< Previous30 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023 Montour Elementary School Holiday Coloring Contest Submissions The elementary students who created these are (starting at top left): Caitlyn Ebling, Kruti Bhagavan, Lily Brown, Olivia Thomas, Juliana Johnston, Logan Lloyd, Maxwell Fantone, Milena Kutzavitch, Nora DeMico, Sienna Lang, Abigail Bohdan, Addy Dermyer, Cecelia Sclight, Luca Salandra, Nora Kluchurosky, Asher Howell, Nafeesa Beerahamedkhan, Norah Woodard, Sophia Stallone, Whitney Galiyas, Alayna Brown, Artie Barefoot, Madison Fantone and Olive Donovan. For more, see the article at right.November/December 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 31 MES students lined up for their annual Halloween parade and were led on the track by the high school marching band. Stay up to date at: www.montourschools.com MES Students of the Month Every month during the school year, students from each grade in either Team Curiosity or Team Discovery at Montour Elementary School are selected as Students of the Month. These students are chosen for exhibiting appropriate behavior, performing random acts of kindness, demonstrating improvement in academic areas and exhibiting self control. The honor can also recognize a deserving student with a quiet disposition. September’s Students of the Month are pictured below. Students of the Month for September were Ethan Baldauff, Trevor Butts, Lily Brown, Spencer Clegg, Skyler Hollis, Mia Mamula, Reed Martinec, Hazel Rust, Scarlett Viskovicz and Kayleigh Weber. MES news rundown Hawaiian third grade party Following an amazing start to the year, third-graders at MES celebrated “Hawaiian” style with Popsicles, music and fun. Their teachers were impressed with all of their hard work up to that point, so they rewarded students with the special fall celebration. Donations to dress were collected, with all proceeds benefiting the Maui United Way. The PTA Sharing and Caring Committee helped support this special initiative. Aloha! Third-graders enjoyed dressing Hawaiian-style and eating Popsicles while raising funds for the Maui United Way. Track or Treat MES students once again took to the Hilltop track on Halloween for Track or Treat. In what has become a tradition at MES, students paraded while showing off their creative and scary costumes. Members of the high school marching band led the way with a rendition of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Phipps Visit Students in Montour Elementary School’s Enrichment program recently visited Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, where they engaged in environmentally focused activities. The day included students exploring the conservatory’s diverse ecosystems, expressing their connection with nature through various means, and deepening their understanding of environmental principles. One noteworthy part of the trip was an introduction to the Phipps Fairchild Challenge, a multidisciplinary environmental education program. Through the challenges, students enhance their critical thinking skills and learn how to creatively address environmental issues throughout the school year. This experience left students with an appreciation for the natural world and a sense of responsibility toward environmental conservation. Montour Elementary School is empowering students to make a positive impact on the planet. Students in the MES Enrichment program visit Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh.32 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023 Football At press time, the football team was preparing for its much- anticipated first game of the post season against Thomas Jefferson following a first-round bye. After finishing the regular season with a 9-1 record, the powerhouse Spartans received third seeding, right behind McKeesport and Aliquippa. If Montour wins its next two games, the team will play for the 4A WPIAL Championship at Acrisucre Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pitt Panthers. In that event, the Spartans’ opponent could very well be top-seeded Aliquippa, which handed the Spartans its single defeat of the regular season. To call Montour’s performance during the fall season impressive would be an understatement. Behind quarterback Jake Wolfe, who led all of the WPIAL in total yardage, the Spartans scored over 40 points in six of its games while Montour’s defense held teams to 20 points or under in six games. Two of its wins came against 5A opponents and five of its wins were decided by 30 points or more. Look for an update on the playoffs in the next issue. Girls Soccer The girls soccer team qualified again for the playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 12-2-3 record. In the first round, the seventh-seeded Spartans defeated 10th-seeded Franklin Regional in double overtime. It was a team Montour had played, and tied, twice that season already. In the next round, the team faced second-seeded Plum, which had ended the Spartans’ playoff run last season and tied with Montour earlier this season. This time, though, the Spartans shut Plum out thanks to excellent goal keeping by Allison Armitage. A pair of goals from Grace Bannon secured the