< PreviousCAround Your Town Around Your Town 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 A new swim club is coming to the Montour community this fall. Starting in September, the club, run by Steel City Aquatics, will begin hosting swim lessons, competitive practices, a master’s program and community open swim sessions at the Montour Athletic Center on the high school campus. Swim lessons will be available to children as young as 4 and children ages 6 and up can practice with the club’s competitive team, which participates in meets around the Pittsburgh area. Steel City Aquatics also organizes clubs at South Fayette and Moon Area. Its club at Montour is being led by Melissa Kehl, a Montour alumna who once coached Montour community-based swim clubs and the varsity swim team. She was also a competitive swimmer for the Montour varsity team in the 1980s, achieving WPIAL and state- qualifying times. “I’m going back to my roots, where I swam,” says Kehl, whose last name was Packard when she attended Montour. The club is planning to host swim lessons on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A community swim follows from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. those nights. The pool will be open to families and for lap swimming at that time, Kehl says. Practice for the club’s competitive swimmers will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday. The schedule will be posted to steelcityaquatics.org and may change to work around varsity swim meets. Much like aquatics programs in other communities, Kehl says the purpose of the club is to teach an important skill to the general public, promote healthy exercise and prime younger swimmers for varsity competition. Younger swimmers interested in competitive swimming can start out by taking lessons and progress to the club’s competitive team. They can then start attending meets once they’re ready. Kehl says Steel City Aquatics also has college swimmers who swim with them during school breaks and in the summer. At meets, swimmers compete against others at their level. “Competitive swimmers will have the chance to go up against other swimmers in their age group,” Kehl says. “Steel City wants their programming to grow with the athlete, at every level, at all of our three locations.” As for Montour’s current varsity swimmers, the club will offer something to them as well. Steel City Aquatics will be employing interested varsity swimmers as lifeguards and instructors. They’ll also be able to take lifeguarding classes. Since the club’s hours will be held immediately following varsity swim practices, varsity swimmers will be able to stick around and lend their expertise while earning some extra money. Kehl will be assisted by coach Mercedes McCarthy, who brings with her 20 years of experience coaching high school swimming. McCarthy coached numerous MAC, WPIAL and state-qualifying swimmers at Oakland and Central Catholic schools. She’s won a combined 10 WPIAL team championships and eight state championships. Montour alumna Katie Matuszewski Scott will be coaching the club as well. A local resident, Scott earned state runner-up honors in the 100 butterfly for the Spartans. During her high school years, she competed in four WPIAL and PIAA state championship meets. For more about Steel City Aquatics, including memberships, visit steelcityaquatics.org or email coachmelissa@ steelcityaquatics.org. New swim club for Montour community coming this fall STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY PHOTO SUBMITTED Montour alumna Melissa Kehl is heading a new aquatics club that will be taking place at the Montour Athletic Center this fall. CAround Your Town Around Your Town September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 11 The West Hills Symphonic Band will lead off its 2023-2024 season with a 3 p.m. concert on Sunday, Oct. 15 in the Montour High School Auditorium. The concert, titled “Paths of Glory,” includes a number of band arrangements of patriotic tunes. The show’s lineup includes “Profiles in Courage March,” “Elegy for a Young American,” music from the current Broadway renewal of Lerner and Lowe’s “Camelot,” Gershwin’s epic “An American in Paris,” Sousa’s “Hail to the Spirit of Liberty March,” a swinging “Tribute to Count Basie” and more. “We are so fortunate to have experienced musicians whose versatility allows us to move seamlessly from classical, to Broadway, to jazz genres,” says the band’s principal conductor, Clem Rolin. “Quality, eclectic programming has been our trademark from the start.” After this show, the band will perform its holiday concert Dec. 10 and its winter concert Feb. 25. Both of those shows will also take place at the Montour High School auditorium at 3 p.m. A spring concert will follow in April, with details to be announced. The WHSB features area musicians playing band arrangements of popular tunes. The band is open to anyone in the community, but many of its members are either current or retired music educators, including band directors from several schools throughout