< PreviousDonations help implement flexible seating Lisa Tolliver-Lehman and Kristin Baumgardner’s classroom in the Moon Area Middle School received an unconventional furniture update in early 2019 thanks to generous local sponsors. Lehman and Baumgardner set out in the fall of 2018 to gather sponsorships from local businesses and individuals to support an initiative that would give students the comfort to embrace their classroom environment while learning. Flexible seating options included bean bag chairs, high-top tables, exercise balance cushions for chairs, active stools that allow for movement while sitting, and bungee chairs, among others. Parent and local realtor Jeni Drass was a prominent donor in making the teachers’ modern classroom seating concept a reality. “Helping people find a community they can truly call home is what my job is all about,” said Drass. “School is like a second home to our kids, so when Mrs. Tolliver shared her idea and the benefits of flexible seating in the classroom, I didn’t hesitate to help make it happen!” Students reacted enthusiastically to the flexible seating options. One of Lehman’s students, Dylan, said, “When I am in a typical chair, I become more uncomfortable and want to move around. I am able to focus better with the new seating. It’s more comfortable and I can work easier.” Another student, Nick, commented that he feels less anxious when he can move. Vince said that it is nice to be able to stand during class at the high-top table. “I’m proud to have been able to sponsor this fundraiser and extremely thankful for the immediate support we received from our community,” Drass said. Drass was able to visit the classroom and see the flexible seating in action. Students welcomed her with a sign thanking her and other donors for contributing to their new seating.Moon Area School DistrictNYour SchoolsYour SchoolsStudents take advantage of flexible seating in a classroom at the middle school. 30 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2019STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY MOON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTNYour SchoolsYour Schools Six seniors participated in the Moon Area High School Winter National Letter of Intent Signing Day at the high school Feb. 6. Lillie Archer, Ramone Dean, Malcolm Johnson, Shawn Hytla, Ana Molnar and Anthony Parsons all formally committed to play sports in college in the fall of 2019. Archer, a two-time varsity swim captain, two-time WPIAL qualifier and four-time letter winner, will swim for the West Virginia Wesleyan swim team in the Mountain East Conference. She plans to major in history with a career goal of becoming a curator. Archer is an honors/high honors student and is also a member of the track and field team. Dean and Johnson both will play football for Edinboro University. Dean plans to play safety for the team while Johnson plans to play cornerback. Dean, an honors student and member of the track team, plans on majoring in criminology with hopes of one day joining a SWAT team. Johnson, a second team all-conference selection and scholar athlete, plans on majoring in health/physical education with the goal of becoming a coach. Johnson is an honors student and also a member of the rugby and track teams. Hytla will also play football as a defensive back, but for Waynesburg University. Hytla is a four-year varsity letterman on the hockey team, three-year varsity letterman in football, two-year letterman in track and a one-year letterman in bowling. Hytla plans on pursuing a nursing degree and becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Parsons will play football for Waynesburg as well, as a long snapper. Parsons, who is also a member of the rugby and bowling teams, plans to major in criminal justice. Molnar will join the Wheeling Jesuit University soccer team this fall as a midfielder. During Molnar’s tenure on the soccer team, it won one section, two WPIAL championships and two state championships. Molnar, a high honor student, plans to major in nursing. These six seniors recently became the latest students to sign letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the post-secondary level. Six seniors sign letters of intentMarch/April 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 31NYour SchoolsYour SchoolsSTORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY MOON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTMoon Area School DistrictTeams finish strong in WPIAL championshipsSeveral winter sports teams wrapped up strong seasons at the beginning of March. The