laurel mountain post :: september-october 2006

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POSTA Magazine for the Heart of Westmoreland County

Every Story Begins At Home. www.LaurelMountainPost.com

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2006: Childhood Fears • A Cliffhanger Holiday • Steelers Training Camp! FREEFREEFREEFREEFREE

Experience the best of Irelandand the British Isles

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“Yesteryear’s Memories”Enjoy Musical Entertainment, Crafts, Food Booths, a Parade,

and Battle Re-enactments at Fort Ligonier!Windows in Ligonier will be dressed for the festivities,and awards will also be presented for best costumes.

More Than A Few of My Favorite Things

MOUNTAIN VIEWSCathi Gerhard Williams

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST - 3

Cathi Gerhard Williams, Editor & PublisherBriana Dwire Tomack, Marketing Director & Business ManagerSTAFF & CONTRIBUTORS: SEPT-OCT 2006 (Volume III, Issue 4)

Walt Brewer, Daniel Chicka, Barry Dwire Jr., Carol Dwire,Ron Durika, Steve Gaul, Shelly & Carol Gerhard, Jim Kasperik,

David “Muggsy“ Miles, Joy Monticue, Barbara Neill,Ruth Richardson, J.B. Rossi, Michelle Schultz,

Nicole Vitale Smith, Jennifer Smoker, Scott Sinemus,Elizabeth Srsic, Rick Tomack, Drew Williams, Robert Williams

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Proud member of the Latrobe and Ligonier Chambers of CommerceThe Laurel Mountain Post is a bimonthly publication of biffBOOcommunication designed tofocus on the people, places and events at the heart of Westmoreland County in westernPennsylvania. We print stories about real people and their daily lives; feature local mer-chants, craftsmen and professionals; present short pieces of art & literature; and neverlose sight of what makes this area a great place to call home.

P.O. Box 227 | Latrobe, PA 15650 | 724-331-3936 | [email protected] thanks to our advertisers for supporting this community publication!

Briana Dwire TomackCathi Gerhard Williams

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Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.— Stanley Horowitz

Fall is my favorite season of the yearbecause it is full of all the littlethings that I like so much aboutliving. It doesn’t celebrate Christmasor my birthday, we don’t go on vacationthen, and the weather starts toturn a little rough. But I amalways happiest from sometimein early September throughHalloween, it seems.

The Friday night lights from thehigh school behind myneighborhood signal the start ofthe best sport. Football seasonis here at last!

At some point in September, Iget to wear my new fall clothesfor the first time. A chilly daycomes along, and it’s finallyappropriate to wear a warmsweater or jacket that I boughtover the summer (while all Icared about was trying to staycool, not being particularlyfashionable).

The best part about new clothes,though, are the comfortablepyjamas. I love them and amguilty of buying too many piecesof loungewear. My latestfavorites are the Hatley pants Ipicked up at Equine Chic in Ligonierlast month. When the wind starts toblow and the nights turn cold, I cancurl up in bed with my cat on my lapand read one of the books I never gotaround to in July or August because I

was too busy travelling here or there.Or better yet, watch a classic scarymovie or thriller on AMC – the kindwe used to watch on Saturdayafternoons.

By October, most of my favoritetelevision shows have started their newseasons. While Rescue Me may have justended with the summer, Lost is aboutto return, much to the delight of my sonwho can’t wait to find out what happens

next and has imagined a rainbow ofpossibilities in the meantime.

There is nothing prettier than thecolors of fall. All the efforts of the year

yield the beautiful landscape ofnature, and it is the best timeto take a walk. The air is fresh,the leaves are filled with color,and the sky is an elegant blue.Pumpkin patches and appleorchards call out for a visit.

By the time we bring thatperfect pumpkin home,Halloween is almost here. Ihave an excuse to buychocolate – and help my kidseat their candy from trick ortreating. I start baking againbecause it is time to try outthe new crop of apples fromthe farmer’s market. It getsdarker sooner, and we lightsome of those spicy candles Ipicked up months ago . . . it justseems like the right time now.

And when October goes, itseems we head straight intothe frenzy of the holidays. Butnot before we vote – another oneof my favorite things. Thesimple privilege of having a

voice, regardless of what it says, is agift given to every American. Don’tforget to open it.

4 - LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

DERRY REMEMBRANCESRuth Richardson

Autumn Adventures – 1950sIn the fifties, when the long summer days of myyouth began to get shorter, and there was a hintof autumn in the air, I seemed to get restless.Although my summers were fun filled, each yearI looked forward to the new school year with muchanticipation. I was always ready to get back toclass. For me, the novelty of all that free timehad worn thin by the middle of August and I wasready for a change. This was when my summerdoldrums would set in. I would sigh and shufflearound the house, following my mother from roomto room as she completed her chores.

I learned at a very young age it was not productivein my house to whine to my mother saying,“There’s nothing to do.” The only person it wasproductive for was my mother.She would stop in her tracksand say, “Go outside and playand stop pouting.” If I said Iwas bored, she was alwayshappy to give me somethingto do and it usually includeda dust rag. We knew betterthan to pester our parentsabout having nothing to do.They would find us somethingin short order and it wasNEVER anything we werehoping for. Dusting theVenetian blinds comes tomind, as well as relining thekitchen shelves with thedecorative ‘shelf-paper’ mymom always had on hand. The5 and 10 carried a largeselection of it. Mom loved toclean the cupboards andorganize them. We would foldthe decorated edge of thepaper down so when youopened the cupboard doors, allof the shelves looked likethey had little table cloths onthem. I did not inherit mymother’s love of organization,or of cleaning cupboards.

When I was remembering itall, I realized we were verycreative while growing up. Ifwe were bored with the sameold activities, we would inventsome new ones. I feel sorryfor today’s kids. They don’t seem to know how toentertain themselves. Take away theircomputers, video games and television, and whatwould they do with all that free time? I doubt they

would be able to create their own diversions, atleast not ones as imaginative as ours were. Andthe teenagers, if they couldn’t go to the mall andwalk that circle a hundred times, would they evenhave a social life?

When we were little, all the kids in theneighborhood would get together every day andfind adventures. After breakfast, Mom would sendus out the door. We would appear later that dayfor lunch and have a sandwich with our motherwhile the three of us watched 15 minutes ofSearch for Tomorrow followed by 15 minutes ofThe Guiding Light. Then we were off again untilDaddy came home from work at supper time. Wewould all eat together, take turns doing the dishes

and then go out to play againuntil dark.

It wasn’t a very good idea tokeep running in and out of theback door at my house, either.After the second trip, momwould say “In or out, no moreslamming the door. If youcome in here again, you’restaying in and helping me.”We didn’t know from day to dayexactly what we would behelping with, but we knew itwould include some sort ofhousework. That was enoughof an incentive to have usrunning to the lot next door toorganize a baseball game. Iremember four or five of uscalling from the back porchthat we were thirsty. Momwould answer, “The gardenhose is working, go get adrink.” We played hide andseek a lot, and freeze tag.Sometimes a group of uswould produce a talent showand put it on for the wholeneighborhood, moms included.We would rehearse our songsand make up dances,sometimes even including askit. We would charge a slightadmission fee and sellhomemade cookies and Kool-Aid to our audience duringintermission. Afterward, all

the performers would split the take and spendevery cent at Solomon’s store on candy. Therewas also my favorite summer activity - jumpingrope (it was an old piece of clothes line.) There

were a thousand jump rope rhymes. I wish I couldremember them all, but here are a few lines thatare stuck in my head . . .

Lady bug, lady bug, turn aroundLady bug, lady bug, touch the ground.... Down in the meadow where the green grass grows,There sat Ruthie, sweet as a rose..... Postman Postman do your dutySend this letter to my cutie Mable Mable set the tableJust as fast as you are able.

It didn’t matter what the rhyme was, we alwaysended it with “Don’t forget the red hot pepper!”Which warned you we were about to double thespeed, making you jump twice as fast.In the summer we rode our bikes to the Derrypool. All of our friends would meet there and wewould spread our beach towels side by side up onthe hill by the fence, and listen to our transistorradios. The baby oil/iodine mixture we bathed inwould deep-fry all those future ‘sunspots’ into ourskin. Now, every 6 months I have thedermatologist freeze off a couple more. On thosewarm Friday nights there would be moonlightswims with pizza afterward at Bell’s (it laterbecame Marco’s). Sometimes, we would go to themovies at the Gem Theater and then stop atMurray’s Restaurant for a cherry Coke. Other dayswe would take that really big bike ride all the wayto Bergman’s Dairy for ice cream.

In the fall, the Latrobe Roller Garden would reopenand every Saturday or Sunday afternoon from 1to 4:30, this is where you could find us. I wouldarrive with my skates tied together and throwncasually over my shoulder. I was desperate for ared white and blue metal skate case. They soldthem at the skating rink, along with professionalskates and the little fabric covers that went overthem, (black for the boys and white or tan for thegirls). They also sold skating skirts with satinlinings and matching tights underneath, and allkinds of skating accessories. Although I nevergot my case back then, I saw one at a yard sale atLouie Oliver’s several years ago. It had belongedto one of his sisters and when I told him the storyof how I had always coveted them, he let me haveit at a really good price. When I brought mynewfound treasure home, my husband, Doug,asked, “What in the world are you going to do withthat?” I told him I was going to keep my skates init, of course. They were up in the attic, next tomy walking doll.


The roller rink was a wonderful place to spend anafternoon. I remember the guards wore black andwhite striped shirts and carried whistles, muchlike the lifeguards at the pool. Jerry Balega wasone of them and I remember what a great skaterhe was. He always skated backwards and made itlook so easy. I’ll never forget the day he asked meto skate. He held my hand in the couple’s skate,him backwards, me forwards. While I was smilingconfidently, I was praying the whole time that Iwouldn’t fall and embarrass myself. What a thrillit was for me.

Later, we would all form a big circle and do theHokey Pokey, (And you turn yourself around -That’s what it’s all about!). Next came TheMexican Hat Dance, the horse races, and last butnot least, the Grand March. At the end, eachcouple held their clasped hands up in the air toform a big tunnel that we would skate under whileholding onto the person’s waist in front of us. Myworst fear was letting go of that person andstopping that long line of skaters behind me. Therewas the ‘trio skate’, where three of you held hands,side by side. It was followed by the ‘conga trio’,where you held onto each others waists in a row- one, two, three, kick. They had a ‘couples only’skate, and one just for waltzing couples. Thesewere the really good skaters, and I was alwaysenvious when I watched them do those turns. Iloved the ‘all girls’ skate because this gave us achance to show off our skills, and also our skateskirts as the boys stood behind the railing andwatched us. Mine was a light blue and whitechecked skort (a short skirt with tights attachedat the waist). I had matching light blue pom pomson my skates. I was sure that outfit was sospectacular that it, alone, could have qualified mefor the Olympic skating team. The girls’ skatewas immediately followed by the ‘all boys’ skate.It was pretty much an ‘anything goes, free for all’and what a bunch of lunatics they were. How noone ever managed to crack their skulls, I willnever know. They had painted big silhouettes ofskaters around the walls leading to a stage on thefar side of the rink. In the fifties and sixties,musical groups would play on that stage. Thesewere nationally known artist, like ChubbyChecker. I remember a troupe of skaters thatcompeted for the Latrobe Roller Garden, too. There were both boys and girls and they worematching outfits with those nifty skate covers. Hanging on the walls of the rink were photographsof them. At the end of the day, after three hoursof skating, I remember how rubbery my legs feltwhen I took my skates off and we walked out frontto meet our ride.

In the fall, especially, there seemed to be lots ofactivities to enjoy. I remember making orangepumpkins with folded legs out of constructionpaper and hanging them on our front windows.We would carve our Jack-O-Lantern and momwould toast the pumpkin seeds in the oven. Ouryouth fellowship at the EUB church would planhayrides at someone’s farm. As Halloweenapproached, my brother and I would have Daddybring home a big bag, filled with ears of field cornhe got from a farmer he worked with atWestinghouse. We would shell that corn, smilingat the thought of the grand sound it would makeafter we tossed it at someone’s front windows. We

would go Halloweening every night. Not only did wego ‘corning’, we would also collect empty spools ofthread and cut little V’s in the top and bottom. Afterbending a nail through the center and tying a stringaround the spool, we wound the string around andaround. Next we held the spool against a windowand pulled the string. It would make the loudest(and to us, most frightening) noise, all designed toscare the bejabbers out of an unsuspectingneighbor. You had to sneak up on someone’s porchand do this, then run like crazy. We soaped windows,too, on both houses and cars. And we sprinkledlaundry soap in front yards and waited for the nexthard rain to make a wonderful sudsy mess. Thatpretty much completes the list of the mostdestructive Halloween pranks we ever pulled.

We also dressed up in costumes and went trickor treating. One year, my mom bought me anurse’s costume, complete with nurse’s cap andmedical bag. I got a white satin ‘half-mask’ to gowith it, and thought I looked very glamorous andprofessional with my stethoscope hanging frommy neck. I loved that outfit and played nurse withmy dolls all winter. We only went trick or treatingin our own neighborhoods. After we rang thedoorbell, the neighbor would invite us in to collecta treat and then they would guess who we were.You couldn’t leave until they guessed correctly.Sometimes we stumped them and we all had agood laugh as we lifted our masks (we called themfalse faces), delighted that we had managed to foolthem. We never went to anyone’s house we didn’tknow, although I guess we knew everyone in theentire neighborhood. Today I get carloads of completestrangers, trick or treating with their big grocery bagsheld out. They come all the way from Latrobe andBlairsville and I have no idea who they are.

Fall was also apple season and my mom took fulladvantage. She made beautiful pies and warm,chunky applesauce, but her specialty was appledumplings. They were huge, gooey and delicious.Mom loved being in the kitchen and was a fabulouscook. When her gardening season came to a close,she spent her extra time baking. When I saw thecan of cocoa and big bag of sugar on the kitchentable it meant only one thing - FUDGE! This wasfrom a recipe handed down from her grandmother.We took turns stirring it for what seemed likehours. She didn’t use a candy thermometer, justa little cup of water. She would drop a spoonful ofcandy in and could tell if it was ready just by theappearance. My brother and I were allowed toscrape every extra ounce from the pan andstirring spoon while we waited for the big platterof candy to cool. I tried to replicate her recipe once.You could have paved the driveway with myversion. Although I have never been able toduplicate her recipe, I saved the big pink Melmacplatter she used to coat with butter before pouringthat wonderful treat into it. We had to wait anagonizing hour until it set before it could be cut.The creamy, chocolatey flavor was exquisite. Nocandy I have ever eaten, no matter howexpensive, could compare to hers.

Our youthful games and adventures werecertainly not the kind that are immortalized inbooks. The excitement factor was pretty low, Iguess. But we had wonderful times. We learned

that we had to get along or be shunned. Welearned what it felt like to win, and moreimportantly, how to behave when you didn’t win.We learned self-reliance and the ability tocompromise. And, I think most importantly, welearned to cultivate our imaginations. Just abouteveryone in the neighborhood seemed to be inthe same boat financially, and none of us livedvery ‘high on the hog’. But the kids in myneighborhood had no idea we were poor. Our livesseemed idyllic, at least when I think back that’show I remember it. When they say ‘money isn’teverything’, my childhood proved what a profoundstatement that is. Daddy worked forWestinghouse’s meager factory wages and momstayed home to take care of us while she madeends meet brilliantly. My family had riches thatyou couldn’t measure on a spreadsheet. Mom andDaddy gave us everything we needed for awonderful life, love, encouragement, stability, ahappy home, and strict but loving guidance. I can’tthink of anything important that I was everdeprived of . . . except maybe that red white andblue skate case.

Ruthie Parrish Richardson is a life-long resident of Derry. Hermemories of growing up in such a wonderful small town are one of

her greatest treasures.“I feel the lessons we learned back thenwere a powerful force in shaping the people we are today. Small

town America may seem to be gone forever, but if, now and then,we take a moment to remember what those ‘growing-up years’

were like, we can keep the values we learned strong and pass thebest of them along to the next generation.” Ruthie and her

husband Doug have owned Richardson Construction in Derrysince 1970 and have a daughter, Nicole, who lives in SanFrancisco with her husband, Russell and daughter, Riley.

