< Previous%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced As far as event venues go, there aren’t too many local ones like the Imperial Room at SNPJ Lodge 106. Though located in the SNPJ’s private club building, the lodge has long rented out the large banquet room to the public for a variety of events, from weddings to birthday parties, concerts, fundraisers, wakes and more. With about two events taking place there each week, the club hosts well over 100 gatherings per year in the Imperial Room, which can accommodate almost 400 people at any one time. For many people, the venue has struck a balance between ease of access, size, atmosphere, reliability and price. Yet for about as long as many locals can remember, the Imperial Room has maintained the same look, with its red carpeting and parquet dance floor. That’s not the case anymore. Earlier this year, the Imperial Room got its first facelift in a long time. With new carpet, flooring, ceiling tiles, seating and a stone façade wrapping its bar and stage, the room now has a clean, neutral, modern look to it. New color-adjustable LED lighting even allows guests to instantly transform the space with minimal effort. “It allows people who are planning a wedding, baby shower or any other event to really customize the room with their own color palette,” says SNPJ Lodge 106 banquet manager Hannah Chauvet. “Now they’re not having to compete with the red carpet and other colors. The neutral tones also really help to brighten up the space.” Helping to brighten the room as well are new windows that were installed during the renovation, along with two pairs of doors that open out onto a new outdoor patio. Running the length of the room, the patio can easily accommodate a large crowd, allowing for a variety of different event options. “Before, there really was no place for guests to step outside,” says Chauvet. “Now, guests can either get a breath of fresh air or if it’s a nice day enjoy the weather. It opens up a number of different possibilities.” Chauvet says that one still does not have to be a member to reserve the Imperial Room for an event and that the lodge offers full-service accommodations, including providing servers and bartenders. The lodge has existing partnerships with a number of different area caterers as well, providing event organizers with plenty of flexibility. Having all of that in one place takes much of the pressure off an individual tasked with planning a complex event such as a wedding or other large gathering, says Chauvet. “We’ve been accommodating large events for so many years, that’s part of the reason so many people come to us,” she says. “They know they can trust us to make whatever they’re planning a success and that people will leave happy. Our rates are also very reasonable compared to other venues.” In addition to the Imperial Room, SNPJ Lodge 106 operates a members-only clubroom throughout the year and hosts regular events there, including concerts, bingo nights, parties and more. Membership provides access to the clubroom and these events, along with the opportunity to compete on athletic teams in sports such as bowling, golf, balina and bean bag toss. Members also have access to special investment products with competitive yields such as tax-deferred annuities and IRAs. Membership applications are available from Chauvet at the clubroom bar. SNPJ Lodge 106 is located at 255 West Allegheny Road in Imperial, just down the road from the West Allegheny High School campus. For more about the Imperial Room, including rental rates and a tour, call Hannah Chauvet, banquet manager, at (412) 779-8534. For more about SNPJ membership and special opportunities offered to members, visit www.snpj.org. To see upcoming events at SNPJ Lodge 106, visit www. snpj106.com or see page 34. SNPJ Lodge 106 events are regularly published in the On the Horizon section in each West Allegheny issue of Allegheny West Magazine. The SNPJ Imperial Room, long a favorite for local events, gets a beautiful update The Imperial Room at SNPJ Lodge 106 in Imperial recently underwent a renovation. The venue now has new flooring, lighting, windows, seating and more. Here, the room is shown set up for a wedding. CONTENT SUBMITTED ABOVE PHOTOS: New adjustable LED lighting in the Imperial Room at SNPJ Lodge 106 allows the venue to adjust color palettes with minimal effort. BELOW: The venue’s large new outdoor patio provides flexibility for events. 