Steubenville Pike Auto donates sixth carHeroes Supporting Heroes names new CEOPittsburgh Technical College students help local familiesGaydos succeeds MustioComfort food, made and enjoyed with winealso:MagazineWest Allegheny EditionVolume 20, Issue 118February/March 2019FREE Direct Mail Community PublicationWest AlleghenySchool DistrictOffical NewsletterInsidePage 29Serving Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon and McDonald in the West Allegheny School DistrictOne of 4 editions serving 17 airport area communitieswww.awmagazine.comAllegheny West New Year Specials! Expires 3-31-18 Free!* Carrier Air Cleaner Expires 3-31-19 With the purchase of a Carrier 2-speed Furnace $100 Off!* Installation of Carrier Humidifier Expires 3-31-19 Is Your Home Dry? Dryness Solved! Up To 60-Mth 0% Financing* on Furnace & AC Installation For Qualified Buyers on Qualifying Equipment Expires 3-31-19 Schedule Today! 412-787-1341 www.always70wade.com *Cannot be combined with any other offers. Each promotion is separate. *Must be presented at time of sale. Now in Our20th YearProudly Serving the Airport AreaP. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057Phone: 724.673.3161E-Mail: info@awmagazine.comwww.awmagazine.comPUBLISHER AND EDITORDoug HugheyWRITERSJill BordoJocelyn GreckoPat Jennette GRAPHIC DESIGNSarah KizinaWEBMASTERwww.ddswebdesign.comCONTRIBUTORSPittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce,Findlay Township, North Fayette TownshipOakdale Borough, McDonald Borough, West Allegheny School District, Western Allegheny Community Library, Erma Dodd, Barb Kleyman, Jesse ForquerFOUNDING PUBLISHERPat JennetteWE 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 WestMagazineMEMBER@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 • February/March 2019Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our first West Allegheny edition of 2019! I hope you had a great holiday season. To kick things off this year we’re bringing you a special section in this edition with a rundown on area wineries. If you recall, we did a similar story on local breweries in this same edition last year. This year, we’re taking a look at seven different wineries in or near the West Allegheny area that are producing their wine locally. We’re also listing some satellite wineries that produce wine elsewhere in the state but are selling their wine here. We’re bringing you a bit of background on each winery so you’ll know what to expect if you decide to visit them. Much like the individuals behind the various breweries popping up in the area, many of these entrepreneurs came from a variety of walks of life before they entered into wine making. Now, their efforts are adding a unique flavor to the area and raising awareness of locally made products. Read more, starting on page 44. Following our local winery story, we’re bringing you some comfort food recipes that go nicely with your favorite wine. Some are even made with it. Our chef columnist Barb Kleyman writes about cheese fondue, baked apples and poached pears, starting on page 50. In this edition as well, we interview newly elected state Rep. Valerie Gaydos, who at the beginning of January was sworn in as the new state representative for the 44th Legislative District. Gaydos replaces longtime state Rep. Mark Mustio, who made the decision not to run for reelection last year. We take a look at Gaydos’ business background and get an idea of her From thePublisherSteubenville Pike Auto donates sixth carHSH names new CEOPittsburgh Technical College students help local familiesGaydos succeeds MustioWA TodayLocal winery guideComfort food, made and enjoyed with wineWest Allegheny Edition ~ February/March 2019Volume 20, No. 118ABOUT THE COVERLocally Sourced -Chamber Link -Your Schools -Legislative Update -Library Programs -Barb’s Recipe Box -On the Horizon -6172126425052{ }ContentsDoug Hughey,Publisher and Editor-------8122526294450ColumnsFebruary/March 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 5Brandon Newsome, Nicole Ormsby and Gavin Ormsby of North Fayette Township enjoy a sled ride on fresh snow that fell over the weekend prior to Martin Luther King Jr. Day. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEYlegislative agenda moving forward on page 26. If you are a frequent reader of this publication then you have likely read some of coverage of initiatives spearheaded by Heroes Supporting Heroes, including the West Allegheny Workcamp. This nonprofit with local roots has been helping meet the needs of area veterans and senior citizens for over a decade. The organization recently announced it has a new CEO. Read more on page 12. On page 25, read about a long-running philanthropic effort at Pittsburgh Technical College and how it once again aided local families in need this past holiday season. Starting on page six, be sure to read news from our readers and, starting on page 29, check out the latest official West Allegheny School District newsletter. Then, on page 52, we’re listing upcoming area events and parks and recreation information from North Fayette and Findlay townships. Peruse upcoming events and programs at the Western Allegheny Community Library on page 42. Look for our next edition in April, when we’ll be bringing you a special section on the latest inductees into the West Allegheny Athletic Hall of Fame. In the meantime, I hope you have a great start to the New Year. A fine layer of snow covers the grounds at the Hankey House in North Fayette Township. Black Dog Wine Company, which is one of several local wineries we profile this month, operates out of the picturesque and historic farmhouse mansion on Steubenville Pike. Read more on page 44. