March 2026 issue • Northern Connection Magazine

CONNECTING YOU TO THE COMMUNITY FOR 27 YEARS

LESS

OF THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO.

At UPMC Senior Communities, you’ll have fewer burdens and more activities, fun, and friendships.

Visit one of the UPMC Senior Communities near you and see how true independence can mean less of the things you have to do, and more of the things you want to do.

Call 1-800-324-5523 or visit srcare.org/UPMC.

Communities located in: Allison Park • Hampton Monroeville • Washington, PA

Laura

Publisher

Executive

Managing

Wellness

Marketing

Mary

Design

Kostilnik

Paula

Janice

But there are UPMC PCPs in your community who do!

UPMC primary care providers (PCPs) are part of the largest, most convenient, and most advanced network of nationally recognized care in the region. As your partners in staying healthy, they can catch little things before they become big things to keep you at the top of your game at the coffee shop and everywhere else.

Scan the code or visit UPMC.com/PCP to find your PCP and schedule online.

North Hills residents now have access to the most sophisticated radiation oncology treatment at  UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant, with the addition of a new, advanced linear accelerator (linac) used to treat cancerous tumors and destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding normal tissue. Targeting DNA in cancer cells with high precision and high-dose radiation, the new linac is the most advanced Varian TrueBeam system for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). It allows extremely precise treatment of difficult-to-reach tumors while maximizing the protection of healthy tissue.

Cindystock announced its 2025 contribution results. Thanks to the public’s generous support, they were able to donate over $34,000 to local agencies that provide cancer screening tests for individuals who might otherwise go without early detection. In addition, the contributions provided support services that help cancer patients and families navigate treatment, care, and recovery. Over the past 22 years, total funds raised by Cindystock have surpassed $548,000.

Rep. Jeremy Shaffer announced that the Township of Pine received a grant to make safety improvements at several traffic signals throughout the township. The Township of Pine was awarded $355,574 through a PennDOT grant to update traffic lights with flashing yellow arrows and install new controllers. The grant will also fund the replacement of mast arms at the intersections of Route 19 and Bradford Road and Route 910 and Pearce Mill Road.

Rep. Valerie Gaydos announced that over $840,000 in state funding has been approved through the Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program and the Multimodal Transportation Fund to support local improvements. The following projects received funding: The Municipal Authority of the Borough of Edgeworth to install a water storage tank mixer at the HealthSouth facility, improving water quality and system efficiency; Moon Township for pedestrian improvements along University Boulevard and Beaver Grade Road.

GF WC

GFWC Intermediate League Lends Assistance with Antiques Show and Other Community Projects

By Paula Green

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) is an international organization founded by Jane Cunningham Croly on April 24, 1890. The local chapter, GFWC Intermediate League, started in Butler in 1950. It was created as a club for women whose ages fell between those of the junior and senior women’s clubs. A candidate for membership should be at least 21 years of age.

For 76 years, GFWC members have worked diligently to support the arts, preserve natural resources, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, stress civic involvement, and work towards world peace and understanding.

GFWC Intermediate League has one annual treasure shopping tradition that draws folks out in droves. Their Antiques Show and Sale, held in March, draws around 1,200 attendees. This year, the 74th Annual Show is set for March 20-22 at a new location, the Tesla BioHealing Wellness Hotel, in Butler Township.

“The Intermediate League has held an Antiques Show and Sale annually since its inception in 1950, with only two interruptions due to COVID-19. The show has earned a reputation as one of the premier antiques events in Southwestern Pennsylvania, featuring over 36 distinguished dealers. The purpose of the show is to raise funds to support community projects,” said GFWC Intermediate League, Antiques Show Chairwoman, Anne Miller.

This show and sale presents a fabulous opportunity for collectors to acquire rare finds, and for those curious to learn about the value of the antiques. Numerous dealers from the mid-Atlantic will be selling antique furniture, paintings, clocks, rugs, porcelain, and vintage collectibles.

“The Antiques Show is our chief and biggest fundraiser. Each member is required to help with the show and sell show tickets, as well as quilt tickets for the queen-sized quilt, which is raffled,” said GFWC’s Intermediate League President, Yolanda Cypher.

Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will benefit: Butler Area Public Library, Butler County Symphony, Butler Intermediate High School Best Buddies, Butler Little Theatre, Children’s Advocacy Center, Community Health Center, Community Meals Ministry, Gaiser Center, Isaiah 117 House, Kids Weekend BackPack Program, Lifesteps, Maridon Museum, Musical Theatre Guild, and VOICE.

An event of this magnitude is a huge undertaking. Anne noted that the planning phase is quite lengthy.

“We literally begin planning the next show during the current show, so it is a year-long effort. We have many loyal dealers, and we talk with them to assess their needs and determine whether they plan to return the following year. Our show has a waiting list of dealers who would like to participate. This year, we have 36 dealers from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.”

The hours for the event are Friday, March 20, 6 pm—9 pm; Saturday, March 21, 10 am—5 pm; and Sunday, March 22, 10 am—3 pm.

In addition to the Antiques Show & Sale, GFWC members help with other community projects.

“Our members coordinate with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to plant the Gateway Gardens at the entrance to Butler on Route 8 North. We help with the children’s parties at the Butler Library and with ARC. We’ve worked with Stand Down to donate, collect, and pack the items veterans need. We support female veterans at the VA Health Center each November with gift cards to Walmart and ALDI, as well as providing neck pillows to veterans in the hospice unit. Our members donated hygiene products for VOICE. We’ll be assisting with the Diaper Bag project by donating and packing 30 diaper bags. We’ve provided the Backpack program with volunteer work as well as donating needed food items,” said Yolanda.

“Each year, we support a GFWC-affiliated partner such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Canine Companions, Heifer International, Hope for Justice, March of Dimes, Operation Smile, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and UNICEF. In 2025, we supported Hope for Justice, an organization that promotes and supports awareness of human trafficking, with a donation of almost $900 through a fundraiser within the membership,” Yolanda added.

For information on the GFWC Intermediate League of Butler, visit www.intermediateleague.org/, or Facebook www.facebook.com/gfwcintermediateleaguebutler. For details on the Intermediate League’s Antiques Show & Sale, visit pittsburghantiques.net/shows/butler-antiques-show-and-sale. n

UPMC Passavant, Passavant Hospital Foundation and Passavant Hospital Auxiliary partner to extend patient care upon discharge

The Food and Nutrition Department at UPMC Passavant lives by a mantra: food is medicine.

“A simple meal can provide comfort, reduce anxiety, improve medication adherence, and support healing,” says Justin Craver, Director of Hospitality, Director of Food and Nutrition at UPMC Passavant.

