Pennsylvania Bridges June 2019 - "School's Out!"

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Carla E. Anderton, Editor-in-Chief Fred Terling, Editor Emeritus Hayley Martin, Associate Editor Chuck Brutz, Staff Writer Keren Lee Dreyer, Staff Writer Pastor Dawn Hargraves, Columnist Kayla Boulas, Summer/Fall Intern Contributors: Jennifer Benford, Brian Brashear, Lisa J. Buday, Noah Churchel, Christine Haines, Mark Pawelec, Bruce Wald, Ashley Wise, Dave Zuchowski & Daniel Zyglowicz Have a story idea?

Do you like to write?

Get in touch with us at (724) 769-0123 e-mail: carla@pabridges.com We’re also on Facebook facebook.com/ pennsylvaniabridges

N O TA B L E & Q U O TA B L E

School’s Out for Summer!

I often say I haven’t been bored since I was a teenager, and that’s mostly true. Boredom, after all, is just a frame of mind, and - in my view - signifies an absence of both imagination and initiative, neither of which I’ve ever been accused of lacking. In fact, I’ve found that on those rare occasions when I do succumb to feeling “bored” I get into trouble, usually in the form of taking on too many new projects to try to fill the void.

Regular readers will know that I am an adjunct professor of English and public speaking. Usually, I teach summer courses, however, a campus-wide technology overhaul resulted in the cancellation of my classes, leaving me footloose and fancy free for the next three months. Part of me is delighted. It’s been a long year in more ways than one, and the thought of sleeping in late and spending lazy afternoons on my deck is not unwelcome. On the other hand, part of me is a little worried about my inevitable reaction to having so much free time.

To help allay those concerns, I’ve decided to take a proactive approach and develop a focused plan for how I want to spend my newfound hours of leisure.

Hopefully, this will keep me from getting “bored” and getting into mischief or otherwise extending myself.

First on the list is to devote more

time to writing, specifically to more creative writing. Life has interfered as of late with my productivity, but now I have no excuse. Whether I dust off the manuscript I’ve been toying with for a few years or I start another one entirely remains to be seen, but the goal is the same: Make like a writer and write!

The second part of my plan is to reorganize my living and working spaces. Years of teaching have left me with boxes of handouts to be sorted and filed.

Speaking of boxes, there’s a stack of them in my office, each containing precious memories in the form of photos that need to be scanned and preserved for future generations.

The final item on my “to do list” for summer is to devote time to selfimprovement and to developing skills that will benefit me come August when I return to the classroom. The aforementioned technology overhaul at the community college where I teach means training to use a new learning management system, so that’s on my agenda during the break.

All in all, it’s an ambitious - if laid back - schedule I’ve created for myself. Before I begin, however, one task remains: a much needed, eagerly anticipated nap!

Until next month, Carla E. Anderton

Where can I find more? How can I advertise my business?

“The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.”

DOROTHY PARKER AMERICAN WRITER 2

Pennsylvania Bridges is distributed free to schools, libraries, colleges and universities, community centers, organizations and better businesses throughout Washington, Fayette, Greene, Westmoreland & Allegheny counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.

We’re also online at pabridges.com, where we continuously update our site with the latest in arts, entertainment, education and lifestyle news, which we share via our social media networks.

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Pennsylvania Bridges is a free publication bridging communities in Fayette, Greene, Washington, Westmoreland, and Allegheny counties. We feature profiles and articles about individuals and groups contributing to the advancement of the arts, education, healthcare, wellness, technology and other avenues of interest to our readers.

Pennsylvania Bridges is printed once a month and regularly updated online. Each edition of the publication includes fresh and original stories about area personalities and events of note as well as event listings. We welcome your story ideas and event listings.

We adhere to the philosophy that media should be both inspirational and thought provoking. We subscribe to the belief that media should be easy to access and share.

We routinely use social media to distribute news and updates and invite our readers to share us with their networks. Our site’s interface is designed with this aim in mind.

We welcome your input. Have questions, comments or angry exhortations? Call us at 724-7690123. Email us. We want to hear your voice. Get in touch!

***Important Notice*** All material contained in this issue is the property of Pennsylvania Bridges and may not be reprinted, reproduced or redistributed without our express written permission.

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West Brownsville American Legion Post 940 is starting point for annual Ride for Autism event Story by Christine Haines The first year Anna Seifried and her husband Chip organized the first Ride For Autism with the West Brownsville American Legion Post 940 in 2014, only 34 riders participated.

“Last year we had 135 bikes and about 235 participants,” Anna Seifried said.

“Our riders’ chapter really helped build that up. For a lot of years they didn’t do anything of their own, but they participated in a lot of rides with other chapters, so they had a lot of connections.”

This year’s Ride for Autism takes place Saturday, July 13, starting and ending at the West Brownsville American Legion. In between, the riders and their passengers will visit other American Legion posts, making 100 to 110 mile loop, Seifried said.

Registration will be held from 9:30 until 11 a.m. There is no pre-registration, Seifried said.

“Just show up that day,” Seifried said.

“We do pre-orders for tee shirts, but you can also buy them on site.”

The riders are expected back in West Brownsville by 5 p.m. for dinner, raffles and music. The Seifrieds will be at the West Brownsville Legion getting everything ready while the others ride.

Seifried said the event offers a full day of activities for the participants.

“When the riders get back, we have dinner for them and usually we wrap up around 7 and the band plays another set.”

The band, REFUGE, a classic rock band, has played for the event each year.

The event is a personal mission for the

Seifried family.

“My husband and I have a son who was diagnosed on the spectrum when he was 3 ½. We decided we wanted to do something to help (other families,)” Seifried said. “We’re both fortunate enough that we both work, we’re both educated. We’ll be okay, but there are so many people out there who need help.”

Seifried said.

Since the second ride in 2015 the local event has been a benefit for Autism Care

Today, a nonprofit organization which provides quarterly grants to the families of children on the autism spectrum to

help meet their needs in caring for their children. Anna Seifried was named to the organization’s board of directors in December. The grants can help cover the costs of medications, devices such as IPads to help nonverbal children communicate and even fencing for the yards of children who are prone to wandering.

“They have a subdivision for military families,” Seifried said. “The money that we donate goes to military families.”

The goal for this year’s ride is to raise $20,000, which Seifried said is a realistic expectation.

“We were at a little over $19,000 last year and the year before that we were a little over $18,000,” Seifried said. “If anybody needs help or is looking for assistance for things that aren’t covered, they can do directly to the website and apply.”

The applications can be found at www.act-today.org for both military and nonmilitary families of children on the autism spectrum.

EDITOR’S CHOICE “PIC”OF THE ISSUE

Kinley Beatty, 3, of Washington, the daughter of Jenna Jones and James Beatty, is starting her tradition of buying formal wear at Bella Sposa early as she tries on her flower girl dress for her parents' upcoming wedding. Read our story on Bella Sposa on page 7 of this edition.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges.com

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Straight No Chaser announces The Open Bar Tour will take stage at Benedum Center in December Atlantic Records recording group Straight No Chaser has announced plans for another epic U.S. concert tour, The Open Bar Tour. Straight No Chaser’s Open Bar Tour takes the Benedum Center stage in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 as a part of the Cohen and Grigsby Trust Presents Series. For complete details and tickets, please visit sncmusic.com/tour and TrustArts.org.

Straight No Chaser’s latest studio album ONE SHOT is available through all streaming services as well as via the official Straight No Chaser store. The album sees SNC doing what they do best with distinctive takes on classic pop and soul favorites.

ONE SHOT is further highlighted by a richly-harmonized version of Simon

& Garfunkel’s “Homeward Bound,” in which the hard-touring group expresses their deep yearning for the comforts of family life. In addition, the LP features seven entertaining, conversational interludes wherein the nine mem-

bers of Straight No Chaser trace their unlikely rise from an undergraduate singing group at Indiana University to a beloved Atlantic Records act with a devoted international fanbase.

Taking off from the runaway success

of “The 12 Days Of Christmas,” Straight No Chaser made its now-classic debut with 2008’s HOLIDAY SPIRITS, followed in the next year by CHRISTMAS CHEERS. Both albums reached the top of the holiday charts at Amazon and the iTunes Store and are now certified gold by the RIAA. The extraordinary decade that followed has seen the group amass album sales in excess of 1.6 million in the U.S. alone, along with more than 100 million YouTube views thus far.

Last year saw the release of a very special 10th Anniversary Edition of HOLIDAY SPIRITS, featuring two brand new bonus tracks, “That’s Why We Celebrate” and “The 12 Days Of Christmas: 2018 Remix (Live).”

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FOR

Brownsville Gussies Up with the Perennial Project

YOUR

Story by Dave Zuchowski For years, Brownsville's Garden Club made an effort to beautify the town by planting flowers and maintaining floral displays along the streets. But as time went by, members got older and, a couple years ago, they decided they were no longer able to carry on with their beautification project efforts.

Inspired by Students in Action, a group of high schoolers with civic improvement goals, Joe Barantovich stepped in to fill the void.

"Brownsville has 22 miles of roads that once had 14 workers to maintain them," Barantovich said. "Now, it still has the same 22 miles of roads but only 2 workers. Needless to say, the downtown area was beginning to look run down due to of the lack of manpower."

With help from Laura Patterson, a landscape designer with Brownsville roots, Barantovich organized the Perennial Project, a grass-roots, community effort to resuscitate the beautification effort, this time not only with flowers but also with artwork installations scattered throughout town.

"I first met Laura when I took a yoga class at her studio and decided to phone her to discuss the project, which grew even larger in scope with her suggestion to include works of art," Barantovich said."

Patterson is the artistic director of Exquisite Design of Uniontown. The business website www.exquisitedesignstudio.com defines its mission as "providing overall creative project visioning for exterior and interior projects through artistic installations, thematic gardens and decor with a unique style and interpretation." As a contributor to the Perennial Project, Patterson is volunteering her time and expertise to the Brownsville beautification effort.

But she wasn't the only one contributing their time and energy to the cause. On Saturday, May 4, more than 100 volunteers showed up with brooms and shovels, chain saws and weed eaters to begin a clean up of the streets starting at the top of Market

HEALTH

Street, then spilling down around the ramps of the Lane-Blaine Bridge and into town up to the old bridge.

Barantovich, a retired English teacher and football coach who grew up in Republic and Brownsville, estimates that the effort yielded close to 100 garbage bags of debris. not counting the times the street department arrived with a front end loader and street sweeper to haul away some of the refuse. He gives Dr. Keith Hartbauer, superintendent of the Brownsville School District, a lot of credit for supporting the project.

According to Barantovich, a large part of the volunteer clean up work force came from the high school's students and a group of coaches, and Hartbauer expanded the project by getting the rest of the community involved. This included the Chamber of Commerce, the Eagles Club, Rotary, American Legion and area businesses.

"Brownsville council has also been very supportive of the project, espe-

cially president, Jack Lawver," Barantovich said.

With the cleanup completed, the volunteers joined forces again on Saturday, May 18 to plant 250 flowers and mulch the beds. Donations from individuals, civic organizations and businesses helped finance the beautification project, although the majority of the funding came from the efforts of Muriel Nuttall of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce who urged the county commissioners to finance the project with money from the county's hotel tax.

Throughout the summer, groups from the high school sports teams and clubs will maintain the streetscape with help from the fire departments, which has agreed to water the flowers.

As to the art segment of the project, plans are to have students from the art department paint the steps on Bank Street in vibrant colors to resemble piano keys and "yarn bomb" (cover in Continued on next page...

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Let’s talk about Smoking Cessation. A favorite quote is from Mark Twain: “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it a thousand times.”

In 2014, an estimated 16.8% (40.0 million) U.S. adults were current cigarette smokers. Of these, 76.8% (30.7 million) smoked every day, and 23.2% (9.3 million) smoked some days. While this number is down from rates in the mid ‘90s, it still presents a huge public health concern. Smoking is responsible for about 90% of deaths due to lung cancer and COPD. Nicotine’s effect on the body: Nicotine stimulates the CNS meso-limbic dopamine system, which is believed to be the neuronal mechanism underlying the reinforcement and reward experienced with smoking.

Smoking cessation is associated with a flu-like syndrome, cravings, irritability, insomnia, headache and fatigue. Nicotine withdrawal can lead to insomnia, anxiety, depression, and exacerbate underlying psychiatric disorders.

Nicotine Replacement Information Nicotine replacement products (gums, patches, etc.) are all equally effective in helping patients kick the habit.

Use a patch for continuous relief from cravings and the gum, spray, or inhaler for breakthrough urges if needed.

Don’t use nicotine replacements with Varenicline (Chantix). The combo causes more nausea and probably won’t work any better.

FMI about ways to quit smoking, ask your pharmacy!

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Brownsville Gussies Up, continued from page 5...

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yarn) an abandoned dump truck downtown. Middle school students are planning to paint empty plastic bottles and cut them into swirls to resemble a Dale Chihuly installation and mount them in a Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC) owned building downtown.

Another idea is to create a "flowing" mural on the downtown buildings of people working on the project in black and white with additions of colorful visual designs of the Cast Iron Bridge. Former NFL player William (Bruiser) James, founder of Team Humanity Games, would like to create an opportunity for an Instagram

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OPEN YEAR ROUND THERE IS HOPE Addiction Recovery Ministry offers a Christ centered 12 Step Program for people struggling with addiction and for those in recovery.

Meetings will be held every Monday 6:30-8:30 at Malden Christian Fellowship at 343 Old National Pike in Brownsville. Fliers are available for distribution.

FMI: 724-434-4597 or 734-785-3042

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moment by having angel wings painted on the facade of a wall or building for people to pose against for a photo shoot.

"The effort is to try to bring the town back to life," Barantovich said.

"We're hoping to have the art projects completed by the end of June."

If you're wondering about the name Perennial Project, Barantovich said he wanted something that would connote the notion that the project would be an annual event, not just a flash in the pan. For more information, phone 305-608-8230 or email jbarantovich@gmail.com.

