seniors swpa
ALM, OR, HS JULY 19, 2026
SMITHFIELD WOMAN KEEPS GROWING THROUGH LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS MENHART INDUCTED INTO WASH-GREENE SPORTS HOF COMMUNITY GARDENS THRIVE THROUGH VOLUNTEERS RETIRED MUSE NURSE LOOKS BACK FONDLY
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Retired Muse nurse looks back fondly on long career By Katherine Mansfield One of the best days of Argia Iannarelli’s life was a wedding. Not her own wedding – Iannarelli never married – but the day her brother, Dominic Iannarelli, tied the knot stands out in her long memory. “All the relatives were young and they came from all around,” said Iannarelli, 85, of Muse. “We had a big wedding at the club. You had an afternoon reception, you had a night, the night reception. It was a lot of fun.” Dominic Iannarelli was like a father to Argia, Iannarelli said. He was “very, very handsome,” Iannarelli smiled, 11 years her senior, and born in Italy before their parents, Conchetta and Joseph, immigrated to the United States from the Abruzzi region and settled in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Iannarelli’s mother was a homemaker whose pizzelles Iannarelli still remembers fondly. Her father was a miner (his brother, her uncle, was killed in the mines) who enjoyed playing cards at the Muse Italian Club. When Iannarelli was 14, her father was killed on his way home from that club.“He went to the club to play cards with my godfather. They were walking home. He was killed by a drunk driver,” said Iannarelli, who spent an early afternoon cleaning and decorating her parents’ grave at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Canonsburg ahead of Memorial Day weekend. After her father’s death, Iannarelli’s brother, Dominic, the one whose wedding was quite the event, became her father figure. “I can’t say that he treated me like a daughter, but he treated me so good,” she said. “He was always there for me.”
“We had a great time in Italy with my Iannarelli was a member of the last class to graduate from Cecil High School before relatives,” said Iannarelli. it became part of the Canon-McMillan While Italy was a pilgrimage, a trip to School District. South America was a nightmare, of sorts. “There were only 60 or 70 people in our “We came into Buenos Aires and there class, and we knew each other. We grew were, the streets were lined with soldiers up together,” she said. “And everybody in with guns. They were going through the neighborhood at that time knew each a revolution. We were riding into it,” other, and everybody watched out for each Iannarelli laughed. other.” Always, Iannarelli was glad to return to the Following high school graduation, small corner of the world she has always Iannarelli studied nursing at Braddock called “home.” General Hospital. She began and ended “It’s still a small town,” she said, though her 40-year nursing career at St. Clair it’s grown and changed drastically in her Hospital. lifetime. Iannarelli’s noticed other changes “When I went to school, it was really in the world – this isn’t, she said, the United nurses, teachers,” Iannarelli laughed. “I States in which she grew up – but she’s became a head nurse … about a year or so hopeful today’s youth will look back on after I started nursing.” this place and feel the goodness of a life well lived and know the bond of strong Iannarelli worked on the ground floor family ties, like she does. There’s something (which no longer exists) for many years, to consider in planning for that type of where she said she and her staff – she used the word “wonderful” to describe her reflection decades down the road, and it begins with career. colleagues – got to know their patients. “Kids are making decisions based on “All my staff was great. They were just great to the patients, and people asked to salary, I think,” said Iannerelli. “They have to be happy in their work rather than just come there when they came back to the worry about the salary.” hospital, so that was very gratifying,” she said. Courtesy of the Observer-Reporter Iannarelli was married to her work. During her career, she said, there was Argia Iannarelli no time for hobbies; when she fell into bed at night, she was exhausted. at the grave or But as she climbed up the ladder her parents – she eventually was promoted to Director of Emergency Critical Care – she incorporated travel, her favorite pastime, into her lifestyle. Together with friends and family (she has 10 nieces), Iannarelli has been everywhere from Las Vegas to the Canary Islands to Italy, and joyfully recalls the places she’s seen.
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Comfort Keepers Celebrated a Unique Intergenerational Partnership Between South Hills Square Residents and Seton Center Children with “A Day of Joy” WHITEHALL, PA - June 24, 2026 Comfort Keepers of Pittsburgh South recently celebrated its annual Day of Joy in partnership with Seton Center–Whitehall, South Hills Square Retirement Resort, and Millie’s Truck Pittsburgh, bringing generations together for an afternoon of connection, conversation, and community. The Day of Joy was a special celebration dedicated to creating meaningful moments across generations. A highlight of the event was a visit from Millie’s Truck Pittsburgh, which provided sweet treats for residents, children, and staff. Through shared experiences and conversation, the event strengthened community bonds and demonstrated the lasting impact of
bringing people of all ages together. The event also celebrated a partnership that has flourished over the past several years. Through regular visits and shared activities, the children of Seton Center– Whitehall and the residents of South Hills Square have developed meaningful relationships that continue to enrich both generations. Most recently, Seton Center held its Preschool Graduation Ceremony at South Hills Square, where many residents and family members attended to celebrate the graduates and their accomplishments. According to the management and staff
at South Hills Square Retirement Resort, the intergenerational partnership has had a profound impact on residents. The organization has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from residents, many of whom have formed meaningful connections with the children of Seton Center through their ongoing visits and shared experiences. Comfort Keepers of Pittsburgh South proudly supported these efforts and recognized the beauty and importance of intergenerational relationships. The Day of Joy reflected the organization’s commitment to fostering meaningful
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connections that enrich lives and strengthen communities. For more than 40 years, Seton Center has created opportunities for children and older adults to learn, grow, and connect together. Through its longstanding commitment to intergenerational programming, Seton Center continues to demonstrate that meaningful relationships can transcend age and create lasting benefits for everyone involved. “We are grateful to Comfort Keepers for recognizing the value of bringing generations together and for helping make experiences like this possible,” said Seton Center President & CEO, Sr. Barbara Ann Boss. “These experiences create memories, build understanding, and remind us that community is strongest when people of all ages have opportunities to connect.” For more information about Seton Center’s intergenerational programs or to support its mission, visit setoncenterpgh.org.