Write to Ruth at [email protected]

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With the soaring temperatures and the highhumidity readings over the summer months, Itraded in my Nike joggers for an indoor Stairmasterlocated in an air-conditioned, environment-controlled loft exercise room inside my home.Thank goodness, I did. Little did I know that just a fewweeks later over a week-long holiday in SouthernItaly, I would climb over ten thousand steps! My “stepping vacation” adventure (as theholiday was quickly nicknamed), began as thesmall Iberian airliner touched down in theSouthern Italian city of Naples. My familydescended the first twelve steps off theaircraft. Looking forward to the firstsegment of our vacation, we quicklygathered our baggage and headed outinto the airport lobby. As theelectronic double doors parted, wewere greeted by approximately thirtymen of various heights and ages allholding up signs with names writtenon them in bold black letters. Iquickly scanned the placards. Not onehad the name “Rossi” printed on it. Itook another look. No. My driver,which had been previously arrangedfor months in advance, was apparentlyno where in sight. My husband andchildren looked at me in puzzlement.I gritted my teeth and shrugged. Somuch for my diligent pre-arrangements! Suddenly there was a loudcommotion coming from behind themass of drivers. A frantic voice calledout and the crowd parted like the red sea to letsomeone through. A short, dark curly-haired youngman with olive skin pushed his way to the front ofthe crowd and stopped abruptly in front of me. Helifted up his placard and smiled. “Hello,” I said. I gently turned his sign rightside up. “I’m Mrs. Rossi.” He smiled again, nodded, and then led our groupof eight out to his blue mini-bus. As we piled in, Ibegan my usual questioning; How far was the hotelfrom the airport? How long would it take us to getthere? Would we be hitting a lot of traffic at thistime of day? And, most importantly, did he havecold drinks available? He just nodded again andsmiled. I’m sure I had insisted on an English-speaking driver! Within minutes we were out of the city andwhisking our way toward the mountains in thedistance. Having done my research ahead of time,I knew that our destination was situated in thehills above the Tyrrhenian Sea. I sat back and gotready to enjoy the view. But as the two-lane highway narrowed to asmaller two-lane road, and then to a one-lane roadthat was not much wider than my driveway butstill handled two-way traffic, I began to get nervous.We climbed higher and higher. The tiny roadbecame more and more twisted, snaking its wayup the steep mountain and moving ever so close to

the edge of the cliff. I looked out my window onceand saw nothing but a steep drop all the way downto the ocean. Suddenly I remembered readingsomething about the Amalfi Drive being describedas the “winding ribbon of potential death.” Mytummy turned. Thank goodness I hadn’t takenoff my motion sickness bands yet. Several times as we serpentined our way upthe mountain, the driver had to pull over to thevery edge of the road to let another car or bus passby us in the opposite direction. I kept my eyesstraight forward.

Finally, when we reached thesummit of the mountain, the driverslowed down. I ventured a looksideways. I saw a sign. “Oh look, honey,” I said. “Thereis a hotel all the way up here on thetop of this mountain!” The driver stopped the vancompletely and got out. I tookanother look at the sign and gasped. “Oh, honey.” I drew in anotherlong breath. “It’s our hotel…” Iswallowed hard. How could this bepossible? I thought our hotel hadits own private beach and the oceanis way down there? I grew nauseousagain. Did I fail to mention that inaddition to being motion sensitive,I am also frightened of heights andclaustrophobic? Who planned thisvacation anyway? Within minutes the other seven

members of our group jumped out of the vehicleand ran over to the edge of the cliff. I, of course,stayed right beside the van. Someone needed tokeep an eye on our luggage, after all. The driverbegan to unload while two of the most muscularmen I have ever seen began to gather up the bags.Each man threw two backpacks on, hefted asuitcase underneath each armpit, and thengrabbed two other pieces of luggage with eachhand. It was amazing to see. And ever moreamazing was how they carried all this down thefifty steps to the lobby where we checked in. When the keys were all distributed, the twomen picked up their respective loads and led theway down the steep cliff toward our rooms. As I followed them out of the lobby, I looked outto see the most picturesque view I have everseen. I could have sworn I was looking at apainting. I was standing on the edge of a shearcliff that dropped down about 1000 feet into theazure blue ocean. To my left I could see a hundredor so tiny little houses clinging to the hillside withterraced gardens everywhere. Lemon treesdominated the vegetation. I looked to my right. On no! The one porterwas holding the door open for me to a tiny glassoutdoor incline. Seeing the look of horror on myface, the man motioned toward the steps. “How many?” I asked.

A Cliffhanger Holidayby JB Rossi


“Only one hundred and ninety-five down to yourroom, Senora.” The porter smiled. I took a deepbreath, reluctantly entered the glass contraptionalong with the other seven members of my group,and closed my eyes. As the door shut and we beganour descent, I heard gasps of awe and pretend wails. “We’re sliding right into the sea, Aunt Jo,” criedone child. “Look, Aunt Jo, the one cable that’sholding us up here is getting so thin. I hope it won’tbreak while we’re here.” And, “Hey, Mum, you’dbetter be careful not to tumble out of bed tonight.You won’t stop rolling until you hit the water waydown there!” Are we having fun yet! Within a few moments (it felt like a lifetime tome), the incline stopped and we piled out. Therewere only twelve more steps down to our lodge! AsI entered our room, I set down my purse and walkedover to the French doors. I opened them wide andwas amazed. The small balcony attached to ourroom seemed like it was floating above the sea. Theview (when I finally mustered up enough courage)was fabulous. Just breathtaking! Sprawled beforeme was the deep blue sea as calm as a sheet ofglass. To my left and right were pastel-colored villasclinging to the hillside. Fishing boats of every sizebobbed near the dock as yachts and water taxismaneuvered about. From the height of our hotelroom, everything looked like a rainbow of dappledspecks painted on a crystal blue canvas. Now I completely understand John Steinbeck’sdescription of Positano in his May 1953 article inHarper’s Bazaar. “It is a dream place that isn’t quitereal when you are there and becomes beckoninglyreal after you have gone.” The stepping adventure continued throughoutour stay. There were 927 steps down to the privatebeachfront or you could go down in an elevator whichtraveled windowless inside a cave for what felt tome like a lifetime, but, in reality, was equivalentto descending about twelve stories. There were only fifteen steps down from thebeachfront restaurant to the boat dock, but 378 moreto get back up from there to the swimming pool. With all this stepping, one can get ratherfamished quickly. A steep walk down into the smalltown center is a must for additional fine diningoptions and shopping excursions. From our roomwe scaled 224 steps to get the shuttle and only 683steps down from the drop-off point to the shore area

for the best restaurants. I indulged in typical Italianfare such as insalada caprese, pizza fritte, spaghettipomodoro, and of course, grilled local fish. After lunch,we wisely chose to go back to our hotel via the watertaxi rather than climbing back up the steps. Downtown Positano, however, is not all steps.There are several steep walkways hidden amongstthe steps. One that I remember in particular wascovered with a beautiful canopy of bloomingbougainvillea vines. My favorite shop was I Sapori di Positano, whichis located just after the covered walkway. Withinits walls, you can find almost anything to do withthe one item that this town (and much of the Amalficoast) is most noted, its lemons! The Amalfi lemonis most noted for its size, sweetness, juiciness, andrelatively seedless nature. Southern Italy’s warm,dry climate and rich volcanic soil are responsiblefor producing this amazing fruit. Lemon groves coverthe hillsides, fields, and terraced gardens throughoutthis region. At I Sapori di Positano, I found huge lemon scentedcandles, lemon decorated tablecloths, lemon paintedpottery, and most importantly, limoncello.Limoncello is the zesty refreshing liqueur madeexclusively from the one-of-a-kind sweet Amalfilemons. It is served ice cold as an apertivo or as anafter-dinner digestive. This coveted liqueur has asweet citrus taste and comes in beautifully hand-painted bottles and ceramic decanters. Yum! Within a few days, I was getting used to all theclimbing and getting less out-of-breath with eachstep. And with all this exercise, I was able to indulgein a few extra Italian delicacies such as gelato anda limoncello or two without the extra weight gain.

Unfortunately, my few days sped by, not allowingme the time to explore the nearby island of Capriand the three-island abode of the mythologicalSirens, who bewitched passing sailors with theirentrancing voices. I still have so much to see anddo in the Amalfi coast. But I guess I will have toleave those sights for my next adventure. For now,my first cliffhanger holiday in Positano was certainlya step in the right direction!

J.B. Rossi wants to thank the staff of the Laurel Mountain Postfor allowing her the opportunity to share her stories with thegreat people of our community. Thank you also to the loyal

readers of this fabulous publication. We’re getting bigger andbetter all the time because of you!

View from the balcony of my hotel room of the town of Positano, Italy, as it clings to the cliffs.

Where science, technique and beauty meet

VIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CANDIDANDIDANDIDANDIDANDIDAAAAATE:TE:TE:TE:TE:12th Congressional District12th Congressional District12th Congressional District12th Congressional District12th Congressional District

Jobs are the Number One priority for Jack Murtha,and his record speaks for itself throughoutWestmoreland County. He helped to attract Sony,worked the deal forthe purchase of raillines that were beingabandoned by CSX tosave jobs and helpattract new ones,attached an amend-ment that savedLatrobe Brewing,supports regionaldefense contractorsand the Center forGlobal Competitive-ness at Saint Vincentcollege, and leads theregional diversifi-cation into tourism. Jack MurJack MurJack MurJack MurJack Murtha - Dtha - Dtha - Dtha - Dtha - D

Diana Irey - RDiana Irey - RDiana Irey - RDiana Irey - RDiana Irey - R

Islamo-fascist terroristsare determined to kill asmany Americans as theypossibly can, and destroyour nation – not becauseof anything we’ve done,but simply because of whowe are and what webelieve. This is the greatchallenge facing Americain the early years of the21st century, and we needleaders who understandthis threat and arecommitted to defeating it.

I’ve got three teenagechildren I love very much,

and I want them to be able to grow up in an Americawhere they don’t have to worry every time they get onan airplane, or visit a big city, or take a drink of water.

I support the President. In Iraq today, we are engagedin the central front of the War on Terror.


Every child experiences some type of fear. Recently,my oldest son jumped off a slide, half-way down,because he saw a big spider. My younger son willnot go to bed without a night-light. One friend cannot take her 6 year old daughter to the movietheatre because of the dark and loud noises. AtHershey Park two summers ago, a friend’s 3 yearold jumped over the table during lunch when aperson dressed as a candy barwalked towards us. A friend’s sonbegan to stutter recently because hedoes not want to start school. Mynext door neighbor informed me thather 9 year old son is afraid of heightsand elevators and her 12 year olddaughter is afraid of doing poorly/failing at school and gymnastics.

Being afraid is a normal part of life.Richard Kingsley, a pediatricpsychiatrist, reports that “manychildren experience age-appropriatefears, such as being afraid of thedark. Most kids, with somereassurance and perhaps a night-light, will overcome or outgrow it.”So, what are kids afraid of?? Achild’s fears will change over timeand may vary based on gender. Inaddition, certain fears are commonat different ages. The following chartwas prepared by New YorkUniversity’s Child Study Center:(remember that this is a samplingof typical occurrences and children develop atdifferent rates)

5-10 months:stranger anxiety, loud noises

12-18 months:separation anxiety (from parents or caregivers)

2-4 years:monsters and animals, dark places, loud noises

4-6 years:school, dark, water, heights, animals

6-11 years:thunder/ lightening, doctors, burglars, fires,death, wars

12 and older:tests/ exams, teasing, friends, dating

Although anxieties are a part of growing up, youmay help your child manage his fears. Never ignoreyour child’s fears. Encouraging your child to talkabout his or her fear(s) is critical. Alwaysacknowledge their concern and let him know it is

good to discuss fears. Always answer their questionson their level- don’t use words that are toocomplicated. Also, reassure him that it is ok to beafraid. Share some of your fears and anxieties andhow you cope. Help him to overcome his fear byteaching him distraction and relaxation skills (deepbreathing or imagining a beautiful, peaceful place).You need to try and desensitize him by confronting

his fears through gradual exposure to that fear. Forinstance, you and your child might visit thepreschool and meet the teacher before school starts.As a next step you might spend an entire day withthem at school, decreasing that time over the nextfew days. Facing your own fears and taking smallsteps to alleviate that fear will assist your child.Lastly, never over-react to his fears.

When you have exhausted the above-mentionedtechniques and put forth the effort to help your childwith his fears, some kids will still have trouble. Lookfor changes in your child’s eating or sleeping, or asudden closeness to you. If a fear becomes extremeand interferes with daily activities, then a phobiamay develop. Phobias are strong and irrational fears(Caring for Your School Age Child, Bantam, 1999).For example, you should be concerned if your childrefuses to go outside because he is afraid of dogs.According to the American Academy of Pediatrics,

FOCUS ON CHILDREN

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!!CHILDHOOD FEARS

Nicole Vitale Smith, M.S.W.

phobias in young children are treatable. Theysuggest seeking help from a psychologist orpsychiatrist who specializes in phobias. In addition,Dr. Kingsley explains that “if a pattern that ispersistent or pervasive emerges, then you reallyneed to intervene.” He recommends seeing amental health professional with expertise inworking with children and adolescents.

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphiareports that while most childrenhave common fears and anxiety,specific phobias occur in 1 to 9% ofchildren and adolescents. Theyestimate that 1.4% experiencesocial phobias (the fear of socialsituations). Iowa State University’seducation department asserts that1 in 4 children between the ages of3 and 8 experience night terrors ornightmares.

If you would like to read more aboutthis topic, I recommend thefollowing books: Help for WorriedKids: How Your Child Can ConquerAnxiety and Fear, by Cynthia G. Last,Freeing Your Child From Anxiety;Powerful, Practical Solutions toOvercome Your Child’s Fears, Worries,and Phobias, by Tamar E. Chansky,No More Monsters in the Closet:Teaching Your Children to OvercomeEveryday Fear and Phobias, by Jeffrey

Brown, MD, and Keys to Parenting Your Anxious Childby Katharina Manassis, MD. Books for childreninclude: Let’s Talk about Being Afraid (the Let’sTalk Library), The Runaway Bunny, The KissingHand, After Dark, Are You My Mother, Where theWild Things Are, and Starting School.

If you have further questions, The AnxietyDisorders Association of America is a good resourceand information may be obtained from their websitewww.adaa.org.

Nicole is a 1988 Derry Area High School graduate. Sheattended the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 1992

with a BA in Social Work. She received her MS degree in 1997from Temple University. She has worked in the following

areas: Early Intervention (developmental disabilities), Adoles-cent Mental Health, Hospice, and Youth Work (England).

Currently, Nicole is taking a break from her career as aLicensed Social Worker to be a full-time mom to her two boys,

ages 6 and 3 years old.

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Nicole’s sons, Austin & Owen, with their dad, Chris.


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I am pleased to inform the local communities of a wonderful small charity,located in Latrobe, which searches all over the country and sometimes out ofthe country for missing children

American Association For Lost Children, Inc., (AAFLC) is an international,Christian, non-profit organization dedicated to providing hands-oninvestigations and recovery of missing children at no cost to the parents. AAFLCconducts actual physical searches for missing children, along with educating,counseling and encouraging parents of missing children. Whenever possible, AAFLCworks in collaboration with law enforcement agencies to recover missing children.

Mark R. Miller, a 1977 Latrobe high school graduate and 1981 graduate of St.Vincent College founded AAFLC in 1987 in Houston, Texas. Since 1987 AAFLChas found over 100 missing children. AAFLC has gone as far away as Germanyand Lebanon to find missing children and return them to the U.S. On May 5,2006, AAFLC found two small missing children, born in the U.S., who had beenabducted and taken to Mexico and returned them to their mother in Florida.

The missing children AAFLC focuses on are victims of non custodial parentalabduction. When a child is abducted by a stranger, it makes for sensationalheadlines. When a child is taken by a parent, few take notice. Yet the emotionaltoll on children kidnapped in family abductions is no less severe.

In some of the missing children’s cases AAFLC has solved, the abducted childrenwere told their other parent was dead. Still other children abducted by a parent aretold their other parent does not love them and some are sexually abused.

Of the nearly 250,000 kidnappings reported each year in the United States,more than three quarters are perpetuated by someone the child knows, usuallya parent, according to the Department of Justice. According to Ernie Allen,President of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, in 80percent of cases involving parental abduction, the abducting parent does nothave the child’s best interests in mind. They are taken out of anger orvengeance against a spouse, not love for the child.

AAFLC has been in numerous newspaper stories and T.V. news shows over itsalmost 19 years of existence. In past years AAFLC has been featured in: Reader’sDigest, Women’s World, Life and Biography Magazines and has been seen on InsideEdition(Three Times), CNN’s Larry King Live, 48 Hours and other T.V. news shows.

Each year May 25th is National Missing Children’s Day in the United States.

