Mover & Shaker of the Month Eric and Shanna Ferguson Founders of Metanoia Missions International Click here for article

Click here for Spotlight on Schools

Marydonna Ravasio, D.O., was appointed to the medical staff at Butler Memorial Hospital.  She has joined the practice of Advanced OB/GYN Associates.  Additionally, Megan Nash, D.O., has joined the medical staff at Butler Memorial as a family physician.  She practices at Slippery Rock Family Medicine.

William A. Michalak, M.D., has joined Butler Health System as a pathologist at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Children’s Hospital of UPMC and Magee-Women’s Hospital of UPMC are two of only 10 organizations that received a 2007 Children’s Environmental Health Excellence Award for outstanding commitment to protecting children from environmental risks.

Researchers at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh UPMC are participating in an international clinical trial currently underway to study the effectiveness of oral insulin in preventing or delaying the onset of type 1 diabetes in people at risk for the disease.

Donald G. Klinestiver, Jr. M.D., has recently opened up an internal-medicine practice at 9365 McKnight Road, next door to Outback steakhouse.         

The Pittsburgh Business Times has honored Celtic Healthcare, headquartered in Adams Township, as the #1 Large Companies in 2007 Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania.

St. Barnabas is embarking on a new project to benefit its patients, its residents and the community at large – the construction of The Crystal Conservatories on its Valencia campus.  To fund the project, St. Barnabas Charities is seeking to raise $2.3 million through a capital campaign.  Prior to construction, $1,884,000 was donated toward the complex.

St. Barnabas Health System announced its Employees of the Month for October: Calvin Brooks, Susan Ceillio, Maureen Somerville and Martha Taylor.

A hand-built Forbes Field scale-model is now on display at Carnegie Science Center’s Miniature Railroad & Village.  For more info, call (412) 237-3400 or visit www.CarnegieScienceCenter.org.

The North Boros Double Beards, a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation located in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, donated 36 turkeys to Light of Life Rescue Mission.  The donation helped Light of Life provide their annual Thanksgiving Banquet for the poor, hungry and homeless of Greater Pittsburgh.

The George Westinghouse Museum has merged with the Senator John Heinz History Center.  As a result of the merger, the History Center now houses the largest Westinghouse collection in the world.  It is located at 1212 Smallman Street in the city’s Strip District.

The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association’s 70th Annual Membership Awards & Installation Dinner was held on Nov. 4.  North Hills business owner, Ned Sokoloff, CEO and founder of the Specialty Group, was honored with the 2007 Associate Member of the Year award.

The Cranberry Township Area Lions Club celebrated their 25th anniversary.  A banquet was held and the following members were honored: Elmer Ebeck, Jack Mellor, Ed McKee and Karl Koebler (for twenty-five years of service), and past-president Bob Glaspey celebrated 36 years as a Lion and received the club’s first “Lions of Pennsylvania Fellow” award.

Three Rivers Underground Brewing Club raised over $9,000 for Cystic Fibrosis research during their “Brewing Up a Cure” fundraiser which was held in October.

In honor of the firm’s 175th anniversary, Mayor John Wise of Sewickley proclaimed the week of Oct. 1, as “Janney Montgomery Scott Week” in the borough.  The special recognition highlighted the firm’s long and storied history as its clients’ trusted advisors, and the branch’s commitment to the Sewickley community.

Old Economy presents Christmas at the Village, German Holiday Traditions, 2-8:30 p.m., Dec. 8.  For details, call 1-866-PA TRAIL or www.oldeconomyvillage.org.

Old Economy Village’s children’s program Tinsel, Gingerbread and St. Nicholas, too runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 18.  For info, call (724) 266-4500. [photo left]

The Pittsburgh Business Times has named Legend Financial Advisors, Inc® to its annual “50 Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania” list for the third consecutive year.

Communifax Corporation announced that it won two awards from the American Graphic Design Awards competition.  The Pittsburgh-based specialty marketing services company received awards in the Corporate Branding Promotions category.

