mIrACLe WOrKer
Casey unifies through baseball
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor
UPPER ST. CLAIR – Sean
Casey facilitates miracles.
Through his Miracle League of the South Hills, he was able to bridge the gap between arch rivals through the Border Battle held Aug. 24 at Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair.
Not only did Casey bring together a group of athletes from Casey’s Clubhouse and the South Hills of Pittsburgh to play baseball against a Miracle League travel team from Cincinnati, representing the Joe Nuxhall Foundation, he united Mt. Lebanon and Upper St. Clair. Less than 12 hours after the Panthers defeated the Blue Devils, 42-22, in the first game of the high school football season, cheerleading squads from both schools as well as former athletes participated in the Pack the Park promotion for the day’s event.
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor
ebailey@thealmanac.net
David Hall of Upper St. Clair saw the social media post of Gus Walz tearfully and proudly shouting, “That’s my dad,” during the Democratic National Convention. Immediately he thought of his own son, Buddy, who has Down’s syndrome, as well as the Miracle League of South Hills, of which he is a member of its executive board.
“Any spotlight and attention is good. This especially because it’s making the broader world realize these are real people here,” Hall said. “They are not just tags. ADHD. Autism. Those are human beings. Those are family members; brothers, sisters; sons, daughters. We have to welcome them into every aspect of society as we would anyone else. That’s the best part.”
The bad part came later. Soon after the clip went viral there was backlash. For example, conservative media pundit Ann Coulter, 62, initially posted on X that Walz’s sobbing was “weird,” then deleted the tweet.
“That’s terrible,” said Tracey Green. The Mt. Lebanon High School cheerleading moderator added, “I wouldn’t even have a comment for people who would pick on special needs people.
PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Seth Callen celebrates after scoring a run while his buddy Jack rockenstein and others, including the Upper St. Clair High School cheerleaders, applaud his accomplishment.
Fans raise their bats as Sean Casey works his way through the crown onto the Miracle League of South Hills field.
Gus Walz good for Miracle League community
ABOVE: Fans wave special Sean Casey terrible towels as they greet the buses arriving for the miracle League border battle between teams from Cincinnati and pittsburgh. RIGHT: Joey, the mascot from the Cincinnati miracle League, poses with mt. Lebanon cheerleaders.
Liam Gorski from the Good Attitude Angels is greeted by former Cincinnati first baseman Sean Casey (21) as he gets off the bus to play in the Miracle League of the South Hills baseball event.
Walz
Maddie Webb said she saw a few things about Walz and it was “nice to bring him to the forefront,” but it’s unfair that he is “getting bullied” now.
Webb plays on the Upper St. Clair soccer team. She also helps with the high school’s unified bocce team, which integrates special needs athletes with students without disabilities in a competitive environment.
Additionally, Webb had a cousin die of Mitochondrial Disease at age 17.
“There is a place in my heart for her,” said the 17-year-old senior. “She really made the most of her years on earth. (People with special needs) bring a lot of happiness to the world. So there really is no reason for the hate.”
While Hall said he has not seen bullying regarding his son, he said it impacts everybody.
“We all live those battles and journeys every day. That is part of life. That is where the broader community or the family unit come in,” he said. “We hope programs like the Miracle League will make the lesson (of bullying) less of a reality.
“We tell kids to always take the high road. Win the war, not the battle,” Hall continued. “The war is a lot longer than that one-time incident.”
Mike McHugh and his son, Gavin, always take the positive path.
An Upper St. Clair High School graduate, McHugh, like Hall, played baseball at Penn State University before being drafted by the Texas Rangers.
McHugh said Gavin is his “sidekick,” as they go everywhere together, including golfing. McHugh does the physical part while Gavin rides in the cart.
Gavin has cerebral palsy and uses devices to assist with walking. He is also legally blind.
“Gavin brings out the best in kids,” McHugh said. “When they wonder why he has canes or why people stare, we don’t judge them. We tell them they help him along and that he has cerebral palsy.”
Gavin has an ear for music and a gift for acting. He plays the piano, having learned the score for “Take Me Out To the Ball Game” because he and his dad were attending a Cubs contest.
Additionally, Gavin stars as Christopher Diaz in the ABC drama series “9-1-1.” He has performed in commercials as well.
