VARGAS GIRLS USE VINTAGE FASHION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY
11 LOCALLYOWNED MON VALLEY PHARMACIES STRUGGLING TO STAY AFLOAT
14 STEEL PLATE RECALLS MONESSEN’S INDUSTRIAL AND ETHNIC HERITAGE
16 CURLS AND CONFDENCE: HOW THE VARGAS GIRLS USE VINTAGE FASHION TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY
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EDITOR
Trista Thurston
tthurston@observer-reporter.com
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Carole DeAngelo
CONTRIBUTORS
Kristin Emery
Michele Gillis
Haven Stetor
Dave Zuchowski
This is the time of year when I am most in my element. I just love fall. I just took a short walk to the library, which shares a block with our office, to return one book in exchange for another that was waiting for me. It’s my ideal day today — about 60, breezy and gray. The sun is hiding, and the crisp leaves are rolling over the grass, shushing all the other noise. It’s time for tea, chilly mornings, dark evenings and big reads, both in size and scope. I know this time of year can be hard for others, so my thoughts are with you if the shorter days and waning sunlight make it difficult for you. In my adulthood, I have come to appreciate something about each season. To bask in the summer’s sun, soak up spring’s lushness and yes, even frolic in the winter snow, when we get some white powder worth ploughing through. But despite my ability to see the good in each quarter, this one is my favorite, and it seems to linger ever so briefly. The leaves are falling, and soon we will be blanketed in the cold. But, for a bit longer now, I will appreciate each day as it comes, as drab and gloomy as I like.
This is my home. Though I am not originally from the area (just over the border in Southeastern Ohio), here is where I’ve planted. I’ve been here for eight years now, closing in on a decade of working, learning, loving, befriending and being. I’ve made some fantastic connections here, forged relationships I wouldn’t trade for anything. So though I wasn’t originally rooted here, Southwestern Pennsylvania is where I’ve truly bloomed. I hope the same for you.
Thank you for reading. As always, I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to send me an email or give me a call to tell me your thoughts or drop me a tip.
Courtesy of Socki-Sun Photography
Samantha Shoemaker, owner of Grain and Grackle, shows off her bakery stand, where her homemade goods are displayed daily.
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The Residence at Hilltop
At 25, Margaret loved to get together with friends. At 75, she still can.
25 years of keeping seniors independent in their homes.
Community LIFE helps seniors confidently and safely live at home with an all-inclusive program and insurance plan. With eight Health and Wellness Centers throughout the region and transportation provided, you can drop by and have a cup of coffee, laugh with friends, and take care of your health all at once. For a community that’s full of LIFE, call 866-419-1693 or visit commlife.org to learn more.
By Michele Gillis
Photos courtesy of Socki-Sun Photography
It all started with eggs.
With the price of eggs skyrocketing, Samantha Shoemaker, owner of Grain and Grackle, a local bakery, decided to raise chickens and sell eggs from her home to help support her community. She currently has 31 chickens and sells her eggs for $4 a dozen.
But, she didn’t stop there. Shoemaker, a fourth-generation Pennsylvania Dutch and German baker, has always been a cottage baker. When she moved back to the Donora area from Maryland, she decided it was time to reopen her bakery. Grain and Grackle opened as a bakery stand in front of her home on Sept. 27 and sells out every day.
“Every recipe is from my family cookbook,” said Shoemaker. “I’ve been taught to bake since I was a little girl. Most of the stuff I actually just bake from memory. I’ve been in front of a stove probably since I was about four.”
All of her baked goods are made with locally sourced ingredients and sold at a reasonable cost. Since she bases her weekly menu on the type of local fare she finds, it changes weekly and sometimes even more often.
“I go to the farmer markets quite frequently, like Trax Farm, Triple B or even the little roadside stands,” said Shoemaker. “If I see something really fresh, I will make something with it. For example, I made apple cider cinnamon rolls yesterday, which sold out almost immediately, and I’m planning to make some more today. They were made with apples and apple cider from Trax Farm.”
