We can’t wait to sail with you on Pittsburgh’s beautiful rivers for a wonderful evening!
Visit our website for tickets to this and other events and to learn more about what we do.
www.BobOconnorFoundation.com
FYI : Faith’s *You’re in-the-know* Info
hen August comes around, some do not want summer break to end, while others had already started unpacking their pumpkin season by the grand finale of fireworks on the Fourth of July.
No matter which of the celebrations you favor, if you are lucky enough to live in one of America’s favorites, The Cookie Cruise always bridges this transition time in between seasons, in a very Pittsburgh way - with a (very extended) Cookie Table along with summer’s favorite foods, drinks, music, friendly faces, and fireworks, all while cruising the Three Rivers.
This year marks the 31st year for the cruise that Pittsburgh’s 58th Mayor, Bob O’Connor founded, which focuses on raising funds and awareness for charitable and community projects in and around the city.
After Mayor O’Connor’s untimely passing in 2006, his beloved wife, Mrs. Judy O’Connor vowed to carry on the much loved tradition, along with her children. Mayor and Mrs. O’Connor were high school sweethearts (he an Irish Catholic, she, practicing Judaism), lifelong best friends, and staunch supporters of each others’ interests.
They raised three children together, two sons, and a daughter. Their first son, (Father Terry) would go on to be a catholic priest (graduating from St Vincent Basilica) a change in course, that seemed to have been heading toward a possible career in law or politics (he graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a law degree).
Their daughter, Heidy runs the Bob O’Connor Foundation, which hosts The Cookie Cruise, and also, the foundation’s St. Patrick’s Day Party to celebrate and distribute scholarships to local students, made possible by funds raised through the Cookie Cruise and other initiatives. Heidy, along with her family, team, and board at the foundation, plan to add volunteer opportunities to work even more closely with the Pittsburgh and surrounding community. Heidy has three daughters who have always been their Bubbie’s joy.
Heidy’s middle daughter has just added Mr & Mrs O’ Connor’s first great grand to the family.
The couple’s youngest son, Corey, has followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming involved in politics at a young age, first as a city council member, representing Squirrel Hill (the neighborhood his parents loved so much), and currently serving as the Allegheny County Controller. He and his wife have two children, a boy and a girl.
This year, it is with a heavy heart, that I announce Mrs. O’Connor will not be cruising with us. She passed on earlier this year, after a battle with ALS. She will be greatly missed, and we know that she and the mayor, will be with us in spirit.
They were always so positive, always had a smile to share, and would be extremely proud that their three children are continuing their legacy through the work of The Bob O’Connor Foundation.
This issue is a tribute to sweet Judy O’Connor, in celebration of a life well lived. Flip through the pages and remember with us, and continue looking forward to the wonderful experiences Pittsburgh and surrounding areas have to offer. Bob and Judy wouldn’t have it any other way!
Let’s Go!
Faith Bennett Founder, Publisher, Editor
www.TheSocialList.social
The Bob O’Connor Foundation
On January 3, 2006, Bob O’Connor became the 58th Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh.
A true son of Pittsburgh, Bob O’Connor has succeeded in both the public and private sectors, unique among Pittsburgh’s mayors. His real-life business experience and public sector skills at relationship building have worked together to create a successful leadership style that has produced results for over three decades. In March of 2003, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell asked Bob to be his Director of the Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Office. Rendell appointed Bob to this top Commonwealth administration position to tap his skills to build the relationships with Harrisburg needed to meet the needs of over five million people in 16 counties.
Prior to entering public service, O’Connor prospered in private industry as Vice President of Operations for Pappan Enterprises, a franchise of Marriott Corporation. He managed 36 restaurants in Allegheny County and more than 1000 employees over a successful 20 year career of putting the customer first by finding the right people to provide the right service.
O’Connor’s public service career began in 1992 when he took up the fight to stop fiscal policies he warned would “lead to a path of financial ruin.” His leadership style as a member of the Council of the City of Pittsburgh earned him the reputation as the “cost conscious councilman” who fought mismanagement and waste of taxpayer dollars. Bob’s skill at bringing people together and commonsense approach made him the “go-to-guy” when things needed to get done.
During his two terms as Council President, O’Connor consistently improved the way government could be used in practical, cost-effective ways to serve the needs of City neighborhoods. His financial strategy for public/private partnerships saved the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, Schenley Golf Course, and the National Aviary at Pittsburgh. Bob introduced a unified tax to replace the unfair two-tier system for property assessment and created performance audits that discovered under reporting of tax revenues by operators of private parking lots in the City of Pittsburgh. He also reduced natural gas consumption costs to consumers by 10% with a competitive choice program, saved the City substantial sums of money by requiring all insurance contracts be competitively bid, and instituted monthly independent reviews of cash disbursements as a member of the Public Auditorium Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. A member of the Equipment Leasing Authority Board, O’Connor saved Pittsburgh taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in gas purchases for city-owned cars and trucks, including police vehicles.