“I think acting is great. Nothing to it,” Gavin said. “I love being there with my cast members and friends. I have great friends and don’t get bullied.”
Gavin had sound advice for those who choose that route.
“If someone came up to you and was not nice to you, I wouldn’t say I’d avoid them. I would just leave them alone. I may say, ‘How are you?’ or ‘What’s up?’ but not really talk to them. Bullying is wrong.”
The Miracle Leagues, including the one in the South Hills, as well as off-shoot programs like the Mighty Underdogs or Walkon-Water are right for people with special needs.
“When we lived in California, we went surfing,” McHugh said. “Gavin and I would be there ready with surfboards and wetsuits. Instead of on a baseball field, it’s in the water.
“Until you have a child that needs extra care, you don’t realize what beautiful communities and people are out there,” McHugh added.
The day started with a welcome line stretching from the entrance of the park to the playing field, opening ceremonies that included the national anthem, speeches and ceremonial first pitch, and, of course, baseball games on the hour.
“It took a long time, but after 20 years, we’ve found a way to co-exist here,” said David Hall with a hearty laugh.
A Mt. Lebanon High School graduate, Hall married USC alum Liz Whyte. The couple live in Upper St. Clair with their children, Katie, 24, who is in her first year of law school at Vanderbilt University; Lexi, 21, a senior at Bucknell University, and Buddy, 22, who was born with Down’s syndrome.
After the tough loss, even the Mt. Lebanon cheerleaders were again back in enemy territory. They joined in the celebration alongside members of the USC cheerleading squad as well as other USC athletic clubs.
“It was a tough loss at our house,” said Tracey Green. In addition to being the Lebo cheerleading moderator, she has a son, Jimmy, who is a standout running back on the football team.
Green noted her squad has “cheered” at Miracle League events in the past, but none have been as “big” as the Border Battle.
“It’s wonderful for the girls to be out here representing the community and our district,” Green said. “The girls loved it. You can see on their faces how they enjoyed it and had a good time. All rivalries aside, it’s all about community, and this was an amazing event.”
Green noted how exhilarating it was to watch the players compete and find their niche in the world through sports.
“To see these athletes putting themselves out there is very inspiring,” she said. “They just have a smile on their face. You see that they love it.”
Though she would be playing a soccer match later in the day, Maddie Webb was already at Boyce-Mayview Park
by 8 a.m. to greet the charter buses filled with children and adults who would be playing for Cincinnati in the Border
Battle. She said she decided to attend the optional event after reading an email that circulated among the USC
athletic teams. “To support the community and welcome the kids,” she explained was her reasoning. “We love to
give back to our community and support everyone because they support us.” Because Webb also is part of USC’s Unified Bocce Team, she has empathy for special needs athletes.
“I think they are just as equal as everyone else and that they deserve every opportunity that everybody else does,” she said.
“They give a different perspective of life,” she added. “Nothing should be taken for granted because they make the most of everything they have. So everyone else should too.”
Casey certainly has made the most of his abilities. After helping USC win its first and only WPIAL baseball championship in 1992, he went on to excel at the University of Richmond before being drafted into Major League Baseball. The 50-year-old son of Joan and Jim Casey played for five teams, primarily the Cincinnati Reds from 1997 through 2008. Upon his retirement, he helped cofound the Miracle League of
PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Sean Casey pitches to batters during action at the Miracle League of the South Hills.
Seth Callen taps Jack Rockenstein on the head in a game of Duck-Duck-Goose while waiting for their turn to play in the Miracle League of South Hills event held in Upper St. Clair.
A runner is encouraged by his buddy as he rounds the bases during one of the games played during the border battle between the Miracle League teams from Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. SEE
community news
SF advances in national education competition
By Paul Paterra Staff writer ppaterra@observer-reporter.com
South Fayette School
District is one of 40 entities throughout the country that received $5,000 through the Learning Landscapes Challenge, a $2.2 million competition to design and build future-ready K-12 education environmentals.
The Siegel Family Endowment and the Walton Family Foundation are providing the funding to educational change makers ranging from teachers to community organizations to students that propose solutions that “bridge the learning of today with the learning of tomorrow.”
Concepts submitted represented a variety of approaches, including strengthening STEAM/STEM and career pathways, rethinking where learning takes place and the potential of AI.