results that were available for those teams at the time of this writing were as follows: Swimming The girls swimming and diving team finished in a strong third place on the second day of the WPIAL championships March 1, moving up one spot from last year. The team started the day off with a fantastic 100 free performance as juniors Emma Connors and Jen DiVito finished in fourth and third, respectively. In the 500 free, freshman Megan Tomasic finished in 14th place. Senior Lillie Archer also swam the 500, capping off an excellent career with a very strong swim. Inde Patterson kept the ball rolling with a third place finish in the 100 back, breaking her own school record. In the 100 breast, senior Leah Baker finished third, breaking her own school record while freshman Natalia Panizzi finished 11th. The Tigers finished off their tremendous meet with a fifth place finish in the 400 free relay, just missing their school record with the team of Abby Beatty, Connors, DiVito and Panizzi. As a team, the swimming and diving teams capped off a tremendous WPIAL championship with a ninth place finish. On the day, senior Colton Diges finished seventh in the 100 free with a time that was just one-tenth off of the school record. Junior Nick Settembrine broke his own school record in the 100 back with a strong fourth place finish. Senior Zach Tomasic finished off the team’s individual events with a seventh place finish in the 100 breast. All three swam their fastest times ever. The boys finished their meet with an eighth place performance in the 400 free relay, with the team of Diges, Settembrine, Joel Robertson and Tomasic. At the time of this writing, the Tigers are awaiting the release of the invitees to the state championship to be held March 15 through 16 at Bucknell University. Both the boys and girls teams also won their section championships by defeating West Allegheny in the final meet of the regular season in February. It was the second consecutive year that the girls won their section and the first section win for the boys since 2006. Moon Area’s senior swimmers celebrate winning their section in February. Gymnastics The gymnastics team again had a strong showing this year, finishing as runners-up in both WPIAL and PIAA competition. Lauren Hoff and Jordan Bauer both secured first place medals in state-wide competition and in WPIAL competition. Leah Bookser took home a first place medal in WPIAL competition. As a whole, the team finished with a record-setting score of 149.7. The medal winners through eighth place and team’s points are as follows: WPIAL Team - second score - 144.883Advanced Division Julia Crago - fifth vault, third floorMariona Haught - second vaultAlayna Hudzinski - fourth vaultInter. I Division - Lauren Hoff - first beam and all around, sixth vault, fourth floorJordan Bauer - first vaultLeah Bookser - first bars, second all aroundLucie Steinmetz - second barsIsabelle Coulter - fourth barsPA Classic State Meet Team second score - 146.250Diamond Division - Julia Crago - fourth vault, sixth beam, fifth floor, eighth all aroundAmanda Crago - seventh bars, eighth floorMariona Haught - fifth vault, eighth beam, seventh all aroundAlyson Seeley - second beamAlayna Hudzinski - eighth vaultBria Kosanovich - eighth barsGold Division - Lauren Hoff - first beam and floor, second all around, sixth vaultLeah Bookser - first barsIsabelle Coulter - seventh vault, third floorLucie Steinmetz - second barsSilver Division - Victoria Merow - sixth vaultBoys basketball The boys basketball team fell just three points short of winning the WPIAL 5A championship at the Petersen Events Center on March 1. At the time of this writing, the the team is now preparing to enter the PIAA playoffs. The Tigers upset Penn Hills on the road in the semi-final game of the WPIAL playoffs to reach the championship game against Mars. Connor Ryan drives to the basket during the WPIAL 5A championship game against Mars.Lauren Hoff performs her beam routine.PHOTO BY SCOTT DAUGHERTY32 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2019Our AdvertisersYour community businesses are the reason for the publication of Allegheny West Magazine. Please support these businesses. Their support allows us to mail this magazine, free, into the households of Crescent and Moon townships as a community service.CouponsReach 15,000 Homes & Businesses with this Space for JUST $52!Marketplace AdsThis Coupon Space Available!No Contract Required!Call: 724-673-3161Or go to:awmagazine.comThis Space Available!No Contract Required!Call: 724-673-3161Or go to:awmagazine.comAllegheny County