the area. The band is directed by Rolin and associate conductor Tom Snyder. West Hills Symphonic Band concerts are free to attend, with sustaining donations graciously accepted. For a full schedule, and more, see whsb.org. West Hills Symphonic Band starts new season Oct. 15 CONTENT SUBMITTED Clem Rolin will return this year as the principal conductor of the West Hills Symphonic Band. PHOTO BY MICHAEL HOLL PHOTOGRAPHY A fall festival, haunted tour and more coming to Crafton this fall Some family-friendly fun organized by the Crafton Borough Recreation Board will be coming to the borough this fall. First, Crafton’s Fall Fest takes place Sept. 30 in Crafton Park from noon to 6 p.m. There will be ax throwing, a beer garden by Helltown Brewing, a touch-a-truck, cornhole competition, pumpkin carving demonstration and plenty more. Then, two different spooky events start up in October. Every Friday and Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. throughout the month, there will be Spooktacular Haunted Mini Golf at the corner of Steuben and Linden Streets. This family-friendly seasonal attraction takes place on a course decorated to resemble a haunted cemetery. A giant werewolf for selfies awaits at the end. Admission is $2 per person and costumes are encouraged. Starting on Oct. 21, a self-guided haunted tour of Crafton also starts. Now in its third year, the self-guided audio-driving tour visits some of the spookiest places in Crafton and includes recountings of area hauntings. Leah Klocko returns as narrator for the audio tour, which runs through Oct. 31. A link to the audio is provided via email in exchange for a donation on the borough’s website starting Oct. 21. Be sure to have a smart device, such as an Android or iPhone with internet access, ready. Also on opening night on Oct. 21, non-perishable food donations will be accepted for the Crafton-Ingram Food Pantry from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. To make a monetary or food donation, pull up in front of Crafton Elementary School at 1874 Crafton Boulevard. To sign up for the tour, visit www.craftonborough.com starting Oct. 21. For more about these events and others coming up later this year, including several holiday events, click on the Parks and Recreation button on the website. CONTENT SUBMITTED Follow Allegheny West Magazine on Facebook and Instagram. Read and share content at: awmagazine.com.CAround Your Town Around Your Town 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 Not every elementary school has a musical theater program. If it were up to Stephanie Masullo, though, each one would. A 2002 Seton LaSalle High School graduate, Masullo has been dancing since she was 2 and reaped plenty of benefits from her experiences. Dance taught her the importance of exercise and eating right. It also exposed her to the arts, helping her to gain confidence and develop a passion. Years after she graduated from high school and spent a stint in New York City dancing for dance companies and in commercial settings, she visited an elementary school and thought how beneficial a dance program would be to children there. “I wanted to give kids an outlet because I was fortunate to have that,” she says. Masullo teamed up with Lindsey Lawrence to open a dance studio, Dance Ink, in Carnegie and started approaching area schools with an idea to offer performing arts classes right at their schools. Masullo, who holds a degree in business from Penn State University, also formed a nonprofit and forged partnerships with several of those schools. One of them was Montour, where Dance Ink started offering afterschool performing arts classes to children four years ago. Children pay a fee to participate. In their first year, Masullo says they just opened the program to grades K through two. Since then, they’ve expanded enrollment to grades K through four. Massullo says that last year, 75 children signed up for the classes. This year’s numbers are on par with last year’s, she says. During the classes, children learn to act, sing, dance and more. “They learn proper vocal techniques and do acting games to get them out of their comfort zone,” Masullo says. “This adds a component where they stand up in front of their peers and do some public speaking skills. They do dance classes, stretches and learn specific styles of dance.” She says they also talk about wellness, the importance of physical activity, eating right and even do some meditation. At the end of the year, they put on a culminating performance. Last year, their performance featured a mix of Broadway and Disney numbers. Massullo says she has some ideas for this year already but can’t divulge those quite yet. Dance Ink has also been participating in Montour’s annual STEAM Camp, which is annually offered to Montour Elementary School students the week following the last day of school. During the camp, Montour students get to choose from a variety of week-long courses aimed at fostering an interest in science and the arts. This past year, Dance Ink taught a class where students