Laurel Mountain Post :: Debut Issue :: Fall 2004

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POSTA Magazine for the Heart of Westmoreland County

Every Story Begins At Home. www.LaurelMountainPost.com

FALL 2004: Cooking • Gardening • Nostalgia • Shopping • Nutrition • Style • Faith • Children • Art • Fiction FREEFREEFREEFREEFREE

PaintingWith FabricA Look inside the Studio ofLatrobe Artist Melanie Kimmel

PaintingWith FabricA Look inside the Studio ofLatrobe Artist Melanie Kimmel

Visit us on the Diamond at 106 East Main Street in Ligonier 724-238-7003

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In 2003, I took a year off from full-time advertisingand communications work and taught a three-year-old preschool class at my son’s school in Raleigh,North Carolina. Instead of worrying about budgets,client approvals, graphic formats, layouts and copywriting, I became immersed in circle time, learningprojects, making paper crowns, planning cool re-cess games, putting together a fun newsletter andpersonally getting to know my classroom kids – all12 of them.

I learned a lot about their families, extended fami-lies, hobbies, interests and hometowns (because somany people move to Raleigh from somewhere else– and yes, there were many Steelers fans!). I metmore people and heard more interesting stories thatyear than in 10 years of public relations work. Thekids and their parents lit up every time they talkedabout “home,” which was usually some place likeOhio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, or New York.

We started a website as a way to keep the kids intouch with Grandma and Grandpa ‘back home.” Itwas filled with pictures of the kids learning in class,climbing on the playground, and discovering newthings on field trips to the pumpkin farm and firestation. The class surveyed children and adultsabout their favorite things . . . food, colors, stories,pets, vacations and toys. Everything in our com-munity became a fascinating and fun story to tell.

While I used my professional skills to create theseprojects for my preschool class, I was always think-ing about my own home in Pennsylvania and how Ilove to hear about the people I grew up with, thenew things being built . . . and especially the thingsthat never change.

The Laurel Mountain and the surrounding high-lands are always there; and my children know weare “almost home” when it comes into view alongRoute 30 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike. When mydaughter was little, we used to start singing “take

Every Story Begins At Home

MOUNTAIN VIEWSCathi Gerhard Williams

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST - 3

Cathi Gerhard Williams, Editor & PublisherBriana Dwire Tomack, Marketing Director & Business Manager

CONTRIBUTORS - FALL 2004 (Volume I, Issue 1)

Nicole Bongard, Jim Brewer, Daniel Chicka, Ron Durika, Carol Gerhard, Paula Forte,Ronda Goetz, Sarah Gower, Steve Leach, Susan McBroom, Bob Pazehoski, Ruth Richardson,

Jo Rossi, Michelle Schultz, John Secreto, Nicole Smith, Scott Sinemus, Drew WilliamsSpecial thanks to our advertisers for supporting this community publication!

Cover Art: No. 2 from the Massachusetts Series by Melanie Kimmel

The Laurel Mountain Post is a quarterly publication of biffBOOcommunication designedto focus on the people, places and events at the heart of Westmoreland County in

western Pennsylvania. We print stories about real people and their daily lives; featurelocal merchants, craftsmen and professionals; present short pieces of art & literature;

and never lose sight of what makes this area a great place to call home.

P.O. Box 227 | Latrobe, PA 15650 | 724-331-3936 | [email protected]

Briana Dwire Tomack, Marketing Director, is a 1988graduate of Derry Area High School.

Cathi Gerhard Williams, Editor, is a 1987 graduateof Derry Area High School.

me home, country roads, to the place, where I be-long . . . ” (even though we’re not talking aboutWest Virginia). Maybe growing up on a farm in DerryTownship makes me a little hokey, but it’s just acelebration of who I am and where I’m from.

They say fall is the time when everyone comes home.We get in touch with our friends, visit our relatives,drive by our old high school, eat at our favorite res-taurants who serve food you can’t find anywhereelse, and sit and talk about what makes our liveshere so great.

I wanted to tell those stories.

Since moving away from home, I kept in touch byreading the online versions of the Greensburg andPittsburgh papers. But it seemed to take forever toget through the news headlines, police reports andall the sad or tragic stories they find to tell. I waslooking for something brighter. I wanted to hearabout what real people did every day, and knowmore than an obituary tells when they’re gone. Iwish I knew them yesterday.

So today, in the heart of fall, you are reading a news-paper that is devoted to the people around you . . .the ones you grew up with, the ones who have movedhere, and the ones you have yet to meet. While put-ting together this newspaper, Briana and I havetalked to almost everyone we know in the area. We’vemet even more people along the way.

If we haven’t yet made it to your door, call us, sendan email or write a letter. Help us celebrate the heartof Westmoreland County. Tell us your story so wecan share it with the community.

Every story is written by a native son or daughter.Every story is about us. And every story beginsat home.

4 - LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

COVER STORYAn Interview WIth Local Artist Melanie Kimmel

No. 5 from the Farm Series by Melanie Kimmel.

Kimmel creates her artwork by assemblingtiny fabric pieces that have been backed witha fusable web material, and then ironingthem into place on the fabric canvas.

The Laurel Mountain Post recently visited the stu-dio of Melanie Kimmel, a local artist who createsunique artwork from fabric. The end-result lookslike a detailed painting . . .

LMP: Where did you grow up?

KIMMEL: I was born and raised in Somerset, PAand surrounding area and now reside in Latrobe,PA with my husband, Jim Kasperik.

LMP: Where did you go to college?

KIMMEL: I earned a Bachelor of Science in Math-ematics with a Concentration in Music from Al-legheny College in Meadville, PA.

LMP: Did you study art in school?

KIMMEL: No, I thought that I was going to be amathematician. It wasn’t until I graduated fromcollege that I realized my interest in fabric andart . . . so, in 1998 I created a quilting business.Since then my work has made a transition to the2-dimensional fabric art that I now create. I am aself-taught quilter and artist.

LMP: Describe the fabric art form and how youdiscovered it.

KIMMEL: I started my fabric business as a quilter,but I wanted to get more detail in my work andfound this to be very difficult to do in a quilt . . .I read about a fusible webbing process thatallowed me to get the detail I wanted with themedium in which I wanted to work.

LMP: Tell us a little about what goes into yourcreative process.

KIMMEL: My subject matter for my artwork stemsfrom photographs I have taken of life’s naturalbeauties . . . flower gardens, trees, furry friends,people . . . whatever catches my eye.

My process is similar to painting with a fabric-only palette (no paint is used in my entire pro-cess). My artwork is a layered composition of smallfabric segments that are cut individually, arrangedand web fused to a background fabric.

I also create my own frames for my artwork –working the wood from rough-cut to the finishedproduct. My artistic preference is a rustic appear-ance so any imperfections found in the wood –bark, knots, cracks – become part of the framedesign and make each frame unique.

I love being able to offer work that is solely myown . . .

LMP: How long does it take you to completean entire picture?

KIMMEL: Weeks go into each piece . . . somemonths. It really depends on the size and detail.

LMP: Your website includes a gallery of yourwork as well as information regarding the pur-chase of orginals and something called a“Giclee” print. Can you explain how that printdiffers from what many people think of as atraditional printmaking process?

KIMMEL: I make a limited edition Giclee print ofmy original fabric art. A giclee print is producedfrom a high resolution digital scan of the originalpiece of artwork which is then output by a highquality inkjet printer. I make each giclee printpersonally using archival inks on archival papers.

LMP: Do you have a store or other outlet forselling your prints?

KIMMEL: I sell my work at art shows travelingmost of the summer and fall all over the EasternUnited States. This year I am attending 17 shows.My show schedule can always be found on mywebsite.

LMP: Do your tour schedule and work leaveany time for hobbies?

KIMMEL: I am a runner, and I love to work in mygarden.

LMP: Any advice for aspiring artists?

KIMMEL: Have a lot of confidence and a great sup-port team . . . the business isn’t easy . . . but thework you get to create as an artist is extremelygratifying . . . and the artists you will meet alongthe way are truly amazing . . .

LMP: We ask everybody this question. What’syour favorite spot in the Laurel Highlands?

KIMMEL: My favorite thing about the Laurel High-lands is this time of year . . . in the fall . . . whenthe leaves are all turning color. I do a lot of trav-eling along Route 30 and the trees make an amaz-ing display!

The Laurel Mountains in the fall are breathtakingand hopefully will inspire Melanie for many sea-sons to come. Her art is unique and truly a productof “home.” To see her work in person, please checkout the schedule to the right. We’re sure that you,too, will be inspired.


No. 4 from the Farm Series by Melanie Kimmel.

Melanie Kimmel at home in her Latrobe garden.

No. 1 from the Massachesetts Series by Melanie Kimmel.

CONTACT THE ARTIST

• Website: www.melaniesfabricart.com

• Email: [email protected]

• Phone: 724-532-3542

SEE HER WORK ON TOUR

• October 2-3, 9-10Bedford Fall Foliage – Bedford, PA

• October 16, 17Stockley Gardens Fall Art Festival – Norfolk, VA

• November 9 - December 22Gallery Show, Starkweather Art and Cultural CenterRomeo, MI

• November 11 - 13Arts in the Autumn Gallery ShowNorth Hills of Pittsburgh, PA


Fall. It’s my favorite time of year. You can smell it in the crispness of themorning. You can see it in the clear, sunny, brightness of a perfect Octoberafternoon. You can feel it in the cool chill of the evening, so perfect fortoasting marshmallows over a bonfire on sticks retrieved from the nearbywoods. So, why else do I love fall? I love pumpkins, and scarecrows, andHalloween, and Indian corn. I love sweater weather, and football games,and hot dogs, and hot chocolate. But, most of all, I love the traditional fallflower: The Mum.

Chrysanthemum, to be precise. Not that I am a master gardener, or evenclose. But, I love the versatility, the hardiness of the mum that even I —green-thumbless — can grow. I remember as a kid starting to see mumsthis time of year, heralding the fall; and time to go back to school. As anadult, I learned to love these flowers for their range of beautiful colors.

Mums come in colors from white, to bright yellows and oranges, to pinkand purple. I have some of each. They are easy to plant, and usually bloomtwice every year, with little maintenance. Left alone, they will bloom from 1-3 feet tall and wider every year. A big rain will make them droop in alldirections. Of course, you can cut them to bring inside for a special tablearrangement, or to fill an everyday vase. They can also be divided, to sharewith a friend or neighbor, or just to increase the size of your own collection.

To do this, just dig a hole around and under the base of the plant. Dividethe plant at the roots, using large garden shears to cut the roots. Then,plant the divided plants in separate pots or new holes, leaving lots of roomfor growth. Cover with some fertilized topsoil and water well.