Stacey F. Vernallis, left, has been selected as a member of the Council on Ethical Billing.

Habitat for Humanity recently dedicated its 34th home to Debra Probst of Beaver Falls.

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Mover & Shaker of the Month Eric and Shanna Ferguson Founders of Metanoia Missions International Click here for article

By Paula Green In 2002, Eric and Shanna Ferguson of Gibsonia moved their young family to Managua, Nicaragua.  The couple was on a quest to help out poverty-stricken individuals.  They founded Metanoia Missions International, a ministry that seeks to transform the churches, bible schools, orphanages, micro-businesses and humanitarian aid to impoverished people. “The whole experience is rewarding because I am doing what I was called to do.  This is what God wanted me to do.  We are trying to provide shelter, nourishment and a safe environment through our orphanage/boarding school,” Eric said. Nicaragua is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere and has about 350,000 youth living on the nation’s streets.  “When I first came up with the idea to move to Managua, my wife thought I was crazy.  She is actually from there.  Her parents were missionaries.  She lived there until the big earthquake in December of 1972.  She then moved to Panama,” Eric said. After completing high school, Shanna moved to the United States and began her college studies.  She graduated from Amarillo College as an LPN.  She worked in pediatrics, and she also studied Theology & Business at Southwestern University, Sullivan University and Southwestern A/G University. Eric and Shanna met in the United States.  Eric earned a B.A. in Psychology; a B.S. in Biblical Studies; and an M.A. in Counseling.  He is a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God.  He graduated from Richland (now Pine-Richland) High School in 1991.  Locally, he attended La Roche and Grove City Colleges. “At one point I was studying chiropractic care, and I wasn’t satisfied.  What I am doing is now is fulfilling,” Eric said.  Since moving to Nicaragua, the Ferguson’s have implemented weekly feeding programs for the homeless, and they provide ministry through Bible studies.  They also host a daily radio program.  And as a creative means to help finance their operation, they founded Joybean Coffee Co, which produces and markets Nicaraguan coffee in the United States. Eric and Shanna have three children:   Spencer, Alec and Ariana.  They still have local ties to the community; Shanna’s sister Melodie Leake is the pastor of women’s ministries at Allison Park Church in Hampton Township.  The church regularly sends teams to Nicaragua to help with outreach ministries and construction.  Eric’s parents, Leah and Dennis Ferguson of Gibsonia, are also active leaders in their church and community. The couple was in town in October to celebrate five years of ministry with their supporters, as well as to share their vision and generate more support for Metanoia.  We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors. Back to top

Spotlight on Schools

La Roche College in McCandless Township was one of 222 outstanding colleges and universities recommended by the Princeton review to college applicants in the new 2008 edition of the book Best Northeastern Colleges.

Peggy Schmiedecke, right, admissions record coordinator at La Roche College and member of the Zonta Club, was honored at the Zonta conference. Schmiedecke received the 2007 Governor’s Choice Award in recognition of outstanding service during fiscal year June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007.

The Allegheny Branch of the American Society for Microbiology held its annual conference in November at La Roche College.  The conference drew microbiologists and microbiology students throughout western Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

La Roche American Marketing Association Chapter sponsored a “Pittsburgh Steeler Time” Event for the Food Bank.  The event was held Nov. 2, and special guests included Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, right in photo, former kicker Matt Bahr, and La Roche junior marketing major and special events coordinator for AMA, Kevin Gyke, left in photo.

Fox Chapel Area High School junior Morgan Hammer was chosen as one of the top high school athletes in the United States by Sports Illustrated magazine.  She was featured in the Oct. 29 issue featured in the “Faces in the Crowd” section.

Seven 2007 Fox Chapel Area High School graduates were named 2006-2007 National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA)/Speedo Academic All-Americans.  Earning All-American recognition was: Peter Coulson, Stephen Dickel, Megan Knox, Andrew Krieger, Derek Sundermann, Matthew Sundermann, and Emily Zacherl.

