< PreviousYour SchoolsYour Schools N Archangel Gabriel Catholic School STORIES AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Girls basketballShop with a Cop On Dec. 14, 10 students from AGS were able to connect with the local community in the most unique way. They were invited to shop one-on-one with a Robinson Township police officer at Dick’s Sporting Goods at The Mall at Robinson. Dick’s rolled out the red carpet for each child as they gave them each a gift card and spoiled them with an amazing swag bag filled with a shirt, light-up bracelet, water bottle, and more. Students in grades K through eight competed for the opportunity by writing an essay contest that asked them about their participation in sports, why sports are important, and what was on their wish list if they should win a shopping spree. Ten students were then selected. AGS is extremely grateful to have had this opportunity and know the mentorship offered by both the Robinson Township Police and Dick’s Sporting Goods will not be forgotten. AGS visits OLSH On Dec. 9, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School opened its doors to third, fourth and fifth grade students to enjoy their Christmas play. It was such a joy to have students be able to take a field trip and connect with the high school. They even learned how to do the Candy Cane Twist. AGS is always grateful for the opportunity to enjoy the talents of others. The varsity and junior varsity girls basketball teams both had strong starts to their seasons. The AGS girls basketball teams started their seasons on fire. The varsity girls basketball team - The Lady Knights - took Akron, Ohio by storm the weekend of Nov. 19 at the Archbishop Hoban Classic in the Castle. The girls had a lot of confidence going into the championship and they did not disappoint. The crowd cheered them on as they won the championship and tournament, 4-0. The AGS JV girls team has also been on a roll after beating Blessed Francis Seelos in the championship game of the Cold Turkey Shootout Tournament, which was hosted by St. Gregory Catholic School. As well, the team won the South Hills Academy’s turkey shootout, edging out Providence Heights Alpha. Forensics Members of the Archangel Gabriel forensics team participated in the Southwest Pennsylvania Forensics tournament at Carlynton Middle School Nov. 20. The team had a great showing at its very first competition in two years. It was an especially impressive performance considering 90% of the team members were new to the activity, which helps students improve their public speaking skills in various categories. At the tournament, students had two opportunities to present their selections to a judge and a group of students from the other eight schools, both public and Catholic, that make up the league. Speakers were scored on six characteristics of good public speech. Thanks goes out to Miss Golden, the team’s coaches and parent volunteers, without whom there would not be a program at AGS. The forensics team did well at a recent tournament in November. Robinson Township police officers took a handful of promising AGS students shopping this past holiday season. AGS students visit OLSH to watch a Christmas play. 20 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2022N Your Schools Your Schools Toy Drive for the Salvation Army Student Council hosts many service projects throughout the year, but one of the most successful projects has always been its Christmas Toy Drive. This year, donations far exceeded expectations as the generosity went above and beyond. AGS is proud to donate over 100 brand new toys to the Salvation Army to extend to children in need. The school knows that, when we are able to give, it fills our lives with so much joy. Thank you goes out to Student Council for thinking of others and spreading Christmas cheer. Musical moments This year, AGS was able to resume its school Christmas concerts! Students in kindergarten through grade eight put on two musical performances so that parents could enjoy the shows in two groups. Each grade entered the stage and sang two songs for the audience as music teacher Mr. Tresky joyfully played the accompaniment on piano. Later in the evening, AGS once again opened its gymnasium to families for its band concert, where the school’s violinists kicked things off with a performance. The musical talents of the school’s children are developing and the school can’t wait for their next performances. FROM TOP: AGS students delivered a violin, chorus and band concert all on the same day this past holiday season. Student Council members once again hosted a toy drive this past holiday season. January/February 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 21Your