Mayor O’Connor spearheaded Pittsburgh’s renewal into a vibrant 21st century American city. His platform highlighted fiscal responsibility along with increased neighborhood and downtown development, more robust job growth, and improved service delivery. With a true son of Pittsburgh commitment to his hometown, Bob was an active civic leader lending his time and talents to a variety of civic, community and charitable organizations. He has served on the Board of Directors of Carnegie-Mellon University, Gateway Rehabilitation Institute, the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance, The Caring Foundation, and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. Bob’s wildly popular annual “Cookie Cruise” is as much a celebration of Pittsburgh’s famed Three Rivers as it is his fellow citizens.
Robert E. O’Connor Jr.
The Foundation President
HEIDY O’CONNOR GARTH
Heidy O’Connor Garth is the daughter of the late Bob O’Connor. She graduated from Slippery Rock University with a B.S. degree in management and marketing and worked for Pappan’s Enterprises and C. Truxell Research as a marketing manager. Heidy was also the Director of Operations for Una Biologicals. She was involved in the Girl Scouts as a leader for 9 years, PTO President in the Woodland Hills School District for 9 years, and was involved in the OLWEUS Anti-Bullying Program.
Heidy serves as the President of the Bob O’Connor Foundation. The mission of the foundation is to benefit and promote neighborhood development projects, community-based organizations and small and innovative charitable projects in and around the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; support community and service initiatives; and engage and support other charitable, artistic and educational activities that enrich Pittsburgh and its surrounding communities.
The Bob O’Connor Foundation puts on various community and fundraising activities and events throughout the year including:
The Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party
The Annual Cookie Cruise
The Children’s Institute Bike Camp Cookies for Seniors
Visit the website to find out more about volunteering and becoming involved with the Bob O’Connor Foundation.
The spiritual Guide
Rev. Terrence O’Connor of Pittsburgh is the son of Robert and Judith O’Connor. He received a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh, a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Duquesne University and a J.D. degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a 1987 graduate of Central Catholic High School. He earned the Master of Divinity Degree, with high honor, from Saint Vincent Seminary in 2000.
When Terry O’Connor entered formation for the priesthood in 1995, seminary life wasn’t the only thing new to him. He was still adjusting to life as a Catholic.
But only seven years after being baptized at the age of 19, he knew he was being called to an ever deeper relationship with Christ.
“It’s been an amazing run for me,” he said. “It’s more than I ever could have imagined.”
The son of a Jewish mother and a Catholic father, O’Connor was always familiar with the Catholic faith. He attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh’s Oakland section and witnessed the example of the Christian Brothers.
Father O’Connor credited his father, Bob, for sparking his interest in the faith. But it was a chance encounter with Father Robert George, Central Catholic chaplain, at a city tennis court that piqued his interest. He was baptized three months later in the school chapel.
Father O’Connor described himself as a typical Catholic who prayed and read Scripture. He graduated from law school at the University of Pittsburgh and took a job with a Downtown law firm.
“It was a period of gradual spiritual growth,” he said.
He said he began to struggle with a realization that he was being called to something more. He often expressed his feelings in conversations with Brother Clement Smith who had taught him at Central. It wasn’t until Brother Clement’s untimely death in March 1995, however, that he made a final decision regarding a vocation.
“The phone keeps ringing and ringing and you finally have to pick it up,” he said.
Father O’Connor entered St. Paul Seminary in Crafton in 1995 and went on to Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe in fall of 1997.
He noted the strong support of his family and friends, especially his mother, Judy, who has supported him “100 percent.” He also noted the influence of his fellow seminarians.
He said prayer helped put his formation into focus. He said spending at least an hour a day in front of the Blessed Sacrament opened his heart to his vocation.
Father O’Connor completed his summer and weekend pastoral experience at Transfiguration Parish in Monongahela. He said his work with the people taught him many valuable lessons.
“They really helped me realize I could be a priest,” he said. “They allowed me to minister to them, and offered their support, kindness and prayers.”
Father O’Connor said he is looking forward to building up the Kingdom of God. He said those who feel called to service should allow the Holy Spirit to guide them.
“Go for it,” he said. “You can think about it all you want, but until you take that leap, you can’t experience God’s grace. It’s amazing what God can do with you if you give Him the chance.”
The Political Advisor
Corey O’Connor
Is an American politician serving as the Allegheny County controller in Pennsylvania since July 10, 2022. For the 10 years prior to becoming controller, he was a member of the Pittsburgh City Council and represented District 5.
O’Connor was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Bob and Judy Levine O’Connor. He is the youngest brother of Terrence O’Connor, a priest, and Heidy Garth. Like his son, Bob O’Connor also represented District 5 as a member of Pittsburgh City Council from 1992 to 2003, including a four year stint as council president; he was then elected Pittsburgh mayor in 2005, but six months after taking office in January 2006, he was diagnosed with a rare brain cancer and died seven weeks later.
In his father’s memory, Corey and his family established the Bob O’Connor Foundation. To fund the foundation, they host the yearly “ O’Connor Cookie Cruise” on the Gateway Clipper Fleet, which is attended by thousands.
O’Connor graduated from Central Catholic High School and earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Duquesne University. He married Katie McLaughlin on April 16, 2021, and they reside in Pittsburgh’s Swisshelm Park neighborhood with their daughter and son.
O’Connor served as the Pittsburgh City Council member for District 5 starting January 3, 2012. O’Connor received national media coverage for his response to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting which happened in his district. He subsequently co-sponsored or supported gun reform legislation.
