< PreviousYour SchoolsYour Schools N STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY ARCHANGEL GABRIEL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Archangel Gabriel Catholic School A new way to learn With school buildings across the nation having closed, educators have been forced to reach students and conduct school in alternative ways. AGS students were sent home with books and schoolwork. In the weeks since the closure, teachers have posted assignments each week on their virtual schoolwork pages. Much like other schools, Zoom and Google Virtual Classrooms have become the norm in the spring of 2020. Now, teachers conduct classes virtually, send videos and pictures, and encourage children to connect remotely with their classmates for small group activities. Some teachers even reach out individually by calling to check in and help with their work. Seeing students’ faces light up as they connect with their teachers and friends Online has been a gift for AGS educators. AGS is proud of everyone for their commitment to learn every day and to move forward despite the prevailing challenges. Spreading joy Fourth-graders were given the assignment to spreading joy while studying from home. Students and teachers are being forced to think outside the box these days. While some struggled with this assignment, Brielle chalked her walk with inspirational messages for her neighbors. Dominic, meanwhile, put his artwork in the windows, changing it every few days to share with walking neighbors. It does not take much to spread joy every single day if one just truly thinks of others. Rise of the Knights This year, the school proudly named its new mascot as the Knight. Each athletic team was excited to wear its new uniforms and school colors. Every month, the entire school focused on showcasing a new characteristic of the Knight with the goal of each student becoming one. From honesty and loyalty to kindness, servant leadership and perseverance, these strengths are going to help students overcome barriers in their lives and continue to rise. A Knight’s Week Archangel Gabriel celebrated the school’s spirit week during out-of-school educational time. AGS asked families to participate in fun suggested activities while focusing on the underlying characteristics of the Knight. On Monday, during Virtual Vacation Day, students took virtual trips and invited a friend who has demonstrated kindness. Tuesday was Make it Day and showcased servant leadership. Students made lunch, a treat or a piece of artwork to share with a friend. Some found other ways to help their families. Wednesday, which was also April Fools Day, was Silly Day. While this day may traditionally be filled with tricks, students were asked to demonstrate purity in their creative jokes with the goal of putting a smile on the faces of others. On Thursday, the school community celebrated Random Acts of Kindness Day. Students drew pictures for the elderly, called lonely friends and even helped with chores without being asked. On Friday, students, teachers and parents alike dressed in their AGS Knights colors. Students were even able to see each other live as they participated in their Zoom and Google Virtual Classrooms. It was a great week and many participating families tagged their pictures on social media for all to see. Brielle Greer inspires many with her beautiful messages. Fifth grade teacher Michelle Golden misses her students. The Mattarochia family is ready for a virtual vacation to Disney. 20 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020N Your Schools Your Schools Moon Area has once again been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 21st year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to students. To qualify for the Best Communities designation, the district answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities and support for its music programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. “Music is an important thread in the fabric of everyday society and in the lives of people across the world,” said Nicholas Barthen, Moon Area music department chair. “From gatherings and events to sports or listening to music in the elevator, music is everywhere and a common language that transcends barriers.” According to research, music education has cognitive and social benefits for children who make music. After two years of music education, research found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less- involved peers. If also found that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically-trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Individuals who have taken music lessons as children later show stronger neural processing. Social benefits include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism. District receives Best in Communities for Music Education designation Moon Area School District On April 16 and 17, the high school’s Moon Assistance Program for Students team, administrators, faculty members and school counselors met virtually with grades nine through 12 to provide tips and guidance on how students can adapt to their new social and academic way of life. The meetings were guided by Mr. Martonik, MAPS coordinator; Mr. Gallup, principal; Mr. Hathaway, assistant principal; Mr. Ledbetter, athletic director; Mr. David Suda, school-based