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Bridal, prom tradition continues at Bella Sposa in Washington

Helping the Hurt

Story by Christine Haines For generations area residents have been going to the house at 358 E Maiden St. for their wedding dresses and other formal wear and with a new owner, that tradition will continue.

The business now known as Bella Sposa (Beautiful Bride in Italian) originally opened as Fli’s Five. Allison Chunko purchased the business from her parents and renamed it Allison’s Bridal. Not quite two years ago, in August 2017 after a summer of working side by side with the prospective buyers, she sold it to the current owners, Lori Hajdu and Kevin Finney, who last November posted the new name.

“Allison had faith in me that I could do it. It was a family-run business, so it meant a lot to her,” Hajdu said.

Hajdu and Finney still have a photo of Chunko’s parents hanging in the store and if that wasn’t reminder enough of the rich history they are continuing, the customers are a constant reminder.

“I got all my prom dresses here,” said Jenna Jones of Washington, who is now preparing for her wedding.

Jones has her gown picked out for her October wedding and her daughter, Kinley Beatty, 3, is starting her own tradition of frequenting the shop for her formal needs, readily modeling her flower girl dress. Jones’ mother, Rilla Reeder of Washington, is still debating which mother of the bride’s dress she wanted. It’s not for lack of selection -Reeder is torn between several different colors and styles, each of which she loves.

“Mothers, for some reason, always seem to wait,” Hajdu said.

Hajdu, who was a hairdresser prior to purchasing the bridal shop, said the business, for all of the work involved, has been a dream come true.

“My dream was to have a bridal shop in a house where people felt at home,” Hajdu said.

The store isn’t large, but it does offer

LAW OFFICE OF

Lisa J. Buday a fairly wide selection of bridal gowns, dresses and accessories for the entire bridal party, as well as for proms. The lower level of the store features discounted gowns and tuxedo rental. With limited space, Hajdu and Finney make their selections carefully.

“You look for designers that have a good quality and value, Finney said. “People watch “Say Yes

THE CAST IRON GALLERY HAS OPENED IN BROWNSVILLE, PA. We would like to invite you to visit us at 200 Bank Street.

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to the Dress” and get it into their heads that a wedding dress should cost $16,000 to $20,000. We don’t even aspire to that. We don’t have anything over $3,000,”Finney said. “We have the number one wedding dress designer in the United States as our main line.”

That line is designed by Morilee.

Finney said the average cost of a wedding dress at Bella Sposa is $1,500 and alterations are handled by a seamstress working directly with Bella Sposa. Finney and Hajdu order new designs twice a year to stay current and travel to Atlantia, Ga., several times a year to attend the Bridal Market and the World of Prom.

“That’s where we do all our purchasing,” Hajdu said.

Hajdu and Finney also believe in giving back to the community. Last year they donated more than $40,000 worth of dresses to area programs which provide free or low-cost prom and homecoming dresses to teens.

Photos: (top) Lori Hajdu and Kevin Finney, owners of Bella Sposa boutique in Washington, offer formal wear for weddings, proms, homecoming and other special occasions for both men and women.

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June news from the Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum

Free Produce to People Food Distribution - Fayette County Thursday, June 13 at 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

- Fayette County Fair Fairgrounds, 132 Pechin Road, Connellsville - The program provides supplemental food items to families each month. Typically families receive about 60 pounds of food each month. Residents of Fayette County who receive the food are asked to bring a large box, wheeled cart or laundry basket to put their food in. In an effort to speed up the process at the distribution center, we have implemented what is known as a Passcard. In order to receive the Passcard you will need to bring with you a copy of a utility bill with your name and address on the bill. You will also need a photo ID. Registration for the distribution begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 11:30. All food is distributed based on a first come first serve basis.

To ensure you receive food please arrive no later than 10 a.m. You are able to attend if you live in another county other than Fayette.

FMI: freshfirechurch.net

We are a Bible Believing Church!

California Baptist Church Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:45

Pastor Todd Rutherford 435 2nd Street, California

724-938-8555 Worship with Us this Sunday!

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NEW LOGO - SAME OLD STUFF! Even though we’re in the “old stuff” business, every once in a while we get something new. That was especially true when we unveiled our new “stacks” logo for our Smog Museum.

SOME BACKGROUND: Working with colleges and universities throughout the United States is something we do on a constant basis. We just completed three projects just this year alone. One of those projects was with Point Park University.

We first started working with Point Park on an unrelated project in 2017 with their Environmental Journalism Program's Multimedia Workshop. The result was a video that can be seen on our website on our “1948 Smog” page.

More recently in 2018, we were contacted by Lindsay Haslett and Heather Starr Fiedler of Point Park University’s Wood Street Communications. Wood Street Communications is an initiative of the Department of Community Engagement that provides high-level relations and advertising solutions to nonprofit organizations in the Pittsburgh area by working with their students. Our Point Park student was Brianna Farrand.

We’ve been carrying our Dragon Tshirts for years now in various designs as you well know. These are popular with people who have ties to Donora or who simply like dragons. For those that visit from around the United States or the far corners of the world who are more interested in subjects like the 1948 Smog, we now have a Tshirt for them as well. Or for you…

THE PROJECT: We started working with Brianna immediately by exchanging ideas about a new Smog Museum logo. Since the Donora Zinc Works was considered to be "ground zero" of the 1948 Smog, we started to

look at old photos from 1915 when the Zinc Works was constructed and decided to use one of those photos as the inspiration to make the logo as architecturally accurate to Donora as possible. We think we did that with our new “stacks” logo. The result was printed by Donora-native and business owner Armand Forlini on our freshly minted T-shirts. We hope to expand the logo onto other items in the near future.

Along with our new logo, Brianna also helped us redesign our museum display signage. Coupled with a grant through the Washington County Tourism to cover the cost of printing, you should expect to see those upgrades later this year. Tim Urda of Badzik Printing in Donora will be printing our new signage.

T-SHIRTS: Printed with black, white and orange ink, you can buy heather gray short-sleeve Tees ($20), long-sleeve Tees ($25) and crewneck sweatshirts ($30) in sizes S, M, L, XL, 2X and 3X at the Smog Museum on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hoodies ($35) are made to order. If that isn’t convenient, call us at 724823-0364 and leave a voicemail or email us at donorahistoricalsociety@gmail.com with your order and we can arrange your pick-up at the Donora Public Library (Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or Friday to Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shirts can also be mailed, but will require additional S&H. Quantities are limited, so please consider having your order added to a waiting list if your size/color is sold out.

Keep in mind, we still sell our Dragon T-shirts designed by Donoranatives Jesse Francis and Jared Altamare, and printed by Armand Forlini. These can be found at both the Smog Museum and the Donora Public

Library. Quantities are also limited, so please consider having your order added to a waiting list if your size/color is sold out.

OLD STUFF: And while the Smog Museum has a new logo design, you can rest assured that you can still expect to enjoy our town’s old “stuff” (artifacts) just as you did before.

FALL CEMENT CITY HOME & WALKING TOURS DATE SET Our fall Cement City Home and Walking Tours and your chance to see Thomas Edison’s solution for worker housing created 102 years ago in 1917 and the inspiration for the featured addition to the Carnegie Science Center’s Miniature Railroad & Village are scheduled for Saturday, September 28th and Sunday, September 29th at 1 p.m. (NO Steelers game this day.) The cost of the tours are $15/person and space is limited. It is encouraged to choose a date, then call or email to get your name added to a pre-RSVP signup list to be contacted when the tour dates get closer. If you have any questions about Cement City, one of our Home and Walking Tours or our project with the Carnegie Science Center’s Miniature Railroad & Village, please consult our website and click the “Cement City” tab, or contact the Historical Society.

ADDITIONAL INFO If you have additional questions about the subjects mentioned above, the historical society, museum, presentations or possibly volunteering, feel free to stop by on Saturdays or by special appointment (with at least a week’s notice), email us at DonoraHistoricalSociety@gmail.com, call us at 724-823-0364 and leave a message, visit us on the web at www.DonoraHistoricalSociety.org, or follow us and Like Us on Facebook at “Donora Historical Society and Smog Museum.”

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Center in the Woods June 2019 Activities Center in the Woods would like to extend a warm welcome to anyone who would like to come and be a part of our community. Whether you’re looking for fellowship, a new activity, or you’d like to volunteer, we encourage you to stop in. No membership is required. Make a reservation a day ahead and join us for lunch at noon. The Center in the Woods is a non-profit, senior facility with the goal of hosting fun activities and community events for adults ages 60+.

Lunch is served at 12 noon; please call one day in advance to order. !Daily activities include: Mondays: Piano lessons, Watercolor, Choir & Cards; Tuesdays: Lab services, Billiards lessons, Chair dancing, Healthy Steps, Bingo, Dart ball & Cards; Wednesdays: Bible study, Bean bag toss, Oil painting, Basket guild & Beauty shop; Thursdays: Lab services, Chair dancing, Healthy Steps, Jam Session & Bingo; Fridays: Beauty shop, Wii Bowling & Euchre Visit the beauty shop on Wednesdays, & Fridays by appointment.

Bethany offers massage therapy by appointment. Call 724-678-3308.

Jam sessions every Thursday at 1 p.m. feature local talented musicians. Sit and enjoy or bring an instrument and join in.

Piano lessons are offered on Mondays.

Call Judy at 724-785-6959 to schedule.

Birthday celebration the last Tuesday of the month at 12 noon.

Bridge on Monday and Thursday, 500 Bid on Wednesday and Euchre on Friday. Games start at 1:15 p.m.

Koffee Klatch presented by Edward

Jones on the first Friday of the month at 10 a.m.

The Adult Day Center is in need of volunteers. If you are interested in giving some of your time to assist our participants with activities or just being a friend, please contact Mary Beth at 724938-3554, Ext. 123.

Volunteers are needed to serve as drivers or runners for the daily Home Delivered Meals program throughout the California, Daisytown, Brownsville and West Brownsville areas.

Volunteers are also needed in the kitchen. We also need volunteers to help with various fundraising activities and administration work. FMI, please call 724-938-3554, Ext. 103.

The Center’s hall is available for rental. Call for details. FMI on programs and other activities, call 724-938-3554 Ext. 103. CITW is located at 130 Woodland Court, Brownsville.

FMI: centerinthewoods.org

California Rotary to hold Memorial Day Program California Rotary is sponsoring the annual Memorial Day ceremony, “We Remember,” Monday, May 26, 11 a.m. at Veteran’s Circle, Fourth and Liberty streets. This year’s event will honor local California’s First Responders as well those brave men and women who have given their lives in defense of our country.

The event will feature a flag raising ceremony; the essay contest winner; patriotic songs; reading of Mrs. Bixby’s letter, written by President Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby recognizing the sacrifice of her five

sons to the Union cause; and “In Flanders Field,” a poem by Lt. Col. John McCrae; and taps. Light refreshments will be available after the ceremony.

Please join with the California Community to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the military, and those who put themselves in harms way daily to help others. Bring a chair and an umbrella (rain or shine) as Rotary re-institutes the Memorial Day observance in California.

PROTECT YOUR RIDE While you’re out there riding the wind and chasing sunsets, the last thing you want to worry about is insurance. That’s why we’ve revved up our motorcycle coverage and revamped our motorcycle insurance prices, too.

PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR MOTORCYCLE ERIE’s improved motorcycle coverage gives you great protection, including coverage for damage to your accessories, gear and safety riding apparel. And our new motorcycle insurance rates offer the lowest possible cost for the safest drivers on the road. Insuring your motorcycle with ERIE means: Your gear and safety riding apparel are covered (think helmet, riding boots and even protective eyewear).

Your special touches are covered, too (like custom paint, chrome, saddlebags and more).

Medical payments can help pay your covered injury expenses (ask your agent how to add this to your policy).

Optional roadside assistance is available, should your bike ever leave you stranded (believe us; it’s worth the small add-on cost).

You get a 12-month policy that protects your ride all year long.

SAVINGS & CONVENIENCE If it’s been awhile since you looked at motorcycle coverage with us, you’ll want to get a quote. Our new pricing may surprise you. If you already have ERIE auto insurance, you may add your motorcycle to your existing auto policy. If you have the ERIE Rate

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Lock® feature on your auto policy, you could lock in your motorcycle premium as well. And you get the convenience of one policy, one bill and a few less worries. Customers new to ERIE: we’d love to get to know you and your bike. You can get coverage from a financially strong company that believes in doing the right thing.

GET THE MOTORCYCLE PROTECTION YOU NEED Your local ERIE agent, Kim Mariscotti of Mariscotti Insurance Agency, can provide more information, help you with a quote or add your motorcycle to your current auto policy.

This information provided by Mariscotti Insurance Agency, 324 Third Street, in California. For more information about all types of insurance coverage offered by Mariscotti Insurance Agency, contact your agent, Kim Mariscotti, at 724-938-9302.

MARISCOTTI INSURANCE AGENCY 324 Third Street, California (724) 938-9302

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City Mission Honors Volunteers of the Year and Impact Award Winners At their annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday, April 30, City Mission honored Carmine and Colette Molinaro with their Volunteer of the Year Award.

“I love being able to award Carmine and Colette as our 2019 volunteers of the year,” said Sheila Coquet, City Mission’s Director of Volunteer Services. “They are always smiling and giving joy and light to those that call City Mission their home. In a world where they see brokenness all around them, they come to City Mission to see the good that is being done. We are so grateful they are a part of the City Mission family."

Carmine is an officer with the South Strabane Police Department. He holds a “Stuff a Police Car” toy drive every year around Christmas and donates the toys to City Mission for the Angel Tree program, which provides Christmas gifts to City Mission residents and their families. He also supports the City Mission Santa’s Workshop program, which offers Christmas gifts to those in need in our community.

Additionally, Carmine and his wife Colette help to keep the food pantry at

City Mission’s Samaritan Care community outreach center stocked with canned goods and non-perishable food items. “If we find ourselves low, we can call them and they will find a way to get what we need through local store donations or purchase themselves,” Coquet explained.