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • December 2023/January 2024CAround Your Town Around Your Town When Donald Cokus took over as chief of the North Fayette Police Department in 2020, he knew he was inheriting a good department. A 22-year veteran of the department himself, he says officers there had long lived by wisdom handed down by former chief Tom Sturgeon years ago, who Cokus remembers saying, “It’s all about being of service.” But if there was one goal Cokus had when he took over as chief, it was to obtain what he felt was the gold standard as far as departments go. That was to become an accredited police department with the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. In September, following a years- long process, the department did just that. Cokus and other members of the department accepted its accreditation from the organization in Harrisburg. In so doing, the department has taken on the responsibility of adhering to 125 best practices set forth by the Pennsylvania Chiefs Association, a nonprofit made up of law enforcement professionals. The program requires member departments to draft policies that address everything from how officers respond to a high-speed chase to how evidence is stored and handled. Cokus, who has since hung the framed accreditation certificate on the wall in his office, says accreditation does create a lot more paperwork for officers. However, he says it also creates much more transparency and builds public trust while insulating the department from high-profile incidents like those that have ensnarled departments in other parts of the country in recent years. As part of the program, the department will undergo regular reviews and sworn personnel at the department have been assigned specifically to coordinate the ongoing accreditation process. That individual also has to undergo annual training and, each year, the department must submit an annual report self-attesting that they are in compliance with all 125 standards set forth by the program. Two proofs of compliance are required for each standard and the department is also subject to regular inspections. “It’s not a sticker for life program,” says James Adams, accreditation coordinator for the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association. “There’s just as much work after you become accredited. For some departments, it’s even harder because you need two proofs of compliance.” Cokus says that prior to applying, the department reviewed its entire policy and worked with a third-party company to ensure all of its policies were in compliance. He says that in many instances, the department’s policies were already there, or that bringing them into compliance meant simply changing a word like “should” in a sentence to the more forceful “shall.” The department, though, also made several more significant changes. For instance, Cokus now has a camera in his own office trained on a door that enters into the department’s evidence room. And why is that? “It protects you from liability,” says Adams. “Every once in awhile evidence comes up missing and nine times out of 10 it’s someone who had access to that storage.” Adams isn’t referring to Cokus or North Fayette, but rather to other departments that have experienced theft of items from evidence lock-ups. Like other standards drafted through the program, that one was drawn from lessons learned and helps insulate innocent actors from unfounded accusations, Adams says. Cokus says that having best practices in place helps protect everyone, from the general public, to suspects being placed under arrest, to police themselves. He says that to be in compliance, a department’s policies must address everything from how tight handcuffs can be on a suspect to when police have to stop a pursuit. Policies also address lethal force and there’s an entire section dedicated to security on school campuses. That’s particularly relevant to North Fayette, Cokus says, pointing out that the department now has five student resource officers placed at school buildings across the area. In addition, the program protects police officers and their departments from a range of liability issues. “The selling point for me is you reduce your agency risk and it saves on insurance risks,” says Cokus. Adams points to a national study that showed departments that had obtained accreditation in their state faced far fewer lawsuits, and those that did go to court paid out far less than their counterparts. As a result of several high-profile incidents where departments ended up facing litigation in recent years, Adams says that there has been an uptick in departments seeking out accreditation in recent years. Adams, a retired police chief, even recalls how an officer under his own command avoided a frivolous lawsuit thanks solely to a detailed report taken by that officer years prior. “Would you specifically recall the details of an incident two years ago?” asks Adams. “Neither would I.” For Cokus, he says the department’s work on accreditation is the continuation of progress made by his predecessors, including Sturgeon, Jeff Falconer, Mike Smith and, most recently, Mark O’Donnell, who immediately preceded Cokus as chief. The department also joins Findlay Township’s police department, which has held accreditation