therapist; and Mrs. Liz Lepore, student assistance liaison from Holy Family Institute. Additional representatives from MAHS include high school counselors Mrs. Smith, Ms. Hinerman, Ms. Sitko, and Ms. Johnson along with teachers on the MAPS team Mrs. Baldigowski, Mr. O’Toole, and Mr. Cook. Interim superintendent, Mr. Balaski, also addressed the senior class. Over 400 students participated in the meetings, with topics covering mental health and wellbeing; issues related to remote learning; and supports that are available for students and families. Students had the opportunity to submit questions and concerns through a survey on TEAMS, which the staff addressed throughout the meetings. The staff was grateful for the opportunity to make a personal connection with students during these unprecedented times. The high school plans to continue the meetings in the future. The Moon Area High School administration and staff would like to thank students, families and the community at Moon Area for the compassion, dedication and hard work that they have displayed throughout this pandemic. Drama club hosts virtual master’s class The drama club is persevering through the COVID-19 school closure by continuing to meet each week virtually. In late April, Caitlin Kinnunen joined the drama club for a virtual master’s class. Last year, Kinnunen was nominated for a Tony Award in the best leading actress category for her performance in “The Prom.” Her Broadway repertoire also encompasses “Spring Awakening” and “The Bridges of Madison County.” She also performed in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as at the Tony Awards. Kinnunen answered a range of questions about subjects such as life in New York City, Broadway auditions, vocal and physical warm ups, and how she’s handled her instant fame. “Something that really stuck out to me was when she told the students it’s really important to be who they are as unique individuals both in auditions and on stage,” said club sponsor Rob Michael. “She stressed that comparing yourself to others is dangerous in the success of any artist.” Michael pointed out that the closure and postponement of Moon Area’s spring musical has been hard on students and that it was nice to see them smile again during this exercise. High school hosts mental health webinar to aid students adjusting to pandemic STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY MOON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT Caitlin Kinnunen joins the drama club for a virtual master’s class. May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 21Eastern options Frank Lloyd Wright homes Less than 10 minutes from Ohiopyle, visitors who enjoy both nature and architecture will find an incredible collection of Frank Lloyd Wright designed or inspired houses, including Fallingwater, which was recently named a World Heritage Site. At the time of this writing, the status of tours is still unknown but prior to the shutdown tours of both the indoors and exterior areas were being offered. Nearby, the newer and lesser-known Polymath Park showcases four homes, two built there in the 1960s using Wright fundamentals and two designed by Wright in midwestern states and moved to Pennsylvania within the last decade. One of these preserved Wright structures was to be open to the public for the first time this year. True fans of Wright were also able to spend a night in any of these unique homes, though the status of that policy isn’t known at this time. An additional Wright home, Kentuck Knob, is also located in the area. Cure the cabin fever and take a drive In the last two months, we’ve built more puzzles, watched more television and walked more miles in our own neighborhoods than seemed humanly possible. Though large gatherings and certain indoor activities are still limited, the quarantine is slowly being lifted, the weather is turning warmer, gasoline prices are low and the open road is calling. It’s time for some day trips. Even though it may not yet be time to journey across the country, there are still plenty of entertaining options within a 75-mile radius of Pittsburgh. Described here are destinations north, south, east and west of the city. Most of these allow for continued social distancing. Download our app, AWMag Events, at awmagazine.com for directions, maps, websites and more to each of these destinations. Be sure to visit the websites of the attractions listed for the most up-to-date information about their status. Some remain closed at the time of this writing due to the COVID-19 shutdown but will hopefully be opening in the coming weeks and months as the shutdown is lifted. BY JILL BORDO Ohiopyle State Park The Laurel Highlands area holds many interesting sites for Pittsburgh travelers heading east on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. From the Donegal Exit, visitors can reach the town of Ohiopyle, an increasingly popular destination over the past decade and one known as “the gateway to the Highlands.” Situated along the rushing waters of the Youghiogheny River Gorge, the quaint village houses bicycle and water sport rental options, food and ice cream venues, and scenic strolling. The “Yough” is known for some of the best white-water boating in the eastern U.S., with three entirely different levels of rafting difficulty. Another highlight of