learned to perform songs from the Disney movie “Moana.” “Our main purpose is to have the arts easily accessible to all kids,” says Masullo. “We give them something to participate in and be passionate about, and keep them off their digital devices.” Dance Ink also encourages students attending their studio in Carnegie to participate in a variety of volunteer activities to aid their communities. Thanks to the classes at Montour, the district’s students are now able to participate in the performing arts at every level right at school. Students at David E. Williams Middle School get to participate in the school’s annual fall musical while high school students can take part in the spring musical. Marla Pecache, a parent of a student at Montour Elementary School, says her daughter has enjoyed Dance Ink’s programming at the school and gained from it. “The kids always came out looking like they had so much fun!” she writes. “I have noticed since being able to dance this past year her confidence has increased and she became less shy and made so many new friends.” Montour students interested in participating can inquire with the school. For more about Dance Ink, visit InkCares.com. Nonprofit brings performing arts to Montour elementary students STORY BY DOUG HUGHEY Montour Elementary School students participate in an afterschool program that exposes them to the performing arts. PHOTO SUBMITTEDSeptember/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 13 y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Age and roofing material Slate, metal, clay and concrete roofing materials hold up the best over time, but most homes have roofs with asphalt shingles, which strike a great balance between affordability and lifespan. These days, asphalt shingles that have been manufactured using the latest methods and materials can last 50 years. But for many years, roofers largely used three-tab asphalt shingles, which typically only have a lifespan of half that. These shingles get their name from the three tabs on each strip. They also have a uniform, flat look to them. For the most part, roofers today use architectural asphalt shingles. These shingles have a more varied and random look to them. They also have a more stylish, dimensional appearance, similar to wood or slate shingles. More importantly, these shingles are manufactured to have a very long lifespan. Unfortunately for many homeowners, and even those with newer homes, dimensional asphalt shingles did not start to become widely used until recent years. We’ve even seen three-tab shingles on homes that were just five to six years old. If a home was built 10 or more years ago, chances are the roof has these older shingles and is already halfway through its useful life. A roof with asphalt shingles that hasn’t been replaced in 20 years could be nearing the end of its life. The good news is that once a roof is replaced using the latest, high quality asphalt shingles, it’s likely that the homeowner won’t need to worry about replacing it again for another 50 years. When is it time to replace a roof? It can be difficult to tell when a roof might be reaching the end of its life. Roofs can last for decades, and depending on factors such as the type of roofing materials used and whether an installation was done properly, lifespans can vary dramatically. A roof might seem to be holding up fine, but in reality could be deteriorating rapidly. We’ve installed well over a thousand roofs across the area and we also perform regular roof inspections. These are some of the factors we consider when assessing the condition of a roof: If you’ve noticed any of these issues with your roof, or have other concerns, give us a call. We can perform an inspection, assess the condition of your roof and recommend the best path forward. We always recommend the job that will best suit your needs and never persuade you to go for a job you don’t need. We also use the latest materials and techniques to maximize the life and durability of your roof. We work with asphalt shingles, metal roofs, tile roofs and more. We’re located in Robinson Township, have over 340 five-star Google reviews and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We can be reached at (412) 353-5660. To learn more about roofing and what we offer, visit mcclellandsroofing.com. SUBMITTED BY MCCLELLANDS CONTRACTING & ROOFING The roof pictured at top has three-tab shingles while the one at bottom has architectural shingles. Dark streaks After awhile, areas of an asphalt shingle roof can begin to show dark streaks. Believe it or not, these streaks are caused by algae that is growing and forming a dark brown shell to protect itself from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Not only are these streaks unsightly, but they can also indicate that a roof is aging and that it may have moisture issues. To fight off algae, some shingles are manufactured with granulates that contain a layer of copper. When the roof gets wet, this copper is released onto the roof to ward off algae. As these shingles age, however, they