8 Washington County has ten behemoths on state’s big tree registry
20 Canonsburg VFD open house and Macaroni Kid backto-school guide
23 Earn college credits while attending CanonMcMillan High School 26 Forty years working with guitars
Lately, I’ve been thinking about what it means to put down roots, not just in soil, but in a place, profession or community. Although I was not born here, I have decided to put down roots in this place. I’ve lived here in Washington since 2017 and really can’t see myself being anywhere else at this point in my life.
That sense of rootedness is echoed throughout this edition. You’ll meet a local family whose car dealership has served our area for generations, and a craftsman whose handmade guitars are as much about heart as they are about wood and string. You’ll read about a gentle therapy dog who’s now the star of a children’s book, and trees so big they’ve watched centuries go by.
These aren’t just feel-good features. They’re each reminders of what makes Washington County special. The people who have taken root here give our region strength, identity and continuity. They’re the reason this place feels like home, even as the world around us keeps changing.
As you flip through these pages, I hope you find inspiration in the people and places we’ve highlighted and maybe a reminder of your own roots, too. Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or just arrived, you’re part of what makes this community thrive. Thanks for being here with us.
Take care, stay safe and see you in the next edition.
21 Get ready for school at Frank Sarris Library Editor
tthurston@observer-reporter.com
Photo by Dave Zuchowski Michel Smith standing beneath his black walnut tree, one of 10 behemoths on the Washington County big tree registry.
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Creek cleanup: Chartiers gets a fresh start with volunteer help
Sierra Club and local scouts seek to conduct ‘largest pickup’ in years
By Michael Walsh
On Aug. 16, local environmentalists, scouts and community volunteers will descend on West Steubenville Street to paddle down Chartiers Creek. Over their nearly 5-mile journey, canoeists and kayakers will remove hundreds of pounds of trash, keeping the local waterway clean for all to enjoy.
Kara Kukovich, an event organizer and executive volunteer at the Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club’s Pennsylvania Chapter, looks forward to the event, as it will be a revival and once-annual cleanup. Kukovich said, “To revive it again this year, [we will] see if we can get some more trash than previous years.”
The event, previously sponsored by the Lower Chartiers Creek Watershed Association, had been on hold for nearly two years due to the organization’s struggles. To keep the cleanups going, leaders from the LCCWA, such as President Bob Smith, have partnered with similar organizations, including the Sierra Club, Allegheny Cleanwaters and local scouts from Troop 284 and Troop 9284.
Christine Jackson, Scoutmaster for the Girls of Troop 9284, and James Martin, an adult leader at the boys’ Troop 284 of Mt. Lebanon, stressed the importance of this cleanup to the scouts. Jackson added that, in particular, though some alumni from the troop had been involved in cleanup projects in the past, most now “haven’t done this before, but it’s a tradition.” The scout leaders notably referenced a 2020 Eagle project, where Eagle Scout Thomas Martin led volunteers, including LCCWA members, from Bridgeville to Carnegie, which result-
ed in Martin’s group extracting or marking “parking meters, stolen bikes and washing machines” all from the creek. Then, as now, James Martin added, “the most effective way to clean it is to promote awareness,” and when that is achieved, through efforts such as the upcoming cleanup, “we’ll treat it like the gem it is.” The troops are set to bring nearly a dozen canoes of their own, alongside potentially even more scouts, as other local troops have been invited to help out, including Troop 1313 of Peters Township.
Together, scouts and other volunteers will remove a massive amount of debris from the creek. The whole creek, which spans over 50 miles, according to local non-profit Living Waters PGH, is mainly split into two systems: the Lower Chartiers Creek, from the Ohio River to roughly the Washington County border, and the Upper Chartiers Creek, which bisects Washington County, leading to its source in Amity. Sewage overflows and trash dumps across the entire 277 square miles of the creek basin led to the grime and garbage from Washington and Allegheny counties washing downstream into the Lower Chartiers Creek and the Ohio River. This explains to Smith the sheer volume of trash picked up each year. On average, Smith mentioned that “We find shopping carts, car parts and batteries and 15 tires” each cleanup.
It cannot be said that the Chartiers Creek cleanup volunteers do not do their part to remove this trash, though. Lyssa Eberhardt, Program Director at Allegheny Cleanways and a past volunteer with the cleanup, mentioned that since 2012, cleanup efforts have netted 13,540 pounds of trash and 530 tires removed from the creek. This massive haul
of nearly 7 tons of garbage was made possible by the hundreds of volunteers over the years who have spent whole days cleaning in the outdoors, for a combined 1,408 hours of cleanup volunteering.
In terms of the cleanup, Kukovich and Smith both agreed that the knock-on effects of a clean creek are significant, no matter the county you live in. Kukovich specifically noted that “I have always felt that clean water and clean land allow you to be successful. It affects your health … it affects everything,” and that since moving to Washington County, she wished to keep her newfound community clean, since “it feels like home.” Smith, for his part, feels very strongly about the community aspects of clean waterways, as they allow spaces for people to enjoy nature and come together. Echoing this, he recounted a recent meeting where he “met someone, on the Washington-Allegheny border, looking to paddle to Cannonsburg, and am happy that we are to a point where people feel safe to paddle Chartiers.”
