< Previous%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced Upcoming Events The CCDC is excited to move forward with its 2020 events lineup and will be follow the governor’s safety guidelines concerning sanitizing, face masks and social distancing. • Coraopolis Second Saturdays will take place Aug. 8 and Sept. 12 from 12-4 p.m. The events will feature live music and outdoor seating on Mill Street, food trucks, and a farm stand in the heart of Coraopolis’ downtown retail district. Promotional partner Cobblehaus Brewery has newly established outdoor seating on 5th Avenue for guests to enjoy. • Fall Festival & Art Walk: Celebrate fall in a colorful and creative way on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 12-4 p.m. Artists and artwork from the Pittsburgh Society of Artists and the West Hills Art League will be featured inside participating businesses in the Coraopolis business district, along with live music and food trucks. The Art Walk will begin at Gilberti Studios at 1030 5th Avenue. Community Garden The Coraopolis Community Garden is in full bloom with 11 volunteer groups tending to 23 beds, as well as a gorgeous surrounding rose garden. Peppers, tomatoes, onions, beets, radishes, potatoes, zucchini, corn and so much more will be available to guests at the Food Pantry soon. Follow the CCDC on Facebook @CCDC247 and watch for pop-up markets throughout the summer. Fresh organic produce for all to enjoy will be available to the public on weekends when the food pantry isn’t open. Special thanks goes out to garden volunteers Cindy Gilberti, Sandra Beitsinger and Robin Chartier for beautifying the garden shed with their creativity! Coraopolis Food Pantry Since the beginning of April, the Coraopolis Food Pantry has reached 2,172 people. With the help of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and food drives from countless kind people, the pantry has been able to continue to open its doors and serve local people in need with groceries. Every family receives a hearty box of canned goods, cereal, meat, cheese, eggs, fruit and vegetables. The CCDC’s partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has enabled it to receive a new, energy-efficient, three-door refrigerator; some new shelving; and to develop an agreement with Paragon Foods to provide fresh produce boxes to clients over the summer. Through the food bank, the pantry was also introduced to Brewer Airport Toyota, which generously donated a portion of car sales to support local front-line organizations. The food pantry is a grateful recipient of a $4,000 food grant from the dealership, along with colleagues at West Hills Food Pantry and West Hills Meals-on-Wheels. For more, see page 12. Gratitude also goes out to: • Cathy Paich and the Montour Heights Country Club for continuing to support the snack pack and food pantry programs; • Lunova Group for funding an entire month of food for the pantry; • Tiffany R. Battaglini Insurance Agency for collecting over 1,000 boxes of cereal and mac-n-cheese; • Ray Kinneman of Emma Jean’s Relics for stepping into a volunteer leadership role for the pantry during the pandemic; and • Coraopolis Borough and the police department for maintaining public safety. The Coraopolis Food Pantry opens the first and third Sunday of each month from 12-2 p.m. Those who need food delivered may call (412) 329-8247 or email amycavicchia@corycdc.org. Contributions to the food pantry that help with growing demand are both needed and appreciated. Donations can be made by visiting the CCDC’s website at www.corycdc.org, its Facebook page @CCDC247, or my mail at: PO Box 40, Coraopolis, PA 15108. Coraopolis Community Development update CONTENT SUBMITTED 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2020Express knows jobs. Get to know Express. O ces in Robinson & Monaca 412.494.2000 ExpressPros.com Full-time and part-time opportunities in a variety of positions: Administrative, Professional, Industrial, Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, and Skilled Professional No Fees! Bill Sacco closed out his 40-year basketball coaching career with a bang this past season. Under Sacco, the Cornell boys basketball team came away as WPIAL finalists and advanced to the PIAA quarterfinals before the season was curtailed due to COVID-19. After defeating Saltsburg and Elk County Catholic in the state playoffs, the Raiders were just two tough wins away from a historic appearance in the state finals. Though Sacco retired from coaching, he has remained on as Cornell’s athletic director. Sacco, who landed his first head coaching job at Moon Area in 1972, retires with 485 wins under his belt. Outside of taking on head coaching duties at Moon Area for a total of 15 years, Sacco was also an assistant coach. As well, he taught honors American history at the high school for 36 years. The final five years he was teaching, Sacco coached the girls team at section rival West Allegheny. Moon Area players, though, hardly held it against him. “My wife said it was the only time in basketball when the girls from the opposing team came over and hugged the coach,” he says. Among the notable players he coached at Moon