Starry, starry nights...

Good things...after a few hectic weeks that included a very, very scary episode of extreme health issues for my mother-in-law, my husband and I were able to sneak away for a mini-vacation. Well, it was sort of a vacation because I was doing research for articles, but it was great fun because we were able to explore our beautiful state of PA!

One of the best places that we discovered is Cherry Springs State Park, one of the best star gazing sites in the nation. Read more here:

http://cranberry.patch.com/articles/day-tripper-goes-star-gazing

Good people...we love the folks of PA and on our little trip, we met many wonderful people who assisted us with directions, information, etc.

Good times...being with Paul is always a good time for me. We saw a bear while hiking and we both thought it was great fun - other people may think it is nutty to see a bear while hiking!

I hope that you have a loving partner like mine.

They did it!

Last week, I wrote about Robert Faulkner who was attempting to walk 24 hours straight in the Relay for Life in Cranberry Township here in the Pittsburgh area and about Mike Lloyd who was riding from DC to Pittsburgh to raise money for Camp AIM for the YMCA.

Both were going to do these tasks in record breaking temperatures and humidity typical of the Caribean.

Well, they both did it! Kudos to these two men who despite their own physical discomfort, kept at it and succeeded for a great cause!

They did good things, are good people, and had good times - maybe a few tough ones as well - but they did it.

Read more about Mike Lloyd's trip: http://upperstclair.patch.com/articles/upper-st-clair-man-bikes-from-dc-to-pittsburgh

Are these guys nuts or what?

Good things, good people, good times...I am finding more and more that my three topics blend into one. Take this week - I want to tell you about two guys who will be taking on tremendous physcial challenges for people they love.

As you may know, we are having extreme heat conditions in Western Pa. Despite the heat warnings, Mike Lloyd will be taking on the second leg of his Visionquest 2011. Mike has volunteered to undertake three challenges to raise money for Camp Aim, a camp for children with disabilities. The first leg was the 35-miles-in-one-day Rachel Carson Trails Challenge which he successfully completed in June.

This weekend, along with his law partner, Mark Coulson and brother-in-law Jerry Tucker, he will be biking 350 miles from Washington, DC to Pittsburgh along the C&O Canal and Allegheny Passage. You can follow their progress on Twitter at Moondog23p.

The second guy that I want to tell you about is Rob Faulkner whose wife Sharon is fighting brain cancer. Rob will be walking/running 24 hours in the Relay for Life in Cranberry Township in honor of his wife. Read more: http://cranberry.patch.com/articles/relay-for-life-supports-cancer-research-education-advocacy-and-services.

These are good guys, doing good things. Let's hope they have good times doing it!

Cindystock rocks on to help cancer survivors and their families

Good things, good people, good times....How about opening up your backyard for a concert to honor a good friend? That is what Cindy and Ted Yates did!

Read more: http://sewickley.patch.com/articles/cindystock-rocks-on-to-raise-support-for-cancer-research-and-awareness.

The dynamo behind "Cindystock," Cindy Yates, has organized a huge backyard concert for several years to raise over $40,000 for those facing cancer and their families.

If you live in the Pittsburgh area and are free, please try to attend. If you don't live in the Pittsburgh area, maybe you can help an organization in your area that helps cancer survivors and their families.

No matter where we live, we can all do something positive!

FairPlay creates awareness, honors legacy of Emma

FairPlay on Saturday, July 9th in Emmerling Park


Good things and good people...this is a blog about "good"....obviously from the title, you can figure that out.

But sometimes, life is hard.

Three years ago, Joe and Shannon Bursick lost their beautiful 7-year-old daughter, Emma, to Sudden Unexplained Death to Epilspy (SUDEP).

To honor Emma and to raise awareness about SUDEP, the Bursicks created FairPlay, a day of fun activities for the whole family.




You can read more about the event here:
http://pine-richland.patch.com/articles/fairplay-brings-awareness-raises-money-for-sudden-unexplained-death-in-epilepsy.


Good times...If you live in the Pittsburgh area, I urge you to bring your family to FairPlay for a good time and a good cause. If you don't live in Pittsburgh, you can read more about Emma at For information, visit www.fairplay-event.org or www.emmabursick.org.

Good things...I feel like I am always in a rush. You know the feeling. But I found the Positivity Blog - a great resource that offers little bits of advice - how to slow down, how to remain positive, how not to be overwhelmed. It is worth subscribing and picking up a few tips! http://www.positivityblog.com.

Good people...My husband and I have been involved with the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy for a few years now and have met some really great people. Let's face it, people interested in the environment and hiking are usually good people. Last weekend was the Challenge, a 34-mile-in-one day hike and I wrote about one of thos hikers last week (see previous blog). A friend of ours that we know on several levels also did the Challenge and we are so proud of him! Look how good he looks and he is hiking 34 miles! Joe and his wife will also be hosting Fair Play next week and I will blog more about that. Stay tuned!

Another friend of mine completed the half-challenge. She is a cancer survivor and one of the kindest people I have ever met. Marie, you rock!

Good times...Went to Hartwood Acres last night with my husband. For those of us lucky enough to live in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, we get to go to free outdoor concerts on Sunday evenings. Can't wait for Mary Chapin Carpenter on July 17th!

What is your Visionquest?

Good things...this year marked the 15th year of the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge. Over 600 folks attempted to hike over 34 miles in one day. It sounds grueling and it is, but year after year, folks take on "The Challenge." It is a great event and you meet great people.

Good people...one of these crazy folks is Mike Lloyd, an attorney from Pittsburgh who completed the Challenge as the first leg of his three-part "Visionquest." Mike is raising money for Camp AIM, a program for special needs children at the South Hills YMCA. Read more about Mike at www.upperstclair.patch.com.


Good times...the Rachel Carson Trail Challenge brings out over 900 hikers and 200 volunteers. Without the volunteers, there would be no Challenge. Everyone pulls together for this great event that raises awareness and money for the trails while promoting physical activity. It is a Challenge, but also a connection of great, like minded people.

What is your visionquest???