Mover & Shaker of the Month Dr. William C. Christie Eye Surgeon, Corporate CEO of Scott & Christie and Associates President and founding member of Mission Vision Click here for article

Click here for Spotlight on Schools | Business Spotlight: Pheasant Ridge Golf Club

Zonta Three Rivers North awarded scholarships to two local women, Amanda Plazek, a senior at North Hills High School and Jessica Pilarski, a junior at LaRoche College.  Also honored was Diana Napper, the founder of the Glimmer of Hope Foundation.

The Child Health Association of Sewickley (photo right) announces the launch of its Preemie Parent Tote Project.  This project provides parents of premature infants at Allegheny General Hospital’s Neonatal ICN with a tote filled with items promoting sustenance of the mind, body and spirit.  For details call (412) 741-3321 or childhealth@comcast.net.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities has granted three-year accreditations to the Mercy Rehabilitation Center at The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh for the care it provides in: Comprehensive Inpatient and Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

The Board of Trustees for Butler Health System appointed two new members to the Board: Douglas K. McClaine and Fiore O. Londino.

Lois Bradley and Tom Aufman received the 2007 Arcadia Awards from the Northern Area County Chamber of Commerce.

The Neighborhood Legal Services Association’s Pro Bono Protection From Abuse Project received the Ted Craig Humanitarian Award at the 2007 Spring Clothes Out.

Richard Hadley, supervisor of Cranberry Township, Butler County, has been elected to serve a second one-year term as president of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.

Rep. Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) announced that Gerald Feldman of Bradford Woods has been reappointed to the Ohio Basin Regional Water Resources Committee.

North Hills Community Outreach celebrated their twentieth anniversary in April.  During their celebration, they honored 10 outstanding supporters (photo left): Shoppers’ Choice, Carine Albinger, Allegheny General Hospital Suburban Campus, Gus Meeder, the Rotary Club of McCandless, Oscar and Althea Worthy, North Allegheny Intermediate Key Club, Zonta Three Rivers North, Pastor George Mendis and Ruth Graham.

First Commonwealth Bank opened their new office in April at 5167 William Flynn Highway (Route 8) in Gibsonia.

Susan Miller, of Emsworth, and CEO of the Pittsburgh Candle Company, was recognized at the Pittsburgh Airport Chamber of Commerce Fast Trac New Venture Graduation Lunch.

The Carnegie Science Center announced “The Girl Solution,” a National Program to help close the gender gap in Math & Science.  The project is supported in part by a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education and $250,000 in research sponsored by The Heinz Endowment and the Alcoa Foundation.

The staff of The Greater Pittsburgh Chiropractic Centers, Inc. attended the Garden State Chiropractic Society 2007 Seminar in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.  The seminar focused on the application of the chiropractic principles and philosophies in today’s practice.  The Greater Pittsburgh Chiropractic Centers, Inc. is located in Wexford, Cranberry and Imperial.  For info, call (724) 935-7440.

St. Barnabas Health System announced its Employees of the Month for April: Diane McClelland, Danielle Mullins and Lauren Tassos.

A board of trustees has been re-elected for The Woodlands at St. Barnabas Inc.  Serving as trustees are: Winfield S. Smathers, Douglas W. Day and Michael J. Antonelli.

Lutheran SeniorLife’s Fourth Annual “Excellence is Ageless” Gala and Awards Dinner honored actress/singer Shelley Fabares (center) and radio personality Jack Bogut (right) for their talents and community service.  The gala raised more than $150,000, which will be used for construction of a new Assisted Living Alzheimer’s Care Center at St. John Specialty Care Center.