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Beyond the Basics: What Families Should Look for in a Senior Living Community BETHEL PARK — For many older adults and their families, the search for a senior living community begins with practical questions. What level of care is available? What does it cost? Is it close to family? While these are certainly important considerations, many experts say the most successful transitions happen when families also look at something less tangible: the community's culture. A senior living community should be more than a place to receive care. It should be a place where residents continue to grow, build friendships, and enjoy each day. Across the country, senior living has evolved from a model centered primarily on assistance to one that emphasizes wellness, independence, and purposeful living. Discovery Commons Bethel Park reflects this modern approach. Located in the South Hills of Pittsburgh, the community offers both Personal Care and its nationally recognized SHINE® Memory Care program. While the services themselves are important, what often stands out to visitors is the welcoming atmosphere. Residents are encouraged to remain active, make their own choices whenever possible, and continue enjoying the interests that have always been meaningful to them. One of the most common misconceptions about senior living is that moving into a community means giving up independence. In reality, many residents discover the opposite is true. By removing the stress of home maintenance, housekeeping, meal preparation, and medication management, residents often gain more time and energy to focus on the things they enjoy. At Discovery Commons Bethel Park, support is individualized rather than standardized.
Some residents need only occasional assistance with daily activities, while others require more comprehensive care. The goal is to provide just enough support to help residents maintain their independence while offering the reassurance that assistance is available whenever it is needed.
Beyond providing nutritious meals, shared dining experiences encourage conversation and friendship. For many residents, mealtime becomes one of the highlights of the day: a chance to reconnect with neighbors, celebrate birthdays, or simply enjoy good food in good company.
Equally important is the sense of community that develops through everyday interactions. Research continues to show that regular social engagement plays a significant role in healthy aging, supporting emotional well-being and even cognitive health. A full calendar of activities gives residents opportunities to stay connected while exploring new interests or continuing lifelong hobbies.
Some enjoy joining organized events each day, while others simply appreciate sharing meals with neighbors or relaxing in one of the community's comfortable gathering spaces. The flexibility allows each resident to create a routine that fits their own personality, and fosters a perfect culture for every individual... what a senior living community should be.
At Discovery Commons Bethel Park, residents can participate in fitness classes, educational presentations, games, entertainment, creative activities, seasonal celebrations, and social gatherings. Beyond these, other aspects of community life such as dining also play a big role.
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‘Roll with the punches’ By Garrett Neese EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a monthlong series of profiles of the people who live and work in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties, in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Whenever Jean Turcheck would travel — for work meetings in the United States, or her 17 trips for fun to Europe — she’d sample the local fare and buy a cookbook so she could bring the experience back home. “I had terrific wienerschnitzel in Vienna, and I got an Austrian cookbook to make strudel and wienerschnitzel and red cabbage and apples in wine and potato pancakes and stuff like that,” she said. “You can see I’m not skinny. I like to eat, and I enjoyed my travels very, very much.” Turcheck, of Smithfield, isn’t globetrotting like she used to, but she’s still learning and enjoying life. She was born in Washington, but grew up on a 300-acre farm in Greene County between Clarksville and Jefferson. Turcheck took music lessons from the time she was young. For extra spending money, she played the organ at St. Michael’s in Fredericktown. It was a quiet childhood, where she and her best friend would go to the local malls and movies together once they
Jean Turcheck visiting with friends at the Masontown Senior Center. learned how to drive. “We were always on the go, but in a rural setting it’s a little bit difficult,” she said. “You’re not part of the gang as you are in a little, tightly knit community where the kids play softball together and go to each other’s houses on a daily basis.” At Seton Hill College in Greensburg, Turcheck started out as a pre-law student. That changed in her freshman year, where she was mistakenly placed in a chemistry class for majors. She tried to get out of it. But her academic dean, a “very tall, stately lady” named Sister Mary Leon Bettwy, had other ideas. “I said, ‘I don’t think I’ll do well in chemistry,’” Turcheck said. “She said, ‘Well, I think you’re OK. Your
achievement test scores were good. You’ll survive.’” She did more than that. Turcheck graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry before going to Duquesne University, where she got a job managing the science lab. There, too, someone saw her potential. The chairman, concerned about what Turcheck’s future would look like after she left Duquesne, asked her if she wanted to become a master’s student in chemistry. She would, and she did, earning a master’s after working at the lab by day and going to class at night. From there, she moved to the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Medicine, where she served as assistant to the chairman. She worked with virologist Dr.