Their combined effort will likely attract many volunteers to Chartiers at 9 a.m. on the morning of Aug. 16, where participants will work until 3:30 p.m.
To learn more about the project, you can find the event on the Sierra Club Pennsylvania webpage by searching for “Chartiers Creek Canoe Cleanup” in their event calendar.
The Sierra Club, Lower Chartiers Creek Watershed Association, and Three Rivers Waterkeeper (an associate organization) are seeking interested volunteers for future cleanups and community events.
Photos courtesy of Lyssa Eberhardt
A volunteer on Chatiers Creek in 2022
LCCWA on Chartiers Creek in 2022
Beyond the shelter: A community-wide crisis in animal care
By Emily King
Overthe next six months, the Observer-Reporter is partnering with the Washington County Humane Society for a six-part expose uncovering the challenges that animal rescue organizations and care providers are facing in keeping up with the growing needs of animal care in the county.
Carole DeAngelo, director of multi-market advertising and events at the Observer-Reporter, has always been an animal lover. Still, until she had the opportunity to moderate a roundtable discussion about animal welfare for the Washington County Community Foundation, she was not aware of the depth of the challenges her county was facing when it came to protecting animals.
Kelly Proudfit, executive director at the Washington County Humane Society, was also present at the discussion. Proudfit and other animal advocates in the community were voicing their concerns about the care of animals in their community, and the building pressure of keeping up with the incredible need for services and shelters.
As executive director of the Humane Society, Proudfit sees the challenges of animal welfare in Washington County daily.
In 2024, Washington County Humane Society adopted out 489 animals, took in 275 strays, investigated 328 neglect and abuse calls, performed 1,210 spays and neuters, cared for 521 community pets at low-cost vet clinics, and supplied over 2500 community pets with pet food. They also rely 100% on private funding. And there are many other organizations in Washington County — shelters, foster-based networks, low-cost and emergency vets, wildlife rescues, police officers, the Farm Bureau — that are all dealing with different aspects of the county’s animal care issues.
Washington County spans 800 square miles, with a diverse makeup of rural, urban and suburban areas. The animal welfare organizations in the county are dealing with a wide variety of issues, from large-scale neglect situations on farms to inner-city dogfighting and breeding of aggressive animals. Residents who are facing unemployment, low income and food scarcity are also struggling to keep their animals fed and cared for.
Shelters and other organizations are also seeing fallout from the years during the COVID shutdowns, when animal adoptions skyrocketed. Now that people are returning to full-time office work, they’re realizing they no longer have the time or capability to care for their pets. This is putting an incredible strain on already packed shelters, with many of them having to turn animals away.
At the meeting, Proudfit explained that many resources exist to help people out with their animals, like low-cost vets and spay and neuter clinics. But unfortunately, the organizations that provide these services are overburdened and underfunded. A lot of people assume that the Humane Society receives public funding, but it does not.
“That conversation opened my eyes even further to the depth and complexity of the issues we’re facing,” says DeAngelo.
“From that day, a group of us came together with a shared desire to do more. We are forming a task force to create awareness, identify critical needs and advocate for the health and welfare of animals in our community,” she says.
Proudfit and DeAngelo aim to unite animal advocates in the community through this task force, driving real change. The Observer-Reporter hopes to shed light on the serious need for awareness and action. Beginning in October, the Observer-Reporter will be running an article each issue in this publication focusing on different topics, from volunteer opportunities to the animal control duties of humane officers and dog wardens. The stories will highlight not only the challenges that the county faces, but also the success stories coming from the people who are doing the hard work of caring for animals in Washington County.
The goal of this series is to increase awareness, education and action. The Humane Society of Washington County and the Observer-Reporter encourage everyone in Washington County who loves animals to get involved. This can be anything from donating supplies or money, volunteering at shelters, fostering animals temporarily or helping to spread the message.
“Together, we can build a better, more compassionate environment for all animals in Washington County,” says Proudfit.
To get involved, you can contact Kelly Proudfit at the Washington County Humane Society at 724-470-9713. You can also contact the Observer-Reporter at 724-222-2200.
Washington County has ten behemoths on state’s big tree registry
Story and photos by Dave Zuchowski
Congregationalist minister and social reformer, Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) once said, “Of all man’s works of art, a cathedral is greatest. A vast and majestic tree is greater than that.”
If we are to believe Aaron Greenberg, state coordinator for the Pennsylvania Champion Tree Program since 2019, when William Penn first set foot on what was to become Pennsylvania in 1682, the state was covered in thick forests.
“We can assume that trees of various ages and sizes inhabited these towering mature woodlands, including some true forest giants,” said Greenberg, who also serves as arboretum manager for Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.
Greenburg goes on to say that, ”By the middle of the 19th century, most of these woods had been cut. But today, as we close on the first quarter of the 21st century, the big tree hunter can still find large specimens of hundreds of species.
Writing in the fall of 2022 edition of “Forestry” magazine, a quarterly publication of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association, he writes, “A select few old growth patches have escaped the axe and chainsaw, mostly in the protected woodlands of western Pa. in places like Cook Forest State Park; the history of Pennsylvania is also full of cutting-edge horticulture, wealthy industrialists with park-like estates, historic cemeteries and preserved historic farmsteads, with many historic and protected landscapes in which trees have grown truly huge for their species.”
