the almanac O C T O B E R 13, 2024
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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BETHEL PARK’S ‘NO COOK TUESDAYS’ OFFER MID-WEEK BREAK FROM COOKING PAGE A2
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF AMY REUSCHLING
ABOVE: Some members of the Pumpkin Posse re-create famous works of art. AT LEFT: Celebrities and pop culture references commonly appear on the pumpkins.
FINAL HURRAH
BP ‘Pumpkin Posse’ carving jack-o-lanterns for one last Halloween
SOUTH FAYETTE ALUM MAKING ROOM AT THE TOP FOR WELHORSKY PAGE B1
By Jon Andreassi Staff writer
jandreassi@observer-reporter.com
BETHEL PARK – What began as a Halloween tradition of carving pumpkins with her children blossomed into a neighborhood event, but Amy Reuschling is ready to disband the Pumpkin Posse after this October. Each year Reuschling and a dozen relatives and friends – the aforementioned “Pumpkin Posse” – gather in her Bethel Park home about a week ahead of Halloween to laugh, drink and carve pumpkins. A lot of pumpkins. “Yes, it’s my thing, and, yes, everyone calls me the pumpkin queen, but without them … It’s like they get off of work, they come here. They stay here until 10 o’clock at night, they go home, they go to sleep, they go back to work and they come back here. It’s like that week all you do is think pumpkins. It’s ridiculous.” They aren’t making simple jack-o-lanterns, either. These pumpkins are more complex, with detailed images of fictional characters, celebrities and even re-creations of famous Amy Reuschling began creating magnificent jack-o’-lantern displays in her East View works of art. yard years ago. The display delights the community, and doubles as a fundraiser for SEE PUMPKIN PAGE A2 the National MS Society.
LEAF-PEEPING SEASON EXPLAINED WITH THE SCIENCE OF AUTUMN PAGE B3 What’s happening, B3 Real estate transactions, A6 Classifieds, B4-6
SHIM to cut ribbon on newly renovated center
The Cree gas well site in Cumberland Township, Greene County, operated by Energy Corp. of America, is shown in this 2014 photo.
By Paul Paterra Staff writer
ppaterra@observer-reporter.com
The South Hills Interfaith Movement (SHIM) Center in Bethel Park looks a bit different these days after the recent completion of a renovation project.. The renovations, which carried a price tag of about $1.7 million to $2 million, will be on display at a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 15 at the facility at 5301 Park Ave. Renovations were made possible by a $370,000 Gaming Economic Development Tourism Fund (GEDTF) Allegheny County grant, along PAUL PATERRA/OBSERVER-REPORTER with support from the Jef- Jim Guffey, SHIM executive director, stands near a wall ferson Regional Foundation, with placards acknowledging donors to the “Do More SEE RIBBON PAGE A2 Good Campaign.”
Celebrate 30 Years!!
Marcellus has wealth of natural gas and more Editor’s note: This is the third in a series “Earning royalties is a nice thing to have,” of stories reflecting on 20 years of gas drill- Mark Caskey said, chuckling. ing in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Caskey is the founder and CEO of Steel Nation, a Southpointe-based company that designs and constructs steel buildings for By Rick Shrum the oil and gas industry. He also is a savvy For the Observer-Reporter family man who has positioned himself, his rshrum@observer-reporter.com wife and their two daughters for present and Oil and natural gas companies are not the future prosperity. only financial beneficiaries of the Marcellus Shale boom. SEE WEALTH PAGE A2
OVER 230 EXHIBITS IN 6 HEATED BUILDINGS!
Pennsylvania Arts & Crafts
Part Time Cowboys Oct. 19 • 12–2:30
Christmas Festival
The Shelly Duff Band Oct. 20 • 12–2:30
Buy Tickets at the GATE OR ONLINE
Santa & Mrs. Claus
FamilyFestivals.com
Sat’s 10–5, Sun’s 11–4
Oct. 18 • 19 • 20 & 26 • 27
7 24-8 6 3-4 57 7 info@familyfestivals.com
Fri 10–5 • Sat’s 10–6 • Sun’s 10–5
Washington County Fairgrounds
Unique Jewelry
American Pie Oldies Band Oct. 26 • 12–2:30
SAVE 50¢
Shelly McCombie Duo Oct. 27 12–2:30
PA Trolley Rides
Redeem ad for 50¢ Off ONE Adult or Senior Admission