Speaking of pots, I am a big fan of container gardening. It is a lot easierthan digging holes in the ground (at least in my backyard), and you can useanything that has drainage holes as a pot. You can be as creative as youlike. Additionally, plants are easy to re-arrange for a different look, or ifthings grow taller than expected. This also makes it convenient to bringless hardy souls inside during the winter, so they can grace your gardenonce again in the spring.

Fall is also the time to get your spring bulbs in the ground. If you like brightcolors in the spring, bulb planting in the fall will bring you just the pick-me-up you need after a long winter of white landscape. I recommend avariety of tulips, daffodils, lilies, crocuses and hyacinths for color varietyand long blooming. You will get an early start with some crocuses and havesomething in bloom all through the early spring until Easter. Your hardwork this fall will pay off, and, as is the beauty of planting perennials, youonly have to do it once!

Mum’s The Wordby Briana Tomack

Getting Married? We would love to help you plan the weddingof your dreams. We offer a wide variety of flowers and bouquetsfor your ceremony and reception.Our staff of floral specialists

can make your wedding day unforgettable.

Book your wedding with us and receive 20% off with this coupon.

1-800-463-0082 WWW.DERRYFLORIST.COM

213 Y Street • Derry, PA 15627 • 724-694-2752

724-539-0755


DERRY REMEMBRANCESRuth Richardson

As I look at the controversy about movies during the last year (Passion ofthe Christ and Fahrenheit 911 come to mind), I long for the days when thecontroversy rating of any movie was found in the CatholicAccent. While not a Catholic myself, my best friend KathyMaus was. Every Friday she and I would scan the LatrobeBulletin for what was playing at Derry’s Gem Theater andMrs. Maus would scan the Catholic Accent for the movieratings. My mom always deferred to Mrs. Maus’ judg-ment in movie choice since the EUB church in West Derrydidn’t have a movie ratings system. To the best of myrecollection, the Gem never showed a movie in the “Mor-ally Objectionable For All” category, let alone the “CON-DEMNED” one. The one scandalous movie my friends andI had heard about was “Blue Denim.” I think someoneread about it in Modern Screen magazine. It starred CarolLynley and Brandon De Wilde who got into some sort ofmysterious and horrible trouble. We never really knewwhat it was, and we would certainly never find out at ourlocal movie house. Fred Piper was very careful about whatwas shown on his screen and what went on in his the-ater. And he would personally reprimand you, by name,out loud, during the movie, for acting in an inappropri-ate fashion.

Saturday afternoon was the best. 25 cents bought youfifty-two cartoons in a row. Since the T.V. cartoons endedat noon, and no one I knew was allowed to sit in front ofthe television all afternoon, anyway, this was the place tobe. When you added in Dots, Junior Mints and JujuBeads, and those warm cardboard boxes of freshly poppedcorn, it was a blissful way to spend a Saturday. If thecandy boxes were flattened they made perfect projectiles to spin toward thescreen, an act that would command the wrath of Mr. Piper and assure thatyou would be removed from the premises. I can still see him standing at theback of the theater in a suit, tie, and freshly starched shirt with his armscrossed. He would scan his adoles-cent audience for the errant littletrouble-makers, flashlight in handin case he didn’t recognize you andhad to shine it in your face for iden-tification. And woe the precocious12-year-old in the back rowwho tried to steal a kiss in the dark.That light could forever scar a youngman who dared to make such a boldmove, not to mention the humilia-tion of the rounds of giggles from thesmall faces staring back over theseats as they witnessed his embar-rassment. Friday and Saturdaynights were much more appropriatefor this sort of thing. That was whenthe balcony was open. Once youbought your tickets at the box officeyou had to go back outside to thestaircase leading to the balcony,since there was no access from inside

the theater. This setting was the ‘first date’ destination for many a Derry teen.First loves were discovered here and first kisses, too.

I remember descending the steps to the ladies room. Rednaugahyde seating and a big mirror greeted you in the‘powder’ room. The walls were adorned with posters ad-vertising the coming attractions. What I would give for afew of those posters today. Eileen and Nancy, did yourdad let you keep any? At the top of the steps, beside theboys room door, was the little white porcelain drinkingfountain. This is where I would quench my thirst since Ihad spent all remaining money on candy. If you remem-bered ahead of time, you could buy a bottle of Coke orYoo-hoo from Sophie Vitale’s store, just down the streeton First Avenue and sneak it in under your coat. What alovely sound the bottle would make after you emptied itand rolled it down the slanted concrete floor toward thescreen. The bonus was, no one could tell who sent itrolling, so your risk of getting caught was quite small. Inaddition, the loss of the 2 cent deposit was a small priceto pay for the amusement of your peers. We also learnedvery early on to never touch the bottom of the seats. Theamount of gum aging there could have paved South Chest-nut Street clear to the tracks.

I long for the simplicity, the camaraderie, and the simplepleasures of a 50’s childhood. Derry was much like the fic-tional Mayberry, and all of us who gathered there, in thatwonderful dark old theater, on an autumn Saturday after-noon will smile as we recall those wonderfully innocent days.

The Gem Theater, at least the one I remember so fondly, has long sincegone the way of most small town theaters, replaced by the multi-plex at themall. Although the old yellow brick building still stands, with the GEMtrademark securely in place on its facade, the projector flickers no more.

No smell of fresh popcorn waftsthrough the air, and the whispersand giggles of my friends echo onlyin my thoughts. Mr. Piper lives onin our memories, along with thosesweet, sweet moments of youth thatI would love to travel back to andexperience . . . for just one moreafternoon.

Do you remember the movies play-ing at the Gem Theater in Octoberof 1958?

Ruth (Parrish) Richardson has been a Derryresident her entire life and is a graduate ofDerry Area High School. Passionate about

maintaining the values and traditions ofsmall town America, she has been an active

voice in Derry, including Derry Board ofRecreation (DAPP), and the PAL program

within Derry school system.Write to Ruth [email protected].

A Look Back at the Gem Theater

“I long for the simplicity,the camaraderie, and thesimple pleasures of a 50’schildhood.”

The Gem Theater circa 1946. Photo courtesy of Eileen Piper Richards andNancy Piper Gibb, daughters of Gem Theater owner Fred Piper.

“Children are our most valuable resource.” –Herbert Hoover

As a parent, children bring you profound joy and love. You watch them withawe as they discover and learn about the world and their environment. Asthey grow, you may also begin to worry about their development. She mayappear to fall behind other children or seem to take longer than you mightexpect to reach a certain developmental milestone.

Each child is unique and will develop skills at different rates. For example,one child may focus on motor development – walking, climbing and run-ning, and not have time to concentrate on his speech. Another child mayhave early language skills, but may walk later than his peers.

The list at left is not an extensive chart or exhaustive list, but a sample ofmilestones that will provide you with a guide for “typical” development.Doctors, teachers, and therapists look at five areas of development: Physi-cal – fine and gross motor skills, Language – receptive (understanding) andexpressive (verbal) speech, Cognitive (thinking/learning), Social/ Emotional,and Self-Help. Each skill is given within a range of time, and normal devel-opment should occur within those months. Please remember that childrendevelop the skills at their own pace.

More developmental information can be obtained through a National Orga-nization called Zero to Three. Their website is zerotothree.org and they maybe reached at 202-638-1144.

If you have a question about your child’s development or feel there is adelay, discuss your concerns with his pediatrician or medical doctor. Youknow your child and are his best advocate! Your pediatrician may referyour child for a hearing test or seek an evaluation from a specialist. A freedevelopmental screening/assessment is provided through Early Interven-tion. In Westmoreland County, this program is available by contacting 724-837-1808 (children birth through age three) and 724-836-2460 (childrenages 3-5).

By identifying a delay early in a child’s life, birth to three years of age arecritical in child development, a child may receive the help she needs toreach his or her full potential and may prevent problems later in age. EarlyIntervention services also provide support and assistance to the parentsand families by teaching them activities to enhance their child’s development.

If your child is diagnosed with a developmental delay/disorder, the follow-ing resources may be helpful: Special Kids Network and Parent to Parent,1-800-986-4550/parenttoparent.org; Parent Education Network, 1-800-5522-5827/parentednet.org; Exceptional Parent Magazine, eparent.com.

In the next issue, I will provide activities to encourage a child’s growth.Until then, enjoy your children each day, the years go by so quickly! Givethem a hug!!

Nicole is a 1988 Derry Area High School graduate. She attended the Uiversity of Pittsburgh and graduated in1992 w/ a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. She received her Master of Social Work degree in 1997 from

Temple University. She has worked in the following areas: Early Intervention (developmental disabilities),Adolescent Mental Health, Hospice, and Youth Work (England). Currently, Nicole is taking a break from her

career as a Licensed Social Worker to be a full-time mom to her two boys, ages 4 and 18 months.

FOCUS ON CHILDRENNicole V. Smith, M.S.W.


Fabric ArtMelanie Kimmelwww.melaniesfabricart.com

Email: [email protected]

724-532-3542

Looking for Milestonesin Children’s Development

0-6 months• coos, laughs• turns toward sounds/voices• holds rattle• rolls over• blows bubbles

6-12 months• imitates sounds, “babbles”• first words, mama & dada• sits, crawls• waves bye-bye• reaches for objects• transfers objects from handto hand

12-18 months• points to an object• walks alone• finger feeds• vocabulary of 5-15 words• understands and respondsto simple instructions

• holds crayons and scribbles

18-24 months• places shapes in a puzzle• turns pages of a book• walks backwards• names pictures, refers to selfby name

• uses spoon and fork,drinks from cup

24-30 months• runs, throws ball overhand• imitates drawing• follows 2-step directions• walks up and down stairsholding rail

• uses “my” or “mine” for posession• combines 2 words,vocubulary of 50 words

30-36 months• understands in, on, under, big,small

• asks “what” and “where” questions• pedals a tricycle, kicks a ballforward

• tries to button/unbutton largebuttons

• pretend play, imagination emerges• takes coat off

Nicole Smith and son, Austin.


THE CORNER STORYDrew Williams

“Treat Or Trick”from the forthcoming novel Goodbye, Waverley

My mother loved Halloween and took it as a pointof pride never to let any store-bought costumesinto the house. She hated the kind that came inthose boxes with the transparent tops so that theplastic masks appeared in the lids like little,trapped faces. My mother hated the way thosecostumes were stitched together and smelled likewiffle balls. It also ticked her off that, for all theclaims of being flame retardant, if one of thosecostumes caught on fire, the kid wearing it wouldbe crisp in about 6 seconds.

It was common knowledge that my motherwas a Halloween purist, and every year she wouldmake my costume by hand. We had a simple rou-tine in our house. She would ask me what Iwanted to be, and I would give her some lamesuggestion. “A Pirate,” I’d say, or “A Hobo.” Shewould smile and pat me on the head and com-pletely ignore my suggestions as she promised tomake me the best costume ever. And on Hallow-een day, she would unveil my costume.

