SUMMER 2008

SUMMER 2008

Community Day Issue

Excellence

CREATES PITTSBURGH’S BEST HEART OUTCOMES.

At St. Clair Hospital, excellence means having the lowest inpatient mortality rate among all Allegheny County hospitals for open heart surgery.* Through advanced technologies and comprehensive care, we offer a full spectrum of cardiovascular services, from cardiac diagnostics, to interventional cardiology, to open heart surgery and cardiac rehabilitation.

For more information call 412-942-HEAL (4325). You’ll discover a hospital that heals hearts.

And has a heart. *According to the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council’s most recently published report.

SPECIALIZING IN EXCELLENCE

1000 Bower Hill Road

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Summer 2008

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

PRO100023 USC[7.5x10] mar08

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Address City

State

Phone

E-mail

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Zip USC 3/08

Terry Abbott

Donna Angle

Barbara Baker

Jodi Bilski

Lynn Banbury

Janice Caputo

Rob Buel

The Platinum Standard

Frank Conroy

Diane Damian & Helane Tobin

in Buying and Selling Homes

Lisa DeBartolo

Bob Dini

Prudential Preferred Realty Route 19 South Office

Karen Frank

Pat Hogan

Elva Marotta

Debbie Graulty George Herrington

Wayne Freund

Liz Hoyson

Bobbie Mikita

Bryan Russo

Sally Kauper

Angela Mize

Michelle Schocker/ Ruth Weigers

Florine Kelly

Bob Kohler

Darietta Oliverio

Betsy Raber

Judy Ward

Barbara Kurdys-Miller

Jenny Ramaley

Mary Ann Zupon Jane Compagnone Manager

Charlene Lemper

Jo Ann Robb

Diane Paul

Assistant Manager

Preferred Realty

1679 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15228 Independently Owned and Operated

(412) 833-7700 • www.PrudentialPreferredRealty.com

Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Intelligent

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• Students may cross-register with Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, with free shuttle service between campuses.

Unique Confident Ever-changing

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Woodland Road . . . Pittsburgh, PA 15232 800-837-1290 . . . admissions@chatham.edu

Summer 2008 • Volume 14 • Issue 2

Features and Around the Township 10 Community Day 2008—Saturday, May 17

Enjoy the annual community gathering and become a part of the tradition.

14 The Greening of Gilfillan

Gilfillan’s grassy paver system ensures an eco-friendly environment.

18 Putting a Face on Africa

USC residents experience a mission trip to Nyadire, and then go back for more.

22 Suzie McConnell-Serio—She’s Got the Look!

An interview with the Lady Duke’s new head coach.

24

Members of the Fort Couch Potatoes

26

USCHS boys’ golf team recognized at a Board of Commissioners meeting

62

Halls of Fame 2007 recipient Sarah O’Brien-Zirwas, with her parents. See nomination form for 2008.

68 Town Hall South

Celebrating 40 years, Town Hall South announces its 2008-09 lineup.

70 “S” is for Scarecrow

Mary Lynne Spazok shares a scarecrow history lesson.

Township 26 Board of Commissioners Meeting Highlights

Did you make it to the meeting? If not, read the highlights.

29 Boyce Mayview Trail System

Walking trails and wildflowers offer a serene get-away right here at home.

33 Code Enforcement

Read an overview of the Township’s property code regulations.

34 The Township Library is Your Library

Information-packed, see what’s happening!

36 Training Offered at Tri-Community South EMS

Read about, then sign up for classes offered in CPR, AED, and first aid.

School District 50 Schools to Watch

Boyce and Fort Couch Middle Schools win awards of distinction.

51 Transitioning in the School District

Elementary through high school, this group of articles (pages 51-53) helps to reduce a student’s and parents’ transitioning concerns.

54 Librarians’ Picks

Keep reading skills sharp over the summer months—see the District librarians’ picks.

59 USC Summer School

Summer school courses help to reinforce a student’s academic development.

60 The Art of Conversation

Kim Frennette shares a TIP program that addressed proper communication in an age of heightened technology.

Guides 38 Pinebridge 40 Home & Garden 64 Summer Activities

Cover 10 Featured on the cover of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY are scenes from Community Day 2007. See information on this year’s Community Day, pages 10-13. This issue of our community magazine is dedicated to former Township Manager Douglas A. Watkins. See Publishers’ Letter on page 8.

Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

Publishers Mark S. Mansfield Acting Township Manager Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Superintendent of Schools Steering Committee Mark S. Mansfield Acting Township Manager Paul K. Fox School District Representative Editors and Staff Linda M. Dudzinski, Editor-in-Chief Terry Kish, Associate Editor Colleen DeMarco, Office Manager Lynn Dempsey, Senior Advertising Associate Erin Gibson Allen, Advertising Associate Julie Sweet, Advertising Associate Thank you to our volunteer contributors this issue: Erin Gibson Allen, Dr. John Bornyas, Lisa Boyd, Cindy Brophy, Dr. Judy Bulazo, Greg Calvetti, Erin Donlon (YWG), Kim Frennette, Dina Fulmer, Kimberly Guzzi, Wayne Herrod, Lisa Hurley, Ginny Husak, Walter Jarosh, Jeff Krantz, Jack McGinnis, Jim Meston, Congressman Tim Murphy, Debbie Obrosky, Helen Palascak, Glenn Prokopovitch, Jennifer Roberts, Dr. William Rullo, John Small, Tom Soroka, Mary Lynne Spazok, Nancy Sakino Spears, Jessica Stombaugh, Richard Till, Kerry Turner, and Elsa Zollars.

Young Writers Guild (YWG) promotes and encourages young writers in the Upper St. Clair School District to provide articles of interest for this community magazine.

The 54th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a joint publication of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair. © Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Reproduction of this magazine, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the Editor is strictly prohibited.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 Fax: 412-851-2592 Email: usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us Township­: 412-831-9000 School District: 412-833-1600 Printed by Herrmann Printing & Litho, Inc. 1709 Douglass Drive • Pittsburgh, PA 15221 412-243-4100 • Fax: 412-731-2268

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a community magazine that is dedicated to promoting the Township

and School District of Upper St. Clair by recognizing the gifts and contributions of the people who live and work here.

The 54th issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is made possible through the combined resources of the staff and volunteers of the Township and School District of Upper St. Clair.

Thanks are extended to the staff and volunteers for their enthusiasm and efforts on this continuing project.

School Board Directors

Township Board of Commissioners

Angela B. Petersen, President Amy L. Billerbeck, Vice President Barbara L. Bolas Carol B. Coliane Daniel A. Iracki Louis A. Piconi Rebecca A. Stern

Ched Mertz, President, Ward 4 Karen M. McElhinny, Vice President, At Large Preston W. Shimer, Ward 1 Kenneth L. Brown, Ward 2 Robert W. Orchowski, Ward 3 Russell R. Del Re, Ward 5 Glenn R. Dandoy, At Large

William M. Sulkowski UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY is a non-partisan Township, School District, and community magazine.

Political advertising and political commentary are not accepted. The publishers of this magazine reserve the right to reject advertising or articles inconsistent with the objectives, image, and aesthetic standards of the magazine.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine is published and mailed quarterly to residents and businesses

in Upper St. Clair. Extra copies of the magazine are available at the Township of Upper St. Clair Municipal Building and Township Library. If you did not receive a copy in the mail, please call 412-833-1600, extension 2284.

The next issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY will be the Fall 2008 issue and will be published in August 2008. Articles that were submitted but not published in this issue are on file for consideration in upcoming issues. Articles and announcements may be sent to: Editor, UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or email UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY at usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Subscription Information If you know someone living outside the Township who would enjoy receiving UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, please send $12 to cover mailing and handling for the next four issues with name and address, including zip code, to our address listed to the left. Add $10 to cover international mailings.

Deadline for articles and advertising for the Fall 2008 issue is June 1, 2008.

Article Information Editor-in-Chief Linda Dudzinski–phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2681 Advertising Information Office Manager Colleen DeMarco–phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 fax: 412-851-2592 Website www.twpusc.org/magazine

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Email usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us

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Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

1820 McLaughlin Run Road • Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole

Mark S. Mansfield

We are especially proud to welcome you to this edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. With the 54th edition, our summer 2008 issue, we present Community Day 2008. Many activities are planned with you in mind, and we look forward to providing a Township-wide day of fun. Come on down to McLaughlin Run Road and experience the camaraderie of neighbors, friends, and family; don’t be left behind! See pages 10-13 for a timeline and list of activities.

This issue is also meaningful in another way. It is with this Publishers’ Letter that we recognize Douglas A. Watkins, former Township Manager, for his many contributions to our community. Therefore, with distinct pleasure and admiration, we dedicate this edition of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY to him.

TODAY Pays Tribute to Douglas A. Watkins

A strong, visionary, and dedicated township administered ordinances and policies of our manager, Douglas A. Watkins provided the local government, maintaining high standards.

Township of Upper St. Clair outstanding service The creation of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine, for 26 years. His attention to detail to feature Upper St. Clair as an and dedication to delivering top excellent place in which to live, notch community services is unwork, and rear a family, was just equaled. He often resolved conflicts one of many innovations and imby facilitating discussion among provements occurring under his the parties, defining and focusing administration. on what was best for the commu- Doug Watkins (right) presiding over In March of this year, Doug was the ceremonial spring 2007 magazine nity, and finding the resources and recognized by the Pennsylvania opening, with, left to right, John Bornyas, former USCHS student tools to help solve problems. Doug Dr.Kathryn League of Cities and Municipalities Roarty, and Linda Thomas of Thomas Studio, cover sponsor showed concern for all residents for outstanding service as manager of that issue. and he diligently looked after the of Upper St. Clair and serving as a health, safety, and welfare of the member of the organization’s board community. of directors from 1998 to 2008.

Doug recruited and developed a Doug also was the recipient of the resourceful team to affect positive 2007-08 Joseph A. James Memorial change, while maintaining efficient Award recognizing excellence in Clare and Doug Watkins and cost-effective government. He local government.

Sincerely,

Sincerely,

Mark S. Mansfield Acting Township Manager

Dr. Patrick T. O’Toole Superintendent of Schools

Township of Upper St. Clair 412-831-9000 Fax: 412-831-9882 Website: www.twpusc.org Email: uscadmin@twpusc.org

Upper St. Clair School District 412-833-1600 Fax: 412-833-5535 Website: www.uscsd.k12.pa.us Email: info@uscsd.k12.pa.us

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

11

Happy 30 USC Community Day! th

Activities

Annual Community Day Schedule Saturday, May 17 6:30 a.m. . ..................................Junior/Senior Mud Volleyball

Behind Recreation Center 7:30-9:30 a.m. ............................................... Fair Booth Setup

Recreation Center Parking Lot

Mud Volleyball will begin at 6:30 a.m. This annual event for high school juniors and seniors kicks off the 30th Annual Community Day Celebration.

Run for Fun will begin at 9 a.m. sharp! Please pre-register by completing the form on page 11 and mailing it prior to the May 5 deadline. The 3.1 mile non-sanctioned race will begin in the lower parking lot at the Upper St. Clair High School stadium.

The race is open to runners of all ages. Race day registration is between 7:45 and 8:30 a.m.

The annual Community Day Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m.

The parade will follow the route from Truxton Drive, along McLaughlin Run Road to Panther Pass and up to the high school.

It’s All About Games from 1-2 p.m. at the Municipal basketball courts. School age students can participate in a timed obstacle course and other challenges. A water balloon toss will take place at 2:30 p.m.

The annual Community Day Treasure Hunt will be held at noon. Calling all pirates and children in search of treasure! Come and participate in the Treasure Hunt by searching for clues to give you a chance to win assorted prizes. A Sandbox Search will be available for the youngest treasure seekers.

The 1857 Gilfillan Farm House, a work of restoration in progress, and the surrounding buildings will be open on Community Day from noon-3 p.m. Visit the farm for house tours, wagon rides, to see the farm animals, and much more.

Country Fair Games will be held noon-3 p.m. at the Gilfillan Farm House. Join us for crafts, games, and special activities designed for children up to grade four.

The Moon Bounce and Rainbow Express Train will be operating in the library parking lot from noon-4 p.m. These activities will be offered free of charge thanks to donations from our patrons.

The Petting Zoo will be located behind the library and will be open from noon-4 p.m. Children can visit the animals at no cost. There is a minimal fee for food and milk for the animals.

Clair’s Kennel will be open noon-3 p.m. Get information regarding your pet’s care and licensing. See where runaway pets are temporarily held. Talk with an animal control officer. Animals will be available for adoption.

The Log House will be open for tours noon-3 p.m. Baked goods will be available for purchase before and during the parade.

In addition to the tours, there will be an herb sale and pioneer games.

The Duck Race, sponsored by the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair, will start at 3 p.m. Watch for information on pre-adopting your duck, or buy your duck at the Community Foundation booth on Community Day. For more information, see page 11. 

12

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

7:45-8:30 a.m. ..................................Run for Fun Registration

High School Stadium—Registration form on page 11 9 a.m. . ................................................................... Run for Fun

High School Stadium Entrance (Truxton Drive) 9:30-10:30 a.m. .................................... “Hottest Dog” Contest

Stage Area—Registration form on page 11 10:30 a.m. . .................................................................. Bake Off

Stage Area (See page 12) 10:45 a.m........................................ Three on Three Basketball

Municipal Basketball Court 11 a.m. . ................................................. Drawing Competition

Stage Area (See page 12) 11:30 a.m. . ..................................................................... Parade Noon-3 p.m......................................... Log House Open House and Herb Sale

Clair’s Kennel Open House

Gilfillan Farm Tours

Country Fair Games

Gilfillan Farm House Noon-4 p.m.......................................................... Moon Bounce

Rainbow Express Train Petting Zoo

Library Parking Lot Pony Rides

Behind Recreation Center Noon-5 p.m............................................................. Fair Booths

Entertainment

Stage Area

Treasure Hunt

Booth area near Recreation Center 1-2 p.m..................................................... It’s All About Games

Municipal Basketball Courts 2 p.m......................................................................Toddler Trot

Founders’ Field 2:30 p.m..................................................... Water Balloon Toss

Founders’ Field 3 p.m......................................................................... Duck Race

McLaughlin Run Creek 4 p.m.........................................................Run for Fun Awards

Race Tent Area

Shuttle Bus Parking Shuttle bus service will be available to the Municipal Building every half-hour starting at 10 a.m. from the following locations:

• Boyce Middle School • Fort Couch Middle School

• Gilfillan Farm • USC High School

• Westminster Presbyterian Church Please be advised that permit parking only will be permitted in the Public Works parking lot on Truxton Drive.

Happy 30th Community Day! Community Day Run for Fun When: Saturday, May 17, 2008. Race begins at 9 a.m. sharp!

The Famous USC Community Day Duck Race

Where: Upper St. Clair High School. A 3.1-mile, moderately

celebrates its 10th Anniversary May 17th - 3 p.m.

hilly course, starting and finishing at Panther Stadium.

Advance Registration:

$8 registration - Race entry plus a high-quality, custom-designed USC Community Day Run for Fun T-shirt. Select size below on registration form. $3 registration - Race entry with no T-shirt.

Mail prior to May 5, 2008. Mail registration to the address below.

Pre-registered runners should pick up their race packets between 8:15 and 8:30 a.m. on the day of the race at the high school track parking lot on Truxton Drive.

Late Registration: $4 the day of the race. Registration will be held

at the high school parking lot on Truxton Drive the morning of the race from 7:45 to 8:30 a.m. Please arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. to allow sufficient time for registration.

Awards will be presented at the race tent at 4 p.m. Race results

will be posted at the Recreation Center on Community Day, and on the following Monday at the Recreation Department Office. Please check the Township website for future posting.

Come run for fun and exercise. Bring the whole family!

No pets please! Awards for first, second, and third places will be given in the following age groups. (Please note, this is not a sanctioned race.)

FEMALE MALE • 8 & under • 20 to 29 • 8 & under • 20 to 29 • 9 to 11 • 30 to 39 • 9 to 11 • 30 to 39 • 12 to 14 • 40 to 49 • 12 to 14 • 40 to 49 • 15 to 19 • 50 & over • 15 to 19 • 50 & over

Run For Fun Registration Form Name_____________________________________________ Age as of May 17, 2008_____________ Sex____________ Address___________________________________________ Telephone Number_________________________________ Email (optional)____________________________________ T-shirt sizes: Child’s

Adult’s

qS qM q S q M q L q XL q XXL

Make checks payable to:

Upper St. Clair Community Day Return this form by May 5, 2008 to: Deb White 195 Kent Drive Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

CONSENT RELEASE FORM: I agree to hold the Township of

Upper St. Clair, the Community Day committee and volunteers, and/or any employees thereof harmless and blameless for any accident or injury which may occur while participating in the Run for Fun.

_________________________________ _ ______ Signature

(Parent/Guardian if Under 18 Years of Age)

Date

Adopt your duck early and beat the rush!

Phone 412-833-4822 between now and May 16.

Great Prizes Pick-up your adoption papers at the CFUSC Community Day booth.

Ducks can be adopted at the booth, too.

1 Duck - $5 Quack Pack - 6 for $25 Pack of Quackers - 12 for $50 (Visa and Master Card accepted) Sponsored by the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair

USC’s “Hottest Dog” Contest Community Day—May 17, 2008 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Stage Area Sponsored by Howard Hanna Real Estate - Upper St. Clair Office FIVE CATEGORIES OF COMPETITION

• Best Dressed Dog • Cutest Dog • Most Talented Dog • Cutest Puppy • Dog Who Most Resembles his/her Owner

Prizes will be awarded to the top three dogs in each category.

Contestants must be residents of the township.

Name:_ ________________________________________ Address:________________________________________ Phone number:__________________________________ Dog’s name:_____________________________________ Category dog is entered in:_ _______________________ Send registration form and current immunization record with $5 entry fee to: Mary Kay O’Hare 499 Clair Drive Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Questions should be directed to: Mary Kay O’Hare at 412-833-3600 Please register prior to May 15, 2008.

Proceeds benefit the Free Care Fund of Children’s Hospital.

Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

13

Happy 30th Community Day! Second Annual Drawing Competition

“What I like best in Upper St. Clair!”

Youth Drawing!

Categories of Competition: Elementary Middle School Recognition, ribbons, and certificates to winners Name____________________________________________ Address_ ________________________________________ Phone___________________________________________ Grade_ __________________________________________

Community Day - May 17th, 2008 Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services.

Kids, donʼt miss this chance to show off your culinary skills!

Prizes for appearance and creativity (not taste) awarded to winners in each of the following categories, plus a grand prize winner!

Winners announced at Community Day

For more information, contact: Diane Paul 412-833-7700 Send registration form and drawing by May 10, 2008 to:

Prudential Preferred Realty 1679 Washington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15228

For more information and to register call: Linda Carnevali • 412-344-0500

Friends Booth at Community Day

The Gilfillan Heritage

Again this year, the Friends of the Library will sponsor a

Doors are Open for Community Day—May 17

used book booth, displaying a wide selection of inexpensive books for browsing and buying. Friends members should stop by the booth to pick up a free book of their choice. If you’re not a member, you can join on the spot and receive your chosen free book as a signing bonus!

In addition, each book purchaser will have an opportunity to participate in a Chinese auction of his or her choice from several valuable special book sets that will be displayed at the booth.

Be sure to stop by and say hello while you’re roaming the midway at Community Day! The proceeds are used to assist the USC Township Library in its ongoing purchases and programs. n

Come experience the Gilfillan Homestead and Farm on

Community Day and be a part of Upper St. Clair history. Once again, the Historical Society of Upper St. Clair will open the Gilfillan property from noon to 3 p.m. for house and barn tours, horse drawn wagon rides, and visits with the farm animals. Come see the restored vehicles, the demonstrations, and the herb garden. There will be crafts for young children and games. Make sure you see all the newest cows, too!

14

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Happy 30th Community Day! Township and School District Representatives Cable 7–Glenn Ward Township of Upper St. Clair— Paul Besterman, Director of Recreation and Leisure Services Lynn Walcoff, Recreation Program Coordinator George Kostelich, Superintendent of Operations Dave Kutschbach, Superintendent of Projects Ronald J. Pardini, Chief of Police Older Adult Coordinator– Amy Kerman Upper St. Clair Historical Society, Gilfillan Homestead and Farm–Jean Brown 1830 Log House Association–Kim Guzzi PTA Council–Carla Roehner, Geralyn Austin Baker Elementary–Darlene Bleier, Tracy DeCock Eisenhower Elementary–Leisa Carnahan, Deb White, Heather Slinger, Jeanne McNamara, Susan Wagner Streams Elementary–Shari Leckenby, Kelli Sharkey-Winseck Boyce Middle School–Elyn Hart, Janine Milinski-Gross Fort Couch Middle School–Shari Leckenby, Denise Byerly, Ann Glasgow Bussey, Lisa DaPra, Karla Perelstine PTSO–Bill Findle, Larry Lehman, Brian Schill

USC Teacher and Alumni Parents–Tom Yochum, Susan and John Van Cleve, Helene and Howard Goldstein Upper St. Clair High School– Danny Holzer, Director of Student Activities Sheila Bartlett Lloyd, Assistant Director of Student Activities Student Volunteer Chairs– Overall–Hannah Mann, Louis Tambellini Auxiliary–Alex Shogry, Alonzo Diaz, Phil Dormish Booths–Matt Myron, Brett Scheller Toddler Trot–Katie Sray, Sarah Howie Entertainment–Daina Allison, Sandeep Jain It’s All About Games–Marie Allison, Heather Taylor, Susan McLean Mud Volleyball–Aaron Miller,Kate Swenson, Liz Hough Parking Lots–Brad Kilmeyer, Corey Gill Run for Fun–Kelsey Mailman, Dana Roberts, Bria Larkin Parade–Jen Rudolph, Ashley Nowicki Publicity–Sarah Beckman T-Shirts–Kelsey Short Three-on-Three Basketball–Kevin McManus, Reed Apfelbaum

Fair Booths open noon-5 p.m.—Plan to spend the day.

A Community Day wrap-up, including a complete list of all patrons will appear in the Fall 2008 issue of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY. We thank our kind and generous patrons for their financial and in-kind support of Community Day 2008!

Community Day at the 1830 Log House Kimberly Guzzi, President, 1830 Log House Association

Reenactor group

On Saturday, May 17 the 1830 Log House will be open for Upper St. Clair Community Day festivities. The 1830 Log House Association will have its annual bake sale, filled with goodies you can take with you while watching the parade. Their annual herb sale will be under tent, featuring premium-quality herbs suitable for containers or gardens.

Stop by early and make your purchases; we will keep them for you until 3 p.m. that afternoon so you can enjoy all of the day’s activities without carrying your purchases along with you.

For the history buff in all of us, Knapp’s Battery E., a reenactor group, will be providing historical demonstrations on the grounds. With their live firing cannon, they have become a favorite attraction at the house over the past several years.

Joining Community Day at the log house this year will be “Wild Willy” Frankfort, discussing the Pennsylvania frontier and powder horns. He is a Master Horner, a skilled speaker, cartographer, illustrator, calligrapher, author, and storyteller. His artwork and many of his powder horns are displayed in museums and appear in films.

The Log House will be open for tours, noon-3 p.m. Girl Scout Troop #608 will be helping with pioneer games for the kids.

For more information, call 412-851-0570. n

Powder horn

Herb sale

United Senior Citizens Participate in Community Day 2008 The United Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair will participate in

Upper St. Clair’s annual Community Day. Stop in at the Recreation Center and see what they have to offer this year. The aromatic, great-tasting coffee will be ready early, and they’ll have an assortment of freshly baked goods for sale. Smiles and friendly chitchat are free! 

Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

15

The Greening of Gilfillan Mary Lynne Spazok “Please, no more asphalt!” was the cry heard ’round the Township when public tours of the Gilfillan Homestead were first proposed. Nearby homeowners wanted to maintain a pristine quality of life that embraced neighborhood serenity. Who could blame them? When it comes to parking lots, asphalt smells and is gooey in the summer, icy in the winter, and, frankly, bleak and just plain ugly anytime.

Gilfillan’s Jean Brown and the USC Historic Society value their neighbors. In 2004, after extensive inquiries and debate, a viable alternative to unsightly asphalt was chosen to accommodate vehicle and pedestrian traffic: the “grassy paver porous paving system.” It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood!

On USC Community Day, enter Gilfillan Farm through the lower parking area, off Orr Road. Look down at your feet and you should notice the non-biodegradable plastic polygon grids of the grassy paver system. This is one time when plastic rises to prominence to maintain the esthetics of the acreage. Buses, cars, and farm equipment can drive on this surface without creating damage. It will not chip, crack, or deform with this region’s various atmospheric conditions. The grassy paver maintains a minimum compression strength of 80,000 pounds per square foot (40 tons) regardless of fill material.

Native grasses grow between the grids. The grids are laid in a leveling layer of angular sand or sandy loom topsoil 1.75 inches deep. Beneath that are two to eight inches of compacted sandy gravel of “class 2” road base. Varying thickness of the base depends on loading requirements, loading frequencies, and subsoil conditions. The paver itself has both horizontal and vertical drainage ports for fluid percolation, which enhances grass root growth.

While asphalt can be laid down in minutes, the grid system is much more labor intensive. However, in the long run, this system is remarkably cost effective.

Ecologically-sound storm water management is a prime reason for installing grassy pavers. With a 93% opening at the top and 46% at the base, the hexagon (six-sided) pavers unite green space and storm water requirements, while allowing for maximum

Spinner

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purposeful space. As storm water percolates, immediate replenishment of groundwater into the aquifer occurs because of the open polygon design.

Talk about recycling!

The product is composed of a minimum of 98% HDPE, a high density polyethylene thermoplastic commodity.

Pricey drainage systems, retention ponds, and complicated filtering systems Raising of the American flag are eliminated while maintaining green areas and sensitive wetlands. RK Manufacturing, Inc. located in Jackson, Mississippi, guarantees “the optimum synthesis of ecology and technology.”

Continuing on from the parking lot, look to the native wild scrub trees that border Route 19. Not only do they define the homestead’s perimeter, but they also help to reduce highway noise. Along both sides of the front drive are inviting oak and maple trees that afford a shady, elegant entrance.

Walking towards the Gilfillan Homestead notice a group of Larch pines that provide cool, serene summer shade, as well as wind deflection during blustery winter days. The genus Larix (europaea), to which the Larch belongs, is distinguishable among firs because of its deciduous foliage. This tree drops its needles and then replenishes them during the next growing season, all the while naturally reducing toxic emissions. Like cedars, light-green needles appear in tufts on the old wood of its slender branches.

Then, “dwarf shoots” gradually lengthen out until each needle stands alone as a spiral. The joy of spring is heralded in the emerald glory of its heady scent.

Along Gilfillan’s side yard, gnarly branches of established apple trees provide shade for picnics and fruit for pies, jam, jellies, and snacks. Wildflowers grow happily beneath many of the trees, thus keeping the weed population in check. Fallen trees or those removed purposefully for cultivation are split for cord wood. Volunteer Brian McGuire not only tends the hefty herd of Herefords found at Gilfillan, but he also splits logs the old fashioned way: by hand.

Gilfillan’s meandering front stream offers wildlife and the herd of grazers cool water, especially in the heat of summer.

Natural water supplies are not polluted because toxic fertilizers are not used. The Spring House stream offers a refreshing Hats galore! respite from the summer sun

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

and plenty of natural refrigeration. The old fashioned hand pump just behind the kitchen provides water for the herb garden and a myriad of vivid flowers that permeate the air with fragrance all summer long. For centuries, the “green” resource of pure water has been wisely coveted at Gilfillan.

