The Almanac - May 5, 2024

Cause for celebration

South Fayette breaks Mini-THON record

South Fayette High School students set a new record with this year’s Mini-THON event, raising $338,205.15.

The sum beat last year’s national record by $80,000. The previous mark of $336,140.10 was also set by South Fayette.

The big reveal took place after 12 hours of dancing, games, and celebrating at approximately 5:45 a.m. April 27. The event ran from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Modeled after the annual 46-hour dance marathon at Penn State University, Mini-THON em -

MODELED AFTER THE ANNUAL 46-HOUR DANCE MARATHON AT PENN STATE UNIVERSITY, MINI-THON EMPOWERS K-12 STUDENTS TO SERVE AS LEADERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER. STUDENTS WHO VOLUNTEER AS PART OF THEIR SCHOOL’S MINI-THON PROGRAM FUNDRAISE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR FOUR DIAMONDS AND CAP OFF THEIR EFFORTS WITH A GRAND CELEBRATION.

powers K-12 students to serve as leaders in the fight against childhood cancer. Students who volunteer as part of their school’s MiniTHON program fundraise throughout the year for Four Diamonds and cap off

their efforts with a grand celebration.

This is South Fayette’s 12th year hosting Mini-THONs. The district has raised approximately $1.8 million for Four Diamonds, an organization dedicated to the fight

against pediatric cancer at Penn State Children’s Hospital. Four Diamonds covers the cost of treatment that insurance or other means do not cover. The organization also helps with other emergency expenses for the families of children battling cancer, as well as pediatric cancer research aimed at finding a cure and more gentle treatments.

What sets South Fayette apart from the other 200 schools that participate in

Bass Pro Shops coming to South Fayette

By Brad Hundt Staff writer

bhundt@observer-reporter.com

SOUTH FAYETTE – Bass Pro Shops has announced plans to build a new store in the Pittsburgh region.

It is set to be located in South Fayette Township’s Newbury Market, according to a news release from the retailer. Located just off Interstate 79 near Bridgeville, it would be the third Bass Pro Shops store in Pennsylvania and the first in the Pittsburgh region.

The 100,000 square-foot, two-level store, called “Outdoor World,” is projected to open early in 2026. The announcement that a Bass Pro Shops store is coming to the region has been a long time coming – almost 20 years ago, ambitious plans were announced for a Bass Pro Shops store off Racetrack Road in South Strabane that would have sprawled over 200,000 feet and included attractions like a 200-room hotel, nature park and restaurants.

Mini-THON, besides the hundreds of thousands of dollars students raise, is how it is embedded in the high school’s curriculum. This most ambitious and anticipated fundraising event of the year is the capstone of Brandon Flannery’s honors management and marketing applications course. In this second-semester, senior-level course, students rely on their critical understanding of event management, promotion, ticketing, corporate sponsorship, and fundraising to plan, manage, and market Mini-THON.

BP man secures Democratic write-in nomination for 40th state House race

By Mike Jones Staff writer mjones@observer-reporter.com

State Rep. Natalie Mihalek will have a Democratic challenger in the November election.

Peter Kohnke of Bethel Park easily surpassed the 300 write-in votes he needed from Democrats during the April 23 primary to get on the ballot to run for the 40th state House District seat.

The district, which Mihalek has represented since winning her first election in 2018, includes Peters Township in Washington County and Bethel Park and the southern area of Upper St. Clair in Allegheny County.

Bethel Park School District pauses decision on changing start times

By Paul Paterra Staff writer ppaterra@observer-reporter.com

Bethel Park School District has delayed making a change to the start of the school day.

Administrators considered pushing back school times, much like the Upper St. Clair School District did in 2023. Daily classes at the high school and Independence Middle School start at 7:25 a.m. Neil Armstrong Middle School starts at 8:05 a.m. while students from the district’s five elementary schools begin classes at 9:20 a.m.

Bass

An opening date of 2008 had been projected, but the store never materialized. In the years since, Bass Pro Shops merged with Cabela’s, another retailer specializing in goods for hunters, fishermen, campers, hikers and more. A Cabela’s store is located along Interstate 70 outside Wheeling, W.Va., and a Bass Pro Shops is in Morgantown, W.Va.

“They’ve been looking at the market for quite some time,” said Jon Altman, a partner in the investment group led by Craig Cozza, the Newbury Market’s developer. “In Pennsylvania, we’ve got one of the largest hunting and fishing populations in the country. They’ve always had a target for Western Pennsylvania.” In a news release, Cozza explained, “We are extremely excited to have such a great and unique retail brand join our Newbury Market development. This one-of-a-kind super retailer will differentiate our project from all others, and will catalyze other one-ofa-kind, new-to-market concepts to join us.”

Other high-profile tenants that have already taken up residence in the Newbury Market include Tesla, the electric vehicle company, and BJ’s Wholesale Club, the membership-only warehouse retailer.

“My hope is we’re going to start getting things underway by the fall,” Altman said.

The South Fayette Bass Pro Shops store will be custom-designed, with localized imagery. It was founded in 1972 by fisherman Johnny Morris when he started selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Mo.

Ballot

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Democrats urged their voters to write-in Kohnke’s name since the party did not have anyone receive enough nominating signatures to get on the primary ballot. According to unofficial vote totals, Kohnke received 534 votes in Allegheny County and 326 write-ins from Washington County voters, giving him nearly three times the number needed to qualify for the Nov. 5 general election.

Mihalek, R-Peters, received 5,757 votes from Republicans – 3,755 in Allegheny County and 2,002 in Washington County – in the primary.

THE DISTRICT SURVEYED PARENTS AND STUDENTS, WITH THE MAJORITY OF PARTICIPANTS FAVORING PUSHING BACK THE HIGH SCHOOL START TIME BY AS MUCH AS AN HOUR. TEACHERS, STAFF AND ADMINISTRATION WERE OPPOSED. PARENTS OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO RESPONDED DON’T WANT TO SEE THAT START TIME ALTERED.

Superintendent Dr. James Walsh said the move was being considered to help students gain more sleep.

“The committee did a pretty extensive survey of our parents, our students and our staff to get their opinions

on the options,” Walsh explained. “We had a little more than 2,000 people participate in the survey, which I think is a good indicator of people’s interest.”

The district surveyed parents and students, with the

majority of participants favoring pushing back the high school start time by as much as an hour. Teachers, staff and administration were opposed.

Parents of elementary school students who re -

sponded don’t want to see that start time altered.

Changing the time for one group of students and not another would affect bus runs. The district currently has three bus runs and pushing back the high school start time would interfere with one of the others.

“We can’t have everybody starting at the same time because of buses,” Walsh said. “It became obvious to the committee that while it makes sense medically, emotionally and academically to make this move for the older kids, it comes down to prac-

ticality and do we even have the buses to do something to address this need?” Walsh said the situation will be revisited when the district consolidates in 2026 because there will probably be a need for only two bus runs. That is the targeted time for the opening of Bethel Park Elementary School for each of the district’s elementary school students at the current site of Neil Armstrong Middle School. Independence Middle School is being reconfigured to house all middle school students.

Those in attendance at the

Celebrating a rich history

South Hills Knights of Columbus Council marks 75th anniversary

By Paul Paterra Staff writer ppaterra@observer-reporter.com

The Knights of Columbus South Hills Council No. 3084 is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

To mark the milestone, an anniversary dinner was held March 23 at St. Thomas More Church in Bethel Park.

