Laurel Mountain Post :: March 2014

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST, September 2013 - 1

LAUREL MOUNTAIN

POST now featuring the

Westmoreland County Guide to Homeso

FREE

March 2014

ISSN

233

0-66

29

Hanging in There

Kindness is the Greatest Wisdom

Giant Easy-Bake Ovens and Carbonated Chocolate Ice Cream!

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly on Our Adventure in Peru

Eating Right With Less Salt

Silent Hurricane

Come On, Get Happy!

2 - March 2014 LAUREL MOUNTAIN POSTPOSTPOSTPOSTPOST

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ad here

Every Story Begins At Home. March 2014 - 3

What’s Your FavoriteThing About theLaurel Mountain Post?

Hanging in Thereby Cathi Gerhard

Kindness Is the Greatest Wisdomby Megan Fuller and Cathi Gerhard

Postmodern Tendancies“Are We a Culture of Bullies?”by Megan Fuller

March Is Red Cross Monthwww.redcross.org

The Ligonier Chef“Giant Easy Bake Ovens and CarbonatedChocolate Ice Cream” by Scott Sinemus

Natural Health“Yarrow” by Granny Earth

Ligonier Valley Rail RoadNew Book Released March 3

“The Good, The Bad, and theUgly on Our Adventure in Peru”

by Megan Fuller & Family

That’s What They Say“Robert Browning”Thought-Provoking Insights on CommonQuotations by Rev. Majorie Rivera

Call for EntriesNovel Art II at Ligonier Valley Library

Shops Around the CornerThe Medicine ShoppeBarb’s Country Store

Three Pennies“Be Attitudes: Blessed or Blessing?”by Rev. Cindy Parker

Earth TalkGlobal Warming

“These Legs Were Made forWalkin”

by Nancy A. Clark

“Eating Right with Less Salt”by Hayley Chemski

Reversing Roles“To Be Prepared” by Gretchen Fuller

What’s Cooking in Fitness“UNDER-standing Weight LossFrustration” by Mark Rullo

Home Study“Silent Hurricane” by Brian Mishler

Information for Life“The Garage Is Your Home”by Mike Vernon

Classified AdvertisingCelebrations, Help Wanted, For Sale,Memorials, Discounts, Miscellaneous

Local Organizations Win Awards

Community CalendarMarch and April

End Notes“Come On, Get Happy” by Cathi Gerhard

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The Laurel Mountain Post is an independent, monthly pub-lication produced at Fairview Farm in WestmorelandCounty, Pennsylvania. All material printed herein is sub-ject to copyright and permission to reproduce in any for-mat must be obtained in writing from the publisher. Thispublication is registered with the US Library of Congress,ISSN 2330-6629.

Cathi Gerhard, Editor & PublisherMegan Fuller, Managing Editor

Gregory Susa, Co-Publisher & Circulation ManagerElizabeth Srsic, Art & Layout EditorMichelle White, Business Manager

Carol Gerhard, Copy Editor

Sales: Jason Ament, Char Bukoskey, Mary Carlson, Bryan & KellyJohnson-Hill. Media: Joe Jerich, Eric Pensenstadler, Mary Fowler.Circulation: Jason Ament, Char Bukoskey, Nancy Clark, GrannyEarth, Gretchen Fuller, Cathi Gerhard, Bryan & Kelly Johnson-Hill,Scott King, Laurie McGinnis, Victoria Mull, Bob Raho, DougRichardson, Elizabeth Srsic, Alice Susa, Gregory Susa, LindsayTurchetta, Robert Williams. Columnists: please use contact infor-mation provided at the end of each article or on our website.

Publisher cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of thematter represented in the advertisements herein published.Please contact the advertiser to verify details.

Laurel Mountain Post-style stories, links and photos EVERY DAY!

Editorial Office189 Fairview LaneDerry, PA 15627

LAUREL MOUNTAIN

POST

Mailing AddressPO Box 332

Ligonier, PA 15658

Phone: 724-537-6845 • Fax: 724-558-9548

www.LaurelMountainPost.com

Every Story Begins At Home

Reader Feedback:What’s Your Favorite Thing

About the Laurel Mountain Post?

“I like that it informs you about different things going on in thearea. Informs you of the local “small” merchants in the area thatyou may have never heard about or know of otherwise!”

Angela Hohula – Loyalhanna, PA (December 10, 2013)

“I love the calendar of events and reading the articles but my fa-vorite part is the advertisements! It may sound funny but I havefound new local places as well as learned more about the busi-nesses that are right here! I would much rather support local busi-nesses, so it's great being able to flip through it and see what'saround!”

Angela Glitsky – Derry, PA (December 11, 2013)

“I think it would be reading and learning about local businessesand people that I may not have realized are here. I look at it as away to make the community aware of what is offered and makenew friends. Thanks for the knowledge and your commitment toour community.”

Jodie Edmiston – Derry, PA (December 10, 2013)

“I very much enjoy Ruthies column.....it makes me remember mychildhood fondly growing up in the Derry area!!! Good oldwholesome family memories that seem to be fading away in today’sbusy world!! Thanks for preserving some of that through yourcolumn, Ruthie!”

Dana Mehalic Remaley – New Stanton, PA (December10, 2013)

“Love the fact you support small business in our area and youpromote articles and stories that I can relate too.”

Randy Phillips – Latrobe, PA (December 10, 2013)

“I always pick up a copy of the Laurel Mountain Post when I findit. Although I do enjoy some articles such as the ivy plant in AskGranny Earth, the Loyal-hanna painting by R. McWherter, and ofcourse, the calendar, my very favorite reason for reading the Postis “what does Ruthie have to say about life today.”

Elaine McCracken – Derry, PA (May 16, 2013)

“. . . I’m long overdue in expressing my appreciation to the LaurelMountain Post. We found an issue of it while vacationing in Ligonierlast summer. What a truly fine regional magazine. It conveys thegenuine spirit of the people and the place. Our nearest localequivalent regional magazine is nothing but advertising copy forthe chamber of commerce. Not that that’s necessarily bad, but it’spretty sad to think that business is all there is to a locality. Thanksto LMP for getting it right.”

Guy Snedeker – Rome, NY (March 28, 2013)

“Chef Scott’s witty and very informative articles... love his column.”Tammy Fuchs (December 10, 2013)

“The community calendar with upcoming events is very handywhen trying to plan fun activities for my family.”

Carolyn Anderson – New Alexandria, PA(December 11, 2013)


Hanging in ThereAs I write this, we are waiting for Win-ter Storm Titan, Mother Nature’s wayof welcoming in March like a lion.Right now California is receiving anentire year’s worth of rain – watermuch needed there if they can survivethe intense downpours and mudslides.

Weather has been the top story allseason: throughout the false alarms,subzero temperatures and some heavysnowfall surprises, a common themehas been endurance. How much morecan we take?

Fortunately, our weather gives usa break from the harsh extremes ev-ery three or four months, with a beau-tiful spring and fall in between. Thefour seasons have always been one ofmy favorite things about living here inPennsylvania: the change is guaran-teed. All we have to do is hang in there.

The winter of our discontent iscoming to and end, but for so manyothers, the tragic play goes on. Someproblems have no season, and we canonly pray – for the strength to hold on,and the faith to believe that better dayswill come.

— Cathi Gerhard, Editor

When the world says,

"Give up,"

Hope whispers,

"Try it one more time."

(anonymous)

This issue of the Laurel MountainPost contains several pages devoted toa tough subject: bullying, hate and thesocial trials and tribulations that somany must endure. Fortunately thereare many new movements in our coun-try to help counter all the negativity,and we will talk about them on thefollowing pages.

As always, we try to focus on thepositive things in life, but sometimesthe bad must be explored in order toreach the other side. We feel stronglyabout this subject, and hope that youwill all take the time to consider itspresence in your own lives. Hopefullykindness and hope will eventually tri-umph over hate in our communitiesand around the world.

It begins with you.


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Kindness Is the Greatest Wisdomby Megan Fuller & Cathi Gerhard

Because we live on opposite sides ofthe US, we use the internet to keep intouch since our days as college room-mates over 20 years ago. Most morn-ings we check in via Facebook or Skypeover a cup of coffee to discuss life, love,like-minded politics and our work to-gether on the Laurel Mountain Post.Oftentimes we share stories we findonline, and in February we were somoved by one we decided to researchand write an article on the subject.

On February 2, a Michigan mothercreated a secret Facebook page for herson. She introduced it to the world byposting:

“I am Colin's mom, I created thispage for my amazing, wonderful, chal-lenging son who is about to turn 11 onMarch 9th. Because of Colin's disabili-ties, social skills are not easy for him,and he often acts out in school, andthe other kids don't like him. So whenI asked him if he wanted a party forhis birthday, he said there wasn't apoint because he has no friends. Heeats lunch alone in the office everydaybecause no one will let him sit withthem, and rather than force someoneto be unhappy with his presence, hesits alone in the office. So I thought, ifI could create a page where peoplecould send him positive thoughts andencouraging words, that would be bet-ter than any birthday party. Please joinme in making my very original son feelspecial on his day.”

We are both mothers, and oursons are in high school. We have spentmany empathy-filled mornings talk-ing about their struggles in school andvaried experiences with bullies. Thisstory from Michigan really got to us,and we decided to devote a portion ofthis issue to various aspects of dis-repect and bullying.

Bullies play a role in some oft-toldtales in my family. To begin with, myfather beat up the campus bully dur-ing his freshman year at Penn State –then hitchhiked home because he de-cided that college and the hostile, dis-

couraging environment there was notfor him. My father never returned toschool, and never got the agriculturaldegree he wanted. He detested seeingothers beaten down, and he champi-oned underdogs his whole life.

Most likely inspired by my father’slegendary reputation, I also beat upthe campus bully when I was in fourthgrade. After months of watching himpick on my best friend, I finally de-cided to stop it for good by putting himdown with flying fists on the play-ground. The adults in charge musthave felt he deserved it because theyall turned a blind eye. I’m not proudof my violent response, but at times itseems the only way to get through. The

fight ended the abuse, but I doubt thebully really learned his lesson. Fearand pain stopped him, not compas-sion. Sadly, mankind usually goes towar too quickly, often before all othermeans of discourse and empathy havebeen explored.

The art of war has always usedbullying as a tactic: divide and con-quer. It’s a method of distraction usedin politics and corporate America aswell: keep us fighting each other, andwe will never join together to rise

above. Just how much are we reallyfighting one another? Let’s take acloser, more scientific look . . .

A 13-year-old from Virginia, VirajPuri, developed a blog and softwareapplication to track online bullying inthe United States: bullyvention.com.Using keywords to track and analyzeonline conversations, social mediaposts, etc., the system scores and ranksregions to assign an index of colors onthe US map. On any given day, one cango to this site and see a “heat map”(more info on page 8) showing thevarying concentrations of bullyingacross the country. We tested this mapby plugging in various dates. Everysingle time, the map showed a terrible

red cloud of hate over our region:northeastern America, with Pennsyl-vania at its heart. We were shocked,having believed that larger, more ur-ban areas would have the greater “dis-advantage” of a hateful population dueto the averages of demographics alone.Or how about the stereotypical south,which still hasn’t overcome its historyof multi-racial prejudice? Just what ismaking us so angry, combative andunsympathetic?

continued on page 9

“This world would be awhole lot better if we justmade an effort to be lesshorrible to one another.”

Actress Ellen Page,February 14, 2014

“This world would be awhole lot better if we justmade an effort to be lesshorrible to one another.”

Actress Ellen Page,February 14, 2014


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y name is Viraj Puri, I am 13 years old and I have created a teen blog forbully prevention. I am pleased to announce that Bullyvention is the first siteto team up with the U.S. House of Representatives’ Congressional Anti-Bul-lying Caucus.

You can learn a lot about bullying on my Bully Facts page and from the Cau-cus. But the main point of my blog is to use technology to bring lawmakersand teens together.

Because bullying is such a widespread problem in our nation and schools,my blog trends from Capitol Hill. From Capitol Hill, I interview Members ofCongress who have a story to share or advice to give to victims of bullying.You can listen to my interviews on the Lawmakerz page.

I also believe it is important for Members of Congress to hear from teens. Onmy Write on Washington page, you can find the name of your Senators andRepresentatives and write them to say how you feel and what you expectlawmakers to do about bullying.

Go to Write on Washington or Your Message Here and make your voice roar.Send us a photo of you raising your pen and we will post it, too.

The pen is mightier than the sword, so Raise Your Pen and stopbullying now. I’m an activist. I hope you will be an activist, too.

www.bullyvention.com

M

• Emotional and social forms of bullying in-clude yelling, spreading rumors, teasing, mak-ing fun of others, name calling, not includingothers in your circle of friends because of theway they look, dress, talk, or whatever.• Physical forms of bullying include hitting,attacking, beating, shooting, killing.• Cyber bullies use social media to harm oth-ers. Cyber bullying includes posting embarrass-ing pictures or videos of others, making fakewebsites and profiles about someone else,texting and emailing hurtful messages.• Bullying can be based on race, gender, age,sexual orientation, weight, religion, or justbecause.• Bullying is the most common form of vio-lence in our society.• The American Medical Association reportsthat approximately 3.7 million youths engagein, and more than 3.2 million are victims of,moderate or serious bullying each year.• Bullying is often a factor in school-relateddeaths.• Membership in either bully or victim groupsis associated with school drop out, poor psy-chological adjustment, criminal activity andother negative long-term consequences.• Over 2/3 of students believe that schoolsrespond poorly to bullying. Raise YOUR Pen!!


“The first mail from the PO box!Colin still doesn't know (I hope)

so I have to hide these!” (Colin’s mom)

Unfortunately, we have no an-swers, only more stories to tell. Thereare lots of things that target masses ofhate these days: illness, money, poli-tics, ethnicity, gender and sexualtity.The tragic consequence of this hatredis often suicide. So it could be said thatbullying is the initial stage of genocide(the deliberate and systematic exter-mination of a national, racial, politi-cal, or cultural group).

The American Foundation for Sui-cide Prevention (afsp.org) reports that38,364 suicides occurred in 2010 (12deaths for every 100,000 people), mak-ing it the 10th leading cause of deathin the US. In that year, it could be saidthat someone died every 13.7 minutesfrom despair.

What’s the solution? Perhaps ac-tress Ellen Page, in her address at theTime to Thrive conference on Febru-ary 14, offered the the best advice:

“. . . this world would be a wholelot better if we just made an effort tobe less horrible to one another,” Pagesaid. “If we took just five minutes torecognize each other's beauty, insteadof attacking each other for our differ-ences. That's not hard. It's really aneasier and better way to live. And ulti-mately, it saves lives.”

The innaugural conference wassponsored by the Human Rights Cam-paign (hrc.org), America's largest civilrights organization working to achievelesbian, gay, bisexual and transgenderequality. However, they offer and sup-port a universal message of hope andequality for all who are bullied, mis-treated or rejected.

Another campaign launched lastmonth was Operation Nice February,sponsored by actress Amy Poehler onher website, Amy Poehler’s SmartGirls, Change the World by BeingYourself (amysmartgirls.com):

“Here at Smart Girls, we believethe internet can unite us rather thandivide us. This February, help usspread the love by keepng the web fac-tual and friendly. Before sending ahurtful or snarky remark into theworld, think about how it would feelif someone wrote it about you. Fact

continued from page 7

If you would like to write to Colinfor his birthday March 9 (or simply keepthe letters of encouragement coming),

please send to:

COLINPO Box 756

Richland, MI 49083-0756

At press time, he has receivedthousands of letters,

and over 2 million “likes” on his Facebook page

(www.facebook.com/Coliniseleven)

Colin’s dad picks up the mail on day 4!

check what you read before sharing.Make positive contributions rather thannegative ones. Be part of the niceness.”

Kindness is the greatest wisdom,and that’s exactly what Poehler is try-ing to encourage every month throughSmart Girls with a variety of initiatives,resources, videos, tweets and links:“When you learn about the lives of oth-ers, the world gets a little smaller andmaybe even a little better.”

When we first learned about Colinand his mother’s Facebook page, itstarted a conversation. How manytimes had our own sons felt the sameway? Too many, and we have alwaysfelt helpless – our maternal grief giv-ing way to frustration and anger overthings well beyond our control. Thatdiscussion led to the planning of thisLaurel Mountain Post issue and itscollection of related articles. We wereand continue to be inspired by Colin’smom, and her courage to do some-thing about it.

“One month ago I had what Ithought was a silly idea to create aFacebook page as a surprise for myson's birthday,” she explained. “Amonth later, and far beyond the 50friends I thought this page would get,we're over 2 million, and this has be-come something larger than I ever ex-pected. This crazy, silly, miraculouspage has become a community.”

We invite our readers to becomea part of this community, sharing aparent’s love and your own messagesof hope around the world.