On July 28, the department launched a program which offers patients who have a food insecurity a free, three-day supply of take-home breakfasts, lunches and dinners to ensure they have access to

nutritious, convenient food immediately after discharge from the hospital. Each meal is individually packaged; the containers are packed into an easy-tocarry cooler bag and sent home with the patient. If the patient requires a caregiver upon returning home, two days’ worth of meals can be provided to the patient and the caregiver. All completely free of charge. Typical meals consist of chicken, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables; stuffed shells and veggies; or Salisbury steak, rice, and mixed veggies.

“Providing these meals alleviates one more burden that patients may have

upon returning home from the hospital so they can focus more wholly on getting better,” Craver said.

The Patient Discharge Meal Program was initiated by Craver as a way to help patients, but it also serves as a means to reduce food surplus and waste in the hospital cafeteria and kitchen, as well. Simply put, each take-home meal is safely repurposed surplus food.

The department prepares an estimated 900 inpatient meals each day. Plus, it prepares enough food to fulfill another 900 daily transactions in the cafeteria.

Surplus and waste are inevitable, but Craver has found a win-win solution to reducing the surplus and waste while satisfying a real patient need.

“This project is deeply personal to me because I’ve seen firsthand how difficult the transition home from the hospital can be,” Craver said. “My grandfather spent his final years in and out of the hospital as he aged, and my aunt became his primary caregiver. Every time he was discharged from the hospital, worrying about a healthy, home-cooked meal was an added stress during an already overwhelming time. If a program like this had existed for my grandfather, I know that he and my aunt would have been incredibly grateful for it. It’s about more than food, it’s about compassion, dignity, and ensuring that patients feel supported beyond the hospital walls. I can honestly say this is something my grandfather would have been proud of me for helping to bring to life.”

The Passavant Hospital Auxiliary, under the Passavant Hospital Foundation umbrella, funded the purchase of a new blast chiller, an additional freezer and cooler to help facilitate the program.

“Our new blast chiller can take three pans of chicken, for example, and chill them from 145° to 35° F in less than two hours, preserving the food’s quality and preventing foodborne illnesses. Once the meat is chilled, it can safely be packaged into take-home meals, then frozen or refrigerated for future use,” Craver explained.

Passavant Hospital Foundation’s Patient Assistance Fund makes quarterly contributions to help keep the program affordable.

“These grants are transformational,” Craver said. Response from patients has been unanimously positive. One patient, following a two-week hospital stay, expressed gratitude and relayed how

meaningful the meals were — especially the hospital’s signature wedding soup.

Another patient became emotional when the meals were delivered to her room upon her being discharged. She said that knowing she didn’t need to worry about cooking allowed her to focus on healing once she got home.

Craver says moments like these reinforce the department’s mantra.

Pam Kusserow, MSW, LCSW, ACM-SW, Director of Care Coordination at UPMC Passavant agrees. She describes the program as a tangible way to continue care after discharge. “Our department is so happy to work with Justin’s team to provide one more resource to be used during the healing journey. The Auxiliary and the Foundation are always searching for ways to support our patients. We are

so fortunate to have their partnership,” she said.

Since the Patient Discharge Meal Program launched seven months ago, more than 1,800 meals have been sent home with patients. Craver is working to help the program grow bigger and better, and hopes the idea spreads to other hospitals throughout the UPMC health system.

“Partnerships are a powerful way to invest in change to improve the health and well-being of our patients, their families and the communities we serve,” added Passavant Hospital Foundation President Anthony R. Savannah.

To invest in this partnership, make a donation today to impact the Passavant Hospital Foundation Patient Assistance Fund. Donations can be made on-line at passavanthospitalfoundation.org, by scanning the QR code below, or by mailing a check payable to Passavant Hospital Foundation to 9100 Babcock Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. n

8 FREE health and wellness programs sponsored by Passavant Hospital Foundation

Passavant Hospital Foundation’s mission advances the health and wellness of our community through education, outreach, and grant making. We offer a variety of health seminars and support groups to promote personal well being for everybody. Each offering is free and open to all, but registration is required at 412-748-6641 or PassavantHospitalFoundation.org.

412-748-6640 l www.PassavantHospitalFoundation.org # 1 # 2 # 3 #4

Common Problems

of the

Foot and Ankle: Diagnosis and Treatment

Tues., Mar. 17 l 6 – 7:30 PM l Passavant Hospital Foundation’s Conference Center at Cumberland Woods Village

William E. Saar, DO, foot and ankle orthopedic surgeon with Tri Rivers Musculoskeletal Centers, will discuss common problems of the foot and ankle, including plantar fasciitis, bunions, hammertoes, arthritis, neuromas and foot and ankle trauma, as well as treatment options.

Minutes Matter: How to Save a Life

Mon., Mar. 23 l 6 – 8 PM l Seven Fields Community Center

Learn basic life support skills such as First Aid, CPR, StopThe-Bleed ® techniques, the Heimlich maneuver, Epi-Pen and Narcan ® use, and more through easy-to-remember instructions and hands-on training. Call 412-748-3266 to enroll for free or schedule a free training session for your group or organization.

Benefits of Therapy to Prepare for Radiation Treatments

Thurs., Mar. 26 l 6 – 7 PM l Northland Public Library

Arielle Herzberg, PT, DPT, CLT, CYT and Andrea Ramsey, PTA, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, will discuss how therapy can help you prepare for and endure radiation treatments. They will also talk about restoring strength after breast cancer treatment.

Caring for the Caregiver

Tues., Apr. 21 l 6 – 7:30 PM l Passavant Hospital Foundation’s Conference Center at Cumberland Woods Village

Family members and informal caregivers often place the needs of the people in their care ahead of their own. It is important to maintain good social support, continued health

maintenance, and understand what support interventions are available before burnout occurs. This class is led by Brian G.Cenci, MSN, CRNP – Expert, AOCNP, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at UPMC Passavant.

Save Your Shoulder

Thurs., Apr. 23 l 6 – 7 PM l Northland Public Library

John M. Richmond, MD, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Tri Rivers Musculoskeletal Centers, will discuss common shoulder conditions and injuries plus nonoperative treatments and surgical advancements.

Lung Cancer Explained

Tues., May 19 l 6 – 7:30 PM l Passavant Hospital Foundation’s Conference Center at Cumberland Woods Village

Katie Kubicek, PA-C, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, UPMC Passavant, will provide an overview of lung cancer, diagnosis and treatment. Smoking cessation will also be discussed.

Physical Therapy and Conservative Treatment for Shoulder Pain

Thurs., May 28 l 6 – 7 PM l Northland Public Library

Craig Maartmann-Moe, DPT, Cert. MDT, CSCS, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, will share a physical therapy approach to managing common shoulder complaints, including rotator cuff issues, tendinitis and more.

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Bridge to Hope: Support Group for Families of Those with a Substance Use Disorder

This free, weekly, peer-led support group allows members to share their experiences, ideas, and successes. It meets every Wednesday at 7 PM. Another program, Beyond Bridge to Hope, is a bereavement group for those who have lost loved ones to substance abuse. It meets on the second Wednesday of each month. For details, call 412-748-5120.

