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MARCH/APRIL 2026

SUPERBODIES BY NAT EXPANDS TO NEW LOCATION

HERITAGE WINE CELLARS OFFERS A COZY LOUNGE TO “WINE DOWN”

DENBEAU HEIGHTS MAN BALANCES CAREER WITH INTEREST IN HISTORY

M A R C H /A P R I L 2 0 2 6 M O N VA L L E Y M AGA ZI N E

MonValley MAGAZINE

CON T E NT S 6

HERITAGE WINE CELLARS OFFERS A COZY LOUNGE TO “WINE DOWN”

DENBEAU HEIGHTS MAN BALANCES CAREER WITH INTEREST IN HISTORY

MONESSEN’S DOUGLAS EDUCATION CENTER PROVIDES VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN THE MON VALLEY

SUPERBODIES BY NAT EXPANDS TO NEW LOCATION

from the editor FINDING THE DISCIPLINE WITHIN I was supposed to start a bootcamp-style challenge at a local gym with a personal trainer at the end of January, but the huge winter storm delayed it. Then, a water main break flooded the facility, and it’s closed indefinitely. I feel for any local business impacted by uncontrollable factors, but I have to admit that I also had a little pity party for myself. I had wrapped all this excitement and potential into this challenge. I bought the healthy food and laid out my workout clothes. I even set my alarm for 5:30 a.m. and scheduled my smart lights to turn on automatically. Anyone who knows me knows that I am NOT a morning person, and the early wakeup was actually harder than thinking about anything the personal trainer would have made me do. Now, I’m trying to find the motivation and drive on my own, without the support and company of others. But I know that anything worthwhile takes some discomfort. You only get results if you put in the work. I have a cousin who lives a state away who has a very stressful job, yet she finds the time to hit the gym daily and run marathons. I am in awe of her. And anytime anyone asks how she does it, she says she doesn’t rely on motivation, since that feeling is so fleeting and unreliable. Instead, she says she focuses on discipline. I keep thinking about that, the fact that she’s so busy, successful and committed, and here I am without those hurdles, struggling with my mind. I hope I can push through. I know I can push through. Mind over matter. It’s finding the joy in movement, doing the things that bring my body and mind peace. Do you have any tips or suggestions? I’d really love to hear from you. How do you stay motivated to tackle tough things? Please let me know. Email me at tthurston@observer-reporter.com or call me at 724-222-2200 ext. 2421.

Editor 2 | M A R C H 1 9, 2 0 2 6 | M O N V A L L E Y M A G A Z I N E

NICHE PUBLICATION

MARCH/APRIL 2026 122 South Main Street Washington, PA 15301 724.222.2200 issuu.com/observer-reporter EDITOR Trista Thurston tthurston@observer-reporter.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carole DeAngelo CONTRIBUTORS Michele Gillis Dave Zuchowski Michael Walsh

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Kevin, Garnett and Cheriée in the sales room

Heritage Wine Cellars offers a cozy lounge to “wine down” By Dave Zuchowski Photos courtesy of Dave Zuchowski and Garnett Henderson

When Kevin and Cheriée Crews visited Pennsylvania wine country in the Lake Erie region, they liked Heritage Wine Cellars’ product so much that they decided to try to become one of the winery’s local store outlets. Donora high school sweethearts, now living in Monessen, the couple made their pitch to winery owner Joshua Bostwick. He liked their wine bar concept and decided to add their Belle Vernon location to his list of outlets, which already includes stores in Saxonburg and McKeesport. “Each outlet store is different,” said Bostwick. “Kevin’s wine bar concept is something new for us, and it’s been successful so far.” The Crews opened their Heritage Wine Cellars store and lounge at 410 Broad Street in Belle Vernon on October 4, 2025. The front of the location is stocked with 46 different Heritage Cellars Wine varieties. There, patrons can find red, whites, ports, sparkling and specialty wines in dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet variations. To make choosing easier, the award-winning wines are identified by a star symbol. Sparkling wine lovers can order a glass or bottle 6 | M A R C H 1 9, 2 0 2 6 | M O N V A L L E Y M A G A Z I N E

of very berry blackberry, which won the Governor’s Cup for Best Fruit. Kevin said the most popular wine is the cellar’s winter pear, which has won five gold and four silver medals. His personal favorite, however, is almondaria, which he said tastes like almond cake. Bostwick said the winter pear is also the top favorite wine of those who patronize the vineyard store in the northeast. “My brother, Matthew, invented the wine 18 years ago, and now twenty other wineries are trying to copycat it,” Bostwick said. “We here at the winery produce over 2,000 cases of the wine each year, and the winter pear accounts for 10 to 15 percent of our annual sales. To say it’s popular is an understatement.” In the back of the Belle Vernon location, the lounge offers seating at a hand-made wooden wine bar fronted by comfortable black leather chairs. There, patrons can sample wines of their choice from bartender Garnett Henderson, dressed in a black shirt with a red bow tie, red suspenders and a stylish red-and-black hat to match.