Parks and Rec., p. 10, alleghenycounty.usAllegheny Muscle and Massage, p. 17, 724.695.5300, www.alleghenymuscle.massagetherapy.comAmerican National Tattoo, p. 11, 724.695.1412, American.National.Tattoos.comAmerican Renal Associates, p. 3, 412.331.2423, www.americanrenal.comBoy Scout Troop 198, p. 35, 724.457.2852.Carousel Kennel, p. 27, 724.683.0794, www.carouselkennel.comClearview FCU, p. 9, 800.926.0003, clearviewfcu.orgDDS Web Design, p. 22, 412.965.0688, www.ddswebdesign.comDisanti, DDS, p. 36, 412.264.6229, www.coraopolisdentist.comExpress Employment, p. 18, 412.494.2000, expresspros.comFirst Steps Pediatrics, p. 31, 412.788.1999, www.fspkids.comHeritage Valley Health System, Inside Front Cover, 6-7, 412.749.6934, www.heritagevalley.orgHigh Tech Housing, p. 15, 724.695.3900, www.hightechhouseinginc.comImperial Tax and Accounting, p. 3, www.imperialtaxandaccounting.comJanoski’s Farm, p. 33, 724.899.3438, www.janoskis.comJTM Tax and Accounting, p. 36, 412.480.2446, www.martintax.comK. Morris Landscaping, p. 21, 724.693.8663, www.kmorrislandscapedesign.comKennedy School of Driving, p. 35, 412.771.5550, www.kennedyschoolofdriving.comMontours Presbyterian Church, p. 35, 412.787.1050, www.montourschurch.orgMoon Diamond Dental, p. 19, 412.262.3707, MoonDiamondDental.comMy Laundromat, p.8, 724.227.0513Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, p. 12, 412.264.6270, www.paacc.comPadgett Business Services, p. 8, 412.458.0639, www.padgettbusinessservices.comParagon Homes, Back Cover, 412.787.8807, www.visitparagonhomes.comPlay Academy, p. 30, 412.299.0616, www.play-academy.orgPittsburgh Technical College, p. 29, 1.800.784.9675, www.ptcollege.eduRobinson Township Christian School, p. 23, 412.787.5919, www.rtcsonline.orgSam’s Lawn Care and Landscaping, p. 37, 412.977.3087St. Clair Hospital, Inside Back Cover, p. 17, 412.942.5728, stclair.orgThomas Dance Studio, p. 19, 412.257.2000, www. thomasdance.comTownship of Upper St. Clair, p. 17, 412.222.1099Up in Arms, p. 33, 412.264.3126, www.upinarmstattoo.comMarch/April 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 33Health and FitnessBeginner’s Zumba, ages 13+, Mondays, May 6-June 10, 6-7 p.m., Moon High School Fitness Room, workout using a combination of Latin-based dance moves, six-week session, $45 residents/$50 non-residents. Belly Dancing Body Fitness, ages 15+, Wednesdays, April 10-May 1, May 22-June 26, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Moon High School Fitness Room, $45 residents/$50 non-residents for six-week session, $10 drop-in. Cardio Tennis, ages 16+, Wednesdays, June 5-Sept. 27, 10-11 a.m., Moon Park Tennis Courts, music, ladders, easy-to-hit balls, lots of running, burn 1,000 calories in an hour, $20/session, $100/seven sessions. Free Beginner Tennis Clinics, ages 16+, Saturdays, May 4, June 1, July 13, Aug. 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Moon Park Tennis Courts, registration required.PADI Discover Scuba Program, ages 11+, April 28, 12-4 p.m., Moon Area High Natatorium, learn the basic safety guidelines and skills needed to dive, direct supervision of Prof. Assoc. of Diving Instructors, $50, register at park office by April 26. Masters Swim Program, ages 18+, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 5:30-6:45 a.m., Moon High School Natatorium, train under a certified masters coach who plans workouts and teaches technique, $30/month, register at moonaquaclub.org.Pilates, ages 15+, Wednesdays, April 10-May 15, May 22-June 26 , 8:30-9:30 a.m., unique system of stretching/strengthening exercises that work the entire body, $45 residents/$50 non-residents for six-week session, drop-in $10. Pound, ages 15+, Tuesdays, April 2-May 7 (April 2, 9 class at Robin Hill), May 14-June 18, full-body cardio jam session, $45 residents/$50 non-residents for all sessions, drop-in $10.Public Swimming, all ages, Monday-Friday during school year, 7:45-9 p.m., Moon Area High School Natatorium, $3 adults, $2 children, children under 2 free, drop in and swim, children under 10 must be accompanied by adult, lap swimming available, residents only.Public Summer Swimming, all ages, June 10-July 28, 12-5 p.m., Moon High School Natatorium, $3 adults, $2 children, under 2 free, drop-in, children under 10 must be accompanied by adult, residents only. Totally Toned, ages 15+, Mondays, April 29-June 3, 7:15-8:15 p.m., Moon High School Fitness Room; tone abs, thighs, back, arms, glutes; bring hand weights, mat, water; $45 residents/$50 non-residents, six-week session. Yoga Basics and More, ages 15+, April 9-30 (April 9 class at Robin Hill), May 7-28, Moon Township Municipal Building, four weeks, $40 residents, $45 non-residents for six-week session, drop-in $12, bring mat/towel and water.Moon Parks and RecreationRegister by visiting MoonParks.org or calling (412) 262-1703. Programs take place at Robin Hill Center unless otherwise indicated.eMoon Parks and Recreation HappeningsMoon Parks and Recreation HappeningsRegister by visiting MoonParks.org or calling (412) 262-1703. Programs take place at Robin Hill Center unless otherwise indicated. 