Passavant Hospital Auxiliary needs you!

Over the past 60 years, the Passavant Hospital Auxiliary has raised and donated more than $4 million to help make UPMC Passavant the world-class hospital it is today. The Auxiliary works in partnership with Passavant Hospital Foundation to help fund projects that benefit patients, their families, and those who care for them. Through fundraisers like the Lights of Love Tree, vendor

PASSAVANT HOSPITAL FOUNDATION FUNDRAISING 2026

DATES

Dick’s Sporting Goods

3-4

Pittsburgh

Marathon

Join the Passavant Hospital Foundation Fundraising Team and help us hit our goal of raising $8,000 to support our Cancer Care Fund, which helps qualified UPMC Passavant oncology patients afford medicine, food, shelter, and transportation during their treatment. Contact Passavant Hospital Foundation Development Coordinator Amanda French at 412-748-6641 or posaaa@upmc.edu.

39th Annual Golf Outing

Enjoy a day on the links at Treesdale Golf and Country Club while helping Passavant Hospital Foundation raise money for its mission. Reserve your spot today by going to www.passavanthospitalfoundation.org

sales, and this year’s new therapy pets calendar sale, the Auxiliary has raised money to help fund medical technology like hand-held ultrasound devices and SciFit rehabilitation machines; pediatric items like PlayStation video game equipment; and free valet parking passes for patients’ families. The auxiliary is always looking for new members! If you’d like to serve in this capacity, call Passavant Hospital Foundation at 412-748-6640. n

4K and 8K Run/Walk Weekend Events

Passavant Hospital Foundation’s annual 4K and 8K Run/Walk will take place on Friday evening, August 7, at the North Park Pool Loop. The fourth annual Family 5K Wellness Run/Walk and Kids’ Fun Run will be held on Saturday, August 8 at UPMC Passavant Sportsplex at Graham Park in Cranberry Township. This year, both events will be timed!

Legacy of Caring Gala

Celebrate a Legacy of Caring on Thursday, September 17 at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Pittsburgh-Cranberry.

Annual Purse & Tool Bash

Join us virtually on Facebook Live and Microsoft Teams on Friday, October 23 to bid on a vast array of power tools and designer purses, handbags and backpacks! All proceeds benefit the mission of Passavant Hospital Foundation.

For details on all upcoming events, go to PassavantHospitalFoundation.org/Events

Passavant Hospital Foundation awarded several grants in 2025

Passavant Hospital Foundation aligns itself with initiatives in McCandless and Cranberry Townships supporting the patients of UPMC Passavant, patients’ families, hospital staff, and the community. Last year, the Foundation supported nine Community Initiative Grants totaling $31,729. Some of these grants were awarded to:

l Anchorpoint Counseling Ministries to provide a safe community of support, learning and understanding for bereaved widows and widowers.

l The Butler County YMCA to support the Aquatic Safety Enhancement Initiative.

l Kearns Spirituality Center to provide an affordable, convenient and supportive place for patients’ families to stay overnight or for prolonged periods.

l McCandless-Franklin Park Ambulance Authority to provide IV pump accessories and a nitrous oxide system for patients’ care in transport to UPMC Passavant.

l Mars Home for Youth to help build stronger families through their MSTPsych Family Support Program in Allegheny, Butler and Beaver Counties.

l North Hills Community Outreach to address food insecurity by providing supplemental food to qualifying lowincome families and individuals.

l Orchardview Stables to support its horseback riding therapy program to help improve the mental health and wellness of veterans and first responders.

l Ross/West View EMS was granted an IV medication pump.

Scan this code to learn more about Passavant Hospital Foundation!

By Paula Green

A Kidney Recipient and a Kidney Donor: Mother and Daughter Share Their Stories

March is National Kidney Month. As someone who received a kidney transplant, Naval veteran Gitthaline “Candie” Gagne knows it is important to take care of your kidneys.

Candie followed her father’s footsteps and joined the Navy in 1978 when she was 17. He served in the Marine Corps, the Army, and the Naval Reserve. Candie worked as a hospital corpsman, helping doctors, nurses, and patients communicate. She also did lab work and assisted in the operating room.

Candie went to the Naval School of Health Sciences in Portsmouth, Virginia, to become a certified surgical technologist. There, she met her husband, Thom. As a military couple, they lived in many places in the U.S. and overseas. Their daughter, Paige, was born in 1986 at a naval hospital in Beaufort, South Carolina.

In 1996, they moved to Pittsburgh, where Candie retired through the Troops to Teachers program. She then spent three years teaching surgical skills in Pittsburgh Public Schools.

Candie broke her ankle after a fall in late 2016. After six weeks of rest, it didn’t heal as expected. In February 2017, Thom found Candie unresponsive, and she was taken to the emergency room. Doctors discovered she had severe kidney damage and needed emergency dialysis.

By April, Candie’s kidneys had failed, and she began regular clinical dialysis treatments. In June 2017, she was placed on a transplant list. Paige wanted to donate a kidney to her mom, but she wasn’t a match.

Things got worse when Thom’s health declined. He had heart failure and was diagnosed with kidney failure. Thom needed dialysis, but his heart condition meant he couldn’t receive a transplant. Later, they learned that Candie’s and Thom’s health problems were linked to their time at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where the water supply was contaminated.

In June 2018, Candie got good news: a living donor was a match for her. On June 22, 2018, she received a donor kidney at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.

“Dialysis is difficult, emotionally and physically draining; to know that a person I had never met would unselfishly donate a part of herself to me is indescribable,” said Candie.

Three years later, Paige discovered her kidney was a match for a child who needed a transplant. She agreed to become a living donor. The surgery was on March 16, 2021, and by coincidence, Paige had the same surgeon as her mother.

“I can’t imagine how my recipient and her family felt when they got the call stating they had a donor, and I said yes. I know how our family felt for my mom. It was rewarding to be a living donor. I’ve grown up with a sense of service to others, as my family has a long history of military service and volunteerism. I was healthy enough to help someone live the life they were meant to live,” Paige said.

Candie not only battled her own health problems but also wanted to

help others facing similar challenges, as she and Thom did. Sadly, Thom passed away on December 24, 2021.

“I became involved shortly after being diagnosed with kidney disease. I started volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation, the American Kidney Fund, and the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP),” Candie said.

“I currently sit on the board of directors of the American Association of Kidney Patients. I can participate in research projects with many ties to the veteran community. Veterans are more likely to have kidney disease than the general population, and the AAKP has a task force, the Veterans Health Initiative, to address these issues. Last year, I was elected to the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network board of directors, a division of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. We are tasked with the complete modernization of the nation’s transplant system,” Candie added.

In October, Candie received a national honor: the AAKP’s Patient Engagement and Advocacy Award. On March 7, she will receive the Small Hands, Big Heart Award, which recognizes patient advocates who go above and beyond to raise awareness of kidney disease.