If you visit the inside of the Gilfillan home this year, an upgrade you won’t see is the modern wool insulation. While she lived in the house, Margaret Gilfillan shunned insulation, fearing an attic fire.

Additionally, the installation of a high-tech, cost effective WeilMcLain gas-fired water boiler has lowered the monthly $800+ heating bill. The old antiquated boiler was carefully removed.

New, as well, is an indirect gas-fired water heater that feeds off the furnace. This most efficient upgrade is necessary since hot water is required “on demand” for special events. Although the interior walls are eight inches thick, efficient insulation and state-of-theart mechanics are recent nesessary cost cutting measures.

Green is it for 2008! Discover the greening of Gilfillan during USC Community Day on Saturday, May 17, noon-3 p.m. Experience farm life as did the pioneers, who valued a bionetwork for day-today survival, ensuring an eco-friendly way of life. Onsite activities

are plentiful: horse drawn wagon rides, side porch kid crafts, wool spinning, house tours, and daily farm duties.

On display will be a sampling of the Crafters with Jes sica Spa grassy paver zok (rig ht) for your inspection. Weather permitting, a genteel Victorian tea party will take place on the side lawn. On display will be beautiful handmade hats, designed and fashioned especially for this festive occasion.

House tours commence at noon with the last group entering by 2:45 p.m. The Upper St. Clair Historical Society welcomes everyone to enjoy a wonderful day in the neighborhood! n

Side note: There is no vehicle parking on Orr Road. Citations will be issued by the USC Police Department. Restroom accommodations and select parking via Orr Road behind the house are available for handicapped visitors.

Belgian horses

Snackers with

yne (right)

Samantha Pa

Kate and Boomer Enjoy Gilfillan Mary Lynne Spazok Kate and Boomer are last year’s two new additions to the hefty herd of Herefords at the Gilfillan Homestead. White-faced heifer Kate was born mid-June, while Boomer made a big bang in 2007 by arriving on July 4th—thus, his name. Natural birth occurred, but caretakers Chris Dawson and Brian McGuire were at the births, prepared to assist.

With five new calves due this spring, the hefty herd is quite content along Route 19 in Upper St. Clair. Be sure to stop by Gilfillan Farm on Community Day held Saturday, May 17 to see the happy herd.n Chris Dawson and Brian McGuire, in front of two Herefords

Kate and Boomer

Summer 2008

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Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair­ “Creating a sense of community by enhancing the quality of life for all the people of Upper St. Clair.”

The Collected Speeches of William A. Pope Jane Hollman and Evelyn Murrin, former Upper St. Clair High School English teacher and retired School District psychologist, respectively, received a CFUSC grant in 2007 to publish the collected speeches of Dr. William A. Pope, former USC School District Superintendent.

The speeches are grouped into opening-day-of-school speeches, commencement addresses, and special speeches, ending with his retirement speech on May 10, 2003. Dr. Pope’s “child first” philosophy comes through loud and clear on every page.

The book captures the essence of Dr. Pope’s years as superintendent of the Upper St. Clair School District. It will be available for purchase at the Community Foundation booth on Community Day, when Dr. Pope will be autographing copies of his book for several hours. The profit from the sale of the book will be donated to the William A. Pope, PhD. Scholarship fund. n

Becoming a Competitive College and Scholarship Applicant Seminar

USC Trail Bike Club “Spring Ride” Saturday, May 24 10 a.m.

Meet at the Yough River Trail Visitors Center in Ohiopyle.

Contact George Pitcairn at gp@gwpitcairn.com to register.

The Upper St. Clair Trail Bike Club is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair.

Every year since March 2003, the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair, in partnership with the USC High School Counseling Department, has presented the “Becoming a Competitive College and Scholarship Applicant” seminar series.

This past February, the year’s series for high school students and their parents featured admissions officers from Dickinson College, George Washington University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of South Carolina, and Villanova University. More than 225 parents and students attended the seminar.

Besides an overview of each institution, topics discussed included: • What do admissions people look for in an application?

• Are there benefits to early decision or action?

• How important are letters of recommendation?

• What should students and parents look for in a campus visit?

In the past, the following institutions have been represented at this popular series: Allegheny College, Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University, Grove City College, Ohio State University, Elon University, Indiana University, University of Michigan, Penn State Schreyer Honors College, University of Pittsburgh, University of Richmond, and Virginia Tech. n

Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair

Phone: 412-831-1107 • Fax: 412-220-7780 • Website: www.mainstreetusc.com • Email: mainstreetusc@gmail.com

One concert remains in the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra Series, slated for Saturday, May 17.

See “Happenings!” page 76.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

U. S. House of Representatives Timothy F. Murphy

U.S. Congressman for the 18th District of Pennsylvania 322 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-2301 Fax: 202-225-1844

504 Washington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15228 Phone: 412-344-5583 Fax: 412-429-5092

Website: http://murphy.house.gov

Email: murphy@mail.house.gov

Creating Equality in the Coverage of Mental Illness Mental illness can be as devastat- treatment. AT&T, IBM, and Pepsi also reing a disease to a family as cancer or diabetes. ported similar results.

It can lead a person to lose a job or break up Two bills before Congress this year are the a family and cost employers billions of dol- Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction lars in lost productivity. It can and does cost Equity Act, H.R. 1424, in the House of lives. And yet, it is more treatable than many Representatives and the Mental Health Parity other medical diseases if properly diagnosed Act, S. 558 in the Senate. Both bills require and addressed. Fortunately, there is a move- that when employers provide mental health ment afoot in both the private-sector and in or substance abuse benefits to employees, the Congress that will break down the stigma benefits must be the same as the medical and associated with mental illness and allow those surgical services covered. How mental health suffering to get help. treatments are selected for coverage varies If ignored, mental illness increases the risk under each bill and the differences will have to for several medical conditions and doubles be worked out before a final bill is passed. the cost of health care of chronic illnesses Just as private insurance often does not such as diabetes offer equal mental and heart disease. health coverage, neiWithout integrating ther does Medicare the care of physical According to the RAND Corporation, for seniors. An estihealth with mental mated five million untreated depression costs employers seniors suffer symphealth, the current healthcare system toms of depression, more than $51 billion per year in is wasting billions often related to other absenteeism and lost productivity of dollars. medical problems.

According to Seniors have twice in addition to medical and the RAND Corpothe suicide rate of ration, untreated teens, and one in pharmaceutical costs. depression costs five Americans 55 employers more and older experience than $51 billion per mental disorders that year in absenteeism and lost productivity are not attributed to normal aging, anxiety, in addition to medical and pharmaceutical alcoholism, or Alzheimer’s disease. However, costs. The National Institute of Mental Health while Medicare requires 20% co-pays for most (NIMH) reported that providing a minimal medical and surgical treatments, seniors must level of enhanced care for employees’ depres- pay 50% co-pays for mental health care. I insion would save employers a total of $2898 troduced the Seniors Access to Mental Health per 1000 workers over five years. When com- Act, H.R. 1571, to bring parity to Medicare paring the cost of mental health treatment, and match the co-pays for medical and mental employers should consider indirect costs, health treatments. declining productivity, and worker truancy Prejudices and misunderstandings have when employees don’t get treatment or are acted as barriers in preventing people with at risk of losing their jobs. mental illness from seeking treatment and Several companies have already integrated employers from offering coverage. We are mental health coverage with their medical continuing to make progress though, and coverage and have seen increased produc- offering equal coverage for treatment will tivity. At PPG Industries, more than 60% of mean more comprehensive medical treatment, employees reported better performance at increased business productivity, and better work and absenteeism also declined with lives for people with mental illness. n

Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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Putting a Face on Africa Elsa Zollars “Zimbabwe! You’ve got to be kidding! Why would you want to travel 8000 miles to do mission work in a dangerous country devastated by corruption?”

Two Upper St. Clair residents, Janet Elders and Chuck Billberbeck, were asked those questions when they traveled to the Nyadire United Methodist Mission in Zimbabwe in summer 2006 as part of the18-member mission team from Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC), Bethel Park, and three other United Methodist churches. Furthermore, Janet, a retired registered dietitian and Chuck, in corporate development for the Bank of New York Mellon, returned. They feel they’ve “put a face on Africa.”

How does someone go about “putting a face” on a country that tops many of the “World’s Worst” lists? Zimbabwe is a country that suffers from 8000% inflation, a government ruled by a cruel dictator, and an economy that is bankrupt. The people of Zimbabwe have a life expectancy of a mere 33 years, HIV/AIDS is rampant, and one quarter of the children are orphaned.

In addition to enduring constant shortages of fuel, electricity, and water, the Zimbabweans also face 80% unemployment and daily shortages of food.

For Chuck, the process came slowly.

He admits he never contemplated going on any mission trip. But after hearing Dr. Rao of the Nyadire Mission speak

in 2005, followed by the announcement that CUMC would launch a mission trip in 2006, his wife, Amy, nudged him, “You need to go.” Chuck commented, “Everyone gets called in one way or another, and everyone has a choice, but acting on the choice brings a whole new level of commitment and responsibility.” Soon he found himself attending meetings and planning conference calls with Africa personnel to identify needs and gather ideas on what the team could do. He admits to having concerns about his going to such a problem-ridden country.

Janet thought going to Nyadire would “be exciting” and never had any concerns about traveling there.

“Putting a face on Africa” started becoming a reality when the mission team arrived in the capital city, Harare, and was welcomed by a busload of people who came to escort them to Nyadire. Janet and Chuck felt they were “already hooked” as they and their escorts became acquainted.

Janet and Chuck laugh when they remember that bumpy three-hour trip in a school bus over rural unpaved roads.

The Nyadire Mission, founded by the

Chuck Billerbeck repairs the chapel’s roof 20

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Playing clappi

ng games

United Methodist Church in the 1920s, is a 4500-acre complex in northeast Zimbabwe depended upon by thousands for medical, spiritual, educational, and societal support. The mission consists of a hospital of 200 beds, a school system from preschool through secondary serving 1400 students, a teachers college for 1000 students, a nursing school of 50 students, the Home of Hope Orphanage, caring for 22 children and expanding to serve hundreds in the Nyadire Catchment area, and a farm.

It is interesting to note that 90% of the Zimbabweans can read and write. Education is patterned after the British system and is greatly valued. English is taught, as well as two native dialects, Shona and Ndebele.

The 2006 mission trip was made up of three teams: construction, children’s work, and medical. Chuck helped manage the construction group’s four months planning prior to the trip. On-site, he quickly discovered the Zimbabwe meaning of chabadza (value of relationships above all else), when those passing by stopped to help those already at work.

Janet headed the children’s team that literally took a Vacation Bible School “on the road.” With the help of the primary school teachers and youth volunteers, they ran a program integrating crafts, songs, stories, games, and learning. The concluding event was a musical telling the story of Noah, “100% Chance of Rain,” complete with songs, costumes, and dialogue. The team met with the orphanage and preschool staff to identify their needs and priorities for the

operation and expansion of the Home of Hope Orphanage.

The medical team worked closely with the doctor, staff, and nurses. The unutilized ultrasound machine was fixed and expectant mothers watched with amazement as they saw images of their babies. The X-ray machine and surgical autoclaves were repaired, and mission team nurses taught procedures for the equipment use and gave diabetic and HIV/AIDS education.

Some team members drove out into the bush to the Well Baby Clinics. These clinics took place on certain days of the week under specific trees. Mothers walked miles with their children to have them immunized or have their vitals and weight checked. (Low weight is an indicator of possible HIV infection.)

Janet likened the Nyadire medical personnel to “sponges,” willing to learn, do, and improve the services the mission provided. Instead of a do-for-them scenario, it was obvious that the men, women, and children of Nyadire did much more for the mission team.

Despite lost luggage, fuel shortages, and rolling power outages rendering email and water pumps useless, the team witnessed how others coped and were grateful for what they had.

The team’s flight home took place at the same time as the London terrorist scare, causing another round of cancelled flights and luggage delays. When the team arrived at Pittsburgh International, they carried the contents of their travel belongings in a 12"-square Ziploc bag, and were all smiles.

Janet pronounced, “Once you’ve been, you know you have to return.” Chuck commented that his “call” had evolved into ownership, allowing him to be a stakeholder in Nyadire with the responsibility for the mission’s well being.

Chuck felt the mission team was made up of some of the most impressive people he had ever met. Those feelings moved the 18-member mission team to form the The Nyadire Connection (TNC), a group

African children performing “100% Chance of Rain”

committed to maintaining operations and services at Nyadire during the increasing chaos and deprivation in Zimbabwe.

TNC has worked to spread the word, giving presentations and enlisting aid whenever possible. TNC wants to connect organizations, medical facilities, churches, schools, and people of Western Pennsylvania to help these struggling, but inspiring, people. Spear-headed by team leader Drew Harvey, the list of accomplishments in a little over a year is impressive.

Janet returned to Nyadire in July 2007, seeing the positive impact of the 2006 visit and the work of the TNC. She saw the ultrasound being used (interestingly enough

at 11 p.m. when electricity was available), pharmacy shelves filled, an increase of student nurses, and children singing, “Who built the Ark? Noah! Noah!” when they recognized her.

As you read this, Janet and Chuck are on another mission trip to Nyadire.

Would you like to join or help this growing network of TNC supporters? For more information, visit the website at www. nyadire.com or call Sara Dickey, CUMC outreach coordinator, at 412-835-6621 or Drew Harvey at 412-344-3684. n

Contributor’s notes: I caught the “once you’ve been, you’ll want to go back” fever since my January 2008 trip to Nyadire.

I’ve had difficulty sorting out the images, faces, and desperate needs.

Somehow the increased scarcity of food and fuel, days and nights without power, phone, or running water only increased my energy and respect for the resilience and deep faith of those I met.

Most haunting was the sight of hundreds of children from neighboring

villages coming to the church to have their photos taken. The photos will be distributed to Bethel Park schools and others as part of the Orphan Outreach Sponsorship Program. The children’s ill fitting, worn out school uniforms, or lack of shoes told their stories, and now I can share their stories with others.

The name they gave me in Nyadire is Go-Go, Shona for Grandma. Now watch Go-Go go!

Summer 2008

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Reunion Reflections

Jim Meston

I recently attended my 60th high school reunion.

There weren’t many classmates there; many have died and some who were able to come didn’t. I think those of us who showed up were very brave. Maybe you’ve attended some of your high school or college reunions. The sooner after your graduation date the reunion occurs, the more likely a higher turnout. As time passes and the aging process is in full swing, reunion attendance tapers off.

My high school in Des Moines, Iowa, didn’t have a high school reunion for 40 years. I went to a grade school where boys and girls were placed together. But after the eighth grade, boys attended an all boys school and girls went to an all girls school. This first reunion, the 40th, included boys and girls from the respective high schools. Since I had moved away from Des Moines, I had only kept in touch with a few close male friends that I went to grade school with. Walking into the hotel’s ballroom where the reception was being held was quite a shock. Trying to connect aged faces with names of the past was quite a challenge. The organizers had neglected to think that name tags might be in order.

While I was standing among a group talking, I was mildly aware of a woman to my right. I thought I recognized her, but I wasn’t sure. With a puzzled expression, she was looking at me. Another in the group said to her, “Patty have you said ‘hello’ to Jim Meston?”

Whereupon Patty Doran, who had gone to grade school with me, uttered a most accurate and classic line when she slowly eyed me a bit more and said, “There’s a Jim Meston in there someplace.”

Yes, we were all remnants of what we used to be.

We since have had high school reunions every five years and the aging process continues. I have thoroughly enjoyed each reunion, reliving some of those carefree events from our younger years. I’ve had too many teammates and classmates die, but, of course, that’s the reality of growing older. What has always puzzled me, though, is the number of classmates who are apparently healthy, but don’t attend the reunions. I’ve attended enough of them in my time to understand the varied personalities of those who attend. We’ve always had a lot to laugh at as we reflect on the many funny things that happened over the years.

Jim Meston (fifth from the left) with some classmates sharing happy memories

22

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Margie an d Jim Jim’s 60 th h Meston, during bru igh school n class reun ch at ion

It’s important to accept your physical changes as you age. It’s been said that we don’t stop laughing because we’ve grown old, but we grow old when we stop laughing. If a person can’t accept the reality that aging changes you physically, then possibly it’s someone’s vanity that keeps them away from attending reunions.

No one looks like they used to look. In fact, after ten or more years you can see major changes in everyone’s appearance. I can guarantee that after 60 years everyone is a little fatter, men are balder, and women… well, they change somehow, but who they were is still in there someplace.

As the comedian Steven Wright once said, “When you think about the past, it brings back memories.”

My wife, Margie, told me after one of my reunions that I was the youngest looking one there. While she hasn’t yet disclosed what she might be angling for, I was compelled to agree with her.

I am reminded of a song that two friends of mine, Bob McCully and Joe Negri, included in one of their musical reviews. Bob wrote the song’s words and he has allowed me to share them with you.

(See page 21.)

Members of Upper St. Clair High School’s senior class can look forward to their 60th class reunion in the year 2068. I only hope that those who are able to attend will make it a priority and also take every other opportunity to attend reunions between graduation and that far off 60th.

My youngest granddaughter, Chloe, is in fifth grade at Boyce Middle School and her older brother, Marcus, is in seventh grade at Fort Couch. They both helped me with my math to figure out that Marcus will graduate high school in 2013 and Chloe in 2015.

I have no idea what the world will be like at their 60th high school reunions, but I can only hope they attend the festivities. I’m sure that they will be the youngest looking in their classes; it runs in the family! I’m doubling my dose of fish oil, hoping that I will be around to see them graduate from high school. They’re on their own for their reunions!

I think it’s important to live our lives in the present and not spend too much time thinking about the past and the good old days. But, it’s also valuable to cherish all your happy moments and store them away in your memory. They make excellent cushions as we go through our golden years.

Reunions offer a wonderful opportunity to gather with old friends and share happy moments. As long as my high school has reunions and I’m able to attend, I’ll go, whether or not I’m the youngest looking one. n

High High School School Reunion Reunion —Music by Joe Negri, words by Bob McCully

Have you ever been to a high school reunion?

Well, I went to mine last night I’d heard so much about high school reunions I thought I’d just go and get tight.

So I went back to my high school reunion With qualms and reservations I knew very well it might be a shock I was filled with trepidation.

But, I had a wonderful time at my high school reunion A wonderful time I admit All of my friends have grown so much older And I haven’t changed a bit.

(You know) it’s hard to believe that those middle-aged codgers At one time were classmates of mine Like Clarence DePew and Evelyn Rogers And my face hardly shows a line.

Oh, I will acknowledge my hair has grown grayer It’s my only concession to time It’s funny how some of us stay younger looking I know I’m just approaching my prime.

Now I will acknowledge that some of my classmates Are plagued with avoirdupois Those coltish young beauties are now grown out women And a boy is a man not a boy.

I had a wonderful time at my high school reunion A wonderful time I admit All of my friends have grown so much older But me—I haven’t changed a bit.

One Hour Massage and a

One Hour Facial Where are You Classmates of 1960 and 1961?

for

$90.00

Offer valid until 7/5/08

The class of 1960, the first graduating class of Upper St. Clair, is planning its milestone reunion. A search is beginning for Upper St. Clair graduates of 1960 and 1961 to enjoy a combined celebration of the 50th class reunion in 2010. A mailing list is being compiled and we need to hear from you!

If you graduated from Upper St. Clair in ’60 or ’61, or know of someone who did, use the information below to make the contact. Don’t miss this golden opportunity!

Write to: Diane Sutton Tracy 1 Marsh Rabbit Lane Savannah, GA 31411 Or email: mrsleuth@bellsouth.net

Class of 1998 Celebrates Its Ten-Year Reunion Attention USC class of 1998, the ten-year reunion is coming up! Save the date—Friday, November 28, 2008. Hope you can make it!

Questions? Want to help? Contact Michelle Boss at usc98grads@gmail.com.

Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

23

Suzie McConnell-Serio —She’s Got the Look!

Wayne Herrod Suzie McConnell-Serio has her Dukes up. Oh, Suzie is not going to come out swinging, but she certainly has her Dukes (Duquesne Lady Dukes) swinging away. Suzie has completed her first year as head coach of the Lady Dukes and the program is on the upswing.

Suzie inherited a program that had fallen on hard times, but in her first year the Lady Dukes have more than doubled the win total from last year. More importantly, they have become a team that, for its competitors, is not an easy win. The team ended the regular season with a 15-14 record, loosing three of those games in overtime and four more by only three points or fewer. The season ended with four consecutive wins, giving the Lady Dukes their first winning-record season in the last four years. “We’ve competed hard,” said Suzie. “We were much better at the end of the season than at the beginning, and that’s what any coach wants. My players have improved as individuals and as a team.

They never quit.”

No one would expect a team coached by McConnell-Serio to ever quit. Suzie’s accomplishments are remarkable—Parade AllAmerican in high school; College All-American at Penn State (and still the NCAA career leader in assists), Olympic gold and bronze medalist, WNBA Rookie of the Year, successful coach at Oakland Catholic High School (321-86 record in 14 years), WNBA Coach of the Year with the Minnesota Lynx, as well as numerous awards including being named to the first WPIAL Hall of Fame, College Hall of Fame, USA Today All-Time Women’s Team, Dapper Dan Woman of the Year, and Sports Illustrated best player by size at every inch from 5' 3" to 7' 7". Sports Illustrated recently named Suzie, standing tall at 5' 4", to the all-time list of “greatest players by height.” Included in this list are Muggsy Bogues for the 5' 3" selection and Spud Webb for the 5' 5" selection, both of whom are NBA players.

Don’t let Suzie’s short stature fool you. She competes with passion and energy that are hard to match. Pound for pound, inch for inch, you will find no better! Tim McConnell (Suzie’s brother and coach at Chartiers Valley High School) sums it up, “You can’t go by Suzie’s size. She is tenacious and fearless and she’s always been that way. She simply refuses to lose. Do not ever tell her she cannot do something. Why? Because she’ll do it!”

“When the Duquesne coach’s position opened up and I talked to Duquesne’s athletic director, Greg Amodio, and Duquesne’s president, Charles Dougherty, I knew this would be a great opportunity for me,” said Suzie. “I had always wanted to coach at the college level, and Amodio and Dougherty’s vision and enthusiasm about the future of this program made coming here an ideal situation.”

Her drive is why Suzie is now head coach at Duquesne University. “Besides being an outstanding basketball player, Suzie is an outstanding person,” said Amodio. “She has brought instant recognition to our program. What set her apart in the interview process was her mindset. She expects to win and get better every day, both of which will positively affect our program. The results have already begun to show. Our program has benefitted immediately, and I also expect the long term rewards to be great.” With a 24

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Photo by Dave DeNoma

laugh, he added, “I’ve had to convince Suzie that she really doesn’t have to go undefeated. However, she has that mindset. What AD would not want her to head his program?”

Why wouldn’t someone want to play for Suzie? She is arguably one of the best, if not the best, point guard in women’s basketball history. Secondly, Duquesne offers an outstanding education.

Upper St. Clair High School star guard and senior Alex Gensler is one of Suzie’s first recruits as a college coach. Alex is one of the best players in the WPIAL, an impact player who should thrive under Suzie’s teaching. “Coach McConnell is the main reason I signed with Duquesne,” said Alex. “I had a number of choices, but Duquesne was my pick. I want to be part of what’s happening here.”

Duquesne junior and starting guard Kristi Little loves playing for McConnell. “I was a little intimidated when the announcement came that Coach McConnell was hired.” Kristi now finds it to be a wonderful learning experience. “I am so much a better player today because of Coach. Like Coach, I’m also 5' 4". She helped me to realize that size really doesn’t matter.”

“Kristi has improved so much,” remarked Suzie. “She’s not only our scoring leader, she’s our leader. Kristi plays with a passion, heart, and energy that our other players feed off. She epitomizes what this team is about.”

“My first year has been a special one—my first college team.

Sure, it’s been a roller coaster ride with some tough losses and some great wins, but that’s what competing in sports is all about.

My goal is to build this program. My players have helped lay the groundwork for its future. This job and this school are a great fit for me.”

Suzie is more than just a basketball player and coach. Suzie and her husband, Pete Serio, have been married for 18 years. They have four children and reside in Upper St. Clair. “Everything Pete and I do revolves around family,” said Suzie. “My family is my life, and they come first.”

“Suzie is genuine and honest,” said Pete. “She is a mother and a wife above all else. I don’t think many people realize this, but Suzie would be the same person without basketball. When she was away from basketball for a year, she did not change one bit. The honors and the adulation are nice, but that’s not what’s important to her. She has always approached life with the attitude of ‘what can I do to help, not what can you help me with’.” Suzie’s brother, Tim, added, “Everyone knows Suzie as a great coach. Despite all her success, she’s humble.”

Speaking for her family, Suzie remarked, “Plus, we’re back home and in Upper St. Clair. Our families are in Pittsburgh and we’re near them again. This is important to us.”

You can learn a lot about Suzie by looking at her eyes; her eyes define her. “Suzie had vision when she played ball. She saw the court as well as anyone, and sometimes saw things before they happened,” said Pete. As a mother, Suzie says she sees and hears everything.

Her eyes tell her story. They glow with pride when she watches her children. They glint with glee when she laughs. They are full of determination when she coaches. Her eyes miss nothing.

However, what stands out most in Suzie’s eyes is “the look.” “Oh yes, the kids know it!” Pete remarked. “They talk about it all the time, and she doesn’t have to say a word.”

Point guard Kristi Little spoke for the team, “Oh wow! When Coach gets that look we step it up, immediately! I think that sometimes we would rather her yell than give us that look.”

AD Amodio laughed when asked the same question. “Yes I’ve gotten the look a few times, and it even intimidates me.”

Suzie laughed, “Yes, I’m aware of the look I give. The reason that I’m laughing is when we were at Xavier for a game, the players had some fun with me. Some of the

girls did impersonations of me giving the look. Others acted out in response to the look. It was fun and we enjoyed it. But, you know what? You use what works.”

Suzie is a confident, hard-working person with a wonderful sense of humor. I asked Suzie about her selection as Sports Illustrated’s best 5' 4" player. “I guess it’s a good thing that Muggsy wasn’t 5' 4",” I said, referring to his 5' 3" pick.

Suzie laughed and responded, “Maybe he’s the lucky one, not being in the 5' 4" category!”

One thing is for sure, Suzie would definitely give him “the look”, and at eye level. I wouldn’t bet against Suzie if they matched up, and don’t bet against her as coach at Duquesne. The program will be looking good with Suzie at the helm. n

What does 2008 hold for you?

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Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

25

The Fort Couch Potatoes —not Your Typical Spuds Jack McGinnis and Greg Calvetti When you think of a couch potato, the thought of one riding a bike 150 miles over a weekend probably isn’t what first comes to mind. And yet, that is what the Fort Couch Potatoes cycling team has been doing for charity on the MS150 “Escape to the Lake (Erie)” since their first seeds were sown in 1994.

That first year, USC resident Mary Remington talked Fort Couch Middle School teacher Jack McGinnis into riding his bicycle 150 miles to raise money for multiple sclerosis research.

Mary invited two more friends to join their group to make a team, but they didn’t ride together again until 1996. With fresh legs in the form of several additional Fort Couch teachers joining the group the following year, the Fort Couch Potatoes became an official team. Mary’s husband, Clark, another teacher at the Fort, joined the team along with teachers Dave Henderson, Jim Reeves, and the late Dave Kuzmovich. “Kuz” is credited with creating the team’s name, which has affectionately stuck ever since.

