IN Bethel Park

SUMMER 2011 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

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Bethel ParkMarching Band

Marches toDisney!

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SUMMER 2011IN Bethel Park is a community publicationdedicated to representing, encouraging andpromoting the Bethel Park area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on thetalents and gifts of the people who live and workhere. Our goal is to provide readers with the mostinformative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PUBLISHER Wayne Dollard

MANAGING EDITOR

Marybeth [email protected]

REGIONAL EDITOR

Christina Clinton Evans [email protected]

OFFICE MANAGER

Leo [email protected]

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Jack [email protected]

WRITERS

Jonathan Barnes Pamela PalongueKelli McElhinny

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Cassie Brkich Jan McEvoySharon Cobb Joe MilneSusie Doak Tamara Tylenda

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Rebecca BaileyGaryyonphotography.comOne Way Street Productions

ADVERTISING SALES

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This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part withoutwritten permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011.

CORRESPONDENCEAll inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to:

IN Community MagazinesAttn: Editorial603 East McMurray RoadMcMurray, PA 15317Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968

Fall content deadline: 7/27www.incommunitymagazines.com

Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.

4 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE Bethel Park

Welcome to the summer issue of Bethel Park magazine. Summer is the time for home improvement projects, and this issue contains

information about house maintenance, landscaping and real estate. Our annual advertising section on real estate in Washington and Allegheny Counties reminds us of the

beautiful, affordable homes – both old and new – that our available in our region. If you’re in the market tobuy or sell a home, we hope you will find this issue to be helpful. For those you who plan to stay in yourhome but want to fix up the outside, this issue contains plenty of tips from professional landscapers andgardeners.

2011 marks an important year for Bethel Park: its 125th birthday. The celebration committee has beenbusy planning a variety of events and activities that will take place durin g the summer and into the fall, andwe hope you will get a chance to celebrate this important milestone with your neighbors. A listing ofscheduled events and activities can be found on page 26.

Finally, this issue has updates on recent student achievements and awards, profiles on Bethel Parkresidents and businesses, and wrap-ups of activities throughout the municipality.

Have a great summer!

Wayne DollardPublisher

After what seems like a colder and wetter-than-normal spring, hopefully a warm,dry summer is in store for all of us western Pennsylvanians. Summer in this part ofthe world is a special time and there are plenty of yearly events and activities thatcan quickly become a tradition for your family.

There are the obvious ones – such as a school or community picnic day atKennywood (June 10 is Bethel Par k Day) – but there are some less-obviousones that your family can adopt as traditions and begin to create summermemories that will last a lifetime.

A visit to a local farmers market is a great way to spend time with your kids whileteaching them that fruits, vegetables and other commodities can come from places otherthan a mega grocery store. The Bethel Park farmers market is held on Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. on theplayground at the Community Center.

Another summer tradition that my family looks forward to every year are the church fairs, communitydays and benefit walks held throughout the region every summer. Bethel Park’s annual Community Daywill be held on September 10 and other festivities marking the municipality’s 125th birthday will be heldthroughout the summer. Spend some time chec king out the church carnivals and festivals – there are a tonin the area.

Finally, take some time to do some exploring around your own town. This issue of Bethel Parkmagazine includes a feature about the George Marshall Home, located in the Oakhurst section of themunicipality. When you’re out riding around some evening, take a few minutes to check out this piece ofBethel Park history.

Have a great summer full of family traditions and memories, and IN Bethel Park magazine will see youin the fall!

Christina Clinton EvansEditor

S U M M E R 2 0 1 1

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

© 2011 UPMC

What’s Insidepage 2 A Woman’s Heart Is Special

page 3 The Good News About Heart DiseaseSix Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure

page 4 Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac DeathWhat Parents Need to Know

Exercise: Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful

page 5 The Downside of Falls

page 6 Choosing the Right Doctor for You

page 7 Welcoming New Physicians

Bethel Park | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5

Bethel Park | Summer 2011 |

Publisher’s Message | 2

COMMUNITY INTEREST | Peoples Natural Gas | Community-Driven | 3New Heart of the South Hills: Newbury | 12On the Road to Recovery | 18UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 29

| Advice for Great Grilling | 52Real Estate in Bethel Park | 37An Enjoyable Living Space is as Close as Your Backyard | 39George Washington Slept Here | 40George Marshall Home | 42Trading Spaces | 44Costa Homebuilders | 45Real Estate Options for the Retired | 50

FEATURES | Elizabeth Metzler - Girl Scout Gold Award Winner | 6A Miracle Coming to the South Hills | 8Bethel Park Musicians Perform in Italy | 16Happy Birthday, Bethel Park | 26Farmers Market | 51Enjoy Summer in Bethel Park | 56

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | Surviving the Sandwich Generation |

By Dan Martin | 58Why Should I Have My Hearing Tested? |

By Debra Swift, B.C.-H.I.S. | 62

SPOTLIGHTS | The Thomas Studio of Performing Arts | 61

ON THE COVER | The Bethel Park High School Marching Band plays at Walt Disney World in Florida. The marching band, along with several other BPHS musical groups, took several top awards at the annual Festivals of Music held in Orlando this spring. See story and additional pictures on page 11.

11 26 29

Contents

6

Perhaps it was all of the campfires or hikesthrough the woods with her Girl Scout

troop but somewhere along the way, BethelPark resident Elizabeth Metzler developed a

love for the outdoors and has decided to dedicateher life to protecting and preserving it.

As she was learning through the Girl Scouts to love andrespect the environment, the organization also taught heranother important lesson: to lov e and care for others.

The Bethel Park High School senior was recently honoredwith the Girl Scout Gold Award – the highest and mostprestigious award in the Girl Scout organization – for hercommunity involvement. Metzler's involvement in thecommunity goes beyond the Bethel Park border, however. Ittook her all the way to Kenya, Africa.

During a church service last year, Metzler heard a talk fromKate Fletcher, a South Hills resident who founded Hekima Place,a home for 60 girls who were left orphaned by AIDS, a leadingkiller in many African nations.

“I was quite moved by the stories she told about the lives ofthe girls in the orphanage. I wanted to do something more thanmake a financial contribution and wanted to make it part of my

(Girl Scout) gold project,” she said. “When I asked how I couldhe lp, I expected her to suggest a shoe collection or some othercollection project. Instead, she challenged me to create acurriculum with an emphasis on choosing behavior thateliminates the possibility of developing AIDS.”

Metzler met this challenge and developed a 20-hour,age-appropriate curriculum that included hands-on activities withan emphasis on making positive life choices.

“Each lesson introduc ed a topic, color theme, and aninteractive activity such as role play, a skit or puppet show, a craft,and a game that was tied to an important message about choiceand consequences,” she said. “The final session included creatinga tie-dyed shirt reflecting the colors of the lessons, a campfirereflection, and a pledge for each girl to love herself enough towait.”

When she presented the curriculum to Fletcher, Metzler wasagain surprised when she was invited to Kenya to implement herlessons firsthand.

Like other aspects of her life, Metzler quickly embraced theidea. Her father gave her his frequent flier miles and betweenworking a part-time job and soliciting donations from friends, herchurch and the community, she was able to raise enough money

Bethel Park Resident Profile:

Elizabeth Metzler, Girl Scout Gold Award Winner



for her and her mother to visit Hekima Placein Kenya for two weeks. While her motherhelped with the younger girls, Metzler livedwith the middle and high school girls andimplemented her lessons.

“I came to truly understand the meaningof the words “it is in giving that you receive,”she said. “I learned so much from the girlswho had such positive attitudes in the faceof enormous challenges. I came ba ck with anew appreciation for the human spirit, thevalue of education, the gift of family, and theblessings I so often take for granted.”

Her trip to Kenya wasn't the only timeMetzler left Bethel Park to give back to theworldwide community. She spent a month

in Denali National Park in Alaska along withthe Student Conservation Associationbuilding bog bridges and helping to preservethe natural beauty of the area.

After graduation on June 4, Metzler saidshe plans to work a summer job to makesome money for the fall when she will enterthe prestigious Rubenstein School ofEnvironment and Natural Resources at theUniversity of Vermont. A week beforeschool starts, she'll spend a week hiking andkayaking throughout Vermont with otherfreshman as a way to get to know them andthe environment they will be st udying.

The outdoors girl wouldn't have it anyother way.

I came to truly understandthe meaning of the words

“it is in giving that youreceive. I learned so much

from the girls who had suchpositive attitudes in the face

of enormous challenges. I came back with a new

appreciation for the humanspirit, the value of

education, the gift of family,and the blessings I so often

take for granted.

And it’s that mission that’s the drivingforce behind an effort to start a MiracleLeague Field in the South Hills. MiracleLeague Fields are specially-designed ball fields and programs that allowchildren with special needs to play“America’s game.”

The drive to open the South Hills’ onlyMiracle League Field is being led byCasey’s Clubhouse, a nonprofit groupfounded by former major league ballplayer and Upper St. Clair native, SeanCasey, and his wife, Mandi.

“The game of baseball has given ourfamily so many gifts, memories andimportant lessons,” the Casey’s haveposted on their website,www.caseysclubhouse.org. “We arecommitted to making sure every childhas the opportunity to experience thethrill of playing the game we love.”

Casey said there are over 90,000children in southwestern Pennsylvaniawith special needs and while there is aMiracle League Field in Cranberry, it onlyserves a portion of the children fromsouthwestern Pennsylvania.

The 240 Miracle League Fields across the United States have acushioned, rubberized surface to helpprevent injuries, have wheelchair andhandicapped-accessible dugouts, and have flat surfaces that allowwheelchair-bound and visually-impairedchildren to round the bases without any obstructions.

“Having a Miracle League Field in theSouth Hills is perfect for those familieswho don’t have the ability to go toCranberry with their children to playball,” he said. “Even though the field willtechnically be in Upper St. Clair, kids andtheir families from all over the South Hills

and the Pittsburgh area can takeadvantage of it.”

Dave Hall, of Upper St. Clair, and hisfamily agree that such as venue isneeded in the South Hills and they havebecome big supporters of Casey’sClubhouse.

Hall’s 9-year-old son, Buddy, is aspecial needs child with Down’sSyndrome and the family has beentraveling to the Cranberry field for thelast couple of years so that Buddy couldplay baseball.

“When we go to Cranberry to playball, it’s almost like it’s a special eventand Buddy’s activity has always beensegregated from his sisters’ activitieswhich are all concentrated in the SouthHills,” Hall said. “Having a Miracle LeagueField here will bring a sense of normalcynot only into his life but into his sisters’lives as well.”

Buddy’s extended family of aunts,uncles and cousins also will find in moreconvenient to stay in the South Hills andcan attend more of his games, Hall said.He believes in the project so much thathe now serves as treasurer on the Casey’sClubhouse Board of Directors.

Ground will be broken for the ballfield in June at the the USC RecreationCenter at the corner of Boyce andMayview Roads, and Casey said theyshould be ready to “play ball” byspring of 2012. Almostthree-quarters of the $1million dollars needed forthe field has been raised.

Casey was involvedwith building MiracleLeague Fields inCincinnati and Detroitduring his ball-playingdays, and said watchingthe children play ball is anamazing experience. He saidhe hopes that South Hills’residents will come tosome of thegames to seehow happy

and excited the kids are while they areplaying.

“It is so awesome for the kids and fortheir parents sitting in the stands,” hesaid. “And the volunteers love it as well.”

One of the more successfulfundraisers was held at St. Clair CountryClub in March when $250,000 was raisedin a single evening. In addition to playingcasino games, attendees were able to bidon 140 items in the silent auction, whichincluded special ice time with currentPenguin players and an all-inclusivevacation for two.

