Arthur King Wins Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers Award
The Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers Award, America’s longest running and most prestigious agricultural honors program, recently announced its 89th Class of Mid-Atlantic Master Farmers, all of whom are from Pennsylvania. It includes Donald Cairns of Parkesburg, Chester County; Jeff and Sue Frey of Willow Street, Lancaster County, and Arthur King of Valencia, Butler County. King raises 137 acres of fruits and vegetables and runs a farm market just outside Pittsburgh. They will be honored in person at this year’s Mid-Atlantic Master Farmer Banquet on July 15 in Lititz, PA. Photo credit American Agriculturist.
Dorseyville Middle School Orchestras Earn High Ratings
The Dorseyville Middle School Philharmonic and Sinfonia orchestras earned high ratings at the High Note Music Festival. Both orchestras were rated “Superior” and the groups received trophies for their performances. The Philharmonic Orchestra includes 50 students and the Sinfonia Orchestra has 20 students, all in grades six, seven, and eight. The orchestras are under the direction of teacher Jeffrey Bryer.
Passavant Hospital Auxiliary Holding Basket Bash
Passavant Hospital Auxiliary, which has a long history of funding projects large and small that benefit UPMC Passavant Hospital patients, their families, and those who care for them, is excited to announce their 2022 Basket Bash! The Basket Bash has over $7,000 worth of donated products which has created 24 baskets valued between $200 and $375. Ticket sales are open now and close August 17, 2022. Winners will be announced on Passavant Hospital Auxiliary and Foundation’s Facebook on August 26. For ticket pricing and description of the baskets, visit https://app.mobilecause.com/e/xrO3tQ?vid=sjxg4.
FCAHS Students Qualify For HOSA International Competition
Two Fox Chapel Area High School students earned second-place awards as part of the 2022 PENN HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America)-Future Health Professionals State Leadership Conference. Junior Jonathan Li and sophomore Lakshanya Rajaganapathi each won second-place silver awards. Both of these students qualified for the HOSA International Leadership Conference that will be held June 22-25 in Nashville, TN.
Adult Summer Reading Bookshelf Bingo at Northland
There’s still time to participate in the Bookshelf Bingo summer reading program! Every two weeks, registered readers will have the chance to win a $25 gift card to Target or Trader Joe’s, and each item logged during the entire program enters readers in a grand prize drawing. The Book Lover’s prize features a $75 gift card to Riverstone Books, a ”book nerd” puzzle, an Out of Print tote bag, and other literary goodies. The Picnic in the Park prize includes an Igloo cooler bag, picnic blanket, Yeti mugs, a DiBella’s gift card, and five pool passes to any Allegheny County Parks pool. Bingo runs through August 31;
Register online at https://www.northlandlibrary.org/children-teen/summer-reading/.
Phipps Hosting Sustainable Garden Awards
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is inviting local gardeners to apply for the third annual Phipps Sustainable Garden Awards. These awards highlight residential gardeners that exemplify the principles of sustainable landcare. Awards will be given in five categories: Native Plantings and Wildlife Gardens , Gardens that Manage Rainwater, Micro-Gardens, Abundant Edible Gardens and Gardens for Personal Retreat. All submissions must be managed organically and be free of invasive plants. Submissions are being accepted through July 12. To review guidelines, submit a garden for an award and view last year’s winners, visit phipps.conservatory/GardenAwards.
BHS Welcomes New Primary Care Physician
Jessica Peek, DO, joined BHS Primary Care in June of 2022 and is accepting patients at 1651 North Main Street Extension, Butler, PA. Dr. Peek received her medical degree from DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harrogate, TN and completed a family medicine residency at Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, MI. She is board-certified in osteopathic family medicine, specializing in children and women’s health and also practices osteopathic manipulative medicine. To make an appointment, call 833-604-0435.
Summer Concert Series at Old Economy
Old Economy Village is holding a free summer concert series, open to the public. Most of the concerts will take place in the garden from 2-4 p.m., and guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs. The concert lineup includes David Hodge (July 10), Betty Douglas & Friends (July 24), Miss Freddye’s Homecookin’ Band (August 7), Allegheny Brass Band (August 28) and the Swingin’ Bopcats Big Band (September 18). A donation is always appreciated.
Memorial Butterflies on Sale Now
Release a monarch butterfly in honor of a special someone, in memory of a loved one or just for fun! Monarch butterflies are now available for pre-purchase, and can be released in private, or at 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 8 at the Moraine State Park Regatta during a mass release that is free to attend. For more info, visit https://morainestateparkregatta.org.