There have been upwards of 25 different riders who have ridden the MS150 under the “potato” moniker. Among that list are other USC administrators, teachers, and residents including Dr. John Bornyas, Greg Calvetti, Dave Kyle, Jeff Leonhardt, Steve Levine, Dawn Mostowy, George Pitcairn (Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair’s chair of Recreation and Leisure Focus Committee), Richard Platts, USC Police Lt. John Sakoian, Robbie Shoup, Dr. Tim Steinhauer, Glenn Wayland, and the late Joanne Szymanski. Boyce teachers Lauren Gates and Gary Navoney debut this year as the new potatoes on the team.

In addition to rider rotations over the years, there have been other changes as well. The team has been as small as McGinnis and Kuzmovich one year to as big as this year, with 13 riders lining up. Fort Couch Student Council is a large supporter of the team, donating “Reach Out” funds each year to help riders’ personal fund-raising goals. The team’s first uniform, a gray silk screened T-shirt with a blue potato lounging on a couch, was followed by real cycling jerseys, complete with official sponsors. This year’s kit includes a bold red and yellow jersey with matching shorts, thanks to the generous financial support of the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair, Clearview Federal Credit Union, Petrini’s Promos, Henderson Brothers, Master Brush Painting, Good Orthodontics, Estill Voice Training, Studio 88 Tattoo, Beard’s Party Tents, Monte’s Barber Shop, Uptown Coffee, and Chiacchierone’s Biscotti.

While the riders and the team have changed over the years, the MS150 hasn’t changed much. One hundred and fifty miles is still a long way to ride, but the camaraderie of friends and raising money for research to help people with multiple sclerosis makes every mile fly right by. This year’s MS150, from Cranberry to Erie, is scheduled for June 7-8.

If you’d like to be a Fort Couch Potato yourself or if you would like to support this great cause, email Fort Couch teacher Greg Calvetti at gcalvetti@uscsd.k12.pa.us. n

Stopping for a little

toes, 2006

Fort Couch Pota

The start

26

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

R&R

e r e H m Fro Take My Word for it

Erin Gibson Allen

Life is short.

Family time is precious.

As warmer months approach, consider a few tips about what not to do, based on some of the mistakes that my family and I made last year.

Pass on the Bobble Heads There are about 80 Pirate home games each season. At one in about every ten games, the franchise gives away a figurine to every person attending the game.

With four members in our family, we have four of each figurine from several games last year, making for an extensive array of miniature Buccos. These statuettes, I have determined, are made from a compressed chalk-like substance, and can break with the gentlest of bumps.

Our basement is lined with batless batters and base runners with their feet knocked off at the ankles. Far from impressing friends and family, our collection serves as a dust-gathering hall of horrors.

While I cannot expect my boys to resist these giveaways, as an adult, I can. At my last game, I gave myself a pep talk before entering the stadium, so I was prepared with a firm “no thank you” to the eager employee with the attractively boxed bobble head. With my refusal, both the employee and my husband looked at me with some shock—how could I refuse free sports art?

I stand by my conviction that every member of a family does not need his own mini Zach Duke. Less is more here.

Skip the Exterminator On last year’s trip to Kennywood, our family made the decision to ride an attraction called the Exterminator. We had not been on the ride in over five years, and had forgotten what thrill awaited inside the building at the end of the five-mile line.

We shifted our weight from foot to foot for over an hour, as we were corralled with hundreds of other expectant riders. We stared at the same despondent faces over and over, as we weaved back and forth, leaning on the serpentine railings for relief.

A woman behind us hung on her boyfriend’s shoulders and whispered, “I hope this wait is worth it.” I should have been tipped off by this alone. There were no repeat riders among us.

At last we were waived into the building.

We trotted in with an air of victory. Our hearts dropped as a second interminable line was revealed to us. We had come too far to give up.

With the resolve of immigrants at Ellis Island, we waited yet again for our turn.

At last we stepped jubilantly into a car built for four. Strapped in, we shot into the dark.

Screams could be heard echoing throughout the building. Screams, I now knew, that came not from any theme-park thrill, but were instead primal screams that came from a deep frustration that the wait of a lifetime led to this one-minute, neck-snapping spinning ride which felt like an elaborate ejection system designed to catapult people out of line as quickly as possible.

Go to Kennywood, but skip the Exterminator.

Sometimes patience is a mistake.

Skip the Dinosaurs Washington, D.C. is a quick, four-hour drive from Upper St. Clair, and what could be more educational for a family? My husband and I had this thought last year as we packed up our boys for a four-day trip to the nation’s capital.

We trekked to the top of the Washington Monument, read the Gettysburg Address at the Lincoln Memorial, and ran our fingers along the names at the Vietnam War Memorial. The one mistake we made was venturing into the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

The Smithsonian allows the public admittance for free. Although this is a wonderful gesture, it resulted in a mass of moving humanity much like that seen when pilgrims make the annual hajj to Mecca. Our family was part of a moving, noisy crowd with a current so strong that it only allowed a quick glance as we moved clockwise around the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Also, hundreds of tourists armed with digital cameras were snapping pictures of every placard and fossil, making progress through the museum without stepping into someone’s shot an awkward, high-pressure game of red light, green light.

Overwhelmed, our family retreated to the least popular exhibit located in the recesses of the top floor. After admiring this exhibit for an appropriate amount of time, we rushed outside to inhale some fresh air and a soft pretzel before moving on to find the Constitution.

Take the family to Washington, D.C., but get your dinosaur fix in Oakland.

When planning your family outings this spring and summer, knowing what not to do can be as important as deciding where to go. n I’d like to hear your thoughts on contemporary parenting in Upper St. Clair. Please share your ideas about my column with me in person, or email your thoughts to me at eallen@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Let me know if, like me, you’re from here.

Summer 2008

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Township of Upper St. Clair Ched Mertz

President, Ward 4 Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-833-3631 2009*

Highlights of the Board of Commissioners Meetings All business regarding the operation of the Township is conducted at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners.

Citizens are invited to comment on any Township matter. Complete Board minutes can be found at the Upper St. Clair Township Library or on the website at www.twpusc.org. For more information, call 412-831-9000.

November 12, 2007

Karen M. McElhinny

Vice President, At-Large Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-221-1732 2009*

Preston W. Shimer

Township News

Ward 1

Special Meeting Approximately 65 people attended.

The Board • Approved the base bid for the Community Recreation Center and the indoor pool facility of........... $18,653,670.

• Approved the exterior pool facility in the amount of ........................................................................ $2,140,487.

• Approved demountable shade structures for the exterior pool facility in the amount of............................ $137,195.

• Approved exterior lighting poles and fixtures for the deck of the exterior pool facility in the amount of....... $22,595.

• Approved the addition of all plastic laminate lockers for the Community Recreation Center in the amount of ............................................................................. $18,100.

• Approved tinted glazing to reduce glare on the indoor pool facility area in the amount of ................................. $3600.

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-221-1736 2011*

Kenneth L. Brown Ward 2

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-4512 2009*

Robert W. Orchowski Ward 3

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-854-1868 2011*

Russell R. Del Re Ward 5

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 724-941-3336 2011*

December 3, 2007 Approximately 55 people attended.

Recognitions and Proclamations • Commissioner Mertz presented a Certificate of Achievement to the 2007-08 boys’ golf team for its WPIAL championship.

Commissioner Mertz also presented individual Certificates of Achievement on behalf of the board to team members Marshall Brown, Michael Flickinger, Robert Hippert, Edward McFarland, Kevin McManus, Anthony Paladino, and Louis Tambellini. Zachary Dubois, Bradford Killmeyer, and Joseph Shastri were unable to attend and received their certificates from their coach, Todd Flynn. (See photo, page 5.)

• Commissioner Mertz presented a Proclamation to Michael Ruane, student at Peters Township High School, recognizing his attainment of Eagle Scout rank for building a bridge at Boyce Mayview Park.

• Commissioner Mertz presented a Proclamation to Brian Toth, a student at Upper St. Clair High School, recognizing his attainment of Eagle Scout rank for building a bridge at Boyce Mayview Park.

• Commissioner Mertz presented Certificates of Achievement to Commissioner Bates and to Commissioner Marsh for their years of outstanding public service.

• Commissioner Orchowski presented Certificates of Achievement to the following 45 participants who took

part in the Brookside Park Cleanup last September: Kyle Austin, Paul Austin, Annie Cavrich, Victoria Cavrich, Athena Contis, Julia De La Parra, Clayton Dubbs, Sam Erlanger, Will Erlanger, Alice Evans, Grant Evans, Daniel Finkel, James Finkel, Keegan Flinter, Jack Gavett, Will Gavett, Isabel Goodman, Suzanna Goodman, Aaron Harris, Hannah Harris, Rachel Harris, Ethan Heckler, Zachary Heckler, Thomas Holmes, Cooper Irons, Hope Krawczyk, Kevin Krawczyk, Molly Krawczyk, Colin Kunselman, Jenna Kunselman, Laura Lapham, Dylan Lease, Tim Leckenby, Carson Mafrice, Tommy O’Connor, Kristen Perri, Michael Piroli, Adam Seeton, Alexa Seeton, Allie Seeton, Emma Wagner, Grace Wagner, Maura Wells, Ryan Wells, and Katie White. (See photo, left.)

The Board • Closed public hearing re. PLC07-0002-Fox Chase Phase 4, Lot 410-1836 Winchester Drive–Conditional Use Approval.

• Adopted Bill No. 22-07 granting Conditional Use Approval for PLC07-0002-Fox Chase Phase 4, Lot 410-1836 Winchester Drive.

• Continued public hearing re. PLC07-0008 YMCA–51 McMurray Road–Unified Conditional Use/Preliminary and Final Subdivision and Land Development Approval to February 4, 2008.

• Continued public hearing re. PLC07-0011–Hastings Village Plan Revised requesting conversion of the club house to a dwelling.

• Adopted Decision USC-PRD 2-07 to grant approval of Hastings Village Plan Revised converting the club house to a dwelling.

• Adopted Resolution No. 1483 authorizing Inter-Municipal Liquor License Transfer–StonePepper’s Grill–1614 Washington Road, Suite 101.

• Adopted Bill No. 23-07 re. IMP07-0001–acceptance of improvements–Beatty Subdivision.

• Adopted Bill No. 20-07 amending Chapter 118 of the Code of the Township entitled “Taxation” to repeal Article II “Emergency and Municipal Services Tax” and to enact a new Article II to be entitled “Local Services Tax.” • Adopted Bill No. 24-07 for the 2008 Annual Budget.

January 7, 2008 Approximately 10 people attended.

Reorganization of Board of Commissioners • Newly elected Commissioners Glenn Dandoy and Russell Del Re and re-elected Commissioners Robert Orchowski and Preston Shimer, were sworn into office as Commissioners of the Township of Upper St. Clair. (See photo, page 27.)

• Commissioner Mertz was re-elected president of the Board of Commissioners.

• Commissioner McElhinny was elected vice president of the Board of Commissioners.

Recognitions and Proclamations • Mr. Bill Littrell, president of the Upper St. Clair Athletic Association, presented a check in the amount of $19,570,

2008 Township of Upper St. Clair Meeting Dates Glenn R. Dandoy At-Large

Day 412-831-9000 Evening 412-833-6243 2011*

• The Board of Commissioners meets at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building. The regular public meeting is held the first Monday of the month in the Board Meeting Room. The informational and general affairs meeting is held the last Monday of the month in the Board Meeting Room.

• The Planning Commission meets the third Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

• The Parks and Recreation Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m., no meeting in December.

• The Zoning Hearing Board meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 8 p.m.

• The Civil Hearing Board meets as needed.

• The Building/Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board meets as needed. *Date indicates expiration of term.

28

Visit the Township’s Website at www.twpusc.org

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

• Approved the reappointments to Township Boards and Commissions with a December 31, 2010, term expiration date, unless otherwise noted: Building Fire Codes Appeals and Advisory Board— Michael McDonnell, James Sampey Civil Service Board—P.J. Murray III Library Board—Rober Ontolchik Parks and Recreation Board— Kelly Bakayza, Roger Hartung Planning Commission—Philip Tanner (term expiration of December 31, 2011) Zoning Hearing Board—Dwight Ferguson

February 4, 2008 Approximately 10 people attended.

which represents the 2007 user fees collected from the youth registration costs. The funds will be utilized by the Township to maintain its sports fields.

The Board • Announced the resignation of the Township Manager, Douglas A. Watkins.

• Appointed Mark S. Mansfield as Acting Township Manager.

• Adopted Bill No. 1-08 granting final approval to Hastings Village Plan Revised subject to certain conditions.

• Approved Ferris, Baker Watts Inc. for the 2008 Bond Issue Underwriting.

• Appointed Susquehanna Group Advisors, Inc. as the Financial Advisor for the 2008 Bond Issue.

• Approved motion to solicit a proposal from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney to provide bond counsel for the 2008 Bond Issue.

• Authorized the execution of contract for the Public Works Annex Building with EPM Architects in the amount of $96,000 for architectural and engineering services and a contract with The Gateway Engineers, Inc., in the amount of $19,530 for engineering services.

Proclamations and Recognitions • Commissioner McElhinny presented a Proclamation to Bill Littrell, president of the Upper St. Clair Athletic Association, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Upper St. Clair Athletic Association. Also present were USCAA volunteers Charles McNaughton, Arthur Thomas, and Walter Livengood, all members of the founding USCAA Board of Directors, and Tom Burke, vice president; Chuck Roth, secretary; and Mike McGroarty, special at-large representative. Commissioner McElhinny, on behalf of the Board, commended the volunteers of the USCAA for the youth sports programs provided to the Township. (See photo, right.)

The Board • Tabled public hearing re. PLC07-0008–YMCA–51 McMurray Road–Unified Conditional Use/Preliminary and Final Subdivision and Land Development Approval to the regular Board meeting of March 3, 2008.

• Continued public hearing re. PLC07-1302–Amending Chapter 130 of the Code of the Township Entitled “Zoning” to the regular Board meeting of March 3, 2008.

• Adopted Bill No. 2-08 granting Preliminary and Final Subdivision approval to the St. Clair Highlands Plan No. 4, subject to certain conditions.

• Adopted Bill No. 3-08 authorizing the General Obligations Bonds, Series of 2008.

• Approved the Bond Purchase Agreement prepared by Ferris, Baker Watts, Inc., for the adjustable rate demand General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2008.

• Approved the Interest Rate Management Plan prepared by Susquehanna Group Advisors, Inc. for the General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2008.

• Authorized a contract for the sale of the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department’s 1983 American LaFrance Ladder Truck to the North Strabane Volunteer Fire Department in the amount of...................................................$16,000.

• Approved the following contracts: Tri-State Design and Development, Inc.–Carnegie Retaining Wall Services-Mayview Road Widening Project................................................................$31,500.

Franklin Fixtures–West Wareham, MA Children’s Library Bookcase Shelving Phase II....$35,009.

• Approved the waiver of exclusive Right of First Refusal to purchase 2333 Lesnett Road to enable a 2.4 acre parcel to be sold for..........................................................$385,000.

Community Recreation Center It’s full steam ahead as the Township’s Board of Commissioners voted 6-1 this past November to build the 90,000square-foot Community Recreation Center and Outdoor Aquatics Center for $16.5 million dollars. Scheduled to open spring 2009, the facility will include indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities, fitness areas, fitness program rooms, birthday party rooms, parent and child changing areas, two fullsized gymnasiums, conference rooms, a large community lobby, and much more.

The Department of Recreation and Leisure Services has remodeled a multipurpose room located at the Township building on McLaughlin Run Road into a work area that will be used as a membership and marketing office, as well as space for the new facility coordinator.

Prospective members will be able to stop by the office to view details of the facility. In fact, the office design will include the same colors and décor that you will

find at the new facility when it opens its doors next spring. A new position of Facility Coordinator and Assistant Director of Recreation and Leisure Services was filled this spring. Additionally, the Township is researching fundraising opportunities.

If you have questions regarding the facilities at the Community Recreation Center, contact the Recreation and Leisure Services Department at 412-831-9000, extension 256 or visit the Township’s website at www.twpusc.org. n

Working hard to get things ready at the CRC

Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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T

T

A Day in the Park The Township of Upper St. Clair can fill your summer days with fun and laughter as you

and your family visit its many parks and parklets. Go for an early morning stroll or pack a lunch and stay to play. Feel the evening’s cool breeze as you enjoy the swings, climbing bars, a ball field, or a welcoming bench. You don’t have to travel far to enjoy green space and summer activity. Our Township can host a wonderful day in the park.  Township

Fields/Courts

Wiltshire Park

Playground Equipment Play unit and swing set

Miscellaneous

Baker Park 13.82 acres

1 small baseball field, 1 large baseball field, 2 lighted basketball courts, 1 lighted sand surface, volleyball court, 2 tennis courts, 2 lighted bocce courts

Bike rack, small shelter, water fountain, picnic tables, grass play area, large covered sand play area

Beadling Soccer Field 3.36 acres

soccer field

Boyce Field 1 acre

baseball field

Dugouts, batting cage, bleachers

Boyce Mayview Park 476 acres

Under construction—baseball field, softball field, multi-purpose fields

Natural area and wetlands, natural surface walking trails, REEC, pavilion, open space Natural area

Brookside Park 3.7 acres Byrnwick Park 7.05 acres

1 lighted basketball court, 1 tennis court

Play unit and swing set

Walking track—handicapped accessible, water fountain, walkway lighting

Clair Park 2.2 acres

1 basketball court

Play unit with slide and 2 swing sets

Large grass play area, water fountain, small shelter, walkway lighting, spray pool Natural area and 1.25 mile mulched trail

Gilfillan Park 59.57 acres Hays Park 4.21 acres

1 basketball court, 1 tennis court

Play unit and swing set

Asphalt walking trail, spray pool, small shelter, water fountain, grass multi-purpose area, perimeter lighting, barbecue grill

Johnston Park 2.48 acres

1 lighted basketball court (1 full court and 6 baskets), 1 tennis court, 1 lighted hockey court

Play unit and swing set

Walking path, water fountain, walkway lighting

Marmion Field 11.32 acres

1 soccer field, 1 lighted baseball field

Morton Complex 7.5 acres

3 soccer fields, 2 lighted baseball fields

Play unit above Morton 2 area

2 batting cages, concession building, shelter, storage building, storage, dugouts, announcer’s booth

Municipal Park 29.75 acres

10 lighted tennis courts with 6 courts under air structures for winter season, 2 lighted paddle courts, 1 lighted little league baseball field with dugouts, concession stand, picnic shelter, 2 lighted basketball courts, 1 volleyball court

Swing set, 4 buck-a-bouts

Recreation Center building with meeting facilities, kitchen, pool table, ping pong table, and restrooms, outdoor horseshoe pits, large picnic shelter, 3-hole golf course, water fountain, batting cages

Shelter and bleachers, 2 water fountains

Central play structure— handicapped accessible.

Natural area

Ravine Park 10.51 acres Trotwood Park 8 acres

1 basketball court, 1 tennis court, 1 lighted multi-purpose field

Play unit and swing set

2 water fountains, small shelter, spraypool, walkway lighting

Tustin Park 6.52 acres

1 basketball court

Play unit and swing set

Walking trail around park

Wiltshire Park 11.2 acres

2 lighted basketball courts, 1 lighted street hockey court

1 4-man totter, 1 large sand play area, 1 swing set with 2 infant swings, 1 large play structure

Track ride, merry-go-round, shelter area, Dolphin spray pool, water fountain, walkway lighting

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

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Hidden Treasures Think you know your flowers? Correctly identify these wildflowers found on the interior walking trails of Boyce Mayview Park, and you could win a guided interpretive tour of the wetlands and trails on a Sunday afternoon for your group of family and friends.

Upper St. Clair Township Forester Walter Jarosh will lead the tour as you learn the history and hidden secrets of the park. n 1_________________________

3_________________________

2_________________________ Please mail your answers by June 30, 2008, to: UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Wildflower Contest

4_________________________

1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or email usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

— Photos by Walter Jarosh

5________________________

Trails at Boyce Mayview Walter Jarosh, Superintendent of Parks; Buildings, Township Forester

The numerous visitors to the Boyce Mayview Park trail system gain positive experiences from their time spent on the trails. Every person who visits the area leaves with a different personal experience. One may stop to view the cascade of ever-changing wildflowers that parade across the slopes, while another may catch a glimpse of an unusual bird. On one of my spring visits, I marveled at the size and color of a large male Pileated Woodpecker as he drummed up dinner from a dead tree.

At last count, there have been 199 different species of birds recorded in the park.

One must explore all the trails to fully experience the diversity of the park before deciding on a favorite trail or favorite spot.

Everyone I meet on the trail has his or her

own favorite spot and special memory.

Have you visited Split Earth Point or watched Chartiers Creek slowly meander below the overview of Trillium Trail as it passes the wetlands? Volunteers continue to widen and improve the trail surface as the trails evolve under visitors’ footsteps.

Scout groups volunteer to install bridges and benches, and provide numerous trail improvements. Our natural surface trail system is a unique trail approach for this area.

Let your imagination take you back around the time of Columbus as you ascend Queen Maple Trail from the wetlands and hike the slope through the mature forest. Your footsteps follow those of the Monongahela people, a Native American group of hunter-gatherers that encamped along Chartiers Creek during that time period. Stop for a moment at Vision Rocks, a series of large flat rocks jutting from below the trail’s edge, to ponder an existence in this environment. Food was hard to find, and comforts were few. Rain, snow, cold, and hunger would have magnified the harsh reality of their existence; yet mans’ traces on the landscape tell us that they lived here.

The harsh environment of the early inhabitants yields to the changes of the landscape at the Northwestern end of the park. Throughout the past fall and Summer 2008

winter seasons, workers and earthmoving equipment sculpted the landscape for the installation of the baseball and soccer fields, and the Community Recreation Center with pool complex that is scheduled for completion in 2009. This recreational and athletic facility will provide area residents with healthy active recreational opportunities, while over ten miles of trails will invite them to experience a more passive natural experience.

A portion of a paved perimeter trail, from the Boyce Mayview ball fields, past the Regional Environmental Education Center (REEC), through Baker Park to the Morton Soccer field complex will provide another link to interconnect the park. The trail’s hard surface design will provide a walking and biking connection to the areas. This paved perimeter trail completion is anticipated by the opening of the Community Recreation Center. n Maps of the trail system are available at the Township building reception area, the Recreation offices, or the REEC. If you are hesitant to venture through the area unguided, contact the REEC at 412-838-0064 or visit www.regionaleec.org for a list of the many introductory walks and educational classes held in the park year round. If you would like to join the group of over 60 people who volunteer to build, maintain, and improve the trail system or have questions, contact Walter Jarosh at 412-831-9000 or jarosh@twpusc.org.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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Summertime Fun at the REEC Jessica Stombaugh, REEC Program Manager As the last few weeks of school pass, we’re looking forward to the sunfilled days of summer. I know here at the Regional Environmental Education Center (REEC) we’re not only thoroughly enjoying the spring flowers and returning birds, but we also eagerly await the puffy white clouds and ribbons of sunlight scattered across Chartiers Creek on a breezy summer day. We look forward to children running through flower-filled fields and leaf shaded forest paths in excited exploration of the natural world awaiting their eager minds.

Summer day camps at the REEC are a fun-filled time to share with new friends, new adventures, and an even greater

Lear

appreciation for this wonderful world around us. Visit the REEC’s website at www.regionaleec.org or call Jessica at 412-838-0064 for more information on how the child in your life can spend his or her summer days immersed in nature, having tons of fun while learning!

Seasonal Science Series-9: Weathered Science will guide students ages 8-12 through the wet and windy world of weather by understanding the causes of major natural events, creating the students’ very own weather station.

Times and Dates: Saturdays, 12:304:30 p.m., May 17, 24, 31 and June 7.

onment at the REEC ning about the envir

Eco-Kids Summer Day Camp is designed to lead students who have completed grades 1-3 on hands-on discoveries, stories, and crafts aimed at increasing their connection with nature and their effects on the environment. Each year brings new adventures and activities!

Times and dates: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.3 p.m., July 14-18.

Bullfrogs and Pollywogs is a new child/ adult experience for children ages 2-3 and their caregiver. Children will be introduced to nature focusing on nurturing their senses through outdoor learning.

Times and dates: Wednesdays, 12:301:30 p.m., June 18-July 16.

Praying Mantis

Progress at the Fields While these geese took a break on the ball fields at Boyce Mayview this past winter, the Township’s Public Works Department has the diamonds polished up and ready for some action! n

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

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Exploring the earth

Junior Naturalists Day Camp will foster a better understanding of the natural world in students ages 4-6. Through active and engaging outdoor activities, each student will find his or her special place in nature.

Ti m e s a n d d a t e s : M o n d a y - F r i d a y, 9 a.m.-noon, June 9-13 (ages 4 and 5) or June 23-27 (ages 5 and 6).

Seasonal Science Series-10: Soggy Science will immerse students ages 8-12 in the muddy importance of wetlands. Each day will include hands-on scientific experiments designed to highlight the life and vitality of freshwater wetlands.

Times and dates: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., July 28-30. n

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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USC-USTC The United Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair

Were you born in 1953 or before? Are you retired? If you answered

“yes” to both of these questions, then you are eligible to join the United Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair. This organization, chartered in 1975 by the Township commissioners, is a recreational program for senior residents. The group meets every Wednesday, usually in the Recreation Center on McLaughlin Run Road, and occasionally at another location for an adventure.

There is a short business meeting at 12:30 p.m., followed by lunch (prepared

by volunteers from the group), and then a program. Programs range from educational to entertaining. Recently, the group had a presentation from the USC Township Police Department on identity theft and was also serenaded by singers from Fort Couch Middle School.

Once you’ve reached age 62 (born in 1946 or before), you can join the group even if you’re still employed. But if you work on Wednesdays, you’ll miss the great programs and a free lunch!

For the Wednesday gatherings, the Recreation building opens at 10 a.m. n

Gold Card

Silver Card

Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair, apply now for your Gold Card. See and enjoy drama and musical performances, exciting athletic events, and other activities, courtesy of the Upper St. Clair School District.

If you are a resident 62 years of age or older just stop by the School District receptionist desk and ask for your Gold Card. It’s a great way to experience your community!

Senior Citizens of Upper St. Clair are entitled to apply for a Silver Card that will admit holders to the Upper St. Clair Municipal three-hole golf course, outdoor tennis facilities, family swim program, and to attend other activities designated and sponsored by the Township of Upper St. Clair.

Any resident age 62 and retired or age 65 with no restrictions is eligible for the Silver Card program. Applications are available at the Recreation Department.

United Senior Citizens board and Amy Kerman, Older Adu members lt Coordinator

Attention Senior Citizens, age 65 and older: If you would like to register for the ACCESS 65 PLUS shared-ride transportation program or make application for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Senior Citizen Identification Card to be used for the Port Authority Transit system, please contact the Older Adult Coordinator, Township of Upper St. Clair, 412-831-9000, extension 296.

Bicycle Registration and Safety Program— Saturday, May 10 The Upper St. Clair Police Department will sponsor a Bicycle

Registration and Safety Program for Upper St. Clair residents on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Municipal building rear lot.

Registration includes a bicycle inspection, a rider skill course, repair, traffic safety instruction, and safety videos.

Participants will receive a bicycle license plate, an adhesive reflector strip, and safety pamphlets. The license number

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will also be stamped into the frame of the bicycle.

Each participant will have chances to win a new bicycle, a safety helmet, and other prizes. Complimentary beverages will be provided.