“The Learning Landscape Challenge is about educational infrastructure, whether that’s digital, social or physical infrastructure to support stu-
dent learning, to transform learning in education,” said Dr. Matt Callison, South Fayette’s director of innovation and strategic partnerships.
South Fayette received the funding for its Hope Accelerator, an initiative that cultivates authentic, real-world experiences tailored to students’ strengths, interests and career preferences while at the same time leveraging community partnerships and transforming teacher-student relationships.
“The Hope Accelerator really is a concept that’s bringing together a lot of different initiatives that we’ve been involved in,” Callison said. “It’s focused on our high school. It’s really helping us imagine what learning looks like when we’re leveraging community partnerships and technology to provide a more personalized context for student learning. How can we get students to better understand their strengths and their career preferences and use that information to help them better
SEE ADVANCES PAGE A4
Advances
understand who they are, better understand what courses and extracurricular activities might help them prepare better for the future they want.”
Callison said the district will use the $5,000 to provide experiences for teachers to learn in different ways and bring those methods into the classroom. In the past, teachers have gone to schools in New York and Ohio to observe other instructors.
“We do a lot of innovative work and thought this was an opportunity to bring together a lot of initiatives under one umbrella where we can really pull some things together,” Callison said.
“I’m really excited, our team is really excited about this opportunity to have some additional time, support and resources to really think strategically about implementing some innovations at the high school that are
student-centered and future focused, while helping to make school more meaningful and support all students in a better way..”
The awards are part of Phase 1 of the challenge, which featured 272 submissions from teams from 44 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. South Fayette was one of two winners in Pennsylvania. Phase 1 winners now advance to a 14-week virtual accelerator, during which participating teams receive mentorship and technical support. At the end of Phase 2, up to five winners will be recommended by a judging panel to receive $200,000 and move to Phase 3. Phase 2 winners will be announced in November. Those that advance to the third phase will participate in an in-person boot camp and receive tailored technical support. The two grand-prize winners from Phase 3 will receive $500,000. Those will be announced in June.
DR. MATT CALLISON SAID THE DISTRICT WILL USE THE $5,000 TO PROVIDE EXPERIENCES FOR TEACHERS TO LEARN IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND BRING THOSE METHODS INTO THE CLASSROOM.
Miracle FROM PAGE A2
the South Hills. Just recently it added a travel portion to the program and teams have taken trips to Iowa to play on the famed “Field of Dreams” as well as to Cincinnati to compete against children and adults with special needs from the Joe Nuxhall Foundation.
“We believe that every kid deserves a chance to play, but we also believe that every kid deserves a chance to travel,” said Casey. “We have taken our organization to another level.”
The Aug. 24 event was held to reciprocate for the visit to Cincinnati in 2022, when some 2,000 people showed up to welcome the Pittsburgh team. So it was equally touching when Casey, riding the first bus to enter the South Hills complex, saw the massive crowd lining the entranceway and providing a bat salute for him to pass through before the opening ceremonies that kicked off a day of baseball.
With tears streaming down his face, Casey addressed the crowd. “I’m overwhelmed. This is next level,” he said. “The turnout of people here in Pittsburgh is incredible.
“These kids are incredible,” he said. “They mean everything. They have so much love and provide so much joy.
His son, Gavin, who has cerebral palsy, participated in the baseball games. McHugh recalled how his son demonstrated the same enthusiasm for the game as he had, setting out his uniform the night before the big game.
“We love to showcase our athletes, our kids. The biggest thing is inclusion. Our big thing, we look at our kids as athletes and wonderful human beings. There is not a ton of programming for the special needs community and we are encouraging getting more programming. We feel that when this place was established a miracle happened. A true miracle happened for this program again.”
Those in attendance agreed.
“This is absolutely incredible what Sean has created here,” said Mike McHugh.
A former high school teammate of Casey’s, McHugh played at Penn State and was drafted by the Texas Rangers.
“He was so excited,” McHugh said. “Look at him looking around the field. It’s incredible, the joy.” Gavin responded in amazement.
“I think ‘Case’ is great,” he said. “He built this whole field. Can you imagine building this whole field? He built it for me and my special friends.”
The athletes received the royal treatment. They entered the field with grandeur through an inflated arch with smoke billowing around them. They played walk-up songs for the batters and received a shower of bubbles upon crossing home plate.