Some items on her menus include sourdough bread, mini apple pies, chocolate chip banana bread, zucchini bread, pumpkin bread, cookies, butter cake and more.
“I always bake or make stuff anyway,” said Shoemaker. “Now I’m just doing it on a larger scale. Instead of baking a single recipe for my family, I’m doubling or tripling the recipe for the business. I have the oven downstairs. I put an extra grate in it, so instead of baking two shells at once, I can bake three.”
She turned her basement into a kitchen and part of her garage into a bakery stand. Even her bakery stand was recycled. It
was a free television stand that she repainted. She put flow ered wallpaper behind it to create a welcoming space for her customers.
Customer Marcy Crow heard about the unique bakery stand on Facebook.
“Since I’m in the area often, I stopped by,” said Crow. “I purchased a package of cookies and a pumpkin bread. Both items were delicious. I went back a few days later when I saw apple pies offered. I purchased an apple pie and a small butter cake. Again, I was pleased with both items. I have not met the owner, but the little town of Donora has always had many bakeries, but now there are none. It is a pleasure to help a small business get started. I hope she continues to grow.”
The bakery stand is self-serve. Customers can pay with cash or a QR code for Venmo or Cash App. Shoemaker said they do have a security camera, and if someone needs to reach her, they can shoot her a Facebook message, call or text her, and she will come right out to help them if needed.
“Sometimes I’ll be sitting out with a stand and I like to ask the customers what they’d like to be looking for,” said Shoemaker. “I always ask for local suggestions on where to get fresh milk or produce. Because really, it is about supporting community, and it’s about being for the community.”
Grain and Grackle tries to be as locally sourced as possible.
Currently, she has been making her own butter, as well as pumpkin and apple purees. She also just purchased a grain mill, so she can blend her own wheat to make cookies, cakes and bread.
“I have to sift the germ and bran out, but then I can use it for bran muffins, which are a pretty big seller,” said Shoemaker. “Nothing goes to waste.”
And that’s the other thing. Shoemaker is committed to being eco-friendly and strives to reduce food waste.
“Almost all of our scraps go out to our chickens, which then turn that into eggs,” she said. “
She said being a member of the Pennsylvania Dutch Bakers group has been helpful. The philosophy of cooking and bak-
Samantha Shoemaker, owner of Grain and Grackle, proudly shows off her bakery stand, where her homemade goods, like apple cider cake donuts and blue ribbon apple pie, are displayed daily.
ing is simplicity. She explained this as not overcomplicating things and everything being whole and good.
“The logo I have is a taste of tradition from Pennsylvania fields to your table,” said Shoemaker. “The most processed thing I use in my food is Crisco. That is the fanciest ingredient. I use it to grease all of my pans and trays, so it’s automatically in everything. But some of my cookies will get a little spoonful of Crisco, and that keeps them softer longer than just butter. So if it calls for a whole stick of butter, I’ll cut a tablespoon of the butter off and add a tablespoon of Crisco instead. It holds the moisture in your baked goods, and it keeps them moist longer.”
Shoemaker said she can make gluten-free and allergen-free baked goods by request only.
“I don’t have a second dedicated kitchen when I bake those things,” she said. “Those have to be baked the first thing in the morning, and I do an extra wash down of the kitchen before I do it to try and eliminate cross-contamination risk. It’s always there. We don’t have a dedicated free kitchen, but the hope is, when I get, if and when, God willing, a commercial space, I will have a second allergen-free dedicated space.”
She had a home cottage bakery business in Maryland from 2017 to 2022 and has been doing custom orders over the past few years. She was also a vendor at Catoctin Colorfest, one of the largest arts and crafts festivals on the East Coast, in 2021 as a single proprietor.
Shoemaker has been chronically ill since 2003. She suffers from postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS. Her condition makes it difficult to eat certain foods, and
she was even bed-bound for some time. Through diet and reconditioning, she has shown improvement, but there are still things she can’t do, such as walking up and down stairs. She can’t be on her feet for too long without getting dizzy and having severe bouts of tachycardia.