SchoolsYour Schools N Pittsburgh Technical College and its president, Dr. Alicia B. Harvey-Smith, both received several prestigious award distinctions in November. First, on Nov. 10, Dr. Harvey-Smith was named CEO of the Year while PTC earned the honor of Innovator of the Year in the non-profit/education/community category at the 2021 Tech 50 Awards, hosted by the Pittsburgh Technology Council. Then, on Nov. 18, Dr. Harvey-Smith was again recognized as a Pittsburgh Smart 50 Award honoree. The award recognizes the top executives of the 50 smartest companies in the Greater Pittsburgh region for their ability to effectively build and lead successful organizations. “Pittsburgh Technical College works every day to deliver innovation through our wide range of programs helping to build the next generation of our region’s workforce,” said Dr. Harvey-Smith about the distinctions from the Pittsburgh Technology Council. “To be recognized with this award in a city rich with innovation is such an honor and we will continue to push for future innovation in our more than 30 programs of study.” About the Smart 50 Award, Dr. Harvey-Smith said she was honored to share the award with such a distinguished class of honorees. “At Pittsburgh Technical College, we’re taking great strides to become an educator of choice in the region through consistent, career-focused education and innovation, and this award is further validation of those efforts,” she said. Dr. Harvey-Smith is the college’s first president since it became a non-profit organization. Under her guidance, the college has opened new doors for PTC to the community, increasing access to funding and enrollment opportunities. Under her leadership, PTC was ranked for the first time by U.S. News & World Report in four categories in its annual Best Colleges guide, while PTC’s Information Technology programs earned designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Two-Year PTC and Dr. Harvey-Smith recognized with multiple honors Students at Pittsburgh Technical College now have access to a variety of health services right on the college campus, thanks to a new health and wellness center that opened in November. At the new PTC Health and Wellness Center on the ground floor of the Keystone Hall dormitory, students can schedule an appointment with a nurse, receive mental health counseling and even schedule a private fitness appointment. Students will also have access to virtual health visits with a nurse stationed at the center. “It’s been a dream of mine since I arrived to make sure students have access to healthcare and support,” said Dr. Alicia Harvey-Smith, PTC’s president. “And through the support of many partners we came together and made it happen today.” At an official ribbon cutting held to open the center Nov. 10 outside Keystone Hall, Dr. Harvey-Smith acknowledged those partners. They include the Highmark Foundation, the Citrone 33 Foundation and school trustee Michael Urisic, who outfitted the center with fitness equipment. Dr. Harvey-Smith says that the school was also able to use additional funds provided through the CARES Act and Pennsylvania Emergency Education Relief Funds to build out the center. She says that the Citrone 33 Foundation has provided four years of mental health counseling and funding for three years of direct counseling. As a result, the school was able to hire a full-time counselor to manage the center and expand it. “It’s important to know that students will now have access to four major opportunities: direct counseling and direct health care; tele-counseling and tele-health care; and virtual as well,” says Dr. Harvey-Smith. “So, it’s pretty exciting.” Dr. Harvey-Smith says that the school converted two former residential suites inside the hall into the new center and that, longterm, PTC will be looking to move those facilities into a new student center on the campus. “I can’t tell you what this means to our students,” she says. “We have almost 800 students on campus and to have facilities like this makes a big difference.” PTC opens new health and wellness center Pittsburgh Technical College Pittsburgh Technical College president Dr. Alicia Harvey- Smith accepts the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Innovator of the Year award on behalf of PTC at the Tech 50 Awards in November. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY STORY SUBMITTED A nurse at Pittsburgh Technical College’s new health and wellness center demonstrates how remote visits work. Students can also schedule in-person health and even fitness appointments at the center, which has been outfitted with workout equipment. PHOTO BY ETHAN MANSBERGER PTC president Dr. Alicia-Harvey Smith (third from left) is pictured with donors who assisted with PTC’s Health and Wellness Center. They are: Katherine Hancock of The Highmark Foundation; Gabrielle Citrone of The Citrone 33 Foundation; Ali Doyle from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office; and Beth and Michael Yurisic, PTC trustee emeritus. PHOTO BY ETHAN MANSBERGER 22 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2022Education (CAE-2Y) through the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). PTC is now one of only four colleges in the Pittsburgh region offering study in Information Systems, advanced laboratory facilities, NSA and DHS designation and evolving bachelor-level course offerings, including Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. In the past year, PTC earned three National Science Foundation (NSF) grants totaling more than $1.5 million, the first research funding in the college’s 75-year history. With these grants, PTC is partnering with the Beaver County Career and Technology Center and more than 17 local school districts to develop summer camps, cybersecurity competitions, conferences and mentoring programs to broaden participation in tech fields for the region’s youth. In addition to programmatic innovation, Dr. Harvey-Smith has also worked diligently to develop an Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to build a culture of acceptance and bring together a diverse community at PTC, and a Corporate College division offering industry certifications, stackable credentials and specialized training. Dr. Harvey-Smith has also taken the lead on working with organizations like the Forbes Funds to build PTC’s outreach initiatives supporting underserved students while opening a new Student Health and Wellness and Fitness Center on campus this month. The Pittsburgh Smart 50 Award is Dr. Harvey-Smith’s second award distinction in November, and PTC’s third overall. On Nov. 10, Dr. Harvey-Smith was named the CEO of the Year at the 2021 Tech 50 Awards, while PTC earned Innovator of the Year honors in the non-profit/education/community category. 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 Imagine your website working as hard for your business as you do. January/February 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 23Moon Area School District News Moon Area Performing Arts welcomed back audiences for its rendition of the Disney musical “High School Musical” in November. Students performed the show, which tells the story of representatives from two rival high school cliques trying out for their school’s musical, over the course of two weekends in November. It was the department’s first production in almost two years that took place in front of a full audience. “After nearly two years of an empty house, the students of the Moon Area Performing Arts Department came roaring back with a BANG with this show!” said show producer Robert Michael, who also teaches English at the high school. “Educationally, it’s my responsibility to teach our students the ins and outs of the theatre and building a show, but ‘High School Musical,’ unknowingly to me, provided a much more valuable lesson of love and acceptance and incorporating these values into our everyday lives. It was a beautiful sight to see these incredibly talented young adults come together and celebrate life with this amazing production!” Playing the lead roles were Jack Cipriani, Lucia Palmer, Madelyn Gariti, Madeline Zabela, Shayla Maxson, Jack McBride, Tyler Coy, Austin Keys, Molly Hellhake, Kayla Kosarik, Madeline Sollinger and Blythe Helsel. In October of 2020, the department performed “CLUE” outdoors at the Moon Amphitheater in Moon Park. Then in April of 2021, students returned to the auditorium to perform the Broadway musical “BRIGHT STAR,” though in front of a limited audience with a streaming option. As opening night of November’s show fell on Nov. 11, which is Veterans Day, the cast took a moment to celebrate all veterans by asking those in attendance to stand so they could be recognized. Those veterans were then greeted with a thunderous round of applause. Moon Area Performing Arts welcomes back audiences for production of “High School Musical” The Moon Area Performing Arts Department entertained audiences in November with its production of “High School Musical.” PHOTOS BY JAMIE GREENE 24 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2022 Five new members joined the Moon Area School District Board of School Directors on Dec. 6. Welcome Crystal Barr, Patrick Callahan, William Kammerer, Amy Stuart and Kate Wise. For more information about the Moon Area School District Board of School Directors, visit www.moonarea.net/board. Welcome, new school board members! Brooks Elementary fourth-graders in Ms. Bracken’s