can release less copper, resulting in less algae resistance. A shingle we install from GAF is manufactured with time-release algae resistance and offers StainGuard Plus Algae Protection. Capsules infused into the granules release copper more efficiently over time, significantly extending the roof’s resistance to algae. This is not only good for curb appeal, but also for the health of your roof and anyone living in the house. Excessive granule build-up in gutters If you’re finding a sandy mess in your gutters made up of granules, this could be a sign that your roof is nearing the end of its life. As shingles age, they shed the granules that protect the base from the sun, revealing a bald spot that can be shiny. As shingles deteriorate further, they’ll begin to curl, lift and even pop their nails. These are yet more signs the roof could be nearing the end of its life. Interior signs of leaks and water damage If you’ve experienced leaks during a heavy rain or can see stains on the interior of the home that indicate signs of water damage, then you should address the cause. It’s tempting to wait to fix a leak, but waiting can lead to even more water damage and more expensive repairs. It’s better to address the problem sooner rather than later. Dark streaks like the ones shown at the top of this photo indicate algae is growing on the roof. Compare that roof to the new asphalt shingles being installed in the foreground. The roof on this house will last for 50 years. It was recently installed by McClellands Contracting and Roofing. (412) 353-5660 • mcclellandsroofing.com These shingles have lost their granules and are starting to curl and break apart. 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 y > Learning CurvesLearning Curves What if I don’t trust my kids to get an inheritance before they’re ready? Consider a testamentary or minor beneficiary trust Most of us would like what we’ve worked hard for all of our lives to continue to provide for our families for a long time, even after we pass. We’d like it if that money didn’t go straight to creditors or get spent on things that are frivolous. As such, it’s normal if you have reservations about the possibility of bequeathing your entire estate to those who you feel may not yet be financially responsible enough. But what can you do if you have children who, should you pass tomorrow, would be far too young and inexperienced to receive an inheritance? One of the best tools used to plan for this is a testamentary trust or minor beneficiary trust. These trusts are generally created in your will to place an inheritance aside for minor children and children or other beneficiaries who you don’t believe are financially responsible enough to receive an inheritance just yet. By putting your assets into a trust, you can ensure that those assets will provide support for your family for as long as possible. Here are some points to consider when setting up a trust for this purpose: BY LAUREL KRAJEWSKI, CONTI LAW Laurel Krajewski graduated magna cum laude with her B.A. in Political Science & Sociology from the University of Pittsburgh. She received her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. While in law school, Krajewski received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Foundations of Legal Research and Law of Armed Conflict. She also served as the business manager and treasurer for Pitt Law Women’s Association. She and Michele Conti can be reached at (724) 784-0239. If you want to make sure your assets continue supporting your family for as long as possible after your passing, we are able to help. Consulting with an experienced and skilled estate planning attorney can help you make sure that assets are used for what you want them to be used for and ensure that those assets are around for the long run. When should I give my kids access to their inheritance? The most common use of the testamentary trust or minor beneficiary trust is to set age restrictions on when assets can be distributed and how much is distributed at a time. There are two types of age restrictions that are commonly used. One option is to set a specific age when the entire amount remaining in the trust will be disbursed at once. For example, all assets of the trust are distributed once the beneficiary turns 25 years old. The other option is to stagger disbursements of the trust over several ages. For example, the first 30% could be disbursed upon the beneficiary turning 25, the second 30% when they are 30 and the remaining 40% when the beneficiary turns 35. This is only one example. Payout amounts can be disbursed as you see fit and dates or ages tailored to fit your specific wishes. What if I want to make sure the money gets used for a certain purpose? A lot of people want to make sure that assets placed in a trust are used for a specific purpose. The two most common purposes are for the care and support of the beneficiary or for educational expenses of a beneficiary. You can restrict educational expenses by amount, length of time, type of expense, type