The rules for each Miracle LeagueField are easy to follow:

• Every player bats once each inning.• All players are safe on the bases.• Every player scores a run before the

inning is over (last one up gets a home run).

• Community children and volunteers serve as “buddies” to assist the players.

• Each team and each player wins everygame.

A Miracle Coming to the South Hills

Buddy Hall left and his first hit,above.


CASEY’S CLUBHOUSECASINO NIGHT

Sarah Luther,Karen and Erin Williams

David Williams, Rene Platek, Dr. Kelly Williams and Todd Williams

Halie and Nathan Snyder& Carrie and Ernie Yonkie

Mandi and Sean Casey

Laura Lund

Mike and AshleyPorreca

Casey is a 1992 graduate ofUpper St. Clair High School andattended the University ofRichmond. The three-time All-Star played first base for theCleveland Indians, CincinnatiReds, Detroit Tigers, PittsburghPirates, and Boston Red Sox priorto retiring in 2009. When he’s notbusy running after his fourchildren – ages one through nine– he is volunteering his time witha charity or working as a studioanalyst for the MLB Network.

In addition to his Casey’sClubhouse, Casey is involvedwith Make-A-Wish Foundationand Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Nicknamed the “mayor” becauseof his propensity to talk to everyopposing player who reachedfirst base, Sean’s fellow MLBplayers named him the“friendliest player in baseball,” in2007, and he was a two-timenominee for the Sporting News’“Good Guys” Award.



MusiciansWinAwards inOrlando

Marching Band

Symphonic Orchestra

Top 21 Jazz Choir Top 21 Chamber Choir

The Bethel Park High School Music Department had asuccessful spring music trip to the Festivals of Music at Disney World in Orlando. Groups and individualsbrought home the following awards:• Top 21 – Superior Rating, Best in Class Award and Best Overall (Gold Award)

• Jazz Choir – Superior Rating, Best in Class Award and Best Overall (Gold Award)

• Concert Band – Excellent Rating and Best Overall Percussion Section Award

• Symphonic Band – Superior Rating, Best in Class Award and Best Overall (Gold Award)

• Percussion Ensemble – Superior Rating and Best Overall Percussion Section Award

• Symphonic Orchestra – Excellent Rating, Best in Class Award

• Jazz Band – Superior Rating, Best in Class Award and Best Overall (Gold) Award

• Marching Band – Superior Rating, Best in Class Award, Best Overall (Bronze) Award, Outstanding Auxiliary Award and Outstanding Percussion Award

• Bethettes – Superior Rating and Best Overall(Bronze) Award

• Drum Line – Superior Rating, Best in Class Award, Best Overall (Gold Award) and Best Overall Percussion Section Award

• Majorettes – Superior Rating, Best in Class Award, Best Overall (Gold Award) and Outstanding Head Majorette Award

• Kevin Harvey – Outstanding Jazz Solo Special Award

• Mark Debski – Outstanding Concert Band Solo Special Award

rom virtually anywhere in SouthFayette, progress on the Newbury

Development can be seen. Whetheryou’re on Route 50, Thom’s Run, or I-79, theproject has moved far beyond theearthmoving phase and has opened up Phase2 for sales.

Brett Malky, the President of EQALandmark Communities and managingpartner of Newbury Development Associates,said that the commitment to qualitydevelopment in the heart of the South Hills ispaying off in spades.

“We have had spectacular sales results atNewbury,” Malky said. “Our dedication tobuilding excellence and a new kind ofcommunity demonstrate that people wantprojects like Newbury and not the same oldsubdivision. They want thoughtful design,attention to detail and a home that’s unique.”

So far, 45 homes in Phase One have sold,ranging in prices from $280,000 to $1.2million, and 10 people have already moved inand 12 more homes are under construction.In Phase Two, six of 15 homes have soldwithin the couple weeks of release, making

Newbury the best-selling community in theSouth Hills, and one of the best in the entirePittsburgh MSA.

Newbury can offer all of those aspects tohomebuyers. The 325-acre, $450 milliondollar, mixed-use development, underwentmore than 18 months of conceptualizationbefore work began on the site. Tennessee-based architectural firm Shapiro & CompanyArchitects came to the South Hills todocument thousands of homes, noting theirarchitecture, design and placement on theirlots. The information was distilled into a

www.newburymarket.com Kel ly Smith: 412.680.5200


design for Newbury that would combine thebest aspects of the architecture of the SouthHills, looking like a neighborhood that’salways been there – new, yet already familiarwithin the surrounding municipalities.

What’s more, consideration was given toSouth Fayette’s needs as well. Newbury notonly is changing the faceof South Fayette, it’s alsoimproving on it. Themain entrance to thecommercial area will beoff of Route 50, throughthe existing 84 Lumberstore. Work on 84Lumber’s new home atNewbury is nearingcompletion and they willbe moving into their newhome in the comingmonths.

“This will have a trueMain Street componentcomplete with smallshops, mom and pop retailers, restaurants and the like,” Malky said. “There will be afountain for the kids to play in, a cotton candykiosk and a booth playing calliope music. It’sgoing to have a small town feel. It will be aplace to be proud of to live, work, play, dineand shop.”

Newbury’s commercial district will also

have a hotel, banks and every serviceimaginable with space for the nationalretailers, the local barber, chain vendors, andoffice buildings. Newbury Market is finalizingagreements of sale and leases for all the spacewithin Phase One of the retail/commercialcenter. Restaurants, banks, shops, a hotel,

offices, big-box and mid-box retailers willsoon be announced.

“We can tell you that we will have offices, ahotel, banks, a grocery store, apparel and shoestores as well as goods retailers…and as manyas 5 restaurants in the first phase of Newbury

continued on page 15

“I love the whole concept- the way the plans wereconfigured and the styleof the houses. There areso many plans out therethat have brick fronts

with vinyl siding wrappedaround. There’s none ofthat at Newbury. Andwhen the business

district is built, it will trulyoffer residents the wholelive, work, play concept. Ican’t say enough about it,really. It’s going to be a

special thing. It’s going tobe a real gem for the

South Hills.”

Dave Pirain, Newburyresident of 1 month



Every home in the United States is builtto the minimum standards of a buildingcode. That code addresses standards forsafety, livability, and energy efficiency. Thedeveloper of Newbury has developed itsown home performance standards toensure that every home within itscommunities achieves the highest level of

quality in the region, making these homes measurably better than typical code-complianthomes. Rather than default to the minimum industry standards, Newbury is committed to

offering homeowners theopportunity to own a highperformance home, usingproven technologies and bestpractice construction

techniques to deliver a better home. The home performance standards for Newbury werecreated in partnership with IBACOS (Integrated Building and Construction Solutions), aleading national research anddevelopment firm for the housingindustry, and a strategic partner withEQA Landmark Communities for morethan 13 years. The Newbury Home Performance

Standards address the following criteria for construction quality and performance:1. Energy – Improve the energy efficiency of the home to at least 30% better than energy

code in order to reduce utility bills and ensureoptimum occupant comfort.2. Indoor Environmental Quality – Provide

homeowners with better indoor air quality and amore comfortable living environment through theuse of fresh air ventilation systems, highefficiency air filtration and less toxic buildingmaterials.

3. Building Durability – Build the home to last longer while minimizing the need forroutine maintenance by using best practices in homeconstruction to control the movement of water, moisturevapor and air through the home.4. Materials & Resources – Reduce the

environmental impact of the home by using sustainablebuilding materials and efficient construction techniques. By building homes to these quality standards, Newbury is

offering homeowners the benefits of improved comfort,healthier living environments, and the peace of mind ofknowing that their new home at Newbury is the best home inthe region. In addition, every home is built to an architectural standard

and guideline at Newbury overseen by the founding architectand town architect, Brad Shapiro with Shapiro & CompanyArchitects, Inc. Brad assures that every home in Newburybeautifully integrates with the surrounding homes to enhancethe unique sense of place established by Newbury’spedestrian-friendly master plan, community amenities, and

neighborhood streetscape with sidewalks,street trees, street lights and generousfront porches.And finally, a fundamental part of

assuring the highest quality homes ispartnering with industry leaders to assurethat the best products are used in theconstruction of homes at Newbury. Everyhome at Newbury will have a high efficient, custom designed window from AndersenWindows. All exterior cladding materials will be long-lasting, durable products such as thefactory finished James Hardie fiber cement siding with Colorplus Technology, natural stoneor Cultured Stone®, or quality brick materials – there will be no vinyl siding at Newbury.And in addition to 10 foot ceiling as standard in every home at Newbury, all homes willbenefit from two of the best product manufacturers in the industry who will be providing theappliances and plumbing fixtures for every home, namely Whirlpool Corporation and Kohler.


Unparalleled at Newbury


Market. We have more retailers interested in Newbury than we havespace to accommodate, so we are building strong momentum with ourcurrent sales and leasing efforts,” Malky said.

“We also are encouraging our retailers to build in a moresustainable manner, and with ‘green’ buildings,” Malky said. “And, aswith the residential component on top, everything will be tied togetherwith sidewalks and be com pletely pedestrian-friendly.”

In addition to all of the effort prior to breaking ground, Newburyhas some of the top names in the nation working on the homeconstruction on site. Deklewa Home, Heartland Homes, S & A Homesand Stambrosky Homes all are part of the home-building team atNewbury. S& A’s Carriage homes will be completed soon, with a model opening in weeks, and Heartland townhomes will be com pletedthis summer.

What’s more, Newbury will be featuring one of the top zero-energy homebuilders in the country to create homes on the site thatwill not only produce their own energy for running the household, butcan actually sell power back to the electric company when thehousehold’s power loads are at a minimum.

“We’ll have our zero-energy model open this summer,” Malky said.

“And with that, homeo wners will be getting a true, solar home,producing power through solar energy. They’ll still be connected to thegrid, so if the power needs of the home rise, those needs will always bemet, but the home will produce energy and, homeowners may be a netproducer of energy.”

Creating options like the zero-energy models have been a lynchpinof Newbury’s strategy from the start, not only because the develop ersbelieve in progressive designs, but because variety has appeal amonghomebuyers.

Comfort, indoor air quality and energy performance are assured byNewbury’s strategic partnership with Carrier Corporation. Hearth &Home assure the best performing fireplaces in the marketplace asenergy performance and beauty.

“Buying a home is a big decision, and a lot of people have decidedthat Newbury is going to be the place where they want to spend thenext phase of their lives,” Malky said. “Our job is to ensure that thathome serves them for decades to come, and even generations to come.We’re looking to create neighborhoods and community. Over time,these homes will be neighborhood landmarks – the house where littleJimmy Smith grew up, or the house where the Smiths have the Fourthof July block party. It take s great people to make that happen, andNewbury is attracting those people.”

continued from page 13




hen members of the PittsburghYouth Symphony Orchestra (PYSO) takethe stage in Italy this summer as part of

its international tour, there will be plenty ofrepresentation from South Hills student musicians.

Almost one-quarter of the orchestra's 102members come from South Hills school district

WBethel Pa

rk Student Musicians

music programs such as Bethel Park, Mt. Lebanon,Peters Township, and Upper St. Clair.

Craig Johnson, executive director of PYSO, saidstudents must undergo a rigorous audition prior tobeing selected to play with the orchestra, commit toweekly rehearsals throughout the school year, andperform in three concerts.

“Many of these students also are involved in sports,debate clubs, science clubs and other extra-curricularactivities in addition to their classroom studies soplaying with the PYSO is a major time commitment,”he said.

The PYSO is one of the oldest in the country. Foundedin 1946, said the group cultivates discipline, finemusicianship and an overall appreciation forexcellence among it members.

Mark Debsi

Spencer Kun



“Through their impressive performances, dedication and commitment,the group also serves as role-models for aspiring younger musiciansand students,” he said.

