‘Smile and have fun’
Always
B
Smiling
opens activity, learning center for kids with disabilities along Montour Trail
By Karen Mansfield Staff writer
kmansfield@observer-reporter.com
On a warm, July Tuesday morning, 11 students from Peters Township School District’s Extended School Year program, buckled up in adaptive bicycles and piloted by volunteers wearing bright-yellow “Always B Smiling” T-shirts, embarked on a nine-mile bike ride on the Montour Trail in Cecil Township.
“We’re going to ride past a really cool caboose, we’re going to go over a couple of bridges, through a tunnel and then come back, and then at the end of the day we always have pizza and ice cream!” said board mem-
Adaptive bikes are stored at Matthew’s Garage, part of a new complex opened on the Montour Trail by the nonprofit Always B Smiling.
KAREN MANSFIELD/ OBSERVER-REPORTER
ber Gina Esch, vice president of the board of Always B Smiling, as she threw her arms in the air enthusiastically. “The most important rule at Always B Smiling is to smile and have fun.”
And fun it was, as the kids spent a chunk of their day riding bikes, working on crafts, playing yard games, and munching on pizza and ice cream.
For Kristin Huibregtse, executive director of Always B Smiling, who launched the nonprofit adaptive ride program for children with disabilities with her husband, Dean Huibregtse, it has been a satisfying summer.
Urchick takes the helm of Rotary International
By Brad Hundt Staff writer
Stephanie Urchick was recently on a flight from Italy to India and found herself seated next to a 31-year-old CEO of a New Delhi-based company.
They started chatting about their jobs, and when Urchick told him she was in line to become president of Rotary International, he replied, “That’s the organization for old people.”
Urchick replied that, no, it’s not an organization for the senior-discount crowd. She replied, “No, it’s an organization for you, and you’re a CEO.”
The CEO took her advice and joined New Delhi’s Rotary branch.
Urchick is going to be talking up Rotary a whole lot more in the next 12 months in many far-flung locales after assuming the
Peters Township School District, teachers union agree on contract
Teachers in the Peters Township School District have a new five-year contract that will carry them to 2029. Both the Peters Township Board of School Directors and the Peters Township Federation of Teachers (PTFT) approved the agreement at meetings July 22. According to a press release from the school district, the new contract includes $1,700 annual raises for teachers from their second year of employment to their 16th year. Teachers who have been employed for 17 years will get raises of $2,300 annually. The previous contract provided for annual salary increases of $1,400.
“We’re glad to get a fair and equitable agreement prior to the start of the school year,” said Caroline Abele, McMurray Elementary School Teacher and PTFT president, in the release. “We’re excited to be able to focus on doing what we love in this wonderful community.” The contract covers 279 district staff members, including the teachers, counselors and nurses. Last school year, the average teacher’s salary at Peters Township was $89,816. The starting salary for a firstyear teacher with a bachelor’s degree is $52,900. The contract also restructures how teachers will contribute to their health insurance plans. Rather than a flat rate, rates will be 10% of the premium for 2024 to 2025, and then increase 1% each year.
“We are happy that the work between the district, the teachers, and the union leadership has resulted in a fair agreement for all stakeholders,” said school board member Dan Taylor, who served as lead negotiator.
Other changes were made as well, such as allowing sick leave to be used to care for a sick child, parent or spouse, and a floating clerical day prior to the start of each school year.
The contract is effective retroactively to July 1, and expires June 30, 2029.
By Jon Andreassi Staff writer
KAREN MANSFIELD/OBSERVER-REPORTER
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Always B Smiling activity and learning center on the Montour Trail in Peters Township is set for Aug. 12.
COURTESY OF ALWAYS B SMILING
Kristin and Dean Huibregtse, who founded Always B Smiling, a nonprofit that provides adaptive bikes and activities for children with special needs, pose before the start
Urchick
presidency of Rotary International last week. A Canonsburg resident and longtime member of McMurray’s Rotary, she was tapped for the post two years ago and will serve as Rotary International’s leader until next June 30, when she will be succeeded by Mario Cesar Martins de Camargo of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Urchick is only the second woman to serve as Rotary International’s president, following Jennifer E. Jones, a Canadian communications executive who was at the organization’s helm in 2022 and 2023. The organization did not even allow women to be admitted to its ranks until 1989. For the next year, Urchick will be living in a condominium in Evanston, Ill., near Rotary International’s headquarters, but will be spending quite a bit of time in the air and on the road. In the weeks ahead, trips to Canada, Sweden and Serbia are on the agenda. In February, Urchick will host a conference at the opening of Rotary’s newest Peace Center in Istanbul, Turkey.