A number of archives were available for perusal, including the minutes of the first meeting of the council

“I got chills going through it,” said Douglas Derda, chancellor. “It shows the progression from guys getting together in a basement at St. Bernard’s, going all the way to the incorporation and their official first meeting. It’s really neat to see how they progressed the whole way through.”

Founded in 1948, the South Hills club serves four parishes – Resurrection, Our Lady of Hope, St Catherine Laboure and St. Paul of the Cross.

The Knights of Columbus national organization was formed in 1882 in New Haven, Conn.

Since those early days, it has been inspired by the principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.

“The special part about it is that not too many organizations make it to 75 years,” said Derda, a member since 2019. “Not too many make

it to 25 anymore. So, being able to join an organization that has so much history to it has been an incredible experience.”

The club has 200 members, which could be key to the group’s longevity.

“It comes down to personality,” Derda said. “When you join the Knights, you’re looking to serve. We’ve been able to fill that need that Catholic men have. They want to serve their community., They want to serve their parish. They want to do more. We’ve been able to do that through the Knights. Everything that I’ve been involved with has been incredibly rewarding spiritually, physically and mentally. It’s a very well-rounded organization.”

Derda said that the council’s presence on social media has boosted its visibility. Plus, membership is growing because so many men are

seeking a fraternal organization to join.

“They’re looking for a brotherhood that’s well-established,” he said. “We absolutely bring that.” Activities in which the organization is involved are many. Recently, members helped in the building of a new chapel at Seton-LaSalle High School.

“They asked the Knights if we would help with the labor so they could cut down on costs,” Derda said. “We were able to go in and help demolish two classrooms. Seeing it transition from two old classrooms to a beautiful new chapel has been incredible. It is gorgeous.”

The Knights also were able to repurpose pews for the chapel from a church that had closed.

Another project in which they were involved was sup-

plying and installing Miraculous Medal reliefs, which hang in every classroom of Seton LaSalle and South Hills Catholic Academy.

Members also replaced the kneelers at St. Thomas More Church and this summer plan to work on renovations to the Lamb of God Chapel.

The organization also hosts the Grace Gaita Memorial Spaghetti Dinner to raise money for two incoming Bishop Canevin High School students who have a love of the marching band and two incoming students from Ave Maria Academy. The first two dinners have raised more than $40,000 for the scholarships.

The organization supports various pro-life organizations and activities, provides scholarships for Catholic school students and seminarians, hosts memori-

al Masses and holy hours and helps with the St. Winifred Food Pantry.

Financial, material and service support is provided to the four parishes the Knights serve, which ranges from helping to make needed repairs, pulling weeds and cleaning up prayer gardens to sponsoring educational and social events, including the annual family picnic.

The organization also has a golf league.

The group meets at 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at Harkins Hall in St. Anne Church in Castle Shannon on the border of Mt. Lebanon. New members are always welcome.

Men who are in good standing in a Catholic parish can do so through southillsknights.com.

“Word is getting around that we have a vibrant community,” Derda said.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF DOUGLAS DERDA

Knights of Columbus South Hills Council No. 3084 75th anniversary celebration

This memory table was on display at the 75th anniversary celebration held March 23.

Finleyville man survives rare thymoma tumor

By Karen Mansfield Staff writer kmansfield@observer-reporter.com

After he’d battled on-andoff nagging neck pain for two weeks, Len Barchanowicz decided to visit the emergency room at Allegheny Health Network’s Jefferson Hospital.

Barchanowicz’s wife, Lauren, a nurse, was worried that her husband, a mailman for the U.S. Postal Service who had always been fit and in good health – and spent a lot of time coaching youth sports – was dealing with something more significant than arthritis and aches and pains. She was relieved when he told her he had decided to head to the ER early in the morning of Aug. 22.

X-rays and initial tests came back normal, but the ER physician, Dr. Camille Halfman, had a suspicion that something wasn’t right and ordered a CT scan.

Halfman was right. The results showed a mass the size of an orange in the middle of his chest.

The 45-year-old father of two young boys was shocked. His first thought was that he wasn’t going to survive. He called Lauren, who was at home with their sons, Leo, 10, and Luke, 6.

“You go in for a routine exam and next thing you know, you think you could be facing your last days on earth,” said Barchanowicz, of Finleyville.

Halfman called medical oncologist Dr. Ranjita Pallavi, who immediately met with Barchanowicz. She presented Barchanowicz with a couple of options for biopsy. He opted to undergo a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), a surgical procedure that offered a better chance to get an adequate biopsy sample size.

The biopsy, performed about two weeks later by Dr. Mitsuko Takahashi, revealed the mass was a thymoma, a rare cancer of the thymus that is diagnosed in only roughly 400 people in the United States each year.

There isn’t much research on thymoma, and there weren’t many support groups for Barchanowicz to turn to.

“Because of its rarity, there’s not much information on it,” said Barchanowicz. After additional tests and imaging, Barchanowicz was diagnosed with a stage II thymoma. His type of thymoma was a mix of B1 and B2, typically benign.

But the size of the tumor was troubling, posing risks and challenges.

“He had a large mass in front of his chest pressing on surrounding organs,” said Pallavi. “The problem comes if a large mass is compressing on other organs or encroaching upon the heart, or it is stuck to blood vessels and surrounding organs.”

She estimates the tumor had been growing for a few years. Such grim news could send even the most hopeful optimist into a tailspin.

But Barchanowicz and Lauren opted for hope and positivity – and humor – despite their fears.

“We were praying and leaning on each other. You realize how important your family is and how strong your marriage is, and you’d do anything to stay here,” said Barchanowicz.

The couple even nicknamed the tumor “Mitchell the Mass,” Barchanowicz said, “because you’ve got to find some humor or you’ll go crazy.”

The night before the Sept. 12 biopsy, Barchanowicz, Lauren and the boys attended a Pittsburgh Pirates game to celebrate Leo’s birthday. Barchanowicz caught a baseball thrown by Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds.

“We took that as a good sign, and even while we were dealing with all of this terrible news, we enjoyed ourselves and had a good time,” said Lauren. “Then right after the game we went home to do a surgical scrub for the biopsy.”

After consulting with Takahashi and the AHN Jefferson

medical team, it was determined that Barchanowicz would undergo a sternotomy, a vertical incision through the breast bone, to remove the tumor.

“It’s basically like open heart surgery, but you don’t go to the heart,” explained Lauren. “The surgeon stops before that point.”

Takahashi performed the surgery on Oct. 2, and Barchanowicz returned home two days later – sooner than anticipated.

No radiation was needed, but Barchanowicz will undergo checkups regularly to make sure the thymoma has not returned.

On Jan. 3, about two months after his surgery, Barchanowicz returned to work full time. He plans to resume coaching – he coaches flag and tackle football and basketball – and Barchanowicz advises survivors to make time for their mental and emotional health. And he wants to let people know that there are happy endings.

“It’s been quite a journey. I feel great, physically. I’m

shooting basketballs and throwing footballs, although I have to slow down sometimes. But I’m not going to sit around. We make sure to get our steps in every day, and I’m eating healthier to help with recovery. It’s more mental. I’m trying to get back to normal there,” he said. “I’m grateful for my life. It makes you appreciate your life and what you have. I have a chance of life that some people don’t get.”

Pallavi said Barchanowicz’s positive attitude was remarkable.