Parents are urged to bring their children to the Bicycle Registration and Safety Program. For additional information, contact the Police Department Administrative Office at 412-833-1113, daily 8 a.m.4 p.m. n

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Officer Dean Majcher with the 2007 bicycle registration winner, Brittney Desselle, and helmet winners (left to right) Eddie Zunic, Eli Grape, Andrew Wharton, and Sean Martin.

Code Enforcement

Calabro Tire & Auto Service

Glenn Prokopovitch, Code Enforcement Officer, Department of Community Development The Township of Upper St. Clair operates in accordance with hun-

through October.

• Open storage of appliances, automobile dreds of written codes designed to ensure parts, fixtures, or any type of discarded, that properties are maintained in a healthy, unused, or unusable material is prosafe, and code-compliant manner in order hibited. to preserve property values and the char- • Trash cans and other waste receptacles acter of the community. must be stored behind the front façade For most residents, a home represents of the dwelling or within an enclosed perhaps the largest investment of their structure such as a garage. lifetime. Protecting this investment is one • A building permit is required for sheds, of the duties of the Department of Comfences, gazebos, roof repair or replacemunity Development. Enforcement of ment, additions, decks, patio enclosures, building, fire, nuisance, and zoning codes swimming pools, retaining walls, and helps to ensure desirable property values other structures. and the fine appearance of • A driveway permit is reFor most residents, our neighborhoods, but also quired for installation of a a home represents the safety of residents. new driveway or expansion perhaps the largest T h e c o d e e n f o rc e of an existing driveway. investment of their • A street opening permit must ment process may begin in response to a complaint lifetime. Protecting this be obtained when an opensubmitted by a resident, an investment is one of the ing occurs within the public observation by a Township duties of the Department right-of-way, which typically of Community official of a violation, or as extends 13 feet back from Development. a consequence of an action, the edge of the pavement for example, failing to obtain or curb. a building permit prior to the start of work • Underground invisible pet fences inon a shed or deck. Upon verification that stalled within the public right-of-way a complaint is a valid code violation, the require a street opening permit and owner or person in control of the property indemnification agreement. is contacted and remediation in accordance • Township streets must be kept free of with the appropriate Code Provision is mud and other debris resulting from requested. If the owner or person in conconstruction or other projects. trol is unwilling to correct the violation, a • Trees, shrubs, or other similar vegetation Notice of Violation is issued. must not obstruct the vision of motorIn some instances, the Township is reists. quired to initiate legal action in an attempt • A real estate open house sign must be to abate a potential health or safety risk or kept back a minimum of 13 feet from an outstanding violation of an individual’s the street or curb and may not be placed ignoring a previous notification. on traffic islands or Township owned First time offenders, subject to court property. action, are at times given the opportunity • Contractor signs are prohibited from beto correct the violation with minimal or ing placed on residential or commercial no penalties. Repeat offenders are subject properties. to accrued daily fines and other penalties. • In general, signs advertising sales, disIndividuals who fail to remediate serious counts, one day specials, employment, violations involving health, life, or safety grand opening, or other similar messages concerns are subject to criminal prosecuare prohibited. Call for specifics. tion or civil injunction actions to achieve code compliance.

The above mentioned code regulations Common code questions often asked represent an overview and are not all concern the following regulations: inclusive. To report a potential violation • Boats, trailers, motor homes, campers, by letter, telephone, or in person, contact and other types of recreational vehicles the Department of Community Developmust be stored in completely enclosed ment located at 1820 McLaughlin Run structures.

Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241, or phone • Lawns need to be maintained at a 412-831-9000. n maximum height of six inches from April

Summer 2008

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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USC Library Library Director Retires

A New Way to Pay

Lois Hoop, USC Township

Library director since 1993, announced her retirement this past February. Under Lois’s leadership the library has enjoyed a period of consistent growth, developing into a valued community and regional resource. Recently, Lois oversaw the library’s merger with the county eiNetwork, bringing the resources of all Allegheny County libraries into the Township’s library and Retiring director Lois Hoop available locally for USC patrons. She was effective in establishing excellent working relationships with patrons, staff, and the local library community. An open house, held at the library on February 29 (her last day), was attended by the many who will greatly miss her presence.

Helen Palascak, the library’s head of technical services since 1996, was appointed to the library director’s position on March 1. Her years of experience with the administration of the library’s database, as well as her familiarity with both the local issues and the challenges of adapting to emerging new technologies, are great assets that she brings to this position, as the library continues to play a leadership role in the County library system and explores ways to improve services to its patrons. n The library’s newly appointed director Helen Palascak

If you owe more than $2 in library overdue fines, you can use a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card to pay fines and replacement fees online from the “My Account” page of the online catalog.

• There is no additional transaction fee charged.

• You can pay all outstanding fines, or you can select line items to pay.

• You will get an on-screen receipt that you should print and retain.

• You can get a copy of the receipt emailed to you.

• Your patron record is immediately updated with the payment.

Your credit card data is entered on a secure server and is passed directly to the payment processor. The library does not retain credit card information. n

Summertime Volunteer Opportunities It’s almost summertime and that means it’s almost time for “Summer Reading” at the Upper St. Clair Township Library.

The library is in need of responsible teens who are interested in volunteering at one of its many summer programs for young children.

Students in fifth grade through high school are encouraged to visit the library to volunteer during the summer months.

Summertime is a great time to get all of your community service hours that are required for IB, ninth grade Honors Civics, and religious school completed. Once the school year begins, there is a decreased need for library volunteers.

To volunteer, interested students should contact Colleen Miles at the library beginning May 12 for details on times and availability. Sign-ups for volunteering begin on Tuesday, May 27. All openings are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. n

Senior Library Staff Reorganization As a consequence of my filling the Upper St. Clair Township Library director’s position and the technology changes associated with the migration to eiNetwork, some full-time positions at the library have been re-evaluated, particularly in the library’s technical services and circulation areas. Job descriptions were revised to reflect key divisions of work and essential duties, best utilizing the highly trained and competent personnel already on the library staff. This reorganization supports the entire staff in the library’s dedication to providing the best possible responsive service to its users.

• Debra Conn, head of Children’s Services, along with her current duties, will be maintaining the programming database statistics and will also be investigating the possibility of a new space plan for the library’s adult floor.

• Maureen Case has assumed the position of head of Technical Services. She is responsible for the cataloging of all library materials and produces the statistical system reports. Maureen is also the direct technical liaison with eiNetwork.

• Anna Orient has moved to the position of Technical Services Assistant. Her duties include the acquisition, cataloging, and 36

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Senior library staff members are, left to right, Vanessa Ryzner, Debra Conn, Maureen Case, and Anna Orient

processing of materials, as well as reconciling equipment and materials inventory reports.

• Vanessa Ryzner is now Circulation Coordinator, managing the circulation desks on both floors, and the flow of materials through the shipping area. She will train all circulation assistants and respond to the library’s patron circulation issues.

As always, the library’s goal is to provide the highest quality library service in a welcoming, supportive environment. Visit the library soon, and stop by to say “hello.” n —Article by Helen Palascak, Library Director

T Summer Ready to Read Program Babies, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Kindergartners “Ready to Read” is the library’s award-winning early literacy program for children from birth through the completion of kindergarten. This program is designed to help young children acquire pre-reading skills with fun and easy parent-directed activities.

When you register you’ll receive an activity guide, complete with information about ready-to-read skills, ready-to-read activities, an activity log, and instructions for participating in the program. Participants will receive fun rewards for completing the weekly activities.

Registration begins Monday, June 9 Ready to Read activity log check-ins begin Monday, June 16 and end Thursday, July 24.

Summer Library Reading Program School-age Children

Art in the Park

Storytimes

Preschoolers accompanied by a caregiver Friday, June 6; 10 a.m.-noon Registration begins Tuesday, May 27

June 23–July 17 Registration begins Monday, June 9

Bugs R Us Come and Go Activity Afternoons Children who have completed kindergarten through fourth grade, accompanied by a caregiver Mondays, June 23–July 21, 2:15-3:30 p.m.

Registration begins Monday, June 9

Babies and Toddlers

Children ages four to 24 months, accompanied by a caregiver Thursdays at 10 or 11 a.m.

Twos and Threes

Children ages 2–3½, accompanied by a caregiver Wednesdays at 10 or 11 a.m.

Preschool

Children ages 3½ and older Mondays at 10 or 11 a.m.

Picture Word Bugs Match Draw a line from the picture word on left to the correct bug on right.

“Summer Reading” is designed for children who have completed first through eighth grades.

Kids who read succeed! The summer reading program is a fun-filled way to encourage your child to spend time reading.

Participating in summer reading can play an important role in creating fluent, lifelong readers.

Participants will receive a reading log to record the titles of the books they have read. Children will receive one ticket for each book read to enter a weekly drawing of prizes. The more you read, the greater your chances of winning!

Registration begins Monday, June 9 Summer Reading log check-ins begin Monday, June 16 and end Thursday, July 24.

Literacy Programs Registration begins Monday, June 9.

Ready to Read Adventures Come and Go Activity Mornings Tuesdays, June 17–July 22, 10:30 a.m.-noon Ready to Read participants ages 2½ and older, accompanied by a caregiver

I’m Going to First Grade!

Wednesdays, June 25–July 16, 2:15-3:15 p.m.

Children who have completed kindergarten

I Love to Read!

Thursdays, June 26–July 17, 2:15-3 p.m.

Children who have completed first and second grades

2008 Summer Library Hours Monday–Thursday 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m.

Friday–Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Closed Summer Sundays Memorial Day–Labor Day Closed Monday, May 26; Friday, July 4 ; Monday, September 1 Website: www.twpusc.org/library Phone: 412-835-5540 Summer 2008

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Tri-Com Offers CPR, First Aid Training Tri-Community South EMS

(TCS) urges the residents of Upper St. Clair, Bethel Park, and South Park to keep current in lifesaving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). TCS holds training classes every month at its headquarters at 5490 Progress Boulevard in Bethel Park.

TCS can teach your group of six or more students at your location or at its headquarters. Discounted rates are available for groups of 20 or more, scouting groups, students, and senior citizens.

TCS is a Community Training Center (CTC) of the American Heart Association.

For the past decade, TCS ranks annually in the top ten providers of CPR instruction in Pennsylvania and has held the top spot for the past four years. Every TCS fulltime employee is certified by the American Heart Association as a CPR instructor.

New for 2008, TCS offers the American Heart Association’s “CPR Anytime” kits. CPR Anytime is a program of selfdirected learning designed to help increase survival rates from cardiac arrest. People who receive CPR Anytime kits are able to share lifesaving skills by using the kit to train their entire family. The kit includes a training DVD, an inflatable CPR practice manikin, and a resource booklet. The DVD takes 22 minutes to complete, and users can take as much or as little practice time as they need to hone their CPR skills.

Because the program is self-directed, refresher information is always available.

The American Heart Association’s CPR Anytime personal learning programs include “Family & Friends CPR Anytime” and “Infant CPR Anytime” for families and community members, and “Heartsaver AED Anytime,” a credentialed program that can be used in worksites to teach CPR skills and use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

TCS offers all of the American Heart Association’s training courses, including: • CPR for Family and Friends. This non-credentialed course covers the recognition and emergency treatment techniques for heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, and choking or airway obstruction in adult patients. It also includes recognition and emergency treatment techniques for cardiac and respiratory emergencies in infants and

children, and information on injury prevention and cardiac arrest prevention. The adult and infant/child modules can be taught individually or as one full course. Each student receives the Family and Friends booklet and a course attendance card. There is no age requirement, prerequisite, or test. Each module takes two hours to complete. The full course is four hours long and is also available as a CPR Anytime kit.

• Heartsaver CPR. This credentialed course covers the recognition and emergency treatment techniques for heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, and choking or airway obstruction. It also includes recognition and emergency treatment techniques for cardiac and respiratory emergencies in infants and children, and information on injury prevention and cardiac arrest prevention.

It includes the use of barrier devices for ventilation of non-breathing patients, and demonstrates, but does not provide, training in the use of the AED. A skills performance is required to earn a card. Students receive a pocket mask with their materials. The course is four hours long.

• Heartsaver AED. This credentialed course is particularly for those who have access to an AED at home, school, church, organization, or workplace. It covers the material presented in the Heartsaver CPR course, plus the use of the AED. A skills performance is required to earn a card. Each student will receive a textbook and pocket mask to keep. The course is four hours long and is also available as a CPR Anytime kit.

• Heartsaver First Aid. This credentialed course covers information and training in the general principles of first aid, recognition, and emergency treatment techniques for medical emergencies and injury emergencies. Optional coverage includes environmental emergencies and the material from the Heartsaver CPR and Heartsaver AED courses. A textbook and pocket mask are included. A skills performance is required to earn a certification card. The first aid module is three hours long. With the additional CPR and AED modules, the course increases to seven hours long.

Tri-Community South EMS 38

Phone: 412-831-3710

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

• Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. This credentialed course is for professional rescuers and healthcare workers who are required to obtain and maintain CPR credentials as a part of their licensure, certification, or employment requirements. It includes the material from the Heartsaver CPR and Heartsaver AED courses, plus tworescuer resuscitation, bag-valve-mask ventilation, advanced obstructed airway techniques, and special resuscitation situations. Skills performance and a written exam are required, as is the textbook.

The course is six hours long.

In addition to the American Heart Association courses, TCS also offers first aid training from the American Safety and Health Institute and offers child safety seat installation assistance and inspection by personnel certified by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Canine CPR classes are offered at the Always Compassionate Veterinary Clinic located at 4701 Clairton Boulevard. Call TCS at 412-831-3710 if you are interested in taking any of these classes. n

Support Tri-Community South EMS Tri-Community South EMS (TCS) depends on the support of the communities it serves through the annual subscription drive to generate the revenue needed to operate the system. For 2008, the subscription drive to support TCS had subscriptions from 1708 households in Upper St. Clair, as well as 3788 from Bethel Park and 1068 from South Park.

Many users of the TCS system are under the belief the service is free, and that their tax dollars pay for use of the ambulance. No municipal monies or tax dollars in any of the three communities that own and operate TCS are used to fund the EMS system.

TCS continues to need the support of every resident, and is asking that when the insurance company is billed for your emergency and you receive payment, please remit payment and mail it to TCS for services rendered.

Tri-Community South EMS is asking for your help in its quest to continue providing quality emergency care. Please support your EMS service with a donation or subscription.

Residents can subscribe online and pay by credit card by visiting www.tcsems.org. You can also contact TCS at 412-831-3710. n

Website: www.tcsems.com

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale

USC Expands Recycling Service

Bargain books for all ages and tastes will again be featured at the Friends

of the Library Used Book Sale, May 7–13 at the large multi-purpose room near the main entrance of the library. With book prices ranging from a quarter to $3 each, this opportunity is too good to pass up!

Bring the family and stock up on good reading! All proceeds are used to assist the USC Township Library in serving the needs of the community. n Wednesday, May 7–5:30-8:30 p.m. (Members only preview night) Thursday, May 8–10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 10–10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Sunday, May 11–Closed (Mother’s Day) Monday, May 12–10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. ($3 Bag Day) Tuesday, May 13–10 a.m.-1 p.m. ($2 Bag Day)

community wide flea market SATURDAY, JULY 12, 2008 (Rain or Shine) Place: Time:

Setup beginning at 6:30 a.m.

USCHS Stadium Parking Lot 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sale)

Space is limited, so sign-up for your space early. Only Upper St. Clair residents may receive a space prior to May 9. After that date, other reservations will be accepted. Sellers are responsible for providing their own table.

Please complete the following form and mail to: Upper St. Clair Recreation, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 Name________________________________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone____________________________________________________________________________________ Number of spaces needed*______________________________________________________________________ *(A space is two parking spaces, 9’ x 18’ each, one for automobile and one for setup.)

Fee per space is $10–resident, $15–nonresident. Check should be made payable to Upper St. Clair Recreation.

After over 16 years of collecting #1 and #2 plastics for recycling purposes, additional plastic materials #3, #4, and #5 will now be included in the Township’s recycling program. Recyclable plastic items can include, but are not limited to, drink bottles, oven-ready meal trays, water bottles (#1); milk bottles, detergent bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, grocery, trash and retail bags (#2); vegetable oil bottles (#3); dry cleaning bags, produce bags, bread and frozen good bags, squeezable bottles (#4); ketchup bottles, medicine bottles, aerosol caps, and drinking straws (#5).

Residents are urged to check plastic items for the recycling triangle with the number in the middle to see if the item is able to be recycled. Recyclables should be rinsed and free from foreign materials. If you have any questions regarding Upper St. Clair’s recycling program, contact the Public Works Department at 412-831-9000, extension 271. n

Block Party Time is Any Time!

Friday, May 9–10 a.m.-5 p.m.

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Summer 2008

1. Send a letter or download a Block Party Request Form (www.twpusc.org) requesting permission for a block party with a specific date to: Township Manager 1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241.

2. You will receive a letter granting authorization to have the party in your neighborhood. Activities must be held between noon and 10 p.m.

3. The Public Works Department will deliver barricades to your residence a day or two before the event and will pick up the barricades soon after the event. The street may not be barricaded for more than six hours. . Residents in the neighborhood are 4 responsible for providing adequate access for public safety vehicles during the event. Please be considerate to neighbors who may not be involved in the festivities.

5. The Police and Fire Departments give informational talks to kids. Call 412-833-1113 or 412-835-0660 to schedule a time. . If you have additional questions, 6 call 412-831-9000.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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P INEBRIDGE Pinebridge Commons McLaughlin Run Road at Lesnett Road Come by and see what’s new

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LARRY E. MANALO, D.M.D.

Pediatric Dentistry South Piccolina’s Restaurant Pinebridge Commons Associates Primary Physicians Research Questa Petroleum Co. Eric J. Reitz DMD & Gary J. Yanniello, DMD Richardson Family South Hills Financial Group State Farm Insurance Suburban Dry Cleaners Wininsky Law Offices

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What is the Value of My Home?

Cindy Brophy, State Farm® agent

Some of you may be asking yourself “Does my insurance coverage fit my needs?” “Do I have enough coverage to replace my home in the event of a serious loss?” “What affects my premium?”

These questions create a need for you to regularly review your homeowner’s insurance coverage and policy and to consider other questions such as: Have you recently remodeled or improved your home? Has the rate of inflation risen since your last appraisal? What influences the building construction costs in your area?

As you consider these issues, it is important to understand that real estate values measure the market value or selling price for a home. For insurance purposes, it is important to estimate the current replacement cost, which is the amount needed to hire a contractor to repair damages or to rebuild a home to its pre-loss condition. Dwelling replacement costs used by insurance companies do not include the value of the land. Market conditions in your area may impact the amount it will cost to rebuild your home if you experience a loss.

Building contractors or professional replacement cost appraisers are a good source for obtaining an estimated replacement cost for your home.

Estimates should reflect your home’s specific features and details.

COMMONS FAMILY AND COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Let us make you smile!

Northern Italian Restaurant “ Come visit with the little one”

Private Party and Banquet Room Al Fresco Dining Expanded Dining Room T imothy J. K err , D.M.D. R omana P autler K err , D.M.D.

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Chairside Whitening System

Travel Trends in 2008 Carlson Wagonlit Travel Associates unveiled the 2008 results of its annual “Travel Trends Survey” in which several surprises emerged. On the international front, Mediterranean cruising leaped past favorites such as London, Montego Bay, and several Mexican locations. While Las Vegas still comes up aces as the top domestic destination for the sixth consecutive year, Washington D.C. made the most impressive jump along with Kauai, Hawaii. The survey includes responses from over 500 Carlson Wagonlit Travel associate owners, managers, and frontline travel experts throughout the U.S. Based on bookings to date, Las Vegas holds the number one spot, while Orlando in not far behind. Kauai has moved back into the top ten this year. Hawaii has been a strong seller for honeymooners and now more frequently to those looking for soft adventure vacations. It offers a good value. Alaska is another bright spot in the travel landscape, particularly for cruising. Internationally, Caribbean cruising and Cancun, Mexico hold the number one and number two spots. In fact, Caribbean cruising has been named as the top international destination for five straight years. Some other top European destinations include Venice, Florence and Tuscany, London, Paris, and Frankfurt. A continuing trend is the rise in trips to China and its various cities. Beijing is the top 20 for the first time ever. Also ranking high are Hong Kong and Shanghai.

The honeymoon market is virtually recession-proof. The latest trend is properties that offer romantic seclusion. Many new resorts offer private accommodations in serene settings. You can have that private island feel at Palm Island, a five star resort in the Grenadines islands of the Caribbean, reachable from Barbados by catching a 45-minute flight. Another great option is Peter Island, a part of the British Virgin Islands.

If you are looking for a destination specialist, we have them. Our Vacation specialists include everywhere from the Caribbean, Europe to Australia. Our European specialists are Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, Hungary, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries. We also have a Master Cruise Counselor for all cruise markets and a Group and Incentive specialist.

We also have over 125 years of experience in our office.

Register On Line for Promotions www.kiernantravel.com 1580 McLaughlin Run Road • Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 412-221-6772 800-962-9450 Fax: 412-221-7223 E-mail: cwtusc@aol.com

Éh 6bZg^XV Vacation Packages / Business Travel c d ^ i V KVX Cruises / Airline Tickets :meZgih Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Summer 2008

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Plant Health Care Practices Richard Till, ISA Certified Arborist, Assistant District Manager, The Davey Tree Expert Company

Trees enrich our lives and the beauty of our landscapes.

Trees are valuable, adding as much as 20% to a property’s value.

Healthy trees are less expensive to maintain and can reduce utility bills by keeping homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

A healthy plant’s natural defenses can fight off an insect or disease attack, which is particularly helpful in an urban environment. Urban areas often lack optimum soil nutrients, moisture, and conditions conducive to growing healthy plants and trees. A professionally-planned tree and plant care program can greatly help in preventing problems by keeping trees and plants healthy.

In addition, proper pruning, mulching, and watering are three important areas to address.

Proper pruning not only improves the health and appearance of trees, it prolongs their useful life by removing undesirable branches that are dead, weakened, diseased, interfering, or insect infested. Proper pruning should not be confused with the disfiguring practice of “topping” a tree. Topping is the indiscriminate removal of a tree’s main leader and branches, resulting in stubs.

The cut surfaces of the stubs do not callus over or close readily.

As a result, accelerated internal decay develops and the flush of multiple epicormic branches (water sprouts) form weak terminals.

Topping leaves a tree susceptible to diseases and insects, damage

from strong winds, winter injury, and sun scald. Moreover, it’s aesthetically displeasing.

Thinning a tree is the correct method for removal of branches to their point of attachment to the trunk or to another branch sufficient in size. This method maintains a tree’s natural crown and eliminates unhealthy and unsightly stubs. The result is an open, airy, natural appearance. Thinning requires more skill and time to perform than does topping. Trees that are properly pruned and thinned will live longer and normally do not need to be pruned as often as trees that have been topped.

Maintenance pruning of most shade trees can be done at anytime. Severe pruning, however, should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Although the loss of sap is seldom injurious, pruning trees like birch and maple, which seep profusely from the cut surface in the spring, is sometimes delayed until fall. Pruning of trees susceptible to certain vascular diseases and boring insects (i.e. beetles), like the American elm, certain oaks, and ash trees, should be avoided during the insects’ active period.

Mulching promotes root growth and plant survival in many ways. It allows for the exchange of gases between the atmosphere and soil as well as provides for better water penetration into the soil. Mulch reduces evaporation of soil water and insulates the soil in temperature extremes. Additionally, mulch is useful in suppressing weeds that compete with desirable plants for moisture and nutrients. Never mound mulch on tree trunks or shrub stems, and do not apply mulch too thickly or deeply, keeping it at around two to four inches.

Dry soil conditions can significantly reduce the life span of trees and shrubs. Proper irrigation is important to balance water and oxygen supply to roots. Most woody plants do best with deep, infrequent watering. Most of a tree’s active roots are in the top 12" of the soil. Place a sprinkler beneath the tree canopy and let it run until there is two inches of water collected in a can placed on the ground. A plant’s fine absorbing roots (root hairs) should never be allowed to dry out.

The following are the established practices of woody plant health care: • Proper pruning to remove dead and dying branches.

• Watering whenever soil is dry.

• Mulching to conserve moisture.

• Fertilizing to enlarge root system.

• Pest management to manage insects and diseases.

There are some problems or projects that may require expert assistance from professionals. Companies that employ certified arborists are a good place to start your search. These companies generally have the knowledge, licensing, and experience to remedy landscaping problems and handle situations. n See ad on this page.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

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We Bought a Flat Screen… It’s Beautiful and Too Big! Nancy Sakino Spears, Allied ASID, MIA dba Interiors by Decorating Den There are some things that we can not change: getting older, paying taxes, and the enormous effect that technology has had on our lives.

Technology has certainly made the quality of our lives higher, but it has also impacted our living space. Whether you live in a house, town house, condominium, or apartment, the television has changed the way we live in the room(s) in which it resides. Research indicates that Americans have the television turned on approximately seven hours a day, seven days a week. As a result, the purchase and installation of a new flat screen TV will affect the space where it is placed. You can customize this flat screen to fit every décor in living rooms, family rooms, great rooms, game rooms, exercise rooms, kitchens, breakfast rooms, patios, verandas, bathrooms, and bedrooms. How do you do this? Read on.

diagonal size by two or three to determine the optimum distance from the viewer. For example a 40-inch television screen is best viewed seven to ten feet away.

Always place the television at a 90-degree angle from a main window to help reduce eye strain from glare during daylight viewing.

New flat screen televisions can be hung on a wall, placed into entertainment units, or built into bookcases to eliminate the need to take up floor space. They can have frames placed around them or they can display digital artwork on the screen when not in use. Flat screens can also be set on top of credenzas which house the necessary video and audio components.

Room planning to include a flat screen TV

Use recessed lighting with a dimmer to give maximum lighting benefits.

Provide task lighting for reading, soft lighting for watching television, and accent lighting for entertaining.

• What is your lifestyle for this room?

• What will be the television viewing habits in this room?

• Do you want the television to play a dominant role in this room?

Let’s use the family room, for an example, to illustrate. A family room by definition is a multi-functional room that brings interaction with the people in it. If it does not have interaction, then it is more considered a home theater. A family room design should be pleasant, comfortable for watching television, reading, snuggling in front of a burning fireplace, relaxing by an aquarium, enjoying conversation, listening to music, working on a computer, or playing games and puzzles. How can you accomplish this with the flat-screen TV in the same room?

1. Placement of the television

Use a television that fits the space that will give you the best visual and acoustical quality. The general viewing rule is to multiply the television’s 46

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

2. Lighting

3. Acoustics

Use sound adjusting techniques to absorb bass sounds from movies, but that allow bass tones in music to prominently come through. Two examples would be to install area rugs in place of wall to wall carpeting and place fabric on windows or use wall coverings to provide sound absorption as well as add aesthetic beauty.

Take the time to assess your space before you purchase a new flat screen TV You will save hours of room rearranging, all the while bringing harmony to your space. n See ad on this page.

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Lisa Hurley, CKD, Angelo Associates, Inc. There are so many choices to make when remodeling a kitchen. Do you choose granite or engineered stone? Framed or frameless cabinets? Stainless steel or black appliances? Where should the appliances be located to get the most efficient work triangle? Many customers declare that the most difficult part of remodeling is that there are too many choices! A good designer will listen to your needs, including your likes and dislikes, to help steer you to what best fits your tastes and your space. To obtain the optimal end product, your first decision might be the most crucial: Who will design my kitchen?