Every three years, the student musicians have the opportunity to traveloverseas and perform for an international audience. The summer 2011International Tour will be in Italy and the orchestra will perform fourconcerts in several venues as part of the prestigious Florence YouthFestival.

“Preparation for a tour of this size is an enormous commitment of time,effort and resources,” Johnson said. “Every member must pay their ownway in order to participate and we also rely on fund-raising and otherdonations throughout the year to help defray costs.”

Other countries that prior orchestras have visited include Austria,Scotland, Switzerland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Germany, and China.

The two students from Bethel Park High School participating in thePYSO this year are:

• Mark Debski, Oboe, sophomore • Spencer Kun, Oboe, senior

For more information about the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra,including upcoming programs, performance schedules, auditions, andproviding support, visit www.pittsburghyouthsymphony.org or call theoffice at 412.392.4872.

Perform in Italy

When you think of someone who has su,ered a stroke, commonimages arise: paralysis on one side of the body and di/culty withspeech and coordination. While stroke can occur at any age,most people associate strokes with older people.

So if you’re an athletic 24-year-old with no history of brain injury, on the beach at Ocean City, Maryland during the Fourth of July holiday with stroke-like symptoms, denial is a natural response.

And for Ashly Hunt, she denied her symptoms until the moment she was loaded into a helicopter.

“I remember thinking I wanted water. I am a huge runner. I ran before this and thought I was dehydrated,” she said. “It literally took the life-flight to believe that I wasn’t dehydrated.When it’s happening to you you’re not thinking the worst.”

Within a matter of hours, what she thought was a simpleheadache evolved and robbed her of her sight and ability tospeak. She also had trouble moving her arms and hands. Emergency responders decided to life-flight her to the nearesthospital in Baltimore, where she was diagnosed with a brainstem hemorrhage. Blood from the hemorrhage was pooling in an area that connects her brain to her spinal cord, causing her tolose movement on her right side, and creating a major dilemmafor the neurosurgeons because they believed the site was toorisky to treat with surgery.

Soon after the diagnosis, Ashly entered a rehabilitation program in her hometown of Johnstown, Pa., to help her regain movement of the extremities that were a,ected by thehemorrhage. However, after several weeks in rehabilitation andslight improvements in her vision and speech, Ashly’s overallcondition began to worsen. Ashly still maintained her hearing,but what she heard going on around her, she didn’t like. Until she met Robert Friedlander, MD, at UPMC.

UPMC neurosurgery patient making strides after su&ering a near fatal brain hemorrhage.

Robert Friedlander, MD, left, and Michael Horowitz, MD, discusstreatment options with a patient who has an unruptured aneurysm.

Ashly Hunt

On theROADTO

By Mark Berton



Dr. Friedlander was called after Ashly’s family doctor consultedwith a neurosurgeon at The Johns Hopkins University, who recommended that Dr. Friedlander manage this complex situation.Within four hours of the initial consultation, Ashly was in an ambulance headed for Pittsburgh where, she said, she met thedoctor who made all the di,erence.

“I couldn’t speak and had a hard time seeing, but my brain was processing everything. All of the other doctors were talkingabove me and not looking at me, not doing anything with me even though I understood them all,” she said. “Until I went to Dr. Friedlander and he worked with me through my condition togive him the answers he needed. He never came o, as pompous.He’s the most caring person I’ve dealt with to this day.”

Ashly’s hemorrhage was caused by an underlying conditioncalled a cavernous malformation, which is an abnormal, berry-likepatch of blood vessels located inside her brain stem. Because thebrain stem is deeply situated within the base of the brain and controls important functions such as movement, sensation,breathing, and instructing the heart to beat, surgery to remove the malformation was extremely risky. However, if left untreated,the malformed vessels could again bleed and result in additionalcritical neurologic damage or even death.

Dr. Friedlander and the neurosurgeons at UPMC faced the challenging task of removing the malformation without causingfurther complications. Using advanced brain imaging technologyknown as High Definition Fiber Tracking, pioneered at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Friedlander was able to view the detailed wiring of Ashly’s brain fibers to determine the best way to execute the surgery with as little damage to her brain as possible. In order to obtain appropriate access to the brainstem, Dr. Friedlander turned to Dr. Barry Hirsch, a skull base ENT surgeon at UPMC. Using a special microscope and imageguidance device, Dr. Friedlander approached the brain stem andwas able to completely remove the cavernous malformation.

After surgery, Ashly’s vision and speech began to improve. She also could move her right hand, which had been paralyzed.She improved daily, making strides with her balance, speech,movements, and other functions, and credits her improvement to her strict discipline in following her doctors’ recommendationsand her physical therapy program.

“If I could say one thing to inspire anyone going through this it’s that you can’t just sit there. It becomes your job,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of people who have had strokes. You can’t just sitdown and think you’ll get better. You have to follow the therapyand give your body time.”

While she’s been living with her parents in Johnstown duringher recovery, Ashly is looking forward to getting back to her life in Baltimore.

“I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. My hand and foot are the last things I’m waiting for to come back,” she said. “I’m writing again. It’s like a 3-year-old, but I am. I’m going to be 100 percent.”

Her road to recovery has been long. Approaching the anniversary of her ordeal, she and her family are thankful to Dr. Friedlander and everyone on the UPMC sta, who helped her through this challenging time. She maintains a blog atashlystatus.com, where family and friends post updates on her condition.

“I’ll never forget, Dr. Friedlander said to me, ‘We’re a team. I’ll do my part as long as you do yours,’” she said. “That’s big in my mind. That made an impact.”

For more information, please call the UPMC Department of Neurological Surgery at 1-866-979-1336 or visit UPMC.com/nv.

This patient’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.

From left to right, Brian Jankowitz, MD, Paul Gardner, MD, Daniel Wecht, MD, and L. Dade Lunsford, MD, discuss a complex neurovascular case.

“I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. My hand and foot are the last things

I’m waiting for to come back. I’m writing again. It’s like a 3-year-old, but I am.

I’m going to be 100 percent.”

Ashly Hunt

Hillcrest Christian Academy hosted their 6th dinner auction,Top Hat and Tails, an evening under the big top, Friday, April 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe.

Guests of the circus themed event could try their luck atwinning any of more than 400 baskets and prizes in theChinese auction. Top Hat and Tails also included dinner, a live auction and testimonies from parent chairs.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the school’s plannedexpansion project. Since 1926, Hillcrest Christian Academyhas been true to its mission which is to provide an excellentacademic program centered around a strong commitment tothe truth of God’s word and Christian values at all grade levels.

Photos byDebbie Mountain



The following Bethel Park High School students were presented with awards and scholarship during the annual Awards and Recognition Program held at the end of the school year:

• Nathaniel Braman – Congressman Tim Murphy’s Leaders of Tomorrow Award• Andrew Bruce – John Deans Memorial Scholarship• Jeff Bright – Bethel Park Kiwanis Scholarship• Michael Sanctis – Frank L.P. Edwards Scholarship• Max Bair and Kimberly Barszcz – Bethel Park Volunteer Scholarship• Elizabeth Metzler and Margaux Krahe – Rotary Club of Bethel Park Scholarship• Veronica Urbanik – Bethel Park Woman’s Club Scholarship• Nicholas Holden – Upper St. Clair Woman’s Club Scholarship• Jeff Bright – Bethel Park Lion’s Club Scholarship• Alex Mace, Jess Placke, Jacob Michalski and Megan Habovick – U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Awards

• Amanda Slowey – William Penn Elementary/Rosemary Gainar Scholarship• Kevin Cheberenchick and Tessa Salicce – Franklin PTO Scholarship• Julie Kolodziej, Alex Pantages and Alex Mace – Marissa Boyan Foundation Scholarship

• Joe Brucker, Renato Ruzzini and Jimmy Szewczyk – Bethel Park Scholarship

The high school’s driving team won first place and a prize of $500 in the secondannual Allegheny County Health Department’s Teen Safety Driving competition. The $500 prize will be used for school safety initiatives. Other competing

schools included: Chartiers Valley, Keystone Oaks, McKeesport, Moon, NorthAllegheny, Northgate, Pittsburgh Obama 6-11, Plum, Steel Valley, and Sto-Rox. Student Thomas Bailey also earned a gold medal and a $1,000 cash prize.“This event provides an opportunity for young drivers to not only demonstrate

their driving skills in a controlled environment, but also learn the do’s and don’ts ofsafe driving from highly experienced professionals,” said Bruce W. Dixon, MD,Allegheny County Health Department director. The competition started with talks by professional drivers on young driver

issues such as aggressive driving, distracted driving and crash trauma. Followingthe presentations, three students from each school were tested on driving skills,perceptual skills and knowledge of traffic safety. The winners will participate in the Pennsylvania Motor Trucking Association’s

annual statewide Safe Driving Competition in Camp Hill in May and compete for$9,000 in scholarships and a chance to be recognized as the best young drivers inPennsylvania. The County Health Department’s Traffic Safety Education Project is a federally

funded program contracted through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.In addition to the Health Department, the event was sponsored this year by the

Allegheny County Teen Safety Driving Committee – AAA East Central, AlleghenyCounty Police, Allegheny County Pretrial Services, Beaver Run MotorsportsComplex, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, PA DUI Association,Pennsylvania Trucking Association, Pennsylvania State Police, PA TIPP, PennDOTDistrict 11 and Pittsburgh Technical Institute.

The Allegheny County HealthDepartment’s Teen Safety Drivingcompetition winning team from BethelPark High School included (l to r): Jason Stewart, Thomas Bailey and Mary Jo Bailey.

High Schoo l Team B r i ngs Home Sa f e D r i v i ng Award


June 22 – 25Opens at 6 p.m. NightlySt Thomas More Church

126 Ft. Couch Rd., Pittsburgh 15241Across from South Hills Village

Wednesday, Irish Night: Shovlin Irish Dancers and

Corned Beef & CurryThursday: Uptown Rhythm & Brass

Friday: Joe Grushecky & the HouserockersSaturday, Polish Night: 5 pm Polka Mass;

Henny & the Versa J’s and Ray Jay & the Carousels

• Elizabeth Metzler – Giant Oaks Garden Club Scholarship• Alexis Holzer – Eat’N Park Hospitality Group Scholarship• Maria Touloumes – Ken Waldie Memorial Scholarship• Adam Conroy – Sgt. Charles Bonczek Bethel Park Police Association Scholarship

• Nick Krakoff and Tori Snyder – Bethel Park Golf Boosters Scholarship

• Natalie Streiner and Kaitlin Vavrek – Bethel Park Federation of Teacher Scholarship

• Jillian Lindberg and Natalie Streiner – Bethel Park Cheerleading Awards

• Veronica Urbanik – Upper St. Clair/Bethel Park Rotary Club “Service Above Self” Award

• Kevin Cheberenchick and Maria Touloumes – National Honor Society Scholarships

• Jacob Michalski, Justin Fleischmann and Alexander Mace – National Merit Special Scholarships

• Justin Fleischmann – National Merit Scholarship Finalist• Nathaniel Braman, Deanna Kovell, Spencer Kun, Jacob Michalski and Manasa Ravi – National Merit Scholarship Commended Students

• Jessica Walker – Brown University Book Award• Jennifer Ihrig, Claire LoPresti and Kyle Martin – Lois Johnson Learning/Child Care Scholarship

• Elizabeth Metzler – PA American Water Company Scholarship• Elizabeth Metzler – Beulah Frey Audubon Society Scholarship• Margaux Krahe – Wendy’s High School Heisman Finalist• Robert Heuler – WPIAL Scholar Athlete Award• Maria Touloumes – WPIAL Scholar Athlete Certificate Award• Ashley Gerst, Ana Jimenez and Veronica Urbanik – Principals Advisory Council for Students Scholarship

• Andrew Kutrufis – South Hills Area School Districts Association Award

• Jacob Michalski and Jinjing Lee – Salutatorians• Justin Fleischmann – Valedictorian

In addition, at the Gene Kelly Awards this past weekend, senior Kelly Ganley was one of eight high school students to receive theConstance T. Rockwell Scholarship,

which is awarded to students who plan to pursue a career in the performing arts.