And to her credit, it never disappointed.One year I went as The Spirit of St. Louis. Not

Charles Lindbergh, that would have been too easy.No, my mother turned me into a four and a halffoot replica of the plane that made the first trans-atlantic flight.

The last costume she made for me markedthe last time I went trick-or-treating. I was aboutto turn 13, and Halloween didn’t seem as cool tome as it had before. However, I was still youngenough to appreciate a pillowcase full of free pea-nut butter cups and chocolate bars, so despitemy adolescent misgivings, I told my mother thatI had planned on trick-or-treating and that Ineeded to go to the store and pick up a costume.

“Fat chance,” she had said, grabbing mycheeks and kissing me on the forehead. I thinkmy mother was worried that year that I mighthave outgrown Halloween. “I’m making your cos-tume, and it’s going to be great.”

Of course it was going to be great. Her cos-tumes were always great.

After dinner two weeks before Halloween mymother announced that she was going to go downinto the basement and “start costuming.” My fa-ther and I exchanged knowing glances over ourSalisbury steak; for the next week the basementwas strictly off limits. When I was in the thirdgrade my father accidently went into the base-ment the day before Halloween to get a screw-driver and interrupted my mother as she wasputting the finishing touches on the four foot rep-lica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa that I would bewearing the next evening. I don’t know the exact

specifics of what occurred between them in thebasement, but I knew that my old man didn’t getout of the doghouse until Christmas morningwhen he gave my mother a diamond necklace shehad been eyeing for months.

Just by good luck, Halloween came on a Sat-urday night that year which meant I would beallowed to stay out later than my usual nineo’clock curfew. To a boy on the cusp of becominga teenager, when driver’s licenses and the firstbroken heart are still beyond the horizon, there’ssomething magical about being allowed to roamthe neighborhood long after the street lights havecome on. It was nothing short of an adventure.

After dinner on Halloween night I went andsat on the front porch as my mother descendedinto the basement to put the finishing toucheson my costume. It was a perfect autumn evening.Indian summer had ended a few weeks earlierand the trees along the ridge of the Laurel Moun-tains had already turned their most vibrantshades of red and orange. It was that point of theseason when the leaves were at their most color-ful, right before they began to fall and the windsbecame too chilled for front porch sitting. I don’tknow how long I sat there staring at the ridge,but I knew, even at the age of twelve, that thereweren’t going to be too many views that I wasever going to have that would match this one.

Shortly before sundown, my mother fetchedme from the porch and told me to go into theliving room, the costume was ready. My fatherwas already there, and we could tell by the wayshe was fidgeting, my mother was especially proudof this creation. As I came to my father’s side,she told me to close my eyes. I did, putting mypalm over my face. I heard her giggling and thecloset door opening. Then came the sound of myfather gasping and my mother saying, “Open youreyes.”

It took me a second to comprehend what Iwas looking at.

Then, like my father, I gasped.“It’s a Halloween bag,” my mother said

proudly, holding it forward for my inspection.I have to admit, she had certainly outdone

herself. The costume stood about three feet wideand slightly taller, framed from coat hangers andbalsa wood. An old sheet she had dyed orangewas flawlessly stitched across the corners andup and down the sides so that not even the slight-est crease was visible. Stapled to the top of thesheet were dozens of empty bags of Hershey min-iatures and Snickers bars giving it the effect that Treat or Trick continued on Page 25

it was overflowing with treats. Covering the sheetwere little cut out jack-o-lanterns and witcheswith the finishing touch being two black handlesjutting from the top made from a remains of anold hula hoop she had salvaged.

“Wow,” my father said, his voice a mixture ofadmiration and shock.

“Well,” my mother said, looking at me. “Whatdo you think?”

I thought it was amazing, a work of art.Except for what was written on the front.“It says ‘Treat or Trick’,” I blurted. I glanced

toward my father whose expression told me I wason my own. “Treat or Trick?”

“So,” my mother replied. “What’s wrong withthat?”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She wasactually asking me what was wrong with Treat orTrick.

“It’s supposed to be Trick or Treat,” I nearlyshouted. “Everyone knows that.” I poked my fin-ger into the orange sheet. “Trick or Treat, Trickor Treat.”

My mother shook her head. “Well, I’ve beenthinking about that. Everyone says Trick or Treat,but that really doesn’t make sense, does it?”

I wanted to tell her that she was the one notmaking sense, but my father would have prob-ably stuffed me head first into the Treat or Trickbag if I smart mouthed my mother.

“What people should say,” she continued. “IsTreat or Trick, as in, ‘Give me a treat, or I will doa trick on you’.” My mother clapped her handsand smiled. “That makes so much more sensethan Trick or Treat. Don’t you think?”

Obviously she wasn’t picking up on the lookof horror on my face.

“I think it’s a winner,” my father said, wrap-ping his arm around her shoulder and kissingher on the cheek. “Right, Keith?” He gave me alook that conveyed a simple yet important mes-sage; your mother worked hard on this costume,so don’t you upset her.

I tried to convey an equally powerful messageto my father. I’m going to look like an idiot! But inthe end I just smiled and nodded. “It’s great,” Imanaged to say. “Just great.” I walked over to mymother and gave her a hug. “Thanks, mom.”

My mother squeezed me, and I could smell thePrell shampoo in her hair. “I’m glad you like it.”

As she helped me into the Treat or Trick bag Iwondered what kind of excuse I could come up

THE LIGONIER CHEFScott Sinemus

Once again fall is here… not that we’ve had much of a summer! With theshorter days & chilly nights just around the corner I offer you comfort… com-fort food that is! One of the reasons I like fall & winter so much has to be theslow cooked, lovingly prepared meals, that perfumed the house for hours withtheir aroma, and always seemed to be waiting for us when we came in fromsled riding or playing in the snow as kids.

I should mention I have a new love in my kitchen as well . . . my new crock-pot!If you’re laughing, you’ve probably forgotten how tedious they used to be, allone unit practically impossible to clean, scorched bottoms and burnt flavors,not to mention the avocado green color with mushroom & vegetable prints onthe side, Horrors!! The crock-pots of late have removable, glazed inserts thatdon’t even look at all out of place on the table to serve from. They’re veryinexpensive, heat quickly & evenly and fit nicely in the dishwasher.

Another, and quite possibly the best, perk of all… once you get everything in itto simmer, and clean up your work area, you’re pretty much finished withclean up for dinner. Other than the crumbs from slicing the fresh & crusty bakedbread; which seems to lend its self to anything that comes from a crock pot.

Or perhaps the truly best part, “planned-overs”! When making stew, fricassee,chili, tomato sauce, soup, etc., don’t be afraid to fill your crock-pot. Packagingup the leftovers in single serving freezer bags or freezer-to-oven proof contain-ers takes so little time.And keeping them on hand for the occasions when youdon’t have the time to cook is the ultimate reward. At a fraction of the cost ofprepared frozen entrees, it’s great for the budget, and with only the salt orpreservatives that you add, considerably healthier as well.

So what are you waiting for?Run…to but not in the kitchen and comfort yourself!

Scott Sinemus is a Chef with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Pennsylvania Institute forCulinary Arts in Pittsburgh. He’s continued his education with classes from the Culinary Institute

of America at Greystone; and has travelled internationally in search of authentic cuisine. For moreinformation on scheduling a private cooking class for yourself or a group, visit his website at

www.The LigonierChef.com.

The Comfort ofSlow-Cooked Beef Stew

BEEF STEW

2 pounds beef chuck ~ cut into 1 ½” pieces,trim excess fat & sinew

½ pound thick sliced bacon~ cut into ¼” pieces½ pound lean salt pork, or more bacon

~ also cut into ¼” pieces2 carrots~ ½” thick slices, cut on bias (slight angle)2 sweet onions~ cut into 1” squares1 pound ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded

~ cut into 1”cubes½ pound mushrooms~ halved (quartered if raw)1 cup pitted, Nicoise Olives1 quart beef stock (approx) ~ enough to coverRoasted Garlic oil for sautéing

FOR THE MARINATE:

2 cups hearty red wine2 garlic cloves, roughly choppedPared zest of 1 orange2 bay leaves (1 if fresh bay leaves)3-4 sprigs of rosemary3-4 sprigs of thyme3-4 sprigs of parsley10 peppercorns2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

FOR THE BEURRE MANIER:

5 Tablespoons of butter melted5 Tablespoons of all purpose flour

~ mixed with butter

GETGETGETGETGETTING STTING STTING STTING STTING STARTED:ARTED:ARTED:ARTED:ARTED:

Place the ¼” pieces of salt pork in a small saucepan, cover with cool water, bringto a boil, drain and repeat, adding the bacon pieces only during the second boil.This helps to remove some excess salt. If using low sodium bacon, or all baconand no salt pork this step can be omitted. Cool completely before adding to themarinate.

Combine all the marinating ingredients in a nonmetallic bowl, add beef cubescooled salt pork & bacon, and keep refrigerated for 1 to 2 days, stirring a fewtimes each day.

TO BEGIN COOKING THE STEWTO BEGIN COOKING THE STEWTO BEGIN COOKING THE STEWTO BEGIN COOKING THE STEWTO BEGIN COOKING THE STEW:::::

Strain the liquid from the meat completely reserve liquid. Place a linen kitchentowel on a cookie sheet, dump meat on towel, and use another towel to pat dry.Pick out the parsley, thyme, rosemary & peppercorns, and wrap them with apiece of cheesecloth for adding back to the stew later.

Heat cast iron skillet to medium-high heat, add enough roasted garlic oil to lightlycoat bottom of skillet. Add only enough beef cubes so that they are not touchingone another. DO NOT STIR OR MOVE THE PIECES UNTIL YOU SEE THE SIDESBEGIN TO TURN GREY. Using a spatula, turn pieces over, allowing them tobrown on the other side, then stir, cooking just until you see no more red on theoutside of the cubes, add to crock pot. If there is an excess of “fond” (the deliciousbrown stuff stuck to the bottom of the skillet) deglaze the skillet with some of themarinate, scraping the skillet with the spatula, then add that to the crock pot.Continue searing meat until it’s all been browned, deglazing as necessary. If youshould run out of marinate, begin using beef stock to deglaze.

Then brown the onions, add to crock pot, brown the carrots add to crock pot, andthen brown the mushrooms and add them to the crock pot; deglazing betweeneach vegetable. At this time add any left over marinate & beef stock, the tomatoesand the cheesecloth of herbs to the crock pot.

Cover with beef stock, and fold all the ingredients together.

Bring to simmer, stirring occasionally; cook for 3 ½ - 4½ hrs until beef is tender.