“That positive attitude got him through a lot. Lauren was his backbone throughout all of this, and he continued to remain positive from the moment I saw him in the emergency room to getting the biopsy and his diagnosis, and then surgery. He was prepared to fight from day one.”

The couple also are glad they put their trust in the AHN physicians.

“You can’t thank somebody enough for saving your life,” said Barchanowicz. “They gave us hope from the beginning. I thank everyone who helped us on the way.”

Len Barchanowicz and sons Leo and Luke

Decade of innovation

USCHS STEAM course hits 10-year mark

Six teams of Upper St. Clair High School students recently presented their work to a panel of professionals from EAFab Corp. as part of the Honors STEAM Innovation & Consulting course. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the course that tasks students with solving real-world challenges faced by organizations and corporations. Throughout the last decade, Upper St. Clair students have worked with engineers and other executives from companies that have included EAFab, Eaton Corp., All-Clad Metalcrafters LLC, Universal Electric, OZ Enterprises and Tom Brown Inc. The course was developed by Fred Peskorski, technology education teacher, in collaboration with colleagues Brian Garlick and Tom Isaac from South Fayette High School, both of whom have since retired from teaching.

“My favorite part about this course is seeing the maturation of the students as they go from largely theoretical learning to actual problem-solving while working with professionals,” Peskorski said. “It’s also very interesting to see the

diverse set of problems that our corporate partners bring to us each year.” The problems are varied in scope and often require students to explore new subject areas that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about. Most recently, each student team was presented with a specific challenge to research and develop solutions for EAFab. Problems ranged from developing an automated inventory process to designing storage racks that can securely hold pipes and other supplies with a weight capacity of up to 1,500 pounds.

This set of presentations marked the first time that students have used artificial intelligence (AI) to accomplish their goal.

“Like most teachers, I have some reservations about the appropriate use of AI,” Peskorski said. “But, like so many disruptive technologies that have come before, I think it’s best to find a way to responsibly incorporate it into our courses when applicable.”

Students Henry Ginsburg, Amanda Aidar and Luke Ralyea were tasked with devel-

oping an app or algorithm to more efficiently use pipe resources, ultimately reducing waste and saving money. Creating the algorithm required significant coding. By leveraging AI, the students were able to work beyond their skill level in order to achieve their goal.

“The students used AI to help them solve their problem,” Peskorski said. “It was a very interactive experience that taught them how to use AI effectively, while also learning about the code writing process itself.”

Using AI to help write the code required some trial and error, which provided a great lesson in prompt optimization. By refining the text of their AI request, they could achieve more accurate results.

“As long as students are open about how they leverage its use to find the best possible solution for our partners, I applaud the effort,” Peskorski said. “In many cases, these young students will be able to open the eyes of some of their older corporate counterparts to the potential of AI.”

One of the benefits of this course is that students get to

Upper

see a variety of types and sizes of industries.

“They have experience working with relatively small local companies to international multi-billion-dollar companies,” Peskorski said. “In each case, our students tour the manufacturing facilities as well as the front office spaces. It can only be beneficial for them to see both the similarities of these companies, but also the different challenges that they face.”

Next, the Honors STEAM Innovation & Consulting students will be working with Eaton Corp and then AllClad to finish the semester. Peskorski is confident that this course will help prepare

students for life beyond high school.

“If correspondence from former students is any indication, they will go on to college and industry a step ahead of most of their peers no matter what the major or occupation,” he said. “I am fortunate to have formed lasting relationships with many of my former STEAM students and without exception, they all found great value in having taken this course.”

Any corporations or organizations that may be interested in partnering with the Honors STEAM Innovation & Consulting course should contact Peskorski at fpeskorski@uscsd.k12.pa.us.

Throughout May, Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC) will collect electronics for recycling on designated weekdays in Allegheny County. In conjunction with the Allegheny County Health Department, PRC will conduct e-waste collection events on Mondays and Wednesdays in May in South Park. Collection times are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6, 13 and 20, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 8, 15, 22 and 29. Registration in advance is required at www.prc.org/ CollectionEvents or by calling 412-488-7490.

There is a $5 participant fee, and individuals can drop off unlimited cell/home phones, computer towers and peripheral equipment (keyboards, laptops, mice, etc.) and video game consoles/DVD players. For an additional fee, individuals can drop off televisions, computer monitors and printers. Fees are as follows: computer monitors (flat screen & CRT), $20 each; televisions, $35 each; console or rear projection TVs – $45 each; and printers, $5 each.

USC students advance to national academic bees

Bernard Huang and siblings Avik and Artharv Pandey will compete at the National History, Geography and Science bees May 23-27 in Orlando, Fla.

The three Upper St. Clair students advanced to the championships by successfully competing in the Southern Pennsylvania regional finals, sponsored by the International Academic Competitions and held March 16 in Somerset.

A seventh-grader at Fort Couch Middle School, Huang placed second in the Geography Bee and third in the History Bee. In addition, he previously placed first in the Junior Varsity division in the History Bee held in Buffalo, N.Y. Huang has

qualified for the national and international competitions in all three events. This marks the fourth consecutive year that he has advanced in the competition. The Pandeys, who are thirdgrade students, each placed second in their respective divisions in the Science Bee. It was the third year in a row that Avik has advanced in the competition.

“Artharv found inspiration from his elder brother Avik who has been successfully qualifying and winning this competition for the past three

years,” said Sangeeta Pandey, mother of Artharv and Avik. The bees are buzzer-based quiz competitions for elementary, middle and high school-aged students throughout the United States. Each of the bees is composed of three competition stages, including the Online Regional Qualifying Exam, the Regional Finals, and the National Championships.

Last year, competing at the elementary level, Huang and Avik Pandey advanced to the national quarterfinals.

Bernard Huang Avik Pandey Artharv Pandey

St. Clair celebrated 10 years of STEAM by presenting its works to a panel of professionals recently.

community news

AI holds both promise and peril, according to expert

By Brad Hundt Staff writer bhundt@observer-reporter.com

Should we embrace artificial intelligence with open arms or run screaming from it in the opposite direction?

Maybe a little bit of both, according to Joseph Yun.

“There are some things happening that are concerning,” said Yun, the artificial intelligence and innovation architect at the University of Pittsburgh. At South Fayette High School recently, Yun said that artificial intelligence – or AI, in shorthand – is “getting smarter in a way that we all must prepare for.”

Yun was at the high school as part of the South Fayette School District Speaker Series, and he discussed in simplified, abbreviated form how AI works, and how it could benefit society and, potentially, damage it. While Yun is immersed in the world of AI – he is also the CEO of a com-

pany that helps businesses navigate the AI universe ethically – he admitted that he is “struggling” when it comes to helping his young children traverse the changes that will be brought by artificial intelligence.

“There’s a very dark side to AI now,” just like the internet,” Yun explained. “I wish we could slow it down or put a pause on it … This is just moving too fast.”

In fact, Yun said AI could have the same type of revolutionary potential as the internet. Yun pointed out that it could lead to advances in medicine that would make health care treatments “much more granular in the type of care (patients) need,” and AI could even help cure cancer. As a so-called assistive technology, AI could ease the loneliness of shut-ins, carry out repetitive tasks and offer a trove of data at a moment’s notice.

But the downsides include the possibility that thousands upon thou-

real estate transactions

sands of jobs would be swept away and a mind-bending world where truth and fiction are harder and harder to separate. For an example of the latter, Yun played a recording of his “cloned” voice reading a sentence that Yun never, in fact, read or recorded.