Bethel Park Junior Football loves to give back to the community.This non-profit recreational organization donates to residents inneed, like a student who was diagnosed with cancer or to alocal family whose fathers passed away. In October, BPJFraised over $800 for the Susan G. Komen Research Fund bydonating 50/50 profits and having players wear pink ribbondecals on their helmets, pink socks and gloves. So, when therewas a fire at the home of one of their 8 year old football playersand the family lost everything, BPJF was there to help.

Lead by President, Brian Neal and Secretary, Heather Fontana,BPJF partnered with other local recreational organizations,Bethel Baseball Association (BBA) and Bethel Park JuniorWrestling (BPJW), and held two donation nights at the BethelPark Community Center to raise money for this family in need.

BPJF took it one step further and started receiving donations ofclothing, food, toys and even furniture. Heather and Brian madedaily trips to the family to drop off items. Bethel Park volunteersmade dinners and some got together to donate Christmas gifts.

In the end, the organizations raised over $10,000 to help thisfamily rebuild.

Bethel Park is a wonderful community and Bethel Park JuniorFootball is doing their part to make Bethel Park even better!

BETHELPARKJUNIORFOOTBALLGIVESBACK

Banners with the 125th birthday logo will be put upthroughout the municipality. The logo was designed by DianaDelRosso, a Bethel Park High School sophomore, and by BethelPark resident Shawn O’Mara.

Cupcake Wars, co-sponsored by Giant Eagle Market District,will search for the best cupcake in Bethel Park. Judging will beheld at the Village Square store on June 7 and the two finalistswill compete for the top prize at the Black and Orange Ballscheduled for late August.

A time capsule featuring artifacts from 2011 will be dedicatedand buried at the Community Center at 7 p.m., and won’t beopened again for 50 years. In case of rain, the dedicationceremony will be held in the gymnasium inside the center.

Businesses and schools throughout the municipality willcelebrate the special birthday with balloons, parties, and specialdiscounts. Some highlights include: birthday treats for patrons at

Bethel Bakery, special orange and black ice cream atBruster’s, and a “shout-out” at Bethel Park Day onJune 10 at Kennywood.

The “Bethel Business Bash” will be held on Tuesday, June 21at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Fort Couch Rd. Cocktails will beat 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The event is part ofBethel’s Birthday Celebration and will include dinner,entertainment and recognitions and awards for localbusinesses. It will also be a great way to network, so bringyour business cards! For more information, contact ConnieRuhl at 412.306.8090 or via email at [email protected].

Bethel Historical Society and Bethel PresbyterianChurch will offer special 125th anniversary cemeterytours, which will feature individuals acting as foundingBethel Park citizens and soldiers. Tours will run everyhour from 1 to 4 p.m. Contact Bethel PresbyterianChurch at 412.835.0405 to reserve your space.

Bethel Historical Society and Bethel Presbyterian Church will offerspecial 125th anniversary cemetery tours, which will feature individualsacting as founding Bethel Park citizens and soldiers. Tours will run everyhour from 1 to 4 p.m. Contact Bethel Presbyterian Church at412.835.0405 to reserve your space.

The Black and Orange Ball will be held on Saturday,August 27. This will be a grand “orange carpet” event soget out your dancing shoes and dress to the nines inyour best Black and Orange for an evening of great funwith dinner, dancing, desserts, Bethel Honors BethelAwards, and the Cupcake War showdown. A highlight ofthe evening will be a special art exhibit by The BethelPark Artists Guild and South Arts. Venue, sponsorshipsand ticket information will be posted on themunicipality’s website, www.bethelpark.net, and the125th birthday Facebook Page once it is finalized.

Community Day will start with the traditional parade and this year’sgrand marshall is WQED producer and Bethel's-own Rick Sebak. Allparade participants are encouraged to create a Bethel Park themedfloat and prizes will be awarded for best floats. In addition, BethelBakery will hold a cupcake eating contest, the police department andfire department will hold a softball game at Purkey Field, and manyother great Community Day events are planned.


Bethel Park celebratesits 125th birthdayduring 2011 and thesummer and fall are fullof events and activitiesto mark the occasion.

Kristen Normile, chairpersonof the 20-person

celebration committee andauthor of the Image ofAmerica series book, Bethel Park, said that

although the birthday willbe celebrated through theend of the year, the bigcelebration week, is June 7through June 10 withactivities including:

Finally, the celebration committee is looking forprofessional and amateur photographers of all ages

to participate in a special “Day in the Life of Bethel Park” photo journaling project. If you’re

interested in participating, contact the committee [email protected] or 412.559.7039.


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• NCI certified Carbon Monoxide specialist• Low-level CO alarms available• Located in Bethel Park

S U M M E R 2 0 1 1

Health and Wellness News You Can Use

© 2011 UPMC

What’s Insidepage 2 A Woman’s Heart Is Special

page 3 The Good News About Heart DiseaseSix Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure

page 4 Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac DeathWhat Parents Need to Know

Exercise: Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful

page 5 The Downside of Falls

page 6 Choosing the Right Doctor for You

page 7 Welcoming New Physicians

2 www.UPMC.com/Today

Have you ever heard the adage,“Know your enemy?” Heart disease is pandemic in the United States — but manywomen remain unaware that it’san “equal opportunity” disease.The symptoms of heart diseasecan differ between men andwomen, but if you have a heart, you can get heart disease.

“Every woman, regardless of age,should know her risk factors andwork with her doctor to develop a plan for good heart health,” says John R. Ward, MD, a cardiologist and specialist inwomen’s heart issues at UPMCMercy, which is part of theUPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. “Taking action could save your life or the life of someone you love.”

Know your risksAn astonishing 80 percent ofwomen between the ages of 40 and 60 have one or more riskfactors for heart disease. “Having just one risk factor doubles your chance for heart disease,” adds Dr. Ward.Having multiple risk factors significantly increases your potential for heart problems.

Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and family history are risk factors that men and womenshare. Additional risk factors specific to women’s hearthealth include:

• Metabolic syndrome, a combination of excessive fat around the abdomen, high blood pressure, highblood sugar, and high triglycerides that increase yourrisk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

• Mental stress and depression, both of which make it difficult to follow a healthy lifestyle.

• Low levels of estrogen after menopause, which pose serious risks of heart disease developing in awoman’s smaller blood vessels.

“You can’t do anything about your genes and family history,but lifestyle changes can certainly help reduce your risk of heart disease,” says Dr. Ward.

Take action for your heart healthHeart disease is the leading cause of death among women over theage of 65. And over the last 20years, the rate of heart attacks inwomen between the ages of 35 and 54 has been on the rise. Given these statistics, everywoman should pay close attentionto her heart health.

The first step in becoming “heartsmart” is to meet with your doctoror primary care physician. Anhonest conversation with yourdoctor will help ensure that youget the best possible care. Hereare a few questions to ask:

• What are my risk factors forheart disease?

• What should I know about theeffects of menopause on myheart health?

• What is my blood pressure? Is that healthy for my age?

• What is my cholesterol andhow could it affect my health?

• Based on my history and risk factors, what can I do to lower my risk?

Take action for your family, tooThe staggering increase in obesity and diabetes in childrenin the United States puts them at significant risk of heartdisease. “We’ve learned that plaque can begin to build up in arteries in children as young as two years old,” says Dr. Ward.

“Moms are role models for their children. By makinghealthy changes for yourself, you can help improve the heart health of the entire family.”

To learn more about cardiac services at UPMC Mercy, visit www.UPMCMercy.com and click on Our Services.

To schedule an appointment with a UPMC-a+liated physician, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor, or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

A Woman’s Heart Is SpecialIt’s important to recognize you’re not immune to the dangers of heart disease

Risk factors that can’tbe chaged• Family history of heart disease,

carotid artery disease, or peripheral artery disease

• Age (65 and older)• Gender (men have a greater risk

of heart attack)

Risk factors that canbe changed• Smoking• High blood pressure • High cholesterol levels • Obesity• Physical inactivity

Become heart smartTake time to educate yourself about heart disease and the treatments available. The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute website is a one-stop source of informationabout cardiac conditions, as well as UPMC’s full spectrum of cardiovascular services from routine screenings to advanced cardiac care.

Be sure to check it out atwww.UPMC.com/HeartandVascular.

Monitor Target Levels

Cholesterol less than 200 mg/dL

Blood Pressure below 120/80

BMI (body mass index) 18.5–24.9

Ask your doctorIf you have questions or concerns aboutyour heart health, call your physician to schedule an appointment.

1-800-533-UPMC 3

Heart disease is the nation’s leadingcause of death for both men andwomen. Every 25 seconds, someone experiences a coronary event; everyminute, heart disease claims a life.

The good news? You can take steps to reduce your risk of heart diseasethrough routine screenings and lifestylechanges — even if you’ve already had aheart attack or stroke.

“Heart disease is a disease we can do something about. In most instances, it ispreventable,” says Daniel Edmundowicz,MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and directorof preventive cardiology at the UPMCHeart and Vascular Institute.

“Screening absolutely saves lives. We can help people change the outcome once we know the risk-factor levels,” Dr. Edmundowicz says.

Heart-Healthy Resources at UPMC MercyMichael A. Fallert, MD, chief of cardiology at UPMC Mercy, says doctorsuse tools such as EKGs, stress testing, ultrasound, and CT scans to look for signs of atherosclerosis in the heart, neck,legs, and arms — especially if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease.

If needed, you also can take advantage ofthe region’s only low radiation electronbeam CT scan at the UPMC Heart andVascular Institute. It looks specifically forcalcium in the coronary arteries as amarker of the cholesterol accumulationthat can cause sudden heart attacks.

Dr. Fallert recommends regular healthscreenings that tell you your numbers and whether you need to take action. For example, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heartand blood vessels, but you wouldn’t know you have these conditions withouttesting for them.

The more risk factors you have, the greateryour chance of developing heart disease,says Dr. Fallert. While you can’t controlgenetics, you can take steps to controlmany other risk factors by eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy body weight.Some changes — like quitting smoking —can have an immediate impact.

“The bottom line is: If you know yournumbers and know your risk, you can do something about it,” Dr. Fallert says.

The Good News About Heart DiseaseTake charge of your heart through health screenings and heart-healthy lifestyle changes

Six Ways to Lower Your Blood PressureHigh blood pressure puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious diseases. Follow these recommendations from Dr. Fallert to take charge of this “silent killer”:• Increase physical activity. Aim for at

least 30 minutes each day (most days) of brisk walking, bike riding, or other aerobic activity.

• Monitor your sodium. Limit your sodium intake to less than two grams (2,000 mg) a day. Beware of “hidden” sodium inprocessed foods, including canned soup,lunch meats, frozen dinners, and crackers.

• Eat healthy. Follow a lower-fat diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods.

• Control your stress. Take 15 minutes eachday to decompress and focus on yourself.Listen to music, read, pray, or meditate.

• Don’t smoke! Nicotine causes your bloodvessels to constrict and your heart to beatfaster, which raises your blood pressure.

• Take your medicine. If medicine is neededto control your blood pressure, make sureyou take it as prescribed by your doctor.

