M agazine West Allegheny Edition Volume 22, Issue 127 August/September 2020 FREE Direct Mail Community Publication Allegheny West Remembering Paul Debor The mystery of Hilldale Cemetery Remember When? Montour Farm Fast training for top jobs in the trades RMU helps community impacted by COVID-19 Day trip idea! Fossil hunting in Collier Plus: Serving Findlay, North Fayette, Oakdale, Sturgeon and McDonald in the West Allegheny School District One of 4 editions serving 17 airport area communities www.awmagazine.com West Allegheny School District Official Newsletter Inside Page 33In critical moments, excellence matters THE REGION’S ONLY HOSPITAL WITH 16 STRAIGHT As IN PATIENT SAFETY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED The Leapfrog Group, a national, independent, patient safety watchdog, awarded St. Clair special recognition for the 16th consecutive period, making St. Clair the region’s only hospital to earn an ‘A’ grade for patient safety for 8 years running. The grades rate how well hospitals protect patients from preventable harm, like infections, falls, and medical errors. To learn more about our Hospital Safety Score, or St. Clair’s performance as a national leader in quality and patient satisfaction, please visit stclair.org. 1000 BOWER HILL ROAD | MT. LEBANON, PENNSYLVANIA 15243 | 412.942.4000 | STCLAIR.ORGAugust/September 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 3Now in Our 22 nd 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 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. From the Publisher This photo of a barn at Montour Farm was taken shortly before it was dismantled earlier this year. For more, see page 26. PHOTO BY RUSS COLLINS Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our August West Allegheny edition of Allegheny West Magazine. I hope this message again finds you well and safe. Not too long ago, some old barns along McClaren Road were torn down to make way for a new Amazon facility and office park. While this new development is certainly good news for our area, the loss of any major piece of local history can be a good impetus for a story. Such was the case for our publisher emeritus, Pat Jennette, who penned a piece about the old Montour Farm where those barns stood for this month’s “Remember When?” column. Pat was able to piece together some history about the farm and even talk with someone who worked there to get a glimpse into what it was like there when the farm was in its heyday. Read more about its history and its connection to a prominent local family on page 26. On page 20, we’re bringing you another story with some local history. This one centers around some efforts to restore a local cemetery. We thought the people who were taking on this effort deserved some recognition, and we also thought the mystery behind it was interesting. We’re hoping readers might be able to shed some more light on it and maybe even donate to help the effort. If you picked up our June edition, then you likely saw our special section on day trip and camping ideas. This month, on page 44, we’re bringing you another idea, along with some listings of local events. Be sure to also check out the Western Allegheny Community Library’s virtual programming on page 42. In this edition as well you’ll find lots of columns offering great advice on everything from finances, to job searches, to helping students adjust to distance learning during the pandemic. Look for the Learning Curves columns throughout this month’s edition and check out our special Legislative Update section with columns from our state representatives on page 30. 4 • Allegheny West Magazine • June/July 2020West Allegheny Edition ~ August/September 2020 Volume 22, No. 127 Locally Sourced Chamberlink Legislative Update Western Allegheny Comm. Lib. On the Horizon Penned by Erma 8 22 30 42 45 46 { } Contents - - - - - - - 18 20 26 33 38 40 44 Columns Doug Hughey, Publisher/Editor - - - - - - 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 1999-2020 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. Paul DeBor was this magazine’s photographer when it first launched and a treasure in the West Allegheny community. He passed away in July. We remember him on page 18. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HOLL PHOTOGRAPHY ABOUT THE COVER On page 33, you can read this month’s official newsletter from West Allegheny School District. See how the district honored its outstanding musical cast who, despite their hard work, were never able to perform this year’s show. We’re also bringing you a special message from superintendent, Dr. Jerri Lynn Lippert, on how the district is preparing for students to return to school. On page 18, we’re bringing you a very special piece about Paul DeBor, who dedicated much of his talents and time over the years to the West Allegheny community. Paul was also this magazine’s chief photographer for more than a decade after it launched. Look for our next edition in October. In the meantime, I hope you will continue to stay safe but also resilient during this difficult time. June/July 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 5 Remembering Paul Debor The mystery of Hilldale Cemetery Remember When? Montour Farm WA Today Fast training for top jobs in the trades RMU helps community impacted by COVID-19 Day trip idea! Fossil hunting in Collier Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health Richard Redlinger, Jr., MD, RPVI, FSVS is joining Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery located on the first floor of Heritage Valley Beaver hospital. Dr. Redlinger will begin seeing patients in July. Dr. Redlinger is board-certified in general and vascular surgery. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in vascular and endovascular surgery. His clinical practice includes open surgical and endovascular (minimally invasive) treatment of aneurysms, carotid artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and dialysis access. Dr. Redlinger earned his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and subsequently completed his internship and residency in general surgery and fellowship in vascular surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He joins Edward Villella II, MD, who specializes in Endovascular & Vascular Surgery, and Dinesh Bhaskaran, MD, who specializes in Heart and Lung Surgery, in the HVMG Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery practice. Dr. Redlinger is accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call (724) 773-8289. Heritage Valley welcomes new physicians Heritage Valley Heart & Vascular Center in Beaver welcomes Stephen D’Auria, MD to their location in Beaver at 605 Sharon Road. Dr. D’Auria specializes in advanced interventional cardiology will begin seeing patients in July. Dr. D’Auria is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease. Dr. D’Auria completed his undergraduate at Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and went on to complete his Internal Medicine Residency, an Advanced Interventional/Structural Cardiology Fellowship as well as a Cardiology and Interventional Cardiology Fellowship at UPMC. Dr. D’Auria is a member of the medical staffs at Heritage Valley Beaver, Heritage Valley Kennedy and Heritage Valley Sewickley and is accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call (724) 773-4502. Dr. Richard RedlingerDr. Stephen D’Auria 6 • Allegheny West Magazine • August/September 2020Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health August/September 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 7%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced My Laundromat celebrates 10 years in business Most people don’t enjoy doing laundry, but for Margie Bauer, who’s owned My Laundromat in Imperial’s Essex Plaza these past 10 years, it’s been her dream job. “This is the best job I’ve ever had,” she says. In 2010, Margie purchased the business with her husband, Greg, when it was still known as Essex Laundromat. They found it listed for sale on Craigslist, of all places. The two added stainless steel washers and driers, free WiFi in a comfortable waiting area, offsite cameras for security, an ATM, vending machines, a change machine, and laundry bar. In 2015, they expanded into the neighboring storefront and also added a popular drop-off service. Greg built lockers so customers could pick up their laundry whenever they wanted. A year ago, they started keeping their doors open 24 hours. As the couple celebrates their 10th anniversary, business is continuing to hum and all that work over the years has garnered My Laundromat a reputation as one of the cleanest and friendliest Laundromats in the area. Most days, Margie and Greg can be found chatting with and getting to know customers. Greg, an electrician by trade, works on the machines while Margie turns out bags of laundry with the help of their two employees, Amanda and Shannon. Because of their location in the airport corridor and sterling reputation, Margie says they’ve had people from across the globe walk through their doors. Some people have even sent them thank- you cards. Others, they’ve watched their children grow. “It’s kind of like the Cheers of Laundromats,” says Margie. A North Side native, Margie says she always wanted to have a neighborhood type of place where people knew each other and felt comfortable visiting. Even though laundry isn’t at the top of anyone’s list of things they’d like to do, she says she still tries to make it as fun and pleasant as possible. Not everyone has the time to do laundry, however, which is what makes their drop-off service so popular. “You should see the guys’ eyes when they realize we do a drop- off service and they don’t have to do laundry anymore,” says Greg. “Their eyes get real wide. They can’t believe it.” The service has been particularly popular with shift workers and busy parents, he says. For those who prefer to do their laundry themselves, My Laundromat’s high-efficiency machines can wash loads in as little as 25 minutes and cut down on drying time. My Laundromat also has a number of larger loaders for bulky items that people can’t wash at home. In all, they have 12 double loaders, one triple loader, five four-loaders, two six-loaders and one eight-loader. They also have 22 driers. Because of their location, people sometimes have trouble finding them. They’re located behind the Essex Plaza, in back of where Garden of Eating is located, at 7900 Steubenville Pike. The business is located adjacent to Helping Hands Childcare. My Laundromat can be reached at (724) 227-0513. Find their reviews on Google and Yelp by searching “My Laundromat Imperial.” CONTENT SUBMITTED ABOVE: Margie and Greg Bauer are pictured at their business, My Laundromat, which is located at the rear of the Essex Plaza in Imperial off Steubenville Pike. BELOW: My Laundromat has garnered a reputation among online reviewers as one of the cleanest laundromats around. Margie Bauer mans the laundry bar at My Laundromat. 