Other seating options include soft, cushy green leather Versace couches and chairs, where patrons can sip a glass of wine or a wine slushie of choice and nibble on cheese, meats and fruit served on a charcuterie board, along with other tasty snacks. One unique food creation served at the lounge, called the glass charcuterie, starts with a glass of wine of choice, covered with a wooden disc topped with crackers, cheese, meat and fruit. This spring, Kevin, who participated in the Pittsburgh Rib Festival four years in a row at Acrisure Stadium, will start selling barbecue brisket, ribs and chicken with his own rub and sauce. “I drove all the way down to Alabama, where I was

born, and back to pick up my smoker, which was customized to my own specifications,” he said. While patrons enjoy their wine and snacks, they can watch the big-screen TV mounted on a wall near the bar, listen to the music, play puttputt golf on a short sward of green turf, or sit at tables and play chess, video games and dominoes. When the Crews envisioned the enterprise, they wanted more than just a retail store. Instead, they aimed for a comfortable place where people could relax and “wine down.” When looking for a place to set up shop, the Crews found a convenient spot in The glass charcuterie

Slushies to go

Cheriée standing at the accessory display with a chocolate cherry slushie in hand

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Belle Vernon that had been a boutique. The space was ready after painting the inside walls, installing some string lights from the ornate tin ceiling and installing accoutrements that whisper wine, including a wine accessories area that displays gift bags, openers, vacuum pumps, mugs for slushies, wine glasses and more. Each month, the Heritage Wine Cellars Belle Vernon Facebook page lists special events, including karaoke, trivia, film evenings with popcorn, Taco Tuesdays and paint-and-sip happenings. Garnett Henderson tending to the wine bar

Around Labor Day, locals can Slushie, anyone? look forward to a planned festival on the block in front of the outlet that will feature

The charcuterie board

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Kevin’s barbecue, vendors and a visit by popular Prince interpreter, Billy Miller. “Kevin and Cheriée Crews have created a very friendly atmosphere, and their wine lounge motif is a perfect relaxation spot that’s unique to their particular store outlet,” Bostwick said. Heritage Wine Cellars, located at 410 Broad Avenue in Belle Vernon, is open Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Phone 412-5033936 or visit heritagewinecellarsbellevernon.com.

Kevin and Cheriée in front of their Heritage Wine Cellars Store and Lounge

Denbeau Heights man balances Story and photos by Dave Zuchowski

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As writer/cartoonist/journalist Allen Saunders once said, “Life is what happens to you while you make other plans.” It’s an apt saying that applies to Tom Karolewics to a large degree. When he attended California University of Pennsylvania, now Penn West California, as a history major with an interest in Eastern European history, he intended to go on to grad school with an ultimate career goal of teaching at the college level. However, the Denbeau Heights (Centerville Borough) resident said he had been bogged down with issues like paying back college loans and taking care of his grandfather, who had Alzheimer’s. “I wanted to wait a while to go to grad school and just got waylaid,” he said. While in college, he worked at Nemacolin Country Club in Beallsville, first as a busboy, then as a bartender, and finally as the clubhouse manager, a ten-month stint that ended in February 2014. While tending bar at Nemacolin, he chatted with club member and lawyer Kenneth Yablonski and mentioned that he had a degree in history. Yablonski then asked him if he’d like to try his hand as a paralegal. “That ties in somewhat with my degree in that they both involve research and writing, so I said yes,” Karolewics said. It’s a career that’s sustained him and his wife, Tionne, and their two daughters, Tiffany, 26, and Tabatha, 24, through the years, including a career segue from Yablonski, Costello & Leckie to the Peacock Keller Law Firm in 2014. Karolewics, however, never completely gave up bartending. For the past 33 years, he could be Tom Karolewics found part-time behind behind the bar at the Century Inn the bars at Nemacol-

