Changing fashions
Neckties are no longer ubiquitous accessories for men
By Brad Hundt Staff writer
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
One of tales most often repeated about the Beatles’ earliest days is when they were in London in June 1962 being shown the basics of a recording studio by their urbane producer George Martin, he asked them if there was anything they didn’t like.
George Harrison, who was then just 19, is said to have replied in a thick Liverpudlian drawl, “Well, for a start, I don’t like your tie.”
Sixty years ago, ties like the apparently disagreeable one Martin was sporting were standard gear in recording studios and just about any other white-collar work setting. In fact, they were largely the rule and not the exception into at least the 1980s.
Over the last couple of decades, however, the necktie has lost its ubiquity. Workplaces that once
mandated ties have shed those requirements, and there’s less of an expectation that they should be worn in situations where they once would have been de rigeur. For example, when former President Barack Obama stopped at the University of Pittsburgh in October to stump for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, he went tieless – and went without a jacket, too – throughout his talk. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey was also without a tie, as was Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. Not all that long ago, such informality would have been considered an eye-opening breach of etiquette for public officials. Now, no one bats an eye.
Once an obligatory gift, there were likely many fewer ties under trees this past Christmas than there once were. In fact, Washington County Commissioner Larry
A new rank
Lebo native promoted to rear admiral
By Paul Paterra Staff writer
ppaterra@observer-reporter.com
Mt. Lebanon native Katie Bluemling Sheldon was recently promoted to rear admiral in the U.S. She currently serves as vice commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, an hour-and-a-half south of Tokyo.
When promoted to rear admiral in October, Sheldon became just the third female admiral in the Navy Reserve’s surface warfare community.
“It’s very humbling,” Sheldon said. “To have the Navy recognize my hard work and leadership to promote me to that rank is very humbling because there’s not many people that make that rank. I’m honored to be able to serve in this capacity and have the responsibility that I now have as a rear admiral, leading the Navy and representing the Navy around the world.”
In a recent assignment, Sheldon represented the Navy as a rear admiral in Brunei at the 30th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) maritime exercise.
“I was able to represent the U.S. Navy and command the U.S. Seventh Fleet during this exercise, which was pretty awesome and inspiring,” Sheldon said. “Being the senior ranking Navy officer there was pretty humbling.”
The 1995 graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School has an extensive military career.
She is a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, earning a Bachelor of Science in oceanography.
RANK PAGE A2
Bethel Park native launches first feature film
By Brad Hundt Staff writer
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
With a horror movie under his belt and the last name of Poe, it’s perhaps inevitable to ask Josh Poe if he’s related to Edgar Allan Poe, the ultimate forefather of the macabre.
“I get that a lot, actually,” Poe said. Because Edgar Allan Poe fathered no children, Poe is not a direct descendant, but “we might be distant cousins,” the 25-year-old Bethel Park man explained.
Poe’s possible cousin brought the world “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and Poe is bringing it “House of Tears,”
a murder mystery that has a maniacal slasher, a creepy abode and a cold, stormtossed evening. Inspired by the board game “Clue” and the 1985 movie the game spawned, “House of Tears” is Poe’s feature filmmaking debut. In the Pittsburgh region, it has screened at both the Lindsay Theater in Sewickley and the Parkway Theater in McKees Rocks, and Poe hopes to get it entered into film festivals that are coming up this year. Made for $10,000 over 15 days, directing “House of Tears” was not necessarily a natural step for Poe. When he was a student at Denison Uni-
versity in Ohio, Poe dropped a film production class because “I hated filmmaking.” However, his interest in the medium remained and his major, which he was able to craft himself, combined economics and film history. Though the mechanics of filmmaking may not have been his cup of tea, Poe penned a script, “really liked it,” he said, and started to look around for a director. However, after some urging, he decided to take over directing chores himself, and “I found out I was pretty good at it.”
NECKTIES PAGE A2 SEE FILM PAGE A2
“House
COURTESY OF TOM BLUEMLING
Mt. Lebanon native Rear Adm. Katie Bluemling Sheldon
COURTESY OF JOSH POE
of Tears,” which was inspired by the movie “Clue” and the board game of the same name, is set in a creepy house.
OBSERVER-REPORTER
Ties were once standard for men in leading political or business roles, such as when President John F. Kennedy visited Washington in October 1962.
BRAD HUNDT/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi went tieless at an event for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in Scenery Hill in December.
Poe said that as a director he focuses mostly on actors and how they interpret their characters and leaves the cinematography to Adam Collier, who is also from Bethel Park. Members of the “House of Tears” cast were paid $50 a day, and their ranks include Sheldon Ingram, a reporter for WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. Ingram plays a villain, and Poe calls him “an amazing actor.”
The board game Clue and its questions about whether the likes of Colonel Mustard or Professor Plum committed the murder and whether they used a lead pipe, wrench or candlestick to carry out the dastardly deed has long been a favorite in many households. It was in Poe’s house, and his
Rank
FROM PAGE A1
Neckties FROM PAGE A1
As a surface warfare officer, Sheldon completed three deployments to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf as the damage control assistant on USS Fife (DD991). She also served as a staff watch officer on the Destroyer Squadron 9 and as the assistant first lieutenant on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).
Ashore, Sheldon served as the U.S. Naval Academy Physical Education Department Logistics Officer from 2003-05.
Sheldon, 48, also has received many personal awards including the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Navy Female Athlete of the Year (volleyball) for 2001.