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Julius Youngner, who helped develop the first polio vaccine. “He’s the one that did all the work and (Jonas) Salk got all the credit,” Turcheck said. It was a demanding role, assisting in the coursework for biochemistry and microbiology, and taking charge of the tests, grading and posting scores. Working with the students was rewarding. If their parent wasn’t a doctor, which smoothed the path to admission, they had to be “quite outstanding,” Turcheck said. Turcheck’s years at Pitt ended when a new chairman decided to let her go. She heard later the reason was the other women in the workplace were jealous of her. “I don’t know how true that is, but somebody gave me some insight,” she said. “I said, ‘There was no reason to be jealous of me,’ and they said, ‘Oh, yes, there was. You had a lot going for you.’” But if there’s one thing life has taught her, Turcheck said, it’s not to expect too much, and to accept the good moments with the bad. After Pitt, she found a landing spot with a friend who had a personal care home. Turcheck spent the next 30 years there as a manager before retiring. “It was basically doing administrative work, keeping track of patients, medicines, things like that,” she said. “It wasn’t that different.” Turcheck never married. It might have been nice, she said, but she isn’t sad
about it. “I think I would have done well as a wife and a mother, but I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve lived a very full life.” She gets to visit with family, from a cousin who works as a doctor in eastern Pennsylvania to younger relatives in Indiana she sees yearly. And she has a full slate of hobbies, including cooking, baking, gardening, watching TV and knitting. Though she doesn’t do it much anymore, she was “a rather vociferous knitter,” relishing the challenge of tougher jobs like Irish fisherman knit sweaters. “I’m very much a perfectionist,” she said. “When I attack a pattern or something like that, if I make one little mistake and I see it, I rip it all down to the mistake, correct the mistake and knit again.” And she fondly recalls the traveling, which allowed her to see the boats on the canals in Amsterdam, the Liszt Garden, and the Chateau de Versailles. She’d explore new areas on each trip, reading in advance about the sights to find new destinations. “I broaden my horizons every time I go, try to see something different,” she said. Locally, she remembers her trip to Albert Gallatin’s country estate at Friendship Hill, right after it became a national historic site. She also enjoyed Old Economy Village in Ambridge, which preserves the home of a 19th-century utopian religious society, complete with guides in period costumes. “To some people, it wouldn’t seem
glamorous enough,” she said. “I think that’s the problem with most people, they expect too much when they go to see something, or if they pay for it, they feel they didn’t get their money’s worth, because it’s not grandiose enough for them.” Turcheck hasn’t stopped learning and growing. She rides the bus every day to the Masontown Senior Center, where she plays bingo, watches TV and mingles with friends. “I don’t hardly consider myself to be 73, but after my brother passed last year, just dying suddenly at age 65, it makes you conscious of the fact that you’re not going to be here forever,” she said. “But as far as I’m concerned, as long as I’m able to come to senior center, I want to come. I enjoy it.” The camaraderie is important. And Turcheck also enjoys the variety of guest speakers who come in, whether a pharmacist, a nutritionist at the Uniontown Senior Center who brings menu ideas, or a retired kindergarten teacher who brings bags of treats that Turcheck saves for the grandson of her domiciliary care provider. “I don’t think there’s any age limit on your ability to learn something new every day,” she said. “Something new doesn’t surprise you. You roll with the punches, you take it into consideration as part of your repertoire, and you learn and you live with it.” Courtesy of the Observer-Reporter
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Pennsylvania Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers available
The Pennsylvania Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income-eligible seniors with the opportunity to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs from approved farmers in Pennsylvania. The program provides five $5 vouchers totaling $25 to eligible seniors one time during the program year. The vouchers may be redeemed at designated area farmers markets through Nov. 30. To be eligible for the SFMNP vouchers, an individual must be 60 or older by Dec. 31 and must be a resident of Fayette, Greene, or Washington counties. An eligible individual’s gross income includes interest, Social
Security, wages, compensation for black lung or unemployment, and must be at or below $29,526. For two people in a household, the income may be $40,034. If you live in Fayette, Greene, or Washington counties and submit an application on the Allegheny County Department of Aging website, the application will not be processed. The SFMNP vouchers will be distributed in-person only at senior community centers and satellite centers and other locations. An eligible senior may authorize an individual to act as a proxy to pick up and use the SFMNP vouchers, as long as the
benefits ultimately reach the eligible participant. However, proxy statements must be completed prior to picking up the vouchers. Proxy statements are available at local senior community centers, Area Agency on Aging offices and online at www.swpa-aaa.org. Seniors living in nursing or residential facilities, where meals are provided, are not eligible for the program. The vouchers are redeemable only at participating farmers market or vendor sites. To find a farmers market or farm stand with eligible farmers, download the FMNP app, and search for PA FMNP farmers market locator and download the app. A list of participating farmers markets at PAFMNP.org. For more information on the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program contact a local senior community center, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-888-300-2704, or one of these Area Agency on Aging offices: • Fayette County, Uniontown, 724-430-4603 • Greene County, Waynesburg, 724-852-1510 • Washington County, Washington, 724-228-7080 • Administrative office, Charleroi, 724-489-8080
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Cultivating a love of plants
By Garrett Neese At the Flenniken Library in Carmichaels, Executive Director Nicole Mitchell will hear parents at the library’s Toddler Time activities say they need to stop at the store for tomatoes. The response she gets to say: “No, you don’t. Just walk outside and grab them.” The library has a community garden just outside. And it’s one of several spots in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties that are providing healthy food, and education, for the community. A three-bed community garden next to the Flenniken Library was launched in 2012, tended to over the years by various community groups. Since 2022, it’s partnered with Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which expanded the garden through funding it received for its THRIVE (Tool for Health & Resilience In Vulnerable Environments) project. “They came in and redid the whole thing, and now it’s super-nice,” said Mitchell. The group hosts a community picnic at the library on the first Saturday in May, where they’ll add an art project, such as mosaic pavers, Mitchell said. They also come twice a week to water and weed. The expanded garden has nine raised beds with tomatoes, peppers and other plants. Mitchell also obtained blueberry plants and a peach tree with an Allegheny County Food Bank grant. All of the food is free for the community. When it’s time for the harvest, Mitchell said, the library just puts out a post on social media for the community to “come and grab it.”
Dave Meredith leads a tour at the East End United Community Center And they do. People who live nearby come down, Mitchell said. So do the mothers who’d been planning a supermarket run for tomatoes. “Then it’s a fun family activity for them because the kids can go out in the garden too, and they can help Mom pull tomatoes,” she said. Mitchell said the garden is a great way for people who might not have the growing space at home to still get fresh food. The plants in the garden also help out monarch butterflies, Mitchell said. “We have other stuff that’s planted around the library that entices them, and we’ve got lots of little chrysalises in the spring, and then they head out,” she said. “There’s quite a little ecosystem going on out there.”