Because of this, she had the basement set up to be disability-friendly with a wheelchair she uses while she is baking. She can walk out of her front door and down a small hill to reach the basement instead of the stairs.
Shoemaker manages her condition as best she can while also taking care of her husband and two children.
Though she just opened the stand bakery a month ago, the response has been fantastic, as she sells out every day.
She had a five-year plan to open an actual storefront in Donora, but is thinking that timeline might be moved up.
“I would like to have somewhere that the community can come and get fresh produce and baked goods that will support our community,” said Shoemaker. “I’m actually going to look at a commercial building today down on Main Street.”
Shoemaker said that Donora used to have more independent businesses, such as bakeries, restaurants, shoe stores, tailors and the like.
“I’d really like to see that come back to the community,” she added.
She feels it will take a minute to find a commercial space, renovate it to her liking and open a business. Keep your eyes on her Facebook page for news. Visit Grain and Grackle for more information and the weekly menu.
By: Haven Stetor
For nearly 90 years, CJ’s furniture has been dedicated to bringing family tradition and quality furniture to the Monongahela community.
What started as a small local shop has grown and changed over the years, but the heart of the business has remained the same. Today, owners Jaimie and Joe Amati are carrying on the same mission that has guided the company from the start: “to provide homes with pieces that not only speak to the heart but stand the test of time.”
For the Amatis, customer service is just as important as the furniture itself. They have worked hard to keep the buying process simple and stress free, whether that means offering free delivery, inhome consultations or helping customers design new pieces.
“We are proud to continue the old school personalized method for buying furniture,” Jaimie said. “We help you buy what is best for you.”
That patient, no pressure environment is what keeps community members coming back and trusting CJ’s with their homes, generation after generation. Customers often return throughout different stages of life, trusting CJ’s to help them create spaces that feel like home. For the Amatis, those lasting relationships mean everything. It is a mindset that goes beyond sales and reflects the belief of treating each home with care.
Jaimie summed it up by saying: “We can always add to the room; we can’t take away.” It’s a simple philosophy that encourages customers to make thoughtful choices without feeling rushed. She explained that the team works closely with families to understand their needs and guide them toward pieces that are practical, functional and long lasting. “Our furniture does last a long time because it is custom made, and all of our upholstery is made in this country,” she said. “It lasts longer than what you might find at a bigger chain store.”
From the very first step, the CJ’s staff is there to guide customers. That might
mean helping them picture how a piece will look in their home, measuring spaces to guarantee the right fit or walking through different fabric and finish options. With so much to choose from, it can feel overwhelming, but the team makes the process feel personal and manageable.
The store carries furniture for every space in the home, from bedrooms and living rooms to dining areas and smaller finishing touches. Customers also have the opportunity to customize their pieces, choosing fabrics and finishes that best fit their needs. Having these options allows families to invest in furniture that not only matches their style but is also built to last.
For many families, these purchases are about more than just furniture. A new bedroom set can completely transform a space into a place of comfort and rest, while a sturdy dining table can become the setting for countless meals, celebrations and late nights. These are the kinds of moments that the Amatis think about when helping customers choose pieces. They know that their furniture is not just functional, it is part of a family’s story.
CJ’s goes beyond just furniture. Lamps, mirrors and accent pieces are also available, giving customers the chance to bring together all parts of a room. Whether someone is shopping for one piece or an entire set, the goal is to
make the process simple and enjoyable.
While the products are important, it is the community connection that makes CJ’s truly stand out. The Amatis are well known both inside and outside of the showroom.
They give back through donations, local sponsorships and Jaimie’s position as treasurer for the Chamber of Commerce. Supporting the Monongahela area is part of the store’s identity, and it is something that the Amatis are proud to continue.
“We try to donate to as many organizations as we can, whether it is schools or other local groups,” Jaimie explained. Beyond donations, the family also volunteers through their church and participates in community events.
Even after nearly a century, CJ’s furniture continues to be more than just a place to buy furniture. It is a cornerstone of the community that was built on tradition and the belief that every home deserves a piece that will last a lifetime. Families who walk through the doors are not just customers, but neighbors, friends and part of a larger story that CJ’s has been writing since 1935.
