Community
Briefs - Oct. 23, 2009
Local couple organizes weight challenge
HERMITAGE — Inspired by “The Biggest Loser,” a TV fitness reality show, Mike and Danielle Benic of Hermitage have launched a 12-week challenge that offers keys to long-term success in weight loss with nutrition information and exercise. Participants may join, even if on other weight loss plans, with recommendations available from wellness coaches. Participants have weekly weigh-ins; will be measured at the beginning and end of the challenge; will receive a free body analysis, a personal wellness coach and tips on shopping, portion control, dining out and exercise. Personal wellness coaches are available for corporate weight loss challenges as well. The 12-week class will be held at the Aerobic Warehouse in Buhl Recreation Center in Sharon. The one-time fee of $39 includes materials with $25 going into a pot to be shared by the three biggest losers. There will also be a prize for the person losing the most inches. Registration or info: 724-962-0229.
Sandy Lake Presbyterian taking Angel Food orders
MERCER — Angel Food Ministries orders will be taken from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2 and 9 in Sandy Lake (Township) Presbyterian Church, 3461 Sandy Lake-New Lebanon Road.
The November Signature Box will be $30. Specialty boxes may be ordered without buying a standard box. Senior and convenience meals are 10 fully cooked balanced meals. The allergen-free frozen and dry mix box is precooked and available for $25 for 5 pounds. Orders for the Thanksgiving holiday must be placed by Sunday 10/25. SNAP benefits may only be used for this offer 35 days prior to the November delivery date and cannot be accepted online. The online deadline is 5 p.m. Nov. 9. Cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, debit cards and food stamps will be accepted as payment; personal checks will not. Take a large box, basket or ice chest to pick up the food that will be distributed from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 14 in the church. Info: 724-376-3893, 724-992-2915 or 724-421-7228; or online at www.AngelFoodMinistries.com
PSU sponsors fight against pediatric cancer
SHARON — The Shenango campus of Penn State University in Sharon is sponsoring a 5K walk/run Dec. 5 in Buhl Farm park to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund that assists children at Penn State’s Hershey Children Hospital who are fighting cancer. Any family being treated at the Hershey hospital is eligible for support. The fund offsets the cost of treatment that insurance does not cover and supports medical teams who care for the children, pediatric cancer research, and expenses that may affect the child’s welfare including car repairs, rent and household utilities.
Go to www.Shenango.psu.edu/studentlife to download a printable application that may be sent with the fee to Penn State Shenango, Student Affairs Office, 147 Shenango Ave., Sharon, PA 16146. Please make out checks to Penn State University and put THON in the check’s memo section.
Housing coalition holds walk for homelessness
SHARON — The Second Annual “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” Homeless Awareness Walk, sponsored by Mercer County Housing Coalition, will be held at 3 p.m. Nov. 1, beginning at Joshua’s Haven, a men’s homeless shelter in downtown Sharon. Participants are asked to pre-register by calling Natalie Higbee at 724-346-5777. Any participant who walks the entire perimeter of downtown Sharon to raise awareness of the homeless, will receive a pizza from Marchelloni’s.
Auction proceeds benefit soldiers for Christmas
HERMITAGE — Whispering Oaks Retirement Community, 260 S. Buhl Farm Drive, needs help to send Christmas packages overseas to local military men and women. To raise money for postage, the apartment building will be hosting a silent auction with bidding available on these dates:
• 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 during the Halloween Carnival, featuring music by Tammie O’Marrie.
• 4:30 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5 during the Creative Food Choices Workshop where visitors can sample a delicious array of culinary confections created by four executive chefs.
• 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 7 the Penn-Ohio Singers and Picks and Hammers will join residents to the raise the funds needed for postage.
A $5 donation or donations of nonperishable items to be placed in the packages is requested for each event.
Please help honor troops by providing them with a nice Christmas overseas.
Info or reservations for any of the events: 724-347-3050.
New Life Covenant plans verbal abuse program
SHARON — With “Stop Wounding Me with Your Mouth” as the theme, domestic violence in verbal abuse will be covered from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 3110/31 in New Life Covenant Church, 807 Spruce Ave., Sharon. Shar-Dai Peagler will discuss “When Verbal Abuse Escalates to Physical Abuse.” Other speakers will include Malinda Gavins, program director of Sojourner House domestic violence services in Youngstown; Joan M. Mooney, president and chief executive officer of Mercer County Adult Alternatives to Violence program and Jammin — Juvenile Anger Management and Mischief Intervention; and Bishop Joseph McNeal of New Wine Ministries, Church Without Walls.