AAFLC is located at: 539 Fred Rogers Drive, Latrobe, PA. AAFLC has 3 full timeemployees, Mark Miller, Stephanie Flowers and Tess Kramer and one parttime employee, Mike Kramer. AAFLC’s phone number is 724-537-6970. AtAAFLC’s website, www.aaflc.org people can view actual T.V. news coverage of afew of the many missing children AAFLC has found over the years.

– Mike Kramer

American AssociationFor Lost Children, Inc.

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October. The mere mention of themonth brings thoughts of what itmeans. We think of Fall. We knowthat football season is well underway.It reminds chocoholics thatHalloween will be here soon. For me,all of the aforementioned leap tomind. But my very first thoughtevery year is that October is BreastCancer Awareness Month. BreastCancer. Those two words that areplastered all over every media outlet.It’s the disease that takes over40,000 women from us every year.It’s the disease that affects almost213,000 newly diagnosed patientsevery year. And it’s the disease thateventually touches the lives of 10times those numbers because itaffects one’s entire way of life. I am

a simple, yet powerful way to learnto Think P.I.N.K.

P - Promise to “Think Pink” - A promiseto a dying sister is why the Susan B.Komen Breast Cancer Foundation wascreated. Make your own promises. Findyour passion. Care.I - Inspire hope - Do your part.Volunteer. Donate money. Supportsurvivors.N - Need to know - Learn your body.Identify your risks. Understand yourhistory.K - Keep active - Participate in aRace. Increase your knowledgeabout the disease. Wear a pinkribbon everyday!

I know that when I turn the page onthe calendar to signal October’s arrival,I will be in my 24/7 Think P.I.N.K. mode.My hope is that I have helped a fewmore people join me in my crusade.

Kathy Kasperik is a Derry High Graduateand received her Bachelor’s Degree from

Penn State University. Kathy is alsoextremely passionate about the KomenRace for The Cure® after losing family

members and friends to the disease. Shehas been a volunteer with the Pittsburgh

Affiliate for over 12 years. Kathy willalways be seen wearing some form of a

pink ribbon, the universal sign for breastcancer awareness. Everyone needs to

THINK PINK!

Think Pink in October

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one of the many millions who hasbeen touched by breast cancer. Yousee for me, October is also areminder that it is the month inwhich my dear Aunt Ellie, my Mom’solder sister, passed away after acourageous four year battle with thedisease. This is why I am so passionate.This is why I am involved. And this iswhy when I Think P.I.N.K., it is not justa 31 day gig. It is a state of mind.

I have been involved with the RaceFor The Cure, specifically thePittsburgh Affiliate, for 12 years. Mymother and I began our volunteerefforts the year after my Aunt wasdiagnosed. But I already knew aboutbreast cancer, at least on thesurface so to speak. My Dad’s mom,

my Grandma Libby, had died from itin 1965. Since I wasn’t born foranother five years, I, of course,never knew her. Yet I had heardthose two words for as long as I canremember. The true awareness ofwhat it all really means, however,did not set in until I attended myfirst Race For The Cure. All you haveto do is take one look at the sea ofpink t-shirts, the special shirts wornby survivors, and you get it. It makesmore of an impact as you read the manytributes, in both words and pictures,that participants wear in honor of or inmemory of family and friends. And thenas you listen to the roll call of how manyyears those brave survivors are stillgoing strong after being diagnosed, ittugs at your heart and leaves a lastingimprint in your mind. It is alwaysmoving. It is sometimes bittersweet.And it is most definitely how one canlearn to Think P.I.N.K.

I often don’t realize how much Iknow about breast cancer and breastcancer awareness until someoneasks me about it. And yet at the verysame time, I realize how much moreI could know. My dream is thatsomeday there won’t be a Race. Thiswould mean that there would be aCURE. In the meantime, I want togive everyone an opportunity to have

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DOWN ON THE FARMShelly Gerhard

Whole Grain Goodness

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WHERE’S MUGGSY?On the Scene with David “Muggsy” Miles

Hello again from Fairview Farm!Summer is starting to wind down andthings are getting a little less hectic.We got our oats harvested, and itturned out pretty well this year. Theold combine made it through anotheryear without breaking down. Theweather cooperated, and I was able toget the straw baled without it gettingrained on. Things went pretty wellaccording to schedule . . . straw baled,and the alfalfa and clover seeded in thestubble will make new hay fields for

next year. Part of the oats were sownwithout grass so I could plow it up laterand plant some barley. I always liketo have barley for cattle feed, andhaven’t grown it for a couple of years.It seems to keep the cows’ hair shiny.They like it and stay healthier whenI add it to the corn and oats in thegrinder.

We are ready to plow eight acres. Thesoil was tested to determine theamount of lime needed. Working it

over one time, lime is then spread. Idisc and harrow and plant some winterbarley at the end of September, addingin some timothy grass which comesup in spring after laying dormant allwinter. Time to take a couple of days off!

Between plowing and planting barley,we work on odds and ends of 2nd and3rd cutting hay that needs to be cut andbaled, according to weather. It is alsotime to put up food for winter, cleanout barns, place fresh bedding and dorepairs around barns in time to bringthe cattle in for winter. We separatethe calves from cows to get ready totake to feeder calf sale and decidewhich ones to sell, and what ones tokeep and feed over the winter basedon how much feed we have stored forwinter. It’s also a managementdecision based on the pricing on ratesfor light feeders – sell all if price ishigh; keep if price is low and you havelots of hay. Then you can sell in springfor heavy feeders.

Picking corn comes at the end ofOctober. Sometimes corn does notmature until November, but it’s timeto get the corn picker and corn wagonsout, and check their tires. Then, ifsome of your corn is growing alongfencerows or woods, you have to pickouter rows by hand or simply mow themdown.

If you were organic farming, you wouldhave planted pumpkins around the outedges of the cornfield. Any kind ofvines or gourds make good companioncrops. The pumpkin vines would climbthe corn stalks making a beautiful falldisplay, the kind you picture in thecountry this time of year!

Shelly Gerhard is a native of New Derry andlifelong farmer. Together with his wife, Carol,he has owned and operated Fairview Farm in

Derry Township since 1964 raising beefcattle, chickens, pigs, horses and a variety ofcrops including corn, oats, barley, wheat, soy

beans and hay. This day-in-the-life account ofsmall town rural farming is based on a

composite of his life experiences. He studiedAgriculture at Penn State University and, as

an avid reader, continues to learn about avariety of subjects every day.

Fairview Farm’s AnnualCorn Roast & Picnic

In August, Muggsytraveled to Fairview

Farm in DerryTownship to attend

Shelly Gerhard’sannual Corn Roast &

Picnic. This year’sevent included a

roasted pig, providedby Don Jones of New

Alexandria, and asmorgasboard of

potluck favorites.

Another regularevent was thehayride at dusk.Muggsy got to tryhis hand at drivingthe tractor beforethe doublehaywagonadventure gotunder way!

Good Luck to thePITTSBURGH

STEELERSfrom everyone at theLaurel Mountain Post

and all of yourTraining Camp Fans!

k

k


THE LIGONIER CHEFScott Sinemus

Shuck It and Make ChowderWell summer seems to be coming to an end yetagain. Adieu humidity and mosquitos, hello crispnights and colorful ridges! Aside from spring,autumn is my favorite season for a multitude ofreasons; most are food related of course. With thegarden seemingly overflowing with bountiful goodnessand a more civilized climate I look forward to all myfavorite simmered & slow cooked comfort foods.

One of my favorite things about the end of summeris the corn roasts we get invited to. There issomething inherently specialabout getting together withfriends you haven’t gotten to seemuch throughout the busysummer and enjoying a potluckcorn roast. The one at FairviewFarm always has a hayride, lotsof fun, fantastic corn and giantfilled cookies (the pastry isperfection) made by Slim’smother, Betty Chicka. Thisyear’s hayride wasn’t nearly asexciting as last years; but I guessyou can’t have an axle break onthe wagon every year or even thatwould get dull and boring. When Iwas growing up, we even went toa few that served very young field corn instead ofsweet corn; now that was some very hearty corn.

Since the corn is just about finished producingtender but still tasty kernels, one of the first thingsI make is Corn Chowder. There isn’t a betterapplication for leftover or slightly tougher corn. Evenwith the lack of rain, this summer seemed toproduce some really delicious corn. However, it’spassing its peak for gnawing right off the cob.

There are a few other applications for corn whenit’s still flavorful, but getting a little tough: relish,salsa, canning, and even blanching and freezing ifoff of the cob seems to help tenderize it a wee bit.

The following recipe as with most, is a guide. If youdon’t have salt pork, use bacon; if you like carrots,add them; if you like green peppers more than red,use green or a mix of both. To lower the calories,use milk instead of light & heavy cream. If you addgrilled chicken or lump crabmeat and serve a saladand crusty bread, you’ve got a complete meal! Whenwe were in the south, we had blackened chickenand corn chowder that was really quite good; butthe taste was more blackened seasoning rather thanthe sweet delicate nature of the corn. Of coursesmall round loaves of bread can be hollowed out andused as the bowl to serve this hearty chowder;everyone always seems to get so excited when

presented with a warm and crispy bread bowl filledwith virtually anything really.

When I make corn or any other chowder I usuallymake a cauldron of it, with the sole intention offreezing the “chowder base” for use throughout thewinter. The chowder base is the mixture of all ofthe ingredients with the exception of the cream ormilk. It is still possible to freeze the chowder if you’veadded the cream, but it may look broken or curdledwhen thawed. To avoid this issue, it’s best to freeze

before adding the cream.

One of my regular clients alwayssays, “this is truly the best way tohave corn because you neverhave to pick it out of your teeth!”Truth be told, even if we’re havingcorn-on-the-cob as a side dish, Ialways cut it off of the cob.

A method for cooking corn thatI’ve become quite fond of in thelast several years is to put it inthe microwave without removingany of the husk or silk. Well,trimming the bottom of the ear offwhere it was attached to the stalk

is a good idea, particularly if you have a smallermicrowave. And you must not forget to check forthe nasty caterpillars you sometimes find in cornbefore you press start. Once you’ve got thataccomplished, arrange the ears in the microwavealternating top & bottoms for more even cooking,do not overload the oven. Cook on high power for 10minutes. Turn the ears over and move the centerones to the outside, vice versa. And cook on highfor 5-10 more minutes. The corn will be extremelyhot, use tongs to remove it from the oven. Allow itto cool slightly before attempting to remove the silk& husks. Steaming the corn in it’s husk like thismakes removing the silk a dream come true, andthe flavor of the corn is enhanced rather thandumped down the drain with the water normallyused to cook husked corn in.

Once you have the corn husked and cut off of thecob, simply toss with some melted butter, salt &white pepper to taste. If the corn gets too cool whileyou’re cutting it off of the cob, simply reheat in abowl with the butter, salt & pepper for a few minutesin the microwave. You may never husk & boil cornagain . . . I know I haven’t.

Scott Sinemus is a Chef with a degree in Culinary Artsfrom the Pennsylvania Institute for Culinary Arts in

Pittsburgh. He’s continued his education with classesfrom the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and

The Greenbrier; and has travelled internationallyin search of authentic cuisine. To schedule a private

cooking class, visit www.The LigonierChef.com.

Corn ChowderINGREDIENTS:• 10-12 medium ears fresh yellow corn,

husks and silks removed• 3 ounces salt pork, trimmed of rind and

cut into ¼ – ½ inch cubes• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter• 1 large sweet onion, small dice• 1 large red pepper, small dice• 1 cup celery, small dice• 1/2 - 3/4 cup all-purpose flour• 3 cups chicken stock• 2 medium to large red-skinned potatoes

scrubbed and cut into ¼ -inch cubes(about 2 cups)

• 1 medium bay leaf• 1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves• (or ¼ teaspoon dried)• 2 cups light cream• 1 cup heavy cream (optional)• 2 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves• 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons

of chicken base• Ground white pepper & salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut kernels from the cob, transfer tomedium bowl and set aside.

2. Sauté salt pork in Dutch oven or largeheavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat,stirring occasionally, until cubes are crisp andgolden brown, approx. 10 minutes. Pourlardons into a strainer over a bowl, and returnthe pot to the heat.

3. Stir in butter and onions and cook untiltranslucent. Add the celery & red pepper, andreserved salt pork; cook until slightly softened.Stir in flour until there are no lumps or dryflour remaining. Pour in stock and whiskuntil combined.

4. Add potatoes, bay leaf, thyme, cream,bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat tolow and simmer until potatoes are tender.Stir in parsley, chives, salt & pepper to taste.Temper in the heavy cream at this point, ifyou’ve decided to be completely decadent.Bon appetit!

Makes approximately 2 quarts


I went to Steelers training camp this week. I hadn’t been since my motherand my Aunt Cass used to drag my brother & me nearly every day… we tookpicnic baskets! I was 10 and after an hour or so, it didn’t seem to be much funanymore. But since my mom knew one of the coaches, we got to meet a lot ofthe players, I had an experience I never forgot . . . watching the then, like now,Superbowl champs having dinner! It was an eye-popping sight, but practicingthat hard all day couldn’t happen without substantial meals.

I was curious to see if the new champs had any special meals to go withtheir special teams. I began asking a few of the players what their favorite foodwas while they were here at training camp. I have to admit I wasn’t expectingpizza & burgers to be the first two answers I heard. First I thought, I don’tremember seeing pizza as a kid, I do however remember an enormous, brilliantred pile of lobster, which I’d recently come to love from the live tank at Krogerthat was where Big Lots is now.

Fortunately the next player I asked was Chris Hoke (pictured above), whoseanswer was immediately, “Prime Rib or anything meat, but it’s all really good”.Now that’s the sort of answer I was looking for. Following suit, Heath Miller(below left) said virtually the same thing, although he liked the pulled pork anda good steak. And one rookie, Mike Lorello (below right), said the tenderloinwith portobella mushroom sauce was his favorite, but the crab legs come in aclose second.

All the guys said that everything they have at training camp is deliciousand there’s a huge selection of items to choose from. But there is one secretthat none of the rookies seem to know… there’s ice cream behind the curtains!Best of luck to the Superbowl Champion Steelers for this upcoming season!

– Scott Sinemus, The Ligonier Chef

What Do the SteelersEat at Training Camp?

South Ligonier Street 724-537-8541

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PartyPackageDeal$7.50 per personIncludes: Admission, regularskate rental, pizza, softdrinks, reserved table,birthday announcement,free admission for birthdaychild for a future skate, freeinvitations, paper goods,plasticware, candles, cakecutter, 35mm disposablecamera. Minimum 10 peopleper party. May bring cake;no other outside foodpermitted.

Fall/WinterOpeningWeekend

September 8Fridays 7-930

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Call for dates!

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(behind Auto Zone on Rte 981)GRAND RE-OPENING on OCTOBER 1

Artisan & Gift GalleryRoute 30 and Arona Road in North Huntingdon

(above First Impression Beauty Salon)GRAND OPENING on SEPTEMBER 15

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It may seem like summer, but the Fort LigonierDays Committee has been thinking about the falland this year’s Fort Ligonier Days which will be heldFriday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13, 14, and 15.

Theme of this year’s festivities is “Yesteryear’sMemories”, and the theme will be reflected in thevariety of ways during the festivities which featuremusical entertainment, crafts, food booths, aparade, and battle re-enactments at Fort Ligonier.Windows in Ligonier will be dressed for thefestivities, and awards will also be presented for bestcostumes.

Featured at this year’s parade will be nearly a dozenbands including the U. S. Marine Corps Band fromQuantico, VA, the University of Pittsburgh MarchingBand, high school bands including Ligonier, LaurelValley, Derry, Franklin Regional, GreensburgSalem, Latrobe and Butler, and other marchingmusical units including a 25-member bagpipe bandand a polka band. The parade will also includehistoric units, floats, costumed characters, theshrine units and special guests, including TVpersonalities.

Arrangements are being made for a number of theparticipating bands to perform in concert followingthe Saturday (Oct. 14) parade. Those performanceswill be announced as scheduled.

A line-up of musical entertainment is also featuredduring the three day of festivities which mark theanniversary of the battle of Fort Ligonier on Oct.12, 1758 during the French and Indian War.

Among entertainers who will perform at this year’sfestivities are The Vogues performing 50s and 60soldies hits for the Saturday night street dance.Others include singer Deanna Dawn Denning, theFlood City Brass Band, Guaranteed Irish, BlueShades, the Desperadoes, Gashouse Annie, andRuna Pacha playing music of the Andes.

This year’s festivities will also feature a variety ofcraftsmen located at three craft sites around thetown of Ligonier. Crafts include a variety of itemsincluding artwork, dried flowers, wood items,specialty foods, leather goods, handwoven clothingitems and much more.

The festival will also include the popular food boothswhich will ring the Diamond area. Proceeds fromthe food sales benefit community groups.