“I’m proud of my mother. She took something that could have been devastating and turned it into a posi tive. She’s been through the shocking diagnosis, dialysis, and transplant. She uses her years of knowledge as a hospital corpsman/surgical technolo gist to educate. She advocates for leg islation (at both the state and national levels) on how to help with the trans plant process when making laws to assist living donors,” Paige said.

Northern Connection Magazine honors Candie Gagne for her years of military service and her dedicated work for kidney patients. We also thank her daughter, Paige Cangilla, for choosing to become a living donor. n

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Celebrating Women’s History Month

By Emily King

March is Women’s History Month and Pittsburgh certainly has many memorable women to celebrate. Our city has a rich history of female history-makers, from pioneers in healthcare and education to innovators, artists, and local leaders.

The history of Pittsburgh is often told through the lens of industry. Andrew Carnegie’s billowing steel mills, and Henry Clay Frick’s coke oven enterprise, and their subsequent philanthropy helped shaped Pittsburgh into the city it is today. And then there’s Henry John Heinz and his famous ketchup.

But behind and in between these stories are women, whose influence and work helped shape our region in lasting ways.

Take for example, biologist and writer, Rachel Carson. She saw the industrialization of Pittsburgh, and its resulting pollution, and made it her life’s work to educate the public about the dangers of chemical pesticides. Her writing influenced the global environmental and conservation movement, and her legacy lives on in the work of the Rachel Carson Council.

Then there’s Daisy Elizabeth Adams Lampkin and her pivotal role in the women’s suffragette movement. Daisy established the first Red Cross chapter among black women, organized local chapters of the Urban League and NAACP, and moved up the ranks from writer to vice president of the Pittsburgh Courier, one of the leading black newspapers in the U.S. at the time. In 1924, Lampkin was the lone woman to meet with President Calvin Coolidge and other black leaders on racial equality. She is credited with organizing the NAACP’s 1931 National Convention in Pittsburgh and recruited Thurgood Marshall as a member of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Committee. Marshall would go on to lead the organization to win Brown vs. The Board of Education and become a Justice of the Supreme Court.

The first American woman film maker, Lois Weber, was born and raised in Pittsburgh. She did it all: writing, directing, acting, and editing. She owned her own production company in the early 1900’s and turned out many successful titles. Weber didn’t shy away from controversy and covered contemporary social issues in a lot of her films, like drugs, gender inequality, and wage gaps.

During women’s history month, we have the opportunity to remember these amazing women for their noteworthy accomplishments. But it also can inspire us to look more closely at the present and the women continuing their legacy in our community today. We only have to look at the schools, businesses, nonprofits, and healthcare systems to see examples of women improving our community every day. You’ll find examples of powerful women in the pages of this issue of Northern Connection, like the General Federation of Women’s League of Butler and the important work they do in the community to support the arts, preserve natural resources, promote education and more. Or the story of Candie Gagne, a Navy veteran who turned a health crisis into a platform for educating others about kidney disease and organ transplants.

Everywhere you look, there are stories of women doing the quiet work of improving their communities, country, and the world. Take the time to recognize the women in your life and the differences they are making in the community, whether they are CEO of a corporation or a mother doing her best to raise good humans. Happy Women’s History Month! n

Of Two Minds

By Janice Lane Palko

“No one can serve two masters.” – Matthew 6:24

Did you know that back in the mid-1800s doctors did not wash their hands between examining patients? In 1847, Ignaz Semmelweis, a doctor in Hungary, noted that if he cleaned his hands with a chlorinated lime solution in the maternity ward after dissecting a corpse, it drastically reduced fatal childbed fever. The “experts” back then were offended by his discovery and had him dismissed from his position. They cited their status as being gentlemen as preventing them from spreading disease.

In the 1950s, doctors recommended smoking cigarettes as beneficial for health. Lord Kelvin, noted physicist, predicted in 1883 that X-rays would prove to be a hoax. In 2007, then Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer predicted that no one would want an iPhone. In the early 1950s, Variety magazine predicted that rock ’n roll would be dead by 1955.

History is replete with instances where the experts have been wrong.

In my own life I’ve even witnessed this. One area where the experts have been wrong that comes to mind is multitasking. Not too long ago, every expert was touting the benefits of doing several things at once. Numerous books were written by those in the know about how beneficial it was for productivity, a company’s bottom line, and even your personal life.

The concept came from computers, having different programs functioning at once, but we’ve come to discover that the human brain is not like a computer processor. Sure, humans can do two things at once like walk and chew gum, but we’ve come to realize that to do multiple projects simultaneously, is not optimal.

As a mom of twins, multitasking came naturally to me, but I’ve learned, along with the rest of the world, that multitasking is a brain drain. In fact, a recent article by Kendra Cherry, MSED on the website Very Well Mind, states that “Multitasking takes a serious toll on productivity. Our brains lack the ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time—in moments where we think we’re multitasking, we’re likely just switching quickly from task to task. Focusing on a single task is a much more effective approach.”

I find when I have to switch between two functions that need my brain’s attention, it takes a while to get back up to speed when resuming another project. Therefore, I’ve been making a concerted effort to concentrate on one task at a time, and I don’t know if I’m more productive, but I feel so much less stressed.

Brain function becomes more of a concern as we grow older. Have you ever had trouble remembering something like a name? Who hasn’t? Unless there is an underlying medical condition, most people have that happen because our brain is stuffed with information. The older we get, the more our brain must sort through information to retrieve what we are looking for. I’ve heard its likened to when you are young, your library has only 100 books stored in your mind, and the “librarian” in your brain can easily access what you are trying to recall. However, by the time you are older you have thousands of books stored in your head, and your “librarian” has a lot more places to look in your brain to access and retrieve the desired information.

So, you may want to give your brain a break and concentrate on one task at a time. Let that librarian in your brain retrieve on one thing at a time instead of sending the harried librarian running from shelf to shelf.

Your recall may improve, and you may feel less stressed. But then again, I’m no expert. n

Only a hop, skip, and jump to healing.

Kids’ ortho care close by — for the ones who rarely sit still.

When your child needs help bouncing back from bone, joint, and muscle issues, the AHN Pediatric Orthopaedic Institute offers expert care close by — right here in Wexford. Learn more about our kids’ ortho services at AHN.org/KidsOrtho.

FEnjoy A Fun Evening with Kat Timpf on April 23 TICKETS ON

SALE NOW!

