On Wednesday, February 12, 2014, for our Ladies Day Out, we will participate in a Valentine’s Lunch and Learn at CRATE Kitchen Ware Cooking School from noon to 2pm. The cost is $40.00 and includes the cooking demonstration, as well as the lunch, and an in-store shopping discount..
Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
I moved to USC last August and wanted to meet new people and socialize.
Where did you recently move from?
I had been living in Raleigh, NC for ten years. Prior to that we were in Roswell, GA for three years, Raleigh( the first time) for three years and before that NJ.
Where did you grow up?
My husband and I both grew up in Bayonne, NJ.
Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I went to St Peters College in Jersey City, NJ. I have degrees in History, with a minor in secondary education and Accounting.
Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
I have three daughters. Stephanie, 25, and Mary Cate, 22, still live in NC. Jaclyn,16, is a junior at USC High School.
Do you have any pets?
Our dog , Cleo,died in June. She was 13 1/2 years old and lived a great life. Currently we have no pets, but I would not rule out another dog in our future.
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to read and do crafts. My newest adventures are quilting and embroidery. My husband and I like to try new restaurants and go to the movies or theatre. We have a house in Emerald Isle, NC and love spending time there.
What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
I have always been an avid reader, so the list is very long. I enjoy our Book Club so my next two reads will be The Yohnalassee Riding Club For Girls and the Forty Rules of Love.
What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
My daughter is a junior so we are investigating colleges and teaching her to drive. My oldest recently became engaged so I look forward to helping her plan her wedding. As for myself, I would like to start piano lessons.
What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
Newcomers has been a great introduction to Pittsburgh and the many things this area has to offer. I have made friends, tried new restaurants, read some good books I might not otherwise have chosen and learned a lot about this city I now call home.
Monday, September 16, 10am-12pm
Gilfillan Historic Home Tour
Tuesday, October 8, 9:30am to 11am
Gilfillan Trail Walk/Hike
Wednesday, November 16, 10:30am to 12:30pm
‘Burgh Bits and Bites Tour
Sunday, December 8, 11am to 1pm
Holiday Brunch at SLATE BISTRO
Tuesday, January 7, 10am to 12noon
Champagne Breakfast
Wednesday, February 12, 12pm to 2:00pm
Valentines “Lunch & Learn” Cooking Class at CRATE
Thursday, March 11, 11am to 1pm
“Chat in a Hat” at Bella’s House of Teas
Friday, April 11, 11:30am to 1:30pm
Life is Short. Eat Dessert First! Ice Cream & Shopping at Sarris Candy Factory…
Tuesday, May 13, 11:30 to 1:30
Asian Lunch at John’s Saigon 88
Saturday, October 19th 4pm to ???
Fall Fest Pig Roast and Pot Luck at Gilfillan Farm
Saturday, February 8th ~ 7pm to ???
Sweetheart Soiree at St. Clair Country Club
Saturday, March 15th ~ 7pm to ???
From the Emerald Isle and Beyond: Beer Tasting Around the World at The Sharp Edge Brasserie
Saturday, May 31st ~ 6pm to 11pm
A Taste of the Low Country ~ Annual Progressive Dinner
Friday, September 20, 5pm-7:30pm
Happy Hour Tour with “Burgh Bits and Bites
Wednesday, October 2, 7pm – ???
Girls Night IN at home of Patty Moore
Wednesday, November 20, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Glass Fusion at That Pottery Place
Sunday, December 8, 11am to 1pm
Holiday Brunch at SLATE BISTRO
Tuesday, January 14, 7pm to ?
Girls Night IN at home of Theresa Komoski
Wednesday, February 19, 6pm to ?
Private Room at ATRIAS, Peter’s Township
Monday, March 3, 6pm to ?
Private dining room at Piccolina’s
Tuesday, April 1, 6pm to ?
Private dining in Captains Quarters, Mitchell’s Fish Market
Thursday, May 1, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Girls Night IN at home of Mia Moran-Cooper
I simply remember my favorite things, and then I don’t feel so bad!
Good luck trying to wrap raindrops on roses, or plucking your cat’s whiskers. With Keurig, who shines those has copper kettles anymore? But now, woolen mittens might just come in handy in Pittsburgh!
Bring your favorite thing wrapped in brown paper package tie up with string (seriously, who does that?! How about wrapping paper or gift bag!) on Sunday, December 8th@ 11am for “My Favorite Things” Holiday Brunch, held this year at SLATE BISTRO, 24 Donati Road off Fort Couch hear South Hills Village/MacDonalds)
Our all-inclusive price is $14 per person (cash preferred but credit cards accepted) and it covers your non-alcoholic beverage, tax, gratuity and choice of the following entrées:
Cinnamon-Walnut French Toast
2 pieces of French Texas toast coated in crushed walnuts and cinnamon, sautéed until golden, and served with bacon and maple syrup.
