Just The Fries, Please

I am out of shape.

Seriously, it has been too long since I last road a roller coaster. Forget about me getting on the Steel Curtain. I can't even do the Thunderbolt.

Maybe I'm exaggerating, but you can't take a decade break from riding coasters and then just jump right back in. Don't get me wrong. There have been a couple Racer runs and maybe one Jack Rabbit adventure since 2009 but not enough to keep me in shape.

The problem is my teens do not like roller coasters and my youngest isn't tall enough. My older kids fall into that category of people who could live, dare I say it,  without Kennywood. Sounds crazy, right? (Although, they would probably go there to get the Potato Patch Fries.)

I've tried for years to get them to go on coasters and at least I got them on the Racer and Jack Rabbit once. But that's where the fun ends. During the summers, when my family has been at Kennywood, there have not been opportunities when my husband and I were able to ditch the kids and just take off for the Thunderbolt or Phantom's Revenge (previously known as the Steel Phantom.)

These are rides he and I enjoyed at one time. Heck, we even spent the day at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg BC (Before Children) and road EVERY coaster, even the ones that go upside down,  multiple times!

Well, that was then. This is n-OW. He and I had the chance to do something we haven't done probably since the late 90s. Go to Kennywood alone. It was a much needed kid free afternoon and I thought, "What better way to loosen the knots in my neck and shoulders than by strapping myself to the Thunderbolt?"

Yes, the Thunderbolt was my first choice because it is the ride I've missed the most. But due to long lines and wait times on a beautiful Sunday, late in the season, it became our only ride. And boy, was that 1 minute and 48 second trip, up hills and down dales, an eye opener.

I screamed almost the whole time, partially because I forgot what it was like and secondly because I seriously thought something was going to get dislodged - my neck bone, backbone or pelvis. I didn't remember that many hills and I certainly didn't remember the part - like the Jack Rabbit - when you hit a double dip and almost fly out of the car.

Of course these are the things that make it fun but when we pulled back to the station it took me a few seconds to get out of the ride. My husband and I kept shaking our heads in disbelieve that we even presumed we were primed to take on the Thunderbolt after such a long absence. As we disembarked, he wanted to know if I wanted to go get our fries and I said, "I'm gonna need to walk for a bit."

When we finally did sit down to eat, we were plotting out our next move. I really wanted to hop on my all time favorite ride the Bayern Kurve but we knew we needed to ease back into riding - especially after just eating. I suggested the Merry-Go-Round or the new Thomas Train.

His reaction made me laugh out loud. "Ohhh, the train! Let's do the train." This coming from a guy who tackled Busch Garden's Alpengeist - which climbs to 195 feet and hurtles riders through six staggering inversions at speeds up to 67 miles per hour. Of course, I have no room to talk. I was right with him.

So we made our way over to the train and upon seeing at least four rides worth of people already in line - we decided to pass. Although, we did watch a train load of people pull out of the station and we waved to them as they went on their way. Does that count?

As luck would have it, by the time we got to the Bayern Kurve it was closed for maintenance. My husband looked at me and said, "Are you ready to go?" To which I replied, "Almost. We still have to go to our place."

Almost 22 years ago, back when the ski lifts were still running, I had my best Kennywood date ever. My boyfriend, at the time, and I drove from Johnstown to West Mifflin and spent the entire day at the park. We rode just about everything but my favorite memories include: riding the lift, eating ice cream sundaes by the lagoon, and sitting by the fountain (tucked away near the Bumper Cars) and tossing wish pennies.

That boyfriend, now husband, may have only rode one ride with me last Sunday, but we still made penny wishes at the fountain. I don't remember what I wished for 22 years ago and if my wish ever came true but one thing is for certain - I still have the best date.

Mary's Vine To Open Friday

There is a famous movie quote "If you build it they will come." That has sort of been the philosophy of the family behind Mary's Vine - a wine lounge set to open in the former Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Rankin. The dream began in November of 2017 and now, in just a few days, the Stasinowsky/Smith family will be welcoming their first customers.