In 2022, O’Connor was nominated by Governor Tom Wolf and then confirmed by a Pennsylvania State Senate committee to become the next Allegheny County Controller, filling the vacancy left when Chelsa Wagner vacated the office on Jan 3, 2022, after being elected in 2021 to serve as a judge on the county’s Court of Common Pleas. On July 10, 2022, O’Connor resigned as a member of city council and then was immediately sworn in as county controller. He was elected to a full term in 2023.
Fred Rogers, Honorary Chairman
From the inception of the Highmark Caring Foundation in 1985 until his untimely death in 2003, Fred Rogers was its Honorary Chairman. The creator and host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood gave his support and his presence to Caring Place events and also guided much of the philosophy of the Caring Place program.
Fred spoke at the dedications of the two Caring Place facilities he lived to see built, expressing what the Caring Place is about.
In Pittsburgh, in December of 1997, he spoke of the safety of the Caring Place and of the invitation extended for those in grief to be themselves:
“In this place, people are surrounded by others who remind them that it’s all right to be who they are at that moment. That is so important for children — and adults.”
And in 2001 in Erie, Fred touched on the importance for grieving children of being able to express their feelings:
“Children need to talk about their feelings. It’s healthy to talk about their feelings. And there are wonderful people in this world who want to help. I’m very grateful to be able to be a part of this marvelous Caring Place.”
If a single statement could be said to encapsulate the heart of the Caring Place, it would be this quote, which is on the wall of the Forum in each of the four Caring Place facilities:
“It is only natural that we and our children find many things hard to talk about.
But anything human is mentionable and anything mentionable can be manageable.
The mentioning can be difficult, and the managing too, but both can be done if we’re surrounded by love and trust.”
Fred Rogers was a one-of-a-kind neighbor, friend, and partner. Our lives are better for his having been a part of them. His inspiration lives on, as Honorary Chairman and as mentor and friend. His legacy will continue through the work of the Caring Place.
What’s with Pittsburgh and The Cookie Table?
Laura Magone, of Monongahela, founder of the Wedding Cookie Community Table Facebook group that has more than 200,000 members, serves up deets on the tradition’s sweet origins, and shares recipes and advice on how to keep setting the table for years to come. She has even been featured on national television.
The cookie table is a Pittsburgh wedding tradition that is believed to have started during the Great Depression when many families couldn’t afford a wedding cake. Instead, family and friends would bake cookies from scratch using favorite recipes as a gesture of support and to save money. The tradition is thought to have originated in the tri-state area of western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and eastern Ohio, and is particularly linked to European immigrants of Catholic descent.
Today, the tradition is still strong, with both sides of the family often baking cookies for the wedding. The cookies are sometimes displayed in intricate arrangements, and the tradition is considered a DIY party favor that allows guests to indulge their sweet tooth. Some say that the cookie table is a representation of Pittsburgh’s community, which is built on immigrants who adapt to changing times while holding onto their values.
The Wedding Cookie Table Community
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Social Soles with Mrs. Judy O’Connor
Interview by: Debra Bauman
The Social Soles interview series is based on the saying, “You don’t really know someone until you have walked in her shoes.” We thought it would be interesting to begin each interview asking our guest to bring a pair of shoes that are significant to her. They can be a pair she wore on her first date with Him, those she wore when He proposed, a pair she wore when He was elected Mayor,... What shoes will she bring?
We associate shoes with memories: good and bad. This question serves as our ice breaker and steers the path of our conversation. This route will show us a side usually not seen in the one we are talking with. We believe a more personal, relatable side. We are excited to see in which direction we are lead – by the choice in footwear and the memories stirred.
Come. Let’s take a walk…
Mrs. O’Connor: I brought these brown shoes with decorations on them. I wore them on the last boat ride that Bob had. I bought them specifically for the boat ride. For my outfit. I wanted them to match that outfit! (Smiles) We had the O’Connor Cookie Cruise, we used to call it. And this is the picture they took of us, and you can see my shoes right there.
SBM: (The couple looks so happy. No one knew THAT would be Bob’s last Cruise.) Have you worn them again since that boat ride?
Mrs. O’Connor: I don’t even know if I wore them after that or not, but I just saved them. Just to remind me of the wonderful time we had on the boat ride. Every year.
SBM: (Memories are how you stay together after a loved one has passed) Why did you decide these would be the shoes we’d talk about today?
Mrs. O’Connor: Because, when you said shoes, and I looked at this picture, and Bob, and everything, it just reminds me of the times we had together. I have so many shoes upstairs, but these are pretty special. Because usually you wear shoes out and you give them away, but these I’ve kept for 11 years. Usually you don’t keep shoes for 11 years. My granddaughters like the shoes, but I haven’t given these up yet. They’ll take some of my shoes, but not these. (Looks at her son, Father Terry O’Connor, who has joined us) Do you remember these shoes? (He shakes his head no, then sees the photo.)
Father O’Connor: Good memories in those shoes.