“I spent the first three-and-a-half years of my career on ships out of the Pacific Northwest,” Sheldon said. “Then I went back to the Naval Academy to coach volleyball and teach in the athletic department. At that point, I fulfilled my commitment and went to the reserves from there.”
Sheldon transitioned to the Navy Reserves in 2006, which led to numerous commanding assignments. She served as the Reserve Chief of Staff for the U.S. Third Fleet and now serves as the Vice Commander for the U.S. Seventh Fleet.
Sheldon’s interest in the military stems from her high school days when her father, Tom Bluemling, was the girls soccer coach at Mt. Lebanon. As the players moved on, they returned and shared their stories, intrigued Sheldon.
One player, Stephanie Jardine, eventually matriculated to the Air Force Academy.
“She would come back and talk about all of her adventures,” Sheldon recalled. “That kind of piqued my interest while I was in high school.”
Sheldon took part in a one-week summer program at the Coast Guard Academy and was hooked.
“That kind of solidified that this was something I might be interested in,” Sheldon said.
The transition to the Reserves has provided flexibility in Sheldon’s life as her husband, Vic, also a 1999 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, remains on active duty. It also has provided more stability for a family life. Sheldon returned to school, graduating from Grand Canyon University in 2017 with a master’s degree in education.
“I could be stationed and work where he was working,” she said. “I was able to be with reserve commands everywhere from Italy to Hawaii to Singapore to Japan, just all over the world. I’ve been able to stay in the Navy, but also have been able to pursue another career and was able to teach in California, Hawaii and Virginia. I was able to do that and raise three kids and coach their sports.”
As a reservist, Sheldon does not have to be in Japan full time, as she has a home in San Diego with her husband and their three children, Carson, 16; Kaitlyn, 15, and Kelsey, 12.
When Sheldon thinks about her achievements, she is quick to credit the females who have gone before her, including Amy Bauernschmidt, the first woman to serve as the executive officer and then commanding officer of a U.S. Navy aircraft when she assumed command of the USS Abraham Lincoln in August 2021.
“I think of the women that have gone before me that have made it so much easier for me in this role,” she said. “To think what she’s gone through and what she’s been able to achieve has opened up so many other doors. Being in a country like Japan and Korea or anywhere in the Asian countries, there’s not a lot of female admirals. Very frequently, I’m the only female at the table. It has made it so much easier for me to go into that role with the barriers she has broken and the doors she has opened up.”
Maggi admitted it was the first Christmas in a long time when he did not get a tie, and that he recently decided to count the number of ties he had – 63 –and to donate some of the ones that he no longer wears with much frequency to Washington City Mission. When he first became a commissioner in 2004, “I wore a tie every time I came into the office,” Maggi explained. He noted that ties were once standard attire in the days when he was with the Pennsylvania State Police and was Washington County’s sheriff. He admitted, though, “I do enjoy wearing a tie every once in a while.”
Arguably, no other piece of apparel has carried more symbolic weight but served so little practical purpose as the necktie. When it first emerged in the 1600s, it actually did serve a purpose – Croatian mercenaries wore neckerchiefs when they were on the battlefield in the Thirty Years War, since they held their jackets together and were more feasible than stiff collars. When the mercenaries were presented to France’s King Louis XIV, the boy monarch was taken with them. Just a 10 year-old at the end of the Thirty Years’ War, Louis ordered that what came to be called cravats be worn at all royal events. With the endorsement of the French king, ties became fashionable across Europe.
Over the centuries, ties evolved into the long pieces of cloth that stretch down to, roughly, a man’s belt buckle. From about the middle of the 20th century, the width of ties oscillated, as did whether they were flamboyant and colorful or conservative and somber.
Sales of ties in the United States hit a peak in the mid1990s, when about $1 billion of them were sold. Sales have been steadily declining ever since, and in 2009, there were half as many ties sold as there were a decadeand-a-half before. The reason for the decline? Men’s fashions have been becoming steadily less formal for decades, but the trend was hastened by the tech industry and its titans, who often appeared tieless at high-profile events. Remember Steve Jobs and his black turtlenecks? After all, who has time to wrap a tie around your neck when you’re busy disrupting things? Another blow to the necktie, this one probably even more se-
family was also enamored of the movie “Clue,” which starred Martin Mull and Madeline Kahn. By Poe’s estimate, he’s seen it “probably 100 times.” The “Halloween” movies were also a touchstone, and Poe wanted “the iconography of a mask” in his movie. “House of Tears” also tips a hat to the color-saturated Italian horror movies of the 1960s and 1970s.
“I wanted to do elements of that,” Poe said. This summer, Poe plans to venture to Austin, Texas, to make another movie, this one a foray into film noir. He hopes there will be more screenings of “House of Tears” in the future, including, perhaps, a showing at a restaurant or drive-in theater, and that a distributor will eventually pick it up for streaming.
“I’ve never done anything like this, so I don’t know what to expect,” Poe said.
vere, was delivered by COVID-19. When the white-collar workforce largely retreated to their homes in 2020, the ties stayed in the closet. Even as workers have returned to offices, the ties have remained locked away.
Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell, a fashion historian, told NPR last year, “People have been, of course, predicting the death of the tie for at least a hundred years. But it really picked up after the pandemic. And everybody went back to the office – but the tie did not.”
Ptak’s, a men’s wear store in Uniontown, handles a lot of tuxedo rentals and ties remain a staple, but owner Jarrod Volek has also put items like flannel shirts, vests and jeans in his store “because that’s the way the world is.”
“You look around and it’s flannels and vests,” Volek said. He also noted the trend toward less formal dressing for men also encompasses untucked shirts, for which a whole brand, UNTUCKit, has been built.