As if that isn’t enough, the Molinaros also volunteer in City Mission’s kitchen and dining hall, where they serve the residents and community members who come for a

hot meal. "They are very uplifting for the residents,” said City Mission Kitchen Supervisor, Dave Foster. “You get a real feeling of love and caring for what they are doing. They remember residents’ and community members’ names and build relationships with them, and they work very well with our team."

This past winter, while Carmine and his wife were volunteering in the kitchen, a family with five children found its way to City Mission’s

Samaritan Care Center. They were traveling across the country when their car broke down nearby, and were in desperate need of help.. They had not had a shower or a hot meal in weeks.

The Molinaros were touched by the family’s story, and with their help, City Mission was able to provide food, shelter, clothing, car repairs, and toys for the kids.

City Mission also presented the Impact Award to volunteers at our new Drug-free Pain Management Clinic.

The Pain Clinic has been operating once a week since September of last year, providing alternative treatments for chronic and acute pain to City Mission residents.

Cynthia Urbanowicz, a retired flight nurse, worked with City Mission to create the drug-free pain management clinic, and she, along with the other medical providers at the clinic, volunteer their time every week to help relieve pain and reduce the need for pain-relieving medications.

City Mission would like to thank everyone who gives of their time, talent, and treasure to make the Mission a place of hope for the homeless and hurting in the local community.

Read Local/Eat Local returns to Peters Township Library The Peters Township Public Library will host 25 local authors at its 2nd annual Read Local/Eat Local event on Saturday, June 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library is encouraging the community to read books by Pennsylvania authors that represent all genres for all age groups. No registration required to attend.

Kicking off the event at 10 a.m. will be a talk by New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict followed by a book signing. Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years' experience as a litigator at two of the country's premier law firms.

She is a magna cum laude graduate of Boston College with a focus in History and Art History, and a cum laude grad-

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uate of the Boston University School of Law. While practicing as a lawyer, Marie dreamed of a fantastical job unearthing the hidden historical stories of women -- and finally found it when she tried her hand at writing.

She embarked on a new, narratively connected series of historical novels with The Other Einstein, which tells the tale of Albert Einstein's first wife, a physicist herself, and the role she might have played in his theories. The following novel in this series is Carnegie’s Maid, which tells the story of one brilliant woman who many have spurred Andrew Carnegie’s transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world’s first true philanthropist. Marie’s 3rd installment in the

series, The Only Woman in the Room, was published in January of 2019. A powerful novel based on the incredible true story of Hedy Lamarr, glamour icon and scientist whose groundbreaking invention revolutionized modern communication, The Only Woman in the Room is a masterpiece. Writing as Heather Terrell, Marie also published the historical novels The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare.

She lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Advance registration is requested for Ms. Benedict’s talk at 10 a.m. as seating is limited. Call 724.941.9430 #1 to register to attend. Independent bookstore Riverstone Books will be handling books sales for Marie Benedict that day. To preorder your books

before Read Local/Eat Local, call Riverstone Books at 412.366.1001.

Concluding the event at 1 p.m., Robin Carroll from Riverstone Books will offer tips for authors about marketing themselves and their books, working with an independent book seller, and discuss opportunities for events at their bookstore.

Plan to Eat Local while at this free event or passing through the area.

Three food trucks, Burgh Bites, Southside BBQ Company, and Udderly Fresh, will be in the library parking lot with refreshments for sale that afternoon.

For more information about Read Local/Eat Local, call the library at 724.941.9430 ext. 5771.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - We believe media should uplift and inspire. - pabridges.com

Pittsburgh Pride: A march for “those who can’t march.”

Story by Kayla Boulas Pittsburgh is one of the cities that has the lowest populations of LGBTQ folks in the country, yet they launched the city’s first Pride festival only three years after the first one took place in New York City. In 1970, Pride took over 51 blocks of the city from Christopher Street to Central Park. This national phenomena has even gone global in recent years as participants celebrate the spectrum of sexual diversity and raise awareness for those who have been negatively impacted by discrimination.

“The Pride march is for those who can’t march,” said Christine L. Bryan, the Director of Marketing and Development of the Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh.“There are countries where people are still being killed for being gay.”

The Delta Foundation is a non- profit organization that took over the production process of the Gay Pride Parade for Pittsburgh in 2008.

“Pride is like the gay communities way of celebrating Christmas, it’s their moment of glory, a time they celebrate their love and celebrate who they are,” said Bryan.

The Pittsburgh Pride festival will be taking place June 8-9, 2019. This year, Pittsburgh Pride is celebrating its 46th anniversary. What keeps people coming each year? How does The Delta Foundation target such a large audience?

“We use entertainment to bring people to Pride to have hard conversations about sexuality and sexual identity. We use music to create a conversation that brings different communities together and to share that it’s okay to be who you are because we’re all

just people at the end of the day,” said Bryan.

Pride, from the beginning, has been a celebration of who you are, however you choose to define yourself, or if you choose not to define yourself. Pride is an event that stresses the value of change, the acceptance of change within people through societies and culturally all over the world, one city at a time.

“Equality for everyone is the end goal, there’s still lots of work to be done, the only difference between people is who people choose to love and those are the conversations that need to keep happening,” said Bryan.

As Pittsburgh Pride continued, the LGBTQ community grew, and the parade

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got larger and louder. People continued to celebrate themselves and their identities, on Liberty Avenue and 10th Street. The Delta Foundation started hosting day long concerts, filling the streets of Pittsburgh with music and the roaring sound of equality.

Bryan says they found it important to attract participants from both inside and outside the LGBTQ community to help inspire those hard conversations.

Equality will continue to be an issue for this country but with Pride’s growing community and advocates, this is a battle that people inside and outside the LGBTQ will continue to fight.

“If you put 50 different people in a room, there [are] going to be 50 different answers for what Pride represents,” said Bryan.

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SETON HILL UNIVERSITY ALUMNI HOST AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING EVENT Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program alumni are hosting an author book signing event at the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Avenue in Greensburg, on Saturday, June 29, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The book signing event will showcase over 20 authors and guest author Mark Oshiro in town for the In Your Write Mind Workshop.

“I'm so thrilled to be able to be a part of In Your Write Mind this year, and I'm eager to share my own work with those attending!,” said Ohiro. “The signing will be a great chance to meet other aspiring writers and the greater community.”

Mark Oshiro is the Hugo-finalist (in the Fan Writer category) creator of the online Mark Does Stuff universe (Mark Reads and Mark Watches), where they analyze book and television series unspoiled. They were the nonfiction editor of Queers Destroy Science Fiction! and the co-editor of Speculative Fiction 2015 with Foz Meadows. Their first novel, Anger is a Gift, is a YA contemporary about queer friendship, love, and fighting police brutality, out now with Tor Teen. It was winner of the Schneider Family Book Award for 2019 in the Young Adult category; it was also nominated for the LGBTQ Children’s/Young Adult category in the 2019 Lammy Awards. When they are not writing, crying on camera about fictional characters, or ruining lives at conventions, Mark is busy trying to fulfill their lifelong goal: to pet every dog in the world.

The In Your Write Mind Workshop, an annual event hosted by the Writing Popular Fiction alunni at Seton Hill University, is held from June 27 - 30 this year.

To learn more about this year’s event, visit the web site at: inyourwritemind.setonhill.edu 11

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Steele Named New Head Men’s Soccer Coach Mitchell Steele Jr. of Jeannette has been named as the new Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Westmoreland County Community College and will guide the Wolfpack through his first season next fall.

"I am extremely excited to begin this next chapter in my coaching career,” said Steele. “I hope to put a competitive team on the pitch that will play with a lot of energy. I want my team to pressure the ball constantly and be aggressive while still playing with composure."

Steele has coached in the Jeannette area and in the county for several years. He was the head varsity coach for Jeannette High School for four seasons, guiding the Jayhawks to their best season ever with eight wins in 2013, including a school-record three section victories. Jeannette also claimed its first-ever win over section rival Greensburg Central during that season.

In addition to his time as the high school head coach until 2016, Steele was the head coach for the U18 travel team at the Jeannette Soccer Club and coached three other club teams in his

tenure with the club. Most recently, he has worked with the Foothills Soccer Club in Youngwood. Steele has earned multiple coaching licenses, including USSF E, USSF D and NSCAA Goalkeepers license.

“We’re pleased to welcome Mitchell to our staff as the new head men’s soccer coach,” said Westmoreland Director of Athletics Brian Rose. “One thing that stood out the moment we interviewed Mitchell was his passion for the game and his love of teaching the sport. I believe that passion and his high-energy personality is going to have a great impact on our studentathletes on the field and also in the classroom, as he will push our players to be very successful academically as well.”

A graduate of Jeannette High School, Steele went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in English in 2002 and earned his teaching certification from Seton Hill University in Secondary Education in 2008. Steele resides in Jeannette with his wife Shannon, daughter James and sons Mitchell, McAlister, and Malcolm.

New Thrift Store to Benefit Our Area’s Homeless On Monday, May 20 City Mission celebrated the Grand Opening of its Thrift Store in Belle Vernon, PA. "We are excited to open our store in Belle Vernon as we look to continue to further our efforts to those in need,” says Dean Gartland, President and CEO of City Mission.

Mark Vinoverski, Director of Business Enterprises adds, "We will continue to offer the quality merchandise at a good value along with the friendly customer service that our City Mission Thrift stores are known for."

Every day there is new merchandise on the sales floor because of consistent donations made to City Mission by residents from Washington, Allegheny, Westmoreland, and Fayette

Counties. All of the proceeds, from all of our Thrift Stores benefit the programs for residents at City Mission, who come from all areas of our region and beyond.

Established in 1941, City Mission is a Christ-centered rehabilitative homeless shelter that not only provides food and shelter – but provides a comprehensive, holistic approach with Biblically-based counseling and personal healing, and life-changing programs that help restore individuals to regain their independence.

The new City Mission Thrift Store is located at 370 Tri-County Lane, Belle Vernon, PA 15012.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - We believe media should uplift and inspire.-pabridges.com

Rotary/Cal U .5K Family Fun Run Set for 6/8

Nudge Shoppe Available Flavors Include: Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Toffee Crunch, Cookies & Cream, Milk Chocolate Almond, Nutella, Peanut Butter, Peanut Butter Tree, Peanut Butter Oreo, Rocky Road, Snickerdoodle,

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Strawberry Shortcake, & White Chocolate Cherry. We also California Rotary/Cal U .5K Family Fun Run kicks off with registration at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, June 8 at Cal U’s Adamson Stadium where’s there’s plenty of free parking. The run begins at 10 a.m.

The .5K Family Fun Run is open to all members of the family, from babies to grandparents. With a distance of only a third of a mile (1,640 feet) there will be dawdlers, strollers, lots of walkers, a maybe even a runner or two.

Because it’s a fun run, there will be no timers and everyone who crosses the finish line is a winner. Of course there are the bragging rights…you ran a .5K after all.

Registration is $20 per person, children 10 and under and those over 70 are $10 per person; and family registration is $50.

Included in the registration price is a real Tyvek wristband (suitable for

scrapbooking or framing), an oval decal (for car, tricycle or walker display), a ticket good for a chance on fabulous prizes after the run, and the knowledge that you helped California Rotary’s student scholarship fund.

VIP registration is $50 per person and includes all of the above perks plus a ride to the finish line (no need to get all sweaty), a Certificate of Completion (suitable for framing), and drinks (water, you need to stay hydrated).

Forms are available at Redstone Pharmacy, Vito Dentino Agency, Edward Jones office, or Buday Law Office, all on Third Street in California. You can also drop your completed form off there with your payment. Forms are also available at the California Public Library.

For more information call 724938-7204.

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 10-14 AT 6 P.M., JUNE 15 AT 11 A.M. Vacation Bible School will be held June 10-15. This year, we’re loading up the caravan at UCC every evening and on Saturday morning and heading to First Christian Church in Charleroi for a week of Bible Adventures that take us to Mars and Beyond!

If you have prayer concerns, or would like more information on events, worship times, or youth & young adult groups, please call the church!

Press Releases, Brochures & Fliers, Newsletters, Web Site & Blog Post Copy, Speechwriting & much more...

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499 E. Malden Drive, Coal Center - (724) 938-2098

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2019-2020 TRUST Cabaret Series at the Greer Cabaret Theater lineup announced The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announces the 2019-2020 TRUST Cabaret Series, now in its 8th season, continues to offer patrons a rare opportunity to see Broadway’s stars and today’s leading vocalists in a uniquely intimate setting ̶ the Greer Cabaret Theater, 655 Penn Avenue located in Pittsburgh’s Cultural District. Since the Series launched in October 2012, each season to follow has shown a bright spotlight on a diverse and impressive roster of award-winning stars and the finest Cabaret artists for Pittsburgh audiences to enjoy during sold out performances. The 2019-2020 TRUST Cabaret Series again offers two performances on the scheduled Monday evening and will showcase, in order of date appearances, Deborah Cox; Corey Cott; Jim Caruso, Jane Monheitand Billy Stritch in HOLLYWOOD LAND Songs from the Silver Screen; Mandy Gonzalez; and Erich Bergen.

Also, new for this season is a student discount package that includes a subscription to all five shows for the 9:30 p.m. performance.

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust gratefully acknowledges The Benter Foundation and Richard E. Rauh for their generous support of the TRUST Cabaret Series, which is arranged in cooperation with rj productions. www.rjprod.com “This 2019-2020 Cabaret Series will showcase a mix of vocalists - new and rising artists to seasoned multipleaward winning stars- from Broadway and the popular cabaret scene,” shares Randal Miller, Director of Dance Programming and Special Projects for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. “We welcome all of these artists and are delighted that this series continues to

Gallery 86 is now the home of the Uniontown Art Club and is located at 86 West Main St. in downtown Uniontown. The gallery and gift shop is filled with unique and one-of-a-kind works of art made by local artists.