career with interest in history in, Twelve Oaks Restaurant in Brownsville, and, since 2018, at the Century Inn in Scenery Hill. “I like meeting new and interesting people, and I find bartending a good parttime job,” he said. But there’s yet another aspect to the Vesta 6/ Low Hill native’s life that he seems to pursue with passionate interest, one that ties in with his penchant for history. The new pursuit started sometime just before the onslaught of the COVID epidemic in 2020, when everything shut down. With time on his hands, he and his wife began visiting historical sites and local cemeteries. Karolewics then began writing almost daily posts about his experiences, usually four to 10 paragraphs each, sometimes more, on his Facebook page. “I find it exciting to read about something, then actually go out and see it in person,” he said. “Not only do I visit the sites, but I often also do research as well.” Now with a lot of material in his portfolio, he has been covering basically the area from the Mon Valley to Washington. Still, he’s also gone further afield into neighboring Greene, Fayette and Westmoreland counties. At times, his interests have taken him as far away as the Kentucky-West Virginia border and north to Erie. Afraid that some historic sites may not be around much longer, he takes 5 to 20 photos on each visit, most of which he includes in his Facebook posts. Some of his favorite places include Alliance Iron Furnace on the Westmoreland-Fayette County border, the Old Overholt Distillery in Broad Ford and mine disaster sites like Marianna, Darr (the worst in the state), Harwick in Allegheny County and Monongah in Tom Karolewics in front of West Virginia (the worst the Whiskey Rebellion flag mounted on the wall of the in the U.S.). Century Inn “Al-

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liance Iron Furnace is a real neat place to explore for its ruins and the stone walls of the charcoal house,” he said. “Old Overholt is interesting because it’s so massive.” Karolewics said he has a house full of history books. “Too many, really,” he admitted. Down the road, he said he’d also like to write a book of his own, perhaps on the industrial history of the area going back to Isaac Meason of Connellsville. Meason constructed iron furnaces and even brought in English iron masters in the early 1800s, thereby developing a strong iron and steel industry in the region. “The main reason why I do this is because there’s a lot of history around here that many people don’t know about that might be gone soon,” he said. “I’m fearful that a lot of kids living around here will end up not knowing about our past.” Karolewics posts a historical tidbit almost every day on his Facebook page, which is accessible to the public at Facebook.com/ThomasKarolewics. Readers can scroll down his page to see older posts.

Tom Karolewics shaking up a cocktail at the Century Inn

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Tom Karolewics at the Hoge Memorial in Washington, a site posted to his Facebook page

Post COVID, Karolewics resumed his full-time paralegal job in March 2020 and his part-time job as a bartender at the Century Inn at the beginning of 2021. Alluding to the inn’s historic 1794 aura, he said he likes to make cocktails with a story he researches, especially historical ones. The Bees Knees, for instance, a cocktail popular at the inn, dates to Prohibition, when bathtub gin was notoriously bad-tasting. To soften the harshness of the flavor, bartenders would add honey, lemon and sugar to the mix. “In our version, we use good gin, and, as much as we can, try to use local products,” he said. “This includes honey from Robison Acres in Scenery Hill and local whiskies from Red Pump and Liberty Pole.” Working full-time and bartending on the side, you might wonder when he has time to do his historical research. “When I’m running errands, I usually try to include some historical side trip in the area,” he said. “Sometimes when I read about something I find interesting, I try to make some time to work it into my schedule. And then I have Saturday mornings and all-day Sunday free.”

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Legacy on the river: Monessen’s Douglas Education Center provides vocational education in the Mon Valley By Michael Walsh

The Douglas Education Center, formerly known as the Douglas Business College, has been an active presence in the Mon Valley since 1904. However, after twenty-five years of restructuring, the school has emerged at the forefront of a local renaissance in vocational studies, allowing both students and faculty to push professional boundaries and reframe what education looks like in practice. Much of this rebirth, according to Kevin Fear, DEC director of marketing and Tony Báez Milán, DEC director of admissions, seems to be attributed to three pivotal figures, Jeffrey D. Imbrescia, George A.