Aquinas Academy Students Compete at PJAS State Tournament
Fifteen eighth-grade Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh students qualified for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS) State Meeting competition. Along with a First Place award, Savannah Deschamps received the Director’s Award, which included a $100 prize. The 15 students competed in person at Penn State University on May 16, with Savannah and eleven others receiving First Place.
Jack Cohen to Fill Rotary District Governor Role
Jack Cohen, president of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, is next in line to fill the district governor role with the local branch of Rotary International. In July, Cohen will become the district governor of Rotary International District 7280, a region that includes Butler County but stretches as far up as Erie and encompasses 42 different Rotary clubs.
Sewickley Academy Graduates 64 in the Class of 2022
The faculty and staff of Sewickley Academy, Pittsburgh’s oldest co-educational college-preparatory and independent day school, honored its Class of 2022 with a commencement ceremony in the school’s Events Center on Thurs., June 9, 2022. Four graduates received special recognition for their achievements prior to the presentation of diplomas. Ashley Glabicki of Sewickley received the Faculty Award; Rohan Shah of Gibsonia was honored with the Academy Award, Brooke Kries of Sewickley was awarded the Head of School Award and Gary Peng of Mars earned the Cavalier Cup. Additionally, nine members of the class earned certificates of completion for the academy’s Global Studies program. Other awards were given on May 16 during the annual Senior School awards ceremony including the induction of 13 members of the class into Sewickley Academy’s chapter of The Cum Laude Society.
Martinis with Monet Art Expo
Now in its eighth year, Martinis with Monet Art Expo is the signature community art exhibition that kicks off Cranberry Township Community Days. This Open Show will be juried by Joyce Werwie Perry, who lives and works as an artist in Crafton, PA. Perry was awarded the 2018 Medal of Honor and Elizabeth Stanton Blake Memorial Award by the National Association of Women Artists in New York, NY. The show’s opening will be held July 13 from 7-9 p.m. at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road. Cost to attend the opening for non-artists is $20; $10 for artists with work entered in the show. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Municipal Building office or at www.yourctcc.org. For more information, visit https://www.cranberryartistsnetwork.com.
2022 Celebrity Care Fest Weekend
HM3 Partners Independence Fund Inc. is teaming up with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2022 Celebrity Care Fest Weekend on Friday, July 22 and Saturday, July 23. On Friday night, there will be a celebrity dinner honoring Actress Jayne Seymour and Civil Rights icon Xernona Clayton. Weekend net proceeds in part will benefit Butler Health System. Along with a tremendous number of sports, TV and radio celebrity attendees, entertainment includes Queen V and her friends, which includes Lou Gramm, founding member of Foreigner, the Temptations, and the world renowned Jacksons (Marlon, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine). Both event nights are being held at 405 Avonlea Court, Gibsonia, PA. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit https://hm3independencefund.org.
Butler Memorial Hospital on Newsweek’s Best Maternity Hospitals List
Butler Memorial Hospital has been awarded on Newsweek’s list of Best Maternity Hospitals 2022. This prestigious award is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on May 11, 2022 and can currently be viewed on Newsweek’s website. Newsweek and Statista invited over 10,000 medical professionals to participate in the survey, and only 350 winners were recognized on the Best Maternity Hospitals 2022 list.
Fox Chapel Area Students Place First in State Science Competition
Five Fox Chapel Area School District students recently won awards in the state competition of the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS). Fox Chapel Area first-place state winners were juniors Lawrence Liu and Arvind Seshan; sophomores Lakshanya Rajaganapathi and Adhitya Thirumala; and seventh-grader Param Thawani. Additionally, Lawrence and Lakshanya also received Perfect Score awards.
Dr. Dillon Stein Receives 2022 Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Award
The Hastings Center and The Cunniff-Dixon Foundation have announced that Dr. Dillon Stein, director of the Division of Palliative Care at Butler Health System, is one of six physicians across the country to be recognized with the prestigious Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Award. The award honors clinicians for outstanding care provided to patients nearing the end of life. It is based on technical competence, personal integrity, empathic dialogue with patients, active engagement with the family and loved ones, practical and heartfelt communication regarding advance directives, and compassionate alleviation of suffering.
Art and Exercise Classes for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
The Baierl Family YMCA and Not Forgotten Home & Community Services (NFHCS) have partnered to offer exercise and art classes for individuals with intellectual disabilities at the YMCA each Friday afternoon. Laura Stuart, Creative Director for NFHCS, teaches the arts programming component and Mary Ann Ndwanyi, Program Manager, Don’t Forget Ur Fabulous Fitness Program, is the instructor for the exercise classes. The art classes are from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and exercise is 3:30-4:30 p.m. Classes are free and open to all. Register in advance: Art with Laura - https://bit.ly/3PXGxOz; Fitness with MaryAnn - https://bit.ly/3O4X4yL.