since 2003. The department’s accreditation manager there is Sgt. Jim Malesky. Cokus doesn’t hide the sense of pride about the certificate hanging in his office for North Fayette. “We’re building on a foundation that was built by Chief O’Donnell, Chief Falconer, Chief Sturgeon and Chief Smith,” says Cokus. “We always said we do things right. Our guys came up with a great foundation and our predecessors, and we did it because of them, so they’re proud of the department they’ve been a part of.” North Fayette PD obtains special accreditation STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY December 2023/January 2024 • www.awmagazine.com • 11 North Fayette Police Chief Donald Cokus (center right) accepts a certificate recognizing the township’s police department for obtaining accreditation through the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. He is joined by representatives from the program and township officers Lt. Steve Psomas (second from left), Lt. Chad Slovick and Lt. Mark Kern. PHOTO SUBMITTEDCAround Your Town Around Your Town There aren’t too many people still willing to climb into the boxing ring at age 53, but that’s when Jim Barron of Imperial put on gloves for the first time. Ironically, it was a serious injury that prompted him to do so. When he was in his early 50s, Barron started taking Taekwondo classes at a studio in Pittsburgh. A longtime weightlifter, Barron says he had an interest in the sport. Just six months into it, though, he tore a piece of cartilage in his hip called the labrum. His doctor told him he wouldn’t be able to do any of the kicking that’s required in Taekwondo anymore. Barron’s doctor, though, had no problem with him taking up boxing. So, Barron began learning boxing from a trainer at the same studio where he’d taken Taekwondo. He says he’d been a fan of the sport for some time, but had no previous experience. Over the next five years, he worked at it in the ring and the weight room as he continued to improve. A few different times, he thought about competing in USA Masters Boxing tournaments against other boxers in his age group, but each time he suffered an injury that set him back. He even had to undergo surgery three times. Finally, at age 60, Barron felt well enough to start competing at Masters tournaments in cities across the country. As a cruiser weight, however, he found himself going up against larger competitors and losing his first four matches. Then his trainer and wife suggested he lose weight so he could drop down a division. Barron did just that, shedding 13 pounds. This past September, at the age of 62, Barron won his first match at the New Jersey Masters Tournament in Atlantic City. In so doing, he also won the Masters Light-Heavyweight title in his age division. For Barron, it was a significant personal achievement. “I was very happy, plus really emotional for how far I came back from all the injuries and surgeries I went through,” Barron says. “Plus, I was thrilled to get that first win and championship for my coach, Francis. “ Now, Barron says he’s looking forward to competing again. He’ll be planning out his schedule just as soon as the Masters releases its 2024 schedule. “I’d like to continue doing this until I reach 70,” he says, “see if I can hang on for seven more years. I’m going to try to do more tournaments every year.” Barron is also hopeful that all of his injuries are behind him and that he can continue building on his success. In those first five years of training, he had surgery on his back twice and underwent a hip replacement. The hip replacement and one of his back surgeries came within just two months of each other. After that, he says, “I had to take a little over a year off from training at all.” Following that lengthy hiatus, Barron got the green light from two different surgeons to climb back into the ring, with one condition. “They said if you feel any pain shut it down,” he says. “But at that point in my life I was in my late 50s and something hurts every day now.” By that time, Barron’s trainer had also since moved on, so he started almost from scratch, working under his current trainer, Francis Brazza, at Wright’s Gym in Crafton. Since there aren’t any other boxers his age at the gym, Barron often ends up sparring with guys who are much younger, but he thinks that works to his advantage. “There’s nobody near my age,” he says. “The next competitor at my gym is in his 40s. When I’m sparring, I’m going up against these younger guys, who are quick. But I think that’s good for when I go to fight other boxers my age.” Barron, who grew up in Monessen, says his family wasn’t too pleased when he first told them he was taking up boxing, and he can’t blame them. He says they were happy for him, though, when he told them he had won his first championship. When Barron boxes, he wears the black and white colors of Monessen High school, his alma mater, in a nod to his hometown. Barron, who has lived in the Walden Woods community with his wife, Joanne, for 14 years, says boxing isn’t for everyone, but he hopes his journey will inspire other aging athletes who are considering taking up a sport. “This story of mine can be very inspirational,” he says. “Someone else who’s had an injury and wants to get back into their sport might think, ‘Maybe if he did it, I can try it.’ It’s been three-and-a- half years since my last surgery. My hip never has given me any problems. My back will get sore when I lift, but it also gets sore when I’m doing stupid things around the house.” At age 62, Imperial resident wins his first boxing championship STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY PHOTO SUBMITTED Jim Barron of Imperial celebrates winning his first boxing championship with his wife, Joanne Barron. 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • December 2023/January 2024WA alumna Chloe Kehm performs in “Moulin Rouge” in Pittsburgh STORY BY PAT JENNETTE December 2023/January 2024 • www.awmagazine.com • 13 Earlier this fall, Chloe Rae Kehm came to Pittsburgh with a flourish, captivating her hometown fans, family and friends with her roles in the touring Broadway musical “Moulin Rouge.” For two weeks, the 2017 West Allegheny grad performed in the dance ensemble. The show was presented at the Benedum Center through PNC Broadway Pittsburgh. Prior to her contract with “Moulin Rouge,” Kehm also performed in the ensemble of the national tour of “The Prom.” Pittsburghers have enjoyed her other performances in recent years in Pittsburgh CLO’s productions of “Grease,” “Oklahoma!,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Brigadoon” and Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” Many area residents who attended musicals at West Allegheny High School will remember Kehm as playing Velma in “Chicago,” Maggie in “A Chorus Line” and Millie in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” The latter earned her a nomination as best actress at the Gene Kelly Awards, held annually in Pittsburgh by the CLO to showcase the best of the best in high school musical theatre. She was honored with the best actress award, which gave her the opportunity to go to New York City for the Jimmy Awards that summer. “Moulin Rouge” takes audiences into a recreation of the setting of the original Moulin Rouge nightclub in Paris, France, during the late 1800s. Its dazzling sets, music and dancing portray a world during a period when people could experience the lavishness of a cabaret as a respite from the day-to-day world. It’s dubbed by Broadway.com as a show that portrays truth, beauty, freedom and love. Kehm had this to say after her two-week run: “Performing in Pittsburgh was a true homecoming, full circle moment in more ways than I thought possible. From watching shows at the Benedum starting at elementary school age to the Gene Kelly’s to earning my equity card through CLO, to now being back performing with a 1st National tour (my dream show)… this theater has singularly shaped my career in more ways than one. I did not take a single moment for granted during those two weeks and I can’t wait to see what brings me back to Pittsburgh next! “ During her time in Pittsburgh, Kehm kept up a performer’s pace. She held Q&As/talkback sessions for a group of students at her home dance studio, Wexford Dance Academy, and for musical theater seniors at Point Park University. She also taught master classes at the CLO Academy and to a group of dance majors focusing on jazz at Point Park. After her two-week schedule of shows at the Benedum, Kehm enjoyed a brief hiatus at home with family and friends before getting back on the road with the show. In case you missed it and would like to see Kehm perform, the show will be presented at the Ohio Theatre in Columbus, Ohio Jan. 2-14. The tour will continue through September of 2024 at locations nationwide. Chloe Kehm gets ready to take the stage for a performance of “Moulin Rouge.” PHOTO BY AVERY BRUNKUSCAround Your Town Around Your Town 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • December 2023/January 2024 STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOUG HUGHEY Reggie Madonna, Colleen Tittinger, Lynda Kirby, Sue Vandertie and Lance Maloney were among the local artists recognized during the West Hills Art League’s 55th Anniversary Art Exhibition in October. For many years, Sue Vandertie has wanted to try her hand at creating visual art. In between her job as a music teacher at Moon Area School District, though, where she was also chair of the music department and oversaw the orchestra, she couldn’t find much time. Then, after retiring following 25 years of teaching and a stint as an adjunct faculty member at Point Park University, Vandertie finally did find time. She started out working