing According to Michael J. Ponterio, sales manager for Sacred a private mausoleum that is custom-built and designed by Heart Catholic Cemetery, Monongahela, sales for niche each individual family. spaces in the addition, which is to be constructed to the cemAll the CCA Community Mausoleum Chapels have a reetery’s mausoleum continues. ligious theme to each building, are heated and air-condi-

“We’re not 100 percent (certain) at this time when the addi- tioned, and offer visitation seven days a week in a serene and tion will be complete,” Ponterio said. “We’ve been pre-selling comfortable setting. In addition to the crypt spaces, CCA also offers a comprehensive line of bronze emblems and vascrypts the last two years.” es to adorn your crypt front.

He added that it takes about four years before breaking Ponterio said sales began in April 2022 because the cemetery ground for the addition, which will provide for additional is “90 percent sold out of spots in the existing mausoleum, urn space and crypts. which was built in 2003.

Crypts are typically stone chambers beneath the floor of a “Right now (sales are) slow because we have not had any church or other building. It typically contains coffins. Crypts advertisement for it,” Ponterio said. “Sales in the existing are used as a chapel or burial place. building are very good. People like to buy what they see. But In June 1960, Bishop John J. Wright consecrated Sacred Heart there is slimmer and slimmer space available.

Cemetery. This 119-acre cemetery serves the Monongahela/ Charleroi areas. A 13-foot-tall granite statue of the Sacred Heart stands at the entrance to the cemetery, which today includes a chapel mausoleum dedicated to the Sacred Heart.

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“We have planned discounts for those providing (interested) in pre-planning.”

He added that pre-need discounts and savings will be available “up until the addition begins construction.”

M O N VA L L E Y M AGA ZI N E | J A N UA RY 26, 2024 | 9

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Antiques on Broad

has a new location but not a new name

By Michele Gillis

After losing the love of her life, Janice Stitchick, owner of Antiques on Broad, had to make a difficult business decision to relocate her business to Brownsville.

“There were a couple of factors that went into my decision to move out of Belle Vernon and into Brownsville,” said Stitchick. “The main reason was that the building was a 100-yearold building that required a lot of maintenance that wasn’t being done.

My husband, Ernie, passed away on March 4. I lost the love of my life. He helped me manage the building and do the things that we could do as renters.

It was a beautiful business, and we had been there for over 10 years.”

Once her hus- Courtesy of Antiques on Broad band passed, she Janice Stitchick, owner of Antiques on Broad couldn’t do everything the building and the business required, so she had to decide between closing the business, which she didn’t want to do, or finding a different location more suitable for her.

“Granted, we had over 10 years of a successful business in Belle Vernon,” said Stitchick. “I loved the location, the building, customers, but it was too much for me to do. I had to make a business decision. I looked first in Belle Vernon to see if anything was available, which there was not at that time that would have accommodated us. Two years prior to that, I had rented a satellite shop in Brownsville, 18 | J A N U A R Y 26, 2 0 24 | M O N VA L L E Y M AG A Z I N E

and we had a fairly good showing there.

When my husband got very ill, I gave up the Brownsville shop because I couldn’t handle everything.”

When she was looking for a place to move, it just so happened the Brownsville location was available again. The building she moved into used to be the utilities building in Brownsville.

“It even has a vault in it,” said Stitchick.

“We have two floors of the three-story building. We have the main floor and the basement. There is a tenant upstairs.”

Antiques on Broad moved to the new location on Oct. 31 and held a grand re-opening on Nov. 17 and a Christmas Open House on Nov. 18.

Though Antiques on Broad has a new location, it did not get a new name.

Stitchick said everyone knew the name, and she didn’t see a reason to change it.

Not all of the antique and collectible dealers moved to the new store for various reasons, but those that did filled up the new store nicely.

Brenda Cousins, a dealer at Antiques on Broad, said the move was intense but definitely for the better.

“I very much enjoy antiquing,” said Cousins. “I enjoy the hunt, the excitement in finding an aged item. I appreciate the quality of the item, how it is made, the detail and the purpose. I find it amazing that these very old items have survived for so long.