Ladle out as much of the liquid as you can into a medium, heavy bottomedsaucepan; bring to a low boil on the stove, whisk in the beurre manier, add thepitted olives reduce heat to simmer, stirring often for 5 min, return thickenedjuice & olives to the crock pot and fold until completely combined.

Serve in warmed bowls with home made bread, enjoy!!!

This (as are most recipes) is a springboard . . . try adding small new potatoes,other additional vegetables, dried legumes, use ham instead of bacon, etc. Theonly limit is your imagination!



When purchasing mattresses for your bunk bed,be sure not to buy a mattress over 7 to 7.5inches in thickness. Putting a mattress that istoo thick on the top of the bunk bed could de-feat the purpose of the guard rails and the childcould roll out over the top of the rail. Putting toothick a mattress on the bottom bed of the bunkbed will take away head room and crowd thechild for comfort. And always be sure to usebunkie boards under the mattresses when slat-rolls are not provided with the bunk bed!

When decorating your child‘s bedroom, KidsKorner Furniture offers everything you need todesign the room that you and your child want!Bunk Beds, Storage Beds and the ever popularL-shape Loft Beds are just some of the choiceswe offer in Youth Furniture. And all beds areapproved by the U.S. Government standards forsafety. We also offer solid wood toy chests that

are child safe and hand crafted! If a nursery isin your plans, we have the famous 3 in 1 Con-vertible Cribs that go from a Crib to a ToddlerBed to a Full sized Bed!

Kids Korner Manager John Secreto has madesure that he has the latest styles and trendsavailable and is here to help you with your needs.Kids Korner offers lines such as BarnDoor,Bassett, ChildCraft, Simmons, E.G., P.J. Kids,Lea and many others!

They are located just off Route 30 East inGreensburg directly across from Honda Villageand behind Peaches N‘ Cream Ice Cream stand.Hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday from11-7, Tuesday and Wednesday from 11-5, andSaturday from 10-8. Please feel free to stop inand look around . . . you‘ll be glad you did!

Safety Tips for Bunk Bedsby Kids Korner Furniture

READER RECIPEPumpkin Tea Bread

submitted by Ronda Goetz of Rose Style Shoppe

1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup OJ concentrate 2 tsp. baking soda1 1/2 cups sugar 1 tsp. grated orange rind 1 tsp. cinnamon1 cup vegetable oil 2 1/2 cups pumpkin puree 1/2 tsp. nutmeg4 eggs 3 1/2 cups flour 1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cup raisins

Preheat oven to 350o. Beat together sugars and oil. Beat in eggs, one at a time.Add orange juice concentrate, orange rind and pumpkin. Combine dry ingredi-ents in a bowl. Stir into pumpkin mixture until blended. Add raisins. Pourbatter into 2 well-greased 9 x 5 inch loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour or until testsdone. This bread freezes well. Yield: 2 loaves.

THE HOLLOW TAVERNBUY ONE SANDWICH AT REG PRICE,

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Route 30 East Latrobe724-520-1210

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Children’s Books • Educational Kits & ToysHerbal Teas • Local Honey • Homemade Jams

Handcrafted Jewelry • Natural Lotions & Soaps

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Stop in and check out“a few of our favorite things”

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As a single 22-year-old in college, I became tiredof eating hot dogs and macaroni and cheese sevennights a week. Not long after that I discoveredwhen I ate smarter (more veggies, less fatty foods)I could accomplish more of my goals as an ath-lete. My interest in nutrition definitely came fromthe realization that when I consciously attemptedto eat better, my performance improved dramati-cally. But that is all water under thebridge. I’m older now and certainly notthe athlete I used to be. These days Ijust want to keep off unnecessaryweight and, more importantly, I wantto feel good.

You might say eating is necessary forlife, like breathing, but there is onedefining difference. You don’t decideto breath, you just do it. But you dodecide when and what it is you putinto your mouth. Eating is a habitand, like any habit, it can be a goodone or a bad one. A pound of baconevery morning wouldn’t be considered a goodhabit, but eating 2 slices of bacon only one ortwo times a week may be considered a good habit.The great thing about habits is they are some-thing we choose to do. It’s easy to choose to keepour habits. A much more difficult choice is tochange one. Of course the latter is difficult, al-most requiring the strength of the ages to accom-plish. And many believe some personal pain andsuffering is required as well. I’m here to tell youthat changing a habit, especially a habit of eat-ing, is not as difficult as many of those diet booksmay lead you to believe.

Being habitual creatures most of us have about15 – 20 different meals that we rotate over a twoweek time period. Many of us even have fish ev-ery Friday. This is not a negative thing, but actu-ally a good thing. Why? Because if you alreadyhave a set pattern of eating, there are only twomain things you may need to change. 1.) You mayneed to change the method of cooking (i.e broil-ing or baking rather than frying). 2.) You mayneed to have this particular meal less often thanyou currently do. (i.e. once per week rather thanthree to four times per week). The goal is to havemore of those meals that we eat be healthier thanthose that are not. Basically, if you’re in the habitof eating fried foods four times per week, all youhave to do is replace one or two of these fried mealswith a healthier choice like grilled, baked or broiled.

This may not seem like a diet, because it’s not.It’s eating the way you like, but making smallchanges over time towards a healthier habit of

HOW TO EATJim Brewer, RD, LDN, CNSD, CNIS

eating. It’s these small changes that will benefit youthe most. You may be able to lose weight, improveyour cholesterol or meet other goals on a very re-strictive diet. But, if it’s uncomfortable or painfulto follow, most likely the benefits will be temporaryand eventually you’ll be back where you started, orworse. A diet is mostly a drastic change from yourusual way of eating. Definitely something that nor-

mal people can only sustain for a short time. Sokeeping your normal eating pattern, with just a fewsmall changes over time, can help you lose theweight, lower that pesky cholesterol, and most im-portantly feel better for the long term.

As a nutrition professional I am asked many ques-tions about diet and foods. The most popularquestions are usually about some new diet fad ordiet book that just came out. By far most ques-tions are about losing weight. Unfortunately, thereis no panacea, no “magic pill” to make the prob-lem go away. There is no perfect way to eat. Faceit, we are individuals, and we all react to eatingin different ways than those around us. I’m sureyou all know that person who appears to eat any-thing, and as much as they want and never gainweight, and never have any health problems. Ican’t stand them either.

So, without much fanfare I’m going to tell youwhat you probably already know. It’s not as muchwhat you eat that decides what you will weigh,but how much. Or, it’s not how many caloriesyou eat, but how many calories you burn. Thebad news is that it’s a math problem. Eat lessthan you actually use for energy and guess what,you lose weight. So, you might say “ How mucham I supposed to eat to lose weight”? Well, I coulddo all the calculations and give you a number,but for most people this is about as helpful asfighting a fire with a photograph of water. If youdon’t comprehend what it represents, it’s not go-ing to be of much use. So, a better way to explainit is like this. Everyone has different metabolisms


Take Simple Steps to Change Your Eating Habitsand Meet Your Weight Loss Goals

“I’m sure you all know thatperson who appears to eatanything, and as much as theywant and never gain weight, andnever have any health problems.I can’t stand them either.”

and activity levels; therefore there are limited waysto tell you exactly how much you should eat, butthey are rather inconvenient and possibly expen-sive. Of course we could estimate, but again weget into numbers and most of us don’t like num-bers that much. So, here’s what I suggest (Yesthis will take a little effort on your part). You haveto figure out how much you eat now in order to

establish what you are supposed tobe eating. So, get your pen and pa-per and start writing down every-thing you eat for at least three daysin a row. Write what it is you ate,and about how much. Some of uswill be a little more “obsessive com-pulsive” about this than others. Ifyou’re one of those you can alsowrite down about how many calo-ries each of the items you ate areworth, that’s great; but this is notnecessary. The important thing isthat you start paying attention tothe volume of foods that you take

in. You’ll be amazed at how much you actuallyhave been eating without realizing it.

We all know that we should be eating more fruitsand vegetables, and less fried foods and fattymeats. So, as you start looking back at the foodsyou’ve eaten you’ll be able to see where you needto improve. Ideally, you need to decrease the por-tions of foods by approximately 25% to lose about1 – 2 pounds of weight per week. Ignore the veg-etables, (eat as many of these as you want andfocus on the higher calorie foods like fried foods,casseroles, fatty meats like hamburger, and fattydairy foods like cheese). Decreasing the portionsof these foods can guarantee the weight loss you’relooking for. Notice I never said to stop eating thefoods you eat now. So, you’ll never feel you arebeing denied anything and the weight will comeoff without suffering.

Of course I’ve simplified these weight loss princi-pals greatly for this article. In summary, avoidthe fads and the punishing diet regimes. Pay at-tention to what you put in your mouth. Write itdown. If you are serious about losing weight you’llcontact your doctor and request a consult with aRegistered Dietitian for a complete weight losscounseling session. Take your food lists with youand get an in-depth analysis and guidance as towhat you can do to improve in your diet.

Jim is a1983 graduate of Derry Area High School with 10 yearsexperience in nutrition. He has a BS in Clinical Dietetics and

Nutrition from the University of Pittsburgh and currently practicesas a clinical nutritionist. His specialties include physical nutrition

assessment, nutrition support and renal nutrition.


QUESTION:“I heard you can lose weight just by takingcalcium. How much do I need?”

ANSWER:There are several studies out there that discuss this theory insome detail. They discovered that Calcium is an importantcomponent of the energy production process. When adequatecalcium is present in cells, the body will preferentially choose toburn fat for energy rather than carbohydrate or protein. Basicallythe claim is that calcium will allow you to burn the fatpreferentially from those problem areas, hip and thighs for womenand the mid section for men is partially true. The results of thesestudies seem to show that there is some relationship betweenamount of calcium rich foods you consume in your diet and anability to maintain a healthy weight and also an increased loss ofweight when calcium foods are combined with a calorie restrictedeating pattern. Remember it’s a math problem. You still have toeat less. There were also two studies that attempted to find similarresults using Calcium supplements but could not show the samepositive results. Therefore it is recommended that whenrestricting calories for weight loss, include adequate servings ofhigh calcium containing foods, like low calorie dairy products, soyfoods, dark green vegetables, salmon, and even sardines to getyour calcium. Consult with your doctor prior to taking calciumsupplements due to some side effects with medications, andpossible complications with certain medical conditions.

Have a nutrition question for Jim? Email it to us at: [email protected] send it to the Laurel Mountain Post at P.O. Box 227, Latrobe, PA 15650.

