INSIDE! Official Newsletter Page 18 PLUS: CCDC Update Valley Ambulance veterans reflect on 50 years of service PIT’s Terminal Modernization Program taking shape Honoring the undefeated Neville Island Rivermen Serving Coraopolis and Neville Island communities of Cornell School District. One of four editions serving 17 airport area communities. Cornell Edition Winter 2022 www.awmagazine.com FREE Direct Mail Community Publication Allegheny West M agazine Page 9Winter 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • Winter 2022 Allegheny West Magazine-Cornell Edition is published in Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer, four issues a year, Hughey Publications, LLC, P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057. Mailed and distributed free to residents and businesses in Coraopolis, Neville Island and Cornell School District. 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 West Allegheny Edition of Allegheny West Magazine, the Montour Edition of Allegheny West Magazine, and the Moon Edition of Alleghney West Magazine. MEMBER Allegheny West Magazine - Cornell Edition, is an all positive, good news publication mailed free into the homes and businesses of the Cornell School District communities of Coraopolis and Neville Island 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 Pat Jennette Cornell Edition Winter 2022 ABOUT THE COVER { } Contents - - - - - - 8 9 14 16 18 29 CCDC Update Area Holiday Happenings Valley Ambulance veterans reflect on 50 years of service PIT’s Terminal Modernization Program taking shape Cornell Today Honoring the undefeated Neville Island Rivermen Cornell fourth-grader Ezra Rosemarie Barber created this drawing for our annual elementary holiday coloring contest. We chose Ezra’s drawing for our cover because we liked her warm setting, details, coloring and overall execution. For more about this year’s coloring contest, see the next page. Doug Hughey, Publisher/Editor Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our winter Cornell edition. I’d like to start this message by thanking all the Cornell elementary students who once again participated in our annual holiday coloring contest. We asked students in grades four through six to create our cover and received many great submissions, one of which we chose for our cover. The rest we’ve printed at right. In this edition as well, be sure to check out our lineup of holiday events on page 9 and, on page 18, get caught up on the latest happenings at Cornell School District. This month, read about the latest school grants, students being honored for their work in the classroom, a social studies teacher who received statewide recognition and plenty more. On page 10, look back on the history of the Valley Ambulance Authority and the role it has played to improve emergency response in the area. Then, on page 8, get an update on the efforts of the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation. On page 12, get an update on the Terminal Modernization Project at Pittsburgh International Airport and, on page 29, read how Cornell recently honored a very special group of football players from this area’s past. Look for our next edition in February. Until then, I hope you have a great holiday season. From the PublisherWe asked Cornell Elementary students in grades four through six to design the cover of our December edition. Of those submitted, we chose one for our cover and have printed the rest here. The students who created these drawings are (starting from top left) Wilhelmina Code, Robin Solomon, Kayla Lint, Ellianna Shugats, Dinah Burton, Cipriana DiVito, Christian Griffith, Bradley Barrett, Sam Thomas, Olivia Geist, Ketlyn Dionisio, Jack Joranger, Betzayra Benitez, Aria DiVito, Annaleise Johnson, Zamira Sanchez, Kacie Bethel, Finley Graham and Callie Johnson. Cornell Elementary Holiday Cover Contest Winter 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 5Heritage Valley Health System Online scheduling available for Park Manor Medical Associates Lauren Ayersman, DO Bradley Heiple, DO Kehkeshan Shah, MD Tara Degnan, PA-C Collin Wurst, PA-C Heritage Valley Health System’s online scheduling tool is now available to quickly and easily schedule a new patient or sick visit appointment with Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group Park Manor Medical Associates. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lauren Ayersman, Dr. Bradley Heiple, Dr. Kehkeshan Shah, Tara Degnan, PA-C or Collin Wurst, PA-C, visit cms.hvhs.org/carelink/. Park Manor Medical Associates is located in the Heritage Valley Robinson Township Medical Neighborhood in Robinson Town Centre, 2201 Park Manor Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. For questions, or to speak with a staff member, call (412) 749-6920. Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group Park Manor Medical Associates 2201 Park Manor Blvd | Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 749-6920 | cms.hvhs.org/carelink/ 6 • Allegheny West Magazine • Winter 2022Heritage Valley Health System One of the latest technologies in the fight against lung cancer is available at Heritage Valley Beaver. Dr. Katherine Chin, Dr. Blake Choplin, Dr. Perry Tiberio and Dr. Matthew Woodske of HVMG Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine use Robotic Bronchoscopy, the latest innovation to find and treat lung disease. The robot has the capacity to reach areas of the lung that were often previously inaccessible, allowing our physicians to potentially detect lung cancer much sooner. And, the earlier cancer is detected, the more treatment plans are available. By utilizing the Auris Health MonarchTM Robotic Bronchoscopy Platform, Heritage Valley’s goal is to enable earlier and more accurate diagnoses of small and hard- to-reach nodules in the periphery of the lung. A thin tube, called a bronchoscope, is threaded through a patient’s mouth and into the lung. The physician uses the robot to guide the bronchoscope to the lung nodule to collect a tissue sample for testing. The technology integrates the latest advancements in robotics, software, data science and endoscopy, and combines traditional camera views with computer-assisted navigation. Earlier diagnosis with this minimally invasive approach will hopefully increase chances of survival from lung cancer and reduce unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures. “This robotic platform allows Heritage Valley to provide state-of-the art medical procedures in a community facility,” said Matthew Woodske, MD. “When paired with our other technologies, we can give patients an accurate and safe diagnosis and treatment plan, and hopefully a better chance at a cure.” Dr. Woodske added that, while the procedure is similar to a traditional bronchoscopy, “It provides our physicians with the advanced precision and control that comes with robotic technology, and provides greater access to harder-to-reach areas of the lung.” To schedule an appointment with HVMG Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine, please call 724-773-6403 (Heritage Valley Beaver) or 412-749-7160 (Heritage Valley Sewickley). To learn more about Robotic Bronchoscopy and Heritage Valley’s LungCare program, please visit www.heritagevalley.org/services/lungcare-program/. Heritage Valley uses Robotic Bronchoscopy for Lung Cancer Diagnosis Part of the Heritage Valley LungCare Program Should you be screened for lung cancer? A Low Dose CT Lung Scan is a painless and noninvasive procedure that can detect very small nodules in the lung, and is especially effective for diagnosing lung cancer when it is in its earliest, most treatable stage. If any of the following apply, you should consider having a Low Dose Computed Tomography (CT) Lung Cancer Screening through Heritage Valley Health System’s LungCare program: • You are 50 years of age, currently smoke or have quit smoking within the last 15 years • You have a family history of lung cancer • You have risk factors, such as prolonged exposure to asbestos or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) • You have a tobacco smoking history of at least 20 pack-years* *To calculate pack-years, multiply the number of packs of cigarettes smoked a day by the number of years that you smoked. After your scan, our Radiologist will review your results and provide a report, including follow-up recommendations, to your referring Physician. Your results will be available to you on Health Link, Heritage Valley’s secure patient portal, and a copy of the report will be mailed to you. If an abnormality is detected, our Physicians will quickly provide you with various treatment options. Our LungCare Pulmonologists set aside time each week for patients with abnormal diagnoses, and work collaboratively with the patient’s Primary Care Physician. They also meet weekly with Oncologists to discuss every potential cancer diagnosis. We know that time saves