Being Stacy’s hospital is our most prestigious award. 100 Top Hospitals® is a registered trademark of IBM Watson Health™ 1000 BOWER HILL ROAD • MT. LEBANON, PA 15243 • 412.942.4000 • STCLAIR.ORG 5-TIME WINNER Stacy | South Fayette St. Clair Hospital has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals ® . This marks the fifth time St. Clair has achieved this prestigious honor, affirming the Hospital’s commitment to exceptional patient safety, clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and value. St. Clair is proud of the excellent care we provide our patients. We salute our outstanding physicians, employees, and volunteers for this notable achievement. To learn more about our award-winning care, please visit stclair.org.REWARD AN Outstanding Volunteer $2,500 DONATION 1 to their charity Nominate a volunteer today! clearviewfcu.org/jcc ¹Organization must be a 501(C )(3) nonprofit. $2,500 donation will be made to the volunteer’s organization. August/September 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 3Now in Our 21 st Year Proudly Serving the Airport Area P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057 Phone: 724.673.3161 E-Mail: info@awmagazine.com www.awmagazine.com PUBLISHER AND EDITOR Doug Hughey WRITERS Jill Bordo Jocelyn Grecko Pat Jennette GRAPHIC DESIGN Sarah Kizina WEBMASTER www.ddswebdesign.com CONTRIBUTORS Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, Findlay Township, North Fayette Township Oakdale Borough, McDonald Borough, West Allegheny School District, Western Allegheny Community Library, Erma Dodd, Barb Kleyman, Jesse Forquer FOUNDING PUBLISHER Pat Jennette WE PROUDLY SPONSOR AND SUPPORT: A variety of community, school, and nonprofit organizations in our coverage areas of Cornell, Moon, Montour, and West Allegheny. We are committed to recycling our used and leftover products. We encourage our readers to be responsible and dispose of this magazine when finished enjoying it. Consider passing it along to someone else, or placing it in your neighborhood recycling bins. Thank you in advance for doing your part for our earth. Hughey Publications, LLC also publishes the Moon Edition of Allegheny West Magazine, the Montour Edition of Allegheny West Magazine, and the Cornell Edition of Allegheny West Magazine. Allegheny West Magazine MEMBER @AlleghenyWest “GOOD NEWS ALWAYS, MAILED & DELIVERED FREE, EVERY TIME” Allegheny West Magazine - West Allegheny Edition, is an all positive, good news publication mailed free into the homes and businesses of the West Allegheny School District communities of Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, and McDonald to connect communities, promote people, heighten awareness about the richness of the airport region, and build pride in the western suburbs of Allegheny County. Allegheny West Magazine-West Allegheny Edition is published in February, April, June, August, October, and December, six issues a year, Hughey Publications, LLC, P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057. Mailed and distributed free to residents and businesses in Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon, a portion of McDonald, and adjacent areas. Extra copies available at municipal offices, schools, libraries, stores, advertisers, hotels, and businesses. Available by mail subscription for $15 annually. Story ideas welcomed. Community events and announcements from non-profit groups must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publishing date. Announcements are limited to 30 words and must include a contact phone number. Reproduction of any artwork, photographs, or copy prepared by Allegheny West Magazine is strictly prohibited without written consent of Hughey Publications, LLC. Copyright 1999-2019 Allegheny West Magazine. All rights reserved. Views and opinions expressed by contributors and/or advertisers are the responsibility of the contributors and not those of the publisher of Allegheny West Magazine. 4 • Allegheny West Magazine • August/September 2019 Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our special back-to-school August edition of Allegheny West Magazine! I hope you’re having a great summer and are looking forward to all the fun and exciting things in store in the coming fall season. In this special edition we’re once again bringing you our tear-out academic calendars and varsity fall athletic schedules on the centerfold of this edition. Be sure to tear this calendar out and stick it to your refrigerator or bulletin board as we head into the fall season. On page 45, we’re also bringing our readers another useful piece of information that they’ll want to tear out and keep. Next year’s West Allegheny Workcamp is already in the works and, in order to help with the effort, we’re once again printing the work camp’s application for free home repairs in this publication. Homeowners who can’t tackle their home repairs themselves, either due to physical or financial limitations, should consider filling out this application. Next summer, they may be visited by volunteers with this faith-based initiative who will be ready to help. Then on page 38, check out our new column from our publisher emeritus, Pat Jennette. If you follow Pat on Facebook at Pat and John RVing Across America, then chances are you’ve stayed up to date with the couple’s adventures these past five years. After retiring, she and her husband, John, who both ran this publication for 15 years, hit the road with the goal of visiting all of the nation’s parks. They’ve even worked as recreation coordinators for some of those parks and are now certified