* * * * *

For more information on thissubject, please visit the following:

Amy Poehler’s Smart Girlsamysmartgirls.com, [email protected]

American Society for Suicide Preventionafsp.org, 1-888-333-AFSP (2377)

If you are in crisis, call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

How to Stop Cyber Bullyingbullyvention.com

The Human Rights Campaignhrc.org, (202) 628-4160

Time to Thrive Conferencevisit the LaurelMountainPost.com for the

full transcript of Ellen Page’s address.


by Megan FullerPOSTMODERN TENDANCIES

Incidents of bullying are in the newsfairly regularly and many, maybemost, schools are instituting anti-bullying programs. I asked somemiddle school students if they hadanything to say about bullying. Thissmall prompt initiated stories of oneincident after another. I was told thatof the children who are bullied, manyare bullied almost constantlythroughout the school day;before and after school, in thehallway between classes, andduring lunch. Just listening tothese stories made me feelbeaten down and depressed.As a society we certainly do notcondone the tragic results ofbullying; a young girl jump-ing in front of a train, youngmen bringing guns to school tokill their nemesis. If we don’tcondone the results, it standsto reason that we should notcondone the behavior.

Stopbullying.gov definesbullying as: [U]nwanted, aggressivebehavior among school aged children thatinvolves a real or perceived powerimbalance. The behavior is repeated, orhas the potential to be repeated, over time. Bothkids who are bullied and who bully others mayhave serious, lasting problems.

In order to be considered bullying, thebehavior must be aggressive andinclude:

• An Imbalance of Power: Kids whobully use their power—such asphysical strength, access to embar-rassing information, or popularity—tocontrol or harm others. Power im-balances can change over time and indifferent situations, even if theyinvolve the same people.

• Repetition: Bullying behaviorshappen more than once or have thepotential to happen more than once.

Bullying includes actions such asmaking threats, spreading rumors,attacking someone physically orverbally, and excluding someone froma group on purpose.

If bullying is unacceptable be-havior within our culture, and by thisdefinition it is, why is it so prevalent?

Anthropologists have studiedbullying in a variety of ways; origins,cross-culturally, typology, in themedia or online. Each tactic revealsdifferent information about bullying,adds to our knowledge base, and haspractical applications. Scientifically,it is important to look at bullying fromas many angles and from as manydisciplines as possible so that policymakers have a solid base of researchfrom which to draw and aren’t just leftmaking capricious decisions based onnothing.

Hogan Sherrow, Professor ofAnthropology at Ohio University, hasa great blog post on ScientificAmeri-can.com in which he outlines theorigins of bullying. As his reason fordoing such research he states,“[w]ithout the deep understanding theorigins of a behavior provide, effortsto prevent bullying will continue to

fail.” In Sherrow’s research heuses a definition of bullyingsimilar to the one providedabove adding that “intimi-dation is the goal, and bullyingcan happen in a one-on-one orgroup basis.” He looks toestablish whether bullying issingularly American or if it isfound in other cultures. Re-view of the literature showsthat “bullying is ubiquitousacross human cultures.” Thenext question Sherrow seeks toanswer is if bullying is uniqueto humans. He finds “there isample evidence that manyother animals, including otherprimates, engage in bullying-like behaviors.” Often withinprimate society intimidationand aggression are used to

enforce group behavior or to establishdominance and ensure reproductivesuccess. Sherrow con-cludes, “[t]hetendency to bully, or coerce, others isnatural and deeply rooted in ourevolutionary history…” and that“addressing bullying through cul-turally based social programs” will notserve to eliminate bullying. Knowingthat bullying is biological rather thancultural we can already answer thetitular question. No, we are not aculture of bullies—we are a species ofbullies.

Humans, however, are not justbiological beings. An overlay of culture

Are We A Culture of Bullies?


informs our behavior of biological functions from the waywe groom ourselves to the way we go to the bathroom. Astudy, partly funded by the World Health Organization,looked at bullying and its effect on the health of victimsacross 28 European and North American countries. Theauthors found “[t]he proportion of students being bulliedvaried enormously across countries. The lowest prevalencewas observed among girls in Sweden (6.3%), the highestamong boys in Lithuania (41.4%).” Results such as theseindicate that, although we are a species of bullies, cultureinfluences the amount of bullying that goes on and mostlikely the types of bullying as well.

Professor Burlingame, on atasteof anthropology blog,writes that in the United States “[t]he basic impetus forbullying lies in dealing with difference” and “in gainingpower through the subjugation of others.” Because chil-dren see intolerance and stratified power relationships ineveryday American life, Professor Burlingame points out,they are apt to create the same sorts of relationships inschool. Of course, school is only one place where youngpeople congregate—children are also spending plenty oftime online using social media and gaming. Relationshipsin the cyber-community mirror those in the real world,except in the virtual world there is a significant lack of adultsupervision. Resident Anthro points out in his blog post “TheCulture of Bullying” that in online gaming “[w]hen someoneis mocked for low skill, a poor k/d spread, or an ‘inability’to perform well … they are being bullied.” He goes on withhis analysis saying, “[i]t’s the ‘Jones’ effect. When you seesomeone doing something you want to be a part of it, andwhen people aren’t encouraging online the only people youhear are those who are bullying… This creates a culture ofbullying in online gaming.”

Since the only way to eliminate bullying from the genepool would be to round up all the bullies and sterilize (orkill) them before they had children—a kind of Big Brother-ish solution—we, as a society, need to figure out a culturalway to help ameliorate the problem. Within the articlesreferenced previously are ideas to help minimize the impactsof bullying. The authors of the cross-cultural study suggestthat, “[t]he most important tool for diminishing bullying isaddressing the school environment. It is recommended thatthe problem be highlighted for teachers and pupils byspecial work sessions, and that it be made harder toactually perform the behavior by increasing inspection inbreaks and at other occasions, when bullying is likely tooccur.” They also suggest letting the children define whatis socially accept-able for the group. Professor Burlin-gamealso endorses classroom intervention. She points out that“[d]ifference doesn’t have to be seen as threatening on anylevel” and that “reinforcing that no one way is ‘right’ or‘wrong’ for everyone can be done at every grade level” andin all classroom subjects. “The goal of this kind of lesson isto support diversity while maintaining respect for, and pridein, one’s own cultural traditions and practices.” Lessons indiversity can teach both acceptance and empathy—givingstudents the ability to see the world from other people’s

perspective. In an online gaming atmosphere, ResidentAnthro feels the best option to deal with bullying is to, “putdown my controller and turn my system off.” He remindsgamers to “check our-selves at the controller and rememberthat, just because you’re anonymous doesn’t mean that youractions are meaningless.”

Just this brief review of the literature available onlinehas certainly added to my personal knowledge baseregarding bullying but it also leaves me with furtherquestions. Even though aggression is no longer necessaryto find the best mate, does bullying still have a function?How does bullying correlate to behaviors in adulthood? Howdoes bullying correlate to other biologically basedbehaviors? Answers to these questions may already exist inthe literature as the research I’ve done is far fromexhaustive. I am certainly interested in hearing from readersregarding any research of which they are aware and how itcompares or contrasts with what has been presented here.My hope is that this is just the beginning of a conversation.

* * * * *

Megan Fuller is an applied cognitive anthropologist with postmodern tendencieswho grew up in the exciting Pittsburgh suburb of Pleasant Hills and had thedistinct pleasure of earning a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from IUP. In1993, Megan moved out West to get a Master’s Degree. She also picked up ahusband and hasn’t quite convinced him to move back to Western PA. Tomaintain her authentic Pittsburgh accent she regularly watches PittsburghDad and engages anyone wearing black and gold sports gear in conversation.


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“I request that during that month (March)our people rededicate themselves to the splendid

aims and activities of the Red Cross.”

–President Franklin D. Roosevelt, first Presidential Proclamation of March as Red Cross Month, 1943

March Is RedCross Month

The history of the American Red Cross is inseparable fromthe history of America itself. Since 1881, American RedCross members and volunteers have been an essential partof our nation’s response to war, natural disaster and otherhuman suffering. We’ve been witness to great tragedy, butmore importantly we’ve seen the triumph of the humanspirit as people work together to help each other rebuildtheir lives and communities.

Founded by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881, the Red Crossreceived our first congressional charter in 1900 and a sec-ond in 1905, the year after Barton resigned from the orga-nization. The most recent version of the charter–which wasadopted in May, 2007–restates the traditional purposes ofthe organization which include giving relief to and servingas a medium of communication between members of theAmerican armed forces and their families and providingnational and international disaster relief and mitigation.

The American Red Cross provides compassionate carein five critical areas – people affected by disasters; supportfor members of the military and their families; health andsafety education and training; blood collection, processingand distribution to as many as 3,000 medical facilitiesacross the United States; and international relief and de-velopment.

• The American Red Cross is a charitable organization,not a government agency. It depends on volunteers and thegenerosity of people like you to perform our mission.

• The American Red Cross is part of the world's largestvolunteer network found in 187 countries.

• 10 million people learn emergency skills such as CPRthrough the Red Cross every year. Consider taking a classso you are prepared in the event of an emergency.

• An average of 91 cents out of every dollar that you do-nate goes to fulfill our humanitarian mission. Everythingwe do depends on the needs of the people that we serve.

Ways to Help:• Simply text the word redcross to 90999 to donate $10

to Disaster Relief through your mobile carrier. Charges willapply to your mobile phone bill next month.

• The Red Cross depends on public support to helppeople in need. You can help by giving blood or hosting ablood drive.

• Many companies are creating opportunities for thepublic to donate, purchase products or support programsthat support disaster relief.

Westmoreland-Armstrong Chapter351 Harvey Avenue , Suite B; Greensburg , PA 15601(724) 834-6510; www.redcross.org/pa/greensburg

0


THE LIGONIER CHEFby Scott Sinemus

Giant Easy Bake Ovensand Carbonated Ice Cream? OH MY!

Carbonated chocolate ice cream!Something from Willy Wonka? NO!Alton Brown!! I recently had theunique opportunity to experience theEdible Inevitable Tour with a VIPpackage our friend Bob set up for us.Autographs, meet & greet, amazingseats, and access to the lounge beforeand during intermission.

We decided to make aweekend event of it and bookedthe Stay, Valet & BreakfastEach Day package at theFairmont in Pittsburgh. It wasa great deal, and I don’t believethere is a more dog friendlyhotel in the city. Upon arrival,our Presidents Club Conciergetold me I won the bid for a suiteupgrade for $25; however, forjust a little more we could havethe Presidential Suite, as it wasstill available! Who could say noto that; especially after she saidthere would be so much moreroom for Basel to run around in. . . boy was there ever! From themarble foyer, kitchen, massiveliving room, dining room,bedroom and immense marblebathroom with shower, soakingtub and a television in themirror! The wall of floor toceiling windows made for oneof the most breathtaking viewsof the city I can remember. Itwas more spacious than theground floor of our house; soBasel definitely had the extrarunning room.

It had been ages since we’vestayed over in the ’burgh for a func-tion; so, feeling nostalgic, we madereservations at The Carlton for dinnerSaturday night. I am pleased to reportit is still very good dining, and the winelist is as spectacular as ever.

Sunday we had an early dinner atthe Capital Grille because we neededto be at the meet & greet by 7:00. Ithas been a very long time since I’vebeen able to say that every singlemorsel of food exceeded any of myexpectations. The 24 oz dry agedPorterhouse was so tender I wasliterally able to cut it with my fork, and

the flavor was phenomenal. Every-one’s meal was an extreme delight;truly the perfect way to send us off tomeet Alton.

We’ve had the tickets since Juneof last year. I tried not to be too anxiousbecause the last time I was to meetAlton at the Greenbrier several years

ago, he had to cancel his appearanceat the last moment. I was, of course,devastated – it was the heyday of GoodEats, and I was entranced by hisability to meld fun, science andcooking together so seamlessly.

I’m almost pleased now that Imissed it. The performance of this firststage tour was beyond compare. When

there was a mention ponchoswould be required as our seatswere in the “splash zone,” Iknew it would be. The pressrelease before the show toutedit as part stand up, part multi-media lecture, part music andpart food experimentation:those four parts made for awhole lot of fun!!

There were two cookingspots where a member of theaudience was selected to be hisassistant (alas it wasn’t me).The first was the Jet Cream,an impressive contraption tosay the least: several five-gallonwater bottles linked togetherwith fire extinguishers at eachend. After the audience selectedchocolate as our flavor, the funbegan. Goggles, lab coats, pon-chos being thrown into thesplash zone . . . I could barelysit still.

When the valves wereturned, I could feel the rumbleof the carbon dioxide churningand freezing the chocolate milkinto carbonated ice cream!Moments later I could smell the

chocolate in the air as I felt tiny frozenflakes falling on my head. I wasoverwhelmed. How is it possible to bein 2014, and we are just now figuringout how to make carbonated chocolateice cream?!?!

continued on page 16

The Ligonier Chef (R) with Alton Brown (C)and Jason Ament (L) before the show.


NATURAL HEALTHHealing with Mother Nature’s Weeds by Granny Earth, ND

Yarrow:Year After Year She Comes Back – More Beautiful Than Ever!

Achillea millefoliumPage 149 – 150Do It Yourself Weed Medicine

The name ‘Yarrow’ is a corruption ofthe Anglo-Saxon name for the plant –gearwe and the Dutch, yerw. It’s saidthat Achilles staunched the bleedingwounds of his fellow soldiers in thewar with Troy, hence the name of thegenus, Achillea. Its specific name-millefolium, is derived from the manysegments of its foliage, hence its pop-

ular name, Milfoil and ThousandWeed. Yarrow is a perennial weed,growing wild, all around here inPennsylvania. This wild variety haswhite flowers, grows in full sun andany type of soil, and up to 4 feet tall.(Other types of Yarrow are yellow).

If you’re planting Miss Yarrow inyour garden, you’ll want to leave aboutone foot of space between each plant.She’s easy to grow and will return yearafter year for your health and sheerenjoyment!

The seeds germinate in 2 weeks attemperatures between 65 and 75degrees. Light is necessary for seed ger-mination, which takes only five toseven days.)

A native to Europe and Asia, Yar-row’s foliage is ‘fern-like,’ very gentleand pleasing to the eye. She is droughtresistant and will grow well in any typeof soil. Blooming in June, you’ll findthat if you pick the flowers, she’llbloom again in September – givingyou two harvests. The flowers dry

nicely if hung upside down for a fewweeks, providing you with a nice driedbouquet to admire all winter long.

Yarrow may be taken internally fora variety of uses:

• fever and infectious diseases• stops internal bleeding• cleanses the liver, kidney

and bladder• heals mucous membranes• stops diarrhea• heals lungs

• aids circulation• balances the endocrine system.

Externally, Yarrow can be used as anantiseptic for wounds, rashes anddeep punctures. For these you woulduse as a poultice, or compress.

Yarrow exhibits diaphoretic,hypotensive, astringent, anti-inflam-matory, diuretic, anti-microbial,bitter and hepatic (good for liver)properties. She has a high content ofmagnesium, calcium and phosphorus,which makes her a useful candidatefor muscle spasms, depression, hyper-tension, muscle weakness, convul-sions, confusion, personality changes,nausea, lack of coordination andgastrointestinal disorders.

Yarrow is one of the best dia-phoretic herbs, and is a standardremedy for helping the body deal withcommon colds and fevers. She lowersblood pressure (with dilation of theperipheral vessels), stimulates diges-tion and tones up the blood vessels,too. Yarrow also helps regulate men-strual cycles, reduces heavy bleedingand eases menstrual pain. As a urinaryantiseptic, she’s indicated for use withinfections, such as cystitis.

Preparations of Yarrow flowerhave also been shown to stimulategastric juices. This would account forher effectiveness as a tonic forimproved digestion of foods, due to thepresence of bitter substances in theblossoms.

The smell of Yarrow is also helpfulin reducing stress and aids in restfulsleep. I’ve never tried it, but I’ll justbet that adding some Yarrow flowersto your bath along with Violet wouldbe an exceptional treat! I once planted‘Golden Yarrow’ from seed and got atremendous crop. Year after year, she


comes back, bigger and more beau-tiful than ever! Cutting the flowers atmid-summer and drying them upsidedown, the beautiful golden color neverchanges. It stays that way all winterlong . . . just a bit of color to help meendure the long and dreary wintermonths.

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Seventy-some years young, and following my life-long passion, which is natural healing and teach-ing others about weed medicine, I believe that weeach must do what we can to get back to Nature. Inmaking your own weed medicine, you’re going tobe going out looking and identifying certain weedsthat grow around you–you’ll be outdoors, in thesunshine and fresh air–getting back to Nature.Maybe you’ll start growing your own weeds,turning your backyard into a weed garden!

Granny Earth has a bachelor’s in Psychologyfrom California University of Pennsylvania (whichshe earned at age 59), and both a masters anddoctorate from Clayton College of Natural Health.

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The second experiment came aftera subtle driving rock tribute to SpinalTap about Easy Bake Ovens. I’ve metseveral male chefs in my life that alsoasked for an easy bake oven, eventhough they were geared for girls. Nomatter your gender, who wouldn’twant to bake a cake in your bedroom?Just like Alton and my other cheffriends, I modified the oven with biggerbulbs to bake whatever I could fitthrough that tiny slot. The Mega Bakeused so many massive lamps, lightingat the Benedum had to be turned downto use it. The conveyor belt used aship’s wheel to roll it back and forth.We could feel the heat four rows fromthe stage. The second lucky volunteergot to make pizza in under five min-utes that smelled and looked delicious.