Area was John Calipari, who later went on to coach the mens team at the University of Kentucky and led the Wildcats to a national title in 2012. In 2002, Sacco retired from teaching and left West Allegheny before accepting the head coaching position at Cornell that same year. Along with assistants Jeff Stuart and Fran Pataglia, he’s coached the Raiders all of these past 18 years. He also led the team to the playoffs the past four years as it assembled three consecutive 20-win seasons. The past season’s team was led by five seniors, including Kaden DiVito, who was voted player of the year in Class A in the state and named to the All-State team. He also set Cornell’s scoring record. Fellow senior Isaiah Langston earned third team All-State honors. Sacco retires after successful final season Bill Sacco is pictured second from right with this past season’s Cornell Raiders varsity basketball team. PHOTO BY TOM SALVIE Moon Rotary Corn Roast canceled Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions placed on social gatherings, the Annual Moon Township Rotary Corn Roast scheduled for August in Moon Park has been canceled. It is with deep regret that the Rotary has made this decision. Hopes are that all of their friends and families will continue to stay safe and come out again next year. July/August 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 11%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced Over the past few months, the COVID-19 pandemic has created plenty of hardships. The crisis, however, has also spurred people and businesses to take on initiatives intended to help those impacted the most. In the previous edition of this publication, Allegheny West Magazine touched on a number of ways businesses and individuals have been helping their neighbors. Here are a couple more: COVID-19 continues to spur good deeds among locals Brewer donation benefits local food pantries The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank secured donations worth $18,600 from Brewer Airport Toyota in Moon Township for area agencies battling food insecurity in May. The funds have since helped those agencies purchase food directly from the food bank to distribute to those in need in their respective service areas. “It was important to both Brewer Airport Toyota and the food bank that the generous donation from Brewer Toyota go directly to agencies in the Brewer Airport Toyota Community,” said Amber Deemer, community fundraiser coordinator for the Great Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. The four area agencies receiving funds were the West Hills Food Pantry, the Coraopolis Cooperative Food Pantry, the West Hills Meals on Wheels and the West Allegheny Ministerial Association Food Pantry. Food banks as a whole have seen an uptick in demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. In between March 15 and May 31, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank has coordinated the distribution of 7.4 million pounds of food to 365 agencies and programs in 11 counties across southwestern Pennsylvania. This most recent donation will assist it and the agencies it supports with those continuing efforts. Moon Area sophomore assembles and donates essential bags Also in May, rising Moon Area High School sophomore Theodore Tolliver decided to perform an act of kindness in honor of his upcoming 15th birthday, which occurred May 20. Spurred by needs created by the COVID-19 crisis, Theodore assembled essential bags for those in need and dropped them off at Riverdale Church, which hosts a food pantry/ essential items distribution point outside of the church. People can collect items from there at any time and toiletries have been in particular demand. With the support of his mom, Lisa Tolliver-Lehman, Theodore used social media as a platform to collect the funds needed to assemble the essential bags. Their efforts resulted in the collection of $1,800 in two weeks, along with supplies from the immediate and surrounding areas. The bags were filled with items such as toilet paper and upwards of 23 toiletry items such as soap, body wash, Kleenex, toothpaste, toothbrushes, treats and a handmade inspirational message. Upon completion of the project, Teddy felt as though he had given back to his community at a particular time of need. Moon Area rising sophomore Theodore Tolliver assembled essential bags like the ones seen here for those in need. David Baselj, general manager at Brewer Airport Toyota (far right), and Amber Deemer of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank (second from right) are pictured with West Hills Meals on Wheels Steering Committee members Kelly Waldron, Nancy Naim, Barb Hess (director), Carol Greco, Elizabeth Mills, Martie Main and Dale Main. CONTENT SUBMITTED 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2020CAround Your Town Around Your Town After the initial outbreak of COVID-19, schools and universities across the country had to close their doors to protect students. Robert Morris University was no different, though its halls in the engineering department remained busy, with small groups of professors and researchers working to battle the spread