NutritionQ&A

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Read the POST on the web!The complete Fall 2004 edition of the Laurel MountainPost is available online in both PDF and HTML formats.

www.LaurelMountainPost.com


DABLOCK’SBEAUTY SHOP

143 E. 1st AvenueDerry, PA 15627

Phone: (412) 694-8400

Lorie & Dennis Dablock

“Relationships Built on Trust”Cheryl Krisfalusi

200 Weldon Street724.539.2553

Dolan VogleRoute 30 East724.539.8501

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RR #12 Box 77, Route 30 EastGreensburg, PA 15601Phone: 724-834-7800

3 Levels of Tanning Beds • Open 7 AM

Student Rate: 1 month unlimited tanning $35expires November 15, 2004

Thru Oct 30 Gerry Dinnen Gallery ShowMustard Seed Gallery, Greensburg; 724-834-0900

Oct 2-24 AutumnfestSeven Springs Resort, Champion; weekends; 814-352-7713; www.7springs.com

Oct 7-10 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumGreensburg Garden & Civic Theater; 8pm, (2pm on Sunday); 724-836-PLAY

Oct 7-23 MiseryApple Hill Playhouse, Delmont; 8pm, (2pm on Sunday); 724-468-5050

Oct 8-Nov 10 Autumn Art ShowGreensburg Art Club; 724-837-6791

Oct 8-10 Fort Ligonier DaysLigonier; 724-238-4200; http://www.ligonier.com/fld.html

Oct 9-10 Englebert HumperdinkThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 7pm; 724-836-8000

Oct 10 – Nov 19 Clinging to Humanity: In Search of Hope, Paintings and Poems of the HolocaustHarlan Gallery, Reeves Hall, Seton Hill University; 724-830-1070

Oct 12 Opening Night, by Westmoreland Symphony OrchestraThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 724-837-1850

Oct 17 Dollhouse & Miniature ShowMountain View Inn; 724-837-8199

Oct 18 The Lamb Lies Down on BroadwayThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 8pm; 724-836-8000

Oct 18 Scarecrow ContestLigonier Diamond; 724-238-4200

Oct 21 Lisa FerraroWestmoreland Museum of American Art; 7:30-10pm; 724-837-1500

Oct 23 Bushy Run Haunted HayrideBushy Run Battlefield, Harrison City; 724-527-5584

Oct 23 Kenny RogersThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 2pm, 8pm; 724-836-8000

Oct 23 A Classic Evening at Saint VincentSaint Vincent College Science Center Amphitheatre; 8pm; 724-537-4565

Oct 24 Sing and RingCecilian Hall, Seton Hill University; 4pm; 724-838-4280

Oct 29 Halloween ParadeLigonier Middle School; 6:30pm; 724-238-9852

Oct 29 Trick or TreatLigonier Township; 6-8pm; 724-238-9852

Oct 30 Halloween ParadeGreater Latrobe Area; Time TBA; 724-539-8548

Oct 30 Trick or TreatGreater Latrobe Area; Time TBA; 724-539-8548

Oct 30 Halloween ParadeDerry Borough; 1:30pm; 724-694-5954

Oct 30 Trick or TreatDerry Borough; 2-5pm; 724-694-5954

Oct 30 Halloween ParadeLynch Field, Greensburg; 5:30pm; 724-834-4880

Oct 30 Trick or TreatCity of Greensburg; 6-8 pm; 724-834-4880

OCTOBER 2004 COMMUNITY EVENTSCALENDAR

To add your community event to this calendar, please call 724-331-3936or visit our website www.LaurelMountainPost.com


Hay for SaleFAIRVIEW FARM1st cutting round balesstored inside724-537-5901

NOVEMBER 2004 COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

Nov 4 Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood, Improvisational ComedyThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 8pm; 724-836-8000

Nov 6 Wedding WorldWest Overton Museums, Scottdale; 10am-4pm; 724-887-7910

Nov 6 Commander in ChiefThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 8pm; 1-800-292-7222

Nov 7 Choral ConcertSeton Hill University; 4pm; 724-838-4280

Thru Nov 19 Clinging to Humanity: In Search of Hope, Paintings and Poems of the HolocaustHarlan Gallery, Reeves Hall, Seton Hill University; 724-830-1070

Nov 11-14 SeussicalThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 8pm (2pm on Sunday); 724-832-7464

Nov 12 – Jan 2 Overly’s Country ChristmasWestmoreland County Fairgrounds; 5:30-10pm; 724-423-1400

Nov 12 ConcertWestmoreland Museum of American Art; 7:30pm; 724-836-4818

Nov 12-20 NO. 11 (Blue and White)Reeves Theatre, Seton Hill University; 724-838-4241

Nov 13 Beyond the Castle WallsCecilian Hall, Seton Hill University; 8pm; 724-838-4280

Nov 17 Charlie Prose, Comedy & MusicThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 2pm, 8pm; 724-836-8000

Nov 18 Don Alquio Sr. Plays Cole PorterWestmoreland Museum of American Art; 7:30-10pm; 724-837-1500

Nov 20 Holiday ParadeMain Street, Greensburg; noon; 724-834-4880

Nov 20 A Classic Evening at Saint VincentSaint Vincent College Science Center Amphitheatre; 8pm; 724-537-4565

Nov 20 From Vienna to BroadwayThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 8pm; 724-837-1850

Nov 21 – Jan 31 30th Annual Holiday Toy & Train ExhibitionWestmoreland Museum of American Art; 724-837-1500

Nov 21 Student RecitalCecilian Hall, Seton Hill University; 4pm; 724-838-4280

Nov 26 Light Up NightOn the Diamond, Ligonier; 5:30pm; 724-238-4200

Nov 26 The Perfect Christmas GiftThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 10am; 724-836-8000

Nov 26 – Dec 11 A Taffetas ChristmasApple Hill Playhouse, Delmont; 8pm (2pm on Sundays); 724-468-5050

Nov 27-28 Bobby VintonThe Palace Theater, Greensburg; 8pm (2pm Sunday); 724-836-8000

Nov 29 Chamber Ensemble RecitalCecilian Hall, Seton Hill University; 7:30pm; 724-838-4280

Nov 29 – Dec 10 Senior ExhibitsHarlan Gallery, Reeves Hall, Seton Hill University; 724-830-1070

If you’re like most people you’ve worked hard to accumulate assets to ensurethat you are comfortable during retirement. In fact, the overwhelming priorityof most people is to make sure they are comfortable during their “golden years,”especially with the uncertainties of life expectancy, health care needs and marketreturns. However, at some point you’ll begin to think about how to leave theseassets you don’t need for retirement income to your children, grandchildren orcharities. If this sounds like you then you need to consider the following wayto tax-efficiently transfer these excess savings.

But first let me give you this scenario of some actual S&T Bank customers, ofcourse we’ve changed their names. With their social security and pension checksproviding enough income for ordinary day to day expenses, Bill & Penny Saverhave accumulated more than enough assets to meet their retirement incomeneeds. Both are age 65, are in good health and want to make sure they cantransfer this “extra” money to their children without a substantial decrease invalue due to taxes and other expenses. They heard about a technique thatwould allow them to deposit some of the money earmarked for inheritance intoan account that would provide a guaranteed amount that would be signifi-cantly more than the initial deposit.

Wondering how this could be possible they consulted with an S&T BrokerageServices Financial Advisor to see how they could do the same. The FinancialAdvisor showed them that if they put $50,000 into a single premium survivor-ship universal life insurance policy1 they could transfer $182,014 to their chil-dren, grandchildren or charity at the second spouse’s death. The death benefitwould be guaranteed forever, meaning they would never need to add moneyto the policy to keep it in force. This money would go to their children 100%income tax free, inheritance tax free (and if properly structured) estate tax freewhile completely avoiding probate. In addition, they would continue to havetax free access to the account value during either spouse’s lifetime should theneed arise. Even though Bill & Penny are fictitious names the results are not.Life insurance is the most tax efficient way to leverage the amount of moneytransferred to the next generation.

Now let’s look at how you can get started. First identify assets that you prob-ably won’t need to use for retirement income purposes but still wish to haveaccess to. These could be in the form of bank deposit accounts, government,municipal or corporate bonds, mutual funds, IRAs and 401(k)s or tax deferredannuities. We have also been able to provide significant improvements in ei-ther the amount of death benefit or by decreasing the amount of premiumpayments on existing life insurance policies. Secondly, contact the S&T Bro-kerage Services Financial Advisor in your area. A free, no obligation consulta-tion to review your existing insurance policies or to identify funding options onhow you can Leverage Your Legacy may be arranged by referring to thisarticle at your local S&T Bank branch. Or if you prefer you can call our officedirectly at 1-800-282-6800 or in Indiana 724-465-1489.

Leverage Your Legacyby Steve Leach


FACES AROUND TOWNWhat’s your favorite spot in the Laurel Highlands?

Bring back some memories!

Celebrate a special birthday, graduationor anniversary in the Laurel Mountain Post.Two ad sizes are available at special rates!

Contact our adverContact our adverContact our adverContact our adverContact our advertising departising departising departising departising departmenttmenttmenttmenttmentfor more info at 724-331-3936.for more info at 724-331-3936.for more info at 724-331-3936.for more info at 724-331-3936.for more info at 724-331-3936.

“I enjoy going to the mall.First of all to go shopping.Secondly, you always seesomeone you know, andyou can stop and talk tothem every time.”

Kayla DavisStudent, Derry Middle SchoolDerry, PA

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Jason AmentOwner, Equine ChicLigonier, PA

Advertising Deadlinefor the Holiday Issue of theLAUREL MOUNTAIN POST

is November 5, 2004.(Release date: 11/20/04)

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Steve Leach is the Branch Manager for S&T Brokerage Services in Indiana, PA.

1 Premium amount and death benefit are based on a specific life insurance contract available through S&T Brokerage Services.Additional policy details are available on request.

Adam & Eve’s

PET & HOBBY313 Latrobe Thirty Plaza

Latrobe PA 15650

724-539-7130Shop online at www.aehobby.net

STUDENT ARTS SPOTLIGHTSarah Gower

She dances in the sandGrains rough beneath her feetThe wind blows harsh against her faceDrying her silent tears

She isA picture of sadnessAlone on her beachAlone in her private moonlight

She dances in the sandSalt trails upon her cheeksAlone, she is always aloneDancing in eternal darkness

I see her nightly from my windowThis wild way-faring child-womanI see her each day—within my own eyes—I wonder why she never smiles

For surely she has seen happinessSurely she has found loveAnd yet still she dances in the sandAnd her tears dry slowly upon my pillow

She Dances in the Sand

Sarah Gower, daughter of Norman and Elaine Gower of Derry, PA, is a full-time student atDerry Area High School. At 17, she has been writing since fifth grade. Sarah has won severalawards for her writing, such as the Carol Vesco Award for Achievement in Writing. She hasbeen published numerous times, most recently in “A Celebration of Young Poets,” and isinvolved in National Forensics League, Students Against Driving Drunk, Future Educators ofAmerica, and marching band. Upon graduation, she plans to attend a college and major inSecondary English Education. One day, she hopes to publish her own book of poetry. Sarah livesby the quote by Sylvia Plath, “I write because there is a voice within me that will not be still.”

