2019 – Time for a NEW YOU!
Are you trying to make goals for the new year? If so, there's something you need to do first!
Strong Kids – Echo Shaffer on finding her focus
Echo Shaffer has a smile that lights up a room. And a voice that lights up a stage. The fifteen year-old, whose middle name is Wren, has kept a song in her heart since before she was born. Her mom, Brenda, sang to Echo and then watched the tables turn as her toddler,...
Strong Women – Lori Rosensteel is strong as steel
Lori Rosensteel is strong in a way that defies the odds. This mom and Connellsville Area School District elementary teacher takes on Tough Mudder obstacle races. She owns House of Steel, a new full-service fitness and wellness center where she is also a personal...
Strong Kids – Melanie Gillott on finding her gift of confidence
Melanie Gillott has found herself in an unlikely place. The 16 year-old used to be shy and introverted. She sought solace from the world in her room writing novels and creating colorful characters. It was her comfort zone. That is until she got pulled out of it and...
Strong Kids – Noah Geary is kicking cancer with an attitude of gratitude
In August, Noah Geary expected to be on the football field kicking and getting ready for his senior year in high school. He was kicking cancer instead. The Game Changer The Geibel Catholic Jr/Sr High School tri-athlete had just joined the Southmoreland High School...
Who is your elevator?
Who is your elevator? That person who lifts you up and makes you believe in yourself and something bigger. I’m blessed to have more than a few “elevators”. Family. Friends. Community members. And colleagues. They might not realize it, but their encouragement and...
A Golden Reunion – Lou and Toni’s story
You might say that Toni Schiavoni and Lou Durbin have a stonemason and a Golden Reunion to thank for finding each other after more than 50 years. In fact, that’s exactly what they say. In 2012, Tomas Lipps, a world renowned stonemason was called from Sante Fe, New...
60 Years of Mom
When she became a widow at the age of 35, she was left with five children. The youngest was two. When she went back to work as a Registered Nurse, she worked full-time. And gave us twelve years of Catholic education. When it was Sunday, we went to...
Why volunteers at Connellsville Area Community Ministries are happy to be giving back
When people and causes come together, good things can happen. At Connellsville Area Community Ministries where 100 volunteers give life-sustaining help and hope to people who have fallen on hard times, you might say goodness is overflowing. Last year alone, through...
Strong Women – Deborah Thackrah is serving up a soup kitchen for the soul
Since she was a little girl, Deb Thackrah knew she wanted to help people in need. Five years ago while running on a trail in Greensburg, PA, she found an unexpected pathway to do it. ”I was with my running partner, Chris, and noticed people were sleeping there. We...
Finding Purpose in Your Work
What do you want out of life? Does what you do fill you with purpose? If not, it's time to find meaning in what you do. Consider this - If you're cleaning tables and sweeping the floor at a fast food restaurant, you're doing more than picking up dirt. Beyond creating...
Strong Teams: Lynn’s DQ managers are fans of being fit
Tammy Burkey’s #1 goal was to be more productive and confident. The General Manager of Lynn’s DQ Grill & Chill in Connellsville, PA, wanted to be healthy too. But at 150 pounds overweight, her blood pressure was on the rise and her lower back and hip were in pain....
16 motivational quotes to create your best year yet
You are a work in progress. That's good to remember as you enter 2016. Like gratitude and the smile that goes with it, your "to do" list every day should include building a better you from the inside out. The "People Who Inspire” and "Strong Women" featured here this...
People Who Inspire – Ed Cope on life through the camera lens
For Ed Cope, life is a series of photographs. Put them together and you’ll see a moving picture of his career in local news. With each frame is another reflection of a day in his life – and ours too. During the course of his nearly 50 year career, he’s covered every...
Strong Women – Mrs. Michaux is lifted up by the hand of God to lead
Andrea Michaux experiences the hand of God in her life every day. It’s what has enabled her to take on the role of principal to early 800 middle school students – and to lead with faith. It wasn’t a job she intended to have. An assistant principal at Connellsville...
Strong Women – Gina Lynn isn’t missing what’s around the bend
Gina Lynn doesn’t know what’s around the next bend. And that’s exactly why she has to get there. “If you stop too soon, you may miss something amazing.” That’s what she said as she trekked through the ancient cities of Germany. It’s also her mantra for living. Heading...
People Who Inspire – Larry Orlando on making a lasting impression
Larry Orlando has a knack for leaving an indelible impression. In fact, it’s fair to say the calligrapher and retired math teacher has mastered the art. “Mr. O is the reason I am a teacher,” said Sean Kenney, a Geibel Catholic Jr/Sr High School 1987 alumnus. He pushed...
People Who Inspire – Tim McClellan on becoming a designer, builder and story teller
Tim McClellan became a celebrity when he won the hearts of viewers on HGTV, a network that reaches 94 million households. His furniture design made him the winner of “Ellen’s Design Challenge”. It was the biggest moment of his life…until it was taken away. Before we...
Time Management: 5 expert strategies to get the most out of your day
What if you could turn a 50, 60, or 70 hour work week into 40 hours? Thomas Dowd, author of Time Management Manifesto: Expert Strategies to Create an Effective Work/Life Balance, says it’s possible when you work smarter, not harder. He’s mastered the subject of time...
People Who Inspire: Dr. Tony DiGioia on Operation Walk Pittsburgh
When Dr. Tony DiGioia and his team of more than 60 volunteers travel to Honduras in June, they’ll take with them 8,000 pounds of medical supplies. But mostly what this group will bring is hope. They are part of Operation Walk Pittsburgh - a non-profit he founded to...