Hours of operation are MondaySaturday 12:30-5:30 p.m.

The UAC is a local non-profit that was established in 1927. They have been promoting and generating appreciation of the visual arts in the community for over 90 years.

Their web address is www.uniontownartclub.org. Check out their Facebook page for upcoming special events and shows.

add Pittsburgh’s Cultural District as a destination for cultivating this music genre and growing its diverse audience of all ages.”

Mr. Miller further notes, “We look forward to sharing these special artists with the Pittsburgh Region. Deborah Cox is a music icon who is making her first entry into the world of cabaret with Pittsburgh among the first cities to host her. Pittsburgh universities have been the training ground for many of Broadway’s brightest stars! Corey Cott is from that distinguished group having stepped directly from Carnegie Mellon

ANNUAL BELLE VERNON FISHING DERBY

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University into the spotlight of Broadway. HOLLYWOOD LAND featuring three award-winning artists Jane Monheit, Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch.

Jim and Billy have been featured as special events within the series with their show Cast Party. HOLLYWOOD LAND is a totally different experience as they’ve joined forces with the amazing jazz vocalist Jane Monheit. Mandy Gonzalez was among the rising stars during our third Cabaret season in ‘Broadway Showstoppers.’ Now starring in a lead role in the Broadway cast of Hamilton, Ms. Gonzalez returns with her solo debut show. The season finale brings us Erich Bergen, with band, who is known for his roles in film and television, most notably in the film adaptation of Jersey Boys.”

2019-2020 TRUST Cabaret Season at the Greer Cabaret Theater, 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.

Deborah Cox Monday, October 14, 2019 Deborah Cox possesses one of the Continued on next page...

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges.com

FLEA MARKET Every Saturday beginning March 30 through the summer

7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SNOWDON SQUARE BROWNSVILLE, PA $20 per space = size of two parking places Food will be available Call 724-812-6207 Sponsored by Brownsville American Legion Post 295 15

2019-2020 TRUST Cabaret Series at the Greer Cabaret Theater, continued from page 15... most powerful and versatile contemporary voices of our time. The Grammy Award-nominated, multi-platinum R&B/Pop recording artist and actress recently blew the roof off theaters as she starred in the Rachel Maron role, originally played by Whitney Houston on film, for the new Broadway musical THE BODYGUARD. Since beginning her career as a background singer for Celine Dion, Ms. Cox has recorded six award-winning and critically acclaimed albums. As with Whitney Houston, Ms. Cox first recording contract was with Clive Davis at Arista Records and her selftitled debut album went platinum, earning her an American Music Award nomination.

From her second album, One Wish, came the double-platinum “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here”—which held the record for the longest running #1 R&B single. The Canadian-born star has an impressive list of #1 Billboard hit records, including thirteen #1 songs on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Ms. Cox has received numerous awards and honors for her longstanding commitment to the LGBT community.

Ms. Cox worked in collaboration with director Richard Jay-Alexander for this solo concert-Cabaret performance.

Corey Cott Monday, November 18, 2019 Corey Cott, a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, School of Drama, has established himself as a star both on stage and on screen. He received critical acclaim for his performance in the Tony Award-winning musical, BANDSTAND. Previous roles include Jack Kelly in Disney’s NEWSIES, followed by the Broadway revival of GIGI, starring opposite Vanessa Hudgens. On television, he appeared opposite Christina Ricci in the Amazon series “Z: The Beginning of Everything,” and had a recurring role on “The Good Fight” (CBS All Access). Mr. Cott costarred in the BBC miniseries “My Mother and Other Strangers,” and was a series regular in the Amazon pilot “The Interestings.”

Mr. Cott has guest starred on “Madam Secretary,” “Public Morals,” and “Law and Order: SVU,” and recently filmed a

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new Fox pilot, “Filthy Rich.”

A native of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, Mr. Cott will play “Tony” in Francesca Zambello’s upcoming production of West Side Story at Lyric Opera of Chicago this spring. He recently made his Carnegie Hall debut singing with the New York Pops.

Jim Caruso, Jane Monheit, Billy Stritch - HOLLYWOOD LAND Songs From The Silver Screen Monday, February 10, 2020 Singers Jim Caruso, Jane Monheit, and singer/pianist/arranger Billy Stritch have joined forces in HOLLYWOODLAND: Songs from the Silver Screen.

Material includes beloved songs like “Pennies From Heaven,” “Let’s Misbehave,” “Over The Rainbow,” “If I Only Had A Brain,” “Whistle While You Work,” and “It Happened In Sun Valley.” The trio will be accompanied

by Rick Montalbano on drums and Neal Miner on bass.

Jim Caruso made his Broadway debut alongside Liza Minnelli in the Tony Award-winning smash hit Liza’s at the Palace! For his nightclub work, Caruso has won six MAC, two Nightlife and two BackStage Bistro Awards for his sold-out New York shows at Birdland, the Algonquin Hotel, and Arci’s Place.

Critically acclaimed jazz vocalist Jane Monheit's honey-smooth vocals, silky phrasing, and natural knack for storytelling have earned her two Grammy nominations and established her as one of her generation’s most beloved and

accomplished vocalists.

Billy Stritch is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scenes. His most recent nightclub act “Billy Stritch Sings the Mel Tormé Songbook” earned rave reviews from the New York critics.

Mandy Gonzalez Monday, March 2, 2020 Mandy Gonzalez has thrilled audiences on Broadway, lit up the screen on television and started a social movement. Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of HAMILTON, calls Mandy “one of the greatest singers on earth.” Ms. Gonzalez currently stars as Angelica Schuyler in HAMILTON on Broadway, and can be seen on the CBS hit, “Madam Secretary.” Onstage, the dynamic range of Ms. Gonzalez’s voice sets a new standard—one moment, she can be soft and sultry, the next moment, she can shake the rafters. Ms. Gonzalez originated the role of Nina Rosario in the Tony award-winning show, IN THE HEIGHTS. She has starred as Elphaba in WICKED, and has performed for symphonies around the country.

Mandy is a Warner East West Records artist and recently released her debut album, FEARLESS, which debuted at #13 on the iTunes pop charts. Ms. Gonzalez is the proud founder of #FearlessSquad—a social media movement for inclusiveness and belonging.

Erich Bergen Monday, April 13, 2020 Direct from his starring role on CBS’ Madam Secretary, Erich Bergen makes his Pittsburgh concert debut offering a high-energy show filled with a mix of music and stories from his successful career on stage and on screen. Filled with songs from the Great American Songbook all the way through the top hits of today, Mr. Bergen and his band will have you laughing, crying, and singing along for the entire show.

Mr. Bergen is also well known for his critically-acclaimed performance as Bob Gaudio in JERSEY BOYS, a role he performed on stage and reprised in Clint Eastwood’s film adaptation.

Broadway audiences also know Mr. Bergen from his 2018 stage playing in

F

WAITRESS on Broadway, starring opposite Katharine McPhee.

TICKETS Subscription packages for the 20192020 TRUST Cabaret Series are on sale on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 10 a.m.ET. Single tickets will go on sale September 9, 2019.

The TRUST Cabaret Series presents two performances on the given date at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Series subscriptions include all five season performances. For the 7 p.m. show: tables and hi-top seating subscriptions are $300, theater seating subscriptions are $250. For the 9:30 p.m. show: tables and hi-top seating subb scriptions are $250, theater seating subp scriptions are $200. Unless otherwise noted, single tickets range in price from $45-$65, based on performance time.

All performances take place at the Greer Cabaret Theater, 655 Penn Avenue, in downtown Pittsburgh’s Cultural District.

Student Discount Package New this season, the TRUST Cabaret Series will offer a student discount package: all 5 shows-for the 9:30 p.m. performances. The student discount 5show package offers two price levels: $100/theater seating; and $125/table seating. For information about the student discount package, call Group Sales at 412-471-6930, or email at groupsales@trustarts.org.

For information, please visit these Pittsburgh Cultural Trust official ticket sources: call 412-456-6666, visit TrustArts.org/CabaretSeries, or in person at Theater Square Box Office, 655 Penn Avenue. Groups of 10+ call 412471-6930. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the Greer Cabaret Theater. Enjoy fabulous entertainment, a great menu, delicious desserts, coffee and a full bar. Theater Square also offers convenient parking.

For more information about real-time parking in the Cultural District, visit www.ParkPGH.org.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - We believe media should uplift and inspire. - pabridges.com

From the beginning, Sarris chocolate was love at first bite Story by Amanda Naser Frank Sarris began making chocolates in hopes of impressing his high school sweetheart, Athena. Not only did Athena fall in love with Sarris, she also fell in love with the chocolates.

Soon after the rest of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania would follow.

Sarris made chocolates in the basement following their wedding. By 1963, the Sarris operation had outgrown the basement. Frank and Athena knocked down the house they lived in to have more room to build their store, where they would settle into an apartment above the shop. The store was the first step of achieving their dreams.

Starting off as only a candy store, the business expanded, and an ice cream parlour was added. All of the ice cream is homemade in the store. With 11 different sundae options, and over 25 flavors, there is something for everyone. And if ice cream is not enough, you have to check out the 3000 pound chocolate castle… made completely out of candy!

You never know who (or what) you are going to see walking through the store. Since Sarris is so well known you often see some celebrities coming in and out of the store. After the

State Theatre CENTER FOR THE ARTS

M AMMA M IA July 26-28, 2019 TICKET PRICES TBA ABBA’s hits tell the hilarious Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2017, the Stanley Cup was brought in on a Saturday evening, and photographed in front of the castle. There is a photography wall located in the store of the Sarris family with several different celebrities. Mr. Sarris even met three U.S. Presidents.

Sarris has also earned several awards, such as: City of Pittsburgh’s Best Candy Store in Pittsburgh (2016) and the Observer Reporter’s Best Ice Cream (2017). Sarris was ranked as

one of the top 60 candy stores in North America. Sarris’ sweetness is not just the treats to eat, his sweetness extends throughout the community. In August of 2018, Sarris partnered with the PA Keystone Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The fundraiser was “Ice Cream for Breakfast Week” which ran from August 20-24, nine A.M. until noon.

A portion of the proceeds went to directly to the National MS Society Keystone Chapter. At the end of the week, $25,000 was donated to the National MS Society PA Keystone Chapter. The Sarris’ family is very involved with their community, and is always willing to give a helping hand.

Sarris also donated $1 million in 2009 to rebuild and refurbish the Canonsburg public library, which is now the Frank Sarris Public Library.

Sarris’ is the perfect place to go on hot summer evening. You never know who you might bump into while enjoying an ice cream sundae, and you will leave with the best smelling perfume: chocolate.

About the Author: Amanda Naser is a sophomore in the Communication Arts/Public Relations track at Washington and Jefferson College.

In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, and working.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges.com

story of a young woman’s search for her birth father.

This sunny and funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. This production is part of Summer at the State.

CLASSIC FILM SERIES June 21 at 2 & 7 p.m.

July 19 at 2 & 7 p.m.

June’s film is Breakfast at Tiffany’s July’s film is Yankee Doodle Dandy Adults $5, Students, senior citizens & children $3

724-439-1360 STATETHEATRE.INFO

27 East Main Street Uniontown, PA 17

Crossing the Monongahela: Part Two Written by Brian Brashear The earliest methods of crossing the Monongahela at Brownsville were the focus of part I of the article. These included the ferry of Michael Cresap and the wooden covered bridge built in 1833. Now in part II we will examine a forthcoming century and with it new ways to cross the water. The late Victorian era saw Brownsville embrace a "golden age" as steam packets rolled up and down the Monongahela transporting passengers and cargo. This, combined with the railroad industry and proximity to the national road, helped businesses spring up at every turn. The arrival of the 20th century brought with it the early automobile, the machine which would eventually change overland transportation forever. As the years passed, the horse and wagon would be seen in smaller numbers, which also meant the beginning of the end for Brownsville's wooden covered bridge.

In 1910 the U.S. War Department evaluated the wooden bridge and declared it as an "obstruction to the advancement and volume of modern river traffic." A new bridge was needed to adjust to the size of the bigger steamers on the river as well as the amount of traffic which was flowing through. The new bridge would also be better designed to accommodate the automobile which was increasing in popularity among those who could afford them. Everything was now set to replace the wooden bridge with a new metal truss bridge on the same location.

On Friday September 25, 1910 traffic crossed the wooden bridge for the final time. The next morning two ferries were put into operation to transport travelers across the river and back. They would remain in use until construction of the new "Inter-County" bridge was completed. Before construction could begin however, the old wooden bridge first needed to come down.

A few weeks later on October 14, the

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steamer "Robert Jenkins" made it's way along the water to the vicinity of the wooden bridge. As workers connected cables from the boat to the frame of the bridge, hundreds of people gathered to watch on both the Fayette and Washington county sides of the river.

Suddenly, a signal was given from the shore and Captain Shaw of the "Robert Jenkins" thrust his vessel forward. As the cables stretched into a tight line behind the boat, the old wooden bridge began to creak and rumble, as if it were giving one final salute to the people of the area which it had serviced for over 70 years. The onlookers gazed at the magnificent piece of Brownsville history for a few final seconds until the bridge collapsed into the water below. The sound was a loud crash which was reported to have been heard by those over a mile away in distance. The splash from the impact was so great that many of those who had lined the banks to watch were dripping wet from the experience.

Remarkably, much of the wood which was recovered was still in excellent condition. Mr. Charles Stephenson of Blainsburg purchased a good deal of it and used it to build his new home there.

It would be a few more years until the "new" Inter-County bridge (or the

"old" bridge as many residents of Brownsville still refer to it) would be completed and open for use.

September 8, 1914 was the beginning of Brownsville's "Old Home Week" celebration and one of the main events was the dedication and opening of the Inter-County bridge. That morning, at a ceremony attended by hundreds, Pennsylvania Governor John K. Tener officially declared the bridge open and ready for use. The bridge itself spans 940 feet over both water and land approaches. Both pedestrians and automobiles could now cross the river with relative ease. This made the next chapter in American transportation a reality for both Brownsville's citizens as well as those passing through to other destinations.