8 • Allegheny West Magazine • August/September 2020 Over the past few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has created plenty of hardships. The crisis, however, has also spurred people and businesses to help those impacted the most. A few recent initiatives did just that by collecting much-needed donations for the West Allegheny Food Pantry. On May 17, the Sturgeon VFD collecting enough food to fill two large trucks. Those donations were then sent to the West Allegheny Food Pantry and another pantry in South Fayette Township. The department’s efforts continued throughout the summer. The Sturgeon VFD took on the effort as its own fundraising activities were shut down due to COVID-19. During the pandemic, VFDs have largely been unable to hold the kinds of large fundraising events that tend to make up a big part of their operating budgets. “The department is of course taking a huge hit due to COVID-19 but we are sure we can get through it and will start fundraising again soon,” says Candy Ciaramella, who helped organize the food drive. Also in May, members of the National Honor Society at West Allegheny headed up a food drive that resulted in the collection of four cars filled to capacity with donations. For more, see page 34. In May as well, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank secured donations worth $18,600 from Brewer Airport Toyota in Moon Township for area agencies battling food insecurity. The funds have helped the West Allegheny Food Pantry purchase food directly from the food bank to distribute to those in need in their respective service areas. Food banks as a whole have seen an uptick in demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In between March 15 and May 31, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank coordinated the distribution of 7.4 million pounds of food to 365 agencies and programs in 11 counties across southwestern Pennsylvania. This most recent donation will assist it and the agencies it supports with those continuing efforts. In addition to those efforts, pantry co-director Linda Stoner says that people in the community have also been very generous with their own support. “During this unprecedented time, we’ve had an incredible response from people in the community with monetary donations,” she says. West Allegheny Food Pantry distributions take place on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month from 9 a.m. until noon and on the Wednesdays following from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. For more information, call (724) 695- 1305. Monetary donations can be mailed to: PO Box 527, Imperial PA 15126. St. Clair Hospital News Lindsay Meucci named vice president of marketing, communications and advocacy St. Clair Hospital has appointed Lindsay Meucci as Vice President, Marketing, Communications and Advocacy. Meucci is responsible for marketing and public relations, community relations, fundraising, and government advocacy. She comes to St. Clair from Giant Eagle, Inc., where she served in a series of progressively responsible positions, including Senior Director of Supermarket Marketing. In that role, she was responsible for the development and implementation of marketing and advertising strategies for all Giant Eagle stores. Prior to her tenure with Giant Eagle, she held a number of positions in marketing and customer relationship management with Dick’s Sporting Goods. IBM Watson ranks St. Clair among nation’s top hospitals IBM Watson Health has named St. Clair Hospital one of the nation’s 100 Top Hospitals for 2020. This marks the third consecutive year and fifth time since 2012 that St. Clair has won this prestigious honor. The 100 Top Hospitals are selected annually based solely on an objective analysis of multiple measures of patient safety, quality, patient satisfaction, and operational efficiency. All acute care hospitals in the U.S. are evaluated for potential inclusion on the list. Joining St. Clair are such notable institutions as Stanford, UCLA, the University of Florida and NorthShore University Health System in Evanston, Illinois. St. Clair is one of just 32 hospitals to make the list in three consecutive years. “Hospitals, health systems and the dedicated clinicians and staff who work at these organizations have emerged as true heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic and we are grateful to be able to recognize these extraordinary leaders at this time,” said Kyu Rhee, M.D., M.P.P., Vice President and Chief Health Officer, IBM Watson Health. “Organizations on this list demonstrate a relentless commitment to high value, patient-centered care and innovation.” John T. Sullivan, M.D., M.B.A., Chief Medical Officer at St. Clair, said, “At a time when great health care has never been more important, we’re proud of the health care heroes who’ve made St. Clair one of the nation’s highest quality hospitals.” In an accompanying study, IBM Watson Health notes that, if all hospitals in the nation performed at the level of the 100 Top Hospitals, more than 106,000 lives could be saved, 49,000 patients could be complication free, and the cost of health care could be reduced by $8.3 billion. The announcement continues a tradition of excellence that is unsurpassed in western Pennsylvania. In recent years, St. Clair has received accolades from U.S. News & World Report, the Leapfrog Group, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), CareChex, Healthgrades, and others. St. Clair is western Pennsylvania’s exclusive member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. LINDSAY MEUCCI COVID spurs efforts aiding West Allegheny food pantry August/September 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 9Next >