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2019Art and Education Splash - Water/Mixed Media Art Classes, ages 18+, Thursdays, April 4-May 23, 10 a.m-3 p.m., eight weeks, $74 residents, $79 non-residents, does not include supplies, for returning students. Teen Drivers Education, teens (ages 16+), Tuesdays and Thursdays March 26-April 30 (no class April 18), 6-9 p.m., Moon Township Municipal Building, instructed by the Kennedy School of Driving, 30 hours theory, six hours in-car training, certificate accepted by most insurance companies, must have learner’s permit for the on-the-road portion, $25 registration fee for residents, $30 non-residents, payable to Moon Parks and Recreation, balance of $425 paid to Kennedy School of Driving.Safe Sitter® Babysitting & Safety, grades 6-8, April 7, May 11, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Moon Township Municipal Building, $45 Moon residents, $55 non-residents.Youth Bitty Ballet, ages 2.5-5, Wednesdays, April 3-May 8, 5:15-5:55 p.m. (ages 2.5-3.5), 6-6:45 p.m. (ages 3.5-5), $80 residents, $85 non-residents. Future Stars Floor Hockey, ages 4-6, Saturdays, Feb. 2-March 23, 10-11 a.m., Rhema Christian School, learn the fundamentals of hockey and develop skills, volunteers needed, $40 residents, $45 non-residents. Zumbini®, ages 0-4 with parent, Saturdays, April 13-June 1 (eight weeks), 10-10:45 a.m., Moon Township Municipal Building, $95/family with caregiver, includes at-home packet. May Day Tea Party, ages 5-12 with adult, May 1, 5:30-7 p.m., lovely craft, tasty treats, finger sandwiches, cookies, more, $10 residents, $15 non-residents.No School ProgramsAges 5-12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., early drop off 7 a.m., late pick up by 6 p.m. (included), $35 residents, $45 non-residents, bring lunch and two snacks. International Children’s Book Day! Special Election/No School, ages 5-12, April 2, kids will have a whole day to read or be read to. Garden Magic! In-Service Day/No School, ages 5-12, May 21, rock painting, seed planting, garden exploration at Robin Hill.Senior Programs (ages 55+) Senior Connection Social, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Carriage House at Robin Hill Park.Line Dancing with Marilyn, Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m., Carriage House at Robin Hill Park, $5/drop-in.Victorian Tea Bus Trip, April 25, bus departs Carriage House at 11 a.m., returns 4:30 p.m., stops at Contemporary Craft and Omni William Penn Hotel for a Victorian Tea in the Terrace room $57/person, register by April 18. Kentucky Derby Party with Horse Racing and Prizes, May 17, 3-6 p.m., Senior Connection Tapestry Senior Center, southern-style food, mock mint juleps, video horseracing with prizes, music, derby hats and duds, $20/person, $18/Senior Connection members, register by May 10. Music Bingo and Karaoke, May 22, 1-3 p.m., Senior Connection Tapestry Senior Center, $5/person, $4/Senior Connection members. March/April 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 35;On the HorizonOn the HorizonWest Allegheny Class of 1958 Meetings, second Thursdays, 9 a.m., Eat’n Park Robinson Township, (724) 747-1773. Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus Rehearsals, Monday evenings, 7-9:30 p.m., Sharon Community Presbyterian Church in Moon Township, open rehearsals, for women who sing, www.soundsofpgh.org, (412) 945-SING.Greater Pittsburgh Football Officials Association, seeking new officials for youth, scholastic, college and semi-pro levels, Mike Conlon, (412) 398-6545. TGIF, social group for high functioning adults on the autism spectrum, ages 18-40s, Fridays, 7-9 p.m., Youth Community Center at Sharon Presbyterian Church, food fun and fellowship, free, Terry Doughty, (724) 457-1088, TGIF.ASGroup@gmail.com.Singers Wanted for Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus, rehearses Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m., Coraopolis United Methodist Church in Coraopolis, premiere women’s a cappella chorus, www.soundsofpgh.org, (412) 945-SING.ICTUS (Ingram, Crafton, Thornburg United