Then there are all the dystopian possibilities that, until now, have been the things of Hollywood or science-fiction novels – what if AI becomes far smarter than us and decides that we are superfluous?

“It is getting smarter,” Yun said, cautioning that “right now, we must prepare. It’s coming at us from all these different directions. … There are a lot of people in my field who are concerned right now.”

And even as he wishes the pace of AI development could be slowed, Yun said that is simply not going to happen.

“Let’s be optimistic and realistic,” he said.

BRAD HUNDT/OBSERVER-REPORTER

Joseph Yun, an expert on artificial intelligence, discusses its upsides and downsides at South Fayette High School last week.

sports

Conquering cancer

Baseball helps Schepis defeat disease

By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net

When life threw him a curve, Tyler Schepis leaned on baseball to conquer childhood cancer. Diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin lymphoma, the South Fayette infielder is in his first year of remission from the disease.

“In baseball you need perseverance, mental toughness and a lot of resilience to be successful because it’s a very frustrating sport. There is a lot of failure in baseball. A lot of ups and down,” said Schepis

“So I had to attack my cancer in a similar way to baseball. I had to have a competitive mindset. Be tough and focused. It wasn’t really a question of am I going to get better. It was I am going to beat this because I am going to fight as hard as I can. I was going to be a warrior. Do whatever it takes.”

In 2022, Schepis was doing whatever was necessary for him to excel on the diamond, but in April, he discovered some “odd-shaped lumps” on the left side of his neck. Because Schepis had just recovered from an illness, his mother, Brenda, who is a nurse, correctly confirmed the condition as swollen nodes. Nevertheless, blood work and a chest x-ray were ordered. Though the tests reflected “mostly normal” results, Schepis met with a specialist at the hematology/oncology center at UPMC-Children’s Hospital.

Adopting a wait-and-see attitude, Schepis exhibited no further symptoms until the middle of August when he experienced extreme itchiness in his feet and legs. “I was ripping my skin open because of how

Lebo wins SF Invitational

By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor

Mt. Lebanon prepared for the track and field championship season by dominating the action April 27 at the South Fayette Invitational. Held prior to the semifinals of the WPIAL team competition on May 1 at the same site, the Lebo girls beat out 33 squads for the team trophy. The Blue Devils racked up 105 points to outdistance runner-up North Catholic (54.5) and third-place Winchester-Thurston (39). Upper St. Clair finished fourth while Bethel Park secured sixth place. Megan Cain collected three gold medals. She won the 100- and 300-meter hurdles with times of 15.41 and 47.50 respectively. Lucy Tan finished second and third respectively in those two races.

Ryan

a

of

Frank named WPIAL scholarathlete

Ryan Frank of Mt. Lebanon was a recipient of a WPIAL James Collins Scholar-Athlete Award. The senior was one of 20 finalists for the 33rd annual scholarship award, selected from a pool of 146 nominees.

Frank excelled in swimming for the Blue Devils. A four-year letter winner and two-year captain, he won WPIAL gold and PIAA bronze medals in the 100-yard breaststroke races this winter.

Frank, who led the Blue Devils to a section title as a junior, shattered the pool record at Mt. Lebanon in the 100 breast and the 200 medley relay mark at Bethel Park.

Additionally, Frank collected allstate honors in the 100 breast and 200-yard medley relay. He garnered NISCA All-America accolades as a senior and U.S. Swimming scholastic All-America recognition as a junior. He also met the national time standards for the U.S. Swimming Speedo Summer Championships and U.S. Swimming Winter Juniors Championships.

Frank also made a splash in the classroom. He compiled a 5.3 GPA and earned admittance into Mt. Lebanon’s prestigious Cum Laude Society. He is a National Honor Society member. He earned a seat on the student athlete council and belongs to LeboSTARS. He serves as president of Lebo’s Future Business Leaders of America.

In his spare time, Frank participates in the high school orchestra as well as the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra. He co-founded Violins for All and Start-Turn Clinic. Frank volunteered his time to co-chair the Swim-for-SHIM food drive. He was a meet volunteer and swim instructor for the Mt. Lebanon Aqua Club.

Frank plans to pursue a degree in business. He has been accepted at Carnegie Mellon University.

Among the other 20 award winners included two from the South

ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC

Frank, who was the district breaststroke champion this winter, was

recipient

one of the 20 James Collins Scholar-Athlete Awards distributed by the WPIAL. Frank is a senior at Mt. Lebanon High School.

PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC

South Fayette second baseman Tyler Schepis applies the tag on Bethel Park base runner Ryan Walsh during section

Cain combined with Sara Incorvati, Jenny Smith and Selma Bajgoric for first place in the 4x100 relay. Meanwhile, Tang anchored the third-place 4x400 relay.

The unit also included Smith, Chloe Griffin and Kat Walters. Lebo won the 4x800 relays in both the girls’ and boys’ Megan Cain of Mt. Lebanon clears the final obstacle in the 100-meter hurdle race to capture the gold during the South Fayette Invitational. Her teammate, Lucy Tang (right), took third in the event. The pair combined helped the Blue Devils win the team title in the meet.

PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC Matt Nguyen charges down the track on his way to victory during the 100-meter dash at the South Fayette Invitational. Nguyen won the race with a time of 11.17. Gateway’s Kenny Lewis (left) finished second while Fort Cherry’s Tegan Henke (right) finished fourth.

Lebo

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competition. The female foursome featured Marisol Montoya, Autumn Dowiak, Kate Mooney, and Mackenna Pozza. Jacob Olson, Finn McNamee, Jack O’Brien and Isiah Irwin-Evans combined for the win for the males.

Individually, Matt Nguyen blazed to victory in the 100-meter dash with an 11.17 time.

The Lebo boys finished fifth in the team standings with a 40-point score. Grove City won the title with 85 points followed by runner-up Gateway (62).

Other top finishers for the Blue Devils included: Bajgoric, fourth, 100 meters; Jenny Smith, second, pole vault; Kiera Winschel, second, discus: Kiera Kramer, fourth, high jump and sixth, triple jump; Lily Schaerli, fourth long jump; Robert Tang, fourth, 3,200; and Patrick Smith, third, javelin.

The Lebo ladies battled the Lions, Oakland Catholic and Belle Vernon in one of four semifinal meets.

The Blue Devil boys battled New Castle, Penn-Trafford and Elizabeth-Forward in one of four qualifying meets.

The winners of each quadrangular competition advanced to the WPIAL Class 3A team championships to be held at 3 p.m. May 7 at West Mifflin High School.

The Blue Devil boys and girls were the Section VI champions with a 5-0 record. The South Fayette girls won the Section VII title with a 6-0 mark.

BP winners Artemis Conaboy and Jessica Lang of Bethel Park prepped for the WPIAL individual championships to be held May 15 at the William C. Lennox Track on the Slippery Rock University campus.

During the South Fayette Invitational, Conaboy clocked a 58.15 to win the 400-meter dash. Lang won the 800 in 2:14.51, ahead of

runner-up Madeline Stock from South Fayette. Sita Joshi of SF followed in fifth while Peters Township’s Meagan McKenna and Grace Senneway took fourth and sixth.

Senneway finished first in the 1,600. The Duquesne recruit clocked a 5:04.05 to finish four seconds ahead of Lebo’s Caroline Adams in the race.

PT’s Tessa Hazard took third in the pole vault while BP’s Ella Milliken finished fourth in the discus and SF’s Evabella Cox placed fifth in the triple jump.

