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September Issue
Welcome to the September issue of
Northern Connection Magazine
This month’s cover features
Also in this issue:
• Health & Wellness
• Higher Education
• September Happenings
• And much more...
Enjoy reading the September issue of
Northern Connection Magazine.

Passavant Hospital Foundation
Honoring a Legacy of Caring in our Community
Click on the cover to read the entire issue.

Featured Articles


Is Your Child Water-Ready? Discover Why Parents Are Talking about Goldfish SwimSchool®
As a parent, nothing matters more than your child’s safety — especially around water. Pool days, beach vacations, and backyard parties should be filled with fun, not fear. That’s why Pittsburgh families vote Goldfish Swim School Best Swim Lessons year after year. Goldfish offers engaging, effective swim lessons designed specifically for children ages 4 months to 12 years old.


Get the Most From Primary Care: So Much More Than You Expect!
When it comes to your health, the saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” still rings true. It’s up to you and your primary care team to aim to prevent illness and injury whenever possible. This is done through preventive measures like adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle, having routine physicals and screenings, and avoiding risk factors for disease.


What UPMC Passavant's Best Hospital Recognition Means for Communities
When UPMC Passavant was recently recognized as the No. 2 Best Hospital in the Pittsburgh region by U.S. News & World Report, I felt immense pride. But more, I felt gratitude.
Gratitude for the physicians, nurses and countless others whose dedication makes this possible. Most importantly, gratitude for the trust our communities place in us every day.


October Movers & Shakers
5 Generations Bakers, producer of the well-known Jenny Lee Swirl Breads, has joined with two other local companies to introduce a new Jenny Lee Swirl Brew.


School Movers & Shakers - October
Fox Chapel Area High School 2026 graduate Emily Korczyski was named a third-place national winner in the 2026 Create Real Impact Contest. The students produced a public service announcement (PSA) titled, The Final Rose.


Local Author Spotlight: Dr. Cindy Zurchin
Franklin Park resident Dr. Cindy Zurchin didn’t learn resilience by choice, but by necessity. When she was just 17 years old, her car was rearended by a speeding driver, and she was pushed into oncoming traffic. A truck then hit the front end of her car and her Ford Mustang exploded into flames as she was ejected and violently thrown to the side of the road, 30 feet away. She was on fire.


A Taste of the Mediterranean: Avva
This month, while still exploring restaurants in the North Pittsburgh area, we ventured away from the usual Italian trend and moved more into Mediterranean cuisine. Tucked away on the side streets of a quaint Fox Chapel neighborhood, Avva is a cute little restaurant with a great patio that sets the vibe for a casual, relaxing evening.
Happenings
Check out local sales, entertainment, networking and more this October!


Pittsburgh Hearts of Steel Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Team Hosts Eighth Annual Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It's a time for reflection on breast cancer research, prevention, and treatment. A special group of area ladies is gearing up this month in their fight for the cure!


Anxiety and Horror: A Love Story
The time has arrived for streaming services and theatres alike to roll out their horror lineups and, as usual, I could not be more thrilled. From the latest take on Stephen King’s classic Carrie, to the prequel series Camp Crystal Lake, as well as Scream celebrating 30 years by playing in theatres, nostalgia is having a moment. The question of “Why do you like this stuff?” has always been asked, and for good reason.


THE PEOPLE I MEET
Beginning this October, with the blessing of Laura Arnold, the magazine’s President and Publisher, I’m adding a little spice to my MOM2MOMS column. I’ve realized how fortunate I am to meet people of all ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, and upbringings every day. Whether in person, by phone, or by email, or while teaching a cooking class, hosting a Dinner in the Dark, or hosting a networking event, I’m always hearing new stories, and I want to share them. We all have a story. W


Veterans Train Display at Aspinwall: A Lasting Tribute
For the past several years, a 33-foot Veterans train display has been an uplifting part of the HJ Heinz Aspinwall VA Hospital at 1010 Delafield Road. Located in the main entrance atrium, the impressive exhibit wraps around three sides of the grand staircase in Building 71. The exhibit replicates so many nostalgic and memorable pieces of Pittsburgh.


Welcoming Fall on the Farm
For decades, vegetable sales have been strong, especially sweet corn from September to October. However, now it is said that kids are back at school and eating habits have changed. Well, I agree with starting school, but for decades customers have sought fresh vegetables and sweet corn through the end of the season, and the harvest season can run well into October.


An Ordinary Man
The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children. G. K. Chesterton


FOUR WOMEN, ONE STORY!
Forty-one years ago, on August 13th, 1985, a family of 4 women, with one half empty
suitcase filled only with photographs, stepped off a plane at O’Hare Airport, their long
journey escaping Moscow, Russia has finally ended. The 4 women were, my twin, Olga, our mom, Natasha and grandmother, Izabella.


Fictional Schools Trivia
School is back in session. Some people feel down about it, while others are excited. Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of fictional schools on TV and in movies. Let’s educate ourselves on various made-up places.


9 FREE classes, seminars and workshops sponsored by Passavant Hospital Foundation
Passavant Hospital Foundation partners with UPMC Passavant to offer a wide variety of educational programs featuring physicians, clinicians, researchers and experts in their field to provide up-to-date information in layperson’s terms.
Coming up...
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