“This is spectacular,” Hall said. “He added that the Miracle League has turned the community on its side and that Upper St. Clair is now the center of the Miracle League universe.
Hall’s son, Buddy, played in the games.
“What we have done here is not just create an opportunity for kids to play baseball. It’s actually bridging these kids into the broader communities,” Hall said.
“Too many of these kids get branded by their condition or disability. Programs like this make the broader world realize that there is a person behind that condition.”
“These kids have incredible personalities and characteristics. They have dreams. They have likes and dislikes,” he continued. “Without programs like this they wouldn’t get that opportunity. It has been an amazing journey we have been on for the better part of two decades.”
Mathew Richert has been on that trek. In 2000, his parents started a Challenger Baseball program in Baldwin because his brother had autism. Richert worked in that program as a buddy to an athlete. He started coaching in the Miracle League of the South Hills in 2014, four years after he graduated from Bethel Park High School, where he now teaches in the special education department.
“Amazing,” Richert said of the program and the Border Battle activities. “This is the best of America here.
“It’s wonderful and a great opportunity for these athletes. They can meaningfully contribute to their society and community through work. That’s special education. We teach them to live, learn and work in our community of choice with the maximum amount of independence possible.”
PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Gavin McHugh gets showered with bubbles after scoring a run off Sean Casey (21) during an all-star Miracle League of the South Hills event.
The Pirate Parrot gives Kamri Hassey a hug after entering the Miracle League of South Hills field to play for the South Hills Pirates 1 team against Cincinnati.
sports
Persistence pays off
BP’s Wolling dominated Southwest links this summer
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor
ebailey@thealmanac.net
After a sensational summer on the links, Ally Wolling of Bethel Park is hoping for an awesome autumn in girls golf.
Acknowledging that there are ‘more experienced’ golfers ahead of her, Wolling said, “I’d love to win the WPIAL title. I think I can do it if I work hard enough. Anything is possible.”
It is conceivable that Wolling will qualify for the district championships for the first time in her career as well as enjoy a continued success because she has labored long during the summer break preceding her senior year at Bethel Park High School. For starters, she started taking lessons at the Kuhn Golf Academy after training two years at First Tee of Pittsburgh. The academy is owned and operated by David Kuhn, who has 28 years of experience perfecting golf swings as well as teaching methods and techniques of the game. Not only is he a certified AimPoint instructor, he has coached the Peters Township boys team for decades. He guided the Indians to a record-breaking season in 2023 that included a WPIAL title as well as a PIAA championship.
“Ally has developed a love and passion for golf over the last few years and has worked towards really improving her game,” Kuhn said. “She has made some positive strides this summer and looks to have a good senior year at Bethel Park.”
Wolling ended the summer season being named the Female Player of the Year in her age division and placed first for the championship flight for the Southwest Pennsylvania Junior Golf Tour.
Wolling said the accolades ‘mean a lot and that practice indeed makes a difference.
“It’s taken dedication and a lot of hard work,” she said. “You have to work hard to get what you want.”
Wolling added that the summer season has prepared her for her fourth year of competition on the Lady Hawks golf team.
“It’s given me a lot of confidence,” she said. “The summer got me ready for the season and taught me more about the mental game of golf. You can’t get down on yourself. That’s my Achilles heel. I’m trying to be as calm as I can be.”
Off the greens, Wolling has discovered a few relaxing activities. In the
spring, she plays lacrosse with her sister, Morgan, for the Lady Hawks. She has competed in lacrosse for eight years.
“It’s something I wanted to do so I stuck with it, but I prefer golf. It’s my main sport. I’m better at it,” she admitted.
Additionally, Wolling is a seasoned photographer. Shooting scholastic sports is her forte. She donates her images to the yearbook and The Hawk Eye, the school’s newspaper, as well as posts pictures on social media. She also is a videographer for Blackhawk TV, a channel dedicated to live productions of Bethel Park High School sporting events.
“During my sophomore year, I was looking for something to do,” Wolling explained. “The photography (and videography) took off from there.”
Wolling intends to parlay those creative skills into a career. She plans to
golf in college while majoring in athletic communications where she hopes to break into the sports filming industry.
Currently, she is looking to play golf and gain a good education at either Waynesburg University or Penn West-California.