Ohiopyle State Park is an area with natural rock water slides. • Great Allegheny Passage - Those who like to pedal can pick up the Great Allegheny Passage at Ohiopyle and take a 10-mile bike ride to the charming town of Confluence. The town’s restaurants and riverside dining venues were serving bicyclists before the shutdown and hopefully will begin doing so again soon. • Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail - Day-trippers who enjoy hiking can also start their adventure in Ohiopyle by accessing the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. This scenic, 70-mile trail is one of the few remote- backpacking footpaths in the mid-Atlantic area. Morgantown area An hour’s drive straight south on I-79 will bring day-trippers to Morgantown, home of West Virginia University and nearby scenic, mountainous parks. Here are some attractions to check out in the area: South Day Trips! • Cheat Lake Ten miles past Morgantown is Cheat Lake, a 1,730-acre reservoir with four access points for boaters and many locations that are ideal for family outings. The Cheat Lake Park access point features a 4.5-mile, shoreline-hugging trail, part of which is a wide, paved and handicapped-accessible path. Highlights of the trail are a swimming and beach area, a children’s playground, picnic amenities and a fishing pier. • West Virginia University Core Arboretum On the university grounds, visitors will find the WVU Core Arboretum, which has 3.5 miles of walking paths and hundreds of trees and plants. The Caperton Trail is an 11-mile paved biking/walking path that offers great river and Morgantown views and access to businesses. • Coopers Rock State Park Nearby also is Coopers Rock State Park, which has both beautiful scenery and 21 hiking trails. 22 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020North Moraine State Park Moraine State Park is a short and easy hour’s drive north of Pittsburgh on I-79. It’s a gem of an outdoor destination, and while many from this area are already aware of its existence they may not realize some of what’s available there. The 16,725-acre park, incidentally, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Though no park facilities were open as of this writing, assistant park manager Brian Flores reported that all of the trails, boat docks, and parking lots are available for use. “Moraine is a big park,” commented Flores, adding, “we’re advising people to spread out” and not congregate in the same areas. McConnells Mill State Park • Learn how to sail with the Moraine Sailing Club You don’t have to travel to the Chesapeake Bay or Florida to learn how to sail. You can do it right here in western Pennsylvania with the Moraine Sailing Club. The club is based at Moraine State Park in Butler County, and its members sail on 3,300-acre Lake Arthur at the park. The purpose of the club is to promote the enjoyment of sailing to residents in the Pittsburgh region. “Sailing is such a fun activity for a family or an individual,” says Bill Paviol, club commodore. “It is a way to get outside, enjoy the weather and spend time on the water. It is a sport that anyone of any age can be involved with.” The club offers several programs taught by certified US Sailing instructors. Students range from age 8 to those in their 70s. Programs include: Learn to sail classes: This series of day-long programs instruct adults on the basics of sailing. Participants spend part of their time on the shore learning the techniques of sailing and plenty of time on the water at the tiller actually sailing a boat. Safety instruction is an important part of these classes. Community sailing program: This allows members to sail without having to own their own boat. Once members demonstrate their sailing skills, they can take out club boats to sail on their own. Youth sail camp: One week each summer, club instructors teach youths between the ages of 8 and 14 the basics of sailing in smaller sailboats. Each day, they learn sailing skills and spend three to four hours or more skippering one-person boats. Racing: For those who want some friendly competition, the club sponsors races throughout the summer and into the fall. Experienced and novice sailors all participate in these events, with trophies awarded at the end of the season. Social activities: While the focus of the club is on sailing, it also schedules a spring social, four picnics during the summer, a harvest moon social in the fall and a banquet in November. Any club member can attend these events, whether or not they are sailing. “Our club sponsors these activities to show people that the social and skill aspects of sailing are great ways to enjoy the outdoors and to meet new friends at the same time,” Paviol says. To learn more about the club, go to Morainesailingclub.org. Traverse the gorge on a trail at McConnells Mill State Park via a hiking trail (above) or, if you’re a climber, check out the rappelling areas (left). • Slippery Rock Creek Gorge This national natural landmark cuts through the park and features Class II through IV white water boating. Adequately equipped adventurers can practice climbing and rappelling skills in two areas that make use of the massive park boulders. A few miles west of Moraine is McConnells Mill State Park. Though formed by the same glacial activity as Moraine, McConnells Mill consists of