with glass, but then when COVID-19 hit she picked up a paint brush. Stuck at home with little else to do, she threw herself headlong into the pursuit. While attending a painting class on alcohol inks at Gilberti Fine Arts in Coraopolis, she says something clicked. Afterwards, she started buying porcelain tiles at Home Depot and playing with the unique effects the inks created on the nonporous surfaces. “The color is so intense, and when the color spreads out they do such absolutely delicious things, that I was pretty fascinated with it,” she says. This past October, Vandertie was one of dozens of area artists belonging to the West Hills Art League who showed their work at Gilberti Fine Arts in downtown Coraopolis for the league’s 55th Annual Art Show. On Oct. 14, the league held a special artist’s reception and competition, where one of Vandertie’s alcohol ink pieces, titled “Summer Garden,” won first place. She says she was delighted to be recognized. Vandertie’s story isn’t unlike that of many members of the league who manage to find time for their art either in retirement or in between their day jobs and many other responsibilities. For many members, the league helps them stay on track, by giving them deadlines, camaraderie and feedback. Such is the case for Lance Maloney, a Moon Township native and human resources professional whose acrylic painting of a nuthatch won third place at the competition. He says the social aspect of the league and the challenge it offers helps motivate him. Maloney says he enjoys photography and painting with both acrylics and oils, and that his attention to detail at his day job translates well to his artwork. Also recognized in judging was Lynda Kirby, a local graphic designer who uses her professional skills to create digital art. In addition, she creates fumage paintings using soot left by a flame. She says being an art league member and participating in shows keeps her focused. “I try to [create art] when I find free time,” she says. “That’s why I like belonging [to the club]. It’s like an assignment. I have to set a deadline to do something that isn’t my job.” Recognized as well was Rita Wilson, a retired West Allegheny art teacher of 23 years. Wilson says she’s been a member of the league since 1972. These days, she also writes, and has published a nonfiction book. She recently signed a deal to publish her first novel. She says she’s met many talented artists with various levels of training through the league over the years. The West Hills Art League was first founded in the late 1960s by area artists Nancy Bush, Thelma Fielder and Nancy Gorr. In 2019, Bush recounted to this publication how they started the league after attempting to have their work shown in the Three Rivers Arts Festival. The two began meeting with area art teachers to get the league going and it grew from there. This year’s show coincided with the Coraopolis Fall Festival, which is organized by the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation. An annual event, the Fall Festival typically features food trucks, craft vendors and children’s activities. In addition, it has featured an art walk, where storefronts across the borough welcome artists to set up shop right in their places of business. The day has given visitors a chance to interact with artists, and artists the opportunity to share their work with the public. This year’s Fall Festival took place on Oct. 14, the same day winners of the show were announced at Gilberti Fine Arts during a special artists’ reception that afternoon. Though rain throughout the day spoiled some of the day’s fun, it hardly dampened spirits at the reception. Also recognized was Colleen Tittinger, whose piece “Early Dawn” won second place. Reggie Madonna won the People’s Choice award and a Merit Award for her watercolor paintings of sunflowers while Marian Sallade’s oil painting “Sunset on the Marsh” won best in show. Coming up, the West Hills Art League is planning to host its $55 Cash and Carry Show on Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Robin Hill Park Carriage House in Moon Township. For more about the league and its upcoming events, visit westhillsartleague.com. Local artists once again shine at West Hills Art League show Pictured are paintings by Vandertie (left) and Madonna (right). y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Your estate planning checklist 1. Get a Living Trust and/or a Last Will and Testament - If you’re anything like the majority of Americans, you may not have a living trust or a last will and testament. You may not even know what those documents do or which one is better. While both wills and trusts control what happens to your estate after your death, there are some major differences between the two. For one, contrary to popular belief, having a last will and testament does not avoid the need for probate. In fact, a