Saggi wins

Dhruv Saggi led a host of Upper St. Clair performers to the podium during the South Fayette Invitational. He won the long jump with a leap of 21-07.

Other top Panthers included: Saide Tomczyk tied for second in the 100 and fourth in the 200; Kayla Kurrawa, second, high jump; Anna Engleman, second, triple jump; McClintock Comeau, fourth, pole vault; and Lydia Rhodes, fourth, 3,200. Visit pa.milesplit.com for complete results.

Penn Relays

Logan St. John Kletter of Mt. Lebanon finished third in the 3,000-meter run during the prestigious Penn Relays held April 26 at Franklin Field. Her time of 9:34.19 is the fastest ever by a WPIAL runner and ranks fifth in state history. The North Carolina recruit, who was the runner-up in the mile at the Penn Relays a season ago, was outpaced by Addison Ritzenhein (9:17.81) from Colorado and New York’s Zariel Macchia (9:31.64).

“Logan ran a stellar race against a national level field,” said Lebo skipper Oscar Shutt. “She has been easing into the outdoor season but is looking forward to the end of season meets.”

St. John Kletter is the defending WPIAL champion in the 1,600 and 3,200 races. She also is the reigning PIAA champion in the twomile event.

Schepis

bad it was,” he said. Schepis also had “little bumps” in his neck, smaller than the original lumps.

An oncologist ordered a biopsy. A week later Schepis received dreaded news. The cancer, which started on the left side of his neck, had spread through his chest and down to abdominal organs and surrounding areas.

“There are four stages and mine was the third,” Schepis explained. “So I guess it would be considered the second worst.”

South Fayette baseball manager Ken Morgan recalled hearing the terrible news. “It was a Thursday in early September,” he said with clarity. Morgan was attending the “Backyard Brawl” between football rivals Pitt and West Virginia when his cellphone rang.

“It’s scary to get that call,” he said. “I was so upset I left the game. I didn’t know what to do or what to expect.”

Schepis knew exactly what action he would take. Stay the course.

“At first it’s a shock. There are so many raw emotions,” he said. “You’re wondering what’s going on with my life. Am I going to let this overcome me or am I going to fight back. For me the best thing was to keep things as normal as possible. Baseball was that one way to do that because it’s always been a part of my life.”

Schepis did continue to play. The Saturday after he had surgery to place a port into his chest and he embarked on the first of his 12 chemotherapy treatments, Schepis played in a doubleheader against Baldwin. He collected at least one hit in each of the fall ball games.

“It was an amazing day,” Morgan said.

During the ensuing six months, good days were few and far between. The chemo regimen, which started on a Thursday and continued every other week through the end of February, took its toll.

Though he continued to attend school and maintain a 4.1 GPA, Schepis took every Thursday and Friday off. Depending on how he felt after being hooked up to a machine that streamed 10 different types of medicine through his body for up to seven to 10 hours, a Monday absence was also allowed.

“The chemo that I received was very, very intense. Brutal,” Schepis said. “A lot of it is

a blur but after one treatment after another I could slowly feel myself getting drained, more tired and nauseated. I just tried to persevere, push through and remember all the support I had while I battled through this adversity.”

Of course, Ron and Brenda Schepis were their son’s biggest advocates. They never left his side. His baseball coaches held a game in his honor. His teammates and friends created t-shirts and sold them as a fundraiser.

“There was an overwhelming amount of support and that gave me courage,” Schepis said. “It was really motivating and that really helped my mindset knowing that I had all these people pulling for me.

“My parents especially tried to encourage me and they made sure I was in good mental health because it’s a really lonely process,” Schepis emphasized. “That was one of my biggest takeaways. You are really alone. You can have so many people cheering for you and rooting you on but, at the end of the day, it really was just me by myself, especially when I was the one getting the treatments. Feeling sick and drained and trying to stay motivated are difficult, but the hardest thing to deal with is the loneliness.”

A social game

Since he started playing at age 4, baseball has been a way for Schepis to socialize. Because it was his father’s and grandfather’s favorite sport, they decided it would be an ideal game for him. Watching the Pirates play, however, didn’t necessarily sell Schepis on the game.

“When I picked up a ball and bat for the first time, I fell in love with the game ,” he said.

Beyond Little League, Schepis’s passion for the game has spanned six additional years as he played AAU baseball during the summer months with the Pittsburgh Titans as well as varsity baseball at South Fayette.

“I love just being out there on the field with all my friends. We always have a good time. Obviously winning is a plus, but having fun is huge,” he said.

This spring, Schepis is having a blast. He is back to anchoring the infield at second base for the playoff-bound Lions. By virtue of its sweep against Upper St. Clair, 3-0, and 7-5, South Fayette finished runner-up to Bethel Park in the Section 2 standings and will commence with post-season play May 13 in the WPIAL Class 5A tournament.

Playing baseball, a sport in which he excels and that he loves, provides comfort for Schepis. He says it felt natural to him to be back on the diamond.

“I wasn’t like the sick kid anymore. The cancer kid,” he said. “I could be myself and the ball player I always felt that I was. I didn’t have to feel different. Like an outcast. I could keep doing everything I loved to do and that was play the game of baseball.”

Through it all, Schepis said that baseball has been his savior. The sport helped him get better and he wants to return the favor by helping the Lions compete for a championship.

“I saw the support my friends gave me immediately. So many reached out to me during my treatments. I just got to see how great people they really were. It inspired me.

“Whenever I was healthy and able to get back out onto the field, I really wanted to play for them. Whenever I would step up to the plate or whenever I would go to throw the ball, I would be thinking that I am out here for them. They really helped me get through a tough time. So I am going to do everything I can to help them too, now.”

Attitude, desire and dedication are the assets that Schepis possesses that aides the Lions most. They are more critical than his current .464 on-base plus slugging percentage.

“Tyler is a scrappy, blue-collar player,” said Morgan. “He doesn’t possess a large physical stature but he certainly gets the most out of what God’s blessed him with. He’s always dirty, diving and selling out for balls. He’s a kid who battles at the plate and is willing to do whatever it takes for the team to do well.

“Since he was a freshman, he has always been the first kid at practice. He’s a real example of dedication to always getting better and he’s one of our leaders. A vocal presence,” Morgan continued. “I’m extremely proud of him and how he’s matured into a well-rounded young man.

“His diagnosis was a huge shocker to everyone but to see him absolutely attack the disease with such a positive attitude is inspiring. It’s a testament to his will to overcome and that’s going to serve him well throughout life.”

Life after baseball

Because he will attend the University of South Carolina in the fall and major in mechanical engineering, Schepis will opt to play club or intra-

Frank FROM PAGE B1

Hills region. They were Katelyn Jankovic from South Park and Ryan Pajak from Ringgold.

The WPIAL Scholarship Fund was created to award scholarships annually to student-athletes from schools and school districts comprising Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association

mural baseball. Eventually, he hopes to earn a masters degree then work in a management position for an engineering company.

“I don’t think there’s been a more influential experience in life that will prepare you for the real world (than cancer) because it’s such a struggle. You go through the lowest of lows. You get to see what it’s like to go through hardships that most other people don’t. It’s been a real eye-opening experience. Now, I realize how insignificant some things really are and I have a more positive outlook when something inconvenient comes up. Overall, I think the experience has made me better off.”