The show ended with Alton pick-ing up an acoustic guitar and playinga lullaby about cooking that he sangto his daughter while she was growingup. It was cute and clever, and theperfect way to close the performance.

Although I didn’t get the one onone time with Alton that I got once withJulia [Child], it was still an absolutejoy to meet one of my idols. Now all Ihave to do is begin to collect all theparts needed to make the ice cream!


Mill Run, Pa. – Fallingwater is now accepting applications for vol-unteer positions at the Frank Lloyd Wright masterwork in Penn-sylvania’s scenic Laurel Highlands.

Volunteers at Fallingwater can expect to interact with visitorsfrom all over the world and experience this iconic home on a per-sonal level. The organization is seeking volunteers who enjoy work-ing outdoors or interacting with the public. Opportunities are avail-able to assist with landscaping and gardening projects, staff exhibi-tions in the gallery, as well as customer service-related work.

Volunteers are eligible for a free tour each season, as well as toparticipate in the Fallingwater staff book club, site hikes, lectures,exhibition openings and other educational opportunities.

Interested volunteers may apply by contacting Jennifer Hiebertat 724-329-7826 or [email protected]. Fallingwater’s springvolunteer orientation for new and returning volunteers will be heldon Saturday, April 26.

Local residents from nearby communities such as Chalk Hill,Connellsville, Farmington, Mill Run and Ohiopyle are strongly en-couraged to apply. Fallingwater volunteers are asked to commit to

a minimum of two days per month from May through October.Fallingwater is located in southwest Pennsylvania's Laurel High-

lands about 90 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. The house islocated along PA Route 381 between the villages of Mill Run andOhiopyle. It is about 19 miles south of the Donegal exit (Exit #91)of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) or 10 miles north of US Route40. For more information, visit Fallingwater.org.

* * * * *

About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy: The Western Penn-sylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region’s quality of life by pro-tecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservationorganization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish ten state parks,conserved more than 235,000 acres of natural lands and protected or re-stored more than 1,500 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy ownsand operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony withnature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 135community gardens and greenspaces that are planted with the help of 12,500volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accom-plished through the support of more than 11,000 members. For more infor-mation, visit WaterLandLife.org.

Fallingwater Invites Volunteers to Apply for 2014 Season

* * * * *

Scott Sinemus is a Chef with a degree in CulinaryArts from the Pennsylvania Institute for CulinaryArts in Pittsburgh. He’s continued his educationwith classes from the Culinary Institute of Americaat Greystone and The Greenbrier; and has travelledinternationally in search of authentic cuisine.


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Hobby of a LifetimeLaurel Mountain Post Contributor Bob Stutzman Releases

New Book About the History of the Ligonier Valley Rail Road

The ghosts of the Ligonier Valley RailRoad can still be felt, but barely seen,as we drive through the gorge (alsoknown as Sleepy Hollow) on Route 30between Latrobe and Ligonier. Route30 east was the original road, withtwo-way traffic. What we now knowas Route 30 west was once the path ofthe rail road, hauling freight in andout of the valley. Travel time betweenthe two towns was cut down from fourhours to 40 minutes, spawning thegrowth of eastern WestmorelandCounty – which soon became known asPennsylvania’s mountain playground.

But by August 1952, after sustain-ing years of losses, this short-line railera came to an end. Local author andhistorian Bob Stutzman was just ayoung boy then.

“I remember sitting around thedinner table,” he recalled from hischildhood in Ligonier, “and my fatherwas talking about how to supply hisbusiness without the railroad. Heowned a Rawleigh Products franchiseand didn’t trust the trucking industry,so he ended up buying his own trailerto make the trip to Chester where hecould pick up his products.”

The rail road of his parents’ worldbecame a lifelong hobby for Stutz-man, who began collecting memora-bilia in earnest about 20 years ago –after his children left for college.

“My brother-in-law, Bill McCul-lough, has already been collecting ca-

To provide his sons with an op-portunity to create a new business,Judge Thomas Mellon agreed in Au-gust 1877 to invest in a short line rail-road that would connect Ligonier tothe Pennsylvania Railroad in Latrobe.Four months later, the Ligonier Val-ley Rail Road (LVRR), a 10.6-mile-longline, was completed and began trans-porting passengers and freight be-tween Ligonier and Latrobe. The vi-able transportation the LVRR pro-vided to Pittsburgh markets immedi-ately spurred lumber and quarry in-dustries in Ligonier Valley and latercoal mining and coke production.Also, to increase ridership, JudgeMellon built Idlewild Park on 350acres near Ligonier in 1878. By its endin 1952, the LVRR had hauled morethan 30 million tons of freight out ofthe valley. Equally impressive, becauseof the popularity of Idlewild Park andthe growing tourism in Ligonier Val-ley, nine million passengers rodeLVRR’s rails over its 75 years of opera-tion. Mellon’s short line railroadstimulated an economic boom inLigonier Valley and propelled it intothe 20th century.

Highlights of The Ligonier ValleyRail Road include:

• The original Idlewild station, theoldest Ligonier Valley Rail roadstructure remaining today. It nowserves as a hospitality center forvisiting groups at the park and as amuseum.• Images of Ligonier landmarks, suchas the school ‘s administration building on West Main Street and theoriginal Holy Trinity Roman CatholicChurch.• A chapter regarding the tragic 1912

All of the author’s profits from the sale of the bookwill benefit the Ligonier Valley Rail Road Associationand its museum in the restored Darlington Station:

LIGONIER VALLEY RAILROAD MUSEUM3032 Idlewild Hill, PO Box 21, Ligonier PA 15658. 724-238-7819. www.lvrra.org

Darlington Station, 1935

sually for several years,” Stutzmanexplained. “We began a quest togetherto collect photographs, analyze mate-rial and verify locations. Ebay was ourgreatest resource!”

To commerate the railroad’s 50thanniversary in 2002, the two men puttogether a powerpoint presentation oftheir collection (which had grownfrom 100 to over 1000) and presentedit at the Ligonier Valley Library to astanding room only crowd of over 200.

More and more people began askingfor copies of prints, so Stutzman de-cided to start working on a book thatcould be sold at the museum to raisemoney for the Ligonier Valley RailRoad Association. After more re-search, and some help from friends,Stutzman’s new book tells us thewhole story and brings the lost imagesback to life . . .


The Ligonier Valley Rail Road by Robert D. StutzmanArcadia Publishing Images of Rail Series. Price: $21.99; 128 pages/ softcover. Release Date: March 3, 2014.

railroad accident that killed 24passengers and crew-men.

Robert D. Stutzman, a Ligoniernative who developed a keen interestin the history of Ligonier Valley, iscofounder of the Ligonier Valley RailRoad Association, serving eight yearsas an officer and seven years as editorof The Liggie, a publication heoriginated for the Friends of the LVRR.In December 2012, he retired as theeditor and as a member of the board

of directors to write this book.He is an active member of Christ

United Church of Christ in Latrobe,and a member of the Greater LatrobeCommunity Chorus. Stutzman alsoattended Ligonier High School andthe University of Pittsburgh, andserved in the United States Air Force.Retired from Timken-Latrobe Steel asthe manager of the Special ProductsDivision, he is married with twodaughters and several grandchildren.

Believe it or not, the colour of SaintPatrick was not actually green, but blue!

In the 19th century, however, green cameto be used as a symbol for Ireland.

(StPatricksDay.com)

There are 34.7 million U.S. residentswith Irish ancestry. This number is

more than seven times the populationof Ireland itself. (History.com)

St. Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland,although he was born in Britain, around

385AD. His parents Calpurnius andConchessa were Roman citizens living in

either Scotland or Wales, according todifferent versions of his story.

(telegraph.uk.com)

The world's shortest St. Patrick's Dayparade is held in the Irish village of

Dripsey. It lasts only 100 yards, spanningthe distance between the village's

two pubs.(LiveScience.com)

The first St. Patrick’s Day paradetook place in the United States on

March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiersserving in the English military

marched through New York City.(History.com)

Today, St. Patrick's Day revelers wear ashamrock. Trifolium dubium, the wild-

growing, three-leaf clover that somebotanists consider the official shamrock,

is an annual plant that germinates inthe spring. (NationalGeographic.com)

On any given day 5.5 million pints ofGuinness, the famous Irish stout brand,are consumed around the world. But on

St. Patrick's Day, that number more thandoubles to 13 million pints, said Beth

Davies Ryan, global corporate-relationsdirector of Guinness.

(NationalGeographic.com)

IRISH BLESSING:"May the roof above us never fall in, andmay we friends beneath it never fall out."

(HuffingtonPost.com)

Fun Facts AboutSt. Patrick’s Day


The Good, The Bad, and The Uglyon Our Adventure in Peru

by Megan Fuller & Family

Last May, as I was just paying off theprevious Christmas, it occurred to methat if I was going to spend an enor-mous amount of money over theholidays I would prefer to give thefamily something they would actuallyremember, rather than more stuff forme to trip over and yell about becausethey aren’t taking care of it. Familyentertainment was focused on Britishtelevision shows such as Dr. Who,Torchwood, Call the Midwife, Mr.Bean, Keeping Up Appearances, andso on. The kids and I got to talking andconcluded that it would be a good ideafor us to go to Great Britain and checkout the locations of our favorite showsin person. My girls wanted to ride theLondon Eye and I wanted to see thetower in Cardiff where Captain JackHarkness keeps his monsters (Torch-wood). We then relayed our desire totravel to Great Britain to Big Daddywho pronounced London as boringand suggested we go somewhere ex-citing, like Peru.

Okay, then – Peru it is. Researchwas done, an itinerary was deter-mined, tickets were purchased, andhotels were booked. We were ready foran inter-cultural adventure.

We arrived in Lima well after mid-night, managed to make our waythrough all the lines and inspectionsand hired a van to take us to the hotel.The city was quiet, a few Christmaslights broke through the darkness andI spotted an ad for “Kraps” crackers(they look like Ritz). Too funny!

Cliffs line the coast of Lima andthe Pacific sparkles in the morningsunshine. Truly, the view is spectac-ular. Lucky for us our hotel was juststeps away from the coast. Parks linethe cliff tops from one end of the cityto the other. Each park is themed and

the one closest to our Liman head-quarters was dedicated to MariaReiche, the German archaeologistwho researched and protected theNazca Lines, so all the flower bedswere shaped like the geoglyphs. Awalking path and bike path runsthrough the parks and people werewalking, running, biking and workingout at the work out stations all aroundus. We noticed we were the only chubbypeople there.

Following the path south, forabout 3.5 km, from Maria Reiche park(I know the distance because the pathwas marked) we found a remarkablemall called Larcomar. Normally, Iwouldn’t call a mall remarkable, butthis one is hanging on the side of thecliffs. There were upscale stores theresuch as UGG and Kipling & Co., as wellas Pinkberry and Starbucks, but it’snot remarkable for the shopping (I didhave a frozen yogurt and coffee – I had

to see if they were the same as here). Itis remarkable for the view: only therailing and the breeze separate theshoppers from the sea.

In Peru, families traditionallygather on Christmas Eve for the bigholiday dinner. The lovely young ladyworking the front desk at our hoteldidn’t want to miss out on having acelebration so she invited all the gueststo dine together. She ordered herfavorite take out, Pardo’s Chicken

(which is basically rotisserie chickenwith French fries) and plenty of InkaCola (very sweet, yellow pop – inArizona you can find it at Target). Thisis probably (hopefully) not a tradi-tional Christmas dinner menu, but thesentiment was much appreciated. Itwas quite a diverse group dining thatChristmas Eve: five Americans, oneMexican, one Peruvian, two Chileans,two Venezuelans, and a couple ofBrazilians popped in to say Feliz

The scenic cliffs of Miraflores, known for its shopping areas, gardens, flower-filled parks and beaches,it is one of the upscale districts in the city of Lima.


Navidad. Our Peruvian hostess madeus Pisco Sours, which were fantastic,and tales of travels along with politicaldiscussions lasted long into the night.

The day after Christmas we flewoff to Cuzco, the Incan capital sittingat 11,200 ft above sea level (twice ashigh as Denver). Everything I readwarned of high altitude sickness, andeverything I read was correct! As soonas we disembarked the plane we allgot headaches and felt disoriented.Drinking the coca leaf tea helped alittle, and over time the disorientationpassed, but the headache hungaround pretty much the whole time –along with constant breathlessness.The crazy drivers, narrow crowdedstreets, and constant climbing of stairsalso hindered the enjoyment of thisancient city. I think the worst partthough was being treated like an ATMmachine. As soon as we got to the hotel– before we even got to go to our rooms– we were attacked by a lady trying tosell us tours of the Sacred Valley andMachu Picchu at ridiculously highprices. She worked for the hotel, andI can assure you, reader, that I did notfind this high pressure sales situationwelcoming. We declined everythingexcept a ride to the train station, andshe was visibly ticked off at us. Myhusband paid her (in cash on the spot)for the ride, and when she gave himthe receipt it was for 1/6th of theamount he had given her. Pretty mucheveryone in Peru, not just Cuzco,wanted us to pay in US dollars, not inPeruvian Nuevo Sols and charged usMUCH higher prices. Service workersin Cuzco were not particularly friendlyeither – no smiles or friendly greetingsat the hotel or in restaurants – tippingis not expected there, so they don’twork for the customers. Don’t eventhink about getting a refill on a drink,and the only way to get your check isto stand up like you are going to walkout. Of course, we still tipped becausewe felt too guilty not to. My husbandfinally just got fed up and startedserving himself (and the rest of us).

Although we weren’t enamoredwith Cuzco, the Andes, the SacredValley, and Machu Picchu were en-chanting. The train ride to Machu

Picchu town gives riders spectacularviews of the mountains and takes youthrough small villages and past farmfields that really reveal both theawesomeness and tranquility of na-ture. Machu Picchu is an engineeringmarvel on the top of a super steepmountain. The bus ride up to the ruinwas scary, and I kept my eyes closed alot of the time. Incan masonry is in-credible, and the thought of haulingaround all the stones to create this cityis just overwhelming. Because MachuPicchu is on the peak of a very steepmountain there are many, many stairs(which are also very steep) and no

hand railings. There are no nice levelpaths for people with mobility issues.Expect to use your thigh muscles to themaximum if you go there. The elevationin Machu Picchu is about 3000 feet lowerthan Cuzco, so it is much easier to breathwhile doing all the climbing.

After resting for a day from ourexcursion to Machu Picchu, we hireda driver to take us through the SacredValley. This gave us the opportunityto get close to the townspeople andvisit artisans’ markets. We stopped ata couple of scenic overlooks, and ateach there was an Incan family selling

continued on page 22

Machu Picchu, a 15th-century Inca site located 7,970 ft above sea level in the Cusco Region of Peru.Believed to be and estate built for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472), it was abandoned

a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest

Pisac market, a Peruvian village in the Sacred Valley on the Urubamba River, is well known for its marketevery Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, an event which attracts heavy tourist traffic from nearby Cusco.


crafts and tending a llama or two. Mydaughters have been making thecolorful plastic band bracelets that areall the rage right now, and they tradedtheir handmade bracelets with a littleIncan girl for some woven ones thatshe had made. The indigenous girl washesitant at first about trading but hermother loved the idea, so did ourdriver. It seemed like quite a noveltransaction for them.

Lucky for us, the day we went tothe Sacred Valley was Sunday, andthere is a huge market in the town ofPisac that day. They have the regulartourist artisans’ stalls with alpacasweaters, blankets and shawls, em-broidered backpacks and purses, clayfigurines and original paintings; butthe best thing about Sunday is that theindigenous set up a market to tradeamongst themselves. We got to seenumerous types of potatoes, gloriousvegetables of many varieties, woodencooking utensils (why didn’t I buysome of those?), fresh fish, giantonions, beautiful flowers, and allmanner of everyday necessities. Wedined in the street on Incan corn(which has kernels the size of nickelsbut twice as thick with the starchyconsistency of a potato) and cheeseempanadas (empanadas are pocketsandwiches). Pisac was definitely oneof my favorite places in Peru.

Returning to Lima, we had a littletime to explore the old part of the city.We visited the church of San Franciscothat has catacombs, and saw the bonesof at least 25,000 people who had beenburied there starting in the 1500s.That was pretty cool. Naturally, wefound a tourist market and spentplenty on Peruvian hats, shoes andother goodies to remember our trip.There was a little restaurant near themarket that was advertising cuy as thespecial of the day. If any readers watchBizarre Foods, they will know that cuyis guinea pig. Ever since we decided togo to Peru, we looked forward to theopportunity to eat guinea pig, and hereit was. My daughters both ordered thespecial and were very excited, untiltheir plates came. The cuy was just a

little too realistic. Basically, it lookedlike half of a rat on a plate huggingsome rice. Yes, it was cut in half, long-ways, head still on, legs and clawslying on top of the rice and covered ina red sauce. It made me nauseous. Myyounger daughter tried some of themeat (there is hardly any) from thethigh area, but my older daughterwouldn’t touch it. I tried some of the


meat as well, and to be honest, I can’tremember what it tasted like because Iwas still so horrified by the presentation.