While averaging 83 for 18 holes and 40 over nine holes, Wolling also finds time to maintain a 3.85 GPA in the classroom and work a part-time job in the pro shop at 1781 Club (formerly Scenic Valley Golf Course) in Venetia.
Regardless of where her golf career takes her, Wolling will have a sport for life; one that provides directions throughout her existence.
While her parents, Erin and Zachary, have been her Polar star, Wolling’s coaches have provided guidance as well.
Noting she started golfing because of her father seven years ago, Wolling
said that it was a trip to the driving range with him that made her “fall in love” with the game.
In the few lessons she has already taken at the Kuhn Golf Academy, Wolling said that she had learned plenty that will help her on and off the course. Thanks to the AimPoint method employed by Kuhn, she has already improved her ability to read greens as well as her putting.
“Golf is full of challenges,” she said. “Things happen. They don’t always go your way. So, you have to be ready for everything but you also have to be patient.
“Golf is such a mental game. If you play a bad shot, you will know because you didn’t do something right. So you correct your mistakes. It’s the same in life. You are going to make mistakes. The secret is to get back up and try again.”
Peters Township hosts Mt. Lebanon
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor
ebailey@thealmanac.net
Mt. Lebanon will travel to Peters Township on Sept. 6 for The Almanac Game of the Week. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
The Blue Devils started the 2024 season on a down note, falling to rival Upper St. Clair, 42-22, in Greg Perry’s debut as head coach. Despite the defeat, Patrick Smith ran Lebo’s new offense with some efficiency, completing 18 of 25 passes for 162 yards. The junior also rushed for two touchdowns, measuring eight and five yards. Smith’s primary targets in the loss were Noal Schaerli and Jimmy Green both with five receptions. The Blue Devils jumped ahead of the Panthers. On the opening drive of the game, they scored a field goal on Brady Lowe’s 29-yard kick. Liam DeLuca tacked on a 10-yard TD run with 4:31 to play in the game. Meanwhile, the Indians debuted with a come-from-behind victory against Canon-McMillan, 42-17. Peters Township trailed, 17-0, before reeling off 42 unanswered points.
A 57-yard punt return by Nick McCullough and a 20yard interception by Mickey
Vaccarello for touchdowns ignited the Indians. McCullough added another score on a 23-yard passing strike from Nolan DiLucia. McCullough had six receptions for 178 yards. He also had an 85-yard reception for an apparent score but a penalty nullified the play. As a cornerback on defense, McCullough allowed no receptions. DiLucia led the air attack. He completed 15 of 21 attempts for 302 yards. Last season, the junior led the WPIAL with 3,131 yards.
Nick Courie provided a punch to the rushing attack. He scored three times in the second half on runs of 1, 2 and 8 yards. Defensively, Lucas Rost had an interception that thwarted Canon-Mac’s comeback attempt. He also forced two fumbles and made seven tackles. Meanwhile, Canon-Mac looked to rebound from its season-opening loss when it travels to South Fayette for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Sept. 6. The Lions dominated rival Chartiers Valley, 26-0, in Marty Spieler’s debut as head coach. Drew Welhorsky engineered the victory. The sophomore signal caller completed 18 off 22 aerials for 302 yards. He also rushed for 174 more yards.
Welhorsky accounted for all four of SF’s scores. He rushed for three touchdowns of 6, 36 and 5 yards. He also connected with Tyson Wright for a 9-yard scoring strike.
Alex Dean led South Fayette with 57 receiving yards on five catches.
After back-to-back games with Class 6A clubs (Mt. Lebanon and Canon-McMillan), Upper St. Clair returns home to host Franklin Regional, which competes in Section 2 in the 5A classification. The game is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 6.
USC opened the 2024 campaign with a 42-22 win against Mt. Lebanon.
In the victory, Julian Dahlem demonstrated his versatility. He completed 2 of 3 passes for 62 yards and 57-yard scoring strike to Nico D’Orazio.
Dahlem also scored on a 33yard rushing attempt. He finished with 108 yards on eight carries and caught two passes.
Dante Coury was USC’s other major ball carrier. He rushed for 78 yards on 11 carries. He scored on a 36-yard scamper. He also hauled in a 7-yard TD aerial.
“Dante makes nice runs and Julian creates things. He is elusive. He’s a home-run hitter,” said USC skipper Mike Junko. “With the offensive line we have in front of those
guys, there are opportunities out there.”
