Lifestyles

It's an exciting time for East Suburban Citizen Advocacy.

The mission of the Murrysville-based organization is to pair community members with people who have developmental disabilities, then support the budding relationships.

ESCA recently cultivated a partnership with Murrysville-Export Rotary Club and Murrysville Community Library to establish a book club for teens.

And more than 150 packed Apple Hill Playhouse near Delmont on July 12 for a garden reception and special viewing of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Among the guests: Rotary president Nick Dorsch with his wife, Tracey, and daughters, Olivia and Mauriana; and library director Denise Sticha.

Part of the evening was devoted to recognizing Alyssa Francken, 18, of Export, who with the help of her mother, Elise, conducted a cooking class at Clelian Heights School for Exceptional Children.

Francken connected with Clelian through ESCA, which has launched a new Web site: EastSuburbanCitizenAdvocacy.org.

"Our group is growing like crazy," ESCA coordinator Kate Cala said. "It's exciting."

Seen at the event: Dennis and Ann Cutrell; Laureen Houston, with her daughter, Elizabeth; Bob and Sue Brooks; Paula Ciliberti; ESCA administrative assistant Rose House, with her granddaughter, Lacie Daley, and Lacie's cousin, Samantha Daley; and volunteers Megan Cala, Alaina Tiani, Mariah Ondeck, Karen Lauer, Joyce Speck and Janet Lamb.

— Dawn Law

In tough economic times, how does a nonprofit organization reach -- let alone exceed -- its fundraising goals? The Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation does it with passion.

At least that's the view of Terry Daughenbaugh, publicity chairman and corporate walk committee chairman for the annual Walk to Cure Diabetes, scheduled for Sept. 12 at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

"We're struggling in a down economy, like everyone else," he said. "But we have a passion for this."

There was positive emotion aplenty at the annual team captain kick-off luncheon on Thursday at the Lamplighter in Delmont. Organizers from the foundation meet yearly with corporate representatives, young diabetes patients, family members and friends to map strategies and share information to ensure the success of the upcoming walk.

Daughenbaugh, who has been involved since his granddaughter's diagnosis more than 20 years ago, said the chapter is "within reach" of this year's $90,000 corporate fundraising goal. The overall chapter goal is $428,000, according to special events coordinator Sandie Spear.

Daughenbaugh said those involved are moved to action by the pluck of the young people served who, because of the disease, must learn discipline early and might never know the simple joys of digging into an Easter basket or sharing a late-night pizza with friends.

Seen at the Lamplighter: Pam Kroh; Kelley Malcolm; Cal and Julie McCutcheon; Paige Watson with mom Robin; Jennifer Zgurich; Judy Reihle; Leah and Mary Maxwell; Lisa Maggio; Tiffany Fanelli; Hilary and Phoebe Gilmore; Dan Meharey; Dalton Merichko with dad Scott and brother Tyler; Luke Bennett; Laura Roman; Michele Premoshis; Jack Krueger with mom Ellen; and Abby Cox with family members Brad, Mary, Ethan, Cameron and Nathaniel.

— Shirley McMarlin

The Loyalhanna Review hosted its first-ever publication party Friday at Latrobe Art Center.

The party's purpose was to kick off the 22nd Ligonier Valley Writers' Conference, held Saturday at St. Vincent College, and to showcase the Review, the literary magazine of the Ligonier Valley Writers.

This year, for the first time, the Review issued a call for entries in visual art, which are on display at the center.

LVW publicity chairwoman Judith Gallagher greeted guests, and the Review's editor-in-chief, Ruth McDonald, introduced artists Diana Williams, Pat Dickun and William Patterson, and writers, who read from their work.

McDonald recited poetry by the late Sarah Proulx; Paul Kennedy read about hope for peace between Israelis and Palestinians; E. Kay Myers remembered Fred Rogers; Mary Ann Back traveled back in time to the summer of 1990, the last one spent with her father; and Lou Steiner reflected on inspiration from the indefatigable human spirit.

"I think it's important for organizations such as ours to reach out and support the creative arts," McDonald said. "There's so much talent in this area, and the way publishing has gone, it's harder and harder for people to break into it, so it's important to support the small presses."

— Dawn Law

More than 1,200 people gathered for a fun-filled day for kids packed with games, crafts, music and ice cream at the 14th annual ParentWISE Ice Cream Blast on Saturday at Kirk S. Nevin Arena in Greensburg. Organizers were hopefully the event raised $10,000 for the nonprofit, dedicated to eliminating child abuse and neglect.

Dairy Queen at Lynch Field donated the ice cream for the event, and sponsors got to choose a flavor and name it, hoping the crowd would vote it the tastiest. The choices: "Make Money With Dollar Bank," made with M&M's; "Solar S'more from Seton Hill Child Services," with s'mores flavor; "Wolfing it Down from Westmoreland County Community College," a Cookie Dough flavor; and "Peanut Butter Pooch Park," a peanut butter cup flavor chosen by the Westmorland County Parks and Recreation Citizen Advisory Board. The peanut butter ice cream was the winner, and the Citizen Advisory Board took home a trophy and some support for a new Dog Park at Twin Lakes.

Program Coordinator Julie Cawoski said the new entertainers this year were a big hit with children, including The Holy Trinity High Flyers, a jump-rope group from Ligonier. Kids also had a chance to visit 50 different booths, including one sponsored by the Pottery Playhouse of Greensburg, where you could decorate a tile that will hang at Nevin Arena.

— Jennifer Miele, WTAE

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