Mrs. O’Connor: Yeah, there are. We had a good time, and that was a good boat ride. That’s when Bob was running for mayor. It was packed. After that - he won, but he never got to go on the next cruise. We had one scheduled for the year after he was elected, but he took sick, and we canceled. He never got to take the cruise as
mayor. I still remember the good memories we had on the cruises before Bob passed. Now we have the Bob O’Connor Foundation, so we’re doing it for that now. We picked it back up the year after Bob died, so we still do the Cookie Cruise. And that’s going to be on August 19 this year. So, we’re still keeping it strong, everyone appreciates us bringing the Cookie Cruise back. I’m glad we brought it back, too.
SBM: What made you decide to bring it back?
Mrs. O’Connor: People would ask, “Are you still going to have the cookie cruise?” Because everybody just loved it. When we brought it back it was the best thing we ever did.
SBM: (What a wonderful way to keep Mayor O’Connor’s memory and legacy in the minds of Pittsburghers) Can you tell us more about the Cookie Cruise?
Mrs. O’Connor: We get 800 – 1,000 people, so it’s just a lot of fun. Cookies, food, dancing. We have two boats, they sail side by side, I think this year they’re going to sail separately. We have DJs. The food is a picnic buffet, more or less, but it’s very good, like corn on the cob, coleslaw and chicken, hot dogs, and cookies – don’t forget the cookies! People fight over these cookies! I usually make the chocolate chips. We have a lot of volunteers who donate cookies. People really want to pitch in and help. Well, that’s Pittsburgh – they all do that, everywhere. And Zambelli does the fireworks. You can’t have it without fireworks, either – that’s a Pittsburgh thing. Then we might auction a shirt from the Steelers or the Penguins, too, people just love all that stuff, you know, Pittsburgh Pride!
SBM: (Lots of Social Support from the Pittsburgh Community) Did Mayor O’Connor enjoy putting together the cookie cruise?
Mrs. O’Connor. He did. Especially the first year when it took off, and everybody brought cookies, it was something new to everybody –especially on the boat!
Father O’Connor: It started small. Mrs. O’Connor: (Nodding in agreement) Very small. We started with 200 people, and I think they were all family (Father O’Connor laughs). And then it grew, and it grew. And they’re still around, aunts,
uncles and everything. They support – everywhere.
SMB: (Lots of Social Support from the Family as well!) The Foundation and events sound like a family effort!
Mrs. O’Connor: We don’t do it without the family. Heidy takes care of the Foundation. Corey, now, he’s in politics. He’s doing well. People ask me, “When’s he going to run for mayor”? Terry is a priest at Saint Therese of Lisieux Parish. But we all get together for Foundation events.
SBM: Are you involved with the Pittsburgh Bicentennial?
Mrs. O’Connor: We are. The city is honoring all of the mayors, all the way back to maybe the first mayor, contacting everybody’s relatives if they can find somebody. There’s a parade (July 9), we’re going to be involved with that, and then after meeting at The Point to celebrate with food. I was asked for a recipe, so I shared a recipe Bob liked. I just did that last week. They’re coming out with a book, I think, in March.
SBM: Which recipe did you give them?
Mrs. O’Connor: The pot roast! He was a meat and potato man. That was it. Give him a steak every day. He would do potatoes and steak, that was it. There wasn’t anything fancy about him at all. That’s all he would like.
SBM: We hear him often referred to as “The People’s Mayor.”
Mrs. O’Connor: Oh, he was. He was out there, constantly, helping people, doing everything. Just saying hi to everybody. I still hear, every day, he was great to everybody. He was good. He was very likable.
Father O’Connor: Real humble, you know?
Mrs. O’Connor: Very humble.
Father O’Connor: He always remembered where he came from, he was always the same no matter what his title was, or the money he made. He was always the same.
Mrs. O’Connor: He was good. He was on his way. It was just a shock, what took place. But he did well. People remember him, and it’s a good thing, the way they remember him. So we’re just trying to work, keep up with everything, go out and help the community, like he would. I just feel we should be out there and do the same thing.
SMB: (Mayor O’Connor lives on through the Bob O’Connor Foundation and his family) If your shoes could speak, what would they
Mrs. O’Connor: I don’t know (Hmm…).
Father O’Connor: They’d say, “I’m glad I meant so much to you that I was your choice for this interview!”
SBM: If you could walk in someone else’s shoes, who would it
Mrs. O’Connor: Who’s shoes would I walk in…that’s a great question…Well, I’m kind of happy with the life and memories I’ve had. I’d walk in my own shoes all over (and dance again with Bob.)
To learn more www.BobOconnorFoundation.com
Smiley Cookie
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The original Gateway Clipper became Pittsburgh’s first official sightseeing boat in 1958, and the Gateway Clipper Fleet has since become one of Pittsburgh’s most popular attractions!
Join us to experience the best tours that Pittsburgh has to offer.
Every Saturday through September 28th 8am-12pm
Steeler Nation in Steeler Country
Hallowed Ground Sport and Spirit
- The Pittsburgh Steelers began training at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1966.
*To be closer to home - The Steelers’ previous training camp was at the University of Rhode Island.
- Arthur Rooney Jr. was an alumnus - Rooney Jr. was a scout for the Steelers at the time and wanted to make a connection with his alma mater.
2024 STEELERS TRAINING CAMP
- The Steelers arrived on campus August 29, 1966.
