Page 24 Moon Area welcomes back audiences for Coraopolis Community Development: Year in Review Diane Cleaners again donates coats to West Hills Food Pantry St. Andrew Lutheran Church establishing memorial garden Locals receive Difference Maker Awards DTCare delivers aid overseas Meet the RMU alumnus upping Pittsburgh’s music game PTC wins regional awards In search of the ultimate chocolate-chip cookie Moon Edition Serving Moon Area School District January/February 2022 One of 4 editions serving 16 airport area communities www.awmagazine.com FREE Direct Mail Community Publication M agazine Allegheny WestJanuary/February 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2022 { } Contents Coraopolis Community Development year in review Diane Cleaners again donates coats to West Hills Food Pantry St. Andrew Lutheran Church establishes memorial garden Locals receive Difference Maker Awards DTCare ships supplies overseas Meet the RMU alumnus upping Pittsburgh’s music game PTC wins regional awards Moon Area School District News In search of the ultimate chocolate-chip cookie Moon Edition January/February 2022 - - - - - - - - - 8 10 10 13 16 18 22 24 26 Columns - Locally Sourced - Chamber Link - Around Your Town - Your Schools - On the Horizon - Legislative Update 8 14 16 20 28 29 Allegheny West Magazine-Moon Edition is published in January, March, May, July, September, and November, six issues a year, Hughey Publications, LLC, P. O. Box 220, McDonald PA 15057. Mailed and distributed free to residents and businesses in Crescent, Moon and Moon Area School District. Reproduction of any artwork, photographs, or copy prepared by Allegheny West Magazine is strictly prohibited without written consent of Hughey Publications LLC. Copyright 1999-2022 Allegheny West Magazine. All rights reserved. Views and opinions expressed by contributors and/or advertisers are the responsibility of the contributors and not those of the publisher of Allegheny West Magazine. WE PROUDLY SPONSOR AND SUPPORT: A variety of community, school, and nonprofit organizations in our coverage areas of Cornell, Moon, Montour, and West Allegheny. We are committed to recycling our used and leftover products. We encourage our readers to be responsible and dispose of this magazine when finished enjoying it. Consider passing it along to someone else, or placing it in your neighborhood recycling bins. Thank you in advance for doing your part for our earth. MEMBER Allegheny West Magazine - Moon Edition, is an all positive, good news publication mailed free into the homes and businesses of the Moon Area School District communities of Moon and Crescent to connect communities, promote people, heighten awareness about the richness of the airport region, and build pride in the western suburbs of Allegheny County. Allegheny West Magazine Dear Readers, Thank you for picking up our first Moon edition of 2022. I hope you had a wonderful holiday and got to spend it with the people who matter most to you. The past couple of years have been incredibly disruptive to our lives and sense of normalcy, which is what has made the return of local events in recent months seem all the more special. We touch on a couple of these in this edition, including Moon Area’s recent production of “High School Musical.” It was a triumphant return as the school welcomed audiences back to enjoy a production students had worked so hard to create. Read more on page 24. In this month’s Locally Sourced section starting on page 8, we’re bringing you a rundown of some local holiday efforts that assisted those in need this past holiday season. Then on page 16, we’re bringing you another story about a local philanthropic effort that is sending much-needed medical supplies overseas. On page 18, read how a Robert Morris University graduate with a love of music is investing in the area. Then, on page 26, our chef column Barb Kleyman writes about her search for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie. This is a great recipe and a fun activity to get the kids involved with on a cold and dreary winter day. Check out upcoming Moon Parks and Recreation programs on page 28 and get a rundown on local school news starting on page 20. Look for our next edition in March. Until then, I hope you will continue to remain healthy and safe. From the Publisher Doug Hughey, Publisher/Editor P. O. Box 220, McDonald, PA 15057 Phone: 724.673.3161 E-Mail: info@awmagazine.com www.awmagazine.com Doug Hughey Jill Bordo Pat Jennette Jocelyn Grecko Sarah Kizina www.ddswebdesign.com Pat Jennette Moon Area students performed “High School Musical” in November. Read more on page 24. PHOTO BY JAMIE GREENE ABOUT THE COVERHeritage Valley Health System Last year, Heritage Valley Health System administered over 105,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses. The health system topped that figure in the waning weeks of 2021 while administering booster shots to eligible individuals at clinics in Allegheny and Beaver counties. Throughout the year, the health system leaned on measures that it put in place early 2021 when demand for vaccines far outpaced doses available. As those doses did become available, Heritage utilized an innovative online registration system and mass vaccination clinics to inoculate tens of thousands of people. Those vaccines have since helped protect a significant proportion of the area’s population against severe illness and curb the overall spread of the virus. “I am extremely proud of Heritage Valley’s ability to be flexible