For more than 50 years, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association has hosted Pennsylvania’s Champion Tree Program, the primary component of which is the Big Tree Register. This register records information on the state’s largest trees of each species, including hybrids, natives, non-natives and cultivars.
This list was originally kept in Big Trees of Pennsylvania publications, but is now fully available and searchable online at pabigtrees.com/tree-listings.
After searching the site for registered big trees in Washington County, I found ten citations. Ironically, one, a black walnut, was less than a mile from my home, not as the crow flies but as the road winds. Three are growing in Mingo Creek County Park; six others are scattered throughout the rest of the county.
One, a Quercus x leana (Leana oak), located at the intersection of Ginger Hill Road and Route 88 in Ginger Hill, is 103 feet tall with a 140-inch circumference and a branch spread of 94 feet. It is also a state champion, according to Greenberg. Anyone in the state can nominate a tree for the registry, using a simple nomination form. The more information a nominator can give, the better, but the tree’s location, circumference, height and spread of its branches are essential. A photo showing as much of the tree as possible is also helpful.
As state coordinator, Greenburg reviews all the nominations,
The big red maple in Mingo Creek County Park near the Observatory.
which can include both naturally grown and horticultural trees. Volunteers and foresters around the state verify the nomination measurements, which are reverified every ten years when possible. Currently, there are nearly 2,000 trees registered, and the list continues to grow.
If the information seems accurate and the tree is large enough to be considered a PA Big Tree for its species, the nomination will be approved.
“Being a volunteer for the Big Tree Program is a lot of fun,” said Greenberg, who himself was a volunteer measurer for two or three years. “As a volunteer, you can put in as much or as little time as you’d like, and you also get to talk to property owners.
The only special equipment you might want to buy as a volunteer is a laser range finder or a clinometer, which can run between $300 and $400.
As to the black walnut tree close to my home, the property owner, Michel Smith’s wife, Andrea, had the tree on her mind for several years. After hearing about the Big Tree Program, she attended the forestry stewardship program at Penn State and learned how to measure the tree, which now stands at 84 feet tall with a 145-inch circumference and a 58-foot branch spread. Using a formula provided by the International Society of Arboriculture that’s based on the tree’s diameter, the black walnut is roughly 207 years old.
Michel has photos of what he and his wife call their 21-acre
Nesting Owl Farm that date back to 1939. An aerial view shows the already large black walnut tree sitting alone, surrounded by fields and treeless meadows.
The Smiths went on a tour with Mark Fajerski, president of the SW Pa Woodland Owners Association, of his forested property in Claysville. Subsequently, they hosted ten members of the group in May on a tour of their own property. The organization offers education and support for sound woodland management practices, and the Smiths’ tour was considered a component of the organization’s mission.
Sadly, an American elm planted when the First Presbyterian Church was built in 1855 on the corner of Wheeling and South College Streets in Washington had to be removed in mid-February of this year.
Once listed on the Big Trees Register, the tree was estimated to be around 175 years old when it was removed.
“We tried to keep it alive with the help of a tree professional,” said Dave Budinger, co-chair of the church’s building and grounds committee. “Through the years, it shaded a lot of churchgoers, but falling limbs proved to be a hazard.”
After a lengthy debate about whether to cut the tree or not, when the decision was made to remove it, Budinger said the workers found nesting bees, ground bees and squirrels inside the trunk.
Michel Smith standing beneath his black walnut tree
The only one of several elms that grew along South College Street to survive the Dutch elm disease blight that began in the United States in 1928, the tree had been designated a survivor elm by the American Elm Society. As such, the association created a plaque that stood at the foot of the tree, but has since been removed to a spot in the church garden.
In its mission statement, the Pennsylvania Forestry Association says, “We believe William Penn would be proud of the forest stewardship efforts the Pennsylvania Forestry Association has made on behalf of Penn’s beloved New World Colony. In 1681, Penn admonished the colonists to leave one acre of trees for every five acres cleared. We have done better than that. Approximately three of five acres in the Commonwealth are forest — forests that provide resources benefiting not only all Pennsylvanians but people beyond the borders of our state and the coastlines of our country.”
Those interested in nominating a big tree to the state registry can access a nomination form at pabigtrees.com/nomination-form. For more information on the state’s Forestry Association, go to paforestry.org.
Signs on a building at Nesting Owl Farm
The Leana Oak near the intersection of Ginger Hill Road and Route 88
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Budd Baer:
‘Believably different’ in Washington since 1975
By Rick Shrum
Mark Baer has been driven by the automotive industry since he was 13. He is 75 now, a decade past traditional retirement age, but is not about to relinquish the keys to his wellestablished establishment.
“Do I think about retiring? Not much,” said the owner of the Budd Baer Auto complex, situated atop 14 acres on Murtland Avenue, along the northern border of Washington.
Then, following a brief pause, he flashed his trademark smile and sense of humor. “Who knows, I may change my mind in a month. We may have to help our kids or help them handle their kids,” said the father of five and grandfather of nine, all girls.
Mark Baer is a devoted family man and a devoted overseer of a family of auto-related businesses, which he is not prepared to give up yet, especially with a golden anniversary ahead.