Enjoy an energizing and inspiring evening as St. Barnabas Charities honors Kat Timpf at the annual St. Barnabas Founder’s Day Celebration to be held Thursday, April 23 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Twp.

ounder’s Day tickets are on sale now and event proceeds support residents and patients who rely upon the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund. Timpf will receive the 2026 St. Barnabas Hance Award. The Hance Award was named in honor of St. Barnabas founder Gouverneur Hance, who was inspired to provide medical care for poverty stricken and chronically ill and injured men and boys in 1900. The Award is presented to a person of national acclaim who exemplifies Hance’s ideals of benevolence, patriotism and service to others. Previous Hance awardees include Elsie Hillman, Fred Rogers, President Gerald Ford, Rocky Bleier, Debbie Reynolds and many others. Timpf is a prolific writer, comedian, and television personality. She’s currently the co-host of “Gutfeld!” on Fox News and a Fox News analyst. She’s also the author of the New York Times bestsellers “You Can’t Joke About That,” and “I Used to Like You Until.” Kat is no stranger to the stage, either: the tour of her comedy live show sold out in theaters around the country. The St. Barnabas Founder’s Day Celebration will bring together corporate sponsors, prominent business people and community leaders to honor Kat Timpf. The

event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception, auction and raffles – followed by a dinner celebration. A VIP photo pass is also available to guests. Following the Hance Award presentation, Kat Timpf will deliver an inspirational and motivational speech. Tickets range from $300 – $500. For event tickets, call 724-6253770 or visit stbarnabashealthsystem.com/founders-day/ Proceeds benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which supports elderly patients and residents who cannot afford their care.

About

St. Barnabas Health System

Founded in 1900, St. Barnabas Health System is one of Pennsylvania’s largest healthcare systems, offering comprehensive, compassionate care for people of all ages. St. Barnabas has one simple mission: to help retirees live comfortably at a price they can afford. Having a 126-year history of serving residents in Western Pennsylvania, St. Barnabas’ spectrum of care includes retirement communities, living assistance, skilled nursing care, a community outpatient medical center, home care, hospice, and rehabilitation therapy. Visit StBarnabasHealthSystem.com or call 724-443-0700 for more information. n

Gail Boucek found her perfect spot at St. Barnabas Retirement Communities—alongside her loyal sidekick, Sparky. A Franklin Park native, she stays active at her nearby church and knows St. Barnabas well; her mother lived at The Village for 11 years. When Gail and her husband decided it was time to move—“I think we better,” he said—they chose The Communities for its friendly feel, no large upfront fee, and pet-welcome lifestyle. Today, Gail enjoys tail-wagging companionship, warm friendships, lively camaraderie, and plenty of paw-sitive moments.

Local Author Spotlight:

Lisa Slage Robinson

Emily King

This month we’re featuring Pittsburgh writer Lisa Slage Robinson, author of Esquire Ball: Stories From the Great Black Swamp, which was just released in February. Robinson was named a finalist for Midwest Review’s Great Midwest Fiction Contest, and her work has appeared in many literary publications. A former corporate attorney and litigator, she graduated from Bowling Green University and Case Western Reserve University School of Law, and holds an MFA from Chatham University. After practicing law for many years, Robinson now focuses on her writing career.

On her first day at her first job right out of law school in Toledo, Ohio, Lisa Slage Robinson was greeted with “Welcome to the Great Black Swamp!” by an associate.

The term that would inspire the title of her debut book of essays was a nickname for the town, which had once been dense, boggy swampland that was ripe with urban legends. The name would come back to her years later while studying for her MFA at Chatham University in Pittsburgh, setting the scene for Esquire Ball, Stories from the Great Black Swamp.

The book is an anthology of thirteen connected short stories set at a fictional law firm in Northwest Ohio, following a young female attorney. Robinson uses magical realism to weave the stories together, which explore themes of feminism, ambition, greed, and the gray areas of morality. The stories, set in the 1980’s, blend mundane office life with magical and mystical circumstances, like men marrying frog wives, and a teenager drowning in a sea of corn.

“It was great fun to write about these lawyers, but it was even more rewarding to write about the other people affected by their ambitions, wives, brothers, children, clients, the subjects of their lawsuits – the collateral damage from their quest for success,” says Robinson.

Robinson admits that she tends to compartmentalize her emotions and put up a façade of “everything is fine” in her personal life, which could be a roadblock to creating characters and putting a magnifying glass to the human experience.

“The fantastical has allowed me to explore tough stuffthrough a protective lens,” she says.

Making her home in Pittsburgh has given Robinson access to a rich literary community with writer’s groups, workshops, and plenty of other local authors to glean inspiration from.

“Pittsburgh has such an amazing vibrant literary community, a rich literary legacy and is home to many brilliant contemporary authors in every genre.  I know that I personally have only scratched the surface of all that this city has to offer,” she says.

Robinson specifically mentions The Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, the MFA program at Chatham University, Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, Craft Talks, and her local writer’s groups with. She also emphasizes the role that local independent bookstores have in promoting and supporting local authors, particularly White Whale Bookstore in Bloomfield, which hosted her book launch.

“White Whale is owned by a husband-and-wife team, Adlai and Jill, and run with the assistance of a kind and generous staff. They are the site for many book launches including my recent launch. I feel so lucky to now be a White Whale book launch alum,” she says.

After spending ten years bringing Esquire Ball to fruition, Robinson is taking advantage of the momentum and has already begun her next literary endeavor, a novel that takes place in Pittsburgh and Ohio.

“It’s a Frankenstein meets the Wizard of Oz examination of a changing legal landscape,” she says. n

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S U M M E R S I N G E R S

D A Y C A M P

The Lasting Impact of Summer Camps and Study Experiences

Summer camp is far more than a seasonal tradition, it is a powerful developmental experience that shapes children socially, emotionally, and academically. Research consistently shows that structured summer programs help bridge learning gaps while building essential life skills.

According to the American Camp Association (ACA), 96% of parents report that camp helped their child make new friends, and 92% say camp increased their child’s self-confidence. Camp environments intentionally foster independence, resilience, and teamwork, skills that are difficult to replicate in a classroom setting alone.

A long-term study conducted by the American Institutes for Research (AIR) found that students

who participated in high-quality summer learning programs showed measurable gains in math and language arts, along with improved social-emotional skills. These benefits were especially significant for students who attended multiple summers, highlighting the importance of consistency and access. Beyond academics, camps provide something equally vital: connection. In a digital world, children benefit profoundly from unplugged experiences

— whether that means hiking a trail, collaborating on a creative project, or working together on a team challenge. These shared experiences build communication skills, empathy, and confidence. Summer study programs, including academic enrichment camps and specialty programs in science, arts, or leadership, further reinforce learning in engaging, hands-on ways. Studies from the RAND Corporation emphasize that quality summer programs can help prevent the “summer slide,” particularly in reading and math. For families and communities, investing in summer camps is an investment in future leaders. When children are given the opportunity to explore, connect, and grow, the benefits extend well beyond the summer months, they last a lifetime.

Sources: American Camp Association (2024 Annual Impact Report; National Camp Impact Study); RAND Corporation (National Summer Learning Project; Making Summer Count); Learning Policy Institute (Summer Learning Research). n

Dance all summer at Premier Dance Academy! We offer a full lineup of themed dance camps, drop-in classes, and specialty clinics designed for dancers of all ages and experience levels. Summer at Premier is the perfect time to explore new styles in a welcoming environment where our mission is to have fun and DANCE!