Know your numbersAim for these vital numbers to keep your ticker in good working condition:


Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac DeathWhat Parents Need to Know

Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan

Is your child among the three to five million young people in the United States who play organized sports each year? If so, you know that a pre-participation physical examination can help identify young athletes who may be at risk for an injury or illness that could require additional medical evaluation. Recently, identifying young athletes who may be at risk of sudden cardiac death has become a hot topic among sports medicine professionals, focusing the attention of parents on the need for better cardiovascular screening of young athletes.“Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes is extremely rare,” says Vivekanand Allada, MD, clinical director of pediatric cardiology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and professor of pediatrics. “In fact, it’s a one in a million risk.”According to Dr. Allada, sudden death in young athletes is most often due to heart problems, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (an abnormal thickening of the heart). Other causes include congenitalcoronary anomalies, arrhythmia (which can be caused by a blow to thechest), and Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that canweaken the aorta and lead to a tear or rupture. “Unfortunately, there’s no perfect test to find a needle in a haystack,” says Dr. Allada. However, parents can take steps to uncover risk factors that may require more testing or a consultation with a pediatriccardiologist. The American Heart Association recommends that youngathletes undergo a screening medical history to check specifically for: • Chest pain, palpitations, or fainting during exercise (red flags

that require immediate attention) • A history of a heart murmur or hypertension• Family history of coronary disease, sudden death, or

Marfan syndrome

Children with any of these risk factors or an abnormal physical examshould see a pediatric cardiologist, who is specially trained to look for cardiac problems in children and teens, Dr. Allada says. Further testing might include an EKG, echocardiogram, and stress test.He offers these tips to parents:• Don’t let your child play through chest pain. Pain can be a

warning sign.• Teach your child to avoid energy drinks that have high levels

of caffeine. Such drinks can make the heart race and cause cardiac arrhythmias. They are particularly dangerous for athletes with undiagnosed cardiac problems.

To learn more about caring for your child’s heart, visit www.chp.edu, then click on Child Health A-Z. To schedule an appointment with a Children’s-a+liated physician, call 412-692-PEDS (7337).

Exercise:Too Much of a GoodThing Can Be HarmfulRegular exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy life. Many of us, however, still struggle to fit even a moderate amount of exercise into our schedules.

But there are plenty of peoplewho are getting too much exercise. If some exercise is good,they think more will be better.Not true. In fact, excessive exercise can lead to a host ofphysical issues, including injuries,the loss of lean muscle mass, aweakened immune system, sleep problems, irritability, anddepression. A study in the American Journal of Cardiologysuggests that too much vigorousexercise also can increase the risk of heart problems.

Are you exercising too much?Experts say that if your workoutssuddenly seem more di3cult than usual and you aren’t making progress, you may be overexercising.Other trouble signs include:• Insomnia• Aches or pain in muscles and/or joints• Fatigue• Feeling unmotivated and lacking energy• Increased susceptibility to colds, sore throats,

and other illnesses

If you’re experiencing any of these signs, see your doctor to find out if something else is causing the problem.

Just starting an exercise program?Congratulations on taking an important step to improve your health. Here are a few tips to help yourbody adjust to a new routine:• Create a reasonable exercise program based

on attainable goals.• Exercise in moderation.• Begin slowly and build up gradually to avoid injuries.• Cut back the volume and intensity of your

workouts at the first sign of injury.• Listen to your body. When it needs a rest,

give it a rest.

Sources: American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association

1-800-533-UPMC 5

Three things you can do to prevent fallsExercise! Exercises such as tai chi or other relaxationexercises that improve balance and coordination canhelp lower your chances of falling and make you feel stronger. See your doctor regularly. Annual physical and eye examinations can uncover underlying medical problemsthat can lead to falls. See your doctor if you feel unstableor dizzy, possibly due to medications. Tell your doctor ifyou fall; a medical evaluation can help.Make your home safer. Seventy-five percent of all fallsoccur at home. To help make your home fall-proof:• Improve lighting. As you get older, you need brighter

lights to see well. Use night lights in your bedroom,hall, and bathroom.

• Remove small throw rugs. Tack down all carpets andarea rugs so they are firmly fastened to the floor.

• Remove things you can trip over. Clear books,clothes, and shoes from stairs and places you walk.Keep cords and wires near walls.

• Use handrails. Install grab bars near toilets, and both inside and outside your tub and shower. Always use the handrail when using the stairs.

• Store items within easy reach. Don’t store things toohigh or too low. Avoid using stepladders or stepstools. Most of all, think before you reach.

• Wear shoes with non-skid, non-friction soles. Avoidgoing barefoot or wearing only socks or loose-fittingslippers.

Falls may be funny on comedy shows, but they can be traumatic for older adults. Simply tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can change an older person’s life in an instant — posing serious threats to his or her health and independence.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three people over 65 experience at least one fall each year, and more than two-thirds of them are likely to fall again within six months.Falls also are the leading cause of accidental death in seniors. And, as many as 30 percent of those who fall end up with debilitating hip, pelvic, or spine fractures that make it harder to get around and adversely affect self-confidence. Even those who don’t suffer serious injury can become fearful.

“The most obvious concern when an older adult falls or trips is injury,” says Stephanie Studenski, MD, MPH, director of the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at the University of Pittsburgh and associate director of research at the Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh. “But the fear of falling can cause people to restrict their activity and sacrifice their independence. In some cases, it can lead to social isolation,” she says.

Everyone is at risk for falls, but that risk increases with the changes that come with aging, plus other medical conditions such as arthritis, cataracts and glaucoma, and balance problems.

“Fortunately, there’s a lot people can do to prevent most risk factors,” says Dr. Studenski. “Taking care of your overall health, staying active, socializing with friends, and taking a few common-sense precautions can help you avoid falls and broken bones.”

To learn more about the Falls Clinic, located at UPMC Senior Care-Benedum Geriatric Center in Oakland, call 412-692-4200.

UPMC Spotlight

The Downside of FallsPreventing tripping, falling can be key to maintaining independence

Leading the Work in Falls PreventionDr. Stephanie Studenski received the 2010 National Award for Falls Prevention Research and will be honored as the grand champion at the third annual Celebrating Senior Champions benefit dinner and auction Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. For more information about the event, sponsored by UPMC Senior Services, the Aging Institute, and the Division of Geriatric Medicine of the University of Pittsburgh, call Peggy VanHorn, benevolent care advocate, at 412-622-9239.


We’ve all heard about the importance of the doctor/patient relationship, oftendescribed as the cornerstone of qualitymedical care.

“In fact, the stronger that relationship, the better your chances of receiving theright care at the right time in the rightway,” says Tami Minnier, vice president of UPMC’s Donald J. Wolff, Jr. Centerfor Quality Improvement and Innovation. “At UPMC, our goal is to help you develop a long-term partnership in which your doctor is your number one health care champion.”

According to a 2010 survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, most of us are very satisfied with our physicians. It usually takes something major — like moving to a new area, changing medical insurance, or being diagnosed with a serious condition — to prompt us to look for a new doctor.

“If you’re in the process of changing doctors, there are some exciting new options to consider,” says Ms. Minnier.“For example, UPMC’s Health Plan isworking with a growing number of primary care physicians to implement patient-centered medical homes in theirpractices.” In this medical model, yourfamily doctor becomes the hub for all your care by linking you to a collaborativeteam of medical professionals — fromphysician assistants to specialists.

Medical homes are designed to ensure that you receive appropriate and comprehensive care over your entire lifetime, including preventive health care, treatment for acute or chronic illness, and assistance with end-of-life care. Studies show that medical homes are resulting in improved care, access, and communication between patients and their “medical team” — as well as improved quality, safety, and cost of care.

When searching for “Dr. Right,” here arefive helpful tips to locate the best match:

Determine what’s important to you“Finding the ‘right’ doctor often involvespersonal preferences apart from a physician’s skills or qualifications,” saysMs. Minnier. “For example, are you more comfortable with a doctor of yourgender? Is a primary care physician right for you, or do you have a medicalcondition that requires treatment by a specialist? And if easy access is a concern,do you need a doctor located close to your home or workplace?”

Get the opinion of people you trust“Begin your search by asking your circle of family, friends, and co-workers aboutthe positive experiences they’ve had,” sheadvises. “If you’re moving, or seeking aspecialist, your current doctor also can be an excellent referral source.”

Do some homework “There are a number of credible online resources, including UPMC’s Find aDoctor (www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor),with information on more than 5,000physicians, that allow you to confirm aphysician’s medical credentials, board certifications, and specialties,” says Ms. Minnier. You also can check with the state medical board at docboard.org.In general, avoid “doctor ranking” sites,which are unregulated and difficult to verify for accuracy.

At UPMC, a variety of tools are used to assess physician quality, including patient satisfaction surveys. “We literallyreview thousands of surveys monthly,which provide us with invaluable insightsand feedback,” says Ms. Minnier.

Verify your doctor’s insurance plans and hospital a2liations“Most practices accept a variety of insurance plans, but be sure yours isamong them,” advises Ms. Minnier. “And should you ever require hospitalization or special tests, it’s important that your doctor be affiliatedwith a hospital you know and trust.”

Call for an appointment“Bring a written set of questions coveringyour concerns and expectations. Whenyour visit is over, evaluate the experience,”suggests Ms. Minnier. “Was it easy to getan appointment? Were you treated withrespect by both the doctor and the staff? If your answers are positive, you’re on theright path to a doctor/patient relationshipcharacterized by quality care, compassion,and open communication.”

For more information, or to schedule an appointment with a UPMC-a+liated physician, visitwww.UPMC.com/FindADoctor, or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

Choosing the Right Doctor for YouTaking the time to find “Dr. Right” is one of the most important investments you can make.

1-800-533-UPMC 7

Welcoming New Physicians to UPMC MercyTo schedule an appointment, or for more information about any of our physicians, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).

Anesthesiology

Albert J. Carvelli, MD

Ste1anie J. Labate, MD

Joel M. Pomerantz, MD

David M. Ruttum, MD

Joseph F. Talarico, DO

Manisha Loomba Trivedi, MD

Cardiology

George S. Mendenhall, MD

Critical Care Medicine

Amesh A. Adalja, MD

Lakshmipathi P. Chelluri, MD

Lillian L. Emlet, MD

Kevin Ho, MD

Diagnostic Radiology

Sara A. Majewski, MD

Iclal Ocak, MD

Daria Elizabeth Setlik, MD

Emergency Medicine

Michael C. Campbell, MD

Ankur Ashok Doshi, MD

Robert J. Hyde, MD

John M. Murray, MD

Troy Christian Sims, MD

Endocrinology

Jennifer Pennock Holst, MD

Family Medicine

Brent E. Clark, MD

Gastroenterology

Shahid Masood Malik, MD

Geriatric Medicine

George H. Gleeson, MD

James Richard Sahovey, MD

Head & Neck Surgery

Grant Shale Gillman, MD

Andrea F. Lewis, MD

Andrew A. McCall, MD

Ryan Jeremy Soose, MD

Andrew Burchess Tassler, MD

Kristin Woodbury, DO

Infectious Diseases

Bernard J. C. Macatangay, MD

Kathleen Rebecca Sheridan, MD

Internal Medicine

Maliha Ahmad Kamal, MD

Oksana Karpov, DO

Abdul Q. Khan, MD

Ashish Sharma, MD

Adam Edmund Sohnen, MD

Laboratory Medicine

Thomas S. Talamo, MD

Maternal Fetal Medicine

David Collier Streitman, MD

Neonatology

Charles V. Bender, MD

Beverly S. Brozanski, MD

Barbara A. Clouser, MD

Barbara Ann Cohlan, MD

Kara L. Gardner, MD

Jennifer L. Kloesz, MD

Burhanuddin Mahmood, MD

William J. McCarran, MD

Richard Rocco Telesco, MD

Amy M. Urban, DO

Kalyani Rai Vats, MD

Jon F. Watchko, MD

Toby Debra Yanowitz, MD

Nephrology

Khaled Abdel-Kader, MD

Jose F. Bernardo, MD

Patricia Khalil, MD

Kelly V. Liang MD

Preethi V. Murty, MD

Christopher J. Passero, MD

Neuroradiology

Vera Rachel Spelling, MD

Hoang Minh Trang, DO

Neurosurgery

Robert M. Friedlander, MD

Brian T. Jankowitz, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Michael F. Lupinetti, MD

Stephanie L. Nicholas, MD

Ophthalmology

Tineke L. Chan, MD

Vasiliki A. Christopoulos, MD

Paul William Conrad, MD

Kimberly V. Miller, MD

Avni Patel Vyas, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery

Lisa Blackrick, MD

Orthopaedic Surgery/Podiatry

Nicholas J. Lowery, DPM

Pain Management

Karsten Bartels, MD

Pediatrics/General

Rita Kaul, MD

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Shailen F. Greene, MD

Margaret E. Reidy, MD

Maria F. Twichell, MD

Psychiatry

Saghir Ahmad, MD

Anna M. Boettcher, MD

Kristina M. Curci, MD

Antoine B. Douaihy, MD

Julie A. Kmiec, MD

Radiation Oncology

Ryan Patrick Smith, MD

Radiology

Neal J. Klitsch, MD

Marios D. Papachristou, MD

Jamie L. Parent, MD

Amy Vogia, DO

Urology

Ronald M. Benoit, MD

Jodi K. Maranchie, MD

Vascular Surgery

Timothy Wu, MD

UPMC Mercy1400 Locust St.Pittsburgh, PA 15219

UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC.