By Kristin Emery
Despite the high costs we pay for prescription drugs, more than half of all independent pharmacy owners in Pennsylvania are operating at a loss. The losses mainly come from what are called Part D prescription medication reimbursements from the government and insurance companies. These low reimbursement rates are creating significant gaps in the budgets of local pharmacies, making the business unsustainable. Dozens have closed in Pennsylvania over the last five years, creating a void for patients and what is termed a “pharmacy desert” in many communities. The Mon Valley is not immune, and with Rite Aid closing due to bankruptcy, that leaves only a handful of local pharmacies in the Valley. Patients must travel further to obtain prescriptions, experience delays in receiving them or struggle to transfer prescriptions to other pharmacies. All of this can lead to health issues, such as increased hospitalizations, especially for those with chronic health conditions. So what’s at the root of the problem, and how long can local pharmacies hang on?
Blame PBMs
At the heart of the financial issue are something called pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), which act as middlemen between insurance companies, government programs (Medicare and Medicaid providers) and pharmacies. PBMs set the rates for how much they reimburse the pharmacy through your insurance. “They kind of dictate what prescriptions go through someone’s plan, they dictate how much that person can get,” explains Ron McDermott, a pharmacist and Senior Vice President of Pharmacy Operations for Hometown Pharmacy Solutions, which owns Dierken’s Pharmacy in Monongahela, along with five other pharmacies across Pennsylvania. “When it’s all said and done, that PBM keeps a large amount of money, and the pharmacy is getting left with pennies.” McDermott gives an example of common cholesterol and heart medications that Medicare claims cost $13 to dispense. “They say everything that goes into that costs about $13 and they’ll give us 60 cents,” he says. “What about if grandma or grandpa is also on a brand-name medication that costs thousands of dollars? A PBM will pay us $830 for the honor of taking care of grandma, and I’ll lose $170 just to get her the medicine.”
While common public perception might be that small, local pharmacies can’t compete with big chains like CVS and Walgreens, the real battle is with the PBMs. “It’s not really battling the big pharmacies necessarily, because there are things we do as independents
that those guys can’t do,” McDermott adds. “But it’s battling the PBMs on the reimbursement side. Our Medicaid system in the state of Pennsylvania really has a lot of work to do. Many states have done a better job taking care of base reimbursement for these pharmacies.”
McDermott is a board member of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association (PPA), which advocates for changes across the Keystone State. “Locally-owned community pharmacies provide a crucial benefit, especially in rural and urban ‘pharmacy deserts’ across Pennsylvania, acting as accessible healthcare hubs where regular access to a primary care provider is challenging,” says PPA CEO Victoria Elliott. “Services like immunizations, health screenings (blood pressure, glucose), medication counseling and even home delivery ensure Pennsylvanians receive vital care and support for chronic conditions. To keep these essential resources open and operating, a key change needed is reforming the predatory practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), who often shortchange pharmacies with low reimbursement rates that can force them to fill prescriptions at a loss, ultimately threatening their financial viability and access to care for vulnerable communities.”
While problematic across all insurance types, the current focus of the PPA is on the Medicaid managed care pharmacy benefit program, which is overseen by the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) and administered through seven managed care organizations, each of which contracts with a PBM to administer their prescription benefit. “Our ask is simple,” says Elliott: “Require that all the participating managed care organizations enact a provision that requires the contracted PBM to pay pharmacies for the full cost of the drug (the ingredient cost) and a fair and reasonable dispensing fee of $10 that CMS (Medicare) mandated in 2018 to cover a pharmacy’s cost to dispense the drug.” She warns that without this critical change, Pennsylvania will continue to see pharmacies close. “And patients — especially in our Commonwealth’s underserved areas — will be unable to secure necessary prescriptions and preventative services available at community pharmacies.”