entirely different terrain with steep gorges and giant rock formations. Experienced hikers will appreciate the 11.5 miles of rugged hiking trails (proper shoes are advised). The historic gristmill centered on the property offers a unique backdrop for family photos. • Hiking and Biking In addition to water features, Moraine offers 71 miles of hiking trails and a six-mile mountain biking course named one of the most technical in the world. There’s also an exciting seven-mile paved bike path along the shoreline that boasts hills, curves and fantastic views of the lake. A fairly new attraction is its 18-hole disc golf course. May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 23Oglebay Resort Day-trippers heading west from Pittsburgh on I-70 will find the city of Wheeling and its area attractions, including Oglebay Resort. While famous for its winter festival of lights, the resort offers numerous warm-weather amenities. Schenk Lake offers pedal-boating and fishing, while The Good Zoo - which is still closed at the time of this writing - houses 50 species of animals, 20 of which are rare or endangered. Scenic segway tours and an aerial challenge park are other highlights of the resort. Here are some additional attractions: Belmont County, Ohio is home to, among other sites, the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area (above) and Barkcamp State Park (right). Western options • Belmont County, Ohio A few miles past Wheeling on I-70, visitors will cross into Belmont County, Ohio. This beautiful rural area has some unique attractions, particularity for bird lovers. The Captina Creek Birding Trail offers prime bird-watching opportunities. Hop on this self-guided driving trail at St. Clairsville and watch for special bird species such as the Northern Parula and the Belted Kingfisher. Directions and trail coordinates can be found at www.belmontswcd.org. One of the stops on the trail is a hidden gem of an unusual rock formation called Raven Rocks, which was originally known as the First Ravine of the Raven Rocks by early pioneers. It was named after the many ravens that nested in the overhanging ledges of the unusual rock formation. The trail also takes you to Dysart Woods, which is the largest known remnant of the original forest of southeastern Ohio. It is the 11th old-growth forest in Ohio and was inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network. There are two trails through the forest, red and blue. Not far away in Flushing is Zion Retreat and RV Park, an 800-acre retreat and nature center with a lake, fishing ponds and cabins. There’s also a stand-up paddle board and kayak rental, a swimming area, playground, aqua zip, beach, sand volleyball and full hook-up RV camping. A scenic, 1.85-mile trail circles the lake. If you’d like to do some more wildlife watching, head to the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area, which is popular for hunting, fishing and other forms of wildlife recreation. Many of the small ponds have been stocked with bass, catfish and bluegills. Hiking, bird watching, photography and sightseeing are also popular. The area is home to many species not traditionally found in eastern Ohio. Want to do some biking? Head to Piedmont Lake in nearby Freeport and jump on the Buckeye Trail, a portion of which runs by the lake. You can also check out the National Road Bikeway back in St. Clairsville. This 2.5-mile paved trail features a gazebo and a tunnel. There’s also a viewing platform located atop the National Road tunnel at the northern entrance. Head further west down I-70 from St. Clairsville and you’ll come across Barkcamp State Park, which is well-marked by highway signs. The park sports a 1,000-acre playground that offers boating, fishing, camping, hiking trails and a preserved antique barn that’s used for summer naturalist activities and historic displays. • Bissonnette Gardens Flower and plant lovers will be delighted by Bissonnette Gardens, a public garden display that recreates the early 1900s grounds of Earl Oglebay’s summer home. More than 30 flower beds, dozens of large hanging baskets and multiple fountains make for an eye-pleasing stroll. • Grand Vue Park A lesser known Wheeling attraction, but one for the more adventurous, is Grand Vue Park, which is off of the Moundsville Exit of I-470. Grand Vue offers ziplining, a climbing tower, mountain biking and hiking trails, and geocaching featuring 13 geocaches and a 15-point orienteering course placed by the Moundsville National Guard. ABOVE: Captina Creek offers opportunities to bird watch. BELOW: Zion Retreat offers many activities including kayaking on their 800-acre property. 