Automobiles had revolutionized travel in a way never seen before and as they became more affordable through the years, more citizens began to purchase them. In the years following World War II, car ownership began to increase at an extremely rapid rate. By 1960 roughly 75% of American households reported owning at least one automobile. As ownership increased, so did the advancement of roads and highways. It was now easier for Americans to travel greater distances to get to work, go on vacation, or take a Sunday drive. More automobiles

meant a significantly higher volume of traffic on the Inter-County bridge, which consisted of only two lanes.

The year 1960 saw the construction of a second bridge called the "Lane Bane bridge" (or "new" bridge as some Brownsville residents still call it) which holds two lanes of traffic in each direction for vehicles traveling both east and west. The bridge stretches 2,130 feet in length and towers over the Monongahela as well as West Brownsville below. Many residents still remember the construction of the Lane Bane bridge, whether they were walking up the hill to Front Street Jr. High School, shopping at Robinson's drug store on upper Market Street, or playing baseball in West Brownsville.

The Lane Bane bridge quickly became a main crossing point for motorists from both Fayette and Washington counties heading to the opposite sides of the river. Both the Inter-County and Lane Bane bridges remain in use to this day.

From the days of Thomas Cresap's ferry in 1775 to the modern bridges of today, Brownsville residents have conquered the task of crossing the river which flows next to it. They have proven their ability to match the advancements of transportation and time with suitable methods to cross from one river bank to the next. These achievements are a testament to the resilient progress made by Brownsville and West Brownsville from the earliest outset and bear witness to the importance of crossing the Monongahela at this location. They also reaffirm the importance of Brownsville in our nation's history as well as the engineering spirit which is still visible to the present day.

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At the Hofbrau in Canonsburg, customers become family Story by Colleen Kelly The Hofbrau is a restaurant where customers become family. Dan Refi, a frequent diner and resident of Canonsburg, can be seen jumping behind the bar, taking orders, or grabbing a wet rag to wipe down empty tables on busy nights at the restaurant.

“Dan has saved us many times over and over,” said Jimmy Oddi, co-owner of Hofbrau and resident of Canonsburg. “Without his help on some nights I don’t know if we would be able to get everyone served. I know I can always count on him when he walks through the door.”

Hofbrau is a family run bar and grill located in the east end of Canonsburg.

Customers who come through the door are immediately greeted with a friendly “hello” and the sweet smell of hot chicken wings.

The Hofbrau is a no-frills, community treasure with some of the best wings in town and a group of regulars that make every day feel like a reunion. The atmosphere is augmented by music, pool, or a sport game on TV. “People love the Hofbrau because it is a place you always feel welcome,” said Ashley Oddi, daughter of Jimmy, and Sophomore at Washington and Jefferson College. “Everyone is family here.”

Jimmy Oddi graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in petroleum engineering, but he knew his love of food and family ancestry would land him in the restaurant business. His aunt and uncle were restaurant owners and he always wanted to start a business of his own. In early 2000, Oddi took a leap of faith with his wife Melia and opened Hofbrau.

The menu has a variety of food, ranging from hamburgers to salads topped with french fries. They are best known for their chicken wings and their 31

sauce options.

If chicken wings are your favorite, Tuesdays and Thursdays are wing nights at the Hofbrau, but Hofbrau wasn’t always the hopping spot it is now.

“The first couple years were filled with tons of advertising, specifically word of mouth advertising to get people through the door and to come

back” said Oddi.

There was a lot of trial and error in the beginning. The Oddi’s worked hard to find the most inexpensive yet quality ingredients for their food.

Business picked up after they mastered the small details. Then they figured out how they could give back to the community.

“My favorite part about being an owner of the Hofbrau is seeing the way we can impact our community,” said Melia Oddi, co-owner of Hofbrau and resident of Canonsburg. “Our most popular type of fundraisor is for sports team but we also hold ones for those battling an illness or some type of tragedy.”

Not only does the Oddi family care about giving back to the local population, but their welcoming environment encourages people to come as they are, but with an appetite.

“The beer is always cold, the wings are always hot, and the company always great” said Dan Refi.

About the Author: Colleen Kelley is a sophomore in the Communication Arts at Washington and Jefferson College. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with friends and going to sporting events. After college she hopes to go into event planning.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges.com

How to Plan a Wake The wake traditionally involved a period of time when friends and relatives literally stayed awake with the body of the deceased until it was taken to the church for the funeral or to the cemetery for burial. These days, a wake is usually held in the funeral home.

Inform friends and family that a loved one has passed away, and let them know the date, time and place of the wake (more often called “visitation”).

This can also be done by placing an obituary in the local newspaper with the same information.

Let the funeral home know when you wish to have the wake. The home will prepare the body for viewing, and will see that any flowers sent will be displayed during the visitation.

Display a guest book for people to sign as they come in. This is often provided by the funeral home, or you can purchase your own. Bring some pictures of the deceased to put on a table in the room, if desired. People will appreciate seeing the person as he or she appeared in life.

Plan to be present during the visitation to greet friends and neighbors who come to pay their respects to the deceased and to the family.

Plan an old-fashioned wake for the deceased away from the funeral home, if that is your preference. You can reserve a pub or restaurant, or hold the wake in your home. Provide beverages, food, disposable cups, place settings, napkins and plates if the wake is held in your home.

Alcoholic beverages are usually considered appropriate.

Greet guests, lay out the food and drink, and spend the time toasting or otherwise remembering the deceased.

The body is usually displayed in an open casket during visitation in a funeral home. The body is usually not present if the wake is held in a home or other location, but sometimes this can be arranged.

Visitors usually bring food to a wake if it is held in a home. The food is eaten by guests, and any remaining food is left with the family of the deceased. Oldfashioned Irish wakes consisted of drinking, game playing, wrestling, dancing and singing. Use your best judgment as to what is appropriate in your case.

Mariscotti Funeral Home 323 Fourth Street California, PA (724) 938-2210 (724) 322-0500 - Cell Anthony Mariscotti, Supervisor

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Extra! Extra!

Read all about it! The second book in the Della and Lila series, Della and Lila and the Treasure Adventure, is now available to purchase online at Amazon or at our official web site.

Voted “Best of the ‘Burgh” by Pittsburgh Magazine and “Best of the Best” by the Observer-Reporter. Author Brianne Bayer Mitchell was the proud recipient of the Inspiring Lives Magazine Empowering Women in Philanthropy Award for 2017.

Local Readers, get your copy of Della and Lila and the Treasure Adventure or Della and Lila Meet the Monongahela Mermaid (or both!) at Flowers by Regina in California.

Learn more at dellaandlila.com or facebook.com/dellaandlila

Westmoreland names 2019 Distinguished Alumnus Westmoreland County Community College will present Clyde Parry of Coral Springs, Florida with the 2019 Distinguished Alumnus at the 48th commencement ceremony to be held May 9 at the Youngwood campus.

Born and raised in Jeannette, Parry graduated with honors from Westmoreland in 1985 earning an associate degree in Law Enforcement and Police Science. He also attended the college’s Act 120 Municipal Police Academy and began his law enforcement career in 1986 with the Derry Borough Police Department.

Parry joined the Coral Springs Police Department in 1987 and, over his 31year career with the department, worked his way up through the ranks from patrol officer to deputy chief to currently being the chief of police Parry was the acting police chief on February 14, 2018, the day of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School shooting in Parkland, Florida. He oversaw the Coral Springs Police Department's response to the shooting.

In March 2018, he was officially named chief of police and spent the year after the shooting guiding his department through the aftermath of that tragic event. Parry also oversaw the examination of his department's response to the tragedy while preparing to provide testimony to the panel empowered to investigate the shooting. He provided hours of testimony to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission. The Coral Springs Police Department is widely thought of as the department that heroically responded to the Parkland shooting and saved the lives of 17 wounded children.

“It is our extreme pleasure to honor Clyde as our Distinguished Alumnus,” said Dr. Tuesday Stanley, president, Westmoreland County Community College. “His service to the community is matched only by his endless dedi-

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cation to protecting the lives of so many.”

Parry has received numerous accolades including being named Officer of the Year in 2002 and Supervisor of the Year in 2007. His was also the recipient of The Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer Award from the United States Attorney’s Office, an Exceptional Police Initiative Commendation, a Unit Citation, a Team Citation Award, and has additionally received numerous letters of commendation from both the public and other law enforcement agencies throughout his career.

In addition to being a Westmoreland graduate, Parry holds a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University.

He is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, the Law Enforcement Executive Development Academy’s (LEEDA) Command Institution for Law Enforcement Executives and the prestigious FBI National Academy.

“It is truly a pleasure, and an honor, to be able to come back to where it all started for me and share a special evening with the 48th commencement class, “ said Parry. “It is my hope that one of the members of this graduating class comes back and addresses another class in the future. I wish them all the best.”

During his off-time, he devotes time to coaching the Coral Springs Chargers traveling tackle football club which he has done for over 20 years.

He also often returns home to Jeannette to visit his parents, Sue and Buck Parry, who still reside in Jeannette.

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Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Calls for Fresh Paint Days Applications Transform your community one gallon of paint at a time. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is accepting applications through June 28 for the 2019 Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania, a program designed to provide community groups with paint and painting supplies enabling them to renew a community structure in need into something beautiful through the application of fresh paint. This event is held in partnership with support from BEHR paint and The Home Depot. Eight grants of up to 20 gallons of exterior paint and a gift card for painting supplies will be awarded to tax-exempt groups within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Groups will have 30 days in September to complete their projects.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will select the eight winning projects from among applications submitted. Selected grantees must meet the following requirements to be considered – only one building per application, proof of liability insurance, signed permission to paint from the building owner and two before photos of the intended project. Selected grantees must also agree to select a color from the BEHR paint line and provide a final report with photos capturing the work in progress, as well as after photos.

“At BEHR Paint, we believe in doing the right thing and we’re on a mission to

make a difference in the communities where we live and work. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is an amazing organization and everyone in the community is enriched by their Fresh Paint Days efforts. We are proud to once again be partnering with them to help beautify communities across the state,” said Drew Hatcher, Contract Management Director at BEHR Paint.

“Through our partnership with BEHR and The Home Depot, Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania empowers community groups to take a direct role in community revitalization efforts,” explains Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is pleased to continue offering this free program to community groups who want

to revitalize their communities’ one structure at a time. It is a valuable program and I want to encourage community groups in Pennsylvania to take full advantage of this great opportunity.”

Applications must be received by June 28, 2019 and grants will be awarded in July. For more information or to download the application go to http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/grantsawards/fresh-paint-days/. Questions can be answered by Michelle Dunn, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Program Coordinator, at 877-772-3673 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org. The Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania grant is available to any tax-exempt group within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Private property owners or individual applicants cannot apply.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s mission is empowering Pennsylvanians to make our communities clean and beautiful.

Since 1990, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and its volunteers have removed over 141 million pounds of litter from Pennsylvania’s roadways, greenways, parks, forests, and waterways. To learn more about Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, visit www.keeppabeautiful.org.

MUSIC LESSONS

Do you want to learn to play a musical instrument? Experienced Instructor Jon Klein is now offering private lessons for students ages five and up for the Guitar, Ukelele, Drums & Percussion.

No need to leave your home, Jon will travel to you! Great with kids, references available.

Offering quality musical instruction at competitive rates, Jon has over 25 years of professional music experience and holds a B.S. in Commercial Music Technology from California University of Pennsylvania.

For more information, contact Jon via email at sidekicksound@gmail.com.

California Rotary Sunset Club takes first step for Community Garden Project by planting trees As part of a first-step in their Community Garden Project, California Rotary Sunset Club planted 8 apple trees Saturday, May 11 at Rotary Park.

The Sunset Club will be planting more fruit trees this year and will be working on a Community Garden at the far end of Rotary Park. The students in California Elementary School started the seeds that will be planted thanks to help from the California PTO. A wide variety of vegetables will be grown this year, and the hope is that the community will benefit at harvest time.

Special thanks to Jose Taracido, Cal U's Partners for Fish and Wildlife coordinator, who helped to obtain the

donated trees. He is also helping the Rotary Satellite Club with prepping the soil for the community garden.

Included in the photo are Jose Taracido; Joe Grodz, 2018-19 chairman of the Satellite Club; LaRae Taracido Dillon, secretary; and club members Sarah Klein, Dawn Perrotti, Susan Rutledge, and Jordon Rossell.

Helping with the planting are family members of the Rotarians and Boy Scouts from Troop 1423. For more information on California Rotary clubs or this project, contact California Rotary President Beth Baxter at californiafocus@verizon.net.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges.com

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Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival lineup and activities announced The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, a free festival celebrating music + art, returns to the beautiful Point State Park, Gateway Plaza and the Cultural District in downtown Pittsburgh June 7-16.

The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival welcomes nearly 500,000 fans annually for 10 days of free public art installations, live music, theater, dance, gallery exhibitions, and an Artist Market.

On April 16, 2019, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will announce the full Festival lineup, including dozens of local and touring artists appearing on the three stages, dance, film, literary art, gallery exhibitions, public art, and creative activities for all. The full line-up will also be available at TrustArts.org/TRAF. Friday, June 7 - India.Arie It’s no secret to India.Arie fans that the word "worthy" has been an empowering expression of self-love for her and her audience over the years. Faithfully repurposed as the title and theme of her brand new 16-track album, including 13 songs and three interludes, India’s first fulllength offering in five years is set to impact a world finally attuned to the kind of empathic sea-change the humanitarian singer/songwriter has embraced her entire career.

Recognized as a major influence for a new generation of socially aware artists, India is both ahead of her time and of it – an evocative creative force on a mission to spread healing, peace, love and unconditional self-acceptance through the power of words and music.

