< Previous30 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 Girls’ Volleyball The girls’ volleyball team secured yet another section championship before entering the post season as a fifth seed last year. The team then swept Plum 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinals against fourth-seeded Thomas Jefferson, but were unable to come away with a victory. The playoff appearance marked at least seven consecutive post-season bids for the team. This year, the team has a lot of new faces in its starting lineup after losing seven seniors, three of whom were four-year starters, to graduation. Senior setter Danielle Caligiuri is among the returners after splitting time with All- WPIAL setters Kylie Barto and Raegan Kadlecik last season. Head coach Dena Baron says that’ll give Danielle a shot at exercising full control over the court. Baron is also expecting big things from 6’1” junior center Kennady Martindale, who returns after earning all-section honors last year. Baron says a sophomore earning those honors is something of a rarity in the sport but is reflective of her center’s play, which is well beyond her years. “She plays like a senior,” says Baron, who mentions that she’ll be playing around the court. “To have someone like that, 6’1”, serving and playing back row, that’s not too common in high school volleyball.” The team will once again face off against a tough section that pits the Spartans against Oakland Catholic and Moon Area, thanks to a realignment that occurred two years ago. Baron says Chartiers Valley also looks good in a competitive section that will likely be in contention until the end of the regular season. Despite Montour’s youth, Baron still has her sites set on the post season and points out they have one advantage other teams don’t. “The second team played against [last year’s starters] in every practice last year,” she says. “We’re in good enough shape and worked a lot more in the off season. We also have a lot more players playing club, so we’ve been piecing that other side together.” Cross Country Both cross-country teams won the MAC and their sections last year. For the first time in school history, both also qualified to compete at the PIAA meet. In the run-up, the girls’ team repeated as WPIAL champions while the boys secured a fourth-place finish at the WPIAL meet. The girls then went on to secure third place in the state after Harley Kletz finished second overall and Lakyn Schaltenbrand finished 17th. The boys team, meanwhile, finished fourth at the WPIAL meet and became the first boys cross-country team in school history to qualify for the state meet. Junior Julian Kletz finished seventh at the WPIAL meet and 19th at the PIAA meet. In the process, he became the first boy in school history to receive a medal at the state meet. This season, Julian returns alongside fellow seniors AJ Miller, Mikey Billand and Nick Martelli. The team also expects big things from underclassman sophomores Jacob Chacon and Gavin Ducoeur. Given the amount of experience the team brings into the season, expectations remain high. On the girls side, Lakyn returns for her senior season as a three-time WPIAL and PIAA medalist alongside fellow senior Amelia Trevenen. Junior Joelle Ludwick and sophomore Tiffany Miller will also play integral roles as the team looks to continue its three-year streak as section champions, two-year streak as WPIAL champions and earn a third straight bid to the PIAA meet. Head coach Rob Naylor returns as well after being named Girls Mid Atlantic Coach of the Year in cross country and PIAA Girls Coach of the year. Revisit the alternative rock era with the Marching Band’s new show: “Alternative Universe.” Performed during halftime at each football game. Home dates: Sept. 22, Oct. 13, Oct. 27 See page 21 for away dates and locations Featuring: “Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance “The Kids Aren’t Alright” by The Offspring “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana A perennial top contender in their section, the girls’ volleyball team will be pursuing yet another post-season appearance this year. Both the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams will be looking to qualify once again for the state meet.September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 31 y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Strength is the single most important physical attribute that an athlete can possess, as it is the precursor to all other forms of athleticism. Adopting a ground-based, functional strength-training program utilizing upper and lower-body compound movements is the key to athletic success. The biggest challenge with strength and power training is that all the fantastic benefits we associate with it from a scientific standpoint (i.e., increases in force