Volek pointed out, too, that it has become permissible for men to wear polo shirts underneath suit jackets. His customers still stop by to get ties, suits and other pieces of formalwear, but they usually do so with an eye toward an upcoming funeral, a job interview, a wedding or some other special occasion.
“Everything changes,” he said. “A lot of guys don’t even have a suit.”
Pasquale Calabro, the owner of Pasquale Custom Tailor and Clothier for Men and Women in Peters Township, says that
“in today’s world, people don’t have a reason to have a necktie around,” except for formal events.
“It’s still a valid piece to have in your wardrobe,” Calabro said. “But it’s not what it used to be.” Calabro maintains that ties will never entirely go away, though, and many observers agree with him. So, all the men who flee at the sight of a tie rack shouldn’t count on those cravats being tossed completely into the dustbin of history like stovepipe hats or doublets.
Writing for The Atlantic in 2021, Chrisman-Campbell said, “Men’s fashions will always have a place for ‘prudence and sober judgment,’ even if it’s not necessarily the workplace.”
COURTESY OF JOSH POE
Sheldon Ingram, a reporter with WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh, has a role in “House of Tears,” a horror film written and directed by Josh Poe of Bethel Park.
BRAD HUNDT/OBSERVER-REPORTER
When former President Barack Obama visited the University of Pittsburgh in October on a campaign swing for Vice President Kamala Harris, neither he nor U.S. Sen. Bob Casey wore ties.
South Hills Coin Club to celebrate 65th anniversary
By Jon Andreassi Staff writer
The South Hills Coin Club will celebrate its 65th anniversary with its annual show next month.
The South Hills Coin Club Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 1 at Crowne Plaza Hotel and Suites Pittsburgh South. The hotel is located at 164 Fort Couch Road, across from South Hills Village.
Dave Burdis, treasurer of South Hills Coin Club, said 40 coin dealers will be on hand.
Attendees are welcome to bring coins if they are interested in selling to the dealers. Vendors will be set up in the event space for people to see what they have to offer.
“Any kind of coin you can imagine would probably be there, but mainly American coins,” Burdis said.
Burdis, of Charleroi, said the club started in 1960 with meetings at Bethel Park Presbyterian Church. For the past decade they have met the second Tuesday of each month at the Bethel Park municipal building.
“We have a subject we discuss every meeting … Usually we talk about a particular coin, or a person that was involved in the hobby over the years,” Burdis said.
mission are free. There are also hourly door prizes, and a raffle.
“We’re currently selling tickets for a drawing. If your number comes up you win $500,” Burdis said.
About 350 people attended last year’s show, according to Burdis. Both parking and ad-
More information about the South Hills Coin Club can be found on its website.
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Two SF seniors named to JA 18 Under Eighteen honoree class
Two South Fayette High School students have been named to the Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania 2025 18 Under Eighteen honoree class, presented by the EQT Foundation.
Seniors Nandana Menon and Caroline Praveen are the latest South Fayette students to receive the honor. Since the program’s inception four years ago, South Fayette has had two or more students in each group of 18.
The 18 Under Eighteen program highlights 18 young individuals from across Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia who are breaking barriers and driving innovation while showcasing what it takes to be the next generation of leaders.
The 2025 18 Under Eighteen recognition ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 4 at the UPMC Club at Acrisure Stadium.
Candidates are chosen by a panel of judges in the corporate, nonprofit, community and educational sectors of the region.
Menon is the president of the National Honor Society, the student representative on the school board and a leader in the Technology Student Association (TSA). She also facilitates the Superintendent’s Leadership Advisory Committee.
As a junior, Menon was recognized by Walt Disney World as one of its 100 Disney Dreamers, selected from a pool of more than 10,000 applications. This past summer, she participated in the Bank of America Student Leader program which included an eight-week, fulltime paid internship with the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium.
The internship concluded with a week in Washington, D.C., at a Student Leaders Summit. Only 315 students from among more than 7,000 applicants were invited to this program.
At the end of her junior year, Menon and a classmate earned a $20,000 scholarship
as winners of the 2024 CGI IT Girl Challenge with a program designed to assist those struggling with substance abuse addiction.
Menon also created and launched an autism app along with CGI Autism Development project in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. She leads the Autism Unity Initiative, which provides vital resources and support to individuals
with autism and their caregivers.
Praveen is captain of the South Fayette High School debate team, skills she utilizes as an active participant in the Technology Student Association. As a junior, she earned second place in the state-level Debating Technological Issues category. She also placed first in the state for the Forensic Science category.
During the summer, she was sixth in the nation for
Forensic Science at the TSA national convention.
Praveen also serves as president of South Fayette’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter, and was a committed student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
The immigrant from India is the founder and CEO of the Fluency Forward Foundation, a nonprofit organization working to increase education access in underdeveloped regions and improve the English skills
of immigrant families. She co-organized a charity event celebrating Indian culture that raised $4,000 for rural education in India.
She also supports Pittsburgh’s refugee and immigrant children by teaching conversational English and aiding in cultural assimilation, building deep personal connections with students.
Praveen also is the author of a children’s book titled, “Our Colorful Garden,” which celebrates diversity. Proceeds from book sales are used to
help refugee children through her nonprofit. Menon and Praveen, along with the other honorees, are participating in the Intern to VP Professional Branding and Leadership Development Training Program, presented by Moments of Focus LLC. This program equips students with essential skills in personal branding, professional networking and leadership development. The honorees also are being featured on billboards around Pittsburgh and surrounding areas.
