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DECEMBER 2009
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Vol. 6, Issue 6
Holiday Entertaining Guide Page 42
Help Those In Need This Holiday Season! Page 8
INDEX: Local News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Home & Garden . . . . . . . . 36 Your Health . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Kids & Family . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Senior News . . . . . . . . . . . 56 School News . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Library News . . . . . . . . . . 66 Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
“ W E ’ R E T H E N E I G H B O R LY N E W S PA P E R ” Union Township • Finleyville • Gastonville • Eighty Four • Nottingham • Peters Township • Venetia • New Eagle • Monongahela • Elrama • Elizabeth • West Elizabeth • Jefferson Hills • Library • South Park
Spirit of Santa Grows Deep in the Southern Swamplands Cypress Santas Spread Christmastime Joy By Krista Ramsey
D
eep, down deep in the swamps and bayous of the south lie the roots of the cypress trees hanging overhead. Called “knees,” these roots grow out of the water or ground and are sometimes described as “nature’s sculptures.” Somewhere along the line, people began harvesting these roots, without causing any damage to the trees themselves. After a friend sent one to Phyllis Pastore, a lifetime resident of Jefferson Hills, she indulged in her fascination in the oddly shaped formations and began using them to create various types of Santas—creations she’s named “Santa’s Knees.” Tucked away in the outskirts of Jefferson Hills, Pastore has a pseudo-studio her husband Anthony created for her by enclosing their back porch. To make her original creations, Pastore orders the roots from Louisiana Cypress Products, which boils them, removes the bark, and dries them in a kiln. Upon receiving a fresh order, Pastore uses acrylic paints, and her imagination, to create patriotic, Victorian, Olde World, traditional, and even Steelers Santas. “The bumps become a bag of toys, his mittens, or trees,” says Pastore. “It just depends on what I see there that day.” She studies each one before beginning to paint, deter(See Cypress Santas, Continued on page 35)
Phyllis Pastore of Jefferson Hills creates “Santa’s Knees” from cypress roots in her home workshop.
OMH to Hold a ‘Frontier Christmas’ in South Park Come join the Oliver Miller Homestead Associates on Sunday, December 13, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. as they celebrate in traditional ways. The Homestead will be decorated simply with greens, pinecones, berries and other natural materials. The stone house will come alive with music as we feature Dorothy McClelland singing ancient and traditional carols with Phil Haines playing the viola and Greg Evans the violin. Members of the Bethel Park High School string orchestra will be playing in the barn.The focus in the kitchen will be on puddings. Spinning, weaving, quilting, and blacksmith work will be demonstrated. Tours of the Stone House, Log House, springhouse, forge and barn will be given. The Oliver Miller Homestead is located in South Park. For more information, visit www.olivermiller.org or call412-835-1554.