Good things are happening in Brownsville, and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Stitchick said there are 11 dealers in the new location. Though the new space is smaller, they have utilized every square inch of it, and the building is in excellent condition.

“We do have a very forward-looking group of dealers who have a variety of great antiques and collectibles,” Stitchick said. “We have just about anything you can think of in our shop as far as antiques and collectibles go.”

“We are experienced, reputable and customer-friendly,” said Stitchick. “We have a coffee bar and water available for our customers. We are experienced in what we have as well. If we don’t have what our customers are looking for, we will try to find it for them or refer them to another shop that we know has it. We are not afraid of competition. We love competition.”

You can find furniture, hurricane lamps, pottery, antique crocks, primitives, uranium glass, jewelry, pictures, vintage clothing, Pyrex and more.

“We have Mr. Pyrex in our shop,” said Stitchick.

“The vault is filled with old Pyrex.”

Patty Pavtis, a dealer at the Antiques on Broad, is very happy with the new location.

“At Antique on Broad’s new location, you won’t be disappointed as you walk through the front door to a clean, brightly lit building with an assortment of memories from the past,” said Pavtis. “From 100-year-old antique furniture, glass, crocks and pottery to collectible vinyl records, Pyrex, toys, magazines and comic books, watches, apparel and more.”

Courtesy of Antiques on Broad The new location of Antiques on Broad is 200 Bank St. in Brownsville.

Pavtis said the dealers update their inventory weekly so customers can shop week after week and always find something different.

Stitchick said her loyal customers are still coming to her Brownsville shop.

“I enjoy shopping at Antiques on Broad because the shop carries a fantastic variety of interesting antiques, many reflective of the southwestern Pennsylvania area,” said Irma Connors, a customer at Antiques on Broad. “The dealers are extremely knowledgeable about the value and history of their antiques.”

Connors said that she has found that if she was looking for a specific item and couldn’t find it, the dealers will locate it for her.

“I’m a loyal customer of the store and would shop there no matter where they moved,” said Connors.

Stitchick’s love of antiques started with a penchant for vintage clothing but quickly grew to a love of everything antique.

Courtesy of Antiques on Broad You can find items such as this beautiful brass lamp with blue leaded glass at Antiques on Broad.

M O N VA L L E Y M A G A Z I N E | J A N U A R Y 26, 2 0 24 | 19

Stitchick originally opened her business in June 2013. She and her husband had been collecting and selling antiques in different shops for years. When she retired from her fulltime job in 2012, she continued to rent space in shops.

“Then an opportunity came up, and my husband and I made the decision to invest in an antique shop, so that is what we did,” she said.

She said she gets her antiques from various places, including other antique shops and estate sales.

Antiques on Broad has been nominated six times for the Best of Best for six years by the Observer-Reporter, and out of the six times, they won three times. The store has also won several other awards over the years, and Stitchick is also involved in local community, historical and business organizations.

Antiques on Broad is located at 200 Bank Street in Brownsville.

For more information, visit facebook.com/AntiquesOnBroad.

From top: Courtesy of Antiques on Broad Vintage Pittsburg Steelers jacket An early 1900’s coal mine canary cage Observer-Reporter file photo Ernie and Janice Stitchick accepting their first of the three Best of the Best Awards at the 2019 awards ceremony.

20 | J A N UA RY 26, 2024 | M O N VA L L E Y M AGA ZI N E

Depression uranium glass dishes and miscellaneous items available at Antiques on Broad.

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Need inspiration for your upcoming wedding? The inaugu- Tennant said the Observer-Reporter is partnering with Zelral Southwestern Pennsylvania Bridal Fair has you covered. enski’s Bridal and Prom for the event, and there will be a This free event will have everything you need to help you style show featuring bridal, tuxedo and prom attire. start planning your wedding.

“The day will include a stunning bridal and prom gown “Brides-to-be and their families should come for inspiration show from Zelenski’s,” said Tennant. “So, it’s the perfect and because we are going to have a wide array of vendors time of year when people are planning their wedding or are and services there for them to connect with,” said Jessica planning what they will wear to prom. So there will be a lot Tennant, events manager of the Observer-Reporter. “Seeing of prom gown options there as well.” dresses in person or on a model can be very helpful in pick- To generate excitement during the event, DJ Jammin Jodi ing the dress that is right for you. It will be more of a hands- will set the vibe for the day as attendees mill around while on experience in planning your day.” visiting approximately 25 vendors. There will also be many This free event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Feb. 24 at opportunities to enter to win prizes and get giveaways.