In Song) singers wanted, adult community choir looking for new members, men and women 18 years and up in Pittsburgh area, rehearses Mondays, September through May, 7-9 p.m., Crafton UP Church, (412) 716-1113, Ride_ICTUS@yahoo.com.Western PA Kidney Support Group, second Sundays, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Eat’n Park Robinson, (724) 796-1603, RSVP.Bereavement/Caregiver Identity Loss Peer Support Group, second Thursdays, 1-2:30 p.m., Hope Respite House, for caregivers who have lost their loved one and are struggling with identity loss, free, registration required, (412) 369-4673, info@hopegrows.net, www.hopegrows.net/events.Art Therapy, Thursdays, 6 p.m., Restoration Church of Christ, help paint rocks that are then taken out to the community to bring joy to others, all ages, (412) 788-8818.American Legion West Hills Post 924, looking for veterans interested in making a difference, www.westhillspost924.com VFW Post 402, looking for new members, www.VFW402.0rg. Diabetes Day, March 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Ohio Valley Hospital, screenings, live grocery shopping demonstration, chef demonstration, expert lectures, vendor booths, free samples, raffles, ohiovalleyhospital.org/events/category/diabetes-day/, (412) 777-6205. Burst Your Bubble, March 23, 7:30-9:30 p.m., The Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks, trivia game pits teams of at least five against each other in a combination of trivia and silly - albeit fun - challenges to help players get over the mid-week hump, Mrdan333@gmail.com.Montours Soup and Salad Dinner, March 30, 4-6 p.m., homemade soups, salad, desserts, beverages, Mancini’s bread, adults $9, children $5, under 4 free, (412) 787-1050, www.montourschurch.org. Fourth Annual Brewhaha, March 30, Mayernik Center at Avonworth Park, 498 Camp Horne Road, 15237, 10 of Pittsburgh’s finest craft breweries paired with a five-course menu by Chef Chaz Smith, auction, raffles, prizes, benefits Hollow Oak Land Trust trails and green space, sponsorships available, $75, bit.ly/2019Brewhaha. Toast of the Rox, March 31, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Kennedy Township Fire Hall, French toast breakfast featuring Mancini’s Bakery and Jenny Lee Swirl Bread from 5 Generation Bakers, benefits Greater McKees Rocks Area Rotary charities, $8, for tickets call Ashley Strouse: (412) 771-6781. “Cinderella” Ballet Performance, March 29-31, Andrew Carnegie Music Hall in Carnegie, Saturday 8 p.m., Sunday 2 p.m., (412) 279-8887, www.carnegieperformingartscenter.com, $18 adults, $15 children, students, seniors. Ukrainian Easter Egg Workshop, April 6, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., make a traditional Ukrainian Easter Egg using beeswax and dyes, all ages, advanced etching class offered using beeswax and acids, experience required, general class $20, advanced class $30, (412) 527-5359, registration required, class sizes limited.52nd Annual Ukrainian Pysanky /Easter Egg Sale, April 14, parish of St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., hand carved woodworking, over 1,200 eggs, basket raffles, door prizes, bake sale, pre-packaged kielbasa, butter lambs, Ukrainian food, parish museum display, church tours, (412) 527-5359, www.orthodoxcarnegie.org. Fourth Annual Craft/Vendor Show, April 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Imperial VFD, 111 Pine Street in Imperial, 60+ vendors, shop for Mother’s Day, www.imperialvfd.org. South Hills Chorale Concert, April 26-27, 7:30 p.m. both nights, Westminster Presbyterian Church in Upper St. Clair, “Star Spangled Spring,” $20, www.southhillschorale.org.Pups, Princesses and Protectors Event and Parade, May 5, 12-4 p.m., Moon Park Amphitheater and Saturn Pavilion, pup parade featuring dogs dressed as superheroes, public welcome to participate, vendors, food trucks, meet adoptable dogs, magic show, balloon art, face painting, benefits National Canine Cancer Foundation, donations welcome, purchase tickets at: www.magicwandparties.wellattended.com by April 27, (412) 926-3472. Ohio Valley Hospital and Kennedy Township 38th Annual 5K Run/Walk, May 11, 8 a.m., rain or shine, https://ohiovalleyhospital.org/patients-visitors/programs-and-events/5k-2/, share old race photos with: meaton@ohiovalleyhospital.org. 36 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2019We’d like to hear from you!As a community publication, Allegheny West Magazine encourages complimentary submissions of informational school news, and informational (non-promotional) news from community groups, nonprofit