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Nandana Menon Caroline Praveen
sports
Getting ready
BP preps for WPIAL team wrestling tournament
Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
Bethel Park prepared for the WPIAL team wrestling tournament by finishing runner-up at the Allegheny County Championships and by beating Upper St. Clair to claim its second straight section championship.
The Black Hawks placed second (231.5 points) in the team standings during the county championships held Jan. 17 at Fox Chapel. Thomas Jefferson, which enters district team tournament action undefeated overall, won the team title with a 292.5 score. The Jaguars had four individual champions while Bethel Park produced one gold medalist and a pair of runners-up.
With the triumph over the Panthers, the Black Hawks finished first in the Section III standings with a 4-0 mark.
“Both individually and in team competitions, TJ is very, very tough and they will do well,” predicted BP mat boss Tyler Nauman.
Nauman added, “We will wait and see the seed the WPIAL gives us and wrestle whoever is in front of us. I feel if the Hawks wrestle like we can, then we can wrestle with anyone in the WPIAL and most teams in the state.”
Before the WPIAL steering committee met to decide the pairings in the team tournament, the Black Hawks were ranked No. 3 behind Connellsville and unbeaten Franklin Regional. Norwin and Butler rounded out the Top 5 while TJ, North Allegheny, Fox Chapel, Kiski and Trinity were among the other contenders to reach
Pierce Reinhart had his hand raised as the victor and champion again this wrestling season. After winning a title in the Chartiers-Houston Tournament to kick off the 2024-25 campaign, the Bethel Park sophomore won the 121-pound weight class during the Allegheny County Championships.
the semifinals set for Feb. 1 at AHN Arena on the Peters Township High School campus. The championships follow the semifinal matches. The team tournament starts Jan. 27 with preliminary rounds. Quarterfinal action is set for Jan. 29.
The Black Hawks, who finished fourth in last year’s WPIAL team tournament, enter the postseason on a high note as they have several wrestlers hitting their stride. During the county championships, they placed 10 grapplers on the podium.
Pierce Reinhart reached the pinnacle. The sophomore was crowned champi-
on in the 121-pound weight class after he pinned Mt. Lebanon’s Jonathan Emma in 2:55 of the finals.
Reinhart edged Avonworth’s Auston Kosanovic, 5-4, in the semifinals. He used first-period pins against Plum’s Karter Gilliland and Logan Millgan from North Hills to reach the quarterfinals where he scored a tech fall against West Mifflin’s Lashawn Haley.
“Pierce had one goal and that was to come home as the county champion,” said Nauman. “He went out and did just that.
“Pierce wrestled very well putting himself in positions that he liked, could score off
of, and wasn’t in danger of surrendering points. He also stayed offensive,” Nauman continued. “When Pierce is wrestling like this and like he can, he is challenging to beat.”
The fact that Reinhart is a 10th grader doesn’t matter. Nauman says that once his wrestlers are in high school, age or grade is insignificant.
“Freshman wrestle seniors all the time,” Nauman stressed. “Therefore, no matter if you’re a sophomore or a senior you shouldn’t care. It doesn’t matter what grade the person you are wrestling is in as you’re going to wrestle freshmen through seniors all the time.
“Even though Pierce is a sophomore we think highly of him and expect him to wrestle like a senior and like he is the oldest and or the best.”
Nauman predicts future success for Reinhart as he heads into the postseason with a 22-5 record. Reinhart, who is ranked in the Top 5 in the 121-weight class, should fare well particularly when the individual tournaments commence with sectionals at South Fayette on Feb. 15.
The WPIAL and Southwest Regionals will be held Feb. 21-22 as well as Feb. 28 to March 1 at Canon-McMillan High School. The PIAA championships are scheduled for March 6-8 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
“We look for Pierce to continue to dominate and improve,” Nauman said. “We know if he believes in himself and keeps improving he can do big big things this year. We look for a section title and high places in WPIALs, regionals and states.”
Upper St. Clair in a feel-good spot
Panthers still unbeaten after Mt. Lebanon, Central wins
Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
Upper St. Clair started the second half of Section 2 action in Class 6A boys basketball the way it finished the first half. With wins.
On Jan. 14, the Panthers outlasted arch rival Mt. Lebanon, 37-29, and on Jan. 17, they topped Central Catholic, 57-43. The No. 1 ranked Panthers improved to 16-1 overall after topping Canon-McMillan, 65-19, on Jan. 21, where 10 seniors were recognized. Among them were: Tyler Robbins, Julian Dahlem, Kaamil Jackson, Nico Gidas, Shawn Khurana, George Gombar, Dane York Gianni Disora, Holden Rickel and Jake Casares. York and Gombar led the Panthers with 11 and 10 tallies against the Big Macs.
“I feel really good about where we are,” said USC floor boss Dan Holzer. “We are starting to gel and figure things out.”
The Panthers know teams are trying to stop them any way they can. Some like Central Catholic and Imani Christian attempted to stay with them, but to no avail. Some like Lebo adopted a purposeful approach, which the Panthers anticipated.
“Some teams are trying to be patient but we are okay with that because I think we really play good defense,” Holzer said. “Other teams are going to think, ‘Okay, we have to get this game up and down,
the faster the better’ because they can spread us out. We are going to see different types of strategies but we will just do what we do.” USC relies on the strength of Robbins and his little brother, Ryan, on the inside and hot shots like Jake Foster, Jackson, Gidas and Disora on the perimeter as well as Dahlem at the point position.