In Fayette County, Penn State Extension Master Gardener Dave Meredith tends to his “retirement hobby”: community gardens both on the Penn State Fayette campus and at the East End Community Center in Uniontown. Having fresh food for the community is important, Meredith said. The center’s in the middle of a food desert — defined as not having a store with fresh food within one mile. And it’s more than two miles to the nearest store with ethnic food, Meredith said. There’s well over 90 types of edible plants at the East End garden, which Meredith started during COVID. He’s put in a Latino corner with poblanos, tomatillos and other regional foods. In one instance, a Spanishspeaking man was walking down the street when he saw Meredith was
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growing cilantro. Meredith gave him cilantro and a couple of seeds. The man came back the next day, Meredith said, and told him, “I called my dad in Mexico, and I showed him that I can get cilantro in Fayette County.” That kind of encounter is why he maintains the garden, Meredith said. “If I learned to play golf, to go somewhere to play golf, it’d be a couple hundred for one weekend,” he said. “I buy $200 worth of seeds, I can have fun year-round, and I can feed people.” Every week, the kids at the center come to the garden for an after-school program hosted by a local garden club. In March, the children planted seeds for all of Meredith’s greens, including lettuce, spinach and Swiss chard. Firefly Gardens in Washington broke ground in 2021 after a year of brainstorming and planning. After a grassroots effort aided by out-of-town volunteers in the area on service projects, it had a grand opening in 2022. Creator Pam Kilgore, founder of WashPa Outdoors, had been providing outdoor education programming for kids and families in Washington Park. Coming from a horticulture background, she wanted to add an element of that to her programs. And she wanted to put it close to the heart of the city to make it closer for people who couldn’t always get to the park. It’s at a spot directly beside the Transit Authority building. “It’s within the city limits, but it’s on one far end, and so it’s not truly accessible to a lot of people, especially if they don’t have a vehicle, and so I wanted to find a space that was more accessible for folks,” Kilgore said.
The Highland Ridge Community Garden, where people can lease a plot and grow their own vegetables, is three blocks away. Not wanting to compete with that space, Kilgore conceived of Firefly as a community green space and educational space. A fenced-in greenhouse area is used for food production. Outside of that, Kilgore grows demonstration gardens for plants native to Pennsylvania, where people can see what they look like at maturity. There are also gathering places and a sensory play space for kids. Kilgore sees the garden as a way to combat food insecurity in the area — where the local food pantry was one serving 50 families a month, it’s now closer to 600, she said. It’s also become “kind of a sanctuary” for people who live nearby, whether at an apartment on Main Street, the City Mission or at a sober living house. “I love it when I come to do some work and I see someone who I’ve never seen before just sitting at a picnic table there,” she said. Kilgore tries to do a lot of the staples — tomatoes, greens, peppers — and things like kale and horseradish that will come back year after year. Once they’re producing, the crops are free. Volunteers get first dibs. Then the surplus goes on “the produce ladder” — a ladder Kilgore painted bright red. “I put free surplus produce out on the ladder, and people have come to know that they can check the ladder any day, anytime, and see what’s available,” she said. If they have a large harvest, she will also take it over to the Community Circle Food Pantry.
Firefly has also partnered with other community groups. The Penn State University Master Gardeners hosted a Seed to Supper program, which educates people on how to grow their own food. Since last year, it’s also hosted a new 4-H gardening club that meets weekly during the growing season. That group, which started small, has doubled to about 10 to 11 kids, said organizer Clarissa Crist. The club’s meetings mix lessons about types of plants and when to grow them with science experiments and maintaining the garden, Crist said. At the end of the year, students used crops like tomatoes and bell peppers to make salsa. In addition to knowledge about plant and environmental science, kids also learn the responsibility of taking care of something. “I feel like gardening is like one big science experiment, and I feel like that’s how I like to approach a lot of the programs and projects I do with kids — OK, here you go. Let’s put you in this environment. Let’s give you the tools that you need, and let’s just try. And if you fail, that’s OK. We’ll try again next year,” Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
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Presbyterian Seniorcare receives recognition at state level
Jim Pieffer A longtime Presbyterian SeniorCare Network leader and a new affordable senior housing community have received state-level recognition from LeadingAge PA. At a recent LeadingAge PA state conference, Presbyterian SeniorCare Network received two honors. The Paul P. Haas Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jim Pieffer, President and CEO of Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, who has served seniors for 40-plus years. Pieffer began working at Presbyterian SeniorCare in 1985, and under his leadership, the network has grown to cover a broader service area in western Pennsylvania through new affiliations, collaborations, senior housing developments, and programs. The Innovation of the Year Award recognized Mosaic Apartments, located
along Forbes Avenue in Oakland. The facility is the first LGBTQ+ friendly, low-income senior housing community in Western Pennsylvania and only the second in the state. The five-story building offers 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments, community gathering spaces, and amenities such as a pet spa, covered parking, and easy access to public transit. Groundbreaking for Mosaic Apartments was held in May 2024, and the community was opened in November 2025. The $28.5 million development was made possible through strong public and private collaboration, and is open to all income-eligible seniors. “Each year, LeadingAge PA is proud to present Distinguished Service Awards to the best of aging services — those
individuals and organizations that go above and beyond in pursuit of their missions to serve older adults with compassion and innovation,” said LeadingAge PA President and CEO Garry Pezzano. “Presbyterian SeniorCare Network is ahead of the curve in innovation and service to marginalized communities under the exceptional leadership of Jim Pieffer, who has dedicated his career to making Pennsylvania a better place to grow old, and couldn’t be more deserving of our highest recognition, the 2026 Paul P. Haas Lifetime Achievement Award.” The awards were given at a statewide annual conference on May 12. Only eight awards were given across Pennsylvania this year. Mosaic Apartments in Oakland
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Senior centers in Fayette, Greene and Washington receive grants from state By Brad Hundt Senior centers in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties will be receiving grants from the state to make renovations and upgrades to their facilities. All told, more than $3 million is going out to 422 senior community centers across the commonwealth. That includes $2 million in competitive grants and an additional $1 million in non-competitive grants. Four senior centers across the three counties received competitive grants, which are allotted for updating and modernizing facilities and technology, providing new programs and enhancing nutrition services.