production, speed of muscle contractions, inter-muscular coordination, enhanced ground- reaction time, etc.) are reversible. That means all the hard work and performance gains an athlete makes during the off- or pre- season can go away when this type of training is not maintained for prolonged periods. This often takes both parents and athletes by surprise. Surely, all that practice and hard work would go a long way toward enhancing fitness, right? The truth is that those who avoid in- season training will be weaker, slower and more prone to injury as the regular season progresses. This is because regular-season practices are oftentimes not physically intense enough to maintain big fitness or strength gains made before the season begins. During the regular season, head coaches have a tendency to focus more on tactics, plays and improving all the areas of need highlighted in the previous week’s game rather than maintaining fitness and strength gains. A basketball coach unhappy with their team’s rebounding performance might dedicate a practice to box-out drills and technique. A football coach might spend a practice walking through plays at a moderate pace to “iron out the kinks.” Go to any team practice in season, and chances are that you are going to witness a significant amount of standing around, talking, and direction from the coach, with much less time dedicated to all- out scrimmages or drills that simulate game-day conditions, when compared to pre-season activity. Scientific evidence So, what is the outcome of this rather apparent paradox? What happens if an athlete is no longer strength and power training while simultaneously experiencing even less fitness training within a typical in-season practice? Several studies have examined just that. One study on elite male rugby and football players in 2013 found that strength levels tend to decrease after three weeks when no form of strength activity is maintained. That same study showed the decay rates of strength parameters for youth athletes can show an even more marked difference, especially for those who have not yet hit their growth spurt. According to researchers, these athletes lost more strength and forgot it even quicker than their peers who had already hit their growth spurt. The good news is that there are some practical solutions that athletes can undertake to mitigate these adverse effects. A 2017 study conducted on male handball players found that, in as little as two sessions per week, athletes were able to maintain their performance gains. Another study in 1993 found that, so long as the intensity was kept high, athletes (in this case rowers) were able to maintain their performance gains in as little as one session per week. Why training for athletes shouldn’t stop once the sports season starts CONTENT SUBMITTED BY D1 TRAINING PITTSBURGH WEST One hour per week is all it takes Our experience - and the experience of athletes who train with us - is that just one hour per week is all it takes for an athlete to maintain all the performance gains they made in the off- or pre-season. This works out well for the student who is already practicing four times per week while also juggling school, extracurriculars, and a host of other responsibilities during the school year. This also helps them retain their strength improvements after the end of the season. This effectively accelerates their performance at a rate greater than their peers. For us, there is no substitute for in-season training for athletes and coaches who are serious about taking team and individual performances to the next level. The D1 Training approach At D1 Training, we believe in training the entire body as a unit in order to produce an optimal human response to performance. We don’t follow gimmicks or fads. We utilize trusted and proven training techniques to build the world’s best athletes and deliver them in age-appropriate programs under the direction of our expert coaches. Nothing at D1 is random. Every workout and every day follows a strategic eight-week training cycle that is meticulously planned and backed by sports science. With one-on-one personal training, small group training, team training and class membership training, D1 offers a range of options to help every athlete meet their goal. Consistent training, along with proper nutrition and sleep, will keep an athlete performing at their best throughout the season. At all times, our number one goal is to provide proper training for the specific athlete in front of us. D1 Training Coach Peter Fisher CSCS, encourages athletes to view their training not just as a means to be better at their sport but to build a physical and mental habit that will stick with them long after their competitive playing days are over. The idea of training evolves from sports performance into being