of COVID-19 in the greater Pittsburgh area. A number of classrooms and labs in the mostly empty department were repurposed into personal protective equipment workshops and have since aided area medical professionals. “The RMU Engineering Department recognized the shortage of PPE from the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis and was looking for a way to help the community and the healthcare industry,” said Won Joo, head of the engineering department at the university and an associate professor of biomedical engineering. The School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science at RMU saw an opportunity to help by utilizing their various 3D printers. By printing the necessary pieces, they were able to produce face shields vital for doctors treating COVID-19 patients. “RMU has produced the components for approximately 1,130 face shields in our 3D printing lab,” said Joo. “Also, RMU worked with UPMC to manufacture 3D-printed Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs by supporting design development and design validation through mechanical testing. As a result, UPMC is able to manufacture NP swabs in-house and distribute them to the field.” The process of producing protective equipment for the pandemic wasn’t as easy as switching settings on the machines, as new challenges presented themselves in the lab workspaces. While the university is used to producing medical-grade equipment with their printers, the unique circumstances changed their production process. “The most notable challenge was operating the 3D printers and doing the mechanical testing while still complying with physical distancing requirements, including minimizing the number of people who could be present in the lab,” said Joo. The SEMS department is also offering their support to the COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition, which is organized in part by The MITRE Corporation. By sharing their research with other members of the private sector, RMU hopes to lend their expertise to others in need of assistance. “RMU participated because we believe that it is our mission to support the community and people,” said Joo With the university’s engineers working on face shields in the labs, other departments at RMU have found their own ways to help the community battle the spread of COVID-19. The university made a large donation to the Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center, which was home to the majority of COVID-19 cases in Beaver County. RMU’s nursing professors saw the facilities were struggling early on and collected a variety of protective equipment to battle the virus. “These were given directly to Dave Thimons, the medical director at the facility,” said Jonathan Potts, vice president of public relations and marketing at RMU. “We donated 100 N95 masks, 250 pairs of gloves and 25 gowns.” RMU is also offering their business professors’ expertise to local businesses in Moon Township in hopes of offering guidance in the post-pandemic economy. “We have also been working with the local business community through the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce to offer free seminars to advise members on how to navigate the difficult economic circumstances that lie ahead,” said Potts. While the university is using their resources to fight COVID-19, they haven’t forgotten their focus on student safety and supporting those who need it. Throughout the summer, the university still had some students on campus who had been unable to return home, either due to travel restrictions or financial reasons. To accommodate these students, RMU has been utilizing its Student Emergency Fund. “Approximately 20 students are remaining on campus during the summer, and we plan to support these students much as we did during the spring semester,” said Potts. “They will be living in apartments, and each student will have a private bathroom. We will provide meals and other food, as well as necessities such as toilet paper.” For those looking to help fund the research efforts of the university or students on campus, they can do so directly through the university’s website. “Anyone can support our efforts by making a contribution to the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science Dean’s Fund by going to rmu.edu/give,” said Joo. “You can also support RMU engineering by supporting our students through the RMU Student Emergency Fund.” RMU’s efforts help a community impacted by COVID-19 STORY BY GARRET ROBERTS PHOTO SUBMITTED Robert Morris University’s engineering department has been utilizing its 3D printers to produce personal protective equipment for area medical professionals. It’s just one of several ways the university has been assisting those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. July/August 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 13> Learning Curves Learning Curves Pain is not a lifestyle. It is a message that our body is sending to us to tell us that something is wrong. It’s not unlike when the check engine light comes on in our car. When that happens, we tend to address the problem immediately rather than risk a smaller, addressable problem