School Movers & Shakers

Fox Chapel

Fox Chapel Area

High School seniors  Abigail Haas and  Molly Krajcovic were named winners at the Prime Stage Theatre’s 6th Annual High School Drama Awards.  Abigail and Molly won in the best student makeup design category for Fox Chapel Area High School’s 2025 fall play, “Our Town.”

Two Fox Chapel Area High School students placed in the annual Dalmasse Sterner Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament.  Maya Agarwal and  Prachi Behal won first place in Parliamentary Debate. The event was held on January 10 and was hosted by the Pittsburgh Central Catholic Forensics Society in cooperation with the Taylor Allderdice Speech and Debate Team.

Five Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at the annual North Allegheny High School Speech and Debate Tournament.  Maya Agarwal and  Prachi Behal won third place and have now qualified for the 2026 Pennsylvania High School Speech League (PHSSL) State Championships.  Aiden Drucker and  Noelle Fouron were awarded fourth place.  Sabina Mantella won sixth place in the Student Congress.

Eight Fox Chapel Area School District students placed in the 2025 regional CalcuSolve tournament. Dorseyville Middle School students Shengfeng Fei and  Brian Xu tied for

first place.  Additionally, Catherine Carlson, Shengfeng Fei,  Akhil Muvvala, and Brian Xu placed second overall out of all 70 teams competing countywide.  From O’Hara Elementary School,  Chelsea Butzke,  ChiaYi Lin, Asher Tobe, and Will McKenzie received third place honors.

Forty-five Seneca Valley High School students visited the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center on January 23. Accompanied by Senior High School Assistant Principal Ms. Megan Lizewski and AP Chemistry teacher, Science Department Chair and Science Honor Society adviser Ms. Kelly Weston, students spent the day immersed in an environment where science, innovation, and compassion intersect. During their visit, students toured the facility and gained firsthand insight into the cutting-edge research taking place behind the scenes.

Mars Area

A team of Mars Area Middle School students took first place in the 2026 CalcuSolve Math competition, sponsored by Allegheny Intermediate Unit. The winners were Aarna Bansal, Jacqueline Li, Mary Rhenish, and Kristin Sadhu

Mars Area Middle School Seventh Grade Girls Basketball Team went undefeated for the 2025-2026 season. The Lady Planets ended the season with a record of 15-0. Team members include Callie Bair, Alyssa Day, Emma Eriksen, Gia Ginocchi, Addy Hainan, Lila Leapline, Kylie Rhea, Avi Rocco, Talia Sanata, Addi Schaerer, and Kate Sherwin

Mars Area Centennial School fifth graders Noah Bergdahl and Jane Lyons earned honors at the 2026 International Academics Competition held Jan. 17 at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit. Noah received first place in the History Bee event and second place in the Geography Bee; and Jane took fourth place in the Science Bee. Both students qualified for the 2026 National Championships, to be held May 21-25 in Orlando, Fla.

Mars Girls Youth Basketball Association’s Sixth Grade Girls Gold Travel Basketball Team earned first place in the 2025-2026 Pittsburgh Youth Basketball League (PYBL). The team went undefeated (12-0) in Division A competition, earning the PYBL regular season title for the third consecutive year. Team members include Mars Area Centennial School sixthgraders Reagan Anke, Samantha Beckert, Avery Cooper, Lila Demetris, Ella Fullerton, Ainsley Genis, Amelia Lavrinc, Hailey Rodgers, and Nora Wiley.

Several Mars Area School

District students took to the stage with Jeter Backyard Theater at the 2026 Junior Theater Festival, held January 16-18 in Atlanta, Ga. Students included Teagan Clawson, Megan Schaffner, Lydia McKim, Sadie Rhoads, Callie Schaffner, Mackenzie Schnur, Hadley Sichler, and Zoey Szelong. The students were awarded Excellence in Pod.

BC3

Vintage Coffeehouse, 209 S. Main St., Butler held a grand opening on January 27 and 28. The Vintage is located on BC3’s lower level of Founders Hall and replaces the Pioneer Café, whose 5,000-square-foot space underwent a $200,000 renovation from November to midJanuary, which included new flooring and furniture.

Going Down Memory Lane

By Sofya Stearns

Welcome to March, a spring month worth mentioning.

March 1 is Peanut Butter Day. Who knows where it came from and why it is even on the calendar! However, as a chef and educator, I can utilize it in so many scrumptious ways. Not just simple PB&J, I’m thinking more in terms of protein bars or breakfast protein shakes (recipes can be found in Northern Connection’s online edition). Izabella and I love making them. They are easy, no bake, no mess, and no fuss recipes, and great for the whole family. We use blueberries for their great nutritional benefits: rich in antioxidants, support brain function, and promote bone health. I also frequently utilize raw honey, a natural sweetener that offers notable health benefits. Not only is it exceptionally flavorful, but it can also help soothe the throat or cough.

And now, off to March 8, International Women’s Day, a holiday I grew up with in Moscow, Russia. Back then, ladies got chocolates (if they were even available in stores) and flowers, which were more accessible, as there were a few independent markets and stands selling them. The holiday is like Mother’s Day in the U.S. but it’s celebrated by every girl, young lady, and woman. My twin sister, Olga, and I loved that holiday. We made sure we gave a little gift to every woman in our life: our mom, Natalya; grandmother, Izabella (after who my child my business is named after), and the third woman in our lives, Galina, our second granny, Izabella’s older sister. She was married, but was never able to have children, so our mom, Olga, and I were the children and grandchildren she never had. Oh boy, she knew how to spoil us with love, candy, and handmade desserts. Galina was the one who got me and my sister our first puppy, a Pekinese we named Prosha. He never made it to the U.S., as we unfortunately had to leave him behind with our family friends. A few days before our immigrations date, or perhaps I should say escape date, he got terribly ill and a vet told us he would never make the flight from Moscow to Vienna, our first of many other destinations before we arrived in Chicago. Nowadays, I don’t really celebrate March 8th, however, I always have a virtual happy hour with mom and my twin raising a glass of bubbly to us and the memory of two women, Izabella and Galina who made a huge impact on our upbringing.

Now off to March 17, St Patrick’s Day. Who doesn’t like green in their food? Whipped cream, muffins, sprinkles on the cookies, apple juice, and for us adults, beer. Personally, I LOVE it. SO, MOMS, when celebrating, don’t forget to teach the kids a bit about Irish culture, like the colors of the flag, capital, and a few landmarks. Learning is good for the brain, just like blueberries. La Dolce Vita! Happy March! Happy Celebrating!! Until next month! n

HAPPENINGS

Art

Spring Break Art Show presented by the Cranberry Artists Network, Mar. 21-Apr. 10, at the North Hills Art Center, 3432 Babcock Blvd. Opening reception is 6-8 pm, March 21. For details, visit www.cranberryartistsnetwork.com

Concerts / Performances

Marvin Gaye: A Tribute to The Prince of Soul, 6-7 pm, VIP Reception, 7:30-9 pm, concert, March 14, Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave. For ticket info, visit kellystrayhorntheater.