upset, advancing the Spartans to the semi-finals. There, Montour faced third-seeded Moon in a game that, again, remained scoreless at the end of regulation. Ultimately, the match went to penalty kicks and the Tigers came away with the victory. By making the semi-finals, however, Montour extended their season by qualifying for the PIAA tournament. The team also played in a third-place consolation game but was unable to come away with the win. At press time, the Spartans were preparing to play WPIAL champion South Fayette in the opening round of the PIAA playoffs. Players Grace Bannon, Mia Cyanovich, Riley Hall, Marlo Cyanovich, Marin Torrens and Caitlyn Sill all earned All-Section honors. The first three also earned All-WPIAL honors. Tennis With just one senior on its roster, the girls tennis team wrapped up a solid year by finishing third in their section and reaching the playoffs for a third consecutive season. Senior Peja Cruise and sophomore Raven Karlik also won the section doubles tournament and qualified for WPIAL post-season competition. Individually, Peja finished as the runner-up in the section and qualified for WPIAL post-season play. Over the past four years, Peja has been one of the team’s best players, helping to win a doubles section championship last year and advancing to the state-wide doubles tournament in 2021. Though the team loses her to graduation, the Spartans will have a solid roster of young players ready to step up next season. Boys Soccer The boys soccer team returned to the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year after finishing the regular season with an impressive 14-3 record. In the opening round of the 3A WPIAL playoffs, the fifth-seeded Spartans rolled over 12th-seeded Gateway by a score of 5-0 and then defeated 13th-seeded Indiana in the quarterfinals. That victory put the Spartans in the semi-final match against South Fayette, giving them a shot at advancing to the championship game. South Fayette, however, proved too much and the Spartans lost by a score of 2-1. Though eliminated from the WPIAL playoffs, Montour did advance to the third-place consolation game and defeated Franklin Regional by a score of 3-1. The win also qualified Montour for the PIAA playoffs. At press time, the Spartans were preparing to play Erie Cathedral Prep in the opening round. Several players earned all section-honors, including Jaxon Camp and Matt Marcinko, both of whom also earned All-WPIAL honors. Evan Bonato, Parker Brennan and Andrew Prunier earned All- Section nods as well. Jaxon also earned an All-PIAA honor. Cross Country For the fourth consecutive year, the girls cross-country team went undefeated in their section. The girls also won the Red White and Blue Invitational, the Tri-State Invitational and MAC Championship (for a third time) on their way to the WPIAL meet. There, the team finished as runners-up, securing their third straight trip to PIAA state championships in Hershey. The boys team also secured a spot in the PIAA meet for the second consecutive year after finishing in third place at the MAC championships, as runners-up at the Hershey Foundation Invitational and in fourth place at the WPIAL meet. The girls team was led by senior Lakyn Schaltenbrand, who finished fifth overall at the WPIAL meet, securing her a fourth career WPIAL medal. Sophomore Tiffany Miller finished sixth. Leading the boys team was senior Julian Kletz, who had a record- breaking season in which he won all section races and finished third at the WPIAL meet. At press time, both teams were preparing to compete at the PIAA meet in Hershey. Look for an update in the next issue. Girls Volleyball The girls volleyball team continued its streak of playoff appearances this season after finishing the regular season with a 10-8 record. In the opening round, ninth-seeded Montour upset eighth-seeded Knoch in a three-set sweep that put the Spartans in the quarterfinals against top-seeded Hampton. That match, played at Hampton, would prove too much, however, and Montour lost 3-0 to end their season. Still, it was yet another good season for the girls volleyball program at Montour, which continues to enjoy success year after year. In addition, several players secured All-Section honors, including junior middle hitter Kennady Martindale, who Montour will get back next season. Danielle Caliguiri secured second-team honors while Delaney Barto and Casey Boyle secured third-team honors. Next year, the team loses Danielle to graduation, but with the other three returning, the team’s chances of continuing its streak of success look positive. Varsity Sports: The fall teams that reached the playoffs This past fall sports season was another successful one for the Spartans, with multiple teams earning post-season bids. Here’s a rundown of the ones that were still playing after the regular season ended: Robinson Township Historical Society November/December 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 33 Today, few Robinson Township residents realize the tremendous importance that coal mining holds in our local history. In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution brought about sweeping changes in the ways work got