ambassadors for an RV travel company. In August of 2020, Pat will be taking another trip out west to some of the most well-known national parks in the country and she wants readers of Allegheny West Magazine to join her. Read about the first few stops on the trip in this From the PublisherWest Allegheny Edition ~ August/September 2019 Volume 21, No. 121 Locally Sourced - Around Your Town - Chamber Link - On the Horizon - WACL Programs - Penned by Erma - 8 12 26 40 42 46 { } Contents Doug Hughey, Publisher and Editor - - - - - - - 12 13 14 24 27 38 45 Columns August/September 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 5 COVER DESIGN BY SARAH HUGHEY month’s column, which is the first of a three-part series. She’ll be highlighting the rest of the stops in the next two installments. As we approach the fall season, the annual Christmas Light-Up in Clinton will be getting underway. The effort is in need of volunteers to help. Jocelyn Grecko writes about what’s needed and how readers can help on page 13. Then on page 14, Garrett Roberts writes about the efforts of some movie theaters to accommodate children on the autism spectrum. While going to movies is something a lot of people take for granted, it’s not always possible for these children. Some theaters are trying to change that. On page 27, check out the latest news out of West Allegheny, including new leadership at some of the district’s schools. Then on page 12, read about how IKEA thanked its shoppers on its 30th anniversary in the area. Read news from our readers starting on page 8 and get caught up on area events, including upcoming programming at the Western Allegheny Community Library, starting on page 42. Look for our next edition in October, when fall will be in full swing. Until then, I hope you have a great end to summer and beginning of the new school year. IKEA celebrates 30 years in area Christmas Light-Up in need of volunteers Making sure everyone can go to the movies Back-to-School Tear-Out WA Calendars WA Today Heading West with Pat Jennette West Allegheny Workcamp application for home repairs The West Allegheny Marching Pride performs in the fireman’s parade during the Oakdale Hose Company’s annual street fair in July. In addition to once again supplying halftime entertainment during each football game this fall season, the band will be hosting the Cavalcade of Bands competition on Oct. 5 at Joe P. DiMichela Stadium. For that and other important dates this fall, see our calendars on page 24. PHOTO BY JEAN BLEILHeritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health CONTENT SUBMITTED BY HERITAGE VALLEY HEALTH SYSTEM Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group’s West Allegheny Healthcare practice announced the addition of Dr. Cheng Lee to the staff. Dr. Lee will join Dr. Todd McCaslin, Dr. Bradley Heiple and Sarah Turner, PA-C at the practice, which is located at 300 Penn Lincoln Drive in the Penn Lincoln Shopping Center in Imperial. Before joining Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group, Dr. Lee practiced Family Medicine in the Uniontown area for more than a decade. He is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Lee is accepting new patients. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (724) 773-3001. Heritage Valley welcomes Cheng Lee, MD Dr. Cheng Lee It was one of the most well-attended local races in recent memory, not to mention one of the best weather-wise, to boot. The 38th annual Ohio Valley Hospital and Kennedy Township 5K had 260 runners and walkers pounding pavement on the hilly course, along with quite a few dogs, too! This year’s race theme was “Just Keep Running” and run they did, by following Kennedy Township police chief Anthony Bruni’s pace car. A NorthWest EMS ambulance trailed behind for safety and to cheer on participants. Dozens of supporters and volunteers lined the streets and finish line, celebrating every passing participant decked out in their official race shirts. The shirts were made possible through generous sponsorships from Clearview Federal Credit Union, Rohrich Automotive Group and Heritage Valley Health System, which Ohio Valley Hospital recently joined. The top three overall male finishers were Austin Schaltenbrand, who finished in first with a time of 19:50; Dr. Gary Sauer, who finished in second place by clocking in at 19:57; and Chase Schaltenbrand, who rounded out third place with a time of 21:12. The top three overall female finishers were Shannon McKenzie, who finished in first with a time of 21:16; Alysha Bartosh, who crossed the finish line in second place with a time of 21:55; and Melissa Erkel, who came in third with a time of 22:15. Participants can visit the hospital’s website to find all the official finish times. Race results were timed by Miles of Smiles. The race was capped off with an after party full of revitalizing snacks, community conversation, an awards ceremony and music by DJ Stormin’ Norman. Visit www.ohiovalleyhospital.org for a blog on how to make the homemade energy bars you can ONLY get on race morning. Stay tuned for next year’s race date for the 39th annual 5K! Ohio Valley Hospital 5K Race wrap-up Participants in the 38th annual Ohio Valley Hospital and Kennedy Township 5K get ready to take on the hilly course. The 38th annual Ohio Valley Hospital and Kennedy Township 5K boasted 260 runners and walkers this past May. The top male and female finishers were Austin Schaltenbrand (left) with a time of 19:50 and Shannon McKenzie (right) with a time of 21:16. 