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Mover & Shaker of the Month Dr. William C. Christie Eye Surgeon, Corporate CEO of Scott & Christie and Associates President and founding member of Mission Vision Click here for article

By Paula Green Dr. William C. Christie is an eye surgeon who has managed to make some of his own visions become reality.  He is the founder and CEO of the successful ophthalmology practice, Scott & Christie and Associates and Good Looks Eyewear, both with locations in Cranberry Township and Fox Chapel. In addition to his eye care practice and optical shops, Dr. Christie is the president and founding member of Mission Vision. “Mission Vision is a non-profit organization that helps the underserved and underinsured in our own Pittsburgh community and globally.  With the generous support of our contributors, we are able to touch the lives of many people,”  Dr. Christie said. In February 2006, Dr. Christie ventured on a medical mission trip to Ghana, West Africa, to serve those in need.  The trip was made possible through the special donations from pharmaceutical companies, medical supply companies and the support of other generous individuals.  While in Ghana, the Mission team was able to administer much needed medical care.  They also educated the Ghanaian medical professionals on the latest techniques and developments in the field of ophthalmology. Additionally, Mission Vision donated medical supplies and refurbished eyewear for the United Methodist Church missions in Kenya and Zimbabwe.  Dr. Christie’s team also trained individuals from Christ Church at Grove Farm on how to use eye exam equipment for a Uganda mission.  The team further extended their missionary quest in December of 2006, when they sent 10 tons of medical and office supplies to the Tema Hospital in Ghana. Dr. Christie enjoys helping those less fortunate globally and locally in the Pittsburgh region.  He is a native of the area.  Dr. Christie graduated from North Allegheny High School in 1977.  He went on to complete his undergraduate and medical studies at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I like assisting people through Mission Vision.  It fulfills my need to help others.  We are truly thankful and blessed for the resources and support that have been provided,” Dr. Christie said. He resides in Marshall Township with his wife Alison and their four sons: William, Andrew, Benjamin and Nathan. Northern Connection magazine extends Happy Father’s Day wishes to Dr. Christie and all those special dads in our community. Back to top

Spotlight on Schools

Seven Community College of Allegheny County students have been named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team.  The honorees are: Vincent Harvey, Stacy DiClaudio, Patrick Hockenson, Maria Lukas, Sara Murphy, Darla Barie and Merritt McCarty-Fasick.

Twenty-five northern-area high school athletes were honored May 31 at the Downtown YMCA’s 33rd Annual Scholar Athlete Banquet.  The students are Jessica Vernon (Butler Area Senior High School), Stephen Dickel, Harvey Miller, Paul Shay (Fox Chapel Area High School), Joseph Cangilla, Jack Zierenberg (Hampton Area High School), Erin Flynn, Lauren and Marisa Glew, Angela Higgins (Mars Area High School), Erin Dauson, Thomas Keiser, Kelly Langhans, Erin McGee, Weston Waldschmidt (North Allegheny High School), Jordan Baranowski, Brandon Bove, Meghan Klingenberg (Pine-Richland High School), Elyse Dobrick (Seneca Valley High School), Julianne Harris, Melissa McQuade, Nick Nelson, Jennifer Simile (Shaler Area High School), Kristina Cieslak and Richard Latuska (Vincentian Academy).

The following local area residents were honored on May 2 at the Carnegie Science Center 2007 Awards for Excellence: High School Educator, Jason Lucia of North Catholic High School; Junior Division Student, Maggie Gunn, North Allegheny School District; and Senior Division Student, Cliff Kim, North Allegheny School District.

Rep. Jason Altmire (PA-4) (photo left) named Deer Lakes High School junior Kari Juranowitch the winner of this year’s Fourth District Congressional High School Art Competition.  Second place winner was North Allegheny High School senior Emily Vukson.

St. Bonaventure Parish Elementary School in Glenshaw held a Mini Relay for Life fundraiser on May 14-17.  The money raised will benefit the fight against cancer.

Following a 16-month process, North Hills Senior High School has been recommended for full Middle States Accreditation from the Commission on Secondary Schools of the Middle States Association.

Rep. Jason Altmire, (left, photo right) hosted Lois Rebich (center, photo right), the 2007 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year, during the National Teacher of the Year Program in Washington D.C.  Rebich is an instructional support teacher at Ross Elementary School in the North Hills School District.