in the administration of the 105,000 vaccines to our community,” says Norman F. Mitry, President & CEO of Heritage Valley Health System. “When the opportunity to vaccinate our community arose, the Board of Directors, Medical Staff and Employees rallied and enabled us to adhere to the Heritage Valley Mission to improve the health and well-being of all individuals in the communities that we serve.” Heritage’s vaccination efforts started in January of 2021, after the health system received some of the very first shots of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Those shots were administered to frontline hospital personnel. Subsequent shots were prioritized for vulnerable community members, including seniors over the age of 80 and those with serious underlying health conditions. As more doses became available, Heritage was able to expand its vaccination efforts to more age groups and, by the end of January, was holding mass vaccination events. Working with Beaver County commissioners and the Community College of Beaver County, Heritage was able to arrange to use the college’s Golden Dome Gymnasium and, on Jan. 28, held its very first mass vaccination clinic there. That day, approximately 1,500 people received their first shot. To efficiently register the large number of people for that and future clinics, Heritage launched an online registration system. In its first week of operation in late January, over 31,000 people used it to make requests for an appointment. At the same time, Heritage worked with senior residences to arrange bussing to clinics and Heritage staff members even administered shots to many seniors right on their buses, as many had mobility issues. Volunteers also lent a hand at the clinics, in part by using golf carts provided by the Community College of Beaver County to shuttle patients who had difficulty walking from their cars. As well, to serve patients in Allegheny County, Heritage began utilizing its Robinson location adjacent to Staples. By Feb. 12 of last year, Heritage’s efforts had resulted in 11,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine being administered. By the end of February, it had delivered 19,000 doses and, by the end of March, Heritage had administered more than 43,000 doses. By that time, 15,000 individuals had also been fully inoculated and nearly 97,000 had registered for appointments. In the months following, Heritage delivered more than 60,000 additional doses as it closed in on its total of over 105,000 shots. For many patients, including seniors, the vaccines were potentially life changing. For some, getting that first shot meant they’d soon be able to see their children and grandchildren again. Others who received the vaccine said they were excited to be able to safely travel. A predominant theme among many vaccine recipients, however, was simply a sense of relief. Currently, Heritage Valley is continuing to deliver booster shots to eligible individuals at clinics held at its Robinson location adjacent to Staples and on the Community College of Beaver County campus. First and second vaccines for those ages 12 and up are available at Heritage Valley ConvenientCare in Center Township on Tuesdays by appointment. Pfizer vaccines are also available by appointment for children ages 5-11 at several locations. More information may be found at www.heritagevalley.org. The CDC is recommending that adults who received a second Pfizer vaccination at least five months ago or Moderna vaccines at least six months ago receive a booster. Teens 16-17 years old who received Pfizer vaccines can get a Pfizer booster. Adults who received the vaccine from Johnson & Johnson more than two months ago are also eligible for boosters. The boosters, like the initial vaccine doses, have been shown to be effective at preventing severe illness and hospitalization. For more guidance on who should receive a booster, and when, visit www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html. If you have not yet received a first COVID-19 shot and would like receive one, visit www.vaccines.gov to register. A year after COVID-19 vaccinations began, Heritage tops 105,000 shots FROM TOP: Thomas Rogozewicz, 81, displays his COVID vaccine card. Rogozewicz was the first community member to receive a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at Heritage’s vaccine clinic held at the Community College of Beaver County back in February of last year. At the time, he was looking forward to seeing his great-grandson. Mary and Richard Mauk display their vaccine cards after receiving their second dose of the vaccine in March of last year. They were looking forward to visiting their children. Tom and Donna Byers, pictured with volunteer vaccinator Judy Brunner, both celebrated their birthdays and their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine last March at the Robinson vaccination site. Volunteers outside the Community College of Beaver County dome use golf carts and wheelchairs to help transport individuals from the parking lot to Heritage’s vaccination clinic inside. 