Remembering Dan Hanczar PLUS: West Allegheny Workcamp returns for fourth year Prepping for another marathon at 57 Honoring Jerrod Withrow LifeSpan Senior Resource Center reopens Local festivals and musicians bring communities together Raising awareness of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Neighborhood 91 sets stage for revolution in manufacturing Pittsburgh Technical College honors past, looks to future M agazine West Allegheny Edition Volume 23, Issue 133 August/September 2021 FREE Direct Mail Community Publication One of 4 editions serving 17 airport area communities www.awmagazine.com West Allegheny School District Official Newsletter Inside Page 35 Allegheny West August/September 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • August/September 2021 West Allegheny Workcamp returns for fourth year Special tribute honors memory of Dan Hanczar Prepping for a sixth marathon at 57 Honoring Jerrod Withrow LifeSpan Senior Resource Center reopens to area seniors West Allegheny Back-To-School Calendars Local festivals and musicians help bring communities back together Local veteran raising awareness of Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Neighborhood 91 sets stage for revolution in manufacturing WA Today Pittsburgh Technical College honors past while looking to future Retired West Allegheny teacher and local musician Dan Hanczar is pictured in his home in late 2012, shortly after releasing his first album, “Be Thankful.” Dan passed away this past November following a lengthy battle with COVID-19. In July, his family members held a special memorial in his honor. Read more on page 14. PHOTO BY SARAH KIZINA Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our August West Allegheny edition. This month, we are honored to bring you two very special tributes to community members who we lost over the past year. Dan Hanczar and Jerrod Withrow were both valued members of this community and the tragedy of their passing has affected many. Read more about Dan on page 14 and Jerrod on page 18. In our story on page 28, our writer Garret Roberts takes a look at how area fairs, festivals and concerts brought communities back together this summer. Garret’s story is a great look at how artists can impact their communities. On page 30, read about a local veteran who held one of the most rarefied positions in the U.S. Army and learn why this year is so important to him. Then, on page 32, check out our story about a new, one-of-a-kind advanced manufacturing facility that recently started operating right here in western Allegheny County. On page 42, take a look back with us at the history of Pittsburgh Technical College in Oakdale and, on page 35, check out the latest news out of West Allegheny School District. Be sure to also tear out our sports and academic calendars on our centerfold and keep this as a handy reference in the months ahead. Look for our next edition in October. In the meantime, I hope you will stay safe and healthy as we continue to weather this pandemic. Doug Hughey, Publisher/Editor From the Publisher ABOUT THE COVER West Allegheny Edition ~ August/September 2021 Volume 23, No. 133 { } Contents - - - - - - - - - - - 12 14 16 18 20 23 28 30 32 35 42 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- 2021 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. P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057 Phone: 724.673.3161 E-Mail: info@awmagazine.com www.awmagazine.com 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 left- over 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 Cornell edition of Allegheny West Magazine and the Montour edition of Allegheny West Magazine. MEMBER Allegheny West Magazine - West Allegheny, 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 Doug Hughey Jill Bordo Pat Jennette Garret Roberts Sarah Kizina www.ddswebdesign.com Erma Dodd Pat Jennette August/September 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 5Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health System and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley are pleased to announce the renovation and re-opening of a 12-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit located on the fifth floor of Heritage Valley Kennedy hospital. Officially named the Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley at Heritage Valley Kennedy, the unit will function as a satellite expansion unit of the main facility located in Sewickley. The location will provide rehabilitation care for patients recovering from strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, hip fractures, and complex orthopedic conditions. “Heritage Valley and Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley have a history of collaboration and joint venture relationships,” said Norm Mitry, President and CEO, Heritage Valley Health System. “Establishing the inpatient rehabilitation unit at Heritage Valley Kennedy was a natural fit. It brings much needed services to patients residing in the western and northern communities of Allegheny County. They can now receive this specialized care close to home.” Patients of the unit benefit from exceptional care that is standard to both organizations. Those receiving care will experience a minimum of three hours per day of therapy for five days each week from a multidisciplinary therapy team, 24-hour nursing care, access to advanced technologies, and frequent visits by an attending physician during their stay. “We are excited about this next step in our collaboration with Heritage Valley, as we continue to identify opportunities to expand the services and programs offered to individuals in our local community through our clinical partnership,” said Leah Laffey, CEO of Encompass Health of Sewickley. “At Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley at Heritage Valley Kennedy, we remain committed to helping our patients regain independence after a life-changing illness or injury. Our teams use clinical collaboration and advanced technologies to provide a personalized care plan designed to meet our patients’ unique needs to help them achieve their goals.” To learn more about Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sewickley at Heritage Valley Kennedy, please call (412) 749- 2396. Heritage Valley, Encompass Health bring inpatient rehab to Heritage Valley Kennedy Encompass Health is now treating patients at Heritage Valley Kennedy hospital. 