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DeAngelo said the vendors will focus on anything a bride “We chose Charleroi because it is centrally located, and Dee’s needs, including venue options, bridal stores, jewelry stores, Event Center is a brand-new event center, which is perfect for catering, bakeries, DJs, etc. bridal showers, small weddings and other events,” said Carole DeAngelo, advertising director at the Observer-Reporter. “It is “We expect brides and their families to have a positive the perfect place to conduct our first event in the Mon Valley.” experience and feel confident in their bridal planning,” said DeAngelo.

Tennant said they want to provide brides and their families with an opportunity to connect with local premier wedding profes- Though the Observer-Reporter puts on many events throughout the year, they wanted to combine their current event experience sionals and to help them plan the wedding of their dreams. and success to create a bridal fair event in the Mon Valley.

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M O N VA L L E Y M AGA ZI N E | J A N UA RY 26, 2024 | 23

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River House Cafe UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

BY MICHELE GILLIS ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF RIVER HOUSE CAFE Even though the River House Cafe is under new ownership, patrons will be pleased to know that the restaurant they love will be staying the same but with a few sprinkles of creativity by the chef.

The new owners, Rick Kalinowski, Jimmy Lemon and Nick Sebold, purchased the restaurant as an investment.

The menu could be described as traditional American food that includes pasta, seafood, burgers, wings, steak, pizza and everything in between.

Notable items on the menu include Diablo shrimp, chicken romano and their steaks.

“We didn’t change anything; we just added some things,” said Rick Kalinowski, one of the new owners. “We added daily specials, weekend specials and allowed the chef to freelance.”

The specials are usually something not on the menu and give the customers a new take or flavor on something they haven’t experienced before.

“Just giving everyone a reason to come in for something new while still having all the same things they come in for every day,” said Lemon.

Debbie and Rob Fix are devoted customers of the River House Cafe.

“The new ownership has brought an exciting, upbeat atmosphere where it’s a place with excellent food, service and fellowship with old and new friends,” said Debbie Fix. “Our favorite meals are the seafood medley and New Orleans chicken. Honestly, everything on the menu is delicious. We have been dining at the River House since it opened. It has been our home away from home.”

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Jimmy Lemon, Rick Kalinowski and Nick Sebold are the new owners of the River House Cafe.

Jimmy Lemon said they wanted to give the chef, who has been there for 14 years, the freedom to get more creative with new-age concepts, styles of food and ideas. He said he wanted the chef to be willing to take risks and have the ability to create new foods that may not be traditional to the area.

“The majority of the menu is his recipes, but we are just letting him open up to full capacity now,” said Lemon.

Both Kalinowski and Lemon used to work at the River House Cafe years ago.

“Jimmy was a bartender and server while he was going through college, and I was here when they first opened. The owner called me and said they needed a bartender,” said Kalinowski. “We both fell in love with the place. I have been here on Saturday nights as a bartender ever since. Nick was a mutual friend who dined at the restaurant a lot that we both have gotten to know over the years. We all teamed up, and here we are today.”

The interior of the River House Cafe is warm and inviting

Even though Kalinowski and Lemon worked at the restaurant, running a restaurant is a whole different ballgame.

“We are learning new things each and every day,” said Kalinowski.

Kalinowski said even though the restaurant is no longer family-owned and operated, they still have the family-first approach to everything they do, and their customers really appreciate it.

“River House Cafe is my all-time favorite restaurant,” said Karen Haluschak, a customer at River House Cafe. “It gives you the feeling of home when you enter the doors. The staff are extremely friendly. Any trepidation I had when it was sold was immediately squelched

by Rick, Nick and Jimmy. They added staff and weekday specials during happy hour and showed a genuine interest in their clientele.

Good friends, great food, friendly atmosphere.

I just love the pistachio-encrusted salmon. It is definitely my absolute favorite.”