McDermott admits that PBM’s lobbying efforts have stalled change by the government for years. “The PBM lobbyists go over and spend millions and tens of millions of dollars trying to shroud this from the general populace, but we have the proof when it’s all said and done,” he says. “There’s a reason those companies are all top 10 companies in the United States at this point, because all they’re doing is pushing buttons, and they’re getting all the fees when we’re buying it, storing it, taking care of the patient, delivering it in special packaging, going to their houses to give them vaccinations, doing all these crazy things that are wonderful things if you can get reimbursed for and taking care of these folks, but then the middle man’s keeping the majority of the money.” In Pennsylvania, the situation is becoming grim as the number of local pharmacies has decreased by 15-20 percent since the start of 2024. “We have patients that are with us for 20 years that we lose 300 or 500 bucks every month to take care of, and now I can’t do wrong by them and take on all of Rite Aid’s patients that they were losing money on,” McDermott says. “You can’t stay in business doing business the way that you always did before. And it’s hard to do when a patient looks you in the eye and needs help, but you can’t just take anybody that walks in the door at this point.”
It’s that exciting time of year again!
We’re thrilled to announce the nominees for the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce’s “Celebrating the Season of Business Awards!”
Each year, we recognize the incredible businesses, organizations, and individuals who make the Mon Valley shine — and this year’s nominees truly represent the best of the best!
Excellence in Business Award
Honoring a business that continually provides outstanding products and services:
•Domenico’s on Grand
•Elite Physical Therapy and Wellness
•Dairy Queen – North Charleroi
Regional Service Award
Celebrating organizations that contribute to the quality of life in the Mon Valley:
•City Mission, Washington
•Bag Brigade, BVASD
•Salvation Army
Shining Star Award
Recognizing individuals who go above and beyond to promote the Valley and support the Chamber mission:
•Deb Puglia
•Lisa Neil
•Alyssa Mendola
After 13 wonderful years of serving families in need throughout the Mon Valley, Little Things for Little People is stepping into a refreshed space and we’d love for you to be part of this next chapter.
A little about the heart of the organization:
They provide free items for newborns through kindergarten age—from diapers, wipes, and baby clothes to strollers, bathtubs, car seats and more.
They’re rooted in the community with sponsorship by the Belle Vernon Ministerium—and serve the Mon Valley families rst and foremost.
Recently they relocated to this new location in Monessen to double their space and increase access—especially for families who previously had transportation or accessibility challenges. They rely heavily on local donations of clothing (now up to size six), supplies, and furniture—not to mention the generosity of local clubs and volunteers.
We’re thrilled to welcome Grain & Grackle Bakery to the Mon Valley community! On October 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM we of cially cut the ribbon at 151 Grandview Ave., Donora
Grain & Grackle offers a delicious lineup of fresh baked goods, farm-fresh eggs, and much more — all crafted with care and a love for local avor.
Come celebrate this exciting new addition to our region, meet the team, and see what’s in season!
We’re proud to support another business bringing fresh ideas (and fresh bread!) to the Valley.
Story and photos by Dave
When Russell Johnson and his wife, Nicole, purchased the former Monessen Italian eatery, Anna Marie’s, in August 2021, the couple sought to honor the area’s rich industrial and diverse ethnic heritage.
“Both our families settled here because of the steel mills,” Russell said. “Some were miners; some worked the steel mills. But when the mills shut down, a lot of our family dispersed. When we bought the restaurant, we wanted to honor the area’s steel-making past as well as the diversity of its people. Hence, the Steel Plate, a place where the diverse population could get together and enjoy good food.”
Russell was born in Monessen but grew up in Perryopolis. Nicole is a lifelong Monessen resident and a current sixth-grade school teacher for the Monessen School District.
When Russell joined the Navy, he enhanced the cooking skills he had learned from his father by attending a six-month culinary school program at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. He left with the title of culinary specialist and began serving meals to as many as 5,000 sailors aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington.
When he left the Navy in 2004, he took on the position of food service director for AVI at California University of Pennsylvania, now known as PennWest California. For six years, he also drove a truck, but eventually grew tired of being on the road for six weeks at a time and wanted to spend more quality time with his two daughters, Londyn and Laina, now 11 and 7, respectively.