6 • Allegheny West Magazine • August/September 2019Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health August/September 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 7 The St. Clair Hospital Foundation on held its 22nd Annual Summer Swing fundraiser on July 19. The event is the foundation’s largest annual fundraiser for St. Clair Hospital. This year’s theme was “Boots & BBQ” and the Nashville-themed event was hosted at St. Clair Country Club. More than $300,000 was raised to support the future growth of St. Clair Hospital, including its new 280,000-square-foot, six-story outpatient center, now under construction adjacent to the hospital on the Mt. Lebanon/Scott Township border. Dr. Christopher B. Howard, president of Robert Morris University, and his wife, Barbara, were among those attending this year’s Summer Swing fundraiser. Brent Dragisich, whose sons, Nathan (West Allegheny Class of 2019) and Johnny (West Allegheny Class of 2022), have played for the West Allegheny soccer team, recently published the book “Unbeatable,” which takes readers through the team’s recent state championship run. The book focuses on the West Allegheny senior class and the memories and friendships that they developed while playing soccer together since the first grade. The team won the first boys’ soccer state championship in school history this past fall. “Unbeatable” is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and through the book’s publisher, Xlibris Publishing. Proceeds benefit the West Allegheny Soccer Boosters. On June 6, Nathan was also named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys High School Soccer Player of the Year and thus given the opportunity to donate $1,000 to his charity of choice. Nathan ended his high school career as the all-time leader in goals (86) and assists (52). As well, he set a single- season scoring record (44 goals) this past season. Nathan will begin his college soccer career this fall at Duquesne University. Celebrations in Imperial held an event May 19 that raised $9,422.14 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The fundraiser benefited from numerous sponsorships and donations from community members, local businesses and regulars at the restaurant who also helped Celebrations assemble 60 gift baskets for a silent auction. With help from the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, the event resulted in the sale of 262 tickets and attracted over 150 people. The idea for the fundraiser started in March, when David Bee of Imperial started growing his hair to donate to Wigs for Kids after his sister-in-law was diagnosed with brain cancer. Through Make-A-Wish, she was able to go behind the scenes at the Atlanta Aquarium, as she had long wanted to become a veterinarian technician. Earlier this year, she passed away at the age of 19. Wanting to do more, Bee approached his good friend Alex Scaff, who co- owns Celebrations in Imperial, and restaurant manager Mat Deveaney with an idea to host a benefit to help Make-A-Wish grant more wishes. As it turned out, Scaff had two younger cousins who had also benefited from Make-A- Wish. One got to go to Disney World while the other visited Washington, D.C. They, too, have also since passed away. According to Shannon E. O’Halloran, major gifts officer for Make-A-Wish of Great Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the amount raised helped cover the average wish cost of $4,400, which is also the cost of a trip to Disney World, the foundation’s most requested wish. The two people who benefited from Celebrations’ donations didn’t end up going to Disney World but did get wishes granted that were just as special. In June, Bee received a letter from Make-A-Wish detailing the wishes that their fundraiser helped benefit. Both recipients reside in the Pittsburgh area. One of those recipients, identified as Maura, age 7, took her family on a trip to a resort in Florida. Maura is awaiting a bone marrow transplant to help treat a genetic disorder. The second recipient, named Akeem, age 18, got to go on a shopping spree for furniture and video games, which have been a welcome distraction for the teenager as he’s battled a blood disorder. New book chronicles WA soccer team’s championship run Celebrations raises funds for Make-A-Wish CCAC offering new tuition-free program in plastics manufacturing technology Currently, plastics manufacturing is the fifth largest employment sector in Pennsylvania. To help fill the need for trained production technicians, CCAC West Hills Center is offering a one-year certificate program in plastics manufacturing technology. The program offers evening classes, with the first cohort beginning this fall, and a second cohort starting in January of 2020. Interested individuals are able to apply for a scholarship that covers 100 percent of the cost of tuition, fees, books and materials. The program is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development’s Manufacturing PA initiative. For more information on the program, call Pam Grove, CCAC manufacturing grant coordinator, at (412) 788-7534 or email pgrove@ccac.edu. Applications will be accepted until Aug. 31 for the first cohort that starts in September of 2019 and until Dec. 20 for the second cohort that starts in January of 2020. St. Clair’s Summer Swing raises over $300k Alex Scaff, David Bee and Mat Deveaney donate a check to Shannon E. O’Halloran and Shenell Pooran from the Make- A-Wish Foundation on behalf of Celebrations. % Locally SourcedLocally Sourced STORIES SUBMITTED 8 • Allegheny West Magazine • August/September 2019August/September 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 9Next >