The next day, we walked acrossMiraflores to see a pre-Incan ruincalled Huaca Pucllana. This HUGEplatform mound made of clay brickshad only been discovered about 30years ago. Even the Inca did not knowit was a man-made structure becauseit had already been reclaimed bynature and covered in dirt when theyarrived in Lima. It is really an awe-some structure and designed to with-stand earthquakes by placing thebricks vertically and leaving spacebetween each. There is also a fancyrestaurant on the site, and my momdecided we were going to eat there(maybe to recover from the cuycatastrophe the day before). It wasdelicious! Many people had told mePeruvian cuisine was wonderful, butthis restaurant was over the top (andthey refilled your drinks).

With more time and money, Iwould have liked to fly over the Nazcalines and visit the frozen Incanmummies in Arequipa, but all in all Ithink we had a pleasant littleexploration of the Peruvian cultureand landscape.

“The cuy was just a little too realistic. Basically, it looked like half of a rat on a plate huggingsome rice. Yes, it was cut in half, long-ways, head still on, legs and claws lying on top of therice and covered in a red sauce.”

The author, Megan Fuller (L) , with her mother andfellow LMP writer, Gretchen Fuller (R), stop to posein the Andes with an issue of the magazine duringtheir holiday trip to Peru.


“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for? ”– Robert Browning

That’s What They SayThought-Provoking Insights on Common Quotations by Rev. Majorie Rivera

This is, by all means, my favorite quote by any writer or poet, ever. The original poem, Andrea Del Sarto waspenned to honor the great technical painter of the same name. His work was admired by many, and yet the most commoncritique of the painter’s work was that he lacked ambition, or soul. In the poem, Browning was speaking to the part in all of usthat exists in mediocrity. He was calling us out. Browning was saying that even if you are a great technical “anything”,whether that be a painter, a sculptor, a poet, a pianist, a mother, a doctor, anything… if you don’t aspire to be better than youractual skill set, you will never achieve greatness. You can perform any task with great technicality, but not greatness. WhenBrowning says “what’s a heaven for?” he means inspiration is what makes the difference between having technical skill andusing the universe’s great capacity to inspire within us, something that is greater than the human capacity.

It is implied within the word “heaven”, that Browning saw God as his muse. To me, when someone does something withlove/God/universe, the difference is palpable, taste-able, sense-able. When anything is done with love, the impossible becomespossible, the limited becomes unlimited and the finite becomes infinite. Heaven houses the infinite, the unlimited, the possible,and from what all reports indicate, love. That’s what heaven is for— Love. Love is the driving and motivating force of theuniverse. Love trumps all other emotions. It loosens blocks, it primes the pump for other wonderful states of being, such asjoy, harmony, reverence for life, peace and creativity. Love enhances every possible endeavor, strive to do things holding lovein your heart as your inspiration.

Suggested Reading: “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield and “Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson

The Westmoreland County Historical Society will featurea special seminar presented by representatives from theUlster Historical Foundation. Tracing Your Irish andScots-Irish Ancestors will be presented on Thursday,March 20th, 1:00-4:00 PM at the Society’s Calvin E. PollinsLibrary, 362 Sand Hill Road, Suite 1, Greensburg, PA.

Fintan Mullan and Gillian Hunt from the UlsterHistorical Foundation in Belfast, Northern Ireland willpresent this seminar on Irish and Scots-Irish genealogy.The Foundation is one of Ireland’s foremost genealogyresearch organizations and publishing houses. This is aunique opportunity for the beginner as well as theexperienced genealogist to get advice on what to do andwhere to find resources. Topics will include:• An Introduction to Irish and Scots-Irish FamilyHistory Research provides a practical, comprehensive,and informative overview of the major collections.• Understanding Irish Townlands is designed tohelp Americans appreciate the unique sense of place andlocation that helps one succeed in doing Irish genealogicalresearch. This presentation will focus on the administrativedivisions: i.e. townland, barony, civil and ecclesiasticalparish, county, Poor Law Union, District Electoral Division,how they relate to each other, and their importance in thehistorical records.• Using land valuation records explores the majorland collections such as tax maps, defaulter’s lists, landvaluation lists, and deeds, including Griffith Valuation,

Tracing Your Irish and Scots-Irish AncestorsOrdnance Survey Memoirs, as well as other censussubstitutes for the late 18th and 19th centuries.• Q & A and Solving your “brick-walls” is a practicalinternet tutorial for resolving questions related to Ulsterresearch. It is an extended question and answer session,where the speakers use online resources and their localknowledge to offer participants practical tips about Irishand Scots-Irish research.

The fee, which includes materials, is $25 for WCHSmembers; $30 for others. Space is limited and reservationsare required by Monday, March 17th. Please call 724-532-1935 x210.

The Ulster Historical Foundation is a non-profitorganization founded in 1956 to promote interest in Irishgenealogy and history, with particular reference to thehistorical nine-county province of Ulster. Ulster is thenorthern most province of the island of Ireland. It iscomprised of the six counties of Northern Ireland – Antrim,Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry, and Tyrone –and the three border counties of the Irish Republic – Cavan,Donegal and Monaghan.

Mr. Mullan is executive director of the Ulster HistoricalFoundation. Ms. Hunt is the Foundation’s Research Officerand is responsible for the management of the organization’smany genealogical activities.

Visit our website www.westmorelandhistory.org andfollow our activities on the Westmoreland County HistoricalSociety Facebook page, and on Twitter @WCHistory.


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Call for Entries:Novel Art II at Ligonier Valley LibraryThe Ligonier Valley Library (LVL) is inviting the community toonce again support Novel Art, a fundraiser to procure a state-of-the-art digital literacy program for its children’s department. Lastyear’s inaugural event included over 130 entries, created anddonated by amateur and professional crafters and artists, and localschool children who repurposed old books into art objects, and raisedmoney to update the Library’s aging public computer workstations.Novel Art II includes a week-long exhibition at LVL featuring thedonated artworks. Dates for the exhibition are scheduled for April25 – May 2. The public is invited to view and vote for their favoritepieces to determine the People’s Choice Award. The fundraiserculminates with a special event on May 2 from 6-8 PM featuring asilent auction of the donated art objects. The public may contactthe LVL at 724-238-6451 or visit www.ligonierlibrary.org for moreinformation.

The LVL is seeking entries of art objects created by utilizingold books, which may be repurposed in any manner. Peopleinterested in participating may use their own books or select onesavailable at the Library. With the popularity of do-it-yourself (DIY)projects, there is a variety of inspiration available by searching theinternet for “book art,” “repurposing books” and “altered books.”The LVL’s website features images of last year’s entries and event,and includes links to its Novel Art Pinterest and Facebook pages.There is no fee to enter.

Important Dates• Donated pieces due to Library no later than April 21• Exhibition dates: April 25 - May 2, 2014• Special event and auction: May 2 from 6-8 PM

Open House

March 23, 1

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Shops Around the CornerThe Laurel Mountain Post Recommends . . .

The Medicine Shoppe709 Ligonier StreetLatrobe, PA 15650724-539-4565www.latrobepharmacy.com

Last Christmas, during a hectic day oferrands, I stopped in to pick up somepresciptions. The smell of hot coffeegreeted me – right inside was a tablefull of complimentary oatmeal cookieflavored coffee and Christmas cookies!What a wonderful break to the mad-ness. I almost had time to put thecreamer in before my prescription wasready to go: that’s how fast they canbe at The Medicine Shoppe in Latrobe.

It’s an old-fashioned drug store,with everything you need and nothingyou don’t except for an array ofdecorative and seasonal items. I hadalways gone to the big box stores formy medications because I thought itwas more convenient – shopping forother things while I wait for pre-scriptions. One day when I wascomplaining to my family doctorabout how crowded it gets, the longlines, and how often things are back-ordered, he said, “Why don’t you justrun down the street to the MedicineShoppe – they’ve got everything!”

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Why had my “shop local andsmall” mentality not taken me therealready? I hate going across town toWalMart (I live on the Derry side ofLatrobe), and I pass The MedicineShoppe almost every day. One by oneI transferred most of my medications,and am a very satisfied customer. Stopin, and try their friendly, fast servicefor yourself!

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Barb’s Country Store1534 Linn Run RoadRector, PA 15677724-238-8000barbscountrystore.blogspot.com

Last month, we were out making somedeliveries of the Laurel Mountain Poston a route that I don’t usually handle

myself. My husband and I dropped offa bundle of magazines at Barb’sCountry Store in Rector and decidedto look around.

I was thrilled to discover that theycarried Turner’s Dairy beverages –their apple juice is as close to fresh-squeezed as I have ever tasted – alongwith a full cooler full of typical favor-ites. Next we headed over to the delicounter where they offer Boar’s Headmeats and cheeses, a delicious andhigh-quality product line at a greatprice (with no fillers, by-products,trans fat, artificial colors, flavors orgluten). They also serve made on-sitesoups, macaroni and potato salad,coleslaw, and baked goods. Theseingedients combined with localproduce and Breadworks bread makeup the sandwich menu.

A variety of local crafters markettheir products in the store next toshelves full of local honey, jellies andother homemade items. The staff isalso friendly and upbeat, a refreshingchange from your typical conveniencestore. It’s a great place to stop if youare heading out for a day at Linn Run,or just taking a country drive throughthe Ligonier area – but close enoughfor your everyday deli needs as well!


by Rev. Cindy ParkerTHREE PENNIES

“Be” Attitudes: Blessed or Blessing?I haven’t decided if I love preachingthe lectionary readings or I hate it –let’s say I have mixed emotions. Itcertainly keeps one honest. I certainlywouldn’t have picked this passage topreach on. Sharing that honesty withyou, I’m going to admit something:

I don’t really like the Beatitudes*:probably because I don’t think wereally understand them.

What is Jesus saying here? To thishuge crowd who has followed himfrom Galilee?

Is he giving them advice? Tellingthem how to love their lives?

And when we hear Jesus’ wordstoday “Blessed are the peacemakers, forthey shall be called children of God.”

How many of us hear a command“Be a peacemaker!”

And we think, Jesus wants us towork for peace. OK I can do that. It’snot a bad thing to desire peace andwork for justice, so we try and we tryand try and we find out it’s not so easy,in fact it’s really difficult to not tojudge others, or hunger and thirst forrighteousness all the time, or be meekor to mourn . . .

And here’s the other thing thatbugs me: how many of us think wehave to be successful in order to beblessed?

And the other beatitudes are moreabout attitude. As one scholar said,

“emotions are a hard thing to dial upon command.”

“Hey you, quit being satisfied withyour life! Don’t you know you’re sup-posed to be poor in spirit?” “what areyou so happy about?”Don’t you re-member that Jesus said those whomourn will be comforted?

That’s why I don’t like the Beati-tudes: people get them all mixed up.

How many of you were taughtthat, or heard the Sermon on theMount preached that way . . . if youare poor in spirit, that’s good, becauseyours is the kingdom of heaven? Don’tworry about your grief, God will com-fort you. You are special if you are meek,because you will inherit the earth . . .

Read The Message translation:

3 You’re blessed when you’re at theend of your rope. With less of you thereis more of God and his rule.

4 You’re blessed when you feelyou’ve lost what is most dear to you.Only then can you be embraced by theOne most dear to you.

5 You’re blessed when you’re con-tent with just who you are—no more,no less. That’s the moment you findyourselves proud owners of everythingthat can’t be bought.

6 You’re blessed when you’veworked up a good appetite for God.

He’s food and drink in the best mealyou’ll ever eat.

7 You’re blessed when you care. Atthe moment of being ‘care-full,’ youfind yourselves cared for.

8 You’re blessed when you get yourinside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in theoutside world.

9 You’re blessed when you canshow people how to cooperate insteadof compete or fight. That’s when youdiscover who you really are, and yourplace in God’s family.

10 You’re blessed when your com-mitment to God provokes persecution.The persecution drives you evendeeper into God’s kingdom.

11-12 Not only that—count your-selves blessed every time people putyou down or throw you out or speaklies about you to discredit me. What itmeans is that the truth is too close forcomfort and they are uncomfortable.You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though theydon’t like it, I do! And all heavenapplauds. And know that you are ingood company. My prophets andwitnesses have always gotten into thiskind of trouble.

In this translation I think it is easier tosee how Jesus is demonstrating onceagain that God regularly and relent-lessly shows up just where we leastexpect God to be in order to give to usfreely what we cannot earn or achieve:blessedness.

In this sermon I don’t think Jesusis offering us a recipe for success: he isnot offering the keys to happiness andhe is NOT offering a roadmap to hav-ing your best life now.

We read the gospel to hear theGOOD NEWS. Not to get good advice.The Messiah speaks to this crowd,

Matthew 5: 3-12

The term beatitude comes from the Latin adjective beatitudo whichmeans "happy," "fortunate," or "blissful."

Each Beatitude consists of two phrases: the condition and the result. Jesustakes and Old Testament idea and teaches a new interpretation. Together,the Beatitudes present a new set of Christian ideals that focus on a spiritof love and humility, echoing the highest ideals of the teachings of Jesuson mercy, spirituality, and compassion.

*


March 9 , 2014Happy 11th Birthday, Colin

from your friends at the Laurel Mountain Post

March 9 , 2014Happy 11th Birthday, Colin

from your friends at the Laurel Mountain Post

speaks to us about a new kingdom –this kingdom of heaven being near.

And in this new kingdom thingsare different! So different that whatyou thought you knew is turned upsidedown and inside out!

“The meek inherit the earth, thosewho are mourn are comforted.

This is NOT a command to bemeek or mournful, instead it is aPROMISE – that those who are al-ready meek and mournful, those whowork for peace, or hunger and thirstfor righteousness, will find their faithhonored in a world beyond this one.

How many of us have asked, orscreamed at God, “What do you wantme to do, God? What do you want meto do?”

Our Old Testament lesson remindsus, “do justice, love kindness, and walkhumble before the Lord.”

Like the Beatitudes, this is not alist of requirements, but a reminderof what we become when we are inthat close trusting relationship with

God. That is why Jesus chooses theword blessed.

Blessed times nine.Nine times Jesus uses this word-

BLESSED to remind us, to remind youthat you have worth — not because ofsomething you did or might do, butsimply because of who you are. You area child of God: you have the capacity torise above present circumstances, you aremore than the sum of your parts or pastexperiences.

Blessing is something that can’t bepursued, but can only be received as agift. We are worthy of blessing, forGod has created us and called us, eachand every one of us!

So I’d like to bless you now:Thank you for your faithfulness,

and may God bless your life and the

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Cindy Parker came to the United Church of Christby way of the Presbyterian Church. A life-longPresbyterian, she jokes that she was “predestinedto become UCC!” Currently called as the Pastorand Teacher of Christ Church UCC in Latrobe,PA and St. John’s UCC in Darlington; she, herhusband Larry and three daughters enjoytraveling all over the world! Cindy also serves asa Spiritual Director for the Three Rivers Walk toEmmaus retreats and was part of the team thatbrought the Kairos Outside Ministry to Penn-sylvania. Kairos (which means special time inGreek) is a prison ministry for women whose liveshave been impacted by incarceration. Cindycompleted her undergrad-uate studies at PennState and her MDiv. from Pittsburgh TheologicalSeminary along with a year-long internship atFamily Hospice and Palliative Care. She enjoystraveling, reading, baking, and photographingher daughters.

way you share the GOOD NEWS thismonth and always, so that you may berenewed and take delight in the callingyou have received.

As you celebrate today, may your heart be filled with happiness and joy.As you look ahead to tomorrow, may your deepest hopes and dreams come true for you!

Interested in advertising in the Laurel Mountain Post?Call our main office at 724-537-6845 or check our websiteto contact a sales representative in your neighborhood!


Does the fact that we’ve had such a cold and snowy winter mean that globalwarming might not be such a big problem after all? — Lacey L: Lynchburg, VA

It’s tempting to think that the cold air and snow outsideaugur the end of global warming, but don’t rejoice yet.According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS),weather and climate are two very different beasts: “Weatheris what’s happening outside the door right now; today asnowstorm or a thunderstorm is approaching. Climate, onthe other hand, is the pattern of weather measured overdecades.”

Isolated weather events and even seasonal trends arenot an indication of global warming’s existence one way oranother, and most climatologists agree that the carbonpollution we have been spewing into the atmosphere forthe past century is leading to more frequent and intensestorms of every kind and causing greater temperatureswings all around the planet. In short, the harsh winter weare having shouldn’t be viewed as a refutation of globalwarming, but rather as further evidence of a growingproblem.

“There is a clear long-term global warming trend, whileeach individual year does not always show a temperatureincrease relative to the previous year, and some years showgreater changes than others,” reports the National Oceanicand Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The agencychalks up these year-to-year fluctuations to naturalprocesses such as El Niño or volcanic eruptions, but pointsout that, regardless, the 20 warmest years on record haveoccurred since 1981, while the 10 warmest were in the past12 years. And global average temperatures have risen by1.4°F overall since the early 20th century.