becoming a major mechanical failure. We know that if we keep running our car with the check engine light on, we’re taking a risk. When it comes to treating pain, however, we tend to take a different approach and medicate to cover up the underlying problem rather than address it. Doing so can make it easy to ignore symptoms of stress, pain or fatigue, and will only make our nervous system hypersensitive to pain. This can open up a window to chronic conditions. Just like with cars, we can’t procrastinate when it comes to addressing a bodily injury with a safe and effective treatment. “Our body gives us warning signs that are easy to ignore with pain-relieving medications but finding the source of the problem is something that we specialize in,” says Josh Slomkowski, DC, owner of Hometown Spine and Sport on Steubenville Pike. Slomkowski holds advanced certifications in sports medicine treatments and can address problems causing the injury, not just the symptoms of the injury. Hometown Spine & Sport offers a unique style of treatment that involves a hybridized blend of chiropractic care, soft tissue release therapy and physio-therapy exercises. “We see people everyday who have been treated by other health care professionals prior to coming to our office and these people are usually frustrated with their pain and symptoms that haven’t been fixed,” says Slomkowski. “While testing with x-rays, CT or an MRI are important to rule out the things that our eyes can’t see, pain could be caused by other factors such as stomach issues, anxiety, poor posture, a bad diet or even a fear that pain won’t ever go away.” Slomkowski says he tries to empower patients by teaching them to put their health first with adequate stretching, exercise, proper nutrition and even mindfulness techniques. Stress management is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many peoples’ daily routines have been altered. “Healing starts from the inside outward, meaning that we must find ways to help our bodies now before more concerning medical conditions arise later on,” says Slomkowski. The healthcare professionals at Hometown Spine and Sport have been strictly adhering to all CDC guidelines so that patients feel comfortable when entering the facility. The practice remains open during the pandemic so that anyone suffering from debilitating pain can get the treatment they require. Hometown Spine & Sport is located at 7350 Steubenville Pike, just off the Route 22 Oakdale Exit. For more, visit www. hometownspineandsport. com or call them at (412) 490-1700. The practice is open on Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Hometown Spine & Sport accepts most insurance and also offers Department of Transportation physicals. See below for more information. Are you treating your pain, or ignoring it with medication? SUBMITTED BY HOMETOWN SPINE AND SPORT Hometown Spine and Sport owner Dr. Josh Slomkowski is pictured here with administrative assistants Linda Kavka and Amy Purdy . 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2020y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Michele P. Conti is an estate planning and elder law attorney. Conti attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Oxford University and Duquesne University School of Law. She received her LL.M. in taxation from Villanova University. She can be reached at (724) 784-0239 or michele@contilawpgh.com. BY MICHELE P. CONTI Most people die with some form of debt, whether it be from credit cards, student loans, mortgages, lines of credit or a combination. Some people, however, die with an insolvent estate, meaning that their debts far outweigh their assets. What happens, though, if mom dies with a will stipulating her assets are to be equally split amongst her children but she has an outstanding creditor? Who wins? If the decedent died without a will, the job of figuring this out falls to the executor or administrator. The executor has the obligation to address any filed creditor claim. However, a creditor does not have an indefinite period of time to file a claim. They have one year from the date the executor or administrator is sworn in at the register of wills to file their claim or else the claim is forever barred. Payment of a debt is not automatic. If owed money, the creditor better file the claim sooner rather than later. Executors should not go this road alone. All fiduciaries should hire an experienced estate attorney if for no other reason than to guarantee that the steps are properly taken to remove any future liability from their own shoulders. Attorney fees may be costly but the estate pays for them along with any inheritance tax, filing fee, creditor claim, etc. To wade through the probate river without guidance is a foolish endeavor, especially since the chance of personal liability is real. Beneficiaries have the right to request that the executor provide a detailed description of what he/she did with the assets managed and justify any expenses paid. There are two types of accountings: informal and formal. An informal accounting is when the executor provides the information only to the parties of interest without the court’s involvement. This