Budd Baer Auto is celebrating 50 years at its current location. “We’ve been here since Aug. 14, 1975. Fewer people worked here back then,” said Mark Baer, a Peters Township resident with an encyclopedic memory of the family’s businesses, which go back 79 years.
“Fifty years here. It seems like yesterday,” he said in a mid-July interview, adding that Buick will commemorate the Baers’ half-century of service with a plaque.
Speaking of Buick, the dealership has a distinctive model in its showroom. This is home to a red, 1923 seven-passenger touring car known as Josephine. It was named after the Budd Baer family dog, who rode the running board. Reflecting back 50 years, Mark said, “Fewer people worked here then.” Mark said of the company’s flagship, which moved from Dormont to Crafton Heights to Heidelberg to Washington while continuing to grow.
Baer Auto now employs more than 100 people at the Murtland complex, which has evolved into four facilities:
All photos cby Haven Stetor/Observer-Reporter
From left, Greg McVicker, collision center manager, Adam Baer, fixed operations manager, Mark Baer, owner, Bryan Baer, general manager and Gregg Cron, general sales manager.
Subaru, Buick/GM, Mazda, and the firm’s collision center, occupying approximately 100,000 square feet of operating space. The owner’s office is in the Subaru building.
His father, Henry “Budd” Baer — for whom the business is named — embarked on the auto sales industry in 1946. He started at a used car lot in Dormont, where he helped to raise a family, including Mark.
Budd relocated that dealership to West Liberty Avenue in the borough, then, with brother-in-law Buzz Scheimer, bought a dealership specializing in new cars. Budd’s career took off, subsequently leading to the purchase of locations in Crafton Heights, Heidelberg and Washington.
Mark was barely a teen in the early 1960s when he joined the car culture — on a modest scale. “From the time I was 13, I worked for my dad or uncle,” he recalled in a 2019 interview. “I worked Monday for $1 a day. When I turned 16, I got 30 cents an hour, then thought I was a millionaire when I got to 35.”
He graduated from college in 1974, but remained in the auto industry. A decade later, he bought out his dad. “I signed the papers on July 3, 1984.” Then, like Budd, Mark expanded his business portfolio through acquisition.
Mark purchased a Subaru dealership on Route 18 in Canton Township and relocated it to Murtland, followed by additional purchases, including a few brands that are no longer in production.
Like all businesses, Baer Auto has faced challenges, including a catastrophic fire on a mid-October morning in 2003. The blaze destroyed the body shop, parts department and general office, and caused smoke damage to the rest of the building.
Mark said the damage was estimated at $4.5 million, but there were no injuries, and only two cars, both of which were in the body shop, were damaged.
He was in Atlantic City, N.J., at the time, attending a Subaru dealership conference.
Baer Auto bounced back, though.
Businesses cannot remain stagnant, of course, and Baer Auto did its due diligence when it undertook an expansive and expensive renovation that took two years to complete in 2019.
Mark said at the time: “Manufacturers (of cars) have minimum requirements we have to fulfill. We ran out of space. We got to a point where we were so crowded, we were unable to service customers the way we needed. We doubled our service capacity by doing this.”
The company hosted a grand opening/open house with free admission to showcase its larger, LED-illuminated dealership. It was held on a Sunday, when auto dealers, almost without exception, are closed.
“We still don’t have enough space or enough technicians,” said Mark Baer, whose dealership has training programs for would-be employees.
This family business is well represented by family members, featuring Mark’s sons Bryan (general manager) and Adam (fixed operations manager); daughter Samantha McVicker (community outreach and events coordinator); nephew Gregg Cron (general sales manager) and son-in-law Greg McVicker (manager, collision center).
Another half-century, or more, could be ahead. In the meantime, Mark considers how he could fill his time and share his legacy.
“Some people say I should write a book,” Baer adds of his extensive history and knowledge.
A photo of the service department.
A view of the Subaru showroom.
The Budd Baer Collision Center is located at 88 Murtland Ave. in Washington.
Morgan hard at work providing comfort to clinicians, caregivers and patients
the difference between a service dog and a therapy dog. “Morgan the Goofy Newfie” is set to be fun, entertaining and the first in a series of educational books narrated by Morgan’s six other fluffy brothers and sisters.
Morgan isn’t only trained to be a therapy dog for Children’s Hospital; she is also one of only a few nationally recognized therapy dogs and is certified as a crisis response canine.
Morgan is such an accomplished fluff that she even helps teach children about therapy, dogs and service dogs at schools, homeschool groups and Girl Scout troops.
Mitchell’s inspiration to train Morgan and give her this rewarding job stems from her own experiences. Her children have suffered medical concerns throughout their lives, some having gone through quite severe ailments, so Mitchell is no stranger to the stressors of a hospital stay.
“I’ve probably spent six months total in a hospital if you tally it all up”, says Mitchell, “Morgan is a matter of giving back”. Morgan and Sarah Mitchell are inspirational in the work they do, the help they offer the community, and the happiness they bring to those in need, so keep an eye out for “Morgan the Goofy Newfie” to keep up with the joy they spread.