This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.

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The name you trust in women’s health is right here at Mercy.

UPMC Mercy ob-gyn services are growing to provide comprehensive women’s services by bringing you the same experts who practice at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.In addition to community-based physicians and midwifery, these expanding services forwomen are consistent with Mercy’s rich tradition of care.

UPMC’s complete range of specialty services for women covers obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, midlife health, women’s cancer, and much more.From checkups and preventive care to testing, diagnosis, and advanced treatments, thesuperb doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Mercy and Magee are with you every step of the way on the path to good health. We work closely with your primary care physician toprovide seamless care. And every service is backed by UPMC’s world-class care, providingpeace of mind when you need it most.

To learn more about UPMC Mercy ob-gyn services or to schedule an appointment,call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762), or visit UPMCMercy.com.


REAL ESTATEBethel Park

a comprehensive look at the Bethel Park market. In this section, you’ll find interesting informationabout creating beautiful spaces to live in, interestingfacts about an historical home in the community andhelp trading up (or down) on your current home.

Real Estate

Ann AllsoppOFFICE 412.885.8530 Ext.135

FAX 412.885.1461CELL 412.979.5056

EMAIL [email protected]

Karena AllsoppOFFICE 412.885.8530 Ext.183

FAX 412.885.1461CELL 412.916.3307

EMAIL [email protected]

A COMPLEX REAL ESTATE MARKETREQUIRES CAREFUL NAVIGATION. LET OUREDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE MOVE YOU.

• Multi-Milllion Dollar Producers• Degrees from Duquesne University and University of Pittsburgh• Recipients of Pittsburgh Magazine 2010 and 2011 Five Star Real Estate Agent Award for Outstanding Client Satisfaction

• 2010 O)ce Leaders

If you’re looking for ways to increase yourproperty value, attract buyers or just improveyour way of life, you may find the answer is inyour yard.

Figures in the last two years suggest that thelandscaping of your home is worth somewherebetween 5% and 15% of the total home value.We’re all familiar with the term “curb appeal,”which basically means that buyers must beattracted to the outside of the house before theywill ever see the inside. If your yard isunappealing, it may kill the sale of your home inthe first few seconds. And the new outdoorroom is increasingly appearing on the list of“must-have” features for new homebuyers.

Today, landscaping is more than just plantsand bushes. Some of the features you may wantto consider in making your space moreattractive are lighting, color, foliage, fencing andwater features.

Lighting goes a long way in defining anoutdoor space for nighttime enjoyment, but it’salso a wise investment for security. Motiondetector lights can illuminate pathways anddeter crime. They are inexpensive, andsolar-powered models are available that arewireless. For more subtle lighting, wall sconcescan create ambience in heavily-used areas. Fordining spaces, outdoor chandeliers come in avariety of styles from old world tocontemporary.

Next, try adding some color. Pick a shadethat will coordinate with the color and hue ofyour home, but add some contrast. The colortheme can be achieved through the use of chaircushions, throw pillows, table umbrellas,

canopies and flowering plants. Keep in mindthat wooden patio furniture can also be paintedto further carry out the theme.

Trees, bushes, plants and flowers can breathenew life into a barren space. Trees increase invalue over time as they grow. Bushes andhedges can be used to add beauty and also toadd security. Thorny rosebushes or holly busheswith their pointy leaves can be strategicallyplanted in front of ground floor windows todiscourage would-be intruders. Lavenderbushes generally grow fairly quickly and willadd a wonderful scent to your outdoor area.They are also a good deterrent for spiders sincethey avoid the lavender scent.

When choosing plants and flowers, keep inmind that most people prefer low maintenanceif you are planning on selling your home. Somegood low-maintenance flowers for our area,Zone 6, are Shasta daisies, irises, coneflowersand peonies. These perennials come in a varietyof colors to highlight your yard and your colorscheme.

Don’t forget the lawn. It’s the foundation foryour landscape. Be sure to replace all the “bald”spots with new sod to cover these worn areas.Consider using paving stones for heavy trafficareas. If your grass is brown in spots and you arehaving a party or open-house showing, consider using a green lawn spray that is

specially made to dye your lawn, giving it a lush, verdant look. The dye is permanent and will lastuntil you mow the lawn.

Although fencing may be one of the moreexpensive improvements to your landscapingproject, it is also one of the most attractive andefficient. A fence defines property lines, andadds privacy and security. A lattice fence is aless-expensive option and lends a cottage flair tomost yards. It may be purchased in sections forfairly quick installation. Chain link fencing is asturdier but more expensive option. Fencing isgenerally available in brown, green or black toblend in more easily with natural surroundings.Split rail fencing adds a rustic feeling and maybe lined with chicken wire to keep small petssecure.

Water features are extremely popular andoffer the greatest opportunity for creativeexpression in your landscape design. They canbe as complex as a custom-designed waterfalland as simple as a birdbath. Keep in mind thatstill water breeds mosquitoes. If your waterfeature is not going to be aerated with acirculation pump, it will need to be flushed outand cleaned weekly or you can add fish whichwill eat the mosquito larvae. Manysolar-powered pumps are available for use withwater fountains which eliminate the need forelectricity or cords. Most come with a back-upbattery for cloudy days and nighttime use.

An outdoor space is a great place for theentire family to spend time and enjoy naturewhile adding to the value to your property.

AN ENJOYABLE LIVING SPACE IS AS CLOSE AS YOUR

by Pamela Palongue

R E A L E S TA T E B E T H E L P A R K


Betty Christopher412.298.4481

Tracy Lee Janov412.759.0316

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5187 Library RoadBethel Park, PA 15102

412.854.7200Join our real estate team at Prudential PreferredRealty. Call Micole Tucker at 412-854-7200

When you live in the Pittsburgh area,George Washington may not have slept atyour house, but he may well have traveledacross your property lines. The mancredited as The Father of Our Countryfigured prominently in the local area anddid indeed spend the night at Washington’sLanding, a tiny island in the Allegheny Riverwhen his raft capsized in 1753. Pittsburghhas been the site of many historical eventsover the years, including French and IndianWar battles, the Whiskey Rebellion, the siteof the first World Series and thedevelopment of the polio vaccine. But haveyou ever wondered if your home may haveplayed a small part in history too?

There are many advantages that comewith being awarded the distinction of aNational Historic Place. There are taxcredits and eligibility for federally assistedprojects and historic preservation. Sincemany older homes require a great deal ofmaintenance and may need extensiverenovations, federal grant money to acquirethe materials or assist with the cost of laboris a welcome resource.

The most obvious benefit is that it isvery prestigious to live in an historicdwelling. Many people fear however, thathaving a home nationally registered meansrelinquishing your control as a homeowner

and living in a museum. This is not the case.There is no requirement that your home

be open to the public. Many nationally registered homes are private dwellings. Youalso may paint your home any color you wish or make renovations as needed, although qualifying consideration for the designation is partially based on the structure’s similarity to its originalcondition. An individual may also leave his historic home to his heirs as any other homeownerwould do under normal circumstances.

If you suspect that you live in a home of historic significance, a good place to beginyour research is at your local library or by consulting the historic preservation board or society in your borough. One example that would make your home historically significant is if a prominent person once lived, visited or performed there. For example, Gene Kelly once taught dance lessons there. A home may be considered for designation if a historically important event happened there such as a civil warbattle or the signing of an importantdocument.

Other sites may be considered if theycontain outstanding architectural elementssuch as Fallingwater, designed by architectFrank Lloyd Wright.

By Pamela Palongue





In general, the home should be at least 50 years old to beconsidered and as close to its original condition as possible.

If you decide to proceed with the historic designation process,you must start with the State Historic Preservation Office. InPennsylvania this is part of the PA Historical and MuseumCommission. There are forms listed to begin the process at theirwebsite, www.portal.state.pa.us/.

Once the forms have been completed and submitted it isusually a minimum of 90 days to receive notification if the propertyhas been recommended to the national level. Once the applicationhas been submitted to the National Register of Historic Places, adetermination will be made within 45 days.

For more information on the national criteria for designationand frequently asked questions, you may visit their website at www. nps.gov/nr/faq.htm. Interestingly, once the designation hasbeen made, the homeowner is actually responsible for acquiring aplaque for the property. In fact, the National Register does notrequire that the property have any plaque of designation.

You just never know what secrets your own, unique home mayhold. Whether historical in nature, architecturally interesting, orbeing registered on the National Register of Historic Places therestill truly is, no place like home.

CLAUDIA WAGNERHARRINGTONNorthwood Realty ServicesOFFICE 412.885.8530 x171 CELL 412.303.3315EMAIL [email protected]

Full-time professional REALTOR specializing in first-time buyers, estates, condos/townhomes, buyer agency, relocation

Designations: Associate Broker - Graduate Realtors Institute (GRI)- Residential Marketing Master (RMM) - Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

Northwood Realty ‘President’s Circle of Excellence’ and ‘Top Ten’



George MarshallHome

lthough there’s no definitiveproof, Linda Daum of Bethel

Park believes her home may have been a stopon the Underground Railroad in the daysleading up to the Civil War.

“When we first bought the home in 1970, some of the older neighbors said theyheard stories from their parents,” she said.“And the original owner, Reverend GeorgeMarshall, was a strict abolitionist who wasvery vocal in his criticism of the practice, soit’s very possible.”

The Daum home, or as somecall it, the George Marshall Home,still sits at 3000 Oakhurst Road and was built in 1838, long beforeBethel Park was incorporated as amunicipality. The home served as the parsonage for Marshall andhis family.

Marshall served as the thirdpastor of the BethelPresbyterian Church and wasa nephew of John Quincy

Adams, the sixth President of theUnited States. But like the

rumor about the UndergroundRailroad, there’s no proof that Adamsever slept there.

During his life, Marshallaccumulated the land around his

home and eventually turned hisproperty into a farm of 113 acres.His son, Hugh, inherited the houseand the farm and eventually sold itto the Edward Hicks Family in

A


1928. It is said that Hicks took all of his money out the stock marketto buy the home and, as a result, was able to avoid the 1929 crashthat left the country in the Great Depression.

