the almanac A P R I L 5, 2026
SOUTH HILLS COMMUNITY NEWS
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EASTER’S SWEET STORY ‘EGGS-CITEMENT’ ABOUNDS
Jellybeans tell church’s saga By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
When children awakened on April 5, they enthusiastically searched for their baskets. They couldn’t wait to taste all the chocolate bunnies and eggs, but Christ United Methodist Church hoped they relished both the sweet taste and meaning behind the jellybeans. A week before the Bethel Park church held its Easter services, it spread the good news of the season through an event it dubbed “Bunny Bonanza.” In addition to a visit with the Easter Bunny, games and breakfast, more than 1,000 visitors learned about Jesus through the use of the simple jellybean. Each of the colors – green, black, red, orange, white, purple, yellow and pink – represented Christ’s Passion and Resurrection. “Easter is the most special time of year,” said Jess Gilman, who is the church’s event planning director. “We learn about how Jesus died on the cross and saved us from our sins. That and the hope of having eternal life in heaven is the best gift we could ever have.” Gillman added that through the Bunny Bonanza, the church was able to tell the story to everyone they encountered and instead of its usual egg hunt, jellybeans were used to relay the message. “We’re super excited about the changes,” said Jennifer Morgan, who is the church’s communication director. “This was a great way to give the community a little taste of what the church is about and welcome them back to worship with us and to tell the wonderful story about Easter.” Nearly 600 adults and more than 500 children attended the Bunny Bonanza held March 28. A free breakfast returned to the event, which also included a petting zoo and crafts. While Owen and Caden Booth said the best part of Easter is all the treats, their mother, Danielle, noted the joy of watching SEE EASTER PAGE A2
ELEANOR BAILEY
Barringer Sweet, 15 months, reaches for eggs to place in her basket during the Easter egg hunt held recently at Mt. Lebanon Park.
By Eleanor Bailey ebailey@thealmanac.net
ELEANOR BAILEY
Skylar Schuller of Bethel Park is enthralled with meeting the Easter Bunny during her visit to Christ United Methodist Church for its Bunny Bonanza event.
Chaos erupted on March 28 at Mt. Lebanon Park as hundreds of children scoured the hillside in pursuit of colored-plastic eggs filled with candy treats and toy prizes. “It’s a free-for-all kind of deal,” admitted Zach Wolling. Mt. Lebanon’s program manager grew up in Mt. Lebanon and participated in a similar egg hunt as a youth before settling in neighboring Bethel Park to raise his own family. Some 500 eggs were scattered throughout an area in the park roped off by tape and divided by age groups. After a 10-second countdown, kids aged 7 and under along with their parents and guardians ripped through the paper barrier and scurried up the hill to fill their
baskets. An additional 500 eggs were hidden inside the recreation center for a special hunt held March 31 on the ice rink. “This is one of our great special events which we offer that brings the whole community out. You know, all the little kids get a chance to come and just be here in the park. They get a chance to run up the hill and grab as many eggs as they can.” Additionally, participants were able to have their pictures taken with the Easter bunnies that made a special appearance at the event. Chris Moore and his wife, Emily, took advantage of that opportunity to be photographed with their children, George and Harvey. “This was awesome,” Chris Moore said of the “eggs-travaganza.” More Egg Hunt photos on A2.
ELEANOR BAILEY
ELEANOR BAILEY
Skylar and James Gruntz from Bethel Park play among the balloon display featuring the Easter Bunny at the Bunny Bonanza.
The Moore family of Mt. Lebanon pose for a picture with the Easter Bunny during festivities after the annual egg hunt. With Chris and Emily Moore are their children, George and Harvey.
‘Orchids are for everyone’ Flowers will be on display during annual show By Jill Thurston
jthurston@observer-reporter.com
Orchids are for … well, everyone. That’s the message from the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania (OSWP) as it prepares for its annual orchid show April 11 and 12 at the Crown Plaza Hotel, 164 Fort Couch Road in Upper St. Clair. Orchids grow almost everywhere, on nearly every continent. The delicate blooms are the largest species of plants on the earth. With more than 30,000 species and 200,000 hybrids, there is presumably
an orchid out there for everyone. “Truly, orchids are for everyone. You will find one that speaks to you, and the barriers to entry for growing orchids are much lower than what a person might think,” said OSWP member Brian Powell of Monroeville. The orchid show has become a Pittsburgh tradition, Powell believes. “It’s becoming more and more well known, generally by word of mouth.” “They have what I consider to be world-class displays of orchids … elaborate, in all shapes, colors and sizes of flowers. There are orchids that
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look like a slipper, almost as if you had tiny feet you could put your feet in these orchids. You have orchids that are non-fragrant and some that are wonderfully fragrant,” Powell said. Some orchids grow without media, like the epiphytic orchids that grow seemingly in midair and others that grow in coarse media (like tree bark). Powell’s favorite? “The ones that I don’t kill,” said Powell. “I love the Vanda. It’s an epiphytic orchid and generally grows without any media.” These types of orchids have aerial roots and need to be watered or misted daily. The two-day show will include lectures on orchid care, re-potting services for a small fee, orchid
COURTESY OF SHEILA NATHANSON
Sheila Nathanson, of the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania, grows a variety of orchids in her greenhouse, an “oasis” in the winter.
sales from vendors as far away as Ecuador as well as local vendors, crafts and raffles. Sheila Nathanson of Mt. Lebanon joined OSWP more than 10 years
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ago after several years of buying orchids at the orchid show. “There are things you can’t find anywhere else,” she said. “And when you first start out growing or-
chids, you have no idea really if you can grow something or not, but it hits your eye and you just have to have it.” SEE ORCHIDS PAGE A2
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