Dragon's Den Coming Together in Homestead

On the outside,  St. Mary Magdalene Church in Homestead has not changed much in the almost four years since Giulia and Bill Petrucci took ownership. But once you walk through the doors, your jaw might drop a little. The Dragon's Den, an indoor rope course is taking shape and huge wooden poles that weigh 1800 pounds and extend 25 feet high, line the nave of the former Catholic church.

It has been a challenging process, as one would imagine, to take a church that is more than 100 years old, and had been vacant for 15 years, and transform it into a place kids can challenge themselves physically, mentally and socially.  The inspiration came from an outdoor activity park in Italy, near where Giulia is from. A few years back, her children, who at the time were ages 10 and 6, had an amazing experience and could not wait to tell her all about it.

"They said, 'We have done the most amazing thing. We were climbing on ropes, and drawbridges and zip lines. it was fantastic.'  I needed to see that. I went back and I was astounded," recalls Giulia.

She took pictures and videos and sent them to her husband. She also spoke with teachers who organized field trips to the park to get an educational perspective. Each platform had a different challenge the kids had to overcome. The skills, determination and sense of accomplishment she witnessed, even with her youngest child, made this seem like a dream worth pursuing, in Homestead.

From that point the dream involved bringing the designers of the Italian facility to Pittsburgh to specially design the course at St. Mary's. Giulia and Bill sat at their dining room table with the European designers and painstakingly thought out each aspect of the Dragon's Den, which takes its name from the mascot of the former St. Mary Magdalene School.

Due to the uniqueness of the project, many firms were interested in building this indoor course, but Giulia says, unfortunately, they did not follow through. That is when she and her husband decided to keep the project in the family, which includes the Dragon's Den Board of Directors, and build it themselves.

"We wanted to have the designers back.  They have a ton of experience and they can tell us exactly how to do it, how it's done," and between January 4 and the middle of February, Giulia's idea started to come to life, before her eyes. "It was a fantastic 40 days," she recalls.

The two month period came with many challenges. Getting the 25 feet poles in the building was the easy part, anchoring them to the walls, another story. Because of the safety issues involved, excessive time is being taken to make sure things are done properly. Each aspect of the rope course had to be approved by a structural engineer from the Department of Agriculture. But as of right now, a two week period in April is all that is needed to complete the second level of the course and move closer to  opening. All the pieces are precut and with the poles already being anchored to the walls, the assembly time will be a lot less than the first level.

In the meantime, work is happening behind the scenes as well to expand the board of directors to include individuals with a local connection. Within the next couple weeks, the nine person board will increase to thirteen, four of whom have ties to the Steel Valley area.

Treasurer Lisa Earle explains why the expansion is necessary. "Not only to get the word out but to help us adjust and tailor what we are going to be doing - the other programs later on and things like that." Giulia adds, "We are doing this for the community and you need to know the community you are going to help."

Many on the board have experience with non-profits and foundations and have been trying to encourage support of the Homestead project. Giulia says the idea is to be something the community can really take advantage of. "We have a place and a lot of non profits and schools have programs, but do not have a place. We really plan to partner with non profits to have even more to offer these children."

The vision is for the Dragon's Den to be open to the public a few nights a week and during weekends and then to serve as a field trip destination. Schools will be able to utilize the space and be provided a customized experience tailored just for them and the kids they are serving. For the local community, the facility will be a place for kids after school who may not be a traditional athlete, whose parents are working and may not have a place to go.

Kids will be able to chose their challenge level and progress each time they visit. The experience will also incorporate the unique architecture (brickwork, archways, terracotta medallions) of the Italian Renaissance style church, which is certified by the National Register of Historic Buildings. Bill says, "Someone that goes to church - those details are 25 to 30 feet away. These kids are going to be right up against this."

The slow process of the project does come with some limitations. Foundations are slow to back something, which is not yet up and running. Although Giulia says many groups and individuals have been generous in donating to the effort so far, more funds are needed. Once the course is built, many new expenses come to light: harnesses, helmets, staff and insurance.

"I'm sure the community is thinking 'when are they going to open?', but it is the same feeling for us. We just want to open and start making a difference because that's the reason why we started this huge project," explains Giulia."There are lots of people who are really connected to this place and can't wait to see those doors open, but we need help (additional funds) to see this through."

For more information on the Dragon's Den visit dragonsdenpgh.org.

An Indisputable Loss

I think many of us are anxious right now. Many of us are wondering about what is going to happen and how will we be affected.

The trial for Michael Rosfeld got underway this week.  If you live in the Pittsburgh area, his name needs no further explanation. He is the former East Pittsburgh police officer who fatally shot 17-year old Antwon Rose II last June.

I am not writing this to initiate a debate about what the jury should decide. I am praying for these men and women in the days ahead. I know their job is not going to be easy.

Many people were impacted by the protests that erupted following the June shooting. I am hoping we do not have to revisit this kind of expression. Antwon's mother has called for a peaceful period during the trial proceedings. Again, I pray people respect her wishes.

There are two sides to every story and this case is no different. But then there is the mother's story. That story only has one side. The side of loss. A heart with a piece missing, a void that will never be filled.