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY%Locally SourcedSTORY SUBMITTED Locally SourcedOhio Valley and Heritage Valley complete affiliation6 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2019 After receiving final regulatory approval, Ohio Valley Hospital and Heritage Valley Health System have officially joined together. The two not-for-profit healthcare institutions share the common mission of bringing high quality, cost-effective healthcare to their combined communities. By unifying the organizations, the enlarged health system can expand their footprint to further meet the healthcare needs of the region. “We are looking forward to what the future holds for Ohio Valley Hospital by joining forces with an organization like Heritage Valley, that we highly respect and trust,” said Mark Brennan, chair of the board of Ohio Valley Hospital. Ohio Valley Hospital is now a subsidiary of Heritage Valley Health System. Both boards of directors have collaborated over the past year to develop an agreement that best meets the needs of the community and patients who are served by Ohio Valley Hospital. The alignment is expected to enable Ohio Valley Hospital to enhance its medical staff, expand clinical services and fund future capital projects. Ohio Valley Hospital, like many independent community hospitals, has been challenged over past years by increasing operating costs and decreasing reimbursement. “Our priority has always been, and will continue to be, to provide and increase quality healthcare for our community members,” said Brennan. “Affiliating with Heritage Valley Health System will allow us to do just that.” “Heritage Valley is very pleased and honored to have Ohio Valley join our integrated healthcare organization,” said Lynn George, PhD, chair of Heritage Valley Health System Board of Directors. “Our board unanimously supported the affiliation and identical to Ohio Valley Hospital’s Board, remains committed to high quality, cost effective, locally accessible community healthcare.”Ohio Valley, Heritage Valley… a unique connection The affiliation of Heritage Valley Health System and Ohio Valley Hospital represents a unique connection in health care that reaches well beyond the newly aligned three hospitals and expands the range of health care offered to western Allegheny County communities. The Health System continues to offer the most utilized health care services at the Heritage Valley Medical Neighborhoods located in West Allegheny/Imperial and Robinson Township. Primary care, ConvenientCare Walk-in Clinic, diagnostic imaging, mobile MRI and CT and lab draw services are offered at both sites, with West Allegheny/Imperial offering physical therapy and behavioral health as well. Beyond the Medical Neighborhood locations, primary care physicians continue to deliver high-quality care in Kennedy Township, West Allegheny, Robinson Township and Moon Township areas with the potential of specialty services added in the future. Also, as part of the affiliation, wound care and pain treatment services will remain in the community along with Senior Living at the Willows.Location:1st floor of our School of Nursing Building, 25 Heckel Road, Kennedy Twp., PA 15136ThursdayMarch 21st, 20199am-1pm Featuring:• The ABC's of Free Testing: A1c, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and many more screenings, including a Dexa Scan and Glucose!• Choose This, Not That: Live Grocery Shopping Demonstration• Cook This, Not That: Live Healthy Foods Chef Demonstration• Expert Lectures, Vendor Booths, and Community Room• Free Samples and RaesTo RSVP:OhioValleyHospital.org/events/category/diabetes-day/ For more information:412-777-6205Thinking PositivelyEating HealthyExercising OftenFeeling GoodPlease join usfor a FREE Community EventDiabetes DayAt Ohio Valley Hospital’sTurning Over a New Leaf: Preventing Diabetes Complications%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced December’s recipient of a used vehicle from Steubenville Pike Auto through its Steubenville Pike Auto Repair Charity program is Tamara Wagner of Pittsburgh. “The committee once again had a very difficult choice to make,” said Jason Pottle, owner of Steubenville Pike Auto. “There are many deserving people in our area. Good people who work hard but still have trouble making ends meet. Tamara Wagner is one such person.” Wagner has held her current job for 13 years. In addition, she started working a second job a number of years ago in order to help her aging mother and other family members. In 2015, Wagner’s daughter and son-in-law lost their home and their beloved dogs in a fire. When this happened, Wagner picked up a third job to help her daughter’s family get back on their feet. Her daughter and friends say that Wagner never complained or felt