A 6-foot-10 center bound for Miami of Ohio, Robbins scored his first six points off dunks as he guided the Panthers to a 13-2 lead against Lebo. Robbins tacked on three more points as the margin stretched to 22-14 by halftime. Robbins finished with 13 points but was stymied by Lebo’s collapsing defense in the final 16 minutes of action.
Three-pointers from Foster and Jackson provided the second-half punch offensively for the Panthers while their stingy defense cemented the victory.
“If you want to try and shut down Tyler, then we have guys that can shoot the ball like Kaamil, Niko, Jake, Julian and Gianni,” Holzer said. “Our half-court defense is really, really good though. We pressure the ball well.”
Against Central Catholic, defense and Ryan Robbins were the key factors as USC overcame 12 first-half turnovers. The 6-7 sophomore, who is a force on the football field, led all scorers with 22 points. Robbins pulled down four rebounds and blocked four shots. Gidas was the only other Panther in double digits, finishing with 10 tallies. Tyler Robbins and Foster both chipped in eight markers. Robbins provided 13 rebounds and blocked six shots.
SEE SPOT PAGE B2
Mt. Lebanon making strides on the mats
Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
Mt. Lebanon’s seventh-place showing in the Allegheny County Championship was anything but so-so. It’s an indication of where the wrestling program is headed.
The Blue Devils, who boast 10 sophomores on their varsity roster, put five grapplers on the podium. Three reached the finals and one captured a championship.
Thomas Jefferson won the team title with 292.5 points. Bethel Park claimed runner-up laurels with a 231.5 score. Fox Chapel (220) followed in third place, Lebo finished with 164 points.
“Going into the tournament we talked about getting off to a good start and getting as many guys as possible through that first round with
churning through the wrestle backs towards individual placements will be happy with their team placement at the end of the tournament. I felt like while we wrestled pretty well on the first day, although there were a few guys we would have loved to see get through to day two,” Allemang said.
Jon Emma, Evan Sala and Cole Gibbons all reached the finals while Ben Lloyd and Devin McCauley ended up place winners in fifth and seventh place.
you look at the top 5-6 teams they are loaded with senior talent.
“TJ has an incredibly strong senior class, Bethel Park has an incredibly strong senior class mixed with some really talented sophomores, Fox Chapel has a loaded senior group,’ he continued.
During the county championships Allemang said that “Evan showed what a talent he is and what he is capable of doing on a regular basis and on a big stage.” Allemang predicts Sala and Fisher will meet again during individual competition, which commences with sectionals on Feb. 15 at South Fayette.
a win. For the most part, we were able to do that. We had a fair amount of pins as well,” explained Lebo mat boss Marc Allemang.
Additionally the Blue Devils discussed placement and how critical wrestle backs would be.
“Generally, teams that are able to keep most of their guys
Allemang pointed out that Emma and Sala are sophomore while Gibbons is a junior along with Marcus Rojas and Ben Mares. He noted that Rojas “keeps getting better” and McCauley is “easily one of the hardest workers in the room.”
“We have a fairly young group,” Allemang said. “When
“We are not as deep in senior leadership, but there are good years ahead for Mt. Lebanon wrestling as we continue to move up guys from the junior high and the current group gets a little more mature in their wrestling.”
Sala has blossomed into a strong 127-pound grappler. He started the season by taking third at the Charters-Houston Tournament.
He improved to 11-1 overall after edging Bethel Park’s Colton Fisher, 1-0, to win the Allegheny County crown.
“Colton is a great wrestler and a really good competitor. I think everyone was looking forward to that match up,” Allemang said of the county championship. “They will likely run into each other again at some point, but it is good for Evan to know what he is capable of.”
To reach the finals, Sala won two matches with pins and two by tech falls. He won 3-2 in an ultimate tiebreaker against Fox Chapel’s Landon Funk to advance to the championship bout.
Bethel Park finished runner-up in the Allegheny County Championships. The Black Hawks put 10 grapplers on the podium. Pierce Reinhart won a title at 121 while Colton Fisher and Seth Miller were runners-up at 127 and 133 respectively. Ethan Higgins (third), Hunter Goelz (fourth), Jaden Palomino (fifth), Michael Gibson (sixth), Aden Stout, Caleb Crawford and Ian Bucheli (all seventh).
Mt. Lebanon placed five wrestlers on the podium and finished seventh in the team standings during the Allegheny County Championships held at Fox Chapel. Top finishers pictured included: Devin McCauley (seventh), Ben Lloyd (fifth), Evan Sala (first) Cole Gibbons (runner-up) and Jonathan Emma (runner-up).
ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Julian Dahlem (2) fends off Carter Gould (5) as he drives downcourt during Upper St. Clair’s 37-29 victory against Mt. Lebanon.
Strides
FROM PAGE B1
“His run to the finals was not an easy one. His semi finals match was a gritty, patient win,” Allemang said.
“Evan just stayed calm and composed. He never let his emotions get the better of him during that match and the same was true in the finals. He just kept wrestling through all positions.
“Evan is extremely quick and has great balance. His wrestling IQ is very high,” Allemang continued. “I am excited to see him wrestle down the stretch.”
Emma opened eyes at the county championships. At 121, he gives the Blue Devils a solid 1-2 punch in the line-up. He was 27-9 as a freshman with a second-place showing in sectionals and a fifth-place finish at regionals.
Individually, Emma finished runner-up in the county championships to improve to 19-4 overall.
“Jon is a fast paced wrestler and has a ton of talent,” Allemang said. “He is quick and aggressive. He has the ability to put a lot of points on the scoreboard in a very short amount of time.”