When looking for a designer, look for a Certified Kitchen Designer [CKD]. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association [NKBA], the process to obtain certification is: “Certified designers must undergo a rigorous process to qualify for certification. They must demonstrate a set number of years of experience in the industry or as a kitchen designer; pass an intensive, comprehensive examination to prove their competency; adhere to a strict code of professional conduct; and continually further their education by earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs). They must abide by the certification policies and procedures as set forth by the NKBA’s board of directors and also annually register with the NKBA.” Only individuals who have met these requirements can call themselves certified in kitchen design. They alone are entitled to use the term “Certified Kitchen Designer.” These individuals have proven themselves to be not only exemplary designers, but exemplary professionals, who demonstrate the utmost dedication to the kitchen industry.

Making the decision to remodel your kitchen is a big step. Choosing the right designer is the foundation for obtaining your dream kitchen. Every kitchen is as unique as the people who live in it. Make your kitchen express who you are and have it function to fit your lifestyle.

For more information about CKDs, contact NKBA’s customer service department at 687 Willow Grove Street, Hackettstown, New Jersey, 07840, call 1-800-843-6522, or fax 1-908-852-1695. n

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

USCVFD Hosts Blood Drive

BEAUTY IS ON THE HORIZON

The residents of Upper St. Clair and surrounding municipalities rolled up their sleeves—literally—to help two of their fellow community members.

When the wives of two of the members of the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department were diagnosed with cancer, the department hosted a replacement blood drive on Saturday, February 2 at its Washington Road station. Michelle DeLeo, wife of firefighter Don DeLeo, coordinated the drive, sending out over 4000 flyers. One hundred and thirty units of blood were collected that day. “We had a great turnout, and I thank everyone who stopped by to donate. It really was a worthwhile cause.”

“The blood bank couldn’t believe how many units we collected. They were expecting to collect about 60 units, which would have been on the high end,” said Michelle. Blood bank personnel thought that the USC firefighters were tremendous to open up their facility for the drive and that they showed such respect and kindness.

Retired USC District Magistrate Sally Edkins was diagnosed with cancer in July 2007 and received chemo and radiation treatments prior to surgery. Sally, the wife of firefighter Tom Edkins, needed both blood and platelet transfusions. Sally was able to make a brief appearance at the blood drive, which deeply touched the staff from Central Blood Bank. Michelle said several staff members told her they had never met a blood recipient before, and they were inspired by her presence.

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Sally and Tom Edkins

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Sarah Tomnay, an associate broker with Century 21 Real Estate, was busy with her family and career when she was diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2007. Sadly, both women lost their battle with cancer not long after the blood drive. Sarah passed away in February. Married to firefighter Ray Tomnay, Sarah had four children: Michael, Billy, Danny, and Barbie (deceased), and eleven grandchildren. Sally passed away in March. In addition to Tom, Sally is survived by four sons, John, Don, Jeff, and Tom, and ten grandchildren.

Ray Tomnay commented that the firefighters’ support of the blood drive and throughout his wife’s illness speaks volumes about the brotherhood of firefighters, and the sisterhood of firefighters’ wives. “It really touched us.” n

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Upper St. Clair School District Boyce and Fort Couch Named Schools to Watch

Board of School Directors

School District News

Dr. John Bornyas, Director of Middle Level Education

Angela B. Petersen President 412-831-7182 2011*

Amy Billerbeck Vice President 412-833-2712 2011*

Barbara L. Bolas 412-833-9841 2011*

Carol B. Coliane 412-851-0784 2009*

Daniel A. Iracki 412-833-6882 2009*

Harry F. Kunselman 412-851-1115 2009*

Louis A. Piconi 412-831-1880 2011*

Rebecca A. Stern 412-220-0745 2011*

William M. Sulkowski 412-221-9516 2009*

The 2008 regular meetings of the Upper St. Clair Township Board of School Directors are held at 7 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the High School LGI room, unless otherwise noted. No regular meeting is scheduled for July.

*Date indicates expiration of term.

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Boyce and Fort Couch Middle Schools have recently earned the Donald Eichhorn Schools to Watch award, the only two middle schools in Pennsylvania to earn that distinction.

Schools to Watch (STW) is a national program launched in 1999 by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. The National Forum sought to identify the characteristics that one would expect to find in a high-performing middle grades school. To achieve this, the forum developed specific criteria that would capture what a high-performing school “does right” and how this school can serve as a model or guide to other schools looking to improve their own practices. The criteria areas used by the forum to evaluate schools in the program include academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, and social equality. Underpinning these must also be a strong organizational support structure in the school.

Schools that are Schools to Watch understand that the highest level of achievement occurs when all students are challenged with a rigorous curriculum in an environment that supports the students’ growth and development. In 1999 and 2000, four schools were identified—one each in Kentucky and Texas, and two in Illinois. By 2006, an additional 120 schools had received the title and had been added to the program.

To infuse the STW criteria into schools and classrooms around the nation, resulting in overall middle-grade school reform, the forum recognized that the program needed to be operating at the state level. In 2002, proposals from three states—California, Georgia, and North Carolina—were accepted by the forum. These three became the first STW states in the nation. In 2006, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Utah joined the program.

Pennsylvania’s STW program is administered by the Pennsylvania Middle Schools Association (PMSA).

Today, there are 16 states participating in the program. Each year, the forum invites state middle-grades associations, state departments of education, post-secondary institutions, and other collaborating organizations to join the expanding STW program. The goal of expanding the program is to provide state and local leaders with professional learning opportunities, while at the same time honoring middle-grades schools.

The PMSA reorganized their Donald Eichhorn Middle School Award program around the STW program in 2006. Dr. Donald Eichhorn served as a teacher, administrator, and assistant superintendent in the Upper St. Clair School District. While in the District, he organized the first middle school in Pennsylvania, Fort Couch Middle School. Dr. Eichhorn was passionate about the middle level and designing a program to meet the developmental needs of its students. He wrote The Middle School (The Center for Applied Research in Education, Inc., 1966, reprinted in 1986), and helped direct the Boyce Medical Study in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh.

This study is the most comprehensive collection of data on the physical and developmental characteristics of the early adolescent.

Being identified as Schools to Watch, both Boyce and Fort Couch must continue to present evidence that they are meeting the challenges of middle grades education in ways that foster a community where academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, and social equity thrive. The schools must also open their doors to educators from neighboring districts and schools from across the country that wish to visit and learn from them.

Congratulations to Boyce Middle School, Fort Couch Middle School, the Upper St. Clair School District, and the community on this recognition and continued commitment to successful middle level education. n

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

SD Transitioning Elementary Students into Summer Reading Dr. Judy Bulazo, Director of Elementary Education

“Teach children to read with love and they will read that way forever.”

—Author unknown When Packing Up for the Summer, Don’t Leave the Books Behind!

When parents ask, “What can I do to maintain my child’s reading skills over summer break?” teachers and educators will most often advise that keeping students engaged in reading is the best way to maintain the gains that have been achieved throughout the school year. This broad and ambiguous advice is not meant to oversimplify the issue, nor is it made to confuse parents. The underlying meaning of the message is to recognize that engagement in reading during the summer will mean different things to different children and their families. Parents may choose to keep it as simple as setting aside daily reading time and joining the summer reading program at the Township Library or they may choose more active involvement in reading activities at home, a tutoring program, or by registering their children for summer school classes offered by the School District. Whatever the situation, keeping reading at the forefront is as important as using sunscreen, staying hydrated, and swimming with a buddy!

Scheduling Reading Time Each child, his or her reading needs, and the summer schedule in the home should all be taken into consideration when determining the level of intensity and type of reading activities that can be realistically accomplished and maintained. Routine and consistency are key factors that contribute to the success of summer reading, so it is important to choose options to which the child can realistically adhere. A general guideline would be to have your elementary child engaged in independent reading for at least 20 minutes a day. Once a child gets started, he will often continue beyond this time. Try to choose a certain time of day for reading so that your child knows the routine and your expectations, and to also avoid disrupting other activities and the arguments that can ensue.

The Easiest Solution to the Summer Reading Transition is Immersion (Read, Read, Read!).

Reading can be considered a reciprocal process in that extensive reading promotes

some of the necessary skills that lead to improved reading comprehension—the ultimate goal of reading. Extensive reading helps to increase the number of words that a student can recognize automatically which, in turn, impacts the fluency of the reader.

Fluent reading on the part of the child frees mental resources to be devoted to creating meaning from the text. Thus, increased exposure to text can contribute to increased comprehension of future texts. Vocabulary and background knowledge (knowledge of various topics and subjects) are also two key elements that contribute to a child’s ability to understand what he or she reads. Reading frequently, and reading a variety of texts, exposes students to new vocabulary and knowledge that can be put to use in reading and understanding other texts. The caution in these assumptions is not to oversimplify the complex nature of reading and comprehension. Although immersion in reading is a positive, it can not solely be relied upon for improvement in reading skills. A simple way to address this during the summer months is to spend some time reading with your child.

Getting the Most from Immersion in Reading During the school year, students in grades 1-4 are instructed through the use of texts at their instructional reading level. An instructional reading level indicates the level at which a student can read accurately, fluently, and with understanding when instructional support is provided. The Upper St. Clair School District uses Guided Reading Levels (A-Z) to designate a student’s instructional reading level. These levels can also be correlated to grade levels.

Based on information you have received about your child from his or her classroom teacher, as well as the reading level information included on the report card, choose books that are a close match to his or her reading level. Try to have your child select a balance of fiction and non-fiction texts.

Students exiting kindergarten and first grade can also benefit from reading “decodable” or “phonetic” texts. Decodable books are those in which the majority of the words can be decoded (sounded out) by the reader.

The words include phonetic sounds to which Summer 2008

the students have been exposed or those sounds on which they have been instructed.

A limited bank of sight words is usually included in these types of books. You can find books like these at the local library or in any bookstore. These books can also be found on your favorite bookstore’s website. Type the word “phonics” in the search box to see the options available. You will find single titles, but the majority of the items will be “boxed sets.” You can also find decodable books on publishers’ websites.

Summary Reading to children at all grade levels is critically important. Reading aloud together allows thinking and dialogue to occur during the act of reading, as meaning is being made in both the reader’s and the listener’s minds. It allows the child access to more advanced text that he may not be able to read on his own.

When you praise children as they read, you help them to feel good about themselves and about reading, thus encouraging positive reading behavior. Invite your child to read a book to you. And during the reading, offer praise.

The reason for discussing text with children and asking open-ended questions is to focus on the importance of students’ active efforts to build meaning from what they read and the need for students to grapple with ideas in a text.* The meanings in books can be tricky for students, but providing them with our explanations of the events does not allow them to increase their capacity to do this on their own. Introduce questions when reading with your child to begin dialogue about the story and to assist children, in a productive way, in making meaning from the text.

Remember that children who find reading to be enjoyable will want to read more. May all of your summer efforts keep your children engaged and loving reading! n

*Source: Questioning the Author, Beck & McKeown, 2006 See page 55 for article “Resources for Creating a Summer Reading Plan for Your Child.”

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

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SD Transitioning to Middle School Debbie Obrosky, Boyce Math Resource Teacher and Ginny Husak, Boyce Librarian The transition from fourth grade at one of the three Township’s elementary schools to fifth grade at Boyce Middle School occurs at an age when children are changing socially, physically, emotionally, and academically. It is important for the adults (parents and teachers) in their lives to be involved, interested, and patient!

At Boyce, the transition process begins with Move-Up Orientation Day for all fourth grade students, this year on Monday, June 9. The students and their fourth grade teachers will be bussed from each of their schools to Boyce where they will be welcomed

by Karen Brown, the principal of Boyce. They will then get a tour of the building, meet with several Boyce teachers, eat lunch in the nutrition center, and return back to their home schools for the afternoon. Each new Boyce student will receive a Boyce Middle School pendant and a brochure written by current fifth grade students explaining some of the special things that they experienced at Boyce.

The transitioning process will continue at 7 p.m. that evening, when all parents of fourth grade students are invited to attend a fourth grade parent orientation in the LGI at Boyce. Parents will be greeted by Karen, hear about age characteristics of the middle level learner, and watch a short presentation about Boyce, the middle school curriculum, and the middle school philosophy.

The evening will end with a question-and-answer session led by the principal and middle level curriculum leaders.

Summer is the perfect time for parents of middle school students to continue getting their child ready for the exciting move to middle school. Below are a few simple ideas to make the middle school transition experience a positive one.

• Talk and listen. Talking about the middle school experience with your child is the first step in easing the transition. Talk to your child about his or her concerns and questions about middle school. Ask what he or she is most excited or worried about. Assure him that his feelings are normal and that while change can be scary, it is also exciting, and that you will always be available and ready to listen and help when you can.

• Promote responsibility. Middle school students must learn to organize their time and assume responsibility for completing

projects, studying, and being prepared for classes. Begin to get your son or daughter ready for this by keeping a calendar or day planner in his or her room this summer. Have him mark dates of trips, chores, and special events and hold him accountable for knowing the schedule and responsibilities that come with each event.

• Master the basic facts. Middle school mathematics teachers will tell you that the most important thing for your child to have mastered when they come to Boyce is the basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Rote recall of these facts will make every math concept easier for your child to learn.

• Read, read, then read some more! One of the biggest differences you’ll notice in the reading curriculum at middle school is the amount of content reading required of your child. Encourage your son or daughter to choose a few non-fiction books to read over the summer. Kids like to read in electronic formats.

Kid-friendly online news sites such as Time for Kids can keep children reading and keep them informed on appropriate current events at the same time.

• Finally, if your child has outgrown the traditional bedtime story, find a book that you can both read and then share a few minutes before bedtime discussing it. Whatever you do or however you do it, encourage your son or daughter to read! n

Boyce Middle School

Heading to the Fort Dr. John Bornyas, Director of Middle Level Education Another transition that students face in the Upper St. Clair School District is the transition from Boyce Middle School to Fort Couch Middle School. Although this transition is within the middle school level program, attention to detail and helping students prepare for the “move down Route 19” to the high school is also necessary if students are going to continue to experience success. The social, physical, emotional, and academic changes that students experienced while at Boyce continues. Therefore, it remains important for the adults (parents and teachers) in their lives to be involved, interested, and patient!

At Fort Couch, the transition process begins with Fort Couch counselors coming to Boyce to conduct individual sixth grade team visits. These visits occur after the students’ Deer Valley experience and before their Move-up Day to Fort Couch, which is scheduled this year for Friday, June 13. During this visit, the counselors talk about the changes and differences that the students will notice about Fort Couch compared to Boyce. One of the most obvious differences is the physical 54

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Fort Couch Middle School

layout of the two schools. The students will go from a one-story school building to a three-level school building.

The next step in the transition is a meeting at Fort Couch for parents and guardians of incoming seventh graders, this year scheduled for Wednesday, June 11 at 7 p.m. in the Fort Couch MPR (multi-purpose room). At that meeting, additional details about school building procedures, curricula, and school activities will be explained and discussed.

Fort Couch principal Joseph DeMar and the middle level curriculum leaders will end the evening with a question and answer session.

Finally, in the afternoon of the last day of the 2007-08 school year, the sixth graders will spend time at Fort Couch. Many of the same activities that they did a short two years earlier when they had their Boyce Move-up Day will be repeated. At the end of their Fort Couch Move-up experience, the new seventh graders will ride their school buses home from Fort Couch, filled with excitement and anticipation of the start of the 2008-09 school year. n

SD

A New Frontier— the High School Dr. William Rullo, Supervisor of High School Guidance Counseling Helping students to transition from one school building to the next is an important component for student success.

Helping students acclimate to their environment helps them to become more productive students. There are a variety of opportunities available at Upper St. Clair to help ease the process for transitioning students, from eighth to ninth grade, and their parents.

• Early in the second semester of each year, high school counselors go to Fort Couch Middle School and the local parochial schools to discuss the expectations of students at the high school level and course selection options.

• That same evening, the high school counselors and curriculum leaders host a meeting for all eighth grade parents to discuss curriculum, course selection, the online scheduling process, expectations, and course recommendations.

• In February, eighth grade students receive ninth grade course recommendation letters.

• Fort Couch counselors meet with the eighth grade students to further discuss their course selection form for ninth grade courses. Fort Couch counselors provide feedback to the students, following up with the high school counselors’ visit.

• The high school supervisor of counseling hosts a special transition meeting for parents of students identified as “in need of learning support.”

• In the spring, members of Natural Helpers visit eighth grade guidance classes to talk about the high school experience. Eighth grade students are given the opportunity to ask questions and gather information.

• Also in the spring, Service Agreement and/or IEP meetings are held for the learning support students matriculating to ninth grade, to discuss transitioning to the high school.

• The last day of the school year is Simulation Day in which all eighth grade students participate. In the morning of that day, the high school counselors meet with the eighth grade students and distribute their schedules. The students are then transported to the high school where they meet the high school administration, have lunch, and simulate their ninth grade schedule. They then meet with teachers to hear about the ninth grade curriculum.

• Also, during Simulation Day, high school administration and counselors meet with parents of the eighth graders to discuss transition issues. This meeting is helpful

Upper St. Clair High School

Maureen Cavanaugh The 2007 TOP PRODUCER USC office

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in easing transition concerns. A counselorguided tour of the high school is then provided to the parents.

At the end of the school year, Fort Couch counselors meet with high school counselors to discuss academic, social, and personal needs of the incoming freshmen.

Over the summer months, students and parents are welcome to walk through the high school to become familiar with the building, room locations, and lockers in order to help the students better know their way around the building on the first day of school. Students and parents may make an appointment with the student’s high school counselor to discuss further transitioning concerns.

Toward the end of summer, a New Student Orientation program is conducted by the high school counseling department for all new high school students who have moved to Upper St. Clair over the summer months, while the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) and high school administration provide a welcome and information session to the new parents of the District.

The high school counseling department offers a “Newcomers Group” to all new students who have moved into the District over the summer or throughout the school year.

This group meets several times throughout the year with planned activities.

In early fall of the ninth grade year, students participate in Freshman Activities Rush.

This allows them to learn about and sign-up for clubs and organizations in which they might have an interest.

In the fall of ninth grade year, each counselor meets with each ninth grade student along with his or her parent(s) to assess the student’s transition to the high school.

Finally, a mentoring program for ninth grade students is underway, where juniors and seniors visit freshmen homerooms at various times each month to help ease the transition for the freshmen and to address any questions or concern that they might have. n

Summer 2008

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SD

Keep Those Reading Skills Sharp Over the Summer

How impor tant is summer reading for students? According to many

articles on the subject, reading throughout the summer can help students stay at or excel beyond their current reading levels.

Reading over the summer months can help students retain their reading skills into the next school year. Here are some ways to keep your children reading throughout the summer months.

• Browse through the high school librarians’ summer reading lists, which can be found on the USC High School library website: http://www.uscsd.k12. pa.us/4665306813150/site/default.asp.

• Visit the USC Township Library. Children, pre-school through high school, can benefit from the Township’s summer reading programs offered at the library.

Call 412-835-5540 for more information.

• Barnes and Noble and Borders bookstores are available for “field trips” on a hot summer day.

Access PA’s POWER Library offers a wonderful reader’s advisor database, Novelist, which can assist in finding books for everyone in the family. You will need to have your public library card barcode number. To access Novelist from any Internet connection, go to the USC Township Library webpage at http://www.twpusc. org/library/index.html and click onto the “online database” link. Then, click onto the “Books and Reading” link and choose Novelist or Novelist K-8. Depending on your needs, you can do either quick or advanced searches.

USC High School Librarian Debbie Rentschler’s Picks: The Chosen, by Chaim Potok A baseball injury precipitates a friendship between two boys from Hasidic and Zionist families.

The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan Encompassing two generations and a rich blend of Chinese and American history, the story of four struggling, strong women also reveals their daughters’ memories and feelings.

Old School, by Tobias Wolff During his senior year at an elite New England prep school, a young man who had struggled to fit in with his 56

contemporaries finds his life unraveling due to the school’s obsession with literary figures and their work.

USC High School Librarian Janine Despines’ Picks: Sleeping Freshman Never Lie,

by David Lubar While navigating his first year of high school and awaiting the birth of his new baby brother, Scott loses old friends and gains some unlikely new ones as he hones his skills as a writer.

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice,

by Laurie R. King Mary Russell, an intelligent 15-year-old young woman, becomes the apprentice of Sherlock Holmes.

Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americans Transformed the World,

by Jack Weatherford Discover how profoundly the native peoples of North and South America influenced what we eat, how we trade, and our system of government.

Fort Couch Middle School Librarian Robbie Shoup’s Picks: The Lightening Thief, by Rick Riordan Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson learns he is a demigod, the son of a mortal woman and Poseidon, god of the sea. His mother sends him to a summer camp for demigods where he and his new friends set out on a quest to prevent a war between the gods.

The Ranger’s Apprentice, by John Flanagan When 15-year-old Will is rejected by battleschool, he becomes the reluctant apprentice to the mysterious Ranger Halt, and winds up protecting the kingdom from danger.

An Acquaintance with Darkness,

by Ann Rinaldi When her mother dies and her best friend’s family is implicated in the assassination of President Lincoln, 14-year-old Emily Pigbush must go to live with an uncle she suspects of being involved in stealing bodies for medical research.

For additional book selections for middle school students, visit Great Middle School Reads at http://www.ala.org/ala/ alsc/alscresources/booklist/MiddleSchoolReads.cfm.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Boyce Librarian Ginny Husak’s Picks: Eleven, by Lauren Myracle From friends to boys to fashion, this is a story about the many changes that occur in the “tween” years of 11 and 12.

Warriors Series, by Erin Hunter A series of fantasy novels that follow the adventures of various clans of wild cats that try to survive in the forest.

Things Not Seen, by Andrew Clements Fifteen-year-old Bobby Phillips wakes up one morning and finds himself invisible. His parents and blind friend Alicia try to figure out what caused his condition and how to reverse it.

Your Boyce student may be interested in Kidspace @ The Internet Public Library, a public library for Internet users. Find answers to research questions, ideas for science projects, facts about presidents, states and countries, and more. No matter your interest, you’re sure to find information on a topic of your choice. Visit www.ipl.org/div/kidspace/.

The District’s Elementary Librarians, Yvonne Gipson (Baker), Barbara Peresie (Eisenhower), and Nancy Trau (Streams)—Picks: Easy Readers: Nate the Great Henry and Mudge Mr. Putter and Tabby The Cobblestreet Cousins Author Cynthia Rylant books Cam Jansen Intermediate Readers: Geronimo Stilton Author Beverly Cleary books Katie Kazoo Starwars chapter books The Hardy Boys series The Nancy Drew series The Boys Start the War series The Penderwicks: a Summer Tale of…

The Invention of Hugo Cabret (this year’s Caldecott winner) The Dangerous Book for Boys The Dangerous Book for Girls

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Resources for Creating a Summer Reading Plan for Your Child Programs: USC Summer School Program Each year, the School District offers remediation programs for mathematics and reading. For course descriptions, registration, and cost information, see information on page 59 or obtain a brochure in the main office of each school building.

Upper St. Clair Township Library Summer Reading Program Students read, record book titles, and orally report on books they’ve read. Incentives and weekly raffles provide great motivation for students. The Township librarians visit the elementary school each year to explain the program to the students.

hundreds of classrooms, Seven Keys to Comprehension demystifies reading and gives practical advice about how to help any child understand and love reading. This book reveals why basic things like reading to a child and sharing your thoughts about what you read create the foundation needed to develop an avid reader. It’s so simple: Talk, read, and share your thoughts with a child, and you’ll have a reader for life.

Parent Resources:

Matching Books to Readers, by Fountis and Pinnell This book contains lists of leveled books. Take a look to assist you in choosing appropriately leveled books for your child’s summer reading. A few of these books have been placed at the Township library for your use.

Seven Keys to Comprehension: How to Help Your Kids Read It and Get It!, 2003 Susan Zimmermann and Chryse Hutchins, ISBN 0-7615-1549-6 Based on cutting-edge research and more than ten years of application in

A Child Becomes a Reader: Proven Ideas from Research for Parents This 2006 publication, geared toward parents of children in grades K-3, is produced by The National Institute for

Literacy, and can be ordered at no cost by calling 1-800-228-8813 or emailing edpubs@inet.ed.gov.

Children’s Classics: A Booklist for Parents, compiled by Mary M. Burns, 2006 This article breaks down the classics into appropriate age ranges and provides titles and descriptions of these stories. The article can be accessed through the Horn Book at www.hbook.com.

Website: Starfall.com This sight provides excellent practice with phonetic, word reading skills, and it’s free!

Cranes Bring Wishes of Hope and Health It’s not often that second graders have the chance to coordinate a project to help another person, but that is what Carrie Dunbar’s class at Streams Elementary did earlier this year.

The class was studying a unit on Japan when she told them the story of Sadako, a Japanese girl living in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped during World War II. Sadako was two years old when the bomb was dropped, and she developed leukemia when she was 11.

The Japanese have a legend that if you fold 1000 paper cranes your wish will come true. When Sadako started folding the cranes, she wished she would get well, but as she folded more and more cranes her wish changed. Her wish was that the United States and Japan would be friends.

Sadako was only able to make 644 cranes before losing her battle with leukemia, but her classmates made the remaining cranes in her honor. Today there is a monument of Sadako, holding a crane above her head in Hiroshima’s Peace Park. When people visit, they still bring paper cranes.

Not long after sharing the story about Sadako with her students, Dunbar told them about Ken Medvid, the head custodian at USC High School, who is fighting cancer. The class responded, “He needs 1000 cranes!”

Ken Medvid, with Carrie Dunbar’s second grade class at Streams

The class sent a letter to all the students at Streams telling them about Sadako and their idea to make 1000 cranes for Mr. Medvid.

Directions for folding the cranes were on the back of the letter, and within a week, Dunbar’s classroom was overflowing with paper cranes of all sizes and colors. Each student in the school folded two cranes, but many students made more, sometimes involving their family members. One student made over 100 cranes.

The students presented the cranes to Ken Medvid in February, along with their wishes that he get well. n Summer 2008

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SD Did

You Know?

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Excellent Teacher Did You Know?

USC High School choral teacher Did You Know?

Lorraine Milovac has been named as one of the Teacher Excellence Did You Know?

Center’s top 101 teachers. On ThursDid You day, April Know?

24, 101 honorees were recognized on stage at the Carnegie Did You Know?

Music Hall at the “Celebration of Did You Teaching.” Know?

The top seven teachers will be announced as “Teachers of Did You Know?

Excellence.”

Did You Know?

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Where in the World?

Did You The National Geography Bee was Know? held at Fort Couch Middle School this past January The top ten students to Did You Know? make it to the final round were Alexandra LeClaire, Ben

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Did Know? ce for ExcellenYou Quest consecond the For Did You Know? secutive year, the Upper You Know?

Clair Academic WorldSt.Did first placed team Quest Did You Know? among 42 teams from Did You Know? out the region, through go on to them g qualifyin Did You Know? to the National Academic Did You Know? tion uest competi WorldQ D.C. gton, Washin in Did You Know?

Academ ic WorldQ uest You Know? ition with questions dge-based compet an annual knowle isDid events, the global ional affairs, current g on internat focusin Did You Know? economy, geography, world history, and general knowledge Did Know? seniors Tyler Lehman, Team members are the world. You about

Did You Know?

Lorraine Milovac with Becca Nadler, the student who nominated her as a Teacher of Excellence.

Zhang, Rachel Szucs, Vijay Viswanathan, Vinay Viswanathan, Garrett Cimina, Tyler Reid, Ben Mertz, Kevin Muck, and Troy Schoeppner. Vinay Viswanathan came in first place, Vijay Viswanathan came in second, and Ben Zhang placed third.