of institution, or level of education. For instance, you could provide so much per year per beneficiary for up to four years of higher education. You can both maintain control and ensure that as many people benefit as possible. What if I am concerned about substance abuse? Many people worry about what to do when a beneficiary struggles with substance abuse. Not only do many people want to prevent the beneficiary from using an inheritance for substances, but we want to make sure that the inheritance is protected from creditors. Substance abuse and creditor issues oftentimes go hand in hand. You can require your beneficiary to meet certain requirements before allowing trust assets to be disbursed. If you are concerned about potential substance abuse issues, you can require clean drug screenings before disbursements are made. These screenings can be monthly or required over the course of a specified period of time - even a year or more - before any disbursement is made. September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 15 % New in Town New in Town Over the past 17 years, the accounting firm Imperial Tax & Accounting has grown from a seasonal tax business to a multi- office firm serving clients throughout Western Pennsylvania and the rest of the country. According to Matt Connell, CPA and owner of Imperial Tax & Accounting, there’s been one major reason for all of the firm’s success, expansion and growth, which resulted in it recently needing to relocate to a larger office. “Hard work and an emphasis on client service has always been the priority,” says Connell. “We’re also a tight group. Every member of our growing team knows I love to joke around, and we try to have fun, even during stressful times. But at the end of the day, our clients are the top priority and receive our full attention and effort.” He says every member of the team checks in with that mentality daily, including Patty Giura, CPA, who has been with the firm for 15 years. “Without her and everyone who has contributed over the years I really don’t know where we would be at this moment. I could not give my entire team enough credit. They are the best.” As the firm has expanded, though, it has also outgrown the Imperial office in the West Allegheny community where it started. Earlier this year, the firm addressed its need for more space by signing a new lease in the Airport Office Park in Moon Township. In August, Imperial Tax & Accounting moved into its newly renovated office on the fifth floor of Building 4 at 333 Rouser Road. Their phone number remains the same and there’s plenty of additional parking. “West Allegheny has been home for the past 17 years and it has been so good to us,” says Connell. “I’m hopeful that we can continue to grow and serve our clients everywhere while building our name in the Moon community like we have in West Allegheny.” A University of Pittsburgh graduate, Connell passed the CPA exam right out of school and went to work for the accounting firm Ernst and Young before moving on to Imperial Tax & Accounting. Connell says that after a few years of being in the big-four accounting world, he knew it wasn’t his long-term plan. Instead, he says he wanted to know he was making a difference by working one-on-one with clients to help them with their tax issues. He credits Joseph Pustover, a Certified Financial Planner with an office in the West Allegheny community, with giving him the vision to get out on his own and be a resource to clients. Connell says owning and managing an accounting firm has been a fulfilling experience. Seeing and hearing firsthand that he and his team have been able to relieve their clients’ anxieties regarding taxes has been the biggest payoff, he says, and well worth trading in a downtown job for his own firm in the suburbs. In recent years, Imperial Tax & Accounting’s role has been even more crucial amidst changing tax laws and regulations following COVID-19. From PPP loans to employee retention tax credits, everyone in the office has been busy helping clients navigate shifting regulations and complex tax codes brought about by the pandemic. Given those evolving tax guidelines, Connell says it hasn’t been unusual for clients to receive communications from Continuing to grow, Imperial Tax & Accounting moves to Moon CONTENT SUBMITTED ABOVE: The team at Imperial Tax & Accounting is pictured at their new office in the Airport Office Park in Moon Township. Pictured is founder Matt Connell with January Dolata, Patricia Giura, Alyssa Daley, Kaylee Johnson and Richard Fuller. BELOW: Imperial Tax & Accounting’s offices are now located in Building 4 in the Airport Office Park. If you need help with income tax planning, preparation or other accounting services, Imperial Tax & Accounting can help. Call them at (724) 695-7354 or visit ImperialTax.com. Their office is located in Suite 505, Building 4, at 333 Rouser Road in the Airport Office Park in Moon Township. taxing agencies. While this can seem concerning, Connell says such a communication doesn’t mean an individual or business