is dependent on what the interested parties request - bank statements or detailed reports. A formal accounting is very specific and is based on detailed specifications that the court has already approved. Not only do the parties of interest receive a copy, but so does the court in order to approve and prepare for at least one court hearing. Upon approval, creditors of the estate are paid, if not in full then in proportion to the debt-to-asset ratio. However, these are not the first debts paid. When a decedent dies, their property is used to pay for probate and funeral expenses. Then debts are paid prior to any disbursements to beneficiaries. Each creditor is different. Some creditors are willing to negotiate or allow a beneficiary to assume the debt or take the property subject to the debt. Beneficiary vs. Creditor: Who Wins? If the debts exceed the assets, the beneficiaries do not inherit the decedent’s debt. The same holds true that if a credit card is solely in the decedent’s name, no one can use the credit card after the decedent’s death. The amount owed is an estate debt but the card should not be used by a beneficiary or executor of the decedent’s estate after the decedent’s death. We are often asked how to avoid the probate process and the only answer is by using either a revocable living trust or taking advantage of listing beneficiaries on those assets with beneficiary designations. Otherwise, if you pass away with an asset in your individual name, probate must occur in the state that the asset is held. Meaning if you individually own a house in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, your executor will have to probate your estate in both states. There is a huge difference between having an asset funded into a trust rather than slapping on one of your kid’s names as a joint owner of an asset. Do not sacrifice asset protection to save probate costs. Contact us to discuss your options and what makes the most sense for your family. July/August 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 15lLegislative Update Legislative Update BY STATE REP. VALERIE GAYDOS State Rep. Valerie Gaydos We in the House recognize that our constituents are suffering from the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis, so we responded by taking critical action to secure funding for essential programs and to help reduce the strain on taxpayers during this difficult time. The House recently approved a state budget for the first part of the 2020-2021 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The plan provides certainty and stability for the next several months while we await more information about how revenues have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. With tax collection dates changed to July and August, we need more time to ensure we have the data necessary to make smart budgeting decisions for the remainder of the fiscal year. In the meantime, we are committing to a full 12 months of funding for our preK-12 schools and higher education institutions in this plan, which is based on the current year’s budget. Getting our students back in their classrooms this fall is a top priority for all of us, and this budget provides the necessary resources to help our schools reopen safely. We are also fully funding several health and human services programs. Most of the remaining functions are funded for a period of five months. Signed into law on May 29, this year’s budget allocates approximately $25.8 billion and includes no new or increased taxes. Beyond that, I introduced legislation back in March to provide low- to no-interest emergency loans to small businesses that have been hit especially hard by this crisis. Most small businesses operate on fine margins to begin with. During this pandemic, however, many hard-working families and small businesses have been devastated by many of the measures that were instituted to stop the spread of COVID-19. Some of our state’s smallest businesses - the donut shop, the barber, the toy store, the Laundromat and others - were disproportionately impacted by the shutdowns. Many of these same businesses were also excluded from programs like those administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and CARES Act funding - simply because they were not big enough, fast enough or had the numbers on staff to apply for them. These are the businesses that need our help the most. Indeed, this is where my legislation comes into play. House Bill 2369 would direct the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to administer small business assistance loans in two varieties: one that targets short-term bridge financing to get through this period (including meeting payroll, overhead, and other expenses). The other is a long-term resiliency loan that helps businesses recover from this over the months and years to come. I am pleased to report that this legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives and is currently under consideration in the Senate. In another win for small businesses, the Wolf administration announced in June that many of the provisions of my bill will be rolled into a new, expansive small business