lives, so we provide a quick and seamless transition from screening to diagnosis to treatment. Follow-up testing and care is conveniently provided within Heritage Valley Health System, enabling us to make certain that our patients receive the personalized care they need in a timely manner. Early Detection Saves Lives! Please see your physician for an order for a Low Dose CT Lung Cancer Screening, and call 1-866- 901-IMAG (4624) to schedule your appointment. If you have questions about lung cancer screenings, please contact our LungCare Navigator at 724-773-2071. For information about Heritage Valley’s LungCare program, please visit www.heritagevalley.org/services/lungcare-program/. Heritage Valley Multispecialty Group Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine Doctors Jeffrey Erukhimov, MD • Perry Tiberio, MD, PhD Nicholas Tapyrik, MD Matthew Woodske, MD • Blake Choplin, MD Susan Weber, MD • Katherin Chin, MD Winter 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 7CAround Your Town Around Your Town Coraopolis Community Development Corporation Update CONTENT SUBMITTED 8 • Allegheny West Magazine • Winter 2022 Latest Coraopolis Food Pantry figures The Coraopolis Food Pantry has been continuing its mission of feeding those experiencing food insecurity in the area. To date, the pantry has been able to serve the following. Its mission has been assisted by numerous partnerships, community volunteers and generous donations. Snack Pack Program figures The pantry has also been continuing its Snack Pack program, which serves children in the area. Thanks to help from 50 volunteers, the program has served 156 children on a bi-weekly basis and distributed 1,560 packs. Donations are still needed for the program and will continue to be collected throughout the winter. In particular, the CCDC is asking for: Go Go Squeeze Yogurt, applesauce and fruit; Kraft Mac and cheese (7.5 oz); Chef BoyarDee (7.5 oz), Goldfish crackers and granola bars. Donations can be dropped off at: Emma Jean’s Relics (930 5th Ave) and at Tiffany Battaglini Insurance (1108 5th Ave). Volunteer Opportunities The CCDC is looking for volunteers for the following positions: 1. Delivery Drivers: Must utilize their own vehicles, have car insurance and be able to lift more than 25 pounds Sundays, 10 a.m. (twice monthly) 2. Service Prep: Pack grocery bags for distributions. Sundays, 9 -11:30 a.m. (twice monthly) 3. Food Distribution: Distribute food into cars as they drive up. Sundays, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (twice monthly) Businesses interested in “adopting” a week of the Snack Pack program by running a cereal collection or volunteering should email Amy Cavicchia at amycavicchia@corycdc.org. Recently, Neville Aggregates adopted the program and purchased three weeks of snacks. Thank you, Neville Aggregates! People served: 1044 Families served: 354 Volunteers: 60 Families delivered to: 156 Families picking up: 198 Neville Aggregates recently adopted the Snack Pack program and collected three weeks’ worth of snacks. Children’s clothing collection The CCDC is currently collecting new spring and summer essentials such as t-shirts, shorts, underwear and socks in various sizes for children in Coraopolis. The CCDC is looking to build an inventory so that, in the spring, children (or parents) can “shop” for what they need. Those interested in donating or helping should contact Amy Cavicchia at amycavicchia@corycdc.org. Chilli cook-off winners The CCDC hosted its third annual chili cook-off at Cobblehaus Brewing in downtown Coraopolis on Nov. 6. Contestants squared off by cooking up their best chili and judges taste tested with locally crafted brews. Coming out on top of the competition was Mark Cavicchia in first place, Milo Freese in second and Jessica Watson in third. All proceeds benefited the CCDC’s food programs. Three ways to make a year-end gift to the CCDC As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the CCDC relies on the generosity of supporters. A tax-deductible donation impacts the local community and helps keep its work moving forward. Here are some ways to give: FROM TOP: Mark Cavicchia, Milo Freese and Jessica Watson took the top spots in this year’s chili cook-off. 1. Give online at: www.corycdc.org/support 2.Send a check to: “CCDC”, PO Box 40, Coraopolis, PA 15108 3.Scan the QR Code to give: Cory Bright Business Window Decorating Contest Vote for your favorite by emailing: Christmas@corycdc.org Dec. 