physically and mentally resilient in life and building these skills at a young age leads to greater competency in movements, development in self-esteem and self-efficacy, and an interest that will stay with athletes forever. D1 Training Pittsburgh West is located at 6522 Steubenville Pike, next to Golf Galaxy, in Robinson Township. Call them at (412) 775- 3953 or visit them online at www.d1training/Pittsburgh-West. D1 Training Coach Peter Fisher spots a client.On the Horizon On the Horizon ; Woman’s Club of Sewickley Valley Luncheons, meets monthly on a Monday, see page 8, www. womansclubofsewickleyvalley.org, judyhaluka@verizon.net. Montour/Robinson AARP Chapter Meetings, second Wednesday of each month, 1 p.m., 5000 Leona Lane, (412) 331-6817. Findlay’s Rhythm and Ribs BBQ, Sept. 17, 3-9 p.m., Clinton Park, live music and BBQ, music by Alt Rocks, Part Time Cowboys, Monte’s Pythons, www.findlaytwp.org/184/Parks-Recreation. Robin Hill Lunchtime Concert, Sept. 20, 12-1 p.m., Robin Hill Park, Doo Wop Doctors, free, www.moonparks.org. Carnegie Fall Fest, Sept. 23, 2-9 p.m., downtown Carnegie, hayrides, crafts, live music, Rogi Rumble pierogi contest, live music, www.visitcarnegie.com. Carnegie Farmers’ Market, Sept. 24, 12-3 p.m., East Main Street, produce, baked goods, prepared foods, snacks, crafters, artisans, activities, local retailers, www.visitcarnegie.com/events. Robinson Farmers’ Market, Sept. 25, 3-7 p.m., upper parking lot at Archangel Gabriel Catholic Parish, live music, locally grown and produced food, vendors, Facebook: Robinson Farmers Market at Holy Trinity. Moon Market and Music, Sept. 27, 5-9 p.m., Moon Park, produce market, food trucks, craft beers and wine, kid- friendly activities, music by Shady Mugs (southern/classic rock), www.moonparks. org. Crafton Fall Fest, Sept. 30, 12-6 p.m., Crafton Park (117 W. Steuben Street), ax throwing, beer garden featuring Helltown Brewing, touch-a-truck, cornhole competition, pumpkin carving demonstration, face painting, magician, live polka, variety music from NorthCoast Mix, food trucks, craft vendors, cornhole competition (registration required), www. craftonborough.com/fall-festival. Spooktacular Haunted Mini Golf, Fridays and Saturdays in October, 7-9 p.m., Steuben and Linden Streets, decorated course, family friendly, $2/person, costumes, werewolf for selfies, www.craftonborough.com/parks-recreation. Janoski’s Pumpkinland, weekends in October, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Janoski’s Farm in Clinton, pumpkin patch, hayrides, corn maze, haunted barn, children’s pony rides, petting zoo, pedal bikes, food vendors, or bring a lunch, janoskis.com/upcoming/. . Hozak’s Fall Festival, weekends throughout October starting Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Hozak’s Farm in Clinton, pumpkin picking, hayrides, straw pile, farm animals, gift shop, haunted hayrides, refreshments, www.hozakfarms.com/ fallactivites.html. Robinson Township Lions Club Corn Hole Tournament and Steelers Watch Party, Oct. 1, 12 p.m. check-in, 1 p.m. start, Clever Park Rotary Shelter, includes hot dogs, sides, draft beer, silent auction, raffle baskets, $50/team, $10 non-players, $5 child 10+, under 10 free, robinsonlions.org. Moon Movies in the Moonlight: “The Mummy,” Oct. 6, dusk, Moon Park Amphitheater, www.moonparks.org. Robinson Township Car Cruise, Oct. 7, 12-4 p.m., Robinson Town Centre, Oldies Music with DJ Dan, www. townshipofrobinson.com/special-events. Nutcracker Auditions, Oct. 7, ages 5-12 at 2 p.m., 13+ at 3 p.m., Carnegie Performing Arts Center (500 Chestnut Street in Carnegie), (412) 279-8887, info@carnegieperformingartscenter.com. Hickory Apple Festival, Oct 7-8, Hickory, live entertainment, unique crafters, brick oven bread, apple crisp, apple butter, candied apples, apple dumplings, petting zoo, pet shows, chainsaw sculpting, blacksmithing, pancake breakfasts, check www. hickoryapplefest.com for schedules. Carnegie Crawl, Oct. 13,5-9 p.m., live Music on Main Street, retailers open late, family-friendly event, www. visitcarnegie.com/events. Coraopolis Fall Festival, Oct. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., downtown Coraopolis, craft vendors, food trucks, pumpkin painting, more, coraopolisfoundation.org. Robinson Township Library Trunk-or-Treat, Oct. 14, 1-3 p.m., The Mall at Robinson, www. robinsonlibrary.org. West Hills Symphonic Band Concert, Oct. 15, 3 p.m., Montour High School, www.whsb.org, see page 11. Moon Halloween Spooktacular & RMU Basketball Madness, RMU UPMC Events Center, Oct. 18, 4:30-7 p.m., trick-or-treat line closes 6:15 p.m., RMU Basketball Madness: 7-8 p.m., reusable trick-or-treat bags provided to first 500 kids, www.moonparks.org. Church of the Nativity 150-Year Celebration, Oct. 20, 6 p.m., organ performance and reception, Oct. 21, 11 a.m., celebration service with reception to follow, 33 Alice Street in Crafton, RSVP to: (412) 921-4103 and leave message or email nativitycrafton@outlook.com. Findlay Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 21, 2-4 p.m., Clinton Park, costume contest, games, craft stations, pizza, www.findlaytwp.org/184/ Parks-Recreation. Fall Festivals and Other Happenings Events subject to change. Reference the contact information listed for the latest details. 