will must be probated after your death in order to be effective. A fully funded trust, however, may eliminate the need for probate by providing for the transfer of assets after your death without court approval. Probate can easily cost 5% of the value of your estate in attorneys’ fees, court costs and other expenses. A living trust, however, can make things MUCH easier and be more cost effective on your loved ones. 2. Sign a Power of Attorney and/or Advance Directive - Who will take care of you when you become incapacitated? This can be determined with a durable power of attorney and/or an advance directive for health care. Generally speaking, a durable power of attorney gives someone the ability to act for you in financial and/or medical situations when you are unable to act for yourself. A living will allows you to appoint a health care agent to make your medical decisions if you are incapacitated. On the other hand, a power of attorney and advance directive affect you NOW while you are alive. They are some of the most important estate planning documents you can have. 3. Fund Your Trust and/or Review Title - When you sign a trust document, you simply have some sheets of paper. But paper alone does not avoid probate. In other words, by itself, a signed trust can be pretty useless. A trust must be “funded” to be truly effective. Trust “funding” is the process of transferring assets from your individual or joint name(s) to the name of your trust. If an asset is not titled in the name of your trust at the time of your death, it may be subject to probate. A good rule of thumb is to talk to the custodian or institution that holds or manages your asset. They should be able to tell you how to change the title. Reviewing the title, however, is still important, even if you don’t have a trust. Assets titled in joint tenancy or with a pay-on-death beneficiary may be able to avoid probate. However, those designations can also have unintended consequences, as they override the provisions of your will or trust. Thanksgiving is coming fast and is nearly upon us. What are you thankful for this year? Personally, I’m thankful for the love and support of my family and friends, my health, the constant love from my pets, and the relationships made with my clients - new and old - who have provided me with the opportunity to do what I truly love. All too often, we, including myself, take for granted our everyday interactions: talking to a friend on the telephone, holding my husband’s hand, yelling at my kids and then kissing them good night, and cuddling with my dogs, Lola and Duke. Too often, I hear from clients who recently lost a loved one that they regret not saying what was in their heart to their mom before she passed, like, “I’m sorry,” over a stupid argument that happened years prior, or just letting someone you deeply care about know that you’re fortunate to have them in your life. Other times, I’m asked by a client, “Why didn’t my parents plan accordingly?” “Why didn’t they clean their stuff out before they died?” “Why are they leaving this for me to figure out?” When someone you love is no longer here, sadly, the person left in charge isn’t given the full opportunity to grieve because they have a job to do. That job is to clean up the “mess” that their loved one left behind. This year, I’m making the bold recommendation that everyone create a New Year’s resolution to clean up their own estate while they are able. Here’s a checklist to help get you started: BY MICHELLE CONTI Michele P. Conti is an estate planning and elder law attorney. She is also the owner of Conti Law, a concierge law firm. Conti attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Oxford University and Duquesne University School of Law. She received her LL.M. in taxation from Villanova University. She can be reached at (724) 784-0239 or at michele@contilawpgh.com. 4. Review Your Beneficiaries - Does your will or trust accurately reflect who you want to inherit your estate? Many different factors can influence how you want your estate distributed, including divorce, separation, marriage, birth and more. Review your assets and beneficiaries to be sure the people you want are going to receive them. Remember, beneficiary designations can also override the provisions of your estate plan. 5. Inventory Your Assets - When you die, how will your representatives know where all your “stuff” is? They may know where you bank or what cars you have. But do they know what insurance policies you own? Whether you have prepaid for funeral plans? Who is the custodian of your IRA? Compile and regularly update an inventory of all your assets along with locations and any titles. Make a list of personal effects and sentimental belongings, and decide who you want to have them. Include them in your formal estate planning documents or refer to the written list in your trust or will. 6. Create a Digital Estate Plan - Who gets your Facebook account when you die? What happens to your Twitter, photos on Instagram, e-mail account or Bitcoin? Your internet accounts are your property and, like your other property, you should provide instructions for disbursement after your death. 