The cold morning of Feb. 1 started out as an ordinary day for Crystal Wisniewski, but ended up being the day that would forever change her life. The pretty 2002 Mount Pleasant graduate was on her way to classes when she was involved in a minor car accident. She was treated at the hospital and released, but after feeling ill for several days, returned to the hospital for testing. A CT scan revealed that Crystal had indeed suffered a concussion, but the tests also showed she had a small spot that was later determined to be a cavernous angioma, which left untreated, can cause headaches, strokes, seizures or in some cases, hemorrhages. She was operated on the morning of March 20, and to date is doing remarkably well. I've had the pleasure of meeting Crystal, and she is a sweet, kind and intelligent young girl, with dreams of dancing again, her lifelong passion. She also enjoys poetry and is a published poet with the International Society of Poetry, an honor student and a three-year member of Who's Who. A very long leave of absence from her job as a pharmaceutical technician and related financial hardships led friends and family to organize a fund-raiser to help Crystal through her tough times. Starting at 5 p.m. this Saturday, a fund-raiser will be held for Crystal at the Bier Haus, located east of Mount Pleasant, in Ruffsdale, Route 31. Food and entertainment by DJ's J.J Enterprises will be included in the admission fee of $10. Cash bar will be available. This event will be held, rain or shine, but Bier Haus owner James "Jake" King is hoping for nice weather as a very large crowd is expected. So come on out and have some fun and help out a wonderful girl. Crystal's mom Melanie states, "We are all just so overwhelmed by the generosity of family and friends. Everyone has been great." All proceeds for the evening will go to Crystal. For those who can not attend but may still want to contribute, checks can be sent to: Crystal Wisniewski, 740 N. Church St., Mount Pleasant, Pa. 15666. Congratulations to the Mount Pleasant Junior High Quiz team who recently placed first in the recent District Quiz meet held at the Mount Pleasant Junior/Senior High School. Team A of Mount Pleasant defeated Team A of Franklin Regional in a very close match to win the tournament. Members of the team are captain Ryan Lehman, Meaghan Cutlip, John Kopcho, Nathan Forbes, Alex Marinchak, Joe Vasinko, and Caz Bejger. This was teacher sponsor Wendy Planinsek's first year as quiz coordinator. Way to go to all! In the mood to "rummage around?" I got a couple places where you can do just that. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at the Good Shepard Lutheran Church, located on Main Street, there wll be a spring rummage sale. Also, from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, the United Methodist Church, located at the corner of College Avenue and Main Street, will be holding a rummage and bake sale. Once again I'm telling "ya'll" to "head for the hills." No, not to make a run for it, but to shop of course. From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 to 5 p.m. Sunday, several businesses and shops, located in the beautiful Laurel Mountains, will hold its second annual "Spring in the Mountains." All participating businesses invite you to join them for "open house." Raffles, give-aways and samples will be available. Look for the big yellow sign signifying a participating business. Most businesses are located along Route 31. Starting on Monday, the bingo at St. Pius is getting a whole new face. The bingo is now all paper, so leave those nasty bingo chips at home. Admission is $10 for a basic package, which includes cards for 20 regular games and five specials. Each regular game is $60 and the specials are $100 for the first four and the final special will be an escalating jackpot starting at $500. Early bird packages are also available for $5, and additional packages for regular games can also be purchased. "Quickie" games will be offered during the regular games and one double bingo, winner take all, will be played. One late bird worth 75 percent of the take will be played at the end of the evening. Doors open early, with early birds starting at 6:45 p.m. and regular games immediately following. Weekly and monthly door prizes will also be awarded. Pop and snacks are available, and coffee is free. Don't forget the famous St. Pius pizza which is available for sale during bingo to be enjoyed while playing or to be enjoyed at home. For pizza orders, phone 724-547-0950 from 2 to 9 p.m. with orders to be picked up after 4 p.m. No orders for pizza will be taken after 9 p.m. Kudos go to Mount Pleasant Area Junior Jared Smartnick for breaking the schools Track and Field pole vault record last Friday in a tri-meet against Connelsville and Elizabeth Forward. Great job Jared! Don't feel like cooking tomorrow• Well there's no need to. St Pius is offering three great meatless meals for eat in or take out. Cost is $6 for adults, $3 for kids 3 to 12 and under 3 eat free. You can order an entire meal to take out or just an entree. Each entree is $2. Stop in at the St Pius Social Hall to enjoy a great homemade Lenten meal or phone 724-547-0950 for take out orders. Have a great week! I can be reached at mptownnews@aol.com or 724-547-0785 Forbes is a Mount Pleasant resident.

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