organizations and churches. Please submit via e-mail to: info@awmagazine.com. Programs do not require registration unless otherwise indicated. Register online at www.moonlibrary.org or by calling (412) 269-0334. For additional information, contact Heather Panella, assistant director and public services librarian, by calling or at panellah@einetwork.net.AdultsKnitting Club, Wednesdays, 1 p.m. Mah Jongg Group, Fridays, 1 p.m. Lyme Disease Support Group, last Tuesdays, 6 p.m.Kidney Care Class, second Mondays, 11 a.m. Registration required.New Movie Premiere, March 27, 6-8 p.m. “Second Act.”Registration required. ChildrenMother Goose on the Loose, Mondays, 10:30-11 a.m. For young children with caregiver. No registration required. ABC Open Play, Mondays, 11:05 a.m.-12:05 p.m. For young children with caregiver. Hour of socialization and play with toys, puppets and more!Toddler Story Time, Wednesdays, 10-10:30 a.m. Ages 2-3 with caregiver. No registration required. Stories, songs and crafts. Learning Launchpad, Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Kindergarten readiness program. Registration required.Club Lego, March 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Registration required. Design-a-Duck, March 22, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Listen to some duck stories and design a duck to take home. Registration required. Splat Art, March 29, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Registration required. Book clubsMoonlight Readers Book Club, third Mondays, 7-8 p.m.Reading Social, third Thursdays, 2 p.m. Sunday Afternoon Book Club, last Sundays, 12 p.m.Fiction Book Club, second Mondays, 7 p.m.Teens Mustache Photobomb Contest, March 18-25. Pick up a kit at the information desk or circulation desk beginning Monday. Submit photo bombs to Heather in person or by email: to panellah@einetwork.net. Submit by following Monday. Two winners chosen. Basket of goodies.DIY Donuts for Teens, March 19, 6-7 p.m. Grades 6-12. Snack on donuts while crafting a mini-cactus. Registration required..Cereal, Cinema and a Sing-Along, March 30, 1-1:30 p.m. “Mary Poppins Returns.” Registration required. Moon Twp. Public LibraryLocal Networking GroupsPittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, see page 13. Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection, Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m., Eat’n Park on Rt. 60, find new leads and make more sales, (412) 364-6446 x 302, www.gpbc-pgh.org.Moon Toastmasters, Thursdays, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Aetna Corporation, 2222 Ewing Road, arrive by 5:10 p.m. with a valid driver’s license to check-in at the lobby, www.moon.toastmastersclubs.org. Women’s Business Network, meets first and third Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m., Panera Bread meeting room in North Fayette. Jacob Ferree DAR Chapter Events Meetings are held at the Montour Heights Country Club unless otherwise noted. RSVP to Ruth Pickett: (724) 538-4623, rpickett12351@embarqmail.com. Questions: Melissa Moore, melissamdar@gmail.com. Chapter Meeting, April 6, 11 a.m., with SW District Director Ann Harder, RSVP by April 3. Annual Business Meeting, May 4, 11 a.m., Union Presbyterian Church Chapter Social/Potluck, RSVP by May 1. Chapter Meeting, June 8, 11 a.m., with PA State Regent Cyndy Sweeney, RSVP by June 5. Lifespan Senior Resource CenterYarn Donations, Yarnies crochet club in need of yarn donations, Betsy: (724) 218-1669. Montreal & Quebec, Canada Trip, April 28-May 4, six breakfasts, four dinners, guided tour of: Montreal, Old Montreal, Quebec City and Old Quebec, Notre Dame Basilica; visit: St. Joseph’s Oratory/Shrine, St. Anne De Beaupre Shrine, Montreal Casino, Albert Gilles Copper Art Museum, Montmorency Falls, more; $100.00 deposit, must have valid passport, trip leaves from Bethel Park Center, $840 per person/double occupancy, (412) 831-7111. Memberships, $10/year, visit any site to renew or sign up. March/April 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 37BY BARB KLEYMAN Sometimes you just want a sandwich, whether it be for breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner. You want two slices of good bread with hearty fillings to satisfy your hunger. Let’s not include a burger here. Burgers are a separate desire and a different category altogether. The possibilities for sandwiches are endless! When you feel this sandwich craving, you start to imagine sandwiches you’ve had: tuna on baguette with lettuce, tomato and extra mayo; turkey and avocado on whole wheat with thin-sliced red onion; arugula