Anchored by Nate Stohl and Micheal Albert, a pair of Panthers committed to Princeton, the O-line enabled USC to overcome Lebo’s strong start.
Hyped by Greg Perry’s debut as head coach, the Blue Devils took the lead first on the initial possession of the game.
“We were out of sync. Out of rhythm,” Junko said. “There was a lot of excitement over there due to Lebo having a brand new coach.
“We physically took over the game and ran the ball well in the second half and that’s what we have to do to win games,” Junko concluded.
Ethan Hellmann completed 5 of 10 passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns – a 43-yard strike to Bryce Jones and a 7-yard aerial to Dante Coury. He also picked up 34 yards on the ground.
Jacob Echeveria converted all but one extra point. Ryan Popp had the other PAT. Defensively, Van Hellmann led with six solo tackles while Michael Albert had two solo and four assisted tackles. John Banbury followed with five total tackles and Jake Casares and Nate Stohl had four each. Caffery Duplessis had an interception in the win for USC.
As USC continues to pre-
sports briefs
LACROSSE
Holden Rickel of Upper St. Clair made the NIKE national lacrosse team for the third year in a row. He represented Pennsylvania in the national games held this summer in Maryland.
A rising senior at Upper St. Clair High School, Rickel also recently committed to compete for St. Joseph University. The Philadelphia-located school is currently ranked No. 13 in the country for D1 lacrosse and has won the A10 conference championship this past season. Rickel plays club midfield for 2025 CRABS Lax Club, based in Baltimore.
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 412-9774407 to register.
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.
PT SOCCER
The Peters Township varsity teams kicked off the 2024 campaign with victories. Behind Alex Parise’s hat trick, the men blanked Bethel Park, 6-0. Brett Martin, Jeven Kelly, and Carter Helbig contributed the other tallies. In follow-up action, Parise and Kelly scored the goals in a 2-0 shutout against Norwin. The PT girls defeated Penn-Trafford, 3-0, in their opener. Goalies Molly Kubistek and Kaitlyn Strine combined for the shutout in the net while Paige Malley (2 goals) and Taylor McCullough provided the scoring.
pare for conference action, which commences on Sept. 27 against Peters Township, which is the defending WPIAL Class 5A champion and PIAA runner-up, Junko anticipates bigger battles ahead, including McKeesport on Sept. 20.
“It’s going to be a very competitive season in our conference and South Hills in general. I think there are a lot of teams on the same plane. A lot of experience,” he continued.. “It will be a challenge every week.”
In another 2024 opener involving a South Hills club, Bethel Park smashed Seneca Valley, 50-14. Tanner Pfeuffer completed 13 passes for 244 yards. He tossed two touchdowns of 80 and 1 yards to JaVaugn Moore as well as a 29-yard scoring strike to Mitchell Paschl. Both Pfeuffer and Moore added running scores. Moore finished with 112 yards rushing. BP’s defense accounted for two touchdowns. Jack Bruckner had a Pick-6 for 67 yards and William Sabatos scored on a 15-yard interception. Luke Yimin accounted for the extra points. The Black Hawks will be on the road for the third straight week – they played at Mars on Aug. 30 as well as at Seneca Valley in the opener – when they face Armstrong at 7 p.m. Sept. 6. Finally, Chartiers Valley visits Indiana for a Sept. 6 contest at 7 p.m.
Rickel
Ally Wolling of Bethel Park enjoyed a successful summer season of golf capturing female player of the year honors from as well as finishing first in her division during Southwest Pennsylvania Junior Golf action.
ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC Mt. Lebanon quarterback Patrick Smith (14) eludes Robert Fleckenstein (73) as he rushes for a touchdown during a 42-22 loss to Upper St. Clair. The Blue Devils will travel to Peters Township to battle the defending WPIAL Class 5A champion at 7 p.m. Sept. 6.
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sights & sounds
BOOKS AND BITES
Peters Township Library’s Read Local/Eat Local set for Sept. 7
By Jon Andreassi Staff writer
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
If you’re looking to devour a book or maybe just some ice cream, the Peters Township Public Library will be hosting its annual Read Local/Eat Local event next week.