“Give Central Catholic credit. They got after us,” Holzer said. “Our win happens because of Ryan and because of our defense.
“We treat every game as a must-win game. Central was a championship game. People are coming after us. So we can’t be sloppy. We have to be ready to play and we need to continue to play great defense.”
Defense, intensity, preparedness and hustle have contributed to USC’s success this season. Those strengths have also allowed the Panthers to average 62 points per game while limiting the opposition to 38. The assets should also power the Panthers beyond the regular sea-
Emma did just that in the county championships. He rolled up three straight pins before posting a major decision against Brock Dennison of South Fayette to reach the semifinals. Emma dispatched North Allegheny’s Evan Schomburg, 8-6, before being pinned by BP’s Pierce Reinhart in the 121-pound finals. “I was excited to see how he did at counties with a talented bracket,” Allemang said. “Pierce is a great competitor and I know they will run into each other again before the year is over. My hope is that Jon continues to wrestle him hard and open up a little more so he can get to his offense.”
Emma has not been a lifelong wrestler. He began taking the sport seriously in eighth grade and has become a yearround competitor. According to Allemang, Emma has made up a lot of wrestling in a few years, noting his dominance in the Burgettstown Tournament, in which he won his weight class.
“Jon is fun to watch,” Allemang said. “He believes in himself. Everything starts with that. Because of his work ethic and self believe I know he can go with anyone. Jon
son as they attempt to repeat as Class 6A champions as well as advance farther than last year’s state quarterfinal round.
“Defensively, we already are really good. So we just have to keep improving and getting better,” Holzer said.
“Offensively though we need to improve upon our efficiency with our possessions. Sometimes we make bad decisions. You can’t afford to do that in the playoffs because that’s one and done and anything can happen.”
Holzer also acknowledges the humanity of his squad and the parity among the Class 6A teams.
“We are capable of winning but we are also capable of losing in the first round,” Holzer continued. “You see that all the time. So I’m worried about everybody.”
will be prepared both physically and mentally to wrestle at a high level and I think he is going to continue to open some eyes as we move towards March.”
Though he adopts a different style than Emma and Sala, Gibbons matches their prowess on the mats. He secured runner-up honors at the Charters-Houston and Allegheny County Championships and tacked on a third-place showing at the Burgettstown Tournament this winter.
Gibbons opened with two pins at county championships. After back-to-back decisions, he dropped his 160-pound final, 10-2, to Brayden White to move to 23-7 on the year and 82-30 for his career, which has included third-place finishes in the section and region last winter.
“Cole is an amazing athlete but with a different style than Jonathan and Evan,” Allemang said. “He is a little more calculated in terms of when he attacks, but he has great set ups and is so fast and powerful that when he does shoot he is more often than not securing the takedown.
“Cole is no stranger to having to wrestle hard in big matches. Last year, he worked
Expectations are high for Colton Fisher and Seth Miller once they make adjustments that proved the difference between first and second at the county championships.
A sophomore, Fisher dropped a 1-0 decision to Lebo’s Evan Sala and finished runner-up in the 127-pound weight class. He had opened competition with back-toback pins against West Mifflin’s Tim Eads and Moon’s Roman Markovich, then scored a tech fall against South Park’s Lucas Guzek as well as a major decision against Shaler’s Ayden Tavella to reach the championship match.
A senior, Miller dropped a 7-0 decision to Moon’s
his way through a very talented section and WPIAL bracket.”
Work ethic will determine the success Gibbons enjoys in the postseason.
“The only expectation for Cole is to work hard every day and keep improving each day,” Allemang said. “He will be fine if he puts in the effort and allows himself to wrestle without any reservations.”
Such is the case for Ben Lloyd. The senior finished fifth at heavyweight in the county championships and moved closer to entering the Century Club by improving his career record to 96-58.
Lloyd was a bronze medalist in the WPIAL last year and a PIAA qualifier. According to Allemang, he has been a steadying force in the lineup. He finished second at the Charters-Houston Tournament and eighth in the prestigious Powerade Tournament.
Lloyd has also wrestled on the other big stages, including nationals in Fargo, N.D. as well as the Super 32 this past fall. Additionally, he has competed on dual teams all over the country.
“There has been a lot of ups and downs for Ben this season, but make no mistake
Cael Yanek in the 133-pound championship bout. To reach the finals, Miller recorded tech falls against Brashear’s Spranjal Gurung, Luke Krishinski and Shaler’s Jonah Cable as well as a 7-3 decision against South Fayette’s Peter Leventis.
“Colton and Seth wrestled well but came up short,” Nauman said. “Sometimes, especially in the WPIAL, opponents get the better of you. In the end that leads to a loss but both these individuals work their butts off. Their final matches didn’t go their way due to small things that they will need to look out at and improve.”
Nauman added that he is “confident” Fisher and Miller will tweak their technique, particularly when they are on the bottom as well as their individual skills to reverse their
about it, he is a good wrestler and someone who has demonstrated that he can overcome adversity,” Allemang said.
Lloyd should be ready to make a run at individual titles when the postseason commences. After sectionals, the WPIAL and Southwest Regionals will be held at Canon-McMillan with the top performers advancing to the PIAA championships set for March 6-8 at the Giant Center in Hershey.
“Ben is never someone to count out of any tournament,” Allemang said. “There is a lot of parity at heavyweight this year and he has to pull confidence knowing he has wins over just about everyone that he will wrestle.
“At the end of the day, Ben cannot focus on the matches he lost this season, rather he has to just be himself and wrestle like he knows he can.