So what is a typical day in the life like as president of Rotary International?
“I don’t know that there is such a thing as a typical day,” Urchick explained on the phone this week. But, she added, “What I like most about the job is the ability to meet the Rotary family.”
Urchick is becoming president of Rotary International at a time when service organizations of all stripes are facing challenges. While Rotary brings onboard about 44,000 new members every year, it loses about 51,000, with age taking its toll, along with potential members becoming more isolated by working at home. In an interview on the Rotary website,
Urchick admitted that “some people are not finding value in their club experience. They’re not leaving a Rotary club. We need to get clubs to examine what is happening.”
When it comes to getting people interested in Rotary, Urchick said she listens to people “to find out what they’re interested in. … But in general, I talk about how Rotary is a membership organization and there are different opportunities for people to get involved.”
Urchick’s own involvement in Rotary dates back to 1991. She was divorced and looking for a way to meet new people. No one in her family had ever been part of a service organization, but she was soon hooked. Her Rotary tenure has included stints on the strategic planning and election review and operations committees, as well as serving as a Foundation trustee. She has already traveled to many parts of the world under the Rotary banner. Some of those trips include a journey to the Dominican Republic to install water filters, and a sojourn to Vietnam to help build a primary school.
Outside of Rotary, Urchick has worked in education, consulting and entertainment. A graduate of Monessen High School, she has degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania and Duquesne University. She formerly operated the McMurray-based consulting and training company Doctors at Work LLC.
In the next 12 months, Urchick will be working to increase Rotary membership and work on long-term Rotary goals of promoting peace, eradicating polio, providing clean drinking water and supporting education. Then, when her time is up, Urchick will be glad to pass off the baton.
“We think that bringing in new ideas is a healthy thing,” she said. “It’s what makes us so diverse and unique.”
IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, URCHICK WILL BE WORKING TO INCREASE ROTARY MEMBERSHIP AND WORK ON LONG-TERM ROTARY GOALS OF PROMOTING PEACE, ERADICATING POLIO, PROVIDING CLEAN DRINKING WATER AND SUPPORTING EDUCATION.
Smile FROM PAGE A1
Two days before, the couple held the fourth annual Miles For Smiles 5K race, to honor and remember their son, Bennett, who passed away on July 26, 2020, at 16 years old, from complications of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.
And they unofficially unveiled a new state-of-the-art, handicapped-accessible, 3,300-square-foot activity and learning center that will provide recreational activities and programming for kids with disabilities and their families. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 12
“Bennett had a very complex, challenging life. He had multiple disabilities, and throughout his life he faced a lot of adversity, but he was one of the most gentle, kind, happy souls, and he always had a smile on his face,” said Kristin Huibregtse. “When Bennett passed, we wanted to build his legacy around all of the things he enjoyed, such as adaptive bike riding. We wanted to spread his smile and spread joy and give back. That is what Bennett taught us and that is what we want to share with the world.”
Huibregtse marveled at how fast the nonprofit has grown, and the support it has received.
That includes the Tom Robinson family, who donated a 100-year land lease – located on the section of the trail where the Huibregtses used to ride with Bennett – after meeting with the couple for 15 minutes.
“And the beauty of this location is, this is where we always took Bennett for a bike ride as a family. We would stop at the end where the red barn is, and we’d give him his drink and his snack. This is where we hung out and stopped,” said Huibregtse. “We never imagined then that Bennett was going to leave us and we never imagined any of this. It’s been unbelievable.”
Always B Smiling also has received grants from Washington County Tourism and Washington County LSA, along with donations from several businesses and individuals.
Always B Smiling’s Bennett Park ever-growing complex – affectionately dubbed “B-Town” for Bennett – sits
other self-care activities for parents and caretakers to address their mental health and well-being.
“We give the parents a chance for 30 minutes or so, while we are with their child and they know their child is being taken care of, they can relax because often, they’re caretakers 24/7 and don’t get a break,” said volunteer Kim Rawson, who pilots children on the adaptive bikes.
on what once was an empty lot along the trail in Peters Township.
