Tag Archives: featured

Announcement, Member Feature

Member profile: Ann Marie Pirnat

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
I got the postcard in the mail and figured this was a great way to meet some women in the community. I was right!

Where did you recently move from?
My husband, Kyle, and I moved here from The Woodlands, Texas, but we have lived all over the U.S. Nine moves in 14 years!  My hubby and I are both from this region of the country, so this is familiar territory for us.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania.  It is a small town on a beautiful lake with miles of beaches. For all you recently transplanted warm-climate ladies, Pittsburgh winters are absolutely balmy compared to Erie winters.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I studied psychology and English at West Virginia University. Since this is my big opportunity to toot my horn, I will–I graduated early, summa cum laude and with Phi Beta Kappa honors.  I rowed on the crew team, also.

What do you do for your day job?
I am a stay-at-home mom at The Chaos Castle (title coined by my husband), and I also sell Rodan+Fields Dermatologists skin care.  All inquiries are welcome.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
I have four children: Andrew, age 13; Beau, age 9; Charlotte, age 7; and Elena, age 4.  It is fun. And insane.

Do you have any pets?
Our pets are Gunnery Sergeant Pirnat (Gunny), our wonderfully lazy chocolate lab, and Maverick, my son Beau’s sweet female guinea pig.

What do you like to do for fun?
I like to make things. I love reading, drawing, painting, sewing, crafting, and running.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
Um…the overdue ones from the library!  Actually, I read just about everything, but I want to get into the daily Bible reading groove again.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
This seems inane when I have to type it out, but my biggest goal is picking wallpaper, a rug, and curtain fabric for the living room and dining room I am decorating. This week is my deadline! Trying to pull it together before the Thanksgiving guests arrive…yikes. Wish me luck.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
I am hoping to be at the Favorite Things brunch in December…I have missed the last two years, and I really want to make it to this one.

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
I still read to each my kids almost every night, I love stand-up comedy, and I am a devoted thrift shopper.

Member Feature

Member Feature: Lindsay Beck

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
I was raised in Pittsburgh, but haven’t lived here since college and have never lived in the South Hills. When we moved back to this area, a friend connected me with her friend Sarah, who encouraged me to join Newcomers. I liked that there were events and activities available for all types of women and families.

Where did you recently move from?
We moved in September 2014 from Canton, Ohio. Before that, we’ve lived in Bridgeport, West Virginia; Arlington, Virginia; Sanford, North Carolina; and Columbus, Georgia.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh called Arnold. I graduated from Valley High School.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I went to Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. I graduated in 2003 with a B.A. in Communications. Go Gators!

What do you do for your day job?
I am a stay-at-home mom. I am also heavily involved in volunteering and give my time to organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Make-A-Wish, the PTA–and Newcomers, of course! I’m proud to be serving as the Couples’ Events Chair this year.

Do you have any kids? If so what are their names and ages?
My husband Adam and I have one son named Ethan. He is almost six years old and started kindergarten this fall.

Do you have any pets?
No pets at this time.

What do you like to do for fun?
I love to read and watch sports. My favorites are hockey and football. I have also learned to play Mah Jongg recently and I love getting together with friends to play a few rounds.  Adam and I also enjoy biking.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
I have had The Silver Star by Jeannette Wells on my GoodReads “to-read” shelf since we lived in West Virginia (where she is also from.) I need to get around to that someday!

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
I know it’s said all the time, but honestly, weight loss and taking better care of myself. A few years ago, I lost over 50 lbs and was very fit and active. Since moving back to Pittsburgh I’ve not been as regimented with myself. I’d love to get back into fighting shape and run some races!

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
So many, it’s the start of a new year! I missed the Couples’ Beer and Cookie exchange last year, so we are really excited to host that one at our home. I also really enjoy the Ladies’ Favorite Things brunch at Christmastime.

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
Even though I’ve lived many other places, I am one of Pittsburgh’s biggest champions. I think it’s a fabulous place to live, work and raise a family. I’m so grateful we’ve moved back here and we get to raise our son here. I love meeting new people and I’m excited to meet all our new Newcomer members this fall!

Announcement

Couples Event: Seasonal Beer & Cookie Exchange

December 3, 7:30 p.m.

Deck the halls with beer and cookies!

Grab your date and join us at the Beck’s home (2666 Gloucester Drive) to celebrate the season with a festive beer and cookie exchange. The exact quantity of beer and cookies you should bring depends upon how many people are coming, so please RSVP early if you can.

Adam and Lindsay will provide light hors d’oeuvres, so all you need to bring are your exchange items! Come for the craft beer and cookies, stay to make friends with your fellow newcomers!

RSVP

Announcement

August Book Club: Eligible

Please join us on Monday,  August 22 at 7:30, at Erin Urban’s home (2663 Monterey Dr) for August’s book club meeting to discuss Curtis Sittenfeld’s novel, Eligible. Attention Jane Austen fans: this is a fun attempt at updating Pride and Prejudice. But even if (or perhaps especially if) the last thing you read was Good Night, Moon, please come for the laughter, food and drinks. I know this has been written often, but if you don’t have time to read the book please come anyway. Reading the book may be an easy way to create a common connection, but forming friendships certainly doesn’t involve required reading.