More information about the festival is available fromthe Ligonier Valley Chamber of Commerce bycontacting 724-238-4200 or at the web site,www.ligonier.com.

Yesteryear’sMemories

Ft. Ligonier Days 2006

Who Is Your Favorite Steeler?Faces from Steelers Training Camp in Latrobe

BIG BENMadison RicchiutoPittsburgh, PA

BIG BENLiam McNamaraFishersville, VA

WE LOVE THEM ALL!Chris & Heather Smail and Noah, Lisa McCoy – Ford City, PA

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2006 COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Thru Nov19 Ansel Adams: A LegacySAMA Ligonier Valley; Ligonier, PA 15658; 724-238-6015www.sama-art.org

Thru Sept 3 Born of Fire: The Valley of WorkWestmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, PA;724-837-1500, x27 www.wmuseumaa.org

Thru Sept 3 Gristmill Productions presents Harps and HarmonicasMountain Playhouse, Jennerstown, PA; 814-629-9201www.mountainplayhouse.com

Sept 1-3 Ameriserv Johnstown FolkfestFriday 5PM-12AM, Sat 1230PM-12AM, Sunday 1230PM-1130PM,Johnstown Festival Park, Johnstown, PA; 888-222-1889www.jaha.org

Sept 1-4 Labor Day LuauCelebrate summer with a Bavarian Beach Party, a BackyardCookout and the BEACH BOYS in concert (Sept. 2)Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA; 814-352-7777www.7springs.com

Sept 1-4 Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts Colonial FestivalFri/Mon 10AM-6PM, Sat/Sun 10AM-8PM, Westmoreland CountyFairgrounds, Pleasant Unity, PA; 724-863-4577www.familyfestivals.com

Sept 1-3 Labor Day Weekend at Benner’s Meadow RunBenner’s Meadow Run Camping and Cabins, Farmington, PA;724-329-4097 www.bennersmeadowrun.com

Sept 1-3 Johnstown Folk FestJohnstown New Festival Park, Johnstown, PA 15907;1-8880222-1889 www.jaha.org

Sept 2-3 Teen Quest Group RetreatTeen Quest Ranch, Somerset, PA; 1-800-288-8336www.teenquest.org

Sept 2 Farmer’s Market9AM-12PM, Lynch Field, Greensburg, PA; 724-834-4880

Sept 2 Beach Boys2 PM, Grey Rocks Amphitheatre, Seven Springs Mountain Resort,Champion, PA; 814-352-7777 www.7springs.com

Sept 2 7th Annual Caring Car Cruise4PM, Clay Avenue, Jeannette, PA; 724-523-0274

Sept 5 Farmer’s Market3-6PM, Parking Lot Behind City Hall on Main Street, Greensburg,PA;724-834-4880

Sept 6 Greensburg Toastmasters Club presents Communication andLeadership Skills SeminarGreensburg Court House, Main Street, Greensburg; 724- 537 -7966

Sept 6-10 Farmer’s and Threshermans JubileeNew Centerville, PA ; 814-926-3142 www.ncrvfc.com

Sept 8 Latrobe Skating Center Opening7-930PM, South Ligonier Street, Latrobe, PA; 724537-8541www.latrobeskatingcenter.com

Sept 8-9 Vintage Film in the Valley presents A Streetcar Named Desire730PM, Ligonier Valley Theatre, Ligonier, PA; 724-238-6514www.ligonier.com

Sept 8 Scottish Highlands DinnerMountain View Inn, Greensburg, PA ; 724-834-5300www.mountainviewinn.com

Sept 8-10 Mountain Craft GamesSomerset Historical Center, Somerset, PA;814-445-6077www.somersethistoricalcenter.org



VINTVINTVINTVINTVINTAAAAAGE FILMGE FILMGE FILMGE FILMGE FILMIN THE VALLEYIN THE VALLEYIN THE VALLEYIN THE VALLEYIN THE VALLEY

“““““A StreetcarA StreetcarA StreetcarA StreetcarA StreetcarNamed Desire”Named Desire”Named Desire”Named Desire”Named Desire”

September 8 & 9 at 7:30 PMSeptember 10 at 2:30 PM

All Tickets $6.00

Ligonier Theater208 West Main Street724-238-6514, ext. [email protected]

www.valleyplayers.orgwww.ligoniertheater.com

LIVE ONSTLIVE ONSTLIVE ONSTLIVE ONSTLIVE ONSTAAAAAGE!GE!GE!GE!GE!CONCERTCONCERTCONCERTCONCERTCONCERT

“I Remember You”Craig NiezelskiAn Evening of

American StandardsSeptember 30 at 8:00 PM

All Tickets $10.00

SUBSCRIPTIONSUBSCRIPTIONSUBSCRIPTIONSUBSCRIPTIONSUBSCRIPTIONSHOWSHOWSHOWSHOWSHOW

Catch MeIf You Can

October 20, 21, 27, 28at 8:00 PM

October 29 at 2:30 PM$12.00 Adults

$10.00 Seniors/StudentsCall for Reservations!


Sept 9 Ligonier Highland Games Scottish FestivalIdlewild Park, Ligonier, PA; 412-851-9900

Sept 9-10 Flax Scutching FestivalStahlstown, PA; 724-238-4200 www.ligonier.com

Sept 9-10 Tour de StrongLand Bike RaceVandergrift, PA; 724-845-5426 www.strongland.org


Sept 10 Antiques and Collectibles ShowHistoric Hannahstown, Greensburg, PA;724-836-1800www.starofthewest.org

Sept 10 Scottish Band Concert1PM, On the Diamond, Ligonier, PA ; 724-238-4200www.ligonier.com

Sept 10 Vintage Film in the Valley presents A Streetcar Named Desire230PM, Ligonier Valley Theatre, Ligonier, PA; 724-238-6514www.ligonier.com

Sept. 11 Home Instead and Green Meadows at Latrobe presentVictoria Principal’s Senior Makeover:Feeling Good from the Inside Out230PM, Green Meadows, Latrobe, PA; 724-537-5255 or 724-836-5795

Sept 11-17 84 Lumber Classic at Nemacolin WoodlandsNemacolin Resort, Farmington, PA; 724-329-8555www.nemacolin.com

Sept 12 Farmer’s Market3-6PM, Parking Lot Behind City Hall on Main Street, Greensburg,PA; 724-834-4880

Sept 15 Ligonier Tavern Presents Dan Hicks Hot Licks2 shows! 7PM and 9PM Ligonier Tavern, Ligonier, PA; 724-238-2831

Sept 15-17 Scottdale Fall FestivalScottdale, PA; www.scottdalefallfestival.org

Sept 16 13th Annual Polo for the Cure12:30 gates open; match begins at 2:00 pm; Stom Hollow Farm,Route 711 in Ligonier; sponsored by the Friends of Ligonier Polo.www.lls.org/wpapolo


Sept 16 The Westmoreland BiennialWestmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg. 724-837-1500ext. 29 www.wmuseumaa.org



Sept 21- Tom Savini’s TerrorManiaNov 5 Century III Mall, West Mifflin, PA; 724-684-3684

www.terrormania.net

Sept 21 Westmoreland Jazz Society presents KENNY BLAKE TRIOWestmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg; 724-837-1500ext.27 www.wmuseumaa.org

Sept 20 Greensburg Toastmasters Club presents Communication andLeadership Skills SeminarGreensburg Court House, Main Street, Greensburg; 724- 537 -7966

Sept 20- Gristmill Productions presents Barbara Russell in Looking inOct 1 Both Directions

Mountain Playhouse, Jennerstown, PA; 814-629-9201www.mountainplayhouse.com

Sept 21-25 The YWCA Westmoreland County Literacy ProgramAnnual Used Book SaleWestmoreland Mall (along Route 30 in Greensburgz0Thursday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:30 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Phone: [email protected]

Sept 22-24 Mt. Pleaant Glass & Ethnic FestivalFriday/Saturday 11AM-11PM, Sunday 11AM-7PM, Downtown Mt.Pleasant; 724-547-7738 www.mtpleasantglassandethnicfestival.com

Sept 23 Murder MysteryChristian W. Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA; 724-439-3424www.cwklaywinery.com


Sept 23 Grandview Gospel Sing3-8PM, 3 miles north of town on Rte 711, Ligonier, PA; 724-593-3166

Sept 23 10 Hole Putt-Putt Contest for Missing Children9AM-7PM, Statler’s Fun Center, Greensbug, PA;724-537-6970www.aaflac.org


Sept 23-24 Annual Berlin Whiskey Rebellion CelebrationMain & Vine Streets, Berlin, PA; 814-26-5987 www.berlinpa.org

Sept 24 Annual Chili Cook-Off & Mountain HarvestChristian W. Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA; 724-439-3424www.cwklaywinery.com

Sept 24 National Hunting and Fishing Day Open House12-5PM, Irwin Sportsmen’s Club, Irwin, PA


Sept 28 Art Students Night – free eventA special night for college and university students, as well as highschool seniors, that features a showcase of artist’s materials and freesamples from local suppliers, live local bands and poetry, regionalvisual artists in action, refreshments, and much more! WestmorelandMuseum of American Art, 221 N. Main Street, Greensburg. Call 724/837-1500 ext. 10 or visit www.wmuseumaa.org for more information.


Sept 30 15th Annual Ebensburg Potato FestDowntown Ebensburg, PA; 814-472-8414 www.potatofest.com

Sept 30 Greater Latrobe High School Boosters presentsWildcat Cabaret ItalianoGLHS , Latrobe, PA;724-537-5207

Sept 30 I Remember YouCraig Niezelski - An Evening of American Standards. Ligonier Theater;208 West Main Street; 724-238-6514; www.ligoniertheater.com

Sept 30 TIAA CREF Financial Services presents Museum DayCarnegie Museums of Art & Natural History, Pittsburgh, PA; 412-622-3131 http://www.carnegiemuseums.org and Senator JohnHeinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center and the WesternPennsylvania Sports Museum, Pittsburgh, PA; 412-454-6000http://www.pghhistory.org


To add your community event to this calendar, please call 724-331-3936or visit our website www.LaurelMountainPost.com

Sept 30- AutumnfestOct 1 Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA; 814-352-7777

www.7springs.com

Sept 30- Teen Quest Group RetreatOct 1 Teen Quest Ranch, Somerset, PA; 1-800-288-8336

www.teenquest.orgOctober 1-31 Rich’s Fright Farm

(closed Mon, Tues) Smithfield, PA; 724-564-7644www.frightfarm.com

Oct 4 Greensburg Toastmasters Club presents Communication andLeadership Skills SeminarGreensburg Court House, Main Street, Greensburg; 724- 537 -7966

Oct 4- Gristmill Productions presents Bingo Extravaganza! (It’s Not)Oct 11 The Palace Theatre presents George Carlin

730PM, The Palace Theatre, Greensburg, PA; 724-836-8000 www.

Oct 6-14 MAZEL by Amy HartmanReeves Theater, Seton Hill University, Greensburg, PA; 724-838-4241

Oct 6-7 Haunted Mountain Hayrides and TrailYogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Mill Run, PA; 724-455-2929 www.jellystonemillrun.com

Oct 7 Art in the Kitchen Tasting Tour10 AM-4PM; Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg;724/837-1500 ext. 29 www.wmuseumaa.org

Oct 7 Latrobe United Presbyterian Church Autumn Festival10AM-3PM, Latrobe United Presbyterian Church, 340 Spring Street,Latrobe, PA; 724-539-8881

Oct 7-8 AutumnfestSeven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA; 814-352-7777www.7springs.com

Oct 7-8 Hallowboo at Idlewild & SoakZoneIdlewild Park, Ligonier, PA; 724-238-3666 www.idlewild.com

Oct 7-8 Teen Quest Group RetreatTeen Quest Ranch, Somerset, PA; 1-800-288-8336www.teenquest.org

October 8 Antiques and Collectibles ShowHistoric Hannahstown, Greensburg, PA;724-836-1800www.starofthewest.org

October 11 George Carlin in ConcertThe Palace Theatre,Greensburg, 21 W. OttermanStreet, TICKETS $45 and $38and are available by calling theBox Office at 724-836-8000.

Oct 13-15 Fort Ligonier DaysDowntown Ligonier, PA; 724-238-4200 www.ligonier.com

Oct 13-14 Haunted MountainHayrides and TrailYogi Bear’s Jellystone ParkCamp-Resort, Mill Run, PA;724-455-2929www.jellystonemillrun.com


Oct 14-15 Fall Foliage & Harvest CelebrationChristian W. Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA; 724-439-3424www.cwklaywinery.com



Oct 14 Murder MysteryChristian W. Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA; 724-439-3424www.cwklaywinery.com

Oct 15 Going My WayMountain Playhouse, Jennerstown, PA; 814-629-9201www.mountainplayhouse.com

Oct 18 Greensburg Toastmasters Club presents Communication andLeadership Skills SeminarGreensburg Court House, Main Street, Greensburg; 724- 537 -7966

Oct 18- Scarecrow ContestNov 1 Downtown Ligonier, PA; 724-238-4200 www.ligonier.com

Oct 19 Westmoreland Jazz Society presents Tony Janflone Jr. BandWestmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg; 724-837-1500ext. 27 www.wmuseumaa.org

Oct 20,21 Catch Me If You Can27,28,29 Ligonier Theater; 208 West Main Street; 724-238-6514; Call for

reservations; www.ligoniertheater.com






Oct 27 Autumn Big Band Dinner DanceMountain View Inn, Greensburg, PA; 724-834-5300www.mountainviewinn.com

Oct 27-29 A Halloween Haunting Storytelling EventCompass Inn Museum, Laughlintown, PA; 724-238-4983www.compassinn.com

Oct 28 Arts Alive! Family Day – free program12-4PM; Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg;724-837-1500 ext. 10 www.wmuseumaa.org

Oct 28-29 Dollhouse & Miniature ShowMountain View Inn, Greensburg, PA; 724-834-5300www.mountainviewinn.com

Oct 27-28 Murder MysteryChristian W. Klay Winery, Chalk Hill, PA; 724-439-3424www.cwklaywinery.com


VIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CANDIDANDIDANDIDANDIDANDIDAAAAATE:TE:TE:TE:TE:United States Senate RaceUnited States Senate RaceUnited States Senate RaceUnited States Senate RaceUnited States Senate Race


I can’t interview Ida Louise Shaffer (1912-2003) inperson, as she is no longer here on earth. She willalways be in my heart, and assuredly, in the hearts ofcountless others in Derry and many areas nearby. Shewould have adored the Laurel Mountain Post had shebeen alive to read it. She would have been thrilled tohave been interviewed by me for my debut column. Iwould like to tell you about her, because she was atrue friend, mentor, and huge supporter of myendeavors. She is pictured here in my faux leopard coat(no thoughts of paint spraying anyone). Ida and Iboth adored animal prints of many types, styles, andfabrics. The November weekend that she turned ninety,my husband Kent and I took her toMountain View Inn in Greensburg fordinner. After we took her home to GreenMeadows in Latrobe, I asked for a fewphotos. She answered, “Yes, Barbie, butI have to wear your coat in them!” Shewas so very proud of the photos takenthat evening! So much so that she hadme have a dozen reprints made of thedifferent poses. She gave them to some ofher many friends and family members. Sheis pictured here in my favorite pose. Hereis our story. Sorry this interview can’t beQ & A. Reason obvious.

I was five years old when I met Ida in1956. She was my first grade teacher atthe Second Ward School in Derry. It isno longer in existence. That is whathappens when you live to be fifty-five,apparently. Your elementary school site becomes aplayground. From the moment I met her, I adored her.She is the reason I became a music teacher. She wasn’ta music teacher, but she could certainly createenthusiasm for a song! (Mary Jane Oliver DeBacco, doyou remember? What am I thinking? Of course, youdo.) Midway through the school year my mother, KayLyons, allowed me to invite Ida to lunch with us on aschool day. This was in an era when we could walkhome for lunch and had an hour to do it. Hey, go figure,kids! I got to choose the menu. Who knows why Ichose chicken salad and cherry pie, but that is exactlywhat Mommy made. It was delicious. Thank you,Mommy. Ida told that lunch and menu story to oneand all until the day she died.