7. Draft an Estate Planning Letter of Instruction - If you died today, would your representatives or loved ones even know where to start? Create an estate planning letter of instruction with what estate planning documents you have and what your representative needs to do next. 8. Review Your Estate Plan With an Attorney - Estate planning can be complex and confusing. There is no “one size fits all” solution. To create your estate plan or improve an existing one, contact the experienced attorneys at Conti Law for a free, no-obligation consultation.16 • Allegheny West Magazine • December 2023/January 2024 Business Profile Business Profile People might not like doing laundry, but they sure love My Laundromat It’s no secret that most people don’t like doing laundry. The idea of spending a day or evening off work waiting, sorting and folding is enough to make just about anyone cringe. The often dank and depressing setting of the laundromat also doesn’t help much. In this area, though, there’s at least one laundromat that people don’t seem to mind visiting. In fact, they seem to downright love it. On sites like Google and Yelp, people are raving about My Laundromat in Imperial. Reviewers speak glowingly about its cleanliness, right down to the bathrooms. They love the thoughtful touches, like having card readers right on the machines, and the fact that there are plenty of oversized washers always available. People also love the business’ wash-and-fold service, where they can drop off their laundry and have My Laundromat wash it for them. The clothes are sorted, folded and deposited in a locker. Customers get a code texted to them when their clothes are ready and they can pick up their laundry when they want. They even get one free bag with their first order. It isn’t just locals who love the laundromat. Travelers love it, too, like one reviewer who writes, “I think this is honestly the best laundry facility I have ever been in. I travel all over the US. Other facilities could learn from this owner. Great Job!” Reviews like that make Marge Bauer, who has been operating My Laundromat in Imperial’s Essex Plaza since 2010, feel pretty good. She calls owning the laundromat “the best job I’ve ever had,” and it shows. She first purchased the business with her husband, Greg, after the couple found it listed for sale on Craigslist. They updated it with stainless steel washers and driers, free WiFi, comfortable seating, offsite security cameras, an ATM, vending machines, a change machine, and laundry bar. In 2015, they expanded into the neighboring storefront and added their drop-off service. Greg built lockers so customers could pick up their laundry when they wanted. In 2019, they started keeping their doors open 24 hours. Over the years, My Laundromat has garnered a reputation as one of the cleanest and friendliest laundromats in the area. Most days, Marge and Greg can be found chatting with and getting to know customers. Greg, an electrician by trade, works on the machines while Marge turns out bags of laundry with the help of a couple employees. Because of their location in the airport corridor, Marge says they have people from across the globe walk through their doors. They also get local traffic from as far away as Pittsburgh. “It’s kind of like the Cheers of Laundromats,” says Marge. A North Side native, Marge says she always wanted to have a neighborhood type of place where people knew each other and felt comfortable visiting. Since laundry isn’t at the top of anyone’s list of things they’d like to do, she says she tries to make it as pleasant as possible. For those who don’t have the time to do laundry, the business makes them pretty happy, too. “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 is particularly popular among shift workers, busy parents and travelers flying in and out of Pittsburgh International Airport, he says. The business charges $1.50 per pound and loads under 30 pounds dropped off before 10 a.m. on weekdays usually get done the same day. For those who prefer to do their laundry themselves, My Laundromat has high-efficiency machines that 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 like comforters that people can’t wash at home. In all, they have 12 double loaders, five triple loaders, five four-loaders and four six-loaders. They also have 22 driers. The only thing Marge says she’d like to improve about the business, but can’t, is their location. She says people often have trouble finding them, as they’re located behind the Essex Plaza. To get to the laundromat, drivers have to turn