It now includes the activity center, Matt’s Garage (which houses the adaptive bikes and a fleet of e-bikes and is named after the couple’s first son, who died from the same kidney disease as Bennett, hours after he was born), and a turf field area for activities that also includes handicapped-accessible picnic tables built by Boy Scouts.
The new facility includes a therapy room, a large activity room, and state-of-theart handicapped-accessible bathrooms with an adjustable changing table, showers, and movable sinks.
“Families have everything they need at the center so they don’t have to go home if something happens. They can change their child there if an accident happens, or there’s a room to decompress if they need to,” said Huibregtse.
The center also will serve as a place for caretakers and family to unwind, with internet-accessible tables for laptops or areas for reading, and opportunities for facials, massages, socialization, and
The next phase of expansion calls for construction of a Sensory Zone, a park that will be built behind the center and is set to open in the fall of 2025. There are plans to open a cafe with coffee and snacks for people using the trail and launch a greenhouse that will be led by a volunteer horticulturist.
April Ragland, assistant director of pupil services at Peters Township School District, has taken students to Always Be Smiling for two years.
“Last year, we started doing these field trips as community-building activities for our students. It exposes them to the idea that no matter what your ability level, there are ways that things can be adapted and modified so that everyone can participate. It is a public space that any community member can access, and Always B Smiling widens exposure to how families and children can have access to these things,” said Ragland. “I’m really excited to see what they’re doing in the future.”
Always B Smiling now has about 75 volunteers. Among them is Rawson, a retired hairdresser, who started volunteering nearly two years ago after seeing a sign on the trail asking for volunteers.
“I was so impressed by Kristin and Dean and their love for special needs children, and their desire to keep Bennett’s legacy alive, and their determination to keep going with this is amazing. They are a special couple,” said Rawson. “After our ride on (Tuesday), the smiles on the kids’ faces were awesome. They had a blast. It’s helping these kids have something fun in their lives and it offers families with special needs kids to be around other families. A lot of friendships have been built through the program. The need for a program like this was so desperate, and I’m so excited how fast it’s grown.”
The Huibregtses are grateful for the support.
“People have stepped into our lives to make this happen. We could never have done this without the support of volunteers and the community because you can’t do this alone,” Huibregtse said. “They want to help with the legacy.” Huibregtse said Always B Smiling has helped her to deal with the grief of losing Bennett.
“There are pieces of me that are so sad that he’s gone, but when I get inside that building, I’m so happy because he’s there in that building,” Huibregtse said. “It was a tragic event, Bennett passing, but without that, Always B Smiling wouldn’t have come into fruition and we wouldn’t have been able to serve the families and children with disabilities that we’ve helped.”
For additional information on Always B Smiling, including hours of operation, programs, and volunteer opportunities, visit www.alwaysbsmiling.org.
about 10 days to complete the installation.
Valley Athletic Complex at Pleasant Valley Elementary, which was completed last month.
At the school board meeting where the projects were approved, Athletic Director Brian Geyer told board members there was a $50,000 savings for having both fields replaced at the same time.
Geyer said in a phone interview July 23 that turf typically needs to be replaced every eight to 10 years.
“We got 11 years out of the last turf,” Geyer said, adding the previous turf at Pleasant Valley Field was installed 13 years ago. The turf itself arrived at the high school stadium July 18. According to Geyer, it will take
Geyer said the “Game On” system will wear better over time. It also simplifies using the field for multiple sports with different lines cut into the turf itself.
“A lot of the lines are inserted in. They are going to be part of the turf,” Geyer said. Geyer noted that the field at Peters’ Confluence Financial Partners Stadium is used for more than football games.
“Our stadium competition-wise – field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, track and field – that gets a lot of use,” Geyer said. Varsity softball games are played at Pleasant Valley Field, and also serves as a practice field for football.
“The Pleasant Valley Elementary physical education teacher uses that field as well. Those fields get big use academically,” Geyer said.
call
Kristin Huibregtse stands beneath a photo of her late son, Bennett, in a new, state-of-the-art, handicapped-accessible activity and learning center in Peters Township.