“When the Hicks’ family bought the home, it was really in greatdisrepair,” Daum said. “The roof was so badly worn that you couldsee the blue sky through it and the grand staircase was gone.”

The Hicks spent the next several decades making renovations to the home including adding a front porch, sun porch, newkitchen, and the Grecian columns that are on the front of the house.

“Mrs. Hicks wanted the home to look like a Southern palatial mansion,” Daum said. “Because they made those exterior changes, however, the house isn’t eligible to be part

of the National Registry of Historic Places.” The Daum Family purchased the home from one of

the Hicks’ daughters in 1970. Daum said she wasimmediately attracted to the house because she “likesold things.”

While the Hicks also made renovations to the interiorof the home, Daum said some of the original features ofthe house remain intact, such as fireplaces, mantelpieces,and some of the doors and partitions. The bricks alsowere made right on the property.

The Daums’ raised three children in the home andplan on staying there for the foreseeable future. It’s part

of their – and Bethel Park’s – history.


Photos by Gary Yon

Once upon a time, young people bought a house and lived therehappily ever after. End of story. Now an individual or couple may buyfour or five different houses in a lifetime and even more if they areworking in an industry where transfers happen frequently. In today’sreal estate market, is it smart to buy and sell so many times? Or is itsafer to buy a dream home and remain there for life?According to Dan Haeck, real estate agent for Coldwell Banker

“people in general have continued to move into homes that bettersuit their needs throughoutthe market downturn. Ofcourse, we all know peoplewho this downturn has hitharder than others,but for themost part, its business asusual. If anything, thehome pricesmay haveslipped a bit

but even that seems to be creeping back”Decades ago, people stayed in the same job for their entire lives.

Now people may switch companies or relocate across the country forjob opportunities. Corporate executives may be transferred withintheir company 10 or more times in a 25-year period. People are alsobasing their housing choices on their immediate needs, rather thanlong-term requirements.People begin their home-buying adventure in a starter home,

which may have only two bedrooms and one bath. Then when theystart a family and are more stable in their careers, they will advanceto a mid-range home to accommodate the growing number ofchildren. Eventually they may upgrade to an even larger, moreluxurious home if income allows. Haeck says that buyers are moreinterested in 4 or 5 bedroom homes that feature level driveways,2 or 3 car garages, open floor plans, bigger kitchens, big finished

gamerooms, and closet space which was lacking inolder homes. People are also becoming more energyconscious and looking for more energy efficient homes.

There are a few key considerations to look atwhen buying a home and upgrading it as an investment.Most importantly, when selecting a neighborhood inwhich to live, take special notice of the school district.Because parents want their children to be able to attend

the very best schools, the school district is key to the area retainingits value over the long haul. Choosing an area that is safe, low-crimeand likely to remain that way, is also important. People tend togravitate toward areas with shopping malls, groceries andentertainment nearby as well. These elements will help ensure thatyour home retains its value when you are ready to sell it in a fewyears. Another important consideration is to make sure that you arenot over-improving for your particular neighborhood if you hope to geta good return on your investment. Check comparable home prices inyour area before making remodeling choices.Pittsburgh’s growing elderly population has created a need for

housing that is sensitive to the mobility problems of this age group.Retirees are empty-nesters that don’t need as much space as agrowing family. Lori Bost of Howard Hanna Real Estate states “themarket for baby boomers wanting to downsize is growing! Mostmove because they don’t need a big home anymore. Some are movingto save on taxes.” They also don’t need stairs. A type of dwellingcalled a “flat” has become popular. A typical flat has no basement,and the kitchen, bathroom and master bedroom are all located on theground floor. The upstairs may include one or two bedrooms and abath for their adult children when they are visiting or residing in thehome while taking care of their aging parents. Most older Pittsburghhomes do not fit this description. There were new flats being built inrecent years, until 2008 when the economic recession halted newconstruction. In the future, with the greater numbers of elderly, thistype of housing could be in short supply. Haeck is optimistic about thefuture of Pittsburgh real estate. “We are actually in a very stablemarket.” If you have a home to sell, now is the time. Our inventory ofhomes to sell is extremely low. The market has appreciated nicelyand if the home is priced correctly, will sell easily.

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by Pamela Palongue

REAL E STATE B E THE L PARK

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Positive feedback and customer referrals have helped Costa Homebuilders achieve its solid reputation. We have built our reputation by making the process as worry-free as possible, and by using only the finest quality materials and craftsmanship.

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“We get to know our clients asindividuals and study their lifestyles,”Costa said. “This provides uniqueinsight into a client’s true needs anddesires.”

Costa provides small-scale drawingsand works with clients until thelayout of the home is enthusiasticallyagreed upon and that their budgetary

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Real Estate Options for the RetiredBy Pamela Palongue

Retired persons are commonly advised to sell their homes to avoid the cost of repairs and maintenance. Well-meaning friends and relatives often point out that they won’t be able to mow the lawn forever. Is selling your house always the best choice? According toKathy McKenna, a real estate broker with over 20 years of experiencein Pittsburgh, it’s a decision that needs to be weighed carefully withknowledgeable people you can trust.

There are many reasons a home may not be practical to maintainin retirement years. McKenna explains, “Some older homes may notbe well insulated and this can lead to high gas or electric bills.” Thereare the major expenses like replacing a roof as well as the ongoingcosts of lawn maintenance, snow removal and real estate taxes. Alsoon an emotional level, some individuals may not be prepared to livealone and would prefer more sociable surroundings.

Some retired persons opt for condominium living which quellsmany of the anxieties of home ownership. As McKenna points out, the maintenance is usually taken care of in the association fees and will generally include lawn maintenance, roof repairs and replacement, and siding. Some condos may include exterior painting as part of their upkeepagreement. The downside is that associationfees can be raised over time. However,most associations manage their moneywisely and the increases are usuallyinfrequent. McKenna also adds, “Doyour homework. Attend theassociation meetings and see howthe money is being spent and ifthey are managing it well.”Another thing toconsider is that condoassociations occasionally may assess theirmembers a one-time fee to pay for a majorrenovation or repair.

This is not common and generally the tenants have months to yearsof prior notice before such an assessment is made.

An alternative to home ownership that may be even moreattractive to seniors is apartment living. Apartments that have utilitiesincluded ensure that high utility bills will not be a problem in coldwinter months and there are no repair bills or real estate taxes withwhich to contend. However, if utilities are granted a rate hike or realestate taxes are raised, those additional costs will likely be passed onto the tenants in the form of a higher rent amount.

A recent trend called the reverse mortgage is a loan where the homeowner, who must be at least 62 years of age, uses the home’s equity as collateral. The bank or mortgage company in turn pays thehomeowner a set amount each month. Homeowners are allowed to remain in their homes until death. The payments are based on theseller’s age; basically, the younger the homeowner at the time ofprocuring the mortgage, the smaller the monthly payment. McKennaadds, “This allows the homeowner to pull the equity out of his housewhile still living there.” The disadvantage is that the homeowner is

still responsible for any repairs and maintenance for thehome. Although not an attractive alternative for some,

those who are living on a fixed income and need moremoney to meet their monthly bills may opt for this

arrangement.While some people savor their privacy, others

crave social interaction. One of the most populartrends in recent years has been the retirement village. These villages allow people to have the privacy of their own home while joining

other residents for entertainment, activities and communal dining. Each one offers different

financial plans and must be studied carefully for the best option. McKenna advises, “Before you

sell your home, be sure to list it with someone who is reputable that you can trust and talk to about

your particular situation.”

FarmersMarket

The Bethel Park Farmers Market isheld every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m.through October 18 on the playgroundat the Bethel Park Community Center.Shoppers can purchase produce fromlocal growers, fresh bread and bakeryitems, and homemade items such aswine and sauces.


Must present Giant Eagle Advantage Card® with coupon. Excludes purchases of prescriptions, gasoline, milk, tobacco, cigarettes and other items prohibited by law. Limit one coupon per employee. Not valid with any other offer. Not subject to doubling. Copies and facsimiles not accepted. Coupon has no cash value.


The 11th Annual DiocesanCheerleading Championship washosted recently by St. Teresa of Avila Cheerleaders at North Hills High School. Almost 20 area Catholic schools competed including St. Louise de Marillac and St. Thomas More. The students showed that cheerleading is a competitive sport as they excelled in tumbling, jumps,stunting, cheers and dance. St. Louise de Marillac won first place in the Large VarsityMount and St. Thomas More won first place in the J.V.Non-Mount. Congratulations to the Trojans and Tigers!

Judges Judy Bradleyand Tracy Howe

Anna Chelli, Julia Evans andMeghan Fanelli

Varsity

J.V.

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Brianna Wright,Lauren Vuono andMiranda Wright

J.V.

Dominique Cozza, Susie Greorge, MaeganGill, Lauren Hensler, Grace Smoker,Dominika Troutman and Victoria Dague



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Enjoy Summer in Bethel Park

Farmers MarketTuesdays, 3 to 7 p.m. throughOctober 18Community Center Playground

Items for sale include plants, localcheeses and milk, take-homemeals, fudge and other goodies,local beef, jellies, bread, wine, andthe fresh produce.

4th of July CelebrationFireworksMonday, July 4, 9:40 p.m.Fireworks are launched from the Port Authority's South HillsTrolly Station

MusicFree Concerts sponsored by theBethel Park Community FoundationSundays, 2:30 to 4 p.m.Bethel Park Community Center

July 17 – Big Band MemoriesJuly 24 – Syria Shrine BandJuly 31 – Allegheny Brass BandAugust 7 – Keystone BarbershopChorusAugust 14 – Pittsburgh Banjo Club

Community DaySaturday, September 1010 a.m. to 5 p.m.Bethel Park High School campusParade begins at 9 a.m.

Activities include pony rides, pettyzoo, children's train rid, soccer,football, food, music, dancing andmuch more as Bethel Parkcelebrates its 125 birthday.

BingoEvery Saturday7 p.m. Brightwood Road Fire Station

SwimmingCommunity Swim DaysJune 27-August 4Monday through Thursday6:30 to 8:30 p.m.High School pool

Rates:$35 – Youth under 18$50 – Adult over 18$80 – Family with one child$90 – Family with two or more

children

Daily rate: $5

Rates available for nonresidents aswell.

Whatever your interests, you’re bound to find something to do inBethel Park this summer. Here’s a rundown of some of the activitiesand events that will heat up (or cool down) the summer of 2011!


Enjoy Summer in Bethel ParkFlea MarketThird Saturday of the month8 a.m. to 2 p.m.Port Authority parking lot, Lytle and Brightwood RoadsJune 18July 16August 20September 17

P irate Baseball GamesBethel Park Community Days at PNC ParkFriday, July 22 vs. St. Louis CardinalsFriday, August 19 vs. Cincinnati RedsInfield grandstand seats

Tickets: $14 for adults$10 for kids 14 and under

For more information or to order tickets, contact Brittany Ryce at 412.325.4494 or [email protected]

ArtPaint & Snap exhibitCollection of artists’ oils, watercolors, pastels, and photography will be on exhibitJune 24 through August 6Schoolhouse Arts Center

Arts, Crafts and Antiques FestivalSaturday, September 1710 a.m. to 4 p.m.Schoolhouse Arts Center

It is lunch time at DeLallo’s Restaurant and achance to clear my mind. My first appointmentthis morning was with clients who have two incollege and a daughter out of college who cannotfind a job – lots of emotions and expenses. Mysecond appointment was with clients who arestruggling with an aging mother. Nursing home?How to handle costs? What are the rightdecisions? POAs? – lots of expenses andemotions. How to survive the squeeze of thesandwich generation, I wonder? At last, myVirginia Spots arrive. Mmmmm!!!! Once again,Chef Reggie saves the day.