Saturday, June 8 - Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives With legends like George Jones, Johnny Cash, and Merle Haggard all passed on, country music purists often echo the question Jones himself asked: “Who’s going to fill their shoes?” The answer, in part, is Marty Stuart.

While he’s too gracious to admit it himself, the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and musician lives and breathes

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country-music history. He’s played alongside the masters, from Cash to Lester Flatt, who discovered him; been a worldwide ambassador for Nashville, Bakersfield and points in between; and safeguarded country’s most valuable traditions and physical artifacts – including its literal shoes: Stuart counts the brogan of Carter Family patriarch A.P. Carter and an assortment of Cash’s black boots among his vast collection of memorabilia.

Sunday, June 9 - Nahko and Medicine For The People (+ The Teskey Brothers) Nahko And Medicine For The People continues to gather dedicated, like-minded fans of this global Medicine Tribe, as members spread their positive and powerful musical message around the world.

Fans and critics alike praise the group's worldly blend of rock, hip-hop, and altfolk, with OC Weekly calling the group "empowering" and "powerful," while The Huffington Post compared Nahko to Bob Marley and called him a "musical prophet." The October 2017 album My Name is Bear premiered at #1 on iTunes

and debuted on a number of Billboard charts. Nahko And Medicine For The People are firm believers in using music as a tool of empowerment to protect and preserve all of creation. They aim to inspire others to take a deeper role in protecting and preserving our planet, people, and the spirit in all of creation.

Monday, June 10 - Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Brass The virtuosic brass section of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is renowned for its brilliance, refinement, and incredible power. Members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Brass make a special appearance this June at the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. This performance, designed for the whole family, is sure to please and delight with a varied program ranging from colorful and popular brass favorites to new arrangements for the occasion.

Tuesday, June 11 - Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe Singer and saxophonist Karl Denson fronts his band Tiny Universe as if he’s preaching the gospel. Merging funk, soul,

rock, jazz, blues and more, his energy and spirit are contagious, while his songwriting serves a larger message of fellowship — across generations, genders, religions and cultures. Not surprisingly then, he’s none too pleased with the current state of political discourse. Thus the reason why KDTU’s new album, Gnomes & Badgers, out now on Seven Spheres Records, offers Denson’s hard-grooving answer to these tragically divisive times.

To aid him in his mission, Denson has tapped some of his legendary friends, including The Rolling Stones’ keyboardist and Allman Brothers Band alum Chuck Leavell, guitar-slinging singer-songwriter Lukas Nelson, New Orleans guitar hero Anders Osborne, Austin producer and guitarist Adrian Quesada and NOLA R&B royal Ivan Neville. There’s no doubt Denson is also drawing influence and inspiration from his other main gigs, as a touring member of The Rolling Stones and the linchpin of the beloved jazz-funk unit The Greyboy Allstars.

Wednesday, June 12 - Kaia Kater As a Montreal-born GrenadianCanadian, Kaia Kater grew up between two worlds: one her family’s deep ties to folk music; the other the years she spent learning and studying Appalachian music in the United States. Her old-time banjopicking skills, deft arrangements, and songwriting abilities have landed her in the spotlight in North America and the UK, garnering critical acclaim from outlets such as NPR, CBC Radio, Rolling Stone,BBC Music, and No Depression.

Her third album, Grenades has already received acclaim from Rolling Stone (“Smart, atmospheric Americana”), and promises to bring listeners on an entirely new journey.

Thursday, June 13 - Lucius Fronted by the sleek and compelling look-alike duo of Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, and backed by their counterpart bandmates Dan Molad and Pete Lalish, Lucius has sold out shows across the world, big and small. Having headlined all

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - We believe media should uplift and inspire. - pabridges.com

Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival lineup and activities announced, continued from page 22 over the U.S. and Europe, they’ve also played slots at Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Lollapalooza, End of The Road, Austin City Limits, and shared the stage with a variety of renowned musicians including Roger Waters, Jack White, Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, Sara Bareilles, Tegan and Sara, and David Byrne.

Lucius returns to the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival, years after playing the Festival in 2013.

Friday, June 14 - Tank and the Bangas + Too Many Zooz (co-headliners) Coming from New Orleans, Tank and the Bangas is surrounded by plenty of grand musical traditions, and the fivepiece group has a rare knack for combining various musical styles—fiery soul, deft hip-hop, deep-groove R&B, and subtle jazz—into one dazzling, cohesive whole that evokes the scope of New Orleans music while retaining a distinctive feel all its own. “It’s music that can’t really be put in a box,” says singer and poet Tarriona “Tank” Ball. She fronts the band with vivid charisma that helped Tank and the Bangas win NPR’s 2017 ‘Tiny Desk Concert Contest’ by unanimous acclaim, standing out among 6,000 entrants because of what Bob Boilen called “the depth of their lyricism and the

versatility of their players.” Those same qualities also attracted the attention of Verve Records, which has signed the band.

The curious thing about being a fan of brasshouse? You're pretty much talking about being into one solitary but extremely unforgettable band: the amusingly monikered Too Many Zooz. The musical style was "branded" by drummer King of Sludge (KOS), who recognized that there

was no worthy existing classification for the New York trio, whose other two members are the equally unclassifiable Leo P (saxophone) and Matt Doe (trumpet).

It's an indifference to convention and trend that has garnered Too Many Zooz a fanbase that KOS describes as "wideranging and fanatical." Its sound is truly like nothing else, with inescapable grooves that take in dub, soul, funk and ska, utterly exhilarating horn blasts that shoot right up your spine, and, of course, equal doses of fun and attitude.

Saturday, June 15 - Mandolin Orange (+ Parsonsfield + Mipso) Mandolin Orange’s music radiates a mysterious warmth —their songs feel like whispered secrets, one hand cupped to your ear. The North Carolina duo has built a steady and growing fanbase with this kind of intimacy, and on Tides of A Teardrop (2019), it is more potent than ever. By all accounts, it is the duo’s fullest, richest, and most personal effort.

You can hear the air between them—the taut space of shared understanding, as palpable as a magnetic field, that makes their music sound like two halves of an end-

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges.com

lessly completing thought.

Singer-songwriter Andrew Marlin and multi-instrumentalist Emily Frantz have honed this lamp-glow intimacy for years.

For this album, Marlin and Frantz enlisted their touring band, who they also worked with on their last album Blindfaller.

Having recorded all previous albums live in the studio, they approached the recording process in a different way this time.

There is a telepathy and warmth in the interplay on Tides of A Teardrop that brings a new dynamic to the foreground—that holy silence between notes, the air that charges the album with such profound intimacy.

Sunday, June 16 - TO BE ANNOUNCED The Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival (60th year in 2019), a production of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, is a 10day celebration of the arts in downtown Pittsburgh unlike any other in the nation.

This world-class, multi-disciplinary festival is free to attend and open to the public.

Attracting nearly 500,000 visitors annually, the Festival begins on the first Friday in June and takes place at the confluence of Pittsburgh’s famed three rivers in Point State Park, throughout picturesque Gateway Center, and in the city’s renowned Cultural District. Now in its 60th year, the Festival’s loyal visitors have enjoyed an extensive array of music, dance, theater, literary arts, public art, gallery exhibitions, and an Artist Market featuring 300+ artists from around the country. Through the Festival’s green initiatives of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling throughout the Festival grounds, it is the recipient of the Outstanding Green Event Award and GOLD level accreditation from the Pennsylvania Resources Council.

FMI: TrustArts.org/TRAF

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“On playing nice in the sandbox” by Pastor Dawn Hargraves I recently attended an intercultural development conference. It is known that intercultural competence is now a top skill that employers are looking for in all new hires. So, what is intercultural competence? It is the awareness of differences without the need to convince yourself or the other that you are right, and they are wrong. It is the awareness of deep, rather than apparent differences.

For example, of course we notice when someone looks different than our self. It is the deeper awareness that one is different than our self in conflict style, expressing emotion or being reserved, it is norms and mores, and the world from which those differences came to be for a person.

Differences in people are beautiful.

Diversity in people reveals to us the amazing architect and design of our Creator. And though the wonder of the

Creator is seen in diversity, it is not always comfortable to be around one that is opposite of you or me.

The tension can be a barrier to relating or moves from conversation to argument, or even makes it hard to get a word in edgewise. It can be like sand in your eye.

It is the tension or conflict that often has many resorting to our comfort zones. I liken this to the Tower of Babel.

We want to be with like minded people and so that is who we easily and readily “let” into the silos of our lives.

There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong with this, however we are seeing so much division in the world, in our communities, even our families, that it might just be time to consider intercultural competency.

I think competency is a great thing. We want competent doctors, lawyers, teach-

ers, and mechanics. We want competent parents, caregivers, and chefs.

Competency is valuable. So, competency in working with, living with, being in community with those who are different – there is something to consider about this. Differences are too often used to divide folks. Maybe this as a collective shortage of those with intercultural development. Or maybe we have moved into a way of life where it is normal to argue, disagree, and fight all the time. I do not believe this as normal.

Recognizing the potential in living with others acknowledging differences is an opportunity for us, to be better people; neighbors, coworkers, community members, etc. Better at developing our self as part of the whole.

The whole of who we all are is important and that benefits when we recognize our differences. Recognizing differences

not so we can dig in, do battle, attempt to convince – rather recognizing differences so that we might build relationships and respect, while gaining solutions and progress, insight and information. And frankly, for all of us over the age of 40+, the youth and young adults are watching. They are watching to see if we are living as we taught, beginning with the directive “play nice in the sandbox, so no one gets sand where it isn’t wanted.’ In the sandbox of life, may we all share, keep things clean, be friendly, and make room for others. Maybe even building that kindom or community we dreamt of as kids.

Peace, Pastor Dawn P.S. Remember to put the lid on the sandbox, please, to keep the cats out.

Nurse Camp to be held July 27-29 at Waynesburg

Monessen Historical Society June 2019 News

Waynesburg University will host its first-ever Nurse Camp Saturday, July 27, to Monday, July 29. The camp will educate incoming high school juniors and seniors about the nursing profession through lectures and hands-on activities in the Simulation Lab. The camp will include lessons on the history of nursing, safety and infection control, basic life support and more.

There will also be a variety of interactive simulation activities.

The cost is $150 and includes instruc-

Mark your calendar! The annual Founders Day Dinner will be held on Saturday, October 19. This year’s theme will be the 100th anniversary of the visit of William Howard Taft to Monessen.

The meal will replicate the one served to the former president at the Pittsburgh Steel Company.

The Greater Monessen Historical Society’s Spring Exhibit in the Heritage Museum highlights Monessen professional athletes, Hall of Fame awardees, and the strong history of sports in the city.

GMHS is seeking local photographs and memorabilia of the suffragettes.

Next year’s theme will commemorate the 100th anniversary of women being able to vote in the 1920 Presidential election.

While doing spring cleaning, please keep the historical society on your mind. Save historical memorabilia and photos to donate or loan the Heritage Museum. Also, deposit copies of family genealogies for safe keeping. Ask the museum, before throwing away what may be historical material covering local history.

Individual memberships for the historical society are $15 a calendar year with family memberships being $20.00.

Business memberships are $50.

Membership is based on the calendar year of January through December and include four issues of the newsletter,

tion, camp activities, lodging in Waynesburg University’s upperclassmen residence halls and hot, buffet-style meals throughout the entire camp. To register, visit waynesburg.edu/nursecamp before Friday, June 28.

Scholarship funding is available for students from Washington and Greene counties. To learn more about Nurse Camp and available scholarships, email Sarah Bell, coordinator of academic communications and study abroad, at sbell@waynesburg.edu.

STEAM Camp to be held July 21-25 at Waynesburg Waynesburg University’s annual STEAM Camp will be held Sunday, July 21, through Thursday, July 25, on its main campus. The camp, which promotes learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, is open to high school students entering grades nine through 12 in the fall.

The cost is $300 and includes instruction, all camp activities, lodging in the University’s upperclassmen residence halls and hot, buffet-style meals throughout the entire camp. To register, visit waynesburg.edu/steam-camp. The deadline to register is Friday, June 28.

Scholarships are available to students who are in need of financial assistance.

To apply, students must complete an online form on the registration webpage.

All requests are due by June 5, and suc-

cessful recipients will be notified no later than June 12.

All participants are involved in the same evening programs but select their own traditional class sessions.

This year’s sessions include: genetics or digital animation; microscopy and microbiology or biomedical topics; science fiction vs. science fact or journey into the chemistry lab; biochemistry or physiology; and animal disease or skeletal anatomy.

Additionally, campers participate in rapid prototyping and mathematics sessions, as well as a field trip to the IU1 Fab Lab in Waynesburg.

For more information, contact Sarah Bell, coordinator of academic communications and study abroad, at sbell@waynesburg.edu or 724-852-7790.

“Valley Historian”.

GMHS is looking for individuals willing to present a lecture or program on local history or families in 2019. If interested, please contact the museum.

Do you have talents to share? Do you have spare time? Do you want to give back to the community? Do you enjoy history?If so, please consider joining our group and volunteering at the Museum. Call for details.

The Heritage Museum is also home to the Museum Shoppe, which is filled with the area’s largest collection of ethnic cookbooks They make great gifts.

There are also many books and items dealing with local history that are for sale.

The Greater Monessen Historical Society has a Twitter account. Follow us at @MonessenHistory We are also on Facebook. We can be located on Facebook under “Greater Monessen Historical Society”. See our latest events, news and photos of previous events. Google us and find our webpage filled with all the necessary information to visit, donate, join or learn about us. The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.. Saturdays by appointment.

The address is 505 Donner Avenue, Monessen, PA, 15062. The phone number is 724-684-8460. Free admission.

CALIFORNIA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Pennsylvanians, GO FISH!

227 THIRD STREET, CALIFORNIA

Fish-for-Free Days

July 10-12 from 6-8:30 p.m.

Pennsylvanians can fish for free on

Sunday, May 26 & Thursday, July 4.