There will be 22 local authors and three food trucks at the library parking lot from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 7. Illyana Logan, assistant library director, said there will also be family friendly activities such as a temporary tattoo station.
“This year we have all new food trucks and all new authors,” Logan said. “We have a really wide swath of different types of books available.”
The event will include authors who write children’s books, science fiction, romance novels and memoirs.
Since Read Local started in 2018, it has become popular enough that the library has an application process for authors.
“We really look for a range of different genres and age groups,” Logan said.
The food trucks featured for the “Eat Local” portion of the event will be Hibachi Lou, Notorious BLT and Happy Day Dessert Factory.
Last year’s Read Local/Eat Local saw about 400 attendees throughout the day, enough that they turned it from a twohour event to a three-hour one.
“We’re hoping for at least that many again this year,” Logan said. People line up at the authors’ tables at Read Local/Eat Local in 2022.
what’s happening
STAR SHOW
The Starry Messenger will be featured during a free kids show to be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Peterswood Park amphitheater. She presents the greatest show in the universe, balancing stars, juggling planets and performing acrobatics with constellations in this interactive investigation of the heavens. Visit www. peterstownship.com or call 724-942-5000 for more details.
GARDEN CLUB
The Giant Oaks Garden Club will meet at 1 p.m. Sept. 5 at St. David’s Episcopal Church located at 905 McMurray Rd. Teresa Sandrock from the Food Helpers in Brownsville will be the featured speaker. Guests and members can attend the lecture and lunch. Fee is $6. Call 724-470-6170 to register.
PT SOCIAL
A celebration in recognition of National Grandparents Day will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Peters Township recreation center located at 700 Meredith Dr. Ages 3-5 can attend this social accompanied by an adult. They will create a picture frame and decorate cookies. A photo booth will be on site. Call 724942-5000 to register.
BP LIBRARY
“Friday The 13th” will be featured in the Bethel Park library’s Movies In The Park program. The film will be shown beginning at dusk on Sept. 13 at Park Avenue Field. Movie-goers should bring blankets or lawn chairs as well as their favorite snacks. The library will also offer:
■ Laughter Yoga from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Sept. 9 at the
library. The course for all adults combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing techniques ■ Meditations at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25. Sheila Forester will discuss participation in transmission meditation, an advanced form of meditation that contributes to well-being and service to the world.
Visit bethelpark.librarycalendar.com to register or for more information regarding additional events to be held in September.
PT POLICE
The Peters Township’s citizen’s police academy will conduct a fall session beginning Sept. 24. The program runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Tuesdays until Nov. 19 at the police department located at 200 Municipal Drive in McMurray.
Participants are taught the basics of criminal law with emphasis on the crimes code and vehicle code. The program also includes patrol tactics, the processing of crime scenes, interview and interrogation and other subjects.
Class size is limited to 25 participants. Ages 18 and older must complete an application, sign a release and waiver from liability, and give permission for the Peters Township Police Department to conduct a background check.
Applications are available at the police department or on the township and police department websites. Application deadline is Sept. 10 and can be emailed to: georosz@peterstownship.com, faxed to 724-942-5004 or mailed or hand-delivered to the Peters Township Police Department, 200 Municipal Drive, McMurray, PA 15317.
COIN CLUB
The South Hills Coin Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Bethel Park Municipal Building located at 5100 W. Library Ave. Club members and the general public can attend this program, which focuses on the coinage history of Iceland. A 50/50 will be offered and children’s prizes will be awarded. Applications are now being accepted for membership. For more information call 724-984-6611.
SH ELKS
The Pittsburgh South Hills Elks will feature kitchen specials beginning Sept. 9. Dinners will be available for eat-in or take-out from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the lodge located at 2789 South Park Road in Bethel Park.
The lodge will also host a crafter and vendor show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28. Call 412-831-0616 for details on either event.
CHOCOLATE
A chocolate-making demonstration will be held Sept. 8 recurring at 1:20, 2:20 and 3:20 p.m. at Woodville, located at 1375 Washington Pike in Collier Township.
From bean to beverage and beyond will be discussed regarding the late 18th century delicacy. Demo is free with house tour admission. Visit woodville-eperience.org or call 412-221-0348 for details.