1-15CAround Your Town Around Your Town Area holiday happenings Coraopolis 52nd Annual Living Nativity, Dec. 2, 7-9 p.m., Presbyterian Church of Coraopolis, 1201 Fifth Avenue in Coraopolis, free event, volunteers dress in character with live animals while carillon plays Christmas music, (412) 264-0470. Robinson’s Christmas Light Up Night, Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m., Clever Park, magical evening with holiday lights, visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, fireworks, townshipofrobinson.com/special- events/. Inches Nursery Holiday Festival, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 1005 Stoops Ferry Rd. in Moon Township, Santa, refreshments, holiday decor, more, www.inchesnursery.com, follow on Facebook: Inches Nursery. Moon Lights Holiday Festival, Dec. 3, 5-7:30 p.m., Moon Park, performances, food trucks, craft vendors, games, Santa arrives 5:30 p.m. atop a fire truck to light the tree, photos and visits with children and families, bring letters for Santa to drop in his mailbox, www.moonparks.org. Christmas in Coraopolis, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., VFW Post 402, cookie sale, children’s activities, letters to Santa, holiday family photos, visit from Santa, hosted by Coraopolis United Methodist Church, Facebook: @CCDC247 and @ CoraopolisUMC, www.coraopolisfoundation.org/events. Moon Township Garden Club Holiday Greens and Gift Shoppe, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Robin Hill Center, wreaths, garlands, swags, mailbox covers, centerpieces, birdseed wreaths, much more, moontownshipgardenclub.com. Moon Holiday Lights Drive-Thru, first weekend in December through the first week of January, Moon Park, enjoy over 20 light displays placed throughout the park, www. moonparks.org. Allegheny County Holiday Laser Shows, Dec. 9-22, North Park Swimming Pool Parking Lot, alleghenycounty.us/ specialevents for tickets and times, see page 2. Carnegie Performing Arts Presents “The Nutcracker,” Dec. 10 at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 at 2 p.m., Dec. 17 at 7 p.m., Dec. 18 at 2 p.m., Andrew Carnegie Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, purchase tickets at the door or online: carnegieperformingartscenter.com. West Hills Symphonic Band Holiday Concert: “Bassoon it Will Be Christmas,” Dec. 11, 3 p.m., Montour High School, free event, featuring band arrangements of holiday tunes: Babes in Toyland, Fantasia for Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Nativity Carol, Radetsky March, Valse des Fleurs, Dashing Through the Snow (Based on Jingle Bells), Gloria, A Most Wonderful Christmas, www.whsb.org. Winter 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 9 Fall Festival and Art Walk return The streets and storefronts of Coraopolis Borough were once again alive with art Oct. 8 for the Coraopolis Fall Festival and Art Walk. Twelve artists and 11 small businesses participated in the third annual event. At businesses and on sidewalks around the borough, artists were on hand creating artwork and selling their pieces. The festival was a collaboration between the West Hills Art League, Gilbirti Fine Arts, the CCDC, the Borough of Coraopolis, Coraopolis Youth Creations and Emma Jean Relics. Artists turned Coraopolis’ storefronts and sidewalks into their art studios Oct. 8. The CCDC has a new executive director. Randon Willard took over the reins earlier this year and, in so doing, succeeds Amy Cavicchia, who is now the CCDC’s director of programs and community engagement. Willard has worked for the past 15 years in higher education at Geneva College and Robert Morris University. He and his wife, Kelly, have lived in Coraopolis since 2008 and were involved with the CCDC previously, helping to found the Coraopolis Food Pantry and writing a grant that helped secure the property now used for the Community Garden. Randon has also served on the CCDC’s board while Kelly has overseen some of the organization’s programs. The two have three children and have grown to love Coraopolis’ small-town community. “Coraopolis is such a special place where we know our neighbors, enjoy a small school, can walk everywhere, and support each other,” says Randon. “I hope that as we see more economic development in the town, we never lose the things that make Coraopolis so special.” Randon Willard named CCDC director Randon and Kelly Willard are pictured with their three sons, Matthias, Henry and Lewis. Next >