class filled Operation Christmas Child boxes for children all around the world this past holiday season. The organization, which is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, distributes shoe boxes filled with donated toys, hygiene items and school supplies to children in need around the globe. At school, Mrs. Bracken’s students discussed the gift of giving and what their boxes would mean to a child in need. The class watched some videos online about the boxes and their journey to each recipient. They also discussed what essential items might need to go inside. In addition, students wrote letters to the children who would be receiving the boxes. They even included family photos and some other “get to know you” activities. Students were then able to track their box via a QR code to find out where it would end up. Once every box arrives, the class will do a follow up lesson to talk about where in the world each box went. Outside the classroom, families shopped for their special child, thoughtfully filling the box Ms. Bracken provided with special items and pictures. “I am proud to report that 100% of my students and families filled a box. Some families even filled two - one for another sibling in the family,” said Ms. Bracken. “I was blown away!” Kip’s Ice Cream in Moon Township was so proud of the students for learning the gift of giving that they donated free ice cream to students and families. The class met there to turn in the boxes during National Collection Week and shared some ice cream together as a class social. Brooks fourth-graders spread holiday cheer It’s almost time to register for kindergarten! If you are a Moon Township or Crescent Township resident and your child will be 5 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2022, then kindergarten registration is just around the corner. Open enrollment for incoming kindergarten and first grade students who are new to Moon Area School District begins Feb. 1, 2022. Registration Requirements • Children must be 5 years of age on or before Sept. 1 to be eligible for entry into kindergarten • Children must be 6 years of age on or before Sept. 1 to be eligible for entry into first grade • Children must be residents of Moon Township or Crescent Township The registration process is completely virtual. Visit the Moon Area School District website for more information and to register: www.moonarea.net/content/registration. Parents registering a child for kindergarten should do so as soon as possible after Feb. 1, 2022 so that they are able to participate in the district’s annual Kindergarten RoundUp event, which is scheduled for May 17, 2022. Questions can be directed to the registrar by calling (412) 264-9440 (Menu #8, Extension 1132) or by emailing registrar@ moonarea.net. Moon Area School District looks forward to welcoming its newest learners! Kindergarten Registration William Kammerer, Amy Stuart, Kate Wise, Patrick Callahan and Crystal Barr are sworn in as the newest members of the Moon Area School District Board of Directors. Kindness Day at Bon Meade Students in Bon Meade’s fourth grade Kindness Club helped staff and students celebrate World Kindness Day on Nov. 13 by wearing kindness attire such as sweaters like Mr. Rogers. In addition, the Kindness Club spread cheer by giving crossing guards and bus drivers a kindness goodie bag to show their appreciation for all they do. Students in kindergarten and first grade made kindness crowns, while students in second, third and fourth grades participated in creative kindness writing activities. “At Bon Meade Elementary, we encourage our staff, students, and community to not only spread kindness today, but each and every day,” said Ashley Beeson, Bon Meade Elementary School principal. “As our dear neighbor Mr. Rogers said, ‘There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.’” January/February 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 258Barb’s Recipe Box Barb’s Recipe Box Chocolate-chip cookies are one of those ubiquitous treats that, if you’ve ever baked a cookie, you’ve probably made yourself. They’re great on their own or as an accompaniment to lots of different confectionery creations. They can be used instead of graham crackers for s’mores or made into a twist for tiramisu - and what’s better than an ice cream sandwich? With so many recipes out there, which one is the best? Before we dive into that question, let’s look back on a little history. We have Ruth Wakefield to thank for the invention of the chocolate-chip cookie. According to Jon Michaud’s New Yorker article “Sweet Morsels: A History of the Chocolate-Chip Cookie,” Wakefield invented this famous confection at the Toll House restaurant in Whitman, Massachusetts. She ran the