The Uniontown Adult Recreation Center in Fayette County received a $40,505 competitive grant, and the Mt. Morris Satellite Center in Greene County will be getting a competitive grant of $18,661. The McGuffey Senior Center in Washington County will be getting $11,316 while the Burgettstown Senior Center is receiving $50,267. Twenty-nine other senior centers in Washington, Greene and Fayette counties are receiving noncompetitive grants of $2,577 apiece. The grants were announced in early June by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. Jason Kavulich, the state’s secretary of aging, said in a statement,
“Pennsylvania’s senior community centers are cornerstones in our communities and pillars of daily life for the older adults they serve. … The projects funded by both the competitive and non-competitive grants will help the recipients enhance the programs and services already in place as well as create new opportunities to welcome current visitors and attract new consumers.” The grant funding is appropriated by the General Assembly through proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery. Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
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Enshrined
Menhart humbled to be inducted into Washington-Greene HOF player and later a coach with the Mikes. “I see my journey as being lifelong,” said the 70-year-old Menhart. “I played here, then I played in college (at Indiana University of Pa.), then I came back and coached here for a lot of years.” Menhart was a three-year starter in football for Carmichaels and earned allconference and all-county honors along the way. He rushed for 1,100 yards and scored 94 points as a sophomore and added more than 700 yards as a junior despite missing the first four games due to an injury. During his senior campaign, Menhart rushed for 1,266 yards and rang up 132 points, which led to him being selected to the Big 33 Check List and chosen as the Pittsburgh Dapper Dan WPIAL Class B Offensive MVP. “My senior year our record was 6-1-2,” By Rob Burchianti Menhart pointed out. “We tied JeffersonJohn Menhart looked around him and Morgan, 6-6, and they went on and wondered if he belonged. played and beat Midland for the WPIAL It was Sunday, June 7 and Menhart was championship. There was only one at the Washington-Greene Co. Chapter playoff game and it was based on of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Gardner points. We also tied Fairchance induction banquet, held at Hilton Garden and we lost to Frazier, 7-6.” Inn in Southpointe, as part of the Class of Menhart went on to become a starter at 2026. three different positions at IUP before returning to Carmichaels as an assistant “My thoughts were, honestly, how humbling it is,” Menhart said in recalling and eventually head football coach. He is the Mikes’ all-time leader in coaching his enshrinement. “Last year I went into the Greene County Sports Hall of Fame wins with an overall record of 101-69-2 and just being there around those people and led them to four Tri-County South and hearing their accomplishments, and Conference championships. His 2002 this year, too, it makes you question, ‘Am team reached the WPIAL semifinals. I worthy of this?’ There are people that Menhart was named the Tri-County have done pretty amazing things and South Coach of the Year four times and you’re in there with them.” the Washington-Greene WANB/Greene Menhart, a 1973 Carmichaels graduate, County Messenger Coach of the Year had a major impact himself as a football in 2002. He was inducted into the Tri-
County Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2007. Menhart took a look back on his journey that led to multiple Hall-of-Fame honors. STARTING OUT Menhart didn’t play organized football until he was a freshman in high school. “When I was a kid we didn’t even have junior high football,” Menhart said. “You weren’t even allowed to play until you got to ninth grade. There was no little league football or anything like that. So I started then.” Menhart did play organized baseball in his younger days. “I played baseball forever. That’s all you had around here is Little League baseball at that time,” Menhart said. “I always loved sports. Back then everyone wanted to be Jim Brown and everybody wanted to go to Penn State or West Virginia.” High school football was unrivaled in its popularity, according to Menhart. “Back then when you were a kid all it took to get you excited about playing football was to turn the lights on Friday night,” Menhart said. “You didn’t need further motivation, that was enough. That’s the way I felt about it.” When he did begin to play football, Menhart excelled, as did his cousin Dave Menhart. “Dave was the quarterback when I was the running back.” Menhart said. “We were in the same class.” Menhart’s younger brother Mike also started for the Mikes a few years later. “I actually coached my brother my first year back,” Menhart said. “I was an assistant coach. He’s five years younger
JULY 19, 2026 ALM, OR, HS • SWPA SENIORS • 21
than me. They had a good group.” Running the ball was the name of the game during Menhart’s playing career with the Mikes. “Back then things were different. You had 10 men in the box. Everyone was in two tights (tight ends) and you just were going to beat each other up until somebody won,” Menhart said. “It was a true honor back then to get 1,000 yards. Now some of these kids get 1,000 yards in three games,” Menhart added with a laugh. “We ran 26 Power. My coach was Vic Lapkowicz. I loved Vic. He’d put his glasses down on his nose and he’d look at us and say, ’26 Power. We’re going to run it until they stop us or we’re going to run it until it works.’” ONTO IUP Menhart had plenty of options when it came to continuing his football career in college. “There were a lot of letters, lot of phone calls,” Menhart said. “I actually visited Penn State and talked to West Virginia a lot. It just came down to I thought my best opportunity to have success was at IUP so I went there.” Menhart fashioned a solid career at IUP. “I got to play a lot as a freshman and I was a three-year letterman,” Menhart said. “My senior year I was voted as team captain.” The versatile Menhart scored touchdowns at tailback, fullback and wide receiver at IUP. “I actually started at three different positions,” he explained. “Some of that was attributed to injuries. One year through attrition I was a tailback, and we’re at California and two fullbacks went down. Those were the only ones we took so the coach was on the sidelines