The Laurel Mountain Post Student Arts Spotlight is a cooperative program for area high schoolwriters and artists coordinated by Paula Forte, a reading teacher in the Derry Area School District.



The Changing Color of . . . Diamonds!by JB Rossi

Nature does not limit her beautiful colors only tothe fall foliage. In fact, she has reserved some ofher most delicate hues for one of her strongestminerals,. . . the diamond. From a stunning ca-nary yellow to a beautiful blue to the rare blush-ing pinks and reds, fancy-color diamonds havenow become the newest demand in fashion.

Just imagine! Candles are flickering, soft classi-cal music croons in the background, and thechampagne flutes are bubbling over. He bendsdown on one knee in front of her, reaches intohis pocket, and pulls out a tiny velvet box. Helooks intently into her eyes and pops the tradi-tional question. “What is your favorite color?”

Okay, maybe that’s not the traditional question,but neither is the top answer for today’s brides.Even though the majority still opts for the tradi-tional “A Diamond is Forever”, forever now comesin a variety of colors.

Unlike the traditional colorless diamonds, natu-rally colored diamonds have never been heavilypromoted due to their rarity. Recently however,the trend toward uniqueness and the high de-mand for exotics have made these diamonds quitepopular. With all the sparkle and brilliance of thecolorless variety, fancy-color diamonds add a touchmore elegance and distinctiveness to each piece.

Only one out of every 10,000 natural diamondsis a fancy color. The rarest shades of naturalcolored diamonds are the reds, pinks, and greens.Yellow and brown are the most common.

Royalty and other aristocracy throughout historyhave worn these unique gemstones. The“Hortensia” is a peach colored stone of 20 caratsnamed after Hortense de Beauharnais, Queen ofHolland, who was Josephine’s daughter and thestepdaughter of Napeleon Bonaparte. Part of theFrench Crown Jewels since Louis XIV bought it,the Hortensia is now on display at the Louvre in Paris.

Other famous colored gems include the Hope dia-mond, a 45.52-carat blue. Once owned by LouisXIV, it was stolen during the French Revolutionand turned up in London in 1830. The 41-caratalmond-shaped Dresden diamond is a stunninggreen in color. Both have been displayed togetherin a side-by-side exhibit at the Smithsonian In-stitute, which currently owns the Hope Diamond.

Today these fancy-color diamonds have becomeextremely popular among celebrities includingBen Affleck who searched world-wide for his ulti-mate symbol of love, a precious pink for J-lo. Themost famous yellow diamond is the “Tiffany”, acushion—shaped brilliant with 90 facets andweighing in at 128.51 carats. This canary dia-mond was prominently featured in the advertise-ment for the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffanys” star-

ring Audrey Hepburn and featured the “Bird onthe Rock” brooch setting.

Fancy-color diamonds are graded by the samesystem as their colorless cousins. In 1953, theGemological Institute of America (GIA) created theInternational Diamond Grading System whichrates diamonds based on color, clarity, cut, andcarat weight. This nine-tiered system is respectedby jewelers worldwide.

The most important “C” of fancy-color diamondsis obviously “color”. The color in diamonds canbe the result of the presence of trace elements.For example, nitrogen produces a yellow color

while boron or hydrogen is responsible for theblue hue. Color classifications can range fromfancy light to fancy dark, fancy deep, fancy in-tense, or fancy vivid.

Green colored diamonds, however, are the resultof its exposure to radiation. Modern laboratorytechniques using radiation have created beauti-ful green diamonds which are extremely similarto natural green stones.

Of lesser importance in a fancy-color diamond is“clarity”. Flawlessness in these fancy-color dia-monds is even rarer than in the colorless variety.The grading of SI (slightly imperfect) or I (imper-fect) is common and does not have the negative

connotation associated with these grades in theircolorless cousins.

The “princess cut” or the “radiant cut” are themost ideal for fancy-color diamonds because thesetwo facet arrangements intensify the color.

The value of a colored diamond is based on itscolor saturation, distinct hue, and dark tone. Andjust like the colorless variety, a colored diamondnever depreciates.

One of the most rare and valuable is the pinkdiamond. The Argyle Mine, located in WesternAustralia, produces approximately one quarter ofthe world’s natural diamonds and is the world’sforemost supplier of the intense pink diamondwhich is the company’s signature stone. Less thanone tenth of one percent of the Argyle Diamondsare classified as pink, making them sought afterby aficionados and collectors worldwide.

Fancy-color diamonds add that special touch toany occasion. A variety of reds, yellows, and or-anges are available to symbolize the beauty of afall engagement or wedding. A dazzling yellowcommemorates a golden anniversary. A pair ofchampagne earrings or a bangle fitted with a finecognac specimen expresses excellence in taste.

But Buyer Beware! Technology has advanced tothe point that lab-cultured colored diamonds arenow being produced that claim to possess all ofthe qualities of the mined diamonds. These mod-ern techniques have made cultured fancy-colordiamonds more affordable.

Before making that special purchase, find outwhether you are buying a naturally mined gemor a cultured one. While either can add that burstof color to your collection, cost for the culturedspecimen should always be lower than for thenatural fancy color diamond. An origin of colorreport from GIA will indicate whether the color ofthe diamond is “natural” or the result of labora-tory technology.

As always, buy from a reputable jeweler. A trustedlocal dealer of some of the finest fancy-color dia-monds is John M. Clark Jewelers in Ligonier.Clark has been designing custom jewelry fornearly 30 years.

So if forever is on your agenda, be daring. Coloryour world! Be dazzling and distinct with a fancy-color diamond!

Jo Rossi is married to a wonderful man she adores and hastwo brilliant, active children. She is a graduate of Seton Hill

University with a Masters Degree in Writing Popular Fiction. Herundergraduate degree is from Indiana University of Pennsylva-

nia in Business Marketing and Communications. Jo loves toread, write, play tennis, do charity work, and enjoys her

friends. She is a strong advocate for all animals and iscurrently raising four dogs, eight cats, and three horses.


Providing quality health care to the Laurel Highlands for 20 years.A provider in the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield network and Medicare.

We have affordable plans for anyone without insurance.

Bring this ad for a complimentary examination and x-raysfor you and your family during the month of October.

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310 S. CHESTNUT STREETDERRY, PA 15627

724- 694 9700

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TAKE IT ON FAITHRon Durika

Tim McGraw has a song out that has been a num-ber one hit for more than a month now. The song’stitle is “Live Like You Were Dying, ” and it is basedon a real life experience of Tim McGraw and hisfather, Tug McGraw. Tug was a pitcher in profes-sional baseball and known as a “free spirit” bothon and off the field. He was diagnosed with a ter-minal illness early in his life and the song dealswith the father’s advice to his son on how to livehis life.

In the song Tug tells his son that when he wasfaced with the certainty of death he went sky div-ing, Rocky Mountain climbing, and rode a bullnamed Fu Man Chu for 2.7 seconds. All thesethings were his attempt to still live an active andinteresting life, but he added that some other as-pects of his life were now different, and he nowrealized that they were even more important toinclude in one’s life.

When faced with death he found a deeper love,spoke sweeter, and was able to give forgivenesshe couldn’t give earlier in his life. He also became

the husband that for most of his life he wasn’t,and became a friend that a friend would like tohave. He also added that he finally read the “good

book,” and I would like to think that what waswritten there was the catalyst for his life changes.

The song ends with Tug hoping that someday Timwould get to live like he was about to die. That’san interesting wish for a father to have for hisson, but maybe that’s not a bad way for us to liveour lives. None of us know when we will draw ourlast breath, yet we seem to live like we are going

to live forever and that there will be time to takecare of “things” tomorrow. When we live that waywe have a tendency to be more self-centered andless aware of those around us and in particularof the God that created us.

We should live less for ourselves and more forGod and God’s people. We do that by reading theBible, caring for those around us, practicing for-giveness, fulfilling our obligations in whatever rolewe have in life, and by worshiping our God. It’sall right to go out and have fun in this life onearth, but it must be done with the realizationthat it is but a temporary life and that an eternallife awaits us all. Life is short . . . use what wehave been given wisely and look forward to theeternal glory that is coming.

Ron Durika is the pastor ofTrinity Presbyterian Church inNew Florence (corner of Fifth & Chestnut Streets, 724-235-

2940). Join them for worship every Sunday at 10:30am andSunday School at 9:15am. Bible Study meets on the first and

third Monday of each month at 7pm.

Life Can Be Like A Country Song

“Life is short . . .use what wehave been givenwisely . . .”


SUSAN SAYSSusan McBroom

Define Your Personal Style with Fall FashionIf you want to start building a perfect wardrobe, youcould not have picked a better season than this fall.Fashion has rekindled a love affair with luxurious ver-sions of the Coco Chanel classics. The key to fall fashion is “personal style” laced with old-world elegance and sophistication. It’s not about theclothes alone. If it were, a white shirt, a pair of sun-glasses, and a tweed jacket would always look the sameno matter who was wearing them. Personal style is aboutmaking something your own. Coco Chanel knew this. Maids’ uniforms, costume jew-elry, men’s yachting clothes – all were reinterpreted tosuit her taste and sense of fashion. Her clothes were abrilliant orchestration of color and texture, fabric andfit, sensibility and style. She wore these designs like abadge, they did not wear her. Perhaps it was her pa-nache at mixing the unexpected. Coco stuck to certainbasics, over and over . . . varying textures, fabrics, andcuts — just different enough to keep things new. Herlook was consistent, confident and effortless. The styleis unmistakably Chanel. Accessories are responsible for adding personal style tothis season’s wardrobe. They are the icing on the cake;they compliment and enhance an outfit. Accessories add“pop” and pull the total image together for a confidentlook. Shoes, handbags, belts and jewelry transformclothes into a personal style. Quality accessories are awise investment; they can triple the face value of a mod-est outfit. Let’s start with shoes; they are the foundation of theaccessory wardrobe. They can be colorful to make a state-ment or conservative to blend in for a pulled together look.

This season’s hottest footwear is all decked out.

• Try on a round-toe pump.• Choose shoes in opulent materials or rich skins and textures.• Trim with satin ribbons, bows, and brooches.• Go for eye-popping candy colors.

Hosiery also can enhance or detract from a polished look.They should coordinate with the trouser/skirt and shoesin color and fabric texture.

• Legs strutting the runways this season were shrouded inmore shades than hair color.

• The look is slightly sheer hose.• Add style with fishnet and ultra textured prints.• Accent with colored toe and heel.

Belts are a colorful fashion statement adding polish andpizzazz to an outfit. They define your waist by pullingtogether and adding definition to the overall look.