What would follow from that two-week stay in Latrobe in 1966 has become years of tradition that has now spanned generations.
“The Steelers and Saint Vincent are united in pursing that goal of hospitality. The Steelers prioritize their fans in many ways.”
-Fr. Paul Taylor
HISTORICAL TRADITIONS
The recently refurbished Monongahela Incline was built in 1870 by engineer John J. Endres and has been in nearly continuous use for a century and a half. It was the first passenger funicular railway built in the United States. Added to The National Register of Historic Places in 1977, this icon of Pittsburgh history was built to transport workers up and down “Coal Hill” which was otherwise almost inaccessible from the city proper. “Coal Hill” is now known as Mount Washington.
Take a step back in time on a century-old cable car and see the best views of downtown Pittsburgh while riding one of the few remaining inclines in the country. Opened on May 20, 1877, the Duquesne Incline was rescued and restored by a group of local residents in 1963 and still delights residents and visitors with its original, elegant, wooden cable cars.
Pittsburgh is renowned for its spectacular cityscape views, and there are no better places to experience them from than the upper stations of The Mon Incline and its sibling The Duquesne Incline, which is located a bit less than a mile west, up the aptly named Grandview Avenue.
As you travel up or down the incline, you can still see the remnants of a much larger freight incline that ran parallel to the passenger incline until about 1935. The larger incline was capable of transporting horse-drawn freight, and later, motor vehicles. Though only two inclines survive, Pittsburgh was once home to almost two dozen inclines, which provided Pittsburgh residents and their vehicles access to neighborhoods above the steep hills that surround the city.
DuquesneIncline
Now you can visit the interior of the incline and watch the machinery while it operates. The Duquesne Incline’s upper station houses a museum of Pittsburgh history, including photos and a storehouse of information on inclines from around the world. Unusual Pittsburgh souvenirs, maps and photos can be found at the gift shop.
BE CAREFUL, LITTLE EYES, WHAT YOU SEE!
FEBRUARY
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among older Americans, but new treatments have dramatically changed the course of this disease over the last 10 years, making AMD more manageable than ever before. During AMD Awareness Month in February, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is reminding people with AMD that they can save their vision thanks to recent treatment advances, but early detection is a critical first step.
SPORTS
EYE SAFETY MONTH
AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AWARENESS
MONTH
EYE HEALTH OBSERVANCES
Each month, the Academy recognizes one or more observances dedicated to raising awareness about important eye health topics.
GLAUCOMA AWARENESS MONTH
MARCH
Each year, an estimated 100,000 people are hurt by sports-related eye injuries. About 13,500 of these injuries result in permanent vision loss. In support of Sports Eye Safety Month this April, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds athletes everywhere that the great majority of sports-related eye injuries can be avoided by simply wearing the proper protection.
APRIL
JUNE
FIREWORKS EYE SAFETY & CATARACT AWARENESS MONTH
Americans spend hundreds of millions of dollars annually on consumer fireworks, which cause more than 9,000 injuries a year. With the Fourth of July holiday just weeks away, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is reminding the public that fireworks are not toys but incendiary devices that can cause devastating eye injuries. Cataract is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. If not treated, cataracts can lead to blindness. In addition, the longer cataracts are left untreated, the more difficult it can be to successfully remove the cataract and restore vision.
During Cataract Awareness Month in June, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds the public that early detection and treatment of cataracts is critical to preserving sight.
To avoid a real-life Halloween horror story going blind because of a costume accessory – the American Academy of Ophthalmology is warning the public against wearing costume contact lenses purchased without a prescription. These illegally sold cosmetic lenses may not be sterile and can cause a host of serious eye problems capable of morphing a fun Halloween night into a nightmare.
NOVEMBER
DIABETIC EYE DISEASE
JANUARY
Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. Glaucoma has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages, and vision loss progresses at such a gradual rate that people affected by the condition are often unaware of it until their sight has already been compromised. During Glaucoma Awareness Month in January, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises the public that the best defense against developing glaucoma-related blindness is by having routine, comprehensive eye exams.
Each year, nearly 25,000 Americans visit the emergency room due to a workplace eye injury. During Workplace Eye Wellness Month this March, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds employers and workers about the importance of wearing certified and approved eye protection.
Approximately 37 million adults in America have age-related macular degeneration, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, or glaucoma, all of which can cause visual impairment or blindness. However, recent studies show that making healthy choices and getting regular eye exams can help reduce a person’s risk of vision loss. In support of Healthy Vision Month in May, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is encouraging everyone to take charge of their eye health and preserve their sight by following some simple tips.
MAY
HEALTY VISION MONTH
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER HALLOWEEN SAFETY MONTH
People with diabetes are more likely to develop blinding eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Yet recent studies have revealed low awareness of the issue among ethnicities at higher risk for diabetes. With the findings signaling that many Americans may not be defending themselves against diabetes-related vision loss, the American Academy of Ophthalmology encourages those with diabetes to take proactive steps to protect their vision.
WORKPLACE EYE WELLNESS MONTH
Studies show that long-term exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of cataracts and growths on the eye, including cancer. UV rays reflected off sand and water can cause eyes to sunburn, potentially resulting in temporary blindness in just a few hours. In support of UV Safety Month this July, the American Academy of Ophthalmology reminds the public of the importance of shielding eyes from the sun’s harmful rays with 100% UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats.