Butler Health and Excela to Form New Health System
Officials at Butler Health System and Excela Health have signed a Letter of Intent to combine their respective organizations into a new health system serving western Pennsylvania. The new health system will generate over $1 billion in revenue, employ approximately 7,300 people, and have over 1,000 physicians and practitioners. The system will support five hospitals which includes Butler, Clarion, Frick, Latrobe and Westmoreland Hospitals.
Birthday Toy Drive to Hold Celebration July 17
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh and Lemieux Family Center is honored to be the beneficiary of the 5th Annual Birthday Toy Drive, a fundraiser and event organized by Tiff Setzler. The toy drive started May 1 and goes until July 17. On July 17, there will be an end-of-event celebration at The Stacks at 3 Crossing (2875 Railroad Street, 15222), from 1-5 p.m. Admission is free, but a toy or monetary donation to The Children’s Home is appreciated. Celebrate the day with live music, face painting, caricature artists and enjoy multiple vendors such as Franktuary, PGH crepes, 412 Brewing, Kona Ice, Full Count Threads, and 30 other hometown vendors.
Featured Events For Adults at Northland Library
Registration required, where noted, to attend these free virtual and in-person programs. For more information and to register: www.northlandlibrary.org or call the Ask A Librarian desk at 412-366-8100, ext. 113.
Fun with Publishing: A Talk with Local Author Mike Bezilla - Thursday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m.
The Golden Age of Broadway Musicals with The Sassy Seniors! - Thursday, July 28 at 2 p.m.
The History of Radio in Pittsburgh - Thursday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m.
FCAHS Team Named First Runner-Up in Governor’s Stem Competition
A team of Fox Chapel Area High School students was named the first runner-up in Division 1 of the ninth annual Governor’s STEM Competition. Team members are senior Janise Kim, juniors Prajval Sreenivas and Ananth Kashyap, and freshmen Alex Kim and Swati Mylarappa. The group developed a product called MOOD, a low-cost, artificial intelligence-driven psychotherapy assistant that addresses the unique, real-time needs of individuals struggling with various mental health issues. The students worked with experts in the mental health field from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the UPMC Health Plan. The students’ advisor was gifted support facilitator Lisa Gibson.
FCAHS Students Among Best in Nation in Policy Debate
The Fox Chapel Area High School team of 2022 graduate Ian Mackey-Piccolo and 2021-2022 sophomore Adhitya Thirumala advanced to the double octofinal trophy round in Policy Debate at the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament. This accomplishment placed the team among the top 32 policy debate teams in the nation. The national tournament was held May 27-29, 2022, in Washington, D.C. A total of 1,973 students representing 400 public, private, and charter high schools from 29 states across the country participated in the tournament. Ian and Adhitya qualified for the tournament at the Pittsburgh Diocesan national-qualifying tournament in March.
Fox Chapel Area 2022 Graduates Named Global Scholars
Three Fox Chapel Area High School 2022 graduates, Justine Eng (Latin), Laura Klamut (German), and Paris Wohlgemuth (German), have been named 2022 Pennsylvania State Modern Language Association (PSMLA) Global Scholars Graduates. The purpose of the PSMLA Global Scholars program is to provide high school students with the opportunity to participate in interdisciplinary studies and activities, to develop global awareness and competency, and to better prepare students for personal and professional success in an increasingly global society.
FCAHS Students to Receive Governor’s Civic Engagement Awards
Twenty-six Fox Chapel Area High School students are receiving the Governor’s Civic Engagement Student Poll Worker Award. The students are seniors Mackenzie Borkovich, Louise Coleman, Quentin Cook, Jacob Donovan, Grace Flanagan, Isabella Geraci, Ellen Gray, Anna Ferris, Danielle Horne, Nabeela Islam, Sydney Kennedy, Laura Klamut, Kaitlyn Legge, Allison Monroe, Nathaniel Mueller, Sangmin Park, Annabel Siddons, Holden Smith, Anna Szymanski, Shrivardhan Thada, Gabrielle Uku, Anushka Vis, Katherine Voigt, Lance Wilhelm, and Ann Yonas; and junior Elijah Conklin. The students are being honored for their work serving as student poll workers for the November 2021 election. Fox Chapel Area High School is also being recognized with the Silver Award for School Civic Engagement for the students’ work in registering more than 65 percent of eligible seniors to vote. Senior Meghan DeLuca was among those students helping to register students to vote. This is the third year that Fox Chapel Area High School has won Governor’s Civic Engagement Awards.