The Fox Chapel Area High School Marching Band placed third in the AA division at a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Marching Band Association competition.  The Marching Foxes also won fourth place overall (among 15 bands).

Several Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at the annual University of Pittsburgh Model United Nations (UN) Conference.  The following students were honored: Maya Bidanda, Yong-Gyun Choi, Lauren DeNinno, Anirudh Malkani, Archana Ramgopal, Natalie Stewart, Emily Tolge, Risa Trump, Anna Jin, Cassady Rosenblum, Sheri Wang and Philip McGrath.

The Commonwealth’s highest honor for communication education was awarded to St. Bonaventure Parish ElementarySchool in Glenshaw. St. Bonaventure is the first elementary school ever to win the William S. Tracey School of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Communication Association. [photo left]

Eight students, photo right, from A.W. Beattie Career Center traveled to Seven Springs Resort, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, to attend the annual SkillsUSA Western Region leadership Conference.  Beattie student Jayne Quinlan served as a conference officer, overseeing most of the conference activities and events.

The Dorseyville Middle School Philharmonic will perform at the 2008 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Annual Conference.  Approximately 25 groups were selected to serve as musical artists during the three-day event which will take place Apr. 17-19.

Twenty-five North Allegheny students have earned Commended status in the 2007 National Merit Scholarships program.  NASH students who have attained Commended status are: Zachary Auron, Brandon Caro, Anne Caruso, Grace Concelman, Timothy Crammond, Dorothy Curran, David Duffett, Hae-Song Jung, Claire Kairys, Rachael Kauss, Jackson Kernion, Brian Marcus, Kristen McKim, Jamie Novak, Laura Ochs, Merit O’Hare, Joseph Snatchko, Hannah Snyder, Courtney Stein, Andrew Sullivan, Yoon-Kyu Sung, Justin Taylor, Virginia Thistle, Brenna Thorpe and Katherine Wu.

The North Allegheny Marching Band won its fifth consecutive “Best Band Overall” Award in the city of Pittsburgh Veteran’s Day Parade.  In addition, the Majorette Squad won first place and both the Drum Majors and the Band were awarded VFW Medals for outstanding performances.

Eleven North Allegheny Jazz ensemble high school students were selected by audition for the 2007 PMEA District 1 Honors Jazz Ensemble.  The students selected from the senior high included: Matt Zellers, Ian Preston, Josh Waynick, Mike Lorenzo, Derek Bluemling and Aldo Kremmel.  The intermediate high school students chosen were: Nick Amoscato, Chris Rudzinskas, Sean Vins, Kelsey Steele and Brianna Amoscato.

Marg Foster, librarian at Ingomar Middle School, was a presenter at the American Association of School Librarian’s 13th National Conference which was held in October in Reno.

Christian Shane, a 2nd grade teacher at McKnight Elementary School in McCandless Township, has been awarded a grant from the Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited through their Trout in the Classroom Program.

Five North Hills Senior High alumni were inducted into the district’s Sports Hall of fame.  William Corley, Gary Gorajewski, Chris Helon, Jenna Hough and Brian Kagle were honored at the 13th annual Hall of Fame dinner in Sept.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives officially commended Pine-Richland Middle School by recognizing it with the introduction of House Resolution 482.  The school was honored for being named 2006-07 Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools “Schools to Watch.”

Two Pine-Richland High School students were honored in the top five percent of all African American students who took the PSAT in the United States.  Reginald Overton and Danielle Williams were recognized by The National Achievement® Scholarship Program.

Five Pine-Richland High School Jazz Ensemble students have earned a spot to participate in the PMEA District 1 Honors West Jazz Festival which will be held Dec. 7 & 8 at South Fayette High School.  The students participating are: Andy Stadterman, Mike Georgiadis, Alex Toa, Adam Janssen and John Matune.

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