MAY
Children are susceptible to a host of vision and eye problems such as injury, infection and increased nearsightedness. In support of Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month in August, the American Academy of Ophthalmology provides information to the public that can help protect and preserve a child’s eye health for life.
HEALTY AGING MONTH
One in six Americans age 65 and older have a vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. The risk of eye disease increases with age, yet many older adults neglect to see an ophthalmologist for care. To bring attention to taking care of our eyes as we age, the American Academy of Ophthalmology celebrates Healthy Aging Month to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of vision loss - and steps to help seniors take care of their sight.
DECEMBER
Roughly 1 in 10 children’s eye injuries that end up in the ER are caused by toys. In support of Safe Toys and Celebrations Month this December, the American Academy of Ophthalmology advises parents to be cautious when choosing holiday gifts for young people and recommends avoiding those that launch projectiles, such as crossbows and BB guns. The Academy also offers tips on how to safely open champagne to keep New Year’s celebrations from turning tragic.
National Alliance of Mental Illness
Who We Are
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has blossomed into the nation’s leading voice on mental health. Today, we are an association of more than 500 local affiliates who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education that was not previously available to those in need.
What We Do
NAMI relies on gifts and contributions to support our important work:
We educate. Offered in thousands of communities across the United States through NAMI State Organizations and NAMI Affiliates, our education programs ensure hundreds of thousands of families, individuals and educators get the support and information they need.
We advocate. NAMI shapes national public policy for people with mental illness and their families and provides volunteer leaders with the tools, resources and skills necessary to save mental health in all states.
We listen. Our toll-free NAMI HelpLine allows us to respond personally to hundreds of thousands of requests each year, providing free information and support—a much-needed lifeline for many.
We lead. Public awareness events and activities, including Mental Illness Awareness Week and NAMIWalks, successfully fight stigma and encourage understanding. NAMI works with reporters on a daily basis to make sure our country understands how important mental health is.
Freeze. Wear. Repeat.
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Social expectations
What's Next
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
Interview by Kiley Fischer with
Introduction
by Faith Bennett
Circle Back
Dan DelBianco
Executive Director, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
The Social Soles interview series is based on the saying, “You don’t really know someone until you have walked in his shoes.” We thought it would be interesting to begin each interview asking our guest to bring a pair of shoes that are significant to him. They can be the pair he wore the first time he went to Schenley Park to take in the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix; The ones he wore while he bought a poster that would change his life; The pair he wore when he suggested the design firm’s 2003 pro bono work; The pair he wore as he walked across the Allegheny Valley School campus; Those he wore when he rode in his first vintage race car; A pair we would have never guessed...What shoes will he bring?
We associate shoes with memories: good and bad. The question steers the path of the conversation. This route will show us a side usually not seen in the one we are talking with. A more personal side. We are excited to see in which direction we are lead – by the choice in footwear and the memories stirred. Come. Let’s take a classic walk…
July marks the transformation of Schenley Park from average city park to the only street race course for vintage cars. Racers flock to the city of Pittsburgh to put on a show for hundreds of thousands that turns into funding for organizations helping some of society’s most vulnerable. Dan DelBianco, the Executive Director of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, sat down with us to shed light on one of the city’s most anticipated and special events.
Social Butterfly Magazine: The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is such a cool event and we’re so excited to talk to you more about it. Let’s kick right off: which shoes did you bring to share with us?
Dan DelBianco: I brought two - we have race shoes obviously for the Grand Prix. There actually are special racing shoes because the heel comes up around the side and it’s a hard surface because in a race car, you sometimes have real rough surfaces. A soft sneaker or something else might get stuck. You’re stepping on the accelerator or the brake and you don’t want to feel it popping through.
Our event, we really divide it internally into two sides: race side and show side. Race side, obviously, we’ve got races each weekend. Show side is kind of everything else. Most of show side is the car show and all the tents out at Schenley Park, but also the black tie and other events. That’s kind of the line and these (he points to his intentionally dirty boot) really represent show side because as much as you’d think I’d be really dressed up for the weekend at Schenley Park, I’m everywhere as part of my job and I’ve really come to appreciate it.
They’re all dirty because we start setting up a week ahead of time to turn a city park into a race track and show field. We don’t’ just roll in Saturday morning and here it is. I’m out there almost every day for a week whether it’s putting up tents or helping put up snow fence with our incredible
volunteers. It’s all about being in the park at 7 o clock in the morning when it’s still wet from the dew and marking off and helping put up tents, setting up, tearing down. Those become the shoes I wear for a week.
SBM: They’re just as multipurpose as you and your job title, really.
Dan: I don’t know what’s going to happen, so I put on the boots. Even Saturday and Sunday as part of the opening ceremonies I have long pants on so you can’t tell they’re essentially hiking boots. (He laughs.) I just couldn’t imagine how many miles I’ve put on a golf cart just constantly on the move. It’s 456 acres of park. We’re in many, many different parts of it.
SBM: Tell me about the Grand Prix in general. Where did all of this start?