Brian Knoebel, a junior at North Hills Senior High School, has been selected to attend the 2007 Pennsylvania Governor’s School of Excellence.  He will attend the Governor’s School for the Arts.

Fox Chapel Area High School senior Andrew Krieger has been named a semifinalist in the 2007 Presidential Scholars Program. 

The following Fox Chapel Area High School students were selected to perform with the Allegheny Valley Honors Band:  Kevin Boyd, Nicholas Engelhardt, Patrick Englert, Taya Flaherty, Lauren Glacken, Benjamin Pashek, Andrew Lee, Jessica Tain, Emily Danchik, Alfred Lentzsch, Daniel Squire, Aaron Vockley, Caitlin Englert, Jennifer Hall, Ian Hauber, Molly Joyce and Stacy Reader.

Fox Chapel Area High School senior Elise Liu has been named a winner of a 2006-07 Siemens Award for Advanced Placement. 

Several Fox Chapel High School students were first place winners in the 2007 Slippery Rock University World Language Competition: Diane Tracht, Mazdak Bradberry, Heidi Goeller, Philip McGrath, Katharine Waldman.

Twelve Fox Chapel Area High School seniors were honored by the Fox Chapel Area Rotary Club as “2007 Rotary Students of the Year:”  Samuel Bakkila, Stephen Dickel, Patrick Englert, Andrew Krieger, Kelly Levine, Caitlin Metz, Bassem Mikhael, Alexander Minton, Tara Moore, Kelsey Moran, Michael Rosenberg and Megan Stewart.

The following Fox Chapel Area High School students won awards at the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association State Leadership Conference:  Alan Fregoso, Ethan Minogue, Angela Lopes, Frank Csech, Jammie Mountz, Elizabeth O’Sell, Lukas Schlatt, David Uber, Angie Van Every, Mikhail Attaar and Casey Domski.

Nine Fox Chapel Area High School students were named Gold Key winners in the Region-at-Large program of The Scholastic Art Awards of 2007: Quinn Kielbasa, Kimberly Kaplan, Justin Boyd, Julia Petruska, Christopher Bollinger, Kirsten Celo, Margot Monteverde, Meredith Hanley and Alexander Kaplan.

Four Fox Chapel Area High School students performed with the PMEA Western Region State Orchestra: Samuel Bakkila, Nicholas Engelhardt, Michael DiBarry and Daniel Smith.

Michael Quinn, a social studies teacher at Dorseyville Middle School in the Fox Chapel Area School District, has been selected for inclusion in the 11th Edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers 2006/2007.

The Kerr Elementary fifth grade QUEST (gifted) students have given $500 to Variety the Children’s Charity.

Pine-Richland High School raised more than $8,437 during its Dance-a-Thon held on April 20.

The National Association of Women in Construction awarded three Pine-Richland High school students with the top three awards in its annual Computer Aided Drafting contest: Robert Zoelle, Lauren Balint and Jamie Steckler.

Eleven Pine-Richland High school students will advance to the 2007 National Technology Student Association Conference to be held June 24-28 in Nashville, TN: Heather Barron, Catherine Franks, Nik Capitano, John DeLacio, Tom Kutschbach, Lauren Balint, Dan Carlson, Ariel Kelley, Justin Klaus and Evan Malchano.

Left to right: Shelley Byers, Jeff Byko, Anne Haught, Deb Walters

Two Pine-Richland teachers Dr. Susan Frantz and Shelley Byers earned “Teachers of Excellence” Awards by the Teachers Excellence Center.  Additionally, teachers Jeff Byko, Anne Haught and Deb Walters were named honorees.

Pine-Richland High School was named the “2007 Overall Winner” at the 16th Annual Drafting Competition and Technology Fair held at Butler Community College.  Winners included: Robert Zoelle, James Steckler, Dan Hehman, Philip Marchetti and Alex Whittington.

Pine-Richland High School junior Ben Smithgall will compete in the National Forensic tournament June 17-23.

WTAE-TV 4 awarded Pine-Richland High School junior Casey Watt (photo right) with the WTAE Operation High School Athlete of the Week Award on Apr. 26.