All photos: Courtesy of Sarah Mitchell Morgan hard at work providing comfort to clinicians, caregivers and patients
DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Jungmin L. Lee, M.D.
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, EGD could be the key to uncovering the cause and finding relief.
Imagine you’ve been struggling with heartburn or discomfort in the stomach, and despite trying different remedies, the symptoms just won’t go away. This is where Upper Endoscopy (EGD) can help. EGD is a medical procedure that lets doctors examine your upper digestive system— the esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of the small intestine. With the help of a thin, flexible tube with a camera, inserted gently through your mouth while you’re under sedation, doctors can get a close look to find out what might be causing your symptoms.
Acid Reflux
and the Role of EGD
For many people, the story starts with acid reflux—when stomach acid escapes into the esophagus, leading to heartburn. Some may also experience symptoms like a cough, a feeling of a lump in the throat, or even hoarseness. While acid reflux is common, untreated, it can lead to serious conditions like esophagitis or Barrett’s esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer. If acid reflux persists or new symptoms arise, your doctor may recommend an EGD to determine if these more severe conditions are present and ensure you get the right treatment.
Swallowing Difficulty and EGD for Diagnosis
Imagine sitting down to a meal and suddenly feeling like food won’t go down smoothly. This is a common experience for those with difficulty swallowing, a symptom that may be caused by esophageal narrowing, motility (peristalsis) issues, or something more serious like cancer. EGD allows doctors to directly see what’s happening inside the esophagus, identifying blockages, inflammation, or growths early, which is crucial for proper treatment and avoiding serious complications.
Abdominal Pain, Indigestion, and the Importance of EGD
Now consider a different scenario: you’ve been dealing with indigestion—nausea, bloating, or stomach pain that seems to linger. While indigestion often stems from benign causes like diet or stress, sometimes it’s a sign of more serious conditions like gastritis, ulcers, or even stomach cancer. EGD helps doctors rule out these more severe issues, ensuring that any potential problems are caught early and treated effectively.
If you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms, EGD could be the key to uncovering the cause and finding relief. Talk to your doctor, call 412-232-8104, or visit https://www.pghgastro.com/ to schedule an appointment at Spartan Health Surgicenter with the specialists from Pittsburgh Gastroenterology Associates
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Spartan Health Building 100 Stoops Drive, Suite 280 Monongahela PA 15063 • 412-232-8104 office
Stomach Ulcer
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Serving the Mon Valley since 2005, Spartan Health
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CANONSBURG CORNER
CanonsburgVFD Open House
Saturday September 6, 2025
10 am - 3 pm
Come meet your local Firefighter Fire Extinguisher Simulator Fire Department Vehicles
Free Face Painting Fire Safety Tips Food Truck
Meet Sparky Bounce House
Canonsburg VFD OPEN HOUSE
The Canonsburg Volunteer Fire Department will host an open house for kids and recruitment on Sept. 6 with food trucks, a bounce house, face painting, giveaways, tours of the station and demonstrations. The year-long firefighter sports calendar will also be available.
Back-to-school guide, brought to you by Macaroni KID
By Mandie Cohen
Back-to-school time can be both exciting and stressful for families. This guide is designed to help alleviate that stress and serve as a resource for parents and caregivers in the Washington County area. Whether you’re looking for places to shop for school clothes, top spots for haircuts, after-school activities or anything else you need to prepare for the school year, we’ve got you covered! Our guide is packed with valuable information and tips to ensure a smooth transition back to school for everyone. Let Macaroni KID Washington be your trusted partner in making this back-to-school season the best one yet!
Little Blessings Dressings
Shop the sale and save 50-90% off retail! Over 250 active consignors fill the largest building at the Washington Fairgrounds to capacity with clothing, shoes, indoor and outdoor toys, books, movies, games, bedding, baby equipment (including strollers, play yards, baby carriers and high chairs), room accessories and more — at amazing prices.
Kathy’s Music
From birth and up, there’s a music class for everyone at Kathy’s Music. If you’re looking for an after-school activity for your child(ren) who love music, this is the place for them! Sign up for music lessons for kids ages five and up, or Kindermusik classes for your little ones — 45 minutes of pure fun and music.
PA Trolley Museum
For early learners aged 2–5, consider the Trolley Tots program at the PA Trolley Museum, held on the third Thursday of each month. Kids can explore different types of transportation through sensory play, stories, crafts, music and up-close encounters with the “vehicle of the month!” Space is limited, so visit the Trolley Museum website for tickets and details. Upcoming dates include: August 21: School Bus, September 18: Automobiles, October 16: Cherry Pickers & Bucket Trucks, November 20: Construction Vehicles and December 18: Trains & Toy Trains.
The Little Gym
These professionally developed, non-competitive programs are designed to build motor skills in a fun and nurturing environment, while also enhancing emotional, intellectual and social development. For over 30 years, parents have relied on The Little Gym to help their kids build confidence and skills that benefit every aspect of their lives. Children are encouraged to try their best, not to be the best. This philosophy sets the standard for high-quality children’s development programs.