talking about what are we going to do. I said, ‘I can play there.’ It was a Wing-T. So I ended up playing and starting there. I started at wide receiver, too.” Menhart’s longest touchdown in college came at wide receiver on a 63-yard reception against Shippensburg. Menhart graduated from IUP in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education. “I actually I stayed there (after graduation),” Menhart said. “In the summer there were three sessions, pre, main and post, and I stayed there through three sessions and got certified in safety education as well.” COACHING CAREER It didn’t take long for Menhart to get his foot in the door of the coaching profession. “When I came home in August I interviewed here and got hired, which was really strange because it was hard to get a teaching job back then,” Menhart said. “I went right into it and right into coaching. Vic was the head coach then and after him it was Tom McCombs. I spent 10 years as an assistant and then I got hired as the head coach.” Menhart favored passing the ball more when he was an assistant coach but that changed when he became the head man. “Coming from IUP, we were in a Wing-T but we threw the ball a lot,” Menhart said. “When I was a sophomore we had the leading passer and receiver in Division-II, Lynn Hieber and Len Pesotini. In the beginning at Carmichaels I didn’t get to call any plays but I was always tugging on people with suggestions to maybe throw more. “When Vic left, Tom became the head coach and I called the offense and he did
he defense. When he left I stepped into it. It’s more than you would ever imagine. You went from wanting to throw the ball on every down to wanting to run every down, getting the first down and protecting the ball. Personally, I think you become a lot more mindful of controlling the game, like borderline conservative.” Menhart stressed the amount of talent a coach has mostly determines his win-loss record and what type of team he fields. “It is what it is. You’ve got to stay within the confines of the cards your dealt,” Menhart said. “Some years your talent at a small school is deeper than it is other years. “But I never had a team I didn’t love and deeply respect, because they gave us everything and that’s all you can ask from a kid. Everyone can’t run a 4.5 40 and everyone can’t bench press 300 pounds, but they can work as hard as they can possibly work. And that’s what we tried to get out of them. We tried to impress upon them that we wanted them to compete on every single play then we would accept what happened.” Menhart has great respect from former players. “I hope so. You earn respect and I tried to do that by doing what was best for my kids, and loving them,” Menhart said. “Sometimes there is tough love, but they were always my guys, it didn’t matter how bad they screwed up.” Menhart wouldn’t try to get a player out of trouble, rather he preferred to stand by them and face the consequences. “I’d never try to get them out of anything, but I said look fellows, being in school or society or on the field or at practice, I’m never going to try to get you out of anything but I’m right here with you and we’re going to get you through it,” he said.
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(cont. from page 21)
MEMORABLE MOMENTS The Mikes were almost always in the hunt for a postseason spot under Menhart. “We were in the playoffs a lot,” he said. “We had some heart-breaking losses in the playoffs.” One in particular came in 1992 when Carmichaels dominated Clairton for much of the game but fell 14-12 when the Bears blocked a short field goal attempt by Tom Ricco in the final seconds. “I lost sleep over that game for years. I honestly did,” Menhart said. “You know there’s always the second-guessing. Why didn’t I just give it to our fullback (Brett) Katarsky. But Tommy was a good kicker so we went with that. And they blocked it.” Menhart recalled another crushing loss when the Mikes blocked a punt which wound up unbelievably costing them the game. “We lost to Duquesne one year in the regular season, we were up 7-6 and we had them backed up late in the fourth quarter,” Menhart recalled. “It was like fourth and 20 and they couldn’t give us the ball right there so they punted. We blocked the punt, their kid picked the ball up and ran about 200 yards all around the field and wound up going for a touchdown. So we basically lost the game because we blocked a punt. “We had a few head-scratchers.” Menhart considered his 2002 team the best he ever coached. “We had Bobby Hathaway (who went on to become a starting linebacker at West Virginia), my son Jono at quarterback, Colby Giles, Justin Zelensky,” Menhart said. “We ended up 11-1.”
That season included two of Carmichaels’ greatest, most dominating playoff victories. The Mikes romped over Bishop Canevin 42-7, in the first round and Fort Cherry, 32-0, in the quarterfinals. They then fell to eventual champion Rochester, 34-21. “We lost in the semifinals to Rochester and it was a good game, played it at Thomas Jefferson,” Menhart said. Menhart was head coach from 1989 until that season in 2002 before stepping down, but he would return for another stint as head coach from 2009 to 2012. “It wasn’t the same the second time, probably just the fact that Timmy (Jones) and Gene (Franks) weren’t there,” Menhart said, noting his two longtime assistant coaches from his first reign as head coach. “We worked well together, we trusted each other. I totally trusted them. They made as many or more decisions as I did and played a huge role in our success.” Being a coach is about doing what’s right for the kids, according to Menhart, which is what he felt he, Jones and Franks strived for. “It can’t be about you when you’re a coach, it has to be about the players,” Menhart said. “You’re here for the kids, the kids aren’t here for you.” OUTSIDE OF FOOTBALL Menhart served as a teacher and administrator during his time at Carmichaels, including time as the high school principal and school district’s superintendent. He’s currently president of the Carmichaels Board of Education. “I retired about maybe eight years ago,” Menhart said. “I put in 40 years here.” Menhart also served on the WPIAL Basketball and Football Steering Committees.