Fish Fries

St. Aidan Fish Fry, 4:30-7 pm, Fridays during Lent, including Good Friday, Ryan Center at St. Alphonsus/Blessed Francis Seelos Academy, 201 Church Rd., Wexford. Dine-in or takeout, call (724) 931-0596 or fishfry@saintaidanparish.org.

Fitness

Pittsburgh Power and Fitness Festival, May 16-17, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown. Two bodybuilding and physique competitions, the IFBB Pittsburgh Pro & NPC Worldwide Pittsburgh Natural Pro Qualifier. Vendor booths and sports competitions. For info visit www.PittsPowerFit.com.

Gala

Children’s Home of Pittsburgh Shake Your Booties Gala, Apr. 18, at the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, 150 Ferry St., Creighton. Friends, supporters, and community members are invited to join in celebrating the 25th gala anniversary in true Pittsburgh style. For info, visit www.childrenshomepgh.org/

SYB or contact Kelsey Myers at kmyers@ chomepgh.org.

Garden

Farm to Table Expo at the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, Mar. 6-15, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Ingomar Garden Club monthly meetings, 10:30 am, 1st Wed. of the month, March-Nov., at Northmont Church, 8169 Perry Highway, McCandless Twp. Meeting, light luncheon & guest speaker. Prospective members are invited. Visit www.ingomar-garden-club.com for additional info.

Shaler Garden Club’s 72nd Annual Plant Sale, 9 am-noon, May 2, at Kiwanis Park, Wetzel Rd., Glenshaw. Perennials herbs, vegetables, houseplants, bulbs, hanging baskets & potted arrangements for Mother’s Day. Basket Raffle & Bake Sale. Cash or credit cards accepted. Rain or shine. Visit www.shalergardenclub. com.

Historical

Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Roundtable, The Round Table presents Civil War Jeopardy, 7 pm, Monday, Mar. 16, at Hampton Township Community Center, 3200 Lochner Way, Allison Park. Presentation is free and open to the public.

Library/Reading

Northland Library has numerous events scheduled for March. For a complete list of events, visit northlandlibrary.org.

Vintage Market is a non-profit store in Shaler that benefits The Blessing Board. Open 10 am-3 pm every Th/F/Sat in the Shaler Plaza, 880 Butler Street & Rt. 8

(look for the gray door between Rite Aid & Planet Fitness).

Meals / Nutrition / Teas

Free Community Meal First Monday Meal, 5-7 pm each 1st Monday of the month at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1719 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw. Meal includes entrée, starch, vegetable, salad, homemade dessert, and drink. Open to the public. For info, call (412) 486-0550.

Military

Hall of Valor Induction Ceremony, 10 am-4 pm, Mar. 28, at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. For details, visit soldiersandsailorshall.org.

Movies

Free Matinee Movies on Mondays: 2 pm, Mar. 2, Downton Abbey the Grand Finale; Mar. 9, The Naked Gun; Mar. 16, My Oxford Year; Mar. 23, Freakier Friday; Mar. 30, My Mother’s Wedding, at the Legacy Theatre at Cumberland Woods Village in McCandless Twp. For details, visit TheLegacyLineup.com.

Networking / Social

Cranberry Township 55+ Club meets 1 pm the 2nd Tuesday of the month at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center. Members must be residents of Cranberry Township. The Club features activities, social opportunities, and visits to nearby points of interest. For info, contact Frank at (724) 316-5807.

Glenshaw AARP 3744 meets at Elfinwild Presbyterian Church, Mt. Royal Blvd. 2 pm, second Tuesday of the month. Call (412) 487-1041 for more info.

INDOOR SPRING CRAFT SHOW

APRIL 26, 2026

PITTSBURGH SYRIA SHRINE CENTER

1877 SHRINERS WAY, CHESWICK, PA

Hours 10

Basket Auction

Spring showers may bring flowers but most of all the Daughters of the Nile Craft Show. Come meet some of our new vendors and shop

We DO NOT accept Electronic Payments

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Join Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish this season for a full schedule of Lenten and Easter Masses, Stations of the Cross, inspiring programs, and more.

Get the full schedule at www.mountcarmelpgh.org

Vendor Contact: Peggy Addleman 724-709-9916

peggyaddleman@gmail.com

Vendor load in time 8 am

Proceeds Benefit Daughters of the Nile

Networking with Purpose, Inspired Women Paying It Forward North meets quarterly, 5:30 pm, Apr. 16, at the Doubletree by Hilton, 910 Sheraton Drive, in Cranberry Twp. Collectively raising over $40,000 quarterly for women’s non-profits locally and globally at nine chapters. Creating space for women who have more in their lives to take action on behalf of women who have less.  Call Debra at (724) 935-6100 or go to www.InspiredWomen.com.

UPMC Passavant Hospital Auxiliary Membership Opportunities! Are you looking for a stimulating opportunity for social interaction with other dedicated people in support of our community hospitals—UPMC Passavant McCandless and Cranberry? Then join the Passavant Hospital Auxiliary’s long tradition of caring. The Auxiliary meets at 10 am the 2nd Monday of each month (Sept. through June). New members are always welcome!  For info, visit passavanthospitalfoundation.org/. Call (412) 748-6639 if you plan to attend a meeting.

Young at Heart 60+ Singles meet at various restaurants in Cranberry/

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Reverend John R. Rushofsky, Pastor

Saint Athanasius Church

7 Chalfonte Avenue, West View

Incarnation of the Lord Church 4071 Franklin Rd., Observatory Hill

Saint Sebastian Church

311 Siebert Road, Ross

Saint Teresa of Avila Church

1000 Avila Ct., Perrysville

North Hills areas at 1:30 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. To find out which restaurant and to reserve a seat, text or call (724) 831-0798 by Monday the week of the luncheon.

Sales

Homemade Arcade’s Modern Craft Market, March 27-29, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, downtown. For details, visit handmadearcade. org/modern-craft-market.

Rummage Sales, 8 am-2 pm, Mar. 7, and 10 am-2 pm, Mar. 8, St. Aloysius Campus, 3616 Mt. Troy Rd., Reserve Twp. Huge selection of kitchen items, jewelry, books, seasonal items, clothing etc. Baked goods available on Saturday. For more info, call Deb at (412) 337-1713.

Treasures & Furniture Sale, 9 am-2 pm, Apr. 18, St. Matthew, Holy Spirit Campus, 608 Farragut St., Millvale. Six rooms of collectibles, religious items, holiday treasures, linens, framed artwork & furniture. If you have furniture to donate, call Deb at (412) 337-1713.