Valleybrook Family Dental
Dr. Joseph Gurecka and his team have created a remarkable new office focused on patient comfort and privacy. They provide quality dental care in a state-of-the-art facility, utilizing advanced tools to thoroughly assess oral health and deliver treatments with greater comfort than ever before. Dr. Gurecka’s meticulous approach ensures the best possible results. With extensive post-graduate training and education, Dr. Gurecka combines digital accuracy with an artistic aptitude to provide high-quality professional implant restorations. The entire team stays current on the latest developments in dental innovations, from digital impressions and guided implant placement to the highest-quality restoration materials available.
British Swim School
British Swim School of Washington County offers swim lessons focused on water acclimation to help swimmers feel confident and safe from their very first lesson. As students progress, they move into stroke development, mastering new skills with every class. With over 40 years of experience, British Swim School specializes in water survival techniques, taught by highly trained instructors in indoor, heated pools. Small group settings ensure personalized attention, allowing swimmers to develop at their own pace. Enroll today and give yourself or your child the lifelong skills and confidence to thrive in the water!
grams that grow with your child. The toddler class (age 2) meets two mornings a week, the preschool class (age 3) is three mornings a week, and the pre-k class (age 4) meets four afternoons a week. The goals of each program are to help socialize your child, teach basic educational skills and learn about God. By the end of the prekindergarten program, we expect that your child will be confident, faithful and prepared for their kindergarten setting!
Learning with Harmony
Learning with Harmony is a family-owned, local preschool serving children aged 3-5, offering a kindergarten readiness program to prepare them for the next level. The school conducts field trips throughout the year, providing students with hands-on experiences for learning and exploration. Throughout the year, there are guest speakers such as local emergency services. Additionally, occupational screenings and vision tests for children are offered annually.
The school holds two sessions per day, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The morning class runs from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and the afternoon class runs from 12:30 to 3 p.m. An optional pre-k prep class for older students transitioning to kindergarten the following year is also offered. This class is on Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The school also offers class parties for major holidays and an end-ofthe-year program with a graduation ceremony. This back-to-school guide for the Washington County area is just the beginning of all the fun and exciting things you can find on Macaroni KID! Check the website, canonsburg. macaronikid.com, for the events calendar and be sure to subscribe to receive weekly emails about upcoming events happening right here within the community! Don’t forget to check out the preschool guide online for open enrollment opportunities in the area for next year.
Bethel Church Preschool
Bethel Church Preschool offers three pro-
Get ready for school at Frank Sarris Library
Parking: The entrances on Murdock Street and North Jefferson Avenue are open. The free parking lot is located behind the library building and can be accessed from Murdock Street.
Please remember:
Summer operating hours will end on Aug. 23. The summer operating hours are as follows:
• Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Regular operating hours for Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) will resume on Sept. 6.
• The drop box for returned items is located on Murdock Street, and an additional one is available in the parking lot.
• Patrons can explore adult, childrens and young adult collections on the first floor and also utilize computers, as well as copy, fax and scan documents. For pricing on services such as printing and faxing, please visit the website.
• Computers and study rooms operate on a first-come, firstserved basis, with each patron limited to one hour of computer use.
• Check the website, franksarrislibrary.org, or the Facebook page for updates on service changes or hours.
Save the date
Holiday closure: The library will be closed on Aug. 30 and Sept.1 for Labor Day Weekend.
Washington County Community Foundation Gives Day: On Sept. 18, support for Frank Sarris Public Library by donating on WCCF Gives Day, Washington County’s official community-wide day of giving. To give online with a credit card, visit WCCF Gives at wccfgives.org between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Sept. 18. The minimum contribution is $25.00. Checks submitted with a WCCF Gives check contribution form and mailed to WCCF are currently being accepted. A donation helps maintain collections and brings resources and programming to the community. Visit the charity profile page on the WCCF Gives website for a snapshot of the library’s services. Visit franksarrislibrary.org or the library’s Facebook page for more details, including instructions on how to donate with a check.
Upcoming Programs
Adult Programming
FSPL Book Club: The book club
selects a variety of fiction and nonfiction titles, including New York Times bestsellers. The nonfiction title for August is “Framed: Astonishing True Stories of Wrongful Convictions” by John Grisham and Jim McCloskey. The fiction selection for September is “Anxious People” by Fredrik Backman. Meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
(New) FSPL Silent Book Club
Frank Sarris Public Library’s Silent Book Club will be a relaxing and judgment-free reading experience — a space for introverts and everyone else! Starting on Sept. 17, the Frank Sarris Public Library will launch its very first Silent Book Club!
There is no assigned reading. Just bring a book, e-reader, audiobook or graphic novel and enjoy an hour of quiet, shared reading in a cozy space. Meetings will begin with a brief social chat and then proceed to an optional discussion. Silent Book Club meets every third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Rev. Marjorie Rivera: The Pittsburgh Medium: Anyone interested in mediums is encouraged to attend this “live” event! It’s a demonstration of mediumship, where messages will be delivered for as many participants as possible during the group reading. This is not a private reading. All participants have the same chance to receive a message. Admission to this event is free, with no registration required! Oct. 18, 7 to 8:45 p.m.