The episode has also made Schepis an enthusiastic and energized crusader for cancer awareness. While at South Fayette, he participated in Mini-Thon, which recently raised a national record $338,205.15 for Four Diamonds, an organization dedicated to the fight against pediatric cancer. Additionally, he led a team in raising more than $50,000 in funds for the Leukemia, Lymphoma Society. Plus, he served as a keynote speaker at a Coaches Vs. Cancer event, another benefit for the disease.

“We raised a ton of money,” Schepis enthused. “I think it’s important to give back to people who need it the most.” What cancer patients need the most is encouragement, says Schepis. The biggest advice he offers is to “keep faith” because there is nothing more important than maintaining a positive outlook.

“Obviously, you don’t choose to get sick. When it happens, you can either cower in fear or you can say I am going to fight this and get better. Surrounding yourself with people who will lift you up and people who will love you is also extremely crucial.

“No matter what your situation, there is always hope, too,” he continued. “You should always keep battling and always do your best.

“I definitely wondered ‘why me?’ before, but then I realized that there are a lot of people that have it worse than I do. There really is no excuse, especially in this situation or in life in general, for making excuses. If you want you can have pity on yourself but you still have to deal with what you are given. At times, we are not given the best situations but it’s all about how you react to them and how you make the most of them.”

(PIAA) District VII. Since 1992, the league has given $718,000 in scholarships to the James Collins Scholar-Athlete Award recipients. In other WPIAL news, four area athletic directors were elected to the board of directors as senior high representatives. They included: Laura Grimm from Bethel Park; John Grogan from Mt. Lebanon; Mark Elphinstone from Keystone Oaks and Brian Geyer from Peters Township.

sights & sounds

Flex your creative muscles at Touchstone’s Center for Crafts Date night adventures

By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger

For The Almanac newsroom@observer-reporter.com

A trip to the Laurel Highlands is always a beautiful one, especially as the weather warms. The winding roads, tidy farms and sun-dappled woodlands are a wonderful reminder of the beauty of our state.

Nestled within 150 acres of woodland about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh, is a place that has stood the test of time. The Touchstone Center for Crafts started in 1972 with a group of pioneering artists, determined to build a creative community. Classes in pottery, weaving, quilting and fiber arts were held in the Mill Run Grange Hall under the aptly named “Pioneer Crafts Council.” The group later found a spot in nearby Farmington, where they operate as the Touchstone’s Center for Crafts.

The nonprofit organization serves the people of Fayette County and beyond and has grown substantially since its humble beginning. Today it offers classes, exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, and other creative and educational programming throughout the year.

One of the more popular programs at Touchstone is date night, where couples over 21 are invited to go beyond the typical dinner date and instead flex their creative muscles to forge a memento that they can cherish forever. No date? No problem, according to Dean Simpson, Touchstone Marketing Manager.

“We encourage participants to bring along a friend, colleague or family member for our Friday evening mini workshops,” he said.

Couples of all skill levels can choose from a variety of classes ranging from blacksmithing, to ceramics, drawing, painting, jewelry making and more. And for those who are adventurous, there’s a “mystery medium” class.

“Some folks enjoy being surprised, so the class is apt to include any medium listed, or one that isn’t even listed at all,” Simpson said. Kelli Brisbane has been attending classes at the center since 2022.

“My first was a teambuilding class, working with clay,”

what’s happening

AUP EVENTS

WISE WALK

The Bethel Park Library offers walks at 9:30 a.m. in South Park on Thursdays beginning May 9 and continuing through July 11. The program is geared for adults 50 and over and includes talks. No registration is required. Call 412-835-2207, extension 264, for more details.

TEA PARTY

An American Girl Doll tea party will be held at 2 p.m. May 11 at the Bethel Park Community Center. This annual event is designed for children and their adult guests. Crafts, games and light refreshments are included. Children can bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal. Tickets are $30 per pair; $10 for each additional family member. Tickets must be purchased at the Bethel Park Library.

SENIOR LUNCH

The Chabad of the South Hills in Mt. Lebanon will host a senior lunch at 1 p.m. May 15. The program will include a Q&A session, “Ask the Expert,” by Attorney Ashley Sharek of Entrusted Legacy Law. The event is wheelchair accessible. Suggested donation is $5. To register, call 412-278-2658.

FLEA

MARKET

The Church of the Atonement in Carnegie will hold a flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 and 18 at 618 Washington Ave. The market will close between noon and 1 p.m. on Saturday to prepare for the bag sale that follows. Bags will be provided. Call 412-2760366 to donate items or for more details.

she said, adding that the goal of the hand-building workshop was to create a business card and a decorative container to hold pens and pencils. The class left Brisbane wanting more.

“It was really fun and also neat to see how different they all turned out,” she said.

The Association of University People (AUP) invites singles 50 and over who are four-year college graduates to join them for activities and to meet new people. Activities include monthly dinners, social gatherings, concerts and day trips. Those interested can attend three activities as guests before joining. For more information or to become a member, call 412-353-9088 or email Aupsingles@gmail.com

PT REC

The Peters Township recreation department is offering the following events. Call 724-942-5000 or visit peterstownship.com to sign up.

■ Craft event for ages 13-17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 8. Participants will create and decorate a floral vase for the mother figure in their life. Fee is $5 ($8 nonmembers).

■ Hoop Stars offered Wednesdays beginning May 15. Ages 3 to 6 meet from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Ages 7 to 9 meet from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Fee is $100 ($150 nonmembers). Coaches from Jump Start Sports offer innovative and fun curriculum to teach the basics of the game.

■ Dance It Out offered Mondays from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m. from May through June. Fee is $50 ($75 nonmembers). The total body cardio dance workout features hip hop, country, disco and Latin steps, among others.

■ Zumba from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Tuesdays, 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Wednesdays or 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Fridays. Fee is $50 ($75

Brisbane enjoyed her class so much that she wanted to share the fun with her husband Dash Harster, so the two signed up for date night.

“It was a refreshing experience rather than our typical eating out for fun,” Brisbane said. The couple chose to try their hand at blacksmithing to start.

nonmembers). In addition, there is a 90-minute session offered from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. Fridays.

■ Senior luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. May 8 at Shelter 4 in Peterswood Park. The Dempsey Town Ramblers entertain with country and bluegrass selections. Seniors should bring a covered dish to share. Space is limited. RSVP required.

COIN CLUB

The South Hills Coin Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. May 14, at the Bethel Park Municipal Building located at 5100 West Library Ave. All members and the general public can attend the program, which will discuss early American half dollars, quarters and dimes. A 50/50 will be held and children’s prizes awarded. Applications are now being accepted for membership. Call 724-984-6611 for more details.

PLANT SALE

The Treehaven Garden Club in Bethel Park will hold its annual Mother’s Day plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon May 11 at the South Park Shops, 5209 Library Road. The sale occurs on the sidewalk in front of the now-vacant Rite Aid store. Available for purchase will be homegrown potted perennials, specialty gift baskets, herbs and a large selection of hanging baskets provided by Lenik Greenhouse. For more details on the sale or the group, visit the club’s Facebook page @Treehaven Garden Club.

SHWC

The South Hills Women’s Club will celebrate its 80th birthday on May 15 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel,

“It was a blast hammering away at metal under the guidance of an expert and creating a cool hook to use in our home,” Brisbane said, adding that it was extremely satisfying to see something beautiful come to life in front of their eyes. What the couple also learned is how much work goes into creating such a small hook. “It gave us an appreciation for craftsmanship.”

