Posted 11/10/2025
Congratulations Dawn
Congratulations to Dawn Matchette who received Employee of the Quarter at the Merakey AVS Windy Ghoul Home in Western PA. Other winners this quarter include:
- Aniajay Allison from Wiltshire,
- Brittany Green from Coleman, and
- Melissa Steele from Ewings Mill I.
Senior Director-Residential Stacey Speer shared:
“These staff are some of the hardest working people at Merakey AVS. They are always willing to help wherever and however they can, with smiles on their faces. These staff are a positive example of teamwork, and AVS would not be the same without them. I am grateful and proud to have them on the Merakey AVS Team!”
Slippery Rock Haunted House
Slippery Rock Program Instructor Cindy Solman led a group to transform her area into the Annual Haunted House at the Slippery Rock Program Center. She and her crew did an excellent job creating a fresh new theme – a haunted carnival. There were creepy clowns and jump scares galore. Everyone had a great time going through the attraction.
Slippery Rock Dinner Dance
Harmony SFR Program Lead Jamie Surrena works hard every year to put on the Halloween Dinner Dance for all the individuals in the Slippery Rock Area. Everyone had a great time showing off their costumes, dining on pizza and other treats, and dancing to the music. It was howling good fun.
Halloween Celebration
Poplar Program Lead Thomeisha Penn opened her home for a festive Halloween celebration with the Seemore ladies, staff, and family members. Everyone rocked matching Halloween pajamas while enjoying themed activities, delicious treats, and great conversation.
Pumpkin Decorating Contest
The classrooms at the Kennedy and Edward J. Zapp Program Centers showed off their creativity with a pumpkin decorating contest. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and to the winners for their festive designs.
Haunted Hallway
Patricia Hillman Miller Campus held its annual Haunted Hallway display, welcoming individuals, staff, and families to walk through and enjoy some Halloween chills and thrills.
Hummelstown Nurses
Trick or treat, nursing can’t be beat! The Hummelstown Campus nurses rocked their medication-themed Halloween shirts.
Halloween Dance
Individuals and staff from Merakey AVS Allegheny and Beaver County homes in Western PA joined in the fun at the annual Halloween Dance at the Edward J. Zapp Center. Everyone dressed up, danced to the tunes of DJ Joe, and enjoyed some spooky refreshments. It was a frightfully good time for all.
Trunk or Treat
On October 31 Capital Region and Merakey AVS central waiver programs had a Trunk or Treat sponsored by the Consumer Advisory Board. Several individuals went all out and dressed up for the occasion. In addition to stopping at each trunk for a treat, hot dogs, chips and a drink were served. Due to the high winds, the group moved the food inside but still had a good turn out and everyone came with an appetite.
Branchton Fall Events
The gentlemen and staff from Branchton home have been making the most of the beautiful fall weather with a variety of adventures. They kicked off the season at Steele’s Brushes and Ceramics where they painted ceramic pumpkins. The group had a blast visiting several Spirit Halloween Stores in search of the perfect costumes, followed by trips to Sorgel’s Pumpkin Patch & Petting Zoo and Emmett’s Orchard, where they sampled tasty apple treats and met some friendly farm animals.
Back at home, the crew decorated scarecrows using old clothes and showed off their artistic side by painting pumpkins for Halloween. To top it all off, they visited The Butler Institute of American Art, where they enjoyed the funny mirrors and admired a variety of amazing artwork and displays. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the fall season.
Hummelstown SpookyFest
What was a-brewing at AVS Hummelstown Campus was a Spooky Fest! The event was a spooky delight, complete with sensory bins, sand art, pumpkin painting, live animals, pumpkin bowling, a Jenga competition, Karaoke, costumes, and a haunted house.
Pittsburg Campus Trick or Treating
Individuals from the Merakey AVS Pittsburgh Campus celebrated Halloween in costume and went trick-or-treating throughout the campus homes and buildings.