According to Becky Oskin of LiveScience.com,shrinking polar ice caps as a result of global warming inrecent decades are one factor that may be contributing tothe cold weather in North America this winter. “One waythe shrinking ice changes weather is by pushing winter air

south,” she reports. “When the stored ocean heat graduallyescapes in autumn, it changes the pattern of an atmosphericwind called the polar vortex, streaming frigid Arctic air intoNorth America and Europe.” Meanwhile, a 2012 study byresearchers Jennifer Francis and Stephen Vavrus concludedthat intense warming in the Arctic has caused changes tothe jet stream that regulates air circulation around theplanet, potentially leading to stronger winter storms hittingthe eastern seaboard of the U.S.

And what about all that snow? “Hotter air around theglobe causes more moisture to be held in the air than inprior seasons,” reports UCS. “When storms occur, this addedmoisture can fuel heavier precipitation in the form of moreintense rain or snow.” The U.S. is already enduring moreintense rain and snowstorms, says the group: “The amountof rain or snow falling in the heaviest one percent of stormshas risen nearly 20 percent, averaged nationally—almostthree times the rate of increase in total precipitation between1958 and 2007.” And some regions of the country “haveseen as much as a 67 percent increase in the amount of rainor snow falling in the heaviest storms.”

And Oskin points out that while we may be bundlingup and shoveling out in the U.S., it’s turned into anotherscorcher of a summer in the Southern Hemisphere: 2013was Australia’s hottest year on record, and 2014 has startedoff even hotter, with temperatures soaring to 125°F andsevere fire warnings issued in at least two states there.Apparently global warming is still on.

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CONTACTS: UCS, www.ucsusa.org; NOAA, www.noaa.gov;LiveScience.com, www.livescience.com.EarthTalk® is written andedited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss, and is a registered trademarkof E - The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com).Send questions to: [email protected].


These Legs Are Made for Walkin’by Nancy A. Clark

Don’t know how it is at your house, butin ours, every pair of scissors carriedthrough our door and assigned drawerspace or a hook on a wall will – youcan bet your bottom dollar – grow apair of legs. There’s no other explan-ation for their disappearance, sincenone of the “I Didn’t Do It” persons inour house has seen them, or knowswhat happened to them.

Scissors-with-legs is a curse as oldas dirt, an enigma that most likelyfrustrated even Eve, the gal who livedat One Eden Garden Lane over therein Paradise. Legend has it that one dayEve reached into a designated drawerfor her favorite double-bladed scissorsto clip a vine wrapped around a pieceof something Adam dragged home fordinner, but the scissors were not whereshe’d left them. At that point in history,there weren’t too many “I Didn’t DoIt” kids or cousins to blame for themysterious disappearance; and as noone fessed up to the crime, the onlyconclusion Eve could make is that evenher scissors grew legs where no legswere ever meant to grow.

The issue of runaway scissors is oflittle interest to the FBI (except at theairport), worthy of news headlines(except as a suspected weapon) or asthe subject of a congressional review(although stranger things have hap-pened). But on the home front, scissorsin absentia can be a cause for greatconsternation. It wouldn’t surprise meone bit if the root of the rivalry be-tween Cain and Abel had somethingto do with who swiped the scissors anddidn’t put them back where theybelonged.

In grammar school, dull, blunt-tipped paper cutting scissors withmatching finger holes (suitable forboth lefties and righties) rarely disap-peared. Teacher’s shiny, sharp-bladedscissors, on the other hand, rarelylasted very long in our eight-gradesclassroom. One pair with cobalt bluehandles was only a few days old when

they went missing from Teacher’sdesk. She’d put them next to LarryMontgomery’s subtraction work sheet– a paper Teacher had streaked withbold bands of her bright red markingpencil. It took only a half-turn at theblackboard for Teacher to suspect apossible connection between a smallpile of white, black and red confetti litterand her missing shears. After themysterious disappearance of two morescissors, Teacher locked her cutters in adesk drawer, so fearful was she that themost recently purchased pair wouldsprout Olympian running legs.

When I was old enough to earn awage, I vowed to alleviate the obviouspain my mother suffered when scissorswent missing and purchased a pair in-tended only for her. Mom’s eyes glist-ened with tears of joy when on theChristmas morning of my 16th year asshe tore open a newspaper comics-wrapped package and lifted high a

shiny new pair of scissors bearing herinitials – M.O.M. - on one of theblades. For days, she carried them inher apron pocket and slept with themunder her pillow, exposing the scissorsonly to cut something or to show themoff to a neighbor. Then, with a mix ofconfidence and trepidation, Mom hidthem in a “secret place” to ensurethey’d be there when she needed them.Well, sir, wouldn’t you know? Thosetreasured scissors grew legs . . . andthose legs took a hike.

The Walking Scissors Pheno-menon has scientists and cold casedetectives the world over studying datathat might shed some light on howscissors grow legs and, more impor-tantly, how to keep them from stray-ing. Rumor has it that beleaguered labtechs from the TSA (Traveling ScissorsAgency) are developing a sensingdevice to be molded into a scissor’shandle – a sensor with the ability todetect molecular irregularities indi-cative of appendage development. Asecond, GPS-like device molded intoone of the finger holes would pinpointthe location of scissors that are AWOL.

A few days ago, I reached into thedeep recesses of my own scissorshiding place. Instead of the covetedpair of 8" blades attached to “huntersorange” colored handles that I soughtwas a note on which was scribbled,“Got Legs! And these legs are made forwalkin’. Bye-Bye!”

Between you and me, that GPSthingy can’t come soon enough.

* * * * *

Nancy Clark and her husband, Tom, rejoice in50 years of marriage, three children and threegrandchildren. She dabbles in freelance andmemoir writing when she isn’t baking, knitting,reading, or building a jigsaw puzzle.

Illustration by the author’s granddaughter, AlexiJ. Green, age 14.


Eating Right with Less Saltby Hayley Chemski, MSN, CRNA and Certified Fitness Trainer

In honor of National Nutrition Month, let's set a hearthealthy goal of eating less salt!

Most of us consume too much salt (sodium) on a dailybasis; typical salt intake is 2,400-4,500mg/day. This issueis largely related to the high amount of processed foods weare bombarded with at the grocers and deli, and atrestaurants. Of interest, sodium plays a detrimental rolein high blood pressure and by lowering your intake you canlower your risk of hypertension. As you are aware from ourprior columns in the Laurel Mountain Post, hypertensioncan lead to stroke, heart disease, small vessel disease, andother symptoms like dizziness, blurred vision, and brain fog.

The following guidelines forsalt intake were distributed in2010 by the ADA (American Die-tetic Association): everyone, evenchildren, should reduce theirsodium intake to less than 2,300milligrams a day. The WorldHealth Organization (WHO)recommends levels of less than2,000mg/day. The recommenda-tion for salt is about the sameamount as one full teaspoon ofsalt. Adults 51 years of age orolder, African Americans of anyage, and those afflicted by highblood pressure, diabetes, or kid-ney disease should maintain asodium intake of less than 1,500milligrams/day.

This may sound like a tall order. How does one fallwithin the appropriate guidelines without suffering blandfoods at every meal? Here's how.• Create a diet high in FRESH food components!Choose foods that are close to their original form. Refuse toeat foods of the factory, and instead eat foods of the land.Examples may include fruits, vegetables, fresh meats,poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, milk, yogurt and grains. Limitthese foods if canned, frozen with preservatives, or boxed.Eat the "real thing." Make a goal to eat at least one of thesefoods each time that you eat.

Processed foods are high in sodium, hence the pre-servation to eat at a later date. Examples include cheesyfoods, such as pizza; cured meats like bacon, sausage, hotdogs and deli or luncheon meats; and ready-to eat foods,like canned chili, ravioli and soups.• Cook at home to control your ingredients!Enjoy home-prepared foods where you are in control of howmuch salt is added. Use little or no additional salt whencooking. Try to incorporate ingredients that are fresh orfrozen without additives. Use flavorings that are salt-free!Consider using herbs, spices, garlic, vinegar, black pepperor lemon juice.

If you are out and about, don't feel hesitant to ask thechef/cook to limit use of added salt in the recipe. Choosefresh options off of the menu, those that are made to orderand not made days prior.• Read food labels!Take the time to read what you are eating. You may besurprised by the milligrams of salt in each serving you areenjoying. Many companies are making "lower sodium"options. Beware of condiments that add taste by adding salt,which may include soy sauce, ketchup, pickles, olives, saladdressing and seasoning packets. If you are using cannedvegetables, consider rinsing the item prior to use.

• Maintain your hydration!Flush your body's water regu-latory system by maintaining yourhydration. Textbook models haveshown that appropriate hydra-tion is met at 6-8 glasses of clearliquids each day. When the kid-neys are faced with excess fluidor excess salt, they will be betterequipped if the blood is full ofwater and not concentrated.Moreover, hydration will preventbloating by flushing the kidneysof excess salt.

Simple tricks can help you tomaintain your salt intake at anappropriate level and decreaseyour risk of high blood pressure.

Coming off of February, which is Women's Heart DiseaseAwareness Month, we are more and more astute toobtaining reasonable control of many health disorders; weshould take control of that which we can control. Here's toa healthier heart and a less bloated you.

* * * * *Hayley is a Certified Fitness Trainer and the co-owner of Building BodeezFitness Center, located at 154 Pandora Rd in Derry, PA, as well as a full-timeNurse Anesthetist with the University of Pittsburgh Physicians, currentlybased at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Fox Chapel, PA. Hayley offers a wealth offitness and health knowledge, serving as the Group Fitness Coordinator andWellness Programs Director at Building Bodeez. She has developed severalprograms at Building Bodeez including initiation of the first ZUMBA classes inthe area, as well as AerobaDANCE and Yogilates (her unique creations), and thewildly successful Building Better Bodeez weight loss intensive program.

She has also been a nurse for eight years, and obtained her Masters De-gree in Nursing Anesthesia in 2008. Hayley has been recognized by theWest-moreland County YWCA as Sportswoman of the Year (2010) for herdedication to women’s’ health, as well as philanthropic work through Build-ing Bodeez. She also recently won the prestigious 2012 WestmorelandCounty Winners’ Circle Award sponsored by the YWCA for exhibiting earlyprofessional success as well as the potential to obtain marked achievement.Hayley recognizes the marriage of fitness with healthy living and diseaserisk prevention, and offers suggestions for holistic wellbeing through herblog at Laurel MountainPost.

Building Bodeez is located at 154 Pandora Road in Derry Township. 724-739-0105. www.buildingbodeez.net.

Building Strength - Building Community - Building Bodeez


Reversing Roles:

To Be Preparedby Gretchen Fuller

* * * * *

Gretchen Fuller is the Real Estate Tax Collectorin Pleasant Hills, PA. She came to that job by avery circuitous route: Gretchen spent manyyears substitute teaching or making the roundsof all the banks in Pittsburgh. She has a Bachelorof Science from Indiana University of Pennsyl-vania and an MBA from Duquesne University.She is looking forward to retirement soon so shecan spend more time with her six grandchildren.

Appointment Planning

It’s that time of year when I thinkabout making doctor appointmentsfor my mother who is 98 years old. Ican’t take her in the winter because shecan’t move fast enough to get out ofthe cold nor is she nimble enough tonavigate snow piles. Lucky for me shedoesn’t see many doctors anymore. Afew years ago, when she was younger,90 or so, I used to make our appoint-ments at the same time so that I didn’thave to sit in the doctor’s office longerthan necessary. Now that I am olderand so is she I have to devote more ofmy time energy to her. It is a majoroperation to get mom out the door andto the doctor. Since she is in an assis-ted living facility we need to notifythem that she has an appointment.They prepare copies of her paper workto send with her to the doctor. Then Ihave to get the car to the door for her.When we get to the doctor’s office,specifically the dentist, I have to try tofind a place that she can get out of thecar easily. His office is on the mainstreet of our community. It’s eitherpark on the street or have her try tonegotiate the steep driveway near thefront door. The last time she went tothe dentist my sister helped me takeher into the office while I parked thecar. That was the perfect scenario.This time I don’t think my sister willbe available to help.

The trips to the other doctors’offices are logistically easier becausethose doctors are in buildings thathave special drop off areas for peopleneeding wheelchairs. The best placesto take her are the ones that have valetparking where I can take charge of herand someone else can park the car.

The visit with the doctor is anotherissue. I usually grab a wheelchair forher because it takes forever for her towalk long hallways using her walker.Then we get to the doctor’s office and

get checked in at the front desk. Sheused to be able to verbalize her prob-lems to the doctor very well. As amatter of fact, they would look to mefor answers to their questions, and Iwould refer them to her because shewas quite capable of telling them.Now she needs a lot of prompting toget information. Sometimes the infor-mation is wrong. It is difficult for mesince she is in the assisted living toreally know what problems she ishaving. Although I visit her every day,I may not be aware of all that bothersher.

I made appointments in April forthe dentist, the ear, nose and throatspecialist and the eye doctor. They areeach in a different week so that she’snot too tired. So I will be making twotrips to each of the doctors since I alsomade appointments for myself.

Vacation Planning

Over the Christmas holidays I went onvacation with my older daughter andher family. We took a trip of a lifetimeto Machu Picchu, Peru. I was gone fortwelve days. Before I left I tried toprepare for mom to be alone for thatlong period of time. I was really wor-ried that she might pass while I wasgone. It was too far to come home ifthere was a problem. I stocked up onall her meds at the assisted livingcenter. I went to the funeral home andmade arrangements with them ifsomething should happen while I wasgone. I was afraid that if I didn’t haveeverything in place, I would worry thewhole time I was on vacation and notbe able to enjoy it.

My sister came and spent Christ-mas with mom but had to go home onChristmas day. I am sure my momenjoyed her visit. My younger daugh-ter, who lives nearby, made Christmasbreakfast and took it to the assistedliving center on Christmas morning.

Her little boys ages 9, 7, and 2 camein their pjs to visit Nana and celebrateChristmas morning with her. Mydaughter visited her several timeswhile I was away.

When I returned home I foundmom happy and healthy. I was glad Ihad prepared so much but I was alsoglad that the preparations were notneeded.


by Mark Rullo MS, CSCS, MES

WHAT’S COOKING IN FITNESS

UNDER-standing Weight Loss FrustrationWeight management, particularlyweight loss, is simple in that it is allabout creating a caloric deficit byexpending more calories than you eat.However simple does not mean easy.

One pound of fat is 3,500 calories.That is black and white and straight-forward science. Accumulate sevenconsecutive days of 500 calorie deficitand you will see a pound loss on thescale. The gray area is in calculatingthe respective deficit in this weight lossformula, which is based upon how wequantify both how many calories weconsume and how many calories weexpend.

As I have seen over the years, thebiggest reason people struggle or getfrustrated with counting calories tolose weight is that most eitherUNDER-calculate the calories theyconsume and/or OVER-calculatewhat they believe they have expendedin calories.

In this article, I will expand onhow individuals—despite honestattempts to log their food and countcalories—UNDER-report what theyconsume and ultimately fail to see thedesired results which causes them toquit in frustration.

WHY ONE MAY UNDER-REPORT CALORIC INTAKE

The main reasons that individualsUNDER-report their caloric intakeinclude:

• Portion Distortion• Food Label Loop Holes• Accountability Accuracy of

Nutritional Labels• BLT’s

Portion Distortion happens whenindividuals fail to eat the actual ser-ving size they are reporting/logging.

This typically occurs when people tendto “eye-ball” rather than actuallyweigh/measure what they eat.

Take my breakfast cereal, LIFE®,for example. One serving (¾ cup) is160 calories with 4 ounces of skimmilk. The box also states it has 12 totalservings per box. If that is true, whydo I only get 4 bowls of cereal per box?Simple, my serving is actually threeservings or 480 calories. This is a 320calorie UNDER-estimate if reportonly one bowl (serving). Make thiserror every day for breakfast and itbecomes 2240 calories unaccountedfor in one week. Because 3500 caloriesis one pound, this simple UNDER-reporting could either lead to .64 lbsof weight gain per week or erase 320calories from any daily deficit you mayhave thought you created throughmonitoring your nutritional formula.

Also, the people around you canindirectly contribute to portion distor-tion. Just because your serving issmaller than others around you doesnot guarantee you have the correctserving size. You may feel good aboutyourself that you ordered the 12 ouncesteak when all your friends ordered the“24 ouncer.” However, consideringone serving is 4 ounces, that 12 ouncesteak is still 3 servings.

Food Label Loop Holes existbecause the FDA allows manufacturesto list foods as FREE or Zero contentif the serving size if less than 0.5grams per serving.

PAM Spray for example lists zerocalories per serving, so initially thisseems like a perfect option for thoselooking to watch their caloric intake.This is possible because the servingsize listed on the label is 0.27 grams,or 1/3 second of a spray. (I give themcredit for describing the actual servingsize as 1/3 of one second of a spray.)Get a stop watch out and actually try

to time 1/3 of a second—not easy to do.So do not expect to do it the next timeyou use the spray.