6 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2022Heritage Valley Health System January/February 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 7%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced This past year was another busy one for the Coraopolis Community Development Corporation. In total, across all of the CCDC’s programs and events, the organization assisted 10,042 people in its service area of Coraopolis, Neville Island, Moon Township, Crescent Township and Groveton with basic needs, life-improving information, marketing, and key resources to better their situations. An overview of those efforts include: Food Pantry 9,669 people served 3,062 families served 695 volunteers Snack Pack Program 132 children served 2,218 packs distributed 64 volunteers These programs also: ● Received 20,000 food item donations from community members ● Referred 48 families to the Coraopolis Salvation Army Unit for additional services ● Sent and provided transportation for 10 children to attend summer camp at the Sewickley YMCA ● Provided Christmas gifts to 35 teenagers ● Gave 170 turkey gift cards to local families for Thanksgiving ● Gave 150 gift cards to local families for Christmas Grants Through support from Dollar Bank and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development, the CCDC awarded 30 small businesses with COVID-19 Relief mini-grants to assist them during recovery from the mandatory pandemic shutdowns. Events This past year, the CCDC organized: ● Four “Ask the Expert” sessions to funnel expertise into the community through partnerships with Waste Management, Woods Law Firm and Dollar Bank. ● Six free outdoor community events for the public, including the Second Saturdays concert series, the Fall Festival & Art Walk, and a Christmas in Coraopolis celebration These events drew hundreds of people to the downtown corridor. Shop Local campaigns: For a limited time over the spring and summer, donors of $100 or more to the CCDC’s work received a canvas “#ShopCoraopolis” tote bag that unlocked discounts at participating stores. Antique Shop Promotion The CCDC secured a coveted spot for Coraopolis Antique Shops in the “Pennsylvania Antique Trail” brochure that is distributed nationwide by region. CoryBright Business Window Decorating Contest In honor of the annual “Cory Bright” shop local campaign, business owners decked out their store windows, doors and signage in colorful and festive holiday decor. The CCDC holds a friendly competition and tallies votes received from customers and fans between Dec. 1 and 15, while encouraging people to get out to the Coraopolis business district, check out the window displays and support local businesses. ● More than 400 votes were received ● First place winner: EMMA JEAN’S RELICS ● Second place winner: STEEL CITY SCUBA ● Third place winner: ONE MAN’S JUNK New Business Ribbon Cuttings The CCDC organized six ribbon cutting grand opening ceremonies to welcome new local businesses! Coraopolis Community Development Corporation Update: 2021 in review Red Tree Mortgage was among those who donated to the food pantry after holding a food collection. Professional Tailoring was among the businesses that the CCDC assisted with obtaining a mini-grant for COVID-19 relief. Embellished celebrates its opening with a ribbon cutting. Read our editions and share content online at awmagazine.com CONTENT SUBMITTED 8 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2022%Locally SourcedLocally Sourced Coterra Energy employees and contractors collected unwrapped toys for the Marine Toys for Tots program between Dec. 1 and 16. The toys were then dropped off at the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, which served as a toy drop-off for the program, the week before Christmas. Between the donation and others dropped off at the chamber, the effort resulted in the collection of around 100 toys for the program. Toy drives are an annual holiday initiative at Coterra, which was created when Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation and Cimarex Energy merged on Oct. 1. “Community giving is at the heart of everything we do at Coterra, and it’s truly amazing to see what’s possible when our employees and contractors come together for a collective cause,” says Natalie Clarke, external affairs coordinator at Coterra. “There are many families in need during this time, and we’re glad our efforts can help make the holidays a little brighter for them.” Coterra assists with PAACC toy collection effort Natalie Clarke, external affairs coordinator at Coterra Energy, and Michelle Kreutzer, executive director at the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, pose for a picture with toys collected by Coterra for the chamber’s toy drive. Current needs In January, the CCDC is collecting family-sized cereal for the food pantry and individually-sized cereal for the Snack Pack program. Drop off locations are: ● Emma Jean’s Relics (930 5th Avenue) ● Tiffany Battaglini Insurance (1108 5th Avenue) ● CCDC Garden House (411 Broadway Street) in the front porch bin. Are you or your business interested in “adopting” a week of the Snack Pack program? For more information, contact Amy Cavicchia at amycavicchia@corycdc.org. Volunteer Opportunities The CCDC is looking for volunteers for the following positions: ● Delivery Drivers: Must utilize their own vehicles, have car insurance and be able to lift more than 25 pounds. Sundays 10 a.m. (twice monthly) ● Service Prep: Pack grocery bags for distributions. 9-11:30 a.m. on Sundays (twice monthly) ● Food Distribution: Distribute food into cars as they drive up. 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Sundays (twice monthly) ● Snack Pack Packers: Pack 132 bags of snacks every Thursday morning while school is in session. CONTENT SUBMITTED Moon Area basketball players volunteer to help with the food pantry. January/February 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 9Next >