"Pittsburgh is ready for this," says Cheryl Stasinowsky, project overseer and chief executive officer of Fine Wine Cru, LLC, who along with her husband, Wally, have been navigating an uncharted path, along with their son, Jordan, and daughter, Amber Smith, and son-in-law, Daniel, to make their dream come true.

This dream has come with high risk. Four family members uprooted their lives in California to make a new life in Pennsylvania. (Jordan had already been a resident of the Burgh working as a financial advisor for PNC Investments.) The dream also meant putting every penny they had into the mission of giving this former Croatian Catholic church a new purpose and making it, once again, a destination where memories could be made.

"We are trying to do things that are just out of the ordinary for Pittsburgh. It doesn't mean that what Pittsburgh does isn't good. We have to be different to get them out here," explains Cheryl, who says her family just really wants people to enjoy wine.  This desire will be felt from the minute a person arrives at Mary's Vine. From the valet experience to the first glimpse of the lounge through the clear glass doors, people will feel like something special is about to happen.

Jordan Stasinowsky has been the driving force behind making wine accessible to every level of wine enthusiast and at every budget. He is a certified specialist of wine and is currently studying to be a Level 2 sommelier.  He, along with the rest of his family, have tried thousands of wines over the past eight months, 2200 to be exact, to find the perfect vintages to offer at Mary's Vine.

There will be just over 70 wines by the glass and 350 different bottles, which have not only been Stasinowsky approved, but also come recommended by people across the world who drink wine, not manufacture it. Jordan is currently working with eight suppliers to allow Pittsburghers a passport free trip to vineyards around the world.

"He is going to do flights. You can try a Merlot from California. You can try a Merlot from France, and you can try a Merlot from Chile, so you can try the same wine variety from different countries and see what the difference is," says Cheryl. 

But the Mary's Vine experience will also include the use of a customized app, developed by Jordan and his brother-in-law Daniel,  that will allow even the most sheltered wine drinker the chance to try something new, based on their answers to a couple of questions. The app will guide the user to chose a particular vintage and that bottle will be brought to the table, poured in person, and tasted by the consumer before an entire glass is poured. A variety of cocktails and other beverages will also be available for purchase. 

Wine by the glass will run from $10 to a higher end $30 to $40. There will also be the option to try a glass of champagne, which is normally not something a wine lounge can offer, but the Rankin venue will utilize state of the art vacuum seal technology that aids in the preservation of wine remaining in an opened bottle.

Once you select your wine, the next step will be choosing what to eat. The Mary's Vine menu has just been perfected thanks to the addition of Executive Chef Alexander Fitz, a Mount Lebanon native, who has a background in rustic Italian cuisine. Fitz most recently worked for Common Plea catering where he did really upscale and large events at the Heinz History Center and Heinz Hall.

"I've always been about good food and the fact that it can be pretty simplistic and still very elegant and taste very good," explains Fitz, who understands his food will work to complement the wine Jordan has selected and help elevate the Mary's Vine experience. The menu will include items like sliders and flatbreads, fondues and charcuterie boards, prepared by a cheese monger, featuring cheeses you can't get in Pittsburgh.  But there will also be meal selections that will appease each palette and price point.

Fitz says, "It's neat and challenging for me because of what they want to do with it bringing in these wines from different regions around the world and trying to match cuisines with it. Eventually, they are going to get to a part of the earth I'm not familiar with so I'll have to do some research."

The final inspections have been completed at Mary's Vine -  everything from the handicapped ramp to plumbing to food services. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board inspection allowed for the delivery of more than 4,000 bottles of wine in a short span of time. Now the team is putting the rest of the puzzle pieces together that will lead to a soft opening this week, for financers, laborers and local officials - a trial run before the official opening on Friday, August 30.