Hooray for Hollywood!

Ben Benack was selected as one of 30 talented high school students from across North America by the GRAMMY Foundation to participate in the prestigious 2008 Gibson/Baldwin GRAMMY Jazz Ensemble, performing at various 50th annual Grammy Week events in Los Angeles this past February.

National Merit Finalists Congratulations to the 14 high school seniors who were named finalists in the 2008 National Merit Scholarship competition.

National Merit Scholarship finalists are (listed alphabetically) Scott Bussey, Jerome Grunnagle, Liyun Jin, Nicole Kish, James Kostas, Chrissy Lee, Angela Liu, Andrea Manolache, Silvia Manolache, Matt Moretti, Noah Simmons, Kevin Su, Shawn Summers, and Brian Toth.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Members of Academ

ic WorldQuest

Nathan Rubright, and Shawn Summers, and freshman Matthew Vernacchia. The team is coached by teacher Pat Palazzolo.

Palazzolo Presents at Space Sym posium Pat Palazzolo, Gifted Education Coordinator at Fort Couch Mid dle School and Upper St. Clair Hig h School, was the sole female am ong over 25 presenters at the 2007 AMSAT-North America Space Sym posium held in Pittsburgh October 26-28, 2007. Presenters and atte nde es came from all over the United States and Canada, as well as from Europe, South America, and Sou th Africa. Her paper, “Launching Dreams: the Long-term Impact of SAREX and ARISS on Studen t Achievement” was published in the symposium proceedings.

The paper featured accomplishm ents of Upper St. Clair students with whom Pat has worked, going back as far as 1989. The national amateur radio magazine, CQ-VHF, has now published Pat’s paper as one of the articles in the current issue. A photo of a space educati on event that Pat organized at Fort Couch in 1990 is featured on its front cover. In addition, NASA Goddard Magaz ine in which Pa Spaceflight Center has asked for t’s permission to article appear s include Pat’s paper on its website .

Building a Better Future Congratulations to the Engineering Team for taking fourth place out of 250 teams at the National Engineering Design Challenge in Washington, D.C. Team members were Matt Moretti, Andrew Lee, Brian Stevenson. Daina Allison, Matt Leahy, Brian Toth, Josh Gao, Mohit Kudarvalli, Alex Lippold, Trey Grunnagle, John Subosits, Scott Bussey, and Adam Chrissis.

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Gene Team Offers Hands-On Learning This year, Upper St. Clair High School teacher Dawn Mostowy used a

(self-fertilizers), these unc-76 worms were crossed with male worms from a special worm to help her honors biology students population, designated as him-8, in order better understand genetics concepts. to create cross-progeny. Three days after Instead of just using the genetics breeding the worms, the students made crosses that most remember from high observations to discover what trait was school biology class, Mostowy’s students dominant. used C. elegans, a free-living roundworm Alaina Zemanick, a student in to learn about dominant and recessive Mostowy’s class, said it appeared that the genes. Mostowy explained that the one unc trait was recessive. Her classmate millimeter long C. elegans is a model lab Jenna Lynch said using the worms is more organism widely used by genetic research- interesting than just doing genetic crosses ers because it is inexpensive, harmless, since you can see the worms moving. easy to store and feed, has a quick life Students in Monica Erwin’s academic cycle, and produces biology class cona large number of ducted the same offspring per matexperiments in ing. They are used their class in late to study four key April and early May. systems: digestive, Erwin participated nervous, reproducin a one-week intive, and muscular. tensive Gene Team R e s e a rc h e r s u s e course. these early stage orAlso participatganisms for testing ing in last summer’s before conducting Gene Team was tests on higher level Diatrah Stott, a organisms. sophomore at the The use of C. elhigh school. She egans at the high conducted long school level stems term experiments f ro m M o s t o w y ’s on three different Observing C. elegans during class participation last screens of bacteria, summer in the Gene Team, a seven-week yeast, and worms. Stott, who is considering program designed to bridge current a career as a medical doctor, said she really genetics research with the high school likes this field, and would recommend the classroom. Conducted by the University Gene Team program to anyone thinking of of Pittsburgh’s Department of Biological a career in medicine.

Sciences, the Gene Team is supported by This year, the Department of Biological a Science Education Partnership Award Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, will of(SEPA) from the National Institute of fer the Gene Team program from June 16 Research Resources, a component of the to August 1. Current high school biology National Institutes of Health. teachers are eligible to apply for the Gene Brian DiRienzo, Gene Team coordi- Team, as are students who have completed nator, worked with the Upper St. Clair at least one year of high school biology. students in February, conducting lessons For more information, visit the Gene Team and explaining concepts. DiRienzo also website at www.pitt.edu/~geneteam/. n brought university-grade dissecting microscopes—which have a larger work area Dawn Mostowy has been asked to become an advithan the microscopes in the classroom— sor to the Gene Team program as Pitt continues for the students to use while conducting to train more teachers and students through this their labs. The students observed C. elegans summer and next school year. that had a mutation, which caused them to move in an uncoordinated manner. This group was designated unc-76. Because most of these worms are hermaphrodites

Summer 2008

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PTA Council Honors Two

The USC PTA Council recently honored USC administrator Dr. John Bornyas with a Pennsylvania PTA Honorary State Life Membership.

Dr. Bornyas has had a long tenure with the District, with positions including high school social studies and English teacher, social studies curriculum leader, Director of Education/ Instructional Principal (7-12), Director of Middle Level Education/Instructional Principal (5-8), and his current position of Director of Programming, Operations, and Middle Level Education. Besides being a wonderful educator, Dr. Bornyas is also the go-to guy for PTA, the Alumni Association, Odyssey of the Mind, MESH, and many other student and community initiatives.

Also awarded the Pennsylvania PTA Honorary State Life Membership at Council’s February meeting was Upper St. Clair resident Suzanne Kennedy. A dedicated volunteer for the Upper St. Clair PTA for many years, Suzanne has held many PTA positions: Baker treasurer from 200103, PTA Council treasurer 2003-04, PTA Council vice president 2004-05, PTA Council president 2005-06, PTA Council advisor in 2006-07, and currently serves as PTA Council’s hospitality chair.

While Suzanne was PTA Council president, she also co-chaired two candidate forums with the League of Women Voters, one for the primary and one for the general election. This was a huge undertaking to take on not once, but twice, and provided an important service to our community at large. Suzanne is certainly another go-to person in our community who is always willing to step up and give generously of her time and talents. n

Dr. John Bornyas

Suzanne Kennedy

Student Leadership Program Erin Donlon By the time we are old enough to be in high school, most of us feel old enough to be making our own rules and having a lot more freedom than high school allows. We are constantly trying to convince our teachers and our parents that we are ready for more independence and responsibility than they are likely to give us. The rules and policies of the high school underscore their reluctance. We can’t leave our classrooms during school hours without a pass. No one steps outside the building between 7:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. without two signatures on an official sign out sheet.

So, when High School principal Dr. Mike Ghilani suggested that students should participate in the development of the policies and procedures for our school, it was a welcome change.

The Student Leadership Program, which formed last year, was started for the purpose of including student input in solutions to problems and decisions on policies and procedures at the high school. The president of Student Council and about four students from each grade level were chosen for their different interests and views. They meet monthly with Dr. Ghilani to discuss various topics including dances, football games, and other miscellaneous subjects which could cause conflict. Student leaders are able to bring up new suggestions as well, which Dr. Ghilani considers and later answers. They propose ways that rules can be followed, 60

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

USCHS seniors Catherine Batz and members of US C’s Student Lead Peter Rosati are two ership Program.

and at the same time, satisfy students’ expectations. This program helps teachers understand what it is that students expect from their high school experience, and helps students understand the purpose behind the rules, allowing them to be more accepting. This two-way dialogue is a novelty for most public high schools. And while it is unlikely that students will be given all the independence we crave, it is hopeful that this program will help give us a sense of ownership and respect for these rules that are necessary to provide for a safe environment for students and their teachers. n Erin Donlon, a USCHS junior, is the daughter of John and Patricia Donlon.

USC Summer School Program 2008

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Application forms available at school buildings beginning May 1.

Back-To-School Reading Camp (Grades K-1) Students who have completed kindergarten or first grade may enroll in a special workshop designed to help compensate for regression that may take place during the summer months of play and relaxation. Phonemic awareness and phonics skills will be emphasized and time will be devoted to story comprehension.

Location: Eisenhower Elementary School Dates: August 4–8 Hours: 8:30-10 a.m. (exiting kindergarten)

10:15-11:45 a.m. (exiting grade 1) Fee: $55

High School English and Math (Grades 9-12) Classes in English and mathematics will be held for students who need to repeat course work. Enrollment will be through the Guidance Office at USC High School. Students must discuss their specific needs with the Guidance Department in order to schedule class time.

Location: USCHS Dates: June 23–August 1 (no class July 4) Hours: 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Fee: $100 per semester (3 weeks)

$200 for the year (6 weeks)

Elementary Math Lab (Grades 1-4) This lab is for students who are experiencing difficulty with mathematics. Manipulatives, learning games, and individual practice will be a part of this lab.

Location: Eisenhower Elementary School Dates: June 30–July 18 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30-10 a.m. (exiting grades 3, 4)

10:15-11:45 a.m. (exiting grades 1, 2) Fee: $125

$10 discount if registered by May 25.

Wellness Education (Grades 10-12) (Changes have been made in this program. See application for details.)

Location: USCHS Large Gym Dates and times:

Grades 11, 12 (30-hour session)

June 23–July 2, 7:30-11:30 a.m.

(make-up day–July 3) Refer to application attachments for a calendar schedule.

Elementary Reading Lab (Grades 1-4) This lab is for students who are experiencing difficulty with reading. Each child will experience small group instruction designed to meet individual learning needs. Learning games and independent practice will be a part of this lab.

Location: Eisenhower Elementary School Dates: June 30–July 18 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30-10 a.m. (exiting grades 1, 2)

10:15-11:45 a.m. (exiting grades 3, 4) Fee: $125

$10 discount if registered by May 25.

If taking both Reading and Math Lab,

fee is $235 per child.

Links to Learning through Mathematics (Grades 5-8) This program is for middle school students who need to improve their skills in mathematics.

The instruction will focus on the state standards and concentrate on the needs of each student.

Location: USCHS Dates: June 30–July 18 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30-10 a.m. (exiting grades 7, 8)

10:15-11:45 a.m. (exiting grades 5, 6) Fee: $125 Links to Learning through Reading (Grades 5-8) This program is for middle school students who need to improve their skills in reading. The instruction will focus on the state standards and concentrate on the needs of each student.

Location: USCHS Dates: June 30–July 18 (no class July 4) Hours: 8:30-10 a.m. (exiting grades 5, 6)

10:15-11:45 a.m. (exiting grades 7, 8) Fee: $125

Grade 10 / Option A (30-hour session, one semester) July7–16, 7:30-11:30 a.m. (make-up day–July 17) Refer to application attachments for a calendar schedule.

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Grade 10 / Option B (60-hour session, two semesters) July 7–25, 7:30-11:30 a.m. (make-up day–July 28) Refer to application attachments for a calendar schedule.

Make-Up Session July 28–August 1 This time is available for those students who may have missed a wellness education class during the summer session.

See calendar for specific curriculum make-up days (drugs/alcohol, CPR, etc.)

Fee:

$150 for 30 hours; $275 for 60 hours

~ Registration Information ~ • Registration for classes will begin the first week of May. See applications for registration deadline dates. Class size is limited and enrollment is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Early registration discounts are available for certain elementary level classes.

• Classes are subject to cancellation based on enrollment.

• Applications for high school classes are available at the USCHS Guidance Office. Elementary and middle school class registration forms are available in the buildings’ main offices and at the School District’s Central Office.

• Student transportation to summer school is a parental responsibility.

• Families for whom tuition presents a hardship are encouraged to contact the counselor at their child’s school building.

• Students who do not attend the Upper St. Clair schools will be accepted depending on the availability of space.

• Make checks payable to Upper St. Clair School District.

Summer 2008

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The Art of Conversation in a Technological Age Kim Frennette

At a recent local luncheon, the guest of honor, whom we’ll call Mr. X, was thumbing through his Blackberry emails, responding to messages, simultaneously attempting light conversation and answering questions, all while seated at a table of ten. Experts call this continuous partial attention—scanning all inputs, prioritizing, and responding. His partial attention created discomfort for his, primarily older, tablemates, a fact about which Mr. X seemed quite unaware.

Examples of Text Message Lingo ?4U <3

<33

2MI 6Y AITR MYOB BHL8 GR8 VSF LOLH ROFL RME :-) 8-)

I have a question for you Sideways heart (love, friendship) Heart (more 3s is a bigger heart) Too much information Sexy Adult in the room Mind your own business Be home late great very sad face Laughing out loud hysterically Rolling on floor laughing Rolling my eyes Smiley face Smiley face with sunglasses

Source: www.webopedia.com Any parent of teens, tweens, or twentysomethings has undoubtedly seen greater feats of multiple simultaneous input and response. Texting, while instant messaging, while listening to one’s iPod, while doing one’s homework, while saying, “Yeah mom, I’ll do it,” has become de rigor for kids born into this age of soaring technology.

The truth is, technology has changed the norm of communication and behavior and for those of us on the older side (that is, anyone old enough to remember using a typewriter for term papers), it invites the question: Have we lost the art of face-toface communication?

Apprehension of changing technology isn’t new. Remember the Atari? (For those on the younger side, think of it as a late 70s, early 80s precursor to the Game 62

Cube.) It was going to stunt our growth and create a nation of anti-social misfits.

You judge the outcome, but recent research shows the best new surgeons are people who played video games as adolescents.

None the less, the current extent of electronic communication options and their high usage by anyone south of 30 years old, does raise legitimate concerns about how people relate peer-to-peer and between generations.

This past year, Together in Parenting (TIP), a PTA committee in Upper St. Clair, brought in an expert to address the topic.

To a full house gathered in the Fort Couch LGI room, Jeff Crummie gave parents a take away message that was both reassuring and challenging: technology can be a good thing—get up to speed!

“It’s not a bad thing; it’s a great thing,” Crummie enthused to an initially skeptical audience, more used to hearing negative comments about teens and technology.

“Our kids didn’t create this, they were born into it. They just took it and learned how to use it.”

Crummie put the responsibility for bridging the generational communication divide squarely in the hands of parents. It is crucial, he says, that parents understand their kids’ technological world and learn how to navigate it appropriately. “You have two choices; kind of be left out of the loop or learn.”

It is more than mastering your cell phone menu, which, face it, most people over 40 will never be able to do as well as 12-year-olds. Texting and instant messaging entail learning a new language.

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Some terms, such as BFF (best friend forever) or LOL (laughing out loud) have already entered everyday language. Others, like POS (parents over shoulder) or PAW (parents are watching) are more obscure, but wise parents should learn them. Luckily, even though texting is an evolving art, the Web is a huge resource for decoding your child’s hieroglyphics.

Kids have an intuitive sense of what mode—face-to-face, text message, IM, or cell phone (email is so yesterday)—is best for a situation. Crummie related an anecdote that occurred while his daughter was away at a swim meet. He knew the outcome from another source but, significantly, his daughter did not phone or text the results but only sent “We’ll talk.” She had won the race and wanted to tell her dad in person.

In general, the cell phone is an effective tool for keeping in touch. In a 2007 Disney Mobile poll, 96% of the teens responding said they communicate daily with a parent using a cell phone. Twenty percent do so at least five times a day.

Cell phone texting or SMS (short messaging service) is best for “short, quick, and to the point” communication. It is a great way to check in with your children, and to let them know you are there. “It’s like the note in the lunch box.”

Instant messaging (IM-ing), which occurs in real time online, is more nuanced and conversational. While parents need to understand the lingo and be aware of what, and with whom, their children are communicating in this mode, Crummie cautions parents against using IM-ing to

communicate directly with their kids. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t invade that space with your kids,â&#x20AC;? recommends Crummie. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You are not the hip cool texting parent whether you want to be or not. You are not the buddy.â&#x20AC;?

Crummie doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think parents should worry that screen time will make their children anti-social. He points to his daughter who, with one touch, sent out hundreds of New Years Eve messages. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that socializing? They stay in touch, they stay connected; they just do it in another fashion.â&#x20AC;?

As for the kids who might be using faceless interaction as a way of hiding, he proposes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not really an issue of the technology. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hiding behind texting, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be hiding behind something else; at least this gives them a way to be part of the party.â&#x20AC;?

Crummie also doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t buy the idea that kids have lost the ability to communicate more traditionally. He contends there are plenty of opportunities for face-to-face parent/child communication; parents just need to recognize them as such. A trip in the car, a shared TV show, an off-hand comment, even needing your teenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s help with your technology; all can be openings for interaction.

Crummie had a few recommendations to make the most of those moments (see sidebar), recommending parents avoid grillingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;â&#x20AC;&#x153;donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it the Spanish Inquisitionâ&#x20AC;?â&#x20AC;&#x201D;and nagging. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you keep harping you become like the adult in Charlie Brown and the kids just hear â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;bla, bla, bla, blaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;?

Most importantly, however, parents need to be available when their kids are ready to talk. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Even if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s late and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready for bed, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an opportunity,â&#x20AC;? says Crummie. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you keep putting them off,

or getting distracted, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to want to talk to you.â&#x20AC;?

In essence, technology has not changed what is at the heart of good communication. It is so basic we just often forget. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Listen to them as you expect them to listen to you.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technology will come and go; face to face is here to stay,â&#x20AC;? says Crummie. Parents donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to panic about new technology. Rather, they can be knowledgeable, flexible, and ready to seize opportunities for communication with their children whatever the mode. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When you get the chance, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t blow it.â&#x20AC;? n

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Let my experience work for you.

Â&#x161; Jef FheZkY[h Tips for Effective Face-toFace Communication with Your Child â&#x20AC;˘ Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it an inquisition. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t limit yourself to the format parent questions/ child answers. â&#x20AC;˘ Do give them space. â&#x20AC;˘ Do talk about yourself and your own day. â&#x20AC;˘ Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to solve their problems. Sometimes just listening is enough. â&#x20AC;˘ Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attack their friends. They will take it personally, and it will probably have the opposite of the intended effect. â&#x20AC;˘ Know your role. You are the parent they can trust, not the party buddy. â&#x20AC;˘ Be available and ready to listen, anytime, anywhere. There is truth in the Harry Chapin song â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cat in the Cradle.â&#x20AC;?

Source: adapted from Jeff Crummie USC TIP presentation, January 17, 2008

USCHS Winter 2007-08 Sports Results Team Wins Losses Ties Achievement Basketball (boys) 21 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Basketball (girls) 22 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 2008 WPIAL AAAA Championsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wrestling 12 5 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Swimming/Diving 8 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Kyle Dudzinskiâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;(swimming) (boys) State AAA Champion (100 back),

WPIAL AAA Champion

(200 free, 100 back) Swimming/Diving 8 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Amanda Lohmanâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; (diving) (girls) State AAA Runner-Up,

WPIAL AAA Runner-Up Rifle 5 11 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Indoor Track â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Elizabeth Klineâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;State 60M hurdlesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;

7th, National Nike Indoor

Championship hurdlesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;24th Hockey 8 0 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

SD

Summer 2008

Â&#x161; C[cX[h e\ Jef ' e\ H[Wbjehi DWj_edm_Z[ Â&#x161; B_ij_d] WdZ IWb[i B[WZ[h Â&#x161; H[beYWj_ed If[Y_Wb_ij *'(#.))#),&& [nj$ ('/ *'(#*/'#,/.* Y[bb

Real Estate Services

Z^ehlWj^6^emWhZ^WddW$Yec

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I provide specialized exercise for individuals who are physically challenged with conditions such as:

Arthritis Fibromyalgia Multiple Sclerosis Rose Popovitch Joint Replacements Muscular Dystrophy Post Physical Therapy Training is provided one-on-one in my private studio, where the focus is on you and you alone.

I may be able to help you. www.rdp-studio.com 412.818.1599 UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

63

SD

Upper St. Clair High School Halls Of Fame Mission Statement: To identify and to honor those who have distinguished themselves in academics, the arts, or athletics at the high school, collegiate, or professional level and who, in so doing, have contributed to the pride and prestige of Upper St. Clair High School.

A former student must meet the following criteria to be considered for any of the three Halls of Fame. The individual must be

a graduate of Upper St. Clair High School and must be away from the high school for at least five years. The individual must have made a positive contribution during high school as well as significant achievements after leaving USCHS. Students are nominated by members of the high school staff, an Upper St. Clair alumnus, or the Upper St. Clair community.

Administrative staff, teachers, and coaches are also eligible. Each Hall of Fame committee will include representatives from the high school staff, alumni, and the community. Nominees must earn a 75% vote of a quorum of the committee.

During and after high school, the student could have excelled in one or more of the following: Arts • School and Local Awards • District and Regional Awards • • State and National Recognition • Contributions in the Field • • Post Graduate Recognition • Collegiate Recognition • • Professional Accomplishments • • School Service and/or Leadership in Field • • Benefactor of the Arts • Contributions to Society • • Excellent Citizenship •

Athletics Academics • Academic Honors • National Merit Recognition • • National Honor Society • Valedictorian • • Student of the Year • Scholarship Awards • • School Service and/or Leadership • • Post Graduate Recognition • Collegiate Recognition • • Publication of Work • Professional Accomplishments • • Contributions to Society • Excellent Citizenship •

2008 Halls of Fame Inductee Nomination Nominee’s Name: ________________________________ ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­My nominee should be honored in the Upper St. Clair High School Halls of Fame because: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ (include a separate sheet, if necessary)

All Nominations Due May 30, 2008.

64

• High School Awards and Records • • WPIAL or PIAA Champion • Post Season Recognition • • National Recognition • Multiple Sport Consideration • • Post Graduate Recognition • • Collegiate Accomplishments • • Professional Accomplishments • • Leadership Accomplishments • • Other Hall of Fame Honors • Media Recognition • • Excellent Citizenship •

Support Our 2008 High School Varsity Football Team Cheer on our Panthers in the Great Southern Conference!

Kick-offs Fridays—7:30 p.m. at Panther Stadium September 12 Youth Night

USC faces North Allegheny

October 3 Homecoming

USC battles Bethel Park

October 10 Halls of Fame

Please submit your name, address, and phone number along with your completed nomination to:

USC confronts Baldwin (7:45 start)

Linda Moses Assistant Principal’s Office Halls of Fame Committee Upper St. Clair High School 1825 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

October 24 Senior Recognition Night

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

(band, cheerleader, football) USC challenges Mt. Lebanon

USC School District Calendar (May–June 2008)

All events are subject to change. For the most up to date information, please check the calendar on the School District’s website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us.

May 2008

1

1-2 1-9

1-30

3

5

5-9 5-23

6

7

8

9

10 12

12-16 13

14

14-16 15

16

17

19

19-23 20

21

22

22-23 26

HS–Senior Cap/Gown Distribution BA–PTA Book Fair EI–Book Fair BA/EI/ST–Elementary Open Houses Or Other Educational Events EI–Staff Appreciation BA/EI/ST/FC/HS–PSSA Science Assessment-Grades 4, 8, 11 HS–Spring Art Exhibit HS–SAT (Alternate Location) FC–Chorus Rehearsal–4-6 p.m. (HS Theatre) EI–PTA Executive Board–9 a.m.

BO–Grade 5 NASA HS–AP Tests HS–River City Brass Band–8 p.m. (Theatre) ST–PTA Executive Board Meeting–9:30 a.m.

HS–Deans’ Breakfast HS–National Honor Society Induction–6 p.m. (Theatre) FC–Musical Rehearsal–1-4 p.m. (HS Theatre) CO–PTA Council Changeover Meeting/Luncheon CO–Youth Steering Committee–7:30 p.m.

FC–Musical–7:30 p.m. (HS Theatre) BA–Variety Show EI–PTA Meeting–9:30 a.m.

ST–Musical HS–Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra–7:30 p.m. (Theatre) FC–Band Rehearsal–1-4 p.m. (HS Theatre) BO–PTA Executive Board Meeting–9:30 a.m.

BA/EI/ST/FC–Terra Nova and TCS Grades 4, 7 FC–Band Concert–7:30 p.m. (HS Theatre) BA–PTA Meeting–9:30 a.m. (LGI) ST–PTA Meeting–9:30 a.m. (LGI) HS–Winter and Spring Sports Banquet–6:30 p.m.

BO–PTA Meeting–9:30 a.m. (LGI) ST–PTA Faculty Luncheon HS–Mini Band Camp BO–Grade 5 NASA BA/EI–Musicals ST–Grade 4 Graduation–6 p.m. (HS Pool/Gym/Nutrition Center) FC–Social–7-9 p.m. (Gym/MPR/Nutrition Center) FC–PTA Teachers’ Appreciation Luncheon–11:15 a.m.

(Library) BO–Deer Valley Ends BA/EI/ST–Elementary Strings Rehearsal–9:30-11 a.m.

(HS Theatre) BA–Field Events Day Community Day HS–Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Theatre) HS–Academic Honors Dinner–6:15 p.m. (Nutrition Center) BA/EI/ST–Elementary Strings Rehearsal–9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

(HS Theatre) BA–Outreach FC–PTA Meeting–9:30 a.m. (MPR) BA/EI/ST–Elementary Strings Rehearsal–9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

(HS Theatre) BA/EI/ST–Elementary Orchestra Concert–7:30 p.m.

(HS Theatre) FC–Partners In Education General Meeting–7-9 p.m.

(LGI) HS–PTSO Meeting–9:30 a.m.

HS–Band Concert–7:30 p.m. (HS Theatre) BA/EI/ST/BO–Grades 4, 6 District Math Assessment HS–Senior Banquet–5:30-10 p.m.

BA/EI/ST–Elementary Band Concert–7 p.m.

(HS Theatre) EI–Cultural Arts Day BO–Civic War Day No School–Memorial Day

Legend: BA – Baker Elementary BO – Boyce Middle CO – Central Office 27

27-30 28

29

30

EI – Eisenhower Elementary FC – Fort Couch Middle HS – High School ST – Streams Elementary

HS–Awards Night–7 p.m. (Theatre) BA/EI/ST/BO–Grade 4, 6 District Math Assessment (Make Up) ST–PTA Cultural Week HS–Student Council Speeches HS–Choral Rehearsal (Theatre) HS–Student Council Elections (Homeroom) HS–Choral Concert–7:30 pm (Theatre) EI–Grade 4 Farewell HS–Senior Picnic

SD

Waterdam Road Office Park Peters Township

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June 2008

2

3

4

5

6

9

10

11

12

13

16 27

HS–String-A-Thon Rehearsal (Theatre) HS–String-A-Thon–7:30 pm (Theatre) BA–Grade 4 Pool Party–5-7 p.m.

EI–Kindergarten Field Day HS–Deans’ Breakfast HS–Wind Ensemble Concert–7 p.m. (Theatre) BO–PTA Council–9:30 a.m.

HS–Last Senior Day HS–Jazz I Concert–7 p.m. (Theatre) FC–Grade 8 Farewell Party–7-9 p.m.

EI–Kindergarten Field Day (Rain Date) HS–Graduation Practice–7: 30-10:30 a.m.

ST–Field Day EI–Grades 1-4 Field Day (9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.)

HS–Graduation Practice Make-Up BA/EI/ST–Grade 4 Move-Up Day (at Boyce) BA/EI/ST–Grade 4 Parent Orientation–7 p.m. (at Boyce) HS–Cap/Gown Make-Up HS–Prom FC–Grade 7 Incoming Parents Meeting–7-9 p.m. (MPR) EI–Grades 1-4 Field Day (Rain Date) CO–Youth Steering Committee–7:30 p.m.