relief program offered by the DCED. More information is available on the department’s website at www.dced.pa.gov. Finally, I am proud of all of my colleagues for their unanimous vote on House Bill 2487, a bill that would freeze pay for members of the General Assembly and other officials throughout all branches of state government. At a time when millions of Pennsylvanians are out of work, this is simply the right thing to do. As of this writing, this legislation is also pending action in the Senate. News about our state’s response to COVID-19 is changing all the time. If you haven’t done so already, please take a moment to “like” my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RepGaydos for real-time updates on legislation, community news and more. Additionally, be sure to visit my website at www.RepGaydos.com for links to important resources and critical information. Thank you as always for the privilege to serve you. State Rep. Valerie Gaydos represents Pennsylvania’s 44th District. Her office is located at 1009 Beaver Grade Road in Moon Township. Subscribe to her emails at www.repgaydos.com and follow her on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepGaydos. Imagine your website working as hard for your business as you do. 412.205.8998 | DDSWebDesign.com Websites that get results. Designed in Pittsburgh Contact us for a free website analysis. Affordable Custom Designs Responsive Sites | Content Management SEO | E-commerce | Hosting | Maintenance 16 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2020lLegislative Update Legislative Update BY STATE SEN. PAM IOVINO State Sen. Pam Iovino The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many facets of our lives, including how state government continues to serve Pennsylvanians. Offices, including my own, have been teleworking since March 16. We have been assisting constituents via phone and email with business waiver requests and unemployment compensation claims. We have also been helping them navigate the resources available to small businesses and answering questions about changes to a variety of state programs and policies. In Harrisburg (via Zoom) the state legislature has passed numerous bills to both aid in the COVID-19 response and protect first responders. Below, I have outlined some of the legislation and events I have sponsored over the past few months. Supporting superintendents and municipalities I have convened virtual meetings with local school superintendents and another with area municipal officials to hear directly about their needs and answer questions about work being done in Harrisburg. Hearing about their experiences and concerns was extremely informative for policymaking efforts. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, including financial and technological limitations, superintendents from the 37th Senatorial District’s 16 public school districts are working overtime to meet not only the remote learning needs of students but also their mental health and nutritional needs as well. I have always held great admiration for these educators but I’ve gained an even greater appreciation for their commitment during this crisis. The next question that we are looking for an answer to is: what will it look like when schools re-open in the fall? I am committed to working with our superintendents to ensure the quality education of our children. Our municipal officials are also working overtime to keep their communities served and informed. To that end, all officials were pleased with Act 15 of 2020 (formerly Senate Bill 841) which now allows local governments to conduct remote public meetings. Their number one concern is the loss of revenue due to the pandemic. In a letter to Pennsylvania’s U.S. Congressional delegation from the PA State Senate Democratic caucus, I requested support for federal funding to replace revenue for lost taxes during the pandemic for our local governments. I look forward to remaining an engaged partner with our school districts, school boards and municipalities as we all navigate a path forward in these uncharted waters. Supporting first responders and the National Guard The General Assembly unanimously passed, and Governor Wolf signed, House Bill 1869, which expands the Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act to provide 100% compensation of income for first responders who are impacted by COVID-19 and are unable to perform their duties. I am extremely pleased to report that the bipartisan legislation included an amendment, which I helped draft, that makes these same benefits available to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard who contract COVID-19 or are subject to quarantine while on state active duty. Our Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families need our support, and I am proud that our Commonwealth is standing with our men and women in uniform during this time of need. On May 12, the Senate unanimously also passed Senate Bill 1122, which, among other actions, provides $31 million in grants for fire companies and EMS agencies. Timely and flexible-use financial aid for first responders is needed, as the ability of these groups to