PHOTOS: KATHERINE MANSFIELD/OBSERVER-REPORTER
Sydney Stelmaszek, right, smiles at son Emmitt as the family, escorted by Always B Smiling volunteers, takes part in an adaptive bike ride in 2022. The nonprofit is celebrating its fourth anniversary.
community news
By Jon Andreassi Staff writer
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
Peters Township council unanimously denied a preliminary development plan for a housing plan along East McMurray Road at the July 22 meeting.
Andrew and Amy Zahalsky had submitted plans for Pleasant Pointe, which would have included 15 townhouses and 38 duplexes on the land across the street from Peters Township Middle School.
The property is currently low density residential zoning, which only allows for half-acre lots. Township Manager Paul Lauer said that the Pleasant Pointe application was filed prior to that change and was still being considered as a mixed residential district.
According to Lauer, council found several issues with the proposal.
“There were just a host of problems with the planning,” Lauer said.
Among those problems were a lack of plans for stormwater management or erosion. Lauer said their geotechnical analysis was incomplete, and there was a failure to provide traffic improvements to East McMurray Road. According to Lauer, the developer can appeal the decision. When reached by phone July 23, Andrew Zahalsky declined to comment on council’s decision and whether or not they would appeal.
After council’s decision, the property can only be developed under low density zoning rules, according to Lauer.
Congratulations on your new family member! Congratulations
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Scholarship enables USC student to study in Korea
Upper St. Clair High School senior Leona Chen is studying Korean this summer in South Korea, thanks to a National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) scholarship.
Chen was one of 540 students selected from thousands of high school applicants across the United States to receive the scholarship. While in South Korea, she is living with a host family, immersing herself in the local culture and host community, and engaging with local peers to enhance language learning and build mutual understanding.
The fully-funded scholarship provides Chen with the opportunity to immerse herself in the Korean culture and language.
“Immersion is the most effective way to learn a new language, so NSLI-Y is providing me with that opportunity through the Korean Summer Program,” Chen said. “By living in a country of native speakers, I hope to not only learn to communicate in Ko-
rean but also learn about the culture, a crucial context to understanding and using the language.”
NSLI-Y, a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), promotes the study of Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, or Turkish.
Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to select a specific country/language to study.
“I chose to learn Korean because I’ve had an interest in the language and culture since I was in middle school,” Chen said. “As a Taiwanese American, I have an interest in exploring East Asia and learning about the interconnected history. Additionally, learning Korean complements my goal to study computer science and work in the global technology sector.”
Next fall, Chen plans to study computer science at the Schreyer Honors College at Pennsylvania State University. Launched in 2006 as part of a multi-agency U.S. Government initiative, NSLI-Y increases the number of young Americans with the critical language skills necessary to advance international dialogue, promote economic prosperity and innovation worldwide, and contribute to national security by building understanding across cultures.
Applications for NSLI - Y programs are available at www.nsliforyouth.org each fall.
Cecil Township Bridge renamed in honor of former Allegheny Co. firefighter
A bridge in Cecil Township has been renamed in honor of a former Allegheny County firefighter who was killed in a three-vehicle accident on the Parkway East in October 2022.
Terry Dale “Bubby” Tackett Jr., of Collier Township, was a lieutenant of the Presto Volunteer Fire Department and worked as a laborer as a member of Local Union 1058. Tackett once rendered aid to a woman in downtown Pitts-
burgh who was critically injured when a vehicle ran into the side of the Allegheny County building several years ago.
The bridge honoring Tackett carries the Southern Beltway over State Route 980 near where he grew up.
“Terry would always lend a hand to anyone in need,” said state Rep. Jason Ortitay. “In one instance, he witnessed an accident while at work and put his own well-being in jeopardy by breaking a window and
jumping headfirst into a vehicle to help a bloody, unconscious woman. While he had training as a firefighter, he had none of his equipment with him that day. Terry’s numerous acts of bravery will now be permanently remembered.” Ortitay’s efforts resulted in the law to name the bridge in honor of Tackett.
Tackett, who was 32 when he died, is survived by his wife, Rachel, and his parents, Terry Tackett Sr. and Sherry Rehak.
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sports
BP’s Orie commits to the Naval Academy EYES ON THE NFL
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
At 6-3, 255, Clancy Orie has the makings of an NFL linemen. Even though he recently committed to the United States Naval Academy, the Bethel Park senior is holding onto the dream of playing professionally.