done. The coal-fired steam engine was key to those changes, and great demand grew for both locomotives and the stationary steam engines used in steel production. Pittsburgh was home to many steel mills and railroads, so coal mining in the area soon boomed. The heyday of coal production in Robinson began in the 1890s and lasted until the 1930s. In Western Pennsylvania, coal was abundant. Robinson was honeycombed with massive veins of coal, and soon nearly a dozen mines popped up all over the township. One of these was the Moon Run Mine, which began production in the 1890s. In the year following its opening, the Moon Run Coal Company produced more than 2,000 tons of coal in one day. The Moon Run Mine itself was huge, extending south to Carnegie and northwest to Settlers Cabin Park. The majority of coal miners were immigrants from Europe, men who were willing to work hard for very little pay to support their families and make their “New World” dream come true. The Moon Run community, or “coal patch,” was soon built. It consisted of 150 company houses and a large company store that also served as a church, post office and jail. The Moon Run Railroad sprang up almost simultaneously as a means to transport the coal, so hundreds of railroad workers were soon employed in the area as well. At one point, Moon Run’s population swelled to 3,000. The Robinson Township Historical Society Museum, located inside the Robinson Township Municipal Building at 1000 Church Hill Road, contains displays of photos, tools and mementos from that era. Around the township, there are other signs of the industry’s past. There are still two great refuse piles and a few old company houses that can be seen from Route 60. They are among the few remaining reminders of a coal industry that once dominated the area. The birth of coal mining in Robinson Township CONTENT SUBMITTED BY THE ROBINSON TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY TOP: This old trestle was once located at the Moon Run Mine. LEFT: This map from the Robinson Township Historical Society archives shows the extent of mines across Moon Run and Robinson Township. RIGHT: These miners’ helmets and a lunch pail are displayed in a cabinet at the Robinson Township Historical Society’s room at the Robinson Township Municipal Building, at 1000 Church Hill Road. Read and share content online at: awmagazine.com.On the Horizon On the Horizon ; Christmas Light Up Celebration in Clinton, Nov. 18-Jan. 7, 5-10 p.m. daily (includes holidays), Clinton Park: 600 Clinton Park Drive in Imperial, vehicle travel only, $10/vehicle (cash only), scenic drive through Clinton Park’s woodlands section featuring hundreds of lighted decorations, all-volunteer effort benefits local charities, Facebook: @ChristmasLightUpCelebration. Dazzling Nights, select dates Nov. 24-Jan 1, 5:30-9 p.m., Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, 799 Pinkerton Run Rd., holiday light-up event with interactive exhibits, walk-through event, purchase tickets ahead of time at: www.dazzlingpittsburgh.com. Hozak Farms Cut-Your-Own Christmas Trees, Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays, take a tractor ride and cut your own tree, saws provided, tree shaking and baling, www.hozakfarms.com. Sweetwater Center for the Arts Holiday Market, Nov. 30-Dec. 3, sweetwaterartcenter.org. Robinson’s Christmas Light-Up Night, Dec. 1, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Clever Park, magical evening with holiday lights, visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, fireworks, townshipofrobinson.com/special-events/. Coraopolis 52nd Annual Living Nativity, Dec. 1, 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. Moon Lights Holiday Festival, Dec. 2, 5-7:30 p.m., Moon Park, performances, food trucks, craft vendors, games, visit from Santa at 5:30 p.m., tree lighting, www.moonparks.org. Moon Holiday Lights Drive-Thru, Dec. 2-Jan. 7, Moon Park, enjoy over 20 light displays placed throughout the park, free, www.moonparks.org. Moon Township Garden Club Holiday Greens and Gift Shoppe, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Robin Hill Center, wreaths, garlands, swags, mailbox covers, centerpieces, birdseed wreaths, homemade cookies, handcrafted signs, unique greeting cards, pet items, gift baskets, garden decorations, live plants, benefits garden club philanthropies, coincides with West Hills Art League Cash and Carry Show (see next listing), moontownshipgardenclub. com. West Hills Art League $55 Cash and Carry Show, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., Robin Hill Carriage House, westhillsartleague.com. Crafton Celebration of Lights, Dec. 2, Crafton Park, kids’ crafts, holiday music, pictures with Santa, details TBA, www. craftonborough.com/parks-recreation. Christmas in Coraopolis, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., VFW Post 402, 412 Mulberry Street in Coraopolis, cookie sale, children’s activities, letters to Santa, holiday family photos, visit from Santa, hosted by Coraopolis United Methodist Church, 12 cookies for $10 or 60 for $45, cash or check, preorder at www.coraopolisumc.org through Nov. 18. Janoski’s Christmas Festival Open House, Dec. 2 and 3, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., visit with Santa, hayrides, animals, cookie decorating, giveaways, home-grown poinsettias, giveaways, fees may apply, janoskis.com. Alina’s Light Christmas Lunch with Santa, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Montour High School cafeteria, pictures with Santa, dancing, princesses and superheroes, Santa, gifts, catered pasta lunch, raffle baskets, benefits Alina’s Light, www.alinaslight.com. “The Nutcracker” Performances, two weekends: Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, Saturdays, 7 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m., Carnegie Music Hall in Carnegie, $22/ adults, $20/students and children, purchase tickets online or up to one hour prior to performance, www. carnegieperformingartscenter.com. St. Matrona Ladies’ Society Cookie Walk, Dec 9, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (or until sold out), Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church Hall in Carnegie, 220 Mansfield Blvd., Eastern European holiday cookies, homemade nut rolls, gluten-free cookies available, most cookies sold by pound, smladiessociety@gmail.com. West Hills Symphonic Band Holiday Concert: “Holiday Hearts Aglow,” Dec. 10, 3 p.m., Montour High School, traditional and creative treatments of familiar holiday favorites, pieces include: “Mary’s Little Boy Child,” Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven,” 1940s big-band style piece titled “Hark! Those Jingle Bells are Smokin’,” “Eighth Candle” in honor of Hanukkah, Christmas ‘Pops’ Singalong, “Sleigh Ride,” free concert, donations accepted, www.whsb.org. Christmas in Crafton House Tour, Dec. 10, 1-6 p.m., self-guided tour of Crafton’s beautifully decorated homes and 150-year-old Nativity Church, $25, purchase tickets at Crafton Public Library, Blue Snail Gift Shop, Crafton Administrative Office, www. craftonborough.com/parks-recreation. LocalHolidayHappenings All events subject to change. Please reference the contact information provided for the most up-to-date details. 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023 Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand once again for Robinson’s Christmas Light-Up Night. Kids dance with Santa at the Alina’s Light Christmas Lunch with Santa. ; On the Horizon On the Horizon Out-of-Town Attractions Oglebay Festival of Lights Through Jan. 7 at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia Drive-Through Experience, through Jan. 7, open nightly dusk to midnight (including holidays), six-mile drive- through route featuring over 100 light displays, visit website for trolley tour info, donation of $30/vehicle suggested, oglebay.com/lights-drive. Christmas at Oglebay Good Zoo, Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., view holiday hours online, select animal habitats, Rockin’ Holiday Light Show on outdoor patio, indoor light holiday show, Santa photos 6-8 p.m. nightly, Wish For Snow experience, more, $13.95/adults, $9.95 ages 3-12, ages 2 and under free. Visit oglebay.com for more holiday attractions Nutcracker Village Downtown Steubenville, Ohio Nutcracker Display, Nov. 21-Jan. 6, town-wide display featuring 200 six-foot- tall nutcrackers, open 24 hours. Lantern Parade, Dec. 3, 7 p.m., starts at First Westminster Presbyterian Church (235 N. 4th St.), follow St. Nicholas while singing traditional carols and carrying lanterns to the Nativity Creche. German Gluhwein Garden, Nov. 26 - Dec. 30, enjoy a mug of hot mulled wine or cider, 156 N. 4th Street, Friday-Sunday until 8 p.m.,start times vary. Advent Markets, Nov. 24-Dec. 23,dates/ time vary, see schedules online, various markets with food/drink/gifts. Visit www.steubenvillenutcrackervillage.com for more Dickens Victorian Village Downtown Cambridge, Ohio Scenes of Victorian Life, through Dec. 31, Wheeling Avenue from 6th to 11th Streets, display featuring 180 lifelike Victorian figures in 96 scenes depicting life in 1850s England. Dickens Welcome Center and Curiosity Shoppe, through Dec. 30, Monday- Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.,, closed holidays, visit with volunteers in costume and shop for souvenirs, take pictures in Victorian costume. Guernsey County Courthouse Light Show, 801 Wheeling Ave., hour-long light show on courthouse featuring displays set to holiday music, runs continuously. Vist www.dickensvictorianvillage.com or call 740.421.4956 for more All events subject to change. Please reference the contact information provided for the most up-to-date details. November/December 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 35On the Horizon On the Horizon ; All events subject to change. Please reference the contact information provided for the most up-to-date details. 