has done anything wrong. Just the opposite is typically true. “So many people are receiving notices from the IRS or the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and it’s the result of internal discrepancies in those departments and not anything they’ve done wrong,” says Connell. “So, we try to give people clarity.” As this next tax season approaches, Connell says Imperial Tax & Accounting is once again preparing and looking forward to helping clients who have trusted them with their accounting needs. “We’re also welcoming new clients,” he says. “We assist everyone from individuals to large and small businesses. No matter your situation or tax issue, we can help.” 16 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 % New in Town New in Town Last year, Dr. Michelle L. Wertelet, optometrist, opened an eyecare practice with the goal of providing quality eyecare to patients of all ages. The practice, Focus on Eyecare, is located at 1005 Beaver Grade Road in Moon Township, right across from the township municipal building. Focus on Eyecare is currently taking new patients. Over the past 17 years, Dr. Wertelet has specialized in treating pediatric patients. Now, she is treating patients of all ages. From children struggling in school due to myopia, to seniors whose quality of life has been diminished by glaucoma, Dr. Wertelet works with patients to find the best treatments and vision assistance available. “I opened Focus on Eyecare so I can spend time with my patients and get to know their visual and ocular health needs,” she says. “Our goal is to provide care for the whole family, with a special focus on pediatric patients.” Focus on Eyecare provides diagnosis, treatment and management for a wide variety of diseases and disorders of the eye. They offer both comprehensive examinations and contact lens examinations. For those needing prescription eyewear, the practice can make glasses in-house the same day, provided the proper lenses are in stock. The practice stocks a selection of designer eyewear that provides the perfect fit, and style, for every face. To make scheduling easy and efficient, patients can book appointments online through the practice’s website or even communicate via text message. Patients can also order contact lenses directly through the practice’s website. Dr. Wertelet’s practice offers some services that are not available at all optometry practices. For children who are struggling with reading, the practice offers a special reading acceleration program, or RAP. The program, which trains the eyes to make accurate eye movements, has been shown to help children improve reading speed, fluency and comprehension in as little as six weeks. “The eyes make small (saccadic) eye movements while reading,” says Dr. Wertelet. “If saccadic movements are inaccurate, reading fluency and comprehension can be decreased. RAP helps fix this problem.” Another service the practice provides is management of myopia (nearsightedness). Once identified, Focus on Eyecare not only tracks a child’s myopia, but also employs a number of techniques that have been shown to slow its progression. These include Orthokeratology, which involves using specialty contact lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea, and low-dose atropine drops. Focus on Eyecare also utilizes MiSight One Day lenses, which is FDA approved for myopia management. To monitor a child’s myopia, the practice keeps measures of the axial length and refraction of the eye. “Using these strategies, we can slow the change in prescription by up to 70% for some patients,” says Dr. Wertelet. In order to provide the best possible care, Focus on Eyecare also utilizes the latest technologies, including optomap retinal imaging and a digital phoropter, which allows the practice to efficiently evaluate different prescriptions. Other technologies the practice provides include corneal topography and dry eye evaluations. For those bothered by the common “puff of air” glaucoma test, the practice has other ways of testing for glaucoma. Dr. Wertelet graduated from Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 2005 and completed her residency in pediatrics and binocular vision at University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry. As an assistant professor at UAB, she taught future eye doctors and participated in clinical research. She has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry since 2007 and practiced in Western Pennsylvania for 15 years. Dr. Wertelet is a diplomate of the American Board of Optometry and passed the first-ever board certification test offered to optometrists in 2011. She is also a current board member and past president of the Western Pennsylvania Optometric Society. Dr. Wertelet continues to serve on many committees through the American Board of Optometry. Dr. Wertelet lives with her husband and two young sons in Robinson Township, where she is a regular coach and volunteer at Archangel Gabriel School. Focus on Eyecare is located at 1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite G10, in Moon Township. For more, visit www.focusoneyecare. com or call (412) 308-9111. New optometry practice for all ages opens in Moon CONTENT SUBMITTED Dr. Michelle L. Wertelet is pictured at her optometry practice, Focus on Eyecare, in Moon Township. “We offer proven strategies that have been shown to slow the change in prescription by up to 70% for some pediatric patients with myopia.” ~ Dr. Michelle L. Wertelet, Owner, Focus on EyecareSeptember/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 17 Trending Trending Growing up, Rick Fish Jr. watched his dad, Rick Fish Sr., and mom, Sharen, build their small construction business, Specialty Window and Door, into the company that it is today. Founded in 1980, the business now has a half dozen administrative staff and a team of installers it works with to service the region. Over the years, the company has made a name for itself by consistently delivering quality work with quality materials. People in the region, including many in the western Allegheny County communities, have welcomed Rick Fish Sr. into their homes to discuss their needs. Those who have met the elder Fish may recall that he never used hard sales tactics or bad mouthed his competition. “I’ve never done business that way,” says Rick Fish Sr. “I use only quality products, including welded frame and sashes, and the most efficient insulated glass options. Our windows have insulated frames along with a limited lifetime warranty backed by our outstanding customer service.” Today, the company is still delivering. While others in the industry are struggling to find workers and bogged down by supply chain issues, Specialty Window and Door has never stopped. Leaning on their expertise, they’re getting most installs done in a day. From the initial time of order to install, it takes about eight weeks. The company is also still utilizing a no-pressure sales approach paired with excellent customer service, including free, in-home estimates. In 2019, they won an Angie’s List Super Service Award. Now, Rick Fish Jr. is taking a larger role in the company as he assists with those efforts. “I learned from the best,” says the junior Rick Fish, who has been around the company his entire life and worked for it for much of his adult life. “Things have changed over the years but the quality we deliver hasn’t. During our in-home visit, we take a consultative approach to find the best product for you and your home. All of our windows and doors are custom built to fit your home. And all of our products are fully customizable.” When considering whether a home needs new windows or doors, Rick Fish Jr. says efficiency is the biggest factor. “Are the current windows fully functioning?” he says. “Do they have a draft or air leaking? Is there any glass condensation or pockets in the glass? These are all things to look for. Older windows won’t only compromise the comfort of the home, they’ll also drive up energy bills. It’s one way that new windows help pay for themselves.” All of their windows are also customizable, with a wide variety of colors, though most homeowners will go with white, brown or black. As far as their doors, Rick Fish Jr. says they provide ProVia products. ProVia doors are high-quality Amish-built doors. These doors come in fiberglass or heavy-duty steel, with 24 exterior color options. They are also energy efficient, with lower U values and filtration ratings. ProVia doors come with a lifetime factory warranty that includes glass breakage. “It’s a really nice high-quality door,” says Rick Fish Jr. “And for those looking for a traditional wood door look, all of our doors have woodgrain options that look real but offer much better efficiency with the fiberglass or steel materials.” Rick Fish Jr. says you likely need a new exterior door if you can see light coming in through the panel seams or if you can feel cold air around the outside. Older wooden doors will also eventually start to show signs of wear and tear such as rotting. Today, these exterior doors come pre-hung, meaning they are installed on a completely new frame. This ensures the best possible seal with the newest, most advanced materials. During install, the old frame is replaced entirely. And for those with transoms or sidelights, Specialty Window and Door can replace those, too, giving the entrance a completely fresh look. Before any of that, though, all of Specialty Window and Door’s installs start with a free in-home visit and estimate. There, Rick Fish Jr. or one of the company’s salespeople assess the homeowner’s needs and can even show them a mock-up right there on their iPad so they’ll see how their new door or windows will look. Specialty Window and Door services most of western Pennsylvania. For more, visit them online at SpecialtyWindowAndDoor.com or call them at (412) 462-7375. Family-owned window and door company still offering great service to area Specialty Window and Door handles installs of all sizes. The above and below photos show just some of their work. CONTENT SUBMITTED18 