the almanac J U N E 2, 2024
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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UPPER ST. CLAIR HIGH SCHOOL HAS NINE MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS PAGE A3 PHOTOS: ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Show must go on The honor guard from the Mt. Lebanon Police Department stands at attention during a Memorial Day remembrance.
Memorial commemorations proceed as planned in Mt. Lebanon
MT. LEBANON RUNNER WINS GOLD AT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PAGE B1
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
While some South Hills communities canceled Memorial Day ceremonies because of troubling weather forecasts for May 27, the band played on, the commemorations commenced and the parade proceeded in Mt. Lebanon and throughout neighboring Dormont. “We would not cancel a ceremony this important,” said Mt. Lebanon Public Information Officer Laura Pace Lilley. “People who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country deserve to be recognized and thanked. So if anything, we would have moved it inside.” Despite threatening skies, Mt. Lebanon held a moving service outside at the Veterans Memorial Park, located just off Cedar Boulevard. SEE MEMORIAL PAGE A2
65TH DOLLAR BANK THREE RIVERS ARTS FESTIVAL RETURNS PAGE B3 Vivian Dondorf and Donovan Seneca giggle while enjoying the South Hills Memorial Day parade. The young children said “getting candy” is the best part of the parade.
“WE WOULD NOT CANCEL A CEREMONY THIS IMPORTANT. PEOPLE WHO GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR COUNTRY DESERVE TO BE RECOGNIZED AND THANKED. SO IF ANYTHING, WE WOULD HAVE MOVED IT INSIDE.” — LAURA PACE LILLEY, MT. LEBANON PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
What’s happening, B3 Real estate transactions, A3 Classifieds, B4-6
Wet and wild times Splash pad opens in South Fayette Editor’s note: As The Almanac was going to press, it was learned that the splash pad had been closed due to mechanical issues. A reopening date was not available.
By Eleanor Bailey Almanac Sports Editor ebailey@thealmanac.net
They weren’t exactly singing in the rain, but those attending the grand opening of the Fairview Park Splash Park in South Fayette Township on a soggy May 17 shrieked with delight as they raced from one water feature to another. “It’s cool,” shouted Levi Bardo. “Fun.” Bardo’s sister, Lucy, agreed: “So glad it’s here. I love it.” Luke Dilodeau especially enjoyed the buckets that soaked people from 10 feet above after filling up with water. He also liked the squirt guns that enabled him to wage a water war against his friends. “I’m really excited,” Dilodeau said. “It’s going to be a great summer.” With sunnier days ahead assured Andrea Iglar, the director of communications and community development for the township.
ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
After watching the South Hills Memorial Day parade, Matt and Michele Owens headed to the Dormont Pool to continue their fun-filled holiday weekend with their sons, Blake and Hayes.
Area pools open for season ELEANOR BAILEY/THE ALMANAC
Luke Dilodeau (right) mans the squirt gun while Levi Bardo (left) directs and mans the machinery at the splash pad on opening day at Fairview Park in South Fayette Township.
Iglar explained that the grand opening, which included entertainment, a food truck, and dignitaries, was ironically a dry run to make sure everything was in working condition for the season. “Hopefully we have better weather,” Iglar said. “We fig-
ured the splash pad was water anyway so a little bit more rain would make it more fun for the kids. That’s why we said rain or shine.” Despite the dark clouds above, the splash pad sparkled. There are 25 different SEE SPLASH PAGE A5
The summer solstice will occur June 20, but many area residents aren’t waiting to beat the heat. They’re diving into their local watering holes to cool off from unseasonably warm weather. Matt and Michele Owens kicked off the Sun-and-Fun season early by taking their two young sons, Blake and Hayes, to Dormont Pool for opening day on May 25. “It was refreshing because it was really hot,” said Michele Ow-
ens of the unheated facility. “It felt nice because it was so warm.” “Nice pool,” added Matt Owens. “It’s great for the family.” The Owens family purchased a season pass because it allows them admission 15 minutes early on weekends. “You can get a nice spot,” Matt said. The daily rate of $8 per person is affordable though for a family of four, he added. In addition to a slide, there are crafts for the children and a concession stand.
The Dormont Pool is open weekdaysfromnoonto7:30p.m., anduntil8p.m.onweekendsand will remain open through Sept. 2. The pool is closed the first Monday of each month. Visit: boro.dormont.pa.us/ dormont-pool for more details on the facility, located at 1801 Dormont Ave. In addition to Dormont Pool, there are plenty of places to take a dip this summer. SEE POOLS PAGE A2