32 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023; On the Horizon On the Horizon September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 33 North Fayette Fall Festival, Oct. 21, 5-8 p.m., North Fayette Community Center Parking Lot, costume contest, trunk or treat parade, crafts, refreshments, www. north-fayette.com/335/Parks- Recreation. Haunted Crafton, Oct. 21-31, self-guided audio-driving tour through spooky places in Crafton, www.craftonborough. com, see page 11. Scout Troop 248 Haunted Cabin, Oct. 25- 28, Killbuck Lodge in Oakdale, “Fractured Fairy Tales,” details TBA, Facebook: Oakdale Troop 248. Robinson’s Halloween in the Park, Oct. 28, 12-1 p.m., Clever Park, kids Halloween parade led by Forest Grove VFD and Montour Marching Band, meet in upper parking lot 15 minutes prior to participate in parade, townshipofrobinson.com/ special-events/. Movies in the Park: “Hocus Pocus,” Oct. 28, starts at dark, Settlers Cabin Park, Moccassin Shelter, www. alleghenycounty.us/special- events. Ongoing programs Robinson Township Library The Robinson Township Library is located at 1000 Church Hill Road. Call (412) 787-3906 or visit www.robinsonlibrary.org for more. MondaysToddler Makerspace10:30 a.m. TuesdaysStory Time10:30 a.m. Open Play11 a.m. Virtual Teen Game Night7 p.m. WednesdaysWise Walk (adults)8:30 a.m. Musical Story Time10:30 a.m. Open Play 11 a.m. ThursdaysStory Time10:30 a.m. Open Play11 a.m. Sit N Knit (Adults)2 p.m. FridaysBaby Lapsit10:30 a.m. Wacky Wednesday, (ages 6-12), Sept. 27, 2 p.m. Level Up (ages 8 and up), Oct. 12 and Nov. 9, 6 p.m. Lego Night (all ages), Oct. 5, Nov. 2, 6 p.m. Trunk-or-Treat, (all ages)Oct. 14, 1-3 p.m., The Mall at Robinson. Teen Programs Virtual Teen Dungeons & Dragons, Oct. 4-7, Nov. 1-4, 7 p.m. Virtual Teen Karaoke Night, Sept. 27, Oct. 25, 7 p.m. Virtual Teen Creative Corner , Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15, 7 p.m. Adult Programs Read Between the Wines Book Club, Oct. 5, Nov. 2, 6 p.m., Deer Creek Winery. Cliffhangers Book Club, Oct. 11 and Nov. 8, 6 p.m. Tonidale Pub. Tea Time Book Club, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, 1 p.m. Mystery Book Club, Oct. 10, Nov. 14,2 p.m. Books & Brews Book Club, The Yard, Sept. 18, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. Thrilla Killas Book Club, Black Dog Wine Company, Sept. 21, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m. Movie Matinee, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m. Taste of Robinson, Sept. 25, Oct. 30, 6 p.m. Medicare Workshop, Oct. 3, 1 p.m. Anime Night, Oct. 26, Nov. 30, 6 p.m. lLegislative Update Legislative Update 34 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 BY STATE REP. ANITA KULIK With the start of the new school year comes the hope of new promise for our children. I am proud to represent the districts of Sto-Rox, Montour, Cornell, Carlynton and Chartiers Valley. Each district provides our students with the building blocks they need for a successful future, all the while each deals with its own set of unique challenges. I am also privileged to represent the families who have students in local charter and private schools. We are blessed with a rich tradition of families availing themselves of the opportunities provided by both our public and non-public educational institutions. Educating children is one of the most important things we can do for them, and for ourselves. While many things can be taken from a person over the course of a lifetime, an education is not one of them. Taking education seriously is a must for our communities, our families and our government. The overall benefit to our society cannot be ignored. This year, more attention is being paid to education by the state legislature, particularly from the funding perspective. There are 500 school districts in Pennsylvania. Primary funding for public schools comes through property taxes. The state adds additional funding based on what is termed a “fair funding” formula. However, good intentions have not resulted in the fair funding that is needed to save poor districts. In our area, we are blessed with school districts that are seeing great growth in both residential and commercial properties. These properties bring tax revenue to the schools. However, we also have school districts where there is not a lot of potential for new property development, and