Perhaps, some of you remember the book When BadThings Happen to Good People. The basic premiseis: when bad things happen to good people, God didn’tcause those things to happen; he is there to help usthrough them. He certainly helped Ida. She had morethan her share of difficult times. Ida contracted polioat eighteen months of age. In the era of her youthbeing physically challenged was not viewed by societythe same way it is today. She survived that, went toIndiana Normal School (today’s IUP), and taught firstgrade for 39 years in the Derry Area School District.You could start teaching at a very young age backthen! She retired at fifty eight, and her husbandChuck died, unexpectedly, several months later.Despite her devastation at this loss, she perseveredand became a very successful teacher of needleworkfor the Derry Area adult evening program. Any skill Imight have for needlepoint was taught to me by Idaduring one of those evening classes. She lookedforward each week to her hair appointment with LindaMiller. Her hair was always perfectly coiffed. Idaand I attended many musical productions in

Pittsburgh and at the Mt. Playhouse in Jennerstown.How she loved to do lunch beforehand! She and hersister, Lois Crede, continued to eat their eveningmeals together, make myriad craft and needleworkprojects, exercise, shop, visit friends, and keep stiffupper lips until Lois died in 1997.

Ida broke her hip on New Year’s Day, 2002. She neversaw the inside of her beloved home in Derry and mostof her belongings again. Her recovery was long andextremely trying. Nevertheless, with all this adversity,Ida could have been the sheet music cover girl for thesong “Smile (Though Your Heart is Breaking)”. Ida got

past the sorrow of losing her home of manyyears, and became a wonderful additionto her final home, Green Meadows. I amsure many staff members could tell youstories of Ida. In fact in mid-August Imet two members of the staff and talkedto another by phone who remembered herdistinctly and fondly. She was honoredas Person of the Month, and just missedbeing named Queen at Valentine’s Day.She helped with bake sales, joinedexercise and singing sessions, had herhair done, went to the dining room formeals, put on her Elizabeth Arden makeup(purchased from Hildegarde Knottbeck atBon-Ton), and dressed to the nines everysingle day. She made many friends there;just as she did everywhere she ever went.She gave a television to one of her specialfriends – Kim Williams, who rubbed cream

into her feet each evening before bedtime. During thewinter months of 2003, she made every resident of GreenMeadows a ribbon cross to be given as an Easter gift.Kent and I each received one as well; they are still closeat hand. That Easter we took Ida out for brunch, andvisited my parents’ home in Derry afterward. My nephew/godson Greg was visiting from North Carolina thatweekend. I took a great photo of him reading Ida one ofhis school assignments. She had a marvelous way withchildren. Thankfully, most first grade teachers do.

No matter what her trials and tribulations, she smiledfor all of us…family, friends, acquaintances, andstrangers. Yes, she wept, but usually when she wasalone. She always wanted her family and friends toperceive her as being strong. We all knew she was.Most probably, Ida was stronger than all of us put together.She was a woman to be emulated…a great role model. Notonly did she teach hundreds upon hundreds of Derryresidents during their first grade school year, she taughtmany of us how to live life to the fullest.

The summer before she died I took most of our niecesand nephews to visit Ida. One afternoon as we left Ida’sroom my niece Brittanie said, “Aunt Barbie, Ida is so joyful!”Could anyone have said it better? Ida was so many things– generous, kind, beautiful, talented, intelligent, courageous,and most especially filled with joy. She was, and alwayswill be, the most joyful person of my life.

I miss Ida terribly. But, she isn’t truly gone. Ida is justmissing for the time being. I’d like to finish by telling youthe very last words we spoke to each other. I visited herthe Saturday before she died just thirty six hours later. AsI was leaving I said what I had always said to her when Ihad to leave her, “I love you, Ida.” She replied, “I love you,too, Barbie. I could not have asked for a better friend.”What a wonderful tribute to me. This is my tribute to her.

Lady in Leopardby Barbara M. Neill

• The current leadership in Washington has putthe special interests ahead of working families. BobCasey will return Pennsylvania priorities to the U.S.Senate – priorities like reducing the cost of healthcare and creating good paying jobs. As AuditorGeneral and State Treasurer, Bob Casey developeda long record of standing up for working families.• Bob Casey opposes unfair trade laws like CAFTAthat put U.S. workers at a disadvantage. U.S. workersare the best in the world, but they cannot competeagainst countries with unfair labor laws • To help more families take time off to care forfamily members who are sick, Bob Casey supportsan expansion of the Family and Medical Leave lawwhich has already helped more that 50 millionAmericans take time off from their jobs. • Bob Casey opposes plans to privatize SocialSecurity that will cost a trillion dollars to implement,risk retirement funds in the stock market, andrequire cuts to Social Security’s guaranteed benefits.

Bob Casey - DBob Casey - DBob Casey - DBob Casey - DBob Casey - D

Rick SantorRick SantorRick SantorRick SantorRick Santorum - Rum - Rum - Rum - Rum - R

• Rick is working to strengthen Social Security so allgenerations of Americans will benefit from this criticalprogram. He is committed to ensuring that those inretirement or near retirement receive their full benefits.That is why he is fighting to pass the Social SecurityGuarantee Act.• Because of Rick’s leadership, the first clean coal-to-liquid fuel plant in the country will be based inSchuylkill County. This will not only create 1,600 jobsfor Pennsylvanians, the facility will greatly increaseour nation’s energy supply in an environmentally friendlyway. Rick continues to find ways to reduce ourdependency on foreign sources of oil.• Rick Santorum has been a leader in the fight againstpoverty by championing programs that empower allcitizens to reach their full potential. Rick was the primaryarchitect of the landmark welfare reform bill, whichhas enabled over seven million Americans to exchangea welfare check for a paycheck.• Pennsylvania is rich in its natural resources, andRick believes we must achieve the right balance betweenencouraging development and preserving open space.

His Farmland Preser-vation Program legis-lation is preserving andprotecting thousands ofacres of Pennsylvaniafarmland. This programhas become one of themost successful conser-vation programs inAmerican history.• Rick Santorum believesin a culture of life. He ledthe charge in the U.S.Senate to pass legislationto ban partial birthabortion, and also workedto pass the Born-AliveInfants Protection Act,which recognizes thebasic rights of allchildren born alive.

Dream Maker WeddingsCelebrations & Events of All Types

1006 Ligonier St.Latrobe, PA 15650

Deborah A. Cycak, C.B.A.724-537-6770

We Have Live Doves!

Elegant Wedding DecorChocolate Fountain

Balloon ArtistryFresh & Silk Floral

Chech out our Chair Covers!


Writers to PerformTheir Work

at LVW PicnicLigonier Valley Writers will hold its annual picnic on Sunday,September 10, from 3 to 5 p.m. at St. Michael’s of the ValleyChurch in Rector. The event is free, and members of thepublic are welcome to read from their own writing and enjoypicnic fare. Bring a covered dish or dessert if you like, aswell as a poem or story or anything else you’d like to read tothe group. You’ll also have a chance to win raffle prizes.

Songwriter Bill Rhodes will perform several of his songs induets with his sister, Cathi Rhodes, who portrayed PatsyCline for the Valley Players of Ligonier. Among Bill’scompositions are “Buster’s Old Log Cabin” and “A RainySpring Day.”

Several members of the Greensburg Writers Group will readfrom their mystery anthology, The Phantom Detectives. Allof the short stories in the anthology are about a fictionalwriters’ group that helps a local police lieutenant solve hismost mysterious crimes. The book is a fundraiser for theLigonier Valley Writers. It will also be featured during MysterySaturday on October 14 at the Greensburg Hempfield AreaLibrary, when Barb Miller will talk on “How to Write a Mystery.”

The mystery anthology writers include Marge Burke (andher crime-solving dog, Tazz), Linda Ciletti, Rebecca Dunn,Judith Gallagher, Ed Kelemen, Barb Miller, Mary Ann Mogus,Craig Schlechter, Ron J. Shafer and J. E. Wynn. Marge Burkehas had essays in the Tribune-Review and Small Town Newsand has written a novel based on real Civil War letters toand from an ancestor of hers. Linda Ciletti is the author ofthe historical romances Draegon’s Lair and Knight Stalkerand has won several writing contests. Rebe Dunn writesboth suspense fiction and creative nonfiction. JudithGallagher writes textbooks and fantasy/science fiction. EdKelemen has published articles in numerous magazinesand writes a weekly column for the Blairsville Dispatch.Craig Schlechter writes mystery and horror. Ron Shaferpublishes children’s stories and vignettes. J. E. Wynn has writtenscience articles and a self-help book.

Ligonier Valley Writers is celebrating its 20th anniversarythis year. LVW serves writers and readers throughoutwestern Pennsylvania. For more about any LVW events, visitwww.ligoniervalleywriters.org. And watch for the 2006 editionof The Loyalhanna Review, coming out in the fall. This yearlocal businesses will be able to buy ads in the Review.

Come out to the YWCA Westmoreland County LiteracyProgram Annual Used Book Sale at Westmoreland Mall(along Route 30 in Greensburg) Thursday; September 21 –Sunday; September 24, 2006; Thursday – Saturday: 8:00 AM– 9:30 PM / Sunday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Thousands of booksto choose from all sold by the inch! Through the success ofthe book sale, the YWCA Literacy Program is able to remaindedicated to giving adults and their families the opportunityto acquire the literacy skills they need in order to be effectivein their roles as members of their families, communities,and workplaces. Bring the whole family to load up on booksand help support the YWCA Literacy Program! Phone 724-834-9390 or E-Mail: [email protected] for info.

Used Book Sale

See Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks live atThe Ligonier Tavern on September 15 –two shows, 7 and 9 PM.

On November 9th, Surfdog Recordswill release ‘Selected Shorts,’ perhaps thebest Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks albumsince his renowned 1970s work. Hicks,the influential and off-beat, bohemianpresence who draws from diverse fieldsof music, wrote 10 of the 13 songs onthe album, which features guestappearances by Willie Nelson, JimmyBuffett, Beach Boys collaborator Van DykeParks, and Butthole Surfers frontmanGibby Haynes. ‘Selected Shorts’showcases Hicks’ unique, jazz-inspiredphrasing, his inimitable voice, and aversatile, stellar band.

One of the central, defining figuresof San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury sceneof the 1960s, Hicks formed Dan Hicks &The Hot Licks in 1968 while he was stilla drummer for The Charlatans, the groupoften cited as one of the originators ofthe SF psychedelic sound. The early1970s proved to be a period of successfor the groundbreaking band, paving theway for visionary outsiders ever since.Dan Hicks has continued to earn areputation as a true original, with hissignature eclecticism and humor.‘Selected Shorts’ represents a true returnto his peak form.

Learn more at www.danhicks.net.

Dan HicksComing to Ligonier


REPARTEE FOR TWOBarbara M. Neill

The Real Deal . . . Dick GroatIn the present-day world filled with so many bogussports figures, Dick Groat is the real deal – a greatathlete and a gentleman. I have known him for nearly30 years. For our readers of a certain age, Dick needslittle explanation. He was, along with other assortedPittsburgh celebrities, a household name in our area.As a basketball standout at Duke University, inDurham, North Carolina, Dick received awards toonumerous to mention here. He was named the HelmsNational Player of the Year in 1951 (the year of mybirth). In the early 1950s and 1960s he was the“complete” baseball player not only for the PittsburghPirates, but for the St. Louis Cardinals, PhiladelphiaPhillies, and San Francisco Giants as well. He andco-owner Jerry Lynch’s Champion Lakes Golf Club onthe outskirts of Ligonier is a local favorite for golf outingsand celebratory events. On an afternoon late in Julymy husband Kent and I journeyed to Champion Lakesto chat with Dick about his life.

LMP: When I mentioned to several friends andacquaintances that I was going to interview Dick Groatin my debut column, I was amazed that so many peopleeither knew you or had a story to tell about you. Mymanicurist, Julie Miller of the James Vincent Salonin Ligonier, lived in your hometown of Swissvale foryears. She told me your sister was her HomeEconomics teacher. Julie’s husband, Toby,remembers seeing you at the ball field that was namedfor you at the top of the hill in Swissvale. Christy GoodLoughner, personal dental assistant of Dr. RichardHansen (of the office of Drs. Hansen and Torba inLatrobe), lived on your street in Swissvale. She isclose in age to several of your daughters. She recalleda “money tree” that was a part of an anniversarycelebration for your parents. Just before I came toChampion Lakes today, I was volunteering in the giftshop at the W.M.A.A in Greensburg. Ratherunbelievably, five minutes before I had to leave awoman by the name of Tippi Comden entered the giftshop. She knew you from her connection to TheWestern PA School for the Deaf. It seems thatChampion Lakes is the location for the school’s ElroyFace Fork Ball Invitational. Many folks rememberyou from the Touchdown Club in Latrobe. Rumor hasit that you still dine there on Sunday evenings. AlexaStouffer, owner and operator of Pennywise Books inLatrobe and daughter of Joe “Smokey” Greshok,recalled your many visits to her father’s Eastwood Innin Ligonier. Any comment on these observations?

DG: Well, Barbara, remember when you’re as old asI am, there will be stories. I know an awful lot ofpeople. Eastwood Inn is still my favorite restaurantanywhere, by the way.

LMP: Would you say that your upbringingcontributed to your many successes in life?

DG: In every possible way. My dad was fifty when Iwas born. My mom was in her forties. I was the babyby a long shot. I had two older sisters, Elsie and Mary

Margaret. Elsie taught commercial in Munhall (nowSteel Valley School District) and Mary Margaret taughtHome Economics in Swissvale (now the Woodland HillsSchool District). Elsie, the oldest, has passed away.Mary Margaret is eighty-six and is living in Bridgeport,West Virginia. The members of my family were allvery, very supportive of me through the years.

LMP: When I read some of the information aboutyou on the internet, I noticed that you began yourcareer with the Pirates in 1952. For our youngerreaders and less informed readers could you tell ushow that career got its start?

DG: I came home from playing semi-pro baseball inVirginia between my junior and senior year atDuke. A scout told me that Mr. (Branch) Rickeywanted me to work out with the Pirates. (Rickeywas the General Manager of the Pirates at the time.)So, I worked out with the Pirates three or fourmornings, and worked out with the team before theyplayed their night games. Mr. Rickey invited mymother, father and me to attend a game. As wewere sitting with him at the game, he turned tome and said “Young man, if you’ll sign a contracttonight, I’ll start you against the Cincinnati Redlegstomorrow night.” I replied, “Mr. Rickey, that’s notfair. I owe my senior year to Duke University. Iam going back. But, if you make the same offer tome when I finish my eligibility, I promise that I’llsign with the Pirates.” End of conversation. I wentback to Duke, played my senior year of basketball,played my senior year of baseball, and went to thecollege world series. Then I returned home toPittsburgh on a Sunday night, signed with thePirates Monday, joined them on Tuesday, pinch-hitted on Wednesday, and started every game untilthe end of the season.

(Dick even managed a short stint with the FortWayne Pistons of the NBA before his graduation fromDuke. The team flew him on a private plane backand forth between Duke and Fort Wayne, so thathe wouldn’t miss his classes. He said it was the

most fun he ever had in sports, and he never evenpracticed with them!)LMP: I recently viewed the movie Fear Strikes Out,a bio pic about Jimmy Piersall. (For the benefit of thosewho are not baseball fans, Piersall was a NBL shortstopwho played during the same time frame as Dick, butprimarily in the American League.) I found the 1957movie riveting for a variety of reasons. (I wouldrecommend it to anyone interested in baseball,movies, or familial relationships.) Did you and Piersallever cross paths?

DG: I knew Jimmy, Barbara. Jimmy was dumb likea fox. I played against him when he was with theMets. I remember talking to him at The Polo Grounds.He was a fun guy, and everybody liked him.

LMP: Would you care to comment on how the Piratesof today compare with the Pirates of your era?

DG: The teams are very similar. In 1952, my rookieyear, we were the worst team in all of baseball. Welost 112 games. We were terrible. I didn’t play in ’53and ’54 because I was in the army. (This was duringthe Korean War.) In ’55 and ’56 we were terrible. In’57 we got a little bit better. In 1958 we were dead lastat this time of the year, the end of July. We finishedsecond that year, because all of a sudden we, as ateam, learned how to win. You don’t know when ithappens and why it happens. We became better ballplayers. And that’s what this young Pittsburgh teamhas to do right now – learn how to win.

LMP: My husband Kent and I have taken both ofour North Carolinian nephews, Drew and Greg, toball games at PNC Park. They both thought it wasquite a place. My brother’s middle daughter,Brandie, and his son Zach of Hempfield Township,are both talented athletes who will enjoy sportsevents at PNC for a long time to come. What areyour impressions of PNC Park, and how does itcompare to Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium?

DG: PNC is probably as fine a ball park as there isin the country. It’s gorgeous. I love PNC Park.Forbes Field was a great ball park. It had a beautifulbackground with the trees out in Schenley Park. Ididn’t like Three Rivers. It was a better footballstadium than it was a baseball park. But,remember, that was a period in this country whenmulti-purpose stadiums were in vogue.Philadelphia, Cincinnati, St. Louis all had them.They didn’t work out, and now we are back withindividual stadiums for each sport.