(Continued on page 30)

Schools

Fox Chapel School District registration for children entering kindergarten in the fall opens in March. For details, visit www. kdgfcasd.com/.

Spiritual

Magnificat Prayer Breakfast for Women, 9 am-noon, Mar. 7, at the Marriott North, 100 Cranberry Woods Dr., Cranberry Twp. A prayer-filled breakfast with guest speaker, Bishop Mark Eckman. Registration is $35. For info, to register online, or to download a mail-in registration, visit, www.magnificatpittsburgh.org/.

Sports

Senior Softball for Northern Allegheny County Senior Softball League NACSSL. Competitive, slow pitch Senior Softball league comprised of 20 teams,

280 members, three age divisions 50+, 62+, 71+. Tryouts held March/April. Games are played May/August primarily at the North Park Senior Softball Complex at the Lodge in North Park. Sign up at www.NACSSL.com, or email danharri811@yahoo.com.

Support

Sensory Friendly afternoons, 1-5 pm, the 2nd Tues., of the month (Mar. 10 & Apr. 14) at the Children’s Museum. Regular admission rates apply. For details, visit accessibility@pittsburghkids. org.

Taxes

2025 Tax Information, it’s tax season and Northland Library has a webpage dedicated to highlighting tax resources info at www.northlandlibrary.org/adults/ tax-information. The library has limited supplies of select PA Tax Forms and Federal Tax Forms on the upper level

of the library. The tax info webpage lists forms currently available.

Tours

The Child Health Association of Sewickley House Tour, May 1 & 2, continues a long-standing biennial tradition that draws visitors from throughout the region for a weekend of architectural beauty. Save the dates and follow the Child’s Health Association on Facebook and Instagram for updates and ticket information.

Volunteering

Hope Hospice, a non-profit organization in the North Hills, is looking for compassionate volunteers to visit patients at home or in facilities. Consider helping those in your community by reading, socializing, doing arts/crafts or merely offering your presence. Visit hopehospicepgh.org/ or call (412) 367-3685.

By Paula Green

Let’s face it, cell phones have invaded our daily lives. We call, text, snap photos, FaceTime, and navigate, all powered by our phones. None of this would exist if Alexander Graham Bell hadn’t unveiled his groundbreaking invention. This month marks the 150th anniversary of Bell’s major achievement.

On March 7, 1876, Bell was granted his patent for the telephone. Three days later, he made the first-ever telephone call to his assistant, Thomas Watson. Bell uttered the famous phrase, “Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you.”

Building on this initial feat, within a few months, Bell was able to demonstrate conversations not just over a few yards but over a few miles. This time, the phone call took place between Boston, Massachusetts, and the suburb of Somerville.

The telephone’s success quickly led to the formation of the Bell Telephone Company in 1877. By 1915, Bell made the first transcontinental call from New York to San Francisco, bringing long-distance conversations to life. None of these connections would work without the original technology whizzes: the “hello girls.” Armed with switchboards, wires, and plugs everywhere, these operators turned phone chaos into order, zapping connections across miles in miraculous time.

Phones were the new craze, and soon, the early 1900s gave us the iconic phone booth. These little cubicles popped up everywhere, like magic portals for a quick chat when inspiration (or gossip) struck. Got a dime? Then, you have the world at your fingertips.

Technology kept growing. By the 1920s, rotary dials let people spin their way through calls, and in the 1960s, push-button phones made life faster. Dialing numbers: now with less finger acrobatics.

The world got a glimpse of a mobile future in 1973 when Motorola introduced the first handheld phone prototype. In 1992, Neil Papworth, a 22-year-old software programmer, sent the first-ever text message from a computer to his colleague. He had been working as a developer and test engineer to create a Short Message Service (SMS) for his client, Vodafone. That first text, sent on December 3, 1992, simply said, “Merry Christmas.”

The turn of the millennium brought smartphones, combining a phone, camera, web browser, and personal assistant. Today, as we interact with our smartphones daily, we should seize the moment to celebrate the journey from Bell’s original spark to the infinite ways we connect now.

Since we’ve explored the history of the telephone, let’s see if these questions ring a bell. Get set to don your thinking caps, because it’s time to get a little trivial..

1. In this film, a boy befriends a stranded alien who is forever trying to “phone home” and call back his ship.

2. Name the princess who starred in the 1954 Alfred Hitchcock classic Dial M for Murder

3. The Lady Gaga song “Telephone” also features this famed female songstress.

4. In this hit tune, Jim Croce sings the lyrics, “Can you help me place this call?”

5. This smartphone was initially known as “Research in Motion.”

6. Name the 1979 comedy film where Navin Johnson, portrayed by Steve Martin, excitedly yells, “The new phone book is here!”

7. Which cell phone company uses the slogan, “Can you hear me now?”

8. This multi-instrumental English rock band sings the hit tune “Telephone Line.”

9. Which actress portrayed Ernestine, the telephone operator, in the TV comedy show Laugh-In?

10. In this TV 60s-70s sitcom, a farm couple didn’t have a phone in their home. Every time they made a call; they had to climb a telephone pole in their yard.

11. Name the rock band that sings the tune “Love on the Telephone.”

12. In the animated TV show The Simpsons, Bart loves to make prank phone calls to this establishment.

13. What are the digital pictures called that are used in text messaging?

14. The name Bell Telephone eventually transitioned over to this mobile phone giant.

15. What device was announced in 2007 with the following slogan? “This is only the beginning.” n

Sources: www.thoughtco.com/history-of-the-telephone-alexander-grahambell,www.history.com/articles/alexander-graham-bell,www.mitel.com/ articles/history-telephone, www.mitel.com/articles/history-telephone, www.ringcentral.com/us/en/blog/national-telephone-day/

Why Clients Trust Deb Walton! Scan to Watch

• Over 25 Years of Expertise in Real Estate and Marketing.

• Award-Winning Realtor and Consistent Top Earner in the Region.

• Trusted Advisor with a Proven Track Record of Success.

• Dedicated to Providing Personalized Service Tailored to Your Needs.

• Expert Negotiator Committed to Getting the Best Results for You.

• Helping Families Find Their Dream Homes Throughout the Pittsburgh Area.

• Backed by the Power and Resources of Coldwell Banker Realty.

Walton, SRES® Cranberry Office (O) 724-776-2900 | (C) 724-480-6690 DebWalton@pittsburghmoves.com | www.DebWaltonRealEstate.com

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Every detail matters — even if the menu stays exactly the same.

Kids don’t care whether the counters are granite or quartz — they just want a flat surface to sit on. At Wayne Homes, we design around real life. That means open kitchens where everyone gathers, flex spaces that grow and change right along with your family, and smart details that make everyday chaos feel just a little more under control. Because while the kids might not notice your tile choices, they’ll feel the difference in a home built for them (and for you).

Learn about building a custom home on your land at WayneHomes.com Pittsburgh: 866-912-1380