FITNESS
The Westminster Presbyterian Church at Upper St. Clair will host the following fitness classes:
■ Stronger bones, better balance from 10:10 to 11:10 a.m. Tuesdays beginning Sept. 3 through Oct. 29. This gentle, low-impact, joint-friendly workout that
strengthens the spine, helps rebuild bone and teaches balance to help reduce the risk of fractures. Fee is $72.
■ Parkinson’s workout with boxing beginning Sept. 4 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:10 a.m., 10:10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. through Oct. 30
■ Pickleball for Parkinson’s from 1 to 2:45 p.m. Thursdays
■ Gentle Yoga: This slower-paced class emphasizes a gentle form of the classical poses and slow-moving postures. Students can use a chair for balance. Time is 9 to 10 a.m. Fridays beginning Sept. 13. Fee is $63.
Visit wroc.westminster-church.org or call 412835-6630 to register.
WRITING
A WordStorm Creative Writing course begins Sept. 4 at the Peters Township community center. Class runs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Ages 9-13 can attend. Jack Ohliger instructs children in a creative, outsidethe-box thinking method as they work toward a new book of their choosing. Fee is $120 ($180 nonmembers). Visit www.peterstownship.com or call 724-942-5000 for details.
COLLEGE CLUB
The College Club of Carnegie will meet Sept. 7 at Monarch Shelter in Carnegie Park, located on Forsythe Road. A social starts at 11:30 a.m. followed by a luncheon at noon. “Picnic in the Park” is the meeting’s theme. A 50/50 raffle will be offered to benefit the group’s scholarship fund. Women with post-secondary education should call 412279-4458 for membership information or further details.
at Vanadium Woods Lobby on Vanadium Road in Bridgeville. “The Therese Rocco Story” will be the topic, and Sharon Liotus will discuss how Rocco became the nation’s first female assistant police chief and her investigations locating over 45,000 missing children and adults. Refreshments and dessert will be served. Call 412-965-4714 or 412-4141232 to attend or for membership information.
BP DAY
Bethel Park Community Day will be held Sept. 7. A parade kicks off at 9 a.m. Festivities, including carnival rides, inflatables for children and petting zoo, along with 60 booths will be operating from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lots on the high school campus. Visit bethelpark.net for more details.
VOICES WANTED
The Harmony Singers of Pittsburgh, a volunteer choral group based in the South Hills, will hold an open rehearsal at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at the Brightwood Christian Church, located at 5044 W. Library Ave. in Bethel Park. New members should arrive between 6:30 to 6:45 p.m. for a meet-and-greet and music distribution. The group is seeking new members. All voice parts are needed. Performance experience and ability to read music are useful but not required. Visit www.harmonysingers.org. or email info@harmonysingers. org to reserve a spot for the audition event.
PET MEMORIAL
dove release. The event, in its 20th year, enables those who have lost a beloved animal companion to share and grieve together. Call 412-2207800 for further details.
LADIES NIGHT
The Peters Township Newcomers and Neighbors Club will host a ladies night out at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at Valleybrook Country Club. Women are invited to meet members and learn about the organization, which was created in 1965 as a ladies civics and social organization. Reservations are required. Visit www. ptnc.org to RSVP.
GARAGE SALE
The third Garage Sale in the Park, sponsored by the Bethel Park Business Association, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 14 on Industrial Boulevard in Bethel Park. Vendors are needed. Cost is $20 for a 10-by-10-foot space. Email saws60bp@gmail.com or call 412-831-5402 to sign up or for more information.
HAUNTED TRAIL
SH WOMEN
The South Hills Women’s Club meets at 8 p.m. Sept. 9
Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation will host Pet Memorial Sunday on Sept. 8 in Bridgeville. Visit www.ccpc.ws to RSVP to the event. Attendees are invited to compose a 50word tribute to their departed pet that will be read before a
Volunteers are needed to operate the Peters Township Haunted Trail. Ages 13 through adults are needed to be storytellers or scene actors. Volunteers should attend a planning meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 19 at the recreation center. Ensuing meetings will be held Sept. 9, 16 and 23. A walk-through will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 30. The Haunted Trail runs from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Oct. 4 and 5. There will be special showings at 5:30, 5:45 and 6 p.m. Oct. 5 for children. Fee for the trail event is $5 per person. To sign up to volunteer, call 724-942-5000 or email MGeorge@peterstownship. com.
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MERCEDES-BENZ
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TOYOTA
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