restaurant with her husband, Kenneth, from 1930 to 1967. As Michaud writes, Ruth “brought the Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookie into being in the late nineteen-thirties. The recipe, which has been tweaked over the ensuing decades, made its first appearance in print in the 1938 edition of Wakefield’s ‘Tried and True’ cookbook.” For many people, Ruth’s Nestle Toll House recipe is their go-to for chocolate-chip cookies. While Tollhouse cookies are good, some of us are always in search of the ultimate chocolate-chip cookie recipe, one that’s a little softer, crunchier, more chocolaty or made with different chocolates. Over my 30-plus years of personally trying dozens of recipes, my go-to for a very long time was one published by the New York Times. It can be found at: cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015819- chocolate-chip-cookies. This recipe requires all-purpose and bread flour, lots of good chocolate and resting in the refrigerator for 24 to, preferably, 36 hours. What I learned from this recipe is that refrigerating does make a difference. We took that recipe dough and baked it off at different stages, including right after mixing, after four hours in the fridge, eight hours, 24 hours and 36 hours. Lo and behold, each cookie was slightly different in texture, color and overall spread. The difference between 24 and 36 hours, however, was not substantial enough to wait the extra time so we landed on 24 hours. The beauty of this recipe, as with almost all recipes, is that it relies on the ability to freeze the dough. The New York Times recipe makes a boatload of dough, so scoop out half onto cookie sheets to bake and scoop out the rest to freeze on a cookie sheet. You can place the dough balls close together and, when frozen, place them in a Ziploc bag to keep in the freezer for whenever you want fresh cookies. It takes an extra two to five minutes to cook frozen cookies. Test it with your oven. They will remain fresh in the freezer for three months, if they don’t get eaten first. This recipe remained my go-to until recently, when I found a recipe on Food52.com called Ovenly’s Secretly Vegan Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies. I became a vegan about nine years ago and, currently, I still call myself “vegan-ish.” That’s my made-up word since I do not eat meat, dairy products or eggs but I do now eat fish and have been on a new search for a vegan chocolate-chip cookie. None I’d found up to that point had been great. Skeptical as I was, I clicked on the video link and was blown away. Ovenly’s is a bakery in New York City that decided to try to make a chocolate-chip cookie without eggs or butter. They posited that eggs are simply fat and water. Therefore, they decided to replace them with oil and water. They hit gold and it has become their best-selling cookie. From the look of the cookies on their video, I understood why. I immediately headed downstairs and made a batch of dough. I could barely wait until the next day to bake them. They were fabulous, with or without the suggested salt sprinkle on top. They were soft and chewy. For me, it checked every box for the ultimate chocolate-chip cookie until, that is, I added caramel shards (a quick hack that I will include at the end). It was so easy to throw the recipe together with just two bowls and a spatula. You can hand-blend them but don’t overmix. Now I am tweaking, testing and seeing if I can make them faster and not wait over night to bake them. This is also a great recipe to make with the kids. Without butter and eggs, you can almost consider them healthy - almost. Enjoy! In search of the ultimate chocolate-chip cookie BY BARB KLEYMAN 26 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 20228Barb’s Recipe Box Barb’s Recipe Box Cookie Recipe The recipe for Ovenly’s Secretly Vegan Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies can be found at food52.com/recipes/39132-ovenly-s-secretly-vegan- salted-chocolate-chip-cookies. Or go to food52.com and search “Ovenly.” Due to any potential copyright issues, we are not printing the cookie recipe here. However, at right is my recipe for caramel shards: Carmel Shards Making caramel shards is simple. Start the same way you would make caramel, with sugar and water, but leave out the milk part of the recipe. I like to mix two to four tablespoons of shards right into the cookie dough. It produces orange, shiny spots of goodness on the cookie and a sweet crackle when you bite it. In a cake, it creates golden spots that add a flavor boost in every bite. 1. Place about 3/4 cup of sugar and 2T of water in a saucepan. Remember, you are making a hot sugar syrup and it can cause a terrible burn so, be careful and pay attention; this doesn’t take long. 2. Get a cookie sheet ready. Cover it with a piece of parchment. Place the sheet on a heatproof surface. You may stir the sugar and water before you heat it but then don’t touch or stir. If you do, it will become a pile of crystals and you will need to throw it out and start over. 3. Heat slowly on medium heat until sugar is melted. Don’t stir. Leave on heat and watch it change color. When it’s a beautiful golden color (after 5-10 minutes) turn off the heat. Pour it onto the parchment and tilt the pan to spread it thin. It will immediately start to harden. Let it cool completely. 