Romero and Tom Savini. First, there is Jeffrey D. Imbrescia, the current owner, president and CEO of the DEC. Imbrescia, who joined the then-Douglas School of Business in 1989, outlined plans to expand the business college’s educational offerings and its physical footprint. After his first decade leading the DEC, the center finally earned its current name and expanded its programs. This latter included the addition of eight new school buildings in Monessen, as well as a commercial driving classroom in Confluence. The programs Imbrescia structured mainly fall into the entertainment arts,

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skilled trades programs, including the CDL and safety programs and cosmetology, which includes multiple innovative classroom experiences, including, as Fear noted, advanced cosmetology, which is “a permanent aesthetic teaching experience, first of its kind in Pennsylvania, approved for classroom education in 2023.” Although Imbrescia’s restructuring, both physically and in programming, aided the school’s development, it took two other giants in the film industry, specifically those in the horror film industry, to establish an education center not just known around the region, but also around the state, na-

tionally and worldwide. According to Báez Milán, “When Imbrescia took over the school … we were just knocking on that door of expansion, then he got together with Tom Savini. It went from cosmetology to filmmaking and everything else that we have today.” Neither Savini’s film nor his educational experiences, it seems, can be understated. On camera, his horrific, gory, yet artistically groundbreaking makeup and designs brought films like “Friday the 13th” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” to life. And though the Pittsburgh-born film pioneer has been a staple of Hollywood slashers since the 1970s, he has ensured a local presence and one-on-one experience for students over his two decades of sponsoring young cosmetologists and makeup artists at the DEC. These included tape sessions with students to explain in detail how the horrific effects on screen come to life offstage in makeup and lighting first. This individual learning experience, Báez Milán mentioned, was “indispensable” to DEC students. As well, there is the original director of post-modern horror, fellow Pittsburgher George A. Romero. Known most for the groundbreaking film “Night of the Living Dead,” which introduced zombies into common culture, Romero, like Savini, was an early adopter of the changes in the DEC established by Imbrescia, and looked to take his experience in the national film industry and bring it to students on the ground in Monessen. Although Romero passed away in 2017, he ensured that his regular visits and handson approach to the curriculum would be carried on through the George A. Romero Foundation, which awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to many students in the DEC’s filmmaking program each year. “It starts with the Romero and Savini.” Fear stressed. “These are such well-known names in the industry that have taken time out of their careers to be here,” Báez Milán recounted, mentioning that both men have a legacy at DEC, which, in combination with the framework established by Imbrescia, has led to the school’s enrollment doubling to nearly 300 since 2000. With students coming from “not only across Pennsylvania, but all fifty states and twelve countries since Imbrescia’s term started twenty-five years ago,” Báez Milán remarked, it seems the DEC’s legacy, alongside the valuable faculty and staff, including the Pittsburgh film icons of George A. Romero and Tom Savini have transformed the one-time business college into a regional hub of cosmetics, filmography and vocational training at the heart of the Mon Valley. M A R C H 1 9, 2 0 2 6 | M O N V A L L E Y M A G A Z I N E | 1 9

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Upcoming Events APRIL

JUNE

April 11 Train Show 9am-3pm

June 5 & 6 All-Clad Factory Sale 5th-9:00am-6pm 6th-9:00am-3pm

April 17 & 18 Ag Days 17th-2pm-9pm 18th-10am-9pm MAY May 1,2, & 3 Kid Mania LLC 9am-6pm Fri & Sat 9am-2pm Sun May 16 & 17 GUN SHOW 9am-4pm

June 13 Power Lifting Alpha Fitness 7:45am-5pm JULY July 11 & 12 Duncan Miller Sale 11th - 9am - 4pm 12th - 10am - 3pm

MAY May 24 Touch A Truck 12noon - 3pm

 FACILITIES FOR EVENTS OF ALL SIZES  From a meeting for 10 people to a trade show for thousands, The Washington County Fairgrounds & Expo Center has the facilities and the experience to help make your event a success. The Fairgrounds venues are situated on 156 acres and include ﬁve exhibit halls, ten barns, a show tent, show arena, a three thousand seat grandstand, and more parking than you will ever need. M A R C H 1 9, 2 0 2 6 | M O N V A L L E Y M A G A Z I N E | 2 5

Superbodies by Nat expands to new location By Michele Gillis Photos courtesy of Superbodies by Nat

