NEIGHBORS

August 21, 2010 Last Updated: August 21, 2010 02:48 PM Neighbours

Dee Markus

Deritch "Dee" Markus of Butler was honored by Talk Magazine as one of Pittsburgh's Minority Achievement Award winners for her contributions to La Roche College and her local community.Markus graduated in 2007 from La Roche with a bachelor's in psychology. She works as a career counselor at the college. She served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years.She was nominated because of her active role in young people's lives and her dedication to work, family and community. Markus is a certified counselor in the areas of substance abuse, family and career. She is a certified paralegal and court reporter. She is an active community volunteer.———On Aug. 12, the winners at the Butler Duplicate Bridge Club were:First:

Don Toy and

Alex BeallesTied for second:

Bill Stewart and

Alan Martin and

Yvonne Coursen and

Ray Kramer———

Fred Callihan of Chicora received the 2010 American Legion Distinguished Service Award presented at the American Legion 92nd Annual Convention July 18 in Harrisburg.The award is in recognition of accomplishments within the American Legion organization and community service activities.Callihan led the $100,000 Chicora Community Honor Roll Renovation Drive.———Employees studying to advance their careers in health-related fields received scholarship awards totaling $17,500 from the Butler County Health Care Consortium.Applicants must be employed in health care at the same time that they are enrolled in a post-secondary education program.The consortium selected Cara Banks, Newhaven Court; Christine Cassioli, Concordia Visiting Nurses; Beth Herold, VNA Complete Care; Brendan Kelley, Gateway Hospice; Erin Marie King, Newhaven Court; Valerie Schubert, VNA Hospice; Mary M. Shannon, Penn North Centers for Advanced Wound Care; Autumn Wonderling, Chicora Medical Center; and three others who work at Fair Winds Manor, The Lowrie House, and Worthington at Adams.———-Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th, presented official Senate proclamations to members of the Humanitarian Artists of Pittsburgh Aug. 8 at its inaugural Faces and Places of the Black and Gold event held at La Roche College to benefit the Homeless Children's Education Fund of Pittsburgh.The Humanitarian Artists of Pittsburgh is a coalition of three artists (and one honorary) with Pittsburgh roots who came together to help raise funds for local nonprofits.The artists include Willie Hobbs of Butler, Charles Ott of Pittsburgh, and Denny Karchner, of New Port Richey, Fla., and Cody, Wyo., formerly of Clearfield. Larry Klukaszewski of New Kensington is the honorary member.