LMP: At the present time, what would you say you aremost interested in doing?

DG: Obviously, running the golf course is my firstpriority. Also, this will be my twenty-eighth year ofdoing the color commentary on the radio broadcasts

continued on page 20

Pictured from left are Kent J. Neill, Jr. Dick Groat, and hisnamesake grandson, Ricky DeStefano of Latrobe. Ricky camedirectly from playing in a baseball tournament to Champion Lakesnot long before I took this photo. Like grandfather, like grandson!


for the University of Pittsburgh Panther basketball team. (Dick and BillyHillgrove can be heard on 970 AM and 104.9 FM. during the season.) Basketballwas my first love, and I love college basketball. The kids keep you young. Itravel with them, have breakfast with them, and go for physical therapy threedays a week with them.

LMP: Have you always been an avid golfer?

DG: I didn’t start playing golf until I was twenty-seven. I still love to play golf. Idon’t play it very well anymore. I played with a two or three handicap for years.Now, I struggle, but I think that’s part of getting older. My own golf courseseems to have gotten a lot longer.

LMP: Champion Lakes, which you and your former teammate Jerry Lynchcreated, is a very popular Westmoreland County golf and public country club.Any plans you would like to share for its future?

DG: It’s hard to believe, Barbara, but this golf course will be 40 years old in Octoberon the 2nd. We do plan to expand our Bed and Breakfast venue, but you would haveto talk to my daughter Allison about the particulars.

LMP: Speaking of Allison, how about an update on all of your daughters?

DG: Tracey, as you know, is my oldest. She owns her own real estate companyin Durham, North Carolina. In mid-July I went to Durham to be a part of “Thisis Your Life, Tracey Goetz”, a tribute to her by her office staff. Her office iswalking distance from the Duke campus. Carol, my middle daughter, lives inPittsburgh. To show you what a small world it is, I was going to junior high inthe same building that my sister, Mary Margaret, taught in. I couldn’t getaway with anything. Today, Carol Ann is a fifth grade teacher in that samebuilding. My baby, Allison, manages Champion Lakes and lives in Latrobe.

LMP: Looking back over your amazing life, would you like to cast us any pearls,Dick?

DG: I’ve always contended that I was the luckiest person in the whole world.Everything I ever dreamed of or wanted, thanks to my family, and thanks to theLord himself, I got. Everything seemed to fall into place. There was no reason thatI should have all of a sudden represented the city of Pittsburgh in an all-star gamewhen I was a junior in high school. I wanted to go to Duke University. They didn’tgive baseball scholarships, so they invited me down to play basketball, and I got abasketball scholarship. I got my education through basketball. I was fortunatebecause Mr. Rickey gave me the opportunity to come right off the college campusand go to the major leagues. Everything fell into place. When I was traded from thePirates, although I never wanted to leave the city of Pittsburgh, I ended up going tothe finest organization in all of baseball – the St. Louis Cardinals. The St. LouisCardinals treated me super. I had the best year I ever had in 1963, and then wona World Championship in 1964. I have been the luckiest, most fortunate person inthe world. I thank God for being as lucky as I have been all my life.

And that, readers, pretty much says it all about “The Real Deal”.

With my education background I am dedicated to being a lifelong learner. A specialthank you to the Derry Area School District, the Indiana University of Pennsylvania,

and the Ligonier Valley School District for their encouragement and support. I lovepeople, and can think of nothing more enjoyable than discussing their lives with

them.Of all the many books I read, biographies are by far my favorites. My experienceswhile reading this publication in the past surprised me. I actually had positive feelingswhen I put this paper down. I am adverse to negativity of all

kinds, and as you know, the media is often steeped in it. Ihope to add to the “positivity” of the Laurel Mountain Post. (Ihave always made up words when it suited my purpose.) My

paternal grandmother, Mildred Maud McCurdy Lyons (1904-1994)always told me, “Barbara, you can do anything you want to do, if

you just set your mind to it.” I wasn’t sure about this as a youngerperson, but as it turns out, she was quite right.

Barbara is a 1968 graduate of Derry Area High School. Shegraduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the Indiana University

of Pennsylvania in 1972, and subsequently earned a Master’sEq. She taught music in the Ligonier Valley School District for 32

years, and since her retirement in 2004, she has been activelyinvolved in the Women’s Committee of the Westmoreland

Museum of American Art and as a volunteer in An AmericanMarketplace at the museum. Barbara and her husband, Kent, live

in the Lawson Heights section of Latrobe.

continued from page 21


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EARTH TALKQuestions & Answers About Our Environment

Plans are being formulated for Latrobe United Presbyterian’s Church’sAutumn Festival, to be held on Saturday, October 7, 2006 from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. The Church is located at 340 Spring Street, Latrobe, PA.

If you enjoy festivals, this is one you won’t want to miss. There issomething for everyone – you will want to see: Added Touch (Accessories)where you will find lots of vintage costume jewelry. Create a whole newlook for your wardrobe; How Much Is That Candy In The Window? (CandyStore). Look for some of your favorites from the past!; A Little Bit Country(Stop by the “Farm” market and stock up on: jellies, relish, homemadesoup, all made with garden fresh ingredients.); Celebrations: A HolidayBoutique (Decorate your Christmas tree; find accessories and jewelry forthat special evening out; find beautiful tablecloths and embroiderednapkins, and jump-start your holiday shopping); The Worm Turns – stopby The Worm Turns and find fiction, nonfiction, biography, best sellers,children’s books. All books, although they have been used, are in excellentcondition; Table for $Five (lots of items (all new or nearly-new) will be a$5.00 bargain for you to find); and you will also find Apple Dumplings forsale, Sugar ‘n Spice Bake Sale (look for cookies using recipes of PaulaDeen - a favorite on Food Network); Tea for You (or Two) (Tea has becomethe beverage of choice for many. Don’t miss the coupon in this issue ofthe Laurel Mountain Post. Present your coupon at the Festival and receiveone (1) free cup of gourmet tea. Tea accessories will be available forpurchase), and don’t miss the Vintage Crafts, and Silent Auction. TheCountry Kitchen will be serving all your luncheon favorites from 10:00a.m. to 3:00 p.m. AND. . . . you won’t want to miss “What’s In Your Attic?.Everyone who loves yard sales and auctions knows that the fun is in thesearch for just the right item at just the right price. There will be lots ofitems with the “right” price. Come and enjoy!

The Autumn Festivalat Latrobe Presbyterian Church

Organic substances “biodegrade”when they are broken down by otherliving organisms (such as enzymesand microbes) into their constituentparts, and in turn recycled by natureas the building blocks for new life.The process can occur aerobically(with the aid of oxygen) oranaerobically (without oxygen).Substances break down much fasterunder aerobic conditions, as oxygenhelps break the molecules apart.

Most landfills are fundamentallyanaerobic because they arecompacted so tightly and thus do notlet much air in. As such, anybiodegradation that does take placedoes so very slowly. “Typically inlandfills, there’s not much dirt, verylittle oxygen, and few if anymicroorganisms,” says greenconsumer advocate and author DebraLynn Dadd. She cites a landfill studyconducted by University of Arizonaresearchers that uncovered still-recognizable 25-year-old hot dogs,corncobs and grapes in landfills, aswell as 50-year-old newspapers thatwere still readable.

Biodegradable items also may notbreak down in landfills if theindustrial processing they wentthrough prior to their useful daysconverted them into formsunrecognizable by the microbes andenzymes that facilitatebiodegradation. A typical example ispetroleum, which biodegrades easilyand quickly in its original form, crudeoil. But when petroleum is processedinto plastic, it is no longerbiodegradable, and as such can clogup landfills indefinitely.

Some manufacturers make claimsthat their products arephotodegradable, which means thatthey will biodegrade when exposed tosunlight. A popular example is theplastic “polybag” in which manymagazines now arrive protected inthe mail. But the likelihood that suchitems will be exposed to sunlightwhile buried dozens of feet deep in alandfill is little to none. And if theydo biodegrade at all, it is only likelyto be into smaller pieces of plastic.

Some landfills are now beingdesigned to promote biodegradationthrough the injection of water,oxygen, and even microbes. Butthese kinds of facilities are costly tocreate and as a result have notcaught on. Another recentdevelopment involves landfills thathave separate sections forcompostable materials, such as foodscraps and yard waste. Someanalysts believe that as much as 65percent of the waste currently sentto landfills in North America consistsof such “biomass” that biodegradesrapidly and could generate a newincome stream for landfills,marketable soil.

But getting people to sort their trashaccordingly is another matterentirely. Indeed, paying heed to theimportance of the environment’s“Three Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!)is likely the best approach to solvingthe problems caused by our ever-growing piles of trash. With landfillsaround the world reaching capacity,technological fixes are not likely to makeour waste disposal problems go away.

CONTACTS: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Reduce-Reuse-Re-cycle page; www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/reduce.htm.

GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/TheEnvironmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at:www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e-mail: [email protected] past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/archives.php.

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TAKE IT ON FAITHPastor Ron Durika

Experience Can Be the Best TeacherAll too often we think more highly of ourselvesthan we ought to. Especially in our youngeryears we think we know all the answers andcan handle whateverthis life may throw ourway. In all fairness, Iwill point out thatsome never grow out ofthis and many willlearn of theirlimitations but fail tofully accept them. Weenter into situationsblindly with falseconfidences that most of the times are just a blinkof an eye away of blowing up and really being adestructive force that consumes us physically,emotionally, and spiritually. Some may ask why, if there is a God, does Godallow these things to happen even to seemingly“good” people? If God is all powerful and all

knowing, and if God can do anything and knowsall things, why does God allow us to deceiveourselves and to suffer?

I believe the answercan be seen in therelationship between aparent and a child. Responsible and lovingparents will want whatis best for their child. This does not meanthat they place themwithin a protective

room in a controlled environment to spend therest of their life safely protected from any harm. A wise parent knows that part of their responsibilityis to prepare their child for the challenges thatthis world produces so that they may have a chanceto not just survive, but to prosper in this life. Sometimes words are not sufficient to teach thisvaluable lesson and the best way to engrain thesetruths of life is to have the child experience somethings for themselves under the watchful eye oftheir parent. Through the years, the childmatures and grows with the lessons taught andexperienced by them until they are, at leastmarginally, able to go out on their own. They dothis now realizing that they cannot survive for longwithout the combined help of all those around themworking together for the good of all. Independence isoddly gained by realizing dependence is necessary. God does this with us. If we did not experiencetrouble by acting on our own, and if God alwaysacted behind the scenes to right our mistakes,our own pride would mislead us into believingwe have handled yet another difficult situationon our own. This undoubtedly will lead to hurt oreven destruction. But because God does love usand knows that dependence upon Him is our besthope, He allows some problems to enter our livesand teaches us to come to Him for help, as achild would run to his or her parent for help. Hedraws us to the one source of infinite, eternal,and unchangeable power and wisdom. I believe thebest lesson I have ever learned is to look upward andcry, “Father help me! I cannot get through thiswithout you!” My prayer is that all of those aroundme realize this truth before it is too late.

Ron Durika is the pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church inNew Florence (corner of Fifth & Chestnut Streets, 724-235-2940). Join them for worship every Sunday at 10:30am and

Sunday School at 9:15am. Bible Study meets on the first andthird Monday of each month at 7pm.

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Having a rural mail route is vastly different thanbeing a mail carrier in an urban or suburbanarea. And this shows itself to be true no betterthan in the small Western PA farmingcommunity where my parents live.

Charlie has been their mail carrier since the1980’s, and is in fact much more than a mailcarrier. Charlie watches out for all the peopleon his route, but especially theretirees. It’s not unusual forCharlie to swing back past thehouse after his route and drop off abucket of apples or a quart ofstrawberries. He has broughtcuttings from his mother’s favoriteplants in exchange for ones of equalimportance from Mom’s garden.

He brings jars of honey from hishives, knowing that Mom drinks itin her tea every morning to easeher allergies. She leaves himcookies or bread or perhaps a bookthat she found in the attic. Charliewill pull into the drive on occasionand trot up the steps on a snowyday to make sure my parents aresafe and not needing anything.

He literally delivers the mailthrough storm, snow, sleet, ice,and heat waves; around deer andpossums and ditches and fallen branches. Hiscustomers love him and the relationships go wellpast that of government employee and designatedrecipient. He goes out of his way for them, andthey appreciate it.

It was not really a surprise, then, when one daylast week Charlie pulled his SUV into the driveand hand-delivered my parents’ mail. My dadanswered the door and stood chatting until Momcame into the room. She heard Charlie sayingthat he’d had a headache since before 7:00am.

“That’s a shame,” mom sympathized. “Can I getyou anything?”

“No, but it’ll help if I can give you something.”Charlie reached into his mail pouch and pulledout several envelopes. There was a faint tinklingheard above the noises in the house. “This ismy headache.”

Mom reached out and took the letters, and thetinkling increased. She shuffled the envelopes untilshe found the offender.

“It’s singing,” she said, looking at the returnaddress. “It’s a birthday card from my cousin inTennessee, and it’s singing.”

They all stood respectfully while the muffled tonesof “Happy Birthday to You” floatedaround the room. Mom opened theenvelope and pulled out the card. Sheopened and shut the card severaltimes, but it kept playing away.

“That there card has been singing tome since 7:00 this morning. It likedto near drive me crazy. If it hadn’tbeen property of the U S Mail I’d havechucked it out the window about twohours ago.”

My father took the card and startedjimmying the flap that covered thetiny music box. Finally he freed theswitch and shut the card and themusic stopped.

Charlie looked like a boulder hadrolled off his shoulders.

“Boy, I’m telling you, I’m sure glad tobe done with that thing. First time

I’ve ever listened to “Happy Birthday” for three anda half hours straight.” He turned to leave. “Oh,and Dorothy. Happy birthday. Just tell that cousinof yours not to send any more singing envelopes.”

Laughing, my parents promised, then spent the restof the afternoon opening and shutting the card.Perfect.

Marge Burke is a Greensburg native, has worked at SmailAutomotive since high school (thirty plus years), and is a 2001

graduate of Seton Hill’s Master of Arts in Writing PopularFiction program. She has two grown children; Kelly (husband

Matt and son Peyton) and Nathan (fiancée Lori - Lori’s sonJacob, his daughter Autmn Rose, and their daughter

Christina). Marge writes for several local magazines, includingthe FOCUS First Person Singular (Tribune Review), and is

published in a mystery anthology for Ligonier Valley Writers.Her hobbies are historic research, volunteering at Historic

Hanna’s Town, and writing. Her spaniel/lab mix, Tazz, keepsher company, her flower gardens keep her busy, but her

grandbabies keep her smiling.

THE CORNER STORYMarge Burke

Singing Mail

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Millions of dollars are now being spent each yearon “Web marketing”, techniques that bring visitorsto a Web site and improve the chances that, oncethey are there, they will do whatever it is the siteowners want them to do: buy a product, fill out anapplication, make a phone call, etc.

Companies with substantial marketing budgetsknow that successful Web marketing efforts canhave a significant return on investment. So forthem it makes good sense to hire full-time Webmarketing specialists or to contract withprofessional Web marketing firms. But smallbusinesses or other organizations without bigmarketing budgets may not know where to begin.

Before hiring a professional Web marketingconsultant, there are some very basic things youcan do to improve your Web site’s effectiveness asa marketing tool.

Start by making sure that you can type the nameof your business into Google – or Yahoo.com orMSN.com – and see your Web site at the top of theresults.

If your business has a common name, type in thecity name as well.

The importance of this deceptively simple test isbacked up by trends in consumers’ use of Internetsearch. Forty-three percent of search engine usersare looking for a local merchant in order to buysomething offline, and over half of all Internet usershave substituted Internet search for the phonebook, according to SearchEngineWatch.com andGreg Sterling of the Kelsey Group. And the numberof people using search sites instead of phone booksis only going to increase as more people get onlineand upgrade to high-speed connections.

If people can’t find a link to your Web site by typingthe name of your business into Google, then youare encouraging them to take their businesssomewhere else.

Keep in mind that if the name of your business showsup in search results because it is mentioned in anonline newspaper article or referred to on someoneelse’s Web site, it is not the same as a link to your Website. Your business name will not necessarily be a link,and people don’t want to dig through other Web sites tofind your Web address or a link to your site.

If your Web site is not at or near the top of resultswhen you type in the name of your business intoGoogle, you are not alone.

To see what I mean, try this experiment: Searchon Google using the words “untitled document”. Youget about 80 million pages. This is because (with afew exceptions) there are roughly 80 million Webpages with the title “Untitled Document”!