Dan: It started 35 years ago. A couple of racers, car enthusiasts, got together and wanted to hold a race in Schenley Park. If you’ve ever driven the course, you see that it is just a natural, almost amphitheater feel to it with all the hills leading down to the roads and the serpentine. We didn’t construct the course at all. It’s there.
What we do though, is bring in jersey barriers, miles of snow fence, to make it safe for the public to watch. We call it “building the race course,” but really, we’re just adapting what’s there.
There’s 1,200 volunteers that come together to make it happen and that’s really what’s special about the Grand Prix. We’ll be celebrating and recognizing volunteers in our 35th year.
SBM: That’s a huge number of people, really for anything, but seeing that many people coming together to volunteer, that has to mean a lot to see, but the cause also must mean a lot to the volunteers.
Dan: Our charities are the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School (AVS).
SBM: Where did that partnership come from?
Dan: It was really in the beginning when the idea was presented to Mayor Caliguiri. Dan Torisky from the Autism Society and Regis Champ who was with Allegheny Valley School at the time, went with Myron Cope to talk to the mayor about the race and that it would benefit those two charities. Here we are, 35 years later, and we’re still with those charities. It’s a perfect match. We’ve got one large charity and one small and we’re able to help both of them. And, they help us: most of our volunteers come from the friends and family of people there. All the merchandise booths are run by family members – people who have family members that are residents out at AVS. The entire Autism Society helps run the club house and patron parking, so it really is a family.
SBM: That is really, really special to see. How did you get involved in all of this?
Dan: I got involved with this poster here (he points to the 2003 poster.) I was with a design firm called Bradley Brown design, sitting around a conference table after I had just started. We were discussing what pro bono work we would do for charities. The artist said, “we want something that’s really fun to work on and something Dan can get out there with.”
The light bulb went off in my head because I had a Grand Prix poster hanging in my office. I wasn’t necessarily a Grand Prix person – I had gone one year, loved it, bought a poster, and put it on my wall. I went next door, took the poster off my wall, and brought it in the room. I said, “I know Dan Torisky from the Autism Society. How about I talk to the Grand Prix?” That 2003 poster is the one that was done when I was at Bradley Brown Designs. It’s still one of my favorite posters.
SBM: It is a very cool poster.
Dan: Isn’t it? It’s done by Mark Bender here in Pittsburgh. The posters really tell the story of the Grand Prix.
SBM: I was admiring the ones in here and they are really so cool.
Dan: Each one highlights the event. There’s a story behind every poster and the work is all donated. It’s mostly local Pittsburgh artists, but there are some national artists.
Backtracking a little bit, I went to the check presentation that first year and when the check was unveiled, I thought, “Oh, my God. You could raise that with a good golf outing.” I also didn’t understand the costs involved to put on the races. It’s mind-boggling.
We have to rent the golf course for five days. We’ve got to bring in barriers and snow fence and port a john’s. We have to bring in golf carts. We have to clean up the trash. Insurance. The hope is that we leave the park the way we found it. It’s an incredible transformation.
SBM: I feel like that’s something people don’t think about with events like that is just what goes into doing them.
Dan: That’s why that first check surprised me
so much. It’s unique.
SBM: Seeing what you’ve been able to donate, though, is incredible. That has to be huge for those two charities.
Dan: It is. We’re at about $4.5 million that we’ve given. That’s something for our volunteers and sponsors to be proud of. Our sponsors are truly sponsor partners. You don’t just show up and things happen. They set up tents, they attend a lot of events. We have a lot of loyal, hardworking sponsors. And the city, too. We work really well with the city.
SBM: So for those first couple of years, what were those like for you?
Dan: I learned a lot, trying to understand the event, doing my best to really make sure that the efforts of the volunteers turned into financial donations. That’s really what my role is because we have amazing volunteers. We have racers that come in. We have sponsors – we still have sponsors from the beginning. We had all
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of those things, but turning those into real dollars for the charities is one of the keys.
Five years in a row, we’ve set a record and nine out of the last eleven have been records. We’re feeling very good that it’ll be six in a row and ten of twelve.
SBM: That’s incredible! I’m curious about the racers, too. How does all of that work?
Dan: It’s really interesting. There are about two dozen vintage race organizations in the whole country. It’s a regional sport because you need to be able to get to the race Friday and come back Sunday to go to work. These aren’t professionals, they’re amateurs. They pay to race. The other
reason to keep them regional is because you want to know each other. You’ll be racing in group five with the same people half a dozen times a year.
We are our own event, so we welcome entries from any of those race organizations to come here to Pittsburgh to race.
They pay a race entry, they travel here, they maintain their cars, they spend a tremendous amount of money on fuel and tires. Their fuel is not what you buy at the gas station. It’s higher octane and depending on the time of year, it can be $8 to $10 a gallon.
SBM: Oh wow.
Dan: They burn through it. We have a truck come in to help supply the fuel because they go through so much of it. What the racers give is a lot to put on the show for us. They’re putting on a show for 200,000 people in the park on the weekend.
SBM: It’s a unique show, too, because this is the only race like this on city streets.
Dan: Right. The others are all on race tracks, so they open the gate, roll in, and it’s a little bit easier.
SBM: I feel like that adds that much more.