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 y > Learning CurvesLearning Curves SUBMITTED BY GEORGE G. HESS, D.P.T, C.O.M.T This information provided courtesy of George Hess DPT, COMT. He is the owner of and a physical therapist at Hess Physical Therapy. He is also the author of the book “Back To Normal.” Email him at George@hesspt.com. Hess PT’s locations are: Kennedy: (412) 771- 1055 • Crafton: (412) 458-3445 • Allison Park: (412) 487-2787 • Bethel Park: (412) 835-2626 • Burgettstown: (724) 947-9999. Find out your balance score Are you at a high risk for falling? Berg Balance Scale This test consists of 14 separate movements or tasks assigned to the patient, with each movement given a score from zero to four. As an example, one task consists of asking the patient (while standing) to retrieve an object from the floor. If the patient is able to easily complete the task, they would likely be given a score of four. If they are completely unable to perform the task, they would receive a score of zero for that particular task. After the patient attempts each of the 14 tasks, their total score is tallied. If a patient receives a score of 45 points or less, they are considered to have a higher than average risk of falling in the future. Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) This test evaluates an individual’s ability to move through more challenging movements than the Berg Balance Scale test. For the TUG test, the patient begins the test in a sitting position. They are then asked to stand up, walk three meters, turn around, walk back to their chair and sit down. During the test, the patient is allowed to use an assistive device such as a cane or walker, if needed. If the patient took 14 seconds or more to successfully complete the task, they are considered to be at a high risk of falling. There are many reasons why an individual might be having trouble with an impairment or loss of balance. Head and neck trauma from a vehicular or other type of accident can cause balance problems. Sometimes, stroke victims may have difficulty with their balance during their recovery period. It’s also known that the elderly are at a much greater risk of fall due to stiffening joints, reduced visual abilities and weak muscles - all of which can impair an individual, making it harder for them to easily see, move around objects and traverse across unfamiliar or unstable terrain. If a patient is having balance issues, those in the medical community often refer to standard testing methods to help them determine the extent of their patient’s challenges. These tests can also provide clues as to exactly where an individual’s balance issues are coming from, whether it be their legs, feet or an inner ear problem. Even if the individual has not yet fallen, the results of these tests can help medical personnel determine if their patient is at a high level of risk of a fall at some point in the future. By understanding your balance score and a patient’s level of ability (or inability), precautionary steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of a fall at some future date. Here are some ways that finding your balance score can help. Why physical therapy? Beyond assessing a patient’s balance issues and determining a probable cause, physical therapists can provide key exercises to help patients improve their balance. In some cases, they may provide patients with strengthening exercises to combat issues with muscle weakness. In other instances, a physical therapist might employ techniques to strengthen other parts of a patient’s overall balance system to help combat an inner ear problem. For the elderly, a physical therapist can provide both exercises and tips for reducing the risk of at-home falls. Some examples include evaluating a patient’s shoes to determine if they provide the proper support, asking caregivers to remove slippery rugs throughout the home and adding additional lighting, as needed. If you or someone you know is having problems with their balance, we can help find your balance score. Tinetti Balance Assessment This test evaluates nine points regarding balance and eight other points centering around a person’s gait while walking. Some examples of the assessment include evaluating how easily a patient can sit in a chair and whether they have difficulty maintaining an upright position. Another part of the assessment includes evaluating whether the patient can maintain an upright position while walking, or if they sway from side to side during the test. Each of the areas evaluated have a potential score of zero, meaning the patient could not complete the task at all, and anywhere from a one or two if the patient completed the task with some difficulty, or was able to completely and successfully finish the task on their own. The patient’s total points are then tallied and assessed. If their overall point tally is 18 or less, the patient likely has a high risk of falling.September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 19 Kennedy Location: 500 Pine Hollow Rd., McKees Rocks, 15136 Next >