“I got involved in the WPIAL, just on steering committees, but I tried to gain respect for the teams on this side of Route 70 in the pairings process,” Menhart said. Menhart’s parents were Mike and Alice Menhart and he had three siblings. “Two brothers, Mike, he still lives in Carmichaels, and Bert, who is deceased, and my sister Linda, she still lives in Waynesburg,” Menhart said. Menhart has three grandchildren, Max and Kenzie from his daughter Jamie Krull and husband Ryan, and Josie from his son Jono and his wife Jessie Menhart. Menhart lauded his longtime wife Cassie. “Cassie’s incredible,” Menhart said. “She was always there. When you’re a coach it’s not just you that are making the sacrifices, your whole family is. I spent a lot of my kids’ younger years with other people’s kids. I missed a lot of stuff of theirs because I had to be somewhere else. And you’ve got to do it if you’re going to do it right. Cassie deserves a tremendous amount of credit.” Menhart pointed out the Tales on the Trail Carmichaels Elementary Walking Trail, which current theme is America’s 250th birthday, as a project Cassie has spearheaded and helped run. As for the Hall of Fame ceremony, Menhart said, “It was a true honor. My three grandkids were there and it meant as much to them as it did to me. “My family was there, Gene and Timmy were there. They do a great job with it. It was a very class act. I’m very appreciative of being included in that group.” Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
JULY 19, 2026 ALM, OR, HS • SWPA SENIORS • 23
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Cleaning Smarter as We Get Older By Cindy Wolfe, Founder, Companion Cleaning, LLC I’ll admit it—I’m approaching 60, and I’ve started noticing that some of the things I used to do, without thinking, are a little tougher. It makes me wonder, “Is there an easier (safer) way?” Cleaning is one of those things. There was a time when I would drag out a heavy vacuum, climb on a chair to dust the ceiling fan, and spend an entire day scrubbing the house from top to bottom. Today, I still like a clean home, and help clean the homes of others, but I’ve learned that working smarter is much better than working harder. As we get older, our balance changes and our knees remind us….”PSST, I’m right down here!” Getting down on the floor is as hard as getting back up. That’s normal. The key is adjusting how we do things so we can continue living safely and independently. One of the best changes I’ve made is using lightweight cleaning tools with longer handles. They save my back, keep me from bending so much, and make it much easier to reach those high and low spots. Microfiber cloths have become another favorite because they clean well with very little effort and many times without chemicals. Chemicals can dry our skin, no matter how well we try to keep the gloves on. OH-and gloves! I just bought a four pair pack of bright purple reusable cleaning gloves on “A…” for less than $20. They also have a selection of “extendable lightweight cleaning” tools and “extendable grabbers”. If you
need help to shop online, please ask for assistance. (You can call me if you’d like). I’ve also stopped trying to clean the whole house in one day. Instead, I tackle one room or one task at a time. Fifteen or twenty minutes here and there adds up, and I’m a lot less sore the next day. This past Sunday, I did all the dusting, stretched, relaxed for an hour, then tackled the mighty kitchen, taking a break every 30 minutes. Here’s another piece of friendly advice: standing on kitchen chairs or unstable stools to reach something is simply unsafe. Falls are one of the biggest reasons older adults end up in the emergency room, and they’re often preventable. If something is out of reach, use an extension tool or ask for help. I’ve also discovered that clutter has a way of sneaking up on all of us. A stack of mail, a pair of shoes left by the door, or that extension cord running across the room may not seem like much until it’s the thing that causes a fall. Taking a few minutes to clear walkways can make your home both safer and more relaxing. I’m learning, asking for help doesn’t mean giving up your independence. Sometimes it’s the smartest way to keep it. Whether
it’s a family member helping with a heavy job or hiring someone for the tasks that have become difficult, there’s nothing wrong with saving your energy for the things you enjoy most. At this stage of life, our goal isn’t to have a picture-perfect house every day. It’s to create a home that’s safe, healthy and comfortable, where we can continue making memories with family and friends. Your back, your knees, and your future self will thank you for making a few simple changes. Cindy Wolfe has spent more than 15 years helping older adults and supporting the professionals and families who care for them. She believes everyone deserves to feel safe, comfortable, and independent in their own home, and she is passionate about sharing practical tips that make everyday life a little easier. Cindy is dedicated to “caring for the people who care for people.” She can be contacted by phone at 412-206-6146 or by email - cindy@companioncleaning.net
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26 • SWPA SENIORS • JULY 19, 2026 ALM, OR, HS
Wesley Family Services celebrates foster grandparents By Conner Goetz Local nonprofit and community leaders gathered in early June to celebrate the dedication of Wesley Family Services’ volunteers for their Foster Grandparents Program. The annual recognition luncheon drew more than 100 attendees to the Hilton Garden Inn in Southpointe on Friday morning for an event filled with gratitude and appreciation. According to Wesley Family Services Director of Volunteer Services Rebecca Maletto-Cornell, the foster grandparents program is a “win-winwin” for everyone involved. Founded in 1965 under President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s War on Poverty initiatives, the program allows adults age 55 and older to participate in structured mentorship opportunities with kids across western Pennsylvania. This includes up to 15 hours of engagement per week per volunteer, often in a classroom or day care setting where they read to children or assist with a range of other activities. Maletto-Cornell said the program provides an outlet for seniors who “have a lifetime of service, and a want, a need to help others.” And by occupying a supportive, nonparental role in a child’s life, the foster grandparent can help that child feel safe enough to “flourish,” she said. The role requires consistency and
devotion to serving others, MalettoCornell said, so the annual luncheon and award ceremony are intended to recognize the tireless contributions of the program’s volunteers. Ringgold School District was honored with the 2026 Good Neighbor Award in light of the district’s 15-plus years of ongoing collaboration with the program. Maletto-Cornell said both Ringgold Elementary North and Elementary South staff participate in the program.