I believe in Ben Lloyd and he is someone that has grown so much in four years that I want him to free himself of doubt and just go compete and compete hard.”
Finally, Devin McCauley wrestled hard enough during the county championships to reach the podium. He scored seventh-place honors.
outcomes. He also expects both grapplers to see many of their opponents again throughout the postseason.
Once they make the “small” fixes, Nauman said, “I expect big things from both Seth and Colton as well. Like with Pierce, we look for both of them to look for sectional titles and have high place finishes at WPIALs, regionals and states.”
As a freshman, last year, Fisher finished fifth in the section. Miller, who was 32-17 last year, placed sixth in the section and fifth in the regional, just missing a berth in the PIAA tournament.
In addition to Reinhart, Fisher and Miller, Ethan Higgins took the bronze at 145 with a fall over Moon’s Elijah Thomas in the consolation bout. Hunter Goelz took fourth at 215 after be-
Dunlap second In other results from the Allegheny County Championships, Luke Dunlap from South Fayette claimed runner-up honors at 152. A senior, Dunlap picked up a pair of pins and two tech falls before winning by forfeit in the semifinals. He dropped a 17-2 decision to TJ’s Maddox Shaw in the championship bout. Dunlap improved to 16-5 on the season with his tournament showing. He was 33-9 last winter with a section runner-up medal and a fourthplace showing in the regional to earn a berth in the PIAA tournament. Also for the Lions, Talan Mizenko finished fourth at 139 while Brock Dennison secured sixth place at 121. Peter Leventis added seventh at 133. South Fayette finished 17th in the team standings while Upper St. Clair and Chartiers Valley placed 13th and 15th respectively.
Top finishers for the Panthers included: Spencer Hills, eighth at 107; Alex Tucker, eighth at 127; and Derek Worstell, fifth at 152; Top finishers for the Colts were: Cooper Knorr, sixth at 107 and Logan Connolly, sixth at 133.
ing edged, 3-2, by Carleton’s Braiden Sudor.
While Michael Gibson finished fifth at 285,
and Ian
big in their consolation bouts. Stout and Crawford pinned their opponents while Bucheli recorded a tech fall to secure their seventh-place standings.
“The Hawks wrestled pretty well,” Nauman said. “We went after our opponents in the majority of our matches looking to score points and secure falls.
“We need to continue to work and improve on our wrestling and belief in ourselves during those tight matches that become more of a fight of your will to pull those out. Those are the matches that we need to and can win from here through team and individual postseason.”
Aden Stout (139), Caleb Crawford (145)
Bucheli (152) won
sights & sounds
‘Adventure Awaits’
Little Lake Theatre announces 2024-25 season
By Brad Hundt Staff writer
bhundt@observer-reporter.com
Coming off a season that saw a significant increase in ticket sales revenue, Little Lake Theatre in North Strabane has announced its 2025 season. With the season as a whole being dubbed “Adventure Awaits,” the 2025 lineup of productions emphasizes adventure and exploration. It will start Thursday, April 10, with “9 to 5: The Musical,” based on the 1980 movie with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. Little Lake will be staging “9 to 5” until Sunday, April 27. The rest of the season includes:
■ “The Da Vinci Code.” Based on the bestselling novel from Dan Brown, it follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveau as they unravel a series of clues leading to a shocking secret hidden for centuries. Performance dates are Thursday, May 15, to Sunday, June 1.
■ “Barefoot in the Park.” Neil Simon’s classic romantic comedy follows newlyweds Corie and Paul Bratter, as they navigate life in their tiny New York apartment and deal with their differences. It starts Thursday, June 12, and finishes Sunday, June 29.
■ “Finding Nemo Jr.” Adapted from the Disney Pixar film, “Finding Nemo Jr.” has colorful characters, memorable songs and important lessons about family and perseverance. Performance dates are Thursday, July 10, to Sunday, July 20.
■ “The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition.” SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Sandy and their friends embark on an adventure to save their underwater city from disaster. It starts Thursday, July 31, and wraps up Sunday, Aug. 10.
■ “Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.” The classic mystery has the legendary train halted in a snowstorm and a murder investigation unfolding with detective Hercule Poirot looking for a killer among the passengers. Performance dates are Thursday, Aug. 28, to Sunday, Sept. 14.
■ “Reefer Madness.” The musical satire takes a tongue-in-cheek look at the hysteria surrounding marijuana use in the early 20th century. It’s based on the 1936 movie that’s become a cult classic. Performance dates are Thursday, Oct. 2, to Sunday, Oct. 19. Recom-
mended for audiences aged 18 and over.
■ “Calendar Girls.” The comedy follows a group of women from an English village who decide to raise money for a charity by creating a calendar and posing nude for it. It starts Thursday, Oct. 30, and continues until Sunday, Nov. 16.
Little Lake’s holiday production will be announced later. This season, Little Lake is introducing a new Lakepass program. It’s a redesigned version of the theater’s subscription program, with four different pass options and perks like reserved seating for all selected shows and compli-
mentary non-alcoholic beverages. Little Lake’s 2024 season saw a 35% increase in ticket sales revenue, and it also unveiled a new website. For additional information go online to littlelake.org or call 724-745-6300.
what’s happening
COIN CLUB
The South Hills Coin Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Bethel Park Municipal Building, 5100 West Library Ave. All members and the public can attend. In addition to the topic of discussion “1933 gold confiscation,” there will be a 50/50 raffle with children’s prizes. Applications are being accepted for membership. Call 724-984-6611 for details.