Zuchowski
“That’s when I quit truck driving to manage another restaurant until I bought the Steel Plate in 2021,” Russell said.
When the couple created a menu for their new restaurant, they aimed to showcase the area’s diversity and multicultural character. Today, the mix of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, pastas and entrees constitutes what the website labels “a family-owned eatery with a modern American twist.”
“In the past 4 years, we really haven’t changed it much,” he said.
“We feature so many unique items that we decided to keep the original menu basically as is.”
The Steel Plate often includes daily specials like stuffed cabbage rolls, city chicken and pierogis. Russell’s signature dish is featured on the menu daily: Brisket Alfredo. Fresh black pepper fettuccini, tossed in homemade Alfredo sauce and topped with Texas-style smoked brisket, which is smoked outside in a large smoker that can hold up to 700 pounds of meat.
Another popular item, the Heaven and Hell Chicken Parmesan, is a breaded chicken breast served over fried risotto, accompanied by house red (Hell) and Alfredo (Heaven) sauce.
“Ironically, the first person who ordered it was a minister,” Russell said. Wanting something that would serve a family of four on a budget, he created the Smoke Stack. The dish is made with a full rack of ribs stuffed with a pound of tater tots, topped with a pound of mac and cheese, and finished with a choice of pulled pork ($38) or brisket burnt ends ($43).
While Russell cooks, Nicole helps out in the kitchen, making the sauces, meatballs and salad dressings. Those with a sweet tooth can end their meal with customized cheesecake, usually homemade, the most popular being Fruity Ripple.
“I’ve worked in the food service industry since the age of 16,” Nicole said. “This includes restaurants like La Eda’s and By George’s in Monessen.”
In the lobby, patrons can sign the guest book, which already lists several local celebrities and luminaries, including Ken Griffey, Sr., Michael Moore, Tom Savini, Louis Lipps and Le’Veon Bell. You’ll also find diners from as far away as Jamaica and the Virgin Islands, as well as four members of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, heading to Washington, D.C., to advocate for their tribe.
“Being located close to I-70 and having a large social media following certainly helps boost business,” Russell said.
Not only does the restaurant seat 65 diners, but the Johnsons also own the adjacent catering hall, which accommodates 85 guests. At the beginning of October, the Steel Plate catered the annual fundraising event for the Monessen Historical Society, with an Oktoberfest theme. The bill of fare consisted of chicken schnitzel, brats with sauerkraut served on buns by a local bakery, Bavarian pretzels with cheese, potato pancakes and braised red cabbage. Russell finished off the meal with apple strudel with vanilla cream sauce.
“We also cater the fairs at Westmoreland and Fayette County out of a 10 by 20-foot tent,” he said.
On the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, you could also find Russell at Shanksville on food prep duty for the solemn event, attended by former Governor Tom Wolf, former President George W. Bush, and then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
“On 9/11, I was actually off the coast of North Carolina on board the USS George Washington,” Russell said. “The very next day, we were relocated to New York Harbor. When Captain Sue Thwaite of the Monessen Salvation Army heard of my connection to the September 11 attack, she asked me to be one of the food preps for the 20th anniversary memorial.”
As if Russell doesn’t have his hands full enough with the restaurant and catering service, he also runs and owns the pick-up only pizza shop at the end of the block. The shop is titled Flame City Pizza, a reference to the large flame greeting drivers as they enter town from one of the remaining steel mills.
The Johnsons’ food enterprises may be a lot to handle, but Russell and Nicole get to rely on a staff of 27 to keep things running smoothly. The current restaurant at 321 Schoonmaker, described as having a cozy, rustic and welcoming environment, has had a long history before it opened as The Steel Plate.
A previous incarnation saw it as an Italian restaurant, Anna Marie’s. Before that, it was known as Fat Jack’s, which specialized as a breakfast eatery after being converted from two adjacent houses. “We’d like our patrons to get out of their comfort zone and try something different,” Russell said. “They won’t be disappointed.”
