September 2018 Qtrly HD Newsletter Final

Upmc HelpDesk Newsletter Providing ‘World Class’ Service One Interaction At A Time September Qtrly 2018 Edition 1

UPMC Help Desk NewsletterThis newsletter is about you, me, and all of us. It’s about the work we do everyday, the people we work with and the things that matter to us. It provides a forumfor highlighting our achievements and milestones as we continue to provide worldclass service ‘one interaction at a time.’ Table of Contents Page 4 Page 4Welcome Ashley Main our new Help Desk Agent Page 4Welcome Jeff Split our new Help Desk Agent Page 5Welcome Richard Magnelli our new Help Desk Agent Page 5Welcome Brandi Gilliam our new Help Desk Agent Page 5Welcome Ed Serbin our new Help Desk Agent Page 5Humorous IT Cartoon Page 6Congrats to Adam Cassidy & Taylor expecting first baby Page 7Kyle Lewis My Story My Life My Words Page 8Take a look at all the Fall Festivals 2018 Page 9Thrival Music Festival Page 10Radical Days 2018 Page 11Go Ape Tree Top Adventures! Page 12Renaissance Festival Page 13Irish Festival Page 14Let’s go to Cedar Creek Park Page 15How about Kayak Pittsburgh Page 16Boating at Racoon Creek Park Page 17Gateway Clipper Fleet Cruises Page 18UPMC ChautauquaUPMC Susquehanna2

UPMC Help Desk NewsletterThis newsletter is about you, me, and all of us. It’s about the work we do everyday, the people we work with and the things that matter to us. It provides a forumfor highlighting our achievements and milestones as we continue to provide worldclass service ‘one interaction at a time.’ Table of Contents (cont) Page 19 Page 20Mingo Creek Park Page 21Moraine State Park Page 22McConnells Mill State Park Page 22The right attitude matters on the Help DeskHappy Birthday July, August, & September 3

The Spotlight for this month is on our 5 new Help Desk Agents. Let’s welcome Ashley, Jeff, Richard. So , what can you tell us about yourself? Hi! My name is Ashley and I’m super excited to have joined your team! I moved to Pittsburgh in 2010 with my boyfriend Andrew and my cat Guster. Since receiving my undergraduate degree I’ve been everything from a camp counselor, to a closing specialist at a mortgage re- finance company, to a sales manager and print and marketing supervisor at Staples. In my off time I enjoy crafting stuff from fabric, yarn, or anything else that I can get my hands on (including food – i.e. cooking). I like tinkering basically (your regular Jill of all trades but master of none). I also enjoy reading, watching reruns on Hulu and Netflix, and playing Guild Wars 2, D&D, and board games in general. I’m a bit of a nerd, and a geek both in terms of the pop culture that I like to consume and in my choices of activity. A recent fa- vorite of mine is to go to the 21 and over nights at the Carnegie Museums (mostly the Science Center). Since this is my first job in tech support I’m so excited to learn from eve- ryone here and hope that I might be able to provide some insight as well. My name is Jeff. I live in Beaver, PA. with my wife, Cindy. We have two girls, Stephanie and Samantha. My older daughter lives with her husband, Mike, in Robinson. Samantha is at home with us while she is between schools. We also have two dogs and several cats. My dog is Bucky. He is a 7 year old Rat terrier and loves to chase rabbits. Lashes, an 11 year old toy fox terrier, is my wife’s dog and enjoys her days on the couch.We are from Florida, except for my wife who is from Penn Hills. Most of our family is inFlorida and we love to vacation in Sanibel in the summers. Cindy and I love to bike andkayak in our free time. My name is Richard. I am a new agent with the UPMC Help Desk. Before coming to UPMC, I did IT support and computer operations at Wesco International after getting my associate’s degree at the end of 2015. I’ve also worked as a cashier, seamstress, barista, bicycle courier, and dishwasher in the past. I am very happy to be working with everyone here at UPMC instead of doing all of that. In my free-time, I review music for my blog and collect old video games for various consoles ranging from Atari 2600 to current systems like PS4 and Nintendo Switch. My favorite console to col- lect for is the original Sony PlayStation. In addition to all of that nonsense, I am the front man in a garage/post-punk band, and I create ambient guitar soundscapes in a different solo music project. 4