where there has been a loss in revenue as businesses are closing. Article III, Section 14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states: “The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.” This is not a suggestion. This is a mandate designed to assure that our children have the means to fulfill their right to a good education. Our Commonwealth Court determined this past year that the “fair funding” formula is not in line with the constitutional mandate. Leaving education funding tied to a zip code not only harms our children, but also places undue burden on property owners in economically distressed neighborhoods, as well as seniors who find themselves strapped to pay taxes on homes they have owned for decades. In a bipartisan way, the House of Representatives and the Senate put together a stronger funding package for public schools. While some argue it is not enough, the new budget is a step in the right direction, coming from a politically divided legislature. House Bill 611 is the General Appropriations Act. It includes a 9.1% increase to the Basic Education funding and Level Up funding. Special Education funding will also see an increase of 3.7% or $50 million. There will be a $46 million increase to provide universal free breakfast. And there is a $10 million increase in Early Intervention funding. Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance are flat funded. Our children are our most precious asset. They are our future, and their education, or lack thereof, affects all of us. A good education means that these future leaders are prepared to understand what is required for our society to continue to prosper and succeed. A good education, and meaningful opportunities associated with that education, will result in less crime and less unemployment. A proper education is important to all of us, and it is imperative that we do what we need to do to ensure that all children are given the opportunities that so many of us had. State Rep. Anita Kulik represents Pennsylvania’s 45th District. Her office is located at 1350 Fifth Avenue in Coraopolis. She can be reached at (412) 264-4260. Visit her online at www.pahouse. com/Kulik. Equality in educationSeptember/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 35Robinson Township Historical Society 36 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 Local history lives on in the historical society’s museum BY JANET GONTER If you haven’t visited the Historical Society Museum in the Robinson Township Municipal Building, you don’t know what you’re missing. At first glance, you might wonder why the old stuff in the museum’s glass cases would be of interest to anyone. But please - slow down and take another look. Here are some of the displays and why they’re interesting: Military - The military display case contains a microcosm of local history, from the Civil War to Vietnam. What looks like an ancient leather wallet is in reality a Civil War journal, detailing the wartime life of a Robinson Township teenage soldier. The next shelf tells the story of a young man from Moon Run who enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam War and lost his life within three days of arriving there. On the bottom shelf are displayed many medals awarded to four brothers from Groveton who all fought in World War II and lived to tell about it. Displayed to the right of the case is the Army uniform of one of those brothers. Soon to be added are the Marine Corps uniform and portrait of a Robinson teenager who fought at Iwo Jima and lived to tell about it. Coal Mining - A major source of employment in Robinson from the late 1800s to the late 1930s was coal mining. Two coal mining cases contain photos and artifacts, like an old lunch pail in which a miner carried his meager sandwich, some of which he would try to save for his hungry kids. You’ll see his steel helmet with its attached light which, in the early days, was a candle. It was the only source of light in a world of perpetual midnight. A rather grim document, available upon request at the desk, is an extensive list of miners who were maimed or killed in Moon Run Mine #3. Listed is each man’s personal information, plus the nature of his accident. It is always sobering to see how many men lost their livelihoods and sometimes their lives in this treacherous underground world. And this summary is from just one of dozens of local mines. Education - In the school display, you can see and touch the small, well-worn student desks that were used by generations of farmers’ kids and coal miners’ kids. Some desks date back to the one-room schoolhouses that once dotted the township. You’ll see a Robinson High School cheerleader’s uniform hanging on the wall, along with a Robinson Pony League baseball uniform, both from the 1950s. A photo display tells