Local Announcements
News from around Westmoreland County, PA
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Westmoreland County Food Bank - September is
Hunger Action Month
Take the Pledge! September is Hunger Action
Month. WCFB, a member of the Feeding America network, is joining
with our partner hunger relief agencies to ask all Americans to
pledge to fight domestic hunger. We are excited to announce this
years theme for Hunger Action Month: 30 Ways in 30 Days. Each
daily way is easy, doable, and impactful. You can also
download a calendar for the month of September, with thirty days
of activities for Hunger Action Month, ranging from changing your
Facebook status to learning how to support your local food bank and
Feeding America through our corporate partners. For more
information visit:
www.westmorelandfoodbank.org.
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Write a Great Flash Fiction Story (by September
4) and Win a Cash Prize
Ligonier Valley Writers is looking for
short-short stories about witches, wizards and warlocks for its
fifth annual Flash Fiction Contest. Ed Kelemen, chair of the
contest, announces that the deadline for entries has been extended
to midnight (the witching hour) on September 4. Flash fiction
stories must be less than 1,000 words long. The first-prize winner
will receive $50, second prize $25, and third prize $15. There is no
entry fee. All winning entries will be published online
at LVWs website. The theme is always something scary (last year
shapeshifters, in 2008 zombies, in 2007 vampires, etc.)
because the winners are also read aloud before Halloween. They will
be performed at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library on October 2
and at Barnes & Noble later that month. Humorous scary stories are
always welcome. Please send your story in the body of an email to
ed.kel@verizon.net. No attachments, please. For more submission
details, visit www.LVWonline.org.
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Felician Nun Fulfills Her Calling in Excela
Health Laboratory
For Sister Mary Anita Bienia, MT (ASCP), medical
technology is more than a job; it is a calling. Bienia, a sister in
the Felician Franciscan order, lives out her vocation in the
hematology and chemistry departments of the Laboratory at Excela
Health Westmoreland Hospital. I am helping the doctors to
diagnose their patients, says Sister Anita, who marks her 10th
anniversary in the lab, and her golden jubilee in religious service
this year. God has placed me here at this time for a reason.
As I process test results, I see the diagnoses and remember
patients in prayer because I offer all I do for God, Sister Anita
says.
Teachers and family members began shaping Sister
Anitas future while she was still in elementary school in her
hometown of Mt. Pleasant, encouraging her to pursue a life as a
Felician Sister, an order of nuns whose provincial house is located
in Beaver Falls. She joined the order in 1960. The Oklahoma
University graduate began her health care career as an x-ray
technologist at St. Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh, and trained as a
lab technologist at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She has held jobs
in Oklahoma and Florida before coming to Westmoreland Hospital in
2000. Viewing her co-workers as family, she values their knowledge
and wisdom in this field of technology as well as their friendship.
Working second shifts allows Sister Anita to
continue her health ministry at St. Anne Home in Greensburg, a
ministry of the Felician Sisters dedicated to healing and supportive
services for adults, where she resides. She is frequently in
service to other nuns accompanying them to medical appointments or
recreational outings. It is just like a mother and father
working and raising a family, you manage to give a little part of
yourself to each part of your life.
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The Arc of Westmorelands Bingo Bash was a
Success!
The Arc of Westmoreland recently hosted its
Basket and Jewelry Bingo Bash at Marian Hall in Crabtree.
Approximately 185 guests enjoyed an evening playing bingo, eating a
delicious assortment of wraps and salads catered by Longs Catering
in Crabtree and dessert created by Jennuine Cakes and Cafe of
Murrysville. Guests played 15 bingo games for chances to win
current and retired Longaberger baskets along with beautiful
sterling Silpada and Sabika Austrian crystal jewelry. The
Chinese auction included additional Longaberger baskets and jewelry.
The event raised almost $10,000 for the lifelong support of children
and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities served
by The Arc of Westmoreland. The Arc of Westmoreland Board of
Trustees in attendance included Marilyn DePalma with her brother
Pat, Carol Kasnevich and Janet Wilden.
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Creating Holiday Memories & Traditions
Celebrate the season at Overly's Country
Christmas, an impressive holiday light display complete with a
walk-through Christmas Village thats filled with an array of
old-fashioned traditions and treats. This will take place from
November 19th through January 1st, 2011, at Westmoreland
Fairgrounds. For More Information Contact: Overly's Country
Christmas at 724-423-1400, or Via E-Mail at
info@overlys.com.
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The Acquired Traumatic Brain Injury and Head
Trauma Network of PA
Maria Louise M. Martin , started a support group
for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor's and their family. I'm a
survivor of Traumatic Brain Injury. I fell when I was nine months
old. I started my support group in Dec, 12, 2008. Now I'm an
advocate for Traumatic Brain Injury victims. I have a small business
called the, Newton Manufacturing Company. If interesting in
attending my support group please call: Maria Martin at 724-838-1312
or fax 724-838-7086, Via E-Mail:
mlmartin12@verizon.net.
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