“I want it to be a reality,” Orie said. “After college, the goal is to make it to the NFL.”
Under new regulations currently being considered by House lawmakers, military academy athletes graduating could skip their active duty commitments to further a professional sports career.
Under the proposed rules, any student from the Military,Naval or Air Force Academy that “obtains employment as a professional athlete before completing commissioned service obligation” would be allowed to transfer to a recruiting billet in the reserves, pending approval from service officials. That alternative reserve commitment could last up to 10 years, and would require the athletes to “participate in efforts to recruit and retain (military) members.”
In the past, academy athletes drafted by professional sports leagues or signed to free-agent contracts had been able to apply for waivers. But in 2022, lawmakers rescinded that policy, mandating that those service members complete at least two years of active duty service before being eligible for a waiver.
Regardless, Orie is content with his decision to attend the academy in Annapolis. He had some 20 other Division I offers, including Duquesne, Miami of Ohio, Cornell, Yale, Harvard, Robert Morris, Akron and Buffalo.
On his official visit Orie said that he fell in “love” with the campus and the facilities were nice. Plus, the Midshipmen were noted for their competitiveness. Even though they posted a 5-7 record in 2023, the Naval Academy has appeared in 24 bowl games.
“They play great football,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity.”
Noting he had cousins that attended West Point, the Naval Academy provided Orie the chance also to “experience” serving his country and acquiring a great education.
Orie plans to apply his 4.3 GPA towards earning a degree in the sciences with a secondary emphasis on economics.
Orie is a member of the DECA Club and National Honor Society at Bethel Park High School. In addition to belonging to service organizations, he is also a member of the school’s chess club.
“I love the strategy involved in the game,” he said. “I’m pretty decent at it.”
Orie is more than satisfactory at playing football. He will start his fourth year anchoring the Black Hawks’ defensive line as well as playing tight end on offense. As a junior, he garnered All-State accolades while making 65 tackles, 51 of them solo.
“His quick twitch off the ball is his strength and he’s really fine-tuned his craft since last year,” said BP head coach Phil Peckich. “He can really impact the game.”
Orie plans to make an immediate impact with the Midshipmen. He will not attend prep school.
“Obviously, I am going into my freshman year with the hopes of playing as much as I can,” he said.
“I am going to do the best I can and get playing time.
“I know I have to put on weight for the position. Get stronger and play smarter as a defensive linemen because at that level the game is faster and the players will be bigger and stronger.
As for his long-range goals Orie added, “Pretty much, I just want us to have great seasons and maybe win some bowl games.”
Those objectives are paramount this fall for the Black Hawks. Orie hopes to direct Bethel Park to a conference championship as well as WPIAL and PIAA titles.
“Because I am a three-year starter, I’m expected to be a leader on the team and a key part of the defense. I don’t think too much about that because we all have high expectations this season.
“We have a lot of experience and really skilled players returning so I’m really excited for the team. I think we are going to be good and do great things.”
Great things are associated with the Orie moniker. His uncle, Kevin, played profes-
Orie, a Bethel Park
65
sional baseball for the Chicago Cubs. Several other uncles were athletic standouts at Ivy League universities. Orie’s father, Mike, excelled at Colgate. His mother, Paula, ran track at Marquette University.
“My parents played a huge part in my success,” Orie said. “They started me early and helped me develop great habits.”
Orie has a propensity for applying pressure on the quarterback. Last fall, he racked up eight sacks while also recording 19 quarterback hurries. He also managed eight tackles-for-losses.
“The best part of my game is my hustle,” he said. “I can get anywhere on the field.”
When he steps onto the
Shields signs with Royals
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor
ebailey@thealmanac.net
David Shields of Mt. Lebanon signed a MLB contract with Kansas City on July 22. The Royals had selected the southpaw in the second round of the amateur draft held July 14-16 in Fort Worth, Texas. He was the 41st overall pick According to the KC website, Shields signed for $2.3 million, which is slightly above the slot value of $2.28 million assigned by MLB. With the deal, Shields will forego his scholarship to the University of Miami, where he had started summer classes upon graduation from Mt. Lebanon High School in June. According to the Royals, Shields is ‘super-projectable’ with plenty of raw talent. He has ‘starting pitcher traits’, specifically a 94-mile-perhour fastball to go along with an above-average slider, clocked in the low 80s, and an average changeup. Plus, he doesn’t turn 18 until Sept. 9. Shields was a two-sport athlete, starting at quarterback on the football team, until he decided to reclassify and fast track his career, graduating as a junior.