4. Cover with another piece of parchment and go to town, banging on it with a mallet. The caramel is not only beautiful but tasty. I like smaller pieces for cookies and slightly larger pieces for cakes and pies. To store leftovers, place the shards in a freezer bag in the freezer, not in the fridge where they will melt. I haven’t tried it in pies yet but, can you imagine a fresh blueberry pie with little bursts of caramel flavor or these shards in a key lime pie? There are lots of uses, so don’t be afraid to experiment. ABOVE: There are lots of different ways to eat these delicious chocolate chip cookies, including as ice cream sandwiches. LEFT: This recipe requires just two bowls, a whisk and a spatula. Here, the water, sugar and oil are mixed and ready to combine with the flour mixture. BELOW: The dough is blended and ready to be refrigerated. Barb Kleyman is a certified chef. Visit her website at: barbsbars.com. January/February 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 27On the Horizon On the Horizon ; Moon Parks and Recreation All programs are subject to change or cancellation. Some have participation limits. Check www.moonparks.org for the latest, to register and information on any masking requirements. Call (412) 262-1703 with questions and to pay by credit card. Upcoming Moon and Crescent Democratic Committee Meetings, last Tuesdays, email moondems1@gmail.com for time and location, candidate and volunteer information also available. The Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection Meetings, Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m., Eat N’ Park on Route 60, referral group of business professionals, promote your business through networking, www.gpbc-pgh. org, (412) 364-6446 x 302. St. James School Open House, Jan. 30, 12:45-2:15 p.m., preschool through eighth grade, meet the teachers and take a tour of the school, register by emailing jriley@stjamesschool.us or call (412) 741-5540, walk-ins welcome, stjamesschool.us. Archangel Gabriel Catholic School Open House, Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., pre-K through grade eight, register at archangelgabrielpgh. org, see page 21. Doo Wop Doctors Oldies Party, Feb. 12, 6-9 p.m., McKees Rocks VFW, supports McKees Rocks Historical Society, $15, purchase tickets at eventbrite.com by searching “Doo Wop Doctors,” (412) 427-1613. Fitness (ages 15+) Programs take place at Robin Hill Center unless otherwise indicated. Barre, Wednesdays, Feb. 23-March 30, 8:30-9:30 a.m., outdoor class, total body workout, includes elements of ballet and Pilates, starts with standing barrework and ends with core work and deep stretches, bring mat and a pair of 1-3lb dumb bells, all fitness levels, $45 Moon resident, $50 non-residents, six-week session. Yoga for Beginners and Beyond, Feb. 3-24 (no class Feb. 17), Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Feb. 4-25, March 4-25, Thursdays, 5:15-6:15 p.m., Robin Hill Carriage House, no experience required, modifications for everyone, good for first-timers, bring matt and water bottle, $30 Moon resident, $35 non-residents, three-week session. Pound Fitness, Tuesdays, Feb. 15-March 22, 7-7:45 p.m., full-body cardio jam session, combines light resistance with simulated drumming, POUND off pounds as each song flies by, bring a mat and water, $45 Moon residents, $50 non-residents, six-week session. Totally Toned, Mondays, Feb. 14-March 21, 6:30-7:30 p.m., designed to help tone entire body, all fitness levels, bring hand weights and mat, $45 Moon resident, $50 non-resident. Art in the Park (ages 5-12), Feb. 2-23, 4:30-6 p.m., explore many different mediums from drawing and painting to sculpture, $50 Moon residents, $55 non-residents, four-week session), fee includes materials. Crafter-noons! (ages 5-12), Feb. 12, 1:30- 3:30 p.m., make three Valentine’s Day crafts to take home, $20 Moon residents, $25 non-residents. Nature Explorers (ages 5-12), Feb. 7-March 7 (no class Feb. 21), 4:30-6 p.m., educationally enriching activities focuses on science and nature combined with trail hikes, $40 Moon residents, $45 non-residents, four-week session. Mad Science: Brixology Bridges (ages 5-10), Feb. 17, 4:30-6 p.m., children work together with their fellow civil engineers to build and test different bridge designs from LEGO bricks, learn about strong shapes and structures, $25 Moon residents, $30 non-residents. Safe@Home by Safe Sitter, (grades 4-6), Feb. 24, 4:30-6 p.m., program designed for students in grades 4-6 to prepare them to be safe when they are home alone, $25 Moon residents, $35 non-residents. Youth Programs take place at Moon Park office classroom unless otherwise indicated. 