Pine-Richland School District welcomed two new administrators to its team: Dr. Mary Bucci (left) and Dr. Bille Pearce Rondinelli (right) at its board meeting.

Hance Elementary School finished second in the region and third in the state during the Governor’s Fitness Challenge.

The North Allegheny School District has been designated a Gold Medal school district by Expansion Management magazine in its 16th annual Education Quotient™ issue.

A team of North Allegheny High School students (photo right) emerged as Pennsylvania State Winners of the Economics Challenge.  First place team members were: Patrick Fives, Sherry Niggel, Karl Freithaler and Claire Xi.  They were accompanied by their teacher Joelle Keats.

Linda Vete, a teacher at North Allegheny Senior High School, received the 2006 George C. Oehmler Award presented by the Education Committee of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh.

Sarah LaVelle, a teacher at North Allegheny Senior High School, was presented with the 2007 PADESTA Outstanding New String/Orchestra Teacher Award by the Pennsylvania/Delaware Strings/Orchestra Association on April 19.

Bill Jorden, a teacher at North Allegheny Senior High School has been selected for the 11th Edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers® 2006/2007.

Marie Bosco, a teacher at Bradford Woods Elementary, will be recognized in 2007/2008 Cambridge Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women in Teaching and Education Honors Edition.

Jack Grennan, 16 (photo left), a junior at North Allegheny High School, has earned his 4th Gold Cup in Piano Solo and 2nd Gold Cup in theory from the National Federation of Music Festival held at Duquesne University.  He is a piano student of Phyllis Chvostal of Wexford.

North Allegheny Bands were declared the Overall Grand Champions at the 2007 North American Music Festival.  The Marching, Auxiliary, Jazz Ensemble and Concert Bands each swept their sections in competition.

Girl Scouts from Troop 1745 are making Hance Elementary School's habitat a more critter-friendly place, by adopting the Hance habitat as this year's service project. Scouts who participated included: Angela Bogart, Rachel Haliday, Julie Junker, Ellie Kress, Elizabeth Lusnak, Lindsay Miller, Marielle Nackley, Heather Rinker and Mary Schreiber.

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Business Spotlight: Pheasant Ridge Golf Club

By Janice Lane Palko
“What makes us different is that we are family, people oriented,” said Eric Knapp, owner of Pheasant Ridge Golf Club, located at 6065 Rittman Road in Gibsonia.

Pheasant Ridge is not only Knapp’s livelihood but his passion as well. A competitive golfer, he designed and built the course and has been in business for more than nine years. During that short time span, he has turned the 18- hole public links into the area’s premier public golf course. Knapp, who is dealing with a recurrence of cancer, has invested his time, finances and heart into Pheasant Ridge. “It’s not just a business to me,” Knapp said.

As someone who knows how precious every minute is, Knapp strives to make the time spent at Pheasant Ridge enjoyable. “When we first opened, many thought the course was too difficult, but we responded to our customers’ needs and cleared the woods, making it a much kinder, fairer course,” Knapp said.

And Knapp is constantly improving Pheasant Ridge. In 2003, he installed an irrigation system that eliminates trying to undo drought damage incurred during the summer all during the off-season. Since installing the system, Pheasant Ridge opens each season in excellent shape with lush fairways and beautiful greens that are ready for play.

Pheasant Ridge is home to several leagues, but has space for more, and groups such as the Middle Road Athletic Association holds its outing and picnic at Pheasant Ridge. The course also offers reasonable fees and carts for rent.

Another aspect that separates Pheasant Ridge from all the other area golf courses is that it also offers a picnic area and paintball course. What could be more fun than spending a day enjoying a round of golf then a paintball battle topped off by a picnic?

The paintball course is very popular with companies, youth and church groups. Pheasant Ridge accommodates both air ball and woods ball play and equipment and supplies are available for rental. Knapp also offers a group discount.

For more information on Pheasant Ridge, visit the Website at: pheasantridgegolfclub.com or call 724-316-7847.

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