David Shields posted this photo on his social media account after signing a contract with the Royals. The Mt. Lebanon graduate indicated that he is ready to ‘get started’ with his pro career.
In two seasons, Shields compiled an 11-3 record. In 102 2/3 innings, he struck out 169 and scattered 46 hits. He led Mt. Lebanon to the district finals two years in a row, throwing a no-hitter in the 2023 WPIAL championships. He also pitched in the 2023 PIAA finals.
Despite battling a bout with mononucleosis this
spring, Shields posted a 5-1 record not he mound, complete with a 0.96 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 35 innings. He batted .383 and started in center field when he wasn’t on the mound. Shields was named Gatorade’s Pennsylvania Baseball Player of the Year as well as Almanac and Observer-Re-
porter baseball MVP for the second year in a row at the end of the scholastic school year. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound pitcher is the son of Kevin and Marcia Shields. His older brother, Derrick, pitches for Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which participated in the NCAA Division II College World Series
field at the Naval Academy, Orie will not be alone. The Midshipmen list several area athletes on its 2024 roster, including the Mt. Lebanon tandem of Alex Tecza and Eli Heidenreich as well as Canon-McMillan’s Connor McMahon, a 6-4, 279-pound senior offensive tackle out of Canonsburg.
“It’s nice to have guys from the local area, especially those with success and who enjoy it,” Orie said. Tecza and Heidenreich enjoyed extreme success on the gridiron, especially during their tenure at Mt. Lebanon. They both achieved all-state accolades while leading the Blue Devils to an undefeated 2021 season that included
conference, WPIAL and PIAA championships.
A 6-0, 2-1-pound junior, who amassed 2,266 all-purpose yards and led the Lebo defense with 60 tackles and four interceptions, Heidenreich is a slotback at Navy. The son of David and Tara Heidenreich is majoring in cyber operations. A 6-0, 204-pound junior, Tecza rushed for 2,085 yards and 26 TD at Lebo before emerging as Navy’s leading rusher. He averaged 63.2 yards per game last fall and scored five touchdowns. The son of Randy and Dana Tecza was an All-America fullback (third team) and an All-East selection last fall for the Navy. He, too, is a cyber operations major.
sports briefs
BOWLING
Mature ladies are needed for a bowling league that will compete Mondays at 9:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 9 at Mt Lebanon Lanes. Call 412-977-4407 to register.
PANTHER PASS
Fans of Upper St. Clair athletics can purchase a Panther Pass that includes general admission to all 2024-25 home events for football, soccer, basketball, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse and volleyball. WPIAL and PIAA playoff games are not included. Fee is $50 per person. Orders must be received by Aug. 15. Without an athletic pass, individual admission is $5 per home event. Visit https:// uscsd.org/pantherpass to order online.
VOLLEYBALL
Registration for the United States Youth Volleyball League’s fall program in South Fayette is being accepted at www.usyvl.org or by calling 1-888-988-7985 for more information. The eight-week developmental league is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 15. Practices and games operate in a coed format. The program begins Sept. 9 and runs through Nov. 2 at South Fayette Middle School in McDonald. Practices are held at 6:30 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. Saturdays or 7:30 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. Saturdays. Each participant will be assigned one time bracket. Visit www.usyvl.org or contact 1-888-988-7985 or info@usyvl.org for further details.
LAX STARS
Seven area female players garnered postseason laurels from USA Lacrosse, encompassing the Western Pennsylvania region. Three gained All-America honors. They included Mt. Lebanon’s Addison Murdoch, Peters Township’s Emma Kail and Upper St. Clair’s Anna Capobres. Goalie Kaitlyn Kuczinksi from Chartiers Valley, defenders Grace Goslin from Mt. Lebanon and Ella Neupaver from Peters Township along with midfielder Grace Kail from Peters Township gained All-Academic accolades.
this spring.
Clancy
senior, earned all-state honors last season after leading the Black Hawks with
tackles, eight sacks and 18 quarterback hurries.
PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Clancy Orie is expected to be one of the top defensive ends this football season. The Bethel Park senior recently made a commitment to the United States Naval Academy.