The title of a Web page appears at the top of a browserwindow, followed by the name of the browser (Untitled

Document – Microsoft Internet Explorer). You maynever have noticed it before, but it is one of theprimary places search engines look to see what apage is about.

“Untitled Document” is the default used by somepopular Web building software programs. Unlesssomeone knows about the importance of a page title,he won’t bother to change it.

Having a home page for your Web site with a titlelike “Untitled Document” is like having a sign infront of your office that says, “Your Name Here”: notvery effective! There are many other equallyineffective variants: “New Page 1”, “Home”, “AboutUs” – all the equivalent of “Your Name Here.”

An effective title for a Web page looks more likethis (in the case of a small law firm, for example):“Family and Divorce Law – Finleyville, WashingtonCounty – Ellen P. Smith and Rebecca Powers,Attorneys at Law – Western Pennsylvania”. That’sa far cry from “Untitled Document”!

Achieving Basic Web SuccessMight Be Easier Than You Think

In addition to descriptive page titles, your Web siteneeds a few more things to ensure that it shows upat or near the top of search results when someonesearches for the name of your business.

2. You need detailed page “descriptions”. Adescription sometimes displays in search resultsunder the page title. It is important because, likethe title, search engines read it to see what a pageis about.

The description is a “hidden” element of a Web page,you can see it in a Web browser by going to themenu at the top of the window and selecting “View> Source” or “View > Page Source”. If the page hasone at all, its “description tag” will be near the top.Pages without a description are like pages withtitles like “Untitled Document”: unless they have alot of descriptive text somewhere on the page whereyou can actually see it, they are practically“invisible” to search engines.

3. Accordingly, the third ingredient of a highly visibleWeb site is descriptive text on its pages. If you havea Web site that uses Flash or other glitzy graphics,

there may be no real “text” on the page for searchengines to read. (Search engines can’t read Flash.)Or you may have pages that are essentially graphicimages. Even if humans can read text that appears inthese images, search engines cannot. And, once again,search engines will not know what the page is about.

The good news is that improving your Web site’s“visibility” to search engines – telling them whatthe site is about simply by fixing page titles anddescriptions, and beefing up text on its pages – isone of the easiest and least expensive things youwill ever do for your site.

4. As a final step, once you have done these threethings, you should submit your Web site’s URL toGoogle, to let it know that you want your site to beindexed.

Google creates an index of the World Wide Web usingspecial software that constantly “crawls” throughcyberspace reading and collecting information fromeach Web page. This is how Google produces a listof results whenever you do a search. It looks throughits index to find the best match for the terms youuse. If a site is not in the index, it does not show upin the results.

In order to index your site, Google’s crawlers haveto be able to find it and they have to know how tocategorize it correctly. If your site has generic pagetitles like “Untitled Document” or “Home”, or if itspages have no description tags, or if the site has nodescriptive text on its pages for crawlers to read,then, even if the crawlers do find it, they will notknow what it is about. Its pages will be indexed alongwith millions of others in categories like those usedfor “Untitled Document” pages – and they will neverbe seen by anyone who does not already knowwhere to look.

Once you have added good page titles, pagedescriptions and descriptive text to your site, youcan proudly inform Google that it should read andindex your site – by telling it exactly where yoursite is located.

Go to http://www.google.com/addurl/ . Type theURL of your site – http://www.mywebsite.com orwhatever the case may be – into the form andclick the “Add URL” button. That’s all there is toit. A crawler will index your site within about twoweeks, and you should then be able to search forthe name of your business and see your Web siteat or near the top of the results. Yahoo.com andMSN.com results usually follow suit.

If you have the budget, there are many moresophisticated Web marketing techniques you maywant to try, but not until you have done thesethings first.

Mark McLaren is the owner of McBuzz Communications LLC, acompany offering state-of-the-art Web marketing and elec-

tronic communications solutions to small and medium-sizedbusinesses. Reprinted with permission of Dynamic Business,

flagship publication of SMC Business Councils.

Simple things businesses without big marketing budgets can do to improve their Web marketing

The title of a Web page appears at the top of a Webbrowser. It’s also one of the first places search engineslike Google look to find out what a page is about.



THE REC ROOMJim Kasperik

Once A Steeler, Always A SteelerAnyone who follows the National Football Leagueknows very well that the only thing constant aboutteams today is change. In the era of salary capsand money constraints, your favorite team oftenhas to make tough decisions about who to sign andwho to let leave. You may go buy the jersey of yourfavorite player and the next year that player maybe playing for another team. This is a fact in thenew NFL and it does not stop with players. Thedemands that coaches are under to producewinning teams immediately, often has coacheschanges roles and teams quite often as well.

So at this point in the NFL, how is it that one personcan coach with an organization for over 30 years?How is it that this person can not only coach, butalso coach some of the greatest players that everhave played in the NFL and often times stay “underthe radar” outside the organization? Well this is aunique story of one man who has done just that.Dick Hoak is a man who has done his job withimmense success and dignity in a very demandingenvironment. And it just so happens that this storyabout Hoak is of a gentleman that was born, raisedand still lives in the Laurel Highlands.

Born and Raised in Western Pennsylvania

Long before Dick Hoak was associated with thePittsburgh Steelers football club, he was born andraised in Western Pennsylvania. Hoak was bornand raised in Jeannette and was a standout footballplayer as he went through high school. As his highschool years drew to a close, the Nittany Lions ofPenn State recruited him to come to Happy Valleyto play football.

After successful collegiate years at Penn State, Hoakwas lucky enough to beselected in the NFL draft.Not only selected, butselected by the hometownPittsburgh Steelers – hecould play professionalfootball in Western PA! Asmost people that followfootball know, runningback can certainly be oneof the most physicallydemanding positions onthe field. The averagecareer of a running backin the NFL today is 3.2years, which makesHoak’s 10-year careerwith the Steelers quite impressive. What makesit even more remarkable is that Hoak remainson many of the team’s record lists to this day. Hestill ranks sixth on the all-time career yards listfor the Steelers after amassing 5,417 yardsthroughout his career.

During his career Hoak always seemed to have aneye on moving into the coaching ranks after hisplaying time was over. So when he retired fromthe Steelers as a player, he moved directly into thecoaching ranks – the local high school coachingranks that is. For two years Hoak coached highschool football and then in 1972 a youngcoach for the quickly improving Steelers– Chuck Noll – asked Hoak to be hisrunning backs coach.

Back to the Black and Gold

So after a two-year absence from theSteeler family, Hoak was back in blackand gold and as it turns out, back to stay.As Hoak started his NFL coachingcareer with the Steelers, the team hadalready begun to assemble themakings of a dynasty that would carrythem to four Super Bowl victories inthe 1970s. In fact, Hoak’ first year asan assistant saw the Steelers draft arunning back from his alma mater.Franco Harris became a Steeler andat the same time one of Hoak’s first“students.”

Throughout his coaching with theSteelers, Hoak has coached manyplayers to super seasons – the listincludes Rocky Bleier, Franco Harris,Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker. Therewere many others that have beencoached by Hoak and each one needs some differenttreatment. I asked how coaching players likeveteran Jerome Bettis compared to coaching a newsuperb talent like Willie Parker differed. Hoak stated

“everyone that gets to thislevel knows how to run.You don’t teach them howto run, rather you teachthem techniques on howto get better.” Veteransknow more of thetechniques, but arealways looking to getbetter. He continued bysaying a great deal of theteaching goes into how therunning backs impact thepassing game by not onlycatching the ball, butmaybe more importantlyhow they block.

Bleeding Black and Gold

As the years passed by since 1972, you could counton two constants in the Steelers media guide – thatthe names Rooney and Hoak have appeared. Nowfor his 34th consecutive year, Dick Hoak is back

out on the practice fields with the Steelers at camp.As Bill Cowher took over from Chuck Noll 15 yearsago, only one coach was asked to stay on Cowher’sstaff. Hoak has always been said to have a goodfeel for players and Cowher recognized that as heasked him to stay on with the team.

So at 66 years young, Hoak is still relatingto players and teaching them techniquesto try to help the Steelers repeat asSuperbowl Champions for the fifth timein his coaching stay with the team. Iasked him what makes him keep comingout, and the answer was quite simple: “Istill enjoy the game and I still enjoy beingout here,” he stated. When he stated this,we started to talk about the hours spentin such a job. The stories of NFL coachesworking extremely long hours arelegendary and in the case of theSteelers it is no different. Hoak relatedto me that his days start at 7 AM and goto anywhere from 10 PM to 1 the nextmorning. But he reiterated even withall the hours worked, the key is findinga job that you like!

Staying in the Laurel Highlands

Over his years with the Steelers therehad to be opportunities for Hoak to leavefor greener pastures, right? I asked himthis and he simply said that the offershad come to leave and coach elsewhere

during his career. But he stated that he and hiswife are from here and they had the opportunity tostay here with family and raise a family of theirown. He seemed quite pleased when he mentionedthat his kids were able to stay in the sameschooling system for all their years. As I thoughtabout this, I realized in a job such as a NFL coach,that won’t happen too often.

In our brief talk, I thoroughly enjoyed listening toHoak. His willingness to speak to me and spendmore time out of his day was greatly appreciated.It got me thinking of all the things we can be proudof in the Laurel Highlands, but most of all the peoplewe can be proud of here. Dick Hoak is just anotherexample of a local boy done good. The LaurelHighlands should be very proud of him and proudthat the Steelers start their run at their nextchampionship every year here in Latrobe.

Jim Kasperik was born in Derry and has lived in the LaurelHighlands most of his life. He received his Engineering degree

from Carnegie Mellon University and his MBA from ThePennsylvania State University. He has worked at Latrobe-

based Kennametal, Inc. for over ten years. During his schoolyears Jim played football, baseball, volleyball and basketball,and still enjoys playing hoops whenever he can. His love for

the competition that sports provides has kept him continuallyinterested in sports year round

.

Dick Hoak & Jim Kasperik


STUDENT SPOTLIGHTSarah Penich & Holly Jennings

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It is not quite dawn and Sarah Penich, 16,and Holly Jennings, 15, at Apple Way Farmin Derry Township are already up and at itfeeding and caring for the needs of some46 sheep, two Llamas, and two cows andthe requisite farm dogs and cats. Not thetypical way for high school teenage girls tostart their day. But these are not yourtypical high school girls.

Sarah has been caring for animals for aslong as she can remember and sees thisas a way of life. Holly, on the other hand, isfairly new to the farm life. A neighbor ofthe Penich’s, Holly has only been involvedin raising and caring for sheep for twoyears. Both girls do an amazing job–onethat most others their age have noknowledge of. But the girls find theirrewards in knowing they have accom-plished something unique. They bothraised their own flock of sheep–Southdowns, Natural Colored and Black, aswell as one very rare black Karakul sheep(at right), which is known as the original“Persian lamb” and is most famous as aproducer of high grade pelts for qualitygarments – the best being taken fromunborn lambs and those up to three daysold. The hairy coat of older animals was usedin the production of Persian carpets.Everyone seems to pitch in with its care.Sarah and Holly both give a shearingdemonstration for me, which is aninteresting sight to say the least. I ammostly surprised at the docile nature of thesheep as they are positioned toaccommodate their hair cutting. The pilesof wool collected from the shearing aresometimes cleaned through by Sarah’syounger brother, Jacob, and sold tospinners. This summer, Holly and Sarahspent most of their time preparing theirbest specimens to take to the DerryAgricultural Fair and The WestmorelandCounty Fair.

When asked what she likes about this verydifficult and mucky work, Sarah answerswith a big smile “It beats flipping burgersat McDonald’s!”

– Story and Photos by Briana Tomack

Holly Jennings & Sarah Penich

VIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CVIEWS FROM THE CANDIDANDIDANDIDANDIDANDIDAAAAATE:TE:TE:TE:TE:PPPPPennsylvania Goverennsylvania Goverennsylvania Goverennsylvania Goverennsylvania Governornornornornor ’s Race’s Race’s Race’s Race’s Race


FRIENDS & HEROESHonoring Our Neighbors Serving in the United States Military – Hayley Renee Curry

Who Would Guess?Hayley Renee Curry and I go back a long way. Hayley wasborn in November of 1986, and I knitted my first baby blanketfor her…peach. Hayley’s mother, Shirley Hyatt-Curry and Igo back even farther. We taught school togetherin the Ligonier Valley School District beginningin the early 1970’s. We also retired from thesame school on the same day, and walked outthe door together two very happy women. Shirley“found” my husband Kent for me. Actually, out ofthe tree of life she picked me a plum. (No, thesong references are not going to stop anytime soon.)Hayley was a junior bridesmaid in our weddingthat took place ninety-three days after I met myplum. But, that’s another wonderful story.

The middle photo (above) of Hayley was takenby me when she was five years old. It hasalways been a special favorite of her mother,Shirley. In fact it is still found on the Curryfamily refrigerator. When Hayley and I metrecently at the local Barnes and Noble to chatabout her life, she began by telling me thisanecdote. After Hayley’s mother gave her thisphoto that morning, her dad, Jim Curry, a retiredPA state policeman, said “Who would guess thatthis innocent little girl would grow up andbecome a JAG attorney?” Hence, I conceivedthe idea for this article’s title.

As many of you know in the Latrobe area, Hayleyhas been a high profile young lady for quite a fewyears. To name but a few of her past localachievements and awards:

• Vanderbilt University Dean’s List• Valedictorian - Greater Latrobe Sr High Class of 2005• PA YMCA Youth and Government Club – President of

Greensburg Delegation, Statewide Supreme CourtJustice (2003-2004), Attorney (2002-2003)

• Westmoreland County Bar Association – Law Exploration• Greater Latrobe National Honor Society• Greater Latrobe German National Honor Society – Secretary• Greater Latrobe National Forensics League• National Merit Scholarship Finalist• Young Republicans Club – Founder and President• U.S. Achievement Academy History & Government Award• Youth and Government State Conference – Best

Advocate Award• Young Republicans Club – Founder and President• American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Citizenship Award• Latrobe Rotary Club – Student of the Month• Business and Professional Women – Woman of the Month

Miss Curry has a life membership in the NRA. Her love ofcommunity service led her to become involved in theGreensburg Foundation Fund’s Youth Advisory Committee.She has been a vocal soloist at Westmoreland CountyMemorial Park’s Memorial Day Service (1999-2005), and sheentertained the residents of St. Anne’s Nursing Home inGreensburg (2001-2005) playing the piano. Hayley was acontestant in the Miss PA Teen USA pageant, and she haswritten an unpublished novel, a romance set in Georgia.

This summer Hayley worked under Sheriff Chris Schereras a Deputy Sheriff at the county courthouse. She reporteddirectly to Lieutenant Chris Bernilovich. She had a ball!Some of her duties included fingerprinting and issuing gunpermits. She made some great contacts and many friends,as well. Some of her favorites were the maintenancepersonnel. (Mine, too. Listen up, Jane Spencer, DaveO’Hara, Ben Hoffer, and Greg Boyd.) She told me the story ofa building tour they gave her that included climbing to the topof the courthouse dome to change the American flag. It seemsit’s a dome within a dome. I learned my new fact for the daythere. Hayley also spent lots of time with family, as this maybe her last summer at home for a long time to come.

Hayley is back at Vanderbilt University in Nashville,Tennessee at the present time. She is attending Vanderbilton a full ROTC scholarship, and is a member of the ROTC

Army Unit. Aside from her studies in themilitary science department, she is very activeand involved on campus. She and a group offellow students are starting a group called “WakeUp, America”. This group is dedicated to theadvancement of conservative principles. MissCurry attended a Young America’s Foundationaffair in the spring and raised $1000.00 indonations for “Wake Up, America”. One of thegroup’s first events for this school year will takeplace close to Veterans Day. Retired Army MajorJohn Krenson will speak to the organization.Major Krenson is a deacon in Nashville,Tennessee. The topic of his talk will be therole of religion in the war on terror. Aroundthe time of Freedom Week (the anniversary ofthe tearing down of the Berlin wall) “Wake Up,America” would like to commemorate thathistoric event. Also, on the agenda is a 9/11Memorial for 2007 that is in the planning stages.This tribute on the Vanderbilt Alumni Lawn mayinclude a VFW Honor Guard rifle salute completewith bagpipe backup. Aside from these patrioticendeavors, Hayley is the soon-to-be President ofthe Swing Dancing Club on campus!

Hayley is a participant in ENGAGE, a programat Vanderbilt in which incoming freshman areaccepted early into one of Vanderbilt’s graduateschools. She was accepted into the VanderbiltLaw School. If she maintains her grade point

average, she will automatically be able to attend afterreceiving her undergraduate degree. She would like topursue constitutional law and eventually concentrate onthe appellate courts.