Tina Yetsconish came to Superbodies by Nat, a boutique fitness studio in Belle Vernon owned by Natalie Raitano, master trainer, after years of suffering with several debilitating autoimmune diseases that left her hardly able to walk. “I started personal training sessions with her in September 2023,” said Yetsconish. “When I walked in, I was hunched over and could not stand up straight. Natalie changed my life. We clicked instantly and became friends. After my sessions, I transitioned to her classes, and the rest is history.” When Yetsconish retired from her career, Nat asked her to train to be an instructor. “My favorite class to teach is one Natalie and I collaborated on together called TLO Burn,” said Yetsconish. “My nickname is TLO. It is a cardio-based, plank-centric class with light to heavy weights, incorporating a few yoga-inspired moves. Yoga is my passion, and so is weight lifting, hence the class. I also enjoy boot camps.” She is currently working toward her yoga certification so she can offer more advanced yoga classes and their benefits to clients. “Natalie changed my life and my mind,” said Yetsconish. “She gave me back not only my love of fitness, but my confidence. I love the atmosphere. It is a no-judgement zone. The best part is that I made so many new friends. We are truly a family.” Superbodies by Nat offers a variety of fitness classes and perGroup fitness classes at Superbodies by Nat get the blood pumping

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sonal training options tailored to individuals at every stage of their fitness journey. The studio emphasizes one-on-one coaching and group fitness, aiming to help everyone achieve their health and wellness goals. Superbodies by Nat is different from other gyms because it is open only for classes, boot camps and personal training. Classes offered include kickboxing, strength training, cardio, personal training, stretch, high-intensity training, yoga, step walking club and more. Clients say they never feel judged by others while at the gym. You can modify the exercises to meet your fitness level, and everyone is welcome. Fay Smith, 78, knows this first-hand. After spending months sitting on the couch loving on her almost 17-year-old dog until he passed, Smith felt she had officially become a couch potato. She saw an ad for Superbodies by Nat and decided to call and schedule a personal training session. “When I met Natalie, I was immediately impressed with her,” said Smith. “My age didn’t matter to her, and she said I could adapt as needed. So, after the personal training, I signed up for some classes and have been going ever since. I really like the personal touch that you get with her. She’s always willing to help and says age is no barrier. I recently had a bone density test, and my bone density increased by 4 percent, which at my age is a big deal. I would definite-

ly recommend her to anyone wanting to improve their health. As an aside, I found out her mom was my French teacher in high school and that she also takes Natalie’s classes. She is my inspiration. I feel like I am accomplishing so much that I didn’t think possible at my age.” Raitano opened Superbodies by Nat on her 56th birthday, Oct. 3, 2023. When it became clear that the gym had outgrown its space, she found a larger location, which opened on Thanksgiving 2025. One of the main reasons they needed a new space was to accommodate their very popular boot camp. “I needed more space for that, more equipment, and the other gym just was not able to accommodate what we needed,” said Raitano. “I have men in there for boot camps. They take up more space, and this gym is double the size of what we had before. It is also a different shape from what we had. Our space was rectangular, and now it’s square with depth and width. I can fit in more equipment, and the clients can move around much more easily without hitting each other. We did a bunch of boot camps in the little old gym too, but we needed to expand and grow with our community, you know?” Lindsay Noble, her husband, Natalie Raitano brings and her teenover 30 years of fitness and wellness age daughexperience to her ters all enjoy clients working out with Raitano at Superbodies by Nat. Noble said the classes are consistently challenging, yet not so much as to be intimidatM A R C H 1 9, 2 0 2 6 | M O N V A L L E Y M A G A Z I N E | 2 7

ing or discouraging. “The energy in the room is always positive yet focused on getting the work done,” said Noble. “Nat is so personal with her clientele. She gets to know everyone who walks through the door and immediately creates a one-on-one connection, which takes away the intimidation that can come with going to a new gym or group fitness class. Right away, you feel like a part of her family.” Noble said that the classes have such a wide age range of participants that she always feels comfortable, encouraged and inspired. “Of course, physically I am stronger and more confident, which I love,” said Noble. “Knowing that I can stay strong and capable as I age, having real women around me to encourage and inspire me, that’s the best part. Through her guidance, I have full confidence that I can and will move well for years to come.” Raitano was raised in Charleroi, but left for many years to pursue her dreams of acting, dancing and fitness in New York and Los Angeles. She returned home during COVID and started teaching fitness classes from her father’s garage. The classes moved to her garage when she purchased her own home. She also began teaching online fitness classes and continues to do so today. “To come back to Charleroi, just having that wealth of knowledge after working in all these big places really helped me when I moved back here,” said Raitano. All her knowledge and experience led her to purchase the gym and open Superbodies by Nat. The gym has several trainers, many of whom started out as Last day of bootcamp