“They’ve always been there, willing to help their children succeed,” she said. “They’ve always been very supportive of the program.” Allegheny County Director of Child Welfare Mandeep Gill delivered the keynote address, and spoke about the lasting impact of positive mentor figures in the lives’ of children. “We know that change happens when you show up and make it happen,” Gill said. Courtesy of the Observer-Reporter
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28 • SWPA SENIORS • JULY 19, 2026 ALM, OR, HS
After delay, Greene County Historical Society Museum opens
The Liberty Bell in front of the Greene County Historical Society Museum By Garrett Neese Later than planned but earlier than feared, the Greene County Historical Society Museum opened for the season on June 6. After a fundraising drive helped back necessary repairs to the building, the Historical Society thanked the community with a cookout and meetand-greet with the artist behind the Greene County-themed Liberty Bell replica created to celebrate the semiquincentennial. The traditional opening Rebellion Weekend, with re-enactors and other historical demonstrations, had been slated for early May. That got delayed after the discovery of sewage issues
that led to a backup in the basement of the museum building, which still had the original pipes installed in the 19th century. In response, community members donated more than $18,000 to the Historical Society’s GoFundMe page, augmented by private and public donations. “It’s nice that we were able to do it so quickly,” said Matthew Cumberledge, executive director of the Greene County Historical Society. “When we initially closed, we had no idea of how long it would take, but our fundraising went extremely well and extremely fast.” The community cookout had snacks, drinks and food — like the chicken Cumberledge cooked up in an oven that had been there since it was built into the wall in 1886. “It’s actually really, really fun, and it’s convenient, because it’s surprisingly easy to use,” he said. Outside the museum entrance, people stopped to look at artist Danielle Nyland’s Liberty Bell, part of America250PA’s project to create bells in every county decorated with artwork celebrating local history. Nyland used outdoor acrylic paints on the bell, which was also topped with an automotive clear coat to withstand the elements. It will be mounted in front of the museum for at least the rest of the year, excepting its upcoming visit to the Greene County Fair in August. “I’m excited that people will really
be able to see it whenever, basically whenever they want now, as opposed to having to wait,” she said. “Drive by, and you can just see it just hanging out there.” Drivers get to see her favorite side of the bell — the one with the Nemacolin Mine. Nyland is from Nemacolin, and her father and grandfather both worked there. “I could submit whatever I wanted, so I made sure that I had my own personal connection to it, in addition to all the other things,” she said. Nyland’s piece also includes rolling hills, sheep, and a Mail Pouch barn. While America250PA required the barn be left logoless, Nyland incorporated subtle nods to the familiar sight through yellow streaks in the paint. Dave Jones of Brave stopped to talk with Nyland on the porch. A volunteer at the museum for the past five years, he was excited to see it back open. It’s got many pieces of local heritage, he said, including the last surviving engine from the Waynesburg-Washington Railroad, which discontinued service in 1929. “This is what the county needs,” he said. “We need to get the local history.” The bell also interested Jeff Taylor of Mather, who walked around it in a circle to catch everything. A member of the Greene County Historical Society, he’s also come many times to participate in the Civil War re-enactments. “I’ve been a member, and I donated to the GoFundMe,” he said. “I was glad to
JULY 19, 2026 ALM, OR, HS • SWPA SENIORS • 29
see it opened so quickly. I was figuring fall.” A stream of people picked up food, chatted with Nyland about the bell and popped in to see Cumberledge and hear about the repairs. The first two phases of work — lining the pipes and dealing with the septic tank — have been completed, Cumberledge said. The work also uncovered the fact that the museum is not connected to the public sewers, which no one had known before now, Cumberledge said. “We will have to do that eventually, but we’re in good shape for now, which is very, very good,” Cumberledge said. Courtesy of the Herald-Standard
Richard Baker and Executive Director Matthew Cumberledge get chicken straight from the museum’s 1886 oven
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30 • SWPA SENIORS • JULY 19, 2026 ALM, OR, HS
Heart risks go beyond the heart Diabetes and kidney disease are major risk factors for heart disease, yet many cases are undiagnosed. In fact, most people don’t realize their heart, kidney and metabolic health – how the body creates, uses and stores energy – are connected. Understanding these connections can help you take steps toward protecting your long-term health. Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome is a health condition that includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity. Many people don’t realize they’re at risk, though, because they aren’t aware of health risks beyond the heart. Almost 1 in 4 U.S. adults with diabetes are unaware they have it, according to a 2026 statistics update from the American Heart Association. In addition, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that as many as 9 in 10 adults with chronic kidney disease don’t know they’re living with the condition. Learning about CKM syndrome can be a helpful step in understanding your overall health picture. How are CKM conditions connected? Heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes have shared risk factors – including high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar; excess weight; and reduced kidney function – and they’re closely linked. Having one condition often increases the likelihood of developing the others. “We are encouraging people to become aware of the connection between conditions so they and their health care
team can think about their overall health beyond individual conditions,” said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health. “Understanding the connection helps you better prevent complications through lifestyle changes and appropriate treatment.” The biggest health threats from CKM syndrome are disability and death from heart disease and stroke, which make up the “cardiovascular” part of CKM. The “metabolic” part includes diabetes and obesity. Kidney disease is closely linked with both metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. How common is CKM syndrome? CKM-related risks are common. Nearly 90% of U.S. adults have at least one risk factor for CKM syndrome. The 2026 statistics report showed about half of all U.S. adults have high blood pressure, about 1 in 3 has high total cholesterol, more than half have prediabetes or diabetes, about 1 in 7 has kidney disease and more than half have a high waist circumference. These risks often develop slowly, with few or no symptoms at first, but you can stay informed. Rosen emphasizes regular screening of your cardiovascular, kidney and metabolic health, which can catch problems early. “Due to the current risk factor rates, everyone could benefit from being screened this way,” she said.
Regular check-ins with your health care team can offer a clearer picture of your CKM health. They can check your: * Blood pressure * Cholesterol panel (total cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol, HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides) * Blood glucose (blood sugar), measured in either the short term as fasting glucose or long term as A1C * Body weight and size, measured by body mass index and waist circumference * Kidney function, using both UACR and eGFR These results can be used in the PREVENT online calculator to estimate your risk for cardiovascular disease over the next 10 or 30 years. CKM syndrome can often be prevented and improved with healthy daily habits like those in Life’s Essential 8 and science-based treatments. The CKM Health Initiative was introduced by the American Heart Association to raise awareness of the connections between CKM syndrome conditions and improve diagnosis rates. It’s supported by founding sponsors Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim, supporting sponsors Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Bayer, and champion sponsor DaVita. Visit Heart.org/myCKMhealth to learn more about CKM health, including screening and treatment options.
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