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020BY DOUG HUGHEY Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village A lot of people know Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Avella as that place where they went to do old-timey activities like candle dipping and taffy pulls on school trips. What they may not have realized, however, is that Meadowcroft is also home to one of the oldest archeological digs in North America. The earliest man-made objects found at a rock shelter there have been radiocarbon dated back to about 19,000 years. The site’s unique geology and rock overhang made it an ideal stopping-off point for ancient people who disposed of spear points, bones and tools - things we now consider valuable artifacts - there over the course of thousands of years. The dig at Meadowcroft’s rock shelter is therefore among the oldest known consistently inhabited sites in the New World. Meadowcroft offers tours of the rock shelter in the summer and, before COVID-19 shut down the country, the museum was gearing up for another season. Though it remains closed at the time of this writing, the museum plans to open at some point soon and hopefully begin offering tours again. While you’re at Meadowcroft, be sure to take a stroll through the museum’s 19th century village and learn from re-enactors about what it was like to teach school, run a household and work as a blacksmith in those days. Museum founders Albert and Devlin Miller had quite the obsession with collecting, of all things, historic buildings, which have been used to construct the village. After you check out a blacksmith demonstration, head over to the Monongahela Village and learn about area Native American construction and farming techniques. You can also visit a frontier trading post to learn about how frontiersmen lived in those days. Yet another attraction not advertised quite as much is a section dedicated to harness racing, as Devlin was quite accomplished at the sport. For the most part, Meadowcroft’s attractions are plein air and allow for plenty of social distancing, making it a good attraction during these uncertain times. Note there is no food offered for sale so be sure to bring along a lunch. There’s plenty of green space to throw out a blanket and enjoy a picnic. The museum is located about 45 minutes away in Avella, Washington County. Visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org/meadowcroft for more. LEFT: Archaeologist J.M. Adovasio explains his work at the 19,000-year-old Meadowcroft Rockshelter, a National Historic Landmark. PHOTO BY ED MASSERY ABOVE: Meadowcroft’s 19th century rural village has a blacksmith shop, church, one- room school and covered bridge. PHOTO BY DAVID SCOFIELD Want to learn more about the various cultures of Native Americans who once lived here? Then make it a day and head to the Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex in Ohio on a Saturday (they’re closed on Sundays). You may actually want to start your day there, as the Grave Creek Mound Complex opens earlier than Meadwcroft, at 9 a.m. The site houses the Delf Norona Museum, where you can learn about the Adena culture, who are known for building massive burial mounds (the namesake for Moundsville). From there, it’s about an hour’s drive to Meadowcroft, which opens at noon on Saturdays. While waiting for your tour time at Meadowcroft, visit the 16th century Monongahela Village and try your hand at the atlatl, a prehistoric hunting tool. Both museums close at 5 p.m. Verify hours and status at www. wvculture.org/museum/GraveCreekmod.html and www. heinzhistorycenter.org/meadowcroft. Make it a day of archaeology May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 25Go mountain biking, or just hiking, on this old Nike missile site Local Trails The Panhandle Trail is paved all the way from the Washington County line to the West Virginia border. Mountain bikers are drawn to all kinds of interesting terrain. But Cold War-era nuclear missile sites? That’s not necessarily one of them, unless you’re one of the cyclists who has been testing their skills at the old Nike missile site in Moon Township. The site, which is located at the end of Nike Road, features a mix of asphalt, dirt, level lots and steep grades, thanks to the way the base’s construction has shaped the landscape. Cyclists can now use the space thanks to an agreement that Hollow Oak Land Trust has worked out with the landowners. Bikers can go freestyle or follow a single-track, mile-long loop blazed by local cycle cross coach Jordan Vilella around the area. If you’d like a tour, Hollow Oak volunteer Rich Dahlgren leads a hike there every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Dahlgren, incidentally, has discovered all three species of milkweed growing together throughout the meadow habitat. At one time, an Army base located at the site housed upwards of a dozen tactical nuclear-tipped missiles that would have been deployed in the event of a bomber attack from the Soviet Union. The long, horizontal bunkers that once housed the missiles have long since been filled in but if you bike to the rear of the property and up onto an embankment overlooking the site, you’ll get a good view of where one of the base’s bunkers was located. Fun fact: that bunker was likely the one that used to hold the base’s nuclear missiles. The old Nike missile site also hooks up with the rest of Hollow Oak’s 300-acre Montour Woods Conservation Area, which boasts 10 miles of hiking and biking trails throughout. The Powerline Trail offers a straight shot down to the Meeks Run Trail, which follows the valley floor. The Hemlocks Trail, meanwhile, offers a route of switchbacks down to Montour Run. Consider bringing your fishing pole because the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has stocked Montour Run with trout again this year. Parking is available at the end of Nike Road. Trailheads heading directly into the Montour Woods and Trout Run Conservation Areas are also open. The most parking, however, is