sorry for herself, she just kept pushing on and moving forward. Wagner continued working three jobs until she suffered some health complications in late 2017 and was forced to go on short-term disability. She returned to work as soon as her doctors would allow but complications with her disability payments caused her to fall behind on her bills. As a result, Wagner was unable to keep her vehicle. Wagner was not used to relying on help from others. In fact, she was used to being the helper; the one who everyone came to with their troubles and issues. Forced to rely on friends and family to get her to work, doctor’s appointments and the grocery store, Wagner quit all but her main job because her home is not on a bus route. She had to rely on her neighbor for rides to and from work. With the weather ready to turn, Wagner was getting very nervous about continuing to ask her neighbor for rides. Her daughter, Courtni, saw a change in her mother and became concerned that she was losing faith that her situation would ever improve. Without her mother’s knowledge, Courtni submitted a nomination form to SPARC. “We are just so happy to be able to restore some peace of mind to a person who has spent her life helping and supporting others,” said Pottle. Once again, Heroes Supporting Heroes paid for the transfer fees and registration for the car donation. As such, it helped make a merry Christmas for the entire Wagner Family. For more about Steubenville Pike Auto and the Steubenville Pike Auto Charity Repair program, visit steubenvillepikeauto.com. Steubenville Pike Auto announces recipient of December vehicle giveawaySTORY SUBMITTED Steubenville Pike Auto president Jason Pottle and the rest of his team presented Tamara Wagner with a refurbished vehicle through the the company’s Steubenville Pike Auto Repair Charity program in December. PHOTO BY DOUG HUGHEY8 • Allegheny West Magazine • February/March 2019%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced Clearview Federal Credit Union has entered into a multi-year partnership with Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania to take part in its experiential learning laboratory, JA Biztown. JA Biztown is a nationwide, innovative hands-on program that utilizes 10 weeks of classroom curriculum and an immersive, day-long experience of STEM-related jobs in a simulated “town.” Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania is building a 10,000-square foot JA Biztown mock business community in Bridgeville. The facility will offer middle and junior high school students the opportunity to learn about financial and business realities of commerce during “real world” exercises. A Clearview storefront will be the leading financial institution in the new JA Biztown location. As the town’s credit union, it will offer banking services to other businesses in the town, including a grocery store, technology companies, retailers, manufacturers, engineering and science-focused corporations, health care facilities, and a car dealership. Each participating organization will have a storefront built to their branded specifications. Students will spend the day working in their selected company and train in the day-to-day functions of thriving businesses and communities. Students from 360 school districts across western Pennsylvania will study a 10-hour curriculum in their classrooms in preparation for the deeply engaging experience. As the leading financial institution in the town, Clearview’s participation will help students learn money management skills and develop a working knowledge of business and personal financial literacy. It will also help them learn how to open checking accounts, secure business loans and gain the specific job skills required for a career in finance. Thus, students will gain experience in all aspects of financial literacy along with a hands-on understanding of commerce and business management. “We are excited to be a partner with Junior Achievement and JA Biztown. The learning provided through hands-on experience is vital to successful futures for the participating students and our region,” said Ron Celaschi, CEO of Clearview. “Clearview’s involvement will provide students the skills to develop an understanding of economics and commerce and the basic importance of the free enterprise system in a creative and engaging way. Clearview is committed to our region, our economy, and our members. This partnership is a demonstration of that commitment now and for years to come.” Nationally, JA has seen great success with the JA Biztown projects. Using a third-party evaluation team, JA found that 92 percent of participating students were likely to continue their education and choose a career based on their abilities and interests. An overwhelming 97 percent of the participants reported the program inspired them to work harder for better grades. Teachers also reported that 97 percent of attendees work more collaboratively with their classmates after completion of the program. Construction has begun on the local JA Biztown® and the buildout is expected to be completed by early fall 2019. Clearview and JA partnering on immersive educational programSTORY SUBMITTED February/March 2019 • www.awmagazine.com • 9Next >