6 • Allegheny West Magazine • August/September 2021Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley Health Heritage Valley OB/GYN Associates of Sewickley welcomes Wenjun Zong, M.D., Ph.D. to the practice. He joins Rebecca Welch, M.D., FACOG and Tara Degnan, PA-C at OB/GYN Associates of Sewickley, which is located on the first floor of Heritage Valley Sewickley hospital at 720 Blackburn Road in Sewickley. Before joining Heritage Valley OB/GYN Associates of Sewickley, Dr. Zong earned his medical degree and completed an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Chongqing Medical University in China. He also completed a fellowship in gynecologic oncology and earned a Ph.D. in molecular oncology and biology at West China Medical University. Dr. Zong additionally had senior specialist training in gynecologic endoscopies in France. He finished a U.S. OB/GYN residency in New York. Dr. Zong was a research faculty member in urogynecology at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Zong is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call (412) 749-8317. Heritage Valley welcomes OB/GYN Wenjun Zong, M.D., Ph.D. You may be familiar with Heritage Valley ConvenientCare walk-in clinics, as they provide immediate care for minor illnesses and injuries. But did you know ConvenientCare locations provide health and wellness examinations as well? Heritage Valley’s ConvenientCare walk-in clinics provide physicals for a variety of reasons, such as for school and/or sports enrollment, driver’s license applications, and employment. To obtain a physical at Heritage Valley ConvenientCare, simply walk in; no appointment is necessary. ConvenientCare clinics are open daily with extended hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners at ConvenientCare provide physical exams and complete the necessary documentation needed all in one visit. To learn more about ConvenientCare and the services provided at all seven community locations, go to HeritageValley.org. Walk-in physical exams available at ConvenientCare Robinson Pictured is Heritage Valley ConvenientCare in Robinson Township. Wenjun Zong, M.D., Ph.D. August/September 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 7%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced For the past 27 years, longtime Clinton residents Patty and Lloyd Faux have been organizing a Christmas drive-through light- up display in Clinton Community Park. As the light-up closes in on its 28th season, the Fauxes are in need of volunteers to assist with the rather momentous task of setting up and dissembling the hundreds of decorations that comprise the light-up. The couple recently lost a couple of volunteers and are now asking for help with this year’s effort. Setup on the display will commence shortly after the park closes Oct. 30. The light-up then begins just three short weeks later after Thanksgiving. A subsequent teardown will start in early January. “It’s not hard work, it’s just time consuming,” says Patty. “But we do need help.” The one-mile drive-through extravaganza, which is made up of hundreds of Christmas decorations, winds through the park’s scenic woodlands section. Over the years, it has been successful at drawing spectators from across the region. Proceeds collected from admission fees and a Christmas display local businesses sponsor at the end annually benefit a number of local charitable efforts. Anyone who would like to assist with this year’s effort can call Patty at (724) 899-3602. Respondents are asked to leave a message. Clinton Christmas Light-Up in need of volunteers WA Athletic Hall of Fame to honor 2020 induction class Oct. 16 Banquet tickets on sale now The West Allegheny Athletic Hall of Fame will honor its 2020 induction class at an official banquet Oct. 16 at the SNPJ Club in Imperial. Tickets can be purchased online at www.westahalloffame.org or in person at the North Fayette Township Community Center at Donaldson Park. Individual tickets are available for $50, and both children’s and past inductee options are available. A buffet-style dinner will be served at 6 p.m. followed by speakers. Inductees to be honored include CJ Davis (football); the 2007 and 2008 baseball teams; Zak Sinclair (baseball); the 2008 and 2009 girls volleyball teams; Dr. Korin Wengryn (volleyball); and Michelle Walker (volleyball). More about the accomplishments of these exemplary athletes and teams can be read at www.westahalloffame. org. Proceeds from the induction banquet benefit West Allegheny athletic programs. Refuge for Women Pittsburgh Emergency Housing, a national faith-based nonprofit that provides residential care to survivors of human trafficking, is hosting a pair of panel discussions about sex trafficking in Pittsburgh this year. At the time of this writing, the first panel discussion is scheduled to take place Aug. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Western Allegheny Community Library at 181 Bateman Road in Oakdale. The second panel will be hosted Oct. 14 at the First Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh at 320 6th Avenue in Pittsburgh. Panelists will include local experts addressing human trafficking, including a survivor of sex trafficking, a representative from Refuge for Women, a trauma therapist, a representative from a frontline organization, a private investigator for child trafficking cases, and representatives from local law enforcement and government. The purpose of this discussion is to inform the public about the realities of human trafficking, specifically sex trafficking, in the greater Pittsburgh area; provide education on current efforts by local organizations that are addressing the issue; and discuss how the organization is supporting survivors through the healing and recovery process. Refuge for Women is in the process of opening emergency housing to meet the immediate needs of victims and survivors of sex trafficking in the Pittsburgh area. Local law enforcement organizations have expressed that an emergency shelter is a key, missing piece for sex trafficking victims in this area. Refuge for Women looks forward to filling this crucial need and providing treatment and support to survivors. These panel discussions will provide community members with a space to learn more about the issue, ask questions, and engage in conversation with experts who are on the front lines. The panel discussions are free and open to the public. More details about the events, including suggested RSVP information, can be found at refugeforwomenpanelevent.eventbrite.com. Nonprofit hosting panel discussions on human trafficking Patty and Lloyd Faux (above) are asking for volunteers to help set up this year’s Clinton Christmas Light-Up. 8 • Allegheny West Magazine • August/September 2021% New in Town New in Town West Allegheny graduates JT Bayly and Josh Rosen learned quite a bit from their mutual experiences in the Army. Among other things, they learned about planning operations, resource management, being mission focused and adhering to their core values. It turns out those same lessons apply to running a business, as they’ve both found over this past 12 months. Last year, the pair took over a residential junk removal business called Toss that Junk. The business offers a service that entails clearing junk and debris from residential and commercial lots. That eventually led to them owning and renting out dumpsters and working with local contractors and other business owners. Then, earlier this year, a former Army General and college president of Rosen’s alma mater at Valley Forge Military College connected them to a fellow alumnus who was in the same business. Rosen and Bayly teamed up with him and have since become the local owners of a dumpster rental franchise called GIHAUL, which is entirely owned and operated by former and current military members. “One thing about GIHAUL is they don’t sell franchises to non- military members,” says Bayly. “A lot of other similar businesses that claim to be veteran-owned aren’t really.” Rosen and Bayly’s path to becoming business partners started at West Allegheny High School, where both were members of the JROTC. While Rosen went on to commission in the National Guard and study business at Valley Forge Military College, Bayly attended West Virginia University. He also enlisted in the National Guard and volunteered to serve with an artillery unit before serving time overseas. At the same time, Rosen went to work for a company in a veteran’s advocacy role that at times took him to Capitol Hill. When the pandemic hit, however, he was laid off. Right about that same time, Bayly was coming off his service and looking to make his next move. Rosen reached out, and the rest is history. Whereas most people might look at a dumpster and see a rusty metal container that belongs on a construction site, Rosen sees it a bit differently. “I think a lot of people don’t think of a dumpster this way, but it’s a solution to a problem, and ordering one is as easy as ordering a pizza,” he says. “It makes a project that seems daunting, like cleaning out a garage or remodeling a bathroom, feasible.” He says one of their more popular specials is a weekend deal where they drop the dumpster off on a Friday and pick it up that following Monday. “We call it ‘Conquering the Weekend,’” he says. GIHAUL Dumpster Rentals also offers seven-day rentals, along with delivery and pickup within a 30-mile radius. For those who don’t have the time or capability to clear a residential yard or structure of unwanted debris, the two are continuing to offer their junk removal service. The service is perfect for someone who is flipping a home, preparing an estate for sale or just wants to reclaim their yard from years of clutter. In just a day or so, the business can clear a lot of old appliances, scrap metal, car parts and even small structures. For more information, visit www.gihauldumpsters.com or call (833) 336-3867. After serving in the Army, these two WA alums are teaming up to run their own business STORY AND PHOTO SUBMITTED West Allegheny High School alumni and Army veterans JT Bayly and Josh Rosen have teamed up to operate GIHAUL, a junk removal and dumpster rental business. GIHAUL is a national company that only allows former and current military members to operate its franchises. August/September 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 9Next >