For Information & Registration, call 724-9382270 or email california.umchurch@gmail.com

Hook a big fish? Send photos of your great catch to us and we may run them in an upcoming issue! Email us at carla@pabridges.com

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges.com

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NOW PLAYING! Saturday, June 15 at 7:30 PM - TODD RUNDGREN: THE INDIVIDUALIST TOUR - $39, $49, $59 ($6 additional day of show) - On The heels of his autobiographical release, The Individualist: digressions, dreams and dissertations, legendary songwriter, musician, interactive artist, producer and nominee for the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame Todd Rundgren is embarking on the world’s first hybrid concert/book tour, highlighting both hits and “deep tracks” spanning his 50year career.

Thursday, June 20 at 8 PM KEB’ MO’ SOLO with special guest Jontavious Willis $57.50 - Over the past two decades, Keb' has cultivated a reputation as a modern master of American roots music through the understated excellence of his live and studio performances. It all took off for Keb' Mo' in 1994 with the self-titled release under his newly coined Keb' Mo' moniker, and over the years, he has proven that he is a musical force that defies typical genre labels.

Friday, June 21 at 7:30 PM THE GATLIN BROTHERS $48.50, $63.50, $78.50 - Larry, Steve, & Rudy, the Gatlin Brothers,

are a Grammy Award-winning trio who have dazzled audiences for more than sixty years with a lifetime of noteworthy achievements in their storybook career, including a Grammy for Best Country Song (“Broken Lady”), three ACM awards for Single of the Year (“All The Gold In California”), Album of the Year (Straight Ahead) and Male Vocalist of the Year for Larry Gatlin, along with five nominations for CMA Vocal Group of the Year, Single, Album and Male Vocalist of the Year.

Saturday, June 22 at 7 PM PETER NOONE & HERMAN’S HERMITS with special guests The Latshaw Pops Celebrate the ‘60s - $43, $48, $58, $63, $68, $78 - Peter Noone is a multitalented entertainer who achieved international fame as “Herman”, lead singer of the legendary pop band Herman’s Hermits with hits like I’m Into Something Good, Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter, I’m Henry VIII, I Am, and Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat.

The Latshaw Pops Orchestra will open for Peter Noone celebrating the ‘60s.

Sunday, June 23 at 3 PM (RESCHEDULED FROM OCTOBER 21) - VICKI LAWRENCE & MAMA – A TWO WOMAN SHOW - $38, $48, $58, $75 Comedienne Vicki Lawrence is one of the most beloved television personalities of her generation. This very funny show is a mixture of stand-up comedy, music and observations about real life. Also, a visit from Mama is always a treat!

Friday, July 5 at 8 PM - GET THE LED OUT - $27, $31, $37 A GTLO concert mimics the “light and shade” that are the embodiment of “The Mighty Zep.” Whether

it’s the passion and fury with which they deliver the blues-soaked, groove-driven rock anthems, it’s their attention to detail and nuance that makes a Get The Led Out performance a truly aweinspiring event!

Saturday, July 27 at 7 PM - BJ THOMAS w/special guest Donna Groom (of The Skyliners) - $38, $43, $48, $68 BJ Thomas owns one of the most distinctive voices in American pop music. Nothing about the identifiable sound of his voice has changed, but there's a re-energized commitment behind it. His signature hits include Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head, the million-selling (Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song, Hooked on A Feeling and his career-igniting cover of Hank Williams I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. Tuesday, July 30 at 8 PM SCOTT STAPP, The Voice of Creed - $35, $45 ($5 additional at the door) - Scott Stapp is known as a Grammy-winning songwriter and frontman for Creed, and for his work as a solo artist who released the platinum-certified The Great Divide (2005) and Proof of Life (2013) which featured his first solo Billboard #1, Slow Suicide. His next solo venture reflects a new outlook after the biggest fight of his life – five years and counting. With new single Purpose For Pain, one of rock’s biggest names roars back to the scene with a driving, introspective new single.

Friday, August 2 - HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR 2019 - $49, $59, $69 - Music fans have been enjoying the hits of the sixties and seventies since the Summer of Love and beyond. They get to relive those

moments on the renowned Happy Together Tour 2019. This summer, the Happy Together Tour returns with the headline artists who delivered the biggest hits of the era: The Turtles, Chuck Negron (formerly of Three Dog Night), Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, The Buckinghams, The Classics IV and The Cowsills.

Sunday, August 18 at 6 PM JEANNE ROBERTSON, The Rocking Humor Tour - $25, $35, $55, $65 - At 75 years young, Jeanne Robertson continues to charm audiences with her humorous observations about life around her. This former Miss North Carolina, standing tall at six-foottwo, has a vivacious personality, heart and sense of humor. Jeanne’s witty depiction of everyday situations never fails to have audiences of all ages rolling with laughter.

Tuesday, August 20 at 7:30 PM - THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW - ALL THAT YOU LOVE 2019 WORLD TOUR - $39, $49, $59 ($6 additional per ticket day of event) After celebrating 30 years of playing Pink Floyd music around the world, The Australian Pink Floyd Show returns with a new tour for 2019, opening the next chapter in the story. The All That Your Love Tour will bring to the stage all the songs that mean so much to the band & Pink Floyd fans around the world.

Using state of the art lighting, video, lasers, inflatables and the incredible live sound that was the benchmark of Pink Floyd shows, TAPFS promises a memorable live experience.

T H E PA L A C E T H E AT R E 34 West Otterman Street, Greensburg

Box Office: 724-836-8000 26

thepalacetheatre.org

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - We believe media should uplift and inspire. - pabridges.com

Local author Janice Lane Palko weaves Pittsburgh into her novels Story by Leah Segal Stories are all around us, if only we look hard enough. Local author Janice Lane Palko lives by this adage, as she weaves her experiences of growing up in Pittsburgh into her narratives. Palko is the author of four published novels, ranging in genre from comedy and romance to mystery and suspense. Her publications include St. Anne’s Day, A Shepherd’s Song, Cape Cursed, and Most Highly Favored Daughter. Each of these books feature a Pittsburgh influence, as well as the presence of characters from her own life. Palko’s creativity and her connection to Pittsburgh gives her novels a nostalgic flavor, allowing readers across generations to resonate with her prose.

Janice Lane Palko’s penchant for writing bloomed in early childhood, writing feverishly in journals and for school assignments.

From eleven years of age onward, Palko has religiously kept diaries documenting significant events in her life and observing the world around her. Yet, she never defined herself as a writer until her mid-twenties when she attended a writing class at the Community College of Allegheny County.

“I thought writers smoked pipes and had tweed sport coats with suede elbow patches” says Palko ”I knew no writers!”

With her newfound identity, Palko began applying to local newspapers and magazines. She originally started with The North Hills News Record and eventually sold articles to publications such as Christian Science Monitor, Guideposts for Teens, The Reader's Digest, and The Pittsburgh PostGazette. During her time as a contributor to these publications, Palko started her first novel, St. Anne’s Day. This book is a

romantic comedy set in Pittsburgh and tells the tale of a love-scorned nurse and the devilishly handsome, but problematic son of one her patients. The novel includes iconic Pittsburgh neighborhoods, such as Millvale, Lawrenceville, and Polish Hill. Palko also incorporated the universal archetype of the quirky, loving, and quick-witted grandmother, making this novel a time capsule for Pittsburgh readers and a welcome tale to those outside city limits. Capturing the flavor and history of the city of Pittsburgh and the characters that comprise it is a vitally important part of Palko’s identity, and readers enjoy it greatly. “[People] say you should write what you know and I know Pittsburgh. I was born and raised here, and as I've released more

books, my readers have told me that they like reading about Pittsburgh” Palko says.

Palko’s Pittsburgh-centric writing has also allowed her to spread messages to the public, making wide-reaching issues more intimate. Her most recent novel, Most Highly Favored Daughter, addresses the issue of human trafficking in the Pittsburgh region.

While the book is fictional, Palko’s decision to have Pittsburgh at the center of such a dark subject opens up real and important discussions within the community.

“Human trafficking wasn't even on most people's radar back when I began writing it, and it's hard for me to imagine a more heinous crime,” says Palko.

Using her hometown as a platform, affords readers near and far to better under-

stand the intricacies and far reaching effects of such problems. “I spoke to a local women's group about my [book] and they all encouraged me to set it in Pittsburgh,” says Palko, “people believe that human trafficking only happens in places like Washington, New York City, or Los Angeles and not cities like Pittsburgh.”

Palko is currently working on her fifth novel, Our Lady of the Roses, which is the sequel to her first novel, St. Anne’s Day. While eager readers await the release of this new story, they can rest assured that the threads of Pittsburgh will be just as securely woven into this novel as it predecessors.

Overall, Janice Lane Palko’s familiar writing style connects readers to the wonderful city that is Pittsburgh. But it is the mysticism and power of writing that never ceases to amaze her. “What power [writing has]!”

Palko says. “I love putting my thoughts into readers’ heads and evoking emotions--what a way to connect with people.”

About the Author: Leah Segal is a senior double major in English and Communication Arts at Washington & Jefferson College. She also has a Concentration in Graphic Design. Outside of her academic career, Leah enjoys hiking, cooking and traveling. After graduation Leah hopes to enter into the publishing field and work as a publishing assistant.

Photo (top middle) of Janice Palko by Sergey Polstyanoy

Monongahela River Community Festival Set for July A collaborative effort, hosted by the Belle Vernon Borough Friends of Recreation Board, inviting all communities along the Monongahela River to participate in a weeklong celebration from July 13 to July 20.

The Belle Vernon Borough Friends of Recreation Board is thrilled to announce that they have expanded their popular one-day kayak race and community festival into a weeklong celebration along the Monongahela River. All events will

take place in Belle Vernon.

The weeklong celebration will kick off with a Miss/Mrs./Mr. Monongahela River pageant on Saturday, July 13, and conclude with an exciting day-long festival on July 20. The last day of the community festival will include a kayak race from West Brownsville to Belle Vernon, a large community parade, vendor fair, concert, food stands, car show, performances, and an evening fireworks display.

Throughout the week, activities will

include a children’s night with a pet parade and ice cream social, a farm-totable dinner, art and essay contests, and much more.

All communities located along the Monongahela River are invited and encouraged to participate in the community festival. This weeklong festival will be the first of its kind and will emphasize community building, local collaboration, and positive emphasis on the Mon Valley region.

The theme for the first-ever

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges. com

Monongahela River Community Festival is: The people on the river are happy to give - a lyric from the song Proud Mary.

Entrants in the art and essay contest will produce works based on the festival’s theme. Entry forms for the art contest, essay contest, and the anticipated Miss Monongahela River Pageant are available at fb.me/BVAFriendsofRec Additional information and schedules will be continuously posted and updated via the Belle Vernon Borough Friends of Recreation Board facebook page.

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MONESSEN PUBLIC LIBRARY - 326 DONNER AVE., MONESSEN - monessenlibrary.org

O PEN YOUR H EART & H OME The Southwestern Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is looking for individuals in your area to open their homes and offer a caring, safe, and nurturing family environment for eligible adults who cannot live independently due to physical, intellectual or age related impairments.

Domiciliary Care Providers are typically individuals who open their homes and are willing to provide residents with housing, support, care and encouragement in a family-like setting.

They are everyday people making a difference in their communities and in the lives of others. When you share your home and provide services, you receive $979.00 a month for each individual residing in your home.

Services include meals, housekeeping, laundry, medication set up, scheduling and providing transportation to medical appointments. Domiciliary Care homes can accommodate 1-3 residents and are certified to meet the required fire, health and local zoning standards.

If you are interested in becoming a certified Domiciliary Care provider and providing quality living alternative for a person who meets the criteria, or want to refer someone who will benefit from the programs services contact: Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging Domiciliary Care Program at 1-800-411-5655.

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Monessen Public Library & Cultural Center will close at 2 p.m. on Saturdays during the summer months. The schedule for the other days remain the same with the Library being closed on Fridays and Sundays.

To commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing, Monessen Public Library & Cultural Center, 326 Donner Avenue, Monessen, PA, will present a lecture by Robert Allison on Monday, June 3, at 6 p.m.. The program is entitled, “Aviation Now & the Future of Space”. The audiovisual presentation on aeronautics will cover the history of the Wright Brothers, dreams of going to the moon, the first moon landing, the future of space and more! Light refreshments will be served.

The Mon Valley Genealogy Forum will meet on Monday, June 17, at 5:30 p.m.. Light refreshments will be served. The group will discuss “genealogy in the news” and new websites. New members welcome.

The Library has an ongoing book sale with gently used and new books, magazines and phonograph records. Hardbacks are fifty cents each and paperbacks are twenty five Brian Thigpen & Matthew Fiedler Owners

exams and for obtaining jobs.

The Friends of the Library are collecting empty inkjet cartridges for recycling. Place the old cartridges in a plastic sandwich bag and deposit it in the collection box, located near the front Circulation Desk.

Cartridges being accepted include Canon, Dell, HP, Lexmark and Sharp. A complete list of cartridge code numbers can be picked up at cents each.

Stock up for spring reading!

A Job Corps representative will be at the Library on Thursday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to Noon. If you are interested, please contact Cherie at 412-773-3259. The mission of the Job Corps is to help young adults attain the necessary skills for employment or further education.

PA Career Link and the Westmoreland Library Network are partnering with Intermediate Unit 1 to provide free adult education classes at the Library on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. The classes are structured to improve reading, writing, and math skills necessary for the GED exams, post-secondary entrance

the Library.

Don’t forget to register for the Summer Reading Quest! Pick up a Summer Quest Event brochure at the Library. It begins on Monday, June 10, with a Jumping Jupiter Sock Hop Space Party. On Saturday, June 15, the annual Daddy Dino-Dig will be held with a Dinosaur Adventure, workshop and dino digging. Magician Joey Nuzum will come for a special Friday program on June 21.

The Kids Eat Free Program starts at the Library on Monday, June 17, and continues until August 9.