The Spotlight continued Let’s welcome Brandi, and Ed. So , what can you tell us about yourself? Hello my name is Brandi and I’m a first time mom to a spunky 1 ½ year old boy. I recently moved back home from Orlando, Fl after 18 years. I have been a Helpdesk Analyst for 14 years. My last Help Desk position was working for Disney. I am looking forward to working and getting to know everyone at the help desk. My name is Ed. I am a new agent with the UPMC Help Desk. Over the years I have worked in TV/video production, as a House Manager at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, had different roles in restaurants, and had my own business with college textbooks for several years. My seemingly most intense interests involve music, sports, film, art, and pets/nature (not necessarily in that order). I have met some interesting people and famous celebrities, athletes, and even someNobel prize winners, but I am just as excited to be meeting and getting to know you!My philosophy is “Life...is for learning.” Congratulations Adam & Taylor Adam and Taylor are expecting their first child on September 26. Adam & Taylor didn’t want to know the gender so picked out 2 names - Weston and Adalynn. Taylor’s due date is September 26. All the best to you Adam and Taylor as you wait for the Baby’s big debut! 5

My story, My life, My wordsSubmitted by Kyle Lewis Social Currency Trust eliminates the need for falsehoods and lies. Its value is beholden by those reliable enough to carry it, while be- ing coveted and envied by those who cannot gain it. It is the zeitgeist of the information era. Faults and flaws sculpt the blemished human character. Some desire self-sufficiency, lust for power, and yearn to unshackle their captive hearts or minds. These traits are catalysts for betrayal.Selfishness is the charismatic disease that feeds on earned trust. These individuals use this disease tomanifest into situational villains with visions of self-serving heroics. They stand on their soapbox ofegotism and sing operatic melodies of inflicted drama to the masses. Their tune of contempt and dis-pleasure infiltrate the spirit of the trusting, killing a relationship, leaving a trail of treachery and scarsin their wake.Trust is our most invaluable commodity. We trade upon it when vulnerability is at its peak. It isearned by honorable deeds and promises kept. It is the currency of social interaction. 6

Pittsburgh Fall Festivals 2018 A Fair in the Park - Pittsburgh, PA September 7 to September 9 - Annual contemporary art and craft festi- val in Mellon Park that has been running for nearly 50 years. Steel City Big Pour - Pittsburgh, PA September 15, 2018 - An annual fundraiser for Construction Junction featuring breweries and food vendors, live music, and art plus more! 21+ event - Location: 214 N Lexing- ton St, Pittsburgh PA 15208 Beaver Wine Festival - Beaver, PA - September 15. 2018 - Fifteen local wineries will be on site offering up samples of their products - Location 3rd Street Business District, Beaver Falls, PA Hours 2 - 7 pm. Butler Fall Festival - Butler, PA - September 22, 2018 - Enjoy two stages of live entertainment, arts & crafts vendors, food, kids petting zoo, face painting! Location - Main Street. Hours 11am - 6pm. Taste of Dormont - Pittsburgh, PA September 22, 2018 - Sample foods from local restaurants and try PA wines and Beers. Music from the Good Guys Duo. Location is Dormont Pool - Hours are 5 to 9:30 pm. Tickets are 32.50 per person. Houston Pumpkin Festival - Houston, PA October 12 to October 14, 2018 - 35th annual community tradi- tion since 1984. Located at the American Legion Post #902 Picnic Grounds. Pumpkin contests, food & craft vendors, children’s games, parade, music and entertainment. Admissions is free. Pittsburgh Monster Pumpkins Festival - Pittsburgh, PA October 20 to October 21, 2018 Pittsburgh’s New Signature Fall Festival, features tons of FREE Family Fun including foods and crafts, hay rides, kids zone and plenty of giant pumpkin excitement. Location - 10am to 7pm - Northshore Riverfront Park, 100 Art Roooney Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 Trax’s Farms Fall Festival - Finleyville, PA September 29 to October 28, 2018 Saturday and Sunday - Opens at 10 am closes at 5 pm. Our annual Fall Festival on our 150-year-old farm, is a tradition for many families in the South Hills and greater Pittsburgh area. There’s something for everyone from grandparents to grandkids. Enjoy a hayride ot our pumpkin patch to pick your own pumpkin or see if you can find your way through our giant, 3 acre corn maze! Location is 528 trax Rd. Finleyville, PA 15332 - Phone 412.835.3246 Springhouse - North Strabane Township, Washington County - September 22 to October 31, 2018. Third generation family dairy farm and old fashioned country store and restaurant in North Strabane Township. Fun for all including tractor rides to the Pumpkin Patch, giant hay bales, oh so cute baby animals and 125 character Pumpkin land, corn maze, and petting zoo. Location - 1531 Route 136 Washington PA 15301 email - [email protected] or call 724.228.3339 Hozak Farms - Findlay Township September 30 through October 31, 2018. Free tractor drawn hayrides to pumpkin patch are offered weekday afternoons in October. During the farm’s Fall Festival the fun stuff includes pumpkin and face painting, mazes, pumpkin patch and refreshments. Location is - 488 Anderson Hozak Rd, Clinton, PA 15026 website - [email protected] or call 724.899.2400 7