• Skinny is in.• Make the most of your femininity; tie a pretty ribbon around

your waist.

• Finish with a luxurious jewel-trim leather belt. Scarves are a wardrobe staple. They unify an unmatchedsuit, update your clothing and add a splash of color.

• Pick eye fetching colors to light up the face.• Pin with a dazzling brooch.• Wear as a belt, headband or tied to a handbag.

Purses and wallets look far more stylish and better or-ganized if moderate in size and should never bulge withanything.

• Stunning luxury leather handbags are stealing the show.• Edgy is out, femininity is in.• Choose a structured bag with eye-catching color.• Try needlepoint logo bags with charm handles.

Jewelry adds punctuation to the total look. Bone struc-ture is the yardstick by which to measure what flattersthe wearer.

• Pick pieces that have Bling! Bling!• Necklaces turn bold and gold.• Sparkle with sequin-beaded collars.• Slip on a right-hand ring . . . the bigger the better.• Large-sized watches command attention.• Dazzle with an armful of bangles.

It’s time for women to look pretty again; we are more dressed-up and pulled together than we’ve been in decades.

• Ribbons are fall’s fastest and easiest way to update yourlook. Tie with a bow as a belt or attached to a handbag.

• Fitted sweaters made from cashmere add a polished look.• Timeless classics add charm such as pearls and a tweed

suit.• Don’t leave home without your “face.” Mascara applied to

lashes and a manicured brow will define the eye. Cheekcolor and lipstick balance the face for a healthy glow.

• Glamour is back, mix a stole or sable collar with piecesfrom your wardrobe.

• When it is bad hair day don’t worry. Hats are back in anarray of styles to choose from.

• Kick up your heels in a pretty knee length cocktail dress.• The pump is today’s heel choice. To give a shoe an

updated look add a shoe clip.• Blinding jewels are essential to finishing the look. Think

brooches, baubles and a trinket-laden bracelet.

Fall fashion is exciting because it demands morethought, more rigor, and a decidedly more seriousstance. This season has given us the opportunity to de-fine our personal style with clothes that are conceived witha thoughtfulness and sophistication not seen in decades.

Some of the designers’ efforts may seem like a reach,but trust them. They know their way around your body. . . and the way toward a confident future.

Susan McBroom is an independent image consultant who meetsindividually with clients to help them enhance and develop their

personal image and style. Susan will advise clients on their existingwardrobe, future wardrobe purchases, special occasion dressing,

personal style enhancement, wardrobe research and personalizedshopping for the clothes and accessories that will meet

the individual lifestyle and budget.

“Fall fashion isexciting because itdemands morethought, more rigor,and a decidedly moreserious stance. Thisseason has given usthe opportunity todefine our personalstyle with clothes thatare conceived with athoughtfulness andsophistication notseen in decades.”


Make your arrival memorable with theseelegant Must-Have Picks:

Start with the tweed suitRemember the knee-length hemlinesColors of the season are bold and rich: cocoa brown, violetfuchsia, cobalt blue, crimson, gold, and get pretty in pinkSoften with silk chiffon print dressesPair a trumpet skirt with a cardigan sweaterLook stylish with wide-brim hatsPants are full length with a slim silhouetteLeopard-print is the cat’s meowWrap yourself in furAccessorize with jeweled brooches, colorful gloves, glamorousshoes and bagsDefine your figure with a skinny beltRich fabrics and textures add interestEveryone needs a cashmere sweater twinsetGo bold with gem-stone earrings

STYLE QUIZMatch the person to their legendary signature style.

1. Audrey Hepburn2. Barbara Bush3. Dorothy4. Grace Kelly5. Harry Truman6. Jackie O7. James Dean8. Katharine Hepburn9. Michael Jackson10. Twiggy11. Madonna12. Marlene Dietrich13. Nancy Reagan

ANSWERS: 1-F; 2-H; 3-J; 4-C; 5-B; 6-K; 7-I; 8-A; 9-G; 10-E; 11-D; 12-L; 13-M

A. Menswear-Inspired ClothesB. Bow TieC. Sweater Sets, Kelly Bag, Hermes ScarfD. Undergarments as OutergarmentsE. Fake Lashes, MiniskirtF. Little Black DressG. Single Sequined GloveH. PearlsI. Leather JacketJ. Ruby SlippersK. Big Sunglasses, Pillbox HatL. TuxedoM. Red

Rewind to the past to view fall fashion . . . catch fur fever with AlfredHitchcock’s 1963 classic “The Birds” starring our photo inspiration,Tippi Hedren. Susan McBroom channels the muse above. Luxury leatherhandbags are also stealing the show this season (below).

CELEBRATING 95 YEARSMASTROROCCO’S MARKET

Founded in 1910 by Sam Mastrorocco, Mastrorocco’s Market has beenserving the Derry area at the same location (133 E. First Ave.) with friendly,hometown customer service. Still a family-run business headed by great-grandson Vince Mastrorocco, they provide a full-service grocery store (in-cluding bakery, deli, meat, and produce) and offer a small delivery serviceto their customers. Stop in today for your grocery needs as well as moneyorders, faxes, and copies – or to purchase that winning lottery ticket!

LATROBE GLASS & MIRROR4915 Route 982, Latrobe, PA 15650

724-539-2431 Visit OurNew Location2 miles from Route 30across from the VocationalTechnical School and nextto Casa Tomas, formerlyNew York, New York

The Latrobe Glass & Mirror Team: Kevin DeNardo, Bob Pazehoski, Randy Ferguson, Jackie Patrick, Jeff Kielar, Wayne Pawlosky


If you’ve placed an order recently with Latrobe Glass and Mirror, you’veprobably asked the question that’s been on everybody’s mind… “Where didthey go?” After more than 20 years on Route 30, Latrobe Glass has moved.

When Randy Ferguson purchased the building at 4915 Route 982, he in-tended to use it for storage space. The renovation project was moving alongwhen Latrobe Glass and Mirror came up for sale. The opportunity wasthere, so the renovation project changed. Randy was to become the newowner, and the Route 982 shop was to become the new home of LatrobeGlass and Mirror.

Moving a glass shop is no easy chore, but the crew was up to the task, andin the middle of May LG&M opened for business at the new location. Thenew construction allows for a more eye-catching showroom, a second work-shop, and a renovated office all geared to increase the service and efficiencyof this mainstay of Latrobe business.

We asked Randy if leaving Route 30 has affected business. “Not as muchas you might think,” he replied. “People seem to appreciate not having tocross Route 30 just to pick up an order. It’s worth the extra two miles justto avoid the traffic.” With a few phone calls or a little help from other localbusinesses, customers are finding the new location without any trouble.

Jackie Patrick, Office Manager, greatly appreciates the new office facilities.“I think the new shop is much more warm and friendly. With a few newproduct lines and a beautiful showroom, I think we have a good thing here.”As the first person customers typically speak to, Jackie is also a major partof the fun atmosphere at Latrobe Glass. “The people here are wonderfuland we all have so much fun,” she added.

In addition to the new facilities, Latrobe Glass and Mirror is undertaking anew replacement window division. This new division will be responsible forthe sale and installation of vinyl, wood, and aluminum replacement win-dows. Kevin DeNardo, a veteran of the glass industry, is very enthusiasticabout the new endeavor. “I’m very excited about the new line,” he said,“…what it all comes down to is the people. I love the interaction and I lovethis business.” With that mentality, the new line is sure to take off in a hurry.

Even though the business has undergone significant change, Latrobe Glassand Mirror still strives to provide great products and service at an afford-able price. The business is still driven by the everyday products like Mir-rors, Insulated Glass Units, Furniture Tops, and Plate Glass. “[Those prod-ucts] are still the core of LG&M, but you’ve got to look to the future if youhope to make the business grow,” says Ferguson.

With new management, a new location, and a general expansion of theirbusiness, you can be sure to find Latrobe Glass and Mirror all across townin the weeks to come. Proudly displaying a new logo, the LG&M box truckwill surely catch the local consumer eye from Greensburg to Ligonier, fromDonegal to New Florence. “We’d like Latrobe Glass and Mirror to be a house-hold name in the area,” says Pazehoski. With the enthusiasm evident atthe shop, that goal seems attainable.

So where did they go? The new shop is located 2 miles from Route 30 onRoute 982 North, across from the Vocational Technical School, headingtowards Derry. Just give them a call, they’ll tell you the way.

Where Did They Go?by Bob Pazehoski

20%OFFAny Residential

Insulated Unit PurchaseWith This Coupon

(installation not included)

Offer Good October 1 – November 30, 2004

(724) 539-2431Latrobe Glass And Mirror

20%OFFAny Glass Furniture Top

With This CouponCustomer Must Provide Pattern

(delivery not included)

Offer Good November 1 – December 31, 2004

(724) 539-2431Latrobe Glass And Mirror

Bob Pazehoski is a 1997 alumni of Norwin High School and a 2001 graduate of Grove City Collegewith a BS in Business Management. He is currently the General Manager at Latrobe Glass & Mirror.


Pick Up A Copy of theLaurel Mountain Post at One

of These Community Locations!

DERRY AREAAH CreationsAllison Chiropractic CenterAmeriserv FinancialBarkley’s Beer DistributorCamman Industries, Inc.Creative DreamsCrispin State Farm InsuranceCurves for Women (New Alex)Dablock’s Beauty ShopDerry Federal Credit UnionDerry Florists and GreenhousesDi’s Pizzeria & Restaurant (New Alex)First Commonwealth BankGeorge J Bush Kitchen CenterGooch’sJohna’s Hair Design (New Alex)Leo’s Roadhouse (New Alex)Mastrorocco IGADr. Morgan, DMDPalumbo’s Bar & RestaurantPit Stop (New Alex)Prakash K. Vin, M.D.P.CPit Stop Quik Shop, Inc.S&T Bank

GREENSBURG AREAAmerican Indian JewelryArt Tech SuppliesBill & Walt’s Hobby ShopCook’s MarketDerby’s DelicatessanDescendentsChildren’s Clothing BoutiquedV8 Expresso BarGreensburg Care CenterHerbs to Your HealthHyundai of GreensburgJust Miniature ScaleKids Korner FurnitureMalloy’s CameracadeMemory Lane HallmarkMustard Seed Gallery, Inc.On the AvenuePagnotta CafePenelope’sPizza HutSun ParlorTom Clark FordToyota of GreensburgUniversity of Pittsburgh

LATROBE AREAAdam & Eve’s Pet & Hobby ShopAdelphoi VillageArnold Palmer Motors IncArnold Palmer Regional AirportBella PastaDino’s Sports LoungeFirst Commonwealth BankFirst National Bank - Latrobe 30PlazaFrank’s Lounge