clients that Raitano saw had the potential and experience to be trainers. Erica Browder is one of those trainers whose previous experience and dedication to a lifetime of fitness made her a perfect fit. “I decided to try Nat’s studio when a few friends suggested her classes,” said Browder. “All the feedback was very positive about her and her classes, so I finally decided to give it a try in March 2023.” Browder had experience as an instructor at other gyms, so when Raitano decided to offer a 6 a.m. bootcamp, Browder told her she would be happy to teach a few of the classes, and the rest is history. “I like the idea of doing timed circuits/blocks to get it all in,” said Browder. “My E Total Body class was created just for that. My four-minute blocks include a minute of cardio, a minute of upper-body weights, a minute of lower-body weights and a minute of abs. We do seven blocks after a cardio warm-up, then stretch for five minutes at the end. You feel good about hitting everything.” Browder is currently working on her certification for nutrition coaching and personal training. She said that nutrition is a big part of women’s journeys to get fit and lose weight. Clients already share recipes and tips to help one another now, so having something official at the gym will be great. Raitano calls her the “Accountability Coach.” “I love Nat’s energy and that she is very supportive of the women in her gym by motivating and encouraging them,” said Browder. “She is certainly very experienced as an instructor and trainer from her years in LA and NYC. The fact that she was willing to start something here in the Mon Valley to be a positive influence to the women in her com-

munity speaks volumes. She also is big about giving back Michaels BodyShred workout. Raitano has trained hundreds to community causes. We have a really of people and celebrities such as L.A. Reid great group of ladies who are mainly in and Cyndi Lauper. She was a lead weights their 40s and up, as well as a few youngand spin instructor at The Wall Fitness in er ones that we mentor. We work out Los Angeles. Raitano has no plans to slow together, get coffee after class, go to events down anytime soon and is currently creattogether and support one another.” ing a program for working out in your 50s Browder also spoke about Raitano’s free to stay fit and fabulous forever. Super Step Club group she started at the beginning of last summer to get everyone One of Raitano’s instructors bought her a on board with meeting step goals and life-size poster of a magazine cover she was walking outside together when possible. on and told her she needed to remember She has a Facebook group for that as well. where she came from. Raitano said she was introduced to the “I told her I am where I came from,” said fitness world at an early age by her father, Raitano. “I mean, I’ve done a lot of things, and she would accompany him to the local high school track every day for his and I’ve had a bunch of chapters, and it’s 3–5-mile run. While watching as she all part of my journey. But that’s part of played in the sandbox, she was subconNatalie Raitano, owner of Superbodies by my life. It was a chapter, but it doesn’t Nat, with her sister Nicky and her mom sciously inspired to do the same. She Angie, who also work out at her gym. define the whole me. Though it is a bit quickly developed a love for dance, balinteresting, and I have a lot of fun stories let, jazz, tap and hip hop. She also loved from that time in my life.” the athletic side of fitness, including running and tennis. Raitano has immersed herself in the As Raitano grew older, she knew this was Charleroi community by supporting other her career path. She put all of her talent women-owned businesses in the area and and hard work into making her dreams hosting special events, such as a recent come true. Upon moving to Los AngeGalentine’s dance party. les, she put her triple-threat talent into action. She landed dance roles in Pepsi “It’s like the people here are so different commercials, music videos and even from those in a bigger city area because a showgirl for a touring magic show. we’re all hard workers, so we know what it Dance lead to singing, in which she was takes to get a business off the ground, and in a group called Breeze. She landed people have a lot of respect for each other her first TV job, called “Hip Hop Body The instructors at Superbodies by Nat here,” said Raitano. Shop,” a daily fitness show on ESPN 2. Carly Gargan, Natalie Raitano, Erica Raitano got her big break when she land- include Browder and Tina Yetsconish Though it can be daunting ed a series regular role on to attend a class or sign the television show “V.I.P.” up for personal training, starring Pamela Anderson. Raitano understands. After 10 years of acting, “If someone wants to join she decided to follow her passion and purpose and a class or have personal went into fitness full-time. training, just get yourself Since then, her journey here,” said Raitano. “I’ll has been non-stop. For 10 meet you at the door, and years, she was a master let me do the rest.” trainer for Barry’s Bootcamp. She appeared in Superbodies by Nat is locatworkout videos for Barry’s ed at 625 Lincoln Avenue, Bootcamp, Red Carpet Ste. 101 in North Charleroi. Ready and Jillian Michaels Visit her website - Hard Body. She was also superbodiesbynat.com for a master trainer for the Serving the community is important to Superbodies by Nat more information. critically acclaimed Jillian

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

Jungmin L. Lee, M.D. Gastroenterologist, Pittsburgh Gastroenterology Associates

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.