available at the Downing Drive trailhead, which puts you out on the Meeks Run Trail. The best place to start, though, is by checking out the trail maps for the conservation areas at hollowoak.org. There’s also a map available through the AWMag Events app. Download it at awmagazine.com. Take a paved bike ride all the way to West Virginia Pump up your bike tires and jump on the Panhandle Trail at the Washington County line and you’ll be able to cruise on a paved surface 17.3 miles all the way to West Virginia. Free parking is available at the McDonald Trail Station at 110 South McDonald Street and an additional lot is located about a mile away at the intersection of Noblestown Road and Johns Avenue. The Tandem Connection bike shop has a location just across the street for any bike supplies you may need, though it remains closed at the time of this writing. Visit www.mcdonaldtrailstation.com for more. If you want to make an even longer trip out of it, and don’t mind biking on crushed limestone, head right out of the parking lot toward Allegheny County or left for about a mile and jump on where the trail intersects with the Montour Trail. The Montour Trail, by the way, offers 36 continuous miles of hiking and biking, making the combination of day trips endless. The longest dedicated route starts at Mile 0 in Coraopolis and ends in either Bethel Park or Clairton. Mountain bikers cruise around the Nike site. PHOTO BY CHRIS ROLINSON BY DOUG HUGHEY 26 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020Check out this new family-friendly trail at Settler’s Cabin Park that you can extend out for a day hike Want a family-friendly trail option? Then head out to the Iroquois Shelter at Settlers Cabin Park. There, you’ll be able to jump on the newly constructed Waterfall Trail, which takes hikers down a path to a small waterfall and a cool ravine. The trail has a rolling, natural surface that’s six feet wide until you reach the upper waterfall viewing area. As the trail winds through the woods, it offers views down into the valley bottom and passes a wide variety of wildflowers and trees. Once you reach the upper viewing area underneath a grove of hemlock trees, you can make your way down the trail (furthest to your left) where there are two rock creek crossings that will take you right to the base of the falls. Be sure to stay on the established trail to help prevent erosion and protect this fragile ecosystem while exploring. Following the trail back up to the parking lot makes for about a one- mile round trip. More improvements will be coming to the area in the future, including restoration plantings, trail improvements and new directional signage. Until then, the Allegheny County Parks Trails App is the best tool for navigating (see the link below). Looking for a longer adventure? You can continue along the Green Trail as it meanders along the creek in the valley. The trail then climbs back out and eventually loops to the parking lot for a hike that is just over 2.5 miles. For an even more adventurous loop, you can connect the Green Trail, Purple Trail, Yellow Trail, Red Trail and Blue Trail and head back to the Waterfall Trailhead parking lot for a six-mile loop around the outside of the park. This loop will take you past the waterfall and valley then over to the Pinkerton Run Valley, which has nice views of Pinkerton Run and is full of wildflowers in the spring. Remember to stay on the trails and take only pictures as you explore the parks so as to leave them as you found them for the next person. Plan your trip with the Allegheny County Parks Webtool and download the Allegheny County Parks Trails App to find your way once you are at the park. Visit www.alleghenycounty.us/parks/ resources/maps/index.aspx Download the AW MAG Events app for websites, maps and up-to-date information about all the attractions listed. Download at awmagazine.com. Hikers on the Waterfall Trail at Settlers Cabin Park are rewarded with this view of a waterfall in the valley. CONTENT SUBMITTED May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 27Perspectives Perspectives 5 This year marks the 11-year anniversary of my family’s move to Pittsburgh. Since that time, we have practically become locals. In the process, we’ve learned about, and experienced, many of the traits that make this region such a great place to live. For me personally, this comes in the form of the region’s abundant parks and natural features. One specific natural area which holds great significance for me is the Montour Run watershed. The Montour Run watershed encompasses five different municipalities in Allegheny County. Its mouth flows into the Ohio River at a point where famous Americans like Meriwether Lewis and John James Audubon - as well as Robert E. Lee - sailed past as they headed further west. Its waters are not the cleanest and sometimes flow a certain shade of “Technicolor” from all the mines and pollutants that drain into the stream. However, Montour Run is getting better and can still support a vast array of life. This has made the mouth of Montour Run a popular fishing spot. From there, you only have to venture up the stream a couple of miles to find one of its major tributaries, Meeks Run. Meeks Run holds a unique place in the Montour Run watershed because it is among the cleanest of its tributaries. Its waters