and a perfect garlic aioli; or hot pastrami on rye with mustard and coleslaw, so big you can barely get your mouth around it. Let’s also not forget melty grilled cheese, PB&J on white bread or just about anything on the Primanti Brother’s menu. Need we say more?! The history of the sandwich is fascinating. The tried and true legend of John Montagu (1718-1792), the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, is often the attributed linked to the “sandwich.” However, when you do a quick Google search, the What’s Cooking America website has some interesting information. One widely accepted origin story goes as follows: “Montagu was a hardened gambler and usually gambled for hours at a time at this restaurant, sometimes refusing to get up even for meals. It is said that he ordered his valet to bring him meat tucked between two pieces of bread. Because Montagu also happened to be the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, others began to order ‘the same as Sandwich!’ The original sandwich was, in fact, a piece of salt beef between two slices of toasted bread.” However, John Montagu’s biographer, N. A. M. Rodger, points out in the book, “The Insatiable Earl - A Life of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich,” that the sole source for giving Montagu credit for the invention of the sandwich was gossip mentioned in a travel book by Grosley. Rodger writes that, at the period in question in 1765, he was known to be very busy, and it is just as likely that it was for the purpose of eating at his desk. The site references a few other interesting histories of the “sandwich:”“1st Century B.C. – The first recorded sandwich was by the famous rabbi, Hillel the Elder, who lived during the 1st century B.C. He started the Passover custom of sandwiching a mixture of chopped nuts, apples, spices, and wine between two matzohs to eat with bitter herbs. The filling between the matzohs served as a reminder of the suffering of the Jews before their deliverance from Egypt and represented the mortar used by the Jews in their forced labor of constructing Egyptian buildings.” As well as:“1762 – The first written record of the word ‘sandwich’ appeared in Edward Gibbons (1737-1794), English author, scholar, and historian, journal on November 24, 1762. ‘I dined at the Cocoa Tree….That respectable body affords every evening a sight truly English. Twenty or thirty of the first men in the kingdom….supping at little tables….upon a bit of cold meat, or a Sandwich.’” Whatever the history, we love sandwiches! The array of breads and fillings available are innumerable and, therein lies its beauty. Bakeries abound around every corner and in almost every store - rolls, loaves, flatbread, pita, tortillas, white, whole wheat, spelt, gluten free, whatever you want or need, is available. You can even get or make a sandwich on two glazed donuts. You can make a phenomenal sandwich right now with whatever you have at home. Fresh bread from the bakery is ideal but keep some things you like in the freezer. Flat breads or pita make a great quick sandwich. These defrost quickly and can be hearty and satisfying. For your protein, you have lunchmeats but, leftovers are perfect: meatloaf (the best), turkey, chicken, steak, cheese, bacon, tofu, avocado, hummus, anything works. Crunch on a sandwich is a must, be it lettuce, onion, cauliflower (leftover roasted is delicious on a sandwich) cucumbers, carrots or sprouts. One of these is probably sitting in your vegetable drawer waiting to be used. Of course, something must be slathered on the bread, be it ketchup, mustard, mayo, hummus, pesto, or any salad dressing. There’s even yoghurt or crème fraiche. I almost forgot the best ingredient, though: a fried egg. Biting into a breakfast sandwich with the yolk of a fried egg dripping down my arm brings back wonderful memories. Growing up, I often stayed over at my aunt’s house on Saturday night. Sunday morning was a big deal. My Uncle went out and got the Sunday paper and a bag of fresh Kaiser rolls from the bakery. He’d pull out the funnies and hand it to me while my aunt made an egg over easy with a sprinkle of salt and placed it on a buttered roll. The bite into the fresh roll followed by the salty, warm, soft explosion of yolk is something that warms my heart. So, go look in the fridge and make yourself a sandwich…and don’t forget the egg! Enjoy!Sometimes you just want a sandwichBarb Kleyman is a certified chef.Check out her website: barbsbars.com.8Barb’s Recipe BoxBarb’s Recipe Box38 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2019Next >