Category: Uncategorized

Finding Sunshine in a Box

by Beth Dolinar, contributing writer While poking through my guest room closet looking for Thanksgiving decorations, I came across a small green wooden box. Its hinges were rusted and a scrape gouged a streak across the lid. Sitting there on …

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Apply to be a Luminari Scholar

If you are a high school student in the Pittsburgh area who is interested in diplomacy, cultural awareness, global a­ffairs, government relations or community service, we encourage you to apply for the Luminari Award today. Our merit-based award is open …

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Keeping Memories Alive

by Dana Wineland O’Rouke, contributing writer Stories can teach, entertain, and more importantly, allow your legacy to live on. I’m humbled to share that my stories opened the door to address a large group of people during a Morning of …

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A Pescatarian’s Guide to the Holidays

Pescatarians — Vegans — Vegetarians — you can survive the holidays! Is it hopeless being a vegetarian or vegan over the holidays? No. Can it be somewhat difficult? At times, yes, especially if you are a vegan, which has greater …

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Special Teachers Plant Seeds That Bloom Forever

by Dana Wineland O’Rourke, Contributing Writer Freshly waxed floors, stacks of textbooks, new boxes of crayons, and peanut butter sandwiches in brown paper bags; that’s what the first day of sixth grade looked and smelled like at St. Anthony School. …

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Seeing Spots

by Beth Dolinar, Contributing Writer The first spotted lantern fly I ever laid eyes upon was in a netted cage at an apple orchard near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I was there in August 2022 with a photographer, filming a documentary about …

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Gastro-diplomacy

The important role food can play in diplomacy by Debbie Casini Klein, Director,  I Want to be an Ambassador!  Diplomacy is the art of maintaining peaceful relationships between nations, groups or individuals. And an important aspect of diplomacy, which our …

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My Summer as a Farmer

by Gina Catanzarite, Director, Teen Writer! When I was a child, I read a chapter book called 100 Pounds of Popcorn by Hazel Krantz.  Written in 1961, it tells the tale of a brother and sister who find a 100-pound …

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Music Makers Celebrate Successful Launch

Music Makers! Celebrates Successful Launch in Summer 2023 by Bob McCutcheon,  Owner and President, The Vault Recording Studio and Music Makers! Summer Camp Director Music has always been a part of my life. After purchasing my first “real” electric guitar …

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Some Friendly Advice

by Dana Wineland O’Rourke, contributing writer When a party of ten or more gathers at a long table, most people opt for an end chair for leg room or the head for elbow room. Not me. I prefer a center …

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