the story of Dr. James Burkett, who not only fought valiantly for improved education and served on the school board for more than 50 years, but also served as a tireless doctor who delivered (often free of charge) most of the babies born to poor coal miners. A nearby bookcase TOP: This Army uniform belonged to one of three brothers from Groveton who fought in World War II. BOTTOM: These medals belonged to those same brothers. contains old yearbooks, the “Robin” from the old Robinson High School and the “Mirror” from Montour High School dating from the 1930s through the end of the 20th century. There are also many scrapbooks kept by dreamy students who wanted to capture forever the magical days of high school. Other artifacts abound. How many generations of farmers used the ancient, rusty scythe and hoe? Where did the beat-up roller skates come from? The old box camera - how many weddings, babies and vacations did it capture? Who used the black flat iron that had to be heated on the coal stove, and what was her life like? How many nervous brides got their hair curled on the weird perm machine? The possibilities, and questions, are endless. These are just a sampling of the relics that bring history to life at the Robinson Township Historical Society Museum. Stop by any Tuesday or Thursday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. We’d love to kindle your interest in our township’s rich history, and in history in general. These helmets were once worn by coal miners working in local mines. This odd-looking perm machine was once used by a beauty salon in Moon Run.1XFirebeatFirebeat September/October 2023 • www.awmagazine.com • 37 Imagine for a moment that you are a volunteer firefighter. It could be 2 p.m. or 2 a.m. Just the same, your pager or your telephone starts to beep, alerting you to an emergency. Maybe someone has been involved in a serious accident and they are trapped in their vehicle. They may be in great pain. They could be bleeding and scared. Maybe it’s a fire spreading in a kitchen or upper floor of a house that’s about to be engulfed. You don’t know what the call is when it comes in, just that you need to get there as quickly as possible. In order to help firefighters do just that, Pennsylvania law allows us and certain other first responders to have blue lights on our vehicles. Some of us have a light bar on top of our vehicle or dash that we can use while responding to an emergency call. For a fire chief or assistant chief, different lights can be used. These lights do not give us any special privileges. We have to obey all traffic laws, including stopping at stop signs. It does, though, give you notice that we are trying to get to our station as fast as possible and we’re asking for your assistance in that effort. When a driver sees these lights, they aren’t required to do anything, but they should treat the vehicle like any other emergency vehicle. If needed, they should safely pull over to the side of the road to let that first responder pass and consider where they are doing so. For instance, if we need to drive around you on a sharp bend, we risk impacting traffic coming the other way. Too often, however, these lights are ignored by other drivers. The direct result of this is we can’t get to the emergency as fast as we would like. And too often I have heard people complain, whether on news reports or social media, that the fire department or ambulance service did not get there quickly enough. When there’s an emergency, time is of the essence. The next time you see blue lights in your rearview mirror, ask yourself, what if we’re responding to an accident involving one of your family members? Or what if that first responder is part of a search and rescue mission to assist with finding a child or senior citizen? We could be heading to a fire at your house, or that of a neighbor or loved one. Yes, it may be a false alarm. Someone may have left food on the stove a little too long. Or a child may have made a prank call. Fortunately, many of our calls are not real emergencies, but there is no way for us to know that until we arrive. It may be a fire, with someone trapped. It may be someone laying in their vehicle, with head injuries or broken bones. The unfortunate reality is that a delay of a minute or two could be the difference between life and death. It could mean the difference between saving a house or it being a total loss, or the fire spreading to an adjoining structure. Consider also that most volunteer fire departments do not have personnel waiting at the station. We are volunteers and when we get the call we are often at our place of employment, or home having dinner with our families. We may be sitting with our family at our child’s sporting event or sleeping in bed. We leave where we are and drop what we are doing to