If you are not aware, nutritionallabels list ingredients by most abun-dant to least. The most abundant in-gredient in PAM Spray is Extra VirginOlive Oil. When you look at the caloricvalue of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, oneserving (1 tablespoon) is 120 calories.

Where did those calories go? Theywere always there; however the PAMserving size meets the requirement toallow them to state it as FREE or Zero.Providing this information is notintended to tell you not to use PAM,rather just to inform you. This way,you can be aware and account for thecalories that, at the surface state zero,but in reality exist.

I use PAM Spray every time I cookto make clean up easier. I may not bespraying an entire tablespoon, butdefinitely at least ½ to ¾ of atablespoon or 60-90 calories worth.To be safe, I round up to 100. So whenI cook my eggs whites, at 25 caloriesper egg white, my 5-egg white break-fast is not 125 calories (5 x 25 calories);rather it is 225 calories to account forthe PAM Spray. Eat these egg whitesevery day for breakfast and failaccount for this loophole adds up to700 calories being UNDER-reported.

Accountability of Accuracyof Nutrition Labels: Some states,such as New York are requiring thatrestaurants with three or more loca-tions must list the nutrition facts of thefood on their menus. On the surface,this sounds great for those looking tobetter manage their caloric nutritionalformula. However, who is making surewhat is listed is accurate? This samethought crossed the mind of a bloggerwho thought to randomly evaluate theaccuracy of the nutrition informationlisted at 20 different restaurants. Of


* * * * *

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My Fitness Kitchen® is located in Latrobe 30 plaza,Latrobe PA. My Fitness Kitchen® is a weight lossand body transformation center that also happensto have a fitness center connected to it. From themoment you enter My Fitness Kitchen® regardlessof your age, fitness level or experience, it’s all about“You.” The supportive staff, welcoming atmosphere,and friendly members combine to create the mostunique and comfortable environment for yourweight management and fitness success. Whetherit is Nutrition, Fitness or both, you can be confidentMy Fitness Kitchen® is the solution to a healthierand thinner you.

About the Author:Mark Rullo, MS, CSCS, MES is an Exercise Physi-ologist, Certified Strength & Conditioning Special-ist, Medical Exercise Specialist, Certified Golf Fit-ness Instructor and owner of My Fitness Kitchen®www.myfitnesskitchen.com 724-879-8523. Markand his team at My Fitness Kitchen® specialize inweight loss and body transformation helping thou-sands meet and exceed their goals through evi-dence-based scientific programming.

the 20 different restaurants, 19 ofthem all UNDER-reported their ca-loric value by average 30%, with theworst case having an actual caloricvalue that was double what it listed.Believe it or not, that item was a“healthy Tofu Burger.”

BLT’s are your “Bites, Licksand Tastes” that we fail to ac-count for. Don’t think BLT’s canhave an impact? How many make apeanut butter sandwich and actuallymeasure the serving size? Not many, Iwould assume. Of the few who actuallydo measure, I would assume it is com-mon that they scrape and lick theremaining peanut butter after spread-ing it on the sandwich. At 190 caloriesper serving, that could be an easy 35-50 calories. What else do you “Bite,Lick or Taste” that is not being ac-counted for?

These are why most who strugglewith weight loss have a hard timeaccepting they are eating too muchand cannot buy into the “it’s a caloriein vs. calories out” thing.

Understanding these variables inmanaging your weight loss programis not a one-day or one-week processof logging food. This is why here at MyFitness Kitchen®, we highly recom-mend that our weight loss clientsminimally commit to eight weeks offood monitoring to best comprehendthis process. That will ultimately allowfood intake to be built around YOUR

FOOD, on YOUR TERMS for YOURRESULTS. Once this caloric formulais mastered, individuals can continuedown the nutritional funnel to accel-erate even greater results; however, tofocus on anything before your caloricformula is in-line is wasting time,energy and money.

The bottom line is that failure torecognize these potential errors ofUNDER-reporting can sabotage anyweight loss program, create frustra-tion and ultimately cause individualsto give up on their weight loss goals.

For more information, please feelfree to consult with any of the fitnessprofessionals at My Fitness Kitchen®.Additionally, as an on-going thank youto the Laurel Mountain Post and itsreaders, mention this article for aFREE, no obligation, personalized,metabolic nutritional formula andfitness program that will leverage the“Hierarchy of Fat Loss.” If you areserious about achieving a body trans-formation goal, then you need a pro-gram; as any goal without a plan isreally only a wish!

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As an added incentive for peoplenew to My Fitness Kitchen®, bymentioning this Laurel Mountain Postarticle and after meeting with one ofMy Fitness Kitchen’s FitnessProfessionals for a private consult asoffered above, you will receive $50“Kitchen Cash” to be used toward anyprogram or service at My FitnessKitchen®, as a courtesy of the LaurelMountain Post.


HOME STUDYby Brian Mishler

Silent Hurricane

* * * * *

Brian Mishler is the owner of HomeStudy Inc., anda 20 year veteran home inspector. He began per-forming home inspection after 15 years in theconstruction industry convinced him that his bodywasn’t made for hard labor. Brian is the formerpresident of the Pittsburgh Regional Organizationof the American Society of Home Inspectors (PRO-ASHI), and currently sits on the board of RebuildingTogether Pittsburgh, a non-profit that rehabilitateshomes for disadvantaged seniors and veterans,assisting them with pre-renovation inspection andselection. Brian also teaches a variety of real estaterelated classes, and has mentored other seeking tobecome home inspectors.

He currently resides in Latrobe, with his betterhalf Carol, their Boston terrier Gizmo, three cats,and three transient college students. When sparetime is to be had, Brian can be found on a motor-cycle, in a kayak, or hiking in the area. He can bereached at [email protected].

As I type, I’m looking out my windowat what is now a balmy 20 degrees,with about eight inches of snow in theyard, ice partially covering the street.The last weather report I paid anyattention to said we’ve had over 47inches of snow to date. Those reportsnow all seem to blend together into“blah, blah, blah, more snow,” and noone appears to care anymore. Atlantaand a large swath of the south areexperiencing their second round ofparalyzing ice and snow, 187,000 folksdown there are without power, and 2–5 inches are predicted here tomor-row. Even snow lovers are sick of theextreme cold; one ski resort in NewYork is reporting record snow – anddiminished lift ticket sales at the sametime.

Hopefully, you were prepared inthe fall, and had a safe, cozy andtrouble-free place to escape this bitterwinter. I’m equally hopeful as youread this, we are emerging from ourwinter cocoons, the sun has returned,and the accumulated snow is melting.If not, you’ll find me hunting a par-ticular groundhog.

As we huddled inside, and spentonly enough time outside to run fromcar to buildings and back again, webecome incognizant as to how bitterlycold it is –and its ramifications. We’vebeen bombarded most of this winterby wind chills that can freeze skin inten minutes, but have we given anythought to the house? It can’t come infrom the cold.

An online article described loudbooming noises shaking houses andstartling people in Vermont. A geolo-gist told the reporter that the phe-nomena are called “cryoseisms,” or anice or frost quake. The cause is under-ground rock formations getting so coldthat the water inside freezes and

breaks the rock, causing the boom andshaking. That’s cold!

Pennsylvania buildings and theirinfrastructures are not designed forthe type of cold we’ve experienced thiswinter. This is why your furnace wasrunning so much and why your gas(heating) bill is higher than normal.We design and build our houses foraverage temperatures, not the ex-tremes. If they were built for theextremes, we would waste energy andmoney during typical winters.

As we emerge from our cold in-duced stupor, it will be important topay attention to our houses. We needto look the exterior over top to bottom,and even as the snow melts, problemscan arise where still frozen ice ob-structs drainage systems (gutters,driveway drains, etc.) and may causeleaks or pools where none existed. Assoon as possible, we need to check thegutters and downspouts; did the icetwist, separate, or damage them? Didthe snow squash our bushes againstthe exterior walls? Did the cold crackthe bricks or mortar, or cause the vinylsiding to pop apart? What about theair conditioner – did a chunk of ice fall

on it, or did the cold cause a leak in arefrigerant fitting? The caulkingaround the windows and doors mayhave cracked or peeled. Soffit, fasciaand other trim details may haveloosened. Ice and snow may have bentor damaged aluminum awnings orroofs, and can also damage other typesof roofs as well.

Inside, the aforementioned drain-age issues can cause temporary base-ment water penetration; however oncewater finds a way in, it sometimesdoesn’t stop. Check the interior wallsfor cracks; rarely, snow weight cancause structural damage. More com-monly it causes shifting which in turncracks drywall or plaster. Ceiling leaksnear an exterior wall often indicate “icedamming” wherein water running downthe roof is dammed by ice at the eave andpushed back up under the shingles.

While it may seem like a dauntinglist, every spring our heating andcooling system should be serviced, anda slow walk around the house willreveal other issues. Most of this listhasn’t happened; it is just a list ofwhat might have. Essentially, if itdoesn’t look right, it’s probably not.

Here’s to a happy, warm spring!


Valley School Ad


Place your Classified Ad for only $30,up to 50 words (per block). Sectionsinclude: Celebrations, Help Wanted,For Sale, Memorials, Discounts andMiscellaneous. Color headlines andartwork available at no extra charge!Call 724-537-6845 or place youronline order at: www.LaurelMountainPost.com. Deadline forClassifieds is the 20th of the month:(March 20 for the April issue).

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Planning a SpringGarage Sale? Consider advertising ithere in the Laurel Mountain Post. All clas-sified ads are only $30 for up to 50 words.Choose the color for your headline or adda graphic with fewer words. Order onlineat www.Laurel MountainPost.com or bycalling 724-537-6845. Deadlines are the15th of each month. We also cross-pro-mote all ads on social media.___________________________________

Celebrations__________________

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Miscellaneous__________________

Grow Your Business withLaurel Leaders!

All local business leaders are invited toattend a weekly meeting of BNI (Busi-ness Networking International) heldeach Wednesday at the Ligonier Coun-try Inn, Laughlintown, from 11:30 amuntil 1:00 pm. Visitors are welcome (noreservations needed), free of charge.www.bnilaurelleaders.com_______________________________

The Garage Is Your Home

INFORMATION FOR LIFEby Michael Vernon

Michael J. Vernon Broker/OwnerVernon Realty Services305 West Main Street

Ligonier, Pa. 15658(724) 238-0443 - Office

(724) 331-6858 - Cell [email protected]

Remember that first impressions arealways critical. As a potential buyerwalks toward your house one of the firstthings they see is the driveway. If youhave oil stains or leaks on your cementdriveway the buyer will look down andnotate this negative aspect of your home.There are usually minor negatives withevery house and you don’t want to putsomething negative in their heads beforethey enter your home. Instead, spend afew minutes with Drano or any highpowered liquid cleaner and sweep thoseold stains away. Please use caution andread all manufacturers’ warnings beforeyou begin this task.

Now that you have handled this taskon the outside of your home, make sureyou also address the issue inside yourgarage as well. Do your best to clean andorganize your garage. You are going tohave to handle this task anyway so do itnow instead of after you begin showingyour home. The garage for most of us isa place to accumulate those things thatyou normally wouldn’t put inside yourhome. Old cans, broken garden hoses

and bits of lumber from some long agoproject have probably found a homein the corner of your garage. Now isthe time to clean out these items.

If it isn’t an item that will garnera place on the moving truck get rid ofit now. One of the places a home buyerwill most certainly look is the garage.

A clean organized space in a placethat is typically messy and unor-ganized will put the prospectivecustomer at ease. If the seller takescare of their garage this way then theupkeep on the rest of the house mustalso be well cared for is what they willthink. If you have any questions orcomments, please do not hesitate tocall me in my office.


Set your own hours and earn up to 25% from gross ad salesat Laurel Mountain Post! Great extra income; perfect forstay-at-home moms (lots of email/phone). Organizational& computer skills along with a friendly and professionalpersonality are required. Pick your territories! Communityrepresentatives needed in: Ligonier, Latrobe, Derry,Greensburg, Somerset, Johnstown, Mt. Pleasant, Indiana, etc.

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Apr. 30-May 1 Seneca Niagara overnight & Seneca Alleghany on the way home ...................$240.00 pp dd oc

May 17 Celtic Woman the Emerald Tour Saturday Evening, Benedum Center.....................$130.00May 18-20 Atlantic City Showboat(Sun-Tues) $30 free play, $20 food credit.................$225.00 pp dd oc, $215.00 pp triple, $320.00 single

May 30-June 1 NYC Weekender 2 nights at The Manhatten at Times Square Hotelright in the heart of it all....................................$525 pp dd oc • $449 pp triple • $799 single

June 1-6 Ocean City Maryland Ocean front 6 days, 5 nights ..................................$655.00 pp dbl oc

June 20 & July 20 Hershey Park ...........................................................................................................$75.00

adno

=578

1256We’re happy to arrange your group’s next trip... not enough people, call us, we will get the bus rolling.

Pick-up locations: Latrobe, Ligonier, Greensburg, Irwin and Monroeville

Awards Presentedto Local Organizations

Lincoln Highway ExperienceDVD Selected Winner

The 35th Annual Telly Awards, which honor the finest video and film pro-ductions nationwide from 12,000 entries, has selected the 13-minute DVDThrough the Windshield to win a Silver Telly Award in the Travel and Tour-ism category. All visitors to the Lincoln Highway Experience museum,3435 Route 30 East, Latrobe, PA view this fine film, which was directed byJohn Miller; photographed by Michael Hartnett of Vinegar Hill Produc-tions; and produced by Olga Herbert, Executive Director of the LincolnHighway Heritage Corridor.

The Silver Telly Council, the judging and oversight body, is com-prised of top industry professionals that are past winners of a SilverTelly, the highest honor. All judges have previously won a Silver TellyAward, and are invested in upholding the historical standard of excel-lence the Telly represents. It is a remarkable achievement to be se-lected for recognition. An elated Herbert stated, “The film really in-spires visitors to travel the historic Lincoln Highway (which recentlycelebrated its 100th anniversary) and see things you would never seeon the interstate.” The custom-produced silver statuette award (madeby the same firm who fabricates the Oscar award) and certificate will beon display at the museum, which is open 9 am to 4 pm, Mon - Fri.

Keep Westmoreland County BeautifulEarns President’s Circle Award

Keep Westmoreland County Beautiful, the Keep America Beautiful pro-gram arm of Westmoreland Cleanways, received Keep America Beauti-ful President’s Circle Award during Keep America Beautiful’s 2014 Na-tional Conference, which recently took place in Charlotte, N.C. ThePresident’s Circle Award recognizes exemplary performance made bycertified affiliates of the national nonprofit in building and sustainingvibrant communities.

In qualifying for a President’s Circle Award, Keep WestmorelandCounty Beautiful has met Keep America Beautiful’s standards of meritby conducting an annual Community Appearance Index, calculatingthe affiliate’s cost/benefit ratio, and administering activities in the ar-eas of litter prevention, recycling and waste reduction, and beautifica-tion and community greening.

“One of Keep America Beautiful’s most effective tools is the work ofour grassroots network of affiliate organizations, which has an impacton millions of Americans each year,” said Keep America Beautiful Presi-dent and CEO Jennifer Jehn. “Our affiliates are providing real solutionsto local problems caused by litter, graffiti, illegal dumping and othercommunity blight by engaging volunteers of all ages in its effort tocreate a vibrant community.”

Community Appearance Index-Litter Index: The Keep America Beau-tiful Community Appearance Index-Litter Index is a tool used by KABaffiliates to visually assess overall appearance of communities throughindicators such as litter, illegal signs, graffiti, abandoned/junk vehiclesand outside storage. A team of community, business and governmentrepresentatives conducted the visual analysis using a scoring systemranging from 1-4, with “1” rated as “no litter” to “4” being “extremelylittered.” Each year, affiliates grade their communities during a drive-by examination of the same areas at the same time of the year. Thisprovides an indication of the success of each community’s anti-litter-ing education and other anti-littering programs.

Cost/Benefit Analysis: This measurement tool enables Keep AmericaBeautiful affiliates to demonstrate their ability to leverage communityresources by determining the dollar value returned to the communityfor every dollar invested by government.


Loyalhanna Realty Ad


MARCH-APRIL COMMUNITY CALENDAR“May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more.

May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.” – Irish Blessing

Tuesdays, 11 am - 5 pmLatrobe Indoor Farmer's MarketThrough early May. Cooperstown EventCenter, 2541 Thomas St, Latrobe. Tony, (724)757-4831

Through 6/7/2014Cajun DanceBMNECC Hall 449 W. Eighth Avenue, WestHomestead, PA 412.247.6604.grandbonrein.com

Here’s the current monthy first-Saturdaydance series schedule from October 2013through June 2014 at the BulgarianMacedonian Beneficial Association Hall in WestHomestead near Pittsburgh. Dance instructionstarts at 7:30 p.m., and live music starts at8:30. No part-ners are necessary, and the hallhas a cash bar.

