projects such as tree and flower plantings,
recycling collections and education
programs. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful
partners with PennDOT, the Department
of Environmental Protection and Keep
America Beautiful to provide free trash
bags, gloves and safety vests to registered
participants, as supplies last.
During Let’s Pick It Up PA—every day
from April 13 through May 6—cleanups
registered with the Great American
Cleanup of PA are eligible to take their
trash to participating landfills free of charge
or for a reduced rate.
Registration begins in January at
gacofpa.org. Michelle Dunn, Great
American Cleanup of PA Program
Coordinator, can answer questions
at 1.877.772.3673, ext. 113 or email
[email protected].
Join thousands of Pennsylvanians
and keep your neighborhood clean and
beautiful!
THE MISS AMERICA
ORGANIZATION
ANNOUNCES NEW
STATE LICENSE GRANT
FOR THE STATE OF
PENNSYLVANIA
The Miss America Organization
(MAO) and the new licensee for the
state of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania
Organization) recently announced
that, after reviewing submissions, the
MAO Board of Directors unanimously
determined to award the Pennsylvania
Organization State License to the group
led by Deborah Butcher and Dr. Kirstin
Snow.
As part of the process, the Pennsylvania
Organization will seat a new board of
directors that will, as much as possible,
include representation from all areas of the
state. The new board will also work closely
with the Teen program to carry forward
the success of the existing program.
Butcher expressed her support for the
new mission and vision of MAO adding,
“We are excited to be working with the
MAO to further provide scholarship and
community engagement throughout the
state of Pennsylvania. We believe in the
mission of the Miss America Organization
and look forward to strengthening our
program to focus on empowering women
in 2019 and beyond.”
Brenda Keith, MAO Board member
who chaired the submission process,
added, “This was a very strong submission.
Deborah and Kirstin and their team gave
information on how they would execute on
every aspect of the program in the state of
Pennsylvania.”
The Miss America Organization, a
501(c)4, is one of the most recognizable
household names in America working to
empower young women through education
and service. Miss America candidates
contribute tens of thousands of community
service hours annually and have raised over
$17 million for Children’s Miracle Network
Hospitals and Miss America scholarships
since 2007. The Miss America Foundation,
a 501(c)3, provides academic, community
service, and other scholarships to young
women.
MENDELSSOHN CHOIR
OF PITTSBURGH
PRESENTS “LET MY
PEOPLE GO!”
The chorus celebrates Black History
Month with a spiritual journey along the
Underground Railroad.
In February, the Mendelssohn Choir of
Pittsburgh (MCP) will invite audiences
to celebrate Black History Month with
the Pittsburgh premiere of American
composer Donald McCullough’s “Let My
People Go! A Spiritual Journey Along the
Underground Railroad.” This concert of
African American spirituals is presented
in collaboration with Ebenezer Baptist
Church, where the concert will take place
on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.
museum’s inaugural activities. Audiences
have described their experience as
“moving,” “haunting,” “magnificent” and
“spine-tingling.”
At 110 years in operation, MCP is the
city’s oldest continually performing arts
organization. Composed of 100-plus
singers, it is led by Robert Page Music
Director Matthew Mehaffey. “We’re
excited to collaborate with Ebenezer
Baptist Church on this powerful piece,”
says Mehaffey. “This is a celebration of
community both past and present.”
Located in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill
District, the 143-year-old Ebenezer
Baptist Church serves a diverse
congregation near the actual location
of an Underground Railroad stop. The
church itself was a primary meeting place
for local civil rights activists in the wake
of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination.
“We are humbled to have the
opportunity to host the Mendelssohn
Choir of Pittsburgh and this important
production. Ebenezer is a ‘Life Changing
Church’ where Pastor and people work
together to achieve our vision to reach
the congregation, local community and
beyond,” says Ebenezer’s Pastor, Dr.
Vincent Campbell. “The presentation
of 'Let My People Go!' is in line with
our vision, and we are proud to provide
this venue so that many from all
neighborhoods will be able to experience
this highly acclaimed production. We
welcome everyone to join us in sharing
this extraordinary musical experience."
TOP DOCTOR
RECOGNIZED
This project, the first collaboration
between these two venerable Pittsburgh
institutions, seeks to be a compelling
example of unity amidst the current climate
of emboldened racism, and to invite the
community to experience the powerful
story of African Americans’ journey
towards freedom that is an indelible part
of our national and regional history. MCP
and Ebenezer Baptist Church intend
the spirituals through which this story is
told to uplift and galvanize, just as they
inspired and guided the enslaved on their
courageous journey.
After its premiere at the Kennedy Center,
“Let My People Go!” was featured at the
National Underground Railroad Freedom
Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, as part of the
Larry A. Sellitto, Ph.D. was recently
recognized by the Leading Physicians
of the World as a 2018 TOP DOCTOR
in the Eastern Region for his work in
Psychology and Addictions. Each year,
thousands of doctors are screened by
their peers and patients in an extensive
review process. The annual award is
base on a commitment to quality and
a high standard of patient care within
their area of speciality. This is the fourth
consecutive year that Dr. Sellitto has been
selected for t his prestigious award by the
International Association. A University
of Pittsburgh graduate, Dr. Sellitto
has operated a general practice with a
specialty in the treatment of Addictive
disorders in Monroeville over the past
29 years. n
MONROEVILLE
❘
SPRING 2019
7