fundraise and hold other revenue-generating activities during the pandemic has been restricted. The legislation includes an amendment that I introduced which clarifies that Volunteer Firefighter Relief Association funds may be used for expenses related to sanitizing and disinfecting equipment and property during the COVID-19 pandemic, an additional cost that VFDs are incurring. Providing clarity that these are allowable VFRA expenses eliminates any ambiguity and concern of an audit on VFDs in the middle of a pandemic. The unanimous passage of this legislation is a refreshing reminder that the Pennsylvania State Senate can unite in a bipartisan manner to deliver the emergency relief needed all across our Commonwealth during this crisis. Helping businesses weather the storm The temporary shutdown of our economy to prevent the spread of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on businesses, both large and small. I hear it every day, both from business owners and employees. To confront the most daunting economic challenge of our time, we need to put in place every available option to provide safety nets and recovery tools to support our businesses and our economy. That is why I have introduced bipartisan legislation to avail Pennsylvania business owners with business interruption insurance coverage with an avenue to submit claims during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ability to file and collect on legitimate business interruption claims is an option that insured businesses should have. Unfortunately, ambiguous insurance policy language is currently preventing many Pennsylvania businesses from collecting payment from their insurers. My legislation is designed to benefit businesses with business interruption coverage that contains “civil authority” clauses, which typically allow claims if the government shuts down a business during a natural disaster. Recently, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has characterized our current situation as a “natural disaster and a catastrophe of massive proportions.” It also clarifies that the presence of COVID-19 in a community constitutes “property damage.” Successful passage and enactment of this legislation would provide an avenue for more businesses to submit claims on their business interruption insurance policies and help prevent them from being forced to close. Additional COVID-19 resources and news can be found on my website at: senatoriovino.com/covid19. Subscribe to receive my email updates at senatoriovino.com/subscribe. July/August 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 17A rose garden (below) sits at the heart of the Fleur de Lune Garden (pictured above). BOTTOM: Pollinator-friendly plants, a sensory garden, ferns, succulents and others have been planted on the hillside. { GroundworkGroundwork The Fleur de Lune Garden at Robin Hill Park is truly a treasure, featuring beautiful blooms, fragrant blossoms, herbs and nature for all to enjoy. It’s not really hidden, but I think that many Moon Township residents have never visited this lovely space. Our goal is for all families, both from Moon Township and the surrounding communities, to see this colorful gem. Fleur de Lune Garden is French for “Garden of the moon” and it is located behind the red brick Robin Hill Mansion on Thorn Run Road. The original owners were Dr. Alexander Guy and then the Francis B. Nimick family. The large area behind the home was once used as a tennis court and then an amphitheater. After the home and its 142 acres were donated to Moon Township, it was converted into an inviting green space filled with a variety of gardens. There are both steps and a sloping walkway leading into the garden that are accessible for baby strollers and wheelchairs. These pathways lead down to an acre of greenery. The township provided a large plaque explaining the history at the entrance. A pergola has benches where visitors can sit, read and reflect. Large cement urns flank the structure, displaying colorful trailing flowers. The Robin Hill estate got its name from “The Forsyte Saga,” a series of novels written by John Galsworthy, a Nobel Prize-winning author. The estate’s owners enjoyed the writings and thus named the estate Robin Hill and its garden Fleur, after a daughter in the novel. The Moon Township Garden Club felt it fitting to honor the space by calling it Fleur de Lune. The Moon Township Garden Club is responsible for designing, planting and maintaining the entire area. Volunteers from the club can be seen working every Thursday, April through October, making sure that it is attractive and welcoming. The pandemic has not slowed down their labor of love. Volunteers wear not only their gardening gloves, but also masks while maintaining social distance. They also contribute many plants from their own gardens. Merrianne Cacali, a retired teacher and chair of the volunteer group, is responsible for designing and monitoring the space. She works closely with Moon Township Parks and Recreation, along with Amy Ottaviani, the department’s community engagement director, who often volunteers herself. There are a variety of gardens within Fleur de Lune. The rose