The Steel Plate, 321 Schoonmaker Ave. in Monessen, is open Thursday, Friday, and Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Tuesday. On Sunday, the restaurant serves brunch. For more information, phone 724-314-8080 or search for The Steel Plate on Facebook.
By Haven Stetor
Pin-up is powerful. For the Vargas Girls, dressing up in historical pin-up style is more than a fashion statement. It is a way to support and uplift the people around them. With their vintage looks and outgoing personalities, the group uses their style to bring attention to local charities throughout the Mon Valley.
Rachel Willson, the founder of the Vargas Girls, always loved pinup culture, but she truly fell in love with it during the COVID-19 lockdown. She entered a pin-up contest for fun and ended up winning. That experience opened the door to local pin-up events, but Willson wanted to use her passion for good in the community. While similar groups focused on car shows and photo shoots, she wanted to dedicate her time and energy to volunteering and community support.
Four years later, that idea has grown into a group of 10 women. Each member joined for her own reason, whether it was an interest in vintage fashion or to make new friends in the community. However, they all share a common theme. They were looking for a confidence boost. As Willson explained, “Red lipstick changes you. You feel confident, and you are ready to take on the world.” The girls work to expand that feeling of confidence and beauty outside of the group, spreading that positivity right back to the community. Recently, the group held an online pin-up contest fundraiser to support Tender Loving Care Nursing Home in West Newton. The money raised will allow every resident to have their hair styled for Christmas. The Vargas Girls plan to spend time with the residents, listening to their stories and bringing homemade cookies and other activities.
The Vargas Girls also attend WWII Weekend in Reading each
year. They attend the Belle Vernon Volunteer Fire Department car show, support animal rescues such as Fayette Friends of Animals and help raise funds for community groups like the Fairhope Rod and Gun Club and the Naomi Club.
Along with community events, the group also put together a special fundraising project this year. They created their first-ever Vargas Girls pin-up calendar to raise money for the group to continue their legacy. Each member chose an image inspired by Hilda, a famous 1950s pin-up character known for being playful and imperfect. The photos enable each woman to express her pinup alter ego while celebrating body positivity and the idea that beauty stems from embracing one’s true self.
For the Vargas Girls, it is not just about raising money. It is about providing connection and joy. Willson shared that some of their most meaningful moments come from interacting with elderly residents and veterans, especially those who may no longer have family around. Whether it is listening to stories from a WWII veteran who remembers the era or simply making them feel beautiful through hairstyling and makeup, the group takes pride in giving others a sense of being seen and valued. These shared experiences are what motivate them to continue to give back. The Vargas Girls plan to continue growing and spreading positivity and joy through the Mon Valley for years to come. They hope that more women discover the confidence and self-expression that pin-up provides, and that more local organizations benefit from the energy that they bring to each event. As Willson stated, pin-up is powerful, and the group is proof of what inspiration, joy and energy can accomplish when shared with the community.
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.
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.
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
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 free-standing, 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.
Podiatry: Khoi Vo, DPM
Colon/Rectal:
Steven Esser, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery: Vincent Ripepi, DO
Patrick McCullough, MD
Justin Zenner, DO
• 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
• Ophthalmology (Cataract, Glaucoma, Corneal)
• Pain Management
• Gastroenterology
• Orthopaedics
• General Surgery
• Podiatry
Ophthalmology:
Aaron Wang, MD
Thomas Findlan, DO
Angela Gauthier, MD
Nisha Dhawlikar Gosai, MD
Charles Kent, MD
Anagha Medsinge, MD
Julia Polat, MD
Patrick Garman, M.H.A. Executive Administrator
Patricia Monaghan, R.N. Director of Nursing
Vincent Ripepi, D.O. Medical Director
General Surgery: Prakorb Isariyawongse, MD
Pain Management: Anthony Cuneo, MD
Gastroenterology:
Nicholas Bellicini, DO
Mark Cedar, MD
Jungmin Lee, MD
Lisa Oliva, DO
Theresa Schuerle, DO
Bridger Clarke, MD
Xuong Lu, MD