As we were winding up our conversation, I asked Hayley ifshe would like to tell me anything about the young men inher life. Before she could reply, I suggested that we play“Perfect Boyfriend”, a game I invented for one of my nieceswhen she was five years old. After explaining the basicpremise of the game, we played the condensed version. Iasked, “What would Hayley Curry’s perfect boyfriend be like?”She replied, “Well, I would like to marry a military man.”We didn’t play that game long! I know the perfect man forHayley, and told her all about him. He is a White Housecorrespondent for a national news network. He isintelligent, gorgeous, astute, adorable, and hilarious. Humoris very important in a husband, right girls? Miss Curry toldme that she would love to be married in the PennsylvaniaSate Capitol. Having been there myself, I agree that a bridecould make quite an entrance coming down the rotundastaircase. I did alert Hayley to the fact that White Housepress guy has a father who is the police commissioner of avery large and important city in the state of New York.This man might want to be married in the New York StateCapitol. Response from Hayley: “The girl gets to decide.”Hmm…the man may meet his match. After discussing mymatchmaking plan at length, Hayley said “Barbara, wouldn’tit be funny if you ‘found’ my future husband? You could bein my wedding. Wouldn’t that be great?” I asked if shewas serious. “Yes, obviously” was her answer. With theirtalent and credentials Hayley and the Washington newsmancould become Attorney General and White Housespokesperson. Who is to say which one would have whichposition? Hey, I’ll buy that dream!

Keep your eye on this one, folks. She’s going places. You’d bewise to include her in your next book E.D. Hill. Who wouldguess that the Hayley Renee Curry that walked down theaisle with my god daughter, Kara Lynn Kocon, on September13th, 1996 would become this Hayley Renee Curry?

– Barbara M. Neill

Ed Rendell - DEd Rendell - DEd Rendell - DEd Rendell - DEd Rendell - D

Lynn Swann - RLynn Swann - RLynn Swann - RLynn Swann - RLynn Swann - R

Lynn Swann’s plan for long term reform ofPennsylvania’s property tax system, includes propertytax relief for every homeowner in the first year of hisAdministration and eliminates current assessments infavor of a new system that sets property taxes accordingto the actual purchase price of one’s home.

Swann outlined a four point plan he said would serveas the key principles of necessary reform of a systemhe called “onerous” and “unfair.” The four key pointsof Swann’s plan are as follows:

• Immediately reduce school property taxes for our mostburdened property taxpayers.

• Constrain spending and infuse predictability byprohibiting any increases greater than the rate ofinflation.

• Eliminate the current arbitrary system of propertytax assessments and replace it with an understandablesystem based on the purchase price of the property.

• Reform the currentlocal taxing structurefor all property ownersto create a fair andpredictable system.

Swann and his Lt.Governor runningmate, Jim Matthews,have been travelingacross the Common-wealth highlightingtheir policy proposalsto make Pennsylvaniamore competitive,create more and higherpaying jobs, and to meetthe needs of a changingPennsylvania.

Rendell Administration’sRecord of Achievement inWestmoreland County:• 2,900 new jobs havebeen created inWestmoreland Countysince Rendell tookoffice. In January of2003 there were174,300 jobs in thecounty, and as of June2006 there are 177,200jobs.• The unemploymentrate has droppednearly a point. InJanuary of 2003 theunemployment rate forthe county was 6.0%; inJune 2006 that figure was down 5.1%.• 962 more Westmoreland County children nowenrolled in full-day kindergarten. Enrollment in thecounty has gone from 269 in 2003 to 1,231 in 2005.• 11,044 Westmoreland County seniors have accessto low-cost prescription drugs. Expandedprescription coverage through the PACE andPACENET programs now supports 11,044Westmoreland County seniors, an increase of 3,292since Governor Rendell took office.• $158 million of state investments inWestmroeland County. The state has madeinvestments totaling $158 million in 254 local projectssince Governor Rendell took office.• 7,723 Open Space and Farmland acres protected.Growing Greener and Growing Greener II initiativeshave helped protect and preserve 7,723 Open Spaceand Farmland acres in Westmoreland County.


©Laura Petrilla

DERRYA Touch of ClassAH CreationsAllison Chiropractic CenterAmeriserv FinancialCaldwell Memorial LibraryCreative DreamsCrispin State Farm InsuranceDablock’s Beauty ShopDerry Federal Credit UnionDerry Post OfficeFirst Commonwealth BankGlassmartHerron Hollow StoneryMastrorocco’s MarketPalombo’s Bar & RestaurantPrakash K. Vin, M.D.P.CPit Stop Quik Shop, Inc.Red Apple Kwik FillRite AidS&T BankSunkissed Tanning

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Smail Mazda, AcuraSun Parlor Tanning SalonSuper 8 MotelThe Computer Clinic (Jeannette)The Pawn and Jewelry ExchangeThe Victorian Tea LadyThomas Vince, DMDTom Clark FordTwice As NiceWestmoreland Athletic ClubWestmoreland Chamber of CommerceWilder & Co.Worldwide Travel and Tours

LATROBEAdelphoi VillageAlternative Bodywork CenterAqua PetsArnold Palmer Motors IncArnold Palmer Regional AirportAwesome Blossoms by AlBella PastaBement’s Flower ShopThe Corner StoreChiropractic Health CenterCoffee Bean CafeCommercial National Bank (Downtown and Lawson Heights)Creative ExpressionsDainty Pastry ShoppeDenny’sDino’s Sports LoungeDiNunzio’s Italian ChophouseDiSalvo’s Station RestaurantDr. Mucci & Dr. PiccianoDr. Philip Dahar, OrthodontistDr. Scott Learn, DMDDrs. Hansen & TornaDream Maker WeddingsEastern Alliance Tae-Kwon DoFalbo’s Rainbow InnFirst Commonwealth BankFirst National Bank (Downtown, Latrobe 30 Plaza)Frank’s LoungeGino’s Pizza of LatrobeHanna Insurance AgencyDrs. Hansen & TorbaHarvey’s Barber ShopHi-Way Drive-InHolzer’s StoreHostetter ClubIn-Sync Rehabilitation ServicesJazzercise (Loyalhanna)Jocelyn’s Beauty SalonJoe’s Store & Deli (Lawson Heights)L & L Quik LubeLatrobe 30 BeverageLatrobe 30 News StandLatrobe Animal ClinicLatrobe Art CenterLatrobe Center Distributing, Inc.Latrobe Chamber of CommerceLatrobe ElksLatrobe Family CinemasLatrobe Glass & MirrorLatrobe Hair CompanyLatrobe Hospital ERLatrobe Hospital Little ShopLatrobe News StandLatrobe Post OfficeLatrobe Senior CenterLaurel Nursery/Garden CenterLazor FurnitureLen’s JewelryLoyalhanna Care Center

Mosso’s Medical Supply Company Inc.National City Bank (Latrobe 30 Plaza)Northwood RealtyOlson’s Mozart House/HallPizza SienaPlaza News StandRK Mellon Elementary SchoolRay Foot & Ankle CenterRose Style ShoppeScotty G’s PizzariaSharky’s CafeSherwin-Williams (Latrobe 30 Plaza)Shop-N-Save (Latrobe 30 Plaza)St. Vincent CollegeSt. Vincent GristmillTuxedo RoomVan Dyke Styling CenterVita-ChargeWeiss FurnitureWingate InnYoungstown Post OfficeYoungstown TireZappone Sausage Co & Retail Outlet

LIGONIERAbigail’s CoffeehouseAmerican Indian JewelryBeno’sBetsy’s of LigonierBP (CoGo’s)Carol & Dave’s RoadhouseCeltic CultureChestnut Ridge Primary Care, Ltd., WeldonCompass InnConnections StoreThe Country CupboardCrafts UnlimitedCurves for WomenDiamond CafeEndless PossibilitiesEquine ChicEssentialsThe Fairfield GrilleFirst National BankFox’s PizzaThe Frame PlaceThe GarretGiant EagleGino Gianelli’sGraytok Family Vision CareGreen MeadowsHair ParadeHighland ChiropracticHoliday Home StoreThe Hollow TavernIvy’s CafeJames Vincent SalonJohn Clark JewelersLa Rosa’s Barber ShopLaughlintown Post OfficeLigonier Chamber of CommerceLigonier Country InnLigonier Outfitters & NewsstandLigonier Palms Tanning SalonLigonier PharmacyLigonier Post OfficeLigonier TavernLigonier TheaterLigonier YMCAMain Street DeliPamela’s Golden Touch SalonThe Paper House & BaskitryPathfinder PhotoThe Pet CornerPersnickityThe Pie Shoppe

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NEW ALEXANDRIACurves for WomenDi’s Pizzeria & RestaurantJohna’s Hair DesignOasis HotelQwik StopSheetzThe Roadhouse

NORTHBentz Pizza Time - LeechburgBlairsville Pharmacy - BlairsvilleBlue Ridge Family Restaurant - BlairsvilleBonfire Rest - LeechburgCuttin’ Loose - LeechburgDean’s Diner - BlairsvilleDevita’s Pizza - LeechburgFantastic Sam’s - BlairsvilleFirst Commonwealth Bank - LeechburgGuy’s Tavern - AvonmoreHappy Day Cafe - LeechburgJerich Insurance - LeechburgLake’s Roadhouse - LeechburgLonestar - AvonmoreMarble Kitchen - LeechburgMelissa’s Cut ‘n Curl - BlairsvilleNails 4 You - ApolloNorthwood Realty - BlairsvillePapa Sal’s Restaurant - BlairsvillePie Cucina - BlairsvilleRivertown Pub - Leechburg

EASTCogo’s - BakersvilleCollections by Marty - DonegalCourtyard by Marriott - AltoonaDarshana Yoga Center - ChampionFoggy Mountain - DonegalItalian Gourmet Deli - DonegalGreen Gables - JennerstownKreinbrooks Market - Jones MillsLiving Treasures Animal Park - DonegalLog Cabin Motel - DonegalLoyalhanna Veterinary Clinic - StahlstownMountain Horse Saddlery - DonegalMountain Playhouse - JennerstownNorthwood Realty - DonegalOakhurst Tea Room - SomersetSarnelli’s Market - Jones MillsSeven Springs Mtn. Resort - ChampionTall Cedars Restaurant - DonegalUniMart - New Florence

WESTCourtyard by Marriott -Penn AveDean’s Diner - MurrysvilleLevin Furniture - MonroevilleSpitzer Automotive - MonroevilleWhirl Magazine Offices - PittsburghWhole Foods - Pittsburgh

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History, tradition, and enjoymentcome to mind to the people who visitthe Mount Pleasant Glass & EthnicFestival. Western Pennsylvania,historically supplied the world withthe finest glassware and crafted itemsthrough the skills and dedication ofhardworking people. The Mt. Pleasantarea is well known for it’s three glasscompanies, Lenox Crystal, L.E. SmithGlass Company, Electro GlassProducts, Jamestown Glass Outletand Youghiogheny Glass who havecarried on the tradition of fine glassmaking and progressive new ideas inglass products and usage. From thistradition was born the annualcelebration called the Mount PleasantGlass & Ethnic Festival. Nestled inthe Laurel Mountains, amongstbeautiful fall foilage, Mt. Pleasantcomes alive in September during thefestival, which is always its last fullweekend. This sparkling fall

spectacular has evolved into an eventthat provides enjoyment for over50,000 people in three days. Becauseof the uniqueness of the festival, ithas grown to be one of the largestoutdoor festivals in the WesternPennsylvania area. The MountPleasant Glass & Ethnic Festival,which is located on the friendlyneighborhood streets and parks of Mt.Pleasant, provides various types ofenjoyment for people of all ages. TheMount Pleasant Glass & EthnicFestival has free admission, andfree entertainment performed onthree stages, as well as strollingentertainment throughout theweekend.

Approaching the Festival Midway,one can smell the many ethnic foods,prepared right before your eyes. Thevariety of foods, which include Italian,Polish. German, Greek, Chinese,Pennsylvania Dutch, and EarlyAmerican, provide a menu not

equaled at any one location. Theseethnic foods can be enjoyed at any ofthe many picnic tables withumbrella’s that intermingle amongthe festival booths, which stretch forfour blocks and two parks. Craftersfrom many parts of the countrydemonstrate, display and sell theirquality items at reasonable prices.Items include woods, ceramic, andknitted crafts to artisan stained glass.Demonstrations are a large part of thefestival attractions. Many of thevendors show how craft items aremade including glass blowing andstained glass artists. But the mostpopular demonstrations are the glassblowing by Laurel Art and Glass.Never before seen by the public, theseartists mold and blow hot molten intoa decorative glass item. Some of theworld’s finest glass from L.E. SmithGlass, Lenox Crystal and JamestownGlass Outlet will be on display and forsale at the festival. Few festivals in

the United States can offer this kind ofhistory and art right before your eyes.

The Mount Pleasant Glass &Ethnic Festival is well known for freeentertainment and activities thathighlight three days. Top namenational, regional and local talententertains continuously on our threestages. A variety of live music offersentertainment for all ages that issecond to none. The other activitiesalso set the Glass Festival Apart frommany other festivals. These uniqueattractions are the Little PrincessPageant, Young Miss PrincessPageant, and the Queen Pageant, theFestival Parade of Lights at night andthe Giant Parade in the afternoon,Kidsfest, a Carnival, and a spectacularclosing ceremony with fireworks thattop it all off on Sunday Evening.

This is one festival you won’t wantto miss. For additional information,call our 24 hour answering service at724-547-7738.

Mount Pleasant Glass and Ethnic FestivalCelebrating 20 Years September 22, 23, 24 . . . Rain or Shine!

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Two of the familiar faces seen at the W.M.A.A. fundraiser werethose of Dee and Jim Thomas. Jim is a retired physician fromGreensburg, and Dee is a very faithful museum volunteer, asboth a docent and museum shop clerk.

The rare Manchurian Lotus blooms in Ligonier, PA.

The Manchurian LotusA fundraiser to benefit the Westmoreland Museumof American Art took place Saturday, August 5 at1:00 p.m. at “The Ponds”, the weekend home ofGeorge Griffith and Thomas O’Brien in Ligonier. Guests viewed the hosts’ spectacular water gardensfeaturing 100 styles of water lilies plus other aquaticplants, including the enchanting and rareManchurian Lotus while enjoying a delectableluncheon catered by Earnest Gourmet ofGreensburg. Griffith and O’Brien (owners andoperators of the Flower Barn in Johnstown)generously underwrote this event.

The 2,000 - 3,000 year-old lotus seed was unearthedin a Manchurian lakebed in 1954. This seed wasthe oldest seed ever germinated in all of botanicalhistory. The lotus exists today in only two places:Kenilworth Aquatic Garden (Washington D.C.) andhere in Ligonier, Westmoreland County.

George Griffith Explains the Lotus History

Following the unearthing, three seeds were sentto the University of Southern California at Berkleyto be germinated. A botanist there felt it to be tooimportant for him to attempt germination andforwarded the seeds to the Kennelworth WaterGardens (our national water gardens) inWashington. The botanist in Washington (PaulSouder) successfully germinated one of the threeseeds he received. The seed was determined bycarbon tests to be between two and three thousandyears old, making for a worldwide botanicalcelebration. The flower and plant appeared in all

major horticultural publications recognizing thisplant from the oldest seed ever to be germinated inall of botanical history. This Lotus grows only hereand at the Kennelworth Water Gardens inWashington.

In 1955, while an undergraduate student at PennState, I became an acquaintance of MiltonEisenhower, the President of Penn State and aknowledgeable horticulturist. He asked if I wouldhelp with the celebration of President Eisenhower,Milton’s brother, who was coming to Penn State togive the commencement address. The Eisenhowerbrothers were all convening in the gardens at thePresident’s residence at Penn State. I suggestedthat we would decorate the pond as one of thefeatures and he was ecstatic about it and so wefloated some 2,000 water lilies on his pond. Thebrothers appeared with the pond as a backgroundon the cover of Life Magazine. In appreciation ofour work, Milton told me if there was anything hecould every do for me please do not hesitate to call.

In 1956, when visiting the Washington Garden toview the plant, which was guarded by chain linkfence in a small pond, I realized that this plant wasin danger. Being that it was highlighted behind achain link fence was an attractant to the hundredsof children from the nearby ghetto who would takespears and stones to the plant. I asked MiltonEisenhower to intervene to have a division fromthe plant. That is how this plant arrived here.

Reported & Photographed by Barbara M. Neill

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LEANIN’ TREE Cards & StationeryAn American Tradition Since 1949

laurel mountain post :: september-october 2006

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