BOOK SALE
The Church of the Atonement will hold a used book and jewelry sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 7 and 8 at 618 Washington Ave. in Carnegie, with Feb. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. set aside as a snow date. Donations will be accepted Feb. 2 to 4. Call 412-276-0366 to make a donation.
HEALTHY EATS
A Heart Healthy Living seminar, sponsored by PlantBased Pittsburgh, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at the Triveni Event Center in Monroeville. Early bird tickets at $40 each can be purchased by Feb. 28. Price after that date is $50. The event features speakers, workshops, cooking demonstrations, handouts, food and beverages. For tickets or more information email: @Eventbrite.com
KIDS CAMP
The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the
Senator John Heinz History Center is bringing back the NFL PLAY 60 Training Camp from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 1. Ages 17 and under can participate and are admitted free of charge. There will be five floors of activities from quick-hitting drills, physical challenges, touchdown celebration moves, prizes and special giveaways while discovering the history of the region’s sports. This event is presented in partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL PLAY 60, which is the National Football League’s health and fitness campaign that encourages young fans to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. Visit heinzhistorycenter.org/events to register or more information on the event.
PET GRANT
The Creatures of the Creator Pet Ministry of Unity Presbyterian Church in Green Tree is accepting applications for its 2025 grant program, which was created to provide financial support to animal rescue, foster and shelter organizations in Allegheny County. The grant is for $500. Applications are due by April 30. For full details or to apply for the grant visit Unitypresbyterianchurch.org or call 412-561-2431. Ext. 3. PT REC
The Peters Township recreation center is offering the following activities:
■ Ladies Night Farmhouse Riser from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Jan. 29. Supplies will be provided to create a farmhouse-style riser to display for all seasons. Fee is $10 ($15 nonmembers).
■ Teen Valentine Social from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 5. Ages 13 to 17 can listen to music, play games, make cards and enjoy a hot cocoa bar. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers).
■ Love Bug. Ages 3 to 5 can celebrate Valentine’s Day with crafts, games and a treat on Feb. 13. Times are either 10 to 11 a.m. or 2 to 3 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers).
■ Tiny Tots Gym Time from 1 to 3 p.m. on the first and third Friday of the month. Ages 5 and under socialize and burn off steam during unstructured playtime with a variety of toys and balls. Parents must accompany and supervise their children. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers).
■ Creative Kids: Iceberg Slime from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17. Ages 6 to 10 can create squishy slime inspired by icy glaciers. Fee is $5 ($8 non-members).
■ Galactic Adventure from 6 to 7 p.m. Jan. 31. Ages 6 to 10 will embark on an outof-this-world journey through the cosmos that features activities such as rocket crafts, alien games and spacethemed exploration.
■ Commit to Fit. This challenge runs from Feb. 1 to 28. Participants walk the
indoor track and document their miles. The walker with the most miles wins a small prize.
■ Embroidery Workshop will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 4. Ages 18 and older will learn basic stitches to intricate designs as they learn the timeless craft of decorating fabric with needle and thread. Participants need to bring an article of clothing to embroider. Registration deadline is Feb. 3. Visit www.peterstownship. com or call 724-942-5000 to register or for more details or questions regarding any of the events.
NURSES CLUB
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Registered Nurses Club offers scholarships to students entering their final year of studies in the following programs: RN diploma, ASN or ADN, BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD or comparable program.
Residents from 10 counties, including Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, and Washington, can apply by visiting www. pittsburghfoundation.org or by mailing to: The Pittsburgh Foundation, Five PPG place, Suite 250, Pittsburgh, PA ,15222-5414, ATT: Scholarship Department.
Deadline for completed application is the end of March of the year prior to the final year or term.
Sign up at swpafreetaxes. org.
BP LIBRARY
The Bethel Park library is offering the following programs this month:
■ Winter Reading Carnival from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 31. All ages eligible. There will be games, face painting, balloon art and popcorn.
■ New movie releases are every Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. Additionally there will be Adult Movies for the Mind at 10:30 a.m. the first Monday of the Month.
Visit bethelpark.librarycalendar.com to register for events. Call 412-835-2207 for more details.
TALMUD TALE
A six-week seminar, “Decoding the Talmud – Inside the story, substance, and significance of the book that defines Judaism” – will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Feb. 5 at Chabad of the South Hills at the 1700 Bower Hill Road location. The sessions are in person or can be taken online. Participants can try lesson one for free. To register or for more details visit www.chabadsh.com or contact rabbi@chabadsh. com.
SENIOR LUNCH
Peters Township holds luncheons for senior citizens from noon to 2 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the community recreation center. The free events include either a fea-
ture speaker or interactive activity.
Attendees are asked to bring a covered dish or dessert to share. RSVP is necessary by the Monday before each event. The next luncheon is set for Feb. 12 and will feature a performance by Room 100. Visit www.peterstownship. com or call 724-942-5000 for more details.
VENDORS NEEDED
Vendors are being sought for the Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival to be held this summer. Deadline for class proposals and vendors is Feb. 15. Visit /www.pghknitandcrochet.com or email pghfiberfestival@gmail.com with further questions.
The annual festival will be held Aug. 22-24 at the Double Tree Hotel in Green Tree.
AUP MEET
The Association of University People (AUP) invites singles 50 and over who are fouryear college graduates to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include monthly dinners, social gatherings, concerts, meeting up at local wineries, and day trips. Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining. To obtain more information about AUP or become an AUP member, call and leave a message at 412353-9088 or email Aupsingles@gmail.com.
The original barn that housed Little Lake Theatre
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