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Announcement

July Book Club: The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street

July 25, 7:30 pm

Please join us at Stephanie Cooper’s home (161 Highview Drive ) for July’s book club meeting to discuss Susan Gilman’s novel The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street. Even if (or perhaps especially if) the last thing you read was Good Night Moon, please come for the laughter, food and drinks. I know this has been written often, but if you don’t have time to read the book please come anyway. Reading the book may be an easy way to create a common connection, but forming friendships certainly doesn’t involve required reading.

RSVP

Announcement

Ladies’ Night Out: Happy Hour

Tuesday, May 31
5:30-7:30 p.m.

End of the school year getting you down? Happy Hour at Houlihan’s never sounded better!

Come enjoy $3.95 Apps and ½ price bottles of wine to share with your newest, bestest Newcomer pals. No significant others, no kids, just bring your winning smile and your need to unwind.

Houlihan’s at the Galleria
1500 Washington Rd
So EASY, So CHILL, see you there!

RSVP

Member Feature

Member Profile: Elise Logan

Why did you want to join the USC Newcomers’ Club?
To meet other people in the neighborhood. Other than my husband’s family, we didn’t know anyone when we moved here two years ago, and Newcomers seemed like a great way to start making new friends.

Where did you recently move from?
Washington, DC, where we lived for five years.

Where did you grow up?
North Florida, outside of Jacksonville, and south Georgia.

Where did you go to college and what did you study?
I went to Lee University, in Cleveland, TN, for my undergrad. My major was in political science. I also have an MS in Public Policy from Georgia Tech.

What do you do for your day job?
I work for Booz Allen Hamilton as a contractor at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. I’m an energy policy analyst. I write reports on things like the reliability of the electric grid, and how new or proposed environmental policies might affect energy markets.

Do you have any kids?
I have two daughters.

If so what are their names and ages?
Hope is six; she’s a kindergartner at Eisenhower. Naomi is 19 months.

Do you have any pets?
I have both a dog and a cat.

What do you like to do for fun?
Hang out with other Newcomers! Most of my free time these days is spent doing family activities with my husband and kids. We like to go hiking on nearby trails or visit the Strip District on the weekends. I read whenever I get a chance. I used to sew, too, but I haven’t even pulled out my sewing machine since my younger daughter was born.

What books on your shelf are begging to be read?
The next book on my reading list is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. I read her book Housekeeping a few years ago, and I loved it so much.

What’s the biggest goal you are working on now?
Finding that elusive work/life balance. I’m always forgetting something on my to-do list.

What upcoming Newcomers’ event are you looking forward to attending?
The progressive dinner. This will be my first one; I’m really excited about it.

What other things do you want your fellow newcomers to know about yourself?
Is this the part where I share random facts about myself? I make a really good veggie lasagna, and one time I bought a manual transmission car because I thought being able to drive one would be a good life skill to have. Then I had to figure out how to drive it home.

Announcement

2016-2017 Board Members Wanted

We want YOU on the board next year!

Are you interested in:

1.       Having fun?

2.       Forming friendships?

3.       Getting involved in your community?

4.       Contributing your ideas, time & talents?

5.       Supporting local women?

USC NEWCOMERS’ CLUB is looking for chair and co-chair volunteers for the coming year. Thank you for considering lending your unique skills and perspective. No experience is required! Board members will need to possess a positive outlook, helpful can-do attitude and caring acceptance of others. If you’ve got it, we want it! Hop on board, ladies!

Treasurer:
This person is responsible for overseeing the club’s budget. Responsibilities include collecting dues throughout the year, overseeing the budget and working closely with the board with respect to how the money is assigned/spent/etc. as well as making sure that any financial burden assumed by a board member is re-paid.

Ladies’ Day Out Chair:
This person is responsible for the creation and execution of events during the year that take place during the day.  Responsibilities include scheduling, finding creative events that will appeal to members, and promoting the event on the club’s website, Facebook page, etc.

Ladies’ Night Out Chair:
This person is responsible for the creation and execution of events during the year that take place during the evening.  Responsibilities include creating events that appeal to members, scheduling and promoting the event on the club’s website, Facebook page, etc.

Community Affairs:
This person is responsible for coordinating a gift drive with an outreach organization in December and the Community Day Booth and Parade events in May.  Responsibilities for the December event include communicating with the organization to obtain names for children who need gifts, assigning the names to club members that volunteer to provide said gifts, collecting the gifts and coordinating the pick up of the gifts (usually at their home).  Responsibilities for Community Day include working with the township regarding the parade and the event booth as well as promoting the event, attracting volunteers to set up, take down as well as work the booth on the day of the event.

Contact Eva Yager at evayager@hotmail.com or 916-541-6714 for questions or to sign up.

Announcement

Progressive Dinner

June 4
5-10 p.m.

Mangia! Mangia!

Mark your calendars and reserve your babysitters. The 2016 Progressive Dinner, THE signature event of the Upper St. Clair Newcomers’ Club, will take place from 5-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 4.

This year’s theme, if you haven’t yet guessed, is Italian. Come hungry!

We will begin the fun-filled evening at one home for appetizers and cocktails. Break up into groups of 6 or 8 for dinner. And end the night all together at another house for dessert, coffee and more drinks.

The cost is $40/couple or $20/person. Please RSVP and send payments by Saturday, May 21. Make your check payable to the USC Newcomers’ Club and mail it to Lindsay Beck, 2666 Gloucester Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15241.

RSVP