down Logan Road, which runs immediately adjacent to the plaza, and turn left into the parking lot. My Laundromat can be reached at (724) 227-0513. Find their reviews on Google and Yelp by searching “My Laundromat Imperial.” The Essex Plaza is located at 7900 Steubenville Pike in Imperial. CONTENT SUBMITTED ABOVE: Marge 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 sterling reputation among customers as one of the cleanest laundromats around. Touches like card readers right on the machines and change machines are mentioned in many of their online reviews. My Laundromat’s drop-off laundry service is also very popular, and utilizes lockers so customers can pick up their laundry at their convenience. There are also vending machines and an ATM. December 2023/January 2024 • www.awmagazine.com • 17Your SchoolsYour Schools N Volleyball team wins section The girls junior varsity volleyball team went 10-0 on the regular season and was named section champions. By doing so, they also earned a playoff spot. It marked just the second time in the school’s legacy that the team won its section, with the first coming in 2013. AGS welcomes new principal On Oct. 5, AGS gave a warm welcome to Dr. Zeb Jansante, aka “Dr. J.” Jansante greeted car riders at the door. The day then began with a beautiful Mass where Father Lou and Assistant Superintendent of South Regional Catholic Elementary Schools Erin Rice introduced the school’s new leader. Jansante comes to AGS after a remarkable career in education, including being named Pennsylvania’s 2014 Principal of the Year by Pennsylvania Association of Elementary and Secondary Principals. His strong faith led him to AGS and the school is excited to continue to elevate under his leadership. AGS is blessed to have him and continues to pray for a wonderful school year. STEAM classes go full STEAM ahead AGS has introduced weekly specialty STEAM classes into its kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms that go above and beyond their daily science classes. Students love going to the science lab for some hands-on activities every week. Second- graders recently made some musical instruments and learned how sound is heard through vibrations while kindergartners were exposed to engineering design concepts: improve, explore, test and create. Students continue to ask questions along the way, learn the process, and create some great projects in the end. Eighth grade athletes recognized AGS offers a variety of extracurricular activities and competitive sports, including basketball, cheerleading, cross country, soccer, track and field, and volleyball. As the school’s eighth-graders finish their seasons, their sports careers and accomplishments are recognized before they move on to high school. Living Rosary October is dedicated to The Most Holy Rosary and, in observance, students sat with their prayer partners on this special occasion. Students processed down the aisle holding single roses representing a bead of the Rosary while the congregation prayed together. Thanks goes out to each student, parent and teacher who participated. AGS is blessed to have these opportunities. Some of the Living Rosary can be viewed at: youtu.be/G4sG_ auqxTE?feature=shared. Archangel Gabriel Catholic School Preschool pumpkins Three-year-old preschool students investigated pumpkins recently. They learned about the developmental stages of a pumpkin, from seed, to sprout, vine, flower, small green ball and orange pumpkin. They learned about the parts of a pumpkin as well, including the shell, pulp, stem and flesh. To conclude the lesson, an experiment was conducted to see what the reaction would be when combining baking soda, dish detergent and vinegar inside a pumpkin. Students were surprised to see that those ingredients created a pumpkin volcano. Four-year-old preschoolers also completed an adorable version of a book report, where they read a book and transformed a pumpkin inspired by the theme of the book. AGS preschoolers love to learn. Fire Prevention Month For fire prevention month, Miss Bruno welcomed one of her former students, Jake Schnelbach, who is a City of Pittsburgh firefighter, into her first-grade classroom. Four-year-old preschooler and kindergarten classrooms were also visited by firefighters Collin and Brian from the Moon Run Volunteer Fire Company. They learned all about fire safety, the equipment firefighters use and even got to climb onto a fire truck. Students learned so much and will never forget these experiences. CONTENT SUBMITTED Four-year-old preschool and kindergarten classrooms visit with firefighters from the Moon Run Volunteer Fire Company. The JV girls’ volleyball team won its section for the second time in team history. Dr. Zeb Jansante 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • December 2023/January 2024December 2023/January 2024 • www.awmagazine.com • 19Next >