TO W N TOP I C S
The Moussas owned their downtown
business for eight years, but it was very
much dependent on the work lunch crowd
and the activities that brought people into
the city. COVID took a massive toll, causing
them to close their doors on downtown’s
Palmyra for good.

“I wouldn’t say we were close to giving
up, but we were kind of in a tough spot be-
cause my dad never gave up on the qual-
ity of the food at our old restaurant, even
though the volume of sales went way down
… It just goes against our motto. We strive
for freshness and perfection,” Christian said.

When they saw an open space in South
Hills Village, they realized it was an oppor-
tunity to take their business to where their
customers have gone in this work-from-
home world—the suburbs.

The move paid off. During their grand
opening, they sold out of everything, in-
cluding all 300 pounds of meat that they
had on their skewers.

“Our grand opening was like something
out of a movie … We got a lot of support
from people from the Mt. Lebanon area. It
was so overwhelming. I saw old teachers,
neighbors, friends, everyone,” said Chris-
tian, who graduated from the high school
in 2020.

Business has been good for them since then,
Samir reports, especially on the weekends.

While they continue offering the larg-
er menu from their downtown restaurant
for catering events, they pared a lot of the
menu down for the South Hills Village loca-
tion to include items that are conducive to
the mall environment.

“Shawarma is actually considered a
street food in the Middle East … if you go
out shopping, like in a bazaar for example,
they always have them sitting out. It’s just an
experience that I kind of missed and want
to gift to people—to be able to have good
Mediterranean food when you are out shop-
ping,” said Christian.

Shawarmas are their most popular menu
item, coming in chicken, lamb or beef va-
rieties, all marinated overnight in a special
spice blend. Their falafels and hand-made
baklava are also best-sellers. All of their
food is made with fresh ingredients, using
recipes that have been passed down for
generations. For example, their mujadara
rice is a centuries-old recipe that the Mous-
sas often make at home.

“All of the food is prepared by me,” said
Samir. “It’s the food that I make for my wife
and my son. I’m happy to share it with every-
one here.”
To contact Palmyra with questions or to
inquire about catering, visit the Palmyra
Mediterranean Cuisine Facebook page.

—KATIE WAGNER
Siblings enjoy lifelong sisterhood
Sisters Barbara
and Marcia Harenski
strolled through
Providence Point’s
doors two years ago
during construction of
Hamilton Tower and
asked for a tour.

Today, the two are
fondly known as ‘the
sisters.’ Whether it’s
Barbara and Marcia Harenski
dancing down the
halls or sharing jokes with residents and staff, their vibrant
personalities are now an integral part of the community.

WATER SYSTEM UPGRADE If you notice
a slight change in the way your water tastes
this month, don’t worry. Pennsylvania Amer-
ican Water is making a temporary change
in its water treatment process, from March
14 through April 25, as a part of routine
maintenance of their distribution system.

The company is switching to a form of
chlorine known as “free chlorine,” which
does not contain ammonia. This disinfec-
tant is used to flush water mains and fire
hydrants. During the temporary treatment
change, you may experience a more no-
ticeable chlorine taste or odor in your wa-
ter, but there is no reason for concern. This
temporary condition is due to the switch in
disinfectant types. Pennsylvania American
will switch back to chloramine, which it typ-
ically uses to treat your water. If you have a
health care need that requires purified or
filtered water, you should reach out to your
health care provider with any questions. For
more information and a map of the affected
area, visit Pennsylvaniaamwater.com or call
1-800-565-7292. SPONSORED CONTENT
Other than during their college years, Barbara and
Marcia lived most of their lives together in their family’s
home. They are “attached at the hip,” the sisters say, and
moving to Providence Point was a “no-brainer.” They didn’t
want to burden each other, and needed a plan for their
later years. Providence Point met that need—and more.

Now, whether they’re dominating at corn hole, placing
perfect pitches in bocce, or centering their chakras with
yoga, Barbara and Marcia are the embodiment of active
seniors. Throughout the community, they are recognized as
‘the sisters’ who bring the fun—even dressing as nuns in
habits for last year’s Halloween party.

As Marcia said, there was no adjustment period
needed. “When we moved in, within a day or two, it felt
like home.”
Begin living the retirement you dreamed about.

Call 412.489.3550 or visit www.providencepoint.org
500 Providence Point Blvd.• Pittsburgh, PA 15243
spotlight.indd Magazine
2 18 Adeline
Mt. Lebanon
| MARCH 2022
2/7/2022 9:55:51 AM



JOHN SCHISLER
C.J. Girod, president of Seniors Helping Seniors of Southwestern
PA, with his mother and co-worker, Barbara Green. Seniors Helping
Seniors offers personalized care and companionship for senior
citizens by people in their age group.

[NEW BUSINESS]
Seniors Helping Seniors
After spending nearly 25 years in the fi-
nancial services industry, C.J. Girod wanted
to find work that he could feel good about,
something he was passionate about, and a
job that made him excited to get out of bed
each morning.

Girod, Marlin Drive, always wanted to own
a business and, many years ago, thought
about delving into the senior care industry.

His interest in senior care came from his up-
bringing, where he was taught to respect
older folks and “treat them like gold.”
That stuck with him as he circled back to
the idea of entering the senior care realm
last year. As he looked at different ventures,
he came across Seniors Helping Seniors, and
immediately knew that he wanted to bring
the business to Pittsburgh. In November, Gi-
rod opened a franchise.

Seniors Helping Seniors of Southwest-
ern PA offers a wide range of services from
companionship to homemaking, laundry,
meal preparation, transportation to medical
appointments, grocery shopping and even
light home maintenance and yard work,
along with personal care. It even offers de-
mentia care.

“It’s a care-first mentality,” Girod said. “It is
a business, but profits and growth, all of that
is secondary.”
“We provide compassionate and reliable
care to seniors who need a little help to re-
main independent and age gracefully and
safely in the comfort of their own homes,”
he said.

“We place a great deal of importance on
companionship,” Girod said. “If you think
of folks in their 80s and 90s, as they con-
tinue to age, their social circles continue
to shrink. Our caregivers are active seniors
themselves, so they can relate. They have
some common interests. We provide new
energy and lift their spirits.”
Seniors Helping Seniors hires mature
adults who are looking for some “walking
around money.” But mostly, they’re look-
ing for folks that want to do good and
help others.

Girod’s mother, Barbara Green, a nurse
for 50 years, serves as the company’s care
manager. She sees the benefits of the
company for people as they get older.

Over the years, she’s seen older folks get
lost in the shuffle.

“Seniors Helping Seniors’ mission and
values gets back to what old people need,”
she said. “It’s just like having a friend. They
can really look in your eyes and under-
stand what you’re talking about. Social
interactions are vital for folks as they age.

This helps with that.

“Being able to go to lunch, it’s important
for people to laugh and have a good time.”
—STEPHANIE HACKE
A REFRESHING NEW
LOOK COMING SOON!
Discounted room blocks available
for weddings and special events
Meeting space available
Complimentary breakfast
Complimentary WiFi
Pool and fitness center
Indoor cycling available with
the Peloton Bike
SpringHill Suites by Marriott®
Pittsburgh Mount Lebanon
611 Washington Road | Pittsburgh, PA 15228
412.563.6300 | Marriott.com/PITLE
lebomag.com | 19