Dan: It’s really unique. We paddock them up on Prospect Drive under the giant oaks in Schenley Park and for them, it’s really different. It’s kind of a bucket list item for most racers.
SBM: That’s really cool.
Dan: There are a lot of racers who wish they could race here, but their cars are too big and too fast. We limit the engine sizes and speeds here at Schenley as a safety protocol.
SBM: Jumping back a little bit, how many races have your shoes seen with you? I’m sure they have a lot of stories to tell. What would they say if they could talk?
Dan: They’re a couple of years old. What I remember most was about three years ago. It was soaking wet and I was on my way to Schenley Park on Wednesday and that’s the day I’m out there with just a couple of people marking the tents and preparing for the tents to come in. I knew I was going to get soaked, so I stopped and bought the shoes and waterproof spray and did it all right there. I didn’t take them off for a week.
They’d talk about a lot of running around, arranging the logistics of it all. There’s nothing glamorous about them.
The race side…I don’t race a car, but some day. Someday I’d love to have a race car to go along with my race shoes.
SBM: I can imagine that in being around that so much, you probably want to get out there and play!
Dan: I do. I really do. But I’m lucky – I get to ride in a lot of the cars. We do the lunch time laps at Schenley and you get to be a passenger as the racer takes it across the course. The thrill of driving it is great, but you get a better experience as a passenger with a certified driver. They’re gonna do things that you never thought possible. That was one of the more interesting things.
I didn’t know anything about vintage racing. As I met the drivers, I was wholly impressed with what good folks they are. It’s friendly compe-
tition. They give each other parts, they fix each other’s cars. It’s gentleman racing. They’re not going bumper to bumper. There’s not supposed to be any contact in vintage racing. These cars are expensive and there’s no insurance. There’s no insurance that you can get anywhere that will cover you on a racetrack. Everyone’s really careful about it.
SBM: That’s cool, though. It’s not as much as a run you off the road as much as it’s a skill thing.
Dan: And it’s a show. They’re out there for the enjoyment. We like the idea that these cars are vintage cars, they’re beautiful cars, they’re works of art. The fact that these racers will bring them out and race them at high speeds for everyone’s entertainment is unique.
SBM: We kind of talked about the idea of wheels as shoes. When we’re talking about wheels, what comes to your mind?
Dan: The wheels on a wheelchair because many of the residents at Allegheny Valley School are bound to wheelchairs. It’s really severe developmental disabilities at AVS. We have an ambassador from both of the charities that we bring out to our event and that’s our way of conveying the message to the general public to not forget this is a charity event.
It gets lost in that. The challenge of trying to tell people what’s happening over the course of 10 days, you can get caught up in that and forget. The amount that we give, it’s a significant amount of money. We take enough to keep us going into the next year and give back to the charities. It’s all about that check presentation.
SBM: That is really, really cool that you have the ambassadors and keep that in the forefront.
Dan: We have the ambassadors there when we unveil the check, too, it’s a really important part for us. It’s not just sliding a check across the table. It’s really something meaningful and it gives all our volunteers the ability to interact with those who benefit from it.
We started with two ambassadors and we expanded it to where we now have eleven ambassadors. The originals were Brandon and Anita. We did a photoshoot with different residents and then we kept them on the team and now we have a team of ambassadors. Now Anita’s been with us for eleven years and Brandon for ten. We’re very proud of them.
SBM: It’s so great that you actually get a face as opposed to “here are the names.”
Dan: Many faces! When we gave the check last year at the auto show, it was a $400,000 check. (He shows us a photo.) Some of these folks work at AVS, our volunteers are there, even the guy from Schenley Park Golf Course. It really warms my heart and I get emotional all the time.
SBM: I don’t know how you couldn’t.
Dan: Seeing all the smiles… (He points to the photos.) This guy works in the club house, she works with the city, he does our social media. They spend so many hours on this. These people are the caregivers from AVS. That’s why we love having everyone at the check presentation because they get to be a part of it.
That night is also a fundraiser – part of which goes into that check – and it allows us to give the check in front of a couple of thousand people instead of maybe a hundred.
Think of all the events that are for charity. You don’t really know where the money goes –research, administration – and we work closely with these charities and we see the results of these funds. We see the people that it helps.
SBM: If you could walk in someone else’s shoes, whose would they be?
Dan: It would be the shoes of the charities. The first seven years that I was here, they gave me an office at Allegheny Valley School out in Coraopolis where the headquarters are. I had a cubicle – and we all have our tensions and frustrations at work – so if I found myself getting a little too uptight or too frustrated, I’d take a walk across the campus to where you’d see residents – most of them in wheelchairs. I’d have lunch in the canteen where the residents who were able to would cook and serve the meals. It was one of those things that brings you right back down. Your problems of trying to find a sponsor that you were quite worried about that morning just…it’s puts it in perspective.
The people who don’t get enough attention are the providers, the people who work at Allegheny Valley School. Understand what it is to take care of someone. It’s hard work. It’s a job I could never do. They’ve got hearts that are so full, it’s incredible.
SBM: You really have to have a gift.
Dan: You really do. You’re not doing it for the money, you’re doing it out of love. Those are really special people.
You can find out more about the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix by visiting their website as well as their social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, Google +, and Pinterest