For information - https://thrivalfestival.com/music-x-art/ 8

To view all events please click on this link (cntrl+ click) RADICAL DAYS 9

991 Tennis Ct Rd, Allison Park, PA 10

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Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9 am to 5 pm General Inquiries - [email protected] 14

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For information visit - https://www.gatewayclipper.com/sightseeing-cruises/three-rivers/ created by Gateway Clipper 16

Congratulations Karie Colburn!Aces Award Recipient UPMC Chautauqua Help Desk 17

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Mingo Creek Park 1327 Venetia Road Finleyville Nottingham Township, PA 15330 Mingo Observatory Star Parties September 7 and 8The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh invites you to a Star Party at Mingo Creek Park Observatory (located in Mingo Creek Park, Mansion Hill Extension, past Shelton 10). Time of Safer Solar Observing is 6pm Time of Night Sky Observing is 8:15pm After dusk observe the wonders of the September night sky. Come see Venus, Jupiter, and its moons. For information call 724.348.6150 19

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McConnells Mill State Park is a 2,546 acres Pennsylvania state park in Perry and Slippery Rock Townships,Lawrence County, Pennsylvania in the United States. The park features a deep scenic gorge with the restored wa-termill and a covered bridge at the bottom, accessible by a roadway that winds between large, room-sized boulderson the hillside. McConnells Mill State Park is along the Slippery Rock Creek just southwest of the intersection of US422 and US 19. McConnells Mill State Park was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and NaturalResources (DCNR) and its Bureau of Parks as one of \"25 Must-See Pennsylvania State Parks\".Hiking and rock climbing - there are several trails in the park, including a pair that leads to a waterfall.The trail system is part of the North Country Trail, the nation longest national Scenic Trail which runsfrom North Dakota to New England. There are two climbing/rappelling areas. Both are only recommend-ed for “equipped and experienced climbers”.Alpha Pass Trail is a moderate 1.5 miles hiking train that is marked with blue blazes.Hells Hollow Trail is an easy 0.5 miles hiking train that begins at the Hells Hollow parking area and fol-lows Hell run to the restored lime kiln and on to Hells Hollow Falls.Kildoo Trail is a moderate 2 miles hiking trail loop. It begins and ends at the McConnells Mill CoveredBridge and flows the banks of Slippery Rock Creek.Slippery Rock Gorge Trail is a \"moderate\" to \"difficult\" trail that is part of the North Country Trail insome places and is marked with blue blazes. The trail passes through several different geological areas.The first portion of the trail is in the upper end of Hell Run Valley. The trail then descends into SlipperyRock Gorge and onto an alluvial flood plain at the bottom of the gorge. 21

Happy Birthday Calling all Authors: July - September Did you ever turn a negative experience into a positiveCharita L. 7/27 Courtney D. 8/29 experience? How did you do it? What was your crazi- est call... Ever? What is your favorite recipe? Do youAnthony W. 7/29 Ed P. 9/11 have a questions you would like to have answered or a Customer Service Tip? We would like to hear fromMike C. 8/5 Rob P. 9/17 you! You can send your submissions for the news- letter to: [email protected] or you can con-Chuck G. 8/22 Bev B. 9/20 tribute anony- mously by drop- Jeff R. 9/29 ping your ideas in the suggestion box located in the kitchen. 22

UPMC Help Desk NewsletterLead Publisher/Editor: Linda EchementAssistant Publisher/Editors: Sherry Stephan,Anthony WashingtonContributors for June 2018 Newsletter:Kyle LewisAdam CassidyJeff SplitRichard MagnelliBrandi GilliamAshley MainEd SerbinContact Us at: [email protected] 23