Gino’s Pizza of LatrobeIn-Sync Rehabilitation ServicesJocelyn’s Beauty SalonKaye’s TailoringLatrobe 30 BeverageLatrobe Animal ClinicLatrobe Art CenterLatrobe Chamber of CommerceLatrobe Hair CompanyLatrobe Post OfficeMosso’s Medical Supply Company IncPizza SienaRay Foot & Ankle CenterRose Style ShoppeScotty G’s PizzariaSharky’s CafeSherwin-Williams - Latrobe 30 PlazaShop-N-Save - Latrobe 30 PlazaVita-ChargeYoungstown Tire

LIGONIER AREAAbigail’s CoffeehouseAmerican Indian JewelryBetsy’s of LigonierCeltic CultureCompass InnComTechThe Country CupboardCrafts UnlimitedEquine ChicEssentialsThe Frame PlaceThe GarretGiant EagleHair ParadeHoliday Home StoreThe Hollow TavernLa Rosa’s Barber ShopLaughlintown Post OfficeLigonier Outfitters & NewsstandLigonier TavernMain Street DeliPamela’s Golden Touch SalonThe Paper House & BaskitryThe Pie ShoppeThe Sandwich ShoppeStein’s JewelersThe Treehouse in LigonierUnderneath

ON THE MOUNTAINBetsy’s Collections (Donegal)Collections by Marty (Donegal)Hair Expressions (Seven Springs)Italian Gourmet Deli (Donegal)Kreinbrooks Market (Jones Mills)Living Treasures Animal Park (Donegal)Log Cabin Motel (Donegal)Lost Mountain Campground (Rockwood)Mountain Horse Saddlery (Donegal)Tall Cedars Restaurant (Donegal)

Enjoy the scenery.Place your ad in theLaurel Mountain Post!Call 724-331-3936.

Italian • SeafoodHomemade SoupsDaily SpecialsCustom Catering

Latrobe-Derry RoadBradenville, PA

(724) 539-3441


with to explain this glaring Halloween faux pasto my friends. I thought about telling them thatshe had hit her head and was temporarily insane,but I had used that excuse after my eleventh birth-day party when my mother had actually hired aclown to entertain my friends with lame knock-knock jokes and balloon tricks. Lucky for me, mymother had decided to get in on the act by dress-ing like a clown, so to my sixth grade comrades,the idea that she was temporarily unbalancedwasn’t too much of a stretch.

They probably wouldn’t buy it a second time.I figured that my best alternative was to take

my mother’s position on the issue of the seman-tics of the phrase Trick or Treat. After all, therewas some logic behind my mother’s explanation,at least there was when she explained it.

As she finished fluffing the candy bags thatrubbed against my neck, the doorbell rang. Aquick glance at the wall clock confirmed the time,6:45. Exactly when my punctual, best friend, JoeyWalker, was to come and get me for our eveningof Treat or Tricking. “I’ll bet that’s Joey,” mymother said as she adjusted the coat hanger thatserved as one of the bag handles. “Open the door,honey.”

For a second I thought she meant me, but myfather, who had avoided eye contact with me sincethe unveiling of the costume, hurried to the door.“Joey,” he said, opening the door. “How are youdoing, buddy?”

Standing in the doorway was Captain America.“Wow,” my old man said. “That’s sure some

costume.”I glanced at my mother and saw, just for a

second, a slight frown crease the corners of hermouth when she saw the straight out-of-the-boxnylon costume with matching plastic mask. Icould never understand what her problem waswith the store-bought costumes. I thought Joey’sCaptain America was great. It was red, white, andblue and had flesh-toned muscles stitched intohis arms. And to top it off, he had a cardboardshield with a star on it!

“Thanks,” Joey said, his voice muffled by hismask that was slightly too big for his head. “Ijust got it today.”

Joey came into the living room and got hisfirst good look at me in my costume. He stoppedand lifted the Captain’s mask from his face.“Wow,” he said. “That is awesome.” Knowing myfamily’s Halloween ritual, he looked toward mymother and smiled. Joey always did have a crushon my mother. “This is your best one yet, Mrs.Waverley.”

Never one to slight even the smallest praise,my mother gave Joey an appreciative squeeze ofhis arm and said, “Why, thank you, Joey. I’m gladyou like it.”

Joey took another step intent on examiningthe intricate design of Snickers wrappers andBazooka Joe comics poking out of the well-craftedseams of my Treat or Trick bag when his smilefaltered. He cocked his head slightly to the sideas a confused look clouded his face. He looked atme, then my mother, then back at me. “What’s‘Treat or Trick’?”

“Don’t ask,” I said, grabbing the pillow casethat would hold the night’s bounty. “Let’s go.”

I stormed to the door with Joey in tow. Mymother told us to have a good time and not eatany of the candy we collected until we returnedhome and not to go to any houses where the porchlights weren’t on and to avoid dark corners andstrangers.

“I think they know the drill,” my father saidas we walked out onto the porch. “Have fun, guys.”

I didn’t say anything, but Joey told my par-ents that we would have a good time.

When we were off the porch and my parentsbehind the front door, Joey grabbed my arm.“Treat or Trick,” he said, laughing. “Geez, Keith.What was your mother smoking?”

Still laughing, he pulled his Captain Americamask back down over his face and started downthe street. This time I was the one who followed,my face flushed red in anger and embarrassment.And I didn’t have a mask to hide it behind.

For the next three hours Joey and I stoppedat every house that had a porch light on within ahalf mile radius of my house. When we were fin-ished our pillowcases bulged with treats. Theywould have been even more stuffed, but despitemy mother’s warning, Joey and I gorged ourselvesfull of candy and chocolate as we went along. Andit would have been the perfect Halloween exceptfor one thing.

At just about every house we stopped at, Iwas asked what ‘Treat or Trick’ meant. Mostpeople offered an offhand remark about what aconfused young man I was, while some noddedpolitely as I offered them my mother’s take on thephraseology of treating and tricking. No one

Treat or Trick continued from Page 7

Treat or Trick continued on Page 26

seemed to be moved by the argument, and to aperson, I was met by a mix of expressions thatranged from befuddlement to the ill amused. EvenMrs. Cromer, the lady who lived a block and ahalf away from our house with three dozen catsand a blind cocker spaniel named Horace whosuffered from uncontrollable flatulence thoughtthat a ‘Treat or Trick’ bag was odd. After shakingher head through my explanation of the slogan,she threw two Baby Ruths into my bag and pat-ted me on the head. “Bless your heart,” she said,contemplating rewarding me with a third, butdecided against diminishing her supply of candybars for a kid who couldn’t even get Trick or Treatright, and gently pushed me on my way.

Maybe if I was a year or two younger, Iwouldn’t have noticed the odd looks my neigh-bors gave me as they spied my costume. But justweeks shy of thirteen, I picked up on every snickerand raised eyebrow. I was certain that I heardsome of my neighbors break out in uproariouslaughter as soon as they closed the door behindJoey and me. I imagined the telephones ringingup and down the street as word of my costumespread like wild fire. The ‘Treat or Trick’ kid Iwould be called; either that or just “that idiotWaverley boy.”

When the night of sanctioned begging ended,I went home with a bursting sack of junk foodand a bad attitude. I was certain that my motherhad mangled the phrase on my costume on pur-pose, that I was being punished for something Ihad done because there was no way in the worldthat anyone could screw up Trick or Treat. Heck,


Do you remember the movies playingat the Gem Theater in October of 1958?

even the crazy old cat lady knew there was something wrong with Treat orTrick. Despite my impressive haul of candy, I was fuming when I pushedopen the front door and tossed my sack on the floor.

I was hoping that my parents would have already gone to bed, so I couldbe spared their questions about how my evening went, but I only got half ofmy wish. My father was in bed, but my mother was sitting on the couch inthe living room waiting for my return. “How did it go?” she said when shesaw me at the door. “Did you get lots of candy? Did everyone like yourcostume?”

I pointed to the sack on the floor and mumble, “See for yourself.”“Wow,” she said, genuinely impressed with the cache. “I’ve never seen

so much candy.”I grunted and proceeded to pull the Treat or Trick bag over my head. I

was halfway out of the costume when I heard my mother say:“Boy, I guess that costume really worked for you.”Before I could pull the words back, they erupted from my mouth as I let

the orange sheet slip to the floor. “Yeah,” I said. “Worked in making me looklike a dork.”

My mother’s eyes widened, and she looked as if she had just been slapped.I should have stopped there but my adolescent anger was at a fever pitch.“Everywhere I went, people looked at me like I was an idiot. They keptasking what Treat or Trick meant, and when I told them what you said,they just laughed at me.”

“But,” she began but I wouldn’t let her get a word in.“No one thought it was cute, mom,” I said, stomping up the stairs to-

ward my room. “Everyone thought it was stupid.” She called my name butI didn’t turn around. I just left her at the base of the stairs with her Treat orTrick bag at her feet.

I went to bed that night embarrassed and angry at my mother, butwhen I woke, the morning brought a new day and a new attitude. The angerat my mother had faded like the previous night’s dreams, though I still felttinges of embarrassment remembering the way my neighbors reacted to theTreat or Trick bag.

My mother was in the kitchen making coffee when I made my way down-stairs. She kissed me on the top of my head like she had done every morn-ing for as long as I could remember, and asked me if I wanted juice with mycereal. I said sure, and as she poured my bowl of Frosted Shredded Wheat,I forgave her for the Treat or Trick bag. After all she was a little eccentricand that’s what made her cool, but sometimes you had to give eccentricitya little slack. I didn’t ask her what she had done with the Treat or Trick bagthat day, and she never told me.

Not that it would matter. I would be thirteen in a few weeks, and thir-teen wasn’t really too old for a kid to still go Trick or Treating with hisfriends in a costume made by his mother. Next year, I told myself, I’d givetrick or treating another try and my mother would come up with anotheramazing costume like she had always done.

But next year didn’t come for my mother. She died of cancer right afterlabor day. The day after her funeral I found on the shelf where she kept herlaundry detergent a legal note pad with a sketch of the idea she had for thatyear’s costume. I was going to be a parrot. Beneath the detailed renderingof the multicolored bird she had written a note to herself. It said: make sureyou don’t embarrass Keith.

Around my name she had drawn a heart.

Treat or Trick continued from Page 25

A native of McKeesport, PA, Drew Williams received his PhD fromIndiana University of Pennsylvania and teaches creatve writingat North Carolina Central University. His first novel, NightTerrors, was named Sime-Gen’s novel of the year for 2001.Currently, Drew is putting the finishing touches on his secondnocel, The Corruptor, and writing a Christmas story. He lives inFuquay-Varina, NC with his wife, two kids and a finicky cat.Keep up with Drew at his website: www.drewilliams.com or sendan email to [email protected].


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Laurel Mountain Post :: Debut Issue :: Fall 2004