36 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023 Ongoing programs Robinson Township Library The Robinson Township Library is located at 1000 Church Hill Road. Call (412) 787-3906 or visit www.robinsonlibrary.org for more. MondaysToddler Makerspace10:30 a.m. TuesdaysStory Time10:30 a.m. Open Play11 a.m. Virtual Teen Game Night7 p.m. WednesdaysWise Walk (adults)9 a.m. Musical Story Time10:30 a.m. Open Play 11 a.m. Thursdays Story Time10:30 a.m. Open Play11 a.m. Sit N Knit (Adults)2 p.m. FridaysBaby Lapsit10:30 a.m. Wacky Wednesday, (ages 6-12), Nov. 15, Dec. 20, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Lego Night (all ages), Dec. 7, 6 p.m. Homeschool Happenings, (ages 5-12)Dec. 6, 2 p.m. Adult Programs Read Between the Wines Book Club, Dec. 7, Jan. 4, 6 p.m., Deer Creek Winery. Cliffhangers Book Club, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, 6 p.m. Tonidale Pub. Tea Time Book Club, Dec. 14, Jan. 11, 1 p.m. Mystery Book Club, Dec. 12, Jan. 9,2 p.m. Books & Brews Book Club, The Yard, Nov. 20, Dec. 18, 6 p.m. Thrilla Killas Book Club, Black Dog Wine Company, Nov. 16, Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m. Movie Matinee, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. Tuesday Card Games, Nov. 28, 1:30-3 p.m. Taste of Robinson, Dec. 4, 6 p.m. Medicare Workshop, Oct. 3, 1 p.m. Anime Night, Nov. 30, 6 p.m. Teen Programs Virtual Teen Dungeons & Dragons, Dec. 6, 8, 9, Jan. 3, 5, 6, 7 p.m. Virtual Teen Karaoke Night, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. Virtual Teen Creative Corner , Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15, 7 p.m. Homeschool Study Hall, Dec. 8, 2 p.m. November/December 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 37Small Signs, Big Impact on Life When 45-year-old Shannon Gregg and her primary care provider could not determine what was going on with her stomach after a number of tests, she was referred to Mark A. Cedar, DO, Chief of Gastroenterology and Director of the GI Lab at St. Clair Hospital, for a colonoscopy. An otherwise healthy, young woman, Shannon had no significant medical history, no family history of colon or rectal cancer, and no smoking history—which increases the risk. “I began Shannon’s colonoscopy and immediately found a large, obstructing mass in the upper rectum, about five centimeters in length—which is very large,” Dr. Cedar says. “I found many other polyps in her colon, including two large ones that were precancerous, and was able to resect them and remove three additional polyps. So then we had to deal with this rectal mass, and I could tell right away: this is cancer.” “When I woke up, I heard ‘cancer of the rectum’ and actually felt relief— because now I knew what the problem was to solve. My first feeling was, ‘So where do we start?’” says Shannon. “I met with Dr. Holekamp the very next day, and he said the very same thing as Dr. Cedar. He also looked me square in the eye and said, ‘You’re used to being successful and I am, too. We’re going to get the best team together, and we’re going to crush this cancer together.’” Scott A. Holekamp, MD, explains, “Our goal is to communicate quickly and effectively so we can get patients on to the next stage right away. The process may include advanced imaging studies, plus consultation with all of the oncologists who become part of your cancer care team— and they get to work on shrinking your tumor so I can perform surgery. Everyone works together to increase your chances of having a complete response to treatment.” For Shannon, the next stage following her diagnosis and surgical consult led to Christopher R. Marsh, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist at the St. Clair Hospital Cancer Center. He shares, “We take a team-based approach to everything we do. That level of collaboration brings all of our expertise together for every patient. That way we all know the patients, and we’re able to keep their priorities in mind as we evaluate the most effective way to treat their respective cancer.” Also on the care team was Felicia E. Snead, MD, Chief of Radiation Oncology, since Shannon’s treatment plan required a combination of chemotherapy and radiation before surgery. Dr. Snead explains, “We coordinate everything— Dr. Marsh and I are in lockstep, starting the chemotherapy and radiation together, and meeting with her weekly to make sure the treatment is accurate and safe,” Dr. Snead says. “After she completes her radiation, Shannon will have surgery with Dr. Holekamp,” says Dr. Cedar. “Then I will repeat her colonoscopy again in one year to make sure she doesn’t develop additional polyps—and hopefully, Shannon and others like her never have to see Dr. Holekamp and the rest of the team down the road.” Shannon’s personalized treatment plan was designed to minimize the chance of spread. To put everything back together so her body works correctly again. To maintain quality of life so she can continue to enjoy doing what she loves most for years to come. “We take a team-based approach to everything we do. That level of collaboration brings all of our expertise together for every patient. That way we all know the patients, and we’re able to keep their priorities in mind as we evaluate the most effective way to treat their respective cancer.” ~ Christopher R. Marsh, MD, St. Clair Hospital Cancer Center Learn more at stclair.org/more-than-a-patient. At the St. Clair Health Dunlap Family Outpatient Center, cancer patients can undergo comprehensive cancer screenings, including colonoscopies, and outpatient cancer treatments. 38 • Allegheny West Magazine • November/December 2023Next >