The River House Cafe originally opened in 2008 and is located in the Historic District of Charleroi. The new owners are working hard to provide their customers with a great allaround dining experience.

Each partner jumps in wherever necessary, whether it is bartending, cleaning up tables, serving or back office-type stuff.

River House Cafe can seat about 150 patrons. They also do in-house, pick-up or delivery catering.

They changed a few minor things in the decor, but nothing major. Kalinowski said M O N VA L L E Y M AGA ZI N E | J A N UA RY 26, 2024 | 27

they are looking towards the future regarding things they can do with the building.

“We are trying to do new things to bring back the community, so to speak,” said Kalinowski. “We have a lot of things we are thinking about. “We have a big building here and are trying to figure out what we want to do with it.”

Lemon said they want to try to encourage development in the surrounding areas.

“Twenty-five years ago this area was the most popping place in the world,” said Lemon. “There were all kinds of stores and things like that. Over the last 30 years, all the small towns around the river have gone downhill. We just want to be a part of bringing the correct energy back into the small towns and give people a reason to come this way, and the other small shops will benefit because people are coming to this part of town.”

He said that maybe even more shops will open to give people more to do in the area after they finish dinner.

Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. They are closed on Sunday.

River House Cafe is located at 506 McKean Avenue in Charleroi. For more information, visit riverhousecafe-pa.com/menu.

Rick Kalinowski, Jimmy Lemon and Nick Sebold in front of the River House Cafe.

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M O N VA L L E Y M AGA ZI N E | J A N UA RY 26, 2024 | 29

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For more information, contact Jessica Tennant jtennant@observer-reporter.com 724-223-2632

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CENTERVILLE CLINICS

Providing High-quality Healthcare in the Mon Valley

We are pleased to introduce our two newest providers Dr. Al Mamaril D.O. Dr. Taylor Bressler D.M.D.

Dr. Bressler earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.

has joined the Dental Staff of Centerville Clinics at the Charleroi Medical and Dental Office.

has joined the Medical Staff of Centerville Clinics at our Donora Family Medicine location.

Dr. Bressler is seeing patients, and accepting new patients, on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Dr. Mamaril is seeing patients, and accepting new patients, on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To make an appointment, call 724-483-5482 or 724 -632 - 6801.

Dr. Mamaril earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine.

To make an appointment, call 724-379-4401 or 724 -632 - 6801.

Centerville Clinics participates in most insurance programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, UPMC, and Highmark. We provide care regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

OUR MON VALLEY LOCATIONS

OUR PROVIDERS IN THE MON VALLEY

The Joseph A. Yablonski Memorial Clinic, the site at 1070 Old National Pike, Fredericktown, where we saw our first patients, provides medical services, a Dental Department, behavioral healthcare, a fully stocked Pharmacy, X-ray, and Laboratory Services.

PHYSICIANS

Bentleyville Family Practice has been part of Centerville Clinics since 1982.

California Family Practice became part of Centerville Clinics in 1956. Re-dedicated as the Michael Encrapera Medical Arts Building, the present site opened in 2006.

The Charleroi Medical and Dental Office opened in 2004 at 200 Chamber Plaza.

Donora Family Medicine joined Centerville Clinics in 2019. The location was formerly the medical practice of Dr. Dimitri Petro.

We Provide National Award-Winning Healthcare

Dr. Charles Brown Dr. Alvaro Changco Dr. Daniel L. Holt Medical Director Dr. C. Michael Irvin Podiatrist Dr. Ali Mahdi Sleep Medicine Dr. Al Mamaril Dr. Edward Salopek Dr. Danielle Zachar

DENTISTS

Dr. Ingrid Toothman Dental Director Dr. Taylor Bressler Dr. Tugraberk Usul CERTIFIED REGISTERED NURSE PRACITIONERS Family Practice Mary Capella Danielle Guerrieri Erika Robaugh Melissa Turek Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Jonette McClelland

Centerville Clinics has been recognized nationally and locally for excellence in healthcare.

For more information on our programs, providers, and locations, visit centervilleclinics.com. For appointments, call 724-632-6801.

All services at Centerville Clinics are provided without discrimination based on financial ability, race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, parenthood, ethnic background, national origin, physical or mental handicap or disability.

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