Museum passes: Plan a family trip to one of Pennsylvania’s museums with assistance from a local WAGGIN library, including Frank Sarris Public Library. Each museum pass can be borrowed for one week with an active WAGGIN library card. This year, each library has one pass for the following museums and historic sites: Captain William Vicary Mansion, Duncan & Miller Glass Museum, Gibson House Manor, Harmony House, Senator John Heinz History Center (including Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village and Fort Pitt Museum), Depreciation Lands Museum, Busy Run Battlefield and Historic Fort Steuben. All passes are valid through the end of 2025. Please note that the number of adults and children covered by each pass varies.
Children’s programming
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Jr. Engineers: During this storytime, children will explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) through stories and hands-on projects. Ages 3-6. 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Tuesday
Little Picassos: Spark a child’s imagination and self-expression through hands-on art activities. Each week, there’s a new make-and-take project. Ages 3-6. 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday
Wiggles & Giggles: This program emphasizes movement while introducing new vocabulary. Children enhance their gross motor, listening and social skills during each session. Ages 2-5. 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.
Toddler Tales: Exploring various themes, toddlers will participate in songs, stories and activities in a fun, educational setting. Ages 2-4. 11:15 to 11:45 a.m.
Thursday
School Story/Play: Children will enjoy songs, stories and games while developing important skills like listening during stories, early literacy and following directions. Ages 4-6. 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Children’s Programming – Afternoon (Below programs begin at 4 p.m. and end at 5:30 p.m.)
Tuesday
Lego Club: Calling all Master Builders! Show off your building skills at Lego Club. For ages 4-12.
Wednesday
Afternoon Games: Kids who enjoy board games or would like to try a Nintendo Switch are invited to the library. All games are suitable for children aged 6 and above.
Thursday
(New) Action Lab: This new STEAM program fosters passion for science, math and creativity. Ages 6-10.
Special schedule
Read to a Therapy Dog: Do you have a reluctant reader at home? Is there a child who loves puppies? Visit the library for a special chance to read to a therapy dog. This program is a great way to motivate hesitant readers and a delight for dog lovers. Our therapy dog eagerly looks forward to all the stories young patrons share. The dogs are between 4 and 13 years old. This program takes place every second Tuesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Canon-McMillan is thrilled to recognize Erin Stankus, a Canon-McMillan North Strabane Intermediate Teacher, for being selected as the recipient of a $500 Teacher Appreciation Week classroom giveaway.
American Fidelity, a supplemental insurance and benefits administration company specializing in the education sector, gifted this surprise as part of an initiative to support teachers who continue to go above and beyond. Stankus was selected for her ability to inspire others and her unwavering commitment to her students.
“This recognition means a great deal to me,” said Stankus. “Teaching sixth grade math is a dream come true, and seeing my students grow — both academically and with their confidence — is what drives me. To be recognized in this way feels incredibly rewarding and reminds me the hard work, patience and heart I put into the classroom every day truly matters.”
Stankus has been a part of the Canon-McMillan community for 17 years, having spent 13 years at South Central Elementary before relocating to North Strabane Intermediate four years ago. She holds a degree in English and theater from Washington & Jefferson College, a master’s in elementary education from California University of Pennsylvania and a second master’s in mathematics education from Western Governors University.
She said, “What I really love is watching those lightbulb moments happen — when a student who thought they ‘weren’t good
at math’ suddenly gets it, or when a quiet kid finds their voice during a math discussion. That shift — from doubt to belief — is magical. After 17 years, I’m still learning too. Teaching keeps me sharp, reflective and creative. It’s a profession where you never really plateau — because the students keep changing, and I evolve with them.”
The giveaway totaled over $500 in classroom materials and supplies. This bundle included 48 packs of one-subject notebooks, 36 dry-erase whiteboards and markers, construction paper, glue sticks, pencils, multiple crayon packs, pens and more.
Since she uses whiteboards almost daily in her math instruction classes, she said that having new ones will be beneficial. She said that she goes through a large number of markers and glue sticks each year, so the extra supplies will be helpful when those items begin to run low throughout the school year.
“This award reaffirms my belief in the power of teaching and the impact we can have when we meet students where they are and help them see their true capabilities,” said Stankus. It also inspires me to keep learning, keep growing and to continue showing up for my students with the same energy and belief in their potential.”
Stankus also plans to share some of the materials with her colleagues or anyone else in need of extra supplies, as the 20252026 school year is right around the corner.
Earn college credits while attending Canon-McMillan High School
Courtesy of Canon-McMillan School District
The Canon-McMillan School District offers students an academic opportunity through the College in the High School program. This program enables eligible students to earn college credits within their regular high school schedule, providing them with a head start on their college education while they benefit from the support and familiarity of their high school environment, all at a reduced cost.
This includes 12 courses taught by Canon-McMillan faculty who are certified as adjunct professors through the district’s college and university partners. Credits earned through CHS are easily transferable and recognized by over 98% of colleges and universities nationwide. Some of these partnerships include local institutions such as Carlow University, the University of Pittsburgh, Robert Morris University and Seton Hill University.
“We’re working to expand our College in the High School offerings so that Canon-McMillan students can graduate high school having completed a semester — or even a full year — of college coursework at a cost-effective rate,” said Ken Crowley, assistant to the superintendent/director of curriculum and instruction for 7-12. He added, “By providing our high-achieving students this opportunity to take college
courses while still in high school, we’ll be helping them save both time and money.”