Next up was a mosaic class that Brisbane said was more delicate, but equally fun.

“We had the opportunity to choose found objects like glass and tile pieces and put them together to make something that inspired us,” she said, noting that working with mosaics was on her bucket list.

Harster said that he was glad his wife suggested the classes.

“We not only acquired the fundamentals of each craft, but also had the opportunity to create pieces to cherish,” he said.

164 Fort Couch Road, Pittsburgh South. Social time begins at 6 p.m. and dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $45. Make checks payable to the South Hills Women’s Club. Deadline is May 8. To RSVP or more details, call 412-221-2713.

ROAD TRIP

The Baldwin Community United Methodist Church is offering a trip to the Smoky Mountains from Aug. 5 to 8. Cost per person ranges from $1,133 for single to $859 for quad lodging occupancy. Highlights include Pigeon Forge, moonshine tasting, the Incredible Christmas Place, Dollywood, Sevierville and the Titanic Museum attraction. Reservations require a $100 per person deposit. Final payment must be made by June 1. Call 412-885-4560 for details.

REUNIONS

The Mt. Lebanon High School Class of 1974 is planning its 50th reunion. Graduates should email Kelly Courtney Werley at kmacwcb@aol.com or Rita Bryce at rxb19@case.edu for details. The reunion is scheduled for June 7-9. Festivities kick off at a casual get-together June 7 at Primanti Bros. A celebratory dinner will be held June 8 at the Le Mont restaurant on Mount Washington.

The Bethel Park High School Class of 1994 is planning its 30th reunion and looking for graduates. If you are a member of the class, or if you have the contact information for a 1994 graduate, contact the reunion committee at bphsclass94@gmail.com or visit the http://facebook.com/bp94reunion?milbextid=LQQJ4d .

LEFT: Kelli Brisbane tries her hand at blacksmithing during one of Touchstone Center for Crafts date night classes. RIGHT: Under the guidance of professionals at Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington, those who sign up for date night classes can learn any number of skills. Dash Harster, pictured, has taken two classes with his wife.

When the date night classes wind down, participants are invited to enjoy light refreshments and wine from the local Christian W. Klay Winery.

“It was the perfect way to end the evening, just kicking back and reliving the fun we just had,” Brisbane said. The couple said that they’d recommend the classes to anyone but notes that date nights tend to fill up fast, so they advise those interested to consider visiting the website and signing up soon.

“What makes the classes exceptional is the opportunity to learn skills not easily accessible on our own at a top-notch facility with expert instructors and professional equipment. It was both remarkable and enriching,” Harster said. Date night classes are $60 per person, materials included. To sign up, visit their website at: https//www.touchstonecrafts.org/workshops/ date-nights.

Fort Couch Middle School will present the Disney musical, “Beauty and the Beast,” May 10 through May 12. With four shows total, Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Visit usctheater.org to purchase tickets online. In-person tickets will be available at the door one hour prior to each performance.

Admission for Upper St. Clair’s senior citizens is free with a USC Gold Card. Gold Card holders must obtain their free theater tickets in person at the box office.

Nearly 130 seventh- and eighth-graders are involved with this year’s musical production, including on stage, on the crew, or in the orchestra pit. The show is directed by Tom Hunsberger, Fort Couch Middle School music teacher.

Fort Couch Middle School is one of the last schools to produce this “tale as old as time.” The show is scheduled to be locked in the Disney vault in January to make way for a newly redesigned tour and Broadway production.

The classic story tells of Belle, a young woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress. If the Beast can learn to love and be loved, the curse will end and he will be transformed into his former self. But time is running out. If the Beast does not learn his lesson soon, he and his household will be doomed for all eternity.

Touchstone Center for the Arts in Farmington offers a wide range of classes, but one of the most popular are its date nights, a unique way to learn a new skill.

Garden of Devotion. Two vaults, two interment fees, with granite headstone. $5,400 (includes transfer fee). 724-825-5139 TWO MAUSOLEUM CRYPTS St. Agatha’s Cemetery, Section 300B, Row: End, Level Prayer 1. $8,500 for both, includes opening and closing, transfer fees and crypt plates. Call 724-992-2494

WASHINGTON CEMETERY Three plots, Section 12. Flat Grass Markers Only. $2,200 each obo. Call for information, 727-831-9920

Garage Sales

BETHELPARKGARAGESALE FIRSTBETHELUMC 5901LibraryRoad Saturday,May11,8am-2pm SponsoredbytheMen’s GroupofFirstBethelUMC HUGEANNUALSALEfeaturing housewares,handtools,gas/ electric/battery-operatedgarden tools,electronics,furniture, outdoorfurniture,vegetable plantsandflowers,fabrics(yard goodsandquiltcuts),sports equipment,toys,games, puzzles,booksandmuchmore. Allproceedsbenefitthemany ministriesofFirstUMC. www.firstbethelumc.org 412-835-0700

BETHEL PARK Garage Sale Saturday, May 11, 9 am-1 pm 5524 Annetta Drive Treasures and great junk! McMURRAY GARAGE SALE

POMSKY

AIR PURIFIER Honeywell Tru Hepa for allergies. $125. 412-629-0713 BED FRAME Twin or Full size. $15 412-495-9284

BIKE RACK - Swagman 3-bike rack, 1-1/4” tow hitch. Like new. $70. 412-582-2544 Blower Gas $80 724-693-9844

BOOMBOX - AM/FM, CD, Cassette. Like new. $35. 412-629-0713

BOOMBOX - Sony Memorex, AM/FM, CD, Cassette. Like new. $50. 412-629-0713

BOYS PANTS - Cargo, waist size 28, 2 for $12 obo 724-222-3612

BOYS SHORTS Cargo, sizes 10 and 12 2 for $10 obo 724-222-3612

BUSINESS 13 PHONE SYSTEM Includes greeting module, all office intercom, multi lines. $2,500 412-310-020

CAMP SETUP - Tent, heater, stove, dining fly. $125. 412-582-2544

CHINA - Compton Syracuse Turina pattern, 12 five-piece settings. Never used. $25/set. 724-396-5457

CHINA - Lenox, Maywood pattern, twelve 5-piece settings. $45/set. Never used 724-396-5457

CHINA - Noritake #48, 8-place setting, serving bowl. $40 or best offer. 412-582-2544

COAT - Ladies VINTAGE hunter green suede coat, size M, Talbots. $25. 724-747-1752

COATS Assorted fashion women’s coats. $50 for all. 724-747-1752

CURIO CABINET - Wood, glass, lighted, 72x18x13. Excellent condition. $200. 724-942-4527 Door Interior pre-hung 32”, with hardware $50.00 412-709-0815

EDGER - Southland SWLE0799. Won’t start. Includes unused replacement parts. As is. $50. 412-535-3744

ELECTRICWHEELCHAIR -Jazzy, includescharger.Needsnew batteries. Originally$3,200.Used. Sellfor$700.412-310-0210

ENTERTAINMENT CENTER Oak. 51” wide. $300. 724-206-8439

EXERCISE BIKE - Vita Master $50 obo 724-222-3612

Franciscan Desert Rose service for 8 plus extras $600 412-833-9281

FRUIT PRESS Wooden, 14” diameter bowl, $200 412-833-6870

GENERATOR - Auto Lite 6v-DC. Single pulley. $25 412-833-6870

GIRLS SKIRTS - Blue Jean, sizes 6, 9 and 10, 2 for $10 obo 724-222-3612

GLIDER, wooden

- Electric fireplace, 25”, with entertainment stand $275 or best offer 724-396-5457 HUMIDIFIER Vicks Cool Mist, Like New $40 412-629-0713 IRONING BOARD (Antique) Wood, decorative. $100. 724-942-4527