respond to these calls, and we want to do so fast. We need to drive to the station, get into our gear and jump onto the truck so we can head to the scene. We have to weigh driving safely and quickly with the realization that every single second may mean the difference between life and death. You may not be required to pull over and let us go past you, but why would you not want to allow a first responder to get to the emergency as quickly as he or she can? Please, do not ignore the flashing lights. Consider pulling over to the side of the road to let that first responder safely pass. Give that first responder the best opportunity to respond so they can be of service and protect the residents in our communities. Please do not ignore the flashing blue lights BY JOE KULIK Pictured are some examples of how blue lights might be mounted inside or on a first responser’s vehicle. Firebeat is a regular column about fire prevention and safety by Joe Kulik, who has been a Kennedy VFC member since 2002. 38 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 38 • Allegheny West Magazine • September/October 2023 Uneasy Street No More Idyllic. Extremely happy. Peaceful. Picturesque. For lifelong area resident Barbara Bee, that’s how her journey began. But Barb began to withdraw slowly and subconsciously, avoiding things more and more over the years. In fact, she started having panic attacks, trouble breathing, and feeling like her heart was racing. That’s when Barb found out she suffers from severe anxiety. She also learned she developed agoraphobia—a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment. In the ensuing years, leaving the comfort and safety of her own home would prove more and more difficult. What began with simply avoiding regular, day-to- day activities and triggers now included putting off even routine medical care—often for long stretches. Until she began seeing Denise D. Wegrzynowicz, DO, who joined St. Clair Health in January of 2023. Their paths first crossed back in 2006. “My experience to that point was one of being talked at. Denise talked with us—she works with me,” explains Barb. “We built it up slowly because her whole thing is, ‘Together we are treating you.’ That created a totally different feeling.” “I knew straight away that, based on her history, overcoming the fear of even leaving the house was a big first step,” says Dr. Wegrzynowicz. “In addition to anxiety, Barb had hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), an inflammatory skin condition, and high blood pressure. So from the very beginning, the goal was to find a comfortable balance between how we would address and treat those chronic conditions that could add even more stress and anxiety to her life.” As their relationship strengthened over the years, Dr. Wegryznowicz guided Barb through her chronic conditions while expanding her comfort level regarding other forms of preventative care, like annual mammograms, that she had previously avoided. And through her work with Dr. Wegrzynowicz, Barb has been able to find new passions, like working in a paint shop and transporting rescue animals. “Denise just has a way about her—she’s so calm. So I’m cool as a cucumber when I see her now,” reveals Barb. “As much as she helped me get my anxiety lower than it’s ever been before and my blood pressure well-controlled, the affect she’s had on my whole family is profound.” “What’s really great about the Bees is that I get to see the whole family—her husband, John, and their sons are both patients, too—so there’s lots of notes and stories to keep up with,” explains Dr. Wegrzynowicz. “To me, that’s the best thing about family medicine. My training goes from pregnancy to newborn, all the way through geriatrics. It’s the most special aspect of being a family physician—I get to take care of every aspect of the family.” To learn more about Barb’s story and Dr. Wegryznowicz’s compassionate care for the entire Bee family, visit stclair.org/ housecall-summer-2023. Denise D. Wegrzynowicz, DO, specializes in family medicine and is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she also completed her internship. Dr. Wegrzynowicz completed a residency in family medicine at Crozer- Chester Medical Center. She now practices with St. Clair Medical Group and sees patients at Peters Township Outpatient Center. Denise D. Wegrzynowicz, DO, specializes in family medicine. She sees patients at the St. Clair Health Outpatient Center in Peters Township. “Denise just has a way about her—she’s so calm. So I’m cool as a cucumber when I see her now. As much as she helped me get my anxiety lower than it’s ever been before and my blood pressure well- controlled, the affect she’s had on my whole family is profound.” ~ Barbara Bee To schedule an appointment with Dr. Wegrzynowicz, please call 412.942.8570.Next >