HS–Graduation ST–Field Day (Rain Date) EI–PTA Meeting–11:30 a.m.

FC–Move-Up Day (at High School) BO–Grade 6 Move-Up Day (at Fort Couch) BO–Field Day Last Day of School for Students Kennywood Day K-12 Report Cards Mailed

USC Kennywood Day Monday, June 16 Rides open at 11 a.m. e is Bus servic om available fr le School. d id M ch Fort Cou Ticket sales available from Kennywood personnel on Friday, May 16 at the following school buildings at the designated times:

Ticket Sale Price

$19

High School .... ... .... ... .... ... .... ... .... ... ..7 a.m.

Eisenhower ...... . ...... . ...... . ...... . ...... . ....8:15 a.m.

Fort Couch ...... . ...... . ...... . ...... . ...... . ....9 a.m.

Baker ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... .....9:45 a.m.

Boyce ...... . ...... . ...... . ...... . ...... . ...... . ....9:45 a.m.

Streams .... ... .... ... .... ... .... ... .... ... .... ... ..10:30 a.m.

St. Louise de Marillac ...... . ...... . ...... . ....12:15 p.m.

Watch for mailings or call PTA Kennywood representative Linda Jones at 412-831-2416 or School District Central Office at 412-833-1600, extension 2202.

Summer 2008

A Stately Entrance Welcomes You at “The Hamlet of Springdale.” A Private Enclave of Picturesque Lots and Commanding Residences. Each Home Showcases Innovative and Exciting Floor plans and the Finest Amenities. Master Builders Will Help You Create The Ultimate Home for Your Tastes. Reward Yourself at The Hamlet of Springdale. When Only The Best Will Do! Call for Your Tour Today.

The Karen Marshall Group Keller Williams Realty

412-831-3800 ext.126 office 412-551-2124 cell karenmarshall@realtor.com www.thekarenmarshallgroup.com

Divorcing?

Protect your future financial stability

Do you know: • What your assets are worth?

• What income you will need?

• If you can afford the house?

• How the 401K can be divided?

• If you’ll have health insurance?

• How to handle income taxes?

Watermark Financial 615 Washington Road Suite 203 Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228 lisa@watermarkfinancial.net

412-531-3533 Let’s talk before you sign any agreement Lisa Turbeville,CFP,® CDFA Certified Divorce Financial Analyst

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

65

www.thelittlegym.com

Two Locations

Eisenhower Elementary in USC South Fayette Elementary

Serving Grades K-7 in Upper St. Clair, Peters Township, Bethel Park, South Fayette and surrounding districts

June 16-August 22 7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Flexible Scheduling Swim Trips Field Trips Enrichment Classes

Summer Class and Camp Enrollment begins Apr. 7th!- Register today!

Pittsburgh-South Hills, PA 3909 Washington Road Donaldson’s Crossroads Suite 205 McMurray, PA 15317 724-941-0100 www.tlgpittsburgh-southillspa.com

• The premier children’s motor skill development program in the world.

• Proven curriculum that builds coordination, balance, rhythm and flexibility.

• Parent/child classes for infants and toddlers ages 4 months to 3 years.

• Classes in Gymnastics, Karate, Sports Skills, Dance, Cheerleading and more for 3 to 12 years of age.

• Fun, nurturing environment for children and parents.

Including Sports, Cooking, Art, Crafts, Science, & Much More!

Extended Day Services

Register Online at

www.ExtendedDay.com or call (412) 221-1980

“Un”Plug and Play—a Summer without Batteries Jennifer Roberts, Administrative Director, Extended Day Services Do your children spend much of their time playing video games, surfing the ’Net, or listening to their iPods? There are so many exciting electronics vying for our kids’ attention that they spend fewer and fewer hours simply enjoying summer. Not only do today’s kids spend less time outside during the summer months, but also less time with family and friends than in the days before we were so “plugged-in.”

This summer, instead of going away on the standard oneweek vacation, try taking three or four long three-day weekend jaunts with your family. It will allow you more time to spend together, enjoying all that summer has to offer—warm weather, relaxation, exercise, and each other. Since the trips will be shorter and most likely closer to home, you might even allow your child to bring a friend along on one of the weekends to make it extra special for him or her. The important thing is to enjoy each other away from the electronic distractions of our daily lives, kids and parents included. Some great local weekend options include Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Oglebay Park, Idlewild Amusement Park, Wheeling Park, Moraine State Park, Ohiopyle State Park, Laurel Caverns, and Old Bedford Village, all within an hour and a half drive time.

66 66 UPPER UPPER ST. CLAIR ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer TODAY Summer 2008 2008

Now that you have planned some great get-away family weekends, how will your kids be spending their summer weekdays? Why not try an exciting summer day camp complete with sports, group games, science, cooking, and crafts—all the things you remember as a kid. Events like a summer carnival, a candy scavenger hunt, and an egg-drop contest are activities your kids won’t soon forget. Add to that weekly swimming and field trips and you have an “unplugged” summer spent with friends.

Your child can experience all of this and more at Extended Day Services (EDS) Summer Day Camp at Eisenhower Elementary School.

This fall, when your child’s new classroom teacher assigns the “What I did this summer” essay, make sure your child has a ton of great memories from which to choose—none of which involves batteries! n For additional information about Extended Day Services Summer Camp, contact Kelly Chaney at 412-221-1980 or visit the EDS website at www.ExtendedDay.com. See ad on this page.

What is the WROC?

Lisa Boyd, WROC Director

WROC is an acronym for Westminster Recreational Outreach Center. In the late 80s and early 90s Westminster Presbyterian Church was in the middle of a building campaign and asked the question, “How do we, as a church, help to serve the community?” The answer was a recreational outreach center with a spiritual mission statement. For the past 14 years, the WROC has been steadily serving and connecting the residents of Upper St. Clair and surrounding areas.

Like a gym, the WROC offers fitness classes: MWF Aerobics, Resist-a-ball, PraiseMoves yoga, WROC Walk, Stretchercize, Zumba, evening volleyball and basketball pick-up games, Kindermusik, Kids WROC (a mommy-and-me class), fitness classes for autistic children, and more! But unlike a gym, the WROC also looks to meet the needs for spiritual fitness and wellness by offering courses, including: • Financial Peace University, a program by Dave Ramsey that focuses on debt management and financial freedom.

• Lose It for Life, a program that focuses on why people eat too much and eat the wrong things.

• Griefshare, a support group for those who have lost a loved one.

• Just Moved, a support group for those who have relocated to the Pittsburgh area.

• New this summer, the WROC will offer a five-week course on managing clutter and organizing your home.

The WROC looks to restore and create connection in relationships, making a place to be known and to know others. It offers creative expression courses, including Watercolor classes, Teens Drawing and Design Studio, Quilter’s Connection, and Prayer Shawl Ministry. It also offers special interest classes, 55+ exercise classes, line dancing, and excursions.

On Wednesday evenings, the WROC becomes a safe, fun, and exciting teen hangout as a youth group meets and plays together.

On Sunday evenings, the WROC becomes the “Bridge,” a place for casual contemporary family oriented worship. The WROC also works with Westminster Connectors, a group of caring networkers who provide employment-related advice, guidance, assistance, or referrals to individuals looking for employment opportunities.

Westminster Connectors offers several classes through the year, in addition to its one-on-one counseling.

No, the WROC is not a lifeless object like the rock that its name is often associated with. It’s an offering from Westminster Presbyterian Church as a gift to the community. If anyone asks you, “What is the WROC?” let them know! Or show them how to find information at www.westminster-church.org/wroc.htm, or call 412-835-6630 x224 and ask for a brochure. n

Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center Something for Everyone!

• Ice Hockey Classes & Learn to Skate Programs • Private Ice Rental & Private Broomball Available Spring and Summer Rates Main Rink $125 & Studio $70 • Birthday Parties - Public & Private Ice Skating Party Packages & Summer Swim Party Packages • Private Pool Party Rentals Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 8:15—10:15 p.m.

USC residents may purchase 2008 season passes to the Mt. Lebanon outdoor swimming pool beginning May 1, 2008.

412-561-4363 www.mtlebanon.org

See ad on this page.

Summer Summer 2008 2008UPPER UPPER ST. CLAIR ST. CLAIR TODAY TODAY 67 67

Dear Parents,

Thinking back upon summer vacations past, how many times do you recall hearing the words “I’m bored” uttered by kids? If your answer includes eye-rolling, a definitive head nod, and a number that you need two hands on which to count, we have the solution for you!

Bring them to The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts for summer dance classes!

The Thomas Studio’s 40th annual dance recital, held on May 31st and June 1st at Bethel Park High School, wraps up a full year of technique and choreography in an exciting full-stage production. Students are given the opportunity to perform for friends and family while teachers can mark the progress made with each individual child. As the recital signifies an end to a year of hard work, it also signifies the beginning of a summer full of fun at the studio.

During the summer months, classes at The Thomas Studio are offered in abbreviated sessions to accommodate family vacations and other summer activities. Summer is a fantastic time to introduce new students to dance as the stresses of school and homework are eliminated. Dancers can concentrate on exploring their creativity and gaining a greater appreciation for the arts.

Dancers, ages two through six, will enjoy themed dance camps designed around popular children’s movies. Your dancer will be introduced to ballet, tap, and gymnastics during the camp, as well as participate in arts and crafts projects, watch selected movie clips, and have snack time! Additionally, dancers will begin to learn some of the most well-known traditional ballet stories such as “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker.”

Elementary-age students will enjoy the flexibility of week-long camps that allow them to choose from a list of hip hop, jazz, gymnastics, ballet, and tap classes.

Our summer schedule is a great time to try a new style of dance or to continue work on a personal favorite. Summer elementary camps also include movies, snacks, and art activities.

At The Thomas Studio, we understand that busy teenagers may not want to commit to a summer-long class. For that reason, we offer a class-card system that provides for complete flexibility. Dancers purchase a class card for the number of classes they would like to attend and come to those classes whenever their schedules allow! Classes offered for teens include hip hop, jazz, lyrical, modern, ballet, tap, pointe, and gymnastics. Summer is the perfect time for any dancer, whether beginner, recreational, or advanced, to prepare for the upcoming year and receive the individual attention they need. It is also an ideal time for teens to brush up on their dance and gymnastics skills for upcoming cheerleading or dance team auditions.

For more information about classes, camps, or the studio in general, call 412-257-2000, visit our website at www.thomasdance.com, or e-mail at dance@thomasdance.com.

68

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts 1900 Painters Run Rd Pittsburgh, PA 15241 412.257.2000

-Growing Dancers Since 1967All Levels /Ages 2-18 Summer Classes and Dance Camps Award-winning Dance Company Offering the following techniques: Ballet Pointe Gymnastics Hip Hop Lyrical Jazz Tap Modern

www.thomasdance.com / dance@thomasdance.com

Asset Building Jeff Krantz, Youth Steering Committee Chair Like most people, when you think about assets, you focus on tangible items that have perceived value. For many, a home is a significant asset. In business, assets may be proprietary software, marketable products, or human resource talent.

Communities also have assets. If one were to identify the assets of the Upper St. Clair community, the list might include the schools, the sports facilities, and the municipal services.

What about the quality of life in Upper St. Clair? Surely some would argue that this asset is very real and has value, but hardly qualifies as a tangible item. However, it is these soft assets (i.e. quality of life, caring neighbors, mutual respect, educational excellence, security, and the like) that make life more manageable, and perhaps more enjoyable.

Now consider the young people of our community. We hope, we plan, and we expect that our young people develop into wonderful, successful, caring adults. Just imagine if we could gird them with assets to ensure this success!

A community-based effort which has taken root in many regions across the nation, addresses the development of “healthier communities.”

With a focus on aggregation for their “developmental assets,” communities have become energized as each evaluates the strengths of its assets.

Researchers at the Search Institute have studied young people across many communities throughout the United States for many years.

From this longitudinal research, Search Institute identified 40 developmental assets. This term “developmental assets” refers to “concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities deemed essential to raising successful young people. These assets have the power during critical adolescent years to influence the choices young people make and help them to become caring responsible adults.” Consistently, studies have demonstrated that the more developmental assets each child acquires, the less risky his behavior and the more his successful skills are developed.

The Youth Steering Committee of Upper St. Clair (YSC) invites readers to explore the work of the Search Institute as well as the concept of these 40 developmental assets by visiting www.search-institute.org/assets/. YSC members hope to unite with others in Upper St. Clair to develop momentum and to bring about positive change in the greater community through training and awareness of the developmental assets. Integral to that knowledge, there must be action and ownership. If you are willing and enthusiastic, you qualify! The efforts of YSC are directed toward a healthier community for all.

Please join YSC to help our youth and energize our community. n For more information about the Youth Steering Committee, email yscusc@gmail.com.

Summer Dining

• “Amel’s . . . Pittsburgh’s Mediterranean Hot Spot”, AOL 2007 City Guide • First Place, AOL City Guide 2007 Member’s Vote • First Place, Post-Gazette 2007 Reader’s Poll • First Place, Tribune-Review Reader’s Survey • First Place, South Hills Record Reader’s Vote • 2007 Winner, City Paper’s Reader’s Poll • “Heart Healthy”, UPMC’s Dining-with-Heart

412-563-3466

With this coupon, complimentary Red Pepper Hummus or Stuffed Grape Leaves appetizer with purchase of any dinner.

Kitchen ’til midnight Fri & Sat, 10 pm Sun, 11 pm Mon-Thurs Expires: June 30, 2008

USC Mag.

Lunch ’til 4 • Dinners • Sandwiches • Late Night Snacks • Open 7 Days

Amel’s Restaurant, McNeilly Road Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

69

Around the Township

Town Hall South— Forty Years Strong

News from Around the Township

­—Kim Frenette In fact, by the end of the 2008-09 season THS will have preIn 1969 when Edna Brown and Ruth Bayley sat down with sented 200 speakers—with only two repeats in those 40 years.

Town Hall South’s 40th anniversary season adds to that eclectic Pastor John Galbreath at Westminster Presbyterian Church to discuss ini- offering: a theoretical physicist who can make string theory sing tiating a community lecture series, for mere mortals (Brian Greene); a White House correspondent they may have hoped, but probably didn’t expect, it would still for election post-mortem (Martha Raddatz); a playwright/performance artist/professor who presents the faces of the nation be going strong 40 years later.

That first year’s speakers included actress and consumer (Anna Deavere Smith); a foreign relations expert to shed light advocate Betty Furness, famous in part for her appearances in 1950s Westinghouse appliance commercials and Westinghouse Broadcasting Co.; commentator Rod MacLeish, whose 1967 book The Sun Stood 40th Anniversary Season Still (1967) shed light on the ArabLecture Series 2008–2009 Israeli conflict; and Vincent Price, a name—or at least a voice—still well Anna Deavere Smith recognized today.

Brian Greene

Town Hall South

Physicist, String Theorist, Author: The Elegant Universe Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Martha Raddatz

Brian Greene

ABC News Chief White House Correspondent, Author: The Long Road Home Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Anna Deavere Smith

David Sanger

Playwright, Actress, Professor Tuesday, December 2, 2008

David Sanger

Chief Washington Correspondent The New York Times Tuesday, February 3, 2009 Martha Raddatz

Jeannette Walls

Jeannette Walls

Journalist, In the intervening years Town on the world our nation faces (David Author: The Glass Castle Hall South (THS) members have Sanger); and an inspirational woman Tuesday, March 3, 2009 heard economists, ecologists (the who survived and brilliantly sucCousteau Society), politicians ceeded despite, or perhaps because of, (Thomas P. O’Neil), singers (Beverly Sills), actresses (Olivia a bizarre and neglected childhood (Jeannette Walls).

DeHaviland ), geographers, political analysts, authors (Maya The key to THS’s success has not changed in 40 years: thoughtAngelou), White House correspondents, science fiction writers provoking, intelligent, amusing, and timely enrichment for a (Isaac Asimov, no less!), folk icons (Judy Collins), columnists thoughtful and engaged audience. Which goes to show, when (Anna Quindlen), historical biographers (Doris Kearns Goodwin), you get a formula that works, don’t change it. n writers of popular thrillers (David Baldacci, Mary Higgins Clark), literary experts, and bad boy chefs (Anthony Bourdain), to name only a very few.

For further information and a subscription form for Town Hall South, visit www.townhallsouth.org or look for a pamphlet at the Upper St. Clair Township Library.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

USC Girl Scouts—Broadening Minds and Helping the Community Kerry Turner, USC Girls Scout Community Communicator The Upper St. Clair Girl Scouts don’t just sell cookies!

Every December, Junior Troop 679 has made it a tradition to These troops are dedicated to serving the community, participating visit Mt. Lebanon Manor Nursing Home. The girls sing holiday in several service projects throughout the year. songs, play games with the residents, and pass out cards and Brownie Troop 1241 from Streams Elementary is collecting pop hand-made door hangings. Several more troops visit other astabs for the Ronald McDonald house of Pittsburgh. Beginning their sisted living homes throughout the year and Trick or Treat, hold collection in September 2006, they visited the Ronald McDonald fashion shows, and deliver Valentines, all which bring smiles to House in October 2007 to deliver their first donation. They will the residents’ faces. continue this project and are accepting donations from all. Look Enjoying many additional service projects, USC Girl Scouts for donation locations around the Township! are dedicated to servThe last two weekends of October and the first ing the community. Yes, weekend in November, you might have seen some they sell cookies and parGirl Scouts standing outside Giant Eagle, includticipate in a fall product ing scouts from USC Troops 89, 105, 542, 545, sale, where they sell nuts 1018, 1241, and 1405. No, they weren’t selling and magazines. But what cookies. They were helping to make sure that local many people don’t rekids get enough to eat all year long. They volunalize is the scouts also teered to help the “Fall Food Share.” Back for its accept donations to send eighth year, Giant Eagle, Girl Scouts of the USA, to our U.S. armed forces.

WTAE-TV4, the Pittsburgh In 2007, with the help Post-Gazette, and other from our community, sponsors teamed up with they were able to ship the Food Bank to kick off 100 cases (1200 boxes) the fall food drive. Cusof Girl Scout cookies and one and one half cases tomers purchased needed of nuts to Iraq to support the troops fighting for grocery items at their loour country. Thanks to everyone who helped cal Giant Eagle and then the USC Girl Scouts send treats from home to placed them into shopour soldiers. ping carts manned by the If your daughter is interested in becoming a scouts.

Girl Scout or if you are interested in volunteering Also in October, USC to help the Girl Scouts in anyway, contact Colleen High School’s Troop 1134 at 412-854-8150. The 2008 Summer Day Camp Photography of the pillow case painting activity is courtesy coordinated a gently-used is right around the corner, and the Girl Scouts of Girl Scout Troop 1349 whose Junior level members were Halloween costume drive. also always need volunteers to help out with this working on their photography badge that day. This troop, They collected several bags which originated at Eisenhower Elementary at the Daisy level, popular camp. New Girl Scouts are welcome! n is made up of fifth graders at Boyce Middle School. of costumes and donated them to SHIM (South Hills Interfaith Ministries).

In November 2007, Junior Troop 1349 from Boyce Middle School organized a pillow case painting activity.

The decorated pillowcases were then donated to Children’s Hospital as environmentally-friendly paper for gift wrapping of donated gifts. The pillow cases became an additional gift! Eight USC troops from kindergarten through grade five helped with this project, and 100 pillow cases were donated.

Troop 542 participated in Operation Christmas Child this past fall. The scouts packed, wrapped, and sent shoeboxes of goodies to children overseas, helping the Christmas by the Samaritan’s Purse organization.

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“S” is for Scarecrow Mary Lynne Spazok

Springtime Scarecrow

endurance of farmers and their crops. Also known throughout history as mommets, I’m a raggle-taggle scarecrow kakashis, and murmets, for over 3000 years and to a stick I’m tied a scarecrow’s main goal was to discourage I’m the guardian of the garden flying pests from ravishing crops.

Recorded history tells us that the first A job I do with pride! mommets were placed along the Nile My jeans are torn and tattered River to protect crops from flocks of quail.

My body stuffed with hay Egyptians built wooden frames, covered I flip and flop and flap around them with nets, and then darted around the And scare the crows away! field scaring the quails into the nets—thus, dinner! The Greeks, on the other hand, Upper St. Clair second graders employed the gods in their plight. Farmvisited Gilfillan Farm this past October, ers carved wooden murmets to look like where they were immediately greeted by Priapus, the son of god Dionysus and godthe homestead’s new family of hard-work- dess Aphrodite. Priapus scampered about ing scarecrows. Crowy, the family pet, in the grape vineyards. Legend states that welcomed the children under sunny skies he was quite hideous, causing the birds to while the orange, red, and yellow leaves stay away. danced merrily in the air. The hefty herd To ensure success, mommets were of Herefords, including new additions further enhanced with purple paint and a Kate and Boomer, mooed excitedly. Grand- club in one hand and sickle in the other. daddy scarecrow, who set to work early last Copycat Roman armies traveled to France, spring, was guarding the front field pump- Germany, and England promoting the kin and sunflower patches. Along the way Priapus mommet. About the same time, from the house to the barn, Mom scarecrow Japanese mythology told of a scarecrow was rocking on the back porch while Dad that could not walk, but was all knowing. was busy at the big barn hayloft.

Fish bones, old rags, and rancid meat were What purpose do scarecrows serve? hung from kakashis’ bamboo poles, which Well, hungry birds and pesky crows are were then set afire. These putrid kakashis a constant aggravation for homesteaders. rid the fields of pests.

Raising raucous havoc, crows relish recentDuring the Middle Ages in Europe, ly cast seed, then gleefully whoop it up at mystical powers were linked to animal sunset in victory. Pioneers learned quickly, skulls. Farmers placed these skulls at but often too late, that the wretched birds the top of tall poles in the field. Wooden devour corn and wheat plantings early on, witches protected German crops. These causing crop failure. Starvation during the witches would draw the evil spirit out of incessant, frigid winters was the sad out- winter into their bodies so spring would come. Thus, scarecrows were important come. to the success and In the meantime, British murmets were alive! Known as bird scarers or bird shooers, boys as young as nine years old patrolled wheat fields with bags of stones. When starlings and crows put down, these bird scarers would run wildly around, waving their arms and using the stones as missiles.

In 1348, Britain’s Black Death plague killed half the population. Since girls and boys alike had to ilfillan each patrol two or three G t si vi s er second grad Eisenhower acres, cumbersome stones 72

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

were replaced with earsplitting wooden clappers. The clappers’ clamor terrified entire flocks. In the late 1800s, children abandoned this ritual for lucrative wages earned in the newly emerging factories and mines.

Meanwhile across the pond, Native American bird scarers were adult men.

From Virginia to North Carolina, they sat on raised wooden platforms, hooting and hollering. Their fierce enemies weren’t humans, but the woodchuck and crow. During the growing season, Georgia’s Creek Indian families moved into a wooden hut within the field to protect their crops. New York’s clever Seneca Indians soaked corn seeds in a poisonous herb mixture, causing crows to become crazy, which then scared away flying predators.

Scarecrow building contests originated with the Zuni Indian tribes from the American Southwest. In the 1800s, Zuni children were challenged to create the most extraordinary entries. Poles placed about six to nine feet apart were strung together using cords made from the yucca plant.

Coyote skins, shoulder blades of animals, and rags were hung over the cords to wave in the wind or create a clacking noise. The practice was so successful that the Navajos came to adopt it as well.

In the 1600s, Colonist immigrants physically stood guard over crops. By the 1700s, Atlantic Coast cities offered dead crow bounties. Besides crows, pilgrim families of Massachusetts had to frighten wolves away, too. These crafty predators dug up fish that were added to the soil to ensure a prolific corn harvest. A musket’s mighty boom struck terror into the hearts of these clever animals.

Soon after, a new problem arose: corn borers, worms, and insects that were once devoured by crows now devastated crops.

Crow bounties were banished and mannequins returned. Germans in Pennsylvania built a human looking male bootzamon, the “bogeyman.” He wore overalls, a long-sleeved shirt, a straw hat, and a large red kerchief around his neck. Since, the bootzamon got lonely, a bootzafrau or “bogeywife,” adorned in a long dress and sunbonnet, was placed nearby. In addition to cornfields, valuable cherry orchards and prized strawberry patches were also protected.

Considered old-fashioned, farmers abandoned the mannequin and turned to post WWII chemicals. The synthetic pesticide Dichloro-Dipheryl-Trichloroethone (DDT) was sprayed or dusted onto crops.

But in 1972, the door closed on DDT which re-opened the door to the environmentallyfriendly scarecrow.

Around this time, new man-made contraptions, such as the eclectic whirligig, hit the marketplace. More quirky than effective, it spun in the air like a windmill, but did little to alarm birds. Developed

in Britain, the automatic crop protector was a metal box that contained explosive caps. Approximately every 45 minutes, an implosion caused the arms to flap wildly, driving away both predators and once amiable neighbors.

Today, the beloved scarecrow is more popular than ever, especially with Upper St. Clair’s second graders. Whether human, animated, or simply folk art, it continues to star in literature and films emulating the wildly successful L. Frank Baum tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Just like bird scarers of long ago, elderly men in India and the Arab nations uphold the tradition of throwing stones to ward off evil predators. As long as there is ravenous wildlife, eager farmers everywhere will go all out to scare crows! n Side note: Scarecrows do their best work during the spring and summer seasons when Western Pennsylvania sees an invasion of ready-made scarecrows, ranging in price from $6 to $100.

Halloween and Thanksgiving are also times when scarecrows come out. The Gilfillan scarecrow family will make a personal appearance at Gilfillan Farm on Saturday, May 17, noon-3 p.m. during USC Community Day. Stop by to say “Hello!”

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Dr. Edward Kelly, an Upper St. Clair resident since 1975 and retired orthopedic surgeon at St. Clair and Mercy Hospitals, is passionate about three charities, in which he is heavily involved.

Dr. Kelly was a member of a medical battalion in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Tony Accamando, a former USC resident, and George D’Angelo formed an organization Dr. Edward Kelly called “Friends of Danang” to, as Dr. Kelly says, “Give back.” Dr. Kelly joined the Friends of Danang in the mid 90s and has made trips to Vietnam to support the group’s projects. Today, Friends of Danang total 40 people, not all of whom are Vietnam veterans, but all of whom share the same vision.

Since the group’s inception, they have built a rehabilitation hospital and five elementary schools in and around Danang. In a village outside Danang, the group built a bridge to connect two sides of a village separated by a river and dedicated it the “Bridge of Reconciliation.”

While working as a surgeon at Mercy Hospital, Dr. Kelly became involved with homeless patients who came to the hospital to be examined for orthopedic problems. When he retired from his practice in 2003, he became a volunteer for “Operation Safety Net,” an organization started in 1992. When the outside temperatures

fall to 20 degrees or below, a cold shelter for the homeless is provided in the basement of the United Church of Christ on Smithfield Street. In addition to the shelter, the program also provides meals, showers, and medical services to those in need.

Nurses, paramedics, and physicians volunteer their time, 7 to 9 p.m., to tend to the needs of the people throughout the cold winter months. Operation Safety Net is now moving beyond the basics and has begun to provide halfway housing to the homeless.

The third humanitarian initiative of Dr. Kelly’s began with the receipt of a state grant in 2007. The Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center, located in the Catholic Charities Building in downtown Pittsburgh, was established to provide medical and dental care to working people who do not have medical insurance. One thousand people have been cleared for eligibility.