JEEP RENEGADE T-SHIRT large, fluorescent orange and green. $15. 412-535-3744

LAMPS - Touch switch, hummingbird design. $20 for the pair. 724-942-4527

LAWNBOY GRASS BAG

ATTACHMENT - for Platinum mower. Used. $15. 412-535-3744

LAWN MOWER - 1811 Cub Cadet, good condition and runs well. $300 obo 724-255-3924

LAWN UMBRELLA Almet Lawnlite. 6 rib, vinyl, w/tilt, never used, Cabana Mint $25 724-222-5098 Little Tyke’s - My First Balance-to-Pedal Bike. $30.00 724-747-1749

MOTORCYCLE VEST - VINTAGE men’s canvas, size XL, retro cool. $25. 724-747-1752

NINJA Foodi 8-1 Air Fryer Oven used 3 times $75.00 724-747-1749

OSCILLATING FAN - Antique, GE 16-inch, 3-speed. Knob missing. Runs great. $100. 412-221-3945

PATIO CHAIRS - (3) Excellent condition. $10 each 724-225-1106

Plumbing tools - Apollo 5 valve backflow test gauge or Hot Shot 320 thaw machine with extra cables $500 each 412-951-5734

PUNCHING BAG - 75 lb. Nice one. $55. 412-513-0991

RADIO Vintage, Realistic Patrolman. $15. 724-942-4527

REAR END - 1928, 33 Ford Model A rear end. Complete. $150 412-833-6870

REMOTE CONTROL TRUCKS (2) 1 Duratrax Warhead EVO Nitro and 1 Traxxas Revo Nitro, plus lots of parts. $600 for both. 412-849-6903.

RESTAURANT Furniture, Decor, Kitchen ware, much more Call 724-384-4400

RESTAURANT TABLE Heavy, 36”x56”, with chairs. $65 each. 724-809-3998

RESTAURANT TABLES (9) - Handicap tables that go up and down. Very good shape. $60 each. 724-809-3998

RESTAURANT TABLES 48”x48”. Heavy. $70. 724-809-3998

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249 Roy E. Furman Hwy. Waynesburg, PA 15370 724-627-6171 www.bortzchevy.com

COLUSSY CHEVROLET 3073 Washington Pk. Bridgeville, PA 15017 412-564-9829 www.colussy.com

SOLOMON CHEVROLET 1777 McClellandtown Rd, McClellandtown, PA 724-602-4678 www.solmonchevy.com

SUN CHEVROLET Route 19, McMurray, PA 724-941-5160 www.sunchevy.com

WASHINGTON CHEVROLET

Intersection of Rt. 19, I-79 & I-70, Exit 19A Washington, PA 724-222-2800 www.washingtonchevy.com

CHRYSLER

SOLOMON CHRYSLER Routes 40 & 43 Brownsville, PA 724-785-8000 www.solomonauto.com

SOLOMON CHRYSLER Routes 21 7 88 Carmichaels, PA 724-966-2600 www.solomonauto.com

SOUTH HILLS CHRYSLER Washington Road, McMurray, PA 724-941-4300 www.southhillsauto.com

DODGE ROTOLO’S DODGE 58 Route 88, North Charleroi, PA 15022 888-269-6183 www.rotolomotors.com

SOLOMON DODGE Routes 21 & 88 Carmichaels, PA 724-966-2600 www.solomonauto.com

SOLOMON DODGE Routes 40 & 43 Brownsville, PA 724-785-8000 www.solomonauto.com

SOUTH HILLS DODGE Washington Road, McMurray, PA 724-941-4300

www.southhillsauto.com

FIAT

SOUTH HILLS FIAT Washington Road, McMurray, PA 724-941-4300 www.southhillsauto.com

FORD

FOX FORD 743 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 724-627-3151 www.foxfordwaynesburg.com

SOLOMON FORD Routes 40 & 43 Brownsville, PA 724-785-5500 www.solomonauto.com

STAR LAKE FORD Main St., Burgettstown, PA 724-947-3381 www.starlakeford.com

HYUNDAI

WASHINGTON HYUNDAI 305 WashingtonRd. Rt. 19 at Strabane Square Washington, PA 724-222-2216 www.washhyundai.com

JEEP

ROTOLO’S JEEP 58 Route 88, North Charleroi, PA 15022 888-269-6183 www.rotolomotors.com

SOLOMON JEEP Routes 21 & 88, Carmichaels, PA 724-966-2600 www.solomonauto.com

SOLOMON JEEP Routes 40 & 43, Brownsville, PA 724-785-8000 www.solomonauto.com

KIA

SOUTH HILLS KIA Washington Road, McMurray, PA 724-942-3000 www.southhillsauto.com

LINCOLN

SOUTH HILLS LINCOLN Route 19, McMurray, PA 724-941-1600 www.southhillslincoln.net

MAZDA

BUDD BAER MAZDA 83 Murtland Avenue, Washington, PA 724-993-4430 www.buddbaermazda.com

MERCEDES-BENZ

JOHN SISSON MERCEDES-BENZ 470 Washington Road Adjacent to Gabriel’s, 724-206-6000 www.johnsissonmercedes.com

NISSAN

JOHN SISSON NISSAN 470 Washington Road Adjacent to Gabriel’s, Washington, PA 724-223-8600 www.johnssissonnissan.com

RAM ROTOLO’S RAM 58 Route 88, North Charleroi, PA 15022 888-269-6183 www.rotolomotors.com

SOLOMON RAM Routes 21 & 88 Carmichaels, PA 724-966-2600 www.solomonauto.com

SOUTH HILLS JEEP Washington Road, McMurray, PA 724-941-4300 www.southhillsauto.com SOLOMON

SOUTH HILLS RAM Washington Road, McMurray, PA 724-941-4300 www.southhillsauto.com

WASHINGTON FORD 507 Washington Road, Rt. 19, Washington, PA 888-706-6128 www.washingtonford.com

GMC

BUDD BAER GMC 83 Murtland Ave. Washington Pa 724-249-6047 www.buddbaergm.com

SUBARU

BUDD BAER SUBARU 71 Murtland Avenue, Washington, PA 724-222-0700 www.buddbaersubaru.com

TOYOTA

HARLEY DAVIDSON

STEEL CITY HARLEY DAVIDSON 1375 Washington Road, Washington, PA 724-225-7020 www.steelcitymotorcycles.com

#1 COCHRAN PREOWNED MARKETPLACE 150 Racetrack Road Washington, PA 412-349-1794 www.cochran.com

PREMIERE AUTO SALES 667 E. Maiden St., Washington, PA 724-223-0600 www.premiereautosales.com

RT. 18 HOMES AUTO SALES 940 Henderson Ave., Washington, PA 724-225-5308 www.18autosales.com

SOUTH HILLS TOYOTA 2403 Washington Road Canonsburg, PA 15317 724-743-1144 www.southhillstoyota.com

VOLKSWAGEN

THREE RIVERS VOLKSWAGEN 3694 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 724-941-6100 www.3riversvw.com

THREE RIVERS AUTO SALES 30 South Central Avenue Canonsburg, PA 15317 724-338-2923 www.3riversvw.com