28 • Allegheny West Magazine • January/February 2022lLegislative Update Legislative Update Seniors (ages 55+) Programs take place at the Carriage House at Robin Hill Park unless otherwise indicated and require a Senior Connection membership. Memberships are free with purchase of $10 card. Register by calling Moon Parks and Recreation at (412) 262-1703 x 404 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Painting Class with Acrylics, Jan. 28, Feb. 11, 25, 1-2:30 p.m., bring a painting apron or shirt, for all levels, $10 per person per class, includes supplies, register one week prior. Historical Speaker Series Part II: Heinz History Center “World War II: Objects of Victory,” Feb. 2, 11 a.m., traces Pittsburgh’s contributions to victory in World War II through stories of five key artifacts, presented by Heinz History Center, coffee and donuts served, free, register by Jan. 26. Roast Beef Dinner & Wine Pairings, Feb. 8, 4-5:30 p.m., Robin Hill Center, lovely dinner served by candlelight, wine pairings by Kavic Winery, round tables of four only, $18, register by Feb. 1. Doo Wop Party featuring Doo Wop Doctors, Feb. 18, 6-9 p.m., Crescent Township Fire Hall, bagged snacks and water included, cash bar available, $15/ member, guest permitted with registration at same fee, register by Feb. 7. State Rep. Valerie Gaydos NOW HIRING! O ces located in Robinson Twp. & Monaca 412.494.2000 ExpressPros.com Full-time and part-time job opportunities in a variety of positions: Administrative, Professional, Industrial, Skilled Labor, Skilled Trades, and Skilled Professional. Call to schedule your interview! No Fees! Moon Parks and Rec. (cont.) State Rep. Valerie Gaydos represents Pennsylvania’s 44th District. Her office is located at 1005 Beaver Grade Road in Moon Township. Subscribe to her emails at www.repgaydos.com and follow her on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepGaydos. I recently participated in the celebration of the Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Pittsburgh, as well as the Centennial Gala program to commemorate the founding of the first diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada. Led by His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the two-day celebration included Father Branislav Golic, priest of St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, the Honorable Royal Adjutant to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander, Mr. Branko Terzic; His Excellency, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the United States of America, Marko Djuric; and several other dioceses of the Orthodox Church in America. Adding to the importance of this celebration, our very own Quaker Valley resident and retired Edgeworth Elementary School Librarian Milana “Mim” Karlo Bizic was granted by Bishop Irinej the prestigious medal of the High Order of the Holy Despot Stefan Lazarevic for her lifelong endeavors in promoting educational and cultural values in our schools. Among many previous recognitions in her lifetime of teaching, Mrs. Bizic was recognized for her implementation of computers in elementary education, was a multi-year winner of the Apple Distinguished Educator Award while teaching in the Quaker Valley School District and was also named Woman of the Year in 1987 by the Sewickley Herald Newspaper for her many achievements on behalf of the children of the valley. Congratulations Mrs. Bizic! On behalf of the House of Representatives and more than 20 of my House colleagues, I presented His Grace Bishop Irinej with an official House of Representatives recognition to mark the centennial of the founding of the first Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, not only in my official capacity as state representative, but also as an Orthodox Christian and the granddaughter of two Orthodox priests who held great appreciation for the religious freedoms afforded to them in the United States. Thank you, America! Honoring the Pan-Orthodox Hierarchical Divine Liturgy ABOVE: State Rep. Valerie Gaydos is pictured with Milana “Mim” Karlo Bizic, who received the medal of the High Order of the Holy Despot Stefan Lazarevic. January/February 2022 • www.awmagazine.com • 29Next >