Stomach Ulcer

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.

Normal Stomach

Stomach Cancer

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

Pittsburgh Gastroenterology Associates: 2589 Boyce Plaza Road, Suite 5 Pittsburgh PA 15241 • 412-232-8104 ofﬁce Spartan Health Building 100 Stoops Drive, Suite 280 Monongahela PA 15063 • 412-232-8104 ofﬁce

Serving the Mon Valley since 2005, Spartan Health Surgicenter is a freestanding, Medicare certified, Joint Commission accredited, ambulatory surgery center located off of Coyle Curtain Road in Carroll Township. Spartan strengthens the convenience of health care in the Mon Valley Community by providing greater comfort, more privacy and a relaxed environment for outpatient surgery center patients.

• Easily accessible from Toll Hwy 43, I-70 & Route 88 • Accept Medicare and most insurances • Experienced physicians, nurses and anesthesiology staff • State-of-the-art equipment and procedures • Joint Commission Accredited • FREE and convenient parking • Comfortable waiting area for families

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE: • Ophthalmology (Cataract, Glaucoma, Corneal) • Pain Management • Gastroenterology • Orthopaedics • General Surgery • Podiatry Patrick Garman, M.H.A. Executive Administrator

Jamie Farmer, R.N. Director of Nursing

Vincent Ripepi, D.O. Medical Director

MEDICAL STAFF Podiatry: Khoi Vo, DPM Colon/Rectal: Steven Esser, MD Orthopedic/Spine Jocelyn Idema, DO

Orthopaedic Surgery: Derrick Fluhme, MD Greg Habib, DO Patrick McCullough, MD Anthony Mustovish, DO Ari Pressman, MD Vince Ripepi, DO

Ophthalmology:

Aaron Wang, MD Thomas Findlan, DO Angela Gauthier, MD Nisha Dhawlikar Gosai, MD Anagha Medsinge, MD Julia Polat, MD

General Surgery: Prakorb Isariyawongse, MD Pain Management: Anthony Cuneo, MD Gastroenterology: Nicholas Bellicini, DO Mark Cedar, MD Bridger Clarke, MD Jungmin Lee, MD Lisa Oliva, DO Theresa Schuerle, DO

100 Stoops Drive, Ground Floor, Monongahela, PA 15063 724-483-2760 office 724-483-2762 fax

Centerville Clinics is proud to announce

DONORA FAMILY MEDICINE The founders of Centerville Clinics wanted to provide healthcare in communities where there were few, if any, options — and to provide it regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Now, Centerville Clinics is taking another step with the new, larger Donora Family Medicine scheduled to open later this year. The new location, at 570 Galiffa Drive, will include five exam rooms and a laboratory for specimen and bloodwork. When completed, the new facility will replace the current office at 718 McKean Avenue which will remain open until that time.

This project is funded, in part, by a Senate Appropriations grant secured through the efforts of former Pennsylvania United States Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr. in the amount of $500,000.

Putting patients first is what we do! Centerville Clinics is there when you need help. We offer convenient, same-day appointments and minimum wait times. We are a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that participates in most insurance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, UPMC, and Highmark.

Total Healthcare Across the Mon Valley Centerville Clinics provides medical, dental, and behavioral health care – and more! We can be your Primary Care Physician. Our specialty services include dermatology, podiatry, laboratory services, and an outstanding Radiology Department that provides state-of-the-art 3-D Mammography and bone density tests. We also have a full-service pharmacy for our patients.

CENTERVILLE CLINICS High Quality Healthcare that Puts Patients First

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.

OUR LOCATIONS IN THE MON VALLEY Bentleyville Family Practice California Family Practice Charleroi Medical and Dental Donora Family Medicine Republic Doctor’s Office Yablonski Memorial Clinic Learn more about Centerville Clinics, and how we can help you! Visit centervilleclinics.com for a complete list of our services and programs — and to find the Centerville Clinics location in your neighborhood.

For an appointment, call 724-632-6801.