Counseling services provided by Catholic Charities is an added benefit at the center. Volunteers run the center under program administrator Diane Reddington, also a USC resident.

Fundraising campaigns keep the center in business. Dr. Kelly speaks to various groups and organizations, acquainting them with the center and its work.

Dr. Kelly is grateful to be involved in organizations that provide services to those in need. His advice to anyone interested in becoming involved in humanitarian efforts is to ask where and how to help; the need is great.

Dr. Kelly and his wife, Robyn, have three children—Tierney, a veterinarian; Brendan, a lawyer; and Bridget, a teacher—who all live in the area. n —Article by John Small

It’s no secret that many who grow up in Upper St. Clair move back here later in life to raise their own families.

But one Upper St. Clair family can make a claim that few others can—it currently has four generations living in the Township.

Charles P. McNaughton, Sr., born in 1915, moved to Long Drive in Upper St. Clair around 1942 with his wife, Myra. The couple later moved three houses down to a bigger house in 1958.

Back then, this area was called English Village.

The couple had two children: Charles P. McNaughton, Jr. or “Buzz” and Gay McNaughton. Buzz grew up in USC, and attended Fort Couch Middle School and then the high school.

Buzz met his wife, Marlene Mitz, in high school. They started out at different colleges but finished together at Penn State University. They couple married in 1967 and moved around several places, but in 1976 they settled (where else?) in Upper St. Clair, on Hidden Timber Drive. Later that year, their eldest daughter, Jenny (one of three), would start kindergarten at Baker Elementary. She eventually had many of the same high school teachers that her parents had (Mr. Brosnahan, Miss LaValley, Mr. Stoicovy, Mr. Rizzini, to name a few).

Jenny (now Jenny Pyckowski) moved out of Upper St. Clair, then back to the Township in 2003 with her husband, Frank, and son, Jack, about a mile from where she grew up and where her parents still live. Jack now attends Baker, and has some of the same teachers that his mother had (Mrs. Noe, Ms. Idler, Mrs. Kuzma). Jack’s younger sister, Kate, will soon follow in his footsteps and attend Baker.

Now, four generations of McNaughtons live in Upper St. Clair and are proud to call it home. “I’ve always felt connected to Upper St. Clair since my family has always been here, “ said Jenny.

“I have wonderful memories.”

Jenny’s sister, Julie LaMontagne lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Bryan. They are expecting their first child, a daughter, in June. Jenny’s other sister, Jill McNaughton, lives in Shadyside and helps Jenny take care of their grandfather. n

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Pictured at a 90th birthday party for Charles P. McNaughton Sr., “Pap Pap,” held November 2005 are, left to right, seated: great grandchildren Drew Fernandez, Claire Fernandez, and Jack Pyckowski; middle row: grandchildren Kim Fernandez, Julie LaMontagne, and Jenny Pyckowski; back row: Mike Fernandez, Dick Shirley, Gay Shirley, Charles P. McNaughton Sr., Charles P. McNaughton Jr., Marlene McNaughton, Jill McNaughton (also a grandchild of Pap Pap), Bryan LaMontagne, and Frank Pyckowski.

A Diamond Shines Brighter Tom Soroka St. Clair Country Club (SCCC), founded in 1916, has long been known as one of the premier golf clubs in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Centrally located in the Township, its 18-hole golf course, complimented by the separate “Terrace 9,” has been the site of many amateur, local professional, and regional charity events.

Staying ahead of the communities’ needs in a country club, SCCC offers three floors of dining and gathering facilities. In addition to a state of the art health club, SCCC’s pool complex offers swimming programs for children as part of its family-oriented focus. While meeting these changing needs, the club’s membership has once again recommitted itself to maintaining the pre-eminence for its championship golf course.

Under the guidance of then club president D. Michael Fisher, the membership overwhelmingly voted to approve an upgrade of its course, which included a complete rebuild of all sand bunkers and tees, numerous design enhancements and drainage improvements, repositioning and rebuilding of all cart paths and, most importantly, replacement of its aged irrigation system.

This spring the course will see three years of planning, along with one year of execution, under the guidance of renowned golf course architect Keith Foster. “Golf is my passion and livelihood. I have always found great charm in the older courses. It is though the land they occupy was always intended for golf. So when I have the privilege of working on them, it is vital to gain an appreciation of their different elements, features, and the settings themselves.

Keeping a respectful eye on the past with keen attention to detail is critical when dealing with classic courses amidst the memberships’ high expectations. My aim is to produce timeless and enduring work; I believe we have accomplished this at St. Clair.”

General manager Barry Garrett was charged with the smooth implementation and execution of the plan, along with golf course superintendent Ron Pusateri who directed the scores of laborers, contractors, and equipment that descended on the course in earnest in mid-July of last year. Even with some unusual weather patterns, including a particularly rainy August, Garrett and Pusateri proudly proclaim, “The project was brought in on time and under

budget,” certainly an incredible achievement for any project of this magnitude.

Phil Newcamp, head golf professional, stated, “When we first talked about remodeling the course, I had no idea of the amount of work involved in making the changes. In the process of remodeling, we leveled and realigned every tee, reshaped and repositioned every bunker, leveled several greens and fairways, and added a five-row irrigation system. Although the routing of the course is similar as in the past, I think when we play the course it will have the look and feel of a brand new one. All types of golfers will enjoy the experience.”

According to club president Andrew Aloe, “The course looks great and our members and their guests will have a challenging golf experience that will only get better as the course matures.”

Chair of the membership committee Gerry Cipriani adds, “The membership should be credited for its vision and commitment to maintaining St. Clair as one of the premier clubs in the region. The new course, along with playing privileges that have been expanded for all categories in recent years, translates into the ability to play significant rounds of golf for all incoming golf members, not just the established voting member class.”

Ron Pusateri is now charged with the maintenance of this first class course. He adds, “Although the membership anticipates an increase in the time needed to maintain the course of this stature, SCCC has committed the human resources needed to maintain Keith Foster’s vision.”

“It is nice to know that SCCC, certainly one of the finest assets of the Township, will be mentioned in the same sentence with the likes of Southern Hills and Colonial Country Club, all with renowned golf courses redesigned with Keith’s skilled hands and eyes,” concluded President Aloe. n

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Prof iles on People with USC Connections

Jack Repcheck, a 1975 grad uate of Upper St. Clair High Sch ool, recently published his second book, Copernicus’ Secret. The book tells the story of the life of Nicolaus Cop ernicus, the Renaissance scientist who se work revolutionized the world’ s understanding of astronomy. Jack ’s first book, The Man who Found Tim e, is about James Hutton, a scientist from the Scottish Enlightenment who argued that the earth was millions of years old, not thousands as was the common belief at the time. Thi s book won the Anthenaeum of Philadelphia Book Prize.

After graduating from Upper St. Clair, Jack went to Penn State University and the University of Wisconsin. He now lives with his wife and five children in Bucks County and works as an editor in New York City for Norton Publish ing Company. His parents, Jack and Claire Repcheck, have live d in Upper St. Clair for 40 year s.

His sister, Diane Martin, and her husband, Walter, also live in the Township with their four children .

“I had two great teachers who turn ed me on to history—Bill Tomey at Boyce Middle School and Charles Hunell at the high scho ol. I knew in seventh grade that I was going to study history, seriously. My love of history has never gone away. There is no doubt that my scholarly bent was formed in the USC schools, ” said Jack.

To r e a d t h e N e w Yo r k Ti m e s review of Copernicus’ S e c re t , v i s i t www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/b ooks/review/Gingerich-t.html. ey B. Frank has USC resident Jeffr rBrothers, Inc. insu joined Henderson in r ge account mana ance agency as an ess Solutions Unit. sin Bu the Integrated opank services the pr In this capacity, Fr all sm verage needs of erty and casualty co es lud inc e s experienc business clients. Hi ing rit rw de un d isor an serving as a superv s r insurance agencie he ot th wi r ge mana in the region. m Davis & Elkins Frank graduated fro rnalism, and he jou and a minor in sh gli En in jor ma College, with a insurance license. holds a Pennsylvania

Clair is the George L Bond III of Upper St. ices 2008 Serv m ctru Spe ley recipient of Wes rd, given to Essential Partner Award. This awa nteer who volu a to d George in March, is presente to Wesley ent mitm com ing displays an outstand the value cts refle rd awa The ion. miss s ’ Spectrum Wesley with d of individuals who have partnere the find ilies fam and dren Spectrum to help chil . love to and live, to n, strength to lear played an Over the past 15 years, George has ley SpecWes with ng essential role in partneri of the Wesley Institute Board of ber mem a me beca rge Geo trum Services. ications Committee; chaired mun Com Trustees in 1992. He served on the Mamittee; was a member of the 1996 the Planning and Development Com ital Cap nd Beyo and 1 200 ee; chaired the jor Campaign Feasibility Committ chair as ed serv d; Boar g ratin Ope the r of Campaign; was vice chair and chai d of years, and was a member of the boar for the Foundation Board for four his up g givin re befo d Foundation Boar the newly merged Wesley Spectrum board position in 2007. in marketing communications and George spent his business career Starr. father’s advertising agency, Bond & branding. His career began at his ded oun co-f he 0 200 in een, bilities in betw With many positions and responsi of the ctor dire e utiv exec the is rge Geo ly, TheBrandingGroup LLC. Current St. Clair Hospital Foundation. her, grew up in neighboring Mt. George, a third generation Pittsburg They in lived Upper St. Clair since 1973.

Lebanon. He and his wife, Sue, have n. ildre dch gran ther, and Carrie and three have three daughters: Tracey, Hea

James R. Haggerty (Jim) recently joine d the firm of Cohen & Grigsby as a direc tor in the Labor and Emplo yment Practice Grou p.

Jim has exclusively practiced labor and employment law for mo re than 25 years. Ba sed in the firm’s Pittsbu rgh office, his prac tice covers the full ran ge of workplace iss ues, with emphasis on rep resenting employers in collective bargaining employment litigatio , labor arbitration, n and counseling. and Prior to joining Cohe n & Grigsby, Jim wa s a partner and the for firm-wide departm ent head of Labor, mer Employment, and Benefits Group at Re Employee ed Smith LLP, also in Pittsburgh. He ea from Duquesne Un rned a J.D. iversity Law School and a B.A. with ho Pennsylvania State nors from University.

Jim represented the Upper St. Clair Scho ol District in the pa teacher contract ne st three gotiations, and for mo re than 20 years he on the board of dir has served ectors of the Holy Family Institute, a agency serving abus non-profit ed and neglected ch ildren.

Jim and his wife, Gr etchen, have lived in Upper St. Clair years and have two for 23 daughters: Kate, a senior at the high Meg, a fifth grader school and at Boyce.

Know of a resident to profile?

Send information to: Editor, UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 or usctoday @ uscsd.k12.pa.us 76

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

National Cemetery of the Alleghenies Erin Gibson Allen Every Saturday, Annelies Spear drives 40 minutes from West Mifflin to put fresh flowers on her husband’s grave at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, located at 1158 Morgan Road in Cecil Township, Washington County.

She comes on Saturdays, she says, because the cemetery is less busy than on Sundays, and she can sit and talk quietly to her husband of 46 years. She comes again during the week to check on the flowers and to visit.

Mrs. Spear, who was born in Europe, met her husband, Staff Sgt. John J. Spear, when he was stationed in Germany in 1958. He served America in World War II and in the Korean War. The couple was married two years after they met. After briefly being stationed in various European countries, they moved to West Mifflin.

Her husband died in December 2006 at the age of 83.

While the cemetery opened in 2005, most of the facility remained under construction for the first two years. This spring and summer marks a time of expansion for the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies.

Located on 292 acres of former farmland, the cemetery opened after a study determined that the Pittsburgh area had a large veteran population that was not served by a local national cemetery.

Cemetery officials estimate that there are 323,000 veterans living within a 75-mile radius of the cemetery.

Before being converted to a cemetery, the site was continually farmed since the 1800s. The land has historic value, as the region is considered a flashpoint of the historic Whisky Rebellion of 1794.

A ten-acre plot is currently used for temporary administrative offices. The offices are slated to move in July to a newly constructed building located on 80 acres of the land. Also opening at this time will be a park-like area with a memorial walkway, memorial stones, and a public speaking area.

A public information center staffed by volunteers is slated to open this summer, as are three new committal shelters. A series of aboveground walls, called columbaria, which contain niches for cremated remains, will become available for use when the new section opens. The facilities will be connected with about two

miles of roads and the area will be landscaped with about 400 trees.

Although the land was previously dedicated for use as

Annelies Spear, standing by her husband’s gravesite.

a cemetery, officials plan to hold a ceremony this summer to open its new facilities.

The cemetery is estimated to have room for well over 100,000 burials. About 700 people have been buried at the cemetery each year since it opened. Three soldiers who were killed in action in Iraq are buried here.

Burial in the cemetery is open to veterans of the armed forces and their spouses. Minor children are also eligible. Burial at the cemetery is a benefit of service, and veterans are not charged for the gravesite, the headstone, or site maintenance.

Memorial ceremonies are also held at the cemetery on Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and a date near Christmas. These ceremonies attract as many as 500 visitors each.

When Mrs. Spear leaves her husband’s gravesite, she taps her husband’s headstone and tells him goodbye. “I’m very sad when I come here,” she said, “but I am also very proud.”

Mrs. Spear plans to someday be buried with her husband. Her name will be etched on the back of his tombstone. n Visitation hours at the cemetery are from dawn to dusk, every day. The cemetery office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, not including holidays. For more information, visit www.cem.va.gov or call 724-746-4363.

Lions Club Presents Award Upper St. Clair High School junior Paula Dixon

is the recipient of the 2008 USC Lions Club award for outstanding achievements in her school and community. The award, a wrist watch, was presented at the Lions’ February 20 business meeting.

Paula, the daughter of Robert and Melanie Dixon, is also the recipient of several high honors awards at the high school. She is an active volunteer at Westminster Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Junior Mendelssohn Choir in Pittsburgh. Her career goal is to become an engineer.

USC Lions have been presenting annual awards to outstanding junior female applicants at USC High School for over 20 years. Each fall, interested juniors make application for consideration of the honor through their guidance counselor. n Information about the award or the USC Lions Club is available by calling Ken Marshall at 412-833-3835.

Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

77

Happenings!

USC Football Booster Golf Outing

2008 Relay For Life® South Hills

Dust off the clubs and mark your calendar for Monday, June 9 when St. Clair Country Club hosts the USC Football Booster annual golf outing. With an 18-hole event and 9-hole terrace scrambles, Coach Render invites you to join his staff, alumni, and friends. This is always a fun-filled, sold-out event.

For information, call Bill or Terri Findle at 412-854-1725 or findle819@verizon.net.

Relay For Life® is a fun-filled, overnight event designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer in our local communities. During this year’s South Hills event, registered teams will gather at Bethel Park High School from Saturday, June 21 at 10 a.m. to Sunday, June 22 at 10 a.m. and take turns walking or running laps at the track. Each team will try to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. This event is held overnight to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps.

Through the survivors’ lap and luminaria ceremony, people in the community gather to celebrate cancer survivors, while remembering those lost to this disease.

For more information, contact Barb Cyphers, event chair, at 412-496-0934 or visit www.events.cancer.org/rflpasouthhills.

St. Clair Hospital Hosts Laparoscopic Weight Loss Surgery Seminar St. Clair Hospital and Hope Bariatrics will offer a free laparoscopic weight loss surgery seminar on Monday, June 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. and a support group meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. in the hospital’s fourth floor meeting room.

There is no charge for the seminar, but registration is required by calling St. Clair Hospital’s Public Relations Department at 412-942-6280.

USC Kennywood Day Get ready for USC Kennywood Day on Monday, June 16. With $19 all-day ride tickets and rides opening at 11 a.m., the stage is set for the community’s traditional day of fun.

For more information, call the School District at 412-833-1600, extension 2202 or see the announcement on page 63.

Upper St. Clair Swim Club Upper St. Clair Swim Club is offering precompetitive classes June through July. Candidates must be able to swim one length of the pool and have knowledge of all four strokes. Classes will help to build endurance and develop technical skills for those interested in joining the swim club in the fall.

For questions or registration information, call Coach Rupp at 724-942-3121, email her at christyrupp@comcast.net, or visit uscswimclub.org and click on “swimming lessons.”

Mt. Lebanon Art in the Park Call for Artists The Mt. Lebanon Sunrise Rotary Club is accepting applications for artists to display and participate in the seventh annual Art in the Park juried event scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5.

Held in Mt. Lebanon Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days, the charity event features more than 50 artists, several food vendors, live music, children’s activities, and more.

To learn more about the event or reserve an artist’s booth, contact event chair John Dyke at 412-559-5235 or visit www.mtlrotaryartinthepark.org.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

Charity Golf Outing Family Hospice and Palliative Care’s annual golf benefit will be held Monday, May 19 at the Valley Brook Country Club in McMurray. Proceeds benefit services for hospice patients and their families. Call 412-572-8812 to register.

C-MITES 2008 Summer Program The Carnegie Mellon Institute for Talented Elementary and Secondary Students (C-MITES) kicks off its annual summer program on Monday, June 16. This program, consisting of one- and two-week classes for academically-talented third through eighth graders, takes place locally at Bishop Canevin High School in Greentree and Neil Armstrong Middle School in Bethel Park.

Other programs include Weekend Workshops during the spring and fall and one-day workshops during the month of August. For more information about the programs offered

by C-MITES, contact founder Dr. Ann Lupkowski Shoplik at 412-268-1629 or visit www.cmu.edu/cmites.

Mothers & More Mothers & More, a support group for moms who have altered their career paths to care for their children at home, will meet on Monday, May 5, and Monday, June 2, at 7:15 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon.

For more information, call 412-774-2138 or visit http://mandm164.tripod.com.

Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra In partnership with the Community Foundation of Upper St. Clair, the Pittsburgh Symphony Chamber Orchestra will perform at Upper St. Clair High School Theatre on Saturday, May 17 at 8 p.m. After enjoying the day at USC’s Community Day, come, relax, and be entertained for the evening by the orchestra.

For ticket information, call 412-392-4900.

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Our 2200-space parking garage at the South Hills Village light rail station not only keeps your car out of the weather, it keeps you dry with a covered walkway from the garage to the T platform. All for just 2 dollars a day.

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Classifieds

To place your small business or professional ad in the classified section, send 35 words or less with a check for $75, made payable to the Township of Upper St. Clair, to UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY magazine, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

High-Quality Custom Woodworking for Over 25 Years From Professional Fabrication thru Final Installation Finish Carpentry and Repairs Balustrades, Moldings, Doors and Millwork Built-Ins and Custom Cabinets

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Summer 2008

UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY

79

Advertiser Index S u m m e r Advertiser

Page

Acqua Blu .......................................................................................................... 31 Action Builders .................................................................................................. 41 Affordable Decks & Additions ............................................................................ 45 Aidan Contracting, Inc. ...................................................................................... 40 * Amel’s Restaurant . ............................................................................................. 67 * Angelo Associates, Inc. ...................................................................................... 46 Baxter Remodeling ............................................................................................. 77 Beacon Insurance Associates, Inc. ..................................................................... 77 * Bedner’s Farm Market ........................................................................................ 46 Bill Gray Automotive .......................................................................................... 23 Bistro 19 ............................................................................................................ 67 Boehmer Heating & Cooling Company .............................................................. 41 Brookside Lumber . ............................................................................................ 44 * Calabro Tire & Auto Service . ............................................................................. 33 California University of Pennsylvania . ............................................................... 80 * Carlson Wagonlit Travel ..................................................................................... 39 Catalucci Painting & Restoration, Interior & Exterior ......................................... 77 Chatham University . ............................................................................................ 4 Cherup, Lori, L., MD, FACS ................................................................................. 9 * Clark Construction Company ............................................................................. 43 * Coffey Contracting Company ............................................................................. 45 * Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Inc. Corporate . ............................Back outside cover * Coldwell Banker–Route 19 South/Galleria ......................................................... 48 * Coldwell Banker–USC, South Hills Offices ........................................................ 49 Coldwell Banker–Waterdam Farms .................................................................... 71 Coldwell Banker–Lynn Dempsey ....................................................................... 59 * Cupelli & Cupelli, Drs. . ..................................................................................... 53 Davey Tree and Lawn Care ................................................................................. 42 * Deckmasters Technologies . ............................................................................... 43 “Dirt” Dugan Landscaping, Inc. . ........................................................................ 45 Extended Day Services . ..................................................................................... 64 * Ferry Electric Company . .................................................................................... 43 Fournier Carpentry . ........................................................................................... 77 * Gateway Engineers ............................................................................................. 33 * George Girty Landscape Design ......................................................................... 43 * Ghelarducci’s Garden Center .............................................................................. 77 Harry Coleman Photography . ............................................................................ 59 * Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. ........................................................................................... 4 * Henderson Brothers, Inc. ................................................................................... 25 * Howard Hanna Real Estate Services ...........................................Front inside cover Howard Hanna–Maureen Cavanaugh . ............................................................... 53

2 0 0 8

Advertiser

Page

* Howard Hanna–Susan Highley ............................................................................ 7 * Howard Hanna–Diane Horvath . ......................................................................... 61 * Keller Williams–Sandy and Marshall Goldstein ................................................. 57 Keller Williams–Karen Marshall Group . ............................................................ 63 * Kerr Family and Cosmetic Dentistry . ................................................................. 39 Louis Anthony Jewelers ..............................................................Back inside cover * Manalo, Larry E., D.M.D. ................................................................................... 38 * Master Remodelers, Inc. .................................................................................... 45 Mr. Magic Carwash ............................................................................................ 73 Mt. Lebanon Montessori School and Academy .................................................. 77 Mt. Lebanon Recreation Center .......................................................................... 65 Nancy Sakino Spears, LLC, Interiors by Decorating Den . .................................. 44 Pare´, Amelia, M.D. ........................................................................................... 47 Pautler, Simona V., MD, FACS ........................................................................... 21 Pepperoni’s Restaurant . ..................................................................................... 77 * Piccolina’s Restaurant ........................................................................................ 39 * Pinebridge Commons Associates ...................................................................... 38 Pittsburgh Audiology ......................................................................................... 47 Port Authority Services ...................................................................................... 77 Premier Personal Healthcare, LLC ..................................................................... 57 Providence Point . ................................................................................................ 2 * Prudential Preferred Realty–Route 19 South ........................................................ 3 RDP Studio Ltd. ................................................................................................. 61 Rohrich Cadillac ................................................................................................ 73 * Scott Bros. Windows and Doors ........................................................................ 40 Serenity Day Spa & Salon .................................................................................. 21 * Sesame Inn ........................................................................................................ 67 * St. Clair Hospital . ................................................................................................ 1 * State Farm Insurance–Cindy Brophy . ................................................................ 38 Steel Valley Orthopedic Associates, P.C. .............................................................. 9 Stephen Szabo Salon ........................................................................................... 7 Steven Smith Painting and Renovation .............................................................. 77 The Little Gym of Pittsburgh–South Hills . ......................................................... 64 * The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts .............................................................. 66 Three Rivers Chrysler Jeep Dodge, LLC .............................................................. 7 Trunk Shows Boutique ....................................................................................... 71 * Valley Brook Family Dental .................................................................................. 9 Watermark Financial .......................................................................................... 63 Wellington Real Estate–Patty Thomas ................................................................ 17 Westminster Presbyterian Church ...................................................................... 65 Wisp Resort Real Estate ..................................................................................... 79

Advertise with UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY, in publication since 1994.

Phone: 412-833-1600, extension 2284 • Fax: 412-851-2592 • Website: www.twpusc.org/magazine • Email: usctoday@uscsd.k12.pa.us *The above VIP advertisers, who are advertising in this issue, have contributed their support for a minimum of 27 issues.

Upcoming guides for the Fall 2008 issue include Health& Wellness, Educational, and Dining.

The staff of UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY would like to thank our advertisers, who make possible this community publication.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

It’s time to invest in the things that matter most.

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Homesites from the mid-$200’s.

Luxury Cottages from the $600’s.

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IT’S TIME WE REDEFINED HONOR STUDENT. Today’s world demands a definition that encompasses more than academic success.

It requires a “transcript” that demonstrates the ability to do the right thing as well as the smart thing.

A high grade point average alone will not guarantee a successful career or a purposeful life. This is the very reason why California University of Pennsylvania has, for more than 150 years, dedicated itself to preparing students for both fulfilling careers and meaningful lives. We do more than pay lip service to our core values of integrity, civility and responsibility. We integrate them into the classroom, campus activities and everyday student life.

These values are fostered by faculty who devote time and personal attention to help motivate, inspire and bring out the best in every man and woman who studies here.

So our students graduate with more than academic kudos and a diploma to show for their efforts.They graduate with a different degree of honor. For livelihood. And for life.

That is our mission and our difference. Building Character. Building Careers.

www.cup.edu A proud member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

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UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY Summer 2008

COLDWELL BANKER Check out these fabulous Upper St. Clair area homes!

2 Story, 4Br, 2+1Ba, gleaming hardwood floors. Open floor plan.

Center island kit w/updated appliances.

Screened porch. $262,900 Suzanne Sala 412-831-5555

Move right in! Bright & neutral, updated! New in ‘04 - fixtures, ceramic floors, windows, kitchen, roof & air conditioning! $134,900 Cindy Demel 412-831-5555

Custom built 3Br, 3Ba ranch w/2 fireplaces, EIK, hardwood under carpeting, wet bar in gamerm, tons of storage. $245,000 Cindy Demel 412-831-5555

Updated colonial, 4Br, 2+2Ba, familyrm, cathedral ceiling, maple & granite kitchen, covered patio, level yard. $405,000 Monica Mahla 412-831-5555

Large, unique quality home! Corner brick fireplace. 5Br, 3+1Ba, Cherry country kitchen, newer mechanics and roof, central vac. $375,000 Ginny Macaul 412-831-5555

Totally updated 4Br home with 2.5Ba, new flooring throughout and new deck. This home is in meticulous condition! $229,900 Karen McCartney 412-833-5405

2 story Colonial, open staircase and floor plan, & 3 car garage. New hardwood throughout, 4Br, 2 full 2 half Baths. $489,900 Lynn Dempsey 412-833-5405

Pristine 4Br charmer on beautiful lot, box & bay windows, level entry to covered porch & staircase to large attic. $497,500 Jim Walsh 412-833-5405

Stunning southwest charm with updates throughout, open 2Sty foyer, 4Br, 3+2Ba, familyrm, gamerm, 3 car garage! $499,900 Lynn Dempsey 412-833-5405

Exceptional character! Refinished hardwoods, log burning fireplace, new gamerm walks outs to level backyard, EIK & more! $164,900 John Geisler 412-344-0500

Charm in Brookside Farms! 23ft. familyrm, 2 fireplaces, hardwoods, cherry EIK, huge master, deck overlooking yard. $239,900 Julie Leslie 412-344-0500

4Br, 2Ba Colonial. Fully equipped EIK, 1st flr familyrm, 2 car att. grg, covered front porch and private backyard. $199,900 John Adair 412-344-0500

Mt. Lebanon’s Most Desirable, Luxurious, Exclusive, Well-Appointed, Convenient, Amenity-Filled, Anticipated, Neighborhood Condominium Building in A Decade... Is Now Selling from $400,000.

Summer 2009 occupancy.

Request a personal appointment or free CD with animated video tours.

Call the site team at 412-343-1620 | www.thewashingtonparkcondos.com Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned And Operated By NRT LLC.

1820 McLaughlin Run Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

ECRWSS* CARRIER ROUTE

POSTAL CUSTOMER Upper St. Clair, PA 15241

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