Tiffany Holden of Greater Mount Zion Church of God in Christ in Farrell, will be guest minister; and Gloria Spencer, guest soloist. Info: 724-494-8735.
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Sisters pretty accomplished
The most nerve-wracking moment in a pageant is when it comes down to the last two girls on stage, and 17-year-old Caroline Collins has stood in that spot three times in her life.
After two first-runner-up places in the National American Miss Pennsylvania Pageant, the pressure was really on for the Shenango Township girl the third time — her younger sister, Lexi, had taken the pre-teen crown in Harrisburg the day before in her first pageant run.
But Caroline wasn’t disappointed this year. In August, the Collins family celebrated the crowning of two daughters when the older sister was named Miss Pennsylvania Teen, and they all couldn’t be happier.
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‘Rat Packer’ pays homage to friend
When Jerry Chiodo was in the hospital, shortly before he died, Sirjio the Entertainer, his friend for 40 years, stole into his room one night after Chiodo’s family had left, and sang “New York, New York,” to him.
“I promised him right then, ‘I won’t let people forget you,’ ” Sirjio said.
Sirjio, of Farrell, has made good on his promise by creating the Jerry Chiodo Memorial Scholarship, a non-profit charity that plans to present music scholarships to high school students interested in careers in music.
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Pet project
There are two new faces at Strayhaven Animal Shelter in Hempfield Township, but they don’t belong to any cats or dogs.
Greenville-area residents Kristen Weaver and Todd Dunlap have been working as the shelter’s new managers since May, and they’ve already completed some upgrades to the property at 94 Donation Road.
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Car club hosting national antique car event here
Antique and classic cars are no strangers to local roads this time of year as old car enthusiasts cruise on sunny days.
Next week, expect to see not one or two cars as you drive around town, but dozens.
The folks who put on the Father’s Day Car Show will be hosting a national classic car tour Wednesday through Aug. 27 that will be based in the Shenango Valley.
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Flying fortress
“I can’t believe it. I can’t believe it,” 88-year-old John Grosbeck said in a weak voice that was filled with emotion.
It was the first time Grosbeck had been on a bomber since 1944, he said. The local stop was part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s “Salute to Veterans Tour,” and on Tuesday and Wednesday people had the chance to buy a seat on a flight aboard the “Aluminum Overcast” B-17G.
The Aluminum Overcast is at Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Pa., through today and will be at the Akron-Canton Regional Airport Sept. 14 and 15. Ground tours are offered for a small fee but are free to all veterans. -
Teen wins two World Open baton twirling titles
Brianna Colbert, daughter of Steven and Melissa Colbert, Hermitage, won World Open Three Baton Twirling and World Open Flag Twirling titles at the National Baton Twirling Association’s America’s Youth on Parade at Notre Dame University, July 20-23.
This National and World Open baton competition held in South Bend, Ind., had thousands of twirlers from all over the United States, Canada and representatives from other countries as well. While there,Simone Esters of Hermitage and Marissa Pierce of West Middlesex, members of the Shining Star Competition Team, represented Pennsylvania in the Miss Majorette of America Pageant, founded in 1945.
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Blues will fill air
The Sharon Arts and Music Initiative’s inaugural Sharon City Blues Fest, like its headliner, is “The Real Deal.”
Grammy Award nominee John Primer will take the stage along with local and regional blues musicians on Sept. 11 in downtown Sharon.
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Teaching with technology
Technology in the classroom is always changing and one Greenville teacher has spent the last three summers learning new skills through a program limited to a select few.
Jan Abernethy, a fifth-grade teacher at East Elementary School, was one of 75 teachers nationwide chosen to attend the Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute, which is held at a different location each year.
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Actors visit Camelot
The magic and mysticism that abounds in the King Arthur legend has been just as prevalent in the life of a woman who has written a three-part play chronicling the history of Camelot’s famed ruler.
Youngstown native Carol Weakland said she’s been working for 12 years on the play that premiered last weekend: “The Arthurian Trilogy Part One, Arthur and Merlin: The Making of a King.” She was never able to assemble a cast to play the demanding roles or “whittle down” the lengthy script into a compact but complete show. But this year, everything came together.
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Annual senior fair is Friday in Sharon
State Rep. Mark Longietti will hold his fourth annual free Senior and Health Education Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Sharon American Legion, 1395 E. State St., Sharon.
The fair will feature farmers market coupons, free health screenings, about 50 vendors, door prizes and free information and services.
For more information, call 724-981-4655. - More Community Headlines
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Sisters pretty accomplished