Through 6/10/2014Pittsburgh Songwriters CircleBloomfield Bridge Tavern 4412 Liberty Ave.,Pittsburgh, PA 15224 412.682.8611calliopehouse.org

The Pittsburgh Songwriters Circle is aprogram of Calliope dedicated to exploring,promoting and practicing the art and craft ofsongwriting. The circle meets monthly at thehistoric Bloomfield Bridge Tavern to sharesongs and ideas and to commune with peoplefrom diverse backgrounds and points of viewwho share a compulsion to write songs.

Through 4/25/2014Friday Evening Music ClubMary Lou Campana Chapel & Lecture CenterFinoli Dr., University of Pittsburgh at Gbg,Greensburg, PA 15601 724.850.9056.greensburg.pitt.edu

Drawing area performers and audience forshared artistic programs and camaraderie, andencouraging excellence in young musiciansthrough performance and scholarship.

3/1/2014World Compliment DayOh, wow. You look great! Have you lost a littleweight since the last time we met? And your hair!It really suits you.

Compliment Day is billed as the mostpositive day in the world. It’s hard to argue,what with all those compliments being passedaround. There is an art to it, though. A truecompliment must be genuine, or the receiverwill see through it. As importantly, thereceiver must accept the compliment with aheartfelt “Thank you!”. It’s no good being self-effacing; you’ll wring all the positivity out ofthe situation.

If done properly though, Compliment Day isundoubtedly a force for good in this crazyworld. Let’s really go for it. Compliment peopleyou’ve never complimented before.Compliment people in the street. Send a waveof positivity around your hometown. Anyoneever tell you you’re wonderful?www.daysoftheyear.com

3/2/2014-3/3/2014Indoor Flea MarketTrax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com

3/2/2014Parlor Talk: Sport and World NewsWest Overton Village & Museums 109 WestOverton Road, Scottdale, PA 156837 2 4 . 8 8 7 . 7 9 1 0westovertonvillage.org

D. Byron Yake will give an autobiographicaltalk related to his career as a senior executivewith the Associated Press (AP). A 1957 graduateof Scottdale High School, he got his start injournal-ism as editor of the Mt. Pleasant Journal.From here, he took over the AP Sports desk inPittsburgh before moving to New York where hewas a senior executive at the Associated Press.Yake is Executive Director of Write on Sports, Inc.,a program designed to inspire students to writeabout sports. Yake founded the program forstudents in 2005 to provide a set of skills that canbe applied to academic areas beyond sportswriting.

3/6/2014Gaelic StormPalace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street,Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000thepalacetheatre.org

Gaelic Storm is back with the #1 BillboardWorld Album The Boathouse, a seafaringalbum of traditional songs of the ocean,recorded in a converted boathouse on TheChesapeake Bay.

3/6/2014The Official Blues Brothers RevuePasquerilla Performing Arts Center 450Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904814.269.7200. upjarts.org. 7:30 pm

Paying homage to Chicago’s rich history ofblues, soul music, and gospel, the Pasquerilla isproud to welcome The Official Blues BrothersRevue to its stage. Produced by Dan Aykroydand Judith Belushi, this show is infectiousenergy and a hand-clapping, foot-stompinggood time. Fun for all ages, it strikes the rightbalance of comedy, music, and mayhem.

3/7/2014Jefferson StarshipPalace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street,Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000thepalacetheatre.org

Jefferson Starship led by co-founder PaulKantner, more closely resembles its original mixof psychedelic and electric folk music than the poptunes it was widely known for in the ’80s.

3/8-3/9/2014Maple Sugaring at Kinter Farm2 pm. For directions call 724-463-8636.

The Friends of the Park annual MapleSugaring Event. Come with us and learn allabout maple sugaring.indianacountyparks.org

3/8/201458th Annual Spring Coin Show10 am - 5 pm. S&T Bank Arena, 497 East PikeRoad, Indiana, PA 15701. Info: 724-254-2471

36 Tables, Admission Free, Free Parking,Coins 4 Kids program, Everyone Welcome!Spon-sored by the Indiana Coin Club, Inc.

3 / 8 / 2 0 1 4Spring Sky Show – Two Small Pieces ofGlass11 am. Angelo J. Taiani Planetarium andAstronaut Exhibit in the Sis and Herman DupréScience Pavilion on the campus of Saint VincentCollege. Admission is free and open to the public.

“Two Small Pieces of Glass” provides a historyof the telescope and how astronomers use instru-ments to explore the universe today.

A second, 30-minute show appropriate forchildren ages 3 to 10, “The Sky Over Mr. Rogers’Neighborhood,” will be presented at 12:30 p.m.on each date. The show will explore the sky withRogers and the animated characters from theLand of Make Believe.

Because of limited seating, advance reserva-tions are requested and may be made bycontacting the Herbert W. Boyer School ofNatural Sciences, Mathematics and Computingat 724 805-2631 or make a reservation online atwww.stvincent.edu/planetarium. Private showsfor groups of 15 to 35 people may also be scheduledat other times by contacting the Boyer School.Scout groups who wish to fulfill requirements formerit badges are especially encouraged to makeappointments.

3/23/2014Bridal Show with Renda BroadcastingIndiana Mall. 11:00 am to 5:00 pmBrides-to-be for 2014, 2015, 2016Free Bridal Registration: 11:00 am to 3;30 pmBridal Fashion Show; 4:00 - 5:00Door Prizes and Grand Prize Drawing 5:00To be a vendor call mall office at 724-349-6110

3/8/2014-3/9/2014Maple Weekend:Taste & Tour Around SomersetSomerset 234 Sugar Cake Road, Somerset, PA15501 814.442.3680

Tour and taste Somerset County mapleproducts!

3/8/2014Warp & Weft-Art ClassWestmoreland Museum of American Art 4764State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601724.837.1500. wmuseumaa.org

Children ages 7-10 can expand and exploretheir creativity through innovative andengaging programs taught by professional artistinstructors. Classes are from 10 AM-12 PM andare $10 per class. Registration is required.

3/13/2014Abba ManiaPalace Theatre 21 West Otterman Street,Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000thepalacetheatre.org

ABBA MANIA the tribute takes you back intime by recreating one of the world’s finest popgroups in a live stage performance featuringMamma Mia, Voulez Vous and more.

3/14-3/15/2014Pennsylvania Association ofEnvironmental Educators Conference

“Spheres of Influence: Shaping the Curve ofEnvironmental Education” Two days ofinformative workshops for Educators atAntiochian Village, Bolivar, PA. For moreinformation, visit www.paee.net. Scholarshipsavailable.


3/15/2014St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Indiana, PA11 am. www.downtownindiana.org

3 / 1 7 / 2 0 1 4Travelogue Series:“Vietnam: Land of Surprises”Greensburg Senior High School Auditorium at7:30 pm. Series Admission, $20/Single, $10.Sponsored by the Greensburg College Club.

After generations of war, Vietnam is finallyin the limelight as a travel destination thanksto a generation born after the last war. Viet-nam is fast, slow, traditional, cutting edge,exotic and familiar, and most of all ... accessible.Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), its twomajor cities, are total opposites. There arebeautiful beaches, colorful markets, historiclandmarks, and restaurants ranging fromfluorescent-lit dives to formal candle-lit 5-stardining rooms. There are two UNESCO sites: aroyal city and the spectacular limestone moun-tains of Halong Bay. See the past in Hanoi,vault to the 21st century in Ho Chi Minh City.

3/19/2014Tiny Wonder Time: “Animal Feet”Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 WalzerWay, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.orgRegistration Required: $1/month

3/20/2014Westmoreland Jazz Society Events:Harold Betters QuartetSeton Hill University Performing Arts Center100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org

“Mr. Trombone,” Harold Betters, is aremarkable man who has enjoyed a careerspanning over four decades and is admired andrespected by fellow musicians, friends, and fansnationwide. A native of Connellsville,Pennsylvania, he credits his success to hisparents who owned and operated one of thearea’s hottest jazz spots.

3/20/2014Won’t You Be My Neighbor DayAny day can be a beautiful day in theneighborhood – and Won’t you Be My NeighborDay, is no exception!

Won’t You Be My Neighbor Day is a day toremember and honor Fred Rogers, that iconicchildren’s TV presenter of Mr. Roger’sNeighborhood. His show reached it’s heyday inpopularity back in the 1970's and 80's, andrepeats can still be seen today. Gentle, soft-spoken Mr. Rogers was a mainstay forpreschoolers and their parents; teaching themthat respect of those around you and a goodattitude were just as important as learningyour colors and letters.

Why not don a 70's style sweater today, andspeak softly to your partner? Be mindful of howyou can show kindness and patience inexplaining a simple concept to a child (orperhaps even to a work colleague!) After all, it’sa beautiful day for a neighbor – and for beingneighborly!

www.daysoftheyear.com

3/21/2014Nature Story Time, session 2/week 1:“Up, Up and Away”Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 WalzerWay, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.orgRegistration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks)

3/21/2014-3/23/2014Pittsburgh Arts & Crafts Spring FeverFestivalMonroeville Convention Center 209 MallBoulevard, Monroeville, PA 151467 2 4 . 8 6 3 . 4 5 7 7familyfestivals.com. Fri & Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4

Over 180 booths of unique arts and craftsinclu-ding; jewelry, clothing, wood folk art, pettreats, scented candles, ceramics, and floraldesigns. Sample delicious dips, mixes, candy,candles, fudge and much more! Acres of freeparking and free shuttle! Two huge exhibithalls of arts and crafts. Monroeville ConventionCenter, 109 Mall Blvd, in front of MonroevilleMall. Clowns, Glitter Dot & Dapper for the kids!Enjoy unique shopping!

3/21/2014Taste of the NeighborhoodLatrobe Art Center 819 Ligonier St., Latrobe,PA 15650 724.805.0112.latroberevitalization.org

3/21/2014-3/22/2014The Pirates of Treasure IslandGreensburg Garden & Civic Center 951 OldSalem Road, Greensburg, PA 15601724.836.8000. ggccevents.org

Jim Hawkins realizes his dream of living thelife of a scurvy pirate when a mysteriouswoman delivers an ominous message. Now Jimand friends are bound for Treasure Island!

3/22/20145th Annual Soup’s OnDowntown Ligonier. 10 am - 2 pm. Sample“signature soups” from local restaurants inparticipating stores. Call 724-238-4200 formore details.

3/23-24/2014 and 3/29-30/2014Egg Hunts with the BunnyTrax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com

3/24/2014Chanting Mantra and Meditation7 to 9 pm, First United Methodist Church ofPittsburgh, 5433 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, 15232

3/28/2014Nature Story Time, session 2/week 2:“Bugs on Parade”Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, 744 WalzerWay, Latrobe, 724-537-5284. www.wpnr.orgRegistration Required: $10.00/Session (5 weeks)

3/29/2014March for ParksTwin Lakes Park, Cedar Creek Park, andMurrysville Sports Zone 724.830.3950www.co.westmoreland.pa.us

The March For Parks will now be 3 times thefun! Marches will be held at Twin Lakes Park,Cedar Creek Park, and the MurrysvilleSportsZone. All events will start at 10:30amand end at noon with lunch for registeredparticipants. Prior to the events, marchers willcollect contributions to benefit parks and trailsprojects in Westmoreland County. Marcherscan participate as individuals or teams. Thosewho raise more than $25 will receive an officialMarch For Parks t-shirt and lunch card. TheMarch For Parks is sponsored by the Westmore-land County Parks & Recreation CitizensAdvisory Board.

3/29/2014Yellow Creek State Park - Bird Walk8 am, Park Office. Penn Run, PA 724-357-7913

Join the Todd Bird Club as they look formigrating waterfowl on Yellow Creek lake. Thewide variety of water birds makes this one ofthe top five birding destinations in Pennsyl-vania. Meet at the Park Office and dress for theweather. We will drive to several locations nearthe lake for short walks. The Bird Club willspend 3 hours but you may spend a shortertime. Indianacountyparks.org

3/29/2014 - 4/6/201467th Annual PA Maple FestivalMeyersdale, PA 814-634-0213.pamaplefestival.com(Tree-tapping ceremony: February 22 at 2 pm.)

Celebrate spring and the maple season.Includes crafts, quilt show, parade, pancakesand more. For more information, call (814)634-0213 or visit www.pamaplefestival.com.• 8 a.m. Lions Club Pancake House opens• 10 a.m. Festival Park Complex, quilt show,antique tractor and farm machinery showopens• 2 p.m. Historical Pageant "Legend of theMagic Water" at Meyersdale Area High School

Admission: adults $5; children 6-12 $1; Freefor children 5 and under.

4/1/2014 to 4/1/2014The Cooke Book-The Music of Sam CookePasquerilla Performing Arts Center 450Schoolhouse Road, Johnstown, PA 15904814.269.7200. www.upjarts.org

This show recaptures the music and magic ofthe Man Who Invented Soul – Sam Cooke.Starring Darrian Ford, the show featuresCooke’s greatest hits and some lesser knowngems. Considered by many to be the definitivesoul singer, Sam Cooke blended sensuality andspirituality, sophistication and soul, movie idollooks and Gospel singer poise. Show starts at7 :30pm

4/2/2014 to 4/2/2014Dream TheaterPalace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St,Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000.thepalacetheatre.com

Dream Theater’s new, self-titled album is amasterpiece of ambition, adventure andredefined purpose, loaded with passionatesimple grooves that drive people, but loadedwith a deep sense of musicianship.

4/2/2014 to 4/27/2014Duncan MacDiarmid Pop-Up ExhibitionWestmoreland Museum of American Art 4764State Route 30, Greensburg, PA 15601724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org

Duncan MacDiarmid works are arepresentation of the natural world throughhis sculptures and drawings, creatingenvironments that question our role aseveryday caretakers of the world. Similar inrepresentation to friend and colleague CydraVaux, rather than using narrative, he differsin allowing the observer to create their owninterpretation of the elements within theexhibition.


Weekend MatineesSaturdays & Sundays at 1 pm, 3rd Floor

Check our website or callfor movie schedules and information

www.jimmy.org • 724-349-6112

9th & Philadelphia Streets

4/5/2014 to 4/5/2014Big Band BrassPalace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St,Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000www.thepalacetheatre.comRiver City Brass presents Big Band Brass, 7:30pm

4/8/2014 to 4/8/2014California DreamingBeach Music of the 60’s & 70’sArcadia Theater 1418 Graham Ave, Windber,PA 15963 814.467.9070www.arcadiatheater.net

4/11/2014 to 4/11/2014Pitt-Greensburg Chorale:Festival de MusicaMary Lou Campana Chapel & Lecture CenterFinoli Dr., Greensburg, PA 156017 2 4 . 8 3 6 . 7 1 2 0www.greensburg.pitt.edu

The Pitt-Greensburg Chorale presents itsSpring concert, featuring Jensen’s El Vito, Grau’sKasar mie la gaji, and works of Juan Vasquez.

4/12/2014 to 4/13/2014Breakfast with the BunnyTrax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA15332 412.835.3246www.traxfarms.com

4/12/2014 to 4/12/2014Land-escapeWestmoreland Museum of American Art 221N. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org

Let your imagination go wild as youassemble a fantasy world landscape. Afterexamining the realistic landscape paintings inthe galleries, we’ll use all kinds of fun materialsto make creature life forms, plants andhabitats, as creative and crazy as our mindscan invent.

4/12/2014 to 4/12/2014Greensburg Slow Art DayWestmoreland Museum of American Art 221N. Main St., Greensburg, PA 15601724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org

Slow Art Day is a worldwide celebration ofart that encourages people to look at artSLOWLY – and thereby experience art in a newway. You can see more about Slow Art Day andthe mission behind it on our website:http://SlowArtDay.com .

4/12/2014 to 4/12/2014The Heinz Chapel ChoirFerguson Theater Finoli Dr., Greensburg, PA15601 724.836.7120www.greensburg.pitt.edu

The Heinz Chapel Choir is the auditioned acappella choir from the University ofPittsburgh whose eclectic repertoire rangesfrom motets to jazz. They perform numerousconcerts in the breathtaking Heinz MemorialChapel, including Fall, Christmas, and Springconcerts, as well as many concerts in variouslocal churches. John Goldsmith, director since1989, is an alumnus of Chanticleer whoteaches sight-singing to Pitt’s music majors.

4/13/2014 to 4/13/2014The Miracle WorkerState Theatre Center for the Arts 27 E. MainSt., Uniontown, PA 15401 724.439.1360www.statetheatre.info

The Miracle Workertells the story of HelenKeller, deaf and blind since infancy, who findsher way into the world of knowledge andunderstanding with the help of Anne Sullivan,her tutor. In some of the most turbulent andemotion-packed scenes ever presented on thestage, Helen overcomes rage and confusion totriumph over her physical disabilities.

4/17/2014 to 4/17/2014Westmoreland Jazz Society Event: JennyWilson Jazz BandSeton Hill University Performing Arts Center100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, PA 15601724.837.1500. www.wmuseumaa.org

Jenny Wilson is rapidly becoming one ofWest Virginia s notable jazz pianists andcomposers, and is leader of the Jenny WilsonTrio. Performing regularly in venuesthroughout WV, MD, PA, and beyond, the trioboasts fresh original music in addition toarrangements of favorite jazz standards. Theirsuccessful New England tour in 2012 and aninvitation to perform at The White House inOrlando, FL in 2013 is a testament to theirgrowing development as one of the moreunique jazz trios on the scene today.