Social media has played a large role in getting the word out about the Stasinowsky/Smith project. Frequent updates on their Facebook page have illustrated, step by step, how the wine lounge has taken shape. A recent post featured a time lapse video of the flooring being installed. The interest sparked through the unique church transformation leads Cheryl and the Mary's Vine team to believe, with seating available for 97, people will have to be patient.

"There will be a wait probably for the first 6 months. When we post something there are 8,000 people that view it. It's a good problem to have."

There will be live jazz five nights a week featuring local musicians and the first 3 months are already booked. For people who come to check out Mary's Vine, a front covered patio will allow parties to enjoy a glass of wine while they wait to be seated. The valet parking lot is taking shape - where the Mary's Vine experience will begin.

"You'll greet an owner at parking. You'll greet an owner at the hostess. I am working the red wine station. We are all working it," explains Cheryl, who adds that Jordan will float around assisting servers, when needed, and making himself available to share. with others, his knowledge and passion about wine.

And as Chef Fitz will tell you, he's already picked up on the family's determination, even in the short time he has been part of the team. "There is no accepting anything but seeing this work."

That Senior Feeling

By the time you are reading this, I will probably be on my second box of tissues.

Today, August 22 is the last first day of school for my oldest child. I remember finding out, when he started kindergarten, he would be in the class of 2020. It seemed light years away. So far down the road. When he was in first grade, he and members of his future graduating class walked across the football field as part of the homecoming football game festivities. Two kids stood on either side of a banner that read, Baby Wildcats Class of 2020.

His high school senior year was always so far down the road until, it wasn't. When he was a sophomore, I thought, "Oh, that's two years away." Then when he was a junior, it was getting eerily close, but it was still a year away. Now - there is no where to run or hide. It is here and it doesn't take much for waterworks to flow.

I am not really sure the exact reason I cry. He is my first graduate-to-be so I am sure that plays a part. There is also the age factor. "I can't possibly be old enough to have a child that is going to be finishing high school." Then there is the diminishing mom role. "He isn't going to need me anymore."

Yes, I sound like a lady that has a lot of issues but please, cut me some slack. I've never done this before. I want to be happy about this year of lasts but I'm an emotional kind of gal.

I've got a tear reserve that you wouldn't believe. I cried so hard after seeing the blockbuster movie Titanic you would have thought I knew Jack and Rose personally. I cry during animated movies, Hallmark commercials and a song on the radio can trigger a double tissue moment. (My husband is a lucky guy, right?)

I know I'm not alone right now.  It's not like I have a kid who is going to Mars. Other parents have been through this and many more will go through it after me. But just when I think I've got a handle on things, something triggers my reserve. A letter from the school - your deposit for your cap and gown is due. A Facebook post about the band senior banner pictures. Picking out a shirt for his last first day of school. Ugh....

So yes, today is going to be tough. But I am going to have to put together a strategy to survive the next ten months. I'll be asking around to see how others made it through but apparently, I need to focus on the realities which have been clouded by the emotions.

 1. My son will still need me - let's face it. He doesn't have his license yet. He doesn't cook real well and knowing where things are - not his strong suit.

 2. He has worked hard. He deserves to see where this year will take him. I tried to talk him out of calculus and into an easier class but he didn't want to hear it. That says something. Who knows what choices he'll make that will result in a door opening for him. It's like waiting to find out what new shows/movies will drop on Netflix at the start of a new month. Stay tuned.

 3. Yeah, I miss his baby days but now, the house smells a lot better and I can actually understand what he is saying. He knows how to make me laugh and that is a gift worth its weight in gold.

4. No one wants to stay in high school forever. I couldn't wait to graduate and start fresh and reinvent myself. My son will soon get to do that and there is no better feeling when you've been stuck in the same hamster wheel for 12 years.