As if saving for retirement isn’t challengingenough, add to it the financial and emotionalresponsibility of helping your kids and attendingto the needs of elderly parents, and you’reofficially a member of the Sandwich Generation.

Buzz about the Sandwich Generationemerged several years back as the bulk of BabyBoomers reached age 50. While at the peak oftheir careers, many Boomers met this milestonewith big financial obligations looming – fundingtheir retirement, paying for their kids’ college, andcaring for aging parents. Now, as more settle intotheir 60s, members of this demographic set face anew array of challenges.

Changing needs of aging parents Watching your parents’ health deteriorate

with age is something most of us anticipate havingto cope with as we approach middle age. Addingto the pain for many Baby Boomers is the badeconomy’s impact on their parents’ finances. Inmany families, the nest egg Mom and Dad reliedon to fund their late-in-life needs has been erodedby declining investments and a sunken housingmarket.

Depending on the extent of their losses, thesituation may require that their adult childrenstep in and help. While their parents may haveonce thought they would live independently fortheir remaining years, that may no longer be areality. What’s more, medical advancements have

This was written by DanMartin, Financial Advisor with AmeripriseFinancial (formerly American ExpressFinancial Advisors). Contact his office in BethelPark at 412.831.6240 ext. 208 or by e-mail:[email protected].

Be sure to ask your sales representative about theinsurance policy’s features, benefits and fees, and

whether the insurance is appropriate for you, based upon your financialsituation and objectives.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are madeavailable through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRAand SIPC. Some products and services may not be available in alljurisdictions or to all clients.

© 2011 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved

The S&P 500 is an index containing the stocks of 500 large-cap corporations,most of which are American. The index is the most notable of the many indices ownedand maintained by Standard & Poor's, a division of McGraw-Hill.

Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets index, anunmanaged market capitalization-weighted index, is compiled from a composite ofsecurities markets of 26 emerging market countries.

International investing involves increased risk and volatility due to potentialpolitical and economic instability, currency fluctuations, and differences in financialreporting and accounting standards and oversight. Risks are particularly significantin emerging markets.

Diversification helps you spread risk throughout your portfolio, soinvestments that do poorly may be balanced by others that do relatively better.Diversification does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss indeclining markets.

Investment products, including shares of mutual funds, are not federally orFDIC-insured, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution and involve investmentrisks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents only in thestates of Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, SouthCarolina, Florida, Indiana, and New Jersey.

Brokerage, investment and financial advisory services are made availablethrough Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC. Someproducts and services may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.

Morgan Stanley Capital International Emerging Markets, mscibarra.com

allowed people to live longer than ever before,putting extra strain on their retirement savingsand their Sandwich Generation children.

Boomerang kids stay dependent longerOn the other side of the sandwich are young

adult children who aren’t able to reach financialindependence. Graduating from college oncemeant getting a ‘real’ job and living on your own.With today’s soft job market, many recentgraduates are realizing they can’t liveindependently and are finding shelter under momand dad’s roof once again – thus being dubbedboomerang kids.

Finding a solution While the Sandwich Generation faces some

issues foreign to past generations, there are waysto help lower your stress level and ease yourfinancial burden if you are feeling the squeeze.Consider these suggestions:

• Update your financial goals regularly. Asyour family situation evolves, you may need toreassess your target retirement date and theamount of savings you are planning to amass forretirement. Dependent parents and children maytranslate into financial obligations for you, and thesooner you plan for them, the better.

• Maintain control of debt. Saying thatyou’ll eliminate debt from your life may not be arealistic goal. A more achievable bogie may be tosteer clear of new debt. With uncertaintyapproaching, you may want to avoid the lure ofyour dream home in lieu of a more secure futurefor your family. Consider what you really needrather than what you want when making majorbuying decisions requiring long-term financialcommitments.

• Discuss care options with your parents.It may be difficult to approach your parents

with this topic, but planning early can pay offboth financially and emotionally. If you explorepossibilities while your parents are still healthy,more options may be available – plus, your

parents can helpyou work toward mutually desired goals.

• Protect your assets with insurance.Revisit your disability and life insurance coverageto make sure your family is protected in case youare no longer able to work or suffer an untimelydeath. Long-term care insurance for you or yourparents may also be an option to help offset theasset-draining cost of nursing home or homehealth care.

• Put yourself first. As you count down tothe end of your career, make sure your retirementplan remains a high priority among your financialobligations. While you can finance many things inlife, it’s hard to put retirement on a credit card.Don’t be a Sandwich Generation martyr byputting your own needs after those of your adultchildren or aging parents. You’ll be a much morevaluable parent and child with your own financialhouse in order.

As an Ameriprise financial advisor, I believesuccess should be measured not just by yourfinancial well-being, but by how confident you feelabout your future. My mission is to help you reachyour financial goals through a personalrelationship based on personalized,knowledgeable advice. This focus is designed tohelp you reach your goals, giving you greaterconfidence. I am licensed/registered to dobusiness with U.S. residents only in the states ofPA, OH, WV, FL, IL, NJ, SC, TX, and VA.


Surviving the Sandwich Generation


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T h e P r u d e n t i a lA d v a n t a g e

Frank ConroyFlorine Kelly

Bob Dini

Pat Hogan

Bob Main

Cathy Oliverio

Benny Smith

Judy Ward

Lynn Banbury

KristenDavoren

Wayne Fre-und

Ray R. Kells

Bobbie Mikita

Michelle SchockerRuth Weigers

Lindsay Sutton

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Karen Coyle

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Terry AbbottRanked “Highest in Satisfaction for Home Sellers Among National Full Service Real Estate Firms” by J.D. Power and Associates

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Contact an agent above or visit

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Sue KloseSenior Loan Officer PA Preferred Mortgage

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– Oliver Wendell Holmes

he purchaseand re-construction

of the warehouse at111 Washington Ave. inBridgeville fulfills a dream

of Linda ThomasSpencer and her

daughter Jessica. The7,500 sq. ft. facility allows for

spacious classrooms that are 34’ by 50’ with twelvefoot ceilings. This give dancers plenty of space to

tumble, twirl and grow! During the purchase andrehab process the US Small Business Administrationawarded Linda the Family Owned Business Award inrecognition of the outstanding performance as a family

owned business and the family alsoreceived and Energy Efficiency Grantfrom the Dept. of Environmental

Protection for the energy efficient featuresadded to the update the facility.

“Hot” Summer Classes at the “Cool” Studio

Parents…. Thinking back upon summer vacations past, howmany times do you recall hearing the words “I’m bored” uttered bykids? We have the solution for you! Bring them to The ThomasStudio for summer dance classes.

During the summer months, classes at The Thomas Studio areoffered in abbreviated sessions to accommodate family vacationsand other summer activities. Summer is a fantastic time tointroduce new students to dance as the stresses of school andhomework are eliminated. Dancers can concentrate on exploringtheir creativity and gaining a greater appreciation for the arts.

Young dancers will enjoy themed dance camps designedaround popular children’s movies and music. Your dancer will beintroduced, age appropriately, to ballet, tap, gymnastics, jazz andhip-hop.

Older elementary, middle school students and teens can use aclass-card system that provides for complete flexibility. Dancerspurchase a class-card for the estimated number of classes theywould like to attend and come to those classes whenever theirschedules allow! Summer is the perfect time for any dancer,whether beginner, advanced or college prep, to prepare for theupcoming yean and receive the individual attention they need. It isalso an ideal time for teens to brush up on their dance andgymnastics skills for the upcoming cheerleading of dance teamauditions.

The Thomas Studio of Performing ArtsA N e w F a c i l i t y t o G r o w D a n c e r s


b u s i n e s s s p o t l i g h t

T

Open House ~ Come VisitTuesday, June 28 ~ 2-7 p.m.

dults can be screened for hearing loss using simple methods and there are effective treatments for many forms of hearing loss.

Hearing loss affects as many as 31 million Americans of all ages, yet only 12% of patients are routinely screened for it. At Swift Audiology, we encourage everyone to get their hearing screenedannually, establishing a baseline and monitoring changes and needs,throughout the patient’s life. Most hearing loss occurs slowly over time and goes un-noticed until it is causing frustration and emotionalturmoil, for ourselves, our family, friends and co-workers. Eventuallythis can even lead to isolation and depression if the hearing loss is not treated.

Did you know that we hear with our brain and not with our ears?The ears are the pathway, or transducer to get the information to thebrain. Missing information in speech, such as high frequencyconsonant sounds (S – T – TH – B – F, etc…), over time, causes us tomisinterpret, misunderstand conversations and slows our cognitiveprocessing. It even impacts our memory. If we don’t hear somethingwell enough to comprehend it, how do we remember it? This can slowus down socially, impact our relationships, our mental alertness andchange our lifestyle tremendously. This is a TRUE quality of life issue!

The most common type of hearing loss is Sensorineural (NerveLoss). It is indeed a myth that nothing can be done for NERVE loss.This is a permanent hearing loss within the cochlea and can not becured medically or surgically. (unless it’s a severe to profound loss andhearing aids will no longer help; then a cochlear implant may berecommended, but this is not common among older adults). Aging,noise exposure, trauma, some medications and treatments for cancer,viruses and hereditary factors, can all contribute to nerve loss.

There are very effective hearing aids for nerve loss, utilizing today’sdigital technology. (most people wearing hearing aids have nerveloss). These hearing instruments come in every size, style and color with features to meet lifestyle needs and each budget. These are microelectronics and are in a variety of technology levelslike all computers and electronics. The price is dependent on thetechnology, which accounts for the price differences you seeadvertised. Recent styles have been developed to leave the ear canalmore open, without feeling plugged up and allowing a more naturalsound quality and clarity.

Prove it to yourself; get a hearing test! If you need hearing help,Swift Audiology offers a complimentary “No Risk” hearing screening,performed by one of our professional clinical audiologists. If hearingaids are the appropriate course of treatment, we offer a trial period andalso a 45-day “NO RISK” return.

For more informationVisit www.swiftaudiology.com

OrCall 724-942-4700Peters Twp. Office

Debra Swift, B.C.-H.I.S.Original Founder/President

24 yr. +

Melissa CarnesAuD., Dr. of Audiology

Leslie DunstMS.-CCCA

Senior Audiologist

“When someone in the family has a hearing loss, the entire family has a hearing problem.”

�If the eyes are the window to

the soul,then surely the

Ears are the doorway to the heart!

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People with hearing loss are not the only ones who suffer. A number of studies have shown that the partner or family member

experiences frustration, stress and anger at having to deal with their loved one�s hearing problems. If you have been reluctant

to seek help, then this year, do it for the ones you love.

Why Should I Have My Hearing Tested?

A


The South Hills Women’s Club heldtheir annual Spring Blossom Dinner andCard Party at the Crowne PlazaPittsburgh South on Monday, April 18.

Guests enjoyed dinner, raffles and cardgames with friends.

Money raised at the event will benefit the House of Bread, an all -volunteerorganization that provides food andclothing for those in need of assistance.

Carol Emma,Coletta Dugan,Esther Lippoliand Jan Butts

Marilyn Hindman,Joan Barum, Ollie Katiych andElaine Phipps

Some of theSouth HillsWomen's ClubMembers

Grace Aiken,Christine Sypien,Dolly Kosol andStaci Aiken

Arbell Drost,Kathy Veason,Jacki Kushnerand Gerry Aubel

Alice Tempert, Cindy Ogden, Shahn Karamahosand Cindy Wancheck

Judy Hoffman, Rosemary Kasperand Lorraine Popovich (SouthHills Womens Club members)

Joyce Deemsand Sue Prex(co-chairs ofthe event)

Photos by

DebbieMountain

Shannon and MariLou McFeaters


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Free Family Festival June 18th 10am-3pm

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Call [email protected]

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