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A PUZZLE TO SOLVE
Ohiopyle State Park offers glimpse into past with escape room
By Zach Petroff For the Observer-Reporter newsroom@observer-reporter.com
Visitors to Ohiopyle State Park now have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the hustle and bustle of what life was like during the park’s “resort era” days, thanks to an escape room located at the train station along the bike trail downtown.
In June, the park’s “Great Escape Room” introduced a new theme based on a 1910 Chamber of Commerce meeting that took place in Ohiopyle. The attraction gives participants a chance to solve puzzles while learning about the history of the western train station around the turn of the 20th century.
“It was the resort era in Ohiopyle,” said Barbara Wallace, Environmental Education Specialist for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
“The Ferncliff area and the town of Ohiopyle was kind of the resort … where all the wealthy folks in Pittsburgh visited during the industrial times from the late 1800s to the 1920s. It was their playground.”
For many tourists during that time period, Ohiopyle was an ideal place to escape the smog of the cities while enjoying the area’s attractions, such as the boardwalk, dancing pavilions, bowling alleys, fountains and tennis courts. The idea to incorporate an escape room at the park came after Wallace and her fellow team of educators at the park sought to find a way for visitors to engage in a piece of “living history.”
Themed as a train station when it originally opened five years ago, the escape room
PT REC
The Peters Township parks and recreation program offers the following events. To register or for more details call 724-942-5000 or visit www.peterstownship.com:
■ Sunflower Art from 10 to 11 a.m. July 30. Ages 6 to 10 will create an item out of sunflowers. Fee is $5 ($8 nonresidents). All supplies provided.
■ A fire safety day camp will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Aug. 12 to 14 in Shelter A at Rolling Hills Park. Fee is $30 ($45 nonresidents).
■ Outside the Lines. This art week runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Aug. 5 to 9 for ages 6 to 12. Fee is $265 ($398 nonmembers).
GARDENING
The Giant Oaks Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Peters Township Library. Fern Siebert from Clean & Tidy Our Country, Inc. will discuss recycling programs in Washington Country and representatives will talk about accessing gardening information. Luncheon fee is $6. Guests need to register by call 724-470-6170.
SCRAPBOOKING
Archivist Ana Giampa will give a talk on preserving
was considered a hit with more than 200 people visiting the puzzle room from 2020 to 2022.
Not wanting to rest on its laurels, the park’s education team decided to reinvent the puzzle room with a theme more specific to the region.
After shutting down for 18 months while the department implemented the redesigned interactive puzzle, the escape room now allows visitors to experience the glamor of Ohiopyle during the peak of the resort era.
“This room is more of a Great Gatsby kind of fancy, early 1900s decor,” Wallace said. “Which is very different from the Western Maryland Train station, which was more about railroads where we had the room staged like a train-station waiting room.”
The escape room enables visitors to immerse themselves in the Western Maryland Railroad’s history while seeing the impact the station had on the area more than a century ago.
“Standing there showing slides is not exciting, but if you like solving puzzles and learning about the different buildings and the different classes of people that were there, this makes it a little bit more fun and a little bit more of an active history,” Wallace said. The escape room, located at the Western Maryland Railway along the bike trail in downtown Ohiopyle, is free and takes around 90 minutes to complete. There are no specific times for the escape room, so to take advantage of the free escape room, email the park at ohiopylegreatescape@gmail.com.
photographs and scrapbooks at 2 p.m. Aug. 4 at Woodville, located at 1375 Washington Pike. Participants will see examples of historic scrapbooks from Woodville as examples before creating their own. Fee is $25 and includes materials. Participants should bring some photographs to get started. Reservations are required. Call 412-221-0348 or visit woodville-experience.org.
CONCERT
The Keystone Chorus will perform at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Bethel Park Community Center, located on Park Avenue. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
Admission is free for this final show in the Dean Streator Summer Concert Series, which is sponsored by the Bethel Park Community Foundation. The foundation funds scholarships, and projects that benefit residents of Bethel Park in the areas of arts and culture, health and recreation, education and safety. Call 412-851-2910 for additional information.
NIGHT OUT
The Bethel Park police department hosts National Night Out from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at Miner’s Memorial
Park. There will be character visits, airbrush tattoos, emergency vehicles, ice cream, snacks, adoptable pups from the South Hills Pet Rescue and free giveaways. There will be raffles for gift cards, gift baskets and a bicycle. All food and activities are free. Visit www.bethelpark.net for more details.