hold 25 different species of fish, which is more species than are found in some U.S. national parks. One of the most magnificent is the rainbow darter, a sort of aquatic peacock only a few inches long. Along the banks of Meeks Run is a plethora of beautiful plant life. Massive sycamores tower overhead, while below, native plants like skunk cabbage and trout lilies battle invasive species such as knotweed and multi-flora rose for dominance. These botanical wonders can be viewed from the extensive trail network which crisscrosses Meeks Run. This network has been built partly by volunteers like myself with the Hollow Oak Land Trust over the past few years. Soon, a new bridge will be built that will finally connect the trail system to the Montour Trail. The Montour Trail is probably the best-known feature of the watershed. Once a railroad line built to haul coal from area mines, thousands of people now use the trail every year for recreation. For example, my old cross-country team would train on the trail every summer and fall. One specific spot we came to know well was the part of the trail around the gazebo at the intersection of Montour Run Road and FedEx Drive. Many of our practices would meet and conclude at this spot. We endured repeated runs up the steep FedEx Drive hill in an effort to build our stamina for races. FedEx Drive is named for the nearby corporate office of FedEx, but I personally think it should be called Fossil Hill. A 300 million-year-old amphibian fossil was discovered at the hill, Fedexia striegeli, in 2004 by a class from the University of Pittsburgh. I studied under a professor who was leading that class, Dr. Charlie Jones, and he told us the story about finding the fossil. According to Jones, the student who identified the fossil initially thought it was just a fossilized fern. It is amazing to think that such a rare piece of natural history can be found within this watershed. However, it is not the only piece of history. Further down the trail lies an area on the edge of the watershed known as the Imperial Grasslands, which was a former strip mine that has now been grassed over. A man named Chuck Tague discovered the first nesting pair of short-eared owls in Pennsylvania in the early 1990s on this site. The short-eared owls are one of many unique species of birds that build their nests on the ground in grassland ecosystems. These owls are also endangered in Pennsylvania due to habitat loss. Shortly after Tague’s discovery, developers began to build in the area following the construction of the first tier of the Southern Beltway. The owls were displaced from their breeding site but they still return every winter to escape the harsher weather in the north. I have been trying to have some portion of the remaining Imperial Grasslands conserved permanently as a park. This would ensure that this unique ecosystem of the region is not lost forever. These locations are just some of the unique sites in the Montour Run watershed and in the whole region. They make this area unique but are in desperate need of protection. If we can protect these areas, we will keep this region a great place to live for years to come. In addition to the conservation efforts of Hollow Oak Land Trust, another organization that is working to improve the ecosystem of the watershed is the Montour Run Watershed Association. This organization has raised millions of dollars to construct passive filtration systems to remove heavy metals and acid mine drainage from waters flowing into Montour Run. More efforts such as these will ensure the preservation of such a historically and ecologically significant parts of the watershed as it continues to be developed. Austin Jepsky was born in Washington state and has lived in six different states, including Pennsylvania. He graduated from Moon Area High School in 2015 and recently earned a degree in environmental science from the University of Pittsburgh. He has begun working on his master’s in sustainable engineering at Pitt. An avid runner, hiker and reader, he also volunteers with the Hollow Oak Land Trust. Montour Run reflections ABOVE: The Montour Run watershed feeds Montour Run, which follows the Montour Trail and flows through several area communities. ABOVE RIGHT: Hikers trek along a trail blazed by the Hollow Oak Land Trust in the Montour Woods. BELOW RIGHT: Parts of an abandoned oil well sit along a Hollow Oak Land Trust trail. BY AUSTIN JEPSKY 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • May/June 2020{ Groundwork Groundwork With the gardening season upon us, many of you may be working hard in the garden planting beautiful flowers, fruits and veggies. Most of us garden to relax and enjoy the outdoors. However, gardening could land you in the hospital. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 400,000 people are hurt in their gardens each year from lawn or garden tools, and thousands more are hurt from the act of gardening - bending, stooping, reaching and grasping. Gardening really is much like participating in a sport. You need the right equipment and form. You also need to condition your body to prepare for hard work. As well, you need to take time to warm up before embarking on gardening activities to prevent strain injuries. In general, gardening is considered a moderate-intensity physical activity. Keep in mind that the most important gardening tool you have is your body. When we begin to hurt, it takes us away from the activity we enjoy so much, so it’s worth the time and effort to learn how to garden ergonomically. Ergonomics is the process of looking at how to do a task in the safest and most efficient way. It looks at designing tools, machinery and anything else involved in a task to fit how a person naturally moves their body. After doing some reading and research, listed below are some “ergonomic” tips to keep you “feeling” your best as you garden: Warm Up - Gardening is a very physical activity requiring the use of the entire body. Spend 10 minutes doing a warm up. Go for a brisk walk around the block to get your heart pumping and circulation going. Include similar motions that you will be doing in your gardening activity during your warm-up. Neck - All work should be kept in the comfort zone (as close to the body as possible) to eliminate or reduce unnecessary movements such as reaching, lifting and extending. Use tools with long/telescopic handles and pistol-grip handles for comfort. Limit extended reaches to 10 to 15 seconds at a time. Spend no more than five minutes working with your head and neck in an extended position. Shoulders - Work below shoulder level when possible. If unavoidable, perform the task for five minutes or less. Use both arms whenever possible. Hands - Wear gloves. They provide padding and prevent cuts, scrapes and blisters. Gloves should be thin and formfitting without being restrictive. Gloves that are too thick decrease your hand strength and power grip. There are many ergonomic garden tools on the market made with built-in, cushion-gripped handles designed for comfort. Avoid repetitive movements such as pinching and pulling with the finger and the thumb for long periods of time. Alternate hands when possible. Knees - Always use kneepads or a thick pad when kneeling. When working close to the ground, kneeling with one knee keeps your back straight. Back - Alternate sitting and standing positions at 30-minute intervals. Bend at your knees, not your back when lifting heavy objects. Use long-handled tools to prevent bending. Digging should be done with intermittent breaks. Put leaves and garden debris on a canvas tarp and slide along the ground to eliminate lifting. Create raised beds, containers and trellises to bring the garden closer to you. The closer your garden is to waist level, the less bending and strain on your lower back. Furrow rows with a long PVC pipe cut at a slant on one end. Drop seeds through the pipe to plant seeds. Wrists and Elbows - Avoid working with your thumbs pointing toward the ground. Keep wrists in a neutral position, straight in line with the forearm, and thumbs up. Hold objects with a light grasp or grip. Avoid a tight, sustained grip. Keep your wrists straight when pushing, pulling and grasping. This decreases the tension on the elbow and wrist. Keep the elbows partially bent while gardening, especially when doing resistive activities requiring elbow strength. Tools - Choose the proper tool for the task at hand. Don’t use a trowel when the job calls for a spade. When buying new tools, choose “ergonomic” tools and handle the tool before buying to ensure it’s lightweight and balanced. Does the handle fit your hand? Is the handle long enough for the job? Handle diameter is also important. A fatter handle can feel more comfortable at the wrist but also fatigue your grip more quickly. Determine your correct grip size by making a circle with your fingers and thumb. Measure the inside diameter of the “O.” This measurement indicates the optimum grip diameter of a hand tool, which is generally about 1.5 inches. If the grip is not the right size, customization of the tool may be necessary. If tools have wooden or metal handles, consider adding padded tape or pipe insulation foam. You can also modify the grip on your favorite tools by using a bicycle grip, baseball tape, or electrical tape to pad the handle. Telescopic and pistol-gripped handles require less energy and keep the body in proper alignment. When handling the tool, look for a depression in the handle for your thumb. This keeps your hand in proper alignment. While shorter tool handles on small hand tools provide greater leverage control, long-handled tools reduce strain on your back, knees and hips. Keep blades sharp, clean and oiled. Dull blades require more force to get the same job done. Also, use a wheelbarrow, wagon or garden cart to move heavy objects. I even used a dolly to move a heavy root-bound hydrangea to another spot in the yard. Make several trips instead of aggravating muscles and joints by trying to carry too much. There is nothing more refreshing and rewarding to me than working in the garden and making my yard look beautiful. I feel the physical activity I get is great exercise. By following the ergonomic tips above and making some changes in the way we work in our gardens, it is no longer necessary to be bent over in pain while enjoying our hobby. This can make gardening appealing to more people, which is always a good thing! Gardening ergonomics BY JUDY PACKER MOON TOWNSHIP GARDEN CLUB Raised or table beds bring the garden to you, thereby placing less strain on the lower back. May/June 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 29Next >