I have had contact over the years with a few women who have felt that loss - a loss I cannot imagine. Somehow they have foundt the strength to get out there and try to make a difference in the name of their children taken too soon.

I am inspired by these ladies. They cause me to be aware that what I have - my three amazing children - are on loan from God.

Last summer, I became very introspective because, as the mother of a 16-year-old, I know the kind of promise a teens' life holds. Will they chose to go to college? What career will they chose to excel at? Which one of their talents will allow them the chance to enjoy the amazing experiences life has to offer?

I remember being at the birthday celebration for Antwon that was held in Rankin last July on what would have been his 18th birthday. A table was decorated with items the young man treasured - his guitar, his writings, his skateboard.

 I stared at the table for the longest time, looking at these things any teen could have accumulated. It brought into focus the enormous loss to not only his family and his friends, but to the entire community.

At that moment I wanted to wrap my arms around my son and never let go. We don't know what life holds in store for the people we love. As a mom, I often want to make time stand still because now is safe, now is close, now is my kids here with me.

I felt guilty being at the party as an observer not a participant. I felt guilty knowing that I could hug my son and Antwon's mom no longer could. I wanted to go home.

Many issues will come up in the days ahead. Whether we like it or not, race will be debated, police brutality will be debated and the events leading up to the fatal shooting will be debated.

There will be an outcome of this trial and not everyone will be happy with the verdict. But no matter what side you are on, there is one fact that remains undisputed...a mother had her son violently taken from her and no verdict will bring him back.

ER ER Ohhhh

It is funny what you can observe when you spend an afternoon in the emergency room.

Let me first start by saying everyone is ok. My dad was dealing with some balance issues after a high fever. All tests came back negative.

But the emergency room in itself is it's own weird little universe. During the time you are there,  nowhere else seems to exist. If you are lucky and get to spend more than a few hours there, you meet some interesting characters.

My first encounter came about simply because of what I was wearing. Because it had been a leisurely Saturday, I was sporting my favorite Beatles t-shirt. The urgency of the phone call about my dad did not lend time for a costume change, not that one was even warranted. We were only headed to the emergency room. I am not sure what it is about this particular shirt but I have been approached by a stranger on various occasions while wearing it.

Last summer, I was stopped near Market Square and asked, "You a Beatles fan?" After I answered in the affirmative I was invited to check out a Beatles tribute band who had an upcoming show. While at the ER, walking to my dad's pod I was stopped by a nurse, I think he was a nurse, and had to prove my allegiance by answering a trivia question. An easy one by my standards. Which former Beatle had the first number one post break-up and the most recent number one? I'll give you a hint...he was the quiet one.

Once I excused myself from that encounter it was on to Dr. Doogie (reference to Neil Patrick Harris' breakout show from the 80's.) I had noticed this guy in scrubs walking past our pod a number of times.  (His striped socks and Chuck Taylor's stood out to me as a former wearer of Chucks until my arches gave out. In fact, my husband and I both were wearing Converse low tops on the day we met twenty-two years ago.) I only had a view of from the knee down, due to the curtain shadowing our door, but a mental note was made. Little did I know this guy was my dad's doctor.

Since my dad was only allowed two visitors at a time, I missed the first appearance of the doc. My mom did warn me though... he was cute. (In the medical profession, at least around here,  most of the people you deal with are not fresh faced and skipping around in sneakers.) When this gentleman stopped in the second time I was more caught up by the fact this Converse wearing, college boy looking guy was my dad's doctor.

His bedside manner was great. Very personal, funny, heck he even tossed in some age digs that seemed to go over like butter. Here are some of the gems from his interaction with my dad: "You are not my youngest patient" and "Something's gonna get you sometime." Who says this stuff? I was thinking to myself, "Doogie, good thing you are cute. "

He even pointed out my dad is in his eighth decade, which threw us all for a loop because my dad only turned 72 a few months ago. But after doing grade school math in my head, ten years in a decade, 0 to 10 years is one decade, I realized Doogie was right. An hour later, when I explained the math to my parents, they realized he was right too.  Not cool man. I wonder if he would have tried this shtick with a woman?

So despite the reality check comedy show, Doogie was able to get my dad a "private" room pretty quick. On his way out we exchanged some pleasantries and he shared that he was about to become a dad and hoped he would be a good one. (I'm sure those age jokes will be a hit on the toddler circuit.) We assured him he would be fine and then he was gone. My mom then turned to me and asked,           "Didn't you think he was cute?"

Frankly, he wasn't my type and the fact that he is about to have a kid and my oldest is about to turn 17, kind of killed any possible attraction. Then I did my own mental math and I realized I am in my fifth decade. I did the Charlie Brown walk down the hall as we were getting ready to move my dad into his room for the night.

In the distance, I noticed a pair of Chuck Taylor's zipping down a side hallway. I wanted to warn Dr. Doogie that he would eventually need more arch support with being on his feet all day. But then I realized he was probably less than a decade away from figuring that out himself.

From that moment on, each cushioned step I took in my Swedish comfort sole sneakers felt a little softer - a little wiser. Step gently Doogie and keep an eye out for Dr. Scholl.