FLEA MARKET
The Bethel Park Lions Club will sponsor a flea market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10 at Lions Park, located at 5757 Irishtown Road. Tables are available to rent for $15 (half) and $25 (whole). To reserve a space, call 412951-4196.
COIN CLUB
The South Hills Coin Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Bethel Park municipal building, 5100 West Library Ave. Members and the general public can attend. The 1715 Shipwreck will be the topic of discussion. A 50/50 will be held and children’s prizes awarded. Applications are being accepted for membership. Call 724-984-6611 for more details.
FISHING
The annual Peters Township Fishing Derby will be held
from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 17 at Peters Lake Park, 560 Center Church Road. Ages 4 to 11 can participate. Fee is $5 ($10 nonresidents). Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Sign-up deadline is Aug. 16. Awards will be given for first, biggest, smallest and most fish. Visit www.peterstownship.com or call 724-942-5000.
PACK THE PARK
The Miracle League Field, located at Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair, will be the site of a Pack the Park event to be held from 8 to 8:45 a.m. Aug. 24. Join former MLB first baseman Sean Casey in welcoming special needs children and adults from the Joe Nuxhall Foundation in Cincinnati. There will be free activities for all attendees. Visit www. miracleleagueshouthhills.org for more details.
DAY TRIP
A one-day trip to Dover, Ohio, will be held Aug. 22. Bus departs at 7 a.m. from the Peters Township recreation center and returns at 8:30 p.m. Fee is $165 and includes a visit to the Reeves Victorian Home, lunch at Der Dutchman and the Famous Endings Museum. Visit www.
peterstownship.com or call 724-942-5000.
DISCOUNT TICKETS
The Peters Township recreation departments has discount tickets on sale for Kennywood, Sandcastle and Idlewild & Soak Zone. Prices range from $35 to $42. All sales are final. Visit www. peterstownship.com or call 724-942-5000 for details or to make a purchase.
CRAFT SHOW
The Bethel Park Elks Lodge No. 2213 will host a craft show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28. Vendors can rent space for $25. Reservations are due by Aug. 7. Make checks payable to Elks Lodge BPOE 2213 and mail to 2789 South Park Road. Vendors are asked to donate one craft for a special raffle basket to benefit the lodge. Email cindy-delouis@ hotmail.com or call 412-9733317.
CHABAD
PCAF SET
A family fun bowling event, sponsored by Chabad of the South Hills, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 8 at the Crafton Ingram Lanes. Fee is $18 per person with a $65 maximum per family. In addition to two hours of unlimited bowling, pizza will be available. RSVP by Aug. 4 at www.chabadsh.com/.
The Pittsburgh Creative Arts Festival will be held Aug. 2325 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Green Tree. The three-day event features activities, classes and merchandise to purchase for knitters, quilters and those who crochet. Admission tickets can be purchased online at: http://www. pghknitandcrochet.com/ PT FIREWORKS
A fireworks display will be held at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at Rolling Hills Park. The show was originally scheduled for Peters Township Community Day but was postponed due to inclement weather. Parking is available in the high school parking lot, adjacent to the park, which is located at 121 Rolling Hills Drive.
BAND FESTIVAL
The Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils Marching Band will host a Festival of Bands on Sept. 28 at the high school. The Mt. Lebanon Blue Devil Marching Band PIMBA Competition will be held Oct. 12. Visit leboband.com for times, ticket prices and more details.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF OHIOPYLE STATE PARK
Ohiopyle State Park’s new escape room, opened in June, is based on a 1910 Chamber of Commerce meeting in Ohiopyle. The historically immersive puzzle allows participants to take on the role of one of 12 business owners from the area as visitors learn about the people and places of the “resort” era.
ABOVE LEFT: Ohiopyle State Park’s “Great Escape” is a free escape room located at the Western Maryland Railway along the bike trail in downtown Ohiopyle. The 90-minute puzzle allows participants to experience the history of the train station set in a Chamber of Commerce meeting in 1910. ABOVE RIGHT: Environmental Education Specialist Barbara Wallace said it took the staff nearly two years to complete the newly themed Ohiopyle escape room, premised around a 1910 Chamber of Commerce meeting.
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