4/18/2014 to 4/19/2014Breakfast with the BunnyTrax Farms 528 Trax Rd, Finleyville, PA15332 412.835.3246. www.traxfarms.com

4/20/2014 to 4/20/2014Easter Brunch at NemacolinNemacolin Woodlins Resort 1001 LafayetteDr., Farmington, PA 15437 866.344.6957www.nemacolin.com


Grow Your BusinessEvery Wednesday with Laurel Leaders

(www.BNILaurelLeaders.com)

All local business leaders are invited to attend a weekly meeting of BNI (Business Networking International)held each Wednesday* at the Ligonier Country Inn, Laughlintown, from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.

Visitors are welcome (no reservations), free of charge,and encouraged to come network with us and learn more about important topics:

March 5: Civil Engineering, Land SurveyingJohn Cenkner, Cenkner Engineering

724-424-3800, www.cenkner.com

March 12: Screen Printing, Embroidery, GraphicsJody Shepler, JZ’s Sunsational Screen Printing

724-455-2174, [email protected]

March 19: Chiropractic CareTim Allison, Allison Chiropractic

724-694-9700, www.allisonchiro.com

April 2: Wireless CommunicationDebbie Sanders, Verizon Wireless Zone

724-539-0105, www.wirelesszone.com/latrobe

April 9: Nutritional CounselingColombe Freuhauf, The Wellness Chef

724-238-2271, www.thewellnesschef.co

April 16: Health InsuranceDan McCue, Financial & Group Services, Inc.

724-593-2081, [email protected]

For more information about a presentation, please contact the scheduled speaker.(*Our meetings are cancelled whenever Ligonier Valley School District closes due to inclement weather)

www.bni-westernpa.com

Submit items for our community calendar:Family-friendly, cultural, and nonprofitevents take precedence when print space

is a consideration:

[email protected]

Laurel Mountain Post CalendarPO Box 332

Ligonier PA 15658

Automobiles, Trucks, & Infernal VehiclesA visual history of early motorized vehicles will be the theme at the next West-moreland County Historical Society program. Automobiles, Trucks, and InfernalVehicles will be presented by Glenn Smeltzer on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at7:00 p.m. in the Calvin E. Pollins Library at 362 Sand Hill Road, Suite 1,Greensburg, Pennsylvania. This entertaining presentation will highlight a variety of images from Mr.Smeltzer’s extensive collection of early 20th century internal combustion enginevehicles. Scenes featuring the Lincoln Highway and other area roads will includefire trucks, commercial vehicles, and wrecks. Photos of noteworthy early driversand operators, as well as unusual looking modes of transportation will be shownthroughout the program.

The program is free to Westmoreland County Historical Society membersand $6 for non-members. Seating is limited and reservations are recommended.Please call 724-532-1935 x210 for reservations. Visit our website www.westmorelandhistory.org and follow our activities on the Westmoreland CountyHistorical Society Facebook page, and on Twitter @WCHistory.

Join Nemacolin for our annual Easter Brunchfrom 10:30 am – 2:30 pm on Sunday, April 20,2014. The price is $65 for adults and $32.50 forchildren ages 4 through 12, inclusive; children 3and under are complimentary. Reservations arerequired, 866-344-6957.

4/22/2014Earth Day

Celebrate and protect our natural environ-ment by taking part in Earth Day. Join withcommunity groups to explore environmental andecological issues on a local and internationalscales, and work towards making a difference toour habitat. www.earthday.org

4/23/2014Talk Like Shakespeare DayCelebrate the bard’s birthday and his works,from such classics as Romeo And Juliet to AMidsummer Night’s Dream.

4/25/2014 to 4/26/2014Brewski FestivalSeven Springs 777 Waterwheel Dr., SevenSprings, PA 15622 800.452.2223www.7springs.com

Join us for the 14th annual BrewskiFestival, April 25 and 26, 2014! At thisspectacular event, guests will enjoy the finestspecialty beers from a unique selection ofbreweries. In the past, breweries such as PennBrewery, Magic Hat and Erie Brewing servedup samples of their finest products. This yearwe will be featuring over 100 micro-breweries.

4/26/2014 to 4/26/2014Barber & BrahmsThe Palace Theatre 21 W. Otterman St,Greensburg, PA 15601 724.836.8000www.thepalacetheatre.com

The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestrawelcomes violinist Bella Hristova to performBarber’s Violin Concerto. The concert alsoincludes Pärt’s Fratres and Brahms SymphonyNo. 2 in D Major.

4/26/2014 to 4/26/2014Craft Beer TastingSavage River Lodge 1600 Mount Aetna Rd.,Frostburg, MD 21532 301.689.3200www.savageriverlodge.com

We’ll taste six to seven regionally made craftbeers with light appetizers.

4/27/2014 to 4/27/2014Mammoth Park Fishing DerbyMammoth Park 724.830.3950www.co.westmoreland.pa.us

A free event for fishermen of all ages from8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Trophies and prizes willbe awarded to both adults and youth. A doorprize drawing will be held for all registeredparticipants. Co-sponsored by the Westmore-land County Sportsmen’s League and GanderMountain.



Where Can I Find A Copy?Laurel Mountain Post Distribution List

Seventy-five percent of our distribution remains within Westmoreland County, while the remaining 25%is circulated throughout key locations in the surrounding counties. The Laurel Mountain Post can befound free of charge at hundreds of local shops, office waiting areas, restaurants, museums, and festivals.We keep up-t0-date location and delivery information on our website: www.laurelmountainpost.com.If your business would like to carry the LMP, please contact us at 724-537-6845 or complete the onlinedistribution form.

Derry Area

Action for AnimalsAllison ChiropracticBarkley's Derry KingBuilding BodeezCaldwell LibraryChef Dato'sDerry MedicalDr. Scott MorganFirst Commonwealth BankHansen & Torba - DentistsJean Marie Flowers & GiftsLaundromatMastrorocco's MarketNew Derry Municipal AuthorityPalombo's RestaurantS&T BankState Farm InsuranceSugar BearsSunoco

Delmont, Murrysville, Export

Center for RehabDancer’s ClosetDelmont Public LibraryExcela OutpatientEnV Hair Salonirst Commonwealth BankDrs. Hilliard & TarnoffHoliday Inn ExpressJohn’s BarbershopKing's Family RestaurantKunkle's AutoDr. Matthew LevinLamplighter RestaurantManordale Service CenterMartello Hair CareMurrysville LibraryNature Nail SpaPanera BreadPT GroupSalem Crossroad ApothecaryShields ChiropracticTerri's PlaceUPMC Rehab ServicesWagon Wheel Restaurant

Donegal

BP/McDonald’s - turnpikeBrady’sDairy QueenDays InnDonegal PharmacyGerry’s Western Shop (Champion)Holiday Inn ExpressHoneybearTall CedarsThe Inn at LigonierSarnelli’s

Schultheis Automation (JonesMills)

Greater Latrobe

Adams Memorial LibraryBarnes HouseBuchanan TagChestnut Ridge - Bursch DivisionChicora'sChris Pakos, CPAChrist UC ChurchCoffee BeanCommercial Bank - DowntownCommerical Bank - Route 981Dainty PastryDenny'sDoggie DivasDunkin DonutsEat n ParkExcela Health Quick DrawThe Eyeglass ShoppeFantastic Sam'sFour Seasons Brewing Co.FringeGino's PizzaGyno AssociatesHanna InsuranceDr. Scott HudimacJaffre's/Tin Lizzy, YoungstownJerald JewelersJoe's Store - Lawson HeightsKids Care PediatricsL&L Quik LubeDr. Patrick LallyLatrobe Animal ClinicLatrobe Art CenterLatrobe Athletic ClubLatrobe HardwareLatrobe HospitalLatrobe News Stand - DowntownLatrobe News Stand - Laurel 30Laurel Highlands VillageLaurel NurseryLatrobe Post OfficeLincoln Highway ExperienceLittle ShopLoyalhanna Care CenterMarge’s Hair Salon - Tara StowersMcCarl Coverlet GalleryThe Medicine ShoppeDrs. Mucci & Campfield, DDSMy Fitness KitchenPizza SienaProAdjuster ChiropracticRacer’s TavernRoadman's Country LivingRose Style ShoppeRusbosin's FurnitureS&T BankScotty G'sSenior Center

Shop n SaveSpringHill SuitesSt. Vincent De PaulSt. Vincent Gristmill StoreTotal ServiceUnity Township Building, LibraryUPMC Vascular InstituteValley Dairy - downtownValley Dairy - Route 30Vasco Federal Credit UnionWCNS/Unity BuildingWestmoreland FederalWestmoreland Historical SocietyWigs n MoreWinnie Palmer Nature ReserveWingate

Greensburg

All About Me BoutiqueBarnes & NobleBerkshire Medical OfficesCafe BaristaCourtyard by MarriottDancer’s ClosetEat n ParkFrye Farm Road Medical OfficesGreensburg Art CenterGreensburg NewsGreensburg YMCAHampton InnHampton Office ProductsJioio's - CarbonDr. Matthew LevinL&S MachineNature's Way MarketThe Palace TheatrePalmer Pavilion - Mt. ViewProAdjuster ChiropracticRaggZ Fiber ArtDr. John RidingerSeton Hill UniversityThe Westmoreland @rt 30University of PittsburghVittone's MusicWestmoreland DermatologyWestmoreland Hospital

Ligonier Valley

A Touch of GraceAbigail's CoffeeAmicaBP InsuranceBarb's Market - RectorBo Peep Fine YarnsCarol & Dave's RoadhouseCeltic CultureConnections CafeDarlington InnDavies Real EstateDiamond Cafe

Diamond Hair CutsDiamond Rug GalleryDovecoteEquine ChicExcela HealthFirst Commonwealth BankFlavors CafeFox's PizzaG SquaredGet GoGiant EagleGino'sGranny EarthHoward Hanna Real EstateLigonier Chamber of CommerceLigonier Country MarketLigonier LibraryLigonier Outfitters/NewstandLigonier TavernLigonier Valley Railroad MuseumLigonier Vallery Real EstateLoyalhanna RealtyMack M. DarrMartinsModern EleganceMommy GearOn the Diamond AntiquesThe Paper HousePersnicketyPost and RailPrudential Preferred RealtyRamada InnRosalia Jioio's Little ItalyRustic Country TreasuresRuthie's DinerScamp's ToffeeSecond Chapter BooksSong of SixpenceSubwayThe Strawberry CrowThistledown at Seger HouseThe Finishing TouchThe Toy BoxThe Twisted VineTree House in LigonierUU ChurchVernon Realty ServicesValley School of LigonierWicked GooglyYMCA

Laughlintown

Compass Inn/Historical SocietyFirst Commonwealth BankLigonier Country InnPie ShoppeWashington Furnace Inn


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March 2014

New Alexandria

BP - 819 crossroadsFirst CommonwealthGrabiak’sJohna’s Hair SalonKaufman's ChiropracticKeystone PharmacyKeystone State ParkKids Care PediatricsLibraryRoadhouseQuik StopSheetzSpeal's Tavern

Stahlstown

Flax Scutching FestivalLoyalhanna Veterinary ClinicMain Street Wine Bar

Mt. Pleasant andSouthern Westmoreland

County MarketCrystal ConceptsThe FrickFun ServicesThe General StoreHerbaliciousKraisinger's MarketLenoxLeo'sMericonda Beer DistributorMount Pleasant Glass MuseumMt. Pleasant LibraryNino'sOrourke CrystalSandhill BerriesSpeedy Meedy'sVicky's CrossroadsVolero GasWest Overton Deli

West Overton Quilt ShopYMCA

Youngwood - coming soon!

Allegheny County

Allegheny GeneralChildren's HospitalDowntown HotelsManchester BidwellMonroeville LibraryPleasant Hills LibraryStrip District merchantsSquirrel Hill businessesUPMC Hospitals:

Monroeville, Presbyterian,Mercy, Shadyside, Hillman

Cambria County (Johnstown)

Comfort Inn & SuitesDancer’s ClosetEast Hills Family PharmacyHoliday Inn - DowntownHoliday Inn Express - RichlandNature's Habitat - GalleriaThe Sleep Inn

more locations coming soon!

Fayette County

Adrian's - HopwoodBraddocks Inn RestaurantChalk Hill Flea MarketMiller’s Grocery StoreNemacolin Inn - FarmingtonOhiopyle FallsOhiopyle PubSummit Hotel - Route 40

Indiana County

BlairsvilleCokeville Produce MarketComfort InnThe Coventry InnDean's DinerHampton Inn - Chestnut RidgeSenior CenterSheetz

ClarksburgShaulis Convenience Market

Indiana119 Professional CenterThe Artist's HandBook NookCucina MiaDiamond DrugDowntown Indiana AssociationHampton InnDr. Hilliard & TarnoffIndiana Chamber of CommerceIndiana County TourismBureauIndiana Hospital LobbyIndiana Free LibraryIndiana University of PAJimmy Stewart MuseumRustic LodgeStarbucks

Saltsburgexclusively at: Saltsburg Pharmacy

Somerset County

JennerstownGreen Gables/Mtn PlayhouseOur Coal Miners CafeThree Rivers Dental

Somerset AreaComfort InnEat n ParkEcono LodgeHampton InnHoliday Inn ExpressMountain Craft DaysOakhurst Tea RoomSheetz (route 31)Somerset Family Eye CareSomerset Historical CenterSummit DinerQuality Inn

Even more greatlocations coming soon!

If we have missed listing yourbusiness here, please let us know.

Pittsburgh’s PremierePsychic & Party Reader

412-884-7788

pittsburghmedium.com

Psychic MediumRev. Marjorie Rivera

My mission is to prove thecontinuity of life

past the transition we call death.


END NOTESby Cathi Gerhard

Come On, Get Happy!When is the last time you laughed outloud? Typing LOL in a text messagedoes not count. Did that joy require alot of money or elaborate planning toachieve – or did it come from some-thing simple and ordinary? Most of-ten, the happiest moments of my ownlife have come from the un-planned and inexpensive.

I have received small giftssuch as Hello Kitty socks, bar-ley sugar lollipops, a MickeyMouse Back scratcher, andan orange gerber daisy – allof those stand out in my mem-ory much more than some ofthe big ones.

I would love to have anew car this year, but I amstill very comfortable in myold SUV, despite its dents andbroken air conditioning. To-gether we have travelled tomany places, the best of thosefound off the main roads.Those spur of the momentdetours have led me to greatfood, new friends, and beau-tiful views.

Some of the best sceneryis located right at home, onmy farm. We have workedhard to plant thriving veg-etable gardens and brightpatches of blooms. Our favor-ite restaurant is our back pa-tio on a summer evening,where there are two ways toenjoy a glass of wine. Some-times I pour the bottle into afancy glass; other nights, anyold cup will do – it’s just so nice to slowdown and have a drink.

My perspective drives my happi-ness, and that takes practice in a worlddriven by constant consumption. Theneed to have things distracts us fromwhat we already have around us. We

hardly ever enjoy the moment becausewe’re already planing the next one.While riding this train of thought, wecertainly don’t have enough time tonotice the needs of anyone else.

How can we expect people to benice to one another, when we can’t

even be kind to ourselves? We need tostop the “modern” world for a bit, andtake a few steps away from those cha-otic tracks. That’s where all the happy,little things live.

My husband loves to watch thebirds and the weather moving across

the sky. I like to play with the cats orjust sit with them awhile and sharetheir peaceful zen. My favorite cup ofcoffee is the first one of the day,straight from the pot – certainly notthe second or the big, expensive onein town. Nothing says joy quite like lis-

tening to a baby laugh (that’swhy there are so many videoson YouTube, along with allthose funny cats). I tend tomeasure my days by thosemoments of small, but ex-quisite joy.

It’s said Walt Whitmanonce wrote, “Rate the beautyof the simple things. You canmake beautiful poetry onlittle things, but we can notrow against ourselves. Thattransforms life into hell.”

I like to think that heavenis found on earth in every liv-ing thing doing its part in thenatural world. Humans canlaugh out loud and othercreatures can’t. We have fivesenses to see, hear, touch,taste and feel – how often dowe actually take some time touse them all at once?

I wish that our stories inthe Laurel Mountain Postcould come alive and jumpoff the pages for you. We doour best to help you imaginemore than the simple ink onpaper can. Time is spentpicking out photos and otherartwork, on writing creativeheadlines, and meeting new

people with stories to tell. And we en-joy every minute of it. As the other,more famous Whitman quote* nowsays again, “the powerful play goes on,and you may contribute a verse.”

*(“O Me! O Life!” By Walt Whitman)


For Horse, Home & You!Equine Chic

Located on the Diamond at100 East Main Street in Ligonier, PA

724-238-7003www.EquineChic.com

Equine ChicFor Horse, Home & You!

This advertisement sponsored by The Toy Box of Ligonier and Twisted Vine Ecelectic Market.


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Laurel Mountain Post :: March 2014