Blueberry Pancakes
2 pancakes made with plump blueberries, and served with bacon and maple syrup.
Eggs Benedict
2 poached eggs served on an English muffin, broccoli and Hollandaise sauce, and served with home fries.
Three Egg Omelets
filled with spinach, onion, mushrooms, and cheese, and served with home fries.
Breakfast Flatbread
topped with scrambled eggs, sausage, spinach, and melted cheese.
Steel Cut Oatmeal
served with sides of dried and fresh fruit, yogurt, toasted nuts, brown sugar, and cream.
SLATE will also offer us a CASH BAR (real. cash, no credit cards please!) for specially priced cocktails. Bring a wrapped $15 value gift (one or some of your favorite things inside) for fun exchange.
Bring your camera and come hungry for a 2-hour private (and discounted) “Burgh Bits and Bites Tour” of nearby Brookline. On Wednesday, November 13 at 10:30am, we will savor and stroll Brookline Blvd with a guide. This ethnically rich area has many merchant shops, historic buildings, and of course, great food finds! Learn how Pita bread is made, enjoy an authentic Mexican taco, visit one of Pittsburgh’s oldest bakeries, discover how a perfect cup of coffee is brewed, and more. Bring an empty tummy and plan to fill a few shopping bags, too! This outing is limited to 12 and there are just a few slots unfilled. Please RSVP by 11/6. Prepayment is required by tour operator who will invoice you. You can meet us there at 10:25am, or we have several drivers and plan to carpool or follow each other by caravan from my driveway. If you want, plan to arrive at Mia Moran-Cooper’s house as early as 9:30am for a casual cup of coffee/tea and we will depart for Brookline promptly at 10am. Her address is 2009 Murdstone Road. If leaving your car, pull all the way forward and fill circular drive. Those are drivers, please park behind me on straight part of driveway. Questions? Call/text Mia @ 304-549-3677
Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
I have actually lived in Pittsburgh since I moved here for college in 1999, and in USC since my husband and I bought a condo in 2003. But when we moved to our current USC house in 2009 a lot in my life had changed: I had twin 1 year olds and had stopped working to become a stay at home mom. Although the two events above proved to be a blessing… I felt alone and isolated and wanted to make new friends. I also liked the idea of the USC Newcomers club vs another mom’s club in the area because I wanted to make friends with the parents of kids who my boys would be going to school with in the future.
Where did you recently move from?
We moved in 2009 to our current house. We loved it because it was walking distance to the USC Community and Recreation Center and it had a big backyard. The house itself had a lot of potential but hadn’t been updated since it was built in the 50’s (original mad-men style stove and everything!) so we had a lot of freedom to update the house to our style. Before that we lived in a condo in USC across from the USC Post Office.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Weston, MA which is about 20 minutes outside of Boston. Weston had great public schools and I knew I wanted to find a community for my children that also had great public school. Upper St Clair fit the bill!
Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I went to Carnegie Mellon University and double majored in Fine Arts and Human-Computer Interaction. I loved CMU and really enjoyed taking classes in many different departments. I also met my husband Rich there (he also went to CMU and majored in Electrical and Computer Engineering)!
What do you do for your day job?
I am a Stay at Home Mom. I also am very involved in this Newcomers’ group on the board, as well as a South Hills Delta Gamma Alumni Group. I am also involved with my boy’s preschool (Westminster Nursery School) on their Fundraising Committee.
Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
I have two boys: Joshua (Josh) and Matthew (Matt). They are identical twins and are 5 years old. They are growing so fast. I can’t believe they will start Kindergarten next year!
Do you have any pets?
I have two pug dogs – Winston and Stella. They are litter mates and 10 years old. They were my first set of twins! 😉
What do you like to do for fun?
I love to read, go for walks, run, playdates with my kids, cook, and hang out with my mom. When my husband and I have a sitter, we like to go out to the movies and see whatever the latest movie is. We just saw the movie Gravity and really enjoyed it!
What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
I read all sorts of books on my Kindle, or iPhone. I tend to read everything electronically because my reading is in spurts around my kids schedules. I am currently reading the Ender’s Shadow Series as I just finished the Ender’s Game Series and loved it. And yes, I will be seeing the Ender’s Game movie that is coming out soon!
What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
We are renovating our basement and moving my husbands office downstairs to make room for separating my boys into separate bedrooms. I guess my biggest goal currently is organizing my house and keeping my kids happy and healthy. My personal goal is to run a full marathon. I am not a natural runner, but I try and have run 3 half marathons. I am planning to run my first full when my boys start 1st grade in 2 years.
What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
I feel lucky to have joined this group 4 year ago. What a fantastic group of women!