Breakfast will be served at 8:30 a.m. and lunch at 12:30 p.m. Participants

Follow Southern Yanks Smokehouse on Facebook!

are asked to use the side entrance near the alley loading dock. Look for the signs!

The Children’s Coordinator, Marsha Adams is looking for donations of plastic storage containers to organize the Children’s

HOURS: Tues-Thur 11-6 Fri 11-8 & Sat 12-5

57 W. Chestnut St. Washington, PA 878-212-3132

Programming items. The containers can be of various sizes. They can be left at the Circulation Desk.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - We believe media should uplift and inspire. - pabridges. com

MONONGAHELA AREA LIBRARY - 813 W. MAIN STREET, MONONGAHELA - washlibs.org/monongahela Recurring events: Story Time: Story Times are held Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Ms. Becky reads with the children, completes a small craft, and incorporates some block play. Children 18 months and up are welcome to join the fun and socialize with others their age.

OsmoTime: Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. - OSMO is a award-winning game system that transforms screen time into healthy, hands-on, interactive play. OSMO fosters learning in key areas such as: creative problem solving, art, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and common core. For children 4 and older. Parental supervision is required.

Lego Club: Thursdays 4:30-5:30 p.m.

- The cornerstone of an awe-inspiring creation begins with one small Lego.

Turn your imagined palace, tower, or fort into a reality; come build with us!

The town will marvel at your projects displayed in the library. Each week will have its own theme! For children of all ages. *There will be no club on June 20th due to other specially scheduled programming.

Book Bites: May 16th 1-2 p.m. Love reading and discussing books?

Want to join a book club? The Book Bites group meets once a month for

a lively discussion of a pre-selected book. The June book is American Rust by Philipp Meyer.

Crochet Club: Bring your yarn, bring your hook and let's get our crochet on! Join us to sit a while, chat, and work on your creations with fellow crochet enthusiasts Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m..

Basic Computer Classes: Need assistance using a mouse, browsing Facebook, conducting internet searches, or Microsoft Word? The library can help! Classes are on Fridays by appointment only. Sign up today at 724-258-5409 or stop by our front desk!

Writer’s Group: The Writer's

Group meets the first and third Wednesdays of every month at the library to critique and encourage each other's writing. Writing exercises are utilized and tips and advice are given to budding writers.(June 5th & 19th from 5:30-7 p.m.)

One-Time Events: Medicare 101 - Thursday, June 6th 5:30-7 p.m. - Get started with Medicare! Whether you are approaching 65 or already on Medicare, Chuck Karolewski, CIC, CLU of Greater Pittsburgh Insurance Consultants Inc., will help you understand Medicare, how it works, and how to make it work for you. Please contact the library to reserve your spot at 724-258-5409.

Summer Reading Kickoff - Thursday, June 20th 5 p.m. - Summer Reading is almost here! Join us for our Kickoff, where children, teens, and adults can register for the Summer Reading Club and all the programs and events associated with it. Special Guest Steve Haberman, Magician, will present a magic show for the children at 6 p.m..

Magic Show - Thursday June 20th 67 p.m. - Bring the kids to enjoy an evening of fun with Magician, Steve Haberman. Steve will join us to celebrate the kickoff of the Summer Reading Club, and entertain the children that evening by dazzling them

with his magic.

Register at the library or call 724258-5409 during business hours.

Shrinky Dinks - Monday June 24th 2-3 p.m. - Bring your creations to life through the science of Shrinky Dinks!

Design and create your own charms or keychains. For teens 12 and older.

Register at the library or by calling 724-258-5409 during business hours.

Junior Explorers - Tuesday June 25th 2-3 p.m. - Become a space explorer and journey with us as we discover our own solar system and beyond. What other worldly things will you find? For children grades K-5.

Register at the library or by calling 724-258-5409 during business hours.

Fundraiser: Fleatique Book Sale Saturday, June 2nd 8 a.m. - Don't forget to stop by the library on Saturday, June 2nd for our $5/bag book sale! We will also have a variety of flea market items, in addition to vendors selling their wares in our parking lot. Doors will open at 8 a.m. to allow you to shop until you drop. The book sale itself will continue beyond Saturday, and all proceeds benefit the library.

FRANK SARRIS LIBRARY - 35 N. JEFFERSON AVE., CANONSBURG - franksarrislibrary.org Teen Club Meeting – Members of Teen Advisory Board, Teen Writers’ Club and Page Turners get together to say goodbye to another school year and hello to summer adventures! Monday, 6/3, 6-7:30 p.m.

Fiction Book Club will be discussing Desperate Measures by Stuart Woods. New members always welcome! Wednesday 6/12, 1 p.m.

Page Turners Book Club will be reading “Catch Me If You Can: The True Story of a Real Fake” by Frank Abagnale with Stan Redding. This book club is open to all high school

students and incoming freshman are welcome! Thursday, 6/13 from 6-7 p.m.

Paint & Sip - Join us for an evening of painting while enjoying light bites, wine and the company of friends.

The fee is $20 and must be paid at the time of registration. Please sign up early as we require a minimum of six participants to hold this event and only have space for 12 people.

Deadline for sign up is Tuesday, June 18. Thursday 6/20, 5:45-7:30 p.m.

Summer Reading programs for all ages will run from Monday June 24 through Saturday, August 3. Get

more details at the Library.

Summer Story Time for preschoolers will be Mondays and Tuesdays June 24 – July 29, 10:30-11 a.m.

Family Nights will be on Tuesdays June 25- July 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Summer Quest for grades K-4 will be offered Tuesday - Friday the following weeks July 9-12, July 16-19, July 23-26 and July 30 – August 2, 10:30-12:30 p.m.

Summer Quest – Tweens in Space for grades 5-8 will be offered the following dates: Mondays July 8, 15, 22, 29 from 1-

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges. com

2 p.m.

Thursdays July 11, 18, 25, August 1 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Save the date for FSPL Fan Fest – where comics, pop-culture and fandoms collide! This is an all ages celebration of comic books, graphic novels, anime, and pop-culture.

Admission is free. There will be a fan art contest, cosplay, artists, vendors, photo areas and activities.

Visit our Facebook Event or our website Event Calendar for updates and more information. Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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EVA K. BOWLBY PUBLIC LIBRARY - 311 N. WEST ST., WAYNESBURG - evakbowlby.org SENIOR MONDAYS – Monday, June 3rd, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; our theme is National Driving Safety and Father's Day. We'll also make a quick craft, and enjoy a light lunch. Senior Mondays are the first Monday of every month!

TEEN ADVISORY GROUP - The Bowlby Library invites Teenagers 13-18 years to join us at the library on Tuesday, June 4 & 18 @ 5 p.m.

TINY TIM TOMATO PROJECT - for children ages 2-6yrs, come and learn about growing your own tomato plant on Tuesday, June 4 @ 5 p.m.

BROWN BAG BOOK CLUB Wednesdays, June 5 & 19 at 12-1 p.m..

Bring your lunch; book discussion takes place during the hour.

LEGO BRICK MASTERS - meets Saturday, June 8 & 22 @ 11 a.m., for ages 3 & older.

HORSEBACK LIBRARIANS - Join us Monday, June 10, at 6 p.m., for a look back into the history of horseback librarians with guest speaker Karen Holloran. Free & Open to the Public.

BOWLBY BOOK CLUB - meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at 6 p.m. Book discussion will be on "Home Front," by Kristin Hannah. New mem-

bers are always welcome!

COOKBOOK CLUB – Monday, June 24 @ 6 p.m. Theme: Desserts. If you like to cook, this is the club for you!

Let’s get together and try new recipes every month. FMI call 724.627.9776 PIE & BINGO – Friday, June 28, 6-9 p.m. for ALL ages!Come play several games of bingo at the library; win prizes and enjoy some pie!

MOVIE NIGHTS @ THE LIBRARY – This summer we will be featuring classic movies every Wednesday evening beginning promptly at 6 p.m. FREE snack and beverage!

June 5 ~ Ferris Bueller's Day Off June 12 ~ Cheaper by the Dozen June 19 ~ Raiders of the Lost Ark June 26 ~ The Love Bug (1997 -begins at 5 p.m.)

SUMMER QUEST - Currently taking registration for ALL summer reading programs!Mark your calendars for the Summer Quest Carnival, Friday, June 21, 6-8 p.m., featuring special musical guest Bill Pate. The Summer Quest Story Classes & Summer Quest Club begins June 24 for ALL Ages!

Our theme this summer is “A Universe of Stories!" Story Hours are planned for all ages, Monday through

CITIZENS LIBRARY - 55 SOUTH COLLEGE ST. IN WASHINGTON - washlibs.org/citizens

The Library will be closing at noon on Friday June 14, for our Summer Sampler 2019 Summer Sampler - Friday, June 14, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets $30, door $35. Featuring Angelo’s Restaurant, wineries, distilleries, and a brewery.

Readers of the Lost Ark Book Club: “Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz, meeting Thursday June 20, from 6-7, Conference Room, Free and open to the Public – Feel free to bring a snack!

Teen Summer reading will include weekly prizes for reading books, middle and high school book clubs, gaming nights, tech days and more!

Citibooks: Used bookstore open 106, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays and 10-4 on Saturdays, in the lower level of the library. CitiBooks is having a half-price sale on Thursday, June 27.

Citibooks will hold a $5 Bag Sale on Saturday, June 29.

Adult Book of the Month for June: “BBQ&A with Myron Mixon: Everything you ever Wanted to Know

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About Barbecue by Myron Mixon.

Children’s Dept. “Book of the Month”- for June is “Last Stop on Market Street” by Mat de la Pena.

Random drawing open to all children 12 and under. The winning entry will be drawn on Saturday June 29.

Summer Quest- Registration begins Monday June 10, from 2-6. Schedules, reading logs and other information will be available starting that day. Program in June and July for toddlers, preschoolers (3-5), school-age kids, teens and families.

Crochet: with Cheryl, 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays in June 6-8 p.m.

Yoga classes are held every Monday and Thursday in June, 5 p.m., $10 per class.

Discover Medicare: Educational understanding, Medicare discussion. June 3 and June 13 from 6-8 p.m. Free.

Friday of each week, beginning the week of June 24 through August 16.

Play K Transitional (5-6yrs): Mondays @ 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Preschool: Tuesday (3-4yrs) @ 10:30 a.m., Tuesday (4-5yrs) @ 1:30 p.m., Tuesday (18-35mos) @ 5 p.m.

Toddler Share: Thursday (12-24mos) @ 10:30 a.m., Thursday (24-36mos) @ 1:30 p.m.

School Age: Wednesday (6-12yrs) @ 10 a.m. ~ 3 p.m.* We will be divided into age groups K2 and 3-5. We will have literacy and math components as well as hands on interactive fun. This also has a field trip that will be the week of July 17th.

Stories Under the Moon Wednesday (3-6yrs) @ 5 p.m.

Organized Play Group Friday (1-3yrs) 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Registration for all events will be open starting May 20th. All Summer Quest Participants that register and come to the carnival will earn a book buck to use towards the store or end of session auction!

FREE lunches will be provided by the Summer Food Partnership during Summer Reading Quest on Tuesdays & Wednesdays (11:30-1p.m.), snacks on

Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.). Classes are filling quickly!

Call to register your children today!

ADULT SUMMER READING - The Bowlby Library invites adults to the library this summer for the "A Universe of Stories" adult summer reading program. We will explore the wonders of our universe and learn about the solar system. Patrons are invited to try something new: learn new facts about space, read a new book, try a new craft, and meet new people!Pick up a flyer at the library or visit our website at evakbowlby.org STRANGER THINGS BINGE WATCH PARTY - Saturdays, June 15, 22 & 29. We are hosting a Binge Watch Party to catch you up on "Stranger Things" for the release of the new season. We'll start with Season 1, Episode 1 at 10a.m., June 15, until 3 p.m.. 6 hours of binge-watching for three Saturdays in June!

Call or stop in Eva K. Bowlby Public Library for more info or to register for any of the above events.

FREDERICKTOWN LIBRARY - 38 WATER ST. FREDERICKTOWN - washlibs.org/fredericktown Summer Story Hour at the Park for Pre-school through 2nd Grade will be at Ten Mile Park the week of June 10th at 10 a.m. Call the library to register.

Reading Rangers Summer Book Club will be the week of June 24th at 10 at the library. Call to register your 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade children. Call the library to register.

Teen Book Club will not meet during the summer.

Discovery Detectives will not meet during the summer.

SIT N KNIT/CROCHET will meet the second and fourth Thursday of the

month. Beginner - expert welcome.

Rep. Pam Snyder’s Community Outreach staff is at the library every third Tuesday of each month from 11 – 3. Just stop in. No appointment needed.

Would you like to be a powerful advocate for the Fredericktown Area Public Library? We are looking for a few good men and women who would like to serve as library trustees. If interested just stop in the library.

Our underwriters for May are BCR Lions Club for underwriting the cost of our Internet service for one year.

Would you or your business like to sponsor our library news/events pages?

Call 724-769-0123 or email carla@pabridges.com.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - We believe media should uplift and inspire. - pabridges. com

PARTING SHOTS Send original photography for consideration for use in “Parting Shots” to carla@pabridges.com. Photos selected will be determined according to space and subject matter.

Summer at the State camps give a basic introduction to the world of Musical Theatre with an emphasis on acting, singing, dancing, and more. Camp will include a daily craft, nut-free snack, physical activities, vocal exercises, and lots of laughs. Email SummerAtTheState@gmail.com for more info.

Seton Hill University’s Writing Popular Fiction program alumni are hosting an author book signing event at the Seton Hill University Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Avenue in Greensburg, on Saturday, June 29, 5-7 p.m.

Music meets art at the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. For a full and complete schedule of festival activities, see pages 22-23 of this edition.

The hit culinary competition MasterChef Junior is debuting its first live tour this fall and coming to the Benedum Center on Sunday, October 6. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased at TrustArts.org.

PENNSYLVANIA BRIDGES - Arts, Entertainment, Education & Lifestyle - pabridges. com

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