garden is the heart and center of the space. It features a birdbath enclosed by a low circular stone wall. A lovely statue of Selene, the French mother goddess of the full moon, rises gracefully above the red roses. The garden of Versailles contains a 20-foot elevated garden filled with peonies, lamb’s ear, clematis and a large fountain with trailing begonias. Many fragrances fill the air around this colorful display. Herbs, purple sage, St. John’s Wort, lavender, bee balm and Russian sage are planted in the medicinal garden while the culinary garden features rosemary, garlic and oregano for cooking. Please note that these are not for visitors to cut! On the steep hillside there are pollinator and native plant gardens. A new addition is a 15-foot caterpillar made out of tree stump slices and wire. Succulents, flowers, moss and other ground covers decorate the body. A large metal butterfly sculpture sits at the center of the hill. Two life-sized deer topiaries created by members are surrounded by hostas, ferns and other native plants. Another new addition is a sensory garden for children and adults with special needs. It contains plants to touch, feel and smell, such as a popcorn plant which, yes, does smell like popcorn. A brightly colored shed, donated by the garden club, sits in the back. It has been decorated with hanging baskets, newly planted rhododendrons and daffodils. Rain barrels collect water that is used to hydrate plantings. The National Garden Club proclaims that “gardeners have a passion for nurturing the beauty and resources of the earth through the planting of seeds, the care of all plants.” This is likewise the goal of the Moon Township Garden Club. Caring for the Fleur de Lune Garden is just one of the many community projects organized by its 47 members. A hidden treasure in Moon Township BY DEBBIE TURICI 18 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2020N Your Schools Your Schools On Aug. 16, club members will be at Earth Day Express, which takes place in Moon Park between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Four hundred bags containing Earth Day activities will be given away to anyone who wants to drive through in their car. Next summer, the Moon Township Garden Club will celebrate its centennial anniversary and plans are already in the works to commemorate this milestone. In June of 2021, a two-day Garden Tour of members’ gardens will take place along with a wine and cheese night. The club is also researching the past 10 decades through club meeting minutes, photographs and township archives with the intent of sharing the history of the club and its pioneering women in future articles. There are also two other significant centennials to be celebrated. In the late 19th century, women sought to change voting laws, address economic inequality and prompt social reforms. Congress passed the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. The League of Women Voters was also founded in 1920. This organization believes in the power of women to create a more perfect democracy. History has shown us that women, when taking on tasks, no matter how large or small, do it with passion, commitment, vision and leadership. Visit the Moon Township Garden Club online at MoonTownshipGardenClub.com or see their Facebook page for more. Volunteers take a break under the garden’s pergola. St. Philip Catholic School Graduation - Class of 2020 The American Legion Awards for Scholarship and Citizenship from Frank R. Kirk Post 145 were awarded to St. Philip eighth-graders Sean Kelsch and Julianna Umalin. A letter from the post was read via Zoom and reminded recipients that the virtues of honor, courage, scholarship, leadership, service and Americanism, which the award recognizes, are what the country was founded on and must be fostered for the country to remain strong. Isabella Malloy and Maslen Anselm received The Knights of Columbus Award for excellence in Scholarship, Patriotism, and Faith, sponsored by the David Dulick Family. Christian Leadership awards were presented to Will Stickman and Annalise Wrabley. Recipients of the three awards were chosen by vote among students and St. Philip faculty. Sean Kelsch and Keeley Sniadach also received the Principal’s Award for a perfect 4.0 average all four quarters this year. An awards ceremony via Zoom for students and parents followed the graduation mass. The 23 graduates honored that night will attend Bishop Canevin, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Central Catholic, City Charter School or Montour, with 90 percent choosing a Catholic high school. National Junior Honor Outstanding Achievement Award Eighth-grader Keeley Sniadach has received the National Junior Honor Society NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award. Recognizing the need to help middle level students jump-start their quest toward higher education, the award recognizes 500 exceptional NJHS students with $500 that is to be placed in a college savings account program.Keeley Sniadach Groundwork is a regular column written by members of the Moon Township Garden Club. July/August 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 19Next >