So as we keep moving forward, I'll try to cry less. (No one likes a downer.) I want to try to celebrate the happiness in all we've experienced, and in all the memorable experiences awaiting us this year. As Dr. Seuss or Harvey Mackay once stated, "Nobody said it’d be easy, they just promised it would most likely be worth it.”

First day of 3rd grade

A Devastating Loss

In the 44 years I've been alive, gun violence has not affected me personally.

Until last weekend.

This is a bit surprising since I frequent one of the most dangerous cities in the country a couple times a week. The National Council for Home Safety and Security lists McKeesport as number 4 on their list based on recent shooting statistics.

I grew up in McKeesport and my parents still live there. On Saturday, a gun shot victim was found in a garage I used to walk past each Tuesday when I took piano lessons back in the early 80s.

Even though this fatal shooting happened in a place I can visualize and am familiar with, the victim was unknown to me. But just hours earlier, in a nearby community, there was another shooting. This one happened in a place I am not familiar with, but the victim - I knew. In fact, he recently left me a few voicemails regarding a suggestion for a possible newspaper article.

I am not going to pretend I knew Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire very well. In fact, since we met back in 2015, I've probably talked to him less than ten times. But replaying his phone messages, this past weekend, brought tears to my eyes. He called me Kris, which is typically done by family, he thanked me for my hard work and ended the call with God Bless You.

For those of you who did not know him, Rev.  Stoudemire started his street ministry in 1993. He worked within communities of Allegheny County when things got rough.

 "I go where the homeless are at, I go where the drug dealers are at, where the gang members are at, where the disinherited are at," said Stoudemire during a recent interview.

He was an ordained Baptist minister but his credentials went further than that. He was an author, boxer, army ranger, and a graduate of the FBI Citizens' Academy. He had been involved with Mad Dads (Men Against Destruction, Defending Against Drugs and Social Disorder) street patrols, volunteering at the Salvation Army in Braddock, and teaching anti-bullying classes.

As I tried to make sence of him losing his life to the kind of violence he tried to prevent, I said to my husband, "This is such a devastating loss to the community." My husband said, "Every loss of life is a loss to the community."

Rev. Stoudemire was a person who sought out the forsaken, those written off by others, those deemed a menace to society. It takes a special kind of person to do that. He was trying to make a difference in ways that often went under the radar and for what? For this to happen? To have his mission cut short at age 57? I am sorry, but this just doesn't make sense. Why him? Why now?

Working in the news business, I've become desensitized to the shootings, the violence, the death. You almost have to to be able to do the job. I have spoken with mothers who have lost sons and daughters, men who have lost brothers and sisters, teens who have lost siblings. Rev. Stoudemire was out there trying to prevent another person from experiencing the unfathomable loss these people have endured and in doing so, sacrificed his own life.

Being a practicing Catholic, I took some time to talk to God. As a person of faith, I was taught to believe everything happens for a reason, at its right time and for a greater purpose but I said, "I'm sorry, God, I think we needed the Reverend here."

I replayed in my head the last time I saw Rev. Stoudemire. It was at his boxing studio in Homestead. I recall taking his photo for the Braddock mayoral candidate article I was writing at the time and agreeing to eventually do a story on the kids that come to the E. 9th Avenue gym. I was in a hurry that morning as we were going to press before noon. I feel badly looking back that I was rushed to get on my way. But how was I to know that would be the last time we would speak in person?

Social media was lit up over the weekend with stories from people who have been touched by Rev. Stoudemire. People, who like me, were trying to make sense of it all. Just trying to process. But some, while grieving, talked about moving forward. The 'what do we do now?'

One person wrote, "We can't give up."

And that part is true. All Rev. Stoudemire's hard work cannot be in vain. But whatever happens next, it seems like there will be one more guardian angel that has joined the fight. And who knows, that angel, added to the many others, may be just what was needed to help guide the work that needs to be done within our communities and in our hometowns.
,
God bless you, Rev. Stoudemire.