Students can select CHS courses when they submit their schedule for the upcoming school year. A complete list of eligible courses and partnering colleges or universities is available through the high school program of studies. During the school year, students will be provided with the link to enroll for college credit by their CHS teacher.
Included among the CHS courses are international relations, which explores global politics; CHS precalculus, offering a foundation in advanced mathematics; and CHS/AP physics C, a rigorous calculus-based physics course.
“Our goal is for our College in the High School program to equal or exceed the opportunities currently provided through our 21 AP courses,” said Crowley.
The CHS program at Canon-McMillan not only represents an academic challenge but also empowers students to take ownership of their education. By making college-level coursework more accessible, the district can help students take meaningful steps toward their future goals.
“It’s a win-win for everyone,” said Crowley. “Students benefit from the rigor of a college-level course without having to leave high school, and families benefit from saving thousands of dollars.”
Belmont Guitar Laboratory: Forty years working with guitars
Story and photos by Dave Zuchowski
Sincehe got out of the Air Force, Curtis Spencer has done a number of things to support himself and his
descriptive write-up on his business, BGL, short for Belmont Guitar Lab. “We concentrate on solid body electric guitars, as well as basses and other stringed instruments. All of the in-
Spencer playing one of his guitars
on the Internet that it doesn’t make a difference what kind of wood your guitar is made of. “If that were true, you could just go to Walmart and get one for $100,” he said.
Over the years, he said he’s learned what woods make what sounds. Once he had the advantage of building seven different guitars simultaneously, using seven different woods. The process allowed him to hear the sound and resonance that the different woods made. Cherry and black walnut are his favorites.
“They produce the best sound,” he said.
As to the word Lab in his business name, he said he has always experimented with different woods and continues to do so.
The guitar maker claims to use lo-
cally cut lumber as well as exotic species, with a preference for reclaimed and repurposed lumber. Currently, he offers two models of his own design: Mini Flame and RPG, as well as his version of industry standards. For the price-conscious buyer, he provides a K project series and rebuilt lab rats that he has refurbished.
“One thing about my guitars is that I use dowels in the guitar neck instead of screws,” he said.
Regarding the durability of his work, he notes that a musician who purchased one of his guitars in 2000 took it on the road for years and performed on it two or three nights a week. Last he heard, it was still making good music.
For more information, text 724-590-3021 or visit his Facebook page, “Bgl Bgl.”
few of his hand-made guitars
Spencer in his basement workshop. (Top) Just a
Spencer showing off his
Curtis Spencer and Lil Brit
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New Back Pain treatment makes it way to the South Hills
Certain back conditions just do not go away on their own. They can become chronic issues that are very painful in the back, leg or arms. About 80% of people will get back pain at some point of their lives and roughly 50% of those issues will be caused by any of the following: disc herniation, disc bulge, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease. With surgical outcomes being around a 50% success rate, and injections only helping for a short amount of time or not at all, there had to be a better solution. That is what Dr. Brian Meenan, a chiropractor in Mt. Lebanon and McMurray sought out to find. After being a chiropractor for several years, he found there was a subset of the population with these issues that would linger and there was nowhere for them to go. After a lot of research and planning, he decided to add the FDA Cleared, Accu-Spina Spinal Decompression Table with patented IDD Therapy to his practice. “I am always very cautious of new tools to add to my practice because a lot of companies promise their device helps, but their outcomes are not always the best. There are several studies out using this technology and the success rate is better than I would have imagined at 90% success.” Dr. Meenan says.
When Dr. Meenan was looking into all of this, he realized that no one on this side of Pittsburgh had this table and technology. He had talked to other people who were driving over an hour to get this type of treatment. That is why he decided to add it to his new McMurray practice.
Understanding Non-Invasive Spinal Decompression with Accu-Spina
The Accu-Spina is a cutting-edge technology that combines modern science with research backed principles. It works by gently stretching the spine, creating negative pressure within the affected discs. This negative pressure helps rehydrate the discs, relieving pressure on nerves and surrounding structures. Dr. Meenan says “It is a very comfortable treatment that is only about 25 minutes long. Most people find it relaxing because it is giving your spine what it needs, rehydration.”
The Accu-Spina Treatment Process
When you visit Premier Chiropractic Clinic for noninvasive spinal decompression with the Accu-Spina Table, the skilled chiropractors will conduct a thorough assessment of your spinal condition and medical history. This will include a neurological evaluation, orthopaedic evaluation and review of any MRIs or X-rays that the patient may already have. “If the patient is a good candidate and we think they will benefit from the treatment, we can start the treatment as soon as the patient wants to.” says Dr. Meenan. “This is a good time where we can also just educate the patient on their condition. We are finding that not many people know much about their condition and why it is causing some much pain and discomfort.”
Depending on the severity of your condition, the doctors will recommend a personalized treatment plan, usually consisting of sessions over several weeks. Throughout the process, they will closely monitor your progress and make necessary adjustments to ensure the best possible outcome.
If you are interested in getting back